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Copyrighted. 13x. by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Esnuucu AS SECOND CLAIM Myrnm .\ r Tm: Ix‘..\\ Y-uuc, .\'. Y., l‘wr LU-‘FICE. Bluy 24. 1893.
Published Every gBeadZe g. v/l (Za 771,9, (1 ’leZ is he rs, Ten cm- a Copy. V 01 L I X
9:; WILLIAM s  NEJV YORK. “'00 ‘ h“ ' '

 

No.761.  u

Buffalo Bill’s [Ilascotg or, Heath Valley Victim N0. 

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM

AUTHOR OF rm: “BUFFALO mu." NOVELS, “ MERLE, nu: Ml‘TINEER,” “ MUNTEZCMA, THE MERCILESS." £10., ITC.

 

\

‘ ,x—:- m 7.3.

 

I) IN AMAZEMEN'I‘, FIRST AT BUFFALO BILL .\!\l) THEN AT THE Sl‘lH-EUN SCOUT.

COLONEL MEIUHAM AND THE U'HILMS “Alli

 

 

* 2

" V‘B‘afifsiopursuanceI

 

Buffalo Bill’s Mascot;

The Death Valley Victim No. 13.
A Romance of Desperation in Arizona.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

_.._1_

CHAPTER I.
THE VALLEY or DEATH.

Jus'r as the sun was sinking below the
mountain herlzon in Arizona, a horseman
halted upon a ridge, which he had ascended
from a trackless, barren plain, where neither
bush, grass, tree or stream were visible, and
grind upon the scene there sprtatd out be-

him.
“ Is this one of those mirages of this wild
land, of which I have heard so much; or is
it in reality a scene of beauty, a fertile val-

ley ?” muttered the horseman as he set it on '

his horse and gazed upon a beautiful va ley
spread out before him.

Beyond, far beyond, was a range of lofty
mountains, and u on either side of him
welre the ridges o hills which formed the
va e.

A river ran winding through the valley,
with trees fringing its banks. and here and
there were retty parks, with meadow-lands
and pretty its of scenery to tempt the eye

, of one Who loved natur .

“ A far better place in which to spend the

'night, old horse, than what we had antici-

pated havir. g, after our long and dreary ride
across yonder desert. .

" They say this s t is one to avoid, and
the trap rs call it eath Valley. while sev-
eral of t e scouts at the fort have named it
the Valley of Jim-Jams.

“It is to leave all hope behind to enter
here, to die without knowing why, and to
see strange sights there is no accounting for,
I have been told.

“ Some‘ say that the place is haunted by
evil spirits, others that it is the abode of a
demon race of Indians, and I know men avoid
it as they would a pestilence.

“ Wel , that is just what brought me here,
to solve the rnyster , to know the truth or
falsity of the tales have heard, so we will

ress on, old horse, and find a campingplace
or the night, for we dread the treeless,
waterless desert behind us far more than all
the evil spirits that may haunt this spot of
beauty before us, do'we not? '

“Come, old pard. it is getting dark, so we
must hunt a camp for the night.” I

Sosa ing the horseman rodeover the ridge,
and ma ing his own trail started down into
the valley toward the river.

lie was s lendidl mounted upon a large,

n bodied: clean imbed bay, whose every
loo indicated great speed ‘ ‘ ,ge‘ndurance,
and his trapping showed that?&' :Wial out
n on an extend  "I" heralded fit, roll
of) blankets. bang“?! provisions and solid, le-
pochets well fl, . ' _ 

The rich: was a man of majestic appear
ance, fat“ was as erect in hearing as an Iii-A

W  bra“  5
He had a lsriat hangl  “4.3.0!

V,  in", ‘ Mg horse, and

heard in every land and known as the name
of a hero of heroes—Buffalo Bill.

Yes, it was Buffalo Bill, the scout, guide
and lmlian-figbtcr, and he was Venturin r
alone, with night upon him, into the weir
land known as the Valley of Death.

CHAPTER II.
Tim scours nrscovnnv.

BUFFALO BILL was well equipped, with
his outfit for camping, his arms and horse,
for a scouting expedition, a fight or flight.

He was a man who never knew fear, and,
if brought face to face with death, would
meet it with a courage that was indomitable,
a smile of perfect resignation. ’

His career upon the frontier from boy-
hmd had made him a man long before he got
out of his teens and death had been daily
b his side, suiferin s, hardships and bat-
t If: for life a art 0 his existence.

0 had has of this weird spot known as
the Valley of Death, and was otermined to
visit it, where all others shunned it.

It was said to be a spot avoided by In-
dians in spite of its beauty of scenery, as
though the abode of Evil Spirits, and red
hunters and trappers who had one there
had wild stories to tell of how t. 9. var air
was poisoned and deadly vapors arose mm
the ground to destroy those who camped
there.

There were others born in superstition,
who asserted the
haunted and stories of how an emigrant
train had once gone there to secure a home,"
glad to have found such an Editor); rest and

uty, and not one had ever left it alive 
tell the tale of the fatality that had befallen‘
them.

Trggpers had gone there and never re-
turn .

Indians, retreatin from a raid and pur-
sued b soldiers, h ventured into the valley
by nig ht and never reappeared.

Twoor more scouts from the fort had never
returned from trails they had gone u on,
and they had been tra cited to Death Va ley.

So it was that the shadow of death hung
over the valley, which was many mike in
ion th, half adozen or more in widtfiar’jg'i
as ertile asa garden. ' 

Game going there was surely safe 
the hunter, and so the scout eXpected to lid
in plenty there deer, antelope and other wild.
animals. .

An oasis it was in a desert, for the barren,
treeless, gmssless,, waterless plains of Arizona
surrounded the fertile vale, with its stream
that rose amid its hills and sunk from sight
in the sandy lands beyond, its lakes, its
springs and wordland. r

The twilight deepened as Buffalo Bill de-
scended the tree-dotttd slore toward adim
tant peak,.which his gale had fallen upon
from the ridge, and where he knew he would
find in plenty wood, Whit-rand mas. .' '

He had turned his field-glass uponthe
ver spot he wanted for. a camp, and thou _
dar ness was overtaking him he knew that
he could find- it. ' ‘ ‘ _

‘ “I am sorry We. have, not an hour sooner,
perd, as we could have "beemcamped' before
nl “all,” he said to his horse, to 

 

   
   
 
  

t the valley was really

be turned with his arms full to retrace his

waiv to camp, he suddenly stopped short.
‘he wood fell from his arms, and an ex—

clamation of amazement broke from his lips.

And no wonder, for he had suddenly come
face to face with an object that was enough
to unnerve any one. _

There before him, not a few feet away,
suspended from a large limb hung a human
form.

But the brave scout was only an instant in
regaining his wonted calm mien, and, step-
ping quickly forward, he placed his hand
.upon the face of the hanging man, for his
feet nearly reached the ground, while from
his lips fairly rung the words:

“ Great God! the body is still warm!"

 

CHAPTER 111.
True UNKNOWN.

BurrALo BILL had often seen other men
hanging in the timber, and he had known of
many wild deeds of lawless bands and Vigil-
antes.

Yet this was a case that startled him, for
it was coming upon a man hanged to a tree,
in a valley said to hold no inhabitant, where
only wild beasts roamed at will.

hen his hand rested upon the face of the
man he felt that the flesh was yet warm,
that death, if he was dead, had been most
recent.

He forgot his dan r, from these who
had done the deed, in l s anxiety about the
unknown man, and quick] he drew his
knife, severed the ropeand re the form to
hithttlemmn ,5 é   ~ 

He then took? fire noose from about the
neck, and saw that it ‘had not closel encir~
cled it, that there was a space un er the
chin which had prevented quick strangula-
tion.

quickly released.

Then the scout placed his car over the
heart of the man and felt that there was the
slightest, faintest pulsation observable.

He got water from the stream and bathed - 

the face and neck, and violently rubbed the

. chest and hands, while he forced a little

swhisky and 'water into the lips.
_ Thus he worked hard upon the man to
bring him back from across the death-line
'bnck into life. a

It was sometime before he felt that he
would be rewarded, but, drawing off the
boots he placed his ,fcet close to the blazing
log, and havin heated water in the coffee-
rpot he wet towc ’ with it and bound them
about the wrists, over the misc, and laid
them over the heart, while he continued to
bathe. the red and Swollen

I
u

backward and
"ly, it is true, and»
'ment, yet showing at the struggle to live
was exerting itself." ;

Steadily came the heart-beats after awhile,
'the pulses stopped their fluttering and be-
came more. regular, and a tinge of color
~ mcae into the pallid face; '
At last,” after of ,work the lips arted

mud-,fi'ings, at first slow-

    
    

diam—Md"? We" WW form: broad 5110‘" ‘0 0d“? . h‘flhumen creature; .  , {with .' as.  hiteath filled the un s,
' ders a‘nd rod'e‘like one whose life had been ,Doqulnme Vang. are went, ma, '     Q; ,   my“ muscle: a
passed'inthesaddle. .. , ‘ ‘ ing the stream, held , 1) its banks 7_  ,r: mm: ’ 5 i .. 7'  ,5 the next me.

A bum hunting-“lift. km stuck dimco of a couple of m lcs. ‘ I ‘ ‘ ' '_  
in t , topvfihigh cavalry . and a Night had come on, but theater's ,  Billiw-igj ' 4 

brimmflliembmro of term-ants has; brew: , and it was not ve day-IL   r  V _, L
completed his‘e'a‘etnmaffifinghm‘gtumrq pal-k 1N1- : _ I. .1 m (grow-ft _- «   _ _ .
and pictu .  " ‘   ‘ h, be halted in a; _, e ofigywordiinalmiwawmm
. , ,  j’ why  net let me die?
out uponthe' " ' 'ure land near by tofiecd.

“a

'other, and a belt encircled~

his saddle-horn. a re
there were two large revolvers and a‘ bowie:

knife. - « r
. If the general appearance of the manure:
striking, his face was more so, for; biggies-
tures were clear. cut, formcd in a refined and,
exgressive  eyeflarge, fult’offeofing‘
an fire, and a. mustache and imperiai‘gave
him a military look, which his bearin¢ and
seat in the saddle carried out. ' f ’ j
His was a face to no and never forget,
a face mg: a woman or a child would seek
for prote ion from a wron , and one which
a man could look into and. col that he could
rely ugon him as a friend or a fee to the 
tor en . , '
But why need I describe one who is
known the world over, one whose name is

  

' » lb
was  

 lle‘i , , i some drywooarindsoon~7
 no car {I
felt ‘heufe, for-Rheum“ would not move

 there, and 

abroad new. etch u theyf'itere in the val~
l’e macaw the    .
,3 his coffee-pot   from the
then!” got out his  of provisions
m w"  . 4.

, whm , he  With the relish

. ’-' V if, r of manhtmdntf-
ten‘nrd op ‘hi‘s lankets among the
cedm‘thmwfu ‘ on more wood to brighten
u:  surroun ings, that he might see about

In gathering more wood, Buffalo Bill

 

   

 

“Tenders all t in agony again!"
“My 00d friend, you alone; now with
5 h . 341’: ‘

*6 you... 3 'r _
_ our Sealants,   "~‘
or-hoursm  you back
to I  .re
who-our; ., my life; wd—” .
Be paused and the scout said gently:

 

“No, I am a scout. from Fort Defiance 5
and timing into this yaliey  camp I found 

. you

you wiil meet your death.
“ Go, I say l" -

move, as might have been ex ted.

 

strolled some distance from the fire, but
where the rays of its light penetrated, and as

.1,

    
 

His whole form seemed life ess, paralyzed.

&-m~w ' at? in ’w-—a~......,m_ aging—u...

‘  .«fiirmrefismsi ‘

The hands were tied behind the back, and ,
the feet also were bound, but they were

«1‘ ... .  v“).  .. r a

At. last the fendulum of life began its '
0

an irregular move- - 1‘5”-

 

 

“ Gol Go'ationcep for if- you stay here"
The man spoke excitedly, yet he did not ‘ 7

“I have brought you back to life and I _‘ l

   
    
   

 

 

 

 

 

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Ema Bill’s Mamet.

 

3

 

 

shall remain and care for you until you are
able to leave with me.

“ If danger comes, I shall meet it as best I
can," was the reply of Buffalo Bill.

“ No, you must depart from here and at
once, for you do not know what your fate
will be if you remain.

“ You have brought me back to life, yet it
would have been better had you left me to
die, for see, I am helpless, my whole form
seems paralyzed. " "

“That feeling is but temporary, the blood
will soon circulate freely and you will be all
right again. "

“You think so?” eagerly asked the suf-
ferer.

“ I do.”

“Heaven grant that your words my be
true, for once again strong and myself, there
is Work that I can do.

“But, cri pied, aralyzed as I now feel
that Lam, t woul be far better had you
allowed me to die."

“ You will soon be yourself again, my
friend, but who are you, may I ask i”

The man started at the question, gazed an
instant fixedly into the scout’s face and said
in a low tone: ‘

“ You saved my life, and yet I cannot

, tell you who I am—I dare not.

“ I am unknown to you, and so must re-
main until I have accomplished a duty that
my life is now devoted to. '

“ Yea. I must remain unknown.

 

CHAPTER IV.
run scoor’s REsOLYE.

Burr-aw BILL was impressed by the
words and anner of the man, whom he had
brought bac to life.

He saw in the stranger one of fine
physique, one whose form indicated great
strength, endurance and activity.

He was clad in a suit of buckskin, even
wearing moccasins, and his hat, which had
fallen off, was made of fox-skin.

He had no weapons, and his clothing ap-
peared to have been rifled, as though n
search of plunder, for the pockets were
turned inside out.

The man’s face was heavily bearded, and
he wore his hair long, falling half-way to his
belt down his back.

The face, however, was a striking one,
the eyes being large, expressive, and with a
look in them that was strangely fascinating,
though unreadable.

The teeth were even, white, and the nose
straight and welliformed. ,

It was hard toguess the age of the
sufferer, for though he hardly looked to
bcthirty, yet there were my hairs upon
his temples and he had th appearance of one

and a half of years. ‘

I'lis expression was strangely stern, save
‘when he spoke, and then eyes and face
lighted up to a remarkable extent.

Having seen that the
helpless, the scout felt that something must
be done to aid him, and he said:

“ Do you know this valley?"

" I do.”

"Could you suggest a place where we

4‘ :might find a safe retreat for several days?”

ȣ
,\
t.

“9‘
.{gv

n n

“Then I will aid you into my saddle and

3 we will go there."

“ I can do nothing to aid myselft" ._

"Iseeyoucan . ' . ‘

"How far away is the spot you have in
mind?" ~ . .-

“Three miles.” ' r

“ We will start at once then.”

  '3; . I The scout made his preparationaand raised.

, the man to his saddle, but found that he was

» unable even to ride there.

, Mounting behind him therefore he held
firim in the saddle, and. directed by the un-
L-‘Jttipwn. continued on down the valley for a-
u 1n e. '
" ' Then he branched off to the right ata

" ' Crossing of the streams, folsowing in the bed

 of :- smal. rivulet.
Up this he went for a ratio or more, and

.r ' ,«came at last Into a heavil wooded canyon

'~ where the little stream hm its source.

Dark though it was Buffalo Bill discovered
that there was grass in plenty all about, tim-
 r and water, with the canyon ending back

 lofty mountain range.

 

man was nearly; '

Directed still by the unknown he found a
campingplaee, and soon had a bright fire
burning, which shed its light through the
dark canyon.

" The very spot for a camp," he said. as
he took his companion from the saddle and
laid him upon his blankets near the fire.

“ Yes, no one will come here, and the fire-
light cannot be seen by night. nor the smoke

: by day, for it all goes into the dark holes

you see in that cliff.

“Then, too, there are graves here by the
score and not even a white man of this val-
ley will come here."

" There are white men in this valley
then i" quickly said the scout.

The unknown did not reply, and the scout
did not press the matter, but kept up con-
siderable thinkin over what he had heard.

The horse was ariated out to feed, wood
was gathered, and the scout soon had a
cheery Camp of it.

He divided his blankets with his suffering
comrade, and then they turned in for the.

‘ couple of hours which yet remained of the

hi ht.
he sun was up when Buffalo Bill awoke.

His companion was sleeping soundly, so
he did not disturb him, and after leading
his horse to water, gathered a quantit of
Wood, gettin the largest logs he could nd,
for he had ecidcd what course he would
pursue if the unknown was not much better
when he awoke. ‘

When at last the stranger did awake, Buf-
falo Bill found that he was able to use his
hands and arms, but he yet seemed para-
lyzed from hiswaist down.

He gave him a hard rubbing, then break-
fast, and said: ‘

“ See here, pard, I have come to a resolve
about you."

at ' "

“I have food enough to last you a few
days, and what I will also need for myself,
and Iwill build you a large fire of logs, put
provisions within your reach, and start at
once for Fort Defiance to bring you aid with
all dispatch.”

The answer fairly startled the scout, for
the words came quickly:

“No, no, don’t do that! Great God, no!”

 

CHAPTER V.
THE nurusan. v

11' was in vain that Buffalo Bill urged and
argued, that the only thing he could do was
to go to the fort for aid, for the unknown
strenuously opposed it.

He said that the scout must leave hfin
there, if he would go, but not to bring aid.
for he did not wish any assistance from the
fort, and would not consider the resolve of
Buffalo Bill for a moment.

' He positively grew excited in discussing

it.

But Bufialo Bill felt that something must
bedone to save the man. - ,-

Hc was better, it was true, yet he needed
medical aid, and must haVe it.

If he remained thus with him, it would be
weeks before he could get away, erhaps
longerr-and he must return to the on and
report, for he had come away only on a short
leave to make the trip alone into the Death
Valley. ~~ .

His provisions would not last more than a
week longer. and there was nothing for him
to do but to go. ,

‘ The argument of the man that he should
not, he could not but feel was from no dread
of being left alone, but from some- other
cause. and he could not get any state-
ment from him as to just what that reason
was.

“Why do you not wish me to do that
which reason tells me is best for both
of us?” he asked, when the two were having
dinner together that first day in the canyon

“ Iwould rather die than have you go.

“ I am getting better, I feel it, I know it,
and in a month will be myself again."

“ But we have no food to last overa week,
in fact hardly so long." . -

" Bertram I may be well within that

«so, a would be impossible, though I
do believe that a surgeoueould soon bring

 

you around.

 

within four days. and 1 know the surgeon,
or his assistant. will return with mc, and I
can bring,r an ambulance along ule to carry
you back. '
i “ No, I will not go, and no army man must
, come into this valley.
I “You know it is fatal to all who come
, here."
i “I have heard so, but 1 am very much
l

alive yet, and you Seem to have lived INTO." '

“And was hanged, but saved by you.

“ No, not a soul must come here, not
one.

“I will soon be well and then we can go
our separate ways."

“ You still unknown to me?”

“ Yes.”

“And why ?"

“ It must be so.

“That s all that I can tell you.”

“ You doubt me i"

“ No, for I know you.”

“ Who am I?”

“ Buffalo Bill."

" How do you know that?”

“ “'ell. l have seen you before.”

“ I do not recall having met you before.”

" Perhaps not, yet we have met, or at least
I have seen '01} before, andl know you to
be Buffalo Bill, Chief of Military Scouts at
Defiance.

“I know you to be one to trust, if I dared
do so, with life and all else.

“ But I must remain unknown to you,
and, just as scon as I am able, you must
leave me, going quickly awa from here
and never returning to this V
again. ”

desire to know more of of the Weird valley.”

“ Upon your life you must not.

" Be content with what you do know, that
it is a weird lace, that it has its mysteries,
its graves wit I histories, yes. you see yonder
the mounds that mark the resting place of
half a hundred people whose real fate is un-
known."

” Do you know what their fate was?"

" It matters not if I do, or do not, for they
are dead, their story is told now only by
Ahose mounds,” and he pointed up the can-

'on to where the eyes of the scout were rest-
m'g upon a number of graves, not one of
which was marked.

The scout arose and walked slowly to-
ward the graves. . __

They were overgrown with grass, showin
that thefi had not been recently made, an
Buffalo ill counted just forty-nine of them.

There was in the very center a space
left vacant, as though by design, and it was-
large enough for another ve.

Here was driven a stake, which the scout
bent over and looked at with interest, for
upon it were just forty-nine notches, cut into is
with a knife. ' ‘

“How strange,” muttered Buffalo Bill as
he stood there gazing at the stake, placed in
the vacant spot in the center of the raves.

“ Well, my duty is plain, and that is to go
to Defiance and get aid for this poor fellow,
or he will die yet in this valley, where the
mystery deepens to me every minute.

“ Yes, I will arrange to slip quietl away’
to-night, leaving a note tellin him felt it
my duty to go. and placing ood enough to
last him within his reach. v

' “ Yes, I go tonight, that is certain."

With this determination formed, the scout
walked about the canyon. taking it all in
carefully. changed his horse to another spot
further awa , and began his preparations to
quietly ates away from his unknown com-
rade when night should comeon.»

CHAPTER VI.
'rrur minnow? DEPARTURE.

BUFFALO BILL Was anxious to make his
arrangements for going in a way that would
not attract the attention of his strange com!
portion to what he intended doing. - ‘

Canning the matter carefully over, he felt
that it was his duty to go for aid, as it was
impossible for him to move the man from
the camp, with him so helpless.

He could not hold himself in the saddle
even, and the scout would not be able to rlde’
a long distance holding him there, for the
double duty on his horse would soon break

 

“I can go to Fort Defiance and return

him down.
He gave his companion a good supper,

ley of, Death 5

“ Such an injunction simply increases my .

so 

l

  

 

4

 

Buffalo Bill’s Mascot.

 

 

k...—

and. while preparing it, divided his provi- /

sions, placing the largest quantity to one side
for the use of the su erer.

He managed to slip out one blanket also,
and had placed his horse some distance away,
so that his going would not be heard by the
stranger.

By the twilight he wrote a few lines on -a

, slip of pa er and wrapped it on a stick
‘ which he intended to place where the un-
known would see it upon awakening in the
morning. ‘-
_ He made another effort to find out some-
, thing about his strange companion, why he
was in Death Valley, and what had brought
{4 him to that part of the country, as also who
had been his foes.

But all questions proved in vain, as the
unknown still insisted upon remaining a
mystery to the scout.

When they had retired for the night, and
the scout felt that his companion was sleep-
ing soundly, he rolled noiselessly out from
under the blankets, placed the provisions
within reach of the other's hand and a re-
volver as well, with some ammunition, in
case any wild beasts, discovering his crippled
condition, might seek to attack him.

He then piled up near him a number
of logs, which could be thrown upon the
fire, to keep it burnin , and which had been
liberally supplied wit wood by the scout,
though the weather was not cold. .

Then, with a glance of farewell at the mys-
terious man whom he had befriended,
Buffalo Bill cre t silent] away out into the
darkness beyom the fire ight.

He carried with him a small bag of pro-
visions and a blanket. and soon reached his
saddle and bridle which he took along with
him to where his horse Was staked out.

He had written upon the slip of paper as
follows:

“I feel that it in m (int , Unknown Para, to seek
aid for you, and so at away liken thief in the

n‘ ht.

‘IE By the time you awake Ishall be for on m
way toward the fort. and I will push on with n 1
speed, so II to get back to you as soon as bio,
with a surgeon and an ambulance.

“ i leave a revolver for you, and food and water.
all within reach. and there is wood suflciont to
keep our tire going for some days.

“ C oer up and expect soon to see me back again
with help. Yours,

.“ BUHAID Bun."

“ That letter will explain that he is not
deserted, but that I go for his good," mutter-
ered the scout as he mounted his horse and
rode sway. riding down the stream ashe had
come u t, in the water. v

He allowed the brook down to where it
flowed into the larger stream at the ford,
and crossing there turned to the left on the
trail he had come with his unknown com-
panion. , -

He wished to go back again by the s t

where he had come upon t eman hangl):

from a tree, for from that spot he coul
ush rapidly on, knowing the trail the way
e had come. ,

He rode into the little clump of timber
where the hanging had occurred, with no
thought of (lung‘s; to himself, with no belief
that a human ing was high, and so he
was startled when suddenly, out of the
gloom of a thicket, came the low-spoken
words: r ‘

” Haiti

“1 wish to speak with you." "

Buflalo Bill had drawn rein in an instant
with one hand, while the other grasped his
revolver and cocked it, so that be was
quickly ready to greet friend or foe.

He was. law the shadow of the timber, and
yet the gloom from whence the voice had
come was dense,.nnd he could not enetrato
the shadows to see who was lurk ng them,
who had brought him to a halt. -

CHAPTER VII.
. A waamno. '
To have turned in flight. .the scout felt,
might bring him a volley from his unseen

 

 

cliallcngéz, while to fire at one concealed
yrould, wrongras it perhaps was not 3
no

The voice had been in a hoarse whisper,
rather as though the speaker wished only to
be heard by the one addressed. I ‘ ,

So Bdffaio, Bill, having his horse well in
hand for flight or fl lit, and hirrevolvcr

stood his gt ’ and”!!! : '
4,.

road .
 tires. Hassle! .

 

 

V

“ “What have on to say?"

“ You are Bu alo Bill?”

“ I am."

“ You are going into a trap.”

“ It seems as though I was in one now, as
you see me while I only hear your voice.”

“ No, I am here to warn you of danger."

“ Alli and who are you ?”

“ That is not the question.”

“ What is?"

" To save your life, I am here.”

“ Indeed!

“ And who are m ' foes?"

“Those who are oes to whoever enters the
Valley of Death.”

“ Ah!

“ And why are you my friend?”

“I will not answer that; but I am here to
warn you of danger. ”

” What danger?”

“ Death.”

“ Indeed, and at whose hands ‘2”

“ Never mind, but say that you will obey
 H

“ Suppose I do not?”

“ Then you ride to your death.”

“ If I do ‘3"

“ Then you shall be saved from death.”

“I see no other alternative than to obey.”

“ You are wise. , '

" But I shall demand a pledge of you.”

" What is it?" I,

“ You must promise not to approach
nearer to me than you now are, and when I
leave you, that you will not attempt to follow
my trail.”

“ If I refuse?” .

" I must leave you to your fate, for my
life is at stake if I am known to befriend

on."
y " May you not be leading me into an am-
bush if I follow (you ?” _

“ Why shoul I, when you are at my
mercy now?"

“ At your mercy?”

“ Yes, for I could send a bullet through
your heart now, if I wished."

“ Well. I’ll accept your terms.”

" Then follow me; but remember, do not
come. close to me.” ,

“ I shall not forget," answered the scout.

Then, out of the tin?“ glided a form
upon ,which the eyes, f i the scout were
riveted at once, as he tried to penetrate the
darkness. .

The voice had been in a hoarse whisper,
and had struck Buflalo Bill as one that was
be isla

t, as the form left the timber, branch
ing short of! from the trail which‘Buflalo
Bill had been following, he saw that the one

who had Warned him was a woman.

She was on foot, had short skirts, aslouch
hat, and her long hair fell about her like a
vlail, while she glided, rather than walked
a ong. ‘

She led the way across the valley, after
leaving the timber, and walked rapid y,I ever
and anon half turning to raise her hand and
call out: ' ‘

“ Not too near, remember.”

The scout checked his horse, as he seemed
inclined to go nearer to his strange do,
and nudinf that the animal still pr for-
ward he d amounted and led him along.

Then he kept at the 'required distance,
though he was most anxious indeed to get a.
1ellioser look at the one who was befriending

m. ~
He was more than ever surprised to find a
woman there in that Valley of Death, a weird
Lines which he had believed to hold no in-
bitnnts save wild beasts, unless there was
a bond of rod-skins secret

" Surely this Valley of th‘ is panning
out most mysterious! ," muttered the scout
zombie walked along n the footsteps of his

8. . .

"First I find a man hanged here. then that
he will tell me nothing about himself,and next
I run upon a most remarkable adventure in
moetin a girl guide here. .

" I 0 not understand it all, but I must be
fore I give up the trail.” ‘

After walkingI a distance of a mile the
guide suddenly sited in alittlo thicket, and
a moment after Bufialo Bill saw her come
out on horseback.

"I left my horse hero, and now we can
push along rapidly; but you must still keep
tour/distance. ’ she said an‘ she started off at

dwelling there.

.hnveseen

 

 

CHAPTER VIII.
THE STRANGE GUIDE. 

AT the pace which the Girl Guide w
keeping up, conversation was out of th
question, and so the scout said nothing to her
but still kept his horse at the steady gallo w «
which she had set.

‘ Thus several miles were passed over, an
asoending a ridge that was thickly wood
ed, Buffalo Bill beheld beyond the barre .1 2'
plains stretching far out for many a Ion : _.
mile before him. 17:, w,

Here the guide halted and said: '  ’

“ I have saved you a dozen miles by min”?
ing you this way, for if you will head 
that black peak yonder, a volcanic mount—st;
ain, you will find yourself on the trail byfi‘,
which you came here when the day dthnSffi’égf

“ How do you know the trail by which I 
came here?" and as Buflalo Bill, spoke 
started to ride nearer to the guide when 8115;,
quickly waved him back with the words: [i 

“ Be careful, for you are coming too neat-3?};

   
   
  
  

  
  
  
 
    
   
    
  

“ Pardon me; I s all not offend again.” 1
“ To answer your question I will say thah‘;
)y one trail, unless you know the one I 
led you over, and you will return the waxy."
“ Suppose I say that I prefer to remairi,
and investigate the mysteries of this valley
dare do that. ”
“Why not?” 
would follow.”
“ I would take the chances to know wh
“ Don’t do it, for you could not find out? 
“ Do you dwell here?” '  ;
“ True; but I would liketo know whoa " 
what you are. that you can live where y
main ?”
“ I am what I am, and I can say no me
never come here again. " _
“ Suppose Isa I will come agaln ?”
Death’s Valley, for another t me I cann
save ou.” '
“ From certain death, as I told you.” 3-,, 
“Then others than you know of my being". 4
After a moment of hesitation the replfip
was:  
the valley, and your departure was ex. ec Y
very soon, so that there are those w o a

on could have reached Death Valley onljg,:~
you came.” 39.;
" Brave a man as you are, you would 
“ You love life, and your certain dea
the mystery hero is." 
" Where else could'l dwell ?"
say it would be certain death to me tor
other than to urge you to depart at once ah I I"
“Then you w ll find your rave here
“ “ om what have you saved me now 2”; a
here?"
“Others than I know that you came in 
now lying in amb for you. 

 
 
 
  

“I can tell yo no more, so now go H 
your way.” . ; 
“ One questiOn more!" ‘ ,3? g,
“ How do you know who I am?” ,
“ You do not deny that you are Bufl V_ j»
Bill?" . ' a, 
“ Oh, no."

 

“I know you as I have seen you bcfo
“ When and where i”
“It matters not when or where, but
on, and another saw you
ter the va ey and hence an ambush
re rod for you when you went out, for,
l’sal’d, you‘would have to return the
youcame in.” ‘ " _ :
“ An ambush to kill me ?” ’ x .
"‘Yes, for it is a law that one who v '
tures into this Valley of Death must die,
“ But now you must go on your way"
delay no longer." ,.,, . I. ‘
Buflalo Bill hesitntpd, for he was an
cidod whether”? speak of his mum 
c0m ionor. '. . ; "
Emmy! guide had not referred  .f
in an wa , and yet being 8. won;  J v.
wool hardly be cruel toward him, _.  3!
learn of his presence there, after i.
saved him from an ambush into whl"
had been riding when she brought him . .g .
hsl :.  

t. . .
But it flashed across the mind of th ,
that he would do well to say. nothingpf '
companion he had left behind in the ca" ,
but to hasten on tab the fort and  I

    

.mystoryphsnging over it

. ,t.. v
\Mkr

i
‘\

. ulW‘W--_VMM1WM~A~U‘\‘17< .... ...s . -.. .... “-1. . .
. .. .- y, r, . . . .1

":i‘ o ' I 

i

 

 

L ief, dwellers there. he was now assured.
But who and what were they?
They were not red-skins, for Indians

:cued, did they wish to put him to death.
L \Vho they were their victim even would
"not tell the scent, and herein was a riddle to
solve.

They Were white men beyond all doubt,

‘Valley, and why did they live in that far-
away spot, and allow no one else to enter
there, was what the scout could not under»
stand, and his strange guide would offer no
,e'Xplanation, which added to the complica-
, on.

CHAPTER IX.
UNLOOKED-FOR unseen.

IN the darkness Buffalo Bill could tell
nothin about his strange uide, especially
is she liept him fully thirty eet distant from

or.

'Her voice was low and musical, and he
:felt sure that she was a young girl.

She had leaped into her sad lc when she
mounted, with the ease of an athlete, and
had led him over a trsokless country un-
erringly, for no trail could be discover.

Now she pointed to a dark mass towerin
against the starlit sky, and miles awa , an
told him to to it and he would stri e the
trail by whic he had come to Death Valley.
i He recognized the mountain as a vol-
canic peak which he had passed the morn-
ing he had come near to the Death Valley,
and knew that she told him the truth.

 

"-upon the ridge, that there was onlya narrow
.rocky trail leading from it to the plain be-
?iow, and the way they had come was un-

‘the truth in saying, as a stranger to the
walley. he could not but go out as he had
(come in.
“ So we must part here?" he said. at last.
“ Yes." .
“ When will I see you again i”
“ Never, perhaps. ”
“ Suppose you were to find a man lying
,Awoundedin Death Valley, alone and in dis-
tress, what would you do with him?"
i “ I would aid him if in my power."
“And suppose your friends were to find
, Slim?"

“ My friends?"

“ Yes.”

“Who are they ?"

“Those whom you dwell hero with?"

“I have no friends." ' ,
,_ "Are they your'foes?"
if " We will not discuss myself, Bufl‘alo Bill;
V but I will sa that were you found by me
:‘rvmunded an in distress here in this va ley I
iwould risk life to care for you; but I beg of
flyou not to return here and take the chances
30! coming to harm.
’ p “I have warned you, and Icon say no
.more.
i, “Now good-by, for you, know your way
ifrom here, and I dare not remain longer."
 She waved her hand as she spoke, leaped
,‘tfinto her saddle and was off in s gallop, leav-
jging the scout standing by hishorsc and look-
 after her.

 

. . Were it not that I had to go to the fort
, for aid for that poor fellow, I would remain
shore and take her trail at dawn," muttered
F. he scout.
v“ "I was slrnost tempted to tell her of that
:1 m sterious man, whose life I had saved; but
fit best perhaps that I did not.
'1- " “ Well, I must get on my way now as
grimy as possible, and this cut on of twenty
' lea, which she said she saved me, will more
 than make up for the timeI have lost; in
.‘faet, from her account, I would have been
killed from ambush had I gene the way I
 in."
 The scout now slowly descended the rocky
find dangerous trail to the plains below, and
,pthen mounting rode on at s cantor, his guide
Chang the volcanic peek miles ahead. '
f H horse was fresh and pushed on at a
‘fi'dft center and gradually the ran behind
ghim grew dim in the distance, whi the vol-
-~* oshead loomed u larger“ In ,
 ' Just before dawn e reached thegase of
the volcano and recognised the surroundings,

 

" That there were, contrary to his former he-

would not have hanged the man he had res- .

but; what had brought them to the Death ‘

He could also see from where he stood.

marked. so that she doubtless had told'

-as he had  there on his way to the
l Death Valley.

! He had camped there,and seeking the same -

spot, where there was a pool of water in a

wash, and a patch of grass, he staked out his

‘ horse and rolling himself in his blankets lay
down to catch a couple of hours of rest and
sleep. ,

Deprived of his sleep by his care of the
3 unknown, he felt the need of it greatly, and
at once sunk into a deeper slumber than it
‘I was his Wont, when in danger.

But there on that barren plain he looked
‘ for no peril from Indian or white man, so
felt safe, knowing that he would awake
with the coming of dawn, so well had he
trained himself to do so in his wild life upon
the frontier.

But the scout had not dreamed that his
approach to the volcanic mountain had
Been seen, for others were there ahead of

1m.

They saw him stake his horse out upon
the little grass plot near the pool, and then
lie down to sleep.

In their hiding place they watched him
until they felt sure that he was sound asleep,
and then a form crept noiselessly toward

1m.

Another followed, and another until five
dark forms were visible all stealing cautious-
ly toward the sleeping scout.

 

CHAPTER X.
T0 LIE IN AMBUSH.

“ MEN, come with me for there is red work
to be done.”

The speaker was a heavily bearded, long-
hsired man who rode into a camp in Death
Vsllegyvhcre half a dozen men were loung-
in a at, their horses staked out near.

he one who rode into camp showed that
he had ridden hard, for his horse was cover-
ed with foam and was panting like a hound.

At the words of the one whose sudden ar-
rival had brought them all to their feet,
they started with all haste, without an
parleying or questioning, to saddle th r
horses. '

The leader, for such he a peered, took
the saddle of! of his own tir animal and
caught one of the dozen animals staked out
to ride in his stead.

The men were soon mounted and ready,
four of them, while two remained in the
camp, which was more thansternporary one,
to 'udgc from appearances.

e leader led the pace at s. gallop,lback
on the trail he had come, ofi'ering no expla~
nation to his followers, and held the gait un-
til mile after mile was gone over.

At last they came to the summit of the
ridge which surrounded the Death Valley,
an I here a halt was made for a rest, appar‘
ent y. , »

But ere the men could stake out their
horses the leader called to them and said:

“See here. Ends, we will not halt here
but go on to olcano Peak, for there is the
best place for s ambush, as night or..da
our horses can be opt in hiding, and there 3
spool of water there as well.”

'“ You expect some one, Cap?” asked one
of the men.

valley, and I wish to capture im when he
comes out.”

“ 0r kill him i"

“ Yes, in the end it will come to that, but
I wish first to take him alive."

“ He's in the valley, Capt”

It Yes." . _

“ More than one?"

“ No, only one. ” -

"He's got nerve, or he has notheardof
the smiley. ” ' ’

" Oh yes, he's got nerve, and more,
knows the stories told about the valley."

” Then he has come spying around?”

“ That is just it and you know this valley
is fatal to any one who comes here,"

“ It is, psrd, and he’ll be no exception.”

There was a moment of v silence. as though
each one)! the five men was plottin his
ownwsy to get rid of the onewho gored
venture into the valley, or was recalling
some red deed he had been guilty of in the

post. .
Then the leader said: '

 

“ As I told you. men, this one must be

I

“ No, for some one has ahead entered the -

 

taken alive, and more, he must not be harm-

“ A friend of yours, Cap?"

“ No, the bitterest foe l have on earth, and
that is why I wish to capture him alive."

“1 see. it will be agood thing to see him
die just for revenge, killing him as you like
best."

“ Just so, Nat.

"But who do you think the man is?"

All looked up with interest, but not one
spoke, simply waiting to be told, as though
they expected to hear the name of some one
who was well known to them.

As though realizing that he had a surprise
in store for his men, the leader said:

" Well, pards. the man who has dared
venture into this valley, and whom we are to
capture alive as he comes out, is none other
than—”

The leader paused, and the men were all
anxiety to have him continue, but said nothv
ing, as they seemed to feel that he enjoyed
holding them in suspense.

Then he remarked:

“ The man is Buffalo Bill, chief of scouts
at Fort Defiance.”

The words fell like a thunderbolt among
the listeners, for not one of them had ex-
pected to hear the name their leader uttered.

“Buffalo Bill?" came in a. chorus as each
man uttered the name.

is 3’08. H ,

“ lie has come into this valley ?"

“ Yes, Nat. ”

“ Cap, that looks bad."

“ We can capture him. ”

“Oh. yes, or kill him; but then he is too'

big a man not to be missed, and if he don’t
turn up, they’ll send a regiment to look for
him, while there is one who, if harm falls
upon him, will hunt down those who have
done the deed.”

" Who is that, Nat?"

- “Frank Powell, the Surgeon Scout.”

"' Yes, they are firm pards, and the Sur-
geon Scout is a dangerous man.

“ But Buffalo Bill has come here and he
must suffer the consequences." '

“ I only wish that he had not come."

“ So do I.”

“,Better‘let him go back unharmed."

“ And guide a regiment here? Oh, no!
for he has not come here without making
some diseovery.

“No, he has come, and he must sufler the
consequences. ‘

“ Come, we will ambush him at Volcano
Peak when he comes out," and the men rode
on to the place of ambush.

 

v CHAPTER XI.
rim canons.

. Bur-mm Bum was awakened from his
sound slumber by a command that could
not but startle even his iron nerve, for he
heard the words: -

" Buflalo Bill, you are my prisoner!”

The scout's eyes 0 ned upon a scene that
was terrifying, an the first lance was
sufficient to show him that the test re
sistance meant instant death, for he saw five
forms standln within a few ,feet of him,
and as many were covering him.

he said, without the slightest show of ex-
citemcnt, and sitting up he coolly glanced
about him.

“ Yes, so don’t he s fool and throw your
life sway. '

" Hand over your guns, Buffalo Bill l"

” If on want them, take them, for I’ll not
hand t em to you." .

 Nat. take the guns," ordered the leader,"
and the man addressed step forward and"
took the scout's rifle and be t of arms. «

“ Have you gotten everything, Nst?"

“ I guess so.”

“He'stri ,sosesrchhim. -

This Nat id, though with evidently s
dread that the search might end disastrously.
for hint

Be. however. found no other weapons,

lsrist secured the scout's

hands firmly behind him.

" As I am slightly interested, may I ask
whose prisoner I am?” inquired the scout.

" You my ask. but I shall not answer."

“What 8 your plasure with met",

“ That you will find out in good time."

" Well, pads, you have got me cover ,"‘

 

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Murat. V. .. 3,1:vqghgglz. :

  

-g.‘

 

 

“ All right. I am not impatient," was the
indifferent remark of the scout.

When he was secured beyond resistance
or escape, the leader sent two men after their
horses, while a third went to saddle the ani-
mal of Buffalo Bill and bring him up.

In a few minutes all were ready, and then
the leader said:

“ I shall tie you to your saddle, Buffalo
Bill, for well I know what you are capable
of, and more, I shall also blindfold you.”

“ Why, when I am so wholly at your
mercy?”

“Well, I have known of your escaping
death scores of times, when to get away
seemed out of the question, and though Iam
sure you cannot escape us now, I shall be on
the safe side and blindfold on, so you
will not know where you are ring taken.”

“I have nothin to say, for you are the
doctor,” was 'Bu alo B ll’s cool response,
and at once a heavy silk scarf was fastened
Securely about his e es.

Then he was ai ed to mount his horse,
his feet were fastened to the stirrnps, while
the leader held the bridle-rein in his hand to
prevent the animal dashing suddenly away.

The party now started upon their way, and
the scout relapsed into silence.

But his brain was busy, and every step
the horses made was counted, while mental
riote was made of the trail they Were follow
in .

g‘ We are goin back the way I came,”
mused Buffalo Bi 1, as they began to ascend
the slope to the range overlooking the
valley. ‘

Hardly had he come to this conclusion
zvdhcn the leader, who rode by his side, ask-

“How was it that we found you at
Volcano Peak, Buffalo Bill?”

“ Because I happened to be there, I sup-
ose.”

“Yes, that is one reason; but you have
been in Death Valley.” A

" Have I?”

“You have, and you did not come out
where on went in.”

“Di n’t I?”

.“ No, and with any one else I would feel
that you had a guide out the way you left
the valley.” ‘

“ And why not with me?"

“ Well, you have a way of going pretty
much where you please and might find a
way where others would not.

“But tell me, did any man guide you
out?"

“No, I saw no man to guide me.”

“You just stumbled upon the other way
out?”

‘ “I leave my horse to do the work of
guide when I am at a loss,” said the scout

evasively. . - .

The eader now rode ahead and the
party ascended the range in single file, a
circumstance that convinced the scout that
they were going back into the valley by
way of the trail he had followed in coming
out. ~

“Of course he could see nothing. blind-
folded .as he was, but he could judge of
the country and distance, and was confident
passed over the range and along
the very trail b which the mysterious Gir
Guide had led h m.

Once over the range they rode along it n
a different soil from that be and, and a ter
several miles had been passot over, going at
a cantor, they came to a halt, when a voice.
called out: ' " I -

“ Ho, Talbot. that “Buffalo Bill you have
prisoner there ?”

‘3 Yes, chief, he came into the alloy
scouting, and we bagged him on his way out
at Volcano Peak,” answered the leader of
the scout's captors, while the man spoken to
as chief said in a determined tone:

“ Thenhe has sentenced himself todeath."

I cums xu.- ‘\

moan. ,

Tun man who had met the party, which.
had the scout a prisoner, “they rode up and
came to a halt, was tall. elegantly formed
and dressed in a costume that waspictur-
esque and striking, for he wore . y cordu-
roy guts stuck in Whom. a re vet jacket-
of rk bins  embroidered in- silver
thread, a yellow sash about his waist and a
broad sombrero, the latter looped up on one

 

. V soon»-

 

 

side with a gold star, and with a chain on-
circling the crown instead of a cord.

His hair was long and his face was heard-
ed, but hidden beneath a mask of red silk.

lie was armed, and had the air of a man
who was dangerous, if a foe.

In vain had Buffalo Bill endeavored to
follow the nature of the country as they
passed over it, for the ride had been a rapid
one, there had been a number of turns, and
several times they had dismounted.

While nothing was said to convince him of
the fact. he was sure that the trail his captors
were taking him by was a very dangerous
one to take, and when they had halted he
knew that considerable of an ascent had been
made.

Iie ho ed he would now be freed from the
blindfok , for he was anxious to see his sur-
roundings, and more widens to behold the
man who had so readily recognized him,
and who had been addressed as chief.

' There was a certain than in the voice
which he felt he had heard before.

Calling this man chief told him that the
leader of the party who had captured him
was simply an under ofi’lcer, though ad-
dressed as “ captain ” by his men.

It was a surprise, and a startling one, to
Buffalo Bill, to discover that the dread Val-
ley of Death had dwellers in it who Were in-
deed to be feared.

Who were they, and why were they
there? .,

Who was the man that had been hang-
ed, and whom he had left in the little can-

on? '
y. Then, too, who was his Girl Guide?

These questions the scout could not an-
swcr.

Not a word had he overheard to tell him
who the men were, or where they were tak-
in him.

e could only wait and hope, 'but he did
not like the chief’s words that in venturing
into Death Valley he had sealed his doom.

The day had dawned ere the party reach—
ed thcir halting place, and the sun was
streaming down into the valley; but all was
darkness to the blindfolded scout.

He was freed from the bonds about his
feet and ordered to dismount.

This he did, and he was led away a hun-
dred yards or more, his hands still bound be-
hind him; his c es still blinded.

It seemed to im when be halted that he
was in a cavern, for the air was chill and
damp, yet he could not tell.

He heard the rattling of chains, and then
his arms were freed, while instantly about
his wrists were clasped manaclcs and he
was once more secured beyond resistance
or esca )e.

“ Wi i you not take this bandage from my
eyes?” he asked.

“ Yes, there is no harm in doing so now,” 0

was the reply of the man known as Nat.

IIe removed the scarf, and a thrill of hor-
ror ran through the scout as he felt that he
could not see.

1 “ Great God! am I blind?" he said, eager-

y. .y t
The man by his side laughed and replied
“You mi ht as well be, in here, for no

light comes ate this place."

-" Ahl i am in a cave?"

“ Yes, but you will find the grave darker
and colder.” _ ~

“It is your intention to put me to death,
then?” v

“ Yes, the chief and our captain are argu-
ing the matter now. ” - .

‘ ‘ What is their charge against me ‘2"

‘ ‘ Curiosity. ”

“How do you mean?”

" You Were too curious about the Death

Valley. " '

“ It seems I had reason who curious.”

“ Well, your curiosity will cost you your
life, that is oil." . '

u Maybe." ‘

“ There is no doubt, but a certainty.”

“ When am I to start on the long trail?"

“ Well. that I. don’t know, but I guess

Here comes some one mw."

ootsteps were heard approaching, and

then a voice called out: - .

.“lIere.” .

_“Thcprisoneristherer”. '/
'fYa,» imam? :  .
“B 0’ 1511.1 amherototcll you, front

,

cd

tosity!"

 

     

the chief, that you are to die at sunrise to-
morrow, for it has been so decided?

. “ I tell you, that you may spend your
time in prayer.”

“Do you mean to murder me?”

“Yes, you are doomed.”

“ Why 2’"

“ Because you came into the Valley of
(lileath, for any one who ventures here must

to.

“ Come, Nat, leave the prisoner with his
own thou hts,” and the two men walked
away, leavmg Buffalo Bill in irons and alone
in the midnight gloom of the cavern.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
'rrrn FATAL CAVERN.

THAT Buffalo Bill felt his situation in all
its keen hopelessness, the reader can well
understand. I

lie was hmvily ironed, and feeling, he
found that the iron chains were fast about
huge rocks, and the mauacles upon his wrist
were heavy and too strong to break, even
had he the means at hand for breaking them.

He tried to slip his hands through, but.‘
til? were just too small for that.

or the space of a few feet he could move
about, and he felt rocks above and on either
side of him, for there was not a ray of light;
that penetrated the darkness of the cavern.

Beneath his feet was a bear-robe, and
upon it was a blanket and pillow of grass,
with a canteen of water also.

Such were the comforts the place afford-

Iie sat down upon the hair-robe and felt.
about him.

His hand touched something that caused

him to start; but only for an instant, for he]~ 

had an iron nerve. I

Then he grasped the object and drew it
toward him. ‘

“ It is a body,” he said in a low tone, and
his hand swept over the face and head.

The flesh was icy cold to the touch and the
scout thrust the form from him, while he
muttered grimly:

“I am not alone in this deatlrhoie at.
least. .
“ Some poor victim, I suppose, and his I
death leads me to feel that it was no idle
threat made that I should die.

“ Who is there ?” . 1

He felt that some one was near him and
he was right, for the answer came:

“ Don’t get skeert, pard, for we has come
ter move a body as might not be pleasant.
com ‘ny fer yer.

“ Pic died last night here, and you is in
the irons he had on."

“ Poor fellow, he has all of my Sym—
path ." .

“ otter keep it for yerself, pard; but had;
yer found ther deader?” '

“ Yes. he lies here by my side.” ‘

“Well, you is a game one; but I guess.
you’ll be glad for us to take him away 7"

“ No, for he was company for me.”

“ Waal, you is game and no mistake.

“ Come, Jack, let’s git the stiff out o' ther-
way, for I doesn‘t like this old rock tomb.
m 'self.”

ufialo Bill heard the men come nearer

and felt them drag the body away from its. '

resting-glam b his side.
Then c sai :

“‘ Who was be?”

“He were a man as come into Death:
Valley.”

“ nd he was killed for that reason?”

“Yas, he were put here to die, an you:
see he did it.”

“Ifael that he did, for I can see nothing
in this black hole.”

“ You is to go the same way.”

“ To be killed?

(4 Yea. n V, l, . i L
“Do oukill everymm who» comesinto
Death alley?” .

"Yea" ,  I”

ll  g” 4 . 2.
“ It’si my the chief has of getting ridof,
them as is too curious." _ _
“ Have many lost their lives through curl; .
letly asked Buflaio Bill. > -
" W i guess so.”
“ How man i”
" You’ll ma
“ You. you who , an uni
pard ” the other man said. .
“ It seems that the twelve before me, from

why number

thirteenthatlhuowsot” :2”!

 

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A '

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ygur accounts, were also unlucky num-
1.8.)!

“ That’s so.”
“ Why did you not bring a lantern with
on ‘1”

“ It’s unhealthy.”

“ What do you mean ‘2”

“ Waal, it‘s ag’in’ orders of the chief, and
I don‘t want ter see what's in here.”

~“ \Vhat is here 1’”

“ \Vaal, all them as is put to death is
buried here, and we is ter dig a grave now
for this one.

" I guesses yer'll see a dozen ghosts to
night.”

" I am not afraid of ghosts.”

“Nor anything else Ihas hcerd of, from
all accounts about yer, Buffalo Bill.”

“ Well, I should like to see about me, and
know just what kind of a place I am in."

"You‘ll feel better for not seeing," was
the answer as the two men moved away in
the darkness bearing their ghastly burden
with them.

They had been gone but a few minutes
when Buffalo Bill heard the sound of dull
blows, and he recognized them as the strokes
of a pickax, and knew that they were bury'
ing the unfortunate man who haddied there
in the cavern.

The sound was kept up for some time,
and then a death-like silence followed.

Having lost much sleep of late, and feel~
ing tired, with nothing to do, and unable to
think of any plan for escape, the scout
schooled his name to quietness and lay
down upon the robe to get what rest he
could.

It was only a few minutes before he was
was fast asleep, and he slept fora long while
and then was awakened by a touch upon «his
arm.

He quickly grasped a hand and held it
with firm grip, while a low voice said: .

 am not here to harm you, butts help
rm” _

 

CHAPTER XIV.
run nascor.

“ An! I know that voice,” said Buffalo
Bill in response to the cautiously uttered
words of the one whose hand he had
gras ad. -

“ :am I?"

“ One who proved a mascot to me, when l
was in ahnger before. "

“ Yes, and who did not know that the
ambush was at Volcano Park, instead of on
the range.” ‘

“ That was not your fault."

“ Yet I failed to aid your escape,and I am
here now to befriend you.”

“ That is pleasant news for me.”

_“I will save you, if you are Willing to
agree to certain terms.” .

“ What are they ‘2”

“ I cannot tel you other than that you
must take a solemn oath not to return to
this valley, or betray what you know of it
now. " ’

_” If I refine?" _ * ,

" If you refuse, But!an Bill, you will die
as sure y asthe sun rises tomorrow morning."
was the impressive response.

“ Then, to save my life, I must vowto
keep silence and so allow a band of cut-
:gdrgats to still dwell in this valley unmoles-

“ Yes." .
‘.‘ Why will you not aid me to escape with-

 out my takin such a cowardly oath?"

“ because cannot.”

do  Y" ‘ V ‘

f‘ I come to you from another."

“ \Vho ?"

“ I (annot make that known to you.“

“ Man or woman?”

“I will not tell. ” -

“ That one demands the oath of me?”

“ Yes.”

a  7n

“ We 1. to allow you to escape that one has
, and to allow you to be

“I cannot aid you unknown to that one,

 5 and so [ask you to take the oath that you
: may not. be But to death. " ‘

"They w lhardly dare to put me out of
the way, desperate as they seem."

“Do not treasure that hope. Buflalo Bill,
for you do not know the incentive they have
tQ‘tako your life.

  

“ Yes. you will surely die. ”

“ Well, I suppose I can do nothing else
than take the. oath."

“ You are wise.”

" It looks cowardly though to do so.”

" Oh, no, for you would only throw your
life away not to do so, and if you escape you
will simpl have to keep silent about Death
Valley an what on know of it.”

"And allow t e red deeds done here to
go on!”

“ They had better go on than you die and
do no good, for after your death they will be
continued just the same.”

“ You are right there, I believe.”

“ Then be wise and make me a promise
that you will do as I' ask.”

“ If I doI am to be allowed to escape?”

“ If 'ou do you shall go free from this
Death )ungcon to-night.”

“ What is the oath you wish me to take?”

“ Another will ask it of you, not I.”

“ When?”

“Very soon, but do not be surprised at
anything that may (weur or you may hear,
and when asked for your oath do not answer
quickly.

“ I can say no more. ”

Without a sound the speaker glided away
from the side of the scout, who muttered to
himself:

“Well, if I escape out of this, that woman
will indeed be my Mascot.

“It dees look cowardly in me to take an
oath not to hunt down these villains, and yet
life is dear to me, and perhaps some one else
may ferret them out.

“ I only wish Frank POWell had taken this
trail with me, for then he would have been
the man to hunt them down.

“I don’t suppose my oath will revent my
giving the Surgeon Scout a hint t at there is
game to hunt in Death Valley.

“ Well, it’s my oath not to betray the
fiends, or my life, and take it I am sure now
that they wrli.

“Yes, I‘ have seen enough since I came
into this Valley of Death to show that those
who rule here are merciless, for the unknown
whom they hanged, the unfortunate victim

not be my mascot, for I could not hear her
Etc ."

he scout listened, and there came to his
ears the sound of a step.

The footfalls were slow and measured, as
though the one.coming was feeling his way
in the darkness). and there was also heard the
sound of a stick striking the rocks to guide
the walker forward.

Nearer and nearer came the footsteps, and
then, in a low, deep voice came the words:

“ Speak, that I may know where you are
in the blackness." -

“ I am here within a few feet of you,” an.
swered the scout. ‘

“Good! I feared tofall Into the Bottom-
less Pits, which are near. .

” “You are Buffalo Billg’” " ‘ ,

“I am.” \

“ I have come to accept your terms of es~
cape, your oath, for] will trust you," and
the man now stood near to the scout, who
still remained seated upon the robe.

 

CHAPTER XV.
, Tun OATH. «-

“ I KNOW you. Buffalo Bill,” said the one
who had come into the Death Dungeon, as
he stood by the. scout.

“ You certainly have the advantage of .
me,” was the reply. ’i

“ Yes. and will keep it, for in this Egyp- ’
tian darkness you do, not know me.”_

“ {but means that in the sunlight I would ?”

I C 'w. ” ' .

" Well, whoever you are, what is your mo-

been shown no mercy?”

“How do you know this?"

 dead man lay here a few minutes
ago.
“ Ah, yes.”

“ And [believe there are a dozen graves
in the entra e to this black hole.”

“Were y u not blindfolded asyou came
in ?" quickly asked the man.

“ Oh. yes, but i know that the graves are
i there, and I ask why do you show
.when you have been moreiless to others?”

 

  

~~«"r .-:v

' A  .»-.‘;.,._.':u-:.
v.- . 54.152435 ’ ' p ’

who died here, are witnesses of their cruelty. _
" Ah! I hear some one coming, and it can- '

 

tive in sparing my life where others have .

 

memercy I -

   

“I have reasons for it which yoh cannot
know.”

“ Are you the man whom I heard address
ed as chief?"

“ Suppose that I am?"

“ You are not."

“ \Vhy do you think so?”

“If you Were chief you would make no
secret of setting me free.”

“ A good argument, truly.

“No, I am not chief."

“ And we have met before?"

“I did not say so.”

“ You said that you knew me."

“ Who does not ‘2"

“ You implied that you were personally
known to me."

“ We will not discuss that."

“What is it your pleasure to discuss?"

“ Your escape."

" That. pleases me.”

“ To remain here is your doom. ”

“I have been told so.”

“ You do not (are to die like a rat in a
hole, so I sent one to ask you to take an oath
not to spark of your coming to Death
Valley, or to betray what you have seen
here—4”

‘ ‘ Seen 3’

“I should have to possess the «yes of an
owl to see anything here." 

“ You saw before you were captured.” ‘3.

“ What did I sec?” '

“ You discovered that the valley was in-
habited."

“ Yes, I am not blind, or was not then.

“What I am now I cannot tell until I get
a glimpse of the sunlight without.”

“ Well, you are to take oath never to re-
turn here again, nor to betray your having
been here, or any discoveries you have
made.”

" If I refuse I am to die?"

“ You are.”

“ If I accept you will aid me to escape?"

‘ ‘ Through another, yes. ”

“ Who is that?” '

“ One who begged for your life, she whom
you told just now you would give your
solemn oath not to betray us. ” i

“ Will you take my oath ?”

“ Yes.”

“ Au oath under compulsion is not binding
in law.”

“It may not be in law, but it is with a.
man such as you are.” ‘

“ Thank you." ‘

“ I know, if you give your solemn pledge «
not to betray us, you wil keep it.” '

“ And you demand this?”

" I do.’

“ I’thn ?"

“ Now, for I have brought a Bible with
me, and you are to place your hands, mana—- ’
cled as they are, upon it, and repeat after \
me the words of the oath which I demand “V
of  H .

“ I}? return for which I am to go free i”

‘K es."

_ “All right, loan see my wa to do noth~
mg else, and I certainly must still)“ that you
have me at your mercy. "

“ I certainly have. -

“ Now kneel.” , f

The scout did so. “

“ Hold out your hands until you feel this
goon Bible that I hold, and place them upon

Bufl‘alo Bill was about ’to obey when hot
felt seine one step to his side.

Not a sound was made, ,but his hands
were grasped and held up, while the chains
were shaken pur ly. L L

He ,felt that at er bands than his bad rest.
fgiagfionfiw open Bible when the holder of

.. “ There. that is right.
“ Now to themath." . t
“ Yes, the oath.” '
Buflalo Bill started, for he had not uttered J 
the words, which had come in a deep voice -  ,- ’
from lips within two feet of him. - ' 'I
“ Repeat after me.” .
“ I will,” and it was the voioenear
him that uttered the w . '
“ I do solemnly vow—” » ‘
“IdooolomnlyW” came in the hoarse
Voice of the unknown. ‘
I ” Not to betray my coming to this vale
ey_-l) I I
“Not “Maynard totlu'toalloy-J'
Were the words repeated “Wheelers. .,

 

    

           

 
 

«‘ Ida-x. v‘ ...-..u«.r.r 7' “F

*’ ‘ "”' " < Mu 7. . t .a . w.“ -m. .. .

Buffalo Bill’s “Mascot.

 

 

 

“ Or to make known aught that I have
discovered here.” V
These words were also repeated as before.
“I solemnly vow not to return here again,
80 help me IIigh Heaven!"
These words followed as had the others.
“Amen!”
“ Amen! came the response.
“ Good! you have saved your life. Buffalo
' Bill, for I will send one here to uidc you to
freedom; but God help you, it you break
your oath.”
“ So be it,” said Buffalo Bill, for the
mysterious utterer of the oath a moment be-
fore had already glided away frOm his side.

d

 

CHAPTER xvi.
THE GIRL GUIDE.

BUFFALO BILL spoke again. ,to the one who
had demanded the oath of him, but he made
no reply and the scout heard him shuffling
away in the darkness.

He was more than amazed at what had
happened, for he had not been the one to
take the oath upon which his life depended.

That the one who had administered it

, thought that the scout had uttered the words,
there was no doubt whatever.

He had no thought that any other than
the scout and himself were present in the
dungeon. ‘

Buffalo Bill had not suspected the pres-
ence near of any other until he felt the touch
of a hand upon his arm.

Who that other was he could but guess.

He had felt that the hands, that thrust his
own back from the Bible, were small, and
when the voice repeated the oath it was dis-
ruised, and but for the fact that no one was
t our ht to be there, it might have betrayed
the act that it was a woman’s tones dis-
gnised.

That he had not made the vow, though
supposed to have done so, was a source of
great relief to the scout,

‘ That the one who had made the vow wish-
ed to prevent his uttering it, implied that she
wished him free to do as he pleased.

This would mean that she wanted thc\band
to be tracked down, wished him to return to
the Death Valley and unearth the dark
mystery hanging over it.

The scout ay back upon the robe with a
feelin of almost contentment.

He 11; that in his Mascot, be she who she
might, he had a firm friend in camp, and he

was willing tri leave his life in her hands.

I " Of course the added mysteries of the Death

Valley impressed him more and more.

In' the weird retreat there was Certainly a
band of lawless men, held there for some
purpose beyond the understanding of the
scout.

Among these men was a woman, and she
, had proven his friend.

I Then there was another friendly to him—#-
the one who had demanded the oath of him,
pnder promise of setting him free if he took

t

'At the head of this outlaw band was a‘

chief, who took the lives of men at will
whom he feared or wished out of his way.

These things the scout pondered over deep-
ly while awaiting for t e next act in the
strange drama in which he was an actor.

» It seemed that he waited a long time, but
then, with the extreme darkness about him,
he had no way to jud the time.

He was hungry as most uncomfortable,
bound as he was and in total darkness, yet
he would hear an thing to make his 

At last he felt t tat someone was near 1 m.

He had heard no sound, but instinct told
him that he was not alone.

That he was right in his surmise was

(pr‘taven a moment after, when a low voice
as .

“ I have come for ybu.” -
” You are indeed in friend.” '
“ No, lam simpl otn what I deem my
duty toward you, uffalo 'll.”
" “We will not quarrel about the motive, I
assure you, that prompts you tobe 30 kind."
“ I am oing to set you free? ‘
v” Than you."
“ But you must do as I tell you."
“ What would you have me do?”
r “ I am going to trust you.”
" You are very kind.”

“ lam going to; let your hands he m3, but

  

“z a» ,. s   , 

‘of it."

 

 

you must be blindfolded until I see fit to let
you remove the bandage from your eyes.”

“ So be it." . ‘

“ You must not, under any circumstances,
raise your hands to remove this bandage
until I give you permission.”

“I will obey you."

“ Now let me unlock those irons.”

She felt for the iron manacles, and soon
had unlocked them.

Then she took a scarf from about her neck,
and with it secure] ' bandaged the Scout‘s
eyes, so that he couhl not have seen a ray of
light when gazing at the sun. '

"Now, give me your hand."

The scout did so, and she let. .11 along
through the cavern, following its windings
with a slow but sure tread.

At last they came out into the open air.

It was a starlight night, and the Girl Guide
still led the scout along, holding him by the
hand, and followiurr a trail that was dan‘
gerous for even a pedestrian to travel.

She at last reached a valley, and then
spoke for the first time:

“ Your home is here, and your belt of
arms hang upon the saddle-horn.

“ You must still remain blindfolded, how-
ever, for I will.lead your horse as I have

" I will do as you tell me,” was the reply.

The scout was now led up to his horse,
which was saddled and bridled, and lie belt
of arms and rifle did indeed hang up n the
saddle-horn.

At the request of the guide he mounted,
while she, taking the rein of the horse, led
the way on down the valley, walking at a
brisk pace. '

 

CHAPTER XVII.
'rnu ' Pliomsn.
BUFFALO BILL rode along in silence for a
couple of miles, or more, his horse led by the

‘

gir.

He knew that it was night by the feel-
ing of the atmosphere, an something told
him that he had traveled over a perilous
trail. ,

But, though his arms were free he did not
once raise his hands to remove the bandage
from his eyes, great ds was the temptation
to do so. '

He had given his promise to his rescuer
and he would not break it.

So on he went, the guide leadin his
horse, until at last she ‘eame to a be t and
snldr '

"We part here, for you can find your
way alone now.”

“Not blindfolded?”

" Oh, no.

“ Dismount and I will take the bandage
off our eyes." ,

III: obeyed and a moment after he could
m .

But. the long time he had been in total
darkness, and the blindfoldi‘ng, caused his
eyes to feel strangely at first and blink even
when turned upon the stars.

“ I had half feared that I was blind, and I
aniid glad to see that I am all right,” he
so . , .

“ You will boali right soon.

“ Now do you know yonder rock i" '

“ Yes, if I mistake not, you led me by it
on my way out before?"

“ Y es, and after passing it give your horse
his head, for he has been over the trail ‘with
you and will-follow it.

“ But leave Volcano Peak far to your right,
as you may find foes there.” V

“ I will do so, for I am in no humor for a
tight 'et.”

“ o, and your escape must not be known
until tomorrow night, when you are to ,be.
sent for to be executed.”

“ Ah! I see. ,

“I had forgotten that I was to be killed
to—morrow. ”

“ As surely as you had remained a prisoner
you would have been.”

“I do not doubt it, and I feel‘that I owe .

you my life.” .
“ I am glad that you do," was the low to

9 use. . ,_
p2 And let me tell you that behall hope
to some day be able to prove my appreciation

“ Nover‘mind about that now."

 

“ Tell me one thing?"

,oftei' him.

“Will not your release of me get you into
trouble?" "

|‘ NO.”

“ Why not?"

“I will not be known as your rescuer."

“ But some one will be?”

“ Perhaps, though I have tried to cover
up the tracks of rescue so as to have it ap-
pear that you slipped your hands through
the irons, found your way out of the cave
and to your horse, for your saddle and
weapons were near the corral.”

“Should it be discovered that some one
did aid my escape?”

“ Then some one will be shot, that is all.”

“Little loss if it be one of the band.” '

“ Perhaps yes.

“ But now I have a favor to ask of you?"

“ Well?” .

“ Will you rant it?”

“ How can refuse?”

“You did not take an oath not to return -

here ?” '

“ No, some one took it for me."

“ Of course I did: but I did so for a pur-
pose.”

“ And that purpose ?”

“ That you might not be prevented from
coming here and ferreting out the mystery
of Death Valley.”

“ I shall do so, for I am not bound by the
oath.”

“But the promise?"

l G well. n

“ Is that you will not come for six
months."

The scout was silent, for he wished to
oblige his rescuer, but yet recalledthe man
lying helpless up the canyon, and for whom
he was to return.

“I do not see how I can promise that,” he
at last said. ~ .

“Why not ‘2"

“Well, Ihave my reasons and I can not
tell you what they are.”

He was in a quandary, for kind as the
irl had been to him she might not be the
riend of the man he had found han red.

Iic dared not tell her that he ha

hiding, for he could not ess the result.

She might know of his aging, and might
not. I .

The'strange conduct of the man in making
nothing known to him, caused him to fear
that the discovery that he was not dead
would at once he the means of putting him
to death at the hands of the band Who had
before sought his life. ‘

The girl might be trusted, and might .not.

At last he said, having decided what he
would do:

“ Yes, I’ll make the promise. not to return
for six months, once I have left the valley,”

“ Thank you—goodnight,” and wi’hout
another word she glided away back on the
trail they had come.

CI-IAPTER XVIII.
A MYs'rnnIous msarrmnmcn.
BUFFALO BILL called after the retreating
girl but she waved her hand only, making
no reply. '
He would not follow her, knowing tint. it
was her wish that he should not.
Yet he wanted to know more that she alone
cOuld tell him.

Taming to his horse, when she had «amp- n

peared, he found a haversack full of provi-
sions strap to the saddle, and a couple of
blankets a so.

His guide had certainly rememlwrcd his
wants. ,

For some minutes after she had disappear-
ed Bufialo Bill stood in deep thought.

At last he said to himself: v

“ Well, I could not but make her the prom.
isc, after all she did for me, and six months
isnot very long to wait, with other duties
devolving upon me, especially as in that time
I can organize a band of men to come here
with me and search out every mystery in
this valley.

“I am certain iof one thing. hopvever, and ’
that is that no one else will dare come here  ,
in the mean time, so the secret will keep for ’ ..

me to discover. .

" As I have given my promise the only
thing I can do now is to ta e that unknown
pa of mine away with me tonight.

, f‘It is not yet midnight, and the canyon
is only half a mile from here, so I will go

/ .

    

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I a bright blaze.

I

 

 

"He can ride and I walk. for I must
map him on in some way‘, and we’ll get to
a hiding-place by dawn, and remain all day,
when we can push on by night again.

" It will be slow and tedious work to take
him with me, but I can _do nothing else that
I can see, for my pledge bars me from
comin back for him.

“ I id not dam tell her that he was there.
good as she seemed, for what he is to her I
could not guess.”

Having made up his mind to the course
he would, pursue. the scout mounted and
rode on the trail to the stream, and at the
crossing turned up the little brook toward
the canyon.

He soon came in
cautiously approach
horse. .

As he neared the end he saw the glimmer
of the flrelight and was not long in reaching

it.

But an exclamation of surprise burst
from his lips as he saw that the unknown
was gone!

Was he deceiving him in claiming to be
unable to walk?

Had be deceived him merely to have the
scout leave him? .

Buffalo Bill stood for some time hiyng to
answer the questions he asked himse f.

lie at last gave it up as useless and began
to search about the fire for traces of the
missing man. I,

He threw more wood on the fire and‘made

fight (if the canyon and
, Sifter staking out his

Then he saw that it had been many hours
since the fire had been replenished with
wood.

This meant that the unknown had been
gone for some time.

The blankets had been rolled up, the
provisions taken, and certain it was that the
man had been either able to depart unaided,
or he had been assisted.

If the former. then he suier had deceived“

Buffalo Bill in pretendin to be hel less. It

If the latter, then he ad been ound by'
his foes, and that would mean his death.

Buffalo Bill’s smrch revealed nothing
more than that the unknown was gone.

At last. after thinking the matter over
from every standpoint, Buffalo Bill decided
what he would do.

"‘ As I have not (yet left the valley my
promise can still hol good, .I guess.

” At any rate the mysterious geing from
here of a man I deemed utter] helpless,
alters my plans, for I shall remain tonight
and to morrow. ,

“Up the can on, beyond the graves I
saw there, is'g water and grass in plenty,
and I’ll make my camp there. , -

“ I can stand at bay in the head of that
canyon against a score of men, so shelter-
ed would I be among the rocks, and I can
retreat, if I have to, b climbin the cliffs, if
I have to leave my orse, am I am 'ust
as good on my feet as any man who might
follow me.

“ Yes. as I have been supplied nerously
with provisions by my Mascot, ’11 remain
here several days and see what further dis-
coveries I can make."

With this the/scout went after his horse
and led him to the head of the canyon,
where he staked him out on a plot of
luscious grass.

He unsaddled him then and selecting a
camping-place, built a fire among the rocks.

Going to the 0 her fire an eighth of a
mile down the on you, he ptillcd the logs
away, leaving them to go out.

Then he went back to his camp and cooked
supper, in which he stood greatly in need,
not having had any thing to eat for thirty-
Six hours. ‘

With his hunger satiated he wrapped him-
self in his blankets and was soon fast asleep.

The sun peering over the mountains
aroused him and he was quickly astir.

Having changed his horse's grazing-ground
and led him to water, he prepared his break-
fast and was then ready for his day’s work,
for he intended to spcnd the daylight in

. seeing what discoveries he could make.

       

took a survey 'of the Valley.

 

CHAPTER XIX.
Tin-1 smncn.
Burruo BILL first climbed to the top of
the cliff. and sheltered by a clump of bushes,

There it lay before him, stretching awa
for many miles in the sunlight, green, beau -
ful in scenery, inviting, with its streams,
timber mottes. hills, small vales and can-
yons, all peaceful as though not hearing
ithe name of being fatal to all who entered
t

A small band of elk was feeding a mile
away, and half a dozen co otes were loping
along the trail toward the ittle river.

An eagle was soaring aloft, and not a hu-
man beiniz was visible far or wide.

The sglout had his field-glass with him,
and close y searched every knoll, motte and
meadow, only to see wild animals, roamin
about as though in no dread of their morta
enemy man. '

Then he descended to the canyon, saw
that his horse was well staked where grass
was plenty, put a log on his fire, and moved
down towarr the former camp.

. He saw where the blankets had been, and
his eyes fell upon a slip of paper fastened to
a stick.

It was the one he had left for the un-
known. but now there was other Writing
upon it with a pencil.

The scout read it aloud as follows:

"Make no search for me, for it will be mm to
you and yours

“ Leave this valley at once, and await until time
solv-s mysteries here

“ Do not come here again unless you are called
upon to d7. so by Tim Unxowx."

Buffalo Bill read and reread these lines.

They were in a bold hand, and though not
addressed to him he knew that he was the
one for whom the advice was intended.

He could not decipher from what he had
read whether the man had gone of his own
accord or been taken away.

He looked about for trails, but found
none, save those made by himself in moving
about.

He walked on down the canyon, but could
find no tracks of hoofs save those made by
his own horse, and these were faint.

From the canyon he followed the stream
down toward the little river.

He‘had his rifle with him, and two revol-
ve‘rs, for, he having iven one of his pistols
to the Unknown, be ad taken the one car-
ried in his saddle-holster to place in his belt.

If he saw any one he could hide, being on
foot, and he searched well ahead and in every
direction before he made a move.

Reaching the ford, hc'halted there.

Closely he examined the tracks, and he
saw that since he had passed across the 'ver,
wild animals had gonc'therc to drink, hus
obliterating his own and all other trails.

For over an hour Buffalo.Bil1 remained in
hiding at the ford, hoping some one of the
lawless band would come along.

Had one done so, the scout would then and
there havo tried conclusions with him. .

lie was just about to leave his hiding-
place at the ford, when suddenly he saw a

erd of antelope, feeding half a mile away in
the valley, go flying away as from sight of
some danger. ~

Instantly the scout was on the qwi vine,
and his glass at his eyes soon revealed a
horseman ride into sight.

lie was coming leisurely along directly
upon the trail leading to the ford.

“ He is my game,” muttered Buffalo Bill,
and he got his weapons ready for use.

lie Was lying amid a group of rocks over-
grown with bushes, and not two hundred
feet from the ford. . '

011 came the horseman, and Buffalo Bill
had made up his min to bring him to bay
by a demand to surrender. ’

AS he drew nearer the soout saw that he
was a tall man, gorgeously dressed and wear
ing a mask. .

But, just as he was preparing to challenge
him, he. fortunately glanced behind him, and
following his look, Buffalo Bill saw half a
(llozen horsemen coming up the valley toward

nm.

This sightwas a great disappointment to
Buffalo Bill, for he knew that he dared not
risk a fight with scvvn desperate men, no
matter how well fortified he might be, and
having the advantage of an ambush.

They came on at :t gallop after the one in
advance, who did not Seem to be disturbed

that they were his friends: not foes.
The leader halted in the stream to water

 

his horse, and soou'aftcr the others Come up.

1

in the least by their coming, which showed

 

"Did you find any trace of him?” asked
the first horseman quickly.

" No, sir, he has not yet left the valley,"
was the answer.

“Then let every canyon and thicket in it
be searched, for his escape may mean death
to us all.” _

“Yes, chief," was the answer, and what
followed the scout did not distinctly bear,
but he felt that he was the object of their
conyersation, and he knew his danger full
wel .

If they attempted to carry out their order.
to search every thicket, they would doubt-
less begin with the one in which he was
hiding, and that would mean a battle to the
death, for he would not surrender to any
odds, knowing that he would be put to dent
did he do so, trusting to those men for mercy. _

 

CHAPTER XX.
m cross: quan'rnns.

BUFFALO BILL’s face was stern and deter-
mined, as he crouched there among the rocks,
his rifle ready and his revolvers loosened in
his belt. '

He saw the men halting at the ford, heard
their conversation, and knew that he was the
one they were hunting.

At last the chief sai distinctly:

“ Are you sure that each of the five passes
are uarded ‘2”

“ es, chief."

“ He had not passed any of them?"

‘: No, chief, there was no sign of a trail.”

“ Might he not have left his horse and
gone on foot t”

I “He would hardly do that with a desert
to cross, and no provisions with him."

“True, then he is still in this valley.”

" Yes, chief, somewhere.”

“ Then find him, and divide here in three
parties of two each, for I will continue on to
the retreat." .

The scout gave a sigh of relief at this for
if he had but two men to deal with, and be
in ambush, he could readily render a good
account of them. .

The chief held some further conversation
with his men and then rode on alone overthe
trail, which Buffalo Bill knew must take
him up to his retreat in the valley, wherever
that was, for having been blindfolded in
going there he could not be sure where it
was.

The chief ridin on, the men also separated,
going in three di erent directions by twos.

To the regret of the scout two of the men ‘

went on up the little brook, toward his camp.
That meant. that they were going to the
canyon and would find his horse.

he scout at once decided to follow them. ., ‘ 

as sdbn as they were out of sight, and
conclusions then and there with them, for it
would not do for him to lose his horse and
camp outfit.

If he did, this would almost compel a
surrender on his part, for hunger would
drive him to it, and on foot, without food,
he could never cross the barren plains and
reach the fort. "

But two of the men remained so long at i

the ford that the others got out of sight and
would reach the canyon, and he knew that
it would be madness for him to "meet them
on the open plain, when a shot Would bring
the others to their aid. ~

At last the two at the ford moved away,
going toward the other side of the range,
and the third party had been told by the
chief to make the rounds of the passes and
order the mcn there to keep a bright leokout
for the escaped prisoner.

There was nothing for the scout then to do
but endeavor to reach the upper part of the‘
valley, where. the nature of the ground he.

hiding—place. ‘ ‘

" 

Could see. would afford him a more secure ‘ ‘

“ I am in for it, that 'is certain, and about

my only chance will he to go into hiding "

and try and recapture my horse as they come
along with him. ‘

“If they do not come this waywthcn I 

can only lny for some'fellow who‘has a good
horse and take him. ' ..
“ I‘ll follow the trail of the chief now. and '.

see where it will lead me. for i might as. 

well fight it out in one place as another.”

So saying the Scout left his hiding-’3 lace
and started on u ) the valley, following the
tracks of the chic ‘53 horse. ‘ .

 

 

 
  
 

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He walked rapidly, being anxious to get
out of sight, as the valley was open for a
couple of miles.

At last he reached undulating ground,
and where there was timber scattered here
and there. '

The trail led on however toward the hills,
and Buffalo Bill was glzId to see that his ad
vantages for hiding, or standing at bay,
were growing better and better as he went
along.

At last, as he turned a point of rocks, he
came to a sudden halt, for a horse and rider
were before him.

He gave a sigh of relief as he saw that it
was his Mascot.

She had evidently Seen him some distance
011’, for she said quietly:

“I was waiting for you.”

“ Waiting for me?”

“ Yes, for I saw you when you came out
of the timber yonder."

, “ Well?”
“I was going in search for you.”
“Then you knew that I had not left the

. valle ?"

I t 88. "

“ I did not break my promise, for I had
not left." .

“ True, but wh did you not leave?”

“I sought a hid ng-placo in the canyon for
the time being, intending to leave later on.”

” Wh do so?” '

“ I Will tell you frankly, that I had a com-
panion awaiting me.”

She started at this and said quickly: ..

“ You had a companion in this v ley ‘2"

“ I did.”

“ Where i" - ~

“Up in the cagon a couple of miles to
the ri ht of the fo .”

“ here is he now?”

“ I do not know.” ’

“ You left him there when I led you out
of the valley?” ‘

“ Yes.” ’

“ Why ?”
“ Because he was hurt, and could not go
with me. '

" I intended to return for him.”

“ And where is he now?”

“ Gone,”

“ Where ‘I” ,

V“ I do not know. ‘ ,

“ I went to get him and carry him away at
all hazards, but found him gone.

" I remained in the canyon all night, and
began a search for him this morning.

“I had reached the ford, when I met the

v

7 chief and six men, and I went into hiding.”

“Buflalo Bill, are you telling me the
truth?” asked the girl in an impressive man-
ner.. ~

CHAPTER XXI.
'rnn scour nerams.

BUFFALO BILL met the eyes of the girl
squarely now, at her question, and an:
swered: , y

“I am telling you the truth. 4

“I went to the canyon for my friend, and
I foundhim gone.

“ Not having left the valley, I determined
to make a search of it, so came down to the
ford, when I saw that masked man and six
others. I

' “' He sent them OR to search for me, tell~
ing two to go the rounds of the passes and
have a close watch kept. ‘

"Two went up the canyon, so have, of
course, found mihorse' and outfit.

“ I came on ere, and that is all that I
have to tell you.”

” on are a bold man, Buffalo Bill, to re-
main in this valley after what has happened.

“Few men would have gene in search of

 

v

 a comrade under the circumstances."

“It would have been cowardly tohave
eserted. him.”
“Why did you not tell me that he was
there ?”
“ I did not know how you would consider

git, o if you would have protected hini as

you d me.” I 1
“Thine would not have been the secret

‘motive. perha s; but I would not“ have

wished your 1 end to be sacrificed.”
“ I now wish that I had told you."
“You are sure that he is not in the can:

‘, yon?” - - ,

  
 

. ‘0  1’

 

 

"‘ Might he not have found a better hiding-
place?”

“ No.”

“ Was his horse gone ?”

“ He had no horse."

The girl looked at Buifalo Bill curiously,
and he at her. a

He saw her now in the lure of da , and
beheld a young and really )eautiful girl, for
she was certainly not over twenty.

Her form was slender, yet welliormed,
willowy and showed strength and endur-
ance. .

She was clad in a riding habit of buck-
skin, embroidered and beaded, and wore a
sombrero that sat jauntily upon her head.

She had a face to attract attention any-
where, and especially when such a fine face
was seen out in Death Valley, and the scout
gazed upon it with interest and admiration
commingled.

He saw that she possessed courage stamp;
ed upon every feature, and it was'a counte-
nance to trust thoroughly.

What such a woman could be doing there,
was what puzzled Bufl’alo Bill even more
than the other mysteries of Death Valle .

“ Well, Buffalo Bill, I am sorry ou ave
lost your friend, and I shall ma e it my
Elusiness to find out what has become of

m.

“But now to save you is the first thing to
do, for never in your life were you in
greater danger than you are now."

“ I appreciate that I am in very close
quarters; but I never say die as long as I see
a chance of getting out of a scrape. ’

“Do you see your way out new?” asked
the $1 with a faint smile.

“ ell, no, but I am looking for a way
out. "

“ There is but one way for you to extricate

ourself.”

” And that- way is—” ‘

“ To trust to me."

“ I certainly cannot go far wrong in doin
that, after m past experience of your skilf,
courage and indness.”

“ Itis fortunate now for you that you left
your horse behind you, for now you have
no trail, and I can save on.

' “ 3 you see that cli yonder?"

H o. n

“ Go there and hide among the rocks,
climbing up some thirt ‘feet.

“There remain in hi ing until I come here
tonight for you, and I will bring you a
horse, provisions and blankets, and will guide
younce more out of danger, after which I
shall explect you,to keep your promise."

“ I wi do so!

“ Now go to your hiding-place," and with-
out another word the strange girl rode on her
we in the direction from whence the scout
ha come. - '

Buffalo Bill found the cinr easy to climb.
and he was not long in discoverin a place
among the rocks where he could Illi e secure-
ly, and where there was some sage brush
growin 7 which he could peer through at the

I ‘trail am be securer concealed himself.
f

He settled himse comfortably there and
waited, taking the opportunity to eat his
dinner, which he had brought with him.

He had been in hiding about an hour when

he heard the sound of hoofs, and soon there .,

came into sight around the point of rocks the
two men who had gone to the canyon in
search of him.

They were not alone, however, for the mys-
terious Girl Guide was with them, and one
of the men was leading his own splendid
horse which they had found there.

 

CHAPTER XXII. _
TIIE SCOUT SECURES A PRIZE.

“ Rmn'r now would I take all chances and
drop those two fellows. thus securing in
horse again, if it were not that my Mascot s
with them. ‘ .

“ No, I must not 0 back uponher,” mut~
tered the scout, wh le,,as though dreading
that he might be tempted to fire upon them,
the girl. after cbming around thorocks, [ode
quicklyto the side of the men which would
shield them from a bullet in that direction,

’ The scout was therefore forced to see his
horse go by, in the charge of two men whom
he knew to be outlaws,.and his outfit as well,
leaving him dismounted, ‘without food 0;
bedding, and withme his weapons.

.  I" 'l . ,

  

a

 

, If the strange girl returned, as she had
promised, all would be well; but if prevent-
ed from doing so from any cause beyond her
control, or if she dared not risk doing so, the
position ot the scout was one of direst dan-

ger.

This he realized, and hence the great
tem itation to drop the two men from their
sad les, recapture his horse and make his es-
ca )e while he could.

ut be resisted the temptation and the men
Were allowed to pass on by unmolestcd.

They disappeared from sight, the girl so
com panyin ' them, and the scout was left to
his own rei ections, by no means of the most
cheerful kind.

He, however, was one to accept a situation
with good grace, be-it what it mi ht, so he
at once settled down to ‘watch 'and wait in
patience. I

An hour or more passed and again he heard
the approach of hoofs. ' “

He listened attentively, and his Well-train-
ed ear toldwhim that there was but one horse
coming.

At once he decided upon his course of
action.

His Mascot might return, and she might
not.

He would be upon the safe side and act for
himself.

Quickly he climbed down the cliff and ran
to a huge bowlder, around which the trail

wound.
Behad just gotten into position when a
horseman came nto sight.

It was Talbot, the man who had captured
gmgandehom the men hadcslled “cap-

n. ,

“ All!" said Buflalo Bill, and a grim smile
came over his face. ' ‘ '

Talbot was well mounted and armed, and,
as he turned the point of rocks, he drew his
horse down from a gallop to a walk.

The scout was ready, perfect] cool and
waited with the patience of an In ian.

There was not the sli htest tremor of ex—
citement about him, an his face wore the
fearless look natural to it and which no dan-
ger or suffering could daunt. - .

Nearer and nearer came the outlaw, rid-
ing leisurely along without the slightest
dread of danger. ‘

As though tired of riding, when he neared
the rock he threw one leg over his saddle-
horn, and rode at case.

But his face changed color, his whole
manner was that of terror 'when suddenly

directl before his horse ste ped Buffalo
Bill, his rifle ready and cove g him, and
the words were heard:

“Halt!

“Hands up, pard, for I need your aid
just now i"

Talbot dared not move a muscle, and his
horse halted at the scout’s command.

The outlaw saw that he was covered, and
he recognized at a glance that he was in very

' dangerous company

He did not raise his hands, for he seemed
unable to do 'so, and they hung limp and
powerless by his side.

Then the scout stepped forward and nick»
ly disarmed him, at the same time or ering
his prisoner to dismount. I

Talbot obeyed without a word. '

Bulfan Bill had noticed that under the
cliiY the wind had hollowed out a place in
the rocks large enough to hide several horses
in, and he at once went there with his pris-
oner and his animal.

A blanket was taken from under the sad-
dle and laid down for the horse to stand on,
so that his iron-shod hoofs would make no
sign, and the head of the animal was‘covered
to prevent his neighing, should any'of the
other outlaws come in sight. _ .

Then the scout securely bound'his pris-

‘oner and sat down by his' side, his rifle and,

weapons ready for instant use should he be
sur ll’ISC‘it in his retreat‘by the coming of any, -
of t e outlaw band. ‘ ‘ .

 

' CHAPTER XXIII. '
A PLOT non SAFETY.

BUFFALO BILL had just seated himself by
his prisoner, when it suddenly occurred to
him that when he had taken the precau- '
tion to prevent the horse from betra 'ng his

rescncv there, to any one who mig t pass.
do had left it in; the power of the outlaw to

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At once he said:
“ See here, pard, I wish 'to have a little
talk with you, and there is no time to lose.”

“ Well?" growled the man, speaking for
the first time since his capture.

“ Who are you ?”

“ None 0' your business. Buffalo Bill."

“ I have decided to make it my business, so
it will be well for you to answer, as there is
a Very small thread between life and death,
when a life is in the wa ."

The prisoner glancer up quickly at this
and said:

“ Do you intend to kill me?”

“ That depends."

“ on what?"

" hether I have to or not.” '

“ You wouldn’t be coward enough to kill a
man at our mercy?" ‘

“We 1, I don’t know, since I hav'e been
studying under you, as you certainly intend—
ed to ki me and I was at your mercy, and
many a poor fellow has been t out of the
we by your sng, yes, an women and
chi dren too, if Iam not greatly mistaken.”

“ I have not killed any one."

“ Well, you are in bad company and that
condemns you. ' '

" Besides, I have not fergotten that I was
yopr prisoner."

And how in the name of Old Nick did
you esca 'I" suddenly asked the man.

“ Oh, ot away easily enough.

“ You s ould see that sman's hands are
not small enough to slip through irons be-

- fore ou put them on."

“ ell, on are clever, but your Patron
Saint gui ed on out of that cavern, as a
false step wou d have sent you to perdition,
u .’I ‘

" Well, I didnot take the false step.”

“ You were in luck.”

"' As I am now in catching on."

“ It won't do you any ”

“ You think so?"

“ I know it"

" That depends upon how much you value
our life. "

“I don’t understand you.”

“ I’ll be explicit enough so that you can."

'“ All right. "

... on are my prisoner."

“ Sn ."

. “ I have your horse here and I see that you
have a haversack of provisions on your
saddle.” .

“ Yes." ~.

“ We can eat sparingly, so it will last us
to the fort.’

" To the fort?” ‘ ‘

“Yes, for we can take turn about riding
and get there in three (is s. "

“ We won’t get there. '

“ Why ?"

“ You won't get out of this valley with
me." ‘

" Are you sure ?”

“ I am. ”

“ Wh not?"

“ We 1, where you have to pass out is
guarded.” ‘, ' 7

“Your passes are not guarded b more
than two men at each, and I' can p ay the
part of Captain Talbot to get up within
range, I guess, and drop t e guards on

duty.
“ Then I’ll brin you up and the horses of
the uards will ai us, see?”
“ es. I see,” disconsolatel
“Now there is a chance

said the man.
or you to save

your life."

“ How?" .

“ Go with me to-the fort with the deter-
mination to make a clean breast of it about
this valley, and you shall go free. ”

“ I won‘t do it." .

“Then you will go to the fort and be
11am ed." '

“ cannot betmy mv pants.”

“You cannot or will not ?"

“‘ Both. ”

1‘  5!!” I I

“ We 1, I can’t explain‘vhy, but it is no
use to beg me, or to threaten, for I’ll hang
before Ib‘etray my comrades."

The scout saw that the man meant what
.he said.

He read that there was‘some deep reason,”

unknown to him, why he would not save
his life by betraying h s companions. but he

'hoped that he might be induced to change

his mind, and so said:

  

“ Well, you shall have the chance of refus-
ing at the fort, or accepting.

“If the former you will surely hang, and
we will capture your hand without your aid.

“ If the latter, then you will be a free
man.” a

“ It will he the latter, for I cannot betray
my comrades, if I hang for not doing so."

“ All right, you shall have the chance of
changing our mind. ‘

“Now must gag you.”

“Gag me?” cried the man.

“ Yes, for .some of your comrades may
come this way, and hearing the hoof-falls you
could call them."

“I won’t call out. if you—" '

“I cannot trust on,” and the scout, with
his scarf and the smile of his bowie-knife
securely gagged his prisoner so that he could
utter no cry to call for aid, should any one
pass. .

 

' CHAPTER XXIV.
IN AMBUSH ONCE KORE.

BUFFALO BILL had made up his mind to
make a break for liberty as soon as it was
dark, and not risk the comin back of the
Girl Guide who had befriend him.

He would carry his prisoner with him, ad
vance upon the guard, and take his chances
in a fight for life with them.

Then, with their horses, and what provi-
sions the must have at the pass with them,
he woul be able to get along over the desert
and make rapid progress in his flight with
his risoner. ‘ ‘

ith a night’s start he could defy pursuit,
and if he could not brin his prisoner toterms,
and his promise held him from coming back
to Death Valley under six months, he knew
one whom he could trust as himself, and
who would guides troo of cavalry to the re-
treat of the outlaws an thus solve the mys-
tegbof the dreaded place. ' '

at one was his pard upon many a red
trail, his comrade-in-arms and good friend,
Frank Powell the Surgeon Scout.

So the scout made n his mind to calmly
await the coming of n ght, when he could

that was his knowledge of two of the passes,
the one where he had entered the valley and
the one which the Girl Guide had shown him
when he made his escape before.

He could, knowing where they were, leave
his horse and prisoner, creep up On foot and
get within easy range of the guards and
thus discover how many there were and what
he would have to contend with.

The hours passed slowly h to both pris-
oner and captor, the former ing anxious
and showing it, though the scout was in
equal danger with him.

Toward sunset again the sound of hoofs
was heard, but not far enough 0!! for the
scout to pre are another ‘surprise from am-
bush, thoug he knew but one herse was ap-
proaching. r

L'yin
piece 0 sagebrush he had put up before him
on the rock. he saw come into sight none
other than the chief himself.

“ If I had only suspected who it was I
would have had him,” muttered Buffalo Bill,
greatly clmgrincd at having to allow the
chief to go by his retreat. '

As before, the chief was masked, and he
rode along with the pose and ease of a per-
fect horseman.

Arrivin in front of the scout’s position he
urged his lOl‘SO into counter and soon disap-
peared from sight.

" That man was your chief, Talbot.

for you would have had company," said the
scout. - '
Gag-god as he was the risoner could not
reply, but his face showe how he regretted
that his chief had not suspected his unfor-
tunate position and attempted his rescue.

.. Having #belief that no one would be fol’
lowing the chief, the scout left his prisoner
shrillsallied forth to look up and down the
tra .

He obtained a view down the valley of a
couple of miles and saw no one in sight.

As night was casting its shadows now he
walked rapile to a place where he could
cowmand a view in the opposite direction,

 

Another thing was in his favor he felt, and

quiet and peering out through a'

“ I only wishI had suspected who he was, ‘

 

 

in which he knew lay the retreat of the
{hysterious men who dwelt in Death Val-
(-y.
He got into a position where he could see
for half a mile or more, but was only able
to cast a hurried glance before shut out by
darkness coming on.

That glam-e, however. showed him that a
horseman was approaching.

Was it the chief returning?

\Vas it the Girl Guide?

“'as it one of the band, for he had seen
but one?

Whoever it was, he decided he would hold
him up, and at once took position behind
the larger bowldcr, wheroe he had stood when
Talbot came along.

Buffalo Bill had not long to wait, for he
heard the hoof~strokes coming nearer, and
in a short while the outline of a horse and
rider appeared close at hand.

Just as the horseman came within twenty
feet of the rock, the scout stepped out, rifle
ready. and cried:

“Halt! Hands up!"
“So on are holding me up, are you,
Bufialo ll?" '

The shadow of the trees there had pre-
vented the scout from seeing who it was,
blfii he recognized the voice at once and
as :

“ Oh, no, not intentionally; but I was act-
ing in selfdefense, not being sure of your
return. ”

“ I promised on I would come.’ .

“True. ,and trusted you, yet I did not
know what might occur to prevent, and so
have acted for myself."

“ You recognize the horse Lam riding?"

“ Yes, my own.”

‘l‘lAnd your saddle and bridle and outfit as
we .”

“You have brought my horse, then, fog
m2?!

‘ “Yes; so you are free to go your way,
only I will have to mguide you by a pass
where there is no gua ‘ "

“ I am at your service, miss, but—"

The scout paused, for there came across
his mind that he must tell the young girl of
his capture of Talbot.

With her acting as his guide, he could not,
of course, take the prisoner with him. and
he now feared that to do so might get .the
girl into trouble, a thin he was anxious to
avoid, after all her ki nose to him.

“Sohe hesitated in what hewas goingto
say, seeing which a e asked:

“ But what, Buffa 0 Bill?"

“How many passes are there?”

“ Five that are guarded, and yet Only one
that is really the entrance to the valley and
known as such.

“ You know the valley is suirounded by
cliffs; and only here and there are there breaks

‘in them, and these are unknown to all save

those who dwell here; but, knowin our
skill as a scout and plainsman, the chic has
guarded the five passes which it might be

possible for you to find your way through,

and left but one u .

“ That one is known to but three persons,
and I am one of the trio." ~

" And you will do me that way?”

“ Yes, for it is t only way ‘out. "

” How many men guard the other passes,
for I would just as soon take the chances of
breaking through them as not.”

“ You would be mad to deso, for thereare
five men now at each pass. .

“ You know the chief is aWare of/your
prowess, so arranged to preventany mistake.
any escape on your part, for he knows how
much depends upon it."

“Well, my kind friend, I have a confes-
sion to make to you?" N

“Yes?” and the girl seemed startled at the
words of the scent. v

“Yes, I haves. prisoner over yonder on
the cliff.” r?

“A prisoner?” ‘ . x

“ Yes. one of the chief's men!”

“Who?” she eagerly asked. '

“ The men called him Captain Talbot.”

“ Ah! when and how did you capture

“ I ambushed him here at this rock, held
:13? up, so have my prisoner aan his horse
e. ‘ ' .

" Had you not appeared as you did, I in-

teiided to start with him for the fortto—night.“ ~

The girl seemed fretted at what she heard.

 

 

  
 

    

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fl" She was silent for" a moment, and then
said, seriously:

1 " . “It would have been your death had you
‘1 made the attempt, for there is but one wa
 you can at out of this valley, Buffalo Bil ,
 ‘ ’and that s through my guidance.

 

“ You must set that man free, or I will
not do one thing to help you.”

 

, CHAPTER XXV.
 run AGREEMENT.

 ‘ BUFFALO BILL gazed up into the face of
,, t the girl as she spoke, and saw determination
'  stain ed u n every feature.
Sti l he id not with to give up his advan-
tage gained in.his risoner, and so said:

 " Why must I give up one who is a means
.g‘ _ of safety to me?”
 .' ' “ See here, Buffalo Bill, I have tried to act

for your good, and to rove it I kept you
from taking the oath emanded of you in
the cavern, and I have come. now' to save
your life.

“ But there are others to be taken into
consideration, and I must act for them as

I well as for you. ’
’1 “ I have asked you to promise not to come
back here within six months." .
‘ , “AndIlmvea reedtoit."
V ' “True, for in t at time on may be able
"‘ ' to render good service, an I can accomplish
certain aims I have in view, but which I can-
not make known to you. ‘
‘r “ I am actin in what I do for you, to save
your life and t e lives of Others.’
“ You have shown that}?
“Now on tell me you have as prisoner
the most espcmte man in this valley."
‘ “ How man are here?" '
“That I wi 1 not tell you.” ‘ '
s “ As you lease.” 1 ,-
. ’ “With albot your prisoner, I frankly
 _' tell you that you shall not leave this valley.
' and I mean it.” v

The scout laughed, but said:

“I owe it to you of course to be overned
by youin this; but how am I to re ease the
man and he not know that I am befriended
by you i" ,

She was thoughtful for an instant and
then said: ' '

' “. Let me tell you just how you can do it."

“‘ Had we best not go to one side, for fear
of some one passing here?"

" No, for not a man of the outfit will ride
I, through this valle at night."

. “Indeed! yet w y?"

. “ I cannot explain their superstitious

’. dread of the valley, but certain it is the
v chief, if not compelled to do so, will not
pass through this valley at night. "

-“ That is 'Strange; but we are safe here?"
. u Yes.” ,
- l , ,, “And my prisoner?"
 “ You remain here for some little time,

' and then return to him; , -

l. ' " Bring him here then, and ~let him under-

' . stand that you have secured you own horse,
and will not take the chances of taking him
out with you.

"Let him know that you are aware of a
way of leaving the Valley, and say that he
must remain here bound until his comrades

‘ come alon r tomorrow to release him."

' “ Then am to leave him here?"

" You are.” - .

“.I could just as well take him along with
me..’

‘ ‘ Never with my consent. ”

‘ “ Then I yield to you.”

“ I am glad to have on say so, for I do
not wish to regret aving serVed you,
through any act of yours, Buffalo Bill."

5 “ I am ready now to obey your com~
' mands.” ~
» “Well, here is your horse, and your

'- haversac-k is full, and your canteen also, so
that on will not-sullen.

“ our horse and all were put in the cor-
ral, the men not ’cxpccting you to a ain get
possession of him, so I went after him early
and so secured him. .

‘.‘ When you bring, your prisoner here, he

r Will see that you have your horse and sup-

‘ pose that you went after h'm

5" . “ lt uiU be a tcrrihlo night for ’l‘alhot to
spend hvre alone, for he too drde the dark-
un'ss in this Valley; but I guess he will sur-

 

v""vive it. '
‘ ,, “Now lctgmc say that when youlcave your

 

 

I
man here, mount your horse and come on
up the trail until I join you."

“ I will do so.”

“I will wait for you a quarter of a mile
from here, and put you on the trail to get
out of the valley by the secret pass I spoke
of."

“ You are ver kind.’

“ No, I am on y just.

" But there is one thing you must submit
w.ll

“ What is that?"

“When I meet you up the trail I shall
blindfold you, and only when on are out
of the Valley will I remove e bandage
from our eyes.

“ ou agree to this do you not?"

“ Yes."

“ I will see that no harm befalls you, as
before.

” Now I will walk on down the trail and
you leave your horse here and go after your
prisoner." '

“Will I have been gone long enough-for
him to feel that. I have had time to go where
they had put my horse ?”

“Yes, it is not far from here," and the

r1 walked away, while Buffalo Bill having

itched his horse to a tree near by went to-
ward the cliiIs where he had left his pris-
oner. -

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
fma sum.

' "WELL, Talbot, I am back again, and in
spite of your boasted watchfulness and hav-
ing a good sized band, Ivhave been able to
secure m captured horse and outfit," said
Buffalo ill, as he reached the side of his
pri ner. '

f course the outlaw could not reply, but
the scout sat down by his side and be an to
remove the gag from his mouth, w le he
continued;

“Now you may be right that I could not

break through the guards at the passes, _

that the would prove too strong for me,
so I wil change my plans and leave by
a we wherevthere are no sentinels on duty. "

“ ou cannot find such'a way, for there is
none," said the outlaw, gettin the use once
more of his power of speec , though his
voles was hus y and throat dry.

“ I’ll take chances on doing so, and I onl
regret I will be unable to- take you with
me. 1' r

” You will not kill me?” gasped the man
excitedly.

" Oh, no, I am no murderer, though I be-
lieve you deserve death if ever man did.

“I shall leave you hound‘in the trail until
your comrades find you.” , '

“I can but thank you for what you are
com lied to do."

" ell, we may meet again some day, and
any indebtedness you may consider me under
to you I will endeavor to cancel.”

“ You are not out of the valley yet."

“ True, yet I soon will he.”

“ If you care to make a bet on it I'll wager
a clean hundred on do not get out."

" I’ll take the ct, and when we meet again
will pay it if I lose, or collect from you if I
wm."

“ It’s a bargain. ‘

“.But why Won’t you let me go on to my
cam ?" . I i

“ prefer to get a good start on in way
before my getting out of the valley s
known.”

The outlaw made no reply, and Buffalo
Bill aided him to mount his horse, then
hound his feet securely to the saddle and
started for the howldcr. , r '

The outlaw saw then the horse of the scout
and any doubt he might have had as to his
having secured the animal faded from his
mind and he said:

“ You have indeed gotten your horse.”

“ Oh yes, I am not afraid to travel by
night as you and yourmen are.

“ Why you are assuperstitious about the
night as Indians are.”

“ What ..mnkos you think
more at night?”

“ Do you?”

“.1 have no answer to make.”

" Well. you may be sure that you will not
trawl this night," and Buffalo Bill hitched
his horse ‘to a tree in such a a way as to
thoroughly secure him.

‘ .
we will not

 

7

“Now, Talbot, I’ll be off, and let me warn
you that our next meeting may not terminate
asthis has done, for it will be your life on
mine."

“ It will be your life, Buffalo Bill; and I’ll‘.
win my bet of a hundred.

h “ You do not intend to gag me again, I.
0pc?’!

“Yes, for you will be unable to call for
help, and you know there are men not very
far away— Hold! if you dare to raise your-
voice now I'll drive m bowie-knife to the
hilt in your heart,” an the scout whipped
out the long blade and held it over the manr
who had intended to call for hel .

But the determined not of qiufialo Bill

‘ checked him very quickly and he remained,

silent. , .

With a stick and scarf the scout then Once;
more securely gag ed his risoner, after
which be mounted is own orse and rode
on up the trail, to the surprise of Talbot go-
ing toward the retreat of the outlaws.

A quarter of a mile down the trail Buffalo
Bill came u n the Girl Guide standing in
his ath an awaiting his coming.

“ on have not harmed him ?" she asked,.
quickly, as he rode up and dismounted.

“ I could no more harm a man at my
mercy, miss, than I could strike you," was.
the reggoachful response of the scout. l

"I g you to forgive me.”

“ Certainly. .

” I left him tied to his horse, and gagged,
to await release‘in the morning."

“Very well, come with me now, as soon
as I have blindfolded you.-

  

“ You will ride andI will lead our horse, "

and you are not to speak until
permission." . ‘
“I shall obey, believe me." .
“Then I shall not have to ag you,” was.
the smiling response of, Buffs. o Bill’s Mas.
cot.

give you

 

CHAPTER XXVII.
THROUGH nsaxxnss 'ro mom.

THE fair young guide did not go slon as:
though she dreaded discovery, nt wa h a,

bold step, leadin the scout’s horse after her. »

She seemed to eel sure in the fact that the-
mysterious dwellers in Death Valley would
not go abroad after nightfall, and that she
would meet no one to cause alarm.

She turned from the trail she was follow-
ing, after going a short distance, going up 9,.
narrow canyon.

This grew deeper and deeper as she went:
along until at last the cliffs almost met over-
head.

At last, when the darkness grew so intense
in the chasm that the stars overhead were all
that could be seen, she halted and the scout.
heard the lighting of a match though he could
see nothing.

The-reap ed before her, as she lighted
a lantern s e carried, what looked like the
end of the canyon.

But she went boldly up to the seeming rock
and drawing it aside it proved to be a piece
of painted canvas, revealing a cave beneath,
which was large enough to admit a horse.

“ You must dismount here.” ’

The scout did so.

“ Now catch hold of my hand, and you
lead yo r'hmsc.” .

The scout did as directed, and, lantern in
hand, the girl led the way through a long
cavern that was as even as a tunnel. »

The Scout’s instinct told him that he was
passing through a cave, but he made no rc-
mark, simply following his guide, holding
the hand she had placed lwhind her. .

Five, ton, fifteen minutes passed, and the
cavern seemed to have no end. '

But at last there (mine a breath of fresh,
pure air, and the fair guide halted in an
opening that overlooked a small stream.

The rocks were so piled up her:- that the

entrance to the cavern could not have been-

seen fifty feet awfl'. . .
"Mount here,” she said, and Buffalo Bill
obeyed, still keeping Sill‘llf'l'.

VT--w—

“I willrhuvc to mount behind you," she «

said.

“(Minimum can i aid you‘.”’.

“ No,” and she leaped lightly to a seat be-
hind his saddle.

“Now ride straight forward for a few
steps and then give your horse his rein." '

S .

 
 

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 is

 

 

This Bufialo Bill did, and a hundred for the space of ten feet, but the poles that

yards further on the animal came out of the formed it, a flash of her lantern revealed,

stream upon a gravel plain, which left no
trace of a hoof-track.

The girl urged the horse forward for sev-
eral hundred yards, and then she leaped
lightly to the ground, while she said:

“ We part here."

“ Am] still to remain blindfolded ?"

In answer she removed the bandage from
his eyes and said:

“No, yon are free now to see what you

,can, and to go your way at will.

“ Yonder lies the fort, and I would advise
that you push right on, for you may be fol-
lowed. " ‘

“I will do so. "

“ Remember your promise about not com-
ing here for six months. ”

“ I will not forget it, nor will I forget
you, and all you have done for me."

The girl made no reply, and so the scout
added:

“ You have heard nothing of my compan-
ion whom I left in the canyon, and who so
mysteriously disappeared?’

“ Nothing.”

“ He must have been killed then?”

" No, or I should have heard of it.

",Good-by, Bufialo Bill,” and she extended
her hand.

The scout grasped it warmly, and she
:88ld'.

“Now go, for I will remain here until I
see you disappear in the distance.

" Some day we will meet again, and then
it will be my chance to aid you. ”

She was silent and Buffalo Bill raised his
sombrero and rode away for he felt that she
was anxious to get rid of him.

Until his form grew misty in the distance
the girl remained standing where he had left
her.

Then she retraced her way to the stream
and without a moment’s hesitation walked
straight into the flowing waters, which arose
‘to her waist as she crossed to the other shore
where she ehtered the cavern through which
she had led Buffalo Bill to safety and
freedom.

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
ran sacarrrcn.

BACK through the cavern went the mys.
terious 'rl, who, though she would not
betray t ose among whom she dwelt. yet
would not allow the life of Buflalo Bill to be
forfeited. ,

She came out of the cave where the canvas

rotected it from view, walked rapidly
down the canyon and turning to the right
soon came to a corral in whic were a num-
ber of horseS.

One of these she selected, and sprin ng
upon the animal's bare back, rode hac to
the trail where she had left it to o to the
can 'on where she was guidin Bu alo Bill.

he nature of the kground ust there was
such that a trail can be traced by daylight,
where elsewhere it could not in the course
She had followed in guiding. the scout.

She seemed to be as (particular in leaving a
a trail, when she tume off, as she had in the
selection of a horse from the corral, for she
hadsccured one that was shod.

Up a winding path she went for half a
.mile or more, and at last came out upon a
ridge which formed a natural wall on the
west of Death Valle .

Along this she rode for some distance, and
entering a heavy growth of timber, halted on
the brink of s recipice. ‘

It was a cli split in twain, and through
it dashed a foaming torrent several hundre
feet below. _ -

The rear was terrific as the waters surged
along throu h the rocky chasm, and the
s mylggose ike smoke above the brink of

c c l .

Across this chasm, which was some sixty
or seventy feet in width, was a narrow
bridge, anchored on either side with ropes to
steady it. .

A imsy rail on either side formed the only
protection toward oing OH, and it was not
over four feet in dth.

Dismountin from her horse, the girl so-
cured him so t at he could not stay away,
and then walked out upon the bridge.
lathe center the flooring had been torn up

 

 

were upon the other side, ready for use again
when needed.

Having noted this fact, she returned to
her horse, and, pattin him gently upon the
neck, said, in a voice ull of feeling:

“It is a pity to sacrifice you, good horse,
but the dumb brute must serve the human
being at all times, and Bufialo Bill must be
thought dead.

“ It must be believed that he escaped this

way, and, not knowing that the flooring of ,

this pine bridge was up, rode into the open-

ing, and, with his horse, went down to?

death.

“ Your trail,‘poor fellow, will be mistaken
for that of the scout's horse, and that is
What I wish, for no one must be suspected in
this matter, for that would main death to
the one upon whom suspicion fell,”

She then blindfolded her horse with her
scarf, and led him upon the bridge.

Going behind him then she urged him on
and the animal cautiously advanced, the
bridge swaying beneath his weight and
motion to what would be an alarming extent
to one not accustomed to take big chances.

Driving the horse onward the girl guide
suddenly sprung backward and ran for the
solid bank, for the blindfolded animal had
made the step to find nothing but space he-
neath his hoof, had plunged forward, made
a desperate effort to recover himself, and
then went headlong through the opening

while‘f loud snort rung out on the night '

air

Standing upon the bank the girl covered
here es with her hands to shut out the
drea scene, and then there came to her cars
a cry almost human in its pathetic tone,
followed by a loud splash as the horse struck
the surging waters and was whirled away by
the fierce current.

It was several moments before the girl
could Collect her nerves and get control
of herself again.

But she shook off the feeling upon her and
retlrl'eated down the steep hill and up the
va ey.

A few hours after, just as the sun arose
above the mountain-tops, she was dashing

down the valley upon her morning rideg

which she always took before breakfast.

But this morning she had more of a pur-
pose in view than her ride, for she was
dashing down the valley to the spot where
the scout had left the bound and gagged

outlaw, for to be the first one to find him 
had been her great desire, when she went to ,

her retreat after the plot to let it be thought
that Buffalo Bill had ridden through the
opening in the bridge across the chasm.

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
ran mscovnnr.

Tanner had certainly passed a most"

wretched night of it. . ,

He was superstitious. shd so, afraid to be
alone there in the valle , which he hadaided
in ving a ver drea ful name. v

e was boun in his saddle and gagged,
so that he was bodil uncomfortable as well
as suffering in mind?

When, after what what seemed to him a
lifetime of horror, the dawn broke he felt
happy, his face lighting up with hope when
he saw the sun peering over the mountain.

Some one must soon come along that way,
he felt sure, and relieve him from his and
plilght.

e was right in his surmise, for some one
did soon appear. ' A

It was the mysterious woman who roamed
the valley seemingly at will. . .

She layed her art well, for going down
the val ey at a. l op, she quickly‘drew rein
when she saw lbot. .

Then she reconnoitered before she ad-
vanced. but. apparently at last recognizing
him, she rode orward and leaping from her
horse called out with well feigned surprise.-

“ Why, Talbot, what does this mean?" ,

lThe man could only shake his head in re-

P Y-

“ You, bound and gag ed?

“ Have the men done t is?"
V As she spoke she untied the gag and took
it‘frorlp pis mouth. when behaves deep sigh
0 re e . ' w

  

  
  

V She then hastily gave him a drink from
‘ his canteen, and began to untie his feet and
, hands.

‘ It was not long before he was free, but it
i was quite a while before he could speak,

‘ as his throat and tongue were swollen from
,E the gag.

When at last he could speak his voice was
, husky, and his first utterance was an oath.

, This seemed to cause him to feel better,

,1 and he was read and willing to answer
' questions, and said: -

“I believe l'd have died, Queen, if you
; had not come along as you did.”

" Oh, no, not so bad as that, for you were
i not hurt.

, “But tell me what it means?"

I B “ It means that I was held up by Buffalo

ill.”

" By Buffalo Bill?”

“ Sure." '

" But he is a fugitive somewherein the
valley.”

“ He has left the valley by the bridge
trail, for he held me up last night and left
me tied while he went to the corral and got
his horse and outfit which the men had found
in Graveyard Canyon. "

“ And he has gone?”

” He started up the trail, and if he has not
escaped then he is hiding somewhere in the
valley." '

at the retreat," and the girl leaped lightly in-
to her saddle.

“No hurry now, for if he's out, then we
cannot catch him, and if he is in the valley
then we must catch him, that is all.”

“ He’s a dangerous man, Talbot.”

“ I should think he was dangerous, and if
he's one, then we will hear from him before
very ong, I am certain," and the man also
mounted his horse and rode back with the
girl up the valley. .

They had not gone very far when Talbot,
who was an excellent trailer, halted_andsaid:

“ See there!"

“ Yes.” '

” He has turned ofl’ by the bridge trail."

“ There are tracks.”

bridge and see if the trail can be found up
on the other side."

They rode up the hill to ether, and at last
came to the bridge across t 1e chasm.

Talbot sprung from his horse, examined
the tmchssn instant, and then ran eagerly
upon the b dge to the gap in it.

A quick glance he gave and then from

 

waved his sombrero around and around his
head.

“ What is it, Talbot?" cried the
‘dismounting and 'oining him where estood
upon the bridge, is face the Very picture of

o .
j Ills answer came in tones that could not
be mistaken in their joyousness: ‘

"The bridge gap was open and Buffalo
Bill rode to his doom! Sect his horse went
down here, carrying his rider to Perdition.

“Hurrah! hurrah!" and the ma shouted

death of his implacable foe.

 

CHAPTER XXX.
m nnssa'r ram...

Wm: Talbot was re oicing over the be-
lief that Buffalo Bill fidden to his doom,
through the gap in the swinging bridge,
the scout was pressing slon on his way to
the fort, leavin far behind im the danger-
ous and myste on: Death Valley '

When left by the Girl Gui e togo his
way alone, be ad continued on at a slow

, nowsndthenj lsncingbsck to see if

' Mascot was out o sight.

fatal valley, and I owe it to that young‘girl
that I am now alive. j

“ What a Death Valley it really is, and
who are the m rlous dwellers there?

“Outlaws course, yet what keeps them
there, for whom have they to prey upon in
that far-sway region? * ,

"I feel that there is some deepmystcry
underlying all this that it is hard to fathom.
,“But fathomed itmustbasnd though I

 

  
 

“I will ride at once and give the alarm >

“Yes, and we will ride up now to the . ‘

his lips broke a wild, exultant yell, while he ‘

ir], also '

loudly in his fiendish delight at the supposed

 

At last he said with considerable earnest?
ness: _
“ Well! I am at last safeout of that really,

  
  
  

 

 

  

A and wipe out the outlaws and have their se-

. .801).

' along.

\

~ wheel, and the other canteen furnished him
‘ with water for his coffee. ‘

 ' man late in the afternoon,
' a chance to get a ’goodiill 0 water and grass,

4!
,, “natured the country begs
at the com that ni ht there was wood, water

promised the

he had gathered, an

 
 

ii“... _  ,nfm“ ,W': " “Uplflk'a
" "- I , v-' i,

493:” $5; _.,. :.

-.. awl—_.

‘Bfll’ 

 

 

‘rl I would not return for six
months, I di not say that no one else
would.

“ She stated her time, and meant to have
matters so at the end of six months that
there Would be no mystery there then to
hunt down.

“That man who thought I repeated the
oath after him, the girl, the chief, and the
band of outlaws all have some strong reason
for sojourning there, and what it is shall be
known, though I am unable to go on the
hunt for it. _

“ But I know who will, and that is Frank
Powell, the Surgeon Scout

“ He is about the best man I know to fol-
low a blind trail, an‘ I‘ll just draw hima
map of the Valley, give him all the informa-
tion I can, and he can dash in there' at
dawn some morning with a troop of cavalry,

cret.

“ Come, old horse, you have had a good
rest, so now push for the fort with all the
speed you can make it in.”

He urged his horse into a center, and over
the barren plain kept the gait up for hour
after hour. ‘

It was just rowing light when he came
to a “well” n the rock formed by peb-
bles and worn to the depths of several feet
by the action of the water in the rainy sea

There was not a blade of as near, and
no trees, but an old wagon-w eel broken in
pieces made wood for a fire and the scout
found a be. tied to his saddle in which there
wasa smalig feed of green grass, which his
horse would relish.

“That girl provided well," he said to
himself, as he gave the horse half the grass
for his meal and then cooked his own break.
fast and ate heartily for he was hungry.

He carried the remains of his rewood
along with him, when he started, and filled
his canteens at the pool, for he knew it
would not be until the next mornin when
he could a in find water or wood fn that
desert lan .

He had left Volcano Peak far tohis right
and it was now behind him as he rode

His pace was a steady one, and as he went
along he could not but wonder what brave
hearts men had possessed, to cross that
desolate, waterless, treeless, grasslcss plain
in search of frontier homes. , I

Many had been the deaths there from
starvation, and the emi rants who had
gushed on toward Death alley had never_
1 en heard of more,__ so were set down as

ost.
. At night the scout halted upon the desert
near apile of volcanic rocks. , ‘

His horse was given the contents of one of
the canteens, wh ch the scout poured doWn
his throat, and the balance of the grass
packed in the be was all the supper he got.

The nder in better, for be cooked his
supper upon the remains, of the old women-

Then he iaid‘down to sleep and his patient
horse did the same. seemin rly resigned to
the fact that he was upon siiwrt rations of
feed and water. ,»

At midnight Buffalo Bill arose and pressed
on.'and when the sun rose he came upon a
stream, where there were patches of grass
and driftwood, and here he went into camp.

If-—fl—
CHAPTER XXXI.
a sear-man iron serum mt.

Barium BILL camped on the river-bank
iving his horse

and himself a rest.

Then, with the be filled with grasawhich
, his canteens sup lied,
he pushed on once more, well aware t at it
ins another long ride over the desert before
he came to where the country was such that
man and beast could subsist in it.

It was on the next afternoon that the
n to change, and

and gross I: shun once.

But if .fo'od was plenty, there was added
danger now to the scout, as he Was in an II-
can country, and had to be very careful not

 

 upon a roving hand of them.

In the desert he ’ had no such dread, for
they would not go there.

I e was riding along after night, knowing
that it was safest to travel then, when 1n-
dians would not be prowling about, when in
the distance he spied the glimmer of a light.

He knew that it came from a wimp upon
the Little Colorado River.

Losing sight of the light almost immedi-
ately, he halted and be an to investigate.

It might be a coup e of his scouts, or a
scouting part ' of cavalry, but most likely it
was a band 0 red-skins.

“The chances are ten to one that it isa
band of red-skins,” he muttered.

As he no longer saw the light of the
camp-fire, he rode back to where it had first
caught§his eye, and soon got a glimpse of it
again.

Turning his glass upon it, he managed to
make out that it was over a mile away, and
was a camp-fire in a small canyon, where the
light would not be visible except from the
position he was then in.

Riding slowly forward, the scout guided
his way b ' keeping the camp-fire in Sight.

After r ding for some distance, be halted
again and investigated with his field-glass.

He saw several forms moving to and fro,
and said?

“ Indians!” ,

Then he dismounted and staked his horse
’out to feed, while he cautiously went for-
ward on foot.

Drawing nearer, he Saw that the camp
was across the river, in a small cam of
the hill country on the other side.

' There was timber there, and some meadow’
land, and the scout thought that he saw
some horses feeding upon the latter.

As he looked he saw an Indian’s form
plalinly defined between him and the fire-
i it.

gConfident that there were a number of
them there, and with his horse and himself
well worn out, he concluded to simpl re-
connoiter sufficiently to see what their orce
1was and then go on to the fort and report the

act. ‘

To do this he must approach much nearer.

As the camp was on the other. side of the
stream he was in no immediate danger of run-
ning upon them, and yet the scout was most
cautious in his approach.

. At last he gained a position amongaclump
of cottonwood trees and not three hundred
yards from the camp-fire.

It was built up in a canyon, and there
were some half-dozen of Indians about it
eating their supper.

That there was a guard over their ponies
feedin upon the meadow, of a couple or
more graves the scout was satisfied, while
upon the hill hbove the camp there would
naturally be a sentinel on duty. ..

” About ten all told,” muttered. the scout,
and he leveled his glass u on the camp to
take a deliberate survey 0 it and its sur-
rpundings.

Hardly had he gazed half aminutc through
the field glass w on he L‘ttcred hn cx‘clama?
tion of surprise, which ended in a muttered
im recation.

is was caused by a discovery which he
had made, and it Was One that seemed to
move him more than his Own danger in the
Valley of Death had done. » _

What he saw was a white man seated by
the little camp-fire, and that he was a prison
er was certain as his hands were bound be.
hind him, and more, the scout recogniz
fink? man who was in the power of the -

ns. 1

 

CHAPTER xxxn.
A PAID IN DANGER.‘

Tm: little fire in the canyon Was bright
enou h to reveal all near it with distinctness,
and uflalo Bill had a good view thron h
his fieldglass of the Ind ans and their p -
oner. '

This prisoner was a man clad in fatigue
uniform, upon his shoulders being the straps
of an officer, and. u on his hand he wore a
black army hat wit, a sable plume. ‘

He was seated upon p stone, and both his
feet and hands were securely bound.

The prisoners though an army officer, wore
his hair long. as it is in thick waves below
his thmddm‘ v '

 

 having  that the In-

dians had a pale-face prisoner, was not long
in making uphis mind as to just what he
would do. ,

That the redoskins would encamp there
for the night he was assured, and so he de-
cided to make a flank movement, gaining,r the
hill country across the stream and approach-
ing the camp from the overhanging cliffs.

Ile knew that there was a ford some miles
below, and a trail leading over the hills, so
he took another careful survey of the sur-
roundings and then went back to his horse.

Mounting, he turned off down the stream,
pressing lns horse into a cantor, and after

going several miles came to a ford made by '

wild animals in crossing and recrossing the
stream.

Iie filled his canteen, gave his horse a re-
freshing draught of water, and then pushed
on into the hill in an oblique way, making
his own trail.

Again it was a ride of several miles, and
he found himself half a mile from the river
and just in the-rear of the canyon where the
Indians were encamped.

He staked his horse out and took from his
saddle a small bugle, hanging it about his
neck by the cord.

Then he set out cautiously to approach
the Indian camp. .

His knowledge of the Indian nature told
him that they had-a sentinel in the hills over
the camp, and his first duty,was to find that
red-skin. . '

If he could surprise him the chances were
that he could reach the camp and spread
panic among the Indians, but, if the sentinel.
detected him first he might have to act on

the defensive and ruin all chances of rescu- '

ing the prisoner, for that was his firm.
resolve. ' ,

So, with the noiseless manner of a panther
approaching his prey, and the patience of
an Indian, 1e began to cree upon the posi-
tion where he expected to nd the sentinel.

He saw just the faintest glimmer of a.
firelight against the top of the cliff, and
then moved about until he caught sight of
the red-skin he was looking for. _

The Indian sentinel was standing with his.
back to a small quaking-asp tree. and his
face was toward the camp, as though he
longed to be down there with his comrades.

Buffalo Bill knew, as he took in the situa--
tion, that the chances of surprising the reds
skin by getting up to him were slim.

But he must make the attempt at least,
and if discovered, then he would have to
shoot him and trust to his bugle to ive
the others a belief that they were surprised
by cavalry.

B a rapid fire down upon them from the.
cli overhanging the camp, he mi ht beable
to put them to ight and cause t em to de-
sert their prisoner to save themselves.

This was his plan if hefailed to get up

close to the Indian sentinel and grapple with.

him. .
Could he do this then he trusted to his
own strength to get away with thered-skin
without allowing rim to give an alarm to his
comrades. '

Having discovered the Indian’s position
the scout moved forward with a caution
born of long experience upon the frontier,
and the grim determination that no life
should stand between him an the rescue of
his best friend, for the one w 0 was a ris-
oncr’in the, hands of the Indians he ha re-
cognized as his ard of many a trail, one.
whose life he had. forc’saved, one to whom.
he owed it time and again that he had not.
been killed, a man among men, Frank Pow--
ell, the Surgeon Scout. j

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
'1‘ng SCOUT AND THE murmur.

How Frank Powell, the Surgeon Scout,
had fallen into the hands of the Indians
Buffalo Bill could not understand, for few
men were his equal as a trailer and bonierman
and none possessed greater pluck and in-
domitable nerve. . -

But there he was, the sur mm of the fort,
a prisoner, bound hands an feet, and what;

his fate. would be, could his captors etl
him to their village, was Very readily un rs
stood. - ' -
But he must be rescued and thus saved,
and to do this Buffalo Bill was not a man to

count odds.

 

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 .312

 

 

v.

His own life he would gladly risk to save
any one, and how much more would he
chance to save his pard, the Surgeon Scout!

So he moved toward the Indian sentinel
step by step.

So slowly did he go that he hardly pro-
gressed a couple of steps in a minute.

llc did not raise his feet from the ground,
for fear of putting them down upon a dry
twig that would break and betray him.

Wcre its white man on duty the scout
would have expected him to soon change his
position.

But an Indian will sit, or stand, perfectly
still in one position for a long while, and
the sentinel mi ht not move for an hour.

But Buffalo ill did not take chances, and
his ride was ready, and cocked, to ,drop the
Indian the instant he should discover him.

Nearer and nearer he drew, and the red-
skin still remained like a statue.

He leant against the quaking-asp and his ‘

back was toward the scout.

If danger came to the camp it was expect-
ed from that direction, yet the Indian did not
up )ear to dread the presence of any foe near,
an watched the cheery reflection of the fire
a ainst the cliff rather than the hill-land be-

nd him where death was lurking for him.

Nearer and nearer the scout approached
the Indian until he had to suppress his
breathing for. fear it would be heard by the
keen ear of the savage.

At last but ten feet only parted him from
the red-skin, and the scout halted.

He had no fear of himself, for his dread
was only that he might not prevent the
alarm being given before he could get his
clutch upon the throat of the sentinel.

If he had toshoot him that meant an alarm
that might destroy his chances of rescuing
the Surgeon Scout.

There was a slight unevenness in the
ground between the scout and the Indian,
and there was a 'chance that the little hollow
was deeper than it looked and a fall would
betray all.

But the scout continued his noiseless, slid.
ing movement with his feet, down the slight
declivity and up the other side, until he stood
within almost arm’s reach of his foe.

The Indian still stood with his back to the
tree, and now the scout discovered that the
chin rested upon his breast. that the head
was bent forward and the reduskin was fast
asleep on duttv.

Buffalo Bil ave a sigh of relief, gently
stooped and laid down his rifle, and then, in
an instant more his iron rip was upon the
throat of the sleeping sentinel.

Thereywas a hoarse ur is, as a cry was
stifled, then began a fiint or life.

The Indian was a large,'powerfully-built -

man, but the scout’s hold upon his throat

was one he could not shake off, and it was ;

crushing the life out of him.

The red-skin at once had
knife, and the scout’s other hand
his wrist with iron force.

The strug le, if long, would surely attract
attention Bu 0 Bill well knew. and he at
once determined to end, the fight as soon as
possible, so he thrust his enemy backward.
tri pod him and he fell upon his back in the
lit le ditch spoken of. ‘

The scout fell on top of him, but was
mmpclled to release the wrist of the Indian
in the fall.

Instantl the body of the Indian relaxed,
and Buffan Bill was not long»? discovering
the cause, for the red-skin fallen upon

rasped his
gripped

his own knife, as he put his hand behind

him to break his fall, and the long blade had
pierced his heart. ‘ ‘ ,

Buffalo Bill arose tohis feet in silence, and
stood gazing down upon his foe, while
he felt a thrill of triumph at having the
barrier on the cliff in the rescue of the Bur-
geon Scout at least out of the way.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
A DOUBLE scarapsn.

THE tension to which the scout’s every
nerve had been drawn, and thetax upon his
strength in the death-struggle. had told

‘upor. even his splendid physique, and it was ’

several minutes before he could regain full
control of himself. » .,

\ At last he was-successful. his muscles
ceased to twitch. his nerves to quiver, and

 

he was once more his dalm self, ready for

any emergency.

: Ie knew that it must be midnight, and
, that a sentinel would come to relieve the one
i on the cliff, the one who was off duty for-
' ever, so that he must be on the watch.

» To be upon the safe side, he took the .In—
D dian’s head-dress and put it on, wrapping
his blanket about him, and so approachc

 the cliff.

Did a relief guard come up, by some path
known to the Indians, thus seeing him
I rigged out, he would naturally suppose that
l it was his comrade, and feel no fear of him.

Approaching the cliff, the scout glanced
over cautiously and looked down into the
little canyon.

The fire was burning low, but there was
light enough to count seven forms about it,
wrapped in blankets excepting one.

. That one was the Surgeon Scout, and he
lay upon the ground with nothing beneath
him for protection, no covering over him.

An Indian sentinel sat upon a rock near,
Watching the prisoner, though he was se-
curely bound, but all the others were asleep.

With his glass peering out upon the mea-
dow beyond the mouth of the canyon, uf—
falo Bill dimly traced the outlines of the -
dian ponies feeding, and knew that there
' were guards with them. .

He had decided to open fire upon the In-
dian camp by shooting the sentinel suited
upon the rock and then drop two or three
more as they all sprung to their feet in
alarm. ~

Leaping back, he would then give a bugle
call, and that would cause the belief that
cavalry were upon them and stampede the
band, while from his point of vantage he
could protect the Surgeon Scout from 8012?
attempt to kill him by picking ofi any r -
skin who made the attempt to do so.

Believing themselves hemmed in, attacked
by cavalry, the red-skins would stampede
for their ponies to make their escape with all
dispatch, and the scout could remain mast'er
of the, situation.

It was a clever, bold plot at rescue, and
for Buffalo Bill to plan was to éirry out to a
successful termination in most cases.

When the life of the Sur eon Scout was
at stake Buffalo Bill was t )0 more anxious
.that there should be no failure of his plot.

lie had just decided to act, and was risin
to his feet to get his rifle and draw a bead
upon the sentinel in the canyon, whom he
hated to kill without a warning or danger to
himself, when he was startled by a word
spoken at his side.

 

in, for it was the Indian sentinel who
come up to relieve the guard on the cliff.

The red-skin had seen him lying there and
grazing over the cliff into the canyon, so evi-
dently supposed it was his comrade, and
asleep.

So he crc t.forward to give him a fright,
when Buffa 0 Bill arose.

Unfortunately for the Indian he was with-
in- a couple of feet of the edge of the cliff,
,and when he spoke the scout realized the
situsation with lightning-like quickness and
acte .

His'action was to strike the legs of the
red-skin a terrific blow that knocked them
from under him and he went backward over
the edge of the clifl, while from his lips
broke a wild, thrilling or of despair, as he
knew he was dashing to is death upon the
rocks a hundred feet below, "

Without waiting to note the effect of the
red-skin's fall. almost into the cam of his
comrades, Buffalo Bill threw his ' e to his
shoulder, and just as the sentinel on the
‘ rock sprung to his feet sent a' bullet crashing
' through his brain. ‘

nnging' back he then placed the little

 

rung wildly out on the night air.

Dropping his bu le he gave his own well~
known war-cry an was back at his post up-
on the cliff ready .to rotect the Surgeon
, Scout from any deat -hlow his captors
' $iglht give him before stampeding in their

8

 

t for their ponies.

 

CHAPTER XXXV.

. rm: 'rwo mans.

1 IT was well that Buflnlo 13m realized that
it was necessary for aim to protect the prison-
er from the frightened savages, for just as he

In an instant he realized the danger be m i

S
bugle to his lips and sounded a call which1

 

appeared upon the cliff again, one of the In—
dians was about todeal a death-blow with
his tomahawk upon the head of the defense—
less Surgeon Scmit.

A sharp report and the bullet from the

scout’s rifle shattered the build of tlu \' :rc,
while several shots were tired in r:-; th-
cession to further increase the frigl . l. the
Indians. 7

They had the desired CfIOCt, for, v .tix the
dead, the one who had fallen from t- c cliff
writhing in agony but a few pact-s distant,
and one of their comrades with a l)llllt'l shat-
tered hand, the remainder stood not on the
order of oing but went at once.

They ( artcd out of the canyon, having
their prisoner and their blankets, with their
camping outfit as Well.

The scout gave again and again his start—
ling war-cry, known so well upon the
frontier, and ran along the cliff top to fire
upon the retreating Indians as they rushed
for their horses, though he fircd at random.

Then he once niorc gave a bugle-call as a
further means of startling the braves, and
the rapid clutter of hoofs told him that he
had been successful, for the Indians rushed
madly ftirthc river and the plunging of their
ponies into the stream soon reached the cars
of Buffalo Bill.

Finding the trail the .sentinels had follow-
ed to the top of the cliff, Buffalo Bill rapid]
boundcd down it to the plains below, and):
running from point to point with great
speed, fired first. his rifle, then his revolvers,
to let the Indians see the flashes and believe
there were a number of men in the attack.

Pressing on down toward the river across
the meadow, Buffalo Bill saw two dark forms
which he at once knew to be horses left by
the red-skins in their flight, they not taking
time to gather up all of the animals.

Going up to one of the animals he found
by the stake a saddle and bridle and he cried:

“ Good! it is the doctor’s horse!”

To throw the saddle upon the animal, put
the bridle on and mount him was an instant‘s
work, and the scout dashed up to the Indian

pony staked near, those two having been‘

apart from the others.

The pony was quick] secured and away
went Buffalo Bill at al speed toward the
canyon. .

There lay the Sur eon Scout securely
bound and unable to ree himself, but as he
saw who his rescuer was, he uttered a war
cry and called out: .

“ Bravo, Bill!

“I knew that war-cry of yours when I
heard it upon the cliff." ' .

“ Come. Doc, there is not a second to lose,
for there are eight of those fellows left yet,
and they will soon be back when they find
they are not pursued, so we must be off, for
my horse. is a mile from here the way We
have to go.” ‘>

As he spoke he cut the rawhide lariat
that bound the Surgeon Scout so securely
and aided him to mount, for the rescued
prisoner was benumbed from the bonds that
had been drawn so ti ht. '

Throwing a few 0 the Indian’s traps upon
the captured pon , Buffalo Bill leaped upon
his back. and l the way out of the canyon
ata gallop.

Along the clifi they rode for a quarter of 1" ‘

a mile until they found a trail leading up

into the hills which they turned into 'ust as .
cries *

the Indians uttered a series of wil
and began to cross the riVer.
“ They have been reinforced, Bill ”

“You think so, Doc, for I believe they

know they have discovered the weakness
of the rescuing party and are coming back
to attack us." '

“No. for there is no mm in the

rescuing party, Ell, u I have good reason
to know.

“No, the , had another band of half a 

hundred 1! ch retreated by the valley trail

and were to join them here, for that I heard '

them arrange." _ , ~
" You are right, Frank, for thee  a
large number of horses coming berm the

stream to nuke alllthat noise.
“ Wemust ride for it nowand reach my
horse, fter which we can ge them if

the 0 not crowd us too close, and Buffalo, " ’

Bil led the way tothe spot where he had
left his horse, the Surgeon Scout folio .
close at his heels and warming u after
having been so long tied and help . -

l

 

 

 

 
 

   
 

'..~r-4. t. ,. , g a.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
'rnn icnasn.

BUFFALO BILL saw that Surgeon Powell
h found it no egsy task to remain in the
 ' saddle.

Iiis feet were almost lifeless from the
tight bonds that were upon them, and his
1 hands Were in a like condition.

il Then too with no covering, and lying upon
the damp ground, the doctor had become
. chilled through to the bone.

But the movement of his horse warmed
him by degrees and he was feeling better by
the time the scout reached his horse.

Dismounting, Buffalo Bill took the extra
weight upon his own and Surgeon Powell's
horse, and, with his latiat bound it upon
the Indian pony, wh‘ch was a fine animal
and would save the t 0 large horses in the
race for life, which both men knew now it
must be, as there was one means of escape
onllly and that along the top of the ridge.

, he Indians were heard pressin ron, seem-
,p; H ' a ing to know the countr well am aware of
t"  ' the fact that the ha been cleverly out-
: » witted and run 0 by but one man.

J _ , Their oils and the clatter of boots told

' . Buffalo lill that the other band, which

Surgeon Powell had said was half a hundred
strong, had joined those who had had the
prisoner in'charge.
_, ' The rid e Was a rough one and hard to'
‘5 ’ make g time over, while it ran that way
7 for several miles.

Then came a steep descent to the prairie
land beyond, but in descending the scout
knew was their danger as the red-skins would
be able to fire down upon them at short

ran e.
Ogiuld they have gained the prairie far
ahead of the Indians they knew that they
could have eluded them- but, within sight of
the red-skins they would be hard pressed.

1.... ‘ " “Iam not able to handle a weapon yet,

' Bill, so you will have to do the fighting

a while I help you with the running,” said the

’ Surgeon Scout as they went along as rapidly

as the nature of the ground would rmit.

_, .“ All right, Frank, when we rose 1 the end

i“ ‘,: of the ridge, if they press us, I will let fyou

g5 - ‘ , go ahead with the horses while I give t em

  a check, for I can descend faster on foot."

,. “No, on will go down with me, for I
will not save you, and besides there are too
many of them for you to check even fora

‘ minute.

it v “ Were they but the small force that had

me a risoner we both might make a stand
and wrth success.”

. I. " “guess you are ri ht, Frank.

" I " 8 must run for t as our only hope. "

1:2; They pushed steadily 'on, but were most

‘ ' cautious as they did not know the pit-falls

in their Way.

, The Surgeon Scout had been over the trail

 with his captors, early in the afternoon, but

 3’ Buffalo Bill had not been, and the doctor

a- , warned him that the way was a dangerous

one, full of holes which ml tthrow their
, horses and cripple them an perhaps hurt
 -. the riders seriously.
“ ~ The Indians evidently were better used to
- the trail, for they came on more rapidl , and
‘ their ponies got over the rough grou with
ter case than did the two large horses of
' e pards.

r So the flight continued until at last the
and of the ridge was reached and the de-

scent begun. *

It was a ride of a half a mile down the
hill, in a zigzag course and the scouts were
but half way down when the Indians sp-

’ poured upon the trail above. - , 
. . .~'i‘hey saw, by the starlight. the the five
 “men going down the hill and with wild

.' 551' 554.: 252.5; "‘33". -:. ., 2‘.
. . ' L n. -

 

 

yeils sent a shower of arrows after them,’

.while they also began to descend. dismount-
. in and lending their ponies.

" . ” . arrows flew about the two friends
with ominous whining sound and struck
the rock path with a sound like the pat-
tearingI 0 huge drops of rain.

I “ 1 ram nd them that we are at least
around," said Buffalo Bill, who had reload-
ed his weapons, and Surgeon Powell added:

"And soon I hope my bands will be able

to rssp a wagon."
‘ Yes, for I mitt you rifle and revol~

-' Vgsmszgigh the . skins left in camp when

t . ‘
 he spoke Buffalo Bill turned in his sad.

 

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31”, if” t I  ,3. 5 x .

*‘ ’.“M.§W§mmfimmiuudimoxw_fim
’ >_:_ ‘, > ._.,'*.r... _,,'.. . v H ," : .r.

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c

the savages.

A pony fell, and there were savage cries '

from the Indians, which told that one at
least of the shots had taken effect upon a
brave as Well as a horse, though fired almost
at random. '

Then the return fire came, and once more
the arrows rattled about the furritives, while
accompanying them were halfja dozen bul—
lets from those of the Indians who possessed
firearms. '

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
wounnnn. ' '

THE two scouts pressed on in silence, after
the return fire of the red-skins, devoting
their ever energy to the descent of the dan-
gerous hi i. ,

0n came the Indians. all of them leading

edge of the trail, to cut off here and there a
few rods.
At last the level land was reached, the

they drew away from the ndians.

“Had that hill drag ed out acouple of
hundred ards further, ill, it would have
beena fig it to the death."

“ It certainly would have been, Doc. ‘

“ But we are all right now.”

” Yes, I guess so," and the two horses and
Indian pony were pressed on more rapidly.

” The pony does not keep up well, Bill,”
said Frank Powell. as the tIndian horse
'dra ed heavily back upon his lead line.

“ o, and for a reason.”

“ Ah! he is wounded, then?”

" Yes, one of those arrows plugged him.”

“Too bad, but we can do without him if
he drops out, for the Indians will not follow
us far over the prairie."

” No, I think not, and I sincerely hope so,
for I at it as well as the pony,- Frank.”

“ cm wounded, Bill ?" cried the surgeon,
in alarm.

“ Yes, slightly in my arm, but it is bleed-
ing freely." ‘

h ‘ We must look to this as soon as we dare

n t." I L
“ We will rose on for swhiIe yet, Frank,
and I'll stand it unless I feel I am getting
weak,” coolly said Buffalo Bill.

80 on they rode for half a mile further
when the Indian pony began to sway badly,
and it was decided to bait and take the traps
from off his back. ,

The hands of the Surgeon Scout were now
regaining their usefulness and so be aided in
stripping the pony, which went down the
moment they halted.

“Bill.”

” Yes, Doc.”

” They have iven u the chase.”

“ You are rig t,"sai Buffalo Bill, iving
a glance back over the prairie, where tie In-
dians could be seen going toward the ridge
once more. .

The Surgeon Scout then turned his attetf-
tion to the wound of Buffalo Bill, tying
around the arm his handkerchief to re-
vent the flow of blood. for it was bl ing
freely.

Riding on once more for a couple of miles
they came to a timber motte, where there
was a spring, and here they halted, the first
duty of the surgeon being to look after his
wounded comrade.

“ I must have a light, Bill, so if we build
a fire and they see it, we can get away be-
fore they come.

"The horses will have a rest, water and a
few mouthfuls of grass. " ‘

The scopt at once'set to work at once to
build a fire, and the sur eon t k from his
saddle-pocket the case 0 instruments, with
lint, bandages and stolen that he never went
without, and which the Indians had not
robbed him of when the captured him.

The scout had a brig t fire burning in a
few minutes and throwing off his hunting-
coat he bared his'arnr‘ for the surgeon to ex-
amine the wound.

“ The arrow was not isoned, fortun-
ately,” Bill, or there won (1 already have
beenintiammation.

“ it ran in to the bone, but will not be
serious 1 think.” and the surgeon probed the
wound. Buffalo Bill standing the pain with-
out sword:

 

 

 Burs" ' 

l die and sent adozeir shots from his Winches- i Then the wohnd was dressed,"bandaged

ter repeating-title rattling back up the hill at ,
i to mount not

their ponies, and enabled, by their knowl- ,

horses were urged into a gallop, and rapidly :

 

1;! flu“, .

and in twent minutes the two were ready
iycontinue on their way.

They were just in time too. as the In-
dians from the hill having seen the fire, came
to the conclusion that the scouts sup-
posed they had given up the chase, so had

" gone into camp.

“ See there, Frank," said Bill, pointing to
a dark mass off on the prairie. '

“ Yes, they have halted their ponies there,
while they are creeping up on us.

“As we are ready to go now, i’ll drop a
few shots out upon the prairie, about where
I think they are, merely to show them we
are not such fools as they take us for.”

As the Surgeon Scout spoke he raised his
rifle to his shoulder, leveled it at about
where he supposed there were red-skins
creeping toward the little clump of timber,
and then he fired half a dozen shots in quick
succession. '

Wild yells answered the shots and he
knew the bullets. had hit near, if they had
done no damage.

Then the two mounted and dashed out of
the timber at a gallop, followed by the wild
yells of the foiled savages.

 

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
'rrrn summon scou'r's sronv.

Win! the short rest they had had the two
horses of the scouts went along at a sweep-
in gallop and keptup a quick pace for half
a ( ozen miles, when they came toastreaxn
the banks of which were heavily fringed with
trees.

Crossing at a buffalo trail the pards turn»
ed up the stream and held on for half an
hour, when they came into some hill~land
where there was wood and water in plenty.

Seeking a camping place which they both
knew well, the friends soon had their horses
staked out near, where the grass was plenti-
ful, and then a fire was built and they had
supper, for both men were hungry.

They had built a fire in a ravine where it .

could not be seen a short distance away,
and when supper had been disposed of the
lay down to rest, very sure' that the r -
skins would not dare follow them beyond
the river, if they did that far, for the fort
was too near for them to venture with a small
force.’

The sun was rising when they awoke, and
both horses were greatly refreshed Ly their
rest of several hours" sleep and food.

After a hasty breakfast they continued on
their way once more, the surgeon having
again dressed Bufl'alo Bill’s wounded arm,
which was painful, but not serious,‘both were
glad to discover.

As they rode away over the prairies at a
steady pace, for there was no cause of hurry
now Buflalo Bill said:

" boo, how was it that the reds happened
to pick up so sly an old plaiusman as you
are?"

“ I’ll tell you, Bill, after Imake known to
you that you stingy saved my life, for those
red devils intend taking me to their ril-
lage and there torturin me to du‘tth.

" But it is etting to 'an old story. our

saving m ii 0. yet still I thank you, xlll,
from the ttorn of my heart." ‘

" Don't s of thanks, Frank. for I un-
derstand that, and honors are easy he—
twe‘en us, I ass, for you have save( me
from death me and again.

“ Now, how did the red skins catch

“ In the simplest way in the world.

“ yhorse t awa from me and I fol-
lowed him on oot untl Iwas utterly tired
out. . '

"I went into camp and sleptso soundly
that Idid not even wskon up until. kicked by
an Iridlan.”

H h!”

on waste '3” a dozen red-skins about

me, and half-awake I opened fire. "

" Well 7" ' \

“It was a hard fight, but they downed
me, Bill, snd'so took me with them, and I
found that they had picked up my runaway,
horse also. ,

“As I had killed a couple of them they
were bent on taking me to their 'vills

alive, and for fear there might be enmity"

in pursuit, sent me one any with the band

 

 

 

 

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~17”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.. t4...— «a—w-oluou.
m

“haw . rrw .

1'7 - x

 

w Bufi‘alo Bill’s Mel'soot.

 

 

you scared off, while the others went in
another direction to meet on the river."

“ When was this?"

“ Yesterday.”

‘ ‘ Where?”

“ Over near the river.”

“What were you doing so far away,
Frank?"

“I was on your trail, Bill."

“ Mine?"

"Yes, the colonel said you had gone off
alone On a trail, the nature of which he
could not guess, and so, as, you did not
return in a couple of days, asked per-
mission to hunt you up.”

“ Just like you, Frank.”

“Oh yes, and I found you too, Bill, or
rather you found me.”

I "That is true, and awful glad am I that

did.

“ Now, Frank, how is it that none of
the scouts knew this band of sixty warriors
were near the fort?"

“They doubtless followed Our scouting
party in, for I was away, you know, when
you left, and the men were not expecting
a raid from them.“

“ Which shows that we must he ever on
the watch out here. ” .

“True.

“ But do you give an account of your-
self, Billy, for I am anxious to know where
you have been i" ,

"I’ll tell you, for I have some work for

do."

‘I in Y

“What is it, and when to bddone‘l"

_ “It is for you to guide a troop to Death
Valle ."

” I mean‘it."

n

" Why no one goes there, as it is consid- , '

ered certain death to do so."

“ True, Frank, but I have been there."

" You, Bill?"

“Yes, I. just came from there, and yet
I cannot return, as I would wish to do;
but you can 0, and I wish you to guide
a troo there.

“ I on’t know the country, Bill."

“ No one seems to, yet I will post you, for
I know it pretty well, and I have maps and
all I haue drawn for you.”

"I’ll go," was the firm response of the
Surgeon Scout.

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
'ro sonvn 'rna sncnar.

“ WELL, Frank, as you got into trouble in
lookln me up, I do not see but that it can~
cels afi gratitude you may feel to me for
getting you out of it. ‘

“ But do '01: know, it was a mighty close,
call," said uffalo’ Bill, and the two pards
continued on their way.

“I know that it was, a very close call,
Bill, and a daring attack like yours only
saved me.” -

“ No, not that, for I mean that it was by
the meat accident that I saw your camp-
fire in the canyon. \

“Had I been fifty. feet one wa or the
other off the trail Iwas following, would
not have seen the fire, for I lost it almost as
soon as sighted, and I had to ride back and
look it up.

1 “ If it ad not been for the glimpse of the
fire, I would have ridden right upon the
Indian guards over those prairies, for I did
Epoggxpect to find red-skins in that neighbor-

" You were in luck, and I doubly so.”
“ Well, it was luck, and no mistake.
"But now tell me why you were on my

" trail, Doc ?"

” You see the colonel had an idea that on
were of! on some very dangerous miss on,
from what he told me, as he said you had
kept so quiet about it.

‘He asked me if I had any idea where

on had no, and as I had not, I felt the
st thin could do was to strike your trail
and see i u did not need help. "

o
" Just like you, Pard Frank." v.
h“ But it wasn’t like me to get captured,
e _?H
"No, though I can understand it more

I thoroughly now, as I have been aught in

the same way.

I

 

"But you are ready to act as guide, you

  

say, to a troop of cavalry into Death Val- .

ley?" .,

“I am, though, as I said, I never have

been there.” ' ->
“ Well, I supposed that few others ha

been."

“ And you went into the Valley of Death, '

Bill?"

“Yes, and came very near staying there."

“ You went alone?”

“Oh, yes, but I had more company than
I cared for, after I got there."

“ Well, what do you wish me to do?"

“I have, as Isaid, a map of the valley,
its passes and trails, with distances and all I
was able to discover while there.

" I made notes of it and drew my map at
my halt on my way back, so that you will
have a fair idea of what to do.”

“ And not to do?”

“Yes. .

“But with all my explanations, when
you have heard my story, I feel that you
will be able to accomplish what I was un-
able to do."

"I will try, Bill. '1

“ And trying with you, Frank. means
success."

“ But there are people in the valley you

“Well, I should think so, a settlement of
them.”

" Indeed!

“I never heard of this, though I have
heard that several bands of settlers who

went there Were massacred bythé‘ Indians,
1

died of starvation, or were lied by the
poisonous vapors the place is reported full
of. as well as the Waters, which men say
are also fatal to any one who drinks of
them." "

“ Frank. I have heard all this too, and for
a long while.

“ It is common talk about the camps.

“ But keep the secret when I tell you that
it is all nonsense about poisonous vapors and
waters.

“ The Indians have massacred people
going there, perhaps after they got there,
and trains have died of hunger and thirst
upon the desert.

“ But some ‘POOfle have gotten there and
are thriving. or heard of some thirty, and
there may be more.”

“ Settlers ?”

" Heaven only knows what they are,
doctor.

“ But there is a woman among them, and
a handsome girl she is.” ,

“ A pretty woman in the case then?"

“ Did you ever know of trouble in which
there was not a woman in it?"

“ No, I never did, from the Garden of
Eden up ,Ito date,” was the surgeon’s frank
response.

“ Well, that girl must be protected and set
free when you capture the outfit, along with
one whom she will tell you of, a man who
befriended me." ,

“All right, Bill."

“ There is one other to look after, but who
or what he is I do not know. '

“I found him hanging and brought him
round, but could learn nothing about him.

“I tell you, 'Frank,‘ that the Death Valley
is full of the weirdest mysteries of any place
it was ever my misfortune to run upon."

“ We must solve the secret, then, Bil ‘,'”
was the Surgeon Scout's earnest reply.

CH.5PTER XL.
'rns: scoqr’s REPORT.

Wrrrrou'r further adventure Buffalo Bill
arrived at the fort with Surgeon Frank
Forum“, and they went at once to report to
Colonel Merriam, the commandant of the
outpost,s1tuated so far upon the frontier
and in the midst of deadliest dan ers *

They were at once admitte and most
warmly welcomed, for Doctor Powell was
one of the most popular officers at :the post,
and his skill as a scout was so well known
that he was often allowed to divide his time
between scouting and surgery, for he had
geod assistants to leave in the medical de~
partment when he was absent. '

The mlonel had often told him that he
should have been a scout, and then added:

‘ Colonel H. 0. Merriam. row com-snafu l' ,
Logan. near Denver. Colorado. and one of the m3:
gallant onoera in the. army. _ Tu honor.

in

 

“w,  2 ,

 

 

“No, that would not have done, either;
for we would have lost one of the best nudi-
cal men and surgeons in our service.

“ Your talents are very equally divided,

V Powell."

When the two frontier pards entered the
quarters the colonel called out:

“llo, Powell, so you found Cody, did
you?”

“ N0, colonel, Cody found me, for I was
captured by Indians, and Cody rescued
me.” -

“ A turn about is fair play; but do you a

mean it?”

“Yes, sir, for I was caught asleep, having
worn myself out chasing my runaway horse.

"In the scuffle several red-skins took the
trail for the happy hunting-grounds, and so
I was destined for a roasting when the band
reached their village.

“ Bill was on his way to the fort, saw
the Indians‘ camp-fire, and thou h the were
ten in number he made an attac an stam-
peded them, rescuing me."

“ We had a close call for recapture, sir, as
another band came up, and we lost a cap-
tured pony and Buffalo Bill was wounded,
though not seriously.

“ That is all I have to report, sir, except
that God took desperate chances to rescue
me. and e deserves the greatest credit for it,
Colonel Merriam."

“ Yes, Cody has a way of taking desperate
chances.

“But, sit down, both of on, and let me
hear our report, Bufialo Bi 1." =

” bank you, colonel, but both of us are
about used up and anxious for rest, especial-
ly as Surgeon Powell was undertaken to
complete a work I left undone, and he must
leavein the mornin , sir, of course with your
permission, Colone Merriam." _

“ Well, Cody, you do look used up, so go
and rest; and you, also, Surgeon Powell. I
will hear your report at another time,” said
the colonel, quietly.

“ I have only to 88.27, sir," added Buflalo
Bill, taking a paper from his pocket and
glancing at it, " that I have here a map of
the Valle of Death. in which Ispent several
days, an Surgeon Powell has promised to
guide a troop there, if you, sir, see .fit to or-
der it, Colonel Merriam." .

Colonel Merriam and the others gazed with
amazement, first at Bufialo Bill and then at
the Surgeon Scout, at his assertion that he
had been in the Valley of Death.

“ Do you mean, Cody, that you have
dared venture upon a scout into the dread
Valley of Death?" asked Colonel Merriam,

. with intense surprise, while the adj utant and

aide-dc mmp were also lost in amazement at
the daring of Buffalo Bill, Surgeon Powell
meanwhi e
a look of admiration for his scouting rd.

“1 have been into the Death alle ,
Colonel Merriam, and here is a map I ma e
of it for Surgeon Powell’s use," was Bufialo
Bill's modest response. v

“Well, Cody, you have done what no
other man dared do,” the colonel said, im.
pressively. ,

” On t e contrary, Colonel Merriam, Sur-
geon Powell is willing to guide a troop there
at once, with your authdrity to do no, air."

" Ia thisthe case, Powell?"

"It is, colonel."

" Why do you not act as guide, Buffalo
Bill?" asked the colonel, mystified

” Well, sir, I can only state that I am unv

der'a promise not to do so." ‘

‘ “A romise?" — r '
" Yes, sir.”
“To whom?" '

 That I cannot state, sir, even to you, for .

it is a secret,” was Buflalo Bill's rejoinder.

 

- CHAPTER XLI.
UNDER ORDERS.

THAT Colonel Merriam was gmtlyannud
at ttl’lfi igeport of Buffalo Bil therewaa lb
on to . H '

In his cameras a commandant of a frontier -

fort he had heard the weirdest, strangest
stories of Death Valley. -

n beingbeyond a desert, and with no test l 

reason for sending
neVer investi
told of the v lev.

Itwas said that it was a de‘adlyspotffl'

a force there, he had

17‘

calmly surveying the scene with -

 

ted the truth of the  

 

   

 
  
  

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.   ,4, .  h

 

 

 

.
u,

‘ can detail what scouts he deems best to ac- “ I will look out for them, Bill,”.and just “ But the water?” g
~. company me.” then Captain Wade rode up and said: “Is pure and of the best.” ' 4 '
“ hen Captain Wade's troop goes, Powell, “Cody, can you give me any idea of “The climate?” :

so now name your scouts, Cod .” what we are to meet?" “ I should say was delightful, sir. " , i
“1 would suggest Allen. Huntington, sir, “I believe, sir, outlaws only, but Idid “ Your opinion is, then, that those who
 and his argued of four, for they are just the not discover enough to say just what you 5 went to the valley met a tragic end ?"
. " .men for t 8 WOW.” . - will have to encounter.” “ Yes. sir."
The adjutant wrote down the names and " What outlaws are doing in a land where “ Massacrcd by Indians?”
 Buffalo Bill continued: there is no one for them to prey upon, I can- i “ That is the question, Colonel Merriam, ..
‘ “Permit me also to suggest, colonel, that not understand,” the captain said. . but‘I saw no Indians there or in the vicin E»-
, ‘ you send four ambulances in of wagons, " Nor can I, sir. ity.” , . E:
and with casks to carry water for both men “That is one of the mysteries of Death ‘7 You saw no traces of them?" 
and animals, with a bountiful supply of gas Valle .” " Not near Death Valley, sir, grid I be .,
. visions, for the are to o, to the st “ ell, Cody, you may expect a grand have the Indians all avoid the valley as the _ a,
a country to die 0 hunger an thirst in I ever report of ,us, whether we encounter spooks, abode of evil spirits.” - j if.
~" saw.” ‘ goblinse—ves, all the dangers that haunt “That means that the emigrants met their » 5;.
' "The ad Want again made 90589. and the Death Valley by all acoounts,” said Captain fate at the hands of others than Indians?” 3
colonel as ed: Wade, with a smile and wave of the hand as “I do not assert this to be a fact, sir; but
"Why not army wagons?" he rode away to take the head of his com- I hope that Captain Wade's expedition will
. “Because, sir, the ambulances with four man . ‘ give us the truth about the weird place.”
 ~ mules cab make double the time that the Buffalo Bill felt deepest regret that he was “ I trust so.” ,
 hear; wagons can.” debarred from going, and stood by the stock- “ The fact that there are outlaws I there, '
i g "‘ on are right. ado gate gazin r after the command as it sir, bothers me, when we take it into consid-
g; g “ How long will the expedition last?” moved away nnt l a voice at his side said: oration that they have no one to kill and rob
‘ 3' , "I would at it down, sir, for all of two “It almost breaks your heart, Cody, to within days’ journe «of the valle ."
” ' ’ oaks, as t 1' stay there may be necessary see them go without 'ou.” ' “ May it notbe t eir retreat a ter having
or some days” ' “ , Turning, he behel’d Colonel Merriam by committed their lawless acts?" ,
‘ “ You think a whole troop necessary?” his side, and saluting, he responded: ‘9 But where do they operate, sir‘l'
n3. , . “ I would think so, sir. and a piece of light “ Yes, sir, it is hard to remain behind.” “ That is the question, Cody.”
“r artille as well, for they are tocomo and go “ You are not really able to go for Snr- “Then, sir, there is no trail to and from
“no 311 Indian C‘Ollntl‘)’. and the feet goon Powell said your wound h an ugly the valley.”
that urgeon Powell found rodskins so near look this m‘orning, and so must be looked to. "You noted this?” v ~
the fort, and we discovered their trails much " Report yourself on sick leave, and take “ I did, sir, for I went in a seniicircle on
nearer, would indicate that they are moving care of yourself," , the side where it could he approached, and,
V and in an ugly mood. ” ‘ “ Thank you, .311, ” , accepting the trail which thecmigrants must
‘ ,“All right, BUflllo Bill. a full troop and “ There is nothing more yo care to state ; have made in goin there. 1 saw no sign of
‘ 118‘“ Elm Wm 80: find With Wade in 00m- about your experience in th Valley, any that had been at.er traveled." .
mud and .Surgoon Powell'ss guide, I :1. 7” " And to the north?”
1, ready predict perfect Success 01' the ex- '1‘ e scout was silent for a moment, and '_‘ T’sere are mountains there through which
. ' ition. ' then he saw that Colonel Merriam felt that . no trail could be made, sir.” ‘
* .,,_ ,_ ,“ Adjutant, notify Captain Wilde of the there was much more that he could tell if he . ‘ The more you say of the Death Valley,
 duty before him, and Lieutenant FentOn to wished to do so. i , Cod . the more on mystify; me.”
‘ o with a gun, all to be ready to start at “ Yes, colonel, now that the command has 5 ” on are rig t, sir, for t e more mystified
, Wn tomorrow,” and a [or s few minutes gone I will tell you just what happened to i 1am.” _ ,
t“, more of convorsstion with aflalo Bill upon me in the Valley of Death, though I-must “ You are sure there are dwellers there?"
  subject, Colonel Merriam bade the two ask a fiver of on in return.” ‘° I am, sir." ,v '
"‘Grd  ." " “ You w them?” i _ “

 

 

  

human beings to yenture into, as vapors
arose from the ground that Were poisonous,
and others reported the waters there to be
also of a poisonous nature.

Then the stories of the emigrants who had
met death there either by being massacred
by Indians or destroyed by the vapors 'aris-
ing in the valley, With the wild legends of
trappel's and hunters of the region being
haunted, and all such nonsense, had giVen to
Death Valley a very appropriate name and
caused it to be” universally shunned by all.

To learn, then, that Buffalo Bill hm dared
to 'go there, was naturally a great surprise to
the officers who heard him say so.

V But that he had gone not for an instant
was doubted. v
' “ Well, Cody, you have really been to the
. Valley of Death?” said Colonel Merriam,
with surprise, after a moment of silence.

“ I have, sir." ,

“ And came back alive," and the colonel
smiled.

“ I am alive, sir, but- it was by the merest
chance that I did return." -

“ And you do not care to return?” , '

“I would be delighted to do so, colonel,
but I am under a promise not to do so, and
to one who is the cause of my being here
now instead of lying dead in the valley.

‘ “I made the promise, sir, for a stated

. time, and as I feardhere will be nothin ' to
discover if I wait until then to 0 etc
again, I have asked Surgeon Powel to take
my map of the place and follow my direc-
tions, sothat he can guide a troop there at
once."

“Then there is reason for a troop to be

sent there?"

.“ I think so, sir.” ,
‘89": You will not explain what the reason
7 “ I cannot, sir, being tied. as it were, by
my promise; but if a troop is sent there I
am sure that you will be satisfied with the

 .. result, and the mysteryl of the Death Valley

rwill no Ion er be a hi on dread to all."

“All rig t, Cody, I shall be' most happ

‘ i I to avail myself of Surgeon Powell's valuab e

 

services again as a scout, and he is at liberty
to select the troop and scouts he cares to
have accompany him. ”

“ I thank you, Colonel Merriam, and I will
ask for Colonel Wade’s troop, while Cody

. tIgniting pardS‘ geod-night and they retired

their Quarters for muchanpeded rest.

 

 

 

CHAPTER XLII.
OFF ON THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL.

THE Surgeon Scout‘was .well rested by
his night in his own quarters, and reported
on herselka to Captain Wade who had his
troops ready by dawn for the start.

A gun and a dozen artillerymen under
Lieutenant Fenton were also read , and Al
Huntington and his four scouts hat reported
for duty at an early hour.

Buffalo Bill had breakfasted with Surgeon
Powell and then the two had again gone
overall of the particulars which the scout
had Iotted down for the use of his friend.

“ icmcmber Frank," the scout had said,
“you must be sure and fill every canteen
and barrel with water, when you cross the
stream where the Indians had you a pri-
soner, for both men and horses will sadly
need it.

“ Approach the valley by night and camp
near the pass where you are to enter, and
which I have marked.

“ From there you can send a force of half
a dozen soldiers with a scout, to each one of
the passes, and leave your ambulance and
gun under a guard at the main entrance to
the valley.

“ W'hen dawn comes, lead Ca tain Wade
and his attacking forCe at a swi t pace into
the valle , following the trails I have mark-
ed, and hen act as you deem best, for it is
there that you will have to face the foes you
find there.

“ If you need aid your squads at the
passes, with the gun, can easily be brought
up, but I have no thought tmt there are
over thirty-five or forty men in the valley,
and Captain Wade’s troop numbers seventy,
not counting. Lieutenant Fenton and his
dozen men and Al Huntington and his four
scouts.” ,

“Yes, our force numbers ninety-three
men all told, Bill. so have no fear of our
being worsted if we meet double our number
in the Valley, or in red-skins,” said the
Sur reon Scout. .

“ only wish I could be along, but under
the pledge I made, I am ruled out.

“ But uck to you, and remember, I hope
for 'our speedy return, and that no harm
“gill efall those whom I have spoken to you
0 'n

 

 

.. M, ‘ ‘
‘lnil; lit. Myyou do not speak of it to‘

  
 
 

 

  
 

 , ' - O
at," Wig-mg» .. K , . g , f  ~. . ’
“7...,  . «AW. 455’?" n a» \‘ 'ngi, 4x“ “7.3.; ? ‘ 

any one, for should this expedition fail of
results, it is my intention, when the time of
a pied e I lllllt c is run out, to go again to
Death Valley and solve its mysteries.”

“ For that reason you said no more than
you did?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“Well, you can trust in me, Cody, not to
speak of what you tell me,” and the colonel
led the way toward his own quarters to hear
the scout's story.

 

CHAPTER XLIII.
rm; sronr TOLD.

VVIIEN Colonel Merriam reached his quar-
ters with Buil‘alo Bill be said:

“ Sit down, Cody, and let me hear your
story, for something tells me it is an inter-
esting one."

“ I think so, colonel, and you shall be the
judge.”

“ Vhat put you in the idea of going there
to Death Valley?"

“ The many wonderful stories I have
heard of the valley, sir.”

“ Yes, according to report, though it is a
term incognito, it ms the name of being at
\Vondcrland of' Myster V.”

“ I had heard scouts, troopers, hunters
and even Indians tell of the valle , sir, and
there is no doubt but that seven: emigrant
trains that pushed that far’ into the wilds
were never heard of more; but the graves I
saw there show that they met the fate it is
reported theydii .”

“ You saw graves there then ?"

“ Yes, sir, in one yalleya number of them,
and from close observation I would say
that there are others there that I did not;

)e'il

“This would imply that the trains of emi--
grants reached the valley ‘2”

“ Yes, sir, and did not perish upon the do»
scrt as supposed."

“ But died of hunger after reaching there?”

“I do not think so, colonel." .

“ Ah! what then?”

“ In that valley, sir, is game in abundance,
and of all kinds.

“ There are some buflalo, elk, antelope,
deer and smaller game, with wild turkeys
and ducks, so tney could not starve.”

“I was eir prisoner,  I

 

 

 

 

I‘,,'r:vr w. 

 

 

  
  

  

i
if
f.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Outlaws?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“ How did you know this ?”

i “ From what I saw, heard and imagined,
8 l'.
“ I was very careful to study all that I
Gould, and you shall be, the judge, Colonel
Merriam, when you hear what happened
to me, if the stories about Death Valley
have not considerable truth for their founda-
tion.

“I saw enough to mystify me, yet I
determined to learn more, but being hedged
in by my pledge, I was forccd to ask Sur-
geon Powell to go there as guide.

“ If he fails to find out what the mystery
is, with the aid of Captain Wade and his
men, then I will await my limit and go with
Doctor Powell and discover all there is to
know in Death Valley, for I believe we two
can do much together and I onl wish I had
had him with me when I went t ere.

':’Now, sir, I’ll tell you all that happen-

:And Buffalo Bill made known to Colonel
Merriam his strange experience in the
Valley of Death.

 

CHAPTER XLIV.
'rnn mssmo orrrcna.

IT was with the deepest interest that
Buffalo Bill’s story of his scouting in the
Valley of Death was listened to by Colonel
Memani.

The scout told his adventure then ina
modest way natural to him, and the Colonel
felt that every word he uttered was perfect.
ly true.

At last he said:

“Cody, I am more mystified than you
are, about those stran e ha penings in a
valieiy we all deemed un nhab ted.

“ am very lad that Surgeon Powell has
gone to guide ptain Wade there, and trust

may come of it, for we must know
who those dwellers there are. "

“ Yes, sir, and I believe the surgeon and

i Captain Wade will find out."

“ You cannot guess who the man was whom
you befriended t?"

“ No, sir, though I did feel that somewhere
I had seen him before."

" lie was an educated man 7”

“Yes, sir."

“ And would not state why he had been
han ed 7”

“ Jo. sir, he aVe no reasons.”

" But mysteriously disappeared when you.

left‘him in the canyon f"

“ Yes, sir."

“Taken away by his old foes, I sup-
pose ?"

“ No, sir, it did not strike me that he had
been.”

“ Then he was not paralyzed as you sup-
posed l”

“ He was suffer-in , sir, I am sure; but if
he left the canyon 0 ‘his own accord he fit
better ve soon after my departure, or e
was feign ng to be much worse than he was
in order to give me the slip.” ‘o

"But where could he go?" ‘

“ I do not know." ‘ >

’" He had no weapons and no provisions?"

“ “He had the revolver I left With him, and
the foor ."

“ It is remarkable indeed.

as But, (Jodyyy

“ Yes. sir.‘ .

“ Let me tell you a story of an affair that
happened some time ago, and which comes
back tome now merely from the fact that
you speak of ’the fate of the wagon-trains
that enetrnted to the Death Valley."

“ es, colonel, I shall be glad to hear the

sto 
‘g’ou say that this outlaw chief was a

.gentlcmanly fellow ?"

“ Yes, sir, a man' of striking appearance,
splendidly formed. with a courtly manner,
yet a vilhin throughout I felt certain.” ‘

“,Therc was another known as Talbot, you
say I,

“ They called him Captain Talbot, sir,
{ind he wasa lieutenant to the chief, I take
t."

“ Well,:l wish to tell you that which on
may have heard of. about Psymastcr Ts bot

'l‘urpn. .
“ have heard that a paymsster by that

 

name, sir, was held up by road-agents, killed '

and robbed of a large sum of Government
money, when he was on his way to pay the
troops."

“ Well, Cody, the truth is, Paymaster Tal-
bot Turpin was not killed.” -

“Not killed, sir?” asked the scout, with
surprise. ’

“ No."

“ It is so believed, sir.”

“ By all but a few, yes."

“lie was robbed by road-agents, it was
said. offorty thousand dollars.”

“ No, he was not robbed, the few who
know sa ', but he robbed himself.”

“ Rob )ed himself, sir?”

“The story is, Buffalo Bill, that bewas
out in his accounts a thousand or two, and
arranged a plot by which he would be held
up and robbed on the way.”

“ Yes. sir."

“He, hired three men to do the holding
u , and he was to have it pass off without
b oodshed.

“But they killed the driver and a guard,
and then demanded that he turn over the
whole of the money to them, or they would
inform on him at headquarters.

" In despair he at once went with them,
sharing the money he had belonging to the
GOVernment, and it was reported that he
also was killed, and his body, with the
others, thrown into the river.

“Such is the story, Buffalo Bill, though I
never beii‘oved that Turpin had gone wrong;
but now it is known. as I said, by a very
few, that he was recognized as one of a
band of road-agents—in fact was their chief
—and his field of operations was down on
the Overland Trails, so when you spoke of
the man who captured you‘in, Death Valley
being called Captain Talbot, I at once con-
nected him with the fugitive paymaster.”

“ It may be, sir.”

“ Talbot was the paymaster’s Christian
name, and his rank was that of captain.”

d “What kind of a looking man was he,

r?'7 I
The colonel described him, and Bufialo
Bill said earnestly: '

“ That outlaw Talbot, colonel, is the
missing paymaster, then."

 

Qumran va.
WAITING.

COLONEL Munro/m was seemingly greatly
distreshod at the belief that the paymaster
was really the outlaw whom Buffalo Bill
knew as “ Captain Talbot." ‘

He had never allowed himself to believe
in thouguilt of the officer, feeling sure that
be h really been killed and robbed, and
that the rumor of his joining the road-agents
had been false. -

How that story had originated no one
seemed to know. ‘

It had been told among the military "camps
that PaymasterTurpin was short of his ac-
counts. ‘

Then, from the same mysterious source
had sprung the story of the holding up of
the coach and the killing of Turpin, the
driver and the uard.

This had been folloWed by the re that
a soldier had seen Paymaster Turp n, and a
scout who had been taken prisoner by road-
agents had said that Captain Turpin was the
chief of the outlaws. '

He had told his outlaw guard that he
recognized the paymaster in the chief, and
he had said that Captain Turpin had joined
the roadvagcnts and had shared the Govern-
ment money with the band.

This storye could never be traced, but
still it was, lieved by many, and thus the
dishonor was written against the paymen-
ter’s name. ,.

When the scout told Colonel Merriam
that the descri tion of “ Captain Talbot.”
the outlaw o r, was strangely like that
of the 'paymaster. Talbot Turpin. and the
similarity of names was taken into con-
srderation, Colonel Merriam felt that the
rumor of the officer's dishonor could no
longerbe doubted. and it was a blow to him,
for he had.grcatly admired the young cap-
tain and ho for a bright future for him,

as his frien was only acting tempors in
the pay department, but was walk a £3.11:
of cavalry. / . ‘ ‘ ,

“I hope it may not prove to be your
friend, colonel, for it would be better that he
really had been killed, than to be shown so
dishonorable,” Buffalo Bill said, when he
saw how the colonel felt (n'er the affair.

“ By far, Cody, b ' far had he better have:
been killed than so ( ishonored.

“But we will know upon the return of
W'ade and his party, as they will doubtless:
bring in all of these mysterious dWellers in.
the Valley of Death.” ,

“Yes, sir; but I still cannot understand
why Captain Talbot, if the paymaster,‘ as a.
road-agent can be hiding in the Death Val~
lc 

“Nor can I, and from your account they‘
are a cruel, merciless lot of villains.”

“They certainly are, sir." answered Buf-
falo Bill, and soon after he went to his quar-
ters. deeply impressed with what he had:

d

ear .

He. recalled Talbot, the outlaw, as well as
he could, and felt sure that he was a wretelr
without mercy, and as cruel as a'panther.

He recalled the masked chief, the men who
had captured him, and those who had been
met, though not seen by him on account of
his having been blindfolded.

The beautiful face of the young girl he
remembered with pleasure, and her being in
the midst of a band of outlaws and having
influence over them, but added the more to
the complication of all happenings in the
Death Valley. '

Who had been the one that had allowed
him to be set free upon the supposed taking

peated after him?

He could not imagine who that man was,
and there was the man whom he had rescued.
from dying at the end of the rope who
was a greater mystery than all.

The more Buffalo Bill pondered over mat--
tore the more anxious he was to learn the re
sult of Captain Wade’s expedition, and he
ion to have the party return. '

e feared that in some way harm might.
befall the young girl in the outlaw camp,
and the man who had also befriended him,
though be trusted to Surgeon Powell to look
after them.

“Well, Ishall be anxious until the re~
turn of the party, and then, if they have.
not solved the mystery, why Frank
Powell and myself must do so," muttered
the scout. - .

And with this decision Buffalo Bill was
wmpelled to rest content.

 

- CHAPTER XLVI.
'rnn snancn.

, Tun expedition to Death Valley was led
by the Surgeon Scout.unerringly, and by
rapid marches until the desert ands were
reached, and then shalt was made for a.
i night and of a dc for rest and to pre—
;pare for t e long an arduous pull across
thetreeless, waterless plains. , x V
The water easks were filled at the last.
: moment before starting, alon with the can:
teens, the horses were allow to drink their
éiill and the march was taken up across the.
‘ arid, hot and parched desert.
I At night, as at noon, it would have been
a dry camp. and tireless, but for the water-
bronght' along and the wood for camp
fl

 

res 7
As .it was, wood and water were used

mornin was made bright and early and,
with a gwill, though all realized  a" fluid.
day they had before them.

The noonday camigowas not made as
usual, the Six eon ut thinking it- 
to push on unti late in the afternoon when:
they would have 46
and then make a rapid ride to Death Valley
ifor a ni ht encampment, for then they
‘ would find grass. wood and water, and early

 

the next morning could sweep rapidly,
through the dreaded and fatal vain that hadf

been so eimnncd bv all.

When the first shadows of‘nifht began to ‘

fall. Surgeon Powell, with A Huntington.

and his scouts, started for the Valley. the: . '1
commandmfrmow atsslower" cc. . . ‘ 
Warnedb sllthat Buflalo. ill had in“ 

him, and fo owing the scout’s dime“! so

the letter, Surgeon Powell went straight m, g. Q

of the oath the girl, not the’ scout, had re»

 

aparingly, but there was no murmur among , ,
the gallant soldiers, and the start the  '

camp until nightfth 3

 

a

  

   
 

\ln
4.

 some distance on ahead, sccom anied by t

5

 service when needed at any point.

was 

[41.

 

 

ward the pass which was the main entrance
into Death Valley.

It was the one which Buffalo Bill had en-
tered by, and where at that time there had
been no guard stationed.

When they neared the ascent of the hill,
the Surgeon Scout dismounted with Allen 1

Huntington, and the two went forward on
foot, leaving the scouts to follow some dis-
tance behind with their horses.

They crept up the hill without the slight-
‘cst sound and at last reached the pass.

Their desire was to come upon the camp
of the outlaw guards and surprise and cap-
ture them.

But they reached the pass and saw no
one.

They made a search about the trail through
the cliffs, but found not a sign of a guard.

Then the five scouts came up with the
horses and the search was made a most thor-
ough one, but without any discovery.

“They have withdrawn their guards, that
is certain,” said the sur eon.

“ Yes, doctor, they as, for there hain’t
none here, nor near here, either," was Al
Huntington's response.

Frank Powell then sent a man back to
'brin on the command while he went with
Al untington down‘into the valley to find
Viihcamping-place, the other scouts waiting at

e pass. .

A half mile down the valley a splendid
camp-ground was found upon the banks of
.a stream where there was wood in lenty,
the clearest of water and a meadow o juicy
grass.

A fire was .not built, however, as the
:searchers wished to keep as quiet as possible,
but, the command coming u , the horses
were turned loose and surroun ed bya guard
'to revent strayin , while the thirst men
an animals revel in the drinks 0
water from the stream.

Then the animals ran for the meadow and
were soon cro ping the long grass that grew
there in abun ance.

The men ate a cold supper, blankets were
a read, and, the sentinels being posted, all
t e rest lay down to get the rest they greatly

V :ne ded.

There was considerable anxiety shown by
"the men at their being in the Valley of Death,
and a su rstitious dread filled the heart of
:many o the soldiers, after all the stories
1h? had heard of the place.

at the morning dawned brightly, the sun
'pecr'ed over the mountain-tops, and a scene
of rare beauty met eve eye.
. It was like a beautifu mirage, so common
in that country, with the ranges of mount-
ains, the lovely valley, trees, green, grass,
flowing streams, and al around a most tempt.

. A .ingscene. -

at a cold breakfalst whs eaten, as they
udld not wish to betray their presence by the
smoke of a fire. and then the search was be-
gun for the mysterious dwellers in Death

alley.

 

CHAPTER XLvn.
IN VAIN.
Faun POWELL recalled that Buffalo Bill

" had been blindfolded after bein made a pris-

onew the outlaWs, so he cou only guess
.at ities and directions he had gone over
under the guidance of his foes. - .

His map was thorough. as far as it went,
and the Sur eon Scout recognised its bear-
 as he g aneed about him in the valley.

' ‘ This is the very spot where Buflalo Bill
found that man hanging," he said, consult-

5‘ in his map and directions.

, command had been refreshed and
"rested 1) their halt in the valley after the
ion and" severe pull across the desert, and

 were read for the start.

Captain W consulted with Surgeon
Powell and Lieutenant Fenton, and it was

'decided that their officer guide should go
o
scouts, and the tivo cavalry ieutenants of

j the troop should have squads ‘of flankers,
shaping along with the command on either

The mainfforce. under Captain Wade.

 with the artillery and ambulances, should

a the center of the valley, ready for
So the start was made, and with ample

pure

time ahead, Surgeon Powell, following the
map trails, went to the canyon where was
the old burying-ground, and which had
been the camping-place of Buffalo Bill and
the unknown whom he had rescued from
hanging.

A short. search was made and the two
camp-fires seen, then the graves, but nothing
else.

Pushing on ahead, the scouts moved
along the valley slowly, examining the can
yous, vales, and timber as they marched,
but without sceing anything that looked
suspicious.

Game in plenty was seen, and the men
were greatly tempted to kill some, but were
prievmted by the stern discipline ruling over
al .

The cliff where Buffalo Bill had been in
ambush, and where he had captured Talbot,
was passed, and beyond was the hill which
the Girl Guide had climbed to the bridge.

Up the hill went the Surgeon Scout, but
there was the unspanned chasm, for the
bridge had gone.

His well-trained eye saw traces of human
resence there in the past, but that was all,
or no one was visible anywhere.

Back to the valley he went again, and the
corral was before him, or rather where the
corral had been, for the snake fence had
been removed, and the spot looked only like
the assemblingqilaee of buffalo or deer.

It was noon now, but the command would
not halt. .

.They must push on and see what was to
be found in the valley. ,

The truthfulness of Buffalo Bill's map
was constantly revealed, though the re-
moval of the corral. which he had marked
as made of poles and a few acres in size, was
a surprise to the Surgeon Scout.

“ But for Bill’s map we, might have gone
thus far and never suspected that there was
other than ame in this valley,” said Frank
Powell, to aptain Wade.

“ That is so, Powell.

“What does it mean?" asked the captain.

“ It means that these who dwell here have
expected visitors and prepared for it, by
trying ’ to have the valley appear unin-
habited." I

“ Well, if there are any people in the val-
ley we must find them."

“ We must, sir,” was Frank Powell’s firm
rejoinder. _

So on the pushed .once more until the
valley sprear off into half, a dozen smaller
and pretty parks, or Vales.

There were hills, heavy timber lands,
crystal streams, cataracts falling over rocky
era 3 and everywhere scenes of beauty.

‘0 command went into camp here, and
up each one of the live little val eys a squad
0 cavalry was dispatched.

It was night when the returned. and not
one of the officers in c arge could report
making any discovery.

n a lonely camping-place the command

ssed the night. and early the next morn-
ng the force was divided and again invaded
the small valleys. '

But with the night they returned to make
the same report: . ,

“ There is not a human being or sign of
habitation in the valley.

But unwillin to give up, Surgeon Powell
ur ed Captain Q’Vadc to remain until ever
inc of. the valley could be explored, if t
took a month to do the work.

I
.u—

CHAPTER XLVIII.
wanna mm CALLED.

“ WELL. Cody, what do you think of the
long sta of Wade’s command ‘l"

80 as ed Colonel Merriam one morning
When the third week was going by and no
tidings had come in of the party sent out
under the guidance of Frank Powell to reach
the Valle of Death. '

“Cand dl , Colonel Merriam, I am be
coming anxious about them," was the seout‘s

rele:
“ hen I had better send a force out to
look them up?" ,

“No, colonel, not yet, ‘for the trip is a
long and (lager-nus one, and they may. have
been detai in the valley from various

 

   
 

reasons. . . . .
   Wade is a most able

 

 

commander and you know what Surgeon
Powell is, while the force is too large to be
OVerwhelmed by Indians.”

“I think you are right, Cody, yet I am
anxious at their overstay of time.”

“ l f they do not come in by to-morrow, sir,
I will take their trail."

“ Are you able to do so, for you have had
a hard time with your wound?”

. “Oh, yes, sir, it is not painful now and I
am all right. "

“ Well, on can go, if they do not send us
some won by tomorrow night.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“ And if you do not put in an appearance
in a few days I shall march at the head of
my whole command to Death Valley," the
colonel said.

“ I will hardly dare go into the valley,
after my promise, unless I am sure, sir, that
Captain Wade has captured dwellers there;
but I can find out enough to relieve your
anxiety.” I ‘

“Yes, for I am really anxious, and (you-
eel

see how the men and people at the fort

for they are as superstitious as they can be .

about the mysterious spot.”

“ Yes, sir, in spite of the advance of en-
lightenment people will still be governed by
superstition. "

“It is the fault of our early training,
Cod , for we were taught too much about
{nfyt s and too little regarding the realities of

l e."

The time passed away and no word came
from the missing comm d, so Buffalo Bill
reported to Colonel Merriam the next night

for orders to start upon the trail the follow- 

ing morning.

The scout’s wound had been more serious
than at first believed, and he had been so
weakened by loss of blood that he had quite
a siege of it in the hospital.

But he had rallied and was quickly gain-
ing his former strength.

“Well, Cod , I suppose you must go?"
said Colonel erriam when the scout made
his a pearance at headquarters. ~

' “. have made all arrangements to do so,
sir.’

“ You will take some one with you of
course?" '

“No, sir, I prefer to go alone. ” g

"I fear you are not yet quite equal to it."

“ Oh, yes, sir, I am as good as ever again,
and I would. refer to 0 alone, for you know
the comman will be ound at the other end.
of my trail." . ,

“ Yes, and I only hope you will find them

all right."

“ I do not fear otherwise, sir."

“ Well, should they come back by a differ.
ent trail than the one they went, I will send
a scout to recall you.” r

" Thank you, sir. ” l '

” You start at dawn?” . _

“ Yes, sir.“ .

“Then good-by, and good luck to you,”
and the colonel extended is hand, which the
gallant scout warmly graSped, for he had a
warm regard and admiration for his com-
mandant. ‘

Going to his quarters Buffalo Bill made
the most careful preparations for his trip.

He had' discovered just what, the desert
was: and was going to prepare accord‘

in l .

grhat he was anxious about the command’s
safety was certain, though he had not
shown as much to Colonel Merriam, while
in reality he was hardly able to stand the
hardships of the trail in spite of his as-
sertion to the contrary.

But Buffalo Bill was not the man to
think of himself where dut or fricndshi
was concerned, and he ha
mind to find Captain Wade’s command, if he
had to go again into Death Valley.

His promise he would .bauk when he
knew that the livesiof hi1s comrades might
de ndu nhisactonssone.

Sires ving, Buffalo Bill rode out f the
{on a: daybreak, once more on the tra that
led to the Valley of Death.

CHAPTER XLIX.

 sans a'r Lose amen.

Bmsno BILL had prepared for his

trail by tskin £31133!!! a ck-htgrse. _ he
The . 35 e 0”?

rode, and carried hlsfi) ets, proviyions,

  
  

   

made up a.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“may... “ ~ ' s. .

 

  
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

' w

» ts - ..-.i. 3" .‘ » . «-

 

 

 

and two small water-casks. a bag of grain,
with ammunition and all else that he
could take off of the weight of his riding
horse. ‘

“We won't starve, and I guess we will
have a drink or two of water in crossing the
desert, old fellows.” said the scout to his
horses, who seemed to understand that he
was looking after their comfort as well as
his own.

The scout struck at once into the trail
of the Wade command and pushed along at
asteady gait that would carry him many
miles between sunrise and sunset.

He had not filled his casks and canteens,
as there would be no need of carrying the
extra weight through the part of the country
where there were streams.

When he came to the last stream before
entering the desert land he would fill casks
and canteens. ‘

He had put behind him fifty miles when
he camped for the night, and he knew at the
rate he was traveling the next afternOOn
would bring him into the desert country.

His camp was a safe one, and with good
water and grass at hand he built his tire and
en'oyed his supper. ‘

c was very tired, bein still weakened
by his Wound, and soon sun to sleep.

He was awakened b a low snort of his
horse, and it was just awu.

Quickly he was on his feet, and to his ears
came the sound of muffledcead.

Was its herd of buffaloes upon the move?

Was it the command returning and .march-
ingvby night?

as it a band of red-skins 0n the war-
path?

These questions he could not answer until
able to see down into the valley half a mile
away, for he was encamped upon a hill.

He stepped quickly to where his horses
were staked out and bridled and saddled
them, got his traps together and was ready
to move. ‘

Then .the dawn grew biz-lighter and he saw
whathadcauseds eson . _

Far away in the distance was the stream
which the militar command had crossed in
going to Death alley, and where it must
recross or go far out of its way in returning.

The ford was a narrow one, there were
high hills upon this side of the stream, and
the desert region beyond.

There was heavy timber upon this side,
and the stream was wide and a couple of
feet deep. ~ -

It was the very spot for an ambush and
toward it was marchin a long file of horse-
men. They were In in braves, and the
line was stretched out for miles. .

The line curved around the hill, then ex-
tended back over the prairie and the end of
it was far up the stream.

The horses of the Indians moved along
as though they were jaded by a hard ride

Builzlo Bill was amazed and he carefully
took in the situation, while he ran his eyes
rapidl over the numbers. .

“ T ey are on the war- ath and there are

r half a thousand of them i there is one.

“ Yes, I think I understand their game.

“They have discovered Captain Wade’s
command upon the return‘march and they
have flanked miles around to get ahead of
him and lie in ambush at yonder ford.

“Of course, even Powell will not expect a
band of red-skins between them and the
fort, and they will run right into the trap

“Caught thus, and with such a force
against them,.of five to one, the soldiers may
get into a panic and the result will be a
massacre.

“Yes, they are makin straight for the
ford, and they will camp 51ers, sending their
ponies down the Stu-am out of sight.

“This looks very, very serious, and I
hardly see how I can be of much service
from my present position. . -

“ Let me think. ’

The scout sat. down and began to think,
his face Very stern, and with an anxious
look in his eyes.

He was safe himself, even if some curious
red-skin took a notion to climb the hill, for
he could seek safety in flight.

But the late, that might befall hiseomrades
troubled him greatly.

Suddenly he sprun
his lips came. the wor :

“I will do it!"

to his feet and from

 

CHAPTER L.
‘ THE DUMB MESSENGER.

IN the few moments which he had devoted
to thinking what he could do, to save the
command of Captain Wade from falling into
the ambush,Bufialo Bill had hit upon a plan.

He took out a pencil and piece of paper
and wrote as follows:

9
“ 00an unnum—

“81a:—I have to report that I made Blue Top
Range the first day out, and awakened by my horse
at daybreak this morning, I saw a band 01 mounted
wamors upon the march.

'1 heir horses were jaded. and they were stretched
out in Indian file for several miles, their line form-
iélg the half of a circle as they moved toward Lent

rossing.

” The scouts at the fort will explain to you that
this Last Crossing is the very place for an ambush
from this side, and a party coming from the other.

“ As I write they are dhmountiug and their
ponies are being sent down the stream to a hiding-
place, the dismountlng braves remaining in camp
at the ford.

" This can only mean an attack upon Os tain
Wade whose return they are” aware of and here
fore wait to ambush him.

“ It the command have seen the Indians they
may be on their guard, the h the chances are that
they will not expect to find on between them and

the fort. .

“I send this by m faithful horse scout and I
know he will 5: wit all speed to the fort,nnd I
would suggest at you send a couple of troops“
caval by a forced march to this point to hem
the re skins in, while I shall start at once toflank
the lord, cross the stream at some trail aboveand
thus reach Captain Wade and won him.

"i wi I. ask him to delay until your force has time
to get/here. and then to approach the lord as
though unaus of danger, and open with hi
piece'of ma ry, ollov ng with a chargthul
attirprisinz where thelndians expect to surprise

m.

“ We can thus drive them in a panic, and it your
force cgmgrupinthe rear a severe lesson on be

won . .
g “I will seek to delay the command so outcomes
the ford tomorrow, and it my dumb messenger gets
to the tort early, the cav can reach this spot be-
fore daybreak. ‘lth respect
. 9‘ Burma fins.
“ Chis] if Scouts."

This note .was fastened securely to the brl.
die of the pack-horse, and the reins fastened
up so that he could not get his head down to
eat grass on the way.

. He was allowed to carry nothing else, so
that he could make good time. _‘ '

The pack-saddle was then cachtd, with
all extra weight that Buffalo Bill could re-
lieve his own horse of, and then the scout
started down the hill to the Valley.

At the stream there the two horses were
watered, the rein of the dumb messenger
was tied to the circingle to keep his head up,
and after being led to the trail by which
they had come the scout said:

" Now, Scout, do your duty, for much de-
pends upon you.

“ That is our way and you are to get

there in g time.
“ To the fort, sirl
“ Go!”

The intelligent animal appeared to under-
stand what was said, ced at his master,
looked about him, esltated a moment
and trotted away.

“ Go, sir, go!"

At the command ,he started ofl' at a gallop
and as far as the scout could see him he was
keeping up the pace,‘stcadily following the
trail back to the fort.

“Now it is your time, Banjo, and on
have even harder work to do,” said Bu alo
Bill, and he threw himself into the saddle

and started off at a gallop.

The hills hid him from the view of the
red-skins, and he kept along until at last he
struck the trail made by the braves on the
march.

They had- all passed, but the scout Was
ready for a sur rise, should anyvoccur.

It was a ri e of ten miles to the spot
where he reached the ford, and an ugly one
it was.

But he urged his horse. down theysteep
path into the riVer, crossed to the other
Side, and then rubbed the. animal dry,
which also gave him a rest after his hard
gallop.

Knowing that hewas out of sight of the
lndluns on the hills at the. ford, the scout
s1 rut-k oil across the barren plain as straight
as a bird flies.

if he was fortunate. he would head the
command oil before they got within twenty
miles of the ford, but to do this he inight
have to ride thirty miles in n lope. ‘

lint his horse was nothing to him if he

' human bein

 

could ain his object and the animal was
push along at a swift and steady gait.

Hour after hour seed, and, excepting
short rests now and t en. the horse was kept
steadily on.

The water in his canteens Buffalo Bill gave
to his horse from time to time, though he
knew it would leave him upon the desert
without any. '

If his horse failed him, it would leave him
alone upon the desert, on foot and without
food or water. _

But this did not trouble the brave scout,
so long as his comrades might be saved by
self-sacrifice upon his part. I

 

CHAPTER LI.
IN rum.

Noon came and passed, but there was no
noonday halt, nor food for the scout or his
horse.

Afar off on his right were the mountains,
and this side of him wasa low range of hills, ,
marking the other shore of the river. ‘

There, at a gap in the hills, the scout.
knew there were half a thousand red-skins
lying in ambush.

Far ahead rose the blue ran that marked
the environs of the Death Val ey.

Before him, mile after mile, stretched the.
rugged,“ barren desert, and his eyes were
riveted upon a dark mass visible a couple/(f
leagues away.

“ It is the command. '
"The have halted to noon," said Bum
Bill, on a smile of grim satisfaction M.

his face. ,

He was glad to feel that he had found
them, and more to know that no harm had
thus far befallen them.

It was three o’clock in the afternoon when.
the whole command saw the scout coming.

“ It is Buffalo Bill,” cried Surgeon Frank
Powell, and every e was riveted upon
him, as his panting rse drew neareund
nee

rer.

" They have had no great trouble, for I.
see the nu and the ambulances,” muttered
Buffalo '11 as he drew nearer. '

" But I see no prisoners,” he added a mo~
ment after.

“Come, old horse, you have done your
work well, so need drive yourself no more,”
and a moment after he drew rein before
Captain Wade and Surgeon Powell who had
ridden forward to meet him.

“ Ho, Cody, glad'to see you.

“ Anythin wrong at the fort?” asked
Captain Wa e.

“ No, sir, but Colonel Merriam was anxious
at your long delay, so I came out to look
you n ." .

“ We are all right, but we have not seen u.
out of our own command, since.
we left the ort.”

“You have not, sir?" asked Buifalo Bill;
with surprise.

“ Not one.”

“Not even an Indian, sir?"

“ N0.”

“ Then there is a chance for you to see five
hundred of them tomorrow, sir.”

“ Ah! where are they ?”

" ying in ambush. sir, at Last,Crossing ., 

Ford. ’

" B J itcr, but this is news, and we are.
induc to headed off by you, Cody.” «

“ I discovered them at daylight, sir, by!
my horse awakening me, and the force is fl‘ve.
hundred, if not more. .  , "

“ They have seen you without doubtyfcr.
they had ridden hard through the night to get. '
to the ford and head you 01!.” , I ‘ ‘

“ And you came to warn us?”

" I sent a note to Colonel Merriam-u”

“ How?" - ‘

” By my pack-horse, sir."

“ Will he golo the fort?” I

“ Straight, sir, and i believe is already
there.” .

“ Was it Scout, Bill?"

" Yes, Surgeon Powell.”

" Then he is as sure as death.‘ 

“Colonel Merriam will get tlw note,” was
the confident reply of the'Snrgeon Scout.

" I told the colonel I was going to warn
you, and suggested that he send a couple oi" 
troops of mvalry to Blue Top to get in the -
rear of the ambushed lndians so as to hem
them in, and if thty ride rapidly they can be '
in position before aybreak tomorrow.” 

 

 

 

 

1.1,

 

  
  

rcaval

,"I‘op Range by midnight if possible.

‘4‘,,.‘_. 1-1443“: 9/ .3, 1a.; - -

anméew . r." .—. Hum. ... » 'vzyz  .. .u... » .,........ . . -. .. .e..

,w... . .-4., ...... .-- .._.

 

“You are every inch a soldier, Bill, and
ought to be a commander.”

“Thank you, Captain Wade.

“ But I saw the chances of hemming the
Indians in, as you, who knew the were in
ambush, could pretend not to ( 0 so. ap-
proach the river, and open with your gun,
following with a charge.

“ Their horses are over a mile away, they
will be stampeded and run for their ponies,
and you can cross, while if a force comes up
from the fort you have them between two
fires.”

“ You suggested this to Colonel Merriam,
Bill?”

“ Yes. sir.”

“ Good! '

“ Then the red-skins will be surprised in-
:stead of ourselves, though we owe our safety

\ to you.”

“ Yes, they would have wiped us out if
they are that strong.
“You are always the right man in the
:rlglhl: place, Bill,” added Surgeon {’owell.
en he added'

“ But you look really ill.”

“ I have been in the hospital for two weeks
with that wound, doctor.” ‘

“ That is bad; but you can rest now.”

" Then we had better go slow, Bill, in ap-

proaching the ford.”

“ Yes, captain, camp on the plain in light

‘ of the red-skins, as though our horses were

broken down and you coul get no further.
” You can camp ten miles from the ford

and move slowly on after midni ht to get

there early in the morning,”'advi the scout.

 

CHAPTER LII.
TBUE A3 STEEL.

< ' COLONEL MERRIAM was more anxious than

he cared to admit abdut the long stay of the
party sent to the Valley of Death.

He could not understand why they should
“retinain longer than a couple of weeks at
furthest.

And now he was anxious to have Buffalo
Bill . go alone on the scout to look the miss-
;ing party up.

The next day, as his fears increased, he
decided that he would send a force outto
look after both Buflaio Bill and the cOmmand
of Captain Wade.

He would send a cavalry officer and a
dozen men.

He had given the order to the officer he
intended to send, to prepare to depart in
the afternoon, and they were about to ride
out of the stockade, when the sentinel on
the lookout reported a horseman coming far
off on the plain.

Soon after he said that it was a horse h-
out a rider, and it was but a short w ile
before all eyes were turned upon an animal
comin at a long, sweeping gallop directly
towar the fort. ,

As he came nearer it was seen that he had
a bridle on, and that the reins were tied to a
circingle.

Then it could be seen that he was drip-
plug with sweat. and halting at the stock 0
:gate he was panting like a hard run hound.

“ A letter pinned to his bridle," said a
soldie , handing the paper to Colonel Mergi-
ram w 0 had come to the scene.

The horse was recognized as belonging to

 Buffalo Bill and acheer greeted the aithful

animal, who had been true as steel-to the
work that had been put upon him to ac
com lish.

i“ end that horse away and vs him
eve attention,” ordered Colonel errinm,
and e walked toward his quarters the letter
in his hand. -

“This is dated at five o’clock this morn-
ing, and it 'is now half~pnst twelve and
'00:! started him fifty miles from here.

" rsvo, cod horse," said CoionelMerri-
am and a ew mements after, having read
the letter he gave orders for’ two troops of

to start at once in light marching
— or Blue Top Range.

. wish you to'press on with all speed,
Captain Cunningham and reach the Blue

/

“ This will give you time for your scouts

‘ *‘to acquaint you with the position, the hiding-

‘ ace of the red-skins, and how you can
'1 them off if they retreat.
“It will also give youafew hours: rest

“33.x... ' ’ "fi’?

 

 

the fight, but spare neither man or beast in
getting there.

you will fully understand the, situation, and
i will send a reserve force to follow you

Bum Bar‘s "asset.  

{for your men and horses before going into I

l

“I will read you Cody’s letter. so that‘

rapidly, with provisions, camp outfit, yes, 1’

nothing more than absolutely necessary."

Captain Cunningham listened attentively,
heard Buffalo Bill's letter read and said:

“ I yvill get there in time, Colonel Merriam,
if man and horse can do it

“But will you give me half a dozen of
Cody’s scouts?”

“ Yes, certainly.

” Pick your men." «

“ And about what force will the reserve
be, sir, so I may know what to depend upon
should we meet a lar or number than we ex-
pect the red-skins to ?”

“ Your force will be a hundred strong, and
I’ll send a troop and two guns to support

on.”
‘y " Thank you, sir, for with these, and
what Wade has, we should be able to whip
a ver large body of red-skins.

“ am ready to start, sir, for my men are
mounting I see.”

“ Then push ahead, Cunningham, and
good fortune attend you.”

and a couple of guns, so you need carry .

 

Captain Cunningham went briskly out to
where his troops ad halted, mounted, and
amid the cheers of the garrison the gallant ;
Bo sin Blue dashed out of the fort to that
rel of of their endangered comrades in arms.

Colonel Merriam watched their departure
and then walked down to the stables to see .
how the Dumb Messenger was getting along. i

"He made a hard run of it, sir, but on f
see-he’s all right," said the man who ad
taken Scout in charge.

“lam lad-to hear it, Ben, for I would 5
not have im go under for ten times his;
value,” and patting the horse aflectionatelym
the colonel returned to his quarters, saying
to himself: .

“ Cunningham will make the fifty miles
by midnight,‘though he has just ten hours.
to do it in.” .

Two hours after, the reserve force, with
supplies, moved out of the fort, the com-
manding officers having orders to travel
at a fair speed and push on throu h the night
‘0 get to Blue Top Range eary thenext

morning.

 

CHAPTER LIII.
A FRONTIER rrerrr.

TnE command of Captain Cunningham
pushed on bravely.

Night came on and a horse dropped out
dead beat.

ills rider’remained with him.

' Then a soldier gave. out utterly and was
left with a comrade on the trail.

The pace was a killing one for man and
beast, and when the Blue Top Range loom-
ed u ahead and near at hand, a dozen men
and recs were strewn along the trail they
had come over to await the coming up of
the meme force. ' -

But the' determined commander never
swerved in his purpose to reach the res-

 

cue point on time, and if he left behind
him half of his force he would carry out his 1
orders. , .. ;

Larger and blacker loomed up the range ‘
ahead, and just at midni rht the worn horses ‘
and weary men were ialtcd in the gap '
where they could be hidden until needed a
on the top of the hill where they could com-
mand a view of the scene of ambush the
anoment the daylight would permit them to

0 so.

The position they reached was not far
from Buffalo Bill’s camp of the night be-
fore. and. they gladly sought, what rest they
could get beforodaybreak, the captain alone
remaining awake and on watch. _

It Was just as the first limmer of light
came that Captain Cunning am aroused the I
scouts, the horses were saddled, and every
eye was strained to peer across the undulat-
ing land to the river.

The water was soon seen in the distance,
and yet not the sign of a red-skin was visible
upon the hills about the ford.

They were too wary to move out of cover,
if still there, until their prey got into their,
net. . a

 

 

 

e, "I

“There they come,” said Captain Cun
ningham, who had his field-glasses to his

. eyes.

He referred to the command of Captain
Wade, which was seen across the stream
coming over the plain to the ford.

They were a couple of miles yet from the
ford, and apparently unconscious of any
danger threatening them there.

“Now, men, we will join our fighters,”
said Captain Cunninghmn to the scouts, and
they led their horses down the hill to where
the troopers were in waiting.

Breakfast, a cold one without coffee, for
they dared not build a fire, was ready, and
the few hours’ rest had refreshed both men
and horses.

As soon as they had taken their breakfast
the troopers mounted and rode into position,
Just as one of the scouts who had remained
onger on the hill came down and reported
that Captain Wade was almost up to the
ford, while afar off, coming to their aid,
was the reserve force.

This cheering news at once had its effect
upon the men and they were anxious to-
commence the battle.

ing his men to a position where, to go
further would expose them to view, Captain
Cunningham wa ted for the first signal of

‘ battle.

That, if Buffalo Bill had reached Captain

Wade, he knew Would be a shot from the‘

piece of artillery, and which .would surely
startle .the Indians.

Th3 had not long to wait, though it
seem so to all, before there broke upon the
still morning air the deep bowl of the six-
pounder, returned almost immediately b
the bursting of the shell in the hills on the 1'
side of the river. ‘

Then came the rattle of small-arms, cheers,
wild yells, and the red-skins were seenb the
hundreds rushing out of their places 0 hid-
ing and running down the river toward their
horses, for a form behind them had shown
the two troops under Captain Cunningham
charging down the stream, the gun mean-
while sending bursting shells into the midst
of the sava as who were certainly terribl
surpiérésed an in a perfect stampede for the r

Up out of the ford came Captain Wade
and his men, and Buffalo Bill was seen to be
in the front with Surgeon Powell, while from
the other direction came the troopers under
the gallant Cunningham, thus catching the
Indians in close quarters.

Lieutenant Fenton got his gun acrosst 6
river almost as soon .as the troopers, and at
once began to throw shells into the timber
where the Indian ponies were in hiding.

The result was a panic for sava e and.

beast, and, as the Indians fled in wil haste
toward the upper ford, suddenly the reserve
came into view and headed them off, so that
it became a rapid, running frontier flight,
fright and fight on thepart of the red-skins.

 

CHAPTER LlV.
run RETURN on THE vrc'rons.

SElZED with a panic in s ite of their num-
bers, half of them unab e to catch their
fri htened ponies, which the shells stam-

ed, hemmed in and with three forces to
ook after, fight and fly from, the I dians
were in a condition bordcrin on deep ir.

Their hope of triumphha turned into de-
feat, and they fled in all directions, leaving
their outfit and all.

Some were mounted and charged together
toward safety in a retreat, others were flying
at random hither and thither, though they
were on their horses, and still more were
afoot and seeking hiding-places in the hills
and timber, a few dashing into the river to
gain safety on the other shore.

The roar of the guns, for the reserve had
come up, the rattle of the carbmes and revoli
vers, with the wild yells of the scouts and
cheers of .the troopers, were enough to de-
morslize a much larger Indian army than the
one then fighting for their lives. ‘

,As well as they could the tired horses of
the troopers kept up the chase, but not wish-
ing to break his men utterly down, and their
animals, too, Captain Wade, the rankin of.
floor, had the recall Rounded, and the t “‘00

 

 

 

 

commands went into camp on the river-bank,

 

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a few men only being sent to keep up the
chase for a short while.

“ Those same Indians will never all get to
gether again in a lifetime," said Buffalo Bill
as he returned from the chase among the
very last of the pursucrs.

Surgeon Powell had just come in also and
rcplic : .

“ Some were killed, others drowned and I
believe many ran themselves to death.”

“We owe the victory to you. Cody," Cap
tain Cunningham said.

“ Yes, and our little army would have been
as bad off as are the Indians, Cody, had you
not headed us off from riding into that am-
bush,” and Captain Wade spoke with an
earnestness which showed that he fully ap-
preciated the services rendered. ‘

“Three cheers for Buffalo Bill," sung out
Lieutenant Fenton and theywere given with
a will, the handsome scout raising his som‘
brero in response.

The dead Indians, and there were quite a
number of them, w§re gathered up and
buried, and Surgeon owe i looked after the
few who were wounded, after he had cared
.for the soldiers. '

There werelseveral soldiers only killed and
less than a score wounded, so that the com-
mand had fared well.

A camp was made for the wounded In-
dians, and a few who had been captured were
placed in charge of their wounded comrades
and ponies given them to make their way to
their village when able to do so.

~The command camped on the river until
the following morning and then ulled out
for the fort, only a couple of scou ng rties
‘being sent to keep an eye upon the ndians
and see if there were any other bands in the
vicinity. ‘

Another night camp was made before reach~

‘ ing the fort, for the distance was too great

:0 push over unless there was reaso, n for do-
n so.

e next afternoon when the sun was near~

ing the horizon the command came in sight

, of the fort, and as they drew nearer the garri-

son were delighted to see that the three par-
ties had been united.

All in the garrison turned out to greet the

victors, and cheer after cheer rung out as-

they marched into the fort, the band playing
them a welcome. -'

Colonel Merriam was also out to receive
them, ‘and his quick lance at the column
showed him the well- nown forms of Osp-
tain Wade, Surgeon Powell, Lieutenant
Fenton and Buffalo Bill, and he gave a sigh
of relief to see that none of these four had.
fallen. »

As soon as he could do so, Captain Wade,
accompanied by Captain Cunningham and
the officer who had commanded the reserve,
'went to headquarters to report to Colonel
Merriam, and the story of the expedition
was told.

When they had been complimented u n
their ood work by Colonel Merriam, tiey

~took t eir leave, and an orderly was dis
patched at once to request 8:;an Powell
and Bii‘flalo Bill to report at h quarters.

I

 

CHAPTER LV.
A nvs'ranious DISAPPEARANCE.

WHEN Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill
arrived at headquarters, they Were greeted
cordial] by Colonel Merriam, whom they
found a ive:

“Welcome back, Powell. and you, too,
Cody, and let me say that I sent for you to
express to you , both my high appreciation

cred. ’
The surgeon and the scout bowed intgrace-

r ful acknowledgment of the complimentary

language of lone! Merriam, who then
went on to my:

“ Cody, your good horse brought the mes-
sage to me in wonderful time, and he is none
the worse for his hard run, either, for I
went tosee him this afternoon.”

‘ “I have also seen him, colonel, and he is
all right I am glad to say.”

“ And Cody made a wonderful ride on his
other home. colonel. to head us off and give
us warnin’ of the Indians being in ambush
at the ion ,” said Surgeon Frank Powell.

“ Captain Wade has told me of it, and you
official report,
Cody. for you deserve the b ghtest praiSe, I
assurayou."

 

  

The scout’s face flushed, but he bowed,
making no reply.

“Now, Sur eon Powell, I have heard
from Captain ade of" your expedition to
the Valley of Death, and how much he owes
to you for your services as guide and
advmer.”

“ Captain Wade is very kind, sir.

“ I am sorry I was not able to do really
some service. for our expedition was, I may
say, a fruitless one.” '

“Have you told Codyi”,

“ No, sir, no more than that we were un-
successful.

“We- were to, talk it over tonight, sir.”

“Then let me hear your report, Surgeon
Powell, that I may know the full situation,
having heard Wade's.”

“ Certainly: Colonel Merriam.”

“Begin at your entrance to the Death"

Vallev, lease.

“ Wei , colonel, in advancing upon the
valle we were expecting to run upon a
guar and prepar to do so.

“ But we saw no one and so continued
down into the valley and camped.

“ We saw that Cody had drawn a remarka-
bly correct map, but discovered that where
we expected to find corrals and camps there
were none.

" We went through the main valley to the
spot where five smaller ones branch of! like
the fin rs of the hand, and there we explor-
ed one y one. ”

" With no result, Wade says.”

“ No, sir.” -

“ You found no traces of camps, Surgeon
Powell?” asked Buflalo Bill.

“Only in one instance and thstwas the ‘

canyon where on bad camped with the man
you called the nknown.”

“ There were no others?”

” None, and there was no real sign that
the valley 'was inhabited. '

“ In fact, we found there me in plenty
and it was by no means wild?“

“We searched each valley thoroughly,
every crevice in the rock! and all the canyons
and cliffs, but with no result.”

“ This is remarkable,” Buflalo Bill said,
and he showed how much he was sur-
prised. » '

“ I thought so,af‘ter your having found there
a woman and some thirty or forty men, with
an unknown man banged by foes he would
not sgeali of, and who mysteriously disape
peare himself.

“ Yes, Bill, that Valley is a phenomenon of
marvels.” ‘

" There is somethin
indeed I am compeil
colonel. _

“ We’spent oneavhole week searching the
valley, for the grass was lentiful and of the
best, the air Was delight ul and balmy, the
waters of the purest and there was an abun-
dance of game of all kinds. .

“ At last Captain Wade decided to give up
thiilsearch after one more day going over the
vs e . ’

“ do gave orders for the men to go in pairs
and threes, and to hunt for signs as though
they were searching for gold. -

. “ We had found no less than‘ three bury-
ing-grounds, and in one of them were all of
half a hundred graves, in the othersnot so
many. and none were near to each other.

. “ The graves all looked to have been made
years ago, and these were the sole signs of
human beings having dwelt there save
the ashes of your camp fire in the canyon,
Cody.

“ That night the men came into camp as
they had left it, all but three.

” These were a sergeant and two men, and
they did not return. "

“ We did not start the next day as proposed.
but remained over to hunt for the . .

“The search was fruitless for the men
were not to be found. and their mysterious
disappearance we "could not account for in
any way.”

remarkable about it
to confess,’.’ said the

 

CHAPTER LVI.
roman AT EVERY mum.

Tim Surgeon Scout had told his story in a
we that could not but deep] . interest both
Coonel Merriam and Buffalo ill, especially
when it added another mystery to those that
already hung about the Valley of Death.

" Sou say that you  a thorough

 

    

 

  

search for the missing men, Doctor
Powell?”

“ Yes, sir, as thorough as could be made,
for I suppose Captain Wade told you that
we remained one week longer in the valley
merely to search for the sergeant and the
two men who were with him.”

“ Yes, as I said, I had his report, but I
wished to hear yours apart from his to see
if there might not be some point that we
might catch on to give us a clue to the fate
of those men.” v '

“ I must confess, Colonel Merriam, that I
was completely foilc .”

“ You searched the valley yourself,
Powell 7” ,

“ Each one in turn, sir."

“There was no reason for the men to
desert, for they were all good fellows. ”

“ No reason whatever, sir, and why
would men in their senses desert in that
region where nothing but death could await
them?”

“ The sergeant was amen to be thorough-
ly relied upon even if the men were not,
which was not the case.

” No, the men did not leave of their own
free will, Doctor Powell."

“ I am sure that they did not.”

“ If killed you would have found some
trace of them i" .

" It would seem so, sir.”

“ Was there no way for them to lose their
lives there?"

“ Yes, sir, many ways, yet it could
hardly be that three men would walk over
a precipice, into a pit, fall into a stream or
be killed by falling rocks, where one might.”

“ No, it could not be that a like accident
would befall these men.

“Which way did they go upon leaving
the cam ?”

i. “ We 1, sir, the men diflered in their

stories. some saying they had seen them-

start up one valley, some up another.”

“Well, Cody, what is'your o 'nion?” and
Colonel Merriam turned to B alo Bill who
thus far had made no comment upon the
strange disappearance of the three soldiers.

"I do not think, sir, that an accident he-
fell them."

" How about deserting their command?”

“ I am sure that they did not do that, sir,
for they were all Americans, as I recall the
sergeant and the two men, and they would
not desert.” ,

“Then how do you accoupt for their un~
accountable disappearance, Cod ?” asked
the colonel, who had begun to fee now that
the scout had formed some 0 inion of the
manner in which the three s iers had dis-
appeared in Death’s Canyon.

“1 can see but one way in which to ac-
‘count for it, Colonel Merriam." '

“ And that way, Cody ?" '

“ You know, sir, that I found in the valley "

.a number of people?”
“ Yes.” a ,
“ I did not see where I was taken by my

'captors, and I was even blindfolded my
Mascot, as I called the Girl Guide who saved 1 ”

my ife.”

“ remember.“

“ Now [left those people in the valley,
and what is more they were led to suppose
that l'had met my death, for such the girl
told‘me would be the case.”

“Well, Cody?” ' ‘

"-They might. or might not have hernia .4

led to believe. and‘if not, why their natural

thonght would be, not knowm g my pledggi 

that I would (-rnxc back with a'fome'
soldiers to investigate the valley.”
“Naturally.”

“ Well, sir. so believing. they were deter- ; '

mined to go inzo hiding, and that they did
so, mrst com lefcly is
that Surgeon ’owcll fai ed to find any trails

there of horses, that the corral was taken”

away and every evidence was manifested to
show that the place had no dwellers in it, in

other words that whatever Imight tellcf V
the valley, it was false, that there really I I , 

was no one there.” . . , . fl , ‘
“ You are reasoning ,werl, Bill, said
Surgeon Powell.” v

it Yes, you appear to be on the right trail, ' 5
on and tell us just what your; *

Cody, so go .
views are,” said Colonel Merriam, more and
more interested in the arguments the scout

was advancing to show that the dWclIf‘i's in. .

the Death Valley had not really deserted it.

23

roven by the fact .

     

      
 

 

 

. its inhabitants were merely in hiding.”

plot against and they- devoted time and labor

 

I 3 found the retreat of the wellers in the val-

! Frank Powell cried:

‘ . “Didthe men go away from camp on
ggrseback, Surgeon Powe l?’
’ ll

* rest the last three days we were there in the

V yet in doubt.

V band of outlaws must be run out of that val-

 

, member, I told you"?

..»gu.~ma.....~-ffl~.._y..,‘.-c....e.. .e. .. .,. . . .
a. ~.~ _ V .V ~ -, 2."... h

i" K‘? :' ‘ , o w,, ”
.s »/_‘,‘. , V,“

 

CHAPTER LVII.
BUFFALO BILL's PLAN.

Unoan by the colonel to continue on in
his reasons for the ex ition findingl no one
in the Death Valley, uffalo Bill sai :

“From my knowled e, colonel, of the
Death Valley, from al I saw and went
through with them, I am sure that those
who had made it their homes for some evil
purpose have been shrewd enough to find
there hiding places almost impossible to
discover."

“ It must be so, Bill," Frank Powell said.

“Now I would wish no better erson to
go on the trail than Surgeon Powel , sir, and

c had with him Al Huntington and four of
the best scouts'on the frontitr."

“ And all of us were baffled," said Frank
Powell.

“ Yes, all of you. and et it seems that if
we had been to ether, urgeon Powell, we
could have {can those hiding-places.”

“ Yes, you are never foiled, Cody, when

on work with Doctor Powell," Colonel
ecrl'r'iam remarked, while the Surgeon Scout

"i now begin to see it in the lightthat you
do, Bill, that the valley was not deserted, but

“ Yes, I think so, though I may be
wrong." I .

” I am sure that ou are. not, now/that I
look it over, for i they had deserted the
valley: as you say, wh , did they wish to
give the a pearance 0 not being occupied?

‘1‘ If they id desert, b what trail did they

0, when the tracks of t eir horses could not
fie found, and they certainly had horses in
plent , from what you told us, Bill?"

‘ “ es, and they either left the valley tem-
porarily, or they went into’hiding there in
some 0 its recesses or caverns.

’ ‘7 I believe, however, that they did nbt
leave the valley. "

‘f I lean to the same belief, Cody, thou h
it is remarkable that Surgeon Powell cou d
not find some trace of them."

“ It is, colonel; but he had shrewd men to

to covering up their tracks. ” ,
“ But the three soldiers, Cody?"
“ Those who were lost, colonel?”

OI 0!

“ Well, sir, Ithink the are the ones who

‘lAhl" said the colonel, excitedly, while

“ Bill, you have hit the nail on the head,
and no mistake. ,, ‘

“ Those three soldiers hap ued upon the
hiding-place of those myster ous valley peo-

e." '

’askcd Buflalo
“.No, on foot, for we gave the horses a

villa ."
” hen the ser cant and his two, comrades
lzappened upont c hiding-place of the out-
we."
” And were made prisoners, rCody t"
The colonel asked the question hopefully,

“ Ifear, sir, that if they fell into the hands
of those outmws in the Valley of Death there
was no mercy shown them.’ .

“ This is terrible to contemplate, and this

ley if I have to establish a post there,” Colo-
nel Merriam said, sternly.

“ Colonel Merriam?”

” Yes, Cod ." .

“ I have a favor to ask of you, sir."

" Granted. ” ._

“ My pledge was for six months, if you re-

' “ Yes."

 

“Wt-ll, sir, I have kc )t a pretty accurate
account of the days, am I have jottcd down :
that fivowccks have thus far gone.

“ Yes." ;

“Now, the cxpcdition into the valley inak- i
iug no discovery, those who dwell thcrc,
after a few wucks have passod and no rcturn
trip is made for anothcr search, will believe
that it is given up as a bull case.

“ 'l‘hcy will think that no one clso willtvm—
turc into the valley, cspcoially altcr , the
failure of the expedition and the loss of the

 

. there was water, grass and timber therein

' once there and felt sure that no whitc man

. "r .._- .. .... , .g _,. .

‘ H‘w» ,

soldiers, and so they will become bold
again."

" Yes."

“ The balance of my allotted time will soon
pass, and then I desire to ask Surgeon Pow-
ell to accompany me on a scout into the
Death Valley."

“ I am with you, Bill, with pleasure," was
the surgeon’s response.

“ What, alone?” asked the colonel.

" Not exactly, sir, for I will go on a scout
meanwhile an find the nearest point to the
valchy where there is grass and water.”

“ see.”

“ To that point I can guide Captain lVade
and his troop, with Al iuntington and ‘his
four comrades, and then they will be near at
hand if needed, and either Surgeon POWell
or myself can ride and fetch them."

“ All right, Cody, the solving of the mys-
tcry of Death Canyon is in your hands, so
take your own time and way about it," was-4
Colonel Merriam's response.

 

I

CHAPTER LVIII.
FORGING THE CHAIN.

Tan return of the expedition under Cap-
tain Wade to Death Valley, without success
in ferreting out the mysteries of the place,
and the most unaccountable disappearance
of three of the soldiers who were with the
party, added still more to the superstitious
dread felt by all for that term incognito.

The soldiers talked it over among them-
selves and the scouts had their views upon
the subject. '

Others in the fort also discussed the affair
and the result was that the expedition invad‘
ing Death Valley but added more to its ter-

rors.

Buflalo Bill had little to say upon the sub-
ject, shaking his head ominously when ques-
tioned by any one regarding his opinion of
the affair, for he wished to cater all he could
to the dread of all for the. Death Valley.

In private he however talked the matter
over with Surgeon Powell, and he had made
up his mind to go on a lone trail of discovery
as soon as he could do so.

Therdwas an n ly feeling of the red.skins,~
following their efeat which had been so-
disastrous, and though it made them cautious
not to go so far from their villageshit caused
them to become more rcvengeful than ever.

They were prepared for trouble with their
pale-face foes, and as scouting bands were
prowling about the country, Bufi'alo Bill and

is com ny of scouts were kept constantly
on the a ert. ' '

The reports brought in by Cody and his
scouts ‘of the movements of the Indians were
the means of saving a supply train from
capture, and a large quantity of Govern-
ment cattle from being run off.

Several times had the chief of scouts guid-
ed Ca tain Wade and his troopers to catch
an In( ian band of raiders, until at last the
redskins were compelled to retreat to their
.fortresses in the mountains and were lad to
make overtures to become friends wit their
pale-face enemies who beat them at their
own games of warfare and cunning.

No sooner had the Indians ceased to give
trouble than Buffalo Bill decided to carry
out his plan to again enter the Valley pf
Death, but this time with his border pard
Frank Powell. ~

Ile fitted himself out fora couple of weeks’
outing, carrying a pack-animal with him,
and set out to make a circuit of the Valley
of Death.

His object was to find the nearest point to
it where a company of soldich could go into
a secret camp and remain for a couple of
weeks or more. '

He went to the northward upon reaching
the river where the battle had bch fought
with the lndians. and followed the banks of
the strcam for a day. ‘

'l‘licn he branched off toward Dcath Val-
ley and the next night cncampcd in a ml 1
lcy that was an oasis in the desert, for ‘

abundance.
llc had happened upon the little natural
park by accident, novcr suspecting its exist-

 

had been there before him. \
Leaving his pack horse there the. next

,7 a—r‘z.. .0- .1 .r .. _...x. e -1 _--. .. V i I
.  ~ 1y, - r- Viv-“7"

 

__:-

day he rode away to see just how near the
spot was to the Death Valley.

To his great delight he discovered that
he could ride from there to the entrance of
the dread valley within half a day easily.

aBut he did not make ths attempt, merely
taking his distances from his coming in sight.
of Volcano Mountain, which he recognized.

His time was not yet up and he Would
not break his pledge.

So he returned to the little park and re.
mained all night, finding his pack-horse as
he had left him.

He shot an antelope and enjoyed his sup-
per and the next day started upon his re-
turn for the fort, arriving without any ad-
venture.

Both Colonel Merriam and Surgeon Pow-
ell were anxious to learn the result of his
going, and he at once visted headquarters:
and srlid:

“ Colonel, I have discovered the ve
place for a camp-for a troop, sir, andrlt
will require but one da '8 journey over
the desert to get to it, an from there to the
Dsath Valley is not over twenty~flve miles’
n e." .

“This means that you are pro ared to
:53? upon your exploration of Deat Valley,

“Yes, sir, for my six months’ pledge ex-
pires in just five days, and I intend to enter
the valley upon the last day of the time
agreed upon, ’ was the reply of the scout.

 

CHAPTER LIX. ’
rm: moon nuns

’ BUFFALO BILL and Frank Powell sat to-

gether in the pleasant quarters of the Sur-
con Scout, the evening of his return from
is lone trail.

The conversation of the scout with Col-
onel Merriam had resulted in the sending
for Captain Wade, and the interview be—
tween the three lasted for an hour or more.

The result of this interview was that 001- ,

onel Merriam ordered Captain Wade to take
picked men from his troop, sixty in all, with
the very best of the horses at the fort, and
accompany the scout upon the exploring ex-
pedition'into the Death Valley.

It was a service that Captain Wade was
most anxious to go upon: and he told the
colonel that nothing should be lefhundone
to make the expedition a perfect success.

He was to carry pack horses along,» with
a full camping outfit and supplies to last a
month, and not a man should suspect their
destination, while Buffalo Bill and Surgeon
Powell would quietly slip away from the
fort before the troopers did.

Having received all of his instructions
from the Colonel, and agreed. upon a rendez.
vous where he should meet Bufl’alo Bill and
Surgeon Powell, Captain Wa‘de left head-

quarters to at once begin preparations for ~
t

ie march.

That night Buffalo Bill and Surgeon Pow:
ell arranged their plans, and when they rode
away from the fort they carried with than
two of thgir bcst horses, a Com lete outfit
for camp, and all that they fet would be
necessary. .

“We must solve the mystery this time,
Frank, or they will surely have t e lau h on
us in the fort,” said the scout, whiethe
doctor answered:

“Yes,~indecd, Bill, for I must redeem
myself for my last total failure as a guide.”

“No, it was not a failure as a guide, for
you went all over Death Valley, Frank; it
was a failure. to solve the mystery that lies
hiddcn there."

When rcad ' to dcpart, Surgeon Powell,
accompanied by Buffalo Bill, went to head-
quarters and bade Colonel Merriam. good-
b r. .
“lhate to see you go. find yet I have
hopcs that you will meet Wlth lli-‘chf‘ifluc-
cuss," the colonel had said to the two friends
as he bade them farewell.

Out of the fort thoy rodc and they went
into camp at the rendezvous appointed with
Captain Wade. ‘

The next day they were jloincd by the'

captain, and whcn Buffalo iill saw the
troopers he smiled in a satisfied Way and
said:

“ You have got your best men, captain,
and they are stripped for work.”

   

an“... s; .

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

l parched plain the men could hardly believe

 

25

 

 

“You find us the work, Bill, and we will'
-do it, and if it is to fight, why we will keep
Powell busy as a surgeon rather than as a
scout."

“I hope my duties will he to look after
wounded outlaws, then, Wade," answered
POWell.

“Well, We are equipped for a month‘s
stay and have ammunition enough for a
.siege.

“Ihave only the best of mv men and
horses, and we are ready to follow your
lead, ()ody, whenever you strike the trail."

The trail was struck soon after and by
veasy marches Buffalo Bill led the way to the
oasis he had found in the desert.

It was a ride across the desert from day dawn
until sunset to reach it, but as they would
have a chance to rest, once they reached the
pretty park, Buffalo Bill pushed the horses
11 little hard to get there, being anxious to
pitch camp before night-fall.

As the oasis came in sight over the

that it was notamirage; but at last the
outer ed e was reached, trees and grass
Were visi is upon each side as they rode
along, and a mile further on they came
upon a perfect little Eden of beauty, a
natural rk as beautiful as the grounds
about a ne old country seat.

” Why, Cody, this is a gem of a place to
camp in," cried Captain Wade, while his
officers and men were in ecstasics.

The tents taken from the pack-saddles
were quickly pitched, and the horses were
turned loose in the rich meadow lands, for
'there was no danger of their leaving that
fertile spot for the desert surrounding the
oasis of beauty.

With wood, water and rass in plenty,
and well stocked with supp ice, the soldiers
Were in a very genial mood that night in
camp, and fearing no danger the timber rung
with son and laughter; for discipline was
tempora ly relaxed and the men felt like
.schoolboys off on a picnic, instead of cavalry-
men one trail the end of which might be
death.

 

CHAPTER LX.
vsnnn'rs AT woax—no ron DEATH VALLEY.

BUFFALO BILL and Surgeon Powell rested
in camp the next day until late in the after-
noon, and the scout hit upon a scheme b
which a number of miles mi ht be save ,
should he or Surgeon Powell ave to come
in haste after the soldiers.

This Was to carry a long is with them
to a lie of rocks some ten mi es distant upon
the esert, and erect it there.

In that clear atmos here one can see a
very long distance, an a flag run up on the
pole would be observed by the sentinel kept
constantly upon guard With a field-glass to
watch it.

At night a lantern was taken along to run
up on the pole, and with either signal set
the troopers could hastily saddle up and
ride with all haste to meet the scout coming
for them, thus saving two hours of time.

Some of the soldiers went along to put up
the pole and also the flag and lantern, that
those in the park might see how distinctly it
could be observed. A

It was {list sunset when the two scouts
left the so diers at the flagstaf‘f and rode on
their way toward the Death Valley. ‘

Thcv preferred to reach the entrance to
the valley by night, so that they would have
daylight to penetrate into it. for though the
former expeditions had made no discoveries
of any dwellers there, Budalo Bill was cer-
tain that the outlaws were still there, and
Doctor Pow'ell had come to entertain the
same opinion.

They reached the hill where the pass was
just at midnight, and not sure that a guard
was not there dared not continue on n the
darkness.

So they halted, unsaddled their horses,
spread their blankets and lay down upon
the rocky ground to sleep until morning,
their horses also, realizing that there was
not a blade of grass near, wisely doing like-

w so.
With the first signs of the eastern sky
lighting up with the sp reach of day the

water and grass at wi

’ they reached the cli

 

tgg scouts were awake, eir horses saddled
a they were read for work. i
They waited untl the shadows were lift-

\ \

 

 

ing and then rode on up to the pass, ap-
proaching it with rifles in hand as though
they expected to find a guard there.

But they reached the pass without seeing
any one, and halted there.

“ See there, Bill!"

“ Yes, some charred logs.”

“ Yes, and they were not here when I was
last at this spot."

“ You are sure?"

“ i am."

“That means then that a guard was put
here after you left the valley and kept here
for a while?"

“ That is what it means."

“There has been no fire here for many a
long week.” '

“ You are right.”

So on they rode and soon halted a sin.

“ ThOse tracks are of recent date, ‘rahk,”
and Buffalo Bill pointed to the tracks of
horses visible in the trail they were follow-
mg.

“ Yes, and they doubtless send a man here
every day or so to take a look over the
desert."

” That is my opinion,” and they rode on
once more. _

They wound down into the valley, rode
along until they came to the stream and then
turned up the small brook, as Buffalo Bill
had done before, to go to the canyon.

They reached the canyon to find there the
remains of the fire as it had been left long
before, and the raves were there, mute wit-
nesses to some read tragedy enacted there
in the past.

“We can go into camp here, Frank, for
the Unknown told me that no smoke could
be seen when built here against this cliff,
sail the canyon was shunned by all in the
va le .”

“ don’t wonder, as they were the makers
of those graves yonder.

“But this is a good camping-place, for
wood and water is plentiful and the horses
will be in clover. ”

" Yes, and we could ,escape, if cornered,
by deserting our horses, while we could hold
a dozen or more men at bay from this point if
attacked.”

“ Yes, so this will be our base of supplies
and the one starting point to make discbver.
ies of what really is in the valley, for we
must go on foot."

“Sure, as we can do far more and not be
trailed or seen as easily. ”

So the horses were staked out up the can.
you, a fire was built and the scouts made
themselves comfortable, as though anticipat-
ing quite a long stay there.

 

 

 

CHAPTER LXI.
A nrscovnar or VALUE.

THE plan of Buffalo Bill was for Surgeon
Powell and himself to put on moccasins, l
carry a couple of days’ provisions and out i
on foot, leaving their horses fenced in n the 
upper part of the canyon, by stretching their !
lfirfifats across the narrow space between the
er s.

Thus left in security the horses could get

land not demand the
immediate return of their riders to look after
their comfort. V

.All ready for their starting, the two men
left the canyon in the afternoon and made
their way down into the valley.

Their buckskin-clad, feet left no tracks,
and they were as cautious as Indians on the
war-path.

They reached the larger stream that ran
through the valley, turned up it and made
their way with the greatest caution where
Buffalo Bill had once before been in hiding,
and where he had captured Talbot, the out-
law. ' -

Without seeing an one, or else than game, 
and sought shelter in
the hiding-place where Buffalo Bill had been
concealed. ;

There were the tricks of horses about i
which told that men had passed and repassed i
there. and that was just What Bufialo Bill
ex

preading their blankets they made them-
selves comfortable until nightfall, when
they ate a cold supper and sallied forth to
reconnoiter.
“I am anxious to discover if the corral is '
at the same place,” said Buffalo Bill.

 

 

“From whence it had been removed before
I got here, Bill?”

“ Yes."

“ We will soon know."

"There is no danger of meeting these fel-
lows abroad at night, Frank, for they are
very sumrstitious and will not travel unless
necessary. so we need not be so cautious as
by daylight."

So on they went and after a brisk walk
came in sight of the corral.

The snake fence of poles had been replaced
and there were half a hunder horses in the
inclosure. .

“ Here is a good haul at least,” muttered
Buffalo Bill.

“ Yes, and they are good animals too.”

“ They are indeed."

” But were these in the valley when I was
last here ‘2"

“ Sure." I

“ But where were they hidden, Bill?"

“That is what we must find out, Frank.”

“ The men cannot be very far away.” ,

“ It would seem not and we will continue
on up the valley in search of them.”

They went half a mile further and came
to where the five valleys branched off from
the one large one.”

" Now which way, Frank, for I was blind-
folded when I passed along here?”

“ I searched each valley here thoroughl ',
and there is yonder on that hill a good hid-
ing-placc.”

“Better find one down here among the
rocks, Frank. so we will be near to get a
prisoner should ny one come. "

" You are rig t,” and the two set to work
to find a hidin place, both realizing that
just at that p0 at was the spot for them to
lie in ambush during the next day to see
whc‘) should pass and repass along the valley
trai . ‘

They found a secure spot among the rocks
and then kept up their reconnoitermg as well
as they could, but without making any dis-
coverv.

At last they retreated totheir hiding-place,
convinced that the daylight was their best
time to make observations and to act.

They sunk to sleep almost immediately,
confident that there was no need to keep

'watch, and the sun was rising when they

awoke.
They glanced about them with interest at

: what they saw. '

They were on 5 int between two of the)
smaller valleys an looked down the large
one. '

Fresh tracks were visible going and com-
ing in each valley, and at the place where
they all formed the one large vale was the
corral of horses.

“Those horses seem to be he tthere fer
the use of an one going up or own any of
the valleys, rank.” \

“ So it seems; but harkl" '

They both listened, and the sound of hoofs
fell on their ears. '

A horseman was coming down the nearest
valley at a gallop.

Nearer and nearer resounded the hoof-fails"
until suddenly there dashed into view the
hprse and rider.

The two scouts had their rifles readv, but
wh the rider appeared they lowered them
quic ly,’ for it was a woman.

“My Girl Mascot,” said Buffalo Bill in a
whis r, though the fair rider was all of a
bun red yards away from them.

 

CHAPTER LXII. '
_mrmne m unseen.

Tm: Mascot hesitated at the spot where
the rails joined. looked about her in an
interes .way and then came slowly along
the trail which. must bring her within a
few yards of where the two scouts wercin
hiding.

Gazing at her from between crevices of
the rocks, Frank Powell said:

“She’s a heaut , Bill, and no mistake.”

“ She is indeed): Frank." ,

" Shall we hold her up?" ‘

” Not now.” , g “

‘1 Why.” .

" Await her return, for we may be able
gtch a man, or there might be one'near

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“ All right, you know best.” '

The girl was mounted upon a spirited
roan, and she sat her saddle with both
grace and skill. ‘

I She wore a Mexican riding-habit, with

if: A silver-embroidered sombrero, and gauntlet

gloves.

» ‘ She carried a rifle swung from her sad-

' l". die-horn and in a belt about her slender
" ' ‘ Waist was a revolver and knife.

Her form was elegant in outline and her
face certainly very beautiful, though it had
a sad expression visible even to the two
scouts from their hiding-place.
She rode slowly by and so near that Buf-
falo Bill could have caught her with a'
lariat
“ That girl is unhappy in the life she
. leads here, Bill,” said Frank POWell as she
ed on.
“ She looks it.
“ But what do ou think of her?"
. “ She is beauti ul." "
 “ I do not mean that, but is she wicked?"
' “ If she is then her facebelies her. ”
“ It does.
“ Yet she is the ally of outlaws. ”
“ Are they outlaws, Bill?"

v‘ “ Could they be honest men and good,
when they hanged the man I rescued, intend-
ed to ut me to death and had killed others i"
' “ , yes, I had forgotten that, and that
youn girl caused me to feel for a moment

» that t ey might not after all be evil-doors.”

. “ Then why hide as they did when you in‘
yaded the Valley?”

Fiil have no more to say in their defense,
‘ i .i’ O

“ That they are evil men there is no doubt
in my mind; but the question is what is that

'rl to them and why does one witha face

ke hers ally herself to outlaws?”

“ It is another of the mysteries of this most
mysterious Valley of Death; Bill." -

“ Well, we must watch for a man to come
along, and, if we can do so without a row,
hold him up.” ~

“Certainly, for we may get valuable in-
formation from him. ”.

“Very true.

.  , "But if we see no one else then we must

,GatchBtlille girl upon her'return." '

6‘ i .9?

"Yes, Frank.”

. The girl knows you by sight well, she has
befriended ou, extracted from you that six

‘ months pl ge—"

“ Well i”

vs; I , “ Now if I were to be seen with on it

 might set her to flight infalarm, whi c you
alone showing yourself would not frighten

r her away."

“ You mean for me to appear alone to

   
  
  
  
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
    
   
     
   
 
   
   
  

    
   
   
  
 

.‘ n

""1 will then, and not so suddenly as to
startle herJ”, .
" It .will be better than to attempt her cap
I" \

   
    
 

“ I think so, especially as I remember how
she treated me.”

“ She may befriend
unravel this mystery.
,1 u  I!
" . “ But if not ?" r
’; "She must know that we have come here
 .to win the game we are playing, and I shall
hold her as a. risoner‘ until she yields to our
V :wish that she tray the secret of the valley
 denizens."
4V ,“ Shne has a will of her own, Bill, and may

ist.

. “ True, but she knows what these men are
 can make terms for herself by doing as
:we demand.” .

~ The girl meanwhile had passed on out of

 
   

you still in helping you

  
    

 
     
  
  
  
    
 
    
   
    

lat patiently awaiting, the next turn in the
“same a. .. m... .

' ,anoura,rte r one ,
they heard the latter of hoofs and 3%» ready
(erection. '

 5- Under no circumstances, could they amid
3?" doing so. did the wish to discharge a rifle
or: revolver, know ng that they won (1 betray
 their presence to more than they cared to

   
    
    
   
  
   
   
 

e horsemn soon appeared in shirt, but
he came down a difl'emnt valley rem the
 the girl had ridden out of. '
- ‘It brought him out at a  two

,nndred yards from where the counts were

 
 

 
   
  

      
 

     

"they calmly awaited the outcome of their

night down the valley and the two friends *

    
  

hiding, and halting a moment he seemed
searching for a trail.

Then he found what he was searching for
and Went ofi' ata gallop down the main
valley. '

lie was following the trail of the horse
ridden by the girl, and he was none other
than the masked chief of the band dwelling
in the Valley of Death.

 

CHAPTER LXIII.
rm: EAVESDROPPEKS.

IT was an anxious time for Buffalo Bill
and Surgeon Powell, though both men were
cool and showed no expression in their faces
of the danger they had to confront.

They both knew that at the fort Colonel
Merriam was watching and waiting for their
return with a report of their success.

The understood Well how anxiously Cap-
tain Wade and his men were awaiting some
tidings of them.

Though apparently near, the troops were
near] a day’s xide distant.

A] that they had to face, from the knowl-
edge that they had eome into the very
midst of the mysterious Valley of Death,
arose before them.

But they talked together in even tones,
their faces were not pallid with fear and

Venture.

Surgeon Powell had remarked upon the
ma nificent appearance of the chief, and
hot wondered why he had so rapidly
followed u on the trail of the Girl Guide.

A coup e of hours passed away and
then the girl came in sight upon her re-
turn.

Both Buffalo Bill and Surgeon Powell
were glad to see this, and that she had in
some way missed the chief.

As she drew nearer Buffalo Bill was re-
paring to step out and confront her, w en
suddenly Surgeon Powell uttered acry of
warning.

The scout shrunk back behind the rocks,
while the surgeon said:

“ See there!"

He minted down the valley. and there
came t 10 chief, his horse on a run. ,

They dared not now allow the girl to see
them. .

She had gotten almost opposite to their
position when a loud call caused her to turn
quickly in her saddle. -

She glanced behind her to see the chief,
and for a moment she seemed undecided
whether to ride rapidly on or halt. ,

Then she muttered, and the two scouts dis
tinctly heard her words:

“It mi ht as well be new as another time.

“I wil wait.” '

She turned her horse about, and the ani-
mal now stood not fifty feet from the posi-
tion occupied by the scouts.

On came the chief, having slackened his
pace from a run to a center when she halted
for him. . \

He soon drew near to her and said, some-
what p’etulantly: 2

” You did d go to halt for me, then ‘2”

u ' 

“ Will an ride on with me to my home?”
“No, wish to talk with you here, for I
have that to say to you I care not for others
to hear.” .

“ As you please."

"I have followed you for several hours,
for I had hoped to head you off before you
went down the valley." ,

“ What have you to say to me, chief?”

“ I need not repeat to you that I love

on." ‘ 1

“ No, for I do not care to hear it. "

"? What is your cause of hatred against
me ,’ ' I
The girl laughed bitterly and then replied:

“Do you forget that you are a natural
villain, while I still love honor and truth, in
s ite of having been forced to live in this
y le spot among men who' are lawless, mur-
derers, yes, and thieves?”

“ Be careful how you speak," and the man
spoke with anger.

“ Why should I when I speak of the men
whose leadm' You are? ‘

   
   

“ Oh, yes, on are chief, yet I am queen,

 

" I sin chief Here, as you know, girl." ‘

 

 

and the men an allegiance to me alike with
you." r -  -

In"

1'

‘f‘ The more reason that you should be my
w: e.”

“ Oh, no; life to me is bitter enough with-
out such a fate as that."

“ You can leave here when you willif you‘
pledge yourself to marry me.”

“The temptation to leave is not so great
as to cause me to do that."

“ W'h "I"

“We 1, as you ask the question, let me
tell you that you won my friendship under
false pretenses

“Pretending to be the devoted brother of
one I loved, I trustui you, and with my
father came with you to where we fell into»
your power

“ I came, believin the one I loved to be‘
dying. and instead I iscovered that he had
been ruined by you.

“ I found that you had destroyed his-
honor, had made him an outlaw, and caused.
him to fly for his life.

“Then, when I was in your power, you:
demanded that I should learn to love you.

“ You gave me two years in which to
make up my mind and inveigled my poor-
father into giving his consent by promising:
him a half-interest in your fortune

" Gulled b you, and blinded by the glit-
ter of gold, he was glad to remain here, all
the while trying to be ievc you were not so
wicked as the men knew 'ou to be.

“ But thank HeaVen, held firm and re-
fused your demand that I should mar
you, and to-da I still am free, and not Wt’t -
(led to the vi est of wretches, the one who.
broke into my young life and robbed it of
my happiness by destroying the one whom I
loved.’

“Then you refuse to go from hereand
marry me?”

“Most emphatically I do."

“ Then I shall show you, girl, that I have
the power to force you to obey,” was the
savage re5ponse of the man.

 

CHAPTER LXIV.
THE THREAT.

WHEN the two scouts, hearing all that
was said, expected to see the young irl‘.
show terror at the threat of the outlaw ch ef,
instead she merely laughed in a sarcastic
manner and said:

“ Your threats have no terror for me?"

“ Wh ‘2”

“Wei . I am armed, and so I am able to
protect myself from any coward that crosses
my ath.”

“ ou dare call me coward ?"

“ To threaten a woman shows that I do
not make any mistake in doing so."

“ Girl, you drive me mad with yourbitter
tongue, heaping abuse when I would hear
only words of love from you.” ‘

“ Bahl do not talk like a fool, chief, for I
tell you that I shall go my way, you to go
yours.” .. - ‘ I, "

" You know that the time has come when
we can leave this valley?”

“ Yes.” .

" You know that I have a fortune, that I
can give you a life in foreign lands as
luxurious as the queen whose name , you
bear?" , ‘

“ I can live without your aid, chic .”

“ And on will go fromhereand our paths
part in it e?" . a ‘ ,

no. u
" An I say yes.” .
“ I told you that I could force you to love

“ You can lead a horse to water but you
cannot make him drink, is a very truthful
old adage," the girl said cuttingly. ‘

” You love your father?" he suddenly
asked.

“ Ah, yes, but too well. ‘ - ’

“ With his sad love of gold that has made
him ally himself to you, to“ allow me to live
in the atmosphere of inflating} do love
my father, truly and devotedly, and she
spoke most arnestly. .

“ You would not see him die?"

' “ Heavsn have mercv. no!"

“ Then hear what I have to an ,“ ‘

“ What W‘fld you d0?" we as ed exciw.
ly and in slam; _
“ I would an that I love you to that ex.
tent that I wo commit any crime to 1:11:

|

1 . . ,  '\‘_,x"

 

 

 
  
  
 

   
 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

“ I love you so dearly that I cannot give
you up.

I “Marry me and I will win your low in

time by a life of devotion, but refuse and I
must force you to become my wife.”

“ You cannot."

“I say I can, for I shall govern you
through your father.”

“My father is willing, Heaven forgive

him, to see me marry you, but he would
never force me, nor allow you to do so.”
“I can force you through your love for
him.”
1 1AM" and again she wore a frightened
oo .

“I will reveal to you, Queen, that if,you
do not vow to marry me, when we reach
the nearest settlement where we can find a
clergyman, I will put your father to death
with no more mercy than I have caused
other men to die.”

“ y God! ‘

" l ould on do sin so vile?”

“ I'woul , and from my love for you,"

“ You would carry out this awful threat?”

“ Within the hour will I carry my threat
into execution, unless you give me your vow
that you will become m wife, and with
your father dead you Will still be in my
power.

“ Now, girl, you know just what Iwould
do and I mean every word that I utter. ”

The rl’s face was bowed now, her
form quivered and she seemed deeply moved.

At last she said:

“I am one who if I give my word will
keep it. "

“ I well kow that, Queen. ”

“Then give me ten days to consider. ”

“No, for you know that we leave here
within the week, that we are all ready, for
it will not do to longer take chances of re-
maining here, now that we know Bufialo
Bill was not killed in making his escape, as
we all supposed.”

“ Give me five days then.”

“Iwill not." ' ' '

“ Three days,” and the girl pleaded earn-
estly.

“ I will not.”

”
s

“ You will not let me think it over?”

“ No, on must decide now and here.”

“ But canno .”

“ You must.

“Come, Iwill give you just one minute
in which to decide, and then if on refuse I
shall ride for the retreat with al speed and
when you arrive you will find your father a
dead man.

“ Come!

“You have just one minute in which to
make up your mind," and the chief took a
gold watch from his pocket as he uttered the
words that were such a cruel threat to the
young girl who was in his power.

 

CHAPTER LXV.
m run some.

Borneo Btu. and Surgeon Powell had
hell-d every word uttered. ‘

They crouched down in their place of hid-
in and watched and waited.

iithercould have killed the chief with a
pistol-shot, but they knew not what the re-
sult of the report might be.

At last, as the saw that the chief and the
girl were too eeply occupied to observe
them, they decided to act. I

The chief sat on, his horse with his back
to the rocks. ,

The girl faced them, but her head was
bowed now in her hands. '

Buffalo Bill at once acted'then and prompt

yHe glided as noiselesst as a panther, and
from anion the rocks. crept u behind the
outlaw an with a stroke of is revolver-
barrel dealthim a severe blow on the back
of the head net as surgeon Powell sprung
forward an grasped the rein of his horse. "

blow caused the chief to reel and fall
from his saddle, and at the sound the girl
looked upand uttered a cry of mingled alarm
and surprise.

The cry had hardly left her lips, however,
when, in the tall form bendin over the fal-
len chief she reco zed Buffs 0 Bill.

“Oh,Buflalo f'shocriodJnatoneof

303'.
I .

 

The scout raised his sombrero quickly and
went on binding his prisoner, who was show-
in signs of returnin r Consciousness.

file had alrcad ' ( isarmcd him and was
using his own lanai for bonds.

He also took the precaution to put a rope
gag in his mouth and dragged’ him into the
retreat among the rocks and left him just as
he turned his wild eyes upon the scout, who
had torn from his face the half mask he
wore.

Surgeon I’owell meanwhile had held on to
the outlaw’s horse and at the same time
spoken a soothing word to the young girl,
who was ,all unnerved.

But she recovered herself and said quickly: 5 should meet any of the men down the val ey, '
" From what have you and your friend not ’, though I do not believe one of them is away
I from the upper camps.”

saved me, Buffalo Bill?”
“\Ve'hcard” enough to know what you

have suficred, miss, and we came here hop- E tion Frank Powell had acted upon it, and

ing to save you, for I was sure that you could
not be bad."

“ You did not keep your promise?”

“ Yes, the six months were up yesterday,
and then I rcjurncd, along with my friend
Surfieon Powoll of the army."

” ou returned only yesterday?”

“ Yes, miss."

“ That cannot be.”

“ Yet it is true.”

“Then who has killed secretly the half-
dozen men of the band in the past two
months?”

“ I could not tell you.” >

“ Do you tell the truth, Buffalo Bill?’ ’

Before Cody could answer the Surgeon
Scout said:

“ I can vouch that he does, miss, for we
came to this valley only yesterday, and to~
Esther; but nearly five months a o I was

ere and spent two Weeks in explo ng these
surroundings. ”

“ Yes. I recognize you now, and you came
with a cavalry command ?”

" I did. ”

“ And found nothing?”

” We found nothing."

“ I saw you from my place of hidin and
at first I thought you were Buffalo Bil , and
then knew that I was mistaken.

“ The men saw you too.”

“ Where were you, may I ask?”

“ We were in hiding.”

“ In this valley ?”

“Yes, for we have hiding-places no one
could find.” .

“ You are not wicked, I know, so whyxdid
you not betray your band 7”

"For the same reason that I exacted a
pledge from Buffalo Bill not to come here
again under six months."

" What was that?"

“ Because my father, I shame to say, is one
of theband, and I had h0ped that in” that
time he would have left here, and then. if

on returned, you could capture the out-
aws. ' -

“ Then they are outlaws?”

“Oh, yes, there is no need to disguise it
now. .

“Yet I must say to you that my father
was deceived into coming here, as I was."

“ We can well believe that. after all we
have overheard," said Buffalo Bill.

“ But you must 0 from here at once, for
your lives will be t e forfeit.

" Quick! some one of the hand y come
along at any minute, and you are lo .

. “ You must go, for there are some twenty
desperate men now in this valley. ”

“ And we have three—score brave troopers
not very far aWay,” was Buflalo Bill’s re-
sponse, and he added:

” No, miss, we have come to stay."

 

\
CHAPTER LXVI;
'rnn sscanr roan.

' Tunyoung girl eyed Buffalo mu cloiely

as he spoke, and then said: -

“You have troops near?"

" Yes. I can get them hereby tomorrow's
sunrise.” .

“ Then let me beg ou to go after them at
once. and then I, wi l eel content.

“ Alone you two will be sacrificed."

“ Surgeon Powell?"

“ Yes. Bill.” .

“ Will you mount this horse of molds!
and ride with all speed for Captain Wade,

' i

 

while I go into the hiding-place there and
hold the prisoner until your return? _

“ In the mean time I will learn from this»
young lady just where to find this band, so-
that we can go at once upon your return
with the men and attack them.”

“Iwill beoil’ at once; but will not the
chief be missed 1’”

“ The young lady must explain his absence-
in some way, Frank "

“Then 1 am off," and Surgeon Powell
leaped into the saddle and was about to dash
awnv when the giri said:

“ Take the chief‘s hat and mask, yes, and
coat instead of your own, sir, in case 011‘

     
  
   
   
   
    
  
   
  
    
    
   
  
   
   
     
  
  
   
    
    
   
   
   
    
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
      
     
   
  
  
   
   
    
   
   
  
   
    
 
  
   
   
     
     
  
    
      
       
    
             
       
       

As soon as the girl had made the sugges-- . 

the exchange was quickly made and away
went the Surgeon Scout down the valley im
a sweepingagallop.

“ Now, uffalo Bill, I wish to make terms- .
with you," said the youg girl when the:
doctor had left.

“ I am willing, miss, for I owe my life to

'ou.” l

J “ Do not put it upon that basis, only upon.

the fact that you are to kill, or capture this: -'
hand of outlaws and get considerable booty. "7 . . 

“All right, what are your wishes, miss?” . 3;

“ A compromise.” . _- 

“ Name it, please." 

“ My father is nominally one: of thim, ‘77?
band.’  '

us Yes.» _ i ‘ l

“ He was the one who allowed you to» 
escape, and, as he supposed, administered.- 
the oath to you in the cavern." '

“ I thought as much. " :"

“ He was a ood man until he asain—~ 
veigled here, an then, tempted byth glitter- 31:?
of gold, he yielded to the chief’s wishes and? 
became his partner.” ‘_

“ Well?" .

“He has never raised a hand against 'a.-:'
human life, and has tried to protect unfor~~ ,
tunates who have fallen into the powerof‘ Q
the chief, as I have also done.” .

“ I can believe that.”

“ My father now has three of the soldiers:
whom Surgeon Powell led some months; ~
ago, hiding them away where thevchlef be-
lieves them to be dead. ’

“ Thank Heaven for the ." ‘

“ Yes, they ran into one of our hiding-w»
places and were seized.

" The chief sentenced them to death, but. _
my father, pretending to carry out the com; 
mand, kept them in hiding, though prison-__
ers in irons.” , ‘ _.

.“ I certainly am delighted to hear this,
miss.” .

“ For this reason I beg for the freedom of: .
my father and myself.” ‘ 

“ You shall have your wish, I pledge you:
my word.”' »‘ v

" But this is not al .”

“Well?” - ‘ 3 ‘

“ I wish our share of the fortune'hero, for-
my father has worked lard to gait—yes, -
and sinned for it. too.” I

“You mean the booty the outlaws, have
gotten in their mhherleg’88 V 1

“Oh, no, for what th have robbed 
pic of now and then, amounts to nothing." "t

" What do Kn mean, then?” a '

“I mean t t thereisagoldmineinthir
valley, which the chief and his men MW
been working for several years. ,  ’

" The chief discovered it ears ago, but-3i, .,
needed machinery to get at éandhe 
mono tobuyitwith.. ' ’ ‘  ..

“ e therefore made up his hind” g
money at all hazards, and. he plotted; .
ruinof anoblemantodoso. .

“Thatnnn wasonelloved with all m
heart, and was the chief'shrother. . - . ‘ 1

“ He was a paymaster in thearltziv, 
wastedintoatrap bythe chief a made a;
prisoner, and his money taken from him. j .

“As he hated him for winning myirlove.
he aid, he got his revenge by ital»an ‘
his brother as papa-Item luv“: 

.,.

 

 

   

  

       
 
 
   

  

          
    
    

filhot'l‘urpin, of the army,ha‘drob$fio
Government ' fled. , < '. /
“When released from his imprisonment,
Mn.

    

   

W Turpin found himselfarulned

   

* -':~snd went Heaven only knows where: in
L fact, ,I fear he took his own life, for he found
 “ that Iliad gone off with his brother.

1 “This I did do. with my father, but it
 was, as he told me, to take me to my lover,

' who was badly wounded.

. , “In this way he got us into his power,

. ml kept. us here. for here is where we came,
' 1 The money be robbed the Government
' H (if, taken from poor Talbot, he bought the
 necessary machinery with, and ox-trains
 brouvht it here.

'- ' “ hose whom he had to get to help him
 .‘Were sworn in as his band, and they have
{Eycall a share in the mines, which have yielded
 most liberally. ‘

7’6 “ That which belongs to the outlaws is
 your prize, I know, but I ask for what is my
 ather‘s, for then I will be able to search the
 world over and find Talbot Turpin, if alive,
~q'.:.1»and clear his name of dishonor."
 Buffalo Bill listened with rapt attention to
if «all the young girl said and then remarked, as
 ‘ he now saw clearly through the mystery:
'  “I can refuse my Mascot nothing, and
{you and your father shall have your own.
‘ “But now let me ask (you, 'if, to keep the
crot from being foun out, the chief has
iliod those who came into this valley 1"
, "He has, though he believes that some
isone else held the secret {vears ago, and
‘ 'missacred a wagon-train o emigrants that
We here.” .
" That accounts for the graves in the can-
on, then?”
, _" Yes; but now tell me again that you
Wham not been the one to kill so m sterious-
31y seven of the band of outlaws of ate ?”
" I have not." .
a “ Then who has done this killing 2”
:4 " I cannot tell you indeed."
, "‘ The chief has thought that it was a plot
J, mong the men to kill 03 each other that the
9 ashore ogdgold might be larger for those who
’L'I'emain ." . .
“ t ma be the case, in fact it must be.”
_" or t at reason we were to leave here
within aifew-days: but thank Heaven you
5),; here to emi this life of crime. for those
utiaws are one and all guilty of the vilest
regimes," said the girl earnestly,

it,

 

CHAPTER LXVII.
THE UNKNOWN ITNMASKED.

«"Now will '01: remain here with the chief,
our sol iers come?" asked the'young

girl-o Buffalo Bill. .

‘ ‘" I will, and he will be safe. "
r“? "‘I do not doubt that. and I will excuse
g. s absence as best I can, but I must tell my

’her all." ,

’  ‘ You can trust him ?" ,
‘ " Oh, ycs,,and he will be a happy man."
it" But when the soldiers come i”

2!.
u—

 

“ Are you to be my Mascot still?
' Will you be my guide to the retreat of
fie outlaws?" '
5 j“ I’ll tell you 'what I will do. "
“ Yes.’.'
“if; “ The outlawswill not go abroad at night,

.3" gondso I will come here. for you."

.Thst is a idea."
‘You can to the oh i so he cannot es-
wo, and than go with 0 until I show you

tithe secret retreats. and they are not as far
330m here as you think."
" “The men will be there?"
.“Oh, yes, and I’ll show on where you
,‘i  find my father and m f."/, ._
"'f'l‘hst will be well. "
16* m ". Now I‘must return, but expect me soon
Lifter dark " and with this she leapedflnto her
" is s rode away.
5. x She had not been gone long before Bunnie
a,  saw a man com ng up the valley. '
3‘“ ’* 31m scout was all attention at once, peer-
g out frail his hiding-place to which he

rotten
ornsksitthesstorhe gs god the chief.

 securely. and than watc the coming

cautiouslynnd as he drew

 came on
n We Bill saw that it was-nomr

 than his unknown comrade, the one
. horn ballad brought back to life after cut.
 ihimdownhom the tree.

‘ .was about to go out and meethini

benign: man came straight toward his hid-

  

‘i‘fsw seconds more and he came in behind

 

 

It WWW—“.mWW... . -. ..

the rocks and was face to face with Buffalo
Bill -

He dropped his hand upon his revolver,
but recognized the scout at once and cried:

" :reat God! you here Bufalo Bill f”

“ Yes, 1—”

But ere the scout could say more there
more a deep rroan from the bound and gag-
ged chief, and turning upon him Buffalo Bill
thought he was dying.

The Unknown also saw him then and cried
savagely:

“ At last we meet again, my brother.

“ But forAhe fact that Isee you this scout’s
prisoner, and know that you will hang for
your crimes, I would be tempted to stain my
hands with your blood, be you to me what
you may."

The scout had removed the gag from the
mouth of the chief, and there came the words
in gasps:

“The dead has arisen!

“ You are—"

“ I am no ghost, Hugh Turpin, but flesh
and blood.

“ You had me hanged, but this brave man
came nlon in time to save my life.

“ You ishonored me before the world,
made me appear like a thief, and, when at
last I escapzd from you and could return, I
dared not until I had proof of my innocence.

” I dared not let this noble man carry me
back to the fort, soI deceived him and es-
caped from him.

“But I remained in this valley to hunt
down your band and some day show that I
was not guilt . -

“Now I will force the truth from you. "

“ If you will set me free I will confess all
the wrongl have done you."

“ No, you are not my prisoner.”

” There is no need of further proof, Capn
tain Turpin, for I know you to be that ofli-
cer, than can be given by the lady on love
and her father, and whose names do not
know.”

“ Ah! Queen Kent and her father?

“ Yes, they are here, and in this man’s
power." ,

“They are no longer, air, and Mr. Kent
and his lovely daughter are to go free from
here, I pledge you m word. _

“ But I must gag t llS man .again, as some
one may pass. " _

The scout again gagged the chief, and then
sat down with Captain Tur‘pin to hear the
story he had to tel , for he said: '

“ I had begun my work of revenge, scout,
and already had faced seven of the outlaw
band,- watching my chance and catching
them alone. '

“ I did not assassinate them, but met them
as 0. mar. face to face, and mine was the bet-
ter aim, guided by just revenge. "

For s lon while the two so strangely met
talked toget er, and at last the shadows of
ni ht crept over the valley.

hcn, true to her promise, Queen Kent
came to meet Buffalo Bill, and it was the
happiest hour of the scout's life when he
was able to tell her that her lover was alive
and near her, and then he called him out to
meet the maiden. ‘

Of that meeting we miist not speak, save
than to so that Captain Turpin told Buffalo
Bill that t 6 joy he then felt repaid him for
all that he had sufl’ered in the past.

CHAPTER LXVIII.
coscwsros.

Ir was not daybreak when Surgeon Powell
guided Captain Wade and his troopers up to;
the spot where Buffalo Bill was awaiting
them. . -

The scout hastily ex lained to Captain
Wade the situation an presented him to
Co in Tu in, whom he had never met,
tel ing him h s story. ' ‘ '

Then he told how he had been led by his
Mascot to the recent retreats of the miners,
and he would‘ gnide‘tho soldiers there.

These retreats were on the inaccessible
hill-tops, except through caves in the clifls.
entrances to the taverns being concealed by
painted canvas to look like rock, thus clev-
erly throwing all off the track who reached
for them. - . -

To the hilhtop horses on all had been
taken by the outlaws, for o on up there a
valley was found upon the summit of the
range, and s donations in size. »

Bo Buffalo-Bill led,tho troopers to the

 

. I

.z s,
1

Buffalo Burg. -

l Csvsl

  

 

'v

attack, upthrou h the caverns, and the out-
laws, just at day reak, saw the Boysin Blue
dashing into their retreat.

They fought desperately, however, and
onl a few of them were taken alive. I»

It r Kent and his daughter Were found
elsewhere, and after a halt in the valley of
several days the soldiers started upon their
return for the fort, accompanied by the man
who had been the partner of the outlaw
chief.

The gold found was not so much as was
expected, and as the outlaw chief at least
had a claim to that, he ave to his brother
his share to restore to t 1e Government the
amount he had taken from him.

On the way back to the fort the chief, and
his lieutenant, whose name was also Talbot,
attempted to escape and Were shot by the
scntincls on dut , and thus their careers
were ended by a )ullet instead of a rope.

In due time the command arrived at the
fort, and Colonel Merriam was glad to know '
the successful ending of a red trail, and that
his friend Talbot Turpin was not the guilty
man he had been accused of being.

He lost no time in sending the prisoners
off for trial, but was sorry not to be able to
keep Captain Turpin, Mr. Kent and Queen
at the fort for a long visit.

The aymaster sent in his resignation,
with 9. ul statement of facts, and then went
with Mr. Kent and his daughter back to
their old home, where the lovers were soon
after united in marria e. ‘

As for those at the fort who have figured
in my story, they still live, honored and ad-
mired b their fellow countrymen for their
deeds o daring on the wild frontier, while
Braises are sung, in every military camp, of

uffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout, heroes
of the plains who unearthed the secret of the
Valley of Death.

THE END.

_ ====
Bulalo Bill’s Host Famous Rido‘

WILLIAM F. CODY, " Buffalo Bill,” madea
remarkable ride in Kansas in 1868, when the
State was comparatively unknown. We are
not compelled to take the famous scout’s
word for his feat, for General Phil Sheridan
has left the record in his autobiography.
That commander started out in midwinter to

unish the troublesome red-skins and got as
or as Hays City. The following extract
from Sheridan's memoirs tells the story of
the remarkable ride:

“Mr. William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill, was
first brought to my notice by distinguishing
himself in bringing me an im ortant dis-
.patch from Fort Larned to Fort Iays, a dis-
tance of sixty-five miles, through a section
infested with Indians. The dispatch in?
formed me that the Indians near Lamed
were preparing to decsmp, and this intelli-,
genre required that certain orders, should be
carried to Fort Dodge, ninety-five? miles
south of Hays; This, too, being a particu-
larly dangerous route—several couriers hav-
ing been killed on it—it wasimpossible to
get one of the various Pctes, Jacks or J inns
hanging around Hays City to tulle this com-
munication.

“Cody, learning of the strait I was in.
manfully came to the rescue, and.
to make the trip to Dodge. thougK ho had
ust finished his ion and perilous ride from

med. I grateful y accepted his offer. and
after a short rest he mounted a fresh horse
and hiutened on his journc , haltin but
once to rest on the way, an then on y for
an hour, the stop being made at Coon Creek,
where he got another mount from a troop of
cavalry. ‘At Dodge he took some sleep, and
then continued on to his own post—Fort
Larned—with more dispatches. .

“After resting at Lorned he was in it
the saddle with tidings for me at Fortfia 8,
General Hazen sending him this time, th
word that the vii era had fled tothe south
of the Arkansas. us. in ill. ‘Wy 1‘0d0
about 850 miles in leather: sixty hon". and
suchsn exhibition of endurance and cour-
age at that time of the year sndin such
weather was more thatkenough to convince
me that his services would be extremely
valuable in the campus." I retained him
at Fort Karyn.“ the ttnlionof the. 5th

ry or vod, and than made him chief of \
scouts}

 

 

 

 

   

 

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Beadle’s Dime Library.

 

w

192 The LightningvSport' or, The Bad Man at Slaugh-
ter Bar. By . R. Eyster.

193 The Man in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
By Capt. F. Whittaker.

194 Don Sombrero, the California Road Gent; or,
 Three Men of Mount Tabor. By Capt. Mark

i ton.

195 The Lone Star Gambler; or, The Maid of the
M nolias. By Buckskin Sam.

196 La rmoset the Detective Queen; or, The Lost
Heir of More . By Albert W. Aiken.

197 Revolver Rob, the Bedeanded; or, The Belle of
Nugget Camp. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

198 The Skeleton Schooner" or, The Skimmer of the
Sea. By Col. Prentiss ngrallam.

199 Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver. By
Buckskin Sam.

200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Southern
Mexico. By Capt. Mayne Reid. .

201 The Pirate of the Pincers; or Joaquln‘s Death

' Hunt. By Joseph 11. Bad r, r.

202 Cactus Jack. the Giant uide; or, The Masked
Robbers of Black Bend. By Capt. Mark Wii'on.

213 The Double Detective; or, The Midnight Mys-
tery. By Albert W. Aiken. _

204 13' Foot Wallace, the Kill of the Lar.at; or,
W id Wolf, the Waco. Bv uckskin Sam.

295 The Gambler Pirate; or, Bessie, the Lady of the

n. By Col. Prentiss In raham.

m6 One Eye, the Cannons r; or,_ arshai Ney's Last
W BE Ca t. Fred. Whittaker.

207 0 rd e ;or, Whirlwind and His Milk-
White Mare. B Philip S. Warne.

213 The White Chie . liy Capt. Mayne Reid.

219 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince; or The Ro—
mance of Death Gulch. By Edward Wiliett.

210 Buccaneer Bess, the Lioness of the Sea; or, The
Red Sea Trail. By Col. P. lngraham.

211 Colonel Plunger: or, The Unknown Sport. By
Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

212 The Brazos ’1‘igers‘ or, The Minute-Men of
Fort Belknap. By Buckskin Sam.

213 The War Trail; or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse
BKeCapt. Mayne Reid.

214 T Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
By Wm. R. Eyster.

215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys; or, The
Gentle She herd’s Big “Clean-Out.” By Capt.
Frederick hittaker.

216 The Corsair Planter; or, Driven to Doom. By
Col. Prentim 1 raham.

217 The Ser nt of iPaso; or Frontier Frank, the
Scout 0 the Rio Grande. B Buckskin Sam.

218 The Wild Huntress; or, The ig Squatter‘s Venr
geance. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

219 The Sco ion Brothers; or, Mad Tom's Mission.
B Ca 11 Mark Wilton.

22) The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime. By

Col. P. Ingraham.
Q1 ,rste Duke. the Guadaioupe “ Galoot," By
Bu kin Sam

222 Bill. the Biiuard' or. Red Jacket’s Double
Crime. By Edward Willelt.

223 Canyon Dave the Man of the Mountain' or,
Twill? Toughs of Silver Spur. By Captain Mark

ton. -

224 Black Board, the Buccaneer; or, The Curse of
the Coast. By Col. P. l raham.

225 Rocky Mountain A1' or ug t Nell, the Walt
of the Range. By Buckskin m.

2% The Mad Hussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac’s.
By Ca t. F. Whittaker.

227 Bucks ot Ben. the Mas-Hunter of Idaho' or,
glimmms Creek Tragedy. By Capt. Mark

B.

98 The Maroon. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

219 Captain Cutsleeve; or. Touch-MoNot, the Little

grit. By Wm. B. Eyster.

m e Fly Dutchman of 188); or, Who was
Vande on. By Capt. Whittaker.

91 TheKid Glove Miner; or, The Magic Doctor of
Golden Gulch. ID; Col. P. 1 am.

an Orson 0n. t'EO n of iron; or, The River Mys-
tery. fly lssac Hawks.

283 The 0 Boy of Tombstone; or, Wagering a
Life on a Card. By J. E. Badger. Jr.

284 The Hunters’ Feast. By Craft. Mayne Reid.

235 Red Lightning, the Man 0 Chance; or Flush
Times in Golden Gulch. By Colonel Prentiss
Ingraham.

2” Champion Sam; or, The Monarchs of the Show.
By 00 T. H. Monstery.

287 Long-Haired Max“ or, The Black League of the
Coast. By Capt. . Wilton.

98 Bank Hound the Crescent City Detective; or,
The Owls of New Orleans. By A. P. MOrfix.

239 The‘Terribie Trio; or, The Angel of the Army.
By Buckskin Sam. .

240 A Colt:I Head; or, Orson On in Peril. By Isaac

Haw .
241 Spliiirs Saul, Ki of the Rustler-s: or, neon
Dixie's Grand “ und-Up." By Josep E.
242Th ‘r'Jii il 'ru Ski 1th rim:
e cv ' or. s pper o a .
(hofrredfivuimkrr

248, T e 'm Sharp; or, The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
z Buaalo Bill.
244 rdless Mart the Man- r of Missouri; or

The Wait of the Flood. By “Buckskin Sam."
Maj. Sam 8. Hall;
0 e or own. n
Mark Wilton. n: y p
246 sen Helen. the Amazon of the Overland; or,
e Ghouls of the Gold Mines. By Col. Prentiss

l ham.
247 A igaior Fire; or The Secret of the Everglade.
Ca Fred

B pt. Whittaker.

248 Mvontana Nat the Lion of Last Chance Camp.
B Edward iliett.

249 Elephant Torn, of Durango; or, Your Gold Dust
or Your Life. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

250 The Rough Riders; or. Sharp-Eye, the Seminole
Scourge. By Buckskin Sam.

251 Tiger Dick vs. iron rd: or, Every Man Has
H Match. ByP. S. arno.

252 The Wall Street Blood; or. Tick, Tick, the Tele»
grs h Girl. By Albert W. Aiken.

258 A aniree Cossack; or The en of the Nihil-
ists. By Capt. Frederick Wh ttaker.

254 Giant Jake. the Patrol of the Mountain. By
Newton M. Curtis.

:35 The Pirate Priest; or. The Planter Gambler‘s
Daughter. By Col. P.1ngraham.

256 Double Dan. the Bastard; or, The Pirates of the
Pecos. By Buckskin Sam.

257 Death~Trap Diggings; or, A Hard Man from
'Way Back. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo' or, The Pris-
oners of the Death Vault. By Captain Mark

Wi ton.

259 Cutlass and Cross; or, The Ghouls of the Sea.
B Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

260 T e Masked Mystery; or, The Black Crescent.
B A. P. Morris.

261 Back Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt; or, The
Bandit-Hunters. By Col. Jo Yards. ~

262 Fighting Tom the Terror of the Toughs. By
Col. Thomas Hoyer Monster .

263 Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunch Destro er: or.
The Black Riders’ Terror. Capt. Mark 11 on.

264 The Crooked Three° or The Black Hearts of
the Guadalu By Buckskin Sam.

$5 Old Double- word; or. Pilots and Pirates. Dy
Captain Frederick Whittaker.

266 Leopard Luke, the King of Horse-Thieves; or,
Thief Swamp Squatter’s Doom. By Capt. Mark

ton.

267 The White Squaw. By Ca . Mayne Reid.

268 Ma cMike, the Man of riiis; or, Bad Ben‘s
Ba Brigade. By William R. Eyster.

Bucks Sam.

270 Andros, the Free Rover; or, The Pirate's
Daughter. By Ned Buntline.

271 Stoneiist, of Big N et Bend; or Old Ket-
chum ‘s Tug of War. Capt. Mark vWilton.

272 Seth Slocum, Railroad mayor" or, The Secret
of Sitting Bull. B Ca t. Fred. Whittaker.

278 Mountain Mose t e rge Outlaw; or, Light
Horse Leon’s Five Fights for Life. By Buck-

274 Elidnlgal'i‘ri-ed h S

us , t e Mlssissi pi port; or, Tough
Times in Tennessee. By Edward Wiliett.

275 The Smuggler Cutter; or, The Cavern in the
Cliff. B5 J. D. Conroy.

276 Texas hick the Southwest Detective; or,
Tiger Lily. The Vulture Queen. By Captain
Mark Wilton.

277 The Saucy Jane Privateer: or, The Hunting of
Old Ironsides. By Capt. Fred Whittaker.

278 Hercules Golds ur, the Man of the Velvet Hand:
or, The Poker een’s Drop Game. By Captain
Howard Holmes.

279 The Gold Dragon; or, The California Blood-
hound. By Willism H. Manning.

230 Black-Ross Ben; or. Tiger Dick’s Lone Hand.
Bl}; Philip S. Warne.

M] T 6 Sea Owl; or, The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
By Colonel Prentiss In ham.

282 The Merciless Msrau ers: or, Chaparral Carl‘s
Revenge. B Buckskin Sam. .

283 Sleek Sam, t e Devil of the Mines' or, The Sons
of the Fie Cross. By Jos. EJBadger, Jr.

284 The Three tes; or, Old Ironaidos‘ Revenge.
B Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

285 Léhtning Bolt, the Can on Terror; or. The
Mountain Cat's Grudge. y Capt. Mark Wilton.

am Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand. By
Jose h E Badger. Jr.

287 Dan y Dave, and His Horse, White Stocking;
or, Ducats or Death. By Buckskin Sam.

288 Eiectro Pete, the Man of Fire‘ or, The Wharf
Rats of Locust Point. B A. P. orris.

289 Flush Fred’s Full Han : or, Life and Strife in
Louisiana. By Edward Wiliett.

290 The Lost Corvette; or Blakeley‘s Last Cruise.
By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

291 orseshoe Bank the Man of Big Luck' or, The
Gold Brick of Idaho. By Capt. Mark Wiilou.

292 Moke Homer the Boss Roustabout; or, The
Fresh-Water Sharks of the Overflow. By J. E.

Badger, Jr.
298 Stampede Steve; or, The Doom of the Double
Face. By Buckskin Sam.
294 Broadcloth Burt the Denver Dandy' or, The
Thirty s of eadwood. B Capt. H. Holmes.
(1 -Eye, the Maveric Hunter; or, The
Night Riders of Satsnla County. ByCapt. F.
W ittsker.
296 Duncan. the Sea-Diver; or, The Coast Vultures.
By George St. George.
297 Colorado Rube the Strong Arm of Hotspur
City' or, The Giant Brothers of Buzzard Roost.
By William H. Manning.
296 Logger Law or, Life and Peril in the Pine
299 3“": Bkmd'mrigurwno‘itt' l Deapa
so 0 a . ck ron rd, and
the Sportive Sport. By P. S.’Wa.rne.
300 ASport in Spectacles; or. The Bad Time at
Bunoo. B “ iiiiain R. Evster.
3 01'. MN!

802 Faro Saul, the Handsome Herculas' or, The
Grip of Steel. By Joseph E. Badger. 3r.

8% Top-Notch Tom, the Cowboy Ou'lnw' or '11.
Sstanstown Election. B Ca t. Whi er.

804 Texas Jack, the Prairie er" or, The-Queen
of the Wild Riders. B Basilio Bill

805 Silver-Plated Sol the ontana Rover; or, Giant
Ryan's mill: with Himself. By Capt. Mark

ion.

806 The Boughs of Richmond' or The Mystery of
the Golden Bee e. By A. P. M

807 The Phantom rate; or, The Water Wolves of
the Bahamas. By Col. P. Ingraham.

ace Hemlock Hank, Tough and True' or, The
Shadow of Mount in. By in Willett.

309 Raybold, the Rattlng Ranger; or, Old Rocky‘s
Tough Cam . By Buckskin Sun.

810 The Marsh of Satanstown; or, The Leagu of
the Cattle-Lifters. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

811 Heavy Hand the Mother or, The Masked
Men of Psrad Gulch. By Capt. M. Wilton.

312 Kinkfoot Karl. the Mountain Scourge; or, Wip-
ing out the Score. By Morris Redw pg.

318 Mark Magic, Detective. By A. P. Morris.

814 Lafitte; or. The Pirate of the Gulf. By Prof. J.

H. lngraharn.

815 Flush Fred s Double' or, The Squatters‘ league
of sun By Edward Willett.

816 Lafitte‘s Lieutenant; or, Theodore, the Child of
the Sea. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham.

817 Frank Lightfoot, the Miller Detective. By J. E.
Badger, Jr.

318 The Indian Buccaneer, or, Red Rovers on Blue
Waters. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm.

 

259 The Ba on Bravo; or. The Terrible Trail. By

 

819 midBBlill, the Whirlwind of the West. By Buf-
o i i.

320 The Gentleel Spotter; or, the Night Hawks of
New York. By A. W. Aiken. . .

821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. By Captain.
Howard Holmes.

322 The Crimson Coyotes; or, Nita, the Nemesis.
II? Buckskin Sam.

323 otspur Hugh- or The Banded Brothers of the.-
Glant‘s Arm. B ptaiu Mark Wilton.

824 Old Forked Lig thing, the Solitary; or, Every
lnch a Man. By Joe. E. Bad r Jr.

825 The Gentleman Pirate' or, e Hermit of Gaseo-
Bay. By Col. P. lag in. -

8% The Whitest Man in the Mines. By Captain F.
Whittaker.

327 Terrapin Dick, the Wild Woods Detective; or,
Traiiin a Traitor. B Edward Willett.

828 Kingmhent; or, The ndits of the Bason. By
Buc '11 Sam.

8% The League of Three' or, Buffalo Bill‘s Pledge.

By Col. Prentiss Ingra am.
380 gee-Salt, The Quaker City Detective. By Chas-
.1 s

331 Chispo’oharley, the Gold Nugget rt; or, The,
Rocky Mountain Masks. B . E. ger, Jr.
882 S ring-Heel Jack; or The Masked Mystery of‘

t e Tower. By Col. Monstery.

888 Derringer Deck, the Man with the Drop. By
Wm. R. Eyster.

884 The Cipher Detective; or, Mark Magic on a New.
Trail. By A. P. Moms.

385 Flash Dan. the Nabob' or. The Blades of Bowie-
Bar. By Ca tain H. Holmes.

386 The Mario big; or, The Freebooters of Sandy‘
Hook. By Col. . lngraham.

387 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp; or, The Tragedy‘
of the Deserted Camp. By Ed. t.

888 Jack Sand. the Boss of the Town' or, The Fooli
of Fiddler‘s Folly. B Philip S. arne.

889 Spread Eagle Sam, t e Hercules Hide-Hunter.
By Joseph E. Bad%r, Jr.

340 Cool Conrad, the akota Detective; or, From.
Lair to Lair. By Captain H. Holmes.

841 The Sea Desperado. By Colonel P. 

842 Blasoo Bill, the Mustang Monarch. y Buck-

skin Sam.
343 TheAfli’ad Hunter; or, Mark Magic in the Mines.

By . . Morris.
844 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand; (t); A Cold:—
r

Wave at Black Dam. By Wm. R. .
84.5 Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective. By Jos-
E. Badger, Jr.
848 Ocean Guerrillas' or, The Plantar Midshipman.
By 001. Prentiss
847 Denver Duke the an With Sand; or. Condo-
0 Sam’s Lone Hand. By Captain Howard.

oimes.
848 Dan Dillon, of Crosscut' or, A Woman;
Wild Work. B ward Willelt.

Hon-Hearted ick, the Gentleman Road-Agent"
B Albert W. Aiken.
Eamon, the Society Detective. By Weldon:

J. Cob .

851 Nor’west Nick, the Border Detective; or, Dan-
Brown‘s Fight for Life. By Jos. E. Badger. r.
The rate Down; or. The Fair Fiend of the
Cam 4’ ac. By Capt. Howard Holmes.

858 Barb Brennan, the Train Wrecker; or, The King:
of Straight Flush. By John Cuthbert.

Red Richard' or, The Brand of the Crimsom
Cross. By Alhert W. Aiken.

855 The Mad Athlete; or. The Worst Pill in the Box.
By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

56 Three Handsome SQrts; or, The Double Com-
bination. By Wm. Eyster.

857 Jack Slinons, Detective; or, The Wolves of’
Washlfiton. B A. P. Morris. '

858 The P ace of an Out; or, The Beautiful Na—
vajo‘s Mission. By Buckskin Sam.

859 Yellow Jack. the Mestizo; or, Tiger 'Dick to the:
Rescue. By Philip S. Warns.

800 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown;
or, A Craw Full of Sand. By J. E. Badge]; 1'.

$1 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot; or, e Trai-
wr's Trail. By Ned Buntiine. .

862 Bunnie Bill’s Grip; or, OathoBound to Custer.
By Col. Prentiss ingraham. ,

868 Crowni the Detective; or, Pitiless as
Death. Albeit W. Aiken.

m The Sea tive; or. The Queou of the Coast-
B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

M5 can the Shasta Shadow- or, The
Branded Face. B Calpc. Howard Holmes.

M The Telegraph Dvotective; or,_ The Dynamite
League. By George Morse.

N7 A Royal Flush; or. Dan wn's Big Game of'
From-Out. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. ‘_

as The Can on King; or, A Price on His Head. Br

r: or, , the Siren
_ Col. Pmntisi‘fiigraham.
870 The Dusky Detective; or, Plirsuod to the End-
871 airfl‘ivu'iiMhn' The U Pards B
ans; or, Bangs .
Buckskin Sam. . p. r
878 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record. By
as. r.
878 The Sailor of'Fortune' or, The Bllooaneersof

Wm . By CoL'Pmlu-n .
874 Major listeth Sport of Two Cities‘ or. The

Bmadw SgttsrlntheBlack Kills. yCapt.
mg: iGeogathoThrssinOns or'nlsCold
‘ . 0 ~

’ meBE’r

M on Blanca. .

878 The Black Beards; or, The H Horse on the
Rio Grande. By Albert W. Aiken.

877 Afloat and Ashore; or. The Corsair Conspirator.
By 001. Prentiss m.

878 John Armstrong. ochanic; or, From the Bottom.
to the Top of the. Ladder. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

879 Bowling Jonathan; or, The Terror from Head-r
waters. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

sea The Golden Serpent; or, Tiger Dick's Pledge..

g; P. S. Warns. ._

as: a Gypsy Gentlemsn- or. Nick Fox, the Demon.

Detective. BEA-idbert W. Aiken.

882 The Bonanza ; or, Dread Don, of the Cook
Clan. By Ca t. Howard Holmes.

& Silver Sam, he ive; or The Rustler-s of“
ButteACiry. By Major Daniel Boone Duinonth

U. S. .
$4 Injun Dick. Detective; or. Tracked from the»
Rockies to New York. By Albert W. Aiken.

anus—mm"!

 

..

«129 lue Grass Burt, t e

 

Beadle’s Dime Library.~

 

 

1385 Wild Dick Turpin the Lion of Leadville; or,
The Lone Hand. By Wm. H. Manning.

886 Hawk Heron, the Falcon Detective; or. The
Gotham Flats Mystery. By Jackson Knox. (Old
Hawk.)

387 Dark Durz. the Ishmael of the Hills; or, The
Gold Phantom. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

388 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch
of Death Island. By Colonel P. Ingrahmn.

339 C vlonei Doubioedge. the Cattl- Baron‘s Partl'
or. The Marshal of Sandstone. By Major Daniel
Boone Dumont. U. S. A.

390 The Giant Cupid' or. Cibuta John‘s Great
Jubilee. By J. C. Cowdrick.

391 Kate Scott. the Decoy Detective; or, Joe Phe-
hix’s Still Hunt. By A. W. Aiken.

.392 The Lost Bonanza; or. The Boot of Silent
Hound. By Captain Howard Holmes.

393 The Convict Captain; or. The Battles of the
Buccaneers. By Colo el Prentiss Ingraham.

394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte; or, a
Wronged Man’s Red Trail. By Buffalo Bill.

895 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers; or. a Fight
for Five Millions: By Jos. E. Bad er. Jr.

.396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gi t Edge Gang.

By Wm. B. Eyster.

.397 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver‘sRed
Trail. By Buffalo Bill.

398 Sleepless Eye. the Pacific Detective; or. Run~
hing Down a Double. By Geo. C. Jenks.

899 The New Monte Cristo; or. The Wandering Jew
of the Sea. By Colonel Prentiss lngraham.

.4100 Captain Coldgrip, the S rt Detective; or, The
New York Spotter in lorado. By Captain
Howard Holmes.

401 The One-Arm Pard: or, Red Retribution in Bor-
derland. By Bufl'alo Bill.

.402 Snapshot Sam. the Pistol Sharp; or. The Racket

. at A els‘ Flat. By Wm. R. Eyster.

403 The . smeless Sport; or. The Kilkenny Cats of
Wiy  Bv Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

404 Silver line Sid; or, A Daisy Blufl. By Philip S.

Warne.
405 Old Bald . the Brigadier of Buck Basin; or,
Hunted wn by a Woman. By William H.

Manning.
406 Old Po Hicks, Showman; or. Lion Charley's
Luck. y Capt. F. Whittaker.
«407 Captain Coldgripi‘s Nerve- or. Injun Nick on
Deck. By Capt. oward Holmes.
408 Doc Gri . the S rtin Detective; or. the Von-
detta of th. y Al rt W. Aiken.
b Roy Ranch- or. The Imps of the Pan Han-
dle. Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
410 Sarah rown. Detective; or, The Mystery of the
Pavilion. By K. F. Hill.
411 The White Crook; or Old Hark's Fortress. By
Major Daniel Boone Dumont.
419 Larry Locke. the Man of Iron: or. A Fight for
Fortune. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.
413 Captain Coldgrip in New York; or, The Dragon
League. B Capt. H. Holmes.
414 Red Rena . the lndian Detective; or. The Gold
Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Bill.
415 Hot Heart. the Detectite S  or The Red
Jaguar's Mission. B Wm.  anning.
416 Monte Jim. to Biac Sheep of Bismarck. By
J as. E. Badger. Jr.
417 Tucsm Tom. the Bowie Brave; or. the Fire
Trailers. By GeOrge St. George].
418 Slbyl, the Sea Siren; or, The gitive Privateer.
By Col. P. Ingraham.
419 The Bat of the Battery; or. Joe Phenix, King
of Detectives. By Albert W. Aiken.
420 The Old River Sport; or, A Man of Honor. By
Maj. Daniel Boone Dumont. .
42] Father Ferret. the ‘Frisco Shadow; or The Queen
of Bowie Notch. B On tain Howard Holmes.
10 Star Detective- or,
oDuty Bound, to Vengeance Sworn. By J. C.
Cowdrick.

428 The Lone Hand; or The Recreahts of the Red

River. ByAlbert .Aiken.

424 Hawk Heron's Deputy: or, Nixey’s Nip. By

Jackson Knox. (Old Hawk.)

425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals. By Col.
P. Ingrahsm.
426 The Ghost Detective: or, The Spy of the Secret
Badger. r.

Service. By Joseph E. _

-427 The Rivals of Montana Mills; or. Redgrave, the
Renegade. By Wm. H. Manning.

'42s EheiFlying Glim; or, The Islan Lure. By Leon

ow s.

429 Hair Trl or Tom of Red Bend; or, All Wool
and 9. Ya Wide. By William R. Eyster.

430 The Fatal Frigate: or, Rivals in Love and War.
By Colonel Prentiss I raham.

431 California Kit, the A we. s on Hand; or. The
Mountain Rivals. By Ph ip S. Warne.

432 The Giant Horseman; or, Tracking the Red
Cross Ga . ByGeorge C. Jenks.

433 Laughing : or. Spread Eagle Sam’s Dandy
Pard. B J h E. Badger. Jr.

434 Lucifer ynx, the Wonder Detectivo- or. A Cool
Hand Among Hot Heads. By Cagt. . Holmes.

435 The One-Aimed Buccaneer; or. he Haveniess
Cruiser. By 001. Prentiss lngraham.

436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport From Yellow Pine
By J. C. Cowdrick.

437 Deep Duke. the Silent Sharp- or. The Man of
Two Lives. By Wm. H. Mann ago

488 Oklahoma Nick; or, Boomer it’s Surprise
Party. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

439 Salamander Sam; or The Swamp Island Rene-
fides. By Major D. B Dumont.

440 its High Horse of the Pacific. ,By Albert W.

e

A n.

441 The California Sharp' or. The Trail of the Gold-
en Grandee. By Capt. Howard Holmes.

449 Wild West Walt the Mountain Veteran' or, The
Gunmakers of World‘s End. By W. H. anning.

448 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic at Top
Notch. By Joseph E. Bugger. Jr.

444 The Magic Detective; or, e Hidden Hand. By
Jackson Knox. -

445 Journeyman John. the Chum ion; or. The Win-
ning Hand. By Capt. Fred. ttaker.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Oiitmst Corsair; or, The Good
Ship of Ill-Omen. By Col. P. Ingraham.

447 Volcano. the 'Frisco Spy' or. The Secret of the
Secret Seven. By Capt. Howard Holmes.

44S Hark Kenton. the Traitor; or, The Hunted Life.
By Major D. Burr.

 

449 Blufl' Burke, King of the Rockies: or. The Black
Stake Rivals. By Wm. H. Manning.

450 The Rustler Detective; or, The Bounding Buck
from Buffalo Wallow. By J. E. Badger. r.

451 anlock. the Rocket Detective; or, The Han-
shaw Mystery. By Jackson Knox. ’

452 Rainbow Rob. the Tulip from Texas; or, The
Spot Saint‘s Mission. By J. C. Cowdrick.

153 (‘aptnin (‘oldgrip's Long Trail' or. The Rivals of
Silver Deck. By Capt. Howard Holmes.

154 The Night Raider: or, The Mysterious Marauder.
By Mn )1‘ D. B. Dumont.

455 Yank ellowbird. ihe Tall Hustler of the Hills;
or, The Conspirators of Medicine Springs. By
Wm. H. Manning.

m The D ‘mon Steer; or, The Outlaws on the Abi-
lene Cattle Trail. By Leon Lewis.

457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator‘s Son.
By Col. Prentiss In rahani.

45S Dutch Dan. the Pi rim from S itzenbe ; or.
The Rocky Racket at Rough Rob n. By oseph
E. Bad er, Jr.

459 Major . nnshine. the Man of Three Lives; or. The
Waiting Waits at Git Thar. By Wm. R. Eyster.

460 Captain Coldgrip. the (‘ity Delective; or. The
Coolest oman in New York. By Capt. Holmes.

461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande: or, The RedRiders
of Ra on. B5 Albert W. Aiken.

462 The ircus etective; or. Griplock in a New
Role. By Jackson Knox.

463 Gold Gauntlet the Gulch Gladiator; or. Yank
Yellowbird's Hot Campaign. By Wm, H. Man-

hing.

464 Sandgcraw, the Man of Grit; or. The River
800 ’s Revenge. By Major D. B. Dumont.

465 The Actor Detective. B Albert W. Aiken.

466 Old Rough and Read . t 0 Mo! Sundown; or.
Not for Life but for onor. ByJ. E. Badger. Jr.

467 Mainwaring the Salamander; or. The Detectives‘
Ordeal. By Jackson Knox.

4a: Coldgri in Deadwood; or. The Great Detective's
Double rail. B Captain H. Holmes.

409 The Li*utenant etective; or. The Fugitive Sail-
or. By Col. P. I am.

470 The Duke of D ota; or. Yank Yellowbird‘s
Fiery Gantlet. By Wm. H. Mannin ._

471 The Heart of Oak Detective; or, igug‘s Full
Band. B E. A. St. Mox.

; or, The Man to “ Tie To." By P. S.

arne.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel Arm Detective; or.
Fightin the Powers of Air. By J. C. Cowdrick.

474 Daddg ad-Eye. the Despot of Dow-Drop“ or.
The amsel from Deseret. B Jos. E. Badger.

475 Chin Chin. the Chinese Detect v0' or, The Dark
Work of the Black Hand. A. 'w. Aiken.

476 Bob Brent. Buccaneer; or, he Red Sea-Raider.
By Col. P. Ingraham.

4?? Dead-Arm Brandt; or. The Long Vengeance.
B Jackson Knox.

478 P nnacle Pete: or. The Fool From 'Way Back.
By W. R. Eyster.

479 G adiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassa Jack; or.
Y Yellowbird's Castle Crusade. By Wm. H.

Manning.

430 Hawks ar, the Man with a Secret' or, New
York ick’s Spirit Trail. B Ca t. H. Holmes.

481 The Silent Detectives; or, he s Nephew.

‘ By Leon Lewis.

482 Ocean Tramps; or. The Desperadoes of the Deep.
gr Col. P. Ingraham.

486 nah Fred. the River Sharp; or, Hearts for
Stakes. By Ed. Willett.

484 Ca tain Ready. the Red Ransomer; or Nick
P die’s Wild West Inheritance. By Leon Lewis.

485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective: or The Terrible
Twins. 113a Jackson Knox.

4% Kansas Lion. the Northwest Detective, or,
Yank Yellowbird's Search-Brigade. By Wm. H.
Manning.

487 Sunshine Sam Chip of the Old Block; or The
Silent Trail of the Si ent Six. By Capt. H. Ho mes.
The Thoroughbred S rt; or The Big Bracer’s
Bequest. B Jos. E. adge r.

489 The Pirate unwr; or, The Ocean Rivals. By
Col. P. lngraham.

490 The Lone Hand in Texas; or. The Red-Gloved
Raiders of the Rio Grande. Bv A. W. Aiken.

491 Ziglzng and Cutt. tho Invincible Detectives: or,
A reclous Set of Scoundrels. By E. A. St. Mox.

492 Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpshootes; or.
Yank Yellowhird’s Black Hills Colony. By Wm.
H. Manning.

493 The Scouts of the Sea; or, The Avenging Buc-
caneer. By Col. P. Ingraham.

494 The Detective‘s Spy; or. The Invisible Rook.
By Jackson Knox.

495 Rattlepate Rob; or The Roundhead’s Reprisal.
By Jos. E. Ba r. r.

496 Richard Redflre. the Two Worlds Detective;
Or. To the Bitter End. By Ca t. H. Holmes.

497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The obedo Millions.
By A. W. Aiken.

4% Central Pacific Paul, The Mail-Train SPY: or,
Yank Yellowbird's Iron Trail. By W. H. Manning.

499 Twilight C arlie. the Sport; or, Sulphur
Sam‘s Double. By J. C. Cowdrick.

500 The True Heart Paras; or. The Gentleman
Vagabond. By Dr. N. Dunbar.

501 S ringsteel S eve. the Retired Detective; or,
T e Relentless Shadower. By Jackson Knox.

502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains; or.
The Trail of Six. Bv P. S Warne.

we The Dude from Denver; or, The Game at Ground
Hog B Wm. R. Eyster.

504 Solemn iii the Sad Man from San Saba; or,
The Big Shell-Out. Bv Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter or. the Private
Secrets '8 Oath. By Captain H. Holmes.

506 Uncle onest, the Peacemaker of Hornet's
Nest; or. Yank Yellowblrd versus the Leather
Jackets. By Wm. H. Manning.

The Drummer Detective: or. The Dead Straight
Trail. By Geo. C. Jenks

we Topnotch Tim. the Mad Parson: or. The Bad
Men of the Basin. By Ms or D. B. Dumont.

we Old Falcon. the Thunder lt Detective, or, The
FatefulLo y. By Jackson Knox.

510 El Moro. t e Corsair Commodore: or, The Lion
of the Lagoon. B Col. P. Ingraham.

511 Paint Pete. the raire html‘ or, The Rival
Rancheros. By Msior S. S. Hall.

512 Cs tain Velvet's Big Stake; or, The Gold Goths
of o Man’s Ground. By Capt. H. Holmes.

 

513 Texas Tartar, the Man with Nine Lives: or,
Yank Yellowbird’s Best Yank. By W.ll.Manning.

514 Gabe Gunn. the Grizzly from Ginwng: or.
Solemn Saul‘s >erapli. By Jos E. Ban er, Jr.

515 Short Stop Ma's, the Diamond Field en ctive:
or. Old Ealcon 3 Master Game. By J. Knox.

516 Chatard, the DeadShot Duelist; or, The Fate-
ful Heritage. By Col. P. lngraham.

517 Buffalo USPS First Trail; or. Will Cody, the
Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntlii e.

518 Royal Richard the Thoroughbri d: or. Long
Pete Jenkius’s Convoy. By John W. Oslion.

519 Old Riddles. the Rocky Ranger; or. The Reser-
vation Castaways. By J. C. Cowdrick.

520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo; or. The Bad
Man of the Big Bayou By A. W. Aiken.

521 Paradise Sam. the Nor’wrsl Pilot: or. Yank
Yellowbird‘s Great Diskivery. By \\ . H. Manning.

522 The Champion Three; or. Six-Foot Si's Clean
Sweep. By P. S. Warne.

523 Reynard of Rerl Jack; or. The Lost Detective.
Bv Captain H. Holmes.

524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble. By Col.
P. lngraham.

525 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy; or. Millions
0n the Turn. By Wm. B. Eyste r.

not Death Grip the Tenderfoot Detective' or, A
son Hunt for Old Secrecy. B Geo. C.Jehks.

597 Dandy Andy. the Diamond tective; or. The
Twinsof Tipto . B Jos. E. Badger Jr.

5% Hucklebe , t e cot-Hills Detective; or, The
Rival Ranc men. B Lieut. A. K. Sims.

599 The Fresh in New ’ork; or. The Vendetta of
Hate. By A. W. Aiken. I

530 The Savages of the Sea; or, The Avenging
Cruiser. By Col. P. Infinham.

531 Saddle-Chief Kit. the a‘rie Centaur; or. The
Border Blacksmith‘s Terrible Temptation. By
Wm. H. Manning.

562 Javert, the Independent Detective; or. Captain
Cinnabar in New York. By Capt. . Holmes.

556 Oregon. the Sport with a Scar: or. The 84st
Man of Brace Box. By Wm. B. E stcr.

534 Greenmountain Joe; or, The ounterfeiier‘s
Cave. By Marmaduke Dey.

5w Ihndv Dutch, the Decorator from Dead-Lift; or.
Saul Sunda 's Search for Glory. By J. E. Badger.

535 Old Falcon s Foe; or. The Matchless Detective's
vaell J oh. By Jackson Knox'.

567 Blake. the Mountain Lion; or. TheFresh Against
the Field. By Albert W. Aiken.

Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective; or, The
Treacherous Two. B Geo. C. Jenks.

539 Old Doubledark. the 'ily Detective- or. The In-
visible Foe‘s Masquerade. By Wm. . Manning.

540 The Fleet Scourge; or. The Sea Wing of Salem.
By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

541 Ma'or Magnet. the Man of Nerve' or The Muck-
a-. ucks of Animas. BfilJoseph E Badger. Jr.

542 The Ocean Drift; or, 0 Fight for Two Lives.
B A. F. Holt.

0 ate Detective: or. Major Million’s
Joust wit the Witch. By Capt. Howard Holmes.

544 The Back to Back Pards; or. The Right Man in
the Wrong Place. By Philip S. Warne.

545 Hustler Harry. the Cowboy S rt; or. Daring
Dan Shark's General Deliver . W. G. Patten.

546 The Doomed Whaler; or, e fe Wreck. By
Col. Prentiss Ingmham.

547 The Buried Detective; or. Saul Sunday‘s Six
Sensations. By J1 s. E. Bad er. Jr.

548 Falconbridge. the S hinx tective; or. 'lhe
Siren of the Baleful ye. Jackson Knox.

549 Belshtizzar Brick. the Boili of Blue Blazrs; or,
Four Horse Frank‘s Frolic at Bad Luck Bar.
By Wm. B. Eyster.

550 Silk Hand the Mohave Ferret: or. The Marked
Man of A zona. Bv Capt. Howard Holmes.

551 Gar Kean the Man with Backbone: or, The
Glad ators of Jack‘s Delight. By W. H Manning.

552 Prince Primrose the Flewer of the Flock; or,
The Grand Camp at Paradise Gulch. By Lieut.
A. K. Sims.

553 Monte the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig.

Co . P. Ingrsham.

554 ad Sha .the Rustler; or. The Drummer De-
tective's Lay-out. By Geo. Jenks.

555 Gri Sack d. the Sanige Sport; or, the Rivals
of ock-about Ran yJose b E Badger Jr.

550 F resh. the S rt—L fivalier; or, A Big Racket at
Slide Out. A. W Aiken.

557 The Moun n Graybeards: or. Old Riddle‘s
Greatest Riddle. Bv J C. Cowdrick.

558 Hurrah Harry.the Hi hHorse from Halcyon: or.
High Old Times at ardPan. Bly W. R. Evster.

550 Danton. the Shadow Sharp; or, T e sea of the
Hidden Hands. B Capt. Howard holmes.

560 lbs Man from exico; or, The Idol of Last
Chance. Bv Col. r. in raham.

561 The Thug ng; or. e Falcon Detective‘s In
visible Foe. By Jackson Knox.

5653 Lone Hand. he Shadow; or. The Master of the
Ti iangle Ranch. By Albert W. Aiken.

563 Wyomin Zeke, the Hots ur of Honeysuckle;
or, Old umilit ‘s Hard oad to Travel. By
Wm. H. Mannin

564 'lhe Grip-Sack Sh ; or, The Seraphs ofSodom.
By Jos. E. Badger. r.

565 Prince Paul. th Postman Detective; or. Crush-
ing a Serpent's cad. By J. C. Cowdrick.

566 The Dauntless Detective; or, The Daughter
Avenger. Bv Toni Vi . King.

567 Captain Midnight. the Man of Craft; or, The
Road-Knight's Plot. By P. S. Warns

56s The Dude Detective' or Phelin McGallagin's
Hard Luck Hustle. By in. R. Eyster.

569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded M tery; or The

iickened Dead. By Captain oward Holmes.

570 ' e Actress Detective; or, The Invisible Hand.
By Albert W. Aiken.

571 Old Dismal. the Range Detective: or. The Hid-
den Cabin of Wind Canyon. By Wm. G. Patten.

572 Jaunt- Joe.the Jockey Detective. ByG. C. Jenks.

573 The Witch of Shasta; or, The Man of Cheek.
Ry Major Daniel Boone Dumont.

574 Old Falcon's Double. By Jackson Knox.

575 Steady Harri}. the Napoleon of Detectives.
By William Manning.

576 Silver-Tonguod Sid; or. The gapSack Sharp‘s
Clo-an Sweep. By. Joseph E. ger. Jr.

577 Tom of California; or, the Actress Detectivc's
Shadow Act. By Albert W. Aiken.

578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile. By
William R. Eystrr.

“I.

. -..»-u..a‘iv-

. ‘ ._., .r..‘...~... «r. “Ti: 13':

.'.h¢u-i.ausn‘_-

 

5.-“ was. .3.

BEADLE’SrDIMErflBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

5579 Old Cormorant. Ihe Bowery Shadow. By Capt.
Howard Holmes.

580 Shadowing a Shadow; or, The Pacific Slope
Detectivc’s Tri le Trail. By J. C. Cowdrick.

‘ 581 The Outlawed kipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.

By Col. P Ingraham.

582 Joram. the Detective Expert. By Jackson Knox.

683 Captain Adair. the Cattle King; or, A Red
Ransom. By P. S. Warne.

.584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King. By Ned
Buntline.

585 Dan Dixons Double; or, The Deadlock of Danger
Divide By Wm. H. Manning.

586 The Silver Sharp Detective; or. The Big Rustic
at XL Ranch. iy Albert W . Aiken

587 Conrad. the Sailor Sp ; or. The True Hearts of
‘76. By Col. Prentiss ngraham.

588 Sandy Sands. the Sharp from Snap City° or,
Hoist b His Own Petard. By Joseph E. Badger.

589 Prince al. the Battling Detective; or. Pat Lyon.
the Master Locksmith By Charles Morris.

.590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug: or,
The Dark Deal at Doubledeck. By W. R. Eyster.

591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective or, Caging
the ‘Uncanny Birds. By J. C. Cowd ck.

.592 Captain Sid. the Shasta Ferret' or. the Rivals of
Sunset. By Captain Howard olmes.

593 The Sea Rebel; or. The Red Rovers of the Revo-
lution. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

1594 Fine Face, the Silver King's Foe :or, The Mys-
terious Highwa man. By Albert W. Aiken.

596 Wellhorn, the ppcr—Crnst Detective: or, Play-
ing for the Challoner Millions. By Jackson Knox

.596 Rustler Rube. the Round-Up Detective. By
William H. Manning.

3297 Big Band , the B gadier of Brimstone Butte.
BK Josep E. Badger. Jr.

598 T 0 Dominic Detective: or. The Deedham Sen-
sation. B J. C. Cowdrick.
the Dead hot Nine: or. M Pardsofths Plains.
B Hon. Wm. F. Cody. (Bu alo Bill).

600 e Silver Ship; or. The SeaScoutsof'76. By
('01. Prentiss Ingraham.

601 Joe Phenlx’s Shadow; or, The Great Dctoctive‘s
Mysterious Monitor. By Albert W. Aiken.

602 Captain Nameless.tho Mountain % ; or The
Blue Coats of the Big Horn. By .3.Patten.

008 Desert Al. the Man With the ; or. The
Strange Pilgrimage of Gentle Ja By Wm.‘

. Eystar.

604 The Detective in Rags: or, The film Shadowcr.
Bv Dr. Noel Dunbar. .

605 The Shadow Silver Shi ; or, The Bad Babel d
the Revolution. By Co . Prentiss .

«606 The Dngetective; or, The Dream horpo Son-
sation. y Jackson Knox.

607 Old Benxine. the “Hard Case" Why or.
Joe Bfwers‘ Racket at Bicaree City. By Albert
W. A on.

608 Silent Sam. the Shadow Sphinx' or, Following
the Invisible Trail. By Ca t. H. Holmes.

7609 The Texas Tramp; or. So id Saul, the Yankee
Hercules. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

610 The Red Flag Rover; or. White Wings of the
' Waves. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

$11 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken fr in Texas; or.
The Smash-Up in “NoWorld Kingdom." By
Wm. H. Manning.

t612 She Stillwood. the Regulator of Raspberry;

or. The “ Suspects" from Frisco. By J. C.

(‘owdrick. -

618 Keen BRIE. the Sport; or. The Circus atWhite
Gopher. y Albert W. Aiken.

614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Maginian.

By Ca t. F. Whittaker.

615 The rec Buccaneer-3' or. The Ocean Outlaw's
Nemesis. By Colonel Broads Ingraham.

616 Mngnus. the Weird Detective. By Jackson Knox.

617 The Grip-Sack Sharp's Even-up: or. The Boss
Racket at Solid City. Bv J 6 oh E. Badger.

618 Kansas Karl. the Detective g; or. The Sphinx
of Leadville. By Lieut. A K. S ms.

619 Kit Bandy & Co. . the Border Detectives. or, The
Big Wipe Out at Hermit Dome. By 011 Coomes.

620 Joe Phenix's Silent Six; or The Great Detec-
tive’s Shadow Guard. nib Albert w. Aiken.

623 The Red Privateer; or. a Midshipman Rover.
Bi Ned Buntline. '
629 T 0 All Around Sports; or. The Keepers of the

Seals. By Wm. B. Eyster.

623 DangerousDave the Never-Beaten Detective;
or. A Fight with Foes from the Grave. By Wm.
H. Manning.

694 The Submarine Domains; or,The Water Ghouls.
By Leon Lewis. .

696 Red Wi ;or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.

_ By Colonel Prentiss ingraham.

6” Ducal- Dion. the Nahob S rt Detective; or.
The Sealed Secret of the copper Coffin. By

J. C. Cowdrlck. ‘
Momback Mona the Mountaineer; or. The Bald
Hornet of the our: Hills. By J E. Badger. Jr.

626 Joe Phenix's Combine; or, The Dandy Conspira-
tor. By Albert W. Aiken.

699 Daredeath Dick. King of the Cowboys; or, In
the Wild West with Buifalo Bill. ByLeou Lewis.

680 The Sea Thief; or. The Vallod Voyager's Mys-
terious Mission. By Col. Prentiss lngrahsm.

681 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sha ; or The Lucky
Pards of Goodenough. By William . Patton.

632 Joe Phenix‘s Master S-arch; or. .The Casket of
III Omen. By Albert W. Aiken.

633 The Sea Spy; or, Mortimer Monk. the Hunch-
back Millionaire. By Ned Buntline.

684 Old Handcart’s Big Dump; or.The Rskestraw
Ructionist. By William R. Egster.

686 The Ex-Bnecaneer; or, The tigma of Sin. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

6m Dandy Darling. Detective; or. The Boomer of
Big Buffalo. y los. E. Badger r.

63? Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp; or, The Great Do-
toctive’s Long Chase. By Albert W. Aiken.

638 Murdock. the Dread Detective- or Northland
Nick‘s Guardianship. By Wm. . Manning.

68’) The Gold Kin - or. Montebelio the Magnificent.
By Buffalo Bill' ‘

 

6-10 ’lhe Rover’s Retribution; or. The Evil Spirit of
the Deep. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

611 Aztec Jack, the Dt'Sel't Nomad; or, The Vulture's
Swoo . By Wm. G. Patten.

642 Red arrl ahd Yellow; or. The Nabob‘s of Centi-
pede. By Captain Howard Holmes.

643 Castlemaine. the Silent Sifter: or,The Great
Detectivr"s Revelation. By Jackson Knox.

644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, ‘ihe Kni hts of the
Silver Circle By Col Prentiss Ingra am.

645 Gopher Gabe, thaUnseen Detective; or. The
Uncanny Ranch. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

646 Dark John, the Grim Guard' or. ailstorm‘s
North Plain‘s Braves. By William H. Manning.

647 The FIPSh of Frisco at Santa Fe; or, The
Stranger Sharp. By Albert W. Aiken.

648 Gold Glovo Gid. the» Man of Grit' or, Desperate
Dur ‘s Desperate Scheme. By Wm. G. Patten.

649 Buc Taylor, the Saddle King; or. 'l‘he Lasso
Rangers’ League. A Romance of Buffalo Bill's
Chie of (‘0wa a. If? Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

660 Lucky Lester's no and; or, Uncle Bed Rock's

eer Game at Ginger Flat. By Wm. R. Eyster.

661 ilvertip Steve. the Sk Scraper from Siskiyou.
By Joseph E. Badger r.

669 Jackson Blake, I o Bouncer Detective By A.
W. Aiken.

658 The Lasso Kin ’s e.

to " Buck Tay or, the
atlas am.

664 Sol S h the Ferret Detective:- or. The Seven
Sacra . Capt. Howard Holmes.

6155 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the Birthmark.
B H. Manning.

the Rough and Ready: or, The

thoLand Sharks. By w. o. Patten.

657 Long Tom. the Privateer. B Ned Buntline.

666 The Cowboy Clan; or, The of Texas. By
001. Prentiss .

669 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or. Roldan and His Rovers.

Wm. B. Eyster. ‘ s

660 a Fresh in Montana; or Jackson Blake's m
Hand at Hardtack. By Albert W. Aiken.

661-ThoGet-There Share; or. Grip-sackSid um
Comfort. By Jos. E. Bail , Jr.

on The Jew Detective; or, a Beautiful Convict.
BK 001. Prentiss Ingraham'.

666 ThaeGiant Sport; or. Sold to Satan. By Wm. G.

n.

Iii Monk M0101. the Man-Hunter; or. The Trail of
the Bandit Nabob. By Ca t. oward Holmes.
The Frisco Detective; or. Golden Gate Find.
B Albert W. Aiken.

ass 0 Adamant, the Man of Rock; or.The Hum-
mer from Hummingbird. By Liout. A. K. Sims.

W Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or. The King of the Mines.
By Co Prentiss Ingnham. ‘

66i Solemn Saul's Luck Streak; or The Boomer
from Blissful Buttes. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

on Old True Blue. the Trust : or. The Marauder cf
the Mimbres. Bme. .Patten.

670 The Lightwe ht Detective; or. Old Blazes. the
Soverelg‘n of t e Rocks. B Albert W. Aiken.

671 Jason ew. the Silk-Han ed Ferret. By Capt.

' Howard Holmes.

672 The Red Rapier; or; The Sea Rover‘s Bride. By~
Col. Prentiss Ingraham

673 Stuttering Sam. the Whitest Sport of Santa Fe.
‘ny Lieut. A. K. Sims. _ I -

674 ncle Sun Up. the Born Detective; or. Boodle

s Bracelets. By Albert W. Aiken.

675 l Surry, the Sport from Sunrise; or. The
Blind Deal at Break-Neck. By Jon. E. Badger. Jr.

676 Hurricane Hill. the Cowboy Hotspur; or, Old
True Blue‘s Pilgrimage. By Wm. G. Patten.

677 Mr. ackson, the Gent f om Javbird; or, The
Mystery of the Lower Drift B Wm. R. Eyster

678 The Dude Desperado or. The aleful Beauty of
Brimstone Bar. By aptain Howard Holmes.

679 Ruvello. the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers.

B CoL Prentiss Ingraham.

680 X5}. the Fatal Claw; or, Detective Barr’s Mas-
ter Case. By Harold Payne.

681 Joe Phenix‘s Specials: or, The Actress Detec
live's Double Victory. By Albert W. Aiken.

682 Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail' or. The
Mysterious Foe. Bv MAJ Dangerfield Burr.
683 Bob Br» 29. the Bonn u-r Detective; or The
Eruption at Eureka. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr
684 Velvet Van. the Myshry-Shadoweq or The Man

in the tin Mask By Captain Hows. Holmes.
$6 The -skln Sea Rover; or. The Destroyer
Destroyed. B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

6“ The On-tho- ing Detectives; or. Belly Biairs
Grand Exposition. By Leon Lewis.

68? D iuhle Cinch Dan, theS rt With a Charm; or.
The Saints of Sunrise. y Wm. R. Eyster.

The River Butlers; or, The Detective from Way
. Back. By flout. A. K. Sims.

689 The Sparkler Sharp' or. The Spott r Sport‘s
Unknown Foe.’ By in. G. Patten.

690 The Matchless Detective; or. Thad. Burr’s
Marvelous Case. By Harold Pa ne.

691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, ustang Madge,
the Daughter of the Regiment. By Col. P.

Ingraham.

698 Dead-Shot Paul. the Deep-Range Explorer; or.
all): Mountain Spy’s Vendetta. By Wm. H.

nu ng.

696 Kent Kasson. the Preacher S rt; or. The Don
hie Deal at Denver. By Joe. . Badger. Jr.

694 Gideon Grip. the Secret Shadower; or The Clew
of the Invisible Hand. By Captain Howard

Holmes.

695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim Detective: or. Behind
Masked Batteries. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

696 Double‘VOIce Dan. the Go-it-Alone Detective;
By Wm. G. Patten.

697 Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood; or. Open-
ing Up a Lost Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, Tracking the
“L” Clew. By Hamid Payne.

699 The Cowbo Couriers; or. The Bustiers of the
Big Horn. y Leon Lewis.

700 Joe Phenix‘s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crook
Combination. By Albert. W. Aiken.

A companion Story
die King." By Colonel

 

1 701 Silver Steve, the Branded Sport. By Captain

Howard Holmes

i 702 Double-Voice Dan. the Always-on-Deck Detec-
n.

tive. By Wm. G. Paite

703 Spokane Saul, the Samaritan Sus ct; or. The
Double Twist at Camp Sahara. By . H. Manning.

7m Invisible Ivan the Wizari Detective; or. The
Secrets of the Cells By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

705 Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte' or, The
Ste r Buccaneem. By Jos. E. Badger. r.

706 Detective Burr’s Seven Cues; or. The Studio
Crime. B Harold Payne.

707 The Riva Rovers; or. Uncle Bedrock's Big
Break. By Wm. B. Eyster.

7% Joe Phenix’s Siren; or. The Woman Hawkshaw.
By Albert W. Aiken.

709 Loadstone Lem. the Champion of Chestnut
Burr. By Lieut A K. Sims.

710 Buifa'o Bill Baffled; «r The Deserter Desper-
ado s Defiance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detectivr or, The
Mystery of Madeline. Miggs. B1; Capt. . Holmes

712 The Man of Silk; or. Little uss, the Pride of
Posey‘s Pocket. By J os. E. Badger. Jr.

713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase; or, The llystery
of No. 13. By Hamid Payne.

714 Gabe Gall the Gambolier from Great Hump. By
Wm. H. Manning.

715 Double-voice Dan on Deck. By Wm. G. Patten.
716 Buffalo Bill's Scout Shadowen; or, Emerald Ed
of Devil's Acre. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahsm.

717 Captain Pat McGowan. the Groencoat Detec-
live. By Albert W. Aiken.

718 Uncle Bedrock‘s Big Bounce; or, The Bad Men
of Mineral Bar. By Wm. R. r.

719 Boston Bob. the Sport Detective. By George C.

en s.

720 The Secret Six; or. Old Hal on, the Stranger
Within the Gates. By Jcs. E. ger, Jr.

7!! Sam Saunders. the Go-As-You—Please Detective;
or. Hunted Around the World. By K F. Hill.
Buffalo Ell on War-path; or. Silk Lasso
Sam. the Will-o‘aha-Wiap of the Trails. By 00].

lulu .

MTW $3... the Boomer Detective; or The '
Sweepstake at Shoshone. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

7’4 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detective.
By Ca tlin Howard Holmes.

7% Dick slbot in No Man's Camp. ByA. W. Aiken

7% Fearless Sam. the “ Grand Combination " Detec'
tive. By George C. Jenks. .

727 Buffalo Bill‘s Bodyguard; or, The Still Hunt of
the Hills. By 00 . Prentiss Ingraham.

m Detectlve Burr, the Headquarters Special. By

Harold Payne.

729 Dick Talbot‘s Clean-Out. By Albert W. Aiken.

730 Duke . the Gambler Duelist; or. The

Lad of Luck. By Dr. Noel Dunbar.

731 Bud:le Bill's Beagles. By Col. P. Ingraham.

739 The Hurricane Defective; or, Through Thick
and Thin. By Jackson Knox.

786 Dick Talbofi the Ranch King; or, The Double
Foe. By rt W. Aiken.

734 Detective Burr‘s Foil: or. A Cunning Woman‘s
Strategy. By Harold Payne.

736 Buflalo Bill and His Merry Men; or. The Robin
Hood Rivals B Col. Prentiss lngraham.

736 The Never-Fail tective. By captain Howard
Holmes. .

737 Talbot In A che Lend. By Albert W. Aiken.

738 Detective .laxton, the Record Breaker. By
Wm.,H. Manning. '

769 Buffalo Bill's Blind. By Col. P. Ingraham.

740 Captain C‘ew, the Fighting Detective. By
Jackson Knox.

741 Dick Talbot‘s Close Call. Bv Ebert W. Aiken.

742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. By
Harold Pay ne.

743' Buff-lo Bill’s Flush Hand: or, Texas Jack's
Bravos. By Col. P. Ingmham. _

744 Sweepstakes Sam. the Silvor S rt; or. Major
Hand-up Shows His Hand. By E. Badger. Jr.

745 Joe Phenix‘s Marl Case; or. The Doomed Syn-
dicate. By Albert W. Aiken.

746 The Dragoon Detective; or A Man of Destiny.
’By Dr. Frank Povvell.—-“ White Beaver.”

747 Doublwvoi e Dan’s Double Di so: or. Broad-
wa Bob. t e Rounder. B m. G. Patten.

748 A' «na Charlie. the Cree -shot Detective. By
Col. Prentiss In ham.

749 Joe Phenix‘s ig Bulge; or. The Cracksman
Baron in New York. By Albert W. Aiken.

760 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four. By Col. P.1ngraham.
751 The Dark Lantern Detective; or, The Puzzle of
Number Nine. By Captain Howard Holmes.

752 The Suspect S rt of Daisy Drift; or. The
Houndod Detect ye. By J. C. Cowdrick.

758 Gideon Grip at Babylon Bar or. The Man With
the Iron Dagger. By Albert . Aiken.

. 754 The Man from Tvxas; or. Dangerfield. the

Doctor Detective. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

755 Wild Pete. the Broncho-Buster Datective. By
’Geo. C. Jenks.

756 Old Burke. the Madison Square Detective. By
Wm. G. Patten.

757 Buffalo Bill‘s Double. By 00L P. Ingraham.
756 The Winrd King Detective. By Liam. Sims.
759 The Sport from St. Louis. By J. W. Osbon.
760 Joe Phenlx‘s Lone Hand. By Albert W. Aiken.
761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot. By 001. P. Ingraham.
762 Old Grip. the D: tectivr. By Jackson Knox.
763 Dandy Don, the Denver Detective. By Joe. E.
Badger. Jr.
764 Nervy Nickol, the Game Sport. By William H.
Manning.
Ready June 14th.

A m ism every Wednesday.
Radio’s Dis-o Library is for sale by all
Nowadsslcrs. ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on
neocipt of twelve cents each.
BEADLE AND ADAMS. Publishers,

8 wninmsma. NisoI-k.

 

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS IN BEADLE’S DIME LIBRARY.

 

4.x

 

 

761 Buffalo Bill's Mascot. By Col. P. Ingraham.

757 Buffalo Bill’s Double. By Col. P. lugraham.

750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four. By Col. In raham.

743 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand. By Col. rentiss
Ingraham.

739 Buflaio Bill’s Blind. B Col. P. Ingraham.

735 Buffalo Bill and His erry Men. By Col.
Prentiss lngraham.

731 Buffalo Bill‘s Beagles. By Col. 1’. Ingraham.

727 Buffalo Bill’s Body-guard. By Col. Prentiss

Ingraham.

722 Buffalo Bill on the War-path. By Col. P.
Ingrahom.

716 Buffalo Bill's Scout Shadowersmr, Emerald
Ed of Devil’s Acre. B 001. P. Ingraham.

710 Buffalo Bill Baffled. y Col. P. lngraham.

597 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood; or,
Opening Ups LostTrail. By Col. lngraham.

 

691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail. By Col. Prentiss
Ingraham.

682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trail: or The
Mysterious Foe. By Maj. Dangerfield Burr.

067 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or, The King of the
Mines. By Col. Prentiss In raham.

649 Buck Taylor, the Saddle Bing. Buffalo

, Bill’s Chief of Scout; By Col. P. lngra'ham.

644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or. The Knights of
the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingraham.

639 The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Mag~
niflcent. B Buffalo Bill.

629 Buffalo Bills Daring amp. By Leon Lewis.

599 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the
Plains. B Buffalo Bill.

517 Buflalo Bi l’s First Trail. By Ned Buntline.

414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or, The
Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Bill.

401 The One-Arm Pard. By Buffalo Bill.

897 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver’s
Trail. By Buffalo Bill.

894 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. By

5... Buffalo Bill.

 

 

BUFFALO BILL’S CAREER.

THE career of Buffalo Bill has been, in all
respects, remarkable. Probably no living man
has seen more life in its most romantic and
startling phases, or had a wider range of ac-
quaintance or has more interested the public in
his personal qualities and character.

Coming out of the Wild West when what is
now farms, ranches and cattle ranges was the
feeding-ground of the buffalo, the home of the
untamed Indian, and the haunt of the outlaw—
he is,:literally, a Child of the Plains—the Knight
of the Border-the typical Man of the West.

In earlv boyhood his father was murdered in
the so-oalled “ Kansas war,” w hen ruffiuns over-
ran Eastern Kansas, and murder, pillage and

 

 

 

 

 

violence held wild riot. it was then the boy so
assertei himself that before he was fifteen years
of a 9, Billy Cod was noted for his nerve, and
for h s readiness for any dangerous service.

From one daring or arduous rformance to
another he so progressed in pa lic estimation
that when he was eighteen years old he was
known from the Missouri to the Red River of
Texas as one of the best shots, most ex rt horse-
men, most successful hunters, most daring scouts.
moat skilled Indian-fighters, most sagacious
guides, and most fearless Pony Express carrier
in all the land—as the romances from his own
inimitable n and our other noted writers [see
list] most mpressively attest.

With his later career the uhlic is familinr.
His great WILD W asr Snow as made his name,
in Europe and Amerii-a. a household word; and
now, in Chicago, he will give a crowning glory
to his fame by his wonderful Wild West Exhibi—
tion, and illustrating in his person, t.» the assnm-
bled millions. the true type of a Representative
American Citizen.

 

362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip.
:29 Buffalo Bill‘s Pledge; or,
Three. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By

Buffalo Bill.

304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The
Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill.

343 The Pil rim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweet-
heart. 'y Buffalo Bill.

189 Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or, The Des rate
Dozen. A Romance of Buffalo Bills Old
Pard. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

175 Wild Bill's Trum Card; or, The Indian,
Heiress. By Col. rentiss Ingraham.

168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead-Shot. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham.

158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts: or, The
Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell.

By Col. P. Ingraham.
The League of

117 Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard. By Major
Dangerfield Burr.

92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King' or, The
AlllflZiin of the West. B Major 

Kl Gold Bullet Sport; or, 'the Knights of the
Overland. By Buffalo Bill. _

02 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; or, Life
and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buflalo
Bill.

A Complete Story in Every Number.

702 Old Grip, the Detective. By Jackson Knot.
763 Don Darling, the Dandy from Denver. By
Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
764 Nervy Nichol, the Game Sport. By Wm.
H. Manning. Ready June 14th.
A New Issue Every Week.

BIADLE'S Dun: LIBRARY is for sale by all
Newmieaivrs, tun vents per copy, or sent by mail‘
on receipt of” twelve cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS. PUBLISHERS,
98 William Street, New York.