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Published Every
Wednesday.

Vol. XL.

GBeadZe r} fldams, @ublishers,

Ten Cents a. Copy.
$5.00 a. Year.

No. 518,

98 WILLIAM STREET. N. Y.. September 26, 1888.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUNG PETE JBllllINS’S cum.

BY JOHN W. OSBON,
AUTHOR OF “ THE RIVAL GIANTS OF' NOWHAR,”
“ CACTL’S BCRR, 0F HARD LUCK,"
ETc., ETC.

CHAPTER I.
TWO WOLVES FROM ELEPHANT LODE.

“ CLEANED out. pard?"

“ To the last sou, hide and hoof, Oscar! May
the Old Boy—"

“Nay, nay! Dave! The hurt isn’t so doe
as all that! Say Judge Lynch, as an amen -
ment. The rest Will follow!”

“ Accepted! And may the good old judge
shunt ’em ofi this mortal coil quick, say I. Our

lens are knocked into a. cocked hat!" and Dave

anton stared moodin down the rocky trails
full minute ere turning his somber black eyes
upon his companion’s face.

“ We’ll have to boot it, pard,” he continued,
with a short, hard laugh. “Hoot it! Twenty
miles’ torture. under a broiling sun. on the
worst trail in all southwestern Colorado!”

 

 

 

 

 

EUR-LED FROM LONG PETE’S BACK, THE WILY APACHE, WITH A HORRIBLE YELL, FELL CLEAR
0]“ THE ROCK, SHOOTING DOWNWARD WITH FRIGHTFUL VELOCITY TO DEATH FAR BELOW: ,

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

'2 ’ Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

“‘And all for a taste of the delights of Para-
dise Gulch, tool” laughed Oscar Monshall, light-
ly, yet with a malicious gleam in the depths of
his dsluqinbrous brown orbs. “ Tell ye what,

ar —
p "Some other time, mate,” Danton broke in,
“ If we're going on to the Gulch, let’s
A pretty plight we be in though,
Not so much as

shortly.
be moving.
to lock horns with the enemyl
an ounce for the high-card!”

Again that hard desperate laugh, and thrust-
ing his hands yet dce r into the pockets of his
short velveteen coat, ave Danton set forward
With long, easy strides, his eyes aglow, his face
stern and determined.

‘ At his side walked Oscar Monshall—cool.
smiling, imperturbable—in striking contrast to
his fellow.

Tail, of athletic mold, wit smooth, regular
features, closely—cropped cur ing brown hair,
and long, trimly—kept mustaches of deep goldem
red—with brown eyes, white, even reeth, and a
“ milk-and-rose” complexion, Monshall was a
man of splendid physique—of tiger-like beauty.

Nor was Danton a whit less symmetrical,
although a good three inches shorter in statureh
scarcsl less handsome, though in his face the
lines o dissipation were easily read. Dark were
his eyes as midnight, and hair and heard vied
with the raven’s blackness. And if he lacked
the consummate coolness and subtilty of the
other, he surpassed him in physical prowess and
tenacity of purpose.

Monshall was twentyosix; Danton, his senior
by three or four years.

That they were sports was revealed at once
by their dress, their hearing and their language.

Not the “ clean, white article," but of the
vain ire class—fellows cunning and treacherous
--po ished desperadoes.

Driven from Elephant Lode by aturn of capri-
cious Fortune—ta ing, in this instance, shape
and form in a mandate from the marshal-—
they had turned toward the new and “ boom-
ing ” camp of Para‘fdise Gulch, much as vultures
to a carcass.

Understand dear -reader: that unassuming
Oscar Monshall and Dave Danton had ridden
forth from Elephant Lode’s confines, superbly
accoutered and with something like $20,000
stowed snugly away in their money-belts, laugh-
ing long and loud at Marshal Kanega’s posted
notice.

Just at the noon hour. however, in the gloom
ofa narrow canyon—the wildest spot on, the
lonely trail—as unexpectedly as a thunderbolt
from the rift of blue sky overhead, a startling
change had swept over the aspect of affairs.

Forth from sheltering alcoves in the rocky
walls, on either side, two men had leaped, the
four forming a cordon across the narrow trail.

.Their mission was a nt. The outlawed
sports readit in the as e masks, in the deadly
steel {miles drawn to a level, ere the stern ap-

risa : .

“ Your gold-dust or your lives 2"

What could two men, however brave or reck-
less. have done. other than uietly yield! The
quartette of road- ents hel the “drop.” To
resist was death, qu ck and sure!

Yet David Danton—“ Des rate Dave,” they
had called him in Elephant e—gri'm and de-
termined, me to the last, had jerked a revol-
yer from his belt—only to have it whipped from
his hand by Oscar Momhall.

Compelled to dismount, the two adventurers
were quickly stripped of their money-belts,
valuables and weapons; after which proceeding
the four mad-agents departed an suddenly as
th'ely had appeared, taking with them the horses.

his thorough “cleaning up.” just at that
time, was about as great a disaster as could
have fallen upon the two sports.

Little wonder, then. that Danton was in an
ill-humor, as with that mirthless laugh he again
set forward on the trail.

Then, too, the lightness with which Monshall
had treated the matter, from beginning to end,
nettled him not a little.

. "‘Curleit all! can he man it“ musedDes-
’ perate Dave. stealing a swift, side-long glance
at the smilin face of his com nion. “It’s
yin-at like him; ut—but we wor hard for the

ban!”
“grad, what do you think of Kanega’s game?”
Carelessly enough the question came from
Monshall—a suspicion of mockery in the light

, tones.
, Dave wheeled abruptly, his hands clinched

' spasmodically.
“ They don't herd wolves in Elephant Lode!”
, i he replied, significantly.
i“ And so we were exiled?"
“ Exactly.”
“ Dave, you don‘t catch my meanin —you
' never made a greater mistake! he aver , with
suddm earnestness, a peculiar glint in his yellow-
brown eyes’.

“Weill” .
“Vg’ell, they were the wolves of Elephant
2

; 'Danton shrugged his shoulders.

 

 

“ No doubt they were from the camp; but
what of that?” - '

“ Wait!” and a peculiarly disagreeable ex-
pression settled upon Monshall’s face. “ Let us
go back a deal in the game.”

“ I am listening, mate.”

“We cleaned out Richard Ro ale—” ‘

“ Your old pard—your very ouble," supple-
mented Danton, suddenly manifesting more then
passing interest.

Moushall sim 1y nodded, saying:

“ Yes, my 01 pard; but of that. more anon.
Suffice it now, that I plucked him in self-defense.

" You know how the trick was worked—how
we led him on,rday by day, scruple by scruple,
until last night’s crewning stroke.”

“,Hard, up-hill work, too, that straight-laced,
square-teed, was the lad," dryly commented
Danton. “ It was as neat a brace as was ever
de’alt; but not a ducat have we left to show for
i

“ No matter as to that,” Monshall continued,
a trifle impatiently, his glowing brown eyes
sharply scanning the disconsolate face of his
comrade. "‘ With all our caution, Burke Kan-
ega had snaked our cards and was ready from
the jump to capture the dust.”

“ Soho! Then why didn‘t he corral ourlayout
and show up the brace? Generally speaking, in
such cases it's, ‘ Whack up, an’ mum’s the
wor .' ”

“ He jumped us simply because it was a part
of his scheme. He wasn’t working the old game;
he played for the entire stake.”

Danton shook his head.

“ I don’t see how you make that out,” be ex-
claimed, dubiously. “ \Vhyi, not even an at-
tempt was made to recover oyale’s money.”

“ Certainly not: but we were ordered to leave

camp by sunrise this morning, and spies Spotted '

our, every move until Elephant Lode was behind

us.,

“ Two, perhaps; but what of it?”

Fora full minute Oscar stared pityinglv at
the fixed visage of his unscrupulous confrere,
his own face rife with incredulity. Then, with
arms akimbo, he set his handsmne head slightly
to one side. and uttered a laugh—a soft, melo-
dious sound, yet tainted with a Lucifer
mockery.-

Danton flushed angrily.

“Easy, pard—no offense!” cut in Monshall,
with a deprecatory gesture, ere the hot words
surging in the brain of the other could find
enunciation. “Only—it Seems strange that

on, usually so clear-headed, cannot see through '

nega’s game. " .
“ I cannot. What do you mean i”

l , “Imean that Marshal Kanega is the wolf-

herd of Elephant Lode—that he and the road-
agent chief were one and the same.”

At these words, slowly and deliberately ut-
Eered, a. marvelous change swept over Danton‘s

ace. '

“Pard, you are right—I see the whole plot
now,” he cried, explosively. “ But little good
will it do now. Kanega’s wonl”

“ Don’t be too sure of that, mate,” Monshall
returned, si i‘flcantly, an odd smile on his full,
red lips. “ urke Kanega was the one pla ed.
So far as its real value is concerned, I won dn’t
give him a white chip for the entire bundle of
stuff he captured.”

“ How now! What—”

“ Just this—the bills in the belt were counter-
feit! The genuine article is—right here I”

And, lif his left foot, Monshall daintin
tapped his_boot-hee1 with his right forefln r.

At that instant the sharp. ringing s as of
iron-shod hoofs on the rocky trail rung out,
comin from the narrow canyon from which the
two venturers had emerged a moment before.

The e ression of surprise and delight on
Danton's ace changed to one bordering on con-
star-nation.

"May Satan fly away with me,” it isn‘t
Royals himself 1” he ejaculated, turning, as if to

flee. ,

Monshall’s hand dropped heavily upon hie
“$331 d”th tll ‘ ed 1

y,par , e a s rtwarn .ici ,

his yellow-brown eves £10ng evil] . “Dony’t
lose your nerve. Watc me—do as do!

“ Richard Royals must not (care this trail
alive I”

. CHAPTER II.
“noun mean u, or rim imp BAND.”

Danni-1am, un pulous wretch though he
was. David Danton shuddered at the terrible
words of Monshall. The pupils of his great
black eyes slowly dilated, and he seemed on the
aunt of breaking awawd seeking refuge in

e dense undergrowth ering the trail.
I But the lurid brown orbs of Oscar Monshall
wereflxed upon him with burning intensity—
seeming fairly to search and sear his brain—ex-
erting over him a strange. indeflnable influence.
He drew back a pace, then shook himself, as if
casting oi! some dread incubus; his hands
'elincbediand a sudden dash of color came into
his face. a deadly glint into his ‘eyes.

“ Strike, mate, and I am with you!” he mut-
tered, in thick, almost incoherent strains.

The arch-spirit bad conquered!

A smile revealed _Monshall's teeth, sharp and

white—a wolflsh smile, betraying the man’s
worst passions.

“ Good enough !” he responded, in low, intense
tones, as be cast a furtive glance at the swiftly-
approaching horseman. “ Act just as I act.
Remember, pard, it is not murder—it is ven-
geance, retribution! Richard Royals 'stands

etween me and fortune—between me and the
Only woman I ever loved !” ’

Danton nodded shortly.

“ We are wholly unarmed,” he suggested.

_ “ Mebbe l” with a faint smile, “ but it is not
likely we will want a weapon. Strategy, not
force, must work our ends.”

The 'two desperadoes then turned their whole
attention to the horseman, who was now scarce-
ly two hundred yards distant.

Bolt upright in the saddle he sat, yet easily
and gracefully, a light sombrero pulled well
down over his eyes, his arms close to his sides,
his hands upon his hips, the reins lying idly
across the pommel.

“ It’s retty big odds We’re taking in this
game,” anton observed. “ The cuss is a dead—
shot, and his mad is up just enough for him to
try a little pistol-practice on us. Don’t you
thinlqso?” - _

But‘the tall sport vouchsafed no immediate
response. A mystified look had come over
his face, and he stared straight ahead at the
horseman.

Noticing this. Danton looked again, where-
upon his expression changed.

Evidently, something was amiss.

Nearer swept the rider, maintaining the same
careless attitude; onward until Within ten paces
of the two desperadoes, when he abruptly drew
I rein, and in stern tones demanded:

l “Gentlemen, do you own this trail, or are
you here to gather toll?”

Monshall flushed angrily. That cold, clear
voice, cutting and insolent. void of even the
slightest familiar strains, jarred harshly upon
him, rousing him instantly from the brief medi-
tation into which be had fallen.

Only for the briefest measurable space of
time was his annoyance manifest, however.

“ The man is not Richard Royale.” be reason-
ed; “and, as he goes to» ard Paradise Gulch. is
it not better to meet him there as a friendly
ac uaintance than as a foe?”

Then aloud: ‘

“ Pardon us! We wish to detain you Just a
minute. May I ask if you came by way of Ele-
phant Lode?”

“Certainly; I have nothing to conceal. I left
the camp at sunrise. And you?”

“ A trifle earlier.”

“ Gentlemen, you are the sports. Monshall
and Danton?”

‘“ Perhaps, stranger." .

“ You fleeced Dick Royals last night?”

“ It ma be so alleged. ’

“ It is t e truthl t was the talk of all Ele-
hant Lode this mornin ,early as was the hour.
congratulate you—$26,000 is not lost and won

ever day, even in that camp! If—”'

“ e or not, is itany concern of yours f”
interjected Danton, his- black eyes flashing
viciously. , ”

“Yes, that is what I would liketoknowl
Monshall supplemented. with a_ swift, aidelong
glance at the face of his companion.

The horseman uttered a bitter little laugh.-

“ ‘ Quint subs!” as the Mexicans have itl"
he cried, his hazel eyes all aglow. “ Richard
Royals was my worst feel”

Monshall started.

“ Was—4’ '

“ He is dead—to all the world i”

The two adventurers faced each other in sheer
amazement, not unmixed with relief. The
words pointed to a crimson deed: ‘

“ Man, who are youl” Danton asked, in more
subdued tones. .

A am that wicked, reckless little laugh, and

in sere re 1 in .
EYou 1.3%. gourd of Bill Brazzletonl” Jhe

queried.

“ The Arizona road agent!”

“ The same.”

“ Who in the West has not?" I

“ Well, he was my twin brother—I am Dick
Brazzleton. better known as Ro al_ Richard, of
the Red Handl, To fleece the pi grims Bill took.
to the road: I attain the same end in a more

enteel manner.” ‘ -
R “ I see,” muttered Danton. “ You are of o’ur

l th—a card-sh I”
caExactlyl A3135"

jected. “ Do you know, at first sight we nmped
to the conclusion that you were Royae him-

If?"
.eIJeaning back in his saddle, Branletcn uttered

ant to hear. There were hard lines'abouthis

mouth. hidden b his droopigg mustache—a
lurid leam in his as) eyes, v ' edby the bulb
closed ids. ‘

“A case of mistaken identity, I reckon!” he
observed, as he righted himself. “ Such things
will he pen.”

 

, ‘ i

discovered our mistake,

the orseman peered sharply at his surround- '

“But this Royals matter,” Monshall inter- ‘

a peculiar chuckling sound—a sound not pleas- _\

-“0h, yes,” returned Monshall, dryly. “We ’
though, before any see ~.

 

 

 

 

-_,._

r... «.fi‘)‘ icy. ice-r. 

g
‘5
l

,,'

   
 

 
 

 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred; 3

 

 

rious harm was done. And you say Royals is
dead?”

“ He is dead—to all the world.”

“ It seems hardly credible! How did it hap-

n?’
pellrazzleton shrugged his shoulders.

“ If dead men tell no tales, wh should the
living?" he cried, significantly. “ ut, time is
wasting, gentlemen, and even now I am due at
Paradise Gulch. What can I do for you?”

“ Nothing, mate. We wished simplfi to get
an idea of the state of affairs at l
Lode,” declared Monshall. “ We‘ll meet you
later at the Gulch.”

“ Ho so—we might be able to form a com-
bine. o-long,” and touching spurs to his splen-
did 1bay, Dick Brazzleton rode rapidly down the
trai .

The two wolves from Elephant Lode gazed
after him long and earnestly.

“Oscar!”

“ Well, Dave?"

: “ There’s something rotten in Denmark !"

“ You think so?”

“ “ [am sure of it! I knew Biil Brazzleton in
Tucson, before he took to the road. To the best
of in belief, he never had a two brother!”

“ don’t know, l’m sure, Dave. There may
be a movement of some sort afoot against us.
Royals may be alive—in which event that fel-
low may be one of his spies.”

“ Or the original Richard, himself!”

“ Hardly that, Danton. I’ve known the fel-
low, off and on, from boyhood. We both came
from the same neck 0’ the woods. I don’t think
he could disguise himself to deceive me. '

“ Then, too, I’ve heard of Royal Richard, 0’
the Red Hand—a Northwestern Thoroughbred,
and this Brazzleton answers to his description,
to the letter. But, whoever the galoot may be,
it certainly behooves us to ’ware the hawks.
As soon as we arrive at the Gulch, we will pay
our respects to Brazzleton.”

“ And that reminds me that we had better be
edging along,” observed Danton.

But, the detaining hand of Monshall again fell
upon his shoulders. _

“ Wait, Dave! First let the map out our
campaign!” she schemer exclaimed, “ that is, if
you are willing to follow where I lead.”

“Fool if I wouldn’t!” ejaculated Danton, al-
most fiercelv. “ Reckon 1 know the color of
pay-dirt when I see it. Go on, rd; you’ve
showed yourself the clean, white thing, so far."

The tall sport‘s lips arted ust enough to show
his glistening teeth. he smi e—if smile it could
be called—was anything but pleasant.

“ lt’sa level head on have, metal” he averred,
his dusky eyes hal -hidden by their droo ing
lids as he peered searchineg into the face 0 hi
ally. “ And I believe I can trust you as far as
I could any man living!“ ,

“ Try me, and see!” returned Danton swiftly,
his lowering features suddenly lighting up.
“ Put it there, pard. Didn’t you lift me from
the flat of my back? Sure! Reckon I won’t
forget it soon, black sheep though 1 be.

“ Mind you, now, I’m not calling for even a
si t at the hand ou’re putting up in this ilt-

ged scheme you int at—I’m gomg it b ‘nd,
with never a word! Only— Well, you‘re the
chief, and—”

“ And I’ll deal the cards right into your
hand l” on}; in the tall sport, as his ally hesitated.
“ Come-fit is time you knew the game. Mad
though it is, yet a. king might well renounce
crown and scepter to enter the lists, for the
stake is a ripcely one-a mine as rich as any in
all New exico, and with it the heart and hand
of Pauline Mordaunt, a woman as ore and
beautiful as any the sun shines upon this day.”

 

CHAPTER III.
A cmricu. MOMENT.

Davm Durex quivered like one electrified,
his dark eyes aglow with suppressed excitement,
Greed, wi d and eager, shone forth from every
feature.

Monshall watched his co-agent narrowly. He
had not misjudged his man. Whatever the
task, Desperate Dave would be the tool, if well

id.
lMIBut not upon gold alone had Monshall de-
pended to gain the faithful service of the scann-
drel. Danton must be made to ackn0wledge the
tall sport’s mental snperiorit —to fear. and at
to trust him thoroughly; an , above all, to eel
that their interests were indissoluble.

And now the arch-plotter believed that end
had been attained—that the time to unhosom
himself had come. .

He turned from the trail, accompanied by
Danton, the two laying their course toward the
brink of a precipice a short distance away.

“ I don’t thin we shall be overheard here.”

observed Moushall, with a glance at his sur-,
soundings, as be halted in the shade of a giant

bowlder- “ but in a gold district one cannot be
tooonre , you know.”
“Yes; the first tree or rock may conceals.

prospector. a hunter or a trapper,” readily 3.8-.

canted Danton, seeking a seat in the narrow
shadow. “ But we’ll be safe enough here, on
thocool side of this bowlder. With it at our
 and the precipice on our left, we can

‘ . I

ephant !

' guard against
two open points.

The tall sport nodded his approval of the posi-
tion taken.

“ Now, we’ll get down to the milk in the
cocoanut—to the details of the scheme—just as
quickly as possible,” he exclaimed, as he
nervously nipped the end from a cigar.

“ I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana, original-
ly, and I suppose it goes without saying that the
nfimlie in my baptismal rite wasn’t Oscar Mon-
5 a l.

“ At any rate, this Rofyale and to self are
first cousins, and just 0 an age. 9 were
chums together at school, and our intimacy
lasted until we reached that point at which the
road forks. There I turned to the left—it was
all down- ade, you know—and went to the
dogs. He eld to the right.

“ And just at that oint it was, too, that our
rivalry began. Pauline Mordaunt was by odds
the most ailorable creature in the overgrown
town, and she was the rock upon which we split.
Rovale and myself were just twenty-one, and
as like as the traditional two peas; but his peo-
ple were pretty well heeled, financially, as
were Pauline’s, while your humble servant
we? anything but a Croesus; so—Royale got the
gir .
“How it was brought about doesn’t matter,
'ust here, but within six months from the time

was thrown overboard, the firm of Royals &
Mordaunt went to the wall with a crash, beg-
garing the two families.

“So the maniage didn’t take place—hasn’t
yet, though a good live years have elapsed.

“ You know how the trick was worked back

there at Elephant Lode — how completely
Royale was deceived. He—”
t “ Sure! And you played the gospel-sharp act
as fine as silk, tool” broke in Danton, enthusi-
asticall . “What, with that bit of acting and
the litt e touch of the drug, could the keenest of
bloodhounds have done? And, between us, he
isn’t shrewder than Vidocql”

“ And et, too shrewd to live 1" averred Mon-
shall. “ ut for the interference of Kanega,
h: would have cashed in for all time, then and
t ere

“ But, to get back to the subject in hand; the
time and place for the marriage of Royale and
Pauline have at last been definitely appointed.
By the merest chance, a letter from t 9 girl to
Royals has fallen into my hands and a most
important document it prone to»  And the
beauty of the situation is, that Royals himself
is yet ignorant of its contents.

“ Here it is,” and Monshall drew from an
inner pocket in his coat the missive. 2 _,

The heavy white envelope bore, in a round,
graceful hand, the address:

\ “ Ms. Brenna Ronu,
Saguacho,
Colo.”

Danton leaned forward, glaring hungrin at
the purloined letter.

“ As you see, it was forwarded from Saguache
to Elephant Lode,” continued Monshall, draw-
in the neatl -folded sheets from the envelope.
“ t was the rst intimation of the exact where-
abouts of Royale 1 had received in three years.
Indeed, I had supposed that he and Pauline
were married lon ago, and had given up all
hope in that direction. ,

“ It was a lucky find. and a curious one, too.
If you remember, I picked up the letter at the
ogtski’rts of the camp the evening we arrived
t ere.

“ Two weeks ago today,” supplemented Dan-
ton, with interest unabated.

“ Yes; it was then we formed our little

anything of the kind from the

rimary object on my part, of getting him out
5f the we . The task wasn’t such a one as I
had antimpated, thanks to the diaerence be-
tween a western detective and a tenderfoot.”

“ But we got there just the camel” and Des~
perate Dave ave a ow laugh. “ The cheme
was too arti o to fail."

“ Yes, and the thing was well managed,” ad-
ded the tall sport, complacently. “ But, listen,
for you will find it necessary to familiarize your-
self with a portion of this letter.”

And selecting a sheet, Danton read as follows:

“Emma Swen or was Minions, N. M.
“March 2, 188—. '2’
“Mr Dun Panama m Roars:—

At last I have the best of news to impart. You
may come at once, or as soon as you can close up

our affairs in Fort Wayne; for my labors have

n crowned with n muniflcent reward. Here in
the Mlmbres Mountains. in company with two faith‘
to] friends. Ihave roach . by Sheer “Olden. the
Mecca of my hopes and ms for five years past—
a name paycheck-n mine of almost fabulous
V I16.

“Exigenclos have arisen, however. that comfi1
fol-the present. not only my closest mono) at -
tion. bu also ubsnlu'e secrecy as to he location of
the mine of yellow treasure.

“ Ay San Marcia] you will be met by Long Pete
Jenkins and Big Dale Keith. than whom no true or

ore steadfast friends exist. They are diamon in

a rough. Follow their advice and instructions to
the letter. You will brpiloted to Dead-Tree Knob,

at which int I no to meet on in n.
I “If “03!?” beoopgrrangedjt woumwell, per—

 

 

scheme to relieve him of his money—with, the'

 

‘- 5.: . , 

haps to have Dick Royals join your party— say at
Alamosa. or even at Palomas. feel the need of a
lieutenant—of a man not only to be trusted thor-
oughly, but one Who is also expertly familiar with
the amenities of this peculiar section. That Royale
is both, I well know.‘

Monshail paused a moment, then folded the
sheet, saying:

“ That is all relating directly to the mine.
Pauline’s letter to Royals. in which this was in-
closed, states thatshe will reach Alamosa on or
about the fifteenth of June. Their marriage is
to take place three weeks later.

“ My plan is this: From Paradise Gulch you
will proceed direct to Palomas, and, in whatever
guise on may choose to assume, intercept and
jom t e train.

“ I will follow a few days later. When I join
the party, you are to greet me as Dick Royale,
an Ulll and near friend i”

“ You intend to step into Royale’s shoes!” ex-
claimed Danton.

“ Exactly! An easy matter, I believa. as I
bear a remarkable resemblance to the Simon
Pure article. Then, too, the lovers have not
seen each other for well onto flvo years—another
bigpoint in my favor.”

anton drew a long breath.

“ It is a big thing, and the scheme ought to
work!” he muttered. “ It is simple enough.
But what if the bad penny should turn up?”

" Royalei I shall see that We efiperienoe no
difficulty from him!” answered onshall, vi-
ciously. “ He—”

Danton’s hand dropped warningly upon his
shoulder.

A shadow had fallen upon the rocks before
them—the head and shoulders of a man, -
jected from a person above and' behind t em
upon the massive bowlder!

“’Ware hawks!” hissed Danton, mvagely.

The tall sport wheeled, throwin out his right
arm. His hand closed around t e butt of a
small revolver.

Then his eyes fell upon the intruder. and he
reeled back against Danton, aghast—faint with
rage and chagrin!

Had his precious plot been overheard, or was
Fortune playing into his hand? -

The man upon the rock was Richard Royals!

“ You miserable sneak-thief! I’ll takexthat
letter,” sternl exclaimed the young western
detective, his ark eyes blazing. with honest in-

dignation. “ Up with your hands—both of you
h—or p’I’ll cut loose your souls, if souls you
ave ‘

 

\
CHAPTER IV.
nova. RICHARD snows ms am.

FOR a single instant,‘ the entrapped plotters
stood as if spellbound, then, reluctantly enoufilli,
Danton obeyed the imperious command. e
steel tube frowneigs him in the face had an awe-
some effect not 1 overcame.

Not so with Mons all, however. He made a
feint at complying, wiih the determination to
chance all on a snap-shot at his foe.

“ Drop that ! ” p l
Warned b the basilisk gleam of the tall V
sport’s eyes, yole had, at the last breath,

divined his intentions. v
The two reports rung out togevher. * r
A fierce “ curse you i” slipped "Wm between

Monshall’s suddenly clinched teeth—to change

instantl to an exultant cry. for, throwing n

his ban 9. Richard Royals swung half aroun ,

then toppled backward from the rocks! /

A deathly pallor overspread Monshall’l face.  ' '

He trembled so that he could hardly retain his
hold on his revolver. -
What a flood of conflicting thoughts and emo-
tions overwhelmed him at that momentl
Was Royals dead! .
Was the obstacle in the way of the scheme
for a fortune removed?
Ifso,at whatacostl ,
“ He’s done for, fast enough !” gritted Danton.

“ The little Joker mate, till I see that the mat-

ter’s ended ri ht.“

Monshall oi ent yielded the weapon.

Assuring himse f that the remaining chamv
hers were loaded, Danton glided around the
bowlder.

When he ran , his face was set and
forbidding. He lsplayed an extra revolver. .

“Over the cliff, I reckon!" he annou ,
withashort, jleiky nod. ‘f It cut! in bah d
the bowlder.
face.”

“Did you see—”

“ No; it’s three hundred feet to the rocks be-
low, if it’s an inch. and the footed thoclifl is
shrouded in gloom.”

The tall sport shudderod.

“Let’s get away from here,” hit; mutf‘red, .
was no r '

hugdkily. Au1:11!) badly shaken  n
an en. in arm begins 11 mo.
“ You’re hit?" y ‘

“Justa scratch—a hole through the fleshy

port of my left forearm.”

Danton was instantly all attention. Under i ‘
the wound was quicklydreoled ‘

his deft fill
:12: thein ured memberplaced in unimpva
g. ‘ .

. , i

e gun lnyon the edgsofthe.

 

 

 

 

   
 
  
 
 
 

' ’ observad Royal

4

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

Then once again the two adventurers turned
their faces toward Paradise Gulch.

 

“Ah! here on are! Welcome, gentlemen, to
Paradise Gulc , the liveliest, hottest little gold-
camp in the len h and breadth of Colorado!
And I bespeak or you prosperity unbounded!
The seed has been sown, the grain has grown
and ripened. The bouuteous harvest goes a-
begging for the sickle of the thoroughbred!
Dear boys! I can't express my delight at seeing
you! I can’t—l really can’t I’

And Royal Richard, pushing forward a pace,
impetuously clasped a reluctant hand in each of
his own strong palms.

The two adventurers were nonplused.

Was that stran e, fiery glow in the dark eyes
of the_sport one o menacel—the smile upon his
lips one of deeprooted hatred? Or, did the
garlsh light give the lie to his real expression?

Certain it was that his grasp was cordial—al-
most too cordial for comfort.

’ But, was he one of Richard Royale’s spies?

Monshall and Danton felt that they were upon
uncertain ground—that at any moment a yawn-
ing abyss might open at their feet.

None but a preternatural eye could have read
the impress of those disquieting doubts upon
their faces, however. Outwardly the two ad-
venturers were cool and collected.

Monshall mayed a response to the half-mock-
ing strains.

‘ Hello, Braz—”

“ Royal Richard—here, there and everywhere
—if you please!” interrupted he of the Red
Hand, with an airy bow, as he released their
hands and led the wa toward the bar.

" I stand corrected, assented Monshall, in a
low tone. “ Believe me, we are more than glad
to see you! In fact, we had decided to look you
up the first thin in the morning.”

“ That we ha i” chimed in Danton.

“You overwhelm me, ants—you do, indeed!"
with a covert sneer. “ ut, come! You’re just
of! the traill Have a little something to trim
up your internal economy! I can re—-”

“ Hello! what’s the matter with the arm?
Run afoul of a snag?”

This last to Monsball, with every evidence of

sn'il‘prise.
he tell sport looked annoyed.

“ An old wound reopened by over-exertion,”
he ventured. ‘ A little painful—nothing
worse.”

“ An old wound, eh! Look to it, old man-—
dangerous this weather. I’d an idea that mebbe

ou’d run—wait, though! -Have you heard the
test news from Elephant Lode?”

The voice of the Red-Hand Sport sunk to a
whis r as he uttered the question, and his
dark y glowing orbs seemed to pierce Moushall
throagh and through.

“ by ask?”

It was Danton’s VOIOPIOW, sullen, not unlike
the ominous growl of a crouching brute.

The presence of the sport seemed to have upon
him much the eflect of a red rag upon a mad-
dened bull.

Royal Richard quietly ignored the question.

“ Nothing since you us on the trail to-
day,” Monshall averred. “ Anything startling?"

" Our mutual friend—”

i “ Royale?”

“Yes—alive and kicking, and on your trail,
hot foot!”

“ The devil !” ,

“ Or one of his agents 1” with a mocking little
laugh. “ I thought I’d warn you I”

, “ A mighty interest you take in our aflairs!”
exclaimed Danton, savagely. “ Go tell your
master we are here—if you‘re less a coward than

he!

R0 a1 Richard started sha 1y.

“LI, master!” he exclaimelx

“ our master—Royals!"

The next instant Danton regretted the words.
A clinched hand caught him squarely between
the eyes, fioorin him in a twinkling!

In the same reath, the Bed-Hand Sport, re-
coiling a‘pace, drew his self-cocking revolvers.

In this movement, he barel discounted Mon-
shall, who, though wound , was prompt to
assist his discomflted ally.

“ I hold the drop, you‘ll notice, gentlemen!"
Richard, in a matter-of—fact
tone. “ And now that you’ve danced, you must
pay for the music 1"

A terrible look crossed the face of the Red-
Baud Sport as he uttered the words—a look
and and cold, fraught with deadly determina-

on!

The inmates. of the rough gambling-hell
parted right and left, eager to see the outcome
of the strange quarrel, yet anxious to keep oat

"  of reach of stray bullets.

 

Monshall uttered a sardonic la b.
“VYou’veJilayed your Esme we , you treach-
erous houn !” he cued h voice quivering with
suppre-ed passion; “ but, what the oh you
expect to gain mybe,ismomthan canue.
If t he simply cheap notorle —"
“ Gut it short, dear boy!” interrupted Royal
Richard, almost savagely. “ I can tell you in
just one word: Vengeance!”

I" “Just so! For the why and wherefore, read

 

between the lines of my proolamation. It is
upon the wall, just behind you!”

The two adventurers turned.

The following, written in a bold, legible hand,
on a sheet of white paper, tacked to the rough
boards, stared them in the face:

" NOTICE!

“ To whom it may concern :—

“I hereb publicly at Oscar Monshallmlias Rev.
Reuben arpy) an David Danton—“ Desperate
Dave "—as cheats and Swindlers; and more, as

" Cowaannv Tmnvns AND Mumsasas!

“Evidence to substantiate these charges can be
had of the undersigned. -

“ Said Monshall and Danton, upon seeing this, can
come to the scratch, or leave the camp at once and
foreverESign d 1

cl e ,
“ ROYAL RICHARD, or run Run HAND." '

The varying expressions that flitted across
the faces of the two desperadoes, as they read
line after line of the peculiar instrument, were
simply indescribable.

A true bill! and, bitter as was the draught,
they must turn their backs to Paradise Gulch!

As these thoughts flashed through Monshall’s
grail? he wheeled and faced the Red-Hand

por .

“ We accept your challenge l” he cried, his
face bloodless as marble, his eyes burning lurid-
ly, as he lifted his uninjured arm. “ We accept
it in the spirit in which it is given! It is bitter,
black work you have done us—work that noth-
ing but your blood or ours can uncle!

“ Give us time to eat and drink. Let mid-
night be the hour, the main street of the camp
the place, revolvers the weapons, ten paces the
distance, first one and then the other.”

“ Agreed!” Re hi Richard exclaimed, bow-
ing, as he shove his revolvers back into his
belt. “ You first, your pard next.”

The moon, full and round, hung high in the
heavens, rendering the streets of the camp as
light almost as by day.

The hour was midnight.

Ranged along each side of the principal street
could be seen the entire male po ulation of the
Gulch, forgetful of Morpheus an their couches,
intent on witnessing the impending triangular

 

duel.

Of Monshall and Danton, nothing was to be
seen. Yet there was scarcely a man present
but bad faith in the ultimate appearance of the
two sports.

Their bearing during the controversy with
Royal Richard in the Shades of Fortune, im:
mediately following their arrival in camp had
bean such asto impress the majority of the
“ Angels ” of the Ga ch most favorably.

Prominent among the minority was Marshal
Brule, a grizzled veteran of the gold-fields.

From the first he had expressed the opinion:

“ Fight! Five ter one they stampede, fer
they be two-legged kiotes, of ever I see’d sech
critters !”

The marshal was almost alone in his views.

He stood, with the Red-Hand Sport, in the
doorway of the Cobb House, as the shanty do-
ing service as a hotel was known.

rief as had been their acquaintance, a high
degree of confidence seemed toexist between
the two men.

“ Your chicks have flown ther pit i” Brule de«
clared, after asearching glance up and down
the street. “Time was up a good half-hour

ago! r

“ Twenty ter one they hes shook ther dust o’
ther Gulch from theyr feet!”

“ It begins to look that way," admitted the
Thoroughbred, smiling grimly. “It is little
less than I expected! In fact, it is precisely
what I expects !’ , A

The marshal looked uzzled.

“ You'd an object, en—”

" I had, most assuredlvl I suspected them of
the murder of my pard !"

“ They’d better ’a’ come ter ther scratch!”

“They had, for now my suspicions are veri-
fied,” and a hard cold expression crept into the
face of the Red-fiend Sport—a dangerous glow
into his eyes.

“ Let them 0!" he continued, to himself,
rather than to rule; “let them go! Whether
the trail leads over mountain or mesa, through
fire or water, sooner or later my murdered pard
shall be avenged!”

A silent handclasn, and the Thoroughbred
turned and strode rapidly down the street.

Marshal Buule gazed after him long and earn-

“yA thoroughbred, an’ with nerve tor !"
he muttered. “They're two ter one, at I
w’u’dn’t stand in theyr shoes fer all ther gold
in Colorado! “He’s too quiet, too cool, too
much 0’ a human sleuthhound, ter fall! They-
bedoomedmen!”

., CHAPI‘ER'V.
LONG nan amiss.
“Emmthar, Mic Pauline! No more sech
swingin’ an'dashin’ about; I Et’d be
rocky, jest now, even fer a ole sin-
neresme! An’wu-w-wal, miss, ye 'tun’er-

 

 

stan'—an’ I s’pose ye w’u’dn't of ye c'u’d, ef ye
be made u like ther rest ov ther calico tribe!”

Pauline ordaunt drew rein abruptly, throw—
ing a glance, half-earnest, half-amused, over her
shoulder at the face of the guide.

“ No, Mr. Jenkins 1 do not understand,” she
averred, quickly. “ Will you explain the nature
of the danger your words seem to imply?”

Long Pete Jenkins nodded, withindescribable
gravity.

“ Injuns——’Paches!” he replied, halting.

“ Indians—where P”

“ Hyar, thar, everywhar—mebbe,” with a cir-
cular sweep of his long and sinewy arm. “ We
be in ’Pache kentry, now, Miss Pauline!"

The girl cast a swxft, apprehensive glance
over the wide expanse of plain to the north and
south, then forward across the rolling stretch to
the dim eastern foot-hill of the Mimbres. A
grassy sea, under a summer sun, quiet, undis-
turbed, unbroken by even a sign of human pres-
ence.

Then, wheeling her horse, she gazed back—
ward over the trail, her clear gray eyes dwell-
ing anxiously on the wagon-train three hundred
yards to the rear.

Simply couched though it had been, the de-
claration of Lon Pete Jenkins was fraught
with significancet at would have brought a and--
den chill to a heart infinitely stouter than that
of fair Pauline Mordaunt.

But, for a fleetin moment only did the girl
exhibit traces of a arm. The afternoon was
bright, smiling, exhilarating—surcharged with
the very elixir of buoyancy, and callous must
be the nature to resist its subtile influences The
cloud vanished from Pauline’s face; trouble in
store there might be, but direful foreboding

ould not lessen its weight. -

11.0?g Pete noted the change with a. breath of
re 1e .

“She’s cl’ar grit!” he mused. “Lucky, too,
for thar’s mischief-makin’, sure’s two an two-
count four !”

“ Mr. Jenkins, have you actually seen In—
dians!” ~

Very quiet and matter—of-fact was the clear
young voice.

“ Nary red—as yit,” slowly asseverated Long
Pete, looking down into the sweet, upturntd
face with a grave smile. “ But I has seen what
is wu’ss, 'est now—Injun sign .' Thar was plenty
ov it in t er tall grass all around our camp this

mornin’. Red scouts had theyr eyes on us last
ni ht.”
But why worse?”

“ Beka‘se it tells me thet we aire in danger cv
ambush. Ther spies belong ter a large party.
They hev bin sent out at night ter i’arn ( ur
strength. Ther ’Pache sire a treacherous, cun-
nin’ critter—ther wu’st ov ther hull red race.
They’ll try ter wipe us out, not openly, but with—
out warnin’. '

“ I’d hoped
their stampin‘-ground, nn’ reach
Knob an’ ytr father, ’thout runnin' afoul ov
ther red imps. But that. is out ov ther question,
now; they hev sighted us, an' we must look
she ter escape theyr traps.

“ 0, Miss Pauline, slow an’ careful must be
ther ords.”

Th irl nodded, as if she thoroughly under—
stood t at part of the matter.

“ Have you spoken to Uncle Roger of your
discovery’l’ she asked. .

“ Ya-as; but ter him only. Es fer Jose an’
Pedro, we decided that the exact state of affairs
hed best be kept from them till ther last, as also
from ther three darkies.”

Pauline vouchsafed no remark, but soon turn-
ed and with a parting word rode slowly back to
the train. v

“God bless her sweet face I” uttered Long Pete
Jenkins, reverently, as he turned in his saddle
to gaze wistful] after the lissom figure.
“Thar’s trouble n story fer that gal—trouble
what’ll take sharp, hard fightin’ ter overcome.
I kin feel it deep down in ther marrow ov my
ole bones!

“ Oh, fur Bi

ter pull acrost this hyer neck ov

Dave an’ ther bonny sport, Dick

Royals! Wit theyr stout arms an’ true hearts .

we c’u’d build a wall about my partner’s darter
—a wall ter defy ther red ts. I
“ But thar! she’s reac. ther train!” he_mnt-

“ Now for a long scout ahead, fer ther hellion-
ated red-skins means mischief. Ther odds sire,
we’ll find ther to ov Dead-Tree Knob a hornets
nest 0v painted evils I”

And wheeling his horse, the old plainsman
rode rapidly toward the distant Mimbres, head-
in a trifle south of west.

in odd figure, truly—one worthy of more
than a lpassing glance. _

Near , if not quite, six feet eight niches in
hight, ender yet wall formed, with sinews as
tough and elastic almost as springvsteel, without

- an ounce of spare flesh, the borderman pouemed
herculean strength, 'with agility simply mar-

velous.

Hisfaee, round andboyishinexpressiovn was
as dark as an Indian’s from long exposure: and
as smooth as a woman's. Sound white teeth
and twinkling blue eyes a in a measure
its decided lack of “ beauty.”

His clothing\ was of buckskin, with 

Dead-Tree ‘

.._W-M.. ’ er

 

 
 

 

 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. 5

 

 

topped boots and wide sombrero. A Winches-
ter lay across the pommel, while a brace of
heavy revolvers and a bowie-knife hung in his
broad leathern girdle.

A thin fringe of long gray hair flaunted over
his shoulders—a mere wisp whipping in the pass-
in g veeze. Beneath the sombrero was a scalp—
less 5 'ull!

An Indian-hater?

No; but a terror to outlaws and renegades—
to bad white men generally. Why not? Had
not he suffered at their hands?

there was his home?——his ‘wifef—his child?

The first, ruthlessly blotted out; the others,
the endearing elements of the first, buried with
his hopes, thirty years ago.

Fifty-five, and a prairie vagabond—a tramp,
here to-day, there to -morrow!

Not a sot—a di'uukai-d; he and liquor were
not even passing acquaintances.

A man, honest, brave and loyal—‘a stanch'
friend, and an open foe; a dead-shot, a splendid
horseman: a generous companion, often whim-
sical, sometimes silent and reserved, but never
moro-e.

Such, in brief, was Long Pete Jenkins.

As the clean-limbed bay swept forward at a
sharp gallo , the eyes of the old plainsman were
not idle. 00 much was at stake—too much de-
pended upon the full exercise of his skill and
prowess—to permit of even a semblance of care-
lessness: too well he knew the significance of the
signs he had seen—too well the dread possibil-
ities of the coming night.

For two days past, the little train had been
creepingldeeper and deeper into a section over-
run wit marauding Apaches. Every precau-
tion had been taken by the faithful guide, even
to long detours to avoid the beaten trails of the
Red Riders. But, that his rty had at last
been discovered—that the mes es of a fatal not
were being slowly drawn about it—Long Pete
had ample evidence.

Could Dead-Tree Knob be reached in safety,
the position thus taken could be held until the
arrival of Jackson Mordauut, and Richard Roy-
ale and Big Dale. Thence, with such accesso-
rice, the journey might be completed.

But the guide had little hope in this direction.

His experience with the Apaches had taught
him to look for the worst.

And that?

The secret seizure of Dead-Tree Knob by the
red-skins!

They were familiar with the topography of
the country, and, knowing the man natural
advantages of the Knob asacamp, h probably
divined that the party intended so to utilize it.

So Long Pete had shrewdly reasoned, and it
was to put his theories to the test that he had

- left the train.

Dead-Tree Knob was not for distant. In-
deed, the keen eyes of the plaiusman could de-
scry its scraggy crest, miles to the westward,
slightly in advance of the lines of the foothills
and perhaps five miles to the north of the point
toward which he was riding.

His course turned more and more to the south-
ward, there again veered to the west, until at
last the crest of the Knob was hidden behind a
swell in the plain.

Five miuutes later he was riding briskly up
the dry channel of the stream, heading toward
a gap in the foot-hills.

0n ward be rode—the dead channel gradually
assuming a rougher character, straggling bushes
and dwarfed trees taking the places of high,
matted grass on the margins of the overhanging
banks—onward, until the sunlight faded into
gloom, until the dark shadows of the foot-hills
overhung his rough trail.

A strange hush held swa over all, unbroken
save by the hoof-strokes of ng Pete’s iron-shod
steed. What that silence portended the scout
well knew.

Red-skins were in the hills—red-skins bent on
mischief!

Turning into a branch of the channel, Long
Pete headed directly north. Half an hour of
sharp, hard riding brought him to a small

lateau, whence the crest and three sides of
Bead-Tree Knob were plainly visible. '

Dimmunfing, be secured his horse in the
depths of a small thicket. then sought a shel-
tered position in a clump of bushes at the outer
edge of the plateau.

I“ All serene over thar, so far as the naked eye
kin see,” he muttered, after a cursory glance,
as he produced a field-glass. “ But we’ll see how
things look thro’ this leetle joker.”

_He proceededto bestow upon the crest and
sides of Dead-Tree Knob a most rigid scrutiny.

ADMWMY’ 8“ Was pro-eminently satisfac—
tory, for when be lowered the glass his face
shone with relief unspeakable.

N‘glisilhe raiadetgn earn” eglt survey of the adja-
cen an 0 ep 1!: o in w from
the foot ’or the Knob. p g M am

And yet no sign of a red-skin.

Ear 03 across the gramy s] the wagon.
trlsin we:5 gisalernible; arid as t 9 eyes of the
,0 won wet upon 1 an e ressionofdis-
Quietudp c/l'ept into his face. :1)

A mile beyond it. approaching“ a swift

_ P800. Was alone horseman.

Long and earnestly through his really fine

 

glass Long Pete studied the mounted stranger
only to lower the telescope and shake his head
in a dissatisfied way.

“ Don’t like it—caiu’t make ’im out!” he
mused. “ It ain’t Big Dave—that’s sart’in!
nor Jackson Mordauutl Mebbe it’s Dick.
Royals, but ther odds aire ag’in’ it.”

Again that slow, dissatisfied shake of his
head, and then he continued:

“ l’ll take one more look all ’round, then push
across an’ git a closer peep at Dead-Tree store
I set back ter jine ther wagons.”

Once more the glass came into play against
the brown face of the Knob, with a. result slight-
ly different from the first attained.

Naught indicative of living presence was to be
seen upon the barren, sharply-sloping sides of
this outpost of the foot-hills, nor upon the grassy
level gracing the center of its circular crest.

But among the dead trees and the great
bowlders bordei'in the summit, hidden so
adroitly that only t e closest scrutin could re-
veal their presence, were not less t aria half-
score Apaches!

The flashing of a knife-blade in the sun’s rays,
catching the quick eyes of the old scout, had led
to their detection!

“Father ov Adam! ther trap is set!” Long
Pete ejaculated. gulping down a great lump in
his throat. “ How kin we sarcumvent ther
devils? That is only one mesh 0v theyr net!”

Having found that the facts sustained his
theory, Pete’s first idea waste seek a loop-hole of
escape. He studiously examined the Knob,
thenhal ain turned his glass upon the surround-
m i s.

othing new was developed.
1zeAll he could do, just then, was to retrace his
3 s.
' chordingly, with a hasty look at the distant
train, he put up the telescope, preparatory to
leaving the plateau.

Just at that instant, impelled by a sense of
peril, he cast a swift glance over his shoulder.

t was well for him—well for Pauline Mordaunt
and her friends—that he heeded the premoni-
tionl

What a spectacle presented itself to his
startled eyel

Within a dozen paces, creeping forward with
cat-like stealth, their snakish orbs aglow with a
devilish light, their weapons drawn and ready
for instant use, were three brawny Apache
braves! \

CHAPTER VI.

DOWN TO DEATH.

Ir was a critical momentl

Three against one, and that one taken by sur-
prise

Long Pete instantly realized the depths of the
strait into which he had fallen.

Unless the three braves were speedily and
effectually silenced, his reconnoissance would
prove far more detrimental to the Mordaunt
gritty than it otherwise could have proved bene-

Cia .

The main body of the Apaches, l n in am-
bush upon the crest of Dead-Tree no , would
unavoidably be a prised of the fact that their
glut was in a fa r way to miscarry, and would

oubtless adopt other and more decisive meas-

 

ures.

This thought surged rapidly through the brain
of the scout, nerv n him to a course he other-
wise wonld have tri to avoid.

The three red-skins must die! '

It was absolutely necessary to the safety 0
those near and dear to the plainsman.

Not so much as a thought of self—of the great
odds against his escaping in ury or death-—
entered the head of Long Pete enkins.

His gleaming blue eyes ran rapidly over the
three savages. Tall, brawn fellows they were,
each armed with how an arrows. knife and
hatchet, and tricked out in the full Apache
paraphernalia.

Their pur e wa easily understood. It was
obvious to t e plainsman that they were scouts.
Having discovered his presence in the hills, they
had trailed him to the plateau.

Truly, the odds were des rate!

Yet. there remained to rig Pete one advan-
tage—an advantage he was not slow to note:

The three braves had as yet failed to locate
his exact position in the clump of bushes, so
dense was the foliage.

In fact, they even were not certain their
intended victim would be found on the plateau.

The manner of their approach a rised the
scout of this latter fact. bile stea th charac-
terized their every movement, yet they ad-
vanced in a body. Had their «anal-r5 been
located they would have separate an crept
forward from three sides.

anard they came with eager, sinister faces,
their darkly-glittering orbs searching every
foot of ound; onward, till they stood peering
forwar at _the edge of the bushy growth, the
scalp-locks in their girdles pressing against the
dark-green leaves.

The decisive moment had come.

Not another breath could Long Pete escape
the Argus eyes of the bloodthirsty trio.

A sharply-drawn breath, a mighty effort. and

with a ma niflcent, panther-like lea , the giant
scout bur ed himself upward an forward,
planting his heels full 8. ainst the chest of the
central brave with snc force as todash him
senseless to the earth!

A guttural ejaculation of surprise and cha~
grin greeted this almost superhuman feat.

The next instant, before either of the astound-
ed braves could do aught to prevent it, a long
knife flashed wickedly in the sunlight, sinking
hilt-deep into the throat of the second of the
Apaches!

A yell of rage and consternation arose to the
Jigs of the last of the ill-starred trio, to be shut
o in its iiicipieney by the grasp of an iron
hand upon the swelling throat of the brave.

Tall, athletic, of powerful build, and imbued
with the strength and fury of desperation, he
battled gamely for life, grappling with his re-
doubtable adversary in a savage band-to-band
struggle.

So closely interlocked were the two combat-
ants that neither could use the knife be held.

As suddenly as unexpectedly, however, for-
tune, rather than superior prowess, decided the
contest in favor of the white scout. In swaying
to and fro, hack and forth, the redskin lost his
footing through a misstep and fell backward in
a heap, not only losing his hold upon his adver-
sary, but also wrenching his ankle so severely
as to retard his rise.

A fatal misstepl

Yet, his eyes glittcred as wickedly, his visage
lost none of its horrible ferocity. He grim y
faced his foe, resting upon one knee, and
brandishing his long blade defiantly.

Under such a disadvantage, and assured us
he was, he could act solely upon the defensive.

Scarcely had he risen to his knee, when the
scout was upon him with the force and swifiness
of a thunderbolt. One sweeping, irresistible :
stroke. and the struggle was ended. '

Long Pete had triumphed!

Yet not without cost. Blood trickled slowly
through a long gash in the bosom of his buck-
skin shirt.

The lines in his grim, dark face relaxing, the
red glow in his blue eyes fading out, the guide
first bent upon his surroundings an earnest
scrutiny, then examined the fallen braves.

The first of the three, stricken down by the
heels of the 'de, had breathed his last. His
broad breas had been crushed in,u)roducing _
fatal internal bemorrha es.

“ Outlawed Apaches! Long Pete muttered,
as he bent over first one, then the other, of the
silent forms. “ Followers ov Death-Eagle, ther
Merciless, tool I hate ter rob a human critter
ov life—even a red-skin; but these bucks—
waugh! they be meaner than boss-thieveel"

There was an expression of relief, yet akin to
disgust, we his dusky face as he uttered the
words. ithout further delay, he secured, bis
Winchester from the. under rowth, remounted
and left the plateau avoi ng the path by
which he had approached. -

His intention was to {pin the wagon-trail as ‘
soon as possible and wit that end in view he
pushed forwar at as speedy a pace as the 1.
roiugh and uneven nature of the way would per-
m t.

Even to a ssing observer it would have
bfeéi obvious t the old guide was in a brown
s u y. '

In truth, Long Pete was deeply worried. His
fears for the ultimate safety 0 the wagon-th
were of the gravest character.

Then, too, another important problem had
resented itself: Where was Jackson Mor-
aunt, the father of Pauline? Had he fallen

into the clutches of the Apaches infesting Dead-
Tree Knob? .

That at least was to be feared.

Jackson Mordaunt was to have reached the
Knob at noon that day, and his errand was such
that only something out of the ordinary could
have detained him.

True, in the affairs of the Hidden Hope Mine,
some new and vexing complication, requiring ~
his personal attention, might have cometo light;
but in that event' he would certainly have sent
a proxy. ‘

The more Long Pete ndered over the mat-
ter. the more restless an uneasy he became.

“ ’Tain’t es ef my pard was an ole In ,
fighter,” he muttered, re tfully. “Ther leetle
’sperlence he’s gained in or two or three shrim-
mages we’ve bed with the ’Paches w’u’dn’t keep
his head out ov each a trap es they’d set ter
snare him. ,

“ But I cain’t move hand er foot tcr help ’im
now. Ef I Sin“ ther train an' ther gals out 0v
the pr’esent filkilty, it’s mighty apt tor hn’st a
trace! .

Disoonsolate enough were the half-audi
words, althon h the dusky face of the guide.
was grim and etermined. 7

The t incursion of the Apaches wasno- ,
thing out of the ordinary. The worst feature ot-
it was that the maranders were outlaw Indians, *
members of the hand of Death-Eagle, the Merci-
less, and rather more to be dreaded than a like ‘
nu‘nliabeiégf the tribe from which they had been
on w .

 

 

In either case the situation would have‘heen v
‘ bad enough. Either faction would ‘have clung

 

 

 

i

6 Royal Richard, the Thor

7’

cughbred.

 

 

to the trail to the last, resorting to every devil—

ish artifice their ingenuity could invent; but

Death-Eagle and his braves, hunted by their

tribe, would, perforce, be far more stealthy and

underbanded in their black work—«would strike
from ambush, swiftly and without mercy.

Long Pete had a full conception of these latter
facts, and as he descended the slope of ’the foot-
hill his brain was aiiythin but'idle.

Too busy, in fact, for t e full exercise of the
wariness due his situation. .

And yet, there wasn't much of importance to
be overlooked—not, at least, until the branch of
dry waterscourse was reached. And at that
pomt Long Pete Jenkins awoke, all at once, into
intense activity—a flash lighting up his blue
eyes with wondrous quickness.

Just before him lay a fresh trail—deep and
narrow, as if left in the yielding earth at that

int by a score horses, or more, traveling in

ndiau-flle around the foot-hill!

It was second-nature, just then, after a search-
ing glance at his surroundings, for the scout
to dismount and narr0wly scrutinize not on]
the hoof- rints, but the earth for yards aroumi

“ Ump l” he ejaculated, suddenly straighten-
ing to his full hight. “ Mebbe it’s a sort ov
kinkinny cats’ affair, arter all—red dog cat red
dog! Ef so, so much ther better fer ther Mor-
daunt party!

“This hyar lay-out c’u’dn’t ’a’ bin fur behind
me a-comin‘ up ther gully, fer hyar is whar I
left it, an’ Whar ther three spies split off from
ther main party ter look arter my health—an’
ha’ri” ’

.A sound akin to a chuckle of satisfaction es-
caped Long Pete. Assuring himself that his
weapons were in proper order he remounted,
and, with a glance at the sun, turned from his
course to follow the new trail a short distance.

Both curiosity and hope were aroused at this

last discovery.
’ Should the party ahead prove to be Apaches,
on the war-path against Death-Eagle’s red out-
laws, or just the contrary, it was not at all
likely that either faction would have time or
opportunity to pay its respects to the wagon-
train within the next four-and-twenty hours.

During that time, by a forced march, the
Mordaunts could reach their destination; so, it
was with no mean degree of interest that Long

Pete rode rapidly forward, yet exercising all
possible chu tion.

A mile onward the trail turned, leading down
into, a secluded‘little valley. Again the scout
halted and dismounted, secreting his horseas at
the plateau. His next move was to seeka point
rigence a good view of the valley was attain-
a e.

, As luck would have it, the desired advantage
was within easy reach—a buttress of rock jut-
ting out from the foot-hill covered with a

, sparse rowth of vines and bushes, and ending
in an a meat sheer descent of perhaps two hun-
dred and fifty feet.

Out upon this buttress, Long Pete carefully
made his way. extending himself at full length,
head outward, at the extreme edge.

’ The scene that met his gene was one to stir his

lood.

At the foot of the precipice, almost directly
beneth him, the red-skins were going into
camp -

The plainsman needed no second glance to de-
mdethat the were neither part nor parcel of

' the outlaw faction; on the; contrary, they
were braves in pursuit of the insurrectionists.

It was not this fact, however, that had caused
the blood to leap wildl through the veins of the
scout, although he reu ized, in a vague sort of
way, that it was not exactly w at he had been
- led toexpect—that it set his eductions some-
what at variance.

In the midst of the red-skins, his back to the
earth, pinioned to firmly-driven stakes, was a

captive.

A white maul >

That much, and that only, was distinguish-
able from the top of the bluil'.

In 9. tries, the field-glass was again brought
in requisition, and with marked results.

The captive was none other than Jackson
Mordauntl

“My guard! by ther cradle ov Mm!” Long
Pete exc med, with a sound little short of a
groan, his dark face blanching.

, For some minutes he studied the scene atten-
Jtively. So far as he could determine, there was
I not the slightest chance to effect a rescue.
“Ther chief is Black Feathers, of I’m not
*4 mightily mistaken," he mused. “ A meaner nor
a shrewder red cutthroat never lived. With a
white hide. he’d ’a’ bin a fu’st-class hoes-thief-—
; or a shyster money-lender. ‘
. “But this hyar wrinkle kinder knocks my
":thinksmacbine out ov kelter, somehow. Begins
terl’m‘r es of ther reds atop ov Dead-Tree Knob
' War a parcel belongin’ ter ther gang ov Death-
, V Eagle, Ba I figgered at fu’stl An’ so ther three
outlaws war trailin’ this hyar party when

,  H
v ‘ Pete Jenkins, ye darned ole rat-
6—”

- “ e gods!

tie-brain!

‘The solilcquy was rudely broken. ‘ \ ,
‘ A has weight descended squarer upon, the,

    

 

giant ranger, just below the shoal.

ders, for the moment pinning him securely to
the rock. '

At the same instant, a set of long, claw-like
fingers entwined themselves in his scanty looks
—a murderous-looking knife swung aloft.

Too late had that warning thought occurred
to the scout! The three red-skins turning aside
at the gully to trail him down were not identi-
cal with the trio met and slain on the plateau!

But Long Pete Jenkins was not the man to
die tamely.

No sooner did he feel the weight of the red‘
skin upon his back than he called all his latent
powers into play, arching his spine with a sud-
denness and force that would have done credit
to a bucking burro.

Unpremeditated in its effects, the action was
re uited with a result as novel as deadly.

urled from Long Pete’s back, the wily
Apache, with a horrible yell, fell clear of the

rock, shooting downward with frightful veloc- 'i

ity to death far below!
If disastrous to his foe, it seemed equallyso to

 

Long Pete; for, as he made an attempt to gain his 1

feet to meet the remaining savages, he slipped,
and, with a wild grasp at the rocks, fell over
the verge, his piercing cry of horror ringing
like a death-knell in the ears of the two braves!

CHAPTER VII.
TREACEERY.

“A WOMAN as pure and beautiful as any the
sun shines upon this day l” were words aptly
applied by Oscar Monshall to Pauline Mor-
daunt. Once, at least, the unecrupulous adven-
turer bad uttered a truth.

,One—and-twenty and a blonde beauty, was
Pauline—a sensible, healthy, out—spoken, warm-
hearted maiden: spirited and practical, yet re.
fined, lovmg and lovable.

An ex-schoolma’m, and a lady in the full and
true sense of that much-abused term, Pauline’s
accomplishments were as many and different as
graceful and useful. At home in an depart-

 

The girls obeyed.

“ What is wrong, Uncle Roger?” . eagerly
queried Pauline.

Roger Mordaunt slowly stroked his long gray
heard a moment before replying. It was as
if he wanted time to collect and arrange his
thoughts.

“Pretty near everything Seems to be moving
crosswise, since morning,” he said, finally,
speaking to himself rather than to Pauline.
“ First, Jenkins apprises me of the fact that
we are in danger of an attack from the Apaches;
then Jose and Pedro are heard plotting mis-
chief; and, finally, the horses show signs of
going dead lame. All thin s considered, the
horizon can hardly be said to e clear of clouds!”

“ But the s ific cause of the present per-
turbed state?” auline persisted.

“ Yes, papa, tell us all about it,” supple-
mented Nellie.

“ Just as if explanations were not being made
as rapidly as possible!” Mordaunt protested, a.
grave smile for the moment breaking the hard
lines of his face.

“ I suppose, Pauline, that Mr. Jenkins has in-
formed you of the fact that we are likely to ex~
perience annoyance from the Indians?"

“ He has, Uncle Roger.”

“ You were in advance of the train when he
imparted the same information to Nellie and
myself,” pursued Roger Mordaunt: “ but, as he
promised to keep ward and watch over you, you
were not recalled.”

“ It is about the Apaches, then, papa?"

“ No, Nellie—at least not wholly,” Mordaunt
answered, after a moment’s reflection. “ Either
iifd you know as much of that source of peril as

o.

“ There are unlocked-for complications aris-
ing. rendering the situation not only of bewil-
dering per lexity, but of supreme peril, and it
is of them wish to talk.”

“ We are here to listen, Uncle Roger.”

“Yes, papa, and to do your bidding,” Nellie

ment of the household, she sat in t e saddle added

fearlessly, pulled a good oar, swam a bold
stroke, and was an expert with rifle and re-
volver.

Needless to say, she had looked forward to
this trip across the New Mexican lplains with
pleasurable anticipations, albeit she new there
were perils to be encountered. She was to meet
her father, Jackson Mordaunt, and her be—
trothed, Richard Royals, neitherof whom she
had seen for close upon five years.

Royale was to have been at Palomas, to join
the party on its arrival there ;‘ Mordaunt was to
beat Dead—Tree Knob at noon of the twen-
tietfi of June, there to await the arrival of the
train.

But Royale had not ap red at Palomas.

“ He has been delay ,” Pauline had said,
keenly disappointedfimt with never a doubt as

to his constancy: an accordingly Big Dale had
been stationed at Palomas to await the lover’s
coming. .

It was now the twentieth of June. The train
was nearing Dead-Tree Knob—would make it
the night’s cam round. There Pauline was
to meet her fat er, and her heart beat high
until suddenly chilled by the warning of Long
Pete Jenkins.

But she was a girl not easily daunted, and,
when put face to face with the grim truth, she
had ridden back to the train with unshaken
nerves, confident that the tall old borderer
(would prove a safeguard against the threatened

anger.

Arrived at the foremost of the three substan-
tial, white-\topped wagons, she was met by her
cousin, Nellie Mordaunt, a black-eyed, fair-
faced girl, Pauline’s 'unior by two years, and
the pessessor of simi ar good traits, grace and
accomplishments.

Nellie was also mounted and armed, and as
she intercepted Pauline, the latter noticed a
peculiar sparkle in’ her luminous black orbs.

At the same moment, Roger Mordaunt, the
father of Nellie, rode up. His fiverand-flfty
years sat lightly u n him just that]. His keen
gray eyes were ag ow With an ominous light,
and hard, stern lines had usurped his usual
kindly expression. v

Glancing from one to the other, Pauline real-
ized that something of a startling nature had
transpired. '

Roger Mordaunt did not trust his voice.
With a look full of significance, he turned and
rode aside, out of earshot of the wagons.

With a swift exchange of glances, the two
girls followed. ,

“ What is it, Nellie?” Pauline whispered.

“ Something terrible—just what. I do not
know,” was the equally guarded response.
“ Some discovery papa has made.” .

‘flndians?’ .

“No: Mr. Jenkins told papa of them this

morning. This is something of a diflerent na-
ture, I think.”
At that moment Mordaunt changed his

course to one parallel with that of the train.
Looking straight ahead, he said:

“Ride vnrp. girls, and try to appear uncon-
cerned. , e are: watched from thewagons. and
it will hardly. do, justinow. to, let those follows
with“ W9:Wanythinz”1   , ,

     
 
 
 

  

 

!

 

“ Thanks for that assurance, my dear girls,
for it is not at all unlikely that your courage
and obedience may be put to a severe test 1” ex-
claimed Roger Mordaunt, earnestly. “A wicked
plot is afoot against us, and critical hours are
at hand!

“ Does either of you remember a tall, rather
handsome, but over—dressed and dissolute-look—
ing fellow, who rendered himself extremely ob~
noxious to us through his inordinate curiosity,
while we were at San Marcial?”

“ Oh, es; Rugg McBuff, he called himself,”
avcrred auline, quickly, her cheeks flushing.

“And from appearances a very end sort of
person to have nothing to do with,” ellie added,’

dr 1 .

Xfinctlyl” declared Mordaunt. “ Well, it
seems that while we were at San Marcial the
fellow received a pretty sharp rebuif from some
one of our party—”

“Not only that
at the. hands of
into . “ He deserved it, too!”

“ Ehl A thrashing, you say i”

“Yes, papa: a genuine licking, as we used to
call it down South i” cried Nellie, with sparkling
eyes. “ You see, the felIOW presumed to ap—
proach us—or, rather, Pauline—in a manner a
trifle too familiar, whereupon Mr. Jenkins in-
duced him to step aside for a few minutes.
were bothered no more i”

“ Ma the Lord bless Pete Jenkins!” Mor—
daunt erveutly ejaculated. “ But the occur-
rence is news to me.”

“Mr. Jenkins seemed to desire the matter to
drop there, and i, too. was willing to hear no
more of it,” ex lained Pauline.

“ Commands. ile on the part of both of you,”
Mordaunt commented. “ Unhappily, however,
this McBufl has not been satisfied to adopt the
same sensible course. He is athirst for re-
ven e.”

“ t is by him we are threatened!” exclaimed
Pauline, indignantly.

“ It is by him i” was the ready afirmation.
“ With consummate cunning has he plotted,
aind but the merest chance has led to his detec~
t on.

“ For days past he has followcd the trail at a
distance, depending upon his hirelings to advise
him of a ro itiuus moment to strike.”

“ His hirel ngs, page I

“ Yes, child, his .irelings—Jose and Pedro,
the Mexicans. It is Just a short half-hour since
chance put me in the way to overheara ‘con-
versation between the recious scoundrel.

“ This McBuflf has en in communication
with them nightly since we left Palomas. The
trio have been hiding their time for a two-fold
purpose—to be within easy reach of the moun-
tains;, and to have Long' Pete Jenkins out of the-
wav. .

Pauline looked up quicklyu "

but a thorough flagellation
r. Jenkins,” Pauline quietly

“ At the present moment, the conditions are "

exactly fulfilled!" she exclaimed.
“ To the letter!" and r Mordaunt smiled
grimly. “ The hour Mc ad has waited and
lotted for is at hand! ‘Alread Jose and Pedro,

ving gotten an inkling that enkins would be ,- A

away during the afternoon, have signaled 
villaintoapproachl” 'V v   

 

We,

‘ g from»... 

 

 
   
   
 
 
    
   
 

 
    
 
 

 

  
  

I I understand it,” explained Mordaunt;- “but;

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. _ '7

 

 

“ But, papa, tell us just what this McBuff “Dick is true to his vows if living—died true to

proposes to do—how we can thwart him,” re-
quested Nellie. her eyes flashing.

“We will not submit without a struggle!” ;
Pauline declared, decisively. ,

Roger Mordaunt smiled encouragingly.

“ Well said, my brave girls!” he exclaimed,
looking fondly from one to the other. “Now, 1
as to the first part of Nellie’s request, all I
know of what McBufl proposes to do, is that a
you girls are to be captured, at whatever cost, I
and carried away to the mountains. I dare l
say, however, that that is only the opening ,
wedge of a deep-laid scheme; for I’ve an idea. 1
that the rascals have gotten an inkling of the l
Hidden Hope, and are working in the direction
of the mine.”

“ A reasonable supposition,” Pauline admit-
ted. “ But such a state of aflfairs would be pe-
culiarly exasperating, after our having travel-
ed something over a hundred miles out of the
Way to avert suspicion. Coming by Palomas,
we have doubled on our trail.” _

“True,” Mordaunt asserted; “ but, in spite of
all our caution, the matter has in some way
leaked out. McBufl would hardly have follow-
ed us so far merely for revenge.

“ Now, the real point to be considered is our
defense.” .

,“ Are the negroes arrayed against us?” in-
quired Nellie.

“ 1 know only that Jose counted on having no
trouble with them.”

“We may depend upon Snowflake,” Pauline
asserted. “ He is the only one of the three that
could be trusted by either side.”

" I shall find if he is friendly to us within the
next few minutes,” said Mordaunt. “ If he
casts his lot with us, we can overpower and dis—
arm Jose and Pedro, after which preparations
may be made to give Rugg McBnflT the sort of
reception he so richly merits.

“ But if Snowflake has joined hands with the
plotters, the odds will be so great that we
may be forced to make a running fight of it.”

“ In which case we shall have to abandon the
wagons,” supplemented Nellie.

“ And head for Dead-Tree Knob,” Pauline
added. ‘

“ In any event, we shall have to abandon the
train to reach the Knob to-night,” averred
Mordaunt. flJust after noon the scoundrels
‘ fixed’ the horses, laming them, so as to com—
pel a halt in a short time. They are playing a
desperate game!” _ ' _

‘ The are, indeed!” Pauline exclaimed, With
reneWe indignation. " I only wish Mr. Jenkins
were here!” .

“ Not more fervently than I!” said Mordaunt,
earnestly, as be cast a searching glance at the
train. “The miscreants deserve hanging, every
jackal of ’em! They are cowardly ours, but
Were shrewd enough to get the odds altogether
in their favor.”

“ It is strange night was not selected as the
time for action.” Pauline remarked,~ bitterly.
“ Darkness befits such deeds.”

“ Night was the time originally fixed upon, as

 

owing to the vigilance of Mr. Jeiisins and the
wholesome fear in which they held him, they
amended their plans.

“But look to Xmirselves for a moment, for I
now will go an seek Snowflake,” and Roger
Mordaunt turned toward the train.

The girls rode on, an awkward silence coming
over them. _

Finally, Nellie looked steadily at her fair
cousin a moment. .

Pauline returned the gaze with interest.

“ Well, Pauline, what are we going to do
about it?” _ . -

“ Fight 1” Pauline replied, laconically, her
clear gray eyes shifting to the plain ahead; ‘1 hi:
the skill earned fur amusement’s sake to its st
really good use.” _ .

“ Good! I glory in your Yankee spunk!” cried
Nellie, impulsively. “ We'll try to teach Mr. '
Rug McBufl a thorough lesson z”

" no he’ll remember to his dying dayl’”

“ Paullie l” -

“Well, Nell?” _ _

“ I cannot help thinkm this wanld be a most
propitious moment for l'.' Dick Royals and
that young and handsome friend of his to put in
their appearance.”

“It would, indeed l” and a sound not far re-
m0ved from a sigh escaped Pauline. “ Do you
know, Nell, that I have been troubled for near-
ly apnonth past with a premonitory feeling that
all is not well with poor Dick——-that he and I
I: ve met for the last time in this world.”

ellie Mordaunt bestowed bpon the half—
averted face of her cousins swift, keen glance.

“ Nonsense!” she returned, energetically.
“ Now, do you know how I feel in the matter?"

Pauline, flushing painfully, returned a feeble

negative.
‘ Well. I‘ll tell you,” volunteered Nellie, with
a rogmsh gnmace. " For quite a long time
' Poo been ‘of a .‘premonitory feeL
as you call it, too—a. feeling that the stern-
er sex in _ era], Mr. Dick Royals in particular,
g :21?” kely to indulge their whims, regard-

\

 

 

, ‘fDon’t, Neill” protested Pauline, piteously.

them if dead 1”

“ You dear, deluded goose! I Nippon toknow
that as well as you do. Only, aullie. I’m a
trifle more hopeful—inasmuch as it isn’t exactly
my own heart-strings that are under tension.

“ In fact, I have the strongest kind of an im-
pression that the bonny boy will turn up within
the next twenty-four hours, eager to claim his
bride!” .

A vivid flush stained the throat and face of
Pauline. Dared she hope as much?

“ Here comes Uncle Roger,” she remarked,
her voice low and quivering, as she vainly at-
tempted to hide her confusion.

True enough, Roger Mordaunt had again left
the train. V

Taking their one from him, the two girls rode
on, their bearing one of well-simulated careless-
ness.

“ What success?” queried Pauline, eagerly, as
he fell into line.

The reply was most unexpected.

“ The negroes, Snowflake included, have been
drugged into insensibility.”

So hoarso with anger was Mordaunt that his
words were scarcely above a whisper.

Pauline's face grew deathly pale. A danger-
ous glint leaped into her gray eyes.

“ Treachery—bitter, black treachery 1” she
enunciated, in strains so low the words came
with a far-away sound.

“ Treachery l” echoed Nellie Mordaunt, and
then, for the space of a. minute, all were silent.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
TWO RIVAL GIRLS.

THE situation was disheartening—appalling.
tsg‘he trio could but mutely look at one an-
0 er.
t‘ Needless to say, all betrayed signs of agita-
ion. v
It was their first experience of therkind, and
one well calculated to test their courage!

Adrift on a\ pathless plain, surrounded by
dangers known and unknown!

Three desperadoes in virtual possession of the
train!, a horde of lurking Apaches hiding their
time ,

“Yet, there was a im, determined glint in
the eyes of Roger ordaunt, a look of fixed
resolve on the faces of the two fair girls.

Flight would be their last resort!

. “ Suppose we open the struggle!” suggested
Pauline.

Roger Mordaunt looked askance. .

“The odds are now slightly in our favor,”
pursued the girl. ” If we put 01f the evil hour
until the arrival of Rugg McBqu, our enemies
will hold the advantage, forcing us to not solely
upon the defensive."

“Very true,” Mordaunt admitted. “But am
I to understand that you girls have determined
to sake an active part in the impending strug-

e
g “Yes, sir; that is what we have decided to
do,” returned Pauline. .

“ It would be utterly out of the question for
us to remain passive "Nellie affirmed.

Roger Mordaunt looked slowly from one to
the other. a .

“ So be it, then,” he said. “ The spirit. in it-
self, is laudable; but I must protest against any
unnecessary exposure or risk; you must proceed
cautiously, and obey orders.

" Jose and Pedro are desperate ruflians, and
will now go to the full extremity to insure the
ultimate success of their plans. Hence, what-
ever we may decide to do must be done quickly
and well. They must be afforded no chance
either to resist or to escape.” ‘

“ Exactly! They must be captured before
they can realize the turn aflairs are taking.
May I make a sug estion?”

“ Certainly, Pau ine.”

“ First, then, there are, at the present mo-
me’lgt, only Jose and Pedro arrayed a‘gainst
us.

“ Correct.”
“ And their positions!”
“ Pedro is riving the foremost wagon, Jose

the rearmost.”

“ And the negroes?’

‘f In the middle wagon, which is without a
di'iver; as Snowflake is simply propped into his

ace. '

“ Anything occurring at the rear of the train
could not be seen from the leading wagon?”

“ Not readily.”

“It is as I thought. Suppose, then, that we
make the attack from the rear. Approaching
the wagon. Nell and myself could, to use the
vernacular, get the ‘drop’ on the Senor Jose,
keeping him covered until he could be disarmed,
bound and gagged. by you, after which Pedro
might be subjected to a like nrocsss.”

‘ A very good sn estion,” Roger Mordaunt
commented. “In act, there is but one course
other than the one you have just outlined—to
ride up and shoot down the treacherous varlets.

“Greatly as they deserve such a fate, how-
ever, that must be, the last ‘r’ocourse.’ We‘ll
adopt Panlino’s plan, and deliver the miscreants
over to Mr. Jon ins on his return.” A r
' “And the sooner we execute the plan the bet-

 

, to the head of the train. '

 

' display of weapons; the burly rascal at, once
dropped the reinsand threwuphishands. -

l

tor,” declared Nellie.
rive at any minute.”

“ True; are your weapons in readiness?”

“ Mr. Jenkins has taught us ever to have them
so, Uncle Roger,” Pauline replied. ,

“Very well then; we’ll get to work. Remem-
ber, at the word fraud, you are both to cover
Jose.” and Roger Mordaunt turned toward the
train, closely followed by the two pale, but
thoroughly determined girls.

Leisurer enough the two rode forward, keep-
ing up a semblance of carelessness. To a casual
observer they were simply returning from a
center over the plain. :

On reaching the wagon, Pauline passed
around it, pushing slightly ahead on the of!
side, while Mordaunt and his daughter, on the ,
opposite side, took a position beside the team. ‘

The Mexican, Jose, was upon the sent, his
swarthy face wrinkled into an expression of
deep concern. At best he was an evil—looking
fellow. but just now he looked the horn cut-
throat. n

He seemed to hail the appearance of his em-
ployer with a breath of relief.

“Senor Mordauntl”

“ Well, J ose?"

“ We soon have to stop now.”

“ Are the horses so lame?”

“ Lame! Dias! Senor, would you see?”

There could be no question as to the truth of
the Mexican’s assertion. The horses were pro-
ceeding with great difficulty.

Roger Mordaunt’s face flushed hotly. The
animals were suffering from some devilish trick
of the evil genius upon the box.

“I See. Jose—I seal" he exclaimed. “It is as
you say—the poor brutes are lame. What could
have caused it?” 

“ That I not know, Senor Mordaunt,” re- y’.
turned the yellow rascal, with a puzzled look.~ 
“ Mebbe this—mebbe that.” ‘ a.

“Treachery, Jose—treacher somewhdrel” ‘ F

“ Caramba! Yes, senor! enkins?" _, .

H No!” . “1.x,

“ Apaches?” ' i

“ Nor the Apaches.” ‘ 

“ Ho! the black men?” ’ '

“ No, not the black men,” and Mordaunt
smiled grimly at the rascal’s look of conster-
nation.

“The fact is, Jose, we’ve came to the conclu-
sion that you are an elaborate, monumentall
fraud. Don‘t get excited, now. Don’t make
the least n0ise, nor attempt to draw, for our-
:liispigions and our guns pomt in the same direc-

on.

True enough; three revolvers were leveled
straight at the heart of Jose Nalaja. At the
talismanic word, Pauline d her cousin had
performed their part of t e programme like
veterans of the plains. ,_

The scoundrel blanched. He was fairly caught, »
and he knew it. ' i 'r

“ D1108 ! Senor—4’ '

“Hush! not a word. nowl” warned Roger
Mordaunt crisply. “Stop the horses. I am _
goingtoget upon the seat beside you. Don’t
movli: Po’r attempt to drop the lines—or you’ll die

me
Q Jose’s face portrayed the passions of a demon
as Mordaunt swung slowly from the saddle“
His teeth clicked together, and his narrow black '
eyes glittered venomously; but be obeyed orders ' ,
with a lamb-like meekness . I _.

No sooner had Roger/’Mordaunt ot footto
ground than an important fact was eyegiped.
He was a cripple and almost helpless out the
saddle. He ad been at Bull Run. .

It was with the utmost difficulty that he:
reached the wagon and chambered to a seat has ‘
aid 3 Jose.

Small wonder the two brave girls were so hit,-
terly determined. ‘ .-

Once perched u n the seat, however, Mor- ‘
daunt experienced ittlo difficulty in completin
the\task so well begun. Jose was disarmed an
his hands were pinioned, after which a gag was 5
improvised and properly applied. , ,

‘ There! Senor ose, my talented friendl” « -
Mordaunt uttered with a breath of relief, as he
tested the result of his labors; “ Rugg McBufl
me. count upon one tool the less.“ , ,

‘ Now for the lesser light!”exclaimed Pauline, .
her voice betraying no mean degree of satisfaw‘
tion. “What a pity the arch-spirit himself >
isn‘t here to be operated upon.” ‘ l .

“ He will put in an appearance soon enough, ,
nevsr fear!” quoth Nellie. leading her father’s
horse close to the wagon to facilitate his re,- ~ A

mounting. . r
“ All too soon, in children I” declared Mor- V
doubt, as he settled imsell' in the saddle. “ If *
he is the desperado this plot stamps him, he will ‘
be no child’s play for us. ' '
“Let us draw Pedro’s fangs, after which we 
shall have leisure to plan a fitting reception for v
McBufl’." _ . ; . ,.
' Starting the team attached to the wagon and
leaving it to pick its way, the trio rod  ‘

“ Rugg McBufl! may ar-

 

 

  
 
  
   
  
  
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
   
 
  
  

The first intimation of their purpose received ,_ ~
by Pedro Cormonta was a stem'deman‘d $013!!!“
render. As it was reinforced by a threatening

 

 

u

8

 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

Within five minutes, he, too, was disarmed,
bound and gagged.

“ Thank Heaven! the campaign against
treachery has thus far been a complete success!”
breathed Roger Mordaunt after he had again
returned to the saddle.

“ But in cutting off one source of eril we
have augmented another,” suggested auline.
“ What if the Apaches should now make their
.ap earance?"

ellie uttered a low cry of affright.

"‘ Such a possibilit had not occurred to me,”
she exclaimed. “ but would we do, apu ?”

Roger Mordaunt stroked his long ard re-
flectively.

“ That. very thought has worried me for an
hour past,” he admitted, reluctantly. “ So far
as I can see at the present moment, our only
alternative would be to fight till the last.

“ We would draw the wagons up as best we
could, corral the animals in the triangle thus
formed, and then use our Winchesters and
revolvers with the greatest possible effect.

“ But there is a possibility that our. forces are
not weakened to an appreciable extent. It is
true that nothing is to be expected of Jose and
Pedro; but by recourse to the medicine-chest,
the negroes may be brought out of their stupor
in time to be available. -

“ Again, I am of the belief that we are in no
immediate danger of an attack, Had such been
the case, Mr. Jenkins would not have ridden
ahead to reconnoiter. His experience in matters
of this kind has been so wide that I am quite
willing to pin my faith to his judgment. '

“ We’ll use every precaution, however. First
of all we’ll set to work to resuscnate Snowflake
and his companions. After that—”

A sharp cry from Pauline interrupted Roger
'Mordaunt.

“ Look! McBufl? comes!” she cried.

Her companions glanced in the direction indi~
cated by her pointing finger.

Across the plain to the southeast, in bold re-
lief on the crest of a swell, was a horseman,
rapidly approaching the train.

- “ The last knot wasn’t tied a breath too
soon 2” observed Nellie. “At the rate he is
coming he will overtake us in a very few
minutes.”

“ At all events, my suspicions concerning
Jose and Pedro are being rapidly realized,”
Mordaunt muttered. “ We may as well prepare
to receive this McBuff.”

“ Shall we stop the train?” queried Pauline.

Mordaunt shook his head in a decided man-
ner.
“ We’ll push forward every foot that we can
jtoward Dead-Tree Knob,” he re lied. “When
McBuff has arrived within three undred yards,
we’ll stop the teams until we hare squared ac-
counts with him.

“ If he oflers to advance after being warned
to turn back, fire. If he is killed, the blood be
upon his own head!”

There was a terrible earnestness in the strains
of R0 or Mordaunt’s voice. Of all things, he
most 'sliked and despised a trickster and a
r0 8.

hen. too, the plot against those near and
dear to him had stirred him deeply. A wor-
shiper of the pure and beautiful, holding the
name of woman sacredly inviolable, be bad al-

1 most strangled with indignation and wrath

when the full urpose of McBufl’s evil scheme
dawned upon him.

Contrary to the expectations of the trio, it
was almost an hour before the stranger drew
near enough to confirm their suspicionsas to his
identity. During that time the train had drag-
ged slowly along, guided by Roger Mordaunt.

“ It is McBufl!” Pauline declared, after a
searching look at the horseman.

“ We’ll meet him at the rear of the train,”
.said Mordaunt, grimly. “ The wagons may as
well be stopped here.” '

He suited the action to the words. Silently
the trio turned and retraced their steps to the
and of the train.

Three a disagreeable surprise awaited them.

Jose Nalaja. had vanished!

CHAPTER IX.
RUGG- MCBUFF APPEARS.

A surmise-looking personage was the horse-
man approaching the Mordaunt train.

A young man tall and well proportioned,
with black eyes. hair and mustache; clothed in
buckskin, with high-topped patent-leather boots
and broad white sombrero, a gay silk ’kerchief
knotted loosely about his neck and held in place

' by a costly diamond pin: armed with repeating-

rifle. revolvers and nit'e, the firearms of finest
make and heavy caliber, the blade a dangerous-
looking tool of twist steel; his horse, a clean-
limbed bay of speed and bottom. He rode with
the ease and grace of one to the saddle born.

A handsome. dashing-looking fellow, yet not

' one to inspire confidence; for in the fathomless

depths of his bold black eyes—in the cynical
smile frozen upon his full red lips—in the very
cost of his smoothly-molded features—there was

1 Van indefinable something, hinting at falseness.

a / befitting so
3 eye!

icion. .

«

swift] toward the train; and more, for his lips
mov , and be muttered:

“.Jose has done his work well. for the horses
limp at every step! With Jenkins out of the
way, the negroes drugged, and Mordaunt a
helpless cripple, the game, bold as it is, is easily
played. With the girls once in our power, we
can defy pursuit—if pursuit is made l”

Scarcely had he uttered the exultant words
when his horse shied sharply and with a snort of
alarm fell back upon its haunches.

At the same instant the rider uttered a cry of
amaZement.

Just before him, upon his knees in the tall
grass, his hands firmly bound, a gag fitted close-
ly over his mouth, his face fiendish in the inten—
sity of his rage was Jose Nalaja!

” Speak of the devil!” gritted the horseman,
with an oath, his look of triumph fading into
one of consternation as he noted in detail the
feature of Nalaja’s predicament. “ What ails
you, J osc? Hus— But wait— Maybe you’ll
talk better relieved of that gag l”

“ It was the work of but a moment for the
rider to slip from the saddle and sever the
Mexican’s bonds and the cords holding the gag
in place.

“Ah! Senor McBuff!” s uttered Jose, stretch-
ing his cramped arms. “ t is in time you have
come!”

“What is wrong?" demanded the horsemen,
savagely. “Curse you! have you bungled?”

The Mexican‘s facial expression was simply
frightful.

“ Curse not me, but the Senor Mordaunt,
Senor McBuff! ’ he hissed, madly. “ Caramba!
Him will I give the knife!”

“‘ You will do nothing of the sort!” coolly as-
severated Rugg McBuif. “ Keep down in the
grass, you yellow fool! They have not seen you
yet, and perhaps it is not too late to put our
plans into effect.

“ But tell your story, and tell it quickly.
What means your being here?”

“ That I not tell now,” growled Jose sullenly
chafing his wrists. “ Give me the weali‘ons,
senor, and I will go and release Pedro. hen
we capture the senoritas.”

“ Pedro, too, in hoc ?”

" Yes, senor, we were surprised, one at a time,
and tied up. My feet were not bound and I
jumped from the wagon into the tall grass
when the Senor Mordaunt and the senoritas had
ridden forward to catch Pedro, and crept out to
meet you.” ,

“ And I will not forget it, Jose. But what
led the Mordaunt party to attack you?”

“ That I not know, senor”

“Jenkins is away?"

4 “ He is, senor.”

“ And the negroes, Jose?”

“ Like dead men. \

“ But I must away, senor, or the Mordaunt
will suspect something. Ride forward slowly,
and when a cricket chin-ups you may know
that Jose and Pedro are near and ready for the
work.”

“Good! Here, take this knife and my extra
revolvers; but remember, under no circum-
stances exceptto save our own lives, is Mor-
daunt to be injured.”

“I will not spoil the chances for the mine,”
sneered Jose, wit a cunning leer, and he turned
and crept away rough the waving grass.

During the greater part of the time he had
been dismounted Rugg McBufl had made a pre-
tense of fixing liis saddle-girth. The wagon-
train was but a few hundred yards distant. and
the dos erado was in no wise anxious to have
Roger ordaunt even suspect what was rehlly
transpiring.

Mounting he set forward at a leisurely pace.
From the first he had calculated boldly to ap-
proach the train, and, with the assistance of his
‘ two satellites, overpower Mordaunt and capture
the two girls. .

Now, however, it was more than likely that
he would be received in a manner decidedly
hostéiile, and it behooved him to advance with
can on.

do his Work. It was likely that Pedro was con-

’ lined in one of the wagons. in which case the

longer McBufl could hold the attention of Mor-
daunt and the girls the better would be Jose’s
opgrtunity to effect his countryman’s release.
McBufl rode forward, patiently walking
his horse until within seventy-five yards of the
position taken by Roger Mordaunt and his two
fair charges.
Then loud and clear rung forth the chal-

lenge:

“ gold! Advance another step at your own

ri !

Haltiug, McBuff raised his empty hands.
Three Winchesters were leveled at him. He
gritted his teeth savagely.
ti The next instant his heart leaped with exulta-
on. 1

Jose had gained the train—was even then
clambering into the foremost wagon. .

“ What would you havef’McBnfl cried, in
pretended astonishment. '

“Give an account of yourself!” demanded

I am Tom Earnshaw—Tule

 

, . bed wickedly, and there wasa lMordaunt.
, .tnumphant look upon his face as he spurred “ Willinglyl

r:

    

Then, too, Jose must have time in which to.

‘ from his abstraction.

 

Rosa Tom—a scout in the Government’s employ.
Just now I am trailing a party of marauding
Apaches.”

“You lie! You are one Rugg McBuff, a
gambler and a blackleg. And you‘ve got just
one minute in which to make yourself scarce!”

“I reckon not!” cried McButf. slowly and
contemptuously. “Let me tell you, old man,
it is not the cart of wisdom for you to interfere
with me. I do not fear you. My trail lies
straight ahead l"

“ Don’t you advance !” warned Mordaunt.
“ Turn back, or, by the Power above, we’ll—”

The sound of a (lull, heavy blow, and with the
sentence unfinished Roger Mordaunt iell limply
from his saddle.

A1m0st in the same breath a pair of agile
forms, vaulting upward with pantherish ease,
alighted firmly ustride the horses ridden by
Pauline and her cousin.

Jose Nalaja had succeeded!

The moment Rugg McBuif had awaited was
at hand.

Vainly the girls struggled and screamed.

They were powerless in the strong arms of the
Mexicans, and were quickly disarmed.

McBuif hurried forward, his evil face aglow
with satisfaction.

“ Senor, we have not bungled!” cried Jose.

“ You have not, indeed! Our scheme is
a complete success!” McBuflc‘ returned, exult—
antly.

.Then, in strains of mock regret, as his bold
black eyes sought Pauline’s face: ‘

“A thousand apologies, dear ladies, for this
intrusion! Believe me no harm, even in the
slightest, shall befall. you! This whole miser-
able aifair is but a step toward the attainment
of a great end, and as unavoidable as necessary.
Yourndetention is for the time being only,
and—

“Enough! Fra Diavolo!” Pauline coldly in-
terrupted. “ There can be no excuse—no pal-
liation—for your conduct. And you will be
punished in due time. San Marcial will prove
to have been only a foretaste!”

Truly, the words reached a vulnerable point.
McBuif’s face grew fiery red—his black e es
flashed madly. He essayed to speak, but is
voice failed him. His teeth shot together with
a sharp click, and for a moment he sat speech-
less, his expression grim-and bitter.

“Bind the jades, boys!” he’muttered, at
length; “bind them hard and fast. Maybe
they’ll take a diflferent view of matters, by-and—

m

“ Hold! mighty satraps! I reckon I’d like a
hand in this hyar leetle game !” interposed a
new voice, stern yet bantering. “ Take a fool’s
advice; you galoots, and don"t crowd things too

ard!

McBufl‘ and his villainous allies started sharp-

ly. .

They/were face to face with an unexpected
peri !

Forth from behind the wagon a few aces
distant strode a man—a well-built, ath etio-
looking young fellow — grimed and travel-
tained, yet handsome and of prepossessing ap-

rauce.

His dark pyes gleamed brightly, and in each
hand was a “ six,” ready for use. ,

It was not this latter fact, however, that
struck terror to the soul of the leader of the un-
scrupulous trio,~although from the new-comer’s
appearance he was no novice with the “tools.”

Rather would Rugs: McBqu have encountered
three ordinary men, just then, than this hand-
some stranger!

A border sport—a genuine thoroughbred—
and the last man in all the world McBufl could
have wished to see at such a juncture!

“Royal Richard, of the Red Hand I”

That was the sum and substance of the
thoughts fairly burning into Rugg McBuff’s
brain, and he felt weak and faint as the full por-
tent of it all burst upon him

Yet he would not yield
struggle.

A moment of deathlike silence followed the
words of the stranger sport. Then again he
spoke:

“ Get down and out of that, you Greasersl.
Quick, or I’ll drop you i” .

How the hearts of Nellie Mordaunt and her;
fair cousin thrilled at the words of the blunt.
fearless stranger! It was one against three, yet
they dared hope!

The words seemed to arouse Rugg McBufl.‘
His black eyes kindled.

“ Pardner, you’re etting into hot water!" he
exclaimed, warning y._ “We’re running this
game, and the best thing you can do isto mosey!
Plain enough, isn’t it?” o

“ Absolutely homely!” was the cool response.
“ But your powder’s wasted, all the same!

“ You see. I know you, Danton—Desperate
Dave—and it's no news to me that you’re an ar-
rant coward. .

“ If you’ve any desire to live a. little longer,
you’ll call off your yellow bounds, and make
yourself scarce. Otherwise, I’ll sail in to clean
out the three of you !”

Rugg McBufl uttered a shearing laggh. His
herds settled firmly around the butts his 1'0-
vo vers.

his prize without a.

 

 

 

  

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.  9

 

 

“Oh, you will, eh?” he cried. “ I say, you do
it well, Royal Richard! But— Take that I"

Just a breath too late, was the desperado!

The weapons of the Red Hand Spofl cracked
spitefully—once, twice, three times, and so
closely together that the shots seemed one.

A slight screatn from Pauline and Nellie, a
sudden plunging and rearing of the horses, and
then Jose and Pedro, each with a bullet in his
head, slipped from behind the girls, to fall at
full length in the rank grass!

Simultaneously, a bitter oath escaped Rugg
McBqu. Bending low in the saddle, he urged
his horse forward with a savage thrust of Ehis
cruel Mexican spurs, dashing away with the
swiftness of a racer on the home stretch.

A moment Royal Richard gazed after his flee-
ing foe, a peculiar expression on his bronzed
face, then thrust his revolvers into his belt and
with an eager smile turned to the two girls.

“The battle is over, ladies,” he announced,
(loffing his broad-brimmed sombrero, as be ad-
vanced. “Now let us look to the wounded.
But permit me, first, to assist you from the
saddle.”

Brave unto recklessness, and gallant, yet quiet
and unpretentious, his clear, flexible voice be-
traving more of regret than of aught' else, the
Red-Hand Sport excited in his fair auditors—
dazed though they were by the peril they had
just passed—feelings of unalloyed admiration
and respect.

The trio bent over Roger Mordaunt a minute
later and Nellie blanched to deathly whiteness
as she gazed into her father’s pallid face.

“He is unconscious, ladies—nothing more,”
assured Royal Richard, quick to note their
alarm and agitation. “ It was a dastard blow,
delivered from behind, and before I could pre—
vent it. It is a terrible thing to take life, but I
can only feel thankful that my bullets sped
true.

“But let me remove him from this spot.
With brandy and water, he will quickly regain
consciousness.”

“ There are both in the wagon at the head of
the train,” Pauline said, speaking for the first
time since the daring rescue.

Lifting Roger Mordaunt in his powerful arms,
Royal Richard strode forward. The two girls
followed, leading the horses.

“What a terrible experience!” exclaimed
Nellie, shuddering, as they passed the lifeless
forms of Jose and Pedro. “ But for this
stranger, Rugg McBufl’s eVil plot would have
succeeded only too well i”

“We owe the gentleman more than words

can ex ress,” Pauline gravely responded. “ His

arriv seems little short of a dispensation of a
merciful Providence.” ,

“ Poor papa!” murmured Nellie, and then
with a sudden revulsion of feeling the poor girl
burst into tears.

At the head of the train, the Red—Hand Sport
gently laid Morrlaunt at full length in the grass,
his face shielded from the sun.

The work of resuscitation was speedy and
effective.

Roger Mordaunt raised himself to a sittin
gesture, and, With a short, sharp gasp, opened

15 eyes.

At first, he could hardly credit what he saw,
but full explanations were at once made b the
overjoyed girls, and he arose tothank the r de-
liverer.

Royal Richard had drawn aside. .

At the moment Mordaunt‘ reached his feet,
the sound of hoof-strokes came faintly over the
plain, attracting the attention of the three.

“ He is gone!” cried Nellie, the new-born
flush fading from her face.

“ He pursues McBufl?!” Pauline added, a spice
of excitement in her voice.

True enough; mounted upon a ma ificont
black horse, the Red-Hand S ort, wit a. last
wave , of his hand at the lit: e part , coursod
swiftly across the plain on the trail 0 the flee-
ing desperado. __
CHAPTER X.

LONG PETE’S PARD.

NEVER, in all his long and eventful career,
had Long Pete Jenkins been face to face with
death in a, form so terrible as that which men-
aced him at the moment he slipped over the
verge of the cliff overshadowing the Apache
camp. '

In that moment of supreme peril, his mind
become almost a blank, the only feeling g
which he has conscious being one of horror
intense as to wring from him a cry of awful
anguish and despair.

pownward he shot, feet first, facingthe rocks,
With a mad, wild gasp at the jutting verge—-
downward, until— .‘ .

A shock that seemed to shiver every bone in
his look body, and he pitched forward upon his
recite. a senselgss hgtaijpld b Lo -

ear unto eat a son 1:] Pete Jpnkins,

A foot to the right, or a foot 155 the left, and
no n0wer on earth could have saved him.

Fifteen feet below the ve e. a narrow ledge,
or ten/'m. extended across t a face of the bluff.
and it wasupon a slender spur. jutting out 30mg
three feet from the edge of this terrace, that the
mouthed mien. ‘ _

I ,

    
 

As a matter of course, he was stunned into in-
sensibility. It seemed as if the last spark of
life had been knocked from his body.

For hours he lay unconscious. Twili ht had
settled over the valley below when e first
evinced signs of returning animation.

“ Oh, Lord! I thank Thee!" '

His voice low and tremulous as he uttered the
ferVent ejaculation, Long Pete sat up and sur-
veyed his surroundings.

Dazed as be yet was, it required no second
glance to assure him that his position was far
from enviable.

In fact, so far as he could determine, his es-

cape l‘rom the ledge was decidedly problema—'

tical. The terrace was so narrow in places,
that be doubted if he could secures foothold.

At such a time and under such conditions,
that he should be beset by a train of distressing
thought was simply inevitable.

What would the end he?

Would he slowly perish of thirst and hunger?

Or, bereft of reason by his intense suffering,
might be not dash himself headlong from the
cliff to death upon the rocks far below?

And, yet worse, what would be the fate of
Jackson Mordaunt? ,

And of the wagon-train—of ,the bright-eyed
girl he had vowed to deliver safely into her
father‘s arms? ‘

Irony of fate! He who had courted death on
a hundred fields now shrunk from the mere
thought of it! .

Ay and more! He grew sick at heart, not
at the terrors of‘his position, but at the thought
that, if he perished there, no saving hand was
between his friends and certain doom!

In the midst of these harrowing thoughts
there came a sound that sent a strange, sweet
thrill through his aching fibers.

It was the one word. “ Pete!”

For a moment the giant scout doubted the
evidence of his ears. The husky, cautiously—
uttered call was a trick of his overwrought im~
agination!

“ Pete! 0h, Pete!”

This time there could be no mistake! Some
one was calling to him from the top of the
bluff!

In an instant Jenkins was upon his feet.

“ Hello! hello!" he exclaimed, guardedly.

Back came the voice: _ _

“ Alive, eh? Much hurted, pard?”

“ Be that you, Dan Yuba?”

“ I be that same, ye blessed ole sinner!”

“.Then, Dan, I beu’t much hurt, I reckon. Aire
thin s all uiet above?”

f‘ s a $uaker meetin’, pard. Kin ye git off
yer roost, down their?”

“ On’y by suicidin’, Dan!
eend 0v yer lariat, kin ye?"

“ Wait!"

Long Pete fancied he could hear the sound of
retreating footsteps. Then, in a few minutes—
an age it seemed to the imprisoned borderor—
there was a slight noise at the top of the bind,
and the noosed end of the lariat fell upon the
spur of rock at his feet.

“ W’eu ye’re ready, guv that word, an’ I’ll
h’ist away ” came the cautious voice of Dan
Yuba. “ on’t be afeercl ther lariat will part
with ya. M_ ole bucksin shirt is ’twixt it an’
ther aige on t or rock!”

Almost before he had ceased speaking, Long

Pete signaled him to pull away.
- It was an arduous task, and perilous as well»;
but sturdy Dan Yuba was equal to the emer-
gency. and at the expiration of three minutes
Long Pete Jenkins had him by the hand, shak-
ing it with a zest that was absolutely painful.

‘ Dan, ye sawed-oi! bosom! whar on airth
d’ye drap from?” the giant exclaimed, evinc-
in a strong desire to embrace his rescuer“
“ e’ge know, I’d {ist made up my mind I’d fol-
ler my last trai —dra§aed my ast red-skin!”

“Strai ht from the idden Hope. with ther
boss,” rep ied Yuba. “But git out ov hyar, ye

innacle ov glory! In less’n three minutes

' Ehar’ll be more reds jump this locate than ye

kin count on fingers an’ toes! Talk’s cheap—
but it’d be dear'in this market!" ‘

“ Kerrect! I’ve bin tharl” Long Pete averred,
nodding grimly. “ But I’ve a boss an’ a gun
over hyar, if the ’Paches hav’n’t gobbled ’em.
Wait—”

“I got ’em a good two hours ago,” broke in
Yul?!“ setting forward. "‘ Be y':r sixes, all
rig . ‘

Examining his weapdns, Long Pete returned
an affirmative answer.

The two borderm proceeded slowly for per-
haps ten minutes, co ering their trail with the
greatest care. At the” expiration of that time,
Don Yuba halted and parted a dense curtain of
Zlfiefi, revealing a large niche in the side of the

l

. “HYar we aire. an’thar’s yer beast,” he an-
nounced, with a flourish, as the vines swung
into place behind them. \ -

Short and stocky, with broad shoulders and
heavy. powerful-looking limbs, Don Yuba had
much the appearance or a dwarfed Hercules.

His eyes were black, as were his hair and board, ,

the latter being long and bushy.’

 

  

His age would have been put titan point
between thirty-vflvepandiorty years,

 

 

.lickety-split! It was then that I looLed up yer

waltz!” grim y suggested the dwarfed Hercules.
Can’t toss me ther‘

supplemented Dan Yuba, his black eyeskind-

"Eagle an’ his band

, they attack thor train, then our hull gsrty may

 

e was;

    

thoroughly armed and wore a plainsman’s

gar .

Lighthearted, whimsical and full of quaint
conceit, yet the possessor of of indomitable
courage, and surpassing an Indian in cunning
and caution, he was a prime favorite with Long
Pete Jenkins. -

Once under cover, the pards lost little time in
comparing notes.

“ Fu’st ov all, Dan Yuba,” exclaimed the
giant scout, throwing himself at full length on
the dry earth, “ I’m goin’ ter stretch my bones |
back into theyr places an‘ while I‘m doin’ it
ye kin keep a peeper peeled fer reds an’ post me
up a little. I’m h’ilin' over with curiosity!”

" 'Pears so, pard,” observed Yuba, quietly. l
“ It’s mighty little l’ve got ter tell, an’ more
bad than good in that.

“ Everything was quiet at ther Hidden Hope '
when we left at noon yesterday. though thar
hes bin sum powerful queer things happened _,
’round thar in tlier last week. .V,‘

“ Mordaunt an’ myself kalkilated ter reach “
Dead-Tree Knob at noon today, but we run
’foul ov a band ov Apaches under Black Feathers
this mornin‘, an’ ter save our ha’r we war forced
ter separate.

“ Thor upshot ov it war thet ther reds gob-
bled him. I made off all right, but circled .
’round an’ struck theyr trail flve mile back, an”
run it right up ter theyr camp.”

“ An’ so ye see’d tber scrimmage atop 0v the
bluff?” queried Long Pete. .

“ A part ov it, as, but not ther be innin’. I ’
war ’bout three undred yards fur er alon ,
lyin’ iiyther brash, an’ jest happened ter loo ,
over my shoulder in time ter see ther red shoot
over ther cliff. Tell ye, pard, my heart beat a.
tattoo ag’in’ ther roof ov my mouth when I

‘s.

, see’d ye slip over therrobks. 

“ But when ye struck ther ledge, I knew
everything war serene. fer even of ther reds dis-
kivered ye they c'ii’dn’t git at ye!” ,

“ An” ther two ’Paches who war behind me?"

“They started fer ther camp in ther valley,

   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
    
   
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
  
   
  
  
   
 
 

boss an’ yer gun. By ther time I got back inter
my place on ther slope ov ther bill, a done!)
braves war prowlin’ about atop ov ther bluff. _
But their riddle war too deep, an’ they giv it up.”

Long Pete then narrated the more im tent
incidents of the trip of himself and Big ale to
San Marcia], in conclusion. saying:

‘1 Now, Dan, le’s sum 11 their state ov affairs,
an’ map out that work a ore us—fer l kalkilate
we’llt hevter putt in some party big licks, this
rug . i i.

“Sort ov 've ther red-skins ther Dan Yuba I

“Jes’ so, pard,” Lon

Pete wearin assented.
“Et’s a pity Gineral

rook wasn’t ordered ,ter

wipe out or round 11 every darned Apache in

Arizona and New exico. These hyar Chiri—

cahoa bucks need 'est sech a lesson es ther other

’Pache bands caug t at Salt Lake Canyon.” .
“ Or Turret Butte, or Superstition Mountain!”

ling. “Them war garlorions days, Pete!” .
‘ You bet! an’ these hyar Chiricahoas willigit
ther some dose—arter they've killed an’ plun-
dered tor theyr hearts’ content the devils!‘ . »
“But do ye know, Dan w at brings them
over ther Mimbres, jest at t s time?” .
“ I hav’n’t tried ter figger it out, pard.” . I .
“Wal, it’s just this: Black Feathers an’ a
band ov picked warriors airs on ther trail ov
Death-Ea Is an’ his renegade pack.” ,
’ “ Thor agle, then aire among these bills?”
“ Atop ov Dead-Tree, in ambush fer the:
Mordaunt train.” ‘
Yuha uttered a low whistle; _ . i g
“ Then, while we hire gittin’ Jackson Mor-_ w _
daunt out ov Black Feathers’l clutches. Death- ‘ 
aire gobblin’ up ther other.
psi 1” he exclai '

in v ,, .
“ 0; at I failed ter return by a sart’in time, "
Roger Mordaiint war ter halt ther train ate. u
given p’int an’ go inter camp thar.” r .
“ Ye see, I diskivered Death-Eagle’sspies, on",
then figgered out his leetle game. _ 
“ Ef we push things tor-night, we may be able
tor git Mordaunt ofl an’ reach ther train 
time fer a hand in ther struggle thar. I , .,
“ An’ of we kin so manage as ter throw Bloch",
Feathers inter contact with ther renegade: aforc

be able ter slip through for ther Hi
’thout breshin’ az’in‘ ther reds at all!”
Dan Yuba nodded his a predation. . \
“Ther trick kin be war ed.” he averred,’ppsim..
tively. “ B! we git Mordaunt out ov thet camp, v
you an’ him out 19036 for thor train. Jest leave,
:3 terringin ther Kilkenny cots? deal on than .

S.

“ But whar be ther train, Pard Pete?”

“D'ye ’member' a leetle motto southeast,loy
DeadJI‘ree ’bout flve'mile?" , x

“I do, poi-d; an’ of I ’members sleight, this
’most esstrongap’intes thet Knob it A? ~ M

“Party near. reckon. ,‘Ye will findrther,
train that.” r  

en Hope  '

 

 

CHAPTER x1. I, 
THE M P 'ust rfiiggrg'mys piercing

* .moon was I , ,
hereondthere tbeldeep, dark shadows. of the

   

- toact was at

0 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

rocky passes and narrow, wooded valleys, and
flooding with a hazy, mellow light the crests of
the towering bills, as two forms glided stealth-
ily down into the secluded valley in which lay
the cam of Black Feathers and his braves.

Long ate and Dan Yuba. had entered upon
their perilous mission.

The pards realized that their incursion was i

into no sleeping Village, into the camp of no
careless hunting-party; the man they sought
was in the midst of a band of icked warriors,
wary and vigilant. Success, i not life itself,
trembled in the balance.

Their progress was slow. Every step was
made with the greatest caution. At the end of
half an hour they had reached a point within a
hundred feet of the silent camp. All around
them was the dense, black shadow of the over-
hanging cliff.

Naught marked the camp‘s lucation but the
smoldering embers of a fire, close in against
the foot of the clifl': grouped within the radius
of its faint, fltful glow were perhapsa half-score
shadowy forms.

Hglting, Long Pete and his pard peered for-
war .

“ Kin ye mark ther spot whar Mordaunt
lays?" breathed Dan Yuba.

“ No: but I kin go es straight ter it es I c’u’d
ter thet fire,” Long Pete as guardedly replied.
“I’ll never forget ther lay ov ther camp es I
saw it from ther top ov ther clifl’.”

“ Then ye_ be ready, pard?”

“ Ready, Dan!”

A warm clasp of their brave hands, then the
pards again stole forward.

Ten es from the confines of the camp,
Yuba’s hand fell softly u n his comrade’s arm.

Long Pete halted. he dwarfed Hercules
glided ahead directly toward the fire.

A moment of breathless suspense—then the
sounds of a short, Shall) struggle. The motion-
less forms about the ying fire, startled into a
samblance of life, stood with poised heads, striv-
ing to locate the ominous sound or awaiting its
‘re tition.

usta breath—and Long Pete noted by the
faint firelight the gleam of a descending blade.
A shriek of agony pierced the grim silence, to
be swiftly followed by a close imitation of the
. A ache war-whoop.
hen—utter confusion, a Babel of conflicting
sonnds;a writhing and twistin of sinewy bodies,
a’ sudden surging forward rom all sides: a
mocking, disguissd yell, a chorus of harsh,
fierce cries, and the swift, restless patter of many
feet in swift pursuit. -
. Dan Yuba had gained his end—had thrown
 the warriors of! their guard, the camp into a
' state of wildest confusion!
' Long Pete lided forward. The time for him
and.‘ A moment suficed for him
to reach the captive—to sever the thongs hold-
ing him to the earth.
v Jackson Mordaunt gained his feet with dif-
» flcult . His uneasy position had cramped his
muse es so that, for the nonce, he could scarcely
,. move.
“ Stiddy, pard!
-, ther varle blurted the giant ranger, draw-
» lug him bac into the deeper shadows.
. - ‘You, Pete?”
 ‘.‘ Ya-as, pard; it’s me! Dan is ahead, yender.
He’ll ’ine us at the train." -
H h!" ’
. It was the sound Long Pete was expecting yet
5 W dreading to hear. The camp was not wholly de<
' 3 se . One or more of the braves had remain-
ed to keep watch over the captives.
Softly-spoken as had been the words of the
7 two men, they had reached the ears of the lurk-

Slow an’ easy, an’ we’ll slip

w... -,

pac es.
A struggle was simply inevitable! Flight was
‘1; out of the question. just then. Mordaunt was
.J so stifl from the effects of the cutting thongs
, that it was to be doubted if he could move with
 r any degree of celerity: and his consequent awk-
. wardness would do away With the slightest pos-
fl. sibility of a stealthy retreat.
“~- Jenkins realiud as much.
 " Take this,‘ pard; but don’t use it ’less ye hev
I to—it’s too no ,” he uttered deftly slipping a
revolver into ordaunt’s hand. ‘ ‘ of yo
1-. kin, an’ e git ther chainee, slip oi! u the val-
r Icy. Make for the top or ther bluff yar, an’
 ther wait.”
  Hastin uttered as were the words, they were
 not a breath too soon. -
if A dark shape seemed to come up out of
,1.‘-,the earth, almost at the feet of the ranger. At
 the same instant a ringing whoop stung through
Who dense gloom. rising h' h above the oc-
 seunds floating bac from Dan Yuba
-" and his pursuers.
 It was the last yell the luckiess red-skin ever
{Lotta-ed, for Long Pete sprung upon him with
.' thewiftness of a thunderbolt. with one stroke
1 of his bewie hurling him lifeless to the earth.
I A space of perhaps two minutes slip by in
 futons? siil‘egce; then the scout return to Mor‘
* t s s
3;; “ We’ll git away from hyar,” he said, in a
 scarcely audible. " Likely that’s more
viov‘ther devils in hidin’, but we’ll hev ter risk
Mn’ 8 in’ ’em.” . .
.“ anxiety—lead the way,” returned the

\m

  

  

 

 

rescued miner, in the same cautious undertone
used by the scout.

Without further parley or delay. the two men
silently left the camp, in a short time gaining
the top of the bluff.

Long Pete uttered a breath of relief.

“Keep in the shade, J ackson," he advised,
hurriedly. “ I’m comin’ back in a minute.
We’ve a couple of horses up h er in the bresh.”

With a keen sense of relief ackson Mordaunt

, shrunk back into the shadows, his eyes follow-

ing the receding form of his giant partner.

Sore as he was from his recent rough usage
at the hands of the red-skins, he was determined
to push forward and reach the wagon-train at
as early a. moment as possible.

ow anxious, how eager, he was to meet
Pauline and the others.

Had he not turned his back to his treasure-
trove, the Hidden—Hope Mine, at a most critical
juncture, to meet them at Dead—Tree Knob?

What a peril he hoped to ward off.

What terrible, what startling and unexpected
discoveries he had made Within the past three
days. Discoveries that he had kept to himself,
and would keep to himself.

As he awaited the return of Jenkins, these
thoughts and emotions pressed into his very soul.

The scout was not long in reappearing. In
addition to his own animal he led that of Dan
Yuba. The hoofs of the horses had been so
thoroughly muffled that but a. slight neise
marked Long Pete’s approach.

“ Mount, Jackson, an’ we’ll be ofl,” cautious-
ly uttered the scout. “ That’s no tellin’ how
many 0v Black Feathers’s gang may be on this
hyar spot in the naixt few minutes.”

“ Very true,” Mordaunt assented, clambering
stiflly into Dan Yuba’s saddle.

“ An’ I reckon the camp c’u’dn’t be stampeded
a second time this night,” pursued Long Pete,
smiling grimly. “ It war a pesky slim chaince,
but that Dan Yuba’s a sort ov hurricane on
skates!”

“Not to mention that prince of bordermen,
Long Pete Jenkins.” Mordaunt added, with a
genial smile, as he proceeded to express his
thanks for his timely deliverance.

“ But tell me, Pete,” he continued. “just how
you left the party at Dead—Tree. You cannot
imagine how anxious I am to hear everything
that is to be said of them.”

“ Wa-al. but they ain’t at ther Knob,” slowly
avowed Jenkins, halt in protest; “ but I’ll tell
Ks  whar they air, an’ what I’m doin’

yar

Mordaunt listened attentively, his bronzed
face aling as he learned of the proximity of
Dent -Eagle, the Merciless, and his band of’ red
outlaws and their evident design.

“ I only hope that the scheme you and Dan
Yuba have put afoot may succeed—that these
warring factions of red devils may wipe each
other out of existence,” he exclaimed, with ter-
rible earnestness.

“ Dick Royals is with the train?”

“ No, he is not with it,” and again Long Pete
went into a detailed statement.

To say that Mordaunt‘s agitation increased
does not do justice to the change in his feelin
and aspect. It was as well. perhaps, that e
darkness partially concealed his distress.

For something over an hour the two men

ushed forward—Long Pete silent and watchful,
ordaunt gloomy and de ressed. Then they
rode out n n the slopin p in, where the scout
dismounte and remov the cloths muming the
hoofs of the horses. /

“ We kin reach ther motto in a hate hour or
less," he announced, resuming his place in the
saddle. “It’s about due east ov this ’int.”

“ The sooner the better,” said ordaunt,
briefly.

Nothing further was said for upWard of twen-
ty minutes. The motte was plainly visible, and
Long Pete had raised his hand to point out the
gleaming white covers of the wagons, when a
rapid dischar e of firearms broke the stillnem,
driving the co or from the scont‘s face. -

“ My God i we’re too late!” groaned Jackson
Mordaunt, in an agony of diay and anxiety.
“fEear’i- those whoops! The Apaches are ahead
0 us I

“ Stiddy, pard —stiddy l” gritted Long Pete,_

almost savagely, leaning forward and throwing
Mordaunt’s horse back upon its hannches.
“ Don’t play the fool—all is not lost 1”

 

\
~ CHAPTER XII;
ileum mums AN om aoouamrmcn.

I WHEN Rugg McBufl spurred away from the
Mordaunt train, his feelings were such as to be
more easily imagined than described.

At the very moment when success had seemed
assured—when his plots and schemes seemed
fast ripening into a olden usufruct—this one
man of a thousand, t is Royal Richard, had
most unexpectedly put in his appearance, to the
utter discomflture of the plotter!

Nor was that the full bent of the injury inflict-
ed. A bullet from the unerring was of the
Red-Hand S rthad founda billet in the left

forearm of t ' desperado.

 

 

That McBufl was in a rage goes without say-

in .

To have been toiled was bad enough; but to
have been foiled in such a manner!

One man pitted against three, and that one
victorious.

Little wonder that consternation speedily
gave way to unrestrained rage and chagrin.

“ Baffled, but not vanquishedl” he gritted, as
his good horse bore him onward. “ I’ll play the
game out, if I have to play a lone hand! ’

Such was the dogged determination of the
scoundrel.

A mile from the train, hidden from the view
of the Mordaunt party behind the crest of a
swell, he swerved abruptly from his northern
course to one almost due west.

It was plain that he did not intend to lose
sight of his intended rey. In fact, he was
headed directly toward cad-Tree Knob!

Thanks to treacherous Jose Nalaja, McBui!
knew that the eminence would be the camp-
ground of the twain that night—perhaps longer.

Already a fresh plot was forming in the evil
brain of the schemer.

Within an hour he had reached the sloping
northern side of the Knob. Dismounting he
tethered his horse in a bit of Chaparral and has-
tened toward the summit.

He was destined not to reach it, however.

Half way up the gradual slope he was sud-
denly set upon by a halfdozen Apaches and
overpowered and disarmed before he could so
much as draw a weapon.

One look into the grim faces of his ca tors
was sufficient to cause his heart to sink. here
was nothing in the painted visages but bitter,
black hatred—hatred of the most malignant

t .
yBe This is from bad to worse!” was the despe—
rado’s thought. “ But I’ll never say die l"

At a word from their leader, four of the red—
skins laid hold of McBuif and halt-carried, half-
dragged him down the slope to the edge of the
Chaparral, where he was roughly thrown across
his horse and securely tied.

Then the squad divided, two turning back to
the Knob, while the others pushed toward the
foot-hills with the captive.

At the expiration of a half-hour, the latter
party found the entrance of a narrow gorge,
which shortly debouched into a picturesque

. basin among the foot-hills.

A snug retreat, with the advantages of wood
and water, and succulent grass for a goodly
number of horses—advantages that had not
been overlooked, as was attested by a single
glance from McButf.

In a word, the basin was the sight of an
A ache encampment; or, better, temporary
vi age.

The braves, their lodges, horses, dogs, squaws
and other roperties and appurtenances were
plainly visible.

“ My case is probabl settled beyond a doubt,”
McBuflf mused as he rank in the scene with
gloomy eyes. “ The fact is, I’ve overreached
myself. Mordaunt’s treasure 'has flipped be-
tween my fingers.

“ Why, it’d hustle the Old Boy himself to es-
cape from this infernal den l”

Passin the two sentries at the end of the
gorge, t e little cavalcade pushed forward
across. the grassy level, heading for a large cen-
tral lodge, evidently the quarters of ‘the head
chief of the camp. c

There the capt ve and his keepers were greeted
with a sort of ovation. It seemed as if the
entire po ulation, from the dogs up, came troop-
in , in a gurly-hurly, to the point of interest.

1y had the trio halted. when ads in
the tent was lifted, and the chief strode nto

view.

A tall. somber-looking savage, lean and
sinewy, clad from head to heels in the dress of
a. cavalryman, with villainy indelibly stamped
upon his stron , rugged features.

At si ht of t e red desperado McBufl started
incred ously; then bent upon hisswarthy face
a keen, piercing stare.

What a feeling of relief swept over him at
that moment! V

What an array of dazzlingpcssibilities dawn:
ed upon him!

, In the chief he recognized an old acquaint-
ance: yes, more—a sworn friend and shy.

“ Ho, Death- Eagle 1” he exclaimed. “ You do
not know me?

“ I am Lone Star, the man who, joining
hands with you and Three Bears, your son,
against five cavalrymen, saved toth of you fro
capture. if not death. . .

‘ And now I am your captive.”

The red chief remained motionless, a peculiar
glitter in his small, deepest orbs, until the cap-
tive had finished speaking.

That he recalled the circumstance mentioned.
Rngg McBufl did not doubt. The flight of
three years could hardly have cflaced it from
his memory.

Then, to quicken recollection as well as to
substantiate his claims. the white outlaw had
while speaking made with his tightly-pinioned
hands a sign which he was quite certain his red
prototype could not fail to recognize.

“ The White Panther, Lone Star, has not been

A. “we;

 
 

 , .. L

 

though it cost me my life!”

Royal Richard, the Thoed.

11

 

 

forgotten,” declared the chief of the ‘red cut-
throats, reassuriugly, in very fair English. “ Iii
proof whereof, he is no longer a captive.”

Then followed a command in the Apache
tongue, whereupon the curious red-skins upon
either side fell back a trifle, while the two cap-
tors as promptly severed McBuff’s bonds and
returned his wea ons, leaving him at liberty.

“ Now, let the Vhite Panther dismount and
come into the lodge of Death-Eagle,” continued
the chief, inclining himself.

“Only too happy to do so, I assure you,
chief!” McBufY exclaimed, hastening to accept
the invitation.

“In fact, Death-Eagle. of all the men in New
Mexico, you are the one I am best pleased to see
just now.”

“Not better than am I to see the White Pan-
ther again," heartily declared the red-skin, with
another profound bow, as he extended his hand.
“ And while you rest and refresh yourself, and
your horse is being attended to, I will dispatch
a messenger to summon Three Bears."

“ _Whom I shall be most happy to meet
again,” McBufl’ glibly avowed, grasping the
proffered hand.

“ As will he you.

“ But your arm is injured, White Panther?”

“ It is, chief."

And as they entered the lodge, McBqu pro-
ceeded to give a highly-colored version of the
affair at the wagon-train.

Death-Eagle proved an attentive listener.

“ It is the same train my scouts have had

,under surveillance during the past twenty—four

hours," be promptly avowed, at the conclusion
of McBuif‘s narrative. “ In fact, I may say
that we shall capture it tonight.”

At this bit of informatiom Rugg McBufl’s
face expressed anything but satisfaction.

Affairs were going from bad to worse, with a
vengeance!

Once let the Mordaunt party fall into the
clutches of the merciless Apaches, and his hopes
of extorting a. golden ransom would fall never
to rise!

“ Death-Eagle!”

“ I am hearkening, White Panther!”

“We are friends?”

“ More, we are allies, if you say.”

“ Good! That would, indeed, give me power.

“ But listen, chief. Do you recall the promise
made by yourself and Three Bears?”

“ Death-Eagle mutely inclined his head. The
action hid the peculiar ight glinting in his dark
eyes. His crafty mind divined what was com-

m .

g‘ I do not forget it, White Panther, and I am
ready to abide by that promise.

“ What is it you have to ask 3” and with the
audition he lifted his head, so that his eyes

amed full upon the face of the dos redo.

“ Rugg McBuflL' hesitated not an instant.

“ I ask—nay—demand—the lives of the two
girls with that train! The others you ma
do with as you will! Life for life is all
claim!

“ Now, what say you, chief?”

For a moment the red-skin sat as silent, as
motionless, as so much rock. Then he bent for-
ward, in a low tone sa mg:

“ It shall be as W its Panther wishes. The
lives of the girls shall be spared. I will send a
swift runner to the ambuscade, sa ing 'they are
to be taken alive and uninjured; ut the others
—Red Knife, the guide, the two white men, the
two Grease", and the three blackmen—fhey
must all die !”

McBufl? gnawed savagely at his nether 1i , to
suppress an oath. His eart filled to ove ow-
ing with bitter, black ra e. He was not blind-
ed by the shallow tact cs adopted by Death-
Eagle. '

. The _wily chief would make a pretense of keep-
ing his promise, while in. reality carrying out
his original plans in regard to the girls! Due
care would be taken that they never left the
Apache camp!

Curbing his anger, with consummate address
checking out every trace of suspicion or mis-
trust, the desperado expressed himself as under
weighty obligation for the consideration shown;
for well he knew that a.slip of the tongue, 9,
trifling lapse of caution, Just then, would cost
Em no end of trouble, 1! not eventually his
1 e.

In dissimulation, in a speedy departure from
the camp, lay his only hope; and it is but fair
to say that he played most adroitly his difficult

par

Just at nightfall, he rode forth from the re-
treat of Death-Eagle, bent u n seeking the
Mordaunt tram and making 9. id final effort
to‘ailztain his sails};

‘ t is. my stroke, and I will succeed or
die!” he. muttered, in a. slow, determined way.
“ If I fail, I willbe a man, at last, and step be-
main my beautlful Pauline and the fate plotted

er.

“ I will tell her of this stran 9, new love that
has taken such deep_ root ing my heart—this
fierce, selfish passion; if she scorn; me, men will
I put her face to face with the truth, and throw
myself between her and the evil genius, even

w...

.m o .... ..

 

CHAPTER XIII.

BIG DALE'S SUSPICIONS.

“ THE lead went plum‘ center, by thunder!”

The speaker, a burly, broad-shouldered plains-
man, stood in the midst of the prairie, beside
the lifeless forms of the victims of the Red-Hand
Sport‘s deadly aim, Jose Nalaja and Pedro
Carmenta, Roger Mordaunt’s treacherous em-
ployees. _

Beside him was a second personage-his unior
by full twenty years: a tall, handsome allow,
of good form and with clear-cut features, brown
eyes and hair, golden-red mustaches, sound
white teeth and a fair complexion.

Both men were travel-stained, wore the garb
of the plains, and were well armed and splendid-
ly mounted, as could have been attested by a
glance at their weapons and their horses.

The two were Big Dale, Long Pete’s prairie

ard, and Richard Royals, Pauline Mordaunt’s
Eetrothed.

“ Dick, thar’s a riddle hyar I can’t solve at
first sight, pursued the older of the two, taming
upon his companion a glance fraught with mys-
tiflcation. “ We kin see thar hes bin red work
done, an’ that Mordaunt’s (party war ther ones
ter suffer; fer these hyar reasers war in his
employ. Pete Jenkins an’ myself hired ’em.”

“ Indians, Dale?”

“ Nar a red-skin!” promptly declared Big
Dale, With a Very decided toss of his grizzled
head. “ Thar ain’t ther fu’st sign ov ’Pache in
this—tho’ we’ve seo‘d sign enough 0v ther var-
lets tor know they’re hangin’ round ther train.

” No, sir—cc ! ’Tain’t thet! Tell ye, w’ot,
Dick Royals, I’m goin’ ter look inter this hyar
wrinkle a leetle ways, ef we don’t reach ther
Knob fer a week—ye hear me! Jes’ hol’ on ter
ther bosses a bit!”

And without awaiting so much as a murmur
of protestation or approval, the big plainsman
began his self-appointed task.

Five—ten—fifteen minutes slipped by; then
he returned from his patient circling.

“ What luck?”

Again be tossed his head, and an expression,
tantamount to disgust, crept into his bearded
face.

“ Derned leetle, boyee—demed leetle 1” he
replied. “ All thet kin be made out in ther
gloom airs that two horsemen j’ined ther train
at this p’int—one comin’ from ther south, t‘other
from ther sou‘east.

“ Somethin’ happened, an’ then they both rode
away, one arter ther other, while Mordaunt and
his party pulled ahead.

“ That sire 'bout all I kin make out ov it jest
now.”

Dick Royals had listened with interest almost
painful. ..

" Could—could Pan—the girls, I mean—have
been abducted?” he ventured to ask.

“ In course they c’u‘d l” was the almost savage
reply. “ But, mind ye, I ain’t sayin’ they war!

‘ It war a demed fool trick, it war, on Mor-
daunt’s part, ter hev them gals undertake this
hyer trip ’crost these plains—an’ I don't kser of
I say it! Reckcn I told himes much, es also did
Pete Jenkins an’ Dan Yubal Why, pard, it’s
resky enough fer ineu w’ot airs thoroughbred
Injun-fighters, so overrun with ’Paches an’ out-
laWS sire this hyar same bit ov kentry.

“But he allowed as how they c’u‘d do it' with
ther help ov Pete an’ on an’ me, ’ith himself
an‘ Dan Yuba ter bac us up from Dead-Tree
Knob tar ther Hidden Hope—nn’ thar war no
crowdin’ reason inter his cabeza!”

“But haps things were not in such a tur-
moil at t at time,” suggested Royale, mildly.

“ Wficll, the warn’t its so. bad, that’s a
tack,” admit Dale, wit a semblance of re-
luctance. “ But ate a. mighty onsart’in bit ov
kenti-y, an’ in advice, ter gals an‘ people havin’
a horror ov ’headedness, aire tor stay away
till artsr Uncle Sam gits a chaince for sorter
take ther wire-aing of! ov things.”

“ G advice, I should say,” Royals re-
marked. “ But then, Dale, I suppose Mordaunt
counted you and Jenkins a host in ourselves.”

“ W’ich he hadn't orter!” retorte the plains-
man, as he swung into the saddle. “ In course
Pete au’ me ’u'd do all we c’u’d; but of it sh’u’d
come tor ther wu‘st, w’ot o‘u'cl we do?"

“ You at least would not desert the

A sound, little short of a madden
caped the Hercules.

‘ Desart ther gals I ” be repeated, in tones of
thunder. “ See hyar, young feller, do ya know
me—ww f Sa-a I see that ’ar right arm l—~ye
might tear it in ther socket, a. thousandth

rt of an inch at a time, afore Dale Keith’d

rn his back tor a female in distress, be she
Jackson Mordaunt’s darter or ther child ov ther
po’rest squatter in all Arkansaw! D’ye heuri—
het’s me! An’ Pete Jenkins airs out ov ther

r18.”
roar, es-

same lot i”

Royals nodded crisply, saying:

“ Exactly! And placing just such an esti-
mate upon you, Mordaunt thought it would be
safe for his dau hter and her cousin to under—
take the trip to t e Hidden-Hope Mine.

“ Shake, old man—I am proud to know you!"

Frank and hearty as were the words, the big
borderman complied with anything but grace.

Somehow, in an indefinable way, he felt disap-

 

pointed in the man who was to wed his part
ner’s daughter.

Not that there was anything visibly
wrong about Richard Royals; on the contrary,
he seemed a frank, honest, out-spoken fellow,
handsome enough, an agreeable companion, and
by no means lacking in courage.

No, it. was upon no visible int that Big
Dale could base the feelings whic impelled him,
from time to time, and almost unconsciously, to
watch Royale from the corners of his eyes.

But the matter did not end with that furtive,
distrustful surveillance; from first to last the
plainsman had been as gruff and cross as the
proverbial bear with the sore head.

And with it all, he had no definite idea as to
the real cause of his irritability! He simply
knew that be was “ cross,” and distrustful of
everything and everybody ~sumething decided-
ly unusual with him. for among his friends his
0 n, unsuspicious good nature had almost pass-

into proverb.

On the other hand, Rnyale had kept in the
best of spirits, with but a single anxiety to
reach the train as soon as possible.

If he noticed the peculiar behavior of his
guide at all, he had attributed to. it but little
significance: it was probably a component part
of the man's character, and, for the sake of
comparative harmony, must be overlooked.

Such would have been the verdict founded
upon Royale‘s bearing upon the cloak with
which be shielded his real feelings. A

In ieality, he was the prey of a terrible, a
wearing anxiety. '

A score times had he been tempted to drive a
knife hilt—deep in the broad back of the guide,
for he feared and hated him.

He had become cognizant of the fact that Big
Dale was secretly watching him, and the grim
truth sent terror to his very soul.

What did the burly giant suspect?

Something of no small moment, or his actions
belied his ihonghtsl

Riding forward as rapid] as the jaded con-
dition of their horses woul permit, the two
men reached the crest of a swell, just as the
moon swept slowly into view above the eastern
horizon.

“We sire still on ther Mordaunt trail," re-
marked Big Dale, after a moment’s observation.
“ Reckon another hour’ll kerry us ’longide ov
’em at the Knob.”

d “ Welcome intelligence, I assure you! ‘ Hope
e__ .

The sihilant twang of abowstring sounded
not twenty paces away, and a feathered shaft
hurtled directly between the two men.

“’Paches! by the host ov Israel!” ejaculated
Big Dale, springing from the saddle. “ Down,
paint-they’re all ’round us, but not a one in
sig t. .

Prompt as had been the action of the bor-
derer, that of Richard Royal was by no means
discounted; for, uttering a yell of defiance, he
struck spurs to his horse and rode away sta
break-neck pace, heading straight for Dead-
Tree Knob! -

“ Ther darned fool !” gritted Big Dale, aloud,
for the moment oblivious of his surroundings,
as he stared blankly at the blended forms of the
rapime receding horse and its rider. “ Darn
him, say! Doesbe want ter draw ther hull
red pack enter ther Mordaunt camp?”

Then, in cautious, yet earnest strains, as if in
answer to the query, came the words:

“ Better a score red-skins than that viper!”

Throwing his trusty revolvers to a level, the
borderer wheeled as if electrified.

Facing him, a dozen paces distant. stood a
man, a dashing, s ive—looking follow, his
arms folded care ass y across his broad breast.

CHAPTER XIV.
CERTAIN SUSPICIONS conmm.
AN sxprasion tantamount to unqualified
amazement took ion of the bluff, honest
face of Big Dale, the borderman, as his eyes

fell upon the stranger, who had arisen from the '_

midst of the l'plain as silently and unexpectedly
as an apps tion—an expression quickly giving
wag to one of sus icion. .
is thoughts id not interfere with thense
of his tongue, however, for be promptly de-
manded: -

“ Be ye friend or foe? Quick, stranger—I’m
kinder nervous in ther fingers tor-night, an’
so’thin’ might happen, of yer tongs ain‘t in good
runnin’ 0 er!" I i

The unknown nddded crisply. .

“ You’ve t the ‘ drop’ on me, sure enough,
pordner, an I reckon you could salt my most
just as easy as not,” he exclaimed, with mani-
fest goodnature. “ But there isn’t the slightest
cause for a motion, so put up your weapons and V
I’ll advance. ‘

“ 1f ou are a friend to the Mordaunts, there
should no had blood between us."

Big Dale started. .

“ Ye speak ov ther Mordaunts. W’ot know
ye ov them i” he asked, with visibly increasing '
suspicion.

.“ Next to nothing, 1yet enmi h to have made
me their ' d. I wi explain tall presently}?

“ An' he may I call yer name?”

“ You might call it anything, from A to Ind--L

 

, ,

 

12 ' Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

zard, and I‘d answer; but generally it’s plain,
common, everyday Dick Brazzleton.

“Yours, I believe, is Dale Keith—Big Dale?”

The borderman nodded shortly, saying:

“ Ye hev it right, pardner, an’ I putts up my
we’pins.

“ Now, let me advise ye ter git under kiver
ov sum sort. Thar’s ahullpassel ov red-rinds
in easy reach 0v ye.”

Brazzleton uttered a laugh.

“ You are wrong there, my friend,” he ex-
claimed, li htly. “ There isn’t an Apache
within a mi e of us!”

" Oh, thar ain’t, eh?”

“ No, there isn’t,” reiterated Brazzleton. “In
fact, I may say there isn‘t one within three
times the distance I mentioned 1”

A grunt expressed the borderman’s incredu-

ity.
" Wal, I hope ye aire ri ht,” he averred,
“ but it ’pears ter me thet hev purty good
proof that ye don‘t know jest w‘ot ye’re talkin’
aboutl”
“ You were fired upon ?”
“ Ye hev called ther turn, pardner.” '
. “ An arrow?”
“ Yeas, an arrow.”
“ I fired itl"
“ You I”
“ So I said. See—here is somethingin proof,”
and Brazzleton held up a bow. :
Big Dale stared hard through the moonlight
- at the mysterious stranger. ,
“Pardner!” he ejaculated, “I’m ’bout ready
; ter cave on ther Injun question; but may I be
' painted for a Pints, of I w’u’dn’t like ter heur
‘ ye cl'ar yer record a bit! I jest w’u’d, now .I”
Brazzleton advanced, followed by his horse,
.~ which, at a. word from him, arose from the rank

   
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
   
  
  
  
 

ass.
gr“ An‘ fu’st ov all, l’d like ter heur why yo
3 fired at us,” pursued Big Dale. “In course, ye
, bed a reason—most likely a powerful good one!”
‘- “ I did, indeed," readily aflirmed Brazzleton.
, “ And. I attained my end, too, for it was my
I desire to separate you from your companion.”
 “Tar git me away from ,Royale, say ye?”
 “No; for your companion was not Richard
'\ Royals, but one Oscar Monshall—a gambler, an
unscru ulous adventurer!”
‘ Big sis was fairly staggered by this declara-

tron.

‘ Not Dick Royale, eh?” he muttered, half-
audibl , as he passed his hand over his brow in
a perp exed sort of way.

A moment he stood thus; then his face Settled
Into an expression of conviction, not unmixed
. with exuberance. With outstretched hands he
3 sprung forward cryin :
,V ‘ ,“ Shake, parduerl ’d rather meet ye than
long-lost brother! Ef ye ain’t jest ther— Sa
lagémwrdnerl Ther dirty cuss wa’n’t Dic

r e.

      
  
    
  
 
        
   
 
    
   
  
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
   
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
   

?No more than you are!” avowed Brazzle-

ton, submitting his slender white hands to the

broad palms almost appealineg extended.

‘5 And the fellow is, a ‘duty cuss —as mean a

select as ever walkedl

' '“ Let me tell you ri ht here, too, that Royals
is dead-murdered by onshall and his pal, one

Dave Danton l”

' The borderman drawback, as if hard hit

A staring straight into the cold, impassive
face of Brazzlemn.

v “Dead!” he ejaculated, hoarsely. “Dead!
MyGodl Sick news ’11 kill my pardner‘s dar-

!”
9‘ It is bitter, black work, from beginning to
, ” vouchsafed Brazzleton, after a moment of
g « ound silence. “ And I assure you that I
would willingly give up life itself to raise up my
, nd—‘to restore to the unfortunate lady her
’ ‘ ‘hted lover. ‘
fl ‘. i That being alto other out of qliliestion, I have
lichen the trail, an will run 1 e murderous
ahounds he towtheir doom at o. rope’s end, or die fac-

t m
Ye war Royale’s pardl”
“ es, for the past three years.”
“Pard, I’m with yet An’ ye kin count on Big

a : Keith till ther crack ov doom i” cried the
v . erman, impulsively, again catching the
{I l - - 1 white hands and looking straight into

2‘ «miston’s darkly-flowing eyes. “ You
' hugeyer parduer— strike fer Pauline Mor-
tl, .
Good! We’re pards to the end of the trail,”
- w mo 'exclaimed, in return. “ But listen,
I don’t want to hold you here a minute
or than is necessary. . _
. on complete understanding, it ls necessary
30 back to the origin of Monshall’s-unscrupu—

“you robably know, Dick Royals was a

( ve. ' or months prior to his death we
r been engaged in trailing down a band of
noun connterfsiteis, the trail flnall lead-

      
    
  
  
  
    
 
   
   
  
   
  
     

   
 

I v -I WM 00)
There we located our men, and were read

harm the entire outfit, when Royals, to h s
a : horror discovered that the arch-spiritof
in? was nearest living relative—a first

  quickly, saying:

     
 

      
 

us down into Elephant Lode a -cam
orado‘. ’ p 'B

 

“Ah, that cousin war this hyar same Mon-
shall i”

“ Exactly! All that followed need not be de-
tailed at present. Suflice it that I dropped into
the background for the time being, we having
determined to see if the fellow was possessed of
a single redeeming trait, with a View to giving
him a chance to clear his record.”

“ An’ givin’ him thet chaince cost Royale his
life?” ,

“ In a. nutshell, yes. _

“ But the villainy of the wretch did not find
a surfeit there. In some manner he obtained an
inkling of the intended mowments of the Mor-
daunts, and of the fact that Royale was to join
them hereabouts, and, as I have learned since I
have been on the trail, he at once determined to
step into Royale’s shoes.

“Associated with Monshall in the murder of
Royale, and in the evil scheme subsequently put
afoot, was a second rascal, fully as dangerous,
known as Desperate Dave.

“ Shortly after leaving Colorado, the two
separated, not only to facilitate the Working of
their wicked plot, but to retard or baffle pur-

suxt.

“Little good did it do them. Through thick
and thin I have followed Danton, to baffle him
in the very moment of his triumph, as I shall
baffle Monshall. .

“ From the first, my unalterable purpose has
been to give them ful sway until the final mo-
ment—the moment when a complete and daz-
zling realization of their hopes is just before
them—then to strike, as a thunderbolt from a
clear sky 1

“ A score of times could I have captured or
slain them both; but such a course would have
robbed my Vengeance of half its sting I"

In low intense strains had Dick Brazzletou
spoken, and his words stirred Big Dale Keith to
his very soul.

“ Good enough, pardnerl” he cried, with
glistening eyes, as the handsome Nemesis
paused for a moment. “ I see yer drift—sink
yer shaft home 1”

Brazzleton merely nodded, then resumed:

“ I had calculated to play alone hand, too, to
the very end; but to—day I made a discovery
that has caused me to amend my programme—
to seek a trusty ally.”

“ Ye left two dead Greasers on ther plain,
back thar?” interjected Big Dale, significantly.

“ Yes; Danton, faithless to his pal, attem ted
to take the game- into his own hands, bri ing
the two Mexicans to drug the negroes and assist
him in capturing Mordaunt and the girls.

“The scheme worked like a charm up toa
certain point, for when I arrived at the train,
Danton had full pomssion; but fortune favored
me in the struggle that followed, and, as a
result, Mordaunt and his ty moved forward,
leavin the Greasers d in the field and Dan-
ton in ull flight. ‘

“ I pursued the scoundrel, determined to cap-
ture him, in order that some of the mystery
shrouding the fate of Dick . Royals might be
cleared up. .

“ Fate was against me, however, for the fel-
low rode straig t into an Indian ambush on the
to of a knob some miles to the northwest, was

en captive, and carried to the camp of the
red-skins back in the foothills, where he at once
was released, being, apparent-1y, on a friendly
footing with the head chief of the pug.

“ That put a new phase to the a air; for,
with Danton on one hand, ready and willing to
utilize the presence of the A hes, and Mon-
shall approaching on the ot er, I saw that I
must see help.

" And as I was not yet ready to make a plain
statement of the case to Mordauut, it occurred
to me to intercept you.”

“ I am with on. ardnerl” promptly avowed
Big Dale, clinc ins: is hands savagely. “ Map
out yer trail, an' I’ll stick by it ter ther end—cf
I kin keep my fingers ofl ther varlet’s’throatl

“ From that fu’st glim I got ov him, I
s‘pected crooked work 5 wharl But w‘ot
c’u’d Idol Nothin’l Keepin’ mum an’ watchin’
war as fur es I c’u’d go!”

A peculiar smile wreathed Brazzleton’s red
lips—a lurid. sparkle kindled in his dark eyes.

“ You’ll do, pardnerl” he cried, clasping Big
Dale’s hands. " Continue to keep mum and to
watch—breathe not a word of suspicion, but
shadow Monshall’s every move, and -- we’ll
winl

“ I am going back to the Apache camp, to
keep an eye on Danton’s movements. In his
present company, he needs watching more than
ever. .

“As soon as it is possible, I will again see
you. Don’t make a decisive move, unless Mon-
shull attempts to crowd his game!”

“ Trust me fer that!” gutted Big Dale. “ Ef
he crowds too close, his putty white neck’ll
cwgdrl than d l k with l”

ong, , an may no go you

rauleton exclaimed, springing into the saddle.
A chlrrup tohis horse. a jungle of his long
13%;, and he dashed away. ending almost
11 . ~
BigDaleganedafterhim longand earnestly,
with visible admire. v

“ Durn men: he ain’tn good one—thet clean,

 

white stuff, an’ no mistake!" he ejaculated, as
he turned to his waiting steed.

“ Now, I’ll jest ride up an’ putt my peepers on
this hyar bogus Dick Royale—an’ keep ’em tharl
A skunk’s a skunk, an’ it’s hard fer ther critter
ter pass fer anything else. I knew thar war one
about. but be war under kiver so deep I c'u’dn’t
jest place him."

And thus communing with himself, the bor-
derman mounted and rode rapidly across the
plain, in the bright moonlight following the
Mordaunt trail as easily as by day.

One, two, three miles were quickly covered.
Then a revolver cracked sharply in the tall
grass a few paces south of the trail, and with a
ringing cry of agony Big Dale flung up his
hands and fell from his horse, stricken down by
the hand of an assassin!

CHAPTER XV.
A SERIOUS SITUATION.

“Now that we have been riddei of McBufi’
and his allies, I presume, Uncle R0 er, that our
first step will be to bring the dar ice to their
senses,” suggested Pauline Mordaunt, as the
trio, having watched 1heir deliverer, the Red-
Hand Sport, out of sight, turned toward the
wagons.

“Assuredly my dear; and we shall begin
0 erations in that direction at once, if you and

ellie feel that you are sufficiently recovered
from the effects of the late campaign.” Roger
Mordaunt returned, assuming a cheeriness he
was far from feeling.

“ I am ready for any measure necessary to
our safety,” avowed Nellie.

“As am I,” declared Pauline. “ In fact,
Uncle Roger, I am only fairly aroused.”

Mordaunt bestowed upon his fair kinswomanr
afond, lingering look. A suspicious moisture
dimmed the brightness of his gray eyes, as he»
turned his gaze upon the surround? g plain.

“ You’re a brave girl, Paullie,” h said, softly.
“ You are a true Mordaunt.

“But I am hopeful that the worst is over—
that neither of you will be put to afurther'
test. Jenkins shouldbe back within an hour,
and then we shall know exactly what to ex—

ct.

“But, papa, suppose Mr. Jenkins should be
delayed, or should fall into the hands of the
Apaches—what then?" asked Nellie, her face
suddenly clouding.

“That is a disquieting thought,” Mordaunt
replied. “But Mr. Jenkins was thoughtful
enough to provide for just such an emergency.
In such an event, we are to halt and go into
camp for the night at a motte, or timber island,
some five miles this side of Dead-Tree Knob.
When morning comes, if he has not returned,
we are to send a scout ahead to the Knob,
to ascertain the exact state of affairs at that

int.
p0“ Should the place have been invested by the
Indians, we are to fortify our position at the
motto as strongly as ossible and at once dis-
patch a runner to the idden Hope Mine for re-
enforcements.”

Pauline’s heart sunk. She could notaccept
her uncie’s seemingly hopeful view of the situ-r
ation. Without most co ent reasons, Long Pete
could not have given suc instructions.

Then, too, she_ felt that Roger Mordaunt knew
more than he cared to disclose just then.

A gloomy silence came over the little partv.

Arrived at the wagon in which the three-
negroes lay unconscious, the work of resuscita»
tion was at once Le 11.

A tedious task i proved. for the blacks had
been heavily dosed with a powerful soporiflc,
producing deep, deathlike sleep. .

Snowflake was the first to show signs of re-
turning animation, suddenly rising to a sitting
posture and staring around after the manner of
one thoroughly bewildered.

“ Mars’ Morda’nt l”

“ Well, ’F‘lakel”

“ Whar dat Pedro?" '

“ Why do you ask?” '

, The negro clinched his broad hands savagely.

“ I jess gwine ter kill de yaller rascal, dat.
why!” he gritted. “Le’ me out ch de we on!”

‘ Easy, 'Flake. Why should you ki the
man ’1'”
‘ “’Fore do Le.de he deserve it. I reckon 2'"
Then, sinking his voice to a mysterious whis r,
be continued: “Look heah,Mars’ Morda’nt, em
Greaser debbils drug us niggers dot dey might
kerry of! de young misses. Dat a fuck, now.
Dey iib us do drudg in/whiskjy, den laugh au’
talk ow dey leab e sign fo’ 9 boss to kem an’
git de gals. I heer’d ’em, but I c’u’dn’t move.

“ Jess let me git out, fo’ I gwine ter kill, dat.
Pedro, den Jose.” ‘ -

“ They are dead,” said Mordaunt, quietly, and

he then narrated what had hap ned, to the

unbounded amusement of his fait ful servitor.

“ Et sarve ’em -jess right, an‘ sabe me a heap
ob trubble, I ’spect,” was Snowflake’s only com-
ment.

When theltwo others had been revived and
the situation made knOwn to all, each was as»
signed a wagon and team, ’Flake having charge
of the rearmost.

Mordaunt and the two girls than remounted.
and rode forward at the head of the little mm.

 

          
 
 
     

‘ """‘~”-’l

  
  
 
 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. 13

 

 

“ We may count ourselves extremely for-
tunate,” Mordaunt observed. “ McBufl? had
laid his plans most cunningly, and the escape of
Jose placed our efforts at naught. I should have
tied the scoundrel to the wagon. It was a glar—
ing oversight, leaving him foot-loose.”

“An oversi ht that would have proved fatal
to us but for t e opprprtune arrival of ,that dar-
ing stranger,” said anline.

“ Royal Richard," Nellie murmured, half
aloud. “ With a little more than a simple trans-
position. it becomes Richard Royale. Singular,
isn’t it!"

Roger Morduunt started, glancing quickly at
Pauline.

“ It is, indeed, singular,” he returned, his
hopes visibly excited. “ Could it have been
Royule mas—”

“ Utterly out of the question!” Pauline quiet-
ly interposed. “ Trust me to recognize Dick
among ten thousand !"

Nellie looked keenly at the face of her fair
cousin. and as. she noted its fine expression a
sound akin to a breath of relief fluttered from
her lips.

Faint as it was, it did not wholly escape
Pauline.

“ At any rate, he seemed possessed of con-
siderable knowled 8 concerning Ruig McBuflZ,”
pursued Nellie. co oring vividly as s e caught a
glance from Pauline. “ He addressed him as
David Danton—Desperate Dave.”

“ Doubtless, the wretch is as well fixed as to
names as was the fabled cat with lives,” sug-
gested Roger Mordaunt.

“ but, be that as it may, I can’t rid myself of
the impression that we have not seen the last
of our deliverer—that he is, in some mystic, in-
tangible way, connected thh Ro ale.

“ And, in any event, we owe iim far more
than we shall 1i ely evor be able to return.”

“ I agree with you there,” avowed Pauline,
and then the conversation drifted into other
channels. *

The afternoon slowly wore away, the ap-
proach of night bringing with it a feeling akin
to dread.

So lame had the horses become that the motto
was not reached until long after the sun .had
disappeared beyond the hills to the westward.

The most fruitful source of alarm, however,
was the continued absence of Long Pete
Jenkins. -

Even Roger Mordaunt was forced to admit
that the situation was one of extreme gravit .

That the Apaches would attack the train ur-
ing the night, was more than probable; it was
almost an assured fact. i

All that could be done, however, was to fol~
Igolw implicitly the instructions Long Pete had

ven.

Accordingly, the three wagons were drawn
up in the form of a triangle, the horses securely
picketed, and sentries posted, while the girls be
gan preparations for sup r.

An old soldier, Roger ordaunt held firm!
to the belief that one man well fed was wort
two with their vital forces weakened by hunger:

About an acre in extent, the motto occupied
the crest of a slight elevation, the southern end
of which was formed by the overhanging batik
of a narrow, but deep and sluggish stream—at
once providing water for the party and revent-
ing an approach from that quarter. T e three
other sides sloped gradually downward from the
edge of the timber to the level of the plain.

Snowflake was posted at the northern edge
of the motto, another negro at the eastern ex-
tremity, and the third just within the border to
the westward. .

When Mordaunt and the girls had finished
their sup r, they relieved the negroes for half
an hour, oth Pauline and Nellie insisting on
sharing the guard duty.

This led to. a. furt er consideration of the
question, and it was deCided to divide the night
into two watches—Mordaunt and the girls tak-
ing the first, he and the three negroes the second
and more perilous.

Accordingly, Roger Mordsunt assumed Snow-
flake’s position, while Pauline and Nellie went
to the west and east, 1' tively. Each was
well armed, carrying, in a dition to a. pair of
revolvers, a fine repeating rifle.

, It was not without a tremor that Pauline took

up her beat, extending from the verge of the
stee creek-bank to a oint near the northern
hei- er of the motto. t was a peculiarly trying
ordeal, one worthy a Spartan maid.

But the camp must be guarded, _and the
negroes were not to be wholly trusted, Just yet;
for it was only too evident that they had not
fully recowred from the eflects of the drug ad-
ministered by the two Mexicans, Jose Nalaja
and Pedro Gin-manta.

Then, too, it served to turn be;- thoughts into
an entirely new channel. For a time she ceased

to‘brood over the DOD-appearance of her plightr

ed lover and to coanre up scenes of peril wher-'

finger Ethan) was the  a .

er oug to were 0 e grim resent.
Steadily, she walked back and3 forth, While
the moon crept higher and higher in the heavens,
its  yellow rays investing the) night with a
weird, mystic charm—a charm not in human
nature to withstand.-

So Pauline paced slowly to and fro, Egacdually
forgetting the environing danger, oming
only dreamin conscious of her real purpose
there. .

Thus two hours slipped by unheeded.

Then came the awa 'ening.

A shadow fell athwart her path.

Confronting her, his finger upon his lips to
enjoin silence, stood RugngcBuil'!

CHAPTER XVI.
AN INTERRUPTED REVELATION.

PAULINE Monnnunr recoiled sharply, her
gray eyes lillliig with a light akin to terror, her
face blanching to an ashy pallor.

Just an instant thus: then the glow in her
clear orbs changed to the fiery sparkle of anger,
while the red tide of intense indignation swept
aside the pallor of throat and cheek.

“Villain! go your way! Do not attempt to
molest me!” she exclaimed, drawing a small
revolver and slowly retreating until her back
was against the tree. “ This cowardly persecu-
tion must cease, now and here!”

H Girl-7’

“ Not another step, if you would live, Rugg
McBuifl”

Clear, cold and hard, as if from lips of ice,
the words rung forth, and McBufl shrunk back
space, a pained look on his dark, handsome
Visa e.

“ iss Mordaunt listen 1" he exclaimed, calm-
ly folding his arms across his superb chest.
‘ Believe me, I mean to do you no harm, even

by word or looki I am here to save you i”

“ To save me?” repeated Pauline, scornfully.
“ You save me? From what, pray i"

“ From a fate a hundred-fold worse than
death !” was the earnest reply. “ In the li ht of
past events, it may Seem incredible; ut I
swear, before the Great Judge of all men, that
it is 0!

“Listen: The train will be attacked to-night
and destroyed. A strong force of rene ade
Apaches, led by old Death-Eagle, the Merci ess
Wlll surround the motto, creeping closer an
closer in the tall grass of the prairie. When
they strike, note man will be spared. Roger
Mordaunt’s outfit will be blotted from the face
of the earth. You and your fair cousin will be
carried away to endure a life-long captivity
among the merciless red outlaws.”

The color had gradually faded from Pauline’s
face, and now a. choking, gasping sort of on
followad the words as an echo. She reeled, and
would have fallen but for the friendly tree at
her back.

Yet, her dread of Ru McBufl remained; the
muzzle of her weapon id not swerve.

A moment; then her trepidation vanished. It
was as if the peculiar expression mantling the
eager, handsome countenance of the desperado
had acted as a topic on her nerves. .

“Why do you tell me this—you, who, per-

haps, have prompted Death-Eagle to leave his
mountain haunts to make the attack?" she de-
manded almost fiercely, her gray eyes sparkling
vividly, the pallor creeping over her beautiful
face deepening to a hue almost deethlike. “Is
it a taunt—a partof your wicked revenge?”
’ “Pauline, you wrong me!” McBufl protested,
a slight uiver noticeable. in his voice. “ Be-
lieve me, have nothing to do with Death-Eagle's
contemplated attack. It is only by the merest
chance that I am here—here in a position to
help on, to do ood once instead of evil.

“ cars a o i lay in my power to save the
life of Dent -Eagle and his son, Three Bears,
and I did it—more’s the pity! Since that time
the chief has been outlawed from his tribe: he
and his followers are today Ishmaelites, with-
out friends, white or red, and a manner gang of
cut~throats never went unhung.

 

“Thi afternoon I fell into their clutches."

Death would have been my lot but for the chief,
who ordered myrelease and welcomed me to his

cam .

“ There I learned that our party was to be
attacked tonight—that t ey had singled out
your probable camp-ground and were lying in
ambush there.

“I then demanded of the chief life for life.
He made a pretense of acceding to the demand,
Biomisirngs t at‘yourself and your cousin should

. spa ,but in reality not altering in the
slightest his original design—to place you both
in life-ion capitivity.

“So, w an night came, .I left the Apache
camp, determined to seek you and put you on
your guard—to save you from certain doom, if
you would accept the service at my hand."

“ For all of which I am deeply grateful,” said
Pauline, slowly and dehberategz.

“ It is not strange that you ould doubt me,”
McBut! resumed, fancying he could detect just
a strain of sarcasm in the girl's even tones.
“Ihavedone enough to merit far more than
mgfii suspicion, and yet‘ it was done blindly,
in y.

“ The stery is too long for this time and this
place; let it snflioe, ust now. that your father’s
gold was the tongue that drew me on--up to a
certain sta . ~ . p '

“ Then became possessed of a wilder, more

 

alluring, t‘ infirm/us sort of hope—a hope that

:mightwe have tempted metovdestrnction.

 

   
  
 

 

 

_ “ Let it suffice that we accinnpiiflied our

\
Have you an idemwhat it was, Miss Mordauntv—
Pauline?"

The girl drew back just a trifle. There was a
glow in the dark eyes of the desperado she was
not pleased to note.

“ As we are utter strangers, Rugg McBufl,
it is not to be expected that I should have any
knowledge of the motives governing your ac-
tions,” she replied, coldly. \_

“ Only too true, Miss Mordaunti” and the
desperado inclined himself with great humility,
real or assumed. “ But I had hoped that on
might see fit to make my way in the task be are
me not altogether one of thorns.

“I have sought you out to make a clean
breast of it, and now I must speak plainly, even
at thorisk of apfinarin brutal.

“ In a word, iss ordauiit, I loved you—
slxall always love you!” and McBqu's voice
grew faint and tremulous with emotion. “ If—”

“ Enough l” Pauline sternly interrupted. {You
f0 'et yourself! I shall bear no more. Go!”

he words stung Rugg McBqu to the nick.
The semblance of weakness vanished. ith
flashing eyes he drew himself roudly erect.

“ Do not make a mistake, iss Mordnuutl” he
protested, coldly. “ I am not here to insult you,
but to perform a duty—a duty to which I have
awakened only too tardily. , ,

“ You are overshadowed by a great  '\
peril beside which the Apaches fade in o insig- i
m‘écvmce !”

auline vouchsafed not a word in response.
She simply stared at McBufl’ with e as expres-
sive of distrust and incrednlity. S 9 had no
fear of the desperado: her revolver covered him
and she was an expert in the use of the weapon.

“ And the worst feature of it all is that I have
helped to create that peril,” pursued McBufl,
after a moment of . intense silence. “In fact I.‘
misay that I was one of the principals of the
wic ed scheme.” V ,

A scornful- smile appeared on the white face 
of the girl. i ‘ 

“ That. at least, is worthy of credence,” she 
observed.  »- 1

A nin McBufl inclined himself. '

“ am happy to know that you are willing to 
credit at least a ortion of my statement!I he
exclaimed, bitter y.

“But, irkliome to you as is this interview, I .

,g.

 

“trust for your own sake on will hear me out. _ i  

“ I have sought you ere to clear my record ="
so far as you ,are concerned, to point out the ' , ,
pitfall I have helped to dig in your path.

“ Will you hear moi”

H  ll! . ‘

McBuff bowed his thanks, then in a slow,
steady .tonba tone betraying calmness at
thecost of bitter elicit-began his revelation;
saying: v

“ I am known as David Danton, agambler' ,,
and a desperado. ’It is not the name handed
down from father to son in bygone generations .
of my family; but it will answer here, and bets; '
ter, perhaps, than the genuine article, inasmuch
as it was under that title that I becamedn-
volved in the mercile- plot ‘to accomplish your '

destruction.

“ For some months st I have been closely
associated with a bi of the same feather,
known as Oscar Monshall, or ‘ The Parson,’ but
whose real name is Reuben Harpy.”

it"iiti‘iim r” h laimed the pin

on a y. s e exc J
of her eyes dila’tliig. “ Pray go on 1" pa

“Our 'relative positions, may be dd .
up very brief! ,” continued Danton as the es-
perado m ter be called. e was _
superior vil sin, and where he led I followed-m _«-
sort of flunky, or henchmen!” and he smiled
bitte‘r‘ly. I ' r ..
“ ell. we were engaged in a line of business
not strictly in accc once with the rules and
regulations laid down by Uncle am in his code;
and, as a natural result, We became much
sou t after; in brief, were hounded from place?
to ace by detectives. '

‘ It was during one of these forced march "

ust as we were enterin the gold-gangs
lephant Lode, Colorado,t atH y to]: 11p
a letter addressed to ‘ Richard Roya Samba,
0013234103 and which seemed never to have bear
ope . . ,, . v.
“ That letter. Miss Mordaunt, had been writ-
ten by you, and inclr-sed was a lengthy outnum-
nication from your father, dated in the Minibus
onPtheh2d oféfazgh.” I k t in g 
au'neu er a quic g 0 amp 89..
was as if a flood of light hadugeen turned upon
the strange occurrences of the _

“Go on—go on!” she ex med, h
trembling with a vague, indeflnable fear. “ '1'
me the worst, and have done with it i” . »

“ It is told only too soon, Pauline,” said Dan: ,
ton, clinchin his hands as if stealing himself.“
for a crucia ordeal. “Bitter black wot-kn,
lowed—and that I now would give half my life
to undo!  "’  f

“ We were hard pushed and almost pandas.
Inez-xiii; that Royals was in thecsmp, and flush
.we determined to relieve him of his new
fair means or foul. The fact that how , _

y’s cousin had no weight in the utter-mules
it was to simplify it! -

 

 
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
 
    
 
   
    
  
   
   

at week.

E

x .

 

"1‘ We“:  1.3   - .“  *' - :.

  

 

14

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

only to discover at the eleventh hour that Royale
was a detective, the leader of the men upon our
trail, and that he had—as Ihave since learned—
given Harpy due time and opportunity to clear
his skirts!

“ But, not content with having robbed his
cousin. Harpy was no sooner clear of the cam
than he began a yet deeper and more devilis
plot—the plot against you, basing his projected
operations upon the information contained in
the letter so singularly intercepted.

“ Richard Royale—"

“ Is here, scoundrel!” interpolated a clear,
ringing voice, and forth from the black shadows
beyond Pauline strode atall, handsome man. his
dark eyes fairly ablaze, his hands closed firmly
around the polished butts of his revolvers.

With a single swift, startled glance at the
strange, yet familiar face of her avowed lover,
Pauline Mordaunt took one step forward, then
with a wild cry sunk back in adead faint—to be
clasped in a pair of brawny, outstretched arms!

“ Waugh !”

That one guttural ejaculation, then up from
the waving grass of the plain sprung a score of
painted Apaches, with whoop and yell charging
straight upon Richard Royale and his foe!

 

CHAPTER XVII.
AFFAIRS IN THE TIMBER.

A MEDLEY of sounds—a piercing shriek, a
burst of war-whoops and a rapid crashing of
firearms-apprised Roger Mordaunt and his
daughter that the dreaded moment was at hand
—that the Apaches had at last appeared.

Both hurried toward the wagons, Nellie gain-
in their shelter atrifle in advance of her father.

glordaunt was met by Snowflake, looking
wild and startled, and gripping a revolver in
each hand.

“Whar Missy Pauline?” cried the negro, his
voice rising shrilly above the din at the edge o
the motto. ‘

Roger Mordaunt staggered back. His worst
suspicions were in afair way to be verified.

‘ Is she not here?” she demanded, hoarsely.
“Speak quickly, man—her life may depend
upon it!”

“ No; Missy Nellie come, but not Pauline!

“ Quick, now—ye’se’f. Mars’ Mordauntl Git
inside dar an’ keep dem boys at wu‘ck! I will

fer de young missy!” and fairly thrusting

ger Mordaunt into the shelter of the wagons,

Snowflake turned and darted toward the west-
ern border of the motto.

He was not to reach that point, however.

Thirty paces from the wagons he was met by
Royals. slowly retreating, stubbornly contest-
ing each foot of the way, his revolvers cracking
at almost every step.

Halting a moment, Snowflake took in the de-
tails of the situation so far as the gloom would
permit, then pushed forward to a position be-
side the stranger, crying:

“ Stiddy, boss—stiddy! an’ I‘ll gib yer a HP!”

At the same instant his revo vers began to
crack with a steadiness and effect that would
have done credit to a veteran. The Apaches
were pushing boldly forward, and at the same
time spreading from the center to right and
loft.

“They intend to flank us, and thus hem us
all: said Royals grimly, during a momentary

“ Do you come from the train i” ‘

“I does, boss. May I ax ef yersee’dagal
out dar on de plain?” ‘

“ I did—Miss Pauline Mordaunt. She is now
a. captive in the hands of the Apaches!”

There was a desperate ring in Royale’s voice.
It did not escape Snowflake.

“ Boss, may I ax yer—” '

“ Royan is my name—Richard Royale.

“ But here come the red—skins again, full-

, filtl Shoulder to shoulder. pardner, and we'll

drill moonlight through their ranks! Every
chamber’s filled, and each bullet good for a red
—if thgy crowd! Retreat to the wagons, and
make e ry shot count!”

Just in time, those swiftly-uttered words: for
with the last syllable Royale’s weapons began

I z to crack, discounting only by a breath the sharp

dual report of the revolvers of Snowflake.
Step by step the two fell back until the
wagons were reached—the coveted shelter
'ned. Then the dull roar of repeated vol-
: from,the rifles of Mordaunt and his party
took the place of the rattling discharge of re-
volvers; and the Apaches wavered, then beat a
quick retreat. '

‘“ Well done. my lads!” Roger Mordaunt ex-
claimed. nervously running his fingers throu h
his dark-gray locks. “They are hardly like y
to bother us again; but keep your eyes peeled!

“ Who have we here, Snowflake?”

" A "ricnd, Mars’ Mordaunt.”

“ Dick Royals, Mr. Mordaunt!” and the new-
coiner forward with extended band.

. “Ab! am glad on have come, Dickl”. ex-

3 lclaimed Mordaunt, c asping the proflered moms

. “You arenotabreath toosoon!
“ And Pauline—what of her, Snowflake?”
“ Captured by the Apaches!” volunteered

‘ 'Zoyale, quickly. “She was seized and born?

 

away at the very moment I reached her side,
the old devil having her in charge, holding her
up to shield himself!” v

Ro er. Mordaunt uttered a groan.

“ reat God! This is terrible!” he muttered.
“ What Will Jackson say i”

At that juncture Nellie came up, saying:

“ What is it, papa? What has happened to
Pauline? Tell me—has she been captured by
the Indians?"

“She has, my child,” returned Mordaunt,
brokenly. “ Heaven help her! I fear she is be-
yond our reach !”

“Not while life lasts !” Royals fervently
ejaculated; “for I shall follow them to the
end—even to their most remote mountain fast-
uess!”

“ Bravely spoken !” exclaimed Nellie, white to
the lips.

“ You are Richard Royale?”

“ I am. You have not for otten me?"

“No; and even in the g 00m, you look fa-
miliar.”

“And yet I have changed greatly, Miss
Nellie.

“But where is your guide, Long Pete Jen-
kins?”

Roger Mordaunt briefly explained the ab-
sence of the veteran plainsman.

“ And Big Dale, Mr. Royale~where is he?”
asked Nellie, abruptlfi.

Royals started. idden by the darkness, a

.most disagreeable expression crept into his face.

What a multitude of disquieting thoughts that
simple query brought in its train!

“ He is dead!” he replied, in subdued strains.

“ Dead!” exclaimed his auditors, visibly sur-
prised and distressed.

“Yes—another victim of the rent terror of
this region, the Apaches! e rode into an
ambush, and he was killed at the first fire.

“ It was only by the most desperate——”

“ Mars’ Morda’nt!” interrupted the voice of
Snowflake from one of the wagons.

“ Well, ’Flake?”

“ De debbils am er comin’ ter lock ho’ns wif
us ag’in—er creepin’ like snakes in the grass 1”

In good Season came the warning from the
faithful negro, for the next moment, with a
burst of yells and whoo that would have done
credit to an inferna legion, the renegade
A ches hurled themselves against de train.

ut not without bitter cost was that deadly,
almost resistless onslau ht! The rifles behind
the wagons opened in a. eavy, continuous roar
for a moment, to be superseded by the keen,
whip-like crack of revolvers and short, sharp
cries of triumph, hate and rage, telling of a
fearful hand—to-hand struggle!

Then, at the critical moment—at the juncture
when it seemed that the savages must triumph,
must force their way into the little inclosure by

sheer weight of numbers—there arose from the
the plain east of the motte‘a sound that struck _
contemation to the very souls of the Apaches, '

inspired the beleaguered travelers to die hights
elf heroism—the More of a bugle, sounding the
c arge

“Glory!” fairly yelled Snowflake. leaping up
and cracking his heels together.
’em! De sojers am er comin’! Good-by, Billy
Injun—gond-by! dis wale of tears knows yer no
moah! Golly I”

It was, indeed, with a feeling of the most in-
tense relief that the entire party noted the abrupt
fli ht of the Apaches.

here was no time for con tulatigéidjust then,
howeVer, for scarcely had t e last -skin dis-
appeared when from a point within the borders
0 the timber there came the bail:

“ Ho thar! Mordaunt!”

“ Long Pete Jenkins—Heaven be praised l”ex-
claimed Roger, joyously. Then an answer:

“ Hallo! hallo!”

“ Be ther coast cla’r, pardner?”

An afilrmative reply being
moment two men r 6 up to
horses wet and dripping.

“ Mordaunt, I‘ve fetched yer brother with me 1”
announced Long Pete, sententiously, as he
sprung from the saddle and proceeded to tether
his horse. '

The announcement drew forth a cry, half of
joy, half of“ praise.

er '

iven, the next
6 train, their

“ J ac son !" i '

“And thus the brothers met, hand in hand, eye
eye.

“ And my Pauline—where is she?” queried

Jackson Mordaunt, after a moment's silence.

Roger grew white to the lips. He attempted
to speak; but the words died in his throat.

Quick to note his brother’s agitation—himself
trembling With anxiety—Jackson cried: -

“ What evil has befallen her? Has—3’

“ Listen, uncle!” gently interrupted Nellie,
stepping forward and capturing his hand. “ It
is something terrible we have to ‘tell on, yet
you cannot regret it more keenly, more itterly,
thail do we! '

“ Your worst fears are realized l
captured by the Indians!”

And so t 9 hard task was accomplished—the
grim truth made known.

Not a word—even a sound—betrayed the
heart-reading agony of Jackson Mordaunt.

Pauline was

 

“ Pour it into'

. traces of his previous harshness.

 

Among strangers, his stoical silence might have
passed for indifference; but the little cluster of
friends about him knew that his grief was deep
and bitter.

“0h! Lawd!” groaned Long Pete, with a.
tumultuous sigh; “I’d ’a’ sworn on a Bible it
war a-comin’! I’ve felt it in my old bones for a.
week!

“But we’ll foller ther cusses—dern ’em! an’
we’ll git the gal, too!

“That’s w’ot I will, ardnerl" and his great
hands closed 5 mpat etically upon Jackson
Mordaunt’s shou ders.

Hopeful enough, truly; but a stray moon~
beam, shooting down through the interlacing
boughs and across the giant borderer, showed a
face of deathlike hue!

And yet Jackson Mordaunt saw cause for
hope, in that same visage; for the blue eyes
were all aglow, and back of that unnatural
pellet was something grimly suggestive of
dauntless courage—of fixed determination!

“You’ll do it, Pete, if mbrtal can—Heaven
bless you!” he muttered, brokenly. Then, with
outstretched hands, turning abruptly to his
brother:

“ Rest assured, Roger, that I attach no blame
to you or yours! Such is the fortune of war,
and we should be duly thankful that Nellie is
spared to us."

“You are certainly correct, Mr. Mordauutl
No blame attaches to any member of your
brother’s arty!” and Royale ste ped to the
front. “ hen I say that I am ick Royale,
and Pauline was captured within three paces of
me, then you may see where the blame rests—if
blame there be!”

“ You here, Dick! This is indeed a surprise!”
exclaimed Jackson Mordaunt, and he proceeded
to bestow upon his prospective son—in-law a.
fitting welcome.

“ I regret that it was utterly impossible for
me to arrive sooner,” pursued Royals. detailing

v such of the incidents of the capture as he deem-

ed of most importance, just then. “But I
shall strive to make amends by keeping in the
van of the pursuing party.”

“Ye’ll do nothin ov ther sort!” averred
Long Pete, with considerable acarbity. “I’ve
got that leetle matter in charge. an’ tliar’s on'y
tvi’o men on top 0v this hyar footstool wo’t kin
take a. hand! They be Big Dale an’ Dan
'Yuba!”

“ An’ speakin’ ov Big Dale—he sh’o’d be hyar,
Ireckon.’

“ No; he was killed by the Apaches, to—dayl”

Long Pete leaped fully a fact into the air.

“Rubbed out by reds!” he ejaculated,
shrilly. “Say it ag’iu, pardner! I—I— My
pard wiped out—ther dandy whirly-gust ov
de’th and deestrnction ov ther ull son’—
west! It don’t seem right—it don’t! Say it.
ag’in, pardner! Slow an easy—fer I can’t be-
lieve it!”

“It is a fact, nevertheless," affirmed Royale, '

uietly. “ We were ambushed by three

paches, and Dale Keith—Nature’s nobleman,
every inch of him—fell from his saddle at the
first fire!” '

“ An’ ther 'Pachesi” gritted Jenkins.

Royals tapped his revolver butts significantly.

" I buried poor Dale just where he had fallen,
then rode forward, eager to finish my journey,”
he said, in conclusion.

Just a ficment Long Pete stood grim and
silent, the awkwardly put forth his hand,
sa mg:

‘ oung teller, shake! Ef ye wiped out them
durnedvreds, an? planted Dale, es ye say, I owe

e one
y “ And we’ll souare the matter b my join—’

“ I didn’t say that I” interrupts Jenkins, in
an expostulawry tone, in which was noticeable
“ No! I must
foller thet trail, alone!” .

“ But, surely, you will take a number of the
soldiers with you! It would he suicide for one
man to undertake such a mission !” remonstrat-
ed R0 ale, visibly nettled.

“ ebbe; but better that than ther risk 0v
de’th tor ther gal,” was the cool response. “ Es
fer blue-coats—wal, if thar’s one within fifteen
or twenty miles, I’d miss my guess!”

“ But the bugle?”

Jenkins produced and held up to view the‘in—
strument in question, saying:

“ On’ a ruse tor scatter ther reds, ye see. I
always erry it on trips like ther present one.

“ But. friends. I’m ofl! Ef I ain’t back by
daybreak, pull ahead fer ther Hidden Hope, an’
we‘ll j’ine ye ther, Pauline an’ me.

“ Er Dan Yuba shows up. put him arter me,
hot-foot! Fer work like this, he’s ekil ter a
regiment, every time!” .

At that instant, forth from the adjacent
shadows strode a~ man—a short, solidly-built
(anew, a dwarfed Hercules. -

“ Ye bet, ole pard! That’s me-twenty—four
carats 'fine. an’ not ter rust!” he exclaimed,
striding boldly up to the wagons. “W’ot’s in
ther Wind now? Got a bee-tree tor bu’st, or is
it on’y a few red-tops!”

Long Pete was at a loss for words suitable to
e ress his satisfaction. -. /

e new-comer was ‘none other than the re-
doubtable Dan ana! v

 

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xxw‘l   A. a.

 

   

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

15V

 

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
WITHIN THE ENEMY’S LAIR.

“YE wire the lad, an” no mistake I” the Giant
Ranger cried, as he sprun forward and greeted
Yuba with a beai'~like ug. “ An’ how’d ye
leave Black Feathers an‘ his bucks?”

Before the dwarfed Hercules could reply, a
strange sound greeted the ears of the party,
coming from the prairie to the westward.

“Hark!” ejaculated Yuha, gliding out from
the long arms of the gangling giant. “ What’s
thet?”

All listened intently. A moment, and then
came the report of firearms, mingled with
fierce, warlike yells.

“ Ef it ain’t dog eat dog—blame me!” uttered
Long Pete, in a tone betraying no slight degree
of satisfaction. “ Yuba, ye’ve gone an’ did itl"

“ Jes’ so, pardl Ther renegade reds hev run
smack-dab inter Black Feathers’s band!” com-
placently declared the scout. “But that ain’t
ther hull ov it, pardnerl

“ Ther renegades hevn’t a hoof left! Twenty
odd—aw I got ’em all J”

6‘ Ha I”

“ Right at the aidge ov ther tlmber,” Yuba
continued, with his thumb pointing over his
shoulder. “ I kalkilated another party w’u’d be
able ter use 'em arter the’r Kilkenny cats’ tus-
sel, an’ I jist brought ’em inter camp.

“ But w’ot on airth’s wr0ug with ye, folkses?
Cain’t see much, but ye seem as glum as a
corpus at a picnicl Anybod killed, or—
Great Rockies! bet a boss the re s got a gall”

“ Ye’re right, Dan l” returned Long Pete,
with renewed gravity. “ They’ve kerried ofl?
Pauline, Jackson’s darter. I war jest startin’
on the’r trail when ye kem up.”

“ Edzactlyl” and Yuba nodded violently.
“I might ’a’ knowed it sooner—ef I’d on’y ’a’
stopped ter argie the matter a leetle. Folkses,
I see’d yer gal not ten minutes ago!”

“W’ot’s that?” demanded Jenkins, his -voice
rising above the ejaculations of the other mem—
bers of the rty.

“ J es’ as say, Pete! While I war busy with
the critters, a party ov five or six passed me
’bout three hundred yards ter ther north’ard,
ridin’ like ther wind straight for ther foot-hills;
an’ I’m putty sart’in I caught ther flutter ov a
female’s garmintl

“ An’ at each war ther case, it’s domed lucky
she war speerited off so, fer ef she’d bin caught;
in that whirly-gust goin’ on out thar— Wal,
I’d pity her friends a heap more than I dol

“ Strad ile hose, Pard Pete. It’s a leetle
resky, but we’ll jump right on ter ther trail
while it’s hot.” 4

Even before he had ceased speaking, Dan
Yuba turned. toward the captured animals to
select mounts, knowing that they were in prime
condition.

Snowflake hurriedly brought forth Pauline’s
saddle and bridle, which he placed upon a horse
selected by Jenkins.

Five minutes later, followed by a unanimous
godspeed, the two bordermen rode forth from
the motto, Jenkins leading the horse for Pauline,
Yuba an extra animal for an emergency.

“ Due north, pard,” uttered the dwarfed Her-
cules, as the swept around the border of the
timber. “ e’ve got ter circle wide ter keep
our skirts cl’ar ov that fracas out than”

“ Ye bet ” was the grim response. “ Reckon
we wouldn t amount for a hossfly in a hornets’
nest in that muss.”

“ At any rate. it’d hurt our chainces, for some
0v each rty air bound ter pull through an’ git
back to t eyr camp,” observed Yuba.

“ But I say, Pete, didn’t I see young Royals
back tharl”

“ Ya~as, ye did.”

“ But I didn’t see Dale, pard,” pursued Yuba,
interrogatively. _ .

“ No, pard, ye didn’t. W’ot’s more, ye‘ve
looked er last on pore Keith," and Jenkins re-

ted oyale’s story of the death of their fel-
, ow-borderman. . .

Great was the griefexmted by the narration.
The three had been as brothers, so closely inter-
linked hall their lives become.

' For a space of several minutes neither uttered

a word. Their courso had changed from north
to west. Then, as it swerved to the southward,
Yuba ventured to ask: '

“An’ Royals, Pete—th does he Size up?”

Jenkins gave vent to a significant grunt.

“’Taln’t for me ter say much. Dan,” he re-
turned, with evident restraint; “ but betwixt
us, he ain’t ther teller 1 bed expected an’ hoped
tar see. Mind ye, I ain’t sayin’ a word!
’Twouldn’t he that chean white thing jist yet.
Ye kin ’most always jedge ther depth ov a cl’ar
stream; but ther same water error a. storm, ’u’d
be a darned onsart’in thin 3’,

“ Ev’ry time,” assented gifuba.

“ Now, keep yer eyes open, pard, for it’s time-

we hit that trail.”

“An’ mebbe a_ few scatterin’ ’Paches, too, of
that trail leads inter ther renegade camp.” sup-
plemented Long Pete. “ Ther tussle back thar
airs over with, an’ w’ot reds airs left will likely
hunt theyr hole, lookiu’ fer blue-coats at ev’ry

jum .n
‘ \ “I heerd ther bugle,” said Yuba, smiling
grimly. ’

'i

 

“"But hyar’s ther trail, an’ now we’ll cork
up.

A brief examination served to confirm the be—
lief that it was the trail of the party seen by
Dan Yuba, and Without loss of time the tireless
pards were again in the saddle.

For upward of two hours, they pushed stead-
ily along, the moon affording ample light by
which to follow the plainly<marked trail.

Fi‘aught with weird excitement, with deadly
Eeril, was that midnight chase across the plain;

ut the pards were iusensrble to the one, cared
naught for the other.

Not until they were within the foot-hills did
they again dismount, this time in the midst of a
thick cluster of trees at the mouth of a gloomy-
looking gorge.

“ Thar’s ther outlet ov ther renegades’ den,”
uttered Long Pete, iii a cautious tone, inclining
his head toward the dismal opening.

“ Ye’re right. Petesy l” responded Yuba, as
guardedly. ‘ Ther question now arises, W’ot
aire we goin’ ter do, an’ howl”

“ Fu’st ov all, we‘d cetter get the horses under
kiver, ter ther north’ard, round ther foot-hills,"
Jenkins suggested, after a moment’s cogitation.
“ ’Twon’t do ter leave ’em hyar.”

“ N o; fer ten ter one, Death-Eagle’s soouts an’
spies ’u’d hit on ’em in less than an hour.”

.“ We‘ll jist call that p’int settled,” declared
Jenkins. “Then, arter we’ve cached the crit-
ters in ther Chaparral north, we’ll seek an un-
guarded p’int at which ter enter ther camp. We
cain’t use this gorge, for we might as well tackle
a masked battery.” .

“Jes’ so, pard; for at any ov ther reds hev
got back ter camp, ye kin bet high thar’s a
purty ambush planted up thar in the gorge,
sum’ers.” ‘

Remounting, the trailers cautiously skirted
the foot-hills, keeping well within the shadows
of the timber, until they had reached a point
close upon a mile from the mouth of the
gorge, and at which the desired shelter was to
be had. .

Having Secreted the horses, they carefully ex-
amined their weapons, then commenced the as-
cent of the hill, intent on approaching the
iApache camp from the rear, each carrying his

stint.

Contrary to their expectations, it was but a
few minutes until they had reached a point
whence the lodges were visible.

At the foot of a long and at times precipitous
slope, directly before them, in a great patch of
the hills, lay the temporary village.

The descent of the pards was by no means
rapid. The better part of an hour elapsed be-
fore they gained a position from which they
could secure a satisfactory view of the pocket.
As for the encampment, there was .not yet
enough of it visible to indicate its strength or
arrangement.

“Slow an’ easy, pardl” uttered Long Pete as
a grew] of impatience esca ed Dan Yuba. “ Nich-
be we’ll t thar ter-nig ' t—mebbe not” for a
week. It s a big kawe’re pla in’ for.

“ Thet’s jest it i” Yu 9. gritte . " It’s a big
stake. Ef it war on’y a passel ov furs. or a
bunch ov hoofs, I‘d lay by a month with never a
whim rl

“ e aire goin’ down thar this night, Pete, of
it takes a laig!”

“ Goodenoughl” assented the gangling giant,
“ I’m thinkin’ ther same way—cf it brings no
resk ter Pauline.

“ Now, le’s work down a leetle we ter that
bit ov timber jest this side ov t er pocket.
Seems as if ther’ might be good kiver than”

‘ézgiet’s our p’int,” Yuba acquiesced, and they
gli forward. r

The cluster of trees proved a point even more
advantageous than the pards bad suspected. the
spreading branches shutting out the moonlight
and affording, at the same time, an excellent
view of Deat -Eagle’s lair.

In fact, Long Pete at once 'umped to the con-
clusion that they had stumb ed upon about the
weakest point of what now appeared to be an
almost impenetrable stronghold. '

All around the pocket arose cliffs, varying in
hight from twenty to two hundred feet, with
here a patch of bushes, there a mass of clinging
vines, to break their gray. rocky bleakness.

So far as could be seen, the gorge was the only
direct avenue leading to or from the pocket.

The trees among which Long Pete and Dan
Yuba found themselves extended to the verge of
the precipice—at that point a sheer descent of
only twelve or fifteen feetand thence below, but
of a greatly diminished Size, a considerable dis-
tance across the level '

Quickly noting these features of their sur-
roundings, the trailers proceeded to bestow up-
on the camp proper a more lengthy and earnest
scrutiny. ~

No sign of life was visible: the lodges, in light
and shadow alike, seemed wholly deserted. ‘

“Thei- bucks aire all down in that gorge, in
ambush,” muttered LongDPete, chuckling, as he
produced his lariat. “ an, squat right hyar
an’ wait. I’m goin’ down.” . i v‘

Yuba simply nodded. He knew exactly what

i part be: was to take in the contemplated nes-
cue. J '

; Securing the end of the lax-int is a tree,le

 

   

 

kins adjusted the noose beneath his arms and
slipped silently over the verge, to be lowered
slowly and steadily by the powerful arms of the :
dwarfed Hercules. ‘
A moment passed, and the lariat grew slack.
Then came a slight jerk, indicating that it was
to be drawn u .
Long Pete enkins was within the lair of the
enemy.

 

CHAPTER XIX. '
WHAT DESPERATE DAVE DANTON HEARD.

THE expression that came u n Dave Dan—
ton’s face when confronted by ichard Royan
on the border of the motto, was simply, utterly
indescribable.

His eyes met those of his toe with a glare in
which was murder—his hands went dewn to his
weapons with the swiftness of thought.

Nor were the feelings or the actions of self-
styled Royale discounted, even in the slightest.

That there, had been had blood between the
two men was apparent. The rupture was not a:
new one. .

Their differences were not to be settled then
and there, however.

The sudden and entirely unexpected uprising
of the Apaches on all sides put an adjustment, '
amicable or otherwise, out of the question for
the time being, if not forever.

Royals sprung back just in time to escape be-
ing hemmed in, turning his revolvers upon the
red outlaws with such effect as to enable him to
beat a retreat to the Mordaunt train.

On the other hand, Danton was not so fortun-
ate. Caught in the midst of the onward rush of
the Apaches, he was laid senseless by a hard
blow from the fist of a tomahawk.

No sooner had Royals retreated into the tim-
ber than Pauline’s captor appeared from the
shelter of the tree behind which he had dodged,
and started rapidly across the plain, bearing . j

i

the unconscious girl in his long and powerfu
arms. .
At a sharp, business-like command from him,» , u ‘
four of the warriors secured Danton and been, }
ingkhim in their midst, followed in their chief’s 
wa e. ‘- ’
The strange procession made its way duo"
northwest across the plain for perhaps a fourth
of a mile, then halted in a depression in which - ,
avers six horses under the charge of a solitary \
rave. . ‘ ‘
Upon one of the animals Danton was bound,
Mszeppa-like, and then the chief mounted an~ 
other again taking Pauline iii his arms.
“ If Long Lance succeeds as well as has Three ‘
Bears, he will have good reason to be proud of ,
his night’s work!” he exclaimed in the Apache 7 . j

tongFe. . - ' ,
“ hree Bears is a great chief. He has caps Z 2
tured a prize that ‘will brighten his lodgq”.  j
averred a lean, scrawny-looking savage, gazing ";
hungrin at the face of the beautiful captive. 1 5
f‘ Thin Beaver talks well,” returned Three. ~ '
Bears. 5‘ Let him hear my greeting to Long ‘
Lance, saying to him that I wish him success. \‘
The four remaining savages having mounted,;_
the cavalcade then rode away to the foot-hills, «
while Thin Beaver, relieved of the horses, swift- _
1y approached the train. ’ .
Not until within the bounds of Death-Eagle’s ;:
encampment did either Pauline or Danton give ,,
any in ication of returning consciousness. ;
Arrived there, Pauline was at once carried by;
Three Bears to a lodge standing Close in against
the face of an overhangin cliff at the western.
side of the pocket, where s e was placedfiipon a
couch or pellet of skins and securely pinioned. y
Danton,‘ feigning, semi-insansibihty, covertly; 
watched all that was visible of the proceeding/g;
from his uncomfortable position. - , .' V
On the return of Three Bears. the de redo
was taken from the back of the horse a half- “
carried, half-dragged through the cam .and
into a lodge in the shadows 0 a clump 0 trees
near the eastern extremity of the poo et. ' -
Then the braves retired, leaving their chip!
with the apparently;I unconscious captive. .
Danton elt that is fate was scaled. . .
The expression upon the face of Three fiesta
was not mistakable. He was simply awaiting,
a full return of ,consciousuess. His captive was"
unarmed, and, all_ things considered. the able!
could well afford, just then, to hide his time.
Dave Danton was quite willing that the evil
moment be deferred. - His mind was I lance
tive. He hoped, almost against hope, y t to dos.
vise ways and means to extricate himself from‘
his decidedly perilous predicament. 5
Several minutes slipped by in silence, without
any indication of impatience on the part of tho.
imperturbable Three Bears. Then the flap cove
erinfiltbe entrance was lifted. and Deatthagh’
the erciless. glided into the lodge. "5 
An evil smile was upon his face, and his W
eyes littered wickedly as he glanced at Danton.
. “ ow is he. Bani” he queried, in 
English, indicating, with a jerk of his headytho
ca vs. V ' u .,
R Bis wits are wool thering, pap,“ war ,
gnardedly—uttered re y, in the some '4:
“ Fact is, we mi it in permitting him
leave the camp at all.” ’ " " .
“‘So we did—so we did,” acquiesced the elder“
“But it did not occur to me that the at,

 

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ROyal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

might be in a position to impart information so
much to be desired.”
, A strange thrill shot through Dave Danton.

It was only by a strong effort that he kept
from betraying his real condition, mental and
physical.

he truth was out, and a grim, significant
truth it was.

DeatlrEagle, the Merciless, and the equally
notorious Three Bears were white men, masquer-
ading as renegade Apaches!

“ In fact," pursued the chief, “I did not give
the matter the thought it really deserved.

" I saw nothing deep in the fellow; he seemed
only a sort of roving s rt—just the kind of a
galoot he professed to e—and, as he had once
done us splendid service, I let him slide.”

“ And regretted it within fifteen minutes,”
added Three Bears, bending over Danton and
noting his condition.

“Exactly! I had wondered what could have

l brought a wagon-train, such as our scouts re-
rted, up into‘ this region; but I confeSS that
it never more than vaguely occurred to me that

that fellow might be able to explain it all.” '

“ He can do that, and much more," Three
Bears averred, as be seated himself beside the
captive, in a position to note the slightest change
in the upturned face. “In short, he can let ll]
on certain matters such a flood of light as
will make this the grand turning-point of our
lives!”

(I Eh?”

“ Now, just sit down, pap!” exclaimed Three
Bears, with an impatient gesture. “ And re-
member, I mean just what I say. School your
nerves for something wholly unexpected; for
‘ I’ve a tale to unfold '—a chapter of discoveries
strange, startling, wonderful!"

Visibly excited, Death —Eag1e obeyed. To
him, the expression upon the face of his villain-
ous son was possessed of a peculiar significance.
hHe drealized that a crisis of some sort was at

an .

“Speak it out, Ben!” he ejaculated ‘nnin
wolfishly. “If it promises anythin’ grill} thg
way of a change from this mode of lifie, let us

 

have it. I’m heartily tired of our present posi-
r , . tion!”
“ Here, too!

And I tell you, pap, I’m going

to leave it, at once—this very night!”

7 Then in a low, husky tone, as he abruptly

v- leaned'forward, staring straight at his father’s

" painted face:

“ Do you know whose train it was we attack-
ed to- night?”

Death-Eagle started, then gave his head a
negative snake,

“ Your question is a

. insinuating smile. “ a I ask—”

‘ Then," out in Three ears, “let me tell you
that it was made up of what is left of the
families of our old friends, Messrs. Jackson and

»  er Mordaunt!”

. . ‘ The Mordaunts I Impomible!” and the
chief of the Red Renegades gained his feet, to
all appearance wild with excitement.

Three Bears smiled exultantly.

. “Not at all—it is an assured fact!” be de-
clared, positively. i

“But, sit down—sit down, and keep quiet!
There is far more to do i”

‘ miAgain the chief obeyed, weak and trem-
’ nan:

“Go on—let me hear it all!” he panted, rather
than said. “ Perhaps the hour I have awaited
so long is at hand!”

, “Just arrived!” asaeverated Three Bears,
cynically. “ See here, pap, you must buckle
down on that excitable imagination of yours.
It’ll lead you into a strait-jacket if you con-
tinue to indulge it, for time is precious. Do you

- understand 3”

’ A sullen nod was the only reply.

, . _ “ N ow to recapitulate a trifle, proceeded the

' . _, younger villain.

, ' ' “Asyon are aware when this fellow whom
we have known as JWhite Panther left the
camp, he was closely followed by myself and a

selected squad of braves, for from his actions I

that he would go direct to the train
a worn it of our ambush on the crest of Dead-

, Tree Knob, and I was determined to baffle him
.ifitlay inm power. V

’ “ To cut a ong story short, he found that the

 Mordaunts had not reached the Knob, and he

, pushed across the plain to intercept them.

I “ Long Lance had wn impatient at the de-

lay when we reach the Knob, and sent for-

. ward with us a runner to ascertain the where-

abouts of the train.

' We learned that, contrary to our expecta-

tions, the Mordounts had 9 into camp at the

lone Timber, and, while 1: e runner went back
to fetch up Long Lance and his party, we left
our , and under covsr of the grass up

Md to within a dozen feet of the western

edge of the motto.

' It chanced that one of the ’rls had been

I there as a sentry, and with n three min-

utes- it was perfectly clear to me that I had ar-

rived just in the nick of time to overheara most
interesting revelation.

.r “ For, scarcely bad I settled into a comfort-

able position to await the arrival of Lon Lon

when he should appear before

r,” be said, with an

   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
    
  
    
       
 
    
 
 
    
    
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
     
   
 
 

 
    

    
     

     
 

  

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09, _
the girl but

this galoot here—Rugg McBufl’, Dave Danton,
or White Panther, just as you choose to call

1m.

“ It is needless to repeat all that passed be-
tween the two. McBufif, it seems, had become
enamored of the girl, Pauline Mordnunt, and
his passion had gotten him into trouble with the
entire party; but, to curry favor, he told the
girl that the train was surrounded, pleaded his
cause, and ‘ ’fessed up‘ to any number of mis-
deeds, all in one breath.

“ And now comes the astounding part of the
affair.

“ You remember Dick Royals?"

A wicked gleam appeared in the eyes of the
old chief.

“ Only too well, my son!" he gritted, his
voice hoarse with vindictive hatred. “ Curse
him! wasn’t it he who nosed out our connection
with the Royale-Mordaunt crash and forced
us to leave for the West between two Mays, five
years ago? '

“Yes, yes! I remember him! Am I not to
to this day hunted, yet dreaded, as the Branded
Viper?”

“ Well and good!” uttered Three Bears. “ Let
it suffice, just now, that you have not forgotten
Dick prale. He’ll never trouble your or yours
again.

“ What—what mean you, Ben?"

“Brother Rube has avenged our wrongs !”

Death-Eagle seemed dazed at the bare an-
nouncement. He stared blankly at the face of
his evil son, his own hideous visage working
convulsively.

Then with a bound he suddenly gained his
feet, flinging u his hands and uttering a shriek
of wild, fierce eli ht.

“ Rube—Rube tinny!” he enunciated, his
tones sinking to a whisper, his clinched hands
beating against his breast, after a maniacal
fashion. “ Ah! Duke Harpy! you have not
lived the past three years in vain!

“ Where is he, Ben?"

“With the Mordaunts, in the guise of his foe.
Dick Royals,” and Ben Harpy proceeded with
his narrative, repeating nearly all that had
gassed between Dave Danton and Pauline Mor-

aunt at the edge of the motto.

"Recognizing Rube, at the last moment, I
gave orders that he was not to be harmed,” he
said, in conclusion. “No sooner did he speak
than I penetrated his disguise.

“And now, pap, as soon as this guloot can
speak, we must pump him dry—then put an end
tohis meddling. I am morally sure the Mor-
daunts have stumbled upon some sort of a big
pay-streak up in these bills—a pay—streak which
it behooves us to take pos5ession of.

“ I haven’t the remotest doubt that Rube has
been working in the same direction, although it
must be admitted that his old-time passion for
Pauline may have been hisR'uling motive.

“ At any rate, if Long Lance and his braves
are successful, Rube and Roger Mordaunt’s
dau hter will be brou ht in between now and
day ight, captives. 9 must throw aside this
disguise, assume )an attire becoming civilized
gentlemen, make a mock rescue of the girls, and
with them and Rube leave this place forever,
goin by way of the secret pass.”

“ t can be done,”\declared Duke Harpy, nod-v
ding his approbation, his brain working with
feverish rapidity upon the details of the scheme
suggested. “ Both of us have changed greatly
—sogreatly in fact. that there is little or no
risk of rec ition.

“ But if ong Lance fails?”

“Then we shall seek Rube, later on,” Ben
Harpy returned. “ We must join hands with
him in this matter, for than. With the axes tion
of poor Mad e, the Brood of the Branded iper
wou’ld‘again complete and well-nigh invinci-

ble.

“ Poor Madge! she is dead and out of her
misery long ago. fear!” uttered the old chief,
with a sound aki to a sigh. “Surely, we had
cause to hate Dick Royale! Had—” _

The flu of the tent was at that juncture lift-
ed. revea ing the face of an A be brave.

Duke Harpy sprung to his set. The hoarse,
almost unintelligible jargon coming from the
ll of the savag‘e warned him that an unexpect-

peril was at and. '

‘ You are needed, p—go!” r

“ And Danton, there?”

“ Leave me to deal with him! Just youre-
member my plans and act accordingly.”

01d Hat-3y, with a muttered imprecation,
sullenly str e out of the lodge, his son follow-
inghim to the entrance.

ave Danton covertly noted the move. .

“ Now is the time i” be thought, and he stealth-
ily arose from the pallet.

At that instant, Ben Harpy turned—an oath
escaping him as he noted the attitude of his cap-

/

uva.

Without a breath of hesitation, Danton, al-
though wholl unarmed, sprung straight at the
throat of his separate foe.

CHAPTER XX.
some 'ro nscarn.

“HOU'ND, on have heard all !” screamed Ben
Harpy, mad , as he recoiled, and with drawn
knife awaited the furious must of Desperate

i . ,

a

 

\ 1

tense of incredulity.

 

Dave Danton. “ You have played the eaves-
dropper! You have learned our Secrets. I’ll
kill you—I’ll kill you!”

Danton halted. It was only too plain that
the renegade held the winning hand—that strat—
egy must take the place of force. He pressed
his hands to his head; his face assumed a dazed
look; he seemed both startled and mystified by
Harpy’s ferocious threat.

“Kill me!” he ejaculated, staggering like a.
drunken man, u bile a puzzled smile crept over
his bloody features. “Kill me I Come: don't
make a song of it, Three Bears. I could stand
’most anything better than music like that .’

“ Going to give me the knife, eh!l Well, I
wouldn't be a bit surprised if you did, you
idiotic red donkey! A red-skin is a red-skin the
world over!”

“ Oh, but I ain’t a red-skin, you know!”
promptly protested the renegade, savagely
shaking his head. “ I’m just as White as you
are, every Whit, and it’s useless for you to at-
tem t to conceal your knowledge of the fact!

“ on have taken a mean advantage of us,
to play the eavesdropper in furtherance of some
end of your own, and I reckon it'll be serving
you just right to put you out of the way!”

“And; you are just as white as I am !” ex-
claimed Danton, assuming an air of profound
incredulity.

“I just am !” iterated the renegade. “ I am
no more an Apache than you are. My skin is
white, and my name is Ben Harpy!

“And‘maybe you’ve heard that same name
before?”

“ Harpy !” Danton echoed, with a start.
“ Have heard it before? Say, you—you cross-
;g‘ained’cussl I’ve a pard named Harpy—Rube

a y.

“ h, yes; I suppose so.”

“ Fact! And we‘re on the biggest lay of our
lives, just now. In a word, we’re working to
obtain possessxon of a gold~mine—a treasure-
deposit discovered in these bills by one Jackson
Mordaunt, an old-time enemy of my ard.”

“Oh, you are, are you?” exclaim the rene-
gade, jeeringly, controlling himself by a master
effort. “ A likely story, that, Dave Danton.
Maybe you’ll have the kindness to sit down and
give us the scheme in de ‘ .”

“ And maybe I won’t!” quoth Desperate Dave,
readily penetrating his captor’s shallow pre-
“ I may die here, but I
shall not spoil my partner’s game by blabbing
it. Of that you may be sure, for Rube y
and myself have trained togethertoolong or
one to attempt to better himself to the injury of
the other.

“ No, sirree, my frisky Benjamin! Kill, and
be hanged to you. I can’t die younger.”

The very coolness of the words seemed to
startle the renegade. He stared steadily at his
captive a full minute. -

‘ See here, pnrdy,” he at length broke forth,
making a movement as if about to sheaths his

' knife; “ see here—what’s your little game, any-

wayl—A blufll”

“Try me and seel”‘returned Danton grimly,
a mocking smile again crossing his bloodstained
felpilrres' ood !” in n ‘

cry g was a equa y in response.
“ To begin with, how much of wghgt passed be-
tween my father and myself did you overhear?”

“ Enough to convince me of two facts.”

“ Name them, then.”

“ The first is, that you come within a sprat of
most effectually blocking your brother’s game,o
to ni ht l” ' ‘

u 0 on.”

“ That you are just now making a first-class
donkey of yourself." \

Ben Harpy bowed profoundly, then deliber-
ately returned his knife to its place in his belt.

“ You may be right—I give you the benefit of
the doubt,” he observed, a. crafty glitter in his
6 es. “ If, as you claim, you are the Ford of

obs Harpy, there shall be no bad b cod be-
tween us.

“Can you back up that claim?” ,

“ Oh yes—and most willingly, I assure you;
for, to frank about it, Rube and I aiebuck-
ing against heavy odds, and a little help from
the roper quarter wouldn’t come amiss. ’

“ 1: other words, the game is open to us if, we
choose to enter?”

“rThat is for Rube to say. By this time he is
firmly installed in the midst of the enemy as
Richard Royale—if the train escaped from your
red-skins.”

“ It did,” was the terse response. “ We have
just learned that, owing to the unexpected or-
rival of a strong squad of blue-coats, our braves
were forced to retreat.”

“ All the better for Rube.

“ But here—a glance at these papers should
convince you that I have accurate y described
thlef gelations existing between Rube and my-
se . -

As he spoke, Danton drew from an inner

ket a small packet of papers, which he ‘
mded over to his captor.

Be Harpy grasped at it eagerly-so eogerl , '

n
in fact, that it s
groan .

pped from hishandtote

d . .
t Forgetful of his wariness, he stooped to secure ‘ '
, I ,.

 

 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

1'7

 

 

The next instant Desperate Dave was upon
him, dealing him akick just back of the car,
which toppled him over senseless.

“ Alia! my bird 1” ejaculated the captive,
trembling with delight and exultation. “You
were wary enough, and yet you fluttered into
the snare.

“l’ll relieve you of some of your toggery,
just to see what sort of a figure I shall cut as
Three Bears.”

Danton set to work without loss of time, his
first more being to disarm, bind and gag the
senseless renegade.

In due course, he concluded his task.

“'hat a figure he presented.

Arrayed in the coat and head-dress of the
renegade chief. and with his hands and face
liberally daubed with the pigments so dear to
the heart of the Apache, his aspect was as
ferocious as villainous. The only weak point
in his presentment was his luxuriant mustache.

“ By keeping alittle shady, l’ll pass, I reckon,”
he muttered.

“ New, to get rid of this carrion. Old Duke
Harpy may return at any moment, and what a
hue and cry he’d raise at sight of his precious
sou! But how and where?~that's the question,
and a puzzling one it is, too.

“Not here in the lodge, for the chances are
that he would be found just at the wrong mo-
ment.

“No. he must be taken from here, and the
sooner the better. I’ll reconnoiter.”

With a searching glance at Harpy, Danton
glided cautiously out of the lodge.

To his inexpressiblc‘relicf, the camp was silent,
without a red-skin in view.

A further survey decided his course of action.

Directly in the rear of the tent,'a few rods
to the northward, was a heavy growth of
cha arral, extending back to the face of the
cli‘ forming the boundary of the pocket at that

int.

“ I’ll just chock his ro al highness, Mr.
Harpy, into that bit of brus ,” mused the des-
perado. “He’ll be safe enough there until
we’ve had ample time toget clear ,of this in-
fernal den.”

In due course, the feat was accomplished,
the unconscious renegade being stowed away in
a dark nook at the foot of the cliff. '

“Now for Pauline,” thought Danton, as he
skirted the Chaparral. “Itwill apprise her of
the exact state of affairs, then seek the secret
outlet of which Duke Harpy spoke. 1f I could
only hit upon some_ expeditious way to find it!
if it is securely hidden, a searchwill onlbe
tim: wasted.”

Keeping Well in the shadows, the desperate
adventurer rapidl made his way to the
lodge m which Pan ins Mordaunt was confined.

Arrived in the immediate vicinit , Danton
halted long enough to assure himsel that the

hard had not deserted the position assigned

im.
“Curse it!” he gritted; “I was in hope
that tlbe red-skin had joined his fellows in the
gar e i
“ ut he is there, and now my work is deadly
perilous; for my disguise is not such as to with-
stand a close inspection. '
“ I must ‘hit upon some ruse to draw him
we .” ‘
With Danton, just then, to think was to act.
A large pebble thrown at the sentry attracted
his atfiention, and Danton beckoned him to ap-
X'OBC . r
p Standing in the shadows the desperado readily
passed as Ben Harpy, and the red-skin glided
ra idly toward him.
t was a fatal move for the red renegade.
“ Another obstacle removed!” grim]
tered Danton.
P’i‘a‘lifii'" ~ a. f
y crossing 9 space 0 moonli ht be en-
tered the lodge. r 8 l
“ Miss Mordaunt.” -
A moment of silence followed the cautiously-
uttered exclamation; then, in a faint tone came

I mut-
“The way is now near to

the response:

“I am here. Who ks?”

“It is I, McBuff or anton. I have come to
tell you to ho for the best. If I meet with no

ill-luck you s all be with your friends within
a few hours.

"‘ Are you bound ?"

“ Hand and foot,” Pauline replied.

“ But h0w came you here?” ' -

I Danton rightly suspected that there was a
tone of suspicion in the query. ' ‘

“I was brought here a captive with you, but
have succeeded in getting out of durance vile,”
he replied. and he rapidly narrated his expe-
rience. keeping back the fact that Death-Eagle
and Three Bears were members of the Harpy
family, simply stating that they were white out-
laws, fatner and son. _

“And this secret pass. do you think you can
find it?” Pauline asked. .

“ I must, and I will one way or another,”
was the determined repl . _ I , I

“ Now I will relieve you of vour pianos, and

vou must remain quiet until return. I shall
' gone not a moment longer than is neces-

sar ."
, Pauline assentedto the arrangement. Danton

 

cutaway her bonds and thrust a revolver into
her hand. He then left the lodge.

Again seeking the shadows, he made another
thorough survey of the visible portion of the en-
campment, finding nothing to create alarm or
in any way alter the aspect of afl'airs.

For some minutes he did not shift his posi-

tion.
“ It will take time, but it offers a certain re—
sult,” he at length exclaimed, half-aloud; “and
I will do it, for at the worst it is better than
seeking the hidden outlet, and without further
hesitation ho strode directly across the pocket
to the lodge of Ben Harpy.

Entering, he produced pencil and pa r, and
in the dim light hastily scrawled the to lowing:

“ Pam—Come st might to the secret pass as soon
as you see this. I will be waiting thcrc. BEN."

Placing the message where it would readily
be seen by any one entering the lodge, Danton
at once withdrew and secreted himself securely
in the adjacent shadows.

An hour passed, with no sign of Old Duke
Harpy, and the desperado was fast becoming
the prey of an overpowering impatience, when
at last the chief of the red renegades appeared,
approaching from the direction of the gorge.

Direct to the lodge he strode, pushing aside
the flap and entering without so much as a
cursory glance at his surroundings.

“ If the scrawl only passes muster!” breathed
Danton, hopefully, as he eagerly awaited the re—
appearance of the old chief. “ Had I only been
familiar with Ben Harpy’s handwriting!”

Little time was left him for conjecture, how-
ever, for Duke Harpy soon came out of the
lod e, and set ofi’ at a sharp pace toward the
cli forming the northern boundary of the
pocket.

As was evident, the ruse had worked.

As noiseless as ashadow, grim and determined
ailfpte itself, Danton followed close behind the
c is .

Straight ahead walked Duke Harpy, glanc—
ing neither right nor left, to all appearances
with suspicions unaroused: straight onward, to
disafipear suddenly at the foot of the clifl.

“ 9 has entered the secret pass,” exultantly
thought Danton. u“ The secret is out! All that
remains is to get the old thief out of the way.”

Parting the vines through which Harpy had
gone, the trailer boldly, yet cautiously, entered
the fissure beyond—a narrow, winding way
along which he had to feel his way with the ut-
most care. ' I "

A dozen paces within the gloomy recess
brought him to an abrupt angle, flooded with
moonlight. Headlesst pushing on, he with
startling abruptness came face to face with Old
Duke Harpy!

Upon the face of the chief was a cynical
smile. In his right hand he held a leveled re-
volver.

“ I calculate your little scheme has not panned
out so very well, Mr. Danton,” e exclaimed,
his voice sinking into a low, hissing strain.
“ You are a lpretty shrewd fellow, but Duke
Harpy is too 0 d a bird to be caught with any-
thing in the we of chaff. V

“And now ust oblige me by raising your
hands. Before putting you out of your misery,
I desire to interview you in regard to the where-
abouts and condition of my son, Ben Harpy.”

“ Don’t mention it—only too happ , you
know,” murmured Danton. striving bar to ap-
pear unconcerned, yet fairly quivering with the

exmtement of a new-born hope; for, beyond the'

old chief and creeping toward him with consum-
mate stealth was a crouching form—a form un-
mistakab] that of a white man!

Just a math—then the butt of a heavy re-
volver descended with crushing force upon the
head of Duke Harpy, dropping him senseless in
his trackS. ' '

One keen, piercing glance at the face of his
deliverer. and Danton started back, sick at
heart, aghast with terror.

Little wonder.

The man was none other than Royal Richard,
the redoubtable Red-Hand Sport!

CHAPTER XXI. ,

LONG PETE‘S BLUNDER AND WHAT ri' COST.

Tau very first move upon the part of Long
Pete Jenkins when Dan Yuba, from his station
at the top of the heavily-wooded blufl, had with-
drawn the lariat in pursuance of a prearranged
Signal, was to make a thorough reconnaissance
of his immediate surroundings, to assure himself
that his descent into the lair of the red rene-

ades had been witnessed by no prowling red-
s in. -

For the task before the indomitable plains-
man was not such as to admit of anythip short
of the most rigid caution; and, even Wit that,
the odds,were overwhelmingly against its being
smoothly and successful] accomplished, owing,
in chief, to the extent 0 the encampment and
the nature of its surroundings. ‘

If surprised and cut of! from the medium of
escape offered by .Dan Yuba's lariat, Long Peta
wasvdoomed, and with him Pauline Mordaunt.

Satisfied with the result of his observations,
the gun ling giant at length turned his atten-
tion to t e lodges, hoping- almost against hope,

. i , v ,

 

 

 

» to note something which would give him an
inkling as to the exact position of the captive
Pauline.

“ It is of no use—I’ve got to make ther
rounds, cost what it may!" he muttered. “Ole
Death-Eagle hes hidden ther girl away, an’ I
must seek fer find her.

“ Aii’ fu’st p’int ov all, [’11 strike for ther big
lodge ov ther chief, ri ht in the center ov ther
camp: and, peeping c ose in against the face
of the lfliflf, he g ided rapidly through the under-
growt .

At a point not be ond four or five rods from
the place at which 6 descended into the pocket
his foot came in contact with u soft, ieldiu
shape, and he started back as a faint, ha f-stifie
moan arose in the darkness.

With weapons in hand, he listened intently.

Might it not be some cunning trick of the red
renegades— the artfully-devised and skillfully-
execuled ruse of one or more of the Apaches,
who had chanced to witness his advent into the
camp?

That was the first idea suggesting itself to the
daring sp ; but be quick] put it aside. A red-
skin the s ape might be; ut the chances were
decidedly against such a possibility.

Quite likely the shape would take form in a
victim of the ruthless Apaches.

A moment—then again came the moan. ,-

Cautiously, yet Without hesitation, Jenkins
advanced and bent over the prostrate sufferer. .

In the intense gloom, the features of the latter
were indistinguishable, it required but a mo-
ment, however, to arrive at a fairly accurate
conclusion as to his situation. ,

He was a captive, bound and gagged, just re-
turning to consciousness. In some manner, the
gag had become partially disarranged.

A further examination convinced Lon Pete
that the fellow was not only a faiths, ut a
white man. Thereu n, he save his bonds
and relieved him of t e 

“ I hevn’t time ter stay y ye till ye're on yer
pins ag’in, my heart ,” mused the plainsman;

‘ but I’ll fix ye up es est I kin, an’ mebbe ye’ll
dig out ov hyar on yer own book w’en ye come

’round.”

And then Jenkins went on his way.

Scarcer was his tail form lost in the gloom
when the prostrate man raised himself to a sit-
tinggggsture.

‘ re one for Ben Harpy l” he hissed. “ I’ll
baffle ’em all, yet !”

Cautiousl gainin his feet, the renegade
chief glide stealth“ y, yet swiftly toward the
mouth of the gorge, his face grim and deter-
mined, his dark eyes gleaming balefully.

Within ten m notes from the time he disapo
peered within its dark recesses, he had returned
with ten picked braves at his back.

Three of these be dispatched to the left, three
to the right, to scout through the undergrowth
bordering the pocket, then with the four re-
maining hastened direct to the ledge in which
he had gone down before Danton’s superior cun-

ning. -

The lodge was deserted. One glance was
enough to determine that fact, and more.

On the hard-packed earthen floor lay a bit of
crumpled paper.

Ben Harpy swooped down upon it like a,
hawk upon to prey. Smoothing it, he hastily
read the brief message it contained.

“PAP—Come straight to the secret pass as soon
as you see this. I will be waiting there. BEN."

For
Then, as the full
upon him, rage an
astonishment.

(portent of the words flashed
chagrin got‘the better of hi!

“ Oh, the schemin devil! he’s tricked us both
and rescued the gir l” he gritted. “He has es"
caped b wn of the secret pass, too, for pap !
has sure y fol en into the trap. - -'

“But, by heaven! the game’s not up yeti.
They {gust still be in the pass, and may be over-
taken

Without a breath of delay, he sprungtotbo ‘ 

entrance of the lodge and sounded a signal for‘
the immediate return of the six scouts.

They came trooping in, rallying at the quar-
ters of their chief in an incredib short time.
Then. with the ten braves close hind him.
Ben Harpy darted toward the secret pass.

“ You here I”
The two words cam

 

met those of the Red-Hand Sport

“ I am here, Des-pento Dave.” coldly iterated ‘ 

Brazzleton. “ An as you ,are here, too, I
reckon you’re my meat !"

“ It does look that way,” reluctantly admitted
the desperado. '

“ But I tell you, Dick Brazzleton, this more 
is doing your cause more harm than good—that -'

is, if you were really Dick Royale's friend.

few hours ago, the circumstances would have ‘

J.

been diflerent. -

“For I want you to know, Dick England.- {
arry “ 

the bad as I am, I have jumped Rube
ganti’e for gold—have taken the op ng side and
am heart and hand With the M unto. '- _
“ I want you to know, too, that Pauline Mor-
daunt is a captive in the camp at the lower end.

faintly from Damon’s .
lips. but his eyes were 0 ear and fearless as they "

just a moment the outlaw stood aghast. 1':

 

  
   
  
  
  
   
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
 
 
 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
  

glance at the dusky horde passing throgg

,18.

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

of this fissure, and that every second I am held
here under the muzzles of your weapons lessens
her chances of escape.”

A cynical smile crept into the white face of
the avenging sport—a deeper glow into his
dusky eyes, as the weak strains of Danton’s
voice died away.

“ A pretty subterfuge, that, Dave Danton,
under which to plead for mercy,” he enunciated
iceriugh‘. “ Your brazen hardihood can scarce-
y be said to be on the wane. No, no! on the
whole, the lie does you credit—is worthy of

on
“And yet, it will not answer. I’ve trailed
you too long and too hard!

“Keep your hands up——sol Now don’t so
much as wink, for it is not my purpose to kill
you, however deserving you may be of such a.
fate.”

“ You would—”

“These will fit you snug enough,” the detec-
tive interrupted, holding up to view a pair of
polished stee manacles. “ And on may as well
come down easy and make the est of it, Dan—
ton; for I’ve sworn to take you back to Colo-
:gdo, and I am going to do it—hard as may be

e JO .

“And you’ll have company, too, for Rube
Harpy is not going to escape. In fact, it may
safely be said that he is even now within the
toils, although not yet under arrest.”

“ Good enough,” gritted Danton, his half—shut
eyes glowing darkly. “ Put on the darbies! If
you’ve got him, I’ll never say a word."

Slowly the Red»Hand Sport advanced, his
brigrh’tly gleaming orbs seeming to read Desper-
ate ave through and through. ,

But there was nothing indicative of trickery
to befound in the cold, white face of the des-
perado, just then. On the contrary, there was
a vague, indefinable something about it expres—
swe of relief.

“ I might have taken you into camp this after-
noon, when we met at the wagon-train,” pur-
sued Brazzleton, halting within arm’s length of
his quarry; “but the presence of the girls de—
terred me. I hadn’t the heart to risk their
coming face to face with the grim truth then
and there.”

Danton nodded shortly.

“But Pauline—what of her?” he muttered,
strangely hoarse and uneasy. “She is a cap-
tive bac there, as I told you, and she is await-

in —” a

i. swift rush of feet up the pass from the
pocket cut off further utterance, and the next
instant Ben Harpy, at the head of a number of
Apaches, came into view, scarcely, a dozen

distant.

“Run for it!” exclaimed Danton, dashing
aside the manacles and houndiu up the fissure.
“ Quick! or our life is not wort a straw !”

Royal Ric ard needed no second warning. thA

e

lain enough. ith 3
cs, he darted out of
si ht in the shadows.
n Harpy halted at his father’s side.
“ After them!” he shouted in Apache. “Don’t
let either escape! If they separate, divide and

follow their trails to the end i”

ssure made matters
short, sharp cry of de

 

CHAPTER XXII.
A roouunnr nova.

Rams we now, for a brief space, to the
Mordaunt party at the motto knownasthe Lone
Tidbentn departure fLo P J 1d d

pon e 0 ng ete en us an

Dan Yuba, the udo-Royale Harpy,
assumed charge 0 the train, and at once put in
effect measures preventive of a second surprise
by the Apaches, distributing his forces in a
really skillful manner. and winning the hearty
approval of the son-Owing brother's, Jackson
and Roger Mordaunt.

“ Ah, Dick l” exclaimed the latter, as the trio,
with Nellie, met in the triangle formed by the
three wagons; “oh, my boy! had you been with
us, the red devils would not have found means
to reach our hearts so readily and cruelly!”

“I would have done my best, sir,” was the
calm res use. “ What that would have avail-
ed, whet er'much or little, is, of course, beyond
our means of knowing.

“ But of one fact I can assure on, my
friends: I was not willingly detained. n truth,
Imay say that my presence here at thisvmo-
meat is but one of the results of rare good for—
tune—one of the fruits of a hard-fought battle—
a battle in which no small figure was cut by our
old enemy, Rube Harpy!”

The Mordaunts started. Even the shadows
of the motto could not hide the agitation wrought
by the words of the daring pretender.

’Yet no one of them spoke; each felt that
Royale’s manner portended a revelation of
some sort. ,

“ At Elephant Lode, up in Colorado our
trails crossed.” pursued the schemer, after a
moment of intense silence. “ It was upon
Harpy’s arrival there that he managed in some
way to obtain 'on of Pauline's last letter
to me, containing a full explanation of her in-
tended movemen and requesting me tojoin
you here in New

 

xico—matters of which I,

  
 

V have been in total ignorance until within the

past few days.

“ You can readily imagine, at least in outline,
the manner in which the scoundrel determined
to utilize the information thus received. I shall
not attempt to detail his various plots, just et;
let it suffice, for the present, that I was way aid
and shot down—left for dead—by him and an
ally known as Dave .Danton.”

“ The dastard !“ exclaimed J ackson Mordaunt, .

indignantly. “He is his father over again!”
“ As tru y a viper as be you branded as such 1”

Roger commented. “ But proceed, Dick.”

“ Of myself, there’s but little more to say,”
averred Royale. “ In their blind haste, the vil-
lains bungled, leaving me severely wounded and
unconscious. A mountaineer, chancing that
way, carried me to his cabin, where I was
forced to remain for some days, until my wound
had healed, when I at once hurried toward
Alamosa, and thence to Palomas, where I found
Big Dale Keith in waiting.”

“ But how did you know of our movements.
the letter detailing them having been stolen?”
Nellie inquired, with visible curiosity.

Under cover of the darkness, a deep flush
dyed the face of the pretender.

“Jim Rees, the mountaineer, found it within
a rod of the point at which I had been am-
bushed, and so it came into my hands,” he re-
plied, without apparent hesitation.

“ But, to resume: The trip from Palomas was
without noteworthy adventure, up to the death
of Big Dale to—night. He had pointed out the
spot at which you were to go into camp, pend-
ing the arrival of Mr. Jackson Mordaunt, here;
and, as soon as I had given the faithful fellow
burial, I set forward, hoping to reach it with-
out further encounter.

“ In this, however, I was disappointed. My
course led me within a. short distance of this
timber, and in the moonlight, through an open-
ing in the trees, in passing I discovered the
wagons.

“ As'Indian sign was plentiful, I thought best
to abandon my horse, for the time being, and so
approached afoot, with all the caution I could
muster. . I

“ My course took me to the western border of
the motte. There an extraordinary Scene pre-
sented itself—Pauline in conversation with Dave
Danton, the ally of Rube Harpy!

“ Quick upon this strange presentment came a
discovery, startling, but to have been expected.
The grass was literally alive with Apaches!
Creeping Apaches, for whom Danton was act-
ing as a decoy!

“ My first impulse was to cry out and warn
her of her terrible peril, but the folly of such a
course was so apparent that I checked the words
and hurried into the timber, from that point
figgke an attempt to rescue her. I was too

“ You did‘ all that man could do,” vouchsafed
Jackson Mordaunt, when the pretender had
finished. “ We can only hope that Jenkins and
Yuba may be successful.”

“ They will leave no stone unturned,” assured
Roger. “It would relieve my mind of a con-
siderable weight, were they to cut short the
infamous career of this Danton, or McBufl'!
The only pit is that the Red-Hand Sport did
got put; the ellow beyond the power of mischief-

0mg.

Again the pretender started. A sudden chill
Seemed to creep over him. ,

“ The Red-Hand Sport 1” he echOed, his voice
low and hollow, his hands creeping toward his
wee ons.

“ 0 you know him, Dick?” cried Nellie,
eagerly.

, “Do I know him i” cried R0 ale, the words
¢0mlng‘ from between his ti tly-drawn lips
with a. peculiar hissing souu ; ‘ do I know
him! Only too well, my dear girl! Let me tell
you, here and now, that Rube Harpy and the

-Hand S rt are one and the same I”

“ Im ssib e!” Nellie egaculated. .

“It is an assured fact!

“There must be some mistake l” proteeted the
girl, with nervous energy. “ Why, if Danton
and Harpy are allies, should the latter, in the
guise of the Red-Hand S rt, have come to our
assistance so nobly this a ternoon 1”

“You are now speaking to me in riddles,”
was the cool response.

“Pardon me! I had forgotten that on knew
nothin of the occurrence of which speak,”
said ellie, quietly, thereupon proceeding to
recount the defeat of Danton and the two
Mexicans.

Royale listened attentively, his teeth hard-set,
his dark eyes aglow.

He realized that he was menaced by peril of
no mean degree. This appearance of Royal
Richard was as inopportune as unexpected.

For a moment the ground seemed to be slip-
ping from beneath the feet of the desperate
adventurer: but he rallied garner and not a
trace of his a tation escaped to betray him.

“ Well, we ! that was a most extraordinary
thing for Rube Harpytodo—unless, as I suspect,
there was a powerful motive hack of it all!” he
exclaimed, when Nellie had ceased.

“ And that motive?” asked Roger Mordaunt.

“ unknown to me, I assure you; however, it

 

is grobable that the two rogues had fallen out,
an that Danton was attempting to take the
game into his own hands.”

“ Yes, yes, the evidence seems to point that
way,” coincided Jackson.

“ At all events, it either of the knaves has the
temerity to approach us again, he shall certainly
be received with a degree of warmth he cannot
fail to appreciate,” Roger grimly averred.

“ He shall, indeed l” declared Royale.

“ But I must awa now, to the pickets, to
learn if all seems quie

With the departure of the pretender, the
party lapsed into silence.

Just at daybreak, Roger Mordannt, alarmed
at the prolonged absence of Royals, sought
Snowflake on the northern border of the motte.

“’Flake!” Mordaunt hailed, from the shelter
of the timber, as the negro passed; “ where is
R0 ale?”

alting, ’Flake grounded his rifle, then shook
his head as if puzzled by the query.

“ ’Deed I ha’n’t de leastest ideer, Mars’ Mor-
da’nt!" he replied. “ He dun lef’ de camp er
couple oh hours ago.”

Mordaunt, in turn, looked puzzled.

“ Mounted?” he asked.

“ He was, sub.”

“ Did he say where he was going—did he leave
any word?” -

“He said, sah, that you’d unnerstan’, an’ dat
you need hab no fears on his ’connt, sah.”

“ Didn’t say when he would return?”

“ No, sah; he merely ’sarved dat he w’u’d
j‘ine de train ter—day or ter-morrer, sah, of hit
was possible, an’ den he rode off like do wind.”

“ He has gone to seek Pauline!" uttered Mor-
daunt, half-aloud. “ A foolhardy move! I
gave him credit for better sense !"

“ Resky, sho’s you’s bo’n, ssh!" chimed in the
negro, catching the low-spoken words.

" But, Mars’ Mords‘nt, w’cn dode trail move?”

“In a half—hour, ‘Flake—nothing preventing.
To—day will carry us to the end of our journey
—the Hidden-Hopi Mine.”

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE error not! THE BRUSH.

ALARMED by the continued abscnce of Dave
Danton, Pauline Mordaunt finally arose from
the couch of skins u n which she had been de.
posited by Three ears, or Ben Harpy, and
with her revolver in readiness for use stole
silently to the door of the 10d 6.

The camp seemed to have n deserted. As
a matter of fact, it was practically without life
just then. The’squaws and their children, an

 

!

the dogs, had at the first note of alarm been ‘

banished to a series of caves honeycombing the
11 per walls of the gorge, while the braves, as
afieady noted, had hastened on toward the

rairie to form an ambuscade for the supposed

oe.

“ Shall I await the return of Danton?” mused
Pauline, as she forth. “ May he .not
have fallen into the hands of the Apaches! It
seems an age since he left the lodge.”

A decision was speedily reach .

She determined to chance all upon an eflort
to escape! _ .

The moment seemed most propitious. Not a
red-skin in sight—a night of transcendent brill-
iance and beauty!

Better to chance all the uncertainties of such
a venture than to remain there, face to face
with a bitter, black fate!

Little she knew the utter futility of an at?
tempt to scale the surrounding cliffs! The secret
pass spoken of by Danton surely could not be
the only unguarded outlet. There must be
clefts and fissures almost without number, and
through one of these she could certainly make
her way, if the cliffs proved too steep to be
scaled. '

These thoughts and ideas ran through her
brain with feverish rapidity. _

With something like a prayer in her heart.
she glided out of the lodge, her face cold and
white in the gleam of the moonlight.

A moment, then she halted. ‘

Which way should she go? Now that the first
step had been taken, the very silence was por-
tentous!

(l  I] "I

The sound came from the midst of the
shadows to her left. She faced about, tremb-
ling with blended hope and fear.

Game the word from friend or foe?

Only an instant. then her doubts were forever
put at rest by a well—know voice, saying:

“Hyar, Pauline-quick! It’s ther ole man,
hisself—Long Pete Jenkins!"

Little need to urge haste! With the flurry of
a startled bird, Pauline darted into the friendly
shadow!

“ Glory!” ejaculated the giant ranger, grasps
ing Pauline’s outstretched hands with a fervor
el uent of boundless affection. . " I knowed Pd
fin ye—but sech a windfall! ,

“ Come—we'll strike a beeline fer Dan Yuba
—-ef ye kin stan' that pressure!”

“Anythin n ing. to get awn from
this place!”
tween excitement and

“Then hyar ages!
talk-traps ag‘in _ we’re out ov ther

10y -
Got

     
 

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teat ed _Pauline, tremb ng’ be-
An’ We won’t  .

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Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

,
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/
a mighty heap ter tel] ye, then! All good—too l

good ter kee l” I .

Jenkins 1 the way, Pauline followmg With
all the stealth she could command.

Keeping as far in the shadows as possible,
they skirted the encampment until they had
reached the low cliff whereon was perched Dan
Yuba.

A slight noise in the undergrowth checked the
signal the giant was about to utter.

A single piercing glance in that direction, and
the origin of the sound was revealed.

Within less than a dozen paces was a. prowl-
ing Apache.

“ Keep back!” breathed Long Pete, gently
pushing Pauline against the cliff. “ We’ll be
shut ov him in a. minute.”

The words were surely prophetic, for scarcely

, had they been uttered when a shrill signal rung

out a short distance away.

Ben Harpy had recalled his red scouts.

“Thank fortune, I’m saved from that lectle
tussle," muttered Jenkins, sheathing his knife
as the prowling Apache glided toward the
lad es.

“g All quiet below?” came the voice of Dan
Yuba, low-toned and cautious.

“ All quiet, Dan,” returned Long Pete. “ Drop
us yer lariat, an’ pull away easy like, fer ye’vo
a dainty cargo!”

The squat Hercules complied, and within a
few minutes the happy trio were on their way
to the point at which the horses had been left.

“Hark!” exclaimed Jenkins, as a medley of
sounds arose in the Apache camp. “ I kalkilate
ther reptilians hev diskivered thet ther bird hes
flown!’

“ Are we in no danger?” queried Pauline.

“ From back thar, no; thar may be a few
red-skins scattered thro’ the hill, but we’re not
like ter run ag’in’ ’cm,” returned Jenkins.

“ Yuba be ilotin’ us straight for ther horses;
an’ ef we fin them all right, we may laugh et
all the ’Paches'in ther Mim res.

“ An’ now, Miss Pauline, let me tell ye thet
both yer father an’ yer lover, Dick Royale, aire
at ther train.”

“ Thank heaven!
Pauline.
hurt in the fight at the camp?"

“ Not a scratch,” was the prompt avowal.
“ In fact, yer folkses warn’t hurt in ther least.
They beat of! ther ’Paches in Bob-royal style!”

Long Pete then narrated the adventures at-
tending his scout toward Dead-Tree Knob, Pan-
line listening attentively, and in return re-
counting all that passed duriug his absence.

Great was the wrath of the giant guide at the
treachery of Jose and Pedro. ‘

“ Powder an’ lead war too good fer ’em!” he
asseverated. “ The deserved hangiu’!

“ But wouldn’t I ‘ke ter meet thet Red-Hand
Sport! It’s wu’th a year ov eny man’s life ter
cross hands with a cha like that .’

“An’ even McBufl, t er dandy blacklaig, de-
sarves sum credit fei' at last showing up better
color. I’d never ’a’ thought at ov him!”

And thus conversing, with Dan Yuba several
paces in advance, the party pushed forward
making fairly good progress, until the sheen o
the moon ave way to the radiance of the sun.

“ We’ll ead straight fer ther Hidden Hope,”
said Jenkins, when they had secured the horses.
“ Ther train is now on ther way ther an’ likely
we’ll fall in with it ’fore many ours. ’

So they mounted and set forward, Yuba
leading the extra horse.

At the expiration of an hour they found them-
selves in a small, densely-wooded glade, through
which coursed a stream of cod water. Here
they decided to belt and e breakfast from
the contents of Yuba’s lunch-bag.

Accordingly the horses were watered and
picketecl for a fifteen-minute graze, after which
the two plainsmen and their protegee proceeded
to break their fast.

Scarcely had they finished, when they were
startled by heavy footfalls in the undergrowth,
and the next minute Dave Danton broke into

papa is safe!” ejaculated

' the glade.

What a figure the desperado presented!

His once natty attire rent into ribbonh, his
face and hands torn and bleeding, hatlem, his
hair disheveled, his eyes half closed and blood—
shot, he looked the incarnation ( f distress.

One quick, wild' look at the startled group
confronting him, then with a choking sort of
cry he flung himself upon the ground at Pau-
line’s feet, his hands lifted imploringly.

“ Listen!" he cried, his vaice hoarse and
strained; “you must hear what I have to say!
Naught but Fate itself could have thus brought
us together!

"Dick R0 a1 is—

“ Great od—too late 1”

Following close upon the hiatus came the
wild shriek—the crack of a revolver, and the
luckiess despeme toppled over—to all appear-
ances lifeless. ,./

“ Quick, Dan! Thar’s reds in ther bush!” 'ex-
claimed Long Pete, his racticed eye detecting
the faint wreath of w ite smoke marking the

'tiou of the author of the dastardl shot.
‘ t loose ther homes! Three’s en —darn
ther extra!” ’

n y

“ But tell me, Mr. Jenkins, was Dick,

 

A lively scramble—a rush—and Pauline was

fairly tossed into the saddle; just a breath, then
the two pards and their fair charge dashed out
of the glade, and away across the plain.

CHAPTER XXIV.

QUEEN MADGE or THE MIMBRES BANDITS.

WHEN the pretended Dick Royale rode away
from the Mordaunt train, the action was not
taken Without a well-defined purpose.

First of all, he wanted to be to himself for a
few hours, for he felt that to keep up the part
he had assumed, he must do some tall thinking.

Then, too, chance might lead him ani'Oss the
path of Danton, or of the Red-Hand Sport—two
men so thoroughly inimical to his scheme as to
excite his deadliest animoslty.

As to an attempt to rescue Pauline from the
clutches of the renegade Apaches, nothin was
so far removed from the thoughts of the espe-
rate adventurer. He was quite willing that
Long Pete and Dan Yuba should have the field
in that direction.

So he rode along, mile after mile, following
the line of the foot-hills, busy with his thoughts,
yet on the alert.

Some ten or twelve miles north of the Lone

Timber, his course led him into the self-same ‘

glade in which Jenkins and his companions,
later by a few hours, halted for breakfast.

“ It is a capital spot, and here I ma as well
rest until I have studied it out,” mu the des-
perado, drawing rein and narr0wly surveying
his surroundings. “ No danger of a surprise
here, if a fellow takes the commonest precau-
tions.”

lamounting, he sought a snug retreat for his
ho , then wrapped himself in his poncho and
sat down to meditate, his back to a tree, his
pip: between his lips. \

or a time, thought followed thought with
feverish rapidity; his pipe burned out, and then,
ere he was aware of the approach of its van-
guards, slumber claimed him.

A stray sunbeam, falling athwart his face,
awakened him. A moment he stared around
with keen. suspicious eyes, then started sharply
as a ripple of laughter penetrated the leafy
covert.

Throwing aside the poncho, he gained his feet
with a bound.

“ A woman, by all that’s handsome!” he mut-
tered. “ The question is, who can the fairin-
iz'uder be?”

And drawing his revolver, he glided forward,
threading thexmares of the thicket with the
stealth of an Indian.

Such a scene as was presented to his wolflsh

gaze! \
Scarcer a rod before him, standing between
her gallant rescuers, was the fair Pauline Moro

d'aunt. .

Eagerly, steadily, the pretender gored at
the face 0 the beautiful girl, an evil light in
his dark orbs.

“She is worth the risk a thousandfold!” he
thought, catching his breath hard. “And I
will win her, too, come what may!”

A moment more, and then Dave Danton
crashed into view, a. wild hunted look on his
bloody face casting himself entreatingly at the
feet of Pan ne.

Royale’c face grew hard and cold; his hand
crept up until his revolver was in line with
Danton’s head.

“ If he attempts to reveal even so much as a
word, he dies!’ he gritted. “ Curse him! I
warned him not to play the traitor!”

Danton’slip: moved; he spoke. At the same
instant, as if ysome fatal instinct warned of
his impending doom, he turned his head: his
fiyesf encountered the luridly-gleaming orbs of

is oe.

A shriek of dismay, a shot, and, without
waiting to note the result of his dastardly work,
the assassin turned and glided swiftly into the
depths of the thicket. ~

Not until he had reached his horse did be pre-
tend to pause, and then only long enough to
throw on the saddle, sever the picket-rope, and
mount.

“ I must get out of this,” he muttered, with a
savage thrust of his spurs urgin his horse to-
ward the adjacent foot-hills. “ t would never
do for these fellows to get even so much as a
glimpse of me!”

Gaining the coveted shelter, he halted and
listened. Not a sound indicative of pursuit
reached his ears. ,

“That job is done and well done,” he mut-
tered, grimly. “ And I think I shall be able to
patch up a tale to suit my beautiful Pauline. I
have overheard enough to give me the points.”

Turning north, he ushed slowly through the
fine timber skirting t e foot-hills. It was not his
intention to proceed far in that direction.

“I will seek a safe retreatafew miles fur-
ther on, and thence join the train during the
afternoon,” he mused. “In the mean time, the
hours ma be very. profitably employed in put-
tiu toge 81‘ a. narrative of this venture.”

11 hour passed, and then he came upon just
such a spot as he had been seeking—a narrow
valley, running back. among the bills, the sides
at times steep and lofty. but enerall slopin
sharply, and covered with a ease, c parrafi
like growth. - ‘

 

 

   

i

19

Turning into this valley, he rode forward for
perhaps a mile, then sought the shelter of a
gloomy pass, where he dismounted and tethered,
his horse.

. He then took a closer look at his surround-
in 5.

he lace certainly seemed to aflord the cov~
eted sec usion.

Yet scarcely had the pseudo—Royale con-
cluded his survey, when he was startled by a
hoarse voice just behind him—a voiCe saying:

d “glands up, sport! Touch a tool and you
ie!

Even as he wheeled, the pretender complied
with the pointed request; his eyes ware aflame,
léggvever, with a light that boded ill to some-

y!

Confronting him, at a distance of three paces,
lwas a man—a tall, brawny, deep-chested fol,
ow.

It required no glance at the masked face—at
the leveled “ six "—w confirm the suspicious
aroused by the hail.

The fellow was an outlaw—a road—agent.

“Well, what do you want?" demanded Roy—
ale, as much in contempt as aught else.

‘ Your money—your valuables; so shell out,”
was the terse re 1y.

“ The why an the wherefore of which?” sneer-—
ed the pretender.

The outlaw guflawed loudly.

“ You are deuced particular, it seems to me!”
he exclaimed, in the hoarse tones evidently as-
sumed to disguise his natural voice. “ But if
yiiu must know, I suppose I shall have to ex-
p ain.

,“ You see, you have invaded the domain of
good Queen Madge, of the Mimbres Bandits,
and so must pay the tax invariably imposed
upon such temerity. ,

“ And if that isn’t explanation enough, I've a.
number of diagrams right here that may be had
for jest a leetle less than the asking.”

And the masked road-agent significantly
placed his left forefinger upon the steel cylinder
of his leveled “ six.” ~

“ Thank you—no! I comprehend the situa-
tion!” exclaimed Royals, grimly. ,

“ But isn’t this pretty tough lines on a fellow-
professional?"

~The road-agent seemed a trifle staggered at
this bit of assurance.

A semi-audible titter ran along the line of
bushes just in his rear.

“Permit me to relieve you, Morales,” inter—
p05ed a rich, mellow voice, plainly that of a
woman, and forth! from the covert glided the
speaker.

Startled before, Royale was now astounded.

Before him was Queen Madge, of the Mann—
tain Bandits.

A woman of superb form, set 0! to lendiit
advantage by her huntress costume 0 plain
black cloth, and a jaunty hat with waving
plumes.

She was armed. too, for in the broad silver
sash serving as a ‘rdle, were thrust a pair of ‘
gplendid tools as t e heart of brigand could w

or.

Her face, like that of her lieutenant, was con-
cealed by the folds of a sable mask: but through
the eyelets gleamed a r of magnificent black
orbs—orbs that could e melting in their tender- ,
ness or flash fires infernal.

“ You may retire, Morales, and leave me to
deal with the man,” she said quietly, hut in de-
cisive tones. “ His face stri es me as being not
only familiar, but as one friendly to our cause.”

“ Certainly, my queen, if such is your wish,” - -

and inclining himself profoundly, the road.
agent retreated to the covert.

“And you may come with me,” continued ‘- -

the chieftainess, turning to the amazed pre—
tender. “Inasmuch as you are covered hya.
score of my followers. you will robably deem
itadvisable to succumb with the t grace pos-
si e.

“Lead, lady, and I will follow,” returned
Rnyale, with a slight how.

‘ This distance will suffice,” averted Queen.
Madge, halting at the point twenty-five or
thirty paces from that at which she had ap—

peared.

“ May I ask your name?” .

“ Assuredly, madam; but don’t you gamble
on the returns. In this section a variety in the
way of handles seems to be apopnlar crane. I've .
known several plain John Smiths to turn up in
a camp fifty miles distant with such ornate
cgfinomeus as Necktie Nick, Ikey, the hustler, '
a so on, row onto ’em in less than a week.

“ But I ain’t mind telling you that just now
I’m called Algernon Fitzgibbon Vincent.

“There, now! it’s out! Don’t you think the
handle a pretty one?” . ‘

The woman anghed outright. p r ’

“ Pretty enough,” she answered, suddenly. ‘
flinging off her musk; “but it is hardly an ‘
forcible as plain Rube Harpy used to be!” ‘ 

A moment the pretender stared hard at the,
strangely beautiful face thus revealed—started
at the swift, impctnous words, his expression

    

changing to one of profound incredulity. ,
“ Madge?” . .
“‘Yes, brother—Madge Harpy!” ' v . .'
A brief spell of intense silence. Then their

 . z ,r   -.;i,,

 
   

 

* . some manner been bested

 
   

‘20

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

/ :

 

 

hands met-that was all.
of affection.

“I thought you were dead!” returned Rube
Har , the pretender.

“ n such luck!” was the bitter response, as
the mask fluttered back into place. “ But I
might almost as well be, I am so thoroughly out
of the world!”

“ Oh, no; you hadn't anything of the sort;
for while there’s life there’s hope, you know.

“ But I'm really surprised at you, Madge!
No Harpy ever threw up the sponge, and, if I
remember m‘ight, you used to be counted the
truest Harpy of them all i”

1 'Il‘lhe woman‘s eyes kindled with a vindictive
ig t.

" I was not aware that I had given up the
battle,” she returned, almost fiercely. ‘7 You
have certainly misconstrued my language. I
referred simply to how irksome-to one fond of
social pleasures and gayety is the life I am now
loading.

“ As for ho , that was crushed out, years
ago, when he p eyed me false.

“ And yet, I have not lived without a certain
fixed and unalterable purpose. I have ever felt
that at some time would come a chance for re-
venge, an opportunity to repay the- indignities
heaped upon myself and lavished upon our
father.

“ I came not here to seek it, but within these
bills it has ressed itself upon me.”

“I see—- see!” muttered Rube, with an ap-
preciative nod. “ Go ahead, sis.”

“ As you are probably aware, these bills offer
nothing to a band such as I command, unless it
be a snug retreat when hard pressed," pursued
{be women, “ and that is precisely why we are

ere.

“ We came two weeks ago; hard pushed by
a company of blue—coats under Captain Dale,
and sought refuge in a huge cavern a few miles
distant.

“The morning after our arrival, my scouts
reported that we were not alone in the hills-—
that within a mile of us was astrongly-bnilt
log house, occupied by a number of men.

“ This house was ever guarded, as was its ad-
jacent buildings. and for some days we were
greatly puzzled as to the Secret of the place, so
zealously kept.

“Then, one of my most daring fellows,‘Lien-
tenant Morales, learned all.

“ The men were working away on a vast, iso-
lated deposit of virgin gold—had taken out vast
sums in the yellow metal.

“Naught but the presence of Captain Dale
and his company in these bills held us in re-

There was no display

straint; but we have kept up our surveillance, -

andd have learned enough to hold the Winning
car 5.

f‘ Now, as to the most singular part of the af-
1 r. ‘

“The chief of the party is none other than
our old friend, Jackson Mordaunt.

I“ Sometime within the next few hours, he
will pass .through the valley just below us,
accompanied by his daughter and other near
relatives.” '

“ Revenge and riches at one stroke?” suggested

a.

“Exactly! For we have determined to seize
"the outfit, despite the presence of the blue-coats
'in the vicinity! v

“ Is it not a royal stroke?” : r

“ Royal, but rash,” was the cool response

“ Now, listen to me, Madge, for I have some-

thin to propose.”

“ cry we 1; proceed.”

But Just at that juncture a faint signal arose
from the covert, and Queen Madge warningly
placed her hand upon her brother’s arm, while
-.she cast a swift look up and down the pass.

Approaching from below was a most singular
looking cavalcadc.

 

CHAPTER XXV.
rm: moon or rm: BRANDED man.

WITH the return of consciousne, Old Duke
Harpy lifted himself upon his elbow and glared
savagel up and down the secret pass.

The rst object to catch his e e was the form
_of his son, Ben Harpy, perch upon a stone
jutting from the wall.

.“ Oh, you’re there, are you?” snarled the old
chief, leaping to his feet. “ Do you know, Ben
Harpy, that I‘ve been scientifically taken in
and done for?”

“Full aware ofthe fact!” was the cool re-
ply. “ n fact, pap, I have found the docu-
ment that led on astray, and I feel that I ma
say, that, bad y as you have been hoodwinke ,
I would have fared as hardly had Istood in
your boots. .

l

I _ “Oh, that Danton is asleek citizen, and if I

ever get‘him into in bands he’ll rue the do

that gave him birth 1’}, ’ , y
. “But it wasn’t the pa r that led me into
the trap,” declared Duke arpy, gingerly trac-
ing the extent of the contusion created by the

butt of the Red-Hand s rt’s revel . “ i
,  the forge p0 var I do.

the moment I ht as u
it. Forced into t e conviction that 3131 h in
,'I made a pretense of

  

, ,

, complete metamorph

 

  

falling into the trap, as a ruse to, catch the
cursed sharp!” ‘

“ And get bitten for your pains l”

“ Not by him, at any rate,” with an oath.
“ I had him, fast enough, right here, when I
was stricken down from behind.”

“ And the Mordaunt girl—was she with him?”
eagerly queried the son.

“No; has she escaped?”

“I feared so. I did not take time to visit her
lodge before putting out after you,” and Ben
Harpy went on to narrate the particulars of his
capture and strange release.

“ We had better get back to the camp,” de-
clared the old chief, when the brief recital was
ended. “ Your mysterious rescuer Ina be
creating havoc there, while we are not he ping
matters any by remaining here. With ten of
the best trailers in the band at their heels, Dan-
ton and the other fellow will scarcely have the
time to venture back this way.”

Ben Harpy assenting, the two hastened down
into the pocket.

A glance into the lodge where Pauline had'

been confined, confirmed their fears as to a
rescue.

“ What is to be done?” exclaimed Duke Harpy,
in perplexity.

“ Absolutely nothingl” was the cool reply.
“ Let her escape, say Il She wl'll be taken back
to her friends, and so is well off our hands.

“ We must hand our energies in another di-
rection. We must leave these thieving Apaches
to their own devices.” “ W

e

“ I am agreed,” acquiesced the chief.
had better hasten, too, for morning isnot so
for distant.” g,

“ We can pull through all right, with a little
systematic work.” .,

“But the treasure—of courso—you know—-
we can’t leave—"

“ Of course not. The accumulations of three
years left to these thieving red—skins: l’ve
emptied the treasure—cave, sack at a. time, re-
placing them with dummy—bags, in anticipation

of just such nmove. It is all secure] cached,
hal ’a mile beyond the outlet of. t e secret
pass

For a moment Old Duke Ha ywas dumb
with amazement and admiration. hen he broke
forth in a choking sort of laugh.

. “Sly dog!” he ejaculated, rapping the shoul-
ders of his villainous son approvingly. “ If ever
fgthgg were exactly reproduced in son, you are
t e yl

“ Acting upon the same reasons, I’ve carted
away the dummies 1”

Ben Harpy, in tone, was astonished; but he
quickly joined in his father’s lau hter.

“Won’t there be some tall owling when
1551: empty cave is discovered l” exclaimed the
e er.-

“ It was not to be expected that we lead the
red thieves for nothing,” declared Ben.

“But let us hasten. We must cut out the
necessary horses and put ourselves in presenta-
ble shape as speedin as possible. ” '

In less than an hour they had reached the
outlet of the secret pass, with six horses in their
possession.

Their appearance was so changed that they
were unrecognizable. A liberal use of water
and a change to civilized garb had wrought a
osis. -

In due course they arrived at the spot where
the treasure lay hidden, and without loss of
time the cache was emptied of its precious con-
tents, a load of two sacks being placed upon
each of the four pack-horses.

“The nestion now is, where shall we go, and
what she I we do?" observed Old Duke Harpy
as they remounted. “In our present guise,I
am in mortal terror, for we are in danger from
every red-skin and white outlaw that may
chance to be in the hills.”

“ As am I,” frankly avowed Ben. “ But if
we can keep our skirts clear for a few hours, I
think we can gain a point where we may feel
perfectly safe.

“ It is a cavern, located a little west of north,
and can be reached in four or five hours, even
at a leisurely pace.

“As to what we shall do, that is another
question, and must be decided by the way in
which events shape themselves.

“ For my own part, I am in favor of spyin
out the location of the Mordaunt Mine, an
tRheEepptting ourselves in communication with

u . ‘

“That is about my idea,” Duke Harpy de-
clared. “But just wherein these bills such a
{abulogs mine could be located _is a sad puzzle

0 me.

“ It is here, nevertheless, and somewhere to
the northward, I think.”

And gathering up the reins, Ben Harpy set
forward.

For hours the villainous pair rode onward at
a steady gait, eventually turning almost due
west into a small valley, and thence, a mile

urther on, into the jaws of a narrow, tortuous

ass.
“We are nearing the cave,” suggested Duke

“Wt; are within rifl

. at 'of the entrance,”
Ban returned, you; n *

awn. ‘ My first act,

     
   
  

 

after a bite to eat, will take the form of a long
nap. I haven’t been so used up for a month.”
“Nor I,” declared the ex-chief.

 

Rube Harpy joined his sister, the Bandit I

Queen, in a start of surprise as his eyes encoun-
tered the approaching party.

It was a singular one, to say the least.

First came two horsemen, fashionably attired
and freshly shaved. ,

Behind them, four pack—horses, each with a
brace of large, well-filled sacks strapped secure-
ly upon its back.

That the two riders were “ holly unsuspicious
of the presence iu the pass of any one other than
themselves was obvious: in fact, they were giv-
ing little or no heed to their surroundings.

“ Come,” cautiously uttered Queen Madge,
plucking nt Rube’s sleeve. “ Get under cover.
The Bandits must have that train, as it doubt-
less contains much-needed supplies.”

Rube Harpy lost no time in complying with
the request. A glance showed him that his
horse had been gotten out of sight.

Crouching beside his sister, the desperado
watched the approach of the strangers With cu—
rious eyes.

It required but a moment for them to ride
into the ambush. Morales, the bandit lieuten-
ant, again stepped forth from the covert, a re-
volver raised in either hand.

“ Ho, gentlemen I” he exclaimed, as he covered
the startled pair. “Will you surrender, or do
you choose to die!"

The expression that came over the faces of

Old Duke Harpy and his son, Ben, at that junc- ,

ture, was such as to baflie description.
It portra ed, at once, chagrin, fear and rage.
The mu es of a. number of rifles protruding
from the bushes, however, suggested the utter
folly of an attempt at resistance, and, roundly
cursing their ill-fortune, the two desperadoes
ielde . ‘
y At that 'uncture Queen Madge attem ted to

gain her eat, but sunk back, weak an trem-
blin .
Agghastl pallor had crept into her face, a.

strange, wid light into her magnificent eyes.
Her full red lips twitched piteously as she vain-
ly strove to speak.

Nor was her villainous brother a whit less
powerfully affected.

The appearance of the two strangers had upon
them just such an effect as would have been
produced by the sudden uprising of a. grim-
visaged phantasrn.

Then, as Old Duke Harp dismounted, Madge
threw off the terrible thra and sprung to her
feet crying:

“ old, Morales! Touch them notl

“ They are my father and my brother!”

As the Bandit Queen ke, she flung aside
her mask and with a pecu iarl so ntine mo-
tion glided forward, closely fol ow by Rube.

One swift, startled look at her white, tenser '

drawn face, and Old Duke Harpy sprung back,
then let out a yell that would have done credit,
in a vocal way to the wildest, lustiest Apache in
the countr ’round.

“ Good 0rd! It is Madge—our Madge—and
alive!” he screamed, half-frantic with joy and
relief, his ruddy countenance flushing and paling
by turns, as he recovered himself and sprung
forward.

“ Alive, yes! And with her, Rube l” supple-
mented Ben Hai- y, scarcely less agitated.

And thus mett e four members of the Harpy
$.mily, known as the Brood of the Branded

iper.

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
NELLIE’S suerCIons—mn GOAL.

IT was with no small degree of uneasiness that
Jackson Mordaunt and Nellie learned of the sur-
reptitious departure of Rube Harpy, or, as he
was known to them, Dick Royals.

“ It is certainly a. most foolhardy move.”
asseverated Jackson, when Roger had made his
repprt. “And yet—it is not to be wondered
at.

“On the contrary, it was to have been ex-

cted,” Nellie declared. “ A lover capable of
figuring arms would hardly supine] await the
rescue of his affianced by other ban 3.”

“A poor stick if he would,” admitted Jack-
son. “ I only hope that he may pull through his
rash venture unhurt.” ‘

“Trusthim for that,” observed the 'rl. “I
incline to the belief that Mr. Dick 0 ale is
fully competent to look out for Number .”

Roger Mordaunt looked keenly at his daugh-

tor.

“ There is more in that remark than appears
on the surface,” he assured himself. “ Nel sus-
pects Something. I must learn what it is at the
earliest opportunity. She’s a shrewd puss-
generally not far wrong.” ’

Then aloud:

“ We may at least hope that he will fall' in
with Jenkins and Yuba, and that the trio will
be successful.

“But I would suggest, Jackson, that 'we have 1

breakfast and at under way as speedily as
sible, in acco co with the instructions 19 by
Jenkins.” .. ' ‘ I  . .
“ I was about to ofler the same idea,”

r .. he... {muwme ‘

a. “A”.-.  “fitm—

 

so "Rh-i ll

«mm

«var-t on.

All—4

14

«i <..—I .'a___ I 

We.

 

if
i

,3
l

 

‘v.

in i\'\-; “Wpcse ‘

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

21'

 

 

Roger. “ In fact, the sooner we are under way
the better. The march onward will be a relief,
to say the least.”

“ How are the horses this morning?” Nellie
asked.

Roger Mordaunt started.

“ I had forgotten their lamenessl” he exclaim—
ed. “ Dunbtess they are all right this morning,
as the iritation produced by McButf’s ju glory
was likely intended to be only temporary. ’

" If they are unfit for work, fill their places
from Yulia‘s Apache herd,” said Jackson.
“Anything to pull through to—day.”

In due time, the train got under way, pushing
northward across the plain lying east of the
foot—hills, and leaving in in the motte three horses
as yet unable to travel.

Not until the sun was almost to the meridian
did Roger Mordaunt find an opportunity to ap-
proach his daughter concerning the subject
weighing so heavily upon his mind.

Then the two met in the rear of the train, be-
yond earshot of the rest of the party.

“ Papa, I wish to ask you a. question," ex—
claimed Nellie, as Roger rode up,” and I would
like a cnnilid answer.

“ What, do you think of this fellow styling
himself Richard Royale?"

i. El] ?77

Nellie repeated the question.

For a full iniilute her father stared hard at
her, making an attempt to conceal his amaze-
ment.

" Such a. question 2” he gasped, at length.
‘.‘ Why do you ask it, my dear?” ,

“Because I should like an answer, papa."

“ Logical—very,” and Mordaunt smiled at his
dauvhter’s intense earnestness. ‘

“ ut, Nellie, to be candid, I have not fully
made up my mind what to think: and, to be
equally candid. it was to learn your opinion
that I sought you here."

“ My opinion, papal” i

“ Yes, and your suspicions, as well.”

“They are yours for the asking,” said Nellie,
repressing a start of surprise.

“ I suspect that the gentleman introducing
himself as Richard Royale is none other than
Reuben Harpy!“

The eifec-t of this announcement upon Roger
Mordaunt was not so pronounced as might have
been expected. \

He simply nodded, theh smiled grimly, saying.

“ Exactly! And your reasons for such a sus-

picion, my dear?”

“ They are many, and too intricate to be set

‘ forth just here, papa.

“ But if‘I am wrong, Dick Royals has greatly
changed. and not for the better, either.”

“ I agree with you there. In fact, it may be
said that he has hardened almost beyond recog-
nition.”

“Then, too,” pursued Nellie, “ the marvelous
likeness that existed between the two men would
make such an imposture possible.”

“ It would, indeed," acquiesced Roger Mor-

unt. .

“ To tell the truth, Nellie, m suspicions run
in much the same channel 1: t yours have
marked out.”

“And Uncle Jacskon. papar’ A

“ As yet wholly unsuspicious. As a matter of
fact, he is too intensely wrought up by the un-
certainty of Pauline’s fate to have more than.
merely noticed Royale.

“ So, Nell, we will let the matter stand as a
secret between us. If the fellow turns out to
be Royals, no harm will have been done; ,and,
on the other hand, if it becomes evident that
his representations are false, he will be taken by

' warm” .. .
0 this propoation the girl readily agreed,

and then Ro r Mordaunt rode forward‘to re-
join his brot er. ‘

“I wished Pauline were here,” mused Nellie,
si hing. “ I have scarcelya doubt that Jenkins
Will succeed.
that man invincible.

“ When Pauline comes, this pretender will
not be far behind her. If _he deoeives her, then
will he be perfect, indeed, in the dimcult role he
has selected." .

But the day wore to a. close. almost, without
the reappearance of any of the musing parties.
About middle of the afteran the train

‘ ‘ arrived at the entrance of the little valley, up

i which we have Seen Rube, Ben and Old aka

I  Harpy take their way, and Jackson Mordannt

said.
*“ We should arrive at the mine before sunset,

7 r. or it is new not more than five miles distant.

‘5 You have arrived at the final turning-point in
your long’gourney. _

‘ “ But fore we proceed, we must make a
reconnaissance, as these bills are at present in-
fested by a lale band know]: as the Goldites,
or Mimbres Bandits. and it is barely possible

‘- that their scouts may have had an eye on our

A . movements during the day.

 

    

 

‘J‘Thenwemay
asked. ‘

“These Goldites are in hiding from a com-

2} yet cavalry now somewhere in the hills,

ut as such a train is tempting, and they are

" unmauyatrong, thaircupidity may hayegotun ‘

the better of their ndgment.‘
I'ook for an ambush?" Roger

I have actually come to believe _

‘ swiftly across

 

“ It would be just as well for us to be on the
alert," was the guarded reply. “However, a
look at our surroundings will probably yield
us something on which to base our conclu-
sioiis.”

With that, Jackson Mordaunt rode away,
crossmg and recrossiug the narrow valley.

“’hen he returned, it was with a. nervous
haste that led Roger tdexpect the worst.

“There is a strong likelihood that my fears
are well-founded,” announced Jackson, as he
drew rein. “ A number of fresh trails lead up
the valley.

“But, get the negroes into shape for an en-
counter, aud we will push forward, as it would
avail us nothing to halt here.

“I will ride ahead. At the first intimation
of danger draw the wagons into a triangle
and take s elter behind them.”

And touching spurs to his horse, Jackson
Mordaunt sought a position some three hundred
yards in advance of them, while Roger turned
his attention to Snowflake and his sable com-
rades.

Contrary to general expectations, however,
nothing occurred further to mar the peace and
quiet of the little party.

In fact, the valley and its environing hills
seemed wholly deserted, save for their presence.

In due course, Jackson Mordaunc turned from

the valley into a deep gorge, into which the

wagons proceeded with no little difficulty.

Not until then did the Vigilance of the miner
relax. Halting, he waited until Roger and
Nellie came up. .

“We are now within less than the fourth of a
mile of the Hidden-Hope Mine,” he announced,
as they drew near. “The dangerous points
may safely be said to have been passed, and I
now bid you welcome—~a welcome marred by
but a single pain!"

His voice grew husky and tremulous, as be
extended a band to each, the mist of nnshed
tears dimmed the brightness of his eyes.

His agony had at ’last grown beyond re-
straint. ,

t Nellie turned pale and.silently averted her
see.

Roger, suffering as keenly, perhaps, as either,
was about to speak, when his woe-be one ex—
prxesiion-suddenly changed to one o joyous
re ie .

“ Look!" he cried. “ Banish pain—let all be
jov—for yonder comes Pauline .’ ” ‘ -

rue enough; with the swift, ringing clatter
of iron-clad boots, the frenzied waving of red
bandanuas and the feeble fluttering of a dainty
linen ’kerchief—foilowed at a distance of lift
yards by a. deputation of three brawn , r -
shirted miners afoot—came Long Pete enkius
and Dan Yuba, one on either side of Pauline
Mordauntl '

 

CHAPTER ‘XXVII.
ran PRAIRIE GRAVE.

“ HE i a. fiend as black {ind wicked as any
the internal re ions could put forth, I verily be-
lieve—the Old 0% barred!

“ But withall is deathless hatred, with all
his devilish ingenuitv, he has failed again and I
yet live—live to follow the trail to the bitter
end, to frustrate his evil design l”

And Desperate Dave Danton staggered weak-
ly to his feet, his midnight eyes aglow, his face
pale and bloody but rigid and determined.

“ That was a close call ” he muttered. run-
ning his fln rs along the ges of a aping fur-
row across forehead. ~“ I was luc y enough
to get a. glimpse of him skulking there in the
bush, or it would have been all up with mel‘ A
close fall—but I’m better than a dozen dead
men:

’A hasty scrutiny of his surroundings, and
then the wounded esperado deliberately set to
work, to wash awe the bloody stains and dress
his wounds as best e could. ,

In due time be accomplished his painful task,

'then mounted the extra horse abandoned by

Jenkins and his companions in their hasty de-
parture, and rode slowly out of the glade.

“ Now, what is to be done?” he muttered,
halting at the outer border of the timbers.
“ Shall I seek the trail of Pauline'and her rea-
cuers, or turn back to Colorado and strike from
that quarter?

“ The first course is by far the shorter, but is
infinitely more perilous; and as I am owin
weary of this continuous race against oath,
will abandon it and adopt the latter, thus
striking from under cover and constantly con-
fronting Harpy with the man he believes dead.”

So striking s are to his horse, Danton rode
9 plain, heading to the south-

east. -

“ I will find the Mordaunt trail, and follow
it back to the town of Alamosa. for I care not
to go adrift, almost unassured, in a country so
ovggun with autism ond‘red-skins," he mut-
te ‘. ,

The‘ sun had reached the meridian when he
came upon the trail‘at a point a mile east of the
Lone Timber.

“ Now, easy, good horse, for there is not for

you either night or day until we have struck
the Iron Trail,” he-exclaiuied, drawing down to.

menylope. . .

I

. I

 
 
  

 

Thus two miles slipped by, and then Danton
was startled by a stern hail—ringing out from
the grass a few paces to the south of the trail—
the three words:

“ Halt~hands upl”

The desperado’s first impulse was to risk a.
bold dash; but a swift glance in the direction of
the enemy brought in its train a sober second
thought. ,

,Such an object as was presented to his gaze!

Truly. it was startling enough to have tested
the nerves of the boldest!

Kneeling in a shallow grave—from which he
had evidently just exhumed himself—his hair
and heard matted, his clothing covered with
clinging particles of dirt, his face the hue of
the dead, his eyes, wild and bloodshot, glaring
along the si ht of his rifle, was a man—a burly,
broadsshoul cred fellow—in the garb of the}
plains! -

Big Dale Keith! - _ I

Again had Harpy, the pretender, failed in his
purpose. .

“ Gbod! That’re sensible l" growled the wound-
ed plainsman, as Danton came to a halt with his:
hands uplifted. '

“ Now, pardy, which way d’ye come?"

“ From the foot-hills, back there,” replied
Danton, with well-defined uneasiness.

“ Did, eh? We], look’e hyar—’d ye see any-
thin ov a train ov three wagons?”

“ did; it encamped in a timber clump a feW'
miles northwest of here, last night."

“An’ wbar may it be new?” '

“ I don’t know.” _

Big Dale was silent a. moment; his eyes were-
flxad steadily upon Danton‘s face.

“ Pardy l” he finally exclaimed, “ I’m goin’
ter trust ye. Jest a. leetle furder than I like,
bein’ es I’m so situated es I caiu't help myself,
ye know.”

Danton nodded, saying:

“ Yes, yes; You’re down, and I’m not be»
grud ing you a lift. What is it, pardi”

“ u’st, though,” pursued Big Dale, “ we’ll'

1

explanify a leetle—you on your side, an’ me on '

mine.

“ Now, my name is Keith—Dale Keith—an’ I
am one ov ther outfit ahead. I was ambushed
an’ shot down last night, an’ planted in this hyur
hole—es mean an’ dirty a leetle trick es war
ever sarved on man, take it all in all. a

“ For ther cur es did ther job war a teller es
I bed treated es a friend—lied piloted ’crost.
menny a mile ov plain ter meet his sweet—
heart.”

Danton turned a. trifle paler.

“ His name?" he asked, his voice unsteady in
his eagerness.

“ He interjuced hissolf ter the es Dick Royals,
but, es I’ve sence l’arned he’s better known by
ther name 0v Monshall.’

Throwing himself from the saddle, Danton
impulsively sprung forward. .

“ Stiddy, lad—stiddyl” warned Big Dale in
incisive accents.
—but I don’t know it.”

Thus brou ht to a. halt, the desperaxlo pushed
back his som ram and 'pointcd significantly tq
the handkerchief bound around his head.

“ More work of that devil’s ‘im 1” he grimly
exclaimed. “ In my case, thong ‘, by his haste
he cheated himself of the satisfaction of seeing
me decently planted.”

A light seemed to break through the clouded
brain of the wounded plainsman. Back to him
came the words of Dick Brazzleton

“ Associated with Monshall‘in the murder of '

Royals and in the evil scheme subsequently put;
afoot, was a second resold, fullyas dangerous,
known as Desperate Dave." ,

“ Your name, pardnerl”. he demanded, visibly
suspicious. ,

‘ Dave Danton.”

“Desperate Dave?”

“I have been so called.”

“ Then ye deserves ter die, fer ye war one ov
ther two men‘ who murdered ther real Royals.

“Say yer prayers. ye red-handed scoundrel?
I’ve no mercy on sich as ye!”

Loud and clear as the blare of a. bugle rung
the voice of the plainsman, and his eyes tin
with a deadly light.

Danton, however, stood his ground without
flincbing, saying: I

“ Hold, just a minute. Keith.

“ Who told you that?” ,
Something in the man’s voice or bank:
seemed to have the desired effect—an abatemen .
of burly Dale Keith’s almost ungovemable f .
Anggéet, the'lines of his face did not relax as 9-

re :
‘ Dick Brazzleton. ,Royale’s old pard.”

“ The Red-Hand Sport!" Danton ejaculated.

“ Ye know ’im, then?" .

“ Yes; he is straight goods, too, I think—more
than can be said of the general run of selfastyled
man-hunters."

“ Ye pleads guilty?"

law, to a extent, but reality not
guilty at slit 1

is true that I was with Monsan urine“, 7 ‘
momentthe shooting occurred; and it is equally -

true that I wasasanxiousash ' than,»
seethedetnctivewiped out. aim

i

v.

“Ye may mean well enough‘ V

“Yes, and no; guilty, poi-ha ,Aunder the I

.

 

 

 

. neck—'est es surees I’m

22

 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred; " ‘~

 

“ For he had us in a tight box—crowded to

I the wall—and it was almost his life or ours.

“ Monshall had obtained possession of a letter
from Miss Pauline Mordaunt to Royals, detail-
in the discovery of the Hidden-Hope Mine, and
'tel ing of its wonderful richness; and it was
while we were. reading this letter and formulat—
inga scheme to obtain possession of the mine
that we were surprised by Royalc.

“ He had crept up behind a great bowlder
lying near the verge of a precipice, and had the
drop on us when we discovered his presence.

“ Desperate, caught like rats in a trap, what
more natural than to show tight?

“We had but one revolver between us, and
Monshall carried that—unknown to me. An
exchange of shots followed, and Royale went
down behind the bowlder.”

“I cain’t see but ye’re guiltyl” interrupted
Big Dale, at that point. “Ter my mind, ye
war 'est as much a party ter ther murder as of
ye’d a’ bed a dozen we’pins!”

“But there was no murder!"
ton, with intense earnestness. “
killed J”

Bi Dale turned yet paler.

“ it out!" he ejaculated, in strains scarcely
above a whisper.

“It is a gospel fact!" Danton asseverated.
“ I pushed around the bowlder to note the effect
of the shot. Roynle was lying on his back, at
the verge of the cliff, insensihle, having received
an ugly scalpwound.

“No matter as to my first impulse—a. touch
of my foot would have sent him to the rocks
three hundred feet bekW! Strange as it may
seem, I took him from his perilous position,
placing him in the shadow of the overhanging

owlder, then, with one of his revolvers, re-
returned to Monshall, stating that Royale had
gone over the cliff, and that I had found the
wen u on the verge.”

“ ardner thet aire a purty tou h yarn,” re-
marked Big Dale, as Danton pauseg.

“It may seem almost incredible,” the des-
perado admitted; “ but it is as near the exact
truth as I can put it.

“ To resume: Monshall, whose real name is
Harpy—Rube Harpy—and who is really a

rotest Dan-
cycle was not

,cousm of Royale, and to all appearances his
"exact counterpart, on being told that Royale

‘was'dcad, at once decided to adopt the scheme
he had had in view. , "
“ So he took the name of Richard Royals and

left Colorado for New Mexico, determined to

aim himself 01! on the Mordaunts, marry Miss
' aulme, and eventually secure possession of the

fabulous mine.
“ We were hand-in-glove in the matter, until

, the persistent attentions of this Brazzleton, the

Red-Hand Sport, brought about a difference of
opinion, which eventuatcd in an o n rupture.

“Monshall, or Harpy, went his way, and I.
went mine-he to carry out his original plot, I
to capture the two girls and hold them for
ransom.

“In this. I was baffled by Brazzleton, the
Red-Hand Sport,” and Danton recounted briefly
his adventures, from the attack by himself and

I the two Mexicans ugn the Mordaunt party, up

tohis meetin with ig Dale.
“An’ eka kilate ter 0 back ter Colorado
and flu Royals?” the tter asked, after a

moment‘s silence.

“ There is where I’m bound,” was the reply.

“ It is as much as my life is worth to proceed
single-handed, for between the three Harpies on
one side and the Red-Hand Sport on the other,
my chances would be just about m‘l.” ,

‘ That’s yer move,” readily agreed Big Dale.
“ In fact, 1’m goin’ with ya I"

“ You!" ejaculated Danton.

“ I'm ther hairpin,” was the laconic response.

“ Good!” and a. flush of hopefulness came into
the desperado’s face. “ The Red-Hand Sport
can hold Harpy level until we return.”

" He jest kin,” supplemented Dale; “ and two
kin find Ro ale quicker nor one.

“ Now, I’ l jest call up my boss, and of ye’ll
give me a light we’ll git back ter ther motto
whar ther party camped last night, for I need a
littliilflxéln’ up. rd 1, try ,1 a h I

‘ in yo, y, m in est es muc es
know how tella b’leevo e, an’ I’m a oin’ ter
trust ye jest es fur as I n, for ye loo darned
honest, {est now.

‘ “ Ef find that ye hev bin chuckin' a cobweb
at me, howsumever, or of 3 tries ter play
double with me, why I’ll crac yer part white

goin’ tor one; Rube
Harpy I one ov these days! Ye hear me, now i”

Danton nodded, saying:

“ No danger of either, old man; I’m done with
crooked paths. If I pull throu h .this job I’m
fella} straight home. I’ve an o d mother own

a ttle Rh y."

“Good enough! Ef that’s yer trail, we’re
straight out pards till the round-up 0v ther
Harpy herd. Yer hand on’tl”

' CHAPTER XXVIII.
, ' A cannon or PLANS.
PLACING [his fingers to his lips, Big Dale
Keith uttered a shrill whistle, whereupon hills
horse arose from the tall grass a. few rods to t e

t sonthandcanteredtohismde. ,

 

“ Now thar’s a. critter as kin he depended on,”
exclaimed the plainsman, as he slowly scrambled
out of the shallow grave. “ Naixt ter Pete
Jenkins an’ Dan Yuba, that boss aire the truest
critter top ov sod!

“ Now, pard, jest give me a leetle h’ist to’ard
ther saddle. I’m powerful weak, I am. Seems
as of ther dirty cuss bed let daylight cl’ar
through me.”

Danton gave the required assistanCe, and then
the two rode slowly across the plain toward
the timber clump. '" .

On the way, Big Dale related his adventure
with tho Red-Hand Sport, telling how he had
been ambushed later on, shot from the saddle
and buried as dead.

“Ther bullet come from that Harpy, too, fer
by ther flash 0v his we’pin I sighted his face off
in ther grass,” he declared. “ An’ ef ther boss
hadn‘t shied, that grave back thar would " a ‘ an-
swerel fer all time, tool

“But Harpy overreacbed hisself. I s’pose I
hed fainted, an’ be jest planted me fer dead. It
wa’n’t a inooine plantin’, uther, else l’d ‘a’ staid
tbar fer eeps, but jest a loose permisc’us River—
in’, piled on in a hurry, an’ at ther fu’st move I
jist poked my head right through ther roof ov
my sepulcher.

‘Dern ’im enyway, fer a sneakin’ kiotel
I’m ’mOst sorry I promised Brazzleton ter keep
my hands off l”

‘ I’m under no such romise.” said Danton,
with a grim smile. “ aybe I’ll get a good
square chance at him one of these days, with no
advantage on either side.”

Arrived at the motto, the two men halted at'

the spot where Mordaunt’s three wagons had
been drawn into a triangle.

“ Look a leetle out, pard l” exclaimed Big Dale,
warily, as they were preparing to dismount.
“ I see three or four bosses out there, to'ard ther

laip’. Likely we ain’t the only ones in the tim-

r

“We’ll scout forward a bit,” suggested Dan-
ton. “ It may be reds, or it may be some of
Mordaunt’s folks."

“ Or jest stray critters,” Dale said.
wa 3, they ain’t picketed." v

be move was duly accomplished, and the last
supposit' n found to be correct. Three horses
all lame and travel-worn, were grazing just with.
in the bounds of the timber. , .

“ But I glimpsed a fourth,” remarked the
plainsman, peering into the bushes. “ 0h, thar’s
ther critter!" .,

True enough; and at that juncture the animal
in question walked slowly out into the 0 en.

A cry of surprise came from Big Da e, to be
caught up and echoed by Danton.

Bound to the back of the horse, Mazeppa-like,
was a. man!

And that man, as was to be seen at a glance,
was the Red-Hand Sport.

His face bore upon it the hue of death, and his
form seemed cold and rigid.

“Good Lord!” ejaculated Big Dale; “it is a
corpse—the corpse of Dick Brazzleton.”

“ It certainly is the Red-Hand S rt,” Danton
rimmed, riding forward; “ But it remains to
be seen whether he is dead. For my own part,
I incline to the belief that there is yet life in

him.

“He has fallen into the hands of Harpy’s
Apache outlaws, been bound thus to his horse,
and then, accidentally or otherwise, has taken
the ride of a. Maze pa.

“ In any event, e has fazed roughly, and cm" >

first duty is to look to him. ,

“ Ef thar’s a chainoe, sail in,” exclaimed Big
Dale. “ Es fur es I’m consarned, all I’m able
ter do is tar look arter ther bosses. Thor real
work falls ter you.” i .

A brief examination convinced Danton that
his first surmise, at least, was correct. The
Red-Hand Sport was simply unconscious.

“ He’s had a rougher experience than I’d care
to undergo,” the des rado remarked, as be bent
over the detective a ew minutes later. “ Blessed
if his wrists and his ankles aren’t as raw as an
egg, not to mention a/ network of bruises and
scratches extending from his head to his heels.”

A faint smile wreathed the pallid face of the
Red-Hand Sport, and his eyes suddenly opened.

“ You are right, Danton. I have fared rough-
] since we parted over there in the hills,” he

eclared in a low tone. “ The A aches were
too much for me—capturing me at t e very mo-
ment I reached my horse.”

And that was all either said just then.

The two wounded men were speedily made as
comfortable as 'ble, and then it was decided
to take an hour a rest in the motto.

During that time ageneral understandin was
secured, as a result of which the Red: and
Sport, singularly enough, promptly announced
a tiptermination not to put Danton under ar-
res

“ I certainly believe your Ito of the at-
temde assassination of Royale,"' 9 declared.
“ In fact, I may say that I now tive

proof that you have told the exact trut as to
your connection with that affair.

“ I may
Wylie isandth the 11 r tR beHarp
yici ty 3 ,wi con ron u y
before that worthy is many hours older!”

to».

0 even further: I may say that
ve—that he is in the immediate

 

“ Least:

 

Danton and Big Dale exchanged a glance of
amazement.

“ Ye war mistaken, then, last night?” asked
the rpiainsnian. " Ye know, ye said Boyale war
dea .”

“ I was laboring under a delusion.”

“ Hev ye see’d him?"

“ Yes, and no—that is, I have seen that I was
mistaken." '

A question seemed to be trembling upon the
lips of Danton; but he repressed it. and with a
peculiar gleam in his eye he moved forward and
extended his hand.

“ I am glad to hear that, Brazzleton,” he
said, his voice fraught with significance. “It
saves me that trip to Colorado, for I suppose
Royale will turn up—whcn he is wanted I”

“ It is to be expected that he will,” admitted
{lbs Red-Hand Sport. accepting the proffered

and.

“ And you say Pauline Mordaunt escaped, or
was rescued, Danton?”

“ Yes, sir; she was with two of the scout be-
longing to tho Mordaunt outfit at the ti o of
Harpy’s attempt to kill me.”

“ They war Jenkins an’ Dan Yuha, pard,”
averred Big Dale, who, for a few minutes past,
had seemed wholly at sea. “Ye kin ’pend on
thet, fer ther descripshun will fit no other two
men in ther Territory.

“ But see hyar, pards hedn’t we better decide
w’ot we’re goin' ter do? I think I kin stand
ther saddle, ef we take it slow an’ easy a leetle

a s.

“yVVe’ll follow the wagon~trail," answered
Royal Richard, derisively. “ The sooner we are
off the better, too.”

In due time the three were in the saddle, fol-
lowigg the plainly-marked trail at an easy

spee .

Big Dale rode with grimly-compressed lips, for
his wound was painful, th< ugh not dangerous.
Not once during the afternoon did he speak un-
less directly addressed.

As for R0 a1 Richard, the torture he suffered
must have en excruciating; but, if so, he en-
dured it without a. groan—even lightly.
h.Islunset found the three well back in the foot-

1 s.

“ We’re within a few miles ov ther Hidden
Hope,” said Dale, in reply to a uestion from
the Red-Hand Sport. “ It’ll take ess’n an hour
ter make ther riffle.”

“ The wagons are not far in advance of us,”
observed Danton. “The trail has steadily
freshened.”

“They hev reached the mine afore now,"
Dale averred.

Just at that point the valley narrowed‘and
made a sharp curve to the northward; and as
the trio swept‘swiftly around the angle thus
formed, fort from the deepening shadows of
the rocks on either side darted a\fi1e of men,
masked and armed, blocking the way with
their leveled rifles.

“Halt!” commanded a tall fellow, visibly

the leader of the party, as he took a sition a
few paces in advance of the line. “ altl .You
are prisoners, my line birds, for escape you can-
not!

“By heavens, he speaks the truth 1” the Red-
Hand sport exclaimed, castin a glance over his
shoulder. “We are complete y hemmed in!”

A muttered curse from his companions at-
tested their appreciation of the fact.

CHAPTER XXIX.
AT ran MINE—TEE BROOD IN COUNCIL.

THE reunion of the Mordaunts was a most
happy one, and Long Pete and Yuba, despite
their efforts to escape at the last moment, came
in for a full share of affectionate attention, for.
their part in bringing about the sudden transi-
tion from gloom to gladness was such as not to
be cverloo ed. even at that moment, by Jack-
son and Roger Mordaunt and their daughters.

“ We owe more than lifeto you, Pete Jen-
kins, and ‘you, Dan Yuba,” warmly avowed
Jackson. as, with Pauline, he turned to the two
frontiersmen.

“As. indeed, do we,” Roger declared, as he
and Nellie ressed forward. “Such adebt as
you have pa0ed upon us is one that we can
never pay. Our only resource is tooifer you
the Widest measure of affection and esteem.”

“ I declar’. folksé‘ye kinder ilustrate any 9
do now.” exclaim Long Pete, laughing y.
“ (3, Dan?”

“ ain’t felt so mean fer twenty year,”
averted the squat Hercules, retreating in con-
fusion.

“ Thar fact is, folks, we hain’t done any more
fer ye then the law allows, I reckon,” ursued

g Pete. “ Ye see, each doin’s as we ev bed
lately don’t count for much with Dan an’ me,
an’ of ye’ll jest let the matter drop we’ll hurry

 

up ter thermine an’ hev a bite tor eat, for I c’u’d *

eat a wolf, I’m so hungerdy. ,

“ But hyar’s thei- j is, Blue Dan an’ Billy
Mason, jest a-dyin’ ter to e ye by ther hand.” .

The men alluded to at that moment stepped
forward, while Long Pete and Yuba turned and
rode on up the pass.

“ Pard, that war a nannr escape.” ejaculated
the Giant Banger, glancing over his shoulder.
“ Tactics warn’t a sarcnmstance; but, arter all,

 

.é.‘ -

 

 

. 7s ’38

 

. ,x—«m-vyu

 

 

   
 
    
   
 
 
  

 

 _.-, ___-.I._-.V

".

l
i
i

 

  

 

 , “had in a degree recovered his equanimity.

Royal Richard, the Thrhed

.0... M...

23

 

 

et wouldn’t hev bin sech a onpleasant way ter
’a’ cashed in.”

“ W’ot wouldn’t :‘” grunted Yuba. '

“ Why, bein’ hugged ter death by thet crowd
back thnr. Tell ye w’ot, Dan Yuba, they is
darned nice gals, both ov ’em."

H spruce es any, I reckon,” was the dreamy
response.

“ Ya-as, I allow so: now, ef I war a bit
ouuger, an7 a mite hurusumer, Dan Yuba, d’ye
now w’ot I’d do?”

The squat Hercules looked up as if aroused
from a reverie.

“ W’at’s thet? No, I don‘t set up to be a
mind reader, Pete Jenkins," he said. “But I
know w’at I ’d do!”

“ Wa-al," drawled Jenkins, with a peculiar
sparkle in his light blue eyes: “ wa—al, I’d jest
sot my cup an’ do my purtiest ter capturvate one
ov them gals-I w’u’d, by hokey!”

“ You! ’ ejaculated Yubu, with a laugh that
set the echoes ringing. “ Wa-el, Pard Pete, I
was jest kalkilutin’ es how I'd do thet same
thinvl”

Thben Jenkins’s rollicking guuaw mingled
with that of his friend, and a moment later the
two halted at their destination—the Hidden-
Hope Mine.

All that marked the location of the treasure
deposit was a strongly-built log house of two
stories—the upper projecting about four feet on
all sides—surrounded by a Stockade.

The house had been built on a plateau in the
Western side or the pass, and the face of an
overhanging blufl? formed the rear wall of the
stockade.

When the two plainsmen had gained the level
of the plateau, they dismounted and seated
themselves upon a bowlder to await the coming
of the Mordauuts.

But scarcely had they thus settled themselves,
into a comfortable position when the very spirit
of unrest seemed to seize upon Long Pete.

A moment, then his rifle swung to his
shoulder. The report was followed by a yell of
defiance far up the eastern slope of the pass,
while a man was seen to 5 ring from behind a
small clump of bushes and art into the recesses
of an extensive thicket.

“ A spy!" ejaculated Dan Yuba.

“ Jest so—bin a-watchin‘ him fur two minutes
an’ a hafe. He war thar for no good, and so I
dropped him thet leetle hint ter vamose,” m
sponded Long Pete.

“ But hyar comes Jackson, an' b’goshl he
looks skeery.”

True enough; Jackson Mordnunt at that mo-
medt appeared on the plateau, looking pale and
agitated. ‘

a“ A Goldite spy, boss,” utteredDan Yuba, an-
ticipating his employer’s question, Just as the
remainder of the party rode up. “ He was

rowlin’ along ther slope over thar ontil Pete
invited him ter cl’ar out."

Mordaunt’s look of concern deepened.

“ A Goldite spy l" he echoed. “ This matter
is fast becoming serious. We must try to put a
stop to the annoying espionage of these
bandits.”

“ We’ll talk ther matter over arter supper,
pard,” said Lon Pete. “ Yuba tells me thar’s
a company 0v loo-coats sum’er’s in ther hills,
an’ I reckon we kin find ’91:), easy en .”

“ That is my idea, exactly,” Mordaunt aver-

red.

“An’ ther wagons, boss—shell we leave ’em
down in ther l” asked Billy Mason.

“ Yes, for i I am not mists an we shall have
occasion to use them again within a few days;
but you me fetch up the horses and put a
guard over tl‘ie wagons until they have been un-
loaded.” -

The Mordaunts then rode into the stockade,
where they turned their horses over to a miner
who had been doin sentry duty during the ab-
sence of his comra es. . '

Pauline and Nellie gazed at their strange sur-
roundings with eager, curious eyes. The soli-
dity of the Stockade and the numerous loop-
holes piercing the thick walls of the house gave
the place a formidable look— _ a lxgnifl.
canoe not lost upon the quick-Witted girls.

“ You must have expected unWelcome guests,
papp, when you built this place,” Pauline ob-

served. .

“ We did,” returned Jackson Mordaunt; “ but
we were happily disappointed until the Goldites
made their a once a few days ago.

“ Howe er, trust that the interior of the
place will found as comfortable as the out-
side is cheerless. The four of us have the en-
tire establishment to ourselves, the boys pre-
ferringflth? shelter of the tent, yonder, against
the blu .

“ And the mine, Uncle Jackson—where is it?”
asked Nellie.

“ We’ll have a look at it in due time, my dear.
Let us first superintend the unpacking of the
wagons, for night'fs near at hand.”

 

“Where have you been, Madge, and you.
Rube, during the magenta that have elapsed
since we so unexpec 1y parted company in

" 'Ipadvillei” on Duke Harpy asked, when the

 

situation had been made known to him and he

“ Rather ask, where have I not been i” replied
the Bandit ueen, a bitter smile curving her
red lips. “ 1‘ rom pillar to post, from bad to
worse! has been my lot!

" But of all that, more anon. Let us be con-
tent, for the present, with the fact that I have
twent bolt! followers at my back—fellows
who or my sake, will stand by the Brood of
the Branded Viper, through thick and thin, to
the bitter end." -

“Good!” exclaimed Old Harpy; “ we may
need ’em.

“ And you, Rubchhow has the world used

on?”
y The gambler showed his teeth in a peculiar
smile.

“Just now, as well as I could wish, though it
has kept me down pretty thoroughly, as a gen-
eil‘al thing, since that Leadville fiasco,” he re-
p ied.

“ But where have you and Ben come from?”

“ We have just resigned positions of high
trust and honor in a band of red robbers, that
we might back you up in your clever impersona-
tion of Dick Royale,” returned Old Duke Harpy,
with an unctuous smile.

Rube Harpy simply looked his amazement.

“Now, don’t look surprised, my dear boy,"
cautioned Old Duke, leering villainously, “ we
are onto your little scheme, and we’re going to
hold our forces in reserve, toappear at the proper
moment.

“ In short, the Branded Viper herewith subor-
dinates himself to you, with the sole reservation
that his wrongs be flttingly avenged!”

“ They shall he,” responded Rube, with a sar-
donic smile. “,But ma I ask where and how
you came into possession of an outline of my
plans?”

“ Your pard, Dave Danton, gave the snap
away last night to Ben, who, in turn, told
me.

“ Danton? Curse him, he’s beyond bathing
now!” hiss. d Rube.

“ But what if Royals should turn up?" asked
Madge.

“ Such a thing is altogether out of question,”
declared Rube.

“ So we thought at Leadville; but—~”

“ He is dead, now, if I understand the matter,”
interrupted Ben Harpy coolly.

Madge started and turned pale.

“ Dead 1” she faltered, vainly striving to con-
ceal her agitation. “ Rube—’

“ He was killed up in Colorado,while attemplt-
ing to escape an arrest,” glibly interrupted t e
gambler. “ Getting possession of his papers I
assumed his name for the purpose of meeting the
“firfim‘ifwhlfmh a a. t t 1

utis ss e, age, ayouye oil:
to that old papscsion for him?” g

Into the eyes of the Bandit Queen came a
fierce gleam.

“I still clin to it," she replied. coldly and
proudly. “ I s all always cling to it! It came
to me unbidden; I cannot drive it away i"

“ We’ll drop the subject,” said Old Duke
Harpy, in a subdued voice. “ Heaven knows
Madge has suffered enough without the probing
of old wounds.”

“ Yes. I have sufl‘e ,” admitted the Bandit
Queen‘ “ suffered more than any one of on
would ’be willing to believe; but npw that ick
Royale is dead ends it all. ,

‘ I am a changed woman—a woman with a
mission!

“ And that mission is revenge—revenge upon
those who won my lover from me, then upon
myself for having sought to wreck his happi-
ness.

“ Good Lord! Madge, vou must do nothing
rash l” expostulated Old Duke Harpy, shiverin
with a nameless horror at the strange words 0
his beautiful but wicked daughter.

“Nothing rash — certainly not l” returned
Madge, her proud lip curling with contempt.

" Rube. you may tell me your plans, and
the Goldites will withdraw until they are
wan .

“First, then b, tell me if you have yet re-
sented yourse f to the Mordaunts as ick
Royale't’ -

‘ To all save Pauline and to her indirectly,”
replied the gambler, an be related his adven-
ture at the motto immediately preceding the
attack of the Apaches.

“ Well, you will not be able to deceive her in
regard to your identity,” averred Madge, blunt-
ly. “ Much as you resemble Dick Royals, she
will detect the counterfeit at once. Remember
that‘eal I,recognized you the moment you ap-

“But I shall meet Pauline under far diflerent
circumstances,” promptly returned the gambler.
“ I have studied the matter in all its bearings,
and I flatter myself that I am cute enough to\
can- the job to a successful issue.

“ en, too, if worse comes to 'worse, I still
havn left a fighting chance.”

“ Provided you at clear.”

“ Trust me for t at. I shall time my appear-
ance so as to keep open an avenue of escape.”

Old Duke Harpy shook his head, dispar-

aginfly. ,
“ t is a big risk, Rube,” he observed. 5‘ Better
adopt another plan. Why, with Madge’s party

71\

 

 

we could capture the train almost without a.

struggle)
“ at’s‘what,” declared Ben.

Rube Harpy scowled darkly.

" I tell you it’s of no nee to argue—it‘sm
job and must be done my wa ,” he exclaime .

“ Ver well, then,” said Ma ge; “ I will with-
draw With the Goldites to our camp. At any
hour, day or night, that you may wish to com-
municate with us you will flndaman herein
waiting.”

The gambler, ungraciously enough, muttered
his thanks. _

Within ten minutes the Goldites had retired,
and he was alone.

CHAPTER XXX.
FROM BAD TO wonsn.

Tun trap in which Royal Richard, Big Dale
and Dave Danton so unexpectedly found them-
selves had been thoroughly launed.

Not an avenue through w lch they might slip
had been left unguarded. Not less than a score
of frowning muzzles covered them, and at such
close range that there wasn’t so much as a sem—
blance of a fighting chance left.

“ It’s no use, pards,” muttered the Red-Hand
Sport to his companions. “ We are completely
corked and about the only thin we can do is to
yield with the best ce possib e.”

“ That is a sensib e sgzech, my man,” said the
leader of the masked nd “Just raise our
hands. Orders are to take you dead or a ive,
but we don’t care to cheat the hangman.”

“ He’ll get his own soon enough, I reckon, if
you attempt to remain long at this business,”
was the cool retort.

“ May I ask what you propose to do with us?”

“ Take you into camp. Now, dry up; you‘ll
have a chance to do all the talking you can find
breath for, by and by.

f “ Risarm them, boys, and tie them hard and
net. ,

The command was promptly obeyed. Each
was bound to his saddle and effectually gagged.

“ Now, forward, men, to the horses. We
must report at once, for if I am not mistaken,
this capture is an im ortant one."

The men fell in wit almost military precision
it seemed to the three captives, and se forward
at a double-quick.

Their objective point proved to be a dense
growth of cha rral a fourth of a mile up the
valley, forth mm the recesses of which, at a
signal from the leader, were brought a score
horses.

“ Mount!" then was the order given, and in a.

moment the cavalcade was sweepin on up the \

valley at a
defining tw ght.

9 better part of an hour was thus con-
sumed, and then the part halted in a magnifi-
cent grove at the head of t e valley.

“ Steady. now, boys!” came the voice of the
leader. ‘ Forward, at a walk."

Again the command pushed forward. '

Five—t‘en—fifteen minutes elapsed, then came
the hail:

“ Halt! who.comes there?”

“ Friends.”

“ Advance, one, with the countersign.”

Two of the men rode forward. Scarcely had
they vanished in the gloom when at a word
from the leader, the entire uad a vanced.

The Red-Hand Sport and is fellow-captives
started with surprise. ,«

Before them, plainly revealed by a glowing
camp-fire, were a number of men in the uniform
of the United States Army. ,

. “ A pretty kettle of fish !" thought the detec.
tive. ‘But what the upshot of it all will be.
remains to be seen.”

“ Ho, Lieutenant Brainard! As you return
so soon, it must be with good news!” cried a
flue-appearing young soldier in the uniform of
a ca tain, advancing as the cavalcade halted.

“ t is, indeed, captain. My scout down the
valley tonight was not without results—results
whic may be made to speak for themselves,”
retained the leader of the squad. 1

“Ah! you secured a captive?”

“ Three of them, captain—as. desperate cut-
 I dare say, as are to be found in these

I s. ,

“Hal three, yousay! Butproceed, Brainard;
you may make a full report.”

“ Six or seven miles down the valley below us,
captain, we came upon a fresh wagon-trail,
which at that point turned into a narrow pass
leading north.

“A few hundred yards below us‘the valley
narrowed to a gorge, making a sharp curve.
While makin an examination of the trail. I
had dispatche a sentry to that point, with the
{result that he discovered three men approach—

ng. ' ‘
“ Leaving our horses in the chaparral, we
formed an ambuscade at the curve and captured
the fellows. The are here, captain."

“You have, in eed, done well, Brainard,” ex.

Bjace that seemed reckess in the i

/

claimed the captain, in a leased manner. “ Our I

chase of the Goldites has eretofore been twill-
‘o'-the~wisp aflair, but now something tangible

fire; for, by my sword! these fellows shall \
v x— I ,
“Conduct them to my quarters, lieutenant,

'.
'-
!
i
.

 

 
   

24:

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

for action.”

The command was promptly obeyed.

lt fell to the lot of the Red-Hand Sport to be
the first of the luckiess trio half-'lragged, halt-
carried into the tent of Captain Dale.

 

of his position.

“ Easy with the fellow, boys l” exclaimed the
captain.
would make a first-rate sieve.

“Now, remove his ga .”

It was with no slight relief that the sport felt
the obstruction to speech removed. He attempt-
ed to speak, but his tongue refused to act.

Captain Dale placed a small quantity of
brandy between his parched lips. The potent
1i nor had the desired effect.

oyal Richard’s eye met that of the captain

with a peculiar gleam.

“ U on my word, this is rough lines for an old
friend, Dale,” he ejaculated, faintly.

The young soldier Fprung to his feet, his face
palin and flushing by turns.

“ ho can the fellow be?” he muttered, catch-
ing up a light and turning its rnysfull upon the
face of the prisoner. “ Is it a trick? His voice,
weak as it is, has a. familiar ring.”

The Redvfland Sport met his gaze with a.
quizzical stare, a. smile on his brnized lips.

Again the captain starter], and he exclaimed:

" By heavens! it is Dick—”

“ Dick Brazzleton, or Royal Richard—just as
you choose,” coolly interrupted the prisoner.
“ I’vt no choice between the handles—either is
good enough for me.”

Not a word said the gallant captaid. Out
came his knife, and in a trice the Sport was
eased of his bonds and lifted upon ucomfortable
couch.

“ A grave mistake has been made Lieutenant
" Brainard, and yet one in which I cannot at-
. , tech any blame to you,” said Captain Dale,

' turning to his subordinate.
’  “ Call Surgeon Vance.”
 ‘fl Wait,” interposed Royal Richard. “ My

companions in misery are in more need of

that gentleman’s attentlons than am I.

' “ I shall regard it as no slight favor, Dale, if

their wounds are looked to at once.”

“ As you will, my dear—Brazzleton,” said
the captain, in acquiescence, and Lieutenant
Brainard and his men withdrew, leaving the
two alone.

“ I am sorry to have been the cause of your
bein subjected tr. such treatment,” pursued the
cav ryman. “ We are here to root out a des-
perate outlaw band known throughout the
southern part of the Territory as the Goldites,
or Mountain Bandits. Hard pushed, they have
taken refuge in this section of the Mimbres

. Range, but all our efforts thus far todiscover

their retreat have proved unavailiug. To-ni ht,
, I dispatched Lieutenant Brainard, wit a

' strong'squad, all disguised, down the vallley to

. pick u any stragglers from Queen M ge’s

nd 1; tmight be found. Your party came
into contact with them, and were brought into

camp."

“ he ’mistake was mutual,” said Royal
Richard, laughingly, “ for we were ready to
affirm that your men were outlaws.

“But did you say, Harry, that these bandits
are led by a woman, known as Queen Madge?”

, ' “ Yes, and report has it that she is not only
1. i as brave as a lioness, but rarely beautiful, too.
,“ May I inquire why you ask?”
“ Certainly; it is merely through curiosity, I
, suppose, although your characterization of this
 Bandit ueen most aptly fits one whom Iused

' to know. ’

“.Perhaps, then, you may be induced to re-
main and jom us in our search,” suggested Cap-
tain Dale, with visible eagerness.

The Red’mnd Sport shook his head.

“It would be impossible, Harry,” he return-
ed. “ I must get away from here within an
hour, at the latest.” .

The captain exeressed his regret, and than
 ~' ; the surgeon entered.

‘ After a brief explanation, receded by an in-
troduction, the man of m icine Set to work
mud in an incredibly short time the Red-Hand
Sport announced that be felt much easier and
- stronger—so much so, in fact, that he Would no
Ion r delay his departure.

, “ ou’ll {111 through, for you’ve the nerve
, ., and the coo ness,” said Surgeon Vance; “ but I
.r. would advise you to go at an easy ce fora.
, few days. There is a bullet woun in your

head that may produce brain trouble.”

‘Afrlm smile curled the sport’s lips.

“ rust mete take due care, doctor," he re-
; tamed. -“ I am just recovered from a gruesome
». sort of hallucination super induced by that some

: wound.

. “But I now feel clear-beaded and strong,

:and anticipate no further trouble from that

“source. . l
“Captain, in a day or two I shall bewith

you again for a few ham 3, when I shall [prob-

ably have something to say that will b9 9 deep

interest to you.
tlemen, I must away; but let
are

 

 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
        
     
     
     
     
     
     
   

  

  
 
  
  
  

  

  
    
 

  
   
 
  
   

 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 

 
  

I

     

  

_ ’ l“ And now,
- measure you - that my sincere t

 
 
   

“ From the looks of things, his hide ‘

 

l

one at a time, and hold your men in readiness . due to yourselves and to Lieutenant Brainard

and his men, and I request that you tender him
them; for that which I at first thought to be. a
stroke of great ill-luck is instead one of rare
good fortune.”

A. few minutes later the Red-Hand Sport,

_ There he wasplacovl o” the ground, tingling l Big Dale and Dave Danton rude out of the
in every nerve, so excrucmting was the torture 1 camp.

An escort accompanied them to the
head of the valley.

“ ards, dang my buttons! ef I don’t feel in
fightin’ trim ag‘in,” exclaimed Big Dale, as
they spurred away from the timber, alone.
“ Thor Doc aire no slouch."

“ Which fact we can all attest,” supplement-
ed Danton, with a glance at the sport.

“ Yes. we are all the better for our brief rap—
tivity,” assented Royal Richard. "Still, I am
exceedingly anxious to reach the Hidden Hope.”

“An hour will do ther job, easy. for with
ther moon ther valley aire gittin’ ’most es light
es day,” said the plainsman.

Then silence came over the trio—a. (lee ’
brooding silence, unbroken save by the rapid
hoofstrokes of the horses. :

“Thor’s ther pass!” cried Big Dale, atlast.
“ Ease up, pards, fer'tber way grows rough.”

It was a timely caution, yet. had it hardly
been uttered when the black steed of Royal

{ichnrd stumbled and went with a broken leg.

The sport alighted on his feet, severely shaken
but otherwise unhurt.

And. at the same instant, as if in response to
the fall of the horse, from the shelter of tree
and rock sprungr a half~score of yelling Apaches.

A sound much like an oath escaped Big Dale.
In an instant his revolvers were out and up,
ready for work.

“ Cut and run for it!” ordered Royal Rich~
ard in peremptory tones. “ Go J”

That was all, and with the last word, the
dashing sport disappeared in the dense under-
growth fringing the southern side of the valley.

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
A saunas or SURPRISES.

“ NOW for a good look at the fabulous treas-
ure-trove!” exclaimed Nellie, when the wagons
had been unpacked and supper was over. “ I’ve
alwa s desired to see a. gold mine, and since I’ve
heard, so much of this one I have been well-nigh
consumed by curiosity.”

“Your desire shall be gratified. and at once,
my dear!” Jackson Mordaunt said' “that is, if
your courage is of the kind needful. ’

“ I think, papa, that you will find us equal to
the emergency,” said Pauline with a. smile.

“ Then we will at once proceed to the mine:
but let me assure you, now and here. that there
is but little to‘be seen~absolutely nothing illus-
trative of the usual mining recesses.”

Roger and the girls looke surprised.

“ Further than that, I may say that we shall
leave here shortly — within a week at the
latest," pursued Jackson Mordaunt; “leave
here for all time.” \

His auditors could not repress a start.

“ The mine has not come up to 3 our expecta-
tions?” ventured Roger.

“ The Hidden Hope has played out I” r

The effect of this announcement, may, to use
a trite expreion, e more readily imagined
than described. ‘

It brought with it a. feeling of gloom and de-
pression. ., '

After all the perils of the long journey, it was
to end in disappointment.

Roger was the first to rally from the shock.

“ I am sorry to hear of your ill-luck, J ack-
son 1” he exclaimed. extending his hand. Then,
in a cheerful tone, he continued:

“ But it is useless to sigh for what might have
been; yes, it is worse than useless—it is folly.

“ We are all here together, and I propose that
we rcmain—buv a ranch and settle.

“ I’ve a few hundreds left, and you may con-

J no son stare at him quizzically, then with
eyes that grew misty. ,

“ Bless you, my boy 2” he exclaimed fervently.
“Your heart is in the right place, but—but——" ‘
It was in vain that he attempted to stifle an
outburst of rollicking laughter.

“ Bless you, my boy i” he iterated chokingly.
“ I should think you could buy a ranch or two!
If you’ll just step into the banks of Socorro,
Albu uerque and Santa Fe, you’ll find some-
thing ike two millions to your credit.”

. “ Two millions! ” echoed Roger. .

“ Two millions ! "repeated Pauline and Nellie,
in a breath. '

And the trio stared at each other, and at Jack»
sen Mordaunt, as if they could not credit the
evidence of their ears. -

“ Exactly!” affirmed Jackson. smiling in un-
disguised joy. “The Hidden Hope has played
out, but not until it yielded a net rofit 0 some-
thi 2 more than six millions in go d! .
‘ Of this vast sum, one-third. is divided to the
credit of Roger Mordaunt, in the banks men-
tioned; one-third to the credit of my partners,
Peter Jenkins and Ddle Keith; and the re-
aming,” in my awn name, in the same institu-
ons. " r

  
 

 
    
  

 
  

  

   

      

   
    

 

. Ram word

   

     
 
   

With what pager joy the three listened to the

l

 

sider oursslf a sin upon your feet financially.” ‘

 

From comparative poverty to princely of.
fluence, almost at a bound! ‘

A moment of silence and inaction was as
much as Pauline and Nellie could endure.
With a glad cry, each sprung into the other’s
arms.

Roger sunk back into his chair and stared
bellplessly at his brother.

' ruly, the revelations of the miner were he—
wildering enough to daze one! Yer nut one of
the trio doubted that they were absolutely and
rigid] true.

J ac son Mordaunt was not one to trifle.

There was a warm smile upon his bearded
lips, a tender glow in his clear gray eyes, as he
looked from one to another of his happy re-
latives.

He had given battle to Fortune, had conqueb
ell her and invaded her domain, and was now .
Leginuing to enjo his merited reward.

Roger was the rst to regain coherent use of
his tongue. He sprung to his feet, set-milile
forgetful of his infirmities, and repossestu Lini—
self of his brother’s hand.

“ Jackson. I congratulate you, and I thank
you,” he cried, in unsteady tones. “ If ever
man deserved success, you ul‘c he!”

The miner bowed an acknowledgment, and
as soon as the two girls had in a degree recover-
ed from their transport of delight, the happy
party left the house, Roger walking with a cane
and caning on his brother’s arm.

Straight toward the bluff back of the house
went Jackson, entering a small tent erected
against the rocks.

“This is the entrance to the Hidden Hope,“
he announced, as be secured a bundle of torches
and lighted one. “ A minute more and we will
be w'whin it.”

Porting the corners at the rear of the tent. be
revealed a wall of rock, which in turn yielded
to his touch, displaying a narrow opening.

Into this pushed the party, and then the
stone rolled back into its place. leaving them in

_a. passage lighted only by the rays of the

torch.

A few aces before them was a stout wooden
door, which Jackson Mordaunt unlooked and
threw open, saying:

“ Enter. The mine is before you.”

“ This the mine!” ejaculated Nellie, pausing
on the threshold. “ It looks more like a. vast,
dreary cave l‘l

“ And so it is, my dear,” affirmed the miner,
with an indulgent smile. “ I can certainlv at-
test its dreariness, for with Jenkins and Keith
I once passed a week almost within its confines,
without meat or drink, shut in bya horde of
howling savages.” s

Pauline shuddered.

“ That was a terrible experience, papa,” she
said. “ To be shut up in such a place and un-
der such circumstances would, I think, drive
me mad."

“Well, it was a situation that not one of us
relished,” Mordaunt returned; “ and yet it
proved to be the turning-point in our luckiess
careers.

“During the forenoon, in clear weather, the
cavern is fairly light. On the morning of the
third day of our enforced seclusion. while on
guard in the first, or outer, chamber of the
cavern, I found, projecting from the sandy
floor, an ingot of refined go] .

“At the first thrust into the yielding sand,
9. second ingot, double the size of the precedigg
one. came to li ht, and thenasword—rusty, a
evidently an o d-time Spanish weapon.

“Then the truth forced itself upon me.

“ The cavern contained a. vast treasure
collected and left there by the Spaniards 0
long agol”

Roger drew a long breath. ,

“ It is a wonderful find, Jackson,” be ex-
claimed. “ Your narrative would not seem out
of place in Arabian Nights!”

“ It would not, indeed,” smilingly admitted
the miner; “ and yet, it is all golden reality!

“ From the first we have guarded our secret
with jealqus care, concealipg the entrance to
the cave and blocking the ssage with a heavy
door. In fact, we forti ed our position to
withstand any ordinary attack from Indians or
outlaws—for an attack was simply inevitable
should our discovery become known.

" That done, Keith and myself put ourselves
to unearthin the treasure. while Jenkins got
together a. mited number of trusty men to
freight the metal into the market.

“I have known for a month past that our
operations were nearing an end, but it has
come even sooner than I expected.

“ As I have said, the Hidden Hope has played
out. Within a week, we shall be on our way to
Denver to take possession of property I have
purchasad there—our future home.” ,

This last announcement was the cause of Mn
other joyous outbreak on the part of Pauline
and Nellie, and, without further delay, the
party proceeded to explore the mysterious cav-

a
On their return to the plateau the brothers 3
made their wuyfio the house, leaving. the girls
to follow at their pleasure, with the injunction
that the wars no to go beyond the confines of
thestoc ads. ” , . ’ r ..

    

 

    
   
    
    
    
   
     
  
   
      
       
    
       
 
    
  
      
   
  

  
  
  
      
   
  
      
   
 
 
   

 

 

l
2
.

“a... ,. WV...“ .

 

 

 
   
 
  
  

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

25

 

 

The evening was a delightful one, and the
moon, rising in the purple eastern sky, flooded
the plateau with light.

For a time the girls, arm in arm, walked to
and fro in silence. Each was busy with her
thoughts, but with a common subject.

“ Pauline,” began Nellie, at last, with visible
hesitancy— “ Pauline, may I ask if you saw Dick
Royule at the camp last night?"

“ 1 did, Nellie,” was the low-toned reply.
“ But that was all—just a glimpse; and then I
fainted, and was carried away by the Apaches.”

“ But were you sure it was Dick!"

“ Why do you ask?"

Pauline paused as she put the counter-query,
the flush in her check givmg way to pallor.

Dave Daiitou’s interrupted revelations came
back to her with startling force.

Nellie, too, changed color. She was about to
reply, when a burst of distant war—whoops
checked the words.

A tall, lank form arose from a rude bench
near the smokade-gate, and rifle in hand passed
out to the open plateau.

It was Long Pete Jenkins.

A moment later, and he was joined by Dan
Yuba.

“ Paul," uttered the gangling giant, lifting
his head from a listening attitude, “ I kulkilate
thar be sum one comin’up ther pass. Le’s slip
down an’ see. ”

Accordingly, they hurried to the bottom of
the decllvity and sought shelter in the shad0wy
undergrowth. *

Not a minute too soon.

A horseman dashed furiously up the pass and
halted beside the empty wagons. ‘

“ It be that Royale teller, Pete,” muttered
Yuba, as the rider turned his head so that the
moonbeams crossed his face.

“ Ye bet!" ejaculated J enkins, springing from
his covert.

“ This way, pard, ef ye be lookiu’ fer ther
camp.”

The pretender, with a. start of surprise, turned
and came forward.

“ Up thar,” tersely continued Jenkins, point—
ing to the steep and narrow roadway.

‘ Thar be red-skins down ther pass?"

“ Yeso-somewhcre near its mouth.
been hard pushed.”

The plainsmen resumed their places among
the bushes; Hardly had Rube Harpy gained the
plateau when two men glided into view from
down the pass.

There could be no mistaking the burly form
and rug ed features of the one in advance.

Dan uba started so sharply as to betray their
exact position.

“ Heavin , pardl” he exclaimed in a hollow
voice, clutc 'ng at Long Pete’s arm. “ It’s Big
Dale, or his ghost I”

Uttering a. cry of delight, Jenkins broke away
and sprung forward to be followed a moment
later by Yuba.

As the three met and clasped hands, a perfect
torrent of ejaculations poured from each.

“ No, I hain’t dead. avowed Big Dale, for
perhaps the twentieth time; “but I soon will be,
of you galoots don’t let up!” ’

In the mean time. within the stockade above,
Pauline and Nellie had watched with deep in-
terest the preparations to meet the Apaches in
the event of an attack.

Their interrupted conversation was for the
time forgotten.

In the midst of the activity occasioned by the
alarm, amau slipped in at the open gateway,
and, after a searching look at his surroundings,
strode rapidly towar the two girls.

Not until he confronted them with out-
stretched hands did either notice his approach.

“ Pauline I”

In suppressed, yet musical tones the name fell
from his lips.

“ It 1': he I” exclaimed Nellie, starting back.

Pauline vouchsafed not a word in response.
Her gray eyes fixed themselves upon his eager,
handsome face in a. sort of wondering stare.

“ Pauline, do you know me?”

“ I do!” was the cloldly uttered reply. “ You
are Reuben Ha y

it Go,” and 3..) pointed imperiously to the
o n atewa .

pTheg umbIZr drew back as if stabbed. A dull,
leaden ue came over his face, an ominous light
into his, eyes. _ r

" Most assuredly will I go, Pauline Mor-
dauntl” he began, enunciutiug the words With
the‘greatest difficulty, so overpowering was his
rage, ”his chagrin. “ But I shall return, and

I have

u..—

“ Ye dirty cuss !" grated a. hoarse voice in his
car. as a heavy hand dropped upon his shoulder.
“ D’ye know me 5‘ I’ve cheated the grave fer a
chaince at ye, an’ mm”

For just a breath. the entrapped desperado
seemed to have lost his nerve. He quivered and

trembled under the weight of the avenging
c0wed. Then—asifacurrent .

hand as if utter] .
charged with sung, with recklessness. had
been infused into his veins—he turned in his
tracks, throwing of! the heavy hand as slightly
as if it but a feather's weight!

Alightning-like succession of terrific blows— .
.a. ringing yell of defiance‘fand he darted toward

 

the ate, a cooked revolver in each hand. leaving
Big alo, Long Pete and Dan Yuba in a be-
wildered, struggling heapl

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
IN THE GOLDITE CAMP.

IT was not without a feeling akin to despair
that- bold Royal Richard retreated, after the
mishap to his house, into the growth of young
trees and bushes extending along the southern
side of the narrow valley.

It was painfully evident to him that in his
condition he stood scarcely one chance in twenty
of eluding the wary and wily Apaches.

But that chance, desperate as it was, was not
to be lost, and as Big Dale and Dave Danton
spurred toward the pass he disappeared with a
suddenuess that fairly startled the over-confident
red-skins.

“ I must get up into the hills. or I shall go
under,” he gritted, as a burst of yells at the edge
of the growth apprised him of swift pursuit.
“ My only chance is to find cover.”

Keeping up the valley, he glided through the
bushes until he reached the entrance of a dark
gorge extending back into the hills, into which
he plunged without hesitation.

At that moment the Apaches were not far
in his rear, as was evidenced by their frequent
signals.

A few hundred feet above the valley, Royal
Richard left the gorge, cautiously clambering
up one of the sharply-sloping banks to a more
gra ual ascent. °

T e effort cost him not only the keenest agony,
but com lete exhaustion.

But t e ascent had been accomplished with
all the stealth the situation so urgently demand-
ed, and the sport had the satisfaction of hearing
his pursuers glide by. in the darkness.

As soon as he had, in a measure, regained his
strength, he again set forward, laying his course
toward the upper hills and keeping in the
shadows as far as possible.

A few minutes sufficed to bring him to the bor-
ders of a splendidly wooded plateau.

There his progress was arrested in a manner
as startling as unsuspected.

Forth from the shelter afforded by the trunks
of the trees darted three men, brawny well-
armectl fellows, roughly dressed and of sinister
asnec .

Their faces' were hidden by masks of some
dark stufl, but it was evident to Royal Richard
that they cared very little whether or not their
identity was discovered.

“ Upon him, pardsl” exclaimed the one in ad-
vance. “Take him alive. He is one of the
three spies, and Queen Madge will pay well for
his capture 1” '

So sudden was the onset that the sport was»

caught fairly off his guard. ,His revolvers were
knocked from his hands, and the next instant he
was seized and thrown to the ound.

“ Your lari‘at, Jim,” cried t e desperado who
had taken the lead. “I’m thinkin’ ther feller’s
a. game ’un, an’ we cain't resk lettin’ him es-
cape.”

The rope was quickly forthcoming, and, as
any further attempt at resistance would have
been simply preposterous, the Red-Hand Sport
quietly submitted.

When his hands had been secured, he was
raised to his féet and given to understand that
go trfiiist keep a. still tongue, under pain of

ea .

The desperadoes then lunged into the depths
of the Woods, one tak ng the lead, and the
others walking on each side of the captive.

A rapid walk of‘ a few minutes carried them
to the outposts of the Goldite camp where they
were halted in regular military style before be-
ing permitted to pass the lines.

old Richard, forgetful of mental and physi-
cal misery alike, noted in detail the more salient
features of the encampment as he was hurried
forward.

“Perhaps Captain Dale may hear something

to his advantage. if I am not made into mate-
rial for a funeral before the rising of another
sun ” he mused, grimly.
Little time was le t him for observation or
cogitating. however. His captors hurried him
straight across the encampment and into the
yawuin mouth of a huge cavern reaching
away in o the bluff at the back of the plateau.

Here again were they halted by a sentry, and
this time they were forced to await the appear-
ance of Queen Madge from the interior of the
cavern.

As she glided into view, the sentry saluted,

“Who is it that has asked to see me?! she do-
manded, peering sharply at the bandits and
their captive. ,

“ It airclme, Arkansaw, my queen, and these
galoots With me air-or Injun Dick an’ Sol
Moses,” returned one of the trio, advancing a

co.

“ Oh. yes: you are the men Lieutenant Mor-
ales sent out to learn the position of the caval-
ry,” the Bandit Queen exclaimed. “ But what
is your busmess with me, In men?”

“ We hev captured a spy, announced Arkam

‘saw, in reply, with a grandlloqnent wave of his

 

 

 

hand to indicate the Red-Hand Sport. “ We
nabbed him in their very not. This is him, my
neon."

“ A spy?” and Queen Madge started.

“ He aire that same sort ov a critter, my
queen," Arkansaw Jim declared, emphatically.

“ Thar war three ov ’em left the blue-coat camp,
es Sol, hyer, an’ Dick. kin tell ye. They kem
down the valley. while we—’uns took the cut
’crost ther hills. We nailed ther cuSs back thar
jest in the aidgo ov ther timber.”

“And the others, Arkansaw'f”

“ He war thor only one. w’ct kein this way.
They must ’a’ separated down in tlier valley.”

“ Quite likely- but bring the fellow insidcio,
Arkansaw. As orales is away, I will see wha .
I can make out of him. I ’

“ And you, Dick and Sol, wait here until Ar-
kansaw joins you.” '

The outlaws mumbled a response, and then
the Red-Hand Sport was led along a narrow
passage and thence into a large and airy cham-

)(‘l‘ of the cavern, where a light was urning
upon a rocky shelf or projection.

A glance at his surroundings convinced the
captive sport that he was in the quarters of the
Bandit Queen.

There was a strange glow in his eyes, and he
siéopld with averted face as the woman confront-
e im.

“ Bind him hard and fast, Arkansaw, and

lace him upon that couch,” ordered the neon,
liar voice betraying something of sympu y as
she noted the condition of the captive.

The command was romptly obeyed.

“Now, leave me, i'kansaw, but await my
call in the passage,” pursued the queen, and as
the desperado retreated, she took up the light
and ap reached the couch.

The ed-Haud Sport lay with his eyes half-
closed, to all appearances utterly indifferent to
his condition and his surroundings; yet his brain
was busy, and he noted and weighed well the
varying expressions of the Goldite queen.

“ You are in a bad box. my man, she ex-
claimed, her magnificent black eyes ablaze as
she peered into his face. “ But wait—your dis-
guise has become partially disarranged; per-
mit me to remove it." ~

R0 a] Richard's eyes opened wide. ,

“ old, my lady! That is taking an unfair,
advantage,” he protested, half in mockery.
“ You unmask, and I’ve no word to say.”

The woman, going down into the hazel orb. of
the sport with an expression akin to fear,
abruptly checked the sharp retort that came to

er ips. 1

“As you will! she exclaimed, forcing a lau h
to conceal her agitation as she drew aside a
mask. “ It can matter little, as you will never
leave here alive.”

“ You are mistaken on that score, 1 think,”
was Royal Richard’s cool response. as he gained
steadily at the beautiful face. “ But
my lady; I am awfully sorry my phiz as been
so disfl ured within the past few hours. There
was a me when it would have been charmingin
your eyes!” ,; ‘

neon Madge started angrily, and yet her
wh th, taper-in fingers trem )1 weaklyas she
tore aside the isflgun‘ng mustache and wig.

Just an instant she stared down into the face,
of the ca tive snort—an instant in which a
world of eeling—of joy and sorrow, of hope
and despair—surged over her, leaving her weak
and trembling upon the edge of the couch.

Royal Richard looked at her with cynical

e es.

y“ It is you I” she sobbed. rather than said,
lifting her great black eyes to his face. “ I haVe'
been told that you were dead l” .

“It is no fault of the Branded Viperorhil
brood that it was not the truth you heard," he
cui'tly averted. “You may remember that.”

Queen Madge uivered as if deeply touched;
then roudly lif her head.

“ hat is the truth. save where I am concern-
ed,” she admitted, with no show of reluctance,

her 9 es filling with a softer light, a all ht flush, 
eavenLI .
o

stain n cheek and throat. “ Before
never armed you, Dick—shall not now! T
worst—all—that can be said, is that I courted-h
your love and failed I”

The flush deepened—the glorious black orbs

grew tender and moist with unshed tears. The '

Woman’s agitation was piteous. ‘ V ‘
The Red-Hand Sport steeled his heart. Bit-
terly as he disliked and detected Madge Harpy ‘
it was foreign to his nature to Witness he: grief I
unmoved.
“ We will pass that—let it remain a sealed_

book,” he uttered, coldly, anxious to avert the ' i. .
“lotus : :

outburst the woman’s face pox-tended.
deal with the present, and as foes." ,
The next instant the detective's teeth sunk in- -
his nether lip almost fiercely. He had blunder-
ed—had hastened that which he was striving to /
escape. The woman weeping violently, flung
herself a n his breast, crying: , V. ,'
Never. Dick—neverl Anything but ;‘

that] Oh, my lovel—” ~ t

“ Foes ’

The awkward shufling of booted feet, a  5 '

significant cough, broke in upon her inoo
ravings. to the inexpressihle relief of 
Richard, and partially recalled her to V ,
senses. V . ..

\

ccecd, 

   
    
  
   

'26

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

 

 

She confronted the intruder with flaming

eyes.

“ Insolent! how dare you 1” she enunciated.
in sharp, hissing strains. her hands nervously
seeking har weapons. “ Begonel or—”

“ I mos’ ’umbly begs yer parding, mum,” in-
terrupted Arkansaw, the intruder, with an unc-
tuous how; “an’ I begs ter inform ye that yo
kin trust ter my descreshun! Fur be it from
me ter repeat w on I’ve see’d or heered, mum!”

By no means oil to troubled. waters was the
declaration of the desperado. There was the
fury of an enraged tigress in the face of the
Bandit Queen when he ceased.

“What want on here?” she demanded, with
amighty efl’ort olding her passion in subjec-
tion. “ Quick! such treachery shall not go un-
punished!”

“Wait, mum!” expostulated Arkansaw, with
a doprecatory gesture. “ ’Twa’n’t treachery. I
kem ter keep back them es yo w’u’dn’t keer ter
hev see or heur: for ye hire wanted out thar,
mum—bad ! an‘ ther leftenant war comin’,
whether or no!

“ Yer brother has arrived from ther—”

“ Wait! that will do!” out in Queen Madge,
castinga half-fearful glance at the Red—Hand
Sport and catching up and adjusting her mask.
“ I will see them.

“ Remain here. Arkansaw, and permit no one
to enter the chamber. Remember, too, that

\ silence—that inscrutable secrecy—is golden l”

“ Sum times!” uttered the Goldite, leering

cunnineg at the retreating form of his queen,

' as he dropped her well filled purse into his capa-
cious pocket: “ sumtimes et’s jest t’other way-—
talk ain’t cheap!

“ Enyhow, ef thar’s any gilt in gab, I’m ther
galoot w’ot 'll sport a roll before I seeyou ag’in.
my queen!"

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
ARKANSAW JIM as A srncuuron.

A PECULIAB expression, partly of hope,
equally of disgust, came into the allid face of
the Red-Hand Sport as he listen to the mum-
blin of his warden.

as it a bid for a bribe?

Or had the scoundrel, in his exuberance at the
f_"_ , , unexpected change in his prospects, simply be-
:i ' trayed himself l ‘

. ‘ More likely the‘ latter ” thought Richard;

‘ V * “ but his words imply that he is not imperviable

. '_ “ - with a golden bait in sight.

  . “ Arkansawl" '

I - The Goldite turned at the cautious hall. a

s- , pleased sort of grin displaying his yellow teeth.
~ “ W’ot is ct, boss?” he asked, craning his head

forward and jin ling the contents of the purse

in his pocket. “ id I hear ye say su’thin’f”

“ You will hear me say more, if you come
nearer.”

Arkansaw shook his head; assuming an air of
mock humility.

“Oain’t do et boss—I cain’t, an’ thet’s jest
ther size ov etl” he declared. sorrowfully. “ I
.1 ’ am pore. but proud. We ain’t ekils, an’ so I
g, . - cain’t ’ sociate with ye! I tell ye, ther size ov a
 aloot's pile makes a heap ov differenceon this
,i- r . yar leet e footstool ov ours!

' r , “ No boss, I cain’t see et—not jest yet; but
V, antic kin open up ther Way tor a leetle spec-ker-
EE.’ " l un—su thin’ thet’ll sorter ekilize our piles a
‘ bit—mebbe then, boss, I c’u’d stand at for talk

biz—but nuthin’ else 1”

,v ‘ I " . “ Business be it!" uttered the sport, with a
.1; n ' grim smile. “That’s me I ”

 Arkansaw Jim uttered a breath of relief, and
v3;  after a cautious survey of the passage seated
'1‘ himself upon the edge of the couch, facing the
entrance.

“ Now, sail in yer elephant. boss.” he mut-
tered, in a thick undertone. “ I’m, open,rfer l’m
r aspeckerlator from over ther Divide, an’ ther
' big es’ pile takes ther hog!

, “ a want me for turn ye loose?”

“ Exactly. What’s it worth?”

“ Reckon two hundred an’ fifty’ll see ya out,
3 boss—not a durned cent less!” v

‘ “Taken, with an additional two-fifty for an
extra service.”

Arkansaw started nervously.

“ Name at, boss,” he requested, for the first
time facing the ca tive.

“ Guide me by t e short out you have spoken
of to the camp of Captain Dale.”

The despeme leaped to his feet.

“Run my head inter a noose!” he ejaculated,
_ in genuine disgust. “ Not much, Sally Ann!”

‘ Take your head out of a noose, you mean,”
said the detective.

“ W’ot’s that i”

“Just what I said—by sodoing you will es—
ca the halter," iterated Royal Richard.
 ‘5 at I have done for you I can do again .’ ”
At these significant words, Arkansaw Jim’s
' face instantly elongated, and he started up with

bu ng eyes.
.“ ot’s thet r” be interrogated, in a hoarse
’wh r. “ Who airs ye—man or devil?”

“' alf-and-half, one would think,”.laughed

the sport. “ I don’t wonder, though, that you
faflto ize me, Ame Crop It’sa air
ago since I: at flasco of ,yours at (Wills, leav-

ing disguises out of the question.”
' ‘An yeaire thetsame spotter?” .

 

 

 

, cap drew a wicked-l

   

“ Identically, Croppse.”

“I cain’t jest believe ye, boss!” .

“ Why not?” ’

Arkansaw shifted from foot to foot uneasil .

“Combout with it!” urged he of the ad
Hand, his piercing hazel eyes fixing themselves
upon the treacherous little orbs of the dismayed
desperado. “ Time is precious!" .

“ Wal, I heered tor-day es how ye’d bin
fanged—durned of I didn’t, ’ he blurted.

“ And who said it?”

“ Ther ueen’s brother.

“ Rube arpyi”

“ Ya-as, ther same duck.”

“ He lied. Look here, Croppoe—~here is proof
of what I say,” and the sport turned upon his
side, exposing the palm of his left hand. “ What
do you see?”

Again did Arkansaw’s expression change; but
he gazed steadily at the exposed member.

“ Thor ace, ing, queen, jack an' ten ov
hearts!” he muttered, more to himself than in
reply to the question. “Worked out in red—
ther revenge ov King Karl, ther Toll-Taker.
I ’members at now, though none ov ther others
know anything ov it.”

“ A red hand—a. royal flush,” said the sport,
turning to face the mutiaw: “and so I have
come to be known as Royal Richard, of the Red
Hand.”

“ I hev heered ov ther cuss slingin’ thet
handle ” observed Arkansaw, “an' they say he
aire a oly terror.

“But, boss, I cain’t see whar I be g'ittin’ my
head out ov ther neose, es ’tain’t in eny danger
ov gettin’ in one at present.”

“ Wait a few hours, and I’ll guarantee you’ll
find the rope tight enough,” was the grim re-
sponse. . “ Come—I await your answer.”

But Arkansaw proved obdurate.

” Thar’s another way I kin make more out
ov ye,” he declared, with a devzlish leer. “ Our
leftenant, Morale-s, es blue-blooded a Mexican
bandit on ever hopped over ther border, aire
dead struck on ther queen, an’ they is ter be
tied es soon es we kin cross ther border.
es jealous es a Turk, an’ of I go ter him with
ther story ov an ole lover. ov ther queen. an’ all
that sort ov thing, I kin raise a thousand out ov
him, an’ be fifty mile away ’fore ther blue-coats
aire ready ter tackle ther Goldites.

“ No. no, Richard, I cain’t lay down my hand
or leetle bluff!”
he sport smothered his intense disgust be-
neath a strange hard smile.

“That’s my figure—if you will have it that
wa ,” he said. quickly. “.A thousand dollars
an a start of twenty-four hours.

“But the stuff—ye hevn’t it with ye?”

“ Hardly! but you shall have it as soon as
we have arrived at Socorro. Satisfactory?”

Arkansaw bent his head as if deep in thought.
When he looked up there was a crafty glitter
in his ferretclike eyes. i

“ Boss, I can’t be bought!” he exclaimed, in a
loud tone. “ All ther silver ov all Potosi
c’u’dn’t make me betray the queen! Now, ye
hear mel—shet up!”

At that moment Madge Harpy glided into
the chamber. The sport closed one eye and
gazed reflectiver at the rou h wall.

The Goldite chieftainess ooked from one to
the other; ,

“ An attempt at bribery, eh!” she sneered.
“ Arkansaw, you ma again retire to the pas-

at

sage. Your faithfu ness shall not be for-
gotten."
“Thank’e. mum; I’m re and road. but

I’m chockful ov princerp e," mumb ed the fel-
low, skulking out of the chamber.

Twenty feet down the passage he was met by
a man in mask.

It was Lieutenant Morales, and he was visibly
agitated.

“Ho, Don Hosay! ye can’t pass!” exclaimed
Arkansaw, displayin his revolver.

“ Out of the way, ellowl” returned the Mexi-
can, in good English. “ Igo to seek the queen.”

Arkansaw laughed.

“ Ye’d best not. Hosav,” he remarked. “ Be-
chixt us, the queen hasn’t room for ye, jest now!”

J 01:3 Morales’s eyes blazed fltfully through his
mas .

“ What mean you?” he demanded, his voice
quivering with passion.

“Easy, now. Don Hosayl” and Arkansaw’s
hand drop lightly upon his superior’s shooter.
“ I’m goin ter do ye a good turn now, for I m a
friend tor ye an’ don’t ya fer-git it!”

“ Explain—explain l” foamed the Mexican.

“ S’oose o bed a rival—"

“ I’d kill in: l”

“ But not so thet ther queen w’u’d know at.”

“ Dias! no! '

“ Now. Don Hosay,” Arkansaw impressive]
exclaimed. “ ye keep cool while I tell ye su’thin-.
An’ don’t ya mutter ’bove a whisper, fer ther
queen hes quick cars. l

“ Ye hev a rival !" ‘ '

“ Caramba! Show me thqdogl” .

“ Wait! He airs a han’sum teller—American,
too, and ther queen loves him ter destrack-

“ in: me pass—I'will kill him-I” and the Mex-
ooking knife. .

An' lose ther queen.“ch Arkansaw,

 

w

He's '

the cavern, selectin

 

  

in well~simulated surprise. “ Hosay, yer cabana
aire twisted!

“ Listen tor me: Put five hundred dollars
inter my hand, an’ in an hour I’ll hev ther
galoot at yer marcy, an’ no one ther wiser!”

The Mexican regarded the devilish proposi-
tion favorably.

“ Done!” he exclaimed, and he proceeded to
count the money.

“ Now, Hosa , I'm goin’ ter send ther queen
out ter ye, an ye must pertend ter hev im—
portant business with her. When she leaves
ye, go tor ther Black Hole, an’ thar ye’ll find
yer man.”

“ But the body?”

“ I’ll get shut ov it later on. Save i”

Lieutenant Morales replied in t e aflirma-
tive, and then Arkansaw proceeded back to the
chamber.

As he entered, Madge Harpy started up be-
side the captive.

“ Hist!” warningly uttered the outlaw ap-
plying his fingers to his lips. “Ther dev aire
ter ay over this hyar galoot, mum! Hosay has
sme led a mice 1"

The woman clinched her hands.

“The meddlesome fool! let him keep his dis-
tance!” she enunciated madly, yet in cautious
strain. “ Where is he, Arkansaw?”

“ Out in ther passage, mum, an’ be sw’ars that
ef ye don't kem ter him he’ll kem ter ye!”

“ He must not come here—1 will go to him.”

“ ’Twon’t do no good, mum,” and Arkansaw
shook his head in a sage way. “ A jealous
Mexican ain’t ter be trifled with.”

“True,” assented Queen Mad e.

“ We’ll hoodwink him, mum! ’ and Arkansaw
suddenly brightened up. “ Go ter him an’ stay
ten minutes. Then bring ’im hyar. I’ll smug-
glve ther galoot thar off to ther Black Hole.

hat say i”

“A wise plan—lose no time,” and a bill of no
small denomination found its way into the hand
of the cunning outlaw, ere the Goldite queen,
with a breath of relief, left the chamber.

" Come, pard, we’ll git out ov hyar an’ out a.
bee-line fer ther camp ov ther blue-coats,” soft-
] exclaimed Arkansaw, bending over the Red-

and Sport and severing his bonds. “ Slow an’
easy till ye limber up—thar’s time a plenty.”

Out through the branching passage crept the
two, quitting the cavern by a hidden entrance.

“ Jest wait a minute, boss, till I go scare up a.
couple ov critters," muttered Arkansaw, pushing
the sport into a convenient covert. “ Ye cain t
hoof et, of ye ain’t [it fer ther saddle.”

.A few minutes sufficed for the execution of
theoutlaw’s errand. He returned leading two
horses. saddled and:~ bridlod.

In silence the tWOImounted and rode.

“Give yer critter its head,” advised Arkan-
saw, when they were a safe distance from the
camp. “ A half-hour’ll throw ye ’longside ov
Ca ’n Dale.” .

he prediction proved true.

Great was the su rise of the allant young
cavalryman when t e Red-Hand port thus an-
expectedly reappeared.

“What is it, my dear Richard, that brings
such a look to our face!” he exclaimed. when
greetings had n duly exchanged. “ Have

an stumbled upon the lair of the Goldites, or

ve—'

“ Your sup ition is literally correct, Harri,”
interrupted t e s rt. “ If you will follow t is
man, Arkansaw im, an ex ldite, he will lead
you to a point within two hundred feet of their

' lines."

With a bound, Captain Dale gained his feet.
‘? This is good news, Dick—the best in a
month!" he asseverated, grasping the hands of
the sport. “We’ll have a ‘go"at the gentry
without the loss of a minute.’
“ Just a moment, Dale. The Goldites are
divided, one party remaining at the camp, while
an equal number have one on a marauding
expedition against some riends of mine living,
just now, up-in these bills. It will be an espe-
cial favor if you will detail a dozen of your
men, under Lieutenant Brainard, to accompany
me in that direction.” . .
Ca tain Dale looked uzzled.
“ 'ends of yours?” e uttered.
if the are the Mordauntsf”
“T ey are.” _
mA warm flush suflused the face of the young
0 car. .
“ Your request is granted, my dear Richard,

“May Iask

with the amendment that I, not Lieutenant ‘

Brainard, accompany you i” he exclaimed.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
om nuxn nanrr’s onowmno smoxn.

OLD DUKE and Ben Harpy were in high clo-
ver. as the saying s. I

Queen Madge be given them’quarters within
, for them a dry, ai nook
and fitting it up wi an eye single to th com-
fort. Liquor and tobacco were supplird them
without! stint, and the whilom Apache chiefs
readily umped to the conclusion that life would
be wort the living during the indefinite time
way were to’ remain with the Goldites.

 

ashe zed around lass in hand.
ldgauarters.’ .Wgat say, Bani”,

 

Now, this is something like!” exclaimed Old r
Duke,
beats our 0

3‘11: ‘

. ’anawmflwv.~u -.. . V

   
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
 
    

 

  

 

 

27

 

 

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

" Good enough for me," was the terse re-
sponse of the younger. “ But I’m going to
snooze till supper-time.”

He threw himself upon a couch as he spoke,
and Old Duke, after helping himself to another
liberal drink, followed the example.

After supper they at once repaired to their
quarters, where they deliberately proceeded to
“make a mi ht of it.”

In the midst of their carousel, they were
startled and alarmed by a shrill scream.

The effect was to sober Old Duke and his son,
both dropping bottles and glasses and leaping to
their feet.

"That was Madgo’s voice!” articulated the
elder, with an anxious look.

“And it came from the place they call the
Black Hole,” added Ben. ‘ What can have
hafipenedl”

oth listened intently.

The Black Hole, as the gloomiest chamber or
recess of the cavern had been dubbed, was near
at hand, and the two desperadoes now had little
difficulty hearing what passed there.

A moment of Silence followed the shriek,
broken only by a. sort of groping sound as of
some one moving slowly over the uneven oor—
then a cry of poignant grief.

“ A man, that time,” avowed Old Duke.
“Come—we must investigate! Something has
ha pened to Madge!”

ogether they passad out into the passage
leading to the Black Hole. Not ten steps had
they taken when they weregreeted by the crack
of a revolver, followed by a slight fall.

“ There’s had work, there!” gritted Duke
Harpy, drawing his weapons. “Quick, Ben—
we may be in time to take a hand l”

But, prompt as were the two, they were out-
stripped by Sol Moses and Injim Dick, the out—
laws who, with Arkansaw Jim, had captured the
Red-Hand Sport.

Moses had caught up a lantern near the main
entrance of the cavern, and as he stepped into
the Black Hole its rays revealed a chilling sight.

Madge Harpy was dead—stabbed to death by
her hot-bloods lover, Jose Morales!

The Mexican lay upon the rough stones beside
her, dying.

His black eyes opened drearin as the light
flashed across his face, and with a grim smile
he muttered:

“ 1t’s all a mistake, pai'ds! I was tricked by
Arkansaw—curse him! He sent me here to kill
our queen’s Yankee lovar; my knife found her
instead!” .

And that was all the moribund could be in-
duced to safi, save that, wild with grief, he had
slain himse . _

“ Poor Madge! There is a mystery about her
fate for which I can find no so ution,” said Old
Duke Harpy, with a sigh. as be drained a. glass
of raw whisky. “ I feel, Ben, that in longer
remaining here we are courting alike fate.”

“I agree with you, pop,” was the hurried re-
s use. “ Ican see With half an eye that these

olditesnhave no room for us, now that Madge
is one.

uke Harpy’s face visibly lengthened as he
scanned his comfortable surroun lugs.

“ We are nicely fixed, and a len thy stay
would have suited me,” he remark , helping
himself to another liberal potation. “But we
miist go, Ben !”

“ And, according to my ideas, we can’t go too
soon, pap.”

“ No—we shall not delay. We can do nothing
for our dead. She was the Queen of the Goldites,
and out of the res ect they had for her, they
will give her decent urial.” '

“ And our treasure, pap—shall we leave‘ it?”
asked Ben, an avaricious gleam coming into his
eyes, his voice sinking to a whisper.

The old outlaw shook his head in a very de-
cided manner.

“ We cannot l” he avowed. “ Fortunately,
we were made acquainted with the location of
the treasure-chamber and the secret of its en-
trance by our poor girl, and We must take that
which is our own.”

“ And all else that we can~ carry away,” sug-

Bsn, in the same cautious tone.

“ Exactly. We are as much entitled to it all
as these knavish Goldites. There is no such
thing as ‘ honor’ among thieves. The shrewdest
or the stron est rascal takes the pot.”

For a ful minute father and son stared at
each other across the flat top of the huge stone
at which they were seated. ‘

“ Let_’s go and get the animals out of the
corral," said Ben. “ Now is our time, for in
their exc1tement the Goldites will not be as

 

' Watchful as usual to—night.”

“ You attend to that matter—I will begin
fiingthe treasuresacks out of the cave.” Old
e arpy returned. “I have heard our red
friends say that you are an admit hand at ab-
stracting horsefles .” r
Be'r‘lAn inherited accomplishment!" declared
9

“ But we‘ll say no more of it. Smuggle the bags
out the narrow entrance just north of the

corral.”
‘Without further ado, the two ' rascals separ-

’ ,

with a grimace half-smile, half-sneer.

In due time, Old Duke made his way into that
isolated portion of the cavern in which was
stored the ill-gotten wealth of the Goldites.

Thanks to the information derived of Madge,
he experienced but little difficulty, althou h at
times the way was so rough as to retar his
progress.

Before leaving his quarters, he had provided
himself with matches. He dared not risk a
lantern.

After passing through the tortuous passage
leading into the cavity, he stepped aside and for
a moment listened intently.

Everything was quiet in that art of the vast
cavern. Not a sound indicate that he had
been followed.

With a chuckle of satisfaction, Duke Harpy
again moved forward—this time but a few
paces.

He then ignited a match and peered around.

A strange scene it was the flickering light re—
vealed.

At his feet were the eight bags of treasure be
had stolen from the renegade Apaches.

Just beyond them, packed in stout canvas
sacks, the gains of theGoldites.

His eyes sparkled greedily—his breath came
in gasps, short and hard.

“It’s a king‘s ransom!” he exclaimed, with a.
hollow, mirthless laugh. “ It's a king’s ransom,
and this is the crowning stroke of my life.”

A quick step rung out in the passage behind

,him, and startled beyond measure, v'he wheeled,
dashing the match aside.

Then came a blinding flashflighting up the
cavityand the passage—revealing the horrified,

aface of Ben Harpy——a dull, heavy roar, a shock

as of an earthquake, and down upon the doom-
ed miscreants crashed hundreds of tons of earth
and rock!

The half—burned lucifer had ignited the pow-
der magazine!

CHAPTER XXXV.
DAVE DANTON TELLS WHAT HE KNOWS.

VERY much crestfallcn, indeed, were the three
prairie pards, Jenkins, Keith and Yuba at their
discomflture at the handsof the daring pretend-
er, Rube Harpy, and shot after shot rung out
from their revolvers as the maddened trio got
upon their feet and darted awn in pursuit. ‘

Out of the stockade dashed arpy, unscathed
by the storm of bullets. With a bound he was
in the saddle; a yell of defiance, and horse and
rider disappeared, rushing down the incline and
into the pass with the speed of the wind.

“ ‘ He laughs best who laughs last,’ ” quoth
the fleein desperado, hazarding a glance over
alts Isnoul er. “That was the closest call of my

e

“ New for a trusty crew from Madge’s men,
and them—beauty and booty 1”

But there was yet an obstacle in his way.

The bushes parted with a sharp swish, and
into his (path lea \ed a familiar form.

“ Ho] , Rube arpyl Another step and you
die!” rung out a stern voice, and the brace of
leveled revolvers, the red gleam in the eyes of
hi challenger, told that the words were uttered
in deadly earnest.

It was not this, however, that drove the last
vestige of color from Rube Harpy’s face. It
was the knowledge that he had made yet an-
other failure—that the man who had probably
wrought the ruin of his scheme now stood be-
fore him. ! ‘

“Out of the way, Dave Danton—you cur!” he
shouted, sava ely, throwing his horse upon its
haunches the otter to shield himself. “ Stand
aside, I say; or, by Heaven!
down l”

Danton stood his ground, and by way of re-
s use, opened fire, with results disastrous to

arpy; the horse went down, but the agile
desperado all hted on his feet. -

The shock, owever lost him his weapons.

“ Surrender!” elled Danton.

“ Never!" an with a defiant shout Rube
Harpy sprung into the bushes, followed by a.
leaden rain from the weapons of the foe: but, as
on the plateau. he seemed to bear a charmed
life, and \the fusilade was without effect. other
than to urge him to almost an rhuman effort.

Exasperatcd by his iil luck, anton was about
to follow, when a ringing shout from the verge
of the plateau caused him to halt.

‘ “ ’Pachesl ‘Paches, pard! Hyar—quick I”
came the cry, and the next instant a burst of
war-whoops rung through the pass.

Danton realized that he had not a breath to
loss. The yelling red-skins were but a few
yards in his rear. He started toward the incline
at his best speed, so closer pursued that at each
bound he expected to feel the point of a lance in

 

untouched, and at that juncture Long Pete and
his pards opened a destructive fire on the reds,
under cover of which Danton succeeded - in
reaching the plateau.

The Apaches at once betook themselves to the
undergrowth, and thence, as expeditiouly as
possible, out of range. '

Danton was accorded a friendly greeting» by
the three bordermen.. , ‘ L - .

“I say. pard, ye made a big fight ov et down
than—better! than. the hull ca cranes ov us up

 

    

I’ll ride you

his back; but he reached the foot of the ascent

 

hyar,” exclaimed Big Dale, pressin forward
and warmly grasping the hand 0 the ex-
outlaw. “Darn me! ef ther dirty cuss didn‘t
lay ther three ov us out, in onetwo—three order,
never techin’ a we'pin ter do at!”

“He’s a hard critter to curry, and we have
not scan the lust of him, yet," said Danton,
breathing hard ffom his recent exertion. “ Nor
of the reds, either.”

“In kerhoots, think?”

“ Yes: as I have told you, Rube Harpy’s
father and brother are the chiefs known as
Death-Eagle and Three Bears, and from the
piresence of the red renegades below I infer that

ube has fallen in with his recious relatives,
and that the red-skins have een summoned to
see him through.” '

At this, the eyes of Long Pete and Dan Yuba
met.

“ Our friends ain‘t out ov ther woods yet,”
muttered Dan Yuba, his face darkening.

“ No, thar’s room a—plenty fer us ter do a heap
ov flggeratin’ ’round, of Danton’s ’spicions aire
k‘rect,” the giant remarked. ‘~

“ But le’s mosey—et’s healthier inside.”

In the mean time, the interior of the stockade

presented a busy scene, the chief factors of «

which were Jackson Mordaunt, Billy Mason and
the judge.

Pauline and Nellie had retired to the cabin,
in company with Roger Mordaunt, where they
were shortly joined by Jackson.

Nellie then related Rube Harpy’s daring ex-
ploit, while Pauline sat with bowed head, quiv-

erin with silent agony.
“ he audacit of the scoundrel is un ral—
leled!” Jackson ordaunt exclaimed. “ here

is some dark mystery connected with the affair, .

and that mystery must be solved.”

“ You are right, sir: there is a bitter, black
mystery ensbrouding 'Richard Royale, and to
that mystery I hold the key.” a

The voice/rung out élear and sharp, and the
Mordaunts sprung up from the table at which
they were sitting, wit faces expressive of un—
bounded astonishment.

A man had entered the room, and was stand-
ing with folded arms just within the door, hat~
less, his head tightly bandaged, his face and
hands raw' with scratches and bruises, his
clothes rent into rags.

“ It is Dave Danton—Rugg McBufl!” Pauline
ejaculated. ' ,

“ Yes, Miss Mordaunt, it is I, Dave Danton,” '
was the response, as the fellow turned his glow—
ing eyes from face to face.

‘Dastai'dl” cried Roger, turnin
anger, as he swiftly drew and leve ed a revol-
ver. “ You have ventured too far this time;
you have put your head into a noose!”

Paulines hand closed around the weapon,

pressing it under the raised hammer to prevent? '

its falling. _ -
‘Wait, Uncle Ito er; you are too hasty,”
she commanded. " he man has said that he
holds the key to this puzzling mystery, and I
believe that he s aks the truth. More thud
that, he risked h s life to rescue me from the
Apaches last night, and from being our foe he
has become our friend. Put down your wea-
pon, I y ray you. and hear what he has to so. .”
“Wal said, Miss Mordauntl” and Big ale
Keith loomed up in the doorway behind Dan-
ton, whereu on there was a second commotion.
“Ye see ain‘t so dead es ye thought, from
ther word ov Rube Harpy,” blandly pursued

the burly frontiersman, looking from one to the _ '

other: “ but I want to say thet I w’u’d ’a’ bin

but fer mg new pard hyar,” and his han’d--~

dropped lig tly upon Danton’s shoulder.
“ n’ I want ter tell ye, too, that ye kin hour
w’at he hes ter say an believe it, every word,‘
that ye kin take him by tber hand, an’ not wish
ye hadn’t. He‘s bin 9. black sheep, I know, but,
deep in him war ther 'clean tufl, an’ he has,
showed awhite heart, at last.” .

Roger Mordaunt lowered his wea n.

“ I was aware that he possesse something

white,” he said, sullenly; “ but I was under the l I

ini ression that it was a feather.”
anton winced, but his eyes flashed. "
“I did not come to handy Words, Mr. Mar.
daunt, but to tell what I know and then de-

white with .

part.” he returned, his voice cold and hard. “ If ,

you choose to hear me, well and good; if not, I
can go.” ’

“ Stay, sir1 and be seated,” urged Jackson
Mordaunt: “ we will hear what_ you have to
say. And you, Dale, take a chair and remain,
for I am anxious to hear your story.” '

Gravely the two men accepted the .‘proflered
seats, and Danton began his narrative, keeping
back nothing, embellisbing naught, makingno
attempt at palliation.

It was a hard, humiliating confession, butrhis, ‘

feelin were, effectually masked h the low
dead gisonotone he assumed. y ’

 

.“In conclusion,” be said, “let me  you

that, unless he has been captured and slain by

the outlaws or red-skins within a very short;

time, Richard Royals is alive and somewhere?

in these bills at this moment, looking for the ';

Hidden-Hope Mine!” , i, '
mane elfect of this announcement may be imag- '

.14:

 

 

 
  
  

28

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. .

 

 

“ You speak positively,” said Pauline. “ Have
you seen him?”

“ l have, and talked with him."

Big Dale jumped to his feet, at that instant,
and brought his ponderous fist down upon the
table with a sounding thump.

“ I’m a. cross-eyed fool, of I hevn’t got the
hang ov et at last!” he shouted, excitedly.

“ Ther Red—Hand Sport—”

" Is Dick Royals, in deep disguiSe!” completed
Danton. ' '

 

CHAPTER XXXVI.
RUBE HARPY TRIUMPHANT.

Ar that juncture Dan Yuba entered the
room.

“ Boss,” he exclaimed, as he sought Jackson
Mordaunt’s glowing eye, “ boss, will ye step
outside? Ther Goldites aire afore ther Stockade
an’ they mean biz!”

The miner changed color.

“ Rube has encountered Madge, and there is a
double motive in this attack," he thought.

Without a word, he followed Yuba from the
house.
“ Ther trouble with them cusses hes kem,

jest es ye ’lowed et w’u‘d, boss,” returned the
squat Hercules, in a husky undertone, as they
hurried toward the stockade gate. “ Thor
skunks marched up ther ss, an’ headed
strai ht fer ther gate, Injun ii e. .

“I e c’u’dn’t heur em, but we did see em, an’
warned ’em ter turn back. An’ ye kin bet they
scooted.

“ But they only drew back out ov range, on’
from theyr actions I kinder reckon they aire
goin’ ter stay right with us.”

“Yes, yes; that is their programme,” Mor-
daunt exclaimed. “They have determined to
seize the mine, and their first move was an at-
tempt to jump us unawares.

“ ailing in that, they will, of course, have to
ado t different tactics. " .

“ tarve us out, I reckon, boss?”

“ Perhaps; the presence of troops in the hills,
however will be likely to prevent the adoption
of that old, old game.” -

At this juncture they arrived at the gate and
Mordaunt took Billy Mason’s position at the
wicket.

The Goldites had withdrawn to the extreme
end of the plateau, where, half-sheltered by the
undergrowth, they were holding a council of
some sort.

Even as Mordaunt looked, a man stepped out
into the moonlight, bearing on the muzzle of his
rifle a white flag, and steadily advanced toward
the ate.

hen he had reached a int one hundred
feet from the stockade, the minor hailed him.

“ Hold! my' man; you are near enough.

“What do you want?”

“ A confab with the boss,” was the prompt
reply, in a. thick, husky voice, as the fellow
came to a halt.

“ Undo the gate, Yuba; I will meet him,”
said Mordaunt, grimly. “ We have as much to
learn as have they,” and as the to swung open

'he slip‘picd out and strode rap dly toward the
deeper o.

“ Now, my man, make known your errand,”
he exclaimed, sharply, as he confi outed the
truce-bearer.

The desperado laughed—a mocking contempt-
uous sound. The Iyellow-brown eyes back of the

v holes in his mas glowed with anything but

mirth.

“Don’t be so irasciblez my dear sir,” he ut-
tered, in mock protest. ‘ I adjure you to bear
in mind that, although the white rag comes
from us, yet you are the one to whom favor is
shown.

“ We are here in sufficient force to batter
down the stockade and rout you out of our
stron old—should it suit our urpose to oit.

“B what is the.needl on are shut off
from cod and water, and with hunger and
thirst for allies, we are assured of a bloodless

victory.

“ In the face of these facts. Jackson Mordaunt,
can you not see the advisableness of coming to
terms?"

“I can’t and don't, Rube Harpy,” was the
curt re ly. “ Go back toyour sister’s cut-throats

, and tel them that they are in the minoritg—
that we are not cut off from supplies, at
on the contrary are prepared to withstand a

e of weeks.’

‘ My sister’s cut-throats, as you arepleased

to term them, ,will know how much of that story

to believe!” sneered y.
“ But let me tell you, ackson Mordaunt, that
you are a doomed man. The man who is known
. to the world as the Branded Viper—known thus
throu h the machinations of yourself and Dick
Roy e—is on your trail, and his is a vengeance
that never sleeps!”

“ Bosh! Go back to your ilk. If you mean
fight, let it be with lead and steel! Bring on
your Viper and his brood! We invite attack 1”

r “ So be it, then,” and, turning, Harpy walked
slowly toward his confederates.
‘ Mordaunt returned to the stockade.

when he had assured himself that e gate was

“ W’ot wur et, boss—a bluff?”  Yuha, '

“Just that, and nothing more.

" But where is Jenkins, Yuba?” .

“ Down ther ss, boss, on a scout; left jest a
moment afore 1: cm condemned Goldi'tes hove in

31g t.

“But Pete’ll take keer ov hisself, an’ give us
a lift ef we need et, ye bet!

“ Now, bess, w’ot’s ther peppei‘gram?"

“ As before. Keep your men in place, and
si rial me if any move is made by the enemy.”

u the mean time affairs had been rogressing
rather favorably between Dave auton and
R0 rer Mordaunt.

be old soldier had reached the conclusion
that his whilom foe sincerely regretted the vi!—
lainous work he had done; and Roger Mordaunt
was too magnanimous to hold a grudge.

“ It’s all right, Danton—I’m glad to see you
square up!” he finally assevcrated, at the same
time extending his hand. “ It is true you played
hard against us, but in return you’ve done us a
big service.

“ And while I think of it, I’ll retract that vi-
cious little thrust of a bit ago. Dale is right—it
is ,a white heart you have, after all I”

“ That is more like you, Roger,” exclaimed
Jackson, at that moment entering the room.

“ ‘ Give a man a show’ used to be one of your
pet ideas.

“And, Danton, I shall see that you are suit-
abl rewarded. To you Royale owes his life,
pro ably, and you were of service to Pauline in
the Apache camp."

The gambler drew back in confusion.

“I want no reward,” he managed to stem-
mer, “ only that on try to forget all—all—that
1 have done, an that I be allowed a place in
your ranks during the ftruggle with the Gold‘
ites.”

“ Granted—with a reservation, to be made
known at some future time,” was the smiling
response. '

 

Could Jackson Mordaunt have seen the tri-
umphant expression that came over the face of
Rube Harpy, as that worthy retraced his steps
to the end of the plateau, he would have been
fairly startled.

There was a Weak point in the apparently im-
pregnable retreat of the Mordaunts, and that
weak oint the desperado had found.

“ a], how is it, Cap?” came the grufl! voice
of one of the Goldites, as Harpy seated himself
in their midst. “ Did ther cove ketch on?”

“Nary ‘ketchl’ ” laughed Rube. “And the
plan is feasible, pards.”

“ Good! we’ll jest corral that fifty apiece!”
exclaimed another. “ Not sich bad pay, Cap,
fer ef we ketch ther beggars onawares ther fight
will amount ter nuthin’.

“ Oh, I’m liberal enou h, when it comes to a
wrinkle like this and can find stanch, trust-
worthy men to do the work ” avowed Rube.
“ In fact, I don‘t care if I m e it seventy-five
apiece, if the job is done right upto the handle.”

A tripple of satisfaction greeted this announce-
men .

“ Ye kin depend onto us, Cap ” asseverated
the kesman of the Goldites. “ lib, pards‘i”

“ het’s w’otl” came in a chorus from the
bearded rou hs.

Rube nod ed complacently, saying:

“ Well and good, my lads! I guess you’ll do
to tie to.

“ But let’s get at the meat in our cocoanut, as
ghe saying goes, and settle all the details of the

scoo .
‘ Ipsuspected, the top of the overhanging
blufl.’ overhangs the roof of the cabin, and the
distance between them is not more than twenty-
flve feet. By knotting our lariats into a lad-
der, we can easily descend from the bluff to the
cabin roof, and thence to the ground, as soon
as; the moonlight has given way to the shadow
ere.

“By that time they will have come to the
conclusion that we are in no hurry to attack,
and we can count on finding not more than one-
half of them awake and on guard. ,

“ But, be they slee ing or waking, if we once
get inside the stock 6 the fight is ours.”

“ Ye’va called ther turn thar, Cap,” averred
a burly Goldite: “ an’ I tell ye at will be no
reek, sca’cely, ter work ther ladder racket, fer
ther galoots won’t ’spicion an attack from thet
quarter.”

“ True; but to work now, lads, and get the
ladder in readiness.”

Three hours later.

In the deep gloom at the rear of the Mordaunt
cabin stood eleven shadowy forms.

The daring scheme of Rube Harpy had been
a complete success. The Goldites were within
the stockade, and that, too, without raising an
alarm. ,

“ Hank Brell!”

“ Hyar, Cap!”

“ Count of! four of the men and go along the
stockade from the northwest corner to the. gate.
Go and bind everysentry you come upon, and
see that none of them has a chance to make an

outcry. I
“ And 11, Bi Jim, Bofl'ard, remain here on

 

The outlaws responded promptly, and as Brell
and his party started on their round, Harpy
and the remaining four men moved away
toward the southwestern corner of the stockade.

Twenty minutes later they came together at
the ate.

" bat success, Brell?” Rube demanded.

“Two guards, Cap.”

“ And there are five. There are more, some-
where, either in the tents or in the house. We-
’ll search the tents first.

“Go back to your starting-point. Brell, and
work along the foot of theblufll until we again
come together.”

The result was four more captives.

“ There are three or four in the house,” said
Har y, “ and we will go there next.

“ o, Brell, with one of your men, and open
the gate. Hold yourselves ready to bring up
the horses when Isignal, for I am anxious to
transfer the girls to the cave .”

The desperado then led the way to the cabin.

The door was not locked. It opened without
a creak.

“ Easy, now, lads!” he cautioned. in an under—
tone. “ We’ll surprise ’em.”

A ray of light escaped from under the first
door opening off the hall.

“ Our quarry is here," muttered Rube, laying
hold of the knob. “ Are you ready?”

“ Ready l”

The door was flung o n with a crash, and
into the room sprung arpy, with drawn re-
volvers, closely followed by at least half of his
outlaw clan.

Jackson Mordaunt lea to his feet, and his
example was quickly to lowed by Roger, Dave
Danton, Pauline and Nellie.

A glance was enough to tell them that they
were entrapped.

“By heavens! it is Rube Harpy and his min-
ions!” cried Jackson, turning w its with anger.

“ You are right, my dear sir; it is Rube
Harpy and his friends,‘ the desperado returned,
with a rofound bow. “ You now see your
error in aving rejected my overtures!

“ What! Danton! is it you, old pard? By
my life! it pleases me to see you here, for I have
something of an extremely interesting nature in
store for you 1"

And into the tiger-ish, yellow-brown e es of
1t‘jlhe Goldite leader leaped a fierce and eadly

ame.

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
monaan 301mm AT LAST.

“YES, yes! Ladies and gentlemen, you are
prisoners at last l” pursued the exultant Harpy,
turning to the Mordaunts. “ But you shall fare
none the worse for it, I assure you, unless you
show ourselves stubborn and headstrong.
layed a big; a desperate game for

t

“ I ave g ‘
booty and eauty, and e fates have dealt me a

p winning hand.

“ Now, hands up, gentlemen, for you must be
disarmed and bound.” . _ ,

At that juncture r. side-door, communicating
with a rear room, was softly opened, to admit
three men. _

The Mordaunts felt a thrill of hope as their
eyes encountered the rugged, weather-beaten
faces of the trio.

“ Thank Heaven! they are the Three Old
Men of the Plains—Long Pete, Big Dale, and
Dan Yuba,” Pauline murmured.

“Throw down your we’pons, Rube Harpy,
or, b Christopher! we’ll riddle yer gang!’
mare Long Pete, his eyes aflame.

“ Never! Up and at—"

“ Up with a gun—and down {Eu go!” rung
a mellow voice from the door hind the out-
laws. You’re covered—every man of you!”

A glance attested the truth of the assertion.
A file of blue-coats had glided into the room,
and in the doorway stood Captain Dale.

Beside him, shorn of all disguise, the Red-
Hand Sport. .

“ Now may God be praised !” fervently ejacu-
lated Jackson Mordaunt, as his eyesencountered
the latter’s face. “It is our own true-hearted
Richard, at last!”

“Amen!” breathed Pauline, the light of an
ineffable happiness in her glowing eyes.

The tables had been turned. The Goldites
were in a veritable death-trap and they knewit.

 

. / Down went their weapons, and up went their

hands.
“ il in and tie us up, Cap!” grimly uttered
a grizzled veteran in outlawry. “we's fa’rly
beat, an’ we ain’t savin' atwordl”

Meanwhile, Rube Harpy had stood as if root-
ed to the spot. If ever the mortification, the
fruitless rage, arising from the complete and

sweeping discomflture of villainy, fully hetra ed _

itself on “ the human face divine,” it was t en
and there.

And the words of the old outlaw by no means
cooled the dire ire of the moment.

A long blade gleamed in Harpy’s hand. and
with a fierce imprecation he hurled himself to-
ward thecenter of the room, to plunge the knife
into Royale’s back.

 

 

 

F
a
i
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,


:;

    
   
 
 
  
  
 
  

 

 
   

 

o
guard. ff anyt ing alarming happens, recall . s _,
us." pg r V Adozenstronghandswerothrustouttoselgao; 

   

 . ’   'properly secured.

  

 

. «Mm «Wewwwwm- -... ..v .m.

-.~... My

 

n;\;' 34“ ..w .»

 

  

Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. .

29

 

 

him—a dozen cries rung through the room to
warn Royals.

Too late!

The blow fell, and David Danton—“Desper-
ate Dave ”-—sunk to the floor, lifeless.

At the lust moment he had flung himself be-
tween Harpy uni Royale, and received the
lliiilit‘ in his heart.

A shrill yell burst from the throat of the
m'lhlennd outlaw. as he realized that he had
been foiled, and without an instant’s hesitation
he whirch through the crowd and along the
hallway.

“ Steady, imyees!" roared Bii Dale. “ I’ll
go arter hlml" and, fergetfui of is wound, the
burly frontiersman (lashed away in swift pur-
suit.

On his return he vouchsafed no report, and
was asked for in me; but the next morning Lieu-
tenant Brainnrd and his men, returning from
their successful expedition against the Goidites
at the cave, came upon the body of a man in
the little valley—a handsome, well-dressed fel-
low. His neck had been broken, and in the soft,‘
white flesh was the mark of a giant’s hands.

 

There were eyes red with weeping when
David Damon’s body was consrgned to earth,
at sunset of the day following his death.

That another might live, he had yielded up
his life. All that man could do, he had done.

The next two or three days were busy ones
for our friends; but in the midst of all the hurry
and bustle, Dick and Pauline, Captain Harry
Dale and Nellie, contrived to find time for many
a charming tote-a-tete.

It was during one of these occasions that
Pauline said:

“There are tr 0 things, Dick, that I cannot
understand. First, how, if you please, you got
it into your head to drift down here, if you lost
my letter before on had read it; and, secondly,
how you and t e captain arrived so Oppor-
tunelyrppon the night Harpy had us in his

wer

“ There, my dear girl, permit me to enli hten
you.” returned Royals, with a fond smile. g

“ p in Elephant's Lode Isecured evidence
that ube and one Oscar Monshali, a notorious
counterfeiter, for whom I had a warrant, were
one and the same. It was diamond cut din-
niond for a few days, and then I followed
him and Dave Danton, his partner, from the
camp.

“ had aesumed a favorite disguise. A num-
ber of miles from the camp, I passed them on
the trail. They had been unhorsed by road-
agents.

“Their actions were so singular that I re-
solved to keep my eye on them. and after events
proved that my suspicions were well-grounded.

“ Harpy had gotten hold of 1your letter to me:
while they were reading it, laid aside every
disguise, appeared and demanded the missive.
An exchange of shots followed, and I was left
for dead by Harpy, although Danton knew to
the contrary.

“As soon as I had recovered consciousness, I
resumed my disguise, and again pushed along
the trail, taking care to avoid the two mis-
creants.

“And now comes the strange part of the
affair. During that ride I ceased to be Dick
Royale, and assumed the personality of the
character my disguise represented. I was
morally certain that I was Dick Brazzieton,
and that my friend, Dick Royals, had been
murdered. hrough it all, I fol owed Harpy.

“By degrees the hallucination were away.
On the morning I met Big Dale and Danton at '
the timber where your party had camped, I was
fully in self. _

“As or our opportune arrival, I fell into the
hands of the Goldltes, was carried to their cave,
bribed Arkansaw Jim, mg. keeper, to conduct
me to the camp of the sol lots, and on the way
learned from him that Rube, with a picked
party, was on his way here to lay siege to the

lace.
p H I at once persuaded Captain Dale to accom-
any me here. On our way we fell in with
ng Pete, who had been seeking the'camp of
the troops, and he led us direct to the gate.

“ The place v. as than in the hands 0 Harpy.
While we were devising a way to enter the
stoekade without alarming the rascals, two of
them approached and carelessly opened the

ate.
g  IN'<:lv; dfiiylgu ngdsritand, Paulinte?” m.
c . u l
and with, him Nan” ere comes he cap n.
Royaie looked over his shoulder at the ap-
np reaching couple.
‘ ‘ Of course,” he laughed.
“0f course—M I"
. “They’ll'muke a match of it,” he returned,

baking tenderly into Pauline's ‘ .
it And why shouldn't they? 
merger” .. . m.
n e s a or n 'rl ”

gig: flash of pleasure.g $513535 lt’f:ngli::x"

“I think so.”

And both were right. . v '

ran nun.

 

Beadle’s Half-Dime library.

n rmur s. WARNE.

61' Patent-Leather Joe: or. Old Rattlesnake. the Churnm.
175 Ulylnln Ari-omit or. Patent-Lentil" Joe's Big Game.
19]; Captain Musk; or i’uumt-Lunlher Jne’u Defiant.

219 Ilenpurd, the Duelintl Or. The Mountain Va-niplru.
833 A Tan is Boy; or, The Dwnri’l Revenge.

888 Little ‘ornodox or. The (inmate of the Glen.

378 Little Jiugu' or. the Que-r Pnrd.

883 Little (Ill-my or, Cnuxht in His Own Tran.

401 Little hlqu-l‘ ly : or, A Ruse for n Runch.

408 Little Loutlwr- lineal-cu: or. Old Jumbo’l Com.
413i Little All Nil” or, The Guru of Blood.

451 Colorado Rate. A ’l‘ulo of ill. nllnu.

480 Three Jolly l'nrdn.

517 Jim Gladden'l Do at .

527 The Jolly I'll-do t 0 Rescue.

54‘? Handy Andy; or, A Good Mnn Down.

556 Lurlut Lil; or, The Cut for u Life.

RY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER.

15 The Sen-Cut: or. The Witch «r Durien.
99 The Dumb l' ek'or. The Dozn’l Daughter.
48 Dis-k Darling. I. c, any Express Rider.
150 Lance and Launox or, The (‘hildren of the Chm.
The Sword Hunter-u or, The Luml onhe Eiv hunt Rid-II.
159 The Lost. Captain l or, Skipper anu Coilin’l mile to the
:00 1"" if!" link I 1-). a eh i h Pl mu...
0 oy eonnsgor, aroeuoto u nos.
21 i “'uli’glunz, the Rubber of the Rhino.
249 will: (owner, the Animal King; or.Tho Round the World
llnl 0'67-
285 The TI or Tuner; or. The La no of the Jun lo.
Kill illuok git-k. the Demon Rider. “ I
895 California Joe’s “for Trail.

RY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD. Ex-Beont.

806 Nook-Tie Ned: or. Thu Du -0ut finds.

84“ Ru ler Rn huei‘ nr.Tile word-mien urine-teen.

891 hi -Glove 'lt. the Dnudy oflhe Rockiel.

898 kid-Glove Kit and I’m-d: or, The Gold King.

406 The Mad )luuhlluntcr; or, The Mystery of Golden

Gulch.
505 Powell's Pn‘di or. The OnooAmed Giant.

BY WILLIKM iT. EYSTER.

190 Dandy Dru-kc; or. The Tigers of High Pine.
210 Faro Frank: or, Dundy Durku’u (Jo-Down Pads.

BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 3. Hall.)
234 aidklloeky'l “Boyoeu” or, Bonito, the Young Horu-
l‘iil hr.

246 (Hunt George; or, The Ang’l or the Range.

276 Arizona Jack; or, Ginni. George’s Punl.

397 The Tarantula of Tuna ' or. GlnntGwrge'u Revenge.
30'? The Strange Paul or. Little Ben‘s Denth Hunt.

818 Ker-whens. Ker-w no; or, The ’l‘urnntuln nme.

82? (imaging at, the Cuddo; or. The Rod and White Pudu.
889 rln roll: or, The Tonknn'ny’o Trust.

844 The F‘I‘fbtlux Trio; or. Rattle-nuke. the Tnnhwny.

849 “'lid shift or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Frunt.

35’? Tile Ram-h Raiders or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory.
884 Snap-Shot, the Boy ringer.

875 Ohiota, the Creek: hr. The Three Thunderbolts.

881 Handler-n Bill: or. Frio Frank to the Front.

893 Romeo and the Red" or, The Boieunond Ranch.
404 Little Lariat: or. From: Pete’- Big Romp-go.

4 The Daisy from Denver.

7 The Three Trailers; or, Old Rarity on the Ramp-n.
448 illull' Bill; or The Lynx of the Leone.

455 Little Lone st... or. Th- 3.1mm. Cibolo.

BY ED WARD WILLETT.

167 Ann Scott, the Sionmhnni. Boy.

199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Munllngnln.
z .u. Alf or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws.

289 "he Typo Detective: or, Wcuel. the Boy Trump.
295 w... w.- PM“ or. The King of Qunrlzviile.

811 1 be Ilovin Sport: ur. The Pride ofCliuckuluck Comp.
822 ieulo. the filetectlvez or, Kit Ken on's Vendetta.
B40 Dlip, the Contortlonlntx or. Th- iontunn Vixilnniu.

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

800 Sliver-Musk. the Mn of lily-my- . .
369 h‘imntn. the Gold Kim” or, For Seven Years Deed.
480 The Detectivo’u Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a

ume.
494 Clbuta John: M. Red-Hot Tinm at Ania a...
489 finndy Sam. the Smul Scout.

46‘? Disco Dan. the Dull ‘ Dude,

490 llromlwn Bill . I. e Boolbinck Bravo.

506 Red" lit al , the Prince oi'tho Road.
(514 Bron way Ill 1 ’n Boodle.

N34 The Engineer 1 etectlve

538 eruliwn;J Hill 'I ‘ Dliillliity.”

548 Mari, the izht sprees Detective.

55‘? Broadway Billy’s Dentin Racket-

BY JO PIERCE.

39? Rob 0' the Bowery; or, Th: Prince of Mnibo Sims
Alb The l'mboml Deter-live: or. Bowery Both in.
459 "out ur Rub, the Strut-Boy Detective.

4150 The uwyer A Shadow; or. Luke's Lam.

479 Jnunt Joe, the Ynnn Hons-King.

494 finrlygim. the Young ‘crrymnu Detective.

504 Five Points Phil.

509 Jack In gen, the Butcher Boy Deleon".

51 Tartar hm or. Five Points Phil’s Managed!-

52 North River N a the Pier Detective.

583 “'relltlin Rex. t 8 Pride ni'the Sixth Ward.

541 {of File er. the Sunble Boy Detective.

551 Nick Nettle. the Dov Shallow.

559 Harlem Jack, the One. Boy Detective.

BY OAI’T. MARK WILTON.

956 Young Rent-wk: or. The Rl‘d 1mm.
I70 Biluard Rent Hr. ’l'lle Riut It Keno Camp.
980 dull, the Roy Tondori‘uot.

 

 

 

 

 

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

11 The Two Dematlvon; or, The Fortnnu all Bowery Girl.
76 AIM Colt. the Crow-Killer.
Tl! Sol Gin er, the Ginni. Tu per.
.88 Joe Hue ' of Angels In His Boy P'frd.
447 Not. A Tnlo of Tricks and ups In Galina.
“it New En land Nick: or. The Fortunes of o roundling.
484 Nimble loll. the Circus Prince.
98 non Tod, tau Ari-om: S on.
510 Cool color-do, the Hill dined Detective.
515 0001 Colorado In New York.

BY noon]: snnnnox.

95 The My Capt-Ins or, The runw- Daughter.
114 The Block Schooner: or. Jib Junk. the Old 1'».
959 The Golden llar oon: or, Lost Anion tho “0'.
w gin-nines"I «mail  the Death Tint-:33

l m e. 0 ram or,
so: In. Plan-ton Light-house. ” ,
I70 Breaker lion, the Roof-Runner.

BY MAJOR E. 1.. ST. VRAIN.

O” Innebo Pedro tile Boy Bandit.
sol Wyfllo Niel: u. Boy 3.»...
on Red“) Rube. ii. mum. an...
I Brimstone Bob. and HI: Lightning Hon.
Tic-baton. T the Arbors Boy of “land.”
limes: to.“ .. y "' 'ihzsrl‘m‘mm-
. I n, 0 mg 0 n.
i van-ob: All’, the Poolhiilo Guido.
vacuol- .0. on» lie-Mul- Mull-flu.

 

 

BY HARRY ST. GEORGE.

80 ROIPIHI Bulgi- Roekvrood, lhe Hunger.

44 Rnttiln Ru oi 0?. The N'uhihuwk- oi Kentucky.

59 Old llle 'ory; or, l’nndy Eiill'l Scalp.
108 During Invy: or. The l‘nil nl‘ the iiorder Wolf.
[my Illek.ry llnrr ; M, The 'I‘rn‘sper-lirigndo’l Spy.
179 Thunderbolt ' em: or. the «ll-Harder,

HY W. J. HAMILTON.

68 The Roll Brotherhood; «The Twin Annprl.
86 Sin lo "and; or. A Life fur u Life.
79 Ma Tom “lea-tern, the 'l‘unn Rnnur.

'37 Ben Bird. the Cave King; or. Big Pete‘s Scoop.

BY JACK FARRAGUT. i

815 N the Cabin Roy.
380 TI:1 Sen Sort-ere”; or. The Boy Skipper.

I!" FRANK DUMONT.

The Branded “and: or. The Man of Mynury.
Wild-Fire. "in Boss of the Renal.

Rina Ill-zen or. The Break 0' Day Boys of Roaky Bu.
T1 Ebou Dun: or. The Rival Lauuu.

85 Evil yes or, The Vultures of the Rio Gran-is.

BY LIEUT. H. D. PERRY. U. 8. N.

176 The Roy null-way; or. The Bucrnnnr of iho Boy.
I'm The Ben Trailer! of. A VOW W0” Kent
19. Cunt.“ Kits or, The Mystery of Montsuk Point.

BY HARRY HAZARD.
898 Arknnsnw Jack: or. The Scourge of the Mines.
8’39 Red-Skin Tom at, The Demon’s 'I‘rni .
849 The Mountain vlh or. Yellow luck. the Outlaw.
BY COL. A. F. HOLT.
9!? Block Buckskin: nr,The Masked Man of Dull: Canyon. ‘y

8
4ID Kenneth, the Knife-King.
“finale Ligbtfoot, the Pilot of the “'oods.

BY J. W. OSBON. .

469 The Rival Giants ofNowlInr’. "
49R Cactus Run, the Man from ilnrd Luck.
537 “ill llueltc e. the Sierra Shndow. H
564 Powder Pail, the Boy Minor. 3

BY FREDERICK DEH'EY.
318 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shale.
478 Tanzemulld. the Duel-I. Detective.
542 The Canyon l’nrds.

BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM.
440 Little Foxhoh tho‘Gold Bowie Kid.
558 The Sure-Shot Paris.

A
BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. , ' ‘j

:36 Captain CMtuI, the Chaparral Cock.

8 The Dundynoi no. v
589 Brooklyn en. the Ou-HlI-Own-Hook Detective. ' _ r .1’

 

BY OAP'I. J. F. 0. ADAMS.

84 Ore n 801: or Nick Whifliu's 30 s .
48 41.313”. the (Grant Shot of the Win.” ‘
54 Val lluzel the Bag Trapper.
56 Nlek Wbi en's at. or, II: The anio of Death. ”
- The White Indian; Or. The Scout on us Yoliowliol‘ ‘l.
70 Old Zir’s Onbint or, The Grunhom in the Woods.
81 Lightn I: Jo. the Terror oi nu Pmlvie.
85 Buck Khaki-nun; or, Ben, the Female Tn nu,
I4? Old Grluly and “in Pets; or, The WII Huutuu.
.51 Light-bongo Lint or, Osceola, the Flrobrnnd.
.57 T e Lost Hunters: or The Undorlround Comp.
088 The Scalp King: or. Tile Hum-n Thunderholt.

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS.

4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Cunt. Mayn- Rohi on. , 

Frederick Whittaker. :7

ll Adventures of Baron Mum-bonsai. 3?

10 Gulliver’s Trlveln. 8 new ewln, .i.
14 Alumni; nr,'l‘ho Wonder lump. ' .fi

16 Robinson Crusoe. (91 illustrations.)
18 Sindbnd the Sailor. His Seven Voyages.
80 The Son Serpent; or. The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Joan

w I.

88 The Ocean Bloodhound: or, The Red Pinlu o! the
Cumin-vs. By S. .Pieno.

86 'Ehfi Roy Clownl or. The ann of the Arena. By Mn
. nn.

3!! Ned Wylde. the Boy Scout. By Tom Jerk.

5‘! The Boy Rifle" or,Tha Underground Camp. By Archio .
0.1mm.

95 The Rival Rovers or The Frubooun of the Miami
ay Ll.u...Col. Hmmni. ' m

98 Robin flood the Outlaw-d luv-l: or,1'hn Merry Men Maroon.
wood. By Pru . Gildoniun.

105 Old Rube. the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain
Hamilton Holmes. r

112 The Mad "aim" or, The Gun ofDouth. By Burtonluo.
I“ Envy. til. Tex-n3 or, The Young Champion. By Georg.
I’m!!-

108 The Tenn Privateer: or, The Pluto's Stronghold. By '
Hurry Coven lsh.

148 Sharp Sun at, The Advoninm on Friandlus Day. By .|
Alexander Pol II.

.91 Dusky Darrell. Tn per: or. The Gmn Ranger out. Yul—
lowsmno. By Iti'll’d motion.

96! gal-nun Fear-ought the Now Yuk Boy. By emu.
.Il.

I60 Klilb’nr. the Guide: ~r.DAvy Crochet“ Crooked 'i'rnil.
By Ensign C. I). Warren.

.98 Red Claw til. Ono-lde Trapper, or. The Hold oltbo Gill.
By Captain our-cock.

or: Peacock no... u. mm, m from menu. By u...
tenant Alind Thorns.

8.8 The 8k Defective or A Bo 'Il’i M for bituminous.
By Molor'Miahy Fm. ‘ ’ y '

850 Red Ralph. the River Rover} onTlu Brother‘- '0‘ ’
"n21. By Nod Bun illno.

865 Baltimore Ben the Bomblack Detective. By A. P. m
874 gold-Dust Tenn or, Ben'- Dauhls Mulch. By Gang. 3.
. one.

876 Caitlin-ale Joe’s Fir-t Troll. By Colonel no...
Hay-r Man-wry.

413 nm: nous-adult. cur Climber. By I. s. warm...
475 The Black Ship. Bylabn 8. Werner.
O the .4! Tbs
484 “is?” Dick n ills co Invindblot Ir
5.. Wand-Arm, iboDndylpofl. ByAnhrl‘Jhl‘.
'8’ The CowboyDIke. By Edwin Bloch Form.
553 Ariel, the me. By David Druid.
A New Issue Every Tuesday.
Tb. Inlf-Dhoflbnryhhvnio “th.
.Mfllm,nmiby null on molploloixuotuuh.’
READ“ AND “All. Pam
is Winin- Street. 1&- Yosh-

 

 

 
  
     
  
  
  
 
 
   

. 58 Jinn Bludaoe r.. tho Bo

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY ED‘VARD L. “WHEELER.

Deadwood Dick Noveln.

1 Deadwood iDlvk, the Prime of the Road.

90 Double iDaugcra or, Deadwood Dick’s Dalian“.
98 Bull'qu iieru or. utlllwmnl Dick in iii-guise.

85 \Vlld Ivan. the Boy Claude Duval.

48 ’huutom Miner; or, Deadwood Dirk‘a Bonanza.
49 )maha Oll- or llnmlwuml Dick in Dunner.

t’ Deadwood lchlt’a Eagle-t; or, The Purds oiFlood Bar.
8 Deadwood Dick on Book: or. Calamity June,thn Heroine.
T Jorduroy (‘harlict or, Deadwood Dick’s Lani. Act.

100 Deadwood Dick in Leadvlile.

104 Deadwood Die ‘a Device: or, The Double Cross Sign.
1.09 Deadwood lDis-k an Detective.

199 Deadwood lDick’a Double: or. Tho Ghont o! Gorgon’s

Gulch.
128 ill-rude “ill; or, Deadwood Dick's Home Base.
1 9 A Gallic of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick‘s Big Strike.
166 Deadwood Dick oi’ IDa-adwood or, The Picked Part .
195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, he Rimls or the Ron .
801 The Blur-k ilills Jenehel; or, Deadwood Dmk's Ward.
905 Deadwood Dick's Doom; or, Calamity Juno’s Lual. ltd-
Venture.
911‘ Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brl ml.
291 in sir-Coated Sam: or, The Blue Gown.
’3’ io d-liunt iDIok. A Rmnnnflt ol' Rouzlu und Toughr.
363 Deadwood lDiek’I lDivlde ' Ur, Tho Spirit of Swnlup Lake.
368 Deadwood Dick's Death ‘rail.
809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of

Oregon.
891 Deadwood Dick's Dozen; or, The Fnklr niPhantom Fists.
84‘! Deadwood Dick’a Ducats; or. Rainy Days in the DI;—

L'IIKI.
851 Deadwood Dlek Sentenced: 0!. Tho Terrible Vsndetta.
868 Deadwood Dick'l Claim; or, The Fairy Fm oi Fara

1- lots.
405 Deadwood chl.’ in Dead City.
410 Deadwood Diek’n Dinmondo; or. Tho Mystery of Joan

otter.
491 Deadwood Dick in New York: or, A “ Cuts Case."
430 Deadwood Dick’a Dust; or. Tho Chained Hand.
44!! Deadwood Dick. Jr.
4-48 Nickel-Plate Ned; m. Deadwood Dink Jr's Defiance.
458 Sunflower Sana, 0| Shuta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full

Han .
469 Flu-h Fan, the Ferret; or, Dudwoorl Dick 1er Big Ronnd-
405 Phllo Fly. of Pheuix; or, Doadwood. Dick Jr’s Ruket at
Claim l0 ‘

471 Roseman Bill; or. Dcndwood Dick Jr’s Corral.

476 Ilumboldt Harry, the Hurricnnc; or. Deadwood Dick Jr’s
Dug Detective. -

481 Moll Myuter '; or. Deadwood Dick Jr. in Daadwood.

491. Prince Plato the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick
.lr's Compact.

490 Mon e Cr Ito, In: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance.

500 c e... Dick’n lDlgfiingu or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop.

1508 Dear woos Dick’a 'De verance.

615 an n Dick’a Protegeo.

525 was won Dick’l 'l‘hree.

529 lea mu. iDiek’n Danger Ducks.

5034 Dear woo. Dick’a Death "out.

589 u m..- Dick Jr.. In Texan.

1544 gas wuu “ll-k, sin, tho Willi Wont Vldocq.

649 Dear woot lDick on lilo Mettle.

554 .. "u... lchk, Jr.. in Gotham.

l c- «and Dick in Bolton.

561' Dead wood Dick, Jr.. in Philadelphia.

Other Novel: by E. L. Wheeler.

.0 (Eleven "00f, the Buflalo Damon.
83 Bub Woolf; nr, Tins Girl Dead-Shot. r
89 DeathJ‘ur-e, Detective; or, Life in Now York.
45 (Did Avalanche 3 or. Wild Edna. tlhs Girl Bugatti.
y on x.
or Buckhorn aim or, 1.. nu ma. Tum.
‘9 Gold Riilc the Shark-hoot": or. Ths lio Dotutin.
80 “min”! lloll‘ or, ugget Nod. tho Kn ht.
S4 Idyl. the Girl . litter; or, Routh Rob on Hand.
88 Photo rn is Pl: 1; or. Ros-bud Rob’s map I“,
99 Costa a C et 3 or, Old Anwonds ln Sitting new. Camp.
90 Watch-E e; or, Arabs and Angola 0!: Grut City.
118 Jack lloy e the Young Speculator.
111 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Domtlvo.
Ill Allan-Inna Chip tho Girl Sport.
185 Bonanln Bil incr.
1" “on Iioh the in; of Bootblach.
141 Solid Sam the Boy Rosd‘Agont.
145 mtfllfl errct, tho Now York Duncan; or, Bonn Dan's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 101 New “Yltrk Nellfith- Boy-Girl meal...

11’ Keith Nick of cvadat or. 1'1" Sierra Scampi.

18 Wild rank, the Buchkin Bravo.

’0” fit]. tha Bound-Boy Datutlvc. ',

.1. rltn to the Front: or. The Vantril out Hunter.

.96 Iaooacr the Dry Sharp: nr, 'l'ho Arab man.

"6 Apollo ill". the Trail Tornado.

.40 C clone Kit, tho Young Gladiator.

844. S erra Sam, tllu Frontier Forrut.

“8 Sierra Som'a Secret; or Tho Bloody Foot rlntl.

.58 Sierra Sam’s Part]; or. Tho Angol oi Basis“.
58 -|lerra Saln’n Severn or. The Slolon Brl .

2?. untho .D ll'ln Buy Patrol; or, Tbs Rival Hairs.

271 ‘ Denver Do i. tho Detective Queen. I

'81 weaver Dol ’n V etory.

SHE ’ Dangertholl'n Decoy : or. Littlo Bill's Banana.

ur .

, t c oy erret.
.9. Denver lloll'a Drift or. The Road ann.

 

.99 A No. 1. the Duhlnx oll-‘l‘ahr.
808 'lea Jane. tbs Girl Minor or. ths lron-Nmod Sport.
can Kelley. Illeke .u 0.... the Dthivso ofPhiMlyhin.
880 “file Quick-S ot or.‘l'ho Donal i’lco orb-“crank.
884 kangaroo Kit; or. hs Mynurlons Miusr.

Kan roo Klt’a Racket.

Man attan Mike, tin Bowsry Blood.

' 858. First-Clan- Frod, lhr Gout from Gopher.

86S Each Jinn. thc- Gold-Gatherer; or, ’i'hs Mary of

81. Ynka Jill’s Priu.
813 Kabob Ned; or. Tho Srcnt of Slab City.
888 Cool Kit. tho Kin! of Kldl' or. A Ylllaln’s Venn-anon.
885 Yrcka Jim’n Joker! 0!. Th0 Riv-l! “M No...
.89 gloyclc Ben; or. Tho Linn n! Ll‘hmin‘ Lode.
1M roka ll. of ana Data.
400 rink] tba Night-Watch Dntactiu.
ii Ili‘h Ilmlam. tho Bun Bull Dana“.
0 In Siahnid tho Hagar-Bo Dstectlvo.
Jim Beak all: Pal, rlvsts omtisn.
:3: Salt. Fe Sal, Ibo Sin-her.
Saaiaidn Sans, tin Sparkiar.

BY BUFFALO BILL (Boa. WI. l'. Cody).
8 Kane Kinz; or. The Rad Right Hand.
19 he 1“. atom S s or, The Pilot oitlu Pniril.
Bguly. ya. tho nhown Scout.
Border Boll- lloa‘; or Tho Prnirln Raver.
l‘anny‘l‘rankofouorado; «an. Wars";

/

 

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAIIAM.

7 The Fl In: Ynnkoot or, The Oceun Outraat.
1? in]: to , the liny BucL-unrcr; or. The Fugitive Yacht.
34 ' Dlrk Lnr, The Mystery of the Yellowstone.
62 "he Shadow S In; or. The Rival Lieutenunls.
75 ' ' to Bay iDnellnt; or, The Cruise 01' the Sea«“'oli'.
D (-k Dead-Eve, the Boy Smunxmr.
'l‘he Sea-ilevll; or, The Middllplnlm’s Legacy.
The lint-star Cagtnln; or. The Hermit of Hell Guto.
.ittle Grit: or, emu, lhe Stockll'under’s Daughter.
04 Gold Plume; or, The Kill-Glove Sport.
916 iii-ion lllll. the Prince oi the Reins.
i329 Grit. the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer.
229 Crilnnon Kate - or. The Cowboy’s Triumph.
938? Lone Star. the éowtmy Curtain.
B45. Merle the Middy Mor,’ he Freelance Heir.
250 The Nildlhipmssn . utlnecr; or. Brandt, the Buccaneer.
984 '1 he Floating.r Feather: or, Merle Mouta’s Treasure

u and.

989 The Gold Slain: or, Merle, the Condemned.

9H3 gerlye Mouton Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold
ll

. p.

2ND Merle Monte‘a Fate; or. Pearl, the Pirate's Bride.

'84 The Sea Marauder: or, Merle Monte’a Pledge.

23'? Billy Iilue-Byon, the lioy Rover 0! tin: Rio Grunda.

304 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Henna. the Boy Buglor.
308 keno Kit: or. Dead shot Dandy-‘3 Double.

814 The Myaterioua Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long

Irml.
877 Bonadel. the Boy Rover; ar,’i‘he Flagioss Schooner.
888 The Indian Pilot; l-r, Tim Search for Pirate island.
38? Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom.
 geflfulfilzhe‘liay Lieugnnnt.
no or, t e 'oung on: lrator ,The Fatal Lea no.
407 The Do lug-urgent; onyl'hc Cubn‘n' 'endetts. g
419 Tire “'i d \ aehtnnan' r'r, The Wur-Clouu’a Cruise.
43 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee.
488 A Cabin iio ’n Luck; or, The Comlr.
48? The Sea ila der.
441 The (Deena Firefly; or, A Mlddy‘s Vengeance.
446 "nphuzard ilurr ; or. The Scapegrnce ol‘the Son.
450 Wizard Will: or. ‘he lluy Ferrntol New York.
454 “'inard “'ili’n Street Scout»
462 The Horn Guide; or. The Sailor Boy Wan-lorer.
468 Neptune Nell, the lan Coaster.
474 Flora; nr, Wiuurd Will’a Vu nhond Ford.
438 Ferreta Afloat; or. Wmlrd 'ill’s Lust Can.
48? Nevada 'cd. the Rnwivar Ranger.
495 Ari ona oe the Buy Purd of’l‘exu Jack.
497 line Taylor King ol tlh' Cowboys.
508 The Royal illiddyl‘ or. The Shark and the Sea Cat.
50? The ilunted Mid! man.
511 The Outlawed Mid y.
520 Backnkin Bill, the Comanche Shadow.
525 Brother: in Buckskin.
580 The Buckskin Bowers.
5 The Bat: skin Rovers.
540 1.99.“- Ku—Klux, the Marauder oi the Rio.
‘ ‘ Leo, the Son of Lafitte.
550 «fish-7. Legacy: or. The Averaging Son.
655 [he Creole Corsair-
580 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shodowar.
565 Kent Kin‘don, the Card King.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY CHARLES MORRIS.

18 Will Sonnet-s, the Boy Detach".
99 Pill] 11an , the Boss Day.
28 Picayune etc; or, N lwdomul, tho Dogbgmuu.
80 Detective Dick; or, The Horn in Raga.
48 Handsome llarry, the Boothlsck Detective.
4? Will Wildlife the Thoronfhhrod.
59 Black lieu. Will Wildfire s Racer.
5? Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy.
08 Will Wildfire in the W
3 ago. tho Railroad Bo .
70 A Tram] ard; or, erl Wilde Wins and Long.
74 Bolt Roe kett; or, Mysteries of Nsw York.
79 Bob Roe let tho Bank Runner.
other 
a ar in I a l‘; or. 0 ran ion.

89 Bob [too (you; or, Drivon to tlanall. 5‘
96 shadowed or, Bob Rnckatt‘s Fight for Info.
00 Dark Pass . ths Tiger King. ‘
ID i nailing Dave, the Dandy Dctutlve.
W0 ' ‘om Tanner or. Tits Black Shup oi the Flock.
995 i am Charcoa ths Premium Dar y.
85 hadow Sam the Mssungnr Boy.
14’ ' ‘he Two “ 'luoda ”| or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang.
5! Dick Duhaway; or, A Dakota Boy in Claim 0.
69 ' ‘he Young Sharp-z or, Rolllcklug Mlh’s fiat Trail.
74 s oily Jim; the Detective Ap rentlc...
3 s oily Jim I Jolt] or, Tbs nun Dotottlrn.

8 'i‘lw Water-Hound; or. Tb. man Thoroughbred.
05 ‘Dnahaway, of Dakota; or, A Wusurn'Lod in the Quaker

Lit .
394 Baylph Ready, o. How Boy been...
8-“ Tony Thorae. the Vagabond Dotoetlvs.
.58 The Reporter-iDetealvet or, Fred Flyor's Blluard.
867 W ldc-Awuke Joe; or, A Boy ofths Timon.
8’29 Lnrr . the Leveler; or. Ths Bloods of tho Boulsrard.
408 Fire y Jack. the River-Rat Detoctlvo.
438 The Loot Finger; or, The Entrsppod Csshior.
438 Fred Fl er. t a Reporter Damtive.
489 Invincih 6 Logan. the Pinhrton Ferret.
460 ill Brick, t nJoily Vagabond. l
486‘ i e-Awake Jerry, Dntnctlve; or. Entade All".
'29 Detsetive Dod a: or. Tho Mysmy oi Frank Hearty.
sill ll“. "ilk ll" 191‘ 1' 51. r u. s.

on s, c oy renant or. no srp or o s r.

566 The Secret. Service Boy Detective. m

5'
5

 

 

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

0 Yellow-Alone Jack; or. Ths 'i‘rswr.
49 Black John the Road-Aunt: or. In Outlnw’s Katmai.
8‘ Hurricane Dill; or. Mustang Sam and His Paul.
119 Multan: Sam 3 ar,’l'hs King a! the Plains.
186 Night-llnwk Kit; or, 'l'hs Dsughlor of tho Ranch.
144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport.
151 Panther Paul] or, Dainty but. to tho Rosana.
160 The Black Giant: or. Dainty hm in loop-rd!-
108 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Firs with Flu.
184 The Boy Trailer-1 or, Dainty Lane. on tho War-Pstb.’
808 The Boy Pardst or. Duluty Lanna Unmukn.
Ill Crooked Cale. ths Caliban of Celestial City.
810 The Dam-ca Wain or, 'l'bo Bclntiini Decoy.
819 The Blank Rider; or, The Hom-Thisns’ begun.
I85 Old Double Flat: or, The Strong. Gnids.
855 The King ofthe Wood'n It». Mi Mi! hit Trail.
“0 Kit Foxnho Baal-r BoyDetoetln.

 

BY OLL COOllES.

5 Vagabond Joe. the Young Wandering Jaw.

13 The iDuInh Spy.

2’? Antelo e. Abe, tlm Boy Guide.

Bl Keen- “lie, the Prime ol’the l'rniriea.

41 Lat-no Jack, the Young Mmtnngvr.

58 The Border Kiting: nr,'i‘ha Sorrel. Fee.

’31 Delaware iDlok. | e Young Ranger Spy.

74 ilawk-e e ilarr ' the Young Trapper Bungsr.

58 Rollo, t e lio I an er.
134 Sure Shot Set 1, the icy lliileumn.
14B Soar-Fare Saul. the Silent Hunter.
146 Silver Star. the Buy Knight.
153 Eaan Klt. the iioy heumn.
168 Little Texan, the Young Mustang".
1716 Old Solitary, llle Hermit 'l'ru \per.
1853 Little Hurricane, the Bo nptain.
202 Print ect i’ete ; or, The 'lmmz Unlan Hunters.
208 The oy Hercule-x or, The Prairie Trumps.
218 Tiger Tom. the Texas Terror.
22]- lDlIIlllllI Dick; or. 'I rapper Tmu‘l Castle.
223 Little \ 'lltliire, the Yuunz l’mlrie Nomad.
288 The Par-on in» tooth or or. The Little Ranger.
248 The lDlnzulnod Guide; or, “'th Ruven, the Rang".
2th) Dare-Devil “all, the You": Prairie Ranger.
$72 Mink-lid" Mike, the Boy Sharpnhootor. A
290 Little Foxfire. the Buy Spy. r
300 The Sky Demon ; or. Rninb..lt,tllc Ranger.
884 “'ilil'D-klllfl Joe, the Boy mehem.
409 Hercule-ll or, Du-k, llle Boy Ranger.
4]? “’ebi‘oot Mono. the 'l‘rump Dem-dive.
4293 Baby Hum. thu lluy Glunt 0! II..- Yellowstone.
444 Little Huck-kin. the Young Prairie Centaur.
457 “'ingedi‘oot Fred; or. old Polar Saul.
468 'i‘alnarac Tom. the Biz Tra >per Buy.
4?}! Old Tom Rattler, the Red Iver Epidemic.
482 Stonewall Bolt. lhe liuy 'l‘roiun.
669 Biundering Bani], the Hermit Boy Trapper.

BY '1‘. C. liARBAUGil.

28 Nick 0’ the Night; or, ’l‘h-r Boy Spy of "Io.
87 The Hidden Lodge: or The thtl: Hunter.
4? Nightin ale hat; m, The Forest Cu talus.
64 “and neki or. ‘hc Oulluwn of the rogon Trail.
8’ Kit 1 arefoot the Wood-stk.
94 Midnight Jack; or. The Boy Trapper.
106 Old Frosty, the Gulrlr; or, The White Queen.
128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustunger.
189 Judge 1. *nch. .lr.: or. The linv Vigilante.
l er, the S ort; or. The Girl Avcuzsr.
169 Tornado om: or, njun Jack From Red Cora. .
183 Ned Temple, the Border Boy.
19" Arkanaaw 3 orY The Qn-e-vn ol Fntn'n Range.
907 Navajo Nick the Boy Gold Hunter.
915 Captaln Bullet; or, Little Tohknot's Crusade.
231 l’lucky Phil: or. Rosa, ths Re 1 Jexnbal.
941 ill“ liravo; nr, The Rough: of the Rockies.
255 Cnptalu Apoll. the King-Pin uf liowle.
nor The Buck-kin Detective.
2?!) Old “'it is or, The Buckskin Dcanaradou.
294 Dinar-tile ant or, The Buwie Iihlde of Cochctopn.
808 T e Moantain Detective: or, Ths Trigger Bar Buily.
818 Olol Eollpne. ’i‘rumn Curd of Arizona.
826 The Ten l’ordsr ur. The ’l'errnr ot'I‘nlre-Notloo.
888 ill: Benson: or, The Queen ol‘ the Lane.
845 Pltllua Matt; or, Red Thunllerhoiv’s Secret.
an“ "ital Barn um' Par I s a" The Terrible Six.
866 Velvet Foot, thr lndinn Detective.
886 .‘Aaptaln Cutla-M or, he 1? ccnnnr's Girl Foe.
890 laugh Rob: or. The iwin Champions oI Blue Blanca.
411 ' “he liken Lon-o: or. Thu Root of Ranch Robin.
418 llellx Fox. tho Buy Spotter.
485 l‘exan Trump. the Border Rattler.
430 Phil Fla-h. the New ank Fox.
5 ' ‘he City Varn Ire-s3 hr, Rel Rnlfo’l Pinon.
461 i no Alain-It Pll‘ly; nr. '! lw Lust Mun of Kano Bar.
470 The Boy Shadow: nr. Felix an’s Hunt.
47? The Excelsior Sport: or. The Washington Spotter.
499 Magic Sight. th- f‘rl.-E_xe.l slur".
502 Branded lien. the Night Ferret.
519 dodger Dir-l , the Whirl-Spy Dctectlvo.
5E1 l Dodger Dit- k’a Belt Dodge.
523 Pox and Fur-on, the Bowery Shadows.
538 Dodger Dick, the Dork Ferret. ‘
5 Dodger I’ll'ri’l Double; or, The Rival Boy Domllru. r
558 Dodger Dir-l"- Deaprrnte Can.
508 ] Dodger Dick. the Boy Vldocq.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

570 Camille, the Card Queen. By Col. Prentlu lngrahsm.

571 Air-Linc Luke. the Young Engineer. By J. C. Cowdrlck.
579 Deadwood Dick. In, in Chicago. By E. L. Wheeler.
578 The Two Shadowa. By T. c. Harbsuzh.

574 Old chIel-top, the Man with ths Days. By . S. Warns.

515 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. By Celonal Prentiss
lmmthnm.

576 Tim Silver Sport. By Llent. A. K. Sims.
57’? Pavement Pete, the Scout Sifter. By Jo Plom.
578 Deadwood Dick, In, Afloat. By Edward L. Wheeler.

579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party.
By J. C. Cowdrlck.

580 The Outcast Cadet; or, 'i‘ho False Dotootlvo. By Col.
Prontin luzrannm.

581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. By George C.
Oil '.

 

 

 

582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By '1‘. C. Harhsugh.
588 Snii’ron Sol', ths Man With a Shadow. By Llont. A. K. Slma.

584 Deadwood Dick, In. ll Denver. By Ed. I. Whulrr.
Rudy October il. l

585 Will Waters, ill. 30? 10ml. By H. Eaton.
Ready Odo

liar 9.

586 The Buckskin Ave-gar. By Col. Prentiss lngnburn.
Rudy October It.

587 Old Bomb-hell. tho Bangor Dotsotive. By Wm. G. Patten.
Randy October 98.

588 flak-thnntern, tbc Under-Sea Pro-poem. By lo Plum. ‘

ndy October 80.
A New Issue Every Tnuday.

The Half-Dino Library-is (or sale by all madcalsrl. In
mpuwpy,uuutbymsuoamdptnidxmoaels. .

own: an anus. Publish-ii.

‘ . onward. amu. New Yul.

 

 

 

.§..

\.
3..-..-“ .d.-_. .

    

1
. 185 Man S ider; or. The Beautiful 8 hinx.


«Mn-awn" w- ‘

-v Am {1:1 mange-*1!

l

BEADLE’SrDIMEieEBRARY.

 

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numners.

 

BY WILLIAM R. EYS'I‘ER.

145 Pistol Pards; or, The SilentSport from Cinnabar.

160 S ft Hand, Sher : or, The Man with the Sand.
182 Hinds Up; or,'sl‘ e :(nights of the Canyon.
92 The Limtiiing or .

214 The Tn‘r'o Cool-Splorts; or, Gertie of the Gulch.

2‘29 Captain Cutsleeve; or. The Little Sport.

268 Magic Mike. the Man of Frills.

300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, The Bad Time at
Bunco.

333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.

344 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand.

356 Thl‘ve Handsome Sports; or, The Double Com
bination.

375 RongeOiige, thte Three in One.

396 The ' er erec vs.

402 Snapslilot Sam; or. This £3331: Flat Racket.

429111 Tri erTomo e e .

459 1.1313. Sfiishine, the Man of Three Lives.

478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.

5 The Dude trom Denver.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
8 The Headless Horseman; A Strange Story of

Texas.
12 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.
55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific.
74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Queen of the
Lakes.
200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico.
206 The White Chief. A Romance of Northern Mex-

ico.
War Trail: or. The Hunt of the Wild Horse.
 $2: Wild Huntress; or, The Squatter‘s Ven-
ce.
228 ngfilaroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah.
284 The Hunter‘s Feast. '
237 The White Squaw.

BY CAPT. FRED. ‘VHITTAKER.

39 The Russian Spy; or. The Starry Cross Brothers.
65 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Inches.
69 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy.
96 Double Death; or. The Spy 9! W oming.
98 The Rock Rfidfii‘; or, The Spirit 0 the Sierra. .
108 The Duke 0 amends.
115 The Severed Head; or, The Secret of Castle

oucy.
132 Name, King or the Tramps.
159 Red gum r, theistrézlher.
174 The an m isnig .
187 The Death‘s Head Cuirassiers.
% She E jtnli Cdnnoneer
‘ ne e. e .
211 Colongi Plunger; or The Unknown Sport.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys. ,
226 The Mad Hussars; or. The 05 and the Mac s.
230 The Flvinz Dutchman of 1880.
242 The Fog Devil; or The Skipper of the Flash.
247 Alligator Ike: or. The Secret of the Eve lade.
253 A Yankee Cossack; or.The Queen of the ihilists.
265 Old Double-Sword; or Pilots and Pirates.
27% Seth Slocum. Ralllgoiad tSurveyor.
277 The Saucy Jane, i va car.
284 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides’ Revenge.
290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley‘s Last Cruise.
295 gm grossiEive. thte1 M5VBP£§~§B§§§§
308 o otc om. e ow .
310 Th:- Marshal of Satanstowu; or. The Celtic-
Lifters‘ League.
826 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
378 John Armstron , Mechanic.
406 Old Po Hicks, howman. ‘
412 Larry Bocko. the Man of Iron. .
445 Journeyman J ohn, the Champion.

BY 0L1. COOMES.

Death-Notch. the Destroyer. ‘
41?! Dakota Dan. the Backless Ranger.
44 Old Dan Rackhack the Great Exterminator.
46 Bowie-Knife Ben the Nor’west Hunter.
48 Idaho Tom. the liming Outlaw of Sliverland.
51 Red Rob. the Boy Road-Afient.
99 The Giantthiltlgmaii: py lid Camp Life.
Lon Bea . e an .
BE OneyArmed Alt. the Giant Hunter.

BY ANTHONY I'. MORRIS.

‘ Fiends- or Hercules. Hunchback.
9g fififethe Axriian'; or. The Palace Secrets.
100 The French Spy' or. The Bride of Paris.
67 The Man of Steel. Tale of Love and Terror.

Bank on d the Crescent City tective.
% The Maske‘d stery; or The Black Crescent.
ass Electra Pete. t e Man at him.
806 §nefi1€lis «358 Richmond.
3 r c. motive.
83:34 Tile Cipher Detective; or, Mark Maglc‘s New

343 Tmead Hunter; or, Mai-k Magic in the Mine.
357 Jack Simona. Detective. '

BY PROF. J. H. INGBAIIAM.
811 r: or, The Freebooters.
 viii: giargmmptaln; or. The Fallen Star.
314 Infltte' or. The to or the Gulf. '
316 Lantts‘s lieutenant: or. Child or the Sea.

'aienun

 

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

890 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the Gold Star Detective.
436 Kentucky J can. the S on from Yellow Pine.
452 Rainbow Rob, the ‘p from Texas.

473 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective.
499 Twilight Charlie. the Road Sport.

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen.

194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.
202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide.

219 The Scor ion Brothers; or. Mud Tom’s Mission.
22% Can on ave, the Man of the Mountain.

227 Buc "shot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idaho.
237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black League.
245 liarranca Bill, the Revolver Champion

258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo.

263 Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer.
206 Leopard Luke the King of Horse-Thieves.
271 Stoneflst, of Big Nugget Bend.

276 Texa: Chick. the Southwest Detective.

285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror.

291 Horseshoe flank. the Man of Big Luck.

805 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover.

811 Heavy Hand: or, The Marked Men.

823 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers.

BY SAM S. HALL—“ Buck-kin Sam.”

8 Kit Carson. Jr.. the Crack Shot.
90 Wild Will. the Mad Ranchero.
178 Dark Dashwood. the Desperate.
186 The Black Bravo; or. The Tonkawsy’s Trium h.
191 The Terrible Tonkaivay; or, Old Rocky and is

Pnrds.
195 Tligaifione Star Gambler; or, The Magnolias

199 Diamond Dick. the Dandy from Denver.

204 Big Foot Wallace, the King of the Lariat.

21:2 The Brazos Tigers; or. The Minute Men.

217 The Serpent of El Pao; or. Frontier Frank. ,

221 Desperate Duke, the Guadeloupe “Galoot.‘

225 Rocky Mountain Al: or. The \\ alt ol’ the Range.

239 The Teri-ibi- Trio: or. The Angel of the Army.

244 Merciless Matt. the Man Tiger of Missouri.

250 The Rough Riders: or. Sharp Eye the Scourge.

256 Double Dan the Dastard; or, The Pirates.

264 The Crooked Three.

289 The Bayou Bravo; or. The Terrible Trail.

m Mountain Mose. the Gorge Outlaw.

282 The Merciless Marauders: or. Carl’s Revenge.
Dandy Dave and his Horse. White Stocking.

293 Stampede Steve; or. The Doom of the Double

Face.
301 Bowlder Bin: or. The Man from Tsos.
809 Raybold. the Battling Ran er.
822 The Crimson Co otes; or lta the Nemesis.
828 King Kent; or. he Bandits of the Bason.
842 Blanco Bill. the Mustang Monarch.
858 The Prince of Pan Out.
371 Gold Buttons: or. The U!) Range Penis.
511 Paint Pete, the Prairie Patrol.

BY DR. J. H. ROBINSON.

18 Pathaway; or, Nick Whiffles. the old Nor’west
Traptilaer.

17 Nvlfihts ado: or. The Robber Prince.

22 itelaw; or. Nattie of the Lake Shore.

87 Hirl. the Hunchback; or, The Santee Sword-

maker.
58 Silver Knife: or. The Rocky Mountain Ranger.
70 Hydrabad. the Strangler.
78 Till; Kfl lite of the Red Cross; or, The Granada
a c an.
163 Ben rion; or. Redpath, the Avenger.

BY MAJOR DANGERFIELD BURR.
92 Buflalo Bill. the Buckskin King.
117 Dashing Dandy; or, The Hots ur oi’ the Hills.
142 Ca taln Crimson the Man of he Iron Face.
156 Ve vet Face the order Bravo.
175 Wild Bill’s Trump Card: or, The Indian Heiress.
188 The Phantom Mazelgpa: or. The Hyena.
448 Hark Kenton. the altar.

BY MAJOR DANIEL BOON]! DUMONT.
388 Silver Sam. the Detective.

889 Colonel Double-Edge, the Cattle Baron‘s Paid.
411 The White Crook; or. old Hark’s Fortress.

420 ‘The Old River Sport; or. A Man of Honor.

489 Salamander Sam.

454 The Night Raider. \

464 Sandvcraw the Man‘ of’Grit.

508 Topnotcli Tom, the Mad Parson.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

898 Sleepless e, the Pacific Detective.
489 The Giant orseman.
507 The Drummer Detective.

BY COLONEL BELLE SARA.

' 53 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of Deadwood City.

87 The Scarlet Captain: or. Prisoner of the Tower.
106 Shamus O'Brien, the Bould Boy 0! Glingal.

BY GEORGE ST. GEORGE.

the Sea Diver. .
417 Tucson om; or. The Fire Trailers.

‘ 880 Cop Colt,the Quaker City Detective.

 

BY NE‘V'I‘ON M. CURTISS.

120 The Texan Spy; or. The Prairie Guide.
251 Giant Jake, the Patrol oi the Mountain.

BY FRANCIS JOHNSON.

25 The Gold Guide- or, Steel Arm, Regula r.

26 The Death Track; or. The Mountain Out ws.
123 Alapaha the Squaw; or, The Border Renegades.
_124 Assownum the Avenger; or, The Doom of the

Destro er.

185 The Bus Ranger: or. The Half-Breed Rcaah.
186 The Outlaw Hunter; or, The Bush Ranger.

138 The Border Bandit; or, The Horse Thlet’s Trail

BY C. DUNNING CLARK.

164 The Kin 's Fool.
183 Gilbert t e Guide.

DY 001.. THOMAS H. MONSTEBY.
82 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster.
126 The Demon Duelist; or, The Lea u“ of Steel.
148 The Czar‘s Spy; or, The Nihilist eague.
150 El Rubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.
157 Mourad, the Mameluke; or. The Three Sword-
masters.
160 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Forty Duels
2‘36 Champion Sam; or. The Monarchs of the Show
262 Fighting Tom. the Terror of the T unhs.
332 Spring-Heel Jack; or, The Masked ystery.

BY ISAAC HAWKS. Ex-DetecuVe.

282 Orson Oxx; or. The River Mystery.
240 A Cool Head; or. Orson Oxx in Peril.
I

BY GUST‘AVE AIMARD.

15 The Tiger Slayer; or. Eagle Heart to the Rescue.

19 Red Cedar. the Prairie Outlaw. v

20 The Bandit at Bay; or, The Prairie Pirates.

21 The Tra per’s Daughter; or, The Outlaw's

24 Prairie lower.

62 Loyal Heart: or. The Trappers of Arkansas.
149 The Border Rifles. A Tale of the Texan War.
151 The Freebooters. A Story of the Texan War.
158 The White Scalper. .

BY NED BUNTLINE.

14 The. endane on the Scou war The War-Eagle

16 The hire victim; or, T55 m’inoie Prophet.

18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle.

as The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche Lover.

1?} g???” 5°1““l§"‘€"imm%i"sn a cum

e mug er a an-or. e rs

at it‘ll  $9 In: s -. . ‘2’” . °”
n ros e vorzor e ass a ter.

861 Tombstone Dick, the 'Train Pilot. u:

BY E. A. ST. MOI. ‘

471 The Heart of Oak Detective.
491 Zigzag and Cutt. the Invincible Detactlvel.

MISCELLANEOUS.

6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L.Wheeler.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. ‘
10 via , the French Police Spy. By himse
11 Midsh pman Easy. BK Captain M alt.
82 B'hoys of Yale: or. T e Scrape: of
60 Wide Awake. the Robber King. B F. Dumont.
88 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. F. C. Adams.
76 The een‘s Mus eteers. By Geor Albany.
78 The ysterlouii Spy. Ba Arthur Minimalism
102 The Masked Band By eorge L. Aiken.
110 The Silent Rim-man. By B. W. Herbert.
125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth.
133 Rodyrghe Rover. By William Carleton.
140 The roe Spaniards. Geo. Walker '
144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. ByVictor Hugo.
146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel.
152 Captain Ironnervo. the Counterfeiter Chief.
158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell.
166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban.
179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Glidersleeve.
190 The Three Guardsmen. B Alexander Dumas.
961 B?§%m. the Prairie Thunderbolt. By 001.
o s.
275 The Smur Ier Cutter. J. D. Conro . ‘
812 Kinkl’oot Kgarl, the Moungln Scourge. By Mor-
ris Redwing. or
.Morrls.
850 Figsh Falcon. the Society Detective.

. O .
853 Bart Brenna : r,TheKi of Strai 't .
Bv John chime. us 311 Mb
mTli? Telegraph Detective. By George Henry

orse. .
410 Sarah Brown. Detective. By K. F. Hill.
500 The True-Heart Paras. By Dr. Noni Dunbar.

A um um ova-y Wadmday.
Beadle,- Dlme Library is for sale, AI

Romeo] ten cents
We!“ contempyBfirAfi-i FAD
as William Street. New York.

y Weldon ‘

b.
".

 

    
   
 
   
   
 
 
   
    

BEADLE’SrDIMErEBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGBAHAM.

2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch.
B5 The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.
89 gm: Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle.
94 reelance. the huccaneer.
108 Merle, the Mutineor; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag.
116 Black Plume; or. The Sorceress of Hell Gate.
121 The Sea Cadet; or, The Rover of the Rigoletts.
128 Th60hevali-‘r Corsair; or. The Heritage.-
181 Buckskin Sam. the Texas Trailer.
134 Darkey Dan, the Colored Detective.
189 Fire Eye; or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas.
155 The Corsair Queen: or. The Gypsies of the Sea.
162 The Mad Mariner; or, Dishonored and Disowned
158 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot.
172 Black Pirate: or. The Golden Fetters Mystery.
177 Don Diablo, the Planter-Corsair.
181 The Scarlet Schooner; or. The Sea Nemesis.
184 The Ocean Vampire' or. The Castle Heiress.
189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trai ; or. The Desperate Dozen.
198 The Skeleton Schooner; or. The Skimmer.
205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon.
210 Buccaneer Bess..the Lioness of the Sea.
216 The Corsair Planter: or. Driven to Doom.
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother's Crime.
221 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.
281 The Kid Glove Miner; or, The Magic Doctor.
235 Red Lightning the Man of Chance.
946 ueen Helen. the Amazon of the Overland.
25. he Pirate Priest; or. The Gam bler's Dau hter.
Cutlass and Cross; 01', the Ghouls of the .
281 TheSea Owl; or. The Lady Ca tain of the Gulf.
807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The ' ater Wolves.
818 The Indian Buccaneer; or, The Red Rovers.
395 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermite.
329 The League of Three: or. Buffalo Bill‘s Pledge.
836 The Magic Ship; or. Sandy Hook Freebaoters.
841 The Sea Desperado.
846 Ocean Guerrillas; or. Phantom Midshi man.
302 Buflalb Bill‘s Grip; or Oath Bound to uster.
864 The Sea F'u tive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
369 The Coast Corsair; or, The Siren of the Sea.
873 Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barne at Buccaneer.
377 Afloat ant‘. Ashore: or. The Cores r Cons irator.
888 The Giant Buccaneer: or, The Wrecker itch.
893 The Convict Captian.
899 The New Monte (.risto.
418 The Sea Siren; or. The Fugitive Privateer.
425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.
480 The Fatal Frigate- or. Rivals in Love and War.
435 The One-Armed uccaueer.
446 Ocean 0 . the Outcast Corsair.
457 The Sea nsurgent.
469 The Lieutenant Detective.
476 Bob Brent. the Buccaneer.
n Tram .
489 The Pirate unter
493 The Scouts of the Sea.
510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.
279 The Gold Dragoon, or, The California Blood-

‘ ou .
‘ . 297 Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotspur.

885 Will Dick Turpin, tne Leadville Lion.

405 Old Baldy, the Brigadier of Buck Basin.

415 01; Heart, the Detective S y.

427 he Rivals of Montana Mil

437 Dee: Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives.

442 Wil West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

449 Bind Burke, Kin of the Rockies.

455 Yank Yellowblr the Tall Hustler of the Hills.
468 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch-Gladiator.

‘ 470 The Duke of Dakota.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Susan sck.

486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detect ve.

492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter.

498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy.

506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest.
518 Texas Tartar. the Man With Nine Lives.

BY EDWARD WILLETT.

125 Mississippi Mose; or. a Stro Man’s Sacrifice.
209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza nce.

222 Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack's Crime.

948 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp.
274 Flush Fred; the Mississippi Sport.

289 Flush Fred 5 Full Hand.

298 Logger Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.

808 Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

315 Flush Fred's Double' or, The Squstters’ League.
327 Terrapin Dick, the wild wood Detective.

897 Old Gabe, the Mountain T .

848 Dan Dillon. King of Crosscut. ,

668 The Canyon King: or. a Price on his Head.
483 Flush Fred. the River Sharp. '

BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

57 The Silent Hunter.
86 The Big Hunter; or. The Queen of the Woods.

BY LEON LEWIS.

428 The flying Gllm; or. The island Lure.
gmgfimggmfi i'rh‘nogu N h

- en ve‘ 01'. e 8 0'.
a Captain Reedy, the lied Ransomer. ”

.501 s
509

 

BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. ‘V. F. Cody).

52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

83 Gold Bullet S art; or. Knights of the Overland.
243 The Pilgrim har ; or, The Soldier's Sweetheart.
304 Texas Jack. the rairie Rattler.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West.

394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

397 The Wizard Brothers; or. White B -aver's Trail.
401 One-Armed Pard; or. Borderland Retribution.
414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

28 Three-Fingered Jack the Road-Agent.
30 Gospel George; or, iery Fred. the Outlaw
40 Longs-Hidired Pal-d5; or, The Tarters of the Plains.
45 Old ul s-Eye, the Lightning Shot.
47 Pacific Pete, the Prince of the Revolver.
50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie S rt.
64 Double-Si lit, the Death tot.
67 The Boy ockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
71 Captain Cool Blade; or. Mississiprliai~ Man Shark.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw rothers.
105 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective.
119 Alabama Joe; or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.
127 S01 Scott, the Masked Miner.
141 Equinox Tom. the Bully of Red Rock.
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. ,
165 Joaquin. the Terrible.
170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective.
180 Old '49; or. The Amazon of Arizona. ‘
197 Revolver Rob' or. The Belle of Nugget Cam .
201 Pirate of the lacers; or. Joaquin‘s Death unt.
233 The Old lie of Tombstone.
241 S itflre San , Kin of the Bustiers.
249 lephant Tom. 0 Durango.
257 Death ’ll‘srapk Diggings; or, A Hard Man from
a ,

ac .
283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines.
286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand.
292 Make Homer. the 305s Roustabout.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
324 Old Forked Lightninr. the Solitary.
331 Chisps. Charle . the Gold Nugget Sport.
339 Spread Eagle am. the Hercu es Hide Hunter.
845 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective.
351 Nor‘ West Nick, the Border Detective
355 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete.
360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
367 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown’s Big Game.
372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.
379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.
887 Dark Du . the Ishmael of the Hills. '
895 Deadly A m, the Duke of Derringers.
403 The Nameless Sport.
409 Rob R0 Ranch: or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
416 Monte aim. the Black Shee of Bismarck.
426 ThseeerlilOSt Detective; or. e Spy of the Secret

ca.

466 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard.

438 Oklahoma Nick.

443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.

450 The Rustler Detective.

458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spiizenber .

460 Old Rough and Read , the Sage of Sn own.
474 Dadd Dead-Eye. the espot of Dew Drop.

488 The orc hbred S ori. ~

495 Rattlepate b; or. he Roundhead‘s Reprise].
504 Solemn Saul. the Sad Man from San Saba.

514 Gabe Gunn, the Grizzly from Ginseng.

BY CAPTAIN HOIVARD HOLMES.

278 Hercules Goldspur the Man of the Velvet Hand.
294 Broadcloth Burt, the Denver Dandy.

821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit.

835 Flash Dan. the Naboh; or. Blades of Bowie Bar.
840 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

847 Denver Duke. the Man With “ Sand."

352 The Desperate Dozen. -

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

374 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities.

882 The Bonanza Band: or Dread Don of Cool Clan.
392 The Lost Bonanza: or. The Boot of Silent Hound.
400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New York Spotter.
407 Captain Coldgrip‘s Nerve' or, Injun Nick.

413 Captain Coldgri in New ork.

421 Father Ferret. s e Frisco Shadow.

434 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective.

441 The California She .

447 Volcano. the Frisco py.

453 Captain Coldgri ’s Lon: Trail.

460 Ca tain Coldgr . the Detective.

458 Co dgrip in De wood.

480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret.

487 Sunshine Sam. 3 Chi of the Old Block.

496 Richard Redflre, the wo Worlds’ Detective.

505 Phil Fox the Genteel S tter.

512 Captain 1Velvet’s Big ke.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old Hawk.”

886 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.

424 Hawk Heron’s Deputy.

444 The Me to Detective: or. The Hidden Band.

451 .Griploc , the Rocket Detective. r

462 The Circus etective. ’

49? Malnwsring. the Salamander.

477 Dead-arm Brandt. .

485 Rowlock, the Harbor Detectiv .

4.94 The Detective’s Spy. ‘ .
rlngsteel Steve, the Retired Detective.

d Falcon. the Thunderbolt Detective.
515 ShortrStop Maje, the Diamond Field Detective.

. 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger.

 

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

1 A Hard Crowd; or. Gentleman Sam‘s Sister.
4 The Kidnapg‘er; or. The NorthweSt Shanghai.
29 Tiger Dick. aro King; or. The Cashier‘s Crime.
54 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.
80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf.
114 The Gentleman from Pike.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.
99? Old Hard Head: or. Whirlwind and his Mare.
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Dv-spard.
280 Tiger Dick‘s Lone Hand. -
299 Three of a Kind; or, Tiger Dick. Iron Despard
and the Sportive Sport.
338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
359 Yellow Jack. the Mestizo
380 Tiger Dick’s Pied ; or, Tne Golden Serpent.
404 Silver Sid; or, A ‘ Daisy " Bluff.
431 California Kit. the Always an Hand.
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To."
502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains.

BY ALBERT \V. AIKEN.

27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York.
81 The New York Shaa‘p; or. The Flash of Lightning.
33 Overland Kit; or, he ldyl of Whire Pine.
84 Rocky Mountain Bob. the California Outlaw.
85 Kentuck. the Sport: or. Dick Talbot of the Mines.
36 Injun Dick: or. The Death Shot of Shasta.
88 Velvet Hand; or. In'Iun Dick‘s Iron Grip.
41 Gold Dan: or, The ite Savage of Salt Lake.
42 The California Detective: or The Witches of NY.
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The nawha Queen.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, Madman of the Plains.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of Gulf.
7:! The Phantom Hand ; or The 5th Avenue Heiress,
75 Gentleman Geor e: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
77 The Fresh of sec; or. The Heiress.
79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy. .
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
84 Hunted Down: or. The League of Three.
91 The Winnin Car: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter.
98 Captain Dic Talbot. King of the Road.
97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
101 The Man from New Yer
107 Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective. .
130 Captain Volcano: or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
161 The Wolves of New York; or, Joe Phenix’s Hunt.
178 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
196 La Marmoset, the De tective Queen.
203 The Double Detective; or,1‘he Midnight Mystery.
252 The Wall Street Blood; or. The Telegraph Girl.
320 The Genteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk.
849 Iron-Hearted Ditk. the Gentleman Road-Agent.
854 Red Richard: or The Crimson Cross Brand.
863 Crowningshield. the Detective
370 The Dusky Detective; or. Pursued to the End.
376 Black Beards; or. The Rio Grande High Horse.
381 The Gypsy Gentleman; or, Nick Fox. Detective.
884 Injun Dick. Detective; or, Tracked to New York.
891 Kate Scott. the Decoy Detective.
408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death.
419 The Bat of the Battery; or. Joe Phenix. Detective.
423 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants. ‘
440 The High Horse of the Pacific.
461 ,The Fresh on the Rio Grande.
465 The Actor Detective.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
497 The Fresh in Texas.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

516 Chetard the Dead-Shot Duelist. By Colonel P.
Ingralfam. Ready September 12.’

517 Buflalo Bill’s First Trail. By Ned Buntline.
Ready September 19.

518 R0 al Richard. the Thoroughbred. By J. W.
Oysbon. Ready September 26.
By J. C.

Cowdrick. Ready October 8.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo. By Albert W.
Aiken Ready October 10.
1 P di Sam. the Nor'-West Detective. By Wm.
52  Ready October 17.
522 The Champion Three. By P. S. Wax-no.
Ready October 94.
ard or Red Jack' or. Uncle Sam’s Lost De-
m Regine. By Ca t. Howard Holmes.
Ready October 1. «

A new laws every Wednesday. ,
Beadle,- Dime Library is for sale by all
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents ouch. _
BEADLE AND ADAMS. Bowman. ‘ -
96 William Street. New York.