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"LUCK, PARDS, AND A GOOD-NIGHT T0 YE,” CRIED JACK NELSON, wuan THE DEAD-SHOT NINE DASEED OVER THE PRAIRIE.

 

'2

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

 

The Dead Shot Nine;

MY PARDS or_rEE PLAINS.

BY HON. WM. F. CODY,
(“BUFFALO BILL”)

 

CHAPTER I.
AN APPEAL AND A RESPONSE.

“ MY DEAR. BUFFALO BILL:—

“ Pardon me if I so address you, calling you
by the name which you have made famous, for
it is to you in your character as a borderman, as
a scent, that I appeal for aid in this my hour of
almost despair, and wholly in despair would I be
but for the faith that you can save me from
worse than death.

“ Do you recall, Buffalo Bill, one night during
the civil war, when you came to my home, in
the Sunny South, and asked for shelter and help,
for on had been wounded severely?

“ was but a girl then of thirteen years, and
you gave to me a locket containing two like—
nesses, one of myself, the other of my boy hero,
my SWeetheart, who six months before, though
only sixteen, had gone to fight under the Bonnie
Blue Flag.

“ You told me how you had found him 11 on
the red field of Shiloh, dying from a woun in
his side, and, doing all you could for him, though
you were the blue and he the gray, he gave into
your keeping the locket, some letters of mine,

is watch and chain, and bade you bear them to
me if ever in your power so to do.

‘ You told me that you had buried him where
he fell, and had marked the rave, and that you
had dared come into our 'nes to keep your
pled e to him

“ ou had been seen by Confederate soldiers,
had been fired on and wounded, but you escaped
and reached my home.

“ My father and two brothers were away in
the Confederate army and my mocher and my-
self Were alone on the plantation with the
slaves.

“Mother was ill, so I saw you alone, my old
negro nurse dressed your wound, and I heard
from you the sad stor Of my boy lover’s death
upon the field of batt e.

“ Suddenly a party of Confederate cavalry
dashed up to the house, having tracked you
there, believing you to be a spy and with inten-
tion to hang you as such.

“Those were bitter, cruel days, Buffalo Bill,
and you knew your life would have been the
forfeit, and you were determined to die brave-
ly, weapons in hand.

“Do you remember then that I saved you?
That I told the commanding officer, whom I
knew well a falsehood, without the quiver of a
muscle or blush of shame?

“ DO you recall that I told him you were a
Confederate soldier, wearing the blue uniform
because you had escaped rom prison in the
North, and you had come by my home to bring
me the letters and trinkets sent by my boy lov-
er who had died by your side?

“ They believed me, Buffalo Bill, and you
were spared, and three days after you returned
safely into your lines, telling me before you de-
parted that I had saved you from the death of a
spy, and bidding me, did I ever need aid, to
send or come to on.

“ I do need ai now, for the war ended with
my father and brothers dead, and my mother
and myself, almost ruined in fortune, were
forced to seek a new home with a relative in

Kansas.

“ One whom I knew when in my girlhood, one
whom I never loved went to the ad, became a
guerrilla, warring u n North and South alike,
and when 1 came to sas, outlawed as he was
in his State, he followed me. ur ' g that I
aould become his wife, vile as I bel eve him to

“He holds secrets of our family, and so had
the power to force me into an engagement with
him, and now he threatens to come here ten
days hence and, accom ed by a minister,
force me to ome his w fe.

“ I and those about me are powerless to pre-
vent him for he dares us to do our worst, and
he has the power to make us cringe before
him; but this morning my little cousin, Brad-
ford Buckner, said to me, and his words fell
like prophecggfion me:

“ Cousin e, Buffalo Bill could save you if
he was here i’

“I started, fairly trembled at the words of
the boy, and rushing to my room, I am writing
this letter to you.

“ Your name'has come to me often as a scout
of the border, and I have lo to see you
again; but on are little Brad s hero, and his
words can me to remember your pledge, and
now I ask you to save me from the ate that I
am to be forced to meet.

“ To be truthful with you Buflalo Bill I love
another, the elder brother 0 my boy soldier lov-
er and so like , and so noble; but he is far
from me now, and, with the power of a family
secret/aver me, this man, this outlaw—Captain

 

gent Kennard—is going to force me to marry
1m.

“Save me, Buffalo Bill, for I believe little
Bradford’s words are prophetic and that you
can do so.

“ Waiting, ho ing, before utterly despairing,
I am our friend,

“ BELLE BRADFORD.”

The foregoing letter, kind reader, was handed
to me by a scout nearl twenty years ago.

At the time I was aptain of Scouts to the
army, and our force was stationed upon the far
frontier, where we had hard work to keep the
red-men in check and the lives of us all were in
daily; deadly peril.

I ad just been ordered on a special duty,
scouting service alone. and upon which much
depended, and I dared not disobey orders.

t would consume perhaps a month of my
time, and this letter demanded instant atten-
tion, for the limit was ten days from the writ-
ing, and it was some distance to the place from
whence it had been written.

I sought the courier who had brought it, and
asked:

1 ;:,Jack, was this letter given to you personal-
Y

“ Yes, and by the purtiest gal I ever seen,
Bill, fer she hed eat big blue eyes, and a
mouth that looked ike a red rose fu l o’ pearls,
so rosy was her lips and so white her teet .”

“Jack, I fear you fell in love with the lady,”
I answered, amused at his description.

“ I’m clean gone, Bill, clean one; but she
looked so sad, and was so dread 111 in earnest
she Offered me one hundred dollars to carry the
letter.

“ But I wouldn’t take her money, Bill, but
told her I were coming right here to your camp,
which were a lie, for wasn’t, you know, being

idin’ on the lower trails, and I told her as

ow I’d give it to you myself, and I has kept my
word.”

“ You are a noble fellow, Jack, and you will
not lose by your ood act; but tell me, do you
know anything a out the oung lady?”

“Not much, Bill, for t ey is strangers from
the South, I has heerd, and lives on a half
ranch, half farm, down in Kansas, I believe,
with a brother of the girl’s mother.”

“ Do you know anything about Captain Kent
Kennard, J ack?”

“Bill that’s the strangeness of it, for I has
heard t t Cap’n Kent, as the calls him, has
been seen visitin’ the Buckner ch, wharuthe
girl lives.”

- “ He is a bad citizen, I believe, J ack?”

“ Bad citizen, Bill? Now you do draw it
mild!

“Why, thet Kent Kennard are the wu’st man
in Kansas, to my thinkin’, though he pertends
honest.

“ He hes a ranch thar, and as I said pertends
fer be a 00d man; but ef he hain’t one o’ ther
Kansas ed Owls in secret, I’ll eat In spurs.”

“ And the Red Owls are a bad lot, ack?”

“ The is kin to Satan, every one of ’em, Bill;
but the and is so secret in all its doings nobody
knows if they is white or black, Injun or Chi-
nee, only they makes themselves felt all the
time, I suspects Kent Kennard o’ bein’ a

w .

“Anyhow, he takes occasion to tarn a man’s
toes up when he goes to town now and then, is
a doubly sart’in dead shot, can outride a Texas
saddle strapped on, knows how to tossa knife
to center, and to use it at close range, and is
just as hadsome as a pictur’.

“ That’s the man, Bill, and don’t deceive
yerself that he haint no terror, fer he is, and

with devil to sell.”

“ Jack w at are $1 doing now?”

“ Guiding trains, in’ when pelts is prime,
and scoutin a leetle, B .”

“ I wish to offer you service, Jack.”

“Call me, Bill, and I turns up with a full
hand.

“I’m yours ter throw to ther crews, of yer
says it.”

‘ Jack, I wish you to consider yourself in my
service, at a scout’s y, and your first duty WI 1
be to take a letter k to the lad who gave
you this one for me, Miss Belle Brad 0 .”

“I’ll do it Bill.”

I told Jae tobe ready to start at dawn, and
to come to my cam that night for the letter,
after which I went my ten and wrote a re-
sponse to the earnest appeal I had received
from one who had indeed saved my life in war
da s, little girl though she was.

{ii my response I told her that stern duty,
such as hedged in the soldier and the scout,
forced me away; but into the hands of those
who were my Prairie Pards, men whom I could
trust as m right hand would my left, I gave
the duty 0 saving her from the fate she dread-
ed and it would be their duty to see that Cap-
tain Kent Kennard would no longer shadow her

life
This letter sent I rode over to the camp of
those to whom I lntrusted the carrying out of
m wishes. well knowing, without asking them,
w at would be their response.
Had it been an ofilcial dut
ordered, and they would have 0

I” could have
yed; but with

 

an outside affairI could but ask, and yet I knew
the allant men but ‘00 well to dread refusal.

. ost of them have gone across the Dark
River, and others no longer follow the red trails
over prairie, mountain and valley; but true as
steel, their work was well done, and, rest they
in their graves, or dwell they in cam , or in
city, may Heaven bless them, my noble Pards
of the Plains.

With this introduction, I give their work on
tNhe red trails in this romance of The Dead Shot

ine.

CHAPTER II.
THE MEETING OF THE NINE.

A BiVOUAc of bordermen, in a lovely valley,
meets the eye of the reader.

_A camp pleasantly situated upon the sloping
hills1de, that terminates upon the bank of a
clear, swift] -fl0wing stream.

‘Not the w ite tents of the soldiers, seen in the
distance on the hill-top are visible here, but in—
stead the pomted tepee of the red-skin, with its
skin walls oddly painted with various hiero-
glyphics that an Indian alone could master with

' untutored hand.

Two fires are glowing bright, and about them
are the scouts, sitting, awaitin their evening
meal, which is being preparedI) two negroes,
dressed in half uniform, half buckskin, and
seemingly enjoying their free-and-easy life upon
the plains.

Their kitchen utensils are few, a skillet, a
frying-pan, an oven or two, some coffee-pots,
and tin plates, cups and rude knives, forks and
spoons of iron.

In the background stands a lar 0 Wagon, with
four mules lariated out near, an into this stout
vehicle the entire outfit of the scouts’ camp can
be placed when on the march, for little do these
bold prairie rovers care for the comforts which
soldiers so much enjoy.

Upon a meadow not far away half a hundred
horses are feeding, and wiry, splendid animals
they are, showing speed in their build and pos-
sessing endurance equal to their riders.

Texan and Mexican saddles and bridles hang
upon the trees near, some of them listening
with fancy ornaments, and heavy wit odd ac~
couterments, while resting upon logs and leaning
against trees are the repeating-rifles of this bore
der band of heroes.

The men who make up the humanity of this
outfit are some three-score in number, and su-
perb specimens they are of manhood in all its
ph sical beauty.

0 a man, almost, they wear their hair long,
falling upon their broad shoulders, their forms
are wiry, muscular and powerful, their move-
ments quick and decided and their faces are as
blil'own as exposure to the elements can make
t em.

Their general attire consists of flannel hunt-
ing—shirts, buckskin leggings, a slouch hat with
huge brim, and a huntin -jacket of some kind,
though several are dressed in a more picturesque
costume, some of them being a mixture of uni-
form, buckskin and the MeXican garb.

,In each case they are armed with a pair of re-

volvers and a home-knife, while their trusty
rifle is not far away, and the heels of all are
adorned with spurs.
- A picturesque, wild-looking, daring set of men
they are, relying u n themselves because they
know their stren , ready to do and dare any-
thing against enormous odds, true as steel to
friend and fee, men who have been reared upon
the wild frontier, who have taken life and faced
death in its worst forms, who know the prairies
as one knows his own home, and who, ni ht or
day, can follow trails that a red-skin wo d fal-
ter at.

Such is the camp of the army scouts into
which I would have the reader accompany me,
following upon the trail of a horseman who
rides slowly up the valley the form of horse
and rider distinctly revealed in the light of the
setting sun.

A man of almost ' nt form, with great
broad shoulders, a fine ead well-poised, an ath-
letic stature, and a face singularly striking in
its calm power of expression and resolute cour-

88°-

A dark mustache. the ends worn long and
droogijng, but half hides the determined mouth,
and , s eyes are piercing and restless.

His hair is black and worn very long, hang-
inibelow his shoulders.

- t his back is slung a repeating-rifle, about
his waist is a belt-of-arms and his dress is a
mixture of army blue and buckskin, while he
wears cavalr boots, gold spurs, and has a gold
cord about h s black sombrero.

The horse seems well suited to the man, bein
a unt, big-bodied, werful animal, deck
ou with a exican dle and bridle with sil-
ver enough on them to tempt a road-agent’s hon-

est .

‘yBoys, there comes Wild Bill l‘

“Now we’ll know if it’s a move or remain
here in camp,” cried a voice in the bivouac, as
the horseman was seen approaching.

‘ J. B. Blkok, killed at Deadwood by an assassin
some years ago.—Tnl Airmen.

 

3

Both were well mounted upon fiery mustangs,
l wiry in build, and displaying speed and bottom
in their action.

One of the riders was a young girl of perhaps
nineteen, dressed in a dark—gray riding-habit,
which fitted her form to perfection.

She Wore a soft sombrero encircled by a sil-

The Dead Shot Nine.

“Now let us have supper, and then take the
trail, for we have no time to lose.”
An hour after the Dead Shot Nine rode out

 

 

. ‘ And he raised his hat as the scouts greeted
him with a yell of welcome. .

" .' Dismounting, he knotted his reins so that his ,
horse could feed and advanced with the quick, of cam , thoroughly armed, splendidly mount- ‘
firm step of a soldier to the nearest camp-fire, : ed, an equipped to fulfill for me the led e ‘
around which the scouts all gathered. i that I made to Belle Bradford, the brave out -
“ Well, Bill, what’s up, for you are just down ern girl who had saved me from being hanged

from head-quarters, ain’t you?” said one.

“Yes, pards; I‘m just from camp, for you i
know Buffalo Bill sent for me this afternoon, ;

and there‘s a little work on hand,” said Wild

ill.

" I thought there was music to be sung when
the courier said Buffalo Bill wanted you right
away.”

“ Yes; but it is not an army trick we are to
take now, for the general has sent Buffalo Bill
off on a few weeks’ trip of reconnoitcring to find

out just what is the best move to make, and you 3

are to remain in cam ,all except eight pards
whom I need to go wit me on a secret service
expedition. ”
“ \Ve'll all go to the war
You bet! ou bet!
We’ll all go to the war!"

sung half a dozen voices in chorus.
“ No, pards: I can only take eight of you, and
you, Tom Sun, I leave in command of the out-

fit, with Bony Ernest as second, for, Texas.

Jack, you go with me, as do you also, Frank
Powell, for, if I’m not mistaken, we‘ll need a
surgeon,”and \Vild Bill addressed two of the
party \VhOSO appearance was striking in the ex—
treme.

Texas J ack* was a sunny-faced Texan, who
had fought for the Bonnie Blue Flag during the
war, and afterward drifted into the northern
frontier.

A man of reckless courage, the activity of a
cat and strength of a giant, added to which was
his deadly aim with the revolver, and perfect
knowledge of trailing, he was one to dread as a
foe and seek as a friend.

The other, Frank Powell,+ was a man with a
history, and a remarkable one, for he had been
an army surgeon, and gave it up] for the wild,
free life of' the scouts, being t e “Medicine
Man ” of the border outfit.

A man of desperate pluck, with few equals
and no superior in strength and endurance, a
face strangely handsome, which his long, black,
waving hair and black eyes made almost weird-
like, he had the refined manner of a city-bred
gentleman, and the gentleness of a woman,
while his voice was low-toned and full of bar-
mony.

He was attired in an undress uniform, which
fitted his superb form well, top cavalry boots,
with Mexican spurs, a black sombrero encircled
by a gold cord, and his belt of arms were silver-
niounted and of the very best.

“ Night Hawk George, and you. Broncho
Billy; I wish to go with me,” said Wild Bill,
and glancing slowly over the faces in front of
him, econtinued:

“And you, Dandy Dick, also you, Bravo
Buck, Dashin Dan and Fighting Frank,§ I
wishto owit me.”

“Par Bill, you has jist got the Nine Dead
Shots 0’ this lay-out,” said one of the scouts

lancing over the nine men ranged alongside of

l'ild Bill. and with Frank North at the other
end, tall, straight as an arrow, eagle-eyed, de-
termined-facts]. and presenting t1“) contrast by
having short hair.

They were a splendid set of men. that Dead
Shot Nine, and certainly the pick of the three-
score of noble fellows in the border bivouac.

“I meant to ick out the dead shots, Nick,
and I have got them, unless some one backs out
when he knows the work to be done is secret,
and may be desperate.

“ What say you, pards does any man of you
eight wish to step out of line?”

The silence that followod was an im ressive
answer to the question of Wild Bill, an with a
grim smile he said:

‘.‘ I thank you, boys; I knew you well when
I picked you out.

 

" J. B Omohundro died at Leodville, Colorado, a
few years since—Tin Amos.

+ Doctor Frank Powell. late surgeon of the U. S-
Army. and who has won fame as a plainsman,
known on the border. through his many exploits, as
"White Beaver." “ Fauc Frank," “The Magic
Doctor.“ “The Dead Shot tor,” etc. Now Medl-
clne Chief of the Winnebago Indians. and practicing
medicine in La Crosse, Wisconsin. of which city he
is mayor— Tun AUTHOR.

t Night Hawk George—Doctor George Powell—
now a practicing physician in the Far West, then a,
famous scout and guide. Br0ncho Billy, Doctor
William Powell, also metamorphosed from a
plainsman into a physician. These two are broth.
era of Doctor Frank Powell, who will be known in
this romance as " White Beaver.“— Tn: Amos.

6 All four were well-known bordermen years ago,
the three first named having been killed in hat 0,
and the latter, Fighting Frank, being Major Frank
North, of the U. B. Armdv, and who commanded a
regiment of Pawnee In ions for years, organizing
Ihr-m from the tribe that made him their white
chief. Than Frank North no truer. braver man
ever lived, and his name and deeds will ever live in
song and story of the lains. He died a few months
ago from the effects 0 old wounds—Tn: Auraon.

 

 

as a Union spy.
Without a word, or a question, my gallant

comrades followed their leader Wild Bill, to .

whom I had told my wishes and intrusted the

fulfillment of my pledge.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE OATH or THE DEAD saor NINE.
HAVING had a consultation with General

Carr, as to just what duty he wished me to go .
upon, I rode out of the head-quarters camp i

just as the full moon was rising above the
prairie horizon.

It was 8. dan erous mission that l was bound
upon, and a one, my thoughts wandered
strangelyto the past and anticipations of the
future, while I wondered if my fair friend,
Belle Bradford, would be content to have others
kee my pledge in my stead.

y trail lay southward for a while, and then
crossinga rairie stream branched off toward
the great orthwest into which the white man
had seldom ventured.

I had intrusted to Wild Bill the kee ing of
my pledge, and I knew that it would well
done, and felt that he was then moving south—
ward with his gallant comrades.

But suddenly my horse gave a low snort,
and I knew that others were abroad on the
plains, as the animal never played me false.

A short distance ahead was the tree-fringed
bank of the stream, and within its shadows
there certainly lurked some one or something to
cause my horse to give that alarm, and his
ears were pricked up as he slowly went on his
way.

My rifle was ready for use, as were also my
revolvers, and I was not to be caught off my
guard, though I did not like the idea of a shot
from ambush.

The moon shone with rare beauty, and I was
relieved algainst the sk with marvelous dis-
tinctness well knew; at my duty called me
on, and on I must go.

As I rode forward my horse grew more and
more uneasy, and I was thinking of approach-
1ng the stream at another point, to reconnoiter,
when there approached, riding out of the sha-
dows of the trees. several horsemen.

Instantly my horse gave a loud neigh of re—
cognition, and I knew who it was that I had to
meet.

One, two, three, and up to nine I counted the
horsemen riding in single file toward me.

It was Wild Bill and his gallant comrades, my
dashing, daring Pards of the Plains. who were
before me, and they had headed me off, knowin
my trail, to give me assurance that they would
keep for me the pledge I had made,

It was agleasant meeting, and, as Wild Bill
had not tol them the duty before them, I took
from my pocket the letter from Belle Bradford
and read it aloud.

Then I told them of my mission into the
depths of the red-man’s country, and that duty
forced me to o, and that I relied u n them to
save the mai on from the wer 0 Kent Ken-
nard, the alleged chief of t e Red Owl Rangers
of Kansas, than which no more desperate band
of desperadoes existed on the border.

“Men, you know our duty now, and will
you do it to the sacri ce of life?” said Wild Bill,
sternly.

He was seated at the right of the line, and I
was a few paces away, and glanced along the
faces of the men as he asked the question.

.Instantly, as if moved by one thought, their
right hands went to their revolver-butts, the
wea us were drawn out and held above their
hea s, and in a deep chorus, from every lip,
came the words:

“ To the death! we swear!”

I knew well the men that uttered the oath
meant it in all that it might imply, and I felt
that my being called away by duty was the
means of raising up friends to Belle Bradford
who could serve her far better than I.

With a warm grasp of the hand of each, I
rode on m way alone, while Wild Bill led the
Dead Shot ine on the trail to Kansas to save a
lovely girl from the power of a villain. ‘

As I rode along I felt content, for I well knew
that, had I the entire force of the border to pick
from, I could not have found nine braver men,
more reckless riders, dead shots, or big-hearted,
brave fellows, than were those who were wind-
ing over the moonlit prairie in response to the
appeal made to me by a young girl.

 

CHAPTER IV.
KIDNAPPING A LADY—LOVE.
ON]: pleasant afternoon toward the hour of
sunset, two rsons were ridin slowly over a
. Frame, evidently with he intention of
resting heir horses, which had been hard-driv-
en the few miles passed.

 

ver cord and with a black plume in it, pinned
in its place by a pair of small gold cavalry sa—
bers crossed.

Gauntlet gloves shielded her small, shapely
hands, and under the right saddle—horn was a
holster out of which protruded the silver-mount-
ed butt of a revolver. _

The face of the maiden was one to see and
love, for it was exquisitely beautiful, her eyes
being dark-blue, large, intensely expressive and
shaded by the longest of lashes.

Her mouth was full-lipped, and frank and
fearless, while her hair was of a reddish-golden.
hue, and so luxuriant that it could scarcely be
confined about her haughtily-poised head.

Her form was the perfection of graceful sym-
metry, and she rode with the grace and aban—
don seen only in Southern women reared in the
saddle.

Her companion was a lad of fourteen, with
sun-browned, fearless face, a look of mischief in
his dark eyes and one who looked as though he
mi ht use well the rifle at his back, or revolver
in is belt.

He was dressed in buckskin 1e gings, mocca-
sins, hunting-shirt of flannel, an wore a light-
colored slouch hat with the tail of a wolf serv-
ing in the place of a plume, while he also rode
with the ease of one perfectly at home in the sad-
dlc.

“ We have made a long circuit, Brad, and it
will be after nightfall before we reach the ranch;
but if you are certain you saw the Red Owls in
the timber I do not regret it, for I would not
fall into their clutches for the world,” said the
maiden.

“ Cousin Belle, I saw distinctly the Red Owls’
masks worn by the Ranger band, and there
were seven of them.

“ You had stopped to tie up (your hair, and I
rode slowly on over the hill an saw them in the
timber, though I do not think they saw me, and
I at once rode back and told you, and it is best
that we came round the way we did to avoid
them,” answered the boy.

“By all means, Brad, and it was lucky ou
discovered them; but do you believe that cut
Kennard belongs to that des rado band of
Red le Ran ers, Brad, as t at scout I sent
with a. letter to uffalo Bill said ?” .

“ I don’t know, cousin Belle; but I think
that Captain Kennard is bad enough to belong
to anything, and I’d rather kill him than see
you marry im, as uncle says you must.”

“ Ah me, my brave little cousin, I fear that it
must be, unless it can be proven that Kent Ken-
nard is a Red Owl,” sighed the maiden.

“ But you believe Buffalo Bill will save you?”

“Yes, if he can' but the letter that Jack
brought me last night said that duty called him
away, yet he won] send his Pards of the Plains
to 1guy aid, and to trust them as I would him-
se

“ Their plan will be to d the ste of Ken-
nard and get a clew to wor on, an then cap.
ture him and his band, if he is indeed captain of
the Red Owls.”

“And they will come soon, cousin?”

“ If they are not herein three days, Brad, I
must marry Kent Kennard, for I see not how it
can be prevented.”

“ Just tell him you will not.”

“ Oh, Brad, you do not understand all, for
that man has it in his power to force me,
thiéou’gh my love for others, into becoming his
W1 e

“ And Captain Ralph Reynolds, cousin!"

“ He cannot suffer more than I do, Brad; but
it is not in his power to save me, for his duties
keep'him in Texas.” -

“ Let me kill Kent Kennard, comin Belle, for
I am but a boy and they would not hang me,”
said the boy, earnestly. .

“ No! no! you must not talk 30, Bradford
Buckner, for do you think I would allow you to
gain your young life with the blood of a human

in i

“ 150, I must rely upon Buffalo Bill, and if he
fails me, then my lot in life will indeed be an
unhappy one.” and the tears came into the bean—
tiful eyes, just as her horse gave a start and
pillunbgoe ahead, as did also the animal' ridden by

e y.

Glancing back, young Brad Buckner saw a
horseman coming in a gallop behind them, and
rapidly overtakin them. - '

‘ There comes 1: e devil; ooz ” growled the boy.

“What do oumean, Brad ’ cried Belle Brad-
ford, reining her horse.

“ It’s Kent Kennard I”

“ Oh i” and the maiden’s face grew
spite of the rosy hue that exercise had
her with.

“Let us ride fast coz.” '

“ No, Bradford, for I dare not do so.

“ I will goslow and let him come up,” and in
a few moments more a horseman rode alongside
of‘the maiden, while he laid pleasantly:

ein
med

Well, Miss Belle, I have had a long chase \

 

 

 

 

 

4

\ The Dead it Nine.

 

after you, for I was ill the timber with a few
ranchero friends, when I saw ou turn back.”

“ We thought you were R Owls?” she said,
coldly.

The horseman laughed, while the boy said:

“ If you mean the Dead Man’s Motto is where
you were, those I saw there had the masks on of
the Red Owls.”

“That is your vivid imagination, Brad, my
be ,” was the Ian hing response of the man.

He was certain y an attractive looking per-
sonage, dressed with a richness seemingly out of

lace on the border, for he wore a black velvet

acket, a snowy flannel shirt, the collar turned

I over a blue silk scarf, and his white corduroy

£33158 were stuck in the tops of elegant cavalry
ts.

He had gauntlet gloves upon his hands, a ay
sombrero sat jauntily upon his head, angrhis

urs, weapons, saddle and bridle were of the
richest manufacture and silver-mounted.

His face was a study for an artist, whether
he desired a model for Sin, or one for Honor,
for devilt and virtue were most strangely
blended in is countenance.

His lips expressed daring to recklessness, vice
and cunning, while his eyes were full of touch-
ing sadness in repose, and of hurtling defiance
in excitement.

As a man about town, a soldier, a plains-
man, he would attract attention ranging be-
tween admiration and ESL

“Do you ride our , Captain Kennard?”
asked Belle Bradford, co dly, as the man rode
up to her side.

“ Yes, for I was going to the ranch to see
you ” was the answer.

“ was in hopes I would escape any atten-
tion on your rt, Captain Kennard, until the
dag appoin for—”

, 3 she paused he added, with a smile:

“ The sacrifice you would say; for it seems
to almost break your heart to become my wife.”

“ I do not love you, sir.”

,y“But I love you, Belle Bradford, and as I

' am aware that on are trying to escape me, I
will not await t e day appointed for our mar-
riagng will take you into my keeping now,

‘ so t ’t there will be no getting out of it on your
0

“'What do you mean, sir?” asked Belle Brad-
ford, quivering with anger and dread.

“Simply that on cannot esca if I hold you
safe, and I sha keep you a prisoner up to the
time you become m wife.

“ After you are rs. Kennard on can return
to your uncle’s ranch and live, bu not before, so
you must come with me, and allow that boy to
go home alone, and tell that you are in my care

ow.

“ l‘ll kill you first, Kent Kennard,” cried Brad
Buckner, and the brave boy brought his revol-
ver at a level and pulled the trigger.

But the ca snapped, and the man laughed,

while he reac ed forward and the rein
of the maiden’s bridle, at the same time re-
marking:
“ our weapons are not loaded. Brad, nor are
ours my fair Belle, for an ally of mine saw to
” hat before you left the ranch, else that boy
, would have killed me.” ‘

1‘ I will kill you yet, {on wicked man,” cried
Brad. his eyes lling wit tears. ,

“Silence b0 i and ggoyour way back to the
ranch, ere I ho d on, .

“ Say'to Major uckner that I hold his niece
my prisoner until our wedding-day, when she

can return.
“ Now be off, before I attempt to do youharm 1”
And the eyes of Kent Kennard fairly blamed
* with an r.
“ Go, seradford, my dear little cousin, for you
gen do nothm' g to save me, and I must meet my
ate.
. “ Go, and tell uncle Dick and mother all.
“ Good-b .” /
Andasghe boy rode near she Wm:
hand, and bending from her saddle him.
The, could utter no word; his heart was
full his ace writhing with sufferiifi and anger,
for e law that his weapons had been tam-
with so with a groan he wheeled his horse
3anddaehedanmlikeanarrow acroesthe Frai-
rie leaving Bradford in the power 0 her
kidnapper.

 

CHAPTER V. .
on mm mm. or ran share“.

Brahmas as the crow flies went Bradford
hekner. the frontier boy, to the ranch where
he dwelt with his father, aunt and cousin, the
latter now, to his (1 screw, in the clutches
of a man whom she
peared to fear. .

When he made his story known, of the kid-
napping of his beautiful cousin, what could be
done tosave her? .

His father. an old United States army oflcer,
retired to a life on a ranch, had but a
few cattle-menu aid him in the rescue of the
maiden even if hedared to make the attempt,
which the bay believrd doubtful, for young as
he was, he had seen and heard enough to know
that Kent Kennard, through some means, held
the winning hand at the Buckner Ranch. ‘ '

,andwhomanap.

 

   

There was some secret, what, little Brad did
not know; but it was enough to make Captain
Kennard the master and 's father, aunt and
cousin the slaves of the holder of the secret.

“ If father does not take cousin Belle away
from that man, then I will do what I can to
save her from him, if I have to fig to Texas and
tell her old rebel lover, Captain ynolds of the
Rangers, tocome and help me,” said Bradford
Buckner, as he urged his mustang homeward at
full speed.

Soon the sun went down, twili ht came, and
darkness would have followed, bu for the moon
rising into the clear skies and sending its golden
light upon all. "

Speedin along toward a group of dark sha-
dows, wit lights glimmering here and there,
denoting a clum of timber and a ranch, the
boy’s eyes fell su denly u n a horseman com-
ing over the rise of prairie not far distant.

‘ Ho, lad! what’s ther matter?” called out a
familiar voice, just as the boy, knowing his
wea us were useless, wasabout to dash away
in ight, for Red Owls were fllling his mind
just then, and he expected to see one behind
ever bush.

“ h, Jacki it is you?” and Brad dashed up
to the horseman.

It was Jack Nelson, the bearer of the letter to
me from Belle Bradford, and a man whose life
from boyhood, almost had been passed upon
the prairies and in the Indian camps.

He was a perfect trailer, an ex rienced
guide, understood red-skin nature, an bold as
1; lion, always ready to serve a friend or meet s.

cc

“ It’s me, boy, and I seen yer coming like a
skeert coyote afore sunset, for I was over you-
dcr on ther timber hill; but what are up?”

‘ ‘ Jack, that villain, Kent Kennard, has got
cousin Belle a prisoner.”

(t  !”

“ Yes, we went out for a ride this afternoon,
and on our way back to the ranch, I saw a num-
ber of horsemen in some timber, so we dodged
back and made a circle of miles, as I distinctl
saw red masks upon their faces.” -

“ Red Owls sart’in, boy.”

“Yes, and I therefore wished to avoid them;
but soon after Kent Kennard came llopin
after us, and he told cousin Belle that e woul
take her away with him and make her his wife,
as he had heard she meant to esca him.”

B “ Nol then he’s got on to my gomg to Buffalo

ill?”

“ I don’t know: but I tried to shoot him, and
my‘ cap snapped.”

Durn ther cap!” growled Jack Nelson.

“ He had some one at the ranch who had
drawn the loads out of my weapons, and from
cousin Belle’s revolver too, Jack. ’

“ The Satan! did he do that?”

“ Yes, and so 1 came away to tell of her cap-
ture for I could do nothing to save her.”

“I only wish ' our pistol had gone ofl, boy,
and thar would v been one man less on this
prairie to-night.

“ But let us see what is ter be did.” q

“ Where are you goigg, J ack?”

“ I had just conclud my leetle business set-
tlements hereabout, and were going to the army
to fine Buffalo Bill, as he ev engaged me
now. '

“ Can’t we do something to save cousin Belle
from that wicked man Jac .

“ I’ll do what I kin, boy; but yer see one man
and a leetle b0 , plucky as a wgfcat though
you is, . can’t o nothin’ ag’in’ aptain Ken-

“ He is but one man.”

“ He’s all of that, and a leetle more than most
men, bo ; but I feel sart’in he are ca ’n o’ ther
Red Ow , and they is not ter be fool with on-
less or has theg‘agri on ’em.

“ ow, as I d, were startin’ on ther trail
for Buffalo Bill’s army camgi, and I is free to
believe that the pards e to] me he were to send
here to he] the gal is on ther way, and I’ll jist
take a tra to meet ’em.”

“ And I can go with you, Jack i”

" No, leetle pard, for you must go to therranch
and tell yer pa and auntie what hev become of

cousin, and I’ll talk over the matter with

lid Bill.”

“ Wild Bill?"

I “ Yas, boy for he are ther man that Buflalo
Bill have sen down here.”

“ Hewill save her if any one can.”

“ Bélgeht you are. leetle pard, Wild Bill are a
man tgoestotherendo’atrail of he strikes
it onc’t, be igever so lon , and ever so red, and
of Kent Kc hev mod the lady, then
he’ll sufler fer it, or I is lyin’.

“ Now, boy pard, to ther ranch and rest
, for I’ll make i in his to find Wild Bill
an tell him jist what ent Kennard hev done
and of he are one o’ ther Red Owl Rangeral
bets all ther its I to git thet them rairie
figs-d3 o’ Bu ale Bill nds it out, and use will

stretched.” '

“Well, Jack, I will 0 on to the ranch. and
tellfatherandauntiet t youare going to do
allyou can forcouein Belle

 

Good-b , Jack and tell Wild Bill to look
meup.if can help him,for you know I
acquainted with thetnilsabout here.” '

  
 

“I know it, boy, and you bet I’ll tell 

ut you.
“Now I’ll be OE,” and the two separated, the
boy riding rapidly on toward the ranch in the
distant timber, and Jack Nelson heading his
horse northward and jogging along at an easy

a

gait.

Suddenly he drew rein, for his practiced ear
cau ht a sound upon the prairie.

“ t’s ther tramp o’ hoofs, and iron-shod at
that so they hain’t Injuns,” he muttered.
“They has halted, too, and I guess it’s be-
cause the heerd ther hoof-fall o’ my horse.

“They es sharp ears in that party, and I
wouldn’t wonder ef it were Wild Bill and his

rds.
pa“ Leastways, I has ter be rtick’ler,” and he
listened attentively, while 9 gazed strai ht
ahead of him, to catch sight of any object t at
mi ht be upon the prairie.

n a little while he moved on again, and had
gone but a short distance when very quickly he
cameto a halt, with the uncomplimentary re-

mark:

“Well, I’ll be traded off fer a fool afore I
dies!”

Whathad brought him to a-halt was at sud—
denly beholding a horse and rider rise out of

the grass before him, where both had been ly- V

ingI prostrate.

or was this all, for upon either side others
hastil behind him,

Jack Nelson over that e had calmly

ridden into a trap.

“ Well! I knows I hain’t in danger, fer it are
Wild Bill and his guards; but of it wasn’t, I‘d
have been in feri sart’in, fer they seen me
sooner as I seen them, and jist made ther alpha-
betical letter V of themselves, and I rid straight
fer ther int same as ef I was a born green—
horn o’ t or city.”

Having delivered this soliloquy, and seeing
that the horsemen were closmg in upon him, he
continued:

“There is nine 0’ ’em, and I’ll jist wait and
let ’em corral me.”

In a short while the nine men, who had
stretched out V—shaped, closed in on the hunter,
and as they drew near Jack called out:

“How is yer, pard Wild Bill, and is I ther
game you is corralin’i”

“ Jack Nelson how are you, for I know your
voice among a t ousand.

“ Why di n’t you shout out who you were?”
and Wi (1 Bill rode up to the side of the hunter,
who answered:

“ I were just on ther hunt for yer, Wild Bill,
and heerd yer hoof-falls; but it seems yer ears
was better than mine, so you jist laid for me.”

“We saw you before we heard you Jack so
spread out for you to walk into the trap; but
you know the boys I have with me, and we have
come on a little business, which you are aware

appeared, amifisglancin

“ : Any ,newsi”

“ Well, out with it.”

“You is a leetle behind time, Wild Bill, for
ther leddy were tuk in some hours ago.”

“ Ah! captured?”

it Y”. H

“ TE whom?” I

“ er King 0’ Satans, Kent Kennard.”~

“ Did he force her to maniy him i” '

“ Thet are further along, guesses; but he did
not wait until ther time were up. ”

“No, for according to the letter Buffalo Bill
received, we hadthree days at before the ap-

inted time- but tell me, ack, all that you

now of this Kent Kennardi”

“ Waal, Bill, he were a guerrilla in the South; I

ern war, they says and come here ter Kansas
and went tor ranchin’.
“He were alover of ther gal’s, I, has h

l a
1325.; e un leasant fer her, and somehow her
uncle seems r favor his marryin’ her.

“Now he are a howlin’ terror, Bill, and don’t
you make no mistake that he hain’t, for he, ate
grit clean through.

“ He’s t a good ranch, and plenty o’ cattle-
tut they 0 say as how he is cap’n o’ ther hand
0’ outlaws known; hereabout, as the Red» Owl
Rangers, and of he are he should hang, for a
more thievin’ let 0’ devil
perarer than is that gang. »

“ They hes the’r secret camp in ther hills, and
ther wa they works is a caution, fer they
drifts in r ther ranch country one by one, la a
the'r traps ter rob, and then meetin’ some night
does ther job slick and gitsaway With ther plun-
der, while the alias leaves ther startm’ o’ a new
grave ah nd them i”

“ ehaveall heard of the Red Owls, Jack, “7

but how many of them are there in the band 7”

“ Some a sa damn, othersflfty, but I pm
you had bet r divide fifty by two, and you 3“,
near ther number.”

“ And we arenine.”

1

,and Iwonl ‘t feel uneasy and lose my

appetite about yer. of I heerd as how yer hed ‘ o 

tackled ther whole la out 0’ Red Owls.
.“"But yer knows Ikin tellyer now, ’ogptm’
t not Cap’n Kennani’e ranch hes jist ten‘ 

  

 

, but she wouldn’t hev him, and so he’s. I

 

8 never lived on ther v

r .
7.. 
,

“Yes, Wild Bill but on is ther darned 
ninethet could be ’ickedyout fera leetle neg * '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

   

 

 

 

 

 

Wauwim i'Jht:’”Je‘.-.2¥~mm: 3..
. . . . . .r

«-

 

 s.

m

The Dead ShotNine.

5

I

 

from here over on ther hill-s1 01ther river,
and it are as strong as a young ort.

“ Ther gal’s home are fifteen mile to ther
south from this p’int, and ther place whar Kent
captered her is yonder flve mile as ther crow
flies, whar thar is a timber matte known as ther
Nine Trees.”

“ A starting-point for our Nine, Jack;
but I t ank you, and if on see Buffalo Bill soon
tell him you left us on t e trail, and we’ll go to
the end of it.” _

“ I’ll bet yer does, Bill, for it’s in yer and ther
boys yer hes with yer. _

“ Luck, pards, and a good-night to ye,” cried
Jack Nelson, as he rode on his way, while the
Dead Shot Nine dashed off over the moonlit
prairie to strike the trail of Kent Kennard at
the Nine Trees, that stood like a group of
hunters at bay in the midst of the plains.

CHAPTER VI.
AN ACCUSATION DENIED.

THE Buckner Ranch was one of the leasantest
and most comfortable houses on t e Kansas
border.

It was delightfully located in some timber-
land upon the banks of a stream, and about it
were a few sheltering hills, with the prairies
stretchin around in almost boundless expanse.

Major uckner had been a brave Union sol-
dier, and had settled, at the close of the war, in
Kansas on the very spot of wild lands where
he had built and fortified a fort, to keep at bay
the roving bands of Indians, and as a depOt of
su lies.

he fort being deserted when the war ended,
the major had turned it into his ranch, home-
steading the lands thereabout, and thither had
come his sister and her dau hter, Belle Brad-
ford, to make their home wit him.

To the same region soon after had come to
settle Kent Kennard, and it was very evident
that Belle Bradford had been the star that had
guided him to an abiding-place in the land of the
setting sun.
~. That there was no love for Kent Kennard in
the heart of the young maiden was evident, and

at there was a “ skeleton in the closet ”lot' the

uckner-Bradford household, which the young
ranchero seemed to have the key to unlock, for
he possessed a power OVer Major Buckner and
Mrs. Bradford which seemed to hold them as in
chains of iron. and thus did he force from them
an unwilling consent that Belle should become
his wife upon a given date.

In the Sitting-room of the spacious cabin,
known from its arm associations as Head—
quarter Ranch, sat ajor Richard Buckner
and Mrs. Bradford, his sister.

The former was a man of fifty, with a mili-
tar air and resolute face, full of kindness,
while his sister resembled him closely, but
wore a look of sorrow and anxiety com-
min led.

“ h, if we could avert this sorrow from Bioor
Belle, it would be happy, brother,” said rs.
Bradford, laying down her sewing and turn-
ing to the major, who moved uneasily, frowned
and then said:

“Alas, Mary, I fear it cannot be done, for to
anger Kennard is to precipitate sorrow and
trouble upon us.

“ He seems, withal, a pleasant fellow, yet he
is not one 1 would select for Bella’s husband
for he threatened at once, when I told him I
did not Wish her to marry, and I do not like a
man who threatens.

“ But the stories about his being a Red Owl I
cannot believe. and he lau he at the accusation,
and is sincere in his denia s; but he loves Belle
he has money, and I hope will make her a good
husband.” I

“God grant it; but how late she and Brad
stay out to-night.” ,

‘ The moon is up and they are engoying their
ride—there the come now,” and t e rattle of
hoofs was hear without.

“ That is but one horse, brother: oh! what if
some harm has befallen my child 1”

As the mother spoke the door opened and in
strode the boy, Brad Buckner.

 

' ' His face showed that somethth giecha
a or uc -

pened, and in breathless suspense
ner and Mrs. Bradford listened to the kidnap-
pingrof Belle, and What had followed.

“' his is an outrage on the part of Kennard
and I will at once hasten over to his ranch and
demand that he give up my niece," and Major
Buckner’s face flushed with anger.

In a few moments, accompanied bgoBrad,
who insisted upon going. and two cow 3, he
rode away from the ranch, and at a rapi $81:
lop started for the home of Kent Kennard, '

. taut some dozen miles.

A ride of an hour and a half brought them
to the Kennard Ranch, and a servant, an old
mgr-ess, told the major that:

Massa Kent done one ’way in de alter.
noon and hain’t comed k yit.

“ duess he’d g e to der willage,” she added.

Sotothe gerodethemajorandhis

Newth wulittlemorethana

flicamp forit was ohthe Coloradou'ail,andbe

e halting~place of westward and east-

 

trains,_did quite unearthing busi- V her

 

nose, while it was also patronized by the sur-
rounding settlers and cattle-men.

A straggling street along the river-bank, sev-
eral taverns, a score of saloons, a dozen stores, a
hundred or two cabins, as many tents and
shanties, one lar e building serving as court-
house, public hal and theater during the week
and as a church on Sunday, made up the village
of Prairie City.

It was a hard lace, and its citizens were a
hard crowd, law ess and desperate in the ex-
treme, and given to gambling, horse-racing, tar-
get-shooting and drinking as the sports best suit-
ed to their tastes, while all points of dispute
1werfe settled by the revolver, rifle, or bowie-

m e.

The principal inn in the place was also the
fashionable saloon and gambling hall, and its
rooms were almost constantly occupied by gen-
tlemen who were suffering from wounds received
in rivate and public encounters at the card-
tab e or bar.

The tavern boasted of the name of the Over-
land Palace Hotel, and its title to palace lay in
the one circumstance that it was the largest
structure in the place.

large hallway in which was the office, a
dining-room on one side, a bar-room and gam-
bling den on the other, a log kitchen in the rear,
and above stairs the bedrooms, some sixty in
number, constituted the “Overland Palace,”
and if any “ est ” therein managed to sleep,
amid the hub ub below stairs, he was either
deaf as a post, prostrated by fatigue, or inured
to such tumultuous scenes.

It was to the Overland Palace in Prairie City
that Major Buckner wended his way, after leav-
ing the ranch of Captain Kent Kennard, for he
hoped tofind him there, expectin that he had
sought the place to force the timi little parson
(flwslling there into marrying him to Belle Brad;

0

Making inquiry of the landlord—just such a
personage as the Overland Palace needed for
0st, for he was a hu e fellow, armed to the
teeth, and capable of ho ding
——he learned that Captain
playing cards in the saloon.

“How long has he been here, Sands?” he
asked.

“ All the afternoon, major, and playin’ a win-
nin’ hand too.”

“ Who is with him?”

“ No one, as I knows about.”

“ Did henot brin a lady here?”

” No, major, he idn’t.”

Major Buckner looked troubled, but turned to-
ward the gambling hall, after telling Bradford
and the two cowboys to wait for him. ,

He was well known in that part of the country,
and r as abrave man, and a good one,
3;; a? he entered the room many spoke pleasantly

in

own in a crowd
ennard was then

It was a lar 9 room, and it was crowded with
men, some p a ing cards at numerous little
tables, and smo ing pigs and drinking, others
standin in groups ook on, and a large force
ranged 11 front of a bar t t was at one end of
the saloon.

Certainly it was a strange gathering, for men
were there as desperate as wolves at bay, and
human life was strangely at a discount amid
that wild, reckless crowd. . ~—

In one corner of the room a larger group than
usual surrounded a table, and after a glance
about him, Major Buckner walked over to this
spot and was face to face with Kent Kennard,
who sat playing cards for large stakes with
three others, from whom he was winning with
phenomenal -luck.

f‘Kennard, hen you play out your hand I
Wish to see you,” said the major, quietly.

“ Hallo, major, glad to see you.

“ Will you take a hand in with us?” said Kent
Kennard. in his free-and way.

“ No, sir, for I have more portant business
on hand than gambling, so I wish to see you at
once.

Perhaps it was the major’s manner that net-
tled Kennard, for his face flushed and he replied

ldl :

“ Iyam busy, sir. and will be as long as these
gentlemen are willing to continue the me, so
what business you have with me make t known
here, for, Mty'or Buckner, I have no secrets I
wish to hide. ,

Ma'or Buckner turned deathly pole, for he
felt e alirgion to hiding a secret was a hit at
the “skel n in his family closet,” of which
Kennard knew; but he kept down his anger,
filing that he was in the man’s power, and

d:

“Kennard, as you Wish me to speak out, may
I ask where my niece is?”

“ Your niece?” and the gambler dropped his
cards in surprise.

“ Yes, you understand me?”

“U n my word I do not.”

“ (1 you not meet my niece upon the prairie
this afternoon near sunset, and—”

“No, sir, Idid not see ourniecethis after-
noon " was the promIpt y. .
li “ixiientxteeth b’ 33°“ 1 the; ‘the
e your , u ve ou' did
meet, my nieca/and‘ nonfat” you W

.n,
..

 

      

   

 

A 

 

    

the first to go

A breathless silence was now u n all, for
every eye was turned upbn Major uckner and
Kent Kennard.

The former stood near the table, upright,
white-faced and quivering with inward emo-
tion, while the latter still kept his seat, one hand
upon the table, the other below it, and a look of
intense surprise was upon his strangely hand—
some face.

“Major Buckner, did I not believe you to
have been the victim of some cruel hoax, I
would sla your face. sir, for giving me the lie,
when I tell you that I have not seen your niece
to—day.”

The major looked at the speaker an instant
as though he would read his inmost soul, and
then he glanced at the faces about him and
said, addressing a red-headed specimen of a
prairieman:

“Brindle Ben, will you go out to the office
and ask my little ho to come in here?”

“ I’ll do it, major,’ and amid a breathless si-
lence he left the room, and a moment after re-
turned, accompanied by Brad.

CHAPTER VII. .
WILD BILL SCORES A POINT. -

THE entrance of Brindle Ben, leading little
Brad Buckner by the hand, created a sensation
in the gamblin saloon of the Overland Palace.

Bad as was rairie City, no boy had ever be-
fore entered its gambling saloons, and, though
Brad came there then as a witness, and not as a
player, it did not allay the suppressed excite-
ment.

There were not many children, in those days,
11 n that wild and lawless border, and the sight
0 the ho brought memoriegof a bygone surg-
Eng} into e heart of many a rude man who saw

 

Some of those memories were doubtless sad
for flay recalled from a buried past the face of
a lov child, and others maybe were bitter rel
collections of what might have been to man ,
had not their pathways led them adown t 9
road to sin, instead of up the hillside to honor.

Here and tlfere, as the fearless-faced boy
moved forward, a tear arose into the eyes of
storm-faced men, and one said audibly:

“ God bless the handsome boy 1”

He had doubtless thought his prayer aloud,
for he dropped his head w en his words brought
the eyes of his companions upon him, though
not one sneered at him for what had sprung in-
voluntarily from his heart.

There was a face seen in the crowd, as he ,

went alon , that Brad recognized as having met
before, an he nodded pleasantly as his eyes
restedu nit. '

Then e can ht sight of his father, as the
crowd opened or him, and beheld Kent Ken-
nard facing him, still seated at the table, and
with a reckless smile resting upon his lips.

“ Here are ther leetle pard. major, an’ be are

a me one tar look at,” said Brindle Ben, as he,‘ '

1 the boy forward, adding;m
“ Yer km hdld outer my ’, boy pard, for I
likes ther feel 0’ youm, as it reminds me 7 ther

grip o’ a leetle gal I used ter know afore 'cker .

got ther drop on me.”

No one laughed at Brindle Ben for his words,
for somehow the scene was an im ressive one,
and tltililelboy’s presence seemed to old a check
uPO

n .
“ You wanted me, father?” said Brad, and his“

voice washeard b all in the hall. ‘ ,

“ Yes, my son, or I have given Captain Kent
Kennard the lie to his face, and it is 11 your
word that I have done so,” calmly sai the ma-

301‘. 4 ,

“Well father!” asked Brad, not exactly un-
derstan g the situation.

“Captain Kennard denies that he has seen
your cousin Belle to-day.” ‘

“ Then I. too, 91'er hag: tlwdla'efi': came in the

' ' voice oft e y,an ' eyes flashed
my... ‘turned
while the room rung with e about of applause
and ringing of gloves at the defiant words of
Brad Buckner.

But Kent Kennard did not move, nor his face
change a muscle;

He showed no sign that he heardthe ap—
plause, or that the boy had insulted him; but
 until a dead silence came again, he
“I o

“ Brad, why ,do you say that I have met your 

cousin toda 1’

“ Because tell the truth. you tell a lie.”

“ Be careful, boy. for I like not epithets out
ifii m face; but tell me when and where I saw
or '

“Upon the prairie, not far from the Nine
Tree Motto, mat sunset, when you came up
with cousin and myself upon the prairie,
and took her away frommel”

“ Boy, you are mad. for I have not not on
for da s.” and Kent Kennard’s face y
show intense surprise. . ,

“ I so. Iyou have.” -

.“And say you are mistaken, for} will not
give an the lie.

“ mhavemistaken some one else for me,
and it Miss ‘Belie has been captured, I will be
onfiqtuflof her’captors. I assure

A IN." 2 ’,,  ‘ 
_ .~ ~ » 3w ~‘ .hudih'y

      

them u n Kent Kennard,. 

 

          

 

 

  

. oner until she was your wife, after which she -

*5} ‘ ,‘ INT.“ . e

 43 T:

r.

L'd

.,
Fr
:41.

 

 

:!
‘3

I means what he says, pard major; but then since

‘ ' you know what, he had
L'V Kennard?”

Lx.

. marry
/  The dark face of Kent Kennard flushed at the

‘ : s of the boy, alluding to the hatred of

,1
‘rl
w

r,
l

 

' gathering, and, but

I ‘. sametiineshowingyoung Brad here that he has

._ early in the afternoon, and certainly I cannot be

‘him well, his dress, his horse, his Voice, and I
 you he is the man, for who else could have
known about the intended marriage, and that -

cousin Belle was t ing to sewage from bein his
. - wife, for she hates im,and he nows it,an yet
‘ he would force her to m.”

 said calml :
“ Major Buc er, I am glad that lyou believe
. that your son is mistaken, after a .the proof

.mthihgto
. “Theboy
I. ’ apartto

:  believes his assertion now.” and

gems.
,' “Astor you, sir, I give you my sympath :2
' be mi wife, it shall be mid

 

6

x

‘q’

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

“ Captain Kennard, {on try to deceive my '
father, and these men , ut you cannot fool me,
for I leveled my revolver at you, the cap
snapped, and you said that you had an ally at i
the ranch who had drawn the charges from the
urea ons of cousin Belle and myself.

“ 0 you deny that?”

it I  1'!)

“ Do you deny that you told my cousin that
you knew she was planning to escape from mar- l
rying you, and that you meant to hold her pris- 1'

might return home, and you so bade me tell my
fat er?”

“ I do deny it,” was the firm response.

“ Oh, Kent Kennard! you would deny your
mother and your God i” cried the boy, in a voice
that was most impressive.

The accused half-sprung to his feet, his hand
dropping upon his revolver, buta Swaying move-
ment of the crowd warned him that he was at
bayoagainst a crowd.

._‘ he sunk back in.his chair, and said in a
voice that certainly seemed sincere:

“ Major Buckner, you have brought your boy
asproof that I kidnapped your niece, and you
certainly have trained him well to carry out
the accusation; but I deny it in toto, I deny all
that he sa 5, and the accusation against me is 1
utter] fa se, as I too can prove.”

“\V here is our proof, sir?” sternly said the
major, bewil ered slightly by the seemingly
honest manner of the accused.

“ Father, he has no proof better than my eyes,
and more, cousin Belle is certainly gone,” indig-
nant] said Brad.

“ proof, Major Buckner, I might insist,
shoul be simply my word as a gentleman: but
as my accuser is your son, or boy, and you need
more than my word offers, I will ask these gen-
tlemen if I have not been gambling here Since

 

in two places at the same time.”
“ That’s what bothers me, for I think the boy

two o’clock I have sat ri ht here losin’ money
iter Ca ’n Kent, and I , ows he hain’t been
awa , et alone ten miles off ter ther Nine Tree
Tim r,” said one of the gamblers. ‘

“ Father, this is a game thalt Ca tain Kennard
has arranged to play,” urged Br .

“ No, my boy, the cap’n says truly, for he has
been right here, as a dozen and more kin prove,
so you was simply mistaken,” remarked a store-
kee r. who was engaged in the game of cards
wit Kennard.

“ Mistaken in that man? Why, there’s not
another like him on the border.” cried Brad.

“ Still you are off the trail this time, my boy,”
said another. .

“ Can it be that you are mistaken, my son i”

“Father, did he not tell cousin Belle that he
would keep her prisoner until he married her,

laugh at me when my cap snapped?

“ Did he not tell me to o to the: ranch and let

one, and is there an-
other man that .I could mistake forOCaptain

' “ I few of no one,” said the major, deeply

“There hain’t none, as you says, pard boy,
likehim, but I recalls now thet t or ca ’n hev
been right here, and no mistake,” put in rindle

Ben. .
“ I am not mistaken, for Kent Kennard stole

'my cousin from me this afternoon, fur I know

Belle Bradford for him; but he kept his temper

you have heard, for there are men here whom
you cannot doubt, as they have nothingto gain,

" lose, b what they say. '
is sit er mistaken, or he is plgyinf
et me into trouble with thee w ,
the excitable nature of a border
for proof of innocence, he
would hays succ ed. ‘ ‘\
"‘ As it is, I do not believe that ani out res-
t en-

wellkno

nerd glanced over the crowd of faces before
Not a man spoke, and silence reigned su-

the less of your niece, and, as she is
uty to at once make
for her, and punis her abductor, at the
u 1‘ w on)?" thegullty‘in'a K t
veno  onus I n. on
Kennard Wrong out clear from th ’s lips.

   
 

“ No, no,bo i on siewrongl’m a num-
“5 (ll vgm‘ "mutt meal ’ ax”

:‘ Q 8, I T

“ He’s been here all  amrroon l”

 

“ Ther bo isofl as trail,~sart’inl” '   .
“ It merellome other felbr' the? 

  
 
 

“Either that, or the boy has been put up to
accuse me and get me killed!” came in stem
tones from Kent Kennard.

“ Pard ca ’n, I guesses on is right, for we all
knows ther y is wrong, ’cried one of the men
who had been gambling with Kennard.

“ Isay the boy is right, and I am here to back
up In words.

“ hat man is a villain!”

Like a bombshell the words of the speaker
fell upon all, and as he strode to the side of the
boy, a voice rung out clear and startlin :

“ Look out, ards! that man is W1 d3 Bill,
and he means usiness when he takes sides with
thet boy I”

 

CHAPTER VIII.
rm: MYSTERY DEEPENS.

THE name of Wild Bill was well known from
Texas to Dakota, for he had won fame as a sol-
dier a scout, hunter, guide and Indian-fighter,
while he had proven in many a personal en-
counter forced upon him that he was a man to
be as dreaded as was death.

No one had seen him enter the Overland Pal-
‘ace gambling-saloon, so occu ied were all in the
scene between the boy, Br Buckner, and the
man, Kent Kennard.

He had glided into the room as silent as a
specter, edged his way toward the center of ex-
citement, and had spoken the words that so
startled the crowd and caused a general sway-
ing of those nearest to him, when one, who rec -
nized the tall form and stem, daring face, ca -
ed in a warning voice:

“ Look out, pards! that man is Wild Bill!”

A cry of joy broke from the boy’in s, for he
knew the secret of his cousin Belle. ut he at
once controlled all emotion, determined as he
was that no one else, through him, should find
out that friends were near to save the maiden
from the fate that Kent Kennard had forced up-

on h: r.

“Wild Bill? And the ally of my son?” said
Major Buckner, i wondering way.

“Wild Bill! an be sides with that boy!”
came inIa hiss from Kent Kennard’s lips.

And he dropped his hand upon his revolver.

But, uick as a flash, he was covered with
Wild B ll’s revolver, and he knew full well the
deadly aim of the man he had to deal with,
while stern came the words:

“ Hold! hands off that toy, unless you wish
to die, young man!”

Kent Kennard was no coward, nor was he a
fool, and he accepted the ituation and laid his
hands before him upon the table, while be de-
manded in his cool way:

“ Well, sir; why do you interfere here?”

“ I dro ped in, pard, overheard the boy’s
story, too the idea that you lied and he told
the truth, so I sided with him and shall see him
through; so open the ball if you don’t like my
chippin into your little game of deviltry.”

And ild Bill’s smile was a grim and danger-

ous one.

“ I don’t like your chip ing in, and I will be
willing to prcve it when am not held at a dis-
advantage, as I am now.”

“ Why, pard, I am a stranger here, lookin
for a place to hang in bat up or the night, an
came in to enjoy a lit e game before saying my
prayers and crawling into my little bed; ut
won’t see the boy harmed, I assure you.”

“ His father is here with him. ” I

“ That may be, and the old man’s hair is gray,
and u appear to have blinded him with your
wdr s- but the b0 can see through you, and I
side with him, an am ready to back him with
gold. lead or steel. ’

“Do you play 1”

There was someth almost grand in the one
man standing there, h 8 back turned to the wall,
his hands resting upon his revolvers, and his
eyes flashing cairn defiance over every face that
met his own.

Had his name not been so well known, he
would have at once been set upon by those
hangers-on of the place, anxious to curry favor
with the young rancher‘o, for whatever i might
bring them.

But, as it was, not a man moved to force the
fight, and Wild Bill held the winning hand by
his very boldness.

“ Who are you i” demanded Kent Kennard, in
an insolent tone.

“ Years ago I was christened J. B. Hikok,
but on the border men call me Wild Bill. Per-
haps you may have heard the name?”

here was no bravado in the words or tone:
hekgiimply answered the question he had been
a 4

“ Yes. I have heard of you as a desperado of
the frontier,” returned Kennard.

“ Yes, those who do not know me call me so;

but men call you Captain of the Red Owl Ran—
—are you 3” ,

“ Curse you! you insult me because you have

the power.” .
I “ I find you in the midst of your friends,
while I do not behold one face friendly to me

here. , .

, . ‘3 Butfloomg. let us  but decide this
 ', . ‘Y '   the young
. ,. ' V,  I

 
  
 

 

“ Do you mean to force yourself in as judge
on this case?”

“I dol—jud e, jury, and executioner, too, if
need be,” was t e rep y, amid a silence that was
deathlike.

Then, turning to the boy, he continued:

“ Come, little pard, tell your story, just as it
occurred.”

Brad was with difficulty suppressing his de-
light, and in a few words told of his ride with
his cousin, the discovery of the men in the Dead
Man’s Motto, with masked faces of Red Owls,
and what followed after Kent Kennard had
overtaken them.

There were those present who believed the
boy, and yet there were those who had asserted
that Kent Kennard had not been away from the
Overland Palace all the afternoon.

“ You say that this boy’s story is false?”

And Wild Bill turned to Kent Kennard.

“ I most em hatically do.”

“ Why sho d the boy lie?”

“ It is a lot against me, because the girl
does not wis to be my wife.”

“ Yet you would marry a woman who hates

ou? ’

“With my actions you have nothing to do,
Wild Bill.”

“I assume the right, sir; but wh , instead of
a plot against you, is it not your p ot to st the
girl and prove by false witnesses that t e boy

as lied?”
“ Do you accuse these gentlemen of speaking
falselyl’ asked Kent Kennard quickly, anxious
to bring into the quarrel those who had asserted
his innocence, that he might have a chance to
escape from beneath the fiery eye of his ac-
cuser.

“ Iaccuse no man; but I say that it is more
likely you have paid men to swear in your
favor, than that this boy should be in a plot
against ou.”

“Par on me, sir; but as you do not know
some of us who assert Captain Kennard’s inno—
cence, let me assure ou I am not one to be
bribed, nor are others ere.‘

“Frankly, I do not like Captain Kennard,
nor do I trust him; but I know he has not been
away from this saloon for the past ten hours,
and the kidnapping, as I understand it, of Miss
Bradford, was some four hours 0.”

The speaker was a man whose ace and man-
ner carried truth with his words, for he was by
no means a border ruffian, as Wild Bill saw at a.
glance.

Ever courteous, Wild Bill remarked in re-

use:

“ Your assertion, sir, carries weight with it,
for I do not believe you to be a man to lie to
save a rascal.” I _

“ I am an army officer, sir, spending a _short
time in town to nurse my brother, who is in the
hotel suffering from a severe wound received
some weeks since.

“ I have seen this man, Kent Kennard, often,
andIcan assure figmad as he maybe he is
innocent of the c ge made against him by
this bo , for deeply interested in the games
played ere,I have not been absent from the
saloon more than ten minutes at a time all the
afternoon.

“ I am Captain Arthur Tayloe, sir, of the
—th cavalry, now stationed at art Larned.”

“ I have heard of you, Ofltain Ta loe, and
am glad to meet you, sir,” dIWild ill, turn-
ing toward the tall, fine-looking oflicer, who
were but a woolen hunting-shirt, corduroy
pants and slouch hat in place of his arm,
and whom no one had suspected of being an ar-
my ofiicer, though they had regarded him 881110

ordina rso e. . .

“ Anglpgm to meet you, Wild Bill, for I
have often wis to do so; but I am particu-
larly glad in this case, to keep down trouble
where you are in the wrong, for ou are certain.
ly mistaken, my little man. ’ an Captain Tayo .
loe turned to Brad, who promptl answered;

“No, sir, I am not mistaken, or it was Kent
Kennard, and no one else, that kidnapped my ,
cousin lle.”

“ Well,

little
Ca n.Tayloe in favor of this there is a’
mygtiry connected with the whom, and I.
shall clear it u , I promise you.

“ Your cou has been captured, on say by
this man, and yet positive proof ‘is ven to the I
contrary; but have seen worse tangles unrav~
eled and it shall be done. ,

“ Gentlemen, one and all, join me in a drink,”
and Wild Bill raised his hatto the crowd, while,
turning to Kent K I he added:

“ Of course, sir, I inclu 0 you also.” ,

“ On one condition, sir,” said Kent Kennard,

coldl‘y.

“ aim 8m” led If to ' t1

“ t you go yourse give me sa s-
faction for thelinsults you have heaped upon me
at an time I may demand it.” '

“ Vgith pleasure, sir, and more: as you seem

tobe el awinner to-night at cards Iwflf I .
m y rtunity to try your  ,

on the o
gum s’t mine, GIL Ito may fpreshadow which will
betheloserint e ameo

’ played getween as.” and Wild 'B
[to in the easiest manner possible.
‘ As 'you please, sir; the game of

 

   

t

pard, since we have the word of r

death that mode 

‘ .

 

  

  A Wfiflzww‘r «  . i I- I 1 

: 1'
var ‘;

 

 

   
 
  

   
 

 

{say-wme-QC sis-14;- .‘e A

 

 

 

 

   
   
 
  

,. 9. fig, 3,9,- 

I ‘mm on the prairie.

 

 

 
 

.,~ .- 1':

The Dead Shot mu”...

'7

 

 

death I have often played, and won,” and a sin-
ister, cruel smile swept over the face of the
handsome ranchero, as he stepped up to the bar
to take his lrink.

In the confusion of the moment Ma 'or Buck-
ner and Brad slipped out of the sa con, and
mountin their horses rode rapidly away from
Prairie City, accompanied by t e two cowboys.

“ Ah, Brad, my son, you have made a eat
mistake, and I only hope it will not cause ent
Kennard to harm us,” said the major.

“I have made no mis ke father; and how
can he harm us more tha he has in running off
with oor cousin Belle i”

“ e hasit in his power to do so, Brad; but
more I cannot say, other than that you were
mistaken in the man who kidnapped Belle.”

“ No, father I am not mistaken; but it does
seem strange that even that army officer, Cap-
tain Tayloe, would speak in favor of Kent Ken—
nard.”

“ It is most mysterious, indeed, and I know
not what to do.”

“It is a myster that will be solved, father,
and soon, my wor for it.”

“ But who will solve it, and who will save

r Belle for wretched indeed must she be?”

“ Wild Bill,” was the low response of the boy,
as the two rode on ovsr the moonlit prairie,
their horses headed for the scene of the capture
of Belle Bradford.

CHAPTER IX.
rm: MYSTERIOUS SENTINELS.

As the little party of four dropped the lights I

of Prairie City, over a roll in the prairie, they
saw a horseman before them, who suddenly
came into full relief against the burnished

sk .

X Who is that?” whispered the major, uncon-
sciously pointing at the lone rider, and evident-
ly startled at the seeming apparition.

Horse and rider were as stations as marble
statues and were directly on the trail.

The four riders had wn rein, and silently
surveyed the motionless horseman.

Was he one of the Red Owls?
friend? \Vhy was be there, in the night, and
alone? I

“There is only one, father,” said the boy,
noticing his father’s excitement and the cow-
boys’ evident tre idation.

“ Yes, boy, on y one; but it is stran e. Why
is he waiting there? Who is he? %Ve must
know. Be on your guard, boys. Now, for-
ward!”

As they rode on again it was evident that the
stran e horseman noticed their approach.

Sti] he did not swerve from his ition
directly in their path. and remained 'ke one
who held no fear of the four advancing upon

“ Be ready, boys, should he mean trouble,”
ordered the major, and on they rode, the strange
horseman still as motionless as a statue.

Nearer and nearer they drew to him, until
but a few paces divided them, and in the bright
moonlight they saw him distinctly.

He sat his horse lendidly, wore a complete
suit of buckskin a rifle slung at his back,
and his hat shaded his face but little revealing
stron 1 -cut features, and his hair fell upon his
br s oulders.

Each hand rested u n a revolver, that was
half-drawn from a be r on either side of the
silver-studded horn of his Mexican saddle, and
it was seen that he was ready for defense or

‘ attack, as might be necessary

“Good-evening, gentlemen!” he said, in a

mom] t voice, as the party, drew rein to a
t.

“ Good-evening, sir, to you, and let me add
that you are a bold man to let four us ride
u nyou as you did, for we migh have been
0 her than we are,” answered the major.

A light laugh, which showed the white teeth
of the stranger, broke from his lips at the reply,

I seldom count odds in meeting

f, andhesaid:

\“My dearsir

“ I was wait

here; you were coming on a
trail that brou

t you near, so wh should I

've wa unti you forced me to 0 so, or I
‘ rove {on oi! your thi” ,
th“W o are you, or your face is strange in
m 1

“ ong the northern border I am called Tex-

 asJack’

, The major, the cowboys and Brad started at
the name.

“ i ' They knew it well, and that the owner had
 noted. for deeds of daring which seemed

 

 

    
   
   
  
  
  

 

him of thebo
 their path known to be the friend of Wild Bill,

1’ Ihavehear



~r .i' strangely like tales of fiction.
’ , A s ort

while before they had met a. famous
rder, and now here was one in

and who, as Texas Jack, was almost equally
dreaded by the outlaws of the frontier. *
“ I know on well by name, air, and from all
«I of you do not wonder that you held
your round agai, nst us," said the mzfir
“ ay Iask, air, if youarefrom‘ ‘town of
‘ Prairie City!" I
- "‘We left its quarter ofan hour 0.”
you meet one there, W Bill by

  

.Cxt.

 

 

. ,,'°§x’”4?

“ We did.”

“Was he in danger?”

“ Not in any danger sir, that such a man can-
not extricate himself rom.”

“I thank you, sir; good-night, gentlemen.”

And Texas Jack bowed in a way that showed
he wished to end the interview.

“ Good-night, sir! My ranch lies yonder, ten
miles away, and if you care to visit It, you will
be welcome.”

And Major Buckner rode on with his com—
panions, leaving Texas Jack as before, horse
and rider seeming like a statue.

“ Well, Brad, what do you think of that?”
asked the major.

“ More mystery, father; but do not let us
speak of seeing Texas Jack.”

“Why not, my son?”

“ I cannot tell you, sir; 0
let it get about that he and
on our prairies.”

“ My son, you have some motive for this, and
you do not make me your confidant; but I hope
all will come well in the end.”

“ Now let us go to Dead Man’s Motte and see
if there is any trace of the Red Owls having
been there, as you said you saw them, for with
this moonlight we can easil tell.”

“ Yes, sir' their trails w' show in this light,”
replied Bra .

And the horses’ heads were turned toward the
timber, which Brad and his cousin had avoided
that afternoon after the discovery that the Red
Owls were there, apparently lying in ambush
for the comin of some one.

The Dead an’s Timber bore its name from
the fact that half a dozen men had been am-
bushed there, by foes, and shot down, their
graves being dug under the two-score trees that
formed the motto.

With the bright moonlight, the scattering
trees did not form a ver secure hiding-place
for horsemen, and Major uckner did not fear
an ambush, as he knew, after nightfall, few
people cared to go there, for the superstitious

it is best not to
ild Bill are here

1 among the bordermen said that the place was
\Vas he a ‘

haunted. .

He was desirous of seeing if there were any
fresh trails in the timber, to carry out the asser—
tion of his son that there had been Red Owls in
hiding there.

The behavior of the boy he could not solve,
and he was desirous of seeing for himself just
what basis there had been or Brad’s saying
that his cousin had been captured by Captain
Kenna .

The two cbwboys were not desirous of visiting
Dead Man’s Motte, and they kept their eyes
well ahead, and when the timber was yet quite
a distance off, they made a discovery.

This was of a horseman riding slowly before
them toward the timber.

Quickenin their pace, as soon as he saw the
horsemen, jor Buckner saw that the stranggr
did likewise, holding just such a distance I -
tween them.

Ur is}; their horses into a run, the animal
ah so began to 0 at the same pace, and
coming down to a we once more, the strafir
did likewise, until within rifle-range of the -
bar. when be halted and faced about.

Major Buckner spoke sharply to the two cow-
boys who urged that it was an apparition lead-
ing them on, and rode forward.

‘ Halt! Who are on, and what do you
want?” came in a decis ve voice.

“I am Major Buckner of Fort Ranch, and
would know who you are?”

“Have you ever heard the name of Night
Hawk George?” was the re ly.

“ Yes, often, as one of 6 best scouts on our
frontier.”

“ I am Night Hawk Geor e. ”

“The friend of Wild B i” called out Brad
Buckner.

U Yes-ii

“ We came here to see if there was a trail of
horsemen leading away from the timber, and
left as late as sunset this afternoon,” the major
explained.

‘ Yes, there is such a trail—fifteen hoof—
marks all told, and they lead toward the north-
ward, and the trail is not many hours old.”

“I thank you, sir; cod-night!” and Major
Buckner turned away, rad by his side, and the
cowboys following.

“Now, Brad, we go to the (Place where you
say Kennard overtook you an captured Belle;
but is not the meeting of these sentries most
in steriousi” .

‘ It is, father, and they seem to be on the very
trail that the Red Owls and Kennard followod. ’

“Yes, and how strange, my son, that such
famous men as Wild Bill Texas Jack and Night
Hawk George should be here, for‘they are
among the most famous scouts on the border,”
and puzzling his bram' to solve that mystery.
Ma or Buckner rode on until they came in si t
of he scene where Brad had parted With
margin and her captor, and the boy said in a
w per: -

“ There is another silent sentinel father 1”
“ By Canar’s host, you are righ Brad."
fillinhe neon”  you , winog‘ei’Lnd
i' seem! a on ‘ very .i _;

A, r

  
 

  
 

  
  
 

 

  
 
 
 

“ He is, indeed. Well we have seen the
pluckiest men this night I ever met before, for
one against four does not seem in the least to
disturb them.

“ I shall hail him,” and raising his voice, as
the arty halted, Major Buckner called out;

“ 0, friend! who are on?”

“ My name is White eaver, if that is what
you would know. I am a scout, now on secret
serVice.

“ IVho are you ?”

The voice was strangely musical, and yet it
had the ring of commanding courage in it.

“ I have heard of an army scout known as
White Beaver, Fancy Frank and Magic Medi-
cine man. He is the white chief of the Wine—
bago Indians, and I would know if you are that
man?”

“ I am White Beaver, the “’innebago chief;
who are you i” came the demand.

“ Major Dick Buckner ranchero, and livin
at Fort Ranch, whitherI am now going, an
will be glad of your company.”

“ Thank you, but Lmust remain here.

“ Do you know one Wild Bill?”

‘ ‘ Yes, and left him an hour ago.”

“ Where?”

“ In Prairie City.”

“ In no trouble, I hope?”

“ None; but let me ask you if you have observ—
ed a trail where you are?”

“ Yes, of two horses, a third joining them;
then one leaving, and the other two branching
off northeast.”

“ Father, What did I tell you?

“Who was it, if not Kent Kennardi” asked
Brad in a low, triumphant tone.

“God only knows; but I am bewildered, so
let us go home, and to-morrow we will see what
we can do for poor Belle,” and they rode on, the
solitary horseman still remaining wherb they
had discovered him, and so staying as long as
they could see him.

“Thank Heaven we are near home, for this
night has been a bewildering one to me,” and
Major Buckner seemed a trifle unnerved and
fairl started as one of the cowboys said:

“ onder is another statue-like horseman,

mfior!”

e pointed to a distant roll of the prairie,
where, relieved against the moonlit sky, a horse
and rider were distinctly visible.

“Heis otinourtr ', Iain gladtosee.

“ Come, let us hasten home, for this night has
been strangely full of mystery to me,” and the
party dashed on to soon disappear in the timber
about the ranch.

But, glancing backward‘as they rode out of
sight among the trees, they saw the silent horse-
man still remaining at his post, apfirently on
duty, yet what duty they could not ow.

CHAPTER X.
A BARRIER ON THE TRAIL.

I WILL now return to Wild Bill, whom We left
in the gambling saloon of the Overland Palace.

Hiscomingt emhadbeenagreatsin'pfise to.
all, for his name was known along the length of
the border, and each n‘ ht around the
fires, and at the saloons, t e deeds of Wild B
and other scouts had been the theme of conver-
sation.

Hardly an one there in the saloonhad seen
him before; ut recognized by the one who had.
called his name, he was the cynosure of all eyes,
and his very name held men in check who, with
another would have sought a difficulty.

Why had he come there?

Was he on ofilcial dut !

Did he know more of ant Kennard than oth—
ers knew of him, forhis businessseemod to be
with him? ~

 

Such were the questions asked, and a feverish ' ‘

excitement gennded all when the two men,
Wild Bill an Kent Kennard, sat down to play

a of . A 
fiery other game was forgotten, conversation “‘
ceased,men drank qum,nod ' a toastto
each otherastheys atthe ,andall'
waited for the beginning of the end that must"
come between those two. A i
The absence of Ma r Buckner and his son«'
hadbeensoonnoti and commented upon; ,
but Wild Billsaid sim y: - .
“Letthem go, fort reisnowork foreither w-
to do here.” ‘
Sotheinterest centered in thetwomen w
remained to their fortune at cards.
The table ild Bill chose was tnb‘ ,
wall and within a few feet of an open window. , ,
He drew the table out a couple of feet, took a
chair anfiglsdfit to suit himself, sat down
with‘his to wall and the window close
upon his left hand ‘

Thenhecoollylightedacigarand said in his 
e,PardKennanfl., 3

quiet way:

“ I am ready for the
What shall it be and for w much?”
“ Name your limit,” was the . ‘

“Well, we will begin low, so put up one
“ism “mm” the ash,
were gsmewas _
and Kent Kennaxd won. . \
waded  I  5
men, , a .  " y

   

  
  
  

 

   

   
 
 
   
  
  
    
      

 
    

 
    
           
    

    
   

 

 

   

’ - and rider, some half a hand
I where they had been lying down in the long

' had, Night

' they had been

8

\it 'i

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

“Make the dust three hundred this time,”
suggested Wild Bill, quietly.

“ As you like,” was the reply.

And again the ranchero won.

Without a change of expression Wild Bill

sai :

“ Gentlemen, you may know my gambling

Yard here, but I don’t, so you will excuse me if
say that I don’t exactly understand his luck,

though I’m studying it.

“ I don’t accuse you of cheating, Pard Ken-
nard, but if I should suspect you, the moment I
do, I’ll shoot and ask no questions. Do you un—
derstand?"

“It is a game two can play at, Wild Bill,”
was the threatening return.

“ Yes; it takes two to )lay a game, But only
one can win, and you now my ideas about
playing square, and I’m no blind man, so go
nitrifiad; and make five hundred the stakes this
t e.

Kent Kennard nodded, and with bated breath
the crowd looked on.

From some reason Kent Kennard played
more careful] than before, and it was noticed
that \Vild Bill pla ed mechanically, for he
never took his eyes 0 of the hands of his adver—

sary.

When the last card was thrown down Wild
Bill had won the game. _

He smiled in a sardonic way, while Kent Ken-
nard became very pale, though he showed no
other si 11 of emotion.

“Shal I prescribe for you again?” sneered

‘Wild Bill, and Kept Kennard nodded.

The sumo stake was named, the ame was
played throu h in the same wa , ild Bill
sharply watc ing the hands of t e ranchero,
and the scout Won.

“Pard, I have a little work to do, so you
must excuse me now; but another time we may
meet, and then I’ll give you satisfaction at
cards, as well as in any other way you wish.

“Gentlemen, again 'oin me,” and Wild Bill
arose, bowed, pocket his winnin , called to
the barman to set up drinks, an paying for
them, left the saloon.

There were those who wished to follow him,
but there was that in the manner of the strange
man that forbade it, and when soon after, Cap-
tain Ta loe, the army officer, went 0 t, expect-
ing to find him in the Overland Pala ,he dis-
covered that he had not been there, and search-
ing among the other taverns, he could find no
trace of him, or any one who had seen him out
of the salotin. ,

Returning to the OVerland, Captain Tayloe
reached there just as he saw Kent Kennard
mount his home, held for him by one of his cow-
boys, Vho had evidently been waiting outside,

V and the two dashed rapidly away out of the

wn.

“ That is not the trail to Kennard’s ranch,
and he is evidently following Wild Bill, the
cowboy having posted him; but he had better
let that man alone,” thought Captain Tayloe, as
he entered the hotel nd sought his room.

‘ In the mean time ild Bill had mounted his
horse, waiting under a shed near, and had hastily
ridden ed, as though anxious to avoid being

seen.

He had taken the trail followed by Major
Buckner and his party, and, reachin the open
prairie, his practiced eye told him t at others

ad traversed it since he had gone that way
into the town.

Soon he came in sight of the statue-like horse-
,manu n the trail. Then he raised his hands
above is head. The other did likewise.

"“ Well, Jack, what news?” he called out as he

drew near.

“ I have had visitors, Bill ” and Texas Jack
tdld'of the coming of the Boo or part .

“Well, call Broncho Billy and we wi l hunt a
hiding-Elam, as soon as we have collected the
other “ya.”

A sh l whistle from Texas Jack caused sud-
denly to rise, as from out the und a horse
yards away,

- Approaching Wild Bill and Jack was a oung
‘man, with long hair that a woman migh have
been proud of. black asnight, and a face almost

' feminine in its beauty, yet strongly stamped

on eve feature with manhood.

“Wei. Broncho Billy.'we will be 0 ,” an—
nounced Wild Bill, and then set of! at a gallop
over the lain. '

Folio n the same trail that Ma or Buckner
wk George and Dan Dick—the
latter having been in hiding near—were picked
up at Dead Man’s Motto and the visitof the
rancheio party was made known to Wild Bill.

Still pursuing the trail, the reached White
Bearer seated silent] upon is horse on the
spot where Belle Br fon had been kidnapged,
anda whistle from him brought Dashing an
and his horse ugifiggf the prairie gram, where

“Now for Fran orth and Bravo Buck,”
called out Wild , and fifteen minutes after
the other two, om standing sentinel on the

 

 

prairie, the othar lyin down not far away, were .

comeupwith and .epu'tyolninowereto-

cm,» A», ~

  

 

“ Boys, we have not done a bad night‘s work,
for we found the trails Jack Nelson told us of,
discovered that horsemen had been in the vicini-
ty of Dead Man’s Motto, found out that the irl
had been captured, by one who owrtook er
and the boy, and I met in the town Kent Ken-
iiard himself, the boy and his father, and there
is a. mystery that we have got to solve, for
though Miss Bradford was taken, and, the
youngster says by the ram-hero, he proved an
alibi that I could not go behind.

“ We must seek a hiding-place from which to
work, and in the morning take the trail of the
girl and her captor and see where it will lead

“ VVe’Il halt a While over the rise yonder and
see if we are followed.”

The Dead Shot Nine then rode over the rise of

raii'ie, their horses were staked out in the
ower ground, and they threw themselves down
upon the ridge to wait.

Half an hour thus passed, when Wild Bill
san :

“ Hark l" ‘

All listened and heard the fall of hoofs, the
sound growing louder and louder, which showed
they were approaching. -

“The are coming, and in some force,” sai
White eaver.

,, We will be ready for them, pards so form
your line,” was the quiet response of Wild Bill.
who then took his position at the right end, and
the others ranged alongside.

Kneelin on one knee, they unslung their rifles
and broug t them round, without an order, and
in rfect silence.

carer and nearer came the horsemen, and
they were now distinctly seen by the Nine,
whose heads just peered over the hi l-top.

“ There are some twenty of them,” said White
Beaver.

“ Yes, and they wear masks, as my glass dis-
tinctly reveals,” assured Wild Bill.

Every man carried a lass, and it was raised
to his eyes, a murmur o assent following, after
which the rifles were grasped ready for work.

Nearer and nearer came the horsemen, and
arriving within a few rods of the kneeling line,
stern and startling rung out the command of
Wild Bill:

“ Halt I Hands up, all of you I”

CHAPTER XI.
soarrnann TRAILS

WHEN Wild Bill gave the order to the coming
horsemen, as they rode up over the brow of the
prairie rise, he was prepared for a charge down
upon his line.

They outnumbered him two to one. if not
more, they a ared well-mounted, and their
arms glisten in the moonli ht.

They were not a body 0 cavalry, that was
certain, and in the moonlight there was visible
no white faces. only the same hue rested upon
all, revsaling the fact that the were either In-
dians, in the garb of pale- aces, 1 or whites
masked.

The latter was the idea the scouts took of it,
and they were pre ared therefore tomeet face
to face, as they lieved, in a hand-to-hand
struggle, the famous marauders of the prairie,
known as the Red Owls.

It was therefore a matter of intense surprise
to Wild Bill, as also his comrades, to see the
horsemen wheel, as one man, without a word
that was heard by them, and dust away like ar-
rows from a bow. '

A score in number, they took as man differ-
ent trails across the prairie, urging the r horses
to full speed, and seemingly bent on the motto

of:

“ Every man for himself and Satan take the
hindmost.”

At this sudden and surprising act on the art
(I);i1 {he horsemen, the scouts glanced at ild

To have emptied nine saddles they knew it
was in their power to do.

But no order came to fire, and the fingers
touching the triggers did not ove.

Thoroughly d sci lined, th scouts acted with-
out excitement, an hence no shot was fired, for
Wild Bill ave no order so to do.

“ Well, at beats all I ever saw; but let them
go, for we will at reach the end of their trails,
and I would u make a mistake and fire on a
wron party for a great deal,” said Wild Bill.

“ 6 might catch One of them,” said Frank
Powell, quietly.

“Do so then, White Beaver, but do’ not fire
unless you have to.

“ If any one can be caught you can do it with
that horse of yours ” and he words had/ hardly
left the léps of Wild Bill when White Beaver
had boun edtcward his horse, thrown himself
into the saddle, and then paused to \pick out his
man.

“ We shall hunt a hiding-place over in the
creek bottom, Beaver, so come there "called out
Wild Bill, and with a. wave of the hand White
Beag’erdartcd away, his superb black stallion,

N

 

   

isto. n' like the v wind.
Ms?“ .  “in Method: We hunt covet.

and e'creear‘lige

. Lthreo miles away, ant:

Wino no

  

 

throw any one of! the scent that might be curi-
ous. .

“ There is a water wash near a large tree that
rises high above the surrounding timber, and
you can see it as you get near the creek, and
there will be our rendezvous.

“ Now, I ooil’ this way, and we’ll scatter the
trails as did that band of horsemen, whoever
they are,” and Wild Bill mountpd and rode oil’,
the others following his example, and each one
verging away from each other as far as possi-
ble, and yet have the same objective point in
View.

In the mean time \Vbite Beaver had disap-

eared from sight over the rolling fprairie, and
lie was riding hot on~ the heels of a ying horse-
man.

He was gaining rapidly also, his black stallion
prancing forward at a speed that was wonder-
ful, and yet not urged by spur or voice.

The intelligent animal seemed to fully under-
stand just what was expected of him, and he
meant to do it.

So lightly did he run, that his hoof-falls were
drowned by the thud of the horse ridden by the
fugitive, and after having one a mile the
horseman drew u and glance about him.

His comrades ad scattered so far that he
could not see them, and he sat for a \moment
pondering, as it were, upon just what course to
pursue.

White Beaver‘s quick eye had detected the
bait, and quick as a flash he drew rein, sprung
to the ground. and said:

“ Down, sir!”

Into the grass dropped the horse like dead,
and his master lay beside him, so that when the
fu itive glanced behind hiui he saw no pursuer.

Bevin decided upon his course he turned off
to the lc t and rode on at a slow lope.

Then White Beaver arose from the grass his
horse sprun up, and mounting. he started off
at a course a most parallel with the fugitive, and
yet circling a little from him and out of sight.

After going at a rapid run for a mile or more,
he drew rein to the left, ascended a prairie rise,
and glanced over the level plain.

There, as he had expected to find, was the
fugitive, not two hundred yards away.

He was coming on at a cantor, directly for
the spot where Frank Powell awaited him, and
he did not see the scout until within long pistol
range of him. .

Quickly he drew row, and after a moment’s
inspection, called out:

‘ Is that you. Frank i” _

“ It is. pard,” called back White Beaver most
truthfully, his nhme being Frank Powell.

At this the fu 'tive rode on once more at a
canter. directly or the scout, who moved to-
ward him.

“ Co otes of Kansas! but what a surprise we
had, B ack Frank.

“ Who were they?” called out the pursued, as
he drew near.

“ The Dead Shot Nine, pard,” was the quick
response of White Beavsr, as be cast his lariat
over the head of the .man’s horse, and at the
same time leveled his repeating rifle full at the
breast of the rider.

The startled horse bounded away, but was
brought up sharp by the lariat, and the su ris-
ed and alarmed rider caught wholly at a d-
vantage, obeyed with alacrity the stern com-
mand:

“ Hands‘u , or die!" ’ .

Loavin h 3 horse still at a stand, holding the
animal 0 his foe, White Beaver sprung to the
ground and rapidly approached his captive, still
coverin him with his rifle.

“ We , sir, you are my ame, and I’ll trouble
you for 1- toys,” and bite Beaver hastily
disarm
from about the neck of his horse, and threw the
noose about the body of the rider, binding his
arms to his side. .

Mounting then, he started across the prairie,

his captive riding/in silence by his side. '

Not a word was spoken by one or the other, on
the ride to the rendezvous, and just as he reach-
ed the timber on the creek banks, Texas Jack
called out: . ‘

“ Ho, Frank, I was waiting for on, for the
boys are all at the retreat, and a co one it .13
too,” and he joined White Beaver and his pns.
oner, adding: '

“ You got your man, I see?" .

“ Oh, yes, ack, and nobody hurt; but this is
a snug place for a retreat, is it not?” and he

glanced at the ravine, heavily fringed with

thickets, into which they rode. , ,

Up the water-wash, or ravine, the scouts were
visible cookln breakfast for dawn was just
beginning to e the moonli ht, and their horses
were staked out near enjo g a feast of rich

grass. ,
All glanced up as the two scouts rode up with p

the ,risonc . and Wild Bill called out:
“ ravo 

and, as Lllve, it’s a Red Owl!

CHAPTER XII.
ran nan own.

 

Tan man who was brought into the camp by.

White Beaver was an odd-looking being, eta

the man, after which he took the lariat '

to Beaver! yqu got your bird, I

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< gear, Dandy Dick.”

, was revealed was certainly as disagreeable a

‘ in this part of the country, I am

_‘w,

' been guilty of the

"’ ,iil‘hemana.

I The Dead ShOt Nine: '

 

9

 

He was well-mounted, upon a jet-black horse
equipped with a Mexican saddle and bridle, an ‘
he was dressed in buckskin, even to moccasins. i

At the back of his saddle he carried a roll of
necessary baggage, a couple of scrapes, an oil-
skin blanket, leggins, and a rain—cap, 0r helmet
of the same material.

A pa ir of boots and a slouch hat, witha haver-
saek of provisions, hung at one Side of the sad-
dle, uni a lariat, )istol-holster, and a small
hatchet were upon t ie other, showing that the ‘
individual was Well fixed for camping, fighting ‘
or disguising himself. ,

lie was a large man, broad-shoulderml, and
carried a knife. and revolvers in his belt.

But strangest of all was that his head and face
were wholly concealed from View, and by a most
unique covering, or mask.

it was a helmet—shaped covering of red feath-
ers, while the face resembled that of an owl, the
beak and eyes being perfect, and so fitted that
the wearer could both see d1stinct1y and breathe
without difficulty.

'i‘his odd head-dress fell to the shoulders, and
gave to the man a most startling and odd ap-

learance, and which had called forth the remark
of Wild Bill to \Vhite Beaver. that he had caught
a bird, and that it was a red owl.

“ N ow, sir, you can dismount,” said White
Beaver, as be halted with his prisoner, and Dash-
ing Dan led their horses away, the Red Owl
havin quietly obeyed.

“ ho are you, pard?” asked Wild Bill, as he
led the man to the camp-fire.

But the prisoner made no reply.

“ Are you deaf, pardi” asked Wild Bill.

Still no reply.

“ Are you dumb also?”

Yet no response.

“ He can talk, and he is not deaf,” said White
Beaver.

“ What did you find out from him?” asked
Wild Bill.

“ I asked him no questions, but simply
brought him in,” was the reply.

“I have heard it id, Frank, you were wo-
manl in your nature, and you are the gentlest
man ever saw: but you are not womanly in
your curiosity,” said Texas Jack.

“ No, not to ride to camp with his )I‘lSODCI‘
and ask him no questions,” remark Frank
North.

“ I did not care to, so brought him to camp
for on to question, Bill.”

‘ ‘ ow did you capture him 3”

“ Very sim ily: I rode after him until I saw
him halt, an then Mephisto and I lay down,
saw what course he was taking, headed him off
and waited.

“ He mistook me for one of his pards, who. I
now recall, all rode black horses, or dark ones,
for he called out:

“ ‘ Is that you, Frank?’

“Of course it was, and I answered in the af-
firmative, rode nearer, and he obe ed m order
to hands up, so I know he is neither eaf or
dumb.”

“ Well, a bird that can sing and won‘t sin
must be made to sing, so just take oil! his h -

The scout ste ped forward, carefully raised
the feather mas , or helmet, and the face that

one as had been the owl’s.

Red-headed, the hair cut short, with a cropped
sandy beard, bloated face, and small evil gray
eyes, he looked like one who would  guilty cf
any crime, and possessed no consolence to re-
proach him for it.

“ The owl’s face was the handsomer of the
two,” said Texas Jack, with a light laugh. .

But the man made no reply, only stared at his
captors in a dogged kind of way.

‘ Now, my man, you must answer the ques-
tions Ii ut to you ’ said Wild Bill.

“In e first p ace," he continued, “ are you
not one of the baud known as the Red Owls ’

The man appeared not to have heard the ques-

on.

“ You refuse to answer, do you?”

Silence alone gave assent.

“ Now, pard, you have been taken with your
colors on, and therefore we know you to be one
of the Owls; but. as you are ourflrst capture,
and we wish to make aquick endin of our work

w‘filing to make
terms with you."

Still the silence and the d

“ Now, if I offer you your
m questions truth ully?”

0 response.

“ You seem determined not to reply, and on
may fedr that we will not putyou to death; ut
let me tell you that you are mistaken, for I hear
an official order from the general commanding
this district, to put all of the Red Owl band to
death, as I may ca re them, for on have all
crimes, on not one of
you is there but deserves hanging.

9‘ But I make an exception of you, to save
time, and accomplish m ends, and .ofler you
your life and your pa on, if on will tell me
what I would know and aid us capture your
evil comrades.

‘f Now, what do you my!"

stare
e will you answer

  

  

he was the one addressed, and no response came
from his sternl —sct thick lips.

“ Don’t thin that you have fallen into the
hands of missionaries, who will try to redeem
you from your wicked ways, for you have not,
as you may know when I tell you that we have
all been heard from on the border, and we have
seen blood ilow, and are not afraid of death.

“ That gentleman, who so cleverly took you
in, is Doctor Frank Powell, the \Vhite Beaver
Chief of the \Vinncbagocs. while this pleasant-
faced youth is 'l‘exaleavk, and that tall man
you may recall when I tell you his name is Ma—
jor Frank North, or Fighting Frank, also a
white chief of Indians. the Pawnees.

“ Then we have Night Hawk George. Broncho
Billy, Dashing Dan, Dand Dick Bravo Buck,
and last, I am known as ild Bil .

“Now that you know us on may perhaps be
pleased to res )ond by intr ucing yourself.”

The man’s ace had twitched nervously at the
mention of the names; but he still preserved that
stolid silence. ~'

“ You refuse to accept my offer, and talk?”

No reply.

“ \Vhite Beaver!”

“ Well, Bill ’5”

“ You captured this man, so what shall we do
with him i”

“ He is in your hands, Wild Bill.”

“ You are sure he can talk?”

“ Yes, for he hailed me.”

“ Then I will lose no time with him, as he is so
stubborn, but carry out-the general’s orders.

“ Buck I”

“ Yes, Bill.”

“Take Dand Dick and Dashing Dan to aid
you, place this ellowfiftcen paces in your front,
fire at the word and kill him.

“ What say you pards, to the sentence?” and
Wild Bill glance( over the faces of his com~
rades.

“ It is just, for the Red Owls deserve no
mercy ” responded Frank North, and the others
nodded their approval.

“ Once more, in man, will you accept your
life on the terms 0 cred?”

The captive did not show a si that he heard
ther nestion, and Wild Bill sair im .atiently:

“ ravo Buck, you have your or ers, so carry
them outl”

Bravo Buck stepped forward and led the cap-
tive away a few paces, placed him in position,
took his stand in front of him, with Dandy
Dick and Dashing Dan, and Wild Bill called
out:

“Speak quick, Red Owl, for we are in deadly
earnest!” ‘

Not a word came in response, and then fol-
lowed the command: I

“ Fire 1”

The three revolvers flashed together, and the
man’s lips were forever stilled by instant death.

CHAPTER XIII.
IN BORROWED PLUMAGE.

HAVING been so constantly on the go, of late
both men and horses needed a rest, and Wild
Bill determined to remain in camp until late in
the afternoon when they could go to the spot
where Belle radford had been captured and
take up the trail there and see where it led.

Wit such a clear night of moonli ht as the
one just over, and it promised to be, e did not
have any fear of not being able to follow the
trail, once they had struck t, and he knew that
all needed rest.

The dead outlaw had been buried, breakfast
had been cooked, and was partaken of with a
relish, and Texas Jack and Broncho Bil? agreed

 

to stay on the watch while the others s pt, and
both took up their positions at a poi t of ob.
servation that commanded the ap roach to the
camp. and from such a distance t at they felt,
sleepin as they did lightly as a watch-dog, they
too con (1 rest.

White Beaver, however, seemed to feel not the
slightest fatigue, and calling to Wild Bill, he

sa (1: .
BI”think I shall turn Red Owl for awhile,
“ How do you mean, Beaver?”

“ Well, there is that fellow’s suit, rig-out and
horse, and I might as well start out to see what
I can discover in it.”

“ You know best Beaver, and it’s not a bad
idea ” responded Wild Bill, adding:

“ at 0 slow, rd.”

“I wi ; now ow do I look?” and Whi
Beaver drew on the owl’s head mask. ‘

“ The Owls would never know on as a strange
bird, Beaver,” laughed Wild B l as he threw
himself down to rest upon his blan’ket.

Patti on the buckskin suit of the dead out-
law, an mountin his horse as well, White
Beaver rode out of 9 camp.

Leaving the timber of the creek, which here
made a nd almost in the opposite direction,
White Beaver struck out overthe prairie, fol-
lowing his own trail of the night before.

St ' htto the s twhere he had been come
t night he ore by Major Buckner and
I he went, and there discerned the trails
the me , and the moth“ branched off toward

t direction '

   

 

likeonewhodidnotthink

the weetwardin be which Wild Bill
hedtold himlaytherenehuf 

   

 

“ I’ll see just where this trail goes.” said
White Beaver, and be cast his eyes about him,
when he discerned a horseman coming slowly
over the prairie, his head bent down, as though
he was follo'n mg a trail.

To dismount and lead his horse away to a
water—wash, sonic hundred yards away, was the
work of a few niomcntS.

But the gully was not deep enough to hide
the horse and scout, and the persuasions of the
latter were not sufficient to force the former to
lie down.

“Down you must go, horse,” said White
Beaver. and quickly he threw the lariat about
til: animal’s legs, and threw him flat on his
61 e.

"hen he lay down upon him, and was just
hidden from the view of any one riding near.

“It struck me that I caught a glim} so of
some one in the rear of the first horsmnan: but
I had not time to take a second look. so rmi.:t go
slow, as \l’ild Bill says,” he muttered.

Arranging some grass, which he cut oil with
his bowie—knife, in front of him, so as to hide
his head, he peered through it out upon the spot
Where had OCcurred the mysterious capture of
Belle Bradford by one who had proven himself
to be miles away at the time.

Soon the rider’s head came in sight, and he
halted upon the scene of the kidnapping.

“it is that boy I saw last night, and whom
Wild Bill says so pluckin accused the ranchero
of bein the captor of his cousin.

“We 1, he‘s a plucky one, and he seems to be
alone and trying to follow the trail himself; but
I shall wait and see.”

So saying, \Vhite Beaver waited for awhile,
and then said: .
“There he goes! off on the trail of the maiden

and her capturer, whoever he was.

“ I will follow him as soon as I am sure that
he is not followed by Some one else, for I cannot
get it out of my head that I caught sight of some
one else.”

So he waited patiently for quite awhile, and
was about? to get a) from his hiding~place,
thinking that what be ad seen must have been '
a.buffalo, when suddenly a horsuuan rode into
new.

He was dressed in buckskin, were a slouch
hat, rode a black horse, and was well armed,
while his face was by no means a prepossessing

one.
“That fellow is trailing the boy, certain, so
I’ll call a halt on him,” and White Beaver step«
11 from his hiding- lace, his revolver
ready in hand and advanc rapidly toWard the
stranger.

He was not seen until within good range, as
the man was attentively regarding the numer-
ous trails that branched off rom that point.

His horse starting suddenly revealed the
soout, and the man rew his revolver quickly,
nnheeding the ringing command:

“ Hands up, pard!”

But he now saw that the one advancing upon ,
him wore the Red Owl mask, and he lowered
his weapon and called out: -

“ Who are you, pard. that you don’t know
your Red Owl comrade Brandy Ben?"

“ Ho, Ben, is that you? Why didn’t you'
speak sooner, for the sun in my eyes blinded
me,” and White Be er walked straight up to the 1
horseman, apparen ly t 'ng to 11an his re- ‘
volver, as an exouse for eeping it in hand.

“Wal, I don’t git enter who yer. is, pard, .
thou‘gh yer colors is all right.

“ ho is yer?” and the horseman looked sus-
piciously at the scout as be rapidly a preached.

“ Black Frank,” answered White Beaver re.
memberinghthe name the Red Owl h called
out the nig t before.

The result was une ted to White Beaver,
for the man dropped
his revolver, While he called out:

“ Black. Frank hain’t got white hands I”

With his words he fired, and the bullet struck
the scout’s pistol, knock' it out of his hand.
befo he could fire, while he shock caused his
arm fall kg his side, tem 'ly benumbed.

But instan y his left ban
volver upon his left hip, and yet before he could
use it his adversary fired a second time, the
bulllethggdhis time cutting the feathers from the '
ow ‘s . ' '

Ere he could fire again White Beaver drew ‘ .,

trigger. and the man fell forwarder: the ham «1,.
his saddle, while his horse started to run. ~

But, quick as a flash the scout the bri-  ,
die-rein and the rider drop tom ;  

bullet in the center of his orehead. ,
“That was a close call for me,”eooll said-
White Beaver, throwing OR the owl. ,‘nnd '

bendi over the slain man. ‘
held” here is a badgeof serviceintheOyf

And he drew out of amddl uch : r
head-dress liketheonehehad $3311. m w .

w

“ This is number two of the Owl Rangers. . t;

“Letmesee. Icannot la BlackFrankfrom
abet he and with nut; Imllhavetc
(when em,orp rand 
nunethisgentlemanyhailed uynder.’ ‘ ' _,',
, “Letmeeee! Iwillburyhim onderinthe
water-wash thenhastenon the .'
“Iainorry hedtokillhimflorhe ‘

l n l‘ * l, 49.:
.  A, 

‘ w'.‘ » i

~ - ""‘flc-‘Wm'iry .,

his hand like lightning on. ‘

fell upon the ne-‘j '

       

 

 

 

' from Captain Ralph Re

'foll

 olosetothesideofit.

10

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

not have withstood the temptation offered his
comrade, and kept silent.”

So sa ing, White Beaver carried the bod to
the gul y, released the bound horse and soon ad
him buried with the aid of the hatchet which
he, too, carried at his saddle-horn, as the other
outlaw had done.

Resummg his mask, he then mounted one
horse, and leading the other rode at a gallop
after the boy, who was now evidently a long
distance ahead of him.

“ Well, if we go on at this rate, the Red Owls
preferringdeath to talking, and having to kill
others to 'eep from being illed and thus losing
the chance of adying confession through wound-
ing them, we are in a fair we to wipe out the
band and yet not find the gir if she is really
their captive, as Wild Bill says he is convinced
she is, her energetic lover, he thinks, being a
member, if not leader of the outlaws.”

Thus thinking half aloud, White Beaver rode
on at a lope, the led horse following readily, until
suddenly and seemingly from out of the earth
came the startling words:

“ Hands up! or I’ll kill you !”

CHAPTER XIV.
THE YOUNG TRAILER.

WHEN young Brad Buckner returned home,
with his father, their story was told to Mrs.
Bradford, who was in deep distress at the loss
of her daughter.

“It is some trick of that vile man, Richard,
for he alone is guilty,” she said to her brother
after the major had told her how Kent Kennard
had roven an alibi.

“gut that army officer’s word could not be
doubted, sister.”

“ I would doubt every one but Brad.

“ He was with Belle, and he well knew Kent
Kennard and he is not mistaken let that man
prove as he will that he was not t ere.

“ I know him but too well, and that he swore
that Belle should never marry any one but him.

“ During the war he was nothing more than a

rrilla, serving on both sides, as it pleased
{3:1, and there is nothing that he will not do,
and I believe that he has intercepted the letters
olds, who you know
in his last, brought by t t army courier, said
he had written often, and had received no re-

1 .
p X He said he had told Belle he would ap ar
suddenly, and make her his wife, as it was (1
for him to get away.

" N ow I am convinced that Kent Kennard
got these letters, in some way, and so deter-
mined to kidna Belle, fearing she would in the
end not ' .”

“ But the power he holds in his secret over us,
sister, should have convmced him that Belle
dared not do otherwise,” urged the major.

“ But he is (aware;x that Belle_;ioes :10“: ,know
this ret, an mi tdisregard tsva ue.

u his might beg’

“I tell you, Richard, Kent Kennard has cap-

 

\ tured Belle, and no one else, and she is now hid-

den at his ranch, or somewhere else, and I think
you should take your cowboys and go there and
demand that he give her up; ’

“And have him make known the secret, sis-

' tor?” said the major, in a lo tone.

“ Alas! I forget his powe ver us.

“ No, we must wait and suffer.”
’ This much did Brad Buckner hear, as he lay
in his little room near where the major and Mrs.
Bradford were talking, and he made up his
mind that he would go the next day to the
ranch of Kent Kennard and demand that he
give up his dearly-loved cousin.

“ He won’t dare kill me a boy, and yet I can
kill him,” was the thought in his mind as he

' gripped of! to sleep, leaving his father and aunt

talking ther in the sitting-room.

After break ast the next morning he looked
to his weapons most carefully. mounted his best
mustang and saying that he was oing off on a
hunt, rode away from the ram , leav his
father and aunt still asleep, for they h not

A ,- retired until dawn.

Straight to the spot where the kidnappin
had occurred he rode, and after examining we
the diflerent trails, decided upon which was the

“ That track is made by Rocket’s hoof, I
knew, and nobodycan fool me on that,” he mut-
, referring to the horse ridden by his cou-

He little dreamed that the eyes of White Bea-
ver were than upon him, or that his trail had
been crossed some distance back and followed
by the man calling himself Brandy Ben.

‘ “ Come, Firecracker, we must be in a hurry.
for we are on Rocket’s trail, and I think we can

it to the end,” he said, addressing his
ted little mustang, that started off at a
swinging walk, seemin y following the trail of

L“ — one he wished to follow.‘

. his equine comrade by nstinct.

The boy had gone but half a mile when he
heard the crack of a revolver, followed bya

, second and third report in quick succession.

The prairie was very undulating where he
was. and he couldnotseevery far around ,
but his eyes fell u n a buffalo wallow not far
away, and ' this he rode, the trail going

r“.

 

  

Arriving there, he beheld the horns of a buf-
falo, and around it the 8 grown to a
considerable hight, so that the boy saw a safe
hidin place, or at least a place of defense
shoul e be pursued b an enemy.

To ride into the we ow and make the pony
lie down was but short work, and then he went
on foot to the highest rise near him and looked
around the prairie.

No one was in sight, and no more pistol-shots
had he heard.

He knew that Indians or Red Owls were like-
ly to be about, and he was aware that his life
was in danger; but he was a fearless young
fellow, and nerved himself to meet the worst.

After waiting a considerable time he conclud~
ed to go back to his pony and resume his trail-
ing when, boylike, he leaped up into the air to
get a better look before goin g.

As he did so his eyes ell upon the head and
shoulders of a horseman coming over the prai-
rie.

Again he sprung several feet into the air, and
distinctly saw the coming horseman.

“ He‘s following my trail, too,” he said, as he
ran back to the buffalo wallow.

Fire-cracker had gone to sleep, but awoke at
approach of his young master and seemed anx—
ious to be moving; but Brad soothed him, and
lylin g flat down upon the prairie, through
t 6 tall grass on the edge of the ufl‘alo wallow
at the point where he expected the horseman to
ap mar.

0 had not very long to wait ere the rider
came in si ht.

“ It is a ed Owl!” cried Brad, as he saw the
red feathers and owl’s h .

“And he is leading a horse,” he added, as he
got his rifle ready to fire.

Nearer and nearer came the horseman, and
then he came to a halt, closely examining the
trail he was following.

Nearer and nearer, until suddenly from out
the buffalo wallow, shrill and clear, came the
words that end the foregoing chapter.

In an instant thite Beaver recognized the
boyish voice, and he threw his hands above his
head, while he said, in his pleasant way:

“My hands are up, my boy; but I’m not a
Red Owl, as you suppose, only masquerading as
one.

“Come out and let us get better acguainted,
for on caught me fairly of! my guard.

“ be are you i” cautiously asked the boy,
still keeping his position, and his rifle at a level.

“ I am one whom you met on the prairie last
ni ht, when with your father, and am the friend
of ild Bill.”

Brad was cautious, and extremely so for a

ho .
. fie did not wish to be entrapped, or to fall
into the hands of the Red Owls.

Here was a man before him, who certainly
wore the mask of a Red Owl Ran er.

So he determined to “ go slow,’ and said:

“What was that firing back on the prairie
awhile ago?”

“ I shot a Red Owl, who would not surrender,
and this is his horse.’

“ Let me see your face, lease!” and the re-
quest was more of a deman , for Brad still kept
his rifle leveled.

“ Certainly, my boy,” and White Beaver took
of! the red head of the owl, and glanced at the
youngster with a smile.

“ I know you now, for my father and I spoke
of your handsome face, and of your soft-toned
voice after we left on,” and White Beaver
smiled at the innocen compliment of the boy,
while he said:

“Well, In boy, I am glad to have met you,
and I must ll you I was on your trail, for you

sed near me an hour ago, and I would heave
iled you then, only I had can ht sight of the
Red Owl on your track, and w' ed to ambush

him.

“Now, let us have a talk together, and you
must tell me all you know about this capturing
of your cousin, and then I may take you into
confidence, and together we must save the
youn lady and hang her kidnapper.”

“ 0 , sir if you onl would.’

“ What, hang the k dnapper?”

“Yes, sir, and save cousin Belle, too, for I
know she is so wretched, and I don’t wonder,
for she has such a splendid sweetheart in Texas
who is captain of t 6 Ban rs there, and It will
break his heart if she is creed to marry that
rascal Kent Kennard.”

“Well, she shall not, if the Dead Shot Nine
can help it. ”

“ Who are the Dead Shot Nine, sir?”

“You shall soon know; but you must keep

the secret.

“Now to follow the trail left b your cousin
and her captor, whoever he may ,” and in a
few moments more the two set off on the trail
across the pm 0 left by the horses of Belle
Bradford and man who held her captive.

CHAPTER XV.
wanna ran ruins muse. '
Warm White Beaver and [the boy started
upon the mile! Belle Bradford the scout was
anxious to discover if the tracks led them to
the home of Kent Kennard

 

 

 

 

He knew that the boy was well acquainted
with the ranch of the daring lover of his cousin,
and could give him much information that
would be valuable to the party in carrying out
their plans.

The Dead Shot Nine had arrived upon the
scene of action, to find the maiden gone, and it
was their intention to find her and punish her
abductors.

There was a great deal of mystery connected
with the affair, but this must all be cleared up.

The terrible band of Red Owls had been met
faceto face, and most ignominiously they had
fled without firing a shot, though doubling the
scouts in number.

What it meant the Surgeon Scout could not
understand; but he felt that‘before Wild Bill
gave up the trail he would solve all mystery and
punish the guilty.

As he rode along with Brad Buckner, he
gleaned from the talkative hey all the informa-
tion he could regarding the country, the settlers,
the town of Prairie City, and about Kent Ken-

nard.

Brad told all he knew, so that White Beaver
was pretty well posted when they came in sight
of a distant ranch.

“ That is the home of Kent Kennard, sir,”
said Brad.

“ Yes, and the trails seem to lead just there.”

“ Yes, sir, for Kent Kennard, and no one else.
kidnapped my cousin Belle,” firmly responded
the boy.

White Beaver gazed with some interest upon
the ranch they were approachin .

It was located upon the ban s of a stream.
lightly fringed with timber, and upon a rise that
ap roached almost the prominence of a hill.

tended in an abrupt bank, some thirty feet
high, on the stream, and sloped off gradually to—
ward the prairle.

There were hundreds of cattle seen about on
the prairie, with a cowboy here and there watch~
ing them, and a broad trail led to the stream,
where there was a watering—place and ford.

About the ranch buildings there was a
stockade wall some eight feet in hight, with but
one gateway, and inclosin a space of ten acres,
one end of which was used as stock-pens, where
cattle could be driven in case of danger, and the
other for the cabins and outhouses, which were
surrounded by Well kept vegetable gardens.

There was one lar e cabin, with six rooms,
facing the stream, an it was strongly built and
comfortable.

Then there were smaller cabins further away,
for the men, a smokehouse, storehouse and a
large stable for horses constantly in use.

‘ He has a snug home there, and as stron _ as
a fort ” said White Beaver who was watc _g
the p ace, as he approached it, through his
fleld- lass.

He ad taken off his owl’s mask, and resumed
his slouch hat, so that he had the appearanco of
a lainsman.

‘Will you go on to the ranch, sir?” asked
Brad. ,
“ Yes, near enou h to see if this trail goes di-

rectly to the (gs. , or I know the track now of
the horse rid on by your cousin, and can tell it
anywhere.”

Sup . Kent Kennard is there, sir?”

“ Wel , I will simply tell him I am following
Miss Bradford’s trail, to his house, and ask if she
is there.”

“ He will so. no.” .

“Then itw llremaintoseeifhecanproveit,
for I shall return to camp and make my discov-
eré known.” .

rad seemed pleased, for there was something
about this pleasant-spoken, handsome man the
gave him deuce.

So on to the ranch they went, assing neai
two cowboys who eyed them ' cantly, but
said nothing. _

The trail ed straight to the gate hnd then dis~
appeared, and Brad said exultingly.

“ I told you so sir I”

“ Yes, this loo . bad.

“ Hello, within there!” called’out White Bea-
ver.
“ What’s wanted?” said a grufl voice from the
other side of the stockade and his voice cama
throu h a small hole in the wood, from which
be evidently seen the approach of the scout
and the b0 .

“ Is Cap ' Kennard in?”

U No ‘l’

“ Where is be?”

“In Prairie City.”

“ Has he any visitors at the ranch?” -, ,
H No. ” I
“ You are sure?” y

“ Yes, sart’in.”

:: I; there not a lady here?”
0.
“Alad was out ridinth night got lost
andthetrzilofherhorseleadshem.”, ’
“ She hain’t here.”

“Have you seen a lady come here!”
H No ’9

“Will you let us comein and await the return
°‘«  .. n ‘
no mas r.
“‘Welll,lolg.&ent l” _
" Nobody’s allowed in when he’s away.”

 
  

 

 

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“ That’s strange border hospitality.”

“ It’s safest.”

“ Well. we will have to call again.”

“ I don’t care.”

“When do yen expect him home?”

“ Don’t know.”

“ Come, Brad,” and White Beaver turned
away from the gate, the boy by his side.

Riding up to the two cowbo 5, who were
smoking their pipes under a tree, te Beaver
said:

“ Good—morning, gentlemen.”

They nodded without reply.

“ Can you tell me when Captain Kennard will
be at home '5”

H No.”

“ The gateman says he is away.”

No reply.

“ Have you seen a lady on horseback crossing
the plrairie since yesterday?”

0.

“ Hag? you seen any Red Owls about here?”

“ No.

“ Do you know Wild Bill?”

They started, and eyed the scout slowly,
while one said cautiously:

“ We has lieerd 0’ him.”

"He has not been seen about here to-day ?”

H No. )

“Gentlemen, I bid you good-day,” and White
Beaver bowed with mock politeness.

“ tho is you i” called out one of the cowboys.

“ Have you ever heard of \Vhite Beaver, the
Sur eon Scout?”

“ Ve has, and he’s a dandy to kill.”

“I am he,” and White Beaver rode on, while
one of the 'cowboys gave a long whistle of sur-

rise.

“ Well, Brad, we found out where the trail
led, and the manner in which Kent Kennard’s
men treat us convinces me that there is some-
thing wrong in his ranch.

“Now come with me to my camp; but you
will have to keep the secret.”

“I will, sir,” said Brad, delighted at feeling
himself growing into such importance as to
have a secret With, and be the companion of,
noted scouts of the plains.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
CHASING AN APPARITION.

IT was late in the afternoon when White Bea-
ver rode into the creek timber, where the Dead
Shots were encamped, Brad accompanying him,
and the outlaw’s horse follong behind.

Wild Bill had allowed all to have an easy,
restful day of it, for he had much confidence
that Wh.te Beaver would bring back good
news, so that even the sentinels had taken a

good sleep.

The result was that all felt refreshed. and had
just gotten off their blankets when White Bea-
ver was reported coming across the prairie, and
not alone.

Some‘of the men began to get a dinner and
sup r oomb' ed, others led the horses to water,
an Wild Bi 1, Night Hawk and Frank North
awaited the coming of White Beaver.

“ B J ove, but the boy is with him that I met
last ni ht, and he’s clean grit tooth and nail,”
said ild Bill, recognizing little Brad, as they
drew nearer. r .

“ It is strange that he should bring the boy
to camp.” remarked Frank North. .

“ Oh, he’s ot good reasons for it, you may be
sure; but he as a led horse, too.”

“ That’s so,” put in Night Hawk George. and
the interest in the coming of the Surgeon Scout
increased, until, by the time he rode into camp,
all the men were there to receive him.

“ Well, Beaver, we are glad to see you,” call-
ed out Wild Bill.

“ Thank you, Bill, and I have brou ht a
friend whom you’ll remember Mr. Brad uck-
ner, ntlemen, the pluckiest yof his inches
on t e plains,’ and at the introduction Brad
doflfed his slouched hat politely and sprung to
the ground, while the Dead Shots not to be out-
done in hteness. returned the c y.

“ Bill, I have not had a useless ride of it, I
assure vou, since I left cam this morning, as
you will see when [have to] you my story.”

. “ No, Beaver. it isn’t your style to make use-
less trips. and I’ll wager We will know just what
to do now. ”

“ Thank you; but yon shall hear all that I
have to say, and then decide.

“I struck for the spot where Miss Bradford
was captured. and follomng her trail, took
cover w en I saw some one 

“ At the same glance I thought saw a second
horseman, and so concluded to go slow.

“ This young man my hiding-place,

and I saw that he was following his cousin’s

trail; but I let him pass on, and waited.

“I had begun to think what I had seen fol-
lowing him was a stray buffalo, when into view
came a horseman.

“a; looked liulie a but I determint

on so van in my hiding-p ,
grid he called out not to shoot, for he was my

pardand Ben. I.
“Then heyiaskcdwbo Iwananduponmy-ro-

 

plying Black Frank he said my hands were
w its, so I could not be the man claimed, and
he 0 ned fire.

“ e meant well, for his bullet shattered my
revolver and numbed my hand for a few min-
utes, and by the time I got my left on my other
pistol his second shot cut off some feathers on
my owl’s head.”

‘Then his tar et practice ceased,” signifi-
cantl said Frank orth.

“ es, for I shot him, and I saw that he was
also a Red Owl.

“ I buried him decently, and borrowing
his horse, weapons and head-dress, set out on
the trail of Brad, here, and he was layin for
me, fiaught me napping, and made me ban 5 up

uic .

q “ I convinced him that I was not an Owl, and
we went together 'on the trail of Miss Bradford,
tracking it directly to the gate in the stockade
surrounding the ranch of Kent Kennard.”

. “ Then you were right, my boy and I wish I
had pushed matters against that man last
night; but his testimony seemed so complete, as
to his having been in the Overland Palace
saloon all the afternoon and evening, that I had
to ive him the benefit of a doubt.”

‘ Yes, sir' it did seem as thou h I was mis-
taken: but I know Kent Kennar well, and he
find 510 one else took my cousin away,” remarked

ra .

“ “'ell, we will get at the truth of it all, my
boy, and if he is guilty, woe be unto him.”

‘hen turning to White Beaver Wild Bill con-
tinued:

“ lVe must look to our laurels, Beaver, or
you’ll get away with the whole nest of Owls be-
fore we have a chance at them.”

“ Accident has helped me, Bill; but I learned
much from my young friend here, and, as I
feel sure he can eep a secret, I asked him to
come by camp with me, that you mi ht make
what inquiries of him on wished and t on have
him return home and save all in our hands.”

“ I would like to go with you, sir,” said Brad.

“ No, my son, you cannot do that; but we lVe
you our word to find your cousin. be she end
or alive, and more, to punish those who carried
her off.

“ Now have some dinner with us, and after a
rest start home, for it will be night ere you get
there.”

“ I don’t mind that, sir, for I know the prai-
ries well ”

“ Had some of us not better go with him, Cap.
tain Bill?” asked Night Hawk.

“Oh, no, sir; please don‘t do that, or you’ll
make me believe you think I am afraid,” urged
Brad, in terror at such a thought crossing the
minds of his scout comrades.

All lau hed at his earnestne and then sat
down to dinner, which was heartil enjoyed, af-
ter which Brad bade the Dead S ots good-by
and rode away on the trail to his home, while
thite Beaver sought a few hours’ sleep that he
felt he needed, leavin his com ionsto clean
up their weapons, ru down t eir horses and
get ready for the night’s work, for Wild Bill
had said:

“ I’ards, we will take the trail to-night to
Kent Kennard’s ranch."

Upon leaving the camp of the scouts Brad
Buc ner felt years older than he had in the
morning.

There were men among the Nine Dead Shots
who had been his ideal heroes since he could first
read of their exploits and he not only had mu
them, but eaten in their camp, and his ad e
had been asked regardin many questions, for
they had soon seen that e knew the country
remarkably well and was far beyond his years
in information and pluck.

Leaving the recovery of his cousin in such
hands, he felt content, and rode on his way with
every hope that he would see her before long,
safe and well. .

He had pushed Fire-cracker pretty well during
the day. and so let him go at a slow pace home-
ward, for he was not anxious to arrive early, as
he did not expect his father and aunt would be
alarmed about him.

The sun set while he was et miles away, and
as he drew near the spot w ere his cousin
been taken from him, and which he had to pass
on his way to the ranch, the moon appeared
above the prairie horizon.

The sky was as clear as crystal, the stars
shining with radiant luster, no mist was in the
air, and all about him was visible with remark-
able distinctness.

Suddenly be halted, and an exclamation es-

cafied his lips.
e was on a rise of the prairie, and. straight
before him, just soaring above the horizon, the
moon looked likes h ball of fire.

But that was not w at surprissd him, for he
had watched its coming up and en oyed it.

That which brought him to a su den halt, and
forced from his lips a cry, was at seeing, hoto-
graphed, as it wore, upon the moon’s (gee, a
horse and rider.

A mornent he glanced at it, and then a glad
cry came from his 1i
ed forwardas he to] t e spurs suddenly driven

intohls flanks,andwhich caused him tostart
withanger. , g ,

 

.;‘.1'\";
.. .,

The Dead Shot Nine.

and Fire-cracker bmnd-'

 

No, there could be no mistake, for that horse
be well knew.

It was Rocket.

And more. the rider he knew still better.

I t was Belle Bradford.

Like the very wind he sent Fire—cracker flying
over the prairie, directly toward the rising moon.

The horse and rider could not be very far
away, and they had seemed motionless.

The moon had risen up from the prairie hori-
zon but there, in the ray of light, still remained
Bel e Bradford, seated upon ocket.

The maiden seemed to be awaiting his a
proach, though without the moon for a bac —
ground he could not tell.

Nearer and nearer he drew, now dashing
down a slope, and then ascending the rise upon‘
which she stood.

Fire-cracker stumbled, and it took the gaze of
the boy momentarily off of the maiden.

“'hen he had gathered 115) his reins and again
looked, she had disa re .

“ Oh! she thinks am some enemy and ,has
run,” cried the boy, and again did his mustang
feel the digging spurs.

Up to the summit of the rise he went, and then
he g anced over the prairie.

Where she had been was the spot where she
had been on tured.

N ow she ad gone, but some distance away
was the horse and rider at a standstill.

“ Cousin Belle! cousin Belle!” he cried in a
voice that rung over the prairie.

Back to his ears came mocking laughter that
fairly startled the brave boy.

“ ousin Belle! cousin Belle! don’t run from
me, for I am Brad. v

“ Please wait for me!” and he shrieked the
words almost, as with another mocking laugh
that grated harshly upon his ears, the horse
wheeled and dashed swiftly away across is
prairie. ,

Amazed and frightened Brad pursued, cruelly
using his spurs; but he saw that Rocket '
rapi ly, heard the mocking laughter,and held
a white handkerchief in the moonlight, waving
to him a farewell. '

“ Oh, Lordyi cousin Belle is dead, and that
must be her ghost,” groaned the r boy, and
that moment Fire-cracker went own heavily,
pinning his young rider beneath him.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
A srmxen PURSUIT.

REFRESHED by several hours’ sleep, and a
hearty meal, the Surgeon Scout was as ready
for the saddle as were his comrades; in fact his
iron frame was capable of undergoing more
fatigue than is generally allowed to the lot of
man.

It was just twilight when the Dead Shots
moved out of the ravine.

It having fallen to the lot of Dashing Dan to
serve as “ stock-tender ” and “ train-master,” he
led the two horses which White Beaver had cap-
tured from the outlaws, and which the scouts
were glad to have alon .

He was also to hold t e horses of the others, if
they found it necessary to e a move on
f t

00 .

They had not gone very far before the moon
rose over the prairie and Wild Bill remarked:

“I think I should prefer darkness to-night
rather than moonlight." ,

“ It would be better for approaching the
ranch,” returned White Beaver, who rode y his
side.
“ We’ve got to take things as the come; blow
hot, or blow cold, daylight or dar ss, it’s all
the same to me,” remarked Texas Jack, in his
light-hearted way.

‘lVe go straight to the spot where the girl
was captured, and then follow the trail, which
you know, Beaver,” Wild Bill said, as they held
on in that direction.

“ Yes, for that trailleadsus to the gate ofthe
ranch, which we wish to go to first,” responded
the Surgeon Scout, and the Bart rode on in si—
lence, two by two Das an ringingu the
rear with the led arses, w 'ch seemed to ve
been well trained to follow.

Arriving near the t, as if one man held the
rein of eve horse, t e nine men hal .

There, ful in the moonlight, was a horse and
rider, in n the trail, where Brad had said that
Kent rd had on mired his cousin Belle.

“ It is the girl, by that’s holy i" cried Wild
Bill. in su pressed tones.

“Yes, t is the girl, and she seems to be
watching us, as thou h not knowing whetherto
run or not,” answer-cg White Beaver.

“ Suppose you hail her, Bill, as it t
frighten her to ride toward her,"

Night Hawk Geo ’

‘ You are righEO‘George, I will,” answered
Wild Bill, and raising his voice, he called out:

“ Ho, lady, we are your friends, not foes!” ,

No response came. h the horse seem

tomoveuneasilgm -

“ / l”saidFrankNorth. ' ' ‘
“ radford! we are your Honda’s.»

pestcdmll. r “J '

Stillnoresponse. -— 
“Bay, Bromho‘w are a Wolfh- .

1| ‘
1.. t y..‘

     

  

   
  

d

 

 

 
 

' ‘2

The "Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

 

 on can get her to talk to you,” said Wild

. 1 ill.
' “Yes; if she’ll wait for any one, she will for
l Billy Blue Eyes,” Bravo Buck remarked.

I “' He’s afther bein’ sich a delutherin’ cuss
among the leddies,” Texas Jack said with a rich
Irish brbgue.

E, And the scouts laughed, while Broncho Billy,

" who was also known as Blue-Eyed Billy, re-

turned: < .

“ I’ll try her, but odds on it that she runs
away.”

And he rode slowly forward.

The maiden had her eye upon him as he ap-
proached ; that seemed evident.

1- But she did not move. and seemed to be urging

‘ her horse to remain quiet.
fitg‘ “ Blue Eyes is charming her,” whispered Dan—
 ; dy Dick.

’ ' "‘ He’s the boy to do it,” responded Bravo

Buck.

i I; “ Be orra, no! he’s skeert her entoirly,”cried

fl ’ Texas ack, as the maiden was seen to suddenly

é wheel her horse, and, with a ringing laugh,

dart away.

Broncho Billy halted and looked back to Wild ,

,. Bill for orders.

 Instantly the scouts s urred forward, and

 coming up with Broncho illy, Wild Bill said:

i ' ' " “She has gone, pard.”

 . “Likea flash; but I got near enough to see

a; ,_ tint,“ was the girl the boy described as his cou-
' - s n. . . i n

‘  “ ,I never doubted that; for who else could it

i’ . '

“ That’s so; but she‘s halted.”

V It was true; the maiden had come to a halt

‘ after riding a short distance.

- “Try her again, Will,” said “’hite Beaver.

' ‘- _ ‘l “ Yes, go alone, for she certainly will run if

‘ We all move toward her.”
' So Broncho Billy moved off once more and di-
rectly toward the maiden, who had again. halt-

; ed on a rise of the prairie and stood facing

. them. .

 “What a wild laugh she gave,”’said Night
' Hawk Geor e. . ‘

“ I noticed it,” responded his brother, White
ver. .
“There was nothing for her to laugh at,”

Frank North rejoined.

, “ Boys, I don’t half like this; but seel‘ Billy is '
very mar her once more.”

And Wild Bill leveled his field-glass.

“ Hark! he is speakin r to her,” cried Beaver,
v and all heard Broncho illry’s voice.

' But again came the mocking laughter, and
once more the maiden bounded away.
i, The horse of Broncho Billy sprung forward a
' few lengths, as though his rider Were urged
 to follow her, but then he was checked, and
stood awaiting the coming of the scouts,
 As they. reached Broncho Billy the maiden
was seen to a ain draw rein andface them.
- “.Well, Bi y, she won’t be charmed?” said
Wild Bill. ’
, i “No, and I tried my most dulc‘et tones upon
“her, telling! her I was the friend'ofthe father-
- less, andno enemy, or words to that effect, and
 she gave that laugh, which I don’t like, and
-'*‘.-went off like mad.”
' f‘Wonder if the girl hasn’t been killed, and

that isn’t her ghost? said Dashing Dan from..the

. i “Nonsense, Dan, you’ve been su rstitious
ever since on attended that Iris ‘ soldier’s'

     
    
   
  
  
  
    
  
 
  
    
    
    
    
  
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
     
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
 
 
   

5" ' up andrnn the gang out of the camp,”Texas
’ ,rJack replied;
" I’ll admit be scared me, and that girl does,
: E0, with that strange conduct," rejoined Dash-

FBI: 1 ' > '
. ' t, . ‘Buzlfl

* , 2' 9 Well, Beaver?”
fer do not-half like‘thst girl’s lau h, for to.

may ears, as a. physician, it has a mad ng.”

iYes, Beaver.” ‘ '
, i. “. Let me go forward alone, Wild Bill, and see
“it”?! canget near her; but if not, and she runs
, ' in will pursue and come up‘ with, her, for

coral-ill can catch her. ,
on t nkltri ht Beaver?”

    
   
  

, Do
“W9 , I look at it n this way. ‘
, {The girlmay have hadenough trouble since
 he: to turn her mind, and having escap-

ed, as she seemsto have done, she does not know
tho‘way home. ' , ‘
- 'Ff‘Now, it will not do for her to run about.
' ' ,andinushortchsselthinklcan

mertake’lier, and then, if she is brain ill, I can

4‘,”  adore right Beaver.” , '
2w  thing is strange to me.”
x 9‘ Do yap, net observe that she isfollowing her
3 s

own , .
jg .flfiYon. rl ;she is oingalo thetrsil
" ' cs her,sn toward
,"She indeed. and if she does shewill he
“outshonaolwfll, and“ turoher.” ..

" ‘Domo, Beaver," d  .sndt Sur-
,_ t settled. 1! well in his sad 0 for

        
   
 
   

 

    
     
 
 
 
  

. ' wake, when e was drunk and not dead, and got, .

ranch.” -

CHAPTER XVIII.
A HOT CHASE.

UNTIL the Surgeon Scout had apprdached,
even nearer to her than she had allowed his
brother, Broncho Billy to come, the maiden re-
mained. -

So sure were the band of scouts that White
Beaver would be allowed to go up to her, that
Texas Jack said pleasantly:

“Broncho, the Doctor has cut you out this
time.”

Having gotten quite close to her, IVliite Bea-
ver drew rein, for he did not wish to startle her,
and he said in his pleasant voice:

“ Good-evening, Miss Bradford.

“ I hope you are convinced now that we are
your friends?” i

A wild, mocking laugh that grated most
harshly on the ears of a] who heard it, was the
only response and away bounded the horse,
bearing his rider swil‘tl onward.

But at once \Vhite eaver started in chase,
saying in a low tone to his horse:

‘Come, Mephisto, yonder animal is akin to
the wind in speed, but you must run alongside
of him. . '

“ genie, old fellow, comel for he is dropping

on. -.

At seeing White Beaver dart away in pursuit
of the maiden, Wild Bill called out:

“ Now, boys, we must keep as close as pos-
sible, for that is a fast horse the girl rides."

Away they went at a sweeping gallop, Dash-
ing Dan keeping well up with the led horses.
J“1She is gaining on the Doc,” cried Texas

ac .

‘,‘ She is for a fact,” Frank North added.

, “You are right, pards; the girl is leaving
him.” \Vild Bill said, somewhat anxious.

“What is the matter with hiephistof“ Ni ht
Hawk George asked, as be well know what is
brother’s black could do.

" Nothing is the matter with Mephisto,
George: it’s with the other horse, and he’s out-
footing Frank’s pride,” observed Broncho Billy.

“ We are riding very fast, pards, as you see,
and White Beaver is dropping us rapidly; but I
don’t wish to push our horses too hard unless
there is need of it; but you see that girl is
mounted on an animal that is faster than any
We have, as is seen when she drops the Doctor as
she does.” ' '

“ How’s your horses, Broncho?” asked Frank

orth.

“ Fast, but Mephisto leads any in the pack;
but Frank is holding his oWn now.”

“ Shoot out on Lightheels, Broncho. and see if
you can come _u with them,” said Wild Bill,
and Broncho Bil y’s horse darted away like an
arrow, as thongh understanding the order of
the scouts’ captain. _

Rapidly he gained for a while, and then, as
though observmg that a second horseman had
left the band of scouts, the maiden again urged
her horse to greater speed and once more be an I
to gain, while Broncho Bill soon saw that e-
ph'isto was also leavmg Lig theels, who was do!
ing his best. . i

‘ That girl is splendidly mounted; but then
she’s light weight. ’

“ Still, if her horse can stand that pace far

he is a marvel, and I’ll pay high for, him,” mut-
tered Broncho Billy. .
-v In the mean time it had been a very great
surprise to White Beever, when he called upon
Mefiisto to do his best, to see that Rocket—for
he ew the name, from Brad Buckner, of Miss
Bradford’s_horse—-wasleavin him.

“He cannot drive far at t t gait,” he said,
andso he did not urge Mephisto hard, behaving
ttlhat the mhiden would soon break her horse

own.

But as he saw that Rocket still held his speed,
and mass though not in the least distressed, he
began to change his opinion of his lacking bot-
tom, and so ur e'd Mephisto the harder.

Thus some d stance was gone over, the maiden
holding steadll to the trail which led to the
ranch of Kent ennard. ‘

On like the wind. flew the two horses and
Elan-in back over the moonlit mirie, White

ver held Broncho Billy cumin a few hun-
dred feet behind him, thou h be di not recog-
nize who he was, and be ind him the other‘
seven scouts riding in a oup and on a run.

“Some one is trying to elp me, thinking Me-
phisto is failin from some reason; but they do
not know the arse he is chasing. ' I

“Now come, old fellow, and catch that fleet-
footed. fellow ahead,” and the splendid horsem-
creased his 6.

But the rl did the same, and thus she kept
him at the game distance, though both were run-
ning aws. from Broncho Billy. _

“0n, epbisto, or that mad girl will reach
the ranch before on catch her. ‘ , i ' ,

“ On sirl”and teBeaver spoke stern] .

The 0 eat horse did still better, but Roe ct
held him where he was assoon as his rider saw
that her pursuer was slightly closing the p.

, ‘f Here, Meg , this won't do, and m at
trythe and for the first me in his to
thesp beast felt the s are lei-cs his flifiik.

  

    
  
     
 

   
 

      

  
 
 

 

  

. o

 A‘mortofr's and hire owed, and the
Swan"   in ,atthossme
a M-  «when

    
  
 
 

  

that the

A startled cr came from the girl at this, and
then was hear the swish of ,the keen lash fall—
'ing upon her horse, and he too snorted with
fright and anger, and ran the more speedily,
again holding the scout where he Was.

Angry at the speed developed by the maiden’s
horse, V liite Beaver now bent to the work of
overtaking him, and he spurred Mephisto hard,
and the animal seemed to slowly gain.

But so slowly was it that it was hardly per-
cc tible. ~

1‘ hen, too, came the sound of the whip falling
oln {hf other animal, and he once more gained
5 ig it .

“ This won’t do,” hissed “'hite Beaverthrough
his shut teeth, and he began to throw oif his
fatigue coat. .

Into this be wrapped his but and rifle, and
rolling them up in his scrape taken from behind
his saddle, he dropped them gently on the
prairie, leaning far down to do‘so.

“ There go a dozen pounds,” ho muttered.

Next followed his holster revolvers, belt of
arms, haversack, surgical case and roll of cloth—s
ing, with his oil—skins and‘blaiikets.

“ There g0 twenty-five pounds more.

“Now, Mephisto. you have thirty-seven
pounds less weight, so catch that horse 2” and the»
Surgeon Scout let the animal feel the full force
of the spurs.

Maddened and frightened. for his master had
never before so used him, the noble steed fairly
flew over the prairie, and the lighter Weight be;
gun to tell, for the scout saw that he was gain-
in , and well.

he maiden realized it, toe, and fast and furi-
ous rained her whip upon the back of her horse,
and he, too. once more began to gain, and the
speed of both was terrific. .

But this mad pace could not last very much
longer White Beaver soon saw, and as he glanc--
ed ahead, he said, grimly:

“.Nor will it have to, for yonder is the Ken—
nard ranch.”

The scouts were not visible now behind him,
and the maiden was still half a hundred yards
ahead, while the ranch was but the sixteenth
of a mile.

There were no cattle zing on the prairie
now, no cowboys were Visible, and at the ranch.
no light shone. ‘ c '

Seeing it, the maiden broke forth in another'
burst 0 wild laughter and soon after dashed.
up to the Stockade gate.

Hoping to capture her before she could enter,
‘Vhite Beaver was boldly followin ,,.when sud-
denly the gates swung open, an in through
ghem she rode, they closing quickly behind

er.

Expecting a shot, the scout wheeled quickly
about and rode back to meet his com' ions, his.
horse pantin under the long; har run.

Getting on of range, he alted, and began

 

spurred flanks with bunches of grass. .

lttloon up came Broncho Billy, and he called.
ou :
“ You didn’t catch her, Frank?” I

“No, though I threw off all the Weight 1‘
could.” - \ '

“ I picked 11 your rifle and thin , and felt:
sure you won (1 catch her when saw. hOW'
much in earnest you were. ' '

“ Here they are, and yonder come the boys.”

The scouts soon came 13), agg.Wild Bill said:

“ Well, Beaver, she ou oot you?”

“Yes, and has one into the stockade gate,
which was open for her.”

“ Then into the stockade we must go.”

“I have an Inn to get in by strateg , Bill.”

“ All righ , for it would be roug work to-
storm the place. so out with it, Beaver, and we’ll
back you, ‘said Wild Bill, with the air of one
who was aro to do an act of daring to re--
capture the. maiden from out Kennard.

CHAI’TBB- x1x.
WHITE’BEAVER’S STRATEGY.

Beaver stood in deep thought. ,
Then he said: » I
“ Me histo has had a hard run, so I'll leave‘
him wi b you, Dashin , and mount one of
the Red Owl horses, w lo I will also rig myself.
out as one of the band and ride up to the gate. .
“With the moon where it is, my face can be

so I’ll get there.
“ But tomake it more sure, I’ll ride back on*

der. and when you see me get a trifle past you
start as though in cheese! me. ’

the man there will recognise me as a. Red Owl‘
being pursued and let me in. and I’ll soon see,
to is open for you.” ,

“ Yes, aver; but-you take big chances.”

“ Not with the disguise.” ,.

“But you assume that Kennard’s ranch is.
real] the haunt of the Red Owls?"

“ rtainly; for he would not dare have kid-w
napped that girl unless he had the outlaw band
to rotect him. .

‘ We know that the are somewhere on thed

 

 and that they ave a. haunt
is innstbe theplace, for toward the

 

  
 

.‘  ff, _;’§,~5,,r   i . l ‘ :’V1_ :3 “‘2.” V

to caress the noble annual, while he rubbed his '

FOR a moment after Wild Bill spoke, White: _

seen and recognized by whoever is at’the gate,. "
the prairib, approach the ranch from over yon» _.

“ I’ll run at'full speed for the stockade, and‘.

.r

 

 

 

‘

\ .

   
   
   
    
  
 

 

     
 
 
 

_ _ _ :h‘fig 1* «uni—smaflsrmfia-3év.

 

 

 

an

:.~u== p

w.

“:2

 

 

 

, evil comrades.
“ Now, what do you ssyf”
The mappssrsd

The Dead Shetland.” ,

9

 

 

He was well-mounted, upon a jet-black horse
equipped with a Mexican saddle and bridle, an
be was dressed in buckskin, even to moccasins.

At the back of his saddle he carried a roll of
nec baggage, a. couple of scrapes, an oil-
skin blanket, leggins, and a rain-cap, or helmet
of the same material.

A pair of boots and a slouch hat, with a haver-
sack of provisions. hung at one Side of the sad-
dle, and a lariat, pistol-holster, and a small

hatchet were upon the other, showing that the ‘

indh‘idual was We‘ll fixed“ for camping, lighting
or disguising himself.

He was a large man, broadshouldered, and
carried a knife and revolvers in his belt.

But strangest of all was that his head and face
were wholly concealed from VleW, and by a most
unique covering, or mask. .

It was a helmet-shaped covering. of red feath-
ers, while the face resembled that of an owl, the
beakand eyes being perfect, and so fitted that
the wearer could both see distinctly and breathe
without diiliculty.

This odd head-dress fell to the shoulders, and
gave to the man a most startling and odd ap-

ance. and which had called forth the remark
of Wild Bill to White Beaver, that hehadcaught
a bird, and that it was a red owl.

“ Now, sir, you can dismount,” said White
Beaver, as be halted with his prisoner, and Dash-
ing Dan led their horses away, the Red Owl
havin quietly obeyed. \

“ W%io are you, pard?” asked Wild Bill, as he
led the man to the camp-fire.

But the prisoner made no reply.

“ Are you deaf, psrdl” asked Wild Bill.

Still no reply.

“ Are you dumb also?"

Yet no response.

“ He can talk, and he is not deaf,” said White

Beaver.

“ What did you find out from him!” asked
Wild Bill. -

“ I asked him no questions, but simply
brought him in,” was the reply. '

“I have heard it said, Frank, you were wo-
manly in your native, and you are the gentlest
man ever saw; but you are not womanly in
your curiosity," said Texas Jack.

“No, not to ride to camp with his )risoner
and ask him no questions,” remark ank
North. .

“ I did not care to so brought him to camp
for you to question, Bill ”

“ How did you capture him?”

“ Very sim ly: I rode after him until I saw
him halt,an then Msphisto and I lay down
saw what course ho was taking, headed him 0
and waited. \

“He mistook microns of his pards, who, I
now recall, all rods black horses, or dark ones,
for he called out:

“ ‘ Is that you, Frank?

“ Of course it was, and I answered in the af-
firmative, rode nearer, and he obeyed mgegijder
to hands up, so I know he is neither or
dumb."

“ Well, a bird that can sing and won’t sing
must be made to sing, so just take 03 his head-
gear, Dandy Dick.” .

The scout ste ped forward, carefully raised

he feather mas ,or helmet, and the face that

as revealed was ce as disagreeable a
one as had been the owl’s.

Red-beaded, the hair cutshort, with a‘cropped

dy board, bloated face, and small evil gray
3%, he looked like one who would be guilty of
any crime, and possessed no conscience to re-
proach him for it.

“The owl’s face was the handsomer of the
two,” said Texas Jack, with a light laugh.

But the man made no reply, only stared at his,L both took up their positions at a point of ob-

cap rs in a dogged kind of way.
‘ ow, my man, you must answer the ques-

tions I at to you " said Wild Bill.

“In t e first place," he continued, "are you
not one of the band known as the Red Owls ”
t. The man appeared not to have heard the ques-

ion.

“ You refuse to answer, do you!”

Silence alone gave assent. / '

“Now, pard, you have been taken with your
colors on, and therefore we know you to be one
of the Owls: but, as you are our firstcapture,

and we wish 0 make aquick endin of our work
in thiSpartof the country,Iam ' tomako
terms with you” , ,
Still the silence and the dogged stare. _ ,
“ Now, if I offer your s will you snswer'
my’questions truth y!" ' , ‘
. 0 response.

“ You seem determined not to reply, and on
mayzfesr that we will not put you to death ' ut
let me tell you that you are g on, for. I 
an omcial order from the. general commsn

' d
this district, to put all of the Red Owl ha'ndmtg
‘ death, as I  them, for you have all

been guilty of crimes, and not one of
you is there but deserves hanging.

.“But I mske an exception of you, to save
time, and accomplish in ends, and offer you
your life and your on, if you will tell me

I wouldknowsndsid us tomptureyour

iiksonewhodidnotthink

/ ’ '
l

f in, is Doctor Frank Powell, the \Vhite Beaver

,.....o

l he was the one addressed, and no response came
from his stormy-set thick lips.

‘V‘ Don’t thin that you ave fallen into the
hands of missionaries, who will try to redeem
you from your wicked ways for you have not,
as you may know when I tell you that we have
all been heard from on the border, and we have
seen blood flow, and are not afraid of death.

“ That gentleman, who so cleverly took you

Chief of the W‘ nebagoes, while this pleasant-
facod youth is exas Jack, and that tall man
you may recall when I tell you his name is Ma-
jor Frank North, or Fighting Frank, .also a
white chief of Indians, the Pawnees.

“ Then we have Ni ht Hawk George, Broncho
Billy, Dashing Dan,§)andy Dick, Bravo Buck,
and last, I am known as Wild Bill.

“ Now that you know usxyou may perhaps be
pleased to respond by intr ucing yourself.”

The man’s face had twitched nervbnsly at the
mention of the names; but he still preserved that
stolid silence. "

“ You refuse to accept my offer, and talk!"

No reply. v

“ White Beaver!”

“ Well, Bill?” I

“You captured this man, so what shall we do
with him?” i . .- .

“ He is in‘ your hands, Wild Bill.”

“You are sure he can talk?”

“ Yes, for he hailed me.” ’

“ Then I will lose no time with him, ashe is so
stubborn, but carry out the general’s orders.

“ Buck l” ,

“Yes, Bill." ' '

“ Take Dand Dick and Dashing Dan to aid
you, place this ellow fifteen pacesin you: front,
fire at the word and kill him. _

“ What canyon pards,,to the sentence?” and
Wild Bill g c over the faces of his com.

rades. 1 -

“It ,is just, for 610 Red Owls deserve no
mercy ” responded Frank North, and the others
not} God their approval. “in t

nce more, in man, you accep our
life on the termso cred?” ‘ ‘ y ' .

The captive did not show a sign that he heard
the nestion, and Wild Bill said im atiently:

“ ravo Buck, you have your o are, so carry
them out!”

Bravo Buck stepped forward and led the cap-
tive away a. few paces, placed him in position,
took his stand in front of him. with Dandy
Dick and Dashing Dan, mid Wild Bill called

'3 .

on : .

“ Speak quick, Bed Owl, for we are in deadly
earnest!”

Not a word came in response, and then fol-
lowed the command:

“ Fire!” '

The three revolvers flashed together, and the
man’s lips were forever stilled by instant death.
CHAPTER XIII.

m soanownn PLUXAGE. -

HAVING been so constantly on the go, of late
both men and horses needed a rest, and Wild
Bill determined to remain in Camp until late in
the afternoon when they could go to the spot
where Belle Bradford had been capturéd and
take u the trail there and see where it led.

Wit such a clear night of in
one just over, and it promised to be, e did not
have any fear of not beiu able to follow the

n i .

The dead outlaw had been buried, breakfast
had been cooked, and was partaken of with s
relish, and Texas Jack and Broucho Bill agreed
to stay on the watch while the others sgpt, and

starvation that commanded the ap roach to the
camp, and from such a. distance t at they felt,
sleeping as they did lightly as a watch-dog, they
too cou d rest. .

White Beaver, however, seemed to feel not the
sligihtest fatigue, and calling to Wild Bill, he
3,, .

i . .
“I think I shall turn Red Owl for awhile,
Bill.” a

“ How do you mean, Beaver!” 1

“ Well, this is'that fellow’ssuit, rig-out and
horse, and I might as 7011 start out to see what
I can discover in it.” '

“ You know best Beaver, and it’s not a bad
idea ” responded Wild Bill, adding: .

“ But 0 slow, rd." . l

“I ;-uow ow do I lookr’andWhite
Beaver drew on the owl’s head mask.

“ The Owlswould never know Klou as a sis-an, go
bird, Beaver,” laughed Wild B as he threw
himselfth . torestuponhisb et.

Put 0 the buckskin suit of dead out
law, an mounting his horse as , White
Beaver rode out of the camp. I '

which. here

Les'vin ‘the timber of the creek
made a d almostin the opposite direction,
White Beaver struck out over the prairie, fol-
lowing his own trail of the h ht before.

Strai htte thwat where had been come
u on 9 night ore by HadorgBucknersnd

he went, and t discerned the trails
that , and the one  of! toward
the westward

 

htasthe"

trail, once they had struck t, and he knew thitt w
all ceded 'est

“I’ll see just where this trail goes,” said
White Beaver, and he cast his eyes about him,
when be discerned a horseman coming slow]
over the _ rairie, his head bent down, as though
he was f0 lowmg a trail.

To dismount and lead his horse away to a
water-wash, some hundred yards away, was the
work of a few moments.

But the gully was not deep enough to hide
the horse and scout, and the persuasions of the
latter were not sufficient to force the former to
lie down.

' "Down you must go, horse,” said White
Beaver, and uickiy he threw the lariat about
til? animal’s egs, and threw him flat on his

81 e.

Then he lay down upon him, and was just _
hidden from t 6 view of any one ridin near. '

“ it struck me that I caught a g impse of
?me one in the rear of the first horseman: but

had not time to take a second look, so must go
slow, as Wild Bill says,” he muttered.

Arranging some ass, which he cut of! with
his bowie-knife, in rent of him, so as to hide .
his head, he peered through it out upon the spot ...
where had occurred the mysterious capture of o '
Belle Bradford by one who had proven himself .
to be miles away at the time.

Soon the rider’s head came in sight, and he
halted upon the scene of the kidna ping. '

‘.‘ It is that boy 'I saw last- nig t, and whom
Wild Bill says so pluckily accused the ranchero
of beiiieglthe captor of his cousin. ‘w

“ , he’s a pluckiyl' one and he seems to be
alone and tryin to to ow the trail himself; but
I shall wait an see.” ~ 4,

So saying, White Beaver waited for awhile, ‘ ,4}
and then said: ' '

“ There he goesl of! on the trail of the maiden
and her ca turer whoever he was.

“I will oliow" as soon as! am surethat
he is not followed by some one else, for I cannot
get it out of my head that I caught sight of some ‘
one else,” ‘

So he waited patiently for uite awhile, and ,1",

4"-::\‘-j' " .' ‘

was about to get u from ' hidin hoe,‘ 
thinkin that what be ad seen must busybeen Q;

a bud 0, when suddenly a horseman rode into  ("5‘1

view.

He was dressed in buckskin, wore a slouch -,
hat, rode a black horse, and waswell armed, f , 1“
while his face was by no means a prepossessing I  

one. , ' L.
“ hat fellow is trailing the certain, so v v
I’ll llahalton him,” and  verstepz " " "
ped up. from his hiding- lace, his revolver _ . ‘-
ready in had and advan rapidly toward the , - :~_ 4,
er. r I ‘
He was not seen until within good range" as
.the man was attentively ' g the nuniesb
ous trails that branched 08 mm that point.

 
 
  
   
    
   
 
   
  
  
     
   
  
   
    
   
  
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

, His horse ’ suddenly revealed the

scent, and the man’ w his revolver quickly,

unheedin the ringing command: . ' ,
“ Hand: up, pard l’

' But he now'saw that the one advancing upon
him wore the Red Owl mask, and he lowered
hisweaponandcalledout: ‘ -’ 1,,

“-- that you don’t how I7: "'

 

Who are you, pard,
your'Red Owl comrade Brand Ben?
“Ho, Ben, is 152:1; you:n
,speaksooner or soon in eesblinded
me," and White Beaverwalksdstzaigyhtuptofiio .,
horseman, apparently t g to ‘uneock his 
,volver, assnexcuse for eepi‘ix‘i’tinhand. V _
“Will, I don’t git outer yes is,  ’3 '
‘thou h yer colors is all right.
“ ho layer-Wand thehorseman

' iciously at the scoutas he ra idl aggravated. 1
-p “ Black Frank,” answered its ver ro- ‘~5 '
memberinghthe name the Red Owl had 
out theuig tbefore. . . .1

The resultwss uneflected toWhiia have,
torthe mandropped handlikeliglm on '
hisrevolver, while he called out: I . 
“BlackFrankhain‘tgot \ .
thwmuithligwggi it of  hand 

e. , p 0 V

betas-she could Mwhflkigfiheshock llfi
sum total] layhis shiatsu: .
yhisleft hand fell upon

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vol eru hislefth'i andyetbefonbeoonld.
use it adv 'lfl'red a‘ second time, th‘
bullet this timecu the feathers from“
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not have withstood the temptation offered his
comrade and kept silent.”

Sosa ing, White Beaver carried the bed to
the gu y, released the bound horse and soon had
him buried with the aid of the hatchet which
he, too, carried at his saddle-horn, as the other

, outlaw had done.

Resuming his mask, he then mounted one
horse, and leading the other rode at a gallop
after the boy, who was now evidently a long
distance ahead of him.

“ Well, if we go on at this rate, the Red Owls
preferrin death to talking, and having to kill
others to eep from being illed and thus losing
the chance of a dying confession through wound-
ing them, we are in a fair wa to wipe out the
band and yet not find the gir if she is really
their captive, as Wild Bill says he is convinced
she is, her energetic lover, he thinks, being a
member, if not leader of the outlaws.” o
/ Thus thinking half aloud, White Beaver rode
on at a lope, the led horse following readily, until
suddenly and seemingly from out of the earth
came the startling words:

“ Hands up I or I’ll kill you 1”

CHAPTER XIV.
THE YOUNG TRAILER.

WHEN young Brad Buckner returned home,
with his father, their story was told to Mrs.
Bradford, who was in deep distress at the loss
of her daughter.

“It is some trick of that vile man, Richard,
for he alone is guilty,” she said to her brother,
after the major had told her how Kent Kennard
had roven an alibi.

“ ut that army ofllcer’s word could not be
doubted, sister.”

“ I would doubt every one but Brad.

“He was with Belle, and be well knew Kent
Kennard and he is not mistaken, let that man
prove as he will that he was not there.

“ I know him but too well, and that he swore
that Belle should never marry any one but him.

“ During the war he was nothing more than a

errilla, serving on both sides, as it pleased
fin, and there is nothing .that he will not do,
and I believe that he has intercepted the letters
from Captain Ralph lie nolds, who you know
in his last, brought by t at army courier, said
he had written often, and had received no re-

ly.
p “ He said he had told Belle he would ap ar
suddenly, and make her his wife, as it was d
for him to get away.

“ Now
got these letters, in some way, and so deter-
mined to kidna Belle, fearing she would in the
end not marry im.”

“ But the power he holds in his secret over us,
sister, should have convmced him that Belle
dared not do otherwise,” ur ed the major.

“ But he is aware that lie does not know
this secret, and might disregard its value.”

“ That might be. ’

“ I tell you, Richard, Kent Kennard has ca
tured Belle, and no one else, and she is now hi -
den at his ranch, or somewhere else, and I think‘
you should take your cowboys and go there and
den'mnd that he give her up. ’

“And have him make known the secret, sis-
ter?” said the major, in a low tone.

_" Alas! I forget his power over us.

“ No, we must wait and sufler.”

This much did Brad Buckner hear, as he lay
in his little room near where the major and Mrs.
Bradford were talking, and he made up his
mind that he would go the next day to the
ranch of Kent Kennard and demand that he
give up his dearly-loved cousin. ‘

“ He won’t dare kill me a boy, and et I can
kill him,” was the the ht in his in nd as he
6 ped of! to sleep, lea ng his father and aunt
stil talking together in the sitting-room.

After breakfast the next morning he looked
to his weapons most carefully, mounted his best
mustang and saying that he was going off on a
hunt, rode away from the rane , leavin his
father and aunt still asleep, for they not

 

1 x retired until dawn.

Straight to the spot where the kidnappin
had occurred he rode, and after examining we
the dinerent trails. decided upon which was the
one he wished to follow.

“That track is made by Rocket’s hoof, I

know, and nobody can fool me on that.” he mut-

.w, referring to the horse ridden by his cou-

He little dreamed that the eyes of White Bea-
ver were then upon him, or that his trail had
been creased some distance back and followed
' the man calling himself Brandy Ben.

“ Come, her, we must bein a hurry,

5 for, we are on Rocket’s trail, and I think we can
follow it to the end,” he said, addressing his

little mustan , that started off at a
swinging walk, seeming y following the trail of

. his equine comrade by instinct. '

The boyhad gone but half a mile when he
heard the crack of a revolver, followed by a
second and third report in quick succession.

The prairie was very undulating where he

 was, and he could not see very far around him,

n. a buffalo wallow not far

huthis eyesfell u
thishe rode,the trail going

away, and town.

I am convinced that Kent Kennard I

Arriving there, he beheld the horns of a buf-
falo, and around it the grass had grown to a
considerable hight, so that the boy saw a safe
hidin - lace, or at least a place of defense
shoul he be pursued by an enemy.

To ride into the wallow and make the pony
lie down was but short work, and then he went
on foot to the highest rise near him and looked
around the prairie.

No one was in sight, and no more pistol-shots
had he heard. ,

He knew that Indians or Red Owls were like-
ly to be about, and he was aware that his life
was in danger; but he was a fearless young
fellow, and nerved himself to meet the worst.

After waiting a considerable time he conclud-
ed to go back to his pony and resume his trail-
ing when, boylike, he leaped up into the air to
get a better look before oing.

As he did so his eyes ell upon the head and
shoulders of a horseman coming over the prai-
rie.

Again he sprung several feet into the air, and
distinctly saw the coming horseman.

“ He‘s following my trail, too,” he said, as he
ran back to the buffalo wallow.

Fire-cracker had gone to sleep, but awoke at
approach of his young master and seemed anx-
ious to be moving; but Brad soothed him, and
lying flat down upon the prairie, gazed through
the tall grass on the edge of the buffalo wallow
at the point where he expected the horseman to
ap )ear.

e had not very long to wait ere the rider
came in si ht.

“ It is a ed Owl!” cried Brad, as he saw the
red feathers and owl’s head.

“ And he is leading a horse,” he added, as he
got his rifle ready to fire.

Nearer and nearer came the horseman, and
then he came to a halt, closely examining the
trail he was following.

Nearer and nearer, until suddenly from out
the buffalo wallow, shrill and clear, came the
words that end the foregoing chapter. '

In an instant thite Beaver recognized the
boyish voice, and he threw his hands above his
head. while he said, in his pleasant wa :

“ My hands are up, my boy; but ’m not a
Red Owl, as you suppose, only masquerading as
one.

“ Come out and let us get better acquainted,
for on caught me fairly off my guard.

“ ho are you ?” cautiously asked the boy,
still keeping his podtion, and his rifle at a level.

“ I am one whom you met on the prairie last
night, when with your father, and am the friend
of Wild Bill.”

Brad was cautious, and extremely so for 9.

b0 .

He did not wish to be entrapped, or to fall
into the hands of the Red Owls.

Here was a man before him, who certainly
wore the mask of a Red Owl Ran er.

So he determined to “ go slow,’ and said:

“What was that firing back on the prairie
awhile ago?”

“ I shot a Red Owl, who would not surrender,
and this is his horse.’

“ Let me see your face, lease!” and the re-
quest was more of a deman , for Brad still kept
his rifle leveled.

“ Certainly, my boy,” and White Beaver took
of! the red head of the owl, and glanced at the
youngster with a smile.

“ I know you now, for my father and I spoke
of your handsome face, and of your soft-toned
voice after we left you,” and White. Beaver
smiled at the innocent compliment of‘ the boy,
while he said:

“Well, in boy, I am glad to have met you,
and I must 11 you I was on your trail, for you,
mined near me an hour ago, and I would have

iled you then, only I had can ht sight of the
 Owl on your track, and ed to ambush

“Now, let us have a talk together, and you
must tell me all you know about this capturing
of your cousin, and then I may take you into
confidence, and together we must save the
youn lady and hang her kidnapper.”

“ 5), sir if you onl would.’

“What, hang the k dnapperl”

“Yes, sir, and save cousin Belle, too, for I
know she is so wretched, and I don’t wonder,
for she has such a s lendid sweetheart hi Texas
who is capraiupf t e Ran is there, and it will
break his heart if she is orced to marry that
rascal Kent Kennard.”

“Well, she shall not, if the Dead Shot Nine
can help it.”

“ Who are the Dead Shot Nine, sir?” .

“You shall soon know; but you must keep
the secret. _

“ Now to follow the trail left bgeyour cousin
and her captor, whoever he may ;” and in a
few moments more the two set elf on the trail
across the prairie left by the horses of Belle
Bndford and the man who held her captive.

‘ CHAPTER XV.
wanna run TRAILS ENDED.
WEIR White Beaver and the boy started
upon the trail of Belle Bradford, the scout was
anxious to discover if the tracks led them to

 

» , «close to theside of it. -

 

 

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‘thehomedf KentKemiam. \

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He knew that the boy was well acquainted
with the ranch of the daring lover of his cousin,
and could give him much information that
would be valuable to the party in carrying out
their plans.

The Dead Shot Nine had arrived upon the
scene of action, to find the maiden gone, and it
was their intention to find her and punish her
abductors.

There was a great deal of mystery connected
with the affair but this must all be cleared up.

The terrible band of Red Owls had been- met
faceto face, and most ignominiously they had
fled without firing a shot, though doubling the
scouts in number. .

What it meant the Surgeon Scout could not
understand; but he felt that before Wild Bill
gave up the trail he would solve all mystery and
punish the guilty.

As he rode along with Brad Buckner, he
gleaned from the talkative boy all the informa-
tion he could regarding the country, the settlers,
the town of Prairie City, and about Kent Ken-

nard.

Brad told all he knew, so that White Beaver
was pretty well posted when they came in sight
of a distant ranch.

“ That is the home of Kent Kennard, sir,”
said Brad.

“Yes, and the trails seem to lead just there.”

“ Yes, sir, for Kent Kennard, and no one else,
kgdlglopped my cousin Belle,” firmly responded
t

e y.

White Beaver gazed with some interest upon
the ranch they were approacbin .

It was located upon the ban 3 of a stream,
lightly fringed with timber, and upon a rise that
ap reached almost the rominence of a hill.

tended in an abrup bank, some thirty feet
high, on the stream, and sloped off gradually to-
ward the prairie.

There were hundreds of cattle seen about on
the prairie, with a cowboy here and there watch-
ing them, and a broad trail led to the stream,
where there was a watering-place and ford.

About the ranch buildings there was a
stockade wall some eight feet in hight, with but
one gateway and inclosin a space of ten acres,
one end of w ch was u as stock-pens, where
cattle could be driven in case of danger, and the
other for the cabins and outhouses, which were
surrounded by well kept vegetable gardens.

There was one lar e cabin, with six rooms
facing the stream, an it was strongly built and
comfortable.

Then there were smaller cabins further away,
for the men, a smokehouse, storehouse and a
large stable for horses constantly in use.

“ He has a snug home there, and as strong as
a fort,” said White Beaver, who was watching
the place, as he approached it, through his
field—glass.

He had taken off his owl’s mask, and resumed
his slouch hat, so that he had the appearance of
a ainsman.

B ‘gVill you go on to the ranch, sir?” asked

ra .

“ Yes, near enough to see if this trail goes di-

rectly to the gate, or I knew the track now of

the horse ridden by your cousin, and can tell it

anywhere.”
‘ Sup . Kent Kennard is there, sir?”

“ Wel . I will siizfily tell him I am following
Miss Bradford’s tr , to his house, and ask if she
is there.”

“ He will sa no.” ,

“ Then it Will remain to see if’he can prove it,
for I shall return to camp and make my discov-
ery known.”

Brad seemed pleased, for there was someth
about this pleasant-spoken, handsome man tha
gave him confidence.

So on to the ranch they went, passing neai
two cowboys who eyed them significantly, but
said nothing.

The trail ed straight to the te and then dis—
a red, and Brad said exultfii‘gly.

PM

“ I told ouso sir!”

“Yes, s looks bad.

“ Hello, within there i” called out White Bea-
ver.
“ What’s wanted?” said a gruff voice from the
other side of the stockade and his voice 9
throu h a small hole in the wood, from w ch
evidently seen the approach of the scout
and the b0 . ,

“ Is Cap Kennard in?”

H NoI H

“ Where is he!”

“ In Prai, rie City.”

“ Has he any visitors at the ranch!"

H No. 9’

“ You are sure!”

u Yes' main.”

1: I; tl’iere nota lady here!”

0.

“ A lady was out riding last night, get lost,
and the trail of her horse leads here.”

“ She hain’t here.”

:: IIiizmz’e youseen a lady come here!”

0.
“ Will you let,us eomein andawait the return

of your master? .r
‘ I hain’t t no master.” \
“ Well. 0 nt Kennard?” I

“ Nobody’s allowed in when he’s away.”

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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“ That’s strange border hospitality. ”

“ It’s safest.”

“ Well. we will have to call again.”

“ I don’t care. "

“When do you expect him home!”

“ Don’t know.”

“ Come, Brad,” and White Beaver turned
away from the gate, the boy by his side.

Riding up to the two cowbo 3 who were
smgking their pipes under a tree, to Beaver
sai :

“ Good-morning, gentlemen.”

They nodded without regly.

“ Can you tell me when aptain Kennard will
be at home i”

H No.”

“ The gateman says he is away.”

No rep y.

“ Have you seen a lady on horseback crossing
the gmi’rie since yesterday?”

0.

:: {lave you seen any Red Owls about here!”
No.

“ Do you know Wild Bill!”

They started, and eyed the scout slowly,
while one said cautiously:

“ I‘Ve has heerd 0’ him.”

:2 He has not been seen about here to-dayl”

i o.

“ Gentlemen, I bid you good-day,” and White
Beaver bOWed with mock politeness.

“ Who is you?” called out one of the cowboys.

“ Have you ever heard of White BeaVer, the
Surggon Scout!”

“ 9 has, and he’s a dandy to kill.”

“ I am he,” and White Beaver rode on, while
one of the cowboys gave a long whistle of sur-

rise.
p “ Well, Brad, we found out where the trail
led, and the manner in which Kent Kennard’s
men treatusconvinces me that there is some-
thing wrong in his ranch.

“Now come with me to my camp; but you
will have to keep the secret.”

“I will, sir,” said Brad, delighted at feeling
himself growing into such importance as to
have a secret thh, and be the companion of,
noted scouts of the plains.

__

CHAPTER XVI.
ammo an arranmom

h was late in the afternoon when White Bea-
ver rode into the creek timber, where the Dead
Shots were encamped, Brad accompanying him,
and the outlaw’s horse followmg behind.

'Wild Bill had aIIOWed all to have an easy,
restful day of it, for he had much confidence
that White Beaver would bring back good
news, so that even the sentinels had taken a.
good sleep.

The result was that all felt refreshed, and had
just gotten off their blankets when White Bea-
ver was reported coming across the prairie, and
not alone.

Some of the men began to get a dinner and
sup r combined. others led the horsesto water,
andeild Bill, Night Hawk and Frank North
awaited the coming of White Beaver.

“ By Jove, but t e boy is with him that I met
last night, and he’s clean grit tooth and nail,”
said Wild Bill, recognising little Brad, as they
drew nearer.

“ It is strange that he should bring the boy
to camp.” remarked Frank North.

“Oh, he’s ot good reasons for it, you may be
sure' but he s a led horse, too.” ,

“That's so,” at in Night Hawk George, and
the interest in t e coming of the 8 con Scout
increased, until, b the tune he rode nto camp,
all the men were t ere to receive him.

“ Well, Beaver, we are glad to see you,” call-
ed out Wild Bill.

“ Thank you, Bill, and I have brou ht a
friend whom you'll remember Mr. Brad uck-
nor, gentlemen the pluckiest boy of his inches
on the plains,” and at the introduction Brad
doi‘fed his slouched hat politely and sprung to
the ground, while the Dead Shots, not to be out-
done in pohtenem. returned the courtesy.

“ Bill, I have not had a useless ride of it, I
assure on, since I left cam this morning, as
you see when I have tol you my story.”

“ No, Beaver. it isn’t your style to make use-
less trips, and I’ll Wager we will know just what
to do now.” . r

“Thankyon; but youshall hear all that I
have to say, and then decide.

“I struck for the spot Where Miss Bradford
was ca tured, and following her trail, took
cover w en I saw some one comin .

“ At the same glance I thought saw a second
horseman, and so concluded to go slow.

“ This young man passed my hiding-place,
and I saw that he was followmg his cousin’s
trail; but I let him pass on, and waited.

“I had begun to think what I had seen fol-
lowing gin: was a stray buffalo, When into view
ca 8 a orseman.

‘IPHe looked like a scout, but I determined to
try him on so advanced from my hiding-pm,

and he called out not to Mt, for he was my

Brand Ben.
“Then ho’askedwho Itemanduponmyra-

plying Black Frank he said in hands were
w ite, so I could not be the man claimed, and
he 0 ned fire.

“ e meant well, for his bullet shattered my
revolver and numbed my hand for a few min-
utes, and by the time I got my left on my other
pistol his second shot cut off some feathers on
my owl’s head.”

‘ Then his tar et practice ceased,” signifi-
cantl said Frank orth.

“ cs, for I shot him, and I saw that he was
also a Red Owl.

“ I buried him decently and borrowing
his horse, weapons and head—dress, set out on
the trail of Brad, here, and he was layin for
me, lriaught me napping, and made me han up

we .

“ I convinced him that I was not an Owl, and
we went together on the trail of Miss Bradford,
tracking it directly to the gate in the stockade
surrounding the ranch of Kent Kennard.”

“Then you were right, my boy and I wish I
had pushed matters against t at man last
night; but his testimony seemed so complete, as
to his having been in the Overland Palace
saloon all the afternoon and evening, that I had
to 've him the benefit of a doubt.”

‘ Yes, air it did seem as though I was mis-
taken; but I know Kent Kennard well, and he
efind {10 one else took my cousin away,”rema.rked

ra( .

“ Well, we will get at the truth of it all, my
boy, and if he is guilty, woe be unto him.”

t. hein turmn' g to White Beaver Wild Bill con-
inue :

“ We must look to our laurels, Beaver, or
you’ll get away with the whole nest of Owls be-
fore We have a chance at them.”

“ Accident has helped me, Bill; but I learned
much from my young friend here. and, as I
feel sure he can eep a secret, I asked him to
come by camp with me, that you might make
what inquiries of him on wished and then have
him return home and cave all in our hands.”

“ I Would like to go with you, sir,” said Brad.

“ No, my son, you cannot do that; but we ve
you our word to find your cousin. be she ead
or alive, and more, to punish those who carried
her off.

“ Now have some dinner with us, and after a
rest start home, for it will be night ere you get
there.”

“ I don‘t mind that, sir, for I know the prai—
ries well ”

“ Had some of us not better go with him, Cap-
tain Bill?” asked Night Hawk.

“Oh, no, sir; please don‘t do that, or you’ll
make me believe you think I am afrai ,” urged
Brad, in terror at such a. thought crossing the
minds of his scout comrades.

All laughed at his earnestness and then sat
down to dinner, which was heartil enjoyed, af-
ter which Brad bade the Dead S ots good-by
and rode away on the trail to his home, while
White Beaver sought a few hours’ sleep that he
felt he needed, leaving his com anions to clean
up their weapons, rub down t eir horses and

et ready for the night’s work, for Wild Bill

said .

“ Pards, We will take the trail to-night to
Kent Kenuard’s ranch. "

U n leaving the camp of the scouts Brad
\Buc ner felt years older than he had in the
morning.

There were men among the Nine Dead Shots
who had been his ideal heroes since he could first
read of their exploits and he not only had seen
them, but eaten in their camp, and his advice
had been asked regarding many questions, for
they had soon seen that e knew the country
remarkably well and was far beyond his years
in information and pluck. .

ving the recovery of his cousin in such
hands, he felt content, and rode on his way with
every hape that he would see her before long,
safe and well.

He had pushed Fire-cracker pretty well during
the day, and so let him go at a slow pace home-
ward for he was not anxious to arrive early, as
he did not expect his father and aunt would be
alarmed about him.

The sun set while he was at miles away,» and
as he drew near the spot w are his cousin had
been taken from him, and which he had to pass
on his way to the ranch, the moon appeared
above the prairie horizon.

The sky was as clear as , the stars
shining with radiant luster, no mist was in the
air, and all about him was visible with remark-
able distmctness.

Suddenly he halted, and an exclamation es-
ca his lips. . .

e was on_ a rise of the prairie, and straight
before him, ust‘ soaring above the horizon, the
moon look like a h ball of fire.

But that was not w at surprised him, for he
had watched its coming up and enjoyed it.

That which brought him to a sudden bait, and
forced from his lips a cry, was at seeing, photo-
graphed, as it were, upon the moon’s face, a
horse and rider.

A momenthoglanced at it, and then a glad
cry came from his lips, and rocker bound-
ed forwardas he felt the spurs suddenly driven

to start

 

intohis flauh,andwhich «used him
withanger.

No, there could be no mistake, for that horse
he well knew.

It was Rocket.

And more, the rider he knew still better.

It was Belle Bradford.

Like the very wind he sent Fire-cracker flying
over the prairie, directly toward the rising moon.

The horse and rider could not be very far
away, and they had seemed motionless.

The moon had risen up from the prairie hori-
zon but there, in the ray of light, still remained
Belle Bradford, seated upon Rocket.

The maiden seemed to be awaiting his a
proach, though without the moon for a bac -
ground he could not telL

Nearer and nearer he drew, now dashing
down a slope, and then ascending the rise upon
which she stood.

Fire-cracker stumbled, and it took the gaze of
thgvblpy rfioxlnaentarilg logd of gale maiden.d

en 6 (1 ate u 'sreinsan again
looked, she had  red).

“ Oh! she thinks am some enemy and has
run,” cried the boy, and again did his mustang
feel the digging spurs.

Up to the summit of the rise he went, and then
he anced over the prairie.

here she had been was the spot where she
had been ca tured.

Now she gone, but some distance away
was the horse and rider at a standstill.

“ Cousin Belle! cousin Belle!” he cried in a
voice that rung over the prairie.

Back to his ears came mocking laughter that
fair] startled the brave boy.

“ usin Belle! cousin Belle! don’t run from
me, for I am Brad.

“ Please wait for mel” and he shrieked the
words almost, as with another mocking laugh
that grated harshly upon his ears, the horse
wheeled and dashed swiftly away across the
prairie.

Amazed and frightened Brad pursued, cruelly
using his spurs' but he saw that Rocket ' ed
rapidly, heard the mocking laughter, and old
a white handkerchief in the moonlight, waving
to him a farewell.

“Oh, Lordyl cousin Belle is dead, and that
must be her ghost,” groaned the (poor boy, and
that moment Fire-cracker went own heavily,
pinning his young rider beneath him.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
a srmcn russurr.

annsrmn by several hours’ sleep, and a
hearty meal, the Surgeon Scout was as ready
for the saddle as were his comrades; in fact his
iron frame was capable of undergoing more
fatigue than is generally allowed to the lot of
man.

It was just twilight when the Dead Shots
moved out of the ravine.

It having fallen to the lot of Dashing Dan to
serve as “ stock-tender ” and “ train-master,” he
led the two horses which White Beaver had cap-
tured from the outlaws, and which the scouts
were glad to have along.

He wasalsotoholdt ehorses oftheotherst
they found it necessary to make a move on
f t

00 . r

They had not gone very far before the moon
rose over the prairie and Wild Bill remarked:

“I think I should prefer darkness to-night
rather than moonlight. ”

“ It would be better for approac ' the
ranch,” returned White Beaver, who rode y his
side.

“ We've got to take things as the come; blow
hot, or blow cold, daylight or dar ess, it‘s all
the same to me,” remarked Texas Jack, in his
light-hearted way.

‘ We go straight to the spot wherethe
was captured, and then follow the trail,
you know, Beaver,” Wild Bill said, as they held
on in that direction.

“ Yes, for that trailleadsus to the gate of the
ranch, which we wish to ‘go to first,” responded
the Sui-gee: Sgout, and t {rode on in as:-
lence, two y we Dashing ringing e .
rear with the led horses, w ch seemed to we
been well trained to follow.

Arriving near the , out one manheldtho
rein of eve horse, t e nine men halted. 2

There, in] in the moonlight, was a horse and
rider, u n the trail, where Brad had said that
Kent ennard had ca tured his cousin Belle.

“ It is the girl, by that’s holy l" criedVVild
Bill, in so pressed tones. '

“Yes, t is the girl, and she seems to be
watching us, as though not knowing whethsrto
run or not,” answered White Beaver. “

“ SuppOse you hail her, Bill, as it might
frighten her to ride toward her,” suggested
N ight Hawk Geo

No response came. though the horse
to move 
“ Call , ill 1” said Frank North.

“Miss ordl we are your MPH-1‘

 

peatedBill.
'gtgalynoanchanl yonara a lady-m
sosuppbsayoaridefbi'wardalono 

 

 

 

. .. .a a, “we-W4,”

as:

 

 :11 I canget near her; buti

mammals».
, k . .

 

 



,m‘ “‘1 Yr , ,.

' The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

m can get her to talk to you,” said Wild

“Yes; if she’ll wait for any one, she will for
Billy Blue Eyes,” Bravo Buck remarked.

“ lle’s afther hein’ sich e. delutherln’ cuss
among the leddles,” Texas Jack said with a. rich
Irish brogue.

And the Scouts laughed, while Broncho Billy,
who was also known as Blue-Eyed Billy, re-
turned: .

“ I’ll try her, but odds on it that she runs
. away.”

And he rode slowly forward.

The maiden had her eye upon him as he ap—
proached ; thut Seemed evident.

But she did not move, and seemed to be urging
her horse to remain quiet.

“ Blue Eyes 13 shunning her,” whispered Dan—
dy Dick.

“ He’s the boy to do it,” responded Bravo
Buck.

“ Be orra, nol he’s skeert her entoirly," cried
Texas ack, as the maiden was seen to suddenly
wheel her horse, and, with a ringing laugh,

dart away.
Broncho Billy halted and looked back to Wild
Bill for orders.
Instantly the scouts
coming up with Broncho
“ She has gone, pard.”
“ Like a. flash; but I got near enough to see
3131;” was the girl the boy described as his cou-

 never doubted that; for who else could it

“ That’s so; but she’s halted.”

It was true; the maiden had come to a halt
after riding a. short distance.

“ Try her a ain, Will,” said VVhito Beaver.

“ Yes, go mono, for she certainly will run if
we all move toward her.”

60 Broncho Billy moved off once more and di-
rectly toward the maiden, who had again halt-
ed on a. rise of the prairie and stood facing

em.
“ What a. wild laugh she gave,” said Night
’ Hawk Geor e.

“ I notic it,” responded his brother, White
Beaver.

“There was nothing for her to. laugh at,”
Frank North rejoined.

“ Boys, I don’t half like this; but see! Billy is
very near her once more. ”

.And Wild Bill leveled his field-glass.

“ Hark! he 13 speakin to her,” cried Beaver,
‘and all heard Broncho illy’s voice.

- But again came the mocking laughter, and
once more the maiden bounded away.

The horse of Broncho Billy sprung forward a.
few lengths, as though his rider were urged
to follow her, but then he was checked, and
stood awaiting the coming of the scouts.

As they reached Broncho Billy the maiden
Was seen to a sin draw rein and face them.

‘fiyfifli B y, she won’t be charmed?” said

“No, and I tried my most dulcet tones upon
her, telling her I was the friend of the father-
‘ less, and no enemy, or words to that effect, and
she gave that laugh, which I don’t like, and
went off like mad.”

. “Wonder if the 1-1 hasn’t been killed, and
that isn’t her ghostl’ said Dashing Dan from the

aflurred forward, and
illy, Wild Bill said:

rear. .
“Nonsense, Dan, you’ve been superstitious
- sever since, on attended that Irish soldier’s
’ wake, when e was drunk and not dead, and got
' u and run the gang out of the camp,” Texas
120]: replied. ’
" I’ll admit he scared me, and that girl does,
too, ]with her strange conduct," rejoined Dash-
an.

i .”
“ Inn, Beaver!”
: “ I do not half like that girl’s laugh, for to
any ears, as a physician, it has a. mad ring.”
 ‘Yes, Beaver.”
“ Let me go forward clans Wild Bill, and see
f, not, and she runs
, I will pursue and come up with her, for
' ' eph certainly can catch her. ’
.. 9 Do. on think t ri A ht Beaver?”
‘“ We , I look at it this way.
“ The girl may have had enough trouble since
. " he: capture to turn her mind, and having escap-
‘ ed, as she seems to have done, she does not know

' 1

’ ' I, the way home. I '

.“Now, it‘wlll not do for her to run about
prairies, and in a short chase I think I can

'  ako her, and then, if she is brain ill, I can
 her.” i

‘ You are right Beaver.”
3 gnothei' thing is strange tome.”
. 0
‘ = “ Do you not observe that she is following her

on trail?"

' “ You areri ht; she is ing along the trail

 her chptor carr ed her, an toward his ranch.”

~' “She is,indeed,andifshodocsshewlllbe

I -  I‘lwilltsyandca tureher.”

-‘ ‘ ‘ Do so, B’eaver,”sai Wild D l. and the Sur-

v MSccutsstfledhimselfwclllnhh saddle for

‘arunifnoc ,andrcdeonaheadofhis

 ~ . noun-odes, going. at a slowtrot 'MIWBN

man, who calmly awaited oom-
. jag," she  Broncho Billy.

   
 
 

"’.i ’\=' 'l

 

V  , * _ n ; 1 ‘-V x {1‘7' v-   V'“"-."z,"
   .  

CHAPTER XVIII.
A HOT CHASE.

UNTIL the Surgeon Seout had approached,
even nearer to her than she had allowed his
brother, Broncho Billy to come, the maiden re-
mained.

So sure were the band of scouts that T‘Vhite
Beaver would I)" allowed to go up to her, that
Texns Jack said pleasantly: '
m“lli;oncho, the Doctor has cut you out this

' nc.’

Having gotten uite close to her, White Bea-
ver drew rein, for 10 did not wish to startle her,
and he said in his pleasant voice:

“ Good-evening, Miss Bradford.

“ I hope you are convinced now that we are
your friends?”

A wild, mocking laugh that grated most
harshly on the ears of all who heard it, was the
only response and away bounded the horse,
bee ring his rider swiftly onward.

But at once White Beaver started in chase,
sa ing in a. low tone to his horse:

‘Come, Mephlsto yonder animal is akin to
tiriehwind in speed, ut you must runalongside
0 1m.

“ (gyms, old fellow, come! for he is dropping
on.

At seein White Beaver dart away in pursuit
of the nlflll en, Wild Bill called out:

“ Now, boys we must lice as close as pos-
sible, for that is 9. fast horse t e girl rides."

Away they Went at a sweeping gallop, Dash—
ing Dan keeping well up with the led horses.

‘She is gaining on the Doc,” cried Texas

ack.

“ She is for a fact,” Frank North added.

“ You are right, pards; the girl is leaving
him.” Wild Bill said, somewhat anxious.

“What is the matter with Mephisto?” Ni ht
Hawk George asked, as be well knew what is
brother’s black could do.

“ Nothing is the matter with Mephisto,
George; it’s with the other horse and he’s out-
footin Frank‘s pride,” observed Broncho Billy.

e are riding Very fast, paras, as you see.
and White Beaver is dropping us rapidly; but I
don’t wish to push our horses too hard unless
there is need of it; but you see that girl is
mounted on an animal that is faster than any
we have, as is seen when she drops the Doctor as
she does.”
N“ llow’s your horses, Broncho?” asked Frank

011. l.

“ Fast, but Mephisto leads any in the pack;
but Frank is holding his own now."

“Shoot out on Lightheels, Broncho and see if
you can come u with them,” said Wild Bill,
and Broncho Bil y’s horse darted away like an
arrow, as though understanding the order of
the scouts’ captain.

Rapidl he gained for a while, and then, as
though 0 serving that a 0nd horseman had
left the band of scouts, the olden again urged
her horse to greater speed and once more becan
to gain, while Broncho Bill soon saw that e-
phisto was also leaving Lig thesis, who was do-
ing his best.

‘That girl is splendidly mounted; but/ then
she’s light weight.

“St' 1, if her horse can stand that pace for
he is a marvel, and I’ll pay high for him,” mut-
tered Broncho Billy.

In the mean time it had been a very great
surprise to White Beaver, when he called upon
Me )lllStO to do his best, to see that Rocket—for
he new the name, from Brad Buckner, of Miss
Bradford’s horse—was leavin him.

“He cannot drive for at t t gait,” he said,

and so he did not urge Mephisto hard, believing ~

abut the maiden would soon break her horse
own. -

But as he saw that Rocket still held his speed,
and ran as though not in the least distressed, he
began to change his opinion of his lacking bot-
tom, and so urged Mephisto the harder.

Thus some distance was gone over, the maiden
holding steadil to the trail which led to the
ranch of Kent ennard.

On like the wind flew the two horses and
glancin back over the moonlit rairle, White

eaver held Broncho Billy com 11 a few hun-
dred feet behind him, thou h he (11 not recog-
nize who he was, and be ind him the otlmr
seven scouts riding in a cup and on a run.

“Some one is trying to elp me, thinking Me-
phlsto is failin from some reason; but they do
not know the em he is chasing.

“ Now come, old fellow, and catch that fleet-
footcd fellow ah ,” and the splendid horse in-
creased his ace.

But the rl did the same, and thus she kept
him at the same distance, though both were run-
mn own from Broncho Billy.

“ , ephlsto, or that mad girl will reach
the ranch before on catch her.

“ 0n, sirl”and hits Beaver spoke 

The obedient horse did still better but Boo et
held him where he was as soon as his rider saw
that her pursuer was slightly closing the p.

“Here,Mephisto, this won‘t do, and must
trythe spur ’ and for the first time in his life
the splendid ~t felt the urn lei-cc his flank.

A snort of rage and {is n to owed, and the
animal-fair] bounded gh in air, attho same
timeln hlsspoedat alga-curate.

     
 

5‘

.4? i7  um“
H1. *, 2‘ V '_ '1 a1 _
ufim'éir‘il ‘

 

   

A startled 0 came from the girl at this, and
then was hear the swish of the keen lash fall-
ing upon her horse, and he too snorted with
fright and anger, and ran the more speedily,
again holding the scout where he was.

Angry at the speed developed by the maiden’s
horse, White Beaver now' bent to the work of
overtaking him, and he spurred MepListo hard,
and the animal seemed to slowly gain.

But so slowly was it that it was hardly per-
ce tible.

Then, too, came the sound of the whip fallin
01111 Ithia other anim' a], and he once more gain
5 'g it y.

“ This won’t do,” hissed White Beaverthrough
his shut teeth, and he began to throw ofl his
fatigue coat.

Into this be wrapped his hat and rifle, and
rolling them up in his scrape taken from behind
his saddle, he dro ped them gently on the
prairie, leaning far own to do so.

“ There go a dozen pounds,” ho muttered.

Next fol owed his holster revolvers, belt of
arms, haversack, surgical case and roll of cloth-
ing, with his oil-skins and blankets.

‘ There go twenty-five pounds more.

“ Now, Mephisto, you have thirty-seven

unds less wei ht, so catch that horse!” and the

ur eon Scout et the animal feel the full force
of t e s urs.

Mad ened and frightened, for his master had
never before so used him, the noble steed fairly
flew over the prairie, and the lighter Weight be-
gan to tell, for the scout saw that he was gain-
m . and well.

a maiden realized it, too, and fast and furi-
ous rained her whip upon the back of her horse,
and he, .too, once more began to gain, and the
speed of both Was terrific. ‘

But this mad pace could not last very much
longer White Beaver soon saw, and as he glanc-
ed ahead, he said, grimly:

“' Nor will it have to, for yonder is the Ken-
nard ranch. ”

The scouts were not visible now behind him,
and the maiden was still half a hundred y'ards
ahead, while the ranch was but the sixteenth
of a mile.

There were no cattle grazing on the prairie
now, no cowboys were visible, and at the ranch
no light shone.

Beein it, the maiden broke forth in another
burst 0 wild lau htcr and soon after dashed
up to the stockadge gate.

Hoping to capture her before she could enter,
White Beaver was boldly followin , when sud-
denly the gates swung open, an in through
Ehem she rode, they closing quickly behind

er. ,
E g a shot, the scout wheeled quick]
about and rode back to meethis com anions, hi:
horse pantin under the 10 , he run.

Getting on of range, he lted, and began
to caress the noble annual, while he rubbed his
spurred flanks with bunchesof grass. '

Soon up came Broncho Billy, and he called

out:
“ You didn’t catch her, Frank!”
“No, though I throw off all the weight I

could.’

“ I picked up your rifle and thin , and felt
sure you won d catch her when saw how
much in earnest you were.

“ Here they are, and yonder come the boys.”

The scouts soon came 11 , uleild Bill said:

“ Well, Beaver, she out ooted you?”

“Yes, and has gone into the Stockade gate,
which was opened for her.” ‘

“ Then into the stockade we must go.”

“I have a lan to getin by strata , Bill.”

“ All righ , for it would be roug work to
storm the place so out with it, Beaver, and we’ll
back you, ’sald Wild Bill,with the air of one
whowasarousedtodo angactof darlngto ro-
capturc the maiden from t Ksnnard.

CHAPTER XIX.
p ' " m” ffl‘dn'dmnfim"
on a momen ‘ m
Beaver stood indeepthought. ’

Then he said:

“ Mephisto has had a hard run, so I’ll leave
him with you, Dashin Dan, and mount on. of
theRed Owl horses, w ilo I will also rig myself
out as one of the band and ride up tolthe gate.

“With the moon where it is, my face can be
seen and recognised by whoever is at the gate,
so I’ll get there. _

“ But to make it more sure, I'll ride back. on
the prairie, approach the ranch from over you-
der. and when you see Inc-get a trifle put you,
start as though in chase of me. I

“ I’ll run at full speed for the stockado, and
the man there whim Inc as a Bed Owl
being pursued and let me ligand I'll soon see
thattho tdiso foryou. I

“ Yes, cover; at you take big chances."

“ Not with the disguise.”

“ But you assume that Kennard’s ranch 1.
real! the haunt of the Red Owls?”

"‘ (yertainly; for he would not dare have m.
napped that girl unless he had the outlaw bud
tan-otod him. A

We kngvzhtlzathtbe are somewhere on the
can a sly avea untn ‘
mmmmmtwwmm.

"w 4"”: “ “ i. - ~‘
> l' .i .‘ y ‘ . 
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13

 

“

when I was here to-day, came a score of diffei-
ent trails, and that was about thd number we
stam ed last night.”

“ I to to see you go alone.”

“ Oh, 1le take care of myself.”

“ Let me put on the other disguise you have
and o with on.”

“ is you p ease, Bill; but I think the strategy
would work better with one than two.”

“ I’m only afraid you’ll get into an owl’s nest
on entering.”

“ I’ll play Owl, you may be assured, and open
those nice so that you can enter.

“1 on’t believe there are many men at the
gate, doubtless only one on watch, and I‘ll man-
age him until you come up.”

“ True, you can do that, and the girl must be
rescued, while I see no other chance of getting
admission, and the boy said, you remember,
that Kennard had some dozen men at his
ranch.”

“ I don‘t mind the number with the boys we
have here, if we can only get a foothold, and
my inn is about the safest, I think.”

“ can suggest no other, exocpt to charge up
to the stookude, scale it, open the gate and fight
it out.”

“ It would coat too many of our little band,

“No; let me go as I suggest, alone, and I’ll
call out that I am Brandy Ben, whom I killed,
and whose voice I heard just enough to imitate,
and I’ll shout a warning, too.

“They‘ll let'me in, I’m sure, and the surprise
I give whoever is there will give me a chance to
Open the ates for you.

“ Now '11 make my toilet and be 01!.”

Ten minutes after, rigged out in his Owl’s
head-dress. \Vhite Beaver mounted the horse of
the slain Brandy Ben and rode away across the
prairie.

He made quite a long circuit, for fear some
one might be watching him with a glass from the
stockade, and then approached the ranch from
another direction.

Arriving within a quarter of a mile from the
gate, he suddenly saw coming toward him at a
run his scout cznnrades.

They were riding as though to try and head
him off.

He gave a pretended shout of alarm, and
dashed for the stockade at the full speed of his
horse.

It looked like an exciting chase, with the
chances in favor of the pursued, and gaining on
the others, as he intended to do, White Beaver
staer up the slope for the gateway, calling
out, in a voice well feigned to resemble the
tones of the man he had slain:

“Open the gate! ho there, pards!”

Almost instantly came back the cry:

“ Who are you?”

“Brandy Ben!”

“ Ay, ay, I see you now, Ben! all right!” was
the reply, and the gate was at once thrown
wide open.

Into it at full speed dashed White Beaver,
and quickly the gate closed behind him, while
the man shouted: .

“ Come, Ben, sound the tocsin, while I open
fire on those devils, or the ’11 be over the stock-
ade before we can check 1: cm.”

White Beaver saw the man spring to a rack,’

in which were visible han 'a dozen rifles of all
sizes and calibers, for a lantern hung in the lit-
tle shanty at one side of the gateway.

What the to ~csin was, or where it was, the
scout did not know or care; but uick as a
flasth threw himself from his shdd e, and, as
the man threw the muzzle of his rifle into a small
port-hole, to fire upon the coming scouts, he
seized him in his powerful asp, and hurled him
to the floor with a force tha nearly stunned him,
while he said sternly:

“One word, sir, or one act of resistance, and

you die l”
“- Hold Ben, what’s up that you behave so?
“This n’t uare, and the cap’n 'll hang you

for it,” whincd t e rostrate man, at the same
time trying to slip is hand upon the butt of a
revolver in his belt.

But springing forward White Beaver put his
foot upon the arm with a force that nearly
an pod the bone, and cried sternly:

“ shall have to kill you, my man, for I am
not your friend,‘Brand Ben. . .

“Now Obey me, or I’ 1 keep my word.”

The man was _cowed now, for he was half-
dazed with surprise, and he said:

“ I cries give up. .”

“ See the you act it as well,” and White Bear

‘ ver took from him his revolver and knife.

Then he ordered him to rise, and marched him
to the side of his horse, when he took the lariat
from the saddle-horn and quickly bound him
with a skill that evinced practice in just that
kind of work.

Just as he finished his task, the boots of the
scouts’ horses were heard almost up to the stock-
ade, and throwing down the inner bars, White
Beaver opened the gates and stepped without,
his rieoner held firmly in his

" o, pardsl go slow i” he cut, raising
his hand in warning.

‘ yall drew reinwith a snddennus that

 ‘Ilwvdlonsm

“Pards, I’ve got the gate, and have here the
guard; but I do not know what more we will
have to face, so come in softly and we’ll hold a
council of war, and find out what this fellow
knows.” '

“I don’t know nothing.” was the sullen reply
of the prisoner, whom W hite Beaver recognized
as the same man whom he had seen at the gate
on duty that morning.

“That remains to be seen, pard." said “’ild
Bill, and he stepped up to the side of the prison-
er and placed his pistol—muzzle hard against his
side.

CHAPTER XX.
A MYSTERY UNSOLVED.

THE guard at the stockade gate of Kennard’s
ranch was certainly in a tight place, with the
Dead Shots about him.

He had not expected danger, and was there-
fore wholly taken b surprise when so cleverly
captured by White caver.

Added to this, the other scouts coming up
were enough to awe him.

But he nerved himself to what was before
him, and when Wild Bill placed his revolver
against his heart, he did not move or flinch.

“ New, my man, on are dealing with those
who can be inercit‘u . if there is need of their be-
ing so, and who can be merciless with cause, so
I wish your answers to be governed accordingly,
for our fate depends upon yourself,” stern y
said ild Bill.

“ Who are you. and what do you want here!"
boldly asked the guard.

“ We are prairiemcn, on a laudable hunt, and
we intend to carry out our good intentions.

“ As for a name, those who know us best all
us Dead Shots.”

“ And who is that traitor?”and the man point-
ed to White Beaver, who still wore his mask of
the Red Owl.

“ Ah 1 you spoke without thinking, my friend,
for you give it away that be, wearing the
finish of a. Red Owl, is a traitor to bring us

ere.

“So you, too, belong to the band which you
accuse him of being a traitor to?”

The man felt that he had betrayed himself,
and muttered an oath; but he answered quick-

1 .

y"A compact exists among the Red Owls not
to harm this ranch, as its owner once saved the
life of their captain. and that man, to lead you
here, for whatever purpose you may have come,
cgrtain'ly turns traitor against the wishes of his
0 iof.’

“ Ah! well said, and cleverly turned, pard;
but it won’t serve you.

“ Now answer me: is not this ranch the re-
treat of the Red Owls?”

“ It is not.”

‘ ‘ “hat is it?” '

“ The prairie home of Captain Kent Kennard,
a ranchcro, and leader of the Kansas Vigi-
lantes.” »

“ A captain of what is supposed to be a law-
abiding, crime-punishing band of Vigilantes.
and or. suspected of being a leader of the Red
Owl angers, the worst set of cut-throats that
ever disgraced the border.”

“ He ma be accused, but that don’t make
him so, an his actions are too open for him to
be thought so by those who know him.”
18:33:“ remains to be seen; but tell me, where

e

“ In Prairie City.”

“ And his men?”

“ The‘Vigilantesi”

“ No.”

“ The cattlemen of this much!”

N No. 9,

“ Who then?”

::  Wu: .... .. t... h...

ey are no 5 men, ey
at early dawn this mornin , going northward.

“ You will find their tra around the north
end of the stockade. and from there I do not
know where they lead.”

" They did not halt!”

H No. i ‘

“ Broncho Billy, you and Bravo Buck take a
log]: a; th’ose , but don’t be gone but a few
in u s.

’_The twp scouts started oi! on foot, and Wild

Bi‘llppfltinugi: ’ ’ at v
‘ ere our masters company -

lantesl” y . w
“I have no master.”
“ Your chief, than?”
“ In Prairie Cit .”
“ Ah! they dw ltherei”
H Y 9) .

“ And his cattlemen, or cowboys!”

‘,‘ They drove the cattle to smother o
ground to-day. down tlfe creek some "

“ How many cowboys has he!"

“ About ten?" =

“ Many cattle i” '

“Pretty considerable.”

“ And who are here at the ranch!"

“About half a dozen, including the mania.”

“ Do you expect your master home soon i"

“ He may come at anymoment, and Nope
not for days.” ' '
,_ “ Where is his captive!” .

\

 

 

i

x

“ I don’t understand you.”

“ Where is the lady who entered this stocked.
a while since?”

The man was silent and seemed a trifle ner—
vous.

“ Did you hear me?”

“Did you see it too!” he asked, in a hushed
tone.

“ See what?”

(i It.” I

“ What it, man!”

“ The Ghost,” he said, in a whisper.

“ My man, don’t take us for idiots, for 'we
don’t believe in ghosts.”

“ Nor did I until’I saw it,” was the answer
and the man’s whole manner changed to one of
nervous dread.

“ Look here, sir,” sternly said Wild Bill.

“ Don’t attempt to play us for fools, but tell
me where the ladyis that rode into this stocksde
an hour ago i”

“ God only knows, pard, for I don’t.”

“Do you mean to say that no lady entered
here?” ‘

“ I mean to say that a ghost di’d.”

“ You opened the gate for her?”

“ I always do! but it’s a spirit.”

Wild Bill uttered an impatient imprecatlon
and turned to White Beaver, and asked in n
whiwcr:

“ hat is he giving us, Beaver?”

“ I am watching to see if he believes what he
says, or is trying to deceive us.”

‘ And what do you think, Doc?”

“ Question him more and I will tell you,” an-
swered the Surgeon Scout.

“ You have the face to tell me that the wo- V
man on horseback, whom that gentleman
chased across the prairies, and saw dash into
this ate, is a ghost?”

“ es, pard.”

“ And you believe it?”

“ I do.’

Just then Broncho Bill and Bravo Buck re-
turned, and reported t at the trails. some
twenty, in number of horses, approached near
to the gate, then turned off around the stockadeI
to the north, going on up the creek bank in one
soli‘dStrail. 8w how

‘ Co far your ry s , in man, re-
garding the trail of the Befogevls;£ut, Billy,
do lthpy approach the stockade here in one
trai ?

“ No, they oomte from different ways, just as
we saw them sea ter and meet nearthe ate and
then form on trail, as though uni , by'all'
meeting here, not together, going in a givm
direction alone, as to a rendezvous,” answered
Broncho Billy.

“Now, my man, we will returntotheghost." '

“ Well?”
“ Who is it?”

“If you remember a young lady who was I ~
murdeer some years ago in this part of the .

country i”

“ No. I do not know it, but it appears to mo, " I

that I recall somethin of the kind.

“I do,” said Frank orth. “She came ontto
these parts With a train, looking for herhns—
band. and used to stop in Prairie City, if I re-
membcr aright, and rode out every day trying '
to find the man she was in search of.

‘,‘ Some say she would be gone for days, and
then turn 11 when they thought she was dead.

“She ha money, and kept the 
and one day was found murdered.

“ I remember that Buffalo Bill told me about
it, for he knows her, and said her murderer had
never been found.”

, “ Is this the story as you know it, my man!" , fl“
and Wild Bill turned ranchmsn. '

sin to the
“ Well, with a little ' erenoe.”

w”

:2. JP-

 

ttoknowaflIcanteflMpudf'Wj‘

“About the Prairie s ,for that’s what; 

they call her hereabonts
it Yes 9: ‘ \

“I ddn‘t like to talk about her, for she has i i

scared me
revolver of

oursegainst me and Ian poso‘ v
mustgettal ’ p ‘ “

tive.”

“Itwill be more healthyforyou lfyou 

so out with your story, and be lively for we

have no time to lose, especially if wehave to, '

kill and bury you.”

heapsof times; butI don’tliko the: 

Themmstartedstthismlthpgghheseaned,
I, I 

all along to realize his ,
hisstoryofthe Prairieepectsr

CHAPTER XXI. .

rm: mum is

“You see, pard, began
the s as I

what I ’t see."

n the 
heard ligand I can‘t ventilator,“

'“Can you for what you see!”  

Bill.
" Sometimes,” was the laconic suspend
“ Well; to the story.” f ‘
“I don’ter to talk aboutthe
for I have had enough flights from her. A
“ But they say she was murdered ions mom-

light nightby some one up the creeks we 

a train comm down that way! ’ and,
the men andvgvomsn buried magnitude on;
migrant-sin. ' , ‘ " ' , ._

J ,

pool-woman, 

 

 
  

 

use/i.

'  biYégfl zuaarxadaawin—urfi:

 

 

14

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

“ They reported in Prairie City what they had
found and done, and some parties from there
went out to see the grave, and be sure that no
wolves should drag up the body, for everybody
liked her, she was so young and beautiful.

“ But when they at there it looked as though
the grave had been ( isturbed, and dig ing down
they found, not the lady, but the y of a

man.

“ He had been shot in the head, right in the
center between the eyes, where the lady had
been shot, and he was rolled up in his blanket,
as she had been in hers.

“ This was a surprise-party, pards, to all in
Prairie City; but there was over a hundred
folks in that train, men, women and children,
and they all swore the same way about burying
the woman there, described her, and there was
no doubt.

“But the woman did not turn up, and the
affair became a mystery in these parts.

“ Now and then hunters came in telling how
they had seen the same retty woman—Lady
Luc they called her for er name on the books
of t e Overland Pa ace was written Mistress
Lucille Lester, but the boys got it L-u-c-y, for

parts.’

' they et everything wrong in these

“ en she was not dead?”

“ Oh, yes, pard.”

“ Then how could the hunters have seen her?”

“ They saw her ghost. ”

“ Nonsense l"

“ It is not nonsense, rd, for folks soon
passed her, sitting on her orse, right across her
gziive, and when some brave fellows, as didn’t

ieve in ghosts tried to catch her, she laughed
a mad kind of laughter, and ran right away
frOm them.

“ Now Captain Kent Kennard has about the
fastest four-footed beast in these parts, and one
that can go a long way in a full run, but he
couldn’t catch her, and one night he was hardy
enough to shoot at her horse, emptying his whole
rifle, for he’s a devil when roused, and yet it did
no good, for she laughed and ran away just the
same.”

“ Was she seen afterward?”

“ Mani didn’t you see her to-night, and hain‘t
I seen her a dozen or more times“

“ Yes, thirteen times to-ni ht, and it’s the
thirteenth time that has broug t me had luck.”

“ Bahl you are as big a fool as the rest of the

host-sects.”

“ Pard, I tell you that that woman hain’t real:
she’s a s irit.

“ She 3 come across the prairie here some
nights, and I always opens the gate for her.

‘The first time saw her I was smoking my
pipe when she rode up. and I let her in, thinking
she was a lady friend of the cap’n’s.

“ She inted to the gate with her whip, and
I open it, at the same time wishing her a good-
evening.

“ Lord! she 100 at me and made no reply,
but I remembe her bi staring eyes.

“ Well, I went over to reakfast in the morn-
ing, and asked who she was saying a fine-look-
lug lady like her might be civil.

But they told me no lady had come in, and I
got scared, for no one had seen her, and I had
not let her out of the gate again, nor had she
passed out, for the key of the padlock that locks

he bar was in my pocket.

“ Soon after she came again, and I told her
she'could not come in.

“ Then her eyes blazed at me, and she pointed
at the gate.

9‘ I was scared, I can tell on, and I dodged
back throu h the little shut r and o ned he
gate, for I no power to do other .

“ Since then I alwa s let her in, but how she
gets out Heaven only news.”

,“ We less if she has gotten out to-night,”
said Wil Bill, dryl .

“‘ “Well.pard, ou lsee.”

“ Is there anot er gate?”

“Onl a small one for humans, over on the
creek or no horse could go through it.”

“ lipw tell me if you know Miss Belle Brad-

“I’ve seen her pard for she’s been here with

: heruncle, tosee a ’n kent.”
“An w

hen was s 0 here last?”
“ Some months ago, with her uncle and little
boy cousin.”
‘ She has been here since.”
“ I hain’t seen her. ”
“Who else guards this gate!”
“ No one.” .
:: gen 0.10133 attendtito itt’l’l I to
es, r , ex ng w on my meals
up at thee-finch 35' then one of hie boys takes
my place until I come back.”
‘,And you say that Miss Bradford has not
come in here since a month back?”
, u N0’,
“ When was your master here last!”
“ Three days ago.”

“And he was not here early last night, with

Kiss Bradford 1”
H No. ,7
‘ Wild Bill turned to his comrades, for the man
seemed honest.
“ What do you say. Beaver!” he asked. ,
v “ Leave him a risoner here, with Dashin
Dan and Dandy ick to guard him,and hol

 

 

the gate, while the rest of us search the ranch;
but first let us find out just where the small gate
is, that he speaks of, and we can send a man
there to flard it, for our presence here does not
seem to known to any one else in the in-
closure.”

“ A good plan, Beaver.

“ You, Dandy, remain here with Dashing
Dan; and Buck, you go to the little gate for
this man will tel you how to reach it, if he
values his life.”

“ I’ll tell you, pard, for this is a square ranch,
and I’ve nothing to hide, while you seem to be
acting with authority.

“ But I would like to know which of the Red
Owls that man is, for I knowmost of ’em, and
it’s not Brandy Ben, as he’s alwa 's half drunk
and has the flavor of a bar-room 8. out him.”

“Never mind which one he is; but he is one
to soon let us know if you tell the truth.

“ N ow tell us how to find the little gate.”

“Better follow the stockade wall around until

on come to a roup of trees, growing against
it, and there is t e gate.”

“ All right; now go, Buck.”

“Mounted, Bill?”

” Can we ride there?”

H  ,7

“Go on horseback, then,” and Buck started

off.

“ Now tell us how to get to the ranch cabins?”

“ Why don‘t you ask your traitor Red Owl
there, for many of ’em used to be cowboys here,
before they took to the road-agency biz, and he
should know.”

“ We prefer to rely upon you, and your life
hangs by what you tell us true or false. ’

“ 11 right, pard; I sup so I’m in for it, and
it might be a sheep as we] as a lamb.

“ This trail leads right to the cap’n’s cabin.”

“Come, ards, we will be off, and five of us
will 0 a little in advance on foot, ou follow-
ing, eaver, with our horses, for, if t ere’s to be
hot work, we will need 1your aid as a sur eon.”

So saying, Wild Bil moved off on oot ac-
companied by Night Hawk Geor e, Broncho
Billy, Frank North and Texas ack, while
White Beaver soon after followed with the
gorses, riding his own, and leading the other

ve.

At the gate remained Dashing Dan and Dandy
Dick, with their horses, and the prisoner secure-
] bound, while Bravo Buck had gone to hold
t e little ate on the creek side of the stockade.

lVith t is arrangement, Wild Bill ho ed to
take and hold the ranch against any od( 5 that
might be there, in spite of what the guard had
sai( . and all went prepared to face any peril
that might come upon them, and the confidence
they be din themselves had been gained after a
long ordeal of deadly dangers in their wild life

‘upon the far frontier.

 

CHAPTER XXII.
A STARTIJNG DISAPPEARANC’E.

AT the time Wild Bill and his comrades en-
tered the Kennard ranch they did not doubt but
get they would find the maiden a prisoner

ere.

The story of the gate-guard they thought had
been told them to give them a scare regarding
the s ter rider, though some of them had
hea the weird stor before.

Failing to have t s effect, they hadan idea
that they would have to fi ht to get Belle. Brad-
ford out of the clutches o Kennard’s followers,
for that the woman on horseback, whom White
Beaver had chased to the ranch, was other than
the kidnapped maiden they had not the re-
motest idea.

They feared, by her returning to the ranch,
that she had either gone mad, or having made
some arran ement for her liberty, had met them
on her way ome, and fearing them,had return-
ed to her captor rather than to them, it being
surmised of course that she did not know them
as they were.

Across the grounds then to the cabins went
the six men, stretched out in a long line, their
rifles ready, and themselves nerved for whatever
might be before them.

Throu h the scatterin trees, up to theflrst
cabin, w ich was eviden y a servants’ quarter.

A light burned diml within, and a knock at
the door brought a rep y:

“ What is it?”

“ The on ’n’s come, pard, and wants yer,”
said Wild ill.

“ All right; is that you, J ake?” asked the
voice. .

“ Yes, hurry up. ”

A moment after aman out of the door,
and a revolver confron his vision. while
stroieghhands fisped him upon either side.

“ owl atareu l” he cried, in alarm.

“ Who are you?” stern y demanded Wild Bill.

“Bouncer, are ther name is hitched to me
here,” said the‘ man, taking his capture with
strange coolness.

He was of a heroulean frame, had a
red head, heard the same hue, and small, cun-
niifig gray eyes.

0 was dremed as a cowboy, and had on his
belt of arms.

“ Well, Mr. Bouncer, we have 1paid a visit to
this ranch to look fora young ady, whom we

'. ‘ \
,,-i .,
,3”

A $4 5," '1

 

know to be here, so if you aid us in our search
all will be well with you; but if you give us
trouble, you might as well spend your time from
this minute in prayer.”
“ I don’t know nothin’ about no gal.”
“ Remember, no lies, if you value your life.”
h “Fact, pardl I doesn’t know of no gal bein’
ere.
“ Do you know Miss Belle Bradford?”
“ Has seen her often.”
“ Was she not brought here day before yester-
day evening?”
“ Guess not, for I’d have known it; but thei'
man at ther’dgate, Foxy kin tell yer.”
“When di you go to bed?”
“ An hour ago.”
“ And you saw no lady on horseback ride into
the ranch ?” ,
“ Pard, has ther’ been a l on horseback seen
here?” and he spoke in a w ' r.

“ Then it were Lady Lucy’s ghost.”

“ Don’t give us any of that spirit talk, or I’ll
make a ghost of you.

“ Who was the lady?”

“(I ”tell yer it were ther Pararer Specter,

“ What do you do in this ranch?”

“ Has an eye to bossin’ it for ther cap’n.”

“ Where is he?”

“ Like as not in Pararer Cit}; gamblin’ at ther
Overland, fer he do love keer .

“ How many more of you are there here i”

“ Was], he has a Chinee cook and servant,
then that’s a Injun and his squaw, Chief Sal,
and Squaw Sallie, we calls ’em, and they is
Tonkaways from Texas, and friends 0’ ther

“Pan.”
‘ Who else?”

“ Thar is ten cattlemen, but the is down
ther creek at ther lower ranch with er stock.”

“ No one else?”

in Nary.”

“ Your captain, two Chinamen, two Indians,
ten cowboys and Foxy i”

“And me, Bouncer fer I is somebody, as
ye’d hev diskivered  yer hadn‘t caught me

asleeg.”
“ es, and you, making seventeen in all.”

“Yas, ard.”

“And ow many Red Owls has he?”

“ I don’t catch on, pard.”

“How many Red Owls has your captain
under him i”

“Pard he commands ther Vigilantes, ther
Ranlger Begilaters, and don’t go for outlaw
wor .
th" Why do the Red Owls not attack his ranch

en

“ Waal ther is them among ’em who would
like ter, IdOn’t deny; but then ther cap’n once,
in some way, helped their chief out of a life
scra an’ so he won’t hear ter this ranch bein’
tack ed.”

“ To hear on talk one would think on]
saints dwelt in the Kennard ranch, but nowi
intend to see if you have told the truth, so lead
us to the Indians’ camp.” ‘

“I’ll do it,” and the man led the wa to a
couple of skin tepees further on in the tim r.

A camp-fire was burning low in front of one
of the tepees, and at the sound of their steps a
head was thrust out of the other.

“ Tonkaway I” called out the man.

“Ughl”cam from within.

“ Come out, or yer is wanted, as ther is wisi-
ters here.

“Bring ther old lady, too, and tell her she
needn’t take time ter curl her front teeth and
lace up her dancin’-boots, for they is im tient
varmints, and might git one’sy wit ther
waitin’.”

Out of the tepee stepped a tall Indian with a
clean-cut, bold face, and following him was a

uaw.

“The does ther huntin’fer ther ranch,” ex.
plained ouncer.

“Allri ht'I wantthemtocomewithus.,

“ Now t e bhinee,” said Wild Bill.

:dY'er’ll skeer them China gents m dash,
pa“ Lead the way to them.”

“ I’ll do it, for I’m a obligin’ cuss when I
can’t help bein’.”

And Bouncer started 08 once more, followed
by the others, the Indians taking the situation
most stoically.

Back of the main cabin which was 9 and
comfortable, was a er shanty, an here
the 00wa s . -

“ They some outlandish names 0' the’r
own, pard, but we calls ’em by Christian cogno-
mans—that’s a good w hain’t it?”

And the cowboy smiled landly.

“ Well, call them what you please, but make
them show up.” v

“ Hello, Salt and P thet’s what we
baptized ’em one da in t or book, pard.”

No answer came within the shanty, and
 at“? pawn r. a. a...

In a
out anyd git aoquain ed th some mam
mine as is anxious ter know yer.

“Come out, or some 0’ ’em mayn’t believe

you is in that and send a bullet a-huntin’ fer

yer.”

 

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The small door swung open and the two Ce-
lestials appeared.

The moonlight pierced the foliage and fell
full upon them, showing that they were very
much alarmed at what they beheld.

“ Are there others in the shanty i” asked Wild
Bill.
“ Nary more,” replied Bouncer.

“ I want you with us.”

And Broncho Billy took charge of the two
Chinamen.

“ Now, who is in the cabin!”

“Not a soul."

“ You are sure?”

“ Yes, pard.”

“ We will see.”

And Wild Bill leaving Broncho Billy toguard
Bouncer, the Indians and Chinese, with the rest
of his comrades went to the cabin.

“ Hold on, pard, don’t bu’st in ther door, for
I hes ther key, and yer’ll find a lamp handy on
a table as yer goes in."

And Bouncer handed over a key to Wild Bill.

“ White Beaver, you go in with me, while
you, North, with Night Hawk and J aek, watch
outside.”

And Wild Bill and the Surgeon Scout opened
the door and entered.

They found themselves in a large hallway,
and a amp was found and lighted.

At the rear end was a lar e fire-place, on one
side of which was a door an a cupboard upon
the other. -

A table was near, and the place seemed a kind
of dining-room and kitchen.

On the ri :ht a door led into a large room filled
with all kinds of things rtaining to frontier
life, weapons of various inds, saddles, bridles,
lariats, serapes, furs, clothing and many other
articles.

0n the left were two good-sized rooms. both
bedrooms, and strangely well furnished for that
wild land.

The front one of them, it could be seen, was
the living room of the master of the ranch, and
it was just as he had left it. There were a num-
ber of books on shelves, a guitar, a piano, a
banjo, easy-chairs. a luxurious lounge, curtains
to the window, a large fire-place, and innumera-
ble little things to make the room attractive to
the dweller therein. . - O

The back room, Opening into the hall, seemed
to be reserved as a guests’chamber and was very
comfortable.

Rude steps led up from the hall, through a
trap to a garret. and wild Bill went up on a,
voyage of discovery, but found nothing to re.
ward him. '

Descending, he went With the otherS, ufon a
thorough search of the entire ranch', with n the
inclosure, and came to the gate where Bravo
Buck had been sent.

But he was not there. .

Then began a search for him, but Without re-
suit, and, to add to their amazement the scouts
soon discovered that Dashing Dan, Band Dick
and their prisoner, Foxy, had disappear .

Then a careful search was made of the whole
ranch by the scouts, the prisoners being carried
with them; but not a sign of the lady rider, or
their missing comrades and Foxy, could be
found.

In some mysterious way all had disappeared,

CHAPTER XXIII.
“ HOLDING rim roar.”

“ Pms, what are we to make out of this mysp
terious disappearance? _

The one who asked the question was Wild Bill,
and he did so after the ranch had been thor-
oughly searched for the third time, by moon-

ht, and with the use of lanterns.

or once the brave scout was nonplused, and
his comrades were in very much the same frame
of ind.

t was no wonder, either, when they had pur-
sued the horsewoman into the ranch, and then
been very coolly informed that she was a specter.

They had not found her there. nor had they
found matters different from what Foxy had
represented them, after they had gotten into the

ranch.

But they had been unable to find any trace of
their comrades, who had so mysteriously disap-
peared from their posts of duty.

“ I shall hold the fort, boys, and camp here.”
said Wild Bill, and so Frank Powell took the
large gate, Texas JaCk wdnt to the small one,
the Indians and Bouncer were securely bound,
the Chinee being left free, and Broncho Bill
was placed on guard over the. cabin in whic
they were confined, while Wild Bill. Frank
North and Night Hawk George continued their
investigations as well as they could by moon-
1i ht.

gThe horses eyen of the three scouts had disap-
peared, along with those of the two Red Owls,
whom they had with them, so there was no solv.
ing the mystery. try as they might, for certainly
their comrades were no men to desert them, nor
were they the kind to surrender without resist-
ance, and not a shot had been heard, nor a call
from them for aid.

When at length the long night wore away, and
daylight came, the search for trails was he-

 

 

To the surprise of the scouts not a trail could
be found to show how the horses of their com-
rades had disappeared, and the most thorough
search of all was fruitless.

“ Well, we will remain here and work from
this oint.

“ f Kent Kennard comes then he will have to
answer to me, for there is some trickery in all
this which he is doubtless at the bottom of.

“ I only hope that no harm has befallen our
comrades and the girl; but we hold this ranch
and here we’ll remain until the mystery is
cleared up.

“ Now you, Broncho, I wish to go oi! on a
little expedition for me, and I’ll tell you just
what it is, and if you push right through you
ought to get back within thirty-six hours."

roncho Billy expressed himself as ready for
the work before him, be it what it might, and
soon after he rode away from the ranch at a
gallop.

That they might have as little trouble as pros-
sible with the prisoners they were handcu ed
with some irons found in Kennard's cabin, and
then chained in the shanty, which rendered
them secure without a scout to watch them.

“ I hate to chain up the squaw like a dog, but
she‘s as vicious as a snake, and would set them
all free mighty uick,” said Wild Bill.

The Indian c 'ef bore his captivity like a
stoic, the squaw was sullen, and Bouncer was
seemingly indifferent.

The two Chinese had been given a warning by
Wild Bill, and then set to work to do the cook-
ing and camp work, and they appeared as well
satisfied at it as though their former master was
there.”

The five remaining scouts then began to go
over every foot of ground within the stockade,
keeping a look to the approach of any one from
the prairie that might coming, and prepared
to meet any foe they might come upon.

But the search, as before, roved useless but
Wild Bill did not give up, an while Night Hawk
George acted as ard to keep a lookout upon
the prairie, he, ite Beaver, Frank North and
Texas Jack began to ex lore the creek shore.

The bank here was i h, and the stockade
wall ran along the edge 0 it, though there was
little danger to be apprehended from a foe in
that direction.

The creek was deep, for there was a bend
there, and the current cut in under the bank,
flowing swiftly.

From the stockade wall, on which Wild Bill
stood, down to the water was some forty feet of
precipitous bank, and on the other shore was a
wild growth, or thicket, with marsh and bogs.

Be 0nd was the prairie, and its approach
coul be guarded from the stockade wa .

The ranch being on a bill, was thus well lo-
cated for defense against foes that might be ten
times the number of those within the inclosure.

The Chinese gave the scouts a most excellent
breakfast; but they seemed in little humor to
:fit, as the loss of their comrades weighed upon

em. '

Failing in finding any trace of the missing
ones, they could do nothing but wait for coming
events to develop themselves into something
more substantial than the mysteries of the past.

While at dinner a hail from Night Hawk, who
was on duty at the prairie gate, carried them to
that point at a run.

Glancing out over the prairie they saw a
horseman coming.

He was evidently a cowboy, and came on
toward the gate with the air of one who sus-
pected no danger. .

As he drew near he called out:

“ Come, Foxy, open your old trap and let me
cogs in. ”

response the gate swung open, and into the
stwkade inclosure rode the cowboy. '

He drew rein suddenly as he saw that he Was
co‘v‘ered b several rifles, and he called out:

What s u , grade, and who is yer!”

“_ The ranc chan masters for the
"11119. Pam, and you’ll o well to understand
at once that you are a prisoner,” said Wild Bill.

“ It don’t take spectacles ter see that fact,
pard ' but whar’s ther cap‘n l”

“ on mean Kent Kennard?”

“ Yes, for he’s boa here. ”

“ You are mistaken, for 1 am boss here now.”

“It looks it: but whar is ther cap’ni”

“ In Prairie City. ”

“ I guess not, for he was at ther corral ranch
three hours ago, and told me tax-meet him here.”

“ Are you one of his men i”

“ I are, and my name’s down as Cowboy Kit.”
“ nd you came here to meet Captain Ken-
nerd?”

“ I did, for a truth!”

“ How long ago did you see him!"

“ Three hours.” '

“ Where?”

“At ther corral ranch that is his, and whar
we hev ther cattle.” '

“ How many of on are there?”

.  Khar’s nine leKtthar.”
11 You “3’ 9mm“! come there and told
you to meet him here?” A.

“ That‘s it. ” '

“ Where did he go then?”

‘ ‘He tukstrailtothernorth’srd.”

 

“ Was he alone?”

“ He were. ”

“ Well, sir, you must dismount and take your
chances with our comrades, for I have several
of your frien 5 here.”

‘ ‘ Whar’s Foxy i”

“ The gate guard?”

H Yas- l7

“ He escaped.”

“ Ah! And Bouncer?”

“ He is where you soon will be.”

“ Whar is thet?"

“ n irons.”

“ Ther devil!”

“ lies; you shall be put where you cannot es-

cape.
‘ And ther In'uns!”

“ You'll find t em there.”

“ And ther Chinee niggersfi’

“ They are prisoners, too, though not in
irons.”

“ Wal, I gives in, for I are clean tuk back,
and no mistake. ”

“ Jack, take the gentleman over to the cabin
with the others and iron him well, while we
wait here to receive Captain Kennard with all
honors,” said Wild Bill.

And a close watch was at once set for the dis-
covery of Kent Kennard’s approach.

CHAPTER XXIV.
rim LEADER or THE RED owns.

I MUST now return to little Brad Buckner,
who it will be remembered went down under
his horse upon the prairie after seeing the
strange horsewoman who had fled from the
scouts.

The boy was temporarily stunned by the fall,
and when he came to, found his pony feeding
near.

He was dared for awhile, and only with an
efl'ort overcame the feelingupon him.

Then he mounted Fire-cracker and started
homeward, feeling rather sore all over.

In the mean time his father had become
alarmed at his long absence, and accompanied
by a 00me had set out in search of him.

Crossing the stream. they saw Brad approach-
ing slowly across the prairie and soon came up
With him.

In a few words he told his father of his adven-
tures, and swore him to secrecy regarding the
presence of Wild Bill and his comrades in that

art of the country and who had determined to

d Belle Bradford.

As the two were talkin together the 00wa ,
who had ridden some istance' awa on t
prairie, suddenly came back at a g op with
the report that quite a number of horsemen were
coming down the stream trail.

Instantly their horses’ noses were muzzled
and they all lay down in a buffalo wallow that
they might see who were the strangers.

The moon was very brilliant, and soon the
horsemen came in sight.

Ma'or Buckner had his glass with him, and
from ' placeinthe grass turned it upon the

men.

“ Great God i”

'The exclamation came in startled words from
his lips, and he handed the glass to Brad, who
quickly said, as soon as he had leveled it:

“ It’sthe Red Owls, .”

“ It is indeed; but w o is it at their heed?”

Again the b0 looked and then handed the
glam to the co y, while he said:

“ You say who it is, Burt.”

“ Why, it’s Ca ‘1: Kennard," was the sur-
prised remark of e cowboy.

“Yes, itis and he alone of all the
hand wears no

“ Now he cannot deny what I have seen with
my own eyes ” said the major.

‘ He denied what I saw with my eyes,” Brad

returned.

“I cannot now believe that you were mis-
taken, my son.

“ Just to think, the captain of the Regulator
ganlgtennoneotherthan theleaderof 0 Red.

W

“No wonderthis countryisin afearful
state."

 

“ gouwillreporthim, father, to theReguls- ‘

“Alas, my bog,Icannot,Idare not.
“DidIdare o
troubleu him last ' ht at the Overland!
But heho apower that cannot despise,and
Icanonl waitandhope.” ‘
“And etthismango on as he lawhen you

know he is a Red Owli"almost indignantlyssid .

the boy.

“Itmustbe so, atleastforthsrpresent, and I
wishyou, Brad, andyoualso,B ,tpsa noth-
ingo seein butha's-dwiththe Owls,
but leave for me to settle.”

“Certain, major, if you wishes it: but I‘d
like to put a bullet inter him,”responded the

00wa . . ~
“Seey,they are on down the damn,

mdnotcrossing,asl eucdtheyintsnded,»

paymeavisit. .

Let me see,there are  of

edon these

so, would I not have forced *

u qfathsrandthe all-sain’to'bemmmt‘ 7‘

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

W011

' ‘ feared the one she met, arid have 1!

“ ' home, and had

1

K

 the slightest degree, while he re

; p’n Kenn-lira, on’isalyin’ hound tor y
r V:  "yelled Burt, a the some time drawing his
_: f“ fe'ev , er and throwing it'forwu'd. 

'16

The Dead  

 

 

otheads look in the moonlight,” Brad re-
joined.

Pausing within a short distance of the three
in hiding. the Red Owls held on down the stream
and soon disappeared from sight.

“ Where are they going, I wonder?”said Brad.

“ I don’t knew, but they are bound upon some
deviltry.

“ Now, Brad, you go on home and get some
rest, for you need it sadly, and Burt will go
with me to the town, and also SOB if it was real-
ly Belle you saw on horseback.”

Brad wanted to go too, and hunt for his cousin
Belle, though he felt that he was not able to do
so: but his father was firm, and he set out alone
for the ranch. while Major Buckner and Burt
rode on their way toward Prairie City.

It was quite a long ride that the two took. and
proved a useless search, and it was verging on
midnight when they rode up to the Overland Pal-
ace and dismounted.

Landlord Sands met them at the door and
gave them a welcome, for he was always a
genial host.

“ Glad to see you, major; and you too,
Burt.

“ Any news of the young lady, sir?”
- “ No, Sands, nothing that is cheering; but is
Captain Tayloe, of the army, here?”

“ Yes, maior, you will find him in the saloon
yh‘yégfi cards with Kennar .”

‘ at Kennard?"

“ Cap’n Kent Kennard.”

Major Buckner started, and asked quickly:

“ Is Kent Kennard here?” '

“ Yes, sir.”

“ When did he come?”

“ I really could not say, major, for he has his
room here, the past few days, and comes and
goes at will."

“ I will go in and see Captain Tayloe,” said
the major, and he entered the gambling saloon,
Itollowed by Burt. . -

There truly sat Kent Kennard, a cigar between
his teeth, calm, cynical and handsome, as he
pgyed cards with Captain Tayloe, the army
'0 oer.

“ You are too heavy for me, Kennard, for I

v can aflord to lose only so much and must with-

draw,” said the army officer, as Major Buckner
drew near. .

Discovering the visitors, the officer arose and
greeted him pleasantly, while Major Buckner
asked, as he did not return the nod of recog-

' ‘nition which Kennard gave him: i

“ May I ianuire Captain Taylce, if Captain
Kenmd has con long in this saloon to-night?”

“‘ I can answer for myself, Buckner.

‘“ I came here half an hour ago,” was the terse

re .

R1Bron: a ride upon the prairies i”

“No, from my room in the hotel, where I
have been sleeping most of the day.”

“ You have not been out on t e prairies to-

day!”

“ I have not; but let me tell you, Major Buck-
ner, that I am not one to submit to being ques-
tioned by any man. ”

“ You may, Captain Kennard, have to sub-
mit soon to being questioned by the Regulators,”
was the angry retort of the ms. or, and he look-
ed at the one he addressed a 'menacl‘ng

way.
But Kent Kennard did not chttpge color in
med wit a

sneer.
“ If 1 am questioned by the Regulators, sir,
from any reason they may deem fit, Major
Bucknerwill not be among that au st body,
ithough he may also be called be ore them
to answer certain questions, which I, as their
ca , might ask.”
r ajor Buckner colored and then turned pale,
while Ca tain Tsyloe said quickly:
“Gent emen, I cannot see that an argument
between you two will result in any good, so I
on to desist, while you, Major Buckner, I
dwlike to ask if you have any news of your

“ No, sir, no more than that she was seen to-
night upon the prairie, but fled at the call of. the
one who saw her. ” -

“This is strange, indeed; but was she
.monntedf”

“Yes sir.”

:; Andglomr'

“It is indeed strange° but she may have

ed, being on
her way

"“No, sir, for she had had ample time to come
not crossed the stream at the
place where she should have forded it.”

home. "

., I; “But who saw her?”
I ’ d‘ My son.”

“That wise boy again,” sneered Kent Ken-

nerd!”
“You, sir, and he is as positive that he saw
-, as I and Burt here are that we saw you
out upon the lac-night,” retorted the

, W,quickly.
,‘ ‘Then oursight likethebo ’s isol! an
we: not onytheprairl’eto-night "y ’ ’ ,

,1

 

 v2 '-

There were two flashes and reports, almost
gellinding as one, and then a heavy fall of a
l o y.
l “ Your cowboy should have been quicker
‘ with his weapon if he intended givintr me the
i lie, Buckner; but he meant well, for heTias chip-
ped a piece out of my shoulder.
j “ Perhaps you will see to his burial, as I have
, more 1m ortmn: Work to do,” and Captain Kent
Kennar left the saloon, while Major Buckner
bent over the body of the cowboy. ‘

“ Poor Burtl he is dead, for the bullet pierced
his brain,” he said. '

“Yes, Cap’n Kennard always hits dead cen-
ter,” responded one of the bystanders.

And giving to Sands, who just then came in,
some money to have Burt decently buried,
Major Buckner left the saloon accompanied by
Captain Tayloe.

CHAPTER XXV.
ON 'rnE SAME TRAIL.
“COME with me to my room, major,” said
Captain Tayloe, as the two left the saloon to-
gether after the tragic death of Burt, the cow-

 

O .

lyn that wild place a man’s death amounted to
but a momentary excitement, and when it was
ex lained that Burthad called Ca tain Kennard
a iar, and then “drew on him,’ but “wasn’t

uick enough,” no more questions were asked,
t ough it was Wondered, when Major Buckner
wasthe cause. apparently, he had not taken up
the cowboy’s quarrel with the Regulator.

Upon going to the room of Captain Tayloe,
Major Buckner found that it adjomed one that
was occupied by the oflcer’s wounded brother.

The two were pleasant quarters, and, with
Sands for landlord, as far as the rooms were
concerned, and the generously supplied table,
the Overland Palace was by no means an un-
pleasant abiding-plnce; but, with the wild ele—
ment about it, the danger of death, the drink-
ing and carousing by night and by day, it was
not a resort to seek for quietude.

“ Be seated. major,” said the army officer, po-
litely, and Major Buckner dropped into a seat,
considerably shaken up b the death of his fa-
vorite cowboy at the ban 3 of the man against
whom he dared not raise a finger.

“Captain Tayloe, what I say to you sir, is in
confidence, if on will so consider it ” he began.

“Certainly, i ajor Buckner,” an the officer
got up and closed the door between the two
rooms.

“ Now, sir, what you say will not be over-
heard ” he said. as he resumed his seat.

“ W hat I would say, sir, is that my sister and
her niece are from the South, and their kindred
were in the Southern army.

“ In their old home it was that they met Kent
Kennard, at one time an officer, I believe, inthe
Confederate army, or at least he was so consid-
ered. and afterward a guerrilla.

“He had loved my niece then, and was re-
fused by her, and when they came here to live
with me,lafter the war, he also turned up in
Kansas, to our great horror, for we fear the
man reatly.

“ i- e is a ranchero has money it seems, and
is captain of the Regulator Vigilaan or
Ran ers, thou h be is known to be one of the
wild t, most esperate spirits on the border.

“ Now, I am pained to say that he holds over
myself and Belle and her mother a famil secret
of ours, and through this forced himsc f upon
us in a friendly way, and more, forced us to
consent that my niece should marry him, though
he knows she is engaged to another,a young
Texan Ran or an cattle-man on the Rio
Grande, an whom she has known from her
earliest girlhood.

“ In consenting to marry Kennard Belle did
so from strateg ,for she wrote to her lover,
hopin he won] come and in some way pm
vent i .

“ I am now confident that this letter was in-
tercopted by Konnard, for instead of waiting
for the appointed time for his marriage, he met
her upon the prairie, and, as you know, kid-

napgzd her.” ‘
‘ your boy said. my dear major; but, as I
was witness to the fact that Kennard had not
left the saloon that afternoon or evening, it cer-
tainl 'was not he.”

” nd yet, major, when I doubted m boy
after all had heard, I do not now, as saw
Kennard myself on the prairie to-night.”

“ And yet he says he was not away from the
hotel)! ’

" So he says; but I saw him, and more, so
did Brad, my son. and that oor boy you heard

: call him a liar and lose his his hit it.’

“ Where was he?" :

“ A long way from Prairie City. following a
trail that runs along the bank of the stream
near my ranch. v

“ He rode at the head of twenty men who were
none other than the Red Owl Rangers.”

“ Hal can this be true?”

“ It certainly is, for I saw what I assert, as
did Burt and my son. ' .

“ I sent Brod to the ranch, and the cowboy
and myself went to look u the woman on
horseback, whom Brad III was his cousin

 

 

“And you could not find her!”

“No, sir.”

“ And then i” ,

“ We came here, and both of us were taken
utterly by surprise to find Kent Kennard play-
ing cards with you.” -v

“ Major, I am not a gambler, sir, though
fond of cards, and I played with that man to—
night to study him, for he interests me deeply.

“ He won from me, as he does from every
one, and I was glad to get out of the game.”

“He did not Win from that splendid scout,
Wild Bill.”

‘ ‘ N o; and I could not account for it."

“ I did.”

“ How?”

“ Wild Bill gave him warning that he would
kill him if he cheated, and kept his eyes upon
Kennard’s hands, so that he had to play
5 wire.”

“ Ahl that ma
cheating he must
alwa '5 wins.”

“ es Kent Kennard is a remarkable man.”

“ And so is Wild Bill.”

“ Ahl there on refer to one who is a wonder,
from all that have heard of him, and I hope
to see more of him.”

" I believe you will, sir, for I will tell you
that he is now on the search for my niece.”

“I am glad to hear this, for he will find her if
man can do it; but what you tell me about see-
ing Kennard on the prairie to—night astounds

me. i

“ Can he have a double?”

“It would be impossible to find his double in
deviltry.”

“ That maybe and in looks, too, for he is a
wonderfully han some man.”

“Yes, he is a magnificent devil; but, major
I wish to ask you, as you are here to try and
keep your e es on the movements of Kent Ken-
nard, and at me know when he is here, and
when away?” ,

" I will gladly do so, major.

“The fact is, I have a brother who has been
a pretty wild fellow, and he got wounded in a
scrape, sent to the fort for me, and I am here
to nurse him.

“Now Andy is improving and he may be
able to tell us something about Kennard.

“ Come, and I will introduce him."

He led the major into the other room, and
upon the bed lay a white-faced but handsome
young man.

be; but what an adept at
, as he is never caught, and

“Andy, this is Major Buckner, formerly of

Ell]? army, and now a ranchero,” said the cap-
in.

“I have met Major Buckner before, and be
will remember me when I tell him I am known
here as Mexico.”

“Ah, yes, you once saved m niece and my-
self from capture by a roving and of.Indians
and we have always felt most kindly toward
you Mr. Tayloe.”

“ wanted to accept your kind invitation,
sir, to visit you, for you were good enough to
say that you recognized me as a gentleman;
but the fact is, I have an enemy b the name oil
Rum that has made a pretty bar case of me
and ,i would not go to where Miss Bradford
was.

he was once an officer in the army, at 17 die-
missed through dissipation, andwent to 91100,
and then came here.

“ That is why they dubbed him Mexico, and
also, as he always wears the Mexican costume;
but e intends to be a diflerent man now.”

“ hopeso, and as soon as he is able to get
out, I hope he will come to the ranch, for he can
recu rate there more rapidly, and as I need a.
h ranchero, poor Burt beln dead, the '-
tion is open to you. Mr. Tay as, for I eve
you have been a cowboy.” .

“ Cowboy, teamster. hunter, guide, scout, so]-
dier—in fact almost anything and everything
Major Buckner; but I accept with pleasure
with thanks, the offer you make me, and
read for work in a week or so.”

“ n’t be in too
bad wound you received.”

“The man who gave it got a worse,” was the
re ly of the reckless young hordes-man who had
in led his enemy after he had received the wound
that had so nearly cost him his life. ‘

“ Now, Andy, tell us if you know Kent Ken;

net-dc; ” ‘ I,
6| 0'
“Do you knowif thereisanothermanonthe
border that resembles m!”
“ No, nor finywhere ”
swear. for he s not a man to match easy.
“gigatfvtvgulggaog  if I wouldsayhe was
ca 0 e w s
I") It wpuld be just like him, in my humble
on. , '
OP‘I‘nWell, I wanted the major to heal-\what you
had to so about him, and also to know if

thought it possible that he had a double on the .

prairies.”

“ The Lord made but one devil, Arthur, m I V 

think that Kent Kennard is the man.”

leave of thewoun ed man ‘the

taki
captain,“ the ransom mounted

“ My brother has not been a. saint‘)major,lfor,

tahurry,for inward~

, Arthur, I should.

1"

, p...

av-

“has

“ I with you,” said Me or Buckner and ‘1
his and

n.

.v-r

 

 

bx

 

hishorsgaudV 

 

 

 

 

 

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. “Wed Met-wee-

.. ;~ . ‘- ’  ' A" 'c. 

The Deedfihot Nine;-

 

 

    

13

 

 

when I was here to—day, came a score of diffel-
ent trails, and that was about the number we
stampedcd last night.”

“ [hate to see you go alone."

“ ()h, I‘ll take care of myself.”

“ Let me put on the other disguise you have
and go with on.”

“ As you 1) case, Bill; but I think the strategy
would work better with one than two.”

“ I’m only afraid you’ll get into an owl‘s nest
on entering.”

“ I‘ll play ()wl, you may be assured, and open
those gates so that you can enter. '

“ I don’t believe there are many men at the
gate, doubtless only one on watch, and I‘ll man-
age him until you come up.”

“ ’l‘rue, you can do that, and the girl must be
rescued, which see no other chance of getting
admission, and the boy said, you remember,
that Kennard had some dozen men at his
ranch."

“ I don‘t mind the number with the boys we
havo here, it We can only get a foothold, and
my )lan is about the safest, I think.”

“ can suggest no other, except to charge up
to the stockade, scale it, open the gate and light
it out."

B “ It would cost too many of our little band,

ill.

“No; let me go as I suggest, alone, and I’ll
call out that I am Brandy Ben, whom I killed,
and whose voice I heard just enough to imitate,
and I’ll shout a warning, too. ,

“ They‘ll let me in, I'm sure, and the surprise
I give whoever is there will give me a chance to
open the guns for you.

“ Now I'll make my toilet and be off.”

'l‘en mindtes after, rigged out in his Owl’s
head-dress. White Beaver mounted the horse of
the slain Brandy Ben and rode away across the
prairie.

He made quite a long circuit, for fear some
one mi htbe watching him with a glass from the
stockat c, and then approached the ranch from

' another direction.

Arriving within a quarter of a mile from the
gate, he suddenly saw coming toward him at a
run his scout comrades.

They Were riding as though to try and head
him oil’.

He gave a pretended shout of alarm, and
dashed for the stockade at the full speed of his
horse. _ .

It looked like an exciting chase, with the
chances in favor of the pursued, and gaining on
the others, as he intended to do, White Beaver
started up the slope for the gateway, calling
out, in a voice well feigned to resemble the
tones of the man he had slain:

“Open the gate! ho there, pards!”

Almost instantly came back the cry:

“ Who are you? ’

“Brandy Ben!”

“ Ay, ay, I see you now, Ben! all right!” was
the reply, and t e gate was at once thrown
wideo n.

Intopii: at full speed dashed White Beaver,
and quickly the gate closed behind him, while
the man shouted:

“Come, Ben, sound the tocsin, while I open

V fire on those devils, or the ’1! be over the stock-

ade before we can check t em.”

White Beaver saw the man spring to a rack,
in which were visible half a dozen rifles of all
sizes and calibers, for a lantern hung in the lit-
tle shanty at one side of the gateway:

What the tocsin was, or where it was, the
scout did not know, or care; but, 11le as a
flash he threw himself from his sadd e, and, as
the man threw the muzzle of his rifle into a small
port-hole, to fire upon the cumin scouts, be
seized him in his powerful asp,an hurled
to the floor with a force tha pearly stunned him,
while he said sternly:

“One word, air, or one act of resistance, and

you die!”

“ Hold, Ben. what’s up that you behavo so?

“ This hain’t uare. and the cap’n ’ll hang you
for it,” whined

6 £238th man, at the same
time trying to ip ‘ hand upon the butt of a
revolver in his bel .

But springing forward White Beaver put his
foot upon the arm with a force that nearly
an pedthe bone, andcriedlternly:

“ shall have to kill you, my man, for I am
not our friend, Brandi Ben.

“ K’ow Obey me, or I keep my word.”

now, for he was half-
daaed with surprise, and he laid:
, “ I cries give up, pard.”

“ See this you act it as well,” and White Bea»
ver took from him his revolver and knife.

Then he ordered him to rise, and marched him
to the side of his horse, when he took the lariat
from the saddle-horn and quickly bound him
with a skill that evinced practice in just that
kind of work.

Just as he finished his task, the hoof: of the

The man was cowed

’ ' ocouts’ horses ware heard almost up to the stock-
’ ade, and throwing down the inner barn, White

Beaver-o edthe tunndsteppedwithout,
p“ unify

his risoner held

‘ !  t .
' 0 slow he on raining
 :Pfi'dl 3° . i

, warning.
yall drew rein with a suddenneu that

‘.

 
 

t

 

   

“Pards, I’ve got the gate, and have here the
uard; but I do not know what more we will
'ave to face, so come in softly and we’ll hold a

council of war, and find out what this fellow
knows.”

“I don’t know nothing,” was the sullen reply
of the prisoner, whom W hite Beaver recognized
as the same man whom he had seen at the gate
on duty that morning.

“That remains to be seen, pard,” said Wild
Bill, and he stepped up to the side of the prison-
erdand placed his pistol-muzzle hard against his
51 9.

CHAPTER XX.
A MYSTERY UNSOLVED.

THE guard at the stoekade gate of Kennard’s
ranch was certainly in a tight place, with the
Dead Shots about him.

He had not expected danger, and was there-
fore wholly taken b surprise when so cleverly
captured by White eavcr.

Added to this, the other scouts coming up
were enough to awe him.

But he nervul himself to what was before
him, and when Wild Bill placed his revolver
against his heart, he did not move or flinch.

“ Now, my man, you are dealing with those
who can be mercifu . if there is need of their be-
ing so, and who can be merciless with cause, so
I wish your answers to be governed accordingl ,
for your fate depends upon yourself,” stcrni’y
said Wild Bill.

“ Who are you, and what do you want here?”
boldly asked the guard.

" l ’e are prairiemen, on a laudable hunt, and
we intend to carry out our good intentions.

“ As for a name, those who know us best call
us Dead Shots.”

“ And who is that traitor?”and the man pointr
ed to White Beaver, who still wore his mask of
the Red Owl.

“ Ah ! you spoke without thinking, my friend,
for you give it away that be, wearing the
Eiask of a Red Owl, is a. traitor to bring us

ere.

“So you, too, belong to the band which you

 

l

l

I

 

accuse him of being a traitor to ?”

The man felt that he had betrayed himself,
and muttered an oath; but he answered quick-
3“A compact exists among the Red Owls not 1
to harm this ranch, as its owner once saved the i
life of their captain, and that man, to lead you 3

 

“'-I don’t understand on.”

“ Where is the lady who entered this stockade
a while since?”

The man was silent and seemed a. trifle ner—
vous.

“ Did you hear me?"

“Did you see it too?” he asked, in a hushed
tone.

 See, what?”

“ What it, man?” .

“- The Ghost,” he said, in a whisper.

“ My man, don’t take us for idiots, for we
don’t believe in ghosts.”

“ Nor did I until I saw it,” was the answer,
and the man’s whole manner changed to one of
nervous dread.

“ Look here, sir,” sternly said Wild Bill.

“ Don’t attempt to play us for fools, but tell
me where the lady is that rode into this stockade
an hour ago?” ,

“ God only knows, pard, for I don’t.”

“Do you mean to say that no lady entered

 

' here?”

“ I mean to say that a ghost did.”

“ You opened the gate for her?”

“ I always do! but it’s a spirit.”

Wild Bill uttered an impatient imprecation.
and turned to White Beaver, and asked in a.

whis -r: -
“ 1What is be giving us, Beaver?” , .i
“ I am watching to see if he believes what he 2 g,

says, 'or is trying to deceive us.” ‘ 1, f

“ And what do you think, Doc?"
“Question him more and I will tell you,” an-

swered the Sur eon S(()11I. , 
“You have t e face to tell me that the wo— . 
man on horseback, whom that gentleman f

chased across the prairies, and saw dash into
this ate, is a ghosti” v 

“ es, pard.” ' - 

“ And you believe it?” ‘ -"

“ I do.’ ,

Just then Broncho Billy and Bravo Buck re‘
turned, and reported that the trails. some
twenty, in number of horses, approached near
to the gate, then turned off around the stockade
to the north, going on up the creek bank in one
solid trail.

“ So far your story holds good, my man, re-
garding the trail of the Red Owls; but, Billy,
do they approach the stockade here’ in one; ,7
trail?” \  

“ No, they come from different ways, just as ' l " ‘

 

here, for whatever urpose you may have come, I we saw them scatter and meet near the ate and

certainly turns traitor against the wishes of his I then form one trail, as though uni

chief.”

“ Ah! well said, and cleverly turned, pard;
but it won’t serve you.

“ Now answer me: is not this ranch the re-
treat of the Red Owls?”

“ It is not.”

‘ ‘ What is it?”

“ The prairie home of Captain Kent Kennnrd,
a ranchero, and leader of the Kansas Vigi-
lantes.”

“ A captain of what is supposed to be a law-
abiding, crime-punishing band of Vigilantes.
and et suspected of being a leader of the Red
Owl ngers, the worst set of cut-throats that
ever disgraced the border.”

.“ He ma be accused, but that don’t make
him so, an his actions are too open for him to
be thought so by those who know him.”

“ That remains to be seen; but tell me, where
is he?”

“ In Prairie City.”

“ And his men?’

“ The Vigilantesi”

(6 No. ’7

“ The cattlemen of this ranch i”

H No. H

“ Who then i”

:: $11119 Red Owls."

ey are not his men but the passed here
at early dawn this mornin , goingiiorthward.

“ You will find their trai around the north
end of the stockade, and from there I do not
know where the lead.”

“They did no halt!”

it No i

“ Brdncho Bill , you and Bravo Buck take a.
:30; 1:8 those” $1155, but don’t be gone but a few
11 .

The two scouts started (if! on foot, and Wild

Bi‘l‘lgvolilitinuied: i V
ere syourmasterscom of ' -

hates?” my m

“I have no master.”

“Your chief then?”

“ In Prairie 5 ." ,

“ Ah! they dwe ltherei”

u Yes ” -

‘ ‘ And his cattlemen, or cowboys!”

“ They drove the cattle to anth-
ground to-day, down the creek some .”

“ How many cowboys has he?” ,

“ About ten?” i

“ Many cattle i” ’

“ Pretty considerable.”

“ And who are here at the ranch?”

“ About half a. dozen, incl the servant.”

:: Do you expect‘your master ome noon?”

 

Homgymnnnymtmnnwhm

notion-day; .
“When  ,

 

:i' ‘2
>, h : .:-' 7‘6

,byall

’ meeting here, if not together, going in a given

direction alone, as to a rendezvous,” answered
Broncho Billy..
“ Now, my man, we will return to the ghost.”
Ll  ?” - ;
“ \Vho is it?” -"- -' a
“ If you remember a young lady who was . ‘
murdered some years ago in this part of the .
countr l” J
“ No, I do not know it, but it appears to me»
that I recall somethin of the kind.  , i;
“I do,” said Frank orth. “She came out to 
these parts with a train, looking for herhus~ . ;
bandLeand  todstogd in Pgairie Cigy, if I re-' , ‘ '
mem rang ,an r can eve a '
toflnd’the manshe was in searchb’f. ymg '.
“ Some say she would be gone for days, and
then turn 11 when they thought she was dead. ' ~ 
“She money, and kept the best bones,
and one day was found murdered. . ,
“ I remember that Buffalo Bill told me about .’ -
it, for he knows her, and said her murderer had .
never been found.” . -
“Is this the storyasyouknow it, myman?"  ,,
dud Wild Bill turned sin to the ranchman.   '
“ Well, with a little ' erence.” 1- '
‘ ‘ What difference?” -
:: gousvant to know all I can tell you, par-d?”
as. v . .
“About the Prairie gpecter, for that‘s what
they call her hereabouts ,  ' y ,
3 Ya.» ‘ g 5"

“ I don‘t like to talk about her, for she has! ~ ” *‘
scared me heaps of times; but I don’t like that: ;.
revolver ot ours against me, and I suppose I. [a 7“,
must got five.” - " .,‘ I;

“ It will be more healthy for you if you 
no out with your story, and be lively, for we " ;
have no time to 1090, especially if we have to, 

 

 

kill and bury you.” 
“Table maastaulrted it thia,al h he seemed; , '
0 we isdanger an then began A
hisstonrgofthePrairieSpectezi ', 
CHAPTER xxx. , ,, -“Lii
“ You see, paid,” the man, “I know I.
the. ulheardigandlmntvouchfw>
whatI on’t nee.” ‘  _
B_‘l‘]Can you for what you lee!” asked  l
i . -. -, ,. ,
“Sometim "wasthelaconic .r' V
“meta...” .  .

  
  
  

 

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*--.~:‘4 ......-. ,M.--.\; man‘s.  -

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'14

 

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

“ They reported in Prairie City what they had
found and done, and some parties from there
went out to see the grave, and be sure that no
wolves should drag up the body, for everybody
liked her, she was so young and beautiful.

“ But when they ot there it looked as though
the grave had been isturbed, and dig 'n g down
they found, not the lady, but the y of a
man.

“ He had been shot in the head, right in the
center between the eyes, where the lady had
been shot and he was rolled up in his blanket,
as she ha been in hers.

“This was a surprise—party, pards, to all in
Prairie City; but there was over a hundred
folks in that train, men, women and children,
and they all swore the same way about burying
the woman there, described her, and there was
no doubt.

“ But the woman did not turn up, and the
affair became a mystery in these parts.

“ N ow and then hunters came in telling how
they had seen the same Eretty woman—Lady
Luc they called her, for ei‘ name on the books
of t e Overland Palace was written Mistress
Lucille Lester, but the boys got it L—u-c-y, for
they et everything wrong in these parts.’

“ T en she was not dead?”

“ Oh, yes, pard.”

“ Then how could the hunters have seen her?”

“ They saw her ghost.”

“ Nonsense i"

“ It is not nonsense, pard, for folks soon
passed her, sitting on her horse, right across her
gave, and when some brave fellows, as didn’t

lieve in ghosts, tried to catch her, she laughed
a mad kind of laughter, and ran right away
from them.

“ Now Captain Kent Kennard has about the
fastest four-footed beast in these parts, and one
that can go a long way in a full run, but he
couldn’t catch her, and one night he was hardy
enough to shoot at her horse, eneigtyinLg his whole
rifle, for he’s a devil when rous , an yet it did
no good, for she laughed and ran away just the
‘ e

“ Was she seen afterward?”
“ Mani didn’t you see her tonight, and hain‘t
I seen her a dozen or more times"
“ Yes, thirteen times to—ni ht, and it’s the
thirteenth time that has brou t me had luck.”
“ Bah! you are as big a foo as the rest of the
host-sears.”
“ Pard, I tell you that that woman hain’t real:
she’s a spirit.
“ She has come across the prairie here some
nights, and I always opens the gate for her.
‘ The first time saw her I was smoking my
pipe when she rode up, and I let her in, thinking
she was a lady friend of the cap’n’s.

“She inted to the gate with her whip, and
I opene it, at the same ‘ e wishing her a good-
evenm

“ Long she looked at me and made no reply,
but I remembered her bi staring eyes.

“Well, I went over to reakfast in the morn-
ing, and asked who she was, saying a fine-look-
ing lady like her might be civil.

‘ But they told me no lady had come in, and I
got scared, for no one had seen her, and I had
not let her out of the gate again, nor had she

cut, for the key of the padlch that locks
he bar was in my pocket.

'1‘ Soon after she came again, and I told her
she could not come in.

“ Then her eyes blazed at me, and she pointed
at the gate.

“ I was scared, I can tell on, and I dodged
back through the little shu r and o ned he
gate, for I ad no power to do other .

“ Since then I alwa 8 let her in, but how she/
gets out Heaven only nows.”

“ We Will see if she has gotten out to-night,”
said Wild Bill, dryl .

“ Well, pard, you see.”

“Is there another gate i”

“ Onl a small one for humans, over on the
creek, or no horse could go through it.”

“Now tell me if you know Miss Belle Brad-

‘i

ord?’
“ I’ve seen her pard for she’s been here with
her uncle, to see Ca ’n kent.”
“ And when was s e here last?”
“ Some months ago, with her uncle and little

. ‘ 1
boyggxeisin.’

has been here since.”
“I hadn’t seen her.”
“ Who else guards this gate?”
“ No one.” 4,, I
“ You alone attend to it?”
,“ Yes, pard, exce ting when I to my meals
9 boys takes

, p at the ranch. an then one of
‘ my place until I come back.”
‘ And you say that Miss “2:8.de 0rd has not

_ come in here sincea month

H No. 1’
“ he was your master here last?”

Thfiedays ago.”
was not here early last night, with
files Beadford?" '

, o. ..

Wild Billturnedtohiscomrades, fortlieman
seemed Eonsst.

“ t do you say Beaver?” he asked.

“Leavehim a hero,th Dashin
ick to guard him,and hold

3?  ..

- u..- ‘us-fi-m. v  v u»

the ate, while the rest of us search the ranch;
but rst let us find out just where the small gate
is, that he speaks of, and we can send a man
there to guard it, for our presence here does not
seem to be known to any one else in the in-
closure.”

“ A good plan, Beaver.

“You, Dandy, remain here with Dashing
Dan; and Buck, you go to the little gate for
this man will tel you how to reach it, if he
values his life.”

“ I’ll tell you, pard, for this is a square ranch,
and I’ve nothin to hide, while you seem to be
acting with aut ority.

“ But I would like to know which of the Red
Owls that man is, for I know most of ’em, and
it’s not Brandy Ben, as he’s always half drunk
and has the flavor of a bar-room about him.”

“Never mind which one he is; but he is one
to soon let us know if you tell the truth.

“ Now tell us how to find the little gate.”

“ Better follow the stockade wall around until
you come to a group of trees, growing against
it, and there is the gate.”

“ All right; now go, Buck.”

“Mounted, Bill?”

“ Can we ride there?"

H YregI it

“Go on horseback, then,” and Buck started

off.

“ Now tell us how to get to the ranch cabins?”

“ Why don’t you ask your traitor Red Owl
there, for many of ’em used to be cowboys here,
before they took to the road-agency biz, and he
should know.”

“We prefer to relv upon you, and your life
ban by what you tell us true or false. ’

“ 11 right, pard; I sup 9 I’m in for it, and
it mi ht be a sheep as wel as a lamb.

“ is trail leads right to tho cap’n’s cabin.”

“Come, )ards, we will be oil? and five of us
will 0 a little in advance on foot, on follow-
ing, eaver, with our horses, for, if t iere’s to be
hot work, we will need {our aid as a sur eon.”

So saying, Wild Bil moved oil’ on oot ac-
companied by Night Hawk Geor e, Broncho
Billy, Frank North and Texas . ack. while
White Beaver soon after followed with the
gorses, riding his own, and leading the other

ve.

At the ate remained Dashing Dan and Dandy
Dick, wit their horses, and the prisoner secure.
1 bound, while Bravo Buck had one to hold
t e little ate on the creek side of t e stockade.

With t is arrangement, Wild Bill ho to
take and hold the ranch against any 0d 5 that
might be there, in spite of what the guard had
sai , and all went pre red to face any peril
that mi ht come upon t em, and the confidence
they he d in themselves had been gained after a
long ordeal of deadly dangers in their wild life
upon the far frontier.

CHAPTER XXII.
a STARTLING DISAPPEARANCE.
AT the time Wild Bill and his comrades en-
tered the Kennard ranch, they did not doubt but
that they would find the maiden a prisoner

there.
The etc of the gate-guard they thought had
em to give them ascare regardin

 

been told
the s for rider, though some of them
hea the weird sto be ore.

Failing to have t is effect, they had an idea
that they would have to fl ht to get Belle Brad-
ford out of the clutches n Kennard’s followers,
for that the woman on horseback, whom White
Beaver had chased to the ranch, was other than
the kidnapped maiden they had not the re-
motest idea.

Thev feared, by her returning to the ranch,
that she had either gone mad, or having made
some arran ment for her liberty, had met them
on her way ome, and fearing them,had return-
ed to her captor rather than to them, it being
surmised of course that she did not know them
as they were.

Across the grounds then to the cabins went
the six men, stretched out in a long line, their
rifles ready, and themselves nerved for whatever
mi ht be before them.

routh the scatterin trees, up to the first
,cabin, w ich was evideu y a servants’ quarter.

A light burned diml Within, and a knock at
the door brought a rep y:

“ What is it?” .

“The ca ’n’s come, pard, and wants yer,”
said Wild ill.

“All right; is that you, Jake?” asked the
voice.

“ Yes, hurry up.”

A moment after amanste out of the door,
and a revolver confron his vision, while
stron hands grasped him upon either side.

“ W! What :33?” he cried. in alarm.
“ Who are you?” y demanded Wild Bill.

“Bouncer, are ther name is hitched to me
here,” said the man, taking his capture with
strangecoo 3.

He was of a herculean frame, had a
red head, ard the same hue, and small, cun-
niilig gray eyes.

ewasdremedas a cowboy, and had on his
belt of arms.

 

“ Well, Mr. Bouncer, we have lEnid a visit to
this ranch to look ‘fora young y,whomwe

'r‘ it 7  -‘  t ' L‘ . s
‘ 51 ""ur.“  9"-  }. ' i. '

 

know to be here, so if you aid us in our search
all will be well with you: but if you give us
trouble, you might as well spend your time from
this minute in prayer.”
“ I don’t know nothin’ about no gal.”
“ Remember, no lies, if you value your life.”
h “ Fact, pardi I doesn’t k'IOW of no gal bein’
ere.
“ Do you know Miss Belle Bradford?”
“ Has seen her often.”
“ \Vas she not brought here day before yester.
day evening?”
“Guess not, for I’d have known it: but ther‘
man at ther’ gate, Foxy, kin tell yer.”
“ When did you go to bed?”
“ An hour ago.”
“ And you saw no lady on horseback ride into
the ranch?”
“ Pard, has ther’ been a al on horseback seen
here?" and he spoke in a w isper.
H  i)
“ Then it were Lady Lucy’s ghost.”
“ Don’t give us any of that spirit talk, or I’ll
make a ghost of you.
“ Who was the lady?”
“ I ”tell yer it were ther Pararer Specter,

“ What do you do in this ranch?”

“ Has an eye to bossin’ it for ther cap'n.”

“ Where is he?”

“ Like as not in Pararer City, gamblin’ at ther
Overland, fer he do love keerds.

“ How many more of you are there here?”

“ Was], he has a Chinee cook and servant,
then thar’s a In 'un and his squaw, Chief Sal,
and Squaw Sal ie, we calls ’em, and they is
Tonkaways from Texas, and friends 0’ ther
ca 11.

“Who else?”

“ Thar is ten cattlemen, but they is down
ther creek at ther lower ranch with ther stock."

" No one else?”

u Nary.n

“ Your captain, two Chinamen, two Indians,
ten cowboys and Foxy?”

“ And me, Bouncer, for I is somebody, as
ye’d hev diskivered if yer hadn't caught me
aslee .”

“ es, and you, making seventeen in all.”

“ Yas, ard.”

“And ow many Red Owls has he i”

“ I don’t catch on, pard.”

“How many Red Owls has your captain

' under him ?”

“Pard he commands ther Vigilantes, ther
Ranger Regilaters, and don’t go for outlaw
work.

“ Why do the Red Owls not attack his ranch
then?”

“ Waal thar is them among ’em who would
like ter, I don’t deny; but then ther cap’n once,
in some way, helped their chief out of a life
scra , an’ so he won’t hear ter this ranch bein’
tack ed.”

“To hear you talk one would think only
saints dwelt in the Kennard ranch, but now
intend to see if you have told the truth, so lead
us to the Indians’ camp.”

“I’ll do it,” and the man led the way to a
couple of skin tepees further on in the timber.

A camp-fire was burning low in front of one
of the tepees, and at the sound of their steps a
head was thrust out of the other. .

“ Tonkaway i” called out the man.

“ Ugh i” came from within. ,

“ Come out, fer yer is wanted, ther is wisi~
ters here.

“Bring ther old lady, too, and tell her she
needn’t take time ter curl her front teeth and
lace up her dancin’-boots,.fer they is im tient
varmints, and might git one’sy wit ther
waitin’.”

Out of the tepee stepped a. tall Indian, with a
clean-cut, bold face, ,and following him was a

squaw. _

“ The does ther huntin’ fer ther ranch,” ex-
plained ouncer.

“ All i" ht- I want them to come with us.

“ Now e hinee,” said Wild Bill.

“germ skeer them China gents for death,

ar .

“ Lead the way to them.”

“ I’ll do it for I’m a obligin’ quss when I
can’t help bein’.” .

And Bouncer started off once more, followed
by the others, the Indians taking the situation
most stoically. '

Back of the main cabin, which was
comfortable, was a smaller shanty, an
the cowbo stopped.

“They some outlandish names 0’ the’r
own, pard, but we calls ’em by Christian cogno-
menu—that’s a good word hain’t it?”

And the cowboy smiled blandly.

“ Well, call them what you please, but make
them show up.”

“ Hello, Salt and Pegper—thet’s what We
be. tized ’em one dag-3n t 91' book, pard.”

0 answer came m Within the shanty, and

W918?“ $211?“sz per er bed better be
an s
out 1111in git aoquain wzth some friendscg
mine as is anxious ter know yer.
“Come out, or some 0’ ’em mayn’t believe
you is in thar and send a bullet arhuntin’ for

ya.”

and
here

 

 

 

 

 

 

fi'fi-

 

III-rs-

 

 l , v.  v . “,,vl.’. -a»-
,.- .5,“ . , . , , , . a. _ .
. 3 , I ‘ , .

v. r "an. :‘ ad; 

The Dead Shot'Nine.

15

 

 

The small door swung open and the two Ce-
lestials appeared.

The moonlight pierced the foliage and fell
full upon them, showing that they were very
much alarmed at what they beheld.

“ Are there others in the shanty ?” asked Wild
Bill.

“ Nary more,” re lied Bouncer.

“ I want you wit us.”

And Broncho Billy took charge of the two
Chinanien.

“ Now, who is in the cabin!”

“Not a soul.”

“ You are sure?”

“ Yes, pard.”

“ We will see.”

And Wild Bill leaving Broncho Billy to guard
Bouncer, the In ' ns and Chinese, with the rest
of his comrades went to the cabin.

“ Hold on, pard, don’t bu’st in ther door, for
I hes ther key, and yer’ll find a lamp handy on
a table as yer goes in.”

And Bouncer handed over a key to Wild Bill.

“ White Beaver, you go in with me, while
you, North, with Night Hawk and Jack, watch
outside.”

And Wild Bill and the Surgeon Scout opened
the door and entered.

They found themselves in a large hallway,
and a lamp was found and lighted.

At the rear end was a lar e fire-place, on one
side of which was a door an a cupboard upon
the other.

A table was near, and the place seemed a kind
of dining-room and kitchen.

On the right a door led into a large room filled
with all kinds of things pertaining to frontier
life, weapons of various kinds, saddles, bridles,
lariats, scrapes, furs, clothing and many other
articles.

On the left were two good-sized rooms, both

ms, and strangely well furnished for that
wild land.

The front one of them, it couldbe seen, was
the living room of the master of the ranch, and
it was just as he had left it. There were a num-
ber of books on shelves, a guitar, a piano, a
banjo, easy-chairs, a luxurious lounge, curtains
to the window, a large fire-place, and innumera-
ble little things to make the room attractive to
the dweller therein. . _

The back room, opemng into the hall, seemed
to be reserved as a guests’chamber and was very
comfortable.

Rude steps led up from the hall, through a
trap to a garret, and wild B111 went up on a
voyage of discovery, but found nothing to re—
ward him.

Descending, he went with the others, upon a
thorough search of the entire ranch, within the
inclosure, and came to the gate where Bravo
Buck had been sent.

But he was not there. _ .

Then began a search for him, but Without re-
sult, and, to add to their amazement the scouts
soon discovered that Dashin Dan, ting Dick
and their prisoner, Foxy, h disappea .

Then a careful search was made of the whole
ranch by the scouts, the prisoners being carried
with them; but not a sign of the lady rider, or
their missing comrades and Foxy, could be
found.

In some mysterious way all had disappeared.

CHAPTER XXIII.
“HOLDING ms roar.”

“ PARDS, what are W3 to make out of this mys.
terious disa rance? .

The one vyfgaasked the question was Wild Bill,
and he did so after the ranch had been thor-
oughly searched for the third time, by moon-
li ht, and with the use of lanterns.

or once the brave scout was nonplused, and
his comrades were in very much the same frame
of mind.

It was no wonder, either, when they had ur-
sued the horsewoman into the ranch, and hen
been very coolly informed that she was a specter.

They had not found her there. nor had they
found matters different from what Foxy had
represented them, after they had gotten into the

ranch.

But they had been unable to find any trace of
their comrades, who had so mysteriously disap-

red from their posts of duty.

“ I shall hold the fort, boys, and camp here.”
said Wild Bill, and so Frank Powell took the
large gate, Texas Jack went to the small one,
the Indians and Bouncer were secure! bound,
the Chinee being left free, and Bronc 0 Bill
was placed on guard over the cabin in whic
they were confined, while. Wild Bill. .
North and Night Hawk George continued their
investigations as well as they could by moon-

ht.
11gl'he horses even of the three scouts had disa
peared, along with those of the two Red 0w s,
whom they had with them, so there was no solv—
ing the mystery, try as they mi t, for certainly
their comrades were no men to esert them, nor
were the the kind to surrender without resist-
ance, h notashothadbeen heard, nor a call
from t em for ai

When at length along night wore away, and
daylight came, the search for trails has be-

gun.

 

 

 

To the surprise of the scouts not a trail could
be found to show how the horses of their com-
rades had disappeared, and the most thorough
search of all was fruitless.

“Well, we will remain here and work from
this oint.

" f Kent Kennard comes then he will have to
answer to me, for there is some trickery in all
this which he is doubtless at the bottom of.

“ I only hope that no harm has befallen our
comrades and the girl; but we hold this ranch
and here we’ll remain until the mystery is
cleared up.

“ Now you, Broncho, I wish to go off on a
little expedition for me, and I’ll tell you just
what it is, and if you push right through you
ou ht to get back within thirty-six hours."

fironcho Billy expressed himself as ready for
the work before him, be it what it might, and
soon after he rode away from the ranch at a
gallop.

That they might have as little trouble as pos-
sible with the prisoners they were handcuffed
With some irons found in Kennard's cabin. and
then chained in the shanty, which rendered
them secure without a scout to watch them.

“ I hate to chain up the squaw like a dog, but
she’s as vicious as a snake, and would set them
all free mighty nick,” said Wild Bill.

The Indian c ief bore his captivity like a
stoic, the squaw was sullen, and Bouncer was
seemingly indifferent.

The two Chinese-had been given a warning by
Wild Bill, and then set to work to do the cook-
ing and camp work, and they appeared as well
satisfied at it as though their former master was
there.”

The five remaining scouts then began to go
over every foot of ground within the stockade,
keeping a look to the a preach of any one from
the prairie that might go coming, and prepared
to meet any foe they might come 11 11.

But the search, as before, rov useless but
Wild Billdid not give up, an while Night fiawk
George acted as ard, to keep a lookout upon
the prairie, he, ite Beaver, Frank North and
Texas Jack began to ex lore the creek shore.

The bank here was i h, and the stockade
wall ran along the edge 0 it, though there was
little danger to be apprehended from a foe in
that direction.

The creek was deep, for there was a bend
there, and the current cut in under the bank,
flewing swiftly.

From the stockade wall, on which Wild Bill
stood, down to the water was some forty feet of
precipitous bank, and on the other shore was a
wild growth, or thicket, with marsh and bogs.

Be 0nd was the prairie, and its airproach
coul be guarded from the stockade wa .

The ranch, being on a hill, was thus well lo-
cated for defense against foes that might be ten
times the number of those within the inclosure.

The Chinese gave the scouts a most excellent
breakfast; but they seemed in little humorto
tefig, as the loss of their comrades weighed upon

in.

Failing in finding any trace of the missing
ones. they could do nothing but wait for coming
events to develop themselves into something
more substantial than the mysteries of the past.

While at dinnera hail from Night Hawk, who
was on duty at the prairie gate, carried them to
that point at a run.

Glancing out over the prairie they saw a
horseman coming.

He was evidently a cowboy, and came on
toward the gate with the air of one who sus-
pected no danger.

As he drew near he called out:

“ come, Foxy, open your old trap and let me
°°E°’“'" h a.

response t e gate swun open, and into e
stockade inclosure rode the gowboy.

He drew rein suddenly as he saw that he was
co‘vered by several rifles, and he called out:

‘ What s up, pards, End who is yer?”

“' The ranch has c an ed masters for the.
while, pard, and you’ll o well to understand
at once that you are a prisoner,” said Wild Bill.

“It don’t take spectacles ter see that fact,
pard ' but whar's ther cap’ni”

“ on mean Kent Kennard?”

“ Yas, for he’s boss here.”

“ You are mistaken, for 1 am boss here now.”

“ It looks it; but whar is ther cap’n?”

“ In Prairie City.” ‘

“ I guess not, for he was at ther corral ranch
three hours ago, and told me ter meet him here.”

“ Are you one of his men?”

“ I are, and my name’s down as Cowboy Kit.”

“ And you came here to meet Captain Ken-
nard?”

“ I did, for a truth?”

“ How long ago did you see him?"

“ hours.”

“ Where?”

“ At ther corral ranch that is his, and whar
we hev ther cattle.”

“ How many of on are there?” i '

“ Thar’s nine le t their.”

“ And you say Kennard came there and told
you to meet him here?”

“ That’s it.”

“ Where did he go then?” ‘

‘ ‘He tuk a trail tether north’u'd.”

/

 

 

“ Was he alone ?”

“ He were.”

“ \‘V ell, sir, you must dismount and take your
chances with your comrades, for I have several
of your friends here.”

‘ ‘ Whar’s Foxy .3”

“ The gate guard?”

t‘ Yas. ”

“ He esca .”

“ Ah! And Bouncer?”

“ He is where you soon will be.”

“ Whar is that?"

“ In irons.”

“ Ther devil l”

“ Yes; you shall be put where you cannot es-
ca .

“ And ther In ‘unsf”

“ You’ll find t em there.”

“ And ther Chinee Diggers?”

“ They are prisoners, too, though not in
irons.”

“ Wal, I gives in, for I are clean tuk back,
and no mistake.”

“ Jack, take the gentleman over to the cabin
with the others and iron him well, while we
wait here to receive Captain Kennard with all
honors,” said Wild Bill.

And a close watch was at once set for the dis-
covery of Kent Kennard’s approach.

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE LEADER or THE RED owns.

I imsr now return to little Brad Buckner,
who it will be remembered went down under
his horse upon the prairie after seeing the
strange horsewoman who had fled from the
scouts.

The boy was temporarily stunned by the fall,
and when he came to, found his pony feeding

near.

He was dazed for awhile, and only with an
effort overcame the feeling upon him.

Then he mounted Fire-cracker and started
homeward, feeling rather sore all over.

In the mean time his father had become
alarmed at his long absence, and accompanied
by a cowboy had set out in search of him.

_ Crossing the stream. they saw Brad approach-
ing slowly across the prairie and soon came up
With him

In a few words he told his father of his adven-
tures, and swore him to secrecy regarding the
presence of Wild Bill and his comrades in that
part of the country and who had determined to
find Belle Bradford.

As the two were talkin together the 00wa ,
who had ridden some ' nce awa on t e
prairie, suddenly came back at a op with
the report that quite a number of horsemen were
coming down the stream trail.

Instantly their horses’ noses were muzzled
and they all lay down in a buffalo wallow that
they might see who were the strangers.

The moon was very brilliant, and soon the
horsemen came in sight.

Ma 'or Buckner had his glass with him, and
from ' place in the grass turned it upon the
men.

“ Great God!”

The exclamation came in startled words fran
his lips, and he handed the glass to Brad, who
quickly said, as soon as he had leveled it:

“ It’s the Red Owls, .”

“ It is indeed; but w o is it at their head?”

Again the bogolooked and then handed the
glass to the cow y, while he said:

“ You say who it is, Burt.”

“ Why, it’s Cap’n Kennard,” was the sur-
prised remark of the cowboy

“ Yes, it is Kennard, and he alone of all the
band wears no .

“ Now he cannot deny what I have seen with
my own eyes,” said the major. .

‘ He denied what I saw with my eyes,” Brad
returned.

 

“I cannot now believe that you were mis- \

taken. my son.

“ Just to think, the captain of the Regulator
garling none other than the leader of t e Bed

w s

“No wonder this country is in a' fearful
state."

tors?’
“ Alas. my b0 , I cannot, I dare not.

“Did I dare 0 so, would I not have forced
troubleu n him last ni ht at the erland?
But he ho ds 8. power that cannot ins, and

I can onl wait and hope.”
“And etthismanfro on as he is, when you
313w he is a Red Ow i" almost indignantly said

boy.

“Itmustbeso, atleastfor the present,and I
wish on, Brad, and you also, Burt. to in .noth-
ing 0 seein Kent Kennard with the ' Owls,
but leave for me to settle."

“Certain, major, if you wishes it: but Pd I
,"responded the ‘

like to put a bullet inter him

co‘wggz'the d thsstresm

‘ , yare on own

andnot mngmgsol eu-edtheyintended,to
a .

pa‘Ylla‘ggmeseetherearejusttwsnty-oneof
them.” \ ’ ‘ r ' ‘
“Yafathamndwsesmtobemmtr

ed on how

1

“ ’ou will report him, father, to the Regula- 

 

  

16

 

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

» owl-heads look in the moonlight,” Brad re-
joined.

 

in hiding, the Red Owls held on down the stream
;: ,.. and soon disappeared from sight.
' “ Where are they going, I wonder?”said Brad.

. , deviltry.

"é '4 . “Now, Brad, you go on home and get some
rest, for you need it sadly, and Burt will go
‘ with me to the town, and also see if it was real-
i 1y Belle you saw on horseback.”

3 Brad wanted to go too, and hunt for his cousin
: ‘ Belle, though he felt that he was not able to do
i i a so: but his father was firm, and he set out alone

H . for the ranch, while Major Buckner and Burt

‘ rode on their way toward Prairie City.

f : g It was quite a long ride that the two took, and

i; proved a useless search, and it was verging on

’ - midnight when they rode up tothe Overland Pal-
; acc and dismounted.
 ° . Landldrd, Sands met them at the door and

, gave them a welcome, for he was always a
.  genial host.
‘ j. H. “ Glad to see you, major; and you too,
' i" . ' . Burt.
m; V “ Any news of the young lady, sir?”
F ‘5 ' _ “ No, Sands, nothing that is cheering; but is

' Captain Tayloe, of the army, here?”
' . _. ‘ “ Yes, maior, you will find him in the saloon
?‘  playin car 5 with Kennard.”

.4 ‘ W at Kennard?"
[j ., -“ Cap’n Kent Kennard.”
i ,' ' . Major Buckner started, and asked quickly:
‘ “ Is Kent Kennard here?”

“ Yes, sir.”

.“ When did he come?”

-“ I really could not say, major, for he has his

?  ' room here, the past few days, and comes and
goes at will.”

I “ I will go in and see Captain Tayloe,” said

,5 , the major, and he entered the gambling saloon,

i  followed by Burt.

There truly sat Kent Kennard, acigar between
his teeth, calm, cynical and handsome, as he
played cards with Captain Tayloe, the army
officer.

U , “ You are too heavy for me, Kennard, for I
. ' 1 can afford/to lose only so much and must with-

' draw,” said the armyoificer, as Major Buckner
h, ; , drew near.

‘ ' Discovering the visitors, the officer arose and
greeted him pleasantly, while Major Buckner
asked, as he did not return the nod of recog-
nition which Kennard gave him:

3 “May I inrtuire, Captain Tayloe, if Captain

*- "  ‘ Kennard has een long in this saloon to-nightl”

- “ I can answer for myself, Buckner.
“I came here half an hour ago,” was the terse

r .
g I 6}?me a ride upon the prairies l”
, . . i: “No,me my room in the hotel, where I
i Y" ' have been sleeping most of the day.”
. '- d: 3,011 have not been out on t e prairies to-
\ , y
. “ I have not; but let me tell you, Major Buck-
ner, that I am not one to submit to be ng ques-
tioned by any man.”
. ',.“Ycu may Captain Kennard, have to sub«
,mit soon to being qaestioned by the Re ulatcrs,”
L was the angry retort of the major, an he look-
} > ed at the one he addressed n a menacing

' wa .
' ,; B’iit Kent Kennard did not change color in
' ,Ir  the slightest degree, while he returned wit a
/ ‘ sneer-

“ If 1 am questioned by the Regulators sir,

from any reason they may deem flt, 15:30:-

i”  , Buckner will not be among that au y,

 ' though he may also be called ore them

to answer certain questions, which I, as their

.A ' ca , might ask.’

'1, \‘ ajor Buckner colored and then turned pale,
while Ca tain Tayloe said quickly:

_ , ‘_Gen omen, I cannot seetha an argument

  $013622: wifilflresult mny cogeso}

 cu , w e u, or no r,

 woulfiliketo askifyou

i  “ No, sir, no more than that she was seen to

£3, ' night upon the prairie, but tied at the call of the

' onewho saw her.” "
4.54 “This is strange, indeed; but was she

. . - u...- -Mn..~.»~...-A-WC~

 

 

f r at “In '
, ~ - .“It is indeed strange; but she may have
,. feared the one she met, and have fled, being on
1, 7.19 horny home.” V
'-  ;' . “ No, sir, for she had had ample time to come
home, and hadnot crossed the stream at the
 place where'she should have forded it,”
(3/ “But who saw her?”
if, l. w .. it My may a
 ,.  “‘Tgfl wise boy agdn,”.sneered Kent Ken-

and

. “Yes, sir, and he is as positive that he saw
.»~.’;Belte,as' I and Burt here are that we saw you
, out upon the punish-night,” rotorted the

, , quickly. , I '
15"‘Th'eu our htlikothe ’si fl'forI
. u .wasnotogtgofirleto-nighatz’oy ’ 8° ’
' X thzt ghfim'ifim%mmmti
 p ‘ s same
Wolveraudthrowingitforward  H ‘

 

 

 

ve any news of your

Pausing within a short distance of the three ‘ bed

I
i

 

 p, , A ;h’ ‘. : 1-. ,.
"  
i  {3; is . ‘

There were two flashes and reports, almost
sounding as one, and then a heavy fall of a.

“§(.‘our cowboy should have been quicker
with his wea on if he intended giving] me the
lie, Buckner; ut he meant well, for he as chip-

‘u’ .1 ‘ “ I don’t know, but they are bound upon some ‘ ped a piece out of my shoulder.

“ Perhaps you wil see to his burial, as I have
more 1m rtant work to do.” and Captain Kent
Kennar left the saloon, while Major Buckner
bent over the body of the cowboy.

“ Poor Burt! he is dead, for the bullet pierced
his brain,” he said.

“ Yes, Cap’n Kennard always hits dead cen-
ter,” responded one of the bystanders.

And giving to Sands, who just then came in,
some money to have Burt decently buried,
Major Buckner left the saloon accompanied by
Captain Tayloe.

CHAPTER XXV.
ON THE sAMr: TRAIL.
“COME with me to my room, major,” said
Ca tain Tayloe, as the two left the saloon to~
ret er after the tragic death of Burt, the cow-

0 .

K1 that wild place a man‘s death amounted to
but a momentary excitement, and when it was
explained that Burt had called Captain Kennard
a iar, and then “drew on him,’ but “wasn’t

uick enough,” no more questions were asked,
t ough it was wondered, when Major Buckner
was the cause, apparently, he had not taken up
the cowboy’s quarrel with the Regulator.

Upon going to the room of Captain Tayloe,
Major Buckner found that it adjoined one that
was occupied by the officer’s wounded brother.

The two were pleasant quarters, and, with
Sands for landlord, as far as the rooms were
concerned, and the generously supplied table,
the Overland Palace was ‘hy no means an un-
pleasant abidin -place; but, with the wild ele-
ment about it, t e danger of death, the drink-
ing and carousing by night and by day, it was
not a resort to seek for quietudc.

“ Be seated. major,” said the army officer, po-
litely, and Ma 'or Buckner dropped into a seat,
considerably s aken up b the death of his fa-
vorite cowboy at the ha 5 of the man against
whom he dared not raise a finger.

“ Captain Tayloe, what I say to on sir, is in
confidence, if you will so consider t ” he be an.

“Certainly, Major Buckner,” and the o oer
got up and closed the door between the two
rooms.

“ Now, sir, what you say will not be ever-
heard ” he said, as he resumed his seat.

“ hat I would say, sir, is that my sister and
her niece are from the South, and their kindred
were in the Southern army.

“ In their old home it was that the met Kent
Kennard, at one time an officer, I be ieve, inthe
Confederate army, or at least he was so consid-
ered and afterward a guerrilla.

“fie had loved my niece then, and was re-
fused by her, and when they came here to live

with me, after the war, he also turned up in‘

Kansas, to our great horror, for we fear the
man reatly.

, “ e is a ranchero has money, it seems, and
is captain of the Begulator Vigilanws or
Rangers, thou h he is known to be one of the
‘wildest, most esperste spirits on the border.

“ Now, I am pained to say that he holds over
myself and Belle and her mother a famil secret
of ours, and through this forced himse upon
us in a friendly way, and more, forced us to
consent that my niece should him, though
he knows she is en ed to anot er, a young
Texan Ran er an cattle on the Rio
Grande, an whom she has known from her
earliest girlhood.

“ In consenting to marry Kennard Belle did
so from strateg , for she wrote to her lover,
hopini he won come and in some way pre-
vent .

“ I am now confident that this letter was in-
tercepted by Kennard, for instead of waiting
for the appointed time for his marriage, he met
her upoln ti}? prairie, and, as you know, kid-
na. er.

gggdyour boy said, my dear major; but. as I
was witness to the fact that Kennard had not
left the saloon that afternoon or evening, it cer-
tain! was not he. ”

“1nd et, major, when I doubted my boy
after all had heard, I do not now, as saw
Kennard m self on the prairie to-night.”

‘éellkgd ye he says he was not away from the

o .

"So he says; but I saw him, and more, so
did Brad, my son, and that r boy you heard
call him a' liar and lose his to for it.’

“ Where was be!”

“A long way from Prairie City following a
trail that runs along the bank 0 the stream
near my ranch.

»“ Ho rode at the head of twenty men who were
none other than the Red Owl rs.”
“ Ha! can‘this be true?”

“ It certainly is, for I saw what I assert, as
did Burt and my son.

“ I sent Brad to the ranch, and the cowboy
and myself went to look u the woman on
Wok, whom Brad was his cousin
4'” ‘.  '. I"

V .

.#
.14

 

 

“ And you could not find her?”

“No, sir.”

“ And then?”

“We came here, and both of us were taken
utterly by surprise to find Kent Kennard play-
ing cards with you.”

“ Major, I am not a efiamblcr, sir, though
fond of cards, and 1 play with that man to—
night to study him, for he interests me deeply.

“ He won from me, as he does from every .
one, and I was glad to get out of the game.”

“He did not win from that splendid scout,
Wild Bill.”

“ No; and I could not account for it.”

“I did.”

U How?”

“ Wild Bill gave him warning that he would
kill him if he’cheated, and ke t his eyes upon
Kennard’s hands, so that e had to play

uare.”

“ Ah! that ma
cheating he must
always wins.”

“ Yes Kent Kennard is a remarkable man.”

“ And so is Wild Bill.”

“ Ah! there you refer to one who is a wonder,
from all that have heard of him, and I hope
to see more of him.” -

" I believe you will, sir, for I will tell you
that he is now on the search for my more.”

“I am lad to hear this, for he will find her if
man can 0 it; but what you tell me about see-
ing Kennard on the prairie to—night astounds

be; but what an adept at
, as he is never caught, and

me.

“ Can he have a double?”

“ It would be impossible to find his double in.
deviltry.” '

“That maybe and in looks, too, for he is a
wonderfully handsome man.”

“ Yes, he is a magnificent devil; but, major .
I wish to ask you, as you are here to try an
keep your e es on the movements of Kent Ken-
nerd, and ct me know when he is here, and
when away?”

"I will gladly do so, major.

“ The fact is I have a brother who has been
a pretty wild ellow, and he got wounded in a
scrape, sent to the 'fort for me, and I am here
to nurse him. ,

“Now Andy is improving, and he may be
able to tell us something about Kennard.

“ Come, and I will introduce him.”

He led the major into the other room, and
upon the bed lay a white-faced but handsome
young man. .

“Andy, this is Major Buckner, formerly of
€29 army, and now a ranchero,” said the cap—
in. .

“I have met Major Buckner before, and he.
will remember me when I tell him I am known
here as Mexico.”

“ Ah, yes, you once saved m niece and myt
self from capture by a roving d of Indians
and we have always felt most kindly tower I
you Mr. Tayloe.” _

“l wanted to accept your kind invitation,
sir, to Visit you, for you were good enough to
say that you recognized me as a entlcman-
but the fact is, I have an enemy b t e name of
Rum that has made a pretty h case of me
and ,I wodd not go to where Miss Bradfo
was.

“ My brother has not been a saint major, for
he was once an officer in the army, but t dis-
missed through dissipation, and went to exico,
and then came here. .

“That is why they dubbed him Mexicb, and
also as he always we'arsthe Mexican costume;
but he intends to be a diflerent man now.”

“I hope so, andas soon as he is able to get
out, I hope he will come to the ranch, for he can
recu rate there more rapid] , and as I need “a
bagganchero, poor Burt be F dead, the -
tion is open to you Mr. Tsy as, for I be ieve
you have been a cowhoylfl’

“ Cowboy, monster, unter, guide, scout, sol-
dier—in fact almOSt anything and everything
Ma 'or Buckner; but I accept with pleesure an '
wit thanks, the offer you make me, and will be
read for work in a week or so.”

“ on’tbeintoo at a hurry, for itwas a
bad wound you rece v .”

“The man who gave it got a worse,” was the
re y of the reckless young bordermsn who had.
ki led his enemy after he had received the wound,
that had so near] cost him his life.

“ Now, Andy, 11 us if you know Kent Ken-y
nerd!” ' . g
H I do.” _ l
“ Do on know if there is another man ontthe

border t at resembles him?” .
“ No, nor anywhere else, Arthur, I should
swear. for he’s not a man to match easy.” ,
“ What would you think if I would say he was
ca tain of the Red Owfii” ‘ . .1
‘ It would be just 9 him, in my humble
inion.”
01)“ Well, I wanted the major to hear w t you
had to say about him, and also to know you

t

thought it poasible that he had a double on the, "
es. ’ ‘

p “ The Lord made but one devil, Arthur, and I \_ ..

think that Kent Kennard is the man.”
“ I with you,” said Ms or Buckner and
' his leave of thew ed man and the

ca u, the ranchoro mounted his horse, and

 

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m ,., -»...  r" ,,. .,  -A' . 9.. _ - v .v 
2 fig ' i - I .l' - - .‘ ' , §,!.,,‘.§;,V-;;m... ""5 l”

a

The Dead Shot Nine.

1'7

 

 

letting the animal of the dead cowboy have his
rein to follow, started homeward. '

As he rode out of town, u n the main rai-
rie trail, he heard the fall of hoofs behind 1m,
and turning quickl beheld Kent Kennard,
mounted upon his s endid black horse. .

“ Ah, Major Buc ner, we take the same trail,
it seems,” said Kent Kennard, with a cynical
smile, as he rode along by the side of the major,
who answered giigmly:

“You and I, ent Kennard,‘ cannot long fol-
low the same trail through life.”

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TWO RANCREROS.

WHEN Major Buckner saw that he was to
have as his companion none other than the
man whom he loo ed upon as his worst enemy
his heart sunk within him.

He was almost tempted to draw his pistol
secretly and kill him; but his nature revolted
at such an act, while the death of the man
might in the end prove worse for him.

“ My trail lies homeward, Captain Kennard,
to the home that you have made desolate by
robbing it of our poor Belle,” said the major,
sternly.

“ You are mistaken, sir, for I have not made
your home desolate; but I go this way for a
mile or so, and we will ride together, especially
as I have something to so to you.”

“You have already said too much, sir, and I
would to God we were rid of you 1”

“Major Buckner, don’t work yourself into a
passion for it will do you no good.

“ In fact, should you even get so furious as
to suddenly take me unawares, and kill me, I
assure you, sir, that the secret I hold is in other
hands, and my death would but precipitate up-
on you what you wish to avoid, so quit toying
With our revolver and listen to me.’

“ hat have you to say?” and Major Buck-
ner took his hand 03 of his revolver, for in-
voluntarily he had placed it there.

“You accuse me, sir, of making your home
desolate b robbing on of your niece,.while I
tell you, ilajor Buc ner, t at you have hurt
me by keeping from me the woman I have loved
for years, and intended making my wife, even
if I had to sin to do so.”

“In heaven‘s name, Kennard, what do you
mean?” cried the surprised major. .

“ I mean, sir, that I was honest in my love
for our niece. I

“ am well off, I have b ilt me up a_ pleasant
ranch, fully the equal of y ur Own. while I have
double as many cattle, and I hoped that Belle
would be my wife.

“As she opposed me, and all of you, and}

could not give her up, I used a weapon I had in

a secret I hold, and forced you, her mother and
herself to consent.

“ The day was appointed and all seemed go-
ing well, when suddenly she disa pears and you
with your boy come to Prairie ity and accuse
me of being the abductor of Miss Bradford.”

“ And you are.” . _ ,

“ It is a lie, Buckner, for I did nothing of the

kind. - _

“ I am wild, dissipated, a gambler, was d15-
missed from the Confederate army for irregu-
larities, and seeing how the war would end,
dyed my gray uniform blue, as itwere, and got
the name of guerrilla from both aides.

“But I tell you, Major Richard Buckner,
your he lied as you did, when you said I car.
ried of! oils Bradford,”

“I firmly believe that you, and no one else,
are her kidna r.”

“ And I be? eve as firmly that you had her
taken awa and hidden from me, and, to pre
vent my iscovering your treachery, you ac—
cuse me of stealing her.” i '.

“’It is infamoust false, this charge against

“ I believe it.”

“ And let .me tell you now, Kent Kennard,
that I saw you a few hours ago at the head of a
band of Red Owls.”

The accused laughed, and Major Buckner con-

ued:

“ My son, that poor fellow Burt, whom an
killed to-night, and I lay in a buffalo wal ow
and saw you pass not two hundred feet away
from us.

“ You rode at the he?! of tbs limb? the moon
shone bri htl in your ace an ve, as you
see, my g ,y which showed you to us most dis—
tinctl .

“ Aiyid yet you deny that we saw you.”

“I do, most em mimilly.” m r

“As ouden k pn m ece ’

“ Yesy; I am got gully ofgeit r charge.”

“ You are, and I ope to prove it.”

“ How will you?” _ n

“ In some way that you will least 1:.

“ You will prove that I am captain the Red
05151” ” .

' “ And that I kidnapped your niece?”
sigma, ..
so w enever on can.
“And woe be unlit?v you when I do, Kent Ken-
” ,

“ I'do not head threats, Major Buckner.”
“You do when Wild Bill makes them."

!

 

 

H Hat!”

And the man started, adding quickly:

“ What do you know of at man?”

“ That you fear him, Kent Kennard.” ,

“ I fear no man,” was the re 1y.

“ You are afraid of Wild Bill, for you showed
it last ni ht.”

Kent ennard laughed, in that same mocking
wa , and asked:

‘ Where is this Wild Bill?”

“ I do not know.”

“ Have you seen him since you left him in the
Overland saloon?”

“ I have not.” _

“ Well. some day he and I will meet, and then
the triumph will be mine.”

“ Not unless you shoot him in the back, like
the cowardly assassin you are.”

“Have a care, old man, for you can go too
far; but a truce to this, and tell me who it was
that said they saw Miss Bradford on the prairie
to—ni ht?”

“ er cousin.”

“ That boy again?”

“ Yes, my son.”

“ He was alone?”

H Yes. 3?

“Where did he see her?”

“Miles from here, at the spot where she was
when you kidnapped her.”

“ And he spoke to her?”

“ Yes, and called to her, but she rode away
rapidly from him.”

‘ He called her by name?”

“Certainly, and she could not mistake Brad’s
voice.” o

“ And she escaped him?”

h “ Yes, his horse fell and hurt him, and he lost
er.

“ How was she mounted i”

h “ 0n Rocket, the horse she rode when you took
er.

“I had hoped that she had escaped from you;
but I cannot understand it, for she would cer-
tainly have returned home had she not gone
mallsj poor child, for Brad said that she laughed
w1 .

“ ajor Buckner, the one whom your son saw
was not Miss Bradford.”

“ He knows his cousin, and was quite near
her, 130 recognized her in the moonlight.’

0

“ Who then was it?’,

“ The Lady Eucy.”

“ Nonsense! do you expect me to believe that
weird story of a specter horsewoman that super-
stitious bordermen prate about?”

“ Well, you know, if it was Belle, all about
where she is, and I will just give you a few
words to remember ere we part, for I take the
trail to the right when we reach yonder rise,”
and Lennard pointed to a spot some hundred
yards ahead.

“ Well, sir?”

_“ I tell you again that I believe you to have
hidden your niece from me. and that you accuse
me to cover u your own tracks.

‘,‘But, I ma e no idle threat when I say that
if Belle Bradford is not at your ranch within
ten days, I will no longer keep the secret I hold,
but send to the fort and report it to the officers
commanding there.

“ Good-night, Ma 'or Buckner,” and u 'n his
horse into a center ent Kennard wing-log on
another trail, while Major Buckner rode on his
way homeward, mutteii‘ilng:

. ‘ After all can Brad ave been mistaken, for,
if he knew where r Belle is, if he did kidnap
her, would he ma 6 such a threat to me?

;‘ 2:13, that this terrible mystery could be
so v .

 

CHAPTER XXVII.
ran OWLs’ NEST.

UPON the banks bf a Kansas river not very
far from the border line of the Indian Territory,
a number of horsemen were encamped, one even-
ing, two days after the parting of Ma'or Buck-
ner and Kent Kennard u the p rie, when
the trails of the two branc of! in different di-
rections.

The scene was a secluded one, right in the
midst of thick timber that bordered the river-
banks, and on a meadow that was surrounded
by a ridge of hills.

At the bafe of the hills were a number of
cam -flres, ust lighted to cook the .evenin
igiea ,andaiipoln taciwa wergiver a hunting

orses, s e on .u 9 rich grass 0
the bottom-land. pan

Along the. hillside were saddles, bridles, packs
of various kinds, and half score of wicky-ups,
or brush shelters for the n.

The men numbered about thirty, and a hard-
looking lot they were.

They were dressed in buckskin, even to moc-
casins, and wore slouch hats, but disguises of
various kinds were attached to their saddles,
and hangiii convenient to hand, tothsir belt,
was a red eather mask, p thatthey be-
longed to the Red Owl

Armed most thoroughly, wild, desperate men,

 
  
 

 
       
  

  
     
 
 
 

i“-
.,i‘

of various coalition, for there'wm unmfi
them  Mexicans, Indians, a «:6qu
negroesand avrohmaathqm'ss'hald 

of cut-throats as ever stole a horse or robbed a
e-coach. '
pon the bank, a ridge overlooking the mend
ow, a man was pacing to and fro in the timber,

surprise.

Suddenly he stopped in his monotonous walk
and looked attentively at something that had
attracted his gaze.

“ It’s a horseman, sart’in,” he said, and he
raised a field-glass to his eyes.

“ It’s ther cap’n,” he ad ed.

Then he walked over to a point that looked
down upon the meadow and called out:

“Ho, Bards! ther cap’n are coming, so look
out, fer 6’s in a hurry i”

There was instantly a sensation in camp, sad-
dles and bridles were hung up, pack-saddles
were laid away in a group by themselves, and a

eneral appearance of order, which had not be-
Ioge been visible, was now observed upon all
si es.

It seemed to be a proof that, whoever the cap-
tain of the band was, he was a good disciplinari-
an, if he was a bad man.

turning to his post, the guard stood like a
sentinel on duty, awaiting the coming of the
horseman.

At a swift 10 he came forward, riding a
large black stal ion that seemed not to know
what fatigue was.

He was followuig a well-traveled trail that
came out at the point where the guard stood,
and the latter, as the horseman drew near, put
on the Red Owl mask to receive him.

The appearance of the horseman was striking,
for he was dressed in the Mexican garb, pic-
turesque and beautiful, and his sad le fairly
glittered with the silver 11 n it.

A lance at the face of t is captain of the Red
Owl n rs. and at once the reader would find
it strange y familiar, for dark. cynical, handsome
and stern, it was the face of Kent Kennard.

The guard touched his hat politely, as the
chic; rode up, and returmn’ g the salute, he
as .

" Wiell, Dent, what news at the camp?”

a few horses since you left.”

“ Any booty?”

“No, sir, fer the didn’t want ter strike for
boot unless youl ’em.”

“ hey were right, for horse—stealing is one
thin , and pillaging is another.

“ am in time for an per, I hope?”

“ Yes, sir, ther boys asn’t eaten theirn yit.”

Riding into the timber the horseman, as
though familiar with the surroundings, took a

th leadin down to the meadOW, and as he

1rl-ew near he camp-fires was greeted with a
c eer.

A tall man, with a fearful scar on his face,
for he took off his feather head-dress as be ap-

roached his chief, came forward and said:

.“ I’m glad ter see yer, cap’n.”

“ Well, Knife-Face, I wanted to get here soon-
er, but was detained to look into some affairs,
for things are not going just ri ht up the coun-
try; but you have our camp coking in good
shap;,,and I am g you keep the men uptothe
mar .

“ 1 do the best I can, sir; but yet know they
don’t regdrd me same as they does you.”
“ Do they not mind you in all things?”

ger.
‘ ‘ Oh, yes, cap’n; but then they knows ther dif-
ference atween me and you.” ‘ ‘
“ Use that ugly knife of yours on two or three

- and ou’ve got to have the re-
men, as wild as theryare,

to respect you
spect and the fear 0
to make them mind.”

0 yet as lieutenant but you say things

mgoing right up ther‘kentry.” - I

As the two. men had been '
tain had disnmunted and an outlaw had ledhu
horse awa , while Knife-Face, as the lieutenant
was call
too. rushshan alittlea fromtheother-s.
wicky-up here, for never herd
but zyou ask me a
try‘ Yes, sir.” ‘

“ Well, this kidnapping of that gir 
ed a sensation, I assure you.” v

“ Will ther
up?"
without orders from their captain," was the to-
ply, with a smile. '

‘What then, sir!”

than all the Regulators in

“ There are others on her track asth .
Kan... n i ,i’ ’

 

\

s

H No!” ‘
“ It is so.”  I V ,
«Wastheythemthatmngodaorossthepfi‘. .
refiomnighfirightinourmflrt i ,
Yes.” . .
6: mt m “phi, , * ,
21m? .A  m : _

xi

   

keeping an eye out upon the prairie against =

“ The boys is all well, sir, and have brought in '

And the eyes of the captain flashed with 

of them, or shoot them,,and you’ll teach them '

“ I’ll get them down to it in time, sir, for I’m,

ng,the cap- 

on account of the fearfnimark ho-

bo themark of a bowie, conducted his chief ‘ ‘
“That is 1:, Knife- ace, to have your '

with your men; , "
bout the trouble up the coun.

“Oh, no: for the Regulators you not mine 

 

 

    
   
  
   
  
    
    
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
    
  
   
    
   
     
  
   
    
   
  
 
  
 
 
        
        
      
   

 
 

18

 

‘. 3‘ ‘5‘ an.  4 first.” up
. ,‘HW.

The Dead Shot 

 

 

 

  

“ Now, I w’u’d like ter know.”

must arrange a plot to get those six scouts in

“ You have heanl of Wild Bill?” our wer.” ~
“Now I has.” “ ’d rather have ’em dead than catch ’em
“ And Texas Jack?” alive, cap’n.”
“ You bet.” “ We must kill them.”

i “ And White Beaver?” “ That’s the music, but where are we to raise
“ Ther Surgeon Scout?” ther tune, ca ‘ni”

’ “ Yes.” “ My 19.11 is to send two of our band with the

“ I knows of him, you asks me?" horses own to the retreat in the Indian Terri-
“ I did.” while we move against the scouts.”

U

_--:vaf“*1'rw~w-mfi-rm—r menu—3......“ __ he.“ ,

   
  
  
     
   
   
   
 
  
    
  
    
    
  
 
 
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
     
   
  
   
    
  
  
    
  
 

:l‘her man they calls also ther Magic Doo-

“And, Mighty Medicine-man o’ ther Winne-
oesl’

‘ You know the man I mean I see.”

“ Waal cap’n don’t yer think my face are a
leetle disfigggred?”

“ It is co 'niy not as bloomineg beautiful on
one side as it is on the other.”

“ Thar is a scar from jest above my right
temple clean down under my jaw ter my
throat.”

“ N 0 one would contradict you on that point,

e-Face.”

“ Waal cap’n, it were ther last-named gent as

“ I was a soldier then, and he were the fort
. surgeon, and was to come through from one fort
to another with the paymaster.

“ I thought I’d git rich all in a heap, so I broke
ther leetle plan I hed ter three other boys, and
we arranged ter desert and then take ther Doe
and ther money-slin er in on ther arcr.

. “ It all worked we up ter ther ime we made
. , . our attack, for we deserted all right, then
 ,1 reached the canyon, whar we was ter head off
‘ 1 ther ambilance, which they was drivin’ over in,
’ and they come through on time.
r , “ But when we were shootin’ ther mules, so as
 fer hev ’em afoot, thet durned Doctor Beaver
jist tuk a notion ter shoot us.
. “ He dropped one o’ 133 pards fu’st fire, and
. , we opened and wound ther money-slinger,
: when out o’ ther old huss corned Beaver, shootin’
q,nick as lightnin’ on a dark night, and another
0 my par 3 went downin a heap, and ther third
' run

_ "But I were gold-hungry and jumped fer

' ' ther Doc with my knife, when durned of be

r didn’t twist it from me, and in no time I hed it

down ther face. .

I c '; “ He thou ht I were dead, and so went to his
in ther use, hitched up my boss ' place 0’
mule we hed kilt and druv on, whi e I well-

nigh died with this gash.

He got to ther fort all right with ther money

[andther anmaster, whom he doctored up to

' ' t, Iflcarries this little dimple ter

 f f.‘ And you cannot readily forget him if on

look in a glass: but he is with Wild ill
and Texas Jack, and they are not all.”

., »“ More of ther same sort, cap‘ni”

V : to Ya.”

' -. “Icallsyer.”

“. Theyare Frank North, White Chief of the

Pawnees, Night Hawk Geor e, Broncho Billy,

and there were three more in he band.”

  
 

 

CHAPTER XXVIII'.
was nor or’run are owns.

,ti'l‘m three’is dead? Waal, ther is six more

» ’em‘, cap:n, and I’d rather 0% fort than
meet .em, was the remark of e-Face, in
" ‘ ' tothelastremarkofthece .

“ Theyarea badlot, I admit, to ght; but it
is, their end or ours, for those men mean busi-
use: the jump Knife-Face.”

 .v knows it .”
are six and we are thi
we had the lieutenant and Brandy

 
 
 
 
  

  
 
  

rty-one. ”

 
 

c. j
l

  

  

to .

3?,That takes two of the gang and leaves but
twenty-nine of us, cap’n.”

“ Yes, thnty-nine to fight six.”

“ Them six don’t count as thet number, cap’n;
thar was four of us tackled ther White Beaver,
as yer heerd me tell.”

‘ Well we are six to one, as it were.

“ No, ’nife—Face, we have got to meet those
men and get away with them.

“ If we do, no others will come down here
looking us up, and the soldiers and settlers will
go blow in attackin us; but if we do not, then
our usefulness is em ed.”

“ Whar is they, cap’n?”

“ At the ranch.”

“ Yer don’t say it?”

 

give me thet scar.” “ Oh, es, they took it b strategy, through
“ White Beaver?” Brand n’s treachery, an they hold the fort.

. “Yas.” with ouncer and Tonkaway, the Chinee and
,f‘ How was that?” asked the chief, with con— one of the cattlemen prisoners.”

siderable interest. “Now they is havin’ it the’r own way, hain’t

they 1”

“ Too much so.”
’ “ And you hes a leetle keerd yer kin play ag’in’
em? ‘

/

“Yes.”
“ Weal, cap’n, ou know me.” _
“ And the men can depend on I think?”

“ As the parson does on a deacon.”

“ Now, In idea is to get one of the men to
dress up am look like a settler, so who is it that
will make the best one of the loti”

“ Quaker Tom.”

“The very man, for he looks it.”

“ Yes, he hev a most angelic-like figurehead
fer a horse-thief, ca ’n.”

“ He can go wit us to the place I have in
view for an ambush, which is the Lost Canyon,
and he can ride hard to the ranch, see the
scouts, tell them he is a settler, his home has
been pillaged, and his éattle stolen, while a few
of the Red Owls, with a young girl as a prisoner
have camped in the Lone Motte, and he will
offer to guide them to it. '

“ The will bite at the bait, thinking the girl
is Miss radford, and five of them will start, for
they will doubtless leave one to guard the pris-
oners at the ranch.

“Quaker Tom can lead them right through
Lost Canyon, and we can lay in wait there and
have them at our mercy.”

“ Cap’n, thet are a trump keerd and will take
ther deck.”

“ I think so' now call Quaker Tom here.”

Knife- Face left the shanty and soon returned
with a man who certame would have passed
an where for a preacher.

e was clean~shaven, for his razor, his p
of cards and his belt of arms he never we t
without, and it was this benign look thath d
gotten him the name of Quaker Tom.

“You want me, cap’n?” he asked as he ap-
proached the wicky-up.

J‘Nine of ’emi” “ Yes, Quaker Tom, I want you for a special
. “Yes.” duty.”
" “Of a kind?” “ l’m yer man cap’n.”
“The other three were Bravo Buck, Dashing “ There was a band of dine scouts came down
and Dandy Dick.” here from the arm up country, but what for I
, “Whoop ’em up for ther Lord’s sake! Wh , do not know, but t ey have gotten on our trail
‘ , ’11, they is ther deadest dead shots on ’artb, and areugl toward us. ’
 is bolder than a wall 0’ rock. “ Three 0 them they have lost, but the other
,1 . “Is them nine on our trail?” six hold the ranch, and it is their, intention to
 ," Six 0' ’em are.” cause us trouble. 1 t
 “  the other three!” “ Now I have a Ian to entree them, and you
,9' Will not trouble us, I assure you,” was the can do it by play g honest settler telling a
Boonie remark of the Red Owls' chief. story I will schoo you in, and then lead them

into our ambush. ,

“ You are to ride a white horse and lead them
so we will know you and shoot so as not to
harm you. and at our first voile you are tospur
off as fast as you can and jo us, helping to
make short work of them.”

“I’ll do it' but I hope the boys won’t make
any mistake in their shooting.”

How can they, when you will be on a white

horse and the scouts all ride dark ones?”

“ I’ll take the chances, cap’n. ”

“ I w that you would, Quaker Tom, and
you’ll no regreti when we divide the booty.”

“ Thankee, sir.” -

73ers us again, for they’d add to our num- And, sup r being ready, the captain went to
' .” ‘ w ‘* r ‘ the camp-til: of Knife-Face and the two ate tm A
5‘ But two more only; but what became of the gather. ' ,'
Soon after the meal was over the call was

 
 

, funnier I do not know, Byet I hardly think he
7  us; but as for randy Ben, he turned
..  . a "at don’t mean a, cap’nil’

‘ .. :Yes‘ orheledthescoutstotherano .”

   
 
   
  

   

 

» No!” . .
1 . “as did, for I it from Foxy himself, who
.. , glean” the were, got away with three of
em: , . ." .‘ “ ‘
“If we  could capture Brand Ben,
, ’t ther her a picnic with himyi”

W“ fearfulpenai that follow”.
‘ ., , p , KnfloFfiephut-nowwe

made to saddle up, and four men were sent witty
the stolen horses down to a rude secluded ren-
dezvous in the Indian territory, while the band
of Red Owls, numbering just twenty-seven with
their leader, set out across the prairie, riding in
, single flie‘andlooking like a huge serpent crawl-
ing over th‘e‘plain. v
It was 1 awn when they arrived at the
WW Car and “an a v 
, w was mg ~ coon e
midstofprairia  

' rlandwu

  
 
  

 

 

seamed with ravines,,and one had been so wash.
ed down by heavy rains as to have earned the
name of can on.

Through t is a trail ran, and here was the spot
selected for ambuscading the scouts.

The sides of the canyon were overgrown with
dwarfed trees, and it certainly was a secure
hiding-place for a foe meanin mischief.

That no sign of their trail might be visible to
alarm they approached the timberland from the
opposite direction to that they expected the
scouts to come and went into camp about a
spring in the hollow, making themselves as
comfortable as possible. _

A breakfast Was soon prepared, and then, af-
ter guards were set, to prevent surprise, the
messenger, Quaker Tom, started off on his red
errand, having learned. well the lesson he had to
phi; from his chief. '

ounted upon a white horse, which had been
led purpose] throu h the long ni ht’s march,
he set- off a a live y pace tow Kennard’s
ranch.

After a couple of hours’ ride he halted and
camped in a piece of timber, to rest and await the
time to move, for he wished to reach the ranch
just before sunset, so as to have the scouts enter
the ambush during the night.

Aftera long rest and a refreshing sleep, he
mounted his horse, and putting him at a rapid
pace, headed for the ranch.

She south-bound trail wound around the outer
stockade wall, and following this it carried him
near the water, up to which he (lashed at full

, his horse panting hard, and he wearin
t 9 look of one who had just passed througfi
some dreadful ordeal.

Broncho Billy was on duty at the gate, and
seeing the stranger took him for just what he
pretended to be, a frightened settler, and as he
at him into the gate called out:

“ What is it, pard—Injuns?”

“ Oh, for worse I” was Quaker Tom’s re-
sponse, as he sprung from his panting horse and
approached Broncho Billy.

‘ CHAPTER XXIX.
QUAKER Tom’s STORY.

WHEN Quaker Tom, the wicked emissary of a
still more wicked master, rode inside of the
ranch gate and sprung from his horse he gave a
sigh of relief, as though he felt that at last his
life was safe. '

Broncho Billy had seen his approach long be-
fore he reache the gate and had reported it to
Wild Bill, who with W to Beaver and others
gathered at the gate just as Quaker Tom rode

m. j ' 4

“Well, ray man you say! it, is worse than
Indians?” ild Bill asked, ‘for he had heard
Broncho Billy’s question and the stranger’s
answer. .

“ Yes, cap’n, they are worse, fer they are Red
Owls.” was the trembling repl .

“Hal the Red Owl Rangers ’

“ Yes, pard.”

‘ ‘ To the north of us?”

“Yes, sir.”

d ‘i‘ “grew are they and what have they been
0 n .

“ hey are in the settled country beyond Lone
Timber, and they have raided the ranches, kill- !
ed all who attacked them, and have sent 0!
more than half of their men with horses they
stole, among which were all of mine excepting

Snowball the and he I pod on. i,

“What is E: name, cg i”

“ Parson air, sir.” '

“Ah, yes Ihave heardof sucha minister
Kansas, and I am glad on escaped.”

“Ionlydidsow en sawIcoulddonogood,
and I was riding to Prairie City to t help for
a dozen of the RedOwis are campedgfn the ne
Timber, and I saw them fixing up bush shelters
as though they intended to remain all ni ht,
while the others went southward with t eir
boo and horses.” V

“ nd there are abouts dozen in Lone Tim-
beri” I
Yes, sir, ten or a dozen, but not more.”

“ Was their chief with that party?” »

“Yes, sir.” .

“ Describe himwlease, person.”

“ He dresseswi great worldlinea, in a Maxi.
can garb, and is a very handsome man, and
don’ ook wicked.”

“ You saw’him close then?”

HY ‘ .
“ How did it ha 11?”
“ You see they me a prisoner, but I es-

ReAih, yes, and did you hear the men call him I

1) name ’ , .
32‘ Captain theycalled him, and I think I heard
one so ‘ something like Captain Kenton.” ‘
“ as it Kennardi” '
“ That‘s it, sir. ”
2: ed In is same  .1
es, Elton ‘ m a poor gm a
prisoner, I felt most sorry for. '
“ She told me she was from Prairie City,
where her uncle owned a ranch, and—” .
“ Describe her i” quick] said Wild Bill, while
the others pressed mm more closely.

tun-

“She’svery retty sir; butlamnotgood at

 

    

 

    
       
           
        
  
      
  
   

 

    
 
    
        
   
   

 
    
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 

   
     
  
  
 
 

    
 
 

 

  
  

‘ smoke 0 their fires at noon.

' . he get near the ranch.

' seemsmall. -
, V‘H‘WlaaLI isintorit,andso 

’vi‘ "';"~;f:ier.,y”.‘.9 «gnu... ‘ a.
.r-,,,,'_ .7 1‘4.

rm’ 1’. '. 7 *.‘~“:. V'
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~ - v.

The-Dead Shot V-Nine.

' ..- ,,‘ y: » .- . V»
. 71- M  w A :‘flgwx..§g> Au *3 . ,v

19

 

 

“ She had great big eyes, I know, and wore a
ridin -habit, while Ca tain Kennard, as you
said is name was, cal ed her Belle, as though
he knew her well.”

. “ Miss Belle Bradford! a thousand to one on

it.

“Come, boys, we start in two hours for the
Lone Timber, and you, sir, must be our guide
so come over to camp, get something to eat, and
then go to sleep for you look tired out,” and
Wild Bill led the stran er away, while Texas
Jack relieved Broncho illy on duty at the

ate.
g Hardly had he taken his position, when his
eyes fell upon some one coming across the prai-

rie.

Viewin him closely through his glass, he
said to 'te BeaVer who stood near:

“ White Beaver, yonder comes that brave
boy, and he seems to be following on the par-
son’s trail.

“ What can he be doing, coming alone from
that direction?”

“ He’s a plucky fellow, Jack, and has doubt-
less bwn off on some hunt of his own, and per-
ha 5 brings us news.”

11 a short time Brad Buckner rode up to the
ranch, and was warmly welcomed by both Texas
Jack alld White Beaver.

“Well, boy pard, what are you doing here,
and alone?” asked Beaver. .

“ I’ve been looking for cousin Belle, Sir, for,
after I left your camp, i saw her that night,
alone upon the prairie; but she ran away from
me, and I fear she has gone crazy w1th her
troubles.” .

“ I think not, my lad, from what I have Just
heard, and if things go right, we may bring her
to you tomorrow.”

‘ Oh, sir! what do on mean?” cried Brad.

“There comes Wil Bill, and he will tell you
all,” and Wild Bill 'ust then came up and greet-
ed the boy, after w 'ch he said:

“ Beaver, what do you think of that parson?”

“ I don’t like his looks; but that has nothing
to do with helping him.” ' .

“ I don’t place confidence in him, from some
reason; but then we must not heeltate to go af-
ter the Red Owls, as the lady he speaks of is cer-
tainly Miss Bradford,” and turning to Brad,
Wild Bill continued:

“ lad, a man just came to us, a parson
from a settlement to the north, beyond the Lone
Timber, and he tells us that the Red Owls have
been raiding that country, run ofi.’ southward a
large number of horses, and packs of booty and
that a few remained encamped in the Lone Tim-
ber, with a lady ca tive whom their chief called
Belle, and we feel t t it must be our cousin.”

“Captain Bill, I followed a rail of us_t
twenty-eight horses up from where I struc it
near our ranch, to the Lost Canyon, and who-
ever the were, they camped there, forI saw the

“ I was afraid to venture in. for I found on
the trail an old worn-out Red Owl head-dress,
and I thought they must be Owls; but it was.
not at Lone Timber they were. ”

“ This is strange.”

“ Then I saw a man ride out of Lost Canyon,
and come in this direction, and I struck his
trail and followed it. .

“ He stopped in some timber and, as he staid
there a long time I laid down on the rairie in
waiting; but at last he came out, . then he
rode away in a full run, and his trail leads to
this ranch.” . .

“ Indeed! and how was he riding before going
into the timber?” ”

“ Very slow, and he was asleep there.

“ How long?” .

“ Several hours, for I went to sleep too, lying
on the prairie.”

” What kind of a horse did he ride?”

.“A White horse, sir.”

“ u, sure.”

“Yet. Bill and he said he had ridden in a run
all the way from Lone Timber, and Brad says
he came from Lost Canyon, and rode slow until

“ He will bear watching!”

“ Yes: Beaver the parson will bear watching;
but we must not let him know that we suspect
him, and I’ll go and have another talk with
him," and Wild Bill want back to join the pre-

tended parson.

CHAPTER XXX.
ran BOY masts-unfit w
“ I DON’T half like is , or ere seems
more man in them than I m used to seein’
together in one gang,” said Quaker om, as he
sat b the camp-fire in the ranch, g at the
De Shots,.who wereTpre ring to start upon
the march to Lone im r, underhis sugges-

tion. . . .

“ Then too,” he added to himself; _“ Cap’n
Kent said as how they numbered but six, three
of ’om having been killed or got lost: but thar
is nine 0’ ’em here, that’s certain, and that makes
three to one in our little scrimmage surprise-
party we is fixing for them. _ -

“ Now, three to one is bi odds in most cases,
but just here is a case w ere the odds kinder

 

 

1 4;

we must wipe out, or get scalded, for once these
men get into a fight, they will stick as long as
life and flesh hold together.

“ Now, there ,is that Buckner bo , thick as
wool with the scouts, and I don’t Ii 6 that, for
he’s got a heap o’ prairie sense fer his age, and
he’s doubtless on the trail of hissister, cousin,
or whatever she is to him.

“ But he might as well give up seeing her,
with the man running this trick-game that is
gigging it, for Cap’n Kent’s a team, and' no mis-

e.

“ I wish these scouts would start, for I’m get-
tin’ kinder nervous waitin’, and wish the work
was done with. ,

“ I think I was a fool to come, for though all
seems to work well, et somehow it don’t.’

So Quaker Tom ta ked away to himself, as he
Zvatfhed the preparations of the scouts for the

ral .

At last Wild Bill came to him and said they
were madly]y to mount.

“ Are t ese nine men all you have, friend?”
he asked, assuming his deacon-like drawl again,
to carry out his storylof being a preacher.

“ What more do you want, parson l”

“ There are only nine of you.”

“ Nine are enough,” was the quiet response.

“ I’m thinkin' they are too many,” muttered
Quaker Tom to himself, and he mounted his
white horse, which now seemed quite rested,
and the party moved out of the ranch.

“ I leave you to kee house, Brad,” called out
Wild Bill, as they ro e away.

f ‘li‘Wish I could go,” called out the boy dole-

u .
“Won have all you can do to look after things
here, Brad, and we won‘t be gone lon ,”answer-
ed Bill, and they rode on across t e prairie,
while Brad closed the gate and locked it.

His position was by no means an enviable
one, for he had as risoners the two Indians,
Bouncer, Cowbo Kit and the Chinese servants.
I The latter Wild Bill had wished to put in
irons, as were the others, but Brad thou ht this
was a confession of his inability to 100 after
them. so urged against it.

“ Keep your eye on them, boy pard, for they
are slippery rascals, although they profess
friends}in for us now,” Bill had said to him.

“ I’ll watch them,” returned Brad, and, after
the departure of the scouts he went to the cabin
where the prisoners were and saw that they
ngeCIlI-e' gster h h

aa,youn ,you as 8. ea on on
shoulders ter look arter us all by your iittl
lone,” said Cowboy Kit.

“ Oh, no, for on are ironed, and if iron won’t
keep you quiet. ead will,” was the bofkretort,
and he tapped his pistol significantly.

“ Hol saints! e ou hain’t a be and a half,
I’ll  uaw Sallie’s tnoocasins,’ Bouncer re-
mar .

“ Me kill boy, me get loose some time,” said
Salli? viciously,t Sam ”

0 you won e I returned Brad
and he walked over and, owed the irons oi
the new £11051: (siegefullybhi

ow i wt ou e!Sal?”h asked
Wain 1&0] the 1(lrhitefay ’ e '

e 'ancie ei edno l dBrad
left the cabin, leavin t 0 door £92.?" an
He saw the two C ' ee cur up, asthough
aslee , near the fire, and entering a tent near,
whic the scouts had bro ht out of the cabin
an]?! ut up for titlileiisiongen once, he threw him-
so own upon e n ets insuch t
the Chinese could see him. ’ ° way m
For some time he la there, and then u-
ally worked ablanket to a roll and let it in
his place, his hat over one end.
edOuttiindier theilgeait'gvaggtbghehtent he crawl-
an o n o n e r e t
wags}: tE? Cfinfien. m down to

are ongt 9 sad of onset thempopped u ,

then the other, and they seemedto be conversiii;
r.

earnest] togeth w

y e ~
The fire burned bright] and distinctly showed ‘

their movements. and saw one of them
draw a long knife, glance at it, and then rise
an‘d'I‘vla‘llé pillltip-mnward the tent.

‘ e ow g to stick a hole in that

blanket, thinkin it we,” saiddtlrie boy, and he
swun repea g e aroun or use.
As e Chinee reached the tent he halted, the
other watchingJ closely, and raisin the flap
With one hand a at over and loo 'within,
grasping his murderous knife with the other.

“ onder if I can do it? I’ll try, for the glit-
teii-(ifiBolnalshe firefight nilakes it a good mark,”
as ,an almost nstantl he leveled and
fired his rifle. y i
I There was a yell from both Chinamen as the
knife was broken by the bullet, and. while one
ducked down, as though asleep, the intended 88-,
sassin plunged for the fire and threw himtelt
down in terrOr by the side of his comrade. ‘

It vaults eggent that they did not think the boy

a s .

“ essI'll havetousetheironsCsptain
Wild illicit for them,” said Brad, and beget
up and walked toward the fire. . H, . -‘

Both Heathen were sound asleép,rto all ap-_

 

 

cnfisand nick! ' ‘

 

pencil
ances, while Brad took up  of
, . 1%:  _ I

The other pair was then placed on the China—
men, whose arms were thus secured, and they
were chained together by this ingenious ironing,
back to back.

A revolver in Brad’s hand kept the two vic-
tims asleep, for they did not open their eyes.

“ You are the soundest sleepers I ever saw,
and you’ll be surprised when you wake up in the
morning to find ow you got ironed together,”
said Brad, laughing at the cunning rascals.

“ Ho, youngster! what’s that shot?” called out
Bouncer from the cabin.

“ Don’t talk so loud, or you’ll wake up the
Chinamen.”

“ What’s ther matter with ther Heathen?"

“ They’re asleep.”

“ Dead?”

“ No; only asleep.”

“ Who fired that shot i"

“I did.”

“ What at i”

“ Chinese Pep r.”

“ What were e doin’?”

“ Trying to cut a hole in my blanket, thinking
I was in lt.”

“ Boy, you hain’t asleep, that’s sart’in,”
growled Bouncer.

Brad lau bed and then walked down toward
the stocks e gate to take a look out on the prai-
n

c.
He went through the shutter in the big1 gate
and gazed‘ out over the prairie wit his

glass.

No object was in sight and he re-entered the
inclosure and closed the shutter, when he disc
tincltliv heard a sound in the shanty known asthe
a -h0{ise and which had been the quarters of

oxy. \ ‘

Sli' ping up to the window, he glanced cau-
tious y Within.

The moon shone through the open door and
window revealing a part of the interior dis-
tinctly and, to the amazement. of the boy, the
flooring in one corner seemed to be rising up-

wa .

Still looking, he beheld what ap red to be a

huge trap-door slowly open, and a and appeared
above it and glanced cautiously around.
It was an ugly, savage head as the moonlight
fell u n it, and not knowing what might 01-
low his revolver and
fired. .
A yell, a fall, the heavy hang of the trap-door,
and all was silent once more.

Entering the -house. Brad took up the

rad quickly leveled

lantern kept there and which he had seen that ,'

evening and l hted it.

A surve owed him that the trap-door
seemed so oroughly a part of the flooring that
it was not strange that it had not been noticed ‘
before. for no one su ted a subterranean
chamber beneath the litt e shan . I

Securing some ieces of the boy soon
had the door choc ed 113) so that it could not be _
opened from below, an then, leaving the lamp
burning, he went back toward the camp, saying
to himself: ,

“Guess I won’t have such a dull time after i
all to-m’ght.

“But I wonder if I killed that fellow, forI " _~ , '

shot to do so, as I e ted others to follow.

“Whiitasurpriset ' willbeuochpmlnwnd‘ Q; 

Bill and the boys. ,

“Now to see if that old squaw is all right,‘
for I‘m afraid of her,” and he
and entered the cabin, for the moon did not

give light enough for him to see plainly within 9'

oors. ‘

“Oh e on are all ht,” he said athei-
’.’é “hi “3 and than the

e squaw’s irons

gazed
others.
“ What wulthet shootin’ ag’in, boy!” growled
Bouilcer. ‘
“ He’s been killin’ ther Heathen, thet’s sart‘in,
morning,” an- '

and we no breakfast in the
swered whey Kit. -

“No,the Chinee are all right, and sleeping-,1:

soundly.
“ dkturhsthem.” .  
“ Then w was Em shootin’ at, £ungfdlet. ',
giflstrgrbinourrest, thesheerd ogunsgo

“ on knowatellowwithab' head! 
redgaiiandbcard,and1thinklv§ithout
nose "

The tw.oidmen glanced at each other, 

“ That is a man like you describes,  ,-
calls No‘ssy. ’cause he 11an got no nose.” , v "

“Whereis he!” '  '

“Dunno.” -

“Whatdoeshedoi” . ‘ _

u Cowboy.” I x
“Hasyoussenhimi”asked CowhoyKfl.
ttYes. 1 ’
“ W i if '
“Oh, he wasmoopin’round.”
:: Andgon shot him?"

awa , while
u “I

   

 

  
  

      

lighted a lantern ‘ ,

    
  
  
   
 
 
    
   
  
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
   
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
     
  
   
 
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
   
    
   
  
   
   
   
      
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
   

H!

       
 
      
 
  

 
  

 
  

 

  
 

 
   

 
 
 

   
 

 
   

'20

The Dead Shot Nine.

 

 

  
    
   
  
    
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
    
   
  
   
    
    
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
       
 
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
   
  
   
 
 
    
     
   
    
   
    
   
  
  
    
   
 
  
 
 
  
  
  

to the gate he discerned out upon the prairie a
party of horsemen apgroaching the ranch.

“Uh, Lordy! are t ey the scouts, or the Red
Owls?” he said, anxiously, and he turned his
glass upon the comin part , well knowing his
A nger if they were t 8 out w band.

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE LOST CANYON AMBUSH.

THERE was no more satisfactory spot to be
found than was the Lost Canyon for an ambush.

If nature had intended it for the scene of a
deadly attack u 11 an unsuspecting foe, I doubt
if it could have n improved upon.

It was simply a vale, washed by torrents in
.  rain-storms, and the sides rising ru ed and
 steep, with thickets to serve as hiding-places
‘ for an enemy.

The trail ran through this canyon, at least
those who made the timber a camping-place
followed it, while others, either soldiers on the
march, wagontrains or hunters went around it
unless very sure that its covert did not conceal
an enemy.

With their horses staked out back in the tim-

’ her, the band of Red Owls settled themselvesfor
.a day of rest.

They built fires at noon, in the canyon, and
enjoyed a good dinner, for there was plenty of
game along. '

In the afternoon they lolled about, card-pla -
ing, chatting, smoking or slee ing, as t e
humor took them, while Captain ent amused
himself with a novel and a cigar, calm, indif—
ferent, and hopeful of his trap’s success.

As night came near supper was cooked, and
the haversacks were filled, the canteens also.

The scrapes and blankets were athered up
and strapped to the saddles, the orses were
rubbed own, watered, and (placed in position
where they were wanted, an every vestige of
fire in the canyon was ut out.

Then the men were 3 Own their posts, by the
chief, a dozen bein placed along the sides of
the Canyon, six on either side, and hidden in the
thicket. _

. These were to begin the attack by a volley of

'riflery.

The remainder of the party were to be equal-
’ly‘divided, and to stand by their horses, and so
stationed that they could dash int/o the canyon
from either side in a charge, the moment the
volley Was fired.

This would prevent the escape of any of the
Scouts not killed by the first fire upon them.

“ Remember, men, that horsefiesh is valuable,
and these men ride the finest animals to be
found on the border, so let no horse be killed, or
even wounded.

/ “ Aim at the heads and hearts of the men, the
\ right hand par)? firing first, and the leftchand
f0 owing imm iately.

“ Then we will dash into the canyon, at either
~end, but use no won 11 unless needed, so that no
r “harm is done to eac other.

“ I want every man at, his post now, and
' though we have hours to wait, it is worth it.
‘ ' “ I will go off on the prairie and act as scout,
I ,v and return and report in ample time the coming
of our foes.
' “Then there is another thing, and I will be
aobeyed in'it.
., “ That is that no man shall smoke a cigar or
_ “pipe for a night like this the flavor of tobacco
[nine 9 may travel for miles, and the men we
_ have to deal with are the kings of the border in
4 i all that is cunning, brave and deadly, so make
no mistakes, if we are over four to one against
‘them, with the odds of a su rise.
“ Another thing, is to e good care not to
harm Quaker Tom.
“ I made him ride a white horse on purpose,
.andhewillbeasfaraheadashe darego.
“Now you know your work, so’do it for if
' 'Wild Bill and his Dead Shots whip us, the Red
- Owls hays got to seek another clinic. than
I / 1“ 8 J

to
" 3 ' h was the talk that Captain Kent ve his
\ . man, and they listened with respecth 8 once.
.r Then he placed each Fourtyintheposition he
.1 " wanted them, and gave each their individual
~" instructions over a in, after which he called to

; Knife-Face and sai :

e, “ Come with me.”
" 1'” Out upon the prairie they went, both on foot,
"until they came to a rise that commanded a
_ Yview for quite a long distance, in the direction
I- " that the scouts must come. A
wing a scrape upon the grass, the two
 ,7 men sat down upon it, their faces toward their
 coming foss.
H “ New, Knife-Face, you will have a chance to
 'cvmflnp on White Beaver for that scar he gave
, -‘ on.
 3y “Drops :0, pard cap’n; but I knows heaps
,_" «about the Bur eon Scout and them men he has
a with him, an I’m jist a lactic dubious.”

_ “ Don’t croak, Knife-Face. ‘ .
p ““Ifildid not know youtohea bravcman, I
wohl believe on to be a coward.”
. t‘ No, ca n, hain’t no coward; but we hain’t
“ to fl ht In am or ordinary fallen.”
. r “ , ell. we could not have moreinourfavor

‘ “than, we have.” « ‘ '
 “go, cap’n, and we need it,” was the honest
rep .

 

 

      
   
   
   
  
 
  
   
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
   
    
  
     
  
 
  
   

I

   

  

 

on 169456 the‘meuuofggtting

 

Captain Kent frowned, for the doubts of his
lieutenant were not pleasant to him.

But he felt secure in numbers and position,
against nine men, be they whom they might,
and so he was content to abide the result.

Thus time passed away, and at last the chief
leveled his glass over the prairie and said:

“ They are coming!”

“ Waal, ca ’n we 11 go and warn ther boys.”

“But, Km 9- ace?”

“ Yes, cap’n.”

“ There are ten.”

“ No, ard.”

“Yes, the one in advance is Quaker Tom, for
I recognize his white horse. and nine men fol-
low hz‘m.” '

“ I thought you said there was but six!”

“ So I did, for three were extracted from the
nine; but there are nine now, that is certain, and
I do not know what it means."

“ Then we are but three to one, cap’n.”

“ If even, I would fight them, for it’s our onl
chance,” was the determined reply of the chic ,
as he turned and walked back to "the timber,
Knife-Face by his side.

CHAPTER XXXII.
A v1srr r0 BUCKNER RANCH.

SEVERAL days after the visit of Major Buck-
ner to Captain Tayloe’s room in the Overland
Palace Hotel, where he met And Tayloe, who
had won the border sobrz’ net 0 Mexico, the
army officer concludedto ri e over to the Buckner
Ranch and make a report he was anxious the
ranchero should lfnow. ,

“Ithink I am well enough to go with you,
Arthur, and I will stay there, accepting the in-
vitation and the offer the major so generous]
made me, for I am anxious to get out of this
wild lace, as my life is to know a change.”

“ ell, Andy, I will be ladto have you go,
and I will order my amb ance instead of gom
on horseback, so the fatigue will not be too muc
for on,” said the captain.

“ ou are ever thoughtful of me, Arthur, and
I know it has been hard for you to come here
and take care of me all these long weeks, but I
gall prove my appreciation by my changed
I e

“Now help me to dress, and then I’ll be
ready.” ,

Half an hour after the ambulance of Major
Tayloe, drawn by a pair of fine mules and driv-
en y his negro attendant, set oil? from the Over-
land Hotel across the prairie.

“ He had a close call ” said one who saw the
haggzard, white face of Andrew Ta loe.

“ es; but wasn’t be me to the lit?

“ I guess he’ll be kin er boss about here when
he gits well,” remarked another.

Driving on their way, the brothers talked to-
gether, the fresh air doing the wounded man a
great deal of good. .

At len h Buckner Ranch, known as The Fort,
was reac ed and the two received a warm wel-
come from both the major and his sister, the
latter sad-faced and anxious-looking.

“ Your room will be ready for you in a min-
ute, Mr. Tayloe, and you had best seek rest, for
you have had a long ride,” said the major.

A glass of milk with an egg broken in it re-
freshed Andy Tayloe and he sought rest on a
comfortable bed, while his brother, the major
and Mrs. Bradford adjourned tothedming-room.

After the meal was over Ma 'or Buckner led
his g‘lliest out upon the porch an said:

“ on have news?” .

“ Yes. some little.”

“ Please tell me all.”

“ Well. sir, Kent Kennard has not been seen
in Prairie City since your visit there.”

“ Yes, he left the night I did, and we rode to-
gether for some distance.”

“ Ahl did you--”

“ No, though I was tempted to, for I read your
question inraour looks.

‘f We pa d with a threat on his rt a ainst
me and 'mine if I did not bring Be le bac , for
he had the cool effrontery to accuse me of send-
inghlile; 311' and laying the charge of kidnapping
on , .

“ Cool indeed, sir; but I thought that I would
tell you that he had not been seen in Prairie
City since. and also that rumors of horses and
(tattle htv’ing been run off by the Red Owls are

non . .

“ Ihalve hsagfiias nine];; and I kdee my cattle
corra an my cow oys on u ynear.

“ You’are right, sir; but no word has come to
you of your niece? ’

“ No, etI am hopeful, for there are those on
her trai that will find her if men can.

“ I refer to that remarkable man, Wild Bill,
and algollowerg.” W

1‘8 are 8

‘~‘ Tibia :11: ml} lrocaliagtll at Kent Kennard’s
ranc . g on orc e sscssion.

“ Only this morning my $21, who will have
his way and go off alone, started for the ranch
me the agents, and ,I hope he may bring me

news marrow.

“ He is a brave boy,  Buckner; but you
“is this“ art“  .... d

‘ e a s cons 3 cap , an
seems to blame himself for it. wiggling all he

 

   

  

 
 

   

taf‘ gut when do yeu return to the fort, cap-
in

“Tomorrow, sir, as I have my brother in
such good hands and I am anxious to get back,
as I know the colonel will let me take fifty men,

when he knows all and start on the trail of these
Red Owls to run them down.”

“A splendid idea, Captain Tayloe, and one
which I hope you can carry out.”

“I will do all in my power, sir, so look for me
again within ten da 8, with a company of gal-
lant troo rs at my ack.

“By t 9 way, sir, how many cowboys have

on?

“ A dozen, sir, and altogether, servants and
cattlemen, there are seventeen males upon the
ranch.”

“ You may need them, so keep them well in
hand for use, and, should Brad discover any-
thing of the scouts, pray notify me. as I Will
not leave the Overland until to-morrow after-
noon.

Farewells were then said, and Captain Tayloe
took his leave of his hospitable host, and started
upon his return to Prairie City.

The next mornin the gallant ca tain aid his
bill at the Overlan Palace, pack up is lug-

age, put it in his ambulance, and mounting his

orse, while Arab, his negro, drove the vehicle,
he was bidding good-by to “ the boys” and
landlord Sands, when up dashed a cowbo ,his
gorse showing signs of having been har rid-
en.

“ You are Captain Tayloe, sir?” he said, po-

litelyv.
“ es, my man. ”

“ Here’s a letter for you, sir.”

“ From the fort, I suppose,” and the captain
took the letter. '

“ No, sir, from Major Buckner.”

“ Ah, yes,” and opening the envelope the cap—
tain read:

“ It will not be very far out of your way to come
by my ranch, so please do so, for I have important
information for you.”

“ I will go with pleasure, my man.

“ Go in and take something,” and the captain
treated the cowbo to “ suthin’ wet an’ a
smoker,” after which the two rode out of Prai-
vrie City together, the ambulance following.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE TEXAN RANGER. ,

“Ir seems second nature to me to follow a
trail, and here I am, going to see my sweet-
heart, and yet losing time following these
tracks.

“But I can’t help it, and they havea suspi-
cious look to me, and may lead me on to an im-
portant discovery.”

The s aker was a young man, with a face
deeply ronzed, wearing no beard, and with
every feature expressive and full of character.

His hair was golden, worn in massin waves
upon his shoulders, and his eyes were b no. ten~
der in expression and shaded by long black
lashes that a woman would envy.

His form was slender, wiry, broad—shouldered
and straight as a soldier’s.

He wore upon his head a thoroughly Mexican
sombrero, most rich] embroidered with old
and silver, and loope up on the left side y a
diamond spur pin. . -

His dress was gray jacket and Ipants, the lat-
ter stuck in the tops of cava y boots, the
former ornamented with brass buttons upon
which were stamped a five-pointed star, each
point. bearing a letter, forming the word
T E X A S . '

A brown silk shirt, With black scarf tied
with a sailor knot a ir of gold-mounted
spurs with tin bells at ched. and a belt of
arms comple his personal make-up, while his
horse, a on —bodied, clean-limbed roan. was
equipped wit a Texas saddle and bridle, in the
rear of the former hem a leather roll, a valise,
a scrape and oilskin b anket, and at the horn
hung a serviceable lariat. g

The horseman had halted on the banks are.
small stream. across which led a well-worn
trail, and while his horse was drinking the keen
eyes of the rider had detected hoof-tracks in the
bottom of the stream.

Those he saw were‘not made by buffalo, deer,
or cattle, but by horses,

There were certain] wild horses tobe found
there in that vicinity, ut they were not shod...
these hoof-tracks were. _

The tracks led down the bed of the stream,
and had not been washed wholly away by the
current, but were fast disap ring.

80 down the stream the
following the tracks.

The Water rose to his saddl rths, but he
was not one to mind a ducking, if e had to. .

Following the streamsome half a mile or
more,‘ha saw the trail land by turning into a
rivulet flowing into the larger current.

This too he followed into a wild and almost

 

At last he drew rein. for there cameio his
ears the neigh of a horse

 

Going out of the

.. z ; J

der urged his horse, _ ,

trailhehidhishosseina_

im ssable country. * ,

ut on d land, through canyons and over .
hills, the tr was very distinct, and he pressed
steadily on.

 

 

           

 
   
        

      
  
  
 
 

     
 
  
  

    
       

The Dead 

«. - e m
"My, .. a,“
«V ‘

*’ 4: ('3‘

' 21.

 

 

 

 

 

thicket, muffled his head to prevent his nei h-
ing, and walked along on foot to the top 0 a
steep hilL

The summit was densel covered with under-
brush, and it overlook a valley completely
shut in by hills, with seemingly only a narrow
canyon-like entrance at either end.

Looking down into this narrow entrance, he
saw that it was barricaded with logs, a small
space, like bars, being left open.

He did not doubt but that the exit, a couple of
miles away up the valley, was likewise guard-
e .
Upon one side of the valley flowed a stream,
dashing swiftly along and foammg like a cata-

met.

It dashed out of a chasm in the hills, bordered
the right range that formed the valley, render-
ing exit or entrance there impossible to four-
footed animals, and upon the other side a wall-
like rid e protected the vale.

But this was not all that the horseman saw,
for the meadow lands, or vale, were dotted with
horses, and a large drove of cattle were beyond,
with a few sheep.

There were mustangs, mules and American
horses visible, several hundred in number, while
fully a thousand cattle were to be seen.

In a niche in the wall-like ridge were a num-
ber of tents, givin the appearance of a military
encampment, an some wagons, or “ prairie
schooners.” were seen near the further end
showing that there must be a wheel trail out of
the other barrier. .

Turning his lass, which hung about his
shoulders, upon t e distant camp, he muttered:

“United States wagons, prairie schooners,
farmers’ carts, ambulances, and a carriage or

two.

“ They look bad, and this is no army outfit.

“No, this is an outlaw camp, horse-stealers,
raiders, cattle-runners and cut-throats.

“ That is just what they are. .

“Ah! I smell tobacco,” and approaching the
ed e of the chasm. he glanced over.

ated on a log, fifty feet below him, was a
man, smoking a pipe. ' _

His rifle stood near, and his horse was tied to
the barrier.

Upon a blanket spread 613)?!) the ground wasa
book. an object that look like a dead owl with
scarlet feathers, and a slouch hat.

“I see.

“ That red feathery object gives the gentle-
man away. . _

“This is the secret hiding-place of .the_Red
Owls of Kansas, down here in the Territory.

“If I only had my Texas Rangers, the camp
would change masters; but they are far away.

“ But I Will 0 to a fort which is not very far
from Buckner ch", and lead a cavalry com-
pan down here on a little 1! er.

“ ow to retire in good or er.”

So saying, the youngm'fiexan beat a retreat,
going back the way he come and noting the
trail carefully.

Arrivin at the head of the ford he went on
southwarf, camped alone in the forest that
ni ht and the next day reached Buckner Ranch.

5 he rode up, his roan horse stepping)brisk-
ly in spite of his long trip, he was met y Ma-
jor Buckner himself, who called out:

“ Reynolds, my dear fellow, how glad I am to
see you.”

“ And I to see you, major, though I will
frankly confess I’ll be more pleased tosee Belle,”
said the young ranger, with a smile.

“ Ah my poor fellow, Belle is not with us.” ,

The exan staggered as though struck a
blow, while he gasped:

H  I”

“ No, no but carried off bya wreteh who was
determined she should marry him; but you
know all.”

” Know all! In God’s naine, how should I?”

“ You read my letters and Belle’s.”

“ Not a line since I heard from Belle two

months asking me to visit you all this fall,
and here am."
“ You had no letter me telling you Ithat

Kent Kennard Belle’s ol lover, held a secret of
our family, and Would use it unless she married

in

“ I did not receive any such letter, for bad I,
he would never have had a chance to tell the se-
cret; but has he married her!”

And the Texan was livid while he added:

“ If he has, bythe God above,I will make her
a widow l” .

“ Bg calm, Ralph, and let us talk the matter

ver.

“ Tell me all,” he said, calmly, and Major
Buckner did so.

“And this man forced from you, from Mrs.
Bradford and Belle, your con on account of
the secret he holds!”

2‘ {Io did igloss!” ‘ n

‘ t C 88018».

“ “'3’  51m“: memes;
we all he ope a , gw
prevent glide sacrifice, and she wrote you ask-
lngifyoncould not save her,and in awayto
keeg himdflm  W “1 0t.”

“ received no letters, as I tell you.”

“ Then he has in them,.and, worse
still, be forged a reply, or Belle had a letter

, Wild Bill, the Red Ow

ppers had tra
'Bill and his pards had won the fig t.

 

from you, as she supposed telling her you could
do nothing, and to marry 'm rather than have
him make known the secret.”

“It was an accursed forgery, for I never
wrote such a letter.

“ Oh! but that man shall rue this.

“And you think he is leader of the Red
Owls?”

“ I know it.”

“Then I will break up his nest, which I
lgnow, and there he must have taken my poor

elle.

“ I will go at once to the nearest fort, and—”

“ No, I will send to Prairie City and ask Cap-
tain Tayloe, who leaves there to-da for his
command, to come by here, and we wi seewhat
he says.”

So the message was sent to Captain Ta loe,
andthat evening he drove u tothe Buc er
cabin, and until late at night “(1 the major his
guest, and Andy Tayloe and Mrs. Bradford sit
talking over plans to capture the Red Owl band,
and in some way get rid of Kent Kennard be-
fore he could make known the strange secret
held like a two-ed ed sword, over Belle Brad-
ford and those she oved.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE DOUBLE TRAP. _

WE left Captain Kent, and Knife-Face re-
treating 'ra idly to the timber surrounding host
Canyon a ter the former had discovered the
ap anc of the1 scoult‘si. .dl to th bobe

e pa t ewo ra i emen,
on theyalemhe Red Owl Bong-dresses were put
on, the weapons gotten ready and all was soon
in readiness to meet the Dead Shot Nine and an-
nihilate them.

In anxious expectancy the Red Owls waited,
and the scouts seemed an age in coming into
VleW.

But soon they aripeared, coming along at a
slow walk, and as though expecting no danger-
ous trap awaiting them.

The leader was Quaker Tom, as the moonlight
plainly revealed, for his white horse and white
slouch hat were readily recognizable.

Behind him came a single horseman,evidently

s thou ht, as he was
leader, and next, two by two t e others came,
keeging close together.

I to the shadow of the timber they moved,
and then down the grade into the canyon.

It was a trifle dark there, as the tall timber
and the dee cut obscured the moonlight, but
the party he (i on at the same pace.

Their guns were still hung at their backs, and
they did not appear to have a suspicion of dan-
ger; in fact they seemed to ride lazilv along as

hough not even in a hurr to save the maiden
whom Quaker Tom had to (1 they could rescue.

Past the first Red Owls in ambush they
moved, and then loud rung out the command:

“ Right s uad, fire I"

The six ri es flashed together.

“ Left squad, fire 1"

The other six on the other side flashed.

u Charge 1n ._

Pell—mell into the canyon from either side,
dashed the mounted Red Owls.

But they drew rein quickly.

Not a shot had been fired y the scouts.

It seemed that nota horse of the scouts had
been hurt, so true was the Red Owls’ fire; but
still so ethinfi was wrong, for the animals had
huddl toget er in alarm, and strangest of all,
their 'ders still eat upon their backs.

No, there was one exception, for the saddle of
Quaker Tom was em ty.

“ Do you sumn er?” shouted the outlaw
chief, in trumpet voice.

No answer.

Then a volley of pistol-shots were fired.

The horses snorted with fright, but their
riders rai‘sed no arm to defend themselves.

“ Great God! are the dead, and yet keep
their saddles?” cried the c of. I

As he spoke, a terrific {:11 such as brave men

ve when charging into ttle, was heard ring-

ng through the timber, and quickly following
it came the crack of rifles.

From 11 in the timber came the firing, and it
was direc upon the Red Owls. ‘

In wild dismauhey broke and fled, those
that were moun escaping, some‘ one way,
some another; but those who had in am-
:ush on thel capyon’s sides wheere up}; near their

orses, an ey draped re, re eve —
where as the Dead 0t Nine came charginyg
upon them on foot, and in a steady line.

The tables were turned, the scouts were firin
now, the tra been , and Wil

Rushing down into the canyon they made the
air ring with laughter, as'they caught their
horses, still bearingmthe dummy forms upon

15 saddles -

their backs, tied in .
“ The ’ve riddled m coat,” cried Texas Jack.
t is a sieve,‘ Broncho Billy rejoined.

 

“M

An so on the jokes ran,as the scoutsgath-
ered about their horses. removi the dummies
the had ged'uptorepresentt emselves.

e scou were all but half-dressed,and all
were hare-headed for coats, Pants, scrapes,
shirts and hatched gone to ‘ make upi’the
mock riders.

 

.. White
HawkandBndutthestock-dowme f

Several of the horses had been wounded, but
none seriously, and White Beaver soon dressed
Ehtiltr wounds, for not one of the party had been

11 .

There was a dead Red Owl for each of the
nine, however, and several badly wounded.

These the Surgeon Scout looked after as ten-
derly as though they were honest men, and ar-
rangements were made to bear them back to the .
Kennard Ranch.

Diounted as they were Wild Bill knew that

ursuit of the mounted Red Owls would be use-
ess, and he let them go.

Out of his hiding- lace ironed, came Quaker
Tom, who had been orced to lead the “dummy
nine,” under promise of his life.

He had slipped from his horse and hidden at
the first fire.

Stretchers were then made b cutting long
slender saplings and fastening t e ends, like a
Ezir of shafts, on either side of the horses, by a.

mess made of lariats.

Lariats woven across between the shafts, be-t
bind the horse, then formed a support for the
wounded outlaws, and among them was Knife--
Face. the lieutenant.

Having decentl buried the dead the scouts-
started back for ennard Ranch.

“ Pard, I know’d it,” said Knife-Face, as White
Beaver rode by his side, as he lay upon the
stretcher.

“ Knew what, my friend?” kindly asked the
Surgeon Scout, who had dressed the wound of
the outlaw as well as he could under the circum- v
stances.

“ Knowed it were coming.”

“The attack i"

“ No, d, my and.

“ I foo ed with you once afore, and you ve
me. this scar, and somethin’ told me you’d me
yet, and it were you who shooted me, for seen
yer draw trigger. ”

“ Y;,es, I shot you; but I did not give you that;
scar.

“ es, Sur eon Powell, you did, for I were

one ’ ther eserter sogers thet attempted ter ,
rob gar and Paymaster Ames. ” 
“ y Heaven, but I know you now. , , 3;?
“ Better have remained in the army, an hon- i 7'
est soldier, my poor fellow, for you see what 
your life has ended with. ” ii
“ I’ll die then?” ~,
“ urel .” . .7
“ Oh, fibrdy, surgeon, I hes been a fearful ‘1;-

wicked man, and now the end hev come.
“ When we ‘ts to, the ranch see if yer can’t.
save me, and ’11 be yer slave: but if or can’t

do it, then say a prayer fer me, it will p me,
ma be.”
'te Beaver was touched, and romised to

do all he could for the man when t ey arrived; x.‘
at the ranch, though he knew that he must die,

soon.
“Yes pard, fer yerter yfer a man er
has kilt’with er own han’, it might help megn’ .
of I should ie, bury me decent with a Bible ;,
word, fer thet might keep a curse 01! 0’ my 1 '

grave.
“ ill er, pard doctor?” r
“I wili,” came the deep response (if Whites
Beaver, and he rode on in silence.
But gvhfiifle gaitetgf the stockade was thrown
o n y ,an centered. hesteppedto-
e side of the outlaw, 3nd said: ’
“130w, myman,Iwill see if I can aid you

. i ,1
mg.
my”; hm“ “$31.32: “11.1%. * '

u n e rawn see t . i ‘-
“Heigdead! y p “‘
“Godhavemercyu nthisman,whoselife‘f

have taken, be his me ever so great!” said
White Beaver, with face raised upward toward
Ellie skies, growing gray under the coming

W1].

“ Ameni’hpresently said Frank North, who __ I
hadheard thathadpassedbetween hiscom—‘ ,5
"sets we"... .. 3...... s... - ’ .

own e n t 9. ~'
gave for Knife-Face, and consigned thedl‘slgd
it,’ repeatin over it the burial service, ,
he knew well By heart.

“I havekeptmy word ”he said, andheturm ,,
edtelivay, going to look after the other wounded. is»
on we. 

N After you have finished there, Beaver, cause! ‘ L
to the gate and join me, for Brad has a sur-  \
prise for us, he aye,” called out Wild Bill. I.  ,.
mm two l()‘Jhinese asgem 51?; released, and set _r

getting reakf an e smiled til-sully ‘
whaBrld called 01th.“ 8.1:...” ' Y 
reyou awake Pepper!” ‘ , 
“Me wakee widen ,"said Salt. .
“Sleepee goodee,” dodgy)”. ' “x ‘2

$2“

 

“Yes,aileesunee invee 00 MT“-
ickedBrad ashewslkedoffwithWildBifland
NightHaw George themto

their »
the stockade , whither teiBe‘aver. soon
after went joined them, forhe feltthat the v
boyergad indeed made some important 
oov . ’ ‘ i

CHAPTER mv.
snan’s nisoovnnr.

Wm Beaver joined Wild Bill, Night»

 

 

. a}... ...- s, Manna... 7., .. .

'hii- . "

' bead snot mugs"?

 

  
 

that the boy had kept his discovery a secret to
make it known to al at once.

“You see, Captain Wild Bill,” said Brad:
“When I found the Chinee was going to kill
me I ut the irons on both of them, and then
,,  walkeg down here for a lookout upon the prai-
.. . no.

’i “ I was standing right here, when I heard a
noise in the shanty there, and it scared me, for

, I feared some one had gotten in.

 “ I slipped up to the window, and the moon
showed me one end of the‘fioor risinga‘riight up.”
1

 ‘fgome, Brad, come,” said Wild with'a
5i ‘ 81111 .

  “ Oh, yes, Captain Bill, it did, as you will see.
i; t  S1311 ,then saw a man’s head appear.”

" l

 “And such a head he had, and face.
v.“  “ He was red-headed, red-bearded, no-nosed,

gs. ,- and the moonlight showed me he looked like a
g. j terror.
*5  r “ He was about to 'ump out of the hole when

5* I fired. and he went
 closing after him.

“ I checked it, so it could not be raised, and
left it for you. "

“Come, In brave boy, and we will see all
about it,” an Wild Bill, followed by the others
entered the shanty.

The pieces of wood were knocked out, a cor-
ner of the trap was raised, and up went the
flooring revealing a large hole beneath.

It had been neatly cut down under the cabin,
forming a pit some eight feet by four, and was
all of six feet dee .

One end slope from the center of the cabin
and the hoof-tracks in the soft earth showed
that horses had been taken that way.

Under the edge of the cabin be an a tunnel,
 six feet high by about three broa just large
‘ ’ enou h to admit of a horse passing through.

. It ed ofi.’ in the direction of the ranch cabin,

ck with a yell, the trap

l. ‘ and some eight feet under ound.
i 5 v In the pit, lying with is fingers dug down
" into the ground was the man that Brad had

i- l . shot.

- r “ He is dead, my boy, and you aimed well,
for on hit him in the head.

“ t is right, always aim at a man’s head,
for a bullet there stops him, if it only wounds

him, while on may shoot a man throu h the
,‘ ,heart, and 9 may have strength to k you
 afterward.

“ Remember this, my boy.”

 ' “ Yes, Captain Bill; but it makes me shudder
to look at him, for I never killed a white man
before, though I shot an Indian when a band
atta’cked our home, and I hit him in the head,
too.

a l “ That was right.

,. “ Now, boys, let us put this body above

, ' ground until we get time to put him under.

; ‘ “Ah, here is a lantern, and as we may need
 inore help, Brad you run and tell Texas Jack

i  and Broncho B' yto join us, and Frank North

  the others to be on the alert, for we are
'9 not certain what we will find.”

Brad ran on his errand in haste and soon
returned with the two scouts named while he
 so to go that Wild Bill consented.

» tunnel led them for a lon distance and
lthen a second one branched off, ut only or a
“few feet before coming to another pit.
Q “I believe this is under Kennard’s cabin,”
": ‘”  ' said White Beaver. -
" ' ‘.-‘I guess gm are right, and there is a tunn

' oi! ward that small gate.

' “ I soon see,” said Broncho Billy, and

' while they took one lantern and went in one

" direction, the others ascended the slope and

' found themselves under a floor.

011 an earth shelf there were lanterns, can-

' dies and a bag of provisions.

‘ Pushing on the floor above them it rose, and

 03:: into the large lumber room of
.1 ‘

s cab .
 r “ Now we’ll follow the main tunnel,” said
Biggegrim smile of delight upon his face.
, s, the pit they were met by Jack and
’1": Broncho illy,and theyre

, that the tun-
 nel ended in a it undert floor of the little
"gun .houseat he teinthestockadewall.

" "‘There are hoe-tracks there, too,” said
93th Billy. v

 .“That accounts for the mysterious disa
M  of our three pards,” said Whi

' . var.
i". 7,“Did you lose three?” asked Billy, with sur-

 “I thought you knew it.”
“5"” “ h, no;but Ithou htthethreeIsawto—
‘dayandlset ht look different.”

Y" .“Yes,Brono oBlll rodetothefort and ot
theselastthree boys rom thescoutsthere, or
wehsd tokpep up the nine, Brad, to hold our

,1 ~ng luck.”
-.. “I see,”,said Brad,and the party moved on

once more.
. ,A-walk of a hundred feet and Beaver said:
‘ “.Hold on! I see daylight ahead.” ,
, .“ Yes,” and thalanterns were given to Brad
"to keep backlntherear, and, armedwith their
.  the scouts gout! form at
a , ew stepsbroug on w were
i or earth chm, some truty feet
lmgan ten-feet wide. ' ,
. . , ,

 

 

-‘s
‘f

 

llt had also been dug out as had been the tun-
ne s.

“Hello! here are our pardsl” cried a voice in
the dim light, and Brad ran forward with the
lanterns.

I “Bravo Buck!” cried Wild Bill, as the form
of the scout was seen lying rostrate u on the
ground, while he was ironed hands and eet.

“What’s left of me, pards?” was the reply,
and he added:

h “Oh, I’m all right, only a little cramped and
un .
“ And Dick and Dan?”

“ Do you see yonder hole l”

(t es. fl

“ Our keeper drag ed them in there, because
they would shout, oping to be heard: but
Lordy, in\this deep hole the devil would be the
first one to hear us, 1 think, and I didn’t waste
my breath.”

ashing Dan and Dandy Dick were then
dragged out of their 1 thsome retreat, and
they were all quickly relieved of their irons, as
Brad had appropriated a bunch of keys which
the noseless outlaw had on his belt.

Other surprises now revealed themselves, in
that the earth chamber went to the side of a
pool, the river having worked its way in
there.

Over the o ning of the artificial cave a can-
vas, painted ust the color of the earth had been
hung, so that any one seein it from the other
shore, or much nearer woul never have noted
the cheat.

In the pool was a light skiff with a paddle,
both rude y made, yet serviceable.

The pool was dee , and once out of it into the
current; one woul be borne swiftly down the

river.
“How did you get caught, pards?" asked

Wild Bill. f f b ed
or easy or us, we were ag
abbed’: and thrown into hat hole in the cgbir;
y men we didn’t see,” said Dandy Dick.
“ Ditto me,” said Bravo Buck.
“Our he were led down, too, and the
52ng that got us took them into the river and

‘P on we got comfortabl settled in our
irons up came three more fe ows with Bravo
’ Buck, and he was left, too, while his captors
just sailed off by water in that skiff, the horses
sw1mmmg.

“ Pretty soon Nosey came back, and he staid
as a guard, and he told us we were to be killed
as soon as the captain came; but he went up the
tunnel last night and didn’t show u again. ’

“ Well, there was a‘ reason for t at, as Brad
can tell you, for we owe your discovery to this
brave boy, .

“ Now,l us get out of this hole; and now
that I have got m old Nine D_ead Shots back I
will start for the aunt of the Red Owls, leav-
ing our three comrades from the fort to look af-
tfiaiil'l the prisoners and this ranch,” said Wild

“ But do you know where the retreat is?”
asked Dandy Dick. .-

“ No; but we have caught the chaplain of the
Red Owls, and he will feather his nest by tell—
itng u; where the roost of the other birds can be

oun .

“ If he don’t ma the Lord have mercy upon
him,” was Wild Bi ’s ve significant reply.

And he led the way bac through the tunnel
to the open air once more.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
run unnrmo AT rm: RANCH.

Ir would be hard to picture the de ht of the
Dead Shot Nine when they found t eir com-
rades again in their midst, and recovered, as it
were, from the grave.

Anxious to (push on a ainst the secret retreat
of the Red wls, W1 (1 Bill immediale ar-
ranged his plans to depart, for, although they
he] the ranch, had de eated the outlaws in a
fight, and retaken their three missing comrades,
the main objects of their comin had not been
accomplished, for Belle Bradfor had not been
found, and Kent Kennard was still at large.

Nothin could be learned from the three
scouts,» w chad been prisoners to the outlaws,

the strange woman on horseback,
whether she was or was not Belle Bradford.

Bouncer, when Waned, said she was a
specter; outside of t he knew nothing.

If Ca tain Kent was an outlaw, one of the
Red Ow band, it was a secret to him.

His dgywaa to look after the gate, and he
knew li e else. .

That there were secret passages he knew, for
he had helped dig them, and the river had car-
ried all the dirt away, as it was thrown into it.

If the men left the ranch by that way, they
landed down the river and went on this way.

This was the extent of his knowledge.

. As for Cowboy Kit he know little also, and
ssidthe underground tunnels had been (higher
from lIludians, or outlaws, should ey
e ranc .

Tonkaways were silent when asked and
tllxieodtwo Chinese simply smiled blandlyand re-
P 3 '

“’Melioan man known mueheo; Chinaman
kndwee little bitten.” ‘ ‘

 

 

 

So, with “Parson Tom,” as the scouts called
Quaker Tom, as their guide the Dead Shot
Nine, accom 'ed by Brad Buckner, rode
away from t e ranch the afternoon following
their return from Lost Can on.

Wild Bill had left his t rce fort scouts, se—
cured by Broncho Billy to replace Bravo Buck,
Dashing Dan and Dandy Dick, us guards at the
ranch, ordering that one was to keep on duty at
the ate all the time. »

ith his original Nine then he sallied forth
on his hunt for the Red Owl Rangers, and he
felt assured that, scattered as they were, and
alarmed, they would make for the general ren-
dezvous, or retreat, wherever that was.

Brad was oing with the scouts as far as
home, and he insisted that they should stop1 at
the ranch and meet his father, getting from im
all points of information that might prove use-
ful, and remain there all night.

As it would be after sunset when the reached
the ranch, Wild Bill said they woul go into
camp there.

But Brad said:

“Oh, our house is as big as a young hotel,
Ca tain Bill, and we can take care of you all,
an will be glad to do so.

“You see the ranch was once the ofllcers’
head-quarters in the old fort, so we have plenty
of room.”

“ We will stop there, Brad,” said Wild Bill.

“ And breed a famine in your kitchen depart-
ment boy pard,” added Texas Jack.

r “ o ou won’t, for auntie keeps the commis-
sary ful all the time.”

“ Our commissary up at the fort is full all
the time too, Brad,” said White Beaver, allud-
ing to the commissary captain at the fort, and
the shout of laughter from the scouts proved
that they understood the joke.

“ I am very glad, Beaver,” said Wild Bill, as
they rode along, “ that you made the suggestion
you did.”

“ About the Red Owl masks?”

“ Yes, and I collected thirteen of them.”

“ And I have tw0.”

“ More than we need; but I am sure we can
enter the retreat of the outlaws wearing their
own colors.”

“ We can try at least, Bill,” answered Bea-

er. _
“ There is the ranch,” said Brad, as they
drew in sight of the distant house;

It was a pleasant prairie home, with very
ample accommodations, line buildings and some
superb prairie land surrounding it, with plenty
of cod timber on the creek.

far 9 vegetable gardens were snug] fenced
in, a Eennery was upon one side, amp 8 sheds
for cattle and corral yards, and in front of the
really im ing structure were beds of fragrant
fiowers,s owing the refinement of a woman’s
hand.

“ There’sa visitor at the ranch, and on wheels
too ” said Brad, as he observed wheel-marks
leading 11 to the house.

Soon ter the scouts rode up to the door,
and out n n the broad porch came Magior Buck~
ner, Mrs. gradford, Captain Ta loe an his bro-
ther Andy to receive them w ile standing in
the doorway was the tall form of the Texan
ranger, Captain Ralph Reynolds.

T e faces of all were earnest, and theygased
upon the scouts with deep interest and surprise,
while Brad shouted: ' ’

“Father auntie and all letme introduce to
you Captain Wild 'Bill and his Dead-Shot Pards,
and they are dandies, you bet, and no slouch

V

\ about them. ”

The introduction of Brad brought the hats of
the Dead Shot Nine of! their heads, and dis-
mounting at the major’s nest, they ascended
thestepstothepiazza, andt eTexan and Cap-
tain Tayloe were individually presented by the
ranchero who then said:

“Gentlemen, I am most happy to see you,
and es ially just now, as my riend, Ca tain
Reyno ds, here, commander o the Texas g-

ers, was just wishing for a score of good men to -

start tonight with Captain Tayloe to the fort
to at a company of cavalry, for he has news
thug will interest you.”

The Dead Shots gazed at the handsome young
Texan with interest, for all had heard of his
daring deeds with his Rangers of the Rio
Grande. -

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
on son run nan ow‘ns’ noes-r.
Mas. Bamroan having left the piazza, to see

about an per, for the sun was just so , Wild
Bill, at t e entreaty of Brad, to] the ry of
the ca re of Parson Tom, sat sullenly

u nt estepsnearb .
pile was not ironed,but he knewbetterthanto

“d ‘fit‘ifi‘fla‘? "
f e
11mm was large, enough to accommodate half a
dozen more guests than he then had.

In his quiet, modest way Wild Bill then told
of or Tom’s little allot to ambush M, and
of t rt brought by Brad, which caused
them to oubt him. . I

Bythreats, and prom-nests) spare hislite, they

$931.22 33%;:

  
 

 

  

:27 sites: ‘
I W  ‘

23

 

 

had forced him to tell of the ambush, and then
thgy had arranged to entrap the trap-setters.
ith parts of their wardrobes, scrapes and
lariats, stuffed with prairie grass, the):’ had
made up dummies, armed them with stic s cut
from some timber, to resemble rifles slung at
their acks, and tying them on their horses, and
the h see two by two, had set them off for the
ambus ,they fo lowing slowly behind on foot,
while Parson Tom had “led his lambs to the
slaughter,” \V’ild Bill said. _

The scheme, proposed by White Beaver, had
proven a rand success, thou b about a dozen
of the Red Owls, with Kent ennard at their
head had escaped.

“He was really their leader then?” asked
Captain Tayloe. I

‘ I saw him dash by me, but dropped my re-
volver, and hewas gone before I could use it.
h ‘l‘ll ,recognized him distinctly in the moon-

’ t. ‘
6‘There is more mystery in all this,” said the
ca tain.

‘We must clear it up, sir, for that is what
gen came down to Kansas for,” averred Wild

1 .

“You came here fer that reason?” asked the
major.

‘ “We came, sir to find your little girl. or
rather, to prevent her marriage with Kent Ken-

“Can this be ible?"

“It is, sir, or we meant to prevent her
marryin that villain by putting him out of
the wa . ’

“But how knew you this!” asked the bewil-
dered major.

“During the Confederate war, Miss Brad-
ford, then a little 'rl, kept our chief of scouts,
Buffalo Bill, from eing taken as a' spy, and he

i told her to call on him if ever he could serve
' er.
- “So she wrote him a letter, telling him that
she was to be forced to marry this man, and
lovirég another, asked him to save her.

“ e was just then ordered on special duty,
but came to me and I came here, with my

e'fiht pards, to keep his pledge ven to the
, 1i le girl, and we will stick to t e trail until
:1 we find the end of it.”

“My dear sir, you and your brave comrades
are noble men, and God bless you," said Major
Buckner, with feeling.
3, “Make me number ten of your band, for I
3‘  gladly follow the leadershi of Wild Bill,”
an

. the. {Dung Texan held orth his hand,
Wthh Bil warmly gra .

“And I number eleven, Bill,” called out
Captain Tayloe.

‘ I’m all stove up, or I’d be twelve,” said
And Tayloe.

“. ’11 take that number, Captain Bill,” the

major said. ,

0“ They say it’s an unlucky number, but I’ll

. risk thu'teen with this part , ’ cried Brad.

‘ “ Well, gentlemen we certain] have a band
a , of‘gtfog mené Wild‘Bill regarkl .
.,._ : ave ngoodcow s can areall
' well armed,” the major said.y' 8p ’

“ And Blackstone, my negro servant, is worth
a couple of ordinary men, so we count twenty-
four or the march, and as a soldier, I will

. say, lllaen of thosefI see before Ital; are ual to

~ a u companyo cavalry so vs no earof

r the result, be the Red Owls what they may in
numbers.”

“ Well, Captain Tayloe, as an army omcer
ygu are to command the force, the major will

ke his cowboys, and Captain Re olds will be
the commander of m scouts, whi e Brad and I
act as your aides, an White Beaver is surgeon
of the outfit.”

“ You are most modest, Wild Bill; but it is
just like you, hang back until you are needed,
and then strike home; but tell us about the cap-

,  of Kennard’s ranch,” said Captain Tay-
2

. , “ Oh, that was a bloodless affair for White
Beaver took it before we ot there. ”’

And Wild Bill went on tell of the capture
of the three scouts, the experience of Brad with
’h" 0312733.? “3 hmis “‘7 “it” “‘13.:
‘ un ways, ' 0 cos

r23 recapture of Bravo buck an his twoycom-

es.
“ And what about this woman h back
Bill?” asked Captain Tayloe. on one ’
“ That in ste is tobesdlved, sirzbutshe cer-

tain] coul not Miss rsdford forsh could
, only ave left the stockist through the binder-
: ground channels.

“Miopinion is that there is some trio
e

about r, gotten up by Kssmardto make foo
believe she is a specter and keep them away
from his ranch."

“ And Miss Bradford?’

“Shewasdoubtlesstaken at once to his re-
‘. treatbysomeofhismen,and I am anxiousto
, b there by the time he does. and Parson
, Tom therelstoshow the lace.”

' “ ltold yerI didn’t ow it, thetI hadnever

beenmar,havin' always beenwith ther
up here, since I ’em; butf'ou wrong he-
licve me,vand have to dis, s’pose for I
whinsdthsout-

 

f ,3 « doesn’t know, I swears! don’t,”
 -’1aw.. : v ,

 

 

 

“ Don’t let that trouble you, Wild Bill, for I
will lead you directlyto the retreat, as I was
there just twenty-four hours ago,” raid the
Texan. f

A murmur of leasure broke from the scouts
at this, and then e toldhis story of the finding
of the retreat.

It was decided to start just at dawn, and Ma-
'or Buckner said that he would see that his

alf a score of cowboys were ready and extra
horses should be taken to replace any animal
that mi ht give out.

Mrs. radford then came out and invited all
in to supper, and such a meal as was prepared
the bordermen had not sat down to for many a
long day, and each and every one did full jus-
tice to the fried chickens, eggs, boiled ham, hot
rolls, waffles, coffee and the generous glasses of
some of the major’s finest old wine.

Retiring early, when all had been arranged
for the start, the party started ofl’, after a sub—
stantial breakfast, just as the east was growing
rosy under the rising sun, just twenty-four in
number, including Captain Tayloe’s colored sol-
dier. ._

As for Parson Tom, he was left a prisoner
at the ranch, for his services were no longer
needed, with the Texan Ranger acting as
guide.

“ God bless you, preserve you from death,
and help you to bring back my poor child,”
called out Mrs. Bradford, as she stood
on the piazza, wafting them a farewell,
tears welling up from her heart, and prayers
falling from her trembling lips, as she saw the
band of heroes ride forth to face danger and
death for the sake of her beautiful daughter.

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
A scam: IN THE OWLs’ NEST.

THE valley retreat, discovered so fortunatel
by Ralph Reynolds, the Texan, Ranger, on h 3
way to see his lady—love, was really the secret
haunt of the Red Owls.

By liberal presents to the Indians about their
retreat they managed to keep on good terms
with them, and thus secure a safe hiding-place ~
for their stolen horses and plunder, where few
white men dare go on account of the hostility
of the red-skins, unless he wore the badge of
the Red Owl Rangers, the feather head-dress.

At the barriers a d was kept at either end
of the valley, andt ecam were in a glen in
the ridge which sheltered t em.

There were log cabins back on the hillside,
brush sheds for cattle in winter, but the out-
laws dwelt in army tents in the summer, and
they gave the camp a very military look.

Operating in small hands, far and near, as
they had been, the Red Owls had accumulated
much plunder, and had never been tracked to
their retreat by either Regulators or soldiers.

They had various wagons, ‘ambulances, farm
Vehicles, bu ice, and a carriage or two, with
innumerable ousehold furniture and wares.

These were placed in vehicles attended by a
few men and a woman or two and children
and driven off as settlers who suddenly wished
to sell out and go back East, as they claimed,
and hgood sums were reahzed' thereby. ,r

T game was continually and successqu
filfieyéed, and the treasury of the band was wel

The outlaws believed in comforts, too, and
luxuries, and with what they stole in the we of
stores and raised in the way of vegetables, ey
got along well.

There were some forty men, half a dozen
women, as man children and a few negroes be-
loiliging to the and, say three-score souls all
to , and m3 had a camp commander and a
chief over , who was the planner of their
ml; in the field and seldom visited the re-

It is to this strange rendezvous, among these
wild people, that I would have my reader now
accompany me.

In a large cabin, situated upon the slope of
the hill, and commanding a view of the camp,
valley and river, with the hills be and, sat a
maiden whom the reader has met be 0m.

She is idly gazing out upon the scene before
her, when an denlya horse dashes up to the
door and the rider springs to the ground and
walks quick! upon the piazza.

The rider a woman, one with a sun-brown-
ed,handsome face, scarcel more than twenty-
flve and with the look 0 one who had known
wlgt itfwas to suffer. M i

or arm was ver grace n her ridin -
habit; and her slouchlhat, encircled with a gofd
co‘rdI, Ig‘a've her a jtaunty  h i
ve news. or on, s 9 said addressing
than in the cabin. : he ’
ing,s,ecameou u nt lamandask-
ed coldlfi: ’ W p
“ We , what is the news you bear?”
/ “Ca Kennardwillsoonbehere.”

It eedt”

“Yes, for his men, some of them have
oomeifiandtheyreportthat 
:1 XIV. what forgone scout, ahdflfiber

as, an v . - a
numbg'r having been kindled, . ’

 

   

2  cap-

 

‘zl’yvish their captain had shared the same

“ Not he, for he will soon be here, be having
gone to an Indian camp, where is a missionary
priest, to have him come here with him, that he
may make you his wife.”

“ God forbid!”

_“IIt is useless for you to go against your fate,

“ I tried the same, and see me now, the in-
mate of an outlaw camp.

“ I loved a man, he made me his wife, a rival
told him ill of me, and he deserted me without
a word.

“ I came West in search of him was shot
down on the prairie, when I was looking for
him, by a cut-throat who sought my gold.

“ A wa on-train came along, and the assassin
fled, and was buried by the settlers, who went
on their way.

“ The assassin came back, dragged me out of
the grave to see if my rings yet remained, and 
found me alive. ‘ , .

“The bullet had grazed my temple and stun- *
ned me only; but I would have died but for his
return.

“ Just then, as he staggered back in horror 9»
horseman dashed up, fired and the assassin fell
dead and was thrown into my grave by my pre-
server.

“ Half unconscious I was carried to a ranch,
tenderly nursed, and came to, to find, as I be
lieved, my husband by my side.

“ To him I poured forth my sto , how I had
done no wrong, that it was the wor of a rival to
part us, and how I had followed him, to be ever
near him.

“ Then he said:

“ ‘ What if your husband were an outlaw?

“ ‘ I would still cling to him,’ I answered.

“ ‘ Through all?’

“ ‘ Yes, t rough evaything.’

“ ‘ I am not our husband,’ he said, ‘ but his
twin brother, ent Kennard; but your husband,
Kendall Kennard, lives, i well, and is my asso. “
ciate in an outlaw band. .

“ ‘1 remain here at my ranch, to give him ,'
points to work on, and he roams the prairie with * l

is men, and commands our retreat in the In- "
dian Territory.” I

“ And you? ’ asked the maiden, gazing full
into the face of the stran e woman. :

“ I came to my husban here, and have been ,,
with him ever smce.” ' ,

‘ ‘ And the man thatkidnapped me and brought
me here?” . _  '.j

“‘ Was my’husbaud, serving as his brother, at; _ ~
u _ _ .

“Tim Kent Kennard?” ,,
“Left Prairie City to go to the Indian camp  
and get the priest I spoke of, and bring him ,
here.

“ Was it he who met the scouts?”

“ No, it was to husband."

“ How strange y alike they are.”

“ Startlineg so in a , ce.”

“ In wickedness too,’ was the reply of Belle a .
Bradford. , -

“You will learn to love him and forget h‘m ’
misdeeds.” , _ - ¢

“ Never the one or the other, and I cannot be- 
lieve that I will be forced into this marriage, 3
andnl appeal to you, as a woman, to save 
me. . - r

“I can do nothing, for Kent is chief, my hues” ‘
hand his lieutenant. -‘ . , ;

“Iwenttohisranchafewnight.sa.go,to ask,
him to spare you: it was then I was cmya .
boy, your brother you told me. and am
by a scout, and escaped to the ranch: butt
found Kent was not there, 90 left by the  
Wfi’m’t "tint? “Ta to ' t” ‘

an is e rmin man-yyou, my, us:
band just told me, for he lias seen him ’
your capture, and there is no to escape it. , *
“ Heaven have mercy! there canes now v

    
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
   
   
   
    
    
   
   
   
   
  
  
 
     
 
   
    
   
   
   
   
  
    
  
     
   
   
   
   
     
  
     
    
  
   
      
  
  
 
  
   
  
  

“ Which is it, Kent or Kendall Kepnard
asked the woman. ‘

:2 gent Kennard.”

As she spoke a horseman rod ‘
mounted. _  

Certai yitdid look like Captain Kent Kan-«g
nerd: but gist‘ytbentoo up the '
compam‘ed y a priest, was
self and poor Belle
as Is saw him, light th m

“ amsorry, u ereisno ~
Miss Bradford, for I know the will: of
who intends to make you his wife."

CHAPTER XL.

 

 

 
  
 

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old man, who was devoting his life to corivert-
in red-skins and succeeding poorlyie

ent Kennard bowed low to lie, kissed
his sister-in-law, introduced the priest to the
ladies and then led him to his room, himself re-
tiring to the piazza.

“I had to wait for the old fellow a couple of
da 8, as he was off on some religious trail in the
hi] 5,” he said, with a laugh.

And turning to Belle, he said: ‘

‘ ‘ I did not expect Miss Bradford, that I would
have to have you dnapped to make you my
wife, but it was so.”

“And you intend to force me into this alli-
ance with you?”

“ Oh, yeS' but we will discuss that after
awhile, for I have much to say to you.

“ Now, Ken, tell me how it was you got such
a thrashing from those scouts.”

“Treachery, brother, for Quaker Tom be-
trayed us.” '

And he told the story of the ambush.

“ This was most unfortunate; but Wild Bill
and his men are terrible fellows, for they are in
possession of my ranch, you know, have defeat-
ed {(1)11 against big odds, and we must look out
for 'm.

“ How many men have you in camp?"

“ About twenty, but others are out, fully half
as many, for in our flight we scattered every-
where and they’ll dro in.”

“ ell, as soon as I ave made Miss Bradford
m wife, I shall take the trail of Wild Bill, and
I’ run him to earth, for he must be gotten rid
of or he’ll be down on us here before we can get
rid of our plunder and horses.”

“ And then, brother?”

“ Why, we must give up outlawry, and turn
tomining ou know.

“Now, iss Bradford, let me say to you what
I wish, and before my brother and his wife ”
and he turned to Belle. with the cynical smile
on his face that seemed to play there always
when he was deeply moved.

“ As on please, sir ” was the cold reply.

“ In t e first place, I wish to say tha ou are
aware that I hold a secret of your fam' yl”

t i I am. 1’

“ Do you know what it is?”

“ Not exactly. I am free to confess.” .

“ Well, Miss Bradford, unless you promise to
become my wife, this night, without making a
fuss about it, so as to win that priest to our

side, for he thinks this a settlers’ camp, will

have our father hanged I”

Bald/y father! Why, he is dead!” gasped
e.

“You are mistaken; he was reported dead,
but he is alive.”
“ Oh God!”

“ It is true, and he is now dwelling in Colora-
do. nothing more than m prisoner, though he
isfreeto go as he pleasest ere.

“Your ather, Miss Bradford, was an officer
in the Confederate army, and he entered the
Union lines as a spy.” ,

“ It is not true!

“ It is.”

“My father went into the Union lines to see
his ,dying sister, and was shot; such was told
me.

“ He was taken as a spy, had papers upon him
which condemned him, was tried and sentenced
to be hanged.

“He made his esca , was fired 1130!! when
crossing the river, an was seen to s .

“ But he did not sink, was not hurt, and es-

ca .

me dared not return home, the war was end-
ing, and so he came West, to Colorado, becom-
ing a miner.

Your mother knows he is not dead your
uncle knows it, and they are aware that Iaided
him in his escape and sent him West.

“ They know that I am aware of where he is
and that 1 have but to give his name, an
whereabouts, at an army post, to have a squad
of sbldiers sent for him, and the sentence of
ed out upon him.

“ Now this t e secret I hold, Miss Bradford,
501 ask on will you be m’vnwife, or shall I give
your fa er to the gallows

“ I will marry you,” came in a voice that
quivered with anguish.

“ You pledge yourself to this!”

:1 do. \thing Mia-Bradford.”
'f

“Well, sir?”

“Your father has struck it rich; in other
words hehasfounda mineofgold thatwill
inake him treny a millionaire, and you are his

eiress.

“ When you are my wife, we will go to him,
and when you have made him ve to me one-
halfinterestinhismine Iwill easeyonfrom
your  bonds, forI wish no woman for a
wife who hates me. ’

 “ Gladlyrwjigl I do thisfigoried , Bradford,

 

hite.”
Ofi‘M poor, poor father!"
“ Ngw, Miss Bradford, neither your mother or

_ 4 _ v . «a,» i ‘ *.
v M «Jr 1m: "

 

...r «
icy.

..vv,. ~

uncle know where he is, all their communica-
tions having been through me, and when you
have carried out my Wishes, I will set you

free.

“ Now Lucille, or Lady Lucy as the boys
used to call you, give us a supper, a wedding—
feast as it were.” '

The woman arose and left the piazza, and
Belle quickly followed her, her heart throbbing
with emotion.

As they departed, Kent Kennard said:

“There come a pack of our Red Owls now,
Ken!”

“ Yes, they are the boys I had with me, for I
recognize their horses,’ and their eyes were
turned upon a perky of horsemen, eleven in
number who were ri ing leisurely up the valley
toward the camp, and still wearing their Red
Owl masks.

 

CHAPTER XLI.
THE PLEDGE KEPT.

“ THEY are comin right up to report to us,
Ken," said Kent ennard, alluding to the
eleven horsemen who were now near the head-
quarters cabin and coming directly toward it.

“Great God! what does that mean?” cried
Kendall Kennard, as shouts and shots were
heard down the valley, and a dozen horsemen
were seen charging into the outlaw camps.

Instantly all but four of the horsemen near
the cabin wheeled about and dashed back to-
ward the camp.

But those four came on, and dashing up be-
fore the piazza, threw themselves from their
horses, while they quick] dragged from their
heads the red feather mas s they, wore.

A wild cry broke from the ips of the twin
brothers, and they dropped their hands u n
their weapons, for the recognized Wild ill
Ralph Reynolds, the exan, whom they
known in war days, and Captain Tayloe, while
White Beaver made up the fourth.

“ You are my prisoner, Kent Kennard!”
shouted the Texan. springing toward the chief.

“ And you are mine,sir! ’said Wild Bill, as he
faced the twin brother.

But the brothers answered by firin , and both
the Texan and Wild Bill Were woun ed, though
lightly, while their shots brought the outlaws
down, the chief wounded fatally, the other
drOpping dead. .

In an instant Ralph Reynolds was kneeling by
his side.

“ Tell me where Belle Bradford is, or I’ll drag
you u to yonder tree, Wounded as you are l”

“ T e lady is there, sir!” was the sneerin re-
sponse, and out of the house dashed Belle rad-
ford and the outlaw’s wife. .

With a wild shriek the outlaw wife threw
herself upon the body of hei’husband, while the
maiden sprung forward and was grasped in the
arms of her lover. -

“ Curse you both, take my dying blessing!”
shouted Kent Kennard, as he Italy rostrate on
the piazza, and he drew from s om a re-

'volv.er and leveled it.

But ere he could draw trigger there came a
shot, and a bullet shattered his arm.

It was fired by White Beaver, who with Wild
Bill had mounted his horse, the two dashing to
aid their comrades, leaving the Texan and
Captain Ta loe to hold the cabin, knowing they,
could well 0 it against ordinary odds.

Into the mélée dashed the two scouts and in
a moment more the fight had ended, the out-
law cam was taken and a score of Red Owl
Rangers ad been either killed, wounded or cap-
tur . \

But the attacking party had also suffered, as
Buck Bravo and two of the Buckner Ranch
cowboys had fallen, and half a dozen others 'had
been wounded, among them being Brad, who
had covered himself with glory.

But unmindful of the slight fish
shoulder the brave boy was away at
full to t his Cousin whom 9 saw on
the , and his father followed rapidly be—
hin him, while the Surgeon Scout looked, after
friends and foes alike.

on his

 

CHAPTER XLII.
CONCLUSION.

AWAY from the dead body of her husband the

r outlaw’s wife was drawu by Belle Brad-

?rrd’s intle hand and words of sympathy were
0 er.

But she refused to be comforted, and went off
alone to mourn her dead.

Kent Kennard died a few moments after the
shot from White Beaver that broke his arm
and saved the life of Belle Bradford, perhaps of
her lover, too, and the brothers were borne
awe. and ed in the same ve.

ild Bill then volun to remain as a
ard in the cam with his men until Captain
ayloe returned the fort and brough his
company of cavalry after the prisoners and
booty, and the Texan, wi "Belle and her un—
cle and Brad and the cow s for an escort,
started off the next day for uckner Ranch.

Th were also accom ed by Lucille, the
handi ’s wife, who said a would return to the
East, and Brad escorted her into Prairie City,

 
 
   

 

where she took the Overland
warg, and nothing was ever has.
war .

e ing east-
ofher after-

Remainin at the outlaw camp, the Surgeon
Scout serv well the wounded, while the old
riest did his duty, too, Eerforming the service
or the dead instead of t e marriage ceremony.
When Captain Tayloe returned with the sol-
diers, both infantry and cavalry, the Dead
Shots started on the trail for the North, and
haltinga night on the way at Buckner Ranch,

they had the leasure of witnessin the mar-
rialgle of Belle radford to Captain lph Ray-
no s.

The latter had just returned from Colorado,
and he was not alone, for back with him came a.
fine old gentleman whom Belle called father,
and to whom, some months after, Captain Tay-
loe sent a ardon from the President.

As for rad, he was the happiest boy in Amer-
ica the day of the wedding, and he is now an of-
ficer in the ——th cavalry, stationed out on the
frontier and no more dashing man ever drew a
sword than he, and he never tires of talking
over with his scout comrades the days when
they kept the pledge, made by the author of this
ower true tale, to a young girl, and run to earth
the Red Owls of Kansas.

THE END.

 

Beadle’s Dime Library.
BUFFALO BILL

AUTHOR XND HERO

Stories of the Wild West.

62 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; or, Life
and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo
Bill.

83 Gold Bullet Sport; or, The Knights of the
Overland. By Buffalo Bill.

92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King; or, The
Amazon of the West. By Major Danger-
field Burr.

168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead-Shot. A Boo
mance of Buffalo Bill’s Old Pard. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham.

243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweet-~
heart. A True Story of the Overland Trail.
By Buflelo Bill, Government Scout and
Guide.

804 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The
Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By
Buffalo Bill.

329 The League of Three; or, Buflalo Bill’s
Pledge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or, Oath-bound to Cus-
ter. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or,-
A Wronged Man’s Bled Trail. By Buffalo
Bill.

397 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver’s-
Trail. By Buifalo Bill. ‘

401 The One-Arm Pard; or, Red Retribution in.
Borderland. By Buflalo Bill.

414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or, The
Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buflalo
Bill.

517 Buflalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody, the
Pony Express Rider. / By Ned Buntline.

599 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the
Plains. By Buffalo Bill.

 

 

N E W I 8 S U E 8 .
600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of ’76.
By COL Prentiss Ingraham.
601 Joe Phenix’s Shadow; or, The Great Detec—
tive's Monitor. By Albert W. Aiken.

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