1897.

June 22

h BFADIE AND ADAMS.

89"

. Y., Post Office.

N

New York

Entered as Secoad Class Matter at the

V01. XL

Copyrighted 1

0

Published Every
Tuesday.

ILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK.

92 W

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Five Cent: :1 Copy.
$2.50 a Year.

 No; 1039

‘Or, OLD JOE BUNDY’S WIPE-OUT

.SCOTT

SAM S

3% 3‘ By MAJ.

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Mustang Merle,
THE BOY RANCHER;

on,
OLD JOB BUNDY’S WIPE-OUT.

The Romance of Lost Ranch.
BY MAJOR—sXfi s scorn

CHAPTER I.
MEETING A THREAT.

IT was near the close of what had been a
matchless autumn day and the sun was shining
iiiisulast upon the tallest spurs of the Guadalupe

l 3.

Through a little valley of mesquite and oak,
with the heads of their horses turned toward
the New Mexican border line, rode two persons,
a boy and a man.

Both were well mounted, but the youth had
the better animal, It was a large black mus-
tang, strong of limb and handsome. The eyes
were full of fire, showing that the horse was
capable of great things, and he traversed the
va ley with those eyes ever on the lookout.

The other steed was a dark sorrel, higher by
a full hand than the mustang, and not so fresh.
His flanks showed that he had been well rid-
den that day, and, then, he had a good weight
in the saddle, a tall man with a Yankee sort
of countenance, a. beaming, good-natured eye,
and a strange companion for the youth who
rode at his side.

“ We shall see ‘ the promised land’ when
we have left the valley,” explained the boy
who was seventeen, well built, handsome and
dressed in the garb of a rancher. “We will
get a view of it rom you hill, and now let us
giallop for I am anxious to show you Mesquite

such with the sun upon it.”

The youth spoke with pride and the two urged
their steeds into a gallop and soon reached the
summit of the hill.

“Down yonder is my kingdom,” exclaimed
the boy, pointing toward a group of ranch
buildings standing in the center of a little grove
of cedar. “That is to me the fairest place on
earth.”

He turned to look at his companion and while
he did so a smile made still brighter his. face.

The man, who was old enough to have been
the boy’s father, seemed to have been struck
dumb by the striking view displayed tn his
gaze.

“I’ve never seen a prettier place in all my
born days,” he asserted. “ I’ve been round some-
what—have roughed it all over this kentry and
nearly everybody in it has heard of Jae Bundy,
but hang me for a raider if you haven’t a real
boner flder paradise here.”

“.Awa to the north where the horizon is
fading rom. sight is the New Mexican line.
Yonder are the Guadalupe Hills where they say
my old friend Captain Red Jacket is in hiding,
and down there runs the Little Silver where my
cattle get the best water in these parts. So you
see I’m pretty well situated.”

“.1 should say 80,” answered Bundy, without
taking his eyes from the scene which had eurap-
tured him, though it did not seem that there
wasa article of poetry in his rough nature.
“By ehosaphat, I wouldn’t mind dyin’ here
when my time comes. But what’s that dark
line yonder? It seems to be moving.”

The outstretched hand of the speaker indicated
a moving something dark of hue which was slow-
ly making its way toward the west, or toward
the ranch buildings.

‘ “I presume that ‘line,’ as you call it is one
of the herds being driven in by my boy Hyd.”
1 “ You have to watch them closely, don’t you?”

“Rather,” smiled the boy. _“ You know we
~ have Captain Red Jacket always on the look-

out—Captain Reddy, the ranchmen call him,
and up and down the Rio Grande he is known
as Captain Cussed.”

 

._I

I } “Ca tain Cussed? Indeed! I’veheardov the

critter ” cried Joe Bund . “ Wh don’t on
1 58171516 him?” y y y
“ That is easier said than done,” was the reply.
9‘ He has been quiet of late; indeed, he has never
molested me.” ‘
‘ The man said nothing more for a moment but
v continued to survey the scene below.
gflow long have you been here?” he finally
as .
' f‘eghree years. I lived with Captain King,
' th.- owner of Mesquite, and when he died—he
was killed by a than supposed to be this very

I l

 

2 Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

Red J :icket raider, Captain Cussed—the whole
ranch fell to me as a legacy from my employer.
Six months ago there came to the ranch a young
girl named Lona, a distant relative of Captain
King’s and she shares the house me. \Ve are
pretty well fixed for defense, still a lot of scouri-
drels like those led by Captain Red Jacket, and
culled the Red Jackets. might inflict great dam-
age upon the property of Mesquite Ranch, but
they might have to pay for their deviltry.”

The boy’s eyes got a quick flush while he
spoke, and Joe Bundy nodded and said he would
like to “ take a hand in the scrimmage,” and
that he felt “ jest like tannin’ somebody’s
jacket.”

" i get along W ell with the ’Paches,” continued
the boy, looking to ward the north Where the
Apaches lived. “ \Ve have never had any seri-
ous trouble. They carried off some horses the
first year of my proprietorship, but we followed
them and took the steeds back with compound
interest.”

“Jest like you, I’ll bet. IVis’n I could have
helped you,” added the other.

“ We’ll go down now. I’m a little hungry
and, then. I want you to see all the attractions
of Mesquite Ranch.” .

Joe Bundy was willing to quit the bill as
though what he had seen had but given him an
appetite for more, and in a short time the twain
were riding toward the group of houses.

The boy’s horse now pricked up his ears for he
knew he was within sight of home and in a few
minutes the two rode through an avenue of Well-
trimmed cedars and halted in front of a house
with a long veranda in front.

“ This is my home and you are welcome to it,”
spoke the boy, flinging one leg over the saddle—
bow and springing lightly to the ground.

“Thankee,” was the response, “but I knew
that from yer face. I kin read character pretty
well if I am no phrenologist.”

As the youth touched the ground there ap-
peared upon the porch a young girl ho ran to
the edge and waved her band to him.

“ That’s the head angel 0’ paradise, I’m sure,”
exclaimed Buudy, lifting his sombrero to her,
god receiving in return a smile and a pretty

ow.

“ Lona, this is Mr. Bundy whom I ran across
on the homeward trail,” announced the boy, with
a wave of his hand toward his companion. ‘

“ Not Mister Bundy, but jist Old Joe,” correct-
ed the tall man. “I discarded that prefix long
ago and I don’t take to innow. l’ni simply Joe
Bundy, a rolling stone on this mundane sphere,
and all the moss I’ve picked up you could put
into yer pretty eyes, miss.”

The girl laughed, displaying two rows of pearly
teeth.

Joe Bundy now dismounted and stepped upon
the porch where he saw a young man take charge
of his horses.

“ Where’s Kyd?” asked the boy rancher.

“ He went down the creek to look after the
stock,” said the girl.

“ I haVen’t been away long have I, Lona?”

“ Not Very, but we were anxious about you,”
was the reply. -

“ What, have you—”

Mustang Merle, the young ranch king, checked
himself and looked away.

“ I think Kyd has some news for you,” said the
girl. “ At least he appears to beexercised about
something. It is a secret from me at any rate.”

Mustang Merle invited Bundy into the house
which, to his surprise. he found furnished in ex-
cellent style, and bidding the queer old fellow be
seated, Merle went out and walked toward the
stables.

He did not stop there but passed them by and,

went doWn through the long grass of a little
meadow and stopped when he saw a dark figure
moving toward him from the south.

He waited there until the figure came up, when
he held out his hand to the young man who had
joined him.

“ I’m glad you got back safelv,” cried Kyd
Kemble, the overseer of the Boy Rancher’s pro-

party.

“ What, had you any fears for me?”

In reply Kyd ran his hand into his bosom and
brought forth a hit of discolored paper which he
handed to the young rancher wit out opening.

“ That may mean somethin ,” said he, watch-
ing his young master unfold t 0 paper.

“ Where did you get it?"

“I found it upon thebigybowlder down in the
gorge this morning. I have not shown it to any
one. preferring to keep it for your in ion.”

“ That was right, Kyd. I am gla you did
not show it to Lona, though I’m afraid she s1"!-
pected samething.”

“‘I am almost sure she did,” smiled the over-

. .‘

 

  

 

L

seer. “ I’d like to see you hide anything from
her sharp eyes.”
Then he watched Merle while he tried to de-
cipher the peer] y traced characters on the paper.
" It’s a. threat!” suddenly cried the Boy Ranch-
er, his cheeks flushing and his eyes flashing up

again. “ It’s a threat from Captain Red Jacket,
the sroundrei. He wants to levy tribute upon
us, Kyd.”

“ That’s it in plain English,” was the response.

“ He wants an answer left \\ here this paper
was found and between now and morning.”

“Yes, sir.” .

“ He shall be gratified. He shall have his an-
Swm‘. The old prairie brigand won’t come for
it himself—I’ll wager my best horse on that.
He wants three thousand dollars left where he
shall designate, or he will burn Mcsqmie over
our heads, and sow the ground in salt.”

The young ()Verseer said nothing.

“ Let’s go back to the house now,” continued
the Boy Rancher. “ I want to answer this
scouudrel. I think I can give him as plain Eng-
lish as he has sent us.” .

The two turned and walked back to the house,
Mustang Merle mentioning that he had .brought
home a visitor, one who might remain With them
indefinitely. _

“ We may need Joe Bundy, as you call him,”
said young Kemble. “ We are not as numerous
as we might be, but numerous enough, I trust, to

cope with Captain Cussed and his Bravos, in ’

case they should undertake to carry out their
threat.”

Mustang Merle, with his lips welded in deter-
mination, walked through the room where Lona
was charming Joe Bundy with a spirited de-
scription of life on the ranch, and entered a lit-
tle apartment where he slept. ' _

There he opened a. desk and seated himself in
front of it.

Taking up a pen he dipped it into the ink and
wrote for a second, and when he threw the pen
aside these words glistened on the sheet before
him: ,

“ CAPTAIN RED J Assam—You haven‘t salt enough
to sow one square yard of Mesquite Ranch.

“MUSTANG MERLE,
“ The Boy Rancher.”

_—

CHAPTER II.
THE CAMP or THE FOE.

BY this time night had come and lights gleam-
ed in several places on the ranch. _

When Mustang Merle emerged from the little
room where he had penned the defiance to Cap-
tain Cussed, there was not a single trace of ex-
citement on his face.

Greeting Lona and Joe Bundy again, he passed
out and met Kyd Kemble on the porch.

“Take this back,” said he, handing the young
overseer the brief letter. “ Place it exactl
where you found the threat and come back.
will see that We are ready for the Red Jackets
when they come.” , _

Kemble took the paper which had been simply
folded, not sealed, and walker] away.

He crossed the little meadow lying be ond the
sta bles and made his way toward t e. creek
that ran through the ranch. Beyond. it still
stretched a deep gully which at one time had
been the bed of a rushing torrent, and when he
entered it he laced one hand upon his right
hip as though e half expected to see some one
spring upon him from among the dark shadows
thr0wn by the rocks on either hand.

The young man
about the middle of t e ravine where he found a

ge stone which had been displaced from the
right-hand wall by some convulsion of nature
and there he sto ped.

Not a scuhd roke the stillness of the scene.

Far above him shone the stars, showmg him
the ghostly rocks that hemmed him in.

What a lace for an ambush! What afino
target he orded any desperado or Indian hun-
ter of scalps; but he did not fear the latter, for
the nearest Apaches were far to the north and
had not bothered Mesquite Ranch for some
time.

Kyd Kemble now took from his bosom the let-
ter he had brought to that lonely 89°”- .

He placed it upon the big stone and laid a
smaller one upon it to weight it down. ”

“ There’s your answer, Captain ,9 1 1‘2-
marked the overseer, speaking aloud. don I:
think it’s the kind you want, but it means just
what it says. If you want three thousand ,dolo
Ian from Mustang Merle you’ll have to
eve nny of it. We don’t allow an
be b any any one, much lea by a
doc thiovu of the sort you common .

vet to
k of bor-
Come for

icked his ,way to a Spot '

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your :llZSH‘T whciicver you want to.
fur you how.”

llc drn-w all” and went back up t‘n- gulch.

A few yards from the spot he came to a sud-

den halt, as it in: had caught the sound of some- ,

thing suspicious, and the next inonu-iit he lc'incd
against a dark iock and lookcd back toward the
spot whcrc ho had left thc defi incc.

lle now siiw s invihing daikcr thnii the gray-
ish sidceol tliv- gulch walls. lt lt)oked like the
home of a gizinr, such as vvci'c tullcr than the
tall in 111» days of old, but he know that tho

rm inc after night made things lool: largcr than “

thcy rcally were, and he smllcd to himself while
he wait-lied the apparition.

He Saw it approach the very rock where he
had left the letter.

it was the figure of a man and it leaned over
the liowlder and picked up the paper.

This much the young overseer saw and when
the figure glided from the spot he laughed to
himself again.

“The letter did not remain very long in the
post—office. You are very anxious for an an-
swcr, captain. Be careful that you d0n’t get
more just like it."

The Red Jacket had now disappeared and,
eager to see more, Kyd Kemble ran down the
ravine as fast as his legs could carry him, and,
finding a narrow path which led to the top, he
scrambled up and listened on the high ground.

Presently he heard the gallop of a horse, and
then for a moment caught a glimpse of a dark
Object moving away, and he knew that the rider

of that steed was bearing to Captain Raddy the.

letter from the Boy Rancher.

The overseer waited until he could no longer
hear the rapid galloping of the horse, when
he turned toward the ranch again and walked
home.

“That reply was waited for,” he announced to
Mustang Merle whom he joined near the house.
“A messenger was in ambush for it and even
now it is being borne to the raider’s camp.”

“I’m glad of that,” replied the young rancher.
“The sooner the better. I am not seeking a
collision with the Red Jacket Bravos, but I
don’t propose to show the white feather. They
have levied tribute on other ranches, but they
sha’n’t upon mine. I would sooner apply the
torch to old Mesquite than pay this rascal one
dollar to save it.’

Let as follow the hortwman speeding over the
ground with the Boy Rancher’s defiance in his
pocket.

He was a man who seemed fitted for the ver
business in which he was engaged. The dar
face he owned was covered with a stubby black
beard, above which gleamed a pair of fierce
eyes; he was habited in half-buckskin, the leg-
gingri of which were fringed clear to the ends,
and in the belt that encircled his waist were
prominently sticking a brace of revolvers.

There was no doubt that this man was one of
Captain Buddy’s Bravos, and the way in which
he urged his horse told that he had no feeling
for animals.

He rode like the wind for some miles and then
began to slackcn his speed. Since quitting the
gulch he had covered a great deal of ground
and now seemed to be near his journcy’s end.

Turning suddenly to the right the man rode
across a small valley well hushed and appeared
abruptly to a lot of men lying around several
cam —fircs on the other side.

“ ' ontel” cried several voices as he was seen,
and then a fine looking man arose and stood in
the light of the middle fire.

Toward this personage the rider rode and took
from his pocket Mustang Merle’s letter which he
extended with a grin.

“Thar she isl” said he.
wait long.”

The personage who had risen took the letter
and stepped back to the blaza.

The tWenty-odd men who were gambling
when Monte rode up now suspended operations
and watched their chief, for he was the man
who had received the answer.

Captain Roddy was as eageras his compan-
ions,_for he leaned over the blaze to peruse the
niissive.

It did not take him long to master the brief
contents of the defiance, and before he spoke his
men read the nature of it by his countenance.

“ Well, we’ve got to teach the young fool a
lesson ” said the prince brigand.

“ What does he say?” u2ried a dozen voices.

“ Read the answer. t us hear how brave
he is when the enemy ain’t in sight,” and the
chief proceeded to read the. young teacher’-

“I didn’t have ter

re ly.
E‘or a second a singular silence oversproad tho
Bravos’ camp, then a wild about was uttered

l
1 li‘llVi‘ ll ;

 

 

by sonic mic and the following moiiicnt the
\\ holc lot wa< in an uproar.

“ \Ve’rc rritlin-r glad he‘s sent buck such an ‘

answcr, “ Kit-stiiiitcis tlic
richcst ranch
(‘Il‘ iugh thcrc to make us all cavalicrs.”

“Iicauty and booty,” said another.
such tilt' luttu-r for myself, an’ I know—”

This sully was gi‘t-etcd with l)Ul\it‘l't 7113 laugh-
tcr, for the spczikcr was the luiinclicst lIlIUl

cap‘n,” cried one.

among the Rcd Jacket Bravos, nud (-\'<'l‘ :lii-ir : . A _ I .
’ speakers “I‘ls'i, Willi" she looked into his eyes

captain joined in the nierrimcnt at Pccos l’eiols
ex ‘Ilsu.

“ When shall we teach them that we aren’t
to lw blulft-d?” now asked a dozen voices.

‘ i-gforc long,” was the reply.
kccp you long from the booty, you can tit-pond.”

“ Not to—night, captain.m queried a good-lOok-
ing man of t.hii'ty~fiVe——Dolores Dick, the second
in command of the raiders.

“ No, Dick, not tonight,” replied the chief.

Having answered his lieutciiuiit, the raidcr
prince walkcd away and retired to a spot where
he would not be disturbed by the looks of his
men.

For some years this man had been the terror
of the Texas border. He Seemed to beara charm-
ed life, and nearly every one appeared afraid
of him and his men—the Red Braves, as they
were called.

They plundered those ranches which did not
yield tribute to them, and some of the best
estates in that country were fast becoming
bankrupted under the merciless drain levied by
this desperath and his band. He led, at the
opening of our story, about twenty followers as
desperate as himself. Some of these were
broken-down miners, who saw that raiding and
levying tribute on the rich rancth paid better
than gold-hunting; others were desperadoes
pure and simple, and not a few had committed
innumerable crimes.

Captain Reddy himself had at one time been a
person of Some note in another part of the
country; but now he was nothing less than a
raider, and the leader of one of the worst bands
that ever cursed our southwestern border.

He had long had an eye upon Mesquite Ranch,
and had thought of levying tribute upon its
'oung owner. Day by day he had seen the boy’s

erds increase, had watched his lands yield a
thousand-fold, and, like the hawk, had waited
for the time for the swuon.

It had come at last. llis men had clamored
for the raid, but he had shaken his head, telling
them in his peculiar language that the “ ilum
was not quite ripe.” He was waiting ilnl‘ a.
time when he should know that Mustang Merle’s
treasury was well filled, and the recent sale
of some flue cattle had filled it to over-
flowing.

Hence the letter he had sent to the rock,
knowing that every day Kyd Kemble, the young
overseer. went through the gulch on his way to
one of the confines of the ranch.

For some time he remained away from the
gamblers around the fire. \Vlien he came back
into the light he was seen by Dolores Dick to
whom he nodded, and the lieutenant rose and
joined him.

“We’ll open the campaign to-morrow night,
Dick ” said the captain. “ 1 want to teach this
fool oy Rancher a lesson he will never forget.”

Dolores Dick smiled, showing how eager he
was to have a hand in the teaching.

 

CHAPTER III.
QUEER PROCEEDINGS.

WHILE these events were transpiring in the
camp of the prairie brigands, Mesquite Ranch
was getting a new visitor, and he was near at
hand.

Across the rather level stretch of country lying
to the north of Mustang Merle’s home a horse was
speeding through the night making rapid head-
wa under the brilliant stars.

as was headed for the ranch, and when he
reached a certain hill from which could beseen
the lights glowin there, his rider rose in the
stirrups and looke down upon the scene.

“ Hawk is almost at the house of his
young white friend,” said the person in the
scanty saddle. “ He hopes he will find Merle
at home, for he has something to say to him,
and, then, he would like to gaze again upon the
face of the pretty white bird of the pale-faces.”

The speaker was an Indian-a lithe young fel-
low who sat his steed with the grace of a born
Centaur. His armonts were half civilizad,
but in his lon b ack hair, which was as straight
as an arrow, wore the tail-feather of the large
hawk of the South.

Belting for a moment on the crest of thorns,

in these parts and there‘s loot l
i porch and burst llliO the parlor unannounced.
H live i

“ I Sha’n’t 1

 

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher. 3

lic rcsiimwl his ridc, ]:ll\~ill'_‘. down into tlu- valley
and then across it to the very door of Mesquite
) v U

bn.l( h.

Dru“ illg win them he li'£l[l€:l to the ground
and, having l‘is horsc uutcthcrcd. run acro~s the

".lcricl.o1" t-xciuiined :1 Voice, and a man
sprung up, and, I‘ctrcutilig a pace, hnlf drew a
rcrol vcr.

“ it’s only Red Hawk," interposed the young
girl, who put forth lwl‘ hand and gripped the

and did not my to iwstruin her incrriment.

“ Bless me if i didn’t think it was the ad-
vance guard of the ’l’achc nation 3" answered
Jon iiiully. “(hilylied Hawk, eh? “'al, I’m
tai‘nal glad it ain’t the whole swarm of ’ein.”

By this time the young Indian, who had taken
in the Situation, was shaking hands with Mus-
tring Mei‘le, and then he paid his respects to
Lona, looking deep into hcr dark eyes and silent-
ly drinking in her fresh beauty.

In a little while the Indian seemed perfectly
at home, and was talking with the occupants of
the room, Old Joe joining in with vivacity,
though he Seemed to View the young red-skin
with some suspicion.

By-anddiy Red Hawk made a sign to the Boy
Rancher and the following‘ moment they left
Lona and Joe to continue the conversation
while the two youths withdrew to the open air.

“ The serpent is going to take the trail,” said
Red Hawk, speaking in low tones.

“ “'e have just heard from him, replied
Merle.

The young Indian looked astonished.

“ How ?“ he cricd.‘

“ ‘Why. Kyd this day found his threatdown in
the gulch, and I have just answered him. If
Cuprain Roddy comes he may not find us unpre-
pared for him.”

A sudden light seemed to dawn upon the
Apache.

“Red Hawk is not thinking about the Red
Bravo,” said he quickly. “He did not mean
him when he said the serpent is about to take
the trail.”

Mustang \Ierle gave his friend a sharp glance
full of questioning, for he could not conceive to
whom the Indian had referred.

“ Red Hawk is talking about Gray Eagle.

“Oh, the young fellow i ordered off the ranch
last summer because he chose to be insulting to-
wnrd Lona 4”

“ Merle has not forgotten.”

“ What! does he contemplate revenge?”

“ Gray Eagle has brooded over that day ever
since it went," was the response. “He has re-
ceived a letter from his friend in these parts and
he knows just how things are upon my white
brother’s ranch.”

“ Who would write to that rascal?” demanded
Merle, flushing with indignation.

“ Ah, that is it,” and Red Hawk’s voice sunk
to a whisper. “That is what has puzzled Red
Hawk while he rodeto the ranch. You must
have a traitor under your roof, Merle.”

The Boy Rancher fell back, acry of incredulity
upon his lips—a cry suddenly checked.

“’Tis impossible, Red Hawk!” he said when
he had grown calmer. “It cannot be that I
have aspy~a traitor, in my camp. For once
you are mistaken.”

A smile overspl‘ead the handsome face of the
young red~skin.

“ Which of your hands have been away dur-
ing the last few days?” he asked.

“ I have been absent myself for two days. I
must question Kyd before I answer you."

“ Kyd, the overseer?”

6‘ Yes.”

Red Hawk ran one band into his bosom and
feeling there for a moment produceda bit of
paper which he handed to Merle.

“ This is what came to Gray Eagle,” said he.
“ Red Hawk stole it from him at the risk of his
life.”

“ Is it the letter that will unmask the traitor
if there be one in the camp?”

“ Let Merl ‘ look.”

Mustang Merle struck a match and opened
the paper which was quite small. The Indian
watched him closely and saw him read the writ.
ing revealed with welded lips and ahnost color-
less face.

“ What thinks Merle now?” he asked quiegg
when the Boy Rancher had thrown the ma
to the ground with a half-uttered curse.

“ I would not have thought it,” he said, the
words seeming to come throu h shut teeth. “ 1
don’t want to believe it, Red wk. There my
be some mistake hero—some terrible mistakc.’

He crumpled the paper in his handanddid
not speak for some

5 w t a v
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4.-

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

 

 

“ W hen did this message reach Gray Eagle?”
he asked at length.

" Last night.”

“ Did you see the bearer?”

“ No, I only knew that Gray Eagle had it by
hearing Dick, the White Apache, read it to the
young chief. Then I stole it.”

“ I thank you, Red Hawk, but you have
driven the iron into my soul,” said Mustang
Merle with feeling. “Just now we are menaced
by the Red Jackets. We may expect Captain
Reddy and his desperadoes at any time, and they
far outnumber us. If Gray Eagle comes on a
trail of vengeance, we will be between two fires.
And with a traitor among us, too!”

The young Indian fell back, and looked in
silence upon Mustang Merle.

“Keep the secret you have,” said the young
rancher at last. “ Let us be its only sharers for
the present. Do you think Gray Eagle will
come?”

“ He told Dick that he would swoop down
upon you like an eagle in the dark, and pay you
back for the way you served him last summer.
He never forgets, Merle.”

“ Will he come alone?”

“ He may. and he may come with a dozen
warriors There are young bucks who would
rush through fire at Gr y Eagle’s beck.”

Mustang Merle hid t 9 letter, which was very
brief, in his bosom, and turned back to the
house. It was evident that he had recognized
the writing, and that this was what had caused
the sudden start, as though it was a piece of ter-
rible evidence against one whom he implicitly
trus

Not a word passed between Merle and the
Apache until the rch was reached. There the
Boy Rancher tol the Indian to rejoin Joe and
Lona in the house, while he turned away and
walked toward the stables.

“ Chip?” he said, stopping at an open door, be-
yond which all was dar '.

“ Here I am, Merle,” cried a merry voice, and
the next moment a boy of fifteen sprung out as
nimbly as a cat, and halted before the young
uabob.

“ You were at home last night, Chip?” said
Merle.

“ That I was.” ,

“ When did you go to bed?”

“ Not till very late, seeing that you were ab-
sent. I thought it best to watch a little on my
mvn hook, for there’s no telling who is prowling
‘hont a rich stake like Old Mesquite.”

“ Chip, were any of the boys away yester-
dln I

“ None but de, sir.”

Mustang Merle started.

“ When did he go off?"

“ Just after sundown."

“ And came back-”

“ ’Twixt midnight and day.”

Merle was watching the face of the boy before
him, and he must have seen that it bore the im-
press of truth. He had never caught Chip in
the slightest falsehood, and now his words
geomed to carry every vestige of color from his

acs;

“ Remember, Chip. not a word about this.”

“ Not a word,” echoed the boy.

Chip was permitted to go back to the bed in
the stable, while the young rancher walked to-
ward the house.

All at ones he stopped, and stood like a statue
near one of the trees that grew between house
'and stable.

Something had moved on his left, and he was
almost sure that he saw a crouching figure ten
yards away hugging the ground like a cata-
mount.

Mustang Merle leaned toward the object and
looked, with all eyes' at the same time be half
drew a reVOIVer an kept his hand upon the
trigger-guard. The object had now become sta-
tionary, and while he looked it grew more and
more like a human being. .

After watching it for a. spell, Merle took a
step toward it, w on it moved and began to roll
(liver and over, all the time getting further from

im.

‘The rapid antics of the object rendered aim
uncertain, and though Mustang Merle tried to
cover it with the revolver, he refrained from
firing, and at last the thing rolled behind a. tree,
where it suddenly vanished. .

“ A tarnal funny thing, that, wasn’t it?” said
a voice near by.

The owner of Mesquite wheeled round in a
iii}? and looked at the speaker. ,

herestood Joe Bandy holdin in one hand a
six-shooter, and bare-headed, an almost as tall
as the cedar beside which he stood. .

“ I’ve been watchin’ for a spell myself, an’ of

 

you hadn’t come up when Izou did I guess I
would have given it one o’ octor Randy’s pel-
lets. The patient never needs more than one,”
grinned the old borderman.

CHAPTER IV.
A DIFFERENCE or OPINION.

OLD JOE, as he spoke, came forward and
joined Merle. r

“ What do you think it was?” asked the young
rancher. ‘

“ Half human, half panther,” smiled the old
man. “But to me it looked a little more than
half human.”

“ How long had you been watching it?”

“ Nigh onto ten minutes. I left Red Hawk
an’ Lona talking in the house an’ came out for a
stroll. About the first thing I saw—I ginerally
carry my eyes with me—was that thing crouch-
in’ thar y the tree. Of course I fell ter lookin’
at it, an’ when it saw me it never moved, but
kept perfectly quiet. What do you think?”

‘ I hardly know what to think,” said Merle.

“ A spy, eh 1”

Why not tell the old man all? \Vhy not make
aconfldant of him, and tell him his sus icions
and all about the message he had sent to Captain

Ready.

Mustang Merle resolved to do this, and taking
Old Joe’s arm, he led him through a back door
into the house.

There he told him everything, and had the
best listener he had ever seen.

“ Enemies on the outside an’ traitors within,
eh?” cried the old man. “That’s pretty tough,
but we’ve got ter stan’ it. I guess we’re equal
to the emergency. You kin count on Joe Bundy,
though he ain’t what he used ter be. Still—”

The old fellow stopped and went to the near-
est window where he began to listen, watched
closely by the Boy Rancher.

“ I thought I heard something out thar,” said
Joe, coming back and taking the chair he had
vacated. “ My ears hardly ever deceive me, but
they may have played me a trick this time. You
haven’t rats about the ranch, have you?”

“I haven’t seen a rat about the house for a

ear. If you heard a noise it might be worth
investigating. We must be on the alert now.”

“ Does the gal know?”

“No, but I fear she suspects danger.”

“ We ought ter ferret out the traitor. It
ought ter be done soon, before he gets in an of
his dirty work. We can’t afford ter fight ap-
tain Red Jacket an’ his gang with a traitor in
the house.”

“ You are right, Joe. We must discover this
man.”

Five minutes later the figure of a human be-
ing might have been seen crouching under the
very window at which Old Joe had listened. It
was the figure of the old borderer himself and he
was examining with his sharp eyes the starlit
ground underneath the sill.

“ It wasn’t rats.” muttered Joe Bund .
“Here’s a footprint which I’d bet my nogglh
wasn’t here at sundown. Somebody war at the
winder when I heard the noise. Now if I could
but track him l”

The ground was soft enough and there was
light sufficient to enable the old man to follow
the. footprints some distance. They went round
the house toward the front porch and there he
lost them as they had reached grass.

“ I’ve an idea that Merle kept jest one thing
back from me,” continued Joe. ‘ He seems ter
suspicion a certain person, but he didn’t breathe
a word as ter his identity. Now, it seems ter me
that he ought to have let the hull cat out o’ the
bag, but that’s his business, he thinks, an’ not
mine. I haven’t seen all the hands yet for I
haven’t been here long enough, but when they
are mustered for duty as they will be in a few
minutes I may get a squint at the traitor.”

Joe Bandy went back into the house to learn
that Merle had carried out one of the decisions
of their conference. He had sent for every one
in any way connected with the ranch and in a
s ort time all were cong ated in the parlor.

s it had been decided to cap the menacing
peril from Lona no longer she, too, was there,
wondering what meant this nocturnal caucus.

Mustang Merle told his men concerning, the
threat which Captain Red Jacket had sent to
the ranch, and acquainted them with the nature
of his reply. His brief answer Was received
with hearty applause, led off by Kyd Kemble,
who, in turn, narrated his trip to the gulch,
and how the reply had been snapped up bya
bandit in waiting for it. .

Guards were told of! and assigned toduty.
The were cautioned to exercise the greatest
vigi ancc, salt was not known how soon the
Red Jackets would swoop down upon the place.

 

 

 

Everybody present seemed eager to meet the
brigands of the Southwest and to give them a.
warm reception which should teach them that
tribute could not be levied on one ranch in that
country. -

When the conference was over Mustang Merle
approached Old Joe Bundy and the two walked
into the boy’s private-room.

There was a gleam in the old man’s eyes.

“ You have made a discovery?” said the young~
nabob. ‘

“I don’t know,” answered Joe, doubtingly-
“ I don’t like ter be too sure 0’ anything. I had
my peepers open during the confab an’ took ’em
all in. You’ve got some gooddookin’ chaps on
the ranch an’ a few I wouldn’t want.”

“ I’ve found all faithful u to to—night,” was
the reply. “Which one is t e traitor?”

“ The fellow with the long hair.”

“ Why, that’s Rustling Bob, the trustiest man,
I have on the ranch,” exclaimed Merle.

“I can’t help what he is. Benedict Arnold
was thou ht a great deal of at one time, yet he-
played Washin u an' the hull country a.-
scurvy trick. I ave a pretty good eye. I com—-

arcd the tracks I saw in the ground with the
Boots the young fellow wears an’ they seem ter'
match. Besides, I don‘t like these long-haired
chips, nohow.”

erle could not repress a smile at Old Joc’s-

aversion. but he was not convinced that Rust-
ling Rob was the traitor. If he had had a se--
cret duty for one of his hands—a duty upon
which might depend the safety of the whole'
ranch—he would have intrusted it to this very—
man, and now Old Joe thought him the blue
sheep of the flock.

He recalled what Chi had told him—that.
Kyd was the on] one a nt from the ranch
the revious nig t. If this was true, Rust--
ling b could not be the traitor.

When the conference betWeen Joe Bundy
and the young owner of Mesquite had come to-
an end, Lona glided into the room and found
Merle alone.

“What is this Red Hawk has hinted to me?”
said the girl. “ He has asked me if I have ever'
heard any threats from Gray Eagle, the Apache,
whom you ordered 01! the ranch last summer.
Now that he has asked me such a question, and
we are on the verge of a raid which may be
quite serious, I want to tell you something I
have kept to myself. Two weeks sac); while I
was walking over the little pasture ward the
creek drinking in the beauty of the night, and
not thinking of any one being nea, I was-
startled by a human figure. It stood near the

, water’s edge and I happened to see it before I

was observed. Stepping back to where I could
he sheltered by a tree, watched it and saw it
joined by another.

“It seemed to me that the first rson seen
was an Indian, but I laughed at t e thought,
for I know that the Apaches are far to the
north. In a short time the two persons were
talking in low tones and I watched them until
they were through, for to have moved meant dis--
covery, the very thing I did not conit. When
the conference had come to an end the twain
shook hands and separated, one moving off to--
ward the bills, the other goin back to the ranch,
from whence he had come. followed him but
atda ,respectful distance and in time saw who he
W S,

Here Lona paused as though she would have.
kept back the rest of her narrative, but Mus--
tang Merle was looking into her eyes and she-
felt it her bounden duty to roceed. .

“ That person was Ky Kemble ” she said
slowly, “and I was never so surprised before.
made sure that he was the person I had seen.
near the cre( 4-. for I did not want to think him.
guilty of any suit of treachery.”

M“ Why did you not mention this before?” asked
erle.

“ I did not want to create a scene, and then I
sometimes doubted the very strong evidence of

sight. I could hardly believe him guilty, but I' .

fear he has been playing double.”

In a moment the face of the young rancher
grew doubly serious. The girl saw a flash of
stern determination in his eye and when he spoke-
again his voice was scarcely his own. .

“ This shall end tonight. We will rid our—
selves of this traitor at once. When his confed-
erate comes to carr out his scheme of revenge
he shall not have b m to help it on. Where is
he now i” _ .

“ What are you going to do?” cried Lona. “ If
he is thp traitor he may have tampered with the
others.

“ Then all with whom he has tampered shall
follow him!”

Mustang Merle passed from the room leaving

   

 

l.._ ....c _~._L.~ .

 

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\ 1_<_‘ _.n._..

fi—(m

 

 

 

   

 

.. b, _ mm.“

 

 

 

 

 
 
  
      

3

l

 then ,firin 03 their guns

Lona there with a white face and speechless.
She heard his footsteps on the porch and then
they suddenly ceased.

The Boy Rancher went down through the little
court in front of the house and came rather sud-.
~denl upon a figure under the cedars.

“ ’here’s your horse?” he said.

The figure turned upon him and gave him a
singular stare.

“ Jet is in the stable, I think,” was the reply.

“ Take him and ride.”

Kyd the overseer was standing in front of the
young rancher and astonishment filled his eyes.

“ Ride whither?” he cried. “ That’s a funny
order.”

“ I don’t care where you ride to,” was the
«quick retort. “Perhaps, though, you should
best ride to your red friend.”

“ To my red friend?”

“ To Gray Eagle, the rascally Apache,” cried
Merle. .“Go,sirl The game is up. The mask
has been torn from your face. You can go to
the red villain you have served. If your steed
:is in the stable take him and ride.”

The Boy Rancher turned from the young fellow
standing statue-like under the stars and walked
toward the house.

Kyd Kemble took one mad step after him but
halted suddenly.

“ I will go,” said he. “ I will obey you, for I
have always done so, but I am no traitor.
serve no man but Mustang Merle. Within the
past month my clothes have been wern by some

_ other person, that I know.”

There was no answer and neither spoke again
until the Boy Rancher almost collided with Joe
Bund near the house.

“ ell, Joe, I’ve just rid the ranch of its
traitor,” exclaimed Merle.”

“ You have, eh?”

“ I have just commanded Kyd Kemble to ride
to his master, Gray Eagle, the Apache.”

“ Then. b hokey, we‘ve still got the traitor
.among us! ou’ve'sent the wrong one off.”

The young OWner of Mesquite Ranch shook
his head and smiled.

 

CHAPTER V.
THE CYCLONE cones.

THE follOWing day was passed in active pre-
~pa ration for the expected danger.

The arms of the ranch were carefully looked
to and the house transformed into a veritable
fort. The herds were sent to graze as usual,
but their watchers were cautioned to be on the
lookout and to report any signs of danger they
might see.

The day waned and night once more settled
over the face of nature. The heavens, studded
with stars until they looked like a vast diamoan
field, stretched in clondless beauty above the
ranch, and Mustang Merle and his friends
gwaited the coming of Captain Reddy and his
3’ and.

Red Hawk, the Apache, was still with them
and his advice was followed in more than one
respect. The sentries had been stationed and
all was ready.

Within the house itself stood Lona, the 'rl, a
faint pallor on her cheeks, but not one 0 real
fear.

Hour after hour passed away and yet the
raiders did not come.

At a certain point below the stables, his tall
figure screened by a clum of trees, stood the
'borderer, Joe Bundy. e was looking and
listening t0ward the south, eager,""‘,catch the
first sound of boots, or the voices o toaptain Red
Jacket and his Bravos.

The night seemed unusually still. It was ex-
pected that the raid would take place from the
south and Old Joe had asked for and secured the
point of danger

He did not grow tired of watching. On the
contrary, as the moments passed, he became
more and more on the alert. ‘ .. ’

All at once he heard a sound which almost
lifted him out of his boots.

A shot had been fired behind him.

Quick as the shot itself the borderer turned
and listened for another.

It soon came. ,

“ By Jericho, the fiends have attacked from
the north l” cried Old Joe. “ Captain Reddy an’
his hounds have fallen upon the ranch, an’ I’m
on the outside.” '

Carrying his Winchester at “full cock,” Old
Joe ran back and soon discovered that he had
not guessed wrongly. The Red Bravos had
come, and were riding round and round the
house, yelling like a lot of devils, and\n0w and,

  

 

  

 

and revolvers'for the .

   
 

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

Joe Bundy halted at a tree and, hugging 'it
closely, watched these actions. Once or twice
he raised the rifle and covered one of the ghostly
horsemen, but lowered it without firing, for to
shoot in his position would be to uncover him-
self to the enemy and invite destruction.

As yet the Bravos had met with no reception
beyond that of silence from the inmates of the
ranch. Joe felt confident that he was the only
one out, and concluded that the first shot he
heard had been fired by a picket who had re-
treated upon the house and was admitted.

The circling grew still at last, and Joe saw
the horsemen come together within a few yards
of his position.

He counted twenty in all, just the exact num-
ber of the brigand band. They sat on their
steeds and put their heads together.

“ We’ve got ’em cooped up like a lot of chick—
ens,” said a voice which might have been that of
their leader. “ We will summon them to sur—
render, and if we are refused we’ll send afire-
ball at the house. There’s nothing soconvmcing
as a bit of fire.”

The others laughed at this, and one of the
band separatin from the rest rode toward the
house and lif himself in his stirrups a short
distance from the porch.

“ Ho, therel” he cried, in loud tones. “ We’ve
come as per agreement, and now summon you
to open your doors and listen to us. We are
here in full force, and have come for a bit of
cash. Give us the tithe that belongs to us and
we’ll ride ofi? and let you enjoy yourselves with-
out interruption.” .

“ That’s impudence for you,” muttered Joe
Bundy. “I’ve heard 0’ brass, but that chap’s
got enough ter start a foundry. I wonder ef
that ain’t Captain Reddy himself?”

His sentence was cut short by a voice from
the house, and the old borderer had no trouble
in recognizing it. Mustang Merle was speak-

in .

5‘ We don’t intend to oblige you villains in the
smallest articular,” answered the young ranch-
er. “ e shall defend this house to the bitter
end, and shall ask and give no mercy.”

Joe Bundy heard the desperadoes laugh ’at
these words, and then the spokesman cursed
Mustang Merle for a fool.

“We may take the house itself,” cried he.
“ You don’t know who you’re laughing at. We
are the terrors of the border, and more than one
foolish rancher has repented of his resolution to
withhold from us the tribute we levy.”

“ You are welcome to all you can get at Mes-
quite,” came from the house.

“ Then we will take everything!”

The man who had spoken came back to the
grouped riders and all drew together.

“ on, Dolores, ride to the rear of the house
with three men,” Joe be im say. “ You,
Pecos, takethe right side and watch it, and you,
Dan, the left side. We have them in a death-
trap, and instead of the tributeomoney we have
asked, we will take all we can get.”

The band broke up into sections, and the hid-
den borderer saw different ones ride off to obey
their captain.

Captain Reddy and a few of his followers sat
on their steeds where the conference had ta en
place, and ina. little while Joe saw the leader
of the Red Jackets take something from a bag
which he carried at his saddlabow.

It looked like an arrow, and this was confirmed
when another man handed the raider a bow.
Captain Red Jacket now fastened the object to
a stick which be fitted to a bowstring, and one
of the raiders leaned forward and struck a
match. a

“ The mean skunks are goin’ to try ter burn
’em out,” ejaculated old oe.

Even while he spoke the b0wstring twanged
and a missile of fire hurtled through the air.

The old man watched it with grated teeth
and saw it describe a dazzling half-circle and
light u ,n the dry roof of the house.

The rning arrow fastened there and pres-
ently a little flame leaped up, showing that it
had caught.

“_ Another! quick, Monte!” cried the brigand
chief. “ We’ll soon have them out at this rate.
I have the exact range. That tribute money
swells with the passing moments.”

Monte leaned forward once more with another
match in his dark hand, but- he never got to
touch it to the arrow which Captain Reddy had

‘fitted to his bow.

Joe Bundy had thrown his rifle to his shoulder
and as the match was about to touch the ready
tow the loud report of the piece startled ever
one, and the raider pitched over his steed’s use
with the blazing stick falling from nerveless

 

  

‘ AA

 

“ I guess you won’t want another dose,” said
old Joe; then he shouted:

“Here they are, boys! Pour it into the
1wretches and burden the ground with the hull
ot!

This attack in their rear seemed to confuse
the raiders, for they fell back and sought in
vain for a sight of their foe.

Again and again the Winchester spoke, and
three men were writhinglon the ground, and as
many riderless horses ad escaped from the
ban .

Captain Reddy, still unharmed himself, had
fallen back and ma short time was joined by
another raider who said something in hurried
tones.

“Indians too?” said the Red Jacket chief.
“ Where did you see them, Dick?”

,“ There,” anewered the lieutenant, pointing

t? the left. "There must be at least a dozen,
s r.’
“A aches?”

“ I don’t know.”

Captain Reddy looked in the direction indi-
cated by Dolores Dick and then ordered his men
tohis side. In an instant the raiders had Col-
lected and the chief said:

“ It seems there are Indians in the vicinity,
and we must be cautious. While We are not the
Apaches’ foes, we must do nothing to incur their
hatred. It may be that they have hit upon this
same night to plunder this rich ranch. But
what has become of the enemy down yonder?
He has not advanced, nor has he—”

At this moment Dolores Dick caught Captain
Reddy’s arm and pointed across the court.

“ There sit your Indians,” he remarked.

Captain Red Jacket bent forward and looked.
He could jUs‘t make out anumber of dark figures
on horseback and knew from their shape that
they were Indians.

“ Leave everything to me,” said he, looking
back at his followers, and, drawing a revolver,
he rode straight at the figures, which did not
movs. .

“ Halt!” cried a voice when the Bravo was
within ten yards of the group.

Captain Reddy drew rein and one of the ghosts
in his front came toward him.

“ Ha, Gray Eagle!” cried the raider chief,
holding out is hand, which was taken b the
Indian who had halted at his side. I di not
expect to see you here; but, there’s enough for
all of us.”

The Indian said nothing. '

“ It’s the richest ranch in the South, and the
one from which I believe you were kicked last
summer.”

The eyes of the red-skin fairly flashed.

{Shut does Captain Reddy want here?” he
as ' . .

“ Only a little tribute,” he lau hed. “ We
never take much, you know, Gray agle.”

“ Does my white brother want anything but
money?”

“ Nothing else.”

“ Will he let Gray Eagle and his bucks have
the rest?” ‘

“ It is yours,” was answered, laying his hand
upon the Indian’s naked arm.

“ Then the red and white eagles will fight to-
ether. They can’t hold out against us, for
ray Eagle has a friend in you house, and Merle

knows not his traitor.”

The Indians and raiders had united, and the
doom of Mesquite Ranch seemed sealed.

CHAPTER VI.
THE DOOM or MESQUITE.

MEANWBILE the blaze produced by the fiery
arrow shot by Captain Cussed had been ex-
tinguished by the inmates of the house. Red
Hawk had made his way to the roof where he
soon put an end to the fire which was making con-
siderable headway, and which, if not attached
when it was, would have soon gotten beyond
control. -

“I would like to know what became of Joe
Bundy,” said Mustang Merle. “ Not that 1 don’t
think the old fellew capable of taking care of
himself, but I would like to be assured that he
is safe. Being on the outside he may be in a
pos‘itigni to afford use good deal of assistance
am — .

 

The oung rancher was interrupted by a shot I

and al listened and looked at one another.

When the report was followed by another and
still another, Merle exclaimed that the borderer
had attacked the raiders in the rear and would
have headed asortie if Red Hawk and other:
had not advised against it.

Attaithef 22d of tge 1ctgnferecrlice betweeii  I _,
ycap .no em 43.0 1,1881! GRIN“ . "
j  i '  "

    
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
     
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
    
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
   
    
    
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
    
     
      
       
        
      
    
   
    
       
   
    
  

 

   

    

6

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

 

 

"i
Bravo chief once more summoned the defendersl leaving the young Apache to cope, as before,

of the. ranch to surrender. But he was met
with the same determined refusal with which the
first demand was received, and, sending a terrible
threat at the house, he fell back to his congenial
s irits.

p“there’s Bustling Rob?” asked some one in
the parlor of the ranch where the arms were
stacked ready to be grasped in case of a charge
by the outlaws.

Yes, where was the man suspected by Old
Joe?

One said he had gone to the cellar to see that
everything was safe there; another remarked
that he had not been seen since the momentary
flmry caused by the burning roof.

“ Vtht has become of Miss Lona?”

Mustang Merle heard this query and turned
to look for the girl. He had seen her but a few
moments before, standing in the middle Of the
floor with a ready lVinchester in her hand—8.
weapon which she knew so well how to use; but
now she was not there.

“ She ran in direction of her room when Red
Hawk climbed out upon the roof,” the boy Chip
explained.

“ Call her down, Chip. She is brave enough
to take part in the council we are about to
hold,” replied Merle, and the youth bounded
away.

In a minute the yoice of Chip was heard say—
ing that Lona wasinot in her room, which was on
the second floor, that he could not find her in
any rt of the house.

“ eavensl what has happened?” exclaimed
the Boy Rancher, and in an instant he was going
up the steps two at a time.

He nearly ran against Chip at the to of the
flight; he sprung into Miss Lona’s litt e room,
but found her not.

The Pride of Mesquite Ranch was gone!

Mustang Merle rushed back to his breathless
companions and then descended into the cavem-
ous cellar. It, too, was empty.

“ The back door has been opened 1” cried some
one.

This door could be reached by Lona without
coming back to the defenders in the parlor, and
sure enough it was unbarred.

Mustang Merle stood aghast at this discm.
That door had been unbarred from the z' ’ e,
and that since the beginning of the attack!

Hunted high and low, Rustling Rob was not
found and the defenders soon became loud in de-
nunciation of his apparent treachery. As for
Merle, he stood apart from all, his nails driven
git/05113 palms thinking of the suspicions of Joe

on y.

What if he had denounced the wron
What if Rustling Rob and not Kyd
was the traitor?

His silence was broken by a voice from the

m an ?
em ble

outside—the loud tone of Captain Red Jacket.

“ We’ve got reinforcements,” said the leader
of the Bravos. “ We don’t want much for our-
selves, but our allies may not let you ofi.‘ so
easy.

“Their allies?” cried Mustang Merle, spring-
ing to Red Hawk’s side. “ What does he mean,

git’s all a lie,” growled one of the ranchmen.
“Nobody’s going to help a rascal like Captain
Cussed.”

The young Indian shook his head over this re-

ms .

“ Red Hawk go out and see,” said he, coolly.
“He can climb to the roof and drop to the
ground. Mebbe he find Old Joe out there.”

Merle knew the cunnin of the Apache.

“Go,” he cried. “ An while you are outside
look out for Lona and the traitor.” '

The Indian ran up the stairs, and, climb-
ing out n n the roof, lowered himSelf over the
caves an dropped, cat-like, to the ground.

Minutes seemed hours to the defenders of the
house' but in less than twenty Red Hawk reap-
peared among them. He was instantly sur-
rounded.

“Gray Ea lo out there," spoke the young
red-skin. “ im come to keep his word. The
traitor has gone to him.”

“Did you seehim, Red Hawk?”

“ If Red Hawk had seen the traitor, his scalp
would ban now at his belt. He saw Gray
Eagle and a taiu Red Jacket.”

‘ . But not 0 (1 Joel” ‘

“ The tall white man was not tobo soon by
Red Hawk. They may have killed him, but Red
Hawk thinks not. He—”

Something struck the roof.

In an instant a dozen cried, “ Another

 arrow!” and the nimble Indian bounded awn .
1 a “ To theport holes!” shouted Mustang Her e,
9P“ “I” 4.191. ' . L

 

single handed with the fire.

Arrow after arrow was now showered upon
thereof, and it was ablaze in a dozen places.
The light exposed the daring Indian who was
jerking the dangerous shafts from among the
shingles :ind flinging them to the ground, and
bullets rattled all around him. All this time
Merle and his men stood ready to open fire upon
the enemy whenever he should show himself,
but, fearing this, raider and Indian kept their
distance and saved their lives.

Red Hawk was not permitted to expose him‘
Self alone to the tire of the allies. Others went
to his rescue, but the united efforts of all were
unavailing, and it was seen that the ranch was
doomed.

The roof which was dry was on fire in twenty
places and would soon be beyond saving.

, The heroic Indian was at last driven from his

post by the flames and almost total exhaustion,
and with the whole roof in a mighty blaze,
which leapt skyward with a terrible roar as it
gathered volume, Mustang Merle stepped to the
front 'door and laid his hand on the barri-
cades.

The young rancher did not appear the least
excited now.

He could fight raiders and Indians, but not
flames.

“ We must surrender to the wretches, boys,”
decided Merle, looking back over his shoulder at
the employees of the ranch. “ As for me, Solici-
tude for Lona’s fate partly forces me to this
strait. I must know what has become of the
girl, and I swear to you all that where old Mes-
quite stands another and a finer house will rise
one of these days, and that, when that time
comes, the career of Captain Cussed will have
reached an end.”

A cheer greeted this oath, and the first barri-
cade came down. It was followed by a second,
tho nen of Mesquite helping Merle in his work,
and when the door was flung wide open the young
owner of the ranch strode out upon the porch.

He had his followers at his back.

“ We’ve smoked the rats out!” cried a boister-
ous voice. “ Gentlemen do you surrender?”

In response to this Mustang Merle walked
toward the speaker, who sat on his horse
with a cocked six-shooter in his hand, and in a

_moment had halted in front of Captain Red

Jacket.

“ We surrender,” spoke the Boy Rancher. “ We
are obliged to give up because we can’t fight
fire without water.”

The raiders leaned toward the defenders of
the ranch standing in the ruddy light of the
burning house and saw their weapons which they
had brought with them.

“Down with your guns,” commanded Cap-
tain Reddy.

Merle made a sign to his men and the Win-
chesters were reluctantly grounded.

“ Where’s the treasure—the tribute?” queried
the Bravos’ captain.

Merle pointed toward the house.

“ What, is it in the ranch yet!” gasped the
bandit chief. ’

“ It is there!”

The raiders looked and ground their teeth.
The flames were now leaping round the house,
encircling it in a whirlwind of fire, and already
timbers were falling in, sending showers of
sparks toward the heavens

“ The money and the powder are there—twen-
ty kegs of the latter,” continued Merle.

In an instant horses were reined back, some
almost falling on their haunches, and the white-
faced desperadoes were scrambling to get away
from the burning building.

The young rancher did not move.

“The kegs are on the first floor with the cash,”
he went on. “ You have come for tribute; why
don’t you collect it, captain?” '

No ans wer. .

“Where are your allies? What has become
of Gray En la and his minions?” 9

Merle ha left his place and walked to where
the leader of the Bravos was staring first at the
house and then at his coolness.

“What has become of Lona?”he continued.
“ Though on have destroyed Mesquite on
shall pay or this night’s work. The ban of
Merle of Me uite is raiscd against you and
yours. The vi laius you lead shall have upon
their trail from this night until all accounts are
settled, the owner of the ranch. Tribute shall
be exacted of you—not in mono , but in some-
thing costlier. ,And woe tothe and that has
lifted itself against Lona. I know the‘ traitor
and the wrstch he has sewed!” ’

A derisive smile stole over Captain Red

- ’s it: e 

0’

  

i moment, for a terrible explosion seemed to lift
l the blazing house from the ground and hurl,
it into the air—a sky-rocket in a thousand
parts, as it were.

The Boy Rancher’s beautiful ranch home was
no more! The Red Jackets had done their
worst.

 

CHAPTER VII.
THE LOST TRAIL.

THE sun coming up the next day, shone upon
the ruins of once happy Mesquite.

A few dark specks were visible in the sky,
showing that the vulture was hovering over the
scene, but about the smoking ruins of the ranch
not a human object was in sight.

Over the grazing-grounds of the Boy Rancher’s
herds the cattle roamed, not unguarded, but~
watched as before, though not by the same
merry, whistling men.

Captain Red Jacket and his band of Bravos
had departed, and one standing on the highest
ground on the place could not have seen them.

he explosion of the powder stored in the ranch-
house had settled the fate of Mesquite. Beyond.
destroying the buildings it had done no damage,
and the desperado captain had ridden away‘
without one dollar of the tribute he had tried to
collect from the young ranch king.

that has become of Mustang Merle?

Mounted on his black horse, and followed by
two others as well mounted as himself, he was
riding across a little valley, with a line of rug-
ged hills in view.

He was the middle one of the three riders, the
others being Old Joe Bundy and Red Hawk, the
A ache. "

he trio kept the middle of the valley, their
eyes fixed on the ground, and every now and
then they would bend over and eye it more
closely. They acted like persons on a. trail,
which was visible from the saddle.

The sun crept higher and higher; he reached.
the meridian mark and began to go down the.
western sky. The riders did not relax their gait
which, while not tiring, was quite a lively one,
and at last, after having crossed along stretch
of country, they drew rein in an Indian camp to
which Red Hawk had led them by the shortest
trail, and the one taken by a body of riders who-
had passed over it before them.

The camp consisted of fifty well~built te ees,
from which ran Indians of everyagc, an the
three were soon surrounded by warriors, squaws,
children and innumerable dogs.

“ Her’ we ar’ l” remarked Joe Bundy, looking
at the ApacheS. “ Looks like we’ve caught that

of the beautiful specimen what swooped down
upon Mesquite last night."

“ Neither do I, Joe,” answered Mustang Merle.
“ But we have folloWed the trail to the very con-
fines of the camp. The marauders came back,
but I don’t see the rascal, Gray Eagle.”

“ Mebbe he saw us comin’, and slipped out the
back door.”

Red Hawk had ided his friends to his home,
and when he slid rom his horse and walked to
where stood a young savage of his own age,
eying him sharply, nearly every eye followed

him.

“ Where is Gray Eagle?” asked Red Hawk in
low tones. “ I see some of his bucks here, but.
where is the chief.”

“ He did not come back with them,” was the
answer. '

Red Hawk started.

“ Be sure of what you say, Tall Deer.”

“ I am sure.”

“ Where is Dick, the White Apache?”

“ Sick in his tepee.”

Red Hawk glanced to the left and saw a face
framed in the skin curtains of one of the tepees,
and the next moment he was walking toward it.

The face he had seen was that of a white man,
and the eyes seemed to twinkle as the young In—
dian came up. »

“ Where’s your friend Gray Eagle?” demand-
ed Red Haw .

“ How do I know?” was the tart response.

“But you know why he led his braves from
the village?” .

The curtains parted entirely and the tall
form of Dick the White Apache stood before.
the outh.
have to ask me such a question?” he cried.

“ The right that belongs to the son of a.
great chief,” exclaimed Red Hawk. “ I am the

but a white Apache who asnothing in common
with the Indian. You now that Gray Eagle

l-W“
,. in

 

hull family at home. But I don’t see anything .

“ ’d like to know what right you, a boy,

son of Malletcga, the Winged Leopard; you are '

went to Mesquite to steal the White Flower-

 

;

i____, -.__.,_. fl—--._._...__.__..

 

 

 

   

...__ - Am”

 

  u as did not go back with his bucks, a.in the

 

 

could.
gade,” and the young Indian turned and walked
back to his friends, leavingDick, the renegade,
in front of his tepec white from rage.

Mustang Merle watchi-d the young Apache all
the way back to the horses

“ (f‘wray Eagle did not come back with his
band,” said Red Hawk. “ We must go back
and strike the trail of the chief.”

But they did not go back imuwdiatcly. Their
steeds needed rest, and it has nearly dark
when they rode out of the Apacho camp with
their faces turned once more toward the smold-
ering ruins of the ranch.

They had come all that distance for nothing.-

Gray Eagle had not accompanied his bucks
home; he was somewhere w1th his captive, the
fair Lona; but where?

Red Hawk and Merle rode back close to-

' tether.

“ It is somewhere among the hills,” said the
oung redskin talking earnestly. have
card it from my forefathers, and they got it

_i 'om their ancestors. But the old trail has been
1st these many years, though many have hunted
tor it. White men have come into the country
and have died looking for the lost mines. Is our
firiend a hunter of them, too?”

Mustang Merle smiled faintly and looked at
Joe Buudy.

“ I think n ,” said he. “ I have never heard
him mention ealth in any way.”

The last words were caught up by the sharp
ears of Old Joe, and turning quickly he gave
Merle a sharp look.

“I don’t keer much for wealth, that’s a fact;
but it is principally because I’ve never had much
ter keer for,” he grinned. “ I’ve got something
right here that might be 0’ some value ter me
’iome day, though I may he hunting a golden
dream; I don’t know.”

The old man as he spoke laid one hand upon
his heart and continued:

“ Did you ever hear of it?” he asked. “ If
you haven’t, Merle, mobbe Red Hawk has.”

He dived one hand into his bosom and draw
out a long, well-worn leather pocketbook, which
he opened and deprived of a piece of paper.

“ I've (carried that a good many years,” said
Old Joe. “ Let’s halt here an’ look at it.”

All three drew rein ard Bundy, taking out a
little match-box, struck a light and unfolded the
paper.

It was not much larger than his two hands; it
was dark and old, showing that it had been
carried a. lOng time, but the keen eyes of Mus-
tang Merle and his red friend saw upon it lines
which ran in every direction.

A change suddenly came over the face of the
young Apache. Instead of staring at the paper,

0 was gazing into Old J oe’s face.

“ Where did you find that, white man?” cried
the Indian, leaning t0ward Bundy and seizing
his wrist. “It looks like the pager carried by
the white man who came to the ache village
years and years ago.”

"‘I uess it’s the same,” grinned the old hun-
ter. ‘ I got it years ago, an’ the man who gave
it to me had no more.use for it.
Why, they say it is the guide to the lost mines
which at somewhar in this kentry. I’ve been
lookin’ for them ever since I got posscssion 0’
that paper, an’ when one starts out on this mis-
sion, he never lets up until he sinks into the
grave. That’s what they say.”

Mustang Merle held the old map in his hand,
and was scrutinizing it sharply.

Suddenly he uttered a. strange cry.

“ What is it?” cried Old Joe.

“ Light another match 1"

In an instant a. new match was sending its
glare over the paper.

“Here where these lines cross,” said Merle,
“ is a dot and then two crossed”

“They’ve caqsht my eye many a. time, an’
fooled me, too.”

“ If the dot means a tree, and the crosses two
stones, I know where they are.”

“ The old Harry you dol” cried Joe Bundy.

“ They’re not far from Mesquite,” continued
the Boy Rancher. “ But we are_not looking for
lost mines now. We are hunting Lona, who

. has fallen into the hands of a rascally Indian.

Find her first, and then pay our respects to Cap-
tain Red Jacket. After that the old map and
its m stories.”

H “lea-.91

“ Unless what Jocl” ‘

“Unless we should discovpr Shut Gray Eagle

1 ’ kn0ws whar the lost mines or —

 
   

\‘ “ How should he?” .

 
 

mania-om whom I got the map told me'on his
,. .  ,r ,i'.’ .‘l ., .

Red Hawk spits upon the white rene— :

What is inch? '

 

cXM‘cuce, and that not a few of them Were in the
hands of Indians.”

Mustang Merle handed back the old map and
for Some time rode on in Silence.

“Come; we are not riding as we shoult ,” he
said and gave his steed the spur.

The next moment all three were flying over
the ground and daylight found them once more
on the boy’s turritory, and a bit; of heavy smoke
was rising from the ruins of Mesquite.

“ Look youdcr,” cried one o." the borders, point-
in;r toward a hill which overlookcd the scene of
destruction.

All leuked and saw outlined against the gray
sky the figures of a man and a horse. The man
lucked gluntlike in the saddle and the little
group stared spi-cclilcss at the apparition.

“ Signal him to come (,l0wn——that we Will talk,”
said Merle, and the herder waved his hand, at.
which signal the horsemadleft the hill and rode
forward.

“ It’s one of Captain Red J acket’s gang,”
growled the borders gloweriug at the rider.

“It is Dolores Dick, the Apollo of the lot,”
said Merle.

The Bravo came forward until he was within
a few feet of the group, when he doifcd his black
hat with its feather, and said:

“ I’ve come back to apologize. I’ve got enough
of the dominion of Captain Cusscd. Hereafter
I am his enemy and at your service, Mustang
Mcrle.” .

The young rancher eyed the man sharply, and
the lips of Red Hawk said in low tones:

“ Don’t trust the serpent of the South, Merle.”

CHAPTER VIII.
A MIDAIR DRAMA.

DOLORES DICK a ppcurcd more than sincere.

'He said he had quarrcletl with Captain Red
Jacket several times lately, that he was tired of
raiding peaceful ranches, and that he wanted ’to
quit the country and live thereafter the life of
an honest man.

He told all about the plot to levy tribute from
Mesquite. He said he had opposed it from the
first, but that Captain Reddy was determined
and had forced him to giVe in and had had him
watched all the time as if he feared betrayal.

Dolores Dick gave the route taken by the

Red Jacket, and, to show that he was no longer

to be regarded as one of them, he tore the feather
from his hat and dashed it to the ground.

A smile unseen by the desperado passed over
Old Joe Bundy‘s face.

“ He’s too penitent for Old Joe,” muttered the
borderer. “ Wolves don’t turn lambs all at
once.” ,

“ And now good-by,” said Dolores Dick, with-
drawing. “ I have told you all I know about
Captain Cussed. You will find him in his camp
on the Rio Tagus. He laughs at your following
him as strong as he is, and he won’t be looking
for you. You have a smoking ranch to avenge
and I wouldn’t blame you if you take every head
in the gang.”

Dolores Dick turned the head of his steed to-
ward the west and rode away.

“Ef it warn’t for shootin’ a man in the back,
hang me if I wouldn’t give him a pill,” said
Bundy, lifting his rifle and covering Dolores Dick.
“ I’m convinced it would be savin’ us :1 00d deal
of trouble, forI read the lie in his eye even while
be war scorin’ Captain Raddy. What say you,
Red Hawk!”

“He lied all through,” was the prompt an-
“ He came back to set the trap and bait

Mustang Merle made no reply for a spell.

“He ran a risk in coming back,” he replied
at length.

“ Don’t you tlfink he is playing rascal?”

“ He may be. I don’t trust these fellows very
far, Joe.”

“ Burst my buttons, if I trust ’em an inch l”

By this time Dolores Dick hnd reached the
summit of the little hill, halting there a spell,
he dofled his but once more and bowed low to
those who watched him. The following mo-
ment he wheeled and rode down the slope and
was lost to view.

Scarcely had he vanished ere Red Hawk urged
his horse toward the hill, but drew-rein near its
base and ran up the slopeawith the speed of a
racer. Near the summit he dropped upon all-
fours and crawled to the top.

. Far away rode Dolores Dick, his steed moy-
mg swiftly over the swelling ground, and the
keen eyes of the Indian could See, him striking
his legs with his hands as it hewas in high glee.
“Bed finwk will see y€Q*ag§in,Dick,”-sai,d

“
‘v

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher. '7

J.

 

   

 

eyes are two sharp for you,” and Red Hawk drew
back and ran ti his horse.

The hunt for Lonu’s trail now began. If
Gray Eagle had not returned V‘l‘ltl] his band to
the Apache Village he was in hiding elscWhere
with his captivc. There was now no doubt in
Merls’s mind that Rustling Rob was in the plot
to seize the girl, that he, and not Kyd Kvmlule,
was the traitor of the ranch. He longed to «An-
countcr Kyd whose forgiveness he would ask at
011(‘0; but the young man had departed and
probably would never cross his path again.

It was a day of fruitless trailing. The keen
eyes of the 'ianclwrs were employed, but with
out avail. They could not discover where Gray
Eagle had deserted his band, nor could they find
a trace of Lona or Bustling Rob.

Night drew about the ranch once more. The
herdch brought up the stock which had not been
molested by red or white, and gathered around
the stables and among the cedars which showed
signs of the fierce fire that had licked up the
buildings.

Mustang Merle was standing apart lost in
thought when a. hand was laid on his arm and
he saw the homely face of Joe Bundy looking
down over his shoulder.

“ Not a word,” whispered the old borderer.
“Come with me, Merle. I have something for
you to look at.”

The Boy Rancher followed without a ques-
tion, and the two crossed the little pasture be—
yond the stables and reached the creek. The
waters shone in the light of the few stars that
were visible in the sky, but the rising moon
would soon render the ripples more discernible.

Joe Bundy led Merle down into the gulch
where Captain Cussed had deposited his note of
warning, and halted there.

“We may not see anything for some time,”
Whispered the old man. “ But here’s whar I
saw it an’ I’m confident thar’s another whip the
drama.”

“ What did you see, Joel”

“ Wait.”

The passing minutes became an hour and then
the rim of the moon, appearing over one of the
walls of the ravine, showed the silent watchers
the perpendicular Slde of the other.

“ There,” said Joe clutching Merle’s arm.
“ Look up the wall—about half way.”

The sharp eyes of the young rancher had al-
ready seen the very object to which Old Joe had
called his attention. Something seemed to be
hanging along the wall—dangling from the end
of a rope, as it were. It didn’t look very much
like a human being, but still Merle thought he
could make out a' head.

“That’s what I saw awhile ago when I war
scoutin’ here,” said Joe. “ It came down a piece
just like that and then Went back like a spider
goin’ up his string.”

“ Did it came all the way to the around?”

“ I” didn’t wait tor see, but ran back ter post
you.

Mustang Merle in his eagerness leaned forward
and looked intently at the suspended object.

“ It looks a little like an Indian,” said he.
“ See how well he clings to the rope—like a
sailor.”

“ Or like a chap used to the lasso.”

Mustang Merle gave Old Joe a quick look.

The object was half way down the wall now
and was hanging along the-steep side in the
moonlight. ‘The hour was still and fins gave the
swinging apparition a ghostlier lOok.

All at once it stopped and seemed to rest in
mid air by wrapping a pair of long legs around
the re ..

Mer e drew his revolver and cocked it.

The person.on the rope was now thirty feet
from the ground, but showed no signs of coming
all the way down.

“ If you shoot him we may lose‘the secret,”
said 01d Joe.

“ You are right.” and the Boy Rancher lowered
the six-shooter and continued to watch the

man. .

, Suddenly he began to descend as if he had
heard or seen a signal from below. Became
down the cord hand over hand and the two
friends saw him alight with the silky drop of a

cat.

Old Joe Bundy drew his shoes and stood in his
bare feet on the stony bed of the gun. His
eyes fairly blazed with excitement.

“ We want that climber,” cried he, and as the
Unknown started off, the old borderer lprun
away as if hurled from a catapult, and wen
forward, clearing many feet at a. bound.
Mustang Merle saw him vanish, for the moon,-

 
 

  

i

llzillctoga, theold chief of the Apaches. His ‘

p—r— .

1i ht did not brighten objects at the foot out. I - 
g n , ~ m‘ddg‘bnt nll'nt‘ _.

      

    
       
       
       
   
     
          
    
       
      
        
     
   
  
  
    

  
   
   
  
 

-..«

.«.

".»W.l’£f‘b,-r.~.~ . w

‘9': ‘ j,

  ' W. 

 

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

 

 

 

 

  

he heard a sharp cry and then the voice of Old

06.

A singular stillness followed the cry.

Mustang Merle had seen no one bound away
from where Joe had come upon the mysterious
climber.

What did the silence mean?

He ran forward himself, flitting down the bed
of the ravine until a jet of fire flashed full in his
face, and he felt the wind of a bullet.

The Boy Rancher was partially stunned by the
leaden pellet and almoxt lost his footing, but in
a moment he had recovered and was dashing
forward again.

A second shot was not fired, and when he
reached the spot where he had last seen Joe
Bandy, he nearly fell over something lying on
the round.

“ t’s Old Joe, boy,” said a voice, at the
sound of which Merle came to a sudden halt.

The young owner of Mesquite bent over the
figure which had risen to a sitting posture,
and before he could reply it had staggered upon
its feet. '

“I had the climber in my fingers jestamo—
ment, but, like all his infernal race, he‘s slicker
than an eel,” said the borderer. “The chap
who came down the rope war Gray Eagle, and I
got his knife right here."

The hand of Old Joe touched his breast, and
the next instant the tall figure of the borderer
lay at Mustang Merle’s feet.

 

CHAPTER IX.
MUSTANG MERLE VANISHES.

“BUT for that pesky knife,” said Old Joe,
“when he came out of his sudden swoon and
lfound Merle bending over him, “but for that I
would have held the red-skin. I guess it’s not
,as bad as I thought, though I thought the blade
i'Went clean through my heart when I felt it in
me. He didn’t hit you, eh, Merle?”

! “ A miss is as good as a mile,” said the
young rancher, with a smile. “ I heard the ping
of the bullet, but didn’t see the face of the
shooter.”

“It was Gray Eagle an’ no one else. I saw
him once at the head of a lot of cattle-thieves
down on the Tagus, an’ knew him the moment I
grabbed him.”

The two friends looked up at the moonlit wall
and discovered that the dangling rope had dis-
appeared. Old Joe said he felt strong enough
to walk back to the fires, and accomplished the
task without much trouble. There his wound
was thoroughly examined and pronounced not
dangerous, though he had had a narrow escape
—the Indian’s nife missing his heart by a
hair, having been turned from its course by a
button. ,

Red Hawk smiled knowingly when the adven-
turers told the story of their scout, and the
gulch was searched by the whole camp. Ever
nook was well explored, but nothing was revea -
.ed; the Indian who had come dewn the rope had
vanished as completely as though he had sunk
into the earth at the base of the wall.

The fate of Lona was still an inpenetrable
m story, and daylight found it as far from a
so ution as ever.

“Do you think that Gray Eagle can have
discovered the lost mine?" the Boy Rancher said
to Joe Bundy when they had halted after a long
hunt through the hills near the ranch.

“ It kinder looks that way,” answered the old
man. “ l’ll show you the paper by daylight,”
and he felt for the map.

Suddenly he turned pale and looked strangely
at Mustang Merle.

“Hang me, if it’s here,” he cried. “I had it
when I went after Gray Eagle last night an’ I
haven’t thought of the map since.”

The map was gone! He had either been robbed
of, or had lost, the trail to the lost mines, and
while he talked his voice trembled.

“I’ve carried that map for years an’ have
stulied it a thousand times,” said he. “ Once I
nearly lost my life in defense of it. That infer-
nal Indian took it, Merle!”

“ Did he know you had it?”

“ It wasn’t a secret. Nearly every one in this
country knew I had the map which old Thomp-
scn carried till he died—worn out by his fruit-
less h nt. Gra Eagle is a cunning Indian an’
he wa very up to know that I had the map;
an’ when he gave me his knife he made a dive
for my, treasure an’ secured it.” '

' Merle watched the shadow, that settled over
Old J 025’: face at the conclusion of his story.
“ You may get it some day, J 00,” he said.

.In a moment the countenance; of the borderer

' tightened. ~ , ,.

, it.

   

 

shi of a soul like Red Haw
implied , 1.. _

“ I will!” he exclaimed. “ I’ll have my map
back it' I have to skin alive the man what stole
it. Indian or white, he sha’n’t keep the plan.
I wouldn’t he in this part of the kentry now if
it wasn’t for the map of the lost mines. Have
it? If it costs me every drop 0’ blood that cir-
culates through this old body; but I’ll help you
right along, boy.”

The two grasped hands and Sealed'a friend-
shi which was to become as firm as iron and
as asting as life.

Meantime Red Hawk the Apache had not
been idle. He, too, had been searching the
country, looking at the ground with the eye of
a l'oxrhound.

His lithe body seemed everywhere. He would
drag it overthe rocks and twist it out of nar-
row places, all the time keeping his eye open,
and with his hearing constantly strained.

The day was drawing to a close and the hands
of the ranch were coming in from the wearisome
hunt for the lost trail.

All were in but Merle, and the sun kissing the
tips of the hills for the last time disappeared
with his good-night.

Red Hawk came up to where Joe Bundy stood
gazing soberly at the dark rums of the ranch
home and recalling the stirring scenes that
marked its destruction.

“ I‘Vhere Merle?” asked the young Apache.

Joe Wheeled quickly at the voice.

“ He ain’t here, that’s certain; I haven’t seen
him since the middle 0’ the afternoon when he
said he was goin’ ter ride over the rise yonder
an’ look for signs along the creek.”

The Indian turned away.

Swift of foot, Red Hawk made his way across
the pasture, leaped the little stream and kept
on. He gained the rise mentioned by Old Joe,
and stopped there.

The shadows of approaching night were at
hand. The country beyond the bill would soon
fade from view, but the eagle eye of the young

-' Apache was keen enough to enable him to sweep

the scenery and note something which would
have escaped the notico of eyes less keen.

He saw a dark object moving toward him from
the west, and while he watched it, making out
as it came nearer the outlines of a horse, his
curiosity became aroused, though he did not be-
tray any sudden emotion.

“It is Merle’s black horse,” said the Indian
addressing himself. “ He is coming back with-
out his rider ” and Hawk ran down the hill
and crouched beside a clump of mesquite bushes
and continued to eye the horse.

The handsome black came on unconscious of
the crouching figure in the gathering night and
when within a few feet of the bush 9. form
sprung out, a hand gripped the drooping bridle
rein, and in a second Red Hawk was astride the
astonished steed.

“ You must go back 1” cried the young Indian,
whirling the horse about. “ You must show me
what has become of Merle the Rancher.”

Away went Jet, the steed, back over the
ground he had just traversed, the eye of his
rider sweeping the grass as he went and in a few
minutes horse and boy Were lost to view. 7

Two miles from the scene of his capture Jet
halted and drew back with a shiver which the
Indian felt.

“ Did you lose Merle here?” exclaimed Red
Hawk, SlipFing to the ground and bending over

“ Ab, 806.”

The Apache had discovered signs which to
him were as readable as the signals of his tribe.
Holding the bridle reinin one hand he led the
horse on and on, reading the ground all the
time and at no time straightening until he was
far from the Spot, when for the first time he stood
erect.

Then he vaulted into the saddle once more.
He gathered up the lines and looked ahead be-
gween the fox-like ears of the Boy Rancher’s

orse.

The country stretched far away, losing itself
in the darkness that prevailed there. Behind
him were the anxious spirits of Mesquite Ranch.
Should he go back to them? Should he ride Jet
back to the old ranch and let his appearance tell
the story of another act in the drama being en-
acted on our Southern Border? \

He shook his head as it he had weighed these
questions in his mind and had decided adversely
to them all. He leaned over on one side of the
saddle and tightened the girth. There was de-
termination in the dark eyes of the young
Indian. fl

He was attached to Mustang Merle. They had
been friends almost from the day of the ‘young
nabob’s coming into the re ion, and the dead-

      

~ A

 

’s is hot to be mis-
 _.  VlyzoneheckaP

By and by he stood bolt upright in Merle’s
stirrnps and placed one hand behind his ear,
forming there a sort of trumpet.

The horse had heard something, for his sharp
ears were set forward and like his rider he was
listening with all his might.

At last Red Hawk touched Jet with his heels
and the animal started off again.

Again and again the Indian repeated the act
untzl the horse was flying over the ground like a
black arrow.

New the Apache heard the hoofs of another
steed and it was straining every nerve and was
some distance ahead of him, but, as yet, not vis-
ible.

On, on went went Red Hawk, and in like man-
ner the person he pursued. It was a race be-
tween the Indian and an unknown, but the
former did not stop to count the dangers that
might attend such a chase. He only urged the
black steed on, faster and faster, gaining now
a little and again falling back for a spell.

The eye of the Indian rider at last caught a
glimpse of the quarry. He saw between him
and the stars where they seemed to lay thick
along the rim of the horizon an object that rose
and fell with the ground. This was the quarry;
this was the person he was straining every nerve
to overtake. '

The race at last became better matched. The
two horses were near] side by side; but a
spurt would take the ndian’ rey ahead and
he would have to fall behind and out of reach
again. -

During all this time Red Hawk did not touch
the revolver he carried at his belt. He seemed
to have forgotten it entirely; he saw thou"ht
(tit, nothing but the man flying from before Is

iorse. -

'Jet had entered into the race with the spirit of
his oung rider. .

e was trying to bring Red Hawk alongside
the stranger and at last just beyond a ittle
valley where the young mesquite grew in pro-
fusion, the Indian leaned forward with hls eye
riveted on the man ahead and with his right hand
outstretched to seize him.

Then it was that the foremost rider turned
for the first time since the race began. Red
Hawk saw him wheel in his saddle and look at

him. 4

“Ho!” exclaimed the Indian, as if he had
made a discovery, and then making a grab at
the man’s arm he almost precipitated himself
from the saddle.

“Not yeti” ground a voice in the Indian’s
face. “ Not yet, my red eagle!”

Hawk saw the six—shooter which was
thrust into his very face, and he made a quick
dip which was intended to let the bullet pass
over his head. 

The next moment the air seemed to be on fire;
horse and rider fell back from the sudden re-
port, and with a demon laugh the man dashed
on

He had resereved his fire for the supreme mo-
ment, but it had missed.

The Indian righted himself in the saddle be-
fore the horse recovered. He whipped out the
revolver until then untouched, leveled it and
sent a bullet a ter the man ahead. There was a
sharp cry, the gure in the saddle ahead pitched
forward, and with a shout of victory the young
Apache Idashed on again.

 

4
CHAPTER X.
AMONG THE RED JACKETS.

HALF a mile further on the Indian drew rein.

He had failed to overtake the man he had shot
at. His shot seemed to have lent new speed to
the horse he had followed solong, and the animal
and his rider had disap ared. ‘

It was a deep puzz e for Red Hawk. He
looked in every direction and listened With all
ears, but the only sound he heard was the sweep
of the night wind through the grass of the
p am.

By and by Red Hawk turan back, but reluc-
tantly. He did not like to; give up the chase
which had come to such apoor conclusion. He
had seen the face of the man in the momentary
flash of his revolver, and he wanted to take him
back to the burned ranch in triumph. If he
could do this he might solve the mystery that
hung around Mustang Merle’s disappearance,
for the person he had chased ought to know
something about it.

The return was a dreary one for the young
Apache, but he gave his steed the spur undire- .
joined the little group on the ranch just when .
some were saying that he had deserted thousand, '-'

    

 

 .e. .- “1,. .. .

an, N m.

u; «A. “.i...:.: ..

 

 

a, '

«a. (LL: M.

m M 't} .1

Merle had not returned to his own and the
sight of the Indian on the Boy Rancher’s horse
increased the excitement and led his followers to
believe that he had fallen into the hands of Gray
Eagle, who had so narrowly escaped from the
clutches of Old Joe Bundy.

But let us leave the ranch for a spell; let us
cross the leagues of level and rolling land that
lay between it and a certain spot and solve that
which is so mysterious to the friends of the young
ranch monarch.

While Red Hawk was chasing the unknown
rider through the night, three horses were gal-
loping southward. They were ridden by as
many persons, but one was bound to the saddle,
and though he could hold the rein, his hands
were secured by stout cords.

This prisoner rode between the others who were
men, one of whom bore a striking resemblance to
Captain Red Jacket. They kept out in the open,
avoiding the clumps of mesquite as if they sus-
pected the presence of an enemy there, and their
steeds went rapidly over the ground.

The captive was Mustang Merle and the
person who rode on his left was none other than
the redonbtable Captain Red Jacket. The other
man was the homely raider known as Pecos
Pete.

For some time the trio had galloped over the
ground without exchanging a word. The tWo
men watched the boy. but did not refrain from
exchanging smiles with one another, and at
last Captain Red Jacket, leaning toward Merle,
said gayl y:

“ By Jove, a fine night for a gallop, eh,
Merle? We shall not be very long on the go,
but will reach camp by daybreak and then you
can have more liberty than we like to allow you
just now.”

The young rancher looked into the swarthy
:face of the raider captain. ~

“What do you expect to realize out of this
venture?” he asked.

“ Ransom instead of tribute,” was the answer.
“We shall hold you until we can communicate
with Mesquite and secure what we missed by the
burning of the house."

For a moment the boy did not reply. He rode
on in silence, but no: without stealing a sly

l glance at Captain Cussed.
, “ What if I should instruct my friends not to
pay on a dollar?” he said.

“ o fears of that, I guess,” laughed the
raider. “ You are not such a fool as that, Merle;
no, not quite. We don’t want to harm you. but
we do want to clutch some of the golden dollars

on have stored away in the treasure safes of
file uite.”

“ id you kill in horse?”

Merle directed s question at the man who
rode on his right.

“ No,” growled Pecos Pete. “ The black
demon got away from me.”

A smile came instantly to Mustang Merle’s

1i .

In Do you think he went back to camp and told
the story of your capture?” asked Captaih Red
Jacket.

“ That remains to be seen.”

“ And Mesquite will muster her men and try
to retake you, eh i” .

No answer.

“That wo ld be fatal to our future plans.”
said the outl w with a mere ess leer on his lacs.
“If you want to see the old ranch again you
don’t want your people to attempt to fight the
Red Jackets of the Southwest.”

0n, on went the three riders, and as the new
da a proached they neared a stream of con-
si era le prOportions and by and by rode into a
small camp where more than a dozen rough
men sat around fires cooking their breakfast.

At sight of the trio the men sprung up.

They looked first at the tall man who rode at
the boy’s left and then at the young rancher him-
self. hey saw that Captain Cussed had not re-
turned empty-handed. He had found the boy

‘l nabob and that meant a handsome ransom.

Mustang Merle was permitted to dismount
and his hands were freed. He was now an in-
mate of Captain Red Jacket’s camp and his blood
fairly boiled as he looked round upo the men
who had burned Mesquite and at th moment
he wished for his followers.

“ So that’s the young chap, is it?” said a voice
at the boy’s elbow an Merle turned to see a
large man with a dark face leering at him from
beneath a pair of bushy, overhanging eyebrows.

~“So you’ve come to life have oul” said the
boy. for the man was one of his ormer hands,
dismissed two years before for some rascally
work on the ranch.

“That’s just what I’ve done,” grinned the ruf-

' "I u Born Seton the man with the

9 ‘7 ‘ ‘. 1~

 

 

scar,” and he pushed back his reddish locks and
exposed a scar on one of his temples. “ You re-
recollect how I got that, don’t you?”

Merle turned from the man with a look of dis-
gust and looked at Captain Red Jacket.

“ I said when I left your ranch that I would
live to get even,” growled the same voice. “I
don’t forget some things. And now I’m on an
e ual footing with you and am not beholden to

ustang Merle. See here!”

The next instant there fell upon the boy’s
shoulder a hand that seemed to have the weight
of a trip-hammer. The long fingers of Sam Se-
ton sunk into his flesh, and he was jerked almost
off his feet by tho burly rufiian.

Merle, h0wever, by a quick movement unex-
pected by the man, released himself and, straight-
ening, faced the fellow covering him with his
finger as he did so.

‘ That is the rufiian who insulted Lona and
who got that scar for his infamy,’ cried the b0
who was as cool as Seton was enraged and furi-
ous. “ I sent him from the ranch against the
wishes of my men who wanted to hang him.
That is the man who opened the treasure-box of
Mesquite and stole sOme of our funds. He is a
born rufiian and thief, and the rope that is to
throttle him is already made.”

A loud laugh at Sam Seton’s expense greeted
this sally and the raider started toward the Boy
Rancher.

“ I’ll settle old scores now!” he cried. “ I’ll
have my inning where men can’t interfere, and
If you don’t look out you’ll find your handsome
face spoiled.”

Merle saw the demonism that flashed in the
fellow’s eye and fell back a pace. As he passed
oneof the raiders he caught sight of a revolver
protrudin prominently from a belt and in an
instant he d it in his hand.

This sudden move on the boy‘s part rather dis-
concerted the rufiian, but did not check his ad-
vance. ,

“Stand where you are, Sam Seton l” shouted
Merle, covering the face with the six-shooter.
“I am not your prisoner, but Captain Red J ack-
et’s. I have a right to defend myself wherever
I may be and I certainly claim that right here,
though a ca tive."

The man ad sto ped at last. The threatful
menace of the revo vor seemed to have brought
him to a full stop, and with his face the color of
scarlet he did not know what to do.

There was a vast difference between the two in
height. Sam Seton towered above Mustang
Merle like a tree above a weed. He looked large
enough to fell upon the boy and crush him at one
blow, but the cocked weapon put a damper upon
his designs.

“ Why don’t you carry out your threat, Sam?”
asked some voices on both sides. “ You ought to
be a’ble to ring the neck of a pullet like that
one.

This encouraged the ruflian and sent him for-
ward one more. It was a fatal step.

He was descending upon the young rancher
when the revolver, droppin a mite went off,
and back from the smoke fe 1 Sam Seton with
the cry of a wounded man.

“ Served him right!” muttered Captain Red
Jacket who had soon the whole affair without
having tried to check it. “ The boy has the grit
of alion and knows how to take care of number
one.

The next moment, with a glance at Sam
Seton writhing on the ground and filling the air
with his groans, he took hold of Merle’s wrist
and led him from the spot.

“If you had killed the rascal, it would have
goon no loss,” said Captain Red Jacket in low

nes.

“ I coald have done that, but I only winged
him for the rope,” was the reply.

By and by Sam rose and glared at Mustang
Merle, who was now standing some distance off
with the captain of the raiders, and after a mad
stare he shook his fist at the boy and walked
ofi’, nursing a wounded shoulder, when it might
have been worse, for Merle was a dead shot, and
instead of killing the outlaw outright, had only
wounded him.

“ What is my ransom to be?” asked the boy of
Captain Cussed, often he had artaken of the
breakfast cooked among the coa s.

“ Ten thousand dollars.”

“ Well, captain, go and get it,” smiled the
Boy'Rancher.

“ What, don’t you intend to advise the pay-
ment of the amount 3” exclaimed the Red Jacket,
falling back. , ,

“ Not a dollar of it! Did you think I would
buy my freedom of the man who destroyed my
ranch? Captain Red Jacket, you have yet to
know Mustang Merle.” ' .

 

 

 

«Irv. ~~.c~«-§-V.~. - - ~~ . ~ . - W}.

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher. 9

95.":

CHAPTER XI.
OLD Jon’s TRAII .

OLD J on BUNDY was among the first to assert
that Merle had fallen into the hands of his one-
mics, and the return of the black horse by Red
Hawk the Indian was proof positive of this.

The eflective force of the ranch numbered
fourteen, including Joe and the Indian, and the
men were eager to cross the long stretch of soil
between them and the river where Dolores Dick
had said Captain Red Jacket and his men were
to be found, and boldly attack the bandit rince.

When day came the capture of Mer e was
confirmed. Prints of hoofs were found, and the
Indian decided that three horses had gone south
from that point.

“ But there’s the gir ” said Joe Bundy, taking
Red Hawk aside. “1 don’t like the idea of
leavin’ her in the clutches of Gray Eagle, the
red sinner, who got away from me in the gulch.
Some one ought to stay back an’ look after
things here. The boys ar’ bound ter go an’
rescue Merle, if possible. You say the man you
chased last night was Dolores Dick?”

The young Indian nodded.

“He ain’t so penitent as he let on,” continued
Bundy. “ I saw the sly Old Harry in his eyes
all the time be war pretendin’ ter give Captain
Cussed away. He came hack here for apur-

There was no, answer by the young Indian,
but he turned to the determined men who were
saddling their steeds and looking at their fire-
arms.

It meant that they intended to ride to Captain
Red Jacket’s camp, and rescue Merle at all
hazards, if he were a prisoner of the Red
Jackets. They were valiant fellows, and all
devoted to their young master. There was not
among them one who would not have died for
Merle, and, with the single exception of Sam
Seton, none of the employees of Mesquite Ranch
had ever deserted his post or proven unworthy
the oung rancher’s regar .

“ at the long man stay,” said the Indian at
last. “ Red Hawk will go with the white hun-
ters to the bandit’s camp. They may need the
Apache on the trail.”

“I’ll stay an’ give a good account of myself
when on come back," replied Joe, and a few
hours ater the rescvers rode out and parted
from Old Joe with many a wave of the hand,
and assurances that they would not return with-
out Mustang Merle.

“Of course I hope they’ll keep their word,”
mused Joe, “ but it s a tie 'lish job. In the first
place, the Red Jackets are in the majority, an’
in this kentry the ma 'ority is expected ter rule:
but I don’t know. be boys ar’ fightin' in a
good cause, an’ there ar’ some gritty ones goin’
over the hills yonder.”

He lifted his head, but the last one had
out of sight, and he was the only one left on
Mesquite Ranch.

Old Joe was not afraid to be thus left alone,
and he saw the shadows lengthen without feel-
ing that uneasiness which sometimes comesto
very brave men.

His wound did not give him much trouble.
The button which had deflected the point of
Gray Eagle’s knife had saved his life, and it was
little better than a slight flesh wound, hardly
worth lookin after.

Armed wit his Winchester he crept through
the shadows toward the gulch.

If there was to be another drama in mid-air
he wanted to see it and to this end stationed
himself where he could command a good view of
the rocky wall.

Hoar after hour of the night went by, and
not a sound broke the stillness of the place.

Old Joe, hidden among the rocks that lined
the sides of the gulch, was not visible, and the
lhats and night-birds fiew past without seeing

1m.

All the time he kept his eyes riveted upon the
wall. They had examined it closely during the
day, but could not see what had caused Gray
Eagles to descend by the rope at that particular
pom .

Here and there dark patches of moss clung to
the wall, and over a large portion of it hun
long festoons of vines, covered with a sum.
flower which perfumed the hot air of the ravine.

It was along time before Old Joe’s vi fiance
was in any way rewarded. He heard _a last I.
sound which Seemed at first the notes of a oer-r ‘
tain night-bird common in those arts. It made
the old mine-hunter listen with a l ears. ’

“ The endin’ of that whistle ain’t quite natu-
ral,” mused J0e. “ I’ve heard the bird so often
that I know jest how it finishes its note. I guess '
that bird’s a men.” ' ,, ,

Presently, as if in confirmation of old J a

 

\

 

10 .

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

 

 

 

 

 

derision, there came gliding down the gulcha
figure which almost touched the ground like a
skulking panther. The hiddenvinan watched it
until it reached a spot almost opposite him,
where it halts/l, and standing there in the star-
light- and nearly within arm’s reach of his posi-
tion, revealed itself a human being.

Joe Bandy devoured the form with his eyes
and wanted to spring over the rock behind
which lll' was crouching and seize the fellow by
the scruff of the neck.

“The traitor has come back, eh?” mentally
ejaculated the old man. “What brings Rust
ling Bob back here if not the mystery that
hangs over Luna’s fate?”

The man in the gulch started off, followed
by the keen eyes of Joe Bondy, and the old man
creeping from behind his stone glided down the
gulch, keeping in the shadow of the wall and
never for a moment removing his eyes Item
the figure. a few feet in advance. '

All at once the head figure. stopped, and in an
instant Joe stood still. The next moment Rust-
ling Rob moved toward the wall and disap-
peared among a lot of huge rocks which seemed
to have been piled there by some natural con-
vulsion.

Old Joe waited twenty minutes and then an
hour for the young traitor’s return but as he
came not, he crept to the stone and found that
one of them deftly concealed the mouth of a
cavern.

He listened there for a spell. but hearing noth-
ing, slipped into the place and groped hisway
back under the lofty Wall that rose above him.

The old borderer stopped there until he had
formed his plans, and then having stored his
Winchester near the entrance, he drew a re-
volver and pushed on. It was a long trail in
the dark, for the old man was compelled to
grope his way, not knowlng whither a step on
either side might lead him, but he shut his teeth
hard and kept on.

He halted at last and suddenly. The notes
of that same “ bird ” had sounded upon his ears
once more, and so near him that he drew back
against the dark wall and cocked the revolver.
The sound was answered now from far back in
the gloom and the following moment a light was
\ struck, revealing to Old Joe’s eyes the figure of

a. man.

But now occurred another thing, and it threat-
ened the very existence of the miner. Some one
was between him and the entrance, and that
somebody was coming toward him over the
‘ same ground he had just traversed! He was be-
tween two fires and in the darkness of an un-
known cavern,

“Never been in this pickle before," said Joe
Bundy. “It’s like bein’ between Old Harry
an’ the deep sea, an’ one’s about as bad as 15’ other.
If I go on I’ll run right into the li ht yonder,
an’ if I stay here I’ll have ter tack e the‘chap
what’s comin’ this way.”

It was a dilemma sure enough.

“I believe,” continued Joe, “I’m not very
far from Lona. The man who holds the light
looks like GraymEagle an’ the person who is
comin’ down I: ' corridor—I’m got tor meet
him ri ht away.’ ~

Bun y spoke the last words with the whole
terrible situation before him and unavoidable.
He could hear the person coming down the
corridor, overturning a pebble now and then,
and the noise it made in falling downward in the
dark startled them.

Casting a final glance at the li ht and mark-
ing its location as well as be con] , he put up his
weapon and turned to meet the man coming to.
ward him. He had not much time for prepara—

tion.

“I’ve got a poiro'good hands an' I guess I
haVen’t lost any 0’ my powers lately.” mused. Old
J09. “ I know about where the avarage man
carries his throat. even in the dark, and I guess
I won’t miss this one.” ‘

Gently touching the wall at his back, he wait-
ed like a'tiger in the dark for the unSeen. On,
On he came apparently unconscious of the man in
ambush.

Old Joe seemed to measure his approach by
the steps he heard. He. wondered if the man
with the light heard them, too.

Suddenly, but without noise, the bi right
hand of Joe Bundy went forward and c osed in
an instant upon the object it met.

There was a quick start and a light cry.

“Not a yell, whispered the wagon “Old
190 Bundy’s got you n his vise. ho ar" ye,
anyhow?" ,
, . Kyd Kemblo":

- f‘AH‘esvensl” cried Old Joe almost dropping. his

     

  

 

of Mesquite Ranch, and the person believed by
Merle to he the traitor and Gray Eagle’s ally.

Instead of gripping.r the young man’s throat
with all his powri', Old Joe released it and drew
him cIOse.

'“I’m glad I’ve found you, Kyd, for 1 never
did believe you were the black Sheep of the
ranch. I reckon Merle wouldn’t want ter turn
you oflf again from what he’s discovered since
you went off. But what brings you here?”

"My mission is the same as yours, Joe, it
must be,” answered the overseer. “Lona has
disappeared. I know that. She has fallen into
the hands of the Apache who has been aided in
his infamous scheme by Bustling Rob, the trai-
tor. I have found his retreat. This is the
rendezvous of the two rascals."

“ Is Loni. here?”

“She must be, but I was here last night. I
went over this cavern as well as 1 could. It is a
wonderful place. Away back under the rocks
it opens into strange chambers, and I have
found on one of the walls certain marks which
look like old letters: but I dared not strike too
many matches.”

The heart of Joe Bundy seemed to leap into
his throat.

“ Did you really see letters cut into the stone?”
he cried.

“ I did, Joe.

“Great Jericho! what if I’ve found the lost
bonanza ‘9"

At that moment a hand seized his wrist and he
knew that it meant silence.

CHAPTER XII.
NETTING A TRAITOR.

11' was not necessary for young Kemble to
command silence' the touch was quite enough,
and Old Joe stood as motionless as a rock in the
dark. He could not ima ine what his companion
had seen or heard, and e waited for the next
act in the drama underground.

In a. few seconds a footstep was heard coming
toward them. The light which Joe had seen no
lon er shone like a star in the gloom, and they
cou d see nothing where it had gleamed.

Nearer and nearer came the footfall.

The hand of Kyd Kemble had slipped from
the tall miner’s wrist, and both were waiting

 

breathless in the cavern, Old Joe with a knife

lying along his arm, with his long fingers twined
about the ilt.

Kyd stood between him and the heart of'the
cavern.

“ I’ll watch here with the eye of an eagle,”
suddenly said a voice so near that the twain
started. “ You must not be gone very long.
This old rascal has the eye of a hawk and sus-
pected me from the first.”

“ Gray Eagle will not be gone very long,”
was the reply. “ He trusts his oun white ally
and knows that he will find the ird in the cage
when he returns.”

At that supreme moment a'hand touched Old
Joe’s breast and pushed him toward the wall.
How closely he hugged it then! He tried to force
his lank body into the stone, for well he knew
that the hand which had touched him admonish-
ingl , telling so much, belonged to his com-
pan on, and that it was desired that the talkers
in the dark should be permitted to pass undis-
turbed.

The next moment something brushed Old Joe
and even scraped his naked hand. but he did no
move. He heard the same sound of footsteps,
and not until they had passed did he take a new
breath. '

‘ Gra y Eagle is going oflf,” said Kyd Kemble,
in a whisper. “ We shall soon have this cave to
ourselves—just what we want.”

“ But the traitor—Bustling Rob—is not go-
ing, answared Joe. “We may have to look
after the young scamp.”

“ That we won’t hesitate todo, if necessary.
Come now.‘

The two llded along the corridor, feeling the
wal. with 1. air hands for a guide, and ere long
they were deep in the heart of the underground

retreat.

“Hark!” suddenly whis Kyd, and both
stood fast. “I heard a sand. Sonia one is
coming back from toward the entrance.”

Sure enough so it seemed. In a moment they
saw, the flash of a taper, and there stood out in
dark outline against the red rock the figure of
Bustling Rob, the traitor of Mesquite Ranch.

Joe and the young overseer watched him with
all eyes. He stood so plainly revealed by his
oWn light that the plfiy of countenance was dis-
tinctly visible, and e
hot through his veins as he looked. -

,All at once Bustling Rot threw. down the

 

:‘u II
A; .

I

 

mble felt his blood flow

 

“ Let me grapple with him; my hands are
itching for the join,” said Kemhle. “ But for his
treachery I would not be a suspect to-night.”

“ Take him l”

On came Bustling Rob, his boots sounding
loudly on the hard floor of the corridor, and
when he felt a hand Lom'i. him in the dark and
close suddenly upon his throat, as if ‘he lingers
had the eyes of an owl, he fell back with n grated.
curse.

But the grip of the angered overseer was
like the Vise’s, and he held on to his prey
though he was dragged Luck by Rob. 5

“ A light, Joel” c1 ied Kcmble, and in a jiffy
the Scene was revealed and Old Joe Bondy was
bending forward holding over his land a match
that showed the pallid face of Bustling Bob.

The young traitor swore roundly when he dis-
covered who his captors were,‘and when Kyd
demanded that he guide them to where Lona
was, he dropped into stubborn sullenness and
looked at them with a fiendish grin.

Rustling Rob refused to guide them a single
foot and when Joe threatened to hold him up
against the wall of rock and choke the secret
from him, he only grinned the more, sending
back in this manner his defiance.

“ You’re in league with that meanest of red
scoundrels, Gray Eagle,” said Old Joe. “ You
had a nice home on the ranch, but you wasn’t.
satisfied with it. You had to enter the servme
of the Apache girl-stealer. Worse than that:
you stole Lona for him, taking her from the
house when we were defending it against Cap»
tain Red Jacket. How did you do it?”

No re ly.

K d emble grew impatient. ,

“ arch him down the corridor!” he cried,
and with the hand of Old Joe sinkin into his.
shoulder, Bustling Rob was hustled a ong until
Kemble commanded a halt. \

“ We must be near it,” he said, striking an-
other match on the wall.

“ Near what?”

" The ‘ bottomless pit.’ That is what I Would
call it, anyhow.”

“ Is there such a place in this infernal mine?”

“ There is. You can throw a stone into it
and not hear it drop. I don’t know how deep it
is. Ah, here we are,” and Kemble waved Last
light over his head and pointed forward. .

Rustling Rob looked ahead, but said nothing.
His hands had been fastened upon his back by
his captors, and he had presented to them all the
time a. cold stern face.

“ Go straight ahead, Rob,” spoke the young
Overseer. ,

lli‘olr the first time since the capture the traitor

er . t

“ The ‘ bottomless pit ’ lies right in your path
and you seem to know it. March.”

Bustling Rob hesitated. Ten \steps ahead
yawned a pit. rightly called “ bottomless." The

ight streaming from Kyd Kemble’s bunched
matches did not begin to penetrate its dgpths.

“ This is murder, ’ he said at last. “ on are
not going to force me to step from the rim of
this horrid basin?”

“ Why not?” smiled the overseer.

“ I would be crushed to death by the fall.”

“ Exactly.”

“ Forward I” cried Joe Bund at this juncture.
“ We can’t wait till the Da 0 .l'edgment on yo.
Move ahead. We will nd the girl without

on.”

y In an' instant Bustling Rob whirled upon the
old miner and looked him fairly in the eye.

“ What has this old interloiier got to do with
this affair?” he exclaimed.

“ More than you want ’i‘m ter have 2” was the
quick retort. “I’m on hand jest whar I’m not
wanted by young rascals like you. Tell us
where the girl is and you need not march over
the brink of the pit.”

H I wonlt'” '

The last word had scarcely fallen from Rust-
lin Rob’s tongue ere the hard hand of Old Joe
ha gripped his arm.

“ You won’t, eh? That’s the end of the argy-
ment. This way, please.” ‘ _

Joe Bundy rushed ahead dragging the fright-
ened d unWilling Rob after him. Kyd Kemhle
follo g with the light and a smile on his face
showed Joe the way, and on the very brink of
What seemed a terrible pit, be halted “ltb his
captive. _ ~
“ I ho e won’t fall very hard," grinned Old
Joe. “I6 on’t know the exact distance but ef'
thar’s no bet in it’ll be a long drop. don’t -
think you’ll nd a tick tor alight on, Mr. Bob;
but I hope you’ll fare well.” , ,

He had forced Rustlin Bob to the verv edge
of the yawning place. a of, the youth’s foot, ,

I. H _ 0% I

l l
a , '

       

a?MM.,.’—v———\ . A

.1 mm“... h

. Ivy-3“.“ A.

*Wwfl . A

. “xi-mg“. ,

-!7 M ——K'-

.u—v

L  .z y.

 

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher:

 

11

 

 

and in another moment he would be falling down
—down to a terrible end.

“ Hold 1” he cried drawing back. “ Don’t
carry out your infamous design. I don’t proriose
to be murdered to keep in that awful pit an
Indiun’s secret.”

Old Joe (lid not seem willing to forego his in-
tentions, for he did not obey but held Rustling
Rob over the edge as before.

“Mercy! mercy l” yelled therancher. “ Don’t
let him carry out his intentions, Kyd. I’ll tell
all I kiiOW.”

Joe .Buiidy and the young overseer exchanged
looks and both smiled.

“ You’re right sure you’ll tell the truth, are
ye?” asked Joe.

“ 1 am.”

The hand of the old miner drew Bustling Rob
back from the brink of the pit, and he leaned
against the wall catching second breath and try-
ing to recover from his terrible fright. He was
n0w a picture of terror and one comical enough
to provoke a smile on the leathery face of Old

Joe.

“ We’ll take the truth now,” said the tall
miner after a brief pause. “ Which way do we
move?”

Rustling Rob started up as if glad to finish the
gd venture and get out of the hands that held

im.

“ This way,” cried he, moving off.

For ten minutes the, little party threaded the
cave and at last the unwilling guide stopped and
pointed at a wall that seemed to lose itself in the
darkness overhead.

“ I left her beyond that,” said he.

“ But what’s the door?”

“Go to the left yonder and you will turn a.
sharp corner. Stoop and crawl apou all-fours
and you will enter a chamber where you can
stand erect.”

“ But you?”

“ I don’t care to see her.
here.”

“ You go with us or remain here dead i” cried
old Joe, seizing the traitor by the scruff of his
neck. “ We don’t stand any foolishness, oung
man,” and once more he was dragging Ro over
the stony floor.

Bustling Rob, seeing that he could not outwit
the Old mine-hunter. submitted, though with ill
ghee, and offered to become more tractable.

9 led the way to the low-coiled passage, was

ushed forward with a revolver at his head, and
in a few minutes a female figure sprun toward
the little part with a or of joy, an a mad
ejaculation fel from old Oe’s lips when he saw
that a rope ran from One of the young girl’s feet
to the wall at her back.

She could go so far and no further.

In a flash the miner whirled upon Rnstling

I will wait for you

Bob.
“ Did you do that!” he cried, pointing at the

ro .,
There was no answer. The face of the traitor
was white.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
ON THE FRINGE or THE STORM.

IT was morning once more in the camp of the
Red Jacket Bravos alon the little stream
known as the Rio Tagus. fi‘he sun creeping up
over the hills that lay beyond the river touched
the scenery with a brilliant brush, and showed
the outlines of the tall trees and the darker
faces of the bandits. '

Riding toward the camp on a horse that was
well fitted fora long jaunt through that ulia
region, was a man who sat his steed ke o

born for the saddle. He was extremely hand-
some and a quantity of long black hair streamed
from beneath his wide sombrero like a black
banner. _ .

He was riding from the north and seemed
anxious to reach the home of the tribute-collec-
tor of the border.

. When he reached a hillock from which he
could look down upon Captain Red Jacket’s
ramp, he drew ram and let a smile illome his
ace. '

“ We are going to have a little fun ” said this
rider. “ I had my brush with the yodng Indian
last ni ht and I find that he is no insignificant
foe. fired right into his face and 'd not kill
him; but, thanks to the dim starlig t, I sue-
ceeded in eluding him. We are goingto have
some fun. Ca tain Cussod; the avengers of
Mesquite Bane are coming.” « \

He gazed upon the camp awhile longer and
than rode down the hill and entered it.. He was

'  m immediately discovered, but when he was,

name ‘1 Dolores Dick ” could,be heard on

 

Red Jacket stood looking half moodin at a
young person who was enjoying his breakfast,
as if he was not a prisoner closely watched by
as heartless a set of men as ever caught a young
ranch-owner.

“ Ah, you have him. I see!” exclaimed Dolores
Dick, joining the bandit lender. “ You have the
young ranch prince of the Southwest. “’hat
does he say about the ransom?”

“Just what he might be expected to say,”
smiled Captain Red Jacket. “ He declares that
not one dollar of his treasure shall go to ransom
him from us. He talks coolly about it. There’s
bIOod in his veins, and devilish good blood, too.”
1 ‘2‘”1 knew that. He expects a rescue, doesn’t
ie. '

- “ He has intimated nothing about it if he
does.”

“ But they are on the trail!”

“ “The are?”

“ The men of the ranch.”

“ Led by that long fellow called Joo Bundy—
the old half crazy bonanza—hunter?”

“They are led by the young Indian-—by Red
Hawk, the Apache.”

“ The one who fought fire at the ranch? I re-
collect him.”

“ They have sworn to rescue Mustang Merle
from our hands, besides paying us back for our
swoop upon the ranch.”

“ They do, eh .3”

Captain Red Jacket glanced toward the Boy
Rancher.

At that moment the young breakfaster looked
up and for the first time caught sight of Dolores
Dick. In another instant he was on his feet and
was coming forward.

“ You weren’t so penitent after all,” he said,
halting in front of Dick. “You said you were
gomg to desert Captain Red Jacket, and your
prett tale, spun for a purpose, was all that
sav you from the vengeance of the men from
my ranch. Now you are back with your old
master—are hand-in-glove with him. Birds of
a feather seldom fall out when they have a nest
in common.”

The handsome face of Dolores Dick lost color
a moment, but it was soon back once more.

“Why don’t you go back and rebuild your
ragchi” he asked. “Mesquite is a pretty place
an —

“ Rebuild it to be fired again by a lot of vil-
lains like those I see around me?” was the quick
rejoinder. “ No, not one stone shall rise upon
anothgr until the debt of fire and blood has
been canceled and the vultures of the South-
west have been punished for their last infamy. l”

“ I guess that means us, Dick,” laughed Cap-
tain Red Jacket laying his hand upon his lieu-
tenant’s arm.

“ It means you, sir,” continued Mustang

Merle. “I had no thou ht of any one else
when I spoke the words. he day of vengeance
will come.”

D_“1:’Vith you in our hands?” queried Dolores
ic .

There was no reply.

The two men turned and walked away follow-
ed by the eves of the young captive.

Dolores Dick was speaking to Captain Red
Jacket in low tones and Mustang Merle could
see that the conversation was of great import-
ance.

All at once the captain called several mem-
bers of his band to his side, gave them orders,
and saw them saddle their horses and ride awa .

“I know now what has happened,” thou t
Merle. “The boys have taken the trail. 0-
lores Dick, the spy, has reported and Captain
Rec} J gcket is making his arrangements accord-
ing y. v

There now remained no doubt in Merle’s
mind of the import of the news brought in by
Dolores Dick. _The brigands looking to their
fire-arms, bemdes casting significant glances
over the hills beyond the camp, as if they ex-
pected to see an enemy advance from that direc-

tion.

Slowly fled the hours of that long day. Mus-
tang Merle watched the shadows steal from the
west as the sun went down behind the hills, and
when night came the Red Jackets were station-
ed with a view to repelling an attack.

Now he' was watched with more vigilance
than ever. He had the eyes of Dolores Dick
upon him, and he saw that the Apollo of the
Randi? took a fiendish delight in keeping him

sig t. . .

No fires were permitted in the camp along
the river and the bandits .had to go hungry
when the hour for supper came. '

Captain Red Jacket stood against a tree re-

calving messages tram scouts who [came in
 now "A ' " “ is

with a single word which Merle of Mesquite
could not catch, he started forward and stopped
in front of Dolores Dick.

“ You know your orders,” cried the captain of
the Red Jackets, pointing at the Boy Rancher.
“ You will carry them out to the It tier.”

Dolores Dick touched the broad white brim of
his hat and saw his chief walk away.

“ Do you know what is taking place?" asked
Dolores Dick, leaning toward Merle.

“ My boys are out yonder?” was the reply, the
gaze of the young captive wandering over the
dark hilltops. :

“ You are right. The avengers and would-be
rescuers have come, but they don’t know what
we are, nor what will follow the first shot.”

“ What will follow it, Captain Dick?”

lDolores Dick looked at the hills before he re»
p led.

“If we should be hard pressed by desperate-
fighting—though ye are no mean fighters our-
selves—Mesquite Ranch is to lose its owner,
swiftly and surely.”

“ By your hand?”

“ I am to carry out Captain Red Jacket’s
orders. I always do that.”

“ Then, if you are hard pressed, as you say,
I am to be shot dead in my tracks?

Dolores Dick 'did not speak, but speech was:
unnecessary, for Mustang Merle understood the
look he sent beyond the little camp.

A few minutes of suspense followed this brief
conversation and all at once the form of Cap—
tain Red Jacket appeared at Dolores Dick’s side.

“They have come, but we will prove too.
much for them,” he said. “I have posted the
boys and the ambush will annihilate the whole

an . ,

HEW the blood of Mustang Merle leaped
through his veins at these words, each one of"
which he distinctly heard. He could not move.
His hands were not only bound at his back, but
a rope, extending from his ankle to the tree, pre-
vented him from moving beyond a certain dis~
tancc fromthe spot.

“ The ambush is the coward’s resort i” cried be,
looking at Captain Red Jacket.

In an instant he had the leader of the border
ruflians leering into his face.

“ We will show your men,” cried the bandit.
“We have a trap (prepared for them and the;
will ride into it an lose their precious heads.

“Not if Red Hawk is with them,” thought
Merle. “ I have great confidencejn that young
Indian.” _

Once more Captain Red Jacket fell back and!
with another look at Dolores Dick vanished in
the darkness. Beyond the confines of the camp-
ail was still. He rode over the hill and joined
a man who crouched panther~like on the»
ggougd, and who was starining his eyes straight
a on .

“ Where are they l” whispered the man.

“ Out yonder in council,’ was the reply.

“ And the boys?”

“ They are ready and wait for the signal.”

“ Have all come!”

“ It a rs so.”

“ Then it shall be extermination unless—”

Captain Bed Jacket did not finish the last sen~
tence but backed OE and vanished. _

In the camp, guarded n0w by Dolores Dick,
stood Mustang Merle at the tree. He saw
his guard steal off a few feet and listen for
sounds which he expected to come over the hill.
A bat flow across his face, brushing one cheek
with the sharp tip of its wing, and a snake
crawled over one of his feet.

The silence was almost palpable—the dread
calm before the onset of the cyclone.

Gently something touched Mustang Marie’s
hand. Dolores Dick was twenty feet away
with his face turned toward the bills; the Boy
Rancher could just make cut his figure.

Merle withdrew his hand when it was touched,
but at the same time turned his head. He saw
something that thrilled him—something which
was more human-like than the tree to which he
was secured, and it was crouched at his feet;
but in the faint light that came down from
above. hasaw the long, slender blade of a knife.

A thought of Red Hawk rushed across his.
mind.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
' ‘ our or ran TRAP. g .. ,
THRILLID into silence which meant safety to
him, Mustang Merlellooked again at the listen-
in and half crouching figure of Dolores Dick. .
E‘be lieutenant of the Red Jackets seemed to
waiting for the signal from the front and for 
a moment'had forgotten the péfisoner he had‘ v
.heentoldfow tch. If he shou turn back the

‘ v1“ 

 

 

    

‘Tagus.

‘a job of this nature.

    

12

 

 

 

 

amount to nothing, and Dick might pay for the
turn with his life.

A second seemed an hour to the young rancher
of Mesquite.

All at once he felt something tug with the rope
“that secured his leg to the tree. There was a
sharp, solid cut and the strand parted, then the
same knife came up until it touched his wrist

. and the cords which had secured his hands fell

off. He was free,-but it seemed to him that he

~ durst not move.

“ Coniei” said a voice in the faintest whisper
"that could reach his ears, and Merle fell back.

At that moment Dolores Dick came toward
the tree. Until this time the handsome des—
perado did not know anything of the events
taking place around him, but he soon discovered
that something was wrong.

Merle was in the act of bounding away when
something dark shot past him. It landed
like a springing panther upon the bosom of
Dolores Dick; the Bravo, thrown off his guard
by the suddenness of the attack, was pushed
back and almost fell to the ground. He had the
hands of Red Hawk at his throat!

Merle stood spellbound near the tree. He saw
the young Apache fall upon Dolores Dick and
felt that the knife which had freed him would
soon finish the career of the Apollo of the South-
west. And why should he interfere? Had not
Dolores Dick helped to destroy Mesquite, and
had he not come back and played spy where he
would have been hanged if some had not been
deceived by his professed penitence?

There was no cry on the bandit’s part, as
though the red hand, gripped at his throat, was
choking down anything of the kind; then. to
finish the struggle, an arm rose and fell and Red
Hawk sprung back to the breathess boy nabob.

“Now,” said the young Indian, and the two
ran from the camp, left it under cover of some
trees and glided toward the hills through a
ravine among which they hurried until they
were stopped by the voice of a nerd.

A minute later Mustang Mei e found himself
among his own men, and the rough but brave
fellows of Mesquite clustered around him and
offered their hasty and heartfelt congratula-
'tions.

“No time for this, boys,” said Merle. “We
are near] surrounded by the Bravos of the
hey have set a trap for us, but just
where it is I cannot say.”

“What ef we don’t swallow the bait?” asked
one of the ranchers. ‘

“ They may catch us anyhow.”

“ How do you like it?” cried a strange voice at
this ' ncture.

ith one accord the men of Mesquite looked
'up. Theisound seemed to come down from the
'tops of the cliffs which rose far above the bed of
the\ravine into which they had ridden and from
which Red Hawk had stolen on his self—imposed
task of releasing Merle from the hands of Cap-
tain Red Jacket.

“ They are above us,” said Merle.

“ That’s evident,” was the r use. “We are
in the trap now; but the gulch basamouth.
We came in here by it.”

The men of Mesquite sat upon their steeds
with their revolwrs dirme gripped, looking up
at the hill-tops as if they were seeking a glimpse
of the person who had spoken.

“ Hands up!” cried the same stern voice.
“ Hands up and pistols down, every mother’s
son of you i”

“ Isthat o captain?” asked Merle.

The dea si ence which followed this query
seemed to proclaim the consternation it had
caused. Captam Red Jacket must have recog-
nized the voice of his late prisoner.

“Go back to camp—quick l” those below heard
him say at last. “See what has happened
there.”

“ We must ride for the mouth of the ravine
for we can’t fight Captain Cussed here,” whisper-
ed Merle to his faithfuls. “ Ready, all of
you.

The could not see what was transpiring on
the hills; they did not catch sight of the man
who was running over the rough ground toward
the camp to bring back to the leader of the
Bravos a story terrible enough to fill him with

new oaths.

“ We’re ready. Cap’n Merle,” said half a dozen
voices in reply to the Boy Rancher’slast sen-

tence.

“ Ride! If they meet us at the mouth of the
ravine ride through them.”

The men of Mesquite were only too eager for
In an instant spurs were
thrust into the rowels' of the faithful steeds, and
all at once every-one sprung forward and were

g like themed. _ ‘ .

going,” he cried.

   
 

 

[his

Bullets fired from overhead dropped all around
them, striking the rocks of the ravines, or cut-
ting the garments of the riders.

Not a shot was returned. The riders bent
their heads to the leaden blast and kept on,
though several reeled in their saddles as the bul-
lets struck flesh or bone.

“ They are at the mouth of the gulch!” cried
one of the ranchmen. “ We’re in for it, sure
enough.”

“ Straight ahead!” answered Mustang Merle.

The following instant a sheet of flame burst
upon the gallant riders, but it was instantly re-
turned, and the steeds of Mesquite kept on. The
desperadoes at the mouth of the gulch were al-
most literally ridden dowu. The horses of the
men of the ranch were driven upon them, and
for ten seconds a battle was fought under the
stars that showered their light upon the scene.
It became a hand-to—hand grapple at last; the
Mesquiters against the Red Jackets, and deeds
were performed there which none but the actual
participants saw.

Forced to give ground by the fury of the onset
which they could not resist, the raiders were
driven from the immediate mouth of" the gulch,
thus opening a door for the ranchmen, and
through it they rode to draw rein half a mile
from the scene and there count their losses.

All were there but three and one of these was
Red Hawk the young Apache.

No one had seen the ndian fall beneath the
aim of a raider, but the young brave’s absence
told a story which Merle did not want to think

of.

“ We don’t uit this country without knowing
Red Hawk’s Ilate,” said the Boy Rancher with
resolution. “ He risked his life for me and him
I will not desert. Besides, this is but the opening
skirmish of the war of extermination between
Mesquiter and Red Jacket.”

The men received this speech with expressions
of approval and all swore new allegiance to Mus-
{ang Merle and promised to follow wherever he

ed.

Meantime scenes as interesting were taking
place near the little river and within the desper-
adoes’ camp. Captain Red Jacket in a towering
rage was marchin back and forth in front of a
maili who sat on a 0g watching him with a grim
sini e.

“ Why didn’t you watch him better?” cried the
captain, halting suddenly and glaring at the man
who was handsome and the possessor of a shower
of long black hair.

“ I did my best,” was the tart answer.

“ But you let some one steal upon the prisoner
and cut him loose. You admit this.”

Under his sweeping mustache the accused per-
son—Dolores Dick—bit his lip.

“ Do we rt, captain?” he said, rising and
choking backahis rage. “ I can go elsewhere. I
have served you all these long months for this.
Your hand, if you want Dolores Dick to touch it
in farewell.” - .

The dark-faced spectators of this scene said
nothing, but looked at the two men. They saw
Captain Red Jacket fall back as if he intended
to refuse the extended hand, but he caught the
men‘s expression and went forward.

“I won’t stand between this camp and your
“ You let a prisoner escape-—
an Indian outwitted you. You have obeyed my
every command—until new.” .

“ And never again 1” fell from the lips of Do-
lores Dick. “I hate the people out yonder. I
have always hated the boy owner of the ranch.
I will not go over to him, but I will prove a
thorn in his side fighting my own battles, for I
have a debt to pay—one which he does not dream
of. Dolores Dick has never told Mustang Merle
why he hates him, but the time is coming when
the boy shall know. Then let him sell or desert
his ranch, for I will render it unfit for human
habitation, and the bat will shun its darkest cor-
ners.

Dolores Dick pressed his right hand hard
against his bosom while he talked, and those who
listened knew that every word caused him terri-
blo sin, for the knife of Red Hawk had found
the 0d)r of the handsome raider.

The man stepped back as he finished. He
walked to where his horse stood, and draWing
himself up into the saddle he looked down upon
those, who were watching him.

The next second he had touched his hat to all,
and with a smile on his face, white but pleasant,
he rode away, going out of camp in a direction
0 posite the spot where at that very moment
. usrang Merle and his followers were holding a
council of war. .

(‘nptain Red J acket looked after his lieutenant
until he was out of sight, when he turned upon

en. ,

 

  

“ I outlaw that man!” cried he. “ I proclaim
him outlaw from this moment. He let the
young prisoner escape. We have lost a golden
ransom by his treachery. We could have strip-
ped the secret vaults of Mesquite but for his act.
He has shaken gold from our hands and caused
the sudden loss of the fortune we had just se-
cured. For time and severity would have
brought Mustan Merle to terms. Yes, I out-
law Dolores Dic . Any one is at liberty to
shoot him on sight. Now, gentlemen, for the
enemy at our door.”

The desperadoes looked at one another but
said Il( thing. Their minds were busy; but it
was evident that Captain Red Jacket’s speech
had caused a sudden revulsion of feeling. They
now regarded Dolores Dick as a traitor, for
when Mustang Merle escaped they lost a pro—
spective ransom which might have filled their
purses with the gold of the richest ranch in the
Southwest.

Once outside the camp where he had narrowly
escaped with his life, Dolores Dick rode fast, his
wound having been hastily and roughly dressed
by one of his late comrades.

A singular smile played at intervals with his
lips and his eyes got now and then a malicious
twinkle.

“ The Indian did it—the young Indian who is
the boy iiabob’s companion l" mused he. “The
boy stood by and let him ply the knife. Of
course. I did not expect to see him interfere,
for wasn’t I to make it impossible for his men
to rescue him if I thought we were losing
the battle? And I am an outlaw now—out-
lawed by the man I have served and whose life
I even saved once at the ris of my own.
Dolores Dick, the Proscribed. How does that
sound?”

The man stopped in the middle of a little val-
ley where clumps of young trees rose like groups
of little ghosts. He pulled himself up in his
stirrups until he stood erect, took off his hat and
griped his brow, pushing back masses of dark

air.

“ I own no master from this night,” be ex-
claimed. “1 am my own master. I have no
one to how to and no man shall say to me: ‘ Do
this.’ I am the Ishmael of the border. I am
free to ride where I please and if they set a price
on my head I am at liberty to return the com-
pliment with interest. Hurrah for Dolores Dick,
the Prescribed! My hand is against every per-
son and especially against Merle of Mesquite.
And he doesn’t know why, ha, ha. But he
will live to learn.”

 

CHAPTER XV.
GRAY EAGLE corms BACK.

TH]: day after the battle in the ravine noth-
ing remained to show how fierce it had been.
The spot of the handits’ camp was deserted. and
no signs of Merle and his friends were Visible.

Far from the scene of the hot encounter a
little troop of horsemen were riding slowly
across a level stretch of country. They were
stalwartlooking fellows, dark of skin and all
were peculiar hats, each one of which was adorn-
ed with a black feather. _

Captain Red Jacket and his men were riding
across a bit of country which they had traversed
before, but not on the mission which now called
forth their riding pewers. The day was hot
sndthe sun beat dOWn upon the brigands of the
Southwest; vultures hovered high above them
in the blueJ'and every now and then they 3:31:15.
ed a coyote, or rode over a skeleton shining in
the sand. . ,

“They have gone back to the ranch and we
must follow them,” said the captain, to the man
who rode at his right. “It is now war to the
knife between us, and the boy nabob who has
defied our power. We shall teach him a lesson
he will never forget and when it has been proper-
ly taught he won’t want to inhabit this part of
God’s creation.” . ‘

Captain Reddy spoke with bitterness, and
the men who heard looked at one another and
smiled. .

By and by the horsemen quickened their pace
and in a short time all were galloping over the
ground, their feathers fluttering in the Wind and
their weapons shining in the sunlight. _

Mustang Merle and his follOWers had disap-
peared after the fight at the mouth of the ravme.
They had withdrawn, as thou h they had had
enough of the co est, but this was not the
secret of their disa pearance. I

Alread they were far from the spot ridin
toward ’ esquite Ranch, Merle leading them an
locking ahead with an anxious face.

   
  

, It was a thought of Lona, that was taking him

r,

l

l

 

 

 

 
       

    

.__.. M‘._..._ . .

 

 

 

 

    
  
  
 
  
   

     
 

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

 

13"

 

 

 

back to the burned ranch. He had left the
girl somewhere in the hands of Gray Eagle
and Rustling Rob the traitor, and Red Hawk
had informed him that Old Joe Bunuy had re—

‘mained behind for the purpose of tracking the

Indian to Lona’s hiding-place, if possible.

“ That old fellow is worth his weight in gold,”
exclaimed Mustang Merle when he had heard
this piece of news. “ He’s a diamond in the
rough, and I am glad I ran across him while he
was trying to find the lost mines.”

Red Hawk looked at Merle and then touched
his arm.

“The lost mines may not be so far away af-
ter all, white brother,” said the young Apache.
“ They may be very close, for, as I have said,
Gray Eagle has held the same kind of map the
old man has carried so long, and, then, did he
not rob Old Joe when he stabbed him in the
ravine?”

“ You are right, Red Hawk. Gray Eagle may
know something about the lost mine.”

Red Hawk had been found after the fight and
Merle was not obliged to remain near the Tagus
and fight for his rescue.

All were now on the way back to Mesquite,
and the word was that when Lona had been
found they would turn against Captain Red
Jacket and his outlaws and finish the war for-
ever. The men of the ranch were eager to do
this and everything indicated that the would
rejoice to exterminate the merciless tri ute.col-
lectors of the border.

It was getting dark when the little band
came in sight of Mesquite.

The valley in which it lay was as still as
death and from the hill upon whose summit
they drew rem they could not see a sign of
human life.

At a given signal from Merle all galloped down
the rise and were soon riding across the plain.

They Were moving along the road leading to
the burned house when the click of a rifle-lock
was heard and a voice startled all:

“ Halt tharl”

Merle and his friends drew rein and laid their
hands upon their wea ns:

“ Bless me at I don t b’lieve it’s the boy,” said
the same voice.

“Joel” cried the young rancher, and the re-
sponse was as prompt as pleasant.

“ Old Joe it is. Advance and make yerselves
at home.”

The next moment the troop surrounded the
tall figure of Joe Bundy and the old fellow was
leaninitoward Merle and telling him something
which rightened his anxious face.

“ Forward i” cried Merle and the whole troop
rode on again, nor stopped until the horses had
carried them to the ruins of the ranch.

There a young girl ran forward and was em-
braced by Merle with an exclamation of jry.

It was Lona!

“ We didn’t bring the traitor out of the mine,”
said Joe, addresdng the men to whom he had told
the story of Lona’s rescue in the cavern. “ We
jest left him thar, for Gray Eagle is comin’ back
soon and we concluded he’d like ter find his ally
on guard whar he’d left him. Rustlin’ Rob
didn’t show much penitence until 1 war about
ter walk him over the edge of the ‘bottomless
Plt-y’ and then he took water. I didn’t intend
ter toss him over for he had a secret what we
wanted and we concluded that we wouldn’t Iget
itat all of we chucked him over the edge. e’s
safe in the mine, and when Gray Eagle comes
back he’s apt ter walk inter a trap which he’ll
never forget.”

Already Merle had met Kyd Kemble and the
two had eXchanged apologies, so that they were
no longer suspicmus of one another, not the
Boy Rancher knew that Bustling Rob, not his
overseer, was the Apache’s ally in the abduction
0‘ LOW” 11 h k

“Do you res. y t in bat the cavern is
lost mine J 0e?” asked Me‘i‘le. the

“ I don t think anything else. I have investi-
gated as well as I could, and I find marks of picks
on the walls and they weren’t put thar late]
either. You find them everywhar in the old
pla‘ce. mould you mind goin’ down?”

“ Now. The b0 3 ar’ well fixed, and they
don’t expect a bros with captain to-night.”

Ten minutes latbr Mustang Merle and Joe
Bundy were walking toward the cavern. The
night was starlit, and the could easily pick

. their way over the trail lea ing to the ravine.

Joe guided the young rancher to the entrance of
the cave, and in a short time they were far he-

Old 00 showed Mar the marks he had re-
ferred to, and they saw them plainly by the aid
of the torches they carried. I

I ‘ ' yond it and in the veiiy heart of the place.
. J’ o

 

 

“ This place has been worked, but years and
years ago,” said Merle. “ It must be the mine
mentioned on the map you carried so long, and
which Gray Eagle took from you when he
stabbed you in the gulch the hi ht he came
down over the wall on the rope. his cavern of
wealth is on my land.”

“ Sartainly,” grinned Old Joe. “Kyd and I
settled that when we came out and looked at the
lay of the land. Thar’s nothing like it this side
0’ Californy. Gray Eagle knew whar it was all
the time, and he had Lona’s prison fixed in his
mind before he came down with his bucks ter
carry out his part 0’ the plot.”

Old Joe had hardly ceased talking when a
loud report was heard, and Mustang Merle fell
against the wall, dropping his torch and sliding
to the base of the stone.

“Jehosaphatl” cried Joe Bundy, rushing for-
ward, but with a revolver in his hand.

Another shot was heard, and the torch which
Bundy carried was knocked from his grasp and
fell down, down until he lost sight of it, and the
place was as dark as Egypt.

Mustang Merle, stunned, not struck, by the
bullet, was soon upon his feet, and the two
friends stood in the loom waiting for the next
move on the part of t e underground assassin.

“ Who was it?” whispered the Boy Rancher.

“ It mi ht have been Gray Eagle, though I
don’t thin he has come back. My bird may
have broken from the cage—” -

“ Bustling Rob?”

H Yes.”

“ What became of the torches?"

“They fell down, down until I couldn’t see
’em any more, they went so far.”

“Then we must be near another pit?”

“ We are. Don’t move to the right. One
step might be fatal.”

For ten minutes the two friends stood like
statues in the dark. At the end of this time a
strange sound like the peculiar cry of a night-
bird, saluted their ears.

“That’s the signal,” said Joe, in low tones.
“It’s the same one I heard when Ifirst came
here. Gray Eagle isn’t far off, and if he don’t
watch out, he may not get ter take his feathers
home.”

The signal was answered from another part of
the cavern, and then silence reigned again.

“If they meet, with their knowledge of this
mine they may make it hot for us," continued
Merle.

Old Joe said nothing.

“From the last signal, some one seems to be
beween us and the entrance.” '

d “ Hush; some one is coming down the corri-
or. '

Merle could not hear a sound of any kind,
but he did not dispute the old miner’s words,
and stood silent, leaving all to his gaunt ally.

If he could have pierced the gloom which lay
on every Side, he would have seen the crouching
form of Joe Bundy within ten feet of his posi-
tion, waiting for the feet his keen ears had
heard in the passage.

All at once there came a sound which almost
drove Mustang Merle forward with a cry of
horror, for he knew that two human beings. had
collided in the dark, and that they were fight-
ing on the very. verge of the bottomless pit.

His blood seemed to congeal with horror

while he stood there and heard the death grap-
ple of the unseen, one of whom he knew must
be Old .JOe.
. Once he thought of lighting a match and look-
ing at the struggle, but the thought of another
enemy in the cavern who might be watching
with a deadly weapon deterred him, and he
waited in the dark for the end of the battle.

It lasted but a few seconds, but to Mustang
Merle they seemed hours of torture.

At length some1 one fell against the Boy
Rancher and then stood ere 5t, breathing hard.

Merle fell back and kept his revolver in front
of his face.

Who was there—Joe or his enemy?

“ Whar ar’ ye, Merle?" asked a low voice at
last, sending the young rancher’s heart into his
t t for joy.

In response Merle put out his hand and
touched a sleeve. It was Joe’s.

“ Where is be?” queried the boy.

“Don’t ask me. I’m tremblin’ yet,” was the
reply. “Three times I war half-way over the
internal pit, and it took all my strength tar get
back. He went over.”

“ Into the pit?”

“ Inter it, Merle.”

“ Who was he?”

“ Gray Ea lo, the Apache.” '

“ Thank eavenl” cried' the young nabob.
“ We are rid of that implacable foe.”

    

 

“ Come now; let’s get out 0’ this underground
hell. May I never enter it ag’inl”

They groped their way back and at last-
emerged from the cavern, from the mouth of
which they returned to the ranch, where Merle
made a singular discovery.

Old Joe’s hair had turned white. The horror
of his struggle on the brink of the bottomless.
pit had robbed it of its raven blackness.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
“MESQUITE on DEATH.”

IT looked as if peace and security had once
more come back to Mesquite Ranch.

The men had erected a temporary dwelling
near where the first one had stood and no signs
were seen of Captain Red Jacket and his band.
Old Joe and Red Hawk, scouting in the vicinity,
could not report a toe anywhere, and the glow
began to come back to Lona’s cheeks.

‘ It’s only the calm before the storm,” said;
the tall miner to Mustang Merle one afternoon.
“ The cloud is formin’ somewhar in the sky, and
it’ll soon show itself.”

And sure enough it did.

A beautiful day was drawing to its close when
Red Hawk, coming in from a ride over the
country, beckoned to Merle, and the two walked
across the little pasture together.

“ I saw a horseman down along the river to»
day i” said the {pung Indian.

“ One of the ed Jackets?”

Red Hawk nodded.

“ It was Dolores Dick.”

“ Oh, the fellow you cut when you rescued me
from Captain Cussed?” ‘

“ The same.” '

“ He has come back to spy out the land,"
Emiled Merle. “ Well, we will watch out for

1m.

The Apache made no reply, but cast his eye
over the land ahead and seemed to Scan it
closely.

“ Dolores Dick did not wear the feather of the
Red Jackets,” said he at last. “Indeed, he wore
another sort of hat."

“To deceive us, maybe. ”

“,He did not wear the usual garb of the raid-‘
ere.

“ But wore his long hair?”

“ Yes; he had that still.”

“ What do you think, Red Hawk?”

“ Something has come between Dick and his
captain. He is no longer with the band.”

‘ A falling out eh?

I “x by not? H’e let you get away, you recol--
ect

“Because he couldn’t help it!” cried the Boy
Rancher.

“ I think Dolores Dick is an Outlaw,” replied

Haw k. “But what is that creeping along
over the ground yonder?”

The dark hand of the Apache youth indicated
a figure moving over the ground some distance
from where they stood, and Mustang Merle after-
a short study of it, as he could see it, pronounced.
it a man.

“ I will run dawn to you point and get a-
good look at him as he crosses the trail, said
the Indian. “ Watch here, as he may turn»
back, and if he comes within shot, halt him.”

In another moment Red Hawk was gone, and
Mustang Merle saw him running toward the.
spot he had designated.

The master of the ranch nov. watched and
waited for the Indian’s return, but at the same--
time he kept an eye on the place where he had
last seen the creeping figure.

Ten minutes passed away, and the shadows

w longer over the rolling country.

A11 was still where Red Hawk had disappear-
ed, and not a sign of the creeper could be dism
cerned.

Suddenly Merle was startled by a sound on‘his
ri ht. He turned quickly and gras (1 his re-
vo ver at the sight that presented itse f. ,

Not fifty yards away, and coming toward him i
on a horse, was a man he raised at once. i

It was Dolores Dick, the out aw.

His body was partly concealed by the bod of'
his black steed, and though Mustang erle~
threw up his weapon, the man in the saddle did
not stop.

“ Halt!” cried the master of Mesquite. “ Halt
Captain Dick, or I will tumble you from the
saddle.”

“ You will, eh?” was the answer, followed by
a laugh. “ I guess you won’t do on th ng of the
kind,” and on came the bandit unti his animal’s
head almost touched the y’s hand. '

Fear of being ridden own caused Mustang:
Merle to spring aside, and though he tried to go

  

    

14

 

 

a shot at tho raider, he was frustrated. and the
next moment, to his horror, he saw Dick lean
toward him and grip his shoulder. It was a
grip from which Merle could not release himself,
and be was lifted from the ground. and in a jiffy
was lying across the saddle, in Dolores Dick‘s
If)“ (3r.

‘ " You look just like your mother, boy,” said
the eulluW.

"' My mother?” cried Merle.
my in vili'Tf”

“ Didn’t I?” was the responso. “ Didn’l- I
knew her for the most beautiful girl in all our
country, and when she became the u ife of (Jap-
tain llordrcn, didn’t I tell her that I would live
to pay her back for her rejection of Dick
from Dolores? And ain’t I paying her back
now 3”

How the eyes that looked down upon Merle
flushed while these words were spoken! How
the hand of the outlaw tightened on the boy’s
arm!

“ M y mother has been dead these ten years,"
said Merle.

“ i know that; but that doesn’t make me hate
you any the less. They have made an outlaw of
me, but I am not powerless because of that. My
hand is against every iran, and especially against;
you, though I expect I will be hunted down one
of these days, and finish my course with my boots
on.”

The black horse was gallopin leisurelyr over
the ground, all the time carrying ustung Merle
further and further from the old ranch. He
wondered if Red Hawk had yet missed him, and
was thinking about the young Indian, when
Dolores Dick said:

“ I fooled that young Indian of yours to—night,
He was trying to cut me off, but I took an ad—
vantage of him and flanked him nicely, picking
you up without any trouble.”

Merle made no reply.

. “ Yon won’t be at home when the captain
swoops down upon the ranch to-night.”

“ What, is he coming to—nighti”

“ He will be there,” smiled Dolores Dick.
“ He is going to carry the war into Africa, and
this time he won’t leave a single steer on the
place. He has formed all his plans. How’s the
mine? Has Old Joe found it ct?”

Merle was in no humor or such talk. He
saw gloom and death ahead for the friends he
had left behind, and felt that if Captain Red
Jacket should swoop down upon the ranch un-
perCeived by the pickets, its destruction was in—
ewtable.

Do, on across the darkening landscape went
Dolores Dick and his prisoner.

“ Whither are you taking me?” asked the Boy
Rancher.

“ Wait and see,” was the answer. “The out-
law has a home. Even Dolores Dick has some»
where to lay his head. I am living for ven-
geance, and, as I have told you, my hand is
against every man.”

They rode on Some miles in silence after this.
Merle, looking up, studied the handsome face of

lthe man who had caught him. He now new it
lainly in the soft light of the stars, and while he
'ookeil he tried to form some plan of escape.

But how could he escape, unaided, from the
clutches of such an outlaw?

The black horse, was large and strong, and
capable of carrying them a long distance with-
out fatigue. But he was moving from Mesquite,
and Captain Red Jacket and his men were about
to swoop down upon it once mole!

This was what sorely troubled him.

Suddenly Dolores Dick reined in his steed and
listened.

“ They’re moving along the slope over there,”
he said, pointing toward the west. “ The captain
and-his boys are now going to their feast at
Mesquite.”

The sounds of a moving cavalcade were now
distinct enough to enable Mustang Merle to catch
them all, and he listened with feelings not to be
described.

Oh! for Dolores Dick’s black steed that he
might outride the marauders and warn the
people, at the rancti.

“ You’d like to head them off, wouldn’t you?”
laughed the outlaw, looking down into his pris-
onor’s face. “ If you had my horse you’d do it,
I su pose?"

" ouldn’t I?" cried the boy nabob. “ I’d
kill your horse but what I headed off the ban-
dits of the Southwest, and they would meet with
the warmest reception of their infamous lives
when they struck Old Mesquite.”

Dolores Dick laughed again, and then listened
to the sounds still easily heard. .

“ Let’s see if we can’t get a glimpse of them,”
laid he, suddenly, wheeling in steed about.

“Did you know

 

“ \Ve might do this without letting, them know
tli it, wcfll‘c here,”

In a moment he was riding toward the Sounds, ,
and the young rancher was wondering what I
‘ to his lllllil st, he had a double lilll'liln and this

Would happen next.

in a little while Dolores Dick drew rcin, and
sat in his saddle looking with his [il'l<lilll r at a
dark line moving lu'l‘Oss the open ground before
them.

Voices came floating across the Country to
their ears and Dick and Merle recognizud the
tones of Captain (‘usseib the ii'avo. The bandits
were in merry mood and some were Singing ill
low voice or telling rough stories as they rode
along. They Were in no hurry to reach Mes--
quite for the hour w s not late enough for the
attack; they preferred to sWoop down upon the
ranch at the dead of night and carry all before
them with an iiiipetuous rush.

“What think you now, boy?” asked Dolores
Dick, looking down into the young rancher‘s
face.

There was no reply for a moment.

“ They won’t leave one timber standing if they
are permitted to have their way. This is a raid
of extermination. Captain (‘usscd is a host in
himself and with his men he is well nigh invinci-
ble. Don’t you wish you were free to head him
oif and save the old ranch?"

“ I do, Captain Dick; I won’t conceal the truth
from you,” was the answer, and the two rode
on in ‘silencc, but listening to the voices that
came over the, plain.

“ Do you know,” said Dolores Dick, “ that
Captain Red Jacket bears a charmed life-~tliat
he says that the bullet which is to kill him is
not yet molded i”

“ All, does he say that?"

“ He does and believes it, too. I have seen
him in some desperate encounters, when I would
not have given anything for his life, and he has
come out unscathed.”

“ But his time will come. You know, Captain
Dick, that every dog has his day.”

A smile for a moment wreathed the handsome
face of the outlaw.

“ I don’t blame you for hating Ca tain
Cussed,” he said. “ I don’t like him inyse f.
am his outlaw and he has set a price upon my
head, as you know. Listen to that song. t is
the favorite chorus of the Red Jacket Bravos.”

Mustang Merle leaned toward the sound and
heard the chorus of the rough riders of the bor-
der.

Every tone was distinct, and he thought he
could distinguish the voice of his enemy, the
Captain of the Bravos.

“ You say you hate Ca itain Cussed, yet you
will not let me go that i
him,” he said.

“ I will not. I don’t let young foxes like you
out of my trap. Ha, ha!”

“ He will hunt you one of these days.”

“I look for that, for am I not an Ishmael of
the Southwest? There was a time. when I stood
next to Captain Red Jacket in the esteem of
those fellows; but n0w at his command they will
turn and hunt me down like a mad wolf.”

The Boy Rancher could not help admiring the
face and figure of his captor.

Dolores ick spoke with a good deal of feeling.
It was evident that he liked some of the men
with whom he had Served on many a border
foray.

“ They’re turning oil’ now—bearin a little to
the right, which means that they are airly on the
trailto Mc uire.” he remarked, a moment later.

Mustang erle realized this with a thrill.

Oh, for a horse and rein and spur for a little
while. He could yet head off the plunderers of
the land. _

“ By Jove, some one’s behind usl" suddenly
cried Dick. “The band is traveling in two
parts and—”

He did not complete the sentence for he was
starin at three horsemen who had approached
to wit in a few yards of where he had halted,
and to move would be to betray his position to
the trio.

It was a perilous moment and Mustang Merle
watched the three horsemen with as much curi-
OSity as did his captor.

“ Hello thari” rung out a rough voice, and at
the same moment the three turned toward
Dolores Dick.

“ Curse them, they’ve seen usl” growled Cap-
tain Red Jacket’s outlawed lieutenant. “But
thank fortune, I have the best stood in the coun-
try,” and all at once the black horse sprung for-
ward, and the next moment was carrying his
two riders over the ground as though he had
wings and not boots.

The three men answered with a yell and dash-
od forward in pursuit.

may get even with

 

Dolores Dick sent back a challenge that echoed
fur and wide on the night air and the chase had
begun.

Though the gallant black steed exerted limself

Winn liv'i'nme apparent to the outlaw and his
young prismicl'.

The thin-e Were gaining on him, and the raider
looking M'er lilH shoiillei'. saw lhein pushing
forward with a deli iinination to take him
alive.

All at once there rung out several shots, and
the bullets “ei'c heaid to >ing as they passed
near Dick and Merle.

“ \Vliat if they should hit Dick?” thought the
boy who had spoken but little since the beginning
of tlic cxciting chase. I

They were now in a small valley “here the
tall young trees shaded it in every direction,
and it was apparent to Merle that Dick hoped
it. elude his pursners there. .\ trail ran through
the valley and the black horse kept it well de-
spite the sbadous that prevailed.

Dolores Dick sent back with curses all de-
mands for his surrender, and after the last. one
the >ll0tS became more friqucnt. At the edge
of the valley a volley was tired.

“lie!” cried the outlaw, dropping the rein.
“ They've Winged me, Merle, but not enough to
hurt.”

The following moment the Boy Rancher felt
the body of D lorcs Dick tremble in the saddle.
It swayed to and fro while the black hone rush-
ed on, and_at last Dick fell to one side, alii‘ost
dragging his young captive to the ground with
him.

Mustang Merle tore loose Dick’s last grip on
the black mane; he saw the outlaw sink down,
and fixing 'himself firmly in the roomy saddle,
he plied the horse with his heels and saying:

‘ Now for Mesquite or deathl” sped like an
arrow through the valley.

If he Could not outstrip the three horsemen
and get ahead of Captain Red Jacket, all was
lost.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
wrrun our.

Nor a foot of that region was unknown to
Mustang Merle. '

He had traversed it by day and by night and
knew it in all its windings, therefore, he was not
afraid of the shadows which threatened to lose
him in the valley through which he was now
“10ng for dear life.

He doubted not that Dolores Dick would fall
into the hands of his enemies, and thought he
had seen the handsome raider for the last time,
and when he emerged from the valley and found
himself upon better ground and out of the shad-
ows, he turned to the right and rode straight for
Mesquite.

It was not long before he discovered that his
pursuers had left the valley and Were thun-
dering after him. It was now a race across the
open country and Merle realized the danger of
the chase.

Dolores Dick’s horse, relieved of one-half of
his burden, rushed on with renewed powers,
and Merle saw, to his great joy, that he was
gaining on the enemy, and that, if his horse held
out, he would, in time, outstrip them.

Meantime theband led by Captain Rcd Jacket
in person was pursuing its \\ ay across the coun-
try headed toward the boy’s ranch.

If the king of raiders could. have witnessed a
part of the pursuit we have Just described, he
might have increased his gun m order to head
off the young rancher who was riding for life
and home. '

In time, the three men in hot pursuit of Mus-
tan Merle fell off one by one and at last the boy
no Tonger heard their shouts, nor saw their
forms rising and falling with the ground and
swell.

“Now for it!” he cried, patting the heated
neck of his steed. “ We must reach Mesquite
ahead of Captain Cussed. Everything depends
on our doing this.”

On, on went the hotse. straining every nerve,
as if he felt the need of such effort, and when
Merle rode over a rise and looking down into
the valley beneath saw a fire, his heart gave a
great leap for joy and he with difliculty sup-
pressed a cheer.

Pausing not a single second on the summit of
the bill, be dashed forward again and was soon
riding across the country straight for the fire.

A dozen men sprung u at the sound of his
coming and he distinctly eard rifle-locks click
on the night air. _

The next moment Mustang Merle rode Into
full view and the men shouted for joy.

  
  

—.——-—-
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eager to catch the foomnu’s throat.”

“Red Hawk is somewhar lookin’ for you,"
cried Joe Bundy. “ He said you disappeared :11-
miglity sudden au’ he came back ter say this
when olf he went again.”

In a few words Mustang Merle related his ad-
ventures and the men of Mesquite began to pre-
pare for Captain Red Jacket.

By and by there sprung among them thcflithe
form of the young Apache, and seeing Merle he
lcupvd forward with a shout of delight.

“ They are out yonder,” said Red Hawk point-
ing toward the West. “ I have Counted the wolves
of the desert, and they have come to wipe us
from the face of the earth.”

Lona, was plziCed in a spot considered safe and
the brave spirits of the ranch waited for the
charge which they felt would be made. They
knew that at a given signal from their chief the
bandits of the Tagus would rush upon the ranch,
expecting to surprise and bewilder its defenders
and finish the whole affair before much resist-
ance could be made. -

An hour of dead silence passed away and then
the keen Red Hawk who had crawled toward
where he had seen the raiders, came back and
announced that all was ready for the swoop,
that Captain Red Jacket and his border bandits
were in the saddle and waited only for the

Signs .

Presently there came over the little hills that
lay just beyond the temporary breastworks
which the ranchmen had erected out of the half-
burned logs of the old house, a sound which
tightened every hand that gripped a Win-
Chester.

It lasted for a moment and then changed into
the steady tramp of steeds.

“Here they arel” whispered Mustang Merle.
“Now, my boys, show this black vulture that
there are some bones that he will never pick.”

The horses came on moving gently over the
ground until all at once the often heard whoop
of the Red Jackets cleft the air. It had scarcely
died away _when the charge was made, and down
upon the Mesquiters with the fur of a storm
came the line of raiders with pisto s drawn and
with yells that made the welkin ring.

The men behind the barricade did not stir.
Not a word passed their lips, but they waited
calmly for the Signal which was to rise from
their boy master’s at the proper time.

On, on swept the raiders of the border,
wondering, no doubt, why their yells were not
answered with hots; they were now nearing
the half-smotheredfire and could see the bar-
ricades, but not a Single ranchmun.

All at once all this was changed.

A sound rose over the blackened logs. In an
instant a sheet of fire swept the whole line and
the charging column was staggered.

Horses pitched in every direction, men fell
from their saddles, some to be trampled beneath
the hoofs of the maddened steeds and others to be
dragged from the scene, hanging from stirrups
and shot through and through.

It was a scene of confusion never before
witnessed in that part of the Southwest. Again
and again the repeating rifles poured their dead-
ly contents into the disordered ranks of the
raiders which broke under the withering fire
and fell back without firing a dozen shots in
reply.

After awhile the sharp eye of Old Joe Bundy
saw something dark creeping toward the ranch.

He said nothing, but eyed it keenly, and when
it had reached a spot near the .house he brought
his Winchester to bear upon it, and was about
to fire when the hand of the young Indian en-
circled his wrist.

“ I see it, too, brother," said the Apache, in
low tones. “ Let me watch the human pan.
ther.

Red Hawk sneaked away and disappeared,

There were those among the defenders of the
ranch who wondered what movement was on
foot, but they did not intercept the red-skin.

Red Hawk was soon outside, creeping toward
the object which had crawled t0ward the house.

, Hehad the silent crawl of the wary lynx, and

the look of the night-hawk.
The object had stopped, and was fitting some.
thing to a bow. . t
It was another arrow dipped in something
imflammuble, and the last attack of the raider

1band rushed across his mind, and he saw himself

flghtin the flames once more.
Red awk watched the dark thing on the
ground until it came on again, keeping in the

" . shadow of the trees and nearing the house by

5." degrees.
‘. He shall not fire the house of m brother!”
laid be. under his breath.

“Red awk has
eyes like the young eagle. and his hands are

 

Nearer and nearer came the creeper. He was
almost within reach of the sinewy arms of the
young Indian when all at once a sound which
seemed a signal came orcr the ground.

The spy stipped and turned his head to listen.

Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher.

At that momciit his face was turned from Red v

Hawk and :i fatal neglect it proved.
The body of the lithe Apache shot forward
like a shaft from a how. it collided with the

man on the ground and the two arose together. 3

The Indian was uppermost when they went to
earth a moment later and a brief struggle fol-
lowed.

Suddenly but one person sprung up and that
one run back to the defenders of Mesquite. A
minute afterward the figure of Red Hawk ap-
peared among the ranches and something fell at
their feet.

Joe Bundy stooped and picked it up.

“ I thought you’d git it, Red Hawk,” he said,
holding up to viewa fresh scalp. “ You couldn’t
refrain from liftin’ his ha’r, could you?”

The young Apache looked, but made no re-

1

y.

“ Look out! Here they come again!” cried a
voice at this juncture, and the men sprung to
the danger that menaced them.

Sure enough the Red Jackets were trying it
once more; but they were met with a terrible
volley as deadly as the others, and the loud
cheer sent heavenward by the ranchers told
that it had been successful.

“Once more, boys, and the day is oursl"
shouted Joe Bundy. “ No quarter to the Red
Bravos of the Border!”

Back over the hills went the Red Jackets,
their captain shouting himself hoarse as the
victors could tell by the voice they heard above
the roar of battle, but not a single raider drew
rein until all had placed the hill between them
and the camp of the ranchmen.

There Captain Cussed, mad with rage, seized
one of his men and attempted to dash him to the
ground, but he was caught in turn by another
and torn from the saddle.

Not more than six of all that vicious band
had ridden back from the scene of slaughter.
Some of these were wounded, and their clothes
cut by the bullet toldhow narrow had been their
escape.

Captain Red Jacket attempted to rise but
was not able to do so and his men laughed bit-
terly and in derision when they saw that his foot
was imprisoned in the stirrup and that he could
not extricate it.

Led by Mustang Merle and mounted on the
steeds of the ranch, which had been kept ready
for emergency, the men of Mesquite now came
forth from behind the barricade, and all at once
the remnant of the raiders saw a flash of deadly
flame light up the summit of the bill.

This broke them once more. In an instant
they were on the run and with the charging
ranchmen in hot puisuit.

To the left dashed a lone horse and Merle
singled it out and rode after it.

He soon found that the furious animal was
dragging something human in shape and he
urged his own horse to greater speed.

he race was, for a long time, uncertain, but
the boy’s horse possessed the better mettle and
at last he found himself bearing down on the
animal ahead.
They were now in a beautiful piece of country
entirey open and almost level. The brilliant
starlight showed Merle the very flowers he was
crushing in his, eager race, but he gave them a
hasty glance and sped on. ‘

,At length he .came. alongside the flying steed
and saw the obJect still at the stirrup, bounding
hither and thither over the ground and barely
human in shape any longer.

“The Boy Rancher leaned forward and clutch-
ed the bridle-rein of the mud steed. He held on
like death and. although almost thrown from
his seat several times. he sucmeded in bringing
him to a halt and then dismounted.

He cut the stirrup—strap and struck a match
on the saddle. Holding the light over the bruised
face which lay on the grass he looked for a
second and thenvfell back with a cry.

Captain Red Jacket, the terror of the border
-—the tribute bandit of the Tagus. had collected
his last tithe and lay dead under the feet of his
Own steedl -

Mustang Merle held the match c1090 to the
face of the great outlaw and thought of the vil-
lainies he had committed; he thought, too, of
plundered Mesquite and of the vengeance which

ad been taken, and then, remounting, rode
after his men to tell them that the vulture would
soar and swoop no more. .

It was some time before the men of Mesquite
returned from the chase. They did not want to

 

v» . w

15

 

stop until they had entirely externiinated the
l’wd Jackets of the border, and when they came
together it was believed that all hnd perished
and that Mesquite u as safe for all time.

Morning came and showed Merle the full ex
tent of his victory. It revealed the dark forms
lyingr on lhc wet grass, and some one brought in
Captain Cusst and laid him at the head of his
1119!],

“ it’s what I’d call a wipe-out,” remarked old

‘ Joe llundy, looking at the dead on the field of

their last battle. ” They won’t bother this part
of the kenlry no more. An’ then, thar’s Gray
Eagle who won’t come out o’ the old mine till
Gabriel calls him. As for Bustling Rob, if he
keeps his distance, all will be well with him,
but he would better not try any more games in
these parts. Now, at Dolores Dick was lyin’
thar with the captain an’ the rest, I reckon
you’d feel entirely easy, eh, Merle?”

“ I have the best of reasons for thinking that
Dolores Dick fell dead from his saddle in the
valley,” answered the Boy Rancher.

Old Joe shook his head doubtingly.

“These fellows have more lives than acat,’
said he. “ Dolores Dick may turn up some of
these days and bother us again. He hates you,
Merle, because your mother refused to become
Mrs. Dolores instead of marryin’ your father,
peace to his ashes. But, we’ll go ahead an’ re-
build Mesquite, an’ see what that is in that
mine. We’ll do this jest as if thar was no Do-
lores Dick ter think about. We needn’t fear the
Red Jacket Bravos; they’re out thar on the
grass. The hull band is wiped out unless-
Well, I’ll ride through the valley tomorrow an’
see if Dick is still keepin’ the trees company.”

That day the rebuilding of Mesquite Ranch
began. In time a handsome house arose where
the old one had stood and Lona hada new home.
But what pleased hcr most was the increasing
friendship between Mustang Merle and Kyd,
the young overseer. The youth had saved her
life by discovering the mine to which Gray
Eagle and Bustling Rob had taken her, and she
owed him so much. ,

One day Merle came up to her on the porch
and said with a smile:

“Kyd has told me all, Lona. But I am glad
you are not going away. My ranch is large
enough for another house just like this one, and
Kyd has promised to stay.”

The Pride of Mesquite blushed, and Merle turn- ,

ed laughingly away. 7

The lost mine turned out to be a startling bo-
nanza, and Joe Bundy soon found himself a.
money king, and his herds dotted the green hill-
sides just beyond Merle’s ranch.

Red Hawk, the Apache, came often to the
ranch, and was always sure of a hearty wel-
come, and there was no Captain Red Jacket to
disturb this scene. '

One summer day there appeared on the nearest
hill, looking down upon Mesquite, a solitary
horseman. Merle and Old Joe saw him at the
same time. They saw him do‘ff his white som-
brero, and notiCed that he had long hair of raven
blackness. The stranger stood erect in his stir-
rups and waved his hat toward the ranch.

The next moment he was gone.

“ He’s as polite as ever,” said Joe. “ He just
came back ter tell us that Dolores Dick is still on
deck.” ‘

Here we take leave of our characters, but not ‘

for good, reader. The career of Mustang Merle
is by no means finished, and we trust that in the
near future we shall again meet him, with our
old friends J 00 Bundy, Red Hawk, and last, but
not least, Dolores Dick, the long- haired Apollo
of the Southwest Border.

Until then adieu.

.' m IND.

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
   
   
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
   
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
  
   

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Published Every Tuesday.

g r__

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMEarLIBRARY.

 
  

Etta-h Issue Complete, and Sold at Hm Uniform Prive of Fire Cents, by all Neu'sdcalers..

 

 

DY l‘ll)‘V.\Rl) 1.. \Vllldlild‘ln.
Deadwood Diek Novels.

1 Deadwood Dlek. the Prime ot the Road.
Deadwood Dlt-k'u Delinnee: I'r,i'onh1"DflRSvrl.
Deadwood Dick in Dir-guinea or, linilui/ lieu.
Deadwood Dit-k In 111- Cat-tie.
Deadwood Dielfin liouauza: or. Thr- l‘htuttotn Mint-r.
Deadwood Dirk In Dr lager: maimmrmttil.
Deadwood Diek'l Eagle—z or, The Pard‘ 01Fl"0li liltr.
Deadwood Dlek on Der-1.: er. ('nluniity .' lilr‘lllr‘ ileroino
Deadwood Dlek'n Lani Ant: or. Corduroy Charlie.
Deadwood Dlek in Lead\ Ille.
Deadwood Diek‘n Det lee: or, The Double Cross Sign.
Deadwood Dlek an Detective.
Deadwood Dlek'n Double: or. Titr Gttl’tzrtn'a Gult‘h G110“.

 

115" Deadwood Diek'l Ilome Ila-w: t-r, liluntls liiil.
1‘19 Deadwood Dlek'n Dig Strlhe‘ 01A t-‘unveottinlJ.
156 Deadwood Dlek ot Deadwood or,’Ihe l’iclted Party.
195 Deadwood Diek'n Dream; or, The Rivula oi the Road.
201 Deadwood Diek‘n “'ard; nr,Thr Blark Hill’s Jezebel.
05 Deadwood Dlek'tt Doom: nr,Calnutitanno’u Advonturo.
1" Deadwood Dlek’u Dead Dcal.

DIt-k'n Death-Plant.
Dir-k. A Romance of Rough! and Toughs.
Dlek‘a Dlvlde’i or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake.
Diek’l Death 'rall.
Diek’n Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon.
Dlek'tl Dozen; or, The Fakir oil’hnntom Flat.
Dir-k'a Dneatn: or, Day: in the Di Kings.
Diek Henleuel‘d‘ or,'l‘no Terrible ~undetta.
Dir-It’ll Claim.
Dlt-k In Dead City.
Diek'a Diamondl.
DIt-k lll New Yorkt or, A "Cute Cm."
Diek’a Dull; or, The Chnlned Hand.
“endwoot‘:  gr: IrriThd- (‘riruaon Crescent Sign.
eat woo e' r.'n lo nnee.
Deadwood Diek: Jr.‘u' Full Iland.
Deadwood Dir-k, Jr.’u, Illa Round-rib.
" Deadwood Dit-k Jr.'ut Ilaeket at (‘lalm 10.
llzeudlwoodI  in": got-r“; or, R‘ozemau Bill.
eat W00 e . r. n, o: etoet ve.
431 Deadwood Diek. Jr.. In Deadwood.

Dead wood
Gold-Dull
Dead wood
Dead wood
Dead wood
Dead wood
Deadwood
Deadwood
Dead wood
405 Dead wood
Dead wood
Deadwood
Dead wood

39.39.3‘3
aaaocaaao—
IG—N-¢13&~

491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'u. (‘ornput-t.

496 Deadwood Diek Jr.‘n. Inheritance.
500 Deadwood Dlek, Jr): DI Inga.

MN Deadwood Dlek. Jr.’t-. De \eranee.
515 Deadwood Dir-k r.'n l’rote‘ee.

622 Deadwood DIek. Jr.’-. Three.

529 Deadwood Diek. Jr.'n, Danger Duekl.
631 Deadwood Dick. Jr!» Death Hunt.
539 Deadwood Dlek, Jr.. In Texas.

5 i i Deadwood lliek. Jr., the Wild West. Vidocq
5‘9 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on III: Mellie.
554 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.. In Gotham.

561 Deadwood Dlek, Jr.. ill Bouton.

567 Deadwood Diek, Jr.. In Philadelphia.
578 Deadwood Diek. Jr., In Chicago.

Deadwood Dlek. Jr.. Afloat.
Dt-adwooo Diek. ar.. In Denver.
Deadwood Diek. Jr.'r. Deeree.
lDeadwood ll’l'lellt gr“ Ir; {leelzeliulb'l dBaIin.
eat wom e ', r.. a Yone a an .
Deadwood Diek. Jr.'-. LeadvI’lIe Lay.
Deadwood Dir-L. Jr.. In Detroit.
Deadwood Dir-k. Jr. In Cincinnati.
Deadwood Dlek. Jr.. In Nevada.
Deadwood Dielu Jr., In No Man‘n Land.
Deadwood Dlek. Jr., Al‘ter the Queer.
Deadwood Dlek Jr.. In Ilnlfalo.
Deadwood Diek, Jr.’-. (‘luue Aeron the Continent.
“glaalwoog  gr... Almouz the imagglerl.
woo ' r. A. upturn-nee ‘atte.
Deadwood Dick; Jr.. Book in the Minen.
Deadwood Diek. .i r.. In Dnrango: or.“tu‘nthervd In."
llieadlwood “it-Ii, gr}- lll'I-eof'ery;or,Fonud|Fortune.
('Ilt wood 14- '. r.'tI. a" e.
Deadwood Dlek, Jr.‘-. Dollarl.
Deadwood Dir-k. .lr.. at Danger Divide.
700 Deadwood Dir-k. Jr.‘-. Drop.
70-1 Deadwood Diek, Jr.. at Joell-Pot.
Deadwood Diek Jr., in San Francisco.
Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘- Still llunt.
Deadwood Diek. r.'- Dornirtoen.
Deadwood Dir-k. Jr.'u Diazulne.
Deadwood Dlek. .lr.‘-, Double Deal.
Deadwood Dir'k .Ir.‘-. Deathwatch.
Deadwood Dirk. .lr.'~, Ilouhlet.
Deadwood Dleh. .lr.‘u. Deathblow.
Deadwood Dlek, .lr.’- Del-perute Strait.
Deadwood DIeL, Jr.‘-. Lone Iland.
Deadwood Dir-k. Jr.'~ Dell-at.
Deadwood Dieh. .lr.‘-. Ile-urreetlon.
Deadwood Dir-1:. Jr.’~4 Dari. Days.
Deadwood Dir-k .lr., Dolled.
Deadwood Dir-k. .lr.'rt. Doulrle Devlee.
Deadwood Dlt-k, Jr'J. Denperate Venture. '
Deadwood Dlvk, Jr.'-. Diamond Dleeo
Deadwood Dlek .lr.'-, Royal Flat-h.
Deadwood Dlr-lt. .lr.‘n Head-011'.
Deadwood Dlek. Jr.'n, “hal.
Deadwood Dielt, Jr.‘u, Doom.
Deadwood Diek, Jr.'t-. Seoop.
Deadwood Dir-k. Jr.’-, l'rox .
Deadwood Dick. Jr.'-. ('lute .
Deadwood Dir-k. Jr.’rt. Ilixh "or-e.
Deadwood Dir-k .lr., at thll’n Cult-ll.
3 Rex: worn: knot, Zl'rfil. Keogh-{lune Hustle.
e woo. e", r.‘- on rue .
Deadwuod DIeL, Jr.. In Mexico.
Deadwood Diek. Jr's Der-0y Dark.
882 Deadwood Dir-1.. Jr. In Miter Pocket.
Dlek. Jr.‘u, Dead-Sure Game.
Dlek, Jr.’-. Double Drive.
Dir-la. Jr.‘a. Trade-Mark.
Dlek, Jr.. at ’ll -Top. .
Dir-k, Jr.'rt Dou le-Deeker.
Dick. Jr. at Dollart'llle.
Jr.. at Fluv- l'latl.

946 Deadwood Dir-k, Jr.‘-. Double Drop.
951 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.'l. Right Bower.
957 Deadwood Dir-k, Jr.’l. Ten-Strike.
965 Deadwood Diek. Jr.'n. hold-Dust.
971 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.’rl. Dath.

977 Deadwood Dlek. Jr.'I. Death-Doom.
9am Deadwood Dlek, Jr.‘-, Bentl‘ard.
99$ Deadwood Dielc. Jr.. at Gold Dar-t.
991-1 Deadwood Dick. Jr)». RI: Play.
1005 Deadwood Dir-1t, Jr.. “raided.
1011 D\adwo-d D'ek. Jr.’l. Dutr-h Par-d.
1015 Deadwood Dioy, Jr.'-. 1113 Four.

BY '1‘. J. FLANAGAN.

909 Mid-hlpman Dare. the Pirate Catcher.

925 The \ on Cowboy Captain.

9118 The. Two ldnhipnen; or, The Corlalr-Cllller’l Pint
Cru u.

949 The. Three Lieutenant-

059 T e Mam-0t Mlddyr or. The Four Communion.

9“ Fighting Jack Shuhrick.

9?. Fighting Jack's Middle. 8 or, Dandy Dick’s Duh.

9911 Jack Lang, tho Privateer Rovu.

- 1014 Ilddy Nod, tlto Runaway.

S91 Dead wood
MN Deadwood
90 i» Deadwood
910 Deadwood

Deadwood
92" Deadwood
93 1 Dead w ood
940 Deadwood

e:
a

 

      

Other Novels by 1‘}. 1.. \Yheeler.

80 Hon-had Roi»: or, Nugget Neil, the Knight.

34 ltonelmd Iloh on Iinnd: -r. ill:.i. tl~.- lrlri \liner.

Fl" Ito-ehud ltoh‘n Itea tu-arauee: Ht. l'lutvuruth Phil.
121 lionelrud lloh'n l harlenue: t-r. t'unmz-«n (hip.
27? Denver Doll. 1'."llrlrtlht-(1|.t'r‘li.vr.vilt- i'ut im-‘e Surround
2N1 Denver Doll‘~ Victory: or. V“! -rti t‘rmr-hwnvs.

2‘5 Derner Doll'n Der-o); nr. Liti .- lilii‘ll llnrza‘tza.
296 ih'llVl‘l’ lioll‘r‘ "1'111; or. The linad Queen.
86" Yreka Jim. the Hold-thnlu-rer-x or, Th. Lite Lone".
67$ Yreha Jim’s l’rlze; wt. 'l he \\ui\e~ u! Wu}... ['p_ '
8%.”) Yreka Jlru'n Joker; or, The ltivuls at Hull New.
1194 Yreka Jlm ol' Yuha Dam.
209 Fritz. the lionnd-iioy llrlel‘llvt‘; or. ltot l.eetle Home.
213 Fritz to the Front: or, The Ventrlloquisi Hunter
241 Sierra Sam, th. Frontier l‘rrrrl; or, A Mszer‘. ikvotion.
24" Sierra Samu- Seeret: or, The liloudv l‘tmll rinn.
258 Sierra Sal-'1- i’ard; or. The Angel ul Big Vista.
255 Sierra Fatn‘u Seven (-r.'l‘he Stolen Bride.
1534 Kangaroo Kit: 0?. T to Mysteriour Miner.
'89 Kangaroo Kit’n Rut-ken t-r. Tiu- l'ride ni Played-Out.
39 Death-Faee. Detective; or, Life in New York.
9 \Yatr-h-Eye the Drtertiw: tvr. Amhs nnd Angels.
117 Gilt-Edged Dick, u). s a... Deter-tint
115 Contain Ferret. the .‘ew York Detective.
161 New York Nell. the Bey-Girl Detective.
226 The Aral. Deteeth-e: ur, Sum-pr, the ltuy Slinrp.
.91 Turk the lloy Ferret.
825 Kelley, Iliekev «1' (‘o.. the Dew iii‘rs oi Philadelphia.
348 Manhattan )1 lie, the Bowery [trim-live.
400 “'rlnklen. the NightNVrm-h llrW‘llVC.
416 Illgh Ilat Harry. the Bu.- liltil Detective.
26 Sam Blahnldel. lite “emu-Boy Detective.
484 Jim [leak and Pal. Private Detective].
26 (‘loven "001’, the liutl'nln ilenion. or, The Boner Vulturel.
82 llob Woolf: or, The tlirl [lend-Sh -t
45 Did Avalanche: 01’. “did Edit". the Girl Brigand.
58 Jim lllndnoe. Jr.. the lioy Phenix.
61 liar-khorn lilll: or. Thr Red iliile Team
92 (‘anada (‘lretg or, Uhl Anaroruln in Sitting Bull‘s Camp.
118 Jack Iloyle the Young Srwculntor.
19."- Bonanza Dill. Miner: t r. Nimimu Mystery, the Forger.
1311 llola Ilob the King of liooihlal‘kL
141 Solid Sam, the Box Rond~Agentz or. The Brilllllt‘ll llrnws.
1?? Nohh ' Nit-k 01' Nevada: or, The Sierras St-nrnpn.
IR] \Yild ‘rank the lilitknkin Bravo; or. Lady Lily's Love.
2311 Apollo "ill, the Trail Tornado- tor. Rowdy Klttr.
240 (‘yelone Kit, the “mmr tv‘lmliatt-r, or, The Locked Valley.
278 Jumbo Joe, the lloy l’tttrnl: or. The Rival ilein.
830 Little nick-Shot; or, The Dead Farr oi Daggenvlllo.
858 Find-C an Fred. lite Gent Ironl Gopher.
87H Nabob Ned: or. The S. crvt oi Slain (‘it\‘.
83. (‘ool Kit, the King v-f Kidx; or, A Villntn‘a Vengeance.
431‘ Santa Fe Hal, the Slasher: or. A Sun's Verizettnt'e.
“6 Seal-kin Sam. the Smrkler: -.r Til: Tribunal of Ten.
911i Kit Keith. 1 e Revev tteSrmtier.
922 hol Sharpe. the New York Night-Hawk.
948 Did Day-teed Among llurtr-o Men.
1001 Banty. the Den\ er Bootblaek.

"Y J. C. ('D\\'I)R1CK.

\
490 Broadway Dilly. the Boothlnrlt Bravo.
514 Broadway Dilly'n Boodle: or, Clearing nStrnnxe Cue.
586 Broadway llllly'n ‘DItiIltllty."
557 Broadway llllly’n Death Rat-kel-
Ilroadway Illlly'u SnrprI-e l'arty.
" Broadway Dilly; nr,'i‘he Hoyllrtertit‘e’l Big lnnlnc.
Broadway "111)"! Dead Aet: or. The League oi Seven.
"roadway Dilly Abroad: or, The Ht-trthlrwk in Frineo.
Broadway lillly’n lien-t: unheatinx Sun Francinco'lFlnut.
"roadway Dilly In Clover.
Broadway Dilly in Texan; or,’lhe Rlvrr Rustlen.
"roadway llllly'n llrund.
711 Broadway llllly at Santa Fe: nr,The Clever Deal.
"roadway lillly‘n Full "and: OHThv Gunlu Detective.
"roadway lllliy'n llu-Inen.
Broadway llllly'n (‘urlorm Cat-e.
Broadway Dilly in Denu-r.
Broadway Illlly‘u Dar-gain: hr, The Three Detective.
“roadway Billy, the errievrl’ Detective.
5 "roadway llIlI)‘: Shadow Thule.
118 Broadway llllly'u Beaglen: or,The Trin’a Que-t.

6 Broadway Illlly‘u Team: or. The (‘uruhim'u Big Pull.
Broadway IND)": llrlxade: or. The Dead Alive.
“roadway Ililly‘n Queer Deuuent.

Broadway Hilly “allied.
’ "roadway llllh'n HI "III 3000]).
liroadw ay llilly’n “The Dal.
"roadway llilly’n Dank Rat-ket-
llroadway llllly‘u liluiY.
Broadway ltllly Anton Jeri-9y Thu...
Broadway Illll)’: Ilaltf
"roadway lillly'n “Ix liooru.
"roadway Dill)": lilg Bulge.
llroadw ay llllly‘n Momooo Snap.
"roadway Dill)":- lilind: or. The lioethlaclt Stowaway.
“roadway Dilly ill London.
Ilroadwny Dilly Shadow: London Sluml.
Iiroadway Dill)":- Frenell llarue.
Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Thrower!»
Silver-Muk. the Man oi Myntrr}: or. The Golden Koyl.
“ha-la, the Gold King; or. For Seven Venn Dead.
The Deter-“we‘ll A preutlee: or. A Boy Without . Nam.
4 (‘lhuta John: or. ed-llot Tune: nt Ante Bar.
489 Sandy “am. the Street Scout.
46? DIM-o Dan. the ilniny Dude
50“ "041112111. Ralph the Prince (tithe Road.
524 The Katrine-er Detective: 'tr. Redllght Ralph'l Remlvo
54" “art, the Night Exprvuo Detertlvo.
571 Air-Line Lake the Ynnntz Engineer: or. The Double Cue
592 The Iioy Pinkerton: or. Running the Rttnt'nil Hut.
615 Fighting "arr the PM»! oi "hnined Cvt‘lone.
640 llarehaek Beth, the (‘urttnnr of the Circle.
6-17 Tym-wrlter Tllly. the Alert-hunt‘a Wnrd.
659 \loonllght “organ the “ Pisa-nut ” Man of Ant. Bu.
NR7 Battery "oh. the Dock Deteetlve.
N94 Arizona Diek'n “I e-Dut..
900 .luruplntr Jaelt‘n . uhIIt-e.
906 Safety Stun. rm- ('yr'. Stmrt.
912 Train Iloy 'I'ri-i‘n Ilot Ila-tie.
918 The Trump Dot-L-Ilov.
921 “It “001- “oh. the lt‘lre~l.addie.
980 Itu-iler Ralph. the lloy Spotter.
985 The l‘Zx-Vew-hoy DeleetIVt-‘u Chum.
9-11 The Bowling Green Deteethe‘l Drop.
94—1 (‘owboy (‘hnrlle‘n Double.
917 The liowery \" rev-tier: vr. The lluttherfioy‘rt Barker.
1953 l’addy‘l Trump (‘urd: W. Silver Snilie, the Girl Sport.
960 The Broadway Sport: or. Flu-r Frt-d'n (‘lenr Can.
96’? .1000 Reward: or. The Rival Reporten' Sleek Scoop.
978 Bantam Billy. the Corker-Ferret.
9‘28 l‘luekv Put. the Street-Roy Detective.
9139 liieyele lloh‘u Ilot Sport-h.
99? fleoreho r Ham, the lmmtite on “'hreln
1004 Seoreher Ham'n Sweep-Flatten.
1009 The Girl 0) ellu‘n “'mulug "and.

"Y \VIIJJA‘.“ PERRY BROWNE.
956 Brooklyn "oh'u Bulge: or, Dodger D: t'l Diamond Snap.
968 The Halt-Side Spotter: onanninv ann the Big Thm
974 Did Sant‘a Durl.’ Deal: or. \llrwr MM’! Iron Grip.
1015 The Reporter-Detective" BI; l’ull.

a

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#16?!

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3'
..

8’40
.60

480
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a
‘5

 

BI'FFALO 1111.1. NOVELS.

 

BY ('01.. l’ltENTlSS XNGRAHAM.

1018 Bull'an “HP: 1‘. \a- Team.
1007 Ilnll'alo lilll'n Sure-Shell.
I000 lillll’ulo Itlll'u Decoy Boy-I.

995
"RA
Dill
. 7:!

96"

9:»
943

936
929

llull'aio liill‘t- Drop: t r.
liufl’alo llill‘n Lat-no Throw er-n.
Hull‘an lilll'~ Fixlttiux I"i\e.
Hull'an lilll'n Hillehhot-I.

lluli'alo lllll‘n Rut-h Ride; t-r. Sure-Shot. the “lull-Fixer.
961 liull'alo lllll'ul Deeo) ; or. 'lle A7110! :1 ('im A Shot.

Bulfan llill'n Mun-p a-(‘ha-u

t
Dutian Illll'n Snap-h ot : At. Wilt! Kitt't- THIN" Tully
942 liuifalo lllll'n 'l'ou

h Tum-19.
llull’alo lllll'l Boy _
Hull'an llill'n (‘rat-L-nhot l’ard.

650 Bull'an Bill'n llo) i'ard: tr. Nutter“) Billy-

216
322

55
6a
153

ill-on 15111. the l'rinw or the rim.
lilnou lilli'u (‘luez or tvrit.the Bravo Sport.

BY Bl‘FFALO BIlL.

Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout, M, The Banded Brotherhood

Border Robin Hood: or, The Prairie Rover.

Farley Frank of (‘oloradot or, The Tnpper’l Trua.

1029 The Phantom Spy.

191
194

B Y

BV CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, ll. B.A.

Bulfan Billy. the Boy Bullwharler.
Bulalo 11111 I Bet; or. The Gunbicr Guido.

 

(‘01..

1081 The Tex-n "antler-n In l‘uba.
102? The Cowboy Rattler: In Cuba
1025') The Flying \ nukee or, The Ocean (initial.

1028 The Cowboy Plan In

(‘uhm

(1.216 The Vllo ~ lluzler in Cuba.

926
920
9

98?
961

108K Kan-a. King; or, The 13rd Right Hand. Ev linfl'llo Bill.
1039 Multan, Merle, the Hay “author.
1040 Hull'an Bill’s Polly l'alrol.
1041 (‘owhoy (‘hrlu to the Fore

10-12 little Grit. the “lid lllder.
1043 You Bet, lioh i‘rom (‘ro-n- frleli.

1088 You Bet 1101": (‘lreum
1034 The Gold wm-h'. tin-down. By CohP. Inmbm
1085 Antelope Abe. the Bov Guide. '

1 Rut-k

New
New York hat artd I re '1 raltor l'erret.
1New York hat Trapped. -

New York Nat’n ’l hree of a kind.

New York Nat‘n Dot-hie.

New York Nat’n In Colorado.

New York Nat in Gold hugget Camp.
York Nat’u Deadly Deal.

' York Nat‘u Crook-Chane.

York Nuth- Trurnp Ford.

' York Nut and the (-‘rave Ghouls.
' York Nal‘n Marked Mar-cot.

' York Nat. thr Garvin Detrttive.

Doom’n Kidnap er Knoek-Dut.
Doom'n Ten Sir he.

' Doom‘n 1’1th "and.

Doom'n
' Doonl'a

Doom in (‘Itleugm '
Doom in the “ lid ‘0 cut.

Doom’u Death Flue.
Dlek Doorn'n Diamond Deal.
Diek Doorn’u (-'l l aleot.
Dlek Doom”: fl adow Hunt.
Diek Doorn'n Ill; llaul.

Ila-hing Charlie: or The Kentudy Tenderfoot’n Firmt Trail.
Dar-hing (‘hnrlie‘n lentinyx or.Tho Rent'nde’n Cnptlw.

Dan-hing l hurlle’n Pawnee l’ard.

Dal-hilt Charlie, the Reoruer.
Taylor, King oi the Cowboy;

lluek Taylor. the ( nrnanrhe'n (‘n >tivo

liuek Ta 'lor'tl Roy's; tn'l‘he Kr thitlrcol the Rio Grundy

Pawnee III, the Prairie Shadow".

Pawnee ill"! or. (all, the Mad Cowboy.
Pawnee Hill I l‘ledxe: onThe Cowboy'lDoom.
Pawnee Dill: tr, During Dirk.

lledfern’n (‘urion- fate: or, Tm Rival Sharps.
Itedl’ern at De \ ll‘n ltaneh; or, The Sharp from Tull.

Iledi‘eru’a llixh land: 1", Blue Jatltri.
Redfern'n Laut

And Filly (lthern.
DY LIEI'T. A. K. SIMS.

Torn-Cut and l’ardx or. The Dud Set at Silver City.

Toni-Cat'- Triad: wt. '1 hr Altair ll Tornhntone.

Tom (‘at‘- Terrible Tank: or, 1h. ('hwtoy Detective

Tom-Cat‘u Triumph or. Blnir D-n'l Glut Comhim.
éhnpnrrnl Port; or, JMll'l Ten Strike.

The Dandy ol‘ lodge; or. Rustlinz ior Millionl.

The Silver Sport: «tr. .lMll Peppermint] Jubilee.

-l‘alfron Sol. tltv Man With a Shadow

Ila p "am, the Dutri \‘qu; :-r_llotTimeut Round-U :

(,‘aptaln (‘aetu- [he

Bil a llarnaele, the Den-(tin- Ilerculu.
(‘owlm ' Grid, the (‘nttie.R.nge Detective.
Warbllng “'Illlam the Mountain Mountebnnk.
Jolly Jeremiah. the Plains Detective.

6 Fl nal flan. the L. .kout Scout.
. the (Syn: '“pr; or, '1 hp him-Ion" 01 Two Liv".
tile sat...

The yummy...“ am..." .1, Th. Myutitied Detectln.

Dilly,
Simple film, the .ronrho Hit-tn: or, For
Tollee Tom, the Matt l'rouvrt'llli'.
Kan-nan Jim. llt~' t‘rumt‘ut Driettit'e.
Marmaduke, th-- Mtvltanzrr Deterttve.
The Ilu-tler ot’ Rolling Stone.
LOIII‘ "and Joe the (‘nnrrrtitter oi 
Kent Kirhy, the High—Kirk" trt-m in lhucl’.
The Dot-tor Dete dive in Texan.

Two Show rm-n Peter-then- in ( oIorado.

The Trran Fir ehrallfl! "Tr an!“ 15m)" SMP-sm‘l

The Tramp'n Trump-Triek.

NEW ISSUES.

JUST ISSUED.

Br Arironn Cy.

1086 Dandy Dir-It'll Double. By Robert R. Inn ID.

1087 The Artist Detective.

The [Infill-o Library in for at. by all M.“

By Col. P. lngnhlm.
A New lune Every Tuesday.

no. par any. or not to mail In roe-tat at at: out. och.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publisher-I.
92 William Street, New York.

It. nlihvt Nld . the Knmns Kid.

art-oi: or. Joe Jnivzu’ Hold-up.

PREVTISS 1N6 “ADAM.

Y or ' hat‘u Dro l: or, Ex-Ferrrt Syltea’ Buld Gan.

Death-Grip; or, The Detectlvt by Destiny.
Der-tiny; or. 1 he River Blntklex’l Terror.
Doom: UP. ’l he Sharps and Shark! at New York.
Doorn in Boa-tom or, A Man at Many Mash.

' Doom”!- (‘leau Sw eep; or, Fire Links in I Clun.

'i‘rail: M, The Red Souibrrro Rangyl.

ll) .‘1ttj S S. Sroit.
Ry (‘ol 1’. it‘grnhnm.
Br “'m. ‘v'x'. “’tldrr.

liy t'ol. 1'. lngrnhnm.
By Ariwnn Cy.

By 011 (‘oonieh