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2

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Hills in. Paul ;

The Pirates of Peaceful Pocket.

BY WM. WEST WILDER,
(“ WYOMING WILL,”)

AUTHOR OF THE “COWBOY cums” SERIES,
“ WILD nILL’s wniun FOE,” E'i‘c.

CHAPTER I.
WILD BILL “CHIPS IN.”

PEACEFUL Pocxu’r was anything but a peace-
ful camp; the name was a misnomer. It seemed
that the very worst characters of the border had
gathered at that beautiful spot and made it a
place to be shunned by all honest men. Many
of the villainous ruiilans of Kansas, whose das-
tardly deeds had been so outrageous they were
driven from such places as Abilene, Dodge and
Hayes City, had fled. over the line into Colorado,
and congregated in l’eucsful Pocket.

The reputation of the place had spread abroad

. until most honest men, and all timid ones, shun-
ned the town as if it were cursed by‘a plague.
The rufllanly crew seemed not to care for this,
for so long as honest men refused to settle in the
Phocket, they would be left to hold full sway
t era.

It is not probable all the citizens of the little
town were absolutely and irreclaimably bad, but
the best ones of the place took good care to con-
ceal what little virtue they possessed, as they
well knew it would not be “ healthy” for them
if it became known they were not in full sym-
pa thy with the toughs. '

One night, not far from the hour of sunset,
two persons stood on an eminence overlooking
Peaceful Pocket. They were a man and a girl
and at the foot of a little steep that lay behind
them two horses were tethered. '

The man was a large and well-formed negro.
his features being more regular than those of
the typical African, while his lips were not so

3‘ thick and his nose was well-formed. His head
was bold and shapely, and there Was something
about his eyes that denoted both courage and a
high degree of intelligence. In short, he was
something out of the ordinary run of negroes,
having a face that was comely and a manner
that was court! . He was dressed plainly. The
contour of his no figure was some hing a white
man would have been proud of had he been thus

 

perfectly molded. ,
The irl was of 'medium height, su pie,
gracefu and handsome. She had the arm

of a Venus and the air of a princess. She was
a perfect brunette, with dar , flashing e as and
“the red blood showing warm y in lips an cheeks,
makiu her the picture of health. She was
d , in garments evidently intended for rough
service, but everything about her person fitted
and clung in a manner that betrayed rather than
goncealed the curving outlines of her exquisite
are.
he negro was speaki , and his in page was
excellent, there being nltligtrace of dia set about
any word he uttered. '

“There is the place, Miss Lea,” he said. “ We
have found ourvway here without trouble.”

“ What a beautiful spot!” softly breathed the
girl, as if fearful of disturbin the gentle calm’
that lay over the scene. “I 0 not wonder this
place was called Peaceful Pocket.”

“ But you remember the stories we have heard
of this town?" .

“Of course, Joe; but I almost doubt their
truthfulness now I' am 1 king down on the
camp. Why. it does not seem possible it can be
such a wicked town! It seems like a sleepy lit-
tle mining-camp where the inhabitants are at
peace with themselves [and all the world.” ‘

“ Appearances are mighty deceptive, Miss.

ou know we were warned.”

“ Still I should not fear to go down there."

The negro looked startled.

, “ For heaven's sake, do not think of such a
thing!” he cried. “ You would be a lamb among
wolves!” -

The girl's eyes flashed. '
4 “ The wolves migh

t find one lamb with claws ”
she half-laughed. “If I only knew! Joe, do
you think we are sure of finding Justin Douglas
'3 “thM, emits Mi Lea " n
‘ ears sure as . 6 ma
totem—r». - “’4' , y
i“ If I knew he was. ten thousand wolves could
, not prevvnt me from going'to him i” cried the
maiden, barred lips as} ng her ivoryfwhite

   
  

 

    

 

She did not see the look of admiration in the
eyes of her dark-skinned companion.

“I know you are afraid of nothing,” the negro
slid; “ but we must have judgment in this mat-
ter. We cannot win success by being too hold,
for our game will take the alarm and flee. We
must come upon him suddenly.”

“ You are right, Joe—you are always right. I
trust everything to you, and be sure you shall be
well rewarded.” .

He made a graceful gesture of protest.

“I am only trying tosquare the debt Iowa
you. You proved my friend when I was charg-
ed with crime. But for you, I would he in pris-
on now. You cham ioned my cause and inter-
ested your father. ith his money he brought
about a full investigation, and in the end I was
cleared. Since that time—"

“ You have repaid the debt a dozen times."

“ You may think so, but it seems to me I
never can pay it. And now that Mister Vernon
is dead.”

She stopped him with a gesture.

“ Don’t speak of that now, J 0e,” she entreated.
“I do not wish to become aroused at present.
All I desire is to find the dastardly murderer and
the betrayer of my sister! Jos.”

“Yes, miss.”

“ i want you to go down there and investigate.
Make such inquiries as you may think best, tak-
ing care to be prudent. ’ -

‘ And you, Miss Lea?”

“ Wlll stay here.”

“ But night is coming on. Surely you want
the tent erected, and—"

" There will be a moon. We can put the tent
up by its light. That can wait, butI am impa-
tient ”to know if we are near the end of the

“ But I shall have to leave you alone; you may
be in danger.”

“ Not while I have this handy,” and she
swiftly produced a revolver. “ Do not fear for
me. Joe, for I shall be able to defend myself.”

With reluctance, the negro finall consented
to leave her there, and she watc ed him go
swinging down into the little pocket.

The door of the “Dove’s Nest" was standing
wide open. Ivory Jaw Jackson, Stuttering
Steve and others were loafing outside,»wbile at
the bar Pacific Dick was just “surrounding”
his twenty-seventh drink. at the same time ex-

laiuing how he had fooled Horror Zeke into
coking the other way, and then had scientifical-
ly blown ofi? the whole roof of his head at short
range.
Suddenly there was a commotion at the door.
Joe, the negro, had appeared. .

“Jur-jur-jur-juroosalem!” gled Stuttering
Steve, starting up in aston shment. “hat
am that?”

Ivory Jaw Jackson gave a whoop and leaped
to his feet. .

“ A Bigger, by thunder l” he howled, showing

all his teeth in a fierce grin. I

His shout brou ht the others to their feet, and
Pacific Dick near y ft 11 over himself in his hurry
to get outside and take a hand in the row he
fancied had been started.

“ Who says sol” he bellowed, as he appeared,
a huge revnlver in either hand. “ I kin ick ther
onery galoot as says sol”

He glared around inquiringly.

“ Who says I’m a nigger?" he again demand-=
ed. “ P’int ther critter out, an’ I’ll blow a hole
in him big emou h\ter sling a cat through!”

Then h s e es all on Black Joe and he uttered
an exclamat on of astonishment.

“ Blow me blind l” .

“ That’s what I sus—sus-say !” nodded stutter-
ing Steve.

vory Jaw Jackson walked around the darky,
surveying him from head to feet and grinning
after a horrible manner all the while.

“ Niggers are purty nigh bad as Chinamen,”
ob‘s‘ei-ived Crook-eyefdlCIalgk. k t d ,t

up-pu ace ru up-pup-poc e r on
want nonedetQher bubbub-bub-black cusses in
it,” asserted the stammerer. -

“ Wa-sl, I guess not!” agreed Ivory Ja-w
Jackson. “ Thai-fore I nomernates merself ter
oncet instanter as a kemit of one ter eternally
knock ther stumn’ out of th s dirt-complected son
of Ham. Jest st'an’ afur 01! an’ watch me
.pulverize him. It will be a sight ter make ther
gods wee ”

Then ackson rolled n his sleeves and
spat on his hands, still sho ng his teeth in that
t “amid mm a ' x" pealed th

0 on, gen omen an a negro.
’“ I did not come here to' fight. I am a peaceful

man.” .
, “ Haw l" snorted Pacific Dick. “ He calls his-
self a maul” I V - . v

1.

  
   

 

The ruflianly crew roared with laughter, as if
they thou ht such a thing a wonderful joke.

Ivory aw Jackson wasted little time. He
soon made ready to rush at the negro, who had
not reparecl in the least for a fight.

“ eep off, sir!” Joe sternly warned. “I do
not want to hurt you—”

“ Hurt me! Huahl”

Then Jackson made a dash, intending to clutch
and throw the negro immediately.

He made a big mistake.

He suddenly found himself caught by the
collar and whirled around as if he werea toy
man. Then the negro’s foot struck that portion
of Ivory Jaw’s breeches that had received the
most wear, an the would-be “ pulverizer” Was
lifted off his feet and sent sprawling on his
hands and knees. ,

This had occurred so swiftly that it literally
seemed like atmarvel to the discomfited bully’s
companions. They had fully expected to see
Jackson crush the darky with case, but he had
met with a most humiliating downfall, instead.

"Waugh!" roared Pacific Dick. “ Ther
black dog’s a fighter! Down with him; pards!”

Then the entire gang sprung at the unlucky
ob'ect of their anger. I

oe did not quail in the least. His dark face
looked stern and his eyes flashed as he met the
onslaught. Straight out from 'the shoulder he
struck, and his hard fists knocked over man
after man. It was wonderful the way be With-
stood the assault. Had he been placed With his
back against a wall and had his enemies
used no more deadly weapons than he used, he
vvbuld have whipped them all.

As it was, one of the men who had been
knocked down succeeded in getting hold of Joe’s
legs. Then the black gladiator was overthrown.

With savage snaris the mob flung themselves

pon him. . '
“ Don’t kill him! don’t kill him 1” yelled Pacific
Dick. “ Let’s give him a necktie l”

The‘ negro knew in what desperate peril he
was, and he fought resolutely after he was
thrown. They only overcame him by force of
numbers, but they finally succeeded in securing
his hands behind his back. _

Then, as Crook-eyed Clark sat astride the cap
tive’s body, he demanded:

“ W’at is ther verdic’ of this yere court?”
“ Guilty!” was Pacific Dick’s prompt re

1)

s onse.
p“ Then ” said Clark, soberly spitting out a,
mouthful of blood and a couple of tenth,

“I denounce this yere black-skinned cuss ter
be hung by ther neck till he gets so tired
of breathin he don’t respire to any great
extent. Boys, thar’s ther tree-over thar whar
we do our suspendin’. Come on." '

A. yell went up from the angry rufians, and

the noose of a rawhide was flung ovor the neck ‘

of the captive. Then Black Joe was jerked to
his feet and hustled toward the fatal tree.

The sun had drapged behind the western
mountains and the sba ows of hi ht were ath-
ering in the deeeper valleys. iread a any
darkness was settling over the Peaceful ocket.

The brave negro fully understood his position,
and he knew he might be dead within fifteen
minutes. In truth, it did not seem possible he
would live to see the sun rise again.

“ Poor Miss Lea!” he murmured, as he was
led beneath the tree, and the loose end of the
rawhicai’e flung over a limb. “ What will become
of her '

“ One minute ter blubber,” said Pacific Dick.
“ If you want ter do any prayin’, tork' lively.”

The doomed man remained silent, gazing stern-
ly on his foes. He knew it was useless to an al
to them for mercy. There was. no mercy in t eu-
black hearts. ~\ , ’ ,

“ Time’s up! Swing him !”

As the order was about to be obeyed, there

came a clatter of hoofs close at hand, anda
horseman, mounted on acoal-black st. dashed
through the mob, sending men reeling ck to
the right and left.
horse was flung
then, like a flash a brace of revolvers appeared
in the hands of the rider. .

us were turned on the startled

he wea _‘ _ ' j
throng. andxt’he horSeman cried in a clear, ring. , v

ing voice:
‘6

game and stake my pile on a pair of sizes!”

As the rufllans stared in' amazement, Pacific 

Dick‘suddenl cried:
“ Blew melliliudl It’s Wild-Bill

CHAPTER II.
nwrrmo nus-runs. ,

WILD BILLI’ , _ . I  u
' The name was known from one end of tho

 

 

Beneath the gallows-tree the, .
suddenly on its baunches, and '.

Had 5 “W? Oil-here. partial .1 chip lawn,“ a ‘5 ‘ ,

 

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a.

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

 

3

 

 

border to the other, and its Owner was feared
and shunned by the dishonest rufii ")8 whose re-
lentless f« e be ever was.

Will Bill himself has been called a rufiian,
but those who denominated him as such were
his enemies. it is difficult to fully compre-
hend the mixed character of the man. When
unaroused. no milder mannered man ever
breathed; but when he was angered he became
a perfect fiend of fury.

Bill was a friend to swear by, for he possessed
the courage of a lion and would blanch at no
danger could he be of service to a comrade.
He seemed utterly devoid of fear, but he was
in no way a blusterer or a. braggnrt. His keen
blue eyes looked one full in the face, and the
gran of his hand was warming to the blood.

When afoot, the Pistol King, as Bill was
often called, was a perfect specimen of physi-
cal manhood; and when mounted on his mog-
nificent black horse, he made a picture once seen
never forgotten.

Without any hesitation, Bill dashed in among
the ruffians of Peaceful Pocket, his handsome
ivory-handled revolvers springing to the grasp
of his fingers and his words ringing out clearly.
The brutal gang shrunk back before the flash
«of his eyes, and his name passed from lip to

1p.

“ What has this man done that you are about
to hang him up to dry?" asked Bill.

There was no reply, but many a hand crept
softly toward its owner’s most convenient

weapon.

The Pistol King laughed shortly.

“I honestly believe some of you galoots are
tired of livin’,” he said. “ Why, you’re actually
tryin’ to get out your guns when you can see I
have the rep—and have it bad.”

Those words checked the creeping hands
more than a threat of instant death from any
other man could have done. They all knew the
speaker never pulled a trigger in vain, and
when he began to shoot somebody would take a
tumble. ,

The rider of the black horse saw he had
checked the movement, and once more he de-
mended:

" What has this man done that you are going
to hang him?”

Pacific Dick pushed forward. '

“ Beggin' yer pardon, pard,”he.said, touching
his hat; “ but ther o’nery cuss is a nigger.”

Ivory Jaw Jackson was not the man to re-
main in the background and allow Dick to reap
all the glory of facing Wild Bill, so he also came
forward, adding:

“An’ kem inter this yere quiet camp ’thout
waitin’ fer an invite.”

Stuttering Store felt it his duty to say some-
thing, so he asserted:

“ Ther o’nery skunk undertut—tur-tut—tookter
clean out ther tut-tut-town.”

. Crook-nosed Clark crept up from the back-
ground, still spitting, blood, and venturing to
remark: \ l ,

“ We hev no pertic’ler need of a dentist, but
ther black somet-a-gun extracted some of my
grinders ’thout axin’ my leave.” ,

“ An’ so,” concluded Pamtlc Dick, “we con.
older it our sollum juty tor hang him up hyer

“on this yere tree as a warnin’ ter others of his

kind ter steer clear of this burgh.”
Wild Bill’s eyes glistened and there was a
stern look on his face. He did not speak for

- some seconds after the rumans had explained

their reasons for the brutal act they contem-
plated, but he finally turned to the unfortunate

, negro, sa ing:

“ W ha have you‘to say for yourself?”

Joe replied: l

“ I came into this town in apeaceable manner.
I had no intention of making the least trouble,
but these men forced me into a fight. I was
ganged to defend myself, and I did my level

toY ' ’

“ Did you have a gun?”

“ I had a revolver.”

“ How many did you shoot?"

“ None. I did not draw the was n.”

“Well I’m mighty nigh temp to let them
swing youi If you‘d shot three or four of the
critters, I’d reckoned you were worth savin'."

There was a strange twmkle in Wild Bill’s
eyes as he spoke the words, but his face was
stillas stern and grave as one of marble. Al-
though he had been addressin the negro, he had

‘ not takenhis eyesoff the ru ans.

Darkness was now gatherin swiftly, and Bill
saw he must work rapidly if‘ 0 had the advan-

tags of da light. .
“I dont reckon you galoots hare any not

mention. for wipinlout this yore man,’ he

l

 

Pacific Dick growled.

“ Bill,” said he,-“ we knows yer, an’ we don’t
keer ter run ’crost yer trail, but just new you’re
chippin’ inter what hain’t none of your funeral."

“ But which may end by being your funeral
without any fooling, Pacific Dick,” came calmly
from the lips of the Pistol King. “ 1 know you
for what you are, Dick, and that is the worst
ruflian of Peaceful Pocket. You skipped out of
Hayes City to avoid me, but 1 had no call to run
you down. All the same, you are wanted there
for the shooting of White Hand Hopkins, and
I’d get money and thanks if I toted you back.”

“ I never’ll go back alive!”

“ Then I might carry your head."

“ I bain’t wantin’ no row with you—~”

“ Then git!"

The bully of Peaceful Pocket shrunk back and
glared at Bill, who had turned one of the re-
volvers full on the man.

Dick hesitated.

“ Git or chew lead l”

“ This hain’t no fair shakcl”

“ Well, it’s business, you bet!"

“Are you goin’ ter set yerself up ag’in’ all
Peacaful Pocket?”

“ It doesn’t make any difference what I am
going to do. I am in no mood to palaver. Di-
rectly I shall begin to shoot and then do the
talkin’ afterward.”

Dick saw he was inviting death by remaining
there, and so he fell back.

At this moment a clatter of hoofs was heard
once more, and out of the dusk came another
horse and rider. Straight into the throng
dashed the horse and cries of surprise came
from the men when their eyes rested on the
rider.

6‘ A 8]!"

“ Wa-al, I’m darned!”

“ A shemalel”

“ Petticoats ur I’m a liar!”

It was Lea, the mistress of the imperiled
negro. When she saw J oe’s position, she in-
stantly threw off the noose ahd freed his hands
with one sweep of a keen knife.

“ For shame, men!” she cried, in a clear and
musical voice. “What has he ever done that
you should treat him in this way i”

There was no reply.

“ It .is one of their little jokes,” Wild Bill ex-
plained, in a courteous manner. “ This is the
way the gentle citizens of Peaceful Pocket pro-
vide themselves with amusement, miss. If they
do not have a funeral at least as often as ever
other day, they think the town is goin’ to s .
However, I think they will condescend to forego
their pleasurepn this occasion.” a

“ Seein’ as how thar’s a a] in it, I s’pose we’ll
hev ter,” mumbled ivory aw Jackson, grinning
in a sulky fashion. “ It hain’tev’ry day Peace-
ful-Pocket’s honored by ther visit of er ginoowine

.femminin genderite, but we know how ter treat

ther ladies, you bet your shirt 1”

I “ All ther same,” cried some one from the out-
skirts of the drowd, “ we’d advise ther nigger
an’ Wild Bill ter make themselves few- round

I this vicinit

”

The PistoI King’s e es were turned toward the
spa): dwhere the span. er stood, apd he sternly
ca 0 3

"If you haye any advice to give, my friend,
step up and give it ike a‘ man—don’t sneak be-
hind somebody’s back.” ‘

But the fellow had no idea of facing Wild Bill,
so be ,kept quiet.

ID the speaker did not intend to come for-
ward B ll said:

“T e entertainment’s all over, yards. Thar
W03 3 be any more fun here till the next time.
Just now you people better go over to the saloon
and take a drink all round. Tell the harkeeper
iilvivi’ll  over in a short time and settle the

This had the desired effect, the greater portion
of the mob uttering loud whoops as they rushed
pell mell for he Dove’s Nest. The others, mut-
tering benea their breaths, moved away more
slowly, but not one refused to go.

When the last had disappeared, Wild Bill
laughed softly.

“ They hated -to do it,” he said, “ but they
were forced into it. That is a bad mob, and no
mistake. Pard,” speaking to the negro, “you
coin consider yourself mighty lucky to get of!

we.

“I do, sir.” said Joe: “ and I know I haveyou
to thank. But for your opportune ap rance,
I should be hanging from this limb. on have
saved my life, and I will not forget it. Perhaps
the time ma come—” ‘

“ There, t rel" cut in Bill, rather brusquel .
“ It is all right and I do not expect anything In

 

return. The moment I ‘ sighted that gang. I

thought they were up to deviltry, and so I took
a hand. This young lady," gracefully touching
the wide brim of his hat, “really did more in
dispersing them than I.” .

“ And yet I should have been too late but for
you,” said Lea. “ You must let us thank you,
am

She held out her hand, and Wild Bill lightly
clasped the slender gloved fingers.

CHAPTER III.
THE omL’s s'rouY.

AN hour later three persons were sitting be-
side a small fire that had just been built in front
of aV tent that was pitched in a snug little nook
about a mile from Peaceful Pocket. The three
were Lea Vernon, Black Joe and Wild Bill.

The Pistol King had accompanied the girl and
her dark escort to the place where the negro’s
horse had been left, and, when the cozy nook
was found, be aided Joe in putting up the tent.
After this was done, all three sat down near the
fire the darky lighted.

“ It is rather strange to find a charming
young lady travelin’ through this ungodly coun-
try like this,” obserVed Wild Bill, gazing in an
admirin but not offensive manner at Lea.
“ Inde , had I not been informed you were
somewhere in these parts, I should hava been
completely astounded at your appearance on the
scene down there.” -

Lea smiled. He fancied there was much of
sadness in that smile.

“ Necessity—or rather duty—brings me to
these parts.”

Bill was not a man to inquire into other peoo

le’s business if they showed an inclination to
e reserved, so he asked no question, although
he remarked:

“ This is a dangerous section for a young girl
to sojourn in.and I would warn you to be well
on your guard. It must be an imperative duty
that brings ye here.”

(I  is.” \

She looked Bill full in the face, and then she
went on with deliberation. r

“ I believe I can trust you, and I am going to
tell you my story. It is something 1 do not of-
ten repeat, for it barrows up my Very soul, but
something urges me to confide in on. ’,

“ If you see fit to do so, in so," returned
the noted frontiersman. gravely, “ rest assured
I shall consider you have done me an honor, and
Ida not think you will have cause to regret
you; trust. At the same .time, if you do not
wile t3 speak of the matter, by all means remain
8' out. ' ‘

“ Something urges me to speak. You are a
man who knows this wild land and its people.
Possibl you can aid me.” .

“If can do so, I am yours to command at
all times.” ' ‘

“ I will not make the story 9. ion one, for it
is far from pleasant. To begin wit , I have, or
had, a twin sister who was my very image with
the exception that she was a b onde. Her name
was Lois. I loved her, and we were such com-
panions as twin sisters should be.

“ My father was a stern man but at heart a
kind one. He honored ri ht an hated wrong.
For wickedness he had ut little compassion.
He was moderately wealthy, and he gave both
Lois and myself good 9 ucations. ' Lois was
musical; I am not. After she left school, fa-
thef send her abroad tofinish her musical edu-
cat on.

“It was in Paris Lois met a young American
-—an artist. She wrote me of him, but from her
letters I did not dream anything more than a

 

passing friendship had been formed. Still some- .

thing made me uneasy. There was too much
about Justin Don las in her letters, and not
enough about herse f and her progress.

“ At length she wrote she was coming home.
It was sudden, and we were all astounded, fa-
ther most of all. Mother was dead. We knew

she could not have finished 'her studies, yet she a .t 

was coming home. It was strange. ‘
“ She came.
was the same dear sister.
her! sudden move at first, and we gave her time
to n so. ' ' l
“The ex lanation came in the form of Justin
Douglas. be young artist had been forced to

return to America, and Lois could not remain ‘

with the ocean between them. She loved him;

he claimed to love her. I was the first to hear “

her secret.

“ For some reason, a feeling that‘leemed to’

foretelllim riding disaster came our one. Girl.
like,I burg: into tears. Lois

_
l

She had not changed much—she ,
She did not explain

me in her:
arms and told me all about him—how handsome, ' ‘
how manly, how noble he was. She feared fan-i,

ther’s sternum; 1/ had always seemed father’s

   
 

«mm» .1- .-

    
   
 
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
      
      
    
       
       
       

  

  

  
 

  

i

favorite, and she wished me to tell him. I did

 

m.

“ As I had anticipated, father was not pleased.
Still, he asked to see the young man. Justin
Douglas came, and I must confess I was favor-
ably impressed with him. I think father was
also, though he said nothing.

“The following day after his visit to our
home, the papers were filled with the account of

.a daring bank-robbery and the murder of the
cashier. There were three men concerned in the
,job, two of whom had been captured. The
third, the leader, had escaped. One of the cape
tives had confessed. He said the name of the
one who had escaped was Morris Douglas.

“ Well, it came out that Morris Don Ian was
the brother of my sister’s lover.’ on can
imagine what fOIIOWed. I have said my father
was a stern man. He forbade Lois ever seeing

_ Justin Douglas again. Poor Lois! Her heart
Iwas nearly broken, and I could not comfort
er.

“For nearly six months I am sure my sister
and Douglas did not meet. Accident probably
brought them together. He did not seem like a
sneak, so he came boldly to my father. The re-
sult was he was showu the door and told never
to come there again. ,

" But Lots would not give him up, even though
his brother was wanted for robbery and mur-
der. 'They had clandestine meetings, a fact
which I discovered. I warned Lois, but when
that did no good, I told my father. He con-
fronted them when they Were together, and, in
his rage, he struck Justin Douglas. My sister’s

V lover did not return the blow, but he swore my
father shculd regret it. .

“Father feared he would try to abduct Lois,
who seemed perfectly fascinated with the man,
so he kept my sister under guard, as it were.
But that did not prevent the wretch from ac-
complishing his villainous design.

‘jOne night Lois managed to slip away; in
the morning my father was found dead in the
libragyl, '

“ a had been murdered I”

Lea had suddenly arisen to her feet, and she
delivered the final sentence with a dramatic
effect that caused Bill to catch his breath. The
fireiight which was falling on her beautiful
features showed they had suddenly grown hard
and stern.

After a moment, the girl sat down and re-
su med, speaking with. forced‘calmness:

“Justin Douglas had secured his revenge for
the blow my poor father struck him, and a
fiendish revenge it was. My father had been
robbed and murdered in his own house, and his
child had been abducted by the murderer. Of
course Lois knew nothing of the man’s fearful
work, and she had fled With him, thinking father
harsh and unjust.” .

“ How do you know Douglas committed the
murder!” asked Wild Bill, who was a spell-
bound listener. ‘ r

“ The evidence was found in the morning.
The knife with which the deed was done was
marked with his initials. It was a common
clasp-knife and Joe here remembered having

, seen it in the man’s possession when he first vis-
' ited the place. That was proof enough. ‘

“Over the dead body of my loved father I
Sworn to hunt the murderer down and save my

sister from trim, if possible. I put detectives at
work but was not satisfied with that. I felt
that i must take the trail myself, and I did so,
faithful Joe accompanying me.

“That is the most 0 my story, made as brief
as ossible. I have traced the man to these
pa . The last I knew, my sister was still with

im but he may have deserted her and left her

die by this time. I have reasons to believe

he is somewhere about Peaceful Pocket. If I
find him—"

“ What then!"

“Wait till be time comes. He, shall pay the
penalty!" ' ‘

“Miss Vernon," said Wild Bill, earnestly,
arising, “I think I can aid you in running this
., man down.” ’

. ' - “ Will_ you do soill she eagerly asked, standing
before him. ‘
' “ I‘ will."

1' word. __
. CHAPTER. IV.
- ; . A TENDEBVOOT ABMVEB.’

' TE! crowd. that returned to the Dove’s Nest
after being balked in hanging the negro was not
he t mood and the ll nor which! they
m nm.£“i"°*i~r°. .21....“ an“
,, r r so. '9
 and clientedtiiitfay ’1

.y.

  
 
 

. ‘ ild Bill was a man who always kept his I

 

of a very pleasant

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

diversion, for it was not every day they had the
fun of hanging a negro. .

Some of the men went to supper immediately
after getting their free drink and some remained
at the hotel. Those who went for their food
returned as soon as they had swallowed it.
Pe;iclific Rick lay on the bar and proceeded to
“ lu .

CrooIk-eyed Clark mourned the loss of his
teeth, but said there was nothing better than
whisky to,hold in one’s mouth when he was
suffering from such an injury. Stuttering
Steve absorbed so much that was intoxicating
that his tongue refused to stammer after the
usual fashion, and when he tried to talk he suc—
ceeded in uttering about one word in three and
gobbling like a turkey the rest of the time.

Of course Ivor aw Jackson was around,
and his grin won d have scared the breath out
of a gorilla. He was constantly exposing his
wisdom teeth aftem that horrible fashion, and
a railroad train would have jumped the track
at si ht of him.

After a time the barkeeper shut down on the
setting out of liquor and charging the bill to a
Bill who was not present and might not show
up. He observod he had already chalked $63 75
against the said Bill, and that was the limit.

Then there were many expressions of Sorrow,
but‘every man seemed to feel Wild Bill had
done him an injury in not providing for such
an emergency. r

“I tell ye what,” Pacific Dick nodded, as he
propped himself up with his back against the
bar and his hat cooked over one eye, “ Wild
Bill has derned nigh run his course. l’ards,
this yere country hain’t got no further use for
a man of his caliber, an I think it is the duty
of as citizens of this quiet and peaceful tawn
to see that his little ball of yarn is wound up.”

Stuttering Steve tried to express his belief in
such sentiments, but only succeeded in gobbling
and nodding in a manner that threatened to dis-
locate his neck.

“ Men of Peaceful Pocket,”‘said Crook-t yed
Clark, his words hissing through the breach in
his teeth, “ it is time for us to rise in rebellion
an’ show we are not ther galoots ter hev our
noble necks ground under ther iron heel of a
despot. Why, of we don’t down him fu’st off,
he’ll be settin’ hisself up as marshal of this
Zero burgh. an’ he’ll ruin ther lace same as

e ruined Abilene an’ Hayes. 6 just drove
every man out of thorn towns ‘less saidman
w’u’d simmer down {an only do his shootin’
when it was necessary. Ef a feiler got hungry
fer fun an’ went out an’ shot some cuss as wuzn t
no good on yearth, Wild Bil hada way of chip-

in’ in an’ makin’ ther sh tor skip or chew

ead.” ,
“'Whicb same is the truth,” agreed Pacific

Dick, “as I kin sw’ar, for I wuz one of ther A

ski pers.”

t this moment a well-formed and rather
graceful man entered the room and came up to
the bar. He was dressed lainly and his ace
was covered with a glossy b ack heard, but there
wash jaunty air about him that proclaimed him
something of a dandy under other circum‘o
stances. r .

It was possible he did-not consider it “ healthy '.’
to “ sling on style ” in Peaceful Pocket.

“ What is al this rciw about?” he inquired, in
a pleasant manner. “I hear there has been a
bobbery kicked up in town. Who was the
kickerl’ ‘

“ ‘Wa-al,” drawled Pacific Dick, “ he is a bad
man with a record, an’ don’t you fergit that l”

“ Do you mean to say he is still alive?” inquir-
ed the new-comer. “

“ He am,” confessed the leading tough of
Peaceful Pocket, but not without a slight show
of shame. '

“ Well, I swear! I can scarcely believe it,

sure as my name is Ferris Bloodgoodl ' Who is '

thismight chief?" g

“Wild ill!” I -’ .

Bloodgood recalled a step. an there were
some present who afterward swore the part of
his face that was not concealed by his ,beard
turned pale. v .

“ The deuce!” he cried. I

Dick nodded. . ‘

“That’s hi ,” he agreed. I ‘

“ Wild Bi here i” muttered Bloodgood. “That
means blazes to pay.”
1”“ka see, it was like this, pard,"'explained

c .
tar t a little fuddle on. It was my seventeenth

.drin time, an' thet’o"bout sunset. Suddenly

all tar oncet,v’thont ther least warnin’, I hear ‘
somebody sag-nitnin’ lhoot a. bi er.
thaws-ht , 'firin’ their remar

«ml .. pop! 80’ :alpped out-through'ther door,-

  

“I won standin here at ther bar tryin’j

Ix’lowed
at me, so I,

 

yoopin‘ fer ther cuss tor show hisself ter ther
front. Waal,’ w’en I struck ther pizzarro out
thar’ I foun' myself face ter face with——- Waal,
whut ye s’pose I found merself face ter face
with i” .

- Bloodgood promptly gave it up. Pacific Dick
braced himself hard against the bar, crouched a
little, opened his mouth and fairly yelled:

“ A nigger I"

At this there was a universal groan from
those who had been drinking at Wild Bill’s ex-
pense. Bloodgood seemed surprised.

“ A niggei-‘l’ he echoed. '

Dick nodded solemnly.

“ Shore’s yer liviu' i"

“ What did you do then?”

“WaaI, ther boys wuz all round ther black
varmint, au‘ they ’lowed we hed no use for ni -

ers in this town. I agreed most heartin an’
fiackson thort he saw a duty ter wipe ther dark-
complected critter out. He spit on his han’s an’
sailed in. bat in‘ made up his mind ter eternally
pound ther corners Lifen ther nig.”

“ Well?”

“ Jackson is still alive, for which he should be
powerful thankful.”

“ The nigger was a fighter?”

“He wuz a holy horror on ten wheels! He
caught Jackson an‘ turned him into kickin' po-
sition, an’ then he kicked Ivory Jaw so hard he
fell on his teeth in ther dirt."

“ What then?”

“ I led therhharge' we all sailed' inter ther
nigger. Thar wuz a siight disturbance.” '

‘Ther result of which you now behold,” ob-
served Crook-nosed Clark, as he opened his
mouth and exposed the place made vacant by
the absence of his teeth.’ I s’pose ther black
‘whel must hev bin a dentist."

“ at you downed him?” inquired Ferris
Bloodgood.

“Yep,” answered Pacific Dick. “We done
that same, an’ then we led him over ter ther
tree whar we wuz ter hang him up for inspec-
shun. Ev’rythin’ wuz reddy w'en Wild. Billi
kem whoopiu’ in on a black hose with a gun in
each han’ an’ ther devil stickin’ out of his eyes"
bigger then a meetin’-house. He asked where.
fore did we so, an‘ w’en we explains, he kicks.
He said we wuzn’t goin’ ta hang ther nigger.“

“ And you let him bluff you?”

“ Waa , ther wuz a irl as chip ed too, an’
she cut ther nig free. e wuzn’t %tin’§als,
so we kem over an’ took somethin’ at ild ill’s
ex ease.”

‘ here did these ple go?" asked Blood-
good betraying rent nterest.

“ ne of ther ys watched ’em an’ he says
theynwent up over torruds ther big Split Bowl-

I.

“ No one followed them i”

N NEW.”

“ Well, this is getting interesting,” asserts
Blood ood. “ Wild Bill, a nigger and a irl!
And saw a tenderfoot making this way a uh
an hour before sunset. He asked the"way to the
Pocket and also inquired if I had seen any stran—
gers. I wonder if he meant these people "

“ A tonderfuti’ eagerly asked Dick.

“ Yes, a canine green.”

“ Waal t ar hain’t none come in.” *

“ He should have been here by sundown.” ,

Inquiries were immediame made, and it was v
learned no one had seen the tenrlerfoot.

“If he appears, we will make it pleasant for
him,” rinned Jackson. -

To is declaration Stuttering Steve gobbled.
an agreement.

“ Ve hev bin robbed of some fun with

'ther nigger,” said Crook-eyed Clark; “but,

we’ll more’n git it back from ther tenderfut.','
Bloodgood set up the drinks for the crowd,

and just as t e men were swallowing the liquor .

there came a ail at the door.

“ Hello, hello! Is this the hotel?”

The man of the glossy black beard set down
his class, saying swiftly:

“The tenderfoot. 1’1 wager!"

Shack Shoulder Smith, the proprietor of the»
Dove’s Nest, immediately started for the door,
and there was a crush lit-his heels. -

Bloodgood was right, it was the tenderfoot.
He sat astride a horse at the door. I ‘ .
S “i'l‘lhis is all ther hotel in town," explained

in t . « A i v

“ Then here i’ll have to stop,” laughed the
tender-foot. ".I suppose you can provide accom- w
modations for my horse and give me some. kind of'
fodder to stay to stomach i’ , 

“ Wei,” ropli Smith. " you’ll find‘some grass:

out under that lean-to, an‘ while yours lookin"  '7 ‘
—arter your hou,I’ll see if that‘s any'feod'fer  . V...
the . I 

The tenderfoot whistled slime,“ ifsu
at the idea cf attending to-his ownhorsap
‘ -  1‘ : I  Hi- 

,\ 3‘

 

’ .

 

  

 

  
 

 

  
  
   
  
  
      
     
    
 
   
  

   

 

 

5

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

 

made no protest. Without a word, he rode the
animal round toward the lean-to, and the crowd
, drifted back into the saloon, their delight writ-
Y‘ ten on their faces.

" It’s a ginoowine sure-‘nui’i’ tenrlerfoot!”
hoarser whispered Pacific Dick. “ We’ll hev a
circus!”

“ Gug-gug-gug-gug-gug-glory l” gurgled- Stut-
tering Steve, having a de-perate struggle to get

ithe word out at all. “ We’ll gig-gig-giggive
"him helly-lool-lool-lool-lool~lool~” And there
he stuck. He could not finish it to save his snul.
' Preparations were made to receive the tender-
lfuor. The stranger was not long in appearing,
and the moment he. entered the saloon and reach-
ed the center of the room a wild howl went up
from the throat of every man present. Screech-
iug in a manner that would have aroused a dead
man, they charged on the amazed tenderfOot.

CRAP I‘ER V.
IN DEADLY PEmL.
THE tenderfoot was a. young man and a rather
. handsome fellow, too. There was nothing fresh
_; , about his appearance, but he was astounded by
i} ' his rece tion. Before he could understand what
'1 had 'bro en loose he was clutched by a score of
V ' hands and hustled in a manner that threatened
to throw him off his feet.
‘ I “Whoop!" howled Pacific Dick.
u!”
‘° Bounce him!” shouted Ivory Jaw Jackson.
' i -. Cl“ Give him ther razco!" hissed Crook-nosed
.. I v, ark. ‘
, ’ “ Goo-goo-gool” gobbled Stuttering Steve.
- f, The others joined in the medley after a fash-
‘ ion of their own, and p‘indemonium reigned.

 

“ He’s a in-

can one man do in the center of a bowling mob
of that sort? He struck out several times, suc-
ceeding in rapping the unlucky Mr. Clark on his
out-of-plumb proboscis and punching him in the

eye.
' ~  ‘ After the ten hs of Peaceful Pocket had hus-
< ' tied the tender not to their hearts’ content, they

rushed him up to the bar.

“ This yere galoot orders drinks fer ther
crowd,” said Pacific Dick. v .
, “ I think you are slightly mistaken, Sir,” cool-
.5 ~ 1y asserted the new-comer. “ I do not order any-
  , thin for such a gang of rumans.”
 “- ’atl” howled Dick. “ Do you hear that,

 pardsi”

 

, ,  ' Hear it? Well, they certainly did! They
 ‘_ howled their disapproval.

.94“; ‘ “ You’d best take thet back!" asserted Dick,

-,  lmng at the oung man. “ It won’tbeheslthy

31",; if. , er you ter re use ter set out ther sf:qu We’re

 

quiet, peaceful an’ timid citizens, but we know
our rights.”
“ And I know my rights.” was the bold reply.
"‘ I am not going to be run over in this wsyl,’
‘;Wow!” grinned Ivory Jaw. “He’sa fight-
'erl ‘
“I sh’u’d sus so!” whimpered Brook-nosed
.. Clark, edging forward. “Pards, kindly survey
this yere suflerin’ mortal myself! Am not am
I  . I-which am I? This nose of mine is completely
, spoiled now. It did have a very aristocratic
bend in it of which, may it please ther cos I
Wuz justly proud. [don’t mind tber loss 0 a
few teeth or ther fact that my left eye will be
draped in mournin’ on that forthcomin’ tar-mor-
rer, but this nose—ye gods, the nospl" -
It seemed that he was about to burst into

tears. . .
‘FW’at’s ther matter with yer nose?” asked

ick. .
“ He hit it i” furiously snarled Clark. “ It had
 a crook of 'which I boasted. but he hit it on the
side an’ now I am tormented with tears.”
’ ~' 9‘ ’W’at do ye fear?”
' ‘ -“ Thet it’ll be straight i”
‘And'hewas in sober earnest. -
: . “Stranger,” sobcrly said Pacific Dick, “ther
, ‘ ‘ only thin thet kin save your mutton is tor sat.
outther rinks.” _ - . '
. ‘i'If‘I refusal” . ‘
,“ It’ll so hard with ya.” I

' at, ‘9 Well, I never drink myself, and I do re.
use. I . .
~7 .‘ ,Pards, it’s a temp’rance lecturer !”
t this a bowl arose.
iMske him drink i” yelled a voice.
A ick'motioned to the barkeeger, and a glass of
whisky was swiftly set out. T
Pecos ' l-l’oqket grasped the glass and waved the
.crowd‘ back. } ; .
. ‘ “Stowaway ofl so all kin see ther way this
" yere he treats temp’rance. cranks!” he cried,
.4. ond'the rang ll. back. , -

  
  
 

 

 
 

  

  
  
 

   
   
 
  

 

    

, flash,  was"  by several

 

    

 

. 1  The stranger sought to fight them off, but what.

e chief million of

lie-young te derfoot’s‘ baud went toward his '
t like a

 

I r ' first manwa tries to-getat him!"l

    

“ Turn it inter him, Dick l” shouted more than
one veice.

“ With pleasure— with pleasure,” said the
bully, as he approached the victim.

Suddenly, the report of a revolver was heard,
and the glass in Dick’s hand was shattered to a
thousand fragments, the liquor sputtering into
his face.

The startled rufli'm reeled backward, a cry
escaping his lips.

The throng within the saloon was also amazlzd,
and in the excitement, the tenderi’oot wrested
himself from the men who had seized him.

“ Who fired that shot?" howled Pacific Dick.
“ I’ll out his gizzard out! Who tired it?”

Through an Open window into the room sprung
a man who calmly replied:

“ I fired the ‘shot.”

It was Wild Bill!

A gasp came from the throng. Bill still held
a smoking revulver in his hand, and his eyes were
fixed on Pacific Dick. He seemed ready for any
emergency that might arise.

The bully full back against the bar.

“ Dern yel” he growled. “ You’re ulwus chip-
pin’ in whar ye bain’t got no call!”

“ \Vell, I’ve got a call right here,” declared
the Pitol King. “ I reckon you know me pretty
Well, Pacific, and you know I mean business when
I do take a hand.”

“ W’at for do you spoil our fun?" ,

“Fun! Do you call this fun?”

it Ye ”

“Well, you galoots oi' Peaceful Pocket have
queer ideas of fun!”

“ It’s only a little innercent sport.”

“ You were forcing this man to drink?”

U Ye .”

“ Against his wishes?”

“Yep. He’s a temp’rance crank.”

“ It makes no difference what he is, if he does
not wish to drink, he shall not.” -

“Now, look hyer, Bill, you spoiled our fun
on‘cet te’r-day, an’ we hain’t gom’ ter stan’ this.”

“- Yep.” ‘
“ You will have to stand it, ards.”
“ Npt by er dern sight! arkeep’, another

ass.

Wild Bill smiled, but there was somethipg
ominous about that smile. Be was as cool as if
surrounded by friends instead of being in the
midst of a gang of men who would have rejoiced
athis'death. '

:: glcl’t’." he said, “ have you made your will?”
0.

“ Well, I should advise you to do so before
ya go on With this. You won’t have a chance
afterward.” '

They knew what the man meant, and he was

not making idle talk.

Crook-nosed Clark shambled forward.

_“ This yere critter has disgraced me!” be ex-
citedly declared. “He’s knocked this nose of
mine nter line, an’ that I can’t endear. I’m a
quiet an’docile sort of man, but i’ll sacrifice my
lifetright hyer ter git squar’ with ther tender-

oo .
“Pard Dick, I’ll hold ther, gsloot‘w’ile you
turns the whisky inter him.”
Then Clark made a grab at the stran er, but

he was not looking for what follows . The~

tenderfoot objected by striking out from the
shoulder, the blow again falling on Clark’s nose,
knocking the owner of the proboscis down.
‘C‘JlIstrk sfiramthleg up, 229135 Of‘l‘lifi nose. ~
so ri t besou . y oshlhe’s
knocked it v'bazck er’gin!” 3
And his nasal organ had really resumed its
lop-sid'd appearance.
The mob was moving restlessly, and it was
plain an outbreak wssimpending. Wild Bill
new what that meant, but he did not show the
least sign of alarm. .
The tenderfoot now turned from th1 bar,
3 kinfito the man who had shot the glass from
aciflc ick's hand. , '
“I thank you, sir,” he said. “I should not
have taken the li nor an we? but you saved
also great deal 0 troub 6. base men have
seenfltto impose on me but some of them may
he called to an. account. ’ g
This was received with yells of derision from
the mob. ' ‘ v ‘
. All at once, a pistol shot rung out. The
stronger dropped li e a log and lay, still.
fl Somebody had shot him! , ' ’
fl here wash rush toward the body but Wild
Bill reached it first. Planting a foot on either side
of the fallen man the Pistol King faced the
mob his weapons eveled. . ‘  .
“Bold up!" he commanded, his blue re as

showing ‘a’ deadly gleam.i ‘91 will, down he

 

 

    

' "l ‘. ( iii-4

The rush was checked.

“ it was a dusturd’s shot!” Bill declared.
“The cuss who‘_tired it ought to be strung to
the tree where you would have hung the negro!”

A hoarse murmur ran over the throng and
black looks were cast upon the defiant man.
Wild Bill was in the midst of a pack of vulves
who thirsted for his life, but he was never
calmer. .

“I wish the man who shot this tenderl'oot
down would make himself known,” said , the
Pistol King. “ I would like to have a settlement
with him.” ' a»

“We want a settlement with you, Hikokl"
cried a vonce on the outskirts of the crowd.

“ That’s so,” joined in another. “Ho’s sp’iled
fun ernough for us!"

“I am here,” Bill retorted. “I didn’t come
to the Pocket with the intention of fighting the
whole town, but I can do it if nonessnry.
don’t propose to let you slam p the life out of this
young follow, an’ don’t ya feruit that!”

The mob pressed i'orwnrd. Suddenly a missile
of some kind came hurtling through the air.
Bill did not see it and it struck him on the head
near the temple. The blow did not knock him
down, but it sent him staggering backward.
Something seemed to burst in his head, bright
lights flashed before his eyes, then it seemed to
grow dark.

“ Now’s ther time!” howled Ivory Jaw J ack-
son. “ Down with him!”

Through the black mist Bill caught the gleam
of knives in many hands and he saw the men
rushing toward him.

,He understood how deadly was his peril, but
at that moment his strength had apparently do»
sorted him.

Was Wild Bill, the hero of a hundred fights.
to be “ wiped out” in such a manner?

 

CHAPTER VI.
BILL’S BLACK man. i

No! » . '

Into the midst of the mob dashed a man who
lead just entered by the window through which

ild Bill came. He uttered shouts that rung
through the room, and with his bare hands he
sent the men reeling right and left. Before Bill
could serve as a sheath for s. ruiiisn’s knife
the latest arrival on the scene reached hit side.

It was Joe, the negro! ‘ - ‘

“ Ther nigger!”

“ That black skunk!"

“ Down with both l”

“ Wipe ’em outl”

But the black man seemed like a veritable
Samson. At the side of Wild Bill be fought
the entire mob back, handling them for the
time as though they were pigmy men. One
fellow he caught up in Us muscular hands and
hurled headlong at the mob, thus making some-
thin of a human cstspsult.

Bi i saw all this like one dead, but gradu-
ally he was recovering, astreak of blood run-
ning down the left side of his face. Joe press-
ed him back, and they gradually retreated to
the wall at the further end of the room.

Finally Bill was himself again, and he discov- .

cred that many a man of the mob had drawn

pistols. All that prevented the macho from ‘.

using them was the tear of wounding or killing
some of their own number.

Again the Pistol King‘s voice rung out '

clearly :

“ ck, you devils—back, or chew'lsodl I’ll i

open fire in another moment!” - I
They knew what that meant. When .Bill

pulled triffer he did so with the intention of
illing. he opened fire, not a few of the mob

would suitor. : ’

But even Wild Bill’s command might not

have checked the battle. However, somethin

occurred that did check it with“ remarkable s .f ‘

denness. ,

A shrill whistle rung through the room, and.
c three horsemen, one '

in at the Open door rod

after another. A were masked.

The crowd fell book as the leader of 
masked trio uttered a ringing shout. - The hot."

tle ceased, and a bush rested on tho crowd—w
the hush that precedes a, storm. ~ - V
“ It’s ther Trail Pirates!” . . » , .
“ Csp‘n Shadder’s men l” v - , ; 7 "\
~ “Thor csp’n'him own eel l” I =

The mob did not seem much'slsrmed“-by‘thg   ‘

advent of the three m

asks. . . ,l
r In the brief lull, Wild Bill had time enough  _

grip Black Josh-hand. I ~ . V y,
‘ I won’t " forget it!” he softly declared-.r‘ut!
was dosed by the 'blow,'an‘ Pd gong “pun

fluno a-whoopin’ if you hadn’t taken.
‘just wheneyou-did.” .  _  . .- 

l

   

 

   

 

      
       
     
     
       
       
     
       
         
         
       
      
       
         
       
     
       
       
   
        
           
 
 
    
     
     
     
 
  
   

  

 

 

,, 
9;v

 sum. not possi, blel” '
 v an “nth

6

Joe said nothing just then, for he was breath-
ing heavily from his magnificant exertions.

“ I have come for Wild Bill!” declared the
leader of the masks.

The Pistol King started.

“ For me?” he cried.
take me!”

“ That I can do. I am Captain Shadow, chief
of the Trail Pirates.” .

“ Well, I didn’t know I had an account With

011.

“Just the same, I have one with you.”

" And you figger on raking me in?”

“ I do.”

“ You never made a bigger mistake in all
your "life, pard. You will observe I have the

   

“Well, you’ll have to

“ And I have all these men to back me,” with
a motion of the band that included the entire

mob.

“ Hal Then all Peaceful Pocket is in sym-
pathy with the Trail Plrates?’ '

“ They dare not disobey Captain Shadow.”

“ Bosh! They do not want to do so. But you
madea mighty big mistake, Captain Shadow,
when you thought to take Wild Bill in such a
manner.”

Then, almost like lightning, the Pistol King
fired half a dozen shots. There was a jingling
crash of glass and darkness followed, telling the
man had shot out the lights.

Then a bowl went up from the throats of the
mob, and there was a rush for the spot where
Bill and his negro companion had stood against
the wall.

They were not there.

Howaver, the crowd did not make this dis-
covery at once, and a general brawl followed in
the darkness, more than a dozen men thinking
th'iy had gr their game.

he instan he shot out the lights, Bill had.
grasped Black Joe by the arm and hurried him
toward the bar, which was directly away from
the windows. He understood the mob would
think he would try to make his escape by the
wtiniilow nearest, and so he had not approac ed it
B a . » ~

Not a few of those within the saloon were non-
combatants, and they fought their‘ way to the

door.

Suddenly the light of a dark lantern with a
strong reflector flashed out. ‘

It was in the hands of Captain Shadow, and
has tuii-ned the light on the seething knot of men,
s out ng:

“ Steady, steady! This will show Wild Bill’s
pasitionl”

But it was not destined to do so.

In the darkn'ess at one side of the light a spout
of fire shot outward and upward. ullet
from heavy revolver struck and destroyed the

nte .

Captain Shadow quickly answered the shot,
but he could not tell with what effect.

Bill was not touched, and, with Black Joe at
his side, .he escaped from the saloon. He did not
linger near, but immediately hurried into the

8 0W3. r

At the further extremity of the town the two
.men halted and listened to the h0wling that
came from the vicinity of the Dove's Nest. Bill
drew alon breath.

“ Well, have heard a great deal about this
place,” he said; “and I must confess it fully
meets my expectations. It is a hot town in

' every sense\of the word, and is an excellent
' place for criminals to take'refuge.” '

Yes,” agreed Joe. “And tha is why we
are here.”
" es,‘ it is. I have followed a man here from
Kansas, and I fancy the man was in that saloon
to-ni ht.” - ,

y“ s that so, sir?”

“ Yes; I believsrmy man was Captain Shadow.
Had I been sure, I would havo shot him— No,
nol I, will take him back to Kansas, as I prom-

Ised.

“ I, 31; your rdon, sir,” put in Black Joe-
“- I ha y think e could have been your man.”
Bill started and turned toward the negro. ;

“ What do on mean!” I
“ I think ptaln Shadow was the man Miss

‘ ' Lea and I are following.”

“What no "
“Joe 11’ Degas." =
.d  I

“Yes.”

evoice oftthe man who murdered
Vernon.” '

‘llaster , , ' : .
‘»-"‘-Aud it was the voice of'Dandy Doc, the

 

‘ Mhlsr,,vwho murdered a brother to an old psi-d

 Thatiswhatnhas broughtmetothis
M Denied 0931‘" Huston .

   

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

of cards and beat him out of his last dollar.
Then Nat discovered him cheating and exposed
him. Like a flash Doc thrust a revolver into
Nat’s face and shot him dead.

“ Rufe Harmon, a side pard of mine, is fiat on
his back in Abilene. He could not run the mur-
derer down, but I promised to do so and bring
him back alive, if possible. I have tracked him
here, and I think this Captain Shadow is my
man.”

“ And I am almost sure he is Justin Douglas.
I longed to shoot him as he sat on the horse, but
there was a faint doubt in my mind. Besides
that, I wish to follow him to the spot where he
had hidden poor Miss Lois.”

:: It isnnot probable we are both right.”

“ And still something seems to tell me our in.
terest is nearly identical. To-night you saved
my life, for those rufllans would have cut me
d0wn.” ‘

“ You saved me from them today, and I had
a chance to serve you sooner than I thought pos-
sible. I did not forget that a few hours before I
stood on the verge of death, and you faced the
wretches who would have lynched me.”

“ Joe, you are a brave man.”

“ But I am black 1” came almost fiercely from
the negro’s lips. ,

“ Your heart is white! I am proud to know
you! What is your full name?”

“ Joe Armstrong.”

“ Allow me to re-christen you. From the way
on handled those ruflians, you ought to be called
tron Arm Joe. That will fit you better than

anything I know, and from this time on you are
my ar .” "

“ on are a white man, and—” _

“ So are you! God made a mistake when he
put you into a black skin l”

.Joe’s hosom swelled with gratefulness.

“ 1 will not for et these words,” he said.
“ You little know ow much mental torture I
have suffered because of the color of my skin,
and on have made me feel happier to-night
than have for many a day.”

“ Well, do not forget we are pards.”

H No.”

“.Here is my hand.” I

Then the hands of the black and white pards
met. .

CHAPTER VII.

OLD BUNCH.

JUST then a panting man came staggering
around the corner of the cabin, and nearly ran
into them. ,

Wild Bill caught the fellow by the shoulder.

“ Hold up here pardl” cried the Pistol King.

“ Let go!” excitedly commanded the man,
reaching for a weapon. “ Let go, I say i” -

Bill caught the other hand.

“ Easy easy! Nobody’s goin’ to hurt yel
What’s the matter with you? , '

Instead of answering the question, the stranger
asked another!

“ Who are you?”

“ 1 am Wild Bill. Who are on?”

“ My name is Robin Rockwe l, and—”

 

,. The negro gave an exclamation of astonish-

ment. '
“ Mister Rockwell, is it really youl”:
“Yes; who knows me ’
“.Joe Armstrong.”
A cry of saris action broke from the man’s

l29:.Then I have overtaken you at last! But
where is Miss Lea?” ,

.“ She is not far away.” i

“ i had begun to fear I should not find you at
all,” the man declared. “ They told me you had
come toward this town. I followed and arrived
here a short time ago. I went to a hotel back
there, but a mob of men set on me, and I was
stunned by a bullet. There was a man who
came to my assistance-4’
Bi‘l‘ll reckon I was that man," affirmed Wild.

The young tenderfoot was delighted at this
disgover , and he thanked the Pistol King again
an age n.

‘f I do not know what I should have done if

i you had not appeared just as you did," he said.

I was determined not to be bullied into drink-
ing that liquor.” '

Which was quite right, though not so mighty
discreet. I like a man who won’t be driven.
But how did you get out of the lace?”

“ I scarcely know. When : was conscious

n, the salmn was dark and filled with a
howling mob.- 1- scrambled u and made a rush
withsome others. The next . knew I was out-

side." Thensoine-of them,  me, and I

   

 

,r  ’l

‘ had to knock over one fellow and take to my

heels. Luck brought me here.”

“ Where is your horse?”

“ Back at the lean-to."

“Any other animals there?”

“No.”

“Then you remain here with Joe, while I go
for the animal. You must not think of going to
that place again to—night. It is not healthy for
an honest man to spend a night in Peaceful
Pocket. He is apt to wake up in the morning
and find himself with his throat cut.” '

“I was warned, but I did not believe the place
so very bad.”

“ It is a very tough town.”

Bill left the young tenderfoot and the negro
together. while he hurried to the lean-to, hoping
he would be in time to secure the horse before
some thief got away with the animal.

He was fortunate to find the horse still in the
lean-to. The lights had been restored within the
saloon, and Bill paused to peer in at a window.

There was an excited mob around the bar, but
the three masked horsemen had disappeared.
Pacific Dick had mounted on the bar and was
haranguing the crowd. Bill smiled grimly, as
he listened to the bully’s bombastic words.

Like a shadow, a figure appeared at the
Pistol King’s side. Bill had not heard the
least sound, but he felt a light touch on the
arm. As swift as a flash, he wheeled, a revolver
in his hand. ‘

“ Ye won‘t need ter use it,” said a low, rasp-
ing voice. “ I’m a harmless ole critter.”

He saw a roundshouldered,‘white-bearded man
of solid build. There was a prominent “ bump”
on the stranger’s back, and his hat was pulled
well over his eyes. He leaned on a heavy knot.
ted stick, and his clothes were rather ragged.

“ Who are you?" Bill demanded;

“ Me? Oh, I’m only Old Hunch. I’m a
harmless old fool—at least, that’s w’at ther men
of Peaceful Pocket say.”

“ Y on may not be as harmless as you look.”

“ Hel hel’ snickered the old fellow. “ That’s
so—thet’s sol You’re a keen one, you are! Who
be you?”

“ I’m a man from Kansas.”

“0h, hol W’at be they‘doin’ in there? They
hev bin raisin’ a fearful row. heerd them
shootin’, so I kept erway. There’s Pacific Dick
talkln’.” ’ ,

“ Then you know the people of Peaceful
Pocketi” ' _

“ Well, I reckon l”

“ How long have you been in these parts?”

“A right good bit.

“ That might mean a week or ten years.
Which does it mean i”

“ Neither.”

“ Then what does it mean?”

“ Thet’s fer you ter find out. Oh, I am a fool,

but I hain’t hafe so big a one as you take me -

Bill decided the man was a crack-brained
old fellow and felt he was wasting time talk-
ing with him. He turned away, leaving the
old fellow peering in at the window.

Losing no more time, Bill secured the horse
and saddled him. Then he rode hack ‘to the.

place where he had left his Black Pard and the -

young tenderfoot. They were waiting for him.

“ All right,” said the Pistol King. “ They
had not yet got around to stealing the horse, for/1
which ypu may be sincerely thankful.”

The youn
place, and al three left the town and ascended
the slope. ’ '

Before they reached the little nook where the
tent had been pitched, they were halted by a
shar challenge: ‘

“ ho comes there?"

“It is all right, Miss Les,” , trdng Arm Jpe - ‘

assured. “. We are all friendS.’

Then the girl came out of the shadows and
met them. ‘

“ Don’t on know me, Miss Vernon?” asked
Rockwell, ismounting. -

She started backs. ittle cry of astonishment
breaking from her lips. ‘ ,

“ Mr. Rockwell—here f”

Re lifted his bat and held out his hand. ‘

“ Yes, I am‘ here ” be affirmed. '

She accepted his hand, stammering:

“ 1-71 do not understand it i” l

“ I will explain, to your: satisfaction, if you
will give me lenty of time.” ' I - ,_

“ You she have all the time you desire, Mr.

Ecckwell.” , , V.
Then they all went on to the little nook where

  

in Black Joe .lsinln they had , been un-
iugcessful in wgagglranyghlng of J Dough,
“0 _ ".V‘ I I " H ‘  .AV >

man mounted the horse in Bill’s '

the tent was pitched and the fire still smolderv 

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Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

  

 

Lea listened to the words of her faithful black
friend, but her mind was still filled with wonder
at the appearance of Robin Rockwell. They all
sat dawn near the fire, and a general conVersa-
tion followed for a time.

At length Bill ammo and told Joe he would
like to speak to him. By this device the young
people were left alone, and Robin was given
plenty of chance to explain his appearance in
that wild region.

“ Who is he?" asked Bill of Joe.

“A young Eastern gentleman. He was
aboard a. railroad train with us when there was
a fearful accident, and be aided me in getting
Miss Lea out of the wreck. I believe they fell
in love with each other on the spot.”

“ Well, I hope he is worthy of her, for it is
glam she is a splendid girl If 1 was younger—-

ut, ha! ha! ha! Hear me talk—a married
man i" '

Bill and Jae remained away from the camp
for a long time, discussing eVery side of the sit-
uation and trying to settle on some plans for the

coming day.

Billdeclared his greatest fear was for Lea’s
safety. The roughs of Peaceful Pocket knew
she was near, and the sight of one so beautiful
might arouse all the evil in their nature. ,

When the black and white pards returned to
the camp they saw at a glance that Robin had
explained his presence to the perfect satisfac-
tion of Lea. The two were chatting mer-

ril .

Then f0110wed_a lunch from dried beef and
water from a spring, and Robin relished it, for
he was decidedlyhungry. Wild Bill volunteered
to obtain provisions from the Pocket on ‘the
morrow. .

The night passed quietly, much to Bill’s relief,
Lea occupying the tout and the men remaining
by the fire. '

Bill was on guard a greater part of the time,
Black Joe relieving him‘ t0ward morning.

For all of his night-watch, the Pistol King
seemed as fresh as could he in the morning.

The last of the dried beef and hard-tack served
as breakfast for the quartette, and then the
horses were attended to.

When this was done, Bill saddled his own
black animal and told them he was goingldown
into the Pocket to urchase provisions. 6 said
he should make a. etour, so he would not enter
the town from the side nearest the camp.

The strange man did not hesitate about enter-
ing the lawless town. He rode in as boldly as if
every man of the place was his particular friend,
and he was not molested. ,

He knew he was feared by the ruflians of the
border, and his very rashness showed them how
utterly indifferent he was to their hatred. It did
nliore to keep them in awe of him than anything
e se. ,

At the general store of the town he purchased
such things as he believed would come of the
most use, leaving his horse unhitched at the
door. ‘

Of course he was keenly on the alert, but he
neVer seemed more utterly careless and at ease
in all his life.

Out of the town rode the Pistol King, and not
a hand was lifted to check him. Beyond sight of
the place, he made the detour to get back to the
little camp. He had almost reached it, when
suddenly a man stepped out into his path.

The revolver that sprung to Bill‘s hand was
thrust back into its holster when he discovered
the man was Old Hunch. The white-bearded old
fellow held up one hand.

“ Hold on, ’ he said.
thin’ ter 9. ’

The ri er drew up the horse.

“ All right; say on. ’

“ You’re knewn as Wild Bill?”

H I am.”

“I want tar say sum-

“ Last night, down in thathgown, a band of

men swore to have your m

H so,” '

»“ 

“ How many men?"

“ Twelve.”

“ Did you hear ’emi”

“ ea. 1 I

“ here were you!”

“ Layin’ clost ter a cabin wall ° they was in
ther cabin. 0h, Old Hunch may be a feel, but
he’s a sly ’uni”

Bill looked at the man with increasing inter-

est. .
“ [don’t exactly make y0u out,” he confessed.
The hunchhack laughed. v , ,
“ No, no,'nol Nobody makes me out! I don’t
mean for ’em to. He! he! he!” . -
'“ Who were the .men who swore to have my
cart?” V - . i

 

“ The bad men of Peaceful Pocket. I know
’em—l know ’em all! Three had their faces
covered with masks, but I know ’eml"

“ Masked, eh? Then they were Captain Shad-
ow and his whelps."

Old Hunch nodded.

“ Yes, yes! And one said he would give five
hundred dollars to the man who cut your heart
out.

“ That settles it!” exclaimed Bill. “ Captain
Shadow is my meat!”

“Look out or you’ll be his. He has meuny
friends, for he is chief of the Trail Pirates.”

“ Well, the Trail Pirates are apt to lose their
chief before long, Purd Hunch.”

“ Good! I do not love him. I have said
ernough, now I will go. Look out fer your
heart.”

With that warning, the old man easily scram-
bled over so no rocks and disappeared.

CHAPTER VIII.
VANISHED.

BARELY had the gray-bearded hunchback dis-
appeared when Lea Vernon darted from behind
a hu 6 bowlder and hastened to Wild Bill’s side.

“ hat man i" she panted. “ For Heaven’s
sake, follow himl”

The Pistol King was astounded.

“ Why?” he asked.

“ He is the murderer of my father I”

“ Not J ustin Douglass?”

H Yes t”

“ Impossible 1”

_“ It is true! He is in disguise, but I recognized
him. 1 would have shot him dead, but I thought
of m poor sister. Did I kill him, I might never
find er. She might perish where he has left
her. I want you to follow him and discover
where she is. Do not lose a moment! He will
get away while we are talkingl” ‘

“ My horse—”

“I will take him to camp.”

Bill waited no longer. Instantly he swung
dawn, speaking a few Words to the intelligent
horse and bidding the girl good-b . Then he
Went over the rocks after the bunch ack.

Wild Bill was an expert trailer, but on this
occesmn he resolved to keep the hunchback in
sight, if possible. He soon caught sight of the
figure, and'he saw the man was walking along
at a swinging pace, carrying the knotted stick
under his arm.

Then Bill wondered why he had not suspected
the man was disguised. He could only account
for it by sari" e was so occupied with some-
thing 3 as t iat e had not examined the white-
bearded fellow critically.

“ If he is Justin Douglas, I fancy I see a little
light on a paint that has puzzled me some,”
thought Bill.

For more than an hour he followed the man.
He took good. care to be cautious, and he fancied
Old Hunch did not dream he was dogged.

Suddenly a writhing shadow showed on the
ground at the trader’s feet, then a noose fell
over Bill’s head and shoulders and pinned his
arms to his side. . In a moment he was jerked off
his feet and partially stunned. ,

From behind some rocks leaped two masked
Eon Who flung themselves on the insnared Pistol

mg.

Bill was not conquered, though taken at an
advantage and dazm by the shock. . He fought
with a vigor that amused the two masks.

“ Cursa him i” gritted one. “ He’s a genuine
terror!” ’

The other made no reply, but, clubbin his
revolver, struck the desperate man on the end.
The blow was repeated twice, and then Bill’s
hands were secured behind him with the lariatal
The masked rufllans sat panting on the ground
and stared at their captive when this was accom-
plished. .

“ Wal, he’s ther uru’st I” declared one. “ W’y
his head must be harder’n flint ur it'd be cracked
wide open 1” .

“ Didn’t I tole yer i” snapped the other. “ You
’lowed we two wuz goin tar hev a pic. but I
knowed this yore customer. He's a devil i"

Wild Bill’s head was still ringing With the
blows he had receiVed, but he heard the words
which passed between the two men. He made
a desperate attempt to break 10056, but the men
had taken good care to do him securely6

“ No ye don’t!” chuckled one. “ e hain’t
givin’ ye that show, on bet!"

*“ Ketch hold, par ,” called the other. _“ We’ll
tie him ter this tree, an’ ther bess’ll finish him
w’en he gits along.” .

Bill was tied with his back against asmall tree,
that grew close by a dense mass of bushes. He
saw it was useless to resist, so he made’no further

 

sound of the rufiians' voices, for he meant to call
them to an necount some day.

it seemed as if one of the fellows read this
determination in the eyes of their captive, for he
shook his haul and growled:

“ You’ll never git ther chance for wipe us out,
Bill. This is your last day on yearth. Thor,
ca ’11 means ter wipe ye out, sure as shootin’.”

ill said nothing. He was a man of few
words on such smaccasion, but while his tongue
was Slluni’. his brain was wonderfully active.

He wondered how it happened that the two
Truil Pirates—for he recognized the two rufllu us
as the men who had accompanied Captain ,
Shad0w the night before—wore unassisted in ‘
their task of capturing him. Where was their‘
chief? They seemed to be waiting for Cnptuinl
Shadow, but why was not the chief of the Pi rates
on hand?

Slowly an idea crept into his hand. He was,
not willing to admit even to himself that there
was a chance of his having been decayed, but it -
really seemed possible.

If Old Hunch had been J ustin Douglas in dis-
guise and he had really cared about Fooling any
one who attempted tofollow him, he would have;
taken greater precautions.

It was possible the hunchback was Douglas but
had wished to be followed. In that case was he

not—

“ Hello there, boys! I see you have the bird!
Good for you! This is the best day’s work you,
‘ever did l”

it Wfii Captain Shadow. The leader of the
Traili’irates had appear ed on the scene. He was
afoot and his face was concealed by the baffling
mask.

- Straight up to Wild Bill walked the man, his '

eyes gleaming through the twin holes in the
sable mask. He laughed triumphantly.
“ At last i” he cried. “ At last!” ,
There was a world of hatred in his voice. He

' lifted one clinched hand as it he would strike the

captive in the face. . a
Wild Bill did not quail in the least. He looked

straight into the eyes of the outlaw, and there

was something about that stern gazo that caused

owner.
M No,” muttered Captain Shadow, “ I will not!

heart!"

As the words came from beneath the mask,
th?‘ (ihief’s hand fell on the butt of a revolver.

0

Bill, his voice steady and cold as ice.

The outlaw laughed.

“ A chance—a show i” he cried, derisivsly.
“ Well, you must think I am a fool! I have
you foul, and I mean to improve the opportu-
nity. You have killed good men enough,
and now your turn to he killed has arrivad.”

“ You really mean to kill me?"

it I do"!

“ For what reason i”

“ Do you ask such a question i”

“ You heard me ask it.”

“ Well, it is my life or yours."

H  r1

“ Yes.” .

“ How do 'you make that out?”

“ You are my deadly foe.”

“ I never heard of Captain Shadow till I
came to Peaceful Pocket."

“For all that, you are my foe.” \

“ Then I must ave known you under another
name.” '

“ Perhaps so."

“ You confess it?

“ I confess nothin .”
5 Well then, to put it differently, you boastof
“ I boast of nothing.”
Wild Bill’s lips curled in scorn.
“ You would have me believe you a brave
man,” he sneered; “ but you have shown your-
self a craven coward."

Captain Shadow started, and his hands were
clinched. ‘

“ Have a care i” he cried.

But the helpless man did not flinch.

“It is the truth.’ ‘
anything but what I say, you would meet me in
an open manner, man to man. I will fl ht you
with any weapon you may select.

H-
I."

show. l
The chief of the Trail Pirates shook his head.
” No you don’t!” be asserted.‘v “ I know
record. Wild Bill. You are a killer. and do
not propose to prove another victim for you.
You deserve death for the dastardly shooting of
Phil Cole.” ' ' a"

 

struggle. But all the time he was noting the

“ That is the worst thing, my foes can 

7‘.

the clinched hand to fall at the side of its ,'

strike you, but I will shoot you through thel‘,

you intend to givo me ashowi” asked ,

he asserted. “ Were you "

I wllwevon "
give you the advantage. All I ask is half a

our ‘

 

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‘ ‘ J . himself so Wild Bill can] not get a shot at him.

' g 7 took good care to keep away.

7 f1": iHunch when the negro, Strbng Arm Joe, came

 

 

 
   

 

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Wild Bill‘s Sable Pard.

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-,r

 

or

against me—at least, they seem to think so. Cole 1
was drunk—it was his life or mine. I was given :
orders to take him, dead or alivo, as he was ter-
rorizing the town. As it was, he fired one shot

fit me. I returned it, and my bullet found his
rain.
“ But, bahl What is the use of telling this to‘

It makes no difference that
my life was in peril. I shot Phil Cole and for
' that they condemn me. Well, so be it.”

“ I am not here to argue this."

“ There is no argument. You think you have
deceived me, but 1 know you, Dandy Doc!“

Ca )tain Shadow started.

“ ell,” he said, after a time, “it makes no
difference if you do know me. You will be dead
within ten minutes!"

“ And Justin Douglas will stain his hands with
crime once more.”

The outlaw chief fairly staggered as if struck.

“Justin Douglas!” he gasped. “ Gods!”

“ So that struck home!’ broke from lVild
Bill’s lips. “I thought it would. Yes, I know
you are Justin Douglas.” ‘

“ 1 am not-~I sweal'-—-”

, The outlaw suddenly checked himself.

“ What is the use?” he cried. “ I will not
waste my breath. Let me see that you are
secure.”

He examined Wild Bill’s bonds, saying when
he had finished:

“ A Hercules could not break them. 1 am not
hintr to shoot you from short range, Wild Bill,
at fem going to stand off at dueling distance.

Then I will show my men here how neatly I can
>' put a bullet through your heart.”
He drew a revolvsr. -

“ Come on, boys,” he commanded.

The three men walked from Wild Bill, who
seemed doomed to die like a dog. What could
save him then? Still, though looking into the
ghastly fans of death, the man did not quail.

Captain Shadow walked as far as he thought
host, and then he turned, cocking his revolver
and half-raising his hand as he wheeled.
~ The next moment a cry of wonder broke from
his lips.

The tree was deserted—Wild Bill had am-
Med!

such men as you!

CHAPTER IX.
THE sz'rox. KING’S suave.

Gosni

To say Captain Shadow was amazed would
but poorly express his feelings.

He was dumfounded. ,

His masked companions were so astonished
they could only stars at the place where their
captive had been a few seconds before.

As soon as the chief could catch his breath he
burst into a torrent of execrations. He rst
cursed himself, then he abused his two comrades.
And then, all of a sudden he hastened to conceal

‘ , The leader of the Trail Pirates did not think of
' approaching the spot where the Pistol King had
. been tied to the small tree. 0n the contrary, he
 I With his two fol-
4 ~ lowers, he took care to make himself
“ arcs,” with a suddenness that told how much
he feared Wild Bill.
' There was nothing marvelous in Bill’s escape.
Barely had he started on the trail of Old

:  upon Les. with the black horse. With a few
 words. the girl explained everything, and Joe

1 immediately expressed a desire to follow Bill.

. “ He may get into trouble, or somethin of

“that sort,” the faithful black said. " If am

near. I shall be able to help him.”

. Lea made Joe promise not to let Bill know he
. was followed, unless the frontiersman should fall
' into some trouble or need his assistance. Then
' Bill’s Sable Pard started on the track of the man

, who had rescued him from lynching at the hands

of the toughs of Peaceful Pocket. '

I It was well for Bill that Joe did so.

.. .108 did not happen to be near enough to aid

the Pistol King when the two rufllans jumped

- on him, but he soon discovered what had hap-

ned. .

.; P0 The thick bushes near the tree to which the
captive wasvbound in a standing turn enabled
the osmotic approach within a s brt distance of
“the spot without being detected. Thus he was
= able. to hear some of the conversation that pass.

«ed hstWesn Captain Shadow and Wild Bill.
.1! ithod been necessar to do'so in order to
we. Bill's life. Joe woul have confronted the
.7 :‘TraillPiratcs; but he was not rash. He
itad for his time to come, and it came when.
. masked men turnsd‘to walk to the spot from

     

Like a cat. the black man darted forward, a
knife in his hand. With two slashes, he freed
the prisoner, and then he swiftly drew him into
the thick bushes. This was done in the brief
space of time that the outlaws’ backs Were turn-
ed thot way.

Under covsr of the bushes, Bill and his Sable
Pard paused and watched the Trail Pirates. It
happened that the Pistol King had not been rob-
bed of his cherished ivory-handled revolvers, and
one of the deadly weapons found its way to his
hand. There was a deadly gleam in his eyes

i and Captain Shadow stood on the Very thresh-

old of death. .

The weapon was half lifted when Black Joe
caught Bill’s band.

“No, no!" Whispered the negro. “You must
not kill him! His time has not yet come, for
Lois is not found."

It was diflicult for Wild Bill to crush back
the hot anger in his heart. His very soul seemed
aflame with a desire to put a bullet through the
heart of the outlaw chief. He was on the verge
of one of his “devil spells,” as Bill‘s outbreaks
were once called by a side pard of his.

Nothing but a thou ht of Lea and her mission
restrained the Pistol cad Shot and saved Cap-
tain Shadow’s life.

Bill fully expected the chief of the Pirates
would come back to discover in what manner he
had made his escape, and then, he knew he would
vbe forced to confront him.

But Captain Shadow was too wise or too
cowardly tn do such a thing. He saw Bill was
gone, and he realized the man might be waiting
for him. The thought sent a shudder of horror
down his spine, and he lost not a moment in
seeking cover.

Something that was half a laugh and half a
growl escaped Wild Bill’s lips as he witnessed
the outlaw’s sudden rush to cover.

“ The craven dog!" he said. “ He turned so
pale that Icould distinguish his loss of color
from this distance. He will lose no time in get-
ting out of this vicinity."

Which was ri ht. ' ‘ '

Bill watched or a time, but none of the Trail
Pirates showed themselves. At length, he turned
to J 09, asking:

“ How in the world did you happen along at
such a lucky moment?”

JOee lained. ’

“ Wel ,” said Bill his manner being impres-
sive, “ I never did a better job than when I saved
you from the toughs of Peaceful Pocket. In re-
turn. you have twice rescued me from certain
death. Joe, I’ll swear by all niggers, if they are
like youl", ;

The darky’s 9 es glowed with pleasure.

“ Thank you! ’ he said, Simply. ,

“‘I am t e one to thank you,”asserted Bill.
“ I am proud to have such a pardi"

Joe’s embarrassment was evident. and he
stammered when he attempted to say something
more. '

After a time, the went out and looked for the
Trail Pirates, but t ethree men had disappeared,
takin care not to betray which way they went.

“ ell,” observed Bil, “ we will have'to let
them go for this time, but I am not done. with
Captain Shadow by any means. I am now cer-
tain he is handy Doc, the man I have followed
from Kansas, and I believe he is also Justin
Dou ins.” r

“ nd the hunchback whom Miss Lea said
you were following?” '

“ I think that is another disguise of this mis-
erable villain. He wanted to be followed, and
that was why he did not try to throw me off
the trail.” ' '

“ Oh, I hope we shall find Miss Lois alive and
save her from this man i”

“I hope so, too; but the only way I see of
saving her is to kill the miserable whelp who
lured her from her home.”

“ Miss Lea has taken an oath to kill him.
She means to avenge her father’s murder.”

“ And you?” . ‘

“ I have also taken an oath.”

'-‘ So?” ' '

3" Yes.”

“ To what effect?” '

" To ravent Miss Lee from staining her
hands or 'th blood.” ~
' “You,do not mean to allow her to kill the
villain?”

M No.” v
“ How do on intend to prevent it?”
“ I willkil him myself! _ 4
Bill smiled grimly. ' . " ,

“ I will save you the trouble,” he calmly said.
,“ That manuis my sins. "When Lois is found»,
then I will take h to hack to Kansas,‘or»l will

 

thejchief meant to shoot the prisoner.

’ shoot ‘himl' He failed in his attempt

to' wipe

    

 

me out. Twice has he been baffled—the third
time is mine I”

There was nothing bombastic about the man-
ner in which the words wure uttered, but there
was something terribly ominous in the speaker’s
air. Plainly he meant everything he said.

'I'he black nnd white pards turned back to-
ward Peaceful Pocket.

Bill took care to make sure they were not be-
ing followed, for he did not wish to be shot in
the back by his enemy.

They little dreamed what they would discover
when the camp was reached.

Straight to the spot where the tent was pitch-
ed thcy made their way.

A startling spectacle met their gaze when they
reached the little glade.

The tcnt had been crushed to the ground and
was trampled and torn, while there were many
other signs which indicated a desperate strug-
gle had taken place there.

Robin Rockwell and Lea were not to be found.

This disc0very nearly crazod Block Joe. He
would have rushed aimlessly about the place,
but Bill caught him by the arm and held him
fast.

“ Quiet, pardl” he said, sternly. “ Hold your
level! I want to examine sign here, and I could
not do so after you had run all over the place
and trumped the marks. If you will give me a
little time, I am surel can tell something near

.what has happened.”

“ Is it not plain enough what has happened?”
wailed the negro. “They have come upon her
here and she has been dragged away i”

“ They—who?”

‘ Our foes.”

“But that (less not answer the question.
Give me five minutes to examine the place.”

» It was difficult for Joe to restrain his despair
but he waited as patiently as possible while Bill
slowly and keenly inspected the signs made on
the ground. He seemed to read them as if they
Were print. ‘

"The toughs of Peaceful Pocket have been
here,” he declaned, at length. “ They have
taken the girl and the young tenderfoot cap—
tives. The tenderfoot fou ht like a tiger, but
they overpowered him by orce of numbers. I
do not think there was any blood shed. Prob-
ably Rockwell did not dare use his guns, and
the men of the Pocket did not wish to shoot

1m.

“ Do you think we shall find them down in
the town?” ‘

“ I trust so.”

With that Bill looked for the horses.
‘ They had not been molested.

The Pistol King smiled a bit as he noted this.

“ They did not dare take my horse,” he
thought. “ In this part of the country it is
considered a greater crime to steal a horse
than to kidnap a woman or kill a man.”

After caring for the animals, which only oc-
cupied a few moments, Bill looked to his wea-
pons. Joe was watching his every movement
and he now ventured to ask: _
I " What do on mean to do, sir?” ‘ I

The Pistol ing lifted his magnificent head, a
queer look in his blue eyes.

“ I am oing down into Peaceful Pocket and
find the g rl and the tenderfoot,” he calmly said.

“ The rufflans will be waiting for you.”

“ I know it.” ,

:: They’will try to kill you.”

6 D

s.
“ There will he a hundred of them.”
“ Nearly that.”
“ Still you are goin down?” ,
“ If there were ve hundred, I would go

down.”

“ hen I E: with you i” .

" It may to death.” .

“Where you dare go. I will follow.” ‘

A look of.satisfactlon passedover Bill’s face.

“ I knew it,” he said. “. You are made of the ‘
proper material. It is often boldness that wins
n dealing with such men as the citizens of
Peaceful Pocket, and we will make a bold pin
to-day. Come on.” '

Strai ht down into the camp they went.

The rat person they met was Ferris Blood-
good. When he saw them, the rush of the
glossy heard glanced hastily around, as if to

iscover if he was observed by the citizens of
the pocket. Then he hastily ppproachsd Bill:
and his Sable Pard. , ’ I ‘

" Look here, Wild Bill,” be swifty said, “you
want to get out of‘ here. I tell you this as a
friend. I have just come from the Dove's Nest,
and your cake is dough-if the gang there gets

ht of you.” ' . '

' he Pistol King did not seem ,a bit alarmed: 1.

“ Is thfi so?” he. coolly inquired. 1.

'4

 

 

y

“ It certainly is,” Bloodgood nodded. “ I
don’t profess to be a saint, but I do hate to
:see a man of your caliber wiped out without a

i, show.” i
:: They do not mean to give me a shew?”
- o. ’

“Just what do they mean to do?”

“ Riddle you the moment you step in at the
door.”

“Do you know anything about their captur-
ing a young lady and a tenderfoot?”

H Yes 1!

“ They did so?"

Bloodgood glanced nervously around and then
modded.

“ They did.”

“ Where are the captives now i”

“ In a back room in the Dove’sNest.

“ Then to the Dove’s Nest I go.”

“ Man alive,‘_vou are mad 1”

“ Well, yes, I am a little r’iled.”

“ That is got what I mean. You are crazy i”

“ I reckon not.”

" Well, I have warned you. I dare not re-
main liere longer. If Pacific Dick’s crowd
knew I gave you a pointer, it would go hard
with me.”

Bloodgood hurried away, and Wild Bill waik~
ed straight toward the Dove’s Nest.

His Sable Pard kept at his side.

CHAPTER X.
'rwo AGAINST THE TOWN.

WILD BILL did not hesitate about entering
the Dove’s Nest. When he reached the door of
'the saloon, he drew his ready revolvers and kept
straight on.

Strong Arm Joe also drew a revolver and fol-
lowed.

They entered the saloon, and found a crowd of
the worst men of the Pocket there. Pacific Dick
was taking a drink at the bar. ~

- T he appearance of Bill and his Sable Pard was

, noticed, of course, but not ode of the ruflianly

;. vcrew appeared to see them. The Pistol King

‘ ‘ .‘had expected trouble the moment he showsd up

in the place, and he was somewhat surprised

. when not a man seemed to observe him. '

‘ However, Wild Bill was not a man to betray

. surprise, and he walked straight toward PRCiflc

, ,r Dick, whom he had sin led out. Dick’s back

'  was toward the door, an he did not turn. The

'  g- Pards heard him say: ‘

'  ‘ v “ Why don’t ya git in a fresh supply of p’ison,

 iSbackl You hev been workin’ this stuff over

a tell it’s in bad shape. This yere manufacterin’

. ~of yer own bug-Juice is played out, an’ we re-

if}; spectable an’ peaceful citizens of this entle

 town are led to demand su’thiu’ better. 11—”

“ Is where you are mighty apt to oi” s id a

stern voice and Wild Bill’s hand ell on the
bully’s shoulder. . . .’ ~

D ck uttered an exclamation and reached for

 

 

' if: ‘ a weapon, but the cold muzzle of a revolver Was
 ,, thrust against his temple. _
  Hands off!" _

~ l; He turned till he could see Wild Bill’s

, dug eyes, and then be obeyed quick encug ‘.

 I lack Joe faced the mob of spectators, sharp-l

' ' .5: i ii watching for some preconcerted move on
:* It eir part, at they all had the appearance of

isom-

 ‘ men who were very much surprised.
. ~, .23 “ W’at’s ther matter now?” sulkily demanded

‘ ‘ gs: the threatened Dick.

" .r “ As if you do not know i”
’ “ Waal, I’m dad blamed of I do!”

'“ You he like a 6 when you say it!”

The teeth of the bu ygrated a little, and there
was anvthing but love in the look he shot the
Pistol King. 1

“ You hev a great way of makin’ that kind of

‘ talk w’en you holds that drop,” he sneered.

I “ It ,is well to have the drcip when surrounded

by a gang of wolves like as am now. I’m not
. uch . very big fool. Pacific Dick, as you ought
‘ to know by this time.” ~
v . “ Waal, what do ye want?”
-. i. “ The girl.” ,
‘ j , i “Thor gal '” ,
' , , “Yes, and the tenderfoot.”
,_. ’“. W’at tenderfootl—w’at gall”
Wild Bill’s teeth clicked. -
, “ You know what girl and what tenderfoot.
. \, There is no use in trying to play 03.”

* “ Weill. thar hain’t bin but one ’gsl an’ one
underfoot in this yere town of late. -
 that!” . '

I M go you mean theml’

.51 "Wool, I‘don’t knew 'a blamed thing ’bout
. em ‘ ' .. ,

’ ‘ {All the some. if you have ainv great desire
take me to the place

 

 

    
  
   
   
  
  
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

  

    
 
  
 
 
   

  
 
  
 
 
 

    

 imimig “vinl’~ynuly‘"
 hey are.” . _ , .- -

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

“Don‘t know anythin’ ’bout ’oni.” Dick
sullenly insisted. “ W’at in blazes do you come
tor me for? I know ther gal wuz right peel-t,
but 1 hain’t no dandy an’ I don’t go cliusin’ urter
petticoats.”

“ You know as well as I what has happened
to the girl and the tenderfoot, and, as you are
the lender in all deviltry perpetrated in those
parts, I have come to you. I mean business,
and [am not going to fool with you all day, you
can bet your sweet life!"

Bill was holding himself well in hand, but an,

Outbreak was impending. When it came—swell,
there might be cold meat in Peaceful Pocket.

Black Joe said not a word, but his eyes were
restlessly roving from face to face of those who
were watching the controversy between the
bully of the camp and the Pistol King. He
almost expected some one would try a snap shot
at Bill, and he meant to prevent such a thing, if
possible. _

The. crowd was silent, breathlessly regarding
the two men near the bar. Everybody seemed
to feel that bloodshed was imminent.

Nobody sought to interfere—they knew it
would be anything but “ healthy.”

“ That will not wash, Pacific Dick,” came
sternly from Wild Bill’s lips. “ You oughtto
know better than to try it on me.”

“ It’s honest Injun.”

“ It’s crooked!”

“ No, nol”

“But [say it is! I have you under in gun
-—you want to bear that in mind. ou’re
goin’ to talk or eat lead, and that right soon!”

:: god, fergit my pards.”

o.

“ Ef you shoot—”

“ Y ou‘ll go under."

“ Ther gang’li wipe ye out that next minute.”

“ I’ll take my chances.” ,

“ You’re not that big fool.”

“ I'm here for biz or blood. You ought to
know what that means. If you do not, so much
the worse for on. I’ll have the 'truth, or I’ll
give Peaceful ocket another subject ' for its
cemetery.”

Dick resolved to appeal to the crowd.

“Pards-—” ‘.

“ Thar—that’ll do I"

The Pistol’s King‘s words silenced him before
he was fair] begun. ,

“You wil do. our talkin’ to me,” Bill de-
clared. “ You W1} have plenty of time to talk
with them later—if you talk straight with me.
If not—- Come. come! I have wasted too much
time with you already! ' It is not my way to
chin like this.”

A desperate look settled in Pacific Dick’s
eyes. What should he do? He could not back

. down and “ squawk ” before the very eyes of the

men over whom he had lorded it so long, and to
whom he had a hundred times declared he did
not fear Wild Bill or any other man alive.

A scheme flashed through his head. He
wo‘ulndil‘talk for time; something might turn up.

“ Well?” ‘

.“ You won’t believe I tell ther truth.”

“ Is that to be wandered atl You were al-
ways known as an amazing liar.”

Well, w’at’s ther use of my tellin’ ye any-y

thin’ they?”
r “ 'I‘her is no use of your telling anything but
the truth.” .

“ You won’t believe if I tell ye that.”

“Well, try it.”

“ W’at has happened ter ther gal an’ ther
tenderfootl”

Wild Bill scowled.

“ I am askin you questions. remember that!”

" But, if I unno w’at’s happened, bow’m I
goin’ ter tell anytbiu’l”

“ Look here, Dick.-_l 800 through your little
game. You are talkin’ for the sake of usin’

our mouth. It won’t work.f If you don’t come

the point instanter I’ll throw you cold!

That’s business straighti" .

What was to be done? Dick aked ilimself
\the question, but could devise no reply. He
saw a deadly glitter in the eyes of. the man
with the revolver, and knew he could not fool
with him longer. He opened his mouth to
speak, but he did not utter a word. I
, At this instant, there came a shrill shriek
from a back room—a feminine cry of distress.

“Help! helpl”

“That’s Lea’s voicel” shouted Black Joe,.ex-
citedly. . ' .
“Help! help!” ' .
Again the cry rung out.- . .
Then there were hoarse shouts in masculine
tones, followed by sounds of a' desperate strug-
eo l , ; " " ’ “I r , \ ‘ ,\ .

l

 

- trigger.

 

‘ did not care tuarouse thedevii-i in. the

  

I

For a brief time, all within the saloon seemed
spellbound with astonishment.

The struggle in the back room quickly ter-
minated in ii heavy lull.

Then came a pistol—shot!

The next instant "he (icor was burst open
and a man staggered. into the saloon, blood
running down the side of his face.

It was Crook~nosed Clark:

“ l’m shot!” he hom‘sely cried. "That devil
broke free in some way and got the revolver
away from me. I flinnmed him down, but he
fired inter my face!”

fl Then he threw up his hands and fell to the
nor. '

Like a flush, Wild Bill’s foot kicked Pacific
Dick’s feet from beneath him. and the bully
went crashing to the floor. Then Bill madoa
dash for the door of the book room, Joe being
a bit in advance. ‘

The negro plunged through the open doorway,
but Bill turned and covered the mo .

The gang was just recovering from its amuse.
ment, and in another moment they would have
rushed for the room.

Like the blast of a bugle, the Pistol King’s
Voice rung through the saloon:

“ Slop I” '

That checked the rush. »

“ The first man to advance dies in his tracks!
I have you covered 1” ,

A score of hands were on the butts of revol-
vers, but for some reason, not a weapon was
drawn. It seemed to every man as if Bill’s
eyes were fixed on him alone and they all knew
the deadly work that would follow should the
Dead Shot begin to pull trigger.

Pacific Dick scrambled to his feet.

“ It’s all right, pardsl” he cried, triumphantly.
“Thor back door’s nailed up tight, an we hev ,
’em all like rats in a trap!”

A murmur that was half a’ cheer ran over the
crowd.

“ We’ve got ye trapped, Wild Bill i” laughed

the bully; of the Pocket.

“Don be so sure of that!” was the cool re-
tort. “ Istill have my guns, and my pard is at
in back.”

“ But what’ll y0u two ’mount to: ’g’inst ther
bull town?” . 

" Well, we will show you before we are done.
You will find us two extremely hard men to
down.”

“ But down you’ll go, just ther same. This is
w’at we wuz countin on—gittin’ you intera trap
like this.” ‘

“ I fail to see the trap.”

“ Waal, you’re in it. Thar’s no way of gittin’
out of that room thar ’cept through this
yere saloon.” . ‘ _ ‘ «a '

“Then we’ll go out through this saloonl”

“ You’ll be kerried out w on yo do!”

Of a sudden, Bill heard heavy blows behind

m. I ‘

The rou he of the Pocket also heard the
sounds, an: they looked into each others’ faces
in surprise. 5

What was the meaning of it? ,

“ Ther tut-tutteuderfoot’s tryin’ ter break
gad-dud-down ther door!” shouted Stuttering

ve. .

“That’s so!” cried Pacific Dick. “Some of
you galoots t outside an’ stop him w’en he

reaks throng l” -

“The first cuss who tries to leave this room
chews bullets!” declared Wild Bill. .

CHAPTER XI.
, A BUN FOR LIFE.

AND he meant what he said.

The mob knew it. - V '

Pacific Dick ground out an imprscation and
sought to draw a revolver.

Quick as a flash one of Wild Bill’s revolvers
covered him, and the Pistol King cried:

“ Bands u , Dick!” ’ t '

The bully esltsted but he saw the hammer of
Bill’s revolver rising before the pressure on the
Another. ounce/would send a bullet
into his bod . , f

Up went is hands. ‘ ‘ ' . 
. Crash, crash, crash, sounded the blows. The
building shook beneath them. '

It was a singular smote
a score and a half at y. '

But that one man was Wild Bill! ‘

And there was not one within the saloon but ~‘
knew the particulars of his fight with the Mo-r 
(landless gang. in which he had. Single-hatide ‘
and alone, whipped ten of the most des

 

perm ,’
and bloodthirsty border rufiians, killing sighted. ‘
them in the‘struggle. ‘ ~ . V. .

Little wonder the toughs of Peacefnli’ookotwv

 
  
 

 
 

 

lHne .man holding; > r L

      
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
 
    
   
  
  
   
  
 
 
   
   
    
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 

- of the throng.

10.

r

‘ :. mg; <

  

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

 

.—.~—

had them covered with his deadly ivory-handled
revolvers.

The silence that fell over the room was only
broken by the heavy blows which resounded
through the building. _,

.Then came a great crash!

The back door had been broken down!

“ They will escs l” cried a man in the center
“ hey must be stopped!”

Bi‘l‘l You are too late to stop them now,” asserted

“ But we hev you in a trap, dern ye!” grinned
Ivory J aw Jackson.

“ An‘ we’ll make it hot fer yo, ur I'm a lul-
Jul-liar!” stuttered Steve.

“You are welcome,” was the retort. “ But
you have not caught me half so much as you
think.”

With, that Bill suddenly gave a backward
spring that carried him into the romn behind
him. At the same instant Black Joe shut the

- door and threw into place a heavy cross-bar.

Howls of surprise and dismay came from

' within the saloon.

“ Where are the tenderfoot and the girl l"
asked Bill.

“ Gone,” was Joe’s reply.

‘6 How?"

“ 0n horses.

The Pistol King was astonished. The door had
been broken down from the outside, and this also
surprised him. He sprung to it and saw Robin
an Lesa dashing away on some spirited animals.

‘ At the same moment he saw some of the men

who had been within the saloon starting in pur-
suit of the escaping couple.

But what amazed him the most was the sight
of a man who stood by the open door, a heavy
ax in his hands. .

It was Old Hunchl

“You?” he cried; "you!" .

“ Yes, I,” nodded the white-beard. “I broke
down ther door, of I be an ole fool.” .

Bill was strongly tempted to shoot the man,
but something restrained him. He seemed to
forget his peril for the moment, but the hunch-
back did not.

“There hain’t any time ter be lost,” swiftl
said the old man. “ Now’s your time ter git
out. Thor crowd’s watchin’ ther tenderfoot an’
ther gal.”

“ And you i”

“ I am all right. The men of Peaceful
Pocket will not harm me.”

Black Joe was at Bill’s side. '

“ Come!” said the negro, swiftly. We will
make a run for life.” *

They started out, hurryin toward the nearest
cabin, intending to keep it tween themselves
and the saloun as they fled I

They were seen! ‘

A yell went up and several bullet whistled
about them, but, fortunately, they were un-
tOUCde. '

Darting around the‘ corner of the cabin, they
started on the run for life. -

Black Joe was a swift runner, and he suc-
ceeded in keeping at Wild Bill’s side, which was
no easy feat. ' '

~“ We shall he fortunate if we get off,” said the
no ro.

Never say die, pard,” returned Bill, cheer-
fully. “ We are out of that rat’s trap, for which
we may be thankful. The chances look much
brighter now than they did awhile ago. There
was a time when I felt as ifour goose was pretty
well, fried.”

They could not waste their breath in talk.

Once more yells were heard behind them, and
again a shower of bullets whistled dangerously

close to their heads. . . l .

At that very instant / the Pistol King had
turned to look back and he happened to strike
his fogt against a stone that sent him to the
grout) s
‘ *A furious about of joy broke from the mob, for
they fancied one of their bullets had brought
him down. ' ’

As he arose to his feet,‘Bill fired two shots.

' Neither bullet was wasted.

Two man went down.

Black Joe had whirled when his comrade fell,
and he mixed, with anxiety:

“ Are you hurt?” ' ‘ /

“ Not a bit, par'd,” was the cheerful rep 1y;

0

' “ but there are a couple fellows back there 3!!

Once more |hey ran onward. *
downfall of two of their number checked

the, deeperudoea for a moment, but they scone

came on o in. [They were thoroughly aroused,

 ‘- and they d d- not mean to let the black and white

 

  ; tawny. . _ ,
M:er kgoodcaretoleadthemiuadirection

 

almost directly opposite that taken by Robin
and Lea.

“ If we can reach the rocky gully down there,”
he said, “ we ought to be able to give those fel-
lows the slip.”

They headed for the mouth 03 the gorge and
dashed on.

The pursuers evidently divined their inten-
tion, for they made still more desperate exer-
tions to overtake them.

The limits of the town were passed and the
mouth of the little gorge was clmc at hand. An
occasional bullet would go singing past them.

“ We’ll make it all right," said Bill.

“ They will still pursue us.”

“ Not much I”

“ How will you stop them?” ,

“ With bullets.”

The gorge was reached and Bill crouched be-
hind a b0wlder, turning his blue eyes back to-
w..rd the pursuing mob.

One of the desporadoes was far in advance of
his companions.

“That fellow will have to go under,” calmly
obserwd the Pistol King.

The next moment Bill’s right-hand revolver
spoke, and the man went reeling forward on his
face.

The others instantly halted. They saw Wild
Bill was ensconced behind a bowlder that would
protect him from their bullets, while he could
rain 0. perfect shower of death into the midst of
them. '

They held a. consultation.

“- Well,” observed Bill, as be ejected the empty
shells from his revolvers and replaced them with
fresh cartridges, “ that brought them up with a
round turn. It stop ed them much more sud-
denly than I expect . I fully believed I would
bag? to kill five or six before they would chain
u I
pThe desperadoes Were talking excitedly, evi-
dently trying to agree upon some plan of
action.

“ What are we going to do!” asked Joe. “ We
cannot remain here and keep them back. The
can gain the top up there and riddle us or rol
stones down on us. ’

“ And that is 'ust what they are discussing,”
nodded Bill. “ t is time for us to make our-
selves scarce.”

“They will see us when we go away

“Not if we can help it.”

“ Well, how are we to help it?”

“I will show you,” replied Bill, after he had
carefully glanced around. “ Do you see that
little gully there?”

‘6 Yes.”

“ Well, we must keep this bowlder between

. us and the mob out, there till we reach this end

of that gully. Then We’ll have to creep down
it til! we can reach the cover beyond.”

“ Can we do it?” v

“ We can try.”

“ All right.”

“Are you ready?”

to Yes.” t

“Then go ahead. I will remain here and
make it warm for the gang, if they try to make
a rush.” . .

Joe did not hesitate, for he knew it was the
only thing to be done, so he at once began to
creep away, taking care to keep the bowlder
between himself and the toughs. In this way
he reached the bOWIKler. and, lying flat on his
Bfimach, wiggled his way down to the bushes

ow.

Occasionally Wild Bill would show himself to
the band of ruflians, but he kept his person con-
cealed the most of the time. At length a low
whistle came up from the bushes below, telling
him his pard had reached their cover.

Then Bill arose and deliberately sent two
bullets whistling into the knot of men, causing
them to scatter precipitatvly.

Having done this, the Pistol King dropped on
his hands and knees and crept away after Joe.

He reached the little gully, and, pressin him-
self close to the ground, crawled to the ushes
below. Once fairly beneath their cover,‘ he
found himself with Joe, who was waiting.

“ We’re in luck!” laughed Wild Bill. “They
have not smoked our little game, and probably
still think me behind that bowlder. Now we
shall have no trouble in giving them the slip.”

He led the way, and Joe followed. As he had
said, they found no trouble in getting awa , al-
though they were within hearing when a c oru
of savage ells told the mob had discovered it
was trick ‘ . ' l

“ Let them whoop,” said Bill, grimly. “They
can yell till their! throats are acre, for all we
care. We arebeyond their reach for the res-
ent,.and the radians of. Peaceful Pocket. ave

 

been bearded in their den. They will never get-
Over the disgraca of this day.” .

They circled the town, moving toward the
spot where the tent had been pitched.

“ Do you think we shall find Miss Lea there?”
asked Joe.

Bill shook his head.

“ It is not at all likely, pard. “ It is my
horse I am thinking of. only hope I can get
there ahead of the toughs. If they touch that
animal—” ,

He did not finish, but the look on his fecal
spoke as plainly as words. Blood would flow 1!.“ l
the black steed had been stolen.

They reached a point where they could look
down into the town, but their observathn told
them nothing. They wasted but little time.

As they approached the spot where the tent
had been, Bill grew very cautious.

“ The devils ma attempt to ambush us here,”
he explained. “ e must look right sharp.”

They saw not a sign of the ruflianly crew, and
soon they reached the spot where the horses had

een.
Had been—rfor they were gone! .
A furious exclamation of anger escaped Wild

Bill.

 

CHAPTER XII.
THE LOST Is FOUND. .

REVOLVER in hand, the Pistol King leaped to
the spot where the horses had been. He could
hardly credit the evidence of his eyes. _

“ Gone l” he grated through his clinched
teeth. “ Stolen! Well, the thieves shall pay
dearly for this!” i

There was a terrible look on his face, which
told. he was now thoroughly aroused.

But at this moment, trong Arm Joe made a
discovery. A bit of paper was fluttering from
the trunk of a tree at one side of the glade. saw

“ See there!” cried the negro, pointing toward

it.

Wild Bill saw the paper and sprung forward
to secure it. At a glance, he saw there was
writing upon it. He snatched it down, and his
eyes eagerly ran an the scrawled words. Then
an exclamation of relief broke from his lips.

“ It‘s all right!” he declared.

“ What’s all right i"

“ Everything."

“How do you make that out?”

“This was written by the tenderfoot. After
the pursuit was given over, Rockwell and Miss
Lea came here and took the horses away.”

“ Then they were not stolen i” a

N No.”

is Good I”

“ You may well say so. But I wonder where
the tenderfoot and Miss Lea are at this mo-
mentl”. .

Th: couple were miles away, riding to the:
nort .

An hour before they had sat in the little back‘
room of the saloon, both bound to chairs and‘
Robin gagged. Crook-nosed Clark held a re—
volver against Rockwell’s head and swore he
would blow the cung man’s brains out if Lea
cried for he! . n the main room of the saloon
they could gear ‘Wild Bill threatening Pacific
Dick with instant death.

But Robin was not as helpless as he looked.
In days gone by, he had often amused himself

with what i known as “ the Great Rope Trick.” .

He would allow himself to be tied by auv one,
and the rope might be knotted in fifty places;

then, in the concealment of a cabinet, he would.

release himself in less than half a minute.
It is not necessary to explain here how the

trick is done, but there is a great deal in the: x

swelling and ex ansion of muscles. When the
rope was knotte about Robin’s wrists, he took
good care toex and the muscles so his wrists
were unusually arge. Then his hands were fas

toned behind the chair, and when theiright _,

time came, he quietly worked them free from
the ropes. . ’

Then, at a critical Juncture. he flung himself
on Crook-nosed Clark. ’

The attack was wholly unexpected, and Robin .

succeeded in wresting the revolver from the ruf—
flan’s hand.

But the chair still hung to the young man,
bound there by the. ropes. he , had not found a
chance to loosen. Clark saw this and he gras
ed Robin in such a manner that both went eras -

ing to the floor, while Lee’s cries for help rung ._ _
in Robin’s gran , ”

out. . I
Then the revolver exploded
and the bulls-tripped a ong Clark’scheek, In -

ing a wound that was painful and disfiguring._ : 

but in no way dangerous.

The rascal scrambled to his feet, thinking   

sen fatally injured, and fled 'into the saloqn.

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' with her.

I .

\ to! Pocket tried to capture or ill Wild Bill.

' ’    into thePistol Mind’s/hands, would inform Wild
 min they rode away to the north.

' very place where 'those villains will look for us.”

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

  

1 I.

 

Robin tried to arise from the floor, but, with
the chair still bound to him, he was unable to do
so. -
Lea could not aid him, for she was also fast to
a chair.

.What could be done?

Was all the desperate stroke for liberty to
prove profltiess?

Robin began tearing at the knots with his fin-
gers, and thena man came bounding into the
room.

Black Joe was on hand!

At the same moment, Wild Bill’s voice rung
out in the command that prevented the ruffiuns
from rushing toward the door, at which he stood,
weapons in his hands, and held them off.

The negro instantly leaped to the side of his
young mistress.

“Miss Lea—a”

“ Help Mr. Rockwell, J on,” commanded the
girl. “ Quick—cut him free!”

Joe hastily produced a knife, but he first cut
Lea. free; then he released Robin.

“ You were just in time," declared the young
man. “ But now how can we get out of here!”

“ Here is a door.”

They tried it, but it was nailed fast.

“ By Heaven! we are still in a trap!" gasped
Robin, his face paling. '

At that very moment the first blow fell on the
door from the outside. They started back as-
tounded, staring at it as it shivered beneath the
terrible shocks it received.

“ Who can it be!" they asked each other. “ Is
it friend or foe?”

The question was soon to be answered. The
door shivered and split before the blows, and
then it came crashing into the room.

And there stood Old Hunch, ax in hand!

Lea uttered a low shriek and started back, as
her eyes rested on the man.

Hunch did not seem to notice this.

“ I am here to save on i” he said, swiftly,
Seeming to forget his dia act in his excitement.
“. Here are horses at the door. Mount them and
ride for your lives! It is your only chancel”

“ But you—”

“ I’m all right. Go, go!”

It is not certain what Lea would have done,
but Black Joe caught his young mistress up in
his strong arms and ran to the nearest horse
As if she were a feather, hetossed
her up on the animal’s back.

“ Jae!” she remonstrated—“ Joe, that man—”

f‘ It is no time to think of that now," declared
the negro. “ If the devil himself shows you a
way to escape death, will you not accept it'l”

“Joe is ri ht.” said Robin, who had swung
up to the bac of the other horse.

“ Go!” cried Old Hunchsgain—‘l go, go!”

J as struck ‘Lea’s horse With his open hand, and
the animal sprung away. Robin kept at her

do. .

Then the faithful ne sprung back into the
saloon to be at the si co! the man who called
him “ Pard.” . i

“ What will become of them—what will be-
come of poor Joe?” gasped Lea,-as she clung to
the mane of the ho’rse. _ g

,“ They may be able to escape 3m some way,”
replied Robin. “That old man-”

. ‘ That' was Justin Douglas?!"

“ Impossible 2”

, “I know it seems so, but it is true. I recog-
nize the voice.”
"gut why should he dare so much to save
on ,
y “ That is more than {can tell.”

They heard the yellsof those in pursuit, and
Robin looked back.  ’ ,

“ The fools!” he half-laughed. “ Do.the,v
think to overtake gas afoot? Well, that is just
the thing, for “5:11! give Wild Bill and Joe a

chance to escape. '
Before they out of the town he saw the
black and whi pards running for their lives.

with a mob in pursuit. The ones who had at
first started after the girl :and the tenderth
turned back to fall into the other chase. .
Thus the young man and the girl were per-
mitted toescape, while the flea radoes of Peace-

They decided to goat once to the place where
they had pitched the little tent, and they. did so.
There they found the horses. ‘

“ We must not remain here, for this is the

. “And we must take the horses away,” said
readymitted Lea. ~
:80 thev decided colleave a note that, if it fell

Bill his horse was all right. This they did, and

“ Anywhere, so long as we get be end the
reach of the men of Peaceful Pocket. hey are
rfect tigers! That is the worst place I over
card tell of! Why, I never dreamed such a
place could exist in a free and enlightened coun
trylike this!”

“ I cannot go away,” asserted Lea, grimly.

Robin locked surprised. ,

“ Why l"

“ Lois is not found—my WOI‘K is not done.”

“But you must leave that place for a time.
When you are safe beyond the reach of those
wolves, I Will agree to go back there, if you
Want, me to. I am ready to do anything for

on.

“ But the danger—"

“ The danger is nothing, so long as lam doing
angthing in my power to assist you.”

is gazn sought her eyes, but her ‘lashes
drooped. For all of the excitement and peril
through which he had just passed, he was actual-
ly making love to his beautiful companion!

“ You are very kind,” she softly said.

They rode on and on, the other horses follow-
ing. She was on her own horse now, and in her
side-saddle, which made it much easier for her.

They scarcely knew whither they were going.
Away to the north they went, mile after mi 0
being passed.

At ength they came to a little pocket-like
valley, and exclumations of astonishment broke
from their lips as they beheld a tiny cabin with
the door standing wide open.

“A cabin!” cried Robin.
he're!”

“ And they may be friends!” laughed Lea.
“ If so 'we are in luck, for now the tent is
ruined.”

“ And night is near at hand i” said the young
man, glancing upward. “ It would not be
pleasant to sleep in the open air. Let’s ride for-
ward and see who lives here.”

Onward they rode, and the sound of horses’
hoofs fell on the ears of the single inmate of the
cabin. She sprung up and hurried to the door,
just as Robin and Lea drew rein there. ‘

Then came the wild cries of recognition.

“ Lois!"

H L80 1”

The lest sister was found !

“ Somebody livss

 

;CHAPTER XIII.
ACCUSED. '

WITH a glad cry of delight, Lea slipped down
from the saddle and the sisters were quickly
clasped in each other’s arms, laughing and cry-
ing all in a breath.

Robin Rockwell was astonished. He could
scarcely believe by pure chance they had come
strai rht to the one for whom Lea was searching.

I ea my sister!” cried Lois, holding the
other oil to look in her face, as if a doubt still
lingered in her mind. “ls it possnblei"

' It certainly is, Lois,” was the lad reply.
“But oh. I have searched for you sofiong, and I
have feared I should never find you.”

"But you—here—away out in these wilds! I
cannot understand it! It still seems as if I
might be dreaming!”

‘ It is no dream, sister mine—I am here.”

When Lois" was convinced, she would have
drawn her sister into the little cabin, forgetting
in her excitement there was another.

But Lea did not forget her escort.

“ Mn. Rockwell—” l

“ I ml! attend to the horses,” he hastened to

so .
he did so, giving the sisters time enough to
come to comet in like an understanding.
“Lee,” said Lo s, as she pushed her sister to a
chair, “I am still unable to understand your
being here.” - ,
“ I will explain it all in a few moments.” as-
sured Lea, as she looked around and saw the in-
terior oftbe cabin was unusually cozy and com-
fortable for that remote section.
Lois noted that glance, and she tossed back,
her golden hair, as she quickly said:
“ You must not look for the luxuries of the
East, sister. This is a wild section, and we
have done as well as we could.”
“ We 1” ‘ How that little word grated on Lee’s
care. She actually turned pale and looked for
the man whose hands she behaved were stained
with her father’s blood. ‘
Lois noted her pallor, and she quickly reached
her side. -

" What is it, Lea? You rew white so sud-

 

  
 

v , ism..sz shall we go?” asked'Lea, helplessly. l
 ,H ’  ‘  ‘\ >L ‘

 

 

I will tell on:
011

“It is nothing Lois—wait!
soon. Let me look into your dear face.
lmk happy—” '

" And I am.”

“ Does no sorrow mar your life?”

“ No—yesl There is one.”

“ What is it?”

“The thought that Iliad to leave you and':
dear father in such a way.”

Lea caught her breath and clasped her hand
to her heart. Lois bad sunk on her knees at her-
sister’s feet, but she started up, crying:

“ What is it, Lea? I am sure it is something!“
Tell inc—tell me the truth!" ‘
Lea rested one trembling hand on the golden.
head at her knee.

“ Wait. It was only a little pain. I have:
lots to ask you. Where—where is—l’
“ Justin l” .

A nod was the reply. Lea could not bring her

self to utter that name just then.

“ He has gone to Peaceful Pocket."

There was no longer any doubt—Justin Doug

Ins and Old Hunch Were one and the same.

“ When will he return?"

f  lilo said he might not be back till after night»
a .

‘i‘L’ois, does lie—«ices ’he always—treat you.»

we 'l‘

“ Treat me well! He treats me as if I were a.

queen! And I am—the queen of his heart!”

Len turned her head aside, for she did not wish;

her sister to see the look in her eyes.

“And you—never—regret?”

wife slowly re lied: .

“ Yes, Lea, do sometimes.”

In a moment the eyes of the sisters met, such
Le i breathlessly asked:

“ What—what do you regret l”

“ You frighten me!” said Lois, drawing back.
“ You not so strangely! I cannot understand.
you at all!”

Lee’s arm slipped around the other’s neck anti»
their heads were close together.

“ Do not be alarmed, sister mine.
question, please. What do you regret?”

“ That I was compelled to separate myself
from my home and friends.”

“ Is that all?”

“ That is all.”

“ Does—does he seem the same as of old i”

“Just the same—no. better! I understand
him now. Lea, my husband is one of natures:
nobleman! He has a heart as large as his whole-
body, and he is so tender and kind i”

The black-haired sister hit her lips to keep-
hack the hot words which were trying to force
an utterance, and she took good care that Lu
could not see her face. The happy little WC
rattled on:

,“ You know you thought he was handsets
and manly in the long ago-3’
“ When I first saw him.”

“Yes. Well, he is still handsomerand more»
manly now. Oh, you will fall in love with him
when you see him—you can’t help it!”

Answer my

i

one was cry gin her heart. ,

thin that is brave and true. The one sorrow*

place?”
t we.

bury you if this wild and lone!
clares‘is demented.

boys.»

the crime?” .

one reason why we came here.
was that he wished to dro
and give it time to forget e wasin any way

crime.” '

the extreme.
these were Justin
making a hbme there in that
the hustle and whirl of the war! . No. no!
like his brother, was a criminal, and ‘
sought to hide from the stern halide! the‘law..i
to his.” " > ' , by _~
u Sister?” . » ‘
“grave sad news for you.” . - ‘ r.
'I‘ Men-haired one storted‘flpl “Plugs.

E
s.

. “ Fa her—” ‘

 

denly and looked around as 'i .afraid."
\ The brunette remembered it was robable‘
Justin Douglass was not about, as she had seen

him in Peaceful lfocket, many miles away. '

 

“Yes,itisofhim.” ' m ' ~
9‘ What—what is ill Tell. mhtcu‘

truthl. lie—he indeed?” .1 A _ a
Leo Ho

weapon.-   l 4

i
“ He is so gentle and good, and he loves every-l.

“ Has he heard from his brother since-Talus», y.

“‘ Yes, twice—both times a threat. That we. :
Another reason 3 
out of the world, 1; ‘

connected with the Douglas who perpetratedthefl

Lea fancied the explanations were faulty in ,
Not for omoment did she believe I
Douglas’s true reasons'forz. _
t. safer frfim,  '-

9 

There was a moment’s pause, and then the girl» I 

. P

“God pity her! God pity herl” the listening; 
n ., .

 

of h 3 life is the thought of his brother’s crime."  . 
I“ Why did he bring you away out here—why. 

to escape his brot er, who he do- . ’ '
_ Morris Douglas has sworn ‘
to ruin him—to destroy his life. his fancier
Justin turned against him when they were,

  
   
  
  
  
   
    
     
  
   
  
   
    
     
    
  
     
    

l

.4 vi
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.4} ‘

 

    
            
 
    
  

  
 
  
   
   
     
 
 
 

   

 
 

      
 
  
   

    

 
 

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a '  ~ I I, I

".12

Then the girl-wife gave a great cry and sunk
:“rback at her sister’s knee, burying her face in
Lee‘s lap and wildly sobbing:

“Oh, my father, my father!

«old father!”

Her grief was genuine and deep, and the dark-
baired sister did her best to abate it. At length
she said:

“ Do not give way so at this, sister, for there
“is worse to hear."

Lois started back aghast.

“ Worse!” she gasped.

Dead—my poor

“ What can you

mean?"

“ What I have said.”

“ Worse? Impossible! Nothing could be
worse!”

i ‘ “ Ah, but you do not know all!"
‘ . “‘I know I left my dear old father in anger-—
‘ left him with rage in my heart—and now be is
' dead! I have never seen him—l have not heard
r diis words of forgiveness! That is one thing I
' looked forward to, for I fancied he would relent.
Oh. God! it is terrible l” '
Her agon was heartrending. ,
“Great eavenl” thought Lea. “ What will
she do when she knows the truth? It will kill
her!" '
And then she began to believe it would not
‘be possible to tell her sister the truth then.
Still, if she did not do so, how was she to induce
Lois to go away—how was she to get her from
the man whose hands ware stained with the
blood of her old white-haired father? That was a
«question she co ld not answer.
. It was grow g dusky within the room. The
neon had set and hi ht was coming on.

Robin came in row attending to the horses.
and Lee. was glad of that, for it turned their
thoughts and their cenversation for a time.

i  But she knew the worst must soon come, for
1  j Justin Douglas was liable to appear at any
‘ ' minute. She did not fear the man, murderous
 wretch though she believed him 'but she knew
I he would try to baffle her in ett ng Lois away.
, , . Haviu thought of all this, on found a chance
- f; ’ to leave or sobbing sister in a» chair and draw
 ,.Ii.obin Rnckwe‘ll‘aside.
-. “ Mr. Rock well,” she swiftly and softly said,
' _ "‘ what is to be done?"
3 ' “ Explain the drift of your question, and I
‘ jx will try to answer it to the best of my ability.”
 v“ sister is living here with the man who
murdered our father, and she did not till a mo-
_ {sent ago know of father’s death. She will not
. aelieve Justin Douglas his murderer.” .
it No!" I
1 ‘ ' “‘  r
i "“ ve you told her?”
*“ Not at.”

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
 
   
   
  
 
  
   
   
  
    
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
 
 
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
     
 

“From what she has said. She thinks the
' .mauis all that is noble and true, and it will take
; {gore than my word to convince her to the con—
, or ‘

tinie.’

III a r at an
my pm y get her away till after

“ I know. of no wayuto

- “ It is sohard—so hard!”

, “I know it.”

I “ I fear it will break her heart!”

 “Isssnoo or course.” \

, Nor did Lea so she went back to her sister,
first» lighted an oil lamp, for it was not

n to it.
~"“ Lois, I must tell you all, for I want you to
,go away from this place with me.”
 ’ Lois removed the handkerchief from her face
I intrigued at her sister in astonishment
" *‘ .o away?” the repeated.
‘ “YOI.” ‘ V l
‘ ' "‘ You do not mean that—where? Oh, I knowl
you want me to go back home.” '
:‘“You must fly from this man you call your
nsband.” . -
sMif touched by electricity, the weeping girl
neon her feet,1amaselnent expressed on her

‘3
E
E
if
i
s
E.
D'

as
‘3.
a

     
    
   
   
 

ear. Might?”
Lea went to her and took her in her arms. v
,3  ,‘iYes, Lois, you heard aright. It is for that
“mascot! am here. I have come to save you.”

“ “To save me?” ‘ '

it": rescue you from a human moo-ten”:

  
  
   
  
   

    
 
    
 
 
    

  

and thrui'ltherbaekso their e rs met.
Snot? saw this kin ‘

 
  
 

'   law:
""I swell-.5"

I .-  enzyme-aw,

‘ ‘ , .“;Then.how do you know she will not believe '

W
.Rgbin grew thoughtful, but Lea hastened to
.1 no .: -
' x There is no time to be lost, for Justin Dougr

,“ What are'you saying?” she cried. “Did I "

her hands. on her - sister’s. shoal--

meet"  ._ .,

 
  

   

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

you 2are avoiding telling me something. What
is it.

“ It is of father.”

“ Father! What —speakl What horrible
thing is this I see in your face and read in your
eyes? Tell me——-tell me, or I shall go mad!”

“ He Was killed.”

“ K tilled l’”

“ Murdered 1”

Luis would have fallen, but Lea held her fast.

“ Murdered 1” she gasped. “ By whom?”

A dark form appeared in the open doorway.
Justin Douglas had returned!

With one arm about her sister, Lea pointed an
accusing finger at the man in the doorway.

“ Yes, murdered 1” she cried; “ and by that
dastardly wretch l”

. CHAPTER XIV.
FOLLOWED.

SATISFIED the horses were not in the hands of
the toughs of Peaceful Pocket or the Trail
Pirates, Bill and Joe turned from the spot, leav-
ing the ruined tent where it lay crushed to the
ground. '

“ We will trail them,” said the Pistol King.

Barely had they started on the trail when they
were confronted by Ferris Bloodgood.

“ Hist!” he cautioned, holding. up his empty
hands. ‘.‘ I out ahead to warn you.”

Wild' Bill had him covered. but he lowered
the weapon.

“ Of what?” he asked.

“ Danger. The gang is coming.”

" From the Pocket?”

H Yes.”

“ Comin this way'i” ,

“Yes. hey thought you might come here.
You gave them the slip over you, but they still
swear they will have your heart.”

. They will be welcome to it when they get

It.

“ Well, I didn’t know but they might catch

you at an advantage if you were not warned.”
«Bill looked keenly at Bloodgood.

“ Look here,” he said, " if you are such an
honest man, what makes you live in such an in—
fernal hole as Peaceful Pocket?” .

“ I do not live here.”

“ You are living here now."

“ Only for a short time.”

“ Well, that is enough.”

“ I have my reasons. There are other honest
men in the place.” '

" Well. I reckon they are mighty few and far
between.” _

“ I cannot deny that, but they are there.”

“ They do not dare assert themselves.” «

6‘ N03
they had better get out of the place.”

“ Well,
" That s what I intend to do. But I must bus-

I

had been giving you pointers. They w lbe here
before long. Good-day.”

Bloodgood hurried away.

Bill shook his head. i

“ I don’t know what to thinkof that man," he
declared. “ He may be straight goods and he
ma not.” '

“ here’s something about him I do not like,"
asserted J 09. > .

“ Well, there’s something about him I do not
like but he seems all right.” .

“ l-Iis eyes are restless and wild.”

“ I have observed that. But he says the men
of the ,I’ocket are coming. We had better move
a on . '

Thge trail was plain enough, and Bill had no
trouble in following’it almost at a run. No sign
of the crowd from eaceful Pocket was seen. ‘

Away went the pards on the trail, but it was
not always so plain. They came to sections
where it was necessary to follow it much more
2:)le and night shut down before they reached

9 en ., '

“ We shall have to stop right here for the
hi ht,” said Bill. “ Eirly . in the morning we
w lagain take up the trail.”

- They little dreamed they were not‘much over
smile from the end of it.

“ i am as hungry. as a dog,” declared Bill.
“And so am , confessed Joe. “ What’s to
be donel” ‘ ' -

“Not a thin 'to-‘niglit. Inthe morning we
will be able to ad game of some kind. We will
have to tongbit out, pard.” , ‘

With the coming of night, a cold wind ‘drew
thron h the ravine. They sought shelter in a
_ niche hind some bowlders, and built a fire for

:tha warmthait would vacut. v i
‘ Joe withsd tartan ‘ guard during theflrst of

   
  

 

   
 

the n, declarin this hnj er wassoaoute'he
 8‘     . 

 

these parts.

tle along, for I would not have the gen think I_

I the place where a broad

 

~lcreeausscromsqnqoul bud

Bill took a brand from the fire, and, going to
a mass of bushes, began to search about with the
aid of the light.

In a few minutes he returned, bringing some
scrub-like bushes which he had pulled up by the
roots.

They had discovered a place where the water
dripped down the rocks, and there Bill washed
the dirt from the roots.

“There,” he said, dividing with Joe, “this
will furnish our entire repast for tonight.
Chew those roots, but do not swallow them‘.
The juice will serve to make you forget your
hunger for a time.” ‘

So they sat down b the fire and chewed the
roots, talking the whifia. -

“One thing that is hard for me to under-
stand,” observed Bill, “is that Old Hooch——
who is Justin Douglas, you say—should have
helped us all out of that scrape in the Pocket.”

Joe shook his head.

“ I can’t understand it mysolf,” he said. I

“ I s it not possible there is a mistake?”

“ What kind of a mistake?”

“ ()ld Hunch may not be Douglas.”

“I do not think there is a doubt about
that.”

“ Well, the whole business is somewhat mixed.
That Hunch is Captain Shadow I am pretty
Sure. He led me into a trap in a way that I
despise, but you got me out of it. The man
seems to be playing a double part—that of an
honest old fool and a desperado. Why he should
do so is what sticks me.”

They were silent for some time. ’Outside
the circle of fire-light, it was dark down there
in that little niche, but the moon was creep-
ing up so that the ravine would be lighted ata
later hour. . :.

After a while, Joe spoke:

“I wonder where Miss Lea can be.”

Bill shook his head.

“ You know as Well as I." V

“ I hope she has shelter of some kind, yet what
shelter could she find i”

“ There is little chance of finding shelter in ,
But I think RockWell will do him
They are probabi

best to watchover her.
He w l

crouching beside a fire somewhere.
guard her through the night.”

“ He appears like a fine young man.”

“ Yes, his appearance is certainly in his favor.
And it is plain hat heis desperately in love with
Miss Lea. Otherwise, he would not have fol-
lowed her to this wild region.”

“Miss Lea will not th nk of love till she has
found Miss Lois and knows her father’s_mur~
derer is punished for his awful deed.”

“ She may not mean to think of love, but—”

“But what?” .

“ Well, I read her secret in her eyes when
she met the tenderfoot. 'She loves him al-
ready. A man with half an eye could discern '
that. ’

“aloe could’not deny it, for he had seen the same
ng.

When they had chewed the roots for a time.
the negro declared that he did not feel in the
least hungry. Bill smiled and declared:

“You will feel the craving of hunger all the
more'acutely when the effect of this stuff pass“.
Then you will think that you can eat boot-
leather or an thing else.” ' .

Joe insist on standing guard the first part
of the night, for Bill thought it was best that
one of them should remain on watch while the
other slept. So the Pistol King lay down and
left his Sable Ford on watch.

Joe replenished the fire and walked about
for a time. Then he sat down and watched
the line of moonlight creeping down toward
the bottom of the ravine away to the right.
He saw it would not touch the spot where the
had built the fire, for the walls above shut it
out. But away back along the ravine through
which .they had come it was creeping down, to
li ht the bottom. , ~ . ‘ I

he longdrawn bowl of some prowling '
animal sent a chill down the negro’s back, for it
was mournful and «weird. '- i ‘

The hours slipped away.

J as had almost fallen into a drowse when-
something a used him.
was, but he st rted up, looking'arpund. r ‘i I

A dead silence seemed to rest over everything. H
tThus rinolonlight was now flooding the ravme to

e r g t. i - , . ‘ ,
thSormathing attracted. Joe’s attention down.  

ere.
into the deeper shadow and . V
‘ l I . patch" of moonlight
layibetween two dark‘biotebeeof stardom:-  :" i‘ _- "

a saw something moving! it. swiftly.

 

 

 

 

He knew not what it  V,

The fire had 'died‘ down. but he Iteppod;- _  
flared down toward .  

   
  
  
       
     

 

 

 

 

 

. Joe fancied the sound did not seem natural, and
 something seemed to warn him of impending (lan-

_. ger. Then. as he watched, he saw still another figure
’ r skulking across the m' onlight patch.

H e decided to arouse Bill.

A touch was sufficient. The Pistol Dead Shot sat
up in a moneut. wide-awake.

“Wh .t is it? ' he cautiously asked.

“ Come here."

He uroso and Joe drew him into the shadows.

" Look down there."

Still another figure was crossing the moonlight
patch! :

“ That is the fourth I have seen. And hark !~—
there it is again!“

The ! not of tte owl came up from below.

Som' thing like I‘ growl escaped Wild Bill’s lips.

“ The dues of Peaceful Pocket!" he softly ex-
. .- claimed. “They are on our lraill I imagine the

whole town is down :here." '

“ What’s to be done?"

“Wt-ll, i feel like remaining right here and giving
them a battle, but it would not be good policy. We
must get out. Come." _

As they started to steal away in the dark shadows,
the boot of the owl again came up from b_ hind them.

It was answered further up the ravine!

“ The devils are on both sides of us!” grated Wild

 CHAPI‘ER XV.
ms wmra mans TURN.

.‘ Tan situation was startling. to say the least. The
“ men of Peaceful Pocket had located their position
. '. and taken care to come upon them both up and
down the ravine As the walls were very precipi-
tous at that point, there seemrd no way of esc. pe.

 - v “ We are in a trap!” “hlsprrrtl Joe.

f“ * “That is what those whel s of. Satan think." calm-
? n * ly answered Wild Bill; " ut it will have to be a
' mighty strong trap to hold us, pawl.”

y
.r.\_

never relinquished hope while life lasted. His in-
, domitablc courage carried him throu h ascore of
 ,v ' difficui ies which would have resulte
_, A for a common man.
There was nothing c/mmon about Jim Hikok.
 " What can we do?” ask ed Joe.
~ _ “ Fight, if we have to.” was the quick retort.
‘f' ‘ But than are so many of them that—" .
6'; I “ The more the merrier. But we will give them the
slip if possible. Come on; follow me, and keep oh so
 in the shadows here. They will: find a deserted fire
3-11,; wh' n they reach this nook." -
g’ ’ i” - Bill led the way, skulking along close 'to the wall
 t. v where the shadows were dense, the white moonlight
lyin ten feet to the left. i
' W Id Bill‘s eyes seemed as keen as those of an owl,
, for they apparently discerned every: suggrstlve
shape in the darkness. .

To the ears of both men almin came the booting
signal of the rumanly crew creeping like assassins
upon their intended rey. The se rascals knew Wild
Bill. and they be to catch him nappin . They
had no relish for an open tight with h m, or all of
"Jr ir numbers.

Suddenly Bill came too place where two large
bow ders ay within less than three feet of the .r-
' endicular wall of stone. At the same momen he

e‘tected moving figures ahead-figures advancing
toward them through the shadows.

{ck as thought. Bill caught his Sable Rard’s
in at and crouched close to the ground. He (1!“ not
even whisper a word, but he s t the example by

‘ ‘ creeping in behind the bowlders. It was a close
,  ?' "'fi squeezebut he succeeded in getting in and when
l  . ,‘ .1133? fgllgwed he was compelled to crawl half upon
 . s o y. l
' . it - There they lay and listened. They heard the
Bonind of cautious footstepa.ahd then a soft voice
say ng: , .
" member. nards, It’s death tor Wild Bill. Thar
hain‘t ter be no foolin’.”
“Ireckon we‘ve tooled with him ernough.” was
the almost whispered re ort.
- “.We'll Wipe him out t is time sure.” .
“.rerhaps you will. perhaps you won‘t." thought
thedobjgct of their remarks. “ I m smut heavy odds
ye on
"  As soon as the Party had mailed on and they
'. thought it safe to do so, the paras backed out or
-; their place of concealment. . r
. t ‘ But they. e an error in doing so so soon. 1
. .: , There was one straggler who had not passed.
  lag]: heka the the two dark figures rise up by
v t me a. '
 2._ age knew they were not his friend, and with a
.z .. :wil‘d yell, he snatched out a revolver and began fir-

31a .. . V \
. him: Joe went down with the first shot.
 The man only had a chance to pull trigger twice,
; and then Wild-Bill‘s revolver spoke. ,
"Va-Thatwos enopgb.‘ The man plunged forward on
‘ . >w¢efiandh still. _ .. . t
 Blll}. , o-misc was complete—Abe whole party
jwas'slarmod.,., t '.~ ~ g . I
Z Billrltmtholgll was not an instant to lose. .'
Thrustiug bargain}? into its I holster. he stooped
a: ., - '. tj . . v' _ r

 m» '-'. . 2:. . <

 

 

 

  

   

 
 
 

E

   
     

h:

ill was one of the never-sav-die'kind, and he ‘

disastrously-

'l- ‘. ' 9 n
s, W .16. B111 s Sable Pard. l 3-
f
‘ if “What IS it?" J00 aske’d himself. “ it seems like and caught hold of his Sable Pard. Joe greased as “ it must be our fees!“ whispered Joe. in fear. ,
. - some kind of an animal. he felt Bill‘s touch, and muttered: “ It is in the wrong direction.“ assured Bill. “ It. . i ‘ .
a a, The figure disappeared. and then, after a moment, 1 “Done for! SaVe yourself!” is none of the party t at we Just escaped from.“ '
; ‘yj, uno‘ht'l'was Bren Skulkmg DOFOSBlhe patch 01 moon- l llut the Pistol King had no thou ht of deserting “ Tlen who can it be? Let’s go forward and dls~
‘ g» h - n . ‘ the man who had twice saved is life. With a cowr. Come. come!“ '
 TWO Qt them! thgught the negro, his hand mighty surge. he. flung the negro acrtss his shoul~ Joe was tilled with sudden eagerness. and the '
. Feeklllg his revolver And they are coming this ders and s arted to run. hurried toward the point from whence the son» 5 -
. < way? Up to that. moment. but one man had seen them. came. As they advanced. they began ‘o hear they
. r What was that? and he would never tell of it. But llill understood 8' ootinfi much more plainly. and they finally were
. Nothing but the booting of an owl. it won d be impossible to keep out of sight now the able to iscern the cries of human beings.

I alarm was given.

Along the gull-h he fled, still kee ing to the denser
shadows. but taking good care not) to stumble and
fall. He ran with wonderful swiftness for one so
heavily laden. .

But he was s on forced into the moonlight.

Then a cry arose. far behind him.

The hounds had sighted their gamel

For a moment Will Bill paused to look back. his
Sable Pard still held on one shoulder. As he did so,
Joe whispered:

"It’s no use!
make good your escape.
away like this."

"Keep cotll.” was Bill‘s command. “ I have not
forgotten what you have done for me."

“But I am wounded. Those devils will overtake
you and kill you!”

“ Live or die, we will stick together. part! i" .

With that assertion on his lips, llill took to lllght
once more.

The broad strip (.f moonlight wrssoon passed and
the black shads Was that lay beyond were reached.
liut Bill was beginning to pant in a manner that
told how severely the pace and the burden were wu-

You may as well drop me and
You will not be able to get

' in?5 on hiln.

nee more Joe entreated to be put down.
"Keep still,“ commanded the other. “it is my
turn now.” _

“ Butl am stronger-~I thinkl can run all right
now. Let me try it.” '

Bill had no objection to that, and so haplaced the
negro on his feet.

At first Joe was not able to run very fast, but he
seemed rapidly to be gaining strength.

All this time the pursucrs had been rapidly goin-
ing on them and were so near they sent an occa~
sional pistol bullet whistling Past the fugitives.

“This -s not funn' at a! ,” muttered Bill. "If
they get any nearer, shall have to try my hand at
shooting.” .I ‘

But that did not become neceswry. They sudden-
ly came too place where they could take any one
of three courses, and it ha pened the pursuers
could not tell which one was c osen.

“This way!” hissed Bill. and he led the way down
a gully, at the foot of which they plunged into
some thick bushes. Leaking back. they saw their
envmies come to a halt above, plainly uncertain
which course to take. *

“ We‘ll fool ’61:) right here," Softly whispered Bill.
“ Follow and do not make a noise.”

The stole silently through tl e bushes.

An right there was where the pursue-rs were de-
ceived. They Were compelled to choose a course by
chance. and they did not choose the right one.
The pards getaway without any further trouble.

“ That was at other close call." observed Blll;

“ but we ulleri through. That they meant busi-
ness was ain from the fact that they followed us
so for an took so much pains to locate and come

upon us from both sides. They meant to wipe us
out that time. . ,

“ But you were hit, pard—how bad? ’ _

“No' ver bad.Ithink,” was the rt ply, but Blll
_ noticed Joe 3 vozce was husky.

“It may be worse than you think. Stop here and
I will examine it.”

Joe objected.

“ No, no. This is no time to stop!" he cried in a
manner that an rised Bill, for it was full of fear.
“They may fin out their mistake and come this
.Way. Let’s keep on i"

“ There is no danger of that now," assured Bill.
‘ You had best let me look at your hurt. pard."

But Joe would not consent, and he hurried on as
if he still dreaded pursuit. There was nothing for
Bill to do but keep a his Sable Pard’s side.

After .a time. Joe asked:

Bi'l‘l t you suppose we can find Miss Lea to-night.

“ There is little chance of that," answered the
11,218,?“ K1118. noting his pard‘s voice was husky and
" It seems as if I must find her tonight!"

“It would be an accident if we did. .

Thgn, after a brief silence. the negro almost whis-

erec : ‘

p “ Did ‘you ever think of dying. Blll?"

“We! , I don’t allow myself 0 think much about
it,”was the reply. " I fancy it unnerves a man to
be thinking of such a thing. ' .

“ {)l' ave thought of its me. Death is strange "

“ eath is something we all must face, sooner or
later. Every man must take his turn, whether he
wants to or not. The end of the trail is bound to be
nfiached, and a fellow will have to pas in his
c .. ’

“ I don‘t want to die hetero I see Miss Lea again.”

x" Die l—why. you are not oing to die, lBaird? Look
here! rou are not giving it 0 me straig t! You are
hard hit, :and you‘ve got ter let me look at the
wound! I-m not goin‘ to have you keel over here at'
, any minute i“ , .
:lnukwd 'thd v h d

oepause an e u one an.
The listemd. . p
" I t”ought Iheardsh'ots. :1 did.

 

. in. ,
l agill heard them. too. .

. There they are

l l

 Justin Do
and he come-

 

was forced;

 
  
 
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
    
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
   
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
    
   
    
  
  
  
   
   
 
 
 
  
 
   

In the Course of time they came to a place where i
tl ey could look down into a ittie ocket.

A singular and exciting spectac e was presented-to '
their view.

At one side of the Pocket was a burning cabin.
On the outer edge of the circle of flrelight a number '
of horsemen were riding about. Tl ey wore masks. '

As the psrds looked a rifle-shot rung out, and it.-
came from the cabin. telling there were human be-
ings within.

" Those are the Trail Pirates with Captain Shadow...
their leader!" soft 1y exclaimed Bill.

Joe grew sudden y. cxciled.

" And'l believe they have Miss Lea and Mr. Rock-l ‘
well penned in that tahin i" broke from his lips...
" They will be'burncd to death! Come. Blll, come!’
we must save them l"

And before Wild Bill could prevent the fool-hardy-
act, the negro rushed down toward the masked:
horsemen!

With a revolver in either hand. the white pardd.
followed.

 

museum
1' 5 DEATH-TRA’.

Sr!!an at the figure in the doorway pointed the m
accusing finger of Lea Vernon. .
Justin Douglas was there!

“ That man is the murderer of my father!" .
It was a terrible char e, and the one accused! .t
seemed dnmfounded by w int he saw and bound. ‘
Robin Rockwell‘s hand fell on the butt of arevol—
v'er. and he glared at Douglas in anything but a.

friendly mannt r.
with a cry of horror, Lois caught her sister’s:

arm.

“Lea Lea.Lea! what are you saying? Are you.
mad? You must be crazed l"

f ‘t‘ll mean what I say—Justin Douglas killed out“
a ier '

The}! the new-comer started forward. exclaiming:.-

“ Lea Vernon. you here?" “ '

“ Yes, 1 am here—I have tracked you down. blood--
stained wretchthat you are l" I .

" You must truly be mad!” 

“ I am as sane as I ever was in all m life. and'
you know it! You killed the poor old w itehaired; ‘
man whom you ated! You were not satisfied with
sitirallitng ’his daug ler from him. but you must have--

6 l e ’

“it is not true! Mr. Vernon dead—im ossihle!" .

He seemed truly amazed and shocke . but a look
gt contempt, scorn and loathing rested on Lee's.

a

co .
“You play your part well, Justin Douglas!" she 9
cried; “ but you cannot deceive me. Mortimer Ver—j
non is dead, and his b ocd cries out against you. It 1
was your hand that struck the fatal b ow l" , ; .

Justin Douglas liftedéhis hand above his held. his- ‘ . ’
month face cokin rave and earnest. ' . ‘

" As there is a n heaven I swear—"

“ Slop! Do you think I would believe a creature» ,
o vile, even though he were under oath? Swear tom . 4
nothing for it is useless. The evidence against out
is damn ng l“ i
"The evidence?"

M Y I!

“What is it?" . , '
“ The lnife with which the deed was done.” >’ a 1
She took a. step toward him as she spoke the- ‘
words. hereyes searching his taco. He did not'start.‘ '
and show guilt, much to her disappointment.’ .Bhe-
began to believe he had no was of steel. . . ,
‘ Is that not enough?" she cried. “It was your-
knife—ymrs. yours!" _ ‘
, . "lmptssible!"
" It is true!” ’ v.
“My knlte- no. no!" .r
“ It was marked with your initials." . '
“ Still 1 say it was not my knife!" f
“Ah! but it has been identified as you‘ll”
“ By whom." ,
“ Joe Armstrong."
“ Black Joel"
“ Yes. Black Joe." v _
Still the man insisted. '
“There is some mistake! Great Godl-to think I, u
you should believe I would do such a thin ! It ‘
makes my blood run cold! ,Khl your father» in l the  ,
father of Lois! I would have taken my. om: H e  j
fore i would have done such a thing! ' " v - r ,
"That sounds well. but the words are such; Sufi-f
came to the lips or a dastardly wrote}: !" g H .g
“ But he was her lather—the father of my wife!" ~
“Your witei—have you made her that?" i ’ - _ - 

n‘ l 'n . ‘ ' _ ‘x '
“we deceived herbyafhlne‘g.

    
   
    
    
    
     
    
   
  

 
       
 
   
 

  

   
     

       
     

“ More litely you have.
marria e " -

. “No; the max-r! e is legal."

‘= “I'do not believe t?" I  , , .
“Bhobnstbecerdflcate.”  ' ,z p . 
tilt makes no difference-even that. might be .a‘

cheat. .‘I don theiiqve such a creature as yous”. .

do an honmmethingl'? ' t , : , g ' 

very grave. and my

   
 

  
    
    

     

las’a face was
“ You‘ve u °$Z§iq"§2’§il“3.’m' '. in  7'
31mm little woman is my Jennifm

    
  
   

    

 

 

Wild Bill’s Sable Pard.

 

 

 

.and before the God of Heaven I swear I know noth-
ing of the killing of your fatherl”

" God i- you do not fear ewn Him l"

Involuiitarily. Lea retreated a step before him and
Robin Rockwell st i'ted ferward. as if to protect her.
Like a. flash, Justin Douglas wheeled toward the
young man, demanding:

“ Who are you? Whatdo ou want here?“

“ He is a friend," declared ea, before Robin could
speak for himself. “Hell-i an honest man. and he

i will s»e justice done!"

Lois had been standing like one dazed, but she now
staggered to her sister.

" Lea, Lea—my God i" she cried. “ You do not
mean it—you cannot mean it! Why doyou say such
hornble things? Oh I am nearly crazed!“

Lea caught her in er arms.

“Bear up. little sister," rile whispered. “Try to
be brave. I know it must he a horrible shock, but
you must. stand it some way."

‘ it is n it true!" sobbed Lois.
poor father—”

u Lm-n. In

Justin Douglas spoke; she turned and looked at
him; he held out his han .

“Lois, my wife, you do not believe this terrible

«charge against. me i”

Lea tried 0 cling to her sister, but, with awild cry,
Lois broke away.

“No, no!" she almost shrieked. “Believe it? I
would not believe it if an angel from Heaven made
the accusation! ’

He leiped forward and caught her swoonlng in his
arms ,

A terrible fury seized Lea. She saw how fruit-
less had been her attempts to convince her sis-
ter of the man‘s perfldy. and a maddenng rage took
_ ossession of her. A small revolver came to her
' and, and she took a step that brought the muzzle
of the weapon almost against the back of the un-

; guarded man’s head.

Justin Douglas wa kissing the unconscious wo-
man in his arms when Laa’s voice run out:

“ Blood for blood! Thus I avenge t e murder of

, my father!” _ V
be revolver spok Hi

Just in time to save a life. Robin Rockwell
dashed up the hand of the infuriated girl. As it
was, the bullet barely missed lodging in Justin
Douglas's brain.

A cry of des air broke from Lea‘s lips,

“ stop!" or ed Robin. “ Girl. you are indeed
crazed! Would you stain your hands with blood?"

" I would aven 6 my father!“ ,

" Lat the law 0 that."

Lca’s strength was gone, and he assisted her to a
chair. into which she sunk, covering her face With
her hands.

Meantime. Justin Douglas was tryin to arouse'his
almost unconscious wl e. Tl e shot ad staggered
.him, but, having been saved from death, he took no
further notice of thewould-ba rl avenger.

Robin did his best to calm ea, who only shud-
dered now and then, pantin all the while like a
creature that is quite exhaus d.

After a little Justin carried Lois to the small back
room, and placed her on the bed. He spoke to her.
Her eyes were wide open and her lips moved, but:
.she 3 aka no word.

At ength he returned to the front room and stood
.looklng at Lia. _

" How is she? ' asked Robin, referringto Lois.

Justin shook his head. ~

“1 fear the shock will kill her.”

Like a flash Lea starth u .

“ Then you will be a doub e murderer!" she cried.

Hoput out a hand.

a “ :1, ya do not know‘tbe magnitude of your injus-
' ca

“ You still deny the crime?"

“I u d .9!

“ You shall be brought to notice!”

“ It is injustice. 1 fear—no justice." ' I

“ That sounds well, but lknow your black heart.
I will go to my :- sister."

“ That is righ lsee what you can do for her. But.
 gpd’s sake, say nothing more of this horrible of-

r .

As Lea entered the back room, Justin turned to
the tenderfont and held out his hand. -
=-“ You saved my life,” he said. f‘ I want to thank
you for that!”

Robin drew back, refusin to take the hand.

“Not till you prove it rec from the stain of
blood," he mly said.

“ Do you elieve me guilty i"

“ I know not what to believe, for I have heard but
one side of the star . Will you tell me our side?"

“I will tell you al there is to tell. Sit own here.”

They not down near the door, and Justin told a
simple and straightforward tale. Looking into the
narrator‘s eves. Robin could not believe the man
guilty of such a horrible crime. He listened to the
and. and then he said:

“ Your story is straight enough, Mr. Douglas, and
it may be true. I sincerely hope it is. Bu how do
you account for the presence of your bioodstained

“ Father, poor,

-J

e
“ I cannot believe the knife mine." .
“ The negro is willing to swear he saw it in your
poumion when you first came to see Lea."
“When I rim came to see hart"

u u H

' j'f'Let'inethlnk." ' ’

For some moments Jamil: was buried in thought,‘
a : y,

‘ .biithoflnolly minim
‘-r~’ ,ZIh'flw'eitl" r

 knit ‘ ‘ ' ,
lingual it other   than,

   
 

  

 

 

Robin ll‘oked incredulous.

I it for good back there before you risked your life to

“ It is the truth," Justin Douglas soberly affirmed. ‘;

“I am ready to take in oath to that effect.“

“ A jury would (30nth er the evidence against you,
for all of such an oath." ’

Justin‘s head (ll‘oopl'd.

“ l sup )ose so," he muttered.

For a little while he was silent, and then he said:

“ When was this murder committed—at exactly
what hour?"

“That I do not know.”

“Lois will swear I did not leave her for a a minute.
after she came out of the house; if the murder was
committed before that~ All. well! there must be
some way for iue to prove my innocence!“

' The two men sat and talked for a long time. and
then Justin went to the back room to see how his
wife was. He came back looking a l'ttle brighter.

“ I think she will come round all right in time," he
said. " Lea was singing to her, and her back was
toward me. Lea’s eyes bade me leave them. Lois
did not see me at all."

The night were on.

At length the sisters came from the back rcom,
Lois leaning on Lea’s arm. They came straight to
J , stin Douglas, who arose as they approache .

“ Husband," said the fair-haired one, “Lea has
consented to give you a chance to prove your inno-
cence. I am sure you can do that. '

He opened his mouth to reply when, of a sudden,
the. tramp of horses’ feet were heard outside the
cabin.

Robin Rockwell leaped to the door and looked out
into the moonlight. ‘ '

“Masked horsemenl" he cried, flinging the door
shut and lacing the heavy bar.

Justin ouglas quickly extinguished the light, and
then he peered from a window.

“ They are Captain Shadow and the Trail Pirates!"
he declared.

The horsemen drew rein outside and Captain
Shadow hailed: r

” Hello, within!"

“Hello!” was Justin‘s reply.
want?”

“Come out here. you." -

“ Not much!"

“Then we'll snake you out!"

“ You will not find that an easy job. I haye you
covered, and I will shoot on right where you live if
you do not make yoursel le~s around here."

“ I want to talk business with you."

“ Well. I am talking business with you."

“ You refuse to come out?"

U Yes-H

“ You have a woman in there?"

“ W hat of that?”

“ You had better have some re and for her."

“ I do. Get out of this. or I wil rid this section of
the country of a curse l”

“ All right; have it to suit yourself. but you shall
be made sorry for this.” '

With that threat. Captain Shadow wheeled and
rode back from the cabin. At a certain distance be
halted and his men gathered around him. There
ware six of them in all.

Five—ten minutes passed.

All at once Robin Rockwell commanded:

“ Be quietl'f .

Those within the cabin listened. To their ears
came asoft cracklin sound that drove the blood
rushing to their has 3.

P_Attthat momenta shout went up from theTrail
trace.

“ _Gre.at Heavens!” cried Justin Dou las. “Those
devds have found some way to fire t o cabin. We
will be forced out by the flames, and then they will
probably shoot us down like dogs!"

“ It looks as if we were in adeath-trapl” came
from Robin's lips.

“ What do you

CHAPTER XVII.
' axonniurnn. .

Tnii: Trail Piratesdid not soothe negro as he came
rushing toward them. ‘Wild Bill followed his Sable
Pard. and when he was quite near the outlaws, he
lie ian firing and yelling like a whole tribe of

n ans.

His first shots emptied two saddles and Black Joe
brought down a horse.

The attu ck was uite unexpected, and the three
survivin bandits tantly turned to flee. Two of
them go away. but Bill succeeded in emptying an-
other saddle before they were out of ran c.

It was Captain Shadow whose horse ha been shot
(1 iwn by the negro. and for a moment the chief was
.slunned.. He soon arose to his feet and Joe grap-
pled with him. ,

The outlaw chief drew a knife. l
. “ You infernal black devil!“ he grated. “ I will
wige you out before i go underl”

ut Joe caught his wrist. Then followed a battle
for life that was brief and savage. In the end, the
negro wrested the knife from the outlaw‘s grip and

used it on its owner.

Then both went to the ground together and lay

ill.
this time the four men who had been within
the urn _ cabin had esclgped from it. They hurried
tsg‘tlhc spo where Wild ill was bending over his

a Ford. . .
" Joe. Joe!" called Bill; “are you hurt bad?"
‘A‘ roan was the reply t first

a .
ow bad are you hurt?" asked the Pistol fang.

“ Let me see.” . .
g? It’s no use, Bill," dcclored the negro husky
y

    

    
 
  
 
  

in a.
wager. “You have been kind to a black man-
on ave been kind to acommon black man. I got

 

  

I higher. and I won't forget you.

   

 

‘._

tote me aWay on your back. Bill i‘m going up
ill try to speak a
good word for the one who 11 ed a black man like he
was an equal.“

Bill was strangely touched. A blinding mist. came
over the «yes Wllic seldom grew dim and he choked
when he tried t ) speak. _

As the others came up, Captain Shadow. who had
lain like a dead man. suddenly struggled up on his
elbow, glaring wildly around.

"Dyingi‘ he gasped, his eyes bulging with hor-
ror. “ This is the 6 ml! My God! what a mad tliiist
filll'JCl‘iille has pnssessed mel And now—choking»-
c in ung—"

IIe tore the mask from his face and cast it aside.
As he did so, a cry of amazement broke from Justin
Douglas‘s lips.

“ Illorriswmy brother!"

“ Yes, I am your brother," confessed the dying
man. “ Don’t touch me, Justinl l have hated you
——I know not why. I think i must have been inadi
You were the favored one always. but that was not
enough to drive me to such horrible do. (is. i even
longed to killed you! I was madl My brain seems
clearer now. I am dying!"

“ Yes. you are bleedincl Let me——”

“ Do not touch me, i sayl I want to die! There
is nothing that I should or could live for but the gal-
lows! You are charged with murder, Justin, but it
was I who killed Mo timer V rnon I”

" Heavens above 1"

“It is true. I was possessed by a fiend, I think.
I did it with your knife. You thought you had lost
the knife—I stole it.

“ I can see him now—there he sits! He does not
know lam in the room—lie did not see me enter,
at the 0 en window! I creep upon him—slowlyI
slowly, s owlyl I have the knile ready! Ha!—
he hears me—he turns! I s rin l-—I strike Wilh
the knife l--I have him by t e t roatl

not c out. for my fingers close his wind- ipel
I be} him till he lays limp. and then— 3 is
dead.“

With agur lin gasp of horror. Morris Douglas,
the crime-sta ne , ell back acorpse! _

“Those words exonerate me.“ huskily said
Justin Douglas. “But—my Godl—he was my
brother!"

“A madman who was not responsible for his

deeds!" said Robin Rockwell.

Lea and Lois had heard all. and. though nearly
Overcome by the horror of,tlie scene, still some-
thing like a feeling of thankfulness filled the heart
of each. In some way Lea managed to get hold of
Justin‘s hand. _

“Forgive met forgive me! ‘ she entreated.

“I honor and respect you for doing) ylour best to
bring the oneto justice whom you e eved mur-
dere your father."

Wild Bill had been examining Black Joe’s wound.
The negro‘s heart was beating fainter and fainter,
and Bill saw his .minutes were numbered. Joe
did not seem conscious of anything that was tak-
ing place around him. At length, he opened his
eyes. . '

“ it seems as if I heard a voice calling me from
afar " he murmured. “ It was a gentle voice. Did
you hear it. Bill?" .

“ No. pard I did not hear it.”

“There, I ear it again. I think I must go now,
Bill." I would feel happier if Miss Lea were here

“ I am here. Joe—brave, faithful Joe l".

She was on her knees—she took his headln her
arms and kissed his black forehead.

“ Is that really you?" he asked, in wander. "God
must have ided me to you! I am oing away.
now. Good- y. Miss .
blfik fingers foundWild Bill's hand. "Good-by.

a '1‘ .
p His eyes closed gently, and they saw he had
“ gone away.‘

 

Peaceful Pocket no longer exists. Wild Bill took
good care to see that the lace was ur ed of its
womtchdracters, and the or are deaer ed t a town.

“Pacific Dick, Ivor Jaw Jackson. Stuttering
gteve and Crook-nose Clark all met with violent
e

at s. .1 !
“Ferris Bloodgoc’d“ was Morris Douglas in dis-
guise. With the craft of a maniac. as he undoubted-
ly was, he playfd that part for a purpose on]
known to himse . His heavy heard was an exce,
lent dis iso. .

“ Old unch ” was J ustin Dougla, but he did not
fiitentionally lead Wild Bill into a trap, as Bill be-

eved.
Robin Rockwell married Lea. and he made her a
true and manl husband.”

Justin Doug as took good care to clear hi name of.

every vestige of the stain upon it and then. with his
sad-eyed yet hap y young Wife, he disappeared
from view for a ime. Later, it was ascertained

that he was in South America, making a fortune in

the cattle business. . .

To the day of his death Wild Bill would sometimes
in eak of his “Sable Pard." and once or twice he was
a is to visit Joe Armstrong's lonely rave. He was
not accused of bein a sentiments man. but be
planted wild-flowers a l about-that grave. '

Who could fathom the nature of such a- man!
Does it seem strange he was seldom understood? in
his heart of hearts there were drops unmeasured.

In him were combined the sternness of unrelenting '  “

fate and the tenderness of a child.
Let him rest: .' , ,. ‘

.1:
‘ '  . immg

He does.

Lea " He fumfiled till his '

or

 

 

 

 

 

'-.-‘—t‘~ - ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

      
  
     
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

IiOOH-OB '

:0
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E13 "..R::t"an°tt:a:';°rrl'errrs..-

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Unijorm Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeam

  

 

 

BY 01.]. CODMES.

[46 K“ Randy, Detective: or, Silver Slur, tho iioy Knight.
Mitt Kit llamly In ’l‘exun; or. The Young Mnntnnger.
20H Kit Randy’s Cato-h: 0r. Thu llov Hermit-n.

422 Kit llundy’o .Rllzllt “0W9” "r. liniu’ Stumthn RoyGiant
444 Kit Bundy’o Hwoop; ur, Little lhn-irekin. tne Centaur.
478 Kit. lhuuly'lt Slick tit-home; or, (liil ’l'avn Rattler.
(“H K“, "findy‘u llellvcrulwog or, iinnner lien.

fist) Kit liuouly’n I’m-«l; or, “Auntie-Ha 1).."Y u... qunncu,
Till Kli: Bondy Ruttlod: 0r, The iniuntiw‘innt.

2’96 Kit "lllllly ill “('6 llnln: U". The Young Whirlwind.
799 Kit. linndy'n lliu' linntlo; unfimhlle Kim: Slim.
76604 Kit llnndy’u lll'lglulvi or, ilnn, iiit‘ MountainGuhle.
32? Kid Huntly‘n llriauult- in Arizona.

989 kit llundy‘n Stnl- l-Ingngomcnt.

153 Jack Drew. tin- Nmneaiu. or. Eiluie Kit the Tlov Demon.
182 Jot-k Drew'n Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Coptoin.
02 Jack Drew In Deadwood; or, i'ronpvcl. Pete.

27 Even Knife on (-‘ruortlt or. liniminpo Abe, the Boy Guide
81 keen-Knife. the Prince oi the'lh-nineo.
5 Vagabond Joe. the Young Wandering Jew.
13 The Dumb h’py.
i 4] Lune-o Jot-k, iih- Young Mnatnnger.
158 The Border King: or. The Secret Foo.
71 Delaware Dir-k. the Young R'ulger Spy.
74 Ila vk-e e llarr the Young 'l‘rnp er Ranger.
8i! llol o,t 0 Ho lunn er; or,’l‘hellj
‘64 Euro Shot Hot , the oy Rillenmn.
3148 Soar-Fave Saul. the Silent Hunter.
ITS 01d Solitary, the iiennlt Trnpper.
318 Tiger Tom. the Tune Tern-r.
234 Dunhln Dick: or ’i‘rnpper Tom'o Cl!“
938 Little llIllll'K', the Young Prairie Nolllfltl.
$38 The Par-ton De tectlvo; or The Little Rooter.
248 The Diem-loot] Guitch or. li'ild anon, tho Ranger.
360 Dare-Devil Dull, the Young Prairie Ranger.
,9?” Mink-kin Mike, the Boy Sllnrpnhootor.
‘990 Little Foxfire, the Boy Snv; or, old Caleb Arhucklo.
800 The Sky Demon; or, ininhnlt, the Ranger.
.884 Whip-loin: Joe, the Boy Rnncliero.
409 llereulerl Hr, Dick. the Boy Ranger.
4 a foot Mono, the Trump Detective.
457 Wingetli’oot Fred i or. Old Polar Soul.
468 Tamaruo Tom, the Big Trapper Boy.
4893 Stonewall lloh, the iloy Tromn.
$69 Blunder-Ing- llnnll, the Hermit Boy Troppot.
658 Don Barr, the i’lninl Freelance.
4870 Norway Noll, the Bit.r Boy Mountaineer.
7'78 Ill hlund llurry. the Wizard Riflemnn.
828 1’0 “or Jack. the Detective Sport.

BY T. J. FLANAGAN.
$09 Midohiprnnnglore. the Pirate Catcher.

965 The Younfi ow y optuln.
988 '5)“; Two i Idohipnlon; or, The: Comir-Chooer'l Flrot
.ru no. ,

    
 
  

eireoo.

BY DAN DUNNING.

’46 fluiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy.
2'67 no and Jack. the invincibleo; or, Tho Dloboileol Three.
:52  "m.- .tr-tfr' .
. arr-o ox an o
voila Farrel. Fox’o Sweep-Stalin». 0"“.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

1185 Git Thar Ownoy the Unknown.

3198 Git Thor llwney’o Pledge.
1518 The Demon Doctor) 0?. ondhohl. the Kid Detective.
581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective.

598 Flute me Slur" Detective; or Owuey in a New; Role.
mos The Ditchcr Dcteetlve’o lion; or, Don’o Double Ploy.
416 The 000m: Detective: or. The LoatCmio. om... mu]. 3.“,
681 The Pitcher- etet-tivo'o Tonfiheot Tuoole.

7136 Larry the horouflhbl'edl or. “on on Every Bldo.
‘37” iron Hand. the Chnrmed Detouiv.
5.351 Uncle Sam’s Detective In Chicago.

BY “’M. G. PATTEN.
4m!) $101.“, vnne‘ the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee oi Jocktown

 

Gil Inlet Vane rt Victory} 0r. The Jlilper City Cloon Out.
.39 Violet and I) nigy, the our Pordo.  ‘ -
1'05 lolet Vunc’l V 0W! 01'- T W CHI“? Detectivo’o Crolt.
7%4 Violet Vanc'o Vellxenneei "Univ Wl Out.
380 Violet Vano’l Ver “‘13 onle Gnme o Coflln City.
' 4i Violet Vane, the Ventrilo nlut‘ ldocqi or, s mrt vo. Sport.
R50 Violet Vane, tho Vnnqulo ed. or. The Lite veggie.
768 Violet Vane’o \‘Iolon: or, The Fiery Hand of ote.
so The Dim-loud sport; or. Tho Double I'm arm Rock.
19 OIL tun nyeter t°nFiV8 "1 0“-
lbfll l I‘y‘ "are Jim port from Denver.
1587 “Id ombohell. the Ranger Detective. '
 +li'lonlrern the Mn; 0! Flat: or, Anions: gr: :‘ulgngoown
e 0 ram eteo vet or. a II I 7 ll nul
‘34! Diurnal llove’o I'Dumly l’nrdf or. The Cit!a ‘0 CIIPl-Cllw
1651 Bound Boy 1“ rank. the Youn Amateur Detective
882 Wild Vulcan. the Lone-Rance ider.
714 Old IIIer the Men from Miumtri. .
H14 Clear-Grit Cal, the Neverény-Die Detective.
gl'iil Sam Shorldnn, the Secret Service Special.
, 06 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Maocot.
:flflo flobby Not, the Tonderfnot Detective.
.886 lellIl' or Stoke’o Double lien].
"55? 1Snot r Rob in New York
866 Iipottor Bob’o ll owery Raclmt.

 

BY COLDN EL DELLE SARA.

08 The Lion ofthe Go or 11: V ll .I .
Cool Doomondt or. lio Gambler: Bi: 

BY CAPTAIN FIRED. WllIT'l‘AKEB-

1.. Samoa? or. The Witch of Dorion.
he Dumb a e Var. Tho Dogo'o Daughter.
iek Darling. t o ony Ezprou Rllor. ‘

Ice and LII-Ii a or. The Children of tho Chooo.
more; or Tho Lond ortho‘llo hontmdoro
B B u : :ogrslwg Ja‘boo Offlhn'o Erwin.

0 Q o n . o ro oroo t nod

.lf 8:39 tho Robber o! the Rhino. ; o'P-l-n I...“
lo lomor tho Animol Klngt or. Roland the World.
o T! or Tuner: or. The hour. oitho Jungle. ,
. §k~k. the Domen Rider.

for-lo Joo'o Wor Troll.

BY CAPT. J. l". C. ADAMI._

or Nick Whillleo’o Bo a .
' M 91331::oltihe (hoot Shot of tho Wimpy
ed II... the Bit; Troppo
hlieo’o on or _
M Indlnn; or, into Scout oft o Yellow“
id 2! ’otsahln: or. The Groouhorn in tho Woodo.
l,“ Jo. the Torror oi the Prolrle.

‘

41-1-1

 

$333333:
age:
3.;
e 2
3:5

‘3

88


i:
E

r.
in'l'hoVollo ofDooth. , -' a

1 or. Ooeoolo, the mound.

humrtmmmw

 

 

“Y T. C. llAllllAUGll.

28 Nick 0- the Nix-hi: or.'l‘h:- iin v Spy oi '75,

67 The Ilitltlon Lodge; or The Littiu Hunter.

47 Niuhlln nit- but: Ur. Tim ll‘nn-et ('uptnins.

64.Dnntiy . m-kx or. 'i‘in- Unilan ut‘ tlm Oregon Troll.

“2 It'll Ilnrol'oot. Hm Wnnti-Hnwk; or, (lid Powder-{net

94 Mltllllfllli. .l Iii-l. z or. 'l inn lioy 'l‘rnppur.

106 mu Front", iilu (.‘uitlr; t-r,'l'ln- Whitr Queen.

126 Klowtt Chorle the White Mnelnnger.

169 .lufio l.\'lll'll .Ir.l or. The lio r \‘igi'mnto.

155 Go t ’l‘l'l 202'. “W S "if"; 0r. T In in'lrl Avenger.

ltiii ’l‘ormulo l‘onn M, qun Jun-k From llrd Core.

lull-i Nod ’i‘cmplo. tim iinrliur lioy; or. The Mad iiuntt'v.

lilfl Arknn-tnw : M- '“w QII-u-n oi Fute’u Revenge.

20? Navajo Nit-k. thu liov Gold Hunter.

73]?» (.‘llllirlllll llullot : or, l.ii.iiu 'l‘nnimot’e Crusndo.

Bill l'im-ky l’hll: or. iwa. the it" I Jumbo),

24] lllil lirtu'o: or. run iloughnoi tin- lim'kloo.

$55 (‘nplulu Anon-v. thr- King-Pin nl’ linwin.

$67 The Itm-knkln Don't-live; or, The King of Rood-agent.

279 (Did “'Inoh; or, The [inviinuin ilenpnrmioeo.

994 llvmllnito Dun: or. The liuwio lilmle of (iochetapn.

80% 'l‘ to Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Ber Bully.

6i6 0h] Eclipse. ’l'runm Cnrgi ul' Arlmnn.

626 The Ten I’nrtlnl or. Tlm'l‘errnrnt'i‘nku-Nntico.

336 “it: lion-Ion; or, The Qumm of the In"...

845 l'ltlleu Matt! 0'. Krtl 'i‘hunnin-rhoii'ti Suarez.

656 (hurl Hum uml I'tlr‘li 0" The Terrible Six.

866 Velvet Fool. tin- indinn ih-ivt'tive.

8"“ Contain i‘ntimmi nr. " he liv mmner'e Girl Foo.

396 Rough Rob or, 'l‘ho iwln Chumpionnoi‘ lilnn ilinuo.

411 The Milton .nm-o: or.’l'he timer Ranch Robin.

4]“ Felix Fox. the Buy Srmtivr; ur.'i‘he Gold Gong ot‘Nuw York.

425 Tex.“ 'I'rump. the “order llntilrr.

436 Phil P‘lllflll. the New 'it-rit Fox: hr.'l‘ho hiyotr-ryoi'Room 9i.

445 The (‘lty Vnm nlrcot or. Red iiolioe‘o Plum...

46] one Agulnnt Fin 3‘; or. The Lust Man of Keno Bot.
70 The Boy Mutilth 0r. Felix Fox's Hunt.

4?? The lleooi-IIM' Fnortx or. The Wuhington Spotter.
99 HI ht, the Ono-Eyed Sport.

2

 
 
  
   

'6“. the Night Ferret.

     
   
 
 
 
 
  
    
   
   
    
  

 
 

Ell tinI Wlitlri'-S ty Detnnllve.

621 “out Do 30: or, The Gotham Gold Gong.
528 0 “ml ihu lilth'fySllllthWI.

58 g the Dork Ferret.

548 it Double: or. The Rival Boy Dotocttvoo.
558 ’o lleont‘rnte Cour.

568 . the Boy Vniooq; or, Tim Gong ol'l‘hroe.

573 down; or, ilmimir Dick's Stop Gama.

(“l2 Drop: or, The Mun from Jomy.

594 Street-finger Detective.

6I0 the Gold Shark; or Tony She on Guord.
6’36 l’lll'tllli or. The Luciier 0 silver Bur.
687 Dock Buy Detective. '
645 vement Sharp.

658 the 80v Bennie.

671 BM’ Hut-tier: nr, Shadowing the ShodoVor.
685 the Boy Muelrion Detective.

701 red. the Comer“ Shnr .

7l5 (5 Lou. tho unkrr City l'ermt.

782 . the l’nvr-Inent v-teutiw; or, Trapping Big Gone.
749 lllkl, the Bull Buy Dutiet'tlvti.

754 lllkn, the lion. Bov Shadow.

76“ ed, the lloy on Guard: or, The Guru}: Bpldorl.

730 way Tom. the Red Wizard

827 um flport.

843 Battery Ferret; or, our centre Fool l’loy
39'? ‘75 Ill; Boom-o.

905 u not. the llo" Shadow.

921 um Denver.

33' CHARLES MORRIS.

l 18 Will Sooner-t, the Boy Detective. ’
59 Phil llnrdy, the Bon Boy.
26 Picayune ’ete: oryNicodemuI, the Dog Detect!"
80 Detective Dick: or, The Heroin on.
42 llandnolne Harry, the Boothlock Detective.
47 \Vill Wildfire tho Thorouchbred.
53 Black “coo. “gill Wildfire o Rutter.
5': Mike Merry the Harbor Polio. Boy.
62 Will Vi lltlilre In the Woodo.
lily Baggage, the Railrood 3w.
‘rum Cards or. Will Wild ro Wino ondinooo '
ob Roe kett: or, Myeterioe of New York.
ob Rot- (ott the Bank Runner.
he llitlt on ll nndi or, Will Wildflre'o Revenge.
red Ila yard. the lite Boot Boy: or. The Smumuo.
ob Iloe (ett: or. Driven to the Wall-
.hndowed or, Bob Rockett'o Fight for Life. .
lurk Pun . tim Tim-r Kin!!-
Iaohlng Dave. the bond Doteetlve.
’i‘om Inner or, The B rick Sheep oi the Flock.
5 “run Chm-con the Premium Dorky.
5 llhntlow Sam. the Meooenuer Boy.
The Two “ llloodo"; or, Shennmlonh l'till and Hlo Gong.
Dick Duohnway 3 or, A anoin Boy in Chico o.
0 he Young Sharp-t m . Rollicking Miko’o {lot Troll.
3 Jolly Jim. the Detective Ap rentlce.
Jolly Jim’s Job; or. The oumr Detective.
8 The Water-"mum: or. The Young Thorourhored.
5 lllnhuwuy. ol'llnkotal or. A Wettern Lod in Qunor City.
4 Jul“: Ready. the Hotel Boy Detective.
' Pony nrno. the Vounhond Delertlvo.
58 The Reporter-Detective: or. Fred Fiyer-o Dillard.
8? W hie-Awake Joe; or. A Boyoftho Timer.
79 Larrv. the Leveler; or. The Bloodo oi tho Boulovord.
408 Fire -.v Jack. the River-Rut netuctivo.
498 The .0“ Finger: or. The Entronpml Cutler.
428 Fred Fiver. the Reporter Detective.
482 lnvlnclb o Locum. the Pinkerton Ferret.
456 Ill“ llrlt'k. the Jolly Vagabond.
466 Wit o-Awnko Jerry. Detective; or Entombed'Allvo.
479 Detective noel-H or. The Mvoierv of Frank Hearty.
48” Wild Dirk lint-hot: or, Hnw He Fought i‘or Honor.
501 B‘ootu. the Boy Fireman : or. Too Sharp for tho Shorpor.
on 'l he Hot-rot N‘rvioo Bo Detective. -.
.Mi Jlmln the Kid; or. A {omh Atnonr Wolvel. ‘
69'! Tom rut-e oi rknnlunt or. The Wolfin the Fold.
655 I’Incky Paul, the Hay Spat-“Inter.
667 Rob nll am, the Daley Detectivoo.
09 The Cur-butane Dolrt-tivot or. Horry Holo’o Big Boot.
5‘! lleteetivo .Fron la’o Sweep-Intuit“.
869 Ned Norman. i Io. Cumin Broker.
8!!! Turkev Billy: the Sirino-‘om-nn Detective.
91'? Fluoh Lia-Mu us, the Mountain Moocot.

BY\ ALBERT W. AIKEF.

II The Two Detective-t or, 1'!» Fortune: oio Bowory Girl.
:6 Abe Colt. the FIE-Kg". v
OSICI er to on roper.
.88 ’20 “high of Angelo on lilo Boy Pad.
1‘ New ork Not. A Tole ol'l'rlch ond Tropo Io Gm...
368 New En land Nick: or. The Fortune ofol‘onldltu.
a: Nimble ink. the Cireue Prince.
410 Pic?" “:1. filonfiollofio mun '
no or. e - .
18 Cool Color-oil;h In Nlo' York: . ho Cowboy'o moo

BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLCR (i. I. ‘-

lot ' n. n n h it .
10¢. 16:96: iiifn'np'c  rismdi. onto.

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ll" J. \l’. OSBIIN.

C69 The Illvnl Glnntu ol'Nowhnr'.

4|”! (int-tun Burr, tho‘hluu lroln liurd Luck. .,
567 Did llltokt-"t~. thu Sierra Shit-low.

56-1 Powder I'll", tho liuy Miner. or, The Man Without?“
609 “(Dilly I'lll'l'll.‘ ill» Votnrun Detective.

620 Lin 0 Lithnln ’I Lemme: or, The Mvetery ofitno loiofi
688 I’lm-kv mll. t o Hov Proo oetor.

7?: i‘“'.".".‘."“'. 'i.“"* "‘"J'ii'  .. . .. t...

7 r o no t nu. nn‘n u u or, no one “I
986 Goltl-Dnht Dnn‘n Slurp-Shot. 0’.

ll" .IDSEI'II I‘Z. BADGER. JR.

2 Yollowntone Jot-k; or, Tim Tron r.
46 lllnok John the linmi-Agnnt; or. Tillie Outlnw'o not"...
65 llurrlt-nno till: or Montana Sun and HI- Poul.
llll Mot-tun Stun or.T re Kinzoi‘the Ploino.
166 Night-l nwl.‘ ’ it; or. The Daughter of tho Roach.
I44 Dainty Lunoo the llny Sport.
151 l'nnthor I’aul; ur,i)ninty Lnnoe to the Ruch
160 The lllnt-k (Hunt: or. Dnintv Lunoo In Jeopardy.
um Deadly Dot-h or, Fighting Fina with Fire.
Ill": The lloy 'l‘rn ion; or. llninty Lnnco on tho War-Pd...
208 The llo Portia; or. Dainty Lance Unmooilo.
all Croolu-t Cale, the Collhnn 01' Ceieotini City.
810 The llarram-u “’oll‘: nr,’l‘he Beautiful Decoy.
all! The lllaok Rider} or, Thellone-Thloveo' Loon;
885 Did Double Fill ‘or, The Stronge Guido

55 The King ol'tlu- Vomlu: or. llnmoi Boone'l Loot”
{ill Kit Fox. the Border Bo otectlvo.
63f» (‘hlrwupln “on: the to Trailer.
67'? l‘hlnt’npin Don I “(won Troll.
68R (litlnmtnln Ilnn‘n llomo stretch.
693 Ind (' y. tinl Mnn \l'iihont a Hood.
709% Lirrht- Lute’n Le no). .
71x Lifht- Lute’n Loo . '1 roll.
796 Pfl \'

the R on o
789 fill
748 Bil

   

no.
the Half-mm ; or. The Border it ~
m

the l'loltiir; or, The Border BOAR
tho Friendly; or. The Border Beoglo’o 

BY 0. DUNNING CLARK.
1.5 Contain Pnlelfi or. The Bug‘hSp of tho Mountoino.
C

.80 The Yankee Alain or. oto oftho Block M
or an'r. n. n. PERRY. v. I. N. i
176 The Boy Runaway; or The Bucmneol', of tho 3'.
180 The Son Trailer: or. A ow Well Kept. '
19’ Captain Kit: or, The hiyntery of Montonk Point.
BY JACK FAIIRAGUT. ’ _
815 Ned. the Clblll Boy; or, The Witch of tho Felt. - I

880 The sea Sorcoroul or, The Boy Skipper.

BY CAPTAIN HAYNES REID.
78 Blue Dink or, The Yellow Chiei'o Von oonco.
82‘ The Land Intel or. The Longuo o. ovil'o lo
8'! The llel lotto llun t or. Bockwoodo Retribution.
989 The Col wicker (initiator. The boot Moo-hi.

BY DRACEBRIDGE llEMYNG- fl

89 Island Jim: or. The Pot of the ll'mnllyn.i
I91 The. Captain of the Club of. The vol Alli“ ,
101 Jack llorkowoy in New ark. .

M ISCELLAN EDUI AUTlloflflo

‘ The \Vlid-lloroo llnntero. By Coot. Moyno loll o‘_
Frederick Whittaker. ‘ .
0 Adventure: of Boron MulclIIIllOllo
I. Gulliver's Trove o. 3 been Swift.
14 Aladdin: or. The Wonder ul Loni .
16 a girl???» (tuilhisotrot 06".)
8 Studio: 1. e a or. I even one.
60 The Sea Supt-nu or.‘l‘ho Boy millim- Oroooo. I; Joe;

I I.
88 The (it-eon Bloodhound; or. The Rod Pirotoo o! the
Corribeoo. By . . iorco.
86 The Boy Clown: or, Tho Arono Qnm. By I 3.11“.
88 Ned Wyldo. the Boy Scout. By Tom .
51 The Boy Rifle-z or. The Under uod Comp. I! A._C.lrooo.
95 '{nE‘mv I‘lglovoiaoi or, The roohootoro of tho til-tool»:
out» .o. no no.
08 lllfleln flood. the Outlowod lori; or.'l'ho Merry Mon of Grooo'
wood. Prof. Glider-lure.
105 illd Rollo. the Hunter: or. The Crow OIDiiVO. 31 cm
'ii‘ihmill'imdfllimute 1h 0 m u. Bylviooluo.
119 o o no rtor. 0 one on .
{M '. mm the Texan; or, Tho Young Chapter. I: Goeuo

198 'lPho \‘oun Privateer: or.'l'ho Pluto'o Stronghold. By
“my Cove hit. I
148 Sharpdfinpm‘hnr, The Advonhrol oi I Headle- M. Ir; J.
Al o o n. ‘ .
II? lltltlélny Dog-rail. 'I'ro por: or.'l'ho Green Wolthtol.
lowl one. v we anon.
‘ Four-taught the New Y at Boy. I G. Lilies.
 filiéfl'i‘tlr.ctlg allude: or,Dovy kaott'l greeted M
. . omn.
I98 Plyednélistwé the Ono-Eyed Tapper; or. The Holdqu on
t i too .
err glféhlrnnififi. m. Lively 1...: mm mun. e, u...
to i. All nrno.
8.8 Til?8k7;l‘leteetlveg or, A Boy’o light tor Idiom Homo.

B M i it Free.
ooo n’ut h’éipé.}’r.e ‘lllvor llovorior.1'llo mm o.

. on no. Y

one hailtmoynlten thoBoothlock live. 3 A. . l

Gold-Du t Town or. Ben'o Dotti-lo Itch. C V

876 Colli‘orn n Joe'o Firet 'lrnil. By Cocool ~

t: ‘"t”l“i°’i'"it’.;.£""'“"""' -
. y o n . \ x -
484 gofiafili‘. moi: and to. Three Ilvlnolbloo. o; -
Ill" . ornoo.
58. . lid-in MI I'orroot.
son 13.1913“. Imkfiy 02M Droid. -
Mill Wm Water-o. tie liov Ferret. Bv mum.
682 Tim llood Nteotivo’: Double. By Gerald 0%“ 9
1‘01 Agavo'riok glowmlaArmm Detottive', «.11» ironic ‘
. N - - ’ 
eoo n3:n'l':.ron3' memo... Ilonnr- kWh-norm ,
on Ail-3'6"“: ’“t‘i°'m°":".:'. norm o new ' l i
880 Tits Gr rel 6.06an in II 'Xlloxt (I; a“. lob 1
“8! M ."EIbfi'onhmm-l rlmiv- “1:”ng 3:1 0 
841 Eargvchorllo, t to?» flow Ivort. by Al" ' "
ll - ‘ ‘ V.
861 Billy Brine- tho Sworn» Fox. fiyChoo.’ "
r -n I o. hm s n: or rt.
withstand?» rare... I” , - 33; em.
' A‘ Newloooo Every Tuesday to

. i m to “ .
.t‘ottttmt‘mt m...- ':....':.:£W..~“’q

BRADLE AND mun, _

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

   

  

    
  

  
 
     
 
    
  
 
 

   
    
     
  

 
 

 

 

BEADLE’SrrHALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

 
 

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers..

 

 

 

BY EDW’ARD L. \VHEELER.
Deadwood Dick Novels.

1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince oi the Road.
20 Deadwood Ichk’u Dciluncc; or, llonblcimnurs.
25 Deadwood Dick In Disguise; or, Bulls); Ben.
85 Deadwood Dick In "in Castle.
42 Deadwood Dick's Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner.
49_'IDeadw'ootl Dick. ill Vl’illlfli‘l‘; 0501mm ()ll.
57,.IDeadwood Dick s luagies; or,’lhe Punk oi Flood Bar.
éij Renaiwoog :ncbonl De‘ck‘: or. Lnlziindty .' méhtln; Heroine
t on woo c ' s .as i c z or. ‘or urn' 31' ie.
00 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. )
3% Beuflu‘oog {net's Dfivitee: lor, The Double Cross Sign.
ea woo c as e cet \‘c.
a: I'D'eadlwoodl lint-lit":- Double: or. The Gorznn'anlch Ghost.
cut “’00! c "it Home anc- or, Blonds liill.
1-19 Deadwood Dick's Big Strlkc',r»r. A Game of Gold.
156 Deadwood Dick oi chadwoo r or,’llm Picked Party.
g9» Deadwood Dick's Drenlng or,"l he Rivals oi the Road.
01 Deadwood Dick's “ ard; or, ’i he Black llill’n Jezebel.
£1112 {:ea‘t‘lwoog I'D’ilelld‘hl II"OOIIII :] onftlhmllyJune's Adventure.
7 on woo c "s cm Dc .
221 Deadwood lchk’n chath-l’l‘ltnt.
232 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Rough and Toughs.
:2:    
- ' on I ru .
809 Deadwood IDIci.’”s Dealt 0r.'l'he Gold Brick oi Oregon.
 :ieadwood Dick's Don-n: or,The Faklr nl l'hnntomFlats
851 "eagwood  as Ducnts: or, Days In the Diggings.
“62 ":amwvgo’td "'2'". (gamut-ed; or, lne Terrible \ondsttn.
405 Deadwood Dick In Dead i‘Ity.
 Reagwoog Dior; D\lanmnds.
ea woo D c ' a few York: or, A “Cut ."
430 Deadwood Dick's Dust; nr,’l‘he, Chained "all?"
a: mum: mar :li'i.“'i;‘.fii.fiiill“”“ 
453 Deadwood Dick; Jr); Full "and.
459 Deadwood Dick, .lr.’s, Big Round-Up.
465 Deadwood ick .Ir.’s Racket at Claim 10.
 Beagwoodl  gr]: for-rill]; or, Bozeumn Bill.
on woo c ', r.s Do Detectiv .
4151 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Dgadu cod. 6
49l [Deadwood Dick, .Ir.’s, Compact.
496 [Deadwood Dick Jr.‘s. Inheritance.
500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s Di Ings.
508 Deadwood Dick, .Dr.’s. Def veranee.
515 Deadwood Dick .lr.‘s l‘rotcgee.
522 Deadwood Dick. .lr.’s, Three.
529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks.
534 Deadwood Die '. Jr.’sr Death Hunt.
539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Texas.
5-1-1 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vldocq
549 Dcadwood Dick, Jr., on Ills lilettle.
$51 Deadwood chk, Jr., In Gotham.
56l Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Boston.
567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia.
572 Deadwood ch ', Jr., In ('hicagc.
578 Deadwood ch '. Jr.. Alloat.
584 Deadwood Dick. .Dr.. In Denver.
590 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘s, Decree.
 3:33:23:  ir- "a 
- ' - r., a one s 1 .
606 Deadwood IDIc ', Ji'.'s, Leadvi lo 131;.
6l2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. in Detroit.
ms Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Cincinnati.
621 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada.
630 [Deadwood Dick. Jr., In No Man’s Land.
636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Alter the Queer.
642 Deadwood Dick Jr.. in Blill’aio.
 Biat‘lltéoog  .DJr.’s,fhase [ti-rugs the (iontinent
o a on c r., mon to mu ers.
660 Deadwood Dick; Jr.’s lJIilllgllllflc Casg.‘
666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines.
672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Dnranzo: or. “ Gathered in.”
 “endlwozg gilei'i, in? giscorery; or, FonndsFortune.
es wo c , r. s. nzz e.
Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Dollars.
{cagwoog Int-1|: sir... atflmnger Divide.
ea woo c . r.s ro .
Deadwood Dick, Jr., ,at Jn‘ck-Pol.
710 'Dg'ifilwooal  gr“, hhtS'sltlnlllt‘I-atncisco.
woo c ', r. s an
Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Dominoes.
Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Disguise.
D’eagwoodI  $13110, Boub‘llo IDctltll. '
ea woo c r. s. eat watc .
Deadwood Dick .Dr.’s, llouhlct.
Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Dcathblow.
Dick, Jr.’s Desperate Strait.
Dick, Jr.’s, Lone an .
ch , Jr.’s Det'cat.
  n" M lie-raw“-
v c.. r.s ar' a s.
Deadwood Ick Jr., Dcllcd. y
Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device.
Deadwood lch ' Jr’.s. Desperate Ventures '
ififil‘fiml lll‘i'f’ .‘l'i" ll'“"'i"i5l ’lfe'
oo 0 ' r. s o a us .
812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s’ Hula-om
816 Deadwood Dick, .lr.’s. Rival.
Deadwood Dick, .lr.'s, Boom.
Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘s. Scoop.
Deadwood Ichk, Jr.’s, l’rox .
Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, (‘tlutc .
Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, lli h Horse.
Deadwood Dick .lr., at l cvil’u Gulch.
geagxood gilt-ii", in?» gent‘h-‘Ihfle Hustle.
ea oot e', r.s om sic .
8 0 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. In Mexico.
876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s Decoy Duck.
8S2 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Silver I’ookct.
891 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'s, Dcad-Sure Game.
89% Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drive.
904 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s. Tradc-Mark.
910 Deadwood Dick, Jr" at TI -Top.
9l6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s lDonlllc-Dccken'
92S Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollurville.
984 Deadwood Dick, .lr.. at. Flush Flats.
940 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Shakcouu.
946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop.
95l Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Right Bower.
957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Ton-Strike.
966 [Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Gold-Dust.
971 Deadwood Dick .Ir.'s. (Dnth. _
977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Death-Doom.
9S6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘tl, Best Card.
992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Dust.
998 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘s. Big Play.
1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded.
1011 D‘advo -d 1D'ck. Jr.’s. Dutch Psrd.
1018 Deadwood Die ., .1. .’s, Big Four.

BY ROBERT R. INMAN.
1036 Dandy Dick’s Double.
1024. Dandy Dick, Detective.

BY MARCUS II. WARING.

1026 The Three Spotter.
1048 Thefitreet Spotters’ “'eird Hunt.
1058 The Three Spotters’ Dead Mystery.

—
v

.1
r

Deadwood
764 Deadwood
Deadwood
776 Deadwood

.-
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' :96 Denver Doll's IDriiIf' {it The Road Queen.
I

Other Novels by E. L. \Vheeler.

80 Rosebud Rob: or, Nugget Ned, the Knight.

S4 Rosebud Rob on "and; or, ldyl, the Girl Miner.

88 Rosebud Rob's Rea pcarancc: or, Photograph Phil.
121 Rosebud Rob’s (‘ha lcnge: or, Cinnamon (‘hlp.

277 Denver Doll. the Drtel Live Queen: or, The Yunkce‘s Surround
281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and (‘rosnbuncm

2H5 Denver Doll‘s Decoy; or. Little Bill’s Batman.

865 Yrcka .IInI. the Go diathercr or Th» Life [.0 .
37$ Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The \‘Vulve‘s Hi"V\'ul(c-U|). nary
3S5 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals ot’ Red None.

394 Yreka dint of Yuba Dam.

209 Fritz, the Bound—Boy Detective: or. Dot Lccllc Game.

218 Fritz to the Front : or, The Ventrlloquist Hunter.

24 I Sierra Sum, tit. I‘rontlcr Mrrrt: or, A Sister‘s DtVUllOII-
248 Sierra Sanns Secret; or The Bloodv Footprint).

253 Sierra Sam’s l’ard; or. The Angel 0! Biz Vista.

258 Sierra Sam’s Seven or.'l‘hc Stolen Bride.

331 Kangaroo Kit; or. 'i‘ is Mysterious Miner.

839 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket: M. The Pride nl Played-Out.

89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York.

96 \Yllii'D-I‘lyt' tln- Deb-Clive; or, Arnhs and Angels.

117 Gill.- Edged Dick, the Sport Detective

11.5 Captain Ferret. the New York Detective.

16! New 'ork Nell, the wry-Girl Detective.

226 The Arab Detective: or, Snoozcr, the Bo) Sharp.
291 Turk the Boy Ferret.

325 Kelley, liickev .I' 00.. the Drtm-tlws of Philadelphia.
343 Manhattan M kc, the liowcry Dctvctive.

400 “'rillkles, the Night-Watch Detective.

416 High Ilat. Harry. the Base Ball Detective.

426 Sam Slabsides. tiw Beggar-Boy Detective.

484 Jim Beak and Pa]. Private Detectives.

26 llloven "not", the liuilulo Demon: or, The Border Vultures.

32 Bob Woolf: or, The Girl Dcad-Slmt,

45 (Dld Avalanche: nr, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand.

53 Jim Bludsoe. Jr.. the Boy Piwnix.

61 Buukhur" “III; or, The Red lillle Team.

92 (lunada l‘het: or, ()ld Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s-Camn.
113 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculutur. '
125 Bonanza Bill. Miner: or, Madam Mystery, the Forger.
133 Boss Bob the King of Hoothlacks.

141 Solid Sam, the, liov Road-Agcnt: or, The Branded Brows.
177 Nobb Nick oi’Nevadut or. The Slcrrna Scamps.

181 “'ild ‘runk the Btickskln Bruvn; or. Liuly Lily’s Love.
236 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado: or. Rowdy Kate.

240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley.
273 Jumbo Joe, the lloy Patrol: or. The Rival Heirs.

330 Little nick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersrillo.
858 First-C ass Fred, :he Gent iroln Gopher.

378 Nabob Ned : or. The Scoret ol'Slab City.

882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance.
‘38 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or. A Son’s Vengeance.

4936 Scab-kin Sam. the Snarklsr: or The Tribunal ut‘Ten.
913 Kit. Keith, t e Rcvcmm Spotter.

922 Sol Sharpe. the New York Night-Hawk.
943 Did Hayseed Among Bunco Men.

1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack.

BY J. C. C0\VDRICI(.

490 Broadway Billy. the Bootblack Bravo.

514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Cleating sStrsnge Case.
536 Broadway Billy’s ‘IDiiilkIlty.”

7 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket.

579 llroadwuy Billy’s Surprise l’arty.

lrondway Billy; or,’l‘h~ "e'vDetective'lBlzlnulnz.
lroadway Billy’s Dea. Jet: 0r,The Les the ot Seven.
669 {roadway Billy Abroad; or, The llnotblac in Frisco.
lrondwuy Billy's Best; or,Beatlng San Francisco's Finest.
lroadway Billy in Clover.

{roadway Billy In Texas; or, The RlVer Rustlers.
lroadway Billy’s Brand.

7“ Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal.
720 Broadway Billy’s I,"IIII “and: or, The Gsmlu Detective.
lroadwuy Billy’s Business.

73" Broadway Billy‘s Curious Case.

{roadway Billy In Denver.

{roadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detective.
{roadway Billy, the Retrlcwr Detective.

iroudwuy Billy’s Shadow Chase.

8 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Trlo's Quest.
{roadway Billy’s Team: 01’. 'l'h-e Combine'l Big Pull.
{roadway Billy’s Brigade: or. The Dead Alive.
{roadway Billy’s Queer Bequest.

{roadway Billy Bafled.

lroadwuy Billy’s SI ual Scoop.

{roadway Billy’s ‘Y pc (Dnt.

Broadway Billy’s Bunk Racket.

Broadway Billy’s Blair.
{roadway Billy Amour
{roadway Billy’s Rah .
{roadway Billy’s Big Boom.

{roadway Billy’s Big Bulge.

{roadway Billy’s 0100 (D00 Snap.

{roadway Billy’s Blin : or, The Bootblsck Stowaway.
{roadway Billy ill London.

Broadway Billy Shadows London Slums.
Broadway Billy’s French Game.

Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers.

860 Sliver-Mask, the Man oi Mystery; or, The Golden Keys.
869 Shasta, the lold King: or, ForSeven Years Dead.

420 The Detective's Apprentice: or, A Boy Without a Nuns.
424 Cibuta John: or. Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar.

439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout.

467 Disco Dan. the Daisy Dude

506 Redllght Ralph the Prince oftlw Road.

524 The Engineer Detective: or, Redllght Ralph’s Resolve
548 Mart, the Night Exgrsse Detective.

571 Air-Line Luke t c Young Engineer; or, The Double Case
592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out.

615 Fightiue Ilarr the Chicl’ of Chained Cvclone.

640 Bareback Bet , the Centaur of the Circle.

647 T 'ocwrltcr Tilly the Merchant’s Ward.

659 oonlight Morgan the “ Plume-t ” Man of Ants Bar.
887 Battery Bob. the Dock Deteetive.

894 Arizona Dick’s “i e-Dut.

900 Jumping Jack's ubllcc.

906 Safety Sam, the Cycle Sport.

912 Train Boy Trisl’s Ilot Hustle,

913 The Trumn Dock-Boy.

924 Bin.r Boots Bob, the lt‘lreflinddie.
930 Rustler Ralph. the Boy Spotter.

935 The PIX-Newsboy Dctcctive’s Churn.

941 The Bowling- (:recn Detectlve’s Drop.

944 Cowboy Charlie’s Double.

947 The Bowery I" rcstler; or. The Butcher—Boy's Bucket.
953 Paddy’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport.
960 The Broadway Sport; or, Fiver Fred’s Clear Case.
967 $1000 award; or, The Rival Reporten’ Sleek Scoop.
973 Bantam Billy. the Corker-Ferrel.

978 l’luckv Put. the Street-Boy Detective.

9S9 Bicycle Bob’s llot Scorch.

997 Searcher Sam. the Detective on Wheels.

1004 Scorchcr Sam‘s Sweep-Stake s.

1009 Tue Girl 0:, cll..’s “Uniting Hand.

.1 ersey Thugs.

 

 

BY ARIZDNA CY.

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

1052 Bull'an Bill in Disguise.

1046 Gold l’lulnc, the Boy lianiliifi. or,
Express Rider.

1042 1 ittle Grit, the Pony Express Rider.

1040 Bull’an Bill’s Pony Patrol.

10l3 Buii’nlo Bill’s Trqu Team.

1007 Bull’alo Bill's Sure-Shots.

1000 Bull'qu Bill’s Decoy Boys.

995 Bulfulo Bill's Drop: or. l)t‘l|il-Flll)i, Nod , the Kansas K311-

lit-(S Bull'qu Bill‘s Lasso Throwers.

981 Buil'ulo Bill‘s Fighting Five.

975 Buii’alo Bill‘s Riilc Shots.

963 Bull'ulo Bill's Rush Ride; 0!, Sure-Shotille illuh—Flyer--

'. Bull'an Bill’s Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot.

95h Bull’qu Bill’s Mach u-Chasc.

948 Buii'alo Bill‘s Snap-S not z or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally

942 Bull'alo Bill's Ton h Tussle.

936 Bull’qu Bill‘s Boy 1 uscot; Dr. Joe Jurvis’ Hold-up.

929 Bull’nlo Bill’s (‘rack-shot Paul.

650 Bull'qu Bill's Boy l’urd: cr. Butterfly Billy.

2 Bison Bill. the Prince ot the Rains.

222 Bison Bill‘s Clue: or, Grit, the Bravo Sport.

BY BUFFALO BILL.

55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout. or, The Banded Brotherhooill
69" Border Robin Hood: or,The Prairie Rover.

158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust.
1029 The Phantom Spy.

1038 Kansas king; or, ’ 'he lied Right iliilltl.

BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, u. S. A.

191 Blliralo Billy, the Boy Bullwhucker.
1.94 Buifalo Bill‘s Bet; or. The Gambler Guide.

BY COL. PREN'I‘IbS INGRAHAM.

1037 The Artist Detective.

1034 The Gold Witch's Shadowcr.

1031 The ’l‘cxiin Hustlers In I uba.

1027 The Cowboy Raiders In Cuba

1025 The Flying 1 ankec or, The Ocean Outcast.

1023 The Cowboy (‘Ian in (‘II‘ n.

1016 The Bo ' Bung in Cuba. ,

982 New Yor ’ Nat‘s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game;

New York Nat and t re ’l‘raltor Ferret.

New York Nat Trapped” '

New York Nai's 'i lirec oi a kind.

New York Nat’s Double.

New York Nul’s III Colorado.

896 New York Nat In Gold Nugget Camp.

889 New York Nut’s Deadly Deal.

SS3 New York Nath Crook-Chase.

S New York Nat’s Trump Card.

871 New York Nut and the Grave Ghouls.

865 New York Nut’s Masked Mascot.

859 New York Not. the (inxnin Detective.

858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out.

9547 Dick lDomo’s Ten Strike.

842 Dick Doom’s Flush llaud. . ,

772 Dick Doom’s Death-(,1 rlp; or.'l'hc, Detective by Destiny.f

777 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror.

7S4 Dick Doom; or, '1 he Sharps and Sharks at New York.

788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Math.

793 chk Doom in Chicago. 7

798 Dick Doom In the VII” 11 est. _ .

803 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clun.

808 Dick lDoom’s Death Clue.

813 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal.

819 Dick Doom’s (ilrl ascot.

829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt.

835 Dick Doom’s Big llnul. .

749 Dashing (‘hurlieg Or The Kentucky Teuderl‘oot’s FirstTrsiiT

756 Dashing (‘lulrlic’s Destiny: or, The Renegsdo’s Captive.

760 Dashing (‘liarlie’s l’nwnce Ford.

766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer.

497 Buck Taylor, King at the Cowboys-

787 Buck Taylor. the ('Oliiilitt'lle’s Ca tire. ‘

743 Buck 'fuylor’g lfioipg m.’i'he Re Riders ottho Rio Grands,
And ‘ilty Others.

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS.

589 Tom-Cat and Yard: or. The Bond Set at Silver City.
622 Tom-Cat’s Triad: or. The Ail‘nir st_'l‘ombstono.
631 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or,’lhe Cowbo Detective
638 Tom-Cat’s Triumph or, Black Dan’s Git-st omhino.
546 Captain Cactus, the hspsrral (706:; or. Josh’s Ten Strike.
568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustlinz ior Millions.

576 The Silver Sport: or. Josh Penpermint's Jubilee.

583 SaII'ron 801, the Man With s Shadow

601 Ilupp Ilans, the Dutch \‘idocq; or,llot'l‘imesst Round-Up
61 l Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules.

646 Cowho Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective.

657 Warbllllg “'illlam the Mountain Mountebsnk.

665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective.

676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout.

689 Billy the Gst y Spy: or, The Mysteg' ol'i'wa Lives.”
699 Slmp (5 Sim, the Broncho Buster: or. For it: Stakes.

712 The Mesmerist Sport: or, The Mystltled Detectivul
733 Tolteo Tom, the Mad Prospector.

745 Kansas Jim the Cross-Cut Detective.

761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective.

773 The Rustler 01’ Rolling Stone.

7185 Lone "and Joe the Committee or one.

801 Kent Kirby, the High—Kicker irom Killimck.

832 The Doctor Dctc etive In Texas.
S72 Two Showlncn I‘ctectivcs In (‘olor’ad
937 The Texan Fircbrnnd: or. Brazos Billy s S
961 The Trump‘s Trump-Trick.

NEW ISSUES.

106-1 Dand Dick Dccoyed. By Robert R. Inma‘n.

1065 Sure ghot, Seth, the Boy Riflenr’n. B)" 011 ( comes.
1066 (‘0 boy Chris, the Des rt Centaur. Ry'“. W. Vi tider.
1067 You Bet Bob’s Jan le. By. Arizona  y.

1068 The (‘ruise of the on We 1’. By (.01. Ingraham.
1069 on Land and Sea. By Brac:b.'.dze Hemyng.‘

1070 Nut Toddl'm. The Fate of the Sioux Captive. By Ellis.
1071 Dandy Dick’s Decoy, Bv Roht.R.Inman.
107. Keen Knife, Prince of tho Prairies. By 011 Coomes.

JUST ISSUED.

1055 Red Raven’s Redskin Ruse. By Col P; Inzmhmn
1056 Cowboy Chris In Cinnabar. By \\ m.  . Wilder.
1057 Gold Rifle, lhe Sharprhoutrr. By ltd. L, VI heeler.
1058 Roderick, the liovcr. ByfiT. J Flanagan

1059 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By T.x-:.s Jack.

1060 Mario, the Renegade. By Col. Prentiss lngrahnm.
1061 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. By Oll ( oqmes

1062 Tho Loft-“and Athlete. Bl-ly Bracahridgs Hemyng.
10

 

Butlalo Bill, the Pony

.a
v
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v

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a

o.
Mosul». )

68 Wild Bill’s “’cird Foo. y Wm. G Patten.
A New Issue Every Tuesday.
The Half-Dime Library Is for uh by all “omission. ho-
mta psroopy, or am by unit on roosth or six colts “eh.

'BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers.

 

1043 You Bet Bob from Cross Crick.

 

1033 You Bet Bob’s Circus.

92 William Street, New York. .