Copyrightfld. 15111. by DEADLE AND ADAMS. ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK. N. Y" AT SECOND CLARE MAIL REFILL

 

 

Published Every QBCCLCZZQ {f- fldams, @ublishers, ren OeutsaCopy.
W°dn°3d“y' 95 WILLIAM STREET. N. Y.. February 25, 1391. “'00 3 “an

 

 

 

 

 

a  7» ‘
///  ‘ ‘C

[m 
, ,,//
M, W

\

1/ /

1 ¢

1 r'
[y"%/\
K, h
.4 F

/

WOW
V
, M ,. W94
‘5 //"\‘.’l"/'//~./  f
' , / W’» I. 'A 

:“

 

 "NTISS IKERAHAM

‘ I ‘
BUFFALO BILL, UTTERLY FEARLESS, HAD DABEQ '1'0 PENETRATE THESE BOUNDLESS SOLITUDES.

 

  
  
  

‘sncb

  
  

2

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

 

Buffalo Bill’s- Bonanza:

The Knights of the Silver Circle.

A Romance of Mystery In the Wclrd
Land of Montana.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,
AUTHOR or “ MERLE, THE murmurs,” are.

CHAPTER I.
run iuin TRAILER.

A MAN alone in a wilderness! No, not alone,
for that ever truest friend of man among the
brute creation, a horse. stands in the back-
ground, seemin ly, like his master, enjoying the
grand view 0 mountain, valley, river and
plain that stretches before them in boundless
solitude, mile upon mile, until the horizon of
human vision is reached. ‘-

And in all that vast expanse not a house is
visible, not a moving object meets the eye, not
a column of smoke curling upward from hill-
side or valley to show thata human being dwells
therein. / .

Only silence that is deathlike, only solitude
that is awe-inspiring. on] scenery that IS weird
in its grandeur. with on those two, the man
and the horse, alone with ature in all its silent
and aluiOst appalling beauty.

And who is it that has dared intrude into that
vast solitude of the mountains of Montana, a
land rich in weirdly beautiful landscapes, and
wild histories of its early settlement written in
human blood and sealed with human life?

It is a man of majestic presence, and who,
though standing alone gazing about him upon
nature whose forests are untouched by the de-
stroying ax, its soil uncut by spade or plow,
shows no sign of dread at his situation he
haunting fear that Death may come upon him
there in a shape that he dare not meet. '

Tall, broad-shouldered, erect as a soldier, he

.stands with his hands resting upon the muzzle
of his repeating rifle, while iis eyes roam with
admiration over the vast expanse.

 

 

He is clad in buckskin leggins and hunting- ,

' Picket, top cava boots, 9. wide-brimmed somv
were of dove co or, and about his waist is a.
belt containing a bowie and a pair of revolvers.
He stands upon the brow of a cliff, with a
surging river two hundred feet below him, and
which would receive his form did he take one
step forward. .
In the near background is his horse, a large,
long-bodied bay, With clean limbs, an archin
neck. and accoukred with a Mexican saddle an
bridle, haversack, roll of blankets, saddle-blan-
ket and one holster revolver. '
The man is Buffalo Bill, the bold Scout of the
Plains, and sheer love of adventure has made
him penetrate far into that wild land , a score of
years ago, when settlements and forts were few
and far between, and that he mightbe able to
tell his comrades about the camp-fires of this
section of wonderland.
' Strange stories had floated about the army
camp-fires in that borderland, of gold mines in
the Rocky Mountains, hidden away from all but
a few daring spirits, of a score of bold ioneers
who had settled in some Eden-like va y; and
Buflalo Bill, young, handsome and utterly fear-
less, had dared to penetrate these boundless
solitudcs to see whether indeed men had boldly
ventured life and all by invading this Weird
Domain. ' 2.
Mounted upon his splendid bay, his compan-
ion in manya long and deadly trail, he had
ventured forth alone. iiving to his comrades no
limit, as to how long 0 would remain away,
and smiling grimly when they urged him not 0
8° '

Thus days passed away and we find him

, standing in the very midst of the Wilderness of
mountains. ‘

. It is nearly sunset. and with the inborn love
of nature in his soul, he stands. gazing at the
beautiful scenery upon every ban .

Notafellow-beln has be seen since leaving
camp. and a strugg e with a huge bear, an at-‘
tack by a pack of angry wolves, have been his
onlv adventures, thus far. ,

I Hedoes not believe that a human being is
withina hundred miles of him, and he dreads

no danger that he cannot meet and bravely '

overcome. I V

“ This solitude is so impressive—this silence
so deep-J only wish there was some human be-
‘ing near to break the almost appalling charm."
said Buffalo Bill, aloud. little dreaming that
there was one human being near. one a preach-
inhalant: with the noiiaeless footfall-o a tiger
a spring upon. pro . a
A startled snort from hiya horse caused the
scout to turn quickly, and his rifle was at a
readyinaninsmnt- , t ‘ ' r
' It was a man his eyesreswd upon. and yet one
’ , who might at first glance hardly-lie taken for

.‘A  an, powerful in build, cladin a garb
o . skins of wild beasts, and wearing u
head an oddly-inade cap of  tea

  
 

 

 

His feet were clad in moccasins of rudely-
tanned leather, his neck was encircled by a
necklace of grizzly-claws, and his arms were a
huge knife in his belt, and an enormous bow
with one arrow, long and sharp as a needle, set
and covering the scout.

At the back of the man’s belt were several
quivers of bark, filled with half a score of ar-
rows, each of alike pattern with the dangerous-
lookin one he held ready to let fly at the heart
of Bu alo Bill.

brown as an Indian’s with the features visible
above his long beard bold and determined, and
l yet wearm a look of settled woe.

His heart was iron-way, as was his hair,
and ill ch were long and :empt, while his eyes
were almost flcrce in the“ expression.

Buffalo Bill saw that the strange being had
him covered, that before he con d throw his
rifle to his shoulder and pull trigger, the arrow

held the how was as firm as steel.

Had it been a red-skin he had to face. or a
232m of them, he would have at once opened

e.
As it was, this was a white man. and one
whom he had little dreamed of meeting in that
wilderness of mountains.

His attitude, too, was hostile; yet the scout
did not show the slightest feeling of dread, and
said in his li ht-hearted we. :

“ Hello, 0] Rip Van Win 9, where did you
spring from f"

The strange man eyed the scout fixedly, seem-
ingly trying to stamp his face and form in his

mind, and n ed:
“ You is B alo Bill haln’t yer?”
“8,0 men call me; but, how is it you know
i

“ First, I know no other man w’uld dar’ come
inter ther mountains alone; and next, I recalls
yer from what I has heard you was like.”

“ And who are you, may I ask?”

“ I don’t know, ’ was the simple response, and
the man lowered his bow, placing the arrow in
his belt, read for instant use, if need be.

Buffalo B' 1 at once slung his rifle at his
back, and stepped toward the old men, while he
asked in a kindly way:

“ Don‘t you know who you are?”

“ No, for I has forgot my name, and much
else has gone from my mind, sin’ I hev been
'roamin about these mountains.”

“ An what are you doing here, old man!”
“ Lookin’ fer a lost trail,” was, the calm

“What trail 2" , a

“ The trail of a dem‘l ! the trail of an angeL!"
came the savage reply.

“Poor old man, you have indeed had a hard
lot of it; but you will go with me, now I have
found on, back to the fort and settlements,
where riends will care for you,” said Buffalo
Bill, realizing that the old man was demented.

“ Never ."‘ came in a deep voice.

“ You will not return with me?” .

“‘ Never! for did I not tell you I was looking
for a lost trail?” he said petulantly. ,

“But you cannot find it?” i ,

“ I can, and I Willi '

“See here. Buflalo Bill I came into these
mountains following a trail, two years ago, and
I sunk down by the we. sick and delirious.

“ Why the wolves id not devour me. God
only knows: but they did not, and after lying
for days, ravin with fever, I came to m senses
once more. an tried to keep on the trail I had
been following. ' »

“ But memory seemed to have gone from me,
Buffalo Bill, and I have never found it Since,
thou h I have hunted day after day until. count-
ing t e moon as they came and went, twenty-
four have I seen fill and wane, and yet I cannot

fln him."
“ Ifi'nd who?" asked the scout.
“ Thar Devil.” ‘
The scout felt assured that the old man was
insane, but how be t into that far-away land

was a mystery, and e meant to solve it.

So he said: , v ‘

“ Well, I am trying to keep the deVil off if
my trail, and here you aretrying to get on s.
01 man; but, never mind; you go with me,
he shall not trouble you any more?"

V “I go from her-sand not find her 1’" he asked,
fiercely. ‘ ,

it An 9L” 4 \
Buifa 0 Bill shook his head sadly, and seeingA
it, the old man said quick :
“ You thinks I am ma ', Buffalo Bill and I
su I that I am: but 'thar is method in my
in ass, for I are s’archin’ fer ther trail 0’ one
I knows is a devil, though he be in ther form .0’
arman, and she whom he tuk away with him,
stole from my home, are an angel of God ever
’lows a leetle tor be u nngil afore he takes
’em up ter hea . » .
“ A l Buffalo Bill, I am mad—yes, a r old
mad trailer in these mountains, but out I dies
I’ll never give u lookin’ erthetman, and some
day I willflnd m and d Willbemy ven-
n him that my own 'ps will pray ter
Obie! ter hev

  
        
  

   
  

    
     
 

  

  
  

 

  

 ., and,
' " - - 1! mercy on
' i ' ”:g§lliswerith< j

could be let fly, and he noted that the band that ;

The face of the man was a study, for it was .

   
 
  
 

 

 

A
. had
was alive, yetwithout doubt fatally wounded.

‘that was majestic. while he inted upward as
he referred to God, as the ighty Chief, in a
wag that was most impressive.

is words touched the scout deeply, for he
too, had begun to feel that, although the old
trailer was mad. there was some mysterious
method in his madness.

CHAPTER 11.
ran FATAL sno'r.

THREE ears before the stran e meetin of
Buffalo Bill and the Mad Traileer the mo‘un-
tains of Montana, a man was riding slowly
along through the Rocky Mountains, following
an indistinct trail that led across the valley.

He was a person of fine a pearance, with long
black hair and heard, an a face intelligent,
handsome and fearless.

He was dressed in a much-worn suit, such as
miners are wont to wear; his sombrero was in
tatters, and his generalappearance was that of
one who had been a long time absent from
0811-] . \

ell-armed, with rifle and revolver, his wea-
pons were rusty, and his saddle and bridle seem-
ed to have had hard usage.

But his face wore a pleased exprion and he
wassln 'ng ina loud tone a verse of ‘zHome,
Sweet ome.”

“ Ah, me! another twelve hours and I will be
at_ home and then no more verty, no more
toil for  have that here w lch makes me a
filllilmfiall‘e,” and be tapped his breast lightly as

e spo e.

“ A poor charity—student a few years ago—so
poor that beautiful Nellie, who married me be- ‘
cause she loved me, was turned out of her home
and the hearts of her kindred by her rich
father.

“Well, we suffered together many a hardship
as we made our way westward, to the cabin
home of my dear old father, whoalso has known
hlS sorrows, and cametotheliorder to live away
from those who had known him.

“Six months ago I left Nellie,tellin her]
would bring back to her a fortune, and have
kept my word, for here I have the proof that I
possess millions.” and again be tapped his heart
with an air of triumph. ,

“Oh! what a strug 10 life has been since
twelve years a o I left ale, with an education,
a wife, and jus fifty dollars to be in life with!

“ Teaching, clerking, driving s age and al-
most  at times, I fought my way west-
ward, e is clinging nobl‘y to me through all
poverty, though urged or to return to her

ome and leave me. , .

“ On, on we came, and at last reached my
father’s humble cabin home.

“Then I became, like him, a hunter. a trap-
per, a guide, and last. I went to the mines, for ‘
had a presentiment I should trike it rich

some day—and I have! ‘

“I knew there was wealth back yonder in
the mountains, and I ventured there.

“ Six months have I been gone from my wife
and our beautiful child, and right glad will
they be to meet me.

“ And how guickly we will go Eastward, and
‘car dear ol father with us, and our home
shal be a, alace so that those who cast Nellie .
out of their hearts for marrying ,the charity-
student will die of envy. \

“Hal ha! ha! how happy I am with the

respect before me l” and once more he broke out ‘
in song. his fine voice rising and falling in pa-'
thetic cadence as the words fell from his lips:

“ 'Tli a sound that is waned across the troubled

wave, V -
"Pin a sound that is heard along the shore:

’Tis a dime thatis murmured around the lowly ,

a.

rave—
Ohleai-d Times come a sin no more.
'Tls the son . the rig of the weary,
on. Her Times come again no more,
Many days have you lingered around my cab-

n oor
01:, Hard Times come again no more."

It seemed to be a prayer in son . wellin u .
from his heart, and he sung the gplaintivg  \

with the deepest of feelin . .
Suddenly, as the last words left 111323! there
cameo pull! of smoke froma mall cllet 0n ’ '
one side, a crack of a rifle followed. Md the
horseman reeled in his saddle. clutched 3“ “1°
air .andgfell to the mud-11°“?- Wmle his
5 ed horse bounded “Ply 10" ‘ 9" Nd” and
than turning about, trotted , I k 1’0 the side of
his tom-ate masticativinsfi 1°": sympathetic

néilt as he did so: .
At the same moment a man Sprung out of the
come the shot and, .

thicket from whence,
fine in md'uppmhed the form hisdeadly

aim had laid lav. .

He wasa man of parha sthlrty-flve, hisfaoe .
bearded, his hair Ions an with a sinister, reck-
less look upon his darklyebronzed face. . .1
He wasclad in a miner’scostume, but looked
mama than the Ordinaryrun of men or his,
class; while his face and mannarbore indica-
tions of refinement not often seenuponthat wild

border be:
n
fife.

  
  
 

    

   
 
  

 

   

     
  
    
  
 
  
  

 

     

roachi the man who, a moment
n so 1' of hope and Joy, he saw th'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  
 
 
 
    
  
   

 
 
  
   

    
     
   

 

 

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

' 3

 

 

The wounded man started as his eyes met
those that gazed down upon him, and he said
hoarsely: . .

“ Carter Creighton, it 18 you ?”

“Yes, Roy Ripley, you have almost as good
a memory as I, for it has been over twelve
years since last you saw me,” responded the as-
sassin, coolly.

“ Yes, an you have kept your vow, that you
would have revenge upon me for marrying your
Cousin Nellie?”

“Yes, I loved her with all my soul, and she
threw me aside for you, gave up wealth for pov-
erty, and became your wife.

“ She ha suffered bitterly, and she has made
my life a curse, for I became reckless, was ex—
pelled from college, went from bad to worse un-
til I became a gambler, and then drifted out
here to the mines.

“ One day I shot a_ youngfellow over a game

of cards, and his friends Wished to give him a
decent burial, so one went after an old trapper,
who lived some distance from the mining-
camps, and who, it was said, had been a clergy-
man.
“ e came. and seeing him I thou ht of you,
somehow, though his hair and bea were gray,
and he was dressed in buckskin. and I recalled
how your father had been an Episcopal clergy-
man in a Virginia village. and had, one night,
in selfdefense, taken the life of a human being,
and which had so weighed upon him that he had
come to the for West to live away from those
who had known him.

“ He had preached in the camps, whereno one
knew him, nor the sorrowthat bowed him down:
and he devoted himself to tra ping, living in a
cabin, he told me, with his litt e family.

“ They called him the Trapper Parson, and he
said that his name was Ripley, and that he had
been a clergyman, and then I knew that he was
your father.

“ Well, he buried the young man I killed, and
returned to his home. .

“ But, I trailed him back, saw Nellie, your
wife, and your daughter Rose, though they did
not see me. .

“ By inquiry at a settler’s house some miles
away, I learned that you had gone on a pros-

ting tour in the mountains after gold.

“ I knew you would be successful, for I, too,
had believed there was gold where you had gone,
and I determined then upon my revenge.

“ I camped on your trail, the one I knew you
must come, and I have waited long for your
coming; but you lie there at my feet, Roy Rip-
le , and my revenge is complete.”

ll‘he man had spoken in the calmest manner
possible. his face full of hatred and triumph
commingled.

The dying man had breathed heavily, but ut-

tered no word. while his eye were fixed upon,
\

the face of his foe. , . .-

As the assassin ceased speakin , he said, in a
voice that was getting husky wit the approach
of death : - .

“ Carter Crei hton, you have had your re-
ven 6, so now 0 one act for adying man, as
you ope for God’s mercy hereafter.”

‘ What would you have me do?”

“ You were right in supposing I wouldbe suc-
cessful, for I have found a fortune in mines in

‘ the mountains."
“ You went alone?" asked the assassin quick-

yii Yes'i‘

“ And you alone know of thee mines?”

“No one else, and I.was happy in the thought
of giving riches and Joy to t ose I love, when
your bullet awoke me from_ my dreaming.”
Ri‘ll toglhad rfide awakenings in the past, Roy

ey, roug you. I _

A“.Bring not up your revengeful feelings again,
for see on not that I. am dying? W hat sorrow

, you h through me is more than avenIged.
,- “ Now-let me beg of you to do what ask l”

again” ,

“ Yes you grant my dying request?l

" ‘ You-swear it!"

“I do.” ‘
“ By your hope of heaven?” y
“I do ” ‘

“In my pocket here is a map of the region
where lie those mines. and the way to reach
the“, which is most necessary, for wichqut the
trail well marked out no one would ever and
t

m. y
"‘ When I am dead take this map and papers
tom wife, and tell her it is my legacy to her
and our dariin Rose, and say to my rather
that I make him eir guardian and to see that
they get the riches I have foun - _
“ Do you understand, Carter Creighton?"
“ Every word.”
“ Then may Heaven’deal with you as you act
, toward them. and obey the wishes of a dying
. man, one. whom our own hand shot down. ’
The vaioe suddenly become strong, and
‘ ' the eyes seemed to blame with the intensity of
feelingilthat was felt by the man who lay prone
6

-pont undsndhissla r- urnedawa
h the soul-reading glaygce and shad):
er ~ .
When hqagain looked ilppn the form at his

test. his eyes fell upon the face of the dead.

 

 

> before.

At the same moment he heard the clatter of
boots, and gazing up uickly, cried:

“ By Heaven! it is t Parson Trapper him-
self 1’

 

CHAPTER III.
THE raarraa ransom

Tan one whom the assassin had seen coming
toward him, dashing suddenly out of a clump of
timber that bordered a small river running
through the valley, was a man strangely like
the one who lay lead at the feet of the one who
had slain him.

A man of fifty—five he looked, though his long
flowing hair and beard turning gray, gave him
the appearance of a march.

His was a kindly f ~ In sunburnt, rugged and
full of intelligence, though with a certain look
of sorrow that seemed indelibly stamped upon
his features.

He was armed with _a rifle _of ancient pattern,
a revolver and a huntin ~kmfe, and even to his
moccasined feet was cla. in buckskin, while his
blend was surmounted With a cap made of wolf-
s in.

His horse was thin, wiry, and, like his master,
was evidently well along in years.

It was the Trapper Parson, and he had been
riding along a distant ridge. when his eyes had
fallen upon a. horseman in the valley.

Instantly he had taken from its case an old-
fashioned spy—gla as. and fixed it upon the stran-
ger, who was fully a mile distant. .

“ It is my son, if my old eyes do not deceive
mel” he cried in a v01ce that rung with glad-
ness, and wiping the glass carefully he again
turned it u on the horseman.

As he di so he beheld a white puff of smoke
come out of a thicket. he saw the arms of the
rider wave wildly, and then the horse dash
awa , as his master fell from the saddle.

“ god have mercy 1” came through his shut
lips, and he brushed his eyes, as though he could
not believe his own sight, and once more turned
his glass upon the spot in the valle where a
strange tragedy had suddenly flashed tore his
vision. 3

There lay the rider, and his horse had return-
ed to his side, while a man was visible calmly
walking toward the s t.

It was then no ha ucination, but a deadly
realit , and quickly he urged his horse down the
hillsi 6, across the plain toward the river, and
reaching it, into the flowing waters. ’

Across the stream his true horse swam, up
the other bank he struggled, then, out of the
timber into the open plain he dashed, straight
toward the spot where one man lay dead, an-
other, his slayer, stood over him. ,

The face of the Parson Trapper was livid, the
kindly ex ression was gone, and there dwelt up-
on every eature a look of stern resolve.

The murderer saw him coming. and recog-
nized the old clergyman who had once buried a
victim of his deadly aim, knew him asthe father
of the man he had just slain.

' How should he meet him? Could he lie to him
about the death of his son, saying he had found
him there dying?

Should he meet the Trapper Parson as his foe,
and let the best man win?

He had to decide quickl upon his course,
and one lance into that ard, stern, pallid
face, and e knew that he must ii ht.

So he threw his rifle to his shou d'er and cried

in a sharp, commanding voice that many had‘

known better than not to heed:
“ Halt, old man, for this is not my work!” _
“ Assassin! you lie!” came back in stentorian

tones.

“ I say no! Halt or I will fire on youl” thun-
dered the man, standing at bay.

“ No, you killed him and it shall be yourlife
or mine.” cried the Parson Trapper, and he
threw forward his revolver to fire.

As he did so the man at bay brought his rifle
to his shoulder and pulled trigger.

There followed only a click.

“Curses! I forgot to reload after my shot!”
he said savagely, and throwing the weapon
down he drew a revolverzhut, ere he could
draw trig r the Parson .Trapper fired, and
Carter Cre hton dropped in his tracks, the bul-
let leaving its mark over his tom 10.

But unheeding him,theParson el‘rap threw
himself from‘his horse and dropped on s knees
by the body of his son. ~ v
to“ Oliylieaven, spars himl Speak, Roy, speak

me

It was pitiful to see the old man's of as he
bent over the motionless form, urggg him to
speak to him only one word. . . , »
. “Hal He is warml He may not be dead,
but unconscious, though his pulse seems not to
beat, nor his heart to throb,”and he dropped
his ear dewuupon the broad breast.

“He may yet livei I will take him home,
3d  ought can bring him back to life, Nellie

n.

Springing to his feet he led his son’s horse
near, and raising the body in his arms, with a
wonderful exhibition of strength, he- mounted
with it, and calling to his own animal to follow

he started 03 at era id lo wholl fo tr
ting the man he had 5m i‘M'm .hoifil _ ,

  

 

   
   
 

 

0n, on he went through the valley, the strong
horse keeping up his steady gallop, while he—
hind came the Trapper Parson s animal close on
his heels.

Miles were gone over, and at last, under the
shelter of a distant ridge, a cabin appeared in.
view.

It was a large structure of several rooms,
well built, had a homelike look, with its stable
near. a cow grazing not far distant and scores
of chickens feeding about, while a fenced-in
patch down in the valley was a garden well
cultivated.

A pleasant home, miles from the nearest
neighbor, and a home in which peace and con—
tentment rei ed, and refinement held away,
even in that ar frontier land.

Before the door was seated a woman engaged
in sewing upona homespun dress, and a short
distance from her sat a young girl with a book
in her hand.

They were mother and daughter, and both
were beautiful, the one possessing the matronly
beauty that comes to woman after passing the
threshold of thirty years, and the other the
sparkling loveliness of early girlhood, for she
was ‘ust entering her teens.

“ ammo. are on not afraid papa will never,
come back?” and only asked the girl, looking,
up from her book whereon her eyes had been
resting yet not reading.

The mother started at the sudden question,
and the tears welled u into her eyes; but, with
an effort, she contra ed her emotion and an-

swered:

“ My child I know your father’s indomitable
will and pluc so well that I have every hope of
his success.

“ He said when he left us that he would b
back a fortune, and I almost feel sure he w'
meet with success, for he so deserves it, after
all the struggles that he has met with thus far
in life.

“ Only think. Rose: your father is a college
graduate, and fitted by birth and education to
occupya rominent position, and here he is in
this wild nd, struggling hard for a bare ox-
isfirige' grandf th b t l

- our a or was u a poor 0 ergy-
man, with no means or ambition to push his son
forward. and after his having taken life in self-
defense, he seemed to feel that he had committed
a crime that must drive him from his church,
and he came here to live, becoming a hermit, as
it were, for until we came his horse and his rifle
seemed his only companions.”

“ I like it here. mother; but then I can hardly
remember any other life, for I was but ten when
he came. ‘

“ And then grand apa has taught me to shoot
a rifle as well as he oes, and I can follow a trail
like an Indian. and papa says I ride like a Texas
cowboy, and I like these sports; but then you
have taught me much, too, momma, and for
your sake I will study hard so as to be a lady,
for if we get a fortune in the mines we will go
back East you said i”

“ Yes lilo . we would not remain here.”

“ And would randpapii go too i"

“ the
life he ends here; but see. is not that our
grandfather coming?” and Mrs. Ripley po nted
to a horseman who had just emerged from the
woodland in the valley
_ “ Yes, mamma, an be is carryin something
in his arms—it is a man, and e must
wounded.” ,

Mrs. Riple had also seen that the Trapper
Parson was aiding ‘a form in his arms, and
springing to thecabiu door she took from a shelf
a large field glass. ‘

A moan escaped her lips as she leveled it upon
the approaching horsemen, and at the same
time ieheld a loose horse trot dose up behind
the ridden one.

“ Rose, your father is wounded—perhaps dy.
lug—perhaps dead N

he spoke in a. disjointed way and sunk back
into her chair while Bose bounded away like a.
deer to meet her grandfather and discover the

truth. I
“ Ohfigrandfatherl it is papa, and beds dead.”

cried t
man and held the corpse-like face.

,“ He is dead, I fear, Rose: but spring uplon
my horse and ride with all speed to Paws ’3,
and ask him to come here, for he was an army:

surgeon, and no man can do more than he can, ‘

ifmy poor sonisnotdead.” . ,

But Bose did not hear his last words, for al~
read had she lea
sadd e, and old Go iath, as the horse was called.
had newr been sent along at such a breakneck

pace before in all his long experience in the. V,
mountains, not even when flying from pursuing 

hint-six,
white and stern almost as the fare of his dad:-
that one ‘

Indians. _
And on to the cabin rode the trapper

son, while he would hope against be
little spark of life t remained in t e splendid

form which Frank owell could bring back into:

full dame once more,

As he' a preached, Mrs. Ripley shook ed the, 

her an
mg, advanced toward the oldman. ' ' >
, ‘ Give  to me, father,” she said, hoarsely,

l

emotion t at nearly overpowered d riso

  

 

 

so, t ough he seems to like the wild.

dust as she was, into the’

1” .

  
   
 

e girl, as she dashed up and met the old,

   
   
   
   
   

   
  
  
  
   
     

 

 

4

.i I...“ s

Buffalo isms Bonanza.

 

 

and when the body slid down into her arms she
held it firmly, kissing over and over again the
cold face.

“You have come back to me, Roy, as you
promised.

“ You have comeback to me, dead 1” she said,
in a voice glint did not quiver, and then the
trapper, who had dismounted, bore the body
into the cabin and laid it upon the bed.

“I had hoped, my child, there was life still
left and so I sent Rose after Powell.”

“’Frank Powell’s skill can do no good now,
father; but how did it happen?”

“ I saw him riding along the valle , and, as I
recognized him through my glass, orI was a
long way off. I saw a put! of smoke from a
thicket, and he fell from his saddle.”

The old man spoke in a low, calm voice, and
the woman listened eagerly to each word; but
as he concluded she cried:

“ Murdered! he was murdered! then, sure as
there be a God above, his murderer shall die for
this cruel deed!”

Her voice rung like atrumpet and she held
her hands aloft, as she bent over the dead body,
in an up to Heaven to hear her threat.

“My chi d, ‘ Vengeance is mine,’ saith the
Lord, and already has his assassin fallen, for I
was chosen as the instrumentto carry out the
law of ‘ a life for a life,m solemnly said the old

man.
“ And you killed the slayer of my husband
' and our son, father?” -

“ es, my poor child, I rode up on him as he
stood by the side of mydead boy, and he leveled
his rifle at me. but it did not go olf, while my
revolver did, and he fell in his tracks. ”

“ Boy, Roy, can on hear? Your father has
avenged ou Roy! and the woman bent again
over the . form while the old man turned
awa mutteringto himself:

“ oor child, she rejoices in in poor revenge,
while I, in my haste to find aid or pr forgot
that I left a human being lyinfidead in the val-
ley, to be torn limb from limb y Wild 

“ Heaven forgive my act of justice in killing
him; but I cannot be‘ thus cruel to let him he
unburied.

“ No, no, I cannot do that, and when Powell
comes, I will ride back and bury him; yes, and
over his dead body ask God to be merciful to
him, a sinner, oh so vile! and to forgive me that
I should have been forced to take his life.

“ Ahl woe is me, that my band should have
twice taken the life of my fellow-man,” and so
saying, the old trapper went out to look after
the comfort of the noble horse that had brought
his double load so well, and then returned to the
cabin, where he found the wife still bending
over the body of her husband. ,

She had taken of! his well-worn coat and
put it tenderly away, and brushing back the
Elgsy hair from his face, she was talkifi to

' in a cooing. c way, as she ght
have done to an infant.

In vain was it that the trapper tried to coax
her away; he would remain, wonld talk in that
meaningless way, until the truth dawned upon
the old man, and staggering out of the cabin he
groaned aloud: /

“ God have mercy! she has gone mad!”

 

CHAPTER IV.
DON, run MONTE MAN.

Moms have passed awa since Roy Ripley,
the miner, returned to his ca ' homein the val-
ley—returned a dead man. . ,

Like the wind 733d Bose ridden after Frank
Powell, known in the cam and mo the
scattering settlements as he Surgeon ut
and the noble man had ridden at full speed at
the appeal of the girl, leaving her far behind
on her tired horse, while be pressed on to save
life if in his war. _

But one look told him that -the mar was
dead one glance assured him that the loving
wife‘bad lost her reason from the shock for her
husband had been her earthly idol; for’him she
had ven u a luxurious home, been casted by
230 mill? 1?” 3mm "tight ’m'd “M
' e v wi m.

“Iutgwill kill‘xherl she will die of a broken
heart within six moat ” had Frank Powell
said toasettler who had ppened and they
sou httheTrapper Parsonto tellhim owcloae-
gage must be guarded, how tenderly she must

nursed.

‘But nowhere could the trapper be found:
and for hours he was absent until Frank Pow-
,ellbeeame most anxious for him, as the hours

ontow midni ht. of! ace tive. .
Then he lume glided into the cabin and But the Indians knew their strength, andwere
motioned to the to come out. makin a bold dash, when suddenl a horseman
“Doctor, I ham back to bury the man dash upon the scene, a revolver _ ng forth
I shot theman who killed my r boy. deadly music in either hand, and in ten-or the
“ I did not wish him to be in to pieces by red-skinsfled leaving several of their number
wolves, to lie unburied, and so I went to do my upon the do] .1 , ' .
duty by the dead, forgetting what he was in The treecuer gave chase for a short dis:
may . tance and then returned to those who owed ’so
“Trapper, you are a noble man to dos. deed much tohiin. . ,
like this,”said the 5 Scout by He wasa man of rho. thirty-five, remark-
human nature in the old  ably well-preserv for age, wore a long
'~ ".Doctoereantwellbyhlni; letnietell droopingm ,uid a’facethat
1 youthathe wasnot there. ’I . . wasmostattractive, asfar asthe action of
r “ Yet you shot hint" , v

 

i

“Yes, for I saw him, from afar olf, shoot
down my boy from an ambush, and I brought
upon him, as I believed, a just retribution, for
he also would have killed me as I rode upon

“I saw him fall, saw in bullet cut into his
head over his temple, and e fell in his tracks,
while I, forgetting him, took my son in my
arms before me on the saddle, and hastened
home, hoping he was not dead,and that you
might save him.

“ But vain the hope, and duty called me back
to bury that man; but 10! he had disappeared.

“ I saw where he had lain, for the ground was
reddened by his blood.

“ I saw where he had ridden into the ambush,
to wait for my son, where he had hitched his
horse, and where he stood when he fired the
fatal shot, and I tracked his footsteps, which
seemed uncertain, wavering, from where he had
lain back to his horse.

“Then he rode to the river and dressed his
wound, and thence away down the valley; but
as mfiht came on I started homeward again.”

“ is is a strange story, Trapper Ripley; but
the fgct is your bullet merely stunned the
man

“ Yes, without doubt.”

“ Did you know the man?" .

“ It seemed to me that I had seen him before;
but when or where I could not tell, and'I only
caugh’t sight of his face as I rode upon him.”

“ ell, to-morrow we will bury your son, and
then I will strike the trail of this assassin and
see if I can follow it to the end, and if so he
shall answer to me for his red work that has
fallen”so bitterly upon you and poor little

Then Frank Powell told the old trapper how
tenderly he must nurse the stricken wife, and
he remained at the cabin until Roy Ripley was
laid in his grave over in a little dell, and then
leaving a couple of kind-hearted settlers an
their wives at the desolate home, the brave
Surgeon Scout took up the trail of the as-
sassin.

For several days he was gone, and then he re-
turned to say that he had tracked the murderer
far up in the mountains, and that he had seem-
ed to be following the trail of Roy Ripley in
coming home.

But there he had lost all trace. and, superb
tracker that he Was he was forced to give it up.

“And what think you, Doctor Powell, was
his reason for following the trail left by my
son i” asked the trapper. ‘

“,He doubtless behaved that he had discover-
ed a gold-mine and sought to track him back to
it, having first taken his life.”

“Yes, that was his motive without doubt,
and he has escaped a just retribution.” ‘

“ Yes for the (present, Mr. Ripley; but, mur-
der will out, an some day that man maybe
brought face to face with his deed. ’.’

“ And what do you think of my sorrowing
daughter. for she is as dear as though she were
my own flesh and blood?” ’

And the old trapper sighed and eagerly
awaited response. 1 ,

“My dear Mr. Ripley, it is my duty to tell
you the truth, and it were better that she should
die than live on to suffer as a madwoman.”

“ The will of God be done! she must, die,
than?”

“ Yes; and shedlcnnnot last very long, for she
is breakin rapi y.

And thegwords of the Surgeon Scout raved
but tootrue, for within a few weeks the ov1ng
wife with heart broken, brain shattered, was
laid by the side of the man whom she had so
fondly loved. ,’

And little Rose, with a heart full of grief
cheered up for her grandfather’s sake, cheer
him by song and pleasant words, went with him
on his hunting trips and trapped and flshed
riding ever by his side, carrying .a rifle an r
revolver, and becoming an expert with both. ,

Nor did she neglect her stud es, for she read to
her grandfather in.their leisure hours, and he
helm her with her books and taught her much
use knewledge, yeoung as she was.
Thus these two came wrapped up iii each
other and life really seemed worth the living to
the old Hermit Parson.

One day, when out hunting together, the two
were set upon by half ayscore mounted war—

riots.

The . with his dchild’s life at
stake mwfih dospergt;n , and Rose too
stood at bay and shot down a uge brave who
would have seized her in his arms to hear her

 

   

Wheaten-res scammed, V v s)th

I it seemed a face to dread, so cynical was it, so

 

 

reckless.

He was dressed in a style that was. not com-
mon on the border, for his suit was dark-blue
corduroy, of stylish cut, the jacket being
short, and the pants stuck in the tops of cavalry
boots, on the heels of which were a pair of silver
spurs. .

A sash was about his waist, and in this were
thrust the silver-mounted rewolvers which had
done such good serv1ce against the Indians, along
with a bOWie-knife of rare workmanship.

He carried no rifle, but a lariat hung at the
horn of his silver-bespangled Mexican saddle,
and his general ap earancc, with his black som-
brero, embroidere on the crown and rim, gave
him the appearance of having come from the
land beyond the Rio Grande, an appearance
which his darkl -bronzed face and long black
hair and mustac e carried out. .

His horse was aflne one, as black as m ht.
and seemed to be in keeping with his rec ess,
handsome master.

In the fight the trapper had been wounded
through the am, but extending his hand to his
rescuer as he rode back and joined them he said
earnestly:

‘l‘ Young man, you have saved the lives of my
child and myself, and how to thank you I know
not; But you will have your reward in some
way.

I “M dear sir, do not I: of my slight ser—
vices beg you, for 1 ‘d only In duty, as I
heard firing and saw (you set upon y these red
devils, who were bol to venture inside of the
chain of mining-camps and settlements,” said
the stranger. in an thand manner.

“But we thank you, sir, for your noble cour—
age in coming to our aid,’ and Rose put out her
little nut-brown hand and grasjhiiid that of the
horseman, who gazed upon her c ld-like beaut
1wittl‘i strange admiration, while he answered g —

an :

. “'lyo grasp your little hand, m sweet child,
is worth the risk of many such ives as mine‘
but I see that your father is wounded, and as I
know something of medicine and surgery, I will
care for him.

“ Are you far from your home, sir?”

“ Only a con 1e of miles, sir; and we will ride
there in haste, gor I feel a trifle weak now, and
I will ask a neighbor to bury these unfortunate
red-men." ' I

“ Let them rot for the are not worthy of
burial,” said the stranger, hly.

r “ 0h, sir, they are humanbeings like ourselves,
thoug‘lzgiey are wild andcruel in their natures,”
said ,and seein that he had made a mis-
take the stranger regained  :

“I was wrong, miss,an I w do penance
for my wordstby returning and burying them
myself, if their comrades, when we have gone, “2
do not return and hear them off; but come, we "
must start now, as your father needs aid.” 

In less than half an hour the arrived at the “I
cabin, and there the stranger s illfully dressed -
the wound of the old trapper, and promising to 7
return for the night he mounted his horse and
rode away to bury the dead Indians, the old ’5‘
man also making the request that he would do

 

 

 

 

so.

At sunset he came back with the reaport that
the red-skins had returned and carrie of! their
dead,and then the three sat down to a most
gigging supper which Rose had prepared for

“I have not the pleasure of knowin’ yer
name, pard ” said the Trapper Parson, dr
ping into t e dialect of the border, which 9

with seemin unconsciousness,

 

often used 8
thotigh never in addressing his granddaughter.

“ n the earrings, sir. I am called ‘The Don,’
and also‘ The onte Man,’ for my occupation,
or say in profession, is that of a. gambler.”

The 01 trapperseemed deeply pained to hear
this frank con ession; but then he knew life on
the frontier pretty well, and that there were
brave men and true there who were gamblers
and ncgzhing Else. \

e mi nothing, and as the tran :- ' '
)sJeemed tolmsh to giivi‘giir: iio name, he ' E

1111 31 y on an fol] her grand—
father’s xam le’. , owed ,

From'that y the Monte Man became a fre—'

uent water at the trapper‘s cabin, 331d both '
1; sold man and the oung girl Seemed ‘70 be~
come greatlyattachedy to him, end they told him
of their sorrow in the past. and their Simple
lives in the present. _

The Don dwelt over in the mining-camp of
Saw Dust Cit , where the trapper Was wont to
go and bu su lies each month, and on
such occas ens he. (1 of his rescuer as the
most recklessman In the mines, and the boldest
gambler. while he laid taken life several times
when by his adversaries in a game of

ca s. r ’ , ,
Still he was ever kind to Rose and himsel" ' f,
seeming to 90898888 second nature when visit—
ing them, antithe trapper was to have _
himcometohisllttlehomeinthe “4 
.Oneda them camehome after/a long 
hnntm emoun ' ~
outtomeet

_, vicarious

'Rufl‘f-Wxitix-“h‘y‘ um new"; ..

     
   
    
     
  
    
   
 

HedldnotleeRm'eru

as was her wont always, and
an  face

«bin with

 

  
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
   

 

v the old man who looked ‘a veritable Bi

7 - er, for it is getting to
. ldnd]

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

. _.,,, “A.

 

 

There his eyes fell upon a glacard upon the
door, and with pallid face an quivering vaioe
he read aloud:

“Fourteen years azo, old man, your son Rfiy
Riple , then a charity-student, stole from us idol 4!
Creig ton the maiden that I hoped to have made
my wife, and it wrecked my life and made me what
I now am.

“ ‘ he mills of the gods grind slowly,
But the grist is exceeding flne,‘
and so at last came my revenge.

“ It was I who tracked R0 Riple from the
recesses of the mountains. w are I sit assured
that he had discovered a mine of vast worth.

“ l headed him on, ambushed him. and he fell by
my hand. while you nearl cost me my life, but,
by mere chance, your b let glanced leaving an
ugly scar, which you little dreamed that you had
made. as i told you I had received it in a personal
encounter in Mexico.

" But I did not die. and I went on the search for
that mine; but in vain, and. disguising myself, I de-
termined to find it by other means ._

" Your son left a map of his mine and how to
reach there, and you have never taken it from his
coat-pocket: but do so this day and more, I take
with me your grandchild, Roy Ill lay and Nellie‘s
daughter and so my revenge will e complete, for
one day she shall become my wife.

“ Now, old man, for your son‘s sake I hate you
and lamb) you to your sorrow and loneliness,l
say farewe 1. Don, ran Mom Max."

As thou , h shot through the heart the old man
fell upon t e ground, and there he lay through
the long hours of the night; but with the dawn
he arose, and when another night fell he was
far on his way to the mountains. following the
trailoof the Monte Man and his captive—follow-
ing it with a vow registered in heaven that he
would know no rest until he came face to face
saith the fiend who had so cruelly wronged

1m.

And be it was, white-haired, in tatters, with
no firearms, his brain in a fever, his heart ach-
ing, whom Buffalo Bill, the scout, met two
years after in his wanderings in the wild fast-
nesses of the Montana mountains, still hunting
for the lost trail of the two whom he called the
Devil and an Angel. l

CHAPTER V.
was LOST mam. -

 

WHEN Bufl'alo Bill heard the words of the old ‘

man he felt sure that he was mad, and yet there
seemed to be some powerful reason for his mad-
ness and his presence in that wild count .

The scout’s kind heart was touched wit com-
passion as he gazed upon the noble face and

werful form, and he determined to get from

im just why he was there alone, in rags, with
only a knife and b0w and arrows as weapons.

6 had heard strange stories of stranger mys-
teries that were connected with those moun-
tains, and around the camp-fires of miners,
scouts and soldiers tales were told of rich old
mines hidden away in the depths of the ' er-
mess, while all who had sought to find them
never returned again to civilization.

Old trappers had related how they had seen
phantom miners glidin through the mountains,
with pickax an silage upon their shoulders,
and others stated haLthe had come upon
camps, around which were t e bones of human

use -* -

' ed with a desire to see this mysterious
land for himsalf. to trace these strange stories to
their source, Buffalo Bill had asked for an un-
limited leaye from the commander of the fort,
and mounting Comrade, his best horse. and the
fleetest on the border, it was said, he had gone
forth alone.

He had not hurried his horse or himself, for
The was amply stocked with ammunition and
provisions, was prepared against the worst kind
of weather, and meant to make the trip a holi-
day for himself, for there was no greater joy to
the scout than-in roaming over plain and moun:
tain, alone With Nature, and facing dangers
that might confront him. ,.

He had been two do sin thé mountains. and
was beginning to thin that the tales told by
the few hunters who had penetrated them were
the offspring of a vivid i ation and super-
stition, when he found hi face to face with
W' kl p van

in e. i

‘5 ,1 so after all. the mountains do hold a

An r’ muttered Bufl'alo Bill.

“ The stories of phantom mine". of settlers
who hue dared to come here, have at least
some foundation, for did most men, With the
superstition ruling bordermen as it does sailors,
be old this strange bein , they would fly for'
their lives and protest t 1: they had root the
$081; of the Wandering Jew, or of old Rip Van

inkle. or theDevil himself. ,

“ Now to see just why this old man is here,
 there is a trail to and, perhaps I can strike
1 . ‘

So mused the scout. whille‘the old tenant of

" the hills watched him close y

“ Come, old man, let us 0 into camp togeth-
W'll‘g nightfall,’ he may

y.
“Buffalo Bill, can I trust you?” he asked, in
aw ' r, looking about him as though he was
fem-{3 taroma cull;f would hear him,
i our e you can Ri ‘ ”
was the frink response. ’ p v“ Wme’

(the same, bed senthim to Yale as a charity stu-

 

“Ripl Rip! You call me Rip audit seems
so strange so familiar, for I believe my name
was something like that; so call me Rip Van
Winkle; it pleases me. "

“ I will, sir; but now let us hunt a camp.”

“ It was to my camp I was going-Etc take you,
Buflalo Bill, when I asked you if could trust

y‘l‘l' .
I'll not tell any one, Rip.”

“ Come, then 1”

And the old man started OR at a rapid pace,
that seemed an rising for one of his years.

“ I’ll ride, 01 gentleman, for you get over
ground like an antelo ,"callcd out the scout,
springin into his sad 6 and following.

“ I bag a horse once,_ Old Goliath was his
name, and she named him that, changing it
from Job, which 1 had called him, as he was so
patient, so g .”

“ I don’t see that you need a horse, the way
you go." -

And the scout followed on after the old deni-
zen of the wilderness who was goin at a
swin ' g trot, following the ridge bac from
the c 'if where he had found Buffalo Bill stand-
ing, gazing out over the valley.

alf a mile brought them toamass of piled-
up rocks, which seemed to have been tossed up
by some convulsion of nature out of the earth.

They apparently barred their way, but the
old guide wound in among them, the scout fol-
lowmg close, and soon they came to what look:
ed like a bowl, at one time, evidently having
the mouth of a crater in the mountain-top).

There was a spring of crystal water bu bling
ug in the center and falling back again, running
0 into a crevice in the rocks, while there were
small trees around the edge of the basin and
quantities of luxuriant grass.

On one side was a large cavern, and in a nat-
ural chimney-like crevice in the racks a fire was
burning brightly.

In the cavewas a bed of skins, a couple of
ragged blankets while an old rifle and revolv-
er hung “Eran the rocky wall, useless for want
of am tion

But the strange old hermit did not seem to
sufler on this account, as there was ample sup-
ply of game, smoked and fresh, hanging about
the wall back in the cave.

Several hows, a quantity of arrows and a
lariat of horse-hair with an old saddle and bridle
com leted the furnishing .of the cave, which
was arge, comfortable and dry.

“ This is my home, sir, and you are welcome,"
said the old man, with courtly grace.

His home! The abiding place of one who had
gione time been a popular preacher infer-away

r n

T e axidiniplaoe of one who had gone through

college with onor and wishing hll son to do

dent:

The home of a man who had been forced to
take human life to save his own, and whose sen-
sitive nature caused him to shrink away, site-:-
it, twin public gaze, and to find a retreat in the

ar es :

The cavern retreat of one who had been haplply
in his later iyears, by the comin to him of s
son, with h s wife and child, an who had see
that son die by the hand of an assassin, the wife
die of a broken heart and maddened brain, and
their child taken from him by one whom he had
trusted—had taken to his cabin home. only to
find him to be a serpent to strike him with
dead?le blows.

“ as it a wonder, then; that the 1- old
man had followed the trail of the Mon Man to
seek revenge and to at back his Wild Rose of
tigefifuntains, as he called his lovely grand-
c

Oh. no! and for two long weary years he had
searched for that lost trail, hoping, vowing to

find it.

And so Buflalo Bill found him, in rags, verg-
ing on madness, but strong as a lion, fearless
and determined. .

Gazing upon. him in pity he read in that noble
face a b tter history, and he said, in his kindly

wa : _

‘I thank you for your ridicometo yourhome,
sir, and some day I shall expect you to return
m wait; but now, let me stake out my horse
w 0 seems, anxious to get at thamiicy grass,
and then we’ll have supper and over the
lost trail.”

The scout soon‘ had Comrade free of saddle
and bridle; then he brought fromhis haversack
some coffee and provisions, for all the hermit
had to eat was game. ‘ .

“ Come, Rip, that coffee will make a new man
of you and clear the cobwebs from your brain,
sou hat we can decide what is best to be done.

But. don’t you keep a hot fire for the
figteheri” he asked, moving back from the

“ It is my habit, for the fire in the entrance to
the cave I eep burning all the time, as it drives
Wild beasts oil, and there are many of them in
thieaseflrgiiuiétliiilins. ’; /

u p ' not ced that the hermit had drop-
ped the border dialect and spoke as an educated
man._and he became more and more interested
in this strange dweller in the mnu stains.

 

After a hearty slipper the two sattogether in ‘

.4

    

4. ‘ ‘   ‘
. :" nuwflevs‘mm .5

the gathering darkness, and the scout said, to
draw the hermit out:

“ So you came here two years ago?"

“ Yes two ion ears ago.”

“ And where d1 you live before?”

The old man was silent, for some time, and
passed his hand across his forehead over and
over again, as though striving to master his
memory.

Then he said:

“ Buffalo Bill, my memory seems to be com-
ing back to me now; I have met you before."

‘ So it seems to me; but I cannot place you,
meeting you here, although I am not one to for-
get a face easily.”

“ ,You are the friend of Surgeon Frank Pow-

“ B J ovel you know Frank, then?”

“ 0 yes, ve well.”

“ Then you now one of Nature's noblest
works, old man, for Frank Powell is truer than
steel—steadfast to a friend, and surer than death
itself, to a foe; but where did you know him?”

“ You visited him at hiscabin, near Saw Dust
City some years ago, and—”

“ Iplace on, 01 man! You are the Trap-
per Parson t at lived ten miles from Powell’s,
and we stopped one night and had supper with

on. '

“ Yes, that is the only time I ever saw. you,
and it comes back to me now."

“ You had your son, his wife, and their little
daughter living with you, and we all had a hap-
py evening, for the sung together, and I won-
dered how they co d content themselves there
in the Wildest part of the West. But how is it
I find you here. parsoni"

“ Call me Rip Van Winkle, please, and, like
him, I may awake from the terrible sleep now
upon me, and get back my child, to have one
ray of sunshine ere life’s fltful fever ends.

“ I know my name now; it comes back to me
like a dream of the past. and your coming my
friend, seems to have cleared the cobwebs rom
my brain.” _

‘ It was the coffee, Rip; I told you that it
would. But, tell me, where are your son and
his lovely wife and child 7”

“ All nel”

I“ D 7”

“ Two are dead, the third is far worse than
dead ” ’

“Tell me all about it, sir, for I wish to know
about on and ours.”

The ermit arson was silent for a full min-
ute or more, sin 3 his hand over his
brow, as thong to c ear his thoughts, and then
he be an, and in a low, pathetic wa , told Buf-
falo ill the story of his life, of he lives of
those who were so dear to him, ending with his
gin-suit of the Monte Man and his fair girl capo

vs.

Not once did the scout speak, until he had
heard the sad story, and then he aid:

“ Powell is no longer in the mines, as then,
but gone up among the Indians, asa white chief,
or I would ask him to aid me in this search for
your lost trail; but, as it is, we must go it
alone, Big, or with such help as may come to
hand. an I feel that if that man, whom ou
rightly called the Devil, is in these moun ,
we can find him.

“Now tell me where you lost his trail?”

“ In the valle below, at the river."

“ How man ys were you behind him?"

N Three. 9’

“ And you tracked him to the river!”

“ Yes. near the head of the valley, where it
comes down from the 0113 above in a fall."

“ I see; well, we can take [up the trail there,

if it is two years old.

“ But have you dwelt here ever since i”

(I Yes. ”

“ All alone?”

" With my God, the birds and the wild
beasts," was the impressive rep] .

“ And on have lived like a d beast?”

“ Yes' have caught fish from the streams
trapped irds, and s at game, with my bow and
arrow, which I made when I found. my ammu-
nition going.”

“ Poor 0 d man! You have indeed suffered,
and been truer to a trail than any one I ever
heard of before. I ,

“But have on seen no red-skins here?”

“ Bill. one ht heard wild screams. and 1

ran to the loo on ,Where I saw you, for the ’

sounds were going down the valley.

“ It was dawn when I got there, and .I be-
held a sight I hope never to see again.

“ A band of redrskins a full hundred in num-
ber, were flying down the valley, urging their
tired nies on with all speed, ,

“ ere were women and children am
them, and it was evidently some tribe that ha
drifted into the mountainsto hunt, or perohance

to dwell.

“ Behind them came another band, but over
a score in number, who were mounted on snowf-
white horses, and were clad in white robes: but
they were Indians, with feathers and accou-
terments. only they appeared like ghosts. or
phantoms. and it was no wonder the squaws and
children screamed in fright. and the bravesurged
on their nies in their flight. ‘
“ In ence, with no demonstration of attack.

0

Wflmymlfitfir’ffigj‘ {g‘lflo’i runner 152*. at?» :i-‘lnr'ir'v‘. . wussm

 

 

' 6

I ‘Bufi’alo Billy’s Bonanza. I

 

.-

these phantom warriors followed, until, as the
dawn grew brighter, the wheeled their white

, steeds and in silence sped ck the way they had
come.
“I am not superstitious, Mr. Cody, but that
sight impressed me. ”

‘ Did you not strike the trail?”

“ Yes, and followed the Indian trail to where
it had entered the mountains, gone into camp
and then had fled.”

“ And the trail of the phantom warriors i”

“ There was no trail !’ i

“ Did you search for one ’l”

“ Yes, thoroughly/I.”

“ All around the ndian camp?”

“ Everywhere 1"

“This is ’ strange, and carries out stories I
have heard.

“ But I came here on a little hunt, and I’d
just as soon trail ghosts as men or Indians, and
we will begin where you lost it.”

Bfl‘] I” have beheld other strange sights here,

i .

“ Theold man‘s as road as a jack-rabbit; but
I must humor him,” thought Cody; while aloud
he said:

“ Letushear all you have seen, Rip: but I’ll
wager you can‘t beat the Phantom Warriors."

0

 

CH AFTER VI.
was: “ BLACK CANARY.”

THERE are men who are born to greatness,
 and naturally find the highest pinnacle while
4 g . others have fame thrust upon them, whether
i - they will or no.

S )me are born to riches, and win wealth with
little effort, while others get into the rut of pov-
erty and never can get out, try they ever so

 

 

Again are there those who are ever, good
through life, for many have never been tempted,
and there are many who are naturally bad and
naught else can be made out of them, while they
blame the world in general for their acts, in-

, stead of themselves. . ,

Such a person was Carter Creighton—a man
born, it seemed, to be a villain.

A noble father, a loving mother, and with an
ample inheritance, at the death of his parents,
he yet seemed to begin the world wrong.

He was a handsome boy, but a bad one, and
manya heartache did he cost his poor mother
by the scrapes into which he got himself. ,

When but eighteen he ran away from home,
it was said, to escape arrest for for cry; but
rumor had it that his father paid ack the
amount of the forgeries, and so no effort was
made to capture the wayward son. /v' .

Gossip had it, also, that a beautifulyaung
girl, who was known to have loved him, in spite
of his evil ways, had one with him; but others
there were whosaid e had left the little town
' where they had lived and gone to New York to

seek work‘for she had astep-mother at homethat

nude her ire wretched.

A year passed and Carter Creighton returned
to his father’s house. _

He seemed a changed being, for he went to
college, devoted himself to hard study, and not
a word of complaint was made against him.

The cause of this remarkable metamorphosis,
it was soon found, was a woman—a distant
cousin of his. who had become an inmate of his

‘ father’s family, having come to the town to
finish her ed cation. -

Beautiful 11 face, Bigfoot in form, and lovely
in character, Nellie ighton won the heartsof
all, while her being an heiress was no drawback
to the love of the youths who sought to win fa-
vor in her eyes. '

One bleak winter day she met, while skating,
a charity student. Roy Ripley. '

‘ She had fallen through the ice, and all fled,

fearing that they too would go down—ail but

the charity student.
‘ He plunged boldly in, and. upholding her in
. his strong arms, called for help. .
‘ At last it came and both were saved: but, bad
it not been for Roy Ripley the maiden would
have drowned, and none knew it better than

I And in her peril her cousin, her escort to the
£22113 scene, Carter Creighton, had shrunk

She had seen him seem to stagger under the

shack, cover his face with his has s,as though

to shut out the fearful sight of the drowning

r girl, and stand qmvering with emotion. ‘ ,

7 From thatday there was a change in  feel-
ingshof Nellie Creighton toward her cousin.

" “ had defended him against calumny, and,

- though denying that they were lovers, at least

on her part, for she was of his own age, she had

»  at least shown great regard- for him, and rumor
, had it that some day she would fnarry him.

'  But the meeting of Rin Rip 'ey had changed

- herfeellngs, if she had had an of love. toward

‘ I harcousin, and gomip soon it that the char-

39! student would win the heiress; and many

were glad for no truer man weatherein the

    
    
   
   
  
 
   
     
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
   
   
 
   
 

 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
   

    

 
 

  
   

    
  
 
   
 
  
   
 

 
 
  
 
   

  
 

.‘ _V ,V‘V'
termcamatoanend,‘

I mantis of her parents and friends Nellie Creigh-
ton had become the wife of the charit student,
and the two had left the town to see a home
elsewhere.

Then did the real nature of Carter Creighton
show itself again in its true light.

He had tried hard for the prize, Nellie and
hei’fortune, and he had lost, and the old Adam
broke out a ain; he became worse than ever be-
fore-so ba , in fact, that in disgrace he fled
from his home.

After years of wandering, from bad to worse,
he turned up in a miner’s camp on the border.

With his years his beauty of face and form
increased, for he was a remarkabl handsome
man, and his strength of limb, d l aim with
firearms, and skill at cards and rec essness in-
creased in a like ratio, until he became known
and feared far and wide. .

Heavily-bearded and clad in a miner suit he
had been when the Trapper Parson had buried
one of his victims. and in doing so had been re-
cognized as the father of his successful rival, of
whom he had lost all trace—Roy Ripley.

Then the venom in the nature of Carter
Creighton broke out once more, and be deter-
mined upon revenge. .

He dogged the. old trapper back to his home,
found there his rival an his wife, with their
child, Wild Rose, and he at once plotted dire
mischief. _

’When about to strike he found that Roy Rip-
ley had suddenly disappeared, and through
spies he learned that he had gone on a pros—
pecting tour up in the Montana mountains.

_“ I cam on his trail and meet him on his re-
turn,” he ad said. and the reader knows how
but toowell he kept his word.

With his rival dead, and suite ’ from the
wound 'ven him by the Trapper arson, the
lotter ad fled to the mountain to recover,

ut still to plot and plan his diabolical scheme.

In vain had he tried to find the trail of Roy
back to his mine. 1

He had vowad to the man he had slain that
he would give the map and papers to his wife
and child.

It had been a false vow, for he meant to have
all for himself. '

Finding that the trail to the mine eluded his
search, he tried another lot to t all.

The poor wife was dea , and t e Trapper Par-
son had made no eflort to go to the mine.

Did he know of its existence? ,.

/Had thepa is been found or overlooked in
the death of y Ripley and his wife? .
' Or, did the Trapper arson care nothing for
the wealth? v .r

Such were the fiestions the man asked, and
he determined to d out all.

So he went away for awhile, cut of! his
beard,leavin only a long drooping mustache;
dressed as a exican sport, rigged out his horse
as a caballero’s steed and appeared in the mines
as Don, the Monte Man.

His tricks at cards had not failed him, and he
won money rapidly; but it was revenge and the
mine he wanted. -

One day chance favored him in the rescue of

the Tra per Parson and Rose, as he was on the
way to heir cabin. .
‘ A frequent guest at the little cabin, profess-
iiig friendship, he learned all that he would
know, and that the papers left by Roy Ripley
had never been taken from his poc et.

He could have secured those papers and none
been the wiser; but no—his revenge would not
have been complete thus, and so ’_he determined
to take the poor, innocent, trusting little Wild
Rose of the mountain away With him.

He was perfecting his plans to have all his
own way, when. one night, as he sat in the tav-

. ern of Saw Dust Cit waiting for the crowd to

gather and the usua s , gambling, to begin,
the stage rolled up to t e door, havmg just come
from Helena. _

Among the passengers was one ev1dently not
a miner. I

It wasa woman, dressed in .deep black, veiled
heavily, and with a slender, graceful form. '

She looked the lady, as far as outside appear-
ances went, but whaticould ' she want in that
“wild place? was the query on every lip.
The Monté Man Was interested at once. '

He had always been the admiration of we»
men, and, he returned the complimentsn a moat
liberal degree. \

So he asked a. miner whom he knew and had
seen set out of thestage with her:

“ Say, Dave, who is she?”

8‘ Don, Idunno, but she are a beauty, and her
voice are like sugar, it are so sweet.”

“ Where did she come from?” .

“ She lighted into Hel'na, while I were ther,
comin’ from somewhar. and ther landlord ‘give
her ther best room in ther lay-out, and Sunday
night, 3 we was all gittin.’ ready ter play
keerdsfihe begun ter sing up in her room, whar
she were sittin’ in ther window, lockin’ out on
ther moonlight. ‘ . , . » p v , -

“New, Don, I hes heerd smgin’ in my time.
but 'I’ dumed of her voice didn’t go right
,downggter whatle'etle soul has got, left,_a.nd
 out tears I- think was mired

n .i '

 

  

    
  
   
 
 
 

   
 

   
   
    

  
 

'3‘

 

 

.say

 

s  one like the -_Phantom,,-W

weeB, Dave. Guess they were whisky team,”
the on s gested.

“ Waal,t e was tears, be they 0‘ gin, whisky
or water, pari , and thar was ther same kind in
ther 0 es 0’ all thet rou h gang.

“ V' by, ther fellers jist tuk ofl’ thar boots, so
as not ter make a noise, and sneaked on tiptoe
out under her winder an’ listened to her singin’
ontil thar war a audience 0’ two hundred thar.
It were a pictur‘, pard.

“When she stopped we all held our breath,
she fear wouldn’t gin ag’in. .

“ Waal, than we sot, ontil she, hevin’ her, eyes
on ther moon, hadn’t seen us afore, but doin’ so,
jum up with a skeert leetle cry.

“ hen we sent up word andaxed her to sing,
and she come down, so sweet like, and sot down
on a cheer on ther iazzy, While we camped out
around her, and ordyl she gist beat a cage—
full 0’ canaries a boiler.

“ Thar was no one wanted ter play keerds
thet night, and thar wa’n’t a drink tuk at ther
bar, ’ceptin’ bylan old soak, who has ter take it
reg’lar, every alt-hour, or die. ,

‘ He forgot it once, while she were singin’,
an’ come near dyin’, as he had a fit; but ther
boys was a-husthn’ him ofl, when she come up
and Ea’thed his head, and he come round mighty
quic .

“ And she has come here?”

“Y”, n.»

“ Who is she?”

“ Dunno, as I said before.” ‘

“ What name did she give at Helena i”

“ Lordy, I dunno: but ’eause the war all in
black, one o" ther tellers called her ther Black
Canary, and that’s all ther name I knows.” .

Don got up and went to the landlord, and

asked.

“ Who is she, Buncol”

As the new arrival was the only female in
the house, Bunco understood who was meant,
and answered:

“ She told me her name was Clarice Creigh—
ton, and added thet ther boys had named her,
in Hel’na, ther Black Canary; but what in
thunder’s ther matter, Don?” and Bunco,'the
landlord, sprung toward the ambler, .as he
saw him reel, for the Monté was his best
customer in Saw Dust City.

“ Guess I’ve been drinking too much, for my
head swam/around like a top. I’ll go to my
room," and the Don hastily departed for his

uarters, which were in the “ Sinner’s Rest,” as
t e tavcrnwas most appropriately named. "

In a little while he came out a ain, and call-

5 the landlord aside, said uiet y:

. ‘Bunco, where is the Blac C ?”

“ In her room, eating her supper; but as Dave
and them as come up with her from Hel’na on
the coach, hes been telling how she kin sing like
a mocking-bird, the boys sent me ter ask her of
she would sing fer us tar-night, and she said as
how she would ter please ’em.”

“ And she will sing wherei”

“'In ther bar, for I ex lained to her we didn’t
hev no parlor, and ther inin’-room wasn’t large
enough. ' ,

“ (Some up there, Don-,~— and I’ll interdooce
er. '

“Thank you, but I have got to go up to a:
mountain camp to-night to see a sick friend.

“ But is she good-looking?” ' ‘

“ Pretty hain’t no name, Don, though I would
as though she wasn’t no chicken, bein’ in
ther neighborhood 0' thirt
as sad as a graveyard at n ht.
m“?.¢i,nd yousaid her name was Clarice Creighs ‘

n -' v - ~

“ Yas. but whether it are miss or mistress I
doesn’t knew, and tharis that about her looks
thet don’t encourage me ter ask, while she car-
ries two 0’ therneatest leetle guns hung from
her belt I ever seen.”

“ She carries revolvers then i”

“Two of ’em, an’rit are my opinion that she
has come out here on a gunning trip fer some
teller, but your good looks oughter make‘her
forgit all about him, Don.”

“Well, Bunco, here’s some money, for I do

not know exactly when I shall return, and I’ll: f ‘ ’V

get you to kee the things in my room for ma”

“ I’ll do it, on; but I’m right down sorry.
you is goin’ away.” 2 i ‘ \ r

“I must go, ” was the stern Me’s'm half
an hour after the Monte Man rode‘away from
the Sinner’s Rest. while in his-bars there rims
out’in sweetest melody the voice of the Black
Canary, singing to therudeaudience of miners

' that had gathered shout“? in breathless

silence. ,. , p .
. “Great God! that‘voice and that song will
haunt me to my dying day!" cried the Monte

Man, and driving his Spurs (leap he rode on like" ‘

the ‘wmd'alang the moonlit frail, his fiendish,

lot against'the Trapper Parson and his Wild

‘ se hastenedbyvthe coming to the 1's], , k
Rf: of [the mysterious woman “awnings
B .,  I . , V I ,

\

, , CHAPTER VII. "

‘ ' 'LASSOING a GHOST. 7- 
“ 31113317611 me the rest ofyouiéfiihost stories
tomorrow, Rip, when the sun is, i , forI
won’t,,be able to sleep tonight if yoggyp me},

 

, '

g .

         
     

maps her face are ; 3  ‘

 
   
    
    
     
      
       
       
    
 
     
     
   
    
   
 
   
   
 
  
  
    
   
  
    
  
   
   
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
   
  

mam.

 

 

 

 

 

4,. an}. o v.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

1

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza...

7

 

 

Buflalo Bill, as he saw that the Hermit Parson
was anxious to unbosom himself further about
the mysteries of the mountains, and he wished
to discourage him, fearing it would excite his

rain.

“Bill, I see that you do not believe what I
have told you about those hostly braves, and
it is no wonder that on believe it to be a fan-
tas of my poor old iseased brain, for I hardly
believed my own eyes.

“ I do not say the were spirit braves, I only
say what I saw an the mystery is beyond me
to fathom and Iwill show to you strange sights
in these bills.”

There was that about the old man now that
did not seem like madness, and fearing that he
had wounded him by his words, the scout said:

“ l have heard so man tales of what were
seen here, that I ventured to these mountains
to see for to self the cause.

“ I do not eve any Indians dwell here, for
they dread these hills as being full of evil spirits,
as they say. though red-skins have told me that
therenwere both very rich gold and silver mines
here.

“ There are, Buffalo Bill, and let me tell you
a strange story about silver, which, to convmce
you that my tongue is not obeying the dictates
of afwandering mind, let me give you ocular

roo .
p “ See here i”

As he s ke he arose and took from a hiding-
place in t e rocks what appeared at first to be a
rin of white metal.

pon examining it closely, the scout saw that
it was a handch of silver.

He was amazed, for it was heavy, solid, and
seemed beaten out of the metal rather thanskill-
fully manufactured. ,

Still there was no opening to it, and Buflalo
Bill said: . _

“This is a silver circle, and solid at that. ”

“ How strange that you should have named
it, Bill, for 100 close and you will see rudely
en ven there some words. ” ,

he scout looked and read aloud, in a slow,
puzzled tone: .
“ ‘The Silver Circle is broken by Death alone)"

“This is very stran c, and I am curious, to
know where you got it ”

“ From the wrist of a dead man!”

“ Indeed! and where?”

“ On the very spot where I lost the trail of the
Monte Man and my Wild Rose.”

“ Did ou kill the man?"

“ No, found him there, torn almost to pieces
by the wolves that I heard fighting over him.

“His horse lay near, his i:feet hoppled, and he
was also torn to pieces by he ravenous beasts,
while his rider's clothing was in hreds, and it
was buckskin. He had no weapons no saddle
or bridle, only this silver band encircling one

arm.

" It would not come 03 over his hand without
breaking the bones, which I did, and you can
see that it was riveted on, so what does it

‘meani” ‘

“I do not know. I am sure; but you‘say he

’ had no saddle, bridle or weapons?”

“Nothing.”

“Strange, very strange, and his horse was
hoppledi”

“ Yes, but so that he could walk slowly. I
buried the body, what was left of it, and
brought that silver circle here.”

“Another mystery to clear up,” said the
scout. ‘ '

“ And more, as though connecting the two, on
a cliff rising out of the valley, nted with red
clay, is a huge circle, while in t are the words:

“ Kmenrs or run SILVER Omens.

» UNBROKEN UNTIL Dunn.” /

.‘f In the center is a pointing hand, and the ob-
ject at which it points is a wolf squatti down
upon the ground and his paw upon a uman

H

< sku .
Blll eyed the old hermit a little anxiously,

wondering if his mind was wade,“ “in.
“ find my» Bill. I have another strange thing
te ou. . n
to“ will], Parson Van Winkle,’ I am open to
hear anything tonight.” _ . I
,“ You are becoming skeptical mu
“ No; only more intensely Interested in mm
‘mystegious country, and I am mam,ng I

“And so am I, for I feel that Heaven  it in
0‘1" heart to come here to help me.”

y “ I’ll stick by you, person, through all,”  '
t

estl said the scou . i

“ll know it, I feel it, and therefore I do not
fear t0 ‘2811 you of facts that seem “Perm-WI}.
and which might drive away any other man
quickl from t ese hills in terror.”

‘5 1 out run from a si 1y ghoat halfassoon
as I do from a right heal y live man,” said the

scout. . .
“ I believeuyou have no fear of aught In this

“world, Buffalo Bill; but, let me tell you another

night that I have seen here that was strange”
.‘ ’You’ll find me a good listener, Parson

.1 .
I have noticed trails. here, now and then,

 

and always of one horse, so I took my position
several months ago in a pile of rocks to see what
would pass

“ I was therea couple of days. when one af~ ,

ternoon toward sunset 1 saws. horseman coming
up the valley.

“He was too far of! to be in range of my ar-

rows. and I could not reach a place to head him
off without his seeing me, so I determined to
wait until he had passed and then follow
him. .
“ But he rode toward a pile of rocks, dis~
mounted, and hiding his horse from View, went
on foot to a clump of several trees that grew
close together directly upon the trail of the
horse I had noticed.

“ Watching him closely I saw him take his
lariat and make it fast about the trunk of one
of the trees and then stand out of view.

“ I waited with deep surprise, when suddenly
I heard the fall of hoofs. ‘-

“ Turning in the direction of the sound I saw
a horse coming at a cantor up the valley. /

“ Nor was he alone, for at his side ran a huge
dog, the largest I have ever seen, and at first I

ethou ht it was a bear.

bl“ k e horse was white, the dog perfectly
ac .

“ I turned my spy—glass upon the dog and saw
that he had what appeared to be a white collar
about his neck.

“ Then I looked at the horse and saw that he
carriedla pack, flrml strapped ufign him, and
looking‘like a pair of uge saddle- gs.

“ But he centered gayly along. not minding
his load, while the do ran by his side.

“ So interested hagl become in this strange
pair of brutes that I had forgotten the man in
ambush.

“ Remembering him as the noble horse and
dgg approached the trees, I knew at once‘ his
0 so .

‘ He meant to lasso the horse.

“ A moment more and they were near the am-
bush' the lariat shot out swiftly, and settling
over the head of the horse just as he was etting
out of reach, brought him down, while I; e man
bounded out of his retreat toward him,,giving
a ell that echoed through the valley.

‘ But with a save e yelp the dog leaps? upon
the man, gripped h s throat, and the all to-
gather, but after a short struggle t e brute
arose, while the man remained motionless.

“Then the dog prung at the lsriat. Seized it
in his teeth, and in a very short while had freed,
his brute comrade, and awe they seem red
together, the dog barking oudly, the orse
nei hing wildly.

‘ ow, Cody, what does this mean?”

“I am sure I can offer no explanation; but
the man—what of him?” ,

“ I went to 'him as quickly as I could, but he
was dead when I reached him.” "

“ The dog had killed him?”

H Yes 1’

“And who and what was be!”

“A miner I had seen in Saw Dust City.

“ He was armed with rifle and revolvers, and
had some old-dust with him; but I buried him

,there in t e ,valley and brought his weapons

and gold here with ins—they are there on that
rock shelf; but mly old mind caused me to forget
the horse until was nearly home, and I went
back for him. I was too late, for the wolves
had already attacked him.” ‘

“ And yet they never attack you i”

“ It is strange; but then I walk by them with
no show ’of fear, and when they dog my ste
too close I send a few arrows into their mi t
tgefiive them some of their own comrades to
f on.‘ and I am not molested.” ‘ *

Buffalo Bill gazed in wonder at the strange
old ,sojourner before him, and he made up'his
mind that, no mattrr how wandering had been
his mind when he first met him, it was clear
now, and that the stories he had told were true,
stran e as they were.

80 esaid:

“ Well, to-morrow I’ll take the trail with you
and see what we can discover; but I am sorry
you have no horse.”

“ I do not care for one, unless Loould catch
that white steed which I have seen several
times since the miner attempted to capture him,
and going and coming,‘always with his pack,
and. always accompanied by his dog com-

on. v . ‘

Impressed by what he hadjheard, the scout
brought his horse into the cavern,“ the request
of the Hermit Parson, to save him from. the
wolves. and rolling himself in his blankets, lay
down to rest, leaving his strange companiOn
seated before the fire gazing dreamily into the

The next morning the. two started out upon
the search for the lost trail. ‘

The trees where the man had stood, to lasso
the mysterious white horse, were first son ht,

and there was his raw.- there him his brldle
'and saddle,wheret e Hermit Parsoghad placed I

em. ‘
Then the cliff, with the sketch of the'Silver

Circle upon its rocky face was visited, and ion
- did the scout stand and poiider, striving to solvg

jua‘t what it meant. . . V i .
he spot where the lost. mil-fended'r’in the.

t

 

  

 

  

stream, there where the track of the Monte
Man had been obliterated, was closely ex—
amined, but, though they remained there until
ltte in the afternoon, no solution could he ar—
rived at as to where the trail went from there,
for to enter the river would be to dash swiftly
awa upon the current.

“ Vc’ll come back to-morrow. )arson, and
arrange to camp right here,”suid ull‘alo Bill,
and, as the hermit would not ride, he mounted
his horse and the two started upon their return
to the mountain cave.

It was just nightfall when they reached the
clump of trees, where was the grave of the ini-
ner, with k is saddle and bridle hanging above
him, and the paused here a moment, as a
sound had su denly reached their ears.

The nioon was rising, and at its full; it sent
a flood of silver light in the valley, so they drew
back in the shadow of the trees, watching and
waiting. v . ’

Again the sound was heard, and Buffalo Bill
said quickly: .

“ It is the .neighing of a horse,”and to carry
him out in this, Comrade gave a lOW whinuy
and ew very nervous.

“ 1% still, Comrade, and don’t spoil all,”
stern] ordered the scout, and in silence they
waite .

“ Look there!" .

It was the Hermit Parson who spoke, and he
pointed down the valley.

“It is a horse and rider,” calmly said Buf-
falo Bill.

is Yes, and_n

“You were goin to say they are phantoms
and they look it,. th horse and rider,” an
the scout gazed at them in amazement.‘

The animal was snowy white, and the rider
was robed in white, from head down. They
came on slowly, directly toward the clump of

trees.

“ Keep still Comrade, and don’t be nervous,
for on may have to chase that phantom-like
s ,” said the scout to his horse, for the ani- ~
mal was now very uneasy. .

“ What are they 7” calmly asked the old her-
mit, glad that the scout could see for himself
that there were stran e in stories in those
mountains that Had so ong n his dwelling.

place. 9

“ I do not know.”

“ What will you do?”

“I shall lariat the rider and then catch the
horse in a race, for if he is real flesh and blood
Comrade can do it.

“ Please hold the end of m lariat.” t

The hermit obeyed, and ta ing the noose end
the scout coded it carefully and turned his horse
quietly so as to be able to throw the larlat
strong and true. _ I

The spectral-look horse and rider were
still coming on, in t_ 6 same slow pace, and,
followin the deer-trail they wen: in, must pass
within t irty feet of the clump of trees.

The moon shone in a cloudless sky, and not a'
sound broke the death-like silence 'of the val- ,

le . .
. llearer and nearer drew the specter steed and
rider; then Buflalo Bill said in a whisper as the
Hermit Parson stood by the side of his horse;
“’l‘thul’fiip Van Winkle, you will see me lasso
a g o: , '
As he spoke he sent the lasso flying through
the air. ,

 

CHAPTER VIII. ,
rm: TELL-nu: PICTURE.

Tun woman who had arrived at the Sinner’s
Rest Tavern, in Saw Dust City, was one to at-
tract attention under any circumstances. and
especially when she came to a rough mining-
camp town. ‘

She was dressed in deep black, and yet her
attire was stylish, even in its mourning look,
and she had a figure that was shapely, a car-
ria e that was commanding. , .,

or face was lovely, rather handsome, and
about it was a fascination, a softness that com— 
mended respect, for it was a face to remember
-—a. face torevere, so Madonna-like was it in its
purity and sadness.

Why she had come to Saw Dust City none
knew, but all guessed. ‘ .

“She‘s a deserted wife whose husband has '
come outhere and struck it rich," said one. , ‘

“She’s on ther trail of her hubbie, and don’t,
you mistake.” another remarked. 2 ' '

“ Maybe she’s engaged ter a teller as did not
go backprter her, and she’scome ter seejist‘how
it are with him,” a third suggested. . - y

“ No, her layer has come out here and died, .
mddint—like, With his boots on, and she are arter“ '
flndin’his grave. and she’ll tote ther remnants
back hum, mark my words. ” .

“ She‘s got widder’s Weeds on, anyhow.” - ~

“ I wonder what she did come for?” . ‘ ‘ '

Such were the remarks that went around the ,
rough crowd, and the last was just what all‘
wished to know. ' . 

When she, to oblige them, began to sing. then" '
she won the heart of every man in the crowd,
and r' ht there she made her power felt. ‘ '

Un ringly—though she was,‘w,ithout doubt; tr
fatigued often her long and rough ride in the
coach-vibe sung song after song, and the moon}.

 

 

 
    
  
 
   
     
    

    
 

r
i
1»

if!“
..,,

 

 

v ——

I and I borrer’d

’ a Chinee and it strangled on,
. miss, bug; I heerd you sing tor-night, angit was

8

Bufi‘alo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

beams glistened upon many a tear from eyes
that ha not been moist for ears.

There was no applause, or the long-drawn
breath“ the deep sigh were more impressive
than the clapping of hands and stamping of

feet.

She held them spell—bound with her rich, ex-
quisite voice, and when she at last bowed and
{Jetz'elated she left a silence behind her that could

e e t.

For some moments no one moved, no one
spoke, fearing to break the spell, and then one
man slipped swa , another followed, and before
lon the crowd ad gone to their camps, not
wil ’ng there and that night to break the charm
with rude laughter, coarse jokes and gambling.

“ Ther woman will make preachers o’ ther
boys of this keeps on.

“ \Vhy, ther bar looks like a graveyard, and
I’ll let ther boys hev a night ufl and shut up.

“ But then, I don’t blame ther fellers, for
’tain’t often they gits music as r’iles up thar
souls, and they’ll go home an’ think 0’ the’r sins
arter it, and maybe them as owes me will come
and ay me.

“ aal, I’m Sorry the Don hed ter 0 away;
but, as he are gone, I’ll move ther l dy inter
his room for ther time she are here, however
long that may be, for it are ther dandy room 0’
ther house.”

80 said Bunco, the landlord of the Sinner’s
Rest, and he was re ring toshut up his bar
and tavern, which a not been heard of before,
although it was Sunday night, when a boy dart-
ed into the saloon and cried:

“Give me some licker, Bunco, quick! fer a

g poor man has a fit and needs it.”

The man poured out the liquor and said, as
he still held the glass: .

“ “ Give me ther moneyfu’st. young ’un.”

“ I hain’t no money, but I’ll pay yer when I
git it,”declared the boy.

“ Then no licker does yer t, kid, out 0’ me.”

But Bunco was taken abac , for a pistol muz-
zle suddenly glanced up into his face and the
boy said flrmly:

“ Give me that ’licker, and quick, for I was
sent arter it, and I wants it. ”

Bunco handed it over withouta word, vowing
vengeance mentally, and the boy darted out of
the door.

“ Darn his pictur’, I’ll—”

“ I will ayfigu, sir, for the liquor,” and
Bunco saw he ck Canary before him.

“ Did you see that boy, ma’am?” he said in a
foolish kind of we , for it cut him to be caught
in so mean an act y his fairboarder.

“I did, sir, and I feel that the ho needed
the liquor for what he said he did, will pay

on. .
y “ In case he may not take this." ‘

“ Oh, no, ma’aml You see, I didn’t want the
boyto have it, fearing he wanted to drink it
himself, and I does not wish ter encourage vice
in one so young.”

“ Please take this money and say no more
spout it,” and the lady held out a half-dollar

ece. .
p “ No indeed, mu’am, I wouldn’t take it: but I
wants ter tell yer how much ther boys was de-
lighted with yer singin’. ’
‘ Wh , yer sent 'em all of! with tears in the’r

eyes an as soft-hearted as doves.

“ Thar’ll not be a keerd throwed nor a oath
cursed around here this Sunday night.”
' “ I am glad it I gave the poormen pleasure
for I suppose they see little of it in this wild
place; but, have you kept hotel hereiong, sir i”

‘. “ Four year, ma’am.’ ’
“ And have you overheard of a man in these

mines by the name of C Creighton 7”
“No, ma’am. I never h ther name ontil I
seen vourn on ther books.

“ Your husband, maybe!”
,She paid no attention to the remark and

asked . l
" “ Who would be most likel to tell me if such

a person was among the min campsi”,

“Le’m’.see,ma’am: I guess eDon is about
as well posted asany man, forhe has circulated
ia‘r'(;i'1)nd a% the citmpsh though he hain’t been

ese very ong.

“And who is the Don?"

“ A gambler o’ ther fu’st—class, m‘am. He
left, tho’, tor-night tor go’way for some Ieetle

e. 1

“Is he a S 'aniardf”

“Guess hes a Mexican; but I don’t know,
m’am. no more than’does anybody else.

“ He’s a dandy fer looks, tho’, and bad with
steel or shmtin’—iron, and you’d be pleased of
you know‘d him. ”' ‘

“Well,as he is gone,- can you think of any'
one else who might know just who is in the

' cam i’

Belfgre Bunco could reply the be? who had
demanded and race ved the glass 0 liquor, at
the muzzle of a rave ver, dashed in.
| “ Here‘s yer floss, 3111100. and here’s yer dust,

t ter pa “yer; ' ‘

“ Did thermanturn istoesupfkid?" .
“No, he got better. and the liquor was too
late. and.,lucky for him it were, for I give it to
him—beg rd

so swee I jist thort ther angelswas a~playm

 

wants me,”

   
 

on ther golden harps,” and the boy doflied his
ca and bowed to the woman in black.

he saw a youth of thirteen, perhaps, though
it was very hard to $1688 his years, his face had
such a quaint old 100 .

He wore buckskin leggings and top-boots, a
red flannel shirt a broad-brimmed sombrero
and a belt about his waist, and in it were two
revolvers and a long-bladed bowie.

His hair was golden and worn long, and the
heels of his top—boots were armed with a pair of
s urs.
pAt first he looked as thou h be had put on the
rig of a desperado for fun; ut a second glance
showed that all was worn with an air of deadly
earnestness.

His skin was hm, his eyes dark-blue and
full of mischief, and, altogether. his face was
brimming over with audacity, resolution and in-
telligence combined.

His form was slight, wiry, and had the indi-
cation of strength and endurance.

He had dolled his cap in the presence of the
lady, and what he had said, though in border
slang, was certainly not unpleasant to her.

“ I thank you most kind] for your appecia-
tion of my singing, and I ope. if I stay here
awhile, I will see you again,” said the lady, in
her leasant way.

“ t’ll be your fault. miss, if you don’t, for I’m
Willin’,” was the frank response.

“ What is your name, may I ask?”

“ Thor pilgrims about here calls me Uncle
Solomon, ’cause 1 knows so much, and some 0’
’em gives me ther name 0’ Old Nick’s Kid,’cause
I is so had : but it don’t make no odds-what the
calls me. ’tain’t my Sunday~school name and
don’t tell it, though I don’t mind lettin’ yon?
know it sometime, though not before this bar
room doctor.”

And the boy glanced wickedly at Bunco, who
he seemed to know was trying to make a good
impression upon his fair boarder.

‘ Don’t mind him, m‘am, for he are the wu’st
kid in ther mines, and ther boys jist spoils him;
but, of yer wants tor know an hing about any-
body 1iln”tl.1ese parts, he kin to yer, fer he knows
em a

“ Indeed! Then perhaps you can tell me if
you know a man in the mines by the name of

arter Creighton?” '

“ Let me see, miss! I seen that name on a
letter-hack as come to ther town one day in ther
mail, and it were a galoot as we used tercall
Cap Carter as had it. ,r
2', I seen him break ther envelop and read

“ Who was this Captain Carter, for I suppose
you meant captain, when you said Cap?” eager-

y asked thelady. '

“ Yes, but we called him Cadp, miss.

“ Waal, now, he were as be as er make ’em.
Yer ’memhers him, Bunco, and ow he killed
poor Dan Skinner one day overs. game o’keerds,
and then said, as Dan were a good teller he
should be planted prime, and so sent 11 ter ther
Trappe; Parson and got him ter plant im with

rayer
p “ on, he were a dandy was the Cap, miss;
and he paid all ther tuner-a expenses, and treat-
ed ther mourners in ther bargain.”

“ What kind of a looking man was he!”

“ Tall. with broad shoulders, dressed
had a full beard and long hair, and ed
straight from ther book and no lingo."

“ You know of no other name he bore than
that of Carter?"

“ As I said, I seen ther name 0’ CarterCrfiiig -
ton on his letter-hack, and it were in a y’s
fist, too, miss.”

“ I thank you, 801, for I shall so call you and
I wishtoknowif you can aid me while am
here?” ,

“ What ter do, miss?”

“ You know the camps well?” ,

“ From Gold Dust ter Saw Dust, miss.”

“Well.su you be m. guide, for I wish
to visit all he camps, and will pay you well
for our services.” .

“ ’ll lie-guide, miss; but I’ll consider I is lay-
in’ no treasures in heaven in sarvin’ you, and
won’t take no pay.” .

“ But you must live."

“ No danger o’ my dyin’, miss.”

“ But how do you ll vol”

“ I find a speck o’ field-dust now. and then,
does service 0’ one kin and another, game
and sells it, and gets along fu’st-olass." '

“ Have you no parents

“ Nary parent, miss.”

“ Where did you come from?”

/

“I doesn’t remember much 0’ my infancy;

but it seems I hes been knockin’ round mini ’
camps o’late years.” .

“ Have you no friends!"

“ I has a horse, miss, and he’s a dandy.”

“ And I will want a horse, too.” ’

“Bunco will hire or sell you one, miss; but,
watch him, for he’ll cheat yer if he gits ther
chance.” ,

“ You git out, Kid, or I’ll—”

“ No, no, Bunk, don’t promise, for yOu’ll

,“ el .miss, I’ll be round in ther mornin’.
and all yer hes ter do is ter call me when yer
and Uncle Bolcmon bowed with the

    

grace of a courtier, as he backed out, while the
lack Canary asked:

“ Who is that boy, landlord i”

“ No one here knows more than he told yer
hisself, m’am; but let me say ter yer, as ther
Don are tor be gone for some time. and yer Seems
int/endin’ ter remain some days, I’ll jist have his
room put in order fer yer, fer it are the most
pleasant in ther hotel."

“ Ithank you, sir, very much, and will accept
your kind offer, for the one I have is nota.
pleasant one.’ ’

“ I’ll git it ready at once, m’am, and you’ll
excuse the Don’s things bein’ in thar, fer he has
apicter on ther wall, an’ a few weapons hung
up, with a trunk and sich.”

“ Certainly; I will excuse everything,” was
the reply, and soon after the Black Canary en-
tered the room of the Monte Man, where her
own bag age had been already placed.

Upon t e wall hung a photograph,time-worn,
and with a skillfullydcut-out leather frame, evi-
dently the artistic work of some miner.

quing up the candle the woman glanced at
the picture.

It was the likeness of a young man of twenty,
with a handsome, but rec less face.

“ It is his picture! His vanity in keeping this
has betrayed him 1” she said in a voice that
quivered, and instantly she left the room and
soug‘lit the landlord

“ r. Bunco, whose picture is that in the
room I occupy, for the face seems strangely
familiar?” she asked calmly.

“ Thar Don said it was his pictur’, miss, taken
when he were a youn man.

She turned away thout a word, and seeking
the room once more said:

“ So, Carter Crei hton, you are known hero
as Don, the Monte an?

“ Well, you are the one I seek, and I shall
find you,” and there came into the beautiful
eyes a look that was wicked in its intense
hatred—a look that boded no kgood for Den,
the Monte Man, who had so quic y departed at
sight of her. ’
CHAPTER IX.

AN unsonvnn uvsmv.

“ UNCLE SOLOMON,”as he was more gleanenl-
ly called, was up bright and early t next
morning, and arranging 1hi toilet With greater
care than was his custom, except on Sunda s,
be cooked his breakfast and mounted his ry
mustang to go to the Sinner’s Rest and keep
his appointment with the Black Ca .

The boy dwelt in the outskirts of aw Dust
City, on a hill where was a clump of pines,
growing under an overhangin clifl.

he cabin was a substanti one, well built,
comfortable and as nicelyfurnished as anyin
the camps.

The fact is, it had been the home of three
different miners, and each one had added to its
improvements and furniture, but each one had
met his death, strange to say, soon after taking

salon, and so it had been left vacant, no
one caring to fl in the face of Fate and be the
fourth to take 1: a risk of occupying it.
A But hearing of their superstitious dread of
the place, Uncle Solomon had determined to
’make it his home, for he .said he didn’tcare if
{his} ghosts of the three miners occupied it with

And so the boy did what men dared not do,
made the cabin his abidin -place.

There was a good stab e for his pony: the
view from the front was nd, looking up and
down the valley as it d1 at the mining-camps,
the winding stream. the green hills and bold
mountainsin the background. '

The pine trees about it sheltered it from the
fierce winds. and the clifl against which it was
built protected it

Solomon was wont to lay in a stockpf provi-
sions, so that he never went him . and in
starting from home that morning e laid in a
oodly supply, for he did not know ust how
ong the mysterious visitor to Saw ust City
would wish to remain away.

So upto the Sinner’s Rest he rode, mounted
upon his mustang. which was said to be the
most vicious piece of 'horseflesh in the camps,
and was so, if looks were any indication.

Earl though it was, the woman calling her-
self C ce Creighton was up and out ugh
what served as a pinata for the tavern. and :-
coming there had “ headed off ” several old
drunkardt h s who t130nm no; into 13; hawth-
on er seein t em,‘an , av nz e re-
solves the nig t before, did not wish to break
them with e one svhose sweet vonce had
prompted said resolves in- full sight. ‘ v
InEihe bowed leasantlyto the boy, and then

“ I must ask you to go and'select me a horse
and have him readyi'for me. while I get my
breakfast, and .I will make you treasurer, no see
if you can catch this.” , \

And she tossedinmmer purse. / _ .
Red Eye, the boy’s pony hadbeen soperlist-
entlyabused by the mines-s when his masterwu

'not around that 'he naturallysupposed the purse

 

_‘.'.

great] .
When he madea “alum anyway, Uncle ‘

was aimed‘at him and sprung quickly aside to” ’ .
avoid a blow: but  ‘Solomon skillfully. _

“ -......V

 
 

’ I riding-habit, which fitted her to

  

aheavy thndr

-........._. .... .. ,

!

will  .   welllmimwnmrm:  m   r.  . . 2- w 

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

cau ht it, while Clarice Creighton applauded
his1 gexterity and horsemanship by clapping her
hands and saying:

“ You ride splendidly, Solomon: but your
horse seems very wild."

“ It's the miners, miss, who don’t like Red
Eye, thot’s his name, ’cause they’s afcerd of
hlnl, as he fights fer me like a pard.

“ But, does yer wish ter hire or buy a horse?"

“ Which will be best?”

“ Ter buy, I guesses, as old Bunco will
charge you about the same for a few days’ hire
as to buy, i'or he’s a robber.”

" ’l'uar, boy, you is slanderin'meag’in !” called '
0 was approaching and heard ,

out Bum-o, w
the remark.

“ No, 1 hain’t; I is tellin’ ther truth; but all
right, miss, I’ll git yer horse and see yer hain’t
cheated, too.” _

And Solomon rode away, while the woman
went in to breakfast, declining Bunco’s arm,
which he awkwardly Offered.

Her departure was the signal for a rush from V

their various hiding—places of men who were
looking for the bar-room. '

Uncle Solomon was not gone long, and return-
ed leading a very fine sorrel mare, arrayed with
a lady’s saddle. .

He saw that the bar was pretty well crowded,
and calling to a Chinee to hold the horses, he
darted into the office picked up the Black Ca-
nary‘s rldlng-hat with its sable plume and veil,
and putting them on poked his head in the door,
as 'm in an assumed voice:

‘0 , gentlemen! for shame, for shame!”

Glasses were set down with a crash and there
was a general stam de of the drinkers, when
Sol’s merry laugh to d how he had fooled them.

There were scowling faces turned upon him,
andhemight have ottcn into troub e for his
little joke for severe. had had their mouths full
and were hadly strangled, but 'ust then Clarice
Creighton came out upon the p azzain her black
rfection.

She had seen the boy's little 0 e and enjoyed
it in silence for she pretend not to know it,
and hthanked him for holding her hat and whip
for or.

Just then there were wild yells without, and
the Black Canary turned pale, while Sol said,

cool] :
“ lion‘t get skeert, miss; fer it’s only Red Eye
chawin’ up some Chinee that hes pestered him.”
And as they went out upon the iazza the fair
stranger to the ways of Saw ust City dis-
covered that Solomon had dia used the situa-
tion correctly, as Red E e set his teeth in
the shoulder of the C as, who thou ht he
goutld hold him better by mounting him t on
00 .
“ Thet horse don‘t allow no liberties tuk with
him, missi fer a fact,” said the boy pigldly,

and as he ed up his purchase, he con u .

“ How does or like ther critter I hasbought,
miss fer yer?

“ A beautiful animal indeed, and, a.

one
if she is only half as good as she 100 ,”and’
with a liglit-spring, she was in the saddle, an
all rcmar ed, that she was a superb horse-
woman.

Handing to the boy a pair of large saddle—
bags, which he had loaned his fair guest to
can- some things in, Bunco asked:

ill erbe ack tor-night ma’aml”’

“ Yes,’ was the reply, and she rode away,
with Uncle Solomon by er side.

But the promise to return wasnot kept, for
ni ht came and they did not return.

nd the next day they came not, nor the
next and then a search-party started out to

~ find them

But the search was fruitless, for no tidings
could be heard of them after leaving Saw Dust
City, and as weeks seed by and months fol-
lowed, the strange (appearance of the m s-
tenons‘woman and her boy guide became e
nightly theme of conversation around every
camp-fire, and the most superstitious of the
lrllllners shook their heads solemani as if to “say
t ere was somethin- g supernatur in this re-
markable aflair I -.

——__

CHAPTERX.
A SABLE c8031.,

errBuflalo Bill threw the lasso from his\

covert union the trees, he felt sure of catching
the ob act 0 his aim, fcrzno man on the plains
could w a lariat more skillfully. .! ,

True. he had never before tried to lasso a
ghost. 88 this a to be; but his nor-ye cud
i‘°““駓‘m“‘mr Msz his.“ ‘1: at
086i 3 andt coi wen can
tled down over the shoulders of the white-robed
form. , ' I

A Shi‘iek, .35 Wild as a.panther’s cry, broke
from the ll of the spectral-1001:1118 being,
while the w to horse, with a, startled sno ,

, bounded away, at the some instant that Buffalo

Bill shot Comrade out of the ambush-in chase.
The ring of the horse. with the: htenmg
of the one end of which was he d by the
old hermit, dragged the ' host from the backpt
the animal to , which 'it struck With

Y may the when. by-the side of the

  

«

i prostrate form, and bending over it, while
uil‘alo Bill was flying away in hot pursuit of
the white steed.

Glancng up the one thus dragged to earth
beheld the weird being bending a. ove him, and
a roan of terror broke from he lips.

lancing down upon his risoner the hermit
beheld a form robed in white, a hood over the
head and two holes cut for the eyes.

“Man or ghost, who are you i” stern] said the
hermit, and he drew back the strin 0 his bow,
while an arrow was set and poin right down
upon the prisoner so rudely taken.

“I hain’t no ghost, Massa Deble, I on] a
a poor nigger, dat’s all. ssh.” came in tremb ing
; tones.

! The hermit seemed to feel no fear now of his
captive, and seelug that Buffalo 15111 was re-
turnilug with the captured horse, he said

. stern : I

J “ Take off that hood and let lne see who you
are! ’

“ Yes, sah, I do it mighty quick, Massa

Deble.” ,

“Why do you call me the devil i”

“ Hain’t you him, sah ?”

“No, I am a man like yourself, only more
unfortunate than you,” was the sad reply.

“ 1 misfortunate ’nufl’ sah, an’ ’fore de Lord,
I thought you was Ole Massa Nick, ’deed I did,
ssh, for I has heerd o’ sich doin’s in these moun-
tains, I was pre ared ter see anybody, sah; but
who dat comin yonder wid my orsel”

“ Buflalo Bill, the scout.”

“ Lordyl now my hoe-cake am cooked, sar-
t’in!” groaned the negro, who had taken the
hood from his face and stood revealed in his
pro r person.

“ hat do you mean!”

_ “I means that Massa Bufl’ler Bill got me
deadlter rights, boss, and this nigger is gwine

tor be shooted .

“ I does wish I hed never left ther .010 cotton
plantation in Alabama tor goter sojerin’; but,
maybe he won’t me, bein’ as ’most all
ni looks alike, ” and the man trembled
as e scout rode u an called out:

“Well, person, caught the phantom steed,
and he’s a ood one too; but what have you got
there—ab k ghost!”

“ It is a negro, Bill. and you may find some-
thing out by uestioning him.”

The scout  ounted and approached the

prisoner.

“Hello, Toby,what are you doing herei”d,e~
mended Buflalo Bill, recognizin the ne as a
sergeant in colored regiment, w 0 had eserted
some months before, to esca .being shot for a
murder of which he plead hlsignorance and
which it was afterward proven he had not’been

gull? of. ,
“ sass. Bufl’ler, you knows me, sch!” and
the n o tried to turn his face! away from the

moo ht.

“I s ould think so, for how could I f t
any man who has donewhat you are guilty 0 1”
and the scout looked sternly at the prisoner,
determined not to let him know the. he was
aware of his innocence of the charge against
him, and with this held over him, tomake him
useful to him, for he well knew Toby’s pluck
and endurance, and that he was noted as a
trailer, being called at the fort the Sable Scout.

“ Massa Bufl’le‘r, I wasn’t ilty, sub, and
that’s why I lit out,y fer I di n’t want ter be
hung up fer nothin , sah; so I deserted.”

“ (1 hot is a. shooting oflense, Sergeant
Toby; but I wish you to ve an account of

ourself and if I am satisfl you tell the truth,

will enlist {on in my service and promise you
full pardon or your crimes when you get back,
if you serve me well.” .
‘You kin do it, ssh, yes on kin. and P11 jist
serve you from now until eath day, ssh.”

“I believe you. Toby: but now, tell me what
you :91"? doing here, all robed in white like a

09
312‘ Massa Butr’ler, I sneaked of! from the fort
’eause matters was lookin’ dubious for me, and I
tried to hide in ther mining-camps; but seemed
to me folks kinder knowed me, and as I hed
heard that was gold up in ther mountains, I
thou ht I’d come and find some.

“ ut I had also heerd as how thar was
hostess: and slab, and I didn’t like that much;
at then I hed either ter risk ther ghosteses or

hangin’ for murder I didn’t do,-and betarned
inter a ghost in it, and I concluded I’d come.

“Then ther dee struck me, Buf’ler
. Bill, thet rhaps I’d do well playin’ ghost my-
self, and jistgces inter ther camp, buys me a
full outfit o’ shrouds. or muslin ter make 'em,
buys a extra horse, with provisions, ammuni—
tion, a pick, ax and shovel, and comes into these

darned mountains.”
“ Where did. on get your in y?” '
“I were on, ssh. afore left ther fort,
ou recommbegs,'and I made a little re in

hfimhzh' i 

ou came nto th thin

fight the devilywith fire ” “5 mm s t-°
play ghosteses

‘No,sah,ter dig old and m-
m dial" 50:1:th didafl fiathzflherei”
see' w n 011
‘t’l‘wo’daiyullagosuh’y ‘6 ‘ _ ‘

‘ Where your'cam'pi” _  ",

 

, my...

 

, , But though

  
 

“ I goin’ thar now, sah, for I had been out on
a tramp this arternoon."

“ Have you seen any ghosts?”

“ Massa Bill, I has.’

H We“ 'P’

“AndI jist laid low, sub, for there was five
of ’em.”

“ Where did you see them?”

“ Up ther valley, sah, in broad daylight this
arternoon, and they was oing alon slow, rid-'
in’ White ghost horses, an my! but was trem-
ulolls at sight of ’em, ssh.” ,

“ You could find the place where you saw
them?" ,

“Yes. sah.”

“ “'ell, we will go there to—morrow; but now
understand that you are to serve me well, and
in return i am to get you a pardon i”

“ Yas, sah.”

“ No treachery.”

l “,I haiu‘t no two-faced nigger, Massa Buf’~
er. ‘

“ No, I have always found you a square fel-
low, brave, and a good borderman, and a good
Indian-fighter, for you stood by me several
times when your men ran off, an it surprised
me to think you would kill a poor army settler
and rob him,” and Bill spoke with mock serious-
ness.

“ ’F‘ore dc Lord, ssh, ‘I didn’t do it.”

“Well I’ll haveto take your word for it, so
now we’ look up your camp.”

“Yas ssh' but won’t do ole gem’man who I
tuk for do dehhle ride In horse, ssh?”

And Toby looked as ea at the Hermit
Parson, who had stood bfimin silence re ding
 attentively during ' talk with uifslo

“ No, my man, thank on; I prefer to walk.”

“ I at another anim at my camp, sah, so I
kin ri e him ”urged the colored sergeant; but
the Hermit I’arson still declined, and the three
set of! together toward the camp.

It was ound hidden away in a vale and get-‘
ting his traps together Toby divided them up so ,
the the hermit should ride his pack-horse,
which was really a very ilne animal. .

Then the three set out for the camp ofthe old
man on the mountain ridge and were turning
into the trail leading 136me the valley when,
suddenly, there came rapid clutter of boots,
title nnxind g nalg' h of a horse and the loud bark
o a cg. '

An instant more, and there dashed by in the
ntloongegélt amgmtke horse, with song; ob he:
s rap u on an runnmg‘ e 0
him was a huge black d, . .

“ Here, _take these gs and I .will, give
chase while gm follow me!

An away uffalo Bill dashed like the wind,
in chase o the m
white steed and the lack dcg.

CHAPTER XI.
run nuns runs.
Warm the scout set of! in hot ursuit of the
horse and d that had dashed y them down
the valley hle elt confident of soon solving that

mystery at cost.

He knew the of his splendid horse and '
his endurance, and had at to see the animal
that could hold the lead of im in a long run.
mm c the ghgtge‘lalorse,  ghoseelaagk

enegro, o v a nsoru e re
the 1mm, Buda’lo Bill had run alohgsldigot this
animal and grasped his bridle-rein before he had
gone the eig th of a mile.

Now he settled himself in his saddle and u ed
Comrade on,“ and the noble horse fairly cw
along the trail.

But the white steed and the black dog held
their own, and, with a bundled yards start,
seemed resolved to keep it.

As the scout shot out into the bright moon-
light the dog gave a startled yelp, and the
horse a neigh, as .a note of , and their
speed increased greatly, for the had been go-
ing at the pace 0 a sweeping g op.

‘Come, Comrade, you are not doing wel .”
said the scout, urgln‘ ignon his horse, when he saw
that he was not gain , _

And the nobleani responded b warming
ulpeetg his work, and pushing ahead th greater,
I Still he did not ‘n. v

“Why, Comm 6. what are you about? 0n,
sir, on Wand Buflalo Bill “Wed his flanks

e

 

with the spurs, and the no fairl bound-
ed forward in tremandous leaps, as he elt that
his master was angry wi '

th him. -
S the Dumb Pards ahead gained slowly,
an the scout could see it.
“I must have that horse, for Comrade on

have at last more than met your mafch,"ythe ‘

scout said,  .
Once ortwice 0 half brou‘fihthis rifle around,
as though to use it, but q ckly checking the ,

' tention, he. . ,
“ No, it would be sscrilegc to kill either the

horse orthe dog; but I must have them, and I

will, if ,I stay in these mountains for months.”
Then, to see if Comrade could really increase

his and notin thstthchorseand had .
«$3331.. dim?» theth held, imagined.

d

hisown‘bessts y. / 7 .

, e snorted with angeer
\ \) H‘

' \

ous Dumb Fords—the ,

 

 

   
  
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
  

‘M

   
 

s
‘ last seen them flying along in

 

 

 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
   
  
 

  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   

2

 
  
   

f who had worn the bracele

' these mysteries. '

tom» ’ .
. i There were
tains,-hutwhere were

>\¢

v

 

 

 

10

. Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

strained every nerve and muscle, the two
strange pards ahead held their own steadily.

“ Ah! my poor Comrade, I am drivin you
hard, and for no use— Hai they have isap-
poured!”

It was true, for just as the scout was about to
draw rein and give up the 'chase, the Dumb

Pards disappeared.
So he rode hastily on to the t where he had
e moonlight.

Just here were piles of rock and scattering
clumps of trees, while the trail they had been
following reached the river and ran along its
banks.

But he could see for some distance along the
bank, and he knew they had not gone that way.

There was but one other way they could go,

unless they had dodged behind some of the :

rocks and trees, and were hidin , and that was
into the river, which here dash swiftly along.

To go into the river they must take a leap of
some ten feet, and the scout could not believe

they had done that intentionally, but perhaps I

gone over by accident. '

So he icoked among the rocks and trees. that
could afford a shelter, and then returned to the
river-bank, just where the trail curved and ar-
rived there as the Hermit Parson and Toby rode
up.

‘- Well, they have gone?” he said in a disap-
point: (1 tone. .

“ Your horse could not overtake them, Buf-
falo Bill?" asked the hermit.

"_No, sah, in’ course he c’u’dn‘t, thou h I
knows what Comrade kin do; but than t em
aniiuiles hain’t human,” urged Toby.

“ No. Toby, they are not human, but belong
to the brute creation," the scout said, smiling at
Tob ‘s remark.

“ ey hain’t real brutes nuther. Massa Buf’-
ler, but phantoms, and as Comrade didn’t cotch
’em it proves dat.”

“ Where did they gel" asked the hermit with
interest.

“ I saw them last ust about here, and, as the
had steadily gains on me, in spite of all
could do, I determined‘not to Worry my horse,
and was about reiningup when they suddenly

disa geared. v

“T ey did not go down the trail, for we can
see a long distance, and they are not hidden
among the bushes or rocks, forl have looked."

“ Then they could only go over here into the
river i” -

‘ ‘ Taat’s it, parson.’

“ And are lost?” '

“No, sah, them hain’t lost, I knows, for wa-
ter don’t drown, bullet don’t kill, and fire don’t/
burn things like them. . >

“ No, sah, them is spirit animilesl” .

“ No more than were you aghast, Toby, and
I will yet prove it to you; but, parson,suppose
we camp here on their trail for the balance of
the night, so as to be on hand at daybreak and
see what tracks they leave, thou h according to
Toby, their trails will not be visi is?”

“ As you lease, Buffalo, for I think it would
be good Biea,"answered the Hermit Parson,
and the three sought a hiding-place for their
horses among the rocks a d stunted pines, and
then threw themselves do u n their blankets,
only a few ards from the trail which the Dumb
Pards had yellowed in their rapid flight. I

The scout lay awake for some time, and his
thoughts were busy with the. discoveries he had
made in theseimountains, which he had not be-
lieved inhabited by mortal man“

He had looked upon the stories told by the.
Hermit Parson as imaginings of a diseased
brain, and yet he had certainly seen proofs that
there were most unfathomable mysteriesin that
weird land. .

He had met there the old Mad Trailer. he had
discovered the colored soldier Toby, and he had
seen for himself the mysterious Dumb Pards.

A grave marked the place where a man lay,
riveted on his
wrist, of the Knights of this vei- Circle, who—
ever whamver the miglgdbe. an“:a he bled
seen strange circ 9 pain on me y
clifi, with the motto that death alone would
unrivet the bond of that Circle of Silver. 1

And so the scout lay awake and ponderedover
into the Montana. mountains in

He had me

i a-spirit, of adventure. and he was not one to

give up a trail until the end was reached, especi-
ally when thererwas/a stern dumpedorm in
the poor little Wildl from the
power of the man who had kidnapped her, after
slayineg her father and causing the death of her
mot r. ,
' he Trapper Parson had tracked t em into
these mountains, and to a. certain int, and
then the trafl became a lost trail, _ r ,
Buflalo Bill his skill in ferreting out
the myste , but he could go no further than

had the old rinit. ' ,
The trail had an ending‘surely, but that was

othmcertainlyinthesomoun—

  

 
  

Don, the Monte Man {Id come there with
his captive end-yet he had notiea there,
a» Hormit’i‘rapperfslteerlain.  v. , _ 

 was the, man that had worn the silver

  
  
   

 

mself 0th been bound?

What cruel mystery was there in this?

And the Dumb Pards?

They certainly were not running wild in these
mountains, or ow about the pack the horse
carried, the silver circle about the dog’s neck?

Then, too, who was the man who had lassoed
the horse and been slain by the dog?

Altogether the brave scout had a world of
thought, with mystery at the bottom of all, a
seemineg unfathomable bottom. as he lay awake
in his blanket, while near him peacefully shini-
bercd Toby. and the Hermit Trapper lay motion-
less, but also awake.

Pr: s- ntly the scout drogpcd oil' to sleep, and
his repose was undistur ed until dawn was
:latefiling over the valley and paling the moon-
ig it.

Then he awoke, for a sound broke on his cars,
ever alert even in sleep.

He raised upand saw that the Hermit Trapper
was also amused.

I It was the rapid clatter of hoofs, and they
were coming toward where they were.

“ Up, Toby, for some one is coming," Buflalo
Bill ordered.

“ It is the hoof-falls of that wild horse, for I
know them well,”said the hermit. ‘

To reach their horses and mount would be im-

ible, in the short time they had, the scout
ew. so he said quickly:

“ We must lasso him then. You, person, try
for the horse with me, and, Toby, you take the

00. I, .

fiuiifalo Bill knew that the negro soldier was
noted as a lariat—thrower, while he was not so
sure of the Hermit Parsbn, never having seen
him throw a rope, so he asked him to try for
the horse.

Their lassoes were at hand with their saddles,
and quickly they, seized them and sprung to
position behind the nearest rook or tree facing
toward the trail. .

A moment more and the black dog appear
in sight, and behind him came the white horse.-

They were dashing swiftly along with the
wind, so the keen senses of the dog had not
caught the scent of their foes.

" Golly! but dat am a big dog ter tackle!

“ I thinks he’s a grizzly,” said Toby, but he
'had his lasso ready to throw. .

A moment more and the Dumb Pards were in
range. and all was ready for the word from the
scout to cast the lariats.

“ Now throw and the Dumb Pards are ours!”
cried Buffalo .Bill in thrilling tones, and the
three lasso coils went whirling through the air.

 

CHAPTER XII.
FOUND AND L osr.

WHEN Buffalo Bill gave the word to throw,
the three lassoes left the hands of the three men
at the same instant.

The negro soldier’s aim was to lasso the huge
black dog. and he aimed well, for, the noose set-
tled over the brute’s head.

The Hermit Person and Buffalo Bill both aim-
ed to lariat the white steed and their aim too
was true, for over the small head, down upon
the arched neck the coil settled.

The scout’s uick glance told him that all three
lariats had fal en true, and then broke from his
stern lips an exultant shout, which Toby, the
soldier. echoed with a wild halloo, though the
Hermit Parson gave no cry.

The - crie of exultation. of triumph in their
success. certainly seemed merited, and yet they
had been. to use a border slang, a " trifle too
previous.” ' ; ‘ .
And why} I 1
Toby had not ut on his belt of arms, in seis-
ing his 18.880. an the moment the noose settled
over the head of the do , the brute gave a sav-
a e yelp'and bounded irectly for the negro. .
oby was as brave as a lion where mankind
were concerned but he did have a holy horror
of d s and snakes. -

An such adogl

A [brute of enormous size, with long. «.White
glittering teeth, and a shag hide like a bear.

In that sh, ,v1cious ye p, half-growl, half-

bark, he‘show just how, furious e was, and
he made directly for Toby almost ,before the.
noose could be tightened to drag himto earth‘.
Toby had not made his lariat fast. in fact he
did not see the need of it, in lassoing a dog
and, as the huge brute came bounding toward
him. the negro dropped the. rope and deserted
the field. v -
To fly from so swift an animal he knew was
useless,_and shoot him he could not, so he made
his exit from earth by means of a tree; ring-
ing up to a limb and catching it, he drew  lf
out of the dog's month just in thenick of time.

In the mean time. Buflalo Bill had made his
lasso endiast to a small saplin , growin in the I
rock, whilethe Hermit Parson had simp y held
One end. in his hand, and the effect was sub
' icing. for the shock of bringing the horse-to a

titore . the little :tree y the roots, and

 
      
     
  
   
  
 
 
   
     
   
    
      
   
   
 
 
 
 

  

  

 
 
 

 
   
           
   
 

      
    

 
  

    

   
  
     

    

 
 

 

 

circle about his wrist, and who had been tornto l was trailing the little sapling, which had been
fiieces by;l geek of wolves, while his horse and I so rudely torn from its ho '
l i

 

’erked e , trapperoflhisfeet. . . '
., gantm lendidaniinal wisp???
' ' o_ w c r ‘

 
  
  

 

(1 among the rocks.

Seeing his horse Comrade flying away, the
dog had given up a premeditated attack upon
the scout and trapper, for he‘had started to
ward them, and went bounding after the white
steed also trailing the brief. after him.

“Lost them both. so we did!” cried Buffalo
Bill, running toward his horse and seizing his
saddle on the way.

“No use ter chase ’em, Massa Bill, for they
hain‘t ter be tuk,” answered Toby, dropping
from his perch in the tree.

“ I’ll try at least, and, person, you and Toby
come on as fast as on can.”

And Buffalo 13‘ soon had Comrade bridled
and saddled and set of! in hot chase.

With the dog drawing the lasso and the horse
a small sapling, the scout felt hopes that they
would both be caught in some way, and he rode
on at the full spee of his horse, while the trap-
per and Toby also followed, but at a slower
pace, the latter riding his pack-horse.

The Dumb Paras had disa peered from sight
before the scout had moun , but then he knew
that such a trail as the would leave would be
very readily found and ollowed. ‘

The sun was now above the horizon, so that
the darkest shadows of the valley could be pen-
etrated and, with the day before them, Buffalo
Bill was assured that some discovery should be
made regarding this strange mystery of the
mountains.

For some distance he dashed along, Comrade
running easily and very rapidly, and seeming
himself'to be anxious to overtake the two ani—
mals who had dropped him behind so easily in
his last chase of them.

Presently the spot came into the view of the
scout where the horse and dog had disap ared
on the other occasion, and he knew as 6 ap-

roached the bank that they had again eluded
tdim, for there was no hiding-place there for
em.

A moment more and he drew rein upon the:

bank ovorhanging the swiftly-flowin stream.

I There, lay, neat y coiled, the three assess, the
little sapling was standing against a rock neu r,
its branches scarred and leaves torn by being
dragged over the ground, but nowhere visible
were the Dumb Brutes.

The had disappeared most mysteriously.
To 0 so theymustspring from the bank down

,the ten feet into the swiftly-flowing waters of

the river for the trail turned neither to the
right nor left, but ended just there.

Soon the Trapper Person and Toby came u
and found the scout standing there in deep med:
tation.

He seemed slightly bewildered by what had
hap ned.

“ on got the.lasvoes,but not the animals?”
aid the trapper, inquiriugly.

“ I found those three 1n ssoes lying there, coil-
ed just as you see them, and the little tree the

horse pulled up by the roots, standing \just'

there,” anewercd Buffalo Bill.
"The dog and horse could not coil the las-
soes,” said the trapper. '

‘f No, only a human being could‘have released I

them and placed the ropes there.”
“ It was sperrits, Massa Buf’ler, that’s what it
Iwere,” Toby said, anxiously glancing about
1m. ‘
“ But you could not have been more than two
«gutgi'ree minutes behind the animals, End 0
1 . * .
“ No.‘ and whoever took 01! the ropes worked
fast, butwhere, did he go, and where are the
Dumb Yards?”
“This is the only place they could reach the
river to‘jump in, for see how rough the bank is

_ above and below, and a mountain goat could

handly find footing there."

“ True, person, and their mils lead right
here, as you see.” ' ‘ '

“ Yes, and they sprung into the river?”

“ Yes, they could do nothing'else.",

“Then they are drOWued.for they-could not
swim in these wild waters long." , , I

“ Yet right here is where I lost them before,
and they turned up again. . ’ .

“No, parson, there is a mystery about this,

and if thedog and the horse went into the
theirlassoes did
the’same, and Where one manwent another can"

stream, the man who took oil

73
321130
affirm pm" a" deb camp
es you 0
dor in that  and: et breaksiast, w
take'a little swim,” an ‘ Buffalo Bill quickly
divested hime of. his clo
a revolver in a waterproo

on—

m the,bank into the stream. ‘ .

He was awe t down the stream likes. flash.
and soon whir edeut of sight of the 
Toby, who‘were watchin‘gh‘im. . ' .,_  .'

He was swept alon ,laethe'swiftcurr‘ent for
several. hundred ya ,
impassable, and they ,,

. cebelowu, A- . ,
' ut he .was watchingthem
eyesdftiall ,upona break in them, and he swam
war . a ‘ ' ~ ‘ ‘

    

ngu mean that you' will go into thea1
e I -

, m ped
1! Win“ 0 0th, ,
laced his lassoabout hisiwai‘st, and sprung i

.bankssfillsteep‘and.
_’ More long  r

"closely, and his:

 

     
      
  
       
   
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
  

 

 

)ll
0—
to

[is

3y
u:

3d

se
3v
is
p-
er

ht
‘W
be

at
n-

be
he

do

ll‘
in

he

ad
or

he
‘18
rt

‘8
tie

 

 

 
 

' though he himself had been a
mountains for two cars. ‘ z .
to master the mystery, or

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

1;.

 

 

And just in time he put forth his strength, for
otherwise the current would have swept him b .

It was a narrow chasm in the rocky wa l,
which served as a bank; but the footing was
good, and he saw that the landing was easily
made.

The rocks were wet, and for some distance
showing that the horse and _dog had landed
there, and by making the leap into the river
abg v3, had thus eluded capture where the trail
on e .

“ Those brutes have been well trained,” mut-
tered Buffalo Bill, “ to thus Seek safety in
flight and double upon a pursuer.

“I will see where this trail leads me, and
can perhaps head them 01! at this landing next
time.”

He followed the water-dripped trail for some
distance, when it ceased an 9 had to depend
upon the tracks of the animals.

These led to a cavern in the rocks; but see-
ing dayli ht be oud the scout boldly ventured
into the ark ace and came out upon a broad
plain, or mea ow—land, and from here he could
find no direct trail, though the animals had
evidently crossed it.

Glancmg about him he recognized a li ht-
niug-riven tree in the distance, which he find
observed not far from the spot they had

camped in during the night, and he made his '

way toward it. struck t e trail along which
the Dumb Pards had been dashing when lari-
ated, and an hour after parting with the par-
son and Toby, put in an appearance before

them.

The had breakfast waiting, for they had ex—
pects he would soon return, as he was not in
scouting costume for a long tramp, and he sat
down to it with a relish, while he told of his
discoveries, remarking: '

“ Now we can capture that noble pair of ani-
mals by starting in chase, when we see them
:iext, and then heading directly from the land-

n .

a There are rocks there which we can hide
on, drop our lariats Over the heads of the horse
and dog and choke them into quiet, when we
can tie them securely and they are our sure

ame.’ ,

“ It looks so certainly,” said the trapper,
while Toby remarked:

“ The rope hain’t made, Massa Buf’ler, ter
39 o’em animiles wid, for dey is spcrrits sar-

in.

“ Well, Toby, we can try, and my opinion is
when we capture them we will discover some
secret of who their masters are that we are
anxious to know.”

“ Buffalo Bill, Providence sent you here. and
ihave hope now that I will find my little Wild

ose. -
“It may be days, weeks, month 'erha‘ ",
before we do; but I know you will so ve t
inystery—I feel it," said the trapper, earnest—

Y- .

“ I hope so, arson, and we won‘t say die un-
til there is no ope.” ‘ ‘

“I wish we was huntin‘ fer ,somethin’ that
wasn‘t sperrits,” said Toby. 'and the scout
laughed heartily at the fears of Toby, and re-
marked: , I

~‘ Why, Toby, you played ghost yourself, and
you see how we domed you. and you’ll find

that there is nothing but humbug at the bottom I

of those mountain mysteries, and, in my opin-
ion, they have good cause for wishingto keep
peo le out of this wild land. .

“ at we are here to stay, to settle, to die, if
need be,” and the stern, resolute face of the
scout showed that he meant just what he said.

CHAPTER XIII.
A SECOND VICTIM.

HAVING finished their breakfast the trio of
strange men maunted and went to the mountain
camp of the Hermit Trapper. "

Buflalo Bill as ste that they should go
thither, put the die of the trapper upon the

k-horse, leave there all that was not needed,
and lzetun to a camp on‘ the trail and await
resu s.

This was acted u , and Toby was shown the

way to reach the dden camp in the mountain-

to . . >

Iwith sim 1y prc Visions e _ to last them
for severaI ays, they wended their way back“,
a secluded spot near the tra and went into

Ono was to stand on Watch at 3: fl1116. so as to
make known the coming of the mysterious horse

and dog, and Toby took the first watch, just at

sunset, while the three horses were staked out
in the background, and the scout and trapper
threw up a brush shanty for their shelter incase
of storm, and collected wood to have a, lentiful
supply; on hand with which to build a a when
no e r '

The old Hermit Tm r seemedto have given

up all plotting and p anuin to the scout, and

was satisfied leave the lea ershi in his hands,

weller in the

‘ Still he had fail
[find his lost grandchild, and he seemed to feel
that the scout would do so,while*he also had

 

- the mind of the old borderman, and he remem-

confidence 1n Toby the colored soldier, in spite,

“5-. ‘~ , .

,u .  mlfp...
fix “Hutu?” V .

- ,,.

of his dread of ghosts, which he had expected to
frighten olf upon the principle of “ fighting the
devil with fire.”

Seated in their little camp together, while
Toby stood on guard a con la of hundred yards
distant, near the trail, Bu alo Bill was listening
to the trap )er’s stor‘ of the past.

The clou s accrue to have driitcd away from

bered all that had passed, since he had sent his
son Roy Ripley, to the college where he had
graduated with honor.
l Buffalo Bill listened attentively, to get every
{ motive for revenge that an enemy might havo
1 against the old parson and his son, and he said:
‘ “ Well, parson, there is one thin certain, and
that is we must rescue your Wild ose from the
power of that hardened villain, Carter Creigh-

ton.

“ He kidnapped the girl, that is certain, for,
the paper you have, which he placarded upon
your door, tells of his being the guilty one, and
you trucked him into these mountains; but we
are not sure he is here now. unless—”

“ Unless what, Buffalo Bill!” asked the trap-

r.
pe“ Unless he has discovered a gold-mine, which
your son found here, and is working for all it is
worth."

“ In that case you feel he is still here i”

H Yes i!

“ But not alone?”

“Oh, no. for you have seen enough to know
that he has allies): '

“ And you believe the horse and dog are. his?”

“ Yes, or belong to some other secret mining-
cam .

“ on know these mountains have not been
thrown open to settlers, and they are really in
the Indian country; but then the red-skins avoid
them on account of the belief that evil s ints
dwell here, and a few whites have dou tless
found a footing here, where they have found
gold, and it isto their interest to keep out all
others until the; get rich, and they will kill,
scare or do anyt ing to do so.

“ Such is my theory, and I will work with the
view of findin out who the are, where they
are, and whatt ey are doing ere.”

" And I feel that you will have success. for I
have perfect confidence in you: but hark i"

The sound of running feet was heard, and a
moment after Toby dashed into the camp.

The moon was rising and it revealed a scared

face.
“Well, Toby, what i it?” asked Buffalo Bill,
springin to his feet.

“ I tel ou, Massa Buf’ler, dese mountings
am ha’n , sah, ’deed they is, for I done seen
another ghost.”

, “ Where, Tob l” r h

I“ I were stan in’ over yonder in do thicket
whep.,lmrdyl I seen a ghost and a sperrit horse
com a . . -

“.They come alonfiever so slow, and de ghost
were moanin’ tem- is, like he was in awful
agony. .

“ I jist lit out, sah, and come to on.”

“ Well, Tob , we’ll see if a gh t can stand
lead," and Bu alo Bill started for the spot, fol-
lowed by the trapper and Toby, the latter seem-
infi’rl to desire to linger in the rear as far as pos-
si e. >
As they went along a sharp yelp was heard,
and Toby cried out: i

“ Dat‘s dat sperrit dog ag’in.” r

“ No. Toby, that is a wolf’s yelp; hark !”

And all listened while far and near arose.a
chorus of yelps and harks. . . .

“ The wolves are abroad in force to-ni ht,and
we must not stay long away from the orses,”
said the old trapper.

“ N o; we’ll see ifwe can find Toby's ghost, and
then some of us must go back as guards-

,Hark!" , . '

Suddenly on the air arose a Wild, fearful ,
shriek that brought the three men to a sudden
bolt and from Toby’s lips:

“ Lordyl hear datl it’s de ghost!”

That cry came from human lips, and it was
in‘rgility fa, cry of anguish.

‘ ome ' , ,

And the scout started in therdirection from
which the sound had come.

But a sin the three halted as shriek upon
shriek fi led the air, echoing among the rocks
and rising above howlsiyelps and savage growls
of wolves. ~

Then another scream arose, wilder, fiercer
ithan the other. «

’9‘ That is the cry of a horse in agony as well
as». man.

“ The wolves are u n theme-come!”

With a bound B alo Bill was oil, followed
by his two comrades.

.Like a deer he ‘ran, leaving the others behind,
and heading for the' spot from whence, came a.

cot pandemonium of sounds of human criesK
he screams of a horse and the yelping,snailing,
growling of wolves with the scratching of many
01”" “P011 the ipcky ground in some fierce
struggle. f . ‘

In a momentmore Buffalo Bill burst out of a

Pinethicket into an space and: a sickening I

a

 

 

        
  
 

 

 

 

'Circlet. and said:

stow . 1‘ _ N
=‘ As Sol had spoken of his cabin on the moan-vii

l1 nreac

QM“! ,

wolves, fi hting, rending and with fierce barks
and grow 3 tearing their victims in pieces.

With a ell and a shot from each revolver on
the outskirts of the writhing mass, the scout
sprung forward, and the wolves s rung away
revealing their victims~a horse am his rider.

Driven from their prey by sudden flight, the
Wolves an instant after showed a dispoiaition to
attack the scout and. had he wavered in the
slightest degree, he would quickly have met the
fate of their victim.

But instantly both revolvers run out noisily
and the scout advanced boldly as e fired, an
this daring forward movement set the savage
brutes to flight, though they did not retreat in,
until the hermit and Toby rushing up also open-
ed flre, when they beat a hasty retreat into the
deep shadows of the pine thicket.

Then the scout sprung to the side of the man
and the horse. ,  .

The man was dead. torn nearly out of all re- 3
semblance to humanity. but the horse, also fear-
fully lacerated b the sharp fangs of the wolves, 1, .
yet writhed in h s agony. at

A shot from the revolver of Buflalo Bill
(\uickl ended the animal‘s sufferings, and then
t is ri er was taken from him, for he was bound
to the back of the horse.

“ This is just such a case as you saw once be-
fore, person. and this man is somebody’s vic-
tim " said the scout. in stern indignation.

“‘Yes, he was bound to the horse, which our
see is but an indifferent animal and hops) , so
as to revent his going out of a slow wal .”

“ es, there is some devilish work in this
which we cannot now fathom." and Buffalo Bill "
took the white robe that the form had been en-
veloped in, and laced the body upon it.

The face was but of a man of forty, heavily
bearded and with long hair.

He was dreSSed in uckskin leggins, a woolen
hunting-shirtnnd wore no hat, and moccasins ,, 
were upon his feet.

His hands had been tied together in front of .,
him, and the white robe, Which had been his V
shroud, seemed to have been wound about his
form and fastened with a belt about his waist.
‘ He had no wen ons, and suddenly. as the
trapper bent over im, as though searching for
something, he called out:

“ See there l”

“ Well. rson?"

“ The Si oer Circle!” ' x '
The trapper pointed to the left wrist of the‘
dead man, and there u n it was the bracelet, a... r
circlet of solid silver, t on b now it was stained
With blood, for the ban had been fear'fully

torn. », ‘ ,
With an effort Bufi'alo Bill drew OR the Silver, _ -

  
  
 
  
      
    
 
    
  
   
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
  
    
    
   
  
    
 
  
  

“ This is number two. person; but now, Toby
let us carry the body back near our camp an
give it burial, for I am anxious about our -
horses." , ‘ 

“ Massa Bill, I is afeerd ter touch thet man,
sah, lfore Heaven I is." said Toby. and without- '
reply Buffalo Bill infolded him in the white,
shroud-like mantle and raised him in his strong

arms.
As they left the spot the wolves dashed out of  ' '
their hiding-places, and with savage barks and ‘ ‘
vicious snarls began to feast upon the bodyof
the horse; ‘
Reachin a spot near camp Buffalo Bill halt-
ed, while oby went to work cutting out o‘ 3
ve, and the r victim was placed in it by. ‘2
uflalo Bill, w lo the trapper said a prayer 
over the unfortunate unk nown, the scene there
in the moonlight. and the three men standing
with uncoveer beads, being a weird. solemn
one there in these wild mountains of Montana. >

CHAPTER XlV. ' ,
UNCLE somxou AND ran BLACK csssnr.
Irwin be well now to return to themy
tcrious lady who rode away from Sinner’s Rest.
in as v Dust City, under the guidance of that
odd youth known as Uncle Solomon. Old 'Nickb
Kid, and other peculiar names which the chrls.
toners deemed a propriate. , .
The “ Black ary,” as Clarice Creighton,-
through the unfailing custom of the country...
had been named, was a superb rider, and s p
managed her spirited horse with ease audio

grace. ..

She knew that she had made a sensation'in
Saw Dust C ty. and she was well aware of the
full power she held over men b her beauty ,
face and form, and her exqui te voice,_whilo
she rather liked the cognomen bestowed upon
her, knowing well that the rude bordermn
were wont to bestow a name. as the Indian}
does, from some peculiarity about them. "

Ber being dressed in dee .black,even to
vail. and singing like'a Ird, had instan -
suggested to some one the name of Black Ga»
nary..'and in all honor toward her itwas how

 

9.

min-side, and a desire to go by this for his;
rifle, Clarice Creighton had acquiesced. and“-
hing the humblecabin on, the bill ‘ f
ted and entered it; at the some
herself u‘deléfiited with his
3 and the hem

° air "was

it: had _
e expressin

neat housekesp

upon 

  
    

    

12

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

Kfind do you live here all alone, Sol?” she
as e .

“ Yes, miss, and it’s a nice place, too, which I
have all to myself, as folks is afeerd o’ ghosts
the says is here; but ther ghosts don’t keep me
’w e 0’ nights watchin’ fer ’em.

“ But here’s my rifle, miss, and I’m ready
now.”

*1 He slung his rifle at his back as he spoke, and
locking his cabin door, they mounted and rode
, away off into the mountains, Clarice saying it
l- was her desire to visit the different camps as
‘ré they could and discover if the one she sought
:5 was known in them.

r; ' Two camps were visited and inquiries made,
but without result, for thou h many knew the
gambler as Don,’ the Month an, none were ac—
quainted with him as Carter Creighton, and it
ii was no wonder, as few men in those mines were

known by their real names. .

A wretched inn furnished a more wretched
dinner for the boy guide and his fair compan-
ion, and not wishing to test such accommoda—
tions again, Clarice Creighton asked:

“Is there no place where we could pass the
night. away from such miserable taverns?”

‘ We might go to the Trapper Parson’s, miss,
for he’s a gent, clean through, and his family
would be glad to entertain a real leddy, for
they is mighty scarce products out in these dig—
gin’s," answered Sol.

“ Is it far from here?” '

“ Only a few miles, and I knows you’ll be wel-
come. while he’s got a large cabin and they is

- mi hty nice folks.”

‘ Is he a minister?"

“They says so, for he holds preachin’ now
and then, and are always ready ter bury a man
as turns up his toes in sickness, or dies with his
boots on.

“ It’s one and ther same to ther n, how
a man dies, so long as he’s dead, or he don’t

; hold tor doctrines after death, as some does and
v x , won’t bury a stiff onless it's by ther rule 0’
' f some ‘ltedged book.” -

1 “ ell, let us goto hiscabin and perhaps I

may t some information from him.

‘ ou know him well, I an pone?"

“ Yes, miss, I knows him, or I rode Pon Ex.
press for a few weeks, when-little Gold ullet
were laid up with a wound, given him by some
road-a entsas wanted his ba o‘letters, and I
‘ 1 stop at the person’s sev timesto change

ponies, when mine out a shoe or went lame.

“ Then I seen him when he come down to
Saw Dust City to bury Gambler Gabe, whom
theDonkiltata 'eo’k s. _

“He did do that Job up neat, I kin tell yer,
miss, and the Don paid all expenses.”

“ You refer to the one they call Don, the

» Monte Man?” .
' “ Yes, mix, and he’s lightning.” '
, ’ “pol, may I trust youl”_asked Clarice ear-

nest .

“ on kin for a fact, miss.”

“ He is the man I unlocking for.”

“No. The Don?”

H Yes. 3! ,

“ Why I c’u’d hev told or about him.”

“His name is Carter reighton, and I have
come out here to find him.” ‘

“ Why he stays at ther Sinner’s Rest.”

“Yes, but left there last night Just after I

e.
, “Maybe be seen yer, for a man will li ht out
A sfrom a woman sometimes, when he won from
. a half a dozen fellows."

‘ ‘V‘Well, I didn’t care to let ple know just
’ who I was after, as if Carter rei hton knew I
was onhistrack he wouldsee that did notflnd

him. .
uk 13311; the Don, as you call him,is the one I

see .

 9 We can find him, miss, for he’s around the
: cam ssomewhere.

I “ on see lhe lives at Sinner’s Restgput
goesamon t scam on i e gambling 'ps,
and he ma lots olrdsust.” ,
“Bobbing the poor miners of their hard-
earned money,”said the woman, with a sneer
/ that expressed the utmost contempt.
, Then the two rode on in silence for a long-
time. until at last they ascended the ri

, dge u n
‘ which was located the cabin of the Trapper 

son. v
Ashort ride and they approached the cabin,
henthey saw the door ajar, the chickens go-

ing to roost unfed, for it was sunset, and a cow

was-lowing lustin at the stable- ard.
But no one'was'visible, and i said in sur-
prise,ashesprun§fromhishoneandentered:
“ hat oes this mean,fortherplaoe

CHAPTER XV.

' m rucws rmcm. 4
Don, was: Moms MAN was not one do an
evfl'deed half-wax. .
4 Homes cunnin asbewas bold,ascruelas
’hewas reckless, 'he had’nomercyforan
"one, man, woman, or child, who stood in

 

    
  
 
 
    
   
  
   
   
    
    

 

  

 
   

  

   
 

 
 

V m” thepartof a gamblerminer he had
gbecomcknownandfeuredinalltheeaih . '
Then .inthatcharacter,w

 
       

were thosehe hadknown

 

 
     
   
   

   
    
     
  

nhc- ty

 

  

alone, to owin
know well, an

ping himself  his b nke
ccu d. .

   

   

in his younger years, those upon whom he sought
revenge, because he had not won and married
his sweet cousin, Nellie Creighton, and Roy
Ripley had, he determined to reap a vicious and
fiendish vengeance.

The reader knows how he carried out his evil
plot, slaying Roy Ripley, driving his wife into
insanity and death, and then, shaving off his
beard. changing his dress for that of a Mexican,
and talking with a slight accent he assumed to

rfection, he had come again among those who

ad known him as a gambler miner, and called
himself Don, the Monte Man.

He had spread the report that he, as the
gambler miner, had been killed in a distant
camp. and no one allied the Don with the re-
reported dead man, and often. as a supposed
Mexican, he had sat and heard himself as the
gambler abused.

There was one however who had recognized
him, though by his baggage arousing suspicwn,
rather than from any resemblance be traced in
the Don to the alleged defunct miner.

That one was Bunco. the landlord of the Sin—
ner‘s Rest, who always made it a rule to ex-
amine his guest’s baggage, providing his large
supply of keys enabled him to open a trunk or
sac e . r

In this way he had discovered that the Don
and the miner were one and the same person.
and he had made this discovery knowa one night
when the two sat talking together, though he
had not stated how he found it out, but left it to
be behaved that his wonderful reading of human
nature and memory of a fans was the only
means he had used.

The Don was not long in making a discovery
too, and that was that the landlord felt he had
come in disguise to lay some bold game, and
Elliot he considered ' discovery worth some

mg. ' .

He quickly told thelandlord that he was will-
ing to take him into his confidence and pay;
but, as far as the former was concerned, Bunco
learned no more than he then knew that the
Don was the gambler miner, while the latter,
thWiay, was considerable in his hat.

henthereforethe Don saw lance Creigh-
ton at the Sinner’s Rest, he was more deeply
moved, from some mysterious cause, than he
had ever been in his life before, and it took him
but a short while to put his things in order in
his room and depart mm the inn.

“ Inhave no time to lose, andI must act at
once. . ,

Now the Don had been busy for a long time
organizing a few, men into a hand for some spe-
c' c and subtle cause.

What it was for even Bunco did not know.

Up in the mountains Bunco had what was
termed a ranch, where he raised a few sheep,
herded a few cattle and hogs, and had men
working land as a farm.

Five men did the work, and they found Bunco
good pay, for the Sinner’s Rest coined money

or its landlord, and though not minin

        
       
  

for

riches he was growing rich OR the g-
camps.

The men whom the Don had gotten ther

were a hard lot, there were no harder specimens,
of humanit on the border. '

To gamb e, to rob a mine or to cut a throat,

was just in the line of these men, and they were

willingl smelled under a leader who IIziromised

them 0 d if they served him, death ' they be-

traly him,

hey loved gold, and they hated to die, though
thfiy would risk life to get it, and so they were
w' ing to obey their leader, when they felt he
could enrich them in using them for tools to get
riches for himself.

It was the nightthat Don, the Monte Man had,
taken his hasty departure from Sinner’s Rest,
and that had ushered the Black Canary into

  
  
  

 
   

    

   
       
      
  
   

 
 
 

'Saw Dust City and this band of men were seat-

 
      
  
 
 
   
  

ed in their cabin on the ranch of Bunco the
landlord. ' »
They heard a hoof-fall Without, and a moment
after the Don strode into the cabin. _ ,

He nodded. as they all arose at his entrance,

and calling one of their number aside he enter-
ed into an earnest conversation

with him.
Then, as abruptly as he had come he depart.-

 
  

_ ed, and the men were again from under the eye
of their stern commander.

  

the cabin the Don went on‘his way
a rinouutain trail he seemed to
as t

Leavi

  
 
 

soli

     
   
   

  

horse out, and ma
t to seek what rest e

that hgivilsited thl:
arson. t aresu
knows, and it was late

camps

  

It was the next 0
cabin home of the ra ,
that the reader alre

ontthe evening of that day that Sol, the be

   
   

eled‘ he Black ‘toth litt
some... WWW “P ° °
Itwasa . ristgltgntlhzgioyfigr he brads!-
pected ce , y e pper arson
fling-312, and certainly the Wild Rose, his grand-
c .

But both were one, the d‘or was open and
there waspvegy ' that there had been
foul play in  leaving, or at least a veryhas-l

  

r

   
  

   
 
 

of men who meant them no

- down into the

w latehewent into a"

 

      

old trapper and ther pretty Wild Rose hev gone;
and yer can see fer ycrself things hain’t right,’
said Sol.

“Yes, it does look suspicious; but do you
think harm has befallen them ’1”

“That’s no tellin‘, miss, for this is a wild
country, an’ ther peoples is Wilder than wolves
and twice as savage.’

. “ And what do on think has happened, Sol?”
asked the Black anary, anxiously.

“ It kinder looks ter me as ef ther Wild Rose
hed been bugged for game, an’ ther old parson
has lighted out in pursuit; but we’ll stay here,
miss, for thar’s no better we kin find, and of
ther person and Wild Rose sh’u’d come in, and
1 be mistook, they’ll be glad ter see us, thet’s
sart’in.”

Clarice Creighton felt that her boy guideknew
best, and so she let him lead her horse away
with Red Eye, and shortly after he came in and
coolly set to work to make a fire and prepare
supper.

Looping her skirt up about her waist, Clarice
Creighton aided Sol in preparing supper, and
the two reall enjoyed their meal together,
though they fe t anxious regarding the owners
of the deserted cabin.

“Thar’s ther room 0’ ther Wild Rose, miss,

you kin hang u in, and I’ll jist spread out
here afore ther e,” said Sol, as it began to
grow late.
“ Hark! there the come now,”sa.id'Clarice
as steps were hear without, and Sol stepped
quickly to the door to suddenly start back as
half a dozen men sprung into the room, one of
them crying out:

“ Come, ards; here‘s our game we’s lookin’
fer— H01 , youngster; up with them hands,
quick l” I .

The answer was the crack of Sol‘s revolver.

CHAPTER XVI.
KIDNAPPED.

THEY were a rough-looking set who entered
the old Tra per Parson’s cabin, and surprised
the boy gu' e and the Black .

The words of the man who first entered show-
ed that the two who had been trackin Don, the
Monte Man, had themselves been trac ed.

But Sol was not readily thrown off his calm
pose, and he saw in those whojgiatered only a set
8 .

If he could beat them off. so much the better.
and as they declared hostility by word, he would
do so by act.

’ Once they were out of the cabin, and he could
bar the door, he hoped to hold them at bay, and.
perha drive them 08. ,

So 1, with a dexterity that many a border-
man had- envied him, drew his revolver and fired
upon the one who had. declared the Black
Canary and himself their game, and ordered
him to hold up his hands.

Sol was a dead shot, and he hit where he aim—
ed the heart of the ruman.

With a groan the man dro pad in his tracks,
31nd“.1 comrades stamped with amazing
it . .

S ringing to the door Sol hastil closed it,
an called to Clarice to hand him char; but
before he could adjust it in its place, there was
a hard push from without and a man’s leg was
thrust within.

It was sure to be followed b a bod , Sol.
knew, so he ciuickly drew his ' e an dug

e .

A wild yell of agony and the leg: was with-
drawn, and the door closed, and 8 bar was.
almost in placo, w on a violent shove came
from without, that w S01 and Clarice slinost

down.

But Sol had his revolver out in an instant,
and sent several bullets in rapid succession
through the thick door.

“ Somebody’s hurt out thar, miss, and we is
fixed,” he cried, as he novirdgot the bar in place
for the men outside qulc y scampered out of
.ran 9. '

“git is strange they do not fire back at you,”
said Clarice, who was perfectly cool.

“They don’t want ter kill, they Vvants fer
take us ” wasthe 

“And what will y do nowr’vasked the”
woman. ,

“They’ll canfloutside until we come out, or
they are driven 01! by somebody.”

‘ Not :(plcasant prospect."

“Not zactly, miss' .

".And what are we to do?”

“ Take it quiet. ” - _

‘ ‘ What do you think is their motive?”

p“ Oh, they was trailin‘ us.” .

“ But why?” , ‘
f‘Maybe they thinks you has money, and
wants: ”

“Then they are mm from some of the
mines?”

‘ Guess so, miss. I’d ask this feller,hut he '

mm answer,”and Sol pointed to the man he
“myiiefteis not dead,” she said in awhis—

p63; Oh'yes, he’s dead, formy wagon throws an
uncommon ball, miss—see! and humid the.
body over, glancing intothe face. , ,

Sol wasnght; themanwasdead. . n

l

 

 

 

   
     
 

 

 

 

it

_...,..-». ,V ‘

Bufi'alo Bill’s Bonanza. ,

 

13‘

 

“ I thinks I has seen him afore, miss,_but
then I hain‘t sure, fer what with red shirts
slouch hats, long hair, scragfily beard and
plenty, o’ dirt, them fellers 100 s pretty much
alike.

“ Hark l” .and as Clarice spoke a step was
heard without, and then came a knock.

“ What’s wanted?” asked Sol.

“ Who is within thari” asked a ff voice.

“ Thor Black Canary and Old ick‘s K1d,”re-
plied the boy.

“ We want you.” -

“Then come in and take us. ”

“ Open the door and surrender, and we will
not do you any harm.”

“ You open ther door and come in and we’ll
harm you.”

“ Boy, I know you, and I tell you all I wish is
to ask the lady some questions.”

“ Ask her, then. ” _

“ No, I wish to see her privately.”

“ I do not care to see you," sai Clarice, firm-

y:‘ We will wait here ontil you has ter come
“'Aii right; we has plenty ter eat fer a month,

so ou’ll have a long wait.
‘ Boy, I’ll burn you out,” came the savage

response. . '

“ Now he’s talkin’, miss,” whispered Sol.

“ Does he mean iti”

“ Yes, miss, them men means everything they
says, and it won’t be right for us tor let ’em
burn ther person’s home.”

“ What can we do?" asked the woman, anx-
iously.

“ I’ll see of we kin make tarms with ’em,” and

~ raising his voice, Sol called out:

“ Hello, pards l”

.c‘l‘ What is it i" gruflly asked the voice out-
si e.

“ What does you want with us?”

“ We wants ter have yer come out, or git
burned out.”

“ Doss yer mean ter rob us?”

it No. 7’ I

“ Docs yer mean ter kill us?”

it No.”

“ What then?”

“ We wants ter know jist why that leddy come
inter this country.”

“ If I answer, you will let us go?” asked
Clarice.

" Yes, ma’am.”

“ Open the door, Sol, for we can do nothing,”
she said, in a firm way, as though she had made
up her mind to face the worst.

Sol took down the bar and stepped one side,
and two men entered.

“Whar’s ther rest!” asked Sol, still keeping
his hand on his revolver.

“ They’s outside, and don’t you furgit it, boy,
and two of ’em is awful hot ag’in’ you for you
shot one in the arm and stuck your xknife in
t‘other’s leg.”

Sol laughed, while the man turned to Clarice
Crehfihton and asked: V /

“ hat is our name, m’aml"

“ Clarice reighton,” she answered, quietly.

“ What fetches on into these parts?

“ To find one w om I have sought for years.”

“ Does you mind givin’ his name?"

“ Carter Creighton.”

“ A brother. maybe, or your husband?”

“ That is none of your business, ” was the
prompt repl .

“ Well, in am, you is just the one we wants,
and boy,. if you looks yonder at that window
my pard ‘est opened, you’ll see you is covered,
so gist, rop them weepons o’ yourn purty

P

“S knows a gun when I sees it, without bein’
interdoooed,” coolly said Sol, as he glanced to
the window, and saw that he was covered by
the muzzles of two rifles, and he at once held up
his'hands.

In an instant he was disarmed and his hands
bound behind him, while their captor, turning
to his comrade in the cabin, said:

“You better start them two wounded tellers
bnr‘k tar camp along with Sam, for three of us
will do ter take these folks whar we is going.”

“ And we must bury Doc fu’st.”

“ YeS, and lose no time about it, for I wants
tot be far from here ag’in’ sun-up}? '

The body of the dead ruilian was dragged out
of the cabin and uickly buried, and then the
one who had ac as EPOkesmana 8-113 Who was
the leader, id: .

“Now, 1 his ter blindfold yer. imam, and tie

91' hands too.” . '
3' garice ,stepped back, indignantiy. but 301

“ Don’t resist 'em, miss, fer it will only be
worse for you,” . ~ .

So she submitted to having her hands secure-
ly bound, but asked: . ‘

“ And Why blindfold me?” x

“ All of ther party has ter be, ’ceptin’ me, fer
I lfiadl'” Em 3331??” k I 1 th

e on ou o, ketashe eaco

mask which fitted. c1133):er over tit: face, and
was tied s1 firmly that there was no possibility
of her seeing. _ 7

Then he lindfolded Sol, and the two ware

.soon after led out of the cabin.

 

 

Two men, those whom Sol had wounded with
his knife and the bullet through the door, were
just riding away, in company with a comrade
to look after them, while two others stood near,
holdin their own horses, their leader’s, a pack-
animaf and the two which Black Canary and
Sol had ridden.

“Now pards, yer must put yer masks on,"
said the leader, and he tied over the face of each
of his comrades a black cloth mask, similar to
the one he had put upon the woman and the

‘yThis is a leetle hard luck, pard," said one of
the men. ‘ _

“ If you ‘don’t like it, you kin jump on yer
horse and ride arter Sam telling him ter come
back while you go on with ther wounded boys.”

“ 0, I’ll stand it, only I hates. not ter see
whar I is oin’.” _

“ That is jist why I puts this mask on yer,”
was the reply of the leader.

Then be aided Clarice to mount, and also Sol,
for, bound as they were, and wholly blindfolded,
the could not help themselves.

lgext the two masked men of the band mount-
ed, andlocking the door of the cabin, the leader
mounted himself, and handed to one of the men
the rein of the pack-horse, and to another the
lariat attached to Red Eye, while he ode by
the side of Clarice himself, taking the] (1.

At a trot the party then set 011', takin a trail
that led them over the mountains, and y dawn
they were far away upon their journey, only
one knowing where their destination lay, and
that one, the leader, giving no hint as to where
they were going.

CHAPTER XVII.
'rnn csr'nmn.

THE Silver Circle which had been taken from
the wrist of the unfortunate victim of the hatred
of some one unknown, proved that e was one
who had belonged to some myste one order
which seemed to carry out the motto one the
metal band. that death alone can end the tie.

This finding of a second victim, bound, his
horse hoppled, and turned loose to become the
grey of wolves, set Buffalo Bill the trapper and

oby to thinkin , and they held a long talk as
to Just what it a meant.

‘ There is, in m mind,a band of men in these
mountains uni from some peculiar cause,
and whose interest it is to keep all others away,
and hence their acts to frighten those who might
come here.

“That they are in deadly earnest to kee their
secret hidden, is proven by the fact that we of
their number have been sacrificed to the
wolves. ‘

“Now our andchild person, may be with
this ban , for are on tracked her, and the
man who kidna r; but that we must find

out, and we wi , and m idea is that by captur-
ing the horse and the og,is our best plan to
mfg:th backto post d h ld
v 0 1 Your an s on

you again age 8awhorseman, looking l
run to him, not from him and you may save
him from the wolves "and Buffalo Bill turned
to Toby, who gather up his rifle and blanket,
and, returnflixi‘if to his post of duty once more
stood on gu . while the person and the scout
soon after retired to rest. ‘

But trained to awaken at any given time,
Buffalo Bill was awake at the hour to relieve
the soldier and went to the ost.

“ Anything movin abou , Toby?” he asked.

“ No, ssh, only we ves, and they is ravin’ dis-
tracted this night, and I guess they has eat up
that horse, bones and all.

“ I am glad they did not have a feast on hu-
man flesh,too: but now. go toirest, and I’ll
stand the night out, so don’t disturb the old
person, as I notice he puts on his best licks of
also ust before dawn.”

“ as, sah; but hedo seem to hear precious
leetle for sleep anyhow.”

And Toby started for camp, leaving Buflalo
Bill on duty as a sentinel.

Standing in the shadow ofa tree and resting

against it, the scout was as motionless as a
statue of marble.

But, though he was lost in deep thought, his
ears Were open ,to the slightest sound and his
eévaes swept the moonlit space about him con-
s ntly, for mechanically he seemed to see and
hear, so thorough had been his training as a
plainsman. '

Suddenly he started; his attitude was'that of
listening: r .

“ his the horse and his dog pard,” he said,
as the beat of hoofs reached his ears.

Then the sound ceased. Wild howls were heard,
a loud and savage barking, the neighing of a
horse and the yelps of half a hundred wolves.

Like jadeer Buffalo Bill sped toward the

' scene, his repeating rifle in hand, and in a few

moments he came upon a strange sight. '
Against a wall of rock was the dog at bay
springin upon any wolf‘that approached him.
sndbyh ss1de,hisheelspointedoutwardhishead
pointed toward the rec , was the superb white
orse. ' i
About them were a half-hundred wolves, rav-
enous after their feast in the early night, and

preparing to rush upon the two Dumb Bards.

 

the a ghost,

Such an un ual struggle could end but one
, and Bufl'a 0 Bill went to the rescue with a
wi to do good work.

As he dashed out of the shadow of the pine
thicket he began to “pump ” the bullets out of
his repeating rifle, and every shot dropped a
w

olf.

When the click announced that the rifle was
empty he drew a revolver in each hand,and
these too rattled forth lively music as the
frightened wolves darted away, leaving a num-
ber of the pack dead upon the scene.

The moment his weapons were em ty, the
scout halted and began to hastily re end, at
the some time gazing intently at the Dumb

or s.

These two seemed to realize that they had
met a friend, and they seed at the scout in-
tently, as he stood some fty feet distant.

Then, as if to thank him, they gave vent to a
neigh and a Kelp and darted away.

In vain di he call after them, for they heed-
ed not, and he said aloud:

“ Now to give chase, and then get back to the
ravine and and them 011', for they are sure to
follow the old trail.”

As he spoke he saw the trapper and Toby
coining on horseback, and leading his faithful
anima .

They. had heard the rattle of the firearms and
had (tiuickly come to the support of the daring
scou . .. 1

“Parson, you ride on in chase of the horse V I
and the dog, and after they run toward the <
trail that breaks at the river, return with. all '3,-
haste to our camp, where we will go and have 
all ready to meet them as they land and lariat
them,” said Buffalo Bill, taking no time for ex-
planation. t 

Afar OR the white horse was still in sight, 7
dashin along, and the tra per started in chase, 
while uffalo Bill himsel returned quickly to
the camp.

In a short while they had hitched their
horses, and were mounted upon the top of the
rocks, which formed the narrow ravine, or
chasm, leading to the landing. v

There were stunted pines growing there, and
to these the ends of their lariats were made fast
as also that of the Hermit Trapper, so that all 
1mould be ready immediately on the latter’s re- jg.

m.

“You take the dog, Toby, and on can soon _ i- “
choke him hguiet, when we can tie to a tree .. 
and tame m. “

“I will take the horse, and I will drop the
looplover him quietly from here, for I do not
wis him to hurt himself against the rocks.

“ Once he is choked down we can tie him, too.
and try the taming rocess. ‘

“If either of us ail to catch our game, the
person can come in on the home-stretch, so we
are sure to get them.”

Such was the scout‘s explanation, and then
they stood in waiting.

Soon there came the echo of hoofs and the
trapper dashed up to the camp in the rear, _
hitched his horse and quickly came up to the -
top of the rocks. ' r

‘ Well?" said the scout, lnterrogativel . -

"They made the leap as usual, Bui! 0 Bill,”
the other r nded.

“Then we ave little time to wait.

“There is our lariat, person, fast to that . »
tree, and if oby or! fail to catch our game, .'
then you drop your coil:

“I we do catch on, then your lariat will
come in well to he! one of us, or both.”

“All right, B alo Bill," said the trapper, ;
and he took his stand further along on the
rocks, and held his coiled lasso in hand. ,

Soon a splashing sound was heard some hun-
dred feet away, and a moment after. peerin'
through the branches of the pine tree tha‘:
shielded him, Buffalo Bill saw the dog trot into
view and then came the horse. ‘

“needy!”

He whispered the word, and all was then as
still as death, each of the three men standin
ready, lasso in hand, and with their eyes ti:
11:32)]: the two Dumb Yards seen in the ravine ’

ow. ‘

Nearer and nearer they came the huge do '
some twenty feet in advance, and both going ag’
a slow pace, while the water dripped from '
them. ’
"‘ New!” .

With the word from Buffalo Bill. his lariat
and that of Toby fell upon the animals below.

' Squarelyover their heads they went, and weref "
then drawn taut with such rapidity that neither .
the horse or the dog had the chance to make
much of a spring, and this was especially satis- ‘-
. factory as regarded the horse, who was brought

to a halt before he had an opportunity of bound-
ing awayto be brought up with a shock that
might have harmed in some wa . .

‘ They are ours i” cried Buffalo Bi .‘exultant-

1y, as he saw that at last the Dumb Pards were

 

   
 
   
  
 
 
   
   
  
 
   
  
   
    
   
    
    
  
  
    

in his power.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
ran ammo omrvss. , .
Wars the old trapper saw that Tobly had 7
secured the dogall right, and BuflaloB l M. ,
the horse in his cell, he skillfully threw his hug:

\

 

 

    

714.

Burlan Bill’s Bonanza.

 

over the fore feet of the animal, as he reared,
and he was at once brought to terms, for the
noose had tightened about his throat and was
choking off his breath.

“Hold him well, arson, while I slip down
and secure him,” cried the scout, and he was
soon in the ravme and had the lassoes firmly
binding the noble animal.

He then turned him over to the parson, who
had also come down into the chasm, and Went
. to help Toby, who kept the dog half-suspended,
» ~ I so as to place him beyond resistance. ‘

The dog was also secured, and both animals
were led around to the camp, where the captive
horse was lariated out between two lassoes,
giving him just the slightest amount of tree-
dom.

The dog was also tied in the .same way, be-
tween two trees, and feeling that they were se—
cure the trio of strange comrades took from the
 back at the white steed a pack-saddle which he
 had firme strapped there. _

, r In each car of the horse hung a ring of silver,
m which marked him at once as havm r some con—
"C ‘nectiou with the m stery of the Si 'ver Circle
'* ' while about. the nec ' oi’ the dog was a collar 0
the‘sume precious metal, welded on. as had been
the bands upon the wrists of the two victims of
the wolves. I

“ You didn‘t see if there was a motto on the
dog’s collar, did on, Toby?” asked the scout,
as he took th) ac -saddle toward the camp-fire
among the rec s.,

“ No, sah; I didn‘t, for I wasn’t ’zam’nin thet
dog’s collar too close, as all I Wanted ter do was
ter git him tied afore he come to fer bitin’

work.
“ I tell yer, Massa Buf’ler, thet dog are big as
a bear and stron er than a lion.” '
“ He is a bad 0g, Toby, and I am very glad
we were able to secure him as we did.”

 

  
  
   
    
    
    
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
  
    
   
  
  
    
   
 
    
    
  
 
  
     
  
  
  
 

artcr we got him tied and quit chokin’ him. ’

“ Yes; he is a dangerous brute, and that horse
was vicious, Buffalo Bill, and but for his know—
ing We had him bound, inuzzled and hoppled he
Would have fought like a well,” the trappei re-
marked, asthey reached the camp—fire and sat
dow’n before it, the scout placing the pack—sad-
dle in the glare of the light ix; ee what it con-

tamed.
“Ahl this tells a secret,” he said, as he drew

out from a leather pouch in front of the saddle
- a slip of paper. . i

It bore no address, but Simply was an order
fer ammunition, provisions and half a dozen
miner’s picks without handles.

At the end was the line:

"Do not forget to send papers and some books."

There was no signature, but a well-drawn
‘ circleinstead.

“ Ahithat is a carrier steed, and thus much
of the secret is solved,” said the scout, as he
' opened the leather flaps of the pack-saddle. _

But the‘ inc-hes were empty and nothing
more cool he discovered to give a clew to
' just who the horse had come from and where he

"was‘gromg. .

“ but do you make of it, Buflalo Bill?” ask-
u' ad the trapper, as the scout had completed his
sea

rch.
_ “ That these Dumb Yards are most thorough-
,ly trained,the one‘a guide and guard, the other
a carrier stood, and they belong to those whom
united by this mystic silver band or circle.”

“And can on make out just what it all
means?” eager y asked the trapper.

“ That a band of men, how many I cannot
of course even guess at now_, are hiding in these
, mountains for some purpose of their own, and
that they have allies in the settlements this
paper proves, for it is a direct order for some
-'one to send back these things, and the horse is
to be the bearer,” said the scout.

‘ " ‘_.‘ That looks like gospil, Mensa Bill,” Toby

laid.
‘fIt seems the only solution to me, and my
ideals to mount that horse and let him carry

me to this secret 08.31;.”

v “ Will hedo it, B :10 Bill?"

I “ I think so; but if not, we can hopple both

Mic horse and the dog, so that we can follow

. them at a distance." ,

" Yes, we can do that.” I,

“ But perhaps the best way would be to begin

in the settlement.” .. ~
'“ How do you mean?”

the dog and horse go.”

City!"

,--“Yec, doubtless, and it I can find out who is
mall there, I cantor-cebimto revealwhat I
Would ow,‘And, it this mountain band are
 get a. force from the tort to
w the!!! -
~ " rfilgt. Buflalo Bill ,vthe starting

t t mystery will be i.i the cam
‘ which the doc and the bone are‘sent.” , ~

,‘erc person, Itln’nkco; bntinthe.

I see just what we can do with those

 

   
        
     
       
      
 
   
    
  

  
 
 

     
     

   
     
  

  
   

  
    
  
  
 
    

     

    
    

in ,
his blankets, snide

n

“ lie came back to his Senses mighty q’uick ‘

, and
Others 101-,
higenmplo, for they were all‘preuiy‘wall ~

 

Their horses were little more than a lariat’s—
length away and in the bright moonlight lay the
white steed, old by a lath upon either side of
him, drawn taut.

In the shadow between two trees, was the
do crouching down, as though asleep, and also
he by two lines.

But before lying down to rest it would have
been well for the scout to have taken a glance
at his dumb captives, for the dog was b no
means asleep, but quietly gnawing at one o the
' lessees fastened into his silver collar.

He seemed to be asleep, crouched upon the
ground, and his head bent to one side; but the
lasso was in his mouth, and the sharp teeth
were slowly cutting the strands.

Every fall of a leaf, every sound caused him
to be on the alert, and he was cunning and
cautious asan Indian captive trying to make
his escape.

At last the lariat parted, and still keeping the
same position he began upon the other.

This was soon in twain, and rising he crept
slowly toward his dumb pard, who seemed to
understand just what was gomg on.

The horse was lying down, the lariats on
either side drawn taut, and an improvised
bridle upon his head and about his neck.

But the dog stood close up to him and the
gnawinj process was begun once more.

He soon had his comrade free, and with a
neigh oi' joyr the horse sprung to his feet, while
be bound away after the do , who was lead-
ing the way, yeloing with delig t.

In an instant Buffalo Bill and his companions
were upon their feet, and they caught a glimpse
of the Dumb Pards as they disappeare in an
adjacent thicket. v

ing, for they will go to the river again.

“ I will press them there.

“ Get your lariats quick, and be ready,” and
the scout threw himself on the back of Com-
rade, without saddle or bridle, and dashed away
hifiursuit.

9 got the white horse in view once more, as
he gained an opening, and pressed rapid!y on.

The Dumb Pards took the same old trail, and
headed straight for the river-bank.

The scout was but a couple of hundred yards
away when he saw them go right ovar into the
stream.

“By Heavenl I will follow them!” he said,
firmly, and he urged Comrade straight forward
to make the leap. __ .

CHAPTER XIX.
A cmson or PLOT.

WHEN the scout boldly took the leap in chase
of the Dumb Pards, he knew well its risks.

He had neither bridle nor saddle upon his
horse, Only the lariat‘, which he had hastily

drawn the stake up with, and coiled as he rode

, along. ,r

But Comrade knew his master well, for they
been pards in many a danger together, and
he unhesitatingly took the leap.

Down into the torrentihey went with a heavy
splash, Buffalo Bill holding his revolvers above
his headfio prevent their getting wet.

Comrade went under, even to. his head, but,
came up so quickly the scout did not get wet
across his waist, militinstantly the current ’bore
them alon at a swi cc. .

Along gy the wal dike banks, rismg high
above on either side, and gonng like a mill-race,
the horse and scout were home on.

The white steed was not in eight though the
menu shone with almost sunth 1') neg.
halgeeping his eyes fixed upon the t w ere he
of the white stood and the dog.

“Wh . could they have beenso far  of
me as have already landed l” he said, as he
did not observe them go ashore.

“ Well ” he continued, “, the person and Toby
will onto them again, and I will not let them
be an instantunguarded, for they know as much
about cunning as an Indian.” , _

' As he headed his horse for the landing, he saw

that it was no oosytask to make it; but Com-
rade was a bold swimmer, and his feet soon
touched bottom. ’ , . ,

“ Hal 1 see no ‘tracks here, no water-drip, so
they have dodgid me.

“ But where ve they one!

“ I dare not follow, for '51 ’might drown Omn-
rade.,if not both of us. i

’" Well, they ‘are shy ones, and I want both
that horse and that dog.” a

50 “yrs the scout rode on up into the
131133“: W enlllddenly. just as he was about to
call out to his comrades,» baud Iwhjn-in
sound, and a lanat settled over his head, an
another over the head of his horse. '

930,an you and Toby have on ht the
wrongb igvby the ear this time,” he
I in his , “was.” thalasaoes  to.tighten',

and instantly came the response romthe trap-
peg: " ’

Ibespardon. God but we: did not expec' t
on this way, and mills shadow of the trees

“I? fibii‘i‘fi‘ b t 1‘ a; "i, ale
. 8 _ ’ r k ;.‘, u t
Dumbfudshcdqomethiswayi” . pug ' ~
(on: _  a,“ l r you

 

“ You remain here and watch for their com-r»

landed, the scout watched for t a going out I

' the long
ed out.

oral tables the stakes were

 

land, and seeing a dark horse and rider, we
could not believe it was you, so threw our
lariats.”

“Yas, Massa Bill, it,’ were funny, dat we
cotched you, snh.

“ Lucky it wasn’t no man as was our inemy,
or wo‘d had him sart’in."

“ You would indeed, Toby,” and Buffalo Bill
released the lairiats from about himself and
horse, and, riding on to the cam , staked Coni-
rade out once more, after which he stood by the
lire, which Toby had built up, to dry his cloth~

mg.

“ So they escaped you, Buffalo Bill?” said the
tra per.

“ es, and yet I followed them close, saw
them leap over into the stream and determined
to go after them.”

" It was a daring act, Buffalo Bill, and might
have cost you your life.”

“ But I knew Where the landing was, and
knew I could come to camp by the few hundred
yards down the stream, much sooner than I
soulldfide back around that rocky ridge by the

rai .

“But what became of those noble beasts?”

“That I do not know.”

“They did not land.”

“ No, not here, for I kept my eyes upon the
landing—place, as soon as I swept around the
bend, and I did not see thennco'me ashore.

“ I felt that they were not so far ahead of
me, and et, to have landed and I not see them,
it seeme as though .they- must be.

“ So I came ashore, and seeing that the rocks
were dry knew that they had not landed."

“ But where could they have gone i”

“ They have another landing;place, which
their cunning made them go to, earing to be
can ht here again.” ’

“ on do not think they could have
drowned?”

“Not they.”

“ It might be.”

“Parson, that couple are wonders, and they
know these mountains as wolves do.

“.They have been taken over all of these
trails by their trainers, and taught them thor-
oughly, and they will turn up again when we
least expect, my word for it: but it is my inten.
lion to start oil? on a no N trail to get at the hid-
ing- lace of these mountain mysteries.”

“ am at your service in all I can do, Cody.”

“ Me, too, Massa Bui’ler.” ‘

“ I know that: but my idea is to begin work
in Saw Dust City.” ,

“ Ah! you wis to find out who the one is that
the home was sent to?”

“ Exactly; and I feel that I can do it. ‘

“ Once I have done this I can start off on a.
trail that will have an end that I can find, I am
sure.

“ And you wish us——-”

“ To return to your mountain camp and re—
main in hiding so that, it any one is watching
our movements, they may think we have left
the mountains in fear or disgust.

“ You had better ride with me until we cross
the river in the valley beyond the mountain
range, so that our trail will show that we have
gone, after which you can cross'above and re.
turn to your mountain camp and remain hidden
there until my return.”

“I will do so, Buflalo Bill, and Toby will be
my companion.’

And, passin_ 3 his hand across his forehead, as
Ehuexérdh in deep meditation, the old trapper con-

“ sumo Bill, on have cleared in 'buin of
the madnesp thatzvas there. , y a

“ I still have the same aim in view, and that
only—the finding of my lost Wild Rose; but I '
leave alli'n your hands and feel that you will.
be the one to lead me to the end of the trail.

“Now let us be off, for (lawn is coming and
weMmustibe otnhour Kay.” th ,

oun mg 012' orses e rode awe and
that  ht Buflalo Bill cam alone on higway
to Saw ust City, while the trapper and Toby
returned to the mountain retreat of the .old
Hermit Parson.

-—_..

I CHAPTER XX.
sawgnusr our IN rrs panni- .
Tun saloon‘at the Binner’s Rest, in‘Saw Dust
City was in full blast, and tobaccoomokc, arose
in a heavy cloud above the heads ol' halt a hun-
dred gamblers, while others. not engaged in
playing cards, mostly from the reason that they
were dead broke. sat at tables near the bar an.
jofihig‘tbuuielves in chattang' . .
ere a. joke was told tbht elicited shouts of -
laughter. there a man played ‘
on, and others sung, while altew leaned »
Th lfiapddrcnkivhaitmitedthem . ..
cc 0 Km' 913 u unaccompani-
ment to the :1an music. w e the voich of
the singers were‘ more in her
the notes of the wheezins v r t
A score or more were gum , and at new
13188. wing about
thema’number of locker-son interested. in the
games of others. " ’ '

The saloon was an addition to the tarot-mi: 

proper, on mosaic of it. of one story, .w
plunkedwallsandroolmndwasquitow , ,

 

“Don an accorde- §

ythan‘woro,‘

 

 

 

 

 

 

a"?

 

HM mofimdm an: 0’2

...k

 

- \Wm  -- y. ,r‘nflmnuvwfy, ‘ _

 

 

>31».

 

   

y

- a pair of rovolvorsmud he knew how to use

Bufi‘alo Bill’s Bo'nanZa.

1 _,_

 

The light came from half a dozen swinging-
lanips, over the tables and bar, the latter being
ornamented with rows of jugs, on which were
painted in red letters the names of the con-
tents.

In front of each jug was a bottle, which held
“the same,”and these latter had to be frequent-
] filled up, as there was a steady drain upon
them, from the one marked," Whisky ” to that
marked “ Brandy.”

It was hinted that the landlord of the Sinner‘s

Rest bought but one kind of liquor, and that -

bad whisky, and by a process known only to
himself, he manufactured from it both rye .and
bourbon, brandy, in and rum, while, by dilut—
ing alcohol and t owing in. some extract of
lemon, he made “sherry,” which a little black
molasses added changed into “ old port.”

Be this as it may, e barrels under the shelf,
which were draw upon a? the Jugs W611i: dry,
all looked alike. and certame bore a strong re.
semblance to whisk casks.

The ci ars werec ea and strong, but cost a
good dea of money an atienco to smoke.

As for the hotel, so cal ed by simple kindness,
it was the best in that wild country, and if one
got the best, he had no right to complain.

The fare was really not bad, and there were
several good rooms in the house, the best of
which had been given to Don, the Monte Man,
and afterward to the Black Canary, who a
peared so mysteriously in the midst of them a l,
charmed them by her voice, and then disap
peared even more mysteriously.

What had become of her had been more than
a nine davs’ wonder, and the denizens of Saw
Dust City had kept her memory green.

As she had not reappeared, there was a hunt
arranged, and she had been tracked from camp
to camp, and thence to the home of the Trapper
Parson.

It was found deserted, and there was evx-
dence that there had been a fight there, but
with whom could not be discovered.

Where the Trapper Parson, or his daughter.
Wild Rose, had gone, no one ever know. an
more than they could find Gift where the Blue
Canary and Uncle Solomon, her boy guide, had

one. ‘
g They were tracked to the main mountain

trail, the Overland stage road, which ran near, '

but this was the most often traveled highway in
the mountains. and all trace was lost there, and
the trail bad to be given up.

So this but dcepened the mystery, as the
Trapper Parson and Wild Rose had disappeared
too. and certainly the house had not been left
as though with the intention of deserting it.

Another mystery arose on these two. and that
was that Don, the Monte Man also failed to put
in an appearance in Saw Dust City.

His traps were still at the Sinners’ Rest Inn,
and the landlord said that he kept his room for
him, though there were many to assert that he
had been foully dealt with, or voluntarily left
the mines. '

So these mysteries were talked over around
the mining-camps, and neither the Monte Man,
Black Canary, or Uncle Solomon were forgot-
ten, as time went on, while seldom did a stage
come in that the driver was not asked:

" Is thar any one stirrin’ up at ther Trapper
.Parson’s cabin?”

Tue stage trail led by at a point from whence
the cabin came in view for quite a while, but at
a distance, and the drivers got so that they al-
ways looked in that direction.

But the same response had to he made each

time:

“Still deserted, pards.’_’ v

Thus had two years glided by, and Sew Dust
City had not solved the mystery of those mys—
terious disappearances. »

The ' «sun had grown some, but there

had been no rich eads struck of late, so that ,

few outsiders had been drawn thither with the
ho of making a sudden fortune.

ere were some who had dug riches out ,of
the earth and gone backflmmeto out of! their
miner suit and wild ways, and spend their
days in and plan . and others had
stepped into their places. th a. few additional
settlers and thus the settlement had increased
a little and the dwellers there hoped some day
to see Saw Dust City a famous city of‘the moun-

 lam"

th - kin man 0 6 camp w

min giving-he ngme otfiaw Dust billy, 011 M?‘

count of a saw-mill nee-1'. Which “Fished 39W-

dust for the paving of the treats in the may
0

season. ._
What Bunco’s other name was no one llmm.

or howhe received that mange, one; My

it was never given him in bapmm- ,
He was a hard-faced man. clean-Shave“.

"film. the landlord of

.dressedinblwkmnd did notlook unlikean

itinerant minister.
He had a 0 all look, but an obsequlous air,
and to speak in the dialect of the

border. , .

Beneath his long-tailed black cant be camed’
them. as every one was aware who seen
him v «

ed,
With his tavern turning out marathon any

.I',

\

   

‘ fulfellow. the“ bouncer” of the inner’s Rest:

 

one mine, his ranch u in the mountains iaving !
handsomely the lam lord of the Sinner s Rest
 become the Mogul, as it were, of Saw Dust
1 Y

Those he kept about him as servants were ,
more than that in reality, for his “help” was ‘,
real] a guard, and his inn a citadel, where he
coul bid defiance almost to the town. supplied
as he was with provisions and a young arsenal :
in the way of arms, he having a room especially i
for firearms. ,

As for Saw Dust City roper, it boasted of I
half a. dozen stores, the argest and best of ‘
which belonged to Landlord Bunco, and admin-
ing the hotel, with which it was connected by a
board passageway leading into the landlord’s
private rooms. .

It was presided over by a rulliunlv—looking
man, who answered to the name of ed Toni,
both on account of his deadly deeds and his fiery
red hair and face.

To aid him in sellin the goods. Red Tom had
a young man who loo ed as though he had the
consumption, for he was pale-faced and slender,
With large, dark. lustrous eyes that were very
expressive; in fact he was called Deer-Eye
Dick, on account of his eyes, and he was really
a very handsome young man.

He devoted himself to his duties, left the
store but seldom, and kept aloof from all asso
ciates; but he wore a navy six u n each hip,
and mild-mannered as he was, e had been
known to send a bullet straight through the
brain of a ruflian one day who sought to bully
him, and had cleared the store on several occa-
sions of men who sought to make trouble.

The other “stores ” in Saw Dust City did not
retend to be on a scale with “ Bunco’s Bonanza
alaCe,”as the store was called ;but they all did

a ood business. .

hen there were several other tavorns, such
as the “ Heart’s Ease,” “ Miner’s Rest.” “ Hash
Heaven,” “ Paradise Palace,” and of other like
co omens.

lacksmith shops thrived . there, too, a n—
smith, under the name of “The Shootin’— ron
Hospital,” did a tremendous business, while a
“ church” was, so to speak, just getting on its
legs, as it was being built on spiles, and had been
under course of construction since the founda-
tion of the camp.

The fact was work progressed slowly on this
pious structure, as the miners had been waiting
for some itinerant preacher to stray that way,
when they meant to get up a revival to' welcome
him, and finish the edifice in a jiffy.

Back from the main street, which went under
the name of Gold Brick avenue, the cabins of
the miners were situated. grouped about in
twos, fours and sixes, while other huts were
scattered among the mine, thou h Saw Dust
City was the Mecca toward whic the miners
,made nightly pilgrimages. ,

With a reverence for the commandment that
orders that no work should be done on ‘ the
seventh day, the miners were wont to knock oil?
from labor wholly on the Sabbath—and devote
it templaying cards, drinking and other enjoy-
men . .

Such was Saw Dust City two years after the
reader is taken there, when the Monte Man
was “ King Bee,” the Black Canary charmed its
rude dwellers with her voice, and the Trapper
Parson and his Wild Rose dwelt in the moun-
tainsa few miles distant. .

It is thither, two years after the mysterious
disappearance of those just named, that I would
have he reader accompany me one night, and
observe astranger who 8 up to the door of
the Sinner’s Rest, tossed his bridle-rein to a
Chinese stable-b0 , and entered with the air of
one who was “at ome ” wherever he happened

 

CHAPTER XXI.
BUFFALO BILL iN-raonuons nmsnur.
llANDLoan Bunco happened to come out of
panacea, info his office, just as the horseman
9 up. ‘
He saw atall man, with great broad shoulders,
a phys no of a Hercules and Apollo combined,
and c in buckskin pants. tuc ed in cavalry
boots, upon which jingled massive spurs. a blue
huntin «shirt, a corduroy jacket, under the
skirt 0 which pooped out a pair of revolvers,
while a large bowie was visible thrust inhis
belt in front, and very convenient to his right

d. -
A larg'e—brimmed slouch hat was u n his
head, looped up u one side with a d star.

,Hisfaoe‘mas asanA nis,and
yet full of manliuess. while a dark mustache
shaded his resolute mouth, and his dark-brown
(hair hung in waving masses below his shoul-

ers.

JV“§£§“W‘°‘ ‘3’“ “up...” were“ *° ii:
o co in a - 9 ms
arm. and a’sked in a.8 leasaut wgyof Room Key
Johnny, the clerk, w wasalar e and power-.

“ Can 1 ' camp-ground in your chant
to-nl ht, l” ‘ y
,- “ guesses so, of you hain’t over c’ler an’
will bunk in with several other p‘ grins,” was
the earl answsr.

      

room alone, and that says so,” and he tossed a.
gold twenty-dollar piece upon the desk.

“You can’t have no room all alone, even if
ver does plank down yer gold,” said Room Key
Johnny.

“You know best, pard, as to what you can
do, while I know there is no law against my
looking elsewhere."

"Hold on, purd, maybe we kin fix you, for
you looks like a gent as was used ter ther best, "
and Bunco steppid forward.

“ I have had the best and the worst, m
friend ;’ but medium will do me just now as
am a long way from home, only don't put me in
the pig-pen, or in jail. and let me pick my com-
pany,” said the visitor, in an olT-hand way that
was natural to him.

“ I'll ivo him the Don’s room, J ohnny,” said
the lam lord.

“ There. Johnny, the cut of your face told me
you Were playing it on me about not having a
room,“and turning to Bunco be continued:

“ I thank you, sir, and I may be some days
with you, as I have come here on a prospecting
trip, and am huu as a hear, so it you have
anything left over roni supper I would be de-
lighted. r

“ You shall have a good supper, sir; but will
you write your name on the register?”

“ Give me your autograph album, Johnny,"
said the stranger, and as the huge clerk threw
the register down, he Seized a pen and hastily
and skillfully sketched a Buffalo. after which he
wrote the name “ Bill," following it with the
letters “ U. S. A.”

The clerk glanced at it, and said in his sulky
way. a

“ This hain’t no sketch-ka tor paint in.’

“Anything to please you, Johnny,” was the
cool response, and with a quick movement of his

,hand Buffalo Bill tore the leaf from the book.

“ Hold lon thar! you’ll get bounced. youn
feller,”cried Room ev Johnny, and he lean
oveié and grasped the arm of the scout in his big
han .

In an instant he staggered back and fell in a
corner, sent there by a blow from the scqut’s
fist, lanted directly etween the eyes.

“ ands 03, Johnny,” said the scout, and he
stood his ground as the clerk slowly arose, his
face bleeding from the stinging blow.

_B.unco¢had merel stepped to the door of the
dinmg~room to or er supper, so had seen and
heard all, and he felt that the clerk had pm
voked it, while he was surprised at the easy

15‘

manner in which the stranger had sent him to u

earth.

He knew that the large man, who had the
hoth name of “ Johnny,” with the prefix of
Room Key, on account of his wearing a bunch
of ke s at his belt was a most dangerous man
to 0 end, and he felt there would be trouble.

He had eng ed “Johnny” on account of.
his great muse stren , and his bulldo
coura e, which» was mix with a great deal 0
bravo o.

In fact the clerk was most awe-inspiring to,
the frequenters the Sinner’s Rest, and was
the ri ht man in the right lace.

0fd s antecedents nothing was known, or
care . ,

He wrote a good band, kept the books correct-
ly, made. a good clerk, an excellent “ bouncer,”
and was a, power in the tavern against ser-

vants and eats alike. who did not care to
confprm to e slight discipline of the establish-
men .

He had glanced at Buflalo Bill on entering,
and determined to make him feel his impor-

tance. r
He had “tried it on,” to use a slang of the

cam s, and had gone headlong into the corner ‘

for is pains.
He rose slowly, amazed, dazed and livid with

e arose with his hand upon a revolver; but
before Bunco could interfere, the scout sprung
over the radical-rite the ofllce. and the revolver
he held in his
fore he had time to draw his weapon.

d coveredthe burly clerk ho- ,

“ Don‘t get sassy, Johnny, but put up that ;

ironl" came the low command.

“You’ve got me under cover,” growled the V

clerk. . .
“ And, Johnny, I don’t wish any funny busi-

ness from you. , .

“I came here in peace, to stop a few do
and enjoy myself. and I don’t wish to have i:
declare war, for if I do, the coroner will have
to sit on you, sure.

“Let ulbe friend! and ,I’ll stand the wine,
as soon as I have a bit to eat, and maybe
you can» make a few dollars out of me.

“1;.th do you lay, shall it be peace or
war .

Johnnywas a sin and he saw that it
was for him my peace, so he said:

“All rlgh , pard I don’t want no trouble
with yer and so I declar’ther
on, and t '5 my band on it." ,

‘ Sensible Johnny! now we can be friends—
What, humor-gg have you been ' ,on at our

to and Buffalo Bill
germ :

    

   

   

 

H We

   

\ .

,I am stride particularmnd wisha

time I ever seen my clerk hedge.

game atwecn us‘ 

mod to’ ‘
co. -
“Yasteenit all,and1dosa;yitistheflm 

 

     

 

, time and hasn’t put in an appea

r ther Overland, and from t

' ’ and that are
and she c’u’d outsmg a canary bird and give ‘

, little piece 0

‘» of the Sinner-’5 Rest. many
I there the look would have ended: but accom-
' - nied by a
53m follow _ , .
Theseontwas certamlya mcststriking look- hand

 

 

16

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

“Your clerk has a great big head, landlord,
and I like him, so we are to be friends; but
how about that little su per, for I hav'n’t bad
the hotograph of a In all day.”

“ t’s ready, so come in. ”

‘See you later, Johnny,” said Buffalo Bill,
and he strode toward the dinin -room after his
best, though his head was slig tly turned and

out of the corner of his e e he saw the clerk, so ‘

that a movement of his t t was hostile, would
have met with quick action on the part of the
scout.

Budalo Bill was delighted with his supper
for Bunco had ordered the best, and he enjoy
a substantial meal, after which he went to the
office and the clerk showed him to his room .

“ This is a pleasant room, Johnny, but it
3413;111:110 have been headquarters for some one
e e.

“Don, the Monte Man had it, and arter he

left ther landlord put ther Black Canary inter :

it, but her stay were short.”

“ Ahl and who was Don, the Monté Man i”

“ A Mexican pilgrim as was a boss on keerds,
and spent his dust free.”

“ I see; is he not here now’i”

“ No, hasn’t been for about two year.”

“Got rich and left the mines, I suppose?”

“ No, he went 011' one day, ter be gone a short
ranoe since.

“ hem is his things, yonder, and that’s his
pictur’." .

“ I see; but whose picture is this?"

“ Thar Black Canary’s, for she left a trunk
here, and Bunco found that pictnr’ in it, so hung
it up thar.

“ Of course you won’t meddle with them things
,0’ ther Don and ther Black Canary for we don’t

’let this room l”

“ Oh, no, Johnny, I take on] that which is
my own - but who was this Blac Canary?"

‘A gal, or a woman, for she seemed about
twenty-five, or so.

“ She come here on the stage from Hel’na one
day and Bunk give her this room. .

“ 1Then she begun ter sing and she jut made

flier water run out 0’ many at eye among ther
S. .

‘ Whisky tears, I see.”

“ Waal, ef they was, they was squar’, an’ ther
boys hoped she’d stay. .

“ But she came here on ther trail o’aome one
she called Carter Creighton, and next day she
bought a horse took a ho as a guide, one we
called Uncle Solomon, an Nick’s Kid, for he
was a rare young-’un, and of! they went ter look
up ther teller she was a-huntin' fer.” V

“ Did they find him?” ' l ’.

' “ They hain’t found the‘rselves, fer nobody in
saw Dust has seen ’em since.”

“Dunno,pard- but theydidn’t turn it ,and
thng 5 went 6n a hunt fer "em: but all) they
on
n’ a old 'l‘ra r Parson, and thar had been
warm work t p6, but nobody knew what; but it
were supposed ther road-agents had tackled
’em. fer ther trail from ther bin went towards
I we guessed to-
ward the wild mounta’in kentry.”

Buffalo Bill seemed indifferent, but he heard
word. and casually remarked:

“ y’oe the road-agents got the Don with the
woman and the b0 ’l’

“ I dunno; but
Black Canary arrived. ’

“ Why do y‘ou call her the Black Canary, for
lad 7” s owe a very lovely face of a white

5’

“ She were in deep black vail and all
why, her boys called her black:

him odds.”

“ And who was the boy, you say?” i .

“ Give it up, pard, fer he was‘a young ’un no-
bod knew an hing about. '

‘ ‘ge lived y hisself in a haunted cabin on
ther ridge rode a wild mustang thet would fi ht

. like a wildcat, and ther boy could shoot ter

when need he. while he knew every trail around
these cam ." I = a

“ And he was the lady’s guide 9” _

N Yas",

“Well, Johnny, you have quite entertained
me I assuretyou, and assoon as I have put a

courtrplaster on that cut on your

face, we will go in and have the best the house
affords in the way of something to drink.”

“We has champagne, but it’s twenty a bot-
tle ill/dust." '

“We’ll” drink a bottle of that, Johnny, to
cement our friendshi .” answered Buffalo Bill
and having dressed e cut-which his fist had
made in the man’s face, the two went into the
saloon together, Room Kaind ohnny having
seemggly forgotten that he ,at lastmet his

 

CHAPTER XXII. ‘

_ BEATEN yr ms own can: ..
Wm Room Key Johnny enteredthe eloon
glanced at him, and

rson like Buffalo Bill a general
the look. , ‘

 

'y; ./ ,-

d were tha’r trail leadin’ to ther cabin

er Don left ther night ther ,

ing personage, and he walkedto the bar with the

air of one who did not know that he was the

center of scores of eyes.

“ Come, Johnny, you will drink champagne, I
i believe,” he said in his free-and-easy way, and
,I the surprised bartender got out a. bottle of that

arkling wine, and set up two tumblers to
rink it out of.

Then, a good server of liquors, he was out of
his element where cbam _ e was concerned
and was goin to draw t e cork with a cork-
l screw, when uflalo Bill said:

l “ Let me nit, pard.”

{ As the cor flew into the air with a loud re-
port, a dozen men sprung to their feet, for en-
gaged in gambling, and unused to hearing
cham gne popping at the Sinner’s Rest, they

‘ thong t it was the crack of a revolver.

‘ This centered the eyes of all upon Buflalo Bill,

and ueries Went around as to who he could be

for, t ough his name was a byword around
every camp-fire, he was not personally known
among the mining—camps to but few.

A laugh followed the act of those who had
sprung to their feet, and unheediug the presence
of others the scout touched his glass to that of
theelerk, and they drank down the sparkling
wme.

Having done this, Johnny led his guest around
the saloon, seeminglye‘pmud at introducing a
r stranger who attrac such universal atten-

. ion.
I At length they stopped over by a table where
I four men were busy In a game for considerable
money, and Buffalo Bill took a position by one
to which the clerk seemed to direct him.

The man was as large as Room Key Johnny,
of a powerful frame, wore a red shirt, black
pants, stuck in his boot-tops, and carried four-
l revolvers in his belt, and no knife;

. His face was coarse, savage and that of apro-
nounced ruflian. and he was a successful and
dangerous gambler.

When he entered a room and invited men to
be his companions in a game of cards, few were
wont to decline some being willing to take the
chance of winning, rather than the 1pros t of
offendin the solicitor b a refuse , an even
were wi ling to lose rat er than quarrel with
Iron 01:35, as the man was called.

He come into the mines some years be-
fore, and his occu tion was gambling, and woe
be unto the man e caught cheating him, while
he was always wontto say, if he was caught
graying a false ame he would make no resis-

nce to being s ot.

He had caught. or pretended to catch several
players cheating him, and after his warning
cry of “Look out for Death l” he was wont to
draw and fire.

Others were quick with their weapons, too,
but somehow Iron Grip always got his revolver
leveled first, and be seldom missed his aim.

This was the man b whose side Buffalo Bill
had hal ‘ while Jo y went around and
stood so as face him. ’ ‘

Between Johnny and Iron Grip there seemed

be a close friendship, and seeing the clerk
the gambler nodded. ,

He soon after glanced up at Buffalo Bill, and
amoment after rowned, threw down a wrong
card, and the game went against him.

The next game was also against him, and
looking u angrily at the scout. be said:

“Look ere, Dandy, git one side, for you give
mebadluck, or you is spotting my hand and

vin’ it ter ther others.”

“ I will stand one side, yes, for you are not a
pleasant brute to be nearzbut if you say that I
would be ' ty of giving away to others your
hand, you ’ , _

The words came cutting, distinct, and all near
hefirdetillemipected to I on rin

n 6 see ron p sp upon
_ the scout, whom they were assured coxfid not
know who the gambler was, to thus answer him,
while Johnny said in a whisper:
“ Don’t make him mad .”
The scout smiled, while strange to at the
gambler did not ?ring upon him, or top y to

 

to his remark, bu went on withhil game. .
But ater interest suddenlybecame centered
area that table as those who knew the

ambler. and beheld the scout. felt that perhaps!
fie might resen: an linsult which the, ruman Was
I ore on .

sure we g1 big 1 d lookin up at
m e gain r use, an g

Bifilo Bill, b said: I

“ You are a bird of ill~omen, Dandy, and I
want you to git, and quick too.” ,

The scoutdid not chan e color, as he turned
to Room Key Johnny an asked quietly:

“ Is there \any law against my being here,
Johnny ?" . l

“, Nary law as I knows on. only when Iron
says anything he means it, and I guess you had
better git out tar save trouble.”

care tobe driven out, nor do I intend to be.”
A breatth silence followed the words, and
all looked at Iron Grip.
‘ He smiled in a way that resembled the grin
of_ a wolf, _and, contrary, to all expectation,~

 Iwant tar shakeyer

’5.

 

    

said. ,
“Paard, you-
.y :2” I 

“Pard Johnny, 1 think r11 stay, and I' don’t

 

Bufi'alo Bill was never a man to seek trouble.

He knew the border as no one else knew it
and he was aware thatif he shOWed fear it would
be his death-knell.

Fear he did not know the meaning of, and yet
he wished to avoid trouble, for he saw that it
was bein forced upon him as a stranger, to
add to t e capital of the man of the Iron

Gri . , »

When. therefore, the gamblrr held forth his
hand, the scout was willing to take it, and there
drop the matter, so be grasped the horny Hand
of the desperado.

It wasa mistake, for Iron Grip had sought
that opportunit to show his stren h, and,
without rising, 6 gave the scout a su den pull,
which, unprepared as he was, nearly drew him
upon the table.

Many lau bed, and realizing at once the game
of the gam ler, Buffalo Bill, with a lightning-
like rapidity of movement for which he is fa-
mous, recovered himself in a second and dealt
the man a blow square in the face that stag--
gored him, and caused him to release his grip on
the right hand of the scout.

A yell burst from many lips in chorus, for
they saw a tra edy ahead, and they wanted
gutst something 0 that kind to whet their appe-

1 es.

Had not Iron Grip been sitting down the blow
would have floored him; but he was strong as
an _ox, and he rose quickly, at the same time
trying to get his hand upon one of his revol-
vers.

Buffalo Bill saw this, however, and he gave
him a. terrific blow upon the arm that dropped
it to his side benumbed and then, seizing him
in a clutch which showed Iron Grip that he was
the master, he slapped his face right and left
with stinging blows and hurled him into a cor-
ner.

Unbeeding the yells that arose upon all sides,
Buffalo Bill stepped over to the now limp form,
for the. man was stunned by the blows rained
upon him, and disarmin him, handed the four
revollvers to the barten or with the quiet re-
mar : ‘

“ Kee this arsenal for that gentleman, who
will dou tless wish to fire OR a salute when he
feels better. ”

Then the scout walked quietly from the saloon,
followed by ringing cheers, while Room Key
Johnny was besieged upon all sides with the
question:

“Who is yer pard, J ohnny?”

“ Durned at I know,” said J ohnny, who really

had not‘caught at the scout’s name, from the '

buffalo he had drawn and the four letters he
had written after it.

Bunco had been in the saloon and had seen it
all, and he was not so to see Iron Grip un-
ished, as the terror of e man ke t man Kain
playing cards, and the landlo got h s per-
centage upon each game war.

It d not take Iron Grip ong to recover his
scattered senses, and rising slowly to his feet he
passed his huge hand across his eyes as though
striving to recall what had happen .

“What are it, Johnny?” he asked, as he saw
the clerk standing near,

“ He licked yer, Iron, that are it," was the re-

1 .

p x It’sa liel"he said he thou htful kind of
way, as though not exactly sure t t it was not
the truth.

"Weal, be are puttin’ upsimthis hotel, and_'_I
kin call him back of or w hes ter see him.”

Iron Gm cast a glance toward the
door, and t are was some anxiety ,in it too; but
missing his weapons he/said savagely;

“ Whar’s my guns?”

“ He tuk ’em an' v’ ’em ter Rum Charlie,”
said the clerk allu ng to the bartender, who
was known by that not unapm'opriate cogna-

men. /
“Here, they is, Iron Gri " ‘snng out Rum
Charlie, who was afraid of the despeme even

unarmed.

The gambler took them and replaced them in
his belt, while Johnny said:

“ He said as how yer might wish ter fire of! a
salute when yer got 'em." . , '

“Ef be comes, back, I’ll fire a salute, you
bet,” growled the desprrado.

“ I’ call him,”said Bunco, walking toward
the door, and, with a revolver inyeach hand the
gambler stood around the corner of the bar,
awaiting thecoming of the scout from the hotel
entrance. . , - .

But Landlord Bunco did not return with his
guest, as was expected by all. and hoped by

man

Heyfound the scout in..h.is room, and he went
there to have a ta1k_w1th him, for he realized
that he had no onimary per'sonage for his

guest.

"Ah, landl , I
he saw Bunco fol 0w his knock. ,

And Bunco saw that the scout was readyto
greet a foaiffiuch had entered, for his hand
was u on his hip. _ l ..

“I, pe I don’t inimide,sir,” said the land-

'lord in'his obs uious way.

‘fNo indeed, or Iarngladtosee my. sit

down i and Buffalo Bill motioned to a seat on

the other. side of the table a; which'he eat I

. I

 

0rdi come‘in,” said the scout, as,

 

“3

  

"‘Vfirff ,

/

 

Bufi‘alo 3111‘s Bonanza.

- .91.,‘«.,. i r= ~ :1 ’ -,'  _.. = y“.,'.<}‘n';    

17'

 

 

Bunco dropped into the seat and said in a flat-
terin way:

“ ell, sir, you certainl possess wonderful
stren th, for on handled ron Grip easy.” ,

“ e shoul have kept his hands off of 'me, for
I do not like it, and that is why I hit your
clerk." _

“ Yas, and you gave it ter him slick too while
how yer made it up with Johnny I oesn’t
know, fer he ain’t one ter fercn‘va and forgit an
in ur .

“ Oh, Johnny’s all right, and if your friend
Iron Grip is not satisfied he can get more ofthe
same sort, for I keep a supply on hand for Just
such bullies as he is. "

" I guess he don’t want any more of that sort,
but he’s now waitm’ for you ter come inter
ther saloon and try it on With weepons.”

“I shall not seek him, and he must keep out
of in way.” .

“ e's a dangerous man With a gun, stran-

,7

“ So am I l”

The words were quietly said, and with not an
atom of bravado in them.

They simply were the truth, and the scout
knew what he could do, for he had been tried
too often.

Bunco read the words as they were meant,
and gazing into the face of the man he saw that
he was right, for he looked it.

“ Waa], pard, yer keep yer eyes open while
yer is here, for Iron Grip will be round when
yer least expects it.”

“Thank you, landlord, I will take our ad-
vice; but I came here to pass a few ys, and
mostly to see you, and I don’t intend tube run
off by any one ora dozen desperadoes such as
is that rufilan 1 punished.”

“ Waal, I’ll be glad ter entertain yer as long
as yer remains in Saw Dust; but yer hasn’t
told me yer name?“

“Perhaps this will introduce me?” was the
quiet reply, and Buffalo Bill drew up the sleeve
of his left arm and revoaled a silver band about
the wrist.

“ Ther Silver Circle 1” ,

The cry came in surprise from. the lips of the
landlord and he glanced at the silver band, and
then at the scout. . . ~ '

“Yes. I see you recognize it,” Buflalo Bill

said,  _ .

“ sh’u' say so; but is yer straight from the
mountains?” I

“ Yes I did not tarry long on the way.”

‘An ther pardsl”

“They are all ri ht, and I brou ht you this
little order,” and uifalo Bill hen ed out the
scrap of paper which he had taken from the
pouch in the lick-saddle. _

“ Ah, yes, ’11 fill it all right, and suppose you
has ther k-horse with yer?” .

“ No, ll have to at one here.”

“ All right, pard, kin supply yer, so just say

y when tfigwishes ter go.”

“ I k I shall start back soon and—”

A knock u n the door caused the scout to
stop in what e was saying and call out:

‘ Come in l” .

As he did so Bunco noticed that his hand

ain dro pod upon his revolver.
8gRoom ey Johnny entered, and said:

“ Bunco, thar’s a man here from ther moun-
tains ter‘see yer?"

“ Who is he, Johnny?” asked the ndlord, who
seemed always suspicious when h as wanted.

“ I dunno; but he wears ther Silver band

e.
“ gAh l” and Bunco hastily left the room. while
Buffalo Bill said, calmly:
“ Now, I’m in for it.’

CHAPTER XXIV.
TWO or a KIND.

WHEN Landlord Bunco went out of Buflalo
Bill’s room at the Sinner’s Rest tosee the person
whom his clerk told him had arrived to see him,
he found at the ofice a man whose appearance
indicated that he was a miner. ‘.

He wore a red flannel shirt, a slouch bat an
buckskin l gings tucked into his topboots.

He carri at his backa rifle and in his belt
the two revolvers and bowie without which a
miner’s outfit was by no means complete.

The man looked jaded, as. fronya hard trip,
and his face was a trifle anxious in ex ression;

 

’ . ‘but it was stamped from forehead to c in with

a look of villainy that no one could mistake, not
even the most casual observer of human nature.

an :

“ o, d; how are yer?” . _ V

“ ghfi‘anshaw, it’s you, is it?” said Bunco,
r in his hand.
g Rafi-lng like me. don‘t it, til” , ,

“ Yes; you do look nat’ral; at what s u i’

“ A heap: so, come somewhat and I 11 to yer,
for I hes a letter fer yer.” . . ' I

The landlord led the man into his own quar-
ters and said :

" When did yer leave?” _

“ Jist sixteen hour ago and I has rid hard;
but here’s a letter, for yer. ’ .
, Bunco took the letter and read it, his face ex:
pressing surprise the while, and then he said:

“Fanshaw, I got this order the cap’n sends

As the landlord approached him the stranger
d ,

 

fer by his other messenger and were talking to
him when you come.

“ But what does it mean that ther is them on
yer grail who has been pressin’ yer, as ther cap’n
says

“ Waal, thar is them in the mountains as don’t
skeer eas as other folks, and they is huntin’ our
trail, an bein’ short 0’ men ther cap’n has writ
yer Elsi: what he wants yer ter do.”

“ e don’t mean thet I shall find anything in
ther mountains ’ceptin’ them as he wishes me
ter hunt?” ‘ V

“That‘s all.”

“ And then git out?”

“ Jest so.”

“ Was], it can he did, I guess; but how many
men is it thet camps on yer trail up tharl”

“ Three.”

“ Them hain’t many.”

“ They is more than you thinks, pard, fer ther
is one as is a holy terror and means business
from ther jump, and his pards hain’t no slouches,
of one is a niggcr.”

“ A niggeré

“ Fact; and a sojer.”

“ And who are t‘othersl”

“ Ther old Trapper Parson, and one o’ ther
1113181] ’who knows him says ther other is Buf’ler

ill.

“Fact.”

“ Wan]. I doesn’t know that man. but of be
are what they says he is, then he hain’t one to:-
fool with.”

“ That’s why I says three are a good many,
when he are one.”

“ Thet’s so; but you are sart‘ini”

“ I tell er what Jake says, and he were a sol-
dier, yer now ontil he deserted, and he knows
Buf’ler Bill well, and he seen him.”

“ What’s he doin’ ther?”

“ liow, pard, he are jist campin’ thar fer bisi-
ness.

“ I see, and ther cap’n wants him tuk in?”

“Yes, and t’others.”

“ I see; but he hain’t able ter do it himself?”

“ He hes other work for ther men."

“ I see: waal, I guess I kin fix it; but one 0’
your men are already here.”

“ Who is he?”

“ I don't know his name, Fanshaw, but he
come early in ther evening, and he has made
himself quite at home, fer he licked Room Key
Johnny, my clerk, and cleaned out Iron Grip in
ther neatest st le.”

“ Ther Old ick yer says! But who is he?”

“I don‘t know, but I guess you kin place him
when yer sees him.”

“You bet; but if he’s one of our men he hev
skipfied while on duty.”

“ 0. he brought thet same order from ther
cap’n that you hes, though no letter.”

‘ Pard. t ar is some mistake about this, and I
guesses you hes been tuk in.”

“ I guess not, fer he wears the Silver Circle."

“ Then he are 0. K.: but whar is be?”

“In his room,wharIwas tohiniwhan
you come.”

“ And he hes cleaned out J ohnny and ther
Iron Grip?”

“ Well, he did, most beautifully, and I wasn’t
so in either case. _ .

“ her fact is, Room Key feels hisunportance,
and he tList puts on 'airs when stran are come.
and he ‘d su’thin’ Silver Circle didn t like, and
all of a sudden I seen Johnny flying backward
inter a comer. _

“But ther stranger made it u With him,
then h it are my opinion Johnny es got it in
for in, and they bed a bottle 0’ c to-
gether and then went tor watchin’lron Grip and
some others play. V _

“ I seen Johnny makmflmgns tor Iron Grip
about ther stranger, and it wasn’t long afore
ther’ was a we or two, and then come an
earthquake.

“ It was done awful quick, and Iron Grip
didn‘t have no time ter hit or tor draw, and he
went down hard, while ther stranger tuk his

us away from_ him and give ’em ter Rum
hiharlie, arter which he walked out and come to

8 room.

“ Then Iron Grip got brave and said he want-
ed ther stranger ter come back, and I come in
ter tell. him, when I found he were one o’ ther
Silver Circle.” '

“ Waal, he is a boss; but I can’t place him,
Buifice; though if he wears ther circle he are all

. t ,

“ Waal, we‘ll go inter his room and see him.”
“ Done,” and the two men arose and Went to
the room of Buffalo Bill.
But their knock. brought no response, and
'ng the door With his key, the landlord saw
t t it was vacant. __

CHAPTER XXV.
smwcam
Soon after Bunco left Buffalo Bill, to see to
the stranger, the scout arose, looked carefully
at his weapons and left the room. i
He stepped out of the hotel upon the iazza.
going by the ofice, where Room Key olinny
adainstalled aChinee in his place for awhile,
as he had gone into the saloon. .
Glancing through the window, Buflalo Bill

 

 

saw Iron Grip com' toward the outer door,
and he stood back in t e shadow.

As the man stepped cut upon the piazza, he
turned back, and called out:

“ I‘ll find liim yet, pards, and then you'll see
a cirkis, I promises you.”

Then be hanged to the door, and walked to-
ward tho steps.

“ Git, sir, git lively 1”

One glance did the bully cast oehind him, and
he saw his enemy, with revolver leveled, and
with a bound he sprung from the piazza to the
ground and dashed down the street, evidently
ex ting a shot.

ith a laugh at the fli ht of the desperado,
Buffalo Bill entered the ea 00):.

At his coming a hush seemed to fall upon all;
but unheeding it, he walked over to a corner
and took ‘5 seat at a table, his back against
the wall, d in such a position that no one
could get behind him, while his eyes commanded
all in the room. «

He seemed interested in a game of cards a
near, and watched them with the air of a man
who had no thou ht of anything

But when B alo Bill had d' vered there
was another man who was wearing the silver
circle besides himself, he felt, as he said, that he
was “infor it."

If trouble came he meant to meet it half-way,
and he desired to be where there ware others,
and not alone in his own room.

So he sought the saloon where the crowd -
was. and all was going in full blast.

'He expected to flu Iron Gri there awaiting
him, as the landlord had ' , so he went on
the iazza to enter from another door that he , n V
mig t not be surprised. but surprise his enemy. . ‘

This he had done meet satisfactorily. sending ‘
the bull flying u the street in fright. «

Then e onto the saloon and sought a con- . :
venient locality in which to stand at bay if it 3
came to serious trouble. ' r '

He knew that all 6 es were ulpon him, and ad-
miringl , after his efeat of mu Grip. whom V

hysi 1y not one of them present would have ' .
aced, thou hwith wea us there were several ;
whodwoul have stood their ground without ‘ .2

Seeing how matters stood and that he might
need the aid of some present, he took the sure
way to their hearts for he got up, and approach-
ing the bar said in 's off-hand way:

“ Gentlemen, I’m so dry I’ll catch aflre if I
don’t have a drink.

“ Will you not join me, and I mean all 3’”

They arose as one man, and Rum’ Charlie and
his. associates had their hands full for ten min-
u

“ Your good health, gentlemen.” . '

And the glasses were drained with a crook of
the elbow. "

Settlinglhis score, the scout resumed his seat
and watc ed the game of cards which had been
resumed. -

“I must tell yer ter look out for Iron Grip,
grd,fo;olilei’s ugly,” said one of the players,

in

8 - v
“ I sent him fly up the street a short while
ago, for he came on as I was comin in. '
“ I guess he’s not dangenous, but thank you
all the same ” said the scout. .
No one asked him more, for he seemed a man i ‘
not to question closely. but all wished to know.
Presently the door opened and Room Key
J ohnny came in, and seeing Bufl'alo Bill took a '
seat near him. ‘~‘
Not ion after the door swung back and Bhnoo
and Fans w came in.
The scout saw that they were looking for him, 1
but he merely moved so as to be read to draw .‘
uickly, and then kept his position nation on of ,'
a V sorbed attention in the sine. "
At a quick lance Balls 0 Bill tookin the man \ "
with the lan ord, and then he did not look at.
him again. . ‘~
“‘Does yer know him!” asked Bunco, in a
wh‘is r”to Fanshaw. V '

“ Are it Buffalo Bill 7” - V
“I never seen him, so I don’t know; but he’s
a dandy, hain‘t he?” . V
“ _Yes; and dangerous.” .
“ L is more dan erous when I’m set a-
pard ” was the re y. ‘ V
V “ ell, what’s r be done?”
“ Why, of he’s an impostor, he’s got to be
called in." '“ v
“ I tellyou he wears the silver band.”
“ He didn’t come b it squar’, for I knows all
who belongs tor ther and.” r
 {and yet he brought me ther order that you

‘ “Thar is some false Bunco and he’s.
better dead than alive.” play, ’ ‘ i. ‘ ,_

“If he hain’t squar’, yes, but how’s it tor be
done?” , r _ 

“ I’ll gitinterarow with him.”

“ You knows best.” '

“ And kill him.”

“ ybeit couldbedonebetterafter he goes
tor bed tar-night.” ' ‘ , l I

“No. I likes ther fun o’a row in public. and‘
it will jist make me a gameoock with tm
has ,ter taro up ther toes 0’ that »
c p.

  
  
   
  
   
    
     

v !

I

18 "

l‘lBufl‘alo Bill’s Bonanza”

 

 

" He’s a. gamecock himself. ”

“ Thar’s but one gamecock whose spurs I can’t
clip Bunco, and that’s ther cap’n.

‘ Iis quick as li rhtnin’ on ther draw, death
on ther trigger an I kin handle a grizzl in a
rough-and—tumhl . while as for ther kni e, yer
hes seen me use it.”

“ I know you is good, Fanshaw, but so is he.”

“ That may be, but I’m better, so here’s to suc-
cess,” and the man dashed oil" a drink, for he

I and the landlord had been standing at the bar
while talking.

“ Pard, j‘ine me in a game 0’ kcerds, as I wants
ter play and you is not engaged. I see,” and the
man walked up toward Buffalo Bill, who looked
up and said quietly:

“ I do not care to play to-night,thank you.”

“ But I does.”

“Then play with some one else.” 0

“No, I has picked you out fer a partner, and
I wants yer ter play.”

“ Do you think because I am young and inno-
cent you can cheat me?”

All who had seen Fanshaw approach the scout
saw that he had a motive in it, more than a
game of cards.

They had seen the scout set upon once before,
,and they waited developments with interest,
While the whole room now had their attention
drawn to the two.

'Fanshaw was a double-jointed. muscular fel-
i l , low, with long, heavy arms and legs, and he
 » looked like one who would be very hard to
handle physically, while his face indicated reck—
lessness to desperation.
The drink excited him and he said hotly:
“ Before I touches a keerd does you say I’d
‘ cheat?”
" If I judge by your face I think you would do
anything that was mean,” come the response,
‘ egg, still Buflfalo Bill did not mote from his

c 1r.

‘ ' The man dropped his hand upon his pistol,
but he saw that the scout already had his wea-
' pen in his grasp and he said:

' “ I asked Iyou ter playkeerds, but/I hain't par-
tic'lar, for d jest as leave treat ther boys to a
leetle game 0' knock down.”

“ With bullet or list?” was the calm query.

“ With fists first, and of you is able ter stand
up arter I hes hed yer in my grip, we’ll try guns,
. (knives, or what you like.”

“I am no bur—room bully or fighter such as
you are, but if you Wish to amuse the boys all
g: have to do is to lay aside your weapons and

the scratch.”
l“ I’ll do it; here, put your weapons thar, gun
tor gun ”and the man laid a revolver down upon
the table, and Busaio Bill, still seated, did the

some.

Then he placed his bowie7knife there, and the
I scout followed suit.
Next his second revolver followed slowly,
“though he still kept his hand upon it. ’
Buffalo Bill instantlyflaced his second pistol
gondthe table and wit rew his hand, while he
. 8&1 : ' '
"‘ Next I” ‘ ,
“ I hai’p’t got no more weepons, for I hain’t no

“ Al right: I am ready for the fun.”

“ Git up then and come at me,” and the man
: squared himself, fists up, in a way that showed
he had been trained in the art cf'pugilism.
. “‘ My dear sir, you said on wished. to amuse
the gentlemen present, an I am Willing to aid
you. but you must make the attack."
‘ *‘Thet’ssol”
‘ ‘ He’s right!”
“Jump on him!”
, " "‘ Your knock fu'st!”
‘ Such were the cries that backed up the words
,of the scout, and the bully, without waiting for

Buffalo Bill to rise, sprung forward and aimed

b10w at his head;

t was arried, and so well that the man's
W? ‘3 :2 “Wish? mixed {with
‘~ econ . on won or a orco
sent him over a table, chairs and several men.
It was unexpected wholly to many, it was ap-
gwngly so to Fonshaw, who never doubted
l ‘ his blow would hit the target. the scout's

_ The hmthwas knocked onto! him bythe lick

,“hereoeivedmnd he sicked up very slow-

' , while the crow shouted, and Room Key
was“ -

e n kicked by a mule

ted for breath, on

  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
 
   
   
    
  
   
   
  
  
  
    
   
   
     
 
  
  
   

   

“E;

     

  
   
   

too, d '
7 . dbl-.acewas
whitewith ury,uhetumedn,nd rushed upon
’,‘thoscont, bisflstsup, hisrightorm ready fora
biowthatmustkill. , ,  - .
porrbdmnd atthe

. low .
some moment the right fist of 3113310 Bill met
“33°90”? petal? hi fulllengtli,
o man r0 e a s 8 .
'ond Buflalo Bilfcalmly  back, as though
to go tothe table for his arms, when a
chorus of voices cried: ‘ . ‘
Look out! he’s loaded 1” / -
half , and

rufflenhod risen thrusting' his
Win» his bootleg drew a revolver, atthe
segues timeici-ouching as for aspring upon his
than: a flash, so
 3m”

    
 

   
  
   
 

   

     
     
    

l' ‘drewfroniliis

 

$12]: that team v
, rloonin

breast a derringer, and its loud report drowned
the crack of Fanshaw’s revolver, for both wea-
pons were dischar ed together.

All in a heap anshaw fell, a bullet in the

center of his forehead, while Buffalo Bill stepped .

to the table and resumed his arms, saying calm-

y“ I saw that revolver in his boot, so did not
lay my derringor on the table.”

“Right you are!"

“ We had ther fun!”

“He got it squar’ atween ther eyes.”

Such and many other like remarks were heard
on all sides, while Buffalo Bill stepped quickly up
to Bunco and said in a. whisper:

“ What did you let the fool attack me for?

“ Quick. take his body out, and let us get that
silver circle from his wrist, for it must not be
seen, or we will be ruined.”

“Then you is squar’ arter all,” said the sur-
prised Bunco.

“‘Do you think the cap’n lets every man of
his band know all his business?”

“ Can’t he have spies?” was the evasiVe rc-

spouse.
And Bunco hastil called to Room Key J ohn-
nyto help him, an the bodyof the dead rut-
flan was borne from the saloon, while Buifalo
Bill hastily de arted also, refusing the many in-
vitations to “ ake su’thin’, pard,” and followed
by the cheers of the wild crowd, who had been
won over by his cool courage. ‘

Elfin again and again the question was

as .
“ Fords, who is he i”
But no one could answer.

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
STRATEGY.

)

Bunco. the landlord of the Sinner’s Rest, was
in a uandai'y. ' ‘

He ad certainl believed in Bufialo Bill be-
ing connected wit the mysterious members of
the Silver Circle until the coming of FanshaW
put the idea out of his head.

He knew Fansliaw, and there was no doubt of

im.
But then the suspicion cast upon the Scout by

‘ Fanshaw caused Bunco to doubt him.

If he was playing a part, it certainly was a
hold one.

He wore the Silver Circle upon his wrist, and
more, he had come straight to him. '

He had seemed to know of the existence of the
band and their locality in the mountains, while
he had brought an order in a handwriting which
Bunco recognized for just the things he knew
were wanted. K

.They had been getting along all right until
the coming of Fanshaw, and then doubts cross-
ed the mind of Bunco. ’

Fanshaw had said there were three men on

the track of the mystery of the SilverCircle,

and that one of those men was Buffalo Bill. -

He was known far and wide as the best Indian
fighter on the plains, he had followed trails
which red—skins had given up. and he was a
terror to road-agents and evil doers.‘

Living in the army camps he was not often
seen among the mines. and yet there were none
who had not heard of him.

Fanshaw did not know him by sight, but one,

of his'comrades did, and recognizing him as
one of the trailing trio in the mountains, he
feared that the stranger might prove to be the
scou . i i
. Nor was he wrong: but then, when he saw
the tall, raceful, handsome man he ’could not

‘ [believe t at it could be the renowned Buffalo

ililill, and he at once began a system of bully-
Ii he knew the secrets of the Silver Circle, as

' be deemed he did, he felt that the man before

him, although he wore the silver band about
his wrist, was not one of the l e. , ‘

‘ So he setto work to entrap  ' scout into a
difllculty and/kill him. , ' ‘ ‘
’ The readerhas seen that the biter got bitten,
and Bunco was in almost despair at what to
do, when Buffalo Bill came to his side and
whispered to him not to let the Silver Circle on

,the wrist of Famhaw ’be seen

This caused him to feel that Fanshaw had
made a mistake, and the other words of the
scout almost convinced him of it, and so he
bore the bodiof the dead man into an empty
room, Room Ry Johnny aiding him.

Then the clerk was left on guard, while Bunco
wu‘ght Buffalo gill-in hglslargom. . “wk F

‘ sa , guess was am e an-
Show Who said, inquiringly. v
“ It seems so,” was the quiet reply. v
i‘l‘lge thought at first you might be Buflalo

 
    
 

“ Thewa is I didn’t know.”
' “ You might have known Bufl'alo Bill would

   
    

never Wear the Silver Circle.”

    
    
 

  

“That’s so and you does?”
“ You see itfor. ourself.” , l l K
, ‘r‘ Fenshaw was hasty.” ,
f‘My idfil isthot he was not hasty enough on
A draw.” camethe laconic m -
6‘ Fact; butyou hegmorelig
e ‘  .'

  

      
  
 

, of the dead

“ Why didn’t you tell him to the contrary?” '

 

thanlever‘ n . ,, .
 ‘ . V,“Youtorget thatIomhisheir.Bunco.~andl

   

“ One has to be quick, living as I do in daily

‘ danger. ”

“ And so you is ther ca ’n‘s spy l”

“ Yes, 1 am a SPY. and hope no more of the
band will mat e a mistake such usFanshaw.”

“ You sh’u’d hev told him who you was.”

“ I think not, for you told him I were the Sil-
ver Circle, and he picked a quarrel with me to
amuse the crowd and win glory for himself,and
I allowed him to do it.

“ Had he not played false in putting his wea-
pons on the table, 1 would have put my dei‘rin—
ger there; but I saw him hold back the revolver
in his boot, and when I said ‘ Next,’he said that
(was all, so I kept my little gun, and it is Well I

i .
“It would have been better for him, had he
taken his knock-down and departed, and not
rushed upon sudden death as he did.”

“ You is right, purd.”

“Did you secure the Silver Circle?”

“Johnny is guarding the body, ter keep folks
out, and I has sent for a file ter git it oil. ’

“ When you do I want it."

“ You wants it!”

“ Yes: he was my game, and I wish to take it
back with me, and make my report.

" As it is, I will trouble you to get that order
ready to-night, for I shall start at dawn, and it
is now nearly eleven o’clock.”

“ The store is closed, and—J’

“ Open it, for I leave by sunrise.”

“ Pard, I don‘t think I can git ther things to—
gether by sun-up.” w

“ All right, do the best you can, and procure

' a pack—saddle, too.

“ And a horse?”

“ I shall take Fanshaw '5 horse.” »

b “"1 can find yer a finer pack-animal than he’ll

e.

“ I will take Fanshaw’s horse, his weapéns
and all, back to the mountains,”was the decided
reply, and Bunco knew that his guest was in
earnest.

As if to convince him, for he feared trickery,’
Buffalo Bill said:

“ I will go out to the stable now and see that
a man takes good care of the horses to—night.”

“ Oh, I’ll see to that.”

“ I prefer to see to it myself,” and Buffalo Bill
left his room and sought the stable adjoinmgthe
Sinner’s Rest.

.A man was there, and he seemed sullen, until
a gold—piece was dropped into his hand, when he
brightened up. '

“ Which is the horse that the man from the
mountains rode in to—night?” he asked.

“ Tuat white horse yonder, ardner.”

“ Ah, 8. fine-looking animu .” and the scout
Elmired his good points as the man held the lan-

r

n. .

“ Yes, he’s all a man c’u’d want in horseflesh;
buthhe’fetched his rider to ther wrong camp this
ni t.

5; Why?”

“ He’s been kilt.”

“ Ah, yes; I see.” ,

“Did you see ther row l”'

“ I killed the gentleman,” was the replyr

The stableman started and gazed with admira-
tion upon his visitor.

He had not been on duty when the scout came ,

in and so had not seen him.

“ Waal, theysay you i chained lightnin’, mis-
ter.” he said arnestly.

“ Well. in man, yonder is my horse, and the
white animal goes with me, too, so 'ust spend
your time rubbing- them down, and I’ 1 give you
the mate of the gold-piece I ‘iust handed”

“ I’ll do it mister, fer Ilikes your 5 e.” .

“ And flu me a pack-saddle for t 9 white,
and keep the saddle that belongs on him until
it is called for.” l l

“ I’ll do as you says, mister,” called out the
mamas Buffalo Bill returned to the hotel.

He went straight to the room where the body
was lying and knocked.

“ Yer can’ come in,” sun out Bunco.

“ You know who I am, so at me in,”said the
so b... '

' o no
dead,"lloom
. “ I do .
sire to co in, forI havo business with you,”
was the firm“ ly. ‘ a

it Pu see you “r.”

“ I’ll see you new.”

And thr0wing his weight
Buifalo Bill entered with when . .

It was no use for Johnny and Bunco .to drop
their hands: upon their revolvers, for , he had
them both covered, and the latter sung out:

“ Why, pardois it you i”?- ,

“ Yes: we didn’t know yer,” echoed Johnny. ‘
Yer sh’u’d hev told us who yet was,” Bunco

Buffalo Bill smiled, closed’the door and put 8.
against it, while’he said - ’

me, 9
on wan to get the gold-dust ofl' the body he-
ore on letme in. '. ? ' ,

H e , Ierable,~hashenotl” ._

“ Yes; he has got a good load 0’ yauer metal,
and I were goin ter put it away ferth'er cap‘m’?
Bunoo remark . his dly ' ~ - '

ey Johnny replied.

  
 

 

.x‘

kin come in here to disturb the ,
ot wish to dumb the dead, but 'I de- ,

l, the door

'youkifew who it was, only 

    
    
    
 
 
 

x
i
I
v
r
i

a..- A;

"one can one: a ‘et-e'e

 

.a

     
  
   

 

3‘ 

. I

Bufi'alo Bill’s Bonanza.

{'9

 

will trouble you for that pouch of gold-dust,
and it shall go Where it belongs.”

“Waal, you knows best, pard.”

And three buckskin bags of gold-dust were
handed over.

“ And the Silver Circle?” said the scout.

“ Yas; you’ve got that, Johnny.”

The clerk reluctantly drew it from his capa-
cious pocket, he having filed it from the dead
man’s wrist.

“ Thank you," and the scout placed it in one
of the buckskin ha S.

“ Now, Bunco, ’ve determined to leave at
sunrise, and you must get those things ready.”

“ I can‘t do it, pard.‘ .

“ Your store adjoins your hotel, your clerk 15
in there, for I just saw him, and he says he can
fill any order, and if you refuse I shall get them
elsewhere, and report to the captain whyl did
so.”

This seemed to bring the landlord to terms,
and he said sullenly:

“ Waal, ef yer must have ’em yer must, so I’ll
do it.”

“Johnny, have breakfast for me so I can get
off by sunrise, and you had better call me.”
“"15 yer sich a sound sleeper yer can’t wake
’3

“If I tell you yes, don’t come in and try to
rob me,” and Buffalo Bill nodded good-night
and went to his room.

CHAPTER XXVII.
TBEACHERY.

“ WELL, I don’t like overhauling other folks’
things, but I’m doing the work of a detective
now, and I must- get what clews I can, for this
man Bunco is connected with the Silver Circle
League, I am now sure, and I wish to find out
just what caused the mysterious disappearance
at that lady they call the Black Canary and the

0 .

‘XIt looks strange that the Don should have
left the very day she arrived, and I wish to get
the bottom facts of the case, i I can.”

So spoke Buffalo Bill when e went into his
room for the night.

He arranged his things so as to be ready to
make a hasty start, and then looked at the

icturos on the wall, the one of Don, the Monte
an, the other of the Black Canary.

He drew the tacks out of the back and took
them out of the little frames, muttering as he
glanced at the name of the maker:

“ Both by the same man—l thought so.”

Next he overhauled the luggage of the Don,
and seemed to find there something to interest

1111.
Then he looked at the things left by Clarice
Creighton, and which were in a closet, where
Bunco had placed them upon taking them from
her trunk. ‘ _ V
Here, too, he seemed to find something of in-
terest, and apparently satisfied, he said:

“ Now to get what sleep I can.” ‘ .

While the scOut wa making his arrangements
to retire, a man was seated alone in the ofloe
without.

It was Room Key Johnny and he seemed
anxious, as though he expected some one, from
the way he constantly watched the door.

Bunco had gone into his room, some time be-
fore, and thence into his store to pack up the
thin that the order he had received called for,
and ohnny, after c10sing the door in which la
the body of the dead man, had called up 8. Chi:
nese servant and sent him 01? on an errand.

Soon the Chinese returned, and the clerk asked
quickly:

“Did yer see him?”

“ Yes, me see himee allee samee.”

“ Is he coming?”

” He comee puttee uickee.”

“Now you get ter ed, and keep that yaller

. trap o’ yourn closed, of you is axed any ques-

WWWWMoMW-w ‘

  

tions ter—morrer.”

“ Me keepee trapee close tightee,” and the Chi-
nese disc peered. ' \ n
, “ I wi he’d come," said Johnny to himself
soon after, and. as he uttered the words the
front door of the hotel opened and a face peered
cautiously in. l

“ Come in, Grip,” said the clerk, and in re-

use to the invitation Iron Grip stepped into

e l.

l ked demorallned and not like the, swag-
gegi: bully of a few hours before, and Johnny
was ck with the change. i
“Johnn .” he said, in a whisper. ,
“Waalironl”

“ Whar is it 1"

‘.‘ What?” r .

“ Thet which tackled me.”
‘ ' In bed.”

“ Sart‘in he ain’t wakefer
“ No, he’s gpne tosleep.” '

lad.
ou look scared.”

« pm 3
u Why, man, ohm ”
y.

“ I is scared.
“ At what?"  '
“ That ’arthquakfi I run. ag‘in’."
“ He’sa bad one, Iron.”

“ Sure.”
“ He'handled cu mightycs .”
“ Don‘t I: fit it, J ohnny,?

 I n,I’li tell ya: I

 

 

 

jist ther man you wanted ter tackle, and so I
tuk him up to yer table and give yer ther wink
ter go for iiui.” '

“ And I went fer him, didn’t I, Johnny?"

“ You did ?"

“And, Johnny, he come mighty near killin’
my father’s son. ’

“ You bet.”

“ And when I left ther saloon and started out
on ther piazza, thar he were and he had me cov-
ered, and said git!“

:: {hid—«3’ h ,

ot o nny. ’

“ Ytgiu inn?”

“ It seemed so ter me, J ohnny.”

“ Did he fire at you?”

“ No, but he laughed as if he were lad ter see
me dust, and I dusted lively, fearin’ were go—
in’ ter catch ther bone—yard fever.”

' “ Was], be cleaned out a teller here tor-night
in ther same st le.”

‘- So I heer , Johnny. and thet is why I was
cautious in coming, for I was afeerd ther boys
would set him outer me.”

“ We closed up, {er knows, at twelve o’clock,
and ther is no one ere, so I sent ter see er.”

“ Has yer got ther key o’ther bar, ohnny,
for I is awful dry 3”

“ Yes, I’ve got it, and we’ll go in an’ hev
suthin’.”

So into the bar they went, and after Johnny
and his pal had “ braced up ” with a stifl‘ drink,
the formersaid :

“ Do you mean to let thet feller take ther
town. Jim 3”

“ He’s got it."

“ Well, does yer intend ter flght ter git it
back?”

“Johnny, let me tell yer a few words 0’
G05 il.

“ er knows me, an’ yer hes seen me tried,
when I waltzed to ther front in a style that
were charmin‘; but that man clean upset me,
and he’s got a grip I never thought were human
possibility afore.

“He shoots as he grips, right whar he wants
ter, as he did at ther par-d ter-night, fer he tuk
him clean atween ther eyes they tells me. ”

“ He did: it was a beautiful shot.”

“ Waal, I is upsot, as 1 says, an’ I’ll hev ter
leave Saw Dust, or ther boys will never let up.”

“ Say. Iron ?” I .

“ Waal, Johnn .”

“ That is why sent for yer.”

“ Ter leave town?” \

l L Ya s. l,

“ You has suthin’ up.”

“ I’ll tell yer, Iron, thet feller has got plenty
o’ dust, and he slee 5 sound.

“ I has a key to is room, and we’ll go in thar
quiet, and you use your knife on him, whiie l
pertects yer, if he wakes up.

“You take ther dust and t. and that will
be all ther is of it, fer I’ll tel therbo 's I seen
ther man run out as did it, and it wasn t you.

“ What does yer say?”

“ Whar is I ter go?”

“ Make for ther Hermlt’s Canyon, and hide
thar ontil I brings yer a horse an all yer needs,
in’ 13in tell yer whar ter go, fer thar’s work you

in o.
“What does yer say, Iron Grip!”
“ I’ll do it.”

 

CHAPTER. xxvni.

- . .rnn assnssnvs.

Tun was one peculiarit about the locks on
the room doors at the Sinner 3 Rest which Room
Ke Johnny prided himself u n. ,

'Ilhis was, t at though the cor might be lock
ed within, and the key in the lock, he could open

it. ‘ \ '

Now Johnny confessed in his earlier days to
being a locksmith, when the truth is he had
proven such an adept at the trade, he had drop-
ped it for the “ profession ” of lock-breaking. '

lt was this little scientific knowledge on the
mt of Room Key Johnny which had caused

to hasten from the scenes of his youth to-
ward the land of the setth sun, where be ex-
pected he would have to Illpass hi old age, for
with a re cravat aw ting his neck for a
murder he committed in house-breakln , he
had no desire to return to the home 0 his
childhood. .

Now Room Key Johnny had ut his scientific
knowledge to use in the bots . and the result

. was that he could do just what he told Iron

Grip, open any door from without, and do it
noiselessly, too. , .
When therefore, Iron Grip had decided, upon
carrying out the red work in hand, he was quite
tremulous, and J ohnn said:

anotherdrln . Grip.”

  
 

 

 

“ Take
This was done, and then came the words:

“ Now, my knife is dull, Grip. so use yours,
and mind yer, send ther blow home.”

 
 
  
   

“ I’ll do it,
bowls and passed h
derly feeling the point also.

Now Johnny was revengeful, and he meant
to have revenge on the scout, for having hon-

  
 
 

  
  

low.
“ How‘s itto bedone Johnny?”

, ' .

      

   

 

  

‘ and ou’ both find something to

’said the man, and he drew his‘
is linger over the edge, tony

 

.dled him so reodil {but he was 4103130118 that.
‘ mothershould ' etheb ' v ‘ I

. hall. . .
.I , j vautdawn is near. so
thought he was?

 

~—

. " Well, I’ll turn his key in the lock with my
little tools, and then shoot back ther bolt.

“ Then we’ll go in and you creep up to ther
bed and drive yer knife home, while I‘ll be
right thar ter let him hev mine, of he is able to
showlfigyht, for we mustn‘t use guns.”

“ 0.

“ If all is done without raisin’ther house, I'll
see thet yer get oil’ with all ther «lust and sit-h;
but if he’s able ter kick up a row, and alarms
ther house you git out o’ ther winder, and I’ll

. p’crtend I jest run in ter see what were up, so

11 half undress, tumble up my bed, for yer
knoigs I sleeps next to ther office?”
'as "

“Are yer ready ?"

“ Give me a? leetlo more juice ter steady my
nerves."

“ Don’t git drunk, Grip." -

“ No danger, pard,” and the drink was taken.

‘Then the two men left the bar, and after the
huge clerk hail divested himself of some of his
clothing, and rumpled up his bed, in the little
box of a room adjoining the oilice, they stole to-
ward the door of. the scout’s room.

Reaching it Johnny set to work with some
tools he had, and it was not long before the
skillful burglar had opened the door, and
wuh but ,the slightest sound attending his

work.
r Enieringgmall was dark within, thou h the
starhghtt ugh the windows cnabledt em to

see the room distinctly enough for their pur-

pose.

They crefit toward the bed, Iron Grip leading
and with is right hand already raised an
grasping the long, murderous knife.

Nearer and nearer they crept, scarcely darin
to breathe, and then down upon the outline
form came the savage blade.

A curse escaped from the lips of Iron Gri
while against the head of each pressed a cold
muzzle and a stern voice said:

“ Hands up, gents I”

They had not seen the tall form glide into the
door after them, follow them up, and then hold
them at his mercy.

The words that broke from their lips do not
look well in print, but in their surprise they did
not neglect to obey the stern order:

“ Hands up, gents!

“Now march 1”

They obeyed, out of the door into the lighted
hallway and thence to the office.

“ Now, gentlemen, you Will excuse me if I died
arm you, and to lower a hand means death.”

Then, laying-one of his revolvers upon the
desk, With is disengaged hand Buffalo Bill dis-f .
armed first one and then the other of the pair.

“This mpg; 18 handy,”he said with a smile
and he too a lariat down from a hook and
skillfull bound the prisoners, back to back.

Then 0 led them to the room, wherein was
the body of Fanshaw, and said:

“Sit down l”

The obeyed, and taking another lasso, which
he be found in the office, he cut it in two and
bound the feet of one, tying the end to the bed
on whirh lay the dead man. .

The other‘s feet were likewise secured, and ~
the rope-end made fast to a hook on the wall.

“ Now, gentlemen, if you can get up from
here, you will be Ema-tar than I think; but I
forgot one thing," d the scout left the room. .

In a short while he returned with two sticks,
a piece of blanket and some string.

rhese he made into gags which he forced in-‘
to the mouth of each man, and raising his som-
brero with mock politeness, he said: ‘ .

“ I bid you adieu, pards. ‘

Then he looked the door, for Johnny bad
mended the lock after its havingI been broken '
oi! by the scout, and ginning t 0 key in his
pocket he went back to a room. ,

“I tellee rightee allee samee.”said the Chi,-
nese servant, piping his head into the room as
the scout was 3 finals candle and who was
the some one whom to Key John
out}? errand Ariel-gin: Grip. (“1 V

,es,m ow, you 1 me a
service, and.de been a hard sleeper,  .,
been warned, they would have killed me."

“They muchee mad, donteei" v '

“Yes, they are not bagpi; but here, let me -
make you this Watchman t en lesh you toga
toFoi-t —-- andgivethis pieceof papertotho
ofllcer in c a there, and he will look after
you until I go back, When I will see thatryou

'are taken care of,” and Bud'an Bill gave the

Chime a buckskin bag of gold and a piece of

pa. :- upon‘which some words were written. .

‘ Havoc brother Chince;‘§oodee allee cameo

likes me,”de the Chinee. th grin. - .'
h to the fort,

a
“All r t, takehim with youd
0 there. for .
I to], you again, you did the square thing by

me.» , .
11’?” “gig” mhfiidflg . 
. es were a
failure, ind did not utter a word. . I
“They think 1 was hiding in the room. as I
would have been, hidden not told me to 1;
out of the’window ‘ watch them from €133
you  better to' .
bedpliiovap, so noone will Inspect you.8° ,

.1

nyhadsentI . ,"

 

  
  
 

 
 
   
    

   
 

 
  
       

 

 

 
 
  

20

Buflalo. Bill’s Bonanza.

 

“ Good-by, and good luck, and don’t forget
to go with your brother in a few days to the
fort, and go by the sta e—coach, for here’s mo-
ney for your ares,” an the scout thrust some
more money into the hand of the Chinee, who
grasped his hand warmly, and glided out of the
room like a shadow.

Going to the bed Bufialo Bill removed the
“dumm ” of bedclothes, which Iron Grip had
driven is knife into, and throwing himself
down to rest he was almost instantly asleep.

The dawn lighting up his room awakened
him, and risin he went out into the office.

All was sti there, and he knocked at the
door which he knew led into the room of Bun—

co.

A loud knock brought the landlord to the
door, and he was fully dressed, though he had
evidently been lying down.

“ Ho, andlor , am I to get any breakfast be-
fore I start?” he asked.

“ Johnny ordered it last night for yer, pard."

“And the things I gave you a list of?’

“ I s all packed in the saddle and in ther
stable.”

“All right, and thank you; but do you wish
to send the captain an word?”

“ Waal, yer kin tel him I was all mixed up
at havin’ two men come here from him, instead
0’ ther reg’lar messenger, and I prefers he’ll send
in ther same old way."

" All right. l’ll tell him; but strike the trail
of that breakfast if I’m to get any 1”

“J ohnnyl oh, johnny!” yelled Bunco.

But no response came, and the landlord sought
his clerk in the office.

But he was not there.

“ Here, landlord, you’d better bury that poor
fellow at my expense,” and the scout handed
Bunco some money, which be grasped with the
air of a man who felt that he was grasping that
which he held dearer than all else on earth.

“ I’ll do it, fer this will bury him fu’st—class,”
he said glancing at the amount.

But Johnny could not be found, though the
cook had breakfast ready, and the scout ate it
With a relish. ‘

Bunco escorted him to the stable, and asked:

“Did ther cap’n say anything to you about
Buf’ler Bill, ther army scout. bein’ up in the
mountains alon with two others?”

" They know e was there.” /

“ Well, Fanshaw had orders for me to send a
party up there after Buffalo Bill and his pards;

-did you hear anything about it ’l”

“ No, for Fanshaw left after I did, you re-
member.”

“ Yas, so he did.”

“If the captain sent you word to send men,

(i?hhad,?etwr do it, and let me know what to
im.

“ Waal, I’ll send three good fellows, fer I
dasn’t trust more. and they’ll fget away with
even Buflalo Bill an’ his pards, er I know who
I’ll ick.”

“ ‘ll tell him. landlord,”’and as his horses
were ready, the white which Fanshaw had rid-
den bearing the pinch-saddle, Bufialo Bill tossed
the stableman is promised gold-piece, and
mounted, while he said: ,

“By the walv‘, Bunco, two us in {our
house tried to ill me last nig t. and catc ing
them at their little game. I tied them together,
and you’ll find them in the doom keeping F -
shaw’s body company.

“ -by, Bunco,” and the scout rode away,
just as the sun peered over the mountain-to ,
while Bunco, in amazement at his last wo ,
rushed into the hotel and to the room where the
prisoners were confined with their ghastly com-
panion, while he said:

“One is Johnny. I‘ll bet dust on it, for he
hain’t no man ter take ther knock-down he got
and not seek raven e. ,

“ Waal. that fel er are ther boss 0’ ther ca ‘11
himself,” and Bunco threw himself against he
door to open it, and went headlong into the
room., -

 

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE PHANTOM RIDERS.

ALTHOUGH the Hermit Parson and Toby- kept

‘pretty close to the crater-like camp of the for-

mer in the top of the mountains they were wont
to go each day to the lookout over the valley.

It was the spot where Buffalo Bill had been I

standing when he met the old trapper. r
The view, as the reader will remember, was
vast and the whole valley for miles seemed at

one’s feet. ,

The riyer. the meadow landsytimher mottes
. . here and there, hills, small streams, rocks,
ridges, and beyond. the mountains.

The cliff went sheer down hundreds of feet,
anda short distance back was a fringe of pine
trees, in which the two companions were wont
to sit andtalk.

The old trapper’s mind n6 longer wandered,
as it had, and he told the negro of his sorrows
inthepast. v , .

 Toby was a most sympathetic listener. and he
- "told, too, hovv he had been carried away. as a
. boy. by the loveof the military,and run OR and
, joined thearmy. ‘ ' -

.u He had not heard from thezoodeld people

on the old Bentham plantation for a lon , lon
time, but he hoped some dayto go bac wit
money and make them all feel his greatness.
“Thar’s Diggers thar, boss I recommembers
as sneerin’ at me as no good, and I jist wants
tor go back and let ‘em see Sergeant Nicodemus
Toby, for collud folks thinks more 0’ bein’ a ser-
geant than most white folks does 0’ bein’ giner—

als.
“ I did think when I had ter light out I’d nev-
er see home no more and git ther chance to put

“on airs; but Massa Buf’ler Bill will fix that all

 

’afeerd of; but on’t
ssh.”  

     
  

right, sah.”

“ Yes; I am sure he will, Toby. ”

“ He’s ther whitest man I knows, boss, mean-
in’ no disturbance ter yerself, sah, and he’s as
pop’ler at ther fort as a person at a funeral.
and as great a necessit , sah, fer they can’t git
‘lon without Buf’ler ill, sah.

“ by, them red-skins would jist walk right
in an’ scalp ’em of it wa’n’t fer him, boss.”

“ Yes; he has the name of being a wonderful
man on the border, and from what I have seen
of him I feel that he is not overrated, while I
am sure he will recover my child for me, or, if
she is dead, visit a revenge upon that villain
that will make him wish he was never born.”

“ He will, sah, he will; and you mustn’t fret,
for all is comin’ right, boss, of Massa Bill han-
dlisrjt; but when does yer ’spect him back,
a ‘ .

“ Hehas been gone now ten days. ”

“ Yes. boss, and I guess ought” be puttin’ in
a ’pearance mighty soon— ar, sah, see how
dat becomes er.”

And Toby ended the old trapper a blanket-
coat which he had cut out and made for him.

The negro was a good tailor, and he had been
pained to see the >r old trapper in rags that
hardly held toget er, so he had taken a blanket
and made him a pair of pants from it, following
up his good work by a. coat.

The trapper put it on with a look of real pride
and said, as he graspc d Toby’s hand:

“ You are a dear, good fel ow, Toby, and some
day I hope 1 can reward your kindness to me.”

“ Boss, I has my reward in scein’ ou cheered
up and knowin’ I has been able ter 0 you a fa-
vor—but look the r. sahl

“ Ef that haiu’t a ghost on horseback I
never’ll go ter heaven. and in ther daytime too."
and Toby spoke eagerly, and pOinted to a white
object in the valley, a mile distant from where
the were seated in the edge of the pine thicket.

be old trapper hastil glanced in the direc-
tion indicated, and said 5 owly: ’

" A white-robed form on a white horse.”

“ Yes, sah, dat means ghost!”

The object that attracted the attention of
Toby had emerged from a clump of timber in
the valley, and came to a halt in an open space.

It was a white horse, and the rider was clad
in a snowy garment that covered his form.

Like a statue of marble looked horse and rider,
as they remained motionless in the open space,
andthe eyes of the trapper and the negro were

riveted upon them.

“ It’s a ghost, boss.” said Toby, in a whisper.
“It is, fear another poor victim for the
wolves,"retiirned thetrapp r, sadly.

“No, sah. dat horse didn’t have no hobbies
on, de way Iseen hiui move, no, ssh.”

“I have seen phantom horsemen before. but
only on moonlight nights,” the trapper remark-
ed, thoughtfully.

“I wish it was ’ai-ly mornin’, ’stead o' nearly
sunset,” Toby rejoined, with a shudder, evi-
dently dreading the coming on of night, with
that spectral-looking horseman in view. ‘ v

“ There comes another,”said the tra per.‘

“ One was more dan I likes,” and To y’s eyes
fell upon another white horse and white-robed
rider that rode out of the timber from whence
the first one had come.

He rode near the other and halted, keeping '

the same motionless attitude.

“ Lordyl thar comes anofher one, boss, yas.
and de woods is full of ’em. er dare ‘is Number
Four,” and Toby shivered. I

Soon a flfthappeared, allwhite steeds and rid-
ers with snowy garments.

The four,halied near the first one for a few
moments. remained motionless, and then they
rode slowly away. crossing the [meadow-land
and disappearing in a dense growth of timber.

“ Boss, what do that mean?” asked Toby.

“ It is tqscare us.” i

“ Waal, they scares: me, dat’s a fact.”

_“.It is the trick of the men who have some
strange motive for remaining in these- moun-
tains. ’ '

“ I b’l’eves dey is hosts, boss.”

The trapper smileg

replied:

“ Well. suppose we go on, foot down into the
valley and see if we can get a nearer look at
them,for they will come around by the river
crossmg’goubtless, as they have gone'into yon-
der tim .” .

“ Boss, I is jesta leetle too
I don’t banker arter ghosts.” / . _
t “ Yet you played ghost yourself, Toby,” said
the tra r, with a smile.

“I id that sahi ter skeet dem as I was

6

near ’em now, for

i‘. us go down in de valley,

4

   

 

at Toby’s earnest way,sa.nd '

 

“ All right, Toby, you stay here, while I take
a run down to the valley.”

“Boss, ou isn’t goin’ alone, sah, for I goes
with yer, ’and so the two started down the
steep mountain-side, for the trapper had a. de-
sire to get a closer look at the weird horsemen.

The sun had set, and, as they reached the
valley darkness had settled there, though the
mountain—tops were yet bathed in light.

Hardly had they reached the foot of the ridge,
when the keen ear of the hermit caught some
sound, and he drew Toby back into the deeper
shadow of some trees that belted the base of the
mountain.

“ What is it, boss?” whispered Toby.

I‘  I”

Toby did look, and he saw a white object
coming along the deer-trail toward them.

It must pass within a few feet of where they
were crouchin , and Toby ew very nervous,
and seemed inc ‘ned to boun awa .

But the gri of the trapper be] him as in an
iron vise, an thus they waited.

It was stony ground over which the white
horse and rider came, and yet the hoof-fall gave
back no sound.

“ It's ther hantomsl ther Lord hab marcy
’pon dis sinfu nigger‘s soul, an’ brcss dem as

tes me, ” almost (groaned Toby, as he saw
one, two, three, fouran five shadowy horsemen
coming along the trail.

The came slowly, and without a sound, and
the ri ers were motionless as though dead.

Within fifteen feet they passed, and when the
last one had gone by Toby gave a sigh of relief
that seemed to have come from his inmost soul.

“If Buffalo Bill had been here Toby, he
would have commanded a halt to those phan-
tom-like horsemen,” said the trapper.

“I is really glad Massa Buf’ler isn‘t here,”
was the fervent response of the negro.

Then he added:

“Boss, of it’s ter tackle a grizzly, fight In—
juns, or face men as is men. yer’ll find me right
by yer side; but as for ghosteses, I hain’t no in-
clination tcr see ’em.”

“ I know you are a brave man, Toby, and I
confess these are most mysterious beings we
have just seen; yes, and horses, too, for their
boots ave back no sound; but when the scout
comes k we will solve the mystery, see if we
do not.

“ N ow come, and let us return to our camp,
for we left our horses unguarded from wolves,
not expecting to come this far,” and the two
started upon their climb up the hill back to the

camp.

The heard the howl of wolves, as they ap-
proac ed. and hastened their steps. for they
well knew how savage were the wild beasts
through those mountains, and their horses had
been staked out in the crater, or bowl, on the
top of the ridge, where the grass grew most
luxuriantly. _

They found the two animals very nervous,
and were greeted with a neigh of pleasure as
they ap roached. while the howlin wolves,
who ha been preparing for a f , snarled
savagely at being thwarted.

Leading the animals into their stable, in the
large cavern, the trapper tied them there, while
Toby threw. fresh wood upon the fire at the en-
trance and set about preparingfisupper, for
there was no danger of the ight in seen in
that place, or of any one finding t 6 secret
camp.

_ As they ate their supper they talked over the
sight they had seen of the Phantom Horsemen,
and when they lay dawn u n their blankets to
Test. TObY’s dreams were sturbed during the
night but!!! weird steeds and riders being con-
stantly fore him, conjured up by the very
hearty su per he had eaten. for his appetite had
held g in spite of the ghosts.

CHAPTER XXX.
oowsn.

WHEN Bunco burst open the door, with such
force as to go smelmg into the room, he was
not alone. as he after ward wished he had been.

There were always a few very early risers in
Saw Dust Ci , men who had been drinking
deep the nig t before, and who sought to
quench the thirst .n their parched throats the
next morning. V

Not with water, however, for that was not an
alleviator of thirst after strong k, and
they turned from the l stream that ran
near their cabins with a shudder and hurried to
the piazzato be the first one in when the. bar
should open. '

There was one assistant of :Rum Charlie whose

duty it was to be on handrfor the sunrise-(zgen- ,
en-

ing of the bar that the topers might get .
morning “bracer,” and he was just coming
along the hallway a trifle late, when he saw the
landlord rush to the door of the room in whic
the body of Fanshaw had_been 
Realizing by their feelings t at the bar-
was late, the crowd outside. 11 ng some

,

t

dozen, had entered the hotel to diseo‘vcrthe; -

cause when in from the side entrance they saw
Bunch dash with a speedtthcy hadfnevor hetero
seen him exhibit. ;

Unheeding their
thrown himself against the door and goneia.

presence,'lthe‘landlorrl had : ,

 

 

w.

 

 

  

ll

yew gen

Cf dfi’d

FP‘

m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 
 
  

" Buffalo Bill’s Bahama."

 

I V .  '. ., ' , ~35;   .r-',

 

2‘1

 

 

But they were close upon him as they knew
that something of Importance had happened to
excite Bunco in that way

The tardy bar-man also entered and, though
the topers discovered him, their curiosity Just
then got the better of their thirst.

Some, knowing that the dead man had been
placed in that room, sup osed that he had “8611
to life again iind hailedJ Bunco out of & baCk
window to come and let him out.

This was the only solution of the mystery in
the minds of the topers. ‘

\Vlwn, theretore, the door was opened. they
bulth the body just where it had been placed
up in the lied.

There was no life there, as a glance WOUM
Show.

lsut a glance was alkthey bestowed upon it,
too. for their eyes were Just then riveted upon a
sight that almost paralyzed them-

] A, first theyi v0 vent to murmurs of sur-
prise. then to tzil , and then to shouts of laugh-
ter, l‘ort‘ie [)lCtUl‘O‘WaS a comical one to all but
those who formed it.

Bunco had gotten upon his feet, and his face
wore a strange look.

it was a puzzled expression, a pleased one,
and a sad one all combined.

He saw there his clerk, Room Key Johnny, of
grand stature, of brawny arm and a terror to
mankind in Saw Dust City, the bouncer of the
Sinner’s Rest, tied hand and foot and gagged.

He saw Iron Grip, also a dreaded giant, in
tliesaine sad plight as was Johnny.

They sat upon the floor back to back, a lariat
bound ti htly around their waists and their
hands ti firmly together.

Their feet were also bound, the re from one
being made fast to the bed upon w ich lay the
ghastly form, that from the other being fastened

: a hook in the wall.
‘ They could not move to get up, and if they
i had tried to they would have tipped over on
their sides and thus remained.

Their faces were black with passion and work-
ing with hatred, while in the mouth of each was
a stick, wraegped around With a piece of blanket
and fasten wit strings at the back of, the

head.

So securely fastened were they that they could

i not force them from their mouths.

' In disma' y almost Bunco regarded them, and
then he sprung forward, an with his knife
severed the strings that held the figs.

The men breathed more freely, ut they could

not at first speak. , _
I Then the ropes binding them together, their
feet and their arms, were also cut, and the two

3 men were free.

But they were stifl and wretched, and made
> / no eflort to speak.
They felt the humiliation of their position,

. and looked as savage as wolves.

4 But the crowd, now increased to over a. score,

enjoyed it. 

Nearly all present had suffered at the hands of
those two huge bullies, and it was delightful to
see that some one had caused them to sufler.

“ What are it pards?” asked one.

“ Duned of I didn’t think you was that Si-
amese Twins," said another.

“ Did that stiff rise up and tie yer?”

“ Yas, they was sittin‘ up with ther stifl, and
his host jist tied ’em.”

“ er oughter hev hed yer pictur’s tuk, ter
show tber boys.”

Such were the remarks that were heard from
those present, and after each one the crowd

131 bed. -
‘I‘gWhat’s it all about, Johnny?” asked Bunco.
But Johnny made no reply; his mouth pained

him and was as dry as dust.

“ Wanl. I kin tell yer, pards. as they don’t
talk; it’s ther pilgrim as was here last night as
did it, fer he told in as he rid off that two er-

'. loots in ther tave tried to kill him, an he
I 'x- held a. full band and trumped thar leetle game,
. i- and I’d flnd’em here, tied up.” ,

ii ” Ther dandy who kicked ron Grip and slew-

i

 

.. .. w NMWV‘WVMMW. .

ed that feller over that waitin’ tor be planted?”
d one. ,
asfieYes, that’s their man,”and at Bunco’s reply
the two unfortunates groaned.
“WV her is he?” called out several.
“ Ho hev gone home, whatever that is,” cried

unco. .

“ We didn't tr ter kill him. and he used us
foul,” growled alum. at last finding his voice,
thou h it was very husky. _

“ us. become a treacherous game on us, he
did. when we war tryin’ ter do him a favor, ”
said Iron Face. 1 I

The crowd shouted, while Bunco said:

" I sh’u’d hev thought two sich terrors as you
is on liter hev got away with  _

| e was takin’ aquiet leetle drink With him,
and we didn’t hev no weepons on, and he ist
covered us with his knock-me—downs, and t en
Grip, fer yer sees what he hit us, and then while
 we was unconscious h'e tied us up this waY-”

 . Again the men yelled at Room Key J ohnn "s

 explanation, and it was very evident they d
not believe a word of it. v‘ -

:€ Thisinf ' ted Iron Grip and he'yelled out:

> "DoesyglrxgayJohnnyandmelies ’

 

q ;
I: .

 

“ Yes! yesl” came in a. perfect howling
chorus.

“ Yer does, and more, yer spurs has been
Clipped, and you bain‘t no more good ter play
terrch in this town.”

“ Thet’s so I”

“ No good I”

“ Cowcd l.”

“ Yer’ve hed ter knuckle.”

“ Ther stranger salted yer both.”

And the crowd became ugly, for the two

; bullies had had their day, an an effort to re-
: ‘A‘ain prestige meant they would have to fight
. for it then and there.

“ Come, pards, these men have had hard

f treatment, and you is too many ag’in’ ’em,
1 while yer see ther stranger pulled the’r teeth,
too, for they hain’t got the’r guns.

“So let up on ’em, now, and when they gits
the’r sand ag’in, ma be some 0’ ye will hev ter
take a back seat, or he ther subject for a bury-
in7 ” and Bunco faced the crowd.

ut the miners laughed, and he as w that the
laugh was an ugly one, so he said, quickly:

“ Come, pards, it’s in ' treat, and we'll go and
take su’thin’ all round. ’

He led the way as he spoke from the room,
and the crowd followed him with alacrity, for
Bunco had struck the right chord when he gave
an invitation to drink, something he never did
except when forced to it.

The topers had almost forgotten their morn-
ing “ eyeopener " in the interest of finding the
two bullies in durance vile; but the magic
words of “ take su’thin’,” brought back the pangs
of thirst once more, and in a. moment they were
ranged two dee before the bar.
thBut neither ohnny nor Iron Grip went with

em.

The waited until the crowd deported, and
then ohnny led the wayto the room just 'va-
cated by Buffalo Bill.

A Chinese servant was hailed by the clerk,
and sent after a bottle of whisky and two
glasses, and seatin themselves!“ the table the
took two stiff drin s before they uttered a w .
, Then Johnny said, dolefully:

“ Ford, is on deeply attached tor this town
0' Saw Dust ityl”

“ Wool, I ain’t jist now,” was the lugubrious
r use. i

‘ n’t yer think we is done for here i"

“ Our usefulness is about played out in this
commoonity, J ohnn .”

“So I considers, rip.”

“ Yer don’t think we c’u'd catch on again?"

“Ter ther graveyard sure.”

“ Yer mean they would call in our checks?”

It Sm’in.” ,

“Ef we sailed in on ’em with admin in each
hand, or lassoed ther‘ toes of sev of ’em up
towards ther sky ”’ ,

“ No use, fer they’d p313 thei- some game.”

“We might tryit,’ d Iron Gri ,his cour-
age rising with another drink of wh ,

‘ Don’t be a fool, Grip."

:: goal, Ihvgon’t.” gfl 'in in

e mi git our p ag one we. .”

“ How’s ghet?” ' y

“Ter bring back that dandy for burial pur.
poses right here.” '

“ Waal, now, that is a good idea.”

“ It could be did.”

“ As how i”

“ I think I knows about ther trail he hes tuk,
th‘o‘u h Fainco don't tell me all he knows.” ‘

:: Flo: has galsorselzz
s a one.

“ And I hgas one that are hard tor beat."

“ Waal, J ohnny, you is fishin' fer somethin’."

“Inieaiis as we can’t stay here we gits our
traps tergethcr and light out. ” ' - _

‘ It is about all we kin do, of we don’t git in-
ter a scrimmage aforo we starts." ,

“No, we’ll stay right here, and I’ll git a
Chinee ter go arter your horse and traps, up at
yer cabin, as soon as it gits dark.

“My home is in ther stable here, and the:-
Chinee kin buy us jist what we wants in ther
we 0’ rovisions.

‘ Thgn we kin light out as soon as it is dark,
and in thei- morning we kin strike that dandy’s
trail and foller him. ’ .

rt. 19

“ He has 8. ion sta
“ Yss,‘ but hisiorses carries heavynlnoagaa'nvg

hewon’t ride for his day, or ush ‘ ,
kin creep up outer him at next night;
if

cam .

“ feces what yer means, pard J ohnny.”

“ Ter kill him,””was the savage reopen”,

“ bl .

“ afialmi: do it. for both you and me is
good trailers, and we kin slip uponter his camp
at night and fix him with our rides, for he‘s hu-

” '

“ if . of he don’t 589m in”

u 32:: 22:3 good joto’thlngs with him, plenty
o’gold-dust, two horses and his wen 118. end
we won’t git a. bad haul while, of we him,
we kin come here for WDW and b0” the?
cam .”

“ ’m with yer. 991d .
and after din in theirroom many, ,
two’assassinhslstais'ted 81W night!“ 9“ the. m
ofButralo'Biih ,. ’ H ‘ , ,

 

   
 
 

,” was the earned reng, ,
e

 

CHAPTER XXXII.

A PICKED TRIO.

THE_ action of Room Key Johnny and Iron
Grip, in hiding all day, was strongly comment-
edupon b the denizens of Saw Dust City, and.
that whic was said was by no means to their
credit.

They had been so thoroughly unpopular, that
all were glad of their downfall.

They had been so overbearing, that few had
dared do otherwise than fawn u )Ol’l them.

They possessed brute stroii t in a remark-
able degree, were noted as ead shots, could
handle a knife in askillful manner, and were
an )posed to know no such word as fear.

ut their downfall was complete, and the
tumbled together from the pinnacle upon whic
threlay had so long stood.

he strnn er, whom no one seemed to know,
had proven imsolf the master of them both.

He had knocked Johnny into a corner upon
his first arrival. for it had leaked out about this
encounter, and he had sent Iron Grip flying in
t e saloon.

hen he had defeated Fanshaw in a stand-up
battle, and, when he attempted to kill him, by
treacherously drawing a weapon hidden in his
boot, the stranger had sent him to jam the great
m%e,ority 1n the twinkling of an eye.

hen the crowd left the saloon of the Sin-
ner’s Rest, they know that the same roof shel-
tered the unknown man and the one he had
slain; but it was not expected that he was to
give them an entertainment before sun-up, as
do did, in binding as he had the two despera-

oes.

The story told by Johnny of the affair no one
believed, not even Bunco, for all set it down

retty near the truth that robbery and revenge
Bad rompted the two villains to uttem t a;
dead y Esme upon the stranger, and be
beaten t em at it.

Why he had left so early they did not know;
but they did not attribute it to fear on his

part.

80 the story was the talk of the day, and the
saloons were crowded b the interested gossi
ers. while the health 0 “the unknow‘zpu'd‘;
was drunk over and over a sin, until, Buf-
falo Bill returned to Saw ust City, he could
have proclaimed himself “king of he mines ”'
and been‘acknowledged as such.

Bunco ind sought the two men in their bid-
ingup , and told them frankl that the
w d have a hundred fights on it hands
thgy came out. , .

e advised them to stay where they were
and, thrmfigsh some sympathetic tie that how:
him to clerk, or some secret that the
clerk held of his, he sent for Iron Grip’s horse
and thing, got all ready for their departure,
and saw em mount and ride away from the
rear of the stable.

,It may he that Bunco was glad to see Johnny
depart, for he had a certain awe of him from

some cause, and as the clerk had hinted what, ‘

their intention was, he did not know of a better

gay tombecomti:3 wholly ridt ofiihigll the? 1:31 let
maemt carryou 500 ‘in

Buflalo Bill: ' ' g

He gave a deep sigh of relief as he saw them
ride 01!,und then entering the bar-room,“-
tended an invitation to all present to attend the
funeral of his lamented friend Fanshaw the fol—
lowmg mornin from Binner‘s Rest, when the
body would be me to Sinner’s Hope, as the
cemetery was called.

Having been applauded for his intention to-
entertain them, for a funeral was a. day of holi-
do in Saw Dust City, the wary landlord got
stil a firmer grip upon his trons by telling
Ruin Charlie to extend a all around at his

eanse.
bile in the saloon the keen eyes of Bunco ~

had taken in all who were there, and he had
given :hree sepsrpte signs to three separate
person . I .

These signs were understood, for first one who
had received it at up and left the room, then a
second, and nex the third. r
Though the two first had gone out. b the
front oor, they quickly entered the ore]
where the third, was already, having entered
frcligm the saloggnin bi =

unco at a room door and beckoned
to them and as the last entered it was ti
closed h'ehind him. - 3W”

The quarters of the landlord were renll com-
fortable,in fact luxurious for that wi land;
but he ved his ease,and he had carted over
prairie and mountain the furniture that was

here besides adding many little things thatono
would not expect to find on the border.

“ Beseated. gentlemen," he said, in his most
 way, but it was to save his polite-
nose, for t ey bed taken seats as soon. as they
entered, for they were not a. trio to stand. on
ceretmony even with the landlord of the Sinner’s

three were alike in onerespect—that is,
they were villainous in countenance.

In other they differed, for one was
verytalland im,but w' . as an Indian,sn~
other of medium night, th set and muscular,
and. the thirds small man With an air ofvpomv

_ I .
1:",:u Vl ‘ . , 1 r.

 

 

22'

’ .

3mm Bill’s

Bonanza.

 

 

posity equal to a bantam rooster, as though
to make up in dignity what he lacked in size.
They were all dressed as miners, and there
was scarcely any difference in their clothing,
from the slouch hat to the top-boots and belt-o -
arms.
Their faces differed in that one was a thor-
ough brunette, another a erfect blonde and the
. third red—headed and red— bearded.
The had been about the three first men in
Saw ust City, had struck a dozen good leads,
and gambling them away, had come down to
almost hard—pan, as far as money was con-
‘ cerned. '
; Workin together and livmg together in one
' . cabin as t ey did, they had gained the appella-
tion of The Tri lets, while individually they
were known as ong, Short and Stumpy from
their various sizes.
“Gentlemen, I gave on a look which I am
glad you took in, far wants ter hev a talk
with yer,” said Bunco in as insinuating a. man-
ner as he could assume, and he took from a cup-
board a bottle or his “private stock,” and
placed it u nthe table with four glaSSes.
The Trip ets smiled, for they loved Ii nor, as
the expressive colorin of their noses in 'cated.
. “ We is your comr es, Landlord Bunco,”said

n .

“ We is so,” Short said, and Stumpy chimed
in last with :

“ You can count on us, Mr. Bunco.” ,

“ I know it, for you hev been in these mines
icinefive year now and ther ain't one o’ yer been

i t.

“ Not a one,” said Long.

“ We still live,” echoed Short.

“ We are all here,” Stumpy added. ’

“ I knows tellers as has tried ter lay yer out,
find they is sleepin’ peaceful up in ther Binner‘s

o .

y *Pwe has our record writ up thar, Mister
,, Bunco, and we’ll take pleasure in showin’it to
yer,” said Long. .

“ It are in eleven chapters,” Short rajoined.

“ Yes, I has a chapter yet tar right ter make
up ther tweIVe graves, for m pards here has one
therpall on me; but I ll git t all ther same,”
‘Stum ysaid. 4

“ er see, Mr. Bunco, we likes ter keep our
stifl's tergether, and we fenced in a leetle lot and

lanted some wild-flowers thar, ter make it
i201; "kinder homelike for them as we sent
1: ar.

“ Yes, and we goes thar every Sunday,”Short

added.

 

  
     
   
      
    
 
 
    
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
 
  
    
   
 
  
   
   
  
   
    
    
    
   
   
    
    
   
    
    
   
   
   
  
 
 
 
    
    
   
 
 
 
   

“ Yes, it’s our solemn announcement ter git
thar once a week.” . " l

Bunco knew his men. and he was well aware
that they had a bona fide record of eleven graves
in the Sinner’s Hope Cemetery.

, lie knew they were dead shots, wild riders, a

con w u an
Wicked trio, 1d follo any trail an I all
could. and knew neither mercy nor give up.

, They could, go through the, mountains the
darkest night, and it brought to bayfould hold
their own against treble their numoer, and in
{settled done 'so more than once in Saw Dust

‘i v.

w They were hard drinkers, hard fighters, reck-
less gamblers and as desperate as men could be,
while their luck was proverbial.

“ Well,§ards, I have a leetle work for yer to
do.” said unco.

“ Name it, rd.” ,

“ We is here.” '

' ” Call us.”

, “ It will take
for awhile.”

“. All serene, Mister Bunco.” ,

“ We won’t git homesick. " y '

“ Thar is them “here as will be glad we is

" It is to go up into the Rockies, which folks
speaks of as ther Haunted Mountains.”
- The men did not change color, but made their
usual triple responses, Long beginning first and
‘ Stumpy ending.
B “ Wg‘is goin’ on a ghost hunt then, Mister

unco
“That’s that place ter find fem.” '
“Yes; they say them mount’ins is ghost

ven. r

a “ It’s somethin' more lively than a ghost that

you has ter tackle. , ”

. y“ Waal, what are it!”

:: gijunsig’ . :
“No. first which I wants yer ter go arter in

men.
“ That all?”
“ Only three?” .

     

you away from Saw Dust City '

ge‘tzl'ggliishebkflt, and his own.

lars ter start with, {it yer out from ther store
with what ammunition, provisions and all else
yer may need, giving yer a pack-horse ter car-
ry’em, and when yer comes back with root
yer hev got away with them three men will

get their horses and traps ter sell."

“ I’m thar. "

“ It’s money easy made. ”

“Yas; it‘s a lcetle trip for ther good 0’ our
health.”

“Then you accepts?”

“ We does.” - r

And Long spoke for the others, who nodded
in the aiflrmative.
Bfl‘lgow, pards, hes yer ever heard 0’ Buffalo

1 .

“ Well, now, who haint?”

“ 1 has heerd 0’ him.”

“ Hes we everheerd 0’ Saw Dust City?”

The look that passed between that ree men
showed the shrewd Bunco, who saw it, that they
kgew more of Buffalo Bill than they cared to
a mit.

“ Waal he’s ther man thet leads ther band 0’
thfielelinnther Haunted Mountains.”

0

“ Is that so?”

“ Does yer mean it?”

“ I do; he, an old man known here two years
ago as the Trapper Parson and a big nigger sol-
dier are ther triplets yer has tar tackle.’

“ Ther parson are all right, ther nigger sojer
hain‘t skeery to us, but Bufl'alo Bill—’

Bi‘}; Ngw yer is shriekin’, pard, for Buflalo
“ Yas; Bufialo Bill—is ther devil hisset I”
And the last remark of Stumpy seem to fit

the situation exactly, for the other two nodded

approvingly. ‘ ‘

“'You fears him then?”

“ Mr. Bunco, he is no man to fool with.”

“ He are chain-lightnin’ let loose on a
racket.”

“ When he gits inter a fight he hes a contract
ter wvide stifl's fer ther bone-yard.” "

‘ ' ell, you refuses the job, now yer knows
who or is to tackle?”

- “ a; we didn’t say that.”

“ We hasn’t backed down yet.”

“We is considerin‘, pard.’

“Why, yer kin clip him, for yer goes in se-
cret like, and I gives yer points jist now tar
scotch him.”

“ He’s worth more money, Mister Bunco.”
“ A clean hundred a iece more.” _

- “ That would about a his value.”

V "‘ Well, I’ll give you another hundred apiece

when your work is done.” ‘ L

“ He‘s tot he kilt?”

“ Yes; and the others, too, while I am to have

ther roof. "

“ or shall have it. ”

“We does our work up prime.”

“ We’ll git ther, pard. ’ v

“Well, now ter business, and after I. have

shown yer jist whar tar go and what tar do, you

kin start on as, yer likes.” ‘

This ended the death co pact between Bunco

and The Tripletsa amst be life of Bufl’alo Bill

and his twocomra es. an the next day at r

Fanshaw’s funeral, which-was a gala affair, t c

three men, armed to the teeth, with a pack-

horse supplied with all they would need, set off
on their'trail to the Haunted Moun ' . ‘

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
run 'rwo TRAILERS.

TEE two worthies, or rather unworthies
whom revenge had upon the trail of
Buffalo Bill rodealong at a brisk pace for sev-
eral hours,\until
off from the Overla stage track.
saddle on,t eled horse a lantern li hted it and
began to examine the tracks all a ut in the
road. ~
“ Here’s ther way he went, as I su posed he
would, fer yer see them tracks?” sai Johnny,
'pointin tothe hoof-marks in the «trail branc a
mg 0!! nto the mountains.

‘Yas; but there is the hoof-mar s 0’ three
horses.” \
“ He had two, I know, one belonging, to that

, hishorse’s hoof-mark, fer I at it
down fine when he was at ther stable, as had
an nice I would want ter roller him at I c’u’dn’t
git even with him in Saw Dust.” -' 4
I: Was], it looks as though he had comp’ny.”

 

“ One apiece.” ‘ ' , ,

“, As far as pluck is concerned, and being able
to handle themselves, I guetses they is about
three of a kind: but I thought ashow you Trip-

Jets could gitaway with ', .” ‘

“I guessso. pards, eh!”

    
  

  

 

  
 
 
 
  
  
  

 

I  “l’veai eewekin.

And Lon glanced at, his two companions.- , ’ it

, fire,a

l guesses, not, only somebody else, . some
hunter maybe. liaisons this way.” _

So the two mounted and pressed on for a con-
ple of hours more, ’when the caught sight of a
flickering light off through 1: e timber.
Instantly theydismounted and walked toward

.“It’s a desarted. camp, and ther‘fire hes
sprun up ag’in,”said.lron Grip, as they saw a,
og burning brightly, up anamw can-

  

 

y‘i’.“

 

sis

  

give yer another hundred apiece, while yer’ll‘

the came to a. trail leading ,
Here the halted and eachtook fromthepack- ‘

“ Yes, and we’ll come up with him ter-morrer
night, and we’ll hev tar, as another day will put
him inter ther Haunted Hills.”

“ Thet’s so.”

Then they saw that there was no mistake
about the camp being that of the man whose
tlggil they followed, for the hoof-prints told the
s ry.

There were but the tracks of two horses, and
this seemed a relief to them, and convinced
them that the third prints they had seen had
been left by some hunter or prospector.

So they pushed on rapidly until sunrise, and
found the trail distinct and not very stale,
proving that their intended victim could not be
ver far ahead.

“ 8 don’t ush ahead fast,”said Iron Grip.

“ No, he ta es it slow.”

“ I wonder he didn’t take t’other valley road,
and save so much hill work, while it’s shorter.”

“ Waal, ther trail are often traveled. and I
guesses he wanted ter kee out o’ folks’way,
for I head him tell Bunco e would come this
way.

“I see,” and after a ride of a mile further
they drew of! from the trail and went into
camp.

The horses were glad of a rest, and ate hearti-
ly of the grass that grew about them in profu-
sion, while the two men built a fire and got
breakfast, after which they went to also .

But, after several hours they awo e and
prefixed 0.? once more, keeping up a steady and
rap a1 .

“ e’ll fetch him to-night, Grip,” said J ohn-

y.
“ Easy, fer them marks hain’t three hours
old,” was the reply.

f‘ We kin rest thercritturs arter we has f01“ld
him for ef we don’t find whar he leaves ther
trail afore night comes on, we may pass him in
ther dar ess.” v

“ Thet are a fact, so We’ll ride for all ther crit-
turs is worth.”

And so they rode on until. just before night-
fall they looked over the ridge of a hill and be-
held their game. , . .

It was the scout, and he was riding leisurely
along, the pack-horse close behind him. .

Dismounting the two assassins watched, him
as he descended the hillside into the valley, and
savathim, in the gathering gloom, turn to the
r g .

“Thar he camps, Gri .” .

I“ Yas, he’s gone of! that road tor find a good
p ace. . .

“ You come on with ther bosses, while I look
ahead on foot. _ I
u “When yer gits ter whar he left ther hail,

1st wait fer me,”and Iron Grip set 03 dawn the
inside at a swinging pace.

The scout had been fully half a mile away,
when he had left the trail, and it was a distance
quickly covered by the tracker.

It was too dark for him to see the trail, but
he knew which way the scout had gone, and he
gougwed with the instinct natural to one on the
. or er. ‘

n

halted. .

Aglimmer on the tree-tops told him there was
a fire ahead. ‘-

Cautiously‘he crept on, and soon, in one of
the numerous canyons penetrating the moun-
tain-‘side, he discovered 1he game he‘sought.

The scent was there, he had built a fire in a
crev1ce of the rocks, his horses were near, not
yet unsaddled, but feeding uponthe grass grow-
in on the sides or the canyon, ~ , a _

Iron Grip hastily retreated and arrived at
the trail to find {ohnny there with the horses I

‘ Waal. Grip?1
- ’“ He’s thar.’
nugasa ina .”,. j '1
“How far?” ug "18 '
“ About a quarter 0’]. nib.”
“ So we has him?” . '
.u Yas.” \
“Kin we git ug close!” I
“ We kin,“ I 18 underbruah growin’ up
, quite close.’ ‘
“ Then he’s ourgame.” V
“ It looks so ter me.” i,

:: m1, what nor?” . ' ‘ ’
. ‘ a cam or our horses d.” and
the two strode assay in an Opposite * on.
Theg' soon found a nod camping-glues, staked
their orses out buil a dream! ha supper.
, Then they looked care!tu to their arms, di—
vested themselves at all they did not need to
with them, and listed, infighting trim.
ell'lose no' time in setting
has bed his sup . hard. so we’ll fl

him 51 ‘
in’ "said Iron rip. ‘ gap—

of just
1 .

o . r r ,, , . ,
"But Ir‘on Gri understoodwell what kemeant,
as waslevident, ' mhis ' 1 ‘

     
   
 
  

arejtoo angerous tor/let wake ”

 

 

museum w ’rhesta‘edther claw ,
hi: it, ps’eeshawa  him ingflrolight,asit.ahonen

Atlast they arrived‘in sight Jae slimmin-
p t of the canan

 

oaths tree-tops above. ,

 

 

A walk of several hundred yards, and he ‘

u ,arterhe]

‘ I does pray that we Will. fer Iwants him tar '
‘wake nip dead," Johnny returned, with’no idea- 
owgood air-Irish  hebadbeeaguiltx '

,"Yas he‘sgotter befiinhli‘rslhemfer he

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  
        
      
    
      
 
     
     
      
      
       
  
     
    
    

. .47.,

 

 ‘4' -

meat-3a, «Jr

 

 

 

  

area may. W...“ .m. 0...."

 ~.~‘»44 fl

’ < to Bed Tom.

m,

 

/

Busam Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

,_ __.,._ >7 _

They studied the situation of the camp care-
ful] .

The canyon run back some hundred feet. into
the mountain, was about thirty feet wide, and
the banks were fringed with trees, while the
sides Were fringed with grass.

Beyond the camp-fire, up the canyon. the two
horses had been placed, and lariats had been
sil'etcbed across just at the 09.113, to prevent
their gettin out, so that they co d be turned
loose and fa at will. .

The fire Was built in a small crev1ce of the
rocks, and to one side Were the saddles, pack-
saddle and bridles, and upon the other, wrap-
pod in his blankets, the form of the scout. '

“ El‘ he jist bed a idea we was arter him. Grip,
I’d feel narvous ‘ about that bein’ him,” said
J ohnny. I

“ Thet’s him, for thar‘s his boots toward ther
fire, and he hes his but over his head.

“ Now, we has him this time.”

“ And shall we open on him with our re-
voli ersl”

" It’s time ter take them when thei- rifles fail;
but you fire at his head right under his hat, and
I'll jist send my bullet s'archin’ for his heart.”

“ I are ready,” was the answer.

The two men were not sixtv feet away, and
raising their rifles together, they counted. in
chorus:

“ One, two. three, flrel”

The reports rung out in the canyon like a
hundred guns, and the form was seen to twitch
violently and then remain still. »

“ We has him 1” yelled Johnny.

“ And his gold-dust,” shouted Iron Grip.

Then, revolver in hand, they rushed forward,
while the two startled horses snorted wildly, as
they trotted to the lariat barrier across the can-

on. x
y But only half a dozen yards had the two as-
sassins advanced when a tall form bounded
down from arock shelf, ten feet above the
fire, and instantly allowed the crack of a rev
volver. ‘

Iron Grip dropped in his tracks, his revolver
going off as he fel .. while Johnny, with a ell of
terror, fell upon his knees and raising his ands
above his head: shouted:

" My hands is up, pard! don’t shoot I”

“ I would‘serve you right to kill you, but I
am no murderer, toyflre on a man who begs for
mercy,” said Buffalo Bill, sternly, and steppin
forward he disarmed the wretoh, who tremble
violently. . _

Then he bound him securely, his hands behind
his back, and said:

“ Where is your camp l” ,

“ I‘ll show you, sir, indeed I will.” I

“ Is that your only companion?” and he paint-
ed to the dead body.

‘ es pard, he are all.” Y

‘Wait until I pull my boots on and I’ll go
with you,” and the scout walked to the fire and
picked igihis hat‘from the blankets, which were
wrappe about a log. I

Then he put on his boots, while Johnny, hop-
ing to curry favor. said: ._

‘ Maybe Gri hain’t dead, pard, and he might
rise up and hi] yer.” _

“No danger of that, sir,” was the cool reply,
and, with perfect confidence in his aim he said:

“ Now to our camp.” ‘

The man ed the way, and in half an hour they
retained, leading the horses, and bringing their
traps. I

“Now, if your dead friend has any valuables
with him, you can have them.”

“ Thank you. pard,”and the body was quickly
strip ed of all that was valuable about it.

“ ow take this hatchet and dig‘a grave for
you should do that much for your comrade. ’ r

The wretch obeyed. a grave was dug, Iron
Gri placed in it. and it was filled. in and cov-
ered) with heavy logs, to keep off Wild beast,

Then Buffan Bill bound his prisoner again,
threw his blankets down for him to sleep on,
and retiring to his rude couch was soon fast

een. ‘ ,
He' awoke at dawn, . got breakfast, ave
Johnny some, and then said, as he was r y to

start: , , .
“Now, Johnny. I‘m going to set you adrift,
and you may be thankful that you are not un-
der onder logs. _ ‘ i
“ '11 give you your rifle and belt of arms, you
have our own and your pard’s money and on
shall ave some rovmons for a few days; ut
you c on foot,’ andsoon after the scout was
i on his way, carrying with In!!! the horses and
‘ outfit of his intended assassms, and leavin
Johnny alone and on foot in the mountains, bu
happy in he been treated with that much
mercy, when he ew that he deserved death.

 

‘ ~ CHAPTER XXXIV.
V Tun .WABNING.

WHEN Bunco had one ed his compact with
The Triplets, he passed wit them into the store
by the private ssageway 1 from hid
own rooms, and ound Red om in the “ Boan

'2 , zaPalace”alone.

“Tom, I has aorder for you, audit later 11:
«nose gents up for a cruise of some weeks,” he

“ All right, Bunco, it shall he did.

“ When does yer expect ter start, pardsl"

“ To—morrer arter ther hnryin’,” said Long.

“ Yes, we must attend ther funeral, out 0 re-
spect to ther remains.”

“ We never misses bein’ in at buryin’s,"
Stuin y chimed in last.
. “ aal, jist say what yer wants, and I’ll hey
it all ready fer ycr tor—night.”

The order was given and The Triplets left.

“ Whar’s Johnny gone?” asked Red Tom.

“ I don’t know, but I guess ter seek another
cam .”

“ as, he can’t live here.”

“ Not after ther way thet stranger handled
him and Iron Grip.”

:: ghey’went tergether l”

“ Somebody’s bound tar suffer.”

“ So they will, for though their 5 urs is
clip ed‘ here. they 11 put on airs where t ey are
not nown; but where is Deer'Eyesl”

“ He’s just gone out afore you came in, and
said he was goin’ for visit Miner Min o’s fam’ly
up ther valley- but I‘ll stop him, for
he] in gittin' out these things."

unco left, and Red Tom called his clerk, who
entered, all ready for a ride.

“ Dickie, I wants yer help, so yer can‘t go,”
said Red Tom.

“ But I will go, for Mrs. Min is sick, her
husband told me so to—day, an I have some
thin s to take her,” said the youth, firmly.

“ wants yer here Dickie.”

“ I cannot help it, I am goin . and as it is get-
ting late, and some miles to t e Mingo ranch,
I’ll start now.”

“ Don’t you go,” said the man, threateningly.

“ 1 will,” and wheeling on his heel the boy eft
the store.

His horse was all ready saddled for him, in
the stable. and a splendid animal he was.

Slinging a pair of saddle-bags over the sad-
dle the boy tightened his belt, which contained
his weapons, and shot out of the stable. 'ust as
a Chinese servant came to tell him Re Tom
sent for him to come back. 1'

At a sweepin gallop the boy sped along the
valley. and is orse kept up the pace until-ing-
ly for mile after mile. ' ‘ .

Then he halted at a. stream, throw off the sad—
dle, to cool the animal‘s back, rubbed him down
hard, and, after half an hour of rest, gave him
some water. and mounting again set off at the
same swee ing pace.

For two ours he kept it up, and then he halt-
ed once more for rest, and again devoted him-
self to the care of his horse, saying in a kindly

tone: .
. a: This is a hard “my Flyerg but we must make

it.

It had been very late when the youth had left,
almost midnight, and he had gone at a slapping
pace over the level land.

Dawn broke, as he mounted again, and after
a few miles’ ride in the same dashing style, he
came to a bill which the valley trail led up.

As he mounted it, over the rocky ‘ground he
saw going along the ridge 9. horseman, a led
horse following. ,

He had already been seen b the horseman,
whipl came to a halt as the yout waved his hat
to 'm. ‘

A few moments more and the youth drew up
his panting horse near and sud:

Bfl‘lI, have ridden hard to overtake you, Buffalo

1 'V

“‘ Ab! and on have been successful; but are
you a pony der?” said the scout, gazing upon
the handsome, flushed face pf the outh. .

“No, sir: I am a clerk in R Tom’s store
which is Bunco’s Bonanza Palace, as you will
{famernben for you were in there night before

. “ Yes; and I caught a limpse of you there,
and thought that you 100 (1 out of your ele-
ment: but what can I do for you, ladl’

“ The shoe is on the other foot this time, sir,
for I can serve you now, though once you
served me.” . '

“ Your face looks familiar, but I am at a loss
to recall where I have seen you before night be-
fore last.” ’

“ It does not matter' but you did me and
mine a service once, and I knew you when you
entered the store; but no one else in town seem-
ed to know you and so I said nothing.” ».

“ I am [glad that you did, as it urned out,
though I id not expect to hide my name when
‘1 went there ; but what isit, vcun 'tner?” ,

“The two men whom you left tie hid in their
room all day, and Hop Up, the ’Chinee, heard
them swear to follow you and kill you.

“ He told me mid I as on to worn on, for
‘ they left last night, follo  your and by the

mountain road, and I star some hours after

by this valley way, feeling that I could catch

on. . .
y“'And you have, though you have ridden

“ I. did not expect to be tracked, so I‘ owe you *

my life, my young friend.” I .
, ‘ I have but rebounds service done by you
\ in the past; but this isnot all. sir, for Bunco re-

 

* , whovdwells up in  e

     

c’eived word from some'mysterlous friend of his
Hahn ‘

‘ ‘ Mountainsthu

          

 

wants his ‘

 

t the coffin, which had

 
    

you and two others were there, trying to solve
the secret that he it them there.

“ It was to tell unco this that Fanshaw, one
of the mysterious band, was sent, and you killed

mi.

“ You are playing a part,forI feel you do not
belong to the band; but you deceived Bunco,
and he does not know you as you are.

“ So he obeyed the order sent him to send. V
men from Saw Dust City to kill you and your ' «
two comrades, and last night Bunco put on the '
trail three of the most dangerous men in all this
border.

“ They are known as The Tri lets, Long,
Short and Stumpy, and they are sp endld trail~
ers, most desperate, and dead shots, while they ,
go prepared to hunt you down." ~:

‘ I have heard of those three gentlemen, and i.
shall be glad to welcome them, now that you 
put me on my guard. ,

“ But now to yourself; why do you remain in
that camp?" . X i

“ I cannot help it, sir.” ‘ ‘»

“If you will go with me I will see that you a 1
are taken care of.” .

:2 No, no, sir, I cannot go, I must stay there.

But, remember, I have warned you, and the
two first cannot now be far awa ,the others
,will look for you in the Haunted ountains. r

“ Good-by,Buffalo Bill. and God bless you X”

The boy wheeled his horse as he spoke and
rode awa ata ginglop, while Buffalo Bill in vain "
called to im to It.

“ I have half a mind to ride after him. and-v
No he was in earnest in refusing to go with me,
an some day I’ll go back to Saw Dust City and
look him up. v v

f‘ Now 29 destroy his trail, so those fellows
Will susp ct nothin —ahl he has left none, on ‘
these rocks, that w attract their attention. so' ‘
I will go on my way, for to—night, when I
camp, Will be their time to attack me, as the r
caniiot get ahead as this trail runs, to ambus 1
me. 1

And so the scout rode on his way, his thoughts“
full of the strange, handsome boy who had given
him so timely a warning of death on his track. .

 

  
  
     
  
   
  
   
 
  
  
  
   
 
  
   
  
   
    
 
    
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
  
 
   
   
 
   
   
 
   
  
  
     
    
  
   
  
   
 
      
      
 
    
  
   
   
    
   
  
   
  
  
    
  
   
    
 
   
 
   
  
    

 

CHAPTER xxxv’. ~
THE TRIPLETS FIND AN ALLY.

Tim three men whom Bunco had selected for'
the putting out of tho wa of Buffalo Bill and
his two comrades, in w at were becoming
known as the Haunted Mountains, were pro»
“it” rmalgdd 1: all kl ds ‘

ey were 3 a n of: devil and]
really had courage to back up theirmlzwless
ac s. g . ‘ . , ,

In their union was their stren h,‘ for where
many would have attacked one 0 them, or eve
two, a crowd, reckless though it might be,
thought twice before picking a quarrel With the?

rio. :.

With a knack at following a tra'l, they felt no”
doubt but that they would accomplish the duly.
they were sent upon. r:

'1 hey knew that, Buffalo Bill was not a manta
subdue readily. and they were prepared to~
overcome him by cunning.fo1- if it came to a.
hand-to-band encounter though they might ‘kilk,
the Scout, they were convinced. individuallyand.
collectively, that some one of the three wouldM
havetogo. ' i‘ ,  "

Now not one of that trio cared to be sacrificed
and so they decided upon strategy. . ' .

And they made t cir arrangements for a
siege, carryin ample provisions. and the hasty
for they were igh livers, a quantity of ammu
nition, and everything in fact that‘they thong
they would find usefu . . i

As Bunco supplied the outfit, and they.
but t) order, they did it enerously.

Then the departed or their cabin. wh
they glorie in a Chinese servant, who wastith
ed up and dispatched after help to aid him" tw-
bring the things they had gotten, for they‘cared‘
not to attract attention by having them comes
by daylight. '» ‘

The next morning they ordered Lick Skillet.
the Chinee, to prepare their horses, carryian
along with them a. pack-animal and a: amply

5”.

case of the loss of one of their own a , . .

While Lick Skillet was getting the orses ‘
readiness and burnishing up the saddles 
trap ings, the Tri lets went on their way‘ '
the fpunersl of F aw. _

The miners had turned out in force, as
their went, for the burial of a men who
“died. with his boots on,” so tofispuak~ 
when one was taken elf by disease, it was
custom to have a " time ” over the cohesion.

As ninety per cent. of the deathsin Saw ,
City were from violence, the miners were 
having a. day oh for a funeral. ' ’ . ‘ 

Of course Sinner’s Rest was the center at a in
traction,fortherela thedeceased. f _ 

Thither The lTri cts went. and they r 3
about two-thirds of the townthere, while B.
Charlie was‘dispansiug liquids at align

cs;  .. ’ =
paThe Triplets arrived too late to be so
for the honor of pull-bearers.so.coutented
selves with taking. the 13081th offith m '
are along with Bunco walking '

been painted a rich

 

 

  
 
 
    

   

i
l

24

inwwsnsmirmamismrmammmv 

 

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

 

 

mine, doubtless on account of the man having
been shot in a personal encounter.

On’ the top of the coffin the artist who had
painted it had lettered his own idea of what was
appropriate and which was as follows:

“ FRANK Fassaaw
LIES WITHIN.

' “He died with his boots on. being nipped in ther
bud by a dandy pilgrim be fooled with.’

    
 
   
  
  
   
 
   
  
 
  
 
   
  
   
 
  
   
   
   
  
 
     
  
   
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
 

“That’s so,” was the universal comment up—
on this bit of history.

All being in readiness, the procession moved
oil! toward Sinner’s Hope Cemetery, just up on
the slope of the mountain-side.

There were many head-boards there to mark
the graves of those who had gone to join the
great majority, and on some there was rare
reading.

But all who died in Saw Dust City, except a
Chinee, were given a head-board, and in fact
there was one case in which a Chinee had once
been so honored, for his employer, whose life
he had saved, and who was a store-keeper, took
out a tea—box with all its hieroglyphics upon it
and placed this over the remains of tho depart-
ed Celestial, daring any of his countrymen to
deface it. _

The precession filed by the “ private lot ,” of
'The Triplets, who glanced at the eleven graves
. with a. look of pride, and then turned their eyes

wistftu over the crowd with a look that plain-
ly said they wished some one would tread on
their coat—tails and giv‘e them a. chance to make
the graves a full damn.

d so Fanshaw was lowered to his last
home, while a hundred hoarse voiCes hung Auld
Lang Syne as the most appropriate thing that
co be sung or done, there being no. clergyman

. present to read the ceremony.

Then the red ooflin was covered with the
earth andthe crowd broke up to return to the
town and drink “ Luck to the departed.”

Before th all got out of the graveyard there
were sev fl hts, brou ht on as to who had
killeda certain divid who had fallen with
three bullets in his body some months before
and the sight of rations-rave had revived an old
discussion; but, ing this little by-play

v The Triplets walked toward their cabin to start
’ ' on the trail.
, “Pards,”called Bunco after them, and halt-
, V ing, he came up.
' ‘Remember, when you'gits that, and finds
' ther clii! whar ther is a big circle drawn on it,
> 1, with a pictur’in the center, of a wolf having
his tpaw on a human skull. and a hand p’intin’
- at i , you is tor put ther letter I give yer under
ther loose rock 01 ther right hand. -
‘ “Then, while er is in them mountains, you
that and 100 under thet rock every other
y, and maybe on will find su'thin’ tor inter-
est yer, and may yer won’t; but yer kin go
all that same.
,1, “Now I bids yer farewell,” and Bunco went
' on his way, while The Triplets hastened to their
,cabin, found that their horses were all ready
for them, the tpack-horse and extra as well, and
good animals hey all were, too.
v “We‘ll be back when we comes, Skillet,” said

Ion .
r' “ £00k for us. Lick Skillet when ver sees us,”
‘_ .  added, while Stumpy brought up the rear
l “  Chinee, when we gits back we’ll be

 of! into the mountains they rode, the
. well-trained extra horse and pack-animal fol-

z.

When‘the 01: well on the way they pushed
gwfigpace, riding three abreast, and
their flrst.ni ht on the trail,
hill, his secon night out was
g in the canyon, through .the timely
given him by Deer-Eye Dick, to ve
and Johnny a reception when I y
This of course gave the scout two days’ start
. , them, but then their business was not/With
. his: as “13? an ', for theyhad failed to see
' w ehewasinSawDustCIty,and
know the one they sought was alone

“the trail ahead of them.
 -Thencxtday,asitdrewto a close and they
were beginning to look for a good camping-
,amanmddenlyappearedinthetrai be-

them.
y halted. and their rifles were swung

round for instant use. ' ~ *' ‘

But thorium was alone and held his hands up
intoken of or. ' ' -

“ It are Hotel J ohnny,” said Long. ,
,“ Sure, it’s Boom Keys.” _
g , ‘ Johnny it are of ther Sinmr’szest,” added
. ammflgy

l

 

     
   
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
  

 
 

  
 
 
      
   
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  

gtdoin’herel”
" “I dunno.” ' "
‘Askhim.” ' ‘ , ,
Stumgy’s advice seemed good, and so Long
cu: ' ' ' " '

.... Kfigwhatisyerdoin'herei” '
M,I allundone.for1isalone in ther

    
   
  

 

iifihad out with Iron, Grip, arter meg
'ckin’from ther stranger; but what , dea

 

i my m Wd’ Grip: “7111’ been km: ;

and}, are here as yer see, on foot and only my-
se .

It was a whining story he told of his misery,
and he went on to say that they, Grip and he,
had followed the stranger to get even with him
and prove they were not cowards, and had rid-
den up and attacked him, just as he was leav-
ing camp, when his horse fell, throwing him
heavily and stunning him.

When he came to he saw that Iron Grip was
dead, and the stranger had him tied fast.

“ Then he took from me my horse and let me
go afoot, as you sees, takin’ Grip’s animal and
our pack-horse along with him."

“ And he is ther man as layed out Fanshaw
too?” asked Long.

“ Yes. ther same.”

“ Well, he’s a dandy, thet’s all.” 3

“ He are, and yer’ll think so when yer knows
who he is.”

“ Who are he?”

“ Pards, I seen his name on one 0’ his revol-
vers."

“ And what was it?” \

“ Buffalo Bill.” ’

The Triplets started, and for once changed
color in surprise.

it  l”

“ What i”

1‘ Who?”

It was all they said, and J ohnny continued:

“ It area fact, and in his scarf are a gold pin
of a bufi‘alo and with the name Bill set into it
with diamonds.”

“ Thet accouan for what ther stranger did in
Saw Dust.”

“ Yes it explains how he were more than
Gri and J ohnny could handle.”

“ bar’s but one Buffalo Bill, pards, and we

' ht hev knowed it. ”

' uch were the remarks of The Triplets, and
Lou said:

“ ohnny, we is goin’ arter Buffalo Bill now,
and if yer wants tor go yer kin mount ther ex-
:ra horse, though we hain’t got no saddle to of-

er er.

“ areback ridin’ is better than walkin’,pards,
and I are most  ter go, for of you three
takes ther trail 0’ alo Bill, all I will hev ter
do is ter sit by and see ther fun, though I is glad
ter do all I kin.”

“ Yes, and yer’ll hev tor, «fer Buflalo Bill
hain‘t no slouch, as we know. _

“Now we’ll find a camp fer ther night, and,
ter-morrer we’ll start right on his trail and ick
up ther end o’itassoon aswe kin,” and an
hour after the four were in camp, Johnny, as an
ally, congratulatin himself upon his good for-
tune, for now he to t that his reven e against
the scout was assured as The Trip ets never
failed when on the track of an enemy.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
TEE CHINEE FRIENDS.

WHEN Deer-Eye Dick left Buffalo Bill he rode
rapidly on his way back the way which he had
come.

His face soon wore a triumphant look, min-
gled with a certain recklessness that was called
there by the knowledge that he had to face
trouble on his return, in the anger of Red Tom.

He uged his good horse onward, at the high-
est spe
till he reached a good place to rest.

’ Not thinkin of his own fatigue he bathed
the nostrils o the tired horse, an gave him
another rubbing, keeping it up for a long time

Then the animal, great] refreshed, was al-
lowed a drink of water, an opening the saddle
bags which he had wisely brought along, the
youth took out a flood feed of oats from them,
and ave them to '8 horse.

' e the animal en‘oyed his repast. Deer-
Eye sat down and ate 3 dinner, from food he
hadbrought.

This done he lay down for half an hour’s nap,
and waking with a start found thathe had slept
more than an hour. _

His horse had finished his oats, rested With a
wallow and was croppinig grass near.

Saddlinfilhastily he sa d: , ‘

‘.‘ Now, yer, you must go to the Mingo’s be-
fore you rest.” ' '

 

v‘ And away darted the splendid horse on his

lo gallop. ,

e after mile was cast behind, but still the
young rider 1: him at his pace, and, as the
sun began to w long shadows across the
valley he rode up to a neat little cabin that was
situated back on, the hillside, and had quite an
airof comfort about it. . I ,

The settler wastin a field near, and his wife
sat in an easy-chair, looking like an invalid.

"Well, . Mingu how are your’said Deer-
Eye Dick, as he leaped from his horse.

Dick}; ,but you’ve ridden your horse almost to

“ Yes, I’ve ridden hard:~ but I brought you

somethingkhere yon‘ ht relish,” and the

yell-1th too from his a paper par-

ce ' .

“ Oh, Dickie, you are so kind; but Red— Tom
’ \

sent out here for you awhile ago.” r , .
‘ v “ Indeed Wand the boy slightly paled.
a once.” ;

 
   
 
  

 
   

’sfaoe
‘5 Yes, he saidycuweswanted

he dared force him to, and held it un-

“I’ve been ill a week,but am better now, v

 

“ Well, I will go on to the cam now; but can
I leave my horse, and will you end me one of
yours l”

“ Oh, yes, Dickie,” and telling the youth to go
out to the barnyard and take his pic of half a
dozen there, he did so, and transferring his sad—
dle from Flyer’s back, was soon dashing alongr
the ten miles into Saw Dust City as fast as his
horse could go.

It was after sunset when he rode up to the sta-
ble, and the man in charge said:

“ Deer Eye, Red Tom’s fl htin’ mad about
your goin’, and he said if yer idn’t tarn up ter-
niglit he’d put a dozen men out in s’arch of

er.

“ I’m here to save him that trouble- Hello,
Hop Up !”

And he turned to the Chinee who had be-
friended Buffalo Bill and who just then con-
fronted him.

“ Tomee awfee madee, but don’tee get fright-
ee,” said Hop Up.

‘ No, Hop, I am not at all alarmed.”

“ Sha’n’tee hurtee you,” added the Chinee.

And the youth went on into the store by the
rear door.

A clerk was there, and he gave the cheerful
information: i

“ Ther old man’s goin’ ter .skin yer, Dick, fen
he’s mad as a wet hen.”

Dick made no reply, but passed on into his
own room, which was reached by going through
that of Red Tom. ,

The store—keeper was not in, and after a while
Dick ut in an appearance at the store and let
the ot er clerk go to supper.

Then he had his supper, and yet Red Tom did
not appear. ,

At last he came and his face was black with

fury. ,
“ You kin git out fer ther rest 0’ ther night,”
he said to the other clerk, who hastily de-

parted.

Then he closed the door, and turning to Dick,
asked in a voice of suppressed passion:

‘,‘ Whar has yer been?”

“ To the Mingo’s.” '

“ You has not." -

“ I left them and came direct here.”

“ You did not.”

“ I have told you what I did.” »

“ You went somewhar else.” a

The youth was silent. ,

“I say ymi did.”

Still no answer.

“ Tell me whar yer went.”

“ For a ride.” ,1

“ Wharl”

“ Along the mountain-trails.”
“‘What for?”
,“I will nottell you.”

The words were uttered firmly and distinctly.

“ What?” ' ‘

A_nd the matn looked like a wild beast aboutto

rm upon I s re .
8p“ Iiave donepnozwrong; I went at on a ride
for a”special purpose, and I will not tell you
more

“ Then I’ll kill yer 1”

He advanced‘as he spoke and drew his knife
from his belt. I

That he was mad with fury his writhing face
and flamin eyes showed.

But the y did not move, did not drop his
hand on the knife or the revolver he wore.

He looked cahnly in the face of the man and
said slowly: , '

“Kill me ifyouwish, for better death than
such a life.” - '

He gave arhowl like a wounded wolf and
3pm toward the boy; but suddenly: out from
behin a counter near sprung a lit 9 form, a
knife glittered in his hand, and the blade was
thrust to the hilt in the body of Red Tom.

Ere he could fall, for he was dead, before the
blade was withdrawn, he was caught in the
gm of his slayer and draggedlbehind a coun-

r.

Then came the words from the lips of the
,yqi‘nglli, what hate you done?”

“ Killee Rodeo Tomee,” was the cool response
of Ho Ughe Chinee.

“ on e saved me from death, my poor
39;) Up, but you will be killed.” =. _

“ No stelymaonldgeggfigshcan man killeel .

“ g‘pgood friend, you. do not know from what
you have fregd me: at I fear for you, yes, and
 Up say comee wid he.

“ He go to-nightoe pretty quick to Buffalo

Blllee. ' , 5

“ He friend of Hop Up.” ’

‘,‘ What, is he ourfriend?”

“'Muchee eefriend of Hop Up.”

“ But you must fly, now for some one will
come in soon and discover all.” ~

“ No, deeded man insides there, and you, close V

door for night timee. , I .
“ Hap Upb ther nabeetwo horseeand readee

now to go. 1
“ You go wid brother and Hop U i”

“ Ido not imow what to do,” sai Dick, plain-

fiv . , ,
“egopeetothinkeegetoehangup.” '

 

i
1
f
5
l
i
5

  
  
  
  
 
 
 

 

 

   
 

Mm--wma-~a-_(~_-m-, . U - .

  

,;

 

 

«, a. a... , .u

Bufihlo Bill’s Benanza:

   

 

 

“ True, and you shall not suffer for me, so I
will close up the store and get you started.’

“ No go widoutee you.”

“ But you must.” _

“ But wontee; stay rightee here and get killee
allee same.” _

Dick stood in deep meditation an instant, the
Chinee coolly looking at him.

Then he said, suddenly:

“ He told me to come to him if I needed a
friend, and I will do so."

Going quickly to the door he was about to
close it, when two miners came in to buy a few
things. ,

With perfect calmness he got them the arti-

es.
“ Whar’s ther boss Deer-Eye?” asked one.
“ He’s here," was the reply.
“ I wants ter see him." .
“ He cannot come now, so drop in to-mor-
row."
“ All right, Deer-Eye, anything to please
you,” and the men departed.
Instantly the door was closed behind them and

cl

barred.

Then the door leading into the hotel was lock-
ed, and going into Red Tom’s room, Deer-Eye
tried to open a. trunk that was there.

“ The keys are in his belt,” he said, with a
shudder; but he went out into the store, where
Hop Up was hastily getting together a supply
of provisions, and secured the keys from the
dead man’s belt.

Then he unlocked the trunk, which was a ve
strong one, encircled by iron hoops, and too
froma box some papers, which he thrust into
an inner pocket of his jacket.

Then he went to his room and secured a
buckskin bag of gold, and some things he
wished to carry with him, after which he Joined
Hop Up in the store.

“Gottee plentee 'for allee,” said the Chinee,
with a smile.

“There’ is a pack-saddle, Hop Up. and we
will load it,” and he took down from a hall
where it hung a large pack-saddle.

Into it Were placed provisions of various
kinds, ammunition and the articles which he
had taken from his room.

Then some canvas cloth, rubber and woolen
blankets, and then heav overcoats were strap-
ped onto the pack, Deer- ye saying to the Chi-

nee:

“Half of this store belongs to me, Hop p,
for my moms Red Tom put in with Bunco .011
shares, and have a right to take What I Wish
and it is not stealing.”

“ Takes allee, nostealee,” was the response.

“ Now we are ready, and I must go out to the
stable and get in other horse, Faithful, while
I'll make the one rode from Mingo’s the pack-
animai until I get there and than e for F1 or.”

“’Melican man canoe brother ickee S illee;
he allee ready, too, rides horses for Hop Up.”

“All rl ht we’ll carry the pack out to-the
store stab or no one is there. ’

So they took 11 the pack-saddle, Deer-Eye
locked the door 0 the store, and they reached
the stable without being seen b an one.,

Seem-in his own horse, Fa thfu , from the
Sinner‘s t stable, and the animal he had rid-
den from the settler’s, he. soon had them ready

' and rode_a.wayin the direction of the grave-
yard, while Hop Up ran off after his brother,
who was none other. than the cook left incharge
of The Triplets' cabin, and who had not been at
all backward in amply providing himself for the
trip he contemplated making, With all that he
found handy in the house or stable.

While waiting for his Chinee friends Deer-
Eye satu nhis horse in deep and see 1y
sad inedi tion, for he said earnestly, as e
brooded over what had ha pened:

/ “Well, I did my duty yhim,as I tpledged
myself to do, and he brought his dea upon

him .
“589ml dead! and now I can gomy way; but
d f the conse-

I would ve re an
quences but for that r Chime.

“ Still, they might ve killed me and Bunco
would have robbed me of m share in the store,

so let it as it is, andw 1; I have with me
keeps mayhem being a. beggar— Ah! here
come the Chinese.”

A moment after Hop Up and Lick Skillet
rode u , the latter leading wo pack-horses, for
which 9 apologizedtlii saying:

“ No comee back, so muchee bag ,"

“ All right, it may come in well yet; at let
us be ofl,’ and leading the way Deer-Eye set on:

‘ up the valley1 toward the Mingo ranch, followed

by his two ' ee friends, who each led a pack-
‘ horse which would have driven The Triplets rav-
ing mad. had they known that their belongings
comprised the contents of the packs, and how
particular their Chinee cook had ii to secure
only the best of everything to carry with him.

/' CHAPTER xxxvn.

ran martian. ‘

Warm Buffalo Bill rode on his way, after

/ leaving Johnny on foot in the mountains, his

face wore the same calm look which no trouble
or danger seemed to change or ruffle.

He could not but can atulate himself upon

.ii‘_

 

 been warned y Deer-Eye Dick, for ‘

he had not expected to be followed by the two
men he had so severely worsted and left bound,
though his natural caution kept him constantly

. on the alert.

With the horses. of his foes, and his pack-
animals, he had his hands quite full; but he felt
that he could press on more rapidly.

Dividin the loads of the two pack-animals
between e two riding ones of Johnny and Iron
Grip, he made things more equal all around,
and kept on at a good pace.

He halted an hour at noon, taking the trouble
to be humane toward the animals by unsad-
dling them, and sought camp just at sunset.

The next morning he was on his way bright
and early, and reached a int out several
miles from the recent camp 0 the Hermit Trap-
per, in the mountain—top, about noon.

Here be halted in a thicket, determined to
make no effort to reach the camp until night,
for he did not know whose eyes might be up-
on him, nor was he sure that the trapper and
Tob had not been surprised by the mysterious
dwe ers in that (1er region during his absence
of nearly two weeks.

But there were eyes upon him, from the cliff
far above, and he had been in the thicket but
an hour when he saw two forms approaching.

“The rson and Tobyas 1 live!" he cried,
With reaflgleasure, and he Went forward to meet

hem.

It was indeed the old trapper and Sergeant
Toby, and the meetinglbetween the three was a
most warm one, one of the two grasping a
hand of the scout. ‘

“Well, Buffalo Bill my heart is glad to see
you back again, for i had begun to feel most
anxious about you,” said the trapper.

“ And right glad am I to get back to you,
person, I assure on, while you see I have not
come empty-ban ed.” .

“ No, sah, ye'r comes like Banter Claus, Massa
Bill, and I guess for hes been diggin’ ves
along or trail, as sees so many bosses, Toby
remar ed. p

“ Well, Toby, I have been so unfortunate as
to have to take human life, in two cases since I
left, for even in self defense it is a sad thing to
do, to kill a fellow being; but I will tell you the
whole sto around our campfire, and I can tell
{on we _wi 1 live well, for I ave a young store

f provxsions along, and enough to stock a small
settlement in arms, ammunition and blankets.”

“ And we shall go on now to camp?” said the
traplper. ‘

“ halted here, person, as I did not know just
how things were up in the crater where you have
your secret camp, and. besides, I did not know
who mi ht see me go there.

“So intended to wait until night and then
go on; but I must tell you that I am followed,
and by three of the greatest desperadoes on the
border, and the have no love for me, outside of
their bein pai to killme.”

“Only t reel”

“ Yes, parson.” v

“ rdyl we’ll eat ’em up,” said Tob .

“ They will be hard follows to , Toby, I
assure you' but I drove them out o a company
of scouts I once, had because I caught hem
stealing, and soon after they shot one of my men,
behaving him to be me.

“ Then I hunted them hot fora long time, but
they "escaped, and have been in the mines of
late.

“ And the ’s arter you now, Massa Bill?”
“ Yes an; not so very far behind, I guess,”

“We’ll be here when they comes, and show
’em no mercy. ”

“ If we as ture them and take them to the
fort they be hanged Without trial, for the
many crimes they have committed: but I know
the men, and it Will be because they have greatly
chgged if they surrender even against big

“‘0‘” But 1:ny idea is to ride on tiokthe end of the
, w ere we con never c it u person
and there rest unfillgight. p p, ’

“ That will take my trail that far, and I have
been careful to leave it broad, so they could
follow it. . ,

“From there we will muflle our horses and
ride back to your camp in the crater, and, leav-
ing our pack-animals, return by dawn to be on
hand to receive The Triplets, for that is the
pain: they opnderMJ’ Cod

go p an, r. - a cod ion in-
deed "said the person. y, g p ’

“ Has, Massa Buf’ler; it’s jist what sh’u’d be
did,” Toby rejoined.

Then the person and Toby mounted the horses
captured from Room Key J ohnn and Iron
Grip, and all set ofl for the end of t a trail.

It was nearly sunset when they got to the
bank, where the trail ended by going into the
surging river, and here they halted, while all
get to work to make muffles for the boots of the

arses.

These were made from blankets, and then,
that there should be no brushing signs left by
the scraping of a hoot several blankets were put
alonghin a line, and upon these the horses were
led, t e person. leading them in single file and
the scout and Toby keeping the blankets laid
a ea .

It was not very fast work, but they kept it up

 

 

for an hour or more, having made little over a
mile and come to some rocky soil where little
trace would be left.

This they passed over and ascended the moun-
tainb the regular deer~traii, the mufflers still
upon he hoofs of the horses, and at last the
mountain crater was reached.

The cavern, running back from the crater
side, in under the tower-like rocks, was amply
large enough to accommodate a regiment, and
the horses therefore had ample ace, while the
numerous crevices gave li ht an air within.

In the smaller cave, w ich the hermit had
used as his home, the pack-saddles were laced,
and by the aid of the two lanterns of fohnny
and Iron Grip and another brought by Buffalo
Bill things were set in order, the stores were put
awa u n rocky shelves, the ammunition was
safe y i of, and there were blankets
enou h to ve alla good bed.

“ ith t t good spring of water in the cra-
ter, the plenty of grass that there is on the
ridge and the abundance of provisions and am-
munition We have, We could spend months here,
if need be, parson,” said Buflalo ill.

“ Yes; and I remain here until find my child
or death calls me away."

“ I’m with you, person.” ‘

“Count me in too, sah,” Toby added, while
the scout said:

“ Parson, I fell heir, by simply taking them,
to the rifle and arms of one of the men who
went from these mountains to Saw Dust City to

25

get a list of provisions and to set a force from .

outside on me.

“ I had gone 1) the camp of Gold Bug Mine
and got a skille workman there to weld the
Silver Circle on my wrist, as you see, and I was
passing oi! as-one of the mysterious band, when
who hshould turn up but a real member, one

s aw.

“ He sought a quarrel and it ended in his
death—there is his Silver Circle, you see?

“ Well, his rifle and revolvers are first-class,
and I will turn them over to you, while those of
Iron Grip, who lies in his grave back on the
trail Toby may have. I

“ fiow we’ll clean ’em all u , while Toby sgets
supper,and after we have b a few hours’ eep
we will start for the trail, as I think my trailers
Will be along early in the morning.”

This plan was carried out to t e letter, and,
after kindling a good fire in the mouth of. the
cave, to k
tacking the arses, the three mounted and rode
away in the early dawn.

They reached the spot Buffalo Bill had in
view, for an ambuscade and making their selec-
tions of positions sat down to eattheir break-
fast after which they indulged in cat-napl un-
til Buflalo Bill said, quietly: '

“ M friends are coming, for I hear the echo
of the r horses’ boots.”

“ Yas, sub, and dere day is, and dare is four ‘-

Omeirn'”3mdd'r°b¥£in hisfl ld lass his

es an n e to/ e e

Buffalo’Bill cogtinuefii .‘ y '
“One is Hotel Johnny, whose life I have

twice s .
“ Roma beware of odd numbers.”

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
run mush.

As the four in , The Triplets and Hotel
Johnny as he was often called, rode along
the trail of the scout, and came near the Haunt-
ed Mountains, they became ve cautious.

Long, who was the best tr , went in ad-
vance, andon foot, his horse following behind
obedientéy. /

The 0 or two of The Triplets Short and
Stumpy, rode to either side, enmlnin every
sign, and Hotel Johnny brought up 1: 0 rear

th the pack-horse.

The latter realized fully the danger of his
sition, should the scout by any means triump .

He knew thatapgtience might cease to be a
virtue with Bufl
cern

 

ed. »
Under no other circumstances would he have ' ‘

dared to follow up the daring man, for revenge
or sin, but that e was in compang with three
crux-gig? as were Long, Short and tumpy, The
e .
eir reputation, and the hope of surprising
the scout, gave him 0 e.
fact was that like all bullies, once their
pride and powerare broken, they 0 cowed
and where Johan Would have before fought
half a dozen men,
shadow.
So he was content to hang back with the
horse, and yet he kept a keen eye behind
' , for fear of a surprise in that direction.

the wolves out of it and. from at- ‘

Bill, as far as he was con- '

ewasnowafraidof hisown, p

As for The Triplets, they were in their ele- '

ment.
They had, as the scout had told the trapper
and Toby, been scouts under his command; and

‘ though cod trailers they were bad men.

They ad committed crimes in partnership,
such as murdering, running on stock,
horses and playing road-agent, so they leagu
to ther for protection.
ith. a score against Buflalo Bill‘for dis-

cbrging them, and that they knew he M \

a.

\-

*3“;
I" ‘l.’

 

 

26’

H Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

sought to hang them, they were anxiousto wipe
it out and they said in chorus:

“ We‘ll take him alivejand hang him, and see
how he likes it.” ‘

Together they feared no one man, and with
Johnny as a reserve, while they fought they
would face many times their number, provided
Buffalo Bill was not against them as one of the
number.

Knowing him as they did they determined to
use strate , and they entered the mountains
with all thar wits about them.

He had left them a broad trail, and they had
gone into camp for the nip, ht little over half a
score of miles from the Hermit ’l‘rapper’s crater
camp on the mountain-top. .

There wa one thing that caused The Triplets

' a little anxiety, and to Johnny much anxiety,
and that was the‘stories thgy had heard about
the mountains being haunte . ‘

Theyknew that many of the tales must be
false, and yet they were aware that Indians
would not go there as they claimed that evil
spirits dwelt there.

' They knew men‘who had seen strange sights

in those mountains, of a weird and spectral

1 nature, and yet they were sure that men dwelt
Pi . there who were not ghosts.

. They were. like all wicked men, superstitious,
but they had not the wild dread of the super—
natural that had come over Johnny since his
. downfall.

 Where they looked for a good lurking-place

‘v2' . ,,for afoe, Hotel Johnny regarded it as a good

" ‘ -nook for a spook to come out of, and he ept
his eyes rolling about on all sides, from the
moment they entered what was properly known
- as the Haunted Mountains.

Starting at early morn, they came up the
valle only a Couple of hours after Buffalo Bill
and is comrades had taken up the position in
ambush.

The spot chosen by the scout seemed to be a
natural umbuscade.

It fronted the cliff, on which was the strange
and mystic sign of the Silver Circle, and it held
a position so that one approaching the river—
'iank, where the trail so abruptly ended, must
come under the range of the miles of the party
in hiding. '.

The lace was a pile of rocks, overgrown with
stunted ines, and rising like an oasis out of the

r meadow and about it.
There were canyons running into it that an
 army-wagon could pass through, and in one of
I 1 these the three horses were staked out to short
1' s, all ready to mount hastily, while their
7 ri are held a good posxtion among the tree-
fringed rocks forty‘feet above them.
It was, from this formidable lookout that
Buffalo Bill saw the enemy ap reaching. ,
For himself the scout ha an ambush, and
liked to go fairly out and face a man.
' But the question at stake inthis case was a
- most serious one.
I He argued that he had come here alone to see
‘ what the mystery of those everlasting hills
I was. - '

  
   
  
  
   
   
  
    
  
  
   
  
   
   
    
 
  
    
   
    
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
 
 
   
       
   
  
   
   
  

grief, and he had heard his story, believed it;
. and saw with pleasure that hope had brought
back the wandering senses. . _ ~
. deg?) knew that lupus Carltgr Creighgonllhlad
ywron edt is re manian '1 l9
sympathies gwere seamed for the one, all his
hatred against the other.
 knew that Carter Creighton, known as

V Don the Monte Man, had stolen the old person‘s

beautiful grandchild and had her in hiding some-
‘where there, if she was yet alive.

- Some strange mystery kept that wicked man
a in themountains, and he had gathered around
, . him others, doubtless as wicke as himself.
'To kefigothersl away, the scout felt that the
v . vMonté n was at the bottom of the mysterious
.phantom-like deeds done there. .
i It wastherefore his intention to solve these
1 mysteries, to rescue the old parson’s Wild Rese
V if in his power, and to bring Den the Monté
Man to justice. ~
‘ In this he was to be thwarted by three men
“ whom he knew richly, deserved hanging, and
,I one whose life he had at one time, spared.

I V Weighin all these considerations in his mind,
Buffalo Bi felt that there was an excuse for
into'ambush, especially when a death
0 their party might lose all, and that
, there were four against three. '

‘ Bosides, after thesenien’had been gotten rid
of, there were the Silver Circle band to hunt
. down andcapture. '

  

  

  

  
 
 
 
 

  

5h: one clean sweep we need not fear, the phan—
t toms, for, after what you tell me, person, of
seeing but five, and what I picked up, I do not
think we have over halfp. dozm. all told, to go
. against,” the scout had said, as they waited for
. ’the'coming of the trailers. - »
And now the trailers were in sight, coming on

 
 
 
 

 

(mining. as those men we 1 knew how to be,
' ‘The eyes of the three in ambush were upon

   
  
 

{is
see.
nd nearer- they approached; Long

pigs face,'a:look that was alinost mercil
' edyards-in front,‘and direct}

   

."n‘l

 

He had met there an old man, gone mad from '

,ter camp ground fer us then right over yonder

  
    
    
 
    

  
   
   

“ If we can’wipe out The Triplets and Johnny ,

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   

r can remain here, both of

slowly, feeling their wa ,watchful, cautious,

   
   
 

them, and a stern smile rested'upon_Bufl?alo' l
’ ' ‘ comes to a chase.
horse I ha

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

30.n- 1mm

the trail of the scout, Short a hundred feet to
one side, Stumpy as many more on the other,
and Hotel J ohnn bringing up the rear.

They looked li e army skirmishers in their
cautious advance, and when Long was on foot, y
the others were mounted.

Presently Long stopped and his eyes were
upon the pile of rocks.

His cunnin eye saw at once its advantages ‘
for an ambus , and he conned it closely.

The others halted as he did.

Then he tOok his field-glass and scanned with
the utmost patience every part of it.

Still he seemed not satisfied, though he saw
nothing of a suspicious nature. I

Then he looked at the distant cliff, and its
weird circle paintedu on it, and examined the
open space leading to t e river between the clifl
and the massive, impassable rocks on the right.

It seemed too open there, on either side, for
an enemy to find a lurking place; but the oasis
on his left he did not like.

He heard the roar of the river as it surged
along. and doubtless thought that where the
trail forked it there was a shallow crossing, and
still keeping his eye upon the suspicious pile of
rocks on his left he once more moved on, and his
comrades followed as before. ,

CHAPTER XXXIX.
A DUEL 0N HORSEBACK.

As the trail left by Buffalo Bill bent to the
right, toward the open space leading to the
river, the trailers followed it slowly, though
each one had somehow gotten an idea of sus-
picion thatall was not right in that pile of the-
fringed rocks on the left.

At last Long reached the steep bank of the
river, and the narrow space between the steep
rocky banks on the right, and the SiIVer Circle
cliff on the right, bringing all nearer together,
they four were soon assembled upon t e end
of the trail, where it broke off at the river.

“ Pards, no man or horse ever went over thar
and lived,” said Long.

“ Not much, fer ther stream goes along like a
drove 0’ Texas ‘bronchos,” Short said, while
Stumpy rejoined :

“It doka like
thar.” : ,

“ Yet ther trail comes here," put in Johnny.

“ Yes, and tarns back, too. ”. x

“ Wlmrdocs yer see ther tern?” ’ ‘

“ ’l‘htt is so, ther trail comes right here and

s")
‘P This is ther and o’ it.”
h “Tiger scout hes committed suicide: right
ere. ‘ ‘
“Ef he hes rid his bosses off here inter thet
stream he hev.” _ "
“Buffalo Bill hain’t of a suicidm’ nature,

rd 5' V,

“ What then?"

“ Thar is some mystery here we can’t git on-
ter, any more than we kin pick up ther ends 0’
thet trail.” ‘ r V

“ What’s ter be done?” ,

“ Camp and talk it over.” .

“ This are a. hard camp-ground.” '

“ We’ll find better over yonder," and Long
pointed to. the rocky oasis. _

So they talked, each'one giving his views, and
all at a‘ioss to discover the mystery.

Leading the way, Long went to the clifl', and
there they stood gazing at the strange device
painted upon its rocky wall. ’

“ Pards wait here until I takes a survey 0’
yonder bit 0’ rock, for it may hide a ghost, and
inqphidea man as kin make ghosts 0’ human

cm s. . ,

“ Ark-r I has tuck a look that, we kin go inter
camp, and then we can recon uoiter pretty snug
about these parts, and more, I knows o’ no bet-.

 

certain death to go over

among them bowlders which is piled up so per:
miscuous.” , V . .

“ Wasn’t thar su’thin’ said by Bunco o’ a let-
ter rock here?” asde Stum y.

“ Yes, and I‘ll put ther ette'r their now, fer
that must be that rock,” and he pointed to a rock
upon one side, which seemed to have fallen from
the cliff above. ‘ . - > ‘

' Heraised it and placed beneath it the letter
given him by Bunco. . , --- -
Then be mounted his horse and rode toward
the ambush, leavmg'the others watching: him,

. Be a preached with caution, his rifle ready to
fire, it e sprun up any dan erous game.

Buffalo Bill, t e person an .Toby watched his
approach, and then the former said: _ *-

P rson, he’s but one, and it’s against my
feelin s to fire at one man from an ambush, for
it’s akin,;to murd 3r.” _ ’ i '
“ You are right. Buffalo Bill”,
‘,‘ Scotcha snake anyway, Massa
dangersome,” said Toby. _ l V
" Well, I’ll ride out and meet him. and you
you, and fire on the

  

 
 
    
 
      

 

 
   

      

     
      
 

Bill, for dey’s

 

 
 
 

others as they come up.”
“ All right, Cody.” . .
“ I only wish I had ridden Comrade, m own
horse. instead of. Iron .Grip’s' as I did an then

would be certain of catching any of them if it
but, I don’t know how the

and was soon mounted upon Iron Grip’s horse
which he had ridden to give Comrade a needed
res .

Seating himself well in the saddle, and with
his rifle in hand he rode to the edge of, the can-
yon and suddenly dashed out.

But in the mean time the desperado had
changed his position going around, as though to
circle the rocks, an make his approach mm
the rear.

Thus it was that the scout looked in the wrong
direction for him, just where he had seen him
last, while Long, with his eye hard 11 on the
mouth of the canyon, saw him as he das ed out
into the o n meadow.

Instant y the desperado threw his rifle to his
shoulder and fired, just as a yell of warning
came from Toby, who saw that the scout had
not seen the man where he had expected, and
naturally supposed he had gone in the opposite
direction.

With the crack of Long’s rifle, down went
Buffalo Bill’s horse, shot through the brain,
while yells broke from the other two Triplets as
thgy spurred toward the scene.

it the sudden fall of his horse Buffalo Bill

in vain tried to catch himself on his feet, and

hampered as he was b his rifle, he was pinioned

flow by one leg un er the body~of the dead
rute.

To extricate himself, even possessed of his
giant Elites-fill], before Long was upon him,
Buffalo 3' know was impossible, and so he
drew his revolver quickly and fired. ‘

Even in the situation in which he found him—
self, his nerve had not deserted him, and his
aim was true, for the arms of the desperado V
were thrown upward, the rifle dropped from his
hands, and he ell heavily from his saddle.

In the mean time the parson and Tob , seeing
the misfortune of their comrade ha fired a
shot each at long ran e, toward their other
foes, and then hastily escended to the canyon
and mounted their horses. I

They dashed out in time toroonf out Short
and Stump coming viciously on irectly to-
ward Buffa 0 Bill. w 0 was makin gi antic ef—
forts to get out from beneath the ea body of
the‘horse.

“,Take the fat one, Toby, and rson, ou try
and catch yonder fellow, for ’11“ loo after
Short,”~ called out Buffalo Bill, and his revolver
cracked as he spoke, while Toby had kept up a.
rapid fire upon Stumpy from the moment he
was told to do so. -

Short’s horse dropped at the scout’s fire, and
his rider fell and rolled over and over, but be l
was ,1: n his feet in an instant, and rushing
upon uffalo Bill.

Together their revolvers. cracked, and the

‘ weapon of Buffalo Bill fell from his left hand,‘
With which he had fired, the bullet. of the des—
perado having struck it uarely, and thus been
checked onrits way~to t e scout’s brain, for,
which it was going direct.

But Short had fired his last shot, as he sta -
gored a few feet, drgpped his revolver, stumble ,
recovered himself, e l to his knees, arose, drew
his knife and made a supernatural eflort to
reach the scout. . ,1 ‘

Seeing that his foe wa hard hit, Buflalo Bill 4
did not fire again, though he had drawn his r"
other revolver," and a moment after the brave ’
but wicked man sunk down within a few feet of
his enemy, crying out savagely:

“ We die Buffalo Bill, and you live.”

He could say no more, and half supporting
himself on his hands he remained thus an in-
stant and then dropped down on his face.

In the mean time Toby had spurer directly
for the third and last of The Triplets, who,
though he had seen his comrades 0 down, was
not unnerved, and rents bulletsoc ose to Toby’s
face that it stung him,

But Toby was a good shot, too, and he woun d-
ed the desperado, breaking his right am; but-
quick as a flash Stumpy drew a revolver in his V
left and returnedthe compliment by clipping a.
piece out of the soldier’s shoulder.

They were now almost upon each other, and
to dismount his enemy, the brave black spurred
hisllarge, horse directly “upon the smaller ani-
ma .

 

.V. ..r_

' ‘7: 7’7"?"

":HN—s .

* With his weight added the shock was terrific,

and Stumpy and his horse Went down, while
Toby’s horse barely saved himselffrom a heavy

' Wheeling instant] Toby sprung to the ground
and advanced upon is foe. \
But though thehorse  risen, his rider re—
mained motionless. ‘ n , , ,
‘5 Bravo, Toby! the Desperado Trio have been ..
wiped out; but come an help me out of my ‘ ;

 

‘ scrape, for. the partitions gone off after Hotel

Johnny and may need our aid .”

The negro ran to the Scout’s assistance, and
their united efforts extricated him from his most
painful position. _ _ ,, .

E‘Ther three f ’em‘is dead. Massa Billcand de
person am hot arter ‘de man yer calls Hotel

olinny.” v . A ‘ ’ ' *

“Yes,Toby and W9 must 0 afterthe par» _
son,er that fellow‘is a  and may play I
> some trick ofbeing dead and tux-iron him. . , _

“ He know he rides for his life newslend .

 
     
 
  

  
  
  
   
  

   

  

 

ffalo Bill drawback

a rumi’lsnd ,Bu
,' scram do

ks ' “Buflvalo  sprung uponToby’sbig horse,

   
 

callw -

 

  



 

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanga.

 

ingtohim to catch Stumpy’s animal and fol-

ow.

When Hotel Johnny saw that the trouble had
begun, he edged down the trail, to get a fair
start, if it was necessary to run for it. .

Leading the pack-horse he rode along. and

elled with delight when he saw Buffalo Bill’s

orse go down and pin him under him.

But he became livid as he saw Long, the best
man of The Triplets fall, and putting spurs to
his horse he ur ed him on, cursing the pack—
horse for not fol owing faster.

When Short went down under the fire of the
pinioned scout, and he saw the son com-
ing for him, Hotel Johnny felt that e had made
a mistake in coming to the Haunted Mountains,
ilnd letting go of the pack-horse he fled for his

ife.

Once he glanced back, with the hope that
Stumpy might redeem the day ; but what he saw
cansod his teeth to clatter, as Toby was just rid—
in the last of the trio down.

he rson too was coming on swiftly, though
Hotel ohnny was delighted at seeing that his
horse was the fastest and gaining ra idly.

“ I may at escape, for uifalo Bi ’3 leg must
be broke,” e murmured as he sped along.

“Yes, I will escape, for night will come on if
I can only leave them far behind, and then ’11
git away, I knows I will,” he whined.

‘ ‘ I war a fool ter come, for I might hevknow’d
thet that were no man as c’u'd kill Buffalo Bill,”
and the man was livid with fear.

He had no saddle, only a blanket fastened
around the horse, and he urged the animal with
knee, voice and spur.

The person had not fired upon him, he was
surprised to see, when he could have done so at
first, as he was in good range.

And he too had not fired on the arson, as he
now recalled, and he cursed himse for his for-
getting that he really had arms. _

Then, as he drew further away he grew}
braver, and bitterly reproached himself that he
Sad not charged when Short and Stumpy had

one so.

“ If I hed gone then, why it would hev settled
it, for if two of them went down, t’other and
me c'u’d hev held ther trumps, and we (1 hov
been pards, and less ter divide spoils among.

“But it’s too late ter talk now, and all hes
ter do is ter git, and I’m doin’ it thei' best I
knows how.”

And on he went, with the person far behind
now, and no one else in sight, so he began to
congratulate himself that he had for a third time
escaped from Buffalo Bill, when he rode into a
can on, through which the trail ran.

ardly had he done so, when he uttered a yell
of terror, for he saw that he had dashed into a
hornet’s nest, figuratively speaking, for he had
run full upon three horsemen, and their attitude
was hostile in the extreme toward the fugitive
despemdo, who, flyin for life, seemed to have
come face to face wi death. . , ,

CHAPTER XL, ,
canvass ON THE WAR-PATH.

WHEN Deer-Eye and his two Chinee friends
started awa from tho mining-camp of Saw
Dust City, 1; ey fully realized the danger they
were in.‘

Did Bunco, who had the keys of the store, go
into it, he would doubtless find the body of his
clerk, for Red Tom was little more. , ,

Did any of the miners happen to notice that
the Bonanza Palace store was closed sooner than
usual, it would surely cause Bunco to go and
discover the cause.

The body found, it would at once be traced to
Deer-Eye as the murderer. I g

Then Hop Up had not been seen in the hotel
that afternoon, and he was known to be very

 

friendly toward the youth.

\

 

‘ roll and teed, while
breakfast.

9, r‘

The discovery made. pursuit would follow

uickly and] nch law would be the result, for
t shot-head miners would kill the boy and
the Chinee first, and try them afterward.

Wéth tzlgiéil¥£Wledge fidtheiri‘fiate, it was no
won or ey res 1 on to
Mjlp‘golllianclé., m p , ' er My the

e ones so er was called u and Dear-
Eye, feeling that he could trust lm, made a
square statement of the facts.

Flyer had been well caredfor in the mean
while, and the haltidoze’.‘ hon”. °f “at he had
had at him in fair trim again, so the pack.

~ sad ebeionging to 1119 youth was taken OR of

Settler M” 0’s horse and transferred to one of
the animallggwhich Lick Skillet had brou ht

Aisl'i‘i or was to go light, it was not 1; ought
he "will retard their ride. . v .

With kind words from the settler and his wife"
the? Sta-"ed. Mrs. Mingo calling out: .

‘ If they come this way, after you, chkie’
we,“ send them on a false trail.” »

Deer'Eye W, his sombrero, and the little
Party Started 03 at a canter.

Thu-"PW threw the miles behind them, walk-
ing their horses up and down the hills, gem l
mpidlv upon the level land, and stopping abOu
every alt-hour to regg- \ u .

Just at davdm flagrant into camp], :he hgdrsfg
were 3mm” - 5P in s an ow

Magellan got a hearty

 

2'7

 

on.

At last they came totheplaco where Deer—Eye
had met with Buffalo Bill, and from here they
took the trail, the youth showing at once that he
was a good plainsman.

The tracks of the two trackers were also seen
and Deer-Eye saw that they were pushin on
after the scout’s trail, and he felt anxious, ear-
I ing they might have gained the mastery bycun-

ning and treachery, even after his warning.

The camp of the scout, in the little canyon,
was found, and the grave, covered with logs,
showed that some one had fallen.

Deer-Eye did not dare take the time to find
out who it was but as the trail went on toward
the Haunted Mountains, he hoped that it was a
si that the scout had been victorious.

ad the des radoes been, they would doubt-
less return to ‘aw Dust City to regain their lost
prestige, the boy decided.

The trails of The Triplet party were now
visible, and Deer-Eye was anxious to press on,
as much for the safety of the scout, as for him-
self and the Chinese.

The horses were given all the care they could
get under the circumstances: but they were
kept constantly movmg, and Deer-Eye began to
feel, that, if the body of Red Torn had not been
discovered until the next morning, it would be
soai‘nti; hoiém attefighia-ttbeftlire hheriethcould' breve

pu upon e rai,an w a mg s
Etart he did not fear being bvertaken.

Could they reach the scout, he had no fear of
anfi number that might come in pursuit.

e knew well, however, the nature of the
miners; how they saw a man shot down in their
midst, and he was not arrested, or punished
unless some comrade took up the quarrel an
killed him, yet, if a man was slain, and no wit-
nesses were there to see fair play, and the killer
escaped, he was almost immediately hunted
down that lynch law might be dealt out to him.

With the trails of Buffalo Bill and The Tri
‘lets before him, Deer-E 3 Dick had no troub e
in finding his way and 9 saw how much more
rapidly he was going than either ty ahead,
by noting their campingiplaces, an pushing on
to one still further himse .

At len th the d weird mountain region
was reac ed, and r-llye felt that those ahead
could not be ver far off.

He wondered ust what the situation was. and,
if after havin defeated Iron Grip and Hotel
Johnny as he oped, he should be slain by The
Triplets.

Warned as he was, Buflalo Bill must be on the
alert, and so Deer-Eye hoped for the best.

The boy was a crack shot, and both Hop U
and his brother handled both pistoland revo -
ver well, while that the former was a dangerous
hand with the knife, Red Tom was a departed
example. ,

If attacked therefore Deer-Eye felt that they
could defend themselves and he felt little anx-~
iety on this score, though he seemed to dread to
have to fight, though that he was utterly fear-
less in nature was evident from his face.

So at last the mountains were reached, and
the party encamped at night in a wild spot,
having passed some hours before the last camp-
ing-place of The Triplets.

The camps told Deer-Eye Dick that Buffalo
Bill, if indeed it was he that Was leading, and
not the two deperadoes, was some distance

ahead of' The Triplets, and had entered the
mountains in ample time to find a refuge there
from his pursuers. _ ,

Deer-Eye was happy in feeling that his “our-
ney must soon end, for he had not only put im-
self to a severe (physical test, but he had driven
the horses bar and they were beginning to
show it.

As for the two Chinese who answered to the
strange names the miners had bestowed upon
them, they took the hard ride m0st coolly and
seemed to show no fatigue whatever.

They were asleep in the saddle most of the
time, while Deer—Eye followed the trail, not
waking up often until a halt was called. I

But in camp they were busy as bees, getting
wood and water, looking after the horses and
cooking, while they seemed to wish Deer-Eye

some very refreshing naps during a halt.

Early the next morning they were up and
moving along upon the trail.

They’had gone along for several hours, when
suddenly the beard distant firing.

Instantly eer-Ey “called a halt.

Stone wall, and along the base on either side a
Erowth of stunted trees.

There were bowlders here and there, too, and
litter listening to the shots an instant, and seem-
?”E to think they grew louder. as though com-
1118 that wa , Deer-E e fell back to a group of
bowkiers’ W re the hrees were a little thicker
than elsewhere, .

9» Pink-horses were quickly hitched in a
“‘3 Place. the Chinese were left in charge and

Deer-E a rod .
He 37 hede forth upon a reconnaissance

 

halted for he sawing-in the distance a horse-
‘maneiiproachingat fullspged. ‘

k

   
 
    

    

A rest of an hour, and once more they pressed v

to leave all to them, and in this wav he got‘

ey were in a dee canyon. with sides like a ,

 

the mouth of the canyonvand ‘

3

He knew that he must come through the
canyon, so wheeling, he rode back at a g lop.

It was not the scout, he had seen at a glance,
but he had not reco nized ijust who it was.

“ We will head t at fel ow off, for I believe
The Triplets have attacked the scout and he has
sent them flying, ” he said to his two comrades.

“ Allee lightee, we headee off " was the coni—
placent rejoinder, and they smiled as if it was
ahead y done.

Seated on their horses they waited, and to
their ears came the rattle of flying hoofs.

A few moments more and there dashed into
sight 9. bareback horse and rider.

‘ Bad ’Melican man i” cried Lick Skillet.

“ Muchee bad J ohnnce,"echoed Hop Up, who
recognized him at a glance.

“ Yes, it is Room Key Johnny, and he looks
as though he had seen a host.

“I was in hopes that utfalo Bill had killed
him ; but we must stop him.”

Out from behind the bowlder spurred the
three, and then it was that Hotel Johnny gave.
a. ell of terror undis uised.

e tried to dodge y on the other side of the
canyon, but saw that he was headed off. 1

He started to turn back, but the clatter of L ‘15
hogfs behind him stopped that intention in short 9
or er. 1

Then he grew desperate, drew a revolver in.
each hand, and, in his fright, begun to fire at
random.

Deer-E eraisr-d his revolver, but dropped his
hand aga n. saying:

“ No, no!"

But if any conscientious samples disturbed
him aboutflring upon the desperado, the Chinae
were not troubled that way, for Lick Skillet, a.
skillful thrower of the lasso sent the rope 1! ing
through the air, while Hop lip at the same {ima
opened fire.

The result was a natural coincidence, for the
noose of Lick Skillet’s lariat settled over the
head of the flying horse, upon which the Chineo
had abusiness eye. while the bullet from Hop
Up’s revolver perforated the body of the unfm
tunate wretch.

“ I catches hosseel” yelled Lick Skillet, with
delight, as he brought the animal to his knees.
while over his head went the deperado.

“Me klllee ’Melican man,” shouted HopEUp,
with equal enjoyment, as he saw that otel .
Johnny did not 1- se. --

“ Oh! What a life this is,” sadly said Deer~
Fye, as he rode toward them, and asked, quick~ '

y.
2: E be deald 2'; ” '
as ea . ‘> ‘
“Goals: bosses, badee ’Melica‘n man," were ' ,
the responses he received. ‘
A moment more and the Hermit Trapper
dashed into the canyon. and at sight ofythem'ha ‘
drew rein and brought his rifle round ready for
use.

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
    
 
  
   
   
   
    
     
 

 

CHAPTER XLI. ,
WELL mar. .

WHEN the Trap 1' Parson dashed into the:
can on he was ce 'nl surprised at the sight.
of res horsemen ah of him.

He had heard the rattle of the revolvers but .
indistinctly as he glued along and supposed they ’ ’
came from behin him and that one of The,
griplets had escaped and was being chased by

oby,
' But at s ht of three men on horseback in the"
gngfnlhlel wregi’, whilea langefiholwed him

0 onnyon 6 un an s 'orse in-
‘the lariat-noose of his 33m. ' ,

The sun shone in his eyes, and shading them
with‘his hand he took a better look, for age was
beginnin to dim his sight. ‘

Ashe id so he saw one of the men ride to~
wlidtiijm'h d 1 H tel J

ey a s ain o ohnn the sure] I.

could not be hostile to him, he [hogghhy y’ ,

Then he supposedthe .might be some of the I
mysterious band who unted the mountains, ‘
and be pre red to greet them as foes, if such.
they shoul prove. ‘ ‘

Deer-Eye saw this. and recognizing thaold
trapper whom he'had seen at the store several”
times after his coming there, he called out:

“ Ho, nurson, we are friends!” '

“lt’sRed Tom‘s young clerk,” said the tra j
perto himself as he rode forward. and be t "
thathe bad no trouble on his hands, as he had ,
always liked the youth. 7

HWeill, lad this is a strange meeting between ‘
u. "my up ere._”he said, as be grasped ch
cutstretched hand of the youth. ‘ /

“It is, indeed, air, and right glad am 1 to“
meet on, for I was looking for Buffalo Bill, ,
who ” heard was your comrade in these moan

 

 

“ Yes; and a noble comrade he is, too, and
back up the valley where we had a bat with 1
mos. Saw Dust City Triplets. Cody' . 1:91-33
was shot and pinned him to theeartli, but I
hope he is not much hurt.” . ,

‘ I sincerely hope not, sir, and we will go to
him at once.” a 2

“ But who are your companions?” - . -

“Two Chinee bmtherarone having been i“
servant in the Sinner’s Rest and the other the
cook of The Triplets. _ ' v .

     
    
  
   
    
   
  
   
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
    
  
   
    
    
 
   
   
    
    
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
    

 

\

 
 

  
  
  

I with a glance at the body 0

r on ions pockets.

[Wm

. see t he was not serious y hurt, and when

‘1 your lives.” and then Deer-Eye Dick tol the
\ interest the scout listened. and the Chinese com-

, them a hearty tin inhis characteristic way
- while he addedgfee g ’

.» SoTobystoodJikea

r all hoggallantly

/

‘28

’Bufi‘alo ‘ Bill’s Bonanza;

 

“They have served me well, and I owe my
life to one of them. _

“ Come, boys, I wish to introduce you to my
friend, the Trapper Parson.” ‘

“ Me knOWee him; niece man; see him heapee
often "said Hop Up.

“ es; muchee good ’Melican,” added Lick
Skillet, while the old trapper grasped their
hands warmlyfi A

Then Deer- ye told how they had left Saw
Dust City and pressed on to find Buffalo Bill,
until they had had Hotel J ohnny dash upon
them and u n his death.

“ It is to see man die thus; but he deserv-
ed his fate, and rather than he should escape to
bring others against us, as I feared; I meant to
track him to the end. for he rodeltoo fast for his
horse to last long, and in these mountains I am
at home.

“ But come, for I am anxious about the scout,
and we will ride back, while you men can come
on with the body, for there aremore to bury.”

“ Goodee wolf-meat,” suggested Lick Skillet,

Hotel Johnny.

“No, he must be buried, boys, and you can
throw the body across one of the horses and
bring him along up there. for you would not
like to have the thoughtthat When you died your
body would be left to the, wolves," Deer-Eye
sai

d.

“ Hop Up die, don’t care if wolf haves pick-
nickee wid him,” answered Hop U , but he
added, as Deer-Eye rode off with the ermit: ‘

“ All lightee, we fetchee.”

A moment after, as they examined the body
of the dead man, to see how many of Hop Up’s
bullets hit him. they were glad that they had
decidedto bury him, for they found consider-
able that was of value stowed away in his

they transferred the findings to their own

pockets, threw the body across his horse and
strapped it there and etting the other animals,
started on after Deer- ye and the trapper, who
were now half a mile ahead. _

In the mean time Buffalo Bill was coming
thundering down the valle in chasle the trap—

r and the desperado, an came in sight of the

ormer, returning along with a compamon.

At first he supposed it was Johnny a prisoner,
and sai : g

“ The person has roped in Johnnynand now
I’ll rope him up, for this is his day_to die—no, it i
is not Hotel Johnny, but—as I live it is that
splendid boy who gave me the warnings that

 

- have saved my life.

“ He has been discovered in what he did, and
has fed to light out and hunt me, and right glad
am . '

The trapper and Deer-Eye gave a shout at
the scout coming, so lad were they to

they met the greeting was a warm one.

“ Well my ad. what brings you up intothese
weird hills? said sumo Bi . i

“ I cametosoek you,sir, and I have friends
with me, who, like myself, were forced tofi for

story of all that had happened, and with deepest
ing up as the youth concluded, Buffalo Bill gave

“If any pursuit is made of you, Dwerye,
we’ll stop it very soon, which, with our present
force, a person, a colored soldier. a store clerk,
“to Chinee, a scout plenty of horses, and pro-
visions tothrow tothe birds, we can clean out ,
every ghostand Silver Circle mystery in these

 

I Inountains.

“ I tell you, pards, we have come here to stay,

' and I intend to find a bonanzaright here, you .
mark my words.

i
“ Buticome, we must look after the dead and {
-‘th0fl take care of the living," and they all turn-

? ed back up the valley, .while Toby, who saw
them coming, said to himself ' ‘ l

“ Sergeant Nicodemus Toby, am you takin‘ ‘
'Ileab of your eyesight, or am dere five men in
yonder party. and nine horses, instid of two men
t‘ree horses, as dere sh’u'd be, for in course
Hesse Buf’ler hev kilt dat man as runned away,
as he’s back so soon?

“ No, dere’s plenty of ’em, and I guesses thar’s
goin’ ter be business in .”

inn hant blackkni’ ht '

on the battle-field, awaiting approach'of .

 soon came up, and Buffalo Bill made .

Toby uainted with his new friends, telling I

  
    
 
 

 

  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
    
  
  
 
   
 
  
 
 

the sergeant had 0
Stumpy and annihilated him.

The Triplets. and all were placed in one grave
hands, said solemnly, as a prayer:

I l

,' “Amen!” responded Buflalo Bill and Deer-i

‘ ‘ et remained silent, blandly smiling, and
Tub remarked sotto race: I

,, “I can’t say dais/fer cf de Lord hah mercy
endow Williams, I is likely ter meet ’em above,
and! don’t want ter see ’em-any more.”

The dead were ,soon collected, the Chime?
brothers makinga diagnosis of the pockets of I

among the rocks, while the pal-inu, raising his 
“May Godrhave mercy‘upon/their, sinful:

e Dick, in a low tone, while Hop Up and Lick i
l

 

 

Havin “ wiped out "their ursuers, the (party
moved own the valley an up to the rater
Camp where the two hinese were at once in-
s as major domos of the culinary depart-
ment and to look after the animals, as that was
more in their line, while the others were to de-
vote themselves to solving the mystery of the
Silver Circle after a couple of days’ rest, which
all needed, the scout having been bruisod up
considerably by his fall.

“ As soon as we get our horses and ourselves
in shape, I have a little plan on hand to carry
out. that I think will take us to the cam of the
Silver Circles," said Buflalo Bill, and his words
caused his hearers to feel that he knew more
than he had thus far let them know.

CHAPTER XLII.
a STRANGE TRAILER.

SEVERAL days passed awa in perfect rest
up in the Crater Cam , as uflalo Bill called
the bowl-like camping-p e of the person.

The scout had been a little worsted in his fall,
and he needed the rest he got, while the horses
that had come on from Saw Dust City also
needed time to recuperate.

The two Chinese seemed in their element, in
the camp, cooked meals that would have tempt-
ed a Jesuit, and held no fear of danger as long
as Buffalo Bill was there in rogn'a persona.

Deer-Eye had been consi era ly fagged out
by his arduous trip, and, like the scout, was
willing to rest. i

The person and Toby went off on guard duty,
each day makinga trip, to discover if any party
from Saw Dust City had pursued Deer-Eye
Dick, but no one was seen, and the scout gave it
as his opinion that the pursuers had not one
far from the camps, if indeed pursuit had n

 

e.

“ Now parson, let me know if on have seen

\the Dumb Pards,” said Buifalo Bi 1 on the even-

ing of the day before operations were to be be-
in earnest.

“No, Buffalo Bill, not once while you were
awa did we see them.”

6 t '

' guess they got a lesson last time, as far as
their owner was concerned, for he has kept
them back, that is certain.”

“ I s ke to Toby about not havin had an-
other g impse of the Dumb Pards, an we were
greatly in hopes we could be able to capture
them and surprise you upon your return - ut I
fear they were lost the night you followed them
so boldly into the river.”

“ I think so too, Massa Bill,” said Toby.

“ 1 am sure the were not; but I have a little
plan on hand find out just where they
went.”

“ How can you l” asked the par-son.

“ Yas, Massa Bill, how yer gwine ter find that

out

“I confess to a curiosity to know also your
secret, after all I have heard of those remark-
able Dumb Pards " Deer—Eye Dick remarked.

“Well, to explain I Will sa that you all
know that when the umb P s failed to get
through with their messa e, that a man was
sent as a messenger, from t is mysterious leader
of the Silver Circle League.

“ I went to Saw Dust City, as I deemed that
was the point communicated with, and I deter-
mined to solve the mystery.

“ I did so. aided by chance and circumstances,
to a limited extent, for I discovered that there

was a communication between some
one in these mountains and Bunco, the Land-
lord of the Miner‘s nest Tavern in Sawdust
Cit . ‘

“YI discovered that the man Bunco alone
knew the secret. excepting some minor matters
which Hotel Johnny had wormed out of him or

leaned by stealth.

“The man who came down from the moun-

tains as messenger, was Fanshaw, who forced
me to kill him.

“ He brou ht word that Bunco was to lead a
force of pic ed men from outside to track me,
and you and Toby, person, to death, as our
being ,in these mountains caused him uneasi-
ness. ,

“Fanshaw led nco to suspect me. in its
at my having my garist encircledby the 8' var
Circle, or I could have gleaned more informa-
tion, in fact. all I cared for. r' .

“ But I had had a lesson and was anxious to
get away, fearing another messenger from
mountains.

“Deer-Eye here heard the plot of Bunco, to.

send the Triplets up here to search for me. and

hargedu , Ho U overheard the arrangement of Hotel-
pon  J olfhuypand Ira Grip to kill me. -

“To Deer-Eye I owe my escape, and we are
pards for life, and be hasbut to command me
3t may time to see that I will respond. to the
i eat . '7

“ Here’s my hand on it. Deer-Eye,” and Buf-
falo Bill grasped the hand of the boy/who had
instantly extended it at the words of the
scout.

“Thank on, sir. I am glad to have served
you,” said e youth.

“Nos;1 I am no robber, pards," Buffalo Bill
coutin ': ~ I ' _ , ~
v “But I— did take the trapsofyFanshawmnd
forapurpose. ,  , .  I ,

r

  

 

 

“That 3)
a splendi ammal, as you can all vouch for.

‘ But he is more: he is one of the Silver Circle
League I”

All looked at the scout in surprise.

It was clear that they did not wholly grasp"
his meanin .

He smile and said:

“ I see that you do not understand me, so I
will say that if Fanshaw was of the Silver Cir-
cle League, he knew where the retreat was.

“Well, if he came from that retreat he came
on horseback, a d that horse brought him."

“ I see," said t e person, thou htfully.

“ It’s blacker ter me, Massa Bi 1, than my race
is,” Toby remarked, greatly bothered.

“ If t e horse came from the secret haunt, he
can go back there!

“If he brought Fanshaw from the retreat,
he can carry me back.”

They all understood then the bold purpose of
the scout, and Deer-Eye said:

“ We can all follow you, sir, and surprise
them.”

“ No, Deer-E e, never jum in the dark.

“ It is my be 'ef that the ilver Circles have
but very few men, and still they may have

mv‘éi
“ e cannot tell."

“Den dere’s de ghosteses,” suggested Toby,
an?t all laughed, for the sergeant was in ear-
ne .

“Now I will start to-morrow night, mounted
on Fanshaw’s horse, and give him his rein for
the secret retreat. ,

“ I will go slow, reconnoiter eve ‘s as I
go along, and when I have found t e p , I
will return, and if advisable we can go another
night and give them a surprise.

‘ If they are far too many for us I will
to the fort and et in scouts, and than t 0
mystery will be so ved; ut my idea is that, if
we work in the right way, we can accomplish
this without outside help, and so much the bet-

ter.”
It was ar ed that Bufl’aio Bill should not
alone, that e should allow the on or To y

to accompaniehim; but he sai one to recon-
noiter would best, while, if they wished, the
parson, Toby and Deer-Eye could go with him
astfar as was practicable‘and there await his
re urn. 

h This was decided upon, and that night all re-
tired to their blanket couches, feeling hopeful
that the mystery would very soon be solved re-
garding the Silver Circle, the fate of Wild

ose, and that of'Sol and the Black Canary
whom Buffalo Bill felt assured had disappeared
through the agency of Don. the Monte Man,
who had kidnapped the parson’s grand-daughter.

CHAPTER XLIII.
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
IT was just after sunset, and after havin en—
joyed a enerous supper. that Buffalo Bi , the
person, ear-Eye and Toby rode away from

 

the Crater Camp. ,-
Much to their satisfaction Hop Up and Lick »

Skillet were left in full charge, and anal] hands
had worked to make a big log fence at the
several breaks where wolves could get in,land
which effectually kept them out, the had no
dread from this source so settled emselves
down for a confidential chat upon their boy-
hood days in China. and how much they longed
to be sent back there—when thfi died.
- Upon reaching the valley Buff 0 Bill rode in
advance and gave his horse the rein. .

It was the animal which Fanshaw had rid-

den, and he immediately took the trail up the

valley which led to where it had been lost at
the river-bank!

“ It is as I thought, he'll find his way,” called
back Buffalo Bill, to the three riding behind a
few paces.

0n the horse went, past the scene of the fight
with The Triplets, straight to the steep bank,
and had not the scout checked him he would
have leaped madly into the stream.

Drawing rein. however, Buffalo Bill awaited
the coming up of his comrades.

“ He knows his way, as on will see.

“ You had better awai me until dawn, and
then return to camp. ‘ »

“Good-hi ht.” l. ‘

All wish him good-luck, and he again can
the horserein, » -

Instantly he went over the bank into the *0?-
rent of waters, the scout holding his rifle and
pistols above his head. 1 r

Down the current they swept, and Were al-
most instantl lost in the darkness.

Determin to rely wholl upon, his horse,
Buflalo Bill gave him a she rem, and he soon
gawkthat he was Swimm, mg toward the other

an .

But that was a wall of rock, too, and yet the
scout felt assured there must be a landing.

They swe t by the hian on the right bank,
and soon r the horse s set touched bottom
gdk he waded shoreward toward the left

n .

A crevice in the wall-like bank was wide
enough for him to go through, and as he as-

cended to the plateau above the moon rose and .

lighted his way. ,

waste get his horse which is ,

 
   

 

 

 

as

\l

 

 

 
 
 
      

,...__~s........__...__...,,. A.

 

 

5m.-  . . ,:~">. ‘7‘ --
has...

 

‘ Bufi'alo Bill’s Bonanza.”

 

  

l...»

29

 

 

 

The scout realized fully the danger of his
situation, going as he did upon unknown ground,
and where he was well aware that his Prmnce
in the mountains was fully known. , ,

But Buffalo Bill was one who risked his life
in any good cause, and he felt that the rescue
(of tthe kidnapped Wild Rose was & sacral

u v. -

His way lcd upward over an open Spa9°y the
horse seeming to follow an imaginary trail, and
he let him have his rein, knowmg he would go
as his instinct led him.

Up to the base of a mountain range he went,
and here the horse half-turned one way then
paused, turned back and went toward a break
in the range, as Buffalo Bill could See by the in-
dentation in the tree-tops. . ‘

He was somewhat surplli‘ised at the action of
the horse, but allowed in to have his way,
while he muttered: .

“ There are two trails, and he was at a loss
which to take.”

So on the horse went toward the mouth of the
canyon, and was going into it when Buffalo Bill
drew him to a halt, and dismounting, hitched
him to a tree, determined to go on foot, as he
felt that he was getting into a dangerous neigh-
borhood.

He discovered after a short walk that the can-
yon opened like a huge ateway, crags towering
on either side standing or posts.

It was scarcely more than sixty feet wide, and
the tops of the SldeS were heavin wooded.

Like walls the sides arose on either side fully
a hundred feet, growing higher as they went to-
ward the top of the mountain range.

Entering it with caution and keeping on one
side, he passed along for some distance, the can-
yon narrowing as he did so until it became a
mere chasm between walls of hundreds of feet
in hight.

The scent paused, for the moonlight showed
him that the chasm passed into a large canyon

or valle beyond.

“If t ore is a he will be here,” said
Buffalo Bill, and e walked slowlyup toward
the chasm.

As he did so he saw the glimmer of a light up-
on the rocky wall. '

This was a warning for him to go ahead With
the greatest caution.

Approaching in a noiseless manner he soon
saw that the light shone out of an open door of
a cabin or hut. , _

It was a small shanty, situated Just beyond
the narrow gateway into the narrow canyon,
and pee ing in the scout saw a man seated in
front 0 a fire smoking. .

A log on the hearth was flickering, and it

lighted u the cabin when every now and then
it would urst into a blaze. .
i There was no one else visible in the room as
far as the scout could see from where he stood,
and there was no conversation to indicate the
presence of another than the one he saw.

As the iii-slight flamed up bri htly Buffalo
Bill saw that the man was dressed n miner garb
and wore a black slouch hat, while about his
waist was the inseparable belt of arms.

“I guess he’s alone,” muttered the scent, and

'he glided forward and reached the cabin

door.

The moonlight showed him a canyon some fif-
teen acres in size, with a rfect wall of rock
around it, while in the fur er end over a high
cliff bounded a waterfall from the towering
mountains overhead. ‘ '

“ That stream has an outlet somewhere,” said
Buffalo Bill. . '

And he then threw his rifle forward, and
covering the man in the cabin, said sternly:

“ Hands up, pard I” .

The man started to his feet, dropped his hand
'0 n a revolver-butt, and would have drawn it,
w en the words came again:

“ Hands up, I say i”,

He'did not see the one who uttered the threat-
ening command and he oboyed,for he knew that
hewas covered. - , .

Instantly Buflalo Bill stepped into . the
cabin, advanced toward him, and in a moment.
he was disarmed.

“ Buflelo Bill l” ed the man.

“ Reuben Minor ” the scout remarked, recog-
nizin the man.

u 95, we know each other, and I mm my
end has come,” the man remarked, «my.

u Reuben, on are Wanted at the fort for the
murder of orporal Cape. and other little ir.
Wfies, and I am right glad to mean you
” I
“ I’m done for!”

" So it looks just now. Balm” ,
“ How on earth did you 8‘9ti 1mm”

“ Bode part of the’way, swam 90!“ little and

kedthe .

wall told them onld find out the secret,”the
man said, exci y. ‘

“ Told who?”

made no answer. .

gWho is it you complimented me so highly
to Beubl” ‘

“No one.” '

be sill Reuben for“ on bevelled
mgmwl'toteutfieuugh fortherest

' of your life.”

r l

 

     

“I cannot tell, Bill.”
“ You can.”

“ I dare not.”

“ You must.”

“ I am under pledge.’
“122cm have broken a thousand pledges in your

e.

“ I cannot break this.”

“All ri ht.”

“Bill,i I should break this pledge, my fate
would be far worse than you can imagine.”

“ Worse than hanging?” was the significant
question.

The man shuddered and answered:

“ Yes, yes far, far worse.”

“ Reuben Minor, you know me?”

“ I do, Bill Cody. ’

“ You know that I am a man of my word?”

H I do 1)

“ You' will believe what I tell you?”
H Y Y!

“ Well, Reuben, I tell you plainly I came into
these Haunted Mountains to find the ghosts that
scare people away, and it is my intention to
can out my purpose to the letter.

“ 1y found our secret way here, and I have a
number of riends in these mountains, who will
aid fine to set ghost-traps and catch every spook
in t em.

“ Now I have gotten this far, and I have
found you.” °

“ Yes, Bill, you’ve got me caged.”

“ I always liked ou, Reub, when you were in
old Lighti’oot’s sut car-store, and I never thought
you really bad at heart, though I knew you

odgsd the truth as you did the chi: lain.

“ ‘hen Corporal Case was kill no one sus-
pected ou, at first, for Sergeant Foley was
arrest as the murderer.

“ Circumstantial evidence pointed to Foley,
and he would have hung for i .

“ But I sue ted on, and though Foley does
not know I id so, aided him to escape, for I
was §ure of his innocence. .

“ on left the fort the day after the murder,
and all seemed well for you, until some weeks
after, you remember, while scoutin , I went
into an Indian camp and the chief a ir of
pistols which I recognized as having be onged

the dead corporal. , '

“Hetold me awhite manina distantlettle—
ment had sold them to him for a. y.

“ e described on, and I went to the settle-
ment, and one nig t I met you, and I heard you
tell your pards, for you were drinking the story
of the corporal s murder.

“ You mentioned no names, not even said he
was a soldier, but you gave yourself away.

“I intended to arrest you that night, when a
friend met me there and I told him about you,
and he was to be] me, for it was a dangerous
lot of men you taken refuge amen .

“ He went to get you of! by yourself, told you
my plan d demanded money for it, which you
gave him, d you escaped. knowing at last you
were I’known as the murderer of: Corporal

use. . /

“ Oh, Bill! it’s all up with me,” groaned the
man.

“ Reuben, I have you a prisoner, and I know
that you fled here and joineda band in these
mountains, and you have either to go back with
me and hang, or you are to make a clean breast
of what I Wish to know.

“Sergeant Toby is with me here, and he shall
be your guard, so you may be certain you‘can.
not escape.”

“Bill, I’d like to tell you all, but my fate
would be too awful to contem late.”

“ Worse than hanging, I at you?”

“ Yes, far worse.” i

“What would it be?”

“ I’d be tied on 'the back of an old horse,
whose feet would be hoppled.

“I would be bound hand and foot a white
robe put over me, the home would be led to the
valley and turned loose at ni ht, and I would be
devoured Ey wolves: and 9 man seemed ap-

ed at t e c .
pa‘l‘lAh, thatrwou d be a fearful fate indeed; but
gou ’would have to ' be known to be a traitor

“Yes and I am thorou hly trusted.” 

“ 1‘ 38,0; but let me telf ivlou, Reuben Minor,
that the fate ou speak of be yours, if you
do‘ifihdagd heady. , rcyl” ' ‘

‘ ve me ‘

“ If you do,” calmly continued the scout, “ I
will let you your way in freedom, so you seek
a hombzgfi rom’here, and I pledge you no harm
shall on. I

:zllé’oti’for the murder of Corporal Case?”

0. l
:: lgou’will not take me back to the forti”
o. '

:2  me go free, and protect me from—"

“ Those who would harm me?”
will.” .

M
“Then st'll do as you say, Bill.”
CHAPTER XLIV. .
'  32mm.
‘.‘ MW.” said Buflalo Bill, impre-lv
promised to

. their escape, for

 

we:
 ‘betraytheucret

     

   

g

“I come here, as I told you, to clear up this _ ,‘
mystery, and there is no escape for you, for
did you play me false the entire garrison should.
be put on your track along with all my scouts. l7:

“ Serve me well, and you go your way in 2
peace.” / . ,.

“I will, Bill." 

“ You swear it?” * 

“I do.” v

:: fimfll in any danger of being found here!” “

o

H Sm!"
:: Certain.”
“ 'ls‘zlgissais a guard-post?”
“ Are you the only guard?”
“ Yes, at this post. ”
" What do you guard?”
“ The canyon."
“ Is therea camp in it?” i
H Yes. n
“ Who is in that camp?”
“ Two people.”
“ Come, be more explicit in your answers.
“ Who are they?"
“A woman and a boy.”
“ Prisoners?”
Ct Yes. ’7
hitliluifalo Bill’s face lighted as if an idea struck

“ Who are they?”

“ Prisoners of the chief.” -

‘é'l‘h’e woman’s name is Clarice Creighton,
an — ‘x

“ You know her i”

“ The boy she calls Soli”

“ Yes, I see you know them.”

“ They have been here two years.”

“It is true.”

“ And risoners all that time!”

“ Yes, ill.” , 5 .

“ I wonder that the are alive.” V x .

“Oh, they haven’t in close confinement, . '
Bill, only at night I lock them in their cabin.”

“ Is it far from here?”

“ No, yonder under the shelter of the clifl, and
they have made a case place of it. ' , A

“ You see there are ut two ways of getting , V‘ .7
out of this canyon, for the lowest part of the ,a ‘
wall is over a hundred feet, and a squirrel could: "v
not get foothold u n it; so there is no danger of . .
ey cannot pass by me, and if
the go by the other outlet they have got to ,
und‘Lrthe mountain, through a tunnel made y t
the ¢iii-resin that tumbles over the hights up 9

on er.

“ Then they;ll would find thfmlsioilvm mag?
can on, a sin one,stran e one o '
fiwil fir, and there is whgge chief and, me:

vs.

“ I see; but I should think that in two years
if they are not in irons, they could have found
some means to escape”

“ No, Bill, for t ey have no weapons, no
horses, no food, and what would two rsons
thus situated do on foot in these mount s7 ‘ _ 2*

“ Why, Bill, they would starve or be torn to'
pieces by wolves the first do out.

“ Then I lock them in the r cabin at sunset,
and let them out in the morning.”

“ And you are their only midi” ‘
“ Now am, for we take 5 by months." .
, “ How far is the other canyon from here?”

“ Over a mile, going under the mountain tun--
ml, and much more round outside.

‘ The trail divides a mile from here, out on'
{he plpteau, one going there, the other leading

ere » ,

“ Yes; you’ve got them down fine, Bill.”

“ Do you keep a horse here?"

“Yes he is back of my cabin.” , .;

“ And each 'man who stays here as guard. ,
ke‘epghisyhorsei” \

es

“Who was the gzuard before you?” ,
“ His name was rank Fanshaw.” ‘ .
“ I thought so.”

“ Do on know him?"
It I dig.” ‘

“ Where is he now!”
“Dead.”

   
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
    
 
   
    
   
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
   
    
  
  
   
    
    
      
  
 
     
  
   
   
   
 
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
    
  
    
   
   
   
 
   
  
   
  
    
 
 
  
   
   
     
      
   
 
 
 
     
   
   
  
  

a
g“z’Yeii: but how some he to die, Bill?” .
“ I killed him," wa‘sltihe simple reply.

The man e v :'
asked: fly Pm’ m
“Where was it Bill!" ‘~

“InGoldDustCi :butno to ' n:
“Bill, I’m doing tint for w'l'iichfiel‘lrit
it’sknown.” ‘
J‘You remember qur terms, Reuben!”
"‘I do,snd I’ll act square, Bill Codymlr
ml”??? hm?” pm f the compact
‘ on w in 0
SW]? ti” min y fire "the: 
l ‘ 6 so awn man.
laid in a  y, "
gong bandisknownasthe Silver oil-curl.
es.

“You have a silver band on yam-wrists!”
“Yes,um themanexposedhis wrist.
\“Itislikemine,”andthescoutlhowed his.’ ,
Themsnbecame livid and shook as  ‘
‘ u  .

  
   

 

 30

 

Bum. Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

.-?' “ What ails you, man?”
i; , “‘ Bill, you have ruined me.”
a} “‘ What do you mean?”
if “‘ You have joined our band, and the chief has
4‘. sent you here, to see if I would betray him, and
K, I have done it.”
y “ You talk nonsense. for I have not seen your
chief, nor do I know him."
“ Honest?”
} 4 i Truly. '1

' . ‘" Yet you wear the Silver Circle.”

“ Yes I got it from the wrist of a poor fellow
‘ whom the wolves tore to pieces.”
4 “ Yes, it was Bandy, who was plotting to be-
,3 tray the secrets of the mountains, and he met
his fate as I will, if what I tell you is known.

“An , Bill, there have been more like him,

for now and then a man flies up against the cap-
, ‘tain and the result is he is fed to the wolves.”
w “ wen, I had this silver band welded on to
= . help me gain my point, and 113.1118 done so,
though it came near getting me into a scrape,
as Fanshaw appeared where I was playing the
.Silver Circle on Bunco, of the Sinner’s Rest
tavern in Saw Dust City.

“ Now you know why I wear it, so I wish you
to tell me all I wish to find out."

“ As I said, Bill, go ahead, but don’t scare
:me, for I got a fearful shock when I thought
you were one of us. ”

, . “ How many are there in your band?”
X ' “ Seven nowkcounting me.”
i i, “ Your ca tam is known as what?”
' 1) “,Captain on is the only name I know him
Y- -
. r r .; , “He came here about two years ago?”
3 (:7, U Yes.”
“ And he is in camp with his six men?”
H Be is. 11
“ What are they doing here i”
“ Hunting for gold.”
“ And they have struck a bonanza?"
” Bill, let me tell you something?”
, H  p,

' “ The captain got hold, in some way, of a
map, drawn by a man who had ventured up
here alone and found a gold mine.

“Then he organized a band of fourteen, be-
sides himself, and came here, and set out to
.find the mine, according to the map.

“ We followed the trail laid down, and a dan-
gerous one it was, and struck upon a silver
mine.

“ It paid as well for a few weeks, coming out
in solid ore, and the captain sent down to the
settlements and had a number of bands made
for our wrists, with nothing to do but to weld
them together after we put them on.

“ Then the silver mine gave out, and work as
we might we could et no more so we went on
the hunt for the gel mine, which we knew was
here somewhere, for we had all seenit on the
map. I

“But somehow the map had gotten lost and

' no one could find it, so we had to hunt, and we
1 are et hunting for the mine, which we saw
‘ 'mar ed on the map as one that would pay for-‘
:»‘ ’tunes to the diggers.

“ We have found dust here and there, and we
send it down to Bunco to get rid of; but we
r have not found that bonanza mine yet, though
the captain leads old Bunco to believe he is lay-
ing up gold here by the ton.”

So you get but very little gold l”

:: Ve littlle'SS Bill.” ”
“%;.,you t your map?

“Did not some of the men steal it?”
. “Not one, or if those we suspected did they
' died before they’d tell the truth, for the captain
.set the wolves on them, as we call being sent out
to be eaten uplby them.” ~

“ And still e stays here and hunts?” :

. “ Yes, but the men have lost heart, and grow
discontented, and to check their humor the ca
tain has latelytalked of killing any wow 0
says a word against remaining.

see. «
“ But he must wield a great influence?”

“He does, Bill, for he knows the s of
in his band, while we know ttle

“Int me ask on if he has not another
' l:ine’r than the yand woman of whom you
e

  

 

   
   
  
  
    
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
 
 
  
  
   
 
  
   
    
 
  
  
 

  
  
  
   
    
   
    
 
   
   
  
  

No is ‘ .
Buffalo Bill started for where wasthe par-
' (laughter,- e wondered? '

  
 
   
  

H Ye...” I ; V
“There are only those two: prisoners, and
yogrY seven in the caning" ” ' , .
Vflwegbpnxceptingour irlQueen. _

“ Our Girl Queen." ‘
» “Who is she?”

“ The sweetest littlebeing in the world, a girl
of only about fifteen, and.the only onetime I

   
  

 
 

    
  

  
 
   

after awhile and she rides like a Comanche
and can outshoot any man in camp.

“ We men idolire her and call her Queen Rose,
and she rules us all; but the captain will not let
her leave the canyon for fear of her being lost,
or killed b wolves, he sa 5, and she obeys him
in that, an even does not ow about the Don’s
prisoners I am guarding. ‘

“ I have thought it would be pleasant for her
to meet them; but the captain said the man who
31d her should die, and so we keep silent about

em .

“ And the girl seems happy here!”

“ She does and she does not.

“ The captain makes her believe we will find a
fortune. and then he will take her to the city
and let her go to school and see the world, so she
lives on hope.

“ She has books he has sent for for her, a gui-
tar, a bugle, which she plays better than any
regimental bugler I ever heard, and she amuses
herself as best she can: but I have feared that
the captain meant some day to force her into
amai'ri o with him; but here he has to treat
her as a ne lady, for if he did not the ho 5
would kill him, much as we fear him, and
knows it.”

“I am glad to hear this, Reuben and it goes
far in your favor,” said Buffalo l3
delighted at the joyful tidings he had in store
for the old parse . '

After a few more questions of ht import-
aneie, regarding the Girl Queen, uflalo Bill

sai .
“ Now, Reuben, I desire to see your pris-
oners."
‘ “Oh, Bill!”

"‘I mean it; I must see them tonight, and
you can lead me to them.”

“ But. Bill, I-—” v

“ Here, I will go alone, and not let them know
I have seen you, so give me the key of their
cabin.” -

The man obeyed, and tying the man, as Buf-
falo Bill said, that he’d be sure to wait for him,
he walked toward the prisoners' cabin under
the shadow of the cliff.

CHAPTER XLV.
ran COIL TIGHTENING.

WHEN Buffalo Bill went to the cabin under
the clifl? of .the canyon where the two prisoners
were said to be, he felt no fear of the man, Reu-
ben Minor, whom he had securely bound.

He had bound him as a precautmn, fearing he
would change his mind, ambush him upon his
return and kill him. . I

Did he once arrange with him to be his ally in
future operations, he knew that he could trust
him, but for the present he wished him to feel
that he was master of the situation.

The cabin he approached was a snug little
home of three rooms, with little beds of wild

‘ flowers about it, an arborlike piaua along the

front and an air over all that the occupants
washed to make the best of a bad situation.

Givmg a gentle knock at the door, the scout
heard a voice within answer: ;

“Who is there?”

“ A friend.”

“I know no friend here.” .

“I am a friend and I do not [care to have it
known that I am here,”

“ Ford,” and a. veice from another room
spoke, “ we don’t receive no visitors at night.”

“ Uncle 801. did you ever hear of Buffalo
gig?” asllged thetshcoigt, £32333 assured that the

or was a oy e. ’

“ Em, and who hasn’t?”

“ Well, I am Buffalo Bill, and I have come
here to rescue you from the Silver Cirule League
after your two years of imprisonment.”

u G o I”

“Tha‘n’li God i” v

The first exclamation came from the room in
which was Sol at a window, and the next from
the door where the woman stood.

‘ ‘ Dress yourselvesquickly, and I have the key,
for I took it from the guard, who is now bound
securely in his cabin.”

A hasty toilet was made by the woman, and .tan

she said:

‘6 come in. 3!

She had lighted a candle, and the scout unlock-
ed the door and in. .

Handsome, sad-faced, yet stern she looked,
and she gamed earnestly upon the splendid-look-
ing man who entered.

“gen :re Buffalo Bill,” she said, earnestly.

es.
“ And you is for a fact, for I seen yer Once.”
Sol entered

havin wn considerabl
ihhhnthe two years iiinoe the:m y

reader last boheld

“ And you have come to rescue us?”

“Yes, madam, and, have been in the valley
some time tryin to find this secret retreat.

“ In a word, found here an old trapper fir;
son. whose dehin hadnbeen stolen from

 
  

  
  

 

 

 
     
 
 
 
  

 
 
  
  

herewith him one
die-left us heresoonafterwean arriv ,and

.Jor .

   

 

 

  
   

somedays.. v .,
Weed“ first, goteh‘eerfal.

  

  

ill, Secretly ;
going to their camp through the tunnel under

“ What he is to you I Mew, as I do that his
name is Carter Creighton, and that, when on
visited Saw Dust City insearch of him, he ed,
and more, he had you and this brave boy kid-
na pod and brought here.”

‘ And he is here?” she asked, in a voice full of
amazement.

“He is Chief of the Gold-Hunters’ League,
and not a mile from you, and has been for two

are.

“I felt that I owed our capture to him, and
was to be kept out of the way, but I supposed he
was far from here.”

“ 0n the contrary he has kept you near him.”

“ We will meet now,"she said, with a danger- ‘
ous gleam in her eyes.

“ t is my intention to come for you to—mor-
rog night, so be prepared to start at a moment’s
no ce.

“I shall come soon after nightfall, and have
horses for you both.”

“ Wh not to—nightl” she said, dejectedly.

“ I w 11 tell you.

“ I am alone to-night, and must return to my
friends down in the valley below.

" I shall bringhem with me to—morrow night,
and you shall rescued quietly, and go with
one of our par to a place of self .

“ Then I sha move against the liver Circles,

the mountain.”

“ Can you go that way?”

“Yes, it runs through to the other valley,
beyond yonder range.”

‘ If We had but known it.” ~
, “ It would have only been your death, for on
foot, unarmed and without food you would soon
have been dra god down by wolves.” .

“ Yes. that s true. and these mountains seem
full of the terrible beasts.”

“ I shall ask you, So], to join our party in an
attack, for I have but four others I can call, and
we will have to fight half a. dozen desperate
men.

“ Now you is 'ist layin' out a picnick fer me,
Mister Bill “sai Sol, with enthusiasm, and the
scout felt that the boy would enjoy the fight to
his heart‘s content.

“ Now I must leave you, but be ready by to-
morrownight, and a will be well.

“Good-night.”

“ One moment, sir,” said the woman, as the
scout turned to go.

“ Let me tell you in a few words that I know
all the black history of Carter Creighton, and
you must not kill him, for. brave men die in bat-

tle. , ,
' “ Keep him for the ban an’s r .

“ He was in love with is fair cousin, Nellie
Creighton, but she loved Roy Riipleg, a charity
student, but who was a noble, sp en id man.

“ She was an heiress, and she was discarded
for marryi Ripley, and then they came West
and joined is father, a clergyman, who had
hidden himself upon the bar er and gone to

trapping.
“ arter Creighton sought to marry his
cousin, and (get her money, when he was already
m us an .

p h b

‘ He thought that he had killed me, for one
night, while we were hastening home along the
beach as a. storm was coming u , be dealt me a
stunning blow, bound me ban and. foot, and
put me in a frail skitl’, shoving it of! from the

ore. : V
“.The storm‘broke in fury, and, but for an

accident, that he had by chance gotten hold of

a life-boat I would have been lost. .

“ I was blown out to sea and picked up
vessel bound around the Horn toChina.

‘9 It was nearly ten months before I set foot
on land, and then in a foreign country.

“ The captain was kind to me, but he was
poor, and finding I could do nothing as a wo- ,
man, I cut off my hair, donned male attire, and ‘
went before the mast as a cabin boy.

“ It was years before I could work my we
back to America, 30mg from vessel to vesse ;
but at last I did so, and I found my parents
dead, and Carter Ceighton had my inheri-

5,, a

co.
“ They had believed me dead, and had willed

the p rty to him, after which I discovered

that he caused their death to get it. . ‘-
“ of it, he had fled, and in: the

secret I was still alive, I determ upon

reven . .
“Tish Itset outtoflndthe mauv'h‘o had so

wro ed me. -
“ Imam of a wonderful voice, and I

‘ took thatasameans tow my Wfiy,singin

s
from laceto lao‘e.and Ymaldngmone .
r “aimmgeriqnsywsofsearchdhwh
of amen in waleriwhom  bo- ‘ a »

the mines

lievedtobe CarterCre .

“I at once 15683“ to so the rounds of the
camps, and f . d‘ him at Saw Dust City, or
rather was in the room he had there. forhe
fled. that very day, and I am confident he saw .

 

‘ibr‘i'i’im gntf’iedthe omamanxiousl “391 this mu: tobe do and “ "

. man a w . , . . r m ' we. - '

“Yes andhebrou htherh re. ‘. .' y . ’ mwhroughtheczmfi‘am had'I. ‘
“Hehadslainher r, . eda map'of found him, I was'sorevengefnl, that I'deter-

agoH-mme'hehadfoundheraand so haycame minedto mywrongaandlknew those

here to work t,-  a band to would quickly-

  
  
 

help rude, but good-hearted men

him

. A

tojustice by lynch law.~

 

 

 
    
 
  
 

 

Bufl'alo Bill’s, Bonanza.

£312

 

 

“He knew I was on his truck and thwarted
me, and hero I have been ever since.

“ You say he has a fair girl prisoner.

“ It is the daughter of ipley, and his lovely
wife, and she has inherited her mother’s lar e
fortune, as I know. and search has been m e
for her by the lawyers, so that Carter Creigh-
tun knows this, and more, he intended, I am
sure, to marry her, girl though she is, and get
his revenge, and her money.

“ Now, sir, you know my story, and I beg you
to forgive me for detaining you, when your life
is in such dan er.”

“ I am glad have heard your story, madam,
and in fact knew something of‘ it, from some
papers I took from the things that both you and
the Don left in the hotel room at Saw Dust
City. and which I will place in your hands.

“ Now I must sa good-night, and expect me

-morrow ni ht.’
toLocking the5 door Buffalo Bill returned quick-
ly to the cabin, and said:

“Reuben, I wish to say that your prisoners
know all, and if you have a mind to serve me,
I will set you free to-morrow night, give you a
good outfit and let you go your way, as soon as
you have signed a paper that you killed Cor-
poral Case, so as to clear poor l‘oby wholly of
the charge.

“ If you attempt to play me false, 1 shall know
it, and if you do not believe it, just try to pass
out of this canyon to-morrow by this outlet, or
the one leading into the other canyon.

“ Do just as usual all day to-morrow and
when night comes I will be here with all my
comrades, and then you having done your duty
I will kee my pledge.

“ Now shall leave you and I ask you again,
do you intend to play me false, or not?"

“ Bill, I see salvation through you, and the
worst kind of a death the other way.

“ I‘ll act square.” I

“ I believe you, Reuben, so now let matters go
as usual, and do not speak to the prisoners about
havin seen me.”

,“ A right, Bill.” and the man walked down
the canyon a short distance with the scout, who
soon after reached his horse and started at a
1'3 id pace back to join his comrades. .

euoen Minor had told him how to return,
by entering the river where he had come out,
and the horse would swim across, when, by
keeping close to the other bank he could wade
up to the landin , where the Dumb Pards had
- left the stream w on Buffalo Bill and his com-
panions had lassoed them.

Following these directions he a preached the
rocks, where the parson, Deer- ye and Toby
were cam d, and gave a hail. .

Instant y they were on their feet welcoming
him warmly.

“ It’s all right. pards, the mysteg of the
Knights of the Silver Circle is solv so now
back to camp,” he called out and as they rode
along he told them of the discoveries he had
made, the horse having taken him straight to
the secret retreat.

—-

CHAPTER XLVI.
THE SILVER omCLi: BROKEN.

LICK SKILLET and Hop Up did not remain in
camp the following night, for they went along
as a part of the “ army, ’going to solve the mys-
tery of the Silver Circle.

The scout rode Comrade, Deer-Eye was on the
back of Flyer,Toby rode his best horse, the par-
son was mounted on the animal that had shown
the way to the secret cam , and the two ChineSe
had the steeds which had elonged to_The Trip-
lets, while both Hop Up and Lick Skillet led a
horse, one for Sol, the other for Glance Creigh-
to .

n. ,

All were armed to the teeth, and there Were
rubber blankets brought along inwhich to wrap
the firearms while in the mar.

Reaching the “jumping-OE place,” Buflalo
Bill said: *

“Parson, as I know the wa I will change
horses with you for the swim own the, river,
and lead the way.”

The chan ewas made and the scout at once
went over t e bank and took the plunge, Com-
rade following promptly, Flyer immediately af-
ter and the others in turn, not one of the well-
trained and plucky animals faltering at‘ the

um . ,
J Tlihy breasted the waves most nobl , reached
the shallow water upon the other si e landed,
passed through the narrow crev1ce in the bank
a.ng soon going along at a canterncross the
a u. . .
p Roachigg the canyon the scout wanton in ad.
Vance up near the cabin, when he dismalmtsd
and leaving Comrade to wait for him, ere t
along outfoot to within sight of the door of e
' le hu . '
Mtge saw Reuben Miner pacin to and fro, evi-
dentl in an anxious mood, an he said:
‘5 e is true this time, and I am glad for the
sake of all that he is. v I
“ Bo, Reuben l” ' ‘
The W started and came quickly from the

cabin. .
“ I. that you, Chief Cody?”
,: . ‘ Yes.” ,

 

 

, better’knOck, tell them who you are, and 

“ All is serene here."

“I am glad of it; but I will go back for my
companions.”

He went down the canyon, Reuben Minor ac—
companying and gave a whistle.

Soon the others rode up and the scout said:

“Comrades, this is Reuben Minor, of whom I
spoke, and he is on our side now."

“ No killee Reubee?” asked Bop Up, as though
it would give him pleasure to do so.

“ No, for he is on our side, Hop Up,” the scout
said with a smile.

“ Allee li htee, killee somebolly elsee,” was
the hilosop ical response.

’1‘ en they all rode into the canyon, to the
cabin of the prisoners, and Reuben Minor quickly
unlocked the door.

801 was known to the person and the two
Chinese, and a warm greeting followed between
them, while the scout said:

“ Mrs. Crei hton, these are my friends, who
have come wit me to rescue you. ’

“ Heaven’s blessings upon them will not be
more earnest than my thanks,“ she said in a voice
that quivered.

" Now, madam on can mount a horse we
have brought, and ick Skillet and Reuben here
will be your escort, while 801 joins us in an at-
tack upon the camp, and you can ride back to
where on will be wholly safe. ” .

“ Bil , I will have to guide you through the
tunnel, and on will need what aid I can give
you in the a tack, for the Don and his 11 are
a hard lot, and are fighting to keep off a gal-
lows ou know.”

“ ell said, Reub, and I will accept your ser-
vices, though I did not wish to ask you to fight
against your comrades.”

“ And, sir, why can I not follow, at a dis-
tance, alone, and allow the other one who was
to be my escort to aid you, for then there will
be but seven against six, none too rest odds?”

“ T ank you, madam, I will be g ad to have it
so, an , as 'I remember you have seen some-
thing of a rough life, I will arm you, for we
have an extra pair of revolvers.”

Clarice Creighton seemed well leased, and
mounting, the party set oil! the night ,of the
Silver Circle and Bufialo Bill leading.

Going across the canyon which was a gar~
den of beauty, they reached the other side
where the stream, which fell from the hights at
the canyon’s head, ran into an arched tunnel
under the mountain.

“ It will be dark here, and as your horses are
not acquainted with the way, I’ll lead, and run
In aria ac or you a o 0 on 0, so you

yl tbkf llthld t
can follow, for a mistake in the path will throw
you into the river,” said Reuben.

This was done, and all holding to ,the laso,
in single file, rode into the bloc tunnel, on a
narrow shelf running on one side of the water-
course, which surged through the cavern with
an ominous roar. .

It was a (ii'idre ltheft yould tesgdtlég courage of
any one an o u express e thou hts
ofallw enhesaid: g

“ I is mighty awful glad I has got hold 0’ dis
rope, for it s mighty nice comp’ny tar feel others
is near yer.”

Through darkness that was intense, with a
dripping archway above, a slime-covered wall
u n one Side and which they often touched, and
t e surging stream not three feet away upon the
other, they went on their way, the horses seem-
iniimpressed with the situation.

t length a glimmer of light was visible
ahead, and soon they rode out into the other
canyon.

It was a place of the wildest grandeur, over-
hung by towering mountains, with crags, can-
yons, cliff and mounItaJn-streams bounding hun-
dreds of feet upon a 1 sides.

It looked weird, solemn and a
moon“ ht. and was strangely
the enlike canyon be and.

Up toward the end of t e canyon were half a
dozen huts scattered here and there.

Pomting to one that stood a little apart from
the others, the guide said:

“ Yonder is the home of Queen Rose, and you
must look out for her, as she is a dead-shot and
plucky as an Indian.

“ And the chiefi” asked Buflalo Bill.

“ Lives in yonder cabin on the right, nearest
to the Girl Queen’s.”

“And themes?” _,

“ Are in the next two cabins, the others being
used for store-houses.”

“‘ And there is no guard l”

“ The one at the canyon gate of the other val-
ley where I was is the cowgirl-d we k here,
for there is no danger of g surp , or at
least we have always thought so, though I told
them, Chief Cody, when I heard you was in the
mountains, that you’d find its—and you have.”

“ And you stood only to revent the
as??? of”the prisoners from the v ey!”

‘ es

‘_‘ Well, I will take the cabin in which is our
chief, and you, person, go to the one w are
glueinyf’tose is, and my word for it she will not

00 u. ' _

“Reuben. you lead Toby and the other: to

ing in the
erent from

 

the two cabins where the. men are, and you had

  
 

them to let you in so you can then cover them
with our revolvers.”

“ obod kee 8 their doors bolted or barred
here, Chic 0 y, so there will be no trouble
about getting in.”

“ So much the better, and we me take the
party without loss of life on either si e, as I de-
sire to do.

“ As for the men who are here, I can only look
upon them as miners, unless I recognize some of
them as old offenders, unless they aided in turn-
ing those poor fellows out to be killed by wolves.

“ Their captain is different, and he must be .
taken alive, so, Reuben f0 with me and you
call him to the door, and ’11 see to the balance,
while, Toby, you and Hop Updgo to our cabin,
and you, Deer-Eye, Sol and ck Skillet to the
other, to keep the men inside until we can secure
the chief.”

“ Perhaps my oin , sir will show a still
larger force, and t wi be that much in our fa-
vor, so permit me to go with Sergeant Toh and
the Chinee, as they are but two,” said C arice
Creiggton. .

“ d, Buffalo Bill, as soon as I have seen my
dear child I’ll come to your aid, you may be
£233"?in so let me go on first, as it may be
I “ Well, parson, go ahead, for it is not a bad
Idea.” and a few moments after the trapper de-
parted. Buffalo Bill led the others to the attack.

It was With a heart that almost ceased to beat
that old Parson Ripley went toward the cabin,
which he had been told held the one who was
dearer to him than all else on earth.

Could it be that his ears of bitter grief were
now to come to an en , and some joy at least be
in his heart durin his declining days?

Reaching the on in, and be ap reached it as
goiselessly as an Indian, he tap gently on the

cor.
“ Who is there i” said a sweet voice within.

“ Rose, have you forgotten old Grandpa Rip- '
le 7” and his voice quivered. ,

Instantly there was a stir within, and a few
moments after the door was thrown open, and
the moonlight shone fullupon Wild Rose, grown
into a beautiful irl of fifteen. ‘

She had hasti y thrown on a loose wrapper
and seeing before her one whom she had  ’
With two years before, whom she loved as other,
mother and all, she gave a glad cry and sprung
into his arms.

Que fond embrace, and then he said quickly:

_ _ . dress yourself quickly, while I go and
Jom my friends, for we have come to seize these
Ifngnfiherefnayunay, I (fan say 320 more1 now,
0 me: recous an wemu save uman
life if able.” ’

He issed the wonderin ‘rl and turned
away, to, a moment after, jo n uflalo Bill,who
was at the door of the cabin which Reuben said
the chief dwelt in. ‘

“Now call." said Buffalo Bi ll, calmly, ad—
dressing Reuben Minor.

Instantly he tapped upon the door,and said in
a low voice'

, Captain Don, I have news from

-“ Ah! come in, and light a candle there on the
table,” came the answer.

Reuben entered, leavingthe door aiar, and ,
lighted the candle, when suddenly Buffalo Bill
sprung into the cabin, his revolver leveled at
t e man lying upon the bed, while he com-
manded:

“ Surrender, Captain Don, or you die 1”

He attempted to get up, to reach his hand to
his belt of arms hanging near, but the flash and
report of a revolver came, and his hand drop-
ped the bullet having passed through his arm.

“'Now, sir, surrender!”

“ I do,” said the man, in a sullen tone.

‘i Who are you l” he added. .
“Men call me Buffalo Bill,” was the quiet
res onse. & v-

‘ And that man has betrayed moi"

“ My dear sir, I came toyour retreat unaided,
save by the horse which belonged to your des-
perado comrade, Frank Fanshaw, whom I was

creed to kill. ' ~

“ Your men are ariseners, alike with your— '
self, and where lit e may be proven  ,
them, you are wanted on various charges and
the scout aided his prisoner to dress, and then
looked after his wound. ~ ‘ .

It was a flesh wound, the ball having passed
through the fleshy of theiarm, below the
elbow, and. with a ll ained by much experi. 
once in a life on the as, Buflalo Bill dressed ’
it, and then turned to the sergeant who entered, .
and askedh ‘

Wild“ '” ssh is he. a...

so are, , ' t ferde t‘
up dere hands might quick when II tole 4ysign]
had de whole United totes army 0 tside.” -,

“ All right, Toby; please bring age prisoners
in here and collect all of our party outside of
this cabin. and have them remain until I call
for them.”

“ Yes, sub.” .1 , '

“ Now, Den, the Monte Man, I wish to have a

-little talk with you.”

“ Why have on dogged me here?” '
Before But! 0 Bill could reply Toby returned
with the other prisoners, five in number, and »

m

 

 

  

 

.32

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza.

 

 

white-faced they took a stand at one end of the

room.

It was evident they were intensely amazed at
what had happened.

“My men, ’said Buffalo, “ I wish to see if I
know any of you as villains,” and he glanced
down the line.

They were hard faces that he looked into, but
he did not recognize any one.

“ No, I do not remember to have seen any
of you before, but you have been caught in bad
company, and must go to the fort With me as
prisoners.

“If you can prove your innocence, well and

[good and if not, you will have to suffer.”

“ We hain’t done nothin’,” said one.

“ No? Well, your looks belie you; but sup-
pose you tell me who tied the poor wretches on
the horses and turned them loose for the wolves
to devour?”

“The ca ’n.”

“He di it all?” _

“ Yes, he did, for we wasn’t gein‘ ter help do
thet which might be done to us,” said the man
who acted as spokesman. '

“That’s square, Chief Cody,” said Reuben
Minor.

“ 11 right, it is another nail in the Don’s

‘ coflln.

“Now, men, I wish to show you just what
your leader is.

“He tried to murder his wife. by settin her
adrift at sea in an open boat, and he came est
upon account of his crimes in the East.

“ He is a card-sharp, and has cheated many a

oor miner out of his hard-earned dust, and,

ding a successful rival out on the border,
bapp with his wife, the woman who had re-
fu this man’s love, he killed her husband,
’robbed his bod , and it broke the heart of the
poor wife, and aft their child an o han.

“ He knew that the man he he killed had
found a gold-mine, and had a me of it, and he

soulght the house, where the d man’s father
an child lived. -

“He pretended friendship, and in that way
got the map, and then or ized this band un-

er the name of the 'ghts of the Silver

Circle. "

“ He found some silver here; but it was the
rich gold-mine he looked for,‘and in some mys-
terious way he had lost the map of how to find

it, and has kept you here, digging and hunting
for two years, in the hope of finding it.

“ And more, he went to the home of the man
he had slain, and kidnapped from her poor old
grandfather, the child, who he knew would get
the fortune that should have been her mother’s.”

Just then the old person entered, and along
with him Rose Ripley.

“Bill,” he said earnestly, “ this is my Wild
Rose, and she Will tell you how this man brought
her here."

The scout arose and grasged the hand of the
beautiful girl, while she sai earnestly:

” I have just heard how much I owo to you,
sir, for I have lived here for two years under a
false impressidn. '

. “ That man,” and she pointed to Carter
Creighton) “came to our house as our friend,
and one da came when Grandfather Ripley was
away hunt g.

“ e told me that Father Ripley had been
called suddenly East, and that my father had
left witha pard the map of a mine, and we
wereto hasten there at once and take possean
sion, I doin so in my poor father’s name. '

“I did no doubt him, and went, for he said

dfather would soon come there. too.

“Month after month I have looked for him
in vain, and Captain Don has shown me let-
ters pretending] to cope from him, and stating
that he was at l detained on business.

“To keep others out of these mountains he
has pla ed host, havinglthe men'ride through
the v 1e and m t, all robed in white,
andon w to arses, w ose hoof: were mumed, .
to ve back no sound. .

‘ One of the men Fanshaw, was scouting in

the lower valley and w some. strangers there,

who caught some t ed animals we have, a

superb horse by the name of Messenger, and a
dog we call Guide. _

‘ These theylassoed one night, but they got
away with their lessees and Fanshaw took them
03 coiled them up, and left them on the trail to
auii has up the host] idea. I

“Ca ' Don to d me that he did all this
to keep others away, who would rob us. and he
trained Memenger and Guide the horse and

,togotosome ranch and back forpro-
' , and carrying letters—I think it was to

the ranch of Bunco, the landlord of a tavern in
Saw Dust City, though I amnot sure.

“This is my story, sir, and though Captain
Don has heated me well, I now know he has de-
ceived me, and no power shall save’
punishment as the murderer of my parents,”
and the voice of the young girl fairly rung as
she uttered the last words.

“ And the murderer of mine!” ,

Thr therecitalofthesto ofWfldRose,

hton had satin hisc ,hiswound—
ed arm E upon the table by his side, silent,
at: and wit a cynical smile on hlsrhandsome

 

, avenged,”

 

" But at the last words, uttered by Clarice

Creighton, who strode into the room. his lips
parted in a cry and he half arose, but sunk back
into his seat. w ile he said:

“ You, too, appear against me, Clarice?”

“ Yes, and my testimony will hang you.

“You sought to kill me, Carter Creighton,
that you might marry your cousin, the mother
of that child you have so cruelly injured by
slaying her parents; but 1 was pic ed up at sea
by a vessel, and I returned home to know that
you destroyed my parents, got their money
that was to have been mine, and squandere
l .

“I set out to find you, and I did: but you saw
me, knew therebythat I lived, had me kidnap
and brought here, though why you did not '11
me I do not know.”

“ I really do not understand why I did not
mySelf. Clarice, for I might have done so,” was
the cool reply.

“ You did not, and so I shall live to see you
hanged,” was the cutting nse.

I‘Iie laughed mockingly, an then Buflalo Bill

I .

“ Yes, ssh.”

“ You have heard the charges against this
man, so take him to another cabin with the
prisoners, and I leave all to our keeping.”

“ I keep ’em safe, sah; ey don’t git away
from me, ’less death take ’em. '

” I’ll be] , Toby,” said Sol.

And wit Reuben Minor also as an amistant
the prisoners were led away while the scout
called to Hop Up and Lick Skillet to get a rous-
ing good supper for all hands.

hus several hours away, and then all
retired for the night, larice Creighton going to
the cabin with Rose whose bright nature made
her as blithe as a lark.

The next day an “ account of stock ” was tak-
en, and the “ ghostlyraiment ” was first brought
out, and next the gold-dust, which amounted to
only a few thousand dollars all told, and half as
much silver. ‘ '

“ This is your bonanza, Miss Rose, for your
father’s prospecting among these mountains
found it,’ sai Buffalo Bill.

“ And where is yours?” asked the young girl,

adding:
“ A that has been done we owe to you. ”

“ My bonanza does not happen to turn out in
finding a gold-mine, but in finding you, Miss
Rose, in releasing Mrs. Crei hton and 801 from
captivity, andin hringin t e man who has so
sinned against you all to Justice. .

“ Could I ask for a greater bonanza than that,
.I ask you all?” f

“It is a great satisfaction, sir, certainly, to
feel all that you have done for us, ” said Clarice
Crei hton, feelingly, while Rose said quickly:

“ h, I’ve ot two bonanzas for you, and they
are mine, as aptain Don gave them to me, and
I will give them to you—they are Messenger and
Guide. ’ '

And ving a call the superb white horse and
the nob e dog came quickly to her side, and she
continued in her playful way: ,

“ Messenger, I’ve 'ven you away and you,
too, Guide, and gran pa. sa 3 the one give you
to, ved you from the wo ves, so you must be
a ul good to him; here he is.’

And the scout caressed the Dumb Pards, who
seemed to recognize him, for they were ve do-
cile in their na ure toward him, while to st ers,
exce tinfigile Don and Rose, they were not per-
ticu ly .

There were also at the camp arms of various
kinds, and a score of horses, and, with their
booty and their prisoners the party set of! on
their return. ‘

That night they halted in the Crater Camp,
and the next day, quite a cavalcade altogether,
they started b easy marches for the fort. .

I was upon their second day’s journey, when
crossing a stream that swept along at a terrific
pace, that the led horses got entangled amon
those ridden by, the vprisoners.‘ and one ani
reared in the water olently, fell backward and
plunged his rider beneath him. .

’ A c arose from every li , for it was Carter
Crei n who had thus ppeared th
the 00d. , ' ,

An instant, and he arose, and seeing that he
was being new t away, where no one could fol-
lgwgaiiiop p t w his rifle to his shoulder, as

e : , ~ .

“ Bad ’Melican man no hangee, no shall
drownee. So shootee.” . v

He fired as he spoke, and Carter Creighton
waitseen to thrownp his arms andsink from
s g . r -

" 6 has cheated the WW but, H U
never shoot a man who cannot hit back?B said
Buffalo Bill, sternly.

“ No shootee he drownee; Igoodee people
drownee,” was the reply of Haj-up.

No reply was made to this as argument,

and thepartyrode on insilance all bus with 1
their thou hts, and ' y

Clarice Creighton white-
faced and rn-looking. ’ '

fiflawhile Rosters“,  ted
- better- .so . ordeepl as e wron
us elk-he isdead'now, undyitis over. We are

 

CHAPTER XLVII.‘
CONCLUSION.

FOLLOWING their different aims in life, kind
reader, the characters of my story, in which I
have tried to interest you, drifted awa from
each otherafterreaching the fort, where uffalo
Bill, as chief of scouts, and with the mystery of
the Silver Circle solved, gained them a warm
welcome.

Sergeant Nicodemus Toby received his ardon
for desertin , his innocence was establis ed by
the pa r o' Reuben Minor, who confessed his
guilt t erein, and had then hid the party fare-
well, turnin the head of his horse westward,
and going 0 alone, none knew whither.

W ile regretting that Carter Creighton had
not come on to the fort to be hanged, one of his
men was recognized as a murderer, a deserter
and a man who had escaped when under sen-
tence of death, so he suffered the full penalty
while his comrades, against whom nothing co d
be proven, were set free, and they lost no time
in leavin so dangerous a locality.

The nig t after their arrival at the fort Deer—
Eye had ridden off alone, leaving a note for the
scout that he was sorry to part thus, but that
his life had been an unha py one, and he meant-
to go far away to dwe where he was wholly
unknown.

It was a sad letter for all, as Deer—Eye had
won the great regard of all.

The Trafiper Parson determined to set out at.
oncefor t 9 East, alon with Rose, to get for
her the fortune she had herited, and at their
earnest entreat Clarice Creighton went along
asa governess or the oung ‘ 1.

As for 801, or Old ick’s 183, he decided to.
turn guide and scout, so placed himself under the
tuition of Buffalo Bill, who found in him a most.
promising upil, and. one who he felt assured
would win me in the future.

Nor was the scout mistaken, for he became
famous as the Boy Guide.

Ho Up and Lick Skillet proved a bonanza for
the ort, the former becomin the man-of-all-
work for the commandant, wh le the latter was-
taken for the officers’ mess, their names having
been respective] ch ed to Whoopa’em-Up—
Johnny and Tea- ettle ommie.

As for Buffalo Bill, be still lives, and will live
In song and story as a hero of the border as his

« late memorable career well assures.

TEE IND.

 

l

» Bullan Bill Novels «/

Beadle’s Dime LibraryJfl

52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts- or, Life and
Love in a Frontier Fort. Bv Buffa 0 Bill.

83 Gold Bullet S rt: or, the Knights of the Over-
land. B Bu alo Bill.

92 Buflalo ill, the Buckskin, King; or the Amazon
of the West. By M or Dangerflel Burr.

168 Wild Bill. the Pistol ead Shot. A Romance of'
Buflalo Bill’s Old Pard. By Colonel Prentiss ln—

ham.

848 he PilgrimTSharp; or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
A true Story of the Overland Trail. By Buffalo»
Bill, Government Scout and Guide.

804 Texas Jack the Prairie Rattler-tor, The Queen
of the Wild data. By Buffalo Bill.

819 :Vlild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By Buf-

ao l .

The Lea e of Three- or, Buffalo Bill’s Pledge.
By Col. miss Ingra am. '

862 Buflaln Blii‘s Grip: or, Oath-bound to Custer. A
Tale of the Great Scout’s Challenge to Sitting
Bull. B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

894 White cover, the Exile of the Platte' or,
Wronzed Man’s Red Trail. By Buflalo Bill.

897 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver’s Trail,

Bi Buffalo Bill. x

401 e One-Armed Pard; or. Red Retribution in
Borderland. By Bugalo Bill.

414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or The Gold
Buzzards of Colorado. ,By Buffalo Bill.

517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail; or, Will Cody. the Pony
Express Rider. By Ned Buntline. . ,

599 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pard- of the Plains-
By Buflalo Bill.

“2° Editiwnmck'id "'8‘"-

‘s si- e. n .
M The Gold Kl hFor, Montegollo. the W001“.

By 0 Bi .
644 Buffalo Bill‘s Bonanza' .or. The hts of the
Silver Circle. ~ By 001. i’rentiu In am. ,

LATEST ISSUES. "

Gabe, we Unseen Detective' or The
“5 g°n§2§§y Ranch. By Joseph r. Badgér, r. '
put the Grim uerd- or, Hailstorin‘s
6“ North $5 Braves. By William H. Manning.-
Fieah of Ffisoo at Santa Fe; :- The
“7 mm, sharp. By Albert w. Aiken. 0 ’ ' ',
~ ck tor, the Saddle Ki - or. The Lasso
“5  By 001; P35 Installs-in.
‘ 4 am mus every Wadnadam I :
391.411»: Dime Library is for sale by all
newldealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on
mp1; ortwelve cents each. BEADLE & AD sue,
Publishers. 98 William Street] New York.

7