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Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

 

Little Grit,
THE WILD RIDER;
on,

Bessie, the Stock-'l‘ender’s Daughter.

A Romance of Pony Express Days.
BY UUDZ‘DRENTISS INGRAHAM,
AUTHOR OF THE “NRAR CAPTAIN,» “THE
SEA DEVIL,” “DICK on..- EYE,» “THE
BOY DUELIST,” mo, E’rc

 

 

CHAPTER I.

THE WILD RIDER.

THE bright moonlight streamed down upon
an exciting scene, and a strange one, for over
the prairie three horses were going at break-
neck speed, two running side by side, and one
a few rods in advance.

Upon the former were two men, and their
cruel spurs were lacerating the sides of their
straining animals.

Upon the latter horse, the one a short dis-
tance ahead of the others, was mounted a
woman, and her keen whip fell with stinging
blow upon the splendid animal she rode, and
which was striving so hard to leave his pur—
suers behind, yet seemingly with little hope,
for slowly but surely th 1y gained.

“Gal, ef yer don’t halt, 1’11 shoot yer,”
yelled one of the men, as for an instant the
flying animal ahead, seemed gaining.

But the maiden made no reply, and simply
glanced over her shoulder, the act showing
that she was young and very lovely, though
her face was white with dread, and her lips
were quivering with nervous excitement.

But the man did not carry out his threat of '

shooting the girl, though he fired in the air as
though to frighten her.

But though she started at the ringing report,
she did not check her speed, and urged her
struggling mare on more rapidly, while from
her lips came the words:

“ I would rather die than fall into their
hands.”

And again and again the pistol flashed, but

‘ the girl would not halt, yet she believed her

pursuers were really firing upon her.

Before her was a slope, that after a short
distance rose into the foothills of the menu-
tains beyond: yet where was succor for her in
all that vast solitude around, for nowhere was
visible the habitation of man? '

“Come, Princess, they are gaining upon
you; come, my beauty,” said the girl encour-
sgingly, and cheered by her voice the noble
beast made another effort to drop her pur-
suers; but in vain, for they were mounted up-
on hardy prairie horses, which, though Prin-
cess might easily run away from, in a short
race, when it came to mile after mile of hot
chase over plain, hill and dale, they held the
power of endurance that the blooded animal
.[ted to succumb to.

“Poor, poor Princess!" cried the maiden, as

up the hill her mare staggered with fatigue.

“Hal hal my gal, we has yer now,” cried
one of the men in great glee, as theirhorses
new gained rapidly, and they knew that a few

, moments more would bring them alongside of

their victim.

But, just as their steeds were within a length
of Princess, and they were stretching forth
their hands to capture the prize for which they
were struggling, there was heard the rapid
clatter of boots ahead, and instantly there

. dashed into light a horseman.

. He was going by like the wind, as if unmind-
{31 of whom he met, when from the lips of the
maiden broke a cry for help, and a glance

t showed him the situation of affairs.

Instantly, with a word to his horse, he
wheeled, and charged directly upon the two
pursuers of the maiden, who quickly turned to
meet him, for from one had come the warning

“The Wild Rider!”

Then came several pistol-shots in rapid suc-
cession, the shriek of a wounded horse, a fall,
and, as the dust and smoke drifted away, the
maiden, whose tired mare had halted, beheld a
horse and a rider prostrate upon the ground,
and two homemen close together, one holding
a revolver to the head of the other.

“Thank God! he has saved me!” came in
fervent tones from the maiden’s lips, for, in
the victor in the short but fierce combat, she
recog‘nIz -d by the bright light of the moon,
the one wuo had been called The Wild Rider.

 

CHAPTER II.
THE THREAT.

" TiITTLE GRIT, yer has got me squar’.”

“ I inn sorr I did not kill you, as I did that
fellow lying t en."

“1 are glad, for I don’t want ter hand in
my cheeks yet; but what are you going to do
with me?" .

“That depends entirely upon what this lady
wishes me to do with you; if she says kill you,
I'll do so with pleasure. Will you please come
here, miss, for this dog won’t bite now?” and
the horseman turned to the maiden, who sat on
her panting horse a short distance away, gazing
with intense interest upon the scene.

At his words she rode nearer, and the moon-
light showed her a mere boy, splendidly mount-
ed, as her rescuer.

His form was slender but wiry, and his small
waist, broad shoulders and square chest, de-
noted strength and endurance in a marked de-
gree.

His face, as the moon shone upon it, was
that of a youth of seventeen, and the features
were clear—cut, handsome and full of deter-
mination, while his dark eyes had a “flash in
them that showed he would dare anything that
a man would attempt.

He was attired in a black velvet jacket,white
corduroy pants, stuck in handsome boots, the
heels of which were armed with spurs of sil-
ver, and wore a gray sombrero with broad
brim, and in a belt around his waist a pair of
revolvers.

His horse was a long-bodied, small-legged
black, and had no bridle on, while the saddle
was exceedingly small, for the limbs of the
rider hid it, and seemed more to be used to

 

comfort of the horseman. ,

The man who had been in pursuit of the
maiden was a rough, uncouth specimen of hu-
manity, heavily armed, and dressed as a,
plainsman, and evidently a dangerous charac-
ter.

As the maiden drew near the two, the youth
noticed that she was a mere girl, scarcely more
than sixteen, and that her face was very beauti-
ful, and form exquisitely graceful, in the dark
riding habit she wore.

Shaken down by her hard ride, her hairlhung
down upon the back of her horse, and looked
like strands of gold in the moonlight.

“Now, miss, if you say the word, I‘ll send
a. bullet through this fellow’s brain,” said the
youth, who held the ruflian under cover of his
revolver.

“ No, no, sir, I would not wiph that, though
he is a. very badrman, and with his companion
there, decoyed me away from the train, under
an excuse that my father had sent for me,”
said the maiden, in a sweet voiie.

“ You then belong to a tr in; I wondered
how it was I found you here.”

“My father commands a train of supplies
going to Fort Aspen, sir, and these' men he-
longed tn the party, and of course, I did not
expect harm from them, and when they said
my father wished me to go on ahead 8. mile or
two and join him, I accompanied them, until
I saw that they were deceiving me, and they
told me that they w0uld hold me until well paid
for taking me back.” '

. “ Aha! that is your game, is it, Hank Haw-
kins, for you see I know you? Well, I’ll report
your conduct along the line, and the boys will
make it hot ful' you-gel” ;

 

strap a pair of leather pockets to, than for the-

 

 

“Does yer mean it, Little Grit?” asked fl“;

man, eagerly.

“ Yes—no, remain here and look after your '

dead pard; and I will see you back to the
train, miss, but you must ride fast, as I am
riding Pony Express, and wouldn’t have stop-
ped, if I hadn’t seen that it was a ladyin
trouble; come, miss, please, and you, link
Iiawkins, remember that I’ll keep my eye on
on.”

“ And I know somebody es hez the’r eyes on
you, Little Grit,” said the man, threateningly.

“ Bah! what do I care for you?”

“’Tisn’t me, altho’ I doesn’t intend tofer-

‘t you.”

-“ Who is it, then?”

“ Ther Boy Bandit.”

“So be it; I fear that fellow and his gang
of horse-thieves as little as I do you; come,
miss, we must be off, and you’ll haVe to drive
your horse hard to keep up with Firefly.”

Ashe spoke he wheeled his splendid horse
alongside of Prince? and the two animals
started off at a rapi gallop back toward the
plains from whence the maiden had come.

 

CHAPTER 11L
THE RED RAVINE.

“YOUR horse seems used up, miss,” said the
youth, after they had been riding along to-
gether for a few minutes, and Princess showed
increased signs of failing. .

“Yes, she seems to feel her long and rapid
run, and I am sorry that I detain you, sir,”
replied the maiden.

“Oh, don’t mind me— Hold!”

The sudden ejaculation of the young horse.
man had been occasioned by the appearance,
over a ridge ahead of them, of half a dozen
horsemen.

Suiting his action with his words, he had
quickly seized the rein of his fair companion’s
horse, and the two animals had come to a.
sudden halt.

“Who are they?” asked the maiden anx»
iously, seeing the youth gazing earnestly at the
approaching horsemen.

“They are fellows that, under the circumv
stances, I do not care to meet; the same ones
whom Hank Hawkins threatened me with;
but fortunately they do not yet see us, and
we’ll see if we can get away unseen.”

Still holding the bridle-rein of the maiden’s
horse, and guiding his own by a movement of
his knees, the youth wheeled short off of the
trail, and endeavored to reach a thicket of
scrub pines not far away. ' '

At first he believed he would escape the
observation‘of the horsemen, as they were
laughing and talking together, and not very
watchful; but a sudden shout warned him that
he was discovered, and he said quickly:

“Come, you must ride behind me, for your
horse is useless.”

As he spoke he threw his arm around the
maiden’s waist, and with an exhibition of
strength that surprised her, quickly raised her
from her saddle, and set her down behind
him.

“Firefly will lead those fellows a long race,
even if he does carry a double load; come, old
fellowl” '

“But my poor Princess,” cried the maiden,
as the splendid black bounded away at the
word of his master.

“Must fall to the enemy, unless she can
keep up without your weight.”

And it was evident that Princess, at the call '

of her mistress, determined to make a des-
perate effort to keep along with the black that
was carrying her load for her; but a few hun-
dred feet were sufficient to show her that Fire-
fly would soon drop her behind.

As the black bounded away the horsemen,
whom the youth had said were dangerous foes
to meet, started in rapid pursuit, and in a
minute the chase began across the moonlit
plain, for a short run brought the pursued free
of the ,foot - hills, and the rolling prairb
stretched before them for miles.

 

  

 

  
    
  
 

 

 

~ M.‘ .
._ gt“. , at

   
   
  

  

Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

 

 

. t is ten miles to the next station, miss,
and we can hold our town, I think,” said the
youth, hopefully, as Firefly ran along like the
wind, with his pursuers, seven in number,
stretched out in hot chase.

“But they may fire upon you and wound
your home,” she said, with dread.

“ No, they are the band of the Boy Bandit,
andthey wish to catch me alive.”

“The Boy Bandit! I have heard the scouts
in the train tell strange, wild stories about
him at night around the camp-fires; but is be
really a boy, sir?”

“ Yes, their leader, Captain Firebrand, is
said to be but fifteen; see, that is he in ad-
vance, on that white horse, and he is gaining
upon us.”

“’ And they would harm us if they. captured
us?’ ‘

“They would kill me and demand ransom
of your father for you, miss; but don’t be
frightened, for Firefly holds up well, and if he
fails under his double load, you are a splendid
rider and he can easily carry you on to the
station on my saddle.”

“And you?” quickly asked the young girl.

“I’ll drop off at the Red Ravine and they
can never find me. ”

“No, no, let them take me and father will
pay We ransom, for you have said they will kill
you if they capture you.”

“ You are a brave girl, but don’t feel worried,
for they won’t get either one of us, I promise
you.”

The maiden hoped that her brave companion
spoke truly, but glancing behind her she saw
that the white horse was steadily gaining, and
was now but fifty yards away.

A look behind showed the youth that,
although Firefly was doing splendidly, he had
a horse on his trail that, with his double

I weight, was more than a match for him, and

he said:

“ Do you see that lone tree ahead, miss?”

H 3798.”

“Well, that stands at the head of the Red
Ravine, and there I shall drop off, while you
go on to the station.”

“No, no, I will not allow you to do this;
put me off and your horse will carry you
rapidly out of danger.”

The youth turned and looked the maiden
squarely in the face and replied:

“ You are a plucky girl; but I’d rather haul
up and fight the whole band of the Boy Bandit,
than do it. I tell you I know the Red Ravine
well, and can easily dodge them in it, while
Firefly will carry you on to the station and
save you and the express and letters, and you
can tell Handy, the agent, that I’m coming,
but won’t be on time.”

“Are you sure you can escape?”

“I know it, for I’ve gotten out of many a
worse scrape; now, I’ll change places with

on.”

As he spoke he again put his arm around her
slender waist, and raising her easily, brought
her round in front of him, while he slid back
into the place she had occupied.

Leaning over then, he hastily shortened
the stirrup and , placed her foot in it, and said:

“ Now hold hard to Firefly’s mane, for you
see I use no bridle, and he will carry you safe;
here is the tree: good-by, miss.”

Ere she was aware, he had suddenly leaped
'lightly to the ground, just as Firefly ran under
the shadow of the huge, low tree, and glancing
back as the horse bounded on, she saw that the
youth had mysteriously disappeared, while,

_}e1ieved of his extra burden, the noble animal

she rode was rapidly dropping the Boy Bandit
behind him.

And still anxiously looking back over her
shoulder, she discovered that but three con-
tinued in pursuit of her, the others having
halted at the tree.

“They saw him spring from his horse, and
he will surely be killed— Oh i”

The cry broke from her lips as several piuol-
thots rang out in rapid succession, and greatly
terrified, she looked back over her shoulder, to

 

see a horseman dart out from under the sha-
dow of the tree, and come on swiftly after the
three who were pursuing her.

 

CHAPTER IV.
THE WILD RIDER’S RUSE.

Wm the Wild Rider slipped off of Firefly
at the lone tree, growing at the head of the
Red Ravine, his first intention seemed to spring
down into the gully and run for his life; but a
second thought seized upon him suddenly, and
changing his first impulse, he sprung back into
the shelter of the trunk and broken limbs piled
up around it, and muttered:

“ There’s the ravine for refuge, if my little
plan fails.”

Hardly had he gained a hiding-place in the
shadow of the foliage, and drawn :1 revolver,
when he saw the white horse alums” “POD “1m;
and he looked straight into “19 face 0f the BOY
Bandit. _,

nae glance, by the bright moonlightfihowed
him that the rider of the snow-white steel was
certainly a most youthful personage, with long,
golden curls hanging upon his shoulders, a
suit of buckskin, fringed and headed, a broad,
black sombrero, and a belt-of-arms.

He sat his horse, a splendid animal, like one
born in the saddle, and his eyes were fixed in-
tently on the flying black and his fair burden,
in front.

“I could kill him, and—but I mn’t,” and
the Wild Rider lowered his revolver, Which he
had half-raised, and the Boy Bandit swept on,
little dreaming of danger, for he saw not the
dark form crouching in the shadow.

“No, another time we will meet on fairer
terms, and then one of us must die,” muttered
the .youth, and he crouched still closer as two
of the band, large, bearded men, swept by on
the heels of their young chief.

A few seconds more and up dashed another
of the band and halted, and the remaining
three did the same, one of them, the first-comer,
calling out:

“We’ll await the chief here, pards.”

But, as the words left his lips, out of the
shadow around the trunk of the tree came a
flash, another, and another, and down from
his horse fell one of the bandits, and to the
grormd dropped the steeds of the balance,
while out from his hiding-place darted the
Pony Express Rider, and ere the startled out-
laws knew what had happened, and could ex—
tricate themselves from their fallen animals,
the Wild Rider had thrown himself into the
saddle of the man he had slain, and with a
ringing laugh, rode away like the wind, fol-
lowed by a few scattering shots, and bitter
curses from his discomfited foes, whom his
unerring aim ‘had dismounted.

The Boy Bandit heard the shots and looked
back, but intent on the wished-for prize ahead
of him, he held on, confident that his men
would Lnot be defeated by anything they had
found at‘the head of the ravine, and little
dreaming that it was the one he sought, that
had so cleverly mounted himself and dis
mounted the outlaws.

And thus the chase continued, with the
maiden mounted on the bridleless horse of the
Wild Rider, dashing along in advance, and
steadily gaining, and the white steed pressing
on hard in pursuit, urged by the Boy Bandit,
while behind half a hundred yards, came his
two men, who rode side by side, their horses
seeming of equal speed. ~

About a like distance in the rear of these
two, came a gallant bay, evidently held in
check by his rider, upon whose face was a
triumphant smile.

Presently over a roll in the prairie appeared
a band of horsemen, and they were a score in
number, while at their head rode a large man
in undres military uniform. '

At a glance he saw the coming black, an
instantly was on the qup' vice, and fluttering in
the moonlight was visible a skirt, which caused
him to cry out: .v ,

“Thank God! it is my child!” and raising
his voice he cried in ringing tones:

 

“ Helen! Helen! my child, come to me!”
Back on the wind came the response:
“Father! I am safe, come!”

But the black swerved from his course, and
increasing, rather than diminishing his speed,
sped on like the very wind, to the amazement
of all who saw him.

“In heaven’s name! what does it mean!“
cried the father, and raising his voice again,
he called out:

“Helen, stopl wait for mei”\ ‘

“I cannot! cemei” “

Back to their ears can” "er reply, and an
stood an instant f{pang into each other’s faces
in wonder, our" one qu‘Ck eye caught sight of
three hr. semen flying back over the prairie

“one! they were in pursuit of her!” 0“in
one man, and from several llpS broke the
words:

“ The Boy Bandit and his men 1”

“Then after them, a dozen of you, while 1
follow my child," and calling to a half a dozen
of his followers to accompany him the officer
sped away in. chase of Firefly, while the re-
mainder of the party, with wild shouts, rode
off in pursuit of the snow-white steed, so well
known along the overland trail.

But on went the flying black, straight to the
station, “here soon after he drew up, panting
from his long run.

It was but half a dozen shanties, Rocky
Glen Station, besides the stables and public
house, which a wonderful stretch of imagina-
tion called a hotel, and,as the rapid clatter of
boots told the idlers within that the Pony Ex-
press Rider was coming, nearly two score of
rough—looking men stepped out of the bar-
room to greet Wild Rider, who was a great
favorite along the line.

 

CHAPTER V.
AT THE RIDERs’ REST.

“THET festive youth are half a hour late,
pards, an’ it’s sure suthin’ is gone Wrong, for he
are allus on time, an’ a leetle ahead,” and
Trumps, a large—bodied, frank-faced frontiers-
man, who had been trapper, guide, teamster
and miner, and gambler through all, threw
down his last card, atrump, and raked the win- -
nings into his capacious pocket, while he gazed
around upon the motley crowd in Judge Hun-
ter‘s Riders’ Rest Tavern, to get some one to con-
tradict his statement that something had, gone
wrong with Wild Rider of the Pony Express.

“I fears you is right, Trumps, fer ther boy
isn’t one ter tarry on his run, of it do be a
leetle ride 0’ ninety miles and but seven bosses
ter do it with, an’ it up hill an’ down dale an’
over pararer too,” replied Bony Bob, another
border character, who had just lost half a
pound of gold dust to Trumps, who had won .
his lucky name from always holding a trump I
card to defeat an adversary with.

“Oh, the boy will turn up all right: the
devil' takes care of his own, and that youth
seems to be one of his especial pets,” remarked
a person sitting at another table playing cards, ’
and winning heavily too, but with that non.
chalant manner that betokens the professional
gambler and the cool sport.

He had been known at the different stage-
coach and pony-riders’ stations, along the Oven-
land, as Gambler Grey, and yet was more fre-
quently called the Kid Glove Sport, from the
fact that he always wore a pair of kid gloves
upon his shapely hands, no one eVer having
seen him without them, asleep or awake.

He was dressed in a suit of Mexican cavalier _
costume, trimmed with solid gold buttons, gold
braid, and with the inner adornments of the
slashes in the sleeves and pants of silk and
fine lace.

collar turned back over his shoulders, and a cmv

. vat of fine lace he also wore, as suited his fancy,

and a pair of patent-leather boots and black
sombrero completed his very fancy costume, if
I except hne important feature in the shape of
a belt of fancy leather, in which was a jewels
hilted knife and two pearl-handled pistols.

 

His face was dark; always wore a 

A white, blue or red silk shirt, with the wide , ‘
I!

j Little Grid-it's mama

 

 

 

smile, and yet was strikingly handsome, as far
as regularity of features went, and his hair was
long and curling, and the ends of his black
silken mustache rested upon his shoulders.
The days he generally passed in the saddle,
going no one knew where; but his evenings he
 spent in the saloon of the Riders’ Rest, where
‘ he had a. room, and nightly he added to hi
winnings, for he was a skillful gambler.

In answer to his remark about the Pony Ex-
press Rider, Trumps responded:

“ You ought ter know, Kid Glove, who ther
devil tum-Kw, fer you is said ter be kin ter
him.” .

The dark eyes 0f Gal‘mnr Grey flashed for
fin instant in anger, but checking“ quick reply,

e raid:

If you and I should ever quarrel, TrunnS
you would think me Satan himself.” 7’

“Oh! I knows yer has grit, fer I has seen
./ yer tried; but I doesn‘t fear yer, Gambler
.Grey, an’ we will hev mor’u a quarrel cf yer
don’t quit throwin’ slurs at thet Pony Rider,
when he hain’t round ter hit back, as he would
do if you insulted him.”

- “I did not insult Wild Rider, Trumps. I
know that he is, although a boy in years, the
inferior of few men as regards strength, en-
durance and pluck; but I think there is some-
thing wrong about him.”
7 “ What does yer mean by wrong, pard?”
it asked Bony Bob.

“Oh! it matters not what I mean; I have
my opinion about him, and I’ll keep it until the
right time to make it known.”

“Ef it’s a bad opinyun, yer’d better keep it

dark, pard Grey, or yer’ll git inter trouble, fer
Iloves thet boy; he’s grit to ther back-bone,
an’ it were I who gave him ther name 0’ Little
Grit, arter ther three duels he fought up at
‘ Sweetwater with ther galoots that picked him
,, . up for a baby ’cause no ha’r don’t grow on his
‘ ,- face.
7; “I heard of that one he fought with a knife
and killed him; the second he shot, and the
third he thrashed in a fair fist fight,” said
Gambler Grey.

“ Fact! I seen ther rackits, an’ it were done
 prime; but I hears a rattle o’ hoofs without,

. an’ it’s ther Wild Rider hisse’f.”

, ,_ .. Out of the saloon then Trumps the minor ‘ed
’ the way, followed by all the others, and from
the lips of the crowd broke a shout, as the
black steed of the Wild Rider was recognized,

I coming up to the station at a full run. . ,
But the next moment up he dashed to the
door, and an exclamation of amazement was

my;  _

H

:‘w‘ .4“ .
L31. .

.4 6.":

J I‘ ih
...;,- _

Lguf 9?:


__ e, a“ .

.N. 1":AM
.: '3  w

A” 11—.» , .—
‘4-.V. ere:-

fii ,f heard, as, instead of thr_.Wild Rider, they saw
‘ L: upon the Firefly’s back the slender form ofa
y‘,‘ young girl, whose beautiful face ‘was turned-

upon them with a look of surpr'ge, if not of
-, alarm. A 1 '

a . “Satan has metamorphosed age boy into a
"“ - beautiful girl,” said Gambia... rey, as he
forced his way to the side of t‘: e horse, just as
Judge Hunter, the prbprietor .“i‘ Riders’ Rest,
 ' cried inastonishment:

“Well, miss, has Wild Ridergiven up the
s; Exprom to you?”

“For the run into this station, yes, sir: be
rescued me from two men who had captured
me, and beinghord pressed by the Boy Bandit
and his band, he sent me on alone on his horse,

v. whio he sought refuge in the Red Raving”,

’5' was the maideo’a reply, in a distinct tone that
.. reached every ea'r. .,
K, . “ I hope no ha'rm has befallen the boy; but
. -f 8,", it’s just like him to be doing some brave action,
‘  he cares little for the consequences.”
.: “I do hope, sir, that he has escaped; but I
hoard pistol-shots as I rode on, and—”
.,> “Fords, does yer hour? Ther Wild Rider
are in trouble, an’ I wants men tor go with
“no tori helphim out,” cried Trumps, interrupt-
ng the maiden, and his words were answered
it!) a. about from the crowd, while Gambler
1flirqu asked quickly. ,.
f‘ But who comes here?” 
,l eyes turned in the directionfin which he
" i had, and nearly every hand drppped on a
oiver butt, for a warty of horsemen were

1!

 

 

seen coming' toward the station at a rapid
ace.

p “Hold, gentlemen! it is my father, Colonel

Hewlett, who has been searching for me; I

passed him several miles back, but thls horse
would not stop, and they followed me here,”
said the maiden quickly.

“It’s just like Firefly, miss; the Wild Rider
told him to bring you on to the station, and he
has done it: but dismount, miss,qu come into
my hotel and rest.”

The kind-hearted proprietor of the Riders’
Rest lifted the maiden from the saddle and led
her into the house, just as Colonel Hadley
Hewlett and his followers dashed up, the
officer in evident‘alarm.

“My daughter! have you seen her?” he
cried, eagerly, as he threw himself from the
saddle.

“ '16s, Sir, 500 is here,” answered Gambler
Grey, and he led “19 officer into the tavern,
and with a cry of joy the maiden threw herself
into her father’s arms;

“My child, what has happened to you?”
cried Colonel Hewlett, anxiously.

“ Two of the train men were traitors, fa-
ther, and they led me away, with the excuse
that you were on ahead and wished me to join
you there, when their intention was to make
you pay a large sum for my recovery.”

“ The scoundrels! they shall suffer for this!”

“One of them is dead, sir, for I escaped
from them, and was only saved from recapture
by a young man they call Wild Rider, a Pony
Express Rider.

“ He killed Rod Fred, and made Hank Haw-
kins a prisoner, but released him and came on
with me until we were chased by the Boy
Bandit and his men, and he left me to come
on alone on his horse, while he jumped off at a
ravine.”

“ And there you left him, Helen?”

“Yes, sir; he sent his horse on, and I could
not stop him.”

“Ah, now I understand why you did not
stop for me; I hope no harm has befallen the
brave lad.”

As Colonel Hewlett spoke a loud shout was
heard without, and then followed the clatter of
hoofs, and a cry from Trumps:

“Hooray! hooray! ther boy are coming!”

 

CHAPTER VI.
THE DEATH TRAIL.

HARDLY had the cheering ceased, when the
door of the hotel sitting-room opened, and in
stepped Little Grit, the Wild Rider, his face
calm, and no trace of excitement in his man-
ner, though it was evident that he had just
passed through some scene of thrilling dan-
ger. . .

“Ah, my boy, I am delighted to see you,
for I had my fears about your safety as this
young lady told me where she left you,” and
Judge Hunter stepped forward and warmly
grasped the hand of the youth, who answered
quietly, and modestly:

“It was a dangerous situation, judge; but I
managed to rid the border of an outlaw, get
his horse, and prevent the others following me
by dropping the animals they rode, though I
think it would have been better to have shot
the riders.”

“Then it was you,-sir, that I saw dash out
from the shadow of the tree after the firing?”
said the maiden, in surprise.

“Yes, miss, and when your friends, as I be-
lieved them, put the_ Boy Bandit- to flight, I
followed him, hoping to get a close look at
him; but I dashed suddenly into the midst of
his band, encamped over a rise in the prairie,
and I tell you it was a hard run to get away;
but here I am, you see.”

“ And I am glad to thank you, air, for all
you have done for me; this is my father, and
he will prove his appreciation of your service
to his daughter. ”

“Boy, who are you I” .

The question came as a demand, and in tones
of excitement, from the lips of Colonel Hew-
lett, as he turned his eyes full upon the youth,

 

who colored at the peremptory almost rude.  T" 1

dress, and answered:

“ I am called Little Grit along the Over-é~

land, sir.”

“But you have another name?” was the
stern rejoinder.

“Yes, I am also known at the stations as the
Wild Rider.”

“And he deserves the title, colonel, for he
is the best horseman on the trail, and can get
more out of an animal than any one. else on
the border,” said Judge Hunter with enthu—
siasm.

“Nonsense! I am not speaking of his prowess,
or ability, but his name, and again I ask you,
boy, what it is?" said the colonel pettishly.

Evidently nettled by the oflicer’s manner the
youth replied:

“I have given you two, sir, and you add
that of Boy, and I think the three should an-
swer you.” v

“ Ha! that is your answer is it? But I will
more, boy, the name you refuse to tell me,
Wen if you are ashamed of it.”

“ Father! you forget what I owe this young
man; what matters it to you what may be his
name?” said Helen Hewlett hotly, while the
judge put in:

“Out here, colonel, hardly any man goes
by his own name, and I do not see why Little
Grit should tell you what his is, if he prefers
not to.”

“ He doubtless hides it from the cause that
other men conceal their identity under false
names; but I know his face, and have not it
under no very pleasant circumstances, I’ll war~
rant, and for that reason wish to know who
he is, but it is a matter of indiference I as-
sure you; come, Helen, we will return to
camp.”

“ My horse you know, father, is lost, and—‘

“Take the horse you rode here—~”

“Father, that one belonged to this young
gentleman, and I have already received more
kindness at his hands than I can repay, and.
which you do not seem to appreciate.”

“Pardon me, miss, but your horse galloped
into the station just ahead of me, and she
will readily last you to your camp; I will
bring her to the door for you,” and Little
Grit left the room, While Colonel Hewlett,
with a clouded face turned to Judge Hunter
and said:

“Can you tell me, sir, the name of that
youth?"

“If I could, sir, seeing that he does not wish
you to know it, I would not; but the truth is;
no one here knows it and he is entered on the

Pony Express books simply as the Boy Riderf'

You think you have met him before!” i

“I am convinced of it; how long has he~

been on the Overland route?”

“About a year, I believe; he was rid'my
when I came here six months ago, and i's‘
known as the most daring rider on the road,
while he has rendered valuable service on
many occasions, and is the particular dread of
the Boy Bandit and his band.”

“Yes, I have heard of that curse of the bor-
der, too; in fact, I met him six months ago
when I came West on special duty, for he
robbed the stagecoach in which I was a pas-
senger, and to be frank, I really thought that.
boy, Little Grit as you call him, was one and the
same.”

“ That is impossible, Colonel Hewlett. Lit.
tle Grit is a most honorable youth, and the
Boy Bandit’s implacable foe. I am sorry to
have you hold such a suspicion against my
young friend,” said the judge, warmly.

“Well, it was only a suspicion; but I intend
now to have command of this border, and Boy
Bandits, desperadoes and all will have to look
out, for I shall put down all outlawry, I assure
you,” and ere more was said Little Grit entered
the room and stated that Helen Hewlett’s horse
had been caught and awaited her.

In spite of the maideu’s low request to her
father, to thank the youth for what he had
done for her, the colonel did not do so, but

 

placing her in her cuddle, mounted his own .

~1Lcnu_- - __

d’fldl/‘N

{l

 

 

 

 

Little Grit the Wild Rider.

 

   

 

  
 
 

horse, and followed by the men who had ac-
the companied him to Rocky Glen Station, rode

off to the encampment of his train, some half-
the dozen miles distant. '

 

Hardly had they disappeared from sight
he " when there came the rapid clatter of hoofs,
get, and 01‘ of the timber, some hundred yards
away, came a horseman at full speed.

.~ 11

,bou- “ It is Jockey Jack coming back,” cried
Judge Hunter, referring to the Pony Rider who

vess rode between Rocky Glen Station and the point

mu, ' seventy-five miles beyond, and who had darted

, away with Little Grit’s bag, as soon as Firefly

the .. had come in with Helen Hewlett mounted

r upon him.
add “It are Jockey Jack for sure,” said Bony

an. Bob, and all glanced anxiously upon the com-
ing horse and rider.

will Another instant and the animal with a loud

me neigh halted at the door of the tavern, and all
crowded around the rider, who sat bolt upright

Dung in his saddle.
9 his “ Great God ! he is dead I ”
the. The cry came from Judge Hunter, and in

amazement all recognized the truth of his

goes words, for strapped in his saddle and held up

item by stout sticks upon either side, that were firm~

ere” ly fastened around him, was Jockey Jack the
Pony EXpress Rider, with a bullet in his

that brain.

false Here area piece of paper with writin’; some

let it 0’ you as has better eyes fer readin’, spit out

war. What is writ on it,” and Trumps took from the

 

wh man’s breast, where it was pinned, a card on
which was written a line in a bold hand.

I as- , . . .
.n to Taking it, Little Grit read aloud:

“Death lies in wait on the Ovorland. Your turn
1d__1 next, Little Grit the Wild Rider.”

A hush fell upon the crowd, and it was brok-

,oung On by the one who had just read this fearful
more hreat against him, and he said:

., and [“Judge, if you will let Hook bring round

» lash, I’ll ride poor Jockey J ack’s run and let

Llopea llfim know along this line why he did not
:1 she “Hg the Express.”
[ Wm: _ “ But you start back on your ride to—morrow
Little ‘ght, Little Grit.”
wwtt’ ’2‘ True, judge; and I shall be back to ride
[unter ' “ .

A hundred and fifty miles by dark to-mor-
f that. of” flight, my boy, and then your own run?

t is impossible.”

I, wish “ I Shall make it, judge; please order Flash,"
mm is, F88. the firm reply, and the judge, who was
on the . ‘I'lhtlon agent, reluctantly obeyed.
Rider .if F1 *1 minutes after, Little Grit sprung upon

‘. saiyaick of his splendid bay, that, like Firefly,
me he“. ca; ridden without a bridle, and a rousing
r L 91‘ greeted the daring Wild Rider as he sped

 

  

  

   

ridiw Z like the wind, regardless of the threat
iDd my nst his life.
road, 7 ‘
06 on CHAPTER VII.
ead of _ THE RESCUE.

W HILE poor Jockey Jack was receiving ade-
le bor- "17 burial, at the hands of his friends at
[:3 ago 91W Glen Station, Little Grit was flying
for he 0118 the moonlit trail, the clatter of the iron-
a pas. 0d 11me of his horse the only sound that
M tint, " Oke the deathlike stillness that rested upon
md the . 0 scenes through which he flitted like a phan-

nl-rider.

,. Lit- Mile after mile was cast behind by the swift
nd the ‘1 tu‘eless Flash, who ran with neck stretched
my to t_ and at a pace that few horses could equal,
ask my 119 his master sat like a statue in his small

' ("9: his eyes peering into the misty distance
:intend 993d,  spy out any danger that might be
ad Boy ‘king in his pathway.
to look At length Flash swept over the ridge of a
[ assure v bill, that marked fifteen miles from Rocky
entered 8”, and before him a. short distance, lay the
gs horse ‘ Ply cabin of the stock-tender, where Little

‘9 expected to change horseé for the next
to her E} 8 dash across’prairie-land of six leaguos.
he had , v _Wliy, Benton is up late tonight; doubtle
so, but, '18 a game of cards with somebody that
in 'own , dropped in,” said Little Grit, as a light in

, tibia-window caught his eye. .
eyext minute he dashed up to the low
fill-band:   x

  
 
 

 

 

'rus. I‘ out am:l mounting in hot We rode

  

there for the Pony Riders, standing hitched
outside, while angry voices were heard within.

As he came to a halt, a. loud cry was heard
within, and then came in piercing tones:

“Jockey Jack, help me! save mel”

“Jockey Jack are dead, gal, an’ ycr yells in
vain.”

This last was said in a gruff voice, and the
one who called for help Little Grit knew to be
the stock-tender’s daughter, a pretty girl of
eighteen.

In an instant he had dismounted, and revol-
ver in hand, was advancing to the cabin en-
trance, when he again heard in the same rude
tones:

“I knows yer has gold dust heur, gal, so
give it, or yer’ll suffer as did yer daddy.”

“ I tell you I know not of any gold here, and
my father would have given it up, rather than
be murdered; oh! what shall I do?”

W'itli the last word Little Grit stepped into
the room, and a thrilling scene met his gaze,
for two rough-looking men held in their grasp
Bessie Benton, the pretty daughter of the stock-
tendcr, and in front of her stood a burly ruf-
fian with a rope end in his hand, and which
was passed over a beam in the cabin, and
around the girl’s neck.

To the same beam, swinging to and fro, and
with blackened and ghastly face, hung the
form of a man, whom the youth recognized as
Dan Benton, the stock-tender, while ransacking
some boxes and chests in the humble cabin,
were four more of the band, whom Little Grit
knew to be outlaws.

“ “'0 has kilt Jockey Jack, gal, strung yer
father up, an’ up you'll go, ef yer don’t tell us
wliar ther gold dust are bid, for we is goin’ ter
work ther whole line 0’ trail now,” and the
apparent leader of the outlaws gave the rope a.
pull, until it tightened painfully around the
neck of the maiden.

But it was the last act of his life, for, re-
gardless of consequences, Little Grit drew
trigger and the man sprung into the air with
a shriek, and fell upon the floor a. corpse.

But quickly followed two more shots, and
down went one of the men who were holding
Bessie Benton, while the other let go his hold
and clapped his hands to his head with a bowl
of rage and pain.

“Come, Bessie, here!” shouted Little Grit,
and in the dense smoke the girl saw a slender
form glide to her side, and though the other
outlaws now fired at random from their corner,
she felt herself borne to the door, and be next
instant was out in the pure air.

“Quick, Bessie, spring on the best horse of
your lot and ride like the wind and warn them
at Rocky Glen,” cried Little Grit, as he forced
the maiden through the stockade gate and out
among the horses. 1 ‘

“And you, Little Grit?” asked the young
girl. A
“ I‘ll go on Jockey Jack's run; quick, for
those devils are coming,” and he almost threw
Bessie upon the nearest horse, and cutting
loose the halter gave her the end.

“Hold on tharl we is coming.” came in
stem tones from the cabin, and the door,
which Little Grit had closed behind him, was
thrown open, and out dashed four outlaws.

“G , for God’s sake, Bessie!” shouted the
Wild ider.

“ I will not leave you in danger, Little
Grit,” was the determined response.

“I am going, now!” and the youth struck
her horse a violent blow, just as several shots
came from the outlaws, and startled the fright-
ened animals fastened to the fence.

Away darted the horse with Bessie, and
with a shot in response, Little Grit threw him-
self upon the back of Flash, and with a defiant
shout darted away.

“It’s the Wild Rider! foller".him, pards,”
yelled an outlaw. v f‘

“ No, let him go, for he’s a-ridin’, toward ther
river; come, cotch ther gal, or shell! rouse ’em
Vb Rocky Glen.” replied another, and two men

        

We 7:59.67

\

 

Instantly Little Grit halted, and gazing back
watched the chase for an instant, and then
said in a joyous tone:

“ As luck would have it, I mounted her upon
a fleet horse, for she is dropping them; now,
Flash, old fellow, there is double work ahead of
you, but I cannot spare you; come, show your
mettle.”

As if understanding the words of his young
master, Flash darted ofl‘ like a bird, and once
more the Wild Rider was dashing along the

inOonlit trail, having lost just five minutes at .

Dan Benton’s stockade; but ore he had gone a
dozen rods, he halted and turned back, saying
firmly: ’

“Ill risk it I"

 

CHAPTER VIII.
TIIE PHANTOM RIDER.

WHEN Little Grit struck the horse, upon
which Bessie Benton was mounted, she was
compelled to go and leave the brave youth,
whether she (find to or not, and realizing that
he know best what she 'should do, and that he
was fully capable of taking care of himself,
she urgrd the animal on rapidly up the trail
leading to Rocky Glen. _

But she had not gone far before she dis-
covered that she was pursued, and at once she
felt anxiety for her personal safety, as she
knew how cruel had been her foes, and the
hanging form of her father was before her
eyes, in all its horrid ghastliness.

Encouraging her horse to greater speed she
soon felt assured that she was mistress of the
situation, as he ran along easily and gained
steadily, although her pursuers were pressing
their steeds with whip, spur and shouts.

As if seeing how utterly useless the chase
was the two men gave it up, but yet Bessie
Benton continued her rapid flight until she
came to a narrow canyon, where she lessened
the speed of her horse for an instant, and then,
with a startled cry came to a sudden halt,

while with staring eyes she gazed before her _

upon. 1?: object that stood in her path.

J usu" "Where a few mc onbeams struggled
through the foliage, and fell into the canyon
were a horse and rider, or phantoms.

A‘snow-white steed, standing as motionless ‘

as though carvéid in marble, and a riderihat
was clad in a gauzy material sat in her saddle,
for it was a woman, and Jeemed gazing intent
ly at the maiden who had invaded the dark re
treat. ‘

“It is the Phrntom Rider! the Spirit of the
Canyon!” cried Bessie i: dismay, and in tar.
ror she turned to and, as if also startled an
the strange appai‘itpion her horse sped away a\
fearful speed, an  unguided by his rider,
turned into a trar' running along the ridge of
the hill. ‘

As she gained the path, where, that‘s? 351‘s;-
gling trees did not otsiruca me view, Bessie
Benton glanced over her shoulder with a shud-
der, to see if she was followed, and a cold chill
seemed creeping over her heart, as she hehefi
the Spirit of the Canyon coming rapidly on in
chase. ‘ '

“Fly! oh fly'l. good horse,” she cried anx-
icusly, and the long end of the ibalter serving
as :. whip, sue lashed the flying animal savage-
ly, and smarting with pain be increased hi.

speed, and bounded along at a pace that was .‘

dangerous in the extreme, considering the na.
ture of the trail.

“She is gaining upon me, and yet I cannot ' 

hear the hoof-falls,” said Bessie,_,_and she
strained her ears to catch the sound; but her
own horse made such a loud clatter as his iron
shoes struck the loose rccks and flinty ground,
that it seemed to’,drown all other noise, and
she felt that it wasaher imagination only that
caused her to think that the white #996 be-
hind her was glidi" ' silently along rather than
running. " ’7; 3'

At last, unabler‘to stand this uspense any  V.

longer, she suddenly drew hard on the helm ‘
and brought her horse to a stand-still. ~ 1 ‘ 5
 -. .. ‘1 1! yen -

     
     

      
  
 

 

 
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
     
 
  
  
    
 
  
   
 
 
   
   
    
   
   
  
  
  
   
    
   
   
       
    
   
     
        
       
   
    

 

 

O

 

,vl.‘:_.‘ « .I..I. ' I .t

Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

 
 

 

 

   

while her eyes were riveted upon the coming
phantom-like steed and rider.

No, not a sound did she hear, not the ring
of iron, or heavy stroke of a hoof; the strange
animal was coming silently and swiftly on.

OnCe more, with renewed terror, Bessie rode
on, almost reeling from her seat as she felt that
she was being pursued by creatures of a super-
natural nature, and at last she became so un-
nerved that her horse took his own course, and
unguided by her, fled down hillside, through
valley, and over level plateaus at his own free

. will.

But as he run each moment his speed de-
creased, and the maiden felt that ere long he
would fail her.

And what then?

Alone in those wild solitudes with a being
she felt assured was mot of the earth, what
would be her fate?

She feared she would go mad with terror, for
hready there was an icy chill at her heart, and
her brain was on fire.

Another glance behind her she gave, just as
her horse staggered out of the waters of a shal-
low creek, and then she felt herself falling, and
down upon the soft sward went steed and rider,
and behind them came silently on the Spirit of
the Canyon.

One piercing shriek broke from Bessie’s lips
and she knew no more.

 

CHAPTER IX.
JUST IN TIME.

WHEN Little Grit turned back from his run
on the express route, he suddenly gave a series
of wild yells, repeating them so rapidly, and
so changing his voice, that one who heard
them would have believed half a score of men
were coming.

And so the two outlaws that were pillaging
the cabin of the man they had hanged did be-
lieve, for they hastily took their departure, and
were mounting their horses, just as the two
who had pursued Bessie Benton rode up.

“They has wind 0’ our doin’s, pards, so we’d
better levant,” said one, and as the yells now
resounded nearer, and there came the echoes

ck from a cliff not far away, they departed
in haste, each man carrying with him a led
horse from the station. I

But hardly had they disappeared in ’ the
spruce thicket, when Little Grit dashed up to
the cabin, having been watching their de-
parture.

“Thank goodness they did not overtake Bes-
u'e, for she’ll soon reach Rocky Glen and the

boys will make it hot for the outlaws. Now to
see if it was imagination o y part,” and the
youth entered the cabin an alked straight up

to the suspended form of Dan Benton, the
stock-tender.

Pressing his head against his breast he
listened for an instant, and then said quickly:

“ I was right: helives I”

Quickly he cut the stock-tender down, un-
bound his hands from behind his back, and
commenced rubbing him to create circulation.

But life seemed hard to bring back, and no

‘ Ii of returning consciousness was visible.

ut the youth did not despair, and pouring

a few drops of water into the mouth at a time,
and bathing and rubbing the swollen neck un-
tiringly, he was at last rejoiced to see the
breast heave, and the eyes open, while in
hoarse tones the stock-tender said:

“ Devils, you may kill me, but you, shall not
have my gold.”

“Mr. Benton, your enemies have gone, and
I am here, so have no dread,” said Little Grit
kindly. '

The eyes opened again and turned slowly
upon the speaker, and then beamed with recog-

, nition, while with an effort the man said:

     
 

“ What, Wild Rider, you here!"
“Yes, I came up and found you in trouble,

tad so sailed in.”

“ But there were a number of men."

“Well, they have all gone now, and Bessie

has ridden to Rocky Glen to carry the news to
» .  l

 

the judge, that the Boy Bandit’s gang is tap-
ping the stations and stealing the stock.”

“ Bessie is a good, brave girl; but how is it I
find you here, Wild Rider?”

“Jockey Jack started with my express
sachel, and came back dead in his saddle, and
I am riding his trip, though I’m an hour be-
hind time now, so will leave you, if you are all
right again.”

“Oh! I’m all right; see, I can sit up,” and
with an effort be arose to his feet.

He was a fine-looking man, with long beard
and hair, and dressed in a miner’s suit of red
shirt, black pants, top boots and sombrero.

His face was strangely sad, but intelligent,
and one seeing that he was a man of refinement
and education, would wonder why he had
sought that wild land, and held the position of
stock-tender to the Pony Express Company.

“Boy, I owe you my life, for you saved me
from death, and it is no idle boast for me to
say that if necessary I would give it up to
serve you; I am a man of a. few words, but I
feel deeply, and Dan Benton will not forget
this night.”

“They strung you up because you would
not tell where your gold was hidden; they
must think the company pays stock-tenders a
high salary,” said Little Grit, “ to suspect that
you could get rich here.”

Dan Benton gave a piercing look into the
boy’s face, and a strange expression hovered
about his mouth. but he said quietly:

“They did not get gold, that is certain;
but do not let me detain you, Little Grit, for I
know how you love to be punctual.

“I will remain here until Bessie returns with
the boys, but don’t you be rash and meet poor
Jockey Jack’s fate.”

“I’ll be careful; there’s some stist to show
the boys when they come,” and pointing to the
dead outlaws he had slain, Little Grit with a
light laugh left the cabin, and once more
throwing himself into the saddle, darted away
at the full speed of his noble horse, leaving
Dan Benton standing before his door gazing
earnestly after him.

 

t
1

CHAPTER X.
THE AMBUSHED.

REFRESHED by his rest at the cabin, Flash
sped swiftly along over the stretch of level
plain, that the trail led over after leaving Dan
Benton’s station, and at last went over a rise
in the prairie that would have given his rider
9. view of the next halting-place, had it been

visible.
Butpappointed neigh from Flash, and
an exc amation of surprise from Little Grit

came in chorus, as instead of the cabin with its
stockade wall surrounding it, but a heap of
smoldering ruins was visible.

“They have been here too, and poor Mus-
tang Pete has doubtless been killed; yes, there
he lies,” and drawing rein Little Grit, sprung
to the ground and bent over a. human form
that lay motionless in his path.

It was a man clad half in buckskin, half
in Mexican costume, and the moonlight showed
several bullet wounds in his head, while a pis-
tol was clasped with a deathgripe in his hand,
showing that he had not died tamely.

“Yes, it is Mustang Pete, and they have
run the horses oflf, so Flash, old boy, you will
have to make fifteen miles more, and over bad
country too,” and Little Grit patted his horse
affectionately; but a sudden start of the ani-
mal caused him to be on his guard at once, and
instantly he was in his saddle, his revolver in
hand.

This sudden move, saved his life; for there
came a flash from behind a. part of the stock-
ade that had not- been burned, and a bullet
whistled uncomfortably near.

“Coward! that’s your game is it? Come out
from your shelter and fight me like a man,”
cried Little Grit, and, as he spoke again over
the stockade appeared a dark object and once
more came the flash and report of a rifle.

. But that instant had been enough for the
quick eye‘ of the youth, whose revolver also
\

' i . ’ i (r I
Iv' . ‘ l ‘ ~ ~ » ' .‘

 

   

rung forth, the two reports sounding as a l
and a cry of pain followmg quickly. Q
But the cry came not from Little Grit, wh'
spurred forward, unhurt by the bullet of h’ I
foe, to suddenly go down to the earth, as l
noble horse staggered and fell, the shot havi

struck him instead of his rider.

“Curse you! I knew I had not missed yo-
cried a hoarse voice, and a man sprung fr f
behind the stockade and rushed toward t a

v
n

ma

prostrate youth.

But as he bent above his supposed victim
revolver was suddenly thrust into his face a
he heard the unwelcome words: a;

“ You did miss me, you accursed assassin. :
up with your hands!” L

Up went one hand quickly above the he;
of the man, and again come the stern order:

“ The other hand, sir!” Ba

“ Pard, I can’t do it; yer broke it with in
shot,” came the whining response. in

“Then I did not miss you, I am glad
see,” and still covering the outlaw, Wild Ril. th
arose from where he lay on his back and c tel
fronted the now frightened prisoner, who or
out suddenly:

“ Lordyl you is ther Wild Rider!” W1

“Yes, so men call me; why did you s ye
my life?"

“Didn‘t seek yer life, pard, but ther lif
Jockey Jack, should he escape ther, lads b ye}
on ther trail.” -

“ He did not escape them, but I did.” 0‘11

“But this hain’t your run, Wild Rider.” an

“Yes it is for to night; so you wante sf“
rob the express, did you?” 11“?

“ Ther captain told me to lay for him.” 33“

“Captain who?” . )Wh

“Captain Firebrand.” .' ,

“The Boy Bandit?” is“,

“That’s ther rooster. Lordyl but my you
do hurt,” and the man winced with pain. "

“ You should have been saved suffering “g
bullet through your heart.” l "

“ Now, pard, don‘t talk'thet way.” .

“I’ll act, not talk, sir; now tell me, widm“

 

‘

H

is Mustang Pete?” on
“Gone.” or
“Where?” 
“ Cashed in his checks.” 910
“You killed him?” as):

“ Oh, no, not me, fer I are too tenderfo
pard, ter hurt anybody.” . or _1

“ So you just proved by firing twice at, 12‘
Who killed him?”

“ Ther boys.” 3011,
“ Some of your men?” 1‘33! ‘
in

“ Yas, leetle pard.”
“And burned the station and ran olf 1‘0“
stock?” ho

“ Gospil, pard.” eigl
“And you were left here to await U1
Rider?” , , em
“ Yer has it down fine.” ’3’“
“Well, yuu‘ve been caught in your p1,“
trap, but as Pve left my mark on you “d”
not kill you as you deserve.” f th‘
“I are bleeding free, pard.” der
“I don’t wish you to bleed to death; hing
i

let me see your wound.” '

The youth drew the sleeve from the 001“
the man groaning with pain, and saw th ‘ 3“
bullet had cut an ugly wound in the fies lane
below the shoulder, and that the hon ‘3 .31
broken. ' ' “1

“Iwill bandage your arm, and that)?“w

can hasten to your stronghold. and let. hm‘
comrades care for you; where is your h ‘7
“Over in the timber, pard.” “3 1
“Is he a good animal?’ you
“ He are for a. fact.” ame’
“ Then I shall take him and continue e I“
run.» .OOfS .‘
“Lordy, pal-d, what is yer goin’, Prv‘g
“’9’” ’ feth
“ Your life.” orw °
“T’ankee; I’m obleeged to yer; I 8:!
cause for grumble.” ._ w
“I am glad you are pleased,” and 

bound up the wounded am he con,
“Now come and show me where ...v

 
  
 

Littl

 

r »

    

 

e Grit, the Wild Rider. 

 

 

  

\
f;, , and then, if you value life, you had better
as o, ,make'tracks, for the boys from Rocky Glen will
fag! be along this way soon.”
'it, Whj “You don’t say! then our pards hain’t been
of h’ makin’ such a big thing 0’ the strike along ther
l, as line ter-znght.”
havi “ They have done enough to keep them in
remembrance, you can be aSsured,” and un-
strapping his saddle and leather express sachel
from his dead horse, and patting him affection-
ately, Little Grit turned to go with the outlaw,
when he looked squarely into the muzzle of a
revolver, and heard in triumphant tones:

.d yo.
lg fr
1rd t

id i m

 

:‘aCe a “Leetle pard, I’m guessiu’ I’ll keep my hoss,
, an’ trouble yer fer them ’spress bags”

assin. :
1 CHAPTER XI.

he he; run LEAP FOR. LIFE.

irder: “I WAS a fool to trusta wounded snake,”
said Little Grit, withan air of almost reckless
with indifference at the position he found himself

In.
glad i “ You takes it coolly; but when I tells yer
.ld Riilthet ther is a price offered for you, an’ 1 in-
and c tends ter win it, I glieSses you’ll wilt.”
who cr “lVell, What are you going to do with me?”
“ Carry yer ter ther Boy Bandit. our chief,
Who fer some reason 0’ his own, wants ter see
you s yer durned bad.”
“ Well, let us be off; what shall I do?”
ler lif “ March ahead 0’ me, lcetle pard, fer close to
ads b yel‘ Comp’ny are mighty dangersome.” .
Little Grit turned, as if to obey, and the
,” outlaw half lowered his revolver; but it was
391..” an unlucky move on his part, for with the
mute spring of a tiger the youth was upon him, and
,his gripe of iron held the weapon, while he
said in the same tone of seeming indifference
{which he had before used:
3 “ Turn about is fair play; now make tracks,
is“, 01‘ I’ll repent and break your head asI have

m. ”

3 my your arm.”

aim “Which way, lectlc pard?” asked the thor-

Ting ughly alarmed man.

; “North, south, east 01’ west, but go!”

r , “Jist watch me!” and away the outlaw

n6, Wpdarted, most anxious to get out of range of the
outh’s pistol and expecting a shot in his back,

or he felt that he deserved it.

With a light laugh at the man’s haste, and
ejoiciug at having.r so cleverly turned the
ables against his foe, Little Grit took up his

ddle once more and started at aquick trot
or the thicket, in which he found along‘bodied
,ice at. hite horse hitched to a sapling.

“Holy smoke! it is my own horse, Prairie
}ull, they stole from me some months ago;
‘Ia! hal old horse, have I got you once more;”
and the boy threw his arms affectionately

iderfo

who recognized his young master with low
heighs of delight. ,
Unhitching him, and taking off the accouter-
tnents of the outlaw, Little Ghit threw his own
ight saddle upon the back of Prairie Gull, and
your prung upon his back. and away dashed the
you Ipridleless horse spinning along from the scene
ff the burned station, and proving to his young
'ider that he had not been injured by his short
bath; thange of masters.
i ‘Oue hour and forty-five minutes behind
n t“Jockey ack’s schedule time," he said, drawing
aw th smfll gold watch from his pocket, and.
18 fies ‘ lancmg at the time by the moonlight, while
a bun IS splendid horse, seemingly rejoicing to be
r ‘ mflymg along under the expreSs sachels,
i thenbenwmha speed that hurled the miles rapidly
nd let_ hind him. . .
om. h It; was a rough piece of road between Mus-
ng Pete’s station, and the one fifteen miles
yond, but Prairie Gull seemed wbrthy of his
ame, and over hill, lowland, and down dale

await

 

tinue 0 ran with the same ease and swiftness, his‘
,oofs seeming hardly to touch the ground.
in, t Presently there arose a bill before them that
9 8 Wild Rider knew would give him a view
I the station ahead, and he peered anxiously
_; I Vgorward, while a shout broke from his lips as

0 saw that it still stood and that the outlaws
- . not yet visited it.

5 ‘V

 

 

But, as he looked he saw far down in the

lowlands on his right, a group of horsemen
coming on at a gallop, the station evidently
being their destination.

“On, Gull, on! we must save old Barney,"
he cried, and encouraged by the words of his
rider Prairie Gull seemed to fairly fly, and in a
few moments dashed up to the stockade.

“Quick, Barney! the outlaws are striking
the stations, so get out your stock and strike
for the hills,” shouted Little Grit, as be dis-
mouutcd from his panting horse, and seized
upon one of the animals in the pen, and which
he knew to be a fast runner.

“ Waal, waal! what’s thcr mather afther
beiu’?” cried a voice with a tinge of the
Emerald Isle in it, and Barney the stock-tender
came hustling out of the cabin, his rifle in
hand.

“The outlaws are raiding the Pony Stations;
Jockey Jack’s been killed and I’m riding for
him; Mustang Pete’s dead and his cabin in
ashes, and yonder up the valley come a gang
for you, Barney,” said the Wild Rider rapidly.

“ l’m damned if they gets me, my foine boy,
or ther critters either, for I’m off with ther
four legs ter oust,” answered the 01d Irishman,
and throwing his saddle and bridle on his
favorite nag, and taking a few things out of
his cabin, be mounted and rode out of tho
stockode, just as the half dozen horsemen came
in sight, not two hundred yards away.

“ How’s Leatherlegs’s wind, Barney?” called
out Little Grit.

“Good asa hound’s, youngster.”

“Then I’ll give those fellows a check, and
you’ll have more time to escape.”

“You’re a brave young ’un, mavournecn,”
said Barney, and he daslwl up the canyon near
the cabin, while Little Grit, with loud cries
darted directly toward the advancing horse-
men.

Instantly they came to a halt, and then
quickly sought the cover of a clump of trees,
until they. saw that the boy was alone, and
thou they charng forth to meet him, firing
their re volvers as they came.

Little Grit ,would have wheeled and ridden
on up the pony trail; but he suddenly realized
that he did not have one of his own well-trained
horses under him, that he had taught to run
without a bridle, and with regret he saw that
Leatherlegs would not turn back at his com-
mand. 1

“Well, go right through, brute,” he cried,
and with a revolver in each hand and a loud
yell, he spurred right into the midst of the horse-
men.

There were rapid shots fired, a fall of a man

and a horse,.loud curses, shouts, and then a
an oflgiround the neck of the truly splendid animal, ‘

ringing cry, as the Wild Rider,
dashed on.

“ The Wild Rider 1”

The 017 rung out loud from the lips of an
outlaw who had recognized him, and, unmind-
ful of their fallen comrade, the party started
in pursuit, a dismounted man, whose horse had
been killed, following on the stand of his slain
companion.

"Now show your heels, you devil!” said
Little Grit grimly, and he sunk his spurs into
Leatherlegs in no pleasant humor, and after
hard work turned him in the direction he
wished to go, though he was now far off the
regular Pony Express Trail.

But Leatherlegs, from sheer fright, seemed
stubborn, and darted up a mountain path,
that Little Grit knew terminated abruptly at
a cliff that overhung the deep river, fifty feet
beneath.

“Great God! he’ll kill us both,” cried Wild
Rider; but looking behind and seeing that his
pursuers were pressing him hard, he continued
on up the hillside.

“I was a fool not to bridle him, that I
might break his jaw," muttered the youth, as
the flying animal, having gained the summit,
sped along the rocky ridge with frightful
rapidity.

To Spring of! among the rocks would result
in broken limbs, if not instant death, and the
youth knew that there was but one way to get

unhurt

 
  
 
 
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
  
     
   
 
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
    
    
 
  
   
  
     
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
    

down the mountain, and that was by the path
he had come, and behind him, not sixty yards,
came the outlaws in hot chase.

No, there was another way—ofi' the chfi’ to
the river below.”

“It is fifty good feet, but I’ll risk it,” he
muttered through his teeth.

But as he settled himself well for the leap
Leatherlegs began to slacken his pace, as if
well knowing what was before him.

“On! on! you brute! you shall not fail me
again,” cried the boy, and he drove the spurs
into the flanks of the steed, and with shouts
urged him again into a full run.

But again the frightened horse slackened his
speed to once more spring forward with a
snort of rage and pain, as he felt the keen point a
of the youth's knife pricking his back. 

“Aha! I am master now, if 1 drive you to "3
kill us both,” said the youth, and as the clifl,
barren of trees and jutting out over the river,
came in View, he added: -

“ Our trail lies on the other bank, old horse,
and you’ll have. saved ten miles by the jump;
if you do not take us both to death.” . ,.

And again the horse slackeued, but again 5.
did knife, spur and shout urge him on, and "
with a frantic snort be bounded into the air V ,
and took the mighty leap, while, horrified at 43
the act, the outlaws drew rein suddenly and
uttered loud exclamations of amazement and
admiration.

Once free from the cliff, and Leatherlegs
drew himself up in a heap and with his fearless .
rider sitting upright in his saddle went down ya}
like a rock, and the outlaws heard the loud Li":
report as he struck the river. ‘

Down beneath the dark waters sunk steed .
and rider, and for what seemed a long time 
the river closed above them; but then up above '
the surface they came, and as the splendid
animal, unhurt, but frantic with fright, struck
out for the shore the outlaws heard the ring-
ing shout that came from the triumphant
youth, and hastening to the cliff gazed upon him
as he sped along on the trail, his mocking
laughter rebounding with many an echo from '- .
the rocks. pf,

 

CHAPTER XII. 
THE SPIRIT OF THE CANYON.

I WILL now return to the heroine of my
story, pretty Bessie Benton, who my kind
reader will remember was thrown heavily to *i‘i"
the ground, and who lay unconscious on the 
green sward, as the Spirit of the Canyon rode '1 ~
up.
Had Bessie not been insensible, she would
have seen a slender form, graceful and lithe,
spring quickly from the back of her snow-
white steed, and approaching her, bend above ;
her. . .

“Poor girl, I hope she is not injured; but I .'
was determined’ to capture her,” said asoft
voice, and, as she‘paSs‘ed her hands rapidly
over the form of the prostrate girl, she added:

“No bones are broken, and I will soon re-
store her to consciousness.” ‘ - 

Diligently she set to work, and presently if ‘
Bessie awoke from imensibility to find bending";
over her a face of rare beauty, yet with a .
stern look that seemed out of place upon the
fair features.

She was clad in white, her robe was loose .4
and flowing, and a vail of gauzy material, en- .
circled her head, and could be drawn at will '
across her face, giving her a ghastly appear-’l

Noticing Bessie start and shrink from her,
she said quickly: ,, ~.
“ Do not fear me, for I will not harm you... '
“ Who are you?” asked Bessie in a low ton ‘
“ An outcast. ” ’
The tone was bitter, the word had a disa
agreeable sound, and it brought pity rath
Lthan fear from the stock-tender’s daughter, If
tithe said earnestly, while now fully reoovo
she arose to her feet:

     
    
   
 

“ I am sorry for you.” 5
- “Don’t pity me, for I deserve not 

   

 

     

   

Laue

 
   
 
  

    

  
  

;.

    

Grit, the; W

 

 

  

I of the good and pure; you are Bessie Benton, I
' believe!”

H Yes )9

“Your father is Daniel Benton, a stock-ten-
der for the Pony Express Company?”

“ He is.”

“ Why does he remain in this wild land 3”

“ He is poor, and sought here to make a liv-
ing for himself and child.”

“ A living on the poor pittance he receives
as stock-lender!”

“ It is sufficient for our wants.”

“ Is he not a miner too?”

H ‘YesI ”

“ And has found gold?” I

“No, he has been particularly unfortunate
in. his gold-digging.”

“ Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“Girl, would you lie to me .4” and the strange
Woman laid her hand upon Bessie’s arni.

“ How dare you, because you are false your-:-
self, accuse me of wrong?" said Bessie indig-
nantly.

“Pardon me: I deserve your rebuke, and I
believe you: but it is strange that a man of
education, such as I know your father to be,
and who has a daughter whose beauty would
make her a belle in any land, should inmain in
this wild country, throwing away his time for
a few dollars a month.”

15'

“ You know him then?" asked Bessie quick-'

“Yes, I have met him.”
“He hopes to find gold, which will enable
him to return home again and live in comfort.”

“Why came he here? ’

Bessie did not reply, and the woman again
asked:

“ Why did he come to this wild land?”

“Misfortune brought him here.”

“ Are you sure!"

(t  v

" It was not crime that drove him here?”

“ Do you insult me because you have the
power?” ’

“Forgive me again: if your father is not
the pauper he seems, and if he is a criminal,
hiding from justice, I believe you do not know
it; but I am forced to take you with me.”

“ Whither?”

“Where do you think?” ,

. After a moment of hesitation, Bessie rep

ied: I

“It is said that you are the ghost of a lady
who was murdered. in the Haunted Canyon,

: some years ago; but my good sense causes me
f to laugh at the superstition.”
' “Then why did you fly from me?”
, “I-willtell you; the bandits came to my
. father’s house, and because he would not give
 his gold, which they said he had, up to them,
they hanged him, and——-”
., “ Do you mean this?” quickly asked the wo-
,, man.
I (( Yes. 9, I
“ He was hanged before your eyes?”
6‘ Yes.” >
“ And is dead?”
7 “ Alasl. I left him hanging to a beam in
' our cabin, while I started for Rocky Glen Sta.-
“on.”

“ For what purpose?"

H ,“To rouse the miners to
 almost savage reply.

“And you were there alone with your fa-
ther when the bandits came?’ a

. “ Yes.”
y' “Who led them?”
" “A man they called Pet.”
'.,’,‘Ah, he is a pet of Satan."
' “ You know him then?”
,“Yes: but how did you escape from him?”
"1}. “The Wild Rider dashed 1113—”
V“  I”
L “Just as the man, Pet, ordered his follow-

, ,to hang me, as they had my father, for
 ' had the rope around my neck.”

' ,And this Wild Rider rescued you?”
He came into the cabin, and single-handed
,‘ed' them, releasedlme, and ttlng me

 

 

a,venge him,” was

 

      

 

 

on a horse sent me to Rocky Glen Station for
help.”

“ Your station is not on his line of run?”

“No, not now that he has taken the longer
run which broke the other riders down.”

“Were they not a little afraid of me, the
Spirit of the Canyoné” ,

“I think so; but Little Grit did not fear
you.” .

“ He fears nothing; and he has gone on along
the trail:”

M 3:85.?)

“ If he escapes death he bears a charmed
life, for I tell you frankly the stations for fifty
miles are to be raided to—night.”

“How know you this!”

“I have a way of finding out,” was the
significant reply.

“And yet. being a woman, you did not
warn them of danger!” indignant] y asked Bes-
$10.

“It was not to my interest to do so,” was
the quiet resptmse.

“ ilow mean youi”

“ I am a member of the Mountain Bandits.”

“ You l" '

“ Yes, am I not vile enough to be anything?”
was the bitter question. i

“ I had not suspected you of this: I have
heard of the Spirit of the Canyon fora long
time, but believed the Pony Riders were
governed by their superstitious fancies, until
\Vild Rider said he saw you.”

“Yes, I tried to frighten him one night, but
he ghve chase at once, and I barely escaped
him.”

“But I cannot believe you belong to. the
Mountain Bandits.” '

“ How c‘se could I live in this wild region?"

“I know not; but I had not believed that
of you.”

“I told you I was wicked; but come, you
are my prisoner.”

“A prisoner to the Bandits?" ated Bessie,
in alarm. ,

“ch; but I pledge: you no harm shall'be-
fall you.” v.

“You are but a woman, and What will they
care for your word of command i”

“ You shall see; come!”

“Oh, do let me go, for ohl I am so very
wretched.” . ,

“You eutreat in vain; you are a'prize that
may be found mOst valuable to me, but again
I pledge you my word that no harm shall be-
fall you.”

Bessie buried her face in her hands and burst
into tears, and looked up only when she felt a
light touch upon her arm.‘ '

It was the Spirit of the. Canyon, and by her
side stood her snowy steed, and then the mai-
den saw the secret of the noiseless hoof-falls
among the rocks.

‘ His hoofs were mufiled,'and his tread gave
back no sound.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THE srocx-runnna’s STORY. - w

ROCKY GLEN was a scene of considerable ex-
citement, shortly after noon on the day follow-
ing the eventful night that opens my story,
for much had transpired, even in that land of
wild adventure and strangesccnes, to arouse
the rude denizens of that border retreat.

Knowing by long and frequent experience
that it would be impossible to overtake the
Boy Bandit and his men, after Little Grit had
come in and reported the pursuit of himself
and Helen Hewlett, the miners had passed the
night in gambling and discussing the advisability
of raising a force of Vigilantes to hunt to death
the curses of the Overland.

Had ponr Bessie Benton arrived with her sad
story, the entire p0pulatiou of Rocky , Glen
would have been up in arms, and over a hun-
dred horsemen would have taken the trail at
once; butthe reader will remember, that the
maiden had been run down by the Spirit of,
the Canyon, and could not bear the tidings to
the station.

At dawn the gamblers sought rest, but new

., ,1, '_

11a Rider.

 

   

 

 

hours after they were up again, when the
news flew around that a train was coming into /
the hamlet, and Colonel Hewlett and his party,
found a curious crowd to greet them, as they

rode up to the Riders’ Rest.

“ All, colonel, glad to so you back, sir,” said
the hospitable host of the tavern.

“Thank you, sir: I have come :0 ask for
quarters for myself and daughter for a few
days, as a courier has just overtaken me with
orders to establish a new post, or fort, in this
vicinity, and I shall at once select a site, for I
am anxious to put downthe lawlessness on this
border.”

“You will find it no easy task, colonel, as
crime is deeprootezl here; but I can give you
fair accommodations, and plenty to eat, as
long as ymn'self and daughter are my guests.

“You look a little pale after your adventure
last night, Miss Hewlett,” and the judge ushered
his guests into their rooms, the best two in the
rambling, one-storied tat ern.

Half an hour after the wagons were corraled
0n a piece of meadow-land, the soldiers, a
small battalion, were encamped on the banks.
of a pleasant stream, and with the few emi-
grants that had come West with the train, to
find new homes, the settlement of Rocky Glen
presented a most stirring scene, and the gam-
bling element, at the head of whom was the
Kid Glove Sport, flattered themselves that they

'would now have some pigeons to pluck of their

golden feathers.

_ After the noonday dinner at the Riders’ Rest,
the idle denizens of Rocky Glen were wont to
assemble upon the natural lawn in front of the
tavern for a smoke and gossip, and as many
had not gone to work that day, in the mines
and at their various other duties, there con-
sequently had gathered a large crowd to dis-
cuss the late arrivals, the building of the new
post, and other topics in which the settlers
were interested. ’

“I tell yer, pards thet Boy Bandit au’ his
gang is going to flu it interestiu’ fer ’ein now
ther sogers hes comed an’ we hes a larger com-
munity 0’ folks,” said Trumps,- removing his
Indian pipe from his" mouth, "hnd looking
around upon the crowd as though he had just
made some very wise remark.

“I dunno, Trumps, ef be are or not, for he’s
a sex-earner, an’ nobody’s get clutch on him
yet, an’ it’s seldom any 0’ his penis is tuke in
out 0’ ther wet,” responded Bony‘Bob.

“They does say nobody knows who’s-ther
gang, for it can turn out at timrs over half a
hundred men, an’ I has allus noticed when
they was raidin’ in force, thet fellows round
heur were mighty scarce.”

o“You don‘t mean to assert, Trumps, that
any of our citizens here are secret members of
the Boy Bandit‘s band?” said the Kid Glove
Sport, rt moving a cigar from between his lips,‘
with his daintfly gloved hand, and looking
fixedly into the miner’s face. I

“ I does say as how that thar were a thinnin’
out 0’ folks in Rocky Glen, both times the
Boy Bandit made a grand raid on ther south-
ern trails; why you wasn’t heur yerself, Kid
Gloves, ary time.”

“Am I 'to understand that you mean to 1m;
ply that I being absent from here at the times -
you speak of, am a secret member of the Boy
Bandit’s band?” and the Kid Glove Sport arose
and his eyes burned menacing] y.

" If ther shoe I gi’n yer fits, my festive pard,
yer kin jist pat it on an wear it,” was Trumps’s
cool reply; but before an angry retort could
be made by the Kid" Glove Sport, :1 man sud-
denly appeared in their midst, and from his
lips came the trembling words:

“Men, my child,.have you seen her?”

It was Daniel Benton, and his face was hag-
gard, white and stamped with both mental and
bodily pain, while around his neck were the
cruel marks of the lariat with which be ha
been mag: up the yard“: bciore. . '

“ er child,» yer gal, Dan; whar is she?”
askedu'limmps‘ quickly turning to the stock.
tendernwhd was well known at Rocknylen.

“ng Trump, shemudforthisplacelast

.( a, ‘.
.'- ,‘ H ._ . ., i

 

mm

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Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

 

 

, ght totell you all of the outrages the bandits
Vere committing along the line: where is she?”
eagerly said the sorrowing father.

“Yes, they captured Miss Hewlett, the
daughtonof the officer who has come to build
the new fort, and Little Grit had a brush with
them, and then started to ride Jookey Jack’s
run, as they had killed that poor fellow,” said
Judge Hunter coming forward.

“Alas! that is not all they have done, I tell
you; Ia'ttle Grit came to my cabin to find me
strung up to a beam, and my daughter about
to be served the same way, because we would
not tell where We hid our gold; but that brave
lad boldly attacked the half-dozen bandits, res-
cued Bessie, aud sent her here to give warning,
and frightening off the outlaws, he cut me
down ere I died, and I owe him my life.

“ I waited, my friends, a long time, and
then -as none of you came, I grew anxious
about my, child, and have come on foot all the
Way here to seek her, for alas! what has be
fallen her?” and the stock-tender gazed aux-
iously around the crowd.

“Your pretty daughter has not come here,’
Benton, so harm must have befallen her, and
I will lead to her rescue, if the boys will
follow. Ho! pards, to the rescue of pretty
Bessie Benton,” and the Kid Glove Sport waved
his hat around his head, and a hundred voices
shouted a glad response to follow him.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
AN IMPORTANT ARRIVAL. _

THE excitement of the Rocky Glen settlers
at the story of the stock -tender was in-
tense for a, few moments, for Bessie Benton
was well known there, and her bright eyes had
pierced, many a brave heart with love arrows,
and one and all were most anxious to aid in
her capture, for, if she had not fallen into the
hands of the bandits, What had befallen her?

Forgetting his angry words with Trumps,
the Kid Glove Sport asked that big-hearted
miner to aid him in forming a search party,
and within half an hour‘s time fifty men had
assembled before the Riders" Rest, all of them
mounted and well armed, and at their head
was Gambler Grey, Trumps, and Daniel Ben-
ton, who, in spite of his long run on foot, and
his sufferings, insisted upon going, and had
been furnished with one of the Pony Express
horses by Judge Hunter. -

Just as they were about to start, a young
and handsome Lieutenant of Cavalry rode up,
and said politely:

“Gentlemen, Colonel Hewlett has learned of ,

your proposod expedition, and has ordered me
to take thirty men and accompany you, and I
would advise that half .of my cavalrymen go
i with, your leader, imd half of your party with
me. ‘

The Kid Glove Sport frowned a little. at this
proposition; but seemingly thinking it best not
to act against the military, he replied:

“I command this party, sir, and will accede
to the colonel’s wishes, though I do not think
such a large force necessary, as the bandits
wot possibly number over thirty men!"-

“You know best, sir, as I am a stranger

 here; but I have he:er that the outlaw organi-
sation is a large one, and is commanded by a
,boy who is a remarkable leader; here come
, my men, and the sergeant and fifteen men can
' accompany you, and you can assign me those

 bugh it was evident that he did not like the
gambler, for his manner and look said as
uch. '

I 35: 011 think best,” said thalieutenant politely,

The parties were then divided, Trumri" and

. twenty-five miners being assigned to‘the com-

mand of the young and dashing lieutenant, and
the two squadrons were about to start on their
leopard“ trails of Search, when the clatter of

( hoofs rosounded in the timber that covered a
“, distant hill and the next instant there swept

into view a horseman coming at full speed.-

, “Old Barney} e stockotenderl" cried.
'» '4 ' lBenton, andnleyes were up0n him as
’ flyiiig along the  and; the next
  before thertavern door.

my?" “3 1%,. y. - . q‘, 11"

0.1.,“ I

“ Howly Moses! is it a wake yez is afther
going to?” he cried, gazing around him.

“Yes, Barney, if you will find us the corpse
and the whisky.” answered the Kid Glove Sport.

“Faith and I will find yez the corpus, but
divil a. bit 0' potceu do yez get out 0’ me, for
me throat is falin’ now asthough I’d swallowed
a out an’ drug him out by ther tail, an‘ it‘s a
wee drop I nude before I can say a worrud.”

“And what have you to say, Barney?”
asked Judge Hunter, coming forward with a
bottle and tin cup in his hand.

“I’ll be afther sp’akin’ in a minute, joodge;
ahl blissid drap 0’ the critter, thet refrishes mo
in’ards, now I kin find the tongue 0’ me.”

“ Well, speak quick, for thero are stirring
rumom abroad, and the men are anxious to
s'art on the trail of the bandits," said the
judge. .

“Stirring rumors! well, I’d be afther sayin’
that same mesilf, fer ther bandits. is preparin’
corpses fer a dozen wakes; yer see, gintleniiu,
I’m a stock-tinder three stations beyant here,
an’ I was a-wonderin’ last night regardin’ ther
delay: 0’ Jockey Jack, whin up dashed thet
Wild Rider 0’ Satin, Little Grit, an’ he shouts
out thet I‘d better skip to ther mountains, as
ther. bandits was afther coming, an’ I till yez,
gintlemin, I did thet same with my stock,
while that young divil a-hossback, jumped on
thet Satin 0’ ther crib, Litherligs, an’ charged
ther bandits. .

“ ‘l’ill, I. says, from ther narrer path av
ther hill,‘thet he wint right over thim—an’
some wint down, an’ thin he turned Litherligs
fer ther hill, an’ says I to mesilf, says I, ‘ thet

he is.’

“ Will, gintlemin, I was a liar, fer he wint
along ther cliff pathway, as I seen from ther
mountain above, an’ when Lithel-ligs wanted
ter stop, knowin’ what was afore him, he jist
lit upon ther hosts with spur an’ yill, an’ over
thet cliff he wint!”

“ Great Godl Little Grit dead?" cried Judge
Hunter, while excléimations of horror and re-
gret arose on all si es.

“.Di’dl who said the boy was ‘di’df” asked
Barney. . '

‘.‘ He rode over the Jacob’s Ladder cliff, you
said,” ramarked the Kid Glove Sport.

“An so did he, but he’s not di‘d, nor even
hurted.”

“Hoorahi Hoorahl for Little Grit,” yelled
Tramps, and the cheers were given with ‘9.
W1 .

“ No, gintlemin, the Litherligs struck the
wather same as of he bu’st open, an’ they wint
under thergither, an’ says I to mesilf, says I,
‘ They hes goneto ther. divil, now.’

“But it was either bein’ a lie I will have to
ask forgiveness for, is they comed up beautiful,
ther Wild Rider gived a yill, an’ thin laughed
as ef he'd enj’yed the bath, an’ away wint
Litherligs along ther trail, having cut off many
a mile by the joomp. , -

“ Will, gintlemin, I hid ther stock in ther
mountains till nixt day, an’ thin comed back
ter find my home burnt, an’ I corrals ther
horses an’ coomes on here, ter find Mustang
Pate di’d at his burnt cabin, an’ ther home 0’
Dan Binton there deSarted 0’ human an’ crib.
ter, ’ceptin’ a few dead corpuses.”

“ And you have seen no bandits on the wayl”
asked Gambler Grey. I

" Not the divil 0’ one, ’ceptin’ thet di’d ones.”

“ And no nothin’ of the Wild Rider?”

“Divil a bit 0’ that ridiu’ imp, savin’ whatlg
was afther telliir yez; bedadl listen to tnim
huflsl” '

All listened, and again came the clatter of
hoofs coming along the rocky path through the
timber, and the next instant a. wild' yell burst
:i'rom every throat, hats we Waved, and pis-
tols discharged, for into‘full view came Little-
Grit,.the 'Wild Rider! r

s

CHAPTER xv;  A ,
run ninrsarnnns. ,  
given. vent‘to their wild enthusihsnr

 

\

' HAvnfl}

 

boy is afther bein’ gone now, Wild Rider thet .

Trumps.

'run, while, the cheer that went after him hav-

all as he came toward them, Prairie Gull reek-
ing with foam, the flanks red, and the pant-
ing nostrils showing how hard had been the
race.

“ How in thunder was he afther gittin’ thet
boss 0’ his?” cried Barney; but before reply
could be made, Little Grit drew rein in their
midst and sprung to the ground at the tavern
door, while another ringing cheer greeted
him.

“I‘Velcome back, my boy; Barney has told
us of the leap from the cliff, and you are in-
deed the Wild Rider of the Border,” cried
Judge Hunter, grasping the youth by the
hand.

Though haggard-looking, dust-covered and
evidently greatly fatigued, Little Grit had not
lost his nerve, and said. pleasantly:

“I thank you, my friends, for the greeting
you give me, and I am glad to see that you
are ready for the trail, Yor the tenders and
stock have been driven from three of the
stations, and the bandits are abroad in force,
as I sent you word by Bessie Benton last
night.” '

“But my child never came, Little Grit; she
has been captured or killed,” said Dan Benton,
riding forward and addressing the youth, who
exclaimed:

“She did not reach Rocky Glen, you say?”

N No.” ~

“ Then she has been taken, and it is the duty
of all men here to go to her rescue.”

“We were about setting forth on that duty
when your arrival detained us, boy,” said the
Kid Glove Sport, and Trumps spoke up
quickly:

“Don’t call Little Grit boy, Kid Gloves, for
be are a man clean through.”

“He’s a boy who has too much tosay for
one of his years,” retorted the Gambler. .

“ And one day I’ll have something to say to
you, Grey,” said Little Grit, with a flash in _,,
his eyes, and turning to the young lieutenant ‘
he continued, unnoticing the bum that went
around at his words to the Gambler.

“I have ridden Jockey Jack’s circuit, sir,
and shall at once start on my own and report
what harm, if any, has been done to the north;
now three Pony Stations are" without stock,
but I went to the hills, where Barney’s horses
are and got Prairie Gull, or I could not have
made the run as I did."

“Do you mean, Little Grit, that you
have made Jockey Jack’s full run there and
back?” asked the judge.

“Yes, sir, and am on time, though I met
with considerable detention,” answered the
youth with a quiet smile of triumph.

“I should think so,” and turning to the
officer, the judge continued:

“Lieutenant, this young man left here thirty‘
six hours ago on his run, ninety miles and
back, and when he arrived last night, and
Jockey Jack was killed, he made his trip, and
is beckon time, and you have heard what he
has gone through with.”

“He deserves the greatest credit, and I
should advise that he Seeks rest now,” respond-
ed Lieutenant Harold Trash. -

“ I must start out at once, sir, on my run,”
replied Little Grit, modestly.

“ But you cannot stand it.”

“Ah, sir, we pony riders are hardy fellow.
and can stand a great deal, and I must stand
this one, for there is no one to take my place;
but, boys, let me hear on my return that Best
sie'Benton has been rescued and her captors
punished.”

{‘We’ir. string ’em up, Rider,” shouted

   
  

“Thengood-by; come, Firefly, we must bl
oil.“ and the stable boy having led his splendid
black around, and changed the saddle from _
Prairie Gull to his back, the youth mounted.
and“ waving his hand, sped away on his 1

ing died away, Judge Hunter said in enthusfiv:
igtic tones: _ - .
 .“rIf Wild. Rider cbmes hack on, time

 

V. , atthoretum, of, Li-th Grit, a siledce tell'upoi.

‘ 1“} 1 , .if  :5

morrow he will have ridden nearly he :w

 

‘10

.',a
o’

ild Rider.

Little Grit, the’

 

    

f

dred miles in fifty hours, and ridden thirty-
five horses in doing so.”"6

“Come, we have no time to discuss the
powers of endurance of boys; let us be off,”
said the Kid Glove Sport, evidently annoyed at
the praise bestowed upon the daring youth,
and he rode on, followed by his squadron,
while Lieutenant Harold Trask and his party
struck ofl.’ on another trail, which Trumps, who
acted as guide, thought best for them to take.

“ God grant they be successful.”

The soft, sweet voice, caused Judge Hunter
to turn quickly, and he beheld by his side
Helen Hewlett, who, from her window in the
tavern, had heard all that passed, and seeing
the rescue party ride away, came out and
joined her host.

“ So I say, Miss Hewlett, for Bessie Benton
is as lovely in face and form as you are, and I
know possesses a noble character,” replied the
blunt judge, and his outspoken compliment,
though not intended to flatter, brought the
rich color to Helen's lips, while she replied:

“ Then I pity her from my inmost heart, in
the power of those wretches, who I heard
her father say would have hanged her, bad it
not been for—for the young man you call
Little Grit, and who so nobly served Ire.”

“Yes, they are a bad set of men, and their
boy leader shows no mercy to men or women,
I have heard, and know, Miss Hewlett, and I
fear yonder men go to her rescue in vain, and
will have to leave her to another to bring
back.”

“And that other is—”

“The Wild Rider.”

“Then why did he not go 'With them to-
day?”

“Because his duty called him to make the
ride, Jockey Jack being dead and Tiny Tim sick
abed; but at the other end of the line' he will
report the affairs, and the agent will send
other riders here, as Little Grit told me he in-
tended to lay off for a couple of weeks, and
egad, he deserves to.”

“ I should think so; but when will he return,
judge?’

“ To-morrow at ten he is due, miss.”

.;“And will he make the marvelous run?”

“He will, or die in his saddle, for I know the
boy_n A
“ Then tell me, please, who he is?”

“Little Grit, the Wild Rider, is all I can
tell you, Miss Hewlett,” and the judge turned
away, leaving Helen with a look of disappoint-
ment upon her fair face. ,

 

CHAPTER XVI.
THE PHANTOMS.

MOUNTED on his favorite, Firefly, the fleet
eat of his stable of twenty horses, for Little
Grit Owned the animals he rode, the Wild Ri-
der went along like the wind. .

First down into the lowlands he went, then

over a ridge of foot-hills, and out upon the'

prairie; past the tree at the head of the Red
Ravine, where a human body and the horses he
had killed still lay unburied, and serving for
food for wolves and vultures, and then on to
the spot where he hadrrescued Helen Hewlett,
and where another body and another steed la
dead as a feast for wild bea ts. 1'

“The fellow had not t heart to bury his
own friend,” muttered the youth, as he turned
his face away from the sickening sight of hun-
gry coyotes feeding upon a human being.

But not once did he slacken his speed, until
he ran into the station where he chafiged

' horses.

l
‘ But no animal stood at the Stockade gate
uwaiting him, and the stock-tend? was not
Visible.
' “ Ho, Bart, where are you?” cried the youth.

 

0 “ Hon. W. F. Cody, Buffalo Bill, when a boy, and
“ding Pony Express, once, under a pressure of
circumstan rode the run of two riders without
test-Emir: Re Buttes to Three Crossi , and thence
Ego Rocky Ridge; then immediate] ack again to

Buttes—a distance of as, overs. will

in thirty hours, and using twen -fbur
try—'1!“ Amon. ” "

But no answer came to his cry, and dis-
mounting, he drew his revolver and entering
the stockade, slowly approached the cabin, the
door of which was ajar.

As he was about to thrust the door open and
enter, a sudden impulse caused him to stop,
and removing his sombrero, he placed it on the
muzzle of his revolver and held it around the
post, as though he were peeping in.

Instantly there came a ringing report and
the hat fell to the ground, pierced by a bullet,
while With a groan, Wild Rider sprung back to
the corner of the but.

The feigned groan of agony, did the work,
for out of the cabin darted a human form, to
fall dead with a bullet in his heart.

“It is Hank Hawkins; now I‘ll see what
devil’s work he has been at," muttered \Vild
Rider, as he recognized the man whom the
night before he had rescued Helen Hewlett
from.

Cautiously entering the cabin, the youth
saw Bart the stock-tender, and an old, gray-
haired man lying dead by the hearth, and
knew that Hank Hawkins had killed him to
rob him, and then driven the pony horses off
to the hills.

Springing upon Firefly he followed the trail
of the animals for half a mile and found "them
hitched in a small growth of timber.

“He thought he had it all his own way; but
he should have been more particular to find
out if my head was under that hat.

“ Come, Arrow, we must be off, and you will
have to make up half an hour of lost time,” and
throwing his saddle and express sachels upon a
thoroughbred-looking bay, Wild Rider drove
Firefly and the other horses back to the
stockade. ' ‘

“Now to bury poor old Bart,” he said, and
he set to wq‘k with pick and spade, and quickly
made a grave back of the cavern and in it
deposited the body of the old stock-tender.

“ Guess you’ll make prime eating for coyotes,”
he muttered, as he threw the body of the out-
law outside of the stockade, and fastening the
gate, sprung upon Arrow, who shot away as
though he had been sent from.) how. .

Urging the red bay hard, Little Grit arrived
at the next station only' a quarter of an hour
behind time, and to his delight learned from
the stock-tender that the bandits had not paid
him a visit.

“You are lucky, Bond, for they have hit
the line hard below Rocky Glen, run Barney
ofl’, slain Mustang Pete, captured Bessie Ben-
ton, and nearly killed her father, while they
shot poor Jockey Jack on the run, and I buried
Bart at the back station,” he said to the man,
who held a fiery mare in readiness for him. I

“Guess your time will come next, Little
Grit, for you is awful venturesome,” said Bond
the stock-tender.

“Somehow I don’t think so, Bond; I’ll hot
say die as long as I can show my claws.

“ Good-by, and keep a bright look-out.”

“I will, Little Grit; but hain’t yer a leetle
stifl, an’ lookin’ bad?” ~

“ I should think so, for I’ve done treble
work; but Ill be back on time, if the lamp of
life holds out to burn. Come, Sgthanessl”

The last was said to the really vicious mare,
who bounded away with an angry snort, and
at a speed that threatened to make up the
twenty minutes lost.

Bond stood watching Little Grit until he
disappeared from sight, and then muttered:

“He are rightly named, for he area Wild
Rider fer a fact; but ther end 0’ his road will
come yet, I’m thinking, though I hopes not, as
he are a better man than ary boy Iever see
afore; I wonder ef he’ll be back on time?

“I’m thinkin’ not, an‘ I’m bettin’ myself
thet leetle drop oi rum I has‘l’elt in ther'bottle,
thet he don’t make it; ef he does, I’ll jist pour
it out on ther ground, for he don’t drink, an’
of he don’t make it, 1’11 drink ther last drop:
that’s ther way I has 0’ bettin’ ag’in’myself,”
and Bond, the stock-tender, went in and 10' “ed
to his arms, for he was a cautious man.

 

But no bandits paid' him a. visit, thatnight,

.I',

and the next morning, after his lonely ' -  - , v. 
fast, he led Arrow out to the stockade, :: I 
then went into the cabin and brought out '5
old clock and a bottle.

“Thar’s ther time as ther sun sets an’ rig
by, an’ heur are a drink 0’ rum in‘this bot ,
thet are wuth a pound o’ yaller gold-dust'
me.

“Let me see; ther boy hes jist five minut
ter come in an’ be on time; but I Won’t;
mean, so will give him another minute. V

“Then comes my drink, an’ it are agC
one too, cl’ar four fingers in a tin cup; but ’1 i
suck it out o’ ther bottle fer it are swater.” =5

A while he was silent and then said ale
while his eyes glanced at the bottle longing,
and his fingers moved nervously, as thougn
anxious to clutch it with loving embrace:

“ lt are four minutes gone; only one and I
one-half minute now; yas, only one minute I,
now—holy Sierras! but thar he comes!”

The man sprung to his feet, and turning his
eyes up the trail saw the roan mare coming on -
at full speed for the station, and upon her back - ,
was the Wild Rider, but he was not riding, as -
was his wont, upright and free, but crouching
in his seat, and seemed holding to the mane of
the fairly flying animal.

“Hold hard, Leetle Grit! heur yer is, or I
are a liar, an‘ my rum hes ter be drunk up by
ther ’arth; but what in ’tarnal thunder are
ther matter with yer, boy?”

“ I’m dead heat, Bond; I’ve had a hard run
of it; there, let me down easy, and help me
on Firefly,” said the youth, in almost a whis-
per.

“You is nigh played, Leetle Grit, fer yer
face looks ten years older than usual, an’ yer
is stiff as though yer had rheumatiz, while yer
eyes seems rollin’ ag’in’ ther back part 0’ yer
head; let me run in with ther bags, boy, an’
you stay heur an’ rest.”

“No; I must go myself, thank you, Bond "
“Then take this wee drop 0’ nwunt’in-dcn
pararer tanglefoot, miner’s benzine, or what g
ever yer call it, for I has lost it, haviu’ Let
ag’in’ myself thet yer wouldn’t make {her run, ,. ;
but yer has, an’ half a minute to spare. p

“Take it, boy, an’ it’ll ile yer j’ints, fetch
yer eyes in place ag’in, warm ther cookies on
yer heart, an’ fill yer full 0’ glory, fer it are
prime mater’al, from Judge Hunter’s stock.”

“ I will drink it, Bond, and thank you
for I need it; there, I feel better, and there .
some left for you; now help me on, an’ Firefly,
go easy at first, or you’ll shake me in pieces.”

The next inst:mt the Wild Rider was again
mounted, and speeding along swiftl , Firefly
hurling the miles behind him until a 0rd from
the Wild Rider brought him to a sudden halt.

And no wonder; for in the road ahead of
.him, just under the tree at the head of the
Red Ravine, were a horse and rider, who, ever
in the‘glare of day, looked like spectral form:
from another world.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVII.
ran COMPACT.

THE first act of the Wild Rider, after bring-
ing his horse to a halt, was to draw his i‘Uvol-
vhr, and then take a close survey of the phan-
tom-like horse and rider in his pathway.

“It is the ohe they call the Spirit of the
Canyon, and a woman; come, Firefly, let ,us
have a closer look at the pair,” muttered Little
Grit, who was greatly strengthem d by the
liquor he had been given by Bond. 'i ‘

The horse slowly moved fcrvsaid. and yet ,
like statues, the white horse and its ri. er re—
ma‘ ed, until Little Grit had approached with-
in t irty feet, still holding his revolver in his
hand.

Then the white .steed faced him, and the.
rider said in a clear, music‘al tone:

“Put up your weapbn, for Imean you no ,
harm.” ‘ '

“ I do not fear you; only you are uncomfort-
ably near the ravine, which might conceal a
company; of cavalry,” replied Wild Rider.
_ “ Then I will come to you, and I trust
ias I‘ Wish you totrnst me; see,'I,ghow no a.- 5.3-

 

  
 
   
   
  
 
   
  
   
  

 

 

Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

  

\_

 

\

 

‘ a "4‘," '
t
; l<

11‘

 

 

 

 

and with her hands held above her head the
woman known as the Spirit of the Canyon, ad-
vanced slowly to where the youth had halted.

‘ “ Who, are you!” he asked, gazing fixedly
upon her -white-robed form and partially vailed
ace.

“I am called the Spirit of the Canyon.”

“ True, and as such lrighten the superstitious

'earfully.”

“Yet you do not fear me.”

“ Why should I when I have no belief in the

'upernatural? It is that pistol in your belt

' at I stand in aWe of.”

“Ab!” and the woman drew her robe over
6 tell-tale weapon, while Little Grit, at the
movement of her hand to her waist, quickly
dropped his upon his revolver.

“You doubt me, I see.”

“Why should I do otherwise, when you go
masquerading by day and night along the
trail I ride?”

“You are a brave youth not to draw off
the Pony Line at the threats you have re
ceived.” ,

“ Why should I? as long as there is life there
is hope, and I take my chances.”

“ And fearful chances they are.”

“ I care not; I came to ride this line for a
certain time and I shall do it,” was the bold
remark of Little Grit.

“If Death does not catch you.”

“Yes, but I have ridden in company with
Death so often we have become good pards.”

“ Why do you ride Pony Expresss” suddenly
asked the woman.

“ My reasons hold no interest for you.”

“You are mistaken; but we will not argue
that now, as I wish you to do me a favor.”

“Wish me to do you a favor?” asked the
youth, in surprise.

a Yes. 7) b

“How can I?”

“I will tell you. You know Bessie Benton,
the stock—tender’s daughter, I believe?"

“Yes, what know you of her!” asked Wild
Rider, with eagerness.

“ She is a prisoner.” ,

“That I feared; then the Rocky Glen boys
have not rescued her?”

“Ha! ha! ha! their errand is as futile as
their attempts to capture the Boy Bandit.”

“ I do not know but that essie can be
rescued and the Boy Bandit captured, too,”
said Little Grit, confidently.

“ No, neither can be done unless I wish it,”
said the woman, solemnly.

“ You! What have you to do with it?”

“Much; I will prove it by saying that you
can accomplish what the Vigilantes and sol-
diers from Rocky Glen have failed to do.”

“ And what is that?”

“Rescue Bessie Benton.”

“ I intend to try, at least.”

“You can accomplish it with ease; through
me.”

“ How?”

“You have just come from a long ride, and
our face shows that you suffer, so go on to
, cky Glen and seek rest until to-morrow

tight, when the Vigilantes will be back.

{- ' “Then go to the cabin of Daniel Benton,

is

- i and tell him that if he is willing to give ten

thousand dollars for the restoration of his
; daughter, you will bring her to him.”

.5 “Why he has no: a hundred dollars to his
a" name.”

no"
' » i'

 

“You do as I say, and he will give you the
money.”

“ I say he has no money.”

“And I say he will give you the amount I
name, and I wish you to bring it to the Pilot
Tree in the middle of the Sweetbrier Prairie.

“I know the spot; but why there?’

“That you may not be treacherously dealt
with; as you leave the foot-hills on the north
I will leave the timber on the south, and Bessie
Benton shall accompany me'.”

“You promise this?”

u Ya"
“At what time to—morrow night?”
“Meet me at midnight.”

 

 

“The Pilot} Tree will 0 ceal a dozen men. ”

“True, but if you dou t me get the money
before night and go there by daylight, though
I cannot come until midnight; then you can
see that an ambush is not intended.

“ So be it; I will trust you; but if I do not
bring the money?”

“' You cannot have the girl!”

“ l’ll risk that.”

“Then our arrangement ends here, unless
you pledge yourself not to attempt the rescue
of Bessie Benton if you do not get the money.”

“At that time, yes,I pledge myself; but
look out for squalls afterward.”

“I’ll be on my guard; now we understand
each other!"

“Yes; but how did you get possession of
Bessie i”

“ I captured her.”

“ And who are you?”

“The Spirit of the Canyon I told you; but
mind you, do not speak of my meeting you to
any one, nor tell how you rescue Bessie; will
you promise this?”

“ Oh yes.”

“Then good—by,” and wheeling her white
horse the woman rode down into the Red Ra-
vine, While Little Grit went skimming along
once more on his way to Rocky Glen, deeply
impressed by his meeting with the strange
creature and what he had heard, and deter-
mined to keep his word and engagement with
her, though every bone and muscle in his body
ached, and he was almost blind from loss of
sleep.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
WILD RIDER ON TIME.

“BY Heaven! there comes the boy, and on
time, or I am a sinner!” and Judge Hunter,
who had been anxiously gazing down the trail,
danced around in his glee, as he saw Firefly
come bounding along toward the tavern.

His words brought to the rude piazza both
Colonel Hewlett and Helen, besides all who
were loafing in the bar-room, and every eye
was upon the Wild Rider as he came in on the
home stretch.

“He’s not riding in his old easy style, and
no wonder,” said the judge, as he called to the
stable man to call up Tiny Tim to send on the
next run.

“No wonder, sir, if he has made the four
hundred and sixty odd miles you say, in fifty
hours,” said Colonel Hewlett.

“ My life that he’s made the clean run, and
of all the gamblers here, there are not three
bets against him,” cried the judge, as he sprung
down from the steps and grasped the hand of
the Wild Rider, just as Firefly came to a halt.

“Great God! what a change!” cried the
colonel aloud, while Judge Hunter said
anxiously:

“ You made it, my boy i"

“ Yes: but can Tiny Tim go on?”

“ Oh yes, though he’s not well; any news?”

“Poor Bart is dead; killed by Hank Haw-
kins, Colonel Hewlett, t'roni whom I saved
your daughter: but I avenged him.

“ Here, judge, lift me down lightly, please,
for I am worse beat than a stove up govern-
ment mule.” ‘

“You are game to the backbone, Little
Grit. Steady, boys, for don’ t you see him wince
with paih, and he’s no child to cry out at an
ache; there, now take him into my room.”

The two men who had lifted Little Grit
from his saddle, obeyed, just as Tiny Tim, 8

all, wiry man with a clean-shavon, deter-
mined face, came out to mount an iron-gray
that the stable-boy was holding for him.

“ Look out for squalls, Tim, and ride hard,”
called out Little Grit, catching sight of him.

' “All right, lad, and the whole line shall
hear of what you have done: good-by all!”
and away went the iron-gray with Tiny Tim
and the express bags on his back, while the
Wild Rider was carried into the hotel and
cared for by willing hands.

“Helen, that boy’s fuse haunts me by day

   

 

   
   
  
   
    
  
   
 
    
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
 
  
   
   
   
 
   
   
    
  
  
  
 
   
   
  
   
 
   
   
  
 
   
   
   
   
  
 
 
   

and night, and recalls memories from the past,
that I had hoped were forever buried,” said
Colonel Hewlett, as himself and daughter re-
turned to their room.

“ I felt that something must have influenced
you deeply, father, to have seemed so unkind
to him as you were the other night,” replied
the maiden.

“Something did influence me, my child;l
something I never expected to speak to you
about. but which I will now tell you of, as I
must speak to some one about it, must find out
who that boy is. ‘

“You are aware that in early life, a year
before you were born, I was engaged in a
duel?” .

“Yes, father, there Were plenty of busy
tongues to tell me of it at school. though you
never spoke to me of the painful circumstance,
and if it is unpleasant to you to recall, do not.
tell me now.”

“ I say I must, Helen, for I am deeply
troubled.

“ Before I met your mother I loved a young
and beautiful girl that I had fairly idolized
from her childhood, for our families were on
most intimate terms, and in Virginia, where I
lived, our estates ad joined.

“When she was but sixteen we became en-
gaged, and were to have been married upon,
my return from the W'est, where I was ordered
for a year’s service among the Indians.

“ A young man I met in service in the West,
a surgeon of my regiment, had a fortune left
him, and shortly after my arrival at the com-
mand, resigned and was to start home, when
my horse fell with me one day, and my arm
being broken, he remained to set it, and kindly
cared for me for several weeks.

“I was so attached to him that I gave him a
letter to my family, and to Corinne, for his
home was on the Maryland side of the Potomac,
not far above where I lived.

“Alas! my child, he used that letter of in-
troduction so well, that he won my intended
bride from me, with stories of my wild life
and gambling, and more, be persuaded Corinne
to run away with him and become his wife.

“My child, I am, as you know, of a hot—
headed nature, and I did not allow this false
friend’s treachery to go unpunished, but two-
years after tracked him down, and he fell in a
duel with me.

“ What became of Corinne I never knew, or
cared, for some months after I saved from.
drowning, in the surf at Newport, 8. young,
girl who afterward became my wife, and ‘
your mother, Helen, and the image of that
treacherous woman I took out ‘of my heart for-
ever.

“Now, my child, up from the grave, as :
though it were Lester Lamdell himself, comes“
this boy they call Wild Rider, and when Ilook
at him, the image of false Corinne rises before
me, and I would take my oath that he is their ‘
son,” and, as though to shut out the phantoms-
of the past from before his eyes, Colonel Hew-
lett buried his face in his hands and leaned on
the table before him, while Helen, .with deep,
sympathy, said: ~-

“Father, I hope that such may not be the
case, that it is 'only a fancied resemblance; but» '
I will solve the mystery for you, as to who
this Wild Rider really is, and if he be their
son, then let us go from here; get ordered else—
where, where constantly before you will not be.
one to call up only bitterest memories.”

“No, Helen, as I have sown so will I reap;
I was unkind to him, and I will not be again, for
if I have much to forgive, he has too, and he‘
has heaped coals of fire upon my head by sav- '_
ing you from what I now know would haves 1'“
been worse than death. . 

‘ “I will go now and see if I cannot help the~
boy, and you send to the Hospital steward. "i
and sutler for all that he may need," and hav
ing determined upon the course as would pursu "
Colonel Hewlett went to the room where Wil
Rider had been taken; but at the 'door Jhd'
Hunter met him with the report that be 11‘
been well cared for and wm fast asleep. ,

\ . ‘

 

 

    

Little Grit, the Wild Rider.

‘ A

 

 

CHAPTER XIX.

 ON THE TRAIL.

 IF Little Grit had seemed completely used

up, upon his arrival at Rocky Glen, after his

marvelous ride, he certainly did not look’,so,

, when the next afternoon he came out on the

g; piazza to welcome the parties back, who had
gone in search of Bessie Benton. .

, A little pale and haggard, a trifle stiff he

lsecmed, but withal a dangerous person to grap-

l’ple with in a close encounter, for his wiry
frame had recuperated rapidly from the fear—

“, ful strain put upon it.

1 , “ Couldn’t find hair nor ‘hide 0’ her, or ther
bandits, Leetle Grit, the’ we seen your work
lying round, an’ a. number 0’ us rode to ther
cliff ter see ther leap yer tuk; Jewilikins! but
it were a flyer.

“ An’ they tells me yer made ther big run?
Waal yer is ther boss rider an’ leetle one in
this hour sinful airth, an’ no mistake,” and
"Trumps warmly grasped the boy’s hand, and
then continued:

“ We’ll hev a leetle game 0’ keerds {er-night,
Grit, my boy, an’ I wants yer round, fer thar
is a row pendin’ atween me and thet Kid Glove
Gambler, an’ it are all about you.”

“ I am sorry I cannot be with you tonight,
Trumps, but I have an important engagement
on hand.”

“ Why you isn’t goin’ for ter ride ag’in right
off?”

“No, but I have something to attend to that
I cannot neglect, and the nature of which I
hope you will know to-morrow; by the way,
whose did you leave Daniel Benton?”

“Oh! poor feller, he left us as soon as be
c’u’dn’t find his dartcr, an' be gone back to her
lonely cabing; I tell yer, Leetle Grit, I feels
durned sorry fer that ,man, an’ more sorrier
fer his darter, an’ you and me will set out ter-
morrer an’ look her up, of yer kin spare

'. time.”

f‘ Oh yes, for there will be several riders
sent down here to-night, to take J ockey, Jack’s
place, and give Tiny Tim and myself a rest for
a few days; now I must be off.”

“ Don’t want no comp’ny does yer?”

' “Not this time, thank you, my good friends;

‘ Ishall ride Firefly, and these will go with me,”
 and Little Grit smilineg patted his belt of

arms. '

. “They is durned good comp’ny fer yer too,

4/ or I are a liar; weal, yer knows my shanty, so

look me up when I kin sarve yer, and, Leetle

Grit, hoop yer eyes on thet Kid Glove gerloot,

fer he hes it in him ter give yer trouble.”

, “ I believe With you, Trumps, that he needs

. ‘ watching, and I’ll keep an eye upon him,” and

Little Grit went into the tavern to get ready

for his ride.

Ten minutes after he came out on the pine-
board piaua, looking exceedingly trim in ap-
pearance, for he had donned a new suit, and
Helen Hewlett, who sat at the window, me -
tally observed that she never saw a. hang"
comer youth.

, “ You are not going on another ride, Mr

. Little Grit,” she said pleasantly.

1‘ “Yes, but I am not riding on time this
afternoon, Miss Hewlett.”

“I feared you would be very ill, when I saw
you lifted from your horse yesterday, and my
,father was anxious to serve you in some way;
M but you look well this afternoon.”

' 3 “Oh, yes, Miss Hewlett, I am all right now,

and a short ride will limber me up; but I have

“to thank you and your father for being very

.1de to me; here comes Firefly now, and I

must be off," and bowing politely, Little Grit

walked out to where the stable boy held his

*horse, and mounting.set 01! at a cantor, greatly
V the surprise of his steed, who seemed anx‘

ions to go at once into the flying gait he was

' to.

.1.“

hr .334.

.Arh

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
   
 
    

 

increasing his speed after awhile Little Grit
.- or had Firefly dashing along, as though he
’ ' . carrying Express, and it was. not very
before he came m sight o£ Dan Benton’s

1p,

 

 

' ‘ '. - the clatter thastock .unoer 1 taken I. coma not 'save mm._ and almost broken-

came out to see who it was, for it was not
Pony Rider time, and beholding the Wild
Rider, he said sadly:

“Well, my boy, you come to a sad home
now, for my Bessie has gone, and I almost
wish you had allowed these devils to hang us
both.”

“Cheer up, Mr. Benton, for I have come to
have a talk with you," said the youth cheerily.

“ I am glad to see you, \Vild Rider, but
talking will not bring my child back, but come
in.”

“I am not so sure of that, Mr. Benton, for
talking does a great deal sometimes.”

“Little Grit, your words mean something,"
eagerly said the sorrowing father, grasping the
youth by the arm.

“True, they do mean something, but I can
offer no explanation, only ask you if you have
confidence in me?" \

“ Yes, to the end, my boy.”

“ lVell, I believe I can restore you your
datighter ere sunrise.”

“ flow? for Heaven’s sake tell me how, boy?”

“ By paying a ransom for her.”

“A ransoml anything will I do to get back
my child.”

“ A large sum is asked, Mr. Benton.”

“My child is worth it, be it what it may.”

“ But you are poor and—~”

“Name the sum, Little Grit.”

“ Ten thousand dollars.”

“I will pay it.”

 

CHAPTER XX.
WILD RIDER KEEPS nIs PLEDGE.

LITTLE GRIT fairly started at the words of
the stock-tender.

“I will pay it!”

He glanced into the man’s face and read
there determination and truth, and no sign
t-hathe had made an idle assertion.

But then how could a poor stock-tender pay
so largea sum? was in his thoughts.

“You pay ten thousand dollars, Mr. Ben-
ton?” he asked in surprise. ‘

“Yes, I will pay it, my boy, for the restora-
tion of my daughter; I do not wonder you
look surprised, for you know just what I have
received as stock-tender, and cannot under-
stand how I could lay up such a sum.

“ But tell me to’whom is this money to be
paid, and by whom, and when?”

“You are to give me the gold-dust, and I
pledge myself to return you your daughter, or
the metal, unless I am killed.”

“ When do you want it?”

“ Now, if I can get it.”

“ You will wait until dark?”

“ Yes, for the sun is setting new.”

“ Then you shall have it.”

“ And you really have that sum, Mr. Ben-
ton?” .

“Yes, and far more; listen, my boy, and
while we are waiting for darkness to come I
will tell you a secret that my child even does
not know.

“Having seen better days yourself, you can
see that I have been educated, and I will tell
you that I cameo! good stock, and my parents
were rich. , _

“There were “but two of us, a brother, ten
years younger than myself, and whom my
parents idolized, and I was devotedly attached
to, although he grew up very wild.

“At the death of my parents my brother
and myself were left equal shares in the
property, andpll was left in my control, for he
was not of age.

“ But alas! I was no restraint upon him, and
he ran through with his inheritance, and
knowing my love for him, did all manner of
things that got him into trouble, well knowing
that I would help him out.

n The result .pt' all this was, that he deg-
gared me, and tdf‘raise money committed'for-
gory and fled. ;.. ‘_

“Well, I paid his debts, but the officers of
"wt law were after him. and I know that if ‘

hearted and completely ruined in fortune I
sought another home.

“But misfortune dogged me, and my wif
dying, I drifted westward year by year, ear
ing just money enough to educate my daughte
at a good school where I had left her.

“ At length I became what I am now, having
failed in the mines to find gold and despairing
of ever getting rich, I sent for my daughter to
come and live with me here, and the ver "
day after her arrival luck changed, for l struc
a rich lead of gold in my old mine back in th
mountain.

“ Well, my boy, I determined to rein
here as stock-tender until I had back all .
my old fortune to give my Bessie, and I have
secretly bought back the old honustead, and
in a few months expected to go East with my
child and my diggings in gold-dust.

“NowI have dug out and hidden away some
fifty thousand dollars, and you may know
that it all should go to get my child back.

“The 8(01‘617 I have told to no one, excepting
you, and I ftel that you will never betray me;
but those devils that strung me up hinted that
I had gold hidden somewhere.”

"But how should they know, Mr. Benton?”
asked Little Grit.

“There is but one way; my brother is out
here and he may know, having found out in

. some way that I had bought back the old

homestead.”

“Your brother out here, you say, sir?”

“Yes, and you know him, and I know him,
too. though we have seemed not to recognize
each other, yet I feel confident that he is feign-
ing ignorance of who I am, though it has been
fifteen years since we met.”

“ I cannot imagine who he can be, sir.”

“Grey Benton is his name.”

“Hal Gambler Grey, the Kid Glove Sport.”

“Yes, my boy, you know him now, and you
know no good of him.”

“ True, sir, and I do not like him,” said Lit.
tle Grit, frankly.

“I cannot blame you, for he is a very evil
man; but come, it is dark new, and I will get
3 on the gold, and should aught befall me,
you will know where my treasure is hidden,
so that you can give it to Bessie,” and rising,
Daniel Benton led the way from the cabin, and
diving into the bushes back of the stoekado
halted on the bank of a small stream.

“ Do you see this rock, my boy?”

(‘  7) '

“ And yonder large tree in a line with it?”

U Yes.”

 “ Well, watch me,” and so saying Daniel
Benton waded into the-stream, and with asharp
hook scraped the bottom until it caught in
something heavy.

“ Here is my treasure-box, Little Grit,” and

a‘hd opening it, counted out sufficient loose gold
returned the chest to its Secure hid'mg-placey
left out. '

have the ransom gold, so go, and for the lov

no one what I have told you,” said Daniel Ben-
ton. with deep feeling. _

“I will never betray you, Dan Benton, and
will ever he the friend of you and your daugh~
ter,” and shouldering his weighty load of pre~
cious metal, Little Grit returned to the cabin,
and mounting Firefly, rode away in the direc-
tion of his rendezvous with the Spirit of the
Canyon, the moon lighting his pathway over

'1 and through valley, and then across the
prairie to the Pilot Tree, which he fearlessly
approached to find no human being near.

5. CHAPTER XXI.

'A THE MEETING.

L. 1‘1 BELIEVE the woman meant what she said,
and I will wait,” said Little Grit, as the mean
sfired high into the heavens, and yet he saw
Facsign of the coming woman an her caprlve.

 

 

‘ ‘dv

 

    

     
 

  
 

\
v .

 

 

. l“ It is strange  she.,knew , It 
. V  ./ ‘:_ 7 ' xvii . '. fit”, _

out of the sand he dragged a rudely»made box, ‘

to make up the amount demanded, and then 

while Little Grit wrapped up that which he had
“You know the secret new, boy, and 

of God, bring me back my child, and breathe to 

.,,-

'i

. _ W ..._...__- 5.... __. 442'

 

 

it

‘

 
  
 
     

  
 
 
    

\"‘

 

‘\

 

Grit.

.wv ;..
M‘s I/
. .

Little Grit,'the Wild Rider.

 

 

mad money, for he believed his secret un-
. own; well, my advice to him is to leave
these parts, or his wicked brother, if he finds
out he has gold, will commit a greater crime
than forgery.

“Ah me! I shbuld hate to give Bessie up,
for if I am but nineteen I love her dearly; but
does she care for me, whom everybody calls a
boy,”

' “That I will have to find out by asking her,
and I will, if she refuses ine—ahl there comes
some one now-yes, it is the Spirit of the Can-
yon, and she is not alone.

“I do wish I could find out the mystery
about that woman, and also about that Boy
Bandit, who seems to hate me so, for he per-
sistently threatens me and dogs my trail.

“ If it were not that I wanted to take him
alive, I could have killed him on a score of oc-
casions; perhaps she may know and I will ask
her.

“She approaches cautiously, so I will ride
out into the moonlight so that she can recog-
nize me,” and Little Grit rode from beneath
the thick foliage of the tree, and instantly the
two persons approaching came to a halt.

But, after an instant’s scrutiny, as though
satisfied, they came on once more, and soon
drew rein not ten feet from where the youth
sat on his horse.

“ Well, I have kept my word, \Vild Rider,”
said the woman calmly, and she laid her hand
upon the shoulder of Bessie Benton, who had
not spoken a word.

“And I have kept mine,” answered Little

“You have the gold?”

“,‘Yes.”

“The amount I demanded 3”

“ As near as it could be guessed at?"

“ Enough! I return you the maiden who has
been in my charge only; but there is one de-
mand I make.”

“ Well?”

“Bid her father take her far from here, or
if you love her, and she loves you, make her
yOur wife, and stay no longer here, for your
lives are in danger.”

“ My life is always in danger,” was the reck-
less reply.

“Then protect her life and her honor, for, I
tell you frankly that there is one who would
harm her, and what I now do will cause him
bitter anger against me, and that is why I
asked the gold as ransom, to appease his
wrath.”

“ Hal and that person is—”

“The Boy Bandit.”

“ What is that boy to you!"

“It matters not what he is to me, or I to ‘

him, only do not disregard my warning, or
death and sorrow will follow, I assure you.”

“Say you will go, please, say you will go,
Little Grit,” pleaded Bessie Benton, speaking
for the first time since the meeting.

“If you will go with me, yes,” boldly an-.
o ‘ the youth. .

“ silly 1”

“ my wife?"

‘t s.”

“I am not two years your senior, Bessie,
but. “am a man in feeling, and I love you,
andor your sake I will leave here, and give
9 wild life I lead, where otherwise I
d glory in remaining and braving the Boy
’ it and his whole band.”

‘ y, you are, reckless, brave to foolhardi-
n '* but I warn you to beware of Gold Plume,
the Boy Bandit, for he is merciless.

“Crime has made him what he is, and he
ravels in danger and combat, and is merci-
less toward those he hates.”

r‘l “ And he hates me?”
I “ He has been told to hunt you down 1”

“By whom?”

“ By an enemy of yours; it matters not who
he is, for you have foes as well as friends; but
take the girl and go, and when you are happy
remember that a poor outcast woman, one
whom men fly from as they would from a,

  
  
 

  

 

 

“But you must have some motive for this,
other than a desire to serve this maiden and
myself.”

"I have; it is a motive that is a curse to
man and woman—jealousy !"

She spoke the word with intense feeling,
and having taken the gold simply waved her
hand in farewell and rode away.

Both Little Grit and Bessie watched her
until she was out of sight, and then the latter
said sadly:

“Poor thing, she seems to suffer from some
great sorrow in the past; but be she what
she may, I cannot but regard her most kindly,
for she carried me to a cavern retreat in the
mountains, cared for me most tenderly, and
pledged herself that no harm should befall me;
but I was kept under guard, and I feel confi-
dent that she holds great influence with the
bandits. ”

“And I shall love her, for giving you to me,
Bessie,” said Little Grit softly, and the two
turned the heads of their horses homeward,
and just at dawn Daniel Benton clasped his
daughter in his arms, and three happy people
sat down to the frugal breakfast that morning
in the humble cabin of the stock-tender.

 

CHAPTER XXII,
THE DUELIST’S son.

“YOU asked to see me, Colonel Hewlett,” and
Little Grit entered the temporary quarters of
the cavalry officer, the mnrniu following the
restoration of Bessie Benton to her father.

The colonel was seated in an easy camp
chair, and before him were some official—look-
ing papers, while at the window sat Helen en-
gaged in embroider-mg a sofa cushion.

“Yes, young gentleman, I do wish to see
you, I have learned this morning that you
rescued Bessie Benton from the bandits.”

“I did little in the matter, sir, other than
bringing her back to her home.”

“You are modest, sir; but I also learn that
the stock-tender, Benton, leaves the country
to-day with his daughter, and that you ac-
company them?”

“1 do, sir; I will give up this wild life at
once.”

-' -“ May I ask why you have come to this sud-
den determination, young man ?"

A flush passed over the face of the youth;
but after an instant of hesitation, he answered:

“Colonel Hewlett, I will frankly tell you,
Sir. i

“Up to the day when I completed my long

‘ride, I had but one main object in view, one I

had been trained up to, and one which I cher-
ished most fondly.” -

“And that was—l" asked the colonel, as the
youth paused, and Helen looked up quickly
from her work. '

“I will tell you, sir; it was to one day
meet you in personal encounter, and kill
you In '
l. The eyes of Little Grit never wavered as he
spoke, but he looked squarely into the face of
the man to whom he had made such a startling
declaration, and who asked quickly:

“To kill me?”

“Yes, Colonel Hewlett, and I will tell you
why. ' ~

“ From my earliest boyhood I have been
taught by one person to believe that. my father
was pursued through life and cruelly murdered
by one who was supposed to be his friend, and
I wasieducated to one aim, and that was to one
day avenge him by killing his slayer.

“Three years ago the person who had so
urged me on was murdered, with others of a
train, by Indians, and in looking over the
papers left for my perusal, I discovered that I
was perhaps wrong to seek redress, as they 1m-
plicated my father.

“But I had taken a solemn oath to one day
hold you responsible, and I set to work to ac-
complish it. '

I “When you were on the Southern border, I
sought ydu there, but arrived to flhd that you
 just been sent abroad by the Government,

 

ghost. risked her life to give you happiness.”

4 W

 

 

   

 I determined to hide my time until your re-

as

 

 

 

turn, and, to keep myself in practice with fire~
arms, and inurcd to danger, I came here and
enlisted as a Pony Express Rider, for, an ofli-
cer whom I know well,t01d me that you would
be ordered into this part of the country.

“ I waited long, but at last you came, and I
saved your daughter from a cruel fate, and
that broke down the barrier of hatred I felt
for you; but my oath stared me in the face,
and I was determined to keep it, up to the day
I accomplished my long ride.

“I was carried, not to my room, but to
Judge Hunter’s, that adjoins this one, and as
the wall is frail, I heard your confession to
your daughter, and then I knew that you too
had been wronged, not only by my father, but-
by the woman you had loved, the one who
had so persistently trained me for one purpose
——to kill you.

“That person was my mother, Colonel Hew-
lett, and thcugh I loved her dearly, I now
know that she became a monomaniac on the
subject of revenging the death of my father,
the man who had stolen from you your bride.

“Then it was, Colonel Hewlett, that I de-
termined to bury in my heart the secret, to
break the oath forced upon me in childhood,
and give up the red trail that has warped my
whole life.”

Little Grit paused, his face very pale, and
down the fair checks of Helen Hewlett roiled.
pearly tear-drops, as she gazed upon him,
while Colonel Hewlett arose, and said in a
voice that quivered, in spite of his self-control:

“And you, then, are the son of Lester and
Corinne Lamdell’t”

“ 1 am, air, and a strange freak of my
mother, after my father‘s death, was to Christen
me Hewlett Lamdell.”

“ Great God! Corinne did this, and yet made
you take oath to one day take my life?”

“Yes, sir, it was to keep you ever in my
mind, by my name; but do not misunderstand
me, sir, I had no idea of playing the assassin,
but intended to meet you, as my father met-
you, in the duello.” ,

“ I believe you, my boy, for you are as noble
as you are brave; but now let us bury the grim
phantoms of the bygone, and, forgetting the
shadows between us, I offer you my hand,
and more, as the President has given me per-
mission to select from these gallant frontier
youths, one upon whom to confer a lieutenancy
in the army, I here offer you this commission
of a second lieutenant of cavalry, and appoint
you chief of scouts of my command.”

The youth grasped the outstretched hand,
but said calmly:

“ I thank you, Colonel Hewlett, more than I
can express in words; but it is best that I
remain not here, and duty to one who is to be
my wife, calls me away from scenes where
her life, and the life of her father are in
danger.” '

“ You refer to Bessie Benton?” quietly 
Helen, without raising her eyes from her
work.

“Yes, she has promised to be my wife.”

“And you have nobly won her, my boy;
but I do wish that you would reconsider my
offer,” said the colonel. .

“I cannot, sir, I thank you, and will say
farewell, for we leave within the hour,” and
as the youth spoke there came a wailing cry
from without, and hearing his name called,
Little Grit bounded from the room, followed
by the colonel and Helen in alarm, for it pas
evident from the excited cries in front of the
Riders’ Rest, that some dire calamity had hap-
pened.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
run nonn'rux cum.

TH]: scene changes now, from the Bidcs’
Rest at Rocky Glen, to the mountains, leagues
away, where, in a stout cabin, built against a
cliff, sat a woman of rare beauty and stnmgo
costume, for she was attired in a robe more
like a shroud for the dead than a dress for the

living.

 

 
 

She was pacing the floor to and fro, with
nervous step, and her darkly bronzed face was
clouded with thoughts of no pleasant nature,
while she clinched her little hands together
spasmodically.

The cabin contained two rooms, was
stoutly built, and not uncomfortably furnished,
and upon the wall, each side of the door, hung
farms ready for instant use.

Presently there came the ring of iron against
rock without, and the woman started, while
the next moment a man of commanding form,
but with face closely masked, entered the
cabin.

He was dressed in buckskin, wore moccasins
upon his feet, and a wildcat skin cap, and
was armed with a belt of revolvers and a long
knife.

“Well, Clotilde, my visit seems unexpected
to you,” he said in a deep voice.

“ No, you are welcome, as you know, al-
though a storm must follow your coming,” re-
plied the woman.

“And why? are you jealous already of the
fair maiden you so cleverly captured?”

“1 was jealous; I am not now.”

“Once jealous with a woman, is always
jealous; why have you changed, may I ask?”

“There is no one to excite my jealousy," was
the calm reply, but it startled the man into
the cry:

“ Great God! have you killed her?”

“I am not so fond of taking life even after
my contact with you, as to kill one that can be
otherwise removed from your path,” and there
was a smr In LU... 'xrnmaln’s tone.

“ You have gotten rid of this girl, then!"

H Yes. 7, ‘

“ How?” and the man’s voice trembled with
passion.

“I simply released her for ransom.”

“For ransom! what mean you, Clotilde?”

] “I captured the girl, and finding her very
beautiful and knowing that she would win you
from me, for, in spite of what you are, I love
you, I asked for her ten thousand dollars in
gold-dust, and it was paid.”

“By whom?”

“ Her father.”

“ Ha! then you found his mine?”

“ No, he sent me the gold and I gave the
.girl into the charge of the one who brought
it.”

“ And who was that?”

“Little Grit.” ’

“ Curses! had you that boy in your power
and allowed him to escape?”

(4 Y6.”

“Beware, Clotilde, for you may go too far;
the girl’s going I pardon you for, as I get the
gold for her, and I can easily get her into my
power again; but don’t try me beyond endur-
ance.”

“The girl you cannot get, for ere this she
has left with the man she is to marry.”

, The man Sprung forward and seized the wo-
man’s shoulder with a grasp that made her cry
out with pain, while he hissed forth:

‘.‘ Clotilde, I give you forty-eight hours to
return that girl to me, or place her father in
my power, for with him, I can bring her back
if she has gone to the end of the cart .”

“ If I refuse?”

“Then your punishment for thwarting me
shall be worse than death.”

The woman turned deadly pale, but, after a

.momefit’s thought, said:

“ I will obey.”
“ Epough, and beware of how you trifle with

. ‘ me in the future, for if I get Daniel Benton in-

to my power, I will be worth millions, or he
shall die, if he gives not up the secret of his
mine.”

“I will obey,” repeated the woman, and, as
the man turned from the cabin he continued:

“Remember, I want both the father and
daughter, and if she ismarried I will make
her a widow and then marry her.”

The woman’s eyes lashed dangerously, but
Che looked up and asked quietly:

“And I!” .

 

'Little Grit, the wild Rider.

“Shall go the way of her husband, so as to
make the marriage binding; now gol”

The man strode from the cabin, and ten
minutes after the woman was riding down the
mountain side, mounted upon her white horse,
and at her back came half a score of villainous-
looking men, armed to the teeth.

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE FATAL LETTEBS.

WHEN Little Grit heard the wailing cry, and
his name called in pleading tones, he rushed out
of Colonel Hewlett’s room, to discover Bessie
Benton lying unconscious upon a bench, and
Judge Hunter supporting her, while near by
stood a tall, handsome young man, dressed asa
Pony Express Rider, and gazing upon the
maiden with anxious look.

Early that morning Little Grit and Bessie
had come on to the Riders’ Rest together, and
were to be joined there soon after by Daniel
Benton, when they were to at once depart
from that portion of’the country, the stock-
tender carrying his treasure with him on a
pack horse.

When summoned to the room of Colonel
Hewlett, Little Grit had left Bessie out on the
porch, and he was greatly startled to find her
in a swoon, and feared some fearful calamity
had befallen her.

“In God’s name! what is it?” he asked.

“ Ah, my boy, there has been devilish work
done, and poor Bessie heard this young gentle-
man tell me of it,” and Judge Hunter nodded
toward the Pony Rider, whom none seemed to
know, and who, seeing Little Grit’s anxiety,
said:

“ Permit me to explain: I am the Pony Ri-
der who has taken your place, sir, if you are
the Wild Rider, as I believe, and when I ar-
rived at Dan Benton’s station, I found the door
closed, the stock gone, and two letters tacked
upon the post.

“ I came right on here, and gave the letters
to this gentleman, Judge Hunter, and he read
them aloud, and this young lady overheard
them.”

“And where are the letters?" asked Little
Grit, calmly, while Helen had Bessie borne into
her room.

“Here they are, my boy,” and the judge
handed Little Grit a sheet of paper on which
was some writing in a bold hand, and another
piece folded, and addressed to Bessie Benton.

“I took the liberty of reading them, Wild
Rider, not knowing what ill-tidings they might
contain.” ,

“ You did right, judge,” and aloud Little
Grit read the unfolded sheet first.

It was as follows:

“A PLACARD.
“To Linux onrr, rim WILD RIDER.

“ WHEREAS you did not at once follow the advice

giv‘sn you by the Spirit of the Canyon, and depart
rom this Wild land with her you love, and her fa-
ther, Fate has been hot on your footsteps, and
taken from this world Daniel Benton, who loved his
gold more than his life, and whose grave shall be as
unflndable as the treasure he refuses to give up.

“If you would save your life, and the life of her
you love, go, and. at once, from this land, or, ever
upon your trail Will be GOLD FLUKE,

‘ “an: Boy BANDIT.”

“That are plain talk, leetle pard,” said

Trumps, who was standing near; but Little

Grit made no reply and opened the letter,
which was addressed to Bessie Benton, and
was as follows: is

I
“ Mr Pooa 0mm:

“ When your eyes read these lines, I will be dead,
for myfime has come, and my foes show no mercy,
and Will slay me because I will not divulge the
secret of where m ggld is buried.

“ That secret,W d ider,the noble outh to whom
you must now look for protection, ows, and he
will ve you the gold your, father leaves you.

“ o I canno now write to you, and only the
mercy a woman permits me to write these few
lines, and that woman is the Spirit of the Canyon.

“Death'stares me in the face, and with my last
breath I bid you farewell, and ask God to bless you
and the one you love, forever.

“ Your d ing father,
“gum. BENTON ’

When Little Grit ceased reading, with stem
lip and hauling eye, he glanced up and saw

 

Colonel Hewlett gazing fixedly at  MH-
said:

“Colonel Hewlett, if you will allow me to
retract my decision, sir, I shall do so and m.
eept your very kind offer, for I remain here
now, as there is work for me to do.”

“Willingly, sir, but you will be in deadly
danger at all times.”

“I will risk that, sir.”

“Then the commission is yours, sir.”

“Thank you, sir; now you are to ride my

 

run, I believe?" and Little Grit turned to the ,3

new Pony Rider, who answered, pleasantly:

“ I was ordered here for that purpose.”

“It is one of fearful danger.” .f'

“ So be it, like you I will take the chances,” ‘\
was the indifferent reply, while Trumps step- *-
ping forward, said, as he gazed fixedly into the
Pony Rider‘s face: .

“ ’Pears ter me, we hes met afore, pard, for
if I mistakes not, you is ther youth asishnown
as Buffalo Bill, south 0’ here?”

“What! Buffalo Bill the Boy Guide, Scout
and Hunter?” asked Judge Hunter, While all
present crowded nearer, having often heard
the name in connection with many a thrilling
story of life on the plains.

“ Yes, I am Buffalo Bill, now Pony Express
Rider,” was the modest reply, while Trumps
shouted:

“Give us yer hand, pard, fer I knows yer
now, an’ yer is chained lightnin’ on a jamboree
an’ no mistake.

“ Wild Rider and Buffalo Bill, a pair 0’
twins thet will make this country howl; look
out for ’em, gerloofs, an’ of Gold Plume don’t
age in his horns afore long, he’ll get ’em sawed
o .

“ Come one, come all, an’ let’s drink ter ther
lads, for they is white clean through, an’ grit
to ther jaw-bone,” and Trumps led the way to
the bar, eagerly followed by the thirsty ones
of the crowd, while Little Grit turned to. the
host of the Riders’ Rest; and said:

“Judge Hunter, I have often heard you
speak of your daughter, whom you lost years
ago, and I ask you to love in her place Bessie
Benton, and be as a father to her.” ,

“My boy, with my whole heart, I will be a
father to her, and to you too, and here shall be .

your home,” and the judge spoke feelingly,‘::

while Colonel Hewlett said:

“My friends, this young gentleman is‘ no
longer Little Grit the Wild Rider of the Pony
Express, but Lieutenant Hewlett Lamdell of
my stafl, and Chief of Scouts, and his duty »
shall be to free this border of the outlaws who :
infest it.”

“ And I will do that duty, or die in the at
tempt; I mean it,” said Hewlett Lamdell
firmly.

[Thus ends the career of Little Grit, the
Wild Rider; but, should my kind reader desire
to follow him as an officer of the army, and
know of the daring eXploits of Butfalo Bill as
Pony Express Rider, and the career of othe
personages who have figured in my rem-no

 
  

 

 

 

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THE END. - ,
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. T H E :g '
Sunnyside Library as
ea
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ILALLA Room. ByThomasMoei-e........... 100. 3:
2 Don JUAN. By Lord Byron ................  me ' }
8 Pimisn Los'r. By John Milton ........... .. 100
4 Tan LADY or ran LAKE. By Sir Walter Scott. 100
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‘ til-ll The Pitcher Deiectlve'o

 

     

\

 “ ‘Publz'shed

'BEADLE’satHALF-DIMEtLIBRARY.

Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeam

 

 

BY OLL COOMES.

146 K“ Bnndy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight.
163 K“; Bgmiy in Texan; or. The Young Mustangor.
30$ Kit Bulidy’o (‘utclu or, The Boy Hercules.
Right flower; or, Baby Sain.tho Boy Ginnt

444 Kit llumly‘s Snoop; or, Little Buckskin, the Centaur.
473 Kit Bundy'o Slick Scheme; or, Old Tum Rattler.
661 Kit llundy’n Deliverance; or, Banner Ban.
6,“, K“ “andy’g l’nrd; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance.
'29] Kit, liundy Ruttlcd' or,’l‘helniant(.‘iont.
2'95 Kit, Dandy ill Red lluln: or, The Yolng Whirlwind.
""9 Kit Bundy'fl "it Hustle; or, Saddle King Sam.

.4 K“ Bunny; Brigade; or, Dan, llit‘ Mountain Guide.

‘ Kid Randy's llrixude in Arizona.

kit Randy's Stair Engagement.

3 Jack Drew. the Nemesis. or, Eagle Kit the Dov Demon.
.: Jack Drew's Drop: or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Coptoln.
U2 Jack Drew in Deudwood; or, Prospect l’ete.

c7 Keen Knife on Guard: or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide
31 Keen-Knife. the Prime of the Prairies.
5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wondering Jaw,
18 The Dumb lpy.
41 Lullo nck. illr' Young Mustang".
58 The Border King: or, The Secret Fee.
71 Delaware pick. the Young: Rtnxer Syy,
74 Hawk-e e "arr the Young Tragfigr Rang". .
83 Rollo, t e [lo I anger; (",le ell-es;
184 Sure Shot Set the Boy Riilemun.
148 Scar-Foes: Bani: the Silent Hunter.
178 Old Solitary. the Hermit 'rl’flpper.
918 Tiger Tom, the ants error,
224 Doohin Dir-k; or. TrgiHu-r Tom's PM“
328 Little Tildflre, the, l mung Prairie Nomad.
388 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger.
348 The Dillllllefl Guide: or, Vi‘ild Ruvon.the Roux".
260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger.
979 Minkokin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter.
.390 Little Foxfire, the Boy Stir; or, Old Caleb Arbucltlo.
800 The flk ' Demon; or, RuiuholtY the Ranger.
331 Wth- "ll J00, "19 Boy Ranchcro.
409 llerculesi “T, Dli'k, the Buy Ranger.
417 Webi‘oot Mose, the Tramp Detective.
457 “'lnzodi'oot Fred 3 or, old Polar Soul.
463 Tamnrac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy.
422 ltouewall Bob, the Boy Tron".
562 lliundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappat.
6532 Don "arr, the Plain» Freelance.
6?0 Norway Niel-t. thv Blu Ray Mountaineer.
7'8 111 hluild flurry, tht‘Wiznrd Ritleman.
828 1’0 'er Jtfl'h, the Dcicctlvc Sport.

BY '1‘. .1. FLANAGAN.

909 Midnhipman mm. the Pirate eaten".

925 The 1 min Cowboy Captain. ‘

933 The Two Iglidnlllpmeu; or, lhe_ Corsair-China’s First
Cruisc.

of My DITNNING.

I l 1 Jack the Secret Service Spy.

 . l1100111111 Jtiek, thc liivinclhlcs. or,Tho Diabolch Three.
575 Detective Dove’s Clone (‘u l.

8.84 Farrel Fox and "in Girl Ferret.

."Uii Farrel Fox‘s Sweep-Stakes.

H1 GEORGE C. JENKS.

485 Git Thor Owncy thi- ['nknnwn.

492 Git Thur Owney’o Pledge.

518 The Demon Doctor: or, Demilmld, the Kid Detective.
581 Double-Curve Dun, thv Pitcher thn-ctiw.

. Flute, t-It‘ Singer Deli-vtive; or, ()wm-y in a New Role,

()8 The Pitcher Detective’u Full: or, Dan‘s Douhlu Play.
116 The 000"" Detective: or. The Last Cruise ot'the Black Bear.
Toughest Tuunle.

T36 Lurry the oroughhred; or, Beaten on Every Side.
7?!) Iron "and, the Charmed Deter-tin-
851 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago.

"Y “'M. G. PATTEN.

\‘one tho, Velvet Sport: or, The Jubilee oi Jacktown
Vane n ‘ ictoryz or. The Jasper City Clean Out.
nnd D nigy, the Poo Yards.

Vsme'i low: 01'. T 6 Craft _\' Deiective’s (‘roit.
Vune‘n lcn ennce; or. The Wipe Out.

Vune'o \ or lot; or, The Game at (‘ofilu City.
Vune. the \ ymrllomuist Him-q; or, S nort vs. sport.
vane. the \nnquls ad. or. The Lite . truizzlc.

1’63 Violet Vnne‘o ‘ li-ion: or, The Fiery Hand of Fate.

439 The Ingrnomi Sporl : 0", “’18 Douth Face of Bed Rock.
‘19 on ‘5‘.“ “Intel- ;ur, Five in Ono.

581 Dal-1' "are the bport from Denver.

537 old “(nub-lien, the Ranger Deucil‘.

«04 [ran [Fern the Mun of Fire: or, Arno z the Vultures.

"29 Violet
63 Violet
693 Violet

 
   
 
   
  
 
 
   
  
   
 

619 The Boy ramp Deteetivet or. This Double Gri Witneu
641 Diurnal Dave’s Dandy i’nrd: 0r,TheClue to cringe]...
' '1 Bound Boy rank. the Young Amateur Detective
3 lid Vulcan, ill; Lonferitan‘sle Ride|r.
Id Misery the ion rum . issnuir. _
3%4. ear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Dewetivg,
789 m Sheridan, the Secret Service Special.
806 whoy “tow: the Ranch iascot.
820 bhy Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective.
886 or r fitoke’s Double Deal.
85'? oi. r Bob ll New Yor .
860 otter Bob‘s ll owery Racket.

BY‘ COLONEL DELLE SARA.

n ofthe Bea; or The Vsilsd Lady.
3:5 I11?:uuond s or. Tho Ghmbier’s Big an...

BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKEB.

. ‘ or. The Witch 0! Dorian.
 fie:m(i,al}g e or, The Dngs’s Doughtor.
luck Darling. tie ony Express Rider.
“co .nd L‘s”; or. Tho Children of the Choco.
word Hunters; or. The Land oftho Ila bout Ridsrs
tgin; or, Skipper John Cofln’o log.
.0 11.0 no, no 0 Tbs Brothers of tho Pinned Loses
4 Wolfgang, tho Robber oi the Rhino.
4-9 Mllo Rome]- tho Animol King: or, Round the Worn.
as The Ti r Tomgt enga- Lo-m 0' th- harlo-
1 B! h k. tho mon I or.
5 dint Joe's WI? Tn“-

BY CAPT. J. F. 0. ADAMS.

4:0? 5 1 Nick Whiflles’l Boy Spy.
":0 Glgfizfiygi :hzréreotghot oi‘ the West.
or. .
g:  "W‘flldélal:a30 etylfl in The Volls of Death.
0 The White Indian; or, The Scout aft 9 Yoilowstoao.
0 Old Zi ’o Cabin: or, The Greenhorn in tho woo“,
I l," J o, the Tang: oi till):  T" p" r
B okB okra-n or u e .
. I g4 Gris?!” and‘fliil Pets. on The Wii Hun”.
i 7 e
Tho

B
..
5
I
u
o
:‘

t-houoo Lin Oscsols, tho Flrobrond.

q or,
1| g. The Undo and Con!

 

BY T. C. IIARBAUGII.

28 Nick 0' the Night: or, The Boy Spy of ’76.
87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littln Hunter.
4? nghun uk- Nut; or, Tne Forest Captains.
64 Dandy . “ck; or, The Outlaws ot' the Oregon Trail.
82 KM Ilurei‘oot, the Wood-Huwk; or, Hid Powder-foes.
94 Midnight. Jack; or, The itoy Trapper.
106 Did Frosty, the Guide; or, The \l‘hite Queen.
128 Kiowa Charley the White Muslnnger.
189 Jud e Lynch Jr.: (or. The For Vigilante.
155 Golvarilz er, the Slurri; or, The my] Avenger,
169 Tornado ' ‘om; or, njun Jack Frnm Red Core.
188 Ned Temple, the liorder iioy; nr‘ The Iliad Hunter.
198 Arknn-tawz or. Tlu- Qum-n oi Fate's Revenge.
20? Navajo Kick. the Boy Gold Hunter.
215 Captain Bullet ; or, Little Toukuot's Crusade.
281 Plucky Phil; or. Ros, the Rei Jezebel.
241 Bill Bravo: or, The Rough oi the Rockies.
255 Captain Anoliv, the King-Fin of Bowie.
7 The Ducks-kin Detective; or, The King of Rondmgents.
279 "111 “'inch: or, The Burksxin Desperation.
294 D nnmlte Dan: or. The Bowie lilnde of Goehetopo.
802 T (2 Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Boi- Bully.
816 Did Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona.
826 The Ten l‘ards: or. The Terror of Take-Notice.
886 “I. Benlon; or, The Queen of the. Lamo.
845 Pitlless 3111",; or, Red Thunderholt’s Secret.
85“ Cool Knm and l’urtl: or The Terrible Six.
866 Velvet Foot. tho lndiun Detective.
856 (‘aninln (‘utlasox or, 'I he ii ccuneer’s Girl Foe.
896 Rouxh Rob ' or, The 'lwin Champions oi Blue, Blazes.
411 The Silken Lat-no: or, The Rosec Riinoh Robin.
4I§ Felix Fox. the Boy Smiter: or, The Gold Gang of New York.
425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler.
4‘6 Phil Flash. the New York Fox; try-'1‘)”: MysteryofRoom 21,
4—45 The City Vampires; or, tit-d Roll'e’s Pigeon.
461 One Again-l, Fifty; or, The Lust Man of Keno Bar.
470 The Boy Shadow: or. Felix Fox's Hunt.
477 The Excel-lor sport: or. The Washington Spotter.
499 Single Hithi. the One-Eyed Sport.
5 2 Branded “en, the Night rerrct.
Wodzer Diolt'. the “Hunt-Spy Detective.
Dodger Dick’s Rest Dodge; or. The Gotham G0” Gang-
F‘ox and Falcon. the llmwryShmlnws.
)odger Dick, the Dock Fern-t.
548 Dodger Dick’s Double: or. The Rival Boy Detectives.
558 Dodger Dick't- Desperate one.
563 Dodger Dick. thv llny ‘r'iiinf‘q; or, Th“ ammni’l‘hree.
573 The "l‘wu film“ down; or. Dodger Dii'k’o Stop Game.
5N2 Dodzcr Dick's Drop; or, The Mun from Jersey.
591 Little Lon. the Street-Singer Detentive.
610 (Ild Skinner, ilu- Gold Shurli: , Tony Shnrp on Guard.

 

‘626 The ('lmmplon Pal-do: or, he Luciler ot'Silvcr llor.

387 Dick Donn. the Duck Dov Detective.

645 Kit. the Pavement Sharp.

653 Dilly llnntnm, lllt' Boy llmiule.

i371 Jeraey Jed. lllt‘ Iliw Hustler: or. Shadowing the Shadower.
635 “nnpy llll ll, the, Roy )luslvlim Dctt-i-iit'c.

70] Photograph 1“ red. ilu- Camera Sharp.

Tia-5 “'idc Awan 1.0“. the Quaker City Ferret.

732 Daily Dell, the i‘uw-uwni Qerti' :or, Trapping Big Game.

 

742 Billy \‘llltkl. lhi- lirll lin} elective.

{)1 Billy ‘Tlllki. the [loss Bur . hailow.

6N Eagle Ned. tho imy on Guard: or. The Camp Spldon.

NO Tonlruway Tom. lilt' Rod Wizard

27 The Buntnm Sport.

1" flip. the Buttery Fer-Mi; 01, anco contra Fool Ploy
R9? lliu'y Doon‘n Big Bounce.

90:) llumiy Nllkzi‘i. the PM" Shiiilow.

921 The Boy irom Denver.

B" CHARLES MORRIS.
8 “’ill Some", the Boy Detective.
2 Phil Ilnrd , the Biisll Buy,
6 Picayune ’ete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Dctoctivs.
0 Detective Dick: or, The Hero in Raga.
2 Handsome Harry, the Bonihlm‘li Detective.
7 \"ill'thldllre, the Thoroughbred.
2 "lack “can. Will “'ildiire’s “969?.
Mike Merry the iiurhur Police Boy.
2 “'ill “'ildilre in the \Voods.
5 Billy Baggage. the Railroad Roy.
'rum Card; or. “'ill Wildfire Win! and In"!
4 lloh Iioc 1*": or. .‘lyiteries of New York.
9 "oh Roche“. lht‘ Bank Runner. _
S8 The Hidden "and: or, Will Wildfire‘s Revenge. ‘
15"? Fred llulynrd, the Llic Boat Bor; or. The Smugglers.
139 Bob Rockett: 0r. Driven to the “'11”.
196 fihadowed; or. Bob Rorkett'o Fight for Life.
206 Dark Paul. th.,- Tim-r King.
21% Dashing Dave. the Dandy Detectiv .
220 Tom Tanner: or. The Black Sheepsoi ths Flock.
285 flam Charcoal the Premium Darky.
235 filtadow Sam, the Messenger Boy.
243 The Two “ Bloodn"; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gong.
252 Dick Dnshnwny: or, A Dakota Boy in '(‘hicngm
269 The Young Sharps: 0:. Rolllckinz Mike’s Hot Troll.
2T4 Jolly Jim the Detective Aphrentlce.
289 Jolly Jim‘s Job; or, The Voting Detective.
998 The “'nter-llound: or. The Young Thoroughbred.
305 Dulhnway, of Dakota: or, A Vi'esiern Lod in Quaker City.
824 Ralph Ready. the Hotel Boy Detertlvs.
841 Tony Thorne. the Vagabond Detective.
858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer's Blizzard.
867 Wide-Awake Joe: or. A Boyofthe Times.
879 Larry. the Le veler: or. The Bloods oi the Boulevard.
403 Firefly Jack. the River-Rat Deter-live.
438 The Lost Finger: or, The Entrapped Cuhler.
428 ll‘red Flver. the Reporter Detective.
482 invincible Logan. the Pinkerton Ferret-
450 iii“ Brick. the Jolly Vagabond.
‘ 'l e-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Allvs.
479 Detective nudge: or. 7h. Mvsterv of Frank Hssrty.
48H 'VVild Dick Racket: or, How He Fought for Honor.
501 Boots. the Boy Fireman : or, Too Shsrp for the Shorpor.
5”“ l'lle Secret Fer-vice Bov Detective.
5‘90 Jimml’ the Kid or. A Lamb Amom: Wolves.
'l‘om Druce oi rkanoast or. The Woiiin the Fold.
'lllcliy Paul, the Boy Speculator.
667 limb and Sam, the Daisy Detectives.
l‘he Curb-tone Detective: or. Harry Hale’s Big Boot.
leteetive Fran l"! Rowen-Italics.
869 'iied Norman. the Gomin Broker.
881 l‘urkei Billy the Shine-’em-up Detective.
917 Flash ightning, the Mountsin Moscot.

BY ALnEIlT W. AIKEN.

11 The Two Detectiveo or Tho Fortunos ois Bowery~ Girl.
70 Abe 0011.. the Crow‘Kllllr. ' ‘
79 Sol Ginger, the Giont Trs per.
.88 Joe Brook of Angelo an Ills Boy Pard. .
447 Piew 1 orl: Nat. A Tole of Tricks ond Trops in Gotham.
458 lh'ew England Nielrt or. The Fortunes oiol‘ouodlino.
‘64 himble Nick, tho Circus Prince. .
498 Tao! Tod. the Arloonn 8 art.
‘10 Cool Colorado, the Ho) -Breod Detective.
518 Cool Colorado in New York: or. The Cowboy's "M

BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR 0. II. A.

191 Dulalo Dilly. tho Boy Bullwhochsv.
1.94 Bulalo’ Bill’s Bat x ur. The Gombior Guido.

I I’lrl’l

1943:956-

HHdo‘flH-l-IHHHHHH
'I‘IN$%€'$‘
3 N

1'3.

 

 

 

3
BY J. \V. OSBON.

489 The Rival Giants ofNowhar’.
498 (‘actun Burr. tho Man from Hord Luck.
587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow.
1564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. or, The Mon Withontol"
609 Holly Dori-it, the Veteran Detective.
620 Little Li htnln ’s League: or, The Mystery oil-he him.
688 Pluoky an], t 9 Boy Prosper-tor.

{,1 Gold-Durst Dun, iheTrnil Patrol.
705 Gold Dun-t Dan’s Onth: or, Reckless Rabat-5 Baguio“
928 Gold-Dust. Dan'o Snap-Shot.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.

2 Yellowstone Jack: or, The Trnwr.

48 Black John, the Road—Agent; or, e Outlow’s Roi-NIL

65 Hurricane Bill: or, Mustang Sam and His PIN.
119 Must-hf SamLorfi‘he King oitho Ploius.
186 Night-l uwk 'lt; or, The Douzhler of the Ranch.
144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport.
151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Roscus.
160 The Black Giant: or, Dainty Lam-e in Joopordy.
168 Deadly Dash: or, Fighting Fire with Fire.
184 The lloy Trailers; or, Dainty Lanes on tho Wsr-Poih-
203 The “(33' Pardo: or. Dainty Lance Unmosks.
211 Crooke Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City.
810 The llarranca Wolf: or,Ths Beautiful Decoy.
  ll’llagllr lgider: or, {he iiorse-Ehi‘eives’ Ion-0M-

- on e at or, 'i' 0 Strange u e

855 The King oi‘tihe 17001111: or. Doniu' 5003'" MM
449 Kit Fox. the Border Bo ' Detectiv»
825 (‘hiucapin “on, the loy roller.
67’? (lhinenpin Dim’o Second "ll -
8393 (‘ltincnpiu Dan’s llo-gll' sll’etch-
693 (“d (may, the Mars \Viihout a Hood.

(301-! Light—lloart Lute‘n Lctrm'y-

718 Lump"... rt Lute’o Lat-t Trail.

723 an“... Made, the Shot-hone.

729 pnvcrhlude, the ilali-iilood: or, The Border Boogie“
789 Hilvcrhlude, the liontilu; or,le Border Bengle’s Trail.
748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beogle’s Boyhfl

BY C. DIlNNING CLARK.

135 Captain Paul: or, The Boy Sp ~ ol'the Mountoino.
.80 The Yankee R ajuh: or. The on of the Block Shandy

BY LIEUT. II. D. PERRY, U. S. N.

176 The Boy Runaway; or. The Rucroneor oltho Boy.
180 The Sea Trailer: or, A \‘ow Well Kept.
19% Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Mont-"4A Phi-4

“Y JACK FARRAGITT. a

315 Ned. the Cabin it-" or. The ‘Witch oi the Fort.
820 The Sea Sorter-m: or; The Boy Skipper.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNI‘Z REID.
73 Bl e Dick" or,T'ue Yellow Chief‘s Vengeance.
I 87 Th: Land Pirate“ or, The League of Devil’s islond.
18? The Heinlein Hand 3 or. Backwoods Retribution.
289 The Gold-neckcr Guide! or. The Lost Mon-toll.

BY BRACEBRI DGE IIEMYNG.

89 Inland Jim: or. The Pet or the Familyfi
i 91 The. Captain oi‘ihe Club: or. The ivol Athlotu. t.‘
101 Jack llarkaway in New 1 or]...

M l BCELLAN EOUB AUTHORS.

4 The “'ild-lloroe Ilunters. By Cont. Msyns Roll fl
Frederick Whittaker.
9 Adventure- of Baron Munehauoen.
12 Gulliver’s Travcln. By Deon Swift.
14 Aladdin; or, The \Vonrieriul Lamp.
16 llolrluoon Crusoe. (911llustrations.)
18 Sindlmd the Sailor. Hi: Seven Voyages.
22 The Sea Serpent: or, The Boy Robinson Crusno. By Juoo

Lewis.
88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Photos o! the
Carrliuws. By S. “I Plerco.
36 The Boy Clown: or, The Arena Queen. By I 8. Flu.
so Ned ‘l'ylde. the Boy Scout. By Texas Jock.
51 The Roy Illi‘en: or. The Underground Comp. By A. C.Irons.
95 The Rival Rovers: or, The Freebootero of the Mississippi
By Lieut.-Ct~l. Hazeltlno.
98 Robin Hood. the ()utlswed Earl: or_'i‘he Merry Men of Groan'
wood. B Prof. Gildersloevo.
105 Old Ru 2. the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Capt-i.
H. miltnn Holmes.
112 The Mad lluater: or, 'l he Cave of Deoth. By Barton Sons.
184 Tlppy. the Texan; or,The Young Choqpion. By George
Gl .
128 ng'nYnoung Privateer: or, The Photo’s Stronghold. By
H rr Cavendish.
148 filial]; Sam : or, The Advonturu or o Friendloss Boy. By J._
Alexander Potion.
.37 Dusky Darrell, 'i‘ro per: or, The Green Rongsr of tho Yol-
lowstono. Bv Edward arson.
261 Fergus Feat-naught the New Y trk Boy.' 3 G. L. Alisa.
.60 gil‘lgv‘or.ctif)e v(guide: onDovy Crockstts doom Tron
no in . . orren. -
I93 Ryed Claw. the One—Eyed Troppsr; or. “flu Mold of tho 011..

i Wk.
3’ 0"“ " cm" Lively Lod non Lcodvillo. 3y Liss-

81? town}? 130*. the
non rs one.
3.8 ghgishyulibete?lvet or, A Boy’s Fight for Lil. old Hons.
oi r e 1.- rec.
8‘0 ed 110-bit. ’lge ‘1‘llver Rover; or, 'i'iis Brothsr‘s '0
. B N d .
365 Rails..er 9Dell“I thzeBootbloclr Dotocflvo. B A. 1’. Harris
I'!‘ NJJlnlt Tom: or. Bart’s Double Match. 0 H. I“
870 Oallfss‘I‘rnia Joe's First Troll. By Co oosl Tho-
ov r . onion.
4;: gm; nominal-en, till; alarming... By I. s. Winthrop.
he Block Sill . .v 0 II Amw-
Oomanehe Die: and Ills Three Iavinelhlos. .7
Honrv J. Thomas. 7 ,
58! The Cowbo Duke. By Edwin Brooke Font».
55. Ariel the At late. Dr Dovld Druid.
 ghill'yageg‘o, ti e rov,Fe§;et. Igv 11.3 lyngz.‘ m c"
i t e on e. lbs.
721 Mazerlce-k Mo’s-z: in: A:lzono Detective; or, The Wizard J
Urkor Pass. By Will Lisenbee.
809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Koo-s, ofh
U. S. Secret Service Corps.
814 Ace High. the Fri-e0 Detective. By 0- 36””
880 The Grim Lod'ern in Rat Alley; 0". M M
8 I '(llshNilié‘llfir'f Seven.”By Ben D.,Hn1l:ida;. B J G
e r on o rnmmero ea . y . .305“
8:1 1;];‘11162 Chgrlie. the Cat’o- Paw Sport. 3! Mil.
ll 9 \‘o
801 Billy Brine the Swst Fox. 13y Chos.F.
879 Blue-light ill, the Sopnhtre bport: or,“
tlve's Lone Hand. By King Keene.

A New hone Every Tuesday.

The Half-Dime Library is ior solo by oil In“ 
csohpor copy, or son! by moil’ on receipt olsix costs on.
BEADLE AND ADA-I, Pub
98 '11“.- ltroot, I" Y‘ 

on”

 

 

    
  
    
    

  
  
  
   
      
  
   
   



Published Every Tuesday.

 v , . m" .3. u 5"":3": "v". z

BEADLE’anALF-DIMEtLIBnARY.

 

 

Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform, Price of Fire Cents, by all Newsdealcrs..

    
  

.v“

 

 

 

DY IGI)\VARD 1.. \Vlll“.lil.l~lll.
Deadwood Dick Novels.

1 Deadwood Dick, lilt‘ Prim.- oi the Road.
' 20 Deadwood Dick'n Dcilancc: “1'. “WM” DRVY'TB»
28 Deadwood Dick in Dingninc: "Y. “Um”! “"0
85 Deadwood Dick in Ill-A Car-tic.
4'4 Dcudwoot:  iiimnnza: lir.‘Thc i‘hanltium Miner.
49 Deadwom ck II Dan or; 0!. hunhnil .
57 Deadwood Dick‘n Eaglefi: or, The Purdue! Fluml liar.
73 "(.mlwood Dick on I’l'i‘L:"T.i‘:ililllll1\';Illt“1lit’llkil’olne
' 77 Deadwood liick‘n Lnnt Act: nr.i'urdurvy Chmlir.
100 Deadwood Dick ill Leanhlllc.
101 Deadwood chk'n lit-\icc: or.'l‘l'e Dwuhie Crmn Sign-
109 Deadwood Dick an Dcicethe.
 IIIeadIu oodl D'ilcli'n llioublelz‘ci. The G‘l‘t‘lflf‘nlyfl filllldl 6110'“
Dem wow i c 'n Ionic . INC: "1’. 'H‘IH'. ll -
119 Deadwood Dick'n lily: “trike; or. A Home mi (Sold.
166 Deadwood Dick oi Deadwood: or,'lh9 l’lrkcd Party.
395 Deadwood Dick'n Dream; nr_ The Rivnln oi the Rnnd.
201 Deadwood Dick'n \\ "rd; or, 1 hr Black llill’n Jezwbel,
so": renewoml “I'VE... [Inconfgl.ir,::.nlaii.ity'Jaiie‘s Adventure.
r Dem woo. c "tl icm Na .
221 Deadwood Dick'n Death-Plant.
$32 Gold-Dth Dick. A lionmnre oi'Roughn and Touzhn.
 ::9ni:“'001: “:cilf'n :ih lder:l 0r. The Spirit ofSwmnp Lake.
“I( “001 c "at Death ‘rali.
809 Dead-yo“d "kw. "pal; ("firm- Gold Brick niOrPcon.
8&1 Deadwood {notch Dozen: onTho Fnkiroi‘i‘lmntanints
:21; neugujom: In...“ Ducntn: or, nos in the Diginzs.
Béa "zilldngg‘d lu‘piyfixnltc'ncedt or, the Terrible ondetin.
405 Deadwood Dick In ‘13:; (Hy.
 Beafiwom: :Plclk'n D\iau-~. dn.
ea wow i c in few ..-v o “ ,ute .”
480 Deadwood Dick’n Duntx l'rr,r‘i,’,.iAm.dCHnndc,Mo
it": 33:23:31: 3122:: i:.:.‘.'i.'.3i;.°.::;i°~ 5‘"-
453 Deadwood Dick. .lr.'u Full "and.
459 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘n. lllg Itound-I‘p.
465 Deadwood Dick .lr.’n Racket at (‘lalm 10.
 llieat‘ilwooc‘;  gr),- fiornlt’l: (intil'ozeuian Bill.
ea woo c '. r. n, o etcc V6.
431 Deadwood Dick. .ir.. In ligadwood.
491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'~. Compact.
490 Dead“ ood Dick .lr.‘n. Inheritance.
(NW Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n DI lugn.
5074 Deadwood chk, .Ir.‘n. lit-1 verance.
5|?» Deadwood Dick Jr.‘n I’roiegee.
523 “cadwood Rick. Jr.'n. Three.
28-. “:3. arm n 2.: 4.1- .1; manner.“
530 Deadwood Dick, Jr; (I, T..‘," '
611 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. the wild w...” Vidoca
5-19 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on In- haule-
554 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Gotham.
501 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Dot-ton.
567 Deadwood Dick, .17., in Philadelphia.
572 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. in Chicago.
578 Deadwood chk. Jr“ Ailoat.
58.1 Deadwooo Dick. .rr.. In Denver.
690 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'n. Decree.
595 Deadwood Dick Jr., in lleclzchub’n Ila-in.
i100 Deadwood Dick. .Ir., at. (‘one‘ Inland.
000 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n. Leadvi to Lay.
012 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Detroit.
61" Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Cincinnati.
1124 Deadwood chk'. Jr.. In Nevada.
630 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. in No Man'n Land.
680 Deadwood Dick, .1 r.. After the Queer.
6.12 Deadwood I'lr'k Jr.. ill llllcflin-
 “t-ad‘woou:  .Ilr.‘n, :‘hanc ,ntrogn the (iontinent
in wooc c" . .r .
060 Deadwood Dick: 3:}... Inllgllganlfe (1.1.1.115: er.
800 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. liar-k in the Mlnen.
079 Deadwood Dick. .1 r.. in Darling-ox vr.f‘iinthered in.”
iii: 3113111311111: iiifii' 373:: iiiié'gi‘f'“ ”" m“ 'F°"“°'
600 Deadwood Dick: Jr.‘n. Dollar-n.
605 Deadwood Dick. .lr.. at Danger Divldo.‘
700 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘n. Drop.
701. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-1’01.
710 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Run Francisco.
710 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'n Still llunt.
722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n Dominocn.
723 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'n Dingnlne.
731- Dendwood Dick. Jr.’n. Douhle Deal,
740 Deadwood Dick Jr.'n. Deathwatch.
747 Dead“ ood Dick, .Ir.‘-, lmnhlct.
752 Deadwood Dick. .lr.'n, l'eathblow.
75K Deadwood Dick, .Ir.'- Dcnpcrntc Strait.
704 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n, Lone "and.
770 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.'n Defeat.
776 Deadwood Dick. .ir.‘n, lienurrection.
7H3 Deadwood Dick. .lr,'n Dark Dayn.
7S7 Deadwood Dick Jr., Dciled.
702 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n. D'ouhlc Device.
797 Deadwood Dick. Jr‘.n. Dcnperate Venture. ‘
80! Deadwood Dick, Jr.'n. Diamond Dice.
807 Deadwood Dick Jr.’n, Royal Fiunh.
812 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’n Head-01f.
816 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.'n. llivul.
822 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘n, Doom.
828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n. ficoop.
834 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n, l'rox .
8'10 Deadwood Dick. .lr.‘n. (‘lutc .
i145 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n, Iligh "or-o.
852 Deadwood Dick .lr.. at Dcvil’n Gulch.
.853 Deadwood Dick, .lr.'-. Death-"ole Huntle-
308 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n liolnhnhcll.
870 Deadwood Dick, .lr.. in Mexico.
376 Deadwood ck. Jr'n Decoy Duck.
RH‘J Deadwood Dick, .lr. in Silver Pocket.
801 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'n, Dead-Sure Game.
MN Deadwood Dick, .Ir.’u. Douhle Drive.
901 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.‘n. Trade-Mark.
910 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at T1 -'1‘op.
918 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘n Doullle-Decker.‘
923 Deadwood Dick. Jr. at Dollarville.
98-1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flunh Flutn.
910 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.'n. Shake-up.
940 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.'n, Double 1 mp.
951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’n. Right Bower.
057 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n. Ten-Strike.
005 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘n, Gold-Dunt.
971 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'n. Datll.
977 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’n, Death-Doom.
9110 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘n. Dent Card.
902 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Gold Dant.
99d Deadwood Dick. Jr.'n. Dig Play.
1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. Branded.
101i Duds-ood D’ek, Jr.‘n. Dutch Ford.
1018 Deadwood Diet, Jr.’n. Big Four.

BY T. J. FLANAGAN.

909 Mid-hipvnan Dare. the Pirate Catcher.
905 The 1 can Cowboy Captain.
908 The Two iflnhipnen; or, The Coruir-Chuer’u Fiat
11 I0.
940 The Three Lieutenantn
'1‘ he Mam-at Mlddy 3 or, The Four Commnndern.

906 F-chtiing Jack Shubriok.
970 Fightin- Jack’n Kiddies r or, Dandy Dick’n Dub.

9 Jack La- the Privntur Rour.

 

‘99 In
101‘ It‘d] lied, the Bunny.

 

 

()thcr Novels by 1‘}. 1.. \Yheclcr.

80 llonchud ltoh; or, Nuguvt Ned, thc Knight.

Nil Ito-chad Itoh on llaml: m. Mil, Hw- t-‘irl Mini-r.

1"“ lion-bud ltoh'n Rea uu-ariulcc:  i'li iluurni h Phil.
121 itonchnd Iioh‘n t‘lla lcluze: hr. i‘ lilidili‘iil (tin.
277 Dcln er Doll. t‘n- Ilctm ti\.- (incur. r. 'l h. \u' 1.. (“Surround
2H1 Delncr Doil‘n \ letory: Air. M nl .inli rimh 11m.
9‘5 Iielner Doll'n Decoy; or. l.llllr liiii'n lh-na-izu.
390 Denver Doli‘n Drit't; ur. 'I'hc liuad Queen.
30" Yreka Jilll.1lit' (tolal-i-‘nihcrcr: ur, ’i‘hu Life Lotterv.
872 Yrcka Jim’s l’rizc: Mr. '1 lw \\'ulw~ 4 l \\‘;.kv- l‘,._ '
3N5 Y rcka Jlm'n Joker; or, Th» lilvuls oi ilcd Nine.
894 Yreka Jim 01' Ynha Dam.
200 Fritz. the linllnxlrlin) lictectn'c' or. lint inwiviémnc.
013 Fritz to the Front: nr, The Ventrilminist Hunter
211 h'lcrra Mun. th. l‘roiilin-r h-rnt; w, A Sisn-r‘. ihvntion.
21* Elena h‘nnm Secret : hr, The iiim-dv  tnrinu.
253 Merra Ham’n l’ard; nr, The Angel 4-1 Bl; Vista.
257‘ sierra l‘am‘n Net ea; or, Th.» Sinicn Bride.
3151 Kangaroo Kit; or. The Mysterious Miner.
.89 Kanzaroo Kiti‘n Racket: Arr. The l’lldi' of Played-Out.
- Death-Face, llctcl'tiw; or, Life in New York.
0 \Yatch-I‘Tyc th-~ lieu-rtiw, or. Arnhs nnd Angels.
7 Gilt-Edged Dick. the s... mum..-
{ (‘uptuln Ferret. the New York Driet‘ilVO.
6! New York Nell, the Buyfiirl Detective.
'20 The A rah "0100th0: or, Snuozcr, the lhiy Sharp.
91 Turk the lioy Ferret.

825 Kelley. lliekcv A' (‘o.. the hrtw-tiwa of Philadelphia.
843 Manhattan: Mike, tlw liowcri' lh'lm'tlve.

400 “'rinklen. the Night Watch Detective.

416 High llat Harry. the lion» Bull Detective.

426 Sam Hiabnlden. the Beggar-Ho) Detective.

484 Jim lienk and Pa]. Private Detectives.

20 i‘loven lioot'. the lintinlu ih-nmn: or, The Border Vultures.
‘ 82 Bob “’ooii‘; ur, Th.- 1.‘irl [wad-Shut
45 old Aynlanche; or, Wild Edna. tlie Girl lirignnd.
68 Jim liludnoe. Jr.. the Boy i’lwnix.
61 Iiuckhorn Dill; M. The Red lilile Team
92 Canada (‘hetz or,1tlui Annmnda in Sitting Bull's Camp.
18 Jack Iloyle the You": Bin-('uintnr.
I5 [Ionanma Hill. Miner; «r, Madam hi\sicry, the Forger.
33 Dunn 1101) the King oi ituothlmku.
41 Rulid .‘am, [he lim Road-Agent: or. Thc nrundcxl iirmvs.
77 Nobb Nick 01’ Newuda. or, The Sierras Si amps.
31 \Ylld ‘rank illv R" 'krkl I liruvn. cr_ Lady Lily‘s Love.
236 A poll” "I", the Trail Tornado: or, Rand)- Rule.
2.10 (‘yolnuo K“, the Young Gladiator. or. The Locked Valley.
278 Jumbo Joe, the “0)” Pair. 1: or. The Rival Dunn.
880 Little nick-Shot; or. The Dead Face oi Daggenviile.
8:58 Pint-1‘ ann Fred. the (-‘em train Gopher.
373 Nahoh Ned: or. The Secret oi Slut» Citx‘.
333 (‘ool Kit. the King 4 1 Kim; or, A Villain’s Vengeance.

a salt“ Fe Hill, the Slanher; or. A Sun‘c chgcuncc.

“0 Realnkin Ram. the Spartan; or The Tribunal of Ten.
918 Kit Keith. L c Ri‘t'i‘l ucs‘puttcr.
922 h‘ol Sharpe. the New York Night-Ilawk.
9-13 Did Ilayneed Among Dunco Men.
1001 lianty, the Denver lioothiack.

DY J. C. CONVDRICIC.
490 Broadway lillly. the lioothlach Bravo.
514 Broadway lillly’n Doodle: or, Cleming nStraugo Cue.
5 Broadway llllly‘n ‘Dliilkilty.”
557 “roadway Dilly’n Death Racket.
579 {roadway lillly‘n fiarprlne Party.
605 iroadway Dilly; or,'i'hc BoyDo-tet‘tlve'lliiklnnlnf.
02H iroadway lllliy'n Dead Act: 0".le Ilengucoichon,
669 iroadway it My Abroad: cr. The limilitlllck in Frisco.
671i {roadway Billy'n Iii-at; tlr,"t‘i11illK San ancilco'nFinoat.
637 {roadway lilliy In Clover.
690 {roadway Billy in Texan; or,The Rii‘vrliunth-rn.
708 iroadway llllly’n llrand.
711 Iiroadway Dilly at flanta Fe: or, The Clever Deal.
720 {roadway iliily’n i'ull "and: or, The Gnmiu Detective.
785 {roadway lliily'n llnnlncnn.
783 {roadway liilly’n (‘nrioun Cane.
758 {roadway Dilly in Denver.
70 liondway liilly'n liargain; or. The Three Detective.
709 {roadway Dilly, th.» Retrim‘rr Dl'lo‘l‘llve.
775 {roadway Dill)".- Rhndow Chane.
783 Iroadwny "lily'n “cation: or,’l‘hc Trin‘n Quest.
7"“ lroadwny Hill)": Team; or, 'l‘hu (‘onihinc'a Big Full.
790 lroadway lliliy’n Brigade: or. The Dead Alive.
796 {roadway llly'n Queer lit-quent.
800 Broadway llllly "allied.
#05 Broadway llilly’n iii nal Scoop.
810 Broadway lilily‘n “Tpe 0ut.
N15 lirondway Ililly’n liank Racket-
821 Broadway lillly’n Bluff.
£20 Broadway tllly Anton Jcrney 'I'hllgn.
#38 Broadway liill3’n liflllf.
8819 Broadway Dilly'n Dix Boom.
844 Broadway liilly’n Dig Bulge.
849 Broadway liilly’n homoth Snap.
850 Droan way Billy’n lllind: nr. The iionthlntk Stowaway.
862 Broadway Billy in London.
non Broadway Dilly fihadown London Slumn.
9174 Broadway llilly‘n French (-‘ame.
9030 Broadway llllly and the liomh-Throwcrn.
860 tillver-Muk, the Man of Mystery; or. The» Golden Reyl.
860 flhaatu. the Gold King: M. For Seven You: band.
490 The Detective’n Axprentiee; or, A Boy Without a Name.
494 (‘Ibuta John; or. 91111011.]an at Auto Bar.
439 tiandy flam. the Street Scout.
407 Dlnco Dan. the Dniny Dodo
506 lledligllt Ralph the Prince of the Road.
524 The Engineer Detective: or. Redlight Rnlph’n lev9
54?‘ Mart, the Night Ex rvnn Detective.
571 Air-Line Luke t a Young Engineer; or. The Double Cue
592 The Boy Pinkerton: or. Running the Ranch]: Out.
815 Fighting "arr the Chief of Chained Cvclone.
640 Bareback lit-ill, the ("mum of the Circle.
047 '1 'ocwriter Tilly, thr Merchant's “'nrd.
659 oonlight Morgan the “ Pin-nest " Man 0! Ant. Bu.
837 Battery "oh. the Dock Detective.
89-1 Arizona Dick'n “l e-Dnt.
000 Jumping Jack‘s uhllee.
900 fiat‘ety “am. the (‘yrle Sheri-
912 Train Boy Trint‘n Ilot lluntlc.
91.“ The Truruo Dock-Dov.
924 Big Boot-I Bob, the l’lre-Imddie.
980 ituntlcr Ralph. the Boy Spotter.
985 The l-Ix-Ncw-hoy Detcctlve'n Chum.
941 The Bowling Green Detectlve‘n Drop.
944 (‘owhoy (‘harlie'n Double.
917 The Bowery “’ rcntlcr: nr. Th.» lintrher-Boy'u limiter.
958 l’addy'n Trump Card: or. Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport.
960 The Broadway Sport: or. Fiver Fred’n (‘inar CI“.
907 $1000 Reward: or. The lilvnl Rnporton’ Sleek Scoop.
978 Bantam Billy. the Corker-Ferret.
97M Piuckv Put. the Street-Boy Detective.
989 liicycle Hob'n Hot ficorch.
997 Dcorcbrr Earn. the. Detective on “'hecil
1004 Seorcher Ila-I‘- Swre Jitake n.
1001i '1): Girl 03 cliu’n M inning "and.

DY \VllJJAM PERRY BROWNE.
050 Brooklyn Doh‘n Balm-i or, Dmion Dct'a Diamond Snap.
968 The Rant-Ride lipotterx or, Turning Down the Big Than
974 0111 Sant’n Dark Deal: or. Minor Mnt'u iron Grip.
101. The Itcportor-lietcetiro’s Big I’uli.

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Ill l“li‘.\I.0 IlIllL NOVELS.

 

RY ('UL. Pni‘A‘TISS iNGRAHAM-

1013 lluil’alo Iiill‘n 'I‘. won Team.

1007 linii'nlo liill‘n Mire-51min.

l000 Hull’an iilll‘n Dec 3‘ Do) I. ,,
99.3 liufl'aln liillln Dron ‘ r. in nit-Shut Ned , tll“ Kiln?!“ ix“:
0N! liutl'alo liill‘- Lil-N l Ilrowcrn.

0H1 linti‘alo liill'n Fighting I’hc.

975 linll'alo liill‘n lililcFlIot-I.

ENS“ liuil'alo liill'n ltunh Itid ' 4r, Sure-Shot, ilin' liiginlyer.
901 liuli‘alo lllli‘d Deco) : I lc Arizona i‘rnri. Mn L
95‘ Britt'an Itili‘n Man-ppa-(‘hai-c. . ,
91“ linfl’alo iiill'n Snap-rhot : vi. “Vim Kid" TIP-“"11"”?
012 llatl’alo lllll‘n Tough Tin-Ale.

080 Ilnti'alo liill‘n Iioy “H.001:i'h-lr't'Jlil‘Vlfl’llitlilrllli.
929 Buffalo liill'n i‘rack-nllot l’iird.

0.30 "1:1?an lilll'n Boy l'ard: "r. lfilllirlni' MN."-

216 liinon ISill. th.‘ rm... 0: the in”...

222 Dino" liill'n ('ine: nr (-rit. the 11mm 91““-

   
 

 

 

   
 

DY BI'FFAID BILL.
55 Deadly-Eye. the ['nkno‘wn Scout. nr, The Banded Brotherhood
0’" "order Robin flood: or, The Prairie Rover.
158 Fancy Frank of l‘oiorado: or, The Trapper'n Trunt.
1020 The Phantom Spy.
.

UV CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. S. A.

191 Buffalo Bill}. the Boy Builwhnflrer.
194 liuifalo 11111 n lien or. The Gambler Guide.

 

BY (‘01.. PREN‘TISS INGRAIIAM.

1081 The Tcxnn lluntlern in (‘nhm

1027 The t‘owhoy Raider-n in (‘uha

1025 The Flying 1 ankee or. 'iho- (iccim (hitciui.

1028 The (‘ow boy (‘lan In (‘u‘.l|.

1010 The Ho‘ liugler In Cuba.

932 New Yor ' Nat‘n Dro : or, Ex»FcrrctSyken’llnidGnne
926 New York Nat and t to 'Iraltor I'crret.

920 New York Nat Trapped. ’

914 New York Nul'n ’1 hrec ot’ a kind.

008 New York Nat'n Double.

002 New York Nat'n in Colorado.

R96 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp.

“’19 New York Nat'n Dcadl) Deal.

ii!!! New York Nut'n ('rook-(‘hanm

N77 New York Nat’n Trump Card.

371 New York Nut and the Grave Ghouln.

80.”) New York Nat'n Mal-Led Maneot.

859 New York hat. the i-‘uniin Drtcrtive.

858 Dick Doom‘n Kidnap er Knock-(int.

K47 Dick Doom‘n 'I‘cn Fir kc.

842 Dick Doom'n Flank "and.

7715 Dick Doom'n DcatLGrip; nr.The Detective hr Destiny.
777 Dick I'oonl'u I'(-n[I||": or, ’i he Rher Blackleg‘a Terror.
7,13,], "[01.- Doo'n: if. H.- Sharps and Shark.- ol New York.

7!“ Dick Doom in llonioni 0". A M“ 0‘ MIDI MM)“-

798 Dick Doom in (‘llic-nflo. _

791‘ Dick Doom in the M lid 11 ent.

808 Dick Doom'n ('lean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Chic.
80“ Dick Doom’n Death ('luc.

i113 Dick Doom’n Diamond Deal.

3419 Dick Doom'n til i Mancot.

820 Dick Doom’n 1'5 uudow llunt.

885 Dick Doom’n Dig Iluul.

7.10 Dar-hing l‘harlle: or 'lho Kentucky Tenderfmt'n FirntTrnil.
750 Dan-hing i‘harllc’n Dentinyz nr,The Rmeznde’l Captive.
700 Din-hing ( hariie‘n l'a“ nee l’ard.

766 Dav-hing Charlie. the Remior.

‘97 Buck Taylor, Ring oi the Cowboyn.

737 “urk Turn", u... icumin-he's(‘nstivm

743 ""01; 1‘" 1...". 11,203.: :r.le lie Ridersotthe Rio Grnndo.
580 Pawnee ill]. thr- l’mirir Shndnwcr.

713 l'awnce Bill: cv. ('url, UH' Mid “(Mimi'-

719 l’uwnce llill’n I’ledxe:(‘7-1h¢(‘0Wh0)‘|D00m-

725 l’awnee Hill: '1'. Dnrillcl’ii‘k-

092 Itedi'ern‘n (‘nrloun Tune: 1-1, Th. Rival Shnrpn.

601 Itedi'ern at De \il’n Ranch; or, The Sharp from Tenn.
702 liedi‘ern'n High "and: W, Blue Jacket.

707 liedfern'n Lani 'l‘rall: or. The Red Sombrero Range“.

And Fit'ty (ithern.

DY LIEI"I‘. A. K. SIMS.

539 Tom-(‘at and l'ard; or. The Drnd Set It Silver City.
022 'I‘om-(‘at'n Triad: “r. '1 hr Afl'nir nt Tomb-tone.

681 Torn (‘at‘n 'I‘errihlc Tank; or, The ('owl‘oy Detective
“KN Tom-(‘nt‘n Triumph' or. Block Dnn'n Gtrnl Combino.
5411 Captain (‘actunuhe 6hflpfi'rni Port; or. Jonhju Ten sun...
56" The Dandy oi' Dod .9; ur‘ Rr-«tllng tor Millionn.

576 The fillver Sport: or, Josh Peppermint] Jubilee.

588 Raifron 901. th' Man With It Shndnw

ti01 Ila p ' llann. ah. Dutch Yidneq: or,iintTin:rnat Round-C
611 Bit ad llnrnaclc, the Detective Herrulrn.

046 (‘owhov i-‘vid, lhv "attic-Rang! Detective.

657 Warblillg “'iiliam m. Mountain Moumbuk.

005 Jolly Jeremiah, thy Plnlnn D9.Q€1IV¢.

“70 flignal sang, the Lockout. Scout.

689 Billy, the Gyn- y Spy: or, 'i he Myrtorv at Two Live
099 Simple Him, the Frnnrho Bnntcr: or. PM Big Staten.

712 The Me-mcrint F‘portt or, The Myutifled Wadi".
781i Toltec Tom. th» h ml Pronto-riot

745 Kan-an Jim. the (‘rnrn-(‘ut Detective. r.
701 Marmaduke, the himtangcr Detective.

778 The lluntler of Rolling Ftone. ‘
7135 Lone "and Joe tlw (‘nrzvnnittee MOM v

801 Kent Kirhy, the High-Kid” irom Ktubuck.

882 The Doctor Dete etive in Texan.

N72 Two Show-ten l’ctectiven in Colorado.

987 The Texan Fir (‘lvrandx or. lirnznu Billy’n Snnp.5h01
901 The Tramp'n Trump-Trick.

NEW ISSUES.
1083 Kan-an Ring: nr, The lied Right Hnnd. By Puff-l. Bill.
1089 Muntnng Merle, the Roy Rnnclur. ByMnj S S. Swim.
10-10 Ilnifalo Bill‘n Pony l'atrol. By Col P. lngrnham.
1041 Cowboy (‘hrln to the Fore B)- Wm.  “'ihler.
1042 little Grit. the Wild Rider. By “1- P-Inmh-m.
10-18 You Bet Bob i‘roln (‘ronn Crick. By Ariwnn Cy.

JUST ISSUED.
1083 You Bet Bob‘n Circa-I. 3? Adm“ (‘5‘.
1084 The Gold “'Itch'n Fhadower. FF (Vii-P- Ingmhm.
1005 Antelope Abe. the Boy Guide. By 011000111“.
1080 Dandy Dick's Double. By Robert R. inmnn.
1087 The Artint Detective. By Col. P. inn-huh.
A New Issue Every Tue-day.
The IlaIfiDi-e Library in for at. by all nominal-I,"
“pummumibynnli on Wot-inconth
BEADLE AND ADAMS, Paint-inert.
02 William Street, New York. ‘