A  TALE OF THE WESTERN MINES!

     

 

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' (‘HAP’l‘ER I.

Till-I bEXTUN AND THE GRAVE.

'WITH :1 rhruz of his shoulders that was al-
mOSt a shiver, Fremont Metcalt muttered halt-
‘“ audibl)‘:
“ That out-Herod‘s Herod! Is it an omen!
Will the search which begina in a grave, and in
‘ a grave f’

It was but a momentary chill which fell over
.. his strong youn spirit. VS ith an rfl‘ort he
, brushed away t e disagreeable sensation, a
trace of amused contempt curling his red lines

\ he gazed steadily across the unpaved street.
A bright light hung above the entrance to a
/ rude, unpainted wooden structure, and that
' light was protected by glass and a metal frame,

shaped like a eoflinl

This in itself might possibly have eeca d no-
fi“ tice, but that there might be no room ett for

mistake to creep in at. the artist had been called
on to add his quote with brush and colon.
On the glass front was pictured a corp. in it.

winding sheet, with closed eyes, bandaged jaw;

 

2 A Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

and folded hands,lyin on the cooling-board.
And seated opposite one other, with the corpse
between them. aying cardsu on his bosom,
were drawn w th no mean sk 1! conventional
figures of grim death and the foul fiend!

Above this weird conce tion was the brief le-
gend “THE GRAVE.” slow, in smaller let-
ters, “ Gabriel Sexton."

Through the windows and o n door came a
reddish light. Within could be heard loud,
coarse voicss. And even across the rough. nar-
row street could be distinguished the peculiar
smell of stale liquors which so plainly indicates
the vicinity of a drinking saloon of the hasersort.

“In a civilized community that would not be
suflered, or, if permitted, such a sign would
serve asa beacon of danger to even the most
hardened and reckless! But here—where all is
naturally ‘wild and woolly,’ hyperbole takes
the place of reason, the antelope grows wings
and heeagle uses a telescope."

As he muttered, Fremont Metcalf mechani-
call assured himself that his weapons ware
rea y to his hand, then crossed the rough
street, pushing aside the pivoted screen which
filled he doorway,.crossing the threshold of
“The rave!”

He was confronted by fresh evidence of the
morbid genius which had evolved that repulsive
swingin sign without, and more than ever was
be con need that “it takes all sorts of people
to make up a world l”

In one respect it was the ordinary drinking
and gambling-saloon of a. mining-town. Both
bar and tables were well patronized, consider
ing the earllness of the hour. For the most
part these customers consisted of laborers em-

loyed at the various quartz mines adjoining
own; rough and ready fellows whose main
idea of earthly felicity appeared to he drink.
smoke and noise without limit. The exceptions
were few, but easily reco nized even by an eye
so new to life in the wil West as that of our
young friend.

Here and there were scattered men of dif-
ferent dress, difl’erent looks, different manners.
Some were plainly citizens of the better class,
and equally clear others were gamblers, bear-
ing the brand which is so readily recognized by
the man of the world, but which is so dimcult
to describe in words.

iii. .‘iisl «: "ift. comprehensive glance showed
Fremont Metcalf this, and then his eyes were
arrested by the Fuliar ornamentation of both

1 bar and room. ' eculiar, indeed!

- ’ In all, nearly a score of framed pictures were
hung upon the whitewashed walls of the bar-
room, some large, some small; but each one
pointing more or less plainly to the same goal——
the grave.

The majority were rude crayons and flashy
lithograph? dolorously comic or ridiculously
carious in t eir treatment, but the main subject
was ever the same: death or the rave:

Here and there were scette a few draw—
ings of more merit, bird’s-e e views of prom-
inent cemeteries, sketches o tombs and man-
aoleums.

Nor had the bar proper escaped its share of
this morbid ornamentation. At either end
stood plaster statuettes of death with scythe
and hour-glass. In the center of the shelf
which supported the glassware, stood a china
vaulted tomb, before t e grated door of which
knelt two red-winged and yellow-haired angels
in attitude of prayer. The frames of the three
large mirrors were draped with black craps,
as was also the frame of a portrait which hung
above them.

In startling contrast was the pictured face
which beamed forth from that oval inclosure;
fat, rosy, jolly, with a twinkle in the little blue
eyes so natural that one involuntarily caught
himself looking for the humorousjwink which
it seemed must follow in kindly greeting.

“Not bad, is it?” came in a wheesy yet oily
chuckle, so close to the ear of the young man
that he vs a start. “Not bad, if I do say it,
which I adn’t orterl”

Fremont Metcalf wheeled quickl , and gave
another start as lhe‘folilind himself pesos tprfiace
with the origina o t scraped“ por t.

A fat roly-poly body that corresponded
admirably with the jolly face upon which he
had been gazing. A trifle redder tinge to the
I: cheeks, perhaps: a thought higher fore-

, where the fluxen curls had grown thinner;
atom-down collar instead of the stiff choker
and black stock; otherwise it might have been
the portrait come down to reunite with its

! proper body.

There was a vast expanse of rufiled and
embroidered shirt-bosom, adorned rather than

vied by the short-sleeved and scant-skirted

.acket of Mexican cut; this of blue Viewed, with

double rows of gilt buttons and gold lace.

il‘rowsers of snowy white duck stifiiy sturched,
met gorgeous red hose, which in turn were lost
in patent—leather pumps. the toes of which were
ornamented with silken bows and gold buckles.

All formin such a peculiar combination of age

and juven ty that Fremont Metcnlf could not

he] milling broadly.
18w fat l ttle fellow nodded, tapping his ug
nose with the tip of a pudgy finger as he w is-

pered, coufidentially: ,

 

 

“ Business, my dear sir! It takes, you see!”

Metcelf cast an involuntary glance around
him to be arrested by that stumpy finger hook-
ing itself in a buttonhole.

"Stranger in town I reckon!” came that
peculiar whisper. “Hardly know how to take

t? Well, I’m not surprised. Strikes most
persons the same way, at first sight. But not
when they get down to bed-rock—no, sir!
pardon—forgot to introduce myself. Oblige me
— ours truly l”

ith a scrape and a how that would have
done credit to a professional dancing-master,
the little roll of fat produced astiif square of
pasteboard. Fremont Metcalf mechanically
accepted and glanced at it. In blackest ink was
the representation of a heavily—plumed hearse.
It was the business-card of Gabriel Sexton,
undertaker.

“A relic of the past, my dear sir,” wheezed
the fat man, producing a black silk handker-
chief and blowing a sonorous blast with its aid
that turned his little nose a still more fiery red.
“Of the days when yours truly was something
better than a mere gin-slinger. Ab, air, if I
could only have known you then! If you
could have seen me in my glory—but why
repinei Am I not still a man and a scholar and
a gentleman?”

“Isee no reason to doubt it, certainly.”re-
lied Metcalf as the little fellow stared almost
ercely into his face.

“Thank you—a thousand thanks, my dear
sir!” and Gabriel Sexton bowed like a. nodding
mandarin, smiling all over his face. “The
good opinion of a high-toned gentis very pre-
cious to me now, thou h, mind you, I do not
admit having descende from my former high
estate. No sir! Any low, common trash can
sell “qUur and run a ame of chance, but it
takes a genius to make it both a success and re-
spectable. And I do both. As you see, I blend
the moral with the ractical. I appeal to the
minds and hearts 0
to their stomachs in a purely business way.
You have noticed my humble efforts at orna-
mentation, I believe?”

Metcalf nodded. He hardly knew what to
say. This Gabriel Sexton was an odd fish.

t ly.
rti‘he fat host cast one proud glance around at .

his works of art; another more crafty look as
though to make sure there were no other ears
inconveniently nigh; then added in a confiden-

. tial whi er:

“ That s the way I talk to ordinary men,‘ my
dear sir, but with you—between gentlemen,
you know-aheml It’s all gas! You have my
card. You know thatI was once an' under-
taker. I failed in it—failed most ingloriously,
sir! And why? Because I grew too fat—be-
cause I could not draw down my face totbe

proper depth of lugubrious mournin , sir. with- .

out hanging weights to both chee s! People
saidI was growing ;fat on corpses—that I was
a ghoul—fact .l” . .

Such an utter disgust was written on that
face and echoed from that voice, that Metcalf
could not keep from smiling.

“And so you abandoned the businessf”

“ No sir; the business abandoned me! Nobody
wanted to be buried by such a monument of
health and good nature. I sold out atasacri-
tics, and drifted West, to grow up with the
country. There is little for men of my profes-
sion to do out here. The bury men in.their
boots and old clothes, an pay the undertaker
with a bottle of old rye! And so— ou see!”

With a shrug of his shoulders an an outward
fiin of his stumpy arms, Gabriel Sexton view-
ed is surroundings, melancholy pride in every
inch of his person.

Aside from his rowing interest in a charac-
ter such as he he never chanced to masthe-
fore. Fremont Metcalf was in no haste to cut
the in rview short. He had peculiar reasons
for be h at the saloon, and his object could be
gained as as well, if not better, as by any
other means.

“A contrast, truly, in dear sir,” he said,
quietly. “ Yet one woul think you still long-
ed'for your first love, from the manner in which
you here fitted out your place. Of course you
are the best judge, but don’t you think you are
ca ing it a lit 0 too far?"

" oofari Note bit! It attracts attention
Awakens curlosi , and curiosity is provoca-
tive of thirst. See People come to store. and
stay to drink. The name of my place? Well, it
matches well with my own name. Sexton al-
ways makes one think of the grave. And Go-
briel too—last trump, on know. That takes
in the ; card~teblea ll appropriate. Then
again: everybody must coma to t e grave scon-
er or later-seer And. then it gives the would‘
be wits such a. prime chance to ring in their old
chestnuts, and the a always willing to pity
for an extra drink  chance of calling for
coffin-vanish, for another nail. a screw, a cor-
plate. etc. See?”

“Then you find it pays better than under-
taltivia?”

“ Even if i hadn’t been sure of it before, that
uesiiou would proclaim you a stranger in
‘anaan,” laughed Sexton. “ Ask anv business

man in town, and they’ll tell you l’m coining

men, even while I attend ‘

' ficiently clear to all.

 

money—and I’ll never give them the lie—no,
sir! Of course you don’t want to buy

Metcaif shook his head laughingly.

“ Thought not. No harm to ask, though.
Saw you when stage came in. Lady with you.
Wife I reckon?”

“ My sister,” was the short reply.

“Married, perhaps? Husband in the mines
somewhere?"

“ Neither.”

“ Ah l” with an indrawn breath and sparkle
of the little eyes as be smoothed his bosom.
“ You must be on your guard, my dear fellow,
or ou’ll lose her sure.”

. remont Metcalf hit his lip, his cheeks flush-
ing slightly, his voice cold and hard as he made

reply:
‘ don’t understand you, sir.”

“You will before your hair turns gray "—
with an oily chuckle that somehow did not
sound near so pleasant to the ears of the oung
man as when he first heard it. “Shes too
terribly good-looking to remain sin is ion
in a Camp where the fair sex isso much u the— ’

“We will drop this subject, if you please,”
sharply interposed the young man. “ I am not
accustomed to discuss ladies in saloons, much
less my own sister."

Gabriel Sexton wiped the cunning smile from
his face with a single sweep of the sable silk,
bowing humbly as he said:-

“Beg pardon—meant no ofiense, I assure
you. Forgot you were a stranger. Take
something with me, to wash away all hard
feelings—do I”

Unconscioust to himself, Metcalf had raised
his voice until its clear, stern acCents had at-
tracted attention, and now as he glanced around,
he met several air of eyes curiously watchin
them. As the s ortest method of averting th
unwelcome attention, he b0wed in acceptance of
the invitation.

“That‘s hearty !” exclaimed Gabriel, his face
once more wreathed in smiles. “Needn’t be
afraid of poison—private bottle—take a little
in self, for stomach’s sake—subs I”

ith a gait of a fat duck in a hurry, Gabriel
Sexton waddled behind the counterand stooped
to procure his own particular brandpf liquor.
Metcalf advanced more slow] , and was yet a
little distance from the bar w on the door was
filled with a noisy group. and a shrill squeal
draw all eyes in that direction. .

A tall, athletic figure strode in advance of its
fellows and struck an attitude in the center of
the cleared space before the bar. With thumbs
thrust under his armpits, fingers beating a 'tat-
too on his broad chest, while his elbows fiapped
rapidly after the fashion of a pair of win 3, the
rough uttered a shrill cock crow, then eeped
high into the air, cracking his heels together
thrice ere they again struck the floor.

“Ever I be, Romeo Bugg from Spiderville,
with a. rooster ’tween my smokestacks an’ a
nigger squattin‘ on the safety—valve—feedin’
bacon an turpentine, an’ divil a drop 0‘ water
in my b’ilers—whoop-ee!”

It was a somewhat confused metaphor, but
the spirit which prompted its utterance was suf-
The “bad man ” was
under the influence of worse whisky just suf-
ficientlyto render him quarrelsome. He was
“ on his muscle,” roaming around in search of
some one daring enough to “ knock the chip off
his shoulder l”

Only for the hard, reckless expression on his
face, he would have been a good-looking fellow.

Athletic in build, his motions were flick and
lithe as those of a other. A heavy ard and
mustaches covers the larger portion of his face.
while long locks of the same golden hue fell in
curls to is broad shoulders. His eyes were
large and blue, though the whites were slightly
bloodshot from hard drinking. His garb was

that of a miner. soiled and stained. A leather

belt encircled his waist, filled with cartridges
and supporting a pair of navy size revolvers
and a horn-handled knife.

But the most remarkable thing about him re-
mains to be mentioned. His person was thickly
studded with huge and spiders of all shapes and
sizes, fastened to his clot es and hat With strings
and pins. Bugs. from the huge and hideous
stag-beetle down to the phos boresce t “light-
ning—hug;” spiders from the east of race to
the hairy tarantula; while dangling from the
brim of his felt hat were several fat-bodied
praying-mantis” and slender “ walk -s'ticks.”

At the sound of that shrill crow. Ga , lSex—
ton popped his head up from behind the bar his
face turnin a sickly ellow as he saw t i-
gantic roug . Shun! g around the end of t e
counter. he reached the side of his newly-made
acquaintance, huskin whispering in his ear:

“Dan’t mind him, in dear sir! Pay no at-
tention—don‘t cross t a big brute! He’s a.
mighty bad man, and—”

His movements attracted the attention of the
man of b 3, whose long legs carried him swift—
ly to his si e. A heavy hand clapped him on
the shoulder. . .

“ Git out, you! No buzzin’ a gentwhile your
uncle’s ahapin’ his mouth fer to talk with him!
Slump ’long to your in-slingin’, Fatty. ’less e
want for to be made nto soap-grease in a ho y
niinnit! Hear me preach, honey?"

 

 

a}... .

 

 

3

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

s..- m... meant-..“ .ufi......_...s.....a....—..

3

 

 

 playful! just like a kitten!” murmured
Gabriel, bowing rapidly as he grinned after a
sickly fashion. “ But mild as milk and the per-
fect entieman, if I do say it! Mr. Metcalf—
Mr. ” meo Bugg, one of our high-tonedest citi-
zansl

“ How 1" rumbled the giant, grabbing Fre-
mont’s hand with his left paw, and slapping it
heavily with the other. “ Durned ef Iever met
a calf walkin’ onto his hind laigs aforel Come
an’ take a bug with the ole man !"

The young man flushed a little at this lay on
his name as the comrades of the giant aughed
noisily, but for reasons of his own, none of
which were born of personal fear, however, he
was desirous of avoiding trouble just then, and
forcing a smile he made reply:

“I would be happy to do so, on! Mr. Sexton
was beforehand with you, and can hardly
drink two glasses at once.”

“I that fat cuss?” with a snort of
scorn that drew a fresh series of bows from the
painfullv smiling Gabriel. “He ax a gent to
drink? You litt e tub o’ soa «grease! Take it
back this minnit, or durned e i don’t make you
swa’ller my ball museum at a single gulp-I will

I‘. —,

‘.‘ Beg pardon—it was before you came in, my
dear sir," wheezed Gabriel, with a deprecatcry
smile. “The gentleman was a stranger, and so

“Thought you’d take him in eh?” with a
coarse laugh. " You was afeard he’d pull out
0’ your graveyard ’thout samplinl your p‘izen,
was yet An'soyou wanted to take away his
senses with a dose, the better to go through his
wardrobe!"

So coarsely insulting were his words and tone
that Fremont Metcalf flushed angrily, almost
forgetting his wish to keep in the background
until his object in visitig T e Grave was gain-
ed. His right fist clinch and the muscles of his
arm grew tense as tempered steel. But Gabriel
Sexton saw the dangerous impulse, and his
hasty cough recalled the senses of the youth just
in time to save the burly ruflan a surprise.

“So far Mr. Sextcn has behaved likea gentle-
man,” he said, the very calmness with which he
spoke proving how difficult a task it was for
him to control his temper.. “ When he acts
otherwise toward me, it will be time to reprove
or punish him. And, if you will allow me to
say so, i can deal out that reproof or punish-
ment without calling on {on for help.”

The bully stared at h m half-savagely, half-
doubtingly.

“Heap 0' words, but durned of I kin make
head nur tale on ’em! Mebbe you‘d putt the
meanin’ a leetle lainer?” ‘ ‘

“Isn’t this p in enough?" cried Gabriel,

ushing- a bottle and glasses toward them.

“Sample it and see. My own private brand,
cuts, and I can recommend it highly. Please
gake a coffin-nail with me, Mr. Bugg—ha! ha!”

“ No ho gin’, then,” growled the rascal, grab‘
hing the counter and pouring out a glass full
of ii nor. “ Wait ontel your batters is served;
leavin’s is good enough fer the likes 0’ you,
Fatty !"

Turning to Metcaif, he added:

"Bein’ a tenderfoot here, ’course you don’t
know me, Bullcalf; but you will store your
ha’r gits gray! I’m Romeo Bug , a mighty
tough citizen from Spiderville! ’m bug by
name an’ bug by natur’l Big bug, king bug—
ary sort 0’ bug ye kin rake an’ scrape out 0'
your kncwledge-box ’cept humbug! When
you calls me that, you order your graveyard
openin’.”

While king, be filled the glass before
Metoalf w th liquor, then selecting a. fat spider
from the array upon his rson, he coolly
dropped it into the glass, lau in‘g sneeringly as
the young man started hac w th an ejacula-
tion of disgust at the action.

“’Nother thing Vou’l! l’arn afore you die 0’
old age critter! ’Tain’t nothin’ when ya gits
used to it. Shet your eyes, of e like, an’ swal-
ler it ’thout tastin’. Then you ll be free 0' the
camp ferever more, amen !”

He grinned sardonically as Metcalf grasped
the glass, but uttered a savage oath as the
young man out the liquor away.

“J’s that a insult!" he grow ed, showing his
‘36 e e I

t; It is common decency," coldly retorted the
0 er.

Snappin the thread which held a tarantula-
lcoking sad" to his breast, Romeo Bu g drop-
ped igeinto hiflgfwn glass, pushing uit slim the
coun r oun man, ow n n ee
toned accents: y S gr 3 p-

“’Nother chaince, an' the last one.

teller! Swaller your med’cine, or croaki’young

 

CHAPTER II.
on) maxim Home, was: somranr.

Wrrn a heavy. grating Oath, Romeo Bugg
whipped forth a revolver, and em asised his
commands by thrusting it almost in
face of’ the insulted young man. One elbow
rested on the counter, and the big blue eyes
glared savagely over the leveled tube. as the

inted hammer of the self-cooker slowly rose
in readine- to sound the death-note.

 

A barely perceptible shiver ran over the
frame of Fremont Metcalf, as be cast a swift
glance around him, only his brilliant black eyes
moving. That was sumcient to show him how
little he had to hope for from the interference of
those who viewed the outrage.

Several were shrinking silently away, their
faces showing more thought for their own safe-
ty than any desire to prevent disgrace falling
upon their town through the actions of this
half-drunken bully. And those who remained
within the saloon proper Were grinning their ap-
proval.

It was this discovery that caused that shiver
to creep over the frame of the young man. He
saw that he was in the midst of enemies who
would only jest and laugh as he fell; that, de—
spite his oft-repeated resolve, he had run his
head blindly into a trap baited with death!

“No givin' way at the knee-j’ints, pritty!”
added Romeo Bugg, with a coarse laugh, de-
tecting and misreading that shiver. “It’s a
bitter pill, but it must be tuck, as the bummer
said to his mornin’ hitters! Shet our eyes an’
slop it down, critter! Ef my nger gits to
jerkin' it ll land you in gelory, or t’cther place-—
sure i"

It was plain to be seen that the big ruflian did
not for a moment believe his victim Would seri-
ously resist his brutal will, yet his aim never
varied, his finger ready to instantly trip the

ointed hammer, his glowing gaze never once
eaving the face of the one whom he had mark-
ed for his own.

And this thought was shared by his mates,
as proven by their rude laughter and ruder
'ests. ~
J “ An odds ye like that the kid takes his dose
like a ittle man without ary a kick!” cried one
of the rou hs.

“.Durne fool ef he don’t!" was the blunt sup-
plement from another. “ Look at the King-bee!
Ain‘t he a pictur’T’ .

“ A chromed on wheels—gilt-edged at that!"

“‘Good La wd’. 'ef tl ey was only a man to the
front 0‘ him, ‘sfead 0’ that little runt, what fun
they would be!" '

There Was a Wide difference in the size and
build of the two men thus confronted, but no
good or unpre'udiced judge would think of call-
ing Fremont etcalf a mat. ' ' .

Some inches shorter, and two-score pounds
lighter than the hug-adorned giant: but what
there was of him “was all there,” to use the
vernacular.

FiVe feet, eight inches in altitude, the young
man would Weigh probably one hundred and
sixty pounds. of healthy flesh, bone and mus—
cle. is clear, healthy skin, his brilliant
eyes, his easy movements, the playing muscles,
all went toshow that he had never abused
himself by too much nor too little exercise.
There was weight and muscle enough to meet
even the huge ully, if back of it lay skill and
nerve.

Yet even Gabriel Sexton, into whose cod
graces the young man had stepped withcu an
eflort, believed this nerve was woeful] lacking
as he anxiously peered into that pa ing face
and listened to that slightly-shaking voice:

“It’s a good joke, but rather strong for a
sensitive stomach, don’t ou think?"

“Joke be durnedl t‘s business—business
chuck-up and sloppin’ over, critter!" rumbled
the hairy giant,shcwing his strong teeth in a grin
that would have put a grizzly bear out of counte-
nance. “You come in hyar ’mong common

ents an’ sling on too cussed much style, you do!

0 look, cne’d think you owned the hull kentry
an’ the moon to boot. ’stead o’ bein‘ a. tender-
foot which hain’t got acclimated yit, nur even
paid your footin' to the chief o’ Canaan—which
s me. Mister Romeo Bugg, Exquire—an’-so-
fc’thi” -

Fremont Metcalf, turning a shade paler, cast
a swift look over the spectators. Was it fancy,
did he rec ise deadly enemies among the
foremost! as this brutal outrage but a shal-
low excuse to draw him into a quarrel where
his death might be readily accomplished!

Right or wrong, he believed this, and men-
tally cursed himself for risking his one dear
hope. And yet, how could he have avoided
the encounter without also casting aside that

hope

His black eyes came back from that brief ex-
p'oring excursion, and met the glowing blue
orbs which stared at him over the lished tube
of death. His voice was low an -a trifle un-
steady as he spoke: j

“ I am sorry if I have unwittingly broken
any rules or regulations. As on say, I am a
stranger in your town, and for hat reason, you
shoul not beer so hard on me. You have had
your joke at my expense, and I am readyto

augh at it with you. Can I say any more?"

“ You kin do more, critter. You kin ump
outside 0‘ that spider cocktail in a hurry. wal-
ler it or creek!” growled the big bully, showing
no signs of relenting. ‘ . ‘

Just the contrary. The quiet almost. meek

h of the young man served to increase his
omlneering spirit, and he even lowered his
burning , seeming to debate whether or no
he shoul not add the mate to the hairy spider
in the glass.

“Ten to one the kid takes his does like a
baby i" cried one of the roughs.

" ’Course be will, sense he cain’t run fer it,”
sniffed another worthy, nose high in air.

Only for an instant did the gaze of the giant
waver. Then his pistol was thrust still nearer
the white face of the young man, and his voice
grew still harsher as he uttered:

“Time’s up an’ no more foolishin’, critter!
It’s Romeo Bugg you hear preachin' nOw, an'
what he says goes without copperin‘. Down
the dose—surround the animile—swaller the
museum—or crook!"

There was no longer anything like a joke in
his voice or looks. Even a stranger to his
brutal, reckless disposition could not doubt but
that he would be as good as his word—that he
would shoot, and shoot to kill, unless his dis-
glisting commands were literally complied
w tb. ~

And Fremont Metcalf seemed torealize this,
for a sickly smile crept over his pale counte—
nance as he slowly extended .his right hand and
gras d the glass, casting one shivering glance at
the airy spider, now curled up into a ball as
though stupefled by the fumes of the strong
liquor. A rude chorus burst from the gang of
roughs as they witnessed this motion, and even
those among the spectators who would, under
similar circumstances, have feared to act dif-
ferently, felt more contempt than pity for the
stranger who so meekly submitted tosuch an
outrage.

“Drink, or go flickerin’ up the golden sta’rs,
critter !”

“ If .you will have it—your excellent health,
Mr. Bugg!"

Sharp and clear came the last words, Without
any trembling or fear in the tones. Swift as,
thought Fremont Metcalf brushed the revolver
aside with a swoop of his left hind, at the same
instant hurling spider, liquor and glassful into,
the face of the giant! ,

The heavy glass was shattered into a score of

shout, the bully reeled back a few paces, drop-
ping heavily to the floor.

back, each hand filling with a revolver the muz-
zles of which covered. the astounded roughs as
his voice rung out sharp and menacinglv:

“ Crowd me at your own peril, you dogs!
The baby comes out in man's clothing now, and
giVes not another inch l” a

He looked twice as big to them now. And, as.
they noted how vividly his eyes glittered--h0w
steadily he held his weapons—how boldly he
faced, them—the gang involuntarily fell back,_
giving him more room. ,

And honest Gabriel Sexton, whose heart was
in the right place, however much he might have
been lacking-in courage, hurriedly squatted be-
neath his bar, covering his fat ips with both
hands to smother the~cheer of oy which rose
in his throat and almost choked im. 7

Romeo Bugg lay in a sprawling heap on the
sanded floor, bleeding profusely from the cutn
inflicted by the broken tumbler, growling
snarling. in a choking voice, almost deprived of
his senses by that terrible blew. His body duly;i
ered, his brawny hands opened and shut, work-
ing like the paws of a sorely wounded bear; but
for the moment he was helpless. .

A single glance Fremont Metcalf cast at him,
then his eyes turned toward the doorway. He
knew that now was his time to escape, if he
hoped to avoid further trouble. He knew that it
was his duty to do so, rememberin the all-
important purpose which had broug t him to
the mining-town; but he could not bring him-
self to take the rightful step.

” I have eaten enough dirt!” he mentally ex-
claimed, his white teeth setting flrmly, a d
light glowing in his dark eyes. “ Unt to—
night, I never showed the white feather, even
in seeming, nor will I ever again. If worst
comes of it, Dinorah must act for both. I’ll see
the circus out right here!” _

Scarcely had this stubborn resolve flashed
across his excited brain, when a hoarse cry es-
caped the blood-covered lips of the fallen giant.
A ray of truth seemed to strike him and pene.
trate the sore confusion which filled his brain

“ Kill the critter! Don’t let him ,it 01! Cut
him to chicken feed. on bulldogs! he snarled,
with difficulty scram ling to his feet. brush
the blood from his eyes and fl wildly
around him while his right han song ta wea-

n. . , . t . ,
foCiear and sternly came from his antagonist?!

l d: . ,

p“ Hands off, you our wn brute! Your life
is mine, if I choose to ta e it—end take it I will,
if on try to crowd me further!” , .

donating with rage, the giant whirled in
the direction of that commanding voice, his
sinewy fingers closing on the haft of his knife
in preference to a istol-hutt, for he wasth
too far gone to so how uncertain his aim
must be.

“ I’ll cat your heart out, critter !” he mrlsd.
readying h a shaking form and again clearing

is eyes. _

Fremont Metcalf had him covered, holding
his life wholly at his dis 1; but hedid not

 

fire, though fully justified in so doing. He saw;

Lithe as a panther, Fremont Metcalf leaped ‘

ma.” _. -r. .u..~.... -;.._~.....M

pieces, and dropping his weapon with a choking '

w

4

 
   

 

 

the ominous looks of the gang. He heard their
low mutterings, and knew that the first shot
would bring them at his throat, ten to one.
Yet he did not give an inch, and there was no
trace of fear in his tones as he cried:

“ You are safe as you stand, Romeo Bugg: but

a single step carries you over the dead line.
Take warning in time!"
. Reckless as he was. the giant hesitated before
taking that step. Not because he thought of
abandonin his ell purpose, but with the pas-
sage of sec moment his eyesight was improv-
ing, his strength returning to his limbs.

‘Watch him, lads!" he growled, stanching
the fast flowing blood. still gripping his long and
u l weapon. “Don’t let him gi me the slip
w lie I cain’t see! Watch him—jump him in a
heap, you dirty whelpsi ’Member what we
come fer!” ‘

Fremont Metcalf gave a barely perce tible
start as he caught t is husky sentence, or it
told him his worst suspicions were only too well
founded—that his object in visiting Canaan and
The Grave were known to his enemies.

“Let the ‘dirty whelps’ try it on, if they
want a holy pic-n c!” he cried, sharply. both re-
v'olvers covering the ang as a movement
among them showed an nclination to obey the
orders of their chief. “Some who start will
stop half-way, and I’ll make it mighty interest-
in for the rest!”

mperfect though his eyesight was, Romeo
Bugg could, see plain enough to detect the cow-
ering of his bullies before those menacing tubes,
and a bowling curse parted his lips.

SIGN, you cowards! I'll do the work my own
so

At that instant a wild weird lookin figure
entered the saloon and glided swiftly tween
the antagonists, confronting the maddened

not, one hand waving him back as a deep-

voice uttered the words:

“Go a leetle slow, sonny! Don’t let your an-

madness git on top 0 your ca’mness. But
of you must try your han‘ at fancy carvin’,
s’pose you begin with-the ole man?"

The bleeding rough was gathering his strength
and crouching for the leap which even he was
collected enough to know could end only in
death to one or both, but as that flgure inter-
vened and that mocking tone saluted his care,
he recoiled, with a low cry that contained both
fear and superstition.

Yet it was only an old and seemingly frail
man who confronted him; one whom the weight
of his single band on ht to crush ‘or swee
aside. But not only id Romeo qug' recol
and show something ver like at! g t;' his
mates in evil hastily fell ck, glancing over
their shoulders as though to make sure the way
was clear for precipitate flight!

The once tall, athletic frame was slightly
bowed at the shoulders, though the snowy-
crowned head was held rourlly erect and the
jetty eyes flashed with a l the fires of youth. In
that, and in the masses of white hair which
covered his head and face, leaving only his
curved nose, his eyes and a narrow l ne of fore-
head visible alone was perceptible the does of
an ago. His movements were quick and res;
his voice was clear and strong.

His form was owned with re and tatters.
eked out here and there by patc es of skin and
fur, the ta and ends fluttering with every
motion, wit each gust of wind. To the out-
ward eye, he bore no weapons, thou h a score
of pistols might easily havs been hid n among
those rags.

“Old Forked-Lightning,” muttered Romeo

ugg, as he shrunk back, unconsciously licking
the blond which trickled over his gellow beard.

* “Jes’ so, sonny,” was the placi reply. “Ole
Forked-Lightnin’, come out o’ the clouds fer to
look at the one bi an' on’y ’riginal walkin’
museum 0’ h an iders an’ inersl cussed-
noes an’ sin! ' In For edoLightn n’, who leaves
his stormodwellin’ fer to whis r in your ear—
skin out 0’ this wilderness w lie the law ’lows

e, sonny! Slink off an’ hide your evil head
mong the creepin‘ an’ crawlin’ critters you love
to consort with, for the han’ o’ outraged estice
it even now'twistin' the rope an’ green 11’ the
slip-n’oose that is to forever choke off your

easpreadin’ wind!”
was a strange mixture of lofty warning
and whimsical mockery in both words and tone

that stun the hu brute sha er than the cut
of a whi . H eyes flash redly, his teeth
showed emselves, and his hand gripped his

knife‘haft more fiercely.

Old Forked-Li htnin saw this, and read his
thouth eri t, ut ins d of recoiling or arm-
ing imself, e tossed hack the floaty masses of
snow-white hair, laughing in the rage-contorted
face of the ant as he slowly shook one fore-
finger before iseyes.

_“You want to do it, sonny. but you don’t
d‘asti For all your blowin' an‘ bluster you’re a
cowardly cur that kin on’y snarl anl snap at

thp heels of a men when his back’e turned. Let
mg; a'i'lo' his face, an’ away you go with your
u .—

Driven to madness, the giant leaped forward,
his glittering weapon u l fted to descend in a
sweeping cut. He struc -hut the bright steel
never found its intended sheath of living flesh.

 

Never an atom flinched the old man, but his
right hand Went up and out, closing in a mighty
grip around the wrist of the armed hand, check-
ing. its descent with a marVelous power!

or a brief space he held the hand of the
astounded ruflian thus, laughing in his face.
Then his eyes flashed with a reddish light a
swift tremor seemed torun along his rag-clad
arm, and the ugly weapon was sent whirling
from the hand of its owner, to stick in the
ceiling above. Another tremor, and a bowl of
angry pain burst from the lips of the giant as
he writhed and twisted ra idly in the vain
effort to free his wrenche arm from that
terrible gras .

“Didn’t Ipsay it was a mongrel our in the
hide of a bull-dog?" laughed the strange old
man, flinging the rufllan from him with such
force that be reeled and tottered, only, saved
from falling by striking the rest of the gan .

Without a second glance toward the fe low
whom he handled so unceremoniously, Old
Forked-Lightning turned upon Fremont Met-
calf, who was watching him with feelings of
mingled wonder and admiration. His face was
hard and stern, his voice containing a rebuke
even sharper than his words as he s oke:

“And you. young man—is this t e place for
a gentleman? Are these the sports suitable for
a man of honor? For shame! You, the sole
companion—the guardian of innocence and
truth—for shame, sir!”

Fremont Metcalf, taken aback by this sharp
and unexpected address, flushed hotly. Yet he
could not feel anger against one who had so
nobl come to his rescue when all others held
aloo . He felt a wish to clear himself, but he
durst not risk it then and there.

“ You are here, drinking, carousing, brawlin
with brutes who disgrace the shape of mankin ,
while she—”

lf wholly a brute, as be had that evening
proved himself, Romeo Bugg was not a cowar
when confronted with common mortals. And
even now though he, in common with many
others, heid the strange bein who bore the
stranger sobriquet in superstit ous awe, the i -
nominious manner in which he had been han -
led and held up to shame, was sumcient to urge
him to revenge.

The back of the old man was turned toward
him. Fremont Metcalf was standing with
goznoast eyes, listening to that sharp re-

u e.

But Gabriel Sexton was on the alert, and as
he saw the giant draw-his revolver and cook it,
he uttered a wheezing cry.

Swift as thought 0 d Forked-Lightning wheel-
ed and confronted his enemy, his arms folded
across his bosom.

Distrustin his powers of sighting, thanks to
that deftly s attered glass. Romeo Bugg feared
to use his weapon as a self-cooker. I nstead. he
lifted the hammer, dropping the barrel across
his left arm as it bowed before him, thus form-
ing a com ratively steadv rest for the weapon.
And thus estood when O'd Forked-Lightning
turned upon him with a sharp, metallic laugh,
filled wit a mocking scorn.

“Try it, if you dare, dog !” he uttered, facing
the dark tube without a shade of fear or shrink-

in .

ft seemed a frightful risk to run. Indeed, to
any other mortal being that defiance would
have proven a death-warrant. But that old
superstition again assailed the giant, and made
his hands tremble like one with the ague.

“ You dare not shoot, you bullying dog l" re-
peated Old Forked-Lightning, his right hand
slowly extending as he moved toward the gang.
“ It is a man who tells you so. Gol leave this
while you are permitted. I give you ten
seconds.”

The grace was more than sufficient. Like a
flock o sorely terrified sheep, the members of
the gang turned and made a break for the door.
Romeo Bugg hesitated for a little, but as that
tall, white crowned shape steedil advanced,
he, too. turned and fled staggering y, leaving a
trail of blood behind him.

Amazed, Fremont Metcalf watched this
strange scene, his pistol ready for use when the
worst should come to the worst. He e ted
to see Bngg turn to send a shot through the
open doorway from the darkness without. but
in this hewas a reeably disa pointed. Thor-
oughly cowed, eelin faint rom the loss of
blood, the giant thong t only of escaping from
the reach of those ma etic eyes.

Old Forked-Lightn ng seemed to have no!

than t' or fear of an afterclap, for no sooner
had t e worsted viant left the saloon, than he
turned to complete his lecture to Metcalf.

“Once more I ask you. Fremont Metcalf, is
this the place for an honest man—least of all,
one with our responsibilities? For shame.
sir! Spend ng the golden hours of outh in
riotous debath among low-mind rufllans!
Brawlinglike wil beasts! Riskin the lifethat
should be so precious to yoursel . even as it is
precious to one whose name must not be utter-
ed here, even in a whisper!”

Embarrassed. the youth shifted uneasily. He
knew that he did not deserve such a proof, but
'he durst not resent it or avow his real reasons
for calling at The Grave. And fortunately for

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary. 7

 

 

his peace of mind, just then lhei'e came an in-
terruption.

No sconer had Romeo Bugg and his evil gang
crossed the threshold, than Gabriel 8! xron
hastened to leave his refuge and close 1hr GLOF,
shutting off all view from the street. And ru—
turning, it was his fat hand that cordially
clapped Old Forked-Lightning on the shoulder
as he wheesed forth:

“You done yourself and all of us mighty
proud, uncle! Come and celebrate a little with
me, do I”

“ Don’t keer of I do,” promptly muttered the
old man, his back bowing, his ins ired look
vanishing as be mechanically brushe one hand
across his bearded lips.

It was a sudden transition, and for the life of
him Fremont Metcalf could not entirely con-
ceal ihe smile which came to his lips as he saw
how eagerly the invitation was accepted by one
who so recently preached abstinence and so-
briety.

 

CHAPTER III.
FACT AND FANCY, DEFTLY museum.

OLD FomuLmnrnmo turned upon Fre—
mont Metcalf and surprised that amused smile
before the young man could conceal it. A warm
flush instantly came into such portions of his
face as were not hidden by the mass of flossy
white hair; the brilliant eyes seemed to grow dim
as they abruptly fell: the si00p in his shoulders
grew more pronounced; the hand that lay on the
counter—the hand that had humiliated the
drunken giant with such seeming ease——quiver-
ed as with pale . But it was only for a fleet-
iu instant. Then the old man tossed back the
hair which floated over his eyes, facing the
youth proudly, almost defiantly. as he spoke:

“You lau b—at whet! At the weakness of
the flesh? e poor inflrmities of rer man-
kind! Because a stretch trips an falls, is he
never to warn a fellow-bein of the same cun-
ning trap for the unwary? s be to wallow in
the mire and as naught when a warning cry
from his soiled lips might save a soul from utter
damnation!”

Fremont Matt-elf was not smiling now. Tak—
en utterly by surprise, be shrunk a little, cov—
ered with confusion, and not entirely without
shame at having his secret thoughts read so
gasilv and reproved so sharply.

“ Believe me, I did not mean to—”

“ Put it in so many plain words, but for all
that your thoughts were as l have given them,”
coldly interposed the strange be ng. “You
were laughing at the idea of my warning you
to avoid all such sink-holes of iniquity, and
than the next instant leaping at the offer of a
free lass of whisky. Why should you! If no
man ad ever felt or witnessed the efl'ects 'of a
rattlesnake's bite, how many would flee from
its death-warning rattle?”

“ Now quit I” hastily pufled Gabriel Sexton,
with a shudder of aversion as he placed decan-
ter and glasses on the bar. “The mention 0’
creepin’ critters makes me think of that buggy
procession on two legs till I can’t rest! Sample
that, old lad! Never a sting in it, though you
corral a barrelfull”

The flush deepened on his face, and Old Fork-
ed-Lightmng visibly hesitated, glancing swiftly
from the liquor to the door and back again.
it was clear that he was ashamed of his weak-
ness, that'he longed to resist temptation. but
Filthout the moral strength to do so success—
u y.

Only one who was watching him closely
would have noticed this, for the next instant
his trembling fingers closed around the neck of
the decanter, and poured his glass even full of
the amber-hued liquid.

“After you, my dear sir," smiled Gabriel,
pushing the decanter along to the young man.

‘Fill up, and I'll give you a little sentiment—-
ahem!"

Fremont tipped a small quantity of liquor
into h'goglass. Gabriel proved his faith in his
own g s by pouring out a bumper, holding it
critically between his little eyes and the light
as he moistened his lips to pronounce his toast;
but be was too deliberate, and, in the vulgate,
“got left.”

Sher ly, almost harshly, rung out the voice
of Old orked-L‘ghtning: ‘

“ May the foul fiend reserve a hot cornerKfor
all who distill. sell or swill the vile poison!
Any milder unishment would be too good for
the least gui ty of them all!”

Bitter as was his sentiment, the old man
swallowed the dose with the air of one who
rather loved his enemies. but Gabriel made a
wry face, and even ventured to mutter:

" ’Tain t fair to make a gent drink to his own
eternal—same to you and many of ’eml’ he
splattered hastily as the strange being turned
toward him with a dark frown.

In his half-superstitious dread of The Soli-
tary, Gabriel came near cOmmitting suicide.
The flery liquor went “ down his Sunday
throat," and con hing. chokinf, gasping, the-
fat man fell behin his counter n agony.

Not even the ghost of a smile softened that
hard countenance, and Old Forked-Li htning
turned to Fremont Metcalf, to finish his tom--
perance lecture.

\

“mu

 

 

—c—~._.

~ that

Mmmfi.” - me.»

~ Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary. 5

 

 

“Not as I do, but as I advise, ouug man,
and you will be happy. Shun evl company.
Avoid the wine-glass as you would a coiled
rattlesnake. Steer clear of saloons and those
who hover around the vile sinks of iniquity in
search of innocents to rob and murder. urn
back while you ma —for there is a certain
point along the tral you are now treading
milich, once assed, makes a retreat forever
impossible! ith you it is not yet too late.
He warned, and forget it not, for one speaks
who only too well understands the perils which
lie before you-perils worse than death, for
they damn your soul, as well as annihilate your
bod l” .

Hz paused, as though for breath, and Fremont
Metcalf made out to reply:

“I owe you thanks, both for your well-meant
advice—"

"Which you hain’t the least idee o’ follerin’,
fer you're ready to take your davy it ain’t
needed in your case,” bluntly lute the old
man, with a change of tone an manner as
ahru t as it was complete. “ You ain’t no
drun ard. You ain’t no gambler. You on’y
take a fri’ndly glass now an’ then: you on’y
finger the devil’s pers ’casionsllv fer fun.
Don‘t I know it al I Didn’t I go through the
same mill when I was a many year younger an’
foolisher’n I be new?

“Like you, young feller, I played with fire
an’ never feared gittin’ my fin ers scorched.
It was the fashion, an’ I knowed could quit it
all an’ turn back whenever I felt the notion.
So I said then, when whiter heads talked to me.

:So I could ’a’ tack oath: but look at me now !

A broken-dowu critter without home or fri’ndel
A slave to the vile ison that robbed me of
all—that pulled me own to the lowest depths
of sin and degredation—that made me a bitter

curse tomyself and all who held me dear!”

He turned abruptlyto the bar and ured out
another full glass, swallowing it a a single
gulp. He turned to the startled youth, laugh-
ing hardly, bitterly.

“ You see! The devil tempted and conquered
me, even while I was trving to show you his
danger. Once more I tell you, do as I say, not
as I set the example. Go back to the one who
is waiting and watching for your coming.
Shake the dust of this evil place from your feet
forever. Linger, and you will find a grave
ready dug for you by brutes who are strangers
to the very name of mercy.”

Fremont Metcalf laughed slightly, then said:

“ When my work is done. my object accom.
plished, I will go. What I have seen of Canaan
and its inhabitants has not made use deeply in
love with it. There will be few tears shed
when I turn my back u nit for good and all.”

“Tears will be shed i you dally—bitter tears
from fair and innocent eyes!” was the grave re-
aponse. “ You are a marked man already.

our death is sworn. Romeo Bugg and his
gang are down on you, and the next time they
will strike without warning. In flight alone
lies vour safety.”

“They have more cause to hate you than me.
I only knocked down one; you cOVered them all
with shame."

“They know me,” with a short, dry laugh.
“‘ The caremot to meddle with lightning. But
you-J and he bent forward unti his lips were
close toths ears of the youth, whispering ard-
edly: “ You have more than yourself live
for. If you lose your life in this sink of ini-
quity, what fate awaits her I Reflect, and act
in time.” -

Without pausing for a re ly, the strsn e old
manturned on his heel an strode rapid y out
of the saloon.

Fremont Metcalf was not sorry. Though he'
felt grateful to the veteran for the service he
had rendered him, knowing as he did that only
for him and the strange influence he possessed
over the gen of roughs, bloodshed if not death
must surely ave fellas'ed, his departure was
very welcome. So long as he remained, general
attention was drawn toward them by the pecu-
liar words and actions of the strange being; and
the young man knew that this attention would
endanger, if it did not entirely frustrate, his ob-
ject in visiting The Grave.

Gabriel Sexton seemed almost as much reliev-
ed by the withdrawal of Old Forked—Lightning,
drawing a long breath of pleasure and moppin
the drops from his shining temples as he leaner
congentially across the bar and huskily whis—
per :

"A remarkable man, In dear sir! A mOSt.
re-mark a-ble man, sir! ut—just a l-e-e-tle
cracked 1) here, if I may be a lowed the ex-

pression. ooks‘h't things through a crooked
glass as one might put it. But means well, that
I'll admit.”

A covert glance around showed Metcalf that
he was no longer the center of attraction. The
saloon proper was empty with the exception of
the barkeeper. Gabriel Sexton and himself. The
Tgamin tables proved reater attractions, now
a prospect of boodshed and death had
vaulted.

With his mind thus placed at ease, and know-
‘ing that he must wait for the coming of one
whom he had traveled many miles to question.
Fremont Mettenlf rather Welcomed the advam es

 

, ’ile his joints 3. hil‘.

of the talkative ex-undertaker. By listening to
him, he could wait. without arousing either curi-
osity or suspicion.

“A remarkable man, truly, else he could
never have pulled me through that ugly scrape
with such ease. Who and what is be? I am
curious to learn more about him.”

“ He’s a mystery and an enigma; that’s what
he is,” with a series of quick nods. “He ain't
the devil. for he works good instead of evil: but
you couldn’t convince fellows like Romeo Bugg
and his gang of that! They hate him as the
Old Boy is said to hate holy wateri Fear him,
tOo—and so do I!”

Fremont laughed softly at this sudden admis-
s' u, but it was a very sickly grin with which

abriel joined in.

“ Why should you fear him, if he only fights
evil? Because he preaches against drink and
gaming?”

Sexton shook his head, a cunning twinkle in
his eyes.

“Not that. Though he can surrOund more
whisky without showiu the eflects than any
man I ever met, I’d willingly fill him full each
evening just to have him rattle off one of his
sermons. Because why! the more you abuse a
man for drinking, the thirstier he‘ll fancy him-
self! Tell a man he can’t have whisky, and he’ll
break his neck but what he’ll prove you a liar.
Make a law against it, and you’ll double the
consum tion of whisky. Those who drank be-
fore wil hog it down, while those who never
touched it when at perfect liberty, will indulge
ten times as often, just because they fancy the
law deprives them of a portion of their liberties!
Human nature, my dear sir—human nature, all
overl”

“ But who is be? What is his name? For, of
course, he has another title than Old Forked-
Lightning?”

“If he has. he don’t wear it on his sleeve.
Old Forked-Lightning, or sometimes The Soli-
tary; take your choice. Who is he? Nobody
knows. Where did he come from? Up—country,
somewhere, I’ve heard. Lived there or there-
abouts for ages, they say—a genuine relic of by-
gOne days!” -

“Then no one knows anything definite about
him?"

“They know too much i” with a nod so sha
and busty that it made the joints of his fat nec
crack. “ And unless they lie like all git out! he
totes a charmed life around with him. Bullets
flatten out and bounce back when he’s shot at.
Try to stick him with a knife, and the best of
steel snaps in hits like a rotten icicle. Get him
in a ti ht corner, where any ordinary man
would d e, to a moral certainty, and he’ll vanish
-—melt—evaporate—and not half tr 1”

“ Oh, come, n !” smiled Metcal .

“ Mind you. I on’t swear to it.” soberly whis-
pered honest Gihriel, with a nervous glance
around him. “ I only repeat the tales told by
others. But they’ll take oath to its truth. And
—-blessed if I wouldn’t—almost I”

It was ridiculous, of course, and Fremont
Metcalf smiled at the fat man for his foolish
credulitv: but at the same time he felt a pecu-
liar thrill as he recalled what he had witnessed
so short a time before. If Old Forkedeightning
was but an ordinary mortal, what was the se-
cret of his wonderful influence over those de-
praved wretches? Why did not Romeo Bugg
send a bullet throu, h his heart when so boldly
faced with unarm hands? That his will was
good enough, no one who saw the event could

oubt. Even with his injured eyesight, the big
bully could not have missed his mark at such
short range. Then why was it?

“Because he is a man without fear, with ex-
traordinary will power and nerve l” he mutter-
:d, more to himself than to the dumpy saloon-

ee r.

“ In some things true enough,” was the quick
reply. “ But in others—well. you saw him. He
couldn’t draw back when I wh spered whisky in
his ear, though he was just then preaching tem-
perance to you, red~hoti” v

Gabriel chuckled after a wheesy, gasping
fashion, little suspecting how closely akin to
disgust were the sentiments with which he in-
spired the young man. In his estimation, the
successful temptation was a rare stroke of wit.

“ But that’s the only p3int on which he’s weak
and I’ve known him now for more‘n a ear.
When he first struck Canaan, he was set own
by all as a lunatic. There were more sinners
than saints in the camp, then, and a certain
class thought it a holy picnic when the old gent
come to town. They counted on having heaps
of fun—and fun they had, too—bushels of it!”

“ It was a Sunday that the opened up their
batteries on the old gent. No that they meant
anything worse than a little fun and horse-pla
at first; but they burnt their fingers bad! t
wasn’t onlv a circus. but a hull meuagerie that
they found they’d picked up.

“It started wit the old dance game, you
know. They got the old gent inside a ring, and
set him to dancing for his life. He showed
mighty soople j’ints, too, to did, and they was
havingloceans of fun when the began shooting
at his eels; not to hit. you un erstand: just to
But 1 rec‘t' n he thought
they meant business, and though nobody had

 

seen anything of guns about him, there they
were in a hurry! And talk! Well.I should
re-mark! It was a hull Fourth of July with
general training day thrown in as a side-show!
Those who looked on without an interest in the
show, swore that a stream of fire poured out of
each finger the old gent had on his two hands!
Fire and lead! And in two seconds thar was
more sick heels and invalid toes hopping around
that stamping grounds than a doctor could do
up in a Week! They didn’t belong to the old
gent. neither!

“That show bu’sted up in a hol minnit, I
tell you! And then the old gent rea ’em a lec-
ture, holding ’em under his guns until he’d got
clean through. Told ’em to call again when-
ever they wanted some more fun. Told ’em
to knock and they should be answered so quick
it’d make their heads swim!"

“ Served the unmanly brutes right! They let
him alone after that, I warrant!”

“Not (X'lciiy, they didn’t. It took a more
searching dosethan that to cure ’em,” was the
chuckling reply. “ The next morning I reckon
they was a «men had men hobblingraroundon
crutches, hunting for the old gent. hey didn’t
find him right then, but when they got a little
better on foot, he struck the camp in.
then the band began to play, loud. By ones
and twos and in bunches t ey tackled him,
and-—”

“Wasn’t there any men in town to see fair
play?” indigna ntly cried Metcalf, his dark eyes
glowing. “ Were there none to side with the
poor old fellow and aid him?”

“He didn’t need ’em, stranger," chuckled
Gabriel, shaking all over, like a fantastic mold
of jelly dressed in clothes. “ Come with me to-
morrnw, and I’ll let you count ’em yourself!”

“ Count what?" ‘

“ The graves. I trimmed them up the best I
could, but the old gent furnished the corpuses,
free of obs e.”

Fremont s ivered slightly at the matter-of-
fact tone. A stranger to the liar life which
reigns in the “ wild and wool y West " and [Ir-
ticularly in young mining-tastes of a few ears
since, all this was new and unpleasant to h m.

“ And after that—the circus, as you call it!”
he uttered hastily, to change the subject in

part. .

“Well, it was a little smoother sailing for
the old gent, though every little while some
bad man would try to take him into camp for
a change. Just as often the old out would
come out top of the heap, and he s owed such
quickness to jump at an invitation to have some
fun, and was so sure of his work, that the boys
got to speaking of him as Forked-Lightning.
Until then he traveled without a name. so far
as anybody but his own self knew; after that,
he adopted the title, and has shown under it
ever since.” ,

“ Surely he made some friends among so
many enemies? The whole town was not evil!”

“ e made one, anyhow.” ’

“Only one?” .

“That was enough, stranger,” was the earn-

est re ly. “That was a whole army, with a
brass and and rifle-battery thrown in to make
weight! That friend was Chispa Charley, the
Golden Nugget Sport, as some call him; the
Man With a Record, as others know him bet‘
ter. ‘
“ Another of £veour odd characters?” queried
Metcalf, interes d and amused by the grave,
respectful manner in which the worthy saloon-
keeper spoke.

“A gentleman from the ground up, if he is
a gambleri,” was the earnest use. “ Every-
body dont like him; he’s got his enemies, of
course, since he’s a man that won’t be rid ovor
rough-shod by king nor kaiser, peer nor at
—-figgertivel speaking, you know. hick is
to say that hispa Charley can be a gentleman
with gents, or a tiger with wild beasts, as the
’casion comes to the top.”

“A Spaniard, from his name. I judge!”

“Not any Grosser 'bout Chispa, stranger——
not much! He’s clean white and forty carats
fine, sure‘s you’re a foot high !”

“ And he took the part of the old man!”

“ I‘ll tell you. He wasn’t here when the first
row come 03, though he struck camp short!
afterward, did’Charley. Come with a
too, from the lower country. But let that
for this once. It’s enough to show what he «#3
for the old gent. '

“ The oil gent had ulled out, nobody knew
where to, right after h s jubilee with the tough
cases which went for him so crazy for wool,'but
all the camp was talking it over when Chispa
dropped in. He didn’t say much—he always
acts more than he talks—but I reckon he took
it all in and sifted out'what was worth keeps.
ing. Anyway, when the next mw come 08 and
he heard of it—he was down at Tlnker’s Dam, I
believe—he came back red-hot. He spoke his
little piece to the boys, and then set of! to hunt
the old gent up.

“ Where he found him, or what he learned,
nobody ever knew outside of the couple them~
selves; but it made Chispa Charley the best
friend of the old gent’s. He took pains togo
the men’s and gentlv hint to all who hold any
sort 0’ grudge against the OH man, that they’d

.i at" - ~—' «

wr‘fififi L;

. revolver, ready to

'6 Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

’ better bottle it up and sink the bottle tothe

bottom of the dos t shaft they could find, then
fill the hole up. f the didn’t—if they were so
mad they couldn’t be] it in, but had to spit it
out—he gently advised them to pick out a claim
and stake it for their private use as a sleeping-
plsce, for if they got away from Old Forked-
Lightning, he was bound to chip in on a freeze-
out.

“ You mean, to take up the quarrel?” asked
Fremont, a little puzzled b the metaphor.

“ Ex-actly! And they new Chispa was a
mighty bad man when he turned himself loose.
And so it come to pass that Old Forked-Light-
ning,what with his own doings and the backingof

- Chispa Charley, pretty well got the freedom of

the city. Either one would be a mighty tough
bite for a gang to git away with, but when it
come to a second course—and that course
Chispa Charley l—no I thank you—not any in
mine!”

‘ “ Yet that big rascal tried to kill him !"

“Because he was crazy-mad. You knocked
what little sense he ever had, westend-and-
crooked with mv glass. You saw how his heel-
ers slunk off? You saw how the old gent pira-
lysed even Romeo, when he faced h ml Only
for Chispa Charley, I do reckon the Bugg
would have tried a shot then, he was so hot.
But he thought of the after-clap, and didn’t.”

“I had him covered, and though I would
hate to have the blood of such a our on my
hands, I meant to drill him through if he
tried to pull trigger,” quietly but sternly said
Fremont.

“ Pity you didn’t,” whispered Gabriel, lower-
ing his voice and castin a shy glance around
them. “ You'll have to o it yet, without you
leave town before you're a day older. Romeo
Bugg don’t forget so easy, and he'll go to get
bank with you, sure’s you’re a foot high!
Watch your chance. and shoot on sight. We‘ll
stand by on, if you lay the big brute out.”

The a ice was friendly and prudent, but
Metcalf shivered a little as he listened. Truly,
he was not made for such a life as this!

“ It’s {non or him,” added Gabriel, noting that
quiver, t being shar enough to attribute it to
the right cause. “ ewon’t make a sign or

ive a note of warning before he strikes at your
ifs. Even now he may be laying—”

The door opened and a rough clad man enter-

.ed the saloon. Startled by the sound, both

Metcalf and Sexton turned around, just as
something whined between their heads, so
close to both that they distinctly felt its wind.

 

CHAPTER IV.
m STYLE IN VISITING CARDS.
Ar the first glance Fremont Metcalf recog-

. nixed i the man who entered the saloon one of
' the gang which had followed the lead of Romeo

Bugg, and his natural suspicion was that the
fellow had returned to avenge the downfall of
his chief. Doubly sure was be when the rough
made that swift motion with his right hand,
and ducking slightl , the young man gripped a
efend himself.

He felt the wind created by the swift ssage
of the. missile between himself and Gabr 01 Sex’
too; he heard it coming in contact with some-
thin hard behind the counter, followed by a
pecu iar fluttering sound; but as the rough
made no further move that could be interpreted
as oflensive, Fremont hesitated to draw his

wea n.
“ giubs is trumps, or I never l'arned to read

‘ my hymn-book right-i” cried the stranger, his

voice hoarse, husky, uncertain.

A hot flush swept over the face of the oung
man, as rapidly receding, leaving him pa e as a
dead man. He drew in a short, gasping breath
as he turned his head and glanced toward the

r.

The missile. as such, had been a very harm-
less one; nothing more nor less than a greasy,
well-thumbed deck of playing cards. Flying
straight and compact until the struck against
one of the uprights which div ded the mirrors
behind the bar, alljsave one card had fluttered
to the shelf beneath in a variegated heap. That
exceptiOn—the five-spot of clubs—still clung to
the wooden support, as though glued there.

Only the five-spot of clubs, the corners round-
ed from long and steady use, stained and soiled,
din y and rank, smelling of tobacco and whisky,
with a reddish spot near the center which might
.be ambeer, or might be blood. Only a ragged,
dirty, half-drunken digger, out on a “ bum.”

Little enough, one would think. to so strangely
affect the man who had shown such steady
nerve in the Very face of death.

“ Hollow, Gabe, you little fat rascal! how
does the world use ya, anyhow l” a ded the new-
comer, with aflected geriaiity as h lurchcd for-
ward with outs‘retching aw. “Putt it thar,
ole sinner—shake fer ole t mes—hey!"

With owlisb gravity Gabriel clasped his own
hands together, shakinfi them u and down.
The bummer-looking fe ow star at him for a
moment in open-mouthed doubt. then clapped
both dingy paws sharply against his own thighs,
*chncklin :

“ , or I’m a howlin’ liar right frrm the

head o’t'2e crick! Every dog shzlze his own

 

paw, hey? Got to git up afore he oes to bed,

a critter must, to git ahead 0’ olly Gabe,

you bet!"

Another chuckling laugh, suddenly cut short
by a ravity that was almost ludicrous. Then,
walk ng on tiptoe, the rough advanced to the
bar, leaning over it, makingI a tunnel of his
grim paws, through which 9 hoarsely whis-

r :

“ Say, Gabe, can’t you set ’em up jest once?”
“Slate’s bu’sted,” was the laconic response.
The fellow drew back with a ludicrous as-

sumpvtlaion of injured di nity, saving haugbtily:

“ ho whispered 8 ate! Who axed fer a
hang-’em-up? Clubs is trumps—len’ me a drink
onto the ole hymn-hook, for luck! It’s big
enough s’curity fer a hull bar’l, fer long’s you
tote them keerds you cain’t never go broke—no,
sin! Boun’ to win every time you squeeze your
weasel the way it tells ye. Wrap her up in silk
an’ sating, Gabe. Lay it away in cedar chips
an’ sesgyar stumps ontel the ole man comes
back a-flickerin’ to the rescoo of his darlin’—
jes’ one coffin-nail onto it ole rd f”

With gingerly touch, Gabr e1 was collecting
the scattered deck, last of all removing the the-
spot of clubs from the post to which it clung by
means of a sharpened tack. Pushing the dingy
hea across the counter, he said tersely:

“ ow you ti”

“ But I hain t got the p’isen, ole mate,” whin-
ed the other. '

l “ghow the color, first, Jay. You know the

aw.

“Dead-bu’sted, an’ the snakes beginnin’ to
crawl up my ole boot-laigsl Jest a swaller for
to squinch ’em. Gabe 1”

During all this, Fremont Metcalf was strug-
glingto bris his emotions under control. Al-
though he ha come to The Grave—bad traveled
hundreds of miles for the express urpose of
meeting one who was to exhibit the ve-spot of
clubs—now that it was shown, his brain seemed
in a whirl, his heart throbbing so violently that
he could scarcer breathe.

The mist slow y cleared away, and just as the
fellow was picking up his cards with a re-
proachful air, he stepped forward, dropping a
coin upon the bar as he said:

“A drop of brandy, please. Will you join
me, sir?” he added, bow ng to the ragged fel-
low, as though just becoming aware of his

presence.

“ Will Ii Will a ta in’osncrkle bite ef you
stick your bi toe in his mouth! Won I,
rutheri” snu ed the down-at-the-hsel digger,
grasping the young man’s hand and wringing it
agitatedly.

“ Come, Jay, don’t slobber,” sharply uttered
Gabriel, plainly disgusted at the idea of a gen-
tleman whom he had honored with his smiles,
having aught to do with such a disreputable—
looking character.

“ Fatty, hold your hush when gents is ’chang-
in’ compliments together,” haughtin uttered
the bummer, his nose high in the air. "Set
out your p’izen—au’ wipe your fingers good
afore you tetch the glasses 1"

The ex-undertaker turned red and his little
eyes almost popped from their sockets at this
insolent speech. But the digger never gave him
a second glance, turning to Fremont Metcalf,
still holding his hand in an ardent preure.

“ lt‘s noble an’ high-toned of ya to nutt it that
way, stranger—’deed it is, now! Fer. don’t I
know! Did n’t I see your noble years a-flickerin’
as they tuck in my humble words a bit ago? It
ain’t that you’re dry or thusty, but ’ca’ss you
wanted to save a pore down-onto-his-luck crit-
ter from hevin’ his two boots filled chuck-up-an’
runnin’-over with a howlin’ menadgeryl Au’
so I take it, stranger—take it as a sacred debt
0’ honor, to be paid back with interust out o’
the very fu’st color I raise—’deed I do, now i”

“Never mention it, my dear sir.”

“But I must—I cain’t holp lti Ef lw'as to
swaller the p’izen an’ never note it down fer a
pay-it-back-ag’in, it’d be the death of yourn
truly, fer Very shame—’deed it would] ’Tain‘t
a beggar nur yit a bummer which you’re res-
Cooiu so high-toned, stranger; not anyl A pore
cnss in ’duced sarcumstances, but a gentleman
fer all that, who never was knowed to go to
sleep onto a debt like this. Ef you’ll kindl
give me your name an’ boardin’ place, so I’l

now who to ring up—thnnkee, double overl”

Now fully recowred from his surprise and
agitation, Fremont drew a notebook from an
inner pocket, and produced a card from its
depths. His b‘ack eyes were keenly scrutiniz-
ing the dirty face of the hummer as be extend-
ed the card and a peculiar glow tilled them as
the fellow exterousiy palmed the dingy piece
of pasteboard.

Gabriel Sexton was leaning over the counter,
his little eyes curiously s‘sring, but he was un-
able to catch more than a glimpse of the card.
Had he caught a f iir view of its face, he might
well have been astonished.

Instead of a written or tinted name thereon,
he would have seen two in’s. well drawn and
accurately colored. One was a blue-jay, the
other a golden-winged woodpecker, ocally
known as “ high-holder,” “ yellow-hammer,
or “ flicker.”

“ Sarvent, sir!” and the digger bowed with a

w
a.

 

scrape of his foot. “I'll be sure to call at the
airliest minnit.”

“You will be very welcome, rest assured of
that,” cordially replied Metcaif, disguising his
real earnestness by a light laugh. “ Come—the
poison is read for us.”

“ Here’s iuc —an’ hopin’ you may never know
what it is to hev a hole in each pocket while the
snakes is twistin’ all ’round your big toes an'
tryin’ to swarm over the tops 0‘ your boots! l’m
lookin’ at ye, pard l”

He hastily swallowed the liquor, wiped his
bearded lips with one sleeve, bowed again, then
turned and shambled out at the door.

“ He’ll call—oh, yesi” snified Gabriel Sexton,
nose in air as be vigorously scrubbed the glass
used by the bummer. “When he reckons he
can strike you for another drink 1”

“It was the cheapest way to get rid of him."

“If you have ct rid of him—but have on!
Look here, Mr. etcalf,” and honest Ga riel
bent forward, his face filled With grave com
com; “you don’t want to take too many
chances in a place like Canaan. That fellow
was playin a part. He runs with the gang led
by Romeo ugg. He came in here to make
sure you hadn’t given them the slip. Ten to-
one they’re layin low for you this minute!"

Ashort, hard augh parted the lips of the-

oung man.

“It would be a shame to keep them in susv
pense, then. Good-night, Mr. Sexton.”

Before the worthy saloon-keeper could utter
another word of warning, Fremont Melcalf
strode out of The Grave.

Yet the sober warning was not wholly lost on
him, impetucusl as he acted. He cast a keen
glance around h m, his right hand elasping the

utt of a revolver, ready to draw and fire at
the first sign of an ambush.

So far as he could see, there was not a living
being in the streets near The Grave, and he
walked swiftly back to the hotel where his sism
ter was anxiously awaiting his coming.

Long before he reached that point, however
be detected a number of skulking shadows in
the gloom, and his young blood ran a little
more rapidly through his veins as he antici-
pated an assault; but in this he was agreeably
disa pointed. If the phantom—like figures were-
real y dogging his footsteps, they took good
care not to come within fair eye-range, and
Fremont Heloalf reached the steps leading up
to the hotel-front without molestation.

Rather recklessly he paused here, turning and'
facing the gloom without, pistol in hand. He-
seemed to efy his enemies to take his life.
Though so much depended upon his life, just
then, he could not resist the rash impulse. His
fiery spirit was stirred as it had never been
awakened before, and could he have had his
choice just then, all those who hated or feared
him in Canaan would have stepped forward,
then and there, to fight it out once for all!

But the mute challenge was not accepted.
His enemies had a less perilous course mapped
out.

Turning, Fremont Metcalf entered the hotel.
The street door opened directly into the office
and bar combined. Thelandlord,“HonestJohu
Forbes,” was the only occupant, ust then, sit-
ting in a chair tipped back aga st the wall,
comfortably snoring away, but at the entrance-
of the young man, be tipped forward and
awoke. smiling sleepily.

“ Got back a’ready, heyl Don’t take you
long to view the elephant. See any fun? They’s
mostly lots of it layin’ ’round loose, in Canaan,
fer them as goes whar it is.”

“ Back again—yes. If any person should
call and ask for me, Mr. Forbes, will you kind-
ly direct them to my room?”

“Elartin’—be sure! You ’xpect somebody!
Thought you was a plum stranger in these

rtsf" placidly queried the host, deeming it

is duty to display a certain amount of_interest
in the affairs of those who honored his estah~
lishment. v, ,

But Fremont Metcalf gave him scant satisfac~
tion, for he turned awe without a reply, ass—
ing from the bar-room nto a narrow hall, rom
there up the creaking stairs to the second story
of the hotel.

It was a rather pretentious structure. this
Occidental Hotel, constdering the size and age
of Canaan. Two full stories in hight, contain~
ing over a score of sleepin apartments up—
stairs, and actuall weather- arded withoutt.

Fremont Metcal paused before a door, above
which showed a faint light, rapping gently.

“ Is that you, brother?” came a gentle voice
in reDl y.

“ es, Dinorah; open, please.”

After the sound of a key turning in a lock,
the door was opened, and Fremont entered the
little square chamber. Closing and locking the
door again, he cast his hat on the bed, uttering
ai long breath of intense relief as he faced his
s ster.

Her eyes asked the question her lips hardl
dare utter, and the brother answered it instan
ly, his voice a strange mixture of exnltation,
doubt and joy. ,

” Yes, I have seen hi , Dinorahl Ihave met
the man who sent us t at letter with the curi—~
ous signature i"

a-..

,,,.w‘..~,; .. 1 .

> with

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

J7

 

“ The Double Bird?” ‘

“Yes. I heard him called Jay. That was
the first bird on the card, you remember. His 
name must be Jay Yellowhammer, or High- I,
holder—it can hardly be Golden-winged Wood- i
pecker!” 5

He laughed, but there Was little mirth in his {
voice. it was a poor subject for jesting, he .
felt. Too much depended on the anticipated l
interview.

Nor was his sister less grave, less agitated, as
they stood face to face, looking into each others’
eyes, trying to read there some confirmation of
their new-horn hopes.

One who saw them thus could hardly have
doubted their close relationship, though Fre- t
mont was dark, while Dinorah was an almost
perfect blonds. Their features were cast in the
same mold, delicate, yet strong and full of
character. if anything. Dinorah seemed to be
the steadiest, the most reliable in sudden emer-
gencies.

In figure she was tall, perfectly develo d,
her movements easv and graceful, yet in l of
strength and resolution. If her features were a.
trifle lacking in statuesque regularit ‘, they
more than made amends by their inte ligence.
Her full, blue eyes formed er most attractive
feature. They now shone with doubting hope,
soft and melting; but when a time of need
should come, they could litter with fire or
blaze with a resolution whic no common force
could shake or subdue.

“ Yes, sister, I have found our man! He will
be here in a short time, if all goos well!” ex-
claimed Fremont, unable longer to smother his
emotions.

“ And his story!” breathed Dinorah.

“That I have not yet heard. The lace in
which we met was not suited for that. And
then, I wished to share it with you, not at
second hand.”

“ You were right ” was the low reply. “ Be
it for good or be it or evil, we will meet it to-
gether. Why not? You and I are all—are we
brother!” a

It was with a gasping sob that Dinorah inter-
rupted herself, her eyes assuming an appealing
look as they gazed into the dark orbs of her
brother.

“Let us hope for the best. sister,” was the
more composed reply. “it that hope is fated
tofail us, it will only be falling back into the
old sorrow, without the terrible uncertainty
that doubled the pangs. It may be that those
black doubts are only to be brushed awav by
the revelation of some blacker crime. Even
that would be preferable to living on in such
killing uncrrtainty. You must own as uch’i”

There was no reply. Dinorah, seat beside
her brother, bowed her head in silence. He
said no more, but gently smoothed her silken
hair, his cheek resting against her head, his
arm wound protectineg about her waist.

It wasa bare and cheerless room which the
candle lighted up. Some ten feet square, it
containe a narrow bed, two rude chairs, a
Wash-stand improvised out of a Salt barrel,
with the front artly cut awav. On this stood
a tin basin. n the barrel stood a tin pail of
water. Above hung a small mirror. On a rude
bracket rested the sperm candle in a tin sconce.

Economy of space and material had necessari-
lfi been kept in view while the Occidental

otel was being built. Naturally so, since the
lumber and other material had to be hauled for
many a weary mile over rough trails, rather
than roads.

For this double reason, the interior of the
second story had originally consisted of but a
single great room. At first this was divided
into smaller chambers by stretching canvas
screens. In time, the canvas was replaced by
lumber. not much more substantial or eflective
in reserving privacy.

he ceiling was about_nine feet hi h. The
partitions, arranged precisely as are t e inter-
secting strips of pasteboard which market-
gardeners use to keep eggs. from coming in
contact with each other while being shipped,
were only seven feet from floor to top. Thus,
if desired, an inmate of one room could, by
standing on a chair, look over the mock barrier
go) leisurely inspect the apartment of his neigh-

r.

For some minutes brother and sister sat in
silence, each struggling with emotions which
words are totall powerless to proper] paint.
Then. with a sig . Dinorah drew hersel erect.

“Enou h of this, brother! We have sighed
and or ed too many hours away already. It
is time we were working."

“ We can do nothing until our correspondent
comes” replied Fremont. "The rest remains

him. I visited the place be appointed,
and ve him the signal agreed upon. I let
him now that we were ready and waiting for
his further action. Until he makes that, we are
he) less.” '

‘ You should have brought him with you—
ou ought never to have lost sight of him, once
ound. until his secret. was yours,” impetuously

uttered the maiden, her eyes flashing.

“And by so acting, endangered sill” a little
reproachfully. “You remember his words.

 

must follow instructions without a mistake, or

l
his lips would be forever sealed. I was to:

receive and answer a signal which was plainly
stated. Then I was to wait for his next move.
You remember!” ,

" Yes, and I ask pardon for my hastg speech,” é
gently replied the young woman. “ ut it is so
hard to wait longer—how long one can only
guess—after all we have suffered in mind—ob, V
brother! sometimes it seems as though my 2
poor brain would give way with this frightful ,l
suspense!” E

“Patience—and courage, sister! It will soon -‘
be ended, now. Let’s hope all for the best. !
Who knows? By this time to—morrow we may
be sitting in company with him—with our long-
1ost father! Think of that!”

“i (lo—I have; but somehow I cannot make
it look like the truth.” was the broken res use.
“Think of all these long years of silence. No,
brother; now that the crisis seems so close at
pandbl believe this man has lied to you, only
or—-—

“ I say! Tetch ’er up light, in tbarl"

A husky, uncouth voice uttered the words,
and following the sound, brother and sister
started to their feet as they saw the ugly, hairy
face of a stranger staring at them over the low
partition. And swiftly Fremont’s pistol covered
the head!

CHAPTER V.
rm: nouns: amp DECLINES r0 sum.

Wrrn the rapidity of a jack-in-a-box the
shaggy head vanished from view, but in its
place came a husky snort of mingled disgust and
apprehension.

‘ Hold on, you! Don’t be so ’tarnal fast ef
you please! It‘s a white gent as you’re p‘intin’
that gun at; a ’vited guest, as ye mought say,
so to speak l”

It was a voice whose'peculiar intonations were
not readil forgotten or to be confused with
others, an this, with the fleeting glimpse he
caught of the hairy face with its starin eye—
balls, caused Fremont Metcalf to lower h s pis-
tol with a low, startled exclamation.

“Who is it, brother? Friend or enemy?" hur-
riedly demanded Dinorah, a sharp click empha-
sizing her words.

Fremont turned quickly toward her, to see a
revolver in her hand, pointing steady as fate at
a point of the frail grtition beyond which
could be heard the shu ing sounds of the au—
dacious intruder. A hand, white and delicate,
but which did not tremble or fumble with the
dangerous tool it now clasped so firmly. One
could have sworn she knew how to use it, and to
use it well.

With a swift motion Fremont caught the
Weapon and checked her band just in time to
keep a bullet from penetrating the frail parti-
tion in search of the villainous—looking eaves-
dropper.

“ Do not shoot, Dinorah l” he muttered, ex-
citedly. “I know him now—I recognize his
voice. It is the man we expected, the man who
wrote us that letter, the same one I saw when I
was down town a bit ago!”

“Bet your boots it jest is!" came croakingly
from behind the. barrier. “ An’ durned of this
master ain’t gwine back do“ n t0wn ag’in’, too,
ef you-all’s got to keep clmelzin’ guns up ag’in a
feller~crifter’s nose every time he sais howdy!”

“ lf your business is with us, come (round to
the door, as an honest man should,” called out
Fremont, with an eflort subduing his intense
excitement.

“ How’n thunder’s a critter to know what
door’s which, at he don’t skirmish ’round an’
prospect? They ain’t no slate hangin’ out, I
reckon?"

It was a snlky, grumbling tone, but from the
sounds which came to their ears, brother and
sister could tell that the man who had given
them such a serious start. was about to follow
the advice last given him. Dinorah hastily
whis ered:

“ meet him. brother. We must lose no
chances. He may be mad or frightened, and
try to steal away. Meet him, and bring him
here—even if you have to use force l”

She was terribly in earnest, her face pale, the
features stern and hard-set, her eyes glowing
with a light that told how deep was her interest
in this curious affair. Nor was Fremont Met-
celf less eager. With swift, silent motions be
unlocked the door, opened it and glided out into
the gloomy ball just in time to\meet the owner
of that shaggy pate and bush voice.

“We have been waiting or you, my sister
and I,” he said quietly, as he placed one hand
on the arm of the fellow, as yet using
no force, but ready at the slightest sign of
flight to check the impulse and bring matters to
a crisis.

“Durned of I didn’t think so, from the one
glimp’ I sorter ketcbed o’ the couple 0’ ye. over
vendor,” grinned the eavesdropper, half-sheep-
ishly. “ Habit o’ yourn. that way?"

Despite his great anxiet , Fremont could not
abolly keep from laugh ng at this observe-

on.

“ You took us by surprise. We expected on
b; way of the door, andwhen we saw the ace
0 a stranger—for even I failed to recognise

 

{rest on

you at first glance—what more natural than for
us to suspect an enemy? If any blame, it must
yourself, for-”

“ Ohl I ain’t kickin’, strange r,” with a husky
chuckle. “ I’n heap satisfied to git off without
worm-holes all through my wardrobe, fer when
I squinted down them gun~mouths durned ef the
goose~fiesh didn’t start out onto me so hefty
you mought ’a’ hung your hat onto the pimples
an’ not hafe try!”

“ Let it pass, then, and we’ll all be thankful
no harm was done. Come; my sister is waiting
for us.”

The fellow mumbled something about not
being dressed for petticoat company, but Fre-
mont did not listen. With gentle force be car-
ried his captive along to the door which was
held ajar by Dinorah, ready to eme e and
lend her brother aid in case of nee . She
promptly flung it wide, then closed and locked
it again as they entered.

It was not a very enticing object on which
her on er eyes rested that moment. if he had
seem wretchedly dilapidated and degraded in
the saloon, he looked doubly so now that he
found himself in the presence of a lad .

A man certainly past the middle miles of
life in actual age, he seemed still older, s atter-
ed and battered by dissi ation and irregular
living. He looked a mora wreck in every re-
:pect. And unless he was sorely slandered by

a cunning light which glowed in his bloodshot
e es, his character was worn into filtbier rags
t an those which served to cover his naked-
ness.

Fremont turned to face the fellow, saying:

“This is my sister, Mr.—”

“ Call it Double Bird, fer a starter, boss.”

“ And as such she is deeply interested in the
communication you are pledged to make.” '

“Not pledged—not quite so fur, boas,” with a
cunning eer. “Say mebhe; itsoundsjestas well,
an’ don’t speak ni b so loud, nur yit kiver hafe
so much groun’. y mebbe, bass!”

“ We came prepared to meet your terms. If
we keep our art of the contract, we certainly!
expect you to cap ours.” ‘

Fremont Metcal spoke quiet! and calmly
enough, but it was evident he id some by
Calling his whole powers of self-control into

lay. And fearin that his countenance w

tray him too p ainly, he turned abruptly
aside, removing the utensils from the im vis-
ed wash-stand and bringing it out from t e wall
to serve as a table.

Dinorah, for much the same reason, placed
the two chairs on opposite sides of the stand,
then sunk down on the side of the bed. She
was very pale now, but there was a steady light
burning in her eyes that might have warned
the eavesdropper. l

“Sit down, please.” said Fremont, taking one
of the chairs himself. “Now, if you have no‘
objections, why did you try the partition in-
stead of coming in at the door!” '

“’Ca’se I wasn’t runnln’ no chainces, boss,"
was the quick response. “How’d I know but
they was a hevole sting hid onder the honey?
How’d I know you wasn’t givin’ me sawdust
’stead o’ ginnine oro f Nobody, without tryin’.
So 1 tuck a look behind the carting. I listened
to yr ur buzzin’ or tel the lady cut me dee with
her hints that I was crooked. Then my onest
luzzzum split wide open an’ ’sposed me afore I
thought a word about guns an’ sich like doin’e—~
honor bright, boss!”

Dinorah shivered slightly as the nepulsive
wretch turned toward her, leering, bowing,
plainly seeking to make an impression upon her.
From the first word to the last, she detected a
false and counterfeit ring in his speech, and her
heart turned sick within her as she reflected that
on his truth alone rested the hopes they had so
fondly cherished. What if the story they
had traveled so far to hear, should prove no
more reliable! It was a soul-sickening thought,
and she banished it as quickly and as thorough—
ly as possible.

“You were running a worse risk than on
suspect,” was the grave reply. “ Anot er
second, and you might have met your death
through your imprudence.”

The fellow laughed. short and harshly, while
his bleured eyes filled with a dull red light.

“I'd art to be pritty well used to resks bythis
time! I hsin‘t drawed a free breath sauce I
writ them words as fetched you here, boas—not
a free breath! I was drunk at the time—drunk
an’ crazy-mad fer cause—or I’d ’a’ bit 06 the
finger t at steered the pen as made the marks
afnre I‘d ’a’ sent it to you !” .

He ceased speaking, casting a sly glance at
the face of the young man as though to read
the effects. He did not see much. The hand-
some face turned a thought paler, perhaps, and
the jaws set a little more firmly.

This was all, to outward seeming. Inwardiy
atem t was raging. He thought he coud
read tween lipes, and believed his uncouth
visitor was exaggerating for the sole purpose of
raisin the rice of his secret. '

“Ta k c reek l” added the fellow who had
given the curious name of “The Double Bird."
“ I never knowed what the word meant, cute!
after that fool letter 0’ mine was writ an’ sent.
Sauce then, every minnit h( s b’in wu’th a dollar,

' _, erately.

8 Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

fat to live through it——jest that, an' never a lie
bout it, boss i”

“You are paid for running that risk, be it
real or be it purely imaginary,” coldly replied
Fremont, his glowing black eyes striving to
catch and hold the shifting gaze of his unclean
visitor. “You named your own figures, and
the bargain was closed without an effort on our
part to beat you down, extortionste though the
terms Were. It is too late now to attempt to
alter those conditions. Stop whining, and get
down to business. In one word: what do you
know of the man whose name was mentioned
in your letter?”

A sullen, dogged expression chased away the
lookdof cunning trickery, and the fellow mut-
tere :

“ ebbe it’s all a trap—mebbe I never writ
the——”

“Stop right where you are, my fine fellow i"
cried Fremont sternly, his eyes glittering omin-
ously. “It’s a motto of mine to make sure I
am workin the right trail, then press it so
close that t are can be no mistake made or side
issues wrung in without my consent and knowl-
edge. You did write the letter in answer to
our advertisement. I have it here—deny it if
you can i”

“ When I see it with my two eyes, then I kin
r tell better,” was the sullen retort.

“If I yield to you in this one respect, how am
I to know you will not brin forward others
equally unreasonable?” deman ed Fremont, his
naturally impetuous temper getting the upper
band and making him for the moment forget
all his prudent resolves.

“One thing at a time, an’ they’ll hold out
longer, boss,” grinned the rufilm. “Just now
it’s that bit 0 writin’ which troubles me the
wn’ei. fyou’re the right man, you kin show
it easy enough, an’-—”

“The right man? How could I know any-
thing about it were I not the right man, as you
call it?” -

“ You telll"

Knowing so well the fiery temper of her
'hrother, Dinornh bent forward and breathed
gently in his ear:

' “Show the letter Fremont. It can do no
harm, if yyou are positive he is the person who
wrote it. .

Almost involuntarily she added that last sen-
tence. Why, she could not have explained 'sat-
isfactorily, even to hemelf. The doubt struck
her like a revelation, and she gave it vent.

Fremont was startled by the vague hint, and
gazed keenly into the ban dogJ visage of the
man opposite him. What i he ad neyer writ-
ten the ietteri What if he was playing a bold
as well as cunnin part for—what? He almost
smiled as he aske himself the question. There
could be no reason fcr any such bold and dan-
, gerous trickery.

“One word, in ' good friend,” he said, lean-
ing forward a tapping the bundle of dirty
rage on the shoulder. “ Since you hint at trick-
ery, suppose we put it to the test on both sides.
I ave the letter which came in answer to our
advertisement. I can show it wheneVer neces-
sary. If you wrote it,doubtless you can re-
member its contents?”

“On’ too pesky well,” was the surly re ly.
“ Wish my fingers hed tuck the cramp so d
they couldn’t ’a’ held a pen fer a lifetime, ruth-
er than they’d writ the pesky thing!”

' “Then you admit havmg written it!"

“t'hliti nithin’. Notha durnedttbing cute] I
see 0 0c ment wit my Own wo peepers—
not a thing, hoes!”

“ Even such obstinacy is not sufiicient to save
you, if I am forced to resort to harsh mea—
sures,” cooll retorted Fremont. “I can rove
that on di write it. I have the power oex-
tort he truth from you, if I choose to employ
such means. Not only as to the letter, but to
make you confess all concerning the man that
letter speaks of.”

“You ain’t smart enough to make acritter
tell what he ain’t got no means 0’ knowin’, I
don’t reckon, bass.’

Again Dinorah touched her brother on the
arm, a pleading look in her blue eyes. It was
enough. By a pewerful efi'ort Fremont Met-
oalf stifled his hot anger, turning his burning
gaze from that disagreeable countenance, star-
ing fixedly at vacancy until he could regain the
mastery of self. .

The cable Bird fidgeted uneasily on his seat,
casting a stellthy glance toward the lockeddoor.
But the same crafty look showed him the silvar—
mounted Sistol which is so handy beside Di-
norah, an he gave up t e wild thought. He
had seen her handle the weapon not long before,
and knew she was no novice in the art of pistol
practice.

Once more cold and collected, at least in
seeming, Fremont Metcalf resumed his former

.-itlon. drawing from his homm the ncie~

k which he had proddced wnile in The
Grave. From this be extracted asoiled and
mu envelope which contained a half-sheet of
note per, stained and wrinkled.

" . his is the letter you wrote,” he said, delib-
“It was mailed from this place,
about: inside you ave neither date nor ad-
dress. It is signed  he Double Bird.‘ ”

 

He then unfolded the paper, spreading it out
on the space between them, holding it so the
fellow could satisfy himself as to the contents
and writing, but still retainin control over it.
And that he had acted wisely, remont divined
as he watched the nervously twitching fingers
of the rascal.

“ You would like to destroy the document, no
doubt,” he added, with a short, hard laugh.
“But I’ll guard against that, since you have
shown such a strong desire to back out of the
bargain we made on your own terms.”

There Were not many words in the disputed
letter. It Wns vilely written and more vilely
spelled. It began without name or address,
stating that the writer had chanced upon an
advertisement in which a reward was promised
to any one who could give reliable information
concerning the present whereabouts of one
Tucker Metcalf.

The letter stated that the writer could give
the desired information, if it was made worth
his while, but that he would not do so without
first havin a personal interview with the ad-
vertiser. f said advertiser was interested
enough to pay five thousand dollars for the in-
formation, and Would come to the mining-camp
known as Canaan, bringing with him the in-
cIOSed card as a ready means of identification,
let him do so. On arrival, he was to visit the
saloon called The Grave, where he would be
met by a. man whom he might recognise by the
dye-spot of clubs.

There the letter ended, without name or sig~
nature, save that already hinted at, “The
Double Bird."

“ You see the letter. -I showed you the card
which you inclosed. You proved your identity
by the five-spot of c‘ubs, in accordance With
the agreement. I am here, ready to ay you
the price you demand for the informaton con-
cerning one Tucker Metcalf, if it roves to be
reliable. Now, Mr. Double Bird, 3 there any
other point which on wish made clear, before
we get down to solid business?” uttered Fremont
Metcalf, his eyes glowing hotly, but his voice
cold and even.

“I reckon it’s all strai ht,” slowly muttered
the man, rubbing his brist ing chin, a foxy light
in his bleared eyes.

“ What reason had you to suspect any difler-
entl" asked Dinorah, gently.

“Mebbe nothin’ that you’d look at as solid
reasons, ma’em,” was his respectful response.
“ Mebbe I was a fool that’s got skeered w thout
sense nur reason; an’ mebbe I ain’t. One thing
is might sart‘in. They’s them as wouldn’t
make no nes 0’ raisin’ my skelp of they ever
got a. whiff 0’ what I setcut to tell. They
would kill—”

“ Enough of this idle talk,” impatiently cried
Fremont, his face flushing. “ It is no longer a
question of what price you shall ask for your
wares. The sum has been fixed and ully
sgrerd upon, let the danger be what it may
real or ima innry. Now. for the:second time I
ask; what 0 you know of Tucker Metcalfi"

“ Mebbe a heap; mebbe not a durn'ed thing.”
was the dogged reply. " Fu‘st, I want to make
sure the man I knowed is the man you mean.”

“I advertised the name, and you recognized
it

, so—”

“Names don‘t count, out here, boss,” with a
sudden rin. “A man takes ’most any that
strikes is fancy; an’ some that don’t, too, of
the boys takes a notion for to christen him. I
knowed a Tucker Metcalf, but that ain’t proof
he’s your game.” .

Once more Dinorah, better able to control
her temper than the fiery youth, touched him
on the arm. Bending toward her, Fremont
received the softly breathed words:

" Humor him once more, brother. You have
the locket. Show the picture, and make all
sure before gain further."

Fremont yiel ed, as he evsr did when his
reason was appealed to by his cool-nerved sister,
drew a old and enameled locket from his bosom,
where t hung by a chainn, Releasing it from
this, he touched a spring, the locket flying open
and revealing two pain ed likenesses, one male,
the other female.

For an instant both brother and sister forgot
whose eyes were curiously riveted upon their
actions, and with their cheeks touchin , they
looked long and lovingly upon the pctured
aces.

It was no disagreeable task, judging from the
beauty of the one face, the proud and manly
good looks of the other.

Though the fashion of hair and dress worn by
the couple in the lo¢ket proved that a 
many years had passed by since the ike-
nesses were taken, they were still clear andfiis-
Itinctti, plainly the work of no ordinarily skilled

ian .

With a faint sigh Dinorah raised her head,
gently pushing her hrmher’shand toward the
wailing man.

Obeying the impulse, Fremont placed the
locket in the grimy paw. saying as he did so:

“That is the likeness of t. e man I advertised
for. It was taken more than twenty years
ago, but if you ever met him in life. you could
hardly make a mistake. Emminc it closely,
before you ansiwr, for if you deny it, I’ll have

I

l

 

the truth from your lips, if I have to extract it
with red-hot pinchers.”

“Twenty year is a monstrous lon time,
boss!” muttered the roses], with a sy side-
glance, while pretending to. be very busy ex-
aminingthe portrait. “ Aunghty long time, an’
makes a heap 0’ change in the mug of a man.
it does look some’at like the crilter I used to
know, but I wouldn’t like to say fer sart’in,
without takin’ a little more time fer thinkin’.”

“Thinking! Of what?” demanded Fremont
Metcalf, with dangerous calmness in his tones.
“I have shown you the letter you wrote. I
went to the lace you call The GraVe, and gave
you the cars by which you were to recognize
your correspondent. You believed in m
rights, then, else you would never have reveal:
ed yourself, would never havs followed me
here.’

“Mebbe es, mebbe no. Mebbe I wanted to
make sure u’st that you wasn’t up to no gum
game, boss.”

“ What do you mean?"

“That I wanted some good ’surance you was-
n’t one o’ the gang which—”

“What gangi”shari~ly demanded Fremont,
as the fellow lowered his voice, glancing warily,
almost aflrightedly about the room, like one
who dreads the vicinity of eavesdroppers.

“A gan that’d kill me—you—her—a hun-
dred more ike us of they was to eyeu dream 0’
whai’; I, like a crazy-mad idjit promised to let
out?

If not in sober earnest now, Double Bird was
proving himself no mean actor. His face turn-
ed as pale as the long-accumulating mask of
grease and dirt and smoke would rmit. His
bony fingers quivcred and tw tched. His
bloodshot eyes protruded unnaturally from
their sockets and roved swiftly around the
room as his voice, always husky and indistinct,
zrew still more so as it lowered cautiously.
The rags which cowred his nakedness fluttered
as his gaunt frame trembled.

“They will never be any the wiser for me,”
said Fremont, beginning to believe in the ear-
nestness of the rascal. “I pledge you my
sacred word of honor never to reveal your
agency in this matter, no matter what may
happen.”

“Promises won't pay fer good whisky, no
more'n they‘ll put wind back into a critter
that the gen ‘s bed the doctorin’ of. Promises
don’t count mong the gang or them as they
hire fer to trap a pore critter what thunk be
mought as well make a little stake fer to keep
him from the poor-house l”

The hot-blooded youth could no longer doubt
the real aims of the cunning. unscrupulous ras-
cal, and with an angry grew-l. he leant for-
ward, grasping the wretc by the throat with
one strong hand while the other drew a pistol,
cryigg sternly: .

“ ou’ve got to sing, Double Bird! Out with
your sweetest tune, or ii! goes the whole top of
your ugly cranium!”

CHAPTER VI.

HUNTING A FORTUNE AND FIh‘DING-WHAT?

As he spoke, the cold muzzu- or the revolver
touched the forehead of the s.ubborn bird who
could but would not sing.

Dinorah gave a convulsive start, her hand
raising as thou h she would check the action of
her impetuous rother; but then she sunk back
on the bed as if resolving to let him settle the
matter in his own way.

It was an unfortunate mOVPmPnf, if Fremont
Metcalf hoped to frighten the rascal into imme-
diate confession. Eyen with that fierce grasp
on his threat, with the deadly weapon staring
him full in the face. Double Bird noticed her
action, and shrewdly interpreted it to his own
interest. Surely, if there was any danger of a
death-shot, she would not be so cool, so com-
posed?

He shrunk a little as he felt the metal come
in contact with his skin, but there was a sulky,
dogged glow in his eyes that matched his tones
as he gurgled:

“Shoot—an’ e’ll never ‘git any harder the
truth then on he at this in nniti”

Though he failed to fully realize it. Double
Bird Wns playing with his own life, just then.
Niiiuiali hot tempered and im tuous, acting
first an reaeoning afterward, remont Met-
calf meant every word he uttered as his deadly
grip on the hairy throat tightened, as his black
eyes glared into the coloring face of the rascal
as his pistol pressed harder until it made a red
ring in the flesh.

“ Speak the truth, without further evasion,
you dog! Tell the whole truth. or, by the has.—
vens above us! you die! I give you ten seconds
to make up your mind. At the end of that time
you’ve got to sin strai ht, or you die !’-’

“ An’ you pull emp n less‘n a hour!” vicious-
ly gurgled the Double Bird, still fancying it but
a scheme to frighten him into telling all, and
thus cheat him of the reward.

Dinorah was able to read the face of her bro-
ther as if it were a plainly printed page, and
now she saw it was time to interfere, ,if they
warp to ever learn the truth from this evil-
lookingr u're'ch. Otherwise, so Hirer as the
fierce Ihl'eul. had crossed his lips, Fremont would

 

\

as .wiuanrws ' -

 

 

[,5
ql
,,
I
3
t
l
2
i

 

 

 

Old Forked-Lightning. the Solitary. . 9

send a bullet crashing through that plotting, I
treacherous brain.

“Brother,” she said, one white hand closing
over the revolver in such a manner that the

inted hammer could only reach the cartridge
g; first pa<sing through one white finger.
“Brother, do not act hast‘ly'. Try him once
more. He may have reasons for hesitating,
which we cannot comprehend at once. Release
him—for my sake!”

Tnat was suffici-nt, and Fremont Meicalf re-
leased the half-strangled wretch, drawing back
his undischarged pistol.

If fiery and dangerous, these fits of passion
Were short—lived. And when one had passed,
the young min was far easier to deal with than
would have been the case had no storm-cloud
swept. across the sky.

Double Bird drew a long, wheezing breath as
that deadly grasp relaxed, one bony paw finger—
ing his throat as though to make sure it was all
there and intact. His bloodshot eyes turned to—
ward Dinorah with a grateful look, and there
wa< more of trttth and earnestness in his tones
than ever before since that peculiar interview
began.

“To you, mom, I’m willin’ to chirp. You’re
pure whit- an’the clean article, ef ever there
is as one!”

“ I only saved you from your own folly,” she
gravely replivd. “ We came here by your own
invitation. We proved ourselves the right par-
ties. We agreed to pay you our own price for
Le information you free y a mitted you could
suppl . What more do you want? Why all
th s s ifting and evasion on your part!"

“Fr good cause, or I'm no jedge, mom.”
with another bow and disgusting smirk. “ Fer
your two sakes, as much as fer my own hide, of

do say it. Fer let the gang git wind 0' these
doi’n’s, an’ salt wouldn’t save one nur t'other 0’
us.

“What gang are you alluding tof"

Double ir cast a stealthy glance around
them, suspiciously scanning the to of the parti-
tion walls. Then, leaning across t e barrel-top,
he huskin muttered:

“ The gang that he was mixed up with.”

“ Their names! Their location? Who and
what are they?”

Ea erly Dinorah asked the questions, but
Doutfie Bird as rapidly resumed his former half-
dog ed, half-foxy demeanor.

“ ‘st I want to make sure my Tucker Met-
calf is your Tucker Metcalf. That settled, we
kin go ahead like a house aflrs! Ef not—cf my
man ain’t your man—you cain’t ’xpect a critter
to stick his necbin a noose jest fer naught.”

Back in to the old sticking- int!

Even inorah frowned, w ile Fremont
clinched his hands in the urn is to keep his
hot temper from flashing to with doubled
fury. It was trying, indeed!

Dinorah ta pod her brother on the arm, ris-
ing and with rawing to the further and of the
room, beneath the dimly-burning candle in the
tin sconce.

“There is only one way to deal with the
crafty rascal,” she whis red, hurriedly. “Yield
to him in seeming. ell him the story of—of
Tucker Metcalf, since he will not speak unless.
It can do no harm, that I see.”

“ Only to render him all the more impudeut,”
muttered Fremont, irritably. “0:11 to give
him ground for greater extortions. n’t you
see the mark be is aiming at, sister!”

“ Yes; but he can newer reach the unattain-
able,” was the cold re ly. “ Humor him at the
start, and when the ht comes, he will be less
prepared for it.”

“As on say. L'ke you. I den’t see how any
particu ar harm can come of telling the story
of the past.”

Without another word Dinorah glided back
and resumed her seat on the side of the bed.
Fremont once more occupied the chair placed
opposite the dilapidated rascal, and in steady,
cam tones spoke:

“ t shall be asycu say, Mr. Bird.”

He ceased abruptly as the fellow made a quick
motion of one hand, grinning broadly.

“,Durned of I didn't clean fergt my man-
"i'l'l." he said with a husky chuckle. "My
name ain’t Bird, thou h l writ the letter that
way. Far I didn't sign a lie to it, nnthcr. ef
you look at the thing sorter poetic like. My
name's Jay Flicker. That’s what made me
think 0’ the hictur’ kgrd, e sect”

Fremont etcalf wed? with a little frown
of annoyance. He cared little what name the
ragged rascal chose to sail under, and was im-
patient to get dawn to sober busines.

“ Thanks, Mr. Flicker. My sister and I have
decided to meet your Wishes ‘n every mpect,
o1 condition that you are to prove equally

ank.”

“ All I ax is to be sure the ain’t no snags nur
wit pit holes in the trail as end,” nodded Jay
FJckel'.

“ Prove as good as your word. and there will
he no trouble fr0m our side, besure of that,”
pointedly resorted Fremont.

"Prove that our man is my man, an’ I’ll
chirp so quick t‘ll make your head swim,”

 

grinned Fl cker.
“ In the year 1861, a man named Tucker Met-

calf left his home and family in the E-ist, com»
ing West in search of a fortune. At that time,
the rent craze turned toward the region OVer
whici
Tucker Metcalf hastened, to dig a fortune from
the earth.”

“Lots of ’em done it, too!” nodded Flicker, ;.

Denver new reigns, and to that quarter v

ing gaze. If not perfectly honest in his deal-

. incs, Jay Flicker certainly was not wholly lack-

as the young man made a brief pause, eying v

the bummer closely. “ Bigger lots of ‘em never
raised the color, though !"

“ That was the case with the person in whom
we are most interested. just at present,” re-
sumed Fremont, satisfied that as yet Jay
Flicker was too thoroughly on guard to be sur—
prised into anything li e an admission. “For

a long time the fortune he sought evaded his v

grasp, seeming ev r but a little way ahead,
almost within reach, but as often evading his
clutches."

“Gospel truth an’ common as dirt, sech
cases,” nodded Jay Flicker. “ I’d orter know,
fer hair’t I bin thar, thousau‘s 0’ times? Hain’t

l stretched my arms clean out o’ j'int reachin’ 1'
fer the pesky willerwispi Bet your bootsl An’ ,

I hain't ketched the blame’ thin

“So fate seemed to play wtth Tucker Met-
calf,” quietly resumed Fremont, patiently hear-
ing with these blunt interruptions. “ A score
of times he wrote home on the very verge of

success, only to write again and explain how ,

narrowly he had missed success.”

“ Hed a fambly, then, did he?”

Fremont hesitated before replying, glancing
toward Dinorah for counsel. She made a slight

yit—l hain’t l” :

l
i
l
i
l
l
l

esture of assent, and placing more confidence i

in her judgment than in his own, Fremont spoke
freely:

i
l
I

‘ rolle

ing in a certain sort of nerve.

” No,” slowly added Fremont. sinking back in
his seat. his Voice gr0wing grave and gloomy.
“ No, Tucker Metcalf neVer came home, with or
without his long-sought fortune. That joyous
letter was the last one ever received by his pa-
tient] waiting wife. Patiently until the days

dy on and mounted up into weeks and
months. Then her fears grew with the passing
time. and her heart turned sick as she waited.
Waited until the day of her death for the com
ing of the husband whom she was fated to never
again meet on earth l”

“ That’s the w u’st 0‘ the cussed gold !” mutter-
ed Jay Flicker, his voice seeming more husky
and thick than usual. “it turns a man into a
machine which keeps a- oin’ an’ a-goin’ ontel it
jist w’srs out fer want 0 rest an’ greasin’. An’
it s‘arves the hearts 0’ them what cain’t do noth-
in’ but wait at home, the same way—on’y more
so! It’s a bitter cuss, that same gold, when ye
look at it in the sober light 0’ reason—hut it buys
mi hty good whisky l”

truck by his earnestness, beginning to be-
lieve that this was yet another of the victims to
the terrible gold-fever, her hopes growing asshc
listened, Dinorah sunk back with a heartspang
as he added those flippant words is ith a sarcastic
grin. Surely there was little to hope from this
man’s sympathy! He could be touched alone
through his pocket.

“In ’64, you say was_the last beam 0’ your
man?”

Fremont bowed, his face growing paler.

“The time suits well enough. Go on, ef you

“ Yes, he had a family. He was happily mar- . please ”

ried.

Both himself and his wife had been]

With a slightly brightened countenance, Fre-

brought up in the lap of luxury, never knowing i mont complied.

what it was to want for money or aught that
their fancy craved. They were rich when they
married, but then come heavy reverses.
mind how. Enough that they found themselves.
if not in povert , in comparatively cramped
circumstances. hey had sufficient to live on,
in an humble way, compared with their farmer

“ Our mother did what she could, though that

i was little. She had not much mone . Her rela-

I

Never ' fives were all dead or far away and act tonight.

That letter was postmarked at Denver, and
there she caused inquiries to be made. Without
success.

“Some were there who remembered some-

station in life; but Tucker Metcalf was not sat. ’ thing about Tucker Metcalf, but they could not

isfled with this. He was too proud to serve

where he had reigned, and so he started out in a
I When they last knew of him, he was poor—so

search of a fortune.

“ He had one child, a boy, two years old when
he left. In a few months more, there came an-
other; a little girl baby.”

“ Which they named her your sister. I
shouldn’t wonder!" shrewdly ventured Jay
Flicker, his little eyes glowing.

Again Fremont hesitated to rep] , and once
more Dinorah silently signed for h m to speak
openlv. She was keen enough to divine that
Jay Flicker had guessed at the truth from the
outset, and that nothing could be ruined by try-
ing to hide it. Besides, woman-Ii e, she fancied
the ruman would beeasier to deal with when
once he knew their close relationship to the long
missing man.

i
l

l

1 meat resumed his story, with recovered

“You are right. She was my sister. Since ‘

then, nineteen years have passed, and she is a j
i care of one who had. in those last da a of son

women grown.

“ Fine as they make ’em, too!” with a fawn-
ing how.

“ Drop that, if you please, my man,” quickly

uttered Fremont, his black eyes g10wing.;

" Your compliments are neither agreeable nor
necessary. It’s business we met to discuss.”

“ I didn’t mean no ’fense,” sulkil .

“ Nor is any taken. Go on, brot er.”

“ As time went on, the letters written by

say where he was nor what had become of him
since he left that region two years before.

poor that he often went days without eatin .

“No one could tell anything about his 
ing a fortune. And when her money was afl
spent, the poor woman knew no more than she
had when these inquiries began.

“Well, time passed on. Sister and I our
tinned! to grow in body and mind. but before we
could full understand what made our mother
so sad an sorrowful, she died." ,

The strang young voice (altered and ceased.
Silently Dinorah stole her hand into his, and
thus they sat for several minutes. Jay Flicker
innocently staring at the wooden ceiling
above his head. softy whistling. Then Fre-
oom-

posune.
“ When she died, our mother left us to he

row and nrivation. proved a true a faithful
friend. Under his care sister and I were reared
to man and womanhood. From his lips we
learned the truth, so far as known, of our to-
ther. We were then old enough to realise what

; it all meant, and when our ardian died short

Tucker Metcalf to his wife came fewer and fur- .
ther apart. 'He was spending more time away ,

from the settlements, prospecting. still ho ing
to strike it rich‘, still chasing the fortune w ich

ever seemed to elude his grasp by but a hair‘s ;
breadth. The oftener he failed. the more stu :1— ‘
horn grew his resolution to never give over tin. .

til one of two things happened. He would win
riches or die in the quest.”

“ ith heap odds onto the last, on bet!”

“What do you mean!” sharpy demanded
Fremont.

“Nothln’, on’y in a gin’ral sort 0’ way. I
wasn’t thinkin’ 0’ your dad in pa’tic’lnr. On'y
o’ the many pore deviis that’Ve found a grave
whar they looked for a fortin,” was the quiet

repl .
“Tucker Metcalf mayohave found the grave, =
und the fortune which ‘

but we know he first.
had so long escaped him. It was in ‘64 that we
heard from him last. He wrote in high irita,
a little incoherently. as thou h his long-dc ayed
good fortune had proved a moat too much for
his sorely tasked brain. He said that the tide

i

had turned at last, and poured a golden stream ,

into his lap. That he was rich enough to snap
his fingers at those whose noses turner up at the
reduced family. He had made his fortune, and
was coming homel”

“ Which he didn’t do, I reckon. or you
wouldn’t be lookin’ fer him here, after all them
years hev gone by 1"

Fremont leaned across the rude stand and
gazsd steadily into the eyes of Jay Flicker as
the latter slowly uttered theso words, more in
the shape of an assertion than a query. .

If there was a cunning. foxy light in those ,
bleared eyes, they did not flinch from that burn-

ly afterward, be left us so cient money to take
up the search for the missing man where it was
abandoned, years before.

“Acting on his advice we advertised flea
in all the papers which were published (I' wh
circulated principally in the mining-
and one day there came an answer to one
those advertisements. What that answer was,
you know.” . ,

“ I reckon,” slowly uttered Ja Flicker. as
{he onng man paused and gone keenly into

is ace.

“ It bade us call at Canaan. and in ohcdimce
to it, we set out at once. Now we are here?
now you have acknowledged writing that lettc
—ws will listen to your Kart of the story."

“That fri‘nd o‘ yours ft you pritty well fix-
eduwtl" m h PH _

‘ shavesu cicnt topayt e on ou ‘ t
on your kno-rledge.” shortly replied 

“ Jes’ so! Waal, the two stories fit. pritt ‘
even, so far; but they ain’t many sure that” l:
this yere worl’. that cain’t hold aslip-n some-
whar into’em. Mebbe you'd let the o: m
take ’nother squint a' that pictur’f”

Without a word, Fremont Hetcalf pushed the
locket toward him. His face was while a”
hard set, his eyes glittering with a light which
should have warned the rascal who was no end.
ly calculating on their anxiety (or a long-loot

arent. '
p Dinorah read her brother more accuratelyaul
she loaned toward him. breathing in his ear
words so gently modulated as to entirely escape
the keen hearing of Jay Flicker. .

“ Be guarded. bretheri Do naught raahly!”

There was no reply in words. bat she cool
not misinterpret that steady, brain

I Jay Flicker must speak out and tell all he knew

concerning Tucker Hetcalf or pay the penal
of his treacherous obstinaoy’. 

10.

.,.

.4.

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

__.._..a.._

“ i don’t reckon thar‘s two of a kind in this,”
slowly observed Jay Flicker, closely scanning
the handsome, happy-looking face in the locket.
“ Looks a bit finer then he did when I knowed
Tuck Metcalf. Different rig onto him; an' then
he hadn’t the time our the money tospend in
gittin’ shaved an’ ha’r cutted, ye see. Yes, I
reckon I kin say that your Tucker Metculf an’
inky ’Tucker Mewalf was one an’ ondivided,
li ei'

" When did you see him lastl Is he still liv-
ing?" eagerly demanded Fremont, his voxce
strained and agitated.

“Your dad, I b’lieve you said?" asked Jay
Flicker, with provoking deliberation, closing the
locket and curiously looking at the richly chased
and enameled outside.

Dinorah touched Fremont on the hand, and
the fi roe outburst was delayed, if not entirely
quelletl.

“ Our father—yes."

“Randy to pay pritty big fer solid news 0’
him tool”

“ Ise we should not have come here. The
money is ready for you, sir, the moment you
convince us that your news is reliable. Every
dollar shall be counted out to you.”

“ How much did you say, boss?"

“ Your own figure—five thousand dollars!”

Jay Flicker slowly shook his shaggy head in
disapproval.

" ’I‘ain’t enough, boss."

“What do you mean, you scoundrell” cried
Fremont, his'tone hoarse and strained. “Those
are your own figures!”

“Which I ain’t denyin’ of ’em, for as that
.goes,” was the deliberate response, though the
extortioner shrunk a little from that honest and
fiery indignation. "That was my size when I
writ the letter, but then I didn’t know you was
huntin' for a long-lost daddy. My price has riz
sauce I diskivered that ’portant fact.”

With one hand restraining the fiery youth,
Dinorah faced Jay Flicker, her face pale as
death. but her voice steady:

“In one word—your price now l"

“Ye see, mom, this is the idee: When I fu‘st
writ, I was~on a big drunk, an’didn’t take
sver'ythin’ into ’counr. I didn’t ‘low fer the

rush I was runnin’ from the gap . I didn’t
count the chainces o’ thar kelchin me sellin’
out thar sucrnts. Nur I didn’t even so much as
 that it was a dear lost pap you was axin’

“ And now?”

“All them things show up mighty big to a
pore devil like me, mom—almighty liig! Fu’st
the resk I run. That’s wu’th all the money I
axed you at fu’st, but I don’t want to play the
hog with a lady. Then the dad part is wu‘th
as much more. Say ten thousand for what I
his tell, an’ it’s a whack 1"

Still restraining Fremont, Dinorah replied:

” You ask too much, sir. We are poor. It
sook every dollar we could raise to come here
and offer the sum you first demanded. Take
that, and keep your faith. Believe me, it will
be your wisest oourst. Such treachery can
never grower"

Ja linker grinned his defiance. -

“ on don’t dast to tr powder or lead, fer-I
ran with the gang an’ t ey'd make it mighty
onhealthy for even a woman, of she trumped
onto the toes 0’ one o’ the fambly.”

“I have made no threats," coldl retorted
Diner-ah. “But I repeat the warn ng. Take

r the sum we have raised for on. Tell the true
story of Tucker Metcalf, an we will not only
bless and thank you, but we will stand between
you and the gang which you appear to dread so
greatly. Be honest. Do not forfeit all by
striving to grasp tee much. Once more, and
fa- ths last time: will you take the five thou-
sand dollars and give us the promised informa-

“on!”

“It’s too little. Make it ten, an’ it‘s a
whack!"

Without another word Dinorah released the
arm of her brother. Whether or no such was
her moaning, Fremont Mefcalf no longer fon ht
against the wild, insane for which filled is
heart. With a boom chok a cry, he leaped
up and grappled with e treac erous villain.

“You devil! you've gone too far! I‘ll tear
the secret from your heart, though I hang for
murder the next minute!"

With a crash, the rude stand was overturned.
The light went out. and with a shrill scream,

came a sharp pistol-shot!

 

~ ' ' \ CHAPTER Vii.

miss-a OHARLEY-Jrfil nan wrra A anconn.
Reno Bone was not feeling very chipper
when he reeled out of The Grave. a few minutes
after the precipitate flight of his “ healers.”
The was heavy, and fiung by a powerful
um. k alone was sufiicient to lav an
ordinarily tough man on the fist of his back for
a da ortwc. Added to the copious flow of
, and the manner in which he had been
’tl'cailod by Old Forked-Lightning. it was little
to wonder at that the man of insects felt like
“crawlinginto his hole" for the time being.
Bit this feeling did not last long.
a oar Romeo Bugg had flaunted the proud
' of chiettain through the streets of Canaan

 

For nearly ,

without having to defend his claim. He knew
that he was a good man, hysically speaking,
and henceit is not strange t at he attributed this
immunity to his personal prowess. But he
knew—none better-that it only required a
single defeat to strip a Chieftain of all previous-
ly won laurels. There can be but one “best
man ” in a mining-camp. And let the man to
whom every knee has been bent in homage for
months or eyen years, once own a victor, and he
will find a dozen rivals spring up from among
those who, only a da before, were glad to sun
themselves in his sha ow.

Scarcer had he left The Grave, before these
ugly and disagreeable thoughts began to flock
through the whirling brain of the giant bully,
and with a savage oath he turned to retrace his
steps, weakness and superstition alike forgotten.

Fortunately for him, he was new in the midst ,

of his gang. and they assumed control of his
movements for the time being.

“It’s on‘y waitin’ a bit onto] you kin see
straight through the double sights, boss,” mut-
tered a. husky voice which illy suited one who
claimed to be a bird twice over, even though
neither are patterns of harmony.

“ They’d all two both jump ye the fu’st ha’r
ye showed in the door,” added another.

Never mind the peculiar arguments which
they made use of to turn the battered giant
back. Suflicient that they gained their ends,
and led the blinded bully away to safer quar-
tors.

J a Flicker abandoned the party before it
reac ed its destination, but if his absence was
noticed, no comments were made. Somehow
those who knew him best, appeared to appre-
ciate the Double Bird the least.

There were enough left to care for the tem-
porarily fallen giant, and under their expe-
rienced if rude ministrations. Romeo Bugg soon
assumed a more reputable appearance.

By what to them seemed a Very lucky chance,
neither of his eyes lied been seriously injured
by the fragments of glass. Romeo would hear
the scars of that encounter to the grave with
him; his nose would never be as straight nor as
comer as of old, since the bridge was thorough-
ly crushed; but mere comeliness of person and
regularity of features counted for very little in
the estimation of one who had “ bed no use for
niinmin” since the hour he left his mother’s
breast.

“ What does it add up to, anyhow?” said one
of his chief assistants, with the lofty indiffer-
ence to trifles which mark one who sees, but
suffers not. “ A scratched up face, which I’ve
see’d a heap wuss come 0’ tryin’ to kissaole
maid ag’in’ her will. A nose that‘ll smell a
drink 0’ bug-juice or a fight jes’ as fur's it ever
did. In a couple 0‘ days, you won’t knew you
ever run ag’in' one o’ Fatty’s glasses, onleSs it’s
when you nap n to ketch a glimp’ o’ the boy
as did the tossin’.”

That conclusion was like daunting a red rag
in the face of a banderilla maddened bull.
With a roaring curse, Romeo Bugg leaped to
his feet, scattering his “ heelers” like chaff be-
fore the wind, though his rage was not directed
toward them.

“ Gi’ me back my tools, cuss e!“ be snarled,
glaring about him in quest of is belt of wea-
pons which had been removed from his person
while under treatment. “ Eyes or no eyes. I’m
gwine to cut that young cook’s comb ef it kills
me! No seoh runt shell hey a chaince to make
his brags that he got the best 0’ Romeo Bugg.
Gi’ me to tools i”

“ Sart’ 11 you shell hev ’em—why not?” sooth-
ingly answered one of the gang, a covert glance
assuring him that the weapons were securely
hidden. “ It ain’t one 0’ your fri’ndsas ’11 deny
ye, ole man, when—”

“ Burn the palaverin’—whar’s my tools?”

" Ready for you, when you’re ready fer them,
never fear. ” '

'1“ ain’t 1 ready? Can you, ’Gene Dibble,
I i—

“No you won’t R0,” was the cool retort, and
the tall man boldly confronted the fuming des-
perado, one hand on his pistol while the other
was shaken significantly before the bandaged
face. “ You’re goin’ to isten to a frl‘nd."

“ You cain’t choke me of! 0’ that—"

“Nur I don’t mean to try,” was the blunt in-
terrn tion. “ Ef you didn’t take it up. I would.
fer t e credit 0 the gang. An’ it’s fer that
same credit I'm talkin’ now. You come mighty
nigh gittin’ the wu’st of it, a hit back. Why!
Beca’se you let your mad git away with our
good sense. You’d do it all over ag in of was
to let ye belch out now, hafe-cocked. An’ was
then that, you’d raise the hull town ag'in’ the

ana.

ii ’Tlain’t you I ax fer teachin’, ’Gens Dibble,”
an on y.

“ ’Tain’t me that would offer mil. 'I ’0“ "“
your own self, Bo. But you ain’t. That tum.

ler sorter knocked yo 0! yer base, an’ I‘m try-
in’ to set ye back onto it a in. Who was you
goin’ fer, of I hadn’t ste pe atween. jes‘ now?”

" Fn‘st fer that dan y rant, on’ then for the
ole cuss!”

“ Didn’t I know it!” with a half-sneer. “I
ain‘t countin' the vonng feller. He knocked
)ou down, an’ you’re boun’ in fightin’ honor to

 

gilt even if it takes a leg. But not the ole ’coon,
o.
“ Why not?” fiercely. “ Didn’t he—"

“Say he did, an’ let it 0 at that. Times in
Canaan now ain’t like t ey was a year ago.
You cain’t hop onto the ole man without gittin’
the hull town down onto the gang: an’ that the
gang cain’t a‘ford, jes’ now—you know it. R0.”

The face of the desperado al'ered, as though
he only tooreadily interpreted the meanin of
that significant tone; but he was like a huI dog
—hord to choke off when once he saw his prey
before him.

“ He done me dirt all over, cuss him!"

“ Somethin’ like that. I‘m not denyin’, Bo.
Ef it cut so deep ye cain’t bear it, git even; but
not so’s your han‘ sh0ws too plain. Tackle him
when nobody cain’t shoulder the work on you.
It won’t do to come out in the face 0’ day an’
do it— on know that.”

“He 3 no more’n a man, anyhow,” muttered
the giant, but at the same time casting a wary
glance around us though he felt the assertion
was only lip deep at best.

“ Good as they make ’em, then,” was the
grim retort. "But say he‘s on’y a man. He
cain’t bejumped without the best part 0’ the
camp takin’ sides with him. An‘ the bead one
would be Chis a Charley. He’s on’y a man, too,
you’ll say? as], I reckon so. But he‘s a man
that nine out 0’ every ten sportin’ men in camp
will foller like he was a king. That’s the sort?
0‘ man he is!”

“ He kin crow loud, but what's he done?"

“All he says, an’ more too. I knowed him
afore he struck this locate. He got a record

‘ years ngo, an’ one that even you cain’t hold

over, R0. But let that go. It‘s settled. then,
thatryou ain’t to run over Old Forked-Light-
nm’ '

“Hey it that way ef ye like,” was the sullen
reply. “I won’t go out o’ my way to tackle
him; but he’s got to keep his own furrow, white
head or not.”

“ If he goes out o’ the way to pick onto you,
drop him, in course; nobody cain’t blame you
fer that. What 1 am argyin’ sg’in' is your
makin’ a Open hunt fer the ole coon. The camp
wouldn’t stan’ that, Rn.”

“Waal, it’s the young critter I want the
“u’st, anyhow. Yi’u ain’t standin’ up fer him,
be ye ’Genei” '

‘ ot enough to do any hurt, R0. The gritty
little”critter pumped it into ye too hefty fer
that!

“Got away with me, eh? Wiped the fi or
all up, I reckon?” uttered the despera o,
with a sickly but dangerous grin on his plaster-
ed face.

“ That‘s what the town will say when it gits
good spread over, Re. It won’t count that he
tuck you oi! your guard. It’ll say that you
held the drop. but 'wasn’t man enough to keep
ii. An’ he a tenderfoot, too i”

The fellow showed his hand more clearly, now
that he believed he had wrought the giant up to
the proper pitch. The result proved his judg-
ment right. R'rmeo Bugg had thoughts only
for the young stranger and how to get even
with him.

“The town’ll never hear of it from him,
’Gene. Whar’s my tools, I ax ye once more?”

With cheerful alacrity Dibble produced the
hidden im ements of the desperado’s calling,
and even uckled the belt about the waist of
his chief, saying:

” Thar they be, Re. I only wanted to make
sure you was your own self fu‘st. You’re sure
your pers is fit fer work!”

“ I' I make ’em fit.”

“All right. Jest one word more. You want
to wipe out all that come oi! in The Grave,
don’t ye?” /

“ An’ I will, sure l” .

“Ef you any that, et’s’s good 's done. But
lis’en. pard. You know you ve got some ineo
mics in cam . Not open ones, but the sort that
stings a fei er from behind an’ under klver.
You don’t want to give them any bigger hold
than they’ve at now, do ye

“ Out with t, durn ye er a lawyerl” grated
the giant, his eyes lowing redly. ‘Yon al’avs
travel a mile to iver a rod. Out withlt in
plain words.”

“ Jest as on say. Bo. It’s for your own good
that I’m do n’ so bi a bit 0' thinkin'. I want
you to git hunk wit the boy, an’ at the same
time putt a bit’twtxt the teeth 0' them as is
on’ too glad to git a chainoe o’ backbitiu’ yo.

I Now, of you was to jump the critter on
night what would they portend for to h’lievel
That you tuck him from ahind. or got some
nech ’vantsge as made your work sart’in sure
without any resk to your own self. That's
what they'll say, R0."

“ Not afore my face, they won’t!”

‘ It’s words ahind one’s back that sticks the
tightest, Ro. You cain’t feel ’em or see’em
thar ontel they works clean in to the hide; then
you hev to dig’em out. Don’t ve ’em the
chaince. Do this job up in ship-s ago fashion,
30; make it ’cordin’ to Hoyle, an it all your
we then."

‘ Anyway, jest so it comes on.”

“Then how do you like this fer a programme!
We'll take a walk over to the Occidental.

“r
l.‘

. ‘Md‘hvwiw‘. -1 

ran-as

.t _ ...U-,~».

.
‘l
a
i
l

 

 

‘

______9ld_Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

11

 

 

 ~ young feller hangs out thar. I. see him
wuen he come in an putt down his name.
We’ll ax fer him, civilly an’ ca’mly. Ef he
shows up, you’ll tell him he ain't no man of he
don’t giw _\ nu u chaince fer to git evan. Ef he
don’t—waznl. you’ll jest leave word that you’re
0n the war-path, red-hot. Then, when you
meet, you kin drop him_ in as big ahurry as
you please, an’ nobody cam’t say a word."

Through all this the gang had listened intent—
ly, confining their part to whisperings and nod-
dings \\ henever some point struck them favor-
ably or otherwise. But now, as their chief in-
stinctiver glanced toward them, as though to
see how the idea of Eugene Dibble struck them,
a chorus of approml burst from their lips.

Naturally enough. By following the line laid
out, they were sure of seeing some sport, with-
out any danger to themselves. And it may be
doubted whether many of them Cured one grain
of sand which of the prospective duelists came
out cu top. Such is the nature of the beast!

Chief though he proclaimed himself, Romeo
Bugg dared not run counter [0 such a. strong
tide, and with sullen fierce-less he inspected his
weapons, putting fresh cartridges in each pistol
and assuring himself that the C) linders revolved
freely.

His cunning point won, Eugene Dibble grace-
fully retired into the background, leaving Bugg
to engineer the rest for himself. He. knew that,
once started in a certain groove, the big des-
perado was too sluggish of mind to easily be
cast out of it. And with the grim pleasure of
a cunning man who sees another doing his work
for him, he watched and waited.

There was little delay, after Romeo Bugg had
fairly assumed the lead. He knew where his
enemy was in hiding, as he preferred to call it,
and at the head of his tough gang, he left the
isolated shanty and sallie forth, bound for
blood!

Taking a cross-cut, the Occidental Hotel was
reached without encountering an one who
Could possibly carry the alarm to t e intended
victim. and with a rare degree of order for men
of their class, they mounted the steps and filed
into the combined bar and office.

At first glance the place seemed deserted by
all save the worthy host himself, and Romeo
Bugg strode up to him with the air of one who
meant business, pure and unadulterated.

“ HOW, Uncle John,” he exclaimed, in a voice
which he meant to make bind and hearty.

“ Whar kin a man find a spruce young critter ,
as hangs out here—-calls hisself Bullcalf, or ‘

some sech outlandish name?"

“ Metcalf, I reckon you mean!"

“ burn the name! It’s the man I’m wantin’.
Whar is he?”

Honest John Forbes did not reply immedi-
ately. He had no particular love for the big
desperado, while he had taken uite a fancy to
his young boarders from the act. True, he
had not heard of the quarrel that evening at
The Grave, and Fremont Metcalf. before going
up to his room, had particularly directed him
to send u to that room an person who might
call and inquire for him. at Forbes saw that
Romeo Bugg had been engaged in some sort of
a row. and from the manner in which he spoke,
fancied he had no love for young Metcalf.

“ He hnin‘t skun out, hes he?" growled Bugg,
grating his teeth can ely. “He hain’t run
awn thout pa in' his ebts?”

“ hat deer serve you?"

“A life, darn an’ double durn his masrdi
Call him d0wn to face his master, or We’ll go
th rou h our ole shebnng as—"

“ out I do just as well?” asked a clear,
mellow voice.

Quick as thought B when Bugg wheeled and
faced a man who had until then been sitting
quietly in one corner, partially hidden by the
door, readin a newspaper.

“Chispa nnrle l”

"Exactly. my ear fellow,” bowed the other
showing a set of remarkably fine teeth. “And
entirely at your service."

Romeo showed his teeth a little, but it was
nfterau thin but a savage fashion. Indeed,
despite is caim to being a “big chief" of
Cancun, he was plainly afraid of this cool,

lite sport, whom people called “The Man

ith a Record.”

Save for a certain suspicion of dubious in
dress and profusion of jewelry, the man who
owned to he peculiar name of “Chispa Char—
10y," might easily have been mistaken for a
business or professional man. of! on a vacation.

He was a little above the ordinary high: of
Americans, lacking a couple of inches of touch-
ing the six foot standard. His figure was strong
and muscular, without being in the least
clumsy. His movements were graceful quick,
lithe and easy. His head was well balanced,
his hair cropped short, curling in tiny rings of

tty darkness, lying close to his skull. His
see was smooth-shaven, the features strong
and resolute, rather than handsome. Except
when he smiled: then. with firm red lips, even,
white teeth, a dimple in each cheek and an-
other in the center of his chin, Chispa Charley
looked like an entirel different person from the
terrible fighter he he the credit of being.

He wore out and pantaloons of black velvet,

 

bound with wide silk braid. Wearing no vest,
he showed an unusual quantity of linen, rufiled
and richly embroidered with silk. A collar,
broad and unstarched, was fastened at his
throat with a curious nugget of native gold.
Like ornaments served instead of buttons on
both shirt and cant. A chain of nuggets hung
around his neck, attached to a watch hidden in
his waistband. A band of the same precious
“ chispas" encircled his white hat; and of them
all—nearly a. hundred in number—not one but
what appeared just as it had been taken from
the earth.

A gold-studded belt of black leather encir—
cled his trim waist, and though no weapons
were visible from the front, both friends and

enemies knew that Chispa Charley never went

without them, waking or slee ing.

As though by chance, Chispa Charley had
placed himself between the roughs and the
door. Romeo Bu g saw this, and it b no
means decreased his uneasiness. He feare this
cool, devil-may-care sport, though when out of
his presence he affected to hold him and his
provvess in h’gh scorn.

“I hain’t got no quarrel with you. Chispa
Charley,” he said, with an ugly grin that had
a double purpose; to serve as a defiance in the
eyes of his mates, while it should conciliate the
gambler.

“ Which is the same as saying that you have
with Fremont Metcalf’!” easily rctorted the

sport.

“ Ef I hev, what is it to you?" sulkily.

“One moment, my dear fellow; don’t get
ahead of the schedule, please? You come here

to pick a quarrel with an inoffensive young fel- ,

low. “'ith a man who is a stranger in town, a
new band to our wild and woolly customs. A
man who, I dare sa ', never saw a shot fired in
business style.
a bi fighter, right from head water!” i

“ hey’s a matter atween him an’ me that'll
take blood to wash out!"

“So much the worse for you, Romeo," was
the careless reply.

“What you mean by that!”

“BusineSs, Romeo; business clear up to the
handle!" laughed Chispa Charley, shewing his
white teeth. “EVer since I hung out my shin-
gle in Canaan, I have tried to keep the camp at
least half—way decent, though you and your
gang have made it mighty difficult business.
Being a bashful fellow, if I have got a recmd.
I’ve let a good many things pass without saying
much, rather than push myself forward. But
the line must be drawn somewhere, and I draw
it dee , right here!

“ on call yourself a bad man and a mighty
fighter. Now instead of picking on an inoffen-
sive stranger, why don’t you prove your sand
by tackling a man with a record!”

“ I hain’t no quarrel with you," sulkily mut-
tered Romeo.

“You‘ll have to have one, if you think to
crowd Metcalf."

“I didn’t know he's a fri’nd o’ yours."

“I wouldn’t know him from a side of sole
leather! Never met the gentleman in my life—
but I know he is a gentleman, else you wouldn‘t
be pickin a raw with him.

“Old orked-Lightning gave me the office,
and asked meto take his hand for the rest of
the game. He had to run from the whisky, else
he’d have seen the game through himself. To
please the old gent, said I’d hang around and
ofi'er myself to you as a substitute, if your ap-
petite really demanded the blood of a fresh vic-
tim. When will you begin to devourmei”

Romeo Bugg, flushed, stung to the quick by
the careless scorn which filled every word, every
look of this dare-devil sport, glanced quickly
around at his comrades. If he hoped or aid
from them, he was doomed to disappointment.
Thou ll: ten to one, the roughs were plainly
cow

“Make it a free game, if these gentlemen
like,” carelessly uttered Chispa Charley, rightly
interpreting that glance.

Be are any reply could be made, there came a
startling interru tion from above stairs. 'A
loud crash—thes rill scream of a woman—the
report of a pistol!

‘Good Lawd !" gas Honest John, starting
toward the hall. “ t’s Miss Mercalf! Devil‘s
work goin' on—help, ntsi"

Prompt as were is movements, those of
Chispa Charley were still more active, and be-
fore one of the others had stirred, the Golden
Nugget Sport was out of the ofiloe and half-wnv
up the stee stairs. - '

Was it nstlnct that led him direct to the
room occupied by Dinorah Metcalf! Or was
he better acquainted with the new-comers than
he rofessedl

e that as it may. one thrust of his broad
shoulders sent the frail door from its fastenings
and let a faint light in on a thrilling. tragic
scene. One glance, then he darted to where a
rude lamp was hanging at the head of the stair-
way, snatched the light down and hastened
back, in com any with Honest John Forbes.

Dinorah etcalf was lying partially on the

. her white face turned upward, like one
done with this life forever.

Fremont Metcalf was just staggering to his

As you call yourself a chief— g

 

lfeet, looking dazed and bewildered. gasping
infully. Blood was streaming freely over his
, ace, making a startling contrast to the ghastly
lpaleness of his skin. In his right hand he
I clutched a revolver. Only for an instant. Then,
I as he caught sight of the white face of his sis-
‘ ter, he dropped the Weapon and staggered to
l per side, a gasping, incoherent cry parting his
ups.

And there, by the overturned stand, lay an-
other form. motionless, still and ominous. And
creeping slowly along the bare floor toward the
horrified witnesses, was a red rivulet.

It was blood, flowing from the veins of the
man lying so still. From the veins of Jay
Flicker. And he was dead, with a bullet
through his heart.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE DEAD MAN 8 CHAMPION.

AT a single glance Chispa Charley took all
this in, and his first impulse was to shut the
» terribly significant details out from all else; but
there was no time for that.

Close at his heels puffed and panted Honest
1 John Forbes. Not far behind him came wad—
dling the fat hostess of the Occidental. And
' already the alarm had spread over the house,
the dark corridor beginning to fill with curious
witnesses.

For one moment he hesitated, his eyes glow-

. ing redly; then his resolve was taken. There
i must be no appearance of fear or anything like
i concealment.
l Honest John brushed past the sport and
i dropped on his knees beside the motionlem body
from under which stole that terribly significant
ired rivulef. He lifted the head to his knee,
’ bending it back so as to bring the rays of the
dimly burning lamp upon it.

It needed but a single glance tosstisfy two
important points: the identiiv of the man and
‘ that he was indetd dead. This was not the
1 first time Honest John had been called on to
make similar examinations in the course of his
checkered life. -

” Jay Flicker—an’ too dead to skin i”

i There was more of wonder than of excite-
ment in his tunes and less of re ret than either.
Least of all did it contain anyi hing like acharge
of wrong-doing, but with a sharp, ngonined
cry, Fremont Metralf started up from his kneel-‘
ing position beside his senseless sister, a wild
light in his staring eyes, his face deeply lined
and haggard.

“ It’s a lie! I never killed him!
touched him with such intent!
others in the room, who—"

With a swift stride Chispa Charley cromed
the intervening space and grasped- the half—
crazed youth by the arm, his other palm drop-
ping firmly across the trembling lips, cutting
the wild speech short. -

“ For your life, keep silent!” he hastily mut-
tered, bending his head so that no othcrenrs
could catch his words. “ Lock your lips and
utter not a syllable until you have fully no-
covered your senses. It’s a true friend that
bids you. .

Mechanically Fremont Mewslf obeyed, but
as the Man With a Record rose erect and
glanced around the increasing crowd of wit-
nesses, his white teeth came t her with an
almost savage click. He saw it at those wild
words had been heard and would he remem-
bered, to be repeated whenever called for.

Outside the room. but still plenty more
to see and hear all that might pass within
chamber, were Ronieo g and the mcmbun
of his especial gang. Litt e chance that they
would forget a single damning point, or givo
the wretched young man the benefit of n M

For one instunt Ch Charley almost re—
solved to clear the crowd away by force-ct
arms, if necessary; but that idea was abandon-
ed almost as soon as horn. Any attempt at
secrecy at this stage of the lamentable nilnir
would, in the end, make matters look still worse
for Fremont Metcalf. There must be good and
reliable witnesses to all their movements from
this on until the end was reached.

“Fall beck, gents, and give room tor In.
Forbes; there‘s a young lady Mating but.
Make room—or shall I!”

There was. so to speak a cold fierceth ht
last words that acted like m c. The crowd-

 

] never even
There were

 

reached the bedside.

Fremont lewulf stared at sn- half-vucantly
for an instant, then grasped her arm with a
trembling hand, whisperin :

“ They haven‘t killed her, too! She is alive!"

Instantly Chispa Charley was beside him, his
i firm. magnetic touch the outbum
i which the sport dreaded.

Glaucing rapidly over the crowd, cusps.

Charley uttered:

“ Some one of you for the doctor."

“ And the mambo , while you are about iti” .

Cnispa Charley started, a momenta-yuan
contracting his brows as he heard the clear.
cold voice. It proceeded from the lips of are
whom he had not before known was among th.

in ranks opened and rolled ck, 
ongrnnco clear. Bobbin , panti , looking a
though she had been ha] -equ to (kit by
the excited spectators, the t’ y

M...»........... ____....~.__..... ._.._..- .. "A ._...

‘F .. .......w ww‘--.

m. ._..--s. .__......._~ ..

 

j «3;, . .

‘ Yr." 

cor

.v-

13...

Old Forked-Lightning, the solitary.

 

witnesses, but he saw him now. And he knew
that any objection which he mi ht raise would
as surely be turned to true disa vantage of the
young man whom he had sworn to befriend.

“ Thank you, Colonel Teemer," he said, with
a brief nod and fleeting smile. “ You took the
words from my mouth. The marshal, too, of
course."

Betsy Forbes, as big in heart as she was in
frame. as motherly as corpulent, had been giv—
ing all her attention to the motionless form
which lay across the bed. A heaving sigh told
how greatly she was relieved when she saw that
Dinorah was in a swoon, rather than the em-
brace of death. And relieved from this tragic
fear, as she glanced around at the curious
crowd, her womanly nature found vent in an
indignant explosion:

“ You John! look at them gawpin’ critters!
Clear the room 0’ the hull kit, unless you want
me to do it! Send ’em packin’, this minnit!
It'd scare the seventeen senses out o’ the poor
gal ef she was to come to an’ see ’em all gawnin’
at her, like she was a travelin’ menadgery! You
John I"

“ You hear, gents?" said Honest John, ex-
tending his arms and waving them much as he
might f trying to clear a garden of a drove of
intruding swine. The majority promptly fell
back, but one man stepped forward; the same
whom Chispa Charley had addressed as Colonel
Teemer.

“ Let the room be cleared, by all means, save
of a re onsible few to take charge until the
proper o cers arrive." he said, his voice sound-
ing cold and hard. “ But the proper way will
be for you to convey the young lady to some
other room.”

“ I’d like to know what you got to say ’bout
it?” snapped the landlady, sharply. “This is
her own room, duly 'gaged an’ pa d for. Bet—
ter get out, you I”

“ t-bolon s to the law just now. my dear
madam,” wit a low b0w and icy smile. “ There
has been murder done, and—”

Chispa Charley stepped forward, slightly
showing his teeth.

“Are you not taking a good deal for grant-
ed colonel?”

For answer, the colonel inted to the pros-
trate form as it lay in a s owly-widening pool
of its own blood.”

“ ll killings are not to be called murder.”

“ til they are proven to bejustiilable homi-
cide they are, I be! eve.”

For an instant Chispa Charley hesitated. In
thht brief space Colonel Darius Teemer drew
frightfully near his own grave. if the truth
must be told. If he was aware of the fact, not
a change of muscle told as .much. Cold and
stiffhestood before the Gold Nugget Sport, a
champion of the dead man.

“ Stan’ up to him, kunnel!” came a peculiar,

naakin voice from the gloomy hall. “Fa’r
p av fer ay Flicker!”

One keen lance in search of the speaker,
then Chispa barley gracefully gave way, say-
m : ~
‘8‘ Since they put it in that light, let it be as
you wish, colonel. The lady shall be taken to
some other room.”

“Thank you, sir. I on! want what's right.
There has been a man kills here, and as a lover
of law and order, I deem it no more than fair
to mothat the matter is fully investi ted. To
do so, the oficers of the law must fin things as
nearly as they may be—”

The sentence was cut short by the landlady
bluntly pushing him to one side to make room
for Chispa Charley, who gently lifted the un-
conscious maiden in his arms and bore her from

the room.

Franc-t Home" still stunned, still bewil-
dered. started to follow his sister, but Colonel
Teemer instant! interposed.

“You can’t save this room for the present,
sir,”be said, in cold, harsh tones, ushing the

on man back with his left han , the other
half- idden. behind his hip.

“She’s my sister—they’ve murdered her
too!” muttered Fremont, passing one ban
acre-his bloody brow.

“Your sister is in good hands for the pres-
ent. You will only injure your own case by
trying” leave this room.”

“I am going to her—my sister! She is all I
have left, now! Who are you, air?" with a sud—
den outburst of hen hty rage and surprise.
“How dare you eta in my path? Out of the
waxy, or hke the consequences 1”

he half-crazed youth drew back his clinched
list. The coiodel ate back a co, his right
hand comic forth rom its bid ng, clasping a
revolver. at it went no further. A strong
band closed around his wrist and wrenched the
weapon from his fin rs. and as he turned with
an oath on his pa, he was confronted by
Cnisna Charley. *

“ You, Colonel Darius Tumor—drawing on a
crazy maul”

Low and even the tones which rononced

ill-'90 words, but they stung like a a up in the

face, they were so full of mock surprise and a

contempt that was lainly genuine. Thecolo-

nel flushed vividly. t on turned a sickly white.
“ Crazy or not, he was trying to escape!”

 

 

“ From what, pray?"

“ From this room—from the consequences due
his crime 1”

“My dear colonel don’t you think you are
takin a ood deal for granted?” softly smiled
the an {Vith a Record.

Almost choking with raga the other pointed
to the dead man lying on the chamber floor.

“ He murdered that poor devil, and—”

“ Not so fast, my dear sir,” sharply interposed
the Gold Nugget Sport. “You are making a
serious charge. Are you quite prepared (aback
up your words?"

“ It need be—yes!” was the firm retort. “ A
poor devil has come to his death by violent
means. Instead of bending your energies to-
ward flnding and roperly punishing the vile
assassin, you seem 3) wish to shield him from
the just consequences of that dastardly crime.
Idon’t wish to engage in a quarrel with you-
with any man, for that matter—hut as an hon-
est man, I am going to perform my duty,
thongh an army stops the way!”

“ Good fer the kunnel l” squealed that sirange
voice which no one seemed willing to acknow-
ledge.

Fremont Melcalf, who had been staring
stupidly from one to another of the disputants,
plainly puzzled to comprehend the meaning of
it all, now touched Chispa Charley on the arm.

“ They have carried her off—m sister!”

“She is in good hands, and wil soon be her-
self again,” gently re lied the sport, leading the
young man back to t e bed, sitting down beside
iim. “Try and clear away the cobwebs, my
friend! Look around you, and try to recollect
what has happened. Here, taste this; it may
help to clear your brain.”

Pouring a little brandy into a silver cup
which formed a portion of the flask, Chispa
Charley with gentle force compelled Fremont
to swallow the potent liquor. Its effect was
almost magical. The wild light fled from the
black eyes, and a trace of color came back to
the le cheeks.

“ hat has—I know now!” and his eyes were
averted from the silent figure on the floor, a
shudder creeping over him.

“Keep it all to yourfelf, then,” hastily whis-
pered Chispa Charley in his ear. “ The friends
of the dead man are threatening to make you
trouble about it.”

“ But I swear I didn’t—”

A firm palm covered his lips, just as the crowd
parted to suffer two men to pass and reach the
chamber of death. v

“Leave all to me,” muttered Chispa, giving
the trembling hand a warning pressure, ashe
rose to his feet.

He saw that Colonel Teemer had intercepted
one of the men, whispering es rnestly in his ear,
while the other passed on and knelt beside the
body, without a glance around him or a word
to anybody.

On y for a few moments: then he rose, say-

ing gravely:

‘ here is nothing for me to do here, gentle-
men. The man is dead. I dou bt if he ever
dfew, a conscious breath after the bullet struck
h ml"

With a quick s‘ep, the other man crowed the
room and tapped Fremont Metealf on the shoul-
der, saying sharply:

“ Reckon I’ll have to take charge of you,
stranger!”

At nearly the same instant a hand lightly
touched his shoulder. and wheeling quicklv. he
met the 000! gaze of Chispa Charley. Then,
soft and mellow, accompanied by a slight smile,
came the words:

“ Don’t you think you’re rather rushing mat-
ters, Dave?”

The marshal nodded toward the corpse, then
glanced back to where the colonel stood, cold
and composed.

“ Reckon not Chis s. Yonder lays Jay
Flicker. You heard IDoc say he was dead,
didn’t ye?”

“ He spoke plainly enough, certainly,” the
peculiar smile rowing brighter.

“He was kfiled, wasn’t be! An’ this young
feller done it, didn t he!”

“ Who says my friend killed Jay Flicker!”

“I say so!” and Colonel Teemer stepped for-
ward. “I say he killed him, and as an honest
man, I mean to see justice done to all—both the
dead and the living!”

Chispa Charley bowed low, the cold smile
slightly revealin his magnificent teeth.

Very prett é spoken, colonel, particularly
that part which uches on honor and justice.

“ What do you mean by that!" demanded
Teemer, his dark eyes glowing wickedly, his
strong hands clinching.

“Nothing, if you d sclaim your right to the
words. If you prefer, I’ll put a head on them
both—make them dishonor and injustice. And
still you are not happy!”

Decided! the colonel was not happy! He felt
the stingw ich was hidden beneath that smooth,
bland tone, and he heard the low snicker which
broke from one of the witnesses. For one fleet-
ing momont. he seemed about to leap at the
throat of the insolent sport; but then he sbrugv
glqdedhis shoulders, laughing harshly as he re-

 

 

! “ I'm not in be dra“ n (if on a side insure. just
1 at present, Mr. Hampton. After this Hirill‘ is
settled. I may see fit to ask an explanation of
your very obtuse jest. Marshal, do your sworn
duty—arrest that young man!”

Dave Long looked irresolutely from one to the
other for a moment, then muttered to Chispa
Charley, apologetically:

“ You see? i’ve got to do it, old man!”

An impatient motion of the sport‘s hand
checked him.

” Colonel, do I understand you arizht?"

“ Wasn’t my words plain enough?” ooldly re—
torted the other. “ Then I’ll speak them over.
Jay Flicker has met his death by foul means. I
charge yonder young man with being his assas-
sin. I demand that you, Marshal Long, arrest
him for that murder, and hold him in charge
until his guilt can be proved l”

“ That‘s your record, Colonel Darius Teemer,
is it?" and Chispa Charley drew his athletic fig—
ure erect, his dark eyes flashing wickedly.
“ Very well. Now listen to mine.

“Fremont Metcalf is my friend. You have
broughta foul charge against him. You have
got to rove that charge is truein every respect,
or I w ll do my leVel best to convince you thata
mistake of this sort is worse than a crime!"

There was not a trace of excitement in his
voice or manner, but even those to whom he
was a comparative stranger, could not for an
instant doubt that Chispa Charley meant every
word he said—more: that Colonel Darius Teemer
would have to eat his words or else meet the
Man With a Record in aduel that could only end
in the death of One or both.

The crowd was eager to See which horn of the
dilemma the colonel would select. Near!
everybody present knew him more or less we! ;
not one, however, could claim any intimacy.

The colonel was from Tinker’s Dam, a ways
down country, and there he reigned almost su—
preme. He was the heaviest capitalist in all
that section, owning many payinfiaclaims, in
addition to the widely known mine, etter Yet,
the yearly out- at of which mounted high into
the hundreds o thousands.

A tall, portly, well-preserved man, whose fifty
odd years had inrer sprinkled his jetty hair
and whiskers with silver, he was probably as
good a man, physically speaking, at that mo-
ment as ever before since attaining his major.

 

it .

zl‘hough he had been in business for ears in
the rough mining regions, thecolonel ha never,
so far as the public could say, “ made his
record " in duel or street aflray. And it was
to see whether he was lacking in that ,prime
requisite of western popularity, “sand, that
the crowd so eagerly waited.

“I think I com rehend your meaning,Mr.
Hampton,” the co onel, said, speaking slowly,
coldly, his strong face hard-set. "I make no
pretensions to being a tire-eater. I don’t want
a row with you: but if I am attacked, I shall
do what I can to defend myself. All your
hluster cannot make me alter my determina—
lion to see j'lsiico awarded the guilty. I stand
by the law, and I call on these gentlemen to aid
me in having it carried out, let the blow fall
where it may.”

There was a little stir among the spectators
that showed how agreeably they viewed this
appeal from the rich man, and Cni Charley
saw that he would only prejudice is case by
pulling directly against the tide.

“ Very well, colonel; we will let the personal
side of the matter drop out of sight for the
present, since it goes a ainst your stomach. I
never crowd an unwilling adversary.

“You appeal to the law. You love the law.
You want these gentlemen to help you enforce
the law. All ri ht. I take the some "all and
follow your lea . You ordered Dave Long to
arrest a murderer, I believe!”

The colonel bowequuled b this sudden
charging of tactics. hat did t portendf

“ f course you or Dave can show a warrant
for arrest?"

“There is none needed, when the assassin is
caught red-handed, in the very act of murder!”
cried the colonel, quickly.

“ You saw the deed with our Own eyes, then?
You were present when t a shot was tired, of
canine!”

The colonel flushed botl , then grew ale.

“ You know I was not,’ he matte , sourly.

“I thOught so. but your positive manner
made me a most believe my brain was owing
soft. or that m esight had gone bac on me,

corpse lyin nigh.

“ There proof enough," nodding tows-rd
the corpse. ‘ You yourself found the body
lyin there— on saw that young man drop the

isto with w ich the crime was committed. So

have heard more than one of these gentlemen

state,” the colonel added, turning again toward
the crowd.

“ Ef he didn’t, a good dozen 0’ us did !” cried
Romeo Bugg.

Chispa Charley glanCed scornfu'ly toward t1 ,9
giant, whose plastered face rese above those in

root of him, but he deigned no reply to the
hostile outburst.

 

9
bad I” laugh Cgispa Charley, with a playful- ’
new that seemed grotesque, with that bloody '

 

 

 

T, 1 my has not pronounced him dead.

“It is the law you asked for, colonel, not
vague supposition nor idle guess-work,” he said,
coldly. “I’m going to give you the law in
hereic doses, never fear. There can be no mur-
der without acorpse. Where is that corpse?”

“At your feet, man!" irritably uttered the
mine-Owner.

"I see something that looks as though it
nzi :ht possibly be the body of a man; but the
I believe it
u -< toe law you wanted?”

A. short laugh broke from one in the crowd,
in. ii Chispa Charley suffered a faint smileto
momentarily curl is lip. He saw that the
uitnesses were beginning to shift their posi-
tions: that the tide was beginning to turn his
“'nVI

“This is worse than nonsense l” growled
Teemer.

“ It is the law you fell in love with a bit ago,
colonel," bowed ampton, mockingly. “ Don’t
go back on your true love, I beg of you: I
haven‘t showed you half its beauties, yet.

" You charged my friend with being a mur-
derer! Where do you find the law for that?"

Teemer doggedly pointed to a corpse.

“ Still harping on the old string? The music
has fled from it forever, colonel, dearl Not a
'note left, play ou never so adroitly. In the
first place, the law has never pronounced that
the body of a man. It has not said that body
is dead. If dead, it has yet to decide what
killed him. For all you or I know, he may
have comitted suicide l"

” B'Ihl that is rank folly l"

“Nevertheless it is law—and law you were
bound to have, colonel,” laughed the Gold Nug-
get Sport; then his manner abruptly changed
to one stern and cold.

"I am a law-abiding citizen, in every respect,
and the man dees not live who can truthfully
any I ever flew in the face of law. This youn
man is a stranger in our midst. He has go
ovor head and cars into trouble, neither you
nor I can say exactly how. That constitutes
him my friend. though I never met or inter-

changed a word with him before this hour.

" if it be fairly pr0veu that he is a murderer,
let him pay the penalty. But until the law de-
clares that a murder has been committed—un-
til the coroner sits on that body and the law-
fully sworn coroner‘s jury brings in a verdict
of guilty against Fremont MetcaIf—all Canaan
cannot arrest him without first walking over

‘ my body! If you think so, Colonel Teemer,

try it on I”

Rapidly these words issued from the firm lips
of the gambler. and as the last defiance passed
them, Chispa Charley drew a brace of revol-
vers, gflstening with gold, and took his stand
before the pale young stranger.

CHAPTER IX.
Pmanmo r03 m wons-r.

00an Tum involuntarily recoiled a
pace as Chispa Charley shot out that defiant
challenge. His usually florid face turned asheu
ray, and something that was almost fear came
nto his dark eyes. Only for an instant did he
suffer these symptoms to betray him, however.

Swift and crafty, his eyes roved over the
crowd just outside the chamber of death. He
recognised some there on whom he could depend
for almost any sort of work, but there were
others whom e could not so entirely trust—
some who actually sec-med on the point of
cheezing the bold speech of the steel-nerved
spor
It was a frightfully bitter ill for one so
proud and self-loving to swa low before so
many witnesses, but Colonel Teemer was far
from being an idiot. Ho knew—or thou ht he
knew—that he had the majority of ands
among the crowd of witnesses. He believad
they would fight hard and stubbornly in obedi-
ence to a sing e word from him; but would it be
worth the costl

 

A short. low laugh came from the lips of the,

Han With a Record; evidence at once of his
remarkable nerve and the keenness of his per-
ceptions.

‘I wouldn't if I were you. colonel. It would
break the law you love so dearly all to pieces,
to say nothing of still dearer things. Your
dogs might bark, but your ears would never
hear them.”

“ you say, this is no lace for a personal
row," coldly replied the co onel, once more his
former self.

“That row will never come 0!, unless you
try to impose on good nature, dear air, or to
curtail the natural rights of my friend, Mr.
Metcalf. You have had your say-so, and I’ve
givsn you mine. It only remains to carry out
one or the other. If you are the strongest, no
doubt your idea of the law will come out on

to ."

There was a brief pause. Colonel Teemer
shrugged his brOad shoulders, dropping his gaze
to the silent form lying on the floor almmt~be~
tween them. Chispa Charley regarded him for
a mement, then glanced rapidly over the men
without. He saw that Romeo Bugg and his
i~special gang were still hanging on the out-
skirts, their hearts close together. as though
some sort of a consultation was taking place lie-

 

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

13

 

tween them. If this surmise was true, it was
not dificult to guess against whom those delib-
erations were directed.

During all this, Fremont Metcalf had remain-
ed silent, his brain still confused, his senses in a
mad whirl. though he was slowly getting the
better of his strange mental weakness. The
wild light was dying away in his eyes. The
ghastly pallor of his face was lessening as his
shattered powers gradually came together in
something like their natural order.

After that keen, searching glance Over the
crowd, Chispa Charley turned his gaze toward
the young man, the hard light in his eyes grow-
ing softer as he noticed the blood still running
down the pale face.

“Doctor. will you kindly take a look at my
friend!"

“If he will permit me—certainly," was the
prompt reply. for Doctor Peter Peters was one
of the most kindly and open-hearted men in the
world, in love with his profession and ready at
any time to exercise his skill without a thought
of fee or reward—until afterward.

Ignorant how far his friend had recovered,
Chispa Charley turned to make sure the doctor
was rightly received. It was but for an instant,
but when he turned again, he saw the right
hand of the colonel drop to the side of its own-
er, while one or tho men from the outer
edge of the crowd were making all haste down
the stairs.

The face of the Man With a Record grew dark-
er and his jetty eyes sna ped vividly. What sig-
nal had‘ been given? hat new line of play
had the colonel taken up? And, above all, what
cause had the colonel for so persistently trying
to run Fremont Metcalf down to death!

Under the nimble, practiced hands of Doctor
Peter Peters, the injury Fremont had received
was examined and dressed as far as necessary.
It was nothing very serious; a sharp blow on
the head had partially unsettled the alread
overtasked brain. The skull was not injure}.
The scalp wound would soon heal, and the loss
of blood was more a parent than real.

All this, in less time than it takes to rmord
the fact, and while Chi a Charley was trying
to solve the meanin 0 that signal. That it
meant his new frien no good. he felt confident.
He had time to give it no further consideration,
and theinstant the deft fingers of the doctor
completed their work, his lips parted, his voice
cold and stern:

“Gentlemen: you have heard the little dis-
cussion between the colonel and myself. I don't
ask you which one vou side with, because there
is only one right side to the matter, and I will
not insult men of your caliber with hinting that
you cliiiuld take the wrong one. I will simply
as t s:

x I am going to take this gentleman, my r-
ticular friend, to his sister, to relieve the m nds
of them both If he is wanted for anything par-
ticular, you will know where to look for him.
Until then, permit us to bid you a very good-
evening i"

Like one entirely at his case, Cbia a Charley
turned on his heel and took Fremont etcalf by
the arm. But those whose eyes are the keenest,
saw that his unoccupied right hand covered the
major portion of a revolver.

At this moment there was a rapid trampling
on the stairs as of several persons hastil as-
cending, and Colonel Teemer turned swift y in
that direction, the motion carrying him be-
tween the door and the Man With a Record.

“ Hyar he is, kunnel—he’s comin’l” cried a
man who ran hurriedly through the narr0w
hall. “ Make way thar, you critters—make
way fer the crownerl"

There was a peculiar glitter in the black eyes
of the colonel as he turned just in time to see
Chispa Charley draw the arm of the accused
man throu h his own, that betra ed his agency
in this fresh arrival; but the Go] Nugget Sport
gave no sign of uneasiness or anger, his voice
cool and steady:

“ Open a assage, if you please, gents; it’s too
warm weat er for crowding to be either com-
fortable or healthy. Colonel, you are blocking
the way. Oblige me?”

“The coroner is here. Wait until the affair
is settled in accordance with the law as you
laid it down, Mr. Hampton.”

The tone in which these words were uttered
was such that the most fastidious could not
have objected to it, but there was a glittering
fire in the eyes of the speaker that showed he
fancied an important int gained.

Not so Chispa Char ey. is red lips curved
in a pleasant smile, but it was something like
the glayfulness of a tiger.

“ orr to cross your he again, colonel,”
he said, is tones smooth an even as silk, “but
I neVer go back of m word when it is once
passed. said I was go ng to take Mr. Metcaif
to the room where his sister is awaiting him.
You are barring the passage. Oblige me?”

His right hand moved suddenly and rested
for an instant on the shoulder of the man from
Tinker’s Dam. Something harder than flesh
and bone gently tapped t at shoulder, and as
he instinctively glam-ed downward. the colonel
caught a glimpse of a polished pistol-barrel.

Without another word he stem): d aside, and

 

with Fremont Metcalf on his arm, Chispa
Charley passed through the doorway, the
crowd dividing to give him free passage. Nor
was a hand lifted to her his passage. Not a.
word of objection was uttered, even by Rimeo
Bugg and his evil gang of desperadoes.

It was only one man among nearly ascore:
but that man had a record to which not one of
those present eared greatly to add by seriously
obstructing his march. Perhaps the glittering
pistol, now fully revealed, one white finger in-
side the trigger guard, had scmethirg to do
with the remarkable unanimity which governed
their actiOns.

A low, mocking laugh broke from the li of
the dare-devil sport as they cleared the ran .

“It was easier done than I anticipated,” he
uttered, with a careless glance ovsr one shoul-
der. “After so much growling, I really ex-
pected to see some genuine biting.”

“ Thanks to your nerve,” huskily uttered Fre-
mont, seeming far more nearly his usual self,
since the skillful ministrations of Dr. Peters.

“It didn’t take so much nerve to face down
those varlets—hardly a true man among them
all,” laughed Chispa Charley.

Then his tone suddenly changed as he came to
a halt not far from a closed door, over the tap
of which came a dim light.

This room was situatrd at the opposite corner
from the one in which Jny Flicker had met his
death. It was hidden frcm the view ofany
person near the chamber of death, and was
only to be gained by a side passage, similar to
the one first used.

“ I suppose I owe you an apology for taking
your case so entirely in my own handgun
Metcalf,” said Chispa Charley, speaking hur~
riedly, his voice grave and earnest.

“It was the act of a true friend, and I am
more grateful than I can find words to ex—

ress," said the young man, his voice broken.
Bis eyes dimming. “I was all broken up. I
didn't, know what I was doing or saying,
and—’

“ Let it go at that, my friend," kindly inter-
rupted the mbler. “ Time is too pnecious to
waste in id e words. You are not yet out of
danger. You have bitter enemies, who seem
determined to bring your neck to a noose.”

“They cannot! I have done nothing toda-
SPXP, h d lpped tl h Ii

white an si gen y over is .

“If all who stand inside of Cauaan'spliimits
this night were to receive their ust deserts, me-
thinks it would make a most ed tying picture—
but let that go. Justl or unjustly, my dear

sir, there will be a ver ict bri ught in against '

you of murder. That much is cut and dried.
An almost as certainly you will pull help in
consequence, unless you get out of the wt -
dess by the shortest possible route.

“Your sister is in that room. If you cannot
bring yourself to leave without a parting word
with her, go and make it as short as nature will
let you. I’ll wait and watch here until on
come out. Then—well, it will take more t an
one man to bar the way when I bid you i”

Fremont Metcalf stood gazing fixed y into
the face of the gambler as these words were
rapidly uttered. Gradually his pale counte-
nance grew flushed, and it was with all his old
fire and energy that he made reply: .

“ From any other lips, that advice would be
an insult bitter as death itself !”

Chispa Charley shrugged his shoulders a
trifle.

“You object to running? Well, the best of
men sometimes find their heels mighty con-
venient, to friend. I don’t think you fully
comprehen the situation. A man has been
killed. Circumstances have mixed you n
with that killing. An inquest will be held, an
a verdict rendered. If that verdict is given
against you, as it can hardly happen otherwise,

our death is a moral certainty unless your
heels can save your neck.”

“And if I fiee, what will be said? That con-
scious guilt and a craven fear drove me to
flight! No, sir! As Heaven hears me now, I
never harmed a hair of that r fellow’s head!
His life was far more valuab e to me, just now,
than even my own!”

“Even so; innocent men have been hung be-
fore now, and all according to the law, too.
Escape while you may, and liva to prove your
innooence."

Fremont shook his head resolutely.

“You forget my sister. I will not run, let
come what may. I am innocent of any wrong-
doing. There is no blood upon my hand. I
w ill not give peo le the chance to say there is,
by running away rom the law.”

Chispa Charley grasped his hand and shook it
warml

Y- .
“ d enough! I glory in your spunk!

We’ll stand our ground. and give them all the
fighting they can stomach—perhaps just a trifle
more!”

As he uttered these words, the gambler
marred toward the door and gently ra
moment's silence, then came the unmistakable
tones of Betsy Ferbes through the keyhole.

“ Who’s there, an’ what. you want!”

At a motion from Cnispn Charley, Fremont
answered and had no dimculty in satisfying the

 

 

   
  
  

' freely, and don’t fear for her.

14

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

 

worthy landlady. She turned a key and opened
the door, permitting Fremont to enter. She
would have shut Chispa Charley out, but for
that he was too well pre ared. and slipped in-
side almost before she rea ized his purpose.

Fremont hastened to the side of the bed on
which Dinorah was lying. She sprung up and
they were fast locke in a warm embrace, she
sobbing, he almost as strongly affected.

Chispa Charley watched them for a moment,
then turned to Betsy ForI-es, tapping her on
the shoulder, speaking rapidly:

“Now, aunty, this bids fair to be an all-
night‘s session. Will you prove true to your
motherly heart and see that these young people
have something nice to keep them upl Say a
little strong coffee and a few bites—but you
understand?"

Without stopping to see whether she did or
not, Chispa Charley, with entle force worked
her to the door and outsi' e. promptly closing
and locking it after her. Then he turned to
the young couple, dofiing his hat and bowing
respectfully as inorah rose to meet him.

‘ You are his friend? You are the gentleman
the landlord spoke about—the one who so bold-
ly took lpoor brother’s part in his trouble?” she
hurried y uttered, extending her hand.

Chispa Charley made a movement as though
to accept it, but then bowed low, his face flush-
ing hotly as he drew back his partially extend-
ed hand. Dinorah looked at h m in momentary
surprise, but the danger which she knew threat-
ened her dearly beloved brother quickly drove
all other thoughts away.

“ I am hisfriend, as far as one in my position
can rove himself a friend, Miss Metcalf,” said
the With a Record, his form rigidly erect,
his face as composed as it was ale.

“ He isinnocent—he never kil ed that wretch !”

“So he says, and I believa him.”

“If all were as ready to be convinced l" mut-
tered Fremont with a faint smile.

Charley took one step forward, stoop-
ing a l ttle so he could look directly into those
blue eyes. Dinorah met his steady gaze without
flinchin , though her face lost the faint flush
whicht ecoming of her brother had brought

back. .
J Chispa nodded, a grim smile curving his firm
i

1 rs.

“ It is the true stuff I see there, Miss Metcalf.
I can s k to you without mincing my words!”

“ In anything that concerns :- brother, you
will find me strong,” was the simple reply.

“ I am glad—very glad; for your own sake,
quite as much as for his,” was the quick re-

use.
spaYou’ll find her the best man of the two.”
added Fremont with a faint smile. “Talk
Dinorah will be
a tigress in my behalf, if needs be.”

“ She can do you better service as a woman, I
hope and trust. ’ said the Man With a Record,
that rare smile illumining his strong features
until they became actually handsome.

“ Tell me what to do, and if it lies within the
power of a woman whose love makes her strong
and resolute as a. man, it shall be performed.
Hide nothing from me, through a mistaken fear
that it will provetooheavy a load for me to
bear. 'Forget that I am a woman: only remem-
ber that my life lies bound up in his."

She moved to the side of the young man whom
circumstances had so cruelly involved: she
placed one arm over his bowed shoulders, half-

rotectin ly, all lovingly; she .bent her proud

ead an touched his forehead with her lips.
Then she drew her qiieenly figure erect and
faced Chispa Charley, waiting.

His dark eyes drooped for an instant, as
though he feared they would speak too plainly
the intense admiration he felt for this woman,
the like of whom he had neVer met before in all
his wild and checkered career. Only for a
moment; then he caught her eyes and spoke
ra idl , clearly, without reserve.

‘It s a bad-looking aflair, Miss Metcalf. A
man has been killed, and though such a worth-
less brute is better out of the world than in it,
he belonged to a gang that will do all they can
toaveoge him, either b means of the law or
else by more underhan means.”

“Fremont never killed him!”

“In that we are all agreed. But somebody
did, for though such a miserable wreck, Jay
Flicker wastoo big a. coward to take his own
life. Unluckin everything points to your bro-
ther as the slayer. If he was my brother, I
would unhesitatingly advise him to admit the
killing and—” .

“ Brand himself as a vile assassin? And you
pretend to call yourself his friend i” cried Di-
norah, her eyes flashing, her red lips curling
with an v contempt.

“All liing is not murder, Miss Metcalf."
was the composed reply. “One man way kill
another in self«defense." .

“I’ll never “rear to a lie.” interposed Fre-
mont, steadily. “I did not kill him. On that
ground I stand, to live or die!"

“ I only made the suggestion; it is for you to
accept or reject it," was the uiet explanation;
“ Now I must deal a little w th personal mat-
ters to exnlnin my future course.

" Miss Mdlci‘llf, my name it Charles Hampton.

 

better known in these parts as Chispa Charley.
I am aprofessional gambler. That name does
not carry with it all the odium it implies to one
whose life has been passed east of the big rivers.
Out here a man may be a gambler, and yet re-
tain the reputation of an honest man, if not ex-
actly a gentleman. Still, even here a gambler
is not the best advocate and friend one in such
peril could have. It was well enough for me to
stand up for your brother before the law came
into the case. But now—you need a man to
help you against whom no possible slur can be
cast. That man I have in view. You know
him,” turning abrupt] toward Fremont. “I
speak of Old Forked-Lightning.”

A doubting expression swept across the
young man’s face.

“ You fear he is too eccentric?"

“I should put it crazy i” with a faint laugh.

“And in so doing, you would be mistaken,”
was the firm reply. “ You could not find in all
the land a man who can do more for you in this
extremity than that same person. Still, if you
are unwilling to trust yourself with him, I will
try to find some other substitute.”

“ Why any substitute?” suddenly asked Di-
norah her e es seeming to read his very
thoughts, so ntently di they regard him.
“ You have courage, address, keen wits; and
more than all, Ican read a firm conviction of
his innocence in your eyes!”

Chispa Charle flushed warmly and his dark
eyes drooped. his speech, coming from those
red lips, was very precious to him—more pre-
cious than he dared admit to his own heart.

“I do believe in his truth and innocenCe, as
fervently as I thank you for your good opinion,
Miss Metcalf. But still I must repeat that a
gambler—the associate of gamblers and their
acknowledged head—would rejudice your case
from the very outset. I wii not desert you, be
sure of that; and if the worst comes to the
worst, it will not be all one-sided. When the
coroner has once arrived at his verdict, then the
gambler can take a hand in the game, if it is
necessary.”

“ He must know best, Dinorah. Let him havo
his own wfiy."

“ You, iss Metcalf, will be the best aid your

brother can have, for that matter. The coroner
is in that room, and there will be an inquest
with little less of time. You and your brother
will be summoned as witnesses-that of course.
You know he is innocent, and when you tell the
jury as much, they will be either more or less
than men if they decline to believe your state-
ment. .
" ow I must go. to find Old Forked-Light-
ning. I will send Mrs. Forbes up tostop with
you. Keep up your courage, and try to believe
that the clouds will soon pass over.”

Chispa Charley turned toward the door, but
plaused, then gave way to a sudden impulse.

e strode to the bedside and warmly grasped
the hand of the young man. He glanced almo<t
tiuiidly toward Dinorah. She extended her
hand. He caught it between both of his, pressed
it gently. bent his head and barely brushed the
warm skin with his lips, then turned and hur-
riedly left the room.

The warm flush upon his face fied as he beheld
the tall form of a man standing motionless in
the gloom, like one on guard. His voice was
low but hard, and almost fierce as he strode
forward and confronted the sentinel-like form.

“ You here. Dave Long! By what leave or
license, pray?”

It was indeed the Marshal of Canaan, and

ther: was a revolver held on cock in his right
han :
“It’s me, Chispa,” came the quiet res onse.
“ I’m here by orders, to see that young etcalf.
don’t take too long a walk fer the good 0’—
waal, we’ll say jestice.”

For one intent Chispa Charley hesitated, his
strong hands clinching, his eyes glowing wicked-
ly. But only for a moment did the temptation
last. and when he spoke it was coldly:

“Be careful, Dave. You’ll answer to me, if
any crooked work takes place here while I’m
gone. You understand?”

“ I‘ll do my duty, break or make, Chis a.”
was the quiet response, and then the Man ith
a Record passed on.

CHAPTER X.
wno KILLED run: noans Birth?

[‘1' really began to seem as though Tinker’s
Dam had lent a goodly portion of her popula-
tion to aid Canaan, her younger sister, on this
occasion. Tinker’s Dam furnished the corpse,
the coroner, and Colonel Darius Teemer. to say
nothing of other personages of somewhat less
importance just then.

‘ Wesley Whitecap, M. D.. Pb sician and
Surgeon,” was the legend displays on his shin-
gin, and there were these among his enemies
who bluntly declared that his parents made the
Young Wesley a doctor because he wasn’t fit
for anything else—which was a base slander, of
course. Certainly he made a very good cor-
oner, looking so wise and owlish when presiding
over an inquest that it was enough to frighten
the truth out of the guilty, just to take one
little look at his honor. .

He had come to Canaan on purely unprofes-

 

sional business, but as the rumor of trouble at;
the Occidental Hotel spread rapidly through
the town, he was on his way to ascertain how
much was truth and how much wild exaggera-
tion; he was met by one of the men whom the
Colonel had sent out in quest of him, giving
them their orders througdthat silent signal
which Chispa Charley was Just too late to in-
tercept.

Wesley Whitecnp was never so happy as
when he could earn a fee and please his l‘lt'll
patron at the same time, and almost broke into
a. run as the message was delivered him. And
thus it came about that he appeared on the Scene
'ust as Chispa Charley was on the point of tak-
ing Fremont Metcalf from the chamber of death
right in the teeth of his enemies.

Colonel Teemer quickly drew the coroner into
the room, and in a hasty, guarded Whisper made
him acquainted with the main facts, addirg:

“ You saw that youn fellow with Chispa
Charley? He did the ki ling, and may try to
give you the slip. Wouldn’t it be just as well
for you to send some good man to keep an eye
on him? Dave Long, for instance?”

If not a model of wisdom, if not strictly hon-
est, Wesley Whitecap at an rate tried most
manfully to make himself lieve he lacked
nothin in either respect. In truth,.he wasa
man wile meant well, but lacked ballast.

He thoughtfully stroked his pointed chin with
thumb and forefinger, his mild blue eyes blink-
ing feeny as he glanced around the chamber,
making him more than ever resemble some
huge, exaggerated owl in human shape. Then
he nodded abruptly. having cOnvinced himself
that this was the wisest as well as the proper
course to follow.

“I should say Mr. Long would be precisely
the person to keep an eye on the movements of
the-ah, the suspected party. If you, dear sir,
can see no serious objections to such a precau~
tion, it may be as well to lose no more time."

“ My dear doctor!” exclaimed the colonel in
tones which were plainly audible to all. “Why
ask me! I have nothing to say, now you have
arrived. You are conducting the case now.”

And the owlish coroner actually began to be-
lieve he was!

Dave Long, true to the core, meek as a lamb
in peace but a lion in war, knowing nothing of
law and its devious forms. puttin his trust
wholly in those who were elected or the pur—

of interpreting the law, received his in—
structions and at once took up his position out-
side the door of the room in which he could dis-
tinguish the voices of Fremont Metcalf end his
asister, together with that of the Gold Nugget

port.

Meanwhile the coroner was proceeding after
his painfully deliberate fashion in the chamber
of death. He assured himself that the dead
man was Jay Flicker. He made another ex-
amination to he absolutel certain there was a
dead man. And then he gan to think about
forming a jury.

Perhaps it was a whisper from the colonel
that hurried him to this action. Honest man
though he was, Wesley Whitecap paid close at-
tention to what the colonel said and thought.
A poor man himself, he revered riches and rich
men. And then, though no one would more in~
dignantly deny its connection than the coroner
himself, Teemer held two or three notes signed
by Whitecap, all of which were overdue and un-

id.
p.The jury was selected from those present, and
Colone Darius Teemer was immediately elected
foreman. The room was cleared of all out-
siders and the jurymen, one after another,
gravely advanced and inspected the corpse. as
though they had never seen it before that
instant.

Still, it was in strict accordance with the
forms laid down by the law, and the coroner
was satisfied.

The door was then opened, and the jury, led'
by the coroner, was about to file out, in.
tending to seek a more comfortable and commo~,
dious apartment for their deliberations, when
Colonel Teemer beckoned Dr. Peters to enter,
muttering a word in his ear as he led him to the
side of the dead man. He stooped as the doctor
knelt beside Jay Flicker, adding in a whis.

r: -
pe“Cut out the bullPt and be sure you save it
for the jury when you are called to give your
evidence. You understand;

“ Fa’r lay, kunneli” cried a sharp voice
causing eemer to start sudden] erect an
tum around, his face flushing hot y with rage
and surprise. “ Fa‘r play an’ all ’bove board,
knnnel, ef you please i”

The curious group without the door precipi-
tately gave way and through the passage thus
formed, a ragged figure stalked, Old Forked-
Lightning in person.

For one instant the colonel stared in wide-
eyed astonishment at the weird shape, then he
spoke sharply, demanding:

“ What do you mean by that. air!” ,

“ That you‘re takin’ a mighty sight 0’ intrnst
into this case, ’pears to me, fer a outsider,” was
the cool reply.

“ As an honest man, I am eager to see justice
done to all—to the dead as wel as the living.“

 

’ Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

15

 

 

“A mighty sight more dead then livin’, a
body’d say, to jedge from the way you actl”

“ Peace, gentlemen l” uttered the coroner. in-
ternosing with all the dignity lent by the
majesty of the law. “ This is toogravs a case
to be disturbed by idle bickerings. Doctor
Peters, will you kindly take charge of this
room and its contents until you are relieved i”

The doctor bowed, rising to his feet and clos-
ing the door after them. securing it as well as
its shattered condition would permit.

Old Forked-Lightning paused a little irreso-
lately as the mower led the way to the room
below stairs which had been selected as the
most suitable in which to hold the examination,
but it only lasted a moment. Then he follow-
ed after.

He entered the room ciOse at the heels of the
last juryman, getting fairly inside before his
presence was discovered. Colonel Teemer
glanced at him darkly, but then closed his lips
firmly. He had just placed the strange looking
being. Until that evening, so far as he could
remember, they had never met face to face, but
he remembered having often heard of Old
Forked-Lightning, and surely this must be he?

Wesley Whitecap took his seat at a small
table which was provided with paper and writ-
ing materials by the attentive landlord. From
a bit of paper he began reading the list of ju-
rors, who, as their names were mentioned, step-
ped apart from the listening crowd. But as the
name of Colonel Teemer was pronounced, Old
Forked-Lightning step forward, his eyes
flashing fire, his voice aging out sharply:

“ I object to that man’s s’arvin’ onto the jury.
your honor, on the ground that his mind is all
made up an.’ prejudyced aforehandl”

Swift as thought the colonel turned upon him,
one hand stealing beneath his coat, his face red
and angry.

“ If you dare to insinuate—4’

“Tetch lightly with your fin era knnnel.
The gun you tote is one t. at kills eader at the
butt then at the muzzle, When it‘s turned to’rds
me," coolly interrupted Old Forked-Lightning,
but making no movs toward touching a wea-
pon himselr.

Mechaniwa the colonel dropped his hand,
lookin half~ashamed of his menacin gesture.
Old orked-Lightning laughed soft y as he
added:

“ I ain't throwin’ out no ’sinuations this time.
I’m talkin’ mighty plain En lish. I say that
you ain‘t fit to s II'VO onto this ury; ’cause why:
you‘ve sot the uilty one down in your mind,
an’ that ’pinion a so firm fixed that nothin’ the
witnesses kin say’ll change it. I challenge you
to deny this!”

“ I do deny it, in total”

" An’ I’ve got the ’nial writ down here,” said
Old Forked-Lightning. tapping his forehead
with one forefinger. “ Mebbe you’ll see an’ hear
of it ag’in, kunnel. Betterlis’en to the ole man.
Better sign your persition on the jury l”

“ Your honor,” said the colonel, turning to the
astonished and bewildered coroner, “l appeal
to you. Am I to be attacked after this shame-
ful manner, while my hands are bound? Am I
to beaccused of prejudice against some one——
the good Lord knows whoi—before a word of
evidence has been given in ?”

“Itis irregular—very irregular, I mut say!
The gentleman will please keep order, or I must
clear the room."

“ And the gentleman will please listen to this.
my only answer to his base insinuations,”
sharply added the colonel, rising and confront-
ing the veteran. “I claim tn be an honest
man. I am here to see that justlceis done to
both the living and the dead. I have been
chosen to serve on this jury without hint or
wish on my part. To resign that position would
be to give my enemies a hardle which they
would only too gladly grasp. Unless the coroner
discharges me of his Own accord, against my
earnest protest, I will continue to serve.”

“ That I certainly will not do,” promptly said

Whiteca .
' “ All r ht. your honor, an’ you. kunnel,” said
Old Forked-Lightning, coolly. “ Jest one more
word to you, kunnel, an’ words that mought be
spoken by your best fri‘nd. Kerry yourself
straight in the harass. Give your Verdict
’oordin’to the evidence which may be brung
for’ard, or you‘ll hev to settle with me the
minnit you step out o’ court 1"

While the strange being was uttering these
words with a cold emphasis, the colonel watched
him keenly. As he concluded, and drew a little
back. he laughed contemptuouslv, sayin :

“Bah! if you were not so plainly a innatic.
and therefore irrespOnsible for your wild
vagaries, I would call you to account. As it is,
I scorn to deal further with such an enemy.”

The coroner rapped sharply on the table
before him, his brow wrinkling, his lips parsing

htl .
ax“ Cgme to order, gentlemen! This is a shame-
ful waste of time, when we have so much work
befOre us.”

“ The time ain‘t wasted ef the talk ’sures fa’r
pla fer all sides,” said Old Forked-Lightning,
not log daunted.

“Who are you? What interest have you in
this aflalrf"

 

“One that’s passed his word 0’ honor to see
fa’r play, as much as one man kin hope to kerry
it a inst a crowd.”

“ here has been no person accused of the
crime, as yet, so there is no foundation for your
wild charge to rest on.”

“Then Chispa Charley lied, or some other

usson. I’ll ax him who kerries the load when
1e comes back,” quietly reto: ted the old man.
“He said that the kunnel was m0vin’ heaven
an’ airth to dump the murder onto a young
fri’nd 0' his. He was called oil’ on 'portant busi-
ness fer a few minnits, an’ uxed me would I
look out for snags ontel he Come back. He ax-d
it as a fri‘ud, an’ as a. fri'nd I said I’d do what I
could. I come here an’ find the kunnel is onto
the jury. That's why [ kicked. An’ now
you’vo got it, jedge, straight as a string!"

“In your ignorance you have suffered your
friendship to carry you too far. You have hit-
terly insulted an honorable gentleman. If you
repeat the action, I shall be obliged to have you
turned out of the room.”

Oid Forked Lightning listened to the slow,
pompous speech with curling lip and flashing
eyes. There was contempt in face, voice and
every motion as he tersely replied:

“ Them words come out easy. but you’d find
it mighty hard work to make ‘em good. You
hain’t got men enough in this hull court to turn
me out sg’in’ my will, jedge, though you putt
the kunnel hisself at the head 0’ your army!
But I don’t want no row. I do want to see
clean jestice done. An’ see it I will. or you'll
hev more then the one corpus 'to sit onto—
sure I"

Not one who had heard him speak, who saw
his athletic figure drawu so proudly erect, who
witnessed his cool, defiant mien, could for even
an inst'nnt doubt the perfect sincerity of Old
Forked-Lightning. And certainly there was
not a citizen of Canaan who would have oflered
to carry into execution the threat made by his
honor had they been called upon.

Coroner Whitecap glanced uneasily around
him. unable to decide on the proper course to
pursue. He tried to catch the eye of Colonel
Teemer, but that gentleman had sunk back in
hislseat, and was now busy in paring his finger-
nal 5.

Old Forked‘Lightning was the first to break
the silence. .

“Go on with the performance, jedge. I’ve
sung my little song, an‘ I reckon the music
hain’t all fell onto onfertile a’ile, nuther. Ef it
has-—waal, thar’s a herea’ter.”

Coroner Whitecap was sorely disturbed. Such
a scene had never occurred in acourt over which
he presided, and though he was pretty well ac—
quainted with the peculiar vagaries of the “ wild
and woolly West,” this so far surpassed his
expectations that it is not to begreatly won-
dered at that he forgot some of his usual cere-

monies and omitted others. Still his audience '

was not a very critical one. All they wanted
was to find how Jay Flickercame to his death,

and who it was that had killed him. The rest .

they fancied they could manage.

After a few preliminaries, the minor wit-
nesses were called, one after another, and gave
in their evidence. This was of no particular
importance, save that it put the gentlemen
summoned in good humor with themselves and
all the world.

They testified to hearing the istol-shot. and
short] after a confused outcry nside the Occi-
denta Hotel. Naturally enough, they lost little
time in hasten ng to see what was up. They
saw the body] ing on the floor. Saw a young
man and a young lady in the same room. The
young man looked as though he had been en-
gaged in a fight, judging from his bloody face.

This was about all, as they told it, with un-
important variations. And even they came to
the conclusion that it was all time wasted
for naught, thus far.

The coroner called for Charles Hampton. No
one answered. The person wanted was not in
the room. All eyes turned toward Old Forked-
Lightning, but he made no move, gave no sign.

The coroner made a note in his book. and
called John Forbes, the landlord of the Occi-
dental Hotel.

.I-Ionest John took the stand, ve, clearly
disturbed in mind, but after be ng sworn, by
hisi otwn request, he spoke frankly and to the
po n

There is no articular necessity for repeating
what he said u evidence, since it has already
been placed before the reader in a diflersnt
form. Enou b that he told a plain, direct
story, concea ng nothing of im ortance. And
it was just as clear that his evi ence bore with
dreadful force on Fremont Metcalf.

“Wait a bit, Johnny,” said Old Forked-
Lightning, as the landlord was told he might go.
" I want to ex you a few questions, just.”

“ Your honor, I objectl" impulsivelv cried
Colonel Teemer, rising to his feet. “ We have
lost time enough through that man, without lis-
tening to his insane vagaries any further. Be-
sides, granting him sane, what right has he to
question the witnesses?"

“ The right of a honest critter what wants to
see jestice done to a stranger iu'our city,” cold-
ly retorted the old man.

“ No person, stranger or otherwise has been
accused. Consequently, even though you were
the legally retained counsel of the person to
whom you allude, you have no right to take up
the time of the court after this fashion. The
objection is sustained. Take your seat and
keep still, sir!”

One of the jurymen. a brightlooking young
miner named Donald McLean, rose and spoke:

“ Your honor, it's the truth we want to get
at. If it is against the rules for the old enlle-
man to speak, I’ll be his mouthpiece. rite
your questions, sir, and I’ll read them."

The colonel promptly rose.

“ As that would only waste still more time, I
withdraw my objection, your honor. I can
stand it as long as the rest.”

clared Old Forked-Lightning, with refreshing
frankness. “ It ain’t much I’ve got to ex him,
an’ mebbe it won’t need to be said at all. Bf
the jedge’ll give me leave to hev him called up
eg’in, in case it ’comes necessary, I’ll let Honest
John go fer now.”

The coroner bowed his assent. He wanted to
do what was ri ht. being at bottom an honest
fellow. but he acked both brain and decision.
Now, however, since the colonel had receded
from the position he at first assumed, he felt
confident he would not antagonize his creditor
by ruling thus.

The next witness called was Dr. Peter Peters.
A messegger was sent for him, and he promptly
ap re . '

ith the cool readiness and precision of one
who had often filled a similar position, the
worthy doctor gave in his evidence, confined at
first to the examination he had made of the
dead man.

The better to be understood by the non-pro-
fessional men who composed the jury, he used
as few technical terms as possible pausing is
make those few perfectly clear. He told ow
the bullet had caused death, and why. He
traced its course as clearly as though c was
handling a model before the y.

According to him, Jay licker had never
drawn a conscious breath after the bulletstruck
him. It had passed directly through the bears
and very near passed entirely through the body
as well. It rested just beneath the skin at the
back of the dead man, a little below the shoul-
der-blade.

“ You found and extracted the bullet, then!”

tion.
“I did. This is the bullet ” replied the doc-

 

and forefinger.

The point was but slightly battered. On the
I sides could be seen the ndges where the force of
l the powder had " upset ” the lead by expanding
l the bullet to an the rifles.

“ You have determined its caliber?”
“ Only by estimating its size; 38 caliber, I
, judge.”
I All eyes were instinctively turned toward the
I little table in front of the coroner. On this lay
several articles, each one wrapped up in paper.
One of the largest of these the coroner now an-
wrapped, revealing a beautifully-plated revol—
ver of the Smith 8; Wesson pattern, which all
who gazed saw was of the sine mentioned: 38
caliber, double-action.

“ Witness, I believe you helped \to wrap tins
article up. Do you recognise it?”

“ If there is a letter P. scratched on the under
side of the trigger guard, I recognise it as the
pistol I picked up from the fionr of the room, a
few feet from where the dead man lay,”
promptly replied the doctor.

 

weapon when you first picked it upf'"
i “It was not. I saw the weapon, and con-
i cluded it must be the one with which the mar-
| der was committed. I marked it with in im-
tial, the more surely to identify it. Go one]
Teemer, Bruce Conley and several others were
prest‘nt at the time.”

“  you notice any peculiarities about the
pistol

“ One. The pistol contained one empty she),
the hammer resting upon the primer, not hav-
ing been raised to t 0 safety notch since the
weapon was discharged.”

The coroner held the weapon up where all
could see it, then opened and took out the cyl-
inder. A breathless silence fell over the crowd
as they saw that the cylinder contained one
empty shell, besides the four loaded ones.

The impression made by this exhibit could
not be mistaken. Not one present, so far as
faces can tell the story of the mind, doubted
for a moment that this very weapon had caused
the death of Jay Flicker. Even the can
'uryman, who had shown some token of 

y feeling t0ward the man whom all helium
would be accused of the killigg, looked gravely
and soberly toward Old Fork Lighhin'g.

That worthy made no sign. He stood am
the spectators, silent and fixed. like some g
statue decked out in rage. Could it be has
even he had given up all hope!

“ To make sure there can be no mistake. wit-.
none, will you step forward and see if the bullet
you cut from the body of the deceased is sadly

 

“km. .,

“ That’s white. ef you did say it. kunnel,” dc?

asked Colonel Teemer, this being his first ques— ,

tor, holding a hit of lead up between his thumb ‘

“The mark is as you state. Was it on the

.4.......

 

-*q,...>-

3-». ..«- .,

m m..w..v

A

16

of the same caliber as the pistol in evidence!”
slowly uttered the coroner.

Doctor Peters romptly advanced and took
the pistol. He he d it where all could see, and
made the test. Allowing for the slight batter~
ing received by the bullet, it plainly fitted the
weapon. With a bow, the witness laid both
bullet and cylinder on the table, then resumed
his former position.

As he did so, Old Forked—Lightning slowly
stepped forward and cleared his throat as
though about to speak. The crowd held their
breath, curioudy expectant. The words came:

“Doctor, kin you swear that the gun yonder
didn‘t b‘long to the man what was killed!"

CHAPTER Xi.
NOT DEAD, BUT LIVING.

THE witness gaVe a little start of surprise as
this query came to his ears from the rear, and
he flashed a swift glance around in search of his
questioner. A half-smile momentarily curved
his lips as he recognized the white-crowned
figure, but as though in amends, he bowed
gravely, saying:

“ I could not swear to that, of course.”

“ Then it mought ’a’ b’longed to the deceasad,
for all you kin say to the contrairyf” persisted
Old Forked-Lightning. _

Dr. Peters hesitate , not from any disinclina-
tion, to answer the (question but as the under-
standin by which ld Forked-Lightning was
toquest on the witnesses if he liked, had been
arrived at while the present witness was ab-
sent, he first wished to learn what the coroner
had to say. Ver innocent and properin itself,
but that hesitat on did much to weaken the
force of what had gone before with the crowd
in general. .

You may answer, witness," and Whitecap
nodded after his most owlish fashion.
' " Yes, the Weapon might have belonged to the

eased.
‘ “Jes’ so. Not long ago you spoke of these
doln's as a murder. You spoke o’ the gun as
hein’ the thing with which the murder was
done. Now Is: on as a man what gen’ally
knows pritt wel what he’s talkin”bout, kin
m take cat that they was a murder done in

t room np-sts’rs to-night?"

Dr. Peters hesitated a moment before reply-
ing. Thus fara murder had been taken as a
matter of course, all eflorte being turned to-
ward findin out who was the author of the
crime. Rest ng in that belief, the witness‘was
conscious that he had not chosen his words with
quite as much precision as he should have done,
and this knowledge brought an unusual tinge of
color to his face.

“ One can be morally sure of a thing, without
being able, or willing, to make oath to that ef-
fect he replied, slowly.

“ hich is to say yru called it murder, when
on couldn't sw’ar but what it was no wuss
hen a plain killin’ or accident," pointedly sug-

gested the Veteran.

"It may have been either, of course."

“Kin you make oath it wasn't a suicide?”
sharply demanded Old ForkedLightning, step-
ping a little closer, bending orward and
emphasizin his words with one long forefinger.

‘ I wonl not hesitate long about that.”

“ Why so! ’Memher you’re on cath a'read l"

“Jay Flicker hadn‘t ‘ the sand' to kill h m-
self seen one who enjoyed his acquaintance
in life wil tell you, if asked." .

A chorus of subdued laughter ran through
the spectators, that showed the doctor he had
made the precise bit be calculated a n, and
for aslngle instant a grim smile curvs his lips.
Onl momentarily, however; then he stood in
cooiy and quiet waiting for any further ques-
tIOnin .

Innis or not, Old Forkechlghtuing was
in; enough to see that by this unfortunate

 

 

on he had‘ lost all the advanta e tgiii‘i;1«ed
is c-

 its as much to wipe out the memory of

glut; little slip as for anything he hoped to gain
y t.

“Doctor, hev you any objections to tell the
iury what it was the kunnel, yonder, whispered
uto your ear. jest store the room whar the ac-
cldent come (if was cl’ared l"

“Not in the least," was the prompt reply.
“Colonel Teemer reminded me t at the bullet
which caused the death of Jay Flicker would
probably be called for at the irquest. He bade
me secure it, and have it in readiness when
wanted.”

Not even Old Forked-Lightning could doubt
the perfect truth of this answer while looking
at and listening to the witness. And he began
to believe he had better drop the cross-examina-
tion before he made a bad matter worse.

“You s’arched the body of the dead man, 1
When!" _ '

“1'9 part—that is, I fil’lfll in the examina—

D

tic .

" god found him heeled, I reckon l"

“ s was armed, certainly.”

" You took charge 0’ the tools?"

“No, sir; the coroner first had them marked
for future identification, then wrapped up and

laced with the weapon which was believed to
‘ Edie fired the fatal shot."

rough previous Ones, and he shifts

on F

 

orkeVd-Ligilitning, the” Solitary.

O'd Forked-Lightning cast a nick glance to-
ward the articles on the stand fore the coro-
ner. He saw that there was but one package
which could contain a revolver, and that de-
cided his next question.

“What make an’ bore was the guns tuck
from the body?"

“There was but one. That was a Colt’s navy-
size, old style, cap-and-ball.”

" Men in this kentry, when they tote guns at
all, gen’ally hev one to balance another. Mob-
be Jay lost the other pop? I reckon that’s ’bout
all I wanted to ex, Doc.’

Dr. Peters glanced toward the coroner. That
worthy looked toward Colonel Teemer. He
made no sign, and the doctor was told he might
step aside.

Then Colonel Teemer rose and s ke:

“ Your honor, since the point 0 ownership in
that revolver has been brought forward, r-
ha sit would be best to settle all doubts be ore
go ng further. The deceased was a man well
known in Canaan, I believe. A man of his
nature must have formed acquaintances, more
or less intimate and familiar with his affairs
and personal belongings. If there are any such
friends present, w ll one kindly volunteer to
testify?”

“Bet our boots they jest will, kunnel !” cried
Romeo ugg as he pushed his way through the
audience. ‘ I reckon I knowed Jay like a book,
an’ kin give a schedule 0’ his outfit as would

make a wnbroker kick hisself with shame—I
a: ki‘r’i, l Whars the book ye cuss onto,
e ge?

Colonel Teemer did not look like one delighted
with the witness who came forward so prompt-
ii in answer to his appeal, but he was too
s rewd to object. He had given the coroner a
clew to the object which he wished to sin, and
resuming his seat, he left the affair in he hands
of Whitecap.

“Sart’in Jay was heeled,” briskly answered
Romeo. “ I never knowed him when he wasn’t,
though they 1's men who mought know more
about hnu’lin‘ the tools an’ jes’ a leetle quicker
on the trigger. But Jay would do—git him in a
corner!”

“Did you ever see him in possession of a wee-
pon like this?” asked Whitecap, holding up the
revolver found on the floor of the chamber
where the dead man still lay.

“No, sir!” returned Romeo, his nose in the
air. "Jay was a thoroughbred, he was! Ketch
him with a pop like that? A gpn that you’d
hev to stop an’ ax a man was a hit, an then
hev to help him ’zamine his hide to find out?
Not any! Jay toted navys, old style, ball-an’-
cap; out 0’ date, mebbe, but they could shoot
strai ht an’ to kill. every clatter, jedgel”

“ ou saw the deceased yesterday, or later?”

“ I see him this werr evenin’ jedgef”

“And he was arme as usual, with the same
tot ls?”

“JPs' hafe way, jedge. One 0’ his guns he
put in soak with Abe Diefz, fer p’izen. He had
the mate to it on when we parted, not a hour
afore he was butchered.”

The coroner waved his hand in token that he
had no further questions to ask, but before
Romeo could lrave his osition, Old Forked-
Lightnlng spoke up sharp y:

“Whar was it you parted with Jay Flicker?”

The ant had been in the room all the time,
and be new that he would have to answer, but
he did so with an ill grace.

“ Durn ye, you know well enough!”

“It’s what you know that we’re tryin' to git
at. You come for’ard like you was dyin’ to tell
what you knewed, so don’t fly the track this
airly. Whar was it, witness?”

” At Fatty Sexton’s shebang," sullenly.

“ Come to think, I b’lieve you was thar. You
had a row of some sort, didn’t ye—from the
looks 0' your face?” .

A laugh ran through the audience. Romeo
Bugg glared furiously around him, but even his
anger-sharpened eyes could not detect a smiling
face amon them all. The mirth was instantly
stifled to a l outward seeming.

The coroner glanced toward Colonel Teemer,
then said:

I “You are wasting precious time with ques-
tions which have no bearing on the case. The
witness ma step down."

“ When git through with him, not afore,”
was the sharp retort. “Keep your lace Bugg,
at your peril! Answer me: you he a row yr n-
der‘l You got licked by a stranger? You tried
to crowd him, an’ be knocked you down with 3
glass? That stranger was the man they foun
in the room with Jay Flicker? Yes or no, right
down on the nail!"

“ He tuck me onawar’s with a coward lickl"

“ And you swore to get even? Just so. You
kin fly away, Burg, jest as soon as you like,"
placldly uttered the old man.

“One moment, please,” said Colonel Teemer.
rising. “You had a quarrel in a drinking and
gambling saloon with the man who is known

are as Fremont Metcalf, I believel”

Romeo Bugg gave a sullen assent.

“ He drew a revolver on you, I believe?”

“A couple, boss,” replied the witness, the
sour look Vanishing from his countenance as he
caught the drift (.f thi sin qu..~iions.

 

 

4

“ They were pointed at you, I understand?
You are a pretty good judge of such weapons;
can you swear as in the size and style of the pis-
tols young Metcalf displayed?"

“ They was so close to the eend o' my nose
that I could smell the powder ahind the lead,
boss!” grinned the giant. “ I kin take oath they
was Smith & Wesson make, 38 au’ double-actin .
So kin any 0’ the boys who was with me.”

“ That will do,” with a soft smile as he turned
toward Old Forked Lightning, adding: “ unless
my ’yeoerable friend has something else to ask

ou.

But the old man slowly shook his head. He
felt that he had done his young friend mom
harm than good b. his questions thus far. And
Romeo Bugg, wit a grim swagger, fell back.

One or two of the gang were called up to tes-
tify as to the weapons worn that night by the
deceased. And each one of them corroborated
the testimony given by Romeo Bugg, even as to
the size of the pistols handled in The Grave by
Metcalf.

Then the coroner called Dinorah Metcalf.
Honest John stated that she was not present,
but if her presence was atsolutely necessary, he
volunteered to go and notity her.

The coroner bowed, and the worthy landlord
left the room with Old Forked-Lightning'close
at his heels.

“It looks mighty black in his d’rection," mut-
tered the former, gloomily, for he had taken a
strong fancy to the young couple. “ Ef you’re
thar fri’nd, tr to git him to put in a plea o’
self-defense. t’s all that kin save him !”

“ You think he did the shootin’i”

“ Who else could ’a’ done it?" with widely
opened eyes. “ Sart’in not the lady l”

" Nuther the one nur the other. He nur yit
she won't sw’ar to a lie, even to save his neck
from the rope.”

“It’ll come to that, then, sure’s fate! An’
it’ll kill her, jest as sart'in as it does him!"

There was time for no more speech. They
reached the room before which Dave Long
stood guard, and the landlord delivered to him
the message of the coroner. Dave bowed sober-
ly then rapped gently at the door.

“ Who is it, an’ what ye wantr’dcmanded
Bets Forbes.

“ he lady is wanted down-stairs to give her
evidence," replied Dave, in his mildeet touch.

“ Well, she ain’t goin’ down-sta’rs, an’ you
crter be—"

The indignant landlady was checked b Fre-
mont Metcalf, who unlocked the door an bade
th' in enter.

Dave Long repeated his message, when Fre-
mont spoke coldly, but with a resolution that
could not be shaken:

1“"My sister goes in my company, or not at
al .

“ I've got nothin’ to do with any only her,”
quietly said the marshal. “ l’m workin under
orders. Them I‘m bound to obey, says fetch
the lady. an’ of Course she’s got to go. At the
same time they wasn’t nothin’ said to me ’bont
bringi"n' her alone. Ef you keer to tailor, all
ri ht.

“Without a word Dinorah took the arm of her
brother and moved from the room. Indignaut
Betsy followed with one hand grasping the arm
of her worse half, lecturing him with more
force than elegance. If he had a spark of man-
hood about him, he would not permit such an
outrage in his own house, too!

Proud and erect, Fremont Metcalf entered
the room where the in quest was being held, and
only paused when directly before the coroner.
His voice was cold and clear as he spoke.

“ Sir, you have commanded my sister to ap-
pear before you, to give testimony in this case.

he is here, but on will not place her on the
witness stand wh is I draw the breath of life.
She knows nothing more about this sad stair
than I can tell you. I am ready to tell all I
know. That must satisf you.”

Without another wor he turned and gently
removing the clinging hand of his sister from
his arm, resigned her to the cars of Old Forked-
Li htning.

The coroner rubbed his lon , pointed chin
dubiousiy, as he glanced tower the foreman of
the jury. After a slight hesitation, the colonel
rose from his seat, speaking coldly:

“ As this is a sort of preliminary examination,
I do not so pose it is necessary to stick closely
to rules. hat we want is to get at the bottom
facts of the case. If this can be done without
forcing the young lady to take the stand, I for
one, will be heartily glad of it. Your honor, I

ropose the substitution of the young gentleman
n the place of the witness ust called.”

“ Kunnel, that’s white! cried Old Forked-
Li htning.

t proved another unfortunate ejaculation.
Cold and stem in face and voice, Colonel Team-
er added: -

“ I am not actiu in this case with the view
of gaining the appro ration of friend or foe. I
am trying to get to the bottom facts. If this
young man can make it sufficiently clear to us,
on the jury. I am willing to let the young lady
go without being pl ~cvri (I) the stand. If not,
she must do her do! \‘ beE'cre the law.”

The hot temper of the young man flashed out.

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

1'7

 

 

“ l havo said she shall not be placed on the
stand. Even you cannot think she had aught to
do with the death of that unfortunate man!”

“What I think has nothing to do with the v

case. I, in common with these other gentlemen,
have solemnly sworn to be guided wholly and
solely by the eviderce, by the testimony which
may be brought before us. By that testimony
i will beguided. If my own brother were on
trial for this killing, and the evidence pointed
(' nclusively to his guilt, I would bring in a ver-
ific: accordingly.

"Your honor," turning t0ward the coroner
and bowing gravely, “ I deeply regret having
taken upso much of your time with matters
which prOperly concern only myself; but an
since this sad affairoccnrred, I have been hit-
terly and totally Without cause assailed by cer-
tain parties. I bore it as long as my manhood
would permit. I have answered them, and now
the matter rests, so far as I am concerned, until
this jury is discharged and I am free to defend
myself with other weapons than my tongue.”

Colonel Teemer was very well satisfied with
himself as he resumed his seat. He felt that he
had,metaphorica1l Taking, given his enemies
“ a black eye." n it was not difilcult to see
glint the majority of the audience sided with

im.

After giving his name, age, residence, and so
forth, Fremont Metcalf was asked b the core-
ner to tell what he knew about the eceased.

“ Until this evenin ,IneVer met the deceased,"
he began, his voice co (1 and composed, thou h his
face was pale as death. “ I first heard of h m in
answertoan advertisementwhichl had circulat-
od extensively in theWest,asking for information
regarding a Certain person named Tucker Met-
calf. That answer, postmarked at Canaan,
directed me to come here, provided I was able
and willing to pay five thousand dollars to the
one who might tell me all about the man I
wanted. I raised the money and c .me here.
In the letter was a card on which was pointed
the pictures of a blue jay and a flicker. I was
to visit the pace known in Canaan as The
Grave, and there wait until my correspondent
revealed himself. This he was to do by point-
edly calling my attention to the five spot of
clues. In return, I was to present the painted
card, when he would find means of seeing me in
private.”

“ A very curious story," commented the
coroner.

“ But true, for all that,“ was the quiet. re-
sparse

"The deceased proved to be your mysterious
cone pondent?" '

“ Yes. Unfortunately, and through no fault
-of my own, as any honest person who witnessed
the aflair can bear testimony, I became mixed
in a row while waiting for the man who made
the appointment. A fellow who called himself
Romeo Bugg was at the head of the gang with
which I had trouble. The deceased was also
«one of the party, though I did not recogniza
him as my correspondent until later in the
evening. When the trouble was over and the
gang gone away, the deceased returned and
showed me the five-spot of clubs. Igave him
the inted card, then left the saloon, return-
ing irect to my rooms at the hotel. I told the
landlord to show up any one who might call for
me. sup ing of course that the deceased
would to low me to the hotel and seek an inter-
view by the customary means.”

“And he did not? Then how came he in your
chamber?”

“ How he entered the house, I know not. I
was talkin with my sister about the deceased.
when he s artled us by showing his head over
the low partition, on the north side of the
room i” _

“When you took him fora robber and shot
him

“ No, sir," was the steady reply, and the
es er audience drew a long breath, some of re-
lie , others of disappointment; for if such had
been the case, not one there but what we ld
have felt the young man was rfectly jus ifi-
able in killing Jay Flicker. “ recognized the
man, before 1 con d use my revolver. I called
to him, and then brought him in by way of the
door. eager to hear what he could tell me con-
cerning Tucker M6 tcalf."

“He met you amicably! There was no quar-
rel between you!”

“ He met me amicably. There was no quarrel
between us," slowly replied the witness.

“ Nor afterward l” coldly asked Colonel
Teemer. .

“I object!" cried Old Forked~Lightnin , be-
fore the witness could answer the inte ques-
tion. “ It’s the then. we’re dealin‘ with jest
now—let the a‘feru-ards take keer o’ itself ontel
we alt to it in reg’lar order.”

“ he objection is well taken.
will proceed.”

Fremont Metoalf obeyed, first asking the jury
to bear with him for a while, if at first it seemed
to them as though he was wandering widely
from the point in question. Without telling the
story of the past, the present could not be fairly
com rehended.

“ he man I came to Canaan in hopes of dis-
covering through the agency of the deceased,

A

The witness

 

was my father. He disappeared from lzome
many years ago, when l was but a babe and my
sister yet to be born. Knowing this, gentlemen
of the jury, you can imagine in part how
anxious l was to hear what the deceased had to
reveal. With his aid, we hoped to once more
have a. father—if not that, at least to have the
mournful satisfaction of weeping above his
grave."

The voice of the witness grew less steady, and
feeling this, he ceased speaking. Before these
men, some of whom he felt. were deadly enemies
of him and his, he was too proud to unnecessa-
rily betray his weakness.

he Coroner with a view to aiding the witness
in recovering his composure, unwra ped one of
the smaller packages, revealing a go den locket,
enameled and richly chased on the outside.
This he held up, asking:

“Have you any knowledge of this locket,
witness?"

“ It belongs to my sister and myself,” replied
Fremont, his voice still husky, but growing
steadier and stronger as he continued: “ It
contains the portraits of our parents. 1 took it
from the chain by which it has hung around my
neck for ears—ever since the death of our
mother. he laced it in niycare, on her death-
bed, saying t at she prayed heaven it might
some day be the means of our recognizing our
father.”

There was a little bustle among the audience
at this speech, and a slight crowding closer, the
better to view the locket. Such is idle curios-
ity But a wild hope sprung up in the breast
o the witness as he noticed it, and he cried:

“Even vet her earnest prayers may be an—
sweredi Your honor. may I beg of on, as a
favor to one who may never hive t e oppor-
tunity to do what he now asks at your hands,
to show the faces in that locket to all here pre-
sent? There 7nd he one who can recognise the
faco of Tucker etcalf!"

Himself m t a little curious, the coroner open-
ed the locket und gazt-d at thebfaces long and
earnestly. Without a word he passed the jeWPI
over to Colonel Teemer, who held it where the
light fcli full upon the painting of the missing
man. Not for long. Then, passing the locket
on he spoke, clear and cold:

‘ If that face trulv represents Tucker Met-
calf, he is not dead! Three weeks ago I ‘grub
staked ’ that very man i"

CHAPTER XII.
STILL ANOTHER SURPRISE.

FREMONT ME'I‘CALF staggered before those
coldly modulated tpnes as a man might stagger
from a heavy blow in the face with a clinched
fist. A gasping cry parted his lips, his eyes
opened wildly, one and went up to his breast
as though to calm its mad ulsations.

And none the less start ed and agitated, Di-
norah broke from the side of Old Forked-Light-
ning and rushed forward, the brother and sister
finding both strength and support in each
other’s arms.

It was an afiecting scene, and even those
rude, rough men of the mines felt it, while good
and worthy Betsy Forbes burst out with a
great blubbering:

“ The good Lawd bless an’ presarve ‘em both!
Ain’t they a pictur’ jest as they stan'l Ef they
could on y be tuck!’

It was the one touch that turned pathos into
bathos, and a little ripple of laughter ran
through the crowd, greatly to the indignation
of the honest hostess, who glared around her
With inflamed eyes and quivering fingers.
Honest John, who knew what a tempest was
brewing, sacrificed himself for the good of the
company, and manfully tackling the dilemma,
he bore t in his arms out of the room. then sat
down before it and meekly took the entire

ose.

That outburst and the laugh which followed
it served to recall the startled senses .9f the wit-
ness, and with gasping eagerness he asked Coi—
onel Teemer:

“ Where! When? You are sure it was he—
a'ive—welll"

“If this picture is an accurate portrait of
your father, then I repeat: Tucker Metcalf is
alive and well. Three weeks ago I saw him; I
gave him a ‘ grub-stake,’ and he went (ifl, Vow-

ng to find a fortune or never more look upon
in face."

here was a touch of itying contempt in the
last words that stung t e children like the lash
of a whip, and for one of them at least it clear-
ed brain and unfettered tongue.

“ Brother, do not listen to him!" cried Di-
norah. her blue eyes glowing, her face almost
trans-figured; then she turned upon the foreman
of the jury, her voice clear and scornful, at
full of mingled grief and regret. “ Onr fat or
—alive and wellll After so many long and
weary years—alive, and give no sign—send no
word to his waiting ones? It is false-false
from beginning to end i"

Colonel Teemer bowed coldly and resumed
his seat, saying as he did so: '

“Then the artist who painted the picture is
responsible in part. The man whom I aided
when he came to me beggin for bread and an-
other chance l'l get ct’eJ “1th the world, must

 

a

 

 

have lied, for when he told me his name, he
swore it was Tucker Melcztlf."

Fremont caught the trembling form of the
girl to his bosom, his own figure drawing proud-
ly erzct, his handsome i'ace flushing hotly, his
voice strong and stern:

“ You are right sister. Our father would
never keep cruel stlence through all these long
years. 1 see it now—the scales are fallen for
good and all! He is dead—he died or was cruelly
murdered, long years ago. That man lies—
why,I can only guiss—azd may Heaven for-
give me if I wron you,” turning impulsively
toward the colone who was listening with a
cold smile curling his firm lips. “ AsGod hears
me now, I believe this story of yours but a por
tion of the vile lot by means of which you
seek to ruin my ife and bring my neck to the
hangman’s shameful rope!”

It was a heavy, black charge to bring, but
the colonel never fiinched nor quailed before it.
There was a lofty contempt written on his face,
and his voice was cold and measured as he re-
plied without taking the trouble to leave his
seat:

“ I have naught to say to such wild and base-
less cha . I am sorry, now, that I spoke of
Tucker etcalf, though I did so in answer to
your own pathetic appeal, real or feigned. It
is nothing to me. one way or the other, and I
am willing enough to let the matter drop right
where it is. Still, if ever on or your sister
wishes to recall the matter in the future, I will
not hang back. If nothing else, I will try to
treat you as a gentleman, her as a lady.”

There was a covort sting in those words
which served a double purpose. It was both a
blow and an appeal; a blOw to the young
couple, for it accused them of ungenerous treat-
ment; an an al to the audience begging them
to contract is magnanimity with the base in-
gratitude of the strangers. 0n the whole, Col-
onel Teemer was not suffering greatly from his
prominence in this rather peculiar case!

Coroner Whitecap, seeing that the colonel
had nothing more wuyeon the subject, rapped
sharply on the stand fore him, assuming his
most owlish look of grave displeasure.

“ Reall , I must check this shameful waste of
time! hile I do not object toan occasional
di ression, if there can be a fair reason for such
a fieparture from routine, this constant bicker-
ing istoo much even for my patience! Wit—
ness, you will lease confine yourself strictly to

'our story. ‘olonel, if any more insults are
hurled at you, I will see that you are fully pro-
tected.”

Fremont bowed his head and pressedhis lips
to these of his sister. He resigned her tothe
care of Old Forked-Lightning, who led her
back to her former osition.

Meanwhile, the ocket was passing slowly
from hand to hand among the jury, each one of
whom took a double interest in the ictured
face since listening to that s icy interc sage of
words. And as Fremont etcalf once more
faced the jury, to resume his evidence, Donald
McLean, the youn man who had offered to be
the mouthpii ce 0 Old Forked Lightnin . ub-
tered a low exclamation as he held the 100 et in
his hand, saying:

“I know that face' It’s the picture of Dick
Morley, or else that t f his very moral l" ,

Colonel Teemer sat motionless, not a. muscle
of his face altering at this unexpected confirma—
tion of his words: but in his dark eyes came a
vivid light that showed he was not altogether
the stoic he appeared to outward seeming.

“Remember the name, sister!” uttered Fre-
mont. turning toward Dinorah. "Dick Morley
——write it down on your heart and keep repeat-
ing it over and over until ytu find the man who
on us that name. Then—but you know.”

“Then I will ex him as a fraud, if he
claims to be our ong-lost father!" was the
steady reply.

Again the coroner rapped on his stand. The
locket was returned to him, and once more
wrapped up securely. And then Fremont Met-
calf resumed his story.

“ Your honor, and you, gentlemen of the
jury, enough has been said to show you why I
was so eager to meet and converse amica ly
with the deceased. I believed he could tell me
of my father, of whom naught had been heard
for full sixteen years!

“ I have told you how he came to us. I qua-
tioned him as to his reasons for acting so queen-
ly, for taking such risks; but he only partially

ex lained. He said that he so acted to avoid a
s 'i greater ril; that if the gang—his own
words—shoal suspect his paying me such visit

they would not only murder him, but would kill
both myself and my sister. I pressed him for
his reasons—tried to get him to explain what he
meant more clearly, but he re used to say
more."

“ Which brought on a quarrel between you!”

“Not so. In mv eagerness '0 learn what he
could tell me of Tucker Metcalf, I cared but
little for anything else. I more than half-he-
lieved he was exaggerating for the rpoee of
raising his price, and what followed only went
to confirm that suspicion.”

“You had oflered him five thrusnnd dollars
for the information, I think you sziidl'

m4 r

"I.U'A“-vb mr . -;

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18

 

 
 

 

 

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

The witness bowed in assent.

“A Very pretty sum, indeed! Yet the de-
ceased asked more?"

“ He did. He demanded double the amount.”

“Tag, thousand dollars? And you refused to

y it '

“I was obliged to refuse. Apart from my
natural reluctance to yield to such shameful ex—
tortion, it was beyond my means. I had raised
the first amount only by sacrificing our entire
means. We had barely sufficient to pay our way
to this place. When I had paid over the five
thousand dollars. we would be left without
enough to settle our hotel bill.”

“ an paid the amount to the deceased,

“ No sir. He would not abate his unjust de-
mands.”

“ And in resisting those unjust demands, you
quarreled and came to blows over the matter 1"

“ We quarreled, but never came to blows,”
was the husky riply. “Think, gentlemen of
the jury—and as eaven hears me speak, I am
telling you the simple truth! Think h0w much
depended upon that man’s confession! Remem-
ber that we believed he could tell us of our fa-
ther—the father whom we loved more than
all the earth beside—although one had never
seen his face and the other could only recall
it as a dim, shadowy dream! Knowing all this,
Iask ouv—isit reasonable—is it even p08sihle
that would come to blows with that man,
much less kill him!”

His voice choked and he eeased to s ak, bis
bosom heaving convulsively, his nob e figure
trembling like a leaf.

Cold and unsympathetic came the voice of the
coroner:

“Yet you admit having quarreied with the
deconsedi”

“Yes; we quarreled. I am here to tell the
truth, gentlemen, no matter how heavily it may
bear a, ainst me in your opinion. I shall not
ooncea one action of mine, as Heaven hears me.

“We did quarrel. I thought to scare him
from his vile position, and to do so I caught
him by the throat and threatened him with my
revolver. I told him to tell his stor —to prove
true to the agreement which we be made with
each other—to rest content with the sum I was
ready to pay him the moment he had completed
his confession."

“ And still he refused, with your pistol at his
head?" ‘

Fremont bowed, unwilling to trust his voice
just then.

The coroner did not speak. His brow was
wrinkled, and he seemed to have some difficulty
in shaping the question which he would put
next.

There was rfect silence in the room. One
and all of t e audience bent forward, fairly
holdiu their breath as they waited for the re-
sult. he jurymen were scarcely less excited—
save and except Colonel Teemer. Cold and im—

ssive, he sat calmly erect, his dark eyes star-
ng at vacancy over the head of the ‘young man
who was, really, if not technical , then on
trial for his life!

“ Then the—that is, you quarreled i” mumbled
Whitecap.

“Only as far as I have told you.” replied
the witness, with a faint, weary smile. "My
sister caught my hand, and beg ed me togive
the fellow another chance. I d d so, willingly
enough. I would not have killed him with those
words unspoken for all the world i”

“th Ire was killed l” tarin uttered the cor-
oner, feeling as though he was being played
wi b. his dignity mocked.

“ He was killed, but not by my hand, Heaven
knows! And in its own good time, Heaven will
reveal the real murderer!” exclaimed the wit-
ness, casting a look upward.

Colonel Teemer slowly rose from his seat and
spakr:

“Your honor, would it not be as well to
place the weapon with which the killing was
oomuii'ted in evidence at this point! I believe
the present witness has never been shown it, or
asked aught regarding lhe article.”

In this, as in any other suggestion, his rich
creditor might offer, the coroner showed prompt
obedience. He unwrapped the revolver, saying
as he did so:

“ You admit having held a deadly weapon at
the head of the deceased, I believe? Will you

« state to the jury the exact nature of that weap-

on?

" it was a revolver with five chambers, made
under the Smith & Wesson patent, 380aliber,
silver plated, with checked handle of gutta-
percha, ’ steadilv rep ied Fremont.

“Precisely. Was this the weapon, witness?”
added Whitecap, as he uncovered and held up
the istol.

“ on don’t hev to answer no sech questions,
lad!” impulsive! cried Old Forked-Lightning,
starting forwarr .

Fremont turned toward him with a faint
smile. slight] motioning him back with one
hand as he as d:

“ I came here prepared to tell the truth with-
out svasicn or reservation, no matter how black
it might make the case appear against me. If
that pistol is marked on the butt and with a

 

very small monogram, consisting of two letters
intertwined, those letters being my initials, F.
M.. the weapon is mine—the same one that I
held at the head of the deceased.”

_ The coroner closely examined the pistol, say—
mg:

” There is a mark of some sort here, but it
is very small and faint. It looks like an acci-
dental scratching—"

“ But it is not. You can see the same mark
on its mate,” and the witness quietly advanced
to the stand and placed upon it another weapon,
precisely similar to the one which the coroner
was examining.

Returning to his former position, he added:

“ The pair were a present to me from a friend,
when he learned of my intention to come West.
He said I might need them,” with a mournful
smile. “ He had the monogram placed on the
weapons before he gave them to me. I would
never have noticed them, the work is so minute
and adroitly done, only for his calling my at-
tenlion to the letters.”

Old Forked-Lightning watched the jurymen
while Fremont was uttering this frank and
manly explanation, and a peculiar light came
into is keen eves, for he saw that the impres-
sion made was highly favorable to the witness.
Surely a guilty man would not go so far out of
the way to pile up damning proofs against him-
self!

The coroner glanced covertl toward his
mentor on the jury, but evi ently Colonel
Teemer had no furtaer suggestion to offer just
then. Once more he was gazing at vacancy,
ihis strong features looking like a. mask of colored

ce.

“ You fully identify the weapon, then?” asked
the coroner.

“I do. It more b lon d to me. It is the
same one which I held a the head of the de-
Ceased,” steadily answered Fremont.

“ But with no intent to shoot? Only to
frighten himi”

‘ Onlyto force him to relirquish his unjust
demands, and to tell the story which we had
come so far to hear. My sister bade me give
him one more chance, and I consented. I put
up my weapon, and we talked the matter over.
The deceased seemed to dread some party which
he termed the gang, but he would not say of
whom they consisted, nor give a clear reason
why he feared their vengeance. It was this
point over which we quarreled mainly at first.”

“I understood you to say that it was because
of his extortionate demandsi"tuspiciousiy ut-
tereri the coroner.

“It was that at which I took offense, prin-
cipaiiy,” was the composed reply, “though the
increase had been hinted at rather than ex-
pre=sed in so many words. If I gave the other
impression, it was unintentionally.”

Old Forked Lightning frowned and hit his
drooping mustaches, for he saw that this ad-
mission was giving the jury a disagreeable im-
pression. Why could the honest fellow not
have glossed OVer his slight mistake, instead of
voluntarily pointing it out after this style.2

“ Let the witness continue,” uttered the cold,
even tones of the foreman. “When he has
finished his story, we on tho jury will try and
fit the pieces together in proper order.”

It was a cruel, venomous speech, and more
than the witness thought so. Among them was
0 d Forked-Lightning, and the hot, fierce look
which he flung toward the colonel spoke plainer
than words—spoke of punishment to come!

“The deceased proved himself a. ver hard
man to deal with,” steadily resumed t e wit-
ness. “ The similarity between our names and
the name of the man of whom we were so anx-
ious to hear, gave him a suspicion of the truth,
doubtless. Questions of his which Icould not
well decline to answer, soon made him aware cf
the whole truth, and this, Iam confident, served
to confirm him in the infamous resolve at which
he had only hinted before.”

“You mean his demand for double price?"
asked the coroner, as the Witness paused for
breath, or, rather, to compose his thoughts and
to gun rd against making any further mistakes.

“I do. But he did not make the demand
immediately. He asked many uestions. pre-
tending to fear his Tucker Metcal was not our
Tucker Metcalf. To solve his doubts, I showed
him the picture of the missing man, taking the
locket from the chain by which it hung around
my neck. He icoked at it long and closely,
than admitted that it was the shad0w of the
grig’inal as he had known him in the years gone

“ Then he made his increased demand i”

“Yes. He gava as a reason for this, our
close relationship to the missing man. As our
only surviving parent, be was surely worth
double price i” .

” To which you objected 7”

“ To the price, not the inference,” with a
faint smile.

“ And then?”

“ I swore that he shruld tell us all. or that I
would kill him. I leaped up and caught him
by the throat. The stand between us was up-
set, and we both fell over it. The candle went
out. The deceased lore loose from my hands as
we fell, and as it grew dark I struggled to my

 

feet, onlgto receive a crushing blow on my
head. fter that, I knew nothing until the
dolor was burst open and men rushed in, bearing
a i ht.”

“ ou did not fire a shot from your pistol i”

“ As heaven hears me, I did not i”

“Yet your pistol was found lying on the
floor, with one barrel discharge . Only one
shot was fired. A man was killed. You three
were alone in the room—”

“Before the light went out, I admit. But
while it was dark, other men were in the room
with us!”

“And of course those other men committed
the murder?” uttered Colonel Teemer, with a
poorly-concealed sneer.

“If murder it was, the did,” was the firm
reply. “ If the deceased did not kill himself by
accident, they killed him.” '

“You did not, by some miraculous provi-
dence, recognize any one among those mysteri—
ous men, witness?”

“I did not. I have told all Ican tell. As
God is my witness, I bavo uttered nan ht save
the solemn truth i" earnestly uttered remont
Metcalf, bowing and fallin back to the side of
his sister and Old Forked- ightning.

Her hand clasped his for a moment, then she
dropped it and advanced to the witness-stand,
speaking quietly:

“Mr. Coroner, I wish to give a little testi-
monv."

“ If you can throw any fresh light on the sub-
fict, most assuredly you are at liberty to speak,

iss Metcalf," hurriedly replied the coroner.

“ I wish to be place under oath, if only to
avoid the insulting doubts of those who, for
what reason human and their own vile selves
know! are trying to bound an innocent mph to
a shameful and wholly undeserved death!

The oath was administered and subscribed to,
then Dinorah spoke, every syllable clear and
distinct, though her Voice was low and even.

“ First, I wish to solemnly swear that ever
word given in evidence by the last witness 5
true as truthitself. Of my own knowledge I
swear it.”

“Even to that wild story about the myste-
rious men who filled the room as soon as the
light went out?" asked Colonel Teemer, his
brows uplifting, incrednlity in every line of his
face every note of his voice.

“ liken to those men who so to steriously en-
tered the room and committe murder, the
more surely to accomplish their vile ends, one
of which is the murder of my brother!” was the
firm. evcn reply.

" Indeed! Perhaps your eyes were keener
than those of t!.e last witness? You recognised
the men ?”

“They were keener. I did recognise one of
the men. I saw the face of one man, lighted up
by the glare of the pistol when he fired the shot
that killed Jay Flicker!”

The resolute statement created a great stir in
the room. Exclamations and words of wonder
echoed from ii to lip, and it was several mo-
ments before the colonel could make his voice
audible. Then he said, sharply, sneeringl :

“ Of course this was before you swoone dead
awayrp)

Dinorah made him no ansvver, turning to the
coroner.

“ Your honor, I demand your protection from
insult. I have stated afact on oath, and am
ready to answer any questions which may be
put to me by you or any other gentleman; but
not when uttered by that brute in the shape of
a mnnl”

“ The kunnel’s forlygraif, or I’m a liar!”
chuckled Old Forked-Lightning in audible tones,
when Whitecap cried:

“ Silence, or I’ll have the room cleared! Cer-
tainly, Miss Mercalf, you shall be protected. I
will ask you the necvssary questions. You dis-
tinctly saw this face—the face of the man who
fired the pistol-shot? Is the owner of that face
now present? Can you point him 003 to the

ur ‘i'
j “yl did recognize it; he is present at this moo

g meat; I will point him out to the jury—or m,

honest portion of it. As heaven is inv witness,
yonder sits the man. who murdered Ja Flick~
er!" she cried, pointing direct at Colone Teem—

er!

 

CHAPTER XIII.
WAITING FOR ms: VERDICT.

To say that this sharp, clear, direct accusa-
tion created a sensation, is putting the case very
mildly. Until the last word was uttered, not
one there present even suspected Dinorah was
about to point out the foreman of the juryaa
the murderer, unless, indeed, the colonel him-
self had some such idea. If he was indeed the
person who had fired the fatal shot, he must

ave seen whi;her matters were drifting almost
from the first word Dinorah gave after taking
the oath.

But not one of the others. Not even Fremont
himself had heard her breathe a suspicion of'
all this, and as he listened now, his face grew
white as that of the murdered man lying in
the chamber of death, for fear the brain of his
dearly-belovrd sister had been turned by the
sore trials of that night. For a single instant.

 

he even fancied that Dinorah, seeing how nar-
rowly, how closely the toils were being wound
around him, was recklessly perjuring her soul
in hopes of saving him—but only for an in-
atent.

The audience stood as though spellbound for
a brief space, then cries and exclamations broke
from their lips. Some cheered the beautiful
witness whose white hand was still leveled at
the man whom she accused of being the mid-
night assassin; others booted and laughed at
the idea of Colonel Darius Teemer being guilty
of such an unreasonable crime. And high
gbove otbe r voices r0~e that belonging to Romeo

u g.

“gle in'earl cf the gel ain‘t plum iooney,
then she‘s lyin’ faster’n a boss kin—”

The chief of Canaan never brought that sen-
tence to the conclusion he had in mind when be
begun it. A white and fluttering shadow seem-
ed to flash hiward him, and he went up, back,
and down. his fall shaking the entire buildin i

That shadow w as Old Forked-Lightning. Elie
fist strur-k the big bully under the chin and on
the throat, lifting his huge bulk fairly from the
floor, sending him headlong, to lie a quivering,
senseless mass of mstitliry.

“ Drag the foul mass of carrion away, ye who
call him friend!" hoarsely cried the old man,
his eyes blazingJ like balls of fire. “Out with
him, I say, or, y the living lights of Heaven!
I’ll tear the bias heming tongue from his poi—
sonous jaws an thrust it down his ulcerous
throat! Take him awe , ye snarling coyotes
who follow the lead 0 a pariah cur. too ut-
terly’vile to own master or country! Out with
him!‘

So terrible was the rage of Old Forked-Light-
ning, so fiercely impressive his outburst, that
not one of the gang thought of refusal or reply.
Silently. tremblingly, they lifted the quivering
form of their chief in their arms and bore it out
of the room feeling the scorching of those blaz-
ing orbs until the apartment and house were
bonh left behind them.

Through it all-through the dramatic denun-
ciation by Dinorah Metcalf—through the min»-
gled storm for and against himself—through the
promptly checked insult of the giant desperado
—through the agitated stir which accOm anied
his removal by his “ heelers "-Colonel eemer
aat. pale and comp05ed, showing not the faintest
sign of either anger or fear.

Steadi! y his dark eyes returned that passionate
gaze, and then, as the brief tumult died awa
with the disappearance of the gang with the r
senseless leader, there came into his countenance
a. look that was half amazement, half pit .

The crowd saw it, and those who had" been
foremost in siding with the witness, began to
feel ashamed of their impulsive outburst. Di-
norah saw it, and hot indignation overpowered
her fictitious calmness.

"I repeat is! Remembering that I stand here
bound by a sacred Oath—pledged on the holy
word of God to say naught but the naked truth
—-I repeat my charge! You, villain, murdered
that hapless wretch! It was your face i saw by
the red glare of the Weapon you wrosted from
the hand of my poor brother. the more surely to
doom him to a shameful death! On your hand
ateams the heart-blood of Jay Flicker! By my
solemn oath I accuse you! Before man and in
the hearing of my Maker, I denounce you,
Colonel Darius Tee mer!"

It was too much for her overtasked brain.
As she uttered the last word. her outstretched
hand came convulsively back to her aching
braw. A gasping moan broke from her lips as
she reeled and would have fallen fut for the
ready aid of 01.! Forkel-Lighlniug, whose
movements were even quicker than .those of her
brother. His strong arms caught the fainting
form, and as he held her firmly, his jetty eyes
flashed defiance above her drooping head to the
coldly smiling foreman.

“Smile, ye ice hearted bloildhouudl Smile
and whisper beneath your hrmth that 0119-113”
of your devil’s work is dour! int beware!
There is a Heaven above us—a Hen ven that will
not always frownon innocence and helplessness!

ner or later the whole truth must come out,
and the guilty suffer for the terrible crime under
which the woolly innocent now stagger. When
that day comes, Darius Teefner, will you sit
smiling as now? I doubt it!"

Bwiftly, impetuously came the words, and for
the moment Old Forked-Lightning seemed a
prophet in his high indignation. The impres-
sion was deepened by his bare head, crowned
with those long and snOw-white locks, by his pa-
triarchal beard, by the almost inspired light
which filled his eyes.

But this assault, as the former one, slipped
harmless ofl from the icv mail in which the
colonel had incased himself. His smile slight!
deepened, but that was all. Not a muscle of his
countenance altered, his steady, moderate gane
never flickered, through it all he sat like one
who is consciously innocent of all wrong-do-

in .

If he was not innocent. then the man was a
marvelous actor, with nerves of steel, and utter-
ly callous heart.

Old Forked-Lightning fell back a little, aided
in wrying the almost an'Ooning maiden by

|
l

 

Old Forks y—Lighvtning, the Solitary. 19

Fremont Metcalf. They were about to hear;

her from the room, back to the chamber from
which she had come at the summons of the cor—
oner. but Dinorah resisted. faintly whispering:
“ Not now—a moment, firstl hat man must
answer in charge—my work is not yet done!"
Old For tad-Lightning saw that to argue with
her while in such a. condition would be cruel as
useless, and at a. sign from him, Fremont held

his peace. Dinorah half-reclined in a chair, sup— .

ported on one side by Old Forked Lightning, on
the other by her brother. The crowd divided to

afford them a fair view of the space immediately ,

around and in front of the coroner and jury.

Slowly, deliberately the foreman of the jury
rose in his place. bowing gravely to the Coroner,
then speaking, his voice calm and composed, his
manner quiet and even dignified.

“Your honor, a very grave charge has been
brought against me y the volunteer witness
who last occupied the stand. At first I thought
I would pa no attention to her wild words, he-
lieving as did and do that her anxiety for a
loved brother has temporarily shattered her
mind. 1 say
take up your valuable time by making a defense
which no one who knows me can for a moment
think necessary. But there has been one foolish
or audacious enough to vaguely re-echo that
charge—even hisimpudence was notqnite equal
to accusing me of murder in so many words.

“Your honor, with all respect due a lady un-
der any circumstances, I am obliged to say
Miss Metcalf has madea serious mistake. if
she recognized a face other than that of her
brother or the deceased, by the momentary light
which must have accompanied the fatal shot,
it certainly was not mine. I am ready to
strengthen this denial by repeating it under
oath—not because I think it at all necessary,
but because of my friends who may need some
such weapon to fight the base inainuations of my
enemies.’

With a. grave bow, the colonel resumed his
seat. And almost before he did so, a burly
man pressed through the crowd, Lie rugged
countenance flushed and eager, saying:

“Jedgc, nobody called me to putt n a. word,
but I reckon it’s the plum-center truth you all
want in a case like this. Ef so. an’ I kin speak
Lay little piece, you’ll git some 0’ the truth, any-

owl

“ Do you know anything concerning the kill-
in i”

“ No more then what I’ve bearn aence I’ve bin
in here,” was the prompt replv.

“Then what are you wasting precious time
for?" demanded Whitecap, the swift succession
of startling surprises hav ng thoroughly discon-
certed him, muddling up his never too clear and
persnicacious brain.

“ Beca'se of somethin’ I see at almost the very
secont the pistol-shot was fired, up above. I was
comin’—”

“Not another word until that man is placed
on his oath, bound as firmly as words and the
Holy Bible can bind him to utter naught save
the truth !” cried Old Forked-Lightning, impul-
sively. “It is for life or death, now, and no
witness shall speak a lie without perjuring him-
self in the sight of the law as well as in the sight
of heaven. Swear him first!"

The coroner glanced helplessly toward the
nrv. The foreman made no sign, but Donald
IcLeau spoke instead:

" it is a good rule, your honor, and if carried
out in every instance, it will remove a little of
the grave weight which rests on our shoulders.
As we are to decide wholly by the evidence, use
eyery precaution to make it sincere.”

“I’m ready, jedge," half-laughed the volun-
tarv witness. “ It ain’t so much that I’ll hev to
swear to. but mebbe it‘ll count some in gittin’ at
the real facts.” '

He was sworn, and after the usual prelimi-
naries, testified as follows:

“I was walkin’ up the street this evenin’,
hevin’ bin at The Grave, whar i left pritty much
all my wealth. I say this to ’splaiu why it come
I was goin’ to my bunk so airly.

“I was red-hot. but sober as a. deacon, over
my bad luck. I was thinkin’ it all over so
stiddy that I didn’t see two men who stood at
the corner as I turned it. I run slap up ag’in’
’em nfore I knowed it. That was right in front
0’ Abe Dieiz’s saloon, an' by the light which
come throu h the open door, I saw thar faces
as plain as see yours at this minnit. jedge.

“ One was a youngish feller, a stranger to me.
The other—thar he sets, your honor. It was
Kuunel Teemer, or I’m a parjured sinner! An’
I hedn’t gone a dozen steps afore I hearn the
pistolshot u in the Occidental, an’ run right
thar to see w at fun was goin’ on."

“You know the colonel, than!"

“Know him by sight an’ repetation, jedge,”
with a grin, as he ad ed:

“That’s about the size of it. The kunnel in
jest a leetle too high-toned fer to be intimit
with a. pore devil like me. But I know him

lenty well enough to take my oath it was him
' run into not a minit afare the shot was fired
in the hotel. An’ when it was fired. he was
nigh two hunderd yards from the Occidental
front door.”

There was perfect silence for a brief space.

I did not think it worth while to ,

 

V The witness glanced good~hurnoredly around
him, waiting for any further questions which
might be asked him. but none came. The cor»
oner Was satisfied with what he had heard. Old
Forked-Lightning knew that nothing he might
say could aid his cause. Dinorah sat like one

| stupefied, her face like that of a corpSe.

} The witness fidgeted a. little, then said, half-A
doubtingly:

l “That’s all I know ’bout it, jedge. An’ of

l you hain’t got no more to ex me, vn ulo ycu

l mind jest takin’ the oath off befo’ I go?”

i “ W hat do you meani’Hjaculated the coroner,

S amazed.

l “Waal, it’s all right up here whar nothin’
but the dead solemn truth is wanted. but it’d be

I a powerful hefty load fer a weak critter like me

i to tote sech a oath ’round with him fer the rest
0’ his days. I ain’t a. liar, to say eech. jedge,"

l with a sheepish laugh, “ but you know how ’tis
when a man gits to playin’ keerds an’ sech—a

l oath to tell the truth clean from start to finish
would handicap a critter most awful l”

l This remarkable simplicity did more than

I anything else toward convincing those who lia—

' tened that the witness had spoken the simple

l truth in his evidence. With an oulish Smile the

l coroner “ took the oath off,” and the man fell

l back, grinning all over his face.

As he vacated the stand, Colonel Teemer
again rose.

‘° Your honor, since the last witness has taken
the trouble to speak in my behalf, wholly un-
solicited by me, perhaps it is jLst as well that
this part of the matter be dipwsed of at this

int. If you will kindly call alter Keever,

will remember it as a personal favor.”

Dinorah started at the mention of that name,
and, if possible, her face rew paler than avar.
She caught her breath w th a sharp gasp as a
tall, neatly-dressed figure brushed past her,
stepping into the open space in front.

“He here! An his witness! God pity us
now, for we are indeed lost!” ahe gasped, con-
vulsively grasping the arms of her supporters,
her eyes wildly watching the movements of the
man wlo appeared in answer to the call for
Walter Keever.

Fremont Metcalf, too, seemed strangely af—
fected, though his agitation looked more like
rage and hatred than aught else. He made a
motion, as the tall form passed by them, as
though he would leap upon or strike him with
clinched fiat. So, at least, Old Forked-Lightning
interpreted his motion, and the veteran grasped
him by the arm, knowing that any wild out—
burst at that juncture could only render the
situation more critical. But the mad impulse
fied almost as quickly as it was formed, and
cold and composed, Fremont Ucmlf listened.

“Your honor,” said Walter Keever, in a
clear, ypt ali htly tremalous tone of voice, “ un-
less my evi euce is strictly necessary to the
case. I beg of you to excuse me.”

“ On what grounds?”

Keever hesitated, casting a quick glance over
his shoulder toward the spot where Dinorah
Metcalf sat, erect, motionless. staring fixed!
into his face, but looking more like a marbe
statue than aught of flesh and blood. A hot
flush passed over his face, and his tones were
10wer than ever as he said:

" For no reason to make me ashamed. I have
loved Miss Metcalf for years, and I would
rather 'cut of! my right hand than do or say
aught to give her trouble! Colonel, aa a man
speaking to man. I ask you to let me ofl from
taking the stand i”

“It is no longer a question of mere polite—
ness,”.was the cold response. “ We are here to
discover the real assassin ofa fellow-being. I
have been charged with firing the shot that
killed him. You can settle any doubts which
may still linger in the minds of my fellow-jury—
men. You must speak.”

Vialter Keever bowed gravely, then took the
oat .

He gave his name; his occupation was that of
a mine~owner and capitalist; his regular resi—
dence in Chicago.

“i remember the incident alluded to by the
last witness.” he said in continuation. “I was
speaking with Colonel Teemcr at the time. We
were standing in front of a saloon, having met
there while going in up ite directiOua, nearly
half an hour before. a had not been inside
the saloon. Neither of us had been drinking as
I know—certainly I had not. My brain was
perfectly clear and my nerves steady. I cruld
not possibly be mistaken in the man who ran
into us, I saw him on the stand just new, and
fully recognized him as the same.

“ I heard the report of the istol at the Occi—
dental Hotel. It occurred w thin in very short
time after the man asset! on: within twoor
three minutes, certain y. The colonel and my-
self were still talking before the saloon. I men-
tioned the shot. but he laughed: said I would
grow accustomed to such sounds if I stopped
long in Canaan. Then a man came runnin

st, saying a man was killed at the hate .

be colonel went (once if he knew the victim.

I did not go. 1 have no fancy for looking at

disagreeable tights.”

That was all the witness said. but it was suf—
ficient to clear the colonel in the eyes of all,

 

\

3

 

 

.-

 

 

save those of the three in whom we are more
particularly interested.

Walter eever fell back, bowing and offering
his hand to Dinorah, who gazed at him for an
instant in silent scom. His face flushed ain-
fully, and he retreated, as she arose, pa 0 as
death, but outwardly composed.

"You are triumphing now, vile assassin, but
the hour of punishment will come, when you
least expect itl” she said, her white forefinger
pointing at the foreman of the jury, her blue
eyes glowing with a prophetic fervor. “It may
come too late to save the innocent, for the ways
of heaven are mysterious and inscrutable, but
come it will—I know it! And when it down
come, may you suffer a thousandfold the tor-
ments you are heaping on the heads and hearts
of those who never knowingly harmed you in
word or deed!

“Your honor,” turning to the coroner, her
voice moderating. sounding weary and ill, “if
you have no further questions to ask us, we will
go back to the room from whence your oflcer

rought us. Have we your permission?"

Wesley Whitecap bowed. his tongue failing
him. For once in his selfish, worldly life, his
heart was sincerely touched.

Leanin on the arm of her brother, Dinorah
slowly le tthe room. Still more slowly Dave
Long followed after his face that of one whose
heart was far from being in the work his sworn
duty compelled him to perform.

Old Forked-Lightning overtook him, tapping
him on one shoulder as. they ascended the stairs,
saying:

"You're doin’ a dog's work, Dave, but we
know you hear to. All the same, make it as
light as you kin onto them two pore young crit-
ters, or—”

“ It don‘t need no crooked words or looks from
you to bring that on, ole man,” was the quiet,
dignified responsc. “I hev to do my duty,
make or break. ut durned of it ain’t the last
time! I’ll throw up the oflice to-morrowl” he
added, with an outburst as abrupt as it was

nulne.

Old Forked~Lightning left him standing on
guard out the door, entering himself with the

rother and sister. He closed and locked the

door, then advanced and took them by the.

hands.

“ It's a black lookout, fri’nds—n mighty black
lookout! But we’ll keep on hopin’ fer the best
as ion ‘3 we kin.”

“ a must hope!" impulsively cried Dinorah,
all her false composure vanishing as she clung
to the neck of her brother, kissing him passion-
ately. mingling her tears with his. “ Evin
hearted though they are. they cannot condemn
the innocwnt to suffer in place of the guilty! I
saw the face of the murderer by the light of the
. tel-shot. It was the face of that demon—of

lonel T ~emer!” '

“My poor girl, we believe you, but no one
else will,” said Fremont, soothingly, gently
smoothing her soft hair.

‘iThey must; it was God’s own truth l"—pas-
donately.

“I believe lies are of more value here,” he
said, with a short, hard laugh. “ The liars
were listened to as though Gospel poured out cf
their mouths. Those who told the living truth
were mocked at and— Bah l" with a sudden in-
crease of des ration, “ let them go on. What
matteri Isl fe so precious that I need fight so
hard to cling to it?

It lasted only a moment, this wild fit; then,
like one who mutely begged her pardon, Fre-
mont kissed his sister again and a sin. She
lay sobbing on his bosom, seeming y death-
stricken.

Olll Forked Lightning fldgeted around for a
while, then he spoke, gravely and rapidly:

“ I know how sore your pore hearts must be,
children, but in this emergency it's better that
we talk plain au‘ conceal nothin’. You won’t
take it hard of I do some p’inted talkin’i”

Dinorah impulsively grasped his hand and
grossed it to her ii I, dampening it with tear-e.

remblingiy the o d man released it, his voice
strangely softened as he spoke again:

“ its mighty hard to say it ri ht to your
faces, dear ones—mighty hard! at it cain’t
be helped. I know you're free o’killin’ that
dirty whelp as I be, but I ain’t the jury—wuss
luck!"

" You think. then, that they believe me

guililyf”

“ hey cain’t holp b'lievin' it, of they go
‘cordln' to the everdunce which was brung for'-
’ard,” was the grave response. “ We know that
they was some almighty tall lyin’ done by more
then one o’ the witnesses, makin’ still blacker
what—the blessed Lord knows—was black
enough at bestl But kin the jury silt out all
the lies an’ save on‘y the truth? Ax yourself
savvy, keepin’ in mind who the head 0’ that jury

" The man whose hand is stained, not mine."

“80 we know, but we failed to prove it.
That's the ’int jest now. We tried to show he
done the b oody work. but the critter bed kiv-
ered up all he tracks too cunnln’ for that.
He’s a mighty bad man, that kunnel. He neVer
strikes onto] he gets a 3001 ready, an’ then
somethin‘s got to drap. This time it is you.

 

 

 

 

 

Why, I don’t know, nur they ain’t time to ax.
They cain’t draw it out much longer; they’ll be
bringin’in the vardick mighty soon now; what
it is. you know without my sayin’.

“ Ef you stop here ontel that vardick is reach-
ed you’re a dead manl Not that they kin do
more in law than to hold you fer trial afore a
reg’lar jedge; but thar’s the lynchersl"

A convulsive cry escaped the pale lips of the
maiden. Fremont turned a shade paler. Old
Forked-Lightning whispered:

“ Sa that you’ll trust to me, an’ I’ll save you
yet! it one word—there is no time to lose!”

CHAPTER XIV.
IN ran NAME or run LAW!

Dmonan clasped his hand between hers, a
faint fillet] of reviving hope tinging her cheek
and lending a feverish brightness to her blue
6 (‘3.

I“ Save him, and I will forever bleSS you! He
is innocent—he must not stay here to be legally
murdered!"

Fremont was calmer, though there was a
quivering about his lips, a wistful look in his
eyes as he intently gazed into the troubled orbs
of Old Forked-Lightning.

“ How can it be dont? What must I do?" he
asked, slowly.

“ Thar’s on’y the one way.” replied the
veteran, his voice sounding harsh and unnatu-
ral as his eyes carefully avoided those of the
maiden who still clung to his hand. “To stop
here means death. The 'ury kin bring in on’y
the one vurdick a’ter al ’s bin said. That
wouldn’t make so much matter, of we was whar
law could take its nat’ral coursu but weain’t.
The kunnel‘s n mighty big man. an' he‘s down
onto ye. Jay Flicker run with the gang head-
ed by Romeo Bu g, an‘ theu're all down onto
ye. Let the var ick mention your name. an’
thar‘s boun’ to be a lynchin‘ bee ef your iri’nds
ain’t strong enough to fight the lyncllers off.”

“ But you said you could save him!” gasped
Dinorah.

“An’ sol kin,” slowly. “The lad’s got to
run fer life.”

Fremont turned a shade paler, glancing to-
ward the do:~r. ,

“ You forget that a. guard is posted yonderl”

Old Forked-Lightning shook his head, his
eyes drooping.

“Say that you’ll run fer it, an’ I’ll 0 out
fu’st. When the road’s cl’ar, I’ll cal you.
Will you do it?”

Dinorah fall away from the speaker, the
flush dying out of her face, a look of bewildered
horror coming into her eyes. Old Forked-
Lightning caught that look, and his own eyes
drooped again, is face flushing hotly, his voice
husky and low.

“ It‘s the only way left. All the gold in the
world wouldn’t be enough to bribe Dave Long
to shot hisfiyes when duty told him to keep
’em open. e’a a mighty gomi boy, Dave is;
but he’s a alone in the world; he ain’t got no
sister to break a heart over him, sur yit no
wife or youn ’uns. Better him then you, lad!
S iy the wor ——time's creepin’ on l”

“ If he could utter such a word, I would dis-
own him foreverl” cried Dinorah, her eyes
flashing with her old spirit.

“And I would deserVe it,” quickly rejoined
Fremont, the momentar temptation vanishing
when he knew that freer om could only be won
through the death of one who was only per-
forming his sworn duty. “ I have done nothing
for which I should flee in the night like a cow~
ardly criminal. My hands are clean and my
conscience clear. If die I must, it shall be like
a man and a Christian.”

“But it is very hard!” murmured Dinorah,
her face hidden on his manly besom.

“Hard, 1 know; but would it be any easier
to see that honest fellow out onder die at his
post of duty? To know that loud was certain-

on my s;ul, if not on my hands? Cheer up,
ester; cheer up and be bravel We may be
borrowing trouble without due cause. The
verdict may be different from what we anticl-
pate. And, after all, it is not like a regular
trial. At the worst they can only arrest me on
the charge of the jury.’

“Right, Fremont!” cried Dinorah, rallying
her proud spirit and standing side by side, as
though defying their enemies. “If you are
guilty, I am equally as much so. Together we
have lived~togetlxer we will die, if the worst
comesl"

It may sound somewhat theatrical, even
bombastic, when set down in plain black and
white, but Old Forked-Lightnin was a good
judge of human nature, and he new that the
maiden meant every syllable she uttered. A
suspicious moisture came into his eyes and he
turned away for a moment lest they betray
how] deeply a felt for them in their day of sore
tria .

Only for a moment. He knew that time was
precious—in a very different sense from that in
which Wesley Whitecap so frequently used the
sentence. He had much to do ere that dark
night was spent.

“It was the one chaince, children, an’ I
thought it no more then right that I should
place it fa’rly afore ye," he said, his voice re-

 

\

 

gaining its former cool steadiness. “ Now
you’ve put in your anSw-er, I’ll ’mit openly that
ef you’d made a different choice, it would ’a’
hurt me deep .’ But let that go.

it  key” (in hopin’ fer the best. but We,"
prepar’ fer the wu’st, all the same. Ef it ain’t
needed, we’ll on'y be out the time spent—an’
that ain’t much ’longside o’ eternity.”

“What can we do but Waiti”muttered Fre-
mont.

“Not much, you two; me, a heap, I hepe.
Anyway I’m goin’ to make a mighty big try
fer it, an’ of I don’t make the riifle, be sure it
won’t be my fault.

“You’ll wait here ontel the vardick is brun
in. Take it as easy as you kin, keepin’ in ming
that it ain't like it was the say-so of a reg’lar
court 0’ law. They’ll treat ye white enough at
the jump-cff, anyway. You ain’t nothin’ to
fear more the gang has time to git together an’
’cuss the matter over good. An’ afore then,
your fri‘nds ’ll be around ye."

“My friends? where are they?" uttered Fre-
mont, with a short, hard laugh.

“ Here is one, dear brother!”

“ An’ I kin take oath to two more,” as
prompt] replied Old Forked Lightnin . “ Chis-
pa Char ey ain’t wastin’ his time, I don treckon,
thouih I looked fer him to turn up afore this.
You in ’pend on‘o him as you kin on me, chil~
dren. He‘s a gambler an’ all that, but his heart’s
in the right pinch, an’ he never yit Went back
onto a friend when his word was once passed.”

fiwan smile flitted across the face of Dino-
ra .

“ He said nearly the same words of you, when
he left us. ”

“ Ef he said that the old man was ready an’
willin’ to lay down his life fer you, Miss Metcalf
—an’ for you, boy—he never stretched the holy
truth a ba’r's breadth!” was the impulsive re-

pl .

xYou have proven your ood will, time and
again, this dark and painfu night,” said Fre-
mont, grasping his hand. “If we do not thank
you more at length, it is not because your kind-
ness has f lied to make its due impression, be-
lieve me i"

“ I do—I kin uess all ggu would say, an’ that
saves time wh ch kin put to better use,”
quickly uttered Old Forked-L‘ghtning, all traces
of emotion vanishing, leaving him once more the
keen. alert man of business.

“Chispa Charley, as I said before, is it Im-
bler, an’ the sportin’ men 0’ the town—o the
kentry, I might almost say—follcr his lead like
he was a kin . They‘s good men as well as
wuss amongst em, 0’ course: take ’em in a bunch
an' they’ll averidge as good as the citizens who
sorter ook down onto ’em asc tl'd sharps. Which
is why Chispa has to do l.is pritty work a leetle
onder kiver. like, so’s not to range the ‘ better
element’ a ’in’ him an’ the cause he holds up for
-mu seel'

Brother and sister nodded. Chispa Charley
had previously prepared them for something of
this sort, and So they were more ready of com-
prehension than might otherwise have been the

case.

“ Good en hl What I’m tryin’ to git at is
this: I hate to cave ye, but ef we‘re to do clean
work I must find out jest what Chispa is doin’
an’ t e plans he has made, so We won’t come
into c'lislon when the ’splosion comes (ff—see?”

If not, they pretended to, and once more bid-
ding them be of good cheer, telling them to sub-
mit quietly to whatever lay in store, and trust
all to the friends who were working for their
salvation, Old ForkedL'ghtnin shook their
hands warml and left the room, rushing past
Dave Long w thout a word and hastening out of
the hotel.

It Seemed as though their last earthly friend
had deserted them, and Dinorah her forced
composure giving way, bawed her head on
Frentont's bosom, sobb ng as though her heart
was breaking.

Perhaps it was all for the best. It ve him
something to think about, to keep his 11: nd from
brooding morbidly over the bitter complications
which had so suddenl and completely entangled
his thread of life. t was his turn to play the
part of comforter and adnser.

“ Dinorah, deargirl,” he breathed softly, his
cheek restin against her head as she concealed
her face in h s bosom, “ we must make the most
of the little time we have left us. Nay," and
he could not wholly help from laughing as his
sister gave a convulsive start and agitated
quiver at his words, “ I did not mean that, sis.

have faith to believe that you and I will live
for each other these many and many long years
to come.”

“ Heaven in its mercy grant it:” was the
tremalous reply, and with an eflort that was as
noble as it wrs severe, Dinorah lifted her head
and checked her tears, vainl trying to answer
that smile with another. “ at he said—I can-
not help thinking of those frightful lynchersl”

“ He means well, but be czaggerated, no
doubt unwittingly," quickly replied Fremont.
“The day is past for that sort of thing, in a
civilized country.”

Dinorah made no reply. but the troubled light
in her eyes deepened rather than died away as
her busy brain recalled the many wild tragedies

 

H

l
i
’j
is
i.

v to“:- ~.- .
- 1“" 4st 95. ‘.

 

H

with which the papers of the day literally teem.
And the more she thought, the more impressive
seemed the warning words which fell from the
white-bearded lips of The Solitary.

“ It is disgustingly annoying. and all that,”
added Fremont, his naturally liOpeful spirit be-
g inning to lift beneath the heavy burden so un-
(-xp 'ctedly cast upon it, “ but after all we know
that it can be no more than a passing cloud. I
am innocent of crime or wrong-doing, and even
strangers cannot be brought to think different
when they are given time forlooking at both
sides and weighing the evidence. I will not
mink so badly of my fellow-beings as all that
comes to!"

"But he said so—and he surely understands
these wild, uncouth men better than either you
or I, brother!"

“1 know. He believed all he said, too; but
still i. hold to my belief. Heaven knows that is
bad enough!” with a short, hard laugh.

Dinorah yielded, more to love than reason.
Yet she could not refrain from uttering:

“ iny a cloud; but it is so dark, so threaten-
in l‘

" The sunshine will seem all the brighter,
when the cloud passes away. But while it lasts,
Dinorah, there is work for you to do. You re-
member what that arch-villain said? You re-
memblr the name he mentioned?"

“Dick Morley, he said. But~~brother—-you
do not believe him? It surely is not our fa-
ther f" faltered D norah, her eyes filling with a
sorely troubled light, her lips quivering, lie-1'

r brain in a whirl.

" I do not know what to think,” replied Fre-
mont, his face' clouding. “ When he spoke, it
seemed to Set. my blood on fire. I knew that it
could not be our father—alive and well, all these
weary years without sending one word home to
mother. And yet—it may be so! He may have
written that triumphant letter too soon. He
may have failed when he felt success was fully
assured. A thousand things may have hap-

nod to rob him of the wealth he had accumu-
ated, and his proud heart may have forbid-
den him to follow that letter, in poverty, with
empty hands.”

‘ Coming from any other lips, I would never
have doubted its truth; but from him—from
the wretch who seems to be bent on ruining us,
whose evary word and action has pointed to
that bitter black end—I do not know what to
think!" murmured Dinorah, shivering.

“Nor I,” admitted Fremont. “But another
recognized the portrait and called the name. It
may be true. At least, it is a chance to learn
the truth of what that unfortunate man must
have held in reserve He surely must have
meant this chk Morley, when he wrote to us!”

“ But if so well known in these parts—if liv-
log all these long years in the mines—would he
not, if our father, have seen some of our ad-
vertisemequ Surely he must! And as surely
he must have answered them!"

“He may never have seen them. His spirit
may have been too completely broken—or, see-
ing them, he may have resolved to keep silent
until he had won the fortune he once promised
to bringto his family. You know the colonel
said he gavo him a ‘grub stake.’ That means
fitting him out wit? tool: and provisions fog;

rospcct ng cam 91 , t e roceeds of an
gowry to be divides.“ p y

“Supposing the worst to come—supposing the
jury bring in a verdict of murder, against me
—-l will be arrested and taken to prison for
trial. If so. I can do nothing; but you—sister,
you must hunt up this Dick Morley and forever
set our doubts at rest! You will do it. sister?”

Dinorah tried to reply, but swbs choked her
utterance. For the t me being all her proud
courage was gene. in her soul s'ie knew that
her brother was innocent of this terrible crime,
but the idea of his being taken to prison to an.
swer for the death of Jay Flicker, crudhed her
heart as with a milled hand.

“ You must be brave, sister: brave and
true to yourself," added Fremont, kissing
her plaid brow. “You must do the work
that would have been mine to do, but for
this unfortunate affiir. You will have two
good and true friends to aid on. Though both
were perfect strangers unti to-night, it seems
as though I had known them for a lifetime.
True: them as you would trust me. Tell them
your hopes and fears. and either Chispa Charley
or Old Forked-L‘ghtuing will take the harder
details ofi' your ands. Aided by them, you
will surely find this Dick Morley. After that,
yournown true heart and quick wit mu t guide

on.

Much more he said, but it is not necessary to
copy it here. And he was still talking when
there came the heavy trampling of feet upon
the stairs, drawing near to the room in which
they sat.

Dinorah turned pale as death, clin 'ng to the
neck of her brmher, as though fen ng to lose
him forever, Fremont also showed agitation,
but less acutely. They both knew that the

crisis had come, and in its darkest, blackcst
shape!

And they were right. The footsteps caused
just without the door, and after a brief whis-
pering, there came a heavy rap at the door.

01d ForkeérLighteies the? $91,353”? 21

Dinorah trembled like a leaf, but Fremont
gently, firmly removed her clinging arms and
put her away. He strode to the door, unlock-
ing and throwing it open, stepping back a
few paces to admit the knocker, Dave Long,
only; marshal.

is face was grave and hard-set, an {almost
dogged look in his honest eyes that told how
little he relished this phase of his duty.

Holding the door open, he stood to one side
until the party of men entered the room. At
their head marched Wesley Whitecap, more
owlish if possible than when be occupied the
Seat of justice down-stairs. After him filed
the jury, some of their faces stolid, heavy, show-
ing no more regret or anxiety than if carved
out of wood; some trembled, that of Donald
McLean most of all.

And Colonel Darius Teemeri If he felt either
remorse or exultation, his face never betrayed
him. It was calm and unreadable; the face of
a man who felt he had performed a duty which
he owed to society, but who was neither glad
nor sorry the task was completed.

With a side glance toward his rich creditor,
as though in hopes he might even yet here-
lieved of a disagreeable duty, the coroner drew
a slip of paper from his pocket, clearing his
voice With a backing cough, and reading the
few words written on the slip without preface
or comment.

It was the finding of the jury. Their deci-
sion was that Jay Flicker had come to his death
by a pistol~shot, said shot having been dis-
charged by Fremont Metcalf. And as foreman.
the name of Colonel Teemer came first on the
list of names appended.

Though no more than they had taught them-
selves to expect, this blow fell none the less crush-
ingly. Fremont bOwed his head, heart-sick. Din-
orah gave a gasping sob, than clung convulsiver
to the neck of her brother.

“ It is a very unpleasant duty,” hemmed the
coroner, carefully folding up the slip of paper,
taking 03 and wiping his spectacles, as he nod-
ded to the marsha . “A most disagreeable
duty—but it is duty, and cannot be avoided.
Marshal, you have the warrant, I believe!"

“ sz—wuss luck l” was the half-sullen, half-
fierce reply; but nevertheless Dave Long was
not one to shirk his duty when it lay plainly
before him, and striding forward he gently
touched Fremont Metcalf on the arm, saying:

“You’ll hev to go ’long with me, Ireckon,
Mr. Metcalf.” ., '

The young man lifted his eyes with a start,
muttering mechanically:

“ Where to?"

“ The lock-up, outel we kin git furder orders
from the jedge. As the crowner said, it‘s might
hard of it is duty, an' as a man like youracl ,
boss, I hope you won’t make it any harder by
holdin’ back, like.”

“ I will go with you quietly, and try not to
confound the omce with the man. Dinorah,
you remember?"

With a sobbing cry, she flung the loose hair
back from her white, tear-stained face, her eyes
suddenly blazing.

“Remember! Can I forget! Forget that
you are innocent of this horrible crime? Tout
they have sworn your dear life away with false
testimony? Ayl’ here es fairly ablaze as she
turned 11 n CJlonel eemer, one quiverin
hand up! fted. “ You have covered your son
with perjur a thousand miles deep to swear
away the li a of an innocent man—of one who
never did you harm or injury! Why, oh, why
did you do it? What end have on to gain by
stealing his life? What—ha!” w th an exclama~
tion that was almosa shriek as she caught
sight of a tall, neatly dressed figure standing

ost without the door. “I see it new! You,

alter Keever, are at the bottom of all this
frightful trouble! You swore to make me
sorry, and this is your revenge! Coward! Liar!
Assassin 1”

Like bullets came the c ithets, and for an in-
stunt the man addre shrunk from before
the storm. But then, he recovered his compo-
sure outwardly, at least, and entered the room
bowing, with an apologetic smile as he said:

“ I was compelled to utter those words, Miss
Metcalf.”

He said no more,'for Dinorah no longer
noticed him, but once more clung around the
neck of her bmther. .

“Where you go, I go too, darling! If you
are guilty. I am no less so! They shall neVer
separate us on earth or in heaven, brother!
When they b'lng the shameful rope, it shall
encircle mv throat before it touches yours!"

In vain Fremont tried to reason with her. In
vain he whispered again the sacred charge
which be had given her just before the coming
of the emcers of the law. She. could not, she
would not understand him. She clung to him
in a frenzy of grief and fear—clung to him so
desperately that he vainly tried to release her
nervous arms, ceasing at length through fear of
doing her material injury.

Dave Long drew back a little. biting his mus-
t-nches and muttering savage Purses on his of.
fine and the law in general. Wesley Whitecap

 

turned his back and used his bandanna freely.
coughing, hawking and hemming at a furious

 

rate. Walter KUEVPI‘ interchanged a covert
glance with Colonel Teenier, but did not ven-
ture to do anything: inure important.

That ( elm. unreadable countenance seemed to
grow harder, and a brighter light to shine from
those black eyes as they roved swiftly from one
to another of the company. Then he spoke,

qua...

sha and stern:

“ arshal, you know your duty; perform 3
it!”

Dave Long turned toward him with a sullen
respect.

“ The warrant says to arrest Fremont Mat»
calf: it don’t hold the name 0’ no lady. I won‘t
lay the weight of a finger on her, ef the law
goes to ’tarnal smash—so thar I”

“ Then I wid!” harshly muttered the colonel.
striding forward.

But before his band could touch her person,
Dinorah faced him, a beautiful furv, scorn and
hatred filling her face and ringing in every syl—
lable

“ Will nothing short of playing the hangman
satisfy you, merciless demon? Have you not
wrought enough injury to the strangers who
came here on a holy mission?”

“ The law must take its course,” was the cold
retort.

“The law? As exemplified by you I You—-
the midnight assassin? You—whose merciless
hand shot down that poor wretch in the dark,
and then, to save your own worthless neck,
added basest perjury to murder? And now you
come to gloat over our foul work! But—div,
youflcnd from Ha es 1”

Insane with trouble and wretchedness, Di--
norah left her brother, drew a revolver and.
leveled it at the heart of Colonel Toemer. And
only for Walter Keever, who cau ht her hand
and threw it up, she would have ki led him then.
and there.

The weapon was discharged, but the bullet
spent its force on the ceiling, and as Dinorah
saw Dave Long step forward and grasp Fremont
Metcalf by the arm, she uttered a wild, wailing
shriek, then reeled and fell to the floor, in a
deathlike swoon.

And (‘llODfil Darius Teemer smiled like one.
fully satisfied.
CHAPTER XV.

raEaE's MUSIC IN ran AID.

You. a moment Walter Keever stood like one
petrified with horror and remorse for what he
had wrought in part. Then the mad, unreason:
ing love which he felt for this peerless maiden
burst out into a fierce cry as he s rung forward
and stooped to raise her limp orm from the
11 \or to which she had fallen.

But his hands had scarcely touched her gar-
ments when a tall figure leaped into the room,
grasped him by the shoulder, and whirling him
around with as much a parent easeas though
he was nothing more i. an achild, hurled him
with savage force away from the maiden’s side.
Reeling, stag ring, Iightless, Walter Keever
plunged heavi y against Colonel Teemer, driv-
ing im against the wall, both goin downto
the floor in a heap before either coufd recover
his balance.

“ Hands 03, you scoundrel!” grated a stern
voice, and the firstoij-ct the two discomfitA-d
men distinctly recognizid as they untangled
themselves, was a polished pistol-barrel over
which gleamed the dark orbs of Chispa Char-

le . -

gardl comprehending it as yet, the two men
regain their feet, and Wu ter Keever was
moving toward Dinorah once more, when the
prince of gamblers halted him with:

“ Back, you whelp! Dare but to touch this
lady with the tip of your finger, and I'll send
you to your master hot-foot! And the same to
you, Colonel Darius Teemer! You know me,
and you know my record !”

Chispa Charley held the almost lifeless form
of Dinorah Metcalf across his left arm, her head
resting against his shoulder, “bile his right
hand crossed owr and covered the two con-
fused, mortified men with a read revolver.
Incumbered though he was, he he d the drop,
and they were wise enough to realise this un-
comfortable fact.

Fremont Metcalf had started forward to
assist his sister when she made that insane at-
tack on Colonel Teemer, but as the firm grip of
Dave Long closed upon his arm and he fe t that
be was indeed a prisoner in the name ofthc
law, his strength and spirit both seemed to
desert him for the time being. It seemed to
him as though he had not a friend left on earth

or in heaven, his unscrupulous enemies triumph- ‘

in: at all points.

But now a flush of his old spirit returned, and
he cried:

‘° Geod boy, Charlevl Wing the devils, if
they so much as insult her by word, touch cr
loo !"

Wesley White-cap almost broke his neck in
getting out of the room, the majority of the
jurymeu emulating his highly prudent example
without stopping to ar us the point. Right
well they knew that bul ets were no respects"
of persons, and it was not often that such harsh
terms passed between men of the day withou:
the interchange of leaden compliments also.

 

 
 

22

This occasion was one of the exceptions that
go to prove the rule, however. Neither of the
trio were anxious to burn powder at that stage
of the game, where innocent persons might
easily get the worst of it.

Colmlel Teemer, after that brief hesitation,
caught Walter Keever by the arm and led him
from the room, pausing at the threshold to cast
back over his shoulder:

" PM see you later, Mr. Hampton."

" You‘ll be right welcome, never fear!" was
the lart response. that pistol steadily follow-
ing tiem until their forms were fairly lost to
Vic“

 

" i ask one favor of you, marshal,” said Fre- |

meat M -tcalf, in a tone of voice that seemed
more like his usual self.

" Ef it don’t run chuck-up ag’inst the law an’
my duty, it’s yourn afore you do the uxln’,” was
the prompt response.

"My sister—she is all alone in the world nowl
Let me see her in the care of a friend before I

o with you. Poor child! this has been a bitter
glack night for her. She is about worn out,
body and mind.”

“ Git out. Johnl i guess I know—poor child l”
and Betsy Forbes broke into the room, uncere-
moniously taking Dinorah from the alrong arms
that seemed—or was it idle fancy?—-reiuctant to
give her u . “Git out, you men critters! Ain’t
ye satisfie with the wicked work you’ve done
a'ready'i" -

Fremont glanced into the eyes of Dave Long,
who released his grasp. The youth hastened to
the honest if slightly-vixenish landlady. assist-
ing her in placing l inorah on the bed.

"As you are a woman. be kind to her,” he
muttered, his eyes and voice both filled with
tears. “ She has no mother, no father—and
now they are taking me away from her. Watch
over and guard her, as you hope for salvation
hereafter. Kind Heaven will reward you, if
we are not able to do so."

“The poor darlin’-—as if I axed itl Be I a
heathen without heart or bowels or sympathet-
icals. l’d like to know?"

“ Forgive me; I hardly know what I am say-
ing. But you will—you will guard her against
all annoyance from those infernal scoundrels,
Teemer and Keever?"

“ Won’t l?” with a significant crooking of her
bony fingers. “Jest let ’em try it on, that’s
all! Not a man-critter shell come anighst the
pritly dai'lin’, onless she axes fer ’em in so many
Words—no, they sha’n'tl”

Fremont Metcalf knew that he could expect
no more, and stooping, be pressed an ardent
kiss upon the pale, senseless face of his sister,
then returned to Dave Long, saying simply:

“ i‘m ready to go with you now, mars al."

' “ It‘s the last bit 0’ dut the durned ole
town'll ever git out 0' Dave eng. you hear me
talk!” muttered the disgusted official. with a.
regretful glance toward the lifeless figure over
which Aunt Betsy was bending solicitously.
“ Fer two cents, I’d tear of! the cussed star an’
tram is it onder fut this blessed minnit!”

“ ot yet. Dave " said Chispa Charley, a
grave interest in is tones, “We may n
your omcial iiifiuence before the night is fairly
over. as well as your good right arm.”

“You think, thenl" muttered the marshal. -

with a significant glance toward his prisoner.

“Speak out lain. Dave. He's got sand
enoughtobear t e worst. Yes; I believe the
gang Jay Flicker trained with is bent on raising
a mob to lynch our friend."

“They' find more snags than one in the
wa .

" True: I’ve been at work outside. as well as
they. You can count on all of the ho a to
stand you. I reckon we can make it m hty
interest ng for the roughs if they try to crowd
as to the wall."

Fremont said nothin , though a sad, wan
smile Iayed about hisl pa fora moment. Just
then, ifs had very little to recommend it, in his

siglht. Only for inorah—
hey out of the hotel. the prisoner
walking tween them. Dave Long ha ted, his

right hand going down to a pistol as his keen
e as detected a number of shadowy figures filt-
ng to and fro before them.

‘ The ’re our friends, Deva," muttered Chis-
pa. at t a same time giving vent to a peculiar
whktle.

An answer came like an echo, and the figures
became stationary until the three men were in
their midst, when they closed ranks and march-
ed steadily through the town to the rude jail.

Dave Long's face relaxed a little as be scanned
the escort thus mpglied by the forethought of
Chispa Charley. e knew them all, cool give
the record of each man in the close ranks, and
was well content. If gamblers, sports, men who
lived by the exercise of their wits and preying
on the weaker and more crednlous of their race
he knew they were men who could fight well
against odds, if the necessity ever arose.

“ No lynch-law this deal, Dave, old feliowl”
laiiighed Chispa Charley, as they reached the
is i. ‘

It was a rude and not over-strong structure, a
single story in hight, covering a space some
twenty feet square. This building. formed
principally of heavy, rough slabs, stood at one

i

 

end of a yard formed of heavy planks, fifteen
feet high, stoutly braced, the top armed with
spikes and barbed wire.

As ageaerai thing, Canaan found all of her
crimina cases effectually disposed of before the
lock of the jail could be turned on the delin-
quents, and as none of those who had been con-
fined therein had ever broken jail, being for the
most part drunken miners or gamblers put there
to sleep off their bad whisky, no move had ever
been made toward furnishing a better and se-
curer jail.

Dave Long opened the door, and Fremont

l Metcalf entered. The marshal lit a dingy lan-

tern and hang it up against the wall. By this
light, Fremont glanced around him and made a
note of his surroundings.

Not very cheering, truiyl

There was no furniture in the building. A
scattered heap of hay partially covered the
floor, but sufficient was left bare to show him
it was made of long, heavy planks. High up in
the walls were cut narrow apertures which
served to admit air and ii ht when the sun
shone, or which might be utilized as i00p-lioies
against a mob, in case of necessity.

“ It‘s the best we kin do fer ye.” said Dave,
his voice showing plainly enough that his sym—
pathy, as a man, was with the young fellow.
“Here’s hopin’ you won't need to stop here
many days; an’ when the time comes to leave
it, may you come out, head u ) an’ tail a-risin’,
to see me turn off the dirty wiielp as raaiy done
the murder—amen I”

It was not often that honest Dave sufiered
his feelings to so wholly carry himself away,
and when he had splattered out these well-
meant words, he hastily left the jail, closing
the door and turning the key in the ock.

Chispa Charley was awaiting his reappear-
ance.

“ There’s music in the air, old fellow 1"

He did not need to explain his meaning.
From the main part of town, nearly a quarter
of a mile distant from where the jail stood in its
isolation, came wild yells and cries, now and
then punctuated, as it were, by a revolver-shot.
Clearly Canaan was red-hot and about to boil
over.

“They must take me fu‘stl” grimly uttered
the marshal, looking to is Weapons.

“And me!” chimed in Chispa Charley, ad-
ding: “ it will be a bad old job for those who
play the first cards, mate! I’ve got the boys in
iarness, and when they do cut loose. there'll
be solid work for sexto‘ and undertaker,
surel’

“ How many can youcount on?”

“Twenty—but they’re each one equal to a
couple when they know they’re fighting for the
law. With you and I at the head, to tell them
to go it for all the ’re worth, it will take a
young army to best t em.”

“Call them up. so a feller kin make sure
which is which. It won’t be no hurt to them to
hev it knowed they were ready to putt their
licks in on the right side, even ef that should
some out to be all sound an’ no fury over you-

er.

Chispa Charley cheerfully obeyed, and the
men gathered around the front of the jail,rang-
ed in ine, Dave Long seeing from one to an-
other. recognizing eac b name, adding a few
words that told how fully e recognized the ser-
vice the were ready to perform.

This one. the marshal returned to where
Chi a st00d.

“ hey’re a good lot, sure enough, Chispa. I
ain‘t sure but what with you to help me lead
’em..I could take the town, with Kunnel Teem-
er at the head.”

“ I think if (you were to look close enough,
pard, you’d fin my mark somewhere on that
same colonel,” was the quiet reply; but it was
a uietness that speaks louder than boasting.
“ vs had that suspicion before this, but since
the part he has played tonight I could almost
take oath to that effect.”

“Waal. when you claim our property. I
I want to be whar I kinsee he fun—as ain
Dave Long, without any darned marshal usi-
ness ’bout it, mind yel”

The outcry in town grew louder and more
distinct, and for a few moments it seemed as
though the crisis was actually at hand. It
seemnd as though the mob, mad with liquor and
athirst for blood, were coming at a rush for the
jail. But only for a brief a as did this delu-
slou last. The sounds sunk ower, and the dark
group around the prison knew that the time
was not just yet.

“ Dave,” said Chlspa Charley gravely. after
a brief silence which grew oppressive, “ suppose
you take your pick of the boysto help on.

hen run young Memlf over to Tinker’s am!
I’ll stay here and hold the gang level until you
aresafe.”

Dave Long gave a short, hard laugh as he

"P‘Wohldn’t that be wmpin' out o’ the skillet
into the fire, mate? ho rules the roost at
Tinker’s Dam?”

“ Col’pnel Darius Teemer,” was the slow re-

use.

“Waali He hain’t tno ru on last the
lad,'hes he?” - ‘0 g d‘ x,

 

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

“ Perhaps I could make him forget it. Per—
haps I could own persuade him to give up his
residence at Tinker’s Dam, and settle down in
Canaan.”

Words simple enough in themselves, but Dave
Long readily understood the grim significance
which lay beneath.

“ It won’t do, Chispa. The kunnel ain’t a
common man in the ’piniou o’ the ciiizens
’round here. Ef you was to pick a quarrel an’
wipe him out, it ’d be all day wit you. An’ so
much the wuss fer the lad, to . Don’t you
see?”

One of the gamblers, uttering a sharp chal-
lenge, just then saved Chispa Charley the neces-
sitX of a reply to this query.

3 the two leaders oi the law and order party
turned in that directicn a man whom Chispa
recogniZed came up haslily.

“ The gang’s at work, boss! Romeo Bugg and
his outfit’s working them all up lo fever-pitch.
They’ll be down after the prisoner tefore day-
light comes, sure!”

“ If So, all that come won’t go back on their
own legs!” grimly uttered Chispa. turning to
Dave Long. "if you don’t like to adopt the
plan I mentioned, we‘d better make all arrange-
ments for receiving our hot-blooded friends
from town.”

“ We’re ready as it is, I take it.”

“If they come in front, yes; but ru pose they
try to make a lreak from the rear Suppose
they were to get inside the stockade before we
knew it’l Which foot would the shoe pinch
then! It could be done. you know."

“ With cool wits, niebbe, but not with a cargo
o’ bed whisky aboard,” retorted Dave Long.
“ Still, it cain t do no hurt to make all double—
sure. You boss the boys; ax fer a couple 0’
volnptecrs to keep watch on the back end 0’ the

n.'

Chisna Charley did so, and from the number
that offered, be selected two in whom he felt he
could place implicit reliance, and led them
around to the rear of the lot. He stationed one
at each corner of the stockade, bidding them
keep so they could each command a view of one
side, as Well as the rear. Warning them to
strict silence and unremitting vigilance. he left
them at their posts and returned to the front of
the jail where Davi» Long was awaitin him.

Scarceiy had be returned when anot er chal-
lenge went out from the men whom they had
cast a little in advance to detect the approach
of any y of men. In the dim lig t, they
could detect a considerable force, and each man
gras d his weapons tighter. stceiing his nerves
for t a deadly conflict which one and all felt
assured was c ose at hand.

Chispa Charley, revolver in hand, stepped for-
ward to investigate, and as his sharp chalien e
rung forth it was answered by a voice which is
instantly recognized as that of a merchant
who he knew could have naught in common
with the drunken rioters.

“Friends, come to lend you a helpin hand
in case of need,” was the reply to the cha len e.
“There’s trouble brewing in town among t e
roughs. They’re filling up with whisky, and
swearing to have a lynching-picnic before the
sun rises.”

“ We expected something of the sort. and have
repared for the picnickers," lightly replied
hispa Charley, advancing and warmly greet-

ing the unexpected accession to their forces.
‘9 You are Very welcome, however, though I’m
afraid when the hot-heads come to see our num-
bers, they’ll think twice before opening the ball.
If that will save us some trouble, it will also
save a number of lives that should have found
an and long ago l”

The new-comers were for the most part com-
posed of respectable, business men of the town.
and they received the gambler rather chillil .
Though the lines are never strictly drawn £1
places like Canaan there is alwa s more or lea
pre udioe against those who gain in for a living
an knowing this, Dave Long came forwar
and took the lead.

A quiet smile curled the red ii .of the gain-
bier, as he fell back. It was pain he cared
little for the opinions of these men. If a gam-
pler by profession, he was not ashamed of the

act.

There was little said. The men were all
armed, all resolved to defeat the bloody plans
of the drunken gang; but as though they were
oil and water. the two divisions re used to mix.
And thus, divided among themselves. they wait
ed and watched, listening to the wild, drunken
shouts from town.

An hour or more passed, without anythin
more definite from the roughs. and the party 0
defenders were beginning to believe that, after
all. their precautions were needless, when they
plainly heard the sounds coming nearer. And
then they can ht sight of a number of torches
and lanterns ancing about between them and
the main part of the town.

“Steady, ents.” muttered Dave Long, cool
as ice himse f. “ Let the critters make them-
selves cl’arly in the wrong afore givin’ it to ’em.
Wait ontel I giva the word; then wade in fer
all you’re wu’thl"

Though they yelled and whooped and screech-
ed as though trying to split their throats, the

 

an...”  -

 

 

3
.r. ..-q¢u'

 -an d... ......M a: ,

 

Old Forkedgpjginmng. the Solitary. 23

 

 

 

gang of roughs still kept at a safe distance.
They seemed very busy about somethin , but
just what that something was, the defen .ers of
the jail could not guess. And as the minutes
assed on, Chispa Charley suggested his stealing
orward to investigate.

Dave Long, to whom, as chief of the forces,
this request was directed, hesitated. He did

, not want to take a step outside of his legitimate

duty, but his curiosity was rapidly getting the
better of him, when a diversion occurred.

A fickering light was slowly a proaching
t’lL‘l!‘ position from the directiono the town.
it seemed to be a common miner’s-lamp, the
red blaze flickering and swaying in the breeze.

Beneath this light, they could dimly distin-
guish a human shape. though neither features
nor dress could be clearly distinguished at first.
Then—-

“It is a woman, by thunder!” cried Dave
Long, in high excitement. “ What’re the p’izen
imps up to Mini”

“It may be some cunning trick to thr0w us
off our guard; so look out. while I take a little
stroll!” muttered Chispa Charle , his revolver
drawn and ready as he stepped rom the ranks
and rapidly advanced toward the nondescript
figure.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
wonsn AND wousu, AND noun or rr.

I‘LUCKY as ho had time and again proven
himst since the day when he first struck the
region in which lay Canaan, Chispa Charle
felt anything but comfortable as he slowly a -
vance to meet that strange “contrivance”
which had awakened the curiosity of the jail.-
defenders.

The dim, uncertain light from the lamp
which the object. man or woman, wore on its
head, did very little toward solving the mys-
tery. There was certainly some sort of float-
ing drapery below the middle of the “ what is
it’i” that resembled the dress of a woman.

But would a woman be in such company, at
that uncomfortable hour! And, above all,
would a woman be performing such ridiculous
antics and contortions, unless indeed she had
very recently escaped from some lunatic asy-
luml

Throwing forward his revolver, Chispa Char-
lev cried:

“ Halt! hands up, whoever you are l"

A hoarse, mumbling, indistinct sound came
from the direction of the light~bearer at this
sharp challenge. and there certainly was no
further advance, though that was the only por-
tion of the command obeyed. -

The nondescript stopped abrupt! , then fell
back a pace or two, bending an twisting,
swaying from side to side as if tryingto dodge
from an anticipated bullet or two. nd as he
stared in amusement, Chispa Charley fancied
he could see the strange being desperately tug-
ing ata revolver which had, in some manner.

come entangled in his clothes behind his
waist.

“Careful, oul rung out his voice in rim
warning. “ ’ve got the drop, and it’ll ta e a
prettier-looking object than you to spoil my
record! Once more—hands up!”

A groaning outburst from the lighthearer
told p ainly enough that this warning was both
heard and understood, but still those insane
antics continued, while the hands remained hid-
den from sight behind the being’s back! Was
the creature courting death!

Chispa Charle cast a keen, comprehensive
glance around hp, feelin sure this was but
some dos rate trick on t a part of the lynch-
gang. a could barely distinguish phantom-
iike figures of men moving to and fro between
him and the lights in the town, but none of
them seemed to be within easy striking dis~
tsnce. And in all other directions the coast ap-
peared to be perfectly clear.

Satisfied that he had only one enemy to deal
with, and fancying he heard a low laugh com-
in from among the jail-defende the Man
Wfith a Record strode swiftly towar the writh-
ing on! ma. ready to send a bullet searching
for its v tals at the first gleam of a_weapon.

A gentle, odd ing current of air struck the
light and to it so that the red rays fell full
upon the face of its bearer. One moment was
a! it lasted, but that was sufficient for the

mbler. A cry of amaaement escaped his lips,
or he not only recognised the face, but he saw
why his sharp challenge had not been answered
intelligibly.

The light-bearer was none other than Honest
John Forbes, landlord of the Occidental Hotel,
and his never very nimble tongue was now
rendered absolutely dumb by the application of
a close-fitting gag.

The instant e made this recognition. Chispa
Charley leaped forward and knOcked the
miner's lamp far awa , so that its rays could
not endan or either t landlord or himself,
then used is knife so adroitly that a gasping,
wheezing breath, a guttural curse and a mutil-
ated prayer all leaped out from the throat of
Honest John in a confused jumble!

And his liberated hands came around to close
on those of his deliverer, pressing them spas-

 

modically, while the wildly protruding eyes
cast glances over his shoulder toward town.

“ The good Lord bless you, Chispa!” he man-
aged to ejaculate. “ An cuss them devils! Ef
Iain’t white—headed, it’s a blessed marcytoo
good to even think of! Them ahind, pushin’
me on—you ahead, with the drop, a-yellin’ to
up with my han’s—-—an’ me thar as couldn’t, all
the time lookin’ fer a hull mule-load o’ bullets
from your battery! The—good—Lord! Ef I
cain’t git even onto somebody, bu’st goes my
b’iler, an’ I know it!”

Though he felt a certain degree of uneasiness
and no little anxiety to learn just what this
comical masquerade meant Chispa Charley
could not help laughing at the truly remarka-
ble appearance which the worthy landlord
made just then. And with a generous desire to
share the treat with his fellow-defenders,
Chispa was ently hrging Honest John back to
the jail, the andlord too thoroughly excited as

at to realize the anything but dignified figure

a cut.

A chorus of laughter greeted him, as_the de-
fenders gathered around, the better to take in
his truly unique get-up.

For a moment Honest John glared indignant- ,

ly at them, evidently taking this wild outburst
as a personal insult, but as Dave Long thou ht-
fully turned the full light of a bulls-eye an-
tern upon him, be uttered a scorching oath;
then a sheepish laugh as he began tearing off
his disguise.

His portly form was arrayed in a calico dress
of large figure and flaming co ors. On his head
was a bonnet once the hight of fashion and then
styled a “sky-scraper,” the peaked front of
which was filled with gaudy red pop ice and
bright yellow goldenrod. with a libera supply
of green for foliage. Wide red, yellow and

purple striped ribbons held the bonnet on his 3

head, being tied in a huge double bow beneath
his fat chin. A gayly colored shawl was over
his shoulders, crossin in front, then being
brought back and tied hind his back.

“ Clearly a spy, taken within our lines and in
disguise,” said one of the merchants, with mock
gravity.

“The penalty of which is death!” added an-
other.

“ By hanging!” supplemented a third.

And once' more the chorus of laughter went
up from throats that already ached from laugh-
ing so long and heartily.

But Chis a Charley suddenly grew sober.
Certainly onest John had not entered willing-
ly on this masquerade?

“Did I? Do I look like a domed idjit?” in-
dignantly puffed the landlord, as he hurled the
last of poor Betsy’s finery far from him into
the gloom. “ Would a sober man 0’ my age
an’ ’sperience cut up sech dnrned fool capers of
he didn’t has to? The—good— Lord I"

With a silent signal to Dave Long, Chispa
Charley drew the landlord to one si e, where
he would not be pestered by the laughing com-
ments of the defenders, then questioned him.

“ Who rigged you 11 after that style! Where
did they find you! t does it all mean, any-
h0wf"

And then, as the full force of the strange
afiair struck him, be grasped Honest John by
the arm, and grated:

“ The gang—they came to the hotel?"

“They eat did !”

Chispa barley did not wait for the landlord
to sa anything further. With thoughts only
for D norah Metcalf, whom he believed in im-
minent ril, he darted back to the front of the
jail an calling a half-dozen of his men by
name, bade them follow him as fast as possible.
At a swift run he set of! in the direction of the
hotel, caring nothing for the perils which might
lie in his path. I

Dave Long understood what this meant, and
only his stern sense of duty kept him from fol-
lowing. But he knew that he had work to per-
form where he was, and uietly called the star-
ing landlord back to his s ry.

“Tell it your own way, Uncle Johnny,”he
said, “ but ’member that the quicker I know all
that’s happened. the better able I may be to
help you git evm with the pesky critters as
infadne a monkey-show 0' you at your time o’

i e.

A more potent a meat could not have been
brought forward, or since he had recovered
from his fright, Honest John was literally
“ red-hot ” a ainst the authors of this outrage.

“ Jest put me in the wa o’ gittin’ even, an’
you kin hev free run 0’ my case, an’never pa
a durned cent as long’s live!” he exclained’,
grasping the hand of the marshal and shaking

t vigorously.

“Never mind that; what I want is to know
what brung you here in sech astylef Who sent
ye? Fer why 1”

With a desperate efi’ort Honest John calmed
his outra ed sensibilities sufficiently to tell a
connecte story.

“I was settin’ thar in the omce, waitin’ fer
news. The old lady was np—sta’rs lookin’ after
the young lady. I wanted werfullv bad to
run out an’ see what you a I was doln’, but I
didn’t dast to leave the house alone. while them
crazy critters was ranipagin' all over town. I

 

:

didn’t know but what the mought take it into
thar fool heads to sot the otel afire, ’cause one
o’ the gang got rubbed out in thar.”

“ That’s all right, Uncle Johnny," saiJDave,
with a. trace of impatient sharpness in his tones.
“You done jest right, but skip the outcrop-
pin’s an’ git down to pay rock as soon’s ya
kin without too much trouble. Business, ye
kn0w, uncle!”

“An’ thar I was a-settin’ when the durned
whelps run in onto me—an’ me nigh two-halves
asleep! They hed me foni afore I could wink
twice.”

“Who was they?”

“ ’ou, tell—I’ll never do it! They bed that
faces all kivered over with rags, an’ thar ouds
was put on wrong side out, an’ all sech-like
doin’s. Ef they ever bed a mother, an’ she was
to’ve see'd ’em then as I see’d ’eni. she’d ’a’ gone
into highstrikes without hafe tryin’!"

“What did they do fu’si?" asked Dave, still
thinking to hurry the landlord to the pith of his
adventure.

“Wiped the floor up with me. when I tried
to git loose! Spread me over that room from
A to”izzard! Used me fer a scrub-broom, durn
em.

“ An’ then what did they do? What was it
they wanted 0’ you, anyway? What fer did
they send you out here?"

“ It’d be a heap easier to say what they didn’t
do!” the irate landlord replied. “They tuck
free run 0’ the bar, fer one thing. They made
a monkey-show 0’ me, fer ’nother. They tied
me up like a durned b , an’ then some o’tba
gang went rummagin’ round ontel they run
afoul o’ the old lady.”

“They didn't hurt the other—Miss Metcalff”

“Not a hurt, thanks to the old lady. She
shet an’ locked the door onto ’em, an’ swore
she’d let dayli ht through the just one as dared
to shew his ug y mug in them quarters!”

“Good for Aunt Betsy!” exclaimed Davo
Long. his eyes aglow.

“ They told her they’d roast me alive ef she
didn’t open up, but she told ’em to go ahead;
she bed more vallible propertle look out fer
then any ole. good-fer nothin’man !” a little rue-
fully added Honest John.

Dave Long turned his fnce aside to hide a
smile. That was Aunt Betsy. all over!

“ They let her be, then. They found some 0'
her riggin’, though an’ come back to me.
They putt it on somehow, then sot me onto my
feet an’ marched me out—doors, like a domed
monkey~sh0w on two laigs! The—good—Lord!
Ef I ever ketch ’em!”

“I’ll holp you to ketch ’em, Uncle Johnny,
ef you’ll on y come to the p’int at once,” impa-
tiently uttered the marshal.

“ They tuck me out to whar we could see the
9i]. One big critter spoke to me jest so:

on go over yonder, an be, an’ tell them crit—
ters that ef they’ll give up that feller as killed
Jay Flicker, far as to do as we like with, an’ no
powdenburnin’ or knife-play, an’ they kin
thar own way, aceable. That‘s jest what E:
sea fer me to te 1.”

“Mighty ginerous!” sarcastically muttered
Dave. “They didn't ax nothin’ by way 0’
boot. did they I”

“The big critter said they bed men enough,
an’ mad enough to take the hull town. They
wanted the man that killed Jay Flicker, an‘
the was boun’ for to hev him. Ef uietly, all
rig t an’ so much the better. f not—cf
you was darned fool enough to hold out—third

urn the town, house by house. Ef that d‘ n’t
fetch you out 0' your hole, then they’d come
down onto ye like a cyclone an’ m the hull
airth with what was left 0’ your arkldgcs.
Her him they was bonn’ to!”

“ Anythiu more?” uietly asked the marshal.

“You was to hev est one hour to think it
over. Ef you didn’t come to time then, on’d
see the red rooster begin to show h ,an’
hear him crow fer jedgment day !”

“You couldn’t take oath to the big critter,
could yef"

“Nor to any o’tbe rest. They was rigged
out so the 0d Boy hisself wouldn’t 'a' kncwed
’em! Wuss than me, of that could be,” and
Honest John laughed faintly as he ht of
the ridiculous figure he had cut. and of l the
drinks it would coat him before hearing the last
of that masquerade.

Dave Long had turned on his heel and went
back to where his men were curiously awaiting
the result. In terse sentences he explained all
that he had drawn from the landlord.

“It‘s my ‘pinion that threats ain’t got no
bottom to ’em. They won’t burn a single
house, when they come to me that we don’t
skeer wu’th a cent. Still, I ain’t axin’ any 0’
ya to stop here with me, of you think you kin
do more good in town. Them as wants to do
it, kin all out, an’ nevrr a word he throwed up
to ’em or doin of it. We won't want so many
men here to do the fightin’, cf fightin’ they is to
be, anyhow.”

A few of the men Whose interests in the
town were the greatest, availed themselves
of this permission. none the less readin
because the wild racket sudden] increased in
town. Hoots and screams. mix with reckless

_ firing, mrde it seem as though the mob was try-

«a..-

 

 
 

24

 

 

ing to work their ocurage up to the attacking
po nt.

“ They’s too much sound thar fer much dam-
age,” drny commented Dave Long, as he saw
his men busying themselves with their weapons,
as though anticipating an immediate assault.
“ It won’t come jest yit, if ever. They’re none
too good, but i reckon they hain’t got no more
sand than the law ’lows. hen they do come,
ef they mean budness, you won’t hear quite so
much yowltin' as that.”

He turned to Honest John Forbes, adding:

“ You'd best go back home, Uncle Johnny.
\Ve're strong enough here without your help,
an’ you kin be of more use tlmr to look after the
wimmen. Shet up your house, an’ keep your
finger on the trigger. Ef anybody1K tries to make
a row, aalivate ’em the best you now how. I’ll
be your a‘curity."

“ They won’t ketch me in the same way ag’in,
Itell ye!”

“Not much. They won’t try. Chispa’s thar.
Tell him to stop thar, ef he thinks best. We
kin git along without him, I reckon. Better
take a circumbendibus, Uncle Johnny, so them
dirty whelps won‘t sight ye. Good luck go with

l

The landlord hastened away, and almost im-
mediately after, an ap roaching figure was ob-
served and challenged y one of the keen-eyed
defenders. in answer came the Wellvknown
voice of Chis a. Charley, alone.

“Ali’s we] at the otel, as yet,” he hastily
exp'ained to the marshal. " For fear of trouble,
though, I left the boys there on guard. We
can manage without them here, I reckon.”

Dave Long hastily made known the story
tlld by Honest John, and looked his wish for
advice. It came promptly enough:

“They’ll never dare burn the tOwn. That
much is all wind. But they will give us a
brush, I actually believe. I took a little turn
through the town coming back, and they seem
to be getting all ready for a rush. Wouldn’t it
be better if we go ins do the pen! Then, if they
are too hefty for us, we can enter the jug
through the back door, and defy an army from
therg, so long as they don’t use fire to rout us
out.

Dave nodded. He himself had come to the
same conclusion.

“ It won’t be so long to wait,” he said, with a
glance at the sky toward the east. " Daylight’ll
come in an hour.”

He unlocked the door and entered the 'ail,
but uttered a little cry as he saw that the l ght
which he had left with the prisoner was no
ion or burning. Instantly he uncovered his
bull s—eye lantern and swept the light around
the room. fierce curse escaped his lips, for
the jail was empty, save for himself and Cniapa
Charley!

For a moment he stood as though turned to
stone, but then he turned savagely upon the
gamb‘sr, his eyes blazin , his face contorted,
his voice grating throu h is clinched teeth:

“ ls'this your work, hispal Ef it is, I’ll kill

you !’

But his light flashed upon a face that showed
only astonishment and vacant wonder. Then
the gambler spoke:

“I never did it, Dave; I pledge you my word
of honor!”

“ He couldn’t ’a.’ come out by the front wa .
He couldn’t ’a’ done the work without help. gs
couldn’t’a’ passed out at the back without the
men thar ssein’ of him, onless they slwt thar
eyes on purpose. An’ them men was icked out
hv you to keep watch, Chispal" hesa d, hardly,
a ernly, still doubting.

“And 1’]! answer or them with my life. if
need be!” was the impulsive reply. “Out and
look for them, boys!

He made a move as then h he would set the
(mingle, but a heavy han checked him and he
look square into the biasing orbs belonging to
the marshal of Canaan.

“ With me, Chispa, of you please. We’ll wait
here tell the boys come back with the guards.”

Chispa shrugged his shoulders in silence,
though his face was still deeply troubled. Nor
did t strange look vanish w en the men came
back, the two guards between them, alive and
well| ,but limping. And the wondering look
grew still deeper as they t ild their story a an-
swer to the questionings of Long.

They had strictly obeyed orders in regard to
the enemy. At ha moment when those in
front were investigating the appearance of
Honest John in disguise, they were appro rhed
by a small squad of men, whom they halted.
In answer a well known form drew near, alone.
Theydwere told that he had brought some men
too in the defense of the jail. And then-—
they were attacked from behind, blankets being
cut over their heads. They were bound, hand
and foot, as found by the party sent out to in-
vestigate; but they could tell no more.

And the man whom they accused of this
treachery, was none other han Old Forked-
Lightning!

' Your rd an’ stan’-by, Chlspal” sternly

‘ common Lon

g.
" i don’t understand 1” muttered the gambler,
passing one hand across his brows. as though to

clear away the mists. “I know it couldn't be.

 

the old man—he wouldn’t take such a step with-
out first consulting me!”

“ See here, Chispa. The man who was placed
in my keer as an officer 0’ the law, is gone.
Your fri’nd hoped him off. Your men let him
pass by without givin’ warnin’ to us. I’m goin’
after that boy, an’ 1’” fetch him back, dead or
alive! I’ll look fer the old man, too, an’ git the
truth out 0’ him. Then, of he says you was in
cahoots, I’ll come back here an’ kill you, sure as
they’s a Heaven over our heads!”

 

CHAPTER XVII.
STABBED IN THE BACK!

As the dOor of heavy timbers closed behind
the form of Dave Long—as he heard the sharp
click of the key turning in the wards of the
of the huge padlock—Fremont Metcalf .felt as
though the last link connecting him with this
world was cut of! for good and all.

He could distinguish, though indistinctly, the
wild yells and boots of the drunken mob, and as
by instinct he knew what they portended; but
he gave them not a second thought. Just then
be. felt so utterly miserable that it seemed as
though he could welcome even such a shameful
death as a happy release from his present mis-

erv.

He sunk down upon the musty heap of dried
grass, bowing his face upon his hands, thinking
-—thinking.

How long he remained thus he never knew.
He was lOst to all outer sounds, unconscious of
the lapse of time, until he distinctly felt the
board on which his feet were resting, move
as though being lifted by something beneath
it!

It was a wild fancy, he told himself, but for
all that, in his bosom s rung up a still wilder
longing for freedom, for iberty, if only that he
might solve this cruel mystery in whose cling—
ing coils he so suddenly found himself! Nor did
the shrill squeaking of a rat as it pressed up—
ward through a hole in the flooring that was
barely large enough to permit is passige, dissi-
pate is waking dreams.

And then—his breath came more quickly as
he heard a key turning softly in the rear door.
His eyes began to glitter with a half insane
li ht. His limbs draw together until he crouch-
e like one in readiness to leapu nanother
who alane kept him from liberty. or one in-
stant, Fremont Metcalf was but little better
than a lunatic. ,

He could bare] y distinguish the cautious move-
ments at the rear door. He heard the padlock
renamed. the chain lowered, the rusty hasp
moved from the heavy siaple. Wh all this
caution? Surely it would not beus if those
beyond the door Were of the marshal’s party!
And if not, then they must be enemies—perhaps
the lynchers,come to tike by cunning what
they feared to attempt by force!

It was a cruel revulsion of feeling, and in the
new fear which assailed him, Fremont Me'calf
was on the point of calling aloud to Dave Lung
or Chispa Charley, when the d00r silently open-
ed sufiloiently for a human head and pair of
shoulders to be thrust inside. Andawhisper
came hurriedly:

“Hist! not a whiper, or we’re both gone
suckers!”

it was well the warnin came so (finickl . for
in that one brief glimpse mont etca f re-
cognizsd the strange man who had risked life in
his behalf, who had shown so much anxiety for
his safety during the‘ trial—Old Ferked-Light-
n us!

With one finger pressed it n his lips, the old
man slipped inside the jet l, moving silently
across the room to where the lantern stood,
hastily extinguishing it. Then, so silently that
Fremont never heard his approach, he regained
the side of the astonished prisoner, bending over
and whispering hurriedly:

“ They ain’t no time lolose lad, ef cu want
to see the sun rise ag’inl in a littebit the
gang‘ll be here, red-hot fer blood, an’ it ain’t no
common jolt 89’]! throw ’em 01! the track
when they once takes it. Come with me—
qnick!" '

Despite his recent dreams, now that the wa
seemed (gamed to him, Fremont hesitated. t
seemed a part of a uilty man to take to
flight. And yo t—if the ynchers came, no mat-
t- r how lhe fight might go, there would be
bloodshed on his account.

“Tuiuk 0’ your sister—think 0’ your fri’nds.
dear boy. of you halu’t no' thought for Verselfl”
whispers-l Old F.)iked-Liglittiiiig. “Think 0'
the kunnel in’ your iuemiesl Will 'ou stop
here to be butchered, an’ let ’em hev in 1 swing!
Or will you live to cl‘ar yerself an’ kiver them
with shame! Will you go down in the mem’rv
0’ all time as a murderer, or will you take life
enough to brin the real ’sassin to light!”

It was enoug . With feverish impatience to
be gane. Fremont arose and followed the lead of
The Silitary. Stopping Only long enough to
close and lock the door again, the ol man led the

way along in the deep shade cast by the armed
fence, and near one end of the pen he gently
pushed aside a couple of the wide planks, loose

 

mOld Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

at the bottoms, though still held to the upper
beam by a nail or two.

“ Go on,” muttered Old Forked-Lightning as
Fremont hesitated. “They’re fri’nds you'see
waitin’ thar—go on l”

Be obeyed, slipping through the opening, im-
mediately followed by the Solitary.

Fremont gaVe a little start as he fancied he
could distinguish a prostrate figure lying clo.~e
against the bottom of the fence; but his guide
uttereda faint whistle and several men crept,
toward them. coming from that direction; at d
Fremont fancied one of these was the shape he
first saw.

He could see that all of the men were dis-
guised, wearing heavy mufflers over their heads
and shoulders, something like meal-sacks. As
he turned toward his rescuer, he saw that Old
ForkedLightning also had donned one of theme
disguises.

“ it’ll save trouble ef anybody should run on-
to us, ye see, dear boy," whispered the old man,
taking a similar disguise from one of his assist»
ants and pre aring it for the use of the escaped
prisoner. “ f we was recognized, it mought
make trouble fer Ch—fer them as stan’ in with
us ye see!”

t wa< suflioient. The partial mention of the
name of Chispa Charley drove all doubts from
the mind of the young man, and he quietly sub
mitted to be covered with the sack. It was fur-
nished with holes through which he could see
and so he followed the noiseless lead of OIJ
Forked - Lightning without much difficulty.
Through the gloom—by a winding course that
carried them from the j .i1 and the town as well
—on for half a mile or more; then they came to
a little clump of trees in which a number of
horses were stationed, under charge of a man
who wore the some disguise as themselns.

“ It’s all Well? They hain’t bin nobody sneak-
in’ round 1” hurriedly asked the old man.

“ Not a soul that I could make out,” was the
reply.

“ Good enough! Straddle the critters, an’
pull out! Then let ’em smell fer the trail as
keen as they keer ferl Ef they ketch us now,
they'r heap smat ter then i take ’em for!”

Like one in a dream, Fremont mounted the
beast assigned him, and surrounded by the
masked men, he rode rapidly along, he knew
not whither. For hours, it seemed to,him. For
miles and miles, he knew. Whither, he asked
not, he hardly cared. It was sufficient for the
present that he was leaving the terrible noose ot‘
the lynchers far behind him!

The day was dawnin when Old Forked—

Lighming ave the signs for Coming to a halt. .

Nimbly he eaped from the saddle and came to
the; side of the man whom he had stolen from
at .

J “I reckon we’vo gone fur enough fer this

time,” he said, with a light laugh ashe held out/1

a hand to assist Fremont.

“ Where are we!" asked the young man, as he
dismounted. casting a curious glance around
him over the wild and romantic landscape,
whose features were gradually growing more
distinct as the rosy light of the new-born day
fell nthwart them.

“At the end 0’ our j't’nt, fer the present,"
laughed the old man. “ 'l‘hey’sh aur rise wait—
in’ fer ye, dear boy. of ye kin ony guess it.
Chispa wasn't idle while the ole man’s bin at
work. Guess what he’s done. Guess who it is
that’s waitin’ to see ye! Guess who it—”

“My sister—Dinorah!" almost gasped the

outh.
y “Hit it fu’st time!” chuckled The Solitary.
“ Chispa brung her here while I was lookiu’ out
for you. You two kin keep in hidin’ while
Chispa an’ me smell out the re ltrnth 0’ how
Jay Flicker come by his death. An’ then
ou—"
y “Where is she? Where is Dinorahl“ inter-
rupted Fremont. . _

“Look yender whar my finger p’ints. Don t
you see her?” '

Fremont bent eagerly forward and then—a
cruel blow fell upon his head, and wnh a a"...
ing, urgling cry, he fell forward upon his ace,
sense essl

When he recovered his consciousness, it was
late in the afternOon. He was lying under the
shade of a bending bush, and the scenery about
him was wholly strange to his aching,-throo-
bin brain. I

Where was he! What had happened! Bow
-—ahl The truth in part dashed upon him as he
strove to leap to his feet. t They were bound at
the ankles. There were thongs pressing his
wrists. And that dull in in his head. He
remembered the cruel low that deprivt'd Hm
of sense. Free then—a 'prisoner now! Tn»
enemy had followed and sur rlscd them, am—

A startled cry esca d is lips as a well-
known face came and at ovor him—the face
of Old Forked-Lightning)!a

“ Well, you've come ck to your senses at.
last, hue out” demanded the old man, with
a strange arshnnss in his tones. “I began
to think you meant to sleep away the whole
week?"

Fremont stared blankly into that face. The
voice seemed the samer‘yet it was strange—
atrange Lecause it was heartless, sneering, un-

 

 

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s mpathetic! And why was he bound, while
3d Forked-Lightning was left at liberrvl .

“ It puzzles you, (“M‘s it!’ laughed The Srili~
tary, coolly taking a seat liesidetne young man,
producing a cigar and lighting it. “ Well, you
can console yourself with the re fiectiou that

 

you have lenty of company-that you are not ‘
y many a score, who has been taken ‘

the first

in and done for by yours truly!”
An inkling of the truth began to

the dased brain of the young man.

netrate

had been laying a cunning part all t ugh
the past a ghtl But. for what reason? What
could he hope to gain from such bitter, black
trericheryl _

As before, the old man seemed gifted with the

war to read the secret workings of Fremont’s

rain, and he said:

"I'll tell you, my dear boy, if you‘ll have

atienoe. It may help to reconcile you to what
is in store.

" [n the first place, I‘m what straight-laced
fellows like ourself, might call acolossal fraud.
True, I’m id Forked—Lightning at times—
when there’s any important end to be gained by
taking all that trouble. At others—but wait a
bit; possibl
that arto my record.”

" alse—-a trait )r—you I" muttered Fremont;
then, as the full force of that devilish admission
flashed upon him, a groan of bitter anguish
burst from his lips. “My sister! may Heaven
guard and protect her now!”

“She’ll not sufler from lack of protectors.
dear bay—don’t let that thought trouble you,”
chuckl the old man. his eyes glowing with an
evil light. “If not one, then another. If not
Chispa Charley, then me. If not me, perha s
the gallant colonel—or Walter Keever—w o
knows?" ,

With a desperate effort, Fremont Metcalf
strove to burst his bonds and leap at the throat
of the wretch who had so thoroughly deceived
him, who so bitterly mocked him now that he
lay helpless at his mercy. But in vain, though
he fancied he heard the stout thon s crack and
snap. Then, utterly exhausted, he ay panting,
glaring at that merciless face.

“Are you through, dear boy?” mocked the
traitor. “If not, 1 ll wait. I‘m in no hurry.
We have to wait here until the fair Dinorah
puts in an appearance, anyway."

Fremont closed his eyes with a feeble groan
of mental and bodily pain. It was too much!
It was too hitter!

For a few minutes Old Forked-Lightning
smoked on in silence, watching the pale face
of his victim through his half-closed eves, evi-
dently enjoying his acute an uish. But this
quiet torture did not satisfy h m .long. He sat
up and ruiely stirred the motionless figure
"with one foot, saying:

“ Wake up, dear boy! Wake up and listen to
the tale I have to unfold for your particular
benefit. it is interesting enough to keep you
from falling asleep, neVer fear!

Scar-rely conscious of his actions, Fremont
obeyed, so far as opening his eyes went.
With a lack-luster gaze he stared at the traitor,
:sayin nothing, but still listening.

“ hy have I taken so much pains to throw
dust indyour eyes? Why have I pretended to be
afrien , while all the time I was an enemy?
Listen and you shall knOw, dear b0 i

“I have had an eye on you fora lyong time. I
was first attracted by your advertisements ask-
ing information concerning Tucker Metcalf.
Why? Because I knew the man long ago. Let
that answer suffice for the present. I may say
more, after.

“A friend and ally of mine—never mind his
name for the resen —was watching you close-
ly. He hear that you had gained a clew, and
were about to act on it. lie could not tell me
more, just then, but he said you were gettin
ready to leave for the West, e could only is. 1
me the name of the place you were heading for:
Canaan. Hedid not know who it was you were
going to meet. He only knew that you received
a le offering to tell you all about Tucker
Metcal . for a generous consideration, and that
you had closed with the ofler. .

“The report was a vague one, but it was suf-
ficient to mark you for death! From the mo-
ment vou turned your face toward Canaan. you
were deomed, beyond all earthly hope! Every
channel of escape was blocked. on would
have perished by the way, only it was necessary
to discover the traitor who offered to sell out

' those whom he had sacredly vowed to serve,
aid and protect with his life, if need be.

“ You arrived at Canaan. You lost no time
in seekin for the traitor. But promptly as you
moved, 5.16 destroyer was on your track. It
wa accident that led Romeo Bugg to assail you
in eGrave. He was acting under my orders.
‘4 e was ‘6 to pick a quarrel with and kill you,
in such a ashion that no serious charge of mur-
der eculd be brought against him.

“ Why didn’t I let the game go on. to the end?
Beoauso Bugg was too fast. ause be par-
tially misunderstood my orders. He was to
wait until the traitor had made'hlmself known
to you. and to us at the same time. Then you
both were to die!

. nstead of ,
a friend, this strange being was an enemy! He ‘
ro

‘ recorded !

you may not take any interest in ,

 

orked-Ligheee the SPIEEeu- _

“ You know how it turned out. I had to step
in, and Romeo Bugg suffered for his stupidity.
That plan was foiled, but I had another in re—
serve. i knew that you would not complete the
negotiation in a saloon. I felt sure you would
bid your correspondent visit you in your room.
You did—and had an audience you never sus-
pected!”

“It was you—you killed him!” gasped Fre-
mont, hoarseiy.

“ You forget the verdict of the coroner’s
jury, my dear b0 i’ with a soft, purrin laugh.
“ You oommitte the bloody deed, an it is so
Never mind; the rope may yet be
cheated of itsjust dues, if—wait a bit.

“ How did we manage the job? Very easily
and simpl , thanks to the manner in which the
Occidenta was built. We entered at the rear
of the building. We crept from one room to
another, by means of the - low partitions. And
some of us were in hiding when you returned to
your room. Two of us were hidden under the
bed in the very room where Jay Flicker stole
so cautiously, to reconnoiter before placing him-
self in your power!' It was a mi hty close call,
but Providence smiles on the b0 d and deserv~
ing. you see!

“He did not discover us, but we spotted him.
If you had been a moment later in recognizing
the traitor, he would never have met you, alive!
As it was, we had to take longer risks.

“Your hot temper came to our aid, just. as
though we had laid out a line for you to fol low.
And when you grappled with Jay Flicker, we
put out the light, leaped over the partition and
took a hand in. No matter Who was with me.
No matter how the trick was «inns or whose
hand worked the trigger. Emuin that we
silenced Jay Flicker, stunned you. frightened
the angel out of her senses, then beat a retreat
over the partition. just in time to escape Chispa
Charley and Honest John.

“ The rest was comparatively eas . Every-
thing pointed at you as the mar erer. Old
Whitecap was under our thumb, and dared not
say his soul was his own. The.colonel was on
the jury; and he had two good backers in the
same panel. I was our pretended friend. And
I greatly fear that, nstead of aiding our cause,
my unfortunate questions but serv to deepen
the convictions of the jury that you were

guilty!" . ‘
“ by do you tell me all this, now it is too
late?"

“To show you what a poor fool on were to
enter the lists without first learning the prob—
able strength of your antagonists,’ was the
ready reply. “ We swore crime on you, honing

on would be lynched. In that, Dave Long

oiled us, and I had to try another plan, It was

in readiness, for when I saw that the marshal
would make a fight of it, aided by Chispa
Charley and his gamblers, I sent out true men
to o n a way into the jail. One of them man~
age to get this key. Another loosened the
boards at the back of the pen. And then I had
the gan send Honest John to hold the atten-
tion of éhe guard in front, while we captured
the two men on guard at the rear. That done—
you know the rest; all bu: the prime motive
which guided me.

“I brought you here. The two guards will
swear that your friend, Old Forked~Lighining,
set you free. Your flight will be taken as posi-
tive proof of your guil . And when, to-morrow,
my allies take you back to town, having cup-
tured you after a hot chase and desperate fight,
the gang will set up the cry for blend. You
will be taken and ynched without having a
chance to utter a word of explanation. To
make sure of this, you will be securely gagged.
Then—" .

His further speech was cut short by a call
from one of the men who were s‘ationed at a
little distance, and rising, Old Forked-Lightning
strode hastily away, leaving his victim to his
cwn bitter reflections

They were too hitter for endurance. Not
only as regarded himself, but Fremont feared
the worst for his sister, left unguarded and
alone in the midst of such remorseless enemies.

The thought set him fairly wild, and with
every ounce of strength cast into the eflort, he
strove to burst his bonds.

A terrible struggle—a fight that seemed to
rack his frame from top to toe—then the thongs
about his wrists parted! He hit his lips until
they bled to keep back the cry of fierce triumph
that rose in his throat. e took a penknife
from his pocket and slashed away the ropes
around his ankles.

He staggered to his feet, glaring around him,
half insane. He heard a sharp yell of alarm.
and felt rather than saw his guards dashing to.
ward him. He darted away at headlong speed,
knowing that to be overtaken meant death,
since he had no Weapons with which to fight for
life.

He heard the sharp cracking of pistols, and
[mew that the bullets were whistling past his
ears, but he stopped not. He darted around a

oiut in the bill, crashing madly through the
gushes, having no time to pick his way. And
then—the earth seemed, to give way beneath
him, and he fell down—down—it seemed for
miles! One Wild scream—then silence!

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
i'r‘s A wrsa CHILD 'rnsr KNOWS Irs OWN ra-
Tuna.

Or all who were more intimately concerned

in the strange and complicated events of that
black night in Canaan, Dinorah Metcaif plainly

! suffered the most acutely. From almost the
, first, it had been one terrible, killing stru gie on
1‘ her part, and when the climax came, litt 9 won-
; der that she succumbed.

She knew not when her brother was taken
away to jail. She knew nothing of the hot de-
fiance which Cliispa Charley fiung into the
teeth of Walter Keever and Colonel Teemer.
She knew nothirg more in til the night was
long gone, and honest Betsy Forbes was almost
dead with holding the secret she at oncc poured
into the ears of the maiden.

And when she heard that Fremont had es-
caped from prison, aided, it was rumored, b
Old Forked-Lightning, and with her head pi -
lowed on the fat and comfortable shoulder of
Betsy Forbes. Dinorah cried herself asleep once
more. But this time it was a clear, dreamless
healthful sleep that was better than food or
medicine to the overtasked nerves and wasted
strength.

That sleep was still upon her when the shades
of another evening deepened into night, and
Betsy Forlles was just coming down from a
stealthy tour of inspection, when she was way-
laid by Honest John.

“ Is she woke up yit, Betsy i”

“No, she ain't woke up, an’ of you dare so
much as whisper out loud, you’ll wish you hed<
n’t—that's all!” '

Honest John cringed a little sheepiahly. In
the fullness of his rage he had told the wife of
his bosom all about his thrilling adventure in
the hands of the disguirmi gang, and Betsy was
Euro to the heart about her sadly misused

nary.

“nl won’t-but they’s two gents to see her, an’

“ What two? Who be they an’ what do they
want?”

Without waiting for John to answer, Betsy
swung into the ofiice to use her own eyes, and
there found Walter Kee ver, accompanied by a
man past middle-age. At a glance she summed
him up as a ne’er-downs], whose moral back-
bone had proven too weak to successfully battle
with a perverse fortune.

“ We wish to see Miss Metcalf," said Keever,
bowing.

“Then want '1! be your master, I reckon!"

“That 5 not for you to say " reiorted Keever,
his voice sharp and stern. “ hen Miss Metcalf
sends me that answer f hI-r own free will, I
will accept it. You W! l oblige me by taking
this card to her at once.” .

Unconsciousiy awed ly his haughty tone,
Betsy twk the bit of pasteboard, running her
eyes over the few words wlich were written
with a pencil below the printed name. She gave
a little cry, and glanced eagerly at the man
wi‘thHKeever.

‘ er a i
If I every?”p

How much longer she would have continued
in this strain, can only be surmised, had not
Walter Keever stirred her up again with a few
sharp words. And still staring at the man
whom she seemed to regard as having risen
from the grave. good Betsy hastened to carry
the wonderful tidings to Dinorah.

She found the maiden awake, and eagerly
p)oured her wonderful tidings into her ears.

inorah shrunk away, trembled a little, look-
ing far from overjoyed, those haunting doubts
which had found birth in that terrible hour
before the coroner’s jury returning with re-
doubled force.

If not a vile impostor, how much better?
Would a man .of heart and honor sufler all
these years to pass without makin one effort
to communicate with his wife? If cker Met-
calf could do that, would it not have been far
better to let the ashes of the past lie without
raking them over? Yes, a hundred times over
—Ves!

Her eye flashed, her lips parted to declare
that she would not see the antlemen; but then
the eager, deiighied face 0 Betsy Forbes made
her pause and consider. What would she think!
What would the world think? And instead,
she resolved to have it over, once for all.

“ I will come down as soon as I have dressed.
Bid them wait for me,” she said, slowly,
mechanically.

Betsy delivered the message, then hastened
back to lead her assistance to the fair young
guest who had crept so wholly into her heart
and good graces. And together they descended
the stairs and entered the “ parlor.”

Walter KeeVer rose, bowing, smiling, but
Dinorah whollyi ored him and his extended
hand, her great b ue eyes riveted upon the face
of the man who claimed to be Tucker Metcalf.

Her face grew a shade paler as she noticed a
striking resemblance there to the picture she
had studied so often and lovingliy. Older
feeble:- it seemed; gray and lined; p nched a
peaked; the face of one who had found the

attic of life anything; but u holiday; but still

I want to know! Alive an’ wel-l!

«Qv» 4x -

 
 

26

 Forked-Lightningjtthe Solitary.

 

 

 

 

with a remarkable similarity of shape, of fea-
ture. Whether taken singlv or together.

“ Miss Metcalf,” said Walter Keever, taking
the hand of his companion and stepping a little
neareras though he would unite it with hers;
“this is the gentleman who has been known in
these rts as Richnrd Morley. but whose real
namegsI Tucker Metcalf. What! not a word—
nota hand for your father?" he cried, in sur-
prise, as Dinorah started back. placing both
of her hands behind her, slowly shaking her
head.

“ Is be my father?" she asked, her voice seem-
ing cold and hard. “ I have met so many evil
men of late, that I must be cautious and count
every step I take. Tucker Metcalf disappeared
sixteen long years ago. For nineteen years he
never showed his face to his wife, his son. He
went away before I was born, and now I am a
woman grown. Is it strange that I cannot
recognize him at once?”

With a meek, dejected tone. that still con-
tained a trace of anger, the man who laid
claim to the name of ucker Metcalf freed his
band and turned toward the dOJI‘, muttering:

“I told you how it would be! 1 did not
want to come. I knew she would deny me—
and rightly, tool I was an idiot to let you rake
over the old ashes—ashes cold for years—and
persuade me that there was a spark still alive!"

Dinorah caught the import of iliese muttered
sentences, and for the first time her heart began
to beat rapidly-her pulse to flutter, her suspi-
cions to fa e away and grow weak.

Would an impostor be so readil frightened
01!? Would he turn away like t is, without
making a single effort to hold his Owni Would
he not rather press his claims the more vigor-
ouslv?

“Wait,” she uttered, impulsive] signing
Walter Keever to stop his retrea ing com—

nion. “ You are as hasty as I am deliberate.

ou forget that I never saw my father. That
for ”all these years he has been as one dead to
me.

“And so it should have been to the end,” was
the moody reply, as the man suffered himself to
be turned back, sinking heavily into his seat.
“ It was a black mistake in the beginning; but
once be a, there should have been no turning
back. yen now, it would be better to let
me go as I came—Dick Morley, the ne’er-do-
weell”

“Not until you have told your story,” said
Walter Keever with sudden decision. “Miss
Metcalf will hear you out, then she can decide
whether the subject had better be dropped
where it‘is, or the truth of your tale ully
investi ted.”

“That will be be“, I think,” simply added

 

Dinorah.

" With this understanding, then,” said the
stranger. “Let it be
heard of each other before this very evening.
Try to believe it is a perfect stranger who is
repeating his life-history. And when it is:
finished, we can part as we men—strangers.
After, you can decide what is best to do. Not 1
one ’word of mine shall be given to influence I
you.

spoke with a simple dignity that strongly
lm ressed Dinorah. Surely an impostor would I
not take such a course! I

She dared not trust her voice, just then, and 2
simply bowed in token of acceptancc. And ‘
then. in low, emotionless tones, the man who
(erlde to remain Dick Morley began his story: .

“Never mind where I came rom. Never:
mind who I left behind me, other than that they
were my family: that is sufficiently explicit for l
our urpose just now.

“fwanted more money.
to live on a r man where I once had riches _
to spare. could not content myself with 5
piling u dollar on dollar, one by one. 1 resolv- :’
ed to gs n a fortune at a single stroke—or fall
by the wayside and never rise again of my own
free will.

“I never told my family all this; I left them
to think I would return all the same, a rich
man or. a poor one. I knew my wife would
never consent to a arting, else.

‘tThat was near y a score years ago. The
Pike’s Peak fever had settled into a steady epi-
demic. Men were making fortunes in a day.
The whole world heard of them. Of those who 1
failed—of those who wore out their lives, who
broke their hearts in the desperate race for
wealth—nibody ever heard. They fell, and
others with the same wild hopes took their
places, one to succeed, a thousand to fail mis- I
erablyl
“I ever mortal deserved fortune in those
early years, I did. Day and night Ivmoed her.
I never turned aside from the cal I first select-
ed. I paused for none of e low pleasures,
which ruin so many men at the mines. I never i
drank. never gambled—those who knew me '
called me the pa rson.

“But iortune ever mocked me. Time and I
time again it seemed as though my fortune was 5
made. As often there came disappointment, ?

I was not content ‘

through no fault of mine. The claim that open- 1
ed richer than those which had made million- 5
sires of their owners. ran out almost as svon as

men began to say 1 had struck it at last. Tu ice

as though we never?

i trigger.

I sold claims for a mere pittance, because I was l
starvin and I had no credit—a man would not
credit his own brother with a dollar’s worth of
flour or bacon then l—only to see them turn out
bonanzasl

“Fate was against me, you see. Perhaps 
cause I had set out to conquer her by main
force of will, I often think.

“ In this manner the years passed by. Then
I made enough by days’ labor to fit myself out
with tools, provisions and a pack—mule. I
struck out deeper into the mountains. _I eked
out food with game I shot with m rifle. I
VOWed neverto turn back until I he won my
fortune. I was desperate now;l would win
wealth ora grave in the wilderness!

“ I did strike it rich at last! I knew that the
tide had turned, and I made the most of it. I
worked night and day, only sto ping to eat and
sleep when I could no longer ght oi! fatigue
and hunger. It was placer diggings; water
was convenient and plenty. I had no one to
dis ate the ground with me—it was all mine,
am thinking of my family, whom I had not
seen for nearly three years. gave me double
strength. Inever knew what rest meant, until
the lacer suddenly gave out.

“ hat fact did not trouble me much. I had
enough fold to live on in comfort if not in afiiu-
ence, w th m famil . Somehow I was hum-
bier now. I liev I could be content to re-
turn to them with a little less than the figure I
had mentally chosen. And with my mule laden
with gold, I took the back trail.

“ All went well until I reached Denvsr. My
first action was to write of my good fortune to
my family, telling them I was at last ready to
come home! I sent off the letter by a train of
returning freighters. then went to rest In self.
It had been lon , weary months since I ha had
a good night’s 3 cap.

“ But some fellows heard of my good fortune,
and crowded around me. To get rid of them
the sooner, I consented to drink with them—at
my expense, of course. I took one glass, and it
made a madman of me!

“ I do not say that it was drugged. It may
have been only because I was so terribly weaken-
ed, my nerves so thoroughly unstrung. All I
can say for sure is that in the morning I came
to m senses, w thout a dollar to my name!

" hey told me I had gambled it away. They
even showed me the hall where I lost my
money. And when I made a row, as they called
it, the dealer shot me down like a dog!

“I did not die, thong: better or all the
world. perhaps, had such en the case. It was
months later thatl recovered my senses. Where
those months were spent I could never tell.
Who cured me—who paid my expenses—how I
came there many a long mile from Denver—all
this remains a mystery to this dayi

“Once more I resumed the battle with fate.
I swore to myself that I would never write to
my family until Icould give them good news.
I swore neverto return without a fortune to
make amends for my long desertion. I was
ashamed to go back a beggar. I could not tell
them that I had lost my bard-won fortune at
the gaming-table.

“Well, it was the old story over again. but
without the occasional gleams of hope. For-
tune never smiled on me again. Everything
failed that I undertook. I starved, 1 even beg~

ge .

“ At times I almost resolved to give over the
struggle for all time. I even put the revolver
to my head, with the finger almost tripping the
But then a learn of manhood came
back to me. Perhaps should say a sullen ob-
stinacy instead. I would not yielo to fate while
I had ~trength to fight her. I would yield only

' to death, when it came of itself.

“I saw advertisements which contained my
name. 1 (wall not answer them without vin-
lating my O'lIh, so I changed in name to Dick
Morley, and buried myself stil deeper in the
mountains, renewing the old, hopeless fight for
wealth.

“That is enough. To go on would be but to
repeat the same old story. I failed: that tells
it all. In a moment of weakness, I revealed my
real name to a friend. it ho fitted me out for an-
other efi'ort. Through that admission, this gen-
tleman traced me out and brought me. here. I
have told my story. lmnke no claims. Iam
outlayv Dick Morley. ragamuffin."

e concluded is recital without the slightest
irace of emotion. His eyes were restin on the
floor. He seemed brokwn down in has th and
spirit. the mere wreck of a man.

“ All you have said may be true,” said Dino-
rah. slowly, choosing her words with evident
dimculty. “I begin to believe that you are in-
deed the—my long-lost father. But I cannot
afford to make a mistake. My brain is sadly
confused. I haVe suffered so much!”

“I said I made no claim,” and the miner

“I did not come here of my own free
I am still Dick Morley. You can forget
thatI ever said aught to rive you a different

 

ides. Gnod evening. Miss Metcalf.”

Dinorah started impulsively to his side. grasp-
ing his arm and gazing intently into his eyes.
Only for a moment: then she drew back, pass-
ing one trembling hand across her brow.

“I cannot see clearly—my brain is all in a
whirl! Yet you must not go away—l must see
{Sign again, when I pm more composed. Prom-

me this—promise me that on will wait
until I send for you! You wiil promise me
this?”

“ If you wish,” was the gentle reply.
not much.”

Passionately Dinorah turned upon Walter
Keever, crying:

“Only for you—had he come here with any
other companion—it might not have been so
hard to believe him i”

Walter Keever bowed gravely, his voice low
and earnest:

“ Am I to suffer eternally for one false move,
Miss Meteaif‘l Can you never forget and for-
give the words I uttered while mad—insane
with grief and disappointment! AmIto for-
ever banish all hope?

Her fs ce grew cold and distant as she replied:

“ You never had any real ho , with my con-
sent. if you mean to ask wil Iever alter the
answer I gave you that day, I say no—ten
thousand times nol”

He bowed, with real or assumed meekness.
Then whispered:

“ If all goes well, I expect to have news for
you from your brother, to-morrow. If so, I
will call. Good-evening.”

Wearil y Dinorah returned to her room, trou—
bled in mind. weak in body. She thought long
and soberly, then exclaimed:

“It is not true! He is not our father! It is
but another vile scheme of our enemies! As I
listened, my heart was ice! It failed to re-
spond—'-it said he lies—he is an impoetor 1”

CHAPTER XIX.
PLAYING run run LAST max.

“Conan the luck! Why don’tthe scoundrel
come in with his re rt?"

“ Time enough. oday, his orders ran, and
it still lacks an hour of sunset.”

Walter Keever asked the question. and Col-
onel Darius Teemer answered it, coolly enough
so far as mere words went, but his contractin
brows and shifting glances told that this indi o
ference reached but very little ways below the
surface.

The were seated at opposite sides of a round.
toppc table such as are used in many saloons
for the purpose of card- laying. This stood in
the small back room 0 a building that showed
no sign on its front, yet was one of the best-
kn0wn “ business houses ” in Canaan. In a
word, the semi-private faro room run by Tom
Degnan.

As a general thing, there was a game run-
ning at "Tom’s" no matter what time of day
or night one struck the place: but now silence
reigned. A burly negro dosed lazily in the
front room; two men whispered across the
table in the rear room where Tom Degnan
snatched his irregular sleeps.

The names of those two men have already
been mentioned. They did not seem to be in
extra good humor, either with each other or
the world in general. Both were frowning
both drinking oftener than they would had
good humor reigned.

“But it gives no time to arrange our plans
to fay with the report,” growled Keever, vicious-
ly biting off the tip of a cigar and striking a
match.

.“lIfnyou are ass enough to still count on the

ir —

Walter Keever brought his tightly-clinched
fist down on the table with a force that caused
the bottle, glasses and box of cigarsto jump
and dance.

“Who first put the notion into my head, I’d
like to know? Who hammered it into me that
anecers depended altogether on her being won?
Who swore at me because I balked a little, at
the send-( fl'l Wasn’t it you?”

“Yes; but circumstences alter cases. You
made a botch of the job when you should have
succeeded. You let the chance slip through
your fingers, though how you came to do t,
I'Ve never been able to make out satisfactori~
] I”

“ Because I obeyed your instructions, and fell
in love.”

“ Exceeded them, you mean.
make love to her: I never told on to take the
dose ourseli‘. And yet—since ve cometosee
her, don’t know as I blame you so much. I
could work up quite a little enthusiasm on her
account inys‘ lf—and not more than half try l"

“ Go as far as yru please—usefather-in-law,”
pointedly obserVed KeeVer. “ Anything closer
than that will bring you into collision with
yours truly, which I hardly think you can af—
ford, just at present.”

Colonel Teemer laughed lightl .

“Never fear. boy; you and will never be
rivals in love. While we are 'waiting for Tom
to report—”

“ You are sure you can trust him!" interrupt-
ed Keever. "If he should play as false and
blow to the enemy l”

“He dare not” was the composed repl .
“ I‘ve got him under my thumb so tight he on y
kicks in the direction I say. He knows that the
moment he loses my good will, of! goes hb head!

“ It is

I told you to

 

 

l

 

2.-.“. Wm»  ‘

....- my.-. ... ...

a. m. mus-v. _

i
l

 

 

Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

27

 

 

Metaphorically speaking, of course. The hang-
man don‘t often ecapitate, nowadays!"

“ I’m anxious, naturally, for that’s the only
sure hold I have over her. She loves the young
felloyv, and to save his neck, she’d even kneel to
me.

“What makes her so hot against you any-
way 7”

lWalter Keever filled and emptied another

ass.

g “ I‘ll tell you. It’s time you and I fully un-
derstood each other. I’ve worked in your
leading strings long enough. What we do after
this must be done as equal partners; equal as to
gains. and equal as to knewledge. You under-
stand?"

Colonel Teemer nodded, coolly. He did not
return that half-sullen, half-defiant glance. He
was looking through his freshly tilled glass,
watching the oily beads rise to the surface, as
though the future had neither cares nor dan-

are.

8 “ You took me from where I was learning the
trade of engineer. and fitting ,myself for carry-
ing on the mine, without award of warning.
You sent me on east to find a man named Met-
calf, bidding me write you all about him and
his. I did so. I told you there were two in the
family. I told you all I could discover; then
waited for further instructions.

“ They came. You bade me change my name
and seek to make the a uaintance of these
Metcalf people. If I could 0 so, I was to make
the girl fall in love with me. That much done,
I was to wait for further instructions from you,
holding myself in readiness to marry her at a
moment’s notice, if hidden. This much you
will admit, I suppose?"

Colonel Teemer nodded after a in

“Why not! You are my son an
you can t tell a 1’

fashion.

.9, even should you try to do
so. Pray 0 on.”

“Like a dutiful son, I tried to follow out
our instructions to the very letter. I made
urious love to Dinorah Metcalf, and almost be-

fore I suspected my danger, I was blind in love
with her! I told er as much, one day. Just
what t'therlns I used, IlcouldI nkever rgmember
after eypassed m ips. now t at they
showed her how mad} 1 adored her, I know, too,
that my nrdor frightened the gentle creature,
for she shrunk away and bade me leave her.

“ If i had obeyed, all might have gone well, in
the end; but instead of that, I pressed my suit
until she grew angry and ordered me out of the
house. Tnat set my blood on fire, and-bah!
lIzhyhtell all I said and did?” with a short hard

ug .

“ l was fairly beside myself, and suppose I
showed the hm blood that came to me rom—
some of my very remote ancestors. probably!
Anyhow, she set up a screaming. Her brother
came rushing in, and tried to toss me out of the
window. Naturally l objected to this, and in
the struggle that followed, I rather got the
up er hand of the curled darling. I would have
kil ed him, only for her. My had blood, you
see, coloaell As it was, I left him dead, as]
then believed.

“ it was a mig‘rty close call, but I dodged the
police, and kept in hiding until I saw that Fr. -
mont Metcalf was on h 3 ins again, alive and
well. I ke t a close watc over them, as you
ordered. f course I dared not go to their
house, as I had been doing, but I knew every
movs they made, for all that.

“ My spy told me that at last word had come
in answer to those advertisements; though he
was unable to tell me who had written, he gave
me the postmark. It was Canaan, as you
know. I sent on Word. ani then, somehow
they gave me he slip. Only for that clew,I
might have lost them for all time. As it was, I
struck out for this place, and owrtook them on
the "my I kept out or" their sight, and by close
dodging, I got one train ahead of them. You
know what. followed.” ,

Walter Keever abruptly cam ‘ to aconclusion,
pouring out another supply of liquor and slowly
sipping it as be fastened his glowmg eyes on
the cold features of him whom be had called
father.

“ You are still determined to buckle to with
this irli”

“ t any costs and all hazards—yes!”

“ The sister of a murderer who suffered death
by hanging!”

“Of a thousand such, for aught I care!"

“ He must hang! You admit thatl”

"If you insist. There’s no love lost between
us,” was the cold, unfeeling reply.

‘I do insist, most emphaticall l” said
Colonel Teemer, his eyes glowing, h g “sue”
manner changing to one of fierce decision.
“ That is the only condition on which I will lend
on my aid in this romantic idea of yours.

is death is positively essential to our safety.
And the Only thing t at can save her life, is a
union with you! I ve gone too far to stick at
trifles now,"

“The same here,” with dogged resolution.
“ If I can’t coax, l’ll drive her! She hates me
now, but when I tell her that I alone can clear
the fair fame of her idolized brother, [reckon
she’ll bend. If not—I’ll break her!”

Savage! y came that addition. Ugly enough

of course ‘

 

Walter Keever looked just then, his eyes glow-
ing redly, his white teeth grating together as
his fist struck the table heavily.

“ You gave her a hint, I believe?"

“ I told her last evening, that I expected to
have tidings of her brother to-night~ If so, I
would call on her.”

Colonel Teemer opened a drawn in the table,
producing pen, ink and paper. Pushing these
across to Keever, he said:

“ Write as I dictate, to my future daughter-
in-law. When you havs selected your style of
address, say so. ”

Walter Keever thought for a brief space,
then dashed off a few words, saying:

 

“ Go on. I am ready.”
“Wo’ll make it brief and apparently to the 1
pvoint, but still leave ample room for conjecture. I
rite: i

“ ‘ When we parted four-and-twenty hours ago, I
said 1 ex ected to have tidings of your brother. My .
expectat one have been realized. For obvious
reasons I dare not impart that information. save
by word of month. Please send me word, by bearer, i
when on can give me an interview. Your conven-
ience i’s mine, of course, but it may be as well to bear ;
mind in that the loss of an hour may be productive of
evil—even fatal consequences.‘

“Sign that to suit ourself, while I stir up
the nigger,” added Co onel Teemer, rising and
opening the door.

The note was sealed, directed and given to
the negro, who was directed to wait for an an-
swer. And when he had departed, Walter
Keever said:

“ You seem to be running this game. What
is the next move!" ‘

“That depends on the answer Mark brings
back. If it is an appointment, you and I will
hasten to keep it.” _

“ You!” echoed Keever, in surprise.

“ Exactly,” was the cool retort. “ Of course
I must be on comfortable terms with my daugh-
ter-in-law that is to be.”

“She’ll refuse to receive on. She hates and
fears you own more than 9 does mei”

“ Because I made a little mistake and voted

ulltyi That is to be all wiped out, you know.

on and I—as honest men and true lovers of
justice and all that rot—have been busy inves-
tigating the unfortunate affair, and we have
discovered a clew to the guilty man. Or, make
it stronger, if you ace flt. Say that we can
swear that Fremont Metcalf did not do the
deed; that we can produce the real criminal at
any moment she may give the word. That
word, of course, she can speak only as your
wife. You sabef”

Walter Keever nodded. Villainous though
the hinted-at plan was, it did not shock him in
the least. Just so he won his prise, he cared
little by what means it was gained.

“ If she still refuses! She’s got the pluck and
obstinacy of the foul flend himself i”

“ Then Fremont Metcelf will pull hemp a day
or so earlier. Old Forked-Lightnln has him
foul. When I give the wor , the ye will
bring him in, captured after along hunt, you
know! The gang will set up a or for venge-
ance, and will make sure he don’t ave time for
much explanation. Bis flight has set the better
element against him. so they’ll hardly interfere.
Dave Long might, but he’s only one man, after
all, and mortal, at that. If he stops a bullet,
who can help it?"

“ And Tom—Old Forked-Lightning?”

“ Will vanish foreVermore, when his work is
done. See?”

8:“! further the two precious villains convers-
ed, but sufficient has been placed on record to
make their evil plottings clear to the reader,
and they are not such agreeable companions
that we need linger longer in their company
than is absolutely essential.

The negro Mark returned at length, bearing a
note in answer to the one which Colonel Teemer l
dictated. Eagerly Walter Keever opened it, ‘
greedin he devoured its contents. And a 10w
cry of exultetion burst from his lips as be tossed
it across the table to his father.

“Good as wheat! She asks me to call, at
once 1"

_Such indeed was the purport of the note.
Dinorah acknowledged the receipt of his com-
munication, and begged him to call on her at
the hotel, at nine o'clock.

Until time for setting out to keep the a points
ment, the villainous father and son coolly dis-
cussed their evil plans. As they fancied, they
were guarded at ever point. Unless by a mir-
acle, the fair bird cou d not escape their meshes.

Walter Keever was still dubious about the
propriety of the colonel's accompanying him,
af r all that had tran ired to awaken the sus-

ic ons and animosity o. Dinorah Metcalf against

im. but the elder man was quietly obstinate. ’

“ It is part of the game. If she is to marry
you, she must know that I am your father.
sooner or later. As Well have it over with now,”
and the son sullenly yielded.

Together they went to the Occidental Hotel
and asked to see Miss Melcalf. Without a word,
Honest John showed them into the room, local-
ly known as the parlor, then retreated.

 

Dinorah was alone. apparently waiting for
them, or rather for Walter K ever, whose low

how she acknowledged while declining to see his
hand. A cold, haughty gaze was her only re»
cognition of the intruding colonel.

“ You are surprised at my audacity in coming
here, Miss Metcalf,” said the colonel. speaking
with deep humility. “ That is natural, all
things considered; yet, when you hear me
ex—

“1 wish to hear naught from your lips, Col-
onel Teemer. My business is wholly and solely
with Mr. Keever.”

“In this matter, Mr. Keever and I act as
one,” was the cool retort. " In the note which
you received from him—”

“Your name was not even hinted at, or, be
sure, I would never have answered it at all,
much less set an hour for his coming here,”
sharply uttered Dinorah. artielly unfolding
the missive which had until then lain on the
table.

Swiftly, silently, the colonel sprung forward,

. snatching the bit of paper from her hand, crush-

ing it into a ball and thrustin it into his bosom.
With a cry of surprised indignation, Dinorah

lstnrted back, her eyes flashing, her breast

heaving.

“ How dare you!” she began, only to have the
colonel coolly inter e:

“ For your brot er’s sake, Miss Metcelf, we
cannot be too careful. If that note was to fall
into unfriendly hands, it might lead to his cap-
ture and death.”

“ It is true, Miss Metcalf,” earnestly inter-
posed Keever. “ I beg of on to hear him
quietly. It is mainly throng his untiring re—
searches that we have discovered an important
clew to the real murderer of Jay Flicker. Hear
him. I beg of you!”

“ Not even to save my brother, whom I know
to be innocent of the crime which that demon
sought to fix upon him—will I have ought to do
or en y with him as principal!” she cried.

“ All right.” retorted the colonel, turning to
his companion and fellow- lotter. “You take
the reins, Walter. Since s e meets us in that
mood, neVer mind the reliminaries. Come
down to solid business. ell her just what she-
hss to expect, in so many words.”

Walter Keever acted on this blunt advice,
saying sharply:

“S nce you will have it so, listen, Dinorah,
We have discovered the real murderer of Jay
Flicker. We can place him in the hands of jut
ties at an hour’s notice. Swear to marry me—
swear by all you hold holy that you will be my
wife—and I will give you the name of the real.
assassin!”

“I know it already! You, Colonel Teemer,”
turning toward that worth . “ You are the
murderer! I saw your face by the red lure of
the pistol you wrenched from the ban of my
poor brother! I swore to that at the inquest—I
repeat the charge now! You murdered Joy-
Flicker I"

At that moment a door silently opened behind
the two men, and Dave Long strode forward,
tapping one on the arm, saying:

“I reckon I'il bev to take you in out o’ the
wet, kunnel !” I’ve got a warrant that says ycu
killed Jay Flicker!”

CHAPTER XX.
m CLoUDs ROLL BY.

FOR one instant Colonel Teemer stood as
though paralyzed by that touch and those
words. Then, wi h a snarling curse, be freed
his arm with a lightning twist. leaping back
and drawing a revolver, Walter Keever closely
imitating his example.

“Hands off, Dave Long!” rowled the cor-
nered villain, his black eyes glittering wickedly.
“Hands OR, or take the consequences! No man
dare arrest me on the foolish babble of a crazy
woman!”

“I’ve said it, an’ I’ll make it good,” replied
the marshal without flinching from the threat-
ening weapons, making no move himself to
draw one. “I ain’t goin’ by no woman’s word
in this. The warrant was swore out on the
’fession 0’ Tom Degnan, sn’—”

The colonel was startled h the mention of
that name, and as his aim fa tered, Dave Lou
dashed in and closed with him, his motions swi t
and active as those of a panther. The pistol
was dischargfed, but it never found its intended
mark. An before Walter Keever could make
a move to assist his father. a second door opened
and Chis Charley leaped upon him, knocking
the revo (er from his grasp, tn' ping him up
and castinghim headlong to the. oor with ter-
rific force. And at the same time Fremont
Metcalf darted to the aid of Dave Long.

The struggle was short as it was d rate,
and within ten minutes from the time 0 Dave
Long’s appearance, the two villains were cap-
tured, disarmed, their hands held together he-
hind their becks with iron bracelets.

Colonel Teemer was fairly wild. He trotbed
at the mouth, as be poured forth curses and
threats, and only ceased when Dave Long
threatened to gag im if he continued longer to
that vein.

Then he suddenly w calm. outwardly at
least. His voice was rd and cold as he spoke:

“All right. Let it go at that. for just now.
But let me put it on record: each and every one

-. Hg... .. .

 

28

 

 Forked-Lightning, the Solitary.

 

 

of you shall sup sorrow for this outrage! I swear
it, by all men hold holy l”

Dave Long and Chispa Charley held a hurried,
whispered consultation. They could hear from
the growing noise outside the hotel that the pi:—
tol shot hat awakened curiosity, and it was no
part of their purpose to premalurely show their
hand.

Chispa hastened off and soon had his trusted
band of sports guarding the building, with or-
ders to permit no one to enter. unless called for
by one or other of the leaders.

Fremont and Dinorah Metcalf retired from
the room.

When Chispa Charley returned to the room,
he was followad by two men who bore a cot-
bed. On that ,cot lay a man, covered from
head to foot with a white cloth. As the cot was

placed in the center of the room, before the :

Erisoners, a faint groan came from that hidden
re showing that life still lingered.

a ter Keever turned ale, an uneasy light
filling his eyes, but the co onel seemed made of
tougher material. A savage sneer curled his
lips, his voice rung out sullenly:

“Go on with your infernal mummery! It
will come my turn nexil"

“Your turn is now, Darius Teemer,” said
Chispa Charley coldly, stepping before the pris-
oner whom he addressed, taking a folded paper
from his bosom and opening it. " Listen to the
confession of one of your own tools:

" ‘ Believing that I am fatally injured. and wishing
to clear my conscience as well as may be before
death, I kiss the New Testament and swear by the
Living God who reigns supreme, to say nothing but
the plain truth in this, in dying confession.

“ ‘remont Metcalf di not kill Jay Flicker. The
real slayer was and is Colonel Darius Teemer. I was
with him when he fired the fatal hot. B the blaze
of light I saw his face. And since the d was com-
mitted. I have heard himadmit having fired the shot
that killed Jay Flicker.

“ ‘ I make this pledge asa simple matter of Justice.
No man has threatened me with punishment if I re-
fuse. No one has promised me an sort of reward
for clearing the name of Fremont etcalf, unjustly
accused of this crime. Believing that death is ap-
proaching. that I cannot survive my resent injuries,
and wishing to make what amends can for a life of
sin and evi , I again take solemn oath to the truth of
each and every word I have caused to be written
down here.

“ '80 help me, a just and merciful Goo !

" ‘Tnouas Dausas.

Iy‘

As he ceased to read, C iispa Charley stepped
forward and bending before the priSoner, held
the paper so that he could see the si nature

lainly. It was weak and irregular, as i traced
by almost powerless fingers. One swift glance
the risoner took, then growled surlily:

“ t is is lie—false from beginnin to end! The
car would not dare make such a v is statement
were he face to face with me. He would never—”

Chispa Cnarley stepped back and deftly swept
the white cloth from the motionless figure on
the cot. And Colonel Teemer broke oi! with a
cry that was almost a curse.

Before l:im lay Old ForkedeLightning!

Only for a moment. Chispa Charley gently
removed the masses of long white hair from
skull and face. With a dampened sponge he
wiped awa the cunningly drawn wrinkles and
false comp exion, than stepped aside. Instead
of Old Forked-Lightning, the man lying on the
not was now Thomas Iiegnan, one of the her-it
known gamblers and sporting men in Canaan!

As those sunken eyes looked at him, Colonel
Teemer broke into a hard, forced laugh, saying:

“ A counterfeit in life, you are going to die a
liar, are you, Tom? Wei , I reckon I can stand
the racket quite as well as you can, old fellow!”

Those hollow eyes, turned toward Chispa
Charley, who understofl the mute a peal, and
held a glass of strong quor to the ips of the
dying man. The effect was almost nstantiy
apparent. In a voice which, while not strong,
was perfectly distinct and audible, Thomas
Degnan spoke:

‘ I again make oath that what you, Chispa
Charley, just now read. is true and the truth
only! In addition, I wish to say that Colonel
Darius Teemer hired me to take the part of Old
ForkedL‘ghtning. for the purpose of getting
F'rcmont Metcalt in his power. Iobeyed, be-
cause he held me at his mercy. I persuaded
Fremont Metcalf to flee with me from the jail.
I and my comrades—never mind their names-
first surprised and bound the guards. Then the
work was easy.
' “ I was to take young Metcalf to the moun-
tains and keep him there until the man known
here as Waiter Keever, but who is really the
son of Darius Teemer, had coaxed or forced
Miss Melcalf to marry him. Then I was to
throw aside my disguise, never to assume it
a sin, and bring Fremont Metcalf back to

unaan, a. prisoner, swearin that I had cap-
tured him in his place of hiding.

“The gang was to see that he was lynched
without having time to utter anything dan er-
ous. But you came,” glancing up at Ch pa
Charley,‘,“ and the game was lost.’

“ What cause had Darius Teemer for hating
Fremont Metcalf so intensely? Why did he
wish his death?"

“ Because, as son of Tucker Metcalf, he is the

rightful owner of the mine Better Yet!”

With a painful gasp this startling assertion
came, and as a spasm racked the frame of the
dyingI man, Chispa Charley and Dave Long
both astened to his side. And taking advan-

l tage of this, Colonel Darius Teemer rose rrom
1 his chair. dashed across the room and leaped
lthrough the window crashing the glass and
carrving the frame With him! -

1 “Out and take him, Dave!" cried Chispa

It Charley, darting forward and leaping through

: the window.

l Asharp cry came from the outside. There
was a wild, excited uproar among the crowd

fwbich had been attracted by the pistol-shot.

, And then, bearing a limp form between them,

i Chispa Charle and Dave Lon returned.

It was all t at remained o Colonel Darius

| Teemer.

, In making that desperate leap, his foot must

3 have szruck against the sill or casing with suf-
ficient force to destroy his balance. He fell

lupon his head, nnd was found \vitlia broken
neck—stone dead!

—4—

An hour later in the evening, Chispa Charley
was seated in company with Fremont Metcalf
and his sister Dinorah.

One and all of them looked happy. And why
not? The black clouds had rolled by, and they
were once more in the warm sunlight.

There was much to tell, much to explain, and

lit was late that night before they separated.

To record their words in full, would require

[ much more space than is left for this story.
I Fortunately, by a judicious condensation,
I' all that is strictly essential can be giVen place.
I Chispa Charley, knowing that treachery was
1 at wor , after Dave Long dashed away with the
,stern threat which has been recorded in its
" proper place, collected a few men in whom he
i knew he conidelace im licit reliance, and set
out in quest of remont etcalf.

Guided by Providence, he stumbled on the
secret retreat of the little band. just as Fremont
Mercalf broke away from them in that mad
. cast for lifs and liberty. The enemy followed
1 for a few moments, firing spitefully, but then

 

Chispa Charley and his men also opened fire,
: and they had something else to look after. It
l was the steady aim of Chispa that brought the
traitorous Old Forked-Lightning to the ground
with a bullet through his lungs, and seeing that
their leader was down, with alf of their num-
berto keep him company, the remainder cast
aside their weapons and begged for mercy.

It was granted, and bidding his men bind
them securely, Chispa Charley set out to find
Fremont. But his shouts and calls remained
unanswered, and as a last resource. he attempt-
ed to follow the trail of the fugitive.

This was short. It led him to a bush-grown
pit or old shaft. The broken twigs and dis-
urranged leaves told him only too clearly what
had happened. In his blind haste, Fremont
Metoalf had fallen down—to what?

The most im rtant discovery of his whole life!

Not a soon came back as Chispa Cilfll‘lC)’
called aloud the name of the missing man, and
with sad forebodin s, the prince of gamblers
cut away the vine-c ad bushes, letting the last
rays of the setting sun strike the mouth of the
deserted shaft—for such it Was. On the very edge
he could see where Fremont had stepped and
stumbled. Beyond a doubt he was now lying
at the bottom, dead? dying?

The trail ropes of the horses which the enemy
had ridden were collected, tied firmly together,
and sitting astride a stout stick, Chispa Charley,
torch in hand, was lowered into the ruined shaft
by strong and careful arms.

It was not very deep, and even before he
reached the bottom he uttered asharp cry. By
the red light of his torch be distinguished the
form of Fremont Metcaif lying in a doubled-up
heap, apparently dead.

Only stunned. as it afterward proved to be.
And when satisfied that life still lingered. Chis-
pa Charley made him fast to the rope and
gave the signal for hauling up, himself remain-
ing behind. And most fortunate this proved to

be toe.

The frail torch was dying out, and as it burned
his fingers, Chispa flung it aside. As it flickered
up for a moment, it showed him a ghastly spec-
tacle—a grinning skelet- n!

Anl then the torch died out. Onlyafaint
light came down from above, but it was suffi-
cient to reveal two tiny sparks near the skel~
eton, like the eyes of a serpent. Instead, inves-
tigation proved them to be small diamonds, set
in a curiously-carved garnet. the carving repre-
senting the head of a red fox. And when he
was drawn up by his mates, Chispa Charley
wore that ring on his finger.

Fremont Metcalf was soon restored to con-
sciousness. He was bruised, but with no broken
bones. l t was decided to remain in camp for
that night. And while interchanging con-
flileuces, Chispa showed that ring.

Fremont turned pale as he listened to the story
of its finding,and examined the jewel. He remem-
bered having seen it before—ages agoit seemed.

When day dawned, the skeleton was brought
to the surface. Ragged, moldering clothes
still clung to it, and from them fellaleather
note-book, large and strong. And in that pocket-

 

 

book was found a paper—a receipt for a large
sum of money wh ch Tucker Metcalf had paid
Darius Teemer for a certain mining~claim called
the Better Yet.

The bones were buried, the spot marked for
future finding; the prisoners and the wounded
man were moved slowly back to Canaan. By
the way, Thomas Degnan made full confession,
and then it was arranged to enlrap Darius
Teemer and Walter Keever. Chispa Charley
stole into the hotel by the back way, and made
all preparations.

Had not that note been sent Dinorah, she
would have written one to the conspirators her-
self. As it was, she set an hour for their com-
ing late enough so all arrangements could be
made for their reception. What that reception
was, has been described.

 

Dinorah also recognized the curiously-carVed
ring as one which her mother had often de-
scribed, as one which Tucker Metcalf always
wore—which he wore when be last bid her
adieu.

In the minds of brother and sister there ex-
isted no doubt as to the identity of the skeleton.
The firm) believed it to be the mortal remains
of ucker etcalf, and as such the bones were
buried. The receipt and title deeds of the
“Better Yet ” were additional proof, if any
were needed. ‘

A few more words, and we have done.

Walter Keever, against whom no actual crime
could be proven, was turned loose, warned to
leave the country on penalty of lynching. He
obeyed, and so vanishes from our vision.

Search was made for Dick Morley, int he had
disappeared, no one could say whither.

Thomas Degnan lingered on for a week longer,
then died, partially comforted b the forgIVe-
ness of those whom he had sinne against. He
was buried in decent style. and among those
who followed him to the grave were Dinorah
and Fren out, Chispa Charley and Dave Long.

As they slowly walked back from the grave,
Dinorah said:

“I cantot understand it, even now! When
we first knew him—when our trouble was the
darkest and hope seemed all gone—he seemed so
true, so noble, even while he was outwardly the
roughest in his speech! I could have taken an
oath he was one of Nature‘s nobleman! And
now—to think he was playing a rt all the
time! Was one of our worst enemies!”

Chispa Charley cast a nick glance around
them. Fremont was walking with Dave Long,
and they Were some little distance in advance.
With a bright smile playing around his lips, be
bent his head and whispered:

“Old Forked-Lightning u-as playinga part,
but that he was ever an enemy to you or yours,
I deny l”

in surprise she gazed into his smiling face.
And then the glad truth flashed upon her like a
revelation.

“ You—you were Old Forked-Lightning!”

 

And she was right, though the secret remain-

ed forei er a secret. as far as the inhabitants of

Canaan were concerned.

Charles Hampton was in reality a detective
in the employ of a noted express company. He
was set to work to invastigate several robberies
which had been committed in the mining-re-
gions, and the better to perform his work, he
chose to lead a double life. One da he was
Chispa Cherie . The next he was Ol Forked-
Ligbtning. us, without being suspected by
the robbers or the public, he did good service
and was the means of bringing manya criminal
to justice.

When he left Dinorah and Fremont waiting
for the verdict, he hastened to his rooms in a
little house which he owned, to do! his disguise
as Old Forked-Lightnin and reappear as
Chispa Charley, to rally h s associates as a gam-
bler, the better to foil the projects of the evil-

disposed gang. Unluckily he was suspected,
an

watched by Tom Degnan, an ally of the
colonel. The ambler at once told Teemer of
his wonderful iscovery, and the busy brain of
the colonel was not long in devising the game
which was afterward played so desperately.
Knowing that he was tlze “ simon pure "Old
Forked-Lightnii g, Chispa Charley was dum~
founded when his guards told him their story
and implicated The Solitary. A hasty visit to
his rooms. revealed the disappearance of his
cunning disguise, but until he bent over the
wounded im tor. he never even suspected
who his doub a could be.

 

With the death of Darius Teemer and the dis-
appearance of his son. there was nothing to
hinder Fremont Metcalf from taking possession
of the rich, mine Better Yet. He had the
pa rs to show for it, and no one objected.

nd Chispa. Charley!

And Diner-ah Meicalfi

Was there no wedding!

Is THAT all?

My dear reader! To temporarily appropri-
ate the pro rty of a bro! her author, “ do you
want the w ole earth ’I” And for a DIME? G0
to, thou cormoran‘ !

'rnn mm.

k.

.. a. r“ . ._.. M...~4

AL- ,

I

-v—- -A

M «d. gunman—“m. . .

A m... N. -....v._,, up...“ . «mm...

J 3...... . . .

r »

 

i
l
l.
l,
..
i
l
l
1

 

-——' BEADE’S

 

HALF-DIME

 

 

LIBRARY.

 

 

 

1
65 Hurricane Bill' or. Mustang Sam and His ‘
d B J h

Par . y osw er. r.

68 Single Hand; or. A to fora Life. By W.
J , Hamilton.

67 Patent-leather Joe 0?. Old 3813168115119.
the Charmer. B Philip . Warne. .

68 The Border ob_in flood;or, The Prairie
Rover. By Buflalo Bill.

69 Gold Ride, the Sharpshooter; or. The Boy I
Detective of the Black Ranch. By E. L. \\ lieeler. I

70 old 2i 9s Cabin; or. A Greenhorn inthe _
Woods. y Captain J. F. C. Adams.

71 Delaware Dick, the Youn Ranger Spy; or. i
Brother Against Brother. By ll Coomes.

72 Mad Toni Western, the Texan er; or,
The een o! the Prairie. y W. J. Hamilton.

73 Deadwuod Dick On Deck' or (‘nlamity
Jane. the Heroine of Whoop Up. ,By Edward L.
Wheeler.

74 Hawkege
Ranger. y Oil Coomes. .

75 The Boy Duelist; or The Cruise oi the '
Sea Wolf. By Col. Prentisslngraham.

76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer; or. The Great ,
Fighting Man of the West. By Albert. W. Aiken.

77 Corduro Charlie, the Boy Bravo; or,
Deadwood ick’s Last Act. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

78 Blue Dick; or. The. Yellow Chief‘s Ven-
geance. By Captain Mayne Reid.

79 Sol Gin er the Giant Trapper or The

Flower of t e Blackfeet. By Albert W. Aiken.

80 Rosebud Bob; or. Nugget Ned. the Knight
of the Gulch. By Edward L. Wheeler.

8.1 Liahtnin Jo, the Terror of the Prairie.
8‘ Captain . F. C. Adams.

82 it flarei'oot, the Wood-Hawk; or. Old
ngd‘er-Faoe and His Demons. By T. C. Bar-

88 112510 the Bog Ranger; or. The Heiress“ the

olden orn. Oli Coomes.

84 Id I the Girl er; or.BosebudRobonHand.
B ward L. Wheeler.

85 l‘uck Duckram; or. Ben. the Female

Trapper. By Captain J. 1". C. Adams.

80 Dand Rock, the Man From Texas. By
G. Wei 0 Brown.

87 The Land Pirates or. The League 0!
Devil‘s Island. By Car nMa e Reid.

88 Photogra h Pin 1, the g Sleuth; or.
Rosebud no ‘1; Resppearanoe. y Edward L.

Harry, the Young Trapper

Wheeler.

89 Island Jim; or. The Pet of the Family. By
Bracebridgs Helping.

90 The Dread i er; or, TheTexsn Duelist.
B; George W. Browne.

91 he Cgtain or the Club; or. TheYoun

Rival At tes. By Braeebridge Hemyng, (Jae

Harkaway.)

92 Caada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief; or.
Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull‘s Camp. By Ed-
ward L. Wheeler.

93 The Do Miners; or, The Enchanted
Island. By ward 8. Ella.
94 Midnigot Jack,the Road- t; or, or
Gid the {Trapper of the eyenne. yT.

C. arbsug .

95 The Rival flowers; or. The Freebaoters
of the Mississippi. By [lent-Colonel Haseltine.

e, the Shadow- or. Arabs and

rest City. By Edward L Wheeler.

Outlaw Brothers; or. The Captive

of the Ha . By John J. Marshall.

98 Robin ood, the Outlawed Earl; or. The
Merry Men of Greenwood. By Prof. Stewart
Glldersleeve.

99 The Tiger of Taos; or. Wild Kate. Dandy
Rock‘s Angel. BiGeor-ge Waldo Browne.

100 Deadwood iek in Leadvilie; or.

A Strange Stroke for- Liberty. By Edward L.

Wheeler.

101 Jack flarkaWayin New York; or.The I
Adventures of the Traveler's Club. By Brace-
hrid Hemyng (Jack Harkawag).

102 Die Dead-Eye, the Boy mnggler; or, |
The Cruise oi the Vixen. By Col. 1n am.

103 The Lion oi the flea; or. e Vaiied i
Lady of San Tropes. By Colonel Dene sun,

104 Deadw od Dick’s Device; or. The ;
8 of the Double Cross. By E. L. Wheeler.

‘05 0 d Rube, the Hunter; or The Crow Cap-
tive. By Captain Hamilton oimea

106 old Frosty, the Guide: or. Niokana. the
White ueen of the Blackfeet. By T. C.
Harba

107 one-:18 ed 81m or. The Abandoned Forest

103 gag-lo. Juneau}.  Bear Killer or

a av e o ; ,
The 1:51 of the Border Wolf. By Harry 8:.

 

109 Deadwood Dlek As Detective.

By
Edward L. Wheeler. r
110 The Blurk Steed of the Prairies. By
James L. Bcwen.

111 The Bro-Devil; or, The Mldshipman‘s
Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahsm.

112 T e Mad Hunter; or. The Cave of
Death. 3 Burton Sage.

113 Jack oyle the Young 3 may; or,
The Road to Fortune. By E. L. \‘heel-r

114 The Black Schooner; ornnb ,unk, the
331111.”. Byggerfior D . Rock

115 0 I"? o tidy ‘sDoom.
B G. we Bro

was.
10 he Ila-ear 0a tai- ; or. TheHermitof
I Hell-Gate. lav Col. . tins
117 Gilt-Edge Dick the Detective-
or. The Road-Agent‘lbtugmer. By Edward

 

L Isr.
118 Will Donors, the Boy Detective By
GnarlssMorris.

l 159 he Lost Captain

1 19 Mustang Sam; or, the King of the Plains.
2y Jos. Badger, Jr.
120 he Branded Hand; or, The Man of
Mystery By Frank Dumont. ,
or. The
heeler.

121 (iinnainon Chi the Girl S rt-
Golden Idol 0: m. £3“. B Elf“!
y; or, The Mys-
) arles Morris.

122 Phil Hardy, the Boss
te of the Strongbow. By(
123 K owa Charley, the White Mustanger;
or. Rock Mountain Kit‘s Last Scalp Hunt,
.0. arbaugh

B T .
; 124 flppy the Texan; or. The YoungCham-

ion. y George Gleason.

125 onanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mys-
tery, the Female Forger. By E. L Wheele .

126 Picayune Pete or. Nicodemus, the Dog
Detective. By Char es Morris.

127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road: or. The
\‘l'olvvs of Satan‘s Gap. By Frank Dumont.

1 28 The Youn Privateer; or, The Pirate's
Stron hold. y Han'y Cavendish.

129 Ben wood Dick s Double Wr, The
Ghost of Gorgon‘s Gulch. By E. L. eeler.

1 30 Detective nick; or. The Hero in Bass
13y Charles Morris.

131 ’ he Golden "and or. Dandy Rock to
the e. 135 George aldo Browne.

1 32 The Hunt Hunter; or, The Strange
Horseman of the Prairie. By Edward 8. Ellis.

133 Boss Bob, the King of Boothlacks' or. The
Pawnbroker‘s Plot. By Edward L. eeler.

134 Euro Shot Seth theBo Riiieman' or.The
Young Patriots of the Nort. . By Oil Coomes.

135 (‘a tain l'aul, the Kentucky Moonshiner;
or. e Boy Spy oi! the Mountains. By C.
Dunning Clark.

139 Ni ht-flawk Kit; or. The Daughter oi
t e ch. By Josefih E. Badger. Jr.

137 The Helpless and; or.

hution. By Captain Mayne Reid.

138 ionde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home
. PiEdward L. Wheeler.
139 Judge

nch, J r.; or, The Boy Vigilante.

B; T. C. ugh.

140 Inc Illang or. The Break 0‘ Day Boys
0! Rocky Bar. y Frank Dumont.

141 Solid Sam, the Bonyl Road- ; or. The
Branded Brows. By ward L. heeler.

142 Handsome Harry, the Booth Detec-
tive. B Charles Morris.

143 Scar- ace Saul, the Silent Hunter; or.

The Myst of Fort Rune. By 011 mes.

144 Dainty ancc, the 30' Sgort: or. The
Bank-Brgakers' Decoy Duc . y Joseph E.

Mger, r.

145 (Ia tain Ferret, the New York Detective;
or, Bob‘s Boss Job. B E. L. Wheeler.

148 Silver Star, the Boy Knig t. B 011 Coomes.

147 Will Wildfire tigfi‘horough ; or, The

14s Film 8 g‘nd' 13’ Tamil”... 1

ar am or e ven res o a

FriendlsssBo ; J Alexande Patten.

y. By . r
149 A Game of Gold or. Deadwood Dick‘s
BigStrike. By Edwa L. Wheeler.
150 Lance and Lasso; or The Children of
ace. 3 Ca nFred. Whittaker.
151 Panther au , the Prairie Pirate; or.
Dainty Lance to the Reicur'. By Joseph E

Badger. Jr.

1 52 Black Bess, Will Wildflre‘s Racer; or,Win-
n ng net 0 ‘da. By Charles Morris.

153 Eagle Kit, the Roy barrier or, The Out
laws of the Gold Hills. By Oil mes.

154 The Sword Hunters ' or. The Land of

' the Elephant Riders. 'By apt. F. Whittaker.

155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl

Aven er. B‘T L. Harbaugh.

150 De woo Dick of Deadwood; or,
The Picked Party. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

157 Mike Merr , the Harbor Police Boy; or.
'{Ihegightrflaw of Philadelphia. By Charles

0 s.
1 58 Fancy Frank, of Colorado; or. The Trap-
r‘s Trust B Buifalo Bill.
or. Skipper Jabet

Comn's Cruise to the n Polar Sea. By
(‘a t. Fred. i er.

100 T e Black Gian? or.Dalnty Lance in
Jeopardy. By Jos. E. 'dger Jr.

1 Bl New Work Neil, theBoyGiri Detective; or,
Old Blakesly‘s Money. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

1 62 \Vill Wildfire in the Woods or. Camp
Life in the Alleghanies. By Chas. orris.

103 Little Texas, the Young Mutanger. By

Oil Coomes.

161 Dandy Rock’s Pl ; or. Hunted to
Death. By George Waldo irowne.

105 Iliin 9; go, thv Railroad Boy; or, Run
0 . i Charles M0

160 llirkorv larry; or The Trapper-Bri-
gade's Spy. By Harry St. George.

167 Asa Scott, th Steambont'Bov: or The Land

Plum of the mug. y m ivth
1 08 Deadl Dash ; or. nhting Firs With Fire.
Bv J or. Padger, Jr.

109 c’l‘ornido Té‘rm; or. Iniun Jack From Red
om. y . _ .
170 “ A Trams Card 9’ or. Will Wildfire Wins
in himn.’ 7...“??- l Leagues i'
on n or. va 0
Silver érolc. ‘y Frank Damont.
172 Thunderboi Torn; or The Wolf-Herder
o the By Bury St. .

173 Dandv Rock’s Riva” or. Hunted
Maid of nos. By Georg: sldo Browne
174 Bob Beckett, the ; or, hys-
teries of New York. Bv arles orris.

1 75 Captain Arizona, he King {in of Road-

.nts' or. nt-Leather Joe Galas.
{frank s. Warne. 3'

 

176 The Boy Ranawai;Dor The W
of the Bay. By Lieut. . Perry U. S. N.

177 Nobbv Nick oi‘Nevada; or.TheScampi-
of the Sierras. By Edward L. Wheeler.

1 78 old Solluary, the HermibTrapper; or.Thc
D on of Silver Lake. By Oil Coomea.

179 Bo flog-ken, the Bank Runner; or. The
Road to Rum. By Charles Morris.

180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept.
By Lieut. H. D. Perri. U. S. N.

181 \ 'ild Frank, t e Buckskin Bravo: or
Lady Lil ‘s Love. By Edward L. Wheeler.

182 Little urricane, the Boy Captain; or
The Oath of the Young Avengers. By Oil

(homes.
183 The Hidden Hand fig. Will Wildflre‘s

Revenfi. llé‘Charles M0

184 The 0 raiiers; or Dainty Lance on

the “'ar- th. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

185 Evil Eye, King of Cattle Thieves' or, Tho
Vultures oi the Rio Grande. By F. Dammit.

186 Cool Desmond; or. The Gambler‘s Big
Game.  Col. Delle Sara.

187 Fred Ha yard, the Life Boat Boy: or. The.
Smu lers of the inlet. By Charles Morria

188 Ned emple the Border lio ; or 'iheliad
Hunter of Powder River. By . C. Harhaugh.

189 Bob Beckett, the (‘racksmam or, Driven

190 trothedWalk Blv‘ Charles Tillorris. t with

an ar e' or, re Tigers 0

Pine. By Wm. B. 15‘. star.

191 Bull‘an Billy, t e Boy Bullwhscker; or.
The Doomcd Thirteen. By Capt A. B. Taylor.

192 Captain Kit the Will-0‘ the-Wisp; or. Tho
Mys ofMont’auk Point. By Lieut. n. 1).

Perry, . 8. N.

193 I‘aptain Mask, the lady Road- at; or.
Patent r Joe‘s Deteat. By P. .

I94 Buflhlo Bill’s Beta. or. The Gambler
Guid . Alfred Taylor. U. S. A.

c-k’s Dream; or. The Ri-

BfioEdward L. r.

196 shadowed; or. b Beckett’s Fight for
Life. ByCh lesMorris.

197 Little Grit, the Wild Rider: or. Denis. the
Stock-Tender‘s I) hter. By Col. Lngrahstn.

198 Arkansas! the n with the Knife; or.
The Queen of l" 's Revenge. By Bar

199 Featherweight, the B0 Champion of >

uskingnrn or. On his usele, Wits and

Honor. By ward Willett.

200 Tha Boy Bedouins or, The Brothers of
the Plumed Lance. By pt 1". Whittaker.

201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or. Dead-
wood Dick‘s Ward. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

202 Prosper-t Pete of the Boy Brigade; or. The
Young Outlaw Hui-tiers. B OliOoomes.
203 The Boy Pards; or. Dainty lance Una

masks. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.
204 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit; or The Kid—
Glove Sport. B Col. Prentiss 
205 Deadwood ick's Doom; or Calamity
206 .Lane‘: 13st Aldvtefinure. . L. 
ar an e Tiger g; or. Cang
His Own 'rmIp.’ By Char Morris.
20'! Ravage it ck, the Boy Gold Hunter; or.
The'i‘ res PardsottheiiasalticButtes. By
T. C. Barbaugh.
208 The no Hercules; or. The Prairie

Tramps. Oil Coomes.
209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or. Dos
Leetle Game Mit Bv E. L. Wheeler.

Darke‘s (lo-Down Pards. By Wm. .
21 1 Crooked Cale the Caliban of Celestial .
1'3; Joseph E. er. Jr.
212 ashing Dave, the Dandy Detective; or.
The League of the Secret Brotherhood. By

Charles Morris.
21 3 Fritz to the Front; or. The Ventriloqulst
p-Hunter. By Edward L. Wheeler

Scam .

21 4 “'oli'gang the Robber of the Rhine; or.
The Young Knight of the-Cromioorde. By
Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

21 5 (‘a tain Bullet, theRsiderKing; or. Little
To not's Crusade. By T. C. Harbsugh.

210 soil Bill. thePr'lnce ot the Rains: or.The

Red Riders of the Overland By Col. Prentiss

lngraham.
217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand;
 .y Jack from Jimtown. By Edward L.
e l'. -
218 Tiger Tom, the Texan Terror. By OI
(‘oomes
219 Dcspa (1, th- Duelist' or. The Mountain
Vampires. By Philip S. Wane.
220 Tom Tanner, Scalawsg and Seaport-ace;
gr The Black Sheep 0! the Flock. By Philip
arne.
221 Sn r-Costedlaastorfhemaekaowns
222 gfldmtggic'finny 51' a “7% w
‘ VO 90 ' or. our:
‘,r. B1 Col. Prentiss 
223 Ozark if King of the Mann :ec,
Feather-w t Among the Outlara. Byld-

wsrd Vi .
24 Dashin Dick or Trapper'i‘on'sCastis.
:25 “and: “I i; th. Preni
. arena e um ; or,
How the on. By Chas. m
220 Snoour Boy ; or. Arab Do
tective. iv Edward L. \\ eeler.
A Nun [new l'ery Trad”.
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237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or. The
wan-ions Ranchero. By 001. . Ingraham.

2‘38 e Parson Detective; or. Little Shocky.
the Ranger of Haven Roost. By Oll Coomes.

239 The Gold-seeker Guide or,The Lost
Mountain. Bv Captain Mayne id.

240 Cyclone K'it, the Youn Gladiator; or. The
Locked Valley. By Edwa L. Wheeler.

241 Bill BraVo, and His Bear Pards; or, The
Rnughs of the Rockies. By T. C. Harbaugh.

24‘} The Two ‘Bloods’; or Shenandoah Bill
and His Gang. By Charles orris.

243 The Disguised Guide; or. Wild Raven.
the Ranger oi the North. By Oil Coomes.

244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or. A
Sister‘s Devotion. By Edward L. Wheeler.

245 Merle the Mlddy; or. The Heir of an
Ocean Freelance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

246 Giant Geor e or, The Ang‘l of the Range.
By Ma or Sam . all—“ Buckskin Sam.

247 Old ‘rizzly and His Pets; or. The
Wild Huntress oi the Hills. By Capt. “ Bruin "
Adams.

248 Sierra Sam's Secret; or. The Bloody
Footprints. By Edward L. Wheeler.

249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or. The
Round the World Wanderer. By Capt. Fred.
Whittaker.

250 The Midshipman: Mutineer; or.
Brandt. the Buccaneer. By Col. P. Ina-alum.

251 Light-House Lige; or. Osceola t 6 Fire-
gr‘and of the Everglades. By Captain J. F. C.

ams.

252 Dick Dashaway hor. A Dakota Boy in
Chicago. By Charles orrls.

253 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or. The Angel of
Big-Vista. By Edward L. Wheeler.

2254 T e Half-Blood; or The Panther oi the
Plains. By Edward 8. Ellis.

255 Ca tain A 0110, the King-Pin oi Bowie;
or, lash o' Lghtning's Feud. By T. C. Har-

baugh.
256 Youn Kentuck; or. The Red Lasso. By
Ca tain ark Wilton.

257 T e Lost Hunters; or. The Underground

p. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or. The Stolen
Bride. B Edward L. Wheeler.

259 The Go den liar oon: or, Lost Among
the Floes. B Roger tarbuok.

260 Dare-Devi Dans the Youn PrairieBRlblfi

Y

r; or. Old Rosebu ’s Boy B adc.
mes.
261 Fe ns Pea rnanght, the New York Boy.
izy eor “L. Aiken.
262 ' he oun Sleuths; or. Rollicking
Mike's Hot Tra . B Charles Morris.
263 Deadwood Die 9- Divide; or The
s irlt of Swa Lake. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

26! e I'loat of Heather} or Merle
Monte's Treasure sland. By Co onel Prentiss

InEraham.

265 T e Tiger Tamer; or. '7 he League of the
Jungle. By Captain Fred. Wh.tta ker.

266 Ki Ib’ar, the Guide; or, Dav Crockett‘s
Croo rail. By Ensign (3. D. arren.

267 The Buckskin Detective; or. Claude
Crecy King of American Road~Agents. By
'1'. c. Harbau h.

268 Deadwoo Dick’s Death Trail; or.
From Ocean to Ocean. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

269 The Gold Shae; or. Merle. the Con-
demned. By COL ntiss Ingraham.

270 Blizzard Ben the Arizona Cyclone' or.
The Blot at Keno Camp. By Capt. M. Wilton.

271 The Huge Hunter; or. The Steam Man
of the Prairies. By Edward 8. Ellis.

272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter;

or. Columbia Jim on the War-path. By Oil
Coomes.

273 Jnsnbo Joe, the Bomtrol; or. The Rival
H irs ward L. eeler.

e . gvm

274 Jolly im, the DetectiVe A prentiee: or.
Harry Keen's B “ Lay.” By rles Morris.

275 Arizona J ac ; or. Giant George‘s Tender-
i’oot Pard. By Buckskin Sam.

276 Merle Monte’s Cruise or. The Chase of

“The Gold Ship." By Col. entiss lngraham.

277 Denver Doll, the Detective gueen; or.
Yankee Eisler‘s Big Surround. y Edward
L. Wheeler.

278 The Three Trappers or, The Mountain
Monster. By Ma r L. W. arson.

279 Old Winch,t eBifle Kin ' r, The Buck-
sk n g oes. T. C. Wh.

280 Merle onte’s ate;or. P . The Pi-
rate's Pride. B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

281 Denver Dol ’s Victorvhor. Skull and
Cross-bones. Bfi EdwardL. eeler.

282 The Typo eteetive or. Weasel. the
Boy Tram . By Edward llett.

2S3'lndian on; or. The White Spirit of the
Hills. ByMa rLewis W. Carson.

284 The Sea or. Merle Monte's
Pledge. By Col. Prentiss ngra m.

285 Denver Doll’s Deoov; or, Little Bill‘s

By Edward L. Wheeler.

286 Josh The Boy Tenderioot; or. The

WildMea of Buzzard Bar. By Captain Mark

Wilton.
267 31116 Blue- es. the Be Rever of the
Rio nude: or, error Toms Thorny Trail.

arauder

B‘ICol. Preu Ingraham.

288 'l e Scalp King; or. The Human Thun-
derbolt. By Captain J. F. 0. Adams.

289 Joli Jim’s Join or. The Young Detec-
tive‘s riumph. By Charles Morris.

290 Little Foxfire, the 60 Spy; or Old
Caleb Arbuckle. Mountain t ve. By Oil

 

291 Turk, the Bo Ferret. By E. L. Wheeler.
292 Sancho Pe ro, the BohaBsndit; or. The
Fightiiég Pards of Sierra t. By Malor E.

.St. rain.

293 Red Claw the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The
Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock.

294 Dynamite Dan or, The Bowie Blade of
Cochetopa. By T. .Harbaug.

295 Fearless Philzvor, The ng of Quartz-
vilie. By Edw iliett.

296 Denver Doll’s Britt; or. The Road

een's Big Campaign. B E. L. Wheeler.

297 ' ‘he Tarantula of aos; or, Giant
George's Revenge. By Buckskin .

298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young
Thoroughbred. B Charles Morris.

299 A No. 1, the ashing Toll-Taker or, The
Schoolmarm o‘ Sassafras. By E. L. Wheeler.

300 The 8k Demon; or, Rainbolt. the Ran-

r. By ll Coomes.

301 eadville Nick, the Bo Sport; or. The

Mandi Miner’s Vengeance. y Major E. L. St.
11.

302 The Mountain Detective or, The Bul-
ly of Tri er Bar. HZ T. 0. Ha augh.

303 ’Liza ane, the ‘lrl Miner; or, The Iron—
Nerved Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler.

304 The Dead Shot Dandy" or. Benito, the
Boy Bugler. By Col. Prentiss ngraham.

303 Dashaway 01' Dakota; or, A Western

Lad in the Quaker Cit . By Chas. Morris.
306 Neck-Tie Ned the flat-Thrower; or. The
Dug-Out Pards. By Maj. Henry B. Stoddard.

307 The Stran e Pard; or, Little Ben's'

Death Hunt. y Buckskin Sam.
308 Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler‘s Pard; or, Dead
Shot Dandy’s Double. B 001. P. Ingraham.
309 Deadwood Dick’s gag Deal; or. The
Gold Brick of Oregon. By . L. Wheeler.
310 The Barranca Wolf; or. The Beautiful
Decoy. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

311 The Roving;r Sport or. The Pride of
Chuckaluck Camp. By ward Willett.
312 r{Vibedltnopk mfktlle 2n r1123!!! Plgnofi; or.

e ac . a rs 0 na. or
E L. St. Vrain. y ‘1
313 Cimarron Jack, the King Pin of Rifle—
?)hots; or. The Phantom Tracker. By Fredk.
ewey.
314 The Mysterious Marauder or. The
Boy Bugler's Lon Trail. By 001. P. Lu sham.
315 Ned the Cub n Boy or. The itch of
‘ the sunted Fort. By Joe Farragut.
316 Old Eclipse, Trum Card of Arizona: or,
Little Snap Shot‘s orse Hunt. By T. C.

Harbaug .
.317 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Lead-

ville. B Lieut. Alfred Theme.
318 Ker- hoop, Ker-Whoo! or, The Tar-
antula of Teen on the War-Path. By Buck-

skin Sam.

3 19 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves'
League. By Jos. E Badger. Jr.

320 The Sea Sorceress; or Lieutenant Ned.
the Boy Skip r. B Jack arragut.

321 Deadwoo Die ’s Dozen; or. The
Fakir of Phantom Flats. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

I322 Nemo, the Detective, or, Kit Kenyon‘s
..

Vendetta. By Edward Wil tt.
323 Arkansaw Jack of the Man Hunters; or.
The Scou e of the Mines. By Harr Hazard.
324 llalph eadyi‘ the Hotel Boy

etective;
or, Tracking the
M rris

oxes to Earth. By Charles

0 .

325 Kelle . Rick 55 00., the Sleuths of
Philade phia; or. tan's Social. By Edward
L Whee er

326 The Ten Pards; or. The Terror of Tth
Notice. By T. 0. Herbs .

327 Creepln )at, the C do- or. The Bed and
White Pa a. By Buckskin m.

328 The Sky Detectiv’e or. A Boy's Fight
for Life and Honor. By a or Mickey Free.

329 Red-Skin Tom; or, e Demon's Trail.

By Harr Hazard.

330 Littleméuick-Shot, the Scarlet Scout; or.
The D Face of Daggersville. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

331 Black Nick, the Demon Rider; or, The
Mountain Queen‘s Warning. By Captain F.
Whittaker.

332 Frio Fred; or. The Tonksway's Trust.

Buckskin Sam.

333 rimstone Bob, and His Li htning Horse
Quartette: or, Meier Bra ‘ do to Tomb—
stone. ByMsor L-.St. rain.

334 Kan aroo it; or. The Mysterious Miner.
By ward L. Wheeler.

335 Old Double Flat; or. The Strange Guide.
13 Jose hE.Bad r.Jr.

e Brazos Bombshell; or.
The Queen of the Lasso; By T. C. Harbaugh.

337 Ben Birtkthe Cave King; or. Big Pete’s

Scoop. . J. Hamilton.
338 A $36.3. Boy; or, The Dwarfs Revenge.

BI ip S. Warns.

339 angaroo Kit’s Racket or, The Pride
of Played-Out. By Edward L. ler.

34o Cliwhe Contortionist' or. The Vigilantes of
Man a By Edward Willett.

341 Tony Thorn, the Vagabond Detective: or.
Bunn ng Down a Rogue. By Charles Morris.

342

The Mountain Devil; or. Yellow Jack. the
Outlaw Captain. By Harry Hazard.

343 Manhattan Mike the Bowery Blood; 0"
£Working-Up " s Difficult Case. By Edwsr

Wheeler.
344 The Fiahtin Trio; or. Rattlesnake. the

Tonkaway. By uekskia Sam.

 

345 Pitiless'Mat, the White Sla - or, Red
Thunderbolt's Secret. By T. C. ghaugh.

346 Rapier Raphael or. The Swordsmen of
Zacatecas. By Maj. .B. Swddsrd,Ex-Scout.

347 DeadWood Dick’s Ducats or. Rainy
Days in the Diggings. By Edward Wheeler.

348 Fireheels; or, Old Skinflint. the Death-
Shadow. By B er Starbuck.

349 Wild “011', e Waco; or. Big-Foot Wal-
lace to the Front. By Buckskin Sam.

350 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The
Brother‘s Reven . By Ned Buntline.

351 Deldwood ick Sentenced; or The
Terrible Vendetta. By Edward L. V\ hee er.

352 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of
“ Sand "; or The Hyena from Hard Luck.
llBy Major E. . St. Vrain.

353 ' he Reporter-Detective' or, Fred Fly-
er‘s Blizzard. By Charles Mo 3.

354 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp: or. The
Odd Pards. By Roger Siarhuck.

355 The King of the \Voods; or, Daniel
Boone's Last Trail. By Joe. E. Badger Jr.

356 Cool Sam and Pard° or. The Terrible
Six From Texas. By T. C. Harbau h.

357 The Ranch Raiders; or. eSiege of
FortPu atory. By Buckskin Sum.

358 First-"Sass Fred the Gent from Gopher;
or. The Deadl Drop 3
Edward L. W eeler.

359 Dllrango Dave, the Young (‘hampion
Wrestler; or. The Colorado Song Queen. By
Ma or E. L. St. Vrain.

360 Si ver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or. The
Cross of the Golden Ke 8. By . C. Cowdrlck.

361 The hantom ight-llonse or,
"Black Rock," the Smuggler Spy. By er
Starbuck.

362 Deadwood Dick’s Claim or. The Fairy
Face of Faro Flats. By Edwa L. Wheeler.

363 Little Tornado; or. The Outcasts or the
Glen. B Phili S. Warne.

364 Sun -. not,t e Boy Banger: or The Snake
and t e Dove. By Buckskin Sam.

365 Baltimore Ben, the Bootblack Detective;
or. The Fortunes of an Orphan Girl. By An
thony P. Morris. '

366 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective: or, The
Taos Tiger. B T. C. Harbaugh.

367 Wide-Awa e Joe; or. A Boy of the
Times. By i‘haries Morris.

368 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or The
Lottery of Life B Edward L. Wheeler.

369 Shasta, the Gold in : or, For Seven Years
Dead. By J. C. (‘owdr ck.

370 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner; or,"l‘he
Telltale Hand. By Roger Starbuck.

371 Klugbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell
Detective; or. The Solid Man From Slow-
Coach. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain.

372 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or. The Wolves of
Wake-Up. By E. L. Wheeler.

373 Little Jingo; or. The Queer Pard. By
Philip S. Warne.

374 Gold Dust Tom; or. Ambe s Ben’s
Double Match. By George Henry orse.

375 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thun-
derbolts. By Buckskin Sam.

376 California Joe’s First Trail. A Story
of the Destroying Angels. By Col. Thomas
Hoyer Monstery.

377 Bonodei, the B0 Rove!" or. The Flagless
Schooner. By Col. ntiss lngraham.

378 Nabob Ned; or. The Secret of Slab City.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

379 Larry, the Leveler or. The Bloods of the
Boulevard. By Charles orrls.

380 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide' or,
The Snow-Prisoners of Colorado. By Major
B. L. St. Vruin.

38 l Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank tothe Front.
By Buckskin Sam.

382 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or. AVillain's
Vengeance. By Edward L. Whee er.

383 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search .or
Pirates’ Island. By Col. Prentiss Ingrshau.

384 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero; or.
The Border Schoolmaster. By 011 Coomes.

385 Yreka Jim’s Joker or, The Rivals of
Red Nose. By E. L. Whee er.

386 Ca tain Cutlass the Ocean lder: or.
ThepBuccaneer‘s Girl . By T. C. arbaugh.

387 War ath Will, the Boy Phantom; or. The
Traitol: Guide. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahsm.

388 Little oh-my; or. Caught in His Own
Trap. By Philip S. Warne.

389 Bic cle Ben; or, The Lion of Ughtning
Lode? By Edward L. Wheeler.

390 Jaguar J oe, of the Mountain Mail-Line.

Maj. E. L. St. Vrain.

rom Brimsione Bar. By

By
391 id-Glove Kit the Dandy of the Rockies.
E m. H. B. Stoddard. Dix-Scout.

392 gameo and the Reds. By Bucksfln

A New lame Every Tuesday.
The Ralf-Dime Library is for sale by all
newsdealers. live cents per copy. or sent by mail on
receipt of six cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS. Pom
98 William Street. New York.

 

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1 g Hardstwd; or. Gentleman Sam’s Sister.
Phili arne.
2 thhge Dang-D6311? lor, The Winged Witch of
e a. . n am.
33%;: CBar‘ssgnlgslgnr. 0 Crack Shot of the
. v no

4 The Kidnapger F;hor. The Great Shanghai of
the Northwest. y ilip S. Warne.

5 The Fire-gigjnds; or, Hercules, the Hunch-
back. B A. . ems.

6 Wildcayt Bob, the Boas Bruiser. By Ed.
ward L Wheel

. er.

ath-Noteh the Destroyer. By Oll Coomes.

agile Hesdies’s Horseman. By Captain
Rel

e .
9 Diana-«u Andi. By] Samuel Lover.
10 Vidoltiq, the renc Police Spy. Written by
Him

se
11 Midshipman Easy. 15 Captain Marl-yat.

12 The Death-Shot; or, ked To Death.
By Captain Mayne Reid.
13 Pathaway; or. Nick Whifli the old Trap-
west. B Dr. J. .Bobinson.

r of the Nor

14 tTheyendalnegea, t eScourge ; or. TheWar-
Eagle of the lilohawks. By Ned Buntline.

15 The. T1 er-Slayer; or, Eagle-Head to the
Rescue. Gustave Aimard.

16 The ‘Vh te \Vizargj or,TheGreatProphet
of the Seminoles. Byuif Buntline.

1 7 Nightshade, the bber Prince of Hounslow
Heath. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

1 8 The Sea Bandit; or. The Queen of the Isle.

B Ned Buntline.

19 I‘ofiedar, the Prairie Outlaw. By Gustave
Aim

20 The Bandit at Bay; or The Pirates of the
Prairies. By Gustave A maul.

21 The Trap er’s Daughter; or. The Out-
law’s Fate. y Gustave Aimard.

22 “’hitelasv; or, Nattle of the Lake Shore.

By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

23 The Bed Warrior; or, Stella Delorme’s
Comanche Lover. By Ned Burtline.

24 Prairie Flower. By G. Aimard.

25 The Gold Guide; or. Steel Arm. the Regu-
lator. By Francis Johnson.

26 The Death-Track ' or, The Outlaws of the
Mountain. By Francis Johnson.

’27 The Spotter Detective; or. The Girls of
Nww York. By Albert W. Aiken. ‘

'28 Three-Fingercd Jack, the Road-Agent of
the Rockies: or. The Boy Miner of Hard Luck.
is J aseph E. Badger. Jr. _

‘3!) ’lylger Dick, tlie Faro King; or,TheCashler's
Crime. B Philip S. Warne.

170 (figs e1 .eorfii or. Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.

y oseph E. ger, Jr.

31 The New York Shar ; or, The Flash of
Lightning. B Albert W. n.

32 3 he s of ale or. The ScrapesofaBard
Set of ilyans. y John D. Vose.

33 Ovarian Kit; or. The Idyl of White Pine.
B Albert W. Aiken.

34 Izocky Mountain 8019 the California
Outlaw: or. The Vigilantes of Humbug Bar. By
Albert W. Aiken.

35 Kentuck. the Sport; or. Dick Talbot at
the Mines. BLAlbert W. Alken.

36 Injun Die A; or. The Death Shot of Shasta.
B Albert W. ken.

37 llirl, the Hunchback; or. The Sword-
maker of t -e Santee. B Dr. J. H. Robinson.

38 Velvet Hand' or,T e Iron Grip of Injun
Dick. By Albert ’W. Aiken.

39 The Russian scgy; or. The Brothers of the
Starry Cross. By ptain Fred. Whittaker.

4.0 The Long Haired “ Pards ;” or, The
Tartars of the Plains. vivig Joe. E. Badger. Jr.

41 Gold Dan; or The ite Savage of theGreat
Salt Lake. By bert W. Aiken.

42 The California Detective' or. The Witches
of New York. By Albert W. Al en.

43 Dakota Dan the Reckless Ranger: or, The
Bee-Huntl-rs‘ Excursion. 01] 000mg,

44 Old Dan llackbaek,t 0 Great Examina—
tor; or The Triangle‘s Last Trail 011 Coomes.

45 Old linin- Ego the Lightning Shot of the
Plains. BkJos. . r. Jr.

46 Bowie- nife Ben the Little Hunter of the
Nor‘-West' or. The Ex es of the Valley of Shad-
ows. By Oil Coomes.

47 Paclilc Pete, lhv- Prince of the Revolver. By
J h E. Badger. Jr.

48 Ida 0 Tom, the Youn Outlaw of Silverland:
or. theHunters of the “Ti West. BvOil Coomes.

49 The Wolf Demon ' glint The en of the

. . en.

50 aek Rab it, the Prairie Sport: or. The

oil Children of the Llano Estacado. By Joe.

E. ,Jr.
51 {led Ir, die Boy Road-Agent. By Gil

boom
52 Del“! Tn“!!!- tha Chief of Scouts; or. Life
and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Builalo Bill.
53 Silver Samwr, The Mystery of Deadwood
54g? 3’03" um d The port
. wa s s. an or. ve S
; oftbe oot-Hi‘W. By S. Wang-:21
5: The 30.1 In" it". Capt. Kayne Reid.
5 The 1nd an hazvxa; or. The Madman
A.‘ . n.

, of the Plains. B
.57 The Silent unter§ogn The Soowl Hall
11.

M stery ByPercyB.St.

:3 s lver' Knife or, Wickliile, 'rn .
3 3’1)“ J e Rocky

Mountain Ranger. . H. Robinson.
59 The Man From Texas; or, The Outlaws
of Arkansas. By A. W. Aileen.

60 Wide Awake the Robber King; or. The
Idiot of the Black Hills. By Frank Dumont.

 

61 ga tain SeaWaii', the Privateer. By Ned
un no.
62 Loyal Heart; or The TrappersofArkansas.
By Gustave Aimard.
63 The Winged Whale; or, Red Rupert of
the Gulf. B A. W. Aiken.
64 Double-Slght, the Death Shot' or, The Out«
law of the Chaparral. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.
65 The Red Rajah' orI The Scourge of the
Indies. By Capt. F. ittaker.
66 The S eeter Barque. By Mayne Reid.
67 The oy Jockey ' or, Honesty versus
Crookedness. By Joe. E? Badger. Jr.
68 The Fighting Trapper' or, Kit Carson
to the Rescue. By Captain J.  C. Adams.

69 The Irish Ca tain. By Capt. F.Whittaker.
70 ll drnbad, t e Stran or or, Alethe, the
id of the Cord. By Dr. . H. Robinson.

71 (‘a tain Cool-Blade; or, The Man-Shark

of t e Mississippi. By Jos. E. Badger Jr.
72 The Phantom Hand' or, The Heiress of
Fifth Avenue. By A. W. Al en.
73 The Kni hts of the Red Cross; or, The
Magician of ranada. B Dr. J. H. Robinson.
74 The Ca taln of the illes; or, TheQueen
of the La es. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

75 Gentleman George' or Parlor, Prison.
Stage and Street. By A.  A ken.

76 The Queen’s Musketeers; or.Thishe. the
Princess Palmlst. B George Albany.

77 The Fresh of risco' or. The Heiress of
Buenaventura. By Albert  Aiken.

78 The Mysterious say; or, Golden Feather,
the Buccaneer‘s Daugh r. By A. M. Grainger.

79 ion Phenix, the Police Spy. By Albert W

ken.
80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban, the Dwarf.
By Philip S. Warne. .
1 The uman Tiger; or. A Heart of Fire.
By Albert W. Aiken.
82 Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster.
Thomas H0 or Monstcry.
83 Gold Bu let S ort - or, The Knights of the
Overland. ByB alo Bill.
84 Hunted Down; or. The League of Three.
B Albert W. Aiken.
85 he Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah, the
Beautiful. B Col. Prentiss lngrabam.
86 The Big unter; or. The ueen of the
Woods. ythe author of “The Si ent Hunter."
87 The Scarlet Captain ' or, The Prisoner of
the Tower. By Col. Belle nara.
88 Big George, the Giant of the Gulch: or. The
Five Outlaw Brothers. By Jose iii E. Bad er. Jr.
89 The Pirate Print-c; or, vttv Ne y, the
ueen of the Isle. By Col. Prentiss ngraham.
90 ild Will, the Mad Ranchero; or, The Ter-
rible Texans. By Buckskin Sam.
91 The Winnin Oar; or, The Inkeeper's
Daughter. gy rt W. Aiken.
92 Bnifalo ill, the Buckskin King; or. The
Amazon of the West. By Me. . Dangerfield Burr.
93 Cagain Dick Talbot. ' of the Road;
or, e Black-Hoods of Shasta. yA. W. Aiken.
94 Freelance, the Buccaneer; or. The Wait of
the Wave. Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
95 Azhort, the Axman; or. The Secrets of the
Ducal Palace. B Anthony P. Morris.
96 Double-Dent ; or. The S y Queen of Wye
ming. By Capt. Fred. Whi er.
97 Bronze Jack, the California Thoroughbred;
or. The Lost City of the Basaltic Buttes. By
Albert W. Aiken.
98 The Rock Rider; or, The Spirit of the
Sierra. By Ca t. Frederick Whittaker.
99 The Giant iflemani or, Wild Life in the
Lumber Regions. By 011 Coomes.
100 The French Spy; or. The Bride of Paris.
By Anthony P. Morris.
101 The Man From New York; or,TheRo-
mance of a Rich Young Woman. B Aiken.
102 The Masked Band or. The lilan With-
out aName. 113‘ rge . en. ‘
103 Merle, the utineer; or, The Brand of
t

By Colonel

he Red Anchor. B Col. Prentiss m.
104 Montezuma, t e Merciless or. The
Eagle and the Se nt. By Col. P. ngraham.

105 Dan Brown 0 Denver the Rocky Moun-
tain Detective. By Joseph  er. Jr. ,
106 Shamus O’Brien, the Bould y of Glin—
' 9.1; or. lrish Hearts and Irish Homes. By

1. Belle Sara.
107 Richard Talbot of Cinnabar; or. The
Brothers of the Red Hand. By A. W. Aiken.
1 08 The Duke ofDiamonds; or. The Flower
of Calcutta. By Ca tain Frederick Whittaker.
109 Ca tain Kyd,t e King of the Black Flag:
or, e Witch of Dealh Castle. By Col. Pren-

tisslngraham.
110 The Silent Rifleman. By Henry W.
or .
111 The Smu gler Ca tain' Or. The Ski
‘ ‘ Ned funtline’. p-

rs rlme.
112 oe heni Private Detective' or. The
League of the Skeleton Xe . B A. W. Aiken.
113 The Sea Slipper her. {meteor Free-
booters. ByPro . J. .Ingraham.
114 The Gentleman From Pike or.Tbe
Ghost of the Canyon. By Phili S. arne.

115 The Severed Head or. be Secret of
Castle Coucv. By Capt. . ker.
116 Black Plume, the Devil of the Sea; or.
The Sorceress of Hell Gate. By Col. Prentiss
m.

1 1 7 Dashing Dandy, the H r of the Hills;
or. The Pony Prince‘s Strange By Maj.
Dangerfield Burr.

1 18 The Bu lar Ca tain or The Fallen
Star. By Prof. J. H.  ’

 

ME
119 Alabama Jo
B

or, The Yasoo Mamas-
Jos. E. J
I

ters. y , r.

120 The Tex n  or. The Prairie Guide.
By Newton M. Cu .

1 21 The Sea Cadet; or. The Rover of the Rice-
letts. By 001. Prentiss am

122 Saul Sahberda
the Seminole. By ed Buntline.

123 Alapaha, the . uaw ; or. The Renegades
of the Border. By rancis Johnson.

124 Assowaum, the Avenwer; or. The
Doom of the Destroyers. By francis Jo .

125 The Blacksmith Outlaw; or. Mary
England. By Harrison Ainsworth.

126 The Demon Duelist; or. The League of
Steel. By Col. Thomas Boyer Momtery.

127 Sol Scott, the Mask d Miner; or, Dan
Brown’s Double. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

128 The Chevalier Corsair; or, The Heri
tage of Hatred. By the author of “ Merle the
Mutineer."

129 Mississi i Mose or, A Strong Man‘s
Sacrifice. y Edward illett.

130 Captain Volcano' or, The Man oftheBed
Revolvers. By A. W. Aiken.

131 Buckskin Sam, the Texas Trailer; or,The
Bandits of the Bravo. By Col. P. lngraham.

132 Nemo. King of the Trampsm, The
Roman Girl's Vengeance. By Capt. erick

t er.

133 Body the Rover the Ribbonman of Ire-
land. By William Car eton.

1 34 Darkie Dan, the Colored Detective; or, The
Missksgim M stery. By 001. P. Ingraham.

nah anger or, The Half-Breed
rigade. By Francis Jo nson.

136 The Outlaw-Hunter; or, Red John, the

Ran r. By Francis Johnson.

ush

137 Long card, the Giant S '; or. Ha

HanyCoo , the Wild Boy of the goods. Bypgll
mes.

138 The Border Bandits' or, The Horse-
Thief's Trail. By Francis Johnson.

1 39 Fire-Eye. the Sea Ema; or. The Bride of
a Buccaneer. By Col. ntiss magi-glam.

140 The Three Spaniards. Bv . Walker.

1 41 Equinox Tom, the Bully of Red Rock; or,
Dan Brown‘s Masterstroke. By Joseph. 1

Badger. Jr.

1 42 c‘aptain Crimson, the Man of the Iron
Face; or, The Nemesis of the Plains. By Maj.
Dangerfield Burr.

143 The Czar’s S y; or, The Nihilist League.

By Col. T. H. onstery.
1 44 The Hunchback of Notre -Dame.

B Victor Hugo.

145 istol Pards or, Soft Hand, the Silent

S ort from Cinna . Bv Wm. R. Eyster.

146 The Doctor Detective;or, The M ry
of the Golden Coflin. By George Lemue .

147 Gold S‘pur the Gentleman rom Texas' or
The Ch'd o the Regiment. By Col. -
tiss Ingraham. .

148 One-Armed Alf the Giant Hunter of the
Great La es. Biv‘oll Coomes.

149 The Border ides. By Gustave Aimard.

150 El Ruhio Bravo, King of the Swordamen;
or. The Terrible Brothers of Tabasco. By
Col. Thomas HoyerMonste .

151 The Freehooters. By

152 Captain lronnerve, the
Chief; or. The Gipsy Queen‘s
MarmadukeDe

153 The White gi-alper. By Gustave Almand.
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. ByJoseph E.

Badger, Jr.

155 The Corsair ueen; or, The Gipsies of
the Sea. By Col. mine In .

156 Velvet Fare,the Border ravo; or. Muriel,
the Danlte’s Bride. By Dangerfield Burr.

l 57 Mon rad, the Mameluke; or. The Three
Swordmasters. By Col. Thomas H. Monstery.

1 58 The Doomed Dozen; or. Dolores. the
Danite‘s Dau htor. By Dr. Frank Powell.

1 59 Red Bud er, the Archer or. The Lady
Bertha‘s Treachery. By Ca t.  Whiuaker.

160 So“ "and, Sharp ' or. e Man With the
San . Win. R. Eyster.

161 The “ olves of New York
thiiix's Great Man Hunt. By A. . Aiken.

162 The Mad Mariner' or. Dishonored and
Disowned. By 001. Prentiss lngraham.

163 Ben Brion, the Trap er Ca tain: or. Red-
):ath. the Avenger. By 81'. J.  Bobimon.

164 he King’s Fool; or. The Knights of the
Clasped Hands and Red Branch. By C. D.Clark.

1 65 Joaquin, the Terrible. By J. E. , Jr.

166 Owlet, the Robber Prince: or. The U wn
Hfihwayman. By S ptimus R. Urban.

167 T e Man ofSteel or, The Masked Knight
of the White Plume. A. P. Mon-k.

168 “'ild Bill, the Pistol Shot; or. Dagger
Don‘s Double. By Col. Prentiss

the 1 lot Spy'; or, Luliona

ve Almanl.
Counter-fetter
. By

or. Joe.

169 Cor ral Cannon, theManof orty Duels.
By l. Thomas Boyer Monstery.

1 70 SWeet William the 1‘ra per Detective
or, The C’hief of the mass  By Joe. If
Badger. r.

1'11 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart; er.
The Dumb-Bandit. By Philip S. Warns.

or. The oi

I" Ethelfiolien‘ll‘ettfrs‘. Bagel. P. ac Th
a on a 0 III e Paci atom

bred. By Albert W. A’iken.
A new issue every Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is fol-sale b all
hewsdealers. ten cents per copy or sent by on
each amass

ieeei oftwelveeents
Puhlghaaiswnuamsu'eeaNewYat. M

 

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174 The Phantom Kni hts. Ca t. F.
Whittak I By p

er.

1 75 Wild Bill’s Trump Card' or. The Indian
Heiress. By Major Dangerfield Burr.

1 76 Lady Ja uar, the Robber Queen. By Cap-
tain Mark iiton. '

177 Don Diublo, the Planter-Corsair; or, The
Rivals of the Sea. B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

178 Dark Dashwoo , the Desperate; or, The
Child of the Sun. By Mjor Sam S. Hall.

1 79 i‘onrnd. the Convict; or, Was He Guilty?
By Prof. Stewart Gildersieeve, LL. D.

180 Old ’49; or, The Amazon of Arizona. By
Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Nemesis
of the Sea. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham

1 82 Hallds U}? or, The Knights of the Canyon.

Bv Wm. . ster.

183 Gilbert, the Guide; or. Lost in the Wt.
demess. By C. Dunning Clark.

184 The Ocean Vampire; or, The Heiress of
Castle Curse. B Co . Prentiss 1n ham.

185 The Mans 1 er or, The Bean iul Sphinx.
g‘fnthony . Mo .

186 e Black Bravo; or. ‘_The Tonkaway‘s
Triumgh. B Buckskin Sam.

187 The eat 1’. [lead Cuiraasiers; or,
Brave of all Braves. By Capt. Fred. ittaker.

188 The Phantom Mazeppa; or, TheH can
of the Cha rrals. By M . Dangerfield urr.

189 Wild Bi l’s Gold Tra l or. The Desper-
ado Dozen. By Col. Prentiss am.

190 The Three Guardsmen. ByAlexandre

ulnar. .
191 The Terrible Tonkaway; or. Old Rocky
and His Paras. Bv Buckskin Sam.
or, The Bad Men

192 The L1 htniug s ort

at Slaugh rBar. Bv . Eyster.
193 The Man In Red or The Ghost of the
Old Guard By Capt. erick Whittaker.

194 Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent;
or. The Three Men of Mount Tabor. By Capt.

Mark Wilton.

195 The Lone Star Gambler; or, The Maid
ci'the Magnolias. Bv Buckskin Sam.

196 La Marmoset the Detective Quee ; or.
The Lost Heir of Moral. By Albert w. ken.

197 Rewolver Bob,«the RedHanded; or, The
B lleofN tCamp. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.

198 The She cton Schooner; or. The Skim-
mer of the Sea. BK Col Prentiss Ingraham.

199 Diamond Die . the Dandy from Denver.
gr Buck Sam.

200 he Rifle Bangers; or, Adventures in
Southern Mexico. ByCa t. Mayne Reid

201 The Pirate of the P aeers; or, Joaquin's
Death Hunt. By Joseph E. , Jr.

202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Ga e' or. The
Masked Rcbbera of Black Bend. ByCaptain
Mark Wilton.

203 The Double Detective; or, The Midnight
Mystclgy. By Albert . en.

204 Bigv oot Vallace, theKin of the Lariat;
or lldWoli'. the Waco. By uckskin Sam.

205 The Gambler Pirate or. Bessie. the
Lady of the Lagoon. By Co . P. Ingraham.

206 One Eye, the Cannoneer; or, Marshal Ney's
Last lfiwy. l,Bly Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

207 Old ard sad; or. Whirlwind and His
Milk-white Mare. By Philip S. Warns.

208 to White Chief. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

209 uck Farley the Bonanza Prince: or. The
Romance of Death Gulch. By Edward Wiliett.

210 Buccaneer Bess the Lioness ot‘ the Sea;
or, The Red Sea Trail. By Col. P. lngraham.

21 1 Colonel Plun or or. The Unknown Sport.
Bv Cant Frederic ittaker. ,

212 The Brazos Tigers; or the Minute-Men
of Fort Belknap. y Buckan Sam.

213 The War Trail; or. The Hunt of the Wild
Horse. By  its as Reid. '

214 The Two ool ports; or, Gertie ofthe
Gulch. By Wm. B. Eyster.

215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys: or.
The Gentle Shepherd s Big “Clean Ou ." By
Ca'ptain Frederick Whittaker.

216 T 0 Corsair Planter; or, Driven to
Doom. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

217 The Serpent of El Paso; or, antil-r
Frank, the Scout of the Rio Grande. By Buck-

skin Sam.

218 The Wild Huntrcss; or, The Big Squat-
ter's Vengeance. gv ( left. Mayne Reid.

219 The Scorpion rot sent or, Mad Tom‘s
Mission. By Captain Mark~Wilton.

Yacht; or, A Brother’s

me. y Col. Prentiss In aham.

221 Desperate Duke, the nadaiou . “Gs-

loot' ought; Angel of the Alamo (.ity. By

m.

222 .8111, the Blizzard ; or. Red Jack's Double
Crime. By Edward Wi iett.

223 Can on Dave the Man of the Mountain;

, g, Toughs 3: Silver Spur. By Captain

arkW ton.
224 Black Beard, the Buccaneer: or. The
no the Coast. BxCol. P. lngrahum.
Mountai

Cu of
5 ock l or. N t Nell, the
22 gal! 01’ t Range. y Bilokskimm.

226 The Ma Bussars; or, The 0's and the
Mac‘s. By  Whittaker.
227 Buckshot n, the Man-Hunter of Idaho;
, The Cactus Creek Tragedy. By Capt.
Mark Wilton. .
28 The Maroon. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
29 Ca taiu Outslechior Touch-Me-Not. the
' Sport. By Wm. Byster.

960 The PI ug Dutchman of 1880; or,
Who was aadsrdecken. By Capt. Frederick
Whittaker.

 

231 The Kid Glove Miner; or, The Magic
Doctor of Golden Gulch. By Ingraham.

2 32 Orson 0xx, the Man of Iron; or. The River
Mylstery. By isaac Hawks.

233 'l‘ 1- Old Boy of Tombstone; or,
Wagering a Life on a Card. Bil E. Bad er.

234 The lluntcrs’ Feast. By ayne Reif

235 Red Lightnin r, the Man of Chance; or.
Flush times in Gol en Gulch. By Col. Prentiss
Ingmham.

230 Cilantglon Sam; or. The Monarchs of the
Show. Hy Col. T. H. Moustery.

237 Long- aired Max; or. The Black League
of the Coast. By Ca t. M. Wilton.

238 Hank Hound, t e Crescent City Detec-
tive; or, The Owls of New Orleans. By An-
thony P. Morris.

239 The Terrible Trio; or, The Angel of the

Army. B Buckskin Sam.

240 A Cool lead; or, Orson Oxx in Peril. By
Isaac Hawks.

241 Spltilre Saul, King of the Bustiers; or.

can Dixie‘s Grand “Round-Up." By Jos.
. Badger. Jr.

242 The Fog Devil; or, The Skipper of the
Flash. By Ca t. Fred. Whittaker.

243 The P l r m Shargg; or, The Soldier’s
Sweethea . Bv Buflaio ii.

244 Merciless Mart, the Man-Tiger of Mis-
souri' or, The Wall of the Flood. By Buck-

skin .

245 Barranca Bill, The Revolver Champion;
or. The Witch of the Weeping Willows. By
Captain Mark Wilton.

246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Over-
land‘ or The Ghouls oi the Gold Mines. By

Col. Prentiss 1 .
247 Alligator Ike or, The Secret of the Ever-
By Capt.  Whit r

lade. .

248 filontana Nat, the Lion 0 Last Chance
Camp. By Edward Willett.

249 file hant Torn oi Durango; or, Your
Gold-.Dust or Your Life. By Jos. E Badger, Jr.

250 The Bough Riders I; or. Sharp-Eye, the
Seminole Scourge. 8‘ uckskin Sam.

251 Tiger Dick vs. ron Dcapard; or.
Every Man Has His Match. By P. S. Warne.

252 The Wall street Blood or. Tick Tick,the
Tel ra h Girl. By Albert .Alken.

253 A an ac Cossack or, The Queen of the
Nihilists. By Ca t. erick Whittaker.

254 Giant Jake, t e Patrol oi the Mountain.
%Newton M. Curtis.

255 e Pirate Priest; or. The Planter Gam-
bler's Da hter. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

256 Double an the Bastard; or, The Pirates
of the Pecos. Buckskin 8am.

257 Death-Trap .
from 'Wa Back. By Josep E. Badger, Jr.

258 Bullet sad, the Colorado Bravo; or. The
Prisoners of the Death-Vault. By Captain
Mark Wilton.

259 (‘utlaas and Cross; or. The Ghouls of the
Sn. R C:i. Prentiss ngraham.

260 The i asked Mystn-r ; or. The Black
Crescent. By Anthea ' P. orris.

261 Black Sam, the trio Thunderbolt; or,
The Bandit-Hunters. B (‘01. J0 Yards.

262 Fighting Tom, the error of the Toughs.
By Col. Thomas Hoyt r Monster .

263 Iron-Armed Abe, the unchback Do-

stroyer; or. The Black Riders’ Terror. By

Ca‘ptain Mark Wilton.

264 T e Crooked Three; or, The Bhwk

Hearts of the Gaudalup". y Buckskin Sam.

265 Old Double-Sword;1 or Pilots and Pi-
rate-s. By Capt. Fred. W ittaker.

266 Loo ard Luke, the Kin of Horse-Thieves;
or. «Swamp Squattcr‘s oom. By Captain
Mark Wiltoa.

267 The \Vhite Squaw. By Captain Mayne

Re d.

268 Magic Mike the Man of Frills: or. Bad
Ben‘s Bad Briga 9. By William. R. E ster.

269 The Damn Bravo; or, The Terri le Trail.
By Bucks Sam. .

270 A ndros, the Free Rover; or, The Pirate s
Daughter. By Ned Buntline.

271 Stout-flat, oi‘Big Nu act Bend; or Old
Ketchum’s Tug of War. y Capt. Mark Wilton.

272 Seth Slorum Railroad Survevor: or. Tin-
Secret of Sit-i ’sun. By Capt F. Whittaker.

273 Mountain one the Gonzo Outlaw; or.
Light Horse Leon’s r’m- Fights for Life. By
Buckskin Sam.

27-1 Flush Fred the Mississi pl Sgort: or,
Tough Times in T nnessee.. y Ed. \‘illett.

275 The Smuggler Cutter; or, The Cavern in
the Cliff. liv J. l). Conroy

276 Texas Chick, the Southwest Detective: or,
Tiger Lily, the Vulture Queen. By Captain
Mark Wilton.

277 The Sane Jane, Privateer or The
Hunting 0! id Ironsidvs. By Capt il’rederick
Whittaker.

278 HerculesGolda ur theMan oftheVeivet
Hand; ‘or, The P0 or Queen’s Drop Game.
l‘v Captain Howard Holmes.

279 The. Gold-Dra‘fonf; or. the California-
Bloodhound. By m. . Manning.

280 Black-Boas Ila-n; or, Tiger DiI-k‘s Lone
Hand. By Philip S. Warns. _

28 l The Sea flwl; or. The Lady Ca; L .n of the
Gulf. you. Prentiss lngrshaln.

282 The erriless Marauders; or. Chap-
arral Carl‘s gs. By Buck n Sam.

283 Sleek Sam the Devil at the Mines; or. The
Sons oithe er (h'oss. By Joan Badger J

. r.
1 Three i t or. Old lronsides‘ ‘
284 T m r  I Publishers. 98 William Street. New York.

Revenge. By Capt. hittaker.

 

285 Lightning Bolt the (‘un on Terror; or.

Mountain Cat’s Crud e. y .dnrk \\ men.

286 Pistol Johnn or. ue Man in a Thou-
sand. 133.] p . Bad er, Jr.

287 Dandy ave and His orse. White Stock—
ing; or. Ducats or Death. By Buckskin Sam.

288 Electro Pete, the Man of Fire; or The
Wharf Rats of Locust Point. By A. P. Morris.

289 Plush Fred’s Full “and ' or. Life and
Strife in Louisum‘ a. By Edward Willett.

290 The Lost Corvette; or, Biakek-y‘s Last
Cruise. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

291 Horseshoe flank, the Man of Big Luck;
or. The Gold Brick of Idaho. By Capt. Mark
Wilton.

292 Moke Horner, the Boss Ronstabout' or.
The Fresh-Water Sharks of the Ove ow.
By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

293 Stampede Steve; or The Doom of the
Double Face. liy Buckskin Sam.

294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy; or,
The Thirlt‘y Pards of Deadwood. By Captain
Howard olmes.

295 Old Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter; or,
The Night Riders of Satanla County. By
Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

296 Duncan, the Sea-Diver; or, The Coast
Vultures. By George St. George.

297 Colorado Rube, the Strong Arm of Hot-
s ur Cit? or The Giant Brothers of Buzzard";
igost. y Wm. H. Manning.

298 Logger Lem; or. Life and Peril in the
Pine Woods. By Edward Willctt.

299 Three of a Kind. Tiger Dick, Iron Des~
pard. and the Sportive Sport. By P. S. Warne.

300 A Sport in Spectacles; or. The Bad Time
at Bunco. By Wm. B. Eyster.

301 Bowlder Bill; or, The Man from Taoa.
By Buckskin Sam.

302 Faro Saul, the Handsome Hercules‘ or, The
Grip of Steel. By Joseph E. Badger. r.

303 Top-Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw; or.
The Satanstown Election. By (hot. Whittaker.

304 Texas Jack the Prairie Rattler: or The
Queen of the Wild Ridels. By Buflalo Bill.

305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover or.
Giant Dave’s mm mu: Himself. By Capt.
Mark Wilton.

306 The Bougha of Richmond; or, The
fiyls'rteisry of the Golden Beetle. By Anthony P.

0 .

E

307 The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water
I Wolves of the Bahamas. By 001. ingraham.

308 Hemlock Hank, To h and True; or.
The Shadow of Mount Ks . By Edward
\l'iliett.

309‘11aybold, the Battling Banger or.
Old Rocky‘s Tough Campaign. y uck-
skin Sam.

310 'lhe Marshal offlataustown

e of the Cattle- Lifters.
F trick Whittako r.

311 “my Hand, the Relentless; or. The
Mark Men oi Paradise Gulch. By Capt.
Mark Wilton.

312 Klukioot Karl The Mountain Scourge;
or, Wiping Out the Score. By Morflsmdwiug.

31 3 Mark Magic, Detective. By A. P. Morris.

314 Lafitte}; or. The Pirate of the Gulf. Dy
Prof. J. . Ingraham.

315 Plush Fred’s Double; or, The Squat-
ter’s League of Six. By Edward Willett.

316 Lafitte’s Lieutenant; or Theodore, the
Child of the Sea. By Prof. J. . lngraham.

317 Frank Lighti'oot the mar Detective;
or. Followinga. Blind Lead. By J. E. Badger.

318 The‘lndlan Buccaneer; or. Rm Rovers

, on Blue Waters. By (‘oLPren isslngraham.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West; or.
The Buckskin Bravos of the Black Hills. By
Buffalo Bill.

320 The Control Spotter; or The Night
Hawks of New York. By A bert 'W. Aiken.

321 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. By
(‘aptain Howard Holmes. I

322 The Crimson Coyotrs. By Buckskin

or The
y Capt ..

323 Hotsuur Hugh; or The Bonded Broth' rs

' of the Giant‘s Ann. By Captain Mark Wilton.

324 Old Forked-Lightning, the Solitary:

or, Every Inch a Man. By Jos. E. Badgt r. a

325 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The 11er-
unit of Casco l‘ay. By Col. P. lugraham.

326 The Whitest Man of the Mines; or.

The Dog-Town Crowd. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

‘ 327 Terrapin Dirk the Wild Woods Detec-
tive. W

By Edward illett.
328 King Bent; or, The Bandits ot the Baron.
By Buckskin Sam.
A new tum every Wednesday.
Beadlc’s Dime Library h for Vale by all
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE a ADAMS,