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Published Every (:Beadlp rf‘ \,/9(70 7719. @n blisiiers T c a co ,
V01.  Week. 98 WILLIAM STREET, N. Y., August 3, 1881. ) 215.5: 3;“? N 0' 

PlSTfll. PARDS; or, SOFT HAND, THE SILENT SPORT FROM OINNRB'AR.

BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER,

 

 

 

 

 

 AUTHOR or “DANDY DARKE,” “um FRANK or HIGH PINE,” I'm, no, no.
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“I’M A STRANGEB HYER, ALL THE WAY, LAST FROM CINNABAR: BUT l “1381‘ OBSERVE I’M BACKING THIS MAN’S Gm”

 

2

Pistol Pards.

 

Pistol Pards;

sor'r HAND, m smear-SPORT
mom CINNAB'AR.

BY WILLIAM R. E‘YSTER,
AUTHOR or “DANDY DARKE, are, nrc.’

 

CHAPTER I. -
A DISCGNSOLATE PILGRIM.

Tram». Roxo, to give the settlement; its

Mexican name, was in the hight of its glory.
Pilgrims came in and bullion and dust went
out. There were miners, sports, bankers and
bummers, men of every trade, profession and
expectation under the sun, clustered. together
in. the straggling camp that spread itself like
the young mushroom that it was.
. Next to th'e“Seven Angels,” stage station
and high-toned hotel, the most important
building in the plac-r was the “ Star of Empire”
saloo‘u', an institution run on high pressure
order as a drinking and gambling resort, and
dance-house, by a man whose one, only name
seemed to be Fritz.

Scattered through the camp there were
other “shebangs,” “hash-houses," “ rum-
mills,” and the like: but these were by far the
most pretentious buildings, and their proprie-
tors were just coining money.

The host of the Seven Angels was a tho-
roughbred American, who. had fallen on his
feet as .much through luck as by judgment,

- f' for he had come to Tierra Roxo away ahead of,_

the rush, and installed himSelf in the valley as
a stock~raiser, having purchased at a very
moderate price the ranch, including the build-
ing which now did duty as a hotel, from its
former proprietor, Don Jesu Comarcos.

From the north-bound stage, one pleasant
afternoon, there dropped two travelers, one of
them a slender built, consnmptive-looking man
of forty or fifty, it being hard to guess witniu
ten years of his age on account of his sickly
face and. evident weakness. Side by side
with him, and apparently ready to offer her
.~ boulder in case he might need assistance, was
it young woman. A little, slender mite of a
thing, with the softest of blue eyes, hair of
burnished gold, a petite form, and a short,
dimpled hand. In that rude country she cer-
tainly looked like one. who needed a protector
herself, and it seemed like the irony of fate
that she should be compelled to assume that
role.

However, the gentleman, for such his man-
ners and general appearance proclaimed, him
to he, seemed unconscious of the tender solici-
tude of the young lady; and, taking the lead,
mounted, with slow but tolerany certain steps
the porch of the Seven Angels, where be ad-
dressed himself to the host, Michael Mitchell,
who was waiting’to receive him. -

He gave his minions Harold Wilkins, travel-
ing northward, in company with his daughter;
and stated that he intended to stop over until
the next stage to recuperate, and take a view
of the mining country around the town.

Of course he was duly welcomed, and man~
aged to make himself very much at home; so
much so that he hardly puts. foot of! of the
porch the balance of the day, but sat in the
shadow with his daughter by his side, though
helooked around him, from time to time, with
a nervous store. .

The following morning he seemedagreat
deal stronger than when he arrived, and set of!
for a stroll by himself.

When he returned his facehada troubled
look; he took his old seat, and from that until
dinner time was lost in his own thoughts,
scarcely paying any attention to his daughter,
who sat in silence by his side.

After dinner he brightened up again, and
Mitchell, the landlord, ventured to approach
him. ,

“Wal, in, hope you found the place worth l'night, ‘ and ‘hothlng was said of the Whi 0!"
lookin’at-fijt nr’n’t much of a town, I allow, 3 wherefore to‘Kste, who i c a little later,’
by daylight, ez the men is mostly to work; 5 with such aolicitude, over the-boulder of the

but at night the blossoms up right peart. ' If a ‘ dieconsolnte traveler. -
gentlemhn wantssport, then, he kin find hull l

wagon-loadqof it at the Star. You Ought tor
look in there afore you leave camp.”

Wilkins looked up with a quick, keen glance. 

“How so, sir? Do I look like a Sport?"

bein’ a. good deal used to men in a way, I
should say you looked like a man that had
taken chances. If that’s sport, you‘ve bin
there.” ‘
A gloomy look overspread the face of the

‘ man as he heard the response; but there was

nothing of anger in his voice ashe answered:

“Yes, I have taken chances in my time,
though not so many, perhaps, as you think, of
the kind in vogue at the Stdr.‘ It’s the chance
of life or death thatI hays taken, and I’m tired
of it.” t

“ Terribly wearin’, ain’t it? But I reckon
things hes bin movin’ along better of , late.
You look solid.” ,

“You are mistaken. Go where I will and
when i will it’s always the same. l’ve struck
, such a chance coming here, I don’t want Kate
to knowanything about it, but I feel it' in my
bones that there is trouble brewing for me.
It’s alittle odd to talk of it to a perfect stranger,
but when a man feels that wayhe wants to
say something to somebody, and you look like
an honest man, that can keep your own coun-
.seL” . A _ I 4 . '

“ Oh, talk right up, if it does you any good;
I can be as dumb as a clam. And, mebbe, if
you were to tell me your trouble, I could help
you out, someway.”

 

“For that matter I don‘t know what it is.
Perhaps it is sickness; perhaps it is bad luck;
perhaps road~agents-I
Suld down yonder about a Captain Skull and
his men who have been raiding on this route,
Do you think there is much chance of our
meeting him to-morrOw?” . V . .

“ That’s hard to say; but he’s wuss than his
pictuz’, an’ for the sake of yer ‘ darter I hope
yer won’t run foul of him. I did hear some
one offerin’ to take three to two that he would
be heerd from this week ag‘in. Mebbe you’d
better 'stay till' he’s run off, or corraled.
Hangtown ain’t a half bad place to camp in.”

“But I can’t, I can‘t! For myselt’Itell you.
Idon’t care; but for Kate to fall into their
hands! Oh, I was mad to ever drag her to
this country. lf I was alone I would fight
them to the death; but with her my hands
seem tied.”

“How would it do then to get some one to
do the fighting? I don’t know how many men
Captain Skull may have in his band; but they
say there’s never mom than half a dozen
shows -up at a time; and two “or three good
men, that could handle the tools, ought to
stand them off.
thin’ but you needn’t pay ’em unless they put
you through safe. ”

you go to enlisting an army, in such a camp
as this you’re apt to get cut-throats that go
over to the enemy at the first fire, or turn out
bigger villains than the bandits. ” ' '

“ That’s so, that’s so; but you mustpick the
right sort. Chirk up a leetle. Ef I can’t
point out the men I can take you over to
Fritz, that runs the Star, and he knows every
pilgrim and sport in the deestrict. What 
says you can tie to, if hedoes run a tough old
ranch. He’ll pick you out a pard or two that
will see you over the road.”

It may have been that the host was only
talking for the sake of encouraging his guest,
who seemed to be so down on his luck, and
that the proposition to visit the Star was
meant to divert his mind’ae much as anything
else; but at any rate, after some hesitation and

“ Why should I not?” he asked, his face
brightening perceptibly. “I have not been
inside of such a place for years, but I will go
with you tetheStar to-night and if I can find
a man with the face I like I’ll not stop at a.
Lthousand dollars for .
trip. Say nothing of this talk, however. It
will be timeen’ough to brooch my wishes when
I have seen this Fritn myself.” ' ’

And in this way. it happened. that

 

monh'were,mado for a viiit to; tho 8w that

 

N . , CHAPTERJI. "

‘ Iii-Ni: mam  nor.

LATE in the afternoon Wilkins and his
1 daughter were standing together in front of

It was hard to tell whether the question | the Angels. Father and daughter seemed in
was asked in anger or not. Michael Mitchell i much better spirits than they had been, and

hesitated a moment before he answered:

' Kate suddenly clapped her hands and burst

“I dunno if you want a squnr’ answer; but ' into a laugh, such as one whohad seen her on

 

heard considerable'

It might com a little some-,

“True; but can those men be found? When.

a refusal, Wilkins suddenly changed his mind. r

his imuranoeof a safe.

I mutteredm th

 

“he’s fur sale.

the previous day, would scarcely have sup-
posed could come from her troubled lips. Dowu
the street was coming a single foot-passenger.

It was not the passenger himself, however,
that brought thelaugh to the lips of Kate, but
the extraordinary looking quadruped that he
was dragging along behind him.

Perhaps triped would be a better name, for
the animal limped along on three legs, ahd at
every third step manifested a decided inclina-
tion to halt. As for the rest, it was a little,
lean, scrubby, Indian pony, with hogged
mane, and, comparatively speaking, no tail at
all. '

Just in front of the Seven Angels the sin-
gular procession came to a halt, and immedi-
ately the cayeuse dropped its head, folded its
ears, and twisted its lips and nostrils with a
general expression of sorrowing resignation
that would have been heart-breaking if it had
not been so comical. _ . -

At the further end of the porch there was a
little cluster of half a dozen men; and these

burst into a hoarse laugh, causing Kate, who~

was already ashamed of her merriment, to
draw back into the shadow of a convenient
doorway. ‘

The pedestrian gave no sign of having no-
ticed her. In fact he looked like a man who
would not be affected by triflcs. If he was
not larger than his pony, be belied his ap-
pearance wonderfully. For dress and equip-
ment he had a broad Mexican hat, a miner‘s
shirt of blue flannel, wide corduroy pants.
stuffed into the tops ofa pair of high-legged
but remarkably well made boots, and around
his. waist the usual belt of weapons.

As he halted, with one huge paw he struck
the wide brim of his sombrero. with a gesture
that might or might not be intended for salu-
tation, and addressed himself to Wilkins:

“ I've bin at long time on ther road, pard,
but I'm hyer et last; you want me, sa-a-y’é"

Surprised by the unexpected address, Wil-
kins held his ground, nevertheless, and an-
swered with a cheerful coolness scarcely to be
expected from the man.

“I can’t say that I do. I’m a stranger
here, just passing through, and if I ever get
out of this heaven-forsaken country, and into
civilization once more, l’ll hardly make a fool
of myself—this way at least."

“Weal, no offense, stranger, ef stranger
yer be. Yer look like a man that wants
suthin’, an’ I thought mebbe it war me.
P’r’aps it’s ther ,oayeuse. Ef it’s him, buy him;
_ Clipper-rigged, copper-fastened
AND. 1!. I tell yer he’s a bowler. Jist turn
him. out ter grass fur a‘week au’ he’ll make a
war  that’d do yer proud, though I’ll allow
thet jist now he ain’t on ther snort so much ez
a prancing warrior might want ter see.”

“ Thank you, I have no use for the pony.
I’m afraid that if I staid here, waiting for him
to get into condition, I would die of old age.”

“ Oh, yer can’t guess how quick he‘ll fatten
up ef yer give him a rest. An’ he's no slouch
ov a pony, either; carded me more her three
hundred mile the last_week, an! would ’a‘ come
in jist snortin’ ef he hadn’t got a ’Pash arrer
in thet of! hind leg. Fact ar’, stranger, 1 must
sell him. I ain’t fond er walkin’ meself, an’
en he can’t kerry me jist now I’ll hev to raise
rocks on him 80‘s I kin take ther north-bound
stage to-morrer. I’m bu’sted wide open, yer

,1

At this frank statement of .his condition
Wilkins only shook his head.

“ So long, then; an’ of ye:- change yer mind
’bout ther war-hoes sing out fur Alabaster Jim.
I’ll be ’round somewheres, fur I can’t git out
afore mmorrer.” .

. 1 Waiting fur no answer the man booked the
uncover his arm once more, gave a jerk to
arouse flaejorrowtul-looking cayeuse, and the
procc-lonagnin moved on.

ffl’ei'hnpe that-is the very‘nmn I Want,”
. ‘ .“He looks
like a. bold, dashing fellow, tolerably honest,
9nd  of nerve. Bug. somehow, his face
leems familiar. Whonhve I seen him?”

HO  him «It .M Mitchell, who hap-
pened along just, then, but the landlord shook
his head Although nothing but the back of
Alabaster J m was visible he declared that it
must be no new-comer, a he would certainly
be able tomognize him. There were to his cer-
tain knowledge, no such man and pony belong-
ingtotbe camp. And whilo the eyes of the
two followed the retreating figures a horse-
man approached, unperceived, the Seven
Angels.

oughtfully.

\
O

 

 

Pistol Pards.

 

As the eyes of this new—comer were every-
where he saw the two conferring together, and
on the instant gave a great start. Then, bend-
ing forward in the saddle, he touched his horse
with his Spurs, and went by at a gallop, giving
another short, sharp glance, just as Wilkins
and the landlord turned toward the open door.

“Who is that?” hastily asked the trouble.
tome guest, though he did not give more than

casual look at the bent form that flew past

t almost racing speed.

" That? Oh, that is Colonel Dashwood.
Smart man; often stops here. but find him
oftener at the Star. He’s farming sheep for
all the thing‘s worth, an’ '11 get rich if he don’t
lose it all fingering the pasteboards too much.
'Wish he’d stopped in; you Ought to meet the
colonel. He could post you up, an’ mebbe
take you through himself. He just about runs
this town.”

But as the original question was only asked
through momentary curiosity, the subject was
dropped; and even had it been pursued ever so
far the two could hardly have dreamed of the
strange look upon the face of the colonel as he
galloped on through the camp, and finally dis-
mounted neara rum mill of the harder sort,
known as Hoodlum Hall. He entered that
delectable resortin a furtive sort of way, and
remained there some time.

That evening, before starting out on the pro-
jected visit, the nature of which he did not
confide to Kate, Wilkins took a generous pull
from the private flask of his host, and then fol-
lowed without the faintest show of hesitation.
It was evident that. though he might have
fears of some kind or other, they were not for
the roughs and hard cases he . might meet in a
a mining town.

When they arrived the Star was in the full
swing of its rushing business, and they entered
without attracting any attention.

Fritz, the proprietor, and his assistants, were
busy. as bees; and Wilkins and his conductor
took up their pasition at a vacant table near
the bar, where they would have a good oppor-
tunity of seeing the frequenters of the room.

There were plenty of men, though this was

 

an off night at the Star, but there was none ,

there that particularly attracted Wilkins. The
crowd seemed to .be composed of but two
classes; villainous, hang-dog looking men, to
whom he Would not intrust' the value of a
farthing, and miners who might have both
honesty and nerve, but hardly the care and
skill on which he could confidently rely.

Wilkins’s face was growing long, and there
was a look of Weariness in his eyes. He had
just about made up his mind to take leave of
the place when through the door there came
the man who had tried that afternoon to sell
him the three-legged pony; and immediately
behind him a man who at once attracted his
attention. .

He was a well-built. sinewy man, quiet in
drew and manner, with a soft gray eye, a
bronze beard and mustache, and a light, quiet
step. From the way he glanced around him it
was evident that he was a stranger in the place,
though he was one to fall naturally into its
ways. He stopped a moment at the bar, after
the usual formula, and. then advanced to the
doorway that led into a smaller room, where
the gaming was done.

“That’s my man, if I can get him," whis-
pered Wilkins, decisively. “ That man in the
white shirt. He’s my man for a thousand.
Move up a little closer; I want to watch him.”

The devotees of fortune generally had their
choice of games at the Star; for, in addition
to short cards, there was a faro lay-out; and
when business justified, and the Mexican
dealer, Pedro Mercado, was present, a monte
table added to the attractions. The stranger
in the bronze beard invested a few dollars in
taro chips, and quietly took his place at the
table. He only ventured small amounts, but
winning or losing he remained just the same.

' Meantime Wilkins and the hotel-keeper, hav-
ing followed into the gambling room, were .0.
ousted by a man who rose from one of the side
tables at their appearance. .

“Good-evening, Mitchell! Have you and
your friend come to the Star to try your for-
tune? If so I claim you as an adversary.
Thatonegame of ourswasa drawncne,and
Ive been itching ever since to try your
strength again. Why, man alive, with such
nerve and judgment as you’ve got, you’ve no
business running a hotel. It’s beneath you.
AfeWturnsof the wristand you’d heamil-
lionalre. If Ihadhad your cool head I’d not

 

bedown here herding sheep. I’d be in ’Frisco,
dealing for stocks without a flyer.”

The speaker was Colonel Dashwood, and ‘

though his words were addressed to Mitchell
his eyes, from time to time, were fixed upon
Wilkins, with a keen, questioning, and even
anxious look.

But Wilkins was studying the face of the
man at the fare table, and scarcely heard a
word until his companion touched him lightly
on the shoulder and introduced him to the col-
onel, at the same time remarking:

“Colonel Dashwood was just bantering us
for a game; but I told him we‘re only lookin’
on to-night, and I’ll a110w he kin swamp me
without tryin’ half. He‘s a four—decker at
keards, ez well ez everything else.
afore I begin, an‘ save my bacon.”

“Oh, come new, Mitchell, I’m no sharp,
and you know it. Just a summer game fer a
little amusement won‘t hurt anybody.”

Mitchell made some laughing remark and
thought that the thing would end there, but

vDashwood was persistent, though he managed

to avoid being at all offensive, and by and by
Wilkins, upon whom, perhaps. the whisky he
had taken had made some impression, sug-
gested that as they were in Rome they might
as well play cards with the Romans, provided
they were not going to pay too high for their
initiation.

Between a smile and a sigh Mitchell gave his
assent, and the three adjourned to a small side
table in the further corner of the room. ,

“ Shall we hunt a fourth man; or shall we
just have a little tea party of our own?" asked
the colonel, as they seated themselves; of course
his actions showed that his preference was for
the latter. . .

“Three will be company enough in this case,
for it’s not worth while to trouble any one else
to join in for the hand or two that I will
play.” ‘ .

9‘ Just as you have it,” said the colonel, and
the cards being produced the game began. .

Alth-ugh he had stated that he had not
touched cards for years, it ‘was at once ap-
parent that Wilkins. was no novice in the art
of poker. He shumed and dealt with all the
grace of an expert; and what was more, he
won steadily, though but little; and Mitchell,
finding that the run of luck was against him
held out without any regard for his reputation
as a man of nerve, and finally jumped the
game. _

It turned out not to be a summer game, of a
few hands, either, for the end of an hour
found the two men facing each other ‘with the
gambling fire hot in their eyes, and several
thousand dollars spread out on the table be-
tween them.

Around was a crowd of spectators, deeply in-
terested; for Colonel Dashwood was well known
at the Star, and rough though they were the
majority were his friends, and seemed aston-
ished that this stranger should be so steadily a
winner.

Mitchell was troubled, too, but in a different
way. He watched the colonel closely, though
in a furtive way. He felt that there was
something wrong brewing, though the crisis
came in a way he hardly expected.

As Wilkins drew in a hundred dollars on a
hand of four kna'Qs there was an ominous
twinkle in Dashwood’s eyes, as he quietly said:

“Excuse me, but I'll take that pot, if you
please.”

Wilkins looked up sharply.

“You called your hand at three queens.
There’s hardly any-nonsense about you.”

“Three queens was the heft of my hand;
but behind them is another Jack. This pack
has flVe jacks, and you put the odd one in. I
thought it queer that you held fours so often.
If these men will look in your lap, or up your
sleeve, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found
more of the same sort."

“Warp it to him, kunnel,” shouted a by-
stander. “ Thar’s ther ace of spades under his
stool, whar it dropped. He’s a cut-throat
shark, kim here to play sharp." ,

Wilkins did not notice this harsh interrup-
tion. First he looked up at his  in a
dased sort of way, and than,“ he realised the
full enormity of the charge against him. he
raised up from hisstoolandthrewhimself
bodily. upon the colonel, forgeth alike of his
convenient weapons, and his enfesbled trains.
so little fitted for a hand-to—hand struggle with
the stout sheep king. .

Dashwood sprung his trap with a delighted
snarl. No weapon did he draw,_either; but

I’ll quit ‘

3

l seizing the infuriated man by throat and thigh
i he tore him from his feet and hung him to the
floor.

Then, 'with heels drooping down, ready to
mash his face beyond recognition, the colonel
sprung into the air, immediately above the
head of Wilkins.

CHAPTER III.
PINNED TO THE WALL.

IT is a question whether pistol and knife are
nearly as brutal as the ways of a rough-and-
tumble fighter. Everything passed so quickly
that Mitchell had not time to interfere. Be-
fore he could guess what was coming his com-
panion was down, Dashwood was springing
upon him, and he actually turned his face
away as he recognized the intent of the latter.

But the heels of Colonel Dashwood, expert
fighter though he was, did not land upon the
face of Wilkins; nor did they even strike the
floor at once. As he leaped, one of the by-
standers bent quietly forward and caught him
on the fly, turning him around with a strength
even greater than his own, and flinging him to
the further end of the room. It was the

 

ibronze-bearded man who had attracted, the

attention of Wilkins, who thus interfered.
Then he stood quietly looking on, as though
his concern with the affair had ended.

The spectators knew better than that, and
their attention was so thoroughly centered on
him that Mitchell had a chance to drag his
friend out of harm’s way. ,

Up from the floor sprung the colonel; glar-
ing. around him, uncertain upon whom to
wreak his'wrath, since he had not seen his
assailant at all. .

“Where is the bound that caught me from
behind!” he shouted. “Was it that milkland-
water fraud from the Seven ‘Angels? Who-
eVer it was, I’ll have his blood; his heart’s
bloodl” ,

The bronze-bearded man had no intention
of shirking the responsibility, but before he
could speak another voice chipped in: .

“ I reckon it must be me you’re shoutin’ fur;
but I wouldn’t talk quite so strong; not quite
sostrong. I rile, myself, sometimes; ’specially
when I‘ve got hold ov ther long and er, ther
string, ezI hes this time. Yer a liar an’ a
cheat, au’ ef yer don’t like that, I’m yer dough-
nut.” , .

It was Alabaster Jim prbclaiming himself,
and he coolly slid in front of the bronze-
bearded man, who stood immovable and with
folded arms, neither shunning nor seeking a
fray.

Taward his waist dropped the hand of the
colonel, as he sprung straight toward his chal-
lenger, and half-way from its sheath rose his
ready knife; but Alabaster Jim was as quick
with hand and foot as with tongue. Without
any apparent effort, he gave an unexpected
bound, and then threw his right fist straight
from the shoulder out.

Again Dashwood struck the floor, nearly
leveling two or three men in his journey, the
force of his fall being in that Way broken a
little, but his head none the less feeling the
effects of the good, solid blow, that almost
bereft him of his senses.

At this a bowl arose. So far, no one had
time to interfere; but now, Alabaster Jim hav-
ing attracted all attention to himself, the hy-
standers seemed inclined to take hold wheie
'Dashwood was leaVing 03. Up sprung one
Dave Hawley, the boss of Hoodlum Hal], point-
ing with grimy finger at Alabaster J im.

“ See hyer, boys, I reckon none of you‘kncas
this chap, an’ none of ye wants'to, so we’d
better waits him right outer camp. He’s a
card sharp, an’ a stabber, an’ ther side pardner
ov ther cuss ther kunnel caught cheatiu’. We
don’t want noskin games hyer, fur of a man
can’t sit down to a squar’ deal an’ fair play
that ain’t no use. for pasteboards. Yer all
seen how the kunnel ketched his pardner hoo-
in’ out keerds, an’ wringin’ in ther, sorts from
a cold deck, an’ how ther yallersheaded duck
chipped in. I movewe give two on ’em five
minutes to git out ov town, an’ ride this ’un
out on a ridge-pole."

Half a doaen voices joined in with such

words as:

“ That’s the talk! Give ’em the Blind
bounce!" .

“ Better string ’em up fur good luck!”

“We .don’t ,want no rich cattle hyarl”

“0h, dog gone you, you think I’m nosport

 

do you?" broke in Alabaster Jim, slapping his
hands together, and sweeping his eyes around

 

4

Pistol Pards.

 

in a flashing glance. “Why, I’m ther bald-  “ I‘m a stranger hyer, all the way, last from

headed loon on nine wheels; an’ I’m chuck I
full ov fun from heel to top-knot. Run me

out, will yet! Not ef this hyer infant knows

herself. Jest two er three ov you chaps that i
howls ther loudest come an’ taste me, an’ I’ll 
sweeten up we hull crowd that backs up any ‘
sich galoot ez ther kunnel. He raised a row i
an‘ got salted down. He‘s the duck that I
turned ther cards, an’ ef Hangtown war half !
ez good ez its name they’d roust him out. But

what yer goin’ fur me furl” '

“Dry up on that,” interposed Hawley,
sternly. “ All the cheating done was by your
pard, and the crowd hyer knows it.”

“Yer couldn’t git furder from the truth
with four horses an’ a wheelbarrer, an’ yer a
natural born liar. I don‘t know ther stranger
from Adam, an’ I don’t know but that he is
Adam,” responded Alabaster Jim, in a cheer-
ful tone. “ What I do know is thet I watched
ther game an I’ll swear all ther cheatin’ war
done by ther man I just pasted, ther galoot
you call kunnel. Es fur leavin’ town, I’ve
done nothin’ hyer to rile any one but that man
yonder, an’ I’m waitin’ to hev it out with
him."

“ That’s all thin,” began Jack Brace, another
of the Dave Hawley kind. “After what we
men sigh talk settles the matter. You’ll hev
to t.

'too was feeling for his weapons. It
would require very little to start a general
rdw' ‘a'hd perhaps that was what some were
hopii‘fg for;

but Colonel Dashwood had shaken
himself together, and once more he came to the
front, his voice breaking in, hoarse with
vengent rage.

‘ “But, first of all he settles with me. He has 
struck me and Hi wash out that blow with his 3
blood yet." '

This time his hand was on his revolver; it
was out; the hammer was back; and though
he stood at the further end of the room he had
Alabaster J in covered with his eyes, ready to
seize the drop on him at a motion.

“ I reckon gr not in a hurry about startin’
that sport. ng away hyer, an’ ther chances
is you’ll plug about three ov yer friends. Let
’em stand to one side, an’ then you blaze. You
can’t hit the side ov a barn. ” .'

There was a provoking coolness about the
man that would have stirred all the blood in
the colonel, had it not been red-hot already.
To one side and the other sprung his friends,
while he slowly raised his revolver 'to a level,
with as much outward calm as though taking
aim at a mark on a post. It looked as though
some one’s time had come.

But Alabaster Jim was no greenhorn, and he
had' no intention of passing in his checks,
though it seemed impossible for him‘ to draw
the weapons still in his belt and bring them to
a level before Dashwood could fire.

He did not attempt it.

His hand, hanging carelessly by his side, sud-
denly caught from the belt of the bronze.
bearded man who stood silent and motionless,
just at his shoulder, a long—bladed, keen-edged
bowie-knife; and with the, same motion, that
was steady and sure, he hung the weapon up,
and around the back of his neck, just a twink
ling before the colonel was ready to pull the
tn r.

The knife left his fingers, made a half~turn,
plunged through the air like a gleam of light,
sailing, point forward, straight for Colonel
Dashwiood, who saw it coming. Full of grit
though he was, he turned his face as he fired.

The involuntary motion saved both men, for
the bullet went whistling over, only an inch or
two too high, while the heavy knife missed the
threat at which it was aimed.

Yet it did not fail altogether in its ghastly
errand, for right between the lips of the col-
onél it passed, and on through his cheek, act-
ually pinning him against the wall, while the
blood spouted out over beard and breast in a
sickening stream.

There was a buss of surprise from the ii of
some; coarse oaths fell from the lips of ot ers,
but for an instant no one else was exactly
ready to move, and in that instant Alabaster
Jim whipped out his revolvers and stood lean-
ing back, with his eyes covering in a compre-
hensive way, the whole room full of excited
men.

Nor was he altogether alone, for the man
with the bronze beard dropped his hands on
his'own weapons, and quietly remarked in a

 

 

tone just loud enough to be heard by every
one:

 

Cinnabar; but I must observe I’m backing this
man’s game.”

At the same time he placed himself by the
side of Alabaster Jim.

 

CHAPTER IV.

COLONEL DASEWOOD JUMPS 'rnn Gaul.

COLONEL Dasnwoon was a very well-known
man to the people of the camp; and without
being particularly popular it was not singular
that at first thought his cause should be es-
poused, as against total strangers. He was a
citizen; always had plenty of money; and if

‘ he did not labor with his own hands he had

an occupation that gave employment to others.
Perhaps if Dave Hawley, and two or three
more of his set, had kept a little in the back-
ground their desires might have been accom-
plished with a good deal less risk, to them-
selves. *

But it happened that three or four very fair-
minded men were there, who had been watch-
ing the game; and as Wilkins was a stranger
and had what seemed exceptional good luck,
their attention had been directed principally to
him.

‘Now these men were willing to back their
eyesight with money. As they had not seen
Hamid Wilkins working any advantages, they
were certain that he, at least, had been playing
a square game, and Were actually inclined to
see that the strangers had something like fair
play, and a, chance to settle it somehow them-
selves with the colonel.

In addition, the fact that Michael Mitchell

, was in a way a voucher for the man who came

with him, had its efihct. Alabaster Jim and
the man from Cinnabar had not a unanimous
camp to face, though in that crowd they could
not know friend from foe. It was fortunate
for them that just then came a diversion, that
directed attention from the two defiant men
whostood ready to meet all camera

The immediate friends of the colonel had
the kindness, to release him from his painful
position. That occupied them for a moment.

He was a frigh'ful looking object though

the wound of itself was not at all likely to
prove fatal.

It was a straight, clean cut,
through and through the cheek, and bled pro-
fusely; but he had had worse wounds in the
course of his life, and this hardly put him out
of the battle, though it sickened him in spite
of himself.

“Give me a pistol, some one i” he mumbled;
and reached out a wavering hand. “ l’ll set-
tle this thing right here or you kin put me to
bed with a shovel. lt’s Tom Dashwood he’s
mounted, an’ afore he gets through he'll find
him hard to climb.”

“Hold on, kunnel,” interposed Jack Brace.
“ You ain’t fit to play blue pills with a regular
driver like him. Lay off an’ we’ll handle ther
ribbons fur you in style.”

Half a dozen others added their protest
and their promise: but the fact was there
was some hesitation about attacking the cool
pair, who seemed to care little what decision
was arrived at.

“ Oh, give him a pistol, somebody,” sung out
Alabaster Jim. “ Give him two er three pis-

tols. He’s a slayer from Slayessviile, he is;

an’ wants to wade round hyer in gore; me an’
my pard is just waitin’ fur ther fun to begin.”

And while the two parties faced each other,
Harold Wilkins, who had revived a little,
made his voice heard, and his presence visible.
He broke away from Mitchell, and staggered
inward the men who had made his quarrel
their own.

The landlord of the Seven Angels tried to
hold him back; for, believing that there was a
strong chance for every one to drift into a
general row, he wanted to get Wilkins away
before it began; but the latter exclaimed
angrily:

“Let me go, Mitchell! I’m no cur, and as

long as I can raise a finger I'll ask no man to ,

fight my battles unlem I’m fighting With him.”

As he ranged up by the side of- Alabaster
Jim, there were two reports, one right after
the other, and Red Dave Hawley dropped his
revolver as though it was red-hot. He had
taken a snap shot at the man with whom the
row had begun. his hand held low down: and
only for a sharp eye, and a quick, true hand it
would have ended the life of Harold Wilkins,
then and there.

But at the same moment the man from
Cinnabar, whose gaze seemed to be every-

 

where saw what was coming, and check-
tnated the move; for raising his Own pistol
just a trifle, he pulled his trigger a shade the
soonest

It was a wonderfully good shot, if it was in
tended to do bloodless work. The ball struck
the end of the pistol-cylinder, thus throwing
up the muzzle, and though the weapon was
discharged it was by chance rather than inten-
tion, and Hawley. too surprised to understand
exactly what had happened, dropped the re»
volver, shook his hand as though some one had
been rapping him Over the knuckles, and con-
sidered himself, for the present at least, as
counted out.

It was natural to suppose that these two re—
ports would be followed by a regular fusilade,
but such was not the case, for the shots Were
echoed by a scream, short and half suppressed,
but unmistakably from a woman’s lips. Then
through the open door that led to the larger
room, Kate Wilkins came flying. Through the
crowd that stood in her way she burst, and
fiung her arms around her father’s neck.

“Are you men?” she shouted, and she looked
defiantly around, “that you would see a man
with one foot in the grave, murdered to gratify
the malice of a fiend in human shape? It shall
not be so, unless you kill me first. Here! The
bullet that strikes him must pa- through me 1”

Women were no strangers to the Star of
Empire; but not such as this. There was
nothing of the Maenad about this little mite of
a being who came flying to the rescue. Her
face seemed full to the lips of truth and inno—
cence, as well as all womanly courage, and on
theinstant there was more ihn one rough
miner, or reckless sport, who was ready to do
her honor. As she turned her face, brave yet
blushing, toward the crowd, she was a weapon
more effective than half a doson revolvers.
Again the fray received a check, just When it
seemed likely to end in a. melee. Indeed, Ala-
baster Jim rather endeared himself to every-
body butthespecislhackers of thecolonelhy
the prompt way in which be answered her
general appeal.

“Bless yer heart, min, nobody ain’t going
to hurt your father. This is just a little frolic
fer the boys. Why thar ain’t a man hyer
that wouldn’t chip right in ther hull sise ov
his pile ef be see’d he war in danger. Ther
fun’s about over now, though; an’ es maybe
ther Star ain‘t an interestin' place, p’r‘aps
he’d better walk along back with you to the
Angels.”

“ But they told me up there that they were
murdering him.”

Kate looked around in a bewildered sort of
way, and her eyes falling upon the group in
the further end of the room she did not hear
the response of the irrepressible:

“Folks will talk; an’ savin’ yer presence,
miss, they will lie. Nobody’s ever murdered
hyer; it's only fun.”

Nevertheless she knew it was not often that
two parties were so arrayed against each
other, without something deadly coming out
of it, and her eyes were fixed upon one man
in a questioning stare. It was Colonel Dash-
wood, who had recovered full consciousness,
and strength. Almost the first thing he saw
was the fair haired girl, with her arms around
her father’s neck, and her gaze resting in boy.
ror upon his ghastly-looking face.

He started, and then turned away, just in
time to avoid meeting? her eyes, while it was
clear that that one glance had been sufficient.
to work a change in his purposes. As though
the men with whom he had started what
seemed to be a mortal quarrel were no
longer in the room, he staggered up to Haw-
ley. and placing his hand upon his shoulder.
whispered: ‘

“ Wait! The fun will come, but this is Dnt
the “me and Place—1 can’t shoot these men
down now without raising a stir that I Wum
to avoid; and you men have bungled the work
since it came into your hands. Draw out non .-
I mean it."

The command was a positive one, and Raw-
lOy, behind whom seemed to be trailing hall a
dosen others, did‘not hesitate to obey.

Then the colonel turned to Harold Wilkins,
and his words were plain if his voice was
strangely altered.

“ I lane shown you up as the dust that you-
areamow, for the sake of this-woman, your
daughter, I offer you a chance to retreat; but
if you don‘t take it promptly I’ll kill you on
sight. Either leave this place by the next
stage or settle with knife and pistol when we.

 

4

 

5

 

meet. As for this cattle—they had better
leave on the same boat.”

Wilkins fergot the presence of the girl. His
hand dropped to his revolver. “ Now, let it be
now!” he began; but Kate threw her arm
around his neck and placed her hand upon his
lips, while the colonel, waiting for no answer,
and supported by a couple of stalwart men,
wheeled and disappeared through the side door
which was conveniently near.

 

 

CHAPTER V.
Jonas 0]" CINNABAB SIGNS a POLICY.
Aunasnn JIM seemed rather more puzzled
than the rest at the lame and impotent conclu-

 

’ Pistol Pards.

I this place alive. He is not done with me;
i and, to sum up in a few words, that can per-
Ihapehesaidas well here as elsewhere, for a
‘ fair cdmpensation will you give me a few days
of your time?"

“ That’s business, not talk. What do you
want?"

“I’ll tell you that I went to the Star to-
night to find a man—or men—who would take
me through on this stage route, and yours was
the only face I saw that I felt as though I
could trust. Even if this fracas had not oc-
curred I would have spoken to you before the
evening was over. Name your figure, and if
it is not too high it shall be yours' if you will

 

sion of the row.

4‘  d
b’l’eved it! I thart that kunnel war full 0v 1
sand, chock-full. It war him I war layin’ for; l
just holdin’ oil with four kings an’ an ace, be- 1
cause I thought when he come to, things would ,
be lively fur the boys. He ain’t no slouch with "
ther tools, I kin tell by the twinkle ov his eyes
—an’, mister, I’m sorry to say he ain’t done
with you fit. Ef you want to save your top-
kuot you’d better git. 80 long, now; I’ve got
to go an’ look after my war-horse. Some ov
them cases would just be mean enough to
steal it, to git outer town.”

Free, easy and careless, he strolled out of the
door, apparently without the least concern for
the fact that he might run against three or
four men who were his deadly fore.

Kate Wilkins heard his advice to her father,
and was by no means inclined to overlook it.

“ Come!” she whispered, drawing him to-
ward the other door, mrough which she had
entered. “ Let us go. There is nothing to
keep us longer in this dreadful place. While
these men are busy with their talk, let I. slip

out."
advice,” added

mun, who heard the whisper. “All this
thinggets me,- aad I don’t guess what’s coming
next. You’renotthemsntobe runnin’ynur
head into gamblin’-houae rows, nohow. Come
on! If I get you safe to the Angels I’ll keep
you under kiver until I see you both on- the
stage, an’ then I'll forgit that two sich people
ever lived. You’re no end , of bother; but I
don’t go back on a mu I’ve took up with.”

Wflhasssemedto sea the Mistral fol-
lowing thiaadries, but hung hack a little. The
man with  heard was still standing
near, his arms folded, and the look of quiet un-
compstflluponhnnoe. He turnedhis head
swift] as the man whom he had befriended
within) lightly on the arm, but he mani-
fested no surprise or interest; he was ready to
“it”. that 19'. “L

am stopping.” ,
“ I’m, with you, if you do the 
Iain’thslfbadomnpany fer a .sick 

i.-

 

was.

'tisrasne hotelpmprietor‘ was
ami-iahh, «mammal-emu he
Ouagawa an or conspirators,
and fgwhz‘lhduus’nolasted away.w

Who afairofllng ilkins
motioned to  to go onwith
mm“. coaversatlon with

“I wantzmw forstandhgugin
comp-v:   «be! stranger, (or no.
Hitchdlmweugmbglmasee,butbe
isnotthpmanthatcaacopewithuchmgh
asthcss whnwould have attacked me there
Itwas‘ of aprscoaeerted Manda
youfowemylihlamoestain.” _

,‘fDOn’tsaytoomnoh. Talk iseheaga‘ndl
donkthankamaaforit. When Iopght to
be ougsasrallydndmethere."

“lightxlhavre’asootobelisveuthsn

agree to see me safely through the fifty miles

my topknot ef I‘d ’a’ , north of this. From there I can, I think, safe-

ly make my way to San Francisco.”

“What’s the danger? I’m not a general
fire and accident insurance company, but I’ll
allew,in this case, I feel like taking hold if you
can give a reason.”

“I’ve a premonition of trouble. I didn’t
know what it might be until some one said,
‘ road-agen ’ ”

Then he bent over and lowered his voice
to a whisper that was scarcely audible to the
sharp ears of the man from Cinnabar.

“It’s a game that Captain Skull might
choose to play for, if he knew of it, and the
stakeisthree millions. Do you wonder that
I am nervous?”

"Three millions and a handsome woman!
No; 1 don’t wonder that yOu think he’d o for
that with everything that was out; but don’t
see what that amount is drifting around here
(or. You haven‘t got that sum about you,
have you?”

" Oh, no, no. But it is worth three millions
tosomebody ifl neverturnupinfianFrancis-
co; and somehow I have an idea that fateis

looking that way now. Then what would be- .

come of Kate?"

“I‘ve something else to do we. sank

round the country; but I’ve got in the mix.
until I see you out. Old man, yousnay count
on as few the trip. Thu I'm off.”

The man from Cinnabar, whoop to .tlis

time had spoken‘in a slow imitating tone, hear
suddenlychangedlnmannei‘.  with ;
quick decision, and held out a. {Which

closed over the one placed in it with a warm

. “gnlist ourarmy, if you choose—the man
whotookmypartat the Star to—uighgm t
make agood lieutenant. At all events. he
nerve and skill, though he seems r‘e‘eklua
Alabaster,“ I believe he_calls himnlf. In
hsafriendoyoursi” ' " . ..
“Friends with'me are scarce, and thfi lathe
tlrst timel’ve struck him. You can have him

’ifyouwanthim,batl reckon I’d bettd‘run

thedealthroughalone. 'He gees out «a.
stage, anyhow, but itain’t always so dirt-in
wbiohsida ohspslike him Item to

» ~ is -°-
we‘rwwmmhwmhs .‘ 

    

§.
E
8‘
5
a
s?
i
3

ms Jgnes ifyou. want

the
thin-hero
.iththis carele- and 

‘  Bevan Angels was 

VI. of the few ' ‘ “-
naryfcu'tllliiiolfl'ml’9‘thefolltil'ln‘rfkl~ 

‘ r
.—~—-

CHAPTERVI.

are On horseback plunged into the
through which ran the e route, hm
dosen milesto the north of  ,

bloom of her youth was ,j with a grsoshd

 

had no thought of threatening danger when
suddenly as they reached a slight bend in the
canyon they found, themselves involved in a
drama from which there seemed no’ escape un»
til they had played their part. ‘

From the cover of a huge rock, almost be-
side them, there arose two muscular rniflans
with a pistol in either hand. and masked faces,
who took steady aim, almost before their pre
senoe was observed, at the same time together
exclaiming in a low, stern tone:

“Halt thar, an’ be silent! Make a move or
a sound an’ ye’ll drop on ther spot. Shot yer
hands together, hold ’em up, an’ wait till they
frolic is over beyand. Then we’ll tend to y e ,
mebbe.”

Victor Page, as the man was named v; .
was thus menaced, was no stranger” to z, *
ways of this wickedest part of the world. i. -
was cool as an iceberg, moreover, and quick it
see when the chances were against him. i:
took no very sharp eye to see that the muzz’r.-~'
covared them in perfect line, and that if the
triggers were drawn the result would be Ce; -
tain death.

Under such circumstances it would be policy
to wait a“ hile, to temporine; for matters
could scarcely arrange themselves" in worse
shape, and they might take a great deal better.

Accordingly Page did as he was hidden,
clawing his hands and holding them above his
head, while Vans Page, the wornah at his
side, did likewise. Y _ g '

Then each of the road-agents returned one
pistol to its‘fholster, and stepping forward a
pace or two, caught a bfidlerein, and Ed the
horsesclose to the rocky wall ‘& the esnyOn,
where in a niche, they would be screened from
observation. ‘ .

“ Now, keep quiet till we take ther gag 0!,
er we'll lay yer cold forever.” , ,

The threat was delivered in a low tone,” if
to avo'ni the chance of being heard Nyond the
turn of the pass. ‘ ' ‘

.Iftheywerenotto use their mouths, their
ears were at their diqaoeal, and Victor Page
andhissisterlistened in silence to catch the
sounds which they believed they must soon

at: were tho'y mistaken, sincetheyhad not
thus remained more than a minute'or, two

whenthere was the noise of ,pnlljheols.
IA coachwasoomingalnngto spot'at
asw pace. " , I
Thenoametlncustomaryhail

“Halt thar, driver! Up withyer  an’
downmwith yer, brakes, er they’ll be dead
v.6 suddenly indeed was the ' 'me
for there were few drivers who  _ r:

 
  

 

Fmtiobwheahersachsdths“
mm . . 4 I ,. . i
113 Calumet!” man who 

. _rlbbcns,knewallthis,aifdwasted'mi in
ioolhhaess. He. over , fiViW
taxman-M9115 .. W12 .jnw
an   km“ W. no

.‘at same time, from). new  lathe
“tithe pagthene rodeo ‘,
ddv'vsot therc‘ach. whné‘sq"
from the middle of the fl9¥'¢.9'¢ 1 .
the finallymet with prompt ,‘ 
"(open these doors‘and step d% 
mpassang‘eis,‘ sndnse'e that y , esp" your
‘ ’well up. The first show, of nonsense
williast  0‘ Weenies :-
skimmerQ’.bb., I, th‘v ch,
. , W 1'“ .fi
Wm annually be‘l'ollowed'by'npig're
orie- oflihiteeemedherdly My
to, salt, exvlsmtiqnl There
0. inside, a coupl

  
  
   
    

3

 

 

Pistol Pards.

 

 

handsome or hideous, could not well be told,
since she was mui’fled up most thoroughly in a
large water-proof, and thick vail, which was
drawn down over her faco.

As these stepped out, in various stages of
anger or fright, the chief of the road-agents ran
his eye over the party, which had been imme-
diately cOVered by the weapons of his men, and
then he turned to the driver:

“ How many passengers have you, Jim Car-
penter? This don’t seem to fill the bill.”

“ Five, if it please yer honor. Four pil~
grims with boots on, an’ a shemale angel that
got aboard with her father at Hangtown.
They’re all thar, an’ that’s ther hull funeral
percession. Ef yer don't b’l’eve me, hyer’s
ther way bill.

“ They are not all here,” answered the agent,
sternly. “ Where is the fourth man? You
passengers there, hold your hands up, I say;
and step out toward yonder big rock. The
first one that drops his fingers will get a dose
of blue pills that will settle his hash. And
now we’ll try and must out this skip Jack,
that’s trying to play roots on us.”

“ Hold on, hold on!” shouted Carpenter,
glancing back over' his shoulder in surprised
alarm. “ Don’t go to shooting; you might hit
some one. He was hyer not more nor a min-
ute ago, right ahind me. He’s somewheres
round; an ef yer treat him right he'll come
out fur he ain’t got a dog-goned cent. I know
it, kase he sold Fritz ther dingdongdest,
meanest lookin’ cayeuse thet ever walked on
three legs, to git ther duckats to chalk him
through. Touch him lightly, though, fur he’s
a tearer when he’s riled.”

“ Where is he, then? We’ll waste no time.”

“Oh, I’m hyar, you bet,” answored a
strange voice, that sounded from somewhere
in or around the coach. “I’m stayin’ hyar,
too, till ther fun’s over, an’ don’t you furgit it!
Alabaster Jim never ’ll budge.”

“You’re there, are you? Just throw your
irons through the window, and then hold yer
hands up and come out. Last time of asking.
Ready, boys! We’ll each of us put a shot or
two in, and if that don‘t bring him we’ll have
to yank him out.”

Now the fact was that Alabaster Jim was
not in the coach at all, as the' agents Would
have understood, if they had listened a little
more closely to what Carpenter said. Just be-
fore the coach halted he had been right behind
the driver; but he had both a quick eye and
ear besides understanding the disposition of the
disciple of John most thoroughly; and having
seen the muzzle of a carbine rise from behind a
rock, he had flung himself from the top of the
stage just before the sharp hail, and the mo-
ment it halted he ensconced himself beneath
it, and awaited developments. ' He had no
money;- but he had a great deal of grit.

Meantime two of the road-agents, with a
pistol in each hand, stood covering the little
group that had taken the allotted position near
the bowlder, while the four remaining agents
covored the coach ahd let drive a rattling
volley.

But mingled with the report of their weapons
was the short, sharp crack of two pistols, and
the two men on guard over the passengers fell
back, “hard hit. ' '

‘ At the moment the fusilade began one of
the three passengers had dropped his hands
down like lightning, and fired as they came on
a level. Up each sleeve had lain a self-
cocking derringer, hidden there before he had
stepped from the coach; and when, at the first
shot, the eyes of the guard had wavered a little,
his time had come.

Then, before the smoke had curled away, he
dropped the derringers and dragged from the
belt around his waista pair of revolvers, which
he aimed full and fair at the as yet unsuspect-
ing road-agents.

“ Now, up with your hands, Captain Skull!
I’ve got you lined, and the first man that raises
a hammer or twists a finger—you die! Men
call me Soft Hand, ’round hyer; but I shoot
very straight."

“ Thet’s so, every time; an’ hyar’s ther horns
tbat'll toot fur ther last judgment afore yer
kin wink three wunks.”

And from behind the coach stepped Alabas-
ter Jim, with a ready pistol in each hand!

 

CHAPTER VII.
. m BACK rnacx.
n- W a 00mplete surprise, for though the
agents were four against two those two were
not only dead shots, but they held the drop.

 

Everything had worked better for the man
who was Mi‘tlng in the capacity of body-guard
for Mr. Wilkins and his daughter than they
had dared to hope for. Up to this minute it
had not been certain how Alabaster Jim would
act- in case of a raid by the agents, since he
had nothing to be robbed of, and seemed in
such a hurry to get through that it was na-
tural to suppose he would prefer to have the
business over as quietly and as quickly as

possible. But here he was, on hand, and ready ;

for tight.

The four agents faltered, hesitated, and were
in doubt. They knew that an aggressive mo-
tion would be pretty certain to end in the
death of some of them, and no man knew which
ones would fall.

As for the leader, he was not so certain that
any one had him lined. thmgh the chances
were as good one way as another.

Of course the four could not afford to sur-
render. since that would mean a rope apiece,
and no more stopping stages; but it is more
than likely that they would have temporized
and opened negotiations to be allowed to march
out with side-arms and the honors of war had
it not been for a sudden interruption.

The guards that had intercvpted Victor Page
and his sister, had heard the shots fired, and
imagined that there was something wrong.
With revolver at a ready one of the two has-
tened to the turn of the pass, and saw at once
the situation.

Instantly he threw up his hand and took
steady aim at the stranger from Cinnabar.

The distance was somewhat more than an
average pistol-shot, but the agent took his
time for it, and he was a very accurate hand
at such work, cool and determined also, and
full of the idea that everything depended upon
him. When he was certain that he had the
bronze-bearded man exactly where he want-
ed him-and that did not take very long—he
fired.

It would have been better for him, perhaps,
if he had taken the risk and pulled sooner, for
just then the insurance man caught sight of
him, and saw his intention; saw, too, that the
bullet was going to come straight for him, and
down he went as two‘ sharp reports echoed in
the peas.

Only Soft Hand had changed his aim with
marvelous quickness, firing as he fell, and
over his head went the ball of the road-agent,

while the latter dropped his weapon, staggered

half-way around and collapsed in a senseless
heap, with a big round hole in his forehead.
At the same time there was a hoarse cry from

behind Soft Hand; and from his place at the

back of the stage Alabaster Jim opened fire,
while the stranger from Cinnabar, still ex-
tended upon the ground, raised his deadly
tubes and was at work.

Two more of the road-agents pitched heavily
to the ground, and the remaining two did not
tarry. Loosing their horses’ heads, and
plunging their spurs deep in their sides, they
darted away; and as they went suddenly swung
sideways, bending dowu, Indian fashion, out of
sight, just in time to escape two bullets that
went whistling by right where their backs
should have been. '

' Result: four dead agents, and one badly
wounded; and behind Soft Hand, gasping, with
awound in his breast, Harold Wilkins, with
Kate bending over him, trying with her hand-
kerchief to stanch the blood that was slowly
oozing out.

Around the bend the two horsemen vanished
like ailash, and Alabaster Jim. who saw the
possibility of their making a stand from the
cover of that spot picking of! the group of pea-
sengers, hastily charged after them, but by the
time he caught sight of them again they were
out of reach of his pistols. He saw,‘t00, that
there had in some way been an addition to
their numbers, for he counted five riders plung-
ing away into the shadows of the coming even-
ing.

He looked again.

One of the equestrians was a woman; and
she seemed under duress, for immediately be-
hind her rode one of the masked men, with a
revolver held threatenineg at her back. He
gazed after them with 'a puzzled look until they
again vanished from sight, then he turned to
see what was the state of affairs nearer‘ at
hand. He strode up'to Wilkins and looked at
him with a critical eye. Cinnabar Charley had
torn aside his clothing and was examining the
wound with deft fingers. He looked up at
Jim and said inquiringly:

 

“ He’ll pull through?” ,

“ You bet he‘ll pull through. It’s just gouged
a rib out. He wants to get back to headquar-
ters, though. Jounce him around in that hearse
fur a day er so and he’d peter out, sure. Don’t
take on so, miss; it’s no good ter spile yer eyes,
fer ef ther fever sets in they’ll be sore enough
watchin’ ov him. Hyer’s one ov them agents’
mustangs cavortin’ ’round loose, an’ I’ll mount
him and ride back to hunt up sumthin’ to tot '
him to camp on. He can’t walk, an’ it won’t
do him much good to strap him into the sad-
die.”

“Now, see hyer,” interposed Jim Carpenter,
the driver, who had been ascertaining the
amount of damage done to his vehicle, and had
now resumed his seat, and gathered up the
lines. A

“This amburlance can’t lose no more time,
an’ them as is goin’ along hed better climb
right in. E2 fur that man that’s plugged, you‘d
better git him under kivor afore it gits much
colder. Thar’s a leetle ranch down‘in Red Cat
gulch, below whar she takes of! ther read, two
mile back, an’ mebbe yer could tote him that:
far.”

“Who runs it?” asked Soft Hand, sharply.

“ Irish Molly, ef yer knows her. All '
aboard!”

But one passenger climbed back. He had
nothing to lose. and .didn’t much believe that
the road —agents would make another attack on
the stage, though it had to follow the route
taken by them in their retreat. He was will--
ing to risk it anyhow.

Carpenter drew up his reins, cracked his
whip, and away rolled the stage, with its silent
passenger.

Meantime Alabaster Jim had discovered
that one of the outlaws was only badly wound--
ed, and that if he had had the nerve to do it,
he might have made things extremely sultry.
To guard against such a contingency, while
Soft Hand discussed with Kate 3. return to Red
Cat gulch, he took away his weapons, and
bound up his shoulder where it had been frac»
tured by a ball that went through the bcne.
Then he tore the mask from his face, and shook
his head as he saw that the man was only an
ordinary looking villain, who glared at him“
with a snarl on his lips, and a wild, hunted
look in his eyes, like a cornered wolf.

“Don’t snap at me, my angel friend; I’m
not goin’ to hurt you, an’ of you don’t cut up
rough I think ov turnin’ you loose to keep up:
ther breed, but I want to get answer to a,
couple questions fast. You h’long to Captain
Skull’s band?" ‘

It was hardly worth while to hesitate. No
answer that he could make would render his
case any more despera‘e. The man nodded.

“Then which of these galoots is him?”

“None,” answered the man, huskily, licking
his dry lips with his hot tongue. I

“ Don’t try to play it on me like that. I’m
sure I salted the boss of the gang; but when
he tumbled the corpses got kind of mixed.”

“The captain was not with us. He picked
the job out, and then left us to do the work.
The man that did the talking was only a lieu-
tenant.” '

“Reckon you must have a reg’lar fort, and
army, with your captains and lieutenants, and
all that. Tell us all about it, can’t you?”

“No, I can‘t. I may as well be hung here
right now. Sooner or later Captain Skull
would find out about it, and then I’d have to
pass my chips straight in. I’d better be dead,
than have him looking for me the way he looks
when any one goes back on him.”

“That’s so. Now s’pose I let you go, are
you goin’ to be huntin’ me?”

“i swear not. Never, neveri”

“ Well then crawl up on a boss an’ git. I
swear I ain’t huntin’ road-agents. an’ of they
get you in at the camp they’ll hang you. I hate
a rope; cuss me ef I don’t. So long.”

The outlaw, who was, from his features-
evidently a Mexican, needed no second bidding.
Weak though he was the prospect of escape
nerved him to exertion. Alabaster Jim in
fact helped him off while the attention of the
others was diverted, and with a look as near
to one of gratitude as his features were capable
of assuming he went his way unquestioned,
riding his own horse, which had never moved
from the spot on which it was standing when
the outlaw fell. '

Having done this much in the good Samari—
tan line Alabaster Jim again joined the others,
and the decision having been reached to try
Irish Molly’s .ranch, though who she might be

44a-

 

Pistol Pards.

7

 

no one know, an immediate movement was  by daylight and not in disguise, just now there

made.

There were still two of the road-agents’
horses within reach, and one of these the man
from Cinnabar mounted, while Kate was
placed on the other. and Alabaster Jim strode
on by her side. Contrary to his usual habit
he was silent enough now. Perhaps he was
considering that for a man anxious to get
ahead he had very foolishly thrown away his
chances for a speedy departure. If such was
his thought he was not greatly mistaken.

CHAPTER VIII.
SWORN TO REVENGE.

ALABASTER JIM had not deemed it necemary,
at the time at least, to say anything in regard
to that last view he had of the road-agents.
Even if he had done so it would not have been
likely to have made any difference, for Soft
Hand was abunda'itly occupied with his
patron; and he was not going to charge after
the road-agents single-handed. Apt as he was
at being draWn into trays he was not fond
enough of danger to risk that.

So the road-agents. in their retreat, swept
up Victor and Varna Page, and carried them
off in a mad gallop at the muzzles of their

cocked revolvers. Just what was to happen-

neither of them could guess, but they were
Cool enough and wise enough to reserve des-
pnrate, unavailing resistance until the last mo-
ment.

When they had gone some distance the band

turned shortly of! to the left and pursued a ‘

narrow, precipitous, upward path that brother
and sister had not noticed as they centered
along the main road a short time before. Even
if they had they never would have suspected
that a horse could be driven up the assent at
the speed with which they now pushed on.

Once or twice Victor attempted to ask a
question, but each time he was sternly ordered
to hold his tongue, and he felt that with him
at least there would be no trifling. Varna,
meantime, said nothing; the quiet nerve with
which she accepted the situation was something
wonderful, and if it had not been too dark she
might have noticed upon the faces, from which
the masks had now been withdrawn, looks of
admiration; for these were men who could ap-
preciate courage if they knew nothing of any
other good quality.

For ten or fifteen minutes the little party
wound in and out along the narrow trail, un-
til, at last, there came a hoarse challenge.

A halt was instantly made, and the leading
outlaw dismounting pushed on by himself and
on foot.

He did not- havo far to go. Before long
they heard him in conversation with the
owner of the hoarse voice; and what he said
was received in no very good part.

“Failed, have you?” growled the man be-
yond, in a strange, indistinct tone. “ Four
dead, surei, Curses on it, what sort of hung-
ling cowards have you got to be when it takes
the wholegang to go through-astagei Devils,
were they!
knew that; why did you let them get-the drop
on you? Oh, pordition seine it; why was
Manuel not here!”

The answer, given in a lower tone, was not
audible, but soon the hoarse voice broke in

again:

"Two prisoners have you! What in the '

name of Satan did you bring them here for?
When you had lightened their pockets why did
you not let them go, or cut their throats!
which, it would have made very little dif-
ference.”

“We came so quickly, to bring the news
get we had not time. Besides, as one of

em was a woman we tho ht perha on
would have a sight of them. uKWe took trail in
the bend of the canyon, just this side of where
we stopped the coach.”

"Ah, a woman! We want no women here;
unless it should turn out—but no, they would
scarcely think of that game. Bring them here;
if they are worthless throw them into the
Devil's Bowl and have done with them. . We’ve
more women now than the place can hold."

This was what Varna heard just before she

Of course they were but you‘

 

 

was hardly a feature about him that could be
recognized again, for a bright-red blanket was
drawn over his shoulders, his face was mufiied
by a scarf that was wrapped ’round and ’round
his neck, while a broad-brimmed sombrero
was drawn low down over his brow. He gave
a glance at Victor, and then turned rudely to
Varna..

“ How much can you pay for your life
and that of your brother, my lady!”

“You are quick at conclusions; how know
you that he is my brother :”

“ He would be blind enough who did not see
that; answer my question.”

“Nothing, then.”

“A pity, too; for unprofitable people meet
short shrift here. They die.”

“ Kill us. It is not so much worse to die
than to live."

“Oh, be! You have mone , then. People
that talk that way always ve. It’s only
your poor devils, that are trying to fight star-
vation with honesty, who hang on to life with
such a tight grip. If we turn your pockets
inside out maybe we can find a ransom.”

“ Not a dozen dollars. You are welcome to
them.” .

“ Keep them. You might starve where you
are going. ”

“Where.”

“Down into the Devil’s Bowl.”

“Hardly. If that is the kind of place I
think it is, we will die when we reach the bot-
tom.”

“ Woman, you are strangely bold. Who
are you i”

“ An avenger.”

“ Whom do you seek?"

" That is, our secret.
me and mine deeply.” .

“ A maul” a

“ Yes, a man.” ‘

“And where do you expect to find him?

“ I do not know, I am in search. Perhaps at
Tierra Roxo. I have heard that he was strik-
ing thither.”

“And his name?” '

For an instant the woman was silent. With
this hoarse voiced, cruel outlaw, so picturesque
looking as seen by the flickering flame of a
feeble fire, she was strangely confidential.
Perhaps it was the magnetism of a somewhat
kindred nature that drew her out; perhaps be-
cause ahe telt near to death she was careless of
her words.

But this question made her pause; and in the
silence Captain Skull gave the fire a rousing
kick, and then stared steadily in her face.

Instead of disconcerting her the act seemed
to give her a strange courage. Without hesitaa
tion she broke out: .

“ Give me your promise that if I escape
your hands it shall forever be a secret, and I
will tell you."

“ You have it. By the heavens, you are
a woman after my own heart!”

“ His name is Pierre Radotte.”

“Plano Motto! In Satan’s go, then;
and if you find him, kill him! I'll turn you
both loose. Isyour brother as fierce a tiger as
yourself! If he is, it might be worth while to
come to some terms. You would make worthy
assistants; and there is both pleasure and
pi ofit in the life we lead here.”

Varna smiled ocornfully at the proposition.

“ One who would play for millions would
scarcely at00p to the petty rewards of even
successful brigandage. But tell me: do you
know the man I name!"

“ Perhaps; that is nothing to you. I‘ tell
you to go and seek him. I will do more.
There are certain men about Hangmwn that,
at a word or token from me will aid you in
your search. They are devils, I tell you, and
will stop at nothing. Do you need them?”

“ in your own words, perhaps. Name
them. If they serve me they will be well
pad"

“ See what a good thing a little ill-luck has
brought you. From Kansas to California no
man could have pointed you out such a tool
as Pedro Mercado. Find him, give him a sign
that I will give you, pay him well, and he will
serve you in anything. Stay here until morn-

One who has wronged

was introduced into the presence of the man . ing, and I will give you a guide that will put
who, she doubted not, was the famous Captain  you on the trail, or, if you choose, you may
Skull of whom she had already heard more ! start at once, though that would be a mistake.
l Only, swear that when you find this Pierre
Yet she neither trembled nor quailed when ._ Redette you will show him no mercy.”

than one terrific story.

she and Victor were led into his presence.
Whatever the man might be when viewed

“ I swear!”
She held up her hand, and the two words

 

dropped from her lips with all the solemnity
of an oath.

“Swear on this."

From under the crimson blanket that was
wrapped around him he stretched out a hand,
and it held by the blade a gleaming knife with
a handle like a cross.

From his hand she caught it and kissed it
twice.

“ By cross and blade, by church and border ,
oath, I swear to show him no mercy l, I hate
him to the deathl"

“I can say no more now, I have said too
much already; but in the morning I will
launch you on your work. Yonder are a
couple of blankets. The bed is none of the
softest; but those who sleep the sleep of the
righteous need not mind that.”

He ceased speaking, and with a mocking
laugh withdrew, leaving them actually and
positively alone.

And thus it happened that the two reached
Tierra Roxo quite late the following morning,
and found that the story of the outlaw de-
feat of the previous night had reached the
place long before them. .

. l

 

CHAPTER IX
nusn nonnv’s RANCH.

HAROLD Wunmvs, rested limply in the
arms of his ally. Ehrery step seemed to give
him more or less pain, and though the bleed-
ing Ind been stanched, and no necessarily
vital point had been reached, the feebleness of
his former weak condition returned, and-it
seemed to Kate, every moment, that he must
die. -
She made no moan over the prospect, for she
was a girl that had more nerve and courage
than one would suspect, looking at her petite
form and fair, young face, but she eyed her
father, anxiously, asked a loving question now
and then, and waited impatiently for Red Cat
Gulch, toward which their progress seemed
painfully slow. Around them the shadows
deepened, and nothing could be heard but an
occasional moan from the wounded man, and
the measured tread of the horses.

Alabaster Jim, having some doubts about the
trail, went on ahead, and in the and it saved
time, for he went backward and forward over
the spot several times before he was certain
that he had found the faint traces of a path
that turned down one of several of the gulchcs
that led away from the main road. When tlm
others caught up with him he led the any
down carefully, holding Kate’s home by. the
bridle, until at last, in a little (Ii-8h, “Ob-rim
ing ofdogs toldthemthatthoy wen-anaes- tea
habitation of some kind. A canhl ,
showodtham a long,low «bin against 60
sideofthelu'lhandalmosthlddm. by in aha-
dow. Whilathoylooked,thou was am
gleam of light, showing that some one was
within. - , . .

Up. to the door went the party, and Alabas-
ter-Jim gave,onitoroughalaba,aeveralro—
sounding thumps, which were answered hyvtho
sudden opening of alittle shutter immediately
above. - Immediately‘ afterward, they could

'hear the clicks of two pistol locks, on tho‘ham-

mers were forced back, and that tho-tones of
a voice that evidently belonged to a female
coarse though they were:

“An-ah, now, go ’way wid yes, ye Having
spalpeens! It’s cowld load an’ plinty av it yo’ll
be aftber gettin’, if yes bothers Irish Holly.
Sure I’m good for any four av ye; pn’ yea
wouldn’t harm a lone woman. If it’s mate
and drink, an’ lodgin’s yer afther, go on wid
yes. Sure it’s on’ya trifio av a few miles to

“Easy, easy; good Lord! Yer tongue
goes along like water in a flame, an’ wouldn’t
think 0’ stoppin’ till you went over that dam.
Listen till yer hear what’s . wanted an’ see if
you won’t do a good turn' an’ put money in
yer pocket. Hyer’s a man half dead, been
plugged by road-agents, on’ can’t-go a step
furdar. He’ll pay well if you‘ll let him an’
his dartor in fur that night.”

“Oh, do,” broke In Kata. “Hurry,open
the doorl Any place will do. Baal He may
bedying now; and we are no beggars. .Wo
willpayy’ou ahundred times over for your

nose.

The soft, pleading voice of Kate, who had
spnmg lightly down tron-her horse, had an in-
stant eflect.

“ Bliss yer swate tongue, it’s an honest
yea are, an it’s in yeoome. Wait a minute till
oi make the door open.”

.the town.”

8

 

. , . , I
The shutter closed, but almost immediately ‘

Irish Molly appeared below. -

She was a tall, stoutly built woman, dressed
in rather a nondescript costume, and around her
waist was strapped a belt in which hung a
brace of revolvers, but she looked with rather
a kindly blue eye upon the girl, who stepped
quickly in, followed by Soft Hand, who car-
ried Harold Wilkins in his arms as easily as
though he was a child.

“Lay him on the bed, jintly. He looks
most reddy for a wake, but don’t be froight-
ened, darlint, avick! we’ll make a new mon av
him, praise the Virgin.”

Alabaster Jim halted on the threshold, and
peered curiously around the room.

It was lighted by asingle candle, and was
long and narrow. In one corner, where the
rays of the candle fell the brightest, was a low
couch, and upon this the man from Cinnabar
laid his burden softly down. Away on the
opposite side of the room, where the shadows
were deepest, it seemed to him that he could
make out the outlines of a human figure, silent,
motionlb ss, and yet living.

Who was it, and why lurking there? He
gave a step within the room; and at the same
time the figure moved forward toward him,
and he saw that it belonged to a woman. No
man had that light, pantherish step combined
with that graceful,‘ airy movement.

Right in front of him this woman halted,
and gazed upon him with a searching look,
which he returned with interest, for die scarcely
was the kind'of person that he expected to find
in Irish Molly's‘ranoh.

- She seemed to be about twenty years of age,
and was clad in a suit of loosely fitting black
velvetgwhileiheresmall, slender feet were cased
in stony-fitting; light boots. Pushed back from
her race was a bread—brimmed black sombrero,
over the rim of which trailed away a long
feather of the same color. Her eyes were large
and’black, her features rarely well out, and
ova-em shoulders, in a great, unconfined wave,
fella mass of raven hair." r

'» To Alabaster Jim she spoke shortly, and yet
with a pleasant voice, nodding toward the lit-
tle group at the‘eoneh. A

“What medns this? Did you say yonder
man had fallen nt- the hands of Captain Skull’s
men!" ' ‘v- ' ‘

“That's the size of the yarn, miss, an’ I
guess yOu’li ssu it a true bill."

"and ass-races it come that he seems dying,
w’hiledh‘e restloryou are unhartf"

0mm on chances, miss. One of the boys
had 1" yard} om‘yondernleastwin, he‘s a
pm with tablpistols, for outside ov his shootin’
I Iddn’tihow‘ him wuth a cent—lined, an' be
git tilt Wop-Spine, for he \kuowsnall “ther

cement is taught himaflyself, far
I inelsloubhlif‘l‘doblow my» own horn‘. Se
' lblae pl? went- on,’ an’ dosed old: man WiL
who didn’t “know no bettereihen to be
’ in ther road, an’ that opened ther ball.
"we “Min, a hundred an' fifty pounds
thktqnalo‘hcm-an'l th’er way we hustled
than agent was three cautions an' a' half.
 ovt'anlfi layin’ up- there yit',
outlay 'em staid while fbr a talk, au' ther ran

Vigil

many: 'I‘lfi lightnin' on ther shoot, but

nhtu ain't bloodtflrsty, so I let. 'em go.”

41; you m [In away With the agents;
something that no one .else has done?" -

‘ “M’r'tbr hill; large type, In‘ red let-
ten’HK  ‘.. 1‘ - , '

‘iiltseems strange; men that act seldom talk
so mu“ Are yowoertain that you are acting
My by yondc man, who seems scarcely
able‘to’pich undillboeevfor himself? You look
more like a road-ago! yourself. You are no
honest miner.”

Alabaster Jim gave utterance to a frank,
hearty laugh. -
“Oh, I‘m talking fur two, that’s all, my
pardner never opens his mouth except fur
rocks, so I hev to lseep ther mill Stream run-
nin’. I’m sorry yer don’t like my flzzynog-
nomy fur it’s ther best l’ve got, end. N a heap
sooner ner not be‘yer friend. Pin a good man
to tie to, leetle pard, fur Alabaster J ini comes
to stay when he once hitches on.”

“Thanks, but my friends are few. Irish
Molly is one—she once saved my life—but I
hardly'think I need you, though who knows?
Ive a presentiment I shall see more of those
people over yonder, and perhaps of you. Stand
aside; I am no longer wanted hora”

Alabaster Jim drew respectfully to one
side; but before geing the girl stepped forward
and tor one moment gazed fixedly at the

 

Piste Pards.

., .4.-. ._-... a..__,_____

 

wounded man, and the two forms hanging into the Hall, but went by it, and wandered a

over him. Then she turned, passed out and
soon the steps of her galloping steed were audi-
ble, as, at full speed, she sought the trail that
passed the Red Cat Gulch.

A few minutes later Alabaster Jim, having
taken a look at the wounded man, and held a
short conference, also took his departure, but
when he reached the main road he turned to
the left sharply, and made his way to the camp
which he had ltft but a few hours before.

 

CHAPTER X.
INTO AN AKBUSH.

“ HELLO, psi-d, how’s the old man gittin‘i
Ef you’ll take a fool‘s advice you’ll git him out
o‘ thar en quick 92 he’ll do to move, of not
quicker, an’ keep a handsome look-out fur yer-
self. I wouldn’t be surprised ef they was
reachin' fur ye now.”

“ Who!" was the terse unawer.

The speakers were Alabaster Jim and the
stranger from Cinnabar. It was several even~
ings after the swoop of the road-agents, and as
the latter came galloping into too town the
former strutted out of the Star of Empire,
looking on very good terms with himself and
the rest of the world. He was, indeed, a pros«
perous man, for he had been fortunate enough
to sell his captured horse to a party that was
leaving southward, and a fair run of luck at
cards had set him quite on his feet.

“Oh, I’ll never tell; but a nod orter be ez
good ez a. wink. Agents mebbe; some‘n else
jist ez likely. But how about ther old maul”

“ Better. I’ll bring him through.”

“And hev yer seen anything ov ther black-
eyed spitflre ag'in? Who is she? Ef she’s
round ther ranch much I wouldn’t mind comin’
out, jist to see them peepers sparkle; but from
the way she looked when she leftl suggest she’s
on’y part 0’ ther fioatin' popurlation.”

The other shook his head with a nod that
might mean half a dozen things.

“0h, dog-gone it, ye’r’ a sport, I know; but
ye’r’ a mighty silent one. Hev’n’t yer nothin’
to say?”

“Not much—put it there, pard, and then I’ll
move 0n. I’ve got to seaMitchell, of the An-
gels, and I’m in av desperate hurry." »

He held out his‘hand questiOningly, and Jim
responded by placing his own on it with a re-
sounding smack.

“ Thar it ar’l I‘m a rough an’ a tough, but
I’m a good one to tie to, an’,don’t you fnrgit it.
I‘m stirrin’ ’em up hyer, an’ that’s a chanoe'fur
lots ov fun of you’vmgdt ther nerve; but, say,
you look out fnra Mexican manta-dealer, Pedro
Mercado, that runs things hyer sometimes.
He‘s a hand man, an’ some day he’ll be layin'
for ye.” .

“ I’m looking! So long 3"

“Yes, ye’r lookin’,” muttered Jim to him-
self, “ an’ if ye’r satisfied with that why should
1 bu’st myself tryin’ to tell yer somethin’
mobbe I only dreamed; but I‘ll be ’round, allee
samee. Thar’s more money in this‘ plan, an’
Alabaster Jim’s goin’ fur it. Ef. hdd only
buckle rkht down to work what stunnia’ pards
we'd Ml”

Atthedhought of so much lost opportunity

the sport sighed-softly, and made his wayto»

ward Hoodlum Hall, where, despite an occa~
sisnal black look, he was as mnch.-at home as
any of them.

.0! course his return to thecamp had elicited
some comment, but he had heldth peace until
the rumor got abroad that the coach on which
he had gone out had been stopped by agents.
Then they interviewed him in regard to the
affair, and he gave an account that was built
with a solid corner stone of truth, but the bal-
ance of the foundation was so large that it wu
hard to find it.

When asked what had become of the coach
his answer was that it had gone on; and to a
further question whether the rest of the pas-
sengers had gone with it he responded that
they could not prove it by him, as he ran his
own vehicle and the balance of the world might
walk for all he cared. ,He thought to himself
that it might be as well to say nothing of the
trio he had left. at Irish Molly’s; and he was
disgusted with Soft Hand for venturing into
town, and so running the risk of being followed
back. For the sake of Wilkins and his
daughter it would have been better to have re-
mained hidden. .

As he went along he was revolving these
matters in his mind. and as a result, to carry
out certain trains of thought, he did not turn

 

;
I
l
!

 

little down the gulch. When he came back he
had a glimpse of a boyish figure that shot in
through a side door.

He halted and slapped the brim of his hat
until it stood straight back from his brow.
There was something familiar about the figure
and be wondered what it was doing there. In-
stead of entering, as he had intended, he
lounged about, waiting until the suppositious
boy should reappear. He did not believe it
wasa boy at all. He believed it was the girl
that he had seen at Irish Molly‘s.

The boy did reappear, followed by a tall,
wicked-faced Mexican. At the door they con-
versed but a minute and then separated; but
that minute was sufficient.

“ They’re after him, sure enough, an’ little
Black Eyes hes gone back on him. My ears
an’ eyes kin beat any such game, every time.
Ther little girl‘s goin’ out ov town an' there’s
no use to follow her; but we’ll see what Pedro
pulls up at."

Carefully he followed the Mexican until
finally he saw him halt near the Seven Angels,
when he was joined by Victor Page.

The two held a short conference but there
was no earthly way of getting within earshot,
as he had by the merest chance succeeded in
doing once before. He could only guess at
what was said, and he saw them part without
knowing more of their business than he did be-
fore.

“ They’re wuth ther watching?” he thought
to himself, “an’ I’ll keep an eye on ‘em. Ef
they get away from Alabaster Jim they can
call him a hip-shot elephant an’ a condemned
old scarecrow on wheels."

But watch though he might, that night there
was no reward for his vigilance, since Pedro
dealt monte for the rest of the evening and the
most of the night, as unconcerned as though he
had no secret that he was hiding from the
world, and Jim heard him say that he in-
tended, the next evening, to start for another
mining camp some forty miles away.

At sunrise it was certain that Mercado was
sleeping in the little shanty that be called his
home; and at sunset it was just as certain
that he had disappeared from Tierra Roxo
without Alabaster Jim, who was fascinated
for the time by a poker table, being any the
wiser. The trail was lost; and it proved no
easy matter to take it up again; and meantime
Pedro was arranging for work. .

AeViotor Page had announced that he in-
tended to-loek at the mining features of '-Tierra
Roxo, and had engaged board at the Seven
Angels for a week. with a possible extension,
he could come and go withoutquostion; and
he did come and go, but so carefully that
no one once suspected that he had any other
busineu than looking at mines, and cam g for
the health of his sister who had medical ad-
vice to live in the open air, and in thaaaddle.

Only one man kept an eye on him; though
fortunately, or unfortunately, ju‘ whmsosne-
thingof real importance waaou the carpet,
an interesting game of draw, with a wonder-
ful balance of~luak and skill,~elaimed his atten-
tim, and; for the time, he forgot Pedro Mer-
cado, Victor Page, and. his suspicions. If he
had heard Page’s parting words, that he failed
to catch, he might have been more on the
dart. r

“Iwillbeonthewatch, andifhecomes in
the evening we will know what to do. Bring
him tothe ,cld mission—and alive; you will
find us there, and everything must be ready.
Do your work with any kind of careaud he
will never be missed, or asked for, and once I
have him safe I care not what becomes of those
at the ranch."

So when Pedro slipped out of town with
lame, revolvers and knife, he was bound for no
forty mile trip to the Southern mining camps;
but doubled back on his trail, and that night
lay in wait, with two men, north of the camp,
by the side of the road that ran past the head
of Red Cat Gulch.

In the darkness they crouched like three
great, human spiders, and in his right hand
Pedro held a coiled lasso, a terrible weapon in
such a hand as his, for straight around his
mark he could fling it, at any reasonable dis-
tance, with nnerring aim, even in such dim
light as that which lay along the road beneath
him.

For several hours the three had waited; ever
since Soft Hand had dashed by on his way to-
ward town. “fell hidden behind the crest of
a bank, some fifteen or twenty feet above the

  I , 9

 

 

 

 

I ‘ i
man I must be; so, if you mean business, I him, and while. he slept,“ the risk of life to

trail, they had lurked in utter loneliness, since .‘
examine him. After that there could be no

not another living soul had passed. 3 suppose you may as well go on with the circus.”
“ Curses on the kiote, why does he wait !" “Do not be impatient. I have yet another more doubt. We laid in wait for him. As he
muttered the Mexican, tired with the long witness against you. Varna, stand forth!” } passed, a lasso dragged him from his horse and
vigil. “It is getting darker and if I miss my At the call a female figure glided from the  threw him senseless to the ground. . Then he
fling there will be work to do for your re- shadow of adoorway, and stood facing the l was bound and brought hither. He knows
volvers." . ibound man.  new to whom he is indebted for this tardy
“ Whistl ll’hat's that! By the powers. he’s ’ “ Pierre Redctte, you know me.” ‘ vengeance. and it is useless longer to delay.
coming nowl” I She was a wonderfully handsome woman,  Watch him and you will not doubt. There is
One of his companions held up his hand ’ this velvet clad beauty that stood there, with 7 the same c0vert sneer on that accursed n.0utl
warniiigly, and all listened. l a cruel smile on her full lips, and her dark ' that we knew so well.”
Sure enough in the distance they heard a I eyes sending a stream of hatred straight to ‘ As he ceased speaking Page clapped his
galloping horse, Pedro swung the luriat : those of the prisoner. There wasabroad, low . hands.
1003er to see that it was ready for use, and the brow, lined by delicately curved eyebrows; A moment after two men can e lewly into
others cocked their pistols softly. there was a face whose every feature Seemed , the vault, almost staggering under the weight
“S'posin’ it’s not him? S’pOsin‘ you yank most truly regular, and whose complexion, lof along. narrow, heavy box.

M

...-,........ ., 

 

ther wrong man off, what yer goin‘ to do
about it?” suggested the third man of tLe
party.

Mercado drew the edge of his left hand
across his throat, from right to left.

“ Turn his pockets out and fling him in the
bushes. What business has he riding this trail
to night?"

Nearer and nearer came the rider. They
could see hizform bending forward slightly in
the saddle. He rode with a loose rein, and
the mustang was going its own gait, a swift
gallop.

As he came nearer, Mercado swung his cord
around his head to gather momentum, and
then, suddenly rising and stepping forward he
made his cast at the man directly below him.

Small blame to the man from Cinnabar if,
taken unawares, there was no resistance made.

“Ah!” he exclaimed, as the noose settled
around him.

Then with a. heavy crash he fell head-first
from his saddle to the ground, and lay motion-
less, while the mustang, free of its burden and
wild with terror, darted into the night at a
racing run. -

” We have him; now for the mission and the
gold!” ‘

And Pedro, followed by his companions
leaped down the bank, and ran to the side of
the inanimate man.

 

CHAPTER XI.
You wear 1113..

Want 80ft Hand had fairly recovered his
senses he found himself propped up against
what seemed bbethe wall of a.cellar,-nnd
hound hand and foot. A lantern cast rather a
feeble light on the scene; and directly facing
him was a man who held, pointed at him, a
cooked revolver, and who now, seeing that he
was conscious, growled out the words: '

“ You must die!”

“Ah, indeed! Why!”

Thom woo savage; the answer Was too
careless to be defiant.

“ You oak tht question?
me!”

“By sight and hearsay simply.
told me you were Victor Page.” .

' “ Yes. I-am the brother of Allan Page."

“Ah! I didn’t know there was such a man
as Allan Page, though somehow the name
leemc familiar.”

“Wntch! Doro you fiout me in that way?
There lives no such man now because you
killed him." -

“I? Oh, you must be mistaken. I don’t re—
member anything about it if I did; and my
record’s not, such a long one that I could have
forgotten him. No! I don’t think I did. I
shot a man named Payne at Alamoeo, once.
Bulb'th is the nearest that I ever cone to
m” r ’

Sunly you know

Some one

‘ “Oh, I did not think you were so cowardly

u tonttempt to escape nay-just vengeance by a
new ,

“Hold an, hold on! I’m not trymgto escape;

That’s not my word. Whui they double bank

I sometimes ‘mtire.’ I’m willing to do that
haw. ,All the name I know of no reason why
you should be hungering formy blood. If you
muhydidn’tyou cellupandsettlel l was
dwm rain”

“I tell you you slew him, cruelly, treachero‘

ously, wantooly,» when he was your guest,
whenho had confided his life and Infetyto
yourhandl. Youturncdhimuriftlnm
open hoot. without most, all, or provisbns,
Bis shrivded corpse was found on the bench,
five hundred miles from where you been your
murder.” . ,

.“Thatweso rough sort of a journey for
him to an; I «don‘t wonder-he was wilted
bambogottotheshore. A cruel sort of a

 

olive and peach, had only been highteued in
beauty by sun and wind; there was a form,
just alittle over the medium hight, that was
rounded out with the most faultless curves, and
the hand that she raised was long, slender, and
altogether shapely.

For an instant the captive did not answer;
and as she watched his soft gray eyes she saw
them actually glow with a. flash of admiration.
When he answered, however, it was in the
same careless tone in which he had spoken be-
fore: v

, “Excuse me, miss, but though it’sbad man-
ners to contradict a lady, you’re twice mis-
taken. I’m not Pierre Redette, and I don‘t
know you. Unless—"

He stopped suddenly, and looked at he
steadily, with a gaze of calm curiosity. '

“ Unless!”

“ You might be Sapphire. I’ve heard of her. ”

The black eyes flamed with sudden fury.

“ Villain, would you flout me? I am Vania
Page that was; I am Varna Redette that is. I
am your wife—deeply Wronged, grievously
slighted, and now come to take vengeance. It
was for the sake of that yellow-haired siren,
whose name was too Ioiledthen topass my lips
now, that you slew my brother. Oh! 8. WO-
man’s revenge 'for slight and scorn may come
slow; but it is sure and terrible at the lost. If
she. lives doubt not that I will find her, vain
though the Search may so far have been; and
as you die the lingering death to which we
have decreed you, you can console yourself
with the thought that she too shall suffer."

. “ Excuse me, madam, if madam it is; but
I’m not Pierre Redette. It’s true I had some
other name long ago, so long that I forget
whether it was Tow, Dick or Harry, but at
present they call me Soft Hand. I‘m sure I
never would have had the bad taste to run after
any yellow-haired siren if‘ I had been blessed
with a handsome, amiable spouse like yourself;
so you see it’s all a mistake. At the some time
I never want to spoil sport, and I‘m not very
fond of living anyhow. Thatlnst is the rea-
son, I suppose, that I’ve always pulled through
with all the advantages against me. Maybe if
I die, the real, out-aud-out Pierre Redette will
be all the happier for it. It’s a little awkward,
this being trussed up here, and I know I don’t
show 0! to good advantage, but Lhope, in the
future, you’ll remember me a little kindly, as
a man that died cheerfully for your accommo-
(lotion, and if you ever find out your. mistake
don’t worry. I’ve had an unpleasant life so
far, and really you are doing me a favor. I

’ reckon there’s some money in this, too, some-

wheree. There generally is. If so, and you can
spare the stamps, I wish you'd put'up a stone
slob, witha silver plate on it, and on the plate;
‘Soft Hand, aged 28. He was a competent
nun). You see I‘ve been a competent man
all the time, but the world wouldn’t have me
at any price. That’s all now; drive on with
the hearse.” .

Even the woman, with all her hate, was put-
zled at the soft, even, utterly unconcerned man-
ner of the man, whose eyes were fixed upon
.her in regretrather than anger, as he made
this, for him, wonderfully long speech.

But Victor Pa who had drawn a little to
one side, and had been studying the almost
colorless face of him he called Rcdette,
desire: forwand at this, his eyes sparkling with
wret

g“ Would you allow his glib tongue oncemore
to deceive you! Here, look!_ By this sign I
knew him.” _ .

As he spoke he torso nthe clothing of Soft
Hand at the roost, mdpdiselosed n his bo-

som a blue circle, to upon the

fiahinphecenterof which was a red heart, ,along"

and a hand. - .
,“DidInot tell on that he had the mark
upon his breast! bad slurp eyes to watch

With them came a third, carrying a second
lantern.

Soft Hand gave a. lightning glance at the
three; but little use was it if he hoped to re-
cognize their features. Each had his head on-
veloped in a piece of black crepe. The some
material was twisted around their hands,
while a single garment of white reached from
neck tofoot. Thoroughly masked, were they;
and not a word did they speak as they placed
the box upon the stone floor, and removed the
lid.

Then Victor Page motioned toward Soft
Hand, and with his three masked satellites ap-
proached him, raised him from his feet, placed
him in the box, and hastily fitting the lid upon
it, began, with a hammer that they had brought
in the box, to spike it home with heavy nails.

“Thump! thump! thump!” The blows .
sounded hollowly, the man wi the hammer .
worked with nervous haste, Va stood with
face deathly white holding the lantern high
above her head; and from within the box
there came no sound of curse or prayers. Soft
Hand was game to the last.

——I—

CHAPTER x11.
ALABAS'I'ER Jm rm‘s or A cunt.

PEREAPS two dozen nails held the lid tightly
in place; but the man within was not entirely
cut off from outside air, since, in the foot of
the box, there wore several auger holes. He
was not in immediate flange: of annotation. ,

The work thus far done to their satisfaction
the five stood for a moment in silence. Their
task was not yet completed; and what really
seemed the hardest, [nest cruel part of it was
to be done. v

Yet Victor Page gave no signs of relonflng,
nor repuguonce. To one side of the box he
stopped, and motioned to his men, who each
took one of the three remaining man, and
lifting the coma, with its living contents, they
followed Vama, who passed out through the
door by which the box badbeen linufi. .

Through another room, or cellar they wgt,
and came to a third, if anything damper elm:
the others. In one corner was a heap of
stones, and sonic freshly dug earth, beside
which was cu'opcning. ‘-

Without more ado the box was lowued into
this shallow grave, the dirt was earthly filled
in so that the air was not altogether w
from the one end of the box, and than tho

over. , yes scarcely

have discOvened that there Md been any recent

tampering with the floor. .- ,
Victor Page swung the lantern our the

once or twice, and seeming to be mm It-

. tend the one word: ‘

“ Come !” I , ‘

Silently by his side walked his w; be-
hindhimthethreomcn,who,wkcn , had .
oometothc first room, _ alt dip'

guises, and flung them into
all

siou home. . I - »
“You have dohe so fol-jour- shun of the ‘ 

workwell. Iknowyouondccnwm.

You know“ and must flora, 'u

thctIpr downy a: _' doyclfind ‘
allwelltbemst Will bcgiveutc , tour“ “,5

r
5
.43..

ltimeoneof youmuet kwpneycufioopot

all the time, to see thatno
ourknowlsdge. 'I‘herom ,
undivided» watches, so 
greattask. Ifyoeneedneyooqi _pc
attho Angels. Pedro,”

 

on
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When they had gone perhaps twenty yards
Victor turned to thewflan by his side.

“Pedro, I know and trust you; but how
about the others? Are they safe?"

“There is a risk, thousand fiends! there is a
risk. They are devils to fight and drink and
gamble, and care for nothing; but some day
they may get cut down, and then, when they
are dying, they will te.l all. That is the dan-
ger.” ‘

“They have been well paid; in their pockets
thcre is already a small fortune. Perhaps,
however, you can lighten them of some of that.
I wish it could all have gone to you. Can you
not try their skill at monte?"

“ No cards with them for me. They would
work together, for they are both Americanos,
and I would lesc every dollar."

“ It is a pity. Besides what they have there
is another thousand more for them when the

third day is over.”
' The Mexican gave a shiVer; and yet proba- ]

bly he did not know it. Spite of himself there

was something too awful about what was to ’

happen between now and the third day.
“Yes,”'continued Page. “Three thousand
dollars'is a fortune for one man. Among
three it does not go tar. When I had it all I
thought .1 was rich. Oh, well; I will have a
hundred or two with which to reach ‘Frisco,

-and there Iwill go to work to make more.

Revenge satisfied, labor comes easy.” "

Page talked as though for himself. Even
keen-witted Pedro did not see that temptation
was eliberately thrust upon him. One

thousa (1 dollars had seemed to him a large ‘

sum; but now he yearned alter the three. In
a voice thatguivered 'a little he asked: '

“ The rest of the three thousand is not for .
If anyth‘ng should ‘

the work, but the secret.
happen to the Ameriéans, and I x-hotlld hold
the secret alone, would it not be worth just as
much for me to keep it, as for three?"

“Yes, yes,” hastily answered Victor. “ But

‘ what can happen to them” within three days!

We‘will talk no more-0t it. Be watchful and
it anything happens let know. At the
end of three“ days come snieg to the gulch
near the'Angels andreceive your reward.

rNow go‘back, for it is time that Varnaaud

-I were gone.”
The two separated, and Victor went on to
join his sister; who had gone on and left

'them alone together.

They were brave after a sort, these three
villain, 'for in spite of the fearful deed in

the cellar the ruined mission seemed to have'

no terrors for them. On guard they remained
careless; reckless, 'only intent upon whiling
away their three days’ probation. They had a
somebody of‘coarse fare‘ to sustain life, and
they fished it down with water from a spring,

and eopioul draught. of whisky from their *

tall store. “ Pedro, at last, even forgot his scru-

piei’ about cards and joined in a game that’

speedily became interesting. ' g

It was the evening of the third day that
Victor“ Page waited, according to agreement,
in the little m a quarter of a mile from the
Wit. It: the interim ‘be had taken life

coolly, and not’a soul of those who looked eh

m could-have can from his face the deeper-
as game‘s” was playing, yet the most trying
motion was the'half-hour he waited here,
alone in the shadows. ' - '
hard 'flme in last, and as Victor caUglit

v ' . dght‘fifhihran evil smile curved his lips, for

he felt sure that the seed he had sown had
produced good truit. '
“Tm like,” whispered Pedro.

‘» “lies; And be others!" -

 “1'1. wasa chance. We playédtards. They
I had- my pistols ' ready and shot
W The: I' left the 'mrds between
“(ligand the  and in the pocket of each
ataw dollars, and came away. This a what

it

. : Whit  Ielalm the full reward, for

the m nan-o alone." ’
- flamed out my hands; and they sup-

!“ m t, to? he held the three ‘
no"? ‘ Men the first installment

"Item‘s-aims!  a could not
 It‘d ‘ " or «theirs; Iwill

main! in , *;oiw it they coma
it llnot b‘s’well‘for on." .

      
 

. rm co 'back will be just-ahead

of W now, but when you’veana

 oa call (or Pedro Men-ado and
" mghdweeiiihesetwowould |

My. The Mexican received

thank you, and turned away, while Victor
Page went back to the Angels. This wild re-
gion needed him no longer, and on the morrow
he and Varna must leave, to work out other
plots and other plans.

As the Mexican went away he chuckled to
himself.

“ Ha, ha! ,Three thousand dollars have I
easily earned; and the best of it is that it will
not stop there. Victor Page will have mil-
lions; and 1, Pedro Mercado, bandit and out-

‘ law, will have him for my banker. I will be
his leech, to drain him of what will be dearer
- to him than his blood. He and his proud sis-
ter will see me again when their purse has been
- refilled. I know their secret; and they need
‘ not fear that I will not no it well. i know
i what itis tobe haunted, and I will teach-them
' the lesson that I have learned. Pedro, you
i are a made man.”
And just then there came an interruption,
‘ too sudden to be even a surprise. -
‘ From the bushes at the side of the path which
i he was following a man stepped out and tapped
 him lightly on the shoulder.
l "‘80 yer killed ’em, did yer, pardl Yer a
E noble ole Roman, you be; but, pard, you must
 make a. divy. Three thousand dollars! Why,
1 it’d wear yer out cart-yin” 0v it. Shell out,
Pedro, my buck, shell out; an’ don’t be slow
about it." ‘ -

Pedro turned like lightning, and in his hand
flasln'd a.knife. If he had had a little more
warning he would have drawn a revolver,
which might have been better for him; but,
tukt-n unawares, the steel was his instinctive
weapon. '- - -

“ Thet‘s it, is it?" said the intenloper, coolly.
“ No noise, no nonsenseflm" iher best man wins.
, Ono er ther t’other will tote iher hull pile; an’
1 I reckon that’ll be me.” -

"‘ Curses on you, prowling coyote, you know
! too much. You leave not this spot alive. You
would rob me, would you? Well, I will take
your life, thou worthless vagabond."-

As the Mexican growledout these words he
sprung at the other, striking as he came.

But if he thought with one blow to crush the
vagabondish-looking man, who'had drawn a
knife as broad andhs keen as his own, he Was
woefully mistaken. A streng, skillful wrist
had the man, and a vastly cooler head. There
was the cling-clang of steel meeting-steel, as
he parried the first thrust, and for the mbment
stood on the defensive. Then, like a tiger, he
began an attack that was short and deadly.
Before a minute had elapsed Pedro foil, stricken
deftly through the-heart, and the -victor was
kneeling by his side riding his pockets. lib-om
them he transferred to his own their heavy
load oligeld, and A! package of papers. '

“ Pedro. yOu Were a. rdoster; but yer crowed
too soon. You’ve lost yer pards, you’ve lost
yer gold, you’ve lbst yen life; an’ Alabaster
Jim holds yer secret. Let'b see of he can’t
work it fur all it’s'wuth.:’

I the wages of his guilt without so much as a
I
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CHAPTER XII I.
vrcroa mos: M‘sxas A msnrm

TERRA Rom was the original name of the
'mining-‘camp which nestled among the. gulclms
near the old, deserted mission-house of Santa
Brigida, but 'as it Was divided up into seven!
seetions, with diverse interests, and a prepon-
derance ofAmerioans in its population, it had
‘seversl other nambs that were easier of pro-
nunciation, and in the opinibn oi the miners a
good deal’ more appropriate. Hangtown Bar
was one, and it would have stuck, perhaps, bad
it not “been for other Hangtowns of greater
age, if not of more present importance, but'tha
name‘has sincebeen forgotten, though at that
time greatly in vogue. ' It was a place where
men attended to their own business, and looked
with suspicion upon any one who attempted to
interest himssli in the aims; of w neighbor.
As there was alwa'ys a large floating population
there, that camé t'odéy and left tomorrow,
, the advent of Victor was scarcely noted,
i imdhis exodus not likely to  much,”—
5 tention. He had come ostensibly to look It
1 the camp with an eyeto investment, and as he
; reallyhafl a claim to leave behind in the bald!
, fit a partner, with whom he had mailae’ 701‘!

beralarrangsmonu, whatco be m _ ‘
' Thefieven Angels, not-wt ing' its high
wun’ding title,had rather prim!“ accommode'
tions, for which aprica was asked that at- first
- sight seemednlmost atorhltant; but as it won
the'only boast that had much ,‘ “:30
on

 

 

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was like.

 

was at once commanding and convenient, and
as the rush to the camp was on, every one
payed without grumbling, or went where there
were cheaper rates and longer credits.

From his interview with Pedro, Victor Page
had come back exultant. His work at Hang-
towu was finished, and his arrangements to
leave were completed, though of course he
would not take his departure before the next
morning.

His first impulse was to confide his intelli-

gence to Vama. She had a little room ad-
joining his own, scarcely more than half a
dozen feet square. To enter it one passed
through a door that led from the hall: but as
the partitions were of coarse canvas, which, at
one time, had received a coat or two of
paint, and as he had already opened communi-
cations by means of a slit in the material,
made with his bowie knife, Victor entered his
own room, for he had. something about him
which he wished to deposit in his saddle-bags.
- He approached the partition, and listened.
Beyond he could faintly hear the regular
breathing of the occupant of the other room.
Softly the breath came and went. as if the
person was inc calm and peaceful slumber.

An impatient look overspread his face.

“ She sleeps like a child,” he muttered. ." It
is hardly worth while to waken her, and yet I
would have liked to have had some talk with
her.” - » . , ‘

The truth was that he was wide awake, and
too restless to think of retiring. He looked at
his.rough bed with a scowl of disgust, and
then .lighting a cigar, seated himself. st the
window. .

The weed failed to quiet his nerves. He
looked down upon the town and hesitated. At
times, there came to his ears quite distinctly a
burst of music, mingled with a roar of voices.
The Star of Empire was in full blast.

He knew nothing of the place but its name
and nature, though he could fancy what it
A hundred patrons would make a
lively little business. for it, and of.all the nn‘a-
ers within supporting distance it-wae“ only the
few staid, sober ones that did not give it a call
on Saturday evening. He ind some speaking
acquaintances in the camp, and would be
likely to meet them there, so, after a momen-

taiy hesitation, he girtdnhis weapons again, _ '

and went down. I

As lie-came up to the open door of the Star
he saw that there was something unusual in
the air. The music had suddenly ceased, the
shouts had dropped teen undertone, that ..was
almost a whhper, while thamen weregathered
around the room in reaps, looking irOm one
to another, half suspiciously, halt defiantly.

“ What’s up? what’s the go?” asked Victor,
somewhat carelessly ashe pushed his way into
the room. ‘ .

“ That’s what’s up- bloodymurder. r Thor’s
been too much of that work hyer, an’ it’s. got
to be stamped out. Ar’- you man enough to
help do it?" ‘ . ‘

The speaker was a rough-looking miner, Who
seemed to be hot with an honest' indignation.
As he stbkehe pointed tova stiflened corp”:
that lay stretched on a table, you where it
was deposited unceremoniously by thee men,
who had stalked in with' the body .betwew
them. ‘ -

“ I’m always with the friends of law an
order,” answered Victor, and he glanced at the
corpse, certainly without any idea of‘beiug
able to identity it. . ' , ' -

It was something of a shock; -

Stretched but there, with glaring eyes, hang-
ing jaw, the life-blood on face and garments,
arithad oozed or spurred from halfadoze
wounds, was Pedro Mercado. - '

“ Good heavens!” was his instant exclama-

tion at the recognition. Then he as instantly
added: “How shocking!" " ' 
' Nevertheless, a moment liter'he‘ had'not
only recovered all his self-pouch; but was
conscious of something like amnion; With
Pedro dead the knowledge’d Wm would
never come to the world, since the hot “these
was gone. ' x ‘ ‘

Thelastl. No not the" M;daceVarnastill
lived. Yet tie! he could trust-fa- rthne'at
hastendthen— We then, Victor Page
had always‘taksn'caro W, and always
would; but there Were rename, solid nn'd con-
vin‘ci’ag,‘ why she should live; and so "for
through life the Pages had been very true-to
each other. Jtut now ‘ however there was
something more than thought reduced. The
wordsof the miner had stirred up" others, who

 

 

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looked at him to answer for them as‘well as for
himself.
“It has been murder, most foul. You speak
truly. We, here, are the law, and it is time
for the law to act. I am ready, and I believe
the rest of you are. What cm be done? Where
is the culprit .7”
“ He will be taken, never fear. Half a dozen
of us were together, striking for the St'ar,
awhen we came upon the body.
lrcught it hereI while the rest followed oi! on
the trail. He can‘t (’.~C'l}.l8 thcm, but if they
don‘t come soon mare of us must join in the
hunt."

“I am ready, for one,” answered Victor;

and a dozen others chimed in. offering them-
selves as human sleuthhounds, to hunt down
tl‘ ‘ murderer. '

Nor did they remain inactive long, but sally-

ing forth from the Star, a force of fullya}

score, under the guidance of the men who had
found the ,corpse, they went straight to the
spot where Pedro had fallen, and finding the
trail of the three pursut-r's, tollowel it straight
along a. path from which no one seemed to have
departed either to the right or to the lclt.
“’Tain’t hard to see whar "this are goin’ to
bring out at,” whispered the man who walked
at the side of Victor Page. f’ It’s bin a cuss cz
knows ther ropes ’round hour, but don’t ’spect
thar’s goin’ to be ary 'cdunt took ov findiu‘
ther stiff ov a dead Greaser. \Von‘t‘ he jump
when he hears ther jedgment horn a-tobtin’?”
Page had already begun to look suspiciously
around. He did not like the way that'he was
uniting. He had ' his suspicions. And there
was something _weird and horrible in being one
of this silent score, that was mercilessly
tracking the murderer. If the truth wbre all
known how 300!) the rest of the pack would
turn “and rend him. Shlvposihg sainethiog
should happen that they would Iearn'it! Ia’as
low a tone he’aiisw ered: ' ‘ ,
“ What do you mean! Which wuy are We
gains?" ' i .
“ Ef thar ain‘t been some mistake we'll fetch
up at ther old mission} E: a jin’ral thing that’s
nothin‘ thar but kiotes an’ owls; but now an’
then‘ that’s a two-legged wolf slips, in ter hide,
an’ I reckon we’ll find one} they to-night. Ef

so, Oregon Hank won’t be kerrym’ that las’ l

rope fur nothin’. "

This time Victor shivered in spite of'himself.
and looked around as though he was the wolf
that was being hunted. Of all places the ruin-
ed mission was the last that he wished to go to,

But there was no way for him to csca .
Mentally he cursed his lolly in thrusting him-
self forward on an expedition which he might
have avoided. He never would have been so
foolish if the thought had not ‘occurred that
some one might have seen him, at some time,
converting will! the now defunct Pedro, and
attempt to call him tO'hccount for not giving
some sign. This why he was speaking by his
actions. He ‘was in for it now, since chance

had thrbwn 'him‘in the center of the Crowd. -

WhateVer developments might cotne he must
accept. He felt of his weapons, and nerved
himself for the mental strain that he knew
must came, and’vvent boldly on.

There was‘ no mistake now Iihout the objec-
tive point. The dark outline of the old mis-
sion was at last in view.

'And just as they came within any two hun- ‘
dred yards of the Walls, they heard faint yells.

and the-muffled report ‘of'perha’ps halt a
dozen pistol-shots, following each other in rapid
succession. ' ' ‘ . ' ' ’

At that the score set up ashont and dulled
tonawgt‘ii. s“illhe gas? had been run to a hole
an own lit. The expected to see
* smm- =...’ a ‘

i , range-ml buildl' through
the  sheaths ohe sidéj‘therewas
a 'laugh without, folowod by the
dischar of a revolver, and the soundof a
horse, dd recklessly away. ’ - -

There would have bola an immediate
stampede in that direction had it not [Den
that than ame’ amt at".
ward at howl from oOlnewhem within ind
below. As ‘a result"'half“ a damn-an elm.
lessly‘aftet‘tho vanishing horseman, while

the . {Del ‘V ‘ Pm ‘ 'Med !
fining atonemaymch 10a, so tired»

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Arumodorormowdn Wed

Three of us -

ing vigorously enough to furnish a very good
guide to where he lay. Moreover‘there was
a faint glimmer of light almost immediately
visible, and among the first Victor Page pushed
his way to the spot that he knew only too well,
and halted at the doorway.

A lighted lantern illuminated the scene.

Three men Were them, in various stages of

dirt and stones, showmg that the grave so care—

fully covered had in some way been found and

torn open. I -
Half sick, Page leaned against the stone

the stairway, and some one below-was shout-
l
r
l He could not go further; and he dared

l W81].
 not flee. He left to others the task of finding
' out what mystery had been revealed.

l The rush of the rest did not cease unfil every
l man had passed Victor: and first of all went
the inan who had appealed to him in the Star
i of Empire saloon, Vs ho gave one amazed glance;
l for three men laid out was not by any means

what he had echcted to see.

“ Hi, Jack McCaw, .what’s up? Did yer find
' him?"

“ You bet. an‘ he war red hot:' an’ I guess
are still a-heatin’. I don’t want him; you
can have him; an’ ef that don’t suit let him

J.” - v

“But how’s this? Are you much hurt? An’
Tom an’ llanryl 'Pears to me they must ’a‘
dOuble banked yer. How many ov ’em, ‘an’
which why did they go?” -

“ Oh, thar war my one of ’em; but be war
a. bu’ster. By ther jumpin’ red-horn rhinos-
keros, he plugged the hull three on us.”

i‘ Ye’r right he did,” interpOsed Tom Denham,
holding up an arm hastily bandaged with a
handkerchief. “ An’ ther wust ovit war we
caught him 'unawar’s an’ we had our irons all
cocked an’ ready. ‘ Surrenderl’ ses we. ‘ Bang,
whang, bang!
an’ each hand held a six. I dunno who fired
‘first’, but I' know in about er second we war all
Ialivated. ‘ You ain’t hurt,’ sez he, ‘ but don’t
try that no more, or next time I’ll play fur.
keeps. ‘Goodenight.’ ’ With that be war gone.
I don’t see how yOu helped meetin’ him'.”

While the redoubtable Tom was speaking,
the new—comers were examiningthe wounded
men. It was easily Seen that the W0 ‘who
had spoken were only marked with flash
wounds, and it turned out that the‘third was
Sh! t through the hand. ' ' " -

“ we may as well see what ther galoo‘t war
up to. We mounted him in yonder hole, an’
it’s my idearthar’s sign, thar, ov foul play.”

Toward the spotinuicated the man crewded;
aw'l one, more daring than the 'rest, leaped in-
to the opening, landing upon the lid of the
l box that aim rested' there, thoughmddehho

 

longer. - -
“Hold ther lantern hyer a minute. That’s
know what'l'li find: but I don’t want to feel
round in ther dark!" ‘ ’ ' .

Aa‘ho spoke the man cast out a long strip , of
the splintered lid, and then held down the
light that had been handed to him. . ‘

“Sure enough,” ‘ho‘wntinued-afm a mo-
ment’s luspectiOm “‘ It's a stiff. This must be
his burylhhground. I ’spose be war gittin"a
place'ready {ur ther Greasor. He does his by
the hullsale, mind ‘I tell yer.” '

"“ls‘he dead?" ‘ - » -

“'Very dead. * Stlfler nor a ramrod.” '

‘ “Haul him out hyer, an’ we‘ll see what he
lboks'llko.
: galoot ‘hyer got a 1651: para!" -
l - Victor Page had stood ta. inquiry so far;
but at the propoml‘to bring the corpse-from
‘ its raking-plate he could remain no longer.
’: There was'a ‘boflom'samewhere to his obn-
scienceless soul. Actually sick. and whitos‘ho
* turned away, and while every. one “has. intent.
i on the expected revelation ho'mado his .way
cut into the open air, and mu back toward
l tho-Seven Angolan“ As he wont be heard a
l scattering volley, perhaps a‘quart'er at o piled
l aw‘ay,»and had little doubt but that the bal-
lanoeofhlspartyhdlfrunamuloflhosuppasedr
WI}. ' " r ' ‘ ' A g
_ Rotated a mom a d lls'téned. z
‘Onflieclea‘r night‘ hematite-r that

on
' ‘ '00‘~mab'thmo'nt.‘As‘thoMnghad
had ‘

 

l

eXoitement, and in the corner was a pile of ’

He jist turned at ther word, ,

Who’s missin’ ironicaan 'Ary " '

I been unearthed in the cellars of the old Ibo
? slon. He believed that it would be brought to
“ the camp; and if, in its presence any unfortu-
nate charge should he brought against him he
doubted if he would be able to retain his cool-
ness. Of- course this was only a temporary
l weakness, so he reasoned, and, perhaps even
1: by the next day-dawn, he would again be all
1 hard and cruel, and void of conscience.
1 Thinking thus he turned his face campward
again and made the best of .his way back to-
ward the Angels, cursing himwlt' as he went,
that he had been so foolish as ,to leave the
shelter of its hospitable roof, even though, by
so doing, he had learned that matters were go-
ing on which very nearly concerned himself.

As he neared the limits of the camp theme
suddenly entered his mind the conviction that
he was being loilowed. He heard no'soun-i,
of that he was certain; but all the same he
seemed to know by instinct theta pair of
ghostly feet were dropping, dropping, drop-
ping behind him. . .

Furtively he looked over .his shoulder, but
he saw nothing; and he shuddered lor fear, in
the future, he was to be subject to such un-
pleasant tricks of the imagination. As be de-
scended the side of a dark little. gulch just out
side of the town, he drew his revolver and
cocked it, for the idea posseSSed him more
firmly than ever that Some one was in pursuit,
and very near.~ Yet, as if.ashamed to give
way to his fears, he locked steadfastly for‘
ward, all the time listening for sounds that he
could never distinguish: It was almost a re-
lief when, though still-he had heard no noun”.
some one touched him lightly on the shoulder.

0a the instant he wheeled and thrust we
rituals at his pistol straight at the bm of
the man he .now knew must. be behind him,
and'tugged at the,trigger. -, ' ‘

But all ready ashe was, and confident ofthe
result, hawas doomed to disappointment, go:-
the toe, if such he must be called, was is W‘
laat, as .well prepared and as quick as himself.
As his revolver came into line the hand “at
held it was grasped'by another hm.“
though his‘flnger tightened no report followed.
The hammer was held as motionless as thotgh
satin-a steel'vise,~by a linger that M
against-it until the muzzle had been thrust. up-
r' ward, so as to point oVer the. amallmt’s shoul—
def. I t ‘ .

And their Victor Page was aware of .

that aglittering knife was held over“ Wt,
and that his life was hanging on'a slender
threadifthiaman'chosewltrike. ..  -r
The man did not so choose, however....ha
gave utterance to a-short, hard laugh. . ‘ '
“That’s right, Victor, draw. law I
wouldn’t hurt yer far a thousandL-lmlasl he
to. I jlst wanted to say a word'sr We, aa’
than youkiu toddle on. I don’t want; ter

a box hyer, an’ ther enver‘s split.- I reckon I l'roust out that neighbors, an’ of ya: 3!). m,
”

you won’t want to neither, Vidal-.1533, ,

' “Unhand 1110,,villaixi,” answered Page, inas
lowatone astha man hadassumed. “If ibis
robbery that you are after you can get nothing
but blood or lead from me.. I have ten
dollars‘on my person. If you are , you
willbe oil. -A score of menare

this .
Way, and they will make but short w a

fooiwad, .who falls into their hands. The ,are
vigilarites from the camp, hungoring for {load
on account of so murder; which perhaps you
have manned. I have butto raise my vdoo
to call them upon you.” .
" Wellfthen, I wouldn’t let her  Don’t
yersao, you and me is parkinasortargway,
al'it wouldn’t be that sqmr' thin. 31 .
manaway that sort. I’m nota- _n? , ;
not, at least, jut-ow. Lon’y‘ wanted taint
yet-know I war around, an‘ wargoia’ to flay
around. - Let go .0v yer pop-gunvaa’jlfi”, v
avwordof sense. Then yer kin git um ho
shadderov tha- Bevon-Angels’ wings“ soon on
yfi'fikey‘ A " “o 71  "2
“What are your intentional To up you
In ambush-nan”... .~ » , =
“I . wonlt belong" I’ll. ah’
I’ve picked get out 1111: I
Had; an’ .o team-mm a. acumen, to
handleeronstgitr‘il an’l’w “litMn
mammal-ow ’msdn’ih. . stau-
allit’swuth.” ‘ , . . 
4‘ h-Beavuu‘l me what do you anon! You
'uo nub-crow." -

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through; .an’ Mister Page, I’m on ther. make.
I don’t want money now; fur I’ve got thou~
sands, but I’ll be broke soon, dead broke, I‘
feel it in my boots, an’ then I’ll play you fur
rocks, an’ yer got to kim down. You hyer me,
eh!"

“ And do you think you can frighten me by
any such trumpedoup story as I see you intend
to manufacture! A man that can face you with-
out a quiver, in .the darkness, with your knife
at. his breast is scarcely the kind to choose for
black-mail.”

“My angel pard, yer hes nerve; but when
yer know ther drop is on yer you don’t
squirm. Thet’s ther hull .on it. An‘ when
ther’s a woman in the case ther’s allers a
double chance. When ther time comes you’ll
shell out, or pass in yer checks, an’ that hand—
some sister’ll stand er fall with yer. Mebbe I
won’t see yer ag’in fur a year; mebbe it won’t
be a fortnight. We can’t tell how ther keerds
will run: but Alabaster Jim won’t lose sight on
yer, an’ don’t yer furgit it. Don’t try any
tricks now, but band over that pepper-box an’
light out. I mean it.” _

At the last stern words of command Victor
Page relaxed his gripe upon his revolver, which
dropped into the hands of Alabaster Jim, who
held him covered, as he wheeled and walked
rapidly toward the camp.

 

CHAPTER XV.
“nuns JIM “ mes musanr,” AND CALLS
on a PAIR or suns.

IN the shadow of the porch at the Angels
stood Victor Page, trembling and uncertain.
He found that he was not as great a villain as
he had hoped that he was, and his vengeance
and his interest alike wore overshadowed by
other con dieting feelings that laid arisen. His
crime began to trouble him some. and ,its con~
sequences more. Although he had been too
much interested in his own affairs to pay
much attention to what was going on in the
camp, he laid heard a version of a little trouble
tint had Occurred at the Star a few nights be-
fore, andlin it bad figured a. certain cool, skin-
ful deeporado, who now seemed to be on his
trail. Just when he had hoped that his secret
was being buried it came to life in a vigorous
form. - '

And then he felt as though he could not rest

 until he found out the extent of the revelations
that wererto come when the party returned

from the old mission. Ho dared not fly, and
he feared to remain. '

While, then, he stood there, listening to dis-
taut sounds of loud, excited voices, he was
startled, by a sudden touch on his shoulder.

My he wheeled around; but to his sur-
priseit was Verna tbststood by his side.

“ What! you here?” he exclaimed sharply.
“I was up not so very long ago had you were
eleqaiu soundly. - It might have been better if
you be: been‘awake then; or asleep now.”

“Why? ltis true I slept for a time; but
something wakeued me; and I called you.
When I found that you were not there I came
down. Hes anything happened?” .‘

“Much. Pedro Mercado has been and
they-tracked his murderer to the old ru , and
{and an open grave and come, with a corpse

" in it. The radian escaped them for the time;

but I believe that they have him. What may
he not reveal? I could not stand it to remain
there or I might have known his story by this

am” .
v ‘ “ Is that the cause of your uneasinem? Have
~ hofeara [truly be all the better. There are
plenty of tigers here, that are ready to growl
‘Ild rend when they see wolves getting the
If thqynnd a scape-goat forcnrsius,

' in  shape of some ordinary roman, it will

make us doubly safe, only we must know what

'lsealdand done. Come! If you feeetofecel

‘Wiwin go with you.‘ Yonder-they
have belted, and whatever is to be seidand

“domwi'llbooversoon. .

“You! But perhaps it will be best teaches:
you V~Iestandor fallingeiher."
- 0’ ‘M  shadow of- the’ prob they
moved, Int-gain toward the Star, Mel! there
«me a W Olympus. . ' - .
 refined thither; ed with.
them they brought a prisoner. '

' ' It was far on lot!» Mannie-N many.

of be cltilens of Time 'm and; vacuity.

one we] advanced‘in tint: copy” that

rem weshVorable hr sudden, also of

“therein-element, while'mn the better, a t

 

party at the old mission were of the so-called
law andorder class, or, probably, there would
have been noprisoner returned to Hangtdwn, no I
trial, no nonsense; only a dangling corpse and !
a whispered story for the morrow. As there
had been more than one - assamination of late,
almost anybody would do for a victim. If a
stranger, so much the better.

But afew insisted that the prisoner should ‘
have the benefit of what little law Judge ‘
Lynch. might be able to dispense. and accord-
.ineg the captive was dragged into town, and
right up to the Star of Empire. ‘

The crowd would have surged on in; but at ‘
the threshold they were met by the proprietor, l
Fritz, who was heeled for the occasion. ‘

Despite his name, which he had picked up
somewhere and adopted, after the free and
easy method of the West, Fritz was no Teu-
ton. He had a firmly placid disposition, which
viewed as matters of course a great many in-
conveniences to which he submitted in the
line of his business. But a lynch court in his
saloon was more than he was willing to stand,
and so he frankly told the crowd.

“Hold on!” he exclaimed, to the leaders,who
were dragging on a limp, unresisting prisoner.
“ Ef ye’r goin’ to hev a circus, set up yer own
canvas; you can’t pitch yer ring under mine.
When two gentlemen hev a difficulty hyer, an’
smash things a leetle, I don’t say nothin’, fur
that’s business; but hangin’ a man’s somethin’
else. I don’t want such fruit bunched on my
lodge-pole, so jist have yer fun in ther open
air. The night dews won’t hurt the mat of
you; an’ nether prisoner will be apt to go out
of the wet vory shortly, I don’t think the damp
will do him any harm.”

He enforced his argument by holding up two
navy revolvers of the largest size, and added
in a steady voice:

“ I mean it.” .

Fortunately the sober ones of the crowd
were nearest the speaker, and. understood his
position exactly. It was shrewdly suspected
that Fritz had his eye on some particular par-
ties, and though a determined rush might dis-
pose of him in short order, he would still'have
time to get in a shot or twc that would not be
conducive tothe health of Hangiown, whatever
it might do for its graveyard. A

Those in front, then, checked the rush; turned,
and after a short conference yielded gracefully
in so far that they organized the court of Judge
Lynch in the open air. As the proceedings
would not be apt to tehelong -it could make
very little diflerenco. Fritz was kind enough
to put some of his lamps in the windows, two
or three lanterns were hung out, and the pris-
oner, around whose waist had been twisted a
cord, wasallowed to double himself up on a
bench under a guard, while the organization
of the court went on.

“ Now then, boys,” sung out one, of the cap-
tors. “We want a good solid man, .with no
nonsense in him, for Judge Lynch. Den't all
speak ht once, but let some level-headed man
name his choice.”

“ I’ll name Andy Barber,” said a voice from
the crowd, and the proposition was followed
by, as near too. general laugh as one could ex-
pect from men who were heat on such a dead-
ly purpose as theirs. Andy Barber occupied
an anomalous position, being credited with the
poet of City Marshal, though a confirmed sport.

“That’s too thin,” sung out an answering
voice. - .

“Besides, he‘ain’t here. Some of the boys
run him into Hoodlum Hell when they saw a
show for fun, 81’ him an’ lame. Baker hes
agreed to play draw till theperty is over.”

‘f‘l'll put up the man; he’s in Erik‘s now.
It’s Kunnel Dasbwood. He’s a square man, an’
knows what’s what.” '

Waring him out, bring him out!” was cho~
ruled by a score or mom; and without delay a
man or two started in search of the colonel,
who was scarcely likely to decline the honor so
unanimously contorted. _ _ . a
- Neoneat first seemed to pay much atten-
tion-to the prisoner, who was. certainly not
very rampant, but while the selecflon of a

judge was being disco-9d,. one man edged
Lquimly up, and, addreued him in a cheerful
.m: » , .

“Chirk up, ole man; yer ain’t dead ’9‘, '0
yer needn‘t look so blue. (iv 00 ther

.lawl to luv u- s“ but; of kin do
In  u, com! ,ergive us a
hint en’ l’ll do it ant takes my .dnoht."

1- “annular-Indium his heedalittie,

 

" lobe abrosdywuwuem

rarlo, taken in a «line. Several of the

lad no doubt was looking  his

 

face was shaded with a broad-brimmed Mex-
ican hat, that even then concealed his features.

“Thankee,” be answered. “I’m dry as a
fish, and mighty hungry. They wouldn’t.

7 swing a man off on an empty stumjack, would

they?”

“I don‘t know what they wouldn’t do. but
durned ef they shall. Hold on, hyer. I’ll be
‘round in a minute, er my name ain’t Alabas—
ter Jim."

it was that ubiquitous individual, as usual
laying his foundations for any amount of

’ trouble.

“ Just water, James, just water,” said the
prisoner, stiffening visibly under the inspiring
presence of the rough-and-ready sport.

“ Water with a dash of hitters; I’ll fix yer.“
and he hurried into the Star.

He was only gone a few moments, and re-
turned, bringing a tumbler, and a chunk of
meat hastily caught up. \

The dash of whisky in the glasswas so heavy
that there was little room left for Water, but
down it went; and up came the spirits of the
recipient. He braced himself, and looked
sharply at his guards, who were keeping com-
fortany close, and bad viewed with some dis-
favor the attentions of Alabaster Jim; but
were also much interested in a sudden motion
made to adjourn the court until after they
could hang the accused.

_ The motion was made, and seconded vigor»
ously by a dozen hang-dog looking fellows, who
were anxious to push the work through before
the colonel could take his seat on the bench,
which, on this occasion was a store box.

“What’s ther use ov wastin’ ther time ov
this yer-e court? Didn’t we find him just pilin’
away ther stifle; an’ when we told him to hold
up his hands didn’t he plug away at the hull

crowd? He’s a desprit character, and don’t,

yer furgit it. Salt him down right now, er
you may find him too fresh to keep. Yere’s yer
rope; go fur himl”

Jack McCaw’s personal feelings were voiced
by many others; and one of the as yet unplug-
ged caught the rope, knotted a noose in it, and
with a yell sprung forward. ,

“ Hurrah, boys, hysr’s what’ll drag him
out! Whar’s the man that humps himself when
the boys of Hangtown says, swing?"

“Hyer's ther identickle darned olc‘ fool ez
does that very thing. No tnal no fun; an’
hyer’s two more ez sea ther same.”

And Alabaster Jim, slipping deftly behind
the prisoner. over his two _ehoulders extended
two revolvers, and faced the swaying crowd,
as cool as on iceberg.

#-

CHAPTER XVI.
“ ancwsn I KNOW rr IS TRUE."

A UNIVERSAL howl went up at the bold defi-
ance; but the front rank again played conser-
vative, and Alabaster Jim kept .the floor.

“Oh, you’re a-howlin’; but I’m the law an’
order, an’ these two friends think allers on I
do. It may look like a small hand,.but it‘s
goodfsrahlriskon it. Ef yerdon’tbelieve
me call it and see.”

“ He’s another of ’em; be’aa side pardner,
an’ needs tim- same treatment. 'YI-uk ’em
both out!” exclaimed Hodaw,.from the heart
of the crowd. _ v

“ That’s so. It’s the knife-thrower, that
fixed Kunnel Dash, fightjn this get saloon,
the other night; hang ’em both!” ded Harry
Wade, who had journeyed in from the 01d mis-
sion with hopes of vengeance that were con-
sunfly expanding.

“I wouldn’t try_it on too fast. aryhow,
onless yer willin' to die fur ther fun ov a
fun’ral. on up yer '1 an’ jury, an’ of
tber‘sa aquar’ shake an’ac NW 1’11 Puss:
but while ther goe's ,011, me on’ my
glands stands, jist so, to see fair play, every

me.” .

By this time, Colonel Dullwopd. liter some
show of reluctance, hid come cut from the
saloon, and as he saw the podiiou Ofaflairsand
recogniud the man. behind the prim, a.
scowl distorted hisfepe. .

Nevertheless, as Alabaster Jim was my“).
to protecting the de-hb.m.be
namely saw how he could at once 33
what he andme toward that cheerful
individual; eepéciahy as he was not yet M
as to the wsyhe bod “chipped in;” and he sul-
fered him toe-emails. wi notice.

locating.th stol- quond ashwood

addressed crowd y is 'rds
.etmremoiiugmfhimngm. “o

 



 

 

 

Pistol Paras?

18‘

 

 

“ Fellow-citizens,"Ahe_ said, , “ I understand  party selected step out. He can have a ‘fewJ the men" of the catnp, one Jack Brace, who had

there have been several murders lately, and
that having captured the assassin over thebody
of one of his victimayou want to havethe sanc-
tion of a court and jury before you send him
oil! with a short rope on a long journey. I am
glad that you show such a regard for the
forms of law and justice, and I assureyou that
so far as I can control this court, both" accus-
ers and accused shall meet with fair play, and
the best man shall undoubtedly win. Prisoner,
stand forth!” ’

“ That’s squar’ talk, kunnel,” put in Ala-
baster Jim, “ but I’d observe thet afore you
put ther pris’ner on answer, ther’ bed better
be .a jury picked; an’ as fur standin’ up, I'm
afeard you'll hev to excuse him. They’ve
tried to make a sieve, an’ just missed sp’ilin‘ a
man. Thar’s' three or four bullet-holes in his
head an’ shoulders, an’ I shouldn‘t wonder of
thar war enough ov ther lead left stickin’
around him to weigh a pound, he seems so top-
heavy.”

“Gentlemen,” said the colonel, quietly

adopting the suggestion, “if it is thewish of,

this assemblage, select your jury, and proceed
to business. l'm not yet in shape to do much
talking, so I hope you won’t expect it. I’d
sooner handle the tools; and perhaps I will be-
fore this thing is over. Go on, now, and don't
waste time.”

At this rather direct allusion to himself and
his aflairs, there was a hum in the crowd, and
every eye scanned his face narrowly.

As far as could be seen in the dim light, it
presented little trace of the ghastly wound of
a few nights before. A few strips of plaster
had drawn the clean edges of the out together,
and in the short time that ‘had elapsed they
had already joined, 'so that he looked but little
the worse for wear. Alabaster Jim; at the
implied threat, manifested no uneasiness or
interest; than he heard more than, one voice
muttering, “ e’ll hang ‘em both afore ‘morn-
ing!” Order was beginning to come out of
chaos. A dozenmen "were quickly picked, to
whom no objection was made, and then Dash-
wood announced that the coiiilrt‘was open for
transaction of business, and t e accusers were
requested to stand forth. . ‘

“One thing more, ku'nnel. This yere man
don’t seem .able to talk fur himself, an’ I just
guess it wouldn’t be more nor fair ef he bad
Some one to speak for him.”

' “ I suppose that means that you wish to ap-
pear '_as his‘ counsel, but it seems doubtful
whether under the rules of this court you can
be recognized as an attorney, not' being a’ citi-
zen of the camp, and being a subject of strong
sus ciun.” V .

‘ That’s so, kunnel," shouted Jack McCa'w.
“ we’re go to try ’em both, ‘an’ of you say
the word we tahe his popvguns, and trice him
right up." ' '

“One thing at a time,” said Jim, coolly.
When he had seenthat the danger of immedi-
ate lynching was over he had put up his pistols
and was leaning carelessly against the wall of
hhebuildlng. “Finish yer first job, an’ then
trot 'out‘ysr charges ag'in’ me; but my name is
as . as? I’m goin’ to see thet this pilgrim
h: "I‘er ain‘t goin'to be all on one
a!  ‘ fl. ’ . . '

"Tharp is sane sense inwhat the man says,”
interposed the in ' ',_who see lea anxious to
togede rather an excite passions of
the crowd. “If the prisoner is not‘ able to
«it for himplf, let himaiook around and select
whom he chooses as his counsel. Certainly the
mean! Tisrra Rpm will do justice, create an
anamin. Pi'isoner, will ' you nuke your

little slowly, but

choice!”
and thrustin

.Urralsfiths'prlaoneija
upms'rmgotmw ihhig
.. n 1 wt 5
twcbonn pmmnmmmocm‘v‘d of
faces. There was not a single friendly one

there.
,F‘rom tto left, and back again, went his
glances. en suddenly he raised his. hands

and pointed straight at Victor Me, Who was
standing neslg'watehin .the '9.“
had for him a W ‘ iiiatiofl. '
f‘Them’sone, e t, as stranger m
and an honest man with some brains.  i
can’t pull through by myself lB want to
tabehold of thetowyope and do  past.
You won’t so lid! on me. will rmwdl'?
8eng of head-turned 3 a, 
clone _ 09sec  thu- j

acne-.m-

i-sasondbls request} lot we

. ‘ s

4 hen
stoodup,

mements’ conference with the prisoner, but

l there has been too much time lost‘already.”

In all the camp there was not a man who
i ever had been more disagreeably surprised than
was Victor Page at this minute. He had seen
1 that strangers there Were objects of suspicion,
and that the‘ less attention they attracted the
better it was for their necks. To be thus
pointed out was an invitation to trouble that
once given could not well he declined. He
could scarcely belieVe it possible'thathe was
the man meant, and looked again.

But no mistake was there; and n0w, stand-
ing there, with the flaring brim of his hat
pushed back, and eyes bent on him with a
cold, commanding gaze, he saw his own vic-
tim, the man of the vaults of the old mission,
Soft Hand, from Cinnabar. ’

A cry burst from his lips, and turning he
would have staggered away but a detaining
hand was laid on his shoulder.

“Not so fast, stranger!" snarled a voice in
his ear. “We’re going into this thing alto-
gether, and you can’t shirk your share of the
frolic. If there’s any reason why you das’n’t
face the music we’ll have to look it up; and
maybe hang you too. You march up front.”

“ An’ of he don’t come,” added Alabaster
Jim, whose quick eye and ear saw and heard,
i‘I’ll hev to draw on him; an’ he orter know
that I’m certain death.”

“I’m only a stranger, as you say, drawn
here by the noise and excitement," stammered
Page, more unnerved by the resurrection of
Soft Hand than his own personal danger. “ I
know nothing of the prisoner or‘of your ways
of dealing with crime. Choose‘some one else
who can defend him better, and let me go."

“ Fool!" hissed Varnh, at his side, “where
is your nerve? Go to him, and do your best,
either to have him hanged or set free; but
don’t Waver now. ‘As his cOunsel you can at
least close’ his mouth. Who else is there to
speak? And he does not intend to unless
forced. You know him; there never was such
another man.” ' ' - - ~

‘And thus urged on, Page staggered forward
to the side ofl“SOft' Hand and ‘bending down
lisltened ’to a few- whispered words, while in
brief, set terms'Colonel Dashwood declared the
strangely constituted court was open for busi-
ness, and requested the accusers to begin with
their evidence. - ‘ ' -

It had really seemed a very clear case to the
mob, and when Tom 'Denham, who was the
first witness called, had told his story it was
clearer than ever.’ ' ' " 

Half a dozsn of them were passing through
the gulch When they stumbled Over the body
of Pedro Mercado, lately killed. The slayer
held either ‘gone on into Hangtown, Or .else
taken the path up toward the old mission. 'As
they had not passed him there was no other
course open to him. Accordingly" tlfe party
‘sqnmthdflahd iith of them went'to the ruin
where,’in tho‘Vaults‘  caine upon the pris-
mfier, asaalfixgeady detailed. They had- but ‘a
8 all)” , hi but" 'thellght of subsequent
eventsth  9&efl thatthe man who
,had faced hemthwewas the 'at the
bar here, whom, a little lat-r, he, Denham,
had feund in the hands of some of the men
who had come' out from 'l‘ierra Rom. He
stood‘aside to lot due of them tell the further
history of the arrest. ‘ '

Damon Carter was one of those who ‘d-hed
away afterthe horseman who, anvtheir ap-
grch, had ridden 'away from the 'Mn.

0 rider, ’wheever he was; was thoroughly
reckless, and Went down the hill at break-meek
speedgpllmging into the shadow of the trees in
a way that few of them would lm‘ve odrsd to
risk. Without much hope of om him
unless he accidentally came to grief, they an
after, one or two discharging then-revolvers at
a venture. " - '

(they were rewarded by hearing the ’noi
made bya blundering fall. A minute later
thehorseseemed‘ to recover Allwa dart
oi! with renewed speed. v

Dov'm they all weht, and after a bug hunt
awaman stealingaway, ‘andssherefuesdto
ban, and'seemed inclined to show fight, avoi-
ipy was fired that droppedjhflm «This man was

the prisoner at the bar. » -

“:3 “gm” “shim
cg ‘ crowd, and ' I

m how they came upon the M he

 V MR of‘tiie "investigaticm subse-

My e.  gravest!!! hi!

dragged outthecorpseofamanwsllhnowa‘ts

 

l
1

 

been missing for some days. ‘ '

Alabaster Jim bent down and whispered in
the‘ear of the counsel for defense, who up to
this time had remained silent. and Page nodded
his head. Then in a voice that faltered some
what he asked:

“ Did not-both of these men~announce their
intention of leaving town some days ago?”

Wade hesitated a moment before- he an.
swered; then'confessed that he had heard some-
thing of the kind.

“ And did they not disappear the. same
night?" . .

He confessed that they did. according to the .
best of his knowledge and recollection. .

“And if they-had not been seen about the
camp since, was it not likely that they had-left
for some sinister object? How else could you
account for their bodies being found on thesp—
posite side of the town?" ’ -

“That’s your conundrum; answer it your-
self,” answered Wade, sharply.

“ What was the character of these two men!
Were they honest miners, or were they yan—
blers or infers by pmfesdoni” . ' .

“ I can’t see that that makes a difference. I
reckon foul play is foul play. If we 'let this.
secret stabbin’ an’ shootin’ go on, everybody ’ll
be afeard to have a leetle fun. I h’lieve that
cuss an’ his pards killed ’em both, an’ that’s all
I keer toknow.”

“It makesa great deal of diflemnce,” said
Page, straightening up, “because those two
men, and another, prepared the grave for this
man, who escaped from it bya miracle. He
was buried there alive, and if he had killed
them a dozen times, it would have been no
more than they deserved. For three days he
lay there, part of the time unconscious. He
revived to find himself in the open air, and a .
few moments later he was set by themes:
who had tracked the slayer 01% Mercado
to the old mission. Who that slayer wanna
know not, but believe it was museums..-
Yeur prisoner is the victim and not the (mini.
nal. His story, if he is strong enough to tell
it. will (awry truth on its face. Who was the
man in” the vaultwe know not, nomwhmwas
the man an horseback but it was not Quarks
Jones, of Cimalnr, and'We shall domed his

uittal." ‘ - ' . a.

' his ‘wildly improbable story was greeted‘
with a yell or disapproval, and for a munsnt
it seemed as though the court waste bebcoken
up in a row. and summary pimishmenthflicted
without even the authority of Judge Lynch.
Such a preposterous defolise was too thin; Even
for Tim Roxo. . t i ‘ ’

And then, suddenly, to the most inns sass.
priseof all Colonel Dashwood facedthe 
waving his hand for silenm, “thou-3th.
exclaiming in steatorian toaes: Ir 

“Silence in file court. .While [‘1‘
this thing,‘!'ll havefie dignity of this
respected or (is-in the m can thdt is
of contempt. You‘te put nae up for John
Lynch, and Lynch law you shall have!” m

“But, kennel. men that play such a had
as tint on Hangtown oughttobestnuuhld
outof theway and letusatthenm ' ~ w

Such .was the abatement a-desenxpssshss:
 ' ' .a -.

“You mknow l'mnofrisnd at high:
hefsomofmeparty kn wdtingtosofiswkh
about the tenths othernight at the'Stfl‘;.ht
I’m square as a die, andas judge I smiths
defense hagootone, Mikael-dis
tm.’ ' -  ' . -

s
. —-———.

s- O

,5!
‘ ‘ L . h  ' I r
CHAPTER XVIII. ‘ l g . > '

. i  admitting"  ,
Sm of their savage fnrythe “Id-had
ssassencughtshaltaadiisssa; forsomswere
‘persmai friends of the coloneth tans-s
knew that he washotflsn‘ ‘. -

1 .

mung ' .
Mmhlfldfiiyvoieshhfinmw; :-
“hy “'13 "flu. hauled-librst
W2 howls-murmur.»
mob—m ’a’ lion olhsash’: 8 (ram

WMmm-to.“w
tion. Nowthat every one was Ms“
mus-mm has...
Winter, in m, b canal-soa-

~vv~.~ -. “a...


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’ Hollow and the others

apohfiad everyman thereknew thathemeant
.wu health ' '

‘nd’ Wad glared around him, ior his

14

 

 

 

quite leisurely, Jar be had been averse, all
along. to raising his voice. -

“.To can this camp trouble I might have
told mystnry sooner, but I contest; I did not
understand it until now. You all know I have
an interest over in Gopher Gulch, and there’s
a short cut that takes me right past the mis-
sion. Well, to-night I was coming along, with-
out suspicion of- anything crooked around the
old pile, when I thought I saw-a light, low
down. I have as much nerve as the next, and
throwing my bridle over my horse’s head, I be-
gan to investigate. ,

“ The light came from a little opening in the
cellar wall, and I put my eye down just as
clinched onto the
greased lightning. I saw the fellow dart away,
and sprung for my horse, for I knew-that by
the time Leonid get around he would be well
down the gulch. . .

“As it was, he must have disappeared just
as the second cr0wd came up, and they saw
only me in pursuit. My horse gnVe a stumble,
but as he’s not entirely a. young. earthquake,
I didn’t tumble but gathered him up, and af-
ter the fellow I Went, vuntil finally I lost trackt
of him just at the edge of tawn. That-is what
I know about it, told in the short. ’I kept
quiet until I could see just where it fitted into
the rest, and now if there’s no more direct 'evi-
dance-against this man we can let him <' tell his
own story, bring in his witnesses if he has any,
and then' it Will be a question for the jury,
whether or not he is guilty.”

'“ But, kunnel,” interposed Harry Wade,
“haw about‘the t’other one! We’re tryin’ ’em
both, fur pards they seem to be, an’ we hoped
to swing’em up together. Jes’ say the word,
an’ up they go.”

-fhere was no mistake but what there were
a great many men in camp who had taken a
mans dislike-to the prisoner, and his backer,
Mr Jim; and Wade’s words only echoed
theiraentiments. There were a great many
more who didn’t care which way things went,
andthen there were alew who were anxidus to
see strict jutice meted out.

“ No; airs there’- only one way now out of this
without making it bloody murder. Hear the
cnaaand decide it according to the evidence.
It yon don’t want to do tint, adjourn the.
court and settle with me. I’m Judge Lynch,

now, and the only-mandamus I recognize
tilt”

Down-to his waist dropped his hands as he

“If that’a the gait we may as well turn him.
loosennd gobome, but it‘s darned queer yer
tabs each a fancy to a cumvthatmopped ther
Whor- all npwith yo. Maybe yer chard
.5 “flash.” . . I

, In nlky tones came a'voice from the crowd,

anger seemed to suddenly jump up to lever
‘ but thhtoneeweredisgnised,and noone
.gtopoint out the oils-dot, even if they

--‘l‘ny on. tht know; me ought to. know
“‘Ih'nonnnliving. I yen innent
had, and want no cold deok'or tom 'deal.
New“ tbo statement of in prison, and r
thtbocubgon to the jury.- Friaoner, stand
afite your name and residence, and then
u in facts in the case; and if you are
“you’ll stick» to the truth, fur, K thb court
“you in a lie it‘will be the bu one you’ll
l alerted the prim nose. ~

, “ 1’" ad several nausea—they call me Cin-
nabar Charley, and Bolt Hand Charley, and
Charley Jones from Cinnabar. Any of ’em ’11
do rui- ahandiaiura man iamynx. I’ve been
’mnnd ban for some days, and had a . mind to
flop but fu' good reasons went out on the stage
thwawa ago. We had around with the
amend stood them at, though one of the

marl ltin~thebreuttoobadtogo
on Pro mixing mm. - v -
'45“! wugahgouti‘remtownwithwm
mandrel; thneinen laseood me and
“aha-Winnqu Who-Ionme
to was Ipthre‘ -d they were getting ready
torsion-rd. The tin-arm mks owned
ail-em hump-71nd! didn’t know ’em
“Mpbnbllflow manned-rawhi
Ib‘boaantstnckmemabab. catered
maphtbflaphmhhuMa-iditwun‘tl
“MM M10 and“
«WW moat! don! known-cannon
u-nr- month next tbinle

I

 

 

was lying in the open air. Then the roosters i

from Hangtown chipped in, and the balance
you know better than I can tell it to you.”
A few questions were. asked, though their

“Kunnel, ther time’s short and you don’t

walnt tolstand hyer listenin’ to chin music;
but I’ll tell you short you’ve done ther squar’
thing to-night. Mebbe you've- made a mis—

prompt answer threw little more light on the take, but I don’t say so. I’d hate to go back

subject. The only probable
the road-agents had buried him alive as a
punishment for his successful resistance. ‘

“ Gentlemen of the jury,”lasked the colonel.
“ you have heard the testimony, how 'say you?
Is the prisoner guilty or not guilty 1"

Together went a dozen heads in earnest con-
sultation. It was by no means certain what
the verdict might be. .

At length the foreman, Hart Monroe, stood
up. He was an intelligent man, and a hard
worker, if he did sometimes raid the tbwn on a
spree. I .

“ May it please the court,” he began, “ We
find the charges not proven; but the prisoner
and his pard had better leave town.”

“ All right,” responded Colonel Dashwood
shortly, ignoring the inclusion of Alabaster
Jim. ‘.‘,The prisoner is discharged and has
one hour to accept the finding of the jury.
After that TierraRoxo will no doubt be un-
healthy.” . I

Down upon. the back of Soft Hand camethe
paw of Alabaster Jim, with a resounding
whack. .

“ All right, pnrd; didn‘t I told yer so?
“Nothin’ like havin’ a white man fur jedge.
I'm mighty glad now that I didn’t lay him
fur keeps t'other night. I s’pose we’ hev to
waltz; an’ your way an’ mine hedbetter lie
alongside fur a leetle, in case we needs a saw-
bones er a flzziker.”

“ I’m not so sure about leaving; there‘s sixty,
minutes to consider in lTad that’s a good long
while to look ahead. 1‘ talk to you in a min-
ute more; keep an eye out, for friends are
scarce in this crowd. . There’s too many of
them stood in with the late lamented Pedro. I
want a, word with my counsel; I mustn‘t be un-
grateful." .

There was a dubious sort of smile on his face
as he looked around, that seemed to say that
however much Victor Page might have aided
him in the late emergency be was not over and
above friendly toward him; and from a keen
glance he shot at Colonel Daahwood it was pos.
aibie that he had his suspicions in that direction
alsm

He was just in time to obtain the desired
word with Victor, who was slipping quietly in~
to the Ear, intending to make his exit by a
back door and rejoin Verna, whom he had seen,
depart when the chances of the trial had seem-
ingly turned in favor at the prisoner. Be
startled, but did not attempt to resist or break
away, when Bolt Hand called him by name;
and entered himself to be led aside into a. lit-
tle alcove.

“Well,” said the resurrected man, gridily,
“water won’t kill, tire won’t burn, the grave
thrown me up, and the rope refuses to hang;
don’t you think it is about time to quit this
foolishness:I You’ve had-ail the fun on your
side. so far; but I reckon i won’t be any
detach of a game it I begin to at a little my-
.eu. ,wm you quit; or, shall I begin?”

‘fIdon’tai under, yourilre and
waterbuain an the less d about the rest
the better. . .. had my fling, but. missed.

'Something stole all my nerve away} ,lwaa

fool enoufii to think sometimes thateomew are
there had been a mistake. Take my adyice
and get away from this. As long as the hands
areontho board 1 cannot draw out if I want
to; and Ital doxberqan others ready to stock
thecaadaagainat yonpoaa tomakethegrme
most certainly a losing one. We just be ped
eachother 'to-nbht because it suited as both,
but I have, no idea that either of as can for-
get or tor-give. When you see me again I
will be in a‘dlflerent mood, but just now I am
talking the honest truth.” .
“Wen, thaukyou, all the mine, for drop-
ping to the necessities of the game; and the
next tine you, try that kind of work you won’t
catch me anleep." ‘ ',
«Both. two tees to the death talked thus
coolly, and ,with ,one long steady glance on both
sides, 30 ll: beyond iorgetfnineu .the Inc. 'of
each. y operated. , ' . _ - . v
Meantime Alabaster Jim, perfectly unwind-
nil oi more tin-none lowering lace and merce-

z} and Wrapped airib away u
it liking  , . ..
, Mwopd washi- emotive.

 

cu hinlrowv'i‘hesbod-h. '

theory was that , on a squar’ man; ,I'd hate it ther dog-goned'est;
, an’I don’t want you to think I’d do it.”

There was considerable earnestness in the
last sentence or two, and as there were plenty
of anxious listeners more than one signifi-
cant glance mm between them. It'sound-
ed as though the man was losing-some of his
“sand.” .

And if that fact once became patent there
were those who did not believe his life would
be Worth an hour‘s purchase in Hangtown.

Even Dashwood seemed to think so, for he
listened with a wicked sneer on his face.

“ What I think is, that you’d better get right.
out of this camp—” ' '

“Hold on, hold on! That’s my idear too;
I‘ve fooled away too much time 'aireédy' in a
camp whar it’s all blow an’ nary fun. But
what I did want afore I went was to give you
achance to take all I'owe you out of my ding—
blasted ole hide. You eha’n’t say Alabaster
Jim skipped ther ranch an’ forgot his board
hill. Knife‘opistol er ther mawlers, it’s all
ther same me. You hes'yer weeping an’
kin take yer choice. Ef ther’s ary way I kin
ofl’cr fairder then that, spit it out. I tell yer I
Wouldn’t go back on a man that’s acted ther
clean com like you hev,’ fur a hull mount'in
ov rocks!" ' _ ,

“ You infernal idiot what ‘ do you mean?
Do you think becatise I let myself be drawn
into a brawl with you' the other night that I
am ,setting myself up for a target for every
Tom, Dick and Harry that is willing to risk
his life to gain a. little cheap reputation? Why,
man, if you draw on me you’ll never see an—
other sunrise. You would have to tight the
whole of Hangtown.” ' '

“ What ov it?” coolly answ_ered.Jim. “ I’ve
taken a bigger contract more nor once, an’
l‘m hye'r now; but of you ain’t hankerin’, an’
won’t say ‘I went back on you, ‘sllee lightee.’
I'll go hunt up my pard, an’ we’ll swing out.
Yer jist on easy satisfied a man en 1 ever men,
an’ so I’ll tell ’em.” - ‘

Down to a whisper dropped the voice of the
colonel, and if 'it had been a little lighter it
would have been seen that his face was white
with anger.

“ Go your ways, but you’ll find when the
tune comes, that inme is long enmgh to
reach you. This is not thetime and place; but
you can an every dollar you can raise that
before I am done with you I’ll kill you both.”

“Well, don’t bury us till we’re dead an’ I
guess we kin stand ther squeene. S) long. l’m
goin’.” '

And Alabaster Jim swaggered away in
search of his companion in banishment.

e

 

CHAPTER III.
Kara wrian arms an amount.
As the aoft spoken aim from Cinnabar had
conjectured, Harold Wilkins was not so badly
101W; uni the uni  was, whether
hlg‘ay’stem, which sailed, mu 'eniaahltd by
sickness, could stand the slice!“ it had re-
ceived. Under the same amount of 
AlabasterdJini would “:0 j we fifit
the next ey as then , nothi ' , ;
but Mr. Wilkins Was not  at «can
iron constitution, and‘ wag weak and
feverish, though under the. nursing of his
dwzhter and the man whom he persisted in
calling, . Jones, be, got biting,” well as
could be 91W;

The proprietreu or the ranch we! come-

'thingofan ed 1151th way,and min

rough exterior .a had enough  and
mated to like a liking to intact and daughter;
but she had her hands pgetty lull attending to
her own mm, so that thy saw comparative-
ly littlept her. _ .

The morning after their «munch Hand
had asked Wally: . '

“ Where‘s the mg of your family; or wasn‘t
“tut girl-boy i had u'slimpe'e, 0! M visit pm
0 it!” ‘

v «mm, 5' u .99. ther name when
y“ .9.   565:1!!!” ‘ .
u m m ‘

Mekong“; fags  one the
inhwid he; foino fannin’  Her
Trincador

nameth _ , , ah’lheshto over
noigbtwklmanow an’ thin. ‘7' tr toned
beret! or she’d hin‘wid_me no . . ye;

 

 

 

l

15

—

 

Pistol' Paras.

 

musthaveeyesinibebaekoftheheadtohave
nofioedhorlt albthough' it was yer friend‘
that talked to her. moighty interested loike.”
He the name after her several j
times, and shook his head as though trying to ;
recall something that had escaped his memory. ,
“ She lives near here does she?" be asked I
quickly. '
“ ’Not onless a half dozen miles is near. It’s

a good long gallop; but thin she’s the wan that
kin take it. She had a bit ov thmbble wanst, ’
|

an’ it would”a’ bin worse but oi him along an’
betwain us we driv ofl ther plunde'rin’ villains
wid lead fleas in the’r ears. Oh. it’s brave she 
is; an’ it moight be well if the young leddy I
there had some av her speerit, fur this is a bad '
place fur a lone woman.” I

Mr. Wilkins requiring his services the con- -
versation ended here; and was not renewed. I
Up to the time of the sudden, and. to Wilkins, !
mysterious disappearance of Soft Hand, noth— 
ing more was said about her, nor did she again a
make her appearance at the ranch.

'Oh that night, when the hours went by and '
there were no signs of the return of the bronze‘ 5
bearded man, Kate became strangely nervous.
Irish Molly had returned from looking after
her stock 'and was sleeping soundly: her fa‘l
ther was resting quietly, free from fever and l
stronger than he had been for a long time.
'Uie‘re seemed no reason why she should not
sleep herself; but she could not. She got up
and went out. standing in the fresh night air,
with her head turned, listening for any sound
that might'éome from the head of the gulch.
The absence of the quiet, self-contained man,
who had scarcely spoken to her and yet who '
had proved himself kind, thoughtful and skill-
ful, gave her a sense of loneliness that seemed
strange indeed, for really she did not antici-
pate any'danger; but felt rather that some one
was approaching.

Sure enough, when she had wandered some
little distance from the house she heard rapid
hoof-strokes, and thought without doubt that
the man came at last. ‘

Then, to her surprise, the rider came to a
sudden halt, apparently just around the bend a
few hundred yard. away, and listening eager-
ly she heard the hum of voices, engaged in
earnest Who.

Who could be there at this time of night? A
desire toknow posee'med her. Gathering her
short skirts still more closely around her, she
stole along under the shadows of the bluff,
windiqgher way among the bushes and be-
tween the trees that bordered the clear road,
until she reached the bend in the gulch.

Here she dropped upon her hands and knees;
tor though the role of spy was distasteful
on he hid had her magicians awakened
as she drew nou'erto fileapot. The voicesthat
shehnardwuevolbes‘ofstrang‘en. . '

Close to the wall of the gulch she crept, and
at last reached a spot from whence sho' could
both see and hear whatever was to be seen or
heard. ‘

It was a singular sight that met her eyes;
and ouecslcnlatedtohrbgachillof fedr to a
wow hart, however brave she might be.

Just mold thobend the narrow madway.
Mediate IMdinglegandhere, lacing

half adonen‘ was one thahata
glance, Kata ' noogmeed a casting Trisoulor,
the friend of the lone h‘lshwoman. . ~ ‘ '

Certainly lolly had not spoken too hisz
of her codrage, for‘ with a revolver in either
outstretched hand e menaoed the men belore
her. ‘ ' ' -

Nor did Kate have much trouble in recog-
nizing who the men were, for every one of
them was masked, as were the highwaymen
who had attacked the flag. a féw nights be-
fore. Fin 0! M Were bunched together in

a little group some thirty yards away; while
twenty nouns-was a single horseman,
. the , at m breast Catalina. pointed

the wupon in her right hand with deadly aim.
“It is no use,” she was saying, “Captain
Skull, you cannot pass here. I am only one,
and a woman; but for the pm I am strong
ma you‘are welt. Goback. .As trueas I
ma livingglrl if you attemptto move a step
(lather you will move to your death"
“Whatnoslsnse is this, girl? Put up m
plaything and stand aside. No one herawonld
winineg harm on; but you must know that
the“, ma night canmtbe Med by a
' ‘ ’ W that woman my be
n .' - .

woman; even
(ht-line m.

ml; but
ImeuithI say. Your man will hesitate

 

“ Tall words those, my will“

before they fire upon me, and I doubt whether

you would raise your cruel hand, even if I

l did not have you covered with an aim that

never mimes. Go back! While Ican prevent
it at any cost you shall not harm him who lies
in yonder gulch.”

“ High, oh! In the name of wonder, what

I makes you his champion? But if that is all

that troubles you stand aside. It is not a man
we are after, buta woman. If ,that will do
you any good we will swear to you that if the
man Willstand aside no man shall be hurt.”
“‘Do you suppose that any man would hold
his hand and seen woman falling into your
clutches? No, sir. Go back. I am aguard
here now, and you shall not piss. By day-
light they shall have warning, and, as you and
your men are night birds, before you can
swoop again for your prey it will be gone.”
This was the conversation that Kate heard;
and now, thinking a su-lden crisis inevitable,
she drew from her breast her oWn revolver,
carried there always for an emergency, and
crept still closer. Although she was louder of
flight than fight she had no intention of de-
serting the woman who had stood up as her
champion. ' .

She dared not make herpresenee known as '

yet; she hoped that the necessity for doing so
might be altogether wanting; but all the same
she was really to join forces and wage war,
desperate eyenthough unsuccessful.

And as she settled down behind a little

clump of bushes, that served as a complete,
‘ shield. suddenly armiud her waist,‘there stole
: a strong arm, that seized and held ,her wrist

beyond chance of mischief, and over her mouth
was placed a huge hand, that choked all chance
of cry or groan. . .

She had glided into an ambusoade and with-
out chance of rescue was a prisoner.

 

CHArrER xx.
THE EXILES.

In there had been any possible profit, or
even a little streak of glory in it Alabaste:

.Jim would probably have been willing to stay

and run the risk of a hand to hand conflict with
the whole of Tierra Rixo. As there was a
decided risk and no money in the operation
and the citizens bowing to the judgment of the
court, gaveevidenee that after the expiration
of the sixty minutes grace they intended to
argue thocasa with shot-guns, he joined Soft
Hand, as the latter came out from the Star,
and stalked silently by his side, the two
marching due north. He had a careful eye for
any ‘ attempted treachery; but he need. not
have borrowed trouble on that score, forhalf
the crowd had gone to their house and the
rest were strangely well under control. There,
did not seem to be even an attendant spy, to
see how well‘they carried outthe behesto of
the court. . -

A half-mile from town in two halted, on
them Walthereatofa l'u-tle-spur tron
the mountain, thatrananross their route. The
stop seemed- to he byeommon consent; and

.then the two loohadat each other a moment,

AkbasurJlm finally basking into a hoarse
laugh. . -

_“ Well, doggone my piotur‘sl that’s my first
unit than, an’ I- don’t hear of it’s my last. It‘s
a. duo-horse place, an’ ther mile that runs
it in wetcxunnel es they'call hill.
I dn’t bloodthirsty, but Pd give an eagle or
two to have anatlnsr round with him.”

“ You’ll have it if-you travel this road mob
turther. You had better make up your mind
about quick, and if you don’t want to
tackle .him and his friends, go some other
way.”

“See hyar. Is this kunael a

cum!” I . _ -

“ Helikes you a little the beat of the two.”

“Well, when in thunder did he come down

on you so light for, that I thought they had
itdlmtupmhweagoodemd he
just spoiled the lay-out; not tonnahin’ of
my loetle game bein’ blocked-hr makin’ that
Page squirm. hardy! how I’d hve duened
him out down in ’Frhco.” ,
-“He wanted to care m1 WPW
thatisn’tthemwnion. ..Wa ain’t out of ill.
woodsbya long shelled“ what- I want to
km iouwhothor

 -o’

 

“Right youare, old mau,,I was a tool not
tothinkofthat sooner.,'1'here's sport ahead,
after all. Sail in; I'm with you.”

In his enthusiasm Alabaster Jim draw two

‘ revolvers, swinging them around his head, and

was about to give vent to a shrill war-whoop,
when his companion uttered a warning:

if  x”

“Oh, dingblast it! I felt so good I purty

nigh forgot myself. Sure enough, ef they I

drop to our leetle game, they might run,
away.”

“ No such good luck as that, Just remem-
ber, I‘m hare-handed; and have something else
to do besides setting myself up for a mark (or
roughs and road, ts to pop away at.”

“ You ain’t hee ? Why, pard, why didn’t
you shout sooner! S’pose they‘d begun to play
pepper and salt, an’ you’d bed no show—I’d
never furgive .myself. Hyar’s that tools; I
allot-s carry an extra cargo. Shove these in
yer belt.” . A .

From either boot he.drew out a navy six,
and tendered them with a flourish. ,

“Now, then. me pistol pard, sail in 1”.

“Yes; if we can do no better, but just listen
a little and see if I don’t talk square common
sense.” , t .

While the two were holding their council-of-
war, the enemy in the gulch on the othér side
of the hill were beginning to grow 
' For they were there. It really seemed as
though the soft-handed sport Ind been fur-
uished with a pair of those double million
optical magnifiers that laughed at deal .doors
and stair-asses, and-could see right though
the side of a hill. . .

Something less, than a dozen wet-elites: in
the crowd that crouched behind the bundles;

all armed with shot-guns or rises, in  , 

to their pistols. and they had been

there (or a good half-hour, since they  left
Hangtown some little while before the,qli:lu-
sion of; the trial. .

The time seemed longer to them than actu-
ally was, and one after another they boys: to
grumble:

“ I say, this is lowdown enough business to
put uson without asking us to stay hyerall
night torun it through. Ef you gouptothe
tqr of the hill I’d up all rocks you’d
seethestreaks ofsuns inehthe It. Idim't
believe they’re coming this way at all. Uh
anotthe boys kicked and hung 'em nanny.

w.

“Er they’ve pulled their sizes and took the
town. There’s a thunderén '

i i
made over them this I’dmak‘e  
ningofit. Iwantentojwlbgn’ 
. .

Window“ and aslivate them both" \

til-rebuth cumin wonky-$319.11..

- Blamed if I’m , tom '
There’s more

- n-  N
offianzmwauidl’nso mqu "'0‘
mm ” ‘

a. Wat‘s." hour all“;

u 9  .

an’that t y’d go twofoxjy ‘ 

thelevel. , 'Diisdon‘tlookmue like , ”
“It.ish mine ohinion that, air

gourdt swei hour to moot dei'. ‘

pom a stolid fa“ Telltale

 
 
 

dual, ash-proceeded to ,  u  ,
“I’llshhymidder  .-
Idmksdishpoesaferrythiu m'

mltdecml shout dolls me, villyprl! 1
The German sport looked tb 
of complacencyas he,Mtho' 
mouth andstruck a match
PM a warning growl tron his
 w , . ,_  ,1. ,
Than 0 up the notch mud-Uh-
sputtering um. flame to on '“ ‘ a.
howl. .
“Crack!

vegitsidor-shtamps'all drr m: i so
Von Ion Daren 

i

 

 

s.£"‘

«es;

Rams.

 

.h .~ .

 ,A..L...V\_j. L.

   

 

3:.- s _.

,‘just fled like frightened sheep.

«#~

’in the ranks of the Skulls.

16

 

 

,W - .. ._.._.._V-.. _.__. .-

straight on,rina‘bull-liea'ded rush for the-camp. .‘ “Then go; perhaps you crests-iking nearer
The sudden attack from the rear was more home than you imagine. Good-night, I’m 011’.”

than he could stand, and all! he went. ‘

l

He turned his horse, which paced leisurely

The fist movement in a crewd is- generally away.

the one that is tollOWed. Instead of bush-
whacking these men were being bushwhacked
and that unnerved them. There was no lying
in wait for these two men whom they had tried
to fanéy as‘ timid fugitives ‘ir‘om justice; on
the contrary, the expatriated wickedness of
Hangto'wu was charging them. The panic
spread in one electric thrill, and as the Dutch-
man raced up the hill the rest of the party
were so close belind thht a couple of good—sized
table—cloths would have covered the crowd.
The actual scare only lasted a moment; but
when it 'was over it was really too late for

v'enything to be don'e, for not even that aban-

doned set had the cheek to turn aroundand go
back toattack the two from whom they bad
And they
knew, that they had lost their advantage
of numbe by giving away their position. t
is true that no one knew very much about the
two, except by a single piece or sample work,
but Ming from thist it was pretty certain
that they could give a good account of them-
selves, and it would not be surprising if they
killed hall the party of would-be lynchers in
case the latter attempted to storm their posi-
tion. Truly the flank movement was a master
stroke; for to it the exiles were indebted for a
bloodless victory. Back to Tierra Roxo went
the doaen, while the two having“ satisfied
themselves that all danger of present pursuit
was over, again turned northward, and plod-
ded along the road until they came to the head
of Red Cat ch, where Bolt Hand halted.

“ It’s litte use, for I’ll bet ten to one we
dcm’t find Wilkins here; but We’ll go down and
sea.  Molly’s will do for a base of opera-
tions; dud I’m not done with Hangtown yet,
by a jugful.” ' -
“ Hyer’s with you, pard. Down we go.”

 

_, CHAPTER XXI.
mt. 'Wluna's BEGINS 'ro ACT.

Guanine Tarsosnoa, with flashing eyes
and poi-ed weapons, barred the way for the
menial Cap'laiu Skull—and then, suddenly, it

’seemed‘as if her nerve had conquered; at -

leastIin the present fight. The leader of the
outliws turned his face half-way around and
made‘afi'ackwd g-ture with his hand.

“ ' then. men. It’s but a chicken;
Mswnstt‘iko'ashar'd as she crows; tail-back!
milk-time will‘do’l-etter‘fwhen there will
be Mobdoty aid has hard knocks. About
redo, take the back trail! ,1 will join you
id‘s “m.” ’ ’ I

‘ ' was neither grumbling nor hesitation
I Instantly- they
, t and then Catalina heard the tramp-
ling-cl r ratcheting stops.”

“Mgiri, you have done what no man
some undone; 130 satisfied with your tem-
p trary My. Go your way; Vvarn them it
you choose; but Member IItint you hlave only
chm ” snot conquered; a the may 0! a
m up thawing to one Who‘has waited
years {or his  Perhaps it is better so.”

"You mot ive me, there is some
t ‘ ' "about this; but I shall domy best,
and if hi! you will have a dearly-bought
 M10! going now?”

'“’ ’fil; How the little midget puts on
airs! ybu knew-I have half -a mind to test
you: If you got into your vain little noodle

an first you are a better man than Cap-
tain“ ’, heaven and earth won’t be large
enough to hold you.” ~ »

The man dropped his hand down toward his
belt, as it unlined to draw 8 Weapon and ear—
ry out n- “oartless threat, but Catalina. brute
1- vilh whammy; - ‘

“Heidi. For haven's sake do not force me
to stab H hand with .your blood. Perhaps I
am wron'g‘ras‘t‘o whose face hides behind that
mask,“ light «mung, I shall not hesitate to
keep my wordl”_ ‘ - '_

"Even at the cost at some was. after-

Wdl, well, hips come to terms, tho.

":li
I gomy way and you go yours. There is-

nothing‘more to do here to-night, and I think
“the junior what ya: havedone,

. wlr'l'hvsaoma (salinity  know what

will _ ' hxtmovsflf
mm Iatlshofidnhaveden

Peters;
wantth their danger.” ‘ -

 

The girl was still suspicious. She kept her
eyes still fixed upon him, aud‘drawing back
her reins, bucked her horse steadily [Jr-{vigil shel-
tered by the curve of the gulch. en she
wheeled and darted away toward Irish Molly’s,
now close at hand, but. as she came up to the
building from the lately left dingle behind her,
there rose on the cool night air the sound of
one shrill scream from a woman‘s lips, and im-
mediately afterward the sounds of a mad
gallop. .

Then she knew that treachery had been at
work, though of what kind she could not even
guess. She flung herself from her saddle, and
rushed into the ranch through the door, that
she found wide open.

A light was burning, and at. first glance
she saw that Harold Wilkins was no longer in
his couch, while seated in a chair, bound and
gagged, Irish Molly glared at her with the look
of a. madwoman. She had come too late to
save.

Meantime, in the dingle above, the woman
she was trying to save had, by her own bold-
ness, fallen into the snare that really was not
set for, her. So strong was the arm about her
waist, so closely upon hermouth was pressed
the great hand of her captor, that movement
or cry alike seemed impossible, though either
might bring to her rescue the brave Catalina,
who only a few yards away was pleading her
cause without any apparent suspicion that she
was so near. -

Hardly had the girl disappeared, before Cap-
tain Skull wheeled once more, and she was
borne out of the sheltering bushes to meet him.

“I have her, captain,” growled a coarse
voice. “What in thunder she war doiu’ in
thar I can’t say, but that she war; an’ when I
struck her I just let the other one go au’ l'roze
on. I reckon it’s all 0. K.“

“Right, Kit, a. thousand times. I won’t for:
get you.- Woman, I know you. 1% art nor
disguise can hide you from me as you are: no
superstitious nonsense can-make .me believe
that you’are a shadow from the sea. I have
been hiding my time and now, at last, you
have-come to meet your doom. it my voice
has not betrayed me lookin my i’aceand see.”

As he spoke Captain Skull threw back the
scrape that clung around his shoulders, raised
the mask that had concealed his face, and
glared at her with his great, black, burning
eyes, that even in the faint light seemed to
pierce her through and through. ~ .. 

Theait was that, the band having dropped
fromher month, she uttered the scream that
had reached, Catalina’s ears; and a moment
later she sunk senseless and cold to the ground.-

“Nothing like quiet strategy, andan eye to
what may happen. If no mistake has been
made by Leon our work has been well done.
(live her to me, and you make your way
quietly. along in ~the shadow until you can see
what isgo'mg on at the ranch. And beware
that you do not stir up that little tiger-cat

. again. Her time is ~not yet come.” .

Without hesitatim‘the man picked the
tionless body from the ground, and heavy
though the dead weight was, tamed it up,
without an exert, into‘ the Watched arms
of Captain Skull. Then the two separated,
Kit, the outlaw, stealing away on his errand.

Ashe came in sight of the cabin he mw
Catalina’s mustang standing in, front” of the‘
door, quietly nipping at the herbage. Quietly
as he drew near, and carefully as he kept him-
self concealed the animal started, pricked back
his ears, turned his head toward the pseudo!
and gave a low snort. ,

" Chat!" whispered the outlaw. “. Keep
quiet old fellow; you, ought ter know me.” '

The voice, low though it was, quieted the
animal, tor it stood motionless again, while
Kit stole on up to the window.

. Within were but two persons, Catalina and
the lrishwosmu. The latter had just been un-
bound, and was'giflng to her visitor a hurried
account of what had happened. . '

“ Troth, me darlint, I woke up all in a trim-
bls, an’ that same itk sildim that Irish Molly
d088, arshswauldn’tbeherenow wid‘a ioine
ranch, an’ cattle outhe hills. _ But. trimblin‘ I
was, though www.mqulatssthaguve;
aa’ I knew there- wae somethia‘ wrong, all

alongsvtbatwre ieelin’, eoI' firth!
door. Jist thin up pops Mishther alias, rist
his sow], an’ out through the winder. It was

a clane joouip, an’ whial give a yell an’ threw
open the door three big spalpeens fell on me, I
pickin’ me o8 mediate like a big baby, set me
down here, an’ trussed me up afore oi could
give asquale. Then ihree more av the same
sort ploonged roight Over .tur the bed; an’ sure
it was empty. At. that the swearin’ bate
iverything.”

“But the girl—the woman: What of her:
Surely this Wilkins was not such a coward as
' to desert her."

“She must have been gone store. Not a
sign ov ayther 0v thim was in the house. It
was all over in a minute. Out they wint and
found his tracks outside, an‘ either him thq
wint, an’ av they come back it's a bot time
they’ll have now that we’re riddy fur thim.
Sure yez wouldn‘t risk it to go out ag’in wid
thin) lhai’es av the worruld a-prowlin’ an und!”

“Perhaps. One thing is certain I seem, to
have thrown away my work. _ Yet who would
have suspected a double movement. No won-
der he was willing to temporiae with me since
his other band of ruflians was doing his work.
Yet I do not understand it altogether. Where
was the light-haired man, the one that has
been nursing Wilkins. Surely he was honest
and true and would not desert a frien .”

“Faith! av that same quiet man had been
here it’s loively times tnere’d been fur the
b’ys; but it’s to Hangtown be wint, afore dark
andit‘s back he’s not come yit. Whin he does,.
look out!"

“Not back yet i” exclaimed Catalina, sharp-
ly. “ Then I will wager there has been more
foul play. By heavens! they ' have made a
tool of me for the last time. Good night.”

She wheeled abruptly, and passed out of the
door, just in time to catch sight of Kit, the
outlaw, stealing away.

“ Halt there!” she cried.
you!"

She pointed a revolver at him as she spoke,
but he only bounded away to the side. of her
mustang, and with one leap was upon . his
back, bending low behind him, as ‘with .voice
and foot he urged him away. . . . ,

Off went the animal with‘frightaned bounds,
for perhaps a dozen yards. _ Then, ‘at a shrill
signal from his mistress, be halted as suddenly,
gave a quick half turn, threw his heels in the
air and his rider to the ground, following up
his work by completingbis wheel and planting
both hool's full andvfair upon the breast. of. the
unlucky Kit. ‘. .=  .

‘~‘ Ha, ha!” exclaimed Catalina” repledng.
her revolvers. “ After a salute .trom Moon.
shine’s heels it’slitiJe that you can have, to tell
me. Fool that you were to meddle with. my
faithiul friend. Moonshine, come here." .

Without an. instants delay the intelligent
animal obeyed, and swinging herself into the
saddle rider and,steed darted up the gulch.

“ If it should be the truth,” she muttered to
herself as she went along. f‘Ii‘. it should be
the truth, and I too late. the. regrets ,ot a 1i -
time would be poor punishment!” >

Was it too late! , .

As she sweptaround-lhe bend. and 151110385
the dingle a iittleJn' trout .0! her there coma
the sound of the sharp crack of a. pistol- AS
Captain Skull, still mounted, was moisten-
ing the lips at his captive with the contents at
his flask, fromthe side at, the gulch Herold.
Wilkins leaped down, and giving one am
pulled a W. i - i ' -

For a moment the outlaw wavered. than his
arms unelasped irom his pay, and. man “id
woman pitched heavily to the .

“A word with

_
Gasman xxii. .;

' ' nerd Tanya’s?  ‘

Tasman who (thus suddenly and-‘IIIVOXW
edly came to the rescue was  ,
Wilkins; and he had actedwith a nerve “d.
y pmmptness that one would hardly MW W
for. ~ . v .

_ In some miraculousway-his strenxflueemed
largely restored, and ,.having distanced his
pursuers he hadstruok in just fume. ,_

Far from being injured, the , seemed to
hays a reviving eRect, for about instantly
Kata roseto her teen-week butwitb all-her
amassing“; w" “s

at. n t o

“ Take raceway!”  fine is

here. Quick! you are in  So

mmhosh

 

“ Faeroething; he  harm‘no one again,

no

‘PLIS’QQIiPWé-3 

 

 

unless I am ghastly mistaken. See! he' lies
there motionless with my_bullet through’ his
brain. The end has come at last. 'Who would
have expected to find it here f”

~He spoke weakly, and et with ‘a strange
fever ofexaltation‘, and hogding with one hand
to the rein of the horse that he had captured
as'his riders fell, with the other he pointed to
the figure of the prostrate man.

Kate started. '

“What, dead?"

“Sol believe. It was his life or yours—
and my own some time. Why should I have .
hesitated? Yet, come. There is no time for
delay. His tools are on my track; it was by
miracle alone that I escaped them, and that
shot will bring them here. Come, let us mount
and be off while there is the chance. Ah!
what mean you?"

“What? and leave him here to die alone?
For, seel He is not dead yet.”

She was kneeling with a woman’s consist-
ency by the side of the prostrate man—it ~was
the movement to his side that called forth the
last question from Wilkins. _ She had the head
of Captain Skull pillowed on her knee, and was
holding the tips of her fingers to his heart. .

“ Dad? of course he is not dead. If he was
it would be the worse for you both. It will
be bad enough anyh0w, for he‘has a long arm,’
a strong grasp and never forgives.”

The two looked around with a startled
glance, as the voice of a stranger fell upon
their ears, Wilkins making a movement to-
ward the pistol that he had returned to his
bosom.

“None of that!" added Catalina, sharply.
“ I am inclined to be your friend, but I will
run no risks of treachery. I am as good a
shot, and I can pull the trigger before you can
draw.” .

“But-but who are you?" queried “'ilkins,
hesitating.

not; you must seek concealment rather than
flight; and I alone can- place you where your
presence Will never be suspected.”

“True. I doubt even if the road was open
'whether I could stand the journey to the min
ing camp that it would have been better that
I never passed. I would drop by the wayside.”

“ Keep up your courage and your streng th.
I came hither this night to save you and I will;
but no more talk. You are far rom safety
yet.”

Wilkins accepted her advice without hesita-
tion, since he not only saw the good senseln it.
but he was also in a fair way of soon being un-
able to do otherwise. He was still buoyed up
with hope, still nerved with the nearness of
danger; and though he felt a pair of soft arms
around him he vowed that they should not
have the heavy task of holding him in the
saddle.-

“The bed of the stream was followed for I
some distance; then again Catalina turned to ‘
the left. She Seemed to know all the wind-
ings of these mountain paths, following them
without a moment's hesitation.

After what seemed an age of wandering she
cautioned the two, again, and leaving abruptly
the mountain trail began adescent toward a
valley that lay beneath.

“ Whither do you take us?” whispered Kate,
in some alarm. “If daylight finds us wander-
ing here any eye can mark us down. Would
it not be better to remain hidden here in the
mountains until we are able to'proceed on our
journey f” ' '

“And starve? No. no! Your pursuers are
birds of the night. When daylight comes you
could even dare to ride straight into camp:
though you would be no safer there than here.
It is not as a robber chief that Captain Skull is
hunting you down: but as your foe to the
death. 'Even in Tierra Roxo he can make his
arm felt. A stray bullet, a thrust with a

 

Without reply the girl stepped forward and .
bent over Captain Skull, whose 'head had again i
dropped to the ground. Then she felt the top '
of his head, and though her hand, 'when she 1
drew it away, Was stained with blood, she"
manifested little trepidation or rephgnance;

“Yes, 'he lives; if you would live, too, come
with me. There is but one route open."

“ And you! in heaven’s name. who are you 3" ‘3

“ Iknow "not: perhaps a friend. Come or
stay as you choose. I heai’ the bloodhound: in
the distance, and will not remain ,to see you
pulled. down. -If you go not with me, fare-
well." ' '

She glided away. Her mustang was back in‘
the dinghy just where she had left him, and
she felt that she would, in safer upon his back. t

On the instant'Wilkius’ decided. - Once more
the horse of Captain Skull bore dohble, and f
With a fewde was by the sideof Catalina. '

“ You hhve come, have you!” she' asked.
“ Better had We started sooner.” ‘ ' -

Like an echoto her words sounded '
from above:

“ Halt: ’ . '

Half adozen of the road-agents were peer- ;
ing‘ do“ from ‘the bank with weapons 1 a

“On, now! we’must run the rick. ‘ -If Ifall
and you liveremember Idid my best."

Shag-whirl therein and he shot
away, trialle'clese iii ha- wake came the two to
whose aid the had so strangely devoted herself.

Thtlthers'was a crashof fire-arms. asthe
outlaws saw their prey thus escaping; but the
sudden increase of speed had disooncerted their
aim, and- on flow ’the fugitives cohort, and
heading firaight down Red Cat gulch. ~

Pm Irish Holly’s they went like a lightning
express, hardly hviug time to notice that the
house was-ll int mend notpdciiotaliving
creature about. 'Thre was no time to halt
now,'fcr there was no how soon the
horsemen, warned by the noise of the 'firing,
would return fos'eek Captain Skull, and state
upon their-trad. - '

For fully half aimile the mad run continued.
Then m that path there hrawleu a stream,
small 'enwghow not to check their advance,
though at times it swelled into" a mum that

swept dawn llk a flood through' the gorge
into which-Bed Cm gulch debauched.

Into tbh mam‘Cahuua led the we; Ignore-
ly; M then,‘tu!nilgto the la“ 08 up
theme, thougbtbepathwastoomgged for

' of even fot safdy.“

acry

knife at your back, or a dozen other plans he
might try, though his greatest hope I know is,
to take yen alive.” '

“And why?”

"That you must guess. I was unlucky
enough to hear a conversation, surely never
meant for my ears; I dare tell you nomore.
Now, hush: and whatever you may see or hear
speak not again until I give you leave. It
you do it may cost you your lives and mine."

Strange enough it seemed to the two. yet
positively true. that they ‘were approaching a
dwelling house of some extent; but, as they
hoped that it was their guide’s intention to
lead them thither. she turned, and leaving it at
one side, made her way cautiously to a cabin,
scarcely more than a hut, built against the
side of the mountain and at the distance of
perhaps half a mile from' the larger building.

‘Haltlng the-in near this Catalina sprung from
her saddle, and, on foot, advanced toiward the
cabin',-in or about which no signs of his could
be noticed. ‘ -

Yet their movement. had not been unseen.

' Just as she neared the shadows of the-house
adatk form 'stepped cut and confronted her,
and for a few meme“ there was a low-toned,
earnest conmation." EVidently she was ask-

ing some favor that the man, for man it who,
was none too willing to grant.

Yet the girl triumphed at length, and coming
back she ~ ' '

-“ All is well if on be but ordinarily careful.
Games has to shelter you; as he can do
without risk if you keep quiet and within doom
Remember, though, that you are risking m
lives besides your own. ‘Iudeal, our'lives
might be in- the greater danger.- Ifdcknesl
should cane; if fever m in from that old
wound, and Gem is not leech stimulant to
cure you, you must die and -give .no sign.
Remember that. At the-first sign of truchery
I will'hunt you both out and slay you where I
find you. Now thatyea. are warned, come.
It isnotapalacelhaveledyouto, butlt isa
place of safety whicbis a great deal better."

The girl spoke harshly, and d length. Evi-
dently she had very little faith in anyone,
'and intended them to uderstaud it. It might
havsbeen‘just as well ifsbc had waited to
make her remarks until they got inside. Kate
felt the frame around which her arms were
clasped tremble, and was just in ms to save
herself from the fall both would be had had
she been taken answerer. 'Catallna spins
forward, howst’er, hnd Oomrand- between

 

“new 'irjustehe chance for you,” whis-
peredthelr guide. “It you follOw m'e

yous-us It. You cannot go far,-if I mistake

them they helped Hamid ‘Wilkias into the

1‘7

his wounded ribs had brought him very near to
' it. ' ‘ .
‘ He was better soon, and Catalina and Gomez
stole softly away, leaving the two alone to-
j gether to talk for a time, and finally sink into
‘ the sleep of exhaustion.
Morning dawned, and wore on. While
‘ they talked in low tones Catalina came in sud-
denly.

“ Hush," she said. “Gather up those things
of yours and take them up yonder ladder to
the loft. Should any one come to the cabin
remain there quietly until you are actually dis-
covered?” .

“What? Is there danger?"

Wilkins moved to the window as he spoke
and looked down into the valley. Two home-
men were in sight. riding rapidly toward the
ranch, and at the sight he staggered back and
stared at Catalina with wild eyes:

“Heaven and earth! You have brought us
into the lair of Captain Skull; and yonder he

 

 

‘ cornea".

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
nnrnarran.

CAPTAIN SKULL, if be it was that Wilkins
saw from the little opening that did service a:
a window, never once thought of the cabin of
Gomez as a possible refuge for the two fugi-
tives. When he had recovered from the
lethargy produced by the bullet grazing his
skull he found himself lying on the ground, his
horse gone, and three or four of his men stand-
ing around him in amazed perplexity. They
had heard the shot fired by Harold Wilkins;
but waited in the distance. They beieved it
was from the revolver of Catalina, and had
reason to think that it had proved bunnies.

A few moments later and there was a rat-
tlingvolley; and then they hesitated no longer,
but dashed back, to find the captain still sense-
les, and to hear the sounds of flight and pur-
suit dying away down the gulch.

“So the girl got away with you, captain?
She’s little, lut she bites dt-e when she eels
her teeth. If she had held a trade latter down
there’d have been a vacancy made tovnight.”

“ Which, perhaps, you would not have been
sorry to see,” said the captain. raising himsel
to a sitting posture, and glaring around in no
very friendly way.- '

“No woman’s hand fired the shot, but the
bungling work of Leon turned the man he
should have taken or‘ slain, loose, to come
within an ace of doing for me. 'The girl .was
Igone long enough before—though she have
come back again; who knows? But it y do
youdinger here? 01 in pursuit! Take fiem
alive if you can, but if you cannot, let there
be no more nonsense. Slay them all! It tuy
get into Hangtown it must be known at once,
and it will be worth five hundred to the m-
that slaya Hm than”

Down the gulch went the Skulls, but before
ltmg they joined the party under Leon, and
found them utterly at fault. It was certhin
thatthe fugitives had not stopped at“
Molly’s, for that builth had been under ur-
veillance. ever since they had dashed w.
There was a chance that they was
somewhere near, concealed in scans ‘
ravine, but the theory most generally accepted
was that, under Catalina's'guidanes, they hd
headed for- Tlerra Hero by tlmdrcuitons
diflcult trail whichled from tblowereud
Red Cat Gulch. One man threw aside.
‘mask and rode rapidly away, if .
bead them otfand make sure of distrust-Ia
into town; while therest continued a
search which lasted (at into its morning.
- Then some dolled their disguises mid
crawledhack to their dens, and “30* watch-
hl ayes were abroad, for a timenfiehm
seem to lie-toyed. At sllevants it
,carrledona verywldmentdncoseveralda
passed and still the disappearance! the two
"complete, though in th‘ time .vnrious
things of importance had happened, sage of
whichrhav-ah'eadyheen related,“ “his-

8

its!

i

ii

tcryofthsreirsm tobetold.

At the (:7 of Willa, Catalina
looked coolly out of the window, and than
medtohimwithasmile.

“Sothatis theredoubtahle Capt-insult
Thankyou for theinformatiou, though I had

suspected asmuch. And asfor ht Insertions--
what better could I have done a.
you where your pm’ would hover
meted? IlhefinrkyouI own it

 

fcabiu, Whither Kate loflowed. He had not
, fainted, but a sudden twinge of pain-about

salmonella but he use,
you. Inaday or two I'hope you

 

 

tat-talk is worn than folly.

 

is

strong enough to go on your way, and grate-
ful enough to try and forget and forgive what
bu happened about Tiarra Roxo, where, cer-
tainly, y0u had no business ever to come.”

“Girl; who are you? What relation is
there between you and these outlawsl—for
connection of some kind there must be.
You are young. you are reckless, and yet
you seem hon- st and true. Dare I trust you?
Why should you have come to our hid!"

“You'have asked me some such questions
before, and I told you I could not answer
them. What is it to you? Accept the goods
that the gods send you, and never mind wheth—
er they are brought by an angel or some one
else. I have taken a fancy to aid you, and as
long as that lasts you will find me tolerably
true.” a . ' ,

"But surely you have not lived here al-
ways; and you are not alone. Your father-
who is be! Your mother? There is not a line
in your face that is familiar, yet something
tells me that you are one I should know."

“ Father! Mother! Conic! You are ask-
ing too much. I have supposed, sometimes,
that yonder man whom you. called Captain
Skull, was my father; but then, again, I know
that he is not. You certainly do not claim the
honor.” ‘ ,

She looked at him sharply, her black eyes
gleaming, whether with anger or interest it
was hard to tell; and waited for his answer.

He hesitated, shook his head slowly and re-
plied withjomething of a far-away look:

“ No child of mine lives, or ever has lived;
why 'doyou ask?”

“ No reason need I give for a woman‘s ques-
tion, and for yours 1’” give you a woman’s
answer. Why does Captain Skull hate
you?"

The question was to the man, but Catalina‘s
eyes turned to the woman, and hardly had she
spoken when she saw a crimson flame ' spread
over the face of Kate, who raised her hand
with a warning gesture, and gave the ansWer
herself.

- “You have chosen to say nothing in regard
to yourself; and perhaps you are wise. Grant.
to us the same privilege. To you we would
only tell the truth, and perhaps it is better that
that truth should not be told; not here and
yet at least. You have served us well. If we
leave our bones here nothing will ever con-
vince me that the fault was yours. If we es~

 

cape, come to us when and where you will,

and ask us what you choose; you will not find
us ful.” .

“ has are readily made; but not so,
often kept. ramps when I remind you of
yours I will find you as ungrateful as the
baboon of the world. Let it be so, though;-
what matter? I am not serving for pay. All
I came to tell
you that you will not see me again for perhaps
a day, when longer. When I can see my

chard will return to 'you and then you
mutbe ready to leave. Meantime you can
m well whether, when you are 0! and

mm uddle. Thus was no‘one in sight

‘ “than had been she would nothnve
to: die .dld‘not believe that there
many Melon of the nearnem of the two
W, and if there had been, in no other
mute so easily meal-med.

t to the fuchsia went, andat the door
mercy a tall, thinlfacnd woman, whose
“oomphxmhndbhck hulr‘nd eyes
'prononnce her a native Calfornlao,
Ol‘the Mexican stock. There was something
wk, forbidding about the countenance of this
woman, although it retained traces of much
tamer bounty; nod she looked at the girl with,
favcold glitter in her eye; asthough reading. her

It.

afl . ,

"‘ I, Catalina,” she said. -“ You are ever
wise, since you are never in' the swungth of
the storm.- It line 'wellior you that you were
not hen-ten minutes go. -

“And why!” asked/Catalina cooll , as she
mama- her bridle tea half-clad y who
came running up. ~ ‘ v ~

“Why, what have :I done now, that I should
in. I) he in Hdlngl” .

“You.ka but. - Your cock was new all

and who-«he came back- the  thin.
‘ um warmer you. -' He wore roundly
when they told him you had come in at mid-

l

l“

l

. between

 

 

‘7 :Ifistel Paras.

night, and went to look if your had had been
slept in. He scarce believed that you had
just ridden away. What new wickedness
have you been up to! It must be something
worse than ever and I doubt if it will soon be
forgiven.” I

“ How can I tell of what I am accused now?
The pranks of a girl are easily magnified into
a crime when the judge is bent on having a
culprit. Let those who brought me here take
me as they find me; or send me away. Do. I
want to dwell herel’.’

“You might dwell in a worse place, and
have fewer friends,” answered the woman,
standing .aside to allow Catalina to enter.
“ But that you will not believe?”

“ Soarcely.”

“ Willful childrenthat try to have their
ownway always, sometimes meet with trou-
bles they need not.
I should say that while your uncle is in such
mood it would be well to beware how you
anger him.” »

" And it would be well for others to take
care how they lllt‘ddle in business that is not
their own, or trouble themselves of matters
that are my concern; I can protect, and I can
avenge myself." ,

She swept away toward her room unmipdful
oi» the fact that the woman held forth her
hand as if to stay-her until her ansWer could
be heard, and followed protesting that there
was a mistake. . '

The room into which Catalina entered was
darkened by closed shutters and she advanced
to throw themlopon: the door behind her sud-
denly closed and she heard the snap of the bolt
in the great look, that told her that she was a
prisoner. -

“ He, be, my ladle You may protect your-
self sure enough, for all the world can neither
get in nor out through this deor; and the win-
dows are stoutly barred from the outside.
How you will avenge yourself remains to be
seen. Make yourself comfortable as you can,
for out of there you do not come until your
uncle returns, and that may be aweck. There
is a lamp there for you to light, and you shall
not starve.” I

Whether or no she was suspected, Catalina
was caged.

CHAPTER XXIV.
conosn. msn'wooo TRUIPS a men.

Tan two exiles gave one last look in the
direction of— the camp, and then turned down
Red Cat Gulch. Whatever. might be the basis
of Soft Hand’s interact Alabaster J im’a appear-
ed to be purely gratuitous.

“ l’lnin this‘drag with you, an’ I’m goin’ to
see you out,” was his answer, as Sort Hand
called to his mind the haste which he had dis-
played to get of! to the North.

“ I‘ve struck a streak o’ luck hyar, things is
panning out rich, au’ fur a pard you’re about
as good as they make ’em, so I-ain’ta-growlin’.
Only don’t you l'urgit thet ther tough work is
just heginniu’, an’ of I stick, you ain’t to throw
0.. H _ J

“ Not my name,” answered the other short-
lyt “There’s a little on of saving my life
that I’m not goiqto forgot.”

“ All right, I‘ll give you a chance at mine
some day. An ef wedon’t stir up some fun at
Irish Molly’s you kin call me a Dutchman.
I feel it in me ms.” . ‘ -

It looked as t dugh the bones store-id were
poor prophets, however, for mad the house
everything was silent, and in the dim, uncer-
tain light of the early morning it looked deso-
late and deserted. Contrary to the role since
the strangers had been received, the doors
windows were tightly closed, and, as Alabaster
Jimre ,itnppearedaathoughthm
migl'n have beena death in thohmily.

Soft Band was inclined to take a serious
view of the nutter. He looked, and he lis-
tened, He examined the roadway, and even
crept around until he could obtah a view of
the user of the house, it by chance than we“
be any one lurking there.

Nothing else suspicious _oould be seen, yet he I

wasnots‘fled.
"‘Bee has,"hesaid. “lfthore his boon
any trouble" and that Irishwcmen has

warshmyinwammmyktdrive
htand talktensattsnvud if chateau:
coming'inlorce;l hadbegtargoonaheadand
lac what‘s the lay-out. She’s as handy with

If you would take advice.

 

the pistols, I’ve heard, as with her tongue, and
I t youthatssayi a I den .”

“ ve on, but of t r 8 fun ave a leetle till
I him up.” ' . .

80 leaVing Alabaster Jim at some little dis—
tance from the house, Soft Hand marched
boldly up to the door and gave a thundering
knock, to which there was no response. Again
he beat a tattoo with his knuckles, and waited
for some sign from within; which did not
come.

“No use to waste time,” he muttered. “If
there was going to be shooting the frolic
would have begun. Here goes.”

Shoulder forward he flung himself against
the door, w hich creaked under the attack, but
did not yield. ‘

Once more he threw his weight against the
stout boards, and this time, with a crash that
rattled through the old house,~the door flew
back, and the way was open. In fact he fol—
lowed the door in with a rush that was as in-
voluntary as it “as rapid.

“By George! they’ve skipped the ranch, or
some one’s taken tlrem in from the damp.
There’s no one here.”

The little stream of misty light that crawled
in through the open door haidly showed him
the shadows. I-le strode across the roomand
casting up a heavy bar was about to throw
open the shutter. I - ,

At, that instant a stream of dark forms, with—
out even a whisper of warning, pounced out up—
on him.

First, from» a closet close at hand, a little,
tough, wiry Mexican bounded out, cat-like,
and sprung upon his back; clinging fast with

Iboth aims around him, then two crawled out

loomunder the bed, one dropped down from
the loft above, and two more dasled through
the partition door, crying:

“Give it up, pard, we’ll have you dead or
alive!”

And the five boundede the assistance of the
little Mexican, the foremost man carrying a
pair of glittering handcuffs.

Six on one, and no time or chance to use
his weapons. It looked as though they had
him beyond a. doubt. Certainly they ought to
be able to dispose of any ordinary man before ‘
Alabaster Jim could come to the rescue, evon I
if he heard the noise of the fray.

But Soft Hand did not even attempt to draw
his revolvers. Up and behind him he threw
his hands the moment the Mexican settled on
his back. Than he bent forward, stooping low
down with a sudden jerk, and up in the air
went the Mexican, and moved path by the
shock and partly by the powerful hands of the
bronze-bearded man he dropped right in front
of Soft Hand who Ins.iustaotly changed his
gripe and catching him up as though he was a
feather, whirled him swiltly around his m.

Down went two men, stricken to thefloor
by this novel bludgeon, while the “W3
three sprung back, but were nimble toucape
the human mtapult. With another owing
Soft Hand hurled at them the body oftbe
Mexican, and leveling one more he sprang
forward, and catching, by the throat, the other
two, who were too dumfounded to organise
Mum, he tore them from the floor and
flung themin a heap upon their comrades.

At them'flmO Alabaster Jim came dash-
ingiatotbemmpfipishllneither .A

“I’vegot ’em, James,” said Hand,
00013;” he stoopedand W the handcuffs
on M of tho, linking- than water,
and then drew his revolvers. “I'.ve\aot ’ern;
bathinto or angels cc uldu‘t tell What we’re to
do with ’em. It would be butcher] to cut
their thronutund they’re M010!“ cattle to'
let go. As they're all of them m1 judge
they’re part of Captain Skull’e‘onr - »

‘ A puttylookin’ set theyare. don’t want
’em either,.l.'ll ,tell you, pard. I'll-lie scanty
ain’t. wuth much, an’ ther owner wen't. have
much unforit, turl jedge they’vehaditoplant
her afore they could not up shop WMthem-
selves. Ther best plan would be to tie ’em in
sheep. look up then-d0!!! sn' winders, an’
burn up ranch, road-agents an’ all toget .”

He might well have been in very: earnest, so
soberly did the make the proposition, and
while he quake he one quietly removing the
arm from thehalteof the prisonersef them
several were senseless, and the rest, halt stun-
ned, were covered. by Soft Band's revqlvors.

“That seems mom a but
we’ll tie the. upand see what demos they’ve
done before we make upmuImiuds.” .

Without much trouble they succeeded in

 

 

 

 

the house; but not a sign did they find of Har-A
old Wilkins or Kate, and even Irish Molly had :
disep ed and left no trace.

“Bad work byar, and I'll bet you ther party l
in thar knows more about it than we do. Let’s
shake ‘em up, an’ have em out one at a time. 5
I reckon we kin git su'thin’ outer ’em of we i
try.” - I ' . 1

So, one after the other, the six were over-
hauled, and some were stupid, and some knew
nothing, or pretended to know nothing, and it 
was only when they had come to the last one a
that they opened up a mine of information. 

He had been one of the party who had been i
sent by Captain Skull to approach the house J
from below, so be was able to tell how Wil-
kins had ' escaped, and further pursuit had '
proved unavailing. . . '

“ But what’s become of them now i” asked
Soft Hand‘sharply.‘ “And where is the lrish- -
woman? She was rough and ready, but she
was worth a hundred such cattle as those in
there.” ' ' ~

" Them two made a through run, fur not a
sign nor sound on ‘em er Molly hcz ther cap-
tain found; an’ ther gal thet helped ’em ofl’
won’t tell. Irish Molly don’t know.much, but
they‘vo got her under the pump; an’ we war
put hyar to ketcb you ef you ceme.”~

“ But this Catalina, who, you say, must have
guided them off. Where is she now; and who i
is she?” I

“I reckon the captain himself don’t know
just who she is, from the way he talks, though
he’s been mighty kind to her till she cut up
this shine. He’s got her shut up in his ranch
now; an’ of she ain’t mighty'careful she’ll come'
out reet foremost."

“Good! We have some trail at last,” said
Soft Hand, in a decided tone. “Now tell us
where this ranch is and you’ll come out right
in the end.”

“ Yugo-J began the outlaw, but just then
a harsh Voice broke in: ‘

“ This frolic has lasted longenough. Throw
up your hands and surrender!" -

Colonel Daahwood had reorganized his fugi-
tive lynchers and come out from Hangtown.

CHAPTER XXV.
new rear HELD ran liaison.

Bonn? enough marched Colonel Dashwood
and his doughty warriors. Heartin ashamed
of their .sudden, senseleaa panic, the latter,
after being soundly rated for their cow-
ardice bytbo colonel, who met them on their
way to Tiara Bold, were euaily psuuuaded to
follow him back; in has, it would be almost a
misnke to my!» persuaded them, since he
said follow and they renewed. As they use
near the ranch they observed mm and more
caution, and finally crept, up on the amateur
judges, who were putting the captured agent.
through a course of examination.

Odd alight mistake they made; they ops
preached in a body. ' If they could have risen
from all sides at once, they might'bave caught
the two at a diam As it was, Quietly
though 'tbay had come, Aloha-tea Jim recog-
nized their presence just an. inatant before the
colonel W, and acted for theemtt‘sencyl .
He and his partner throw’ up ear-h a hand;
but » hdd‘uavysixaa, and at the same
time be u up the prisoner as a barricade,
shouting to Soft Hand: ' ‘

"MM door, paid; I’ve got him‘llned
an’bo In't Mt Ila We‘ll hold this ranch, er
bu'st a-tryin’." ‘

Mahdi-attuned: die man from Cinnabar
sprung hr’ube house. ‘ That was perhaps their
couch-wannabe wasteduotimsin discuss-
ing what would follow. ,

The rapid movements of the two dhooncert.
ed the coltmel, and us he had 31v.“ “do;
orders not‘to tire until he gave the word,.t.he
retreat was made without eliciting a volley,

“Now,kunnel, wetve.got' the and nmi.
cine on you. By this time my pa‘rd be: (her
dropon yet, an’ it I mks you kh pile up all
yer ducltata that he won’t. Hold ontill I git
Wilmer, an? then we’ll tals reason to yer.”

Overtimsbouldcrottbu terrified man, who;
appeal-«Nike an-iniantinobis arma, would
theqes at the sport, and the deadlytubs w
looked right into the colonal’a eyes never.
waverotkw'l'lum nigh shoot, but it was
uh even chancesthat he hit the helpless prison-

 

binding their prisoners, and then rummaged -

Pistol

or who was being usedas a shield; and at the
first discharge of a weapon it was pretty cer-
tain- that So“ Band, from some invisible
station in the house would attend to him. So
the contemplated rush was checked, and Ala-
baster Jim quietly stepped back through the
open doorway. .

“ Thor’s nothin’ like doin‘ things yerself.
kennel; then yer sure they’re done right. I
tell yer ef yer hedn‘t been hyar'thar might ’a’
bin dreadful work. Now, ef you know what‘s
healthy, you’ll jist~ git right back to Hangtown,
you an’ yer crowd, an’ leave us to settle our
own affairs. Ef you won‘t listen to that, let’s
hear what you’ve got to say.”

Out from a-window there was thrust a white
flag, and the way was open for a parley.

So the colonel seemed to think, for, without
any hesitation, he moved a few steps nearer;
while Jim appeared at the window. Both of
them held their hands down.

“You’ll hard'y fire after you’ve hung up a
flag of truce, and so I’ll risk telling you a lit-
tle plain truth. We’ve come out after you

two, and we mean to have you, so you may as

well givelin at first as at last. There are only
two of you in there, and there are, a dozen of
us here.” .

“0h, ho! yer figgerin’ too fast. Tbar’s
eight on usghyar, an' kill one kill all. W'e’ll
all waltz_Up ther flume-together. Ef you want
us, come an’ take us;,a.n’ ther first dead man

| will be Colonel Dashwood, unless ther rest are

fools enough to- let you push ’em on ahead.”

“You can’t be on all sides of the house at
once, and if some of us do suffer the rest are
bound to get in when we make a charge.” ,

“I don’t see it that. way. We’ll' salivate
every last soul On one side ov ther house, an’
then be ready fur ther balance ez they come.
We’re ducks, we-be; regular roosters, trimmed
and heeled.”

“ But even if we can’t pick you off, or drive
you out, you can’t hold out forever, and we’ll
sit down in siege for a month but what we'll
have you,”

“An’ what’ll we be doin’? An’ how yer
goin’ to fix it about ther other sixl You’ll

hand in ther loaves and fishes fur them, .an’ in.
course we’ll hand ’em over, an’ starve our,“

selves. That’s our style, every time.”

“Your prisoners, as youcall tbtm, must
starve with you. What have I‘to do with
themi. I don’t know who they are, and don’t
care; but if six men let two corral them they
must be no account frauds anyhow, and the
sooner they’re gone the better. But if any
harm comes to them, beware. When we set
tire to the old stable I,fancy you will be glad
enough to crawl out, and surrender.”

“An! s’peee we do, then what?"

“ Well, that trial in towu was a farce. Be-,

sides, there have been . developments. We
wmtyouthiatime. It will be as the court
decides.”

" You’re the court,.an’ yer twelve men ther.
'jury. Thankqou. I,don’t just guess, we will.

m... we gettired in hyar we’ll hang yer six
m bra: cuter than: winders, an’ move on,
I’ll make on an odor,  ,Thare’a been
mine  between .us an' ’m the best man.
Ef yer don’t believe it draw yeatrmds 03 an’
I’ll kiln out an’ light. you for love_er money
on crown heelsor with thergafm",

co more Alabaster. 'Jnn challengedthe
colonel to single combo
often was. declined. The colonel wauual no
duel in his; nnd'yet it could hardly be lack of
nerve ainee he had had more ,than ono ahgls
encounter in his time, and his private ve-
mrd was larger than any other: two ,in ierra

xo. . ,. . ,

“ Fall back there and let the mntbaginl”

In went the white flag, «and back jumped
Alabaster Jim, who ind no idea of allowing
any one a chance for asuap shotat him; while
the colonel and his man, at long pistol range,
put their heads together, and seemed to be
getting ready torn rush. ,

“ l’msorry for you fallen," addad Jim, Id?
dresaing his prisoners. . “I wouldn‘t mind
makinga-awop of it, but you heard whatther
kunnel said. I’m goin’ to place. yet whar
you’ll do moutgood, an d yer don’t stay whar
Iput yer thar’ll be about live ov yer plugged
wuua nor any bad molar warm.” '

The five hfiamained altogether silent dur-

fiu . a
and and acne more, and thwody
cadmium-nub did not makamon
ou» la. of a awhh blah-ell! was
the one who had tart-ed as shield and booklet.

t; and once more-the

zbehad decided that no 

 

,cover be eduld at least kill them,

.L _ . V”... an . .. ,._.,,4

He rolled into 9. owner, and  nothing to
say, possessing himself with the hope that he
would be allowed to remain there, unnoticed.

At the address 0: Alabaster Jim then-est be-
came silent. They might be placed in various
ways, any of which would be uncomfortable
and dangerous, and they were in an agony to'
see what was to come. .

They did not have to wait long, since one
after another the five were piled up in a heap
against the closed but shattered door, thrOugh
the wide cracks of which they could plainly
seen by the men without. '

About the time he had made this arrange-
ment Soft Hand came sliding down .from
above, where he had tern to take a sly look at
things. He seemed in ‘a remarkably good
humor for one of two that was in for a'flght to
the death against a dozen. ’

“ Fun enough, here, James? Eh?”

“Things is bloomin‘; but it doeslook like a
slaughter to massacre all them innercents.”

“ I’m not caring for the slaughter; what I do
care is getting the tunes] ahead ofthe hearse.
It’sbad enough now, butif We take them all in,
Hangtown may rise on its combined ear'tor
fear we’ll depopulate it; and 1 want to go back
there.” ‘ ‘

“ So doI. I‘ve got to, er lose my cache.”

“ Besides, though we could easy sonogram
all off, that wouldn’t be helping Wilkins any,
and l’m going to carry my conti act through
with him." . ‘

“Then how you going to work it? 'If we
break kiver they’re bound to run us down, an’
ef we stay hyar—they're comin’ tar as now.”

“ I think we have them anyhow. I’ve been
taking a view of things, and it’s just pig luck in
our favor. There’s six or seven mustan cor-1

'raled just below; belong to ther-gang we

caught in here I suppose. There’s one man
watching them, and two more behind ' the
ranch watching us. We’ll open fire in front,
for they are going to come for us now, and
then skip out of the back window, saving the
two as we go along, and break for the house.
We may be hung afterwards for horse-thieves,
but 111 bet rocks on it that we have a ride to-
ay.” -

“ Now you’re 'sboutin’, . We’ll stam-
pede that corral, an’ git. E they «take us than,
they orter, that’s all. Look out!” .

The consultation appeared to. be over. There
were only two sides of the’ranch that were
open to immediate entrance, the front pad tear;
and the doors and windows there were 90 stout
that the first rush might not carry them, and
while; they were being forced them was no
telling how many of the attacking party would
be picked oil. ' '

The ends of the house, it seemed, might be
approached in safety, unless it should turn out
“fit them were some hidden loop-bolas; bud it
appeared they had decided to 
plan shoddy nted stand fire the, some. or
course, now that he had his   up
to their work, and as they were armedwitb
 and files, Coioxiel Daslrwo'od 
doubt but that if he could get the two‘bdt

E

would far rather have theta 

its“;

\

i

made of the prisoners  no, ’
up, though, as they were to war
there was littledanger but; I
nacued before the lanes  them

Theattack began. ' “ ,

Frcmeveiy side there came sputtering ‘ -
lets, and yells; but the two were not 
mango» was on foot; €139}th 4 ma
blind. The eyes ot the colondi‘ andfigxnen
would turn in direction, thaigh, ' elm
fired inrapid :qucceaaIOn from We ironlwere
something" of a'divetulhn. '

Then, almost instantlyé m matter or the‘
window in e 'asat w open, two ,m
wounded the wo’mebonguardthere, andout
leaped Soft Hand, tollowod by  Jim.
Amomentor twowoul‘ddacidetbomaler
nommtheydidnotmlnd  I
as tbeidsa cf running away5_though they lat
no gram grow under their feet. I "

Tho unexpected appearance

I. ' _
“ed “to We. ' 8011.,wa  their
minditwastObeafigbttotha , ,' , sully

' CM

.1»
5
a

didnotmthelm until they
any. heathcyletflya

   
 
  

opened out on the trail. ‘_
they were. a, little. too as? . ’13
m

8338

i

 

 

- "MM‘

 

 

‘ ‘ , CHATTER. XXVI.
vrc'ron raoa’s mm rwr.

.. P181291 PM‘ES- ~'

“ My dear, he is not running away from us,
rest assured. It is only'his utter carelemess
that makes him‘ refiise to strike back. This
colonel, for some reason 'of his own, chose to

 

quick stepwithout, a‘sharp knock at the door,
which, without waiting .for his answer. flew
open, and Soft Hand glided into theroom.

“ You sent for me; I am here; what do you

want?”

I As he entered, the back of Page was toward
him. As he spoke to Varna, Victor had been
fingering his revolver in nervous anticipation.
With lightning quickness he wheeled with up-
raised hand, and with muzzle pointed full at
the breast of the man from Cinnabar. -

“Curse you, to kill you! You have come
your doom!"

be my friend, and saVed Redette to save me.
There might have been some ugly questions
asked if things had not gone as they did.”

“You cannot win if you are afraid to put
up stakes. Why not risk all?"

“Because it is better this way. -When I"
became involved the plan was changed. A]
dozen men were sent to the north, and when i
morning dawns there will be twocorpses hang— ‘ to
ing by the side of the trail. ”

20‘

l

E .

i “THERE was more luck than judgment in

 that little su ck operation,“ remarked Soft

; Hand, when they could no longer hear even

the “thin- ” of the Spent bullets. “ We’ve got

i l a fine drove of horses, it’sa pity to see ‘ern go

i ‘ to waste. and I don’t know that there‘s any-

, i thing for us to do but to strike south and sell

1 out. ey’ll run us down, sure, if we stay
,i fooling around here. Fact'is, now that we’re

on the road, things don’t look as clear as they

 

 4,. a , to '.-.... 

i'e:

_R*...~.-. 1....

i did when I was planning how to get out of that
E cursed trap.”

m ‘7‘..-_.....;..- 0...

,f.4-~l- .4-.- -,,_ _-.,.._
, . .

“eszghr -m‘ ;..-*...,.~‘.w‘ .N‘ "-c... ....'.‘,.

925.5

 

m;

,,

r .

- but our two' adventurers knew Very well that
if they wasted time Searching about in an aim-
lem way the danger they were in would be

bear prosperity.
Gimme a toothful of grub, for which I’ll own
up I’m sufferin’, an’ I'll play hide an’ go seek
with those chaps fur a week. Why, I know
this country, allover, an’ it’s the purtiest you
ever rid over.”

this Captain Bkull‘s ranch is?"
twinkle in his eye!

give yer another to tackle onto it.
yer think ov this Kunnel Dashwood anyhow?”

“and I wonder I didn’t see it sooner.
be wr0ng, but I’d risk a thousand on it.
and Captain Skull are one.”

Down in Hangtown, don’t you see, they’ll
know whar to locate ther kunnel, an’ to Hang-
town we’ll strike and
playin’ it ag‘in’ ther eld; but we'll hold our
own end up, an’ no flinchin’.”

idea of venturing into Tierra Roxo.

last night, and like as not they’ll be fools
enough there yet to try to put it on.”

will. Bf they do, we'll hev to sack the town,
that’s all. You needn’t show up either.
be ready outside to ride in of you hear this
frolic begin, an’ I’ll risk it alone.
yer there in ther shake ov a buck’s tail, an’
we'll drop what we don’t want of those critters
on that way goin’.” '

did not—Tierra Roxo. by daylight, might not
prove as unhealthy as they suspected.
. they mills f
: ownagainst the outlaws n the hills, and the
’ g _ honest men in the town, without '
knowin'gh'ow far the two were identical.

suit a very great ripple on the life of Hang-

“ .
 or Ian carefully work

i

’ blooded sort of s way, .the'n there were several

next
a much W , as anything else, though the

“’Pears to me, pard, you’re one ez can’t
What’s the trouble now?

“Do you know enough .of it to tell where
Alabaster Jim looked at the other with a sly

“Answer yer own connundrum, an’ I’ll
What do

“ I think what you do,” burst out Soft Hand,
I may
He

“Bight you are, fur rocks, pard, fur rocks.
t posted. The two is

Soft Hand looked a little dubiOus over the

“ Theyhad a rope twisted fer my neck there

“ Not if we get in store ther kunnel, ez n’e
Jist

I kill take

It seemed like running a great deal of risk;

more than doubled, and if they did not intend
to leave the neighborhood—as they certainly

Still

that th had to hold their

Kevenhgen, for Tierra'RoXO they' started,
I , . their presence was certainly not expected.
fact the, stair of the nightbefore was not

expect, The lynch court
on fury- man had been
‘ I up. There were
msaykwhe went into it in a very cold-

tcya‘asmne might

E
p
E
a.

.who"drlftéd along with the crowd, and

soon
then there wares great many more who either
were not there, 'or if they were; took no stock
a tin stair. . ’ ‘ I
0f oouseitwa‘s a subject of discourse the
morning, and the lame ending elicited

h.

dared whohe was, and what he was doing,
and before long his investments were known
and hi future inbutions canvassed. '
On his rpturn t6 the Seven Angels, Varna‘
recoil , Iii-Twith‘somb scorn. , ' ‘
. u ' "‘on and that colonel you man-
to have «a slip clear nicely. ,What are
such men afyo'u worth!” ' 
“Hy dear " he answered, in conciliati
tones, “I  that"! was a little 0
color last aim, . yuptothostandard'

hoi'ih best man has his wish hours, and I"

'prOVes my words good I will tell you of it.”'

“A dozen men to take those two! Well,
they will not do it. He will escape. Who
told you of this plan?” ‘ -

“This Colonel Dashwood. He just whis-
pered a few words in my ear as we passed."

“ And did he say nothing else?"

“ One word; and that word has troubled
me.” -

“Why? what was it?”

“ Halves.”

“Then he knows more than we thought any
living being did except ourselves. Oh, I tell
you, this game is no longer in our own hands.
Could it have been he who placed us on this
scent? He isa dangerous man. Who is he!
Have You been letting your tongiie wag in his
presence; hos be drawn anything out of you!”

“He is a stock-raiser, and has mining inter-
ests here; in fact, he almost runs this town.
That is all I know of him. Save Pedro and
his villains, who only half did their work, I
have talked to no one of anything but mining
schemes and the future of Tiers Roxo. There
is no use to borrow trouble. If he chooses to
play into our hand, let him. When the work
is done, we can easily get rid of him, though I
will own I would sooner not have him to settle
with."

“ Very well. [If he meddles it will be at his
own risk. We will stay here until we learn
more of what has happened, or will happen. I
am enlisted for the war; see that you fail me'
not.” - 4

“ And yet is there not a possibility that we
might have been misiaken? Suppose we are
even on the wrong trail!”

The woman gave him a glance of scorn, and i
made no answer. They were not working al-
together smoothly. -

“ Whoever he may be this colonel is work.
ing in our interests now; and if we lose our
reveng‘e remember ourother ends will be just
as "certainly secured. The man will die to-
night.” ’ ' ' -

Victor Page added this in a positive to'he;
but just as positively Verna answered him:

“And I say he will not, and when the end

And tell ‘him of it she‘ did, for that very
day, 'as they stood upod the porch of the Seven
Angels, down the street, side by side, as large
as life, and very wide awake, came 'the Pistol
Pards. They'seemed utterly unconscious that
their reentrance would cause any flurry in the
camp; and they steered their course straight
for Hichael'Mitchell’s hotel. '

Victor, at the sight, drew back a little, ut.
terlyamazsd, while Verna stood erect, with
eyes flashing full with hate, as Soft Hand
brushedpast m, and went in to seek Mitch-
ell, from'tvhom be deemed he cook! best ob-
tain the information that he was after. He
wanted to talk with a man that would not run
andtell as soon as he was out of town.

“ Chi an‘ kini again, perd,” said Alabaster
Jim, as he lingered at the door. “Couldn’t

tation to sing farewell; but that warn’t enough.
We’ve him to shake with the hull town.”
The words were spoken at Victor. but he

CHAPTER XXVlI.
PAGE’S PLor rnovns A FAILURE.

Till: idea had struck Victor Page that. as
this Soft Hand had been adjudged a. public
outlaw, and had been warned away from the
camp, if he inveigled him into the passages of
the house and shot him on sight, when no one
else was by to see the manner of his taking
ed, that little would be'said and nothing done
about it. He had had enough of tools, that
always turned out too dull for the work re-
quired, and now, he made up his mind, he
would do his own work. -

Of course he did not intend to give the
bronze-bearded man any chance. It was not
satisfaction but certainty that he was after.
He calculated on having his revolver out and
aimed, and to take him as he came upto the
door. He had not counted on Varna’s pre-
sence; though that would hardly make any
difference. He had his revolver in his hand.
and at the sound of the voice he wheeled, with
the words given in the previous chapter.

There was no earthly way by which Soft
Hand could help himself, for though his hand
was at his belt and he was not altogether
taken by surprise, the muzzle was directly at
him before he could guess what was coming.

Nevertheless be neither winced nor dodged.

“ I guess not,” he said, quietly. “I’ve heard
such talk before now, and it was all wind, for
I‘m here yet. Glad to see you and. Mrs.
Redette so lively, though. Had’ a good night’s
rest again, no bad dreams?”

“If you’ve any prayers to say, say them
now: in another minute you die.”

“ Not very likely. While you’ve been fool-
ing round I’ve been taking the drOp from you.
Move your thumb toward the hammer of that
revolver and I’ll drill you. Now go on and
let’s- hear what you‘ve‘ got to say for. your4
sen.” . . .

It was just as Soft Hund said. He had not
attempted to draw the weapon on which his
hand rested but had swung the muzzle around,
holster and all, and the jarring click of the
raised hammer accompanied his Words. With
the pistol held close at .his waist there was
hardly-a chance that he would miss if he fired.

Varna’s quick eye took in'the position even
before Soft Hand spoke. She was full of a had

nerve of her om'and she believed that she ,

hated this man with more than a passing hatred.
Toward her breast stole her hand, for there

shearriedaweapon, small butat suohclose.

quarters reliable enough.
~ But the-mooted thatmotioa too.

‘fExcuse “"3138, or madam if you choose.
but I wouldn’t. I’d pull on himrightul, and
when you were left alone you wouldn’t make
a good-shed mouthful ”

“ Give-in, Victor,” she said quietly: “Fate
seernsagainstus. Perhapsitlsaswell, 101‘“
was a desperate chance. ,Now that m We
brought him hither I would ask him s Mon

“Ask, them. I am half mound '0
away the'hatchet and run for it. Such luck,
backed by such skill, is is useless to fight

  remarks made' t the counsel for the prison- think ov leaviu’ Hahgtown thout sayin’ good-

’  all were not altogether flattering. Suspicion by to our friends. We shook hands with a or two. He may answer them now mulch he
j  did not exactly point at him, ‘but people won- dozen or more o'v ’ein that him out can depur- refused before.” . -

. ,

 

gave no nugwheeling silently, and following
Verna into house. '
He was angry enough, inad'su

ough to am!

' against.”
He spoke gloomily, and m if MW in
earnest, but he still held hishsndouutretched.

swer hitteriy: but’th‘o thought struck him to : It was dangerous to move it, for he knew that

turn his wrath to some account.
It happened that he met a boy in the hall.
one 0! the servants attached to the house. With

i if there was any mistake mabv about his in-

tentions there would follow sudden dinner. '
The man from Cinnabar namely In much

him hotbed a few words, and then ascended to faith .in his sincerity for an- incredulous smile

“It is a chance,” he mm whim-elf.

~ curled his lip. .

“ I’ve heard that kind of talk, but iii-finer-

, moverforatiinef Themissome- ~ .
more hshiud‘ it all than you see: so don’t “ sill as Verna us, if you don’t be. you can’t ally brought men stilglthau . Justin-op
until'ths affair i! finished.” ' win If he takes it—good-hy, Mr. Bedettu” « the mosaic of that revolves, take ‘hasrel by

New ,‘I‘he'twcdimaré ed

 

Bedotte again?"

Kehsrdlycoonoed oaths prompts-with

the other hand. and pass it.ovea 'Mothis

Verna what he had done, when there was a once Page sufl'toed himsel to he disarm-d.

l

i f
 ‘  tint-we are'cn whichtheinvited rummmm- court-willbswsuforbuaiam” 
’ his flail, when do‘ you expect to use Plane“ am.‘ lie-had scarcely m to‘ tell to Foriaesscondtimsiahismnpefi- g

 

“ Now, say it sharp. What is wanted i”

’f My child,” said Varna, and for the first
time‘ there crept a softer tone into her voice.
“Where is she; who is she? Shall I ever see
her again?” .

“ I‘m sorry, miss; but I don’t keep much ac—
count of children. 1 will tell you something,
that maybe you don’t know. This ColOnel
Dashwood, that has'been mixing in our affairs
has another name and it’s Captain Skull. If
that don’t seem to stir you up any, make it
Allan Page and you won’t be far wrong."

“Allan Page! How dare you mix the name
of my dead brother up with a mining-town
gambler, and a captain of road-agents?”

“That's the question. It d s seem rough;
but Allan Page it is. I thought I’d tell you so
you could give him a little caution. I’m
afraid his game is about played. There are
eyes on him. Good-morning. Don’t try any
games on me, and I’ll see you again. I’m
pressed, just now, for time.”

With an easy how be cast the revolver on
the bed and taming walked out and away,
without ever once looking back.

When he was fairly gone the two drew a long
breath, for judging him by themselves it was
only when his last footstep sounded faintly in
the hall that they felt assured that he would
not turn and rend them.

“ He has Satan’s own luok!" at length whis-
pered Page.

“ Yes! Can we hope to ever see it change?”

“Can we? Yes, we must, we will! Yet
this is no place for us. For all his quiet ways
he mustbe more than mortal if he does not,
sooner or later, seek his revenge. When he
does strike it will be the crashing of a thunder-
bolt.”

“You are right there; yet I would sooner
fight than flee. More than once we have held
hislife in the hollows of our hands, and we
stopped todslly with him. We do not know
that he is invulnerahle, because we have never
struck him a solid blow. And it is worth our
while to succeed. Perhaps even he may begin,
to fear for the future. Why else should he
have told us so foul a lie?"

“Bah! Don’t be so indignant. It cannot
harm the shade of the departed; and I cannot
see that we are in so much better business.”

“You do not fora moment believe! And

my there was a strange mystery there.
{was mad onwgh to give this Captain Skull a

’ few truths in my very recklemuem.”

“ And if he he Colonel Brushwood then he
has no little hold on us.”

“ And ’if he is Allan?”

“ Bush! We know the truth only too well.
It is too late to swerve from our course. We
mugflnd out what this man is going to do now
and lay our plans accordingly.”

But with all their shrevniness the two plot-
ters hardly supposed that Soft Hand and his
ally were heading in a bee-line for the ranch
of Colonel Dashwood. ' ‘ ' .

._._———

CHAPTER XXVIII.
comm nssnwoon narmns ms rosmon.

Ir had not required a great deal of ingenuity
to astice Catalina into the trap; but once she
was there its jaws held very tight, and even a
Baron Trench might have been puzzled to get
2:: very speedily with the means she had at

command
The girl had little fear for her owu safeti-

, By? Ramon, the Mexican woman who had

sprung the look upon her, hated her very heart-
“y, I)” knew: but she would not be allowed to

work her will unquestioned, and sooner or.

later she believed she would be released, even
 the had befriended and saved those who
ware has: uncle’s aversion ,
Altwfibfidldnot,“ thetime, let itap-
pear, the positive recognition of her uncle at
Captain Skalltnne her more painful matter
for motion suma- own captivity. She
was by means ‘ tely attached tohim,
fortheir tags erhadheen one of much
-sheknew that he wasnosalutaud

in her wayshe' was careless e‘uqugh,‘reckless

enough herself; 'but to be the niece of a bandit
and in seeming league with in waymen was
more than her proud spiritco brook. She

‘was not altogether sorry to he alone with her
certainties, a suspicion of which  “thaw
her mind, especially since she had ‘

once‘é’ossod , .
0v 1rd a conversation certainly  in-
teu f& her ears. She threw herself on the

 

' PistolPards.

bed with her head. resting on her arms, and
considered the problem of her future.

Over and beyond her uncle’s double role she
had grave matter for reflection; and the pair
that she had succored were strangely promi-
nent in all her thoughts.

The day were on. When she began to fairly
feel the gnawings of hunger, Eve Ramon ap-

l

l

peared’on the outside of the door, bearing a I

meal.

“ Senorita, you are not to starve unless you
wish to. I have your dinner here and will
hand it in to you if you Swear to me to make
no attempt to harm me or to escape, but to re-

have closed the door again.”

It was a natural precaution, but Catalina
felt somewhat disappointed since. she had laid
her plans for a rUsh.

There was no chance to argue the question,
and as she knew that she would be all the bet-
ter and stronger for the meal, and none the
worse off for the promise she gave it for with-
out much hesitation.

“ Wait a. moment, Eve,” she said, as the
woman placed her tr'ay upon the table and
turned to leave the room. “Such things as
this are never done without a reason; tell me
what isiu the wind now?”

“Something that should have been thought
of long ago if I had had my will; and I told it
pretty clearly to your uncle. You are in the
way and as no one here wants to wring your
pretty neck they talk of providing some one to
do it for them if’ it should be needed.”

" And so they would murder me. Beware!”

“No murder, though sometimes that would
be the better for choice. They mean to give
you a husband.”

Catalina’s eyes flashed with anger.

“A husbandi They must be mad. Who
have I seen here with whom I would mate? A
woman must be won; and who has ever come
here to woo? Wh , woman, I have been shut
up here as in a. 'ving tomb, from which I
could only wander out as a corpse 'or a ghost,
to look upon a strange world.”

“The wooer has seal you all the same, and
he is a brave young fellow, trust me for that.
When he comes, with your uncle and the
priest, you will hardly say him nay. And if
you do it will not make much difference.”

“ You are speaking falsely,” exclaimed the
girl passionately. “ Because I have gone
counter to Colonel Dashwood’s wishes, and in-
trrfered hetWeen him and his revenge I am
shut up here, and such tales are told‘me for

‘ punishment. When will this outrage he?”

“ It is true enough! In three days.”

“ One question more, and a strange one it is
for an expectant bride; who may be the chosen
man?”

“ Leon Cerrado."

“ The worthless vagabondl what service can
he have done tint he dares claim me as his re~
ward? Or is it upon him that I am forced, to
Suit the hand of this scheming, treacherous,
wicked uncle or mine? The half-down times
that his glittering, heady little eyes met
mine, I had a stra e temptation to crush him
as though he was a snake. Pity that I had
notdone sol .His soft words poisoned me. I
hated him from the first, and told him so. '

“You mistake; Leon Canada is one that
many a senorlta would be too happy to win.
He 1‘ young and handsome, and‘in Mexico
has a great ranch. True, he had may from
there; but that is all right now. He goes
back soon, and will take with him his'wife.
You have been a great trouble to your uncle,
you will trouble him no more.”

“That will, do You may go now. I “have
nothing more that I would an you.” I

It was a temptation, perhaps, but Catalina
had pledged her word. She made no move-
ment to interiors, and Eve left the room,
unmolosted. ‘

When once more alone, Catalina cbnsidored
the story, and for the very reason that it had
such an ugly look, she was inclined to-beiieve
in the truth of it: though why Eve had re-
vealed the plot unless instructed to‘prepam
her for what was to con’ie, she could not
understand. ‘ - '

It was probable enough, for this Loon Cer-
rado was a young man of whom she soon

scinehttle, since,"morcthanouce, hehsd come ’

tgsiehhr unclag’sghad fingered tothlhto her.
it knowl‘ ‘thst'sbehsdhtel' glued,
 tobelievothat uni. enact
the hand of Skulls:  she warm
what mustard ‘tolbashwosd’ for a carele-

l

.21

 

kindness in the past, yet she had good reason,
in the variable nature of her treatment, to

expect’nothing from his mercy.

Perhaps she had gone a step beyond the
line in her late interference; but she Vowed
that she would not regret it, and would turn
all her energies t0ward escape.

But, when she came to look around, she
found that she was about as well secured as if

I
l
i know thatif she crossed him too far, she could

‘ she had been in any jail in Christendom. She

had her pistols for defense, but they could.

‘ help her little to clear the way for their use.
I Even them she lost, for Eve, either being can-
main in the further corner of the room until I ‘

 

tioned or thinking that they were not safe things
for her to have, the next time she came coolly
tolll her that unless she gave them up, she
would have to do without food or drink until
they relieved her of the care of her prisoner.

There was some dispute about this, but in
the end E\ e triumphed, and the girl waited in
her prison for the crisis that was none too far
off.

When the hours of day and night had gone
around with a weary sameness, until Catalina
was almost crazed with the monotony, and the
thoughts of what was to come and the two
prisoners in the cabin of Gomez, the door flew
open and in stalked Colonel Dashwood.

He had not been at all seriously injured; ‘
but the hard usage received of late had not
added to his beauty, and it looked as though,
if he met a few more men that he' was hunt-
ing for, his head would be more bandage than,
cranium. As she looked up into his hoe, un—
certain whether to be glad or distrustful, she
thought she had never seen“ more forbid-
ding.

He threw himself into a chair and looked at
her with a cold, calculating glance. »

“Well, girl, are you ready? Eve says she
has told you of my intentions.” ,

“Eve has been babbling, but certainly I
would believe no such story as that which she
told.” '

“ You may as well believe it, for it is the '-
truth. Ihave' been aim] to linden myself_ V
with such an ungrateful chit so long. No mat-
terwhatmyidea was when I first took you
in, I have given it up and must make some
other dispodtion of you before you work me
a mbchiof that cannot be undone. “As the
wife of Leon Ceme I faucy you will be out
of harm’s way. It must be either as or.
something else; and I hate to kill you.”

“Do you think that I‘ will submith
an outrage? Have I nothing at all tony in
the matter?" ‘

“ Very little, my dear. The ducts are, I
took you as a child, brought you tap, fed and
clothed you, educated you, and ashd little or
nothing in return. I thought you had some
gratitude, even if your electiOn hadnct been ‘
awakened. Yet the host time you ‘4 a fair -
opportunity you set yourself W me,
threaten my life, and 'if  that my
ends were accomplished, , not my
yblded, I verily believe that you would'have
slain me where I sat, Itistme Iudhired
your courage‘on several other'ooeasioug hdt
thatdidnotstrikeme so nearat home. This
come near costingmemy life. ltshowamore— ‘
over, that you cannot be controlled ihd that I
need never anything from you.

so very
you no more. I have never asked ‘anythhg at
yourhand,sndnowlneverwm." ' ‘

“Thank you, but that does hot/suit. It is'
hacauseldo notwantto slsyyoutbtl turn
you over to Leon,who adores you,und will
make a proper husband no doubt.”

“And do you really summon that you can
break my spirit so- that I wih'gin myconseut
tosuchaviiiainy. You shall never forceme v
togiue myconsentif idioms-it.”

.“Your conentwill not!» at Ill" nosdfuli.
“is truth is the marriage part is moron
afterthought. Iwas win send yoaoatof'
the way anyhow, and spoke" ,

“About how lengthen, doyon “Leon
con-ado will live after you attempt’toputsuch‘
got in operation! If I have learned anything

this half savage life I havt been loading it
is to handle' my weapons. I warm hm like
adog; and noooeknowt mmr‘wmao ,
Ethel: yourself." .:_ "‘ ~ " 

“Perhaps; butwe whip-Insomnia 1 A.
thought it might bees wall to word 709th“: . ‘
the timewas closeathand and am you

nos-

,let me go then and I trouble *

  
 
 

 

.,. ...‘.sw ....

....—‘........fi..._:.____: .._.: ZN... .— .. _..,
I

. - . "a. -..-.

l

‘_
l
i,
‘.
l

.‘

l

 

‘ unwl bride.

.. ‘emfrrfn-h .3.~"~~~.- ,2.» -~

 

 

bound and gagged, as you certainly will if you
will go‘no otherway.”
“ And think you that any such mummery will

 

“You can believe her,” said the colonel,
dryly. “While that mood lasts I wouldn’t
give asnap for your life if she held it in her

be binding; that any priest or preacher will I hands. See that she does not.”

take part in it?” ,

“ You will find a hard heart under a gown
now and then as well as under a mining shirt.
The priest that we have provided will hear
nothing but the chick of eagles. Make up
your mind that there is no escape. Ihave
had my experience with you; and you may
write it down in your hook that I never forget
and never forgive. You have sinned, and that
without remedy.”

4
l
E

“And write it down in yours then that for i

once you have been defied by one who cares
nothing for your remembrance and will neVer
ask your forgiveness. Ring up your curtain
for a farce; by the heaven above us it shall fall
on a tragedy! His funeral, or yours, or mine
will follow! I defy you—do your worst.”

She drew herself up to her full hight; and
looked at him in a proud fury that lent to her
face a deadly beauty. He stared at her a.
moment, raised his hand as though to Strike
her and then abruptly left the room.

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
WEDDING BELLS.

 

Vi CATALINA had some vague hope that she .

might be left to herself at least until the hour 1

when the mockery of a rite was to be perform-
ed, but she found that she was mistaken. She
had one more visitor, in the shape or . Leon
Cerrado himself. '

He was really by no means an ill-looking tel-
low, and the wonder was that she had not
taken a. liking to him.

V would have won many another woman; but it

was not, perhaps, enough in contrast with her

‘ own. At sight o£.hiln standing in the door-'

way, ,full. ,of life and strength, one thought
fleshed across her mind.

Whats pity it was that soon she would have
.to hi! this man!

For. no, other ,way of escape seemed open;
and”, to this, she had made up her mind.

He. glided into the' room, with an easy,
careless grace- — , .

“ Pardon me, senorita, but I came to see if
nothingl could say would bring'thee a less
_ Thou hast scorned me indeed
but let t at be forgotten. None could more
truly love thee.”

“ And in the .world you cannot find one who

. more tuxy‘d'eqlisee you. .Beware that my dis-

 

‘ Manners so“

gust doe‘enot turn to hatred!” _ .
. :‘To hatred, senorita! Why shouldst thou

, hate one who adores thee?"

“ Out on thee and thy adoration! I tell you,
LeonClerrado, that when I have to say any
twice.the time it is done with some-
than a word. In following
In; you ans-going straight to your death.”

She stood up before them—for Colonel
Dashwood leaned carelessly against the door-

. way and watched the interview with a scowl -

that sometimes almost broke into a.sneer_. In

‘ her “feminine yet jaunty garb she was too

mdm’mr a boy, yet looked strangely un-
likeflle Womanto win a. men in the teeth of
(he'desdly danger the vowed him, There was
t o ring of smooth in her voice, and the

Straight, slender finger she pointed at Leon

was, as unwavering as, though fashioned of

,steel.' ..

“Deathletit, be,’fhe answered coolly. “I'
 1 could find you willing to
lend an”: to what I would hate said; but I
was wrong. and the captain was right. . We
will “sorrel no more now; there will plenty
of «time afterward. Good-by, for (a little

“00 then, coward; willein, robber, assapsinl

‘ Iwm’arley Inmate with you. ’ Henceforth

 

.1 whluhg,fllent—untfl I can act. Then, he-

- “Yoqmight_es\weli have taken my word
for it,‘ mid the-colonel, as the two strode
"‘ Shah like unbroken colt. - Shout-
ing does no good.
power. She may. plunge, then,

, league; but sooner. or ‘later she will give

my warni  Ill-dl'd.
her  trust to.

Inlghtnothonbellmduntilitwu
n l

l

he must feel the cool,.

His dark, fervent face, .

 

i gave up “)8 00888.

“ Trust me for that. My fear is Father
Bartolome may find his conscience and give us
the skip.” '

“ Ha. ha! He is as safe as gold. pistols and
good whisky can make him: between the
three you will find him very reliable. He will
be here to—nlght." ‘

“I wish he and night Were nere then. No

word yet or the two demonsl i wonder you l

The man that oalks you
seldom slips cuar in the end.”

“Nor snail these. A dozen are onltnelr
track. But it is only a question or time. They
are here. like wolves'aroulld a bait. Let them
alone and they will crawl in to their doom.
Before I leave here I will have settledlwith
them, ill full.”

Night came on soon enough. When it had
grown dark, and the trend of approaching
horsemen had resoullded below, and all things
were set and appointed, the colonel went by
himself to Catalilla’s room.

“Girl,” he said, “you know me, or should.
I have a word of warning. There, will not be
.a soul here to-night i would not trust with my
life." You can have yOur choice between life

' and death. Submit, or you will die. ,At the

first unseemly motion my hand'shall send the
shot that shall wing your 'death. .Come, and
remember this is no idle threat}?

“ Her dry lips refused to give any answer;
and just as she was, in her black velvet jacket,‘
with her long \hair trailing around her ill a

‘ now tangled, unkempt mass, her eyes gleam-

ing, her cheeks white with ’waiting. .and con-
finement, he caught her firm] y by the arm and
led her away.

In the room half a down persons were as-
senlbled... . ‘
' Eve was there, with malicious satisfaction
in her taco; the witnesses were there, with
faces that Were cruelly wicked and strange
when they were uot’stolld; the bridegroom was
there, handsome and silent, showing his white
teeth now and then, however, With his tigerish
smile. .

Leon stepped toward her, the others fell
away, leaving them standing side by side, while
through 'the door opposite to, that. by which
she. had e'ntel‘ed they led forward a. cowled

and robed figure.

The ceremony began.

Catalinals silence, and, her seeming resi -
tion were not altogether born of despair. hey
were part of a scheme the had hastily arranged.
She belieVed that it she could threw them. of!
their guard the time would come before the
mockery of a sacrifice was completed, when she
might strike a good solid blow that would cut,
deeply if not: effectually. She deceived even.

' Colonel Dashwood.

,Only once had she spoken. Then she sud-
denly broke in'. as the padre opened his mouth:

“ Can nothing avert my doom?”

“ N othing,” in one. hoarse word answered
the colonel; and the mumbling rite went on.

“mi m1”. A ‘ ,

In an instant the girl was transformed.

She had heen hiding her time and her oppor«
tunity had arrived. . .

In the belt of the nearest of the spectators

,were two revolvers. For some reason he turned

away and seemed to be lirltening for some sound

1mm without.‘ ‘ ’ ' ’

Beto 9 any one could gyess her intent she

had mien two 03; three Side: steps, and with

quick, certain grasp she slipped the weapons

from their holster; Then she sprung. back,

leveling the two muzzles, one at the heart of

the would-be bridegroom and the other at the,
amazed padre, who looked up irom his book

just in time to see the shining tube droppingin

line with his face, and hear her little thumbs,
force back the hammers with the ease of an

expert. ., . ’

“It shall step,f’abe.flamed out: “Swear it
tome now and at'on or these twodie. Make
a motion, phtempt the rat act of treachery, and.
I pull the triggers!” .

A wave of excitement swept over the cm"!
at her hrevb actions and  defiance. Leon

. Celredq folded his erms'with a gesture of ,res-

. ignetion; and them mini wdmsemdnt

demoted. in II _ y  imhnthed at
thegirlu 0n, ,thecolennl  his cool-
 There was bleed. cunning‘, mile on
his lip “though he newbie my , .early, and
it was not altogether an unpleasant ,ne.

!

Before she could think to turn her pistol
from the padre he had her under the muzzle
of his own revolver, and was speaking to her
in a slow, compressed tone:

“I gave you your choice. and you still have
it. You may shoot them or not, as you choose.
but either drop thoseplaythings or die. "

Doubtless he meant what he said. By the
contraction of his brow one could see that the
shot was comlllg: and yet she never ilinched.
What was to be the end:

| There came a strange and sudden interrup-
tion. ’Ehrougn the doorway at Dashwood’s
| back a woman sprung lightly, and gliding to
his Side suddenly threw ms wrist upward.
l "in the name or heavenz" this woman ex-
] claimed. " Who IS this girl, and what isthn
meanlng of this scene!” _

It was Varlla: and close behind her stepped
Victor Page. The two had found their way
thither just in time. though no safe place for
: them was it. since the colonel wheeled like a
i flash, and hurling Vania aside confronted Vic-
tor with threatening face and hand.

“ And who are you. who have dared to enter
here! Away at once, alld‘WltlJOllt a word. or
I will slay you both. If they go not. lll:‘ll,
cast them out; and' do not be too particular
about Iheir bones.”

, The interruption, and the sound of a woman‘s
voice, caused a ‘momentary wavering in Cata-
lilla’s purpose” Her eyes wandered to the
door, and at once Leon sprung at her like a
tiger, and seizing both wrists forced her builds
high above her head. ‘ \ '

And just then, through the other doorway
came two armed men, pistols in hand; and
Alabaster Jim in stentorian tones sung out:

, “Hold on, thar, kullnel. We mean full an’
you jest bet we’ll have it. Ther fust mall et
moves gits a through ticket, an’ a trahsfer
check. Hands up, all, we’re on it, an’ no‘ dis-
count. ” Thehunted had turned hunters.

 

 

an'rrsaxxgt. ,
LEFT IN THE DARK.

. Son: HAND and Alabaster Jiln had not ne-

glected the furnishing of their commissary de-
partment with slipplies at Tierra Roxp. Though
these were compressed into .small s 9e. and
would have seemed a monotonous £212 if de-
pended on forany' great length pf time, they
were ready now for a siege of some days.
Full of hope they struck out on the track, as
they believed, of_ those for when they were
searching; , '
g It was a bold proceeding, perhaps; but then
they were bold men. If it had  at all
likely that, by storming the ranch, they would
accomplish their aim they wbuld have marched
straight up to it though Captain Skull and his
dozen road-agents were inirenched within.

But they were not so wild as to do such a
thing for any uncertain end; and as their spe-
cial object just now was to get speech with
Catalina they were care to shun the rest of
the world. For this I ey located the ranch
by-daylight, and kept watch of it at a dis-
tance, leaving for night any close approach.
_As Alabaster Jim said, he knew the country;
and eveningdrew near .and their presence ’_did
not seem to be suspected. ‘ '

The shadows came; and with their: game
something else. Half a dozen men passed
along the trail beneath them, heading'toward
the hacienda. ‘ I _ _ ‘ _" 

Alabaster Jim looked, and then gave a quiet
chuckle. ‘ , .

, “You my soul, Charley, but they’re, alias
set ov frauds. Yonder goes a 'pgdre, 8.0""
an’ all. g Yer s’pose he’s needed iur some ov
our work? I didnft. shoot to kill; butwhen
you begin tophysi'c with themfhind 0v blue
pills it’s mighty unsart’in .how thiean .on
em .’ ‘ ’ . I , _

“Nothing worse than a brutal! k8 Wylth
mine. There’s something else. 1.9 with be
possuble that they’ve got Wlmll file“, "14
are going to fix' up somejiud of 5912:, By

eavensl we must. see what itls. 3"!” won’t
do much in an 'hour, and by 91815 “F1? it Will
be dark enough and late -enough to venture
up.” A , 7 ..
“Eyes-’5 with you; we're the? Mlfiflmt

ktheranch.”  ;, I  ., .'
. f as ,bohr 'pamd utter-{mm They
had not yet laid cuts poeltim p an , i from
their cycle, they watched the hacienda, jade

 

 

away in the darkness

Pistol Paras.

.23

 

 

For a wonder Alabaster Jim's tongue was i turn of the two pards, and then the party must
quiet, and so it happened that they heard foot 3

steps cautiously approaching the very spot
which they had selected as their hiding-place,
though still at a considerable distance.

Up went Jim’s hand in a warning gesture.

“ Thar’s some one 0 minf; keep quiet.”

"' I always am, quiet,” responded Soft Hand.
“You can hear a pin drop when I’m around.
I’ll take the first one and you reach for the
Second. if it‘s any one that is nosing around af-
tui‘ us.”

But the approaching party had no idea that
there was any one there; and though they
stepped lightly enough, it was not because they
wanted or expected to surprise anybody. The

] lightning—like blow that leveled Leon at once.

1

shift for themsel‘ves.
Accordingly, having placed Gomez and his I
charge where they could be easily found,

' the two began their approach to the hacien-

lsame time covered the colonel with deadly
Iaim. Soft Hand,

da, and entered through one d00r just as
Victor and Varna Page, having passed through
another, 'had drawn all attention to themselves.

As he came Alabaster Jim uttered his note
of warning, as already recorded, and at the

silent as ever, acted at‘

jonce, for springing forward he shot out a ’

‘ and from his still clinging fingers tore Cata-

truth was they were fugitives Ihemsclves, and i

were only too anxious to avoid Collision with
any one. “'hen the pards rose suddenly from
the ground to their feet there was a man’s
oath and a woman‘s cry; both low, butdis-
tinct.

Alabaster Jim pricked up his ears as he heard
the, faint scream. " _ _

“Hands up, pards; we’ve got yer lined, 1m;
I reckon We’re friends. 'We don’t ‘want no
dizzy nonsense though, an' we ain’t trustln’ you
till we see what yer look like.”

“ Oh!" exclaimed the woman, “ Iknow your
voice.
and nobly took our part then; I feel safe you
will do it again.” _

“Correct, by mighty! \Vhy ding blast it,
you’re ther erry ducks we’s been lqokin’ fur.
In ther name ov all creation what are 'yedoiu’
hyar!" I

And Soft Hand, stepping forward, repeated
the greeting, and the question; in words, how-
ever, that were a little better selected, though
perhaps not more easy to understand.

The new-comers were Harold and Kate Wil-
kins. guided by Gomez. At the mutual rechg-
nition no one, could have been more delighted,
and hastily they began an explanation of what
had happened at Red Cat Gulch, and how
bravely Catalina hall spirited them away and
furnished them with a hiding-place in the
cabin of Gomez. He had provided for their
wants until that very evening, .When he had
come in great excitement and advised an im-
mediate attempt at escape, promising to do
his best to pilot them on their way as far as
they might need his guidance; , ‘

_ “ But the girl! what has becomeqfhér? Sure-
ly there must have been some reason why she
should have come to you no more. She would
not have forsaken you after having' gone so
far.” - ,

Soft Hand spoke in haste, and looked down
the sloping hillside to where in the distance he
could see the twinkling lights of the hacienda.

“No: not of her own. accord; but Gomez has
learned that she has‘ been a primner in the
house since' the morning she left us. fro-night
there seems to be some‘strange schemaon foot
in regard to_ her, and it alarmed him. He
hesitated, but carried out his duty to her by
looking after us. He doubted if he could aid
her;.and feared this might be the last chance
to help us.’.‘ 4 ' - .

“ Well, say, don’t it look a leeth small, this
cuttln’ loose ther tow-lino, an’ leavin’, her 'to
founder? That’s low down, ,an’ Alabaster J im
ain‘t that kind nohow. Me an’ my paid. 133’”,
is goin’ to see the circus put; an’ you’d betbfl'
hold on till the canvas drops. Then we’ll

[stick to you.”

dean reckless, desperate, Well-armed men at
t house. 9h, this miserable uncertainty is

mcl In: us go at once!” Kate brokeim,

hur edly, and her voice. was full of tremnlous
eminent. dt was but,seldom that she spoke
in the menace of these men; but she could not

rzquma; W“ the cool courage that
I W]: pounced o h I
little hysterical, . I, "s a was

“A. dozen men!" answered Alabaster Jim,
. with much disdain.

“ 3’9086 tin." were fokty.
Thu more dials cv fem, ther image? they ll
last fur break
yer don’t h’lieve me, 0 ’long 911’ see. ev
yer ' arything bout me that looks ez
though I’dthrow ombemuse a dozen men were

double.qu a par-d? Thunder van’ blues, ’

no] ., We‘ll look after her, fast, an’ then we’ll
walts’you out, all six-one."

..Gomezwasverywlllingtogive uphis post

as guldetp the little unfit, since ulyhis slee-
tionforCahlimhndledhimto take the risk
when itlncmd that they mid do no ,better.

He agreed to remain with them until the re-

s. We’re hyar tur work“ of,

‘ ing from Victor Page toward Alabaster Jim ’
like a flash, but it Went wide of its mark. :-

3 aiming to save her brother had sprung at the
' colonel.‘ Her movement was probably fortu-

l threw up the muzzle of his weapon and glared
, around.
You were with us in the stagecoach i

, for Dashwood since she cast herself right he-
ltween the two, a shade before Jim’s 'finger

“ him with an uplifted knife. ‘

; being brought to bear upon him.

‘ , _'_himself.
“ But what good can you do? There are a

 

well-wielded club; but, as he went there

"gave the gram that was heard, and than, slip-

lina away.
One shot did Colmel Dashwocd fire wherl-

Varna, as the new-comers made their ap-
pearance, had recovered her equilibrium, and

nate for Alabaster Jim, but it was certainly so

tightened. With 21 quick turn of the wrist he

It‘was time that he did so. “ ~

A few paces away he saw Soft Hand, .with
Catalina over his shoulder, aiming at a. fierce
looking Mexican, who was Springing toward

But beyond him he saw four hands raise,
and each hand grasped a pistol' that was
As they
came \to a level each muzzle spit ferth its little
flash of flame,‘and its leaden messenger.

Straight forWard upon his face fell Ala-
baster Jim, as quickly as though felled by a

flamed out a shot from the revolver in either
hand; and now the rcpm was'ful'l of sulphurous
smoke. Then there was a thundering crash;
the lighted candles in‘ the branching candela—
brum were hurled to the floor, and extinguish-
ed; for a momeht the combatants stayed their
hands; and in the black darkness all that was
heard'was a single groan. '

 

4

CHAPTER XXXI.
anuasma .1111 AT BAY.

BUT one person knew the cause of the crash,
and the sudden extinction of the lights; and
that person was Soft Hand. In danger though
he was, from the man with a knife, he had
ta‘kentime to glance about him, and had seen
the peril of his yard. '

instantly be dropped, Catalina from his
grasp; and firing, sprung forward. He had
had his gripe on this same Mexican before,
but lifter this time he would have no use for
him again. The bullet had gone horde, but.
before he "could fall Soft 'Hand , had
him, and seizing him, neck and knees. with
one pi‘odigious swing cast him. at the lights.
Then he let go with his fists left and right,
leveling two men whose‘ position he had noted
and on; forms he could dimly see, and
sprung back noiselessly. to note how fate had
treated Alabaster Jim. ~

That worthy had taken very good care of

At such close rangelall of the four would
hardly miss; and do his best he could not pro-'
vide for more than two ofthem.’ That was
the rea‘son he threw himself to the floor, just
in time to let their bullets go-hiuing o'ver him.

His own shots were 'not thrown away, how-
ever;_‘ and~ as, ,a moment later, Soft Hand
tumbled OVP!’ tbevother two, we pistol pards
rather had the advantage; orat' least it was no
longer so far from an even thing, of it. He

ping back a few paces, rose quietly to his feet.

At that mement, when Jack was as  as
his 'master, and'the chances for victory were
rm for, the “*0, they heard without three
rapid shots, and then the  of a bell
and the loud blast of a horn. ' ' I ‘

Eve had slipped away and was giving a pro-
arrauged alarm. .' '

The sounds seemed to galvmizonow ll into
the combatants; though in truth all ’ had
happenerlsincejhe arrival 6f the unexpected
“guest! had with Each a hash d- can-

 

tinuity thereverythln'g was done more “pm.
ly than it has been told. -

\

“Quick!” whispered Soft Hand into his
partner‘s ear, apprised by the cocking of his
ruVolvers, where he stood. “We can fight
them as well anywhere else; and if that signal
is to bring help it may scoop up our friends as
they round in. Follow me to the horses: I
have the girl."

“Heave away, I’m with you!” was the an-
swer, and the the two made a silent rush for
the door.

Before entering they had arranged a little
scheme in case of a sudden rctxwat, and now
they carried it out to the letter, for they broke

‘ straight for the line of half a dozen mustangs,

that stood saddled and waiting, perhaps a bun-
dred yards from the hacienda. A Sweep or

l two of the knife set free the whole caballada,
‘ and mounting two they dashed away, driving

the rest before them, just as the-colonel and
his remaining men swarmed out and opened a
rapid fire.

An exclamation of his companion startled
Alabaster Jim.

“Not hit, are yer pard! he exclaimed.
Such a catastrophe might well have happened
for the bullets \vere rattling around them an-
comfortably close.

“Hit! No. But by heavens! I’ve saved
the wrong woman. ”

It was the actual truth, for in the darkness,
Soft Hand had exchanged Catalina for Verna,
and never noticed it until it was too late to
remedy the mistake. She lay motibnless upon

his arm, and it was only when he saw her ,_

flowing skirts and close-fitting turban that he
gave utterance to his disgust, as the suspicion
darted through his mind. A secondlook made
the suspicion certaintys and checking his speed
he caught her by the two wrists, and dropped
her carefully to the grdund. >

“They can take care of her better than I
can; and at any rate we don't want mach an
untamed tiger-cat. She‘d murder a cripple
with two cents, just to keep her hand in.”

Jim looked backward at the form that had
dropped in a dark huddle, but said milling.
and a few moments brought them to the little
group—Harold Wilkins, Kate and Guinea—-
whohad been limening, full of intense interest,
to the sounds of the distant fray.

"‘ Hyar’s yer mustang; tumble into saddle
quick!" cried Alabaster Jim, as he caught
sight of the chalking forms. “ we may not
salivate‘ez m‘any roadmgents ez some, but. we‘re
all death on their hoss~flesh!” - .

At once Gomeo stole away, while the two
climbed into their saddles without wailng l for
assistance; and without listening for-sounds of
the pursuit, which they knew would'foilow, the
four were of! and away, Alabaster ‘Jiimfiking
the lead. - He seemed to have no dwa‘about
being able to guide the party through tiltin-
tricacies -of the mountain passes, and their
present objective point was Ground neg Bar,

'which lay beyond. ’No one wanted mum-n

to Tierra Rom, and its inhoqntable population.
For an hour they pursued then-journey,"
following a roundabout and by name easy
course. Sometimes they were deep in the
shadows; sometimes their way; illuminated by
the moon that was not far from. full, was
bright as day. At times Alabaster Jimwu
away in their front: again he dropped into the
rear. He alike- searched out the pith and
watched for pursuit; and at lastwsupped
suddenly, throwing his left hand backward-
wlth a warning gesture, while his 
straight in front 'of him, and~he bent (award
in his' saddle, listening intently tothe sand of
a light footstep, plainly audible, when thtlm
band came to a halt. *
They were on a narrow pathwaer waned
“most let into the side of the mouth ~11 flat
roadway, peth a donen fectwido. 0a teir
right was an ova-hanging wall» of not, 
their left was the clearly-defined eng of a
precipice. .Not Very far away the path aimed
to come m an abrupt ending, yet “at wan; the
spot’that the leader was watching with and:
steady carbonation; ' . .
“Ones them,” he muttered; “ they‘vow
us on right at ther Dovil’s Door-wayward I am
their steps behind. Fit thebe umthia
Mfleml’m Did! us 00' lith «It
0‘ ther m Why,   

was i at it ainlt ther 199661906 handfl
h trr name'uv mention, howdid "tit
yar  .

neuddeniywusm,mm.m.
deofhkplumtorbundhg‘ my '3 ..

into viewoaflam . . .I
"I rodethemost of the way, and climbed-

 

 

.. ...1 , .....

24

‘ —~-v Lax-1-}; _.:_'.. .::..‘ “m. -.. w -- ;~

 

 

on feet and hands when the way became the
steepest. They tried to throw me back into
my prison—house, but they could not befool me
twice. I slipped away, met Gomez, who told
me of your intentions, and then came to warn
you and to join you. Am I Welcome?"

“So yer do need me, arter all!" said Ala— ,
buster Jim, his mind reverting to the conver- ‘

sation at Irish Molly’s. “ 1n course yer wel-
come: but there’s ther chance fur hard knocks
an’ no glory. lVe hev no time to fool away
hyar."

“No; for they are close at hand.
headed them off by leaving my mustang and
climbing Where it would puzzle 9. goat to find
much more than a foothold. You must turn
back. | I came to warn you. You can go no
further here."

“Ye’r’ mistooken, leetle ’un. Thar‘s a doz-

I only :

iand then. Soft Hand was following after his 

iretreating companions. while. Alabaster Jim
crouched alone in the little narrow opening,
i waiting for the foe that again was gathering
for another charge.

I

CHAPTER XXXII.
THE mans STRIKE HARD-PAN.

THE forces gathered for the charge, but af—
ter the lesson given them in that one disas-
t trons fire there was no particular hurry about

making it. On the contrary, taking a lesson
l from Alabaster Jim in the past, a white fl lg
was stuck around the corner of the bend to the
! right, though in that light it was next to im-

en or more follerin’ us, an’ on this kind ov a possible to tell white from black.

road it wouldn‘t be so healthy to try to cut
through. Don’t you hear ’eint"

It was not hard, however, to make Alabas-
ter Jim understand that a parley was wanted;

There was no mistaking the sound that came and that suited him very well, for he was

to their ears as they listened. The pursuers
were 01086 behind, and in force, while further

drawing in, was another force.
caught between two fires.

“ Ah, what shall we do?" exclaimed Cata-
lina, desperately. “ In such a place numbers
will tell. Every turning in a fort. If they
only hold them we may die here of starvation.
We might indeed swing ourselves over the
chi; but what better oil! would we be!”

“Kemp cool. Ef they bevn’t blocked it up,
thar‘s a. chance yit.”

He gave an uneasy glance or two toward
the rear, but there seemed yet a moment or
twotocall their own, and be led them for-
ward, until they reached a crevice in the hith-
erto solid wall to the right.

“ One at a time, now an’ go slow. Yer
can’t ride twenty foot; but leave yer mustangs
strong along. Up yer go, an’ no nonsense.
When yer git clean to tber top, give ther rock
a tiltond plug ther road shut—P11 go round
that t’other way an’ j’ine yer."

There was some hesitation, some demur.

“Go!” said Alabaster Jim, with a. sternness
that was new to him, and sat strangely on his
hppyogo-lu'cky features. “Do yer want to
kill me, sure?”

Into the narrow rift three of the party
M, and followed the dilllcult pass that led
straight upward until lost in darkness. It
mound impossible that it should prove a prac-
ticum way of escape, ceniidently as Alabaster
Jim had spoken of it.

“So long, pard,” said the latter, carelessly,
as last of all Soft Hand turned toward the rift.
“ You won’t be out or ther woods, by a long
(talk; hutdo yer level best, an’ then, ef tber
time him: to go under you won’t grumble.”

“But I’m not goin’,” responded Soft Hand,
quietly. “I‘m the other kind of a duck alto-

hor; nu’ notso much a duck as a rooster.

e’ll try ’91:: one fly, anyhow.”

“ You’ve got to go sooner er later; jist keep
watch ov what‘s kimin’ from behind, an’ I’ll
scowhat’s round tber band. When I do say
skip, though, skip, or I’ll plug you. You hear
no! Thor's no foolishness about me. I
want my chances, or of you'll say yer know
the country better ner me I’ll go 'long with
that not."

“Have it your own way,” hastily. inter-
posed Soft Hand, for he saw that his partner
mount what he said. Then, he turned his at.
union to the bend around which they had
come, while the other investigated the land in
front.

Theme of the pursuers came nearer and
nearer; disamddenly stopped. Probably they
were suspicious of some trick tor everything
beams wonderfully quiet, until the crack of
Son Hand’s revolver awoke the echoes. A
no was lying at full longtb'on the ledge,
mam-dihoedgoof the bond tbathad
curtailed his approach. Scarcst had his face
appeared when it Was, drawn away again; but
.bo mm .was a spasmodic action. At
- me glimpe Soft-Band bad fired—and he miss-
ed no marks. ' .

As though the 'bot was a signal, on either
cilia-poured armed men, ready for a cha ,
and as coolly as though practicing at ‘
ball. the two opened a - fire, rapid and deadly.
l’bree or four shots apiece they fired and than
mlmunbbdmmmmdthebond.

‘ “ low, gm" skid .Alabalor Jim.
holdin’ ther balance ov this yap funeral alone.”
hero Was just one warm claspol‘ bands,

anxious to gain time.

i “ All right,” he responded, to the appeal of
away, beyond the turn, yet evidently rapidly j Colonel Dashwood.
They were I don’t sell a clam.
l son.”

l “Reason let it be," interposed Colonel Dash-
‘wbod, boldly stepping forward from behind

“Toot yer horn, of yer
I’m byar, ready fur rea-

the shelter of the rock.

“ What sense or reason is there in making a
fight new? Sooner or later we are bound to
home you two.” .

“ That’s jist that same solid chunks ov wis-
dom yer slung at us down in Red Cat Gulch;
can’t yer start somethin’ fresh?”

“ That kind of lightning luck don’t strike
twice in the same place. And then we were
trying to take you alive; while now no one
here cares a continental whether you two go
under by rope or bullet. Fact is no one is
caring for you at all. If you‘ll hold up your
hands and swear never to molest us again we’ll
let you step out, and I’ll pledge you my word
that. no one here shall harm you between this
and Trim.”

“ You will? Well, my sweet-scented tulip,
that’s very square fur you—only, I ain’t comin’.
Ef you think you kin hustle us outer byar try
it. Each on us kin drop his half dozen store
you kin git a fair sight on us, an’ we’ll bev six
shots an’ a bowie-knife apiece left. When we
git through with them whar will you be?
lVbar, oh, whorl"

“ Oh, but we’re not such fools as that. All
we have to do is to sit down quietly; and this
time we’ll do it. We have every chance, and
we’ll starve you out, or starve you to death.
And if you think you can make your escape
through the Devil's Door you’re very much
mistaken, because you‘ve lost your chance. By
this time there are half a donen men on the
look out up there, and if they haven’t shut the
door they are watching, and will kill you one
at a time, if you try to escape that way, and we
do not overhaul you. ”

“Starve away. and be hanged," shouted
back Alabaster Jim, defiantly. “ Pull down
yer flag an’ git, ther batteries is about openin’
me.”

At this abrupt close of the conference the
colonel skipped nimny out of sight, but a.
voice from the other side took up the strain:

“Be ready, thar, kunnel, when you hear a
noise as though the world had come to an‘eeud,
nn’ everything broke loose. We’re fixiu’ up a
cracker to tossat him, an’ when it blows up,
sail in. They’ll either be dead gone dead, or
they’ll hev to dodge in.”

Alabaster Jim looked around him. Evidently
the time for trying whatever desperate scheme
he might have in view was just about at hand.
The idea of a. torpedo was something be had
not thought of for he had behaved that with
the advmtagesof position, be bad, he could
hold the spot for an hour or more against an
army. Moreover he was more uneasy than
he would have cared to own over the reception
his friends might meet at the other and 0f the

snags which had been styled the Devil’s

way. It might be that the colonel was
only talllng a lie; then again it was aslle
as. not the truth. ' .

Whilebelistoned thereceme from the nor-
n0w passage at his back a hollow rumble, fol.
lowed by a deep, sudden jar. . I
. The passageway was closed now,,no matter
'whosobondohoddom'mo work; and inthat

, direction at least there w“ no longer‘any way

 

of Once let the colcnol and hil_men
reach the lower mouth of the page nod they

Pistol Fords; '

 

 

 

could wall him up alive. Howsoon, now, was.
the torpedo to ceme, to finish the Work?

He had not long to wait.

In that time, however, he was not inactive:
nor had be deliberately stationed himself there
without some plan of action.

The hand-grenade came hissing through the

‘ air, its short fusee on fire.

That moment was his chance, since he knew
that none would care to expose himself to dan-
ger from the petard for the sake of watching.
how it worked.

At the horn of the saddle on which he had
ridden away from Dashwood‘s hacienda, Ala-
baster Jim had found a stout, long lariat, and
this he now held in his hand. lnimediately in
front of him a single tree, springing from the
rocky ledge, shot out over the precipice, sug-
gesting a way of escape.

Utterly reckless of what might lie beneath
him he sprung upon the tree, hastily knotted
the laria't to the trunk, and casting the free
end into the gulf he slid rapidly down,
just passing from sight as the torpedo ex-
ploded.

Hardly bad he disappeared when the charge:
came. Had any one thought, at this moment,
to look over the verge he might have been
picked ofl’ as he clung to the rope.

But so intent were they all upon the Devil’s
Doorway that no one bad eyes for anything
else. Several random shots were fired and
there was prodigious yelling. Then, they
dashed into the rift with savage recklessness;
and there found unmistakable evidence that
Alabaster Jim, at least, had not followed that,
line of retreat.

“ Hush, all of you,” Said the colonel, holding
up his hand. “Perhaps we may hear some-
thing of .them.’

“ Not a whisper. It's blowed him away. I
wouldn’t wonder of he’s landed down in the.
Bowl.” ‘

“ An idea,” thought Dashwood, and stepping
out and across the ledge he saw at once the
lariat hanging loosely, and surmised that this.
was the way the disappearance had been of—
fected. Other eyes saw it too.

“It don’t look as though they both bed time
to git away," said one of the party, incan-
tiously approaching, to look over the brink.

Fortunate for him was it that 'he leaned no
further, for, from below, straight upward,
there came a shot, that sent his bat spinning,
with a bullet hole in the brim; and the ball had
gone so ne'er to his nose that for the moment
he believed himself hit. ,

“It makes little difference, and that way
you’ll never find out either that or anything
else, unless you learn it in Kingdom Come.
One of you take a rifle, or something, and fish
the rope out." '

The men were careful enough about it and
succeeded in electing their purpose without
drawing any more shots from the skillful
marksman that lurked below.

“How, storvel You're in the Dcvll’o Bowl
and no wayto getoutl We’ve resoundhenrd
the last of you anyway!” ‘

The colonel shook his list in the direction of
the gash in the mountains where Alabaster Jim
was lurking. Ho'ovidently thought the world
was well rid of web a man.

While this was going on a strong force had
M the rift in the wall and cautiously pur—
sued their way along the strangely-lam

pathway. .
Before long the darkness grew in . No
moonboams, bright though they might be,

00'” “tussle in here; audit wubyno beans
pleasant to go stumbling along with the pogi-
bllity that any moment a fugitive might Open
llre'with deadly street. '

The way want on and up, at times growing
broader, but for the most pelt being only
wide enough for a single foot pawl: Loon
Corrado, who glided along in the advance
knew the pathway reasonably well, and put.
sued his way with such canfldenoo that when
his f00t st'l'uck suddenly  some one:- .
peeved obstaclb he pitched heavilyth
giving vent to a wild yell as he wont.

Itwns fortdnototbotnoone beanie-hoot;
for in that 'caso Loon, sprmgi to his toot,
would have been the one to er. .H. had
stumlied over the w of a nun, lying mo.
tionlesu in the narrow passage. He M
as much by the fefi’forlit «1m m we
on i and he ng risen , pod
infipnrg’od out histh in- search at the

body.
Hefomdlfialdmmwmm

 

\

Pistol Pards.

25

 

hands that belonged to it, that suddenly
clasped his wrists and gave him a pull that
there was no resisting. From the inside to
the outside he was transferred, almost before
he knew it.

Then up sprung the man.

“Shot or blow aimed at me must first go
through your leader. Fall back or I open fire
over his shoulder.”

The footsteps had halted before this, but
Soft Hand knew that men were lurking in the
pamage, and as he had found his progress
blocked by a huge stone that he was unable to
move, he had just decided that he must go
back and trust his chances at the point of en-
trance when he heard the explorers coming to-
ward him.

His movements resulted in their being dis-
concerted, and as there was nothing to be lest,
they obeyed his order.

As they receded be advanced, and close at
their heels burst out of the rift.

But as he came, with a revolver in One hand
and Leon in the other, some one played upon
him the same trick that he had played upon
Cerrado, dropping right in his pathway.

Down he went, firing one fruitless shot, and
then upon his back there sprung three or four
men.

At once he was helpless, bound, prisoner,
while Colonel Dashwood :5th over him, with
a mocking sneer.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
A ura-s-muoou: on ma Labor.

Tn: gentleman from Cinnabar, as the reader
very well knows, was not much given to talk-
ing. and however bravely he might strike out
in a hopelem conflict, so long as his blows went
home he was not much given to exertion that
could not possibly bear fruit of any kind.

In this crisis, he made just one tremendous
eflort, and seeing that he might as well try to
lift the mountain, he then remained without
speech or motion.

A couple of rough hands jerked him up
from his position, face downward upon the
ground, and propped him up against the wall
of rock. v As the bright moonbeams slanted
down on his face, they showed no trace of
anxiety or fear; only a cold, scornful smile.
Yet he was thinking of the scene in (the vaults
Of the mined mission. just before he had been
entombed alive. Could he expect any more
mercy now!

Not very much, for Colonel Duhwood was
his mortal enemy, and when he glanced away
from him‘ eyes fell upon the cold, dark face
01v“ Shotoowaahere;inatthe
death-uh“ At light of her he could»
scarcely suppress a start, though her presence
need not huge been a surprise. Had hanot
himself tolddier that which would bring the
two together?

He leaked from the one to the other, and
wondered, perhaps, how far explanations had
gone between-the two. or whether therelud
been .any explanations at all. .

Andeanm looked down at him with a
strange glam. in her eye, as, advancing, she
placedher had upon his shoulder.

“Man, mm,” she whispered, “as you hope
for mercy answer in truth."

“Hold ou,~mies or madam, I’m not hoping
for mercy. I’ve been there, and I’ve got more
hopeinanhonestpard andmygood handand
eye than in all the mercy ever invented. Don’t
Waste words over a man like me, but let things
slide along in the groove that Nature makes
for them. The sooner it’s over, the better fur
one of as".

“ The sooner what is over?”

“ Life; death; whatever is to happen. You’ll
own I’ve no good cause to love you after the lit-
tle game you played on me not solong ago,and
if I haven’t a notion for revenge, it’s because I
wouldn’t like to strike a woman. Now, that
brother of yours I’d take out of the damp in a
minute, if he gave me a chance to do it honest-
ly; but you’re different material. Only, half.
way forgiving as I may be, you can stake your
life I’ll do you no favor, so don’t make your-
self small asking it. You and Allan, yonder,
should understand each other by this time."

“ Allan! my brother? It is false. Your -
lie moved us somewhat, and we went to seek
him with a shade of hope and a cloud of fear.

 

One glance was enough. He may be a vile
man; but he was our friend in that he swore to

ride you down. He helps me to my vengeance
while he follows his own.” 

“ It’s a pity such a handsome woman should .
be so big a fool. Tell them to drive on with ‘
the hearse. I’ll say nothing more to you.”

He could not have chosen words that would
have angered her more.

“_So be it, Pierre Redettc. I might perhaps
even yet haVe saved you, false father, per-
jured husband, treacherous friend that you
have been. Now I leave my revenge in the
hands of one who will make it as complete as
even i could dream of.”

She asked no more questions but. turned
away and took her stand by Victor Page.

Then Dashwood shot his bolt.

“Your friend is somewhere below; and it is
as certain as death that he never will get out.
I have had some little differences with you two,
but I still have a little compassion, and for
fear that he may grow lonesome, I’m going to
send you down to join him.”

He paused, and touched his face at the spot
the bowie-knife of Alabaster Jim had pierced
when that worthy pinned him to the wall.

“I wouldn’t do it, colonel. He’s a bad man
by himself, and if we two once get together
again, there’ll be music in the air, and learn it
by heart if you don’t believe me.”

“I‘m afraid it is the truth you’re telling;
but I don’t intend to send you quite all the
way. We’ll fix it so you‘ll be in :ight of each
other. That will be enough enj'vynient for
you; and for me, too. I’d study out some bet-
ter, slower, more glorious plan. but I'm in too
great a hurry now. Half a dozen of my
friends were at the other end of the Devil’s
Door, and no doubt made a capture. Unfor-
tunately they no doubt had a wholesome fear
of the pistols of yourself and friend, and so
closed the doorway when they had gathered in
the ungrateful girl who I know joined you
here. A journey around for a mile or so is no
joke but I suppose it must be taken. Have
you anything to say for yourself?"

“Nothing, except that unless all signs are
false I‘ll live to see you hung.”

‘ Then turn him Off!” sharply ordered the
colonel, totally ignoring the insult.

The meaning of his covert threat became ap-
parent.

He had already whispered his orders while
Verna held her little conversation with the
prisoner. Now several men advanced.

From the end of the lax-lat rope they cut 03 t
perhapsn dozen feet. It had not touched the l
ground before but they wished to make it a l
certainty. l

'l‘hen around his neck they knotted the end
and stood waiting for further orders.

“ You are sure it will not slip, or be uncom-
fortably loose?”

“ It’s tied right thar, an’ it won’t come loose
till ther rope breaks.”

“ Well, Mr. Soft Hand, oer. Pierre Redette,
or Mr. Men from Cinnabar, or whatever. your
name may be, the case standsthualy. There
are, I judge, some forty to sixty feet. of that.
rope, which will not touch bottom by a long
sight. There is a noose around your neck;
but in case Ofaccident I don’t depend at all on
strangulation. The rope may break, but the
point is that the momentary stOppage at the
end of say sixty feet drop will prove exceed-
ingly unhealthy for the spinal marrow. Good-
morning. .Over with him.”

The great, cruel brutes caught up their vlco
tim and dragged him toward the edge of the
ledge, and for a few secondspoised him there,
waiting to hurl him out into nothingness.

It was at that moment that Soft Hand, in
whose face not the twitching of a muscle or
the shadow of a change of color had been visi-
ble, made his supreme aflort.

Wrapped, as he was, with cords, and held by
four strong hands, it seemed as though he
could do positively nothing; yet even then he
was not altogether so helpless as to effect noth-
mg.

One hand at least he tore free, and with one
straightforward blow he lifted the brute at his
right clear from his feet, and out into nothing.
ness. As his despairing cry rang up, his com-
rade struck Soft Hand’s feet from under him,
and pushed him over the brink,

Yet even then he did not at once fall, for by
chance his arm struck across the overhanging
tree to which the rope was knotted. .

With a shriek Verna rushed forward. This
seemed to her more terrible even than the
scene in the uni vaults: but Colonel Dashwood ,
caught her rndeiy by the shoulder, just asSoft ‘

 

 

 

' do.

Hand’s arm unclasped from the tree and he
dropped from sight.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
mrsn HOLLY HOLDS ran DROP.
Sorr HAND dropped; but not, indeed, to in-

. stant death.

He had no well defined idea of why he acted,
but act he did. and when his arm unclasped
from the tree it was of his own volition. He
preferred risking his chances now, before his
strength was all exhausted in fruitless en-
deavors.

At the very outset he had to face a fearnt
chance; but he threw all upon the risk. As
his arm slid away from the tree his hand slid
along the rope that for the moment, bending
his head sideways, be grasped convulsiver
with his teeth.

Then he had the rope in his hand and was
sliding slowly down. It scorched, it burned,
it almost tore his arm from its socket, but
with tightly clinched teeth and straining nerve
he still held on. if he let go there was the
drop, and the noose, which, had his one hand
been free, he could not have loosened; and be-
low, a broken neck

What better it would he save a prolongation
of agony he knew not, for at the end what es-
cape could there be from strangulation.

Fortunately for him the men shave never
for a moment dreamed of any possibility of es-
cape. A shot would have made the result
certain at first. though before many yards he
was at least safe from them since the rope
trending outward a little with the swell of
the bank. then dropped under its overhanging
shade and just hid him from their sight. They
might cut the rope—at the rhk of bullets from
below—but they could not harm him directly.

An age it seemed, for its agony; yet the end v
of the rope was fearfuIIy near. Clinging
blindly, with blood dropping from his tern
palm, and an awful numbness beginning to
creep through his arm he knew he could hold
on but a little longer. Once or twice he had
relieved with his teeth the strain upon his
hand. He tried it now for the last time.

It was just at this moment that he heard
the hearty voice of Alabaster Jim; and never
were sounds more welcome.

“Hold on, pard! Don‘t yer try it alone;
lemme assist—steady now. Ther drop ain’t
more ner a dozen feet an’ I don’tb’lieve ,you’ll
break ary a bone. We’ll, make it w ’ nor
a hundred volcanoes with all ther blowers on
fur them cusses yit; I owe ’em one er 'two,.I
Hold fast a minnit; I’m with yer.”

It was very little use to tell him to hold fast
for it was life or death with Soft Hand about
doing it; but Alabaster had to say something,
and that was  could, think of, while
he sprung toeneaide to gainavantage
ground.

Then—crack! His heavy six-shooter spoke,
and there was a twang and a quiver from one
endofthemwtheother'as thehall struck
it a few inches above Soft Hand’s grasp.

Crack! There was another shot, a 'ng
of strands and down dropped .Soft M,mm
his feet well under him, and all his wits,itill
about him. ' .

'Thednop was perhaps. a dozen feet, but
ht lightly. stumbled. rose notes!!! turtles-
speech', and then suddenly lsintodlsmye The
strain had been a   Wanton his
magnificent nerves could stand.  .

Above there, was a strangely excited crowd
of whomnot one had yet formed the belief that
Soft. Baud would mcceed ia escaping.

Yet, as they watched the rope where it hung
from the tree, they had heard the report of Al.
ahaster Jim’s revolvers, and then saw the
thrill and jerkof'thelariatasit partedhelow.
Then they saw it swing loosely and knew that
whatever else might be, Soft Ila-id no longer
swung to the end. Were ropeand neck broken
by a fall; or, in some miraculous way, had he
escaped?

From below there came up no answer.

“Drag up the rope again. if they like it
down there let it be so," said Colonel Dash-
wood hastily. “ A goat couldn’t climb out, and
when we have time we’ll come back and Shtot
them at our leisure while we bury the dead."

His thoughts now were turning toward a hat
might be at the further end of the Devil's
Door. From the fact that the passageway was
closed he knew that some one had passed
through, and that probably the men on the
look-out above, to whom he had signaled by

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.zsar .. ..

  

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' Y

    
         
   
   
 

 

26

_.a_

means of a torch. had probably made acapture.
He knew nothing with certainty, but he be-
lieved that Catalina had made her way through
the rifted , and be suspected that per-
haps Hamid Wilkins and Kate might be found
in her company. In fact be suspected a great
deal more than the truth, and this was what
made him so anxious to go forward.

Catalina entered the passageway first, and

the others followed her quite bravely. Alabas-
ter Jim seemed to know that the road was safe
to traverse; and at the other end they could
scarcely find anything worse than they had left
behind.
' The journey through the darkness, though
not so very long, appeared almost intermina-
ble, and when a gush of fresh air seemed to
tell them that they were nearing the outlet it
raised their spirits wonderfully. Out they crept,
for at the last the passage was very narrow,
upon a rocky crest of the mountain, passing
by a huge hOWldt‘I' that was just poised at the
edge of the rift.

As they came into the open air three men
bounded up a pathway that led around the _
rock. and before they well know how it was ‘
done they were prisoners. 7

Three as brawny, reckless, dare devil ruf— ‘
iians they had never seen. The cold moonlight :
has a Wonderful trick of bringing the hidden
heart of avillain to his face, and so it was'that
these three'looked all their nature.
a little scream as the leader put his hand rude- '
ly u n her‘shoulder. ' i

“ 0 use to squirm, leetle gal; we’ve got
yer mil. '
we take a twist ’round ’em. We can’t hear
ther steps; but there’s more to Come.” 1

“This ar’ fun,” added a second, “.but s’pose 1
we lock ther' door atore ther rest kilns out. -
I ain’t hankerin’ arter a bout with them pistol I
pards, 'ef them’s ther gnloots thet’s makin’ that i
rattlin’ little ‘ruction below thar. Let that
captln draw his own badgers."‘ '

“Yes. "Knock the wedge out. They can’t
git "away, then, mire; an’ that“: Only three ov
us hyar of they should make a rush.” '

'lbabowlder at the edge of the rift was
the‘dOor that the outlaw meant, and it'was
nicely poised, and held in place by a single
wedge. A few strokes and the stone, loosened
fromlts place, toppled over and went rolling
dew-word a‘dann yards into the passage and
than cure to'a sudden? halt against a shoulder
ot’rock where the waywas the narrowest.
Half a‘dcam‘uieu might move the rocka
theupperside; adoancouldnotforoeitfran
below. " ‘ “

“And now, my beauties, for you. You‘re
sharponss to slip through the: ca in’s fin-
gerabut'you‘ll‘gonofw., fur this:
sickly-lookin’ galoot, thw , plan ’u’d be to
cbuc‘t‘hini rightovelr hye'r,'where it’s athou-
san’ foot down.” ,

' The leading spirit made a litep~forward, with
amotiou‘ as though he had mom on‘of
unfit-g his preposition immediately nto ef-

 

Up with yer hands all ov yer, while ,

i

-~“las on ’pal'd.“Good b'o‘vingal ‘Y
mania-same, mew
' Why,“youm bedreén" in’l’""- “'
“ by mighty! Neighbor,'bhe'llbl&‘

nine pus wm' subtle-um vally ov
not} immune inn- cit,on itlma'

 a hearfnlly. "a: a don"t
«may: soon it e ‘ -‘ ‘ _
tomhttat‘fiey

The three  '
would have a’ _ . y thing managing”? two
girls and an inv- all or whom had‘

almost dumfonnded and without Mttoagm’ot

 

a ’4 L a ' '* i a: .i

‘ aria-n ycucsntin ‘ ways
meddle: an.» wouidhsvobosn beasrto
Myoumnmmumm dos-

iagthe“door” uitfithe mammme ,
Kr. ‘7an may. wna a lMe’slow todecide, ,
hitwhenhismind wasvactuaily nude up'he;
acted lib-adult. 'As thenian approached:
him he spnm forward like a cat, struck tyre '
sharp blowy. felt and right, the last of which i
leveled him flat, and then strove to draw the :
Mathisbach whichso farhehad seen:
no Why to draw. : -' ' }

Thoth seemed auction, and well-
nighauselelsoue, foron theinstdnsout came
the pinch cf‘the  bandits. They
were actions, wily fellows and [referred
nsingleadto advancingrm this developh'g
athlete. Up went their hands and baton
Wilthn could have drawn he would have been
a dead man h’adnothtnllna, leaping forward,
thrown her arms around him, exclaiming: ‘

v

.- .. .... _.._ . __,_..-.,,;_‘ '...:'_ :1. .‘ .'.. ..;.’ ::'.... .  .. .“:.’_..;.1:.::_

‘ a twinkling had turned together. Perhaps

Kate gave -

Pistol Pards.

“Shoot if you dare! "Your bullets must go
through me to reach-him and you can guess
what reckoning Colonel Dashwood' will make
if he finds me dead at your hands. We will
surrender, but down with your weapons!”

And as her sharp voice ceased another one
took up the strain, in a rich, rolling brogue:

“Yes; down wid yer hands, er it’s co'wld
mate Oirish Molly’ll be makin’ av yer. Don’t
yez turn the twinklin’ av a finger fur it’s both
av yez I’ve kivered."

And up upon the plateau at their backs, a
cooked revolver in either hand, stepped the
Irishwoman. ‘

a

_—.—

CHAPTER XXXV.
A TEMPORARY LULL.

IT might have saved trouble if Irish Molly
had neglected to insert her name in her‘address;
though she had a local reputation for being a
woman that was most thoroughly able to take
her own part. But two men such as these
were scarcely could be bluil’ed by a woman.
They looked at each other, gave a sign, and in 1

they had doubts whether there was any danger,
and if she meant what she said their sudden
movement might disconcert her aim.

But never were two men more mistaken. It
was their own aim that proved to have been
altogether wild, and down they dropped from
two rapid shots. '

With a glad cry Catalina sprung forward.

“Ah, you have ‘cOmei I am so happy, for
now We will be'sa-fe. Who would have thought
to see you here’i What brought you? How will
we fly away?" '

“ Sure, au’ it’s too many questions it’s yer
asking me. It wo‘r yer own party face that
brought me, aided by two r’azonably stout
legs, an’ it’s that same last that will take me
away. It’s wild I’ve been since yez lift me far
fear ye’d come to harrum; an’, be the same
token, I've been in some danger meself. Then,
ye spalpeen, it’s little mischief ye'ii do wid yer
hands tied behind yer back." '

The latter part of the speech was made to
the man that Wilkins had floored, and who
had begun in a wandering ion of way to
make preparations to get up and take another
hand in the game. Then'the four looked at
each other and held a council of' war. '

Irish Molly’s adventm'es had been almost a-
ato in themselves, for she had been carried
08 some of Ciphin Skull’s men when others
of their comrn'des‘ had taken pOssession of
her ranch, and it was only that evening she
had succeeded in making her escape. She
knew little more about the mountains than
did Catalina, and was not ively the
beet'of guides, though herap canoe inspired
them mm new counts. ’ j

; With a blind filth in fortune they turned
day from thesth and began'to descend the
mountain side; first, however, having drawn

out!» arsenalsof weapons the two dead
 one living man had strapped around

,Attho-dtherond of tin Dewil’sDoor a sin-
gleman'remaiood on gmrd, if bychanoe he‘
could pick up any intelligence of what wai go-
ing on below; but no aouudadmiid'be but, and
down in the shadows of 155 great Ihk- a
scoreofmeninight havelurbsdandflnot
have been any the wiser. ‘ ‘ ‘

Alainstsr Jim was somewhat alarmedv when
he saw his cemrade fail; but a careful examin-
ation convinced flaunt it was on! a "-'
flight. Tobeme,“ seemed a 1i " 'to
see a man in a swoon, but certainly‘Soft‘Hand
hadhada trialof-the nervesaavere enough to
be a Inflcient excuse for the uninanly hot:
Yet, when he came to his senses agalnfand
found Jim bending over him,'he fell as cheap
as though he had been caught with his  in
a blind {Jagger’s poem.” 1'

However, be rapidly recovered his Mb,
MWWGEMHSMIQMB.‘

f‘ Tore yer hand up party badly; tin: ain‘t
another man in the mines could Mr did it, '0’
I’llh'etrocbonih Kin yer hold I m
yit, erainItohevtIr-r fun an’ you it“ that
profits" '

“lcankeepnpmy'end,handsorno hunk,
butldcn‘tseothatthereisgdngtohemnch
callfor laughter. Fro-what
inaMuhrhagmtc-fwhich therebno
tinguntsss some one lowersa rope. If y
figure on our friends up yonder doing any such

 

out he addedfa few

littlepfava‘ you’re not the sharp I take you ‘

for.” > r

" Hope be That galoot thinks he’s
posted; but thar’s a wrinkle er two that he
ain’t ii to. We might tumble a couple of
hundr feet furuer down an’ git squelched;
but I ain’t a-tumblin’. An’ we might stay
hyar an’ starve; but I ain’t a-stnrvin’. I kin
take yer out blindfolded, an’ I'll do it. Then
we’ll git right down ter bimen. I could ’a’
plugged that kunnel a dozen times but I held
my hands. You bet I don’t do so no more.”

“I begin to think so myself. 'lt's a mys.
tery how it comes you didn’t corral him when
you had the chance."

“Because I wanted to see him hung. I
swore I’d have him strung up an’ I hate to go
back on my word. But then I didn’t say livin’.
I kin hang his stiff. Wonder I didn’t think 0v
that afore.” I

This cheerful view of the case put Alabaster
Jim in sudden good burner; .and Soft Hand
himself felt a sudden hopefulness, for despite
his cool acesptance of whatever ill luck! fate
sent him he was not one to take a roseate view
of things. He followed his guide with a step
that rapidly gained strength. and trigether the
two carefully threadid their way along the
verge of a chasm that bent still further dovm
into the bowels of the mountain. Fortunately
for them they had been forced over the brink
above at the one only place where they could
have escaped a horrible death.

 

CIIAPTER XXXVI.
BEGINNING so cannot. 7'

SLOWLY and cautiously Irish Molly led the
way down the'side of the mountain, winding
along a devious path, that, however, always
bore downward. More than once they had to
pause to consider their way: once or twice
they had to drop ovar a ledge‘or leap across 'a
rift. Sometimes they were in out shade;
sometimes the moonbeams, ‘ ing was
their course,’ma‘de it lights: day. Altogeth‘ r
their-program was slow. '-' ’ ' a - ‘

A short‘tim‘e after they had left the plateau
above there Was a new development in the
game. A man’s head was carefully raised
over the further edge of the little plateau, and
thenabod'yfoflowed. ' -“ . ‘

The ndw~bomer seemed one of ' the some
gang, and quite noiselessly he apmacho'd the
got where the two dead outlaws fay, and‘the
one lihing was sitting dist-0M with his
handshonnd behind hishack. '5 “ ‘47 o a

“Hello! What’sto pay herb!  hh‘looks
libeanasty sortof mess, null "‘84!
yourrboots, nohow'.- What do you 3“:
now ‘ . ~ A -

“I’ve been waitin for (hin't
go down this hyar wag, I’d broke Hymn fast
jump. Cut me loose, now you've came, an’
maybewewon’t botoo late yet. ' arses on

my , , v .

' Whilethe‘coi'dr‘ 
dy W; and he

being furnished with a’ revolver at once the

two man I! pundit As Whom the

«roadway gained rapidly on them“ and,

‘mfmw their)“ arthe dropped ov

from 5 ledge to a level plateau.)f or
Muir “.118 P9!!! otth the

wm‘advnncrd cautiously, 'ndns tbqap-

_,   beiow.‘ 1m by
:3 mo, fairly rm in’a‘oddflh‘cou-
they say astriking’ tahldu. ~- " '
When the four had reached the- gl‘oun‘d and
ohm footing they became “is that some
one was approaching, and in silence they stood,
for they had no doubt but that the my “88
coming at least a dozen strong. '4 
_ Although the four, now, were all well am
ed, it canonsin be suppaed‘ M’theyhad no
desire to face a gang as rad-agents, who
were reckless encag and W enmh to
stop at nothing, and who outnumbered dhem
somewhereabafl tbmteone. « W -
Yet they had no thought of giving in.‘ n a
tight badtocome it might 1|le “new as
any other time,“ and perhaps  ‘Here
they had thandvaflage of position,- audit they
had um soon it could who thwn
the outhws into a heater little ambuscade.
Then a: ‘be am to an m M apiece
before ‘asaailanh mld‘ locate them Well
enough to try a volley. " '
Mina. when courage wad certainly as
great as thatof any of the others, alone seemed

 

A.

 

Pistol Pards.

2'7

 

 

 

to wish to shirk the coming light. She was
nearest to Irish Molly, and her she touched
lightly on the shoulder.

“Promise me that you will not kill him if
you can help it. He may be no kith nor kin
to me, as I begin to believe; but he hasbeen
kind to me until of late and I cannot hear to
see him die."

“The colonel, you mane? Arrahi If the
bloody-moinded Spalpeen won’t listen to raizon
it’s a corpse oi’ll be afther makin’ av him. But,
whistl It’s comin' they are.”

The whispered warning was none too soon,
for a moment later they came in sight; but
Catalina’s words had had their eflect.

Colonel Dashwood strode silently on in the
advance, and at his elbow was Varna, a strange
light in her eyes.

Suddenly before them, scarcely more than
a dozen paces away, four dark forms rose up
and confronted them; and along the little line
there was a quick. ominous cocking of revol-
vers, while Irish Molly’s voice rung out, clear

and full:

“ Halt, , colonel, me jewel!
sht his ‘ an {anagram 'yer.b’yes on
ka bio 'wh lo“ I aisen Wid yez. I’ve’got
yez covered, an’ it’s moighty seldom that I
miss me aim.”

The surprise was complete, for Dasth
had been thinking of something else, and when
he looked up, there was the unwavering hand
outstretched, and the glistening barrel that
covered him fairly.

“ Don’t yez thry to draw on me, colonel, er
down yez go. Tell yer men to kape back, or
I’ll foire, anyhow. There’s four av us an’
we’re dead shots. Give the word to kape
back.” ,

it was a shock to his ride, no doubt; but
the colonel temporized. erhaps, at the worst,
he would have hesitated before striking at the
life of a woman; and in this case he had not a
doubt but that a movement would bring a
shot.

“Come, Molly,” he said, in a quiet, easy
way, “I have heard that you have had a
rough time of it, but that was not my fault.
You shouldn’t get mixed up with disreputable
characters. Put up your wea us; let your
friends than, of whom I see t ungrateful
girl is one, do the same, and we’ll talk the
matter over. I can guarantee that, after cer-
tain pledges on your part, you at least will be
allowed to go free. Your ranch needs you
badly enough, I have no deubt.”

“ We let me some, will yes? Bo the-pow.
ers! il'l shoot oi’ve a moind to. It's sea
yes are to talk that when ye’r’ my pris’ner, an’
oi wasjustin a brown study of we’d let you.
Hold 196:” heads. colonel, utfidilte'p straight
up, an H
see now, "creche linger, 3mm hillsi- a;
holes nor a_ skimmér." ‘ " l

,

A mocking laugh 
colonel’s back. The situation had  
side. . _ 1

“Ha, ha! kunnel,” exclaimedvone of mi
men. Ym’rs treedanyhow: but say ther
and we’ll "  thdr liveliest kind ov a
me“ “it; ..., .. .m

‘ 010; -quiet h mom e .
“My am to goodjtense; snag r9“.
willhu'dlrcmyonthm what gives
u " ,

;‘ I‘tell yes," dam -lolly, wrathi‘ully,
“ ifyescare forlcife yo‘ll do as Isny. Step—

0“ v. n‘ l“.
.mmr at:  it

“Don’t yes-move a kennel. You hear
us! Drop that barker, rish, er iii-ids ov a
minuu m’ I Hf, ’il be 'n dud ole gal.
An’ you, too, Mr. .We’ve got on tank."

Ahoaruevoice Within-tin the nickof
time for Duhwood, and over the bd leaned.
the two outlaws, each pairings indie
distance of a yard or two. All that was
needed was mm“ the w undit'would
be good-morning fm' Harold Wilkins and lrish
Molly.

“Loot!” exclaimed Catalina,» the up -
ance of thh new phase, and she her

hand, while the colonel gave utterance to a ‘

triumphant laugh.

“There’s never anything lost hiding your
time. Now I’ll dicinte fliejerms, for you’ll
scarcelyrmhcntecartnindeath Up, halts
doses) at you man andsecure them. ‘Down.
with those mouth-mood? ‘. 

"Data are!” . a I

One, twoi he tarp reports at two re-

. ‘voivers echoed on the mountain side, and the

Anither v

 

\f , . . ‘ . 9'. A
men tlht' hall been kneeling 'on-the ledge
sprung convulsiver into the air and fell, all
doubled up and ghastly, to the ground below,
while out upon the plateau stepped Alabaster
Jim and Soft Hand, with extended and well.
weaponed hands, ready for work.

“I reckon we’re hyer to play that game fur

‘ what it’s wuth, so deal usa hand, er pass the

keerds. Kunnel, Iwant yer!”

But, as the silvering moonbeams fell upon
the faces of the two, some one else took a
hand. Dashwood stood well in front, his men
were still in the background, and half way be-
tween was Varna, who, at the resurrection of
these men was impressed with no uncanny,
superstitious fear, but rather maddened by the
sight of him whom nothing would slay. With
a quick, certain swing she jerked her revolver
into line and fired. For a snap shot there
never was a more deadly aim.

Yet fate, and his own skill, still guarded
Soft Hand. There could be no question now
about his wonderful shot at the Star of Em-
pire saloon. for lightning never strikes by
chance twice in the same place; and he had re»
’peated the shot. With a rapid turn of'his
Wrist he had aimed at the revolver that
menaced him, and shot it out of Varna’s
hand. .

He was in time to save himself; but the
fraction of a second too late to prevent these
slender little hands from working mortal
harm. Her bullet went wide of the intended
mark, for, as her echoing report rung daily

on the, ears of all, the colonel gave a short
groan, staggered, swayed, threw up his arms
and dropped heavily to the ground.

“0h, Verna,” he muttered, “yen lune
killed me;” and the woman healing the low,
half-uttered words in spite of her sudden con-
sternation, gave a scream ‘ and flung herself
forward, and down by his side. .

The odds had become almost evens new, but
the half-dosed of. the colonel’s mm gave a
shout andmaned for a mad rush, when Ala-
baster Jim sprung forward, fro)» his
head hat, wig and false beard, stead be-
fore them with flashing eyes and well wee?

(mama xxxvit‘
ran an as surf

Tm: was'a cryof reeognltion and of
consternationatthesu'ddenunmsflngofm--

 

 

though'itdiilg V
and her little transmit) min.
ginghack in hastetheretreat maimed.
mung-vim knelt over the!

man, withhis
she

and years
Riding
knew, too, that“ doth was notfar ,

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553

all the changes of unsung
. on.
end

bullet had gouethroughand ’
a wound that must be moral.
myhrothtr!”

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test itsh-uthbybidisg‘herfime. Yetithed
prepared her somewhat, so that the shook-of
his approaching death swallowed up the shock
of knowing that he was alive at all.

And yet there was something more to come.

He looked at her, with just the pale ghost of
a smile around his lips, as though. even in
death, there was something that could amuse
him. ’

“Don’t take on so, Vania; you’re no sister
at all. Do you think any sister‘would have
‘carried hate and revenge as far as you haVe
done? It’s a ghastly joke. Victor knew."

Then she did start.

“ Oh, you need not stare. We were a queer
family, and you were adopted into it when

were never the wiser. You’ve got two hus—
bands, to my knowledge; but you never cared
fcr them as you did for me. Pityit was I
could not have returned the compliment in
time. - -

She still stared at him, half believing that
the near approach of death had unsettled his
mind.

“No, I‘m not crazy. It is the truth. I’ve
kept trail of your ins and outs You wanted

can tell you. Yonder she stands: the little
thing with the light hair; and it's her father
beside her. She scar
you as that blackeyed girl I picked up to
some day bring forward in her place—for, un-
til a few days ago, I thought her dead. . I had
an eye for the millions, too, you see."
“ What? Where? I do not understand."
Varna never turned her head, but gazed
down into the face of the colonel—or Allan
Page~in a' dazed way. Near her, Victor wood
listening, his face as cold as ever, and yet sor-
rowing.‘ -
“You thought Pierre Redette turned me
adrift. . It was the other way. You must have
cared something, for him, though not nyou
did formant you we‘uldnot have been to
outraged hecaueehestoodbetweenmeandw
intended victim. Paar Lily!” - ' ' '-
“And what became of her!" asked Verna, a
glham of the old mvagery coming back tutur

e. .
“are died. He shot her when! andithe
wewwere ng himdownashestoodief
only defender. It was a chalice - "

hirnedhimadrift. Whoe’nrofhe

you of ithadthe names naught-um
vided forth». Then my‘lile tutti was.
than ever. 'IcametotheWes’tJivedadOg’s
life,andlikeadqmdying.” ' 

' Can nothing he done? I wink!

'- _"Yas, M‘mtwo ofthem. Yonderhu,’

 

s

“
itimehm revengedit. 

“navel-yuan neon  
. towards-i" Hostels you  ‘
{Whey wheeled h a disasganinedme'h, a-dhii- -~ V

you were an infant, and for years we boys 6

to know something about your daughter—I .

cely looks as'much like ‘

“Kyla-tends", i lioness-w < ' ’
rItal] you,isHernianKssox,‘thoughiiecnhM
1| . H, . . I

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3

_. V- .......-.v..... ._.

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’3' _ .- ' v .1‘..':.".‘:'ffi_ ... .. ‘ .. .  t 31217;: _. .:;.'.*:-::‘: 2. "  

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“WV”: . . .1, .r :. :.' ..:;:'.:'..:';. .. :1; ___..-..::1;,:;:, N

‘ Pistol Pards. r

 

;—__&i—.——._fii . . ...... . .... _ . .

“Hush, bush! You talk to much. Victor
and I can live. Your voice grows weaker, say
no more. What care I for the rest of the
world? Oh, my darling, how I could have
loved you if 1 haddonlyrknownl"

He pressed her hand and said nothing,
though the dubious smile came again to his
lips. The slow, internal hemorrhage still went
‘on, and he was dying as be lived.

Herman Knox half-drew his daughter
aside. Probably be guessed somewhat of the
revelations that might be made, and hoped
that Kate might hear none of them. lrish
Molly, the masculine tempered stockwoman
brooded over the pair with an almost mother-
ly care, and by and by the Pistol Pards joined
them, Soft Hand looking somewhat solemn,
for he knew somewhat of the strange story
that the colanel had been telling.

He drew Wilkins a little further aside.

“ Don’t have any hard feelings toward me.
You can have her. After that brute had
turned me adrift, and I had got ashore, and
had my 0 as Open and by mere chance heard
ipped. I don’t want her. Take her
and be happy.”

“Take whom? Who are you? and how does
it come that you are mixed in with my life?"

“ Who? Vl’hy our wife. I was Pierre
Bedette, but that is my name no longer. Call
me Charles J ones. I wouldn‘t leave her such a
handle to find me by. You understand? I
married her when I thought she was a widow
and of late years she has been trying to dupli-
cate that siiuation. I don’t wonder you
skipped. I reckon our best plan would be to
waltz out now and leave her alone with her
dead. And still I’d have given a thousand
neverto hare struck yonder camp. I’m not
an angel; but I’m no hunter of men, and the
last week or so has been too full of blood ani
murder evsn for me. Come. I'll finish my
contract and see you sale through to ’Frisco.”

“It is well as it has happened, yet might
have been better. Yet we are in no little
danger yet. Captain Skull may be dying; but
than“ enough 01 his outlaws linking, near-
tofive nstroul-le yet. ‘If we fall into their
hands we cannot expect such wonderfulluck
uw‘ .1,

“ eno fear. These men are not always
“not.” . , , - . I
“Rahal” laughed Alabaster Jim at their
elbow. “now do you know!” . . w

“ Wfih ova? chance in nis favor

, inc
purdthetjarredupoahisnervee. .
“.Notmuch. Yondernnn is a rank im-
m. He was only e {my lieutenant that
was trying to work t 'ne from both ends.

, theyihad succeeded, but they were
atterall. .Hecame to life, swore re-
and built. ...Iam.0a&taia Skull." v '
mar warr’shouted “Mendin-
tre, closed over his revolvers.
09. Mills. You’d hardlyeo Incl: 0:
them thetde em out «out.
.  a ways. We
piece together. and then
and,  mum. new leaf how and am
where I can browse on the

V ye two pull  we
I , anddcn’tyoa' out.”

And so Verne weeWwith her dying, with
Victor :0 watch over her. Catalina one last
glance atthem,m,_had  .to her
and yet would have driven her-tn M or,
rub, Knox gathered his daughter in his arm

the yes-

| 1m... at least, there was no moretreeblefihongb

when flit-heels swine spartan one could tell,
Wm til. m '
The We

3. .
w A , of Allen Page so neatly
explalnthoMIlnhefthe that but
little more need ham .To the eswould
never come ON, fortunes of either.  Lagoon
’  “3"

or Pierre Math. and vm‘mdnly
lorandeowt, had last claim to all. her hue-I

l

W use unless lively. to...
the muse fortune that my“ W
“hen the FletchPerds, ~

I'll IND.

 

1

l

i

 

vwiBeadle’s Dine Library.

 

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2% "firm. Nsvnn be re Gm rr up So~ and 60 othei'l.
29 BL!!! Bosms Om‘ rim Bonn-a and 54 others.
30 T81: Hm? Income as and 56 other Sons!

 

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34 mm and so other Songs.
85 Jrs'rrOPLnAsntouand I ether-Songs.
36 SnrmooxOnmrnGm-nnand Nether-n.
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2 %.Ilh3 OE”;- lgia Ofilxtg'oms T 34 {it MEriagegt'Couveuience: or, A5 By Alex Dumas.
I e‘ :- 1.1.30 3, WEE‘: EA our  -- ' v '
mars. By Wm. Mason Turner 51. D- ? 35 Sinned Agaigut. yClara Augusta. 70 The Two orph.'n" aynw‘fl‘f 3‘
,2 in gingivitis; ByBortl . Jamphe". 36 so Archer’s Bride. ByA. bouthm. 71 MY ‘0'“ “’“e- Bl My-‘YWH W59!
Brave e n. By Ante Southworth. 37 The Country (_‘ou.ln. Rose Kennedw Husband. ~ x » - «
5 goggle Ray-'Kir,ertr‘|ae.DWork Girl. I gs H111. Ouin ‘Ag'g’liialAhnibelifi Southwdrth. 72 The Two Widows. ninth“;
m, Linen .lm . . 9 F rtal on. 0 - ,
0 flighh 43‘ Mar-mire- BS’BN‘A men- i 40 Pied ed to Marry? Bnyara Claxton. 73 £131”ng “.30; ‘Mgfidflhwg NF“:
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Lovn. By Mrs. Mary Reed Omu’ell. ‘ 42 mug“: the manual] ; 0,, Km SR} 14 Cecil Cutimaino’sm vnyomda.
“3 an to “can; angina: annus Lovn. Lava: A..Swthworth. 76 TI}? Blnek Lady of [Jaguar ByJ. S.

Arabella 'Bouthwort .

9 Alone III“IIO World; or. Tn: YorNa

' MANk‘WAED.‘ ‘B the saithor of “gliftoii.”
, . r o . ra . your or, ' nn ‘umo
93.» N ’ mom. Bnyose Kehnedy.

11 1c? ngied. By Henrietta Thackera .
12 II 1w

3 Lawmi “fire; or, MYRA, run
or ADOPTION. Mn. Ann 8. Stephens.
13 Hindu: , the Little Quakereu. By

Corinne ushman.
l4 Why I Married Him: or, Tn: Won}:
nu GRAY. Sara Cluot‘o‘n.
15 A Fair  6r, ‘ Cm am: Wanna.
Bartle '1'. 0a pbell.
IO rust or Not or.'l'nn Tum; Knmm'.
Margaret Lelcen r.
Lo al Lover. By A. Southworth.
18 Ill- 1 ol; or Tun WWI.
Mrs. Mary Reed Crow A 'v ‘
19 e Broken Betrothnl or. Low: m-

 ‘t‘dn agaiigtmgme

 i111! l'romo‘rl’qn'QYou. A ePonno.
I

Now and Forever; or mt DID Sm:
MARI! lint. By Henrietta Thackeray.

23 The Brides: amt-for. By the author
 f; n '

etc- . ,
2% Her Face Wu liar Fortune. By
Eleanor Blainer ' ' . a ‘  .» I
n Schoolmi-trou; or. Hm Un-
row . a Arabella Southworth.
Without ‘_

g: V “p o In“. or T m:
 'By alum my.

28 Mi Chane: or Tan Gangs Wm.
. n5, ,3 .
' §:¥or or or kn.

In Do- not Girls or.
‘ ma ‘. o by ADednon.
:‘I the  manic: or,

firemen

‘  3m};

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Girl 3 or,

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43 The Baronet’s secret SaraClnxton.

44 The Only» Ban tor:
AGAINST Lovnn. By .Flemi

45 Her Hidden Foe. Arabella

46 The Little llei rou. B

4‘! location She Loved, im
WILL IT END. By Alice Fleming.

48 In Spite of Her-elf. By S. R. Sherwood.

49 His Heart’s Mistress; or, Lovn: AT
rim Sim.‘ By Arabella Southworth.

Cuban Heiress

50 'l‘ , ' or. Tn

. orfivwmu- By MrsfMaryA man.

51 Two Young Girls; or, Tm: Baron or
M EARL. By Alice Fleming. 3.» _

52 The Win ed Museum-r; or, Rmma
Anton/l  By I , ; ~

53 Line. llop'e,1"o‘AI-trem' 'crfl‘u Ro-
IANCI or A RUBY RING. W. M. met, M. D.

84 one Woman’s . lieu-t; or. sun
F110: rm: Smut-r. By Georges. Knime.

55 She Did Not Love Him or. Sroomo
'ro CONQUER. By Arabella Sout worth.

58‘ Lowe-lug; or,

4 -1-«.
"3 finmre‘filrl:
58 The Ebon Monk. By Mary R. Crowen.
59 A“WWI 3“!on me]. new»
90 Cocii’l Deceit. By Jenniq’DQvie 
5‘1 ( Wicked mm.   '

diam.

f r ‘ . °‘ t. ,a .
3:  oio  
Mmer » mm mgr. °'
W °W 

fiy 00!. Juan Lewis
0! lorbiddon Ian. Anbdlo Worth.

 

.7"? 1.1L  v.‘ v

0" Bmm'mi 78 Charlotte Temple. By Iii-unawson.

'uthworth. l
M. A. Denison. i
; or. How ;

Emma», Rm.
engraving, m

 

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L L N ..

Bernhardt.

anu.

77 (‘hriutinn Oakle ’n Minolta. Bythe
author of “John H ax, Gentleman."

78 My Young “Inland. 'By Myself.

'19 A Queen Amongst Women. Bythe
author of “ Dora Thorne." -

80 Her Lord and Minter. ByFlorence i
Marryat. :

81 Lucy Temple. . ,

82 A bont'l'hflo Ago. By Meta Orred.

83 Playing for High Stakes. By Annie
Thomas.

8 The Laurel Bunh. B m
4 “JD!!! Minx, Gentleman,”y e .‘utho’ 0‘

85 mi Rainy- By Octave Feufllet.
86 Janet’s Repentance. , By“

aflomanre of a Poor “Your:
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DAY- By Dennis O’Su van. D‘ a or

93 Love’s Victory. ByF
94 1‘0"“! loan.

Aug. i0.
' Aw I
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1V Deadwood Dick, THE PRINCE or THE ROAD.
? Edward L. Wheeler.

2 eilowstone Jack. By Joe. E. Badgerr-TR

3 Kansas Kirg; or Tn Ban RIGHT HAND.
B Buifalo Bill( on. Wm. r. Cody).

4 he “'ild-Horae Hunters. By Captain
Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Whittaker.

6 Vagabond Joe,'rRE YOUNG WANDERING Jaw; -

or, PI.OT'IING You A LEGACY. By 011 Coomes.

8 Bill Biddon, Trapper. By E. S. Ellis.

'7 The Flying Yankee; or, THE OCEAN OUT-
CAST. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

8 Seth Jones. B Edward S. Ellis.

9 Adventures 0 Baron lllunehauuen.

)0 Nat Todd. By E. 8. Ellis.

11 The Two Detectives; or, THE FORTUNES
or A BOWERY GIRL. By Albert W. Aiken.

12 GullIVer’s Travels. By Dean Swift.

13 The Dum h Spy. By OI Coomes.

14 Aladdin; or, l‘RE WONDEREI'L LAMP.

] 5 The sea-(‘31:. By Captain Fred. Whittaker.

16 Robinson Crusoe. (21’ IUIiStl‘ilthllsJ

17 Ralph Roy, THE BOY Bt‘C('ANI:ER; or. THE
FUGITIVE YA"HT. B'Col. Prentist Inrrahain.

1 8 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven 61>3'ugcs_

19 The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill.

20 The Double Daggers ' or, DEAOWOOD DICR‘S
DEFIANL'E. By Edward L. Vlieeler. .

21 Tile Frontier .\ ngel. By Edward S. lillis.

22 The Sea Serpent; or, THE BOY BODINSON
('RI'SOE. By Juan Lewis.

23 Nick 0’ the. Night; or. THE BOY SPY or ’7‘.

BY ’1‘. C. Hurhnugh.
Diatnond Dirk. By Colonel P. Ingralmm.
The Boyiflaptaln. By Roger Starbuck.
(‘loven ool', THE BUEEALO DEHON; or, THE
BORDER VULTURES. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Antelope Abe,-THE BOY GUIDE. Oil Coomes.
. Btlfl’alo Ben, THE PRINCE or THE PISTOL;
or, DEADWOOD DICK IN DIS‘GUISE. 1-1. L. Wheeler.
The Dumb Page. ByCapt. F. Whittaker.
Roaring Ralph Roe Wood, THE RECE-
LESS RANGER. By Barry St. George.
Keen-Knife, PRINCE or ma PRAIRIES. By

011 Coo‘m‘e’es.

Bob oolt‘, THE BORDER RUFFIAN' or. THE
GIRL DEAaSHo'r. By Edward L. Wheeler.
The Ocean Bloodhound or, THE RED
PiRATB or-THE CARIHnm. By . W. Pierce.
Oregon 801' or NICK WHIrrLEs‘ BOY SPY.
13,03 t. J. F.  Adams.

1! Ivan, THE BOY CLAUDE DUYAL°or, TEE
BROTHERROOD or DEATH. B Ed. L. Wheeler.
The Bo ' Clotvn . By nk S. Firm.
The Hi den Lodge. By '1‘. C. Harbaugh.
Ned W ide, THE BOY SCOUT. By Texas Jack.
Death- ace, THE Dunc-nu; or LIFE AND
LOVE IN NEW YORK. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Roving Ben. A STORY or A YOUNG AYERI-
3AN Wno ANTED TO SEE THE WORLD. Marshall.
Lam-10' Jack. By Oll Coomas.
the Phantom Miner; or, DIADWOOD
DICR‘S BONANZA. 'By Edward L. Wheeler.
Dick Darling, THE PONY EXPRESS RIDER.
By Ca t. Frederick Whittaker.

Butt ing Rube. By Harry St. George.
OldY Avalanehe THE GREAT ANNIHILATOR;
or, Vi ILD EDNA, Tin: dint. BRIGAND. E. ‘L.Wlleelel‘.
(.laus Eye, THE GREAT SHOT or THE WEST.
lll‘y Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
ightingale Nat . By T. C. 'Harbaugh.
Blaek John, THE ROAD-AGENT; or, THE OUT-
LAws’ RETREAT. By Joe. E Badger, Jr.
Omaha Oil THE-MARKED TERROR: or DEAD
WOOD DIOR IN DANGER. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Burt Bunker, THE TRAPPER. C. E. Lasalle.
The Bo Rifles. By Archie C. Irons.
The “'h to Rufl'alo. By C. E. Lasalle.
Jim Bludnoc, Jr., THE BOY PHENIx; or,
THROI'GH TO DEATH. By Edward L. Wheeler.
54 Ned Hazel, THE BOY TRAPPER; or, THE PHAN-
TOH PRINCESS. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
55 Deadly - Eye, THE UNKNOWN SCOUT: or, THE

BRANDED BROTHERHOOD. By Buffalo Bill.

56 Nick Wlliliieu’ Pet. Ca t. J. F. C. Adams.

57 Deadwood Diek’a Ea em or, TEE YARDS
or FLOOD BAR. B Edward .Wheeler.

58 The Border in . By 011 00011195.

59 Old Hickory. By arry St. Geo e.

60 The “'hite ndlan. (.apt. J. F. . Adams.

61 Buekhorn Bill' or, THE RED RIrLE TEAH.

' Edward L. Wheeler.
62 he shadow ship . Bv COLP. Ingrahnm.
63 Tile Red Brotherhood. W. J. Hamilton.
6} Band Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh.

6.) Hurr cane Bill. B Jos. E. Badger. Jr-

66 Single Hand. By  J. Hamilton.

67 Patent—leather Joe. By Phili S.Wme-

08 Border Robin Hood. By uflalo Bill.

69 Geld Rifle, TH: SHARPSROOTRR' or THE BOY
m or THE BLACK RANCH. By Wheeler.
GREENHORN IN

C. Adams.

33
34
35

36
37
38
39

40

4|
42

43

44
4.5

46

47
48

49

71 Delaware on C
72 tlgad Toni -Weater?|¥, urogmfi Raoul;
73 3", d Qum °" m PRAIRIE. By Hamilton.
a wood Die]: ? neck; or, CAMII"

r .
7 4 Hawk-eye n.ny. Fongfolfil’. By Wheeler.

75 The Roy Dueliat or TR mmses'
Su-Wou. By 00!. minus; Ingrafham‘ 0' m

76 Abe Colt m L‘RDW-Knm' 0 TH:-
FIGHTING Mix or IRE WEST. B‘ Alw. ARE-If!

77 CorduroB1 Charlie, TH: Y Buvo; or,
DIADWOOD cx‘s Lun- AC-r. By E. L. Wheeler.

18 Blue Dick. ByCa tain Mayne Reid.

79 Sol G‘fier GIANT m By A.W. Aiken.

80 Rose lieu; or NUGGn-NRD, mKNIGHT
or m Gwen. By Edward L. Wheeler.

81 Lightning Jo. By Captain J. F. 0. Adams.

 

‘ 100 Deadwood Dick
'101 Jack Harkaway in New York.

 

82K“ Haretoo TEE WOOD-HA'I' or. OLD
PoWDaa~FAcahAND 3 Damon. By Bar

83 Rollo, theJlo Ranger. By Oil Coomes.

84 Id 1, the GH- llliner; or, ROSEDUD ROB

- 0R . By Edward L. Wheeler.

85 Buck Buckram; or, BESS, THE FENAIE
TRAPPER. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

86 Band y Rock. By (1'. Waldo Browne.

87 The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

88 Photograph Phil, THE BOY SLEUI‘H; or,
ROSEEUD Ron‘s REAPPEARANCE. lly E. L.Wheeler.

89 Island Jitn. By Bracebiidge Hemyng.

90 The Dread Rider. By G. Waldo Browne.

91 The (‘aptain ot‘the Club; 01', THE YOUNG
RIYAL ATHLETES.

92 Canada Chet; or, OLD ANAI ONDA IN SITTING
BIZLL's CAMP. By Edward L. Wheeler.

93 The Boy lllluers. By Edward S.‘Ellis.
94 Midnight Jack, THE ROAD-AGENT;
THE BOY TRAPPER. By T. C. Harbaugli.

95 The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltine.
96 “'ateh-Eye, THE SHADOW; or ARAES AND
ANGELS or A GREAT CITY. By E.  Wheeler.
97 The On tlauv Brothers. By J. J. Marshall.
98 Robin Hood, THE OUTLAWED EARL; or. THE

MERRY MEN OF GREENWOOD. Prof. Gildersleeve.
99 The Tiger 01' Too"; or WILD KATE, DANDY
ROCE‘S ANGEL. By Geor 'e Waldo Browne.
u LeaJville; or. A
STRANGE STROKE FOR LIPIER'IY. By Vv’heeleil'é
Y

or,

Bracehridge Hemyng.

By Bracehridge Heniyng. 3

I-lI-ll-I HH 1‘ Hh-‘h-II-t

102 Dick Dead-Eye. THE BOY SML‘GGl.l-‘.R: or, 3

Tan CRUISE OF THE Vle;u'. By Col. him-1.11am.
1 ()3 The Lion 01 the Sea. B): Col. Delle SR m.
104 Deadwood Dick’s Derive;

or. 'I‘EE ‘

157 Mikelller y, TH: HARBOR POLICE
THE NI

GHT- "so:
158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, T8"
B BuifaloBill.

TRArraa‘s TRUST.
159 The Lost Capta ; or THE OPENPOLAR
SEA. .  Ca tam Freden'ck ,Whittaker.
160 The lae Giant' 0r,DA1NTY LANCE IN
161

BOY; or,
Morris.‘

J EOPARDY. By Joseph  Bad er, Jr.
New Xork Nell THE BOY- ‘IRL DETECTIVE,
or, OLD BLAKEELY‘S lONEY. By E. L. Wheeler.
\"ill “’ildlire in the \Voods. Morris.
Little Texas, THE YOI'NG Mi'STANGER. A
Tale Of Texan Prairies. By 011 Coomes.
Dand y Rock’s Pledge. By (1.1V. Browne.
Billy Baggage, THE RAILROAD BOY; or.
RLN TO EARTH. By Charles Morris.
Hiekory Harry. By Barry St. George.
A lit! Scott, THE STEAIIUIOAT BOY. By Willett.
6 Deadly Dash. By JOE. E. Badger. Jr.
b Tornado Tom; or. lNJL'N JACR FROM RED
CORE. ’1‘. C. Hnrhaugh.
7 A Trump (hard; ()I‘. WILL WILDEIRE WrNs
AND LOSES. By Charles Morris. ‘
71 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont.
72 Thu nderholt Toni ; or, This V\'OI.E-HERDER .
OF THE ROi‘KlI-Ir'. By Harry St. George.
73 Dandy Roek’s Rival. lin.\ '. Browne.
7! Bob Roekett, THE BOY DODGER. By Mmris.
75 ('aptain Arizona. By Philip S. Warne.
176 The Boy Runatvay ' or. THE Bi‘CCANerR
or TIII: BAY. Lieut. H. D. erl'y, U.S.N.
177 Nohliy Niek of Nevada; or. THY b-VAHR
OF THE SIERRAS. B ' Edward L. Wheelr r.
178 Old Solitary. ByOlJ Coomes.

. 179 Bob Roekett, THE BANK RUNNER. Morris.

SIGN or TRE DOUBLE CROSS. By E. L. Wheeler. I

105 Old Ru be, THE HI'NTER. Capt. Ii. Holmes.

1 06 Old Frosty, THE GUIDE. By '1‘. C. Harbaugh.

107 One-Eyed Sltn. BYJames L. Bowen.

108 Daring Davy, THE 'OUNG BEAR-KILLER: or,
Tin: TRAIL OF THE BORDER WOLF. H. St. Geo e.

109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. y

, Edward L. Wheeler. »
110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A

ThnilingStory of Texan Adventu . By Bowen.
1 l l The . ea-Devil. By Col. P. graham.
1 12 The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe.

13 J aek Hoyle, THE YOUNG SmULATOR; or,
THE ROAD TO FORTUNE. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

14 The Black Schooner. Roger Starbuck.

l 5 The Mad Miner; or, DANDY Rocx’s DOOR.
By George Waldo Browne. '

16 The Hussar (‘a tain; or, THE HERNIT
or HELL-GATE. ‘By 1. Prentiss Ingrahnm.
l7 Gilt-Edwed Dick, THE SPORT DETECTIVE:

or. TIIE ROADAGENT S DAUGHTER. Wheeler.
1 8 “’1” Seniors, THE BOY DETECTIVE. Morris.
19 Mustang Sam, THE KING OF THE PLAINS.
By JOE. E. Badger, Jr.
20 The Branded Hand. B 'Frank Dumont.
21 Cinnamon (hip, TEE IRL SI-ORT; or,
THE GOLDEN IDOL or MT. ROSA. r d. L.Wheeler.
122 Phil Hardy, TIIE Boss BOY; or, TIIE MYS-
TERY OF THE SH‘RONGBOW.  Charles Morris.
Kiowa Charley, THE RITE MUSTANGER.
By T. C. Harbaugh. .
ippy, Tin: TEXAN. By George Gleason.
Bonanza Bill, MINER. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
Picayune Pete; or, NICODEHUS, THE DOG
DETECTIVE. B ' Charles Morris.
Wild-Fire, oss ORTRE ROAD. B
The Young Privateer. By H.
Deadwood Dick’s .Double' or. THE
GHOST or GoaGON’S GUwH. Ed. L. Wheeler.
Detective Dick. By Charles Morris.
The Golden Hand; or DANDY ROCK To
THE RESCUE. B George W. Browne.
The llunte Hunter. By Ed. 8. Ellis.
3 Boats Bob, THE KING or THE BOOTDLACHS:
or. THE PAWNDRORER‘S PLOT. Ed. L. Wheeler.
Sure Shot Seth, THI: BOY 11mm; or THE
YOUNG PATRIOTS or THE NORTH. By Oil Coomes.
5 Ca tain Paul,m KENTUCKY MOONSHINER;
or HE BOY SPY or THE MOUNTAINS. B Clara.
6 Night-Hawk Kit. By Joe. E. Her, Jr.
'1 The Hel lean Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid.
8 Blonde ill; or, DEADWOOD DICR’S HOME
BASE. By Edward L. Wheeler.
9 Judge Lyneh, Jr. B ' T. C. Harbaugh.
' 0 Blue Blazes; or THE REAR 0’ DAY BOYS
or ROCKY BAR. By Drank Dumont.
141 Solid Sam, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT; or, THE
BRANDED BROWS. By Edward L Wheeler.
142 Handsotne Harr , THE BOOTDLACII DI:-
TECTIYE. By Charles orris.
143 Sear-Face haul. By 011 Coomes.
144 Dainty Lance, THE BOY SPORT; or THE
BANK-BREAKERS’ DECO! DUCK. J. E. Badger.
145 (amt-in Ferret, THE NEW YORR DETEC-
TIVE; or. BOR‘S BOSS Jon. By Wheeler.
146 Silver Star, THE BOY KNIGHT. A Prairie
. Romance. B ' Oll CoomeS.
147 Will Wil lire, THE THOROUGHRRED; or,
THE WINNING BAND. By Charles Morris.
148 Sharp 8am; or. THE ADVENTURES or A
minimum BOY. By J. AlexanderPatten.
149 A Game of Go 11; Or, DRADWOOD DICR‘S
BIG STRIKE. B Edward L. Wheeler.
150 Lance and asso. ByCapt.F.Whittsker.
151 Panther Paul, TH]: E hurt or,
DAINTY To THE RESCUE. J. E. Badger.
152 Black Bela, WILL Wmm’a RACER; or.
WINNING AGAINST ODns. By Charles Morris.
1 53 Wk Kit, THE BOY DnIoN. 3‘01] Coomes.
154 Tue’swerd Hunters. By .Whittaker.
1 55 Gold Trigger, TH: SPOIT. 'i‘. O. Harbaugh.
Deadwood Diek of DeadWood or,
1 ‘6 'rnl Prom PARTY. By Edward L. Whee er.

1
l
1
l
l
l
l
l
1

h?
93

Dumont.
avendish.

Ne?“ RENO
N l-‘O @004 amt.

hit-l thH H H HH HI-l Hill-l til-‘1‘ H

:5“ 939:“ W 2 “:9 WW

 

1 80 The Sea Trailer; or. A Vow WELL KEPT.
By LicuL. 11. D. Perry, U. S. N.

181 “'ild Frank, THE BI'CRSRIN BRAVO; or,
LADY LILY'S LOVE. By‘lidward L. Wheeler

182 Little Hurricane, THE BOY CAPTAIN.
By 011 Coomes. .

183 The Hidden Hand; or, WILLWILDEIRE';
REVENGE. By Chas. Morris;

184 The Bo Trailers; or DAINTY LANCE ON
THE WAR- ATE. By Jps. E. Badger. Jr.

185 Evil Eye, KING or CATTLETHIEVES; or, Tilt-7
VUL’l‘l‘BES or m B10 GRANDE. By F. Dunlons.

186 (‘ool Desmond; 'or. THE Gmm‘s Bm
GARE By Col. Delle Sara.

187 Fred Halyard, THE LIFE BOAT BOY: or,
THE SHUGGLEES or THE INLET. By C.Mon'is.

188 Ned Temple, THEBORDER BOY. Harbaugh.

189 Bob Rockett, THY. CRACRSHAN. By Morris.

190 Dandy Darke - or, THE TIGERS or HIGH
PINE. 5y Win. R. hymen

191 Buil'alo Bing, THE BOY BULLWHACEER.
B y Capt. A. B. aylor. U. S. A.

192 Captain Kit, TH: WILLO-THE-WISP: or.
THE MYSTERY or MONTAI'K POINT. By Lieut.
Harry Deunies Perry, U. S. N

l 93 Captain Mask, THE LADY ROAD-AGENT: or.
PATENT-LEATHER JOE‘S DEEEAT. By Wax-De.

194 Bllfl‘aio Bill’s Bet; or, THE GANHLER
GUIDE. By Capt. Alfred B. Taylor, U. S. A.

195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or. TH:
RIVAIs or THE ROAD. By Edward L. Wheeler.

199 Shadowed; or, BOB ROCHE'I'I‘S FIGHT roa
LIrE. By Charles Morris.

197 Little Grit, THE WILD RIDER’ or. THE STOCK-
TENDER‘S DAUGHTER. By Col. 1’. Ingraham.

198 Arkansaw', THE MAN WITH THE KNIT-E: or,
THE QL'EEN or FATE‘S REVENGE. By T. C
Harhaugh. '

199 Featherweight; or,THE BOY CHAMPION
OE THE MUSHINGUH. By Edward Willett.

200 The Boy Bedouins. By Capt. Frederick
\Vhittakcr.

201 The Black Hills Jezebel ' or, DEAD-
WOOD DICE‘s WARD. By Edward 1’1. Wheeler.

202 Prospect Pete, or THE BOY BRIGADE: or.
THE YOUNG OUTLAW HUNTERS. By Oil (.‘oomes.

203 The Boy Pards; or, DAINTY LANCE UN-
HAsxS By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

204 Gold Plume, THE BOY BANDIT; or, THE
KID (1va SPORT. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahaln.

205 DeadWood Dlek’a Doom. ATale or“
Death Notch. By Edward L. Wheeler.

206 Dark Paul, THE TIGER KING: or. CAUGHT
LN HIS OWN TRAP. By Charles Harris.

207 Nav 0 Nick, THE BOY GOLD HUNTER. A
Tale 0 Arizona. By T. C. Harbaush.

208 The Bo Hercule-l; or, Tn PRAIRIE
TRAHrs. y Oil Coomes.

209 Fritz, m BOUND-BOY Da'raanva. By L'.
LWheeler.

or, DANDY
R. Eyster.
, Ready August 8d.
211 Cropked Cal m CALIHAN or Mr.
CITY. By Jos. EE’Badger, Jr. August 9th.
242 Dauhinz Dave, .THE DANDY B
By Charles Morris. Ready August 16th.

A new ism erery lead“.
The Half-Dime Librar is for sale it all
mere...” ".2" w: with“... aha
» eac .
Nuggets, % Wciiflam Street. New York.

210 Faro Frank of i h Pine
Dunn‘s Go-DOWN  

 

 

 

 

.Jss

r ADLE’S

Ll

 

A:

 

 

32 Large Three-Column Pages.

1. A Hard Crowd ; OR, GENTLEHAN
SAM’S SISTER. By Philip S. Warne.

2. The Dare-Devil: OR, THE WINGED
WITCH OF THE SEA. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

3. Kit Carson, J r., THE CRACK SHOT OF
THE WEST. B Buckskin Sam.

4. The kidnapper; OR, THE GREAT
SHANGHAI OF THE NORTHWEST. By Philip S. Warn’e.

5. The Pire-Piends; OR, HERCULES. THE
HUNCHBACK. By A. 1’. Morris. ‘

6. Wildcat Bob. THE Boss BRUISER ;
OR, THE BORDER BLOODHOUN’DS. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

7. Death-Notch, THE DESTROYER: OR,
THE SPIRIT LAKE AVENGist. By 011 Coomes.

8. The Headless Horseman. A strange
story of Texas. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

. dy Andy. By Samuel Lover.

10. Vidoc , THE FRENCH POLICE SPY.
Written by hilnse f.

1 1. Midshipman Easy. By Capt. Mar-

ryat.

12. The Death-Shot; 0R, TRACKED To
DEATH. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

13. Pa wa : OR, NICE WHIEELEs, THE
OLD TRAPPER Oil-THE ORTHwEST. By Robinson.

14. Tha endanegea. THE SCOURGE ;
ORTHEWAR- GLE or THE MOHAWES. Ned Buntline.

15. The Tiger-slayer; OR, EAGLE-
HEAD TO THE 'Rmcvx. Gustave Aimard:

16. The White isard: OR, THE GREAT
PROPHET , THE SEXINOLES. By Ned Buntline.

17. htshade, THE BORDER PRINCE
OF HOl'NSLOW HEATH. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

18. The Sea Bandit; OR, THE QUEEN
or TEE ISLE. B Ned Buntline.

. Red Cedar, THE PRAIRIE OUTLAW.

By Gustave Aimard. '

20. The Bandit at Bay. By Aimard.

21. The Trapper’s Daughter: OR,
THE OUTLAw‘s FATE. By Gustave A mard.

22. Whitelaw 0R, NATTIE OE THE LAKE
SHORE. B Dr. J. H. binson.

23.  Red Warrior. By Ned Buntlne.

24. Prairie Flower. By G. Aimard.

25. The Gold-Guide; 0R. STEEL ARE,
THE REGULATOR By Francis Johnson.

26. The Death-Track: 0 THE OUT-
LAws on THE MOI’NTAXN. By Francis ohnson.

27. The Spotter-Detective. By Aiken.

28 Three-Pingered Jack, THE ROAD-
AGENT or THE ROCKIES. By Jose TI E. Badger, Jr.

29. Tiger Dick, THE ARO KING; or,
THE CASHIER‘S CRIME. By Philip S. Warne.

30. Gospel Geor e; or. FIERY FRED,
THE Ol'TLAW. By Josep E. Badger, Jr.

31. The New York ‘8 :’ OR, THE
FLASH OE LIGHTNING. By Albert W. iken.

32. B’hoys of Yale; OR, THE SCRAPES ‘

OFA HARD SET‘OE COLLEGIANS. By John I). \‘ose.
33. Overland Kit. By A. W. Aiken.
34. Rocky Mountain Rob. By Aiken.
35. Kentuck, the Sport. By Aiken.
38. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken.
37. Hirl, the Hunchback: OR. THE

SWORDIAKBR OF THE SANTEE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.
38. Velvet Hand; OR, THE IRON GRIP OF

INJUN DICK. By Albert W. Aiken.

39. The Russian Spy. By Whittaker.
40. The Lon Haired ‘Pards;’ OR,

THE TARTARs or THE gliAl'NS. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.
41. Gold Dan; on, THE WHITE SAVAGE

or THE GREAT SALT LAKE. By Albert W. Aiken.
42. California Detective. By Aikei .
43. Dakota Dan. THE RECKLESS RANGER;

or. THE BEE-HUNTERS‘ EXCURSION. By 011 Coomes.

44. Old Dan ack, THE GREAT
EXTARHINATOR. By 011 C mes.
45. Old Bull’s ye, THE LIGHTNING

SHOT OF THE PLAINS. _ JOseph E. Badger, JR.
46. Bowie-Knife Ben. By Oil Coomes.
47. Pacific Pete, THE PRINCE OF THE

REVOLVER. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

48. Idaho Tom, THE YOUNG OUTLAW

or SILVERLAND.’ B Oll Coomes. .

49. The Wolf Demon; or. THE QUEEN or

THE KANAWHA. By Albert W. Aiken.

50. Jack Rabbit, THE PRAIRIE SPORT;

By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

51. Red Rob, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT.

By 0l1000mes. I I
52. Death Trailer, THE CHIEE 0F

SCOOPS. . B Hon. Wm. F. Cody, (Bufl’alo Bill.)

53. S ver Sam: or. THE MYSTERY or
Deadwoon CITY. By L‘Ol. Delle Sara.

 

 

 

54. Always on Band; or. THE SPORTIVE
SPORT 01“ THE FOOT HILLS. By Philip S. Warne.

55. The Scalp Hunters. Mayne Reid.

56. The Indian Mazeppa. By Aiken.

57. The Silent Hunter ; or, THE SCOWL
HALL MYSTERY. B Percy B. St. John.
_ 58. Silver finife; or, VVICKLIFFE, THE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANGER. B Dr. J. H. Robinson.

59. The Man From ekas. By Aiken.

60. Wide Awake; or. THE lDIOT OF
THE BLACK HILLS. By Frank Dumont.

61. Captain Seawaif. THE PRIVATEER.
By Ned Buntline.

62. Loyal Heart; or, THE TRAPPERs or
ARKANSAS. By Gustave Aimard.

63. The Winged Whale. By Aiken.

64. Double- ht, the Death Shot.
By Josepll'IhE. Badger. r.
.65. e Red Ragh. By F. Whittaker.
66. The Specter arque. Mayne Reid.
67. The Boy JockKBy J. E. Badger.
68. The Plgh per; or, KIT
CAR-ms To THE RESCUE. , p . J. F. C. Adams.
69. The Irish Ca tain. By Whittaker.
70. Hydrabad, HE STRANGLER; or,
ALETHE, THE CHILD or THE CORD. By Robinson.

71. Captain -Blade, or, THE MAN
SH or THE MISSISSIPPI. y JOS. E. Badger. Jr.
 The Phantom and. By Aiken.

73.'The Knight of the Red Cross;
or, THE MAGIcuN or GRANADA. Dr. J. H. Robinson.

74. Captain of the Rifles. Mayne Reid.

75. Gentleman Geor , or, PARLOR,
PRISON, STAGE AND STREET. B§lbert w. Aiken,

’ 76. The Queen’s usketeer: or,
THISEE, TEE PRINCESS PALIIJST. By George Albony.
77. The Fresh of Frisco. By Aiken.

78. The Mysterious Spy: or, GOLDEN
FEATHER THE BUCCANEER‘S DAUGHTER. By Grainger.
79. aloe Phenix. POLICE SPY. By Aiken.
80. A Man of Nerve. By P. S. Warne.
81. The Human Tiger. By Aiken.
82. Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster.
By Col. Thomas H. Monstery.
83. Gold Bullet Sport; or, THE KNIGHTS
or THE OVERLAND. B Buffalo Bill.
84. Hunted own; or,
WITCH. B AlbertW. Aiken.
85. T e Cretan Rover: or, ZULEIRAH,
THE BEAUTIFUL By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
86. The Big Hunter: or. THE QUEEN
or THE WOODS. By the author of “ Silent Hunter."
87. The Scarlet Ca ptain; or, THE
PRISONER OF THE TOWER. By Col. Delle Sam.
88. Bi Geor , THE GIANT or THE
GUICH; or, THE FIVE UTLAW BROTHERS. By Badger.
89. The Pirate Prince. By Ingi-uham.
90. Wild Will, THE MAD RANCHERO;
or. THE TERRIBLE TEXAN. By Buckskin Sam.
91. The Winning Oar. By Aiken.
92. Buffalo Bill. THE BUCKSKIN KING;
By Major Dangerfield Burr.
93. Ca tain Dick Talbot, KING OF
‘ THE ROAD. y Albert W. Aiken.
' 94. Freelance, THE Bl‘CCANEER; or, The
WAIE or THE WAVE. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
95. Ashort, TIIE AXMAN. By A. P. Morris.
| 96. Double-Death: or, THE SPY QUEEN
. or WYOHING. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
i 97. Bronze ack, THE CALIFORNIA
I THOROUGHBRED. By A. W. Aiken.
98. The Rock Rider; or. THE SPIRIT
or THE SIERRA. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
99. The Giant Rifleman; or. WILD
LIP]: IN THE LUHDEE REGIONS. By 011 Coomes.
100. The French Spy: or. THE BRIDE
or PARIS. A Sto of the Commune. By A. 1". Morris.
101. The an from New York: OF.
THE ROHANCE or A RICH YOUNG WouAN. By Aiken.
102. The Masked Band: or, THE MAN
WITHOUT A NAHE. By George L. Aiken.
103. Merle, the Mutineer. Ingraham.
I104. Montezuma. the Me iless; on
THE EAGLE AND THE SERPENT. By Co . P.1ngrsham.
105. Dan Brown of Denver, THE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DETECTIVE. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.
106. Shamus O’Brien, THE BOULD BOY
or GLINGAL. By Colonel Delle Sara. ‘ It;
107. Richard Talbot of Cinnabar;
on-THE BROTHERS or THE RED HAND. By A.W. Aiken.
108. The Duke of Diamonds: 01', THE
1 FLOWER or CALCU'I'TA. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker,

THE WHITE

 

 

Each Number Complete.

 

 

 

Price 10 ets.

109. Captain Kyd, THE KING OF THE
BLACK FLAG. By Colonel Prentiss lugraham.

1 10. The Silent Rifleman. By Herbert.

1 1 1. The Smuggler Captain; or, THE.
SEIPPER’s CRIME. By ed Buntline.

112. Joe Phenix, PRIVATE DETECTIVE;
or, THE LEAGUE OE THE SKELETON KEYS. By Aiken.

113. The Sea Slip r: or, THE AMA-
TEUR FREEBOOTERS. By Pro .J. H. Ingraham.

1 14. The Gentleman fi-om Pike: rr,
THE GHosT 011' THE CANYON. B Phili S. Warne.

1 15. The Severed e g or, THE
SECRET or CASTLE COUCY. By Capt. Fred.Whittaker

116. Black Plume, THE DEVIL OF THE.
SEA; orl THE SOMERESS 0E HELL-GATE. B y Ingraham.

1 17. Dashin Dandy, THE HOTSPUR OF
THE HILLS. By Ma r Dangerfield Burr.

118. The Bur lar Captain; or, THE
FALLEN STAR. By Pro . J. H. Ingraham.

119. Alabama Joe; or, THE YAzoo
MAN-HUNTERS. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

120. The Texan Spy. By N. M. Curtis.

121. The Sea. Cadet. By Ingraham.

122. Saul Sabberday.THE IDIOT SPY;
or,LULIoNA, TEE SEEINOLE By.Ned Buntline.

123. Alapaha. the Haw; (T, THE
RENEGADES or THE BORDER. By ncis Johnson-

124. Assowaum. the Ave er; or,
THE DOOR or THE DISTROYIRI. By Franc Johnson.

125. The Blacksmith Outlaw; or,
MERRY ENGLAND. By Harrison Ainsworth.

126. The Demon Duelist: or, THE
LEAGUE or STEEL. By Colonel Thee. H. Monstery.

127. 801 Scott. THE MASEED MINER: or,
DA‘N Baovs‘s Dounu'... By Joseph E. Badger.

128. 'l‘heOheValier COflair: or, Ti’E
HERITAGE or HATRED. By the author of “ Merle; ‘

129. Mississip i Mose; or, A STRONG '

MAN‘S SACRIFICE. By ward Willett.

130. Cafitain Volcano; or, THE MAN
or THE RED VOLYERS. By Albert W. Aiken.

1 3 1 . Buckskin Sam,THE TEXAN TRAILER;
or, THE anm or THE BRAVO. By Col. IngI-aham.

132. Nemo, King of the Tramps; or,
THE ROHANY GIRL’s VENGEANCE. By Whittaker.

133. Rody. the Rover: or. THE RIB-
DONHAN or IRELAND. By William Carleton.

134. Darkie Dan, THE COLORED DETEC.
TIVE; or. THE MISSISSIPPI MYSTERY. By Ingraham.

135. The Bush Ran er: or, THE-
HALF-BREED BRIGADE. By Fran sJohnson.

136. The Outlaw-Hunter; 01', RED
JOHN, THE BUSH RANGER. By Francis Johnson.

137. Long Beard. THE GIANT SPY. By
011 Coomes.

138. The Border Bandits; or, THE
HORSE -THIEE‘s TRAIL By Francis Johnson.

139. Fire-Eye. THE SEA HYENA; or,
THE BRIDE or A BUCCANEER. By Col. P. Ingraham.

140. The Three Spaniards. By
George Walker. '

141. Equinox Tom THE BULLY or RED
ROCE. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr’.

142. Cagtain Crimson,'THE MAN or THE
IRON FACE. y Major Dangerfield Burr.

143. The Csar’s S L - 01-. THE NIHILI
LEAGUE. By Col. Thos. Hoygryli'lonstery. ST

144. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
By Victor Hugo.

145. Pistol Pards; or,‘ SOFT HAND,
THE SILENT SPORT mos CINNADAR. By W. R. Eyster.

146. The Doctor Detective; or, THE
MYSTERY or THE GOLDEN Con-IN. B Geo. Lemuel.

. y August 10th.

147. Gold Spur. THE GENTLEHAN FROM
TEXAS; or, THE CHILD or THE REGIEENT. By Ch].
Prentiss _ . Regiy August 17th.

148. One - Armed Alf, THE GIAN'
HUNTER or THE GREAT Lass; or, THE MAN I
MICHIGAN. By 011 Loome's. Ready August 24th.

A new issue ez‘cry week.

Besdle’s Dime Library is for Sale by nll
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by uuzi’ on
recei t of twelve cents each. .BEADLE at AD.-. -.\'.
lubl shers. 98 William Street. New York. '

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