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Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York. N. Y.. Post Office. Copyright 1391. by BEADLE AND Alums. Doceml‘xq 15, 131)).
$2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AN D ADAMS. Price
NO.  a, Y y ‘ ‘ 7 y vr \, r 5 Cent's  
ear. N). 98 WILLIAM STREET, LE“ 3 leh. '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
    
  

 

 

           

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WIPING HUT 0L1] NIUK'S MB.

A Romance of Montana Camps and Trails.
BY JOHN W. ()SBUN.
AUTHOR m“ “ HOLLY noxuu'r, Tm: /E'}'ERAN"
DETECTIVE,” “PLW'KV PAUL, ‘ma: nh‘)!’
mmsrno'ruu,“ m-(x, mu, Ew.

 

CHAPTER I.
HOLD-DUST DAN.

“BY heavem! those men are the Mountain
League, and they are lying in wzut for the ~tnge
coming up from Sand Bur! Gold-Dust Dun,
you‘re in luck X”

‘ Not loudly hm: with a deal uf energy, the
‘ BY HEAVENS! 'nmwz MEN ARE THE MOl'N'l‘AIN LEAGUE AND THEY ARE LYXNG IN words burst from Hm. lips of a youth Kinnehng,
\‘VAJ'I‘ mm mm :a’rmuc! HOLD-DUST DAN. YOU‘RE IN LU‘KE" rifle in band, upon the brink m' u bah] precapico

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

.. see‘yjm hanged first!”
' u

2 . Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol.

I

 

 

overhanging a stage trail, several hundred feet
below.

There, crouching behind bowlders and hidden
in the undergrowth bordering the trail, were the
men referred to, nine in number, all masked-
‘and heavily armed.

To eyes far less experienced than Gold-Dust
Dan’s, it would have been plainly evident that
the cohort meant mischief.

With a last lingering glance, as if seeking to
fix every detail of the ambush in mind, the
youth drew back from the verge and rose to his
feet, his dark eyes aglow, his lips parted, dis-
closmg his gleaming white teeth in a smile pe-
culiarly tigerish. ‘

Tall, finely proportioned, with the torso of
an athlete, this mountain nomad was a hand-
some lad. His hair and his eyes were dark,
almost black, and his clear-cut features wore
the ruddy glow of perfect health. He was fully
armed, carrying a fine repeating—rifle, a brace

I of heavy revolvers find an eight-inch bowie.

His outer garments were of dark corduroy,
and showed traces of rough usage. A gay silken
tie fluttered at his throat, streaming airily
from ’neath the wide collar of his blue flannel
shirt. A sombrero covered his head, high~topped
cavalry boots his feet. -

“Yes, it is the Mountain League, or Old
Nick’s Nine, and the knavish crew are lying in
wait for the stage,” be repeated, as he gained
his feet and gazed anxiously down the trail.
“ If John Johnny isn’t warned, he willdrive
straight into the trap, too.”

i If it was the youth’s intention to warn the
driver of the stage, little time was to be lost.
' The sun was less than two hours above the west-
ern horizon, while the stage was due at Slocum

, ' City, a good five miles to the northward, a trifle

before nightfall. , ,

Whatever may have been the determination
of Gold-Dust Dan, no word of his betrayed it.
Leisurer enough, he picked his way around a
jutting angle, and thence to the bottom of a
narrow ravine or fissure leading dewn into one
of the numerous canyons piercing the range.

A good half-mile at that seemingly slow pace,
than a sharp turn in the ravine revealed a clean-
limhed black horse tethered in a sheltered niche
and which, a moment later, the young nomad
mounted.

Then followed a series of startling eventS.

Into view from the cover of a heap of rocks
glided a. man—a tall, gaunt, disreputable-look-
ing desperado, with gleaming, furtive gray eyes,
a bushy, yellow beard, and a shock of reddish-
brown, hair.

This man held a cocked revolver in his right
hand, and the muzzle of the weapon covered the
young rider. '

“ Raise yer leetle hands, me lark,” called out
the desperadd. “ I has catched e dead ter
rights, nn’ I reckon ye’ll git a full ose ov boss-
thief’s medicine, dern yel”

Reluctai .ly enough, Gold-Dust Dan obeyed.

The, ruflian had secured the “drop,” and a
glance at his ugly face showed that he was ripe
for an deviltry if cro . ~

. “ p they go i” returned the boy named,
smiling grimly.

“ Now git off my boss."

“ Your horse?”

“ I hes sed et, kid— my boss!”

“Go to, thou attenuated fraud!” and Dan
laughed derisively. “ Your horse, indeed! I’ll

ight, or I’ll be] yel Ye’re kivered !”
An’ so be you, argeant Sly !”
I At that low, intense voice, both actors in the
scene started and cast a swift glance upward.

There, not four feet above, Gold-Due! Dan,
extended at full length in a niche in the side of
the ravine, just his arms and a portion of his
weather-beaten face visible, lay the speaker,
each of his brawny hands grasping a huge re-
volver, both of which here full upon the head of
the yellow-bearded desperado.

“Pards, I passes!” ejaculated the latter,
though his eyes gleamed wickedly as they en-
countered the face of the man on the rock. “Es
for mu, Ozark Oll—reckon I kin find a time ter
settle With ya for mixin’ in this day l” and with
a vicious little and Sergeant Sly slipged out of
sight around the rocks as adroitly as 8 had ap-

peared.

“ My friend,  owe you one,” Gold-Dust Dan
exclaimed, gazing keenly at the face of his de-
Jiverer. “ That rascal had me dead to rights I
might have succeeded in getting in a snap-shot,
but the chances are big that he would have
spitted me at the same time.”

.“ , I reckon ye ain’t got no cause ter
kick, kid, beka’se I mixed in,” observed the man

‘ on the rock, as he arose and stretched his

   

cramped limbs. “ I’ll be gol-sivinged ef ct
wa’n’t a putty nice leetle game, thet ov ther
surge’nt’s, on’y et’s so hold for him that I'm
afeard thar’s more 0v his ilk in ther brash,” and
he narrowly surveyed his surroundings, just a
trace of anxiety betraying itself in his keen
glance‘.”

“ I hope not, just n0w, though at almost any
other time I would be glad to see the Scoundrels
show their hands,” Dan returned. “May I ask
how you happened in so opportuner ?"

“ Follered Sarge’nt Sly till I got onto his leetle
game, an’ jest went him one better. But w’at’s
rushin’ ye, boy? I kin see ye’re jest itchin’ ter
tech spurs ter yer critter.”

“ I’Ve got business down the trail, pardner. If
you will slip over the ridge, you’ll see some fun
when the hearse comes by. Keep your eyes
open for an ambush l”

The last sentence came back in cautious strains
as Gold-Dust Dan dashed away at a breakneck

pace. I

“Old Nick’s Nine,” I’ll bet a kiotol” mut-
tered Ozark Oll, his sharp glance following the
rapidly-disappearing youth. “An’ I’ll putt up
even ag’in’ all ther whisk in Montana thet thet
kid’s Golerust Dan! ang at! I does hope
ther sarg’ent an’ his b’ilin’ don’t ambush him I
I've took a powerful fancy ter thet owdashus
young cherubl”

Tall, gaunt, an ular, the old mountain-man
presented a striki g appearance as he leaned
upon his rifle at the edge of the narrow terrace.

His age was not short of fifty years. His face
was seamed and wrinkled and bore many a
scar, while his long hair and heard were rapidly
whitening under the frost of time; but his keen
blue eyes were as piercing, as far-reaching, as
ever, while every inevement showed undimin~
ished agility and mnscularity. '

f Indian make was his. buckskin garb,
headed and quilted after the manner so dear
to the red-skin dead of the far frontier. Stout
moccasins covered is feet, and a black som-
brero his head, a miniature bowie looping up
one side of the broad brim.

Ozark 011 was a recent arrival at Slocum
City, having appeared there less than a week
prior to the afternoon of which I write. He
had proclaimed himself a prospector: and, as he
carried the necessary kit of tools, there had been
none to dispute his claim, although many
doubted it. v '

“ Goslin’sl but thet kid do ride!” he ejaculated,
turning away, as Gold-Dust Dan sweptaround a
distant angle of the canvon. “Thar’s sum‘-
thin‘ rank in ther air, an’ I’ll jest mosey over ter
ther trail an’ take er peek, as he hinted.”

Cautionsly the old mountain-man made his
way along the terrace, presently gaining a point
from which he found an ascent to the upper
heights an easy task, and soon was snugly en-
sconced in a small thicket bordering the brow of
the precipice. '

The trail lay almoat directly beneath him, and
after a moment’s keen scrutiny, be detected the
ambush.

“They’re waitin’ for ther hearse. They must
be Old Nick’s Nine!” Ozark muttered, his blue
eyes darkening wrathfully. “ I unnerstand now.
Thar kid’s after puttin’ J ehu Johnny Morgan up
ter ther racket. Think I’ll take a hand myself
when ther cirkis opens; their Nine’s in A1 range
ov Betsy Longreach,” and he hastened to assure

himsalf that his handsome repeating-rifle was in ~

first-class working order. _

Not long had Ozark 011 to wait.

Ten—fifteen minutes went by, and the
shadows lengthened rapidl along the foot of
the precipice. Then came t e rumble of wheels,
and, a moment later, the stage swung into view
around a slight bend fifty yards down the trail,
the John pl ing whip, the four horses straining
every musc . ‘

Forth from his covert strode the chief of the
outlaw cohort, a revolver in each hand, a stern
hail peeling from his lips. ' .

Slowly, deliberately, Ozark Oil brought his
rifle to his shoulder. ,

“ Down ye o, devil! Death—”

A heavy b ow cut the sentence short, and,
with a low moan,,the mountain -man fell forward
upon his face, senseless. ,

Old Nick’s Nine had not left their rear un-
guarded! . M __ ‘
CHAPTER II.

THE MASKED nonsniux.

“ ALL aboard, feller-citizens, fer Slocum
City l”

Thus cried Johnnyl Morgan, :he jehu, as he
nimbly mounted to t e box, at the relay station

 

mid way between Sand Bar and Slooum City.
The genial Johnny was in something of a

 

hurry. The station-keeper only a moment »
fore had drawn him aside and whispered a to "
sentences of a nature anything but pleasant.

Word had come down from the upper trail
to the affect that a. party of suspicious-looking
armed men were encamped at a secluded spot,
evidentl awaiting the arrival of the stage.

“Big avy Brinkman, (lhe hunter, hruug in
dhe wor—rud, an’ et’s Big Davy yez can depind
upan!”averred the station boss, Micky Boyle,
in conclusion. “ Faith! et’s yer eyes yez want
ter kape open, me b’hoy, for Oi’ve a moind
et’s glint bloody Ould Nick’s Noine ag’in, be-
gobi '

Johnny nodded grimly, his glance following
his passengers, a lady and three men, who
were just then relieving their cramped limbs
by strolling about the station: his thin, sharp-
!‘eatured visage grew dark and lowering, his
sinewy hands clinched, his black eyes sparkled
viciously.

“Old Nick’s Nine!” he gritted, with a bit-
ter imprecation. “Wal I’m sorry they’ve
turned up this trip,” and he nodded shortly in
the direction of the lady. “ The colonel’s gal,
Micky Boyle, an’ I don’t reckon Slocum City’ll
hold him ef anything happens her.

“ Throw a pound or two ov slugsinter yer dou—
ble-barrel shotgun, Micky, an’ let me hev et. Ef
them cusses will hunt trouble, dang ’eml they’ll
find a row ter hoe!”

“Dhat’s dhe talkl—ef et wasn’t 'ist fer dht
gurll” assented Micky, and then he arted away
to secure the gun. I

J ehu J ohnny Morgan strode straight up to his

assengers.

“Thar’s bad news from up-trail, my. friends,”
he declared, bluntly. “ Thor boss hyer tells me
he has reason ter think thar’s a gang ow road-

agents lyin’ in wait fer us ’tween hyer an’ 810" '

cum City.”

“Road-agents!” ejaculated the four passen-
gers in a breath, and the oldest of the party, a
portly, smooth-faced, middle-aged fellow, Well
dressed and wearing spectacles, lifted up his
plump white hands and uttered a groan of dis-‘

ma .

“yI do wish I had stuck to the ministry!’.’
he gurgled, turning an ashen face to the John.
“T-think you. my g-good fellow, “that they’ll
b—b-butcher us?”

“I hopes not,” returned Johnny Morgan,'
crustily. .He had, taken a dislike to his fleshy 3

nssen er, who, by the way, was entered upon
Elie stgge—com iany’s book as the Rev. Uriah
Smoothly, of . t. Louis. “ I hopes thar’s a mis-
take in ther re ort. ‘ ,

“But what
ye aire willin’ ter risk pullin’ through? Make

up yer minds quick, fer ther bosses aire ready, . -  "
With danger V '

an’ I start in _jest two minutes. _
along ther trail, I want ter travel by daylight.”

“I am going through to Slocum City,” '

promptly avowed the lady passenger, a lovely
blue-eyed girl of seventeen. “Papa is not ex-
pecting 'me, but I have not seen him in along
time,’ and Will avoid all the delay I possany

n.

H ,9

“ Eigeithrough, too, pard.

Thus, in a breath, spoke up two others of the
passengers, heavily-bearded, well-armed young
fellows, evidently miners, who had gotten on at
Sand Bar.

“I—I must reach Slocum City today!" .r ‘

roaned Rev.’ Smoothly, wringing his 'hands.
‘ Oh, Lord! if I had never invested in that
minel”

“ All right, then—et’s settled, an well see what
we kin do,” declared Johnny_Morgan, and he
nimbly mounted to his seat, With the cry open—
ing this chapter.

“ If you please. Mr. Morgan, 1' should like to.
ride up there with you.” .

At almost any other time John Johnny
would have hailed this request with some show
of delight. Just now, however—

His gaze-met the pleading blue eyes of the
golden-haired beauty, and his curt refusal died
in his‘throat.

“ Sart’in, Miss Moulton—sart’inl”' _
turned, in confusion. as he descended from his
perch. “That is, till_we reach ther danger line.
Arter thet, ye must ride inside."

“ Very well,” assented the young lady, and
the next minute she was on the driver's seat.

At that juncture, Micky Boyle came running
'up with his gun. '

“Heur’s dhe Weeping, Johnny, dear, an’ b '
’cess to dhem as sthand befoore etl” he cri
with a flourish. “Take at an’ be of! wid y
Good luck an’ a safe thripl”

Then the J ehu‘s whip cracked merrily, and the ‘
stage rolled rapidly away from the station, fol»

wants ter know is, who among 

he re-‘.

 

 

  
   
    
 
 
    
  
 
  
     
 
   

      

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

lowed as long as it was in sight by the anxious
eyes of Micky Boyle.

“ Purty es an angel, begobsl an’ that, too, wid
dho very divil fer a sire!” he muttered shaking
his head ruefully as he turned and walked back
to his quarters.

And Johnny Morgan was thinking much the
same thing.

The first hour of the run to Slocum Cit
passed most agreeably to the J ehu. Miss Mou -
ton was all life and animation, talked most
charmingly, and listened with deep interest to
his tales of frontier life.

“ I am glad I determined to come on,” re-
marked Miss Moulton, after a brief silence, with
a shy side-glance at Johnny Morgan’s gravo
face. “It would have been intolerably dull at
the station. I so dislike waiting for a train,
or a boat, or a stage, when traveling, and just
now I am particularly anxious to reach Colonel
Moulton. ,

“ Do you know him, Mr. Morgan?"

“ The colonel—Colonel Sandyl—bless me,
yesl Everybody in Slocum City knows the
colonel-indeed, I may say eVerybody "long this
hyer line. He is one ov ther solid men 0v this
re ion, ther colonel is?”

he driver seemed to speak frankly enough;
but, could Miss Winnie Moulton have looked
into his averted eyes, she would have detected
an expression anything but reassuring.

It was a subject distasteful to Johnny Morgan.
He knew far more of the colonel than he cared
totoll to this artlcss creature beside him. He
knew that the colonel owned the best mine in
the district, and knew, too, that he had acquired
it through methods not above question. He
knew that the colonel ran a gambling hell,
played recklessly, drank heavily, and possessod
a most vicious temper.

“ Ef her pore heart’s got ter be broke, et’s not
me that’ll hev a hand in ther bitter-black work i”
he irused. “ She’ll open her eyes ter ther
col’onel’s cussedness soon enufiE‘, ’thout my tellin’
et.

Then, after a long silence, broken only by an
occasional question and reply:

“ Ye’ve never bin ter Slocum City, Miss Moul—
ton?

" Never, Mr. Morgan; but I believe I have a
pretty fair idea of what the camp is like,” Win-
nie Moulton replied. “ You see, I was compell-
ed to remain three days in Sand Bar waiting for
the stage, and of course heard a great deal
about the boom on the upper trail.

“I understand there was a heavy burglary
committed there a short time ago.”

“Indeed thar was, miss,” and here the jehu
manifested keener interest. “ Great Jones, ov
ther Great Jones Mine, was robbed ov nigh onto
$20,000 in good hard cash.”

" And the thieves?”

“ Oh. Lor’, miss! they’ve made themselves
sca’ce, though a reward ov hafe fer ther recovery
ov ther money brung a dozen detectives inter
camp. A good many people thinks Old Nick’s
Nine collared the scads.”

“ Tho road-agents?”

“ Edzactly. I don’t agree with ’em, though.
It kinder strikes me One man got ther bundle,
an’ 1’" bet a boss I c’u’d putt my finger on
ther—J’

Johnny Morgan checked himself in some con—
fusion, and abruptly drew rein.

“ Hyar we airs, ’wayover ther line, an’ me a.-
wheelin’ ye straightinterdangerl” he exclaimed,
dropping to the ground. “ Come, Miss Moulton,
I’ll hev ter ask ye ter ride inside.”

Miss Winnie offered no demur, much as she
would have liked to retain her seat, but quietly
thanked the driver and entered the coach.

The interruption was but momentary, and
Johnny Morgan breathed a sigh of relief as he
swung himself to the top of the stage and settled
snugly into his seat.

“Thar! my tongue won’t run away with me
this tripl” he muttered, rather disconsolatel .
“Jingoes! but she’s a corkerl Ha’r like go d
spun out; an’ then, her eyesl-don’t know when
I ve seen sich like! Heigho! I believe I’m clean
gone’l Won’er what the colonel would say
of—

A burning flush suffused Jehu Johnny’s bronz-
ed face, and he sent his whip-lash cracking
spitefullv about the ears of the wheel-horses.

“ Don’t be a fool, Johnny Morgan!” he laugh-
ed, with forced lightness. “Such a girl as that
care for you, you rufilaul Truly you’re losing
your head I”

And yet, this driver was a handsome man—a
splendid-looking fellow. He stoOd full six feet
in his patent-leather boots, with a wonderful
breadth of shoulder and depth of chest, and was
rated the equal in strength of any two men in

 

 

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patr

Slocum City. His hair, mustache and eyes ware
all of jetty hue, the latter deep-set and pierc-

n .

"but he was deeply excited his momentary
dropping of the vernacular attested; for, of all
the ill(‘ll who knew thoJehu as “Johnny Mor-
gan,” it is safe to say not one had ever detected
such a lapse. ,

0n and on the stage bowled, covering niile
after mile. The way grew rougher and wilder.
Il‘hedmost dangerous portion of the trail was at
)8." .

Then, at the mouth of a yawning canyon,
Johnny Morgan sharply drew rein, a terse ejac-
ulation accompanying the action.

A flash of crimson—the sharp waving of n

lain silk ’kerchief—had met his eye, and be

new that it portended danger.

“Ther signal!” he muttered, springing to the
ground and flinging open the stage door.

“ Sorry ter ‘sturb ye, lady; an’ you, gents, but
thar’s danger ahead—”

“What is it—road-agent?” interjecth the
Rev. Smoothly, in a quiver of nervous excite-
ment.

“Road-agents!” was the cool reply. “ An’,
gents, ef e’re averse ter takin’ er choice av
flghtin’ or bein’ robbed, pile out. har’s a snug
nook close at hand, big enough ter hold ther hull
av ye till I kin throw them galoots off an’ come
back. What say?"

“ Verily, I shall avoid the sanguinary
wretchesl” the Rev. Uriah Smoothly declared,
and he quitted the coach with all haste.

“An’ I’ll stay behind an’ help take keer 0v
ther young leddy," promptly spoke one of the
two miners.

“I’ll stay by you, pard driver, an’ see ye
through,” vowed the other, his bearded lips curl-
ing significantly.

“ If you please, Mr. Morgan, I would prefer
to remain in the stage,” Miss Moulton said.

But, this did not suit Jehu Johnny, end he
shook his head, saying:

“ Indeed, ye must not, Miss Moulton. Your
father’d never forgive me ef ye should stop an
outlaw bullet, an’—an’ I’d never forgive myself,
nuthcr. Thar’s quite likely ter be some shootin’
ishead, yender, an’ ye’ll be perfectly safe back
ivar. ‘

“Yes, young lady, you‘ll be safe with us.”
averred the Rev. Smoothly, making 9. Val-
iunt diSplay of a. pistol-butt. “ I am not a man
of war, but innocvnce never lacked a defender
when Uriah Smoothly was at hand.”

So Winnie Moulton yielded and quitted the
stage.

“ Ye must all keep under kiver an’ make no
noise,” Johnny Morgan cautioned, as he led the
way into the canyon. “Et may be an hour
aforeIgit back—inebbe longer: but of night
comes Without me, make yer way back Ler ther
trail an’ start fer Slocum.

As he finished speaking, he thrust :1 art a
mass of clinging vines, disclosing a small dry
cavern, amply large to Shelter the party, and
when they had entered be carefully rearranged
the foliage and hastened back to the stage!

“Now for et, pard,” he cried, cheerily, to the
miner. “ You take ther inside a i’ be ready fer
biz. When ye shoot, killl Old Nick’s Nine
must be wiped out, an’ driVen from this trail!”

The minor uttered a grim assent. Johnny
Morgan climbed into his seat and urged the
horses onward.

Now that he had been definitely warned of
danger, the jehu knew almost exactly whore to
look for it, and gOVered himself accordingly.

_ A half-mile further on was a bend in the trail,
just beyond which was an admirable place for
an ambuscade.

As he neared this bond, Johnny Morgan pass-
ed the lines around his body, laid whip to his
horses and sat calmly waiting, a cocked revolver
in each hand. -

Around the bend dashed the splendid team,
dragging the coach at a furious pace, and then
into plain view sprung a man, his face hidden
behind a mask, his weapons raised.

“ Halt, jehul” he cried. his voice singing out
sharply. “ I have business with you i”

Never another word was he to utter.

The revolver in Johnny Morgan’s good right
hand cracked spitefully. and the road-agent
dropped in his tracks, shot squarely between the
eyes.

. Had that fatal snap-shot been a preconcerted
Signal of the outlaw cohort, they could not havo
acted more promptly or in closer unison. Up
from the shelter of rock and bush they rose, yell-
mg and cursing. while their ready revolvers
sent a rain of lead around the gallant jehu.

To the right and to the, left flred Johnny Mor-
gan, who sat in his seat unscathed, a defiant

1.

 

 

yell pvaling from his lips. Nor was the miner
inside the stage idlo. At tho lii'sl, lire, he had
flung open the door, and was now emptying his
revolvers with deadly effect.

On plunged the frantic horses, passing direct-
ly over the fallen outlaw chief; on and on, until,
in sweeping around an abrupt angle, they came
in“ upon a heavy barricade!

There was no time to check them—to save
them from iho injuries such a. collision rendered
inevitable, and with a. warning yell to the miner
the jv-liu threw the lines from around him,
grasped the shotgun and made a flying leap
from the top of the coach.

At that instant the shock came. Down went
the leaders, bruised and maimed by the barri-
cade, and upon them piled the wheelers, while
:he stage rocked violently and then turned
upon its side.

The road-agents greeted this disaster with a
veil of (ll-light, and promptly sprung forward to
finish their red work.

ll‘ortunutely, Johnny Morgan had landed upon
his foot, to be joined almost instantly by his
gallant ally, the miner.

“ IIot work now, pard, or they’ll get ther gold
ye carryl” gritted the latter, as he opened fire
with a fresh revolver.

“ Et’s do or diel” Johnny returned, as grimly.

The two brave fellows were in a desperate
strait, and they know it. Retreat they could
not, for it would be death toattempt to scale the
barricade.

But at that moment, even as the jehu leveled
his shotgun at the foreniOst of their foes, sharp
hoofstrokes rung out along the shad0wy trail and
aniiisked horseman appeared just back of the
outlaws.

Instantlya peculiar whistle pealed from the
lips of the strange rider, and too. man tho road-
ageiits turned and sped away in full retri-nt.

Wheeling his horse, the rider gallopvd after
them.

“ Great God 1” ejaculated Johnny Morgan,
dropping his gun and staggering back lim- one
wounded unto death, his white brow reeking
With beads of swout. “ Great God! Murray
Weston, do you know who.that man was?

“ It was Gold-Dust Dan, and he is the leader
of Old Nick’s Nine!”

CHAPTER III.
CAPTAIN Nick's DOUBLE.

IT was with the greatest reluctance that Win-
nie Moulton consented to seek shelter in the
canyon cavern.

llrr soul burned with impatience to reach
Slocum City, and the enforced delay was almost
unbearable. _

The caxorn into which the driver had con-
ducted her and her two companionsin hiding
was small, perfectly dry and woll~lighted, and a
number of liowlders afforded the party seats.

“ Vorily, this is far better than exposing our-
selves to the bullets of those ungodly road-
agents,” observed Rev. Uriah Smoothly, when
the steps of their retreating guide had died
away. “Poor, benightcd creatures! Ifearthey
are all doomed to die in sin!"

Ho sighed, clasped his hands and rolled his
eyes upward until nothing was visible through
his spectacles save a gleam of white.

“Sin—liddlesiirks!” growled the miner, his
sensual red lips curling. “ They’ll die in they’re
boots—some ov ’cm, of they run up ag’in’Johnn
Morgan—mind thctl Blast him for a hot-hes ,
9in way! They’re ahead yender, an’ he intends
ter show fight—ther foolishest thing in ther
world! People ’at can’t hide theyro money so
tliet road-agents won’t find at ortn’t kerry et.
Now, I’ve got over two thousand dollars with
me, an’ I’ll bet ther smartest thief ov an agent
on ther Sand Bar trail c’u’dn’t find etl”

“ Is it possiblei”. ejaculated Smoothly, open-
ing his eyes ver Wide.

“Possible? ets a cinch l” the miner averred.
and grasping one of his bootdieels he gave it a
violent wrench, whereupon it came of! in his
hand.

He then produced a small key, with which he
Opened the heel, disclosing a number of bills of
large denominations.

“ Et’s my own invention l” he exclaimed,
proudly. “Think a road-thief w'u’d think ter
look thar. hey? Narvl Bin held u three times
in two months, (171' l kerry ther sea 8 yeti"

“ You have been fortunate." returned the Rev.
Smoothly, with a sigh. “For myself, I car-
ry as little money as possible. A year ago I
was held up on a stage out of Virginia City
and it cost me a trifle over $5,000. That cured
me.

“No, road-agents will never secure a great

 

 

sum from me. The only thing I fear is being

 

 

  
  
     
  
  
   
 
    
  
   
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
    
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
  
   
   
   
  
    
 
  
       
  
 
 
  
   
 

1
“1

,xi

   

  

  

’ , r loose. or--”

I'thebod

. " tended miner, Pueblo Pete.

  waterproof match-safe.
' 'tusslin’a bit ago.”

: fwith'an oath, plainly nettle

i, open the helpless creature in his arms.

"I . '-

1 I

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol.

 

 

‘ captured and held for ransom. In that event, I
am sure my fond, foolish wife would yield up
our last dollar to effect my deliverance.’

“ Better do that then be left alone widdy,”
the miner remarked, and then he proceeded to
close and replace his boot-heel.

Winnie Moulton listened attentively to this
friendly exohange of confidences, but said noth-

in .

The miner’s appearance did not impress her
favorably. He was a hulking, heavily-built fel-
low, low-browed and thick-Upped, with restless,
cruel-looking, pale-blue eyes. She did not trust
the man, and watched him narrowly.

For a moment the trio sat in silence. Winnie
was about to address a (Emotion to Smoothly,
when a distant crash of rearms brought the
two men to their feet.

“Thar! Johnny Morgan is inter biz!" cried

’ the miner, with the flash of the eyes only too
1 In gestive of jubilant exultntion.

r Inactth uttered no responSe, but listened in-
tently until the sounds of the brief conflict had
died away. ‘

“ I believe he has escaped the scoundrels,” he
ventured, at length. “ At least I have heard no
yell of triumph to announce his fall.”

“I pray Heaven he has escaped theml” cried
Winnie, impulsive-icy

The miner tome and looked at her, a peculiar
smilecurling his full-lips. .

, “ Amen i” he muttered, a tinge of mockery in
his deep tones.

The trio then returned to their seats, and the

battle became the theme of conversation.

The minutes passed slowly. The shadows in
the canyon deepened, and the little cavern be-
came shrouded in almost utter darkness.

' Suddenly a sound of voice and the steady
tramping of men came from without, and
Smoothly sprung' softly to his feet and peered
through the network of vines.

“ lt‘s’the road-agent gang,” he announced, in a
enetrating whisper. “ They are passing direct-
y up to the canyon. Not a sound, now, or—"

A heavy blow on the back of the headsent
him crashln through the vines to the ground,
senseless. ust a breath, then Winnie Moulton
felt a pair of strong arms thrown around her,
while the miner shouted:

“ This way, pardsi , Hyar airs the birds, snug
and safe i” ,

At this act of treachery, Winnie ,Moulton’s
heart sunk like lead, and for a moment she lay
inert and helpless- then her blood rose in hot
indignation, and she struggled gamer to break

, from the relentless grasp 0 her captor.
’ "You wretchl you villain!” she gritted,
clinching her tiny and and dashing it repeat—
a “Let me

'iedly against the es of the radios.
‘ ” Keep quiet—you!” savagely interrupted the

' pretendedfminer, dexterous y shifting his hold
V A was to confine her arms.

“Clays-as! / I’ll let
ya go, y'e little vixen! But I’ll take ther wire
adage oif’n. er temper, lu’stl”

canth a the men out in the canyon were not

idle. .

The bad halted at the warning about of their
conf crate within the cavern, and, after the
, briefest of consultations, hurried in that di-

. rection.

"‘Thet war Pueblo Pete,” declared the fore-
most, as they started forward.‘ “He war ter
come up on ther fuss, so’s ter lead out helpiu’
hand inside when we jumped ther ole vehicle,
but for some reason er another he must ’a’ get-
tell)1 3F down hyar. Aha! he’s laid his meat
cm , 5

The ejaculation was called forth by the dis-
covery of Smoothiy’s inanimate form at the

‘ cave entrance. and while the s aker bent over
his companions pus ed through the
screen 0 vines. -

“Strike a light, pards,” re nested the pre-
“ trike a light, an’
stan’ stiddyvjest a minute.” '

~ , “ What ye got, Pueblo-a wildcat?” asked one
of the group, fumbling in his pocket for his
“ Thought I heer’d ye

“Wildcat—you bet!” the rufiian returned, in
savage tones. “Et’s Colonel Sandy’s gal ’an’

:  clawed my face inter ribbons-the ass-

a A. round of half-suppressed laughter followed '
ii lanyards, and then a lucifer flared up, reveal-
’, ing the now trembling captive and her brutal
i

Give me a rope, some ovdye,” cried Pueblo,
by the admiring
glances his companions in crime were beamin
6
n
, tells a look arter ther critter outside thar, an'

don’t let him escape, or I reckon some ov ye will
settle with that cap’n l”

“ Who or what is he, Puebloi” asked one of
the men, as he drew a stout thew from one of
his pockets and passed it around innie’s wrists.
“ Y’e know ther rule 0v ther Nine; no prison-
era!

“The sanctiferous cuss is ther Rev. Uriah
Smoothly. once a sky-pilot, but now a rich mine-
owner,” Pueblo Pete returned. “"I‘war ther
cap’n’s orders that I gather him in of. possible,
an’ mebbe et wasn’hnuts when Johnny Morgan
scented you fellers ahead an’ laid us by hyar
till he c’u'd pull throughl Thar’s a prospect ov
a fat ransom, an' that fetched ther cap’in later
at, I reckon. Es for this lump ov sweetness, I
corraled her on my own book.”

While the outlaw Was speaking, his hands
were not idle. Winnie Moulton found her
wrists securely pinioned, while a. red bandana
covered her eyes.

“ Now, little ’un,” cautioned the ruflian, ad-
dressing his captive, “keep quiet an’ I won’t
gag ye. Soon es ‘we reach ther Den, I’ll take
these traps ot‘l’n ye.”

Then the party flied out into the canyon,
where the others of the villainous cohort were
in waiting, with Smoothly in their midst, bound
and blindfolded. ' a

Straight up the narrow, gloomy pass they laid
.their course, keeping well together and talking
in subdued tones. A mile thus, then the trai
turned to the worth, leadinglthrough a long and
tortuous fissure into a snug ’ttle valley.

In this narrow rift, midway between the
canyon and the valley, the retreating thud-agents
Were overtaken by a horsemang the same
mysterious personage who had sounded the re-
call during the attack on the stage.

The rough crew parted right and left, leaving
a free passage between their ranks, for all sue.
pected the captain to be in an ill-humor and
dreaded a furious outbursr.

Grui’f enough, and curt, he'certainly was. As
he drew rein in their midst, his keen eyes
singled out the hulking form of Pueblo Pete.

manded, in tonessubdued and husky.

“ I did, chief, an’ Jehn Johnny, without know-
ing at, helped my game erlong,” replied the out-
/law, with a grin that was lost in the darkness.

h“?;l’knd this other captive, the lady—who is
8 'e '

“Colonel Sandy’s gel,” was the reluctant re-

P Y- - '

“By what authority did you capture her?”
and the voice of the outlaw chief grew cold and
ominous. . '

“ ’Twar done fer ther good 0v ther Nine, chief.
Ther colonel g’ll'lpay a big ransom—" ,

“Enough!~ hat girl gees on to Slocum City
at once! And never again, my man, go beyond
your orders, if you value your neck l”

And leaning Over, the chief seized Winnie
Moulton and lifted her to a seat before him.

“ Go on to the Den i” he cried to his followers.
“Guard your, risoner careful! , and keep well
under cover. now ye that Cl Nick’s Nina is
threatened with danger! Armed men are pa-
trolling these hills, seekmg our trail 1” " ‘

A murmur of surprise escaped the men; but
are a voice could be heard, the chief wheeled, his
horse and dashed away.

Sullenly the men pushed onward, follow-

ing the tortuous .course of the pass, until at
length it opened into a miniature valley, their
headquarters. ,‘
. A sharp challenge greeted their approach, and
at the countersign the sentry stepped out from
the deeper shadow of the rocks, accompanied by
a single horseman.

“ Hurry along, lads,” the sentry cried. “ Cap-
tain Nick is waitin’l” ,

“ Captain Nick I” 1.

A gasp of amazement, well-nigh of terror, fol-
lows the words, and the outlaws gazed blankly
at each other in the darkness. v ,

Pueblo Pete was the first to recover his wits.
Utterinlz an oath, he strode up to the horseman.

“ Cap’n Nick!” I «

“ Ay. Pete?”

t“ By all ther furiesi we’ve bin tricked—duped
r-robbed ov our booty i" and with a perfect tor-
. rent of Oaths, the burly rascal narrated what
had occurred in the pass.

The chief listened in grim silence, his teeth set
savagely upon his' nether lip, his steely eyes
glittering viciously. ' ,

“No blame can attach toyou my men,” he
exclaimed, when Pete had finished;‘ “but my
double spoke to you as I would have spoken:
You must obey orders—no more, no less; and
we must keep under cover, or seek new fieldsi

 

“ But the stage—the booty taken from iti"

‘iYou trapped the sky-pilot, Pete?” be de-.

 

“ We took no booty from ther stage, Cnp’n
Nick,”averred another of the ang, stepping

forward. He then recounted al' that had oc- _

curred at the barricade.

“Curse the luck! Three of our best men
killed, and the game lost at the moment it‘was
ours!" gritted the chief. “ Boys, this double of
mine must be wiped out, and I Will do it a
once!

“Pete, pick a squad and go back to the barri’
ends and bury our pards killed by that devil of
a jehu. ' .

“Injun Robe, take charge of the prisoner,
and see that he is not spirited away. Guard him
night and day l”

Then, with a parting wave of his hand, Cap-
tain Nick—better known throughout the Gold
Range as “ Old Nick ”-'-—-wheeled his horse and
galloped madly up the valley, hissing between his
bleeding lips:

“ Now for this infernal detective—this wbelp
of a Gold-Dust Dani Curse himl hoshall we
the hour he took my name 1"

CHAPTER. IV.
THE ACCUSATION.

SLOCUM CITY was the “gem ” camp of the
Gold Range. ’

It lay along the foot of the northern slope of a
beautiful little valley, half a hundred cabins and
shanties all told,.two two-story double cabins
serving as hotels.

One of these hostelries was known as the ‘

River House, from the fact that the rear end
of the building overhung the high, straight
bank of the Devil’s Mill-Race, a wild mountain
torrent, having its course near the middle of
the valley. 4

Less than a hundred yards below the hotel,'

this stream dashed over a preClpice some fifty
to sixty feet in height, churning the water into
a misty cloud as it encountered the mass of
jagged rock at the foot of the fall. '

Twice within the brief history of the “city”
had the Devil’s Mill-Race claimed a victim;
The first, a miner, had fallen into the stream

from the narrow foo-bridge just above the”
Rivvr House, and been whirled over the falls

in but little more than the twinkling of an eye.
The scoond unfortunate was a stranger who,

putting up for the night at the hotel, had fal- '

on from the window of his room into the seeth-
ing tide and been swept into eternity. ‘ ,
Anent this .second catastrophe, some of the
more hardy of the camp denizens had hinted
rather broadly at foul play—robbery and mm,
der. But Juan Mendoza, the landlord, met the
charge boldly, demanding that proof of his
uilt be adduced. The proof_was not forthcom~
ng, whereupon he shot the chief of his traducers
dead, mortally wounded a second, and literally
drove the others out of camp at the point of his
revolver. And there the matter ended. I

The other hotel, knewn as the Miners’ Ark, '

was located in the upper end of the camp, and
was run by a Jew, to whom the gold-seekers, in
their free and easy way, had given the name of
Old Noah. ‘

Both houses had a bar, withla gambling-hall
attached, and here were wont to congre ate by
night the majority of the two hundred enizens
of the camp.

Just after sunset of the day on which we have V
,seen the stage attacked by Old Nick's Nine, a

tall, finely-formed man of middle age, well--
dressed, and wearing a belt of arms, qmtted the
bar-room of the River House, and leisurely,

made his way up the rude “street” in the direc« ,.

tion of the Ark. '

This man was Great J ones, of the Great Jones
Mine. He was the pioneer of Slocum Qity, hav-
ing discovered and developed the rich leads
which had called the camp into being.

His real name probably not more than three
men in the Gold Range knew. He had called

his richest find the Great Jones Mine, and the 

miners in turn had applied the same title to bins

Belts ’
Alongside the Ark stood a_shantya trifle more
,pretentious than th majority of, its neighbors.
and crudely-lettered sign above the deer bore
the words: .
“ BEN BLUFF,
“MERCHANDISE FROM ALL Poms.
“CHEAPEST Scone W was Gone was.”

Into this place Great Jones leisurely made his

way.
“ Hello, Blnfl?!” he saluted, with a friendly nod ‘
to the proprietor,,an odd-looking, little old man, ‘

who sat on a box smoking a pipe. and heatin ‘a
(monotonous tattoo on the floor with the on of
his wooden leg. / ,

 

 

 

 

    
     
             
       
       
      
  
  

   
     
     
       
    

 

  
 

  

 
         
      

        
     

      
   
 

 

 

/

/

I Evenin’, cap’n—evenin’!” he returned, be-
ween puffs. Then, taking the ipe from ,be—
tween his teeth: “ W’at kin I (ii) fer you, to-
ni ht?” '

‘I want some socks and handkerchiefs,”
Great Jones replied, with a careless glance
around the store. Trade isn’t on the boom to—
night, eh?”

“You’re ther fu’st craft in sence ther bell
struck!" declared Old Ben, lazily rising and
knocking the ashes from his pipe. “ Nigger—
niggcr—nigger! Come aft, you sable son ov
Ham!”

In response to this vigorous hail, a black boy
made his appearance from some nook in the
rear of the room and came dancing “aft,”
with a broad grin displaying his gleaming
ivorics.

“Now, Monkey, you tend to business,”cnu-
tioued the storekeeper, impressively. “ Me
an’ Mr. Jones are goin’ below decks to look at
some gOods. An’, mind you, MonkeyA don’t
you mention it to a soul at any one drops in.”

“ Kerrect, hOSs! Dis brack chile’s bei'y fly,”
grinned the darky.

“Tliercupon, Ben Bluff led the way to the
back part of the store, where he raised a nar—
row trapdoor, disclosing a flight of steps lead-
infitlown into an underground apartment.

rent Jones was evidently familiar With the
place, forhe took the lead in descending, and
was comfortablv seated beside a small table by
the the time Blufl.’ had closed the door’nnd light—
ed a candle.

“ Thar anything new, cap’n?” inquired the
Storekeeper, as he settled himself opposite his
visitor and produced pipes and tobacco from the
table drawer.

“There is nothing new, Ben—not a word,”
was the low-voiced reply. “In fact, I have al-
most given up the last hope of unearthing this
relentless, mysterious foe.”

“Never say die, cap’n! Dash my top-lights!
we’ll hook ther shark yet!” exclaimed Bluff, a
savage tremor in his voiCc, hisdark eyes flashing,
his ruddy face taking on a deeper tinge. “ Never
say din! Think ov yer wrongs, an’ take heart!
Whar is yer wife, un’ yer leetle gal? Why are
ye an outlaw, with a pricii upon ycr head? My

1

God! Bart Wildman, I have sull'crcd at that

man's hands, but stood I in your shoes, I’d come
back from the grave that he should not escape
unwhipped of justice!”

“ Let me but find him l” uttered the mine-
owner with grim significance. “ We have
hunted him for years; he has seemed ever near,
yet has given us the slip more times than I care
to recall. It is not strange that I despair!”

“No, it’s not strange,” Bluff admitted, tugr
giug savagely at his short, gray beard. “Fif-
teen years ago the fifth of last July, Mar is and
little Viola disappeared, and the trai dates
from that day. But I believe that God is just—
that the trail must end, and that man receive his
punishment.

“ And, look ye, Bart, this last blow—this safe-
robbery—muy it not he the means of insniiring
him! For it was his work—we cannot doubt
that. You knew, tee, that Colonel Sandy saw
the thief, and could identify him.”

Great Jones shook his head. but did not trust
himself to speak. He was at that moment
assailed by a thought he dared not utter even to
his trusted friend and companion.

Mechanically, he took up, filled and lighted

a pipe.

“I came in, Ben, to say that I am going
away again tonight,” he remarked after a
moment. “ I may return before morning, per.
haps not for a day or two. in the latter event,
1 wish you to keep an eye on affairs.”

“A” fight. cal)’“- It’s ther ole business, I
s’posc?" and Bluff reassuuied the camp dialect.

“Yes; the robbery has made it necessary
for me to crowd matters, at any hazard.”

At this point, the voices of the two men sunk
yet lower-to a guarded Whisper. They had ap-
proached a subject upon which they desired the
greatest secrecy.

_ This inaudible conversation was of short dura-
tion. At its conclusion the two arose and
qiiitted the underground chamber, Ben Bluff
leading the way.

Monkey, the black boy, was found alone in
the store. He reported that no one bad drop-
ped in during their absence, and With a nod of
satisfaction Great Jones took his departure.

Ben Blnfl’ refilled and rclighted his pipe,
then returned to his seat on the box and resumed
his monotonous tattoo.‘

During the remainder of the evening the ex-
Sallor wore a preoccupied air, and the two or
three customers who dropped in were curtly
turned over to Monkey.

 

Promptly at ten o’clock, Bluff gave the order
to close up. When everything had been made
snug for the night, he let himself out at the back
door and hurried away in the direction of the
River House.

Both he and the darky slept at the store, and
it was an unusual thing for the ex-sailor to quit
the place during the evening.

As he neared the hotel, there were rapid steps
behind him, accompanied with the occasional
clicking of spurs; then a hand fell lightly npon
his shoulder. and a pleasant voice exclaimed:

“ Hello, Blqu Benl Whither bound at this
unsecmly hour?"

“ Eli? Is it you, Colonel Sandy?” returned the
storekecpcr, withdruwmg his hand from the re-
volver butt to which it hiiddroiiped. “Why,
I’m travelin’ your way-to ther River Housm”

“ That’s goodl We don’t see you there often.
I think we‘d better take a drink to celebrate the
occasion.”

A dozen paces took them to the door of the
bar-room, anti the colonel led the way into the
place.

A full score men were gathered in groups
about the bar, all engaged in an earnest discus-
sion of some exciting topic. Even the crowd
surrounding the gaining-tables in the rear of the
room had ceased playing and were busy with
the same subject.

“ What’s gone wrong, Jerry?” asked the col-
onel, addressing the burly henchmen behind the
bar.

“ Aw, der buss ain’t in, an’ der galoots t’ink
Old Nick’s Ninc’s on der road," was the reply.

The colonel started.

“ I hope not!" he exclaimed. “ Why, I hnda
pretty still’ bundle of stuff coming in on the
hearSe til—day!”

“ Aii’ so, I believe, had Great Jones,” remark-
ed Bhill’. “lieastways, it runs in my head he
told me as much.”

“ Wal, thet’sderncd rough on Jones,” put in a
miner hard by. “ Et’s ten ter one Ole Nick’s
grabbed ther pile.”

At that moment, the outer door was flung
open, to admit a sicnfll-‘l‘, Well-built youth.

The colonol had been on tho point of speaking;
but his flushing cycs encountered lhisncw-coincr
and he started violently, amazement written on
every feature.

Just :1 breath he remained silent, thcn sprung
between the youth and the dour, crying:

“ Men of Slot-uni! there is the man—the thief!
He who robbed Uri-cat Jones stands before you i”

Coldly, sternly rung his powct'ful Voice, and
the muzzle of his Ievuled revolver covered the
heart of the astounded youth.

A hush like that of death came over the mur-
niuring throng. Then the full portent of that
terrible accusation dawned upon all, and almost
to a man they grasped tlicir wcn pom,

For a moment the youth stood as if spell-
bound, his kceu, dark eyes fixc ' upon his accu-
ser‘s face. Then, coldly, and (ll-liberutely, with«
out a tremor in his voice:

“ You are Colonel Sandy Moulton?”

“ I am i” was the terse rep] .

“Then, Colonel Moulton, let me any to you
that you tho lied! I, Gold-Dust Dun, am not
the thief—and you know it ! More than that—
Sto I—none of that, colonel, or I shall kill you
as would a. rabid dog!”

Colonel Moulton grew white to the lips. The
woiflsh glitter of his eyes had betrayed his purL
pose. His revolver COVered the youth, but he
dared not fire: those coldly uttered words
warned him that to press the trigger meant
death to himSelf.

For, lightly clasped in the youth’s right hand
was a glittering Weapon of’ heavy caliber—One
0f the new mu] deadly self-cocking tools—with
the hammer raised almost to a poise under the
pressure of the: [inch pressing the trigger.

A shot just then meant death to both.

The excited throng grew restless under this
delay, brief as it; was. An ominous murmur
arose, and the men in the front rank were slow-
ly, surely, pushed forward by those in the rear.
A weapon glenmcd in almost every hand, and it
was evident that the men of" Slocum City were
determined the youth should not escape,

For a full minute Colonel Sandy Moulton
glared straight into the stern, dark orbs of his
foe: then a crimson tide of rage supplanted his
pallor, and in a voice hoarse with passion he
exclaimed;

“ You young hound! you deserve the rope!

“I have said the truth, and I repeat it: You
are the man who robbed Great Joncs’s snfel

“ More than that, I doubt not you are one of
Old Nick’s Nine!”

“ Just one, Colonel Sandy?” lightly jeered
the youth, a hard glitter in his dark eyes, his

 

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 5

red lips curling with scorn. “Just one, my
hraVe brigadier? You—”

“Just one, Gold-Dust Dani—and that one the
head devil of the gangi” interpolated a harsh,
grating voice.

“Gents, the colonel’s right—you’ve got my
Bible oath on that J"

The speaker was Jehu Johnny. He stood just
inside the door, grim, bloody, powder-stained, a.
cocked revolver in each hand!

—..__.

CHAPTER V.
A LIFE AT STAKE.

IT needed no second glance at Jehu Johnny to
verify the current suspicion that the stage had
been “ held up.”

The dashing John was inasad plight. His
clothing had been almost torn from his body,
and he was bleeding profusely from a. wound
in his right shoulder and another in the right
side.

The crowd greeted his confirmation of Colonel
Moulton’s words with a vicious roar, and again
fifty pairs of eyes gleained wickedly at Gold-
Dust Dan.

“ Death tcr Ole Nick !”

“ Kill him i“

“ Hang hiiiil”

“ Judge Lynch forcverl”

Them cries and u. score more of similar import
rent the stilling air, while the maddened men
wildly brandished their weapons.

Yet nota shot was fired, not a fcrward step
made.

Golddhist Dan smiled sardonically.

As yet he held the upper hand, and he knew
it. Both Moulton and Morgan were covered by
his revolvers.

A moment of this suspense, then the door he-
hind tlic half-crazed Jchu was thrown open, and
tWo men entered.

The foremost was Ozark Oil. The appearance
of the old mountain-man just at this time
afl’or'ied Gold-Dust Dan no little satisfaction.

The mun just behind Ozark 011 was none
other than uan Mendoza, a. lithe, trim-built
lllcxican of uncertain age.

Nit‘lllillZ'I, it will be i'eiiienibcrcd, owncd the
ltivor House; but the gaiiibling-hall connected
therewith was under the direct control of
Colonel Siindy Moulton.

“ Uho! ohol an’ what on ’arth’s broken loose
hynri” the old mountain-n-an demanded, coming
to a sudden halt, his hands grasping the revul-
\'ei'-butts protruding from his belt. “ Haliker!
cf ct don’t look like a scrimmage let loose!”

A torrent of incoherent explanations came
from the crowd. In the midst of the hustle and
confusion, Ben Bluff approached tho old moun-
tain-man unobserved and in a guarded tone ut-
tered half a dozen sentences.

“ Right—right as a trivetl” Ozark declared,
when the storekeeper llild ended. “ Ef thnr’s
any ov ther boys we kin depend onto, jist ass
’em tlier word iiu’ we’ll stay by ther kid till) he
has a fair show.”

Meanwhile. Colonel Sandy had explained the
situation to Juan Mendoza. The wily Mexican
listened with closest attention, apparently heed-
ing nothin but the colonel’s words; yet be ever-
heard all t at passed between Ozark Oil and the
storekeeper.

“ It does look dark for the youngster.” Men-
doza exclaimed, his restless dark eyes Rimming
from face to face. “But mere ap ciiriinces do
not prove anything, gentlemen, so on’t let your
hot heads run away with you. The kid’s got
every right to a fair hearing that you or I would
have, and his guilt must be iroved before a
hand is lifted against him in vio ence. You hear
llll’l—Dlld I’m right here to back up every syl-
lab cl”

“Now ye’re shoutin’—a fair trial!” cried
Ozark 011.

“He’s guilty, fast enough—cuss him l” Jehu
Johnny gritted, his eyes gleaming malevolently.
“ Bur, try away—we kin prove him guilty 1”

“Oh, the lad must liaVe a show for his life
Johnny—a fair. llnlll‘ciudiced show,” Colonel
Sandy protested. “ \Vhile I think with you
that there can be no doubt of his guilt, I must
admit that I have acted hastily in the matter.
For the credit of the camp, he must be given
the biggest kind of a chance to prove himself in-
accent.

“ Slocum City is on the boom, yen know and
we don’t want any nasty rumors living about.
If we jumped into this ail’air blindly and made
a mistake, the thing would reach the other
camps and there is no telling how much hurt it
would do us.” ' ,

This view of the case seemed to strike the ma—
jority of the crowd as correct, and when the»

 

 
 

     

A w *‘- .-,.- H " . - . .. 3a. ’ ,.-v , .  i
>, ‘ II .Ji’ h. . , h. «l “pf, A; f. ring. a: . I,  V14
. 4 n .

I: 

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol.

 

murmur of assent had subsided, Gold~Dust Dan
nodded grimly, saying: *

“ Have it that way, gents—bring on your
_ court. But understand one thing—I am not a
prisgner, nor do I intend to yield my weap-
ons. A
Then so swiftly that none could prevent it, he
turned and with two or three bounds gained the
north wall of the building, where he faced
' about, ready for the worst, with the solid tim-
ber at his back.

"Bravo! That was well done, boy i” ejacu-
' lated Juan Mendoza, with a vivid flash of his

black eyes.
‘ “ And new, pards, I move that a judge be ap-
pointed to conduct the trial, and that the crowd
e the jury, a clear majority to rule.”

A roar of approval greeted this motion, and
Mendoza. was declared the judge.

The trial then proceeded.

Colonel Sandy Moulton swore positively that
on the night of the robbery he had seen the ac-
cused stealthin quit the office of the Great Jones
Mine, carrying a parcel. The, colonel, it was
remembered, had promptly given the alarm,

but in the darkness the bold thief managed to'

elude his pursuers. There could be no mistake;
Gold-Dust Dan was the man who came out of
the office.

Then Jehu Johnny took the stand. He was
growing faint from the loss of blood, and spoke
slowly and in a weak voice.

He had known Gold-Dust Dan nearly a month;
the accused was in the em lay of the stage-com-
pany as a secret patrol. hey had arranged be-
tween them a code of signals, that the driver
might kn0w when danger threatened at any

Having made this true explanation,

int.
Eghu Johnny told his story, describing the run"

up from Sand Bar, the belt at the relay station,
the start from this, espial of the danger-signal,
the killing of the three pa sengers, the attack
and the fatal ambuscade, an his discovery that
Old Nick was none other than Gold-Dust Dan.

“Then,” he continued, his dark eyes gaining
in brilliam-y, “ Deputy Weston and myself got
the‘treasure out of the hearse and hid it away,
as we were both wounded and utterly unable to
clear the trail, and knew not what minute the
devils might return to finish their work. ,v

“ By the time we had accomplished this, it
was pitch-dark. Leaving Weston to guard the
gold, I went back to the cave in the canyon to
fetch up the pasengers, but found no one, while
there were evidences of a struggle. y

“ And let me say to you, Colonel Sandy, that
the lady passenger was your daughter.”

“My daughter!” gasped the colonel, in pro-
found astonishment. ,“ Heavens! man—you
must be mistaken l” , '

“Oh,no, I’m not,” John Johnny calmly de-
clared. “ And, more than that, colonel, it is
my belief that she is at this very moment in the

’ l Lands of Old Nick’s Nine.”
This announcement seemed to fall upon the'

handsome ambler with stunning force; before
- he could at er a word, however, the door opened
and into the room walked Winnie Moultonl

, A murmur of surprise came from the crowd, a
faint yell of delight from the jehu. The colonel
started as if confronted by an apparition, then
, rushed forward with extended arms. ‘

Strangely enough, Winnie parried the threat-
ened ardent embrace, and greeted her father in
a cool and formal manner. '

“ Come, my dear child," exclaimed the
colonel, as soon as he had collected his wits.
“This is. no place for yhu. You must go up to
my room, where you can remain until more
suitable quarters are provided. This visit is an-
other surprise, and you find me wholl unpre-
pared to give you a fitting reception. ou—”

“Beg your pardon, colonel, but if your'

daughter is willing to take the stand, she may be
.. able to throw some light on this case,” inter-
ru ted Juan Mendoza, with aprofound bow.
.olonel Moulton‘ seemed annoyed, but before
he could speak, Winnie said: i
f‘ I am willing to testify, sir.
in for that purpose.” . ,
I A ripple of applause came from the miners, to
be sternly suppressed by Juan Mendoza and
then, amid a most breathless silence, innie
Moulton narrated her adventures.
' “ Look cloaely at the accused, there, and tell
.me if you recognize him as the horseman who
took you from the outlawsin the canyon,” Men-
doza requested, when she had finished.
W iume walked straight up to Gold-Dust Dan.
At that moment, a crowd of half-drunken
miners entered, having come' down from the
Ark to witness the trial, and till was several
' minutes before order was restored.
“I am sure that man is not the outlaw

In fact, I came

 

- “Ii. '

\

 

chief,” Winnie announced, as soon as her voice
could be heard.

“You are sure he is not the man who took
you from the outlaws in the canyon?”Mendoza
questioned, with lowering brow.

“ .I do not see how he could be that man, for
as soon as we had entered the camp the outlaw
put me on my feet, pointed out ,this place, then
turned and rode away at high speed. I made
my way almost directly here, and was justin
time to hear my father accuse this man of being
the Great J Ones robber.

“ No, no; there is a mistake somewhere.”

“ That'will do,” said Mendoza grimly. '

Then Colonel Sandy came forward, and with
Winnie quitted the place.

“ Has the defense anything to offer?”

Ozark 0“ moved out from the crowd, and,
addressmg the judge, said:

“ May at please yoar Honor, I’ll undertake ter
defend the youngster; but at will take some
leetle time ter rake up our evidence, an’ I
thari’ore moves this trial be continued till to-
morrow night.”

“ What say you 3” and Mendoza’s restless dark

"eyes swept the crowd.

“ You’ve found the snake, now kill et!” utter-
ed a burly fellow in the front rank.

“ Yas, yas! et's a clear case he stole Great
J ones’s money. ’

“ Nary wait!”

“ Run out ther rope l”

A perfect jargon of cries arose, all clamoring
for the death of the accused.’

H Keno I” ‘ I

Sharp and sibilant, the word rung through
the room, followed instantly by the crash of a
dozen revolvers, and every light flickered and
went out!

“ Guard the doors—the windows!” shouted
Mendoza, in a voice hoarse with rage. “ Look
sharp, or the whelp will escape!”

Thus warned, the mob‘ scattered and took
possession. of the doors and windows. A mo-
ment, then a match flashed behind the bar, and
in another minute the lamps were relighted.

Too late! Gold—Dust Dan was missing, and
with him Ozark 011! ~

CHAPTER VI.
ENTRAPPED. _

“ LADY, here we part. Yonder is the River
House, and there you will find your father.”

The speaker was the masked horseman, the
pretended outlaw chief, and the one he addressed
was Winnie Moulton.

“ Sir, I thank, you; and let me say that,
though you arein the gui\e of an outlaw, I know
you to be an honest man-one playing a desper-
ate mle that evil-doors may not escape unpun-
ished.” .

" Pray keep that suspicion wholly to yourself,
Miss Moulton,” laughed the rider, yet with a
strain of earnestness in his voice. “ In this re-
tglilorg, men are hanged sometimes for less than

8 . .

“ And now, good-night.”

“ Good-night, and good luck!”

A jungle of spurs, and the horse dashed away.
Had Winnie Moulton looked back, she would
have seen that the steed was riderless!

But, the girl was thinking deeply, and her
thoughts were most unpleasant.

“Now that I am here, I will settle the vexing
question for good and all i” she uttered, her even,
white teeth meeting with a determined click,
and then she walked slowly toward the River
House. . '

But she was not to reach that place uninter-
rupted.

Just as she entered the circle of. ii ht thrown
out by the lamp over the doorway, he was con-
fronted by a tall old man with gleaming, restless
gray eyes and a bushy white beard and long
white hair. '

He was shabbily dressed, wore a large slouch
hat and rusty high-top boots, and in the belt
about his waist hung a brace of heavy revol-
vers and a huge bowie. . »

Not a word did this singular personage utter.
He stared fixedly into the face of the girl, his
eyes filling with a' strange light-a light that
might indicate either hope or fear.

Startled, Winnie shrunk back a'pace, draw-
ing from her pocket a small revolver.

“Nav, nay. little ’un—no need 0’ that!” ex-
claimed the old fellow, in a hasky voles. “ Blesa
yer eyesl not a hair 0’ yer purty‘head would
Crazv Mose harm or see harmed!” '

“You do notllook like a ruflian,” retorted<'
Winnie, impulsively, as she put away the wea-
pon. “ But I am a stranger here, and you
startled ma”. -

“ And I beg your pardon a thousand times!”

~

 

 

earnestly. “ Somewhere on this earth is a 1

girl, I have not seen for years, though I’yo

sought her long and constantly. Something
told me all the day I should meet her soon, and-
Well, when I first glimpsed your face, I would
have sworn ’twas hers-l” with a haggard smile. "

“But I delay you, little ’up. Go your way,
an’ when you need a friend remember that you
can count on old Mose—demand his very life if
it will save you from your enemiesin this camp !”

“ Enemies?”

“ Ay, little ’unl They may tell you old
Mose is orazy-—-that his head is wrong; but old.
Mose knows a thing or tWo. Listen. The man
you seek is your worst foe! Beware of him 1”

Having thus spoken, the old fellow turned
and darted away. The girl gazed after him
earnestly, longingly, as if strongly tempted to
call him back. His words had impressed her
most vividly, despite his apparent lunaty.

“No, no; he can know nothing.” she mur.
muredvagain turning toward the River House.
“It is strange. though, that he should have hit
upon the very fear that preys upon my mind. If
it cornea to the worst, I must not forget Crazy
Mose! '

 

Winnie Moulton sat beside a table in Colonel

Sandy’s comfortably furnished room, a resolute -

look on her fair young face. .

Before her lay a closely written document, evi--
dently penned by a woman.

“ Is it true or false?” she uttered, half-aloud.
.“ Is Barbara Garot’s confession real, or but a
tissue of lies marking the initial stroke of the
vengeance she once vowed should be hers?

“ Ah, it is real—it is true! My heart tells me
as much, and reason ur as it.
child of Colonel Sandy oultonl And if that
much be true, why not all that old Barbara sets
forth?” ‘ v '

These and kindred thoughts had occupied her
mind almost from the moment she entered
the room. Colonel Sandy, warned by the crash
of firearms below, had left her at the threshold,
to hurry back to the stirring scene intthe bar~
room.-

That same volley, had alarmed Winnie not a
little, and she had listened most intently until
satisfied that the young borderman,‘Gold-Dust
Dan, had escaped. That fact established, she
entered the room and seated herself at the table,
to ponder the vexing‘problem assailing her. ‘

Thus an hour passed and then ,a step in the.
\hallway warned her of the colonel’s return.
Hurriedly folding the document that lay'before
her, she thrust it into the bosom of her dress
and calmly awaited his appearance.

I am not the ‘

A moment later, the door opened and Moultou .

entered. His face was pale, he had a flurried.
look, and his dark eyes gleamed desperately.
' “That accursed young outlaw has escaped?”

he announced, his lips quivering with suppressed 1
“He had accomplices in the crowd, '

passion.
who shot the lights out, and under cover of dark—
ness spirited him away. It is the firsttime in

the history of the camp that such a thing has; ' ‘
happened, and it will be the last! Hereafteex;i

people of his ilk will be hanged first and tri
afterward!” . .

“I do not believe that he is the guilty man,”
declared Winnie, calmly.

Moulton stared at her sharply. After a mo- ' ‘

ment, he flung himself into a chair, and asked,
abrlwtly: .

“ hat caused you to leave school and come
West so suddenly, Winnie? You know that.
such a move is against my expressed wishes.”

“ I do know that. yes, sir. But let me reply to-
your question by asking one: ,

“ Did y u ever know a Captain Rufus Blake?”

“ Capt;th Rufus Blake—the dem’l  ' '

And with that inelegant ejaculation Colonel
Sandy leaped to his feet and glared at the girl as
if be doubted his ears. ,, ' 4

“Pray keep cool, captain I”. continued the
girl, with the calmness born of a fixed purpoae.
“If! am not mistaken, you’ll .haVe need of all
your wits before this interview is ended.

“ And, now, tell me if youxever met a woman
known as Barbara Garot.” I ~

There was no response.

“ You might also state, captain, what_cause
you and Barbara Garot had_to hate so bitterly
and wrong so deeply one Bartley Wildman.”

An oath came from between the clinched teeth
of Colonel Moulto'n. His slim white fingers
worked convulsively, and his tail form swayed
forward, as if he w0uld hurl himself upon the
girl in murderous fury.

.A deft movement of her dimpled hands, and

Winnie held a leveled revolver between hers‘elf ‘

and the handsome desperado. ‘
“ Speak!” she commanded, her voice cold and.

 

 

   
 
 
    

 

 

 

  
   
   

    
 
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
   
    
   

 
 
 

  
 
    
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. and powerless.

   

.l
.V“

w'

Gold-Dust Dan,

v Luz-g .3 '1.)

the Tran Patrol. '-

 

 

 

 

.
r’ 
.lue eyes gleaming like stars. ” As
3’ ghter of Bariloy Wildman, I demand a
account of that foul wrong!”

"‘A coward at heart, Colonel Sandy shrunk

, hack. Girl, though she was, Winnie had cowed
the gambler.

“ Girl—girl! you drive me mad!” he faltered.
“ Who has put this tissue of silly lies into your
head?”

Heavy, shuffling steps in the hallway checked
the stern retort rising to the lips of the girl. A
faint tapping. and then the door was ilungopen,
disclosing a tall, angular fellow, with restless
gray eyes and a foxy-looking yellow beard. lie
was clad in rags, but was heavily armed, and
looked every inch a cut—throat.

“ Evenin’, folks,” he saluted, shuflling into the
room and closing the door. “ lin practicin’ for
a nieller-dranier?”

_ The effect of this intrusion was almost magi-
cal, so far as Colonel Sandy was concerned. His
trepidation vanished; his face flushed, then grew

, livid with anger.

“ Get out of the room, this instant, you skulk-
ing hound!” he grated, starting forward, his
hand seeking the butt of one of the heavy re-
volvers in his girdle. “You wretched vaga—
bond! I’ll teach you a—”

“ Whip light an’ drive 810w, Captain Blake !”
interrupted the intruder, with peculiar em-
phasis. “ Guess you’ve forgotten me, puol‘ devil
thet I was, an’ am, or mebbe ye wouldn’t talk so
rash! But 1 know you—worse luck 1”

For the second time that evening Colonel
Sandy’s nerve deserted him, leaving him weak
His hand fell away from the
weapon, and he stared blank! y at the vagabond.

“ Don’t fill in a fit, ole ard!” cantiozied the
intruder, with a mocking eer. “Brace up nn’
try ter beamnn. I’m in hard luck, an’ I’m

hyar ter sell out, either ter you or—ther go! 1”

Winnie, her interest now thoroughly awaken-
ed, glanced from the ruflian to Colonel Sandy.

‘ “Hush—say no more!” weakly uttered the
litter. “ I will talk to you presently. Only go,
until I have settled matters with this head-
strong girl.”

“Nary go, ole pard!” quoth the ruifiun, with
a. grim little laugh. “I’m needed right hyar,
an’ liyar I’ll tarry l”

“0h, sir, I'm glad to hear you say that!”
Winnie exclaimed, earnestly. “ I do need your
help, and will reward you most liberally.”

“ Yourn till death, miss! Sarge’nt Sly can’t
go back on beauty .in distress—not" with a
show fer ducats in sight! Jes’ say somethin’

’ ter‘ set me a-goin’, fer I'm all ready ter wade

anl”. ,
“Very‘ well, then. You may seize and dis-

. arm that man,” and the girl pointed to Colonel

Sandy. .

. “Easy sed, an’ easy done!” grinned he of the

yellow heard, his furtive gray eyes meeting

the glowing orbs 'of the gambler in a steady

stare. \
“Now, ole pard, don’t ye make a go ter re-

‘ sist, or et’ll be ther wuss for ye!”

With that, he lunged forward, his hands out—

' stretched to pluck the revolvers from the belt
, of the gambler; but Colonel Sandy deftly
 'brushed aside the crooked, claw-like fingers,
‘ and with a. fierce, snarling cry grappled the rut-

fian. ’V J '
To and fro whirled the two men in a desperate

struggle, each striving to break the other’s hold.

A sudden lurch, and over went the table, extin-

 guishing the.caudle and leaving the room in
’ ‘ total darkness. -

Winnie uttered a sharp cry and started back.

-At the same instant a pair of powerful arms

closed around her, and the revolver was wrenched
from her hand, .
“ Jest strike a light. colonel. I’ve got her!”
The voice was that'of Sarge’nt Sly!

 

CHAPTER VII. '
A DESPERATE TBIO.

Wain: Colonel Sandy Moulton. had secured
and religbted the candle, it was discovered that

- Winnie was in a dead faint.

Taking the girl! in his arms, the gambler crossed

'- the room and placed her on a couch, where he

securely pinioned her wrists-
“Good luck has not quite deserted us!” he

I chuckled, with a searching glance to satisfy him:

, , moment yen de( eived even me!”

. self that his work was well done,

“ Your hand,
Sly“ That ruse was admirably done. For a
, /The desperadoes ShOOk hands. \ ‘
“Thai- was shoot in her eye, boss,” quoth he
of the yellow heard. “I know’(!, too, ther gal
her] friends in camp, ready an’ anxious ter take
a hand, an’ so worked ther game. ,

 

“An’ by ther same token, boss, ye’d better
lock and bolt thet door.”

Moulton uttered a mirthlesslittle laugh.

“ I do not think any one in Slocum City will
molest us, Sly," he returned. “ You forgot that
we are in the stronghold of Juan Mendoza!”

“ Fergit nothin’, boss,” declared the desperado,
with dogged earnestness. “ Thor gal didn’t
Come inter comp alone. ’l‘het young hellyun,
Gold—Dust Dan, fetched her hynr nn’ atop ov
thet hoth Crazy Mose an’ Ozark (ll! hed a eon-.
l'ah wi’ her’ai‘ore she putt fat in ther bur—room.”

The gainhler’s face changed. His quick wit
now readily suggested an explanation of Win-
nie’s course since her arrival, and he- at once
Secured the door.

“ That is better, boss,” obserVed the “ ser-
geant,” as the bolts fell into place. “ Cain’t be
too keerful yo know.

“ Au’ now, ef I may ask, w’at do ye intend ter
do with thor gal? Yo cain’t keep ’er hynr.”

“No. As soon as the camp is quiet for the
night, we’ll take her over to the canyon.”

“ ’Twon’t he aderned bit safer thar, boss.”

“ Why not?”

“ Wei, I don’t exactly like ther way things
look over thar. Gold-Dust Dan is onto ther
lay-out, an’ ther leetle devil may lead a passe! 0v
his friends in thar at any minute.”

“ He’ll never escape his pursuers," averred the
colonel, grimly.

Sergeant Sly lay back in his chair and laughed

soft! .

“ gaudy, that kid ain’t outside ov this camp,
this blessed minute i” he declared. “ More then
thet." lowering his voice and leaning forward,
“I’ll bet ten dollars he’s within reach of our
voices!

, “ Impossible!”

“ No, et’s jest as I tell ye,” in the same can-
tious strains. “ He’s on ther shed roof, jest out-
side. ther window thar.”

“ Furies! theo—”

“ ’Shl—not soloud l” and Sergeant Sly grip ed
the gambler’s arm with savage force. “1W0
must ketch ’iin nappin’l”

, “ But are you sure?” .

“ Sart’in some onu’s thar—’most sure et’s him.
Do you go down an’ fetch Mendoza up. yOr,
better—jest foller my cue.” ,

Then, aloud:

“ Yeas, sir, thet berderned kid’s right hyar in,

Slocum—bet yer pile; On it. We’d better run
ther gal ovar thar, an’ jest advise the gang ter
light out for safer quarters Old Nick ’11 take
ther tip fen jest w’ot thar is in ct, an’ et’s odds
he’s got a safe hole picked out whar he kin make
a stu nd till ther ruction’s blowed over.”

“I guess you’re about right, Sly. We’ll go
just as soon as we can see Mendoza,” returned
the colonel.

“Let’s go down an’gitadrink an’ talk the
matter ever With ther Greaser. The camp ’11 be
quiet, so’t we kin start in an hour.”

The two men arose, looked to the bonds of the
captive, who was yet unconscious, then quitted
the room and descended the stairs.

In the lower hallway they halted, removed
their boots, and stealthin retraced their steps,
pausing just outside the door to the colonel’s
room. \

Moulton knelt and applied his eye to the key:

0 e. ‘

A cry of rage esca d him.

With a furious oat , he flung the door open-
and sprung into the room, closely followed by
his confederate.

The couch was empty! Beside it on the floor
lay the_thongs 0% the captive, severed, while an
open window be rayed the avenue of escape.

“ Quick l‘ They can’t be off ther shed Fit!”
grated b137, g‘irting toward the window, re-
volver in han . ‘

Moulton was only a pace behind him.

A single glance was enough to show that the
shed-roof was clear. There was not a soul
visibée, nor a sound indicative of flight to |be
hear .,

Dismayed, the two desperadoes for the space
of a half-minute muter stared each other in the

ace. '

“They did not go that way!” then cried
Moniton. “ They have given us the slip in the
hall!” and with that, both wheeled toward the

door.

“ Halt !” ~ ,

That one word! of command, in strains omi-
nously low and tense, came from the lips of
Crazy Mose. _
way, his face white and stern, his gray-eyes glow-
ingluridly. \

In each hand he held a cocked revolver,
thermuzzles of which bore full upon the evil
pai .

I

He stood just inside the door.

“ Move but a step and you die!” he warned in '
the some deadly monotone. ‘ I
“ Madman! what mean you?” gritted Colonel.
Moulton, furiously. “ My daughter has been
"' abducted, and you bar pursuit!”

“ I bar pursuit, yes! For I mean that an end
to your villainy has come, Rufus Blake!

“ I her pursuit because you have no” ‘right to
pursue. She whom you claim as your daughter
is my own flesh and blood!”

f A sardonic smile lighted up Colonel Moulton’s
ace. '

“ Your mind wanders.” he sneered, his glanch
shifting from the face of the lunatic to the hall—
way and back again. “ You talk in riddles!
But, I warn you that if that devil escapes with
the girl i. shall hold you to strict account! You
haVe—" ,

A short, exultant cry followed. CrazyI Mose
had staggered forward and fallen to t 0 floor
unconscious, stricken down from behind by Juan
Mendoza.

It was the stealthy approach of the Mexican,
clubbed revolver in hand, that had called that
evil smile to the race of Moultou.

“ Bravo, Juan l” exclaimed the gambler.
“ That disposes of the meddling fool. Here, Sly
—v~lae’ll drag the carcass inside till we secure the
gir . ’ '

“ Better leave him to me,” urged Mendoza.
“You must haste to secure the girl. If I uiis-
take not, she is in this hallway, and may leap to
deathnin the Devil’s Mill-Race, as the window is
open.

The Words drove the blood from Colonel‘
Sandy's face. Catching u the candle, he hur«
ried into the hall, closely ollowed by Sergeant

Sly.
The feeble, flickering light only partially 'dis-
pelled the darkness, but it disclosed enwgh to

havo entertained.

Winnie was, indeed, in the hallway, hut alone
and unconscious. ‘ - A

"The man on, the roof, Sly, was not Gold-
Dust Dan, but Crazy Mose.” averred the gam-
bler. handing the candle to his ally.
girl in a s on, he was double to retreat
the way he came and our returnlcut him off.”

Colonel Sandy ’had hit upon the exact truth.

Bearing Winnie back to the couch, the gain-
bler hound her, hand and foot, and then with
his allies turned to Crazy Mose. ,

“ W’ot shall we do with ther cuss!" asked

y. , .
“He know; too much to be turned loose,”

“He must be silenced at once and for-
ever!” answered Mendoza, with a sinister! curl
of his thin, red lips. “Come-—the dog shaws'
signs of life! Let us fling him into the Devil’s
Mill-Race.” '

over and sat up, looking from one to the other
of the trio of desperadoes, his eyes blnzmg with

for a weapon. “ Devils! the end is not
Know me as I am!”

to the floor his flaunting gray locks and heard,
reVenling the stern, handsome face of - the mine-
owner, Great J ones l” . .

“ Good God! It as Bartley Wildma'n I” ejacu—

lated Sergeant Sly, shrinking as if from a

specter. v
“Fooll—silence!” gritted Colonel Sandy, his
onthe arm of the

sinewy fingers closing/sharply
ropgh. “You have betraye me!”

‘ Not so, Rufus Blake!" enunciated the mine-
owner. “ Yoa have betrayed yourself ! , I have
heard all, and though I die here and now, my
death shall not go unavenged!” .

“But you are not going to die Just yet, Great
a smile creating his cruel face. “ You l'epre;
ns Crazy Mose would have been. No, no!
ing, you will be usaful, not onlfito myself, but
also to my friend, the colonel.
geance to glut; I I my pocket to fill!

“ Upon him, boys!”

Like so manv raveni'ng beasts of prey,

mine-owuer, and in scarcely more than the
‘ time it takesto tell it, he was securely bound and

our‘ man remain here, colonel, until I return.”
Without pausing for a response the Mexican
hurried away. i " . ,

 

sent too much money to be thrown to the fisIlJieg, _
iv- . '

e has his vent

 
 
 
     

set at rest whatever fears the desperudo may i

“ With the v

Colgate! Sandy declared. “ He must be silejnc- 
ed "

At that moment the dementéd miner-rolled

ur .
“y Devils !” he grated, vainly searching his bel; .
yet ,’

With a swift motion he tore away and dashed. " 

Jones,” J uau Mendoza averred, just the‘tracepf ‘

desperate trio flung themselves upon the helpless _. I '

a zed. . .
g gNow for the horses,” cried Mendozadmflh
autly. “1 will get them out, and do youand .

Five-oten minutes passedmnd then ‘he noise: - l; 

     
       
     
     
   
   
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   
           
       
   
       
     
     
     
   
     
     
     
    

  

   
   
  
   
    
    
  
   
  
    
    
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
     
     
       
     
     
       
         
     
    

 W’s-5.. 'L' . ,4 _ ._'... «‘w  "w -~

lonely renppeared,.bearing a number of blankets
in which to envelop the prisoners.

“ The camp is quiet, and all is ready,” he an—
nounced. “ Let us get away at once."

A half-hour later the desperate trio were safe-
ly in the shadows of the hills, hearing their cap-
fives straight to the stronghold of Old Nick’s

me.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
UNMASKED.

“ OH, Lewd! what a miserable sinner I am!

“How the greed for gain has engulfed and
swallowed me up; yes, even as the whale en-
gulfed and Swallowed up Jonah!

“Too late! too late! I seetho error of my
we l

“ Et’s derned tough luck, purdner—suro; but
I’ve’ allers heer’d say ther path 0v thcr wicked ’5
’ full ov toadastickers. Ar.’ thet ’minds me,
Brother Uriah. ye’d better git a mighty quick
’pent on ye, for ther rockyest p’lnt in yer trail

ain’t come yit, surc’s my name’s Injun Rube! ‘

Weep, sinner, weep!”

A uncaring little laugh followed the words.

The two speakers occupied a. tent in the heart
of tho outlaw encampment.

The first was Johnny Morgan’s luckless pus.
Banger, the Rev. Uriah Smoothly, of St. Louis.
He sat with bowed head near the center of the
tent his hands pinioned at his back, his ankles
firmly lashed together. Not a my of hope
lighted his dull blue eyes. and his round, oily
visage, streak ' with blood, wore an expression
of uuutternble woe.

The second was Jnjun Rube, the outlaw ap-

inted to guard the captive. He wns a lnnk,
case-jointed ruiliun. (lurk almost as a full-blood-
ed red-skin, with a face grim and merciless.
He lny ut full length on a dirty blanket, his head
pil10wed in one hand, pufllng leisurely at a short,
black pipe, his keen
ilish enjoyment.

The night was well advanced. To one perched
amid the lofty crags towsring above the basin,
faint pencilings of light, heralding the dawn of

, day, would have been visible low in the distant
east. '

But sleep had not touched the» eyes of captive
or shard. The long hours had passed slowly,
and in almost unbroken silence. Twice had the
Rev. Smoothly broken forth in lamentation,
and twice had Injun Rube Comforted .him in the
strain above set forth. '

Suddenly the captive raised his head and xed

is listless eyes on the forbidden face 0 his

or . -

“ Pardner, do you love gold l” he asked. his
voice sinking to a hoarse whisper.

“I loves life better,” Injun Rube returned,
wizhout taking the pipe from betWeen his teeth.
“ Ye may be able ter buy ther capt’in, Brother
Uriah, but ye cain’t buy me!”

“ When can I see the captain?”

if He may he byar in two minutes, maybe not
for two weeks." .

“ .un I not get word to him? It would be
money in his pocket”.

"‘ If ye’ve got money, et’ll find et’s” way inter,
’

‘ , his pocket soon. enoug never fear.”

The captive permitted a. doleful groan to es-
cape him. ' ,

Bis lips moved, but before he could utter an-
other word the tent—flap was lifted and two
men entered. Both were masked and heavily
armed. '

Injun Rube spnung to his feet.

“ Cep’in Nick i” he ejaculated, visibly surprised
and alarmed. ‘ ' '

“ Yes, Rube. your captain, and thanks for the
complin out Just paid me!" grimly returned the
foremost of the intruders.

., “ We are to strike camp at once. Go with
Lieutenant Rivers, here. He will give you
orders." '

Injun Rube saluted, and followed the second
of the intruders from the tent.

The outlaw chief turned to the captive.

“ So, my man, you have gold to buy life
and liberty?” he added, fixing his eyes on the
face of the cowering wretch, a menacing strain

_ cree ding into his cold voice. * ,

“ have,”’was the tremulous reply. “ And my
poor wife wnll deliver up our last dollar to pur-
chase ‘my liberty.” '

“You came up intothe Gold Range to buy a
minel”, ‘ ' l

“ To buy or trade. one. I was to meet Colonel
Moulton at Slocum City to-morrow morning to
an'ange the matter. Alas! I fear I have missed
a golden opportunity!”

The outlaw uttered a laugh.

. v “ Let it he hoped that .your loss is our gain,”

‘ i, ‘ a" ‘5" a" g 13¢;- ' g“ '-' ‘- 11 -;‘€’=  - 'li ‘

only to full heavily, sullenly.

black eyes aglow with dev- '

 

    
 

. ' I " “Gioldeu’stfliDan, marries Patrol: 2“

he remarked, seating himself to command a
clearer view of the captive’s face. “ I dare say
we can come to terms mutually agreeable, and
that you’ll go home richer in experience if poorer
in gold.

“ In truth, I am inclined to deal generously
with you, the more so that you remin me most
forcibly of an old and dear friend.”

Captain Nick’s tones sunk almost to a whisper,
low and purring.

“ Indeed!” and for the first time the captiVe’s
glance metthat of his captor.

“ It is true, and you doubtless know him.”

“ His name?” ,

_£";l‘he veteran mountain detective, Bully Dur-
m .

The words came from the outlaw’s lips with n
sibilnnf. hiss. His eyes gleamed with fierce in-
tenSIty, and his long white fingers opened and
closed as if burning to fasten themselves upon
the throat of the captive.

The effect of that name upon Uriah Smoothly
was even more marked.

His smooth, round face grew purple; the
veins stood out on his forehead like whip-
cords. and his dull blue eyes filled with a lurid

leam. .,

“ That—devil !” he gritted, springing;r half
erect in a sudden access of wrath and dismay,
“ The cunning,
lying hound! mny the devil seize him!"

“Ah, you do know him!” uttered Captain
Nick, softly, the flame in his dusky orbs grow-
ing brighter and fiercer. “ And you hate him,
too! ’ '

“ Hate him!” with a vicious snarl. a sudden
pulng of that impurpled visage. “Hate him?
as the devil a crucifix! But for him-”

“ Spare yourself!” interrupted the chief,
coldly, menacingly. “I can not have that
ubscnt friend, abused,g even by one of your
cloth! Let it suffice, simply, that you are
foes!

“ And, now, another matter. We are about
to change quarters, and the ride will be a rough
one—one that you can not bear up under in your
present condition. ‘ '

“That wound on your head must be dressed,
and you must have food and drink.” ‘

Smootth shook his head.

“ The wound is a mere scratch, and 'will heal
of itself,” be protested. “But I am raven-
xously hungry?“

“The wound first,” insisted Captain Nick.
“It is bad—far worse than you suspect. I’ll
attend to it myself, and at once.” i I

“But I tell you it amounts tonothing,” the
captive retorted, hotly. “ Let it alone—I am
satisfied.” ,

“ And I am not.” v' ' I

The next. moment the outlaw was upon his
knees beside his victim. Slowly, carefully, he
ran his finger along the edge of the gaping
wound, that strange, fiery glitter in his restless
eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Then came an expression of malignant oxulta-
tion. His long fingers clased in the masses of
glossy black hair; a. sharp, wrenching jerk, a.
yell of pain from thewaptive, and the outlaw
chief held aloft an artfully contrived wig!

“ You cunning, lying devil! you sought to be-
1001 me!” grated Captain Nick, springing to his
feet, knife in hand. “Better the truth, for I
knew you—knew you from themoment I put
eyes on you, Bully Ifar'rit!”

“ Have it that way, Old Nick 3" retorted the
unmasked detective, withagrimace. “I only
regret that I have no show to swat you a few!”

A harsh laugh escaped the outlaw. ~

“Your day for striking a foe is gone!” he
cried, kicking viciously at the fallen man.
“ You’re in my hands now—mine! Do you un-
derstund what that means? You are to die!—
to,die by inches!” .

" 0h, drive a cork in your face!” the detective ‘

retorted. “You take altogether too much for

granted. .1 don’t think you know what you’re

talking about. In fact. I’te got a thousand or
so that says you’ll die before I do!” r

“ Madnn u! do 'you think I forget or forgive?
Caramba! that little affair at Tombstone, is
fresh in my memory yet!” . - , - ’

“And you’re wanted there at a rope’s end
just'ns had as ever, Don J ose!” grimly.

“ Pah! I’ll not talk with you. dog of a detec-
tive!”‘uttered the outlaw. “You tempt me to
drive a knife into your heart, and that would
Spoil my swoet revenge!” w ' ‘ '

,Bolly Darrit chuckled. ' , " ‘

“Your heart is weak, your tongue strong,
Don Jose!”-,he exclaimed, with a sneer. “ You
are an old woman has man’s clothes!” _

Captain Nick’s dark eyes glowed rodl , and

\

again his hand sought his knife; but at t at in-

gleam in his black e es.

 

_. I ‘
stant the tent flap was lifted and handy.
appeared, saying: “We

 

“The horses are ready, capt’in, and the me.

are here to strike ther tent.”

“It is well, Rube. Get help and lush this
fleshy dog upon the back of a horse. See that
he suffers, too; if his bones are broken, so much
thebetter. And, Rube, if he escapes, I’ll have
your life for his l”

With that, Captain Nick again kicked the
prisoner, then quitted the tent. ‘

The guard gazed after him with a. peculiar

“We’ll see, my no lad, we’ll see!” he mut-
tered, clinching his hands. “I cry, ‘(lcuth to
our enemies’ as loud as ther loudest, but never
such a brute as to kill by inches was Injun
Rube!”

Then, at a sharp whistle from the guard,
Pueblo Peter entered, and the suffering detec—
tive was carried out and made fast to the back
of a horse.

At the same moment a colossal figure glided

.stealthily away from the rear of the tent and

vanished among the shadows overhanging the
custom side of the basin.

“ Ready—forward—march !"

The cmnnmnd rung out crisply on the chill
night air. A jingling of spurs, a word here, an
oath there, and the caValcade swept forward at
a steady trot. , .

\thn day broke, not a trace of the outlaw
encampment remained.

 

CHAPTER IX.
A DISAPI‘OINTMENT.

“ THET was a close call, leotle pard—a blamed”
010se cull. ' But for then game ole sailor-man an,’
his pards we’d ’a.’ bin fine pickin’ for ther kiotes
now!” . l ‘ '

“Touch nn’ go, Ozark. with just a little more '

go than touch I” laughed Gold-Dust Dan, in tones
scamely above a whisper. “ Where away?»—
those human bounds are hot on the trail!”

“ Let ’em yelp, Dan’l—let ’em yelp!

et. Come.”

dense thicket near the lower end of the,cump,

The River House was in full view, and they "
could hear Juan Mendoza urging the turbulent .

crowd to make swift and sure pursuit. , ,1
As the old mountain-man spoke, he turned,

and closely followed by Dan, skirtrd the under-

growth, theu laid his course toward the Ark. ‘
With noiseless steps the fugitives sped along,

keeping in the shadowsns far as possible, paus- 

ing anon to listen or to fix their course.
I

1 this way, several minutes passed, and they '

,were rapidly nearing the goal, when a lOW, trill—

ing whistle rose from n cluster of bowlders just  A

ahead.

lug. “Wait.’ I
A shadowy form emerged from’ the rock

covvrt, and came slowly toward the waitin '. .

fugitives. '

Ther ole I
sailor-man dropped me a hint, nn’ we’ll act on .

The two were crouching in thoedge of a. I.

“ Et’s ther signal,” explained ,ozark‘“ on, halt. ‘

ii", 

I . .. -r~- ‘
—~  wee-err:

A
mug; «VI—"was'ai91-

        
     
     
     
     
      
 
 
          
        
 
       
     
         
   
       
     
       
       
       
       
        
 
       
       
     
   
     
   
         
   

“Et’s ther sailor-man.” further explainedyfl" 

Ozark, in a whisper. “ I am ter meet him or

his pardner here later on, but ther ruction down  T

ter ther River House hes hurried matters.” ‘

At that moment, Lthe man from the bowlders
halted before them.
it was Ben Bluff the merchant.

“Howdy, messmates!” he exclaimed, vigor-
ously grasping a. hand of each.
glad” ye’vo given them bloody pirates 'ther

sh .
A RReckon we’re some tickled, too, pnrdner,”
heartily returned Dan. . “They gave me ‘ a.
mighty tight 5 ueak,'an’ of you hadn’t run in
your cold dec'
point-sure!” _

“ They’re putty sore, I bet!” chuckled the-old
merchant. ‘ “But come—you boys ain’t out 0v
ther woods, yit. . Go down ter my place an’
we’ll”hold a confab ’foreye leave this hornits’
nest.

“ That’s what we’re layer for,” Ozark declared.

Ben Bluil’ forthwith led the way to his store.
The two entered at the rear door, and proceeded

As Ozark had intimatedp

“.l’m ’tarncl '

on ’em they’d ’a’ made I: eir . 

 

to the cellar Without arousing Monkey,ythe ne-I -. '

gro boy.

The consultation was brief. It‘was arranged

at Gold-Dust Dan’s suggestion, thatBen Bluff -

should see Johnny Morgan at the earliest mo-
ment possible in regard to sending a relievmg
party to Murray lVestou. It was decided, too
that u posse of picked men should be raised and

sent against the stronghold of Old Nick’s Nine, ‘

Dan promismiz to have a plainly-marked mm
to that rendezvous. ‘  .

When these matters had been, briefly no] ,

     
 
       
 
        
   
   
       
       

     
  
 
  
   
 
 
 

.. _._'._.-,.

 

/

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. 9

 

 

/

n. u , Ozark and the merchant drew aside for
moment, after which the two fugitives were

/’ supplied with food and ammunition, and con-

ducted to the outskirts of the camp.

There, Ben Bluff turned back.

“Now, Dan’l, jest you take their lead,” re-
quested Ozark. “I’m not edzactly cl’ar on
ther p‘int ye want ’er make, but I’m with ye.”

“ The point is just this,” returned the youth.
“That king-pin of mountain detectives, Old
Bally Darrit, is in the hands of the outlaws, and
must be rescued.”

Ozark uttered a low whistle.

“Dau’l, ye s’prise mel” he ejaculated. “I
knowed ther ole buccancer was due in these
diggin’s, but his bein’ took in knocks me all in a
heap. How in nater did it happen?”

Gold-Dust Dan seated himself on a bowldcr,
saying:

“ To explain that, I must go back a bit. For
a year past I have been employed by the stage
company as a patrol, being sent from one
division to another, as my services wero needed,
and a few weeks ago 1 was ordered here. A
hand of outlaws, nine in number, had repeatedly
held up the stage, with heavy loss to the com-
pany.

“Before I was sent here, five of the road-
agents had been killed outright, and threeothers
severely wounded; yet the gang always appear
ed nine in number when an attack on the coach
was made, and this fact led to the belief that a
strong party of cut—throats were encainped in
some stronghold of the hills, and I was specially
instructed to ferret out their encampment, with
a view to wiping them out.

“ While thus employed, I became acquaint—
ed with Great Jones, and when his safe
was robbed be hunted me up and asked me
to don little side work on the case; but I had
just made a most important discovery as to the
probable location of the outlaw stronghold,
and as the claw demanded my whole attention
it barrel my pushing the robbery case After
thinking the matter over, I wrote to Dai-rit,
then in St. Louis, requesting him to come up,
lie answered that ho was willing to do so, the
more so from the fact that he was even then
under agreement to Met a Miss Moulton from
St. Louis to Sand liar, and perhaps on to
Slocum, and that he would start the very day
his letter was dated.”

“Hoppin’ hornits! he never hinted thet gal
business in his word ter mel” broke in Ozark,
inilignantly. “ I’ll tell ye what, Fan’l, me an’
thet ole detective fraud’s bin pardners off ’n
on fer nigh onter twenty years, an’ we struck
sum putty tough trails. But ther toughest trail
we ever did run ag’in’ was ther one thi-t fetched
me up hyar, an’ be sh’u’d ’a’ bin with me,
’stead ov gallivantin”round over thcr kentry,
playin’ pilot for ioiiesome gills. Thet’s ther
word with ther bark on of, Dan’l, iin’ I ain’t
back’ard ’bout speakiu’ et. Fair woman is a
delusion an’ a snare; a young man ain’t so
much ter be blamed fer fullin’ an’ easy Vh‘tim.
but an ole fool like Bolly Darrit—wrmgh.’ cl:
makes me tired, boyl Forty-one times, ter my
sart’in knowledge, hes thet gay ole pirate landed
in hoc from his bein’ so over-gallant.

“But go on, Dan’l-don‘t let me interrupt

3)

“ There isn’t much more to say,” averred the
young patrol smiling. “ Bolly and the girl
were captured. I played Captain Nick on the
Ulltlawsi and got the girl oil’, but was compelled
to leave Bully in their hands. My object now is
'to rescue hiin.”

“ Wal, Dan’l, 0t do go ag’in’ thcr grain ter
pull that ole fool out ov ther mire, scein’ ther
way he got in. but of Ve’ve got Old Nick’s camp
down fine, I s’pose et 11 be just a circus ter do
ther trick." ,

“If they haven’t discovered his identity and
killed him,” amended Dan.

“Ofiark’s teeth came together with an audible
c c .

“Satan help ’em, boy, of they’ve done thet!”
he gritted. “ But come—less git on.

" thar’s yer hos-i?”

Dan arose and uttered a shrill whistle, and a
moment later his well-trained black came trot-
ting up.

“Good Z—niine’s in that bit 0v bresh yonder,
au’ we’ll pick her up as we go,”said the old
mountain-man. “I mostly ’pend on my own
lai 5:, but I reckon this trip ther critter ’ll come
in handy.”

“ It will until we get withinabalf-mile of
the stronghold,” Dan remarked. “ After that—
Well, two shadows could never pass the sen-
‘tries unchallenged.”

“Them sentries are mighty apt ter come for
grief," was the terse response.

 

 

At the point indicated, Ozark 011 secured his
horse, and then the two went forward as rapidly
as possible laying their course to strike the
Sand Bar trail a mile short of the barricade.

But the night was intensely dark, and despite
their best efforts they were nearly an hour in
reaching the road.

d Then happened an accident, to cause further
clay.

Ozark’s horse stumbled, breaking the saddle-
girth and hurling his rider head-first to the
ground.

The old mountain-man lay like one dead.

In a moment, Gold-Dust Dan was at his side.
A hasty examination convinced the youth that,
while the old fellow was unconscious, the injury
was not ei-rious, and he at once set about the
work of resuscitation.

Without water or stimulants at hand, the
task )i'oved more difficult than he had sus-
pected it would be, and to add to his annoy-
ance the steady boat of hoofs down the trail
warned him that a number of horsemen were
approaching.

“It’s the party Ben Bluil‘ promised to send
out after Murray Weston and the gold,” he
could not help thinking. “How fortunate is
their arrival 311st at this time!”

Then another thought assailed him:

“ \Vhat if it is not that party, but a number
of outlaWr‘? lien llluil? must certainly have
worked with remarkable cclority to have or-
gan'ized and scat out a force in so short a.
time.”

This second thought appealed strangely to his
precaution, and he at once got Ozzirk and the
horses back well into the shadows.

It was well that he did so. Scarcely had
he stationed himself at the horses’ heads, when
the party, five in number, dashed by, and even
in the darkness the kccn-eycd patrol could see
that two of the five worn captives, and that one
of the captives was (t iromun/

“ (iri‘at hoppin’ hornitl what can that mean?”
ejaculated Dan, as ho g:.zed after the vanishing
figure. “There’s only one woman in or around
Slot-um that I know of, and that’s Moulton’s
gal. Can it be as I suspect, or has Miss Winnie
again been captured?

A groan and a sharp gasp of pain interrupted
his cogitutious. Ozark 011 had risen to a sitting
position, and sat with his head buried in his
hands

“ What broke loose, boy 2” he demanded, after
a moment, as he slowly and painfully scram-
bled to his feet. “Great guns! my cubeza’s
bu’sted all to piccos!"

“Saddle-girth broke,” laconically explained
Dan. “Come—rouse yourself while I fix the
pesky thing. We must be moving.”

Thus adjurcd, tho old mountain-man bestirrcd
himself, vigorously rubbing his head and danc-
ing about until his blood was in a glow,

“ (iosliu’sl boy, tlict tumble did me good,” he
vowed, as he at length prepared to rcmount.
u ply—n

“ Mark!"

A distant pistol-shot had called that sharp,
stern interruption to the lips of Gold-Dust Dan.
Just a breath, then a second report broke the
silence.

“That comes from near the barricade." as-
sorted Dan, springing into the saddle. “Let’s
ride up, Ozark. I’m afraid the outlaws have
found Murray Weston and finished their red
work.” '

A sharp lope, of five minutes carried them to
the vicinity of the barricade, where Dan dis-
mounted and went i'orWard on foot.

His worst fears for the safety of Murray
Weston were Speedin confirmed.

Not a dozen paces had he procwded, when a
low moan in the undergrowth bordering the
trail arrested his attention.

“ Holpi For God’s sake lend a hand, cf ye’ro
human!”

That feeble cry aroused all that was chivah-ic
in the boy’s noble nature. Without u second
thought of the peril that might lay lwfbre him,
he plunged into the bu-hes, and, guided by the
heavy, stertorous breathing of the wounded
man, quickly reached his side.

“ W atcr. bardl—watel‘!” moaned the sufferer.

Dan started. Despite the honrseiicss, the
feebleness, of the voice, he recognized it,

The wounded man was not Murray Weston,
but Sergeant Sly!

“ “rater—water! I am dyin’ 0v thirst!”

“ There’s not a drop here. Keri) quiet. You
must be taken back to camp,” Dan returned.
“How came you here?”

“ We stopped ter get ther gold—the Greaser,
Sandy, an’ me, but thet devil ov a sheriff was
full ov fight, au’ laid me low. An’ then my

'—-u gait ihat curried

 

 

pards—cuss them for ther dogs they arol—they
desarted me, left me hyer fer wolf-bait! Cass
them! ef I kin live till—I—till—"

A rush of blood from the outlaw’s mouth
checked his utterance, and he fell back, white
and limp, almost lifeless.

At a signal from the patrol, Ozark came up,
and between.them they carried Sly from the
abicket and lashed him upright in Dan’s sad-

10.

The action aroused the sorely-wounded man,
and a torrent of profanity burst from his bloody
1i )8.

1“Save your breath
man,” cried Gold-Dust Dun, sternly.
where is Deputy Weston!"

“ Than—dew ’iinl—jcst back 0v wliar ye got
me; but ther gold,therGreaser deVil got ther
lustdollur!"

With that. Sergeant Sly’s head sunk forward.
He had fainted.

“ Iteckon he’s done for,” observed Ozark,
grimly.

“I think not—I hope not,” Dan returned.
“ He is badly hurt, but may live for days. We
must get him down to camp and look after him,
for l susp -ct that he’s willing to give everything
away, even to the identity of the mysterious
Captain Nick.”

Even while speakiii , the patrol had again
plunged into the thictet, this time closely fol-
lowed by Ozark.

A brief Search attested the truth of the out-
law’s statement.

Deputy Shorif‘.’ \Veston was found at the spot
mentioned. The oillcer was alive, but uncon-
si-ious.

It required but a few minutes to lash him to
the back of Ozurk’s horse, and then Dan said:

“ Get tho pair of them down to Slocum, pard,
and sqnoc'ni Sly for cvr-rything he knows.

“ I’ll push on an’ take a look at the outluws’
don. Get a party out ussoon as it’s light enough
to sec. l’ll mark the trail so a blind man could
rend it.”

A word from Ozark, and the two parted, the
old mountain-man loading the horses toward
the camp, Gold-lhist Dun pushing on to the
barricade.

Bold, daring, stanch-hcnricd as he was, the
young patrol could not repress a shudder as ho
paused for a moment beside the overturned
couch.

Every feature of that desperate scene so re-
cently enacted thcro flashed before his mind,
with Weird distinciness. The wrecked stage,
tho (lend horses, were before him, a palpable
evidence of the fearful struggle; the cloak of
night shutout the deeper horrors, yet added to
the glmstlinoss of it all, in that it gave full rein
to his vivid imagination.

Turninguwuy, Gold—Dust Dan tightened his
belt and set forward with long, loping strides
him eve-r the ground
rapidly and almost without adding to his fa—
tl llr'.

I{As he turned aside to enter the pass into
which Johnny Morgan had conducted three of
his passengers, Dim paused a moment and hast-
ily cut a quantity of small green twigs.

One of these he dropped at the mouth of the
pass, anothei'a diizou Dates on, and a third just
beyond the cave.

Then on and on he sped, threo twigs marking
every turn in the course, until the hour of dawn
was near at hand.

The outlaw camp was not far distant. Half
of that narrow iiseni'e leading to the pass into
the basin had been traversed, and a challenge
from a sentry might be expected at any mo—
ment.

A brief breathing-spell and then Gold-Dust
Dan, keenly alert, crept close against the rocky
wall and knife in hand glided from point to
point, pausing anon to prior forward, ever striv-
incr to dcti-ct the dark outlines of the sentinels.

But no sulklng form met his eye. no hoarse
note of challenge greeted his car. The fissure
was grim, silent and deserted.

At the edzeof the hiism he paused. The dark-
Dress was fast giving way to the dim, gray light
of early dawn, and a single sweeping glance ex-
plained the absence of ihi~ Sentry.

The encampment had vanished.

“ Hoppin’ horuitsi” exclaimed Den, vexed be-
yond measure. “ ’Stead of stealing a march on
the thief, the. thief has stolen a march on me!”

“Jes’ so, Dan’l! Thet very thing do happen
sonwtiines ter the best ov usl’

Revolver in hand, Gold-Dust Dan whirled
around. Confronting him was a COIOSSus in
buckskin.

“ Big Davy Brinkman l” ejaculated the patrol,
in a tone of surprise and delight.

for something better,
“ Tell me,

 

   

Nu, .\ m  -- --

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

"   ' l    I Gold-Dust Dan, theVTrail-Pa'trol.

 

 

   
     
 
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
 

   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
 
  
   
  
   
 
  

 
  
   
  
  
       
       
       
     
     
       
    
         
     
       
       
       
    
 
       
     
      
 
     
       
     
     
         
          
 
    
 
     
 

 

CHAPTER X.
AT 'rrIE BASIN-DAN DISAPPEARS.

THE big hunter was a superb specimen of
physical development.

c stood six feet and two inches in his

moccasins, and was as straight as the lordliest

, pine in the surrounding hills. His thick neck,

and massive shoulders and broad. full chest, his

great siucwy arms and hands and ponderous
legs, all denoted a wondrous strength.

ills head was large and well-formed his face
frank and rugged, and darkened to a. nut-brown

' by long and continuous exposure. Both hair and
heard were worn long, and were of a tawny, yel-
lowish—brown shade, in striking contrast to his
gleaming black eyes.

He was clothed in buckskin, with a huge bear-
skin cap and raw-hide moccasins, and was armed
with a repeating rifle, a braco of good revolvers,
a long hunting-knife and a small hatchet.

“ Yas, lad, et’s Big Davy, our biggest an’
best friend,” he cried, warmly c aspmg the hand
offered by the young patrol. “ I reckon yo’re
8219,63 disapp’iuted at findin’ ther basin empty,
e ’i

“ I am, indeed,” responded Gold-Dust Dan, his
face clouding. “I fully expected to find Old
Nick’s Mountain League in camp here.”

“ We] they flitted not more nor an hour ago.
They kalkilated ther place war gittiu’ too hot
ter hold ’em, an’ so levanted ’tween two days.
I113m]: "I reckon theyre trail won’t be hard ter

m .

“ I hope not,” returned the patrol, dejectedly.
“ But I’m afraid you don’t know Old Nick. He’s
a regular old fox, an’ with an hour’s start may
keep us winding among these bills for a month.”

“ Mebbe, mebbe, Dau’l; a-n’ mebbe I don’t
know ther beast. But come eat a bit, while I
tell ye some news, an’ then ye 'kin strike ther
trail hot foot, jest es soon es ye want to.”

To this proposition, Dan gave ready assent.
He was surely in need, not only of food, but of
rest.

The Hercules forthwith conducted him to a
spring at the upper end of the basin, where they
seated themselvos and voraciously attacked the
contents of Big Davy’s provision pouch.

“ I s’pose, Dan'l, ye’re sorne’at s’prised ter find
me hyar,” observad the big hunter, when he had
partially satisfied the cravings of his stomach.

- “ I’d not be surprised to find you anywhere,”
smilingly averred Dan.
ular Wandering J ew.”

The Hercules laughed.

,- “ Wal, I hope I ain’t,” he declared. “ But,
seriously, Dm’l, I hev wandered some. I r’ally
b’lieve I’ve putt foot on every rod ov mother
earth west ov ther Mis’s‘ip’. Le’s see, ther last
time I run acrost you was in—”

“ Flush Deck, Arizona,” put in Dan.

“ Edzactly; an’ of I ’member rightly, we
j’ined han’s an putt in some putty good licks fer
ther good ov the Territory, eh?”

“ We did hit Don Pedro’s gang rather hard.”

“ Rather. au’ landed ther Don in the lockup.
But I heer’d seuce, Dan’l thet arter we left, ther
Grosser guv his jailers ther slip au’ made a clean
run fer ther hills. He got away but his gang
war wiped out, an’ that’s ther last they’ve seen
ov ther Don ’round them parts. .

“Now, lis’en:

“ You seem to be a reg-

“ Sauce I’ve bin in these bills, I’ve bin workin’ '

a prospect on ther quiet. Three days ago, a
stranger drapped in on me, an’ made himself
at home. He played sick, an’ be looked sick,
an’ I treated him white. Yesterday I had ter
leave camp tor kill a supply ov meat, an’ what
does that orn’ry cuss do but scoop in what lee-
tle gold I’d found an’ levaut. I '
“ Soon as I’d diskivered the way things bed
gone, I hit his trail an’ hung to at till I found
e’d j’ined a b’ilin’ ov outlaws in camp down to-
ward ths relay station. I kalkilated they was
layin’ in wait fer ther stage, an’ tor sp’ile ther
.trick went down an’ putt ther station-bass up
tor ther trick. ‘ .-
“ Then I went back, ter take a hand myself
Avheu the scrimmage opened, but ther gang hed
gone—scattered. no two goiu’ tergether. .I
picked up a trail, an’ at led me roundabout ter
,tgiis very basin, au’ I’ve bin hangin’ ’rouud ever
s 1109. . ‘
“Soon as things war quiet last night, I sl'p—
per] down inter ther camp.- I discovered t at
tbar war over a dozen ov ther outlaws, that
they war well organized, an’ bed some pris-
oners. '
“Two ov these war fetched thar while I was
, in ther camp, one a nice—lookin’ gal, t’other
Great Jones, ov Slocum City.
,“The one they already bed in camp war
Bully Darrit, a detective, an’ I kalkilate his
days ’11 be, mighty few. ,

 

“ But, Dan’l, byar’s ther p’int that set my
blood a-b’ilin’: This Cupt’in Nick is none
other than ther notorious Arizona outlaw, Don
Pedro!"

“ Impossible!” ejaculated Dan, springing to
his feet.

“ No, et’s jest es I tell ye,” affirmed the Her-
cules. “ Captain Nick is none other than Don
Pedro Santillo, ther bandit.”

Dan was silent a moment. Then his face
brightened, and be extended his hand, saying:

“ Shake, Davy; you are right! I see it all
n0w. Don Pedro, Captain Nick and Juan Men-
doza are all one and the same pei's‘on.”

“ Thet‘s et, boy. I met MolidUZl two weeks
ago, knew him, but c’u’ldn’t place him.”

Dun again Seated himself, and the two talked
in guarded tones for almost a half-hour.

Then, having decided upon a plan of action,
they areas and busied themselves with the few
preparations they had to make.

While thus engaged, they were startled by the
sudden appearance of a third person, directly be-
tween them.

It was Ozark Oil, the, old mountain-man.

Had he dropped from the clouds, his coming
could hardly have been more silent and myste-
rious. ,

“ Howdy, boys!” he exclaimed, with an ex-
pansive grin at the surprise of the two men.
“ Whar on ’arth are Captain Nick an’ his gang?
What ye doin’?” '

“Gone,” replied Dan. “Au’ now, you old
buccaneer, if you’ll tell us how you got here,
we’ll tell you what we intend to do.”

“That’s easy. I came in ther back ,way, an’
drapped down from that rock jest over yer
head.”

“ ‘An’ ther rest 0v ther boys?” asked Big
Davy. “ Dan tells me he’s expectiu’ a passel
over from Slocum ter help clean out the out-
laws.” '

“ We broke inter two parties,” explained
Ozark in reply. “Jehu Johnny is fetchin’ one
up ther 10wer pass yender, while my crowd,
goin’ on Serge’nt Sly’s say-so, came in by,Capt’in
Nick’s secret path tar Slocum, ter take ther gang
in ther rear. My boys are jist out ov sight back
hyar, waitin’ fer me ter report.” "

“ There is a secretroute to Slocum then,” Dan
exclaimed. “ I suspected it, but could never
discover it.” »

“It’s a short-cut, Dan’l. By' et, ther gold—
camp ain’t a hate-hour’s ride away.

OZIrk’s foll0wers were ’then called up, and a
few minutes later Jehu Johnny, sore from his
wounds but as game as ever, rode into the basin
at the head of his party.

His first act was to spring from his horse
and t :ke Gold-Dust Dan by the hand.

“My hot head run away With me last night,”
he said with smilingbarnestness. “. ’Taiu’t often
I back down, but I’ve got eti to do now.
was dead wrong, an’ want ye to forgive me,
Dan’l.”t .

“ Easy said, an’ easy done, Johnny,” laughed
the boy, returning the warm pressure. “ You
thought you were right, an’ that ought- to be
enough to square the matter.”

“ Have st thet way, leetle pard. I cain’tlook
over at quite so lightly. But I’m with ye till
ther trail ends.”

A brief consultation was then held. At its
conclusion, Dan, Ozark and Big Davy mounted
and rode away on the trail of the Mountain
League.

The upper outlet of the basin was even more
tortuous than the lower, though considerably
shorter, ending in a narrow, brawling mountain
stream. ‘ ‘

The bottom of the stream was of flinty rock;
the banks were almost perpendicular, and rose
to a great hight.

“ Up or down—which?” asked Ozark, as they
drew rein. '

" That’s something “"11 take time to decide,”
Dan returned. “One must go up-stream, one
down. an’ the third remain here.”

“ We’ll he'v ter draw lots ter see who stays
back,” said Big Davy.

This was done, and, much to his regret, it fell
to Dan to take the inactive part.

Just as the first rays of the rising sun gleamed
redly on the rippling torrent, the two men
urged their horses to the middle of the narrow
channel and rode away, Ozark going upstream,
Bi'Jr Davy down. ' ‘

fiat us follow the-Hercules. /

He had the sun in his face, and proceeded but
slowly, keeping to the middle of the stream and
narrowly scouringhoth banks.

But not a rift through which a man could
make his way appeared.

Nearly a mile he proceeded ,thus, and then a

 

subdued, sullen roar warned him that :
nearing a cataract. -

Then the channel widened, the water gre
shallow, and the fall was at hand.

Urging his horse close in to the shore, the llcr~
cules approached the verge and peered over.

The descent was only four feet.

Near the center of the stream, and just below
the tumbling torrent, lay the body of a dead
horse. '

Slipping out of the saddle, Big Davy clam--
bered down and made his way to the dead ani-

a .

lt’s head had been crushed with an ax, and a
brief examination shoWed that its right fore leg
was broken.

“ Thor devilsl they’ve never gone down—
stream l” grittcd the Hercules. “ Thet pore
critter war brought hyar, maimed an’ killed tvr
throw as oil’ ther track.

“ Ef et hed broken its leg jumpin’ ther falls,
Capt’ln Nick ’d never ’d leIt et hyar ter give his
course away. No, nol not him, ther cunnin’
devil!”

Thoroughly convinced that the outlaws had
gone up-stream, Big Davy returned to his horse
and hastened back to the rendezvous.

There a fresh surprise awaited him. '

Ozark, sitting centaur—hke, guarded the mouth
of the fissure.

“What luck?” asked the old mountain-man,
as the Hercules left the stream.

“ No luck,” and Big Davy related his expe.
rience.

Ozark listened attentively, and then shook his
head, saying: _

“They sartainly must ’a’ jumped that fall,
Davy. Jest around thet angle, up ‘yender,,is a
cascade a goat c'u’dn’t get over, say nothin’ ov a
boss. An’ thar ain’t a break in ther bank on
either side.” , , »

Big Davy knew not what to say.

He ran his fingers through his long beard and
stared hard at the rippling stream. '

“ Whar’s Dan’l?” he asked, presently.

“ Gone back ter camp, I s’pose,” answered
Ozark. “ He wasn’t hyar when I got back.”

The Hercules gazed at his comrade with a
startled air. '

“ By smoky!” he ejaculated. “Thor’s sore)-
thiu’ mysterious in this, pard! ’Tain’t’tull like
Dan’l ter go ’way from hyar that-a—way. S’pose
ye ride back ter camp an’ see of he’s ther.”

Ozark rode away. Accompanied by Johnny '

Morgan, he soon returned, with the announce-
ment that Gold-Dust Dan had not been at the
camp. .
Muteiy, the three men stared at each other. ‘
Not only was the 'trail lost, but with it.thc
brave young patrol! .
After due deliberation. it was i decided that
Johnny Morgan should return to camp and send
a number of scouts into the surrounding hills,
while Big Davy and Ozark
stream in search of the trail.
This programme was faithfully carried out.
Near nightfall, the two bordermen returned,
and reported that their quest had been fruitless:
Shortly afterward, the scouts came in from
the hills, and as night. shut down over the little

camp/it brought with its. feeling of gloom and. '

foreboding. , l
‘ CHAPTER XI.

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL.

WHAT had become of Gold-Dust Dan!

Immediately after the departure of his two
comrades, he had retreated into the fissureashort
distance, dismounted and begun a clmer examinr

 

ation of the plainly marked trail leading into the _,

water.

While thus engaged, a heavy, grating sound,
as of rock rubbing against rock, folumed a mo—
ment later by aloud splash, arrested his atten-
tion, and with a bound he gained the shelter of
the rocky wall, where he listened most attentive—

y ' . . . \

Then came a faint, continuous plashing, as .of
some one hurriedly crossmg from the opposite
side of the stream. ' ‘

And that one could be none other than ameni-
her or the outlaw cohort—probably a spy. ‘

With interest thoroughly aroused, the young
patrol drew a revolver and with, quick, stealthy
steps glided toward the brink of the torrent.

His expectations were ‘ realized. ‘

A short distance above, crossing from the 0p-
posite bank, was aman-a Slender. wiry fellow,
well armed and carrying in his belt a heavy,
short- bundled ax.

Securely ensconced behind a jutting angle,

Gobi-Dust Dan watched the movements of the I

outlaw most narrowly.

4

proceeded down- .

  
  
 

 

a.

 

  

  

 
       
    

-~-_. .. .._—. a.

 

 

 

       
       
          
      
       

a
o "l
l ,u t

' apart, extended from top to bottom of the bank.

‘ 'r iron and carefully sandedl

* stream, or subjecting the banks to any but a
most careful and thorough scrutiny, the con-

. covered.

/

- with a word tn his horse, he scrambled hastily

4 I ' against an ambush, made his way down into the

powerful pull swung the door half-open, the

x , “Fortunately, we know the way out if it be-

} V came plainly visible. and he premed onward

" him with the belief that Captain Nick’s new

" seek a secure covert, for his horse, and proceed

‘. flinty bottom defied an impreh's of the iron-shod

' in; decided to leave the horse.

a rting word to Prince, turned nwa y.

,.....
fiv’.

 
  
  

‘iflui _, \ . ,‘ ._ _‘_ -
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'Gold-Du‘st D... the Trail paw.  " ' 

 

.cr

4". cared the bank, the fellow turned up-
u , and a. moment later disappeared behind
, . ky projection.

" ain came that heavy, grating sound, and

 
  

ashing ceased.

e has gone ashore,” decided Dan, and, after
a moment’s reflection, he returned to his horse,
mounted and rode into the stream, laying his
course against the current.

Leaving his horse to pick the way, the young
patrol, cocked revolver iii hand, narrowly eyed
every nook and cranny of the bank as he ad-
vanced, keenly alert for a glimpse of the outlaw

sp .

fiat the fellow was nowhere visible, nor, in-
deed, a break in the precipitous bank in which
he could have obtained a foothold.

At the pro'ection behind which the spy had
disappeared, an drew rein and subjected his
surroundings to a. severe scrutiny.

Two things, slight in themselves, but signifi-
cant, at once attracted his attention.

The first was a peculiarity of the current,
which set in‘ toward the rocks, then swirled out,
as if met and forced aside bya stronger outpour-
ing under-cu rrent. ' .

l‘he second notable point was in the bank it-

f .

Se .

Immediately above the projection behind which
the outlaw had vanished, the smooth rock had
the appearance of a natural gateway, rising to a
height of only eight feet, while just ab0ve and
below the altitude was much greater.

Moreover, two narrow fissures, some six feet

His suspicions now thoroughly aroused, Dan
urged his horse close against the rock and rose
to hisifeet in the saddle.

An ejaculation escaped him.

Just before him was a narrow pass, winding
back into the hills, down which a small brook
coursed its way, passing under a natural bridge
perhaps fifteen feet in width, and thence out in-
to the main stream.

And the suppOSed stone, covering and hiding
the lower or outer arch of this bridge and form-
ing the apparently solid wall, was nothng more
than a. huge, carefully-fitted and skillfully-con-
trived door, made of heavy slabs, covered with

By any One merely passing up or down the

ning arrangement would neVer have been dis-

But the ‘door projected a few inches above the
top of the bridge, and Dan read the secret at a.

lance. '

'A brief examination convinced him that the
door could be opened only from the inside, and

upon the bridge,,and, with due precautions

pass. I .
- Plunging into the gloomy, reeking tunnel, he
slipped back the strong bolts, and with a steady,

movement of the huge piece being accompanied
with that peculiar, grating, rasping sound which
had led to his detection of the outlaw spy.

_‘A glance up and down the stream failed to
discover either Ozark or Big Davy. ..

“Well, Prince, we'll try it alone,” he mut-
tered, leading, the animal inside the tunnel.

comes too warm for us.

Then be carefully closed and secured the door,
mounted, and rode slowly u the pass.

As he proceeded, the trai of the outlaws be:

with the utmost caution. V,
The yery nature of his surroundings im presscd

quarters were not far distant, and he (1» cided to

afoot. . ,
Fortunately, an intersecting fissure, whose

hoofs, scon appeared, and into this Dan made
his way. , . ‘ l.

A hundred yards above the main pass, this
branch Opened into a small circular chamber in
the heart of the great rocks, and here the youth

Dismounting, be carefully examined the
magazine of his rifle, assured himself that his
revel mm were in perfect order, and then, With

' be 1110811 pvrilom‘ part of his during mission
now in? before him: to learn the exact location
of the outlaw den, its entrance, and the pOSi'tion
of the sentries.

That discmery meant death, Gold-DustIDan

 

_ well know; he had incurred the bitter enmity of s,

 

the Mountain League, and if taken now his end
would be swift and sure.

But duty called him on, and without a second
thought of his awful peril, thelbold lad i‘etruced
his steps to the main pass, where he sought a
break in the precipitous wallsand made his way
up among the lofty, barren criigs.

From the moment he quitted the pass, be pro-
ceeded with the greatest caution, in exposed
places drawing himself forward inch by inch
flat upon his face: every rock, bowlder or shrub
that promised covm‘, was made to serve its part.

One—two—three hours passed, and he had
traversed scarCcIy a mile. so slow and laborious
had been his progress. Then, weak, trembling,
almost exhausted and streaming with perspira-
tion, he dropped at fiilI length upon a narrow
ledge extending around three sides of the spur.

“ Horiiitsl but this is work i” he mused, wiping
his flushed brow. “I ought to be able to see
’mosu everything going on in a mighty good
stretch of country, though, from this peak, and
if it pans out as well as I suspect it will, I’ll have
no cause to complain._

“ I wonder what Ozark and
Nothing but water, I’ll bet!”

For the better part of an hour he remained
flat on his back, his mind busy with the task be
fore him. Then he sat up and carefully scanned
every visible foot of the territory through which
he had made his way.

The 'natural bridge could be seen, nearly a
mile distant, and as his sweeping, searching
gaze rested on it amoment a low murmur of
surprise broke from his lips.

The tunnel beneath the bridge was nearly‘full
of water!

“ The cunning devils!” he muttered, his hands
clinching in spite of himself. ' “ I must find au-x
other way out, or leave Prince behind. They
must have a dam and a floodgate somewhere
above.”

But there was nothing to indicate that his
presence had been discovored, and with a breath
of satisfaction he rose to his feet. ‘

At the some moment, light, shuffling foot-
steps warned him that he was not alone on the
ledge, and he shrunk behind a friendly angle in

Davy havo found?

the solid wall at his back.

But the move was futile. The next instant be
was confronted by a burly, bearded, brutal-
looking man, whOSe Very face stamped him as
an outlaw. ‘

To say that the fellow was surprised ex-
presses it mildly.

“Hallo! hallol Whoare you? What are you
doin’ hyar?” he demanded, in a blustering tone.

Dan uttered not a word, but sprung straight
at his throat, clubbed revolver in hand.

But the rufliun was not to be disposed of so
easily. _

He skillfully turned aside the hand outstretced
to grasp his throat, parried the descending
blow, and the next instant grappled Dan.

Locked in a deadly embrace, the two reeled to
and fro at the very verge of the ledge. Each
knew that his life was at stake, and put forth
his best efforts. . t '

But Dan had long practiced the arts of the
wrestler, and. though overmatched in strength
felt confident he would win the bout.

Skilltully drawing his antagonist away from
the brink. be centered all his powers in a
su reme chart, and the struggle was ended.

but eff. rt was the famous “ croSs~buttock.”
The outlaw fell heavily, his head striking the
rocks with a stunning force, then lurched for-
ward and disappeared over the Verge.

Not a sound, not a green escaped him.

Dan shuddered. He crept to the edge of the
terrace and looked down. The one glance was
enough. Sick at heart, he drew away from the
brink, secured his revolver and prepared to leave
the fatal snot._ .
" Cautiouslyhe made his way to the opposite
side of the spur, the point of greatest advantage,
and with the aid of a field-glass set himself to

locate, it possible, the position occupied by the

Mountain League.

But the closest scrutiny failed to detect a sign
of life in all that wild, desolate waste.

He then turned his glass on the basin, the late
stronghold of the,outlaws, nearly a mile away
and to his right.

There, he could \see the ,party from Slocum
City in Camp; and as ho Swept the environments
of the basin the scouts sent out-one by one be-
came visible. ' . '

. Next he bent his gaze upon the natural bridge.
and slowly-foot by foot, searohd out each nook
and cranny of the narrow pass leading there-
from. o I A

An interjection escaped him. _ _

he pass. were away to the right, growmg

‘ very threshold!

 

more and more indistinct‘and irregular in out~ ,

line, and then suddenly ended when it seemed
almost to pierce the basin wall! '

“ A cunning trick! a cunning trick 1” exclaim»
ed Dan, triumphantly, as he closed and pocketed,
the glass. “But your secret is out, it all is as I
suspect, my foxy captain!”

With the same caution and deliberation that.
had characterized his movement from the first.
the young patrol quitted the» ledge and retraced
his steps to the fissure. '

Here a fresh difficulty presented itself.

The opening of the fl00d gate above had so swol-
len the little stream that to follow the channel
he would be compelled to wade waist-deep in the
icy current. '

Back to the top of the rift he clambered, then
resolutely set forward, keeping us close to the-
verge as possible, that naught of importance
below might escape him.

This course greatly retarded his progress, as
frequent detom's became neceseary, while to
avoid the risk of detection he was compelled to-
cross every open barren space flat on his stom—
ach.

But his indomitable will urged him on, and
just as the purple of twilight was giving way
to the shadows of night, he reached the head
of the fissure.

Not a sound, save the soft, musical murmur‘
of the water as it issued from the black, cav-
ernous opening flit feet below, broke the
drowsy Silence. Al was quiet and peaceful,
and one less acute than the young patrol might
readily have believed himself alone in that vast
solitude. ‘

Flat on his back Dan extended himself, to rest‘
his weary, aching body;' for that day’s work,

reader, had been one to rock the frame of a sew ,

soned, toughened mountain-man. ‘

An hour er more he ‘lay thus, until the last
ray of light had faded from the western sky,
then rose and prepared to descend the side ,of‘
the fissure. . .

He had marked his course while the twilight
lasted, and now, with his rifle strapped to his
back, swung himself over the verge and lightly
dropped to abench or ledge some ten feet below,
whence a zigzag path led down to the abysmal
gloom shrouding the end of the pass.

Slowly, feeling his way inch by inch, crept
the youth, as noiselessly as a. cat, until the
bottom .was reached, where he paused beside
the Stream, lay down and pressed his ear to the
earth. .

The slow, measured tread of a sentry pacing to.

and‘fro somewhere within the cavernous opening .

just ahead confirmed every suspicion he had
formed. ’ ,

The outlaw den was at hand—he stood at its

In a moment, he was within the recky walls,
now stealing forward with stealth y steps. again
pausing close against the cold stones with head
bent to catch the sentry’s movements.

On and on, now with knife in band, until he
could hear the breath of the outlaw guard come-

and gog‘a moment of suspense intense and al- .
meet endurable, and then—he was across the"

linel .

Forward with quick, light steps he glided
keeping his right hand in contact. with the wall!
that he might not lose his bearings. .A hundred-—
tw0 hundred feet thus, then the course bent ab-
ruptly to his right, and a light breeze swept his

09.

,“A branching passage, leading tothe outer
air,” was the thought that instantly suggested
itself, and he decided to seek the opening.

Again he moved forward; but not a dozen
paceslhad he gone when he ran directly against
a sentry leaning againstthe wall, half asleep:

“ Look out! w’ot tl.er—” \

-Not another syllable did the doomed outlaw
utter. Swift as the lightning’s dash, Dan’s hand
grasped his throat; a terrific blow from the butt
of a clubbed revolver, and the fellow slipped
down, limp and lifeless.

“I do hope] havsn”t killed you, though we

many lives are at stake to be over—scrupulous on a

that point,” muttered the youth, as he ro'lledvthe,
body close against the wal _. ,

A moment of listening convinced him that the
brief struggle had not alarmed the other denizens
of the cave, and he hurried to the end of the
passage. ' _

A heavy growth of vines marked the opening.
find Parting these Dan looked out.

Dark as it was, be recognized the basin. The

murmur of subdued voices apprised him that the

camp of his friends was not many feet distant,

and for a moment he was tempted to make his.

a

presence known. ' '
\“ No, no,” he decided, turning back. “ I had

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712 Gold-Dust Dan, the Traieratrol. e

 

*better discover every point possible, so that
when the attack is made Captain Nick may be
.given no chance in his devilish wrath to destroy
the prisoners.”

And that decision saved at least one life.

Back to the main passage hurried Dan, and
then with the wall to guide him, plunged yet
deeper into the cavern.

Presently a ray of light caught his eye, and a
moment later he was peering into a small, dry
sub-chamber opening 011' the passage.

Seated on bowlders, a sort of rude table be—
tween them supporting a lantern and a bottle of
liquor, were Juan Mendoza and Colonel Sandy
Moulton, engaged in close conversation.

CHAPTER XII.
REVELATIONS.

“ PERDYI‘ION seize upon the sharp-nosed
hounds! lf they’re going into camp there, and
intend to make the basin the base of their hunt,
we may as well march out and show tight first
aslastl”

A torrent of fierce oaths and bitter invectives
followed the words, and Juan Mendoza glared
savagely through the net-work of vines at the
unsuspecting party under Johnny Morgan, at
that moment going into camp.

“ Easy, Juan—easyl” cautioned Colonel Moul-
ton, in softest accents, as he stood close beside the
irate Mexican. “They may hear you, and you
should remember that for gentlemen in our pecu-
liar circumstances, however good the will to
light, it is ‘ better to run away and fight another
day ’l”

“ ()h, curse your moralizing!” was the gruli‘
response. “ I intend neither to light nor to run
away. But the truth is, we’re virtually over a
mine that may explode at any moment. Lot
this passage be discovered, and our ruin is as-
shred.”

“ But if due care is exercised, it will not be dis-
covered,” urged Moulton. “That party will
not remain in camp long. Set a guard here,
and warn the men that a tone above a whisper
will be punished with doulh."

Mondoza’s lip curl-rd scornfully.

“Death!” he Sllet'l'i’d. “Think you the rest-
less, turbulent dogs fear death? Faith! they’ve
learned a now trick if they do!

“ int como! if the net is spread, our feet
must not enter its meshes. lVo will set the
guard and caution the men, and then events
must shape themselves.”

Mendoza was as good as his word. AScout
was sent down the pass, sentinels were put on at
various points, the captives were secured be—
yond the rcmotest chance of escape, and the
men cautioned to observe the strictest silence.

These precautions taken, the outlaw felt more
at case.

“And now, my dear colonel, let us pay our
respects to the whisky, and then to sleep,” he
suggested, when at last the two found them-
selves alone in one of the small chambers open-
ing off the passage. “In twodays l have not
closed my eyes, and the drowsy god is pressing
his claims.”

“I, too, i m played out,” yawncd Mculton,
pouring himself a liberal drink. “ Here’s to our
final street-es, Juan.”

“And the destruction of our foes, root and
branch.”

The glasses were drained, and then, turning
the light low, the too desperadoes stretched
themselves on the cold stones, using their sad-
dles as pillows.

“Say your prayers with extra unction, colo-
nel, as the chances are you’ll awake in the next
world!”sneered the Mexican, as he closed his

eyes.

“ And you, Juan—forget not your patron, the

devil.”

With that, the two slept. .

Hour aft -r hour passed, and the shadows of.
evening were falling Over the basin without
when Mendoza awoke and sprung to his feet.

Beads of perspiration, cold and deadly, stood
upon his forehead, and his black eyes were filled
with an expression of terror and despair.

“ Has that devil escaped? Have the blood-
hounds closed in upon us? Or is it all adrenal?"
he gasped, wildly, incoherently. “ Madre Dies .’
but I must see, or die!”

With nervous haste he quitted the chamber
and sped along the passage, pausing not until he
stpod heads the captured detective, Bolly Dar-
ri .
“Aha! you are here et!” he cried, with a
long breath of relief. “ dreamed that you had
run away i”

“ Not yet, Don Jose," was the cool reply.
“ But, given time, I’ll escape to fit a halter on
your scraggy neck—mind that!”

 

The Mexican laughed wildly.

“ Bark while you may, dog!” he cried, spurn-
ing the detective with his foot. “Your mangy
carcass will never leave this hole!”

Then, with a look at the other captives, and a
few words to the guard, the outlaw departed.

Mendoza’s next move was to Visit the men.

He found them alert and wakeful, and saw
that more than one of the wild, dark faces wore
a sullen frown.

His teeth came together with a click, but he
repressed his anger.

“ Has the scout come in yet?” he asked.

A negative answer was given.

“ And Devil Dan?”

“ Hyar, boss, senco mornin’,” and the wiry
little rascal whom Gold-Dust Dan had detected
in the act of crossing the stream and entering
the secret gate, stepped forward. “ l t0ok thei-
boss down ter ther falls, boss, au’ left et ’COrdin’
ter orders. Comin’ back, I was obliged ter hole,
es scouts from thcr party outside war in ther
pass; but I got in all right.”

“ And without being seen?”

 

“ Nary a glimpse they got ov me, boss!”

“That is good,” and Mendoza nodded his up-
probation. “ And now, boys, turn in and sleep
till midnight, leaving a guard. It is likely that
before morning dawns we’ll turn hound and
hunt the hunters.”

As if by magic, the frowns and scowls cleared ,‘
away.

“ Thet suits me—you bet!” ejaculated a gaunt,
raw-boned ruflian.

“ Hyar, tool"

“ An’ me!”

And so ran the murmur of approval from
man to man. At one stroke Mendoza had ro-
gaiued his waning prestige. With those turbu-
lent spirits, anything was preferable to being
" holed up” in that dismal den.

teturning to the chamber where he had spent
the day, the Mexican lUVllki ned Moulton.

“ Come!” he cried, rudely shaking the colonel
by the shoulder. “Amuse—there is work be-
fore usl”

The gambler sprung to his feet with glaring

eyes.

“ What! has Darrit escaped? Are the hounds !
upon us?” he demanded, hoarsely. “ God! I \
dreamed we had reached the end I”

Mendoza’s face grew white and haggard. For
a moment he knew not what to say,

What meant this strange co-incix ence of
dreams and of waking thougbtfi‘

Was it but the result of their gloomy sur-
roundlngs?

Or was it a forerunner of impending doom?

Tho Mexicali, ever superstitions, inclined to
the latter belief.

With trembling hands, he helped himself to
a brimming glass of whisky. The powerful '
liquor rallied him some and sent the blood back
to his face.

“ Drink !” he ordered. pushing bottle and glass
toward Moulton. “ Fooll burn those dismal
Cobwebs of fancy from your brain!”

“ I drink to drown conscience,” retorted the
colonel, faintly. “ I feel that we are doomed
men, Juan 1”

Mendoza uttered an oath, and filled and
tossed oil’ another glass of the liquor.

Colonel Moultou followed his example, and
then the two seated themselves at the table.

0f their conversation, little if any, need be
repeated here. Sufllco it, that it was decided to
dispose of Detective Darrit and Bartley Wild-
man—-“ Great Jones ”—at once, and to attack
and disperse Johnny Morgan’s party at midnight,
and then flee from the Territory.

As they talked, they drank, and when at
length they arose from the rude table both were
ready for any deed of evil.

Straight to that apartment of the cavern in
which the captives were kept they proceeded,
M01’l(l(Zl in the lead, lantern in hand.

The guards had changed, and Injun Rube was
on duty.

At the word from Mendoza, the rufilan con
ducted Winnie Moulton into an adjoining
chamber

Bolly Darrit and Bartley Wildman eyed the
evil pair intensly.

“Gentlemen, we have come to bid you fare-
well,” announced Mendoza, sardonically. “ It
is our belief that you are about to take your de-
parture from this world, and we desire to wish
you bon voyage.”

“ In other H ords, before slaying us you wish to
torture us,” suggested Wildman, with the utmost
composure.

“ Oh, you shouldn’t exnress the idea so blunt-
ly, Captain Wildmanl” Moulton protested, with
mock seriousness. “ For my own part, I simply

 

  

. a. ,n._\

.. c..___.__._-_-,_fight .
'4. 9

wish, before you go hence, to talk ovel‘\\

old days when you and I were young. - ,
“ If you remember, we were r1 vals alnic

from the cradle, and many were the jonsts We“

had in those boyhood days of long ago.

“And you Were the lucky dog, too, captain!
There was never a prize between us but you
carried it off. And so it went on from boyhood
to manhood, when came the crowning stroke—
the stroke that ruined both our lives. You re-
member it, captainl’”

Wildman made no reply; but there was a dire
light in his dark eyes.

“ The memory is doubtless a painful one,”
chuckled Moulton, moving forward and seating
himself directly beside the captive, that he
might watch his face the more closely. “ We
both lOVed Margaret Bluil‘ton, and you won her.

“ I must admit that your triumph pained
me sorely. In fact, I swore revenge. Secretly,
I worked and planned night and day to accom-
plish your overthrow, and— Do you remember
how tho blow lcll, captain?”

But not a word came from the captive. His
teeth clicked slightly, that fierce glow in his eyes
deepened. ‘

Tno gambler uttered a tantalizing little laugh,
and then continued:

“You Were away on the field of battle when
your wife and baby girl disappeared—Margaret’s
father on the blue ocean, under the flag of his
country. So precious time was lost and the trail
never found.

“ Margaret died in less than a year, of a
broken heart, and fills an unknown grave. But
the little Viola—her mother in miniature—lived,
and yet liVOS. You have scen her,” and the
gambler nodded t0ward the adjoining chamber.
“Until less than a month ago she looked upon
me as her father, and her ull'ection was none the
less sweet to me that it should have been given
to you.

“ When my accomplice and faithful ally for
many years, Barbara Garot, whose younger
brother you had caused to be shot as a spy——
when this faithful ally lay down to die, she con-
fessed nll, and that confession was given to Viola,
now VVinnio, and she hurried hither to demand
the truth.

“ ln that, the girl made a mistake. She should

‘ haVc remained within the pale of civdization and

intrustei‘l her mission to an agent—say Bolly
Darrit there!

“ But I am not finding fault. Indeed, I am
well pleased. Barbara made known more than
i would have told, perhaps; but after all, Winnie
is a sensible creature, and can overlook much in
her prospective husband.

“Ah, captain, it (10es my heart good to talk
over bygones with a departing friend. And we
have Leen friends! For years, you have been
ever near me, drawn on by S( me subtle impulse,
seeking the playmate of other days; but had
so changed that you lmnv me not when we
chanced to meet.

“ I watched your career with interest most in-
tense. I saw your proud spirit humbled to the
dust, saw you become an outlaw—a fugitive
with a price on your head, and all for a crime of
which you were guiltless-a crime which I,
Rufus Blake, had committed, for mine was the
hand that struck out the life of Rancher Alvedal

“ And mine was the hand that dealt you blow
after blow, again and again wre-sting fortune
away when just “ithin your grasp! Mine was
the hand that rifled your safe; mine the hand
that brought you here! Mine is the hand that
shall drink your life, and mine is the hand that
shall shape your daughter’s fate!”

The low, purring, malignant tones ceased.
With knife raised aloft, the desperado bent for-
ward, peering sharply at the face of his tortured
Victim.

And he saw—what? Out of that set, marble-
like visage glcamed a pair of orbs either more
or less than human, so cold, so deadly, was their
piercing, baleful glare—a glare that palsied his
arm and enchained his very son]!

A deathly chill SLI'uCk his heart, a horrible
fancy Seized his brain. Bartley Wildman was
a corpse, and through his sighllcss orbs shone
the eager, relentless fire of hell!

Vamly the wretch struggled to break, to
threw off, that dread Spell. He strove to shriek
aloud,and a mere babbling, broken cry came
from his parched lips. Then troops of gibing,
mocking devils beset him, and he started to his
feet, brandishing the knife, wildly waving them
03, gasping in harsh, dry accents scarcely above
a whisper:

“ Back! back, I say! For the love of heaven,
touch me not! Back! Away!”

Step by step he retreated, shivering, trem-
bling, cowering, until his back was against the

    
  
 
  
 

 

saw...- 1.“... *‘

 

   

i
l
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i

 

,.. His terrified glance shifted from side to
489, as if seeking a break in the invisible ranks.
r A low, wailing cry burst from his lips. He

turned the point of his knife over his heart, and
with a swift stroke drove the steel home!

CHAPTER XIII.
THE FACE IN THE vmns.

Ln’r us return to the camp in the basin.

Nearly all felt that the expedition had been a
failure, and a few of the more ignorant and
superstitious were firmly convinced mat the
road-agent band were in league with Satan him-
self.

“Et’s a speerit outfit, f’m fu’st ter last,”
gravely averred a grizzled veteran from the

rent Jones Mine. “They was nine on ’em
when they fu’at appeared, an’they’s nine yit.
Ef they bed a fig t an’ some was killed, as I’ve
heer’d say, nobody e'v’ry found ther bodies, an’
they’d turn up naixt time ’ith nine full saddles.
Lads, thet hain’t the-1‘ way 0v human flesh !”

“But see hyar, Uncle Eph!” expostulated
Johnny Morgan. “Thar’s no such things as
spirits. They was always nine, shore enough,
but they bed a gang hyar ter fill out the regular
number ov saddles afore ev’ry raid, an’ that's all
there was ov of. An’ fer ther dead, they ’most
likely‘seiit back and hurried them, jest as they
did last night.”

“Did, eh?" sueered the veteran. “An’ I
s’pose hossflesh an’ human flesh kin melt away—
vanish right afore our eyes almost—jest es thet
gang did this niornin’, eh?"

“Thar was some trick about that,” Johnny
Morgan declared. “ An’ I believe Gold-Dust
Dan hes discovered thet trick an’ is holin’ ther
derned varinints ag’iii.”

“More likely they gobbled ther little imp
right up," surlily rctorted the veteran, loading
and lighting his pipe.

At that moment Oz-irk Oll arose, and with a
word to the sentry glided away from the camp.

Straight across the basin went the old moun-
tain-man until he reached the eastern wall,
where be halted and uttered a. low, bird-like
whistle.

In a moment, Big Davy, the hunter, was at
his side.

“Any news?” asked Ozark, in a tone just
audible.

“ A bit, but not from ther quarter we expect-
ed,” was the equally cautious reply. “ I’m glad

e kem out. 'I hair’s a cave ov some sort in this

ill, an' thar’s some one in at. I want you ter
stay right hyar till I investigate.”

“ Sart’in. But whar is this cave?”

“Just under that clump ov vines ag’iu’ ther
rocks. I thor’t I heer’d a voice in thar, an’
crept up; but when I got thar. not a sound
c’u‘d I hear. I kept still, an’ by an’ by ther
vines parted an' a white, ghostly face looked
out, then vanished.”

“ A blamed spy, I’ll bet I” exclaimed Ozark.

“ More’n likely.” Big Davy assented. “ Aii’
of et was. more'n likely thet cave leads right ter
Ca t’in Nick’s new den. Any way, I’ll see.”

he Hercules moved away, and a moment
later disappeared. He had parted the vines and
entered the passage.

The minutes passed slowly, until a quarter of
an hour was gone. Ozark moved nearer the
vines, half determined to enter and investigate
on his own bank.

At that juncture, however, the leafy covert
was swept aside and a man staggered forth into
the cool night air.

“My God! my bead—my head! It’s split
wide open, and I am dyin’!”

As the fellow gasped the words, he raised his
band to his head, reeled, and would have fallen
but for the support Ozark hastened to give.

“Ye seem ter be pretty bad hurted, pal-d,”
ventured the mountain-man.

“ Hurtedi—it’s killed lam! Oh, my head! my
head! et’s split wide open!”

For a moment Ozark was undecided what to
do. He belieVed the fellow was really seriously
hurt, and that be was a. member of Old Nick 3
Nine whom Big Davy had encountered within
the cavern, and subjected to severe punishment.

To take him over to the camp would likely
cause a commotion very undesirable just at that
time: but it seemed the best thing he could do,
and he started, partly leading, partly carrying
the moaning ruflian,

On reaching the sentry, Ozark sent ahead for
Johnny Morgan. and through him prepared the
m?" 1" camp to receive the wounded outlaw
Without any undue excitement.

I It was 8 recaution well taken. An incan-
UOIIS move. Just then, micht have changed the
whole course of events.

L4“... '_, . .. — \$-... t .L.’ .‘z.

 

Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol.

Placing the outlaw on the ground, Ozark
pushed the men back and demanded:

“ Pard, who are you i”

“ Oh, I’m Brother Ike,” was the meaning re-

fly.
I “ An’ yer head—who split it?"

“ Capt‘iu Nick. He caught me asleep on
guard."

“ Wliar—in ther cave?”

“ In ther cave.”

“ He is in camp thar now?”

“ Yes, in camp.”

Ozark knelt and slowly ran his hand over the
fellow’s head. To his intense surprise, the out-
law’s hurt was but a trifling one—a bruise just
above the left ear.

“Reckon he ain’t on the side fer kingdom
come—not jist yit!” he remarked, dryly, as he
arose.

“Better bind an’ gag ’im, John. His hoss
sense is comin’ back, an’ be may play ther mis-
chief.”

The suggestion was a wise one, and the ac-
tion outlined was at once taken. With the full
return of Consciousness, the outlaw — the vic-
tim of Gold-Dust Dan’s revolver~bntt, by the
way—found himself not only unable to speak,
but utterly powerless to stir hand or foot.

Ozark and Jth Johnny then stepped aside,
and us a result of their brief consultation word
was assed from man to man to prepare for im-
mediate action.

This was precisely the word the brave fellows
had been waiting to hear since sunrise. They
had but little to do in the way of preparation,
and in a moment announced themselves ready.

A man was detailed to remain with the cap-
tive, and then, with Ozark and John Johnny iii
the lead, the party moved slowly toward the
vine-covered entrance to the cavurn.

Ozark led the way, and one by one the men
filed into the passage. Then the party halted,
while the old mountain-man went ahead to re—
connoiter.

Just as he reached the main passage, 9. huge
form loomed up) before him out of the darkness.

“ That you, avy?”

“Yes, Ozark, ct’s old Davy,” was the quick
reply. “ Git ther boys in hyar, right away.
This is Old Nick’s Den, sure enough i”

“ Ther boys are right at my back, Davy.”

“ Good! Step light an‘ come on. Thar s a bot
time a-brewin’ up hyar!”

CHAPTER XIV.
GOLD-DUST DAN Vs. CAPTAIN NICK.

“ THE fool has turned madman and slain him-
self!” exclaimed Mendoza. as Colonel Moulton
fell inertly to the floor. “ I have foreseen the
act for many a day.”

” I should say its the only good not he’s been
guilt of, to my knowledge,” observed Bolly
Darrit, dryly. “ From his own words, I doubt
if there was a single white spot in his whole sin-
steeped carcass.”

“ Speak not evil of the dead. thou dog!”
Mendoza cried, with aflourish. “The colonel
was a man among men, till his reason tattered
and gave way. He never betrayed a friend nor
forgave a foe."

Then a shadow crosssed the dark face of the
Mexican and lie strode hack and forth across the

room.

Suddenly he paused beside the detective.

“ Dog of a man—hunter, what brought you into
these bills?” he hissed, passionately. “Speak
lthe truth or you shall die with the lie on your
i s!

Durrit laughed.

,“ Really, Don Jose. I fear you are following
in the footsteps of your friend, there,” he re-
plied. “ But there is now no reason why I should
seek to hide the truth.

“I came to seek the murderer of Rancher
Alvede.”

“A cunning lie!” cried Mendoza, dropping
upon his knees beside the helpless detective.
“ You came to bound me!”

Again the detective laughed. If he Saw his
peril, he gave no sign.

“Have it your way, Don Jose,” was his cool
reltpr’t. “ If the truth don’t please you, make it
a. le,

The Mexican flourished his knife.

‘ I want no lie!” he cried, fiercsly. “You
followed me here, Bolly Darrit, and you came
not alone. Where is your mate? Where is the
covert that hides him? Speak!”

“Seek and find!” sna ped Darrit, his blue
eyes at last kindling wit the fires of anger.
“Seek him as he seeks you, you murderous
thief i—if you can control your heels!”

“ I am no coward to run away!” exclaimed

 

 

13

Mendoza, vauntingly. “ And I shall find your
mute—find him and slay him as mercilessly as I
struck you down. You have been a shrewd
man Bolly Darrit, a shrewd man and a danger-
ous 0e; but your wit failed before mine, or you
would never have permitted yourself to be taken
ca tive to the stronghold of Captain Nick."

‘And so you are that devil, too,” muttered
Darrit, speaking thus to vuil the real cause of the
startled look that flashed over his face. “ You——
you do yourself proud, Grosser!”

“ Ay! I have been Captain Nick. as l was
Don Jose Ainedia, Don Pedro Sziiitillo, Juan Men-
doza, et at,” confirmed the Mexican u ith a boast
ful smile. “ 1 was born with the claws of a
panther and the cunning of a fox. The prison is
not built that will hold me, and l haVc grown
wealthy in outluwry.

“To-night Captain Nick disappears forever,
mid the head of one of the oldest and noblest
families in Mexico reappears.

“But you, dog of a defective, you are doomed.
You have but one chance for lif--: tell me
where hides this mate of yours, and when no go
hence you shall remain, bound it is true, but free
of ho lily harm.

Darrit’s lip curled scornfully'.

“ A generous consideration, truly !" ho siieered.
“Remain, bound and helpless, to die by inches,
or beciime the prey of the raVening brutes of the
mountains!"

“ It is a chance. for life,” urged Mendoza.

The detective looked straight into the dark
face above him, and seemed to reflect.

“ HOW do I know you will do this?" be asked.
suddenly.

“ You have my word,” was the proud reply.

“ As m 0'! as gold, that,” mockiiigly. “ No,
Don Josh, you "HI I cannot come to terms. 1
could not tell you where to find my mate, and I
would not if I could. DeliVer him into your
merciless hands! Newer!"

A scream of rage rung from the lips of the
baffled outlaw, and he thiiii.r himself directly
upon the prostrate detectiVe; his knees pressing
sharply on the full round chi-st, one hand forcing
the closely crOppcd bend back and exposing the
throat, he glared down into that cold white face
with an expression of deadly iiinlignity; then

his knife slowly descended until the keen edge-

rested directly across the jugular vein.

Bartley Wildman uttered a cry of horror and.
turned his head away.

Slowly, relentlessly, the knife pressed through
the skin and entered the flesh.

But Bolly Darrit’a iron nerve did not waver.
not a tremor shook him, and be met the lid ning
gaze of his foe as calmly, as unflinchineg as
ever.

“ Speak !” boarser commanded the latter,
again raising the knife.

A firm hand grasped his uplifted arm and
with a quick wrench sent the knife spinning
across the cave.

With an agile spring, Mendoza gained his feet
and facsd about, a malediction on his lips.

Gold-Dust Dan confronted him.

The look of terror that had seized upon the
Mexican's dark face gave way to an expression of
fierce delight, and clapping his hands he cried:

“ Rube! Rube! this way, quick l"

Injun Rube promptly appeared in the arch-
way connecting the two a iartments.

“ Seize the young deVil!” ordered Mendoza,
pointing to Dan.

The outlaw guard drew a revolver and leveled
it—not at the young patrol, but at Mendoza
himself! I

“ What do you mean, you dogf” gritted the
Mexican, his face turning a yellowish white.

“I mean, simply, that your game is up, Cap-
tain Nick !" was the stern response.

“ Know ye, too, that [am the man you so
urgently wished to find—Old Dan Rackboss,
Bolly Darrit’s mate!” '

The outlaw recalled With a snarl of rage and
despair, and then a steutorian shout rang from
his lips.

But the alarm-call was sounded too late.

The sharp report of a revolver stung through
the outer cavern. Then came the tram ing of
many feet over the rough stones, wild ye ls, and
a murderous volley.

Speechless with terror, Juan Mendoza tuimd
to flee, but Gold-Dust Dan barred the way. and
in another minute the outlaw chief was a help-
less and a hopeless prisoner.

Never again would Old Nick’s Nine terrorize
the Montana camps and trails.

Taken completely by surprise, the wore able
to make but a faint resistance, an thme who
survived that first volley fired by the men from
Sioonm City were quickly overpowarei and

 

 

 

5
yr?

14 ‘ Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol.

 

 

made prisoners. Of all the evil band, butone
escaped—the guard in the lower pass.

Gold-Dust Dan appeared in the outer cavern
just as the brief conflict ended, and was greeted
almost as one risen from the dead. Big Davy,
in particular, was overjoyed that the lad was
yet among the living, giving him a bear—like hug
accompanied with three cheers at the top of his
powerful voice.

Then came Bartley Wildinan, as Great Jones,
lending his daughter, and clase behind the happy
pair were old Bolly Darrit and Dan Rackhoss--—
“ lnljun Rube.” Between them the two veteran
detectii es dragged Captain Nick.

Winnie was made as comfortable as possible,
pendng the return to the gold-camp, and then
explanations were declared in order.

Great was the surprise of the miners when the
full truth was made known.

Gold-Dust Dan had all along been aware of
the presence of Old Dan Rackhoss among the
outlaws, in fact, had learned from him the
various disguises and signals used by Captain
Nick as well as the location of the camp in the
basin.

At no time during his captivity until that
last moment had Bolly Darrit been in peril of
his life. Indeed, he might have escaped almost
at will, as Old Dan had been his guard from
first to last save a few hours during the day.

The confession of Colonel Moulton cleared
away all doubts as to the relationship existing
between Bartley Wildnian and Winnie, and at
the same time established the mine-owner’s inno-
cence of the murder of Rancher Alveda.

The dead outlaws were carried to the basin
and buried, and a thorough search of the cavern
was made.

While this work was goinfion, Gold-Dust Dan,
Big Davy, Ozark and Dan ackhoss traced the
stream toits source—a beautiful little lake be-
yond the cove, and there discovered an ingeni-
ously contrived fl')0(lg&b€.

Shutting 011' the water, they returned, and
Dan accompanied by Big Davy, hurried down
the pass am secured his horse, Prince.

On their return, they found that a treasure-
'Uhlllnbul' containing a vast amount of booty had
been discovered, among which was the gold
taken from the office of the Great Jones Mine,
as well as that which had so nearly cost Murray
Weston his life. Then back to Slocum City,
by way of Captain Nick’s secret path, went the
victorious party.

 

VVith'the single exception of Captain Nick,
or Juan Mendoza, the captured road-agents were
tried and executed by the miners of Slocum
City.

The chief met alike fate less than a month
later at Tombstone, Arizona, where he was
taken by the three border detectives, Darrit,
Ozark and Rackhoss.

The River House was razed to the ground,
and evidences of many fearful crimes Were
brought to light.

Sergeant Sly’e wounds were fatal. Before he
died, he sent for Big Davy and returned the
gold that had been taken from the camp of the
big hunter.

The wounds of the deputy sherifl’, Murray
Weston, proved obstinate. but finally healed,
and he and John Johnny made many a run to-
gether over the Sand Bar trail.

To Winnie’s intense delight, she found in Ben
Bluff her grandfather. Benjamin Blufl‘ton.

Disposing of the Great Jones Mine, Bartley
Wildman, with his daughter and the old sailor,
went to San Francisco, where they made their
home, far from the scenes of. their early trials
and troubles.

And Gold-dust Dan?

His work on the Sand Bar trail was done.

A week of rest, and then one fine morning be
mounted Prince and accompanied by Big Davy
rode away, going none knew where.

THE END.

Beadle's mine library.

BY RD‘VARD WILLETT.
483 Flush Fro.) the River‘Sharp.
368 The Canyon King: or. a Price on his Head.
348 Dan Dillon. King.r of Crosscut.
837 Old Gabe. the Mountain Tram .
327 Terrapin Dick, the Wild wood etective.
315 Flush Fred's Double; or. The Squatters‘ League.
313 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True.
$8 Logger Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.
.289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand.
274 Flush Fred, the MiSSiSSlpfpi Sport.
248 Montana Nat, the Lion 0 Last Chance Camp.
.222 Bill the Blizzard: or. Red Jack‘s Crime.
209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza Prince.
12.!) Mississippi dose; or, a Strong Man '3 Sacrifice.

 

 

BY (VAP'H‘. FRED. \"lll'il‘TAICEIK.

6?: The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The. Texas 'l'ranip; or. Solid Saul.
415 Journeyman .lolin. llw Champion.
412 Larry Locke. .lic Man of Iron.
406 Old Pop Hicks. Showman.
8‘18 John Armstrong. Mechanic.
‘ 26 This \Vliitesl. Man in the Mines.
310 The Marshal of Saranstown; or. The League.
303 Top-Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw.
295 Old Cross-Eye, the liluverick-lluutcr.
290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakch y’s Last Cruise.
281 Thu Throc Frigates; or. Old Ironsidcs' Revenge.
277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer.
272 Suth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.
265 Old Double-Swurd; or. Pilots and Pirates.
253 A Yankee Cossack; or.le Queen of the Nihilists.
241' Alligator Ike: or. The Sucre: of the Everglade.
212 The Fog Devil; or, The Ski hp 1r of the Flash.
230 The Flying Dutchman of 16 0.
2.26 The Mad Hussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac’s.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys.
211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
206 One lye. the Cannoneer.
193 The Man in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
187 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers.
174 The Phantom Knights.
159 Red Rudiger, the Archer.
132 Nemo. King of the Tramps.
115 The Severed Head; or. The Castle Coucy Secret.
108 The Duke of Diamonds.
98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.
96 Double Death; or. The S y of Wyoming.
69 The Irish Captain. A Ta e of Fontenoy.
65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies.
39 The Russmn Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

BY CAPTAIN H0‘VARD HOLIVIES.

664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun'er.

654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective.

612 Red Pard and Yellow.

608 Silent Sam. thi- Shadow Sphinx.

1’92 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret.

579 Oh Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery.

559 Danton. the. Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand, tne Mohaw Ferret.

513 The Magnate Detective.

532 J ac; Javcrt. the independent Detective.

5'23 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective.
512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake.

505 Phil Fox. tiieGontccl Spotter.

496 Richard Rcdnrc, the Two Worlds' Detective.

48? Sunshine Sum. a Chip of the Old Block.

480 Hawks-pear. the Man with a Secret.

4 8 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldurip. the Detective

453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail.

447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy.

411 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer Lynx. Ell" \\ onder Detective.

42‘ Father Fvi'ret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.

407 Captain Coldgrip‘s Nerve; or. Injun Nick.

400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New York Spotter.
392 The Lost l-Ionanza: or. Tlil‘ Boot of Silent Hound.
382 The Bonanza Banu: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
Major Blister. lilo Sport 01' Twii Cities.

365 Keen Kcnnaru‘. the Shasta Shadow.

352 The Des )crate Dozen.

3-17 Denver llkt‘. the Man with " S-md."

340 (‘ool Conrad. the Dakota Defective.

335 Flash Dan. the Nalioh; or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit.

294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy.

278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand.

._.
-2
.2.

BY ‘VILLIAM R. EYS'I‘ER.

659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or. Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Lucky Lester‘s Lone Hand.

634 Old Handcart's Big Dump.

622 The All Around Sports.

603 Desert Alf. the Man With the Cougar.

590 Gentle J acx, the High Roller from Humbug.

578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.

568 l‘he Dude. Detective.

558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon.
549 Belshazzar Brick. the Bailiff of Blue Blazes.
5‘33 Oregon. the Sport With aScar.

525 Fresh Frank. the Derringer Daisy.

503 The Dude from Denver.

478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.
459 Mnior Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives.

429 Ha r Trigger Tom of Red Bend.

402 Snapshot Sam: or. The Angels’ Flat Racket.
396 The Piper DetectiVe; or, The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal George, the Three in One.

356 Thr -e Handsome S Orts; or, The Combination.
344 Double Shot Dave 0. the Left Hand.

333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.

300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco.
268 Magic Mike, the Man of Frills.

229 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
192 The Lightning S )ort.

182 Hands Up; or, ie. Knights of the Canyon.

160 Soft Hand. Sharp: or. Thu Man with the Sand.
145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY MAJOR DANGERFIELD BURR.

448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor.

188 The Phantom Mazeppa; or. The Hyena.

156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo.

142 Captain Crimson, the Man of the Iron Face.
117 Dashing Dandy; or. The Hotspur of the Hills.
‘92 Buflalo Bill, the Buckskin King.

 

-. -...._. __. _. .___.,_.__c___.

,. ,.. ,. ____,.. ,,.,_ __.. . -____.._.__A
B Y N B I) Bl! NTLINE.

657‘ Long Tom. the Privateer.
633 The Sea Spy.

" The Red Privateer; or. The Midshipman Rover.
55%| Il‘irc Feather. tho int-cancer King.
517 Buffalo Bill s First Trail.
361 'l‘oinlistonc Dick. tin- ’l‘rnin Pilot.
1270 Andros. the Rover: or. The Pirate’s Daughtl‘”.
1*M Saul Subbcrday. the Idiot Spy.

111 The Smuggwr < lliptain: or. The Skippcr’s Crime.
61 Captain Senwnil’. the l’rivat -(-r.

23 The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche Lover.

18 The Son Bandit; or, The Queen of llie Isle.

16 The White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.
14 Thayendanegcadhc Scourge;or. The War-Eagle.

v
'—

~

I
1

BY COL. THODIAS ll. l'IONSTERY.

332 Spring-Heel Jack: or, Tile Masked Mystery.
262 Fighting Tom. the Terror of the Tough-9.
236 Champion Sam: or. The Monarchs of the Show.
169 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Forty Duels
157 Mourud, the Mameluke; or, The Three Sword
masters.
150 El Rubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.
143 The Czar's Spy; or, The Nihilist League
126 The Demon Duelist; or. The League of Steel.
82 Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster.

BY FllANClS JOHNSON.

25 The Gold Guide' or. Steel Arm, Regulator.

26 The Death Track: or, The Mountain Outlaws.

2‘3 Alapaha the Squaw; or. The Border Renegades

124 tssowauni the Avenger; or, The Doom of the
Destroyer.

135 The Bush Ranger: or. The Half—Brood Rajah.

136 The Outlaw llnnter; or. The Bush Ranger.

138 The Border Bandit: or. The Horse Thief‘s Trail.

BY \VIVI. G. PAT'I‘EN.

663 The Giant Sport: or, Sold to Satan.

656 Old Plug Ugly. the Rough and Ready.
648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack, the Desrrr Nomad.

6331 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Ca rain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
571 014 Dismal. the Range Detectivo.

545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

643 Casdemainc. the Silent Sifter.

616 lilagnus. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

595 Wellhorn. the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Joruni. the Doti-ctii vExpert.

574 Old Falcon‘s Double.

561 The Tnug King; or. The Falcon Detective‘s Foe.
518 Fillconbridge. the Sphinx Deteclive.

536 Old Falcon‘s Foe: or, The lien-c: iVe's Swell Job.
515 Short-Slop Mlli.“, the Diamond lI‘ivld Detective.
509 Old Falcon. tlie 'l‘hundorbolt Detective.

501 Spriiigstecl Steve. the Retired Detective.

» The Dwtvctiw’s Spy.

485 Rowlork. the Harbor Detective.

477‘ )ead-aini Brandt.

46." llluinwarintr the Salamander.

462 The Circus ilotrctive.

451 Griplock. the Rocket l etcclive.

444 The Magic Detective: or, l'hc Hidden Hand.

424 Hawk Heron‘s Deputy.

386 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.

MISCELLINEOUS.

566 The Daunllt-ss Deteczive: or. The Daughter
Avenger. By Tom W. King.
51:3 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives.
By A. F. Holt.
5‘34 Grew Mountain .100: or, The Conntcrfeiter’s
Cave. By Marmaduke Dey.
518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. W.
Osbon.
410 Sarah Brown. Detective. By K. F. Hill.
366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse.
353 Bart Brennan; or, The King 01' Straight Flush.
By John Cuthbert.
350 Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge- By Mor-
ris Redwing.
2Y5 The Smuggler Cutter. By J. D. Conroy.
261 Black Sam, the Prairie ’lhunderbolt. By Col.
Jo Yards.
190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas.
179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Glidersleeve.
166 Owlet. the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban.
158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell
152 Captain Ironnerve. the Couiiterfeiter Chief.
146 The Doctor Detective. B George Lemuel.
144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. By Victor Hugo.
140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker.
13:) Body the Rover. By William Carleton.
125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth.
110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert.
10'? The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken.
78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger.
76 The Queen’s Mlisketeers. By Geome Albany.
68 The Fighting Trap er. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
60 Wide Awake. the lgobber King. By F. Dumont.
32 B‘hoys of Yale: or. The Scrapes of Collegians.
11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain M arryatt.
10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.
A new issue every Wrdntisday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS,
Publishers, 98 William street, New York.

1“:
:1

       
  

 

.. min- 4 - ~——‘: g "-a—

' ‘ whim-.17-. air A nan-.1“.

W”_M~fim_~‘ .

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

481 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood; or, Moll Mys-
tery. By E. L. Wheeler.

482 Stonewall Bob. the Boy Trojan; or, The Search
for the Hidden Cache. By Oil Coomcs.

483 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case.
By Colonel Prentiss lngraham.

484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles; or,
Yankee Eph’s Prairie Cruise. By M. F. Thomas.

485 (lit Thar Owney the U known; or, The Boy
Oarsman-Detective’s Double Pull. By G. C. Jenks

w; Sealskin Sam. the Sparkler; or, The Tribunal of
Ten. By Edward L. Wheeler.

48? Nevada Ned, the RevolverRanger' r. The Young
King of the Gold Mines. By Col. Ingraham.

488 Wild Dick Racket; or. How He Fought for
Honor. By Chas. Morris.

489 The Diamond Sport' or, The Double Face of Bed
Rock. IBy Wm. G. Patten.

490 Broadway Billy, the Bootbiack Bravo; or,
Brought to Bay by a Bold Boy. By J. C. 00w-
drick. \

491 Deadwood Dick Jr.‘s Com act; or, Prince Pis-
tol. the King of the West. y E. L. Wheeler.

492 Git Thar Owney‘s Pledge; or. The Owls‘ Nest
Ugly Brood. By Geo. C. Jenks.

493 Taos Ted. the. Arizona S ort: or, Boston Bob‘s
Checkmate. By Albert . Aiken.

494 Surly Sim. the Young Ferryman Detective; or,

. The Black Bluffs Mystery. By Jo Pierce.

495 Arizona Joe. the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. By
001. Prentiss Ingraham.

496 Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance; or, Monte
Cristi. Jr. By E. L. Wheeler.

49“! Buck Taylor. King of the Cowbo s: or. The
Raiders and the Rangers. By Col. . Ingraham.

498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck; or, Cap-
tain No Name‘s Mission. By J. W. Osbon.

499 Single Sight. the One-Eyed Sport; or. the Girl
Prelegee‘of Red Flash. By T. C. Harbaugh.

500 Deadwood Dick’s Dig age; or, Doctor Death

r Grip‘s Swoop. By E. .Wheeler. .

301 Boots. the Boy Fireman; or, too Sharp for the
Sharpers. By Charles Morris.

50% Branded Ben, the Night Ferret; or. The Octopus
Leazue of New York. By T. C. Harbaugh.

503 The Royal Middy; or: The Shark and the Sea
Cat. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

504. Five Points Phil, the Pavement Prince; or,
Caught in the Spider's Web. By Jo Pierce.

so; Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. By
Major B. B. Stoddard. Ex-Scout.

506 Redli ht Ral b1 the Prince of the Road;_or, A
Wild ight's lid Work. By J. C. Cowdrlck.

507 The Hunted Midshipman' or, The Young Sea
.‘Ranger. By 001. P. ng'ra am.

we Deadwood Dick‘s Deliverance; or, Fatal Foot-
steps. By E. L. Wheeler.

:09 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. ,By
Jo Pierce. I

510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detective. By A.
W. Aiken.

 

511 The Outlaw Middv; or. the Young Patriot‘sea
Ranger. By Col. P. Ingraham. . I

512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective‘ or. Jack
0’ Diamonds and his Game. By T. C. fiarbaugh.

513 The. Demon Doctor; or. Deadhold, the Kid De-
tective. By George C. J enks.

514. Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or. Clearing up a

\ Strange Case. By J. C. Cowdrick. '

515 Deadwood Dick’s Proregee: or Baby 3955 the
Girl Gold Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. ’

516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie-

By Jo Pierce.
517 Jim Gladden's Deputy: or. The Jolly Pard’s All-
.FOP'Love Campaign. By P S. Warne.
518 Cool Colorado in New York- 0 , the Cowboy’s
‘ Fight fora Milllon. By A w’ ’ken_
m Captain Mystery: on Five in One. By Wm. G.
Patten. -
820 k kin Bill the Comanche Sh - , A
ggi‘inSm 'rrall.’ By Col. P. lngmhaigow’ or
od Dick's Best Dodge‘ or.‘1‘h
'52! ODIGggham. By T. C. Harbailgh. e Go'd Gang
.58 D ad' and Dick'sThree' or.The“Belle ’ "
oieBisfimarck. By E. L. Wheeler. ' fin Bun
593 The Band S ort; 01‘. The King Pln'Con inter.
By 001. fingered. V ‘1’
524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s
’ Resolve. By J. C. Cowdrick.
525 Brothers in Buckskin; or. Tangled Trails in
Texas. By Col. P. lngraham.
526 North River Not. the Pier Detective; or, Five
Points Phil’s Big Skirmish. By Jo. Pierce.
587 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue; or. The Jack
of Hearts. By P. S. Warne. r_ -
523 Fox a d Falcbn. the Bowery Shadows; 01'.
Tmnpl for Human Game. By T. C. Harbaugh.
5?” Deadwood Dick‘s Da‘r‘l’ger Ducks; or, The Owls
of Oregon. By E. L. heeler.
530 The Buckskin Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates
' ‘ot the Rio Grande. By Col. P Ingraham.

_ 53‘ $3109”. the Snort from Denvpr: or. The. Toll

ersof Colorado. By W. G. Patten.

 

 

Bea le’s elf-Dime Library

. . I- V
582 The Cowboy Duke; or. Lasso Leuis’s Strange l 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective; or,

Mission. By E. B. Forrest.

533 Wres'ling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward; or,
Five Points Phil and the Birds oi? Prey. By Jo.
Pierce.

5‘34 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt; or, The Way of
the ’l‘ransgmssor. By E. L. Wheeler.

53.5 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive.
By Col. 1’. [ugraham.

5‘36 Broadway Billy’s “ Difl‘lkilty "; or. Old Rodman‘s
Millions. By J. C. Cowdrick. ,

537 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow; or, Against
Desperate Odds. By John W. Osbon.

538 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret; or. The Trail
of a Missing Hand. By T. C. llarbaugh.

539 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas: or, The Ghouls of
Galveston. By E. L. Wheeler.

540 Captain Ku Klux. the Marauder of the Rio; or
The Buckskin l’ard’s Strange Quest. By Colone
Prentiss ingraham.

541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Bo Detective; or, The
Lively Racket in Jericho. y J0 Pierce.

542 The Canyon Pards; or, Cimarron Jack’s Last
Hunt. By Fred Dewey.

543 Dodger Dick's Double; or, The Rival Boy Detec-
tives. By T. C. Herbaugh.

544 Deadwood Dick Jr.. the Wild West Vidocq; or,
Leonora the Locator. By E. L. Wheeler.

515 Lieutenant Leo. the Son of Lafitte; or, The Buc-
caneers of Barratarl'a. By 001‘. P. Ingraham.

546 Captain Cactus. the Chaparral Cock; or. Josh
Peppermint‘s Ten Strike. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

547 Study Andy: or. A Good Man Down. By P. s.
Warne.

548 Mart, the Night Express Detective; or, The Mys-
tery at Springside. By J. C. Cowdrick.’

549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle- or. Captain Crim-
son-Cowl, the Road Raider. By E. L. Wheeler.

550 L‘lfltte‘s Le acy; or, The Avenging Son. By”
Col. 1’. Ingra am.

551 Nick Nettle. the Boy Shadow; 01', The Old Well
Mystery. By JoIPierce.

552 Ariel the Athlete; or, the Ring Detective‘s Trans-
formation. By David Druid.

55‘3 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case; or, Sharper than
the Sharps. By T. C. Harbaugh. “

554 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Gotham: or, Unraveling
a Twnsted Skeiu. By E. L. Wheeler.

555 The Creole Corsair; or. The Golden Wings of the
Gulf. By Col. P. lngraham. '

556 Lariat Lil: 01‘. The Cast for a Life. By P. S
Warne. ,. '

557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket; or, The Street

I Arab‘s Wake. By J. C. Cowdrick.

558' The Sure Shot Pards; or, The Marked Thirteen.
By A. C. Grlssom. I ' ‘

559 Harlem J rick, the Office Bov Detective; or, The
Cousm‘s Crime. By Jo Pierce.

560 Pawnee Bill. the Prairie Shadower; or, The Gold
Queen‘s Secret. By Col. P. lngraham.

561 Deadwood Dick in Boston; or, The Cool Case.
By E. L. Wheeler. 4

562 Blundering Basil. the Hermit Boy‘ Trapper; or.
The Bad Man from Wapsipinnicon. By Oll
Coomes. ,

563 Dodger Dick, the Boy Viddcq; or, The Gang of.
Three. By T. C. Harbaugh. \

564 Powder Phil. the Boy Miner; or, The Man with:
out a Past. By J. W. Osbon. I

565 Kent Kingdon. the Card King; or. The Owls of
the Overland. 'By 001. P. Ingraham. .

566 The Secret Service Boy Detective; or. Ton
Blink’s First Scoop. By C. Morris.

567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or. The
Wild West Detective among the Crooks. By E.
L. Wheeler.

568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Bustling for Millions.
By A. K. Sims. .

569 Brooklyn Ben, The Onohis-own-hook Detective;
or, N ed Chester’s Very Bad Case. By Jo. Pierce;

570 Camille. the Card Queen: or. The Skeleton
Trail. By Col. P. Ingraham. ‘

571 Air-Line Luke, the Engineer Detective; or, The
Double Case. By J. C. Cowdrick.

572 Deadwnod Dick. Jr.. in Chicago; or, The Anarcho‘
ist’s Daughter. By E. L. Wheeler.

573 The Two Shadows; or, Dodgder Dick’s Stop

" Game. By T. C. Harbaugh.

574 Old Weasel-Ton. the Man with the Dogs; or,
Sandy Andy's Life Run. By P. S. Warnc.

575 The Surgeon-Smut Detective; or, Running Down

. t King. By Col. P. Ingraham.

576 The Sliver “port: or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee.
By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

577 Pavement Pete. the Secret-Sifter; or, Ml‘S- “1818's
r Suspicious Lodger. ‘ By Jo. Pierce. I
578 Dead wood Dick. Jr.. Afloat: or, The Prisoner of
the Weird Isles. By E. L. Wheeler-
'579 The Chimneys y: or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise
Party. By J. . Cowdrlck.

580 The Outcast Cadet; or. The False Detective. By
Col. P. Ingrahamx ' ,

 

.1.-

 

Against Heavy Odds. By Geo. C. Jenks.

582 Dodger Dick’s Drop; or; The Man From Jersey.
By T. C. liarbaugh.

583 Sall'ron Sol, the Man With a Shadow; or The
Tigers of No Man’s Land. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

581 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. in Denver; or, Cool Kate,
The Queen of Creeks. By E. L. Wheeler. ,

585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret; or, Marked With a
Triangle. By ll. Enton.

586 The Buckskin Avenger; or, Pawnee Bill’s Pledge.
By Col. P. lngraham.

587 Old Bombshell. the Ranger Detective; or, The
Bad Man of White Hoes. By Wm. G. Patten. ‘

588 Jack O’Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector; or,
The Friend Indeed. By Jo Pierce.

589 Tom Cat and Pard: or. The Dead-Set at Silver
City. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

590 Deadwood Dick. J r. ‘s Decree; or, The Prince of
Purgatory Pass. By . L. Wheeler.

691 Delmqlite, the Young Sea Rover; or, The Aveng-
ing Sailor. By Col. P. lngraham.

592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, How Tom Hildreth Run ‘

the Rascals Out. By J. C. Cowdrick.
593 Keen Clem. the Ranch Imp; or, Jim Reardon‘s
Big Trouble. By P. S. Warne.
594: Little Lon. the Street—Singer Deteclive; or, Kit
Christopher’s Missing Link: By T. C. Harbaugh.
595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub‘s Basin; or,
The Old Man of Mount Mab. By E. D. Wheeler.
596 Jimmy the Kill; or, A Lamb‘ Among Wolves.
By Charles Morris.

597 The Young Texan Detective; or, The Black,

Bravos. By Col. P lngraham.

598 Flute. the Singer Detective; or, Git Thar Owney
in a New Role. By Geo. C. Jenks.

599 Jim Dandy tll‘e No-Name port' or, Ha
Harry’s HUIZI‘ah Pards. By P.$S. Warns. ppy

600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Cone Island: or, The
“ Piping " of Polly Pilgrim. y E. L. Wheeler.

601 Happy Hans. the Dutch Vdocq- or. Red-Hot
Times at Round-up. By Lie 1;. LB. Sims. v

602 The Vagabond of the Mines. By 001. Prentiss
Ingraham.

603 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street Steerer. By Jo
Pierce. .

604 iron Fern, the Man of Fire- or. The Dove Among
the Vultures. By Wm. G. Patten. ‘

605 William O‘Broadwa ; or. The Boy Detective’s
.Big Inning. By J. ,. Cowdrick.

606 Deadwood Dick J r's Leadville Lay; or, Bristol
and Buckets Boom. By E. L. Wheeler.

60? The .Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit‘s Champions.
By Col. P. Ingraham. , ': r

608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil' or. Double-Curve
Dan’s Double Play. By/Geo. O. Jenks.

609 Bolly Dori-it; the Veteran Detective: or. Little
Lightning‘s Invincibles. By J 01m W. Osbon. ,

610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on
Guard. By T. C. Harbaugh. . 2

611 Bildad Barnacle. the Detective Hercules: or.‘

The Tussle at Table Mountain. By A. K. Sims.
612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroituor. Turning the
Tables on Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler.
613 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Strange Legacy.
By P. S. Warns. I
614 Whistling Jacob. the Detective‘s Aid ;| or. The“
Queer C ,mbination. By J0 Pierce.

615 Fighting Harry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone;

or, The Heathen Chinee’s Mission. By J. C.
Cowdrick. .

616 The Sailor Detective; or, The Last Cruise, 0‘ the
Black Bear. By Geo. C. Jenks.

617 Ralph. the Death-Shot out' or. The Raiders
and Bed Riders of the Rigc By’Oot r. Ingraham.

l' . . in Cincinnati- or The
.18 Deadwood Dick Jr E'L. Whale}. o ‘

Clincher Campaign. By

019 The Boy Tram Detective; or,The Double Grip

Witness. By m. G. Patten. '

620 Little Li hming‘s Lea e' or The Mystery of
the Islangl. By John . Ohbon.

621 Truthful James the “Pecooliar” Man; or,.The
Spoiler Dispoll . By A. C. Grissom.

622 Texas Tom-Cat's Triad; or. The Queer Aflairat '

Tombstone. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

623 Buck Bumblebee. the Harlem Hummer: or, The ,

Old Captain’s Moving Miracle. By J 0 Pierce.

6534 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Nevada; or. The Preacher
of Pokerville .By Edward L. Wheeler. '

625 Chincapin Dan. the Boy Trailer; or; The Hero of i

the Crater. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. .

626 'llg‘he Champion Pards; or, The Lucifer «Silver ~. " n ‘

ar. By T. C. Harbaugh.

627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, TheWou In the

Fold. By Charles Morris.
628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act' 01" “Gimme 0‘
the Sworn Seven. By J. O. owdrick. ~ 3

629 Violet Vane. the Velvet Sport;'or. TheJubilee of
Jacktown. By Wm. G. Patten.

630 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Nb Man‘s Lead or. Gel-f" __

By Edward L.

couda. the Gladiator. eeler.’

681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Ta‘sk; or, The Cowboy  .

tive’s Own Case. By Lieut. A. K Sims.

   
    
    
 
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
    
  
    
  
     
    
   
   
    
    
    
   
    
      
    
    
    
  
 
 
   
  
 
   
   
 
 
    
      
       
      

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Published Every Tuesday.

,..n .-.

632 The Dead Detectivo’s Double. By Gerald Carlton.
633 Pluckv Paul, the lloy Prospector; or The Dead-
wood esperaeo‘s L .st Innings. lly  W. Osbon,

634 Cache Carl, tho ChicoG‘ant; or. Tin-True Hearts
of Ben E, e Roost. ly Buckskin Sam.

635 Oklahoma Hi. the. Blue-Coat Scout; or, The
Boomcr‘s Last luttlc. By 1‘. S. \Vai‘nc.

636 Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Queer; cr, Saw—
dust Sun‘s Last Green Game. By Edward L.
\Vheel r.

637 Dick Donn, the Dock Boy Detective.
Hurbaugl).

638 Tom Cat's Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great
Combine. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

639 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret.
Pierce.

640 Bareb~ck Beth, the Centaur of the Circle.
J. C. Cowdrick.

641 Dismal Dave‘s Dandy Pard; or, The Clew to
Captain Ciaw. By M illiiiiu G. Patten.

642 Deadwood Dick, Jl‘. in llufi’alo; or, 4-11-44.
Edward L. Wheeler.

643 Hap y Harry‘s Bin; Find' or The
Jezegel’s Last Stake. By  S. Warne.

644 The Hercules Highwaymen: or, The Mounted
Miners of the Overland. By Col. 1’. lngraham.

645 Kit. the Pavement Sharp. By T. C. Harhaugli.

646 Cowboy Gill, the Comb-Range Detective; or,
The Grand Corral at Cross-Notch. By Lieut. A.
K. Sims.

647 Typewriter Tilly. the Merchant‘s Ward' or.
Amateur Detective against Professional. By J.
C. Cowdrick.

648 Deadwool Dick Jr‘s. Chase Across the Conti-
nent. By Edward L. Wheeler.

649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a
Slippery Set. By Jo Pierce.

650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or,
Buffalo Bill 8 Boy Pard. By Col. 1’. Ingrahain.

651 Bound-Boy Frankthe Young Amateur Detective.
By Wilhain G. Patten.

652 Don Barr. the Plain‘s Freelance. By Ol'l Coomes.

653 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
Iiigrahain.

657 Warhling William, the Mountain Mountebank.
By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

658 Sky-R -cket Roi), the Life-Snver; or, The Storm-
Waif of Gi nt's Boot. By Jo Pierce.

659 Moonlight Morgan. the “ Pizenest " Man of Ante
Bar; or, Cihuta John‘s Champion Chase. By
J. C. Cowdrick. '

660 Deadwood Dick, Jr‘s., Insurance Case; or,
Cori‘aling a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

661 Old Kit Bandy‘s Deliverance; or, Banner Ben,
the Wildfire of the Prairies. By 011 Coomes.

662 Butterfly Billy‘s Bonanza; or. The S ecter Soldier
of the Overland. By Colonel Prent ss Ingraham.

663 Violet Vane‘s Victory: or, The J aspar City Clean
Out. By William G. Patten.

664 Cheeky Charley. the Special' or, The Life Racket
at Rattlesnake Bid 0. By B. S. Warns.

‘ 665 Jolly Jeremiah. the Plains Detective' or,
Warhling 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.

66? Bob and Sam. the Daisy Detectives' or, The
Gamin Spies' Biz State. By Charles orris.

668 The Buccaneer Midshipman: or, The Sea Rover's
Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

669 Broadwa Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack
Bravo in n Francisco. By J. C. Cowdrick.
670 NorWifiNels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The

Rival nichmcn. By Oil Coomes.

671 Jersey Jed. the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the
Shadower. By T. C. Harbaugh.

672 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Dnrango; or, “ Gathered
In " By Edward L. Wheeler.

673 Ralph Renwoo' the Lightning Express Detec-
tive. By A F. olt.

674 The Wizard Uailor: or. Red Ralph, the Rover.
By Colonel Prenti:s Ingruham.

675 Broadway Billy‘s Bvsr: or. Beating San Fran-
cisco’s Finest. By J. C. Cowdrick.

676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout; or. The Tussle

at the Big Bonanza. By Lieut’. A. K. Sims.

677 Chincaniu Dan‘s Second Trail; or. The, Baflled
Black Hawk‘s Fate. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

678 Deadwood Dick. Jr's Discovery; or, Found a
Fortune. By Edward .. Wheeler.

679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy.
By 061mm Prentiss Ingraham.

By T. C.

By J0

By

By

Beautiful

 

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680 Dauntlcss Dan. the Freelance; or, Old Kit Bandy
in Arcadia. By 011 Coomes.

681 The Pitcher Dctectivc’s Toughest Tussle; 0r,
I)ullb]0 Curve Dan’s Dead Ball. By George
C. J cnks.

682 Wild Vulcan,tlic Long Range Rider. ByWilliani
G. Patten.

 Saltpeter Sol. the New York Navigator; or, The
Unseen Enemy. By Jo Pic-rec.

661 Deadwood Dick's Dazzle: or. The Nemesis ol'
Nutmeg Bonanza. By Edward L. \‘. heelvr.

685 I-Iappv Hugh, the icy Musician D' H‘C'lW‘; or,
lire-‘king the Eureka Spiders Wc'.:. ly 'l‘. (J.
Hnrbuugh. '

686 Orlando. the Ocean Fret- Flap; or. The Tiirnishcd
Name. lly (‘01 inel Prentiss lngriiliam.

687 Broadway Billy in Clover: or. The ltuction at
Lake ’l‘ulure. liy J. C. Cowdrick.

688 Chincapiii Dun‘s Home Sli't-tch: or, The Con‘
spirators of No Man’s Land. By Joseph E.
Badger, Jr.

689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy; or, winking out The Mys-
tery of Two LiVes. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

690 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Do'lurs: or, The Humming
Bird of Honeysuckle. lly Edward L. Wheeler.

691 Headlight Harry‘s lluul;oi-, The Railroad Pards’
big Day. By A. F. Holt.

692 The Rival Sharps: or. Redfei'n, the Secret Ser-
vico Scout. lly L‘ol. P. Ingraham.

693 Viol-"t and Daisy, the Posy Purds; or, The Racket
at Red Hot. Ry Win. (1. l'uttcn.

694 Spicy Jim, the Only Oneof His Kind; or, Head-
ing 06? the Crooks. By J J Pierce.

695 Deadwood Dick, Ji‘.,.at Dancer Divide; or, Do-
veloping the Dead Secret. By E. L. Wheeler.

696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up the
Red River Rustler I. By J. (J. Cowdiick.

697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from
Texas. 13y Col. 1’. lngraham.

698 Old Crazy, the Man Without 8. Head; or, Light-
licart Luke‘s Clean Sweep. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

699 Simple Sim, the BronelioBuster: or, Playing the
Fool for Big: Stakes. By Lieutenant A. K. Sims.

700 Deadwood Dick, J r ‘s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at
Satan's Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler.

701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The
Fight to the Finish. lly T. C. Harbaugh.

702 Blue Jacket Bill; or. The Red Hat Ranger’s Red
Hot Racket. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

763 Broadway Billy's Brand; or, The New York
Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick.

704 Deadwood Dick, Ji‘.. at Jack-Pot: or, Making
Crooked Things S.raii.:ht. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

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 J 0 Pierce.

707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or. Redfern’s Last
Trail. By 001. Prentiss lngraham.

708 Light-Heart Lute‘s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s
Winning Hand. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big
Beat. By Charles Morris.

710 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. in San Francisco; or, Kodak
Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler.

711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe: or, The Bard De-
tectives‘ Clever Deal. By J. C. Cowdrick.

712 The Mesniei‘ist Sport: or, The Mystifled Detec-
tive. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

718 Carl, the Mad Cowbo : or, The L'iriat Queen.
By Col. Prentiss lngra am.

714 Old Miser , the Man from Missouri: or. The
gystery o the Mountain League. By Wm. G.
atten.

715 Wide Awake Len, the. Quaker City Ferret; or,
Caging the Cormorams. By ’1‘. C. Harbaugh.

716 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or. The Sec-
ond Rwund in San Francisc ). By Edward L.
Wheeler.

717 Mosquito Jac‘r. the Hustler Gnmin; or, Move-on
Mike s Grand Catch. By Jo Pierce.

718 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail: or The Gold
Crater’s Secret. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

719 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnap~
per. By Col Prentiss lngraham.

720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand: or. The Gamin De-
tective‘s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By J. C.
Cowdrick.

'  I.  “7 ii...’ .‘  1-H
5&4 random  r,

 

- BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMEsLIBRARY. * ‘e

Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double JV'mnbers.

...n___

721 Maverick Mose. the Arizona Detective; or, The

Wizard of Urkos Pass. 1 y Will Lisenhee.

72:2 (Deadwood l‘ick, Jr.‘s, Doiiiinres; or, The Rival
(i‘llllpfl rt’ the Northern Boi’dt'i‘. l‘y Edward L.
“'l‘ioeler.

72.) Silvci'hlude, the SiH'Sili ne;
Beagles Secret Mission.

or, Tim Border

liy Jos. iii. li.l(il.{('l', Ji'.

Vinit't Villl("S Vi iiizoouce; or, The Wipe-Out at

Your Witter. By William G. Patten.

' Darius: Dick, l’u.w nel- Bill‘s Paul; or, The Red

CaVuIry Raid. By Col. Prentiss liigruhmn.

721'- .Dcnnis Duif, the Brown Sport‘s Kid; or, The
(lovers and Blinds of Gotham. By .10 Pierce.

727 l'lendlight Harry's Siren; or, M'id illudg‘v, the

Outlaw Queen. By Col. A. F. llot.

Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘.\‘, Disguise; or. lvuii, the

Man of Iron. lly Edward L. Wheeler.

7:29 Silvei'hladc, the Ha'f-Illood; or, the
Beagle at Bay. lly .103. E. Badger, Jr.

730 Vioh-t Vaue’s Verdict; or, The'Crooked (inim- :it
Coilin City. By Win. G. Patten.

731 Ruth Redmond. the Girl Shiidower: or. Tho-
Rivnls in Buckskin. 1y Col. Prentiss ingrahain.

lit il'iit‘l‘

732 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detvctive: or. Trap--
ping Big Game. By T. C. Iiarhaugh.

733 'l‘oltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or, U iu-artliinr:
the Cavern League. By Lieut. A. ii. Sims.

734 Deadwood Dick, Jr. ’s, Double Dcul; or. The All—
Around Surprise. lly Edward L. \Vlu‘vlel‘.

7...”) Broadway Billy’s Business; or, “hiring Up Wind.
Canyon Camp. 3y J. C. Cowdrick.

736 Lay-1y, the TilOi'LHIElllli‘l‘ri; or, Benton on Every
Side. lly George C. Jeuks.

737 Buck Taylor, tlIcConianclie’s Captive; or, Buck»
skin Saiii to the Rescue. ly (Jul, l'rcniis‘s ingra—
ham.

738 Broadway ltilly's Curious Case; or, The Mys—
terioin Disappearance at Manitou Springs. By
J. U. (‘owdrick.

739 Silvcrhlnde, the Hostile; or, The Border limtgle'h‘
Ghost Tr..il. By Jos. 1'}. l-ladgei', Jr.

740 Deadwood Dick, Jr ’3, Deathwatch;
Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang.
ward L. Wheeler.

741 Violet Vane, the Ventriloqnist Vidocq; or. Sport
against Sport. By Win. (it. Patten.

742 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective; or, Bren].-
ing the Meshes of the Golden Coil. By '1‘. L7.
Harbaugh.

743 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or The Red Riders of lhn
Rio Grande. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or, The
Vt ater Waif‘s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce.

745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, The
Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

uiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy: or, Too
ll uch for Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the
Secret Service Corps).

747 Deadwood Dick. J r.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem
Team of Teddy‘s Tailings. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, the Border Beagle‘s
Boy Pard. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

01‘. The
l {y Ed-

746

. 749 Dashinii Charlie, the Younoz Seal -Tsk.er: or, The

Kcntnc y Tendertoot’s First rail. By Col.

Prentiss lngmham.
750 Violet. Vane, the Vanquislied; or The Life Sting-

gle at Shanty City. By Win. G. Patten.
751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. ByJohn W.
Osbon.

752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little
Circus at Last Chance. By Edward L. W'heeler.

753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The on'tht'-Catch
Combination. By J. C. Cowdrick.

751 Dashing Charlie‘s Destiny; or. The Renegades
Captive. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

755 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow.
Ilarhangh.
Ready January 12.
756 Gold Dust. Dan’s Oath; or, Reckless Boy, the
Regula'or. By J. \V. Oshtin.
Rt'ilil y January 19.

By T. C.

A new issue every Tuesday.

The Half-Dime Library is for sale by a!
Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail,
oareceipt of six cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers.
98 William street, New York.

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