Copyrighted, l‘zi‘J. m U1,\.r|.l. .\\|: mime

Published Every
Wednesday.

     
   
 
 

 

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—‘

The Will-o’-theoWisp of the Trails.

The Banana of Boy! in Blue and Buck.
akin, in Hangman Gulch.

 

, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

_—

CHAPTER I.
an 0110101.

Mr story opens with a scene in a Southern
village. where stands a cozy little cottage em-
bowerod with flowers, and where dwells a
artist, his ambitious wife and their only child, a
beautiful girl of seventeen.

The artist eelle just enough pictures at a Imall
price to make for himself and family a comfort-
able living. yet he lives in hnpel of some day
making for himself a name and a fortune.

His wife is an ambitious woman, reared in
luxur , and always with the regret in her heart
that a e married the poor artist whom she loved,

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Vol. LVI:

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Ten Cents a Copy.
$5.00 a Year

 

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“ TH! CUT-THROAT?! OF THE IINES, AND BUFFALO BILL IS AT THEIR MERCY. HE NEEDS A
FRIEND NOW AND I’LL BE THAT TO THE BRAVE SCOUT OR PERISH WITH Hm!"

 

 

Buffalo Bill on the War-path.

 

 

ra“mr than One of the rich suitors whom her
parents had selected for her to wed.

“Child of mine shall never make such a sad
mistake in life,” was the burden of her song, and
her husband would sigh and say nothing.

Their daughter hurl been educated at one of
the best of schools, was bright, beautiful, and
accomplished, and her heart went out to her
father rather than to her mother.

She had suitors by the score, and among them
two who are to figure in the pages of this story.

One, Arden Leigh, was the son of a very wealthy
planter, and a youth who had led a checkered
career, for he had been partly educated abroad.
where he engaged in a duel with a fellow stu-
dent, the fatal termination of which had caused
him to leave the University, so much was he to
blame in the affair.

He had then gotten a cadetship in the navy of
the United States, and been forced to leave the
Academy .on account of his cruel hazing of a
brother midily.

His father had then sent him too. ranch he
Owned in Texas, and his killing a Mexican
ranchero, whose sweetheart he insisted upon
making love to, caused him to fly from the
avenging hand of the friends of the dead man.

Then he returned home and settled down to a
quiet life, until all felt that he had harvested his
wild oats, and would yet become a good man,
perhaps a great one, for in addition to his hand-
some face and splendid form, he was possessed
of great intelligence, and had numerous accom-
plishments to be proud of.

Such was Arden Leigh at twenty-three, and
he was half-heir with his sister to their father’s
lar e wealth.

he beauty of Kathleen Clyde, the artist’s
daughter, had at once won the admiration of
Arden Leigh, and Mrs. Clyde was determined
that her daughter should marry the young
planter, who must come into so large a fortune
y the death of his father, who was an invalid.

But Kathleen’s heart was in another’s keep-
ing, one whose father had gone through with
his estates, and had left to is wife and son an
old plantation home, mortgaged above. its value,
and from which a bare living could be ob.
tained.

Carrol Dean was the name of this youth, and
a dashing, whole-souled fellow he was, wcrking
hard wkeep the old home as long as his mother
should live.

He loved Kathleen with all his heart, and
both her father and herself owed their lives to

‘the young man, for he had saved them from

death by catching their runaway horse one day,
when he was about to dash across the railroad,
in front of an Express train.

Carleton Clyde therefore leaned taward Car-
rol Dean, as a husband for his (hit: hter, while
Mrs. Clyde had made up her min that Kath-
leen should wed the rich planter's son, and with
her to decide was to have her way.

One pleasant afternoon as she was seated
upon the piazza of her little home, Kathleen
received two notes.

One was from Arden Leigh, and an avowal of
his love, and begging her to become his wife at
an early day, as his father’s failing health
caused him to decide to takea trip to Europe,
and he wished to have his son and daughter ac-
company him, with her also as his son’s wife.

The letter concluded by saying that the artist
and his wife should m0ve into the elegant plant-
ation mansion and take charge the couple of
years they were to be abroad. and it was written
in a. tone that admitted of no possibility of a
refusal.

The letter of Carrol Dean asked her to pledge
herself to one day become his wife, as he was
going away for awhile to the far West, to see if
he could sell out some interest his mother held
in a mine there.

Both letters said that the writers would call
that evening to know their fate.

And both came, by accident together, and
Arden Leigh said haughtilv:

“ Kathleen. I have come for my answer, and I
might as well let this young man know at once

t he has no claim upon you, sothat he will
cease annoying you with his visit..."

Then came the answer, slowly and distinctly

red.

" The visits of Carrol Dean do not annoy me,
Mr. Leigh. and as he, too, has come for his an-
swer to his offer of his heart and hand to me, I
will say new frankly that I refer love in a cot-
tage to unhappine- in a ace, and I shall wed
the man I love,” and she placed her hand in that
'of Carrol Dean. .

“ Never, by Heaven!“ came in a savage tone
from the lips of Arden Leigh and followin
them a shot rang out and Carrol Dean dro
upon the piazza stops, while the assassin, w th a
little laugh, turned and strode away.

His horse was at the rack near the ate, and
leapin into his saddle, he dashed off own the

t road like the wind.

 

CHAPTER II.
wns'rwasn not

THE shot which Arden Leigh fired upon Car-
rol Dean was intended to kill.

 

Arden Leigh had hated Carrol Dean when
they were boys at school together, looking dawn
upon him because he was poor, though as far as
family went, the Deans Were of the best blood in
the land.

Carrol’s father was, unfortunately, fond of
card-playing, and he had lost his fortune at the
gaming-table, therefore being compelled to
mortgage his property, and ending by taking his
own life.

Carrol at school Was always at the head of
his class, and invariably took the prize from
Arden Leigh, and this angered him greatly.

He also excelled him in ridingr at the tourna-
ments, and in driving, and at last it was “the
last straw that broke the camel’s back,” when
one day be crowned Kathleen Clyde, a mere
child then just entering her teens, Queen of Love
and Beauty.

The result was that Arden Leigh spoke of
Carrol as the son of a gambler and suicide, and
the insult was at once resented, and the insulter
severely thrashed.

This was prior to Arden Leigh’s going broad
to be educated, and when both Were mere

boys.

But Arden Leigh never forgot or forgave the
whipping he received from Carrol Dean, and
when Kathleen took her choice between the two,
driven to madness at having his old rival win
again in the game of love,and humble his pride,
he drew his revolver, always too ready for use,
and fired upon his foe,

The bullet cut into the right side of Carrol Dean,
and when he was carried into the house by the
artist, called to the spot by the shot and cries of
Kathleen, it was throught that he could not
live.

The doctor was sent for at once, and mount-
ing her horse, Kathleen at once rode over to
GoWan Brae, the home of the Deans, and broke
the news as gently as she could to the invalid
mother of the young man.

Mrs. Dean’s courage did not forsake her, and
she went at once to the Clyde cottage with
Kathleen and for weeks hung over the bed upon
which her wounded boy lay, hovering between
life and death.

Kathleen also proved herself a most devoted
nurse, and at last the crisis passed, and the

'hysician said that the wounded man would
we.

Planter Leigh and Ruth had at once driven
over to the Clyde cottage, when it was known
that Arden had shot Carrol Dean, and the sor-
rowing father told the doctor to send for other
physicians for consultation, to employ a trained
nurse and sent all bills to him.

But this act of kindness Mrs. Dean resented,
and Artist Clyde said the wounded man was
his guest, and he could care for him, while he at
once offered a reward from his limited means
for the capture of the fugitive, for believing
that he had killed Carrol Dean, Arden Leigh had
made his escape.

And then came the tidings to the father of
the fugitive, that his son had hastened to the
city, forged his name to acheck, and had drawn
from the bank ten thousand dollars in money,
all that had been laid aside for the European
trip.

Mr. Leigh, a heart-broken man. in wretched
health, at once made his will, disinheriting his
unworthy son, and with Ruth, his devoted
daughter, set sail for Europe as soon as Carrol
Dean was reported to be out of danger.

Hardly had Carrol Dean been pronounced
across the danger line than his mother broke
down under the strain, and the first day that
the young man was able to go out to drive, it
was to go to his mother’s funeral.

Several weeks after the funeral Carrol Dean
and Kathleen Clyde were quietly married at the
artist’s cottage home, Mrs. Clyde raising no oh-
jection, and seeming to have been subdued by
all that had occurred.

It took half a year to settle up the Dean es-
tate affairs, and then Carrol discovered that
he had as his fortune only a few hundreds
in money, and a few things that would bring
him as much more when sold. -

But the gold mine he held a claim for in the
West, he had hopes of making a fortune out of.
as reports had come of that part of the country
having panned out paying quantities of the
precious metal.

At last the doctor said a cban would do
Carrol Dean good, and that he won d do well to
go out on the frontier and rough it for awhile,
especially as there were prospects of his domg
well there. ‘

So he left his loving wife and little baby boy,
putacouple of hundred dollars in his poeket,
and started for the far West.

It was with a sad he-rt that Kathleen saw
him go, for she had found in a paper one day,
an account of a bold robbery, of a stage coach,
by a daring outlaw who was known as Silk
Lasso Sam, and who was a handsome, courtly
man, who had evidently been a gentleman until
he had taken to the road as a highwayman.

Kathleen remembered that among.r the treas-
ures brought from Texas by Arden Leigh, had
been a beautiful silk lane. and she had seen him
when visiting his sister Ruth, use it, with a skill
that was marvelous.

 

As Arden Leigh had fled to the frontier, the
young wife of Carrol Dean in some way con-
nected him in her mind with the road-agent
Silk Lasso Sam, and felt the greatest anXIety
for her husband's safety as he was going to the
vicinity which the paper had stated was the
scene of the outlaw’s robberies.

But Carrol Dean laughed at his wife’s fears
and started for the far West to find fortune or
failure as the case might be.

 

,CHAPTER III.
BUFFALO BILL IN DANGER.

IT was a balmy Sabbath Day in the mining
country of Colorado, and the miners had knock-
ed off work, as was the went with most of them,
for rest, enjoyment, a hunt, card-playing or
carousing as the humor suited them.

Amile distant from one of the camps was
situated a lonely cabin upon a mountain spur,
and under the shelter of a cliff.

It wasa )retty spot, with a spring trickling
from the c ill, forming: a. pool of clearest water
a. few feet distant from the door, and Witha
grand view of mountain, valley and river spread
out before it.

There wasawinding path up to the cabin.
d0wn to a trail which led to the cluster of
mining-camps down the valley, a pile of wood
at the door ready for use, a freshly killed deer
hanging on a tree near, With several hungry
wolves crouching in a thicket snifling the meat
and gazing longingly at it.

Within, the log cabin was rudely furnished,
with cot, table, a bench and some cooking-
utensils, and without, seated by the door in an
easy-chair made of hickory boughs and rope,
set the miner whose humble home the place

was.

Bearded, and with long hair and coarse
miner’s attire of woolen hunting-shirt, ants,
top-boots and slouch hat, one would hard y re-
cognize in him the handsome young planter who
had so nearly died at the hands of Arden Leigh
three years before.

But it was Carrol Dean, known in the mines
as Deadshot Dean, from the fact that he had
been attacked in the camps one night soon after
his coming by a crowd of ilesperadoes, and had
shot the leader dead by a bullet sent into the
very center of his forehead, and broken the
right arm of four others, thus disarming them
with five shots, in a fight of one against five.

With this adventure he had stamped his claim
to the name of Deadshot Dean and won the re-
spect of the better man of the community, and
the fear of the bad element.

A handsome man he was as he sat there
smoking his after-dinner pipe and With an open
letter in his hand. _

With a slight, but wiry form, about the
medium hight, well dressed for a miner, and
with a face that was honest, fearless and full of
determination, he looked just what he‘was, a
true, manly man. ‘ _

More or less luck had attended him since com-
in to the mines.

fie had found the claim his father had bought
from a retired miner, had struck it rich one day
and held high hopes of a fortune, to discover the
next day that the gold streak did not hold out.

But he had been enabled to send to the artist
the full amount of his expenses incurred when
he lay wounded in his home, and place to the
credit of his wife and boy five hundred 6011‘"

f b,
0'll‘ligici poor luck had followed for months,

with another streak of good fortune for a few

“laid so on it had gone With him, though he

was slowly but sigely getting ahead if fortune
uld onl favor In.

"With t is end he had struggled for more

than three ears in his hard work, hoping for

luck some ay to “ hit himlbig” as they called

it in the mines.

And this letter from home, from his wife, told
of her mother’s death, and that she was now the
housekeeper for her father who was most
devoted to her, and his little grandson, who was
named Clyde after his grandfather and whom
the artist had also nick-named " lat ” after his
pet name for Kathleen. u

The letter thanked Carrol Dean for the last
remittance of several hundred dollars. which the
proud mother said she always equally divided
with “Kit,” after ex uses were taken out, put-
tin it away for a ra ny day.

'Ighe miner had read the letter over and over
again, and sighed that his loved ones were so
far away and that perhaps years more might go
by before he saw them. '

Suddenly the sound of angry vowes came to
his ears and he saw a group of men coming down
the trail, on the way to the settlement.

In their midst, and there were a score of them,
was a man on horseback; his feet and hands
were securely bound, while about his neck was
a rape, the other end held by several men who
were leading the way.

One glance at the man was sufficient to reveal
to Carrol Dean that it was a man diflerent by
far from those who had him in their power, for
he knew them as a wild and lawless bandin the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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mines—~meu who were ready for any deed of
violence and rapine.

The horseman was a man of striking appear-
:ance in face, form and general make-up.

, He rode a fine horse, long-bodied, clean-limbed
" --and well equipped.

r The rider was tall, graceful and sinewy in
build, with massive shOulders, and looking just as
'he was, n giant in strength, quick in action as a
:punther and evidently one who possessed wonder-
ful physical endurance.

,;~ He was dressed in buckskin leggings and
 hunting-shirt, top-boots and a broad-brimmed
.3 :somhrero which wasiencircled by a silver cord
and looped up upon the left side with a
gulf. buffalo head, in which were set diamond
.eyes.

The face of the man was as handsome in
feature as a woman’s, his eyes dark and ex-
.pressive, his mustache and imperial giving
, him a distinguished air and his long dark-brown
'4 ‘ hair fell in waving locks far below his shoulders.

Now he was bound hand and foot and looking
like a captive lion, worried by a pack of yelping
Thuman wolves, for they were clamoring in noisy
‘ tones Ior his life, and when they reached Hang-
man’s Gulch, half a mile below in the valley on
the way to the settlement of the miners, that
“they nould hang him was evident from their
actions and speech.

“ Hal it is Buffalo Bill, the Scout. The bill
gang have got him and they intend to hang him
.‘ —hang hiave Buifalo Bill!” and the speaker
I: ' , v seemed deeply m0ved..

- > \ “This must not bel” he at length cried, and
he darted d0wn the path to head oi! the despera-
does and their prisoner. '

 

 

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CHAPTER IV.
DEADSHOT DEAN Imam-sans.

Cannon Dun had once met Buffalo Bill,
‘when as the guide of atroop of cavalry he had
camped one night by the wagon-train in which
he had made his way westward, after leaving
'the railroads.

He had heard and often read of the scout,
and had been glad to have a talk with him,
finding him a courteous and pleasant compan-
ion.

l‘low he recognized him at a glance, though

viral years since he had seen him. and he at
4*:e knew that there was some deviltry going
«t «that the scout was in great peril.

80 down the hill be bounded, as agile as a deer,
following the path which brought him into the
, trail just ahead of the crowd of men and their
"5‘ . 'pl'lflonel‘. ‘

-. “ Yes, it is as I thought: they are the cut-
‘thl‘oats of the mines, and Buffalo Bill is at their
 ’_ mercy. He needs a friend new and I’ll be that

 

" ’ » to the brave scout or perish with him,” was the
all , young miner’s resolve. '

. Then. as the desperadoes approached, the reso-
f lute fellovv called out!

i “ Ho, pards, what are you doing with Buflalo

-‘ . Bill a prisoner?” .

‘ i i “It hain't Buf’lor Bill, Deadshot Dean; but

he’s a pris’ner, and if yer wants ter see what

" we is doing with him, jist come along ter Bang-

, man’s Gulch and yer’ll find out," responded

3, : .Powder Face Pete, the leader of the gang.

" a The ruiflan’s face was blackened with powder
specks and also disfigured by a wound from a
knife, showin that he had had some very close
calls from an den and violent death.

He was a gambler and a desperado, and few

' men in the mines cared to risk a quarrel with

, V . Powder Face Peta.

V.   “ I tell you that it is Bufl’alo Bill. the Govern-

‘= " snout scout and guide, for though Ihave met

 

l, V3,“; ’but once, and sereral years ago,yl recognize

 '2’." , “ Yes, I recall your face now, sir.
e‘ ‘g “I met you with a wagon-train bound West
1.  and we camped together one night.

.: - “ I remember that you showed me a pilture
_‘ -.\ of your wife, and how beautiful she was,” said

'  “alpine be good ‘ deed
 - , rue, ryou vea memo in :
out vrv’hat is the trouble between yourznd these

v men

7‘ Oh. they lariated ms and my horse, and got
, ‘2 me foul bsforsI had time to use my weapons,
  ' and they say that I am Silk Lasso Sam the road-

 $80“.
:4“: , i “ It is false, as I cdn swear."
 I“ And I kin swear that he is not Buf’ler Bill,”
‘ ,, said Pomier Face Pete. '
L: _ - ' " Then you would swear to a lie, though that
_.. - would not surprise me in the least, Powder Face
3, Pete, knowln your; ugly record as I do " said
the miner, qu etly. ad in spite of his peril Buf-
falo Bill laughed and said:
“ You’ve got him down fine, sir.”
 _ “Ses here, Deadshot Dean, is yer seeking
, " ‘ trouble with my!” ‘
_ “I do not seek it, Powder Face Pete, and I
,x' shall not avoid it. for I do not fear any such
g-hully asyou are; but I shall not allow you to
, .l ‘ Ilium this man." ..
g ' . ‘ “Yer-"won‘t, won’t yerf’

M

No. ‘
. .“Wml, e’s our nris’ner, and I knows he is

.Silk Sam, while I hev gotabigbulko’

   
     
 

 

  
 
 

money I tuk from him, and which he has robbed
a Gavernment paymaster of.”

“ He did take a large sum of money from me,
sir, and I got it from Captain Lennox, the fort
paymaster, whom I found d in by the side of
the trail, for he had been r upon by road-
agents and wounded.

" He gave me all he had with him, and wrote
his Will, which that wretch also has, and 1 was
on my way to the fort when these devils caught

me.

“ That is all there is to it, sir.”

“It is enough to enlist me on your side, in
spite of the odds, and you have me to fight,
Powder Face Pete, if you do not release that
man and his possessions at once.”

“ Waal, I won’t do it, fer he’s a road-agent, as
I knows, and we intends ter hang him in the
gulch yonder, and try him arterwards.”

“ I say no, and i feel that your comrades
will side with me," and Deadshot Dean placed
hiniSelf before the crowd now, and faced them.

There were some who felt that it was best not
to push matters against the scout, as the recog-
nition of him by Deadshot Down l u‘. done away
with any doubt as to his identity, if they had
felt any before.

I Biut there were others who still clung by their
eat er.

He had the mone , and they could say that
they thought that ufl’alo Bill was Silk Lasso
Sam, whom they knew to be not unlike Buffalo
Bill in appearance.

“ Does yer mean ter sag, Deadshot Dean, that
yer intends ter chip in ere ag’in’ me?" asked
the desperado in a tone which he meant should
terrify the one who had dared to interfere with
him. '

“It is just whatI do mean to say, Powder
Face Pete, for I shall resist the murderous in-
tention of yourself and your cut-throat band, if
I lose my Own life in the attempt.

“ And if I do I will at least have the satisfac-
tion of knowing that you . and others will ao-
company me upon the last long trail.”

This was spoken with utter fearlessness, and
the crowd saw that they had brought a danger-
ous and brave man to bay.

“ Waal, Deadshot Dean, as yer seems igno-
rant of who I be, I has got ter eddicate yer, I

asses, and so I’ll tell yer thet I has a record in

ese mines of killin’ over a dozen better men
than you be, and of yer interferes with me yer'll
be writ down on my ist as one who didn’t know I
was loaded for tenderfeet.” ‘,

“ Oh, I know that you are a despeme of the
worst kind, and have a record as a murderer, a
bully and a thief; but for all that I do interfere
and tell you that you shall never raise hand
against Buffalo Bill, bound hand and foot as he
is and at your mercy.

“New, play your hand, Powder Face Pete,
and play for life or death," said the young
miner coolly.

 

CHAPTER V.
ran mum names are wosn.

BY a strange act of forgetfulness the des-
peradOes had not disarmed Buffalo Bill.

His rifle hung to his saddlehorn, his revol-
vers and knife were still in his belt.

They had bound his hands securely. and his
feet were tied under his horse, and with him
glims secure they had felt no dread even of

m. -

The cr0wd had stood grou
the words gassed between t
D dshot Dean the miner. ,

hey were with their leader Wholly, though
there were some who felt that their prisoner was
not the outlaw, Silk Lasso Sam, but really
Buffalo Bill, and theislightest thing would have
caused them to sliow a willingness to com-
promise. . \

Such was the intention when the miner so
pluckin and alone, threw the gauntlet of (l -
ance in the teeth of Powder Face Pete.

The latter gave a glance into the face of the
miner, and then at Buflaio BilL

He saw that Deadshot Dean meant allthat
he said. and more, he knew his record.

Then he looked at Buflalo Bill, and the latter
said with a mocking laugh:

to ether durin ‘
ir r ngl er and

“ You got it pat that time, Powder Face, 

what are you going to do about it?” ..
Before; replying the desperado turned for a
look at his companions.
He saw the situation at a glance.

About half were in favor of rstrsatingfrom‘

their position of hanging theinrisouer.

The others looked undecid , with perhaps
two or three who were heart and hand with
Powder Face Pete.

The latter was disappointed.

He had hoped to be ully backed up.

Were the JN'IOODOI' any other than Buffalo
Bill, he woul have bssn. ' ,

But he was not a man toretreat when odds
were in his favor, and so he turned his to the
minor, drawing his revolver as he so.

When he faced him, however, he found him-
self covered by the miner’s pistol.

“ Yer darned fools, why didn't yer tell me he
was drawin’on mei” he queried. ’

“ It was doneso quick, pard.’? answered one.

 
   

 

“Yer axes me, Buf’ler Bill, what I intends
ter do about this chipper young man’s chin
music!”

“ Yes, and I notice you call me by my name.”

The man uttered an oath at having been so
cleverly picked up.

“ l tells yer now what I’ll do.”

“lVell, talk quick or act!” came in the com.
manding voice of the miner.

“ I intends ter hang you. Buf’ler Bill, and this
pilgrim, too, who has chipped in when it wasn’t

is play.” -

“ All right, Powder Face Peter!
said the miner, coolly.

“ Yer has got me covered, Deadshot Dean, so
I calls upon my friends ter tackle yer.”

“ If one of them attempts to carry out your
threat against Buffalo Bill I shall plant a bullet,
betw'een your eves, Powder Face Pew, and I
make no idle boast,” assured the miner.

The men hesitated for they knew just how the
miner had won his name as u Deadshot.

“ Pards, is yer goin’ ter let one man bully yer
all?” cried the ringleader, savagely.

“ It hain’t fer us ter say, Pete, so tell us, if you
says cr0wd him.”

“ I says rush him, pards,” suddenly cried
Powder Face Pete, and with his words he threw
his rifle to a level to fire.

But, uicker than was his movement came
the pul upon the trigger of the miner’s re-
valver. “

Just as Deadshot Dean had threatened, he
sent a bullet between the eyes of the leader of
the desperadoes, as they rushed upon their pris-
oner. Buffalo Bill.

The stricken Pete sprung high in the air, and
fell all in a heap just as Deadshot Dean fired a
second and a third time, and in each instance
broke the bone of the right arm of one of the
gasperadoes as they leveled their weapons to

re.

Then. quick as a flash, Deadshot Dean, with
his knife in his left hand severed the rope that
bound BuffalmBill's hands, still keeping his re-,
volver at a level upon the crowd of now, surg-
ing. and infuriated desperadoes.

he moment that the crowd shw that Buffalo
Bill had been set free by Deadshot Dean, they
broke and fled for cover leaving their leader
dead upon the us, while the two men with
their right arms a attered b the bullet of the
miner‘s unerring revolver, fo lowed them, writh-
ing with pain—all the fight taken out of them.

“ Well, Pard Deadshot, you are a dandy in a
scrimmage and no mistake.

“ That was the prettiest work I ever witness.
ed. so cool and neat. "

“ Give me your hand, and let me tell you that
I owe you y life, and when Buffalo Bill tells
you that is yours to command, he means
eve wordiof it ” and the scout grasped the
ban of Deadshotbean and wrung it warmly.

“ I am most glad to have served you, Buifalo
Bill; but let me set your feet free, and then you
can take from the body of that man all that be
robbed you of.

“ He knew well enough that you were not
Silk Lasso Sam the outlaw, only in some way he
had heard of your having a large lot of money
with you and sought to get it.

" New, come to my cabin u yonder on the
hill, and leave these vultures s hiking thereto
look after their dead and wounded, and the
runner p01
who had he ted some distance off, and were
malocst watching the scout and that man

Fire away l”

 

CHAPTER VI.
mans ma Lira.

Tn: band of desperation were cowed: (here
was no doubting that fact.

The death of their leader, a man who had
beenaterrorinthecamps,and '
ahd whining of the two wounded men, gave
them a wholesome exampleof what‘death and
snfleringowere. r ' ‘ ,

But

£20m his body the things' he had stolsn from
m. ‘ " .

“I will all some of those men here, Buffalo
Bill, to see that you s17ply me your owu,',sald
“'3 'ilwim a a and idea. ' it. ' ill

sir or w ac-

cuss of robbiughim." ’ y

“ Ho. men, threle on come hhrs.”

Iowa to the mner’scalitiierswssastir
among the despsradoesand yet nous ofthem

“ You arein no danger. - ' .r
“ I wish to talk with three of you.” _
After some delay there were three who ven-
tured to approach, the othsn watching them
anxiousl . , -
"See ere, men, I wish you to take notice of
{3:3 whit Buffalo Bill intends taking from ths
“ of our leader.
on
wants only that which you took from him." said

m 0 l ~ ~
“ I told Pete he were making a mistake that

Ikaow‘d Butler 8

ill andhe were wrong," mid
ons.‘ .

 

to the crowd of desperadoes,

 

the terrible gun—Deadshot Dean. ’

thegroanfng' ‘r I

yviewed with 'anxious oyst‘Buflalo ,
Bill bending over Powder Face Pets and taking .

wwhathewas robbedofandho,

 

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7,...

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1.

4

 

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,.yv\‘./a.v .;\:.".._‘,‘¢_ 1,02, 7’ ,)‘,
V r

Bufl‘alo (Bill on the 

 

Buffalo Bill turned and eyed the speaker a
moment.

Then he said quietly:

“ You li ‘, and you know it, for you were one
who urged him on; but the quarrel is owr un-
less the colonel sends a troop here from the fort
to find the men who first attacked and wounded
Paymaster Lennox and then ambushed and cap-
tured me, and robbed ine, threatening also to
hang me.”

The words of the scout seemed to impress the
men greatly.

They began to feel that they had gone too far.

Then the scout continued:

“You may tell your friends too thatif this
miner has a harm befall him, for his act this,
day in protecting a Government officer, that the
colonel will see to it that every man in tris
gang, who attacked me to—day, and I have you
all spotted, will be hunted down as though you
were wolws. -

“ See, here are the papers taken from the pay-
master, and here is the money.

“ Now comes his watch, chain, ring and sleeve-
buttons witk his pocketbook.

“Yes, and here is my watch and chain and
my money too.

‘You see of his Own be has two packs of
cards, half a dozen finger rings, all stolen I’ll
guarantee, his weapons and a roll of money,
which I will count, so that you three cannot
divide it amon you.

“ Yes, inst sixty-three dollars, seei

“ Now have done with you."

“As I am also, only carry away your dead
leader for burial and you had better take your
tlvlvo wounded men on to the camps, to the doctor
t era.

“ Now, Buffalo Bill, I am ready," and the
miner led the way up the steep path to his cabin,
lliiuil‘alo Bill following on foot and leading his

orse.

As they reached the cabin they looked back
and saw the desperadoes moving offon the trail
with their dead and wounded, and going in the
direction of the camps.

“ You have a snug little home here, sir,” said
the scout.

"No place is home Mr. Cody, without one’s
loved ones,” returned 6 miner.

“ Very true, sir, and it is a hard life one leads
here, hunting for a fortune, away from all he
loves; but I hepe you are doing well?"

“I am making a little mone , sir, and hope
for a change for the better, for am anxious to
get back to my home in Tennessee.”

“New with me it is different, for upon the
border is my home and my duties call me here.

“ You wouldmake a great scout, sir."

“ You think sol" .

“Oh, yes for thou h I have heard of Dead-
shot Dean, l had nol as he was one 1 had met
before.

“I heard of your affair that gave
name, sir, and to-day’s act will ad
fame.” ’

“ Such as it is. though I am not ambitious to
pose as a man-killed”

“ No, I can understand that, for bad you been
you would have killed those other two men in-
stead of breaking their arms, as you did.”

“ Y I did not wish their ives upon my
hands, at Powder Face Pete I was forced to
kill, ap‘d ho was one of the worst men in the

'

m

“ Look out for his a , let me urge yen, for
they will try-ad "5335 him; but no that I
have {not you I will try and give you a Il‘now
and t on, show to self and my scouts among the
camps, and see the colonel will not send 'a
troo through occasionally, for it will have _a
, affect and show these lawless fellows that
we are watching them.” .

.l‘l thank you. 111'. God , but I has clues to
Pycahiuhwork hard s , onlygotot camps
I cry mailaud provisions. ' .

- “ at you will-remain with me tonight, for I
have a spare cot and nty to eat.”

The scout ‘ i the invitation willingly
m...“ I.” h," “our ta“ sweeter.

. , . n i i
tw%'no£l oundflegds
' O

pew “a: re" mi ‘

4 - 9“; mo ’

ipbad'mng uflcwmtmsu'ét
' \

caarrsa vu.

Henna MT.

Fm PM of Pioneer Post‘ as it was
mun, called, was located about, sixty miles
the Yellow Dust mining-“cam Where
Carrochan-bsdbssn so long tolling or a fer»

tuna
In the mining-camps of Ye , Valley, which
extended some twen y miles l“ongftbe stream,

were scans. .. sou tiered in the
 mm and
can

on your
to your

 

l

‘ ens ecu iguous to the
mining-camp w ich was known as
“ Pocket Qity.”

The element of such a community was nat-
""’"..il.°mg‘°““m'ei°" '° T‘fim'“'£$ "m‘
were 0 s 0. use.

. wgsuggnsst workers in their
claims. one-third the dtstorbiug'slsmont cf

 

professional money-makers in any way it could;

he obtained, with fugitives from justice, cut-
throats, and rowdies in general to make up the
po ulation.

ere and there some gold-hunter, or perhaps
storekeeper had brought his family, so that
occasionally a woman and a few children were
seen, but seldom.

A coach ran from the mines once in a week.
and returned as often, bringing the mail and
what passengers cared to no or come.

Beyond the gold belt of this wild community
was the danger line of the Indian Country, and
this extended north and south for many a long
mile. -

Over these camps and the Indian country,
with the settlements of cattlemen further en t-
ward the commandant of Pioneer Post held Juris-
diction, and the work was such as to keep him
busy.

There was an Overland stage trail running
Westward, another going to and from the settle-
ments, and a third that had its t-rminus at the
post, all weekly lines, and these had to be
guarded from the road—agents that infested the
we .

he cattlemen had to have their herds pro-
tecti-d from horse and cow thieves and
Indians and the miners looked to the military
for protection also from an organized band of
gold~rohiwrs and an occasional dash of the In-
dians upon them.

About the post were some settlers, farmers
and berders, there were large herds of Govern-
ment cattle to look after; and altogether Colonel
Oscar Dunwoody had his hands full in caring
for those who were under his especial protec-
tion.

To aid him he had five companies of cavalry,
one battery of light artillery of eight guns, and
three battalions of infantry of three companies
each.

Then there wasa troop \of scouts. thirt in
number, under the captaincy of Buffalo ill,
who had as a reserve to call upon in need, half
a hundred daring fighters and riders, who Were
part scout, part guide, part Indian-fl hter, and
the balance cowboys, and they were u charge
of the Government horde. .

In case of a large uprising among the Indians,
Colonel Dunwoody could callto his aid over a
thousand volunteers, of miners, cattlemen, and
settlers, so that he could place a force in the
field in a couple of days’ notice of over two

‘thousand fighters, and good ones too.

Pioneer Poet Was located upon a bluff over-
hanging a river, and heavily timbered.

Around the base of the bluff ran a stockade
wall, crescent-shaped, extending from the river
below, around to the riVer above the fort proper, 4
and the space was held in reserve for the cattle
and home, should they be penned in by a siege
of the Indians.

- There were fields of corn, oats, and wheat near,
a vegetable farm, saw-mill and grist-mill, so
that the fort was almost self-supporting.

The top of the bluff was a love plateau, many
acres in size, with the barracks of the soldiers
built at equal distances on the crescent line of
fortifications, the guns having position between
them, and the rear of the cabins beig made
into a fort wall with a vbrealtwork of logs upon
the roof.

The officer’s quarters extended along: the
bluff with the headquarters the dividing line,
the hospitals, store-houses, sutlers’ and omcers

club-house being beyond the stables at the fur

ther end.

A stocksde wall ran along the bluff its whole
length, to rotect the garrison from shots upon
the other do of the river, and there were ports
for the artillery and rifles with a lookout tower,
and sheltered pumps to draw up water in case

of a slog.

Into is frontier post it would have taken an
immense army of red-skins to gain an entrance,
or do much dam , and all in the fort felt their
security, for near y all of the married oflcers,
and many of the soldiers, had their families with

them. a
Havin made the reader achnsintad with
Pioneer in the next chapter i will intro-

duce him to some of the dwellers there, and

'who will figure prominently in the pages of this
romance.

-,CHAPTER VIII.

FAIR FRONTIER RNALS.

CQIDNIL Duswoonv was a youngvman for
the cornmand he held, but he had won his pro-
motions on the field for dating and skill as a
commander in the Civil War.

His hair was pr-ematurely grayu each tern.
pie, and his mustache streaked wit silver, with
aorta in lines upon his face, ve him the ap-

nce of being aman of t , when he was

' years younger.

A perfect sol ier, thorough disciplinarian, and
yet trueas steel to his men, he was beloved by
all, while his courtly manners and prowess as a
brilliant man of the world made him most popu-
lai" with all whom he met in society.

A bachelor, and a handsome man, with a snug
little sinecurc of his own, independent of his
pay. rendered him a, ood catch for designing
maidens and their m‘o hers.

I \

 

There were at the fort some twenty married
ladies, and an equal number of young ladies,
with a couple of score of children of all ages, so
that the social life there was very gay and en-
joyable, and every one did all in their power for
their mutual plea<ure.

Riding and bunting-parties, boating, fishing,
dancing, lawn tennis, polo, crcquet, and games
among the soldiers, with pvdestrian-matches,
tournaments among: the (moors, riding, shoot-
ing and lasso-matches wrro the amusements
which caused the time to pass pleasantly, while
there was epic" enough in the dangerous life
they all led on the far frontier to suit the more
adventurous spirits.

The weekly arrival and departure of the stage
eastward, for none dared penetrate further
westward at that point, were events of inter-.
est, while tbedally parades, drills and the music
(If the band added to the charm of. Pioneer

ost. .

Colonel Dunwoody had on his staii‘ an rssis'
tant adjutant-general, surgeon, commissary,
quartermaster,,pa_vmaster and two aides as his
military family, and then came the next to him
in rank, the lieutenant-colonel commanding the
cavalry, a major of infantry, the captain of the
light battery and the respective company ofll-
cers, which, counting the assistant surgeons,
made up a force of nearly fifty commissioned
officers, about half of whOm were bachelors, or
“married men On leave.” as those who had
not their wives and children with them were
called.

But now to present those who are more close-
ly connected with the happenings of this ro-
mance of strange realities n the frontier life.
led by our soldiers and scouts, and those whom
various motives have drawn to dwell amid the-
perils of the wild West.

It takrs all kinds of peo is to make up a.
world, and the little world 0 Pioneer Post was:
no exception to the rule.

These were popular people and those who
were unpopular were bean: and belles, and
married as well as single flirts of both eczes.

Amon the ladies of the post there was none-
who hel the powor that Clarice Carr did.

She was visiting there amend schoolmate,
the wife of Major Lionel Lester, and herself a.
beautiful woman she shared with Clarice Carr
her guest the attention of the gentlemen.

The young lady had an income it was said,
but just how large not even the most inquisitive
fortune-hunter had been able to n.

She was a Southern girl, and an orphan, had
been educated partl in Boston and finished
abroad in one of the schools in Paris.

Showing a decided talent as a vocalist and‘
also a musician, she had been urged to go upon
the operatic stage, but had shown no ambition
that way.

An artist, whose work had won the highest. V

praise, she had not‘ cared to make art a profes-
sion.

Reared in the saddle‘she had become a perfect.
horsewoman and when visiting in England had
led a field of the best riders over many arough.
coarse in chase of a fox whose brush she invari-
abl won. ’

he was a fearless swimmer and had terror--
ised all by her bold ventures at Newport in
the surf.

Taught fencing in Paris she had kept up this

accomplishment with her shooting. which she. ~-

also excelled in, and many a time in crossing
blag,“ with the officersshc had disarmed the best.
0 em.

She was a woman of nerve, utterly fearless
and could talk horse, fishing. shootin , the
army or navy with any one or first th the
most blasc man of the world, .and entertain
most charmingly.

She read French, Spanish and Gemw,u~3ho‘

did English, was up in ithefhistory of the world-

'in l and thedevOted admirer of children ‘
W' '

lo, was popular With every one.
' Beam-he certame was, and pousssedof

an exquidtc form as well. and thsgreat won- ‘

der'of all was why she had never married, for

she was ve g on to'twonty-dx she franle
:dmigcd. ugh she scarcely looked over
 I

Clarice bad a rival atthefort inithsperlon of
Nina De Sutro,~ the ad ‘ daughter of Lien.
tenant-Colonel .Bavcl. .a~ nch oflicer
who had volunteered lntheUnited tates service
during the war, his both» having been an
as American, and Who-0 Ellth record had
gained him a regular army 3 pointment,

When in cornmand of a sxss frontier post
after the war, Colonel Do Sutro had wedded a
lowly 1". we b-viuz no children had

rents. .
p‘ZNina De_Sutro had been reared almost like a
boy, in the wild life she had led,on the Texas
frontier, yet she possessed
qualities and could entertain in the drawi
room with her accom lishments as well ssw n
admiration in the sadd e. .

She appeared to be devoted toClarice Carr.
and yet the latter could never learn to love -i
in return, though over most polite

' l

Imus-r e

81
adopted a littlzgirl a relative of his wife, and :
the ittle Nina b taken the name of her adopted

the most womanly , r

and kindfi“ 7

 

 

 

auguw son... a:

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7 7'" F‘ETBufifl‘alo

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Mrs. De Sutro had insisted that Nina should
receive the finishing touches of her education in
Mexico, her native land, and thither she had
been sent for three years so that she claimed to
be half American. hall Mexican.

Through her own mother it was said she had
been left a large fortune, which was in the
keeping of her ado ted parents, who were by no
means rich themes ves.

There was a rivalr existin between Nina
D» Sutro and Clarice arr, ad tted by the for-
mer, denied by the latter, who said that she
held no claims upon any one.

They both had most ardent admirersi and
Where Clarice was general in her friendsh ps, it

was said that Nina liked Colonel Dunwoodg
more than any one else, and failing to catc
him, had in view Captain Dick Carutb, of the
cavalry, and Lieutenant Vassar Turpin in view
.as holdbacks, and all of these were greatad-
:mirers of the lovely Clarice, and the three offi-
cers were all the possessors of riches.

Such was the situation at Pioneer Post when
Buflalo Bill returned one afternoon from the
esoouting expedition to the mines which had so
nearly proven fatal to him.

 

CHAPTER IX.
scrum BILL TELLS HIS s'roaY. '

THAT the chief of scouts,William F. Cody, was
apopular at Pioneer POSt, was evidenced by the
‘manner in which he was received upon his
arrive“ there the afternoon of his return from
Yellow Dust Valli; Mines, where, but for Car-
rol Dean the Lone last he would have died at
.the rope end.

The sentinel saluted him, the cowboys gave
him a wave of their hats as a welcome, and sev-
eral emcers he passed spoke pleasantly to him.

Some soldiers grouped together near the stock-
.ade gate welcomed him back, and the ch
as he rode toward headquarters, cheered him,
and uttered many a hearty greeting. ,

“The chief of scouts wishes to see you,sir,"
said Colonel Du‘n'w y’s orderly, entering the
room where that oer sat, conversing with
ggptain Dick Caruth and Lieutenant Vassar

1' no.

“show him in at once, orderly,” was the
-coionel’s reply.

Then as the scout entered he said pleasantly:

“ Ho, Codi', You know the old saying about
speaking of the devil, and et cetera, for \we
were t‘ilklug of you when the orderly an-
nounced your name." \

“It came nearer never bein announced on
this trip sir, than ever before, at thanks to a

' 'brave miner I am here to report to you, 0 June]
Dunwoody, and I regret to say. sir, that l have

' sad news for you,” said Buffalo Bill quietly.

t“ Indeed, I am sorry to hear this.
“ Sit down and tell me if there has anything

\ gene wron , and I hope the Indians are not on
' the war-pa h, for I have just told these gentle-

man why 1 had sent yod off on a scout, to see
what the red-skins were about.”

“ The Indians are uneasy, sir, as they always
.are when hatching trouble, but I do not believe
will 0 on the war-path for some time yet.

“ we i into the .r country and watched their
villages osel unseen of course by them.

“ I return by Yellow Dust Valley and for-
'tunatel y, for I came pon Captain Lennox,
your paymnster, dying b the roadside}.

“ Lennox dying?” cri the colonel with some
-excltement.

“ Be is dead, sir,” was the sad response.

There was a silence _of fully a minute as each
one premt recalled the honest, good face of the

,r~comrade they had lest.

“ He had arrived at the station sooner than
'he expected, sit, he told me, so would not wait
for 8098001". nor w0uld he take the stage coach,
.3; he feared being robbed,

“ He therefore decided to come through alone
oh horseback and bought a horse and ouiiit at
the station for thispurpose.”

“ He should havo waited an escort."

“There W89 000 think againstithat, sir, as be
“id he was fearful of being rowed if {he re.
\mained. for the “5th '83 Over-ran with des-

,_peradOes.

" Some of them must have sweeten him of
having money, and sent word ahead to the road-
.ngeng. for he rode into an ambush andNuhen
‘be wadordered to halt, bro“ ‘5 WILL"

“ Brave fellom" \’ I '

“But he was wounded “1790 um“, 0‘? and
his horse received a slight wound. "Nell 0w-
.ever did not retard his speed. for he distanced
all pursuit. .

' “ But the noble animal at last fell from f.—
tigue, and after going some miles further Pay-
muster Leonor sunk down on thé side of the
trail unable to go further.

“Therel found him several hours an” and
she was dyl ”

“ Poor Le ox,” the colonel said, feeliuRIY-

H While I all with him two horsemen pa

, who said they were miners, and I sent word by
“them for the surgeon at the mines to come to

, may aid at once.
. ‘But he died 900“ flier. and I took mm him
e the money and other things

he had of value.

I

 

“ Here they are,sir, and as on see he had a
large sum of money with him, and Buifalo Bill
placed the severglfackages upon the table.

“ He had, ind , and you were fortunate to
be near, Cod ."

“I wrote own what he asked me to do, air
for the Government and of a private nature, an
here are the papers.“

“ You have one well, Cody, and you deserve
the highest praise.”

“ Thank you,‘ Colonel Dunwoody.

“Of course I had to bury the captain there,
where he died, wrapping the body in his blanket
and digging a grave with my bowie.

“ I coVered the rave with heavy stones, and
then, as it was n ght, remained for [rest until
the following morning.

“ The next afternoon as I was near Yellow
Dust Valley I rode into an ambush.”

“ What?

“ My horse was lassoed still I had three lariats
thrown over me, sir, while some dozen men
sprung out and covered me with their revel”
vers.

“ They dared do this in that valley?”

“ It was near Pocket City, sir, and they were
the wicked element of the mines who did it, and
I think I recognized the two men among them
whom I saw when I was with Captain Lennox,

ough théy had changed their appearance to

eceive me.” I

“ The scoundrelsl”

} “ Of course, sir, resistance was useless, out
of the question, and not thinking they would dare
harm or rob me, 1 could do nothing else than
surrender.

“ I was at once bound to my horse, however,
robbed of all I had of the captain’s and my own.
and then led toward Hangman’s Gulch to be
hanged as Silk Lasso Sam the outlaw chief, for
whom they pretended to take me,” and the last
words of the scout created a decided impreuion
among those who heard them.

CHAPTER X.
AN nmaman “emanation.

“ You were taken for that infamous scamp
Silk Lasso Sam?” cried the colonel in utter
amazement.

“ Yes, sir, and as far as looks go I believe I
was com limented,'for he is said to be a hand-
some dev i,” said Buffalo Bill with a smile.

“Yes, and a vicious devil as well, with a
heart of iron and a conscience of indie-rubber.u

“ I have heard him described. sir, as being a
man very much of the style of Cod y,” said Cap-
tain Dick Caruth, who was one of the hand-
somest men in the army.

“Doctor Powell has seen him, sir, in fact was
robbed by him, and can tell us,” Lieutenant
Vassar To in remarked.

“ Who is es my name in vain?” said a cheery
voice at the door. and in walked the one whose
name Lieutenant Turpin had just uttered.

It was Doctor Frank POeel , the po=tsurgeon,
and a manWhose name and fame is world-wide,
for in addition to being a skilled physician, n
most expert surgeon and perfect soldier he was
no d as one of the heroes of the plains, a scout
an Indian fighter, whose record is second to
Buflalo Bill alone.

“1 am izlad you have come, Powell; sit dawn
and hear Cody’s s'ory,” said the colonel to the
dashing, handsome surgeon, with a nature as
gentle as a woman’s and a heart like a lion when
aroused.

“ Cody was just saying that he had been mis-
taken f0r Silk Lasso Sam, the outlaw chief,
though first let me tell you that he brings the
sad news of poor Lennox having been killed by
the road-agentfl.”

“ Hal Lennox killed, and by those cowardly
co ores.

‘ They shall s_v for this.” and the face of the
su eon change in a flash, showing what be
con d be when aroused by hatred or anger.

Buffalo Bill told of the death of the pay-
mhster, and of his capture for Silk Lasso Sam,
and Doctor Powell sa d thoughtfully:

“ Well, you do look like the fellow, Cody,

“ You are about his build, and he Wears bll
hair as you do, with mustache and imperial,

ciao. .

“ But his face is darker, his cm are blue, a
bad combination, by the way, black hair and
blue eyes, for they do not go together, and he
has a sneer, a grin, a smile, all combined upon
his mouth, like a hyena showing his teeth, while
you, Bill, you know, have the ssnctimonlous
look about the mouth of an army chaplain, old,
in the service.

“ Still you might be mistaken for Silk Lasso
IStun; especially if there was reason for so do-
n

“ Well, I came very near being hanged for
him. and would have been but for the rescue h
3:120! the gamest men I ever crossed the trail
'“ That is saving a ood deal Cod "said the
co‘lpnel, with a’ smile. ‘3 ' 5”
jlmgland“ tell you what he did, sir, and you can

“ His cabin was upon the spur of a mountain,

and he was enjoying his pipe and restaiter a W”

 

Sabbath-day dinner, when my captors came in
sight with me. ‘

“He recognized me, having met me Several
years ago with on, Captain Caruth, when we
camped one nig t near a wagon-train of emi-
grants and kept them from being attacked by
Indian?"

" Yes, I remember the circumstance,” said the
captain. ,

‘ He at once came to my rescue, halted the
gang, and asked why I was a prisoner.

” The leader, a gentleman by the na‘me.of
Powder Face Pete, and one of the worst men in
the mines, said that I was Silk Lasso Sam, and
had killed and robbed an army payniaster and
I was to be hanged when we reached flang-
man’s Gulch, half a mile beyond.

“The miner, who is known as Deadshotl

Dean—”
. “ l have heard of him," said Surgeon Powell.

“ Yes, he made his record as a shot one night
when attacked by a band of ruflians.

“ He said that I was not Silk Lasso Sam,
that I was Buffalo Bill, and he would protect
me, so invited Powder Face todpley his band.

“ There was some talk, an next Deadshot
Dean said that if any of the band made an
effort to attack him he would plant a bullet be-
tween the eyes of Mister Powder Face Pete.

“ The leader then made an (Hort to fire, but
the miner kept his word, nailing him uareiy
between the eyes, and breaking the rig t arm
of the two men who had been most anxious to
back up their chief.

“ Quick as lightning too he cut the rope that
bound my hands, sol could go into the killing
business too, and the gang scattered like a pack
of wolves.

“mt the things I had been robbed of, from
the of‘Powder Face Pete,‘the miner callin
thrée o the gang back to see that 1 did not
their leader of the packs of cards, and other
valuables be M.

“Then he ordered them 03 with the dead
man and their two wounded pards, and insisted
on me to remain all'ni t at his cabin.

“ I did so, and all can say is that he is a
gentleman, a man of education, full of nerve,
and l ear not in as good luck as he deserves.‘

“ ell, Cody, he has rendered the Govern-
ment splendid service in lavas you and the
money poor Leniiox was rob of, and any.
thing I can do for him I shall be most happy to
do,” said Colonel Dunwoody.

“ He is nota man to accept aid, I am sure,
sir, but I think he might be put under good pay
as a Government detective and sp , on the move-
ments of the road-agents, and t is would help
him sir.”

“ e very man I want, and in the very place
I need him, for this Silk Lasso Sam and his
hand must be wiped out,” said the colonel with
determination.

 

CHAPTER XI.
ran Minna SPY.

THE story of Buffalo Bill had been listened to
by all three of the officers with the deepest of
interest.

That the miner Carrol Dean had won the
admiration‘of all by his daring and nerve, was
certain, and Colonel Dunwoody said, after the
went had finished his story:

“Well, Cody, your friend deserm all the
praise we can bestow upon him, and I will cer-
tainly be glad to reward him in any way he will
accept recompense.”

"As I said, Colonel Dunwoody, I am sure
that he is not one to be paid for a service, for
he is a gentleman of refinement and educa-
tion. .

“ He came West because he was poor and his
father owned an old claim which he hoped
wonl pan out well for him.

" e left a wife and child at his home in the
South, and be Is struggling on to win a fortune
for them. '

“ In all cases he has held aloof from oth
and though courteous to all he does not go wi
any of the miners.

“ Such is the story he told me of himself, and '

in his cabin are many evidences that he is not
forgotten by those at home, for there are a

t number of little articles sent to him”
add to his comfort, while he flaceives papers and
books at ev mail.”

“ But you ink his claim in not a paying'one,
Codyl‘l

“He did not as as much, sir, but he told
me he hoped it won d improve.”

" And any services he might render he would
accept pay for, you think?”

“ am sure, sir, if given some such position
as I referred to, he would feel that he was earn:
ing his y.”

“ We l, I am entitled under late orders, to
employ a detective on the Overland to get some
clew to the robbers who have of late been riding
the malls, -

“ The position will pay fairly well, as a hun-

dred dollaw a month, and I can oii'er t to this

miner, telling him to devote what time he can
to obtaining ciews to the retreats of these rob-
numbsr and identity.”

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“ I feel sure, sir, that he would do this, for he
told me he would be glad to aid in any way in
his power, to drive oil? the robbers that infest
this part of the country, and spoke of itasa
shame that Silk Lasso Sam had not been caught
in spite of all the traps laid to insnare him.”

“ Yes, it is a pity and a shame, and yet I feel
that we have done all in our power to entrap
that outlaw chief and his band."

“ Yes, colonel, and he is getting bolder,” Cap-
tain Dick Caruth said.

“ He is indeed, but 1 hope we will soon be able
to run him to earth.

“ But, Cody, this robbery and murder of poor
Lennox was not by Silk Lasso Sam, you say?”

“ You misunderstood me, colonel, for if it was
not by Silk Lasso Sam, I cannot but believe
that Powder Face Pete was one of his men, and
so thought Deadshot Dean also.”

" He did have that idea, then?”

“ Yes, sir, and was confident that Pocket City
was the headquarters of Silk Lasso Sam’s spies.

“ Then the miner will be in the very spot to
act as detective, and when you return for the
body of Captain Lennox, as I wish you to do,

{on can carry word to Deadshot Dean that he

to serve as a Secret Service man for me, under
the gay of one hundred dollars per month.

“ s will have to report to me in some way
an discoveries he may make, and endeavor all
in is powerto break up this band of frontier
lawbreakers.”

“ Yes, sir, I will so report to him your wishes,
and I believe you will find him just the man you
wish in your service.”

“ l sincerel hope so, Cody, but how you need
rest, especia y as I wish you to start back upon
the morrow with an escort to get the remains of
Paymaster Lennox and bring them to the fort
for burial.”

Buffalo Bill. now arose and departed, the col-
onel remarking after he had left:

“ There is one of the gamest men I ever knew,
and as modest as he is brave.

“ I dilly wish I had more like him in my com-

“Ee is all that (you say he is, Colonel Dun-
woody, as I have he reason to know a hundred
times or more, for Buffalo Bill has saved me
from death on many an occasion,” earnestly re-
marked Surgeon Frank Powell.

“And it appears to me, Powell, that there is
a tradition that you have often saved the life
of Buffalo Bill, and are just as modest about
your achievements as he is,” Captain Caruth
remarked.

“, What is the use of boasting of code own
deeds Dick, when I can leave it to such good
friends of mine as you are to do it for me?”
Frank Powell responded with a smile.

After some further conversation upon the
subject, Colonel Dunwoody decided that it
would be well to send a few soldiers under
captain Caruth to Yellow Dust Valley for the
b y of Paymaster Lennox, and that Surgeon
Powell was to accom any them, while Buith
Bill was to act as go do to the spot where the
body had been buried.

Of course the soldiers were not to visit the
cabin of Deadshot Dean, as it might arouse sus-
picion against the miner, but, if possible, the
officers were to see and have a talk with him up-
on the new duties he was to entar upon.

This being decided u n,. the next morning
the soldiers rode out o the fort with Buffalo
Bill lsadin‘g as guide.

 

CHAPTER XII.
suit LABSO salt.

Aroma the greatest worries which Colonel
Dunwolxiy had to contend with upon the front-
ier, was the band of road-agents who infested
the trails, holding up coaches, travelers on
horseback, wagon-trains, and .now and then
robbing a ranch or mining-camp.

These were said to be from a dozen to half
a hundred in number. never struck their blows
twice in the same spot, and were as cunning
as foxes, defying capture in spite of the most
vigorous pursuit by ten times their number sent
against them.

They were more troublesome than the Indians,
squall as much to be fearedéand from their
chief own rewards had been 0 ered upon their
heads dead or allvo. ‘ '

One reward was from the Government of five
thousand dollars for their chief and one thousand
for any of the men of his band.

This was duplicated by the reward offered by
the Overland Stage Oompan , while a third re-
ward was offered by the eett era of like anion
and the miners of the camps equaled it. '

Then there wasa fifth reward in a purseofone
thousand dollars put up by Colonel Dunwoody
and his officers at the fort for the capture of the
outlaw chief dead or alive. ,

It was not to be wondered at that with the
sum of twenty us thousand dollars offered for
his head. the c ief of the outlaws was great-
ly sought after, while the capture, or killing
ofone of his men would brin four thousand
dol rs to the man who captu or killed 'him.

he band was known from their appearing
Win one plsos’snd then in

\ . 1

 

another as “ The v
. .7 ,i .

  

l Will-o’-thaWisps,” and their leader had won the
t name of Silk Lasso Sam from the fact that he
' carried a beautifull woven lariat of red silk,
thilch he was capab e of using with astonishing
s il .

What his real name was no one knew, or where
‘ he had come from, though it was said, as his
equipments and dress were Mexican, that he
had been a Texan bandit driven into Mexico,
and then had made his wa northward to the
frontier to again turn to his eeds of outlawy.

His men spoke of him as captain, calling him
by no name, though to the people of the border
he was Silk Lasso Sam. , .

The deeds of this outlaw were numerous and
cruel, and he handled his band with the skill of
a trained soldier.

Where his retreat was had puzzled the best
scouts, and yet that he had a hiding-place for
'the quantities of plunder he often got pos-
session of, and a herding place for the horn;
and stodk be robbed the post, settlement and
miningocamps of, there was no doubt what-
ever.

But where it was located had not yet been
discovered.

To-day he was seen upon one stage trail, and
to-morrow at the mining-cam

One day he was seen at the fort, on near it,
and again in the settlements, always in a differ-
ent dsguise and yet always leaving a roof
that Silk Lasso Sam had been in the mi st of
his fees.

The man seemed to love to Slay with the
most deadly danger, and woul laugh at all
efforts to capture him. ‘

That he had spies in the mining-camps, settle-
ment and even at the fort was without doubt
true, for he seemed to know of the movement of
trains coming Westward that were valuable,
and of the sending Eastward of gold from the
mines.

If a stage coach brought passengers with
money or jewelr of value, that coach was
almost certain to held up by Silk Laso Sam.

He always demanded implicit obedience to his
orders, but if resisted in his robberies he would
at once become mercileSS.

The most thrilling and terrible stories were
told of the cruelties of Silk
few could vouch for them as being true.

Surgeon Frank Powell had once been in the
(aileron which had been halted by the Will-o’-the-

isps. ,

,The surgeon was . asleep at the time, and
awakening suddenly discovered the situation.

Resistance was useless for the coach was
covered by a dozrn rifles.

“ You are Frank Powell, the Surgeon Scout?"
asked the outlaw leader looking curiously at the
officer.

1 “ Inam, and you are Silk Lasso Sam, the out-
aw?

“ I am, and as I admire a man of nerve I shall
not rob you,” was the answer of the outlaw.

“ Oh yes, I ask no favors of you, and I accept

answered the surgeon. .

“ As you insist I will rob you, and having re-
fused the favor I sought to show on, remember
that the next time we meet it wil be your life I
will take, for I never forgivo a slight.”

“ Just as you please, sir, and let me state that
I will accept the gauntlet you throw down when
next we meet. that it be your life or mine,”

“ It is a bargain,” was the smiling reply of
Silk Lasso Sam, and all who knew the two men
felt that it would be a duel to the death who
and wherever they met each other. I

CHAPTER XIII.
run accnprason.

THE sun was just setting on the Tuesday fol-
IOwing his Sabbath day adventure wit the band
of desperadoes under Powder Face ete, when
Deadshot Dean lighted his pipe and took a seat
in his rustic easy¥chair in front of his cabin.

He had worked hard in the mine all day, and
had gotten but a few dollars in precious metal.

Returning to his home he had eaten his sup-
per and then sat down to rest and view the and
sunset. a delight he enjoyed immensely wh le he
thought of the loved ones at home.

Suddenly the sound of boots fell upon his ears,
and he saw coming around the bend in the trail
where he had seen the desperadoes approaching
.with Buffalo Bill, no other than the scout him-
self.
Following him were two omcers in uniform
and close upon their heels came a score of soldiers
with two negro servants and several pack-horses
hrin ing up their rear.

“ Xhi the scout is back soon, and I suppose in-
tends to hunt down those ruifians who attacked

him.

“ It is nightfall, and there is a fine camping-
place there on the brook, while I can take care
of the ofllcers, so I will hall them.”

So saying (laurel Dean arose and hastened
down the path toward the trail. '

“ Ho, Scout Cod y, glad to see you again.

“ Will not those entlemen share my hospital-
ity with you for t 9 night, while the men can
find an excellent camii‘igg-placs near!
, “I will begins! to

 

“roman

'3

  

the situation with the others, be it what it may,”

Lasso Sam, and yet,

 

the miner turned to the two officers who just
then rode up.

Buffalo Bill shook Carrol Dean warmly by the
hand and presented him to Captain Dick Caruth
and Surgeon Frank Powell, who greeted him
warmly. while the former said:

“The truth is, Mr. Dean, one of our motives
in coming to this rt of the country was to see
you, but we conc nded to do to secretly as we
feared our visit might get you into trouble witn
some of your evil~disposed neighbors.”

“Do not mind that, Captain Caruth, for it is
a matter of the utmost indifference to me how
man such foes I make.

“ can entertain you in my cabin, and there
is an excellent camping-place for your men."

Thus ur ed the invitation was accepted, and
the two 0 cars with Buffalo Bill, were soon after
seated in front of the miner’s cabin, while their
negro servants got supper for them, the camp-
fires of the soldiers glimmering through the trees.
in the valley a couple of hundred yards away.

“ Mr. Dean, our desire is‘to have a talk with
you,” said Captain Caruth, when the negroes

ad departed to the soldiers’ camp, and the minor
and his guests were alone.

“ Yes, gentlemen l"

“ We are aware of your s lendid service so.
daringlgorendered Buffalo Bi , and through him
to the vernment in saving the large sum of
money of which Paymaster Lennox had been,
robbed.”

“ A man would be a cowardly cur indeed, sir,
to sit by and see a pack of wolves destroy a man
and not go to his aid. no matter what the odds."

“ There are men who would take such chances,
true, but they are not found every day, and Col-
onel Dunwoody, commanding this military dis-
trict, is anxious to show his appreciation in some
we of your services.” ‘

‘ Permit me to request that he do so by utter

ly ignoring anything thatI did, Captain Ca-
” ,

ruth.

“ If you feel thus about it, I will say no more.
air, for I can well appreciate how a brave man,‘
acting from a sense 0 duty, must feel.

“ But there is one thing that we are anxious to -

have you do for us?”

“ Certainly, if in my power.”

“You are aware that this frontier is cursed
by‘the presence upon it of a band of outlaws
known as the Will-o’-the Wisps’i”

“ Yes, sir. they attacked my home one night,
a year ago.” ~

“ Indeed, and robbed you?” ,

“ They only got a little lead, sir, in the place»
of gold.” ‘

“ Ahl you beat them off?”

“ I opened fire, sir, from the roof of my cabin,
which you use has a log breastwork in front and
on the sides, and a ladder runs up along the-
chlmney to a trap in the roof.

“ I fired two shots, sir, and they ran off.”

“ Did you do any damage!” _

“ As you go down the trail, to-morrow, you
will notice two Braves under: la 9 ins tree,
sir, and therein are buried the two ill-o’-the-
Wraps,” and the miner spoke with the utmost-
modesty of his exploit.

Then he added:

“ This is a rough country to live in, gentle-
men, for a man must sleep with a weapon in his.
grasp, and be ever ready to take life to save his

own. -

“ But for the fact that I have loved ones I m
striving to make a fortune for,l would not'rs-
main here a day.” 2 ~

“ You have had cause to dread the country
air but While you remain here it is the wish 0 '
Colonel Dunwoody that you accept the position
of Secret Service man for him.

" In other words. become the detective, the‘

s y upon the monmonts of 'the Will-0’-the-

isps, and endeavor to gain some clew ,hy‘ , ‘

which they can be cornered and captured.”
“ I understand, sir.” ' '
"I may remark. incidentally, sir, that
pa is one hundred dollars peg-\month, and I
will leave with you a good horse, and arrange»
with you reggfding your reports to head-

quartert .- .
“I certainly hope you will not refuse, Mr.
Dean.” . ‘

“Permit me also tonrge your acce- tsnce of «

the offer,” said Surgeon Powell, whi e Buffalo.
Bill remarked:

“Yes, DeMsbot, you are In“
want in this place so do not refuse.

the miner.

*

cnar'raa XIV.
norms BELLE.

Tan prompt acceptance of the miner of the

dan erous work befdre hun as border de-
tectqu pleased the two ofilceri; and Buffalo Bill.

reatl . x ,
g The; fall; that they had, at one of the scenes.
best calculated to secure data re arding all law.
is. characte one who would I
his duties an as fearlessly.

until late into the night and then retired to their
blankstbeds. ., , I
The next mornin the command moved on into:

m,” and Pocket City in Yel 0w Dust Valley.

the

the man wp. ‘
u I shall accept," was the prompt response of '

thinlly perform .
They talked over what he was expected to do ‘

 

 

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. act-fl}, '7’..'-    v r

alo- Bill on tho war-path. "  '  ' '7

 

   

The news of the aflair near Deadshot Dean’s
cabin had become known from one end of the
valley to the other, but the only story told was
x how the miner bad interfered and aided Silk
.‘é ’ Lasso Sam to escape from several men who had
2 him a prisoner, the robber having not long
' ' before killed and robbed a United States Pay-
master.

Deadshot Dean had taken the men at dis-
advantage and killing Powder Face Pete had
wounded the two others with him, the report
went.

That there were Over a dozen of them along
had not been told, the two wounded men a10ne

', claiming to have been present. _

 That the miners did not once go out to “in-
Vestigate” the miner was because they were
glad, as a whole, to get rid of Powder Face Pete
andl to have his two comrades laid by for a-
whi e.

: Of course they must knew why Deadshot

s", Dean had set the outlaw free, but they Would
, hold him on that charge someday when he came

into Pocket City.

‘3 All the while, however, there was a secret

‘ lot going on against the miner, rumors bein

' eard about that he must be one of the band 0

outlaws to have rescued the chief.

' Then it was overheard that he could not possi-

1‘, , ‘ bly have belieVed the prisoner to have been

 ; Buffalo Bill, but only claimed that he was to set

i 1 - b free.

2 l! i his undercurrent mode of slander was plot-

ting evil against Carrol Dean, when suddenly

there rode into the mining valley none other

than Buffalo Bill, guiding a party of cavalry.

They want into camp near the tavern known

 

 

 

_'i ,' as The Frying Pan, and dinner was ordered
,. V for the officers and men.
‘.  The ~idlers and hangers on about thecauips

‘-»  cooled do..n at the sight of the soldiers. and
i A , those who had been with the party at Deadshot
" v, Dean’s cabin the Sunday before made themselves
-‘ .e.’ scarce with great alacrilt‘y.

. "x The landlord of The rying Pan was—a wo-

 » man.

. , What was more she was postmaster too, and
l ' in addition ran The Devils’ Den, the combina-

4‘ ’ tion gambling and drinking saloon in Pocket

2" ' a Cl s
,3  an kept a good table, had clean beds, and her
i  ~ saloon was separated from the hotel, where she
allowed no nonsense.

She kept Chinese servants only, and rotected
them too from those who sought to bul dose and
harm them.

The Frying Pan was also the headquarters of

_ the stage-line, of which she was the authorized
agent.

She was known as Bonnie Belle and she de-
served the name, for a more beautiful woman
was seldom seen on the frontier, and her face
would have made a study for an artist for “ in-
nocence," so full of purity it was, with its large,
fawn-like eyes and gentle smile.

She had arrived in the coach one day, holding

y I in her la the head of the former landlord of the
‘ . ,Fryliig an who had been shot by road-agents
on the we into Pocket City. '

He won di havo been robbed‘as well, but sud-
denly the fair passenger in the coach with him
had opened fire upon the robbers, killing one,
wounding another and stampediug the others to
COVer, while she called out to Horseshoe Ned who
was on the box:

“ Drive over them if they bar your way!”

5 Horseshoe Ned only wanted half a chance to
. do that very thing, and la mg on the silk he

‘ sent his team flying away rom the demoralired

nts and escs

1 road- ,
- ac lug Pecket C??? it was found that Land-
ord Lassrons was dying; but he quickly called
Witnesses about him, made an inventory. of
“9 “(359's ecuslsting of the hotel, gambling
“100m Wm” .fl agent and postmaster
With hi9 110"” Ind a l. and made them over to
Bonnie Belle, 'ho had "Iva bin] '0 we“.
What had bran ht Bonnie Belle to Pocket
C“, "0 one km"; lit she became a heroine at
once, and taking hold with 3 firm hand had
matters pretty much her own way .3 f.r a, be,
belongings were concerned. -
Who she was no one knew, and there had not
. been yet found in the camp” 5 man with the
nerve to QUBstiOD her about liens",
‘ It was 'at the tavern of Bannia Belle that the

. who; -

 

.‘p-

-;

We .. mama‘s—ransom -_ . 

pram put up with .his command, and he was
welcomed ver grncmusly by the fair hostess,
who had only n half a year mistress or The

' .~ Friin Pan, and was only known to Buffalo
t ' Bil o the party.

, ‘ The scout introduced the odicers, who were
amazed at finding such a woman in such a place,
but greeted her with marked respect. which she

, seemed to appreciate. . -
- ‘. - She was d ssed id a suit of buckskin, short
't skirt and legg ngs, handsomer embroidered and
wore a sombrero worked with silVer thread,
5 while about her slender waist wasa pair of gold-

" mounted revolvers.

- “May I ask, Buffalo Bill, if you were res-
‘ . ~ cued by Miner Deadshot Dean on Sunday last,
’ ' - from three men who claimed to have captured
= Silk Leno Sam?" she asked, in the sweetest of

class. .
,‘l I ."Yes‘Jwasrsscued byDeadshotDeanfrom

 

 

 

 

over a dozen cowardly curs who were going to
hang me as Silk Lasso Sam,” the scout au-
swered.

“ Then this nonsense that Deadshot Dean pro-
tected Silk Lasso Sam must stop,” was the de-
termined reply of the woman, and the sudden
change in her face showed that she could be
stern at will.

 

CHAPTER XV.
Bonith BELLE.

BONNIE BELLE invited her three guests to
dine at her table with her, and the invitation
was accepted, when they were led into her own
private quarters.

They were not surprised to find there every
eVHence of refinement, for it was just what they
ex tad of such a Woman.

here were easy-chairs, a reed lounge with
embroiziered cushion, books, a guitar and some
very fine sketches and aintings upon the walls,
scenes about Pocket ity, showing that they
were the work of her own hands.

At dinner she acted the hostess to perfec-
tion, and gave them a most tempting repast,
theusoldlers at the other tables faring just as
we .

She sung for them at Surgeon Powell‘s re-
quest. and her voice was one full of sweetness
and isympathy, while her soul seemed to be in her
mus c..

“ I cannot see. Miss Bonnie Belle—”

“ Do not prefix my name with a Miss, Doctor
Powell, please, for out here Iam called by all
Bonnie Belle,” she said.

“ In Rome do as the Romans do, so Bonnie
Belle it shall be,” and the doctor bowed.

“Now your question, sir?” she mid with a
smile.

“I was going to remark, and from no idle
curiosity I assure you, Bonnie Belle, that ‘I
could not see why you should remain in this
wild land?” ,

“ You, sir, are a man of refinement, as is also
Ca tain Caruth, and our friend here, Buffalo
Bil , if that is what you mean, and yet you all
remain here.” i ,

“ Very true, for duty calls us here.”

.“ And duty calls me here,” was the reply, and
in a tone so full of sadness that the subject was

. at once dropped. '

“A woman with a history, P0well,” said Cap-
tain Caruth an hour after, as they rode on their
way to the rave of \Paymaster Lennox.

“ Decided y, and a beautiful enigma.

“Who is she, Bill?" -

“ You are too deep for me, Surgeon Po well."

“What do you know of her, Bill?" asked
Captain Caruth.

‘ Next to nothing, sir, ‘more than that she
was coming West in a stage with old Landlord
Lazarus, who was shot by road-agents when he
would not give up his money, and then she
opened fire, killing one, Wounding another, and
when the coach reached Pocket City theman
made her his heiress. *

" Since then she shot Desperado Keen, who
attempted to run the ranch different from her
rules, and the men are afraid of her, knowing
that she can show her claws, and will, when
there is reason to do so.”

“ What is her name!”

i“”l never heard any other than Bonnie Belle,
s r.
‘ “ Flow old is she, do you think!"

" Guessing at a womanja age, captain, is like
betting on a horse-race.” .

“I should say she was twenty-three or four,”
Ca‘pgiin ('iaru‘t remarkied.

o. no a not a a over twent -one if
that Dick,” Surgeon Powzll said. y ’

:2 N elli sh: is at lady high and bred.”‘

0(0uto a ick and as‘
beautiful enigma.” t, ’ ’ I “Id, 3‘

" All ‘women are that, Powell."

“ All women are not beautiful, Dick.”

“ I’ll agree with 'you there, but I meant
enigmas.” - ‘

“ i guess you are right, only this one is more
so than her sisterS.”

“ I only wish she was at the fort instead of
that wild camp.”

“Then report about her upon our return and
you’ll find all the youngsters crazy to be senton
a scout to .Pocket City, and some one of them
may persuade her to come to the fort as his
wife.” “

“ I do not know about that, for y idea is
that woman is in love with some fel ow whose
trail shale on ow, and that is wh she is here.”

“ I have the same idea, sir,” sai Buffalo Bill.

“ It seems from her words to you. Cody. that
there had been some ugly rumors, afloat about
the miner?”

“Yes, captain, and they were started by
those fellows whom he stampeded, and their
way to get revenge was to have the miners
islang him as being in league with Silk Lasso

.im. , i ,
dig g saw tlgozgh 11th:: at price, 1and more,

on see a on ree twas m w
in}? raiiketi; ’ ' ed' m
. 9’s "w  ‘1 WM
whowerewoun’ded.” ' ' k? 0‘ M.
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“ That was all for sure against the miner, the
others who were there starting the rumors.”

“ It looks so, certainly.”

“ But Bonnie Belle said that such nonsense
should stop, and she meant it,” Surgeon Powell
remarked.

“ She did indeed, for those dove-like eyes of
hers flashed like diamonds as she said it too.“

“ Now to the miner, though.

“ Will he be able to do any work as a spy if
the people of Pocket City have the slightest idea
that he is connected with the outlaws?”

“ It will be hard for him, no doubt, but 1 i

have great confidence in that man doing all
that he undertakes,” said Buffalo Bill.

“ As I have, and there is another one with a
history, whom I may say is an enigma," sur.
geon Powell remarked, when Captain Caruth
rejoined:

“ The woods in this country are full of men of
mystery, Frank; in fact the frontier is the place
to find them, and if the lives of many were
written, how like romance it would all read;
What isit, Bill?”

“ The grave of Captain Lennox is yonder, sir,
up that canyon.”

They rode forward more slowly now and a hall;
was called as they came near a newly made
mound.

Dismounting the two oflcers and scout apt
reached it w th uncovered heads and then stood
or full a minute.

Then the soldiers were called, a spade and
shovel were taken from a pack-horse, with a
lll'ige roll of canvas and some rope.

he grave was then opened, the body wrapped
closely in the canvas and lacing it upon one of
all: pack-horses the trai back to the fort was
en.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE AGED HOBSEHAN.

Cannon DIAN saw the soldiers ride away from
his cabin with mingled feelings in his breast.

“ I have another chance to make money now,
and at odd times from my minin work, and
thou h the ril is great I am glai t at Iaccept-
ed t e pos tion, for it will get me home that
much sooner, and if my mine should fail, enable
me to lay up a few more hundreds," he said as
he sat musing in front of his cabin.

"Now what is the best way to go about this
detective work? a

“I have half a mind toconfide in Bonnie Belle,
for she always has seemed friendly to me; but
then, one dees not know whom he can trust out
here, and the suspicion will Come upon me that
she is ecretly leagued with the Will-o’-the-Wisps.

“ If I wrong herl am sorry, but lcertainly
saw her twice meet Powder ace Pete in the
Hangman’s Gulch, and receive from him a let—

fer!

“No I will not trust her until lam certain
she wil not prove a traitress. for in spite of her
velvety ways she may be a tigress.

" Now to chan e my mode of living somewhat,
and mingle wit those wild spirits at Pocket

City. ,

“ I will have to gamble too, I sugpose, and
drink, but a professional gambler an a drunk-
ard I never can become.”

After musing for awhile longer Carrol Dean
took his way toward his claim.

It was beyond the spur, up in a canyon through
which flowed a small stream.

He had “ worked ” the canyon up to the end
at the cliffs, hunting in the stream among the
rocks and at the/roots of trees for the precious
metal, and at last had found streaks in the clifls
into which he had dug with more or is. suc-

cess.

He entered the cavity and began work, care-
fully sifting the loose earth as he dog it, and
when he stopped for his dinner had gathered the
largest quantity of golden grains which he had
found in many a lengthy before.

“ Buffalo Bill has rought me luck,” he said
cheerlly, and keepin on with his work he only
left off when the aha ows n to deepen.

i" Fully twenty dollars ti ny,” he said, weigh.
ing the tiny grains in his hand, as he started
homeward.

As he turned into the trail he came upona

horseman. ,

He was a man with long iron~gray hair Ind
beard, wore ironJramed spectacles and was
dressed rather shabbily, while his horse and out-
fit were of little value. '

“ Ho, pard, I’m glad fer meet yer, fer I wants
ter know if this be ther trailter Packet City?"
called out the old man.

“Yes, air, it is the trail, and Pocket City lies
only little over a mile and a half beyond."

' Thankee; hut aces yer know a man there by
ther name 0‘ Peter Swain, for he is my son, and
I’m shunting his oamp,as luck hev gone hard
with me of late?” ’

“ No, sir. i do not know such a man; but
will you not halt for the night with me?"
IP‘LThaukee, no, for I must .glt on and find

e .r. ‘

“'It‘s strange yer don’t know him, for bsgits
acits‘inted easy, and though some thinks he is
a lot, he’s been a
be‘sall Ihssgotin that world now tar love."

\
\

boytermeand

 

   
 

 

i ! I

“Peter Swain you say his name is?” said
Carrol Dean thoughtfully.

“ Yas, pard, an yer’d know him if once yer
seen him, ferhis face looks like a turkey egg
with ther powder burn in it, and they does
call him Powder Face Pete, I l’arn.”

“Powder Face Pete!”

The miner started as he uttered the words,
and his face changed color.

The old man was goin to seek his son, one
whom he would never nd, one who was in
his grave, placed there by his hand.

“ ‘ He's been a good boy to me, and he’s all
I has at now in the world to love,’” mused
Carrol ean, repeatin the old man’s words.

How could he tell h m that his boy Was dead,
slain by him?

No, he could not do so, and so he said nothing
about knowing him, andthe old man rode on
his way toward Pocket City.

This meeting affected the miner greatly, and
as he ascended the hill to his cabin be halted by
the graves of the two men whom he had killed
when they attacked his cabin.

“Oh! the curse of killing one’s own kind,
even in self-defense," he said, bitterly, as he
went on his way.

He did not get his supper, for his usually good
appetite was gone.

At last he said:

“I Will go on after that old man and see that
he is cared well for at The Frying Pan.

“ I will ask Bonnie Belle to give him food and
lodgings at my expense, and some money, too.

“ Poor old. man, how I feel for him.”

Closing up his cabin he shouldered his rifle,
with whichto kill any game that might cross
his path on the way to Pocket City, and set out
back along the spur, taking a way that was
nearer, and which he knew would bring him
out into the trail in Hangman’s Gulch.

His p'ith led him to a cliff OVerhan in Hang-
man's Gulch, and it was a steep c in down
this of some sixty fast.

But Carrol Dean halted upon the cliff sud-
denly, his eyes having become riveted upon
something he beheld in the can on below. ‘»

That something was the od man who had
left him a short while before, and yet he was
not alone.

The one with him was Bonnie Belle, the fair
landlady of The Frying1 Pan, and the two had
dismounted from their crses, and were talking
earnestly together.

 

CHAPTER XV 1L
a“ nrsrnmous XEETING.

Tun miner would not have ordinarily seen
anything strange in the meeting of Bonnie Belle
and the aged horseman in Haugman’s Gulch. \

But in this instance he did, for there was
hard] a man to be found in the mines who
won] pass through that place alone.

The trail to Pocket City led around it. around
the base of the mountain, not through the
canyon, which was a longer distance to the

camps. l
/ It seemed hardly probable that an old man

/ would turn from the well-marked trail into the

can on where there was no trace of tracks,
wit ut some object in view.

Yet this old man had done so.

And then too there was a young woman alone
going through a.place where men seldom went,
and only then in crowds to hang some unfor-
tunate who was deemed guilty of breaking bor-
der-laws.

The place was alive with cruel memories, for
there had been half a hundred men put to death
there. ’

There were graves by the score to mark the
place, and the were scattered about in places
according to t e humor of those who laid the
bodies of the dead 8'"?-

There was a scaflol erected there, hewn of
heavy logs, with the platform working on hinges
beneath while nailed to the beams were rem-
nants Ioi each lariat, rope or chain which. had
served as the means of execution.

And on another part was out the name of
each individual hanged there, that is, the name
the victim hadtheen known by when hanged.

How many 0 those had really been victims,
innocent of what accused, was not stated; but
Where Lynch law tries for a crime the innocent
sellom are punished or the guilty escape, as is
2? frequently the case with the justice of civili-

on.

y A dam , dark, weird place was this same

Hangman Gulch with its ghastly and ghostly
memories, a strange trysting place for a young
lady to go to meet any one.

arro Dean had no dread of the place.

There was not an atom of superstition in his
composition, and he 'often took the short cut
that wag whether by day or night, in going to
Pocket it . ’

In fact b was the nearest cabin to the \weird

spot, within the 'limit of half a mile, where other,

miners would not tch their houses within the

circle of a mile of i or search for claims there

as though by common consent. 4
The miner stood like one spell-bound. looking

 

 

1:, “in,   shill  ,

.l, .A  ',,\-

the idea struck him that he too might be d1!-
cowred by them.

Then he drew back out of sight and,huntin
another position crept u to Where the edge 0
the cliff was fringed wit bushes.

Through them he peered and was nearer the
two in the gulch than before.

But though he could hear the voices he
was too far distant to Overhear what was being

said.

Bonnie Belle looked very handsome in her
buckskin riding habit, gauntlet glOVes and slouch
hat and plume.

Her horse stood near patiently awaiting her
and the saddle was ornamented with silver until
it shone gorgeously.

She had a lasso hanging at the horn, and a
rifle hung from the cantel, and she knew well
how to use both, having proven herself to
be a very apt scholar in mastering border ac-
complishments.

She was switching a bush somewhat viciously
as the old man was talking. '

He had hitched his horse near and stood be-
fore her, but no ion :er in the half bent attitude
he had shown in the saddle when talking to
Carrol Dean.

Now he stood upright and his movements were

nick and decided, for he paced to and fro near
I: 0 Woman.

“ That is no old man ” muttered the miner, as
he eyed him from head to foot.

“ And he is no stranger here.

“Yes, his story to me was false, I am sure,
30;: that I see him here and with Bonnie

e e.
d “yhat can those two have in common, I won-
er ,

It was growing dark now, and the two turned
toward their horses, the man mounting and rid-
ing toward a rock and placing his hand in a
crevice of it, while the woman nodded her head,
as though understanding his action.

Then she leaped lightly into her saddle and
rode rapidly back up the canyon.

The man turned down the canyon, riding with-
in a short distance of the miner.

Carrol Dean watched him until he 11 the
openin into the trail and saw that be “u re-
sumed is bent position in the saddle, h whole
attitude changing. .

The miner then went upon his way, down the
steep path from the cliff, into Hangman’s Gulch
and thence on the way which Bonnie Belle had
gone.

He soon came out upon the trail and just after
the aged horseman had gone alongbfor hearing

theh sound of boots he had hung ack out of
si t.
5‘ Now to go on to Pocket City and see if I can

get at the bottom of that mysterious meeting,”
he muttered as he turned into the trail to the
valley camps.

CHAPTER XVIII.
ran SPY ar woax.

Nronrrms was when Pocket City was in all
its glory, if the scenes enacted under cover of the
darkness could be so classed.

The miners were then ready for rest carous-
als, gambling or spinning yarns, with their ever
ready revolvers to Settle any disputes.

As has been said The Frying Pan was an or-
derly house, and Bonnie Belle so kept it.

No saloon being there it was thus not the scene
of revels, and agood bed and lozeellent, well-
cooked food could always be obtained.

As hostess of The Fr ing Pan, Bonnie Belle
was always gentle, but rm in her management,
and one saw in her almost a different person
from the Bonnie Belle of Devil’s Den, her gam-
bling and drinking saloon.

She was wont to appear there each night
about ten o’clock, remain until midui ht, and
she always went there dre in ve vet and
wearing jewels, While her face it seemed be-
came someWhut hardened in its expression from
tl‘i'ei contact, and thus she ruled them with a rod
0 mo.

The bartenders, faro dealer and soon the
frequenters of the place mod to stand in awe
of her when she visited Devil's Den. ‘

“ No matter how wild the orgie. how boisterous
the men, when she came into the room there
followed a hush and all Seemed subdued.

She had checked a dozen rows by simpl
commanding a cessation of hostilties. and f
appealed to, as she was almost invariably, to
settle a dispute, she decided with impartial
justice and her decision wa's final. '

On this aconnt she was often called “ Justice ”
by the miners. I

Devil’s Den stood against an overhanging
cliff, and a highgstockade wall ran from the
rear of it around the spur to The Fryi Pan,
which avo ‘Bonnie Belle an op rtun ty to
travel t e three hundred yards tween the
hotel and the 'mbling-saloon under cover.

The back the hotel was also a ainst the
overhan ng ridge” and the wing which
Bcnnis lie had her quarters was cut 08 by
a stockade fence. forming a ard where in-
numerable wild flowers and {recs had been

at the two in the valley for full a minute, before I planted.

  

 

Buffalo Bill on: the-Warpath. '  ..

There was a spring there, a rustic arbor and
all to make the quarters and their surroundings
as leasant as possible.

evil’s Den was a very spacious building,
built of logs and tough boards and with a bar
across the rear end, a faro table upon either
side, a couple of other chance games and then a
score of small tables for from two to half a
dozsn pla ers.

Bonnie elle was not as grasping as a land-
lord might have been, and she therefore sold no
bad liquor nor cabbage leaf cigars, but furnished
a fair equivalent for the money.

She aided the needy, was a good nurse to any
one who was ill, and sent from The Fryingpan
any delicacy that she could prepare to tempt
their appetite.

When Miner Carrol Dean arrived at the hotel,
he decided to take supper there, and seeing
Bonnie Belle, asked if it was too late to geta
meal.

“It is never too late, Mr. Dean, to get any-
thing to eat in my house,” was the smiling an-
swer, and supper was ordered.

Carrol Dean was anxious to have a talk with
Bonnie Belle, so was glad to see that she did not
avoid him.

“I saw some soldiers on the way to Pocket
City, Bonnie Belle,” he said as a means of start-
ing the conversation.

‘ Yes, they put up with me, and I learned of
your rescue of Buffalo Bill last Sunday.”

“Did you learn the truth!"

“ Perhaps not, but I was sure that you were
in the right.”

“ I saw the scoutin the hands of Powder Face
Pete, and a dozen of the gang that so often are
seen at his heels. \

“They claimed to have captured Silk Leno
Sam the outlaw, but I knew that their prisoner
was Buffalo Bill, for I had met him, and recog-
nized him.

“ They declined to ve him up, and I was
forced to kill Powder ace Pete and wound two
others to get the scout free.”

“ There Were a dozsn, you as 'i” ‘

“ More than that, Bonnie Be e.”

“ Do you know any of the men?”

“ Every one of them.”

“ Then look out for them, Deadsbot Dean,”
was the significant reply.

“ Thank you; but now let me ask if you have
seen an old y-haired and bearded man who
seems to be in rd luck!"

“ There is such a man here who came half an
hour ago.”

“ Do you know who he is?”

“ He gave his name as Peter Swain. and said
that he was here to search for his son."

*‘ i saw him, as he passed my cabin, and
offered him shelter, but he said that he must
come on.

“ His son, he told me, was Powder Face Pete,
and being in hard luck, he hadcome here to look
him up and get hell).

“ Of course hav n1 killed his son, I felt sorry
for him, and I came ere tc-night to ask you to
give him several weeks’ d at my expense,
and also, an ' a hundred dollars in cash, from me,
onl he use not know where it comes from.”

nnie Belle turned her eyes full upon the
miner.

Then she said, speaking very slowly:

“ Deadshot Dean, you are too true a man to
lIVe in this wicked community, and I hope you
will strike it rich very soon. and $1 I'M!» for I
suppose you have a home to go to ‘ '

" Oh, yes,.‘Bonnie
I dearly love; but is this old man here new!”

“ Yes Igave him a pleasant room and some
supper. ,

“ Does he know of his son’s death?”

“ Yes, for I told him, and the miners are
goin to make up a urse for him.” ,

“ 611 PM in my I“fluid. Bonnie Belle,” and
Deadshct Dean handed over his buckskin bag
of gold-dust. \

‘ Thank you. I will. and I will or him to
leave the mines at once; but here e comes,
now,” and as Bonnie Belle spoke the old man
came slowly toward them. ,"

——

CHAPTER XIX.
a axons-r ro I'A'I'KOX.

THE old man came toward Bonnie Belle and
Deadshot Dean .with v balm mp and bent

form. -
“ Ah, lad on supper was tempting to me
but my .p yr}; gone with the tidin yoii
gave me of)9 the death of my son, his one mur-
der b the hand of a cowardly assassin,” said
the old man in a trembling V0100.
Deadshot Dean started at these words, and hit

his lips nervously, while he turned his gaze upon

Bonnie Balls in 8 pleading W”.

“No, sir,let me tell you how it was; but do
you not recollect this gentleman, whom you
met on our way here!” and she turned to the
mug, w c said: b

“on ml’t‘ain dIdirected
how to mch Pocket City, “ m

‘: {Thalia you digenot min- the trail." .

‘ 9' "me!!! 1' onn w butm eyesara
dimgforlamgettingziqygnigg. ,  H

 

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i ,z I...

Belle, and these there whom‘

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\

“ No, the trail was broad and I followed it about this secret alliance between the fair Bon-
without a miss, and I was directed to come to l nie Belle and the man whom he had now regard-
this good lady’s house and she has cared for I ed asa fraud.
me, and she also it was who told me of my I

good boy’s murder.”

“No, no, I did not say he was murdered,
for be it was who brought his death upon him-
self, us he had captured the noted scout Buffalo
Bill and intended to hang him as Silk Lasso
Sam the outlaw chief of the road-agents known
as the Will-o’-t he-Wisps. ’

“ A miner interfered, recognizing the scout,
and your son attacked him with others who
were with him.”

“Ah! that was it, was it? -

“Well, I always said poor Pete would die
with his boots on; but you, sir, will you not
go with me to my son’s grave, for see, the
moonlight makes it as light as day and I could
sleep better once I saw poor Pete‘s last resting-
place.

“ You will go with me, will you not?"

Bonnie Belle had not giVen a hint that the
miner who had killed Powder Face Pete was
Deadshot Dean; but she did not appear to have
anticipated such a request as to have the man
who had. killed the desperado go to his grave
with the father of the dead man.

She glanced quickly at the miner and said:

“No, Mr. Swain, I will accompany you to
yopr ’s’on’s grave, to-night if you insist upon
go n .

“ u the contrary, Bonnie Belle, I will go
witn Mr. Swain,” was the unexpected response
of the miner.

“ But do you know the gravel” asked Bonnie
Belle with intense surprise.

“Oh, yes, he was buried in An els’ ROW, I
heard from a miner who was at the urial."

" How good of them to bury him in Angels’
ROW," said the old man, little dreamin that the
r0w was so named in contradiction o the real
character of those placed there, for those buried
in Angels’ Row were the worst devils of the

community. * .

“ Do on  insist upofi going to-night, Mr.
Swainl'yasked nnie Belle.
“ Oh yes, for! cannot sleep until I see my son’s
grave."
“And do you insist, Deadshot Dean, in going
with Mr. Swain!"

“ Certainly, as he wishes it,” was the response.

“Then I am ready, sir, as soon as I have got- I
ten my supper,” was the cool reply, and the;

miner went in to supper, which a Chinee servant
had just announced with:

“ ’Melican man come eatee.”

Whatevsr Deadshot Dean had lost his appetite

for, altar just meeting the old man at his cabin,

the cause was removed upon sitting d0wn to one
of Bonnie Belle’s good suppers, which tempted
him to eat heartily. 7 ‘

Then he came out and joined the old man and
Bonnie Belle, whom he saw talking earnestly to-
gether, but whose manner changed when they
saw him approaching.

“ I am ready, sir,” said Deadshot Dean polite-

ly.

, “I’ll be with yer at once,” and the two walked
away to ther, the old man going with a tread
as thong it was hard for him to walk.

But the miner recalled how he had seen him
move in the Han an’s Gulch, and so kept‘ a
biisl; step purpoes y, watching his every move-
men .

The way led u on the ridge back of the hotel
and camps, and y a winding trail.

It was all of half a mile before the minor b311,.
ed upon the summit of the ridge, in the midst of
a number of headstones and boards marking the
last resting place of these who had died inPOokst
City, or more properly perhaps been killed there,
a, mu .1] of those lying in that village of the

. h

l
I
i

i

i

 

died with their boots on, if not shot on I

r
603d ,
P“ P008 in some personal encounter, killed by ac- ‘

cident in some free fight, a state of affairs so
common in Gold Dust Valley as to ca use Bonnie
$151121 Witt.in remark that she would“I as sooln
on 'd nt as e resu t
'91" “mm: ml).luiposenrm.as by acci e I

oone row at no a rt from the others

, Deadshot Dean, thaold gal) and said: '
. This is Ansels’ Row, and the newest made
ve is that of your
“ There it is, sir.” '

The moon shone brightly do.“ upon the row -

‘of graves and the fresh e..- read“
one where Powder Face Pet: lay. y marked the
With a mum the old man sunk down by the
mound and rocked toand fro in dee .t grief
the miner watching him closely the while. ’
.When at last the turned awe and retraced
their steps toward us Frying an, Deadshot
Dfiguumred to himsell’f: d. I
e man is a ran am an and
he and Bonnie e are allied in so -
out doubt. Bell me plot with

“'1‘th plot I must know.”

 

CHAPTER XX.
MEDEB CHARITY.
AWE at the door of The Frying Pan, Dead.
m

with the old man and
on “810mb walk back to his cabin.

" 3° “‘0 M-meditptbn, forhewasworried

 

.and that he may go

He was sure that the man was not a stranger
to Pocket City, for he had caught him quite
cleverly on the way up to the burying-ground
by a110wing him to lead at times, though not
appearing to do so, and in each instance
where a trail had branched off he had taken the
right one.

The way of the miner homeward lay around
the spur and past the Devil‘s Den.

He had not intended entering there that night,
but hearing laughter and loud voices decided to
go in.

Quietly entering the door he sought a seat in
an obscure corner and viewed the scene.

It was then eleven o’clock and the place was
in full blast.

Glasses were clinking, the atmosphere was ,

dense with smoke, for nine out of every ten men
was smoking; and profanity, boistenous laughter
and loud ta ing made the pines a perfect pan-
demonium. ‘

The miner glanced about for Bonnie Belle, but
she had not yet put in an appearance on her
rounds.

Walking over to the faro bank the miner
stood watching the players for awhile and
the; calme put down a ten dollar bill upon a
m C

He won on the next deal, and without a miss
{rcpt in luck until he had won five hundred dol-

are.

The miners about him were surprised, for he
had never been known to play before.

Just as another winning was handed over to
him Bonnie Belle came in from the rear of the
saloon, the door back of the, bar.

She wore a dark-blue velvet dress, which
fitted her form to perfection and it was trimmed
with gold lace and brass buttons, a sombrero
richly embroidered in gold thread adorned her
head, and a sash about her waist held her re~
volvers.

If she saw the miner Deadshot Dean she did
not notice him, but coming forward, while in-
stantlya hush fell upon the place, she said in her
full rich voice:

“ My pards, I have something to say to you, if
you will hear me."

The silence was intense, money and glasses no
ion or clinked, every hat was domed, every voice
stil ed, and the hush was an answer to her wish
to be heard.

“ I wish to say to you, my pards, that an old
man came into the valley to—night, one whom I
beliefie to be in dilstress. ted I pod

‘ ewespoorymoun . r euip
and had but a few dollars in [1108120 hye tgld me.

“ Luck has been against him of ate his years
are many, and he came to Pocket City to find
his son and ask his aid.

Last Sunday his son was killed, and the news
of his death I broke to him as gently as I could,
and already has he been under the guidance of a
kind miner to visit the grave of that son.

“ I did not disguise from him the fact that his
son was in the wrong, that he, with others, had
ambushed and captured Buffalo Bill the noted
scout, and intended hanging him under belief
that it was Silk Lasso Sam. .

“ We all know what a calamity such an act
would have been for Gold Dust Valley and all in
it, and the miner deserves our thanks for saving
as from it.”

‘i‘ But it were Silk Lasso Sam," called outa
vo ce.

“ It was not, for Buflalo Bill and a number of
soldiers were here yesterday, and from the
scout's own lips I had the truth of the affair,
and I warn those who are plotting mischief
against the miner who rescued him, claiming
that be aided an outlaw, that they must desist
or take the conse, quences."

As Bonnie Belle cast her eyes over the crowd
there were some present who moved nervously
and eyes met eyes all over the room.

But not a voice was raised in reply, and
Bonnie Belle continued:

“ But now to this old man, who came here
only to find his son dead. I

‘ He does not wish to remain among st
set to find friends, I
decided to raise a pa for him. _

“One generous miner has already placed in
my hands a most liberal gift, the sum of which
I will not name, as I do not wish to influence
y0ur oflerin !. _

“ But I wi 1 pass around in sombrero, and I
wish you, my pards, to give u at you can.”

A cheer greeted the words of the woman, and
then followed special callsfroin many voices:

“ Pass her round, Bonnie Belle.” ,

“ Throw in ther dust, men.”

“ Pards, don’t be mean.’ ’

“ Bonnie Belle holds ther hat, pards, so give
yer dust freely.”

“Now set ther pace, Bonnie Belle, and we'll
keep up with ther recession.”-

In the midst of t ese cries the old man himself
had come into the saloon, and spying him and
feeling that he was the man, as he was a
strafing a .volce called out:

“ en’s the old iiilgrini now, pards, so three
cheers for Powder Face Pite’s old dad. I

"s
I”

I

i

    

 

i

Whatever the feelin had been for Power
Face Pete, and the de 'ght that he had been
called away, the white hair of the old man
commanded respect and the cheers were given
with a will.

“ God bless you, boys,” murmured the old man
while Bonnie Belle came toward him with her
Own and another sombrero full of money, for
the contribution had been most liberal.

“Thankee, lady, thankee, boys. r

“ Now I kin give ther tiger a turn,” and the
old man pocketing his donation quickly step—

u to the taro-bank and laid down a hand-
full 0 money upon the ace of hearts.

CHAPTER XXI.
THE AGED GAMBLER.

AMONG the first whom Bonnie Belle faced
when she was passing around her sombrero for
contributions for old Swain, was Deadshot
Dean.

She started at seeing him, his presence the-1‘9
evidently being a surprise to her.

“ You have given far more than your aim e
Deadshot Dean, so I pass you by, she 
quietly.

“Pardon me, no, for I desire to contribute
again, having just been a large winner at
fare ” he said.

“ You a winner?"

‘( Ya.”

“ I did not know that youplayed cards!”

“ Oh yes, but I nevsr ambled before.”

“ It is unfortunate, t en, that you did not
lose, as this may cause you to gamble again.”

“ Perhaps, but here is my contribution for the
old man,” and he tossed a twenty-dollar bill into .
the hat.

The woman passed on with a strange look
upon her face, one Deadshot Dean could not
fathom.

Here it was a handful of gold-dust from one,
then a dozen silver dollars from another, next a » -
buckskin be of golden grains, again a bank- ‘
note to be fo lowed with a gold piece, and so on
until the but became heavy, and calling a man ’
near herto take it and lend her his, she went on 3
her rounds 3

“No, Barney, you are in ill luck yourself, so
I’ll chip in for you,” she said as a sickly-loch >
inE‘man held out a dollar. g

hen she added: '

“ Come take your meals at The Frying Fan for
a couple of weeks on my invitation, and you‘
ma build up.”

‘ Bless you, Bonnie Belle,” were the low-
uttered words, and tears came into the man‘s ‘
eyes. '

To another, an evil-faced man, who affected .
to be a miner dandy in dres, she said: '

“ Tliorny, you chip in generously.

“Come, no nonsense. for you are well able;
and have won heavily of late. .

“Come, nothing less than a hundred will I "
take from you." '

“ A hundred devils l” growled the man.

“ No, a hundred dollars. .

" Put it in, or never darken the door of my '
house again.” ' . ,

“This is robbery,” and the man drew some '*
nione from his pocket. , i ’

“I so,itisinagoodcause.’ "

“It on were in need tomorrow I’d do as,
much or you, so put in your money.” '

“ There’s fifty.” '

“ 1 said a hundred.”

“ Then here goes,” and the money was thrown M
in, while the woman, .with atriumphant smile ix}

passed on. .
“ That’s the first time Thorny ever give a
dollar ter charity,I’ll her,” said a miner near. ,

“ Yes, but Bonnie Belle gits ’em all,” remarked
one near. _, .
At last she had gone the rounds of the saloas' »-

and havin kept a rapid calculation, or nearly 
she was ab to do so, of what had been put
the said: . ‘ v‘ M
“ Here, Mr. Swain, there are about twelvo
hundred dollars in these two hats, and I am glad
to say a very liberal contribution for you.” » fl.-
“ I am more than thankful Bonnie Belle ‘V'i’
was the response, and then foliowed the w '
that closed the t chapter: 1'
“ Now I kin give ther tiger a turn.” ,.
The crowd were momentarily paralyzed at the

words of the old man if I may use the express(

sion. -
They looked at him, as be advanced tows ,
the table, and then- from one to the other, is;
when they saw him cover the ace of hearts
with his money fully lift? dollar's, there _
asiiout of admiration mngled with laugh ' g”
and cries of: . 
“ Go in ter clip ther tiger's claws, old man."
"Pull ther financial ml clean out of him,

-“ lip his ears, old pilgrim.”

“ Break the bank, grandpa.” '

“ Waal, now, you hev got ther cheek 0’»
Government mule and no mistake.” . v "
_ “ Hne‘s Powder Face Pete’s dad, that’s Us

 

 

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until the old man having lost a hundred dollars
turned away from the era bank with a look of
disgust.

Sub were the cries that went the rounds ‘

“ Maybe thar’s somebody w’u’d like for play ‘
me!” he said glancing unabashed, over the.

crowd.

“I don’t mind gettin’ my hundred back
agin’,” said the man' Thornyhand the crowd
cheered.

They sat down to a table and the old man ‘

drew from one of his many and capacious
pockets an old deck of cards.

“ Give us :1 new deck, Bottles,” cried Thorny.

“ Oh, no, yer don’t-ring in no marked keerds
on me,” cried the old man, and the crowd
lau hed.

“ hese keerds is good enough of they be a
little worn: but they is honest keerds, and ef
yer don’t play with them then I sets yer down as
one who don’t play fair.”

“ I’ll go yer, old man, with any cards, so name
yer limit.”

"I hain’t got none, for ef l loses, I’ll git ther
pretty girl ter pass ther hat around sg’in.”

“ Call it a hundred.”

“ I’m yer man.”

The game was begun and the old man won.

Again they played and it was with the same
result.

The third game was of the same kind, and the
crowd was with the gray hairs in sympathy, for
they cheered him all the while. ,

At last the miner Thorny had lost a‘thousand
dollars, and rising from the table said:

“I believe you are a cheat, old man.”

“Prove it and let ther boys hang me,” was
the quiet remark, and keting his money he
Left the saloon, went to he Frying Pan's stables
and mounting rode back up0n the trail he had
come. ,

But there was one watchin hiin, from the
moment he saw him enter the evil’s Den, who
giver lost si ht of him until he rode away from

he Frying an, when he ran on ahead of him
upon the trail he had taken.

CHAPTER XXII.
ILL-GOT'I'EN cams.

d Tn: old man rode away from The Frying Pan
owly.

Before going he had seen Bonnie Belle for a
few minutes and this had not escaped the eyes
of the sp n n his actions.

He w until he had gotten away from the
camps and then urged his horse, forward at a
pacawig‘ch the animal had hardly seemed capa-
n e g ng.

He no longer rode bent in his saddle and like
an old men.

As he neared the entrance to Hangman’s Gulch
he drew rein.

The moon peered throu h the fella e here and

there, lighting up the tra , but it di not reveal i

aform croncbing by e roadside.

On came the horsema ,to suddenly behold a dark
object rise before him, run his arm up through
the bridle-rein of his horse and level a rifle full
at his heart.

The old man was taken completely aback.

He did not ofler resistance for he was too fair-
ly caught to attempt it. ’

“ Hold, old man, for I wants s-few words with
you,” said the man who had so quickly and suc-
cessfnlly brought him to a halt.

“ Who are you?”

The Voice was no longer feeble with age, but
stern and ringing now.

" I’m ther pord o’ ther man you cheated at
cards to—uight.” _

" Who says I cheated?"

u I am.”

“You llel" '

“ Oh no, your keerds was marked and yer chest-
ed Thorny out 0’ his money, so hand it over or 1
takes on back and hands yer over to ther boys
and o d as yer is they'll hang yer. thinking they
is doing yer a favor for sue yer ther trouble 0’

n .

dyi {J

“ on would rob me!”

“.kI grants that money, and it’s in yer left

e

“ You must have watched me very closely.”

"Oh, I did, and I wants that pack 0’ kserds
for luck.”

" If I refuse?”

“ l'll take yer back to ther boys.”

“ Curse you, here’s your money."

“ Hold tinder might hev a gun in thet pocket
too so I'llj git it myself.” ,

Then the man disarmed the old follow, after
which he took the money from his hot.

“Now you ,are sathiied, I hope queried the

ma. . ‘

“ Oh no I hain‘t, for yer as much as stole thet
matey was raised for yer and I wants it too,
for there’s a dozen poor feilers in ther mines as
is deserving, and it would help them along

“1‘  s”
5 y 0an to rob me of all I have then?”
I

You are
“Oh, yes,‘ ori s a case 0' dog eat dog, yer
W

“China”! wants all ther contribution yer got
tu-nigut.

‘ his face with holes cut in it to see through.

 

The old man cursed bitterly, pleaded and be-
came savage again.

But all to no use, for he had to give up his ill-
gotten gains.

He could not tell who the man was who held
him up, for he had a handkerchief stretched over

He saw that he could do nothing but yield, but
as the man robbed him he suddenly said:

“ Here is money yer didn’t git thar tor-night,
so I hands it back to yer, and I doesn’t want
yer watch and chain, and ther diamonds yer
wearS. -

" It’s a queer beggar you is ter wear a fine
watch and a diamond, but as yer didn’t steal
’em in Pocket City, yer kin kee ’em.”

“ You are very kind,” sneere the old man.

“ Oh, yes, I means ter be just as well as
generous.

“Now I’m going ter place yer belt 0’ arms '
right here in ther trail while you rides on ontil
yer counts a hundred.

“ Then turn back and come and git ’em, only
yer won’t find me here.

“ I doesn’t wish ter send yer unarmed through
ther country.”

“ Thank you,” sneered the old man.

 

“ Now, go.

As he spoke the masked man placed the belt 1
of arms in the trail, and the horseman rode on.

He counted a hunlred very rapidly, turned
anldl rode back to the spot where he had been ,
he« up.

Quickly be dismounted and seized his weapons, :
lea ed into the saddle again and dashed away.

e did not see or hear the man who had
robbed him.

But that individual saw him, and muttered to
himself: .

“ That leap into the saddle was the act of an
athlete.

“ Yes, he is no old man, even.”

Then the man took his handkerchief from his
face and walked on up Hangmau’s Gulch.

He passed on to t esecret path up the clifl-
side, took the trail then along the rid e, and
halted only when he reached the door-o Dead-
shot Dean’s cabin.

Unlocking it he entered, closed and barred
the door he ind him, and then struck a light.

The light revealed that the robber of the
horseman was none other than Deadshot Dean
himself.

He took from his pocket the money he had
gotten, in gold, dust, silver and gold coin and

ills. and spread it out upon the table.

" One hundred and twenty dollar-\s of this I

gave him, so that I take back again.
’ “Thorny's money was won by cheating at
cards, for I have seen him cheat, so that I will
ngt ive back, but put with the other to go to
c a ty.

“ Let me see, here are about two thousand
dollars, or its equivalent, which I will turn
ovsr for the poor sick miners in the camps,
for they need it, and that man is no more old
than I am, and is an imposton

“ What his game is I do not know, but I
shall fathom it I feel certain by keeping my

 

eye u n Bonnie Belle.
“ Vigil, Carrol Dean, you are coming out, for

you are detective, spy, gambler and road-1

agent all within twenty-four hours.

“ But thank Heaven I robbed a robber and i

am not tempted to take a dollar for my own
use, except that which I won to-night, and by
$19 laws that govern betting that is honestly
ne.
“ Now for some rest,” and throwing himsqlf
upon his cot he was soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER XXIII.
run ursrssrous rant.

Till: sun was well above the horizon the next
morning, when Deadsbot Dean arose from his

cot.

He cooked his breakfast, hid away his own
money, and that which he had taken from old
Swain. and then started down the valley where
he had left the horseman during the night

His life as a miner and upon the frontier had
made him a geod trailer. and he at once started
off on the tracks of the horse ridden by old

Swa n.

He saw that he had halted at the path lead-
ing to his cabin, and the tracks show that
the horse had stood there for a few min at.

least.
“ Yes, he doubtless dismounted andweutli‘r‘p
to my cabin, but finding all quiet went on
way again anxious net tohave daylight find him
in this vicinity.

“ I wonder if be suspected me of being the
one to hold him up.

“ I hardly think so.

“New to see where his trail will lead me,”

He followed,along on foot at a good swing-
ing step that cast behind him four miles an
hour, and kept it up for several hours.

He‘had no difficulty following the trail and
halted only for a short rest and dinner.
hThat bhe goes wlell hardengd l{aor- work gas
sown yt spring step e pt up wen
again startln’g upon h way. ’

 

, -

and though not mounted was putting the mi
behind him at a good pace.

What caused him then to hall: was at finding
the tracks he was foll0wing turn sharp at from
Elie trail between Pioneer Post and Pocket

ity. ‘

He turned off on the trail at once, and followed
on up into a wild and rugged canyon for a. mile
or more.

Then it widened into a valley, fed b moun-
tain streams and with rich meadow ands in
which were traces of several horses having lately
been feeding.

Up against the rocks were the remains of a
campfire, the ashes still warm, and there had
evidently been a camp for a .couple or more
days.

A close search revealed that there had been
three horses staked out there and a couple of
men had been campinga at the place, for
there was a wicky-up just rge enough to shelter
two.

The tracks of the horse he followed led direct-

He did not halt again for some three hour,
es

ly to this camp, and Carrol Dean also made note‘ '

of the fact that the same animal had left the
place to go down toward the miningeamps, the
trail being a day or so older than the one com-
ing back.

For some time .the miner pondered OVer the
situation and then he decided to camp there all
ni ht. , .

e built up the fire, put his blankets under the
shelter and after eating supper sat down for a
quiet smoke in the get ering darkness.

“ I think I see the intention," he muttered.

“ That man came here with two or three men,
doubtless only two, and while they camped in
the canyon he went on to the mining-camps for
some purpose.

“ Then he returned here and the party went on
their way, wherever that is.

“ Now, who was that man, and who were his
followersi

“I noticed that his hands did not look like
those of an old men, and if his hair and heard
were real then he is prematurelly gray. ‘

“ I can go on to-morrow fo lowing the trail,
for it will be easier with four horses to fol-
low than one.

“ I dislike to go so far from my cabin, but then
I am embarked in this detective work and must
earn? it throu h. _

“ f I coul run these Will-o’-the-Wlsps to
earth it would be a fortune in my pocket, that is
certain, and a ood service done.

“ Then too would like to repay the con-
fldence placed in me in that way, by those

allant army emcers and that splendi fellow
uflalo Bill. -

“ Well, I am tired, and have a hard da 's
tramp before me to-morro , so I will turn in.

«With this he sought his blankets and was soon
fast asleep.

But at dawn he was up and had breakfast, so
pushed on his way once more now following the
trail of the four horses.

He had gone but a few miles when he saw a ~

horse, feeding ahead of him upon the trail.

The animal had no saddle or bridle on, only a
stake rope which had caught in some bushes
and held him fast.

“ It is the horse of the old man, and he has
gotten away from him in the night, I suppose. .

“ He is thin, but a fine animal,so I will be
glad to have the use of him.”

He went up to the horse now and soon had his
blankets made into a temporary “die and the
stake rope into a bridle. .

Then he gave the animal rem and set of! on
the trail as before. _

“ If this horse coulo only talk, what could he
not tell me!” he muttered.

With a halt at noon of an hour he once more
renewed his way to suddenly come to a broad.
well-traveled stage trail. 1|

There was.the track of a coach hav'ng latel

seed that way, going westward, tn the 

e followed of these horses now, went eastward.

On he pushed. now and then catching sight of
the tracks not obliterated by the coach, until sud.
denly he heard the rapid clatter of hoofs.

Instant] he rode into the shelter of some
hushes'an waited ready to greet friend or (00.

On came the horseman, for there was but one, ‘

and he was riding like the wind.
A moment moreand hedashed around towns
in the trail and from the li of the minor broke

a cry, followed by the w :
“ It is‘Buflalo Bill I",
.......i...

CHAPTER XXIV.

m 'rwo rnacnns. ' ,’

Borneo BILL drew rein quickly, and the
miner noted that the scout was riding with his
reins held taut in his left hand, while in his right
he carried his revolver for instant use.

‘There was something going wrong for the
scout to be riding thus ast upon the stage trail
and spared to give battle in a second of time.

“ hatl my allant rescuer, it is on!” cried
Buffalo Bill, as e saw the miner ri out of his
place of concealment.

“Yes, friend Cody, and I have just struck

 

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.at W..-.,.

  
 
 

 

 

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 _ ‘ i I  ‘ Buffalo Bill on the War-path.  I 'V 'L ' ‘I i '

 

 

the stage road while following a most mysteri-
ous trail.” .

“ Ahl the Will-o’-the-Wisps I’ll wager high
on; but how about that gothic steed of yours
keeping up upon a run, for though an animal of
fine points he does not look like a racer and long
flu! or. I

“y Yes, and our equipments are not according
to army regu ations."

The miner laughed at the scout's criticism of
his horse and outfit and said:

“ I started on the trail on foot, and overtook
this horse upon the way.

" But let me tell you in a few Words, just what
[haVe to report so that I may go back tomy
cabin.”

“ Certainly, I can spare the time, as I suppose
I can be of little service now in overtaking the
stage.” .

“ Has anything gone wrong?”

“ Yes, the coach was attacked two miles up
the trail, and what happened to the driver and
his passengers 1 do not knew, or that they were
robbed or not.

“ But there is a dead outlaw lying in the trail
back at the wane, and there seems to have been
a hot tight, for a horse is also dead there and an-
other wounded.

" I had started upon a scout along the coach
trail, as Horseshoe Ned the regular driver is
laid up this run, and a new man is in his place.

“ I came out into the trail beyond where the
hold up was and heard distant firing.

“ From the rocks coming echoes I could not at
first ascertain whether the firing was up or down
the trail.

“But I saw that the coach had passed the
point where I was and so rode in this direc-
tion.

“ Coming upon the scene, after a ride of a
(couple of miles, I found the dead outlaw as I
:said a dead and a wounded horse. i
“ 0w many passen there were in the

. coach I do not of course know, but some of them

had the nerve to resist robbery and they called
‘in the chips of one of the road ts.

“What damage the lo the coach sus-
tained I cannot find out until I overhaul it.

“ The outlaw had been robbed by his fellows,
1 judge, for they were gone though in my
hurry to overtake the coach ingould not take
tra .

“If it was the party I followed, there were
‘but three of them. ,

“ And one dead!

“ Oh! how I would have liked to have (‘Ome
upon that scene, for I am sure I could have
caused the Will-o'-tbe-Wisps tohave to recruit
their forces."

“ I only wish that you had, or that I had been
a little earlier on the scene, asl might have pre-
vented a tragedy at least.

“But, as you are going on attu- the coach
can I not ride on to the sceneof the hold-up and
find the trail, leaving you a line about what I dis-
cover, so as to save you time, as I suppose you
will return!"

“Certainly, as scan as I have overtaken the
coach and get what information I can.

“ It is a rough road ahead for wheels, for
miles, so I can overtake it readily, and if you
will only get whaggjoints you can and leave me
word, I w i feel ged, while I may get back
before you leave.”

“ Perhaps so.” '

“ Now make your report please, Pard Dean, in
case 1 do not see you soon again.”

“ I will tell you Just what has happened and
leave you to be the Judge of what the situation
is.”

“ Fire away.”

Carrol Dean then made known to Bufialo Bill ,

the fact of the old horseman coming by bl!
cabin, and how goin on to the valley he had
discovered him in angman's Gulch, talking
with Bonnie Belle.

How we had again met him at The Frying
Pan. and neither the woman or the stranger
had spoken of the meeting in Hangmnn’s Gulch,
his going I! his! guide to Ponder Face Pete’s
grave, and the scene in to gambling saloon of
the Devil’s Den that mgh h. 31.0 made hi own.

“ You’re a dand from Wk, pard," said
Buffalo Bill, grist at hart the right man
.in the position of l)! at Pocket 't .

But When Deadshot hold or how be had

'beldggtheoldmontbeMthescout
e‘iangh heartily. .
“ Now my one hundred and twenty dong-s I
got back, and the balance I shall devote to
charity, and as I robbed a robber I do not feel
trat I did wrong,” said the minor in conclu-
'B on.

“ Indeed you did not: but it was his trail you
followedheref"

in Yes, with the two others whom he had wait.

in! for him in the little camp.
“ NOW. What is our op man of the whole
afl'air, Scout Cody!”

’ CHAPTER XXV.
or run sun: orimos.
Tun scout did not answer the miner for full a
minute.
Then he asked:
“ Have you formed your opinion?"

' .

 

“ I have.”

“ Then I will give you mine.”

“ It will reveal how near we are together.”

It Yes.”

“And I am pretty sure you will regard the
situation as I do.”

“ Maybe.

“ But now tell me about this woman!”

“ Well?”

“ She was dismounted in the Hangman’s
Gulch?"

it Yes.”

:: And”the old man was, also?”

“ And do you think he was an old man?”

“Only in appearance.’

" And the woman, Bessie Belle, raised the
money for him i”

“ She did.”

“ Which he began to risk in gambling?”

it Yes.”

“ He had gigantic cheek, I take it.”

“ Yes, it was so repulsing that the miners
were displeased with him.”

“ I don‘t wonder, when the recipient of a
purse, who was poor and in distress over the
death of his son, could turn with the money thus
received to the gambling table.”

“ And though he lost at taro, he won from
Thorny, but by marked cards, for though the
man he played with is a cheat he never suspected
the old man and kept playing, hoping that luck

would change, and he could get a chance at the,

old man’s contributions.”

“I see; and you got it all?”

“ Every dollar they gave him and all that he
Won from Thorny.”
“ Well, you he d trumps in that game, sure.”

“ Yes, six of them,” was the significant re-
sponse as the man touched his revolver.

“That is a hand to win with if played with
skill a discretion,” laughed the scout.

Then he continued talking slowly:

“ My opinion is just this:

“That man was either Silk Lasso Sam, or one
of his men; more than likely, from his nerve, the
chief himself.

“ Powder Face Pete may or may not have
been the man’s son, and if he was the chief, he
was not his son, for Silk Lasso Sam is a young

man. /

“ The girl is the ally of the Will-o’-the-Wisps
above a1 doubt, but she must not know, or have
the slightest idea that we suspect her.”

“ o, indeed.”

“ ' eman you followed did have men waiting
for him, and the girl doubtless gave him some
news about some one com out on the coach
which we do not know of. an the headed it 03
to get what money they could la de upon.

“ Now you have my Opinion, ard Dean.”

“ And it is the same as my own.”

It GM 1”

“ Now, while I go on and overtake the coach,
you push back mid hunt up the trail the outlaws
retreated by.

“ Then get back to Pocket City as soon as you
can, for I have an idea that Silk Las-o Sam will
be captured through that girl.

“ I may be wrong, but she will be the one to
keep your eye open.’

“ So I think.” \

“Now go slow, and don’t run yourself into
trouble or too great danger, for I cannot aflord
to lose you, and I have perfect faith, as has
Colonel Dunwooliy, after what Captain Caruth
and Surgeon Powell told him of you, that you
are the ht man in the right place.

“ Now am off.”

With a grasp of the hand the scout was away,
00%, melee ridiln like the wind.

en arro ean nted his horse and
rode back on the trail ems coach.

A ride of a mile brought him to aspot the
very scene for a hold-up of a coach by road-

agents.

It was where the trail ran through mashing,
and went down a steep hill intoa stream, then
up a sharp ascent to the plateau abova.

It wasa favorite watering place of the drivers,

the water being clear cool and knee-ng).
ing the

With men upon t e olifi’s comm
coach, and one ahead in the trail to halt it, the
mat-agents at that point would have every ad-
van
Yet it seemed that some one in the coach had
shown nerve enough to resist, and had killed one
outlaw at least.

The minor beheld a dead horse lying in the
sign, and the fiaokg‘gc-Wogd that the driver had

veu ovrr e y n unable to
anfiundtin tin narfgw  z m

otar rom e o atthebaseofthe
clifl', as though he had befi'shot while bending
over and fell from it, was the/body of a man.

He was an evil-faced fellow, tall and gaunt,
and his pockets had been turned inside out, and
his belt of arms taken.

eHis comrades had either b‘en driven off, or
did not have the humanityto bury him.

Lying across the stream was a wounded
horse, aiigicfieiugttllliat he wagx fataély hurt, the
miner u im 0| tof i ri ‘

a 1:0 ghotyhpi; i ssu e ugs with
e one a on a fine bridle saddl
blanket and these Were at once appropriatBed.€g

I

Vol

   

\ t
 1.x,
.

 

the miner, who then began the search for the
trail left by the outlaws in their retreat, while
he placed his horse where he could feed while
rsstig.

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
'rnr. VOLUNTEER Dam

anN Bufl’aio Bill left Deadshot Dean he rode

rapidly to make up for lost time.

he trail was rough and dangerous at
places, but he eased his horse over like the skill-
in! rider that he was. .

The miles flew behind him rapidly until in an
hour he had gained so much on the coach that
halting to listen he could hear the distant
rumble of the wheels ahead.

Another half-hour and he saw the red coach
flashing in the sunlight as it moved along the
folia e-clad trail.

“ hat is not Ribbons on the box and it is
certainly not Horseshoe Ned, for am sure
that he did not come out on this run," he said as
he saw a stranger on the box.

“ Well, he drives like an expert, and is send—
ing the horses along at a slapping pace.

“ Come, old fellow, stretch your legs at a
better rate if you wish to overtake that train
soon.”

So saying the scout touched his spurs to the
flanks of his horse and away the animal bounded
With increased speed.

The clatter of the boots behind then caught
the ears of the driver and he turned his head
quickly. ,

A moment in re and he had drawn rein, seized
his rifle from ngside of him upon the box and
stood like a man at bay. .

“ BIO, he shfowi:J fight, taking 'me Lor an out;
law, guess, or eisastra rint eseparts.

So saying the scout rodenfgrward at a walk,
while he raised his hands above his head in token
of peaceful intention.

As Buffalo Bill approached he eyed the stran-
ger upon the box closely, and muttered:

“ The driver has been killed, that fellow is a
tenderfoot and will fill me full of lead if I don’t .
go sl0w.” ,

The man on the box was dressed in a suit of
stylish. dark-gray clothes, and wore a black
slouch hat. \

He wore no mustache or heard, was a hand»
some man, scarcely thirty, and had the look of
one who would be a dangerous foe it around.

“Ho, rd, I am noenemy so put u your
fin]: an we’ll get acquaintdd,” said uflalo
I

“Who are you!" asked the stranger on the

I. \

‘ “Chief of Scout at Pioneer Post and Iain
kn0wn as Buffalo Bill.”

“ Buflalo Bill!

“ How much have I heard and read of you.

“ But how am I to know that you are telling
me the tfiith, for one knows not who to trust in
this country, I have discovered!"

“ Well, sir. I came out upon a scout to look
after the safety of Ribbons, who was to drive
the coach through this run.

“ I heard flrin and upon riding to the scene
found a dead out w there two horses and every
evidence that the coach had been held up by
road-agents.

“ I then t spurs to my horse to overtake the
coach and grid out what had happened.”

“ I belie e on now, sir, after gettinga better
look at you, or a man with such a face as you
have is no villain." .

" Thank you, sir,” and the scout raised his
hat. '

‘ “ You were right in your surmise, for our
coach was attacked.”

“ Yes, that is evident.”

“Wewere in a stream watering the horses,
when we Were held up.

“ There were two of. as inside,

flow-passen-
gers, and I,notcarlngto hem

,opened

fire.

“The result was that the coach was riddled,
as you see, the driver was shot, my fellow- s-
senger was killed. and after all I was rob ,
with only the satisfaction of killing one of the
scoundreis, while I ligot this wound in my shoul-
der, as you see "a Buffalo Bill noticed that
the speaker‘s shoulder and sleeve were stained

"Itwasa mistaketo fire upouaforcs'whosei
strength you did not know, sir; butlstiiiesse
your wound for it may be serious? '

“ oh. no, i think not, for twins stopped bleed-
igfiiagathe surgeon at thefortean soonput ins

“ y the way how'tar is the fat from here?”

“Some fifteen miles, sir. ,

“ But I congratulate you our nerve,”
and the scout saw the dead y Ribbons the
driver in the boot. and in the coach another
face upturned in death. ‘

“One needs nerve to knock about the world,
sir, and that is about my occupation. I my any
pmfession, for I am gomg out to the frontier

or a short run for sportnbut suppose I will
have to remain now‘ some time to get an outfit
and remittances from home, for though an
American I livo in Cubs, and the outlaws strip-
ped me of all I had with me.”

as:

  

 

 

 

  *' 

:12

I Buff?th .Bill  path-b. .~ 

 

 

 

“That is Unfortunate, sir; but you will find I

warm and generous friends at the fort, if you
have no acquaintances there.”

“Not a Soul, sir.

“ I am friendlcss and penniless, a bad situa—
tion to be in is it not?" and the stranger smiled.

 

 

Half a mile up he came to the. overhan ing
rock which Carrol Dean h d referred to, an he
had not the slightest di culty in finding the
trail.

He at once followed it On up the ridge and on
for several miles when it became too dark for

“ Well, yes, but as I am your first acq’iiain- l him to go further.

tance in the wild'West, I will endorse you, sir, at
the sutler’s for all you may need.”

“You are very kind, sir, just the man that I
have read that you were.

Then he went into camp for theinight.
He had marked the trail for his men to follow
and knew that they would be on hand at Deep

Dell Bvook that night, ready to start on after

- “Permit me to introduce myself as Austin l him at daylight.

Marvin, a United States citizen, but for years a
Cuban sugar-planter who having a fair income
manage to get rid of it in knocking about the
world.”

The scout was pleased with his new-found
friend, and after looking, at his wound, placing
u n it a bandage of cold water, and telling
hi: to let the horses show the way, as they
would take the right trail where there were
dividing ones, he set off on his ride back to
search for the road-agents, asking Mr. Marvin
to.request Colonel Dun woody to send a dozen of
hill scouts out to join him at Deep Dell Brook
with all speed.

CHAPTER XXVII.
run MINEB’S NOTE.

“TRIM’S a fellow I like.‘

“Frank, brave and whole-soulsd, with nerve
enough to et him out of any scrape, unless he
tackles a, id Western road-agent.

“ There he made a mistake.”

So mused Buffalo Bill as! he rode on his way
back to the scene of the tragedy.

He did not go back at the speed he had rid-
den to overtake the coach, for he wished to
spare his horse, and it was just three hours
after his crossing Deep Dell Brook, that here-
turned to it.

He hoped to find the miner there.

But in this he was disappointed.

Instead, he found a stick stuck up in the
trail, and in the top, which was split, was a
slip of paper.

he scout felt-that he had work before him,

so he first watered his horse and then staked
him out to food, after taking of! the saddle
and bridle so that the animal could have a com-
’ piete rest.

Then he sat dawn to read the note, which
had been left by the miner and was quite
lengthy.

It was as follows, written in an educated
legiblb hand: ‘ ,

“ I came ,to the scene and found the dead
bodice of horse and outlaw, and wounded horse
still living.

“Shot him to put him out .of his misery and
appropriated the saddle, bridle and blanket with
which he was equipped, for as you may remem-
ber, I found good use for them.

“ I then thoroughly searched the dead outlaw
but found nothing, any more than that he had
been shot through the heart.

“ I dug him a rave on the bank of the
brook and placed h m in it.

“Then I began to look for something of in-
terest in the trails.

“ As well as I could make out the two horses
were two of the three whose trail I had followed
to where I met you.

“ If this is the case then there were but three
‘ outlaws in the attack on the coach, unless others

joined them here, and of that I could find no
trace.

“ But rhaps they may have come on foot
and thus sit no trail which I could find.

“I examined the clifls on either side but found
only trace of two places where men had been ly-
ing in ambush, and so I feel sure that they must
have been those I followed.

“How the two horses came to be shot I do not
understand, for there is a space to left of trail
where three horses were staked on and follow-
ing tracks from there they all led ate the deep
cut at the brook.

“There is but the track of one horse leading
away from the spot, and that one went into the
stream. -

“ I went up the stream for half a mile and
found the spot where the trail left the water.

“ You can ride direct to an overhanging rock
and there you will and it. and it bears away to

‘the thward up the ridge. ‘

“ With this discovery I returned and will now
start for m ,cabin, hoping to meet you return—
ing before turn off of the coach trai to go back
the way I came.” ' -

There was no name to this whatever, either at
inning or ending.
at it was explic t and to the point.

Having read it the scout at on wrote on a

slip of paper: ' ex

" Come to overhanginlr rock up Deep Dell Brook
half a mile. and take my trail from there. B. 8‘.”

With this the scout walked to the rave of the
defid outlaw, and as he gazed at i a moment
so :

“ Humane as well as brave is Dcadshot Dean,
to bury this fellow.” '

Then he started up the stredm following the
wot-s as the banks were impassable.

 

  

 

As he would have but a few miles the start of

1, them, and would have to find the trail as he went

along, while he would mark his for them to fol-
low, they would be able to travel more rapidly
and overtake him before noon.

He was surprised that the coach had been
held up with only three men, as every evidence
revoaied, and said to himself:

“ Silk Lasso Sam was there, for no other
would dare do it.

“ The outlaw killed was not Silk Lasso Sam,
and there is only one horse-trail here, but two
men must have escaped.

“One of them went on foot and the other on
horseback, and the latter must be Silk Lasso
Sam, with the booty.

“ I should much like to get that young man’s
money and valuables back for him, so I will
find 'ust where this trail ends.

“ banks to Dvadshot Dean I have a chance
to go on without delay and the boys will not be
long in overtaking me.”

Wrapping himself in his blanket Buflalo Bill
slept as serenely as‘ though upon a bed, and in
perfect safety.

Just as the first ray of light came, however,
a; was up and on the trail again, to follow it to

en .

 

CHAPTER XXVlII. '
run ARRIVAL or ran coacn.

THE driver of the coach which had passed
through such a tragic scene, after the departure
of Buffalo Bill, drove on at the regular speed
held on the trail, as he allowed the horses to
take the pace.

His wound was not a serious one, though it
pained him in using his arm while driving.

On went the team over hill, down valle
and through canyon, until at last, upon ascen -
ing a rid e to the summit, the fort came into
View, far n the distance.

There had been several trails branching of!
from the main one, but as Buffalo Bill had told
him to do, the driver had allowed the horses to
take their own way, and so had not gone wrong.

When the coach drew nearer to the fort, the
sentinel saw that it was not the bearded driver
Ribbons who was upon the box.

Nor was it Horseshoe Ned the Picturesque
Driver of the Overland, as the “regular” was
called, for he had been ill at the fort for the
past two runs of the coach.

He re rted the fact to the corporal, who in
turn ca led to the sergea‘nt, and he made it
known to the officer of the day.

That officer happened to be Captain Dick
Caruth, and he met the coach on it halted at the
gate.

The volunteer driver raised his hat as the
officer ap reached, and said pleasantly:

“Kind y tell me, sir, to whom I am to deliver
the coach, for I am but a volunteer driver, a
tenderfoot, as on call greenhorns out here."

“ You have ad trouble, sir i see, and I shall
be glad to conduct you to Colonel Dunwoody
and lend on an aid within my wer.

“ I am ick aruth, sir, ca ta n of B. Troop,”
said Captain Caruth pleasant y, seeing that the
man 0n the box bad the appearance of being a
gentleman.

“ Thank you, sir, but I’ll run the coach to the
mafia thl‘htllped hbo

p n aru i as upon t e x
with the driver, and with an excuse, as the
driver was wounded, took the rains and sent the
gum humming along to the stage station in the

ort.

“ You have indeed had trouble. I see, sir, for
Ribbons has driven his last time,” and he

lanced at the dead form of the driver coiled up
n the boat.

“ Yes, sir, and a fellow-pdssenger with me is
dead inside the coach.”

“ And you are wounded, I am sorry to ace."

“ A mere scratch, sir." z

“ We will soon have you in the hands of Sur-
geon Powell, though if able to do so I would like
you”to first report to Colonel Dunwoody with

e

m .
“ Certainly, air, for this wound is slight.”
The bad now reached the stage station, and
Cap n Caruth turned the coach over to the
at, and the bodies to an ofllcer whom he call-
, while he said: '
‘ There is Surgeon Powell now.
" Ho, Powell.’ a
Doctor Frank Powell approached and Cap-
tain Caruth introduced him to the stranger,
who had given his name aszustin Marvin.
“ Come with us, Powell, to the colonel, as Mr.

W .1 N,
c.) I -

Marvin hassropos'tto make,:and ‘an interesting

J7 \

 

 

obpe 1,111 guarantee, and then see to his wound for- '
m.

“ With pleasure,” answered Frank Powell,
and the two officers escorted the stranger up to‘
headquarters.

The news had spread like wildfire that the
coach had come in driven by a passenger, who
was wounded, and that Ribbons and a passen-
ger had been killed in a fight with Silk Lasso
Sam, so that there were many eyes turned upon
the stranger as he went along with Captain
Caruth and Surgeon Ponell.

The colonel met the party upon the piazza,
and was presented to the stranger by Captain
Caruth, and he gave him a most cordial wel-
come, while he said: ,

“Now, Mr. Marvin, Surgeon Powell} being
here he must first dress your wound, and then
I will hear; what you have to say, but not be-
fore.”

So a basin and bandages were sent for, and
the wound was skillfully and quickly dressed.

It was a flesh wound, the bullet having cut
its way through the shoulder, but doing no dam’
age to any great extent.

A glass of wine was then given the stranger,
and Colonel Dunwoody signified his willingness.
to hear what Mr. Marvin had to say.

“ I was a passenger, sir, on the coach, having
come through from the East.

“ There was one other passenger on the coach,
but his name I did not learn, and he got on af-
ter leaving Bald Bluff Station.

“ i was traveling with light baggage, but had
considerable money, some drafts, and my watch,
chain and some ot or things of value.

“ At Deep Dell Creek the driver halted to
water his horses, and we were suddenly con--
fronted by a man who demanded a delivery of
our money and valuables.

“I live‘in Cuba, where I have large interests-
as a sugar-planter, though I am an American, ‘
and there we receive such demands by opening
fire 11 g the bandits.

“ This I did, killing the man who made the
demand, and I believe wounded another. ‘

“But the result was fatal, for a volle of i
bullets riddled the coach, killing my fol ow-
passenger and the driver and wounding ,me.”

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
'rns anroar or was “HOLD UP.”

“ It was most unfortunate that you fired, Mr. ~
Marvin, though I cannot censure you for so
doing,” said Colonel Dunwoody.

“Yes, sir, I sought to protect my own, to
defend my life.

“ But I saw that resistance was madness, so
yielded and was robbed of all I possessed as
was also the other passenger for they searched
his body and that of the dead driver as well.

“ Then I was told to mount the box and drivel .
on, unless I wished to share the fate of my
companions. . e

“ his 1 did, and I was glad at least to find "
that they had left the drivers’ rifle and revolver
in a holster strapped to the box.

“I had one some dozen miles, I suppose,
when! bear hoof-falls behind, so halted, and
using the coach as a breastwork stood ready

to defend my life, as I an the bac“
changed their minds and intended to ill me.” ;
“But, instead it was Buffalo ' ill, youri

scout—-,

“Ha! Buffalo Bill was there, then?” cried th
colonel, while Surgeon Powell said:

“ Bravo for Buffalo Bill."

“ The brav fellow is always near when want.

ed ” Captain aruth remarked.
The stranger then resumed: .
“ He had been on a scout, he told me, heard, 
flrin and rode toward the scene. ‘
“ e found two dead horses belonging tothc
read-agents, and the dead outlaw.

“ Then he came on after the coach.”

“ And overtook you some twelve milesfmm _
the scene?” ‘

“ Yes, sir. '

“ But notkkmwing him, and as he did not look 3
unlike the : odor of the bandits, l at first ,sup— ‘
posed that it was be.

“But he told me who be was, looked at my.
wound and dressed it as well as he could, and
said that he would return to the scene to pick '
up .the trail, while he asked me to request you,
Colonel Dunwoody, to kindly send him at.once
to Deep Dell Brook, a dozen of his men.”

“ I will at once give the order, sir.” ‘

“.Permit me also to go with them, Colonel
Dimwoody, if you please," said Surgeon Pow-
e .

“ If you wish it, yes.”

“Then I will order the men to get ready at
once, sir, and have my horse and traps in readi- 
uess.‘after which I wi 1 report to you, sir.” ‘

“First hear Mr. Marvin’s story, for I will
send the order to the scouts by the order] .” ’ ,

was done, and, then Austin Marv went
on to say that the scout having left him to re.
turn tothe scene he drove on to the fort, but,
could not make verifiood time, as he was unac~ 
quaintcd with the r . 4

“Now. Mr. Marvin, how many outlaws did 
you cool” asked the colonel. -. ~

       

“so- .~‘_ -_ - __ _,,_ .<,._.

t.

 

 

_- IMHMJ. "'z“ -

h _ (,1... .   '> i
‘-, ~   (on '. wig Lure

 “A ..

 

“an ‘on' the Warpath“

  

 

“With the one I killed, sir, I saw nine.”

“ So many as that?”

“ Yes, sir."

“ Were they mounted, or on foot?"

“ Two were mounted, sir, and their horses
were shot by me, in firing upon the men, and
one of the riders.

“ One of them was the chief, and the other
men were dismounted but I suppose had their
horses near.”

“ Doubtless.

“ Now describe the chief, please?”

“ He was a large man, erect in carriage, wore
his hair long and a mustache and imperial,
while he was dressed in buckskin leggings, a
hunting-shirt, tophouts and sombrero.

“ As I said, sir, his general appearance was
.like that of your scout Buflalo Bill."

“ And the scout returned alone to the scene?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“ Then, Sur eon Pawell, as you have heard
about all that r. Marvin has to report, you had
best go at once and go with all speed to Join Cody
at Dee Dell Brook.”

The urgeon Scout saluted the colonel, nodded
pleasantly to Captain Caruth and said:

“ Now, Mr. Marvin, make yourself at home in
my quarters, please. and take what you can find
there for your comfort.

“I do not know just when I shall return, but
it‘will he in a few days at furthest.”

With this the Surgeon Scout departed, and
{fifteen minutes after he rode out of the fort at
‘the head of a dozen gallant scoum on the trail to
Deep Dell Brook.

The colonel meanwhile questioned Mr. Marvin
more closely as to all that nad happened,8fld 5"“
what the outlaw chief had said to him.

“ He told me that as I was a stran er, and did
not know that it was death by the aws of the
band, for any one to fire upon them, he _would
spare my life,althou h I had killed one of‘his men.

“ Then he said that they were called Will-o'-the-

Wisps and no one had ever heard of aWill-o'-the-

Wl being caught.
“ suggested that mg bullet had brought one
down,and he said that had best not brag of my

work, so I wisely ke t silence.
“Then he sent. h _ ragards to you, Colonel

" I Dunwoody, and said that he thought that he was

.i. ..,-_.

 

deserving of larger rewards than thoae offered
for him.
“ The sconndrell
. " I admire his impudence.” the colonel said.
Ca rain Caruth then offered his quarters ‘to
Mr. arvin, but the latter said:
“I thank you, but I have come to stay some

: little while and enjoy border life.

“I have to write to Havana, too, for remit‘
'tances, so if you will permit me to secure quer-
ters and pay for them, it will be just what I
desire.”

It was arranged then that he should‘occupy
the bachelor quarters of an olllcer then away on
a sick leave, and who had placed them at the dis-
posalof, Ca tain Gareth, and before he retired

hat night ustin Marvin found that he had fal-
len among friends.

, CHAPTER XXX.
,-. ar rauvr.

Bun-am BILL started bright and early upon
the trail, feeling confident that his scouts would
not be far behind him. ' ~

He rode on at an easy gait for the trail of the
single horse was readil folbwed, and at last
the country became her and barren, to such an
extent that he could no longer follow the tracks.

He tried all he could to go on from where he
could see the last indentations of boots in the
ground. but in vain.

So be decided that his only course was to
wait until his men came up, and then he could
divide the force into three parties.

One of'thsse could move away to the right in a

semicircle.
in a semicircle to the left,

/

Another could
and the third hod straight on, and the three
could meet at a certain point ahead.

In this way they must cross the trail at some
place, must surely.

no bad 1"“ decided “POI! Hill worn when he
hoarditlll‘et‘lound of boots. and the scouts came
into a

At 1; air head was the Surgeon Scout Frank
Powell, and that they had ridden har'd their
“5'3 “3;? f i lad to

0 am 8" ll 9 30.0 on for I
have riin aground,” cried 00d’- y ,

“And we are glad to find 370%, 3m. so soon.”

“ It was of on to come.

“Oh, It u ht saw a chance to be in attbe
capture of the‘ ox, so 1 came along.”

‘Good 1"

’“ We Bot to Deep Dell just at nightfalL‘and
found your n so we went into camp; but
were at the roc heron light, and pushed on

' from there on your trail

u Now, what have you found out!”
“Nothing.”
“ There is no trail hem”,

fiurhe ground won’t allow a horse-"I01! *0

ow." .
~ tenured-.1.

u n t I some thi as farss Sand
(.lrssk,lgusss,solWalterlfo'i‘Fnutoooinsuixg

\

“ Here we am." ’
“ Well, we'll have breakfast, and then my
green gs to push a party straight ahead to Sandy
e

“ Another can circle to the right, another to
the left, and all meet at the creek, and if we do
not find a trail, I shall be greatly mistaken.”

“ We can but try, Bill.”

There was a halt of an hour for rest and din-
ner, and then the scouts were divided into three
parties.

One went directly forward, the two others to
the right and left, one under Surgeon Powell,
the other commanded by Buffalo Bill.

The country was very wild, very. barren, and
there was not a chance for any animal to live
there upon vogetation,~it was so scant, and only
found here and there in spots.

There was, far in the distance, a mountain
range, rugged, lofty,‘ and the base washed by
the Waters of Sandy Creek, a stream which from
a small brook in dry weather, becouiesa mighty
river when the floods come.

It was full of quicksands, and only here and
there was there a crossing made by buffalo,
deer, and other animals, but these were not fre-
quently traveled, as the range was as devoid of
ve etation as the surrounding country.

he stream ran in a crescent around the
range, which ended there abrupt] , and the
sides were precipitous, and not bro en even by
canyons.

It was upon the banks of the creek, just at
ni htfall, that the three parties met.

hey had had a hard and fatiguing ride of it,
and horses and meta felt the jaunt.

Just u n the bank there were a few stunted
trees, an some enough for a night's feed
for the horses, w ile water could be gotten from
the creek. ‘

“ We will camp here to-night, Doc,” said Buf-
falo Bill.

“ Yes, we can do nothing else.”

" It is lucky we found these trees and grass,
or we would have had it rough among the
rocks.”

:1 §outmw no trace at attrail, Bill?” ”

at he otogra 0 one, doctor.

“ Nor did .” p

“ if the outlaws have a retreat in these land
then I do not know where it is, and the stories 0
hay,ng large numbers of cattle and horses is not

“ No indeed, for nothin could live here.”

“ Nor in the range you er.”

’ "So it seems, but we will have a look at that
to-morgowlg gging on foot‘. indfretugiliiig in time
toget ac assatn t, or t o wil

begin to suflerfir  "as

The night passed without disturbance, save
the elping of a wolf or the cry of a panther
coming from the Rocky Range, as the ridge was
callednacross the stream. _

The next morning, leaving their horses, with
two scouts as a guard, the rest of the party
crossed at a buffalo lord and went to the range.

No trace of a horse-track could bdfouud, and
only half the number managed toget any dis-
tance up the ridge, and then were glad enough
to now return, for they saw that no horse could
find footing there.

“ If the creek were to rise while we were over
here, Bill, and remained swollen for a few days
we would starve to death.”

“ So we wenld, unless we lived on wolf meat.

“ No, we'll give it up, for the Will-o’~the-
Wisps have no retreat here, that is certain.”

And wholly at fault the scouts set of! on their
return to the fort.

/

——-—-

CHAP'I'ER XXXI.
rm: mama‘s harm. ,

Dunsno'r Dun found, on his way back to his
cabin at YeIIOw Dust Valley, that the horse he
rode was b no meansa had one.

He had th s and bottom, only he was
very thin and ha evidently not been well
for as his hide was in a very rough condition.

“With care he will come out all right, and
care he shall havo,” said the miner, an bebo-
gan to look to the comfort of his horse before he
bi‘d kto his own at each halting-place on the way

u U
Arriving at the cabin he found that some one
had been there. i .

His lack had been timpered with, for they kg
,caught in the padlock and he found some di -
culty o enln i ‘

But t he not. been unlocked, or if so, the
door had not been opened .as the miner had
attached a very ingenious chutrivauce for keep-
i it closed. '

e wouldclose it, and then lock. it, with pad-
locks and chains. .
‘ But when it closed it lowered a heavy bar
down behind it. and it could not be opened from
Without unless the secret was knewn. ,

his necret was a string Which was attached
to one end of the bar passed up overa pulle ,
3:: the end came to a knot in the wood over t

r.
This knot pulled out and the string raised the

 

   

bar, thus enabling the cabin door to o n.
As this had, not been disturbed,

’ l

     

 

Dean knew that the door had resisted those
who had tried to get in.

His first duty was to erect at the rear of the
cabin a shelter for his horse, where he could
keep him at night, with no fear of being stolen.

Grass there was in plenty in the valley and
canyons near, where he could feed by day, and
he could cut and cure a quantity that would
make excellent bay to be stowed away for use
up at the cabin.

He devoted his day to this work, and then at
nightfall went over to Porket City, to have his
supper at The Frying Pan, 8.: he wished to have
a talk with the beautiful landlady, and see if he
could fathom the mystery surrounding her con-
nection with the outlaws, which he now felt cer-
tain was the case.

He found Bonnie Belle seated upon the plan
of The Frying Pun, as though enjoying the sun-
set beyond the distant range of mountains.

It was her wont to place a silver bugle to her
lips just at sunset, and going to each end of the
piazza; and the front to call her miner boarders
to supper by sounding a few clear, ringing notes,
for she was an expert player of a comet. ‘

She had the bugle in herlap awaiting the time
when the miner approached.

“ Good-evening, Bonnie Belle, I am here to
night for supper before your call.” said the
miner. .

“ So I see, butI am glad tohave you, Deadshot

D.

“ What luck in your digging to-dayl"

“ I have not worked very hard to-day, Bonnie
Belle; but where is your old friend?"

“ Powder face Pete’s father, you mean?”

to Yes.”

“ He has gone, left that night you were here.”

“ He is a strange man, to gamble with the
money you had raised for him, and just after
hearing of his son’s death." .

“ Yes, he is an odd one.

“ But have you had any visitors of lata?’

“ How do you mean!”

“ No midnight visitors!”

“ I have not seen any, though I am sure some
one has been about my cabin.

“ You are right, some one has, and more than
that, a numba' of some ones.”

" W hy did they not make their presence
known so that I could entertain them!”

“That is just what they did not wish, as our
entertainments are fatal," said Bonnie lie
with a lauuh.

“ I thought now that I was really hospi-
table.”

“ So much so that those guests would have
remained had you seen them, until the trump
of Gabriel had sounded.”

“ Ah! you know something of their visit!”

“ I simply know that in killing Powder Face
Pete you obtained the bitterest enmity of his
band. for he had a regularly organized league.

“ There are now just fifteen of them, and that
des rate fellow Mad Matt is now the captain,
an be led the gang to your cabin hoping to
catch you napping.

“They are determined to do you harm, so I
place you upon your ,guard, and what I can do
to protect you I will.

‘ You are very kind, Bonnie Belle, and I
thank you for the warning.

“ But how do you know this!"

" I have means of knowing many things
which I cannot reVeal, Deadshot Dean. 9

“ You area good man, and I do not wish to
see you downed by a lot of cut-throats, nor will
I if [can help it.

“ I onl wish that on had laid by enough
gold to t t you could save the min at once.

“But I have not, so must continue take my
chances while fitting it, as others do.”

“ Will you p y to-night at Devil’s Deni” sud-
depllv asked the woman.

‘ shall go there and may, or may not play;
but there goes the sun.”

“Yes, and that is my signal,”aud rising she
placed the bugle to her ii and wound out not.
after note of ringing me y that pierced the
mountainsst came back into the valley in a
thounnd echoes.

cus’r'rsa xxxn.
comer PARDB.

 

m bugle-notes or the fair landlady of The .

. Frying Pan was the signal for the dropping at

many a pick and shove , ,

She had many boarders at The Frying Pan,
who simply took their meals there, while full a
score dwelt there altogether, paying good pr cea
for their living
glim of their love] hostess.

0t are who had i eir own cabins along the
valle , were governed in their work by the
“ Be le‘s Bugle” as" they called it, and went to
their homes.

and the pleasureof catching a —,

Then the storekeepersrrfid other traders in i
e

Gold Dust Valley mad Frying Pan their
place of resort in leisure hours.

Bunnie Belle invited the miner to her table for
supper, which was situated in an alcove of the
large dining-room, but so that the hostess could
command a view of the entitre 

Anxious to know more 0 t range you
girl, for she seemed scarcely more, the mines-no

       

i
z:

bounced us, which hit my perd bad, but we cut

' money, and l hain’t, he kin go back to his home

   
 

  

(\ . [£41.
1, _

cepted the invitationand was envied by all who
saw him.

They saw too by his actions that he had been
accustomed to refined customs at the table and
several said to each other in their comments, that
the hostess of The Frying Pan and the miner of
Hangman’s Gulch, as he was called, would make
a great “ team.”

‘He are a dandy fer good looks, and she are
a daisy for beauty, and both of ’em has seen
better days, so it would be great ef they sh’u’d
tie u ,” said one.

“gut I has heered that he do be married al-
ready,” another responded.

A look of disgust greeted this, with the words:

“ Married?”

(I Yes.”

“ East!”

“ Yes, where he lives.”

“ This he ther West.”

“ Well?”

“ What’s bein married East got terdo with
gittin’ spliced est, so long as ther man hev
ther cod sense not ter let ther two misses’ git
terget er, for then he’ll hev ’em both ter fight?”

‘ Thet's so, and it will be a settler for him, as
I knows.”

“You knows!”

‘6 Y ” |

‘\.,:.)~  .4911. w.‘ . ‘

 

“ At same time?"
“ Was], [didn’t wait fer one ter die, yer see,
afare I s liced sg‘in.’

7’
“ Thet’s why I’m here.”
“ I see.”

“ Yes.”

“ How was it?

“ They was both of 'em lovin’r critters, and sot
so much store by me I thought I c’u’d git ‘em ter
turn Monaco.

“But'I icked out ther two wrong gals fer
thet kind 0 agreement, and when they had done
tramplin’ on me i were sent tor prison for a
period 0’ years.”

“ Serve yer time out?”

it No. l,

“ Why not?”

“ Waal, ther, were a feller in ther sell next ter
me, and he were a dandy fer plannin’.

“He wore in for murder, and it were a life
Sentence.

“ So he writ me a note sayin’ he c’u’d git out
ef I’d help him, and then we c’u'd skoot ter-
gather.

“I were agreeable, and .so one ni ht he sig-
naled all were 0. K., so I jist open my door.
the lock being picked with a wire key he gave
me, and I c'u’dgit my hand through, where his
doorwere soldi .

“ I unlocked his door. ther kee r were asleep
at ther end 0' ther corridor, an he jist tapped
him on ther head, took his weapons an his
clothing, I taking his OVercoat and he ther
under one.

“Then we got into ther ofllce. where ther
t’othor keeper were snoosin’ sfore ther fire.

“ We knocked him ovor, too, and a big dog

his throat.
“ Then we snatched some more clothing. and
with ther keys let ourselves out into the streets.
“ But ther prison tolkses had been roused by
ther dog, and the was srter us. sows divided
and ran dif! ways, and I has never seen
him since." ‘
' “ Was}, I heel”
“ You has!"

or know him of yer had seen himl”
“ No, for only seen him t at night in stripes,
with em pod hair and smooth-shaved taco.”

“ Put that, pard, for I is ther men.”

“ Yonl” . .

“ Yet, tor here's ther dog’s bite on my hand.
and it were in G-——— Prison it happened, just
four years ago this blessed night."

The two convicts warmly grasped hands.

They were seated upon the piazza of The
Frying Pan, and had seen each other often in
the mass but neither had recognized the other
in their bearded faces and long hair.

“ Pard, now we must hang to ether, now

Providencghes fetched it about the we has met

9’
.g‘?i8nart"in."

“ I has a leetle claim I digs in now and then ‘

but ther" hain’t money enough in it, and I has
siting, thingsI that pays me better then digging
" .

it Me too.»

“I has a cabin all to myself, so come and
bunk with me.”

“ Sure. and thankee.”

“Has yer an love for that minor as was
eatiu’ with ther onnie Belle ter-nightf"

“l ham him,” was the savage reply.

‘5 Me too.” ‘

“ He kilt my best friend, Powder Face Pete.”

“Waal. he’s good and I’m bad, he's got

and i can’t.
“That's why I hates him.”

 

min! , I’m with yer, and my name is Beaver

* ‘  hi. ~‘x  "'~V.,“ - “;.75,‘.!J;:"‘:»'3<  is
r I» x 

Bufi'alo  on ’

 

“ And I ansWers to ther hail 0‘ Deadly Eye
Dick.” '

“ Oh, I knows yer.”

“ Then we is pards, and ther is money in that
miner o’ Hangman’s Gulch fer both of us.”

“ Pards we is."

“ Until death us do part.”

Thus a compact for crime was made.

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
'rwo coupscrs FOB GOOD.

THE miner really enjoyed his supper with Bon-
nie Belle. .
found her a woman of rare culture and

m h information.

Talking to her he forgot his surroundings
and that he was in the m dst of a wild country
and wilder people.

After supper, as he arose to take his leave she
asked him to remain longer, and at his request
sung for him, accompanying herself upon the
guitar.

At last he felt that he must go and he could
not but admit to himself that be new no more
about her than be had before his coming.

“She is an unsolvanle puzzle to me, he mut-
tered again and a sin.

“,Do you go to evil’s Den to-nightl” she ask-
ed. suddenly.

“ Yes, I have thought of it.”

“ Why have you taken to gambling?”

“ A new idle fancy.”

:: You must give it upi” _

y
“ Because it will but ruin you in the end.”

“Do you say that and yet amble ourself,
yes, are the mistress of the gem ling as con?”

“ The more reason that I should know.”

“ Yet you win largely.”

“ I have. as the banker,a commission on all
games, which pays mews handsome income.

1 “ I: I gambled alone I .might be the loser
arge v. A

“ ell, I shall never play as a profession, and
though it would look mean to stop if I lost, and
continued playing while winning, I believe I
should do so.”

“You would be wise.”

“ Yes, though mean to back out when hurt;
but somehow I am a believer in destin_ , in luck
call it. and I am testing my luck now.’

“ When fully tested, quit."

“ I will, the very moment that I have put it to
the test.”

“ May I note the time?”

“ Do you mean that you wish to set the time?”

“ Yes, winning or losing?”

“ You may.”

“ And after that date I have your pledge to
play no more?”

‘ Do you ask it?” v
“ o." z.
“I will give it then.”

" 0n honor?”

“ Yes, on honor.” '

“You are one to never break your word, I
believe.”

“ Neither to man or woman if in my power to
keep it.” ‘

“ Well give me your hand.”

He held is forth and she rasped it.

“ You give me your we of honor that after
ninety days from date gou will not play another
card! aeg‘game, to gain is on!” I

“ You swea‘r it?”
‘| I  ”

"ir‘m'a" . .‘
be p sc . are m u an 1' an
he wrote as she dictated."e , papa '
“ Now, will you play to-ni ht!" she asked.
“ I think 1 will, but I’ll ma e a compact with

you.”

“ Well i” ' '

“ If I lay any game at; our bank or tables I
will be lowed to refund t e money to you when
next I see on.”

“ Why 0 you wish to do this!”

“ I have a pin .”

‘f Will you tell it to me?”

“Some day, yes.”

“ I will agree to it, but no one must know it
besides ourselves.”

" No one shall.”

“ Then you will gamble with others also?”

“ Yes I have a desire to mplay my luck
against Thornv the gambler,~M Matt and one
or two others.”

“You are taking b chances.”

“ No risk no gain y know.”

“ True.”

“ Now, I have anothen favor to ask of youi"

“Yes, and it is ranted before askedl”

“ You have con dence in me. surely.”

“ The only one in these mines that have con-

\ fldence in,” was the low and earnest reply of the

woman.

“ You are kind to say so.”

“ It is the truth. '

" But now to the favor you would ask!"

“ It is that you take certain money I shall
bring to you and dispose of it as though your
owpkthhlp’t is by doing good with it.”

 

,1; .355; .4. .i. 7),, _»_, ,

the” Wdrénath. v A

 

ea

“ I know that you do many generous deeds
among the miners, helping them in distre. and
in many ways, but the “rain is too heavy on
you, and I have a certain amount of money
which I wish you to take and use.”

” In just what way?”

“Well, there is that poor fellow Barney,
whom you had come to the hotel and livv.

“ He has consumption, and his days are
nugibered, and he expressed a wish to go heme
to ie.

“ A couple of hundred dollars will twke him.
to his old home and leave him enough over for
little luxuries, so give it to him. ,

“There is Sykes whose leg was broken four
months ago, so pay his doctor’s bill, for now he
is able to go to work.

“Jew Jacobs was robbed of all he had in the
world, so give him a hundred dollars and a ticket-
to St. Louis and back, so be can start again in
business, for he never slighted one whom he
knew needed aid when he had the money to
give.

“ Then there is that boy who ran away from
home and came to the mines, but is anxious to
return.

“Send him back again, and in other deserv-
ing cases dispose of the money I shall place in
your handS.”

“ Deadshot Dean, you- are a true man, and I
do hope you will soon strike it rich, and be able
to leave this place. ‘

“Yes, I will do with the moneyas you ask.
though you are giving more than you can.
afford, 1 fear.” I

“ Oh, don’t mention it, for the money is not
mine, or only mine rather to devote to charity,"
was the response oi Dendshot Dean, as be
grasped the band of the woman and took hisde-
parture.

 

CHAPTER XXXIV.
raa HINER’S LUCK.

W HEN Deadshot Dean left The Frying Pan; as
was his wont when coming to the camps, he
made the rounds of the cabins when there were
any of the miners sick, to see if he could be of
any service to them.

He gave those who really needed it a few dol-
lars to help them along, talked pleasantly with
others, and invariably left a ray of sunshine
with the invalids whom he visited.

Then he went to the store where he traded, ,

and which was known as “Mike’s Museum,”
and bought a bag of provisions to carry home
with him for his week’s supply.

He was one of Mike’s best customers, and was
always Welcome in the “ Museum.”

This done, he walked leisurely up to The Fry— -

ing Pan, put away his bag until he should call
for it, and then turned his steps toward Devil’s

Den.

The place was in full blast when he arrived,
for a lar er number than usual were present.

The ta lee were all full, and around the faro

nk and other games there were crowds.

The bartenders, too, were busy passing out
“ whisk straight,” or making “toddies,” and
the who eplace was dense with smoke. .

Deadshot Dean made his tour of the room,
nodding pleasantly here and there when he saw
an acquaintance, and seeming to take in all that
was going on, and of course every one who was
ther though with apparently no other motive
than dle curiosity. ‘

At last be halted et the faro table.

“ Does r play, Deadshotl” asked a man.

" Yes, ’1! play twice only, win or lose."

“ Take my place, for I has enough, as I’ve lost
a cool flft right here.”

“Then shall stake that sum,” and fifty dol~
lars was placed upon a card. '

“You s lucky for ou’ve won,”said them
who had given him b place. V ’

Again the fifty won and as much more were
placed upon the same card.

“You has won ag’in.

“ Keep a-goiu‘.”

“No. Buckley, I said twice, win or " and
the, miner walked over to the rouge e nois-
tah c.

He placed his winnings at the faro bank on a

me and won.

“ I said one play, win or lose,” he said, and he
walked owr to the roulette table.

“ I'll play three ti es win or lose,” he said to
the miner who was fo - owing up, admiring Dead-
shot Dean's run of luck and cursihg his own.

" Yer can’t win three times running,” said the.
man.

“ We’ll see,” was the cool reply, and then be
staked his money to again win. I

“ Yenplaiys as yer shoots, Deadshot, ter fetch
’em every t ,” said a miner.

“ Try ther square ivories,” said the miner fol-
lowing him from table to play.

There was a bi crowd about this table and
the players won all chip in a five-dollar hill 0
its equivalent. forming a pool.

The keeper would then take out ten per cent.
for the “table”as Bonnie Bella's commission,
and hand the dice-box to the first man to throw.

Deedshot Dean was the last man to put in his
five dollars, and the keeper called out:

“ Twenty-one in, one hundred and five dollm's. 3

.Q,

 

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less commission for dice box ten dollars and , him, when the miner pointed him out to Dead-

flfty cents.

“ Number one throw."

Number one took the box, blew in it for luck,
rattled the dice and threw.

l

i

shot Dean.

“Thar he sits, innocent-like, jist a layin’ fer ‘

suckers," whispered the man, who was known
in the mines us Dodger Jim, from the fact that

There were five dice in the box and of course 3 he dodged every game as soon as he became a

thirt was the hi heat that could be thrown.
“ wenty-nine, ’ called out the keeper. .

leser.
“ 1 say, Thorny, here’s a man ter tackle yer,”

The thrower looked pleased, for he led oi! with 9 said Dodger Jim, by way of introduction.

next to the highest number.

“ Number Twol”

At the call of the keeper Number Two took
the box.

Be crossed himself, muttered something like a
prayer and threw only six.

“ Six, for Number Two,” called out the keeper
and Number Three took the box and threw, his
also being a small number.

Nearly all had some peculiar manner of hand-
ling the box, saying something or seeking to
get “ luck.”

But no one reached the twenty-nine of the
first thrower until Number Twenty was called.

.Then came a, “tie” for he also threw twenty

nine.
th" Twenty ties Number One on a twenty-nine

TOW. \

“ Twenty-one next,” cried the keeper.

" T enty-one” wasDeadshot Dean.

He 1 k the box indifferently, did not even
shake the box. and threw.

“ Thirtyi

“Twenty-one wins,” cried the keeper. While
the minor who had been followin Deadst
Dean about gave a whoop that soon ed through
the place.

The miner took his winnings with a smile and
turned from the table.

.“You have won six hundred dollars in no
time,” said the mad who still “ clung closer than
a brother.”

“ Yes, less sixty dollars commiuion to the
tables,” was the reply.

“ What’s yer pla now?"

“ I’ll try a hen at cards with some one who
would like to play me a game."

“ I’ll tell yer ther man.”

“Who?”

“ Thorny.”

“ All right.”

“ If you wins from him on has a streak 0’
gilt-edged luck bound in ca] -skin.”

“ Where is Thorny i”

“Thar he sits, havin’ cleaned out all who
tacklpd him, and layin’ for another darned

oo .
“ I’m the fool,” was the quiet reply.

Then, with the persistent follower close at
his heels the miner of Hangman’s Gulch walk-
ed over to where Thorny the card-sharp sat at
a table by himself counting over his winnings
to bank, for he placed his money each nig t
in the strong box of the Devil’s Den.

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
Tn surnas'rrrion.
I, man Thorn was one whom few
to test a game with. cued
He said that his» name wea'l'born, audit was
8001) turned into Thorny by those who had been
pricked by playing a game with him.

Greenhorns and drunken men were generally
his game, ibougilidnow and dtheinv a miner with a
run o no woo go upan elllmatr
almost invgriglgl he doagpd? ’1 ‘nd

horny a is Own e, paging rent fori
and he was the only min who id. t,

t was in a corner, and Thorny’s seat was
toward the two walls, so that no one could get
behind him. .

His table was a block froma tree three feet

~ in diameter, as man in height. and with boards
0n the top. ms mg t square.

There were those who said that Thorny used
the tree for a breast ‘ 'ork, and had a trap in the
wall at his back, which he could slip out of if it
got too hot for him inside the saloon.

The latter hawever had never been verified by
ocular demonstration, though he had been known
to dodge down behind his table and hold several
m3: at blfy'f on u:

8 r00 0 9 are were 300 f b
bur-i in the hlock,and in the hail-2:11 b23335
him, to say nothing of severalpgraves u in the
burying-ground known as Sunset Bil , whose
olccupants had died by the .hand of the card
I arp.

The set-back which Thorny had had,
hands of old Swain. the father of Powd;
Pete, had at once caused a score of miners to t
their luck with him again. hoping toget their
pansy back and their revenge at the same

9.

His loss to the old man had impressed him
too for awhile, and the first night he had lost
every ame. ,

But had the nerve to stand the strain, and
at last began to win again.

Then look vurnerl his way once more. and he
got back all his losses of the past few days, and
won monev in the bargain.

This at last frightened “a all the players, and
he was seated at his table, ng in ambush for

 

 

,. \ some  to come song and play with '

 

if
. i

And he added:

“ Ef yer gits away with him yer is lightning.” l

Thorny looked up indifl’erently, though he
was nevsr indifferent.

His face was a bad one, his eyes being wicked,
his mouth cruel.

He was a man who dressed well, did no work
other than to gamble,‘take care of his three horses
and his room at The Frying Pan, for he board-

l
l
i
l

him, just as the bartender handed the cards to
him. .

“ Here, keep the change, Flip,” said the
miner, handing him a five-dollar ill.

“ I orderedthe cards,” said Thorny.

“Well, 'I’ll pay for them,” and as Bonnie
Belle just then came up he continued:

“ Bonnie Belle, 1 am going to try my luck
with the great gambler Thorny, and to give
me a good send-off, may I ask if you will let
me have a pack of your cards, a full deck?”

“ Certainly, Deadshot Dean, here—no, no, I
will make no charge for them,” and she took
from a little reticule hanging at her belt an
unopened pack of cards.

The miner took them, but his eyes were upon

‘ the face of Thorny, and he saw, in spite of the

ed there and nevar allowed any one to enter his ‘

quarters.

As he had cut ’the ears oi! a Chinee servant
for trying to see what was in the room so
sacred, not for love or money could any of them
afterward be gotten near his door, and in going
by to other rooms they shot by like an arrow.

Landlord Lazarus was in charge there, but
the gambler was too good a customer of The
Frying Pan for him to quarrel with him for

merely clipping of! the ears of a heathen

Chinee.

But had Bonnie Belle been in charge it would
been diiferent, as she had been heard to say
that she would have covered Thorny with her
revolver and had the earless Chinee give him a
severe thrashing.

Whether this remark had been repeated to
the gambler or not, he was certainly most
respectful to Bennie Belle, treating her with a
manner almost akin to awe of her.

“Oh, you wish to play do you, Deadshot
Deng?!" said the gambler. i

“ With me?”

“Why not with you?”

“ I am a dangerous man for a greenhorn to
play with.”

“ So I have heard but every man may meet
his Waterloo as did yNapoleon.

“ Very true, but I did not know that you
played cards?”

“Oh, yes, though I do not often gamble.”
‘ “VWell, sit down and say what you will play

or

“I, have had a run of luck tonight and I
would like to stake just the sum I have won on
a game, I yingooe game, win or lose.”

“ All r gait"

“ It was six hundred less the table's fees—say,
five hundred and forty dollars.” ‘

“ That will suit me.

“ Best two in three games.”

“,No, one game, I said."

" All right, cut for deal,” and the gambler
placed a pack of cards before the miner.

“ I will not play with those cards."

“ Why not?"

“ I am superstitious.”

“ Do on mean superstitious or suspicious?"

“ We I, both."

“ Do you believe that I would cheat you!"

“ Do not ask me for my opinion, Thorny, for
I am a candid man; but I. do know that when

w you played old Swain and did not use your

pack of cards, you lost.

“ Hence I am superstitious, let us say, abbot
using a man’s own weapons against hint."

The eyes of the gambler flashed, and a cruel
smile came over is mouth, but he was per.
fectlv cool as he said:

" Play wiih what cards you please, so that it
is not a pack of your cards, for 1» have the
same superstition that you have.”

, CHAPTER XXXVI.
TB! GRAVE.

'ONI of the bartenders was called by Thorny
to bring him a pack of cards, a fresh piac
never opened, the gambler added:

“ For a sine with a entleman who does not
wish to, sol his fingers With an old pack.”

“ I’ll do it,” said the man, and he hastened

away. '
But Deadshot Dean called out:
“ Hold on, m maul” -
“Waal,pard¥' ' h '
“There comes Bonnie Belle and she can give
us a pack."
“ I kin git ’em.”
"No, I wish to test my luck, and given a
I: from Bonnie Bella’s fair hands will aid me
am sure.”
Thorny sent a baleful glance at the minor.
He saw that he had caught a look which
d between the bartender and‘himself, and

 

 

gambler’s nerve, that he was considerably
amazed at what he had done.

“Say, Deadshot, on have one pack, I or-
dered the other, so et it be a toss-up for which
we use!" said Thorny.

“ Very well, for that is a test of luck,” was
the cool reply, and the gambler said in re-

s use:

p2 Here, Bonnie Belle, take these two packs of

cards, change them in your hands, and let us

so which we will take.’
_ unis Belle saw that there was acme deep

game being played between the two men, but

she could not fathom it.

Dod er Jim was too much interested to utter
a w , and Flip, the bartender, stood behind
Bonnie Belle, seemingly too much taken up
with what was going on to return to his work.

“ I’ll take the right hand, Bonnie Belle," said
the mbler.

“ oldl” came the stern command of the
miner, followed by the words:

“Fli , if I see you make a signal like that
again, ’ll m rk you for life.” i

The gamh uttered an oath, while Bonnie

He turned quickly only to catch a glimpse of

he form of Flip disappearingrin the crowd.

From the look in her eyes, lip had acted with
great wisdom.

“ I shall test this again, for that was unfair,”
she said coolly.

“ I cheese the left hand,” said the gambler,
and his voice was sullen now.

“And the right holds this, pack,” said the
woman, handing overto the runner the pack
she had given him.

“Thank you, Bonnie Belle," said the minor,
while the gambler muttered an oath.

Slipping the pack he had bought from Flip

into his pocket, Deadshot Dean placed the‘ ‘

money he had won that night upon the table,
opened the cards and said:

“ Cut for deal, Thorny.”

This was done, and the miner dealt;

Thorny’s face began to row black now, as he
counted out flvehnndr and forty dollars and
placed it upon the pile of money the miner had '
put there.

Bonnie Belle had lingered at the table, for she
seemed to be drawn there now by a fascination
she could not resist. ,

Dodger Jim was there, with his whole f in
a tremor, and others had gathered about see.
Deadsbot Dean the miner risks game of cards
with the famous Thorny.

The gambler was nettled at the situation he
found himself in, for he was forced to play with
cards not of his ie¢tion, and had lost is choice
and then h dea , so that he dreaded for the re-
sult of the me.

That the old man Swain had forced him to
play with a new pack of cards, had simply
caused a laugh at his expense; but here'wasa
man who was forcing him to does he wished,
and having pretty much his own way with him,
the gambler shar , whom all feared.

But he was i for it, and calmly looking on
was Bonnie Belle, seeming to take thedeepest
interest in the game.

The two men settled down to work with an air
of determination to win, and each played slowly
until the last card was thrown down by the gam-

' bier with an oath which told how deep was his

chagrin at losing.
“ t hurts youlto lose, Thorny, to taken little
of the poison on so often giVe to others with a
relish,” said nnie Belle, with a smile.

“I will play you for a thousand," was the an-
gry reply of the gambler, turning upon the wo-
man with flashing eyes.

CHAPTER xxxvu.
A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

THE challenge of the gambler to Bonnie Belle,
his sudden turning upon her with any: glance,

 

, and voice that showed the suppressed eeling he

in vain tried to conceal, was wet with squiet
look from the woman and the words:

e saw that he did not have such a greenhorn as 3 v' “ I will play you fornny Sum 70‘! In” time.

he had supposed to deal with.

“Yes, get us the pack,” said the miner, and l
, «angst, quick reply.

the man hastened away. ~

Upon the entrance of Bonnie Belle a bush had,

fallen upon the crowd.

I

Gambler Thorn .” _
“ Will you play me for any stake!” was ch.

you mean for money?”

“ I said nothing about What the stake should

games’ continued, but all loud talking be.”

he
cased, and a bum only was heard.
She glided from table to “his, and suddenly
catching the eye of the miner, came toward

 

“ What is your demandi", r __
“reps you play ins for any stake I may
ania

 

 

 

 

 

“Against what!”

“ You shall name the sum,
fortune I will pay it if I lose.”
“ Well, name your stake.”

“ That on become my wife within one week
from to-nfiht. when I will have the chaplain of
the fort here to unite us.”

Bonnie Belle laughed, while there followed a
hush after the words of the gambler, for many
heard them.

“Do you really mean it, Gambler Thorny?
asked the woman, with an incredulous look. ’

“ es, I do.” ,

“ Suppose that I am already married 1”

“ Then in that case dgive me the name and ad-
dress of your husban and I’ll pied e myself to
make on a widow within a stated t me.’

“ ell, you will not have to do that, for I have
the right to pay my. wager if I less," said the
woman.
A sigh of relief went up from many at this,
for most of the miners had an idea that Bonnie
Belle was married.

“ All right, you will pay if you lose?”

“ I will.

“ Within one week?”

and if within my l b

 
   

.‘ - wfhamyygtgt -; _  ,t... .
,. g a .  I

  "

 

the

)V.

men, the woman began the game.

Each one played as though fully realizing;
what defeat meant to them, and when at last ‘

the game ended, Thorny the gambler turned

? livid as Bonnie Belle said:

“ The game is mine, Gambler Thorny.”

“ And you have won his fortune tee,”
Deadshot Dean. .

“ Yes, I am a ruined man,” groaued the
gambler.

“ Had you won I would have been held to my

said

wager, Gambler Thorny, but I release you from .

your pied e—seel"
With th 5 she tore up the paper he had signed
and tossed the pieces into the air.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE TWO mans.

Tan receiving back of the fortune he had
just lost was a great joy to Gambler Thorny,
for he had not the rcnlotest idea that the wo—
man would not claim all from him.

He had fallen in love with her, and had

    , ,
‘ ' ar—pathw?

Then, amid a breathless silence. which was
rokeu only by the suppressed breathing of the

 
  

‘ ‘  its "it-5.?“-Wasatwiiv"L

t)

“ Shall we shoot him?"

“No. I has my lariat, and it’s better ter
catch him, then knife him.”

“ it don't make no fuss."

H No.”

“What shall we do with the body?”

1 “ Take it to his cabin and leave it thar."

I “Try and make believe ire were murdered
f thar?"

1‘ “ Yas.” -

, “ Wan], Idon’t care how it’s done, so we
E kills him and gits ther cash.”

“ Nor me.”

They had now reached the entrance to
Hangman’s Gulch.

Cressing to the other side. where there was
athickct and some bowldcrs, they took up
position where they could hold every advan-
tagc.

The moon was shining brightly, and they
, could see up the trail for some distance.

; They could [also see up the Han_ an's
T Gulch to the bend, and they kept their eyes
i often turned in that direction.

“ Yes.”

‘l Now let us play then ” and the gambler took TiSROd 8" to Win her. The were r, "ed for their work >
speck of cards from his, hat, and it did not That he had lost her was as bad a blow in  of (108),,“ for my; )ad his lasso ready to A
' 9ft: wh'Mh Bonn“ 3° 9 that 311° would Play one sense to him as if he had lost his fortune. ; throw ‘1’“. other his revolver in hand to are if 
W 0‘ era. a ' b V 'n _ ‘  v ‘
Dead-hot Dean arose from the table, ieldin I Wm Win er yet was his low m“er they would have to do so. _, ‘

determination which erhaps only the ears of
the miner Dean and onnie Belle caught.
The crowd seemed delighted that matters
had turned out as they had, and the woman '
rose in their estimation for her pluck in not
lhitcking down from the challenge of the gam-
er. .
Duliing the conversation which followed
Carrol Dean slipped out of the saloon.
. He turned quickly as he walked toward The

“ He’s a long time a—comin’, pard.” , ‘v

“ Waal he is. v

“ But I s' ose he’s stopped at The Frying
Pan fer a talk with some one.”

“ Maybe.” \

“ And that bag were a heavy one, say some
sixt pounds, maybe more."

“ hat's so.”

“ We is impatient, that’s all.”

' his seat to her. and, as he did so said lou enoug
for Gambler Thorny to hear:
“ Play with your own cards, Bonnie Belle.”
“ Ah, es, thank you, Deadshot,” and the wo-
man smi ed sweetly upon the miner.
“ See here, Deadsbot. you are not in this
game, so beware how you interfere,” hotly said
, 4 the' ambler. _
“ hreats do not alarm me, Gambler Thorny,”
was the cool re ly, while Bonnie Belle asked:

 

. “Yerbethlllandseeail
' the ready answer. I
“ Then we are to select a third'l” the miner re-

marked.

“:fdes,” said the gambler while Bonnie B'elie

x w .

'2 “I will name Storekeeper Mike,” said Dead-
) m Dean. ,

“ Neither the gambler or Beaver Bill dared
raids any objection to Mike the storekse , for
he was universally respected as an hou man.

“ I’ll be with ex,” said Mike and he stepped
gig“ and j ned Deadshot Dean and Beaver

" No , I am ready,” remarked the gambler in

done squar’," was

“Deadshot ean, will you be my referee in . . “ Yas, that’s it.” V

this amel” . Frying Pan and saw two men was out of the They thus talked on in the lowest tones, . ' g
:: rta’inly if you wish it, Bonnie Belle.” Dfiyll 5 Dim ” their e es now constantly riveted upon the 
TI ‘10- AS I “would. he Entterefl- trail w ere they expected the miner to ap. ' _ l":

1'9 K‘tmbl“  m 93’ “12'” m9  ' He however watched them Without appear: an _ , 3; 5;
fififilwgggyw022gxt‘ th‘gfiblgto wits: mg to do so. and saw that they took the trail u I wish held come' f ', this place is ,us  .
thenovel me of cards. for his home' ha’nted, and it seems as if c’u’d see sperits 
At last gaze fell upon Beaver 3m and be He determined to leave his bag of provi- flmin’ about in ther gulch.” ,  

, said: sions at the hotel and dog the steps of the two u Don’t talk that way, pal-d, for 1 is afeefl‘  .
“ And will you be my referee, Beaver Bill?" I o' ghosts,” .  

men. t

This he did until he saw them a preach
the entrance to the Hangman’s Guihh and
then halt, disappearing in the shadows of the
rocks. ,

" The are lying in ambush for me.

“ Wei , I'll see if they will face me when I
come," muttered the miner.

Acquainted thorou hly with the ridges and
canyons, he turned 0 the trail and at a rapid ,
step, after gaining the ridge, made his way to ?
his cabin.

The two men whorhad left the Devil’s Den
just after Deadshot Dean, were the two con-

“ Has yer ever seen one?” ,r ii,

This leading question was answered by a .  
yell of terror followed, by the words: . ~ I:

“ I sees one now!

“ Oh, Lordy hev marcy!” '

With this prayer Beaver Bill lea d over
the rock in front of him and spe toward
Pocket City, while Deadly Eye Dick was
close upon his heels, looking over his
shoulder as he ran and beholding a white
robed form gliding down Hanginan’s Gulch
as though in hot pursuit of the intended as-

vict pards, Deadly Eye Dick and Beaver “881080! the lumen ' 

 

 

 

“a News" a... a: 3-“ ‘
amno . coo respon e woman. 1 . r.- 3;
“ What isto be one nowr’petulantly asked “We’ll git that ter-night, pard,” said CHAPTER Km 1; v.
the which Beaver Bill. nonunion mm. .5: 

 

 

“ . 5" 1 “"0 13‘“t “P my “‘1‘9' '0 “he” ll“ ” Yer seen him with ther money then?” Aus'rm MARVIN found the lieutenant's
1032:!" “gfl‘mn'igrgggg'n 0“. were“ “we “ Yes.” ' uarters, to ’which he was conducted by
' ’ y ’ i y “How much?” a tain Caruth, to be most pleasant. f
. I «You 3,. “dob mu 1 bone", Thorny," “ Wai, he tuk in about six hundred from . here was a sitting-room, bedroom and -‘ 3
, “lam not a peer man." u ther tables and as much more he wins from , kitchen and dining-room. ' x  
'l “1 bars heard you say that you wereworth Thorny.” . 1 He was able to get an excellent servant. : ‘34 
. alluol fifty thoussn’d dollars.” ’ “ Geod I’d kill a man any time fer that j and Captain Caruth ordered provisions sent ,3}, ‘
I ugfinh‘l’“ “ll-that ' r, mone .” ' him from the sutler, charged to his account, vii- 
at “myggtzyy tutfiffiow “ I d kiil' him fer less. " until the visitor could hear frome his home.  
is It i. 1",“, “1L “ ablet hain’t gill we gets.” The ilfeutenantlhadllfft gill gun?)an ilor‘ses ~ ~‘
'03; w “no”! drown.” “ lat more " t at the ort, so t at . r. arvin a tie use «
- Theo ' mblgr mood and took from a .11.]: “We’ll fit his keys, go to his cabin, ’and of three, and the whole-souled cu lain ; 
 . b". plfcegpl'gr. a and ink. flndehat ie hev got hi away.” ' ‘ placed his wardrobe at the disposal 0 his "  2:,
I'm 0 n 0 001! Md DOW. “ t's a o.’ new ac uaintance. ': *7.
and the crow were perfectly silent. listening . "Theygays he has ahea laid up.” | ‘ Thusqdid the stranger in a strange land - ' 
- ‘59,};‘3’3‘3 to“ on n ' “ Shouldn’t wonder, for he’s so quiet." find himself most bountifuin cared for. l a 
u I ‘m a“, n y ‘ “ Yas, and quiet fol s is devilish sly." Oillcers called upon him, and he was made “4.  ‘
' “ The is for sure.” - to feel at home by being invited to the Club,

.. l ‘
~ ‘  #4". .

, u I Thorny. the Gambler of Pocket Citgsdo hereby
pledge'm self to transfer to Bonnie lie all my
-, rights and titles to my claims, horses, equipments.

“We in git away afore he’s missed, fer

bod m hi b. , I and to dine at the colonel’s home upon the
no ever goes r sea m.’ ,

‘ (is after his arrival.
! It

weir and all other personal property, along with " T et’s so. " p , was the third day after his coming that . 5 ..

, cry olhr of money 190688“. ’ ’ . “ We will steals couple 0’ good critturs x the stage was to start out again on its east-   ‘3.

' 2.‘ «Now “Eu 1;," V and light out, and it’s better ter g6 to an- ; ward run, for it made a weekigotrip. I  .1
= This was done. other place and hev money then ter stay here 3 The body of the driver Rib us had been ,4? 
f “ N0" 1,?“ “III II Vim Mike and Deed- almost broke.” , decently buried, a had also the remains of r i}

“W D951“ ' “ Sure.” ' ‘ the passenger whz had been killed. ' - -‘

' . This was done .
“Now, Gambler Thorny, do you gate your

,_ The two plotters were walking along the } Horseshoe Ned had gotten able to take the
' fortune against my hand in marria
C‘ I 0’

trail now, for they had seen the miner go to ;. coach out, so he mounted the box when the t i 1" 
time came to start. ’  r15

w” the am , . “d . wild the hotel after his bag, which they knew he
yell at admiration broke from hundreds ofiipa had left there. i “We would send an escort on this run,
‘ ., ,atthe ambier’s pluck. - . The had been dogging bis steps ever since , Ned. but there will be no need of it with 
, BOD 30"." face I“!!! W“. but she be ha come into the cam s. ' Buffalo Bill and his men upon the trail, for 7, 3,

" showed no other emotion an her voice was an.
moved as she said: ' _ '
“Iain worth more in your eyes than I deemed

“I don't half like this p ace, Pard Beaver,
fer a stopping-place even in da li ht."
“Nor does I, Deadly Eye i k, but it’s 5

you will certainly run across them some- ,_ l
where on the tri ," said Captain Gareth. , ' 4
who with Austin arvin had gone to soothe '

 

 

 

 

hie. ,
e 3 ‘ ¢ m I. for c om on] far a short while.” coach start _ .
my hm?“ fink 3.11:  m ‘ And. ther deeds suits the place." “ I wish you success, my man, and if you ' 
 >1. emmwnoe‘m mm  . i ; "Exactly." . a . ' ! can find any slow to my luggage and’xaln. _

 

 

 

ables, I will pay you handsomely,” said Mr.
. . Marvin. "
f“ “See here. pard, I hain’t one ter take pay

' , fer doin’ my dut , and though your money s
‘ ‘ doubtless as goo as anybody's, I hain’t ther
man to touch it. ’
“No offense intended, my friend; but I
am anxious to get my things, and if you will
:_ state that a reward will be paid for them,
i delivered to you, I'll be glad to pay it."

“I'll do it, sir, and maybe ther reward
may tempt ther road-agents more than ther
worth 0’ what they has.”

“I hope so, sincerely. ‘

“Well, a safe run to you," and the coach
went off with a cheer from the large crowd
which had assembled to see it start. all ad-
miring the pluck of Horseshoe Ned, who
was one of the crack drivers on the Over-
land, and one of the honest as well.

A whole-souled fellow, reared among
horses, a mail-rider as a boy in the moun-
tains of Kentucky, and afterward the driver
i of a stage throng the Wildest region of that

State for cars, he was no new hand when
 he came vest and took the reins, over a
i team on the Overland.

A handsome man, with full beard, ion
7 hair, and a slender, wiry form, he was -
I miredby all whom he came in contact
,5 with, while, as an evidence of his fearless-
‘ ness and utter defiance of the roadagents,
his broad-brimmed slouch hat was pinned up

 in front with a diamond horseshoe. _
  In addition, he wore a pin in his black

scarf, a horseshoe of rubies, and his sleeve-
buttons were of the same design, as was the
buckle .of his revolver belt, but in solid gOId.
5 The whip he carried had a handle mounted
 with gold, and the head of a horse at the
‘ r " butt.
 The shirts which Horseshoe Ned wore,
and he always dressed neatly, had in them
designs ofhorseshoes, whips, and the heads
of horses. ‘

“ I go emptv this run.

"\How leetle it takes ter skeer people of!
from a ride, and yet ther safest time ter go is
just after being held up. -

“l uesses ther stranger won’t see his
duds, ut I’ll spread ther neWs along that

,we’ll ay for 'em.

“ Ife were lucky only’ ter lose his traps,
for t’other passengers and poor Ribbons lost
their lives. ‘

“Well, this trail is gittin’ more dangerous

 

has; ,

Will-o’-the-Wisrs and hang ‘em, it will soon
be too bad fer travel.

“Ribbons sh’u’d hev told that tenderfoot
not to be a fool and open fire upon them out-
laws. or he’ll get it back with interest.

“But ther gent hain’t such aten‘gsrfoot
arter all, for he kilt one of the outla and
wounded another, after which he had the
nerve ter drive ther coach ter ther fort, and
come in about on time. and thei. too, over a

 

up ter git buried. .
“ No, that str nger are one ter tie to every

 

time. and they oes say he drove in as coal ,

as picnic'lemonade. and stated there had

4  been trouble on ther way, same as if he‘d
“.5 “i only broke his-harness or tamed One of the
t ‘ critters, -
--  “Yes, I’d. like'ter git his traps for him,
  though he did cause the Will-o’-the-Wisps to

Er make a sieve of my coach.”

So mused Horseshoe Ned as he drove on
his loneliy way over‘the dangerous trail
’ dotted al along by scenes where tragedies
had occurred.

 

CHAPTER XL.
AT DEEP DELL cant.

As Horseshoe Ned drew near beeping“
Creek he began to look about him with
, , more caution
“  Hecould recall over a dozen murders com-

ifi mitted there by the Wdllo’-the-Wisp8. two

of which were the drivers of the coaches.

. Seve al of the coach teams had been shot
3% - down here, and where no other harm than
‘ robbery had been committed. scores of times
‘\ had the outlaws held up the stages at or

,9 ‘, 3 near that point. I
K v- The scene Was a perfect one for a dastard
; deed and the escape of the perpetrators.

.3, ‘.
r i?
E.“ 9‘ I
’ Pk
1‘ .

 

every day. instead of better, and onless Buf~ g
falo Bill and his scouts can catch some of the

mighty bad road, and with ther dead eyes of I
Ribbons a-staring at him all the time. and ;
another doader in ther coach a-hurryin’ him

 

The stream was a hundred feet wide,
, shallow, running over a pebbly bed, and
, upon either side the banks arose into clifls
' clad with foliage and vines.

A natural cut led through these cliffs,
"and a steep hill went down to the stream
I upon either side.

To those who were there for crime, they
could lie upon the edge of the cliffs, com-
manding the coach wholly with no danger to
themselves.

The coach could not turn to retrace its
way, once in the stream, or on the hill lead-
ing to it, and up the steep ascent it could not
go at a rapid pace. '

A man in the trail therefore protected
, by others upon the cliffs, had everything his
‘ Own way.

Suddenly, as the coach neared the stream,
going down the hill to it, came a loud com-
man : ‘

“ Halt that coach!

“ Hands up, Horseshoe Ned l"

“ Yer infernal idiot, don't yer see I can’t
halt until I gits inter ther stream Y" yelled the
driver, managing his horses with consum-
mate skill.

“But you must halt, Horseshoe, for we
wish to talk with on.”

“Buf’lcr Bill, it 8 you is it?

“ Well, I’ll fergive yer ef yer did skeet me
almost ter death, durn yer.

"‘1 is mighty glad yer hain’t Will~o’-the-
Wisps."

. Budalo Bill and Surgeon Powell now rode
into View, laughing at the reply of Horseshoe
Ned to their demand to halt. ‘

“ Well, Ned, what is the news at the fort?"
asked Surgeon Powell.

"We give Ribbons a big send-ofl at ther

funeral, sir, and ther Gospil Sharp of ther
fort throw’d in extra prayers and talk on-
til they’ll admit him up yonder without a
word, ef poor Ribbons, knowin’ his wicked-
ness, didn’t start in t'otlier direction arter he
got ter be a sperit.”
i .“He was a little wild, Ned, but Ribbons
; died doing his duty and the Lord can’t ask
i any ore of any man," responded Surgeon
Powe l.

"Tliet's so, sir; but has
ther Will-o’-the-Wisps?”

“ No, and we have followed the single trail
leading from here to the barren lands, and
. we could do no more.” .
i “ Y.er‘say ther single trail, sir?”

“ hes.”

“The gent as fetched ther coach in says
there was more of ’em by many."

“ Yes, but they were on foot, for only one
horse went away from here, and two were
killed. ' ,.

“Their bodies Bill had the scouts drag in-
to the stream to get them out of your wa ."

" I’m glad of that, sir,‘ for my ledders s as
skeered 0’ dead horses as niggers be of
ghosts.” . ’

“The stranger is at the fort then all ri lit?”

“ Yes, sir. happy as a clam at hi h ti e.”

“ He seems like a very clever fel ow.”

“ He does sir, and I’m thinkin' he’ll shine
with ther ladies and make some young offl-
cars’ hearts bleed tears o' regret.” '

Surgeon Powell laughed at Horseshoe
Ned s way of speaking of Austin Marvin‘s
becoming a rival to the officers at the fort,
and then turned to Buffalo Bill who had been
taking in the situation with the coach about
in position where it had been when fired

u n. . ,

“ What is it, Bill?” asked the Surgeon
Scout. ‘

"I wish Horseshoe Ned would drive up
the hill. turn and come back again, halting
righ? there.” . 
. " ll do it, Bill, fer when you takesa scent

you knows how ter run it down," was the
driver’s reply.
Then he drove on across the stream. and

to the utter amazement doubtless of his
horses turned about and started back toward
the fort. . ' ‘
Halting in the stream again. he watched
Buflalo Bill and Surgeon Powell moving
slowly about. ‘:

VWhen the coach had started off the Sur-

geon Scout had asked: . ‘ '

“ What is your clew. Cody f”_

“ I wish to see where those shots came
from that crashed into the coach.” '

"Ali! agood idea if
that the wholetruth'hss not been told?

 

 

yer seen any 0’

  

 

 

you are suspicious

.(bJV

“Well, doctor, let us get the situation as
it was here, where the shots came from,
where the dead and wounded horse lay, and
the dead outlaw was when 1 found him.

“ Then we can see where the horse, whose
track we followed came from, and what trail
We can find of men on foot.

" With these facts down fine we can per-
haps get a clew which may lead to what we
would like to know.” .

For .half an hour the two scouts looked.
over the situation, Surgeon Powell sketch-
irlilg the scene and position of the coach and
a .

Then Horseshoe Ned was told to go on his
wa , and driving up to the hill he turned
an soon came back on his run eastward.

“ You have a suspicion, Bill?”

“ Yes, Doe. and you are the man to find
out for me whether 1 am right or wrong.

" Now let us go and jom the scouts and

then return to the fort.”

 

CHAPTER XLI.
'rnii: scours RETURN.

SURGEON POWELL, with Buffalo Bill and
his scouts, returned to Pioneer Post forced to '
acknowledge themselves cleverly outwitted
by the outlaws.

The officer and chief of scouts went at once
with Ca tain Caruth to report to Colonel
Dunw y.

“Well, Surgeon Powell, What luck?”

“None, 1 mayK say, sir.”

“Do you so nowledge yourself beaten,
Cody?” asked Colonel Dunwoody with some
anXiety of tone, for he had expected certain-
ly that the scouts would make some dis.
cove‘rz.

“ edo for the present, sir.”

“For the present?”

“Yes, sir. '

“ Then you have a clew, Cody?"

“ We have hopes, sir.”

“Ah!”

“ Colonel Dunwood , would you have the '
kindness to send for r. Marvin and allow
Cody to question him closely, sir, so that we
can get at a better understandin of ust
What happened at Deep Dell Broofi?” as ed
the Surgeon Scout.

“ Certainly, doctor,” and the colonel sent
his orderly to Mr. Austin Marvin With his
compliments and asked his presence at head
quarters. ‘ i

The stranger came at once and greeted
Buffalo Bill pleasantly while he said:

“ You wed-e my first friend 'in the Wild
West, Mr. Cody.

“Doctor Powell, Iain glad to meet you
again. and I trust you have some good re-
port of the capture of that outlaw chief and
his band 7”

"On the contrary, Mr. Marvin, we failed
to find him or his men, and Cody wishes to
ask you a few questions that may aid him, in
his search, for he has not given it up by any
means," answered Surge n Powell.

“No indeed. for on on the war-path,
\Mr. Marvin, Buffalo Bill clings. to it like
grim death and will never give u until he
reaches the end of the trail,” sa' Colonel
DunWoody.

“1 sha i be happy to answer Mr. Cod
any questions within my power.” and Austin
Marvin turned toward the scout. ‘

'I‘akin a piece of paper and pencil Buflm. ,
lo Biii paced them upon the table before ~ "

him. »

Surgeon Powell then took from his pocket \ i l

the slip of paper upon which he had sketch.
ed the situation at Deep Dell Brook, but, he
stood in the background. encil in hand. _
while Mr. Marvin faced Bu aio Bill. I ’
“This is the bill, Mr. Marvin, descending
to the brook, this the stream, and here the
hill ascending. the coach going west: in this
direction." said Buffalo Bill. marking the

points designated upon the paper. / 

” Yes. sir." ,

“ Now, where was the coach when  ’ "

ed?"

p “ in the stream, the horses drinking,”
“ And where was the firing done?"
"Iflred from the windOw of the coach

themomentlsawamanlpmthe‘dfimfifi

coach?"
“ From which window, sir?"

A “ The one on the left."

“ You tired twice?"

“ I fired four times, sir."

 

 

 

 

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“ From the left window?”

“ Yes, sir.”

‘.‘ You saw two men 7”

“ At first I saw but two.”

“Mounted or on foot?” ,

“ Both mounted, sir."

“And your four shots killed one outlaw
and one horse. wounding another outlaw and
a second horse?”

“ Such is my belief. sir.”

“Then you were fired upon?"

“ Yes, the coach was."

“ From what position ?”

“The cliffs: but may I ask. Mr. Cody,
how this is going to aid you in running down
the outlaws?”

“ I desire to know how many outlaws
were there, sir, if 1 can get at it. how many
were mounted and on foot, and about how
man shots were fired?”

“ here were, to the best of my recollec-

. tion, nine outlaws, and 1 saw but two mount-

ed, while the first fire from them was a
volley of say a dozen shots, and this killed
the driver and my fellow passenger.
i“Some. scattering shots followed into the
coach and one wounded me. .
“ Then I surrendered and that ended the
affair except the robbing of the bodies, and

. takin my money and luggage.”

\.

 on were then allowed to go upon your
way, sir?”

“ Yes, I was told to'mount to the box and
drive on, which 1 did, and a couple of hours
after you overtook me.

“ Is there an other information that I can
give you, Mr. Ody, for I am wholly at your
service?"

“I thank you, sir, none; but the whole
band of Will-o‘-the—Wisps must have been on
the scene of the hold-up, from what you
say, and yet I cannot, nor could Surgeon
Powell or any of my scouts, find the slight-
est clew to the trail of more than one horse
leaving the spot, while but three came ther ,
and they arrived from the direction of t e
south. ?

“We must go back and ca p on that trail
until we can do better,” said uffalo Bill.

“ I wish you success, sir, most assuredly.”

"Thank you, sir, and some day it will
come our way,” was the answer, and Buffalo
Bill and Surgeon Powell left the head-
quarters together. I

“ Well, Doc.”

“ There were just seventeen bullet-holes in
the coach, Bill.”

“ And fired from on a level with it, al-
most?”

“ Yes.” .

“And the outlaw was killed on the right
of the coach, not the left?”

"Yes."

“ And the horses?"

"‘ One in front of the team, the other on,
the ri ht.”

" ell‘, Doc, 1 shall go back to-night with
in men, and camp on that trail, and you see

i ‘ if on can get any more information here.”
" 1 wil‘i.’

And that night Buflalo Bill and his men
a sin started upon the war-path against the
ill-o’-the- Wisps.

——

CHAPTER XLII.
A RECOGNITION.

THAT Austin Marvin was becoming a'very
popular man at the fort there was not the

' ’sli htest doubt.

e had traveled much, and knew men and
countries. ‘
He had read extensively decb as well as
shallow literature, and could talk well.
’ Then he could tell agood story, without
laughing at it'himself. and thus showing the
listeners where they were expected to haha.
i With a voice of rare melody of tone.’ he
could bring tears to the eyes of those who

’ listened to his pathos in song, while a cer-

\

tain vein of sadness running through l~is

nature, gave a charm to his manners. ‘
Arrivm at the fort as a hero he had been

Inuit m . and only after he had been

1 there a week did he consent to meet any of

the ladies. .

He had seen them at a distance, had heard
them spoken of, but appeared to shun ladies‘
society. ,

But at last Lieutenant Vassar Turpin, who

  

had taken the stranger under his especial
wing, gained his consent to meet several of
the adies.

There was in the fort, upon the blufls, a
small park, which the officer‘s wives had
taken much pleasure in improving by plant-
ing flowers and otherwise making it attrac-
uve.

A lawn tennis court; and croquet grounds
occupied one space, and rustic arbors and
settees were scattered about.

There was an acre of fine timber land and
alto other the half-dozen acres forming The
Biu s, was a most attractive spot.

Hither had =Lieutenant Turpin taken
Austin Marvin one afternoon.

It Was early and but one lady was visible
in the grounds and she turned down a walk
which carried her away from the two gentle-
men, though it did not ap pear to be done on
purpose to avoid them.

“Who is that charming lady, Turpin?”
asked Marvin, as he had a good view of her
face and figure.

“That is our reigning belle of the post,
though I admit that she has a rival.”

“ Who is she?”

“ Miss Clarice Carr, a Southerner anda
beauty, as you see.”

“ She is indeed, in face and form.”

“ She will be at the reception at the club
to-night, so you will meet her there. though
had the op ortunity been offered I would
have been g ad to introduce you now.”

“ And her rival?"

“ Is Miss Nina De Sutro, a Mexican girl
Americanized.” - ‘ .

“1 see, and a beauty and an heiress of
course.” '

“ She is both, but hers is not the beauty of
the fair Clarice to my thinking, nor has she
so «large a fortune, for Miss Carr is immense-
ly wealthy and has her property under her
own control."

“A good catch, surely, but I suppose she
is entangled. ”

" If you mean engaged, no, I am sorry to

“ Ah! the shoe pinches with you, does
it?"

“I confess it in confidence, though I have
no hope of winning, she has been frank
enough to tell me,”

“Thanks, for your confidence, old fellow;
but is that orderly seeking you?”

“ Doubtless, and if so, remain in the
grounds. looking about, for I suppose I shall
not be detained long and I wil return and
join you.” «

The orderly approached and saluting said:

“ Colonel Dunwoody's compliments, Lieu-
tenant Turpin, and he would like to see you
at headquarters, sir.” .

“ I Will report at onpe, orderly,” and leavI
ing Marvin to stroll about The Bluffs, the
officer departed.

Austin Marvin walked leistrtely toward a
summer-holise' upon the Bluffs, where a fine
of the river view and the country beyond
could be had.

‘He saw a hammock among the trees, and
thought he would stretch himself in it fer
awhile and enjo the balmy air.

As he passe by the at’bor he stopped.
raised his hat politely. for a lady was there.
seated in a rustic chair, a novel in her hand.

She sprung to her feet as her eyes met his,
and her facei‘turned deadly pale, while she
said in a voice that was hoarse with emo-
tion:

“ You have tracked me here ?”

“ Nina De Sutro, we have met again.”
was the calm reply of the man, and he learnt
against the arbor post, where he could com-
mand a view of any one approaching them.

“ Alas. yes, we have met again.

“ I believe you were dead ”

* “I do not believed you, Nina."

" “ Do you believe that I would lie to you?”

“After a retrospective glance 1 will say
that I know that you would."

“ Ha! you insult me?

“ Beware, for Mexican
know.”

“ Yes, I know.

“But I also know the hottest blood can
be cooled."

“ You threaten me?"

“I have come to the fort to have a talk
with ou, Nina."

,“ on know no one here, do you?” she
asked, anxioust  ~ ,

blood is hot you

 

 

. “ I came here a stranger and they took me
in.

“ I have been treated most royally the few
days that I have been here.”

“ Ah! alight breaks in upon me now—
you are Austin Marvin ?" she said slowly and
with deep emphasis upon the last words.

“Yes, whom you knew as Austin Martin
in Mexico. ”

“ Ohi would to God that I had never. never
known you," and with a moan the woman
dropped back into her chair and buried her
face in her hands, a picture of beautiful de-
spatr.

 

CHAPTER XLIII.
OLD FRIENDS.

“ AND I could say the same. Nina,” the
man rejoined after gazing upon the woman
a moment with a strange ook in his eyes.

She arose quickly and with flashing eyes.

He met her gaze seriously, and listened in
silence while she passionately said:

“ Austin Marvin. you dra ged me when
drowning from the waters of t 0 Rio Grande,
and saved me from death.

“ I looked up into the face of my rescuer
and I was dazzled, fascinated by the manly
beauty I beheld there.

“ I was but a girl then, scarcely more than
fifteen, and you won my heart from that mo-
ment.

whose care I was, and whom you had also
saved from death when our horses got beyond
their depth, and I did not see you or months
again.

“It was at a tournament in Mexico, where,

the Mother Superior had allowed several of
the scholars to go with proper escort.

“One man in mask, a Mexican officer,'bad
disarmed and vanquished all adversaries.

“At last he cast his defiance down to meet
any fee.

“ That man was one whom those who were
my guardians expected me to marry.

" I admired him, but I did not love him,
but. I intended to accept my fate when I left
the school I was attending. \

" The challenge was accepted, and you,
my rescuer my hero, entered the arena.

“Ah. Kirstin, it Was said that it was an
accident that he fell by your hand, but I
know now that you killed him on purpose.

“Need 1 sa that you were still more my
hero, and was , a weak youn girl, to blame
when I met you clandestine y, and at last,
urged to become your wife, ranofl with you
one night from the 'school?

“ Austin, I would have made you a loving
wife .until death did us part, but alas! you
tired of me so soon, so very soon, and when
you found that my property was tifd up
according to American law. until was
twenty-one, and I was in the care of my
guardian, Colonel De Sutro, until then, you
cruelly deserted me, fled from me forever. '

“ i tracked you, and you bade me go my
way, that you would go yours, and thus we
parted. as Ibeiieved, forever.

“I had but one course to pursue, and that
was to return to the school, confess all, and
make my peace as best I could with Colonel
Dc Sutro and my sister.

“They never knew even‘ the name of the
man I married, and they have faithfully
kept my secret to this day.

“Two years ago I saw your name in the
paper as having been killed in Texas, and
the shock was a cruel one to me, "for I loved
you still. and I lay ill for long weeks afterit.

“ And yet I could not make up my mind
/to believe it, Austin. and now I see how
false’it was, for now we meet again."

“ Yes, we meet again, Nina."

crossing my path, a
self to look upon you as dead?”

“ I have come here to see you, Nina.”

" Why?" . .

“ I cannot explain to you now, for it is a.
long story; but let me say this now, that you
must speak of me as an old friend. one
whom you met in Mexico, and that will give
us a chance to be much together, and cause
no more comment than that we may be

' lovers, or become such.”

“I did love you once, Austin, how much
let my actions be the proof; but new I tell

 

on frankly that the past is dead, isburied,
irrevocably on my pa .”

“You parted from me, and those under-r

“And why are on here. Austin, again
'hcn I had schooled my»

 

“ .1; bastarta 
3

s, H v < _ ’ N' 4,, w“...

 

 

 

Sig/L...  ,

a.
“:5

 
   

   

 

l ,

,“But you will do as I ask on, and say
that we are friends, were frien s in the long
ago?”

" No, I cannot do that, Austin."

“ And why not?”

He spoke in a tone no longer gentle
, now.”

“ Because you are nothing to me now.”
3 “ You are my wife.”

“In law. yes, but that tic I will sever,
have severed, for you are dead to me, I tell

ou.”

y “And I say that you shall not thus get
rid of me, that you must hear all I have to
sa .”

“It is too late to plead now, Austin
Martin, or Marvin, which eVer name you
prefer?" and she spoke bitterly now.
if The man’s face darkened and he replied:

“ 1 am known as Austin Marvin here
alone. ' '

“ But againI tell you, Nina, that you must

, do as I saly." .

“ And say that I Will not.” ‘

“Beware of making a false step before you
know why I am here, before you hear what
I haste to say."

"I cannnake no step so false as the one

. when I became your wife.”
' I ' “Do you wish it known that you are my
‘ wife?"

“ No! not no!” and she looked‘ up with a
face that was fri htened now.

“ Then do as tell you.” _

“You would not are confess that Iwas
your wife, and that I had been so cruelly
deserted by you, when you found out that
my property would not be in my keeping
for years.” \ ‘

“You do not know what I would not
do, Nina De Sutro, and I ask you once more
if you will be guided in this matter by me,
and claim to have known me in Mexico?”

q‘ '9

‘4‘...“

 “Very well, here comes Lieutenant

Vassar Turpin, returning for me, and I will

_ tell him that in Nina De Sutro I recognize

I" my wife. who years ago deserted me most
’ ' cruelly in Mexico, and—"

“No! no! I will yield, yes.I will do as
you tell me, Austin.” she pleaded in a voice
quivering with emotion.

“ You are wise," was the low reply, and the
man turned to meet Lieutenant Turpin who
just then approached the arbor.

...~
m-

 

 

CHAPTER XLIV.
run ROMANCE.

“An, Mr. Marvin. I find you in charming
company I see," said Lieutenant Turpin as
he approached the arbor and saw who was
there with Austin Marvin.

“You find me in charming company in-
deed, lieutenant. and the lady, is one I little
dreamed of meeting here, for in Mexico I
knew her by the name of her family, and
not by that, as she now tells me,’ Colonel De
Sutro. .

“ Yes, Lieutenant Turpin. Miss De Sutro
and I are old friends.” .

. Nina De Sutro was herself again now.

She was the brilliant, fascinating woman
the lieutenant had ever found her.

There was the trace of a shadow upon
her face or in her words, asshe said:

. “Yes. Lieutenant Turpin. you have heard
me 5 eak of my unknown hero, one who
save me and my escort from being drowned
‘in the Rio Grande, when I was going to
Mexico to attend boarding-school."

"Oh. yes, Miss Nina, you told me the

; story soon aftvrl met you, and spoke of

’ meeting your hero afterward at a tournament

where he accepted a Challenge from a noted
sWordsman and in the combat killed him by
a misstep of his foe Whlch threw him upon
the point of his “WWW” .

7 “Yes. and the Senor Marvm is the one
’ who rescued the and whom I afterward be-
held the victor at the tournament."

“ Indeed?

“ How strange that you did not recall his
name Wheo’you heard it here as the hero of
the coach mhbt-rv?“ '

“ You mustlroow." wasthe ready re ly of
-the woman. “Hm I m(~t\t|te Senor arvin
only at the flow» of my rescue. and again
when I saw hit" at tlie‘tonrnameni, only for
afew minutes no? his name was not pub-
lished at the combat. be appearing simply
as an unknown." ,.

 

 

 

 

     
    
   
  
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
   
 
   
    
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
 
    
     
    
       
       
     
      
    
    

  Bil-1 on'taegwswm I "

“ Ah, yes, but you recognized him when
you met him to—day?"

“ Oh yes, we knew
glance,” the man said.

“ i saw the hammock there, and was com-
ing to enjoy a siesta until your return when
I came face to face with Miss De Sutro,
whom 1 little dreamed to be here.”

“ llm' romantic!

“ if we only had some author at the fort
to make a novel of this pretty romance,”
said the lieutenant.

Thus they talked for some while, and then
walked along the bluff.

Others were beginning to come out upon
The Blufls, and Lieutenant Turpin said:

“ You are in for it now, Marvin, so must
meet some of the ladies. ‘ *

“ It will be easier for you tonight, at the
reception, unless you forget their faces and
names, and women never forgive that, you
know.” '

“ Yes, there is the loveliest woman at the
fort, by all odds,” said Nina.

“You shall know her.

“ I am flattered by having it said that she
is my rival.

“ Come, Senor Marvin, I must be the one
to introduce you, for perhaps I can make a
match for you,” and Nina De Sutro slipped
her arm within that of Austin Marvin, and
with the lieutenant upon the other side,
walked toward where stood Clarice Carr,
with half a dozen oflicers about her, one of
whom was Surgeon Frank Powell.

“ Miss Carr, 1 have come to present to you
an old friend of mine, a gentleman whom I
fist discovered that I knew-Mr. Austin

arvm, of Mexico.” /

“Pardon me. but of Cuba now,” and Aus-
tin Marvin greeted Clarice Carr in the
courtly manner of a man of the world.

“ You had a sad experience, Mr. Marvin,
in reaching the fort.,but I trust now we can
alltlmake you forget it,” Clarice said, pleas~
an.

H

Each other at a

Indeed it was an experience, but for my

having lost my baggage. which would soon

léave been obliterated from my memory, Miss
arr.

“But let me tell you a romance, forI just
learned it, and it is too good to keep; in fact
I cannot keep it; any longer,” broke in Vas-
sar Turpin.

“It is not about yourself, Turpin, or you
would never tell it, ’ said the Surgeon Scout.

“That is a fact, Powell; but this is too
good to remain longer unknown, and it is
about Miss De Sutro and Marvin here, for
they are old friends."

“Old friends?" cried all in chorus.

“Yes,‘or that is—say. Miss Nina, you teli
it or I will get it all mixed up.” ‘ , "

All )au bed at this and appealed to Nina
De Sutro or the story.

Without a glance at Austin Marvin she told
how their driver had gotten the horses be-
yond their depth in crossing the Rio Grande
and then a horseman came to their rescue,
saving .the lives of the 'nun, under whose
charge she was, and‘ herself. though the
driVel' was drowned.

The hero then drove them to the nearest
hacienda and left them,,to again cross her
path at a tournament at the City of Mexico

alf a year after. and a description of which
she gave most vividly. '

She had hardly more than seen her hero
and rescuer again, when she was: taken back
to her school and he \went his way.

“And you never met again until to-day?”
asked Clarice Carr of Austin Marvin.

But he appeared not to hear the uestion,
though he gave a quick glance at N na, who
said, while her face flushed: "

“Never until to day.”

“That romance will end in a marriage,
Miss Carr,” said Turpin a short while after
to Clarice. i

“No, it will not,” was the very decided
response of Surgeon Powell who .was with
the lieutenant and Clarice. . '

CHAPTER XLV.
* HIS REASON.

- Tim story of " Nina‘s romance." as it was
called, spread like the wind over the fort, so
that when the time of the evening reception

came 'at the club, it was known by every

one. .
Colonel De Sutro had met Austin Marvin

 

 

‘ "1o"j

on several occasions, but as soon as Nina re-.
turned home and told himself and his wife,
that he was the “ unknown hero,” for she had
never claimed that he was the one whom she
had secretly wedded, he went at once to Mar-
vin’s quarters to call upon him.

“ My dear sir, I have just heard of the fact
that you and Nina had met before, and that
she owes to you her life

“ ,We have often spoken of that narrow
escape, and wondered whatever became of
her hero.

“ I am indeed glad to be able to thank
you, Mr. Marvin.” -

Austin Marvin received the thanks of Col- Q
onel De Sutro pleasantly, but made reply *
that he was afraid that he was receiving far
more honor than he deserved.

That night he appeared at the reception in
a fullodress suit, which an officer had just
received new, and which he took 03 of his
hands.

He certainly was a very distinguished-
looking man in full dress, and handsome as:
wel .

Easy in manners, courtly, always self.
possessed, he received the praise bestowed
upon him by the ladies in a way that won
with them from his modesty of mien.

“ It will be no use setting our caps for
him, for Nina must carry out her romance
by marrying him,” said a captain’s pretty
dau hter.

“ ho knows but that he is already mar.
ried?” another remarked.

“ We must find out at once.”

“Why? for if he is here only for a short
while, he can flirt when married, even better
than a single man can.”

“Don’t spoil Nina’s romance by making
him out a married man.”

“ But isn't he handsome?”

“ Does he not dance divinely?"

“And the officers say he is a charming ,
com anion.” ~ /'
“ ut all I have heard speak of him have

felt sure that he had some great sorrow.”

.“ Perhaps it is killing his adversary in the
Mexican tournament.”

“Maybe he is in love.”

“ And it was not requited.” ,
“Bosh! that man could win the love of
almost an woman, I should think. » ,

“ I am alf in love with him myself,” said i ’
a young miss of fifteen, and 'ust then Austin '
Marvin came up and claime her for a waltz.

She glanced with a look of triumph at the
bev of girls she had just left, and seemed
per ectly happy.

Soon after, Austin Marvin was seen danc-
ing with Nina De Sutro.

Every eye was upon them and many were ‘
the comments made regarding their good
looks. .

But when afterward he danced With
Clarice Carr there were more comments made 
in their favor, for thfy appeared perfectly ,‘
suited to each other. 4

The danced in perfect unison _ ether,
and w en he led her to her seat he sai : g

“ You are the best dancer I ever met, Miss
Carr.” .- ,

" Thank you. and permit me tosay quite.-
as‘ much for you.” N .
” I am out of practice now, but I was.
always fond of dancing. and in Mexico and
Cuba, where I have passed so much of my

time. it is a delightful pastime.

" To see a Cuban 6r Mexican woman dance
is, to my mind, the poetrv of motion. and
that is why I said what I did of you, for-«g
you dance as they do." I

Soon after he offered his arm to NinaDe
Sutro to conduct her to supper, for in pits
of its being on the far frontier the 0 rs
managed to get hold of many of the luxuries
of life, ,

After supper, as the moon was up, Nina‘s
said:

“Take me for a stroll upon the Blufis.”

“Would it. be wise?" ‘

“ Why not i"

“If you wish it. yes.” ' .

He offered his arm. after throwing a fleecy :
wrap about her shoulde . and she led the
way to a spot on the B ufls where no one _,
could get near to them without being seen. - _

Twice she led him away from a bench, or -
an arbor, for as she said: _ f,

“ I do not wish our secret known.’ '

" I am indifierent about it."

“ Now tell me why you came here?"

 

      
    
        
     
  
 

 

- manor am on ' 

 

Aw '»  .  , 
Warepath; ‘ ‘ " " ' ' .

  

'

 

    

“ To see you."
“Indeed, and for what reason?”
“ How old are you now, Nina?" I

“ When will that be?”
“ In just eight months.
‘ " Why do you ask?"
"Then you will come in control of your
xiroplertyl,l will you not?”
H Wi .1!

Then she added: .
. “ Yes, 1 will be the mistress then of about
" a quarter of million dollars: agood catch,
I T «eh, for some ood man~ "
» ' He laughe , and it seemed to grate upon
* 'hfr. for she said, turning suddenly upon
‘ . 5h

m: as
“My God! I have been so long here that
' ' forget that I am in chains. ; -
‘f Chains that are most galling to me.
“But I believe now I see your motive in
, kee ing me here, after all these years, Aus-
tin Iarvin i”
“ Well, what is my motive?"
“ To claim me as your wife, or force me to
wed on again.”
. ' “ on are right, that is just my motive,
‘ Nina, to claim you as my wife, ’ was the
cool reply of the man.

 

' CHAPTER XLVI.
THE PRICE or A nuoxarz BOND.

; Nma DE Surao gazed fixedly at the man
J a moment before she replied to his last
words. ’

 At last the secret was out of why he had
come to the fort.

He was in need of money, and she was his
Q'wife.
He had deserted her years ago when he
I: found he could not gain contro of her
money, but now it was but a sh rt while

3*“  all. '

3 Now he would claim her as his wife and
" then all would be well—fin' Mm.
 Her faced paled as she thought of this,
i and at last she said:
_ J ‘3 You expect to claim me as your wife, do
 you?” , - l
H I do. n I > :
“I would sooner die than have it so.”

' “ But you appear to be in most excellent
health ”

“I,'am, but 1 would take my own life
st' ‘

.9

 ‘ “I would wil it away.”
, “You are in America you know.”
’ “v'Well?” ,
" I would break our will by our laws."
, “My God! can t 118 be?"
c “ Consult your lawyer for facts,” he said,
indiflerently.
' " Oh, what shall I do?”
“Shall [tell you?" ‘
" Yes, if you can tell me aught to save me
 1mm om," ,
~ “ at is what I came for.”
"I will be so glad to know.” .
v -“ You say your fortune is worth a quarter
a million?
I. I “Yes.”
’ _' ," I thought it was morei”
" Itiwas just that, the interest and profits
, going to my guardian for my support and
is care of me.” ' ,_
. ‘ " “Then there is none of the interest laid up

“ What will your guardian do?”

9' How do you mean i” '

“He, will no lon er have your interest. ”
. " Hephas invest it and made some money
for himself. and he has his pay as well.’f
' . f"‘ Will he give your fortune into your
keepépg when you are twenty~onef”
. “ es.',
“ You are sure? ’ t
, .“Of course, for‘he cannot hold it a day
ixx‘after.” ' I -
' “_ Of what does your fortune consist?"
“ Of United Stateéwl’mnds. railroad stocks.

e houses in N York City and the
ace in banks.” / »
5 “How much have on in banks?"
it: ,"Just one hundre thousand dollars.”
You wish to know what can rid you of
‘ J «y! do.” I ,
n p .. . : , I

\

I

    
 

   
 
    

2g,

 

l
“ I will be twenty-one my next birthday.”

‘ before she would come in full possession of

“ Thus leaving to me your entire fortune".

“You are willing to pay for the rid-
dance?”

" Willingly." ” _

“ :IXre you willing to pay liberally?”

(I  I)

“ Well, write me checks, due the day after
you are twenty one, for the money in those

anks, one hundred thousand dollars.”

The proposition was coolly made, and one
would have supposed that it would have a
stunning eflect upon Nina De Sutro.

Instead she said with the utmost sang-
froz'd: ,

",Do you mean it?"

“ I do,”

“For one hundred thousand dollars you
will shoot yourself throu h the heart?”

“ I did not say that would be such a
fool."

“Then that I might kill you, or hire a
man to kill you?”

“Oh, no. ’

“ What then?"

“I said I would rid myself of you.”

“ How ?" '

“ By divorce.”

“ Divorce?”

“ Yes.” '

“ How can that be?”

“ I will go to Chicago and live for a short
while, claiming my residence there, and I
will put in a plea for divorce from you.”

“ Publicl ‘l” n

“ Not an ess you wish it so. ”

“I am paying for riddance of you, and

secrevréy." .

“ ell, I can put in the plea of desertion,
and place you under your maiden name, as
when you wedded me.

“I can pay well for it, and thus get /a
decree of divorce, you know.”

“ And when can you get this divorce?”

“B the time you reach your twentydirst
birth ay." ‘

“ How will I know about it?”

“I will send you a present by EXpress,
and hidden in the lining of the box Will be
the decree of the court.” '

“And that will free me from you?"

“‘ Absolutely.”

“ {oaths one hundred thousand dollars?"

H 7e8.1 ; _

“ How came you to he so generous?”

” How do you mean ‘2” v

“ Why didn’t 1you say more?"

“ I said what needed." ,' l

“ Well, I accept your terms, and will give
you the checks, payable at the banks, when
you send word that value received has been
given.” ‘v

“ Which means the divorce?”

‘ Yes."

“And when you get the papers you will
stop the payments of the checks.”

“I am not such a villain, if on are.

“Well, I need not worry, or I will still
have a claim upon you.”

“ What claim? ‘

x “ You said the divorce would be abso-
ute."

“ So it will."

“ I do not see lyour claim, then."

“ Just.this, M as De Sutro: '

“ You expect to pin me false, and you
wish our marriage to eforever unknown,
for you have a reason.” ,

“ What reason i" , ‘
m“You love some one and wish to Wed

m. ’

“Our marriage has stood between, but
you expect to do so when free.” ‘

“ Well?"

“As soon as you receive those divorce
papers, and,those checks are not paid, I will
come after you, and tell the story from be-
ginning to end." . ‘ , ,

“I will give the checks to you and they
will he paid. .

“, Come, let us go in.” and she shivered
she took the arm he oflered her. ‘

——n-—‘-

9"

CHAPTER XLVII.
'rmt unnom nuance.

' Tint trium‘ hant laugh of the man nettled
her, but she elt that she was in his power.
She felt that he had read her aright. for she
did love another. and she was stru gling to
win that other when\Austin Marv n again

 

,_ It‘wa‘u
. . 3;!

    

hross‘ed her th. . a
 blow to“ her,ng she had yo

i

  

 

   

garded him as dead to her, dead to her life,
even though she did not in her inmost heart
believe that he was really in his grave.

Under other circumstances she would never
have known an evil thought.

But her girlhood‘s love had gone out to one
who had saved her life.

He had become her hero andishe dreampt of
him by day and by night.

Again she met him and again he was her
hero.

Then had followed the clandestine meet~

- ings, the flight from the convent, in Mexico,

secret marriage and soon after the desertion
of her by the man she had loved and trusted.

Was it any wonder that her love grew cal.
lous, that her heart hardened when he turns
ed her from him a girl wife upon the cruel
world? V

She made what atonement she could by a
confession in part of her sin.

But for a long while life seemed_ dark in-
deed to her.

Then one crossed her path whose noble
nature won her admiration, her regard and
lastly her love.

Her girlhood love was buried in the fpast,
and she determined to live a new lifeuto live
for the man she lovad and to win him. '

She dared not risk the chance of losing
him by a confession of'her early life.

She would keep her secret, and she would
marry him if she could win him.

Was it a wonder, after all she had gone
through with, that her nature had become

warped, that the good and the evil could both -

find a resting place in her breast. V

Just then Austin Marvin crossed her path
and all seemed like the blackness of night
before her.

She must rid herself of that man in any
way in her power.

er heart was full of hatred for him, and

her nature was to hate with the same inten-
sity with which she loved.

his man should not divide her life from .

the one she sought to unite with.

He should not step between her and the
only ray of happiness she saw in life.

No, sooner would she take his life than
give up her idol now.

Her thou hts were full of hatred, vicious,
wicked, an though outwardly calm, inward-
] she was suffering the torments of the

amned.

Then the secret came out, that the man
had come to find her that she might buy him

She jumped at the chance, for what was
money to her? ,

She even had them thousands of dollars of
interest money she had not been able to
spend, and it was kept by her in her desk and
no questions asked.

No one, other than her guardian, knew
what her fortune amounted to, and certainl
a girl with a hundred and fifty thousand do -
lars was worth the having. she argued, so she
would not miss the large sum she bought her
freedom with. ,

The fortune she would bring the man she
loved would be a large one for an army
oflicer.

And so she ar ued it all to herself and in
her own way an was glad that she would
escape so easily, as she thought.

But the secret marriage must never be
known. i 0

No, that must go down with her to the

ave. -

As the two new strolled back toward the
club-house they avoided others in their walk
whom they saw upon .the Bluffs.

“ When will you give me those chedksi’"
he asked her.

“ When do you wish them?"

“ I wrote by the coach that left‘ after I
came, and when I get a letter it will be time
enough.” ' ' x x ‘

“’You wrote for money?

"

“Presumably, but Iwrote for what I will ,

not get." v

“ How will you leave then, and pay your
debts oflhonor here, for you must do t at!”

“ Of course I must do that." ’

" I would not have you leaveashame upon
me as my friend, as a fraud." \

" N o indeed, that would never do.”

“ Then what will you do?’

“ igmst ask you to be my banker.” ,

Cl 1” ‘

"‘Iwillneedafew hundredstosquate‘me‘

   
     
         
  
   
     
   
    
   
      
    
  
   
   
   
    
  
     
 
  
   
 
 
   
  
     
   
   
    
       
     
   
   
  
     
  
  
   
    
 

\

.2. ' rt . . ‘ "‘
‘W“W»‘¢_M~u,‘éat ‘... .MM~M.~. m...“

a. -.

 

 

 

 
        
     
        
  

 
      

  
       
   
  
   
  
  
    
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
     
  
  
     
  
    
    
   
  
  
  
   
    
  
    
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
    
  
   
  
   
    
  
  
   
  
     
         
    
 
    
   
     
   
   
   
   
   
      
   
  
    
 

‘- .

 

 

  

=4  on  path.” ' '

 

 

 

 

here, and get back to Chicago, and then~I
will have to live there until [get our divorce,
and that will cost all of a hundred a month,
not to speak of the cost of the attorney‘s fees
and papers. you see. which will amount to
several hundreds more,”

“ You mean that you wish, in addition to
those checks, to get from me about fifteen
hundred dollars in cash?”

“ Yes, about that.”

” You shall have it, for I can raise you
that sum, so when your letter comes, simply
say that your moneycame wth it.”

“Thank you, and now, not to make the
one you love jealous, I will devote myself
while here to some of the very pretty girls at
the post."

“Do so, and I will be obliged; but before
all we must still be the best of friends.”

It Oh.
the club-house and whirled away in a waltz
as they crossed the threshold.

CHAPTER XLVlI.
\ AFFAIRS A'I’ POCKET CITY.

THERE was a wild rumor going the rounds ‘
of Pocket City. upon the morning following
the game of cards between Bonnie Belle and
Thorny. .

It was to the effect that the Hangmah’s
Gulch was haunted beyond all doubt.

Two miners, both of them known tobe
men who were not easily frightened, had
started out at night for a couple of da 3’
hunt in the mountains, and were gomg y
Hangman's Gulch, when they had come face
to face with a term robed in white.

They had hailed it, and received no reply.

Then they had covered it Witt their reyol-
vers, but it still came toward th ,m.

Determ' ed to know just what it was,
they had oth taken deliberate aim and
fired. ‘ I

Then they saw that the form was unhurt i

and came straight on toward them.

could see no result. they became terrified and
fled back to Pocket City.

Such was the story they told, and Mike n
the storekeeper and one other had seen them .
flying through Pecket City at the top of their
speed. and recognized them as Beaver Bill ,
and Deadly Eye Dick. . o I

The result was that many of the miners.
always prone to superstition, were alarmed
at this report of ghosts at Hangman’s Gulch
and believed the story. . *

Others laughed at it. a number doubted It, ,

et could not as what it was the two men
ad fired at, whi e a few said that it was some ‘
one laying a joke upon them.

“ Yer durned fool. I'd like ter know who’d
joke with me .9” said Deadly Eye Dick.

No one present answered this pointed ques-
tion and Beaver Bill said: v ‘

“ See here, pards, didn’t we tell' yer thet
we emptied our revolvers at. it, and not
twenty feet away the last shot was tired. so
what fool is willing for us to fire at him just,
for a joke i" _

This was the strangest part of it, for both
of the men were known to be dead shots.

So the rumor went about the camps, and
when night ame on there was a larger
crowd‘than sual assembled at Devil’s Den
to talk the strange occurrence over.

Just at twilight Carrol Dean put in an ap-
pearance at The Frying Pan.

Bonnie Belle was seated upon her piazza
and reeted him cordially.

“ le-‘t my bag 0' provisions last night, so
came after it to-night." he said, by way of
excuse.

_. “ You do not have to hurry back, so sit
down." . ' ,

He obeyed. and just then Beaver Bill and
Deadly Eye Dick paSSed upon their way to
the Devil’s Den._ to brace u with a drink as
night was coming on. an they began to
th nk of the occurrenceoi‘ thenlght before.

‘ “Thor's Deadshot, Bill.” said Deadly Eye '
Dick. in a low tone. g

“Yas, come ter spark ther pretty gal and C
win her money ter—ni ht.” ‘

“Shall we tackle im

oes home?"

“ I know when I has got'enou h.

. “ I don't mean at Hangman’s
‘ “ I sh'u’d say not. -

“ But wharf"

,“ Afore he git! that?"

it

' Again and again they fired, but when they I
l

 

tor-night when he 1

mi.”
ulc ."

yes, outwardly.” and they entered,

{thing more about Han man

  

“No, we'll wait for a few days and con-
sider.

“ We’ll go. off on a hunt, come back that
we. about night, halt foratalk with him
an then do the act.”

“ That’s ther best way.

“But I’d like ter know ef be seen thet
ghost on his way home.”

“ We didn’t see him, did we, so I s’pose he
was late in starting."

The two men passed on to Devil’s Den
while the miner kept on chatting with
Bonnie Belle. '

"You have .heard the news, Deadshot
Dean. have you not?”

“To what news do you refer, Bonnie
Belle?"

“That the Hangman’s Gulch is really
haunted.”

“ Ah. is that so?"

H  is. U ‘

“ “y whom?”

“ ell, I do not vouch for anything more
than the story; but you saw the two men
who Igust passed here?”

0‘

Yeaver Bill and Deadly Eye Dick?”

“’ es. ”

“ What of them?" ‘

,x ” They are the men who saw the ghost
last night.”

“At Hangman’s Gulch?”

“ Yes."

i “ I am not surprised,” and the miner’s
’ smile was significant.
l " Did yOu ever see a ghost there, Dead-
: shot?” and Bonnie Belle, asked the question
v with a seriousness that caused the miner to
smile.

“ I must confess that Ihave.”

“ Do you mean it?”

‘ ‘ Certainly."

“ You are about the only man in the mines
; who1 would go through Hangman’s Gulch at
lnig t;" .
" I saw a white-robed form there last
i nighi.” j k .
“ re on o in t”
” No ifideed." g
“ Do you believe in ghosts, Deadshot, for
surellyg'gu do not?”

“ lieve onl in
let me tell you t at I
you."

’ “ What is it?"

“ I played cards at the tables last night.”

" So I heard.”

“ And 1 won just six hundred dollars, and
less the sixty that went to you for commis-
sion I have the money here for on.

“ See. here it is, just five undred and
forty dollars.” a .

“But you. won it.”

“ True, and you , remember our com-

t 9’

 

hysical ghosts;but
ave something for

“ It is not'fair toward you.”

“ Oh, yes. for I won as much from
Thorny, and I keep that, of course."

" You are a very strange man, Deadshot
Dean."

“ I tr to be a just one. Bonnie Belle.”

“ Wi I you play tonight. at Devil’s Deni"

“No, for I came for my bag of provisions,
and shall go home; but if you'hear any-

8 Gulch being

haunted. let me know. p ease," and the miner
bade Bonnie Belle good-evening, and was
soon on his way home.

 

CHAPTER XLIX.’
moaNY’s CHALLENGE.
THE mor that Deadshot Dean studied

iBonnle Bell the more he found himself at
’ fault regarding her. "

At one time he found himself feeling cer~

. tain that she was a beautiful devil. and again
I‘ he came to the conclusion that she was more
i like an angel, and was more sinned against
v than sinnin . '

She certainly treated him with the greatest
kindness. gave him several warnings that
served, him well, and at he could not recon--
cile her meetin wit old man, Swain, in
Hangman’s Gulc . unless she was connected
with the outlaws in some way. forcertainl
he had trailed the old man to the stage trai .
where he. with others, had just committed
murder and robbery. .

“ Now what has Bonnie Belle in common

She had distributed the money he gave her
for charity. that which he had taken from
old man Swain, just as he had suggested,
and when she sent Barney eastward upon the
coach, she had given him some of her own
mone , besides.

So it was that Bonnie Belle became more-
and more a puzzle to the miner.

He had gone to the Devil’s Den several ‘ g 
times again. and on one occasion had pla ed . ,"J‘
cards with several of those who were skilled
players there, and in each instance he had. '
won, for his surprising luck did not desert ‘
 . :
“I have a remarkable run of luck, and .
as long as it does not desert me I feel that
I will not fail in my other undertakings.

“ If luck failed me, I believe I am superi
stitious enough to dread evil befalling me."

He had worked in the mine also, and to
his delight had found it panning out more ‘
generously than before for some time. '

"I hope I can lay up quite a little for-
tune within the next year for my loved wife ,
and little boy. forI am so anxious to get
back to my home. and never again will any-
thing tempt me to leave it.” ,

H18 horse had be an to pick up rapidly"
and' was feeling we 1, and altogether then
miner was feeling prosperous and contented,
only he had not thus far been able to makeu
any report as he wished to Buffalo Bill of »;,_
progress made in ferreting out the Will-o’-the 
Wisps and their chief Silk Lasso Sam. g 

One evening he went to Pocket City, as. 
usual on a still hunt for some news about the: 
band of outlaws. . ‘

Of late there had not been acoach held up,
a miner disturbed, a traveler robbed or horse
stolen in the vicinity of Gold Dust Valley. .

This was a surprise to all, and Deadshot '9 .
Dean began to feel that the outlaws were all” «it
operating in the neighborhood of Pioneer ,2
Post, or some acts of lawlessness would havo 5’
been heard of about Pocket City . '

The story of the ghost 0 Hangman’sa
Gulch was still being talked over amon I the-
miners, but no new developments had '
heard of and there were no miners who seem-
ed to particularly care about going to investi-
gate the gulch and its ghostly denizens after
nightfall, and Deadshot Dean came in {of
much admiration as one who dwelt nearest to
it than any one else, out by there nightm
after night and appear . to possess no super» "
stitious dread of the place. ,

“Isa . Deadshot Dean, we were talking
about angman's Gulch ” said Thorny, as
the miner entered the Devil‘s Den on t
evening in uestion and near t
gambler’s tab e, where a group of men were!
gathered.

“ Well. what of it?” asked the miner. ‘;
“ You ’pass back and forth at all hours, 
H

“ Yes. ' « ‘ "p
“Beaver Bill and Deadly'Eye Dick heater
will swear that they saw a ghost there some
time .” . “ i =
“ Well, the should know." _ i

" I don't be ieve it." ‘

“ Don’t believe what?" .

“ That they saw a ghostvthere.”

“ Why not?” I, I

“ I do not believe in such things." , .

“Nor do I, yet I have seen a white-robed;
for trolling :bout the gulch.” '-

“ on have ”

“ 1 have.”

“ When i” ‘

“ The last time I saw it was the night w
I beat you in a game of cards."

" That was the hi ht we saw it,
cried Beaver Bill. wil ing to be cor
113)}; such good authority as was 

an. ' 3 ‘

“Do you mean to say that you believe .‘
such nonsense, Deadshot Dean 7" said Timmy
the mbler, with a sneer. . '
“ lieve or not. Iisaw what Ptold you.
“ Well. I wouldn’t believe you on oath,
gruflly said the gambler, who had felt in
ugly mood toward Deadshot Dean ver w . I _
he had lost his money in the gm of v s
with him. " ' . ' "
" Do you mean to say. Gambler '11:
that I would tell a lie when under, a
asked the minor?" 3 ._ -. 
."fl‘ake itso if you wish.” ' r
i‘f‘Andzou take that back,‘orI win . g
a billion rough your heart.

l “

.j

        

       
     
   
   

 

with these outlaws i" asked the miner of hid».

   
 

self again and 

.V » 

     

Quickl ,V  

  

1;.» 3x.
.

 

‘.s.mi,:wv.. . ~ 
> Fitz,  ‘ m
. ‘ i .. ,r ‘

 * ” '  'fiafl‘alomll baths War.

   
 

pa.“

‘3

 

“ I mean what I as ."

3 “Now ask my pardon tor the insult you

Those who saw the ace of the miner could ’ offered me.”

see that he was in deadly earnest, and no one

“ When a man is situated ,as I am, he can

discovered the fact quicker than did Thorny but obey, Deadshot Dean, so I beg your par-

the gambler, who said:

“I’ll play you a game to see whetherii

take it back or not.

I “ If you win, I’ll ask your pardon, and if ‘
I win 1’” see you in Hades first.”

The miner hesitated an iu‘stant, his revol-
ver still covering the gambler.

Then he lowered it suddenly and said:

“It is a bargain."

CHAPTER L.
'rwo snore.
ALL interestin the saloon was at once

centered upon the two men, with sympathy i

generally in behalf of the miner, for nearly
all present had suffered more or less severely

' from the hands of the gambler.

It was a strange thing that was to he done,

for a man to offer a direct insult and then ,

offer to play a game of cards whether he
would apologize or not.

And stranger too for the man insulted to
accopt such terms.

While the two men were‘taking seats at
the table and preparing for the game, Bonnie
Belle came into the saloon, heard what was

'going on and quickly glided down to a place

near the table, motioning to the crowd about
her not to make her presence known to the
miner and the gambler.

“ We will play best two in three,” said

‘ Thorny, as he drew a pack of cards from the ;

table.

 

 

3...

 

 

' A
,

’ I obeyed, uttering an oath as he d

 

“ We’will play but one game,” was the
firm reiloinder of the miner.

~" Al right, one goes.”

“Yes‘. and we will notplay with the pack
of cards you have in your hands?”

“ Why not?" -

“ Because I prefer another pack."

“ See here. you got Bonnie Belle to dis-
Charge Flip from here. because you thought

I he motioned to me a si n for me to win.”

“ It is false, for I id not know that he
had been discharged; but now that you bring
it up I will tell you that I saw him motion
to you which choice to make." ,

“ Well. drop that and say if 30!: will play
with these cards?” .

“No.”

“ Why not ‘3”

“ Because I do not trust you or your cards
either, as you demand a direct answer.”

“ That’s flat~footed enough to leave a
track,” said one of the crowd.

' “You'll answer for that insult after this
game is done?"

“ We shall see; but let us begin."

“ With my cards?"

“ With any cards except yours."

Mike the storekeeper here tossed a pack
on the table with the remark:

“Take, thim keerds, gents, for they is
honest clean through.”

“ Will these suit you?” sneered the gam-
bier.

u Yea.» /

gin.»

With this the gambler out for deal, and
the minor got it.

Then the men
with marked care. \

At last the me, which wasa ery long
one, ended, an the miner was the winner.

“Now, sir, I expect (you to apologize, re~
tractin what you sai awhile since,” said
the m her, who appeared rather to seek
than avoid trouble with the gambler.

" There is but one wa in which I ask
pardon,” sneered the m lar, and the look

11 his face showed t at he meant mischief,
and deadly work at that. ‘ .

Quick as a flash. he dropped his hands
upon his two revolvers, and ‘et, though the
crowd‘ scattered wildly, De shot Dean did
not flinch. and gniok as the gambler had
been. he found t e miner more so. for a re«
volrerJooked him in the face and the words
came sternly and in deadly earnest: .

“ Hands of! those pistols, Gambler
Thornyt”

Amid a breathless silence, 115w gambler

'0.

began to play slowly, and

“ N ow, sir, hands up.

“Quick!” '

With another savage oath the hands of
Thorny went upward.

E don.”

“Enough,” and the revolver of the minor
was lowered.

Then the gambler showed his treacherous
1 nature, for with a lightning-lite movement,
; as Deadshot Dean turned to alk away, he

drew his revolver, and leveling it, pulled
trigger.
I But a second before he did so, another one
‘ present drew a weapon and the flush came
before that of the gambler, and the bullet
1 shattered the hand that held the weapon.
E But for that shot Deadshot Dean would
have been killed.

In an instant he had turned, and as he did

' so, Thorny had drawn his other revolver
with his left hand, and throwing it forward,
‘ cried in a voice of thunder:

“ You shall die for that act, girl 1”

Again a sharp report came. this time once
more a second before Thorny could pull trig-
ger, and though his revolver exploded it was
fired at random, for the bullet flew wide of
‘ its intended target.

But not so was it with the one who fired in
time to save the life of Bonnie Belle. who a
moment before had broken the gambler's arm
with a bullet from her revolver, for his re-
cord as Deadshot Dean was maintained as
'I‘horny dropped dead in his tracks, a dark
red stain directly betWeen the eyes showing
that the miner’s aim had been unfailing.

A moment there was a hush upon the as-
sembled miners, and then a voice cried:

“Thorny got his dose, Bonnie Belle, for
he drawed his gun ter shoot Deadshot in ther

back, and ’cause you saved him, then he'l

meant ter kill you.

“- Hurrah for Deadshot Dean.”

A wild roar that fairly made the shanty
qlflver went up from the crowd, and in the
midst of the excitement Deadshot Dean slip-
ped out of the saloon and hastened homeward.

 

CHAPTER LI.
a cnosn CALL.

I was the afternoon after the death of
'I‘h my the gambler at the hands of Deadshot
‘Dean, that the latter was seated in front of
his cabin smoking his pipe, having just tin-
ished his supper. ' .

He was musing to himself, as was his cus
tom, and after this manner:

“What is it that holds me longer to this
wild land?

“I have sent home a fair sum of money,
enough to start in business with upon my re-
turn. with what I have here, and I long to
see tarry loved wife and little son. '

“ at some strange fascination holds me to
this spot, full of cruel memories and red
deeds.

“ Much as I abhor taking human life,
it seems to have been my destiny to have
to raise m hand a ainst my fe low-man,
ever since came tot e mines.

“ Heaven knows that I have not done so
ruthlessly. and regret that it has been so; but
I saw, I, knew that Thorny intended to get
revenge on me, to kill me because 1 had won
his money the other night, and would not
play with his marked cards.

‘ Why, that fellow Flip was his ally, and
the cards he brought him were marked, and
so ' lainly that I took but afew minutes to
flu itout.

“Had I not fired as I did last night the

mbler would have, killed Bonnie Belle, and

owe my life to her, for her shot broke the
man’s arm and thus saved me.

” She was quick as lightning too and saw
his treachery, whichl didnot think he dared
show there. ‘ ‘

“Well. he'lies up on Sunset Hill in his
grave. and who will he the next I wonder?

“ If 1 had not romised Buflalo Bill to be
a spy on this val ey to find out who in these
cam s were the allies of Silk Lasso Sam, I
won d leave here at once.

“And what have I discovered? ,

"Next to nothing, it seems, except that
that old man was a fraud and one of the
band. if not the chief himself, and that Ben-
nie Belle is in some way allied to the out-

 

}:ws. though it is hard for me to believe it of
er. , ..

 

“ Had my own eyes not revealed it to me,
I would never have believed it upon the say.
so of others.

“ Well, I suppose I must see the end of it
all now, as it would be cowardly for me to
desert now before the band of outlaws is run
down.

"Yes, Iwill—"

But a shot cut short his musings. a puff of
smoke from over the ridge a hundred yards
away showing from whence the bullet had
come.

And with a waving of his arms the miner
fell backward from his seat and lay in a heap
upon the ground.

Then over the edge of the ridge came the
form of a man.

He peered cautiously at the miner for fall
a moment, and then came forward with
light tread. "

He drew near, and bending over glanced
down upon the motionless form.

The minor lay partly upon his face, like
one who had fallen dead on the instant.

“ Dead! dead! and I have my revenge.

“Now to get his gold and fl far from
here, for he has a horse that wili, carry me
rapidly away."

80 said the man, and‘ he started to enter
the cabin to carry out his intention, 'when
with a leap like a panther the miner was
upon his back, a blow felled ,him to the
earth, and a revolver was thrust'into his face
while the words came sharply:

“ 1 am not dead yet, Pard Flip.

“ It was a good shot, for the bullet grazed
my temple, and now you are my prisoner.”

“ Mercy, Deadshot Dean, mercy!

“ Don‘t kill me, 1 beseech you i” '

“ I would not stain my hands with such
(foward blood as flows through your veins,

lip.

" But you have at to tell me what I
would know. orl wi ltake you up to Pocket
City and tell the men just what you did, and
intended doing. and they will very quickly
bring you back a far as Han man’s Gulch
and 've you a lif in the worl .”

“ ercy. Deadshot, I beg of you."

“Then do as I ask you.’ .

"I will, oh, I will.’ ‘

“Did on not have an a reement with
Thornyt egambler to furnis him marked
cards?” ‘

“I did.”

“Bonnie Belle knew nothing of this?”

“ Nothing, I swear it.”

“You need not swear. for your oath is
no better than your word.”

“ Yes. sir.”

“ Now what was Thorny to you?”

“He was my friend, for he got me the
place at Devil’s Den."

“ And you gave him tips of who had
money?" ‘ r

u Yes." _

“ Now who was Thorny?”

“A gambler.” .

“ i know that; but what else was he?”

The man was silent.

“i guess I’ll have to let the men up at‘

Pocket City question you.”

“ No, oh, no!"

“ If you answer me as I know on can, I
will let on go free as Soon as
what I Wish to know.” \

“ I will.”

“What else was Thorny besides a gem-
bier?”

“ I am not sure, but I think he was-"

“ What?”

“ % spy of Silk Lasso Sam.”
“ on do not know this?" I

“I am not sure, for he never told me so,
but I know that he met strange men who
came to the camps, and always after these
visits the outlaws would rob‘a coach, or a
miner. I know.”

“I see; but did he have any secret talk
with the old man who came here some time
a o?"

g“ N 0, but I am sure the old man was an
outlaw, and I think he was a spy upon Gam-
bler Thorny,” was the reply of lip.

 

CHAPTER LII.
A. DEEP~DYED vnmam.
Tun words of the prisoner Flip set Dead-
shot to thinking. _
He saw that it was very possible that ii (-
gambler Thorny, being a spy of the roau— ,_

discoVer .

 

 

'F‘VV'Z'H‘VV“  r -

 

 

J

Bufi‘alotB‘ilIion “the

  
 

Wig” (9 '5H'
~  .4: we»,  ’i'

 

agent chief, might have a spy set upon him
for certain acts he had committed, or had left
undone.

That spy was doubtless the old man
Swain, as i must speak of him without proof
that he was not what he represented himself
to be.

But wherein had Bonnie Belle been‘in-
terested?

Was she in the secret with the old man
against Thorny. and did she and the gambler
have a. guilty knowledge in partnership of
the outlaws‘ doings?

It was certain that though a good cus-
tomer of The Fr ing Pan, Bonnie Belle did
not like the gamb er.

That much the miner had had ocular dem-
onstration of.

Still there must be something between the
two if Flip was right, and both were allies of
the Will-o’-the-Wisps.

But was Flip telling all that he knew?

The miner thought from the man, as he
saw and knew him, that he was.

His mind was not a brilliant one by any
means, he had no character, and upon his
face was plainly written that he was for
sale.

He was hardly the man that Thorny, an
astute villain, would trust with a secret
which involved so much as showing him to
be Silk Lasso Sam’s spy.

Having considered these things the miner
asked:

“ Do you know what the old man’s busi—
ness with Bonnie Belle was?!

“ I don’t, more than she wanted to help
him because he was in hard luck, for
that is her style, and I am surprised she dis-
char ed me.”

“ ou believe her to be a square, good
woman do you not?”

“ I does.” '

“Then that is why she did not wish a
thief. or a traitor in her employ.

“ You were paid by her, so why did you

‘do that for the gambler which brought dis-
'credit upon her business?”

“ He paid me Well.”

“ I see.” _

“Now tell me what you wished to kill me
for?"

“Well, you see I was disch rged because
you found me helping Thorn; and then he
was the one who did the most for me and
you killed him."

“And so you wished to bedoubly avenged,
for yourself and for him?"

“ Just so."

“You shhuld have aimed a little more to
the right and your bullet would have entered
my forehead." 'I

.“ That’s what I aimed for, but it is no easy
thing to take dead aim when you are shoot-
ing to kill a human being."

“ You have found that out, eh?"

“ Yes.”

“ When I let on go what will you do?”

“ Go back to ocket City.” . . ‘

“If you do I shall put the Vigilantes after

on.”

“ Oh Lord!"

“ You are to go back and get your things,
then leave the camps at daylight to-morrow.
for If the sunrise finds you there you will
have me to settle with.”

“ I'll go.”

“ You have money, have you not!"

“ Mighty little.",

“ You were paid\ofl by Bonnie Belle and
because you were discharged Thorny said
last night that he had given you a hundred
dollars and Wished me to do the same.

“ As you have keP‘ your wages and neither
drink or gamble you must be well supplied
with funds.” . .

“I hasn’t but about Sixty dollm,"

“ Hands up! ” y

“ Now I shall see.

Quickly the miner searched the trembling
wretch and found a belt .worn under his shirt,
and held by suspenders in plm- '_ ' _

It was heavy with gold and other things,

4 which were emptied out upon the table.

“ Flip, you are a seientiiic liar, for you ex.

cted me to hel on. '
pe“Here are flgyhundred dollars in gold,
twice that sum in bills and some jewelr , two
watches and—yes, here is a ring and a ocket
which 1 have seen Bonnie Belle wear. '

"I did iiitend to set you free. and to give

you some money too, as Ithought you might

‘ I
be in hard look; but now I think I shall turn
you over to the Vigilantes.”

“Lord have mercy!

“ But you promised that you would let me
go if I would only tell you all I knew.”

“ I did so promise, but I wish to know
what you can tell before I keep my word.”

"Idon‘t know anything more, for some-
how folks do not confide much in me.”

“ I don't wonder; but tell me where you got
this ’ewelry?”

“ tole it.”

“ That confession ought to do your soul
good. I

“This I recognize as Bonnie Belle’s, and
the other I shall also take and put upa notice
that I have such property and the owner can
get it by coming after it.

"The money of course I will not touch,
nor will I now allow you to return to the
camps. -

“There is your trail, so take it. and I shall
see that you do not steal my horse to-niglzt,
while I will report your thefts and if the Vigi-
lantes take yourtrail in the morning you will
have to travel fast to keep out of their way.

“Now I'll give you some provisions and
start you.”

 

CHAPTER LIII.
BONNIE BELLE MAKES A CALL.

. GETTING some provisions together, and a
few matches the miner put them in a bag and‘
went with Flip to the spot where he had
fired upon him from ambush.

There he found an old knapsack, walking-
stick, a roll of blankets and some food.

“ Ah! you had already said farewell to the
camp? I see. , ‘
" ow, sir, the longer ou remain inm
sight the more I long to kill you, so I wi 1
give you just time to get beyond that bend

in the trail, before I act.

“Nowgo!”

The man was as white as death now, for
he saw.that the miner was losing all patience
:Vlth him, and he began rapidly to gather his

raps. ,

“ Good-by, and thank you,” he said as he
started to go. .

But Deadshot did not reply and the villain
started off at a double- nick.

He soon disappeare around the bend of
the trail, glancmg back as he did so, but
making a mighty spring when he saw the
miner throw his rifle to his shoulder as
though to fire.

Walking to the bend and ascending to the
top of a ridge which gave him a view of the
trail for a mile or more, Deadshot Dean be-
held the now thoroughly terrified Flip mak-
ing rapid time‘to place all the distance pos-
sible between himself and danger before
ni ht should set in. ,

teturning to his cabin the miner reached
there just as he heard the‘ clatter of hoofs
coming along theytrail from Pocket City.

“ Who can that be,1 wonder?" he said.
and a moment after Bonnie Belle dashed into
view.

She turned up the path to the miner’s
cabin. and drawing rein said pleasantly:

“Ah. Deadshot Dean, I am glad to find
you at home.”

 Will you dismount, onnic Belle?”

No, t ank on, for must get back be-

fggefiigkhfor am] grail? of the ghosts of
an a no r

not to beg" , tough you appear

_“ I was reared not to have fear of any-
thing, Bonnie Belle, and I have always
tried to cultivate that feeling."

‘° As I have had reason to do; but 1 have
come to see you on a special errand, Dead-
ishot Dean.” "

.“Yes,” you are welcome, whateyer your
mission. '

“ Thank» you; but let me say that Ihave
come to warn you of a treble danger."

“Indeed?”

“Yes. there is one who intends to kill
you, or at least he made the threat, forI
discharged him when I found that he was
an ally of Thom the gambler, and a thief.

“I cannot to crate one who would steal,
and cheat, and so I sent him away when I
discovered that he was in the pay of Thorny.

“ He holds_you responsible for it, and he
told Hang Bong. my Chinee cook, that he
intended to kill you.”

 

 

“ You refer to Felip?“
“ Yes._”

\\ l

 

“ He has been here."

“ What?"

“He made his mark-see," and the miner
pointed to the bullet imbedded in the log,
just where his head had rested.

“ l was seated in that chair, and it was a
close call. for you see the bullet just grazed
my temple.”

“ Yes. I see the mark.

“ But where is the fellow?"

“I advised him to take the trail for other
parts. and he took my advice.”

“ He was wise; but I suppose he went by
the underground trail,” and Bonnie Belle
pointed significantly at the ground. ‘

“Oh, no, I did not kill him." said the
miner, with a smile. understanding that she
supposed lie was in his grave.

" You were merciful.”

“I played possum, and he came here be-
lieving he had killed me, and to rob me.

“I caught him, had a talk with him, and
turned him loose.”

“ He is a cunning rascal,
along.” _
“ IIe lied to me about having no money, so
I searched him, and found he had over a
thousand dollars, along with some things he

had stolen.

“ These are yours, I believe?" -

As he spoke the miner held up to hera
ring, locket and chain and a bracelet.

She uttered a cry of amazement, sorrow
and drlight commingled, for she was aston-
ished to see her treasures in the possession of
the miner, pained at their loss, when she
deemed them safely locked up in her quar-
ters at The Frying Pan, and delighted at re-
coveringdhem again.

“Oh! where did you get them?" and the
tears came into her eyes.

“ From Flip, as I said to you.”

“ He stole them from me." .

“ Beyond doubt.” l ,-

“ They were locked up in a seeret re-
e tacle in my room, and which I believed
no one knew of."

“ He Spied on you I suppose, and when
you were out picked the lock.”

“ Yes, and there was in the drawer five
hundred dollars in twenty-dollar gold pieces.” -
“ Just the sum the fellow had, and in

gold twenties.

“ But that I did not take away from him."

and will get

“I would willingly pay far more to get _. if

these back again."

" But it is your money, and I’ll go after
him, and—”

“ Which trail did he take?"

“ That one." ,

Like a flash the girl darted away, going
down the steep path at breakneck speed.

'But she was a perfect horsewoman and
had a splendid horse, so wheeled into the
valley trail in safety and went flying along
in pursuit of Flip.

The horse of the miner was in some mes.
dow land a quarter of a mile away, which
he had poled in to keep him in, and he
knew that it would be useless to follow on
foot, so could only await her return.

enArrER Liv.
, REDEEMED.

LIKE a deer the horse of Bonnie Belle
sped on after the thief Flip, and suddenly
came upon that.worthy taking a drink at a
brook. .

The soft meadow land had kept him from
hearing the approach of the horse until he
Was almost upon him.

He sprung up in terror. believing the midst  it

had repented of his mercy, and came after.
him to kill him, or deliver him up to the
Vigilantes of Gold Dust Valley.

He was heated and tired from his fast

./,

 

travelpand turned to find the revolver of. w

Bonnie Belle covering him, and heard the
words of Bonnie Belle: .
“ Hands up. Flip, you thief, for I. am in a ‘
dangerous mood!” ‘ i ,
The man was trembling with terror. his

hands shaking as he held them high above 

his head. ,
“Now I wish to know where the things

are on stole from me?” .

" _ gave them to the miner, Deadshot 

Dean.’ ’ ,.
“ What did you steal?"

“ A. bracelet, locket and chain and a ring”, .

 

fr;

   
 

 

 

   

,T'N ing thief, led to what you have become by

 

{field on

.me‘*'War—path’-

 

 

“ Was that all?”

u Yes-n

“ Tell me the truth.”

“ There was some gold.”

“How much?”

" About five hundred dollars, I guess.”

“Where is It?"

“I gave it to the miner, too.”

“You did not; so, hand it over to me, or
you’ll get lead in exchange for gold.”

“ I’ll do it,” and with trembling fingers the
man obeyed. ,

“ There, that is it, and they are all here,
just as you took them.

“Now how did you get into that secret
draw in the wall?"

“ Thorny did it.”

“ The gambler?”

“ Yes.” ,

“ When?"

“He watched when Iyou were away, for I
kept him posted, and owered himself from
his window into your vard, for the trees there
kept any one from seeing him.

“ He had skeleton keys and opened the
drawer, and he gave me the keys to go and
help myself, and I did.”

“ 1IEIut he stole nothing himself?”

(‘ o.,’

“ Why not?"

” He was looking for something else.”

“ What else?”

“Papers.”

“What papers?”

“1 don’t know."

“ You do.”

“ I do not.”‘

“ Answer me!" I .

. “ Well, don’t oint that revolver at me for
it might ,go off, or women can’t hold asteady
hand.”

“Compare mine with yours now and see.

“But answer me. ”

“ He thought you had
prove who you were."

“ Ah!” " -

“He wanted to know, so he would hold
trum s against ou.”

“ hat was‘his game, was it?”

" Yes.”

" Well, he found no papersl'”.

“ So he said.”

“He found nothing to give him a clew as
to who I am.” .

“ That’s what he told me.”

“:il‘rhen he told you to steal my treasure.”

It es"’/ V

"‘ Well, I ought to take . ou back and
make a present of you to the lgilantes, but
I will spare you as I have gotten back my
treasures and my money.
' “Now, who was this man Thorny?"

“ A gambler."

“ I know that much. ,

“ But what else was he?”

“ Silk Lasso Sam's spyl”

“ Ah! that Was it, was it?"

“ Yes.”

“Do you know aught about his family?"

“ Wei , yes, we were boys together.” '

“ And met out West here?"
‘ “ Yes." I

“ Wh did you come West."

“ I di n’t dare stay East.”

“ A good reason.’

“ Yes." a

“ What crime had you committed?"

“I robbed the mails, for I was a mail
rider.” \
, . “And Thorny?” H

“Well he was a rich man’s son. but got
into debt, and he knew his father was to get
a lar e lot of money b mail, so he told me
to to the bag and say had been held up by
men on the road.”
' “ And you did ‘2”

“Yes.” ~

I

papers that: might

" I gave him the money and then told my
story. , ,
" But they did not believe me and I was
arrested, but Thorny got me away one night
and I skipped. a ’

x “ A year ago I met him out West here and
. he told me he had run 01! because they ac-
cused him of poisoning his father to prevent
‘ him from changing his will. ‘
“Now you’ve got the whole story.”
“ And horny is d and you arcaskulk-

hanged yet. .

“Now, what was Thorny’s name?”

“ Roger Thornton?"

“ Where did be live?”

“In West Virginia near Wheeling.”

“Now you can go.”

“ I’ll do it, and please don‘t send the
Vigilantes after me."

f“ I will not, only try and lead adiflercnt
li e.”

“ I wants to, for the sake of my old
mother.”

“ Where is she?"

“ She moved away from the old home after
I was disgraced. and went to Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, to live with my sister who mar-
ried there.”

“ What is your sister’s name?”

The man rave it without hesitation, and
then Bonnie ielle said:

“ See here, Flip, will you make me a
promise?”

“ Indeed I will.”

“ I do not believe you are naturally bad.

“ You were led astray by the stronger,
wicked spirit of Thorny, and you have led
an evil life since.

"But you can redeem yourself, and my
advice to you is to goat once to your mother,
confess al to her and have her help you to
live a better life. .

“You have some money, and I will give
you back this gold, if you will promise me
to do this, while, after you have reached
your mother, write me, and I will see that
you et somethin to do.

“ ill on do t is for me, Flip?”

" Will ? r

“ God knows that I will.

“You are the first one who has been kind
to me for years—no, the miner Deadshot
was good to me.

“I was a boy when I robbed the mail,
only sixteen years old, and that was eight
years ago. .

“ Ohbges, miss, I'll go to my mother and
be a go man, atoning for the past.

“I know the good you have done in the
mines, and that you run as square a game
and saloon as gambling can be square.

“ I know that you have saved many a
man’s life, and that you are always doing
some kind act and have helped many a man
to become good, and o to his home again.

“ They call you the eautiful Gambler. but
I know, as others do, that you do only good
Eng keep Pocket City from beinga perfect

e .

“God bless you, miss, God bless you,”
and the tears streamed down the eyes of the

l

man.
" Good-by, Flip, and remember your

promise. '

“ Here is your money, and I will expect a

letter soon.’ ,

The man could not speak, for his voice

was choked up, but he beat his head low,

holding his hat in his hand. as Bonnie Belle

rode away back on the trail.

 

CHAPTER LV.
THE naau'rmm. MYSTERY.

IT was growing twilight when Bonnie
Belle drew near t e miner‘s cabin.

He had gone after his horse, fearing trouble
with Flip, and was just starting in pursuit.
“ You found him?”

“Oh, yes.”

“And at our money, I hope?"

“Yes, ut gave it Ito him again." :

“ Gave it to him ?' asked the surprised
miner.

“ Yes, I will tell you all about it. ” I

This she did. the miner listening with
deepest interest as they rode along together.
" Well. you think I have done wrong.”

“ 0n the contrary, I think you have done
just right,"

“ I am glad to hear you say so.”

” I am glad to say so."

“ I wished to redeem him if I could.”

“ You have, I am sure. ,

“I know, too, of so many acts of kind—
ness, of goodness upon your art, that I can-
not reconcile those deeds wit your life here,
as the mistress of a border gambling den,
drinking saloon and hotel.”

,“Yes. I can understand that you cannot
reconcile my actions here; but I have my

 

h . ,
V “ I feel sorry for you, Flip, and hope 

 

 

will lead a better life, for if not you will be l "‘t I am sure of one thing, that I dread evil,

too much ever to become contaminated by it,
no matter how close the touch.

“ Our Eastern friends would never believe
that I could be what I am and yet keep far
above degradation, and yet I cannot believe
that there is a miner in Gold Dust Valley,
yes. even a desperado, who will cast a slur
upon the life of Bonnie Belle, the mistress of
the Devil’s Den.

“ You are here for a purpose. Deadshot
Dean. and so am I.

“Now, let us drop the subject, when I
say tlhat as surely as you can keep good, so
can .”

“I believe you,” was the fervent response
of the miner.

“These things which you took from that
in this locket, and of a brother whom made
the ideal of my girlhood life.

“ This bracelet he gave to me, and the ring
was my mother’s.

“I have kept these treasures of the past
apart from the 'ewelry I have purchased for
myself, and had] they been taken from me it
would have broken my heart, I believe.

“ I owe much to you, Carrol Dean.”

miner, in greatest surprise.

“ You forget that I am rostmistress of
Pocket City,” was the quiet reply.

“ Ver true.” ,

“ An that you are one of the few men out
here in Yellow Dust Valley who is not afraid,
or ashamed to be known by his name.” \

“ I believe that is also true.”

“ But here you turn off to your home.”

“ It is dark now, and I will see you to
Pocket City.” ‘

“ No, you had better not.”

“ But Hangman‘s Gulch ou know is
haunted?" he said, with a smi e.

“ True, but I should like to see a ghost.”

“ Then I must not go with you.”

“ You must not go with me?”

" I shall do as you say.”

“ That is right.” '

“ But there is one thing more I wish to say
to you.”

“ Yes.”

“ I warned you of Flip.”

“Yes.”

a “ I came to warn you against two others.”
“ Well ‘2” '
f “'They are more dangerous than he by
ar. ’ .
” Do you mean Beaver Bill and Deadly
Eye Dick?" ' _ , ' '

H

one then?" ,

“ No. I was warned by them what I might
expect.”

“ They threatened on then?”

my trail and lay in ambush for me.”

“The did do this?

“ An yet you escaped."

“ You see that I am unharmed."

“ And they are two of the most desperate,

dangerous men in the valley."

“ So 1 have heard.” ,

H, How did you escape them, for I am curi-

one to know?’

“ You will keep the secret?”

“ I will." I

“ Those‘ ‘two men were theories who saw

the host, of Hangman’s Gulch?’ .
ll es.) ' ’ .

“ I was the ghost.”

Bonnie Belle burst forth into ringing, rip,

pling laughter.

The miner was surprised and pleased.

He had never heard her laugh befOre, and.

it was contagious. , .

She had seen the men-in. their fright about

the ghost, and recalled how funn it was

“ Well, I en oyed that immensely, Mr.
Dean. a ,

“But I must go on to the camps. for per-
haps it I see a ghost, it might be a real ona1
“ Good-night.”

upon his horse and gazing after her.

experience.

 

ngaadshat is all I now can say.

 

‘ “ What do her good actsmesn. when, after

 

 

pcor wretch, are the likeness of my arents!

“Ha! you know my name?” cried the |

 

 

 

 

 

‘ es. ‘
“ You have already been warned by some

“ Not to my face; ut they started out 0d ' ' ‘

  

when she knew ust who the apparit (in was. a , 

 

“Come to The Frying Parr when you ca .   '
Away she dashed, leaving the miner seated. 
” That woman is more and more amystery  x

‘ to me. . ,n
“She is a young girl, and yet a woman in 

  
  
  
   
    
    
    
    
   
   
  
   
   
    
   
     
    
   
    
 
  
  
   

   
 
 

   
    
   
 
   

 

 

 

 

"new. , is“

I

. vanamwc

“Ts—u-

 

 

mam

   
 

   

 

’Bnfi‘alo Bin  War-

 

all, she is Certainly allied in some way to the
Will-o’-the-Wisps?

"There can be no doubt of that. after the
meeting that I saw in Hangman’s Gulch.”

 

CHAPTER LVI.
A PAIR, or vrnums.

CROUCHING on the sides of the trail leading
to Pocket City were the forms of two men.

Darkness had come on, and found them a
short distance beyond Hangman’s Gulch,

going toward Deadshot Dean's cabin. _ .

' “I tell yer. Bill, 1 hates ter halt in this
neighborhood.” .

“ That‘s so, Pard Dick. but it hain‘t moon-
rise, yer know, and ghosts don’t show up on
dark nights.”

“ I hain‘t so certain 0’ that. .

“ But I s'pose we has ter risk it somehow.”

“ We has.”

“ Waal, ther gal went out this trail, and
yer know she do always carry a pocketful 0’
money with her. not tcr speak 0' them dia-
mond earrings, rings and bracelets she shines
up with.

“Yer see a miner who had been a jeweler
in Pittsburg told me thet she had on all of

went thousand worth 0’ diamonds.”

“ y Lord!

“ Thet is a fortin.”

“ Yes.”

“ And she has money?”

“ She always carried a big roll of bills ter
open the banks with at night in Devil’s Den,
and like as not she‘s got five thousand."

“ Good 1” . .

"She‘s gone on thet miner} take it, and
she’s rid out this trail ter see him."

“ So we kin kill two birds with one stone,
as I told yer."
is Yes 1

"I see no light in the miner’s cabin, so he
hain’t home yet, for he’s either in Pocket
City, or of! on a hunt.”

“ He hain’t in Pocket City I be sart’in.”

“ Then he’s off on a hunt fer game, so will
be home soon.”

“Yer means just ter tackle the gal?”

“ Yes, we kin repe her in, git her diamonds
and money, and tie her to a tree whar some-
body kin find her in‘ther morning.”

| “And then?’ '

“ Why we kin take her horse. go on to ther
cabin. kill Deadshot and rob him."

“ That’s the way to talk.”

it Yes."

-“ And then ?" n °

by pushing’em all night kin git a long start.”

" I sees. ’

“ We kin then turn .ther critters loose, if
they hain’t died under us, and hoof it for a
day, leaving no trail.”

“ So we kin.”

“ Then we can pick up two more horses at
some 0’ ther camps, and make our way down
to ther country south 0’ here, and have a nice
lot 0’ money ter live on, when we sells ther

diamonds.”
" That's so.

“But yer don’t think we’ll run afoul o' i

ther ghost, does yer?”
H No D

” We", We'll git as near ther Hangman’s
Gulch as we dares go, and wait," ’

They moved it nearer to the Hangman s
Gulch then, halting at the very edge of the

can on. ,
file? had “0‘ 1008 to wait before they
heard the sounds of hoofs approaching.
“She’s a-comin'.”
“ Maybe it’s ther miner.”
“ No, he don’t ridenthet (as;
“ Let us git ready.

WI am "

“ My lariat is ready too ”

A moment more and Bonnie Belle came in. 3

to view.

It was bright starlight. and as though she
wished to test her courage by going slow by
the Hangman’s Gulch, she rew her horse
down to\a walk. ‘ ‘

The next instant two lariats whirled out
from among the rocks, the hectic of one cir-
cling over the shoulders of the Beautiful
‘. Gambler, the other catching her horse about
the neck.

" We has yer foul, Bonnie Belle, so don’t‘

.. guy, fer it will do no good," cried Beaver

and he quickly grasped her by the hands

.‘
23!}.  “1:, ‘ g ’

 

I and drew her from the saddle, while Deadly

Eye Dick made the horse secure.

” Now git thet belt of arms from her,
pard," Deadly Eye Dick obeyed.

“ [know you now,” said the young girl in
the coolest manner possible—remarkably
self- ssessed for one in her situation.

“ ore than likely.”

' “ You are Beaver Bill."

“I is, miss.”

“ And you are Deadly Eye Dick.”

“ Sart’in.”

“ You were going to murder Miner Dead-
shot Dean, but seeing me, concluded to hold
me up and rob me.”

“ You is a mind reader, Bonnie Belle.”

“ Well, what is it you wish?”

“ Them diamonds you wears, and your
money."

“ l will‘give you my money, yes, for I can
not help it."

“ And the diamonds too.

“Come, out with ’em, or we’ll tear them
out o‘ yer ears, and cut yer fingers ofi too but
what we gets them rings.

“ See, we means business and we has no
time to lose.”

“ I am fairly caught, I see, so must obey,
fer then I suppose I can go on my. way.”

“ No, we ties you to a tree for somebody
ter find yer in the morning, and we gags yer
too.”

“.Yds, and wants yer horse, for we is goin’
traveling.”

“ You are two as unmitigated scoundrels

as I ever met, and that is saying a great

deal.”

" Likely we is, Miss Sauce-jaws; but, we

don’t want any more palaver."

The poor girl had no thought that her call
would be answered, for the cabin of the
miner was a long way off, but as a bold blufl,
she suddenly said: ,

“Well, now that I know your game I
might as well stop your mischief.

“ Ho, Dcadshot\Deanl here is game for

on!"
y “I am here,” cried the voice of the minor
from Hangman’s Gulch, and before the
startled gaze of the two cut-throats appeared

‘ the man they had so much cause to dread!

 

CHAPTER LVII.
1302mm: BELLE’s REQUEST.
AT the sudden voice of the miner, so close

3athand,and coming from the Hangman’s

Gulch as he did, Bonnie Belle was as greatly
surprised and startled as were the two des-

. peradoes who held her a captive.
“ We can take his horse and the gal‘s, and .

She uttered a cry of mingled delight and
alarm, and leaped quickly away from them,

‘ while they, almost stunned by the coming of

the miner. did not at first draw their wea-
pens.

Their first thought seemed to be that a
ghost had confronted them.

But a glance revealed to them the fine

, form of the miner, and that he was ready for

action. .

“Hands up, you devils, for I want you
for the Vigilantes,” cried the miner in avoice
that was full of determination.

,His allusion to the Vigilantes was sug es-

t've of their fate did they surrender, an as'
t I ey were two against one they suddenly
game to their senses and determined to
‘ git.

"Hands up yerself, Deadshot,” cried

‘ Beaver Bill, and he drew his revolver.

Deadshot Dean could have fired sooner,

l but he did not appear to wish to do so even

against odds. -until pressed to light.

As Deadly Eye Dick also drew his weapon
it now became certain that it ’was going to
be a duel to the death. ‘-

There was nothing then to do but to open
fire, and this the two desperadoes did almost

1 together.

All this had been but the work of a. few
seconds, so quickly had all acted; but with
the flash of the two revolvers in the hands
3f the two robbers, the miner also opened

re.

It. may have been the sudden shock to
their nerves, finding their hopes dashed to
the ground at the moment of their success,
that caused the two men to lose their record
as dead shots. but whatever the cause, one of
them only sent a bullet through the miner’s
hat while the other clipped his clothin .

eadshot 'Dean. however, sustains his
and his name, for be tired but twice.
. g ' ‘ ’“n

 

Those two shots were enough, and he
seemed to understand as much. for he thrust‘
his revolver back into his belt. and turned
quickly toward Bonnie Belle, who had wit-
nessed the whole seene with bated breath,
for she dreaded that the hours of Deadshot
Dean were numbered against two such men.

With her belt of arms in the possession of
the two men, she could lend no help.

“I hope you were not harmed,” said the
miner, as he step toward her. -

“Not in the cast, but may they not be
yet dangerous?”

“ Oh, no, for I shot them both between the
eyes.”

The woman stepped quickly forward, and
went over first to one, then tl.e other of the
two men.

“ It is marvelous how you shoot.

“ You well deserve your name,” she said.

Then she added:

“They intended to rob me of my dia-
monds, my money and horse. after which it
was their intention to tie and gag me, leav-
ing the here, while they, after going to your
cabin and killing you. made their escape.

“I called upon you for aid, without the
slightest idea that you were near, and 10!
here on appear as mysteriously as a ghost."

“ y appearance is easily accounted for,
as I decided that it would be well to see you
safel past Hangman’s Gulch.

“ o I cut across on the ridge. descended
to the gulch, and just as I believed you had
gone by, heard your call.”

“ And what gratitude do I now owe you!”

“Do not speak of that, for by their halt.
ing you as they did, my life was doubtless
spared.

“ But now, ma .1 assist you to your sad-
dle, for you had etter go on home and re-
port what has occurred.

“ I will remain by these bodies to keep the
wolves 01$.” ,

‘\' It will be a lonely vigil for you.”

“ I do not mind it, thank you.”

She turned and. buckled on her belt of
arms again, then leaped lightly into her sad-
dle. for the miner led her horse up for her,
and then said: .

“You will come on with the men when
they come after the bodies?”

“ Yes, if you wish it.”

“ I do wish it.”

“ Can I do anything to serve you?”

,“ Yes."

" What is it?” .

“ There was a meeting of the miners this
morning, and they turned over to me, or
rather as all is in my possession, told me to
take charge of t e property and money of
Thorny the gamb er.”

“ Yes."

" It amounts to considerable, and I wish
you to go ever it with me." .

“I will be glad to help you."

“Of course it is asking a great deal of
you, who killed him, to look over his effects,
but you are the only one lean trust in the

matter.
I "i will be glad to give you all the assist-
ance within my power."

“I felt that you would.

“ Now I shall write to t the address of
Thorny's nearest kindred, or I wish to turn
over to them his property, eXcept a certain
sum which shall go to those in the camps
who need aid. ,

“ As he won his money from the miners.
it can 'go to the relief of those in hard luck.” ,

“I will help you all I can. Bonnie Belle."

Away she dashed now and Deadshot Dean '
was left to his lonely vigil over the dead.

 

CHAPTER LVIII. ,
A RESPONSE to Tim REWARD omnxb.

To return to the fort now, and how mat-
ters were progressing there might interest
the reader. '

Buffalo Bill and his scouts still remained
upon‘the trail, campin there as the chief of
scouts had said, in their endeavor to unravel
the mystery attendin the very remarkable ‘
disappearance of the ill-o’-the Wisps after
havin killed Ribbons and a passenger and
robb Austin Marvin. V 7-

At the fort Austin Marvin continued to
grow in popularity with all.

Though he had at first shunned the ladies, ,
after the ice was broken he appeared to be

devoted to their society.

  

 

. . «.3

  

 

 

   
   
   
     
    
     
   
   
   
  
   
    
   
   
 
    
   
   
 
  
 
 
 
   
   

He was so general too in his attentions that

not a single envious thought was entertained.
One day it was a ride with a fair young

miss of fifteen, and the next day with an

oflicer’s wife, whether she were youthful,

passed two score years, ugly or beautiful.
Those who had decided that Nina De Su-

tro’s romance must end in her main ing her

hero, had come to the conclusion tiat mat—

ters were not going to turn out as they antici'

pated, or else the pair were playing a very

clever game to avoid gossip.

One afternoon Austin Marvin saw the stage

come in, and as he went to the mail he re-

ceived a large and bulky regislcrcd'lettcr.
He took it to his rooms and opening it

found a lot of paper only, with but a very

few lines.

‘ The back of the envelope had the stamp

upon it of a banking house in New York,

and what was written was simply:

“I do as requested, make a bulky loo? ing letter

wd send it to you by registered mai'."

.With this letter in hand Austin Marvin

went over to call upon Nina De Sutro.
“Will on take a ride with me this after-

noon, an go prepared for the demand u on

your urse which we spoke of?" he aske .

‘° es, I will go with you.”

,“ Thank you. ’

“No thanks. please.

 “ The 'amount was fifteen hundred, Ibe-
; lieve."

) “ Yes. no less.”

‘ " You have your letter?"

, 1 “Here it is.
' ., ” It came b registered mail.”

' She glance at the envelope and the writ.

' in . ‘
. fi'hen she said:
“ Call for me in half an hour.”

In that time he returned, mounted upon
one of Lieutenant Turpin’s horses.

I They mounted and rode away from the
Arm together. ‘ ‘

' I The ride was not alon one, for within an
. hour’s time they returne .

After going to his quarters Austin Marvin
‘ went the rounds payin of! his indebtedness
J, contracted, such as orrow ed money, the

‘ sutler‘s bill, commissary stores and for ser-
vant and rent of quarters.

' "‘ It was hard to have to pay out
‘3 hundred good dollars.

' “I have been living too extravagantly. as
I got all on credit,” he muttered. looking at
his money like one who made it the idol of
1 his existence. _

' ' , Had there been any one who doubted Ans-

,tin Marvin's inabilit to pay, after the arrival

‘of that” registered etter they were free to

, confess that the ' had wronged him.

' He had somet ting to say shoot an Express

ckage being due also, with clothes, boots,

ts and other needed articles.

But it had been delayed.

- That night as he sat in his quarters there

‘ came a knock at the door. .-

"Come in!”

 Theone who entered was Horseshoe Ned.
» He’ carried in his hands a lar e bundle

‘ wrapped up in a blanket and secure y bound.

 " Can 'it be possible after all tha my Ex-

press Npackage has arrived?" said Marvin.

I o, sir. but I has a package which may

or may not be fer you.”

’ “ ness it's mine."

“ aal, we’ll'see.

 “ Yer told the ter offer a' reward for yer
».->hxggage?" E " ,
 7 “ Yes,”, and Marvin moved about some-

. what nervously. I .

“ .sprsad it around at the stations that
on would pay a big reward for your things.
f the’ Wino-the Wisps would return ’em.”

“Yes, yes."

., “Thet reward struck ’em.”
7"Struck who?” ‘

"‘ The,Will-o’ thq-Wisps.”
 “I do not understand you.”

V .“ Well, the man who get. yer duds thou ht
 more of gittin' thet reward than he di of
What he had." _

. V"Ah. you got my things then?"
‘f'l won’t say that. for seeing is believing,
r. know, and this may be a put-up job.”

', "How so?"

, “ Ter git money.” '

V ”“Well?" ’ .
 ,-;'tYer told me that they was worth flva

‘three

hundred ter your t.
.  N‘Dt, ,

 

\ l "

“ So I gave my word on it that it should be

paid. ’

“ But where did you get them?”

“ l’ll tell yer.”

“ Do so, pray.”

“I were coming along ther trail, and sud-
denly I see a man waitin’ fer me, horse-
back.

“ Says I to myself, says I:

" ' Horseshoe Ned, yer is a goner.’

“ Yer see. I know’d I had a valerable
age along in a registered letter, and
scared.

“But he holds me up and says thethe
hears ther gent who lost his duds t‘othcr day
was willin ter give a reward for ’em, and
when I tells him he was right, he went be- 3
hind some bushes and brings out this bundle,
tied up as it is, and told me it was the duds.” e

aok- I
was

CHAPTER LIX.
THE WRONG MAN.

“Now, you did not take the things with-
out knowing what they were, did you ?" said .
Austin Marvin angrily. i

“ I hain’t no snoo for lock inter other '
folks’ things: and I hain‘t no fool."

“ Well. what did you do?" .

“I told him I was good for the amount,
and I would fetch 'em to you. .

“ If they was all right, I'd fetch him ther
money and no questions asked, letting him
meet me somewhar hpon ther trail.

“ If they wasn’t all right, then I would
fetch the bundle back ag’in."

” That was right and fair.”.

“ I thought so.”

“ Well, I‘ll look over them at once.”

“ He told me to excuse not returnin the
trunk. as they had‘ destroyed that, it in
inconvenient to carry on horseback, an
they having to move suddent.

“ So he put ‘em all in the blankets, and he
sent jist what were therein ther trunk."

“ l’ll soon see.”

With this Austin Marvin began to unroll
the ropes bound about the blanket most
securely. ;

It was well done up, and a very heavy
bundle.

When opened there were a number of
clothes removed, a shaving .case silver-
mounted, boots, shoes, hats. a shot-gun and
accouterments, gold-headed cane, a case in
which there was a watch, some jewelry and a
case of handsome revolvers.

But altogether their value was not equal
to five hundred dollars.

" Is they yours, sir?"

" Wh certainly they are."

“ An you ‘will pay the reward?”

“Of course.

“ When do you go back again?”

“ Day after tomorrow sir.” '

" Well, come,to me before you start and I
will Ipay you the amount of the reward.”

“ ’ll do it, paid.” ‘

With this Horseshoe Ned departed, leaving
Austin Marvin in possession of his chattels.

It soon became poised about that the re-
ward he had offered had otten his things
for him, and many drop in- to congratu-
,late him. _

' Among them was Sur eon Powell.

" I think you were in uck, Marvin, and I
cangratulate you." ‘

“Thanks. i

“ Of course there were a number of things
missing, but I was glad to get what I have,

“ See,‘ here is a photograph album " of
friends who are near and dear to me.”

".Who is this lovely woman?" asked the
Surgeon Scout, referring to the photograph of
a beautiful woman. the first in the book.

“That, I will tell you. in, confidence, is
the lady whom I hope to marry some day. ”

“ Indeed? l '

“ You are .most fortunate.

“And this?” ‘

" is my sister.” ,

“She is very handsome.”

The Surgeon Scout glanced through the
album with Marvin‘s rmission, and was
told who each one was t tat struck his fancy.

The next dayithere was a picnic down on.
the river, and arvin enjoyed it immensely.

He gave" out that he would soon have to
leave the fort. and asked Clarice Carr if she
would ‘ rid n withhim the next day. , '

 

 

 she so

 

“Certainly.” '  ‘
l

.‘  ' ,l'
. g}

and the engagement was made for the aft-en
noon. _

The next morning Horseshoe Ned called
early, and received his five hundred dollars
to give to the road-agent who had delivered
over the luggage, and soon after he had
started Austin Marvin came out with a most
important letter, which he wished to go by

i that mail.

Springing upon his horse he rode rapidly

, after the coach.

It was all of ten miles before he overtook
it. as he did not know the short cuts he

i might have taken.

Horseshoe Ned heard the clatter of hoofs
behind him, and seeing who it was, halted
the coach.

“I say, pard, I’ve been held up and rob-
bed, and not seven miles from the fort,”
shouted the driver.

“ Held up and robbed?"

0‘  I,

“ By whom ?"

“Yer see I seen a man waitin’ fer me in
ther road. and so I says to myself that he
was ther one that come for ther reward.

“1 draws rein and he says he wants ther
mone I had for him.

“ e was masked and muffled up, and
wore glasses, so I couldn’t see who he were,
and I told him as I hed seen ther face of
t’otl or man he must show up.

“ hen he leve.ed his gun on me, and I
hed ‘ust ter toss down thet five hundred roll
of bills yer giVe me.”

N ‘LiThis is a strange story, to tell, Horseshoe-

e .9)

“ See here, pard, don’t yer go ter think I
is playing a game on yer. for Ihain't ther
one ter stand it. for I is poor, but 1 don’t ask
no favms of you nor anybody else.

" I’ve got money enough ter pay thet road-
agent when I sees him, and I’ll do it, so you
hain’t going ter be out of pocket not a cent,
so I says you owes me an ask pardon."

"I do ask your pardon, Horseshoe Ned;
but I have been imposed on so often I felt at
first that you were doing the same.

“ You will pardon me?”

“ Cert. when yer come out like a man,
and we’ll shake when I gits back to the fort.
" " Yer has a letter yer say ter mail?"

“Yes, here it is.”

“ I’ll put her through for you, pard~so
lon _,” and Horseshoe Ned went On his way
while Austin Marvin rode rapidlv back to
the fort.

 

CHAPTER LX. . .
A STARTLING DISAPPEABANCE.

THAT same afternoon. of the day when
Horseshoe Ned was heldup by the lone high-
wayman, Austin Marvin called for‘ Clarice
Carr to take her promised ride with him.

“Which way shall we o,‘Miss Carr?"

“ Please yourself, Mr. rvin."

. “ Then let us take quite a long gallop, 0-
ing by this trail and coming back on t e
stage roa ." .

"Very well, sir." ,

Clarice Carr was a most beautiful woman
at all times, but especially in the saddle, and
mounted upon her spirited horse Austin Mar-
vin could not but greatly admire her.

“ Do you not think WP have gone far
enough, Mr. Marvin?" she asked, when ten,
miles had been gone over.

“ Yes. we will cross here to the other trail
and return.” .

They rode on more slowly now, and just.
as they passed through a gap in a low range,

found themselves confronted by two men,’ I

who stepped from the bushes upon either
side and covered the man with their rifles.

“ Turn and. ride for your life!" cried Aus-
tin Marvin. to Clarice. and she half-wheeled
her horse, expecting him to o with‘her.

But she stopped at once, or behind them
were two other men, and they had their rifles
leveled. \

At the same instant a masked man rode
out of the thicket and as :

“ You are wise not to cause my men to
kill ou, sir.

“ esistauce means death to you, while by
submitting you will get of! with paying a.
ransom." ‘ r

“l have no money with me to pay a ran-
som either for this lady or myself.

a“ But permit her ‘to/go and keep me [for at

homage.”
‘.‘ o, I shall keep you both.“ ‘

 

 

 

 

., “kw.-. '«w -

i-rt‘

f .

- .ws-- a.“ ;—. 3...... .- ..._..A_.

a.“ v... c...nh_.___-~.~_..~ I.

A, __Mmm_‘_~__ an

 

, p the response of the horseman.

 

 Bdfi‘hdi’Bflipfi the“

 

 

 

“Do you mean‘ to so. that you will hold :
us until a ransom is pai ?" lndignantly asked ‘
Clarice Carr.

" It is just What I mean, lady."

“Who are you?"

“I am called Silk Lasso Sam, Miss Carr.”

“ You Know me? '

“Oh, yes, as I do your escort, whom I
robbed at Deep Dell Brook some time ago.

“ You are rich and able to pay a ransom,
and he is doubtless able also to pay well for
his freedom." \ i

Clarice Carr gazed more fixedly at the man
now.

He was mounted on a fine sorrel horse,
with the trappings of a Texas cos'boy, the
saddle being very handsomely ornamented
and equipped.

At the saddle-bow hung a red lariat of
Woven silk, and a rifle was slung the other ,
side.

The man was dressed in a-stylish riding-
suit of corduroys, boots and slouch hat and a
crimsom mask completely shielded his face,
while gauntlet gloves were upon his hands.

“ Keep me as a hostage I again say to you.
and allow this lady to return to the fort, for .
I will give her the authority to draw what
ransom you may demand for both of us, that
18 in reason.”

“ Oh, no, I will see to the ransom when I
have you both safe.

“ Miss Carr. I must pass a lariat about
your waist and under the saddle so as to
make you secure, dso binding your hands, ;
for'you are to be blindfolded. ;

“ Your escort I must make for more
secure; but go with me you both must,” said ‘
the bandit firmly. _ i

“As SilkLasso Sam you are capable of

any act of rudeness," Clarice Carr remarked, }. _
3 adventure of the night before, and led the 3 could, too, that I might atone for h s evii 

while she added: .
“Ihave no intention of making it worse ‘
for to self than it is by offering resistance.” l
“ on are a Very brave young lady,” W88 1

Then dismounting he approached Clarice
with his red silken lasso in his hand, While
he said: '

“ NOW I must secure you ”

He threw the lasso around her waist and
drew it under the horse, after which he;
kngtted her hands together with the tWO
en s. ‘ ‘

Taking a clean silk handkerchief from his «l
pocket he bandaged her eyes securely. and i
remarked: ,

“NOW you are safe." ,

In the meanwhile one ofhis men had dts- ;
armed Austin Marvin and bound him secure-
ly in his saddle. \ ,

His next act was to bind his hands and!
then blinfold him.

Then two of the men took the horses in a
lead, havin led their own animals from the I
thicket, an they started on at a mind pace, ;
there being seven outlaws in the band. I

As the shadows of night began to fall:
Mrs. Lester and her husband began to feel i
anxious about the long stay of Clarice and
her escoqt- t ‘

Ni ht coming on as they had not return-
ed sjor Lester and Ca tain Caruth, with.
half a dozm troopers, ro e out on a search ?
for them. .
 It was late when they returned, and they 

 

i
l

\‘ brought no tidings of the missing ones. but 2

were sure they would find them
upon their return.

Then there was the reatest alarm felt by I
all for the safet of Carin and her escort, '
and Surgeon owell, with all the scoutsi

I

at the fort

then in the fort, started off at midnight upon
a thorough search.
Day dawned however and ust then the‘
sur con and his soonls returuc 1
hey had come for fresh horses and to}
take the trail of the two horses from the
fort dnd thus track them; but the. Surgeon }
Scout urged that a couple of troops should 1

' :also go on the search and Colonel Dunwoody f

at once gave the order.

 

CHAPTER LXI.
noxmnfynum's sacnn'r. l

Wmm Bonnie He reached Pocket City
ahe' wentlat once to Devil’s Den. where she

'  gnaw she wmddgflnd a crowd. and dressed in

.  ‘ with, ,iGX itbment,

er ridin habit as she “as. her face flushed

she faced the crowded

 

,. . M . «‘1. i
i. ’ «, Mod. ‘

l but failed.

: him go.

‘ those tw0 men dead and rescued me.

 

 seas};  i

All was hushed at her coming, and her 3
voice rung out clear as she said:

“ My friends, I have to tell you of an out.
rage perpetrated this evening by two men of
Yellow Dust Valley.

“ I went out for a ride, and discovered
that the man Flip had left the mines, and he
attempted to take the life of Deadshot Dean,

“ But he is far beyond pursuit now, so let

“Two others then held me up on my re-
turn home, to rob me, and at Hangman’s.
Gulch. . '

“Just as they were about to tie me to a
tree, take my diamOnds, money and horse, 4

and then go and kill DeadtshotlDean. Icalled ‘
I for help, little dreaming that any help was

near.
" It came in Deadsbot Dean. and he shot

“ I left him guarding their bodies from the

wolves at Hangman’s Gulch, and there you i

“ I had black hair then, for I dyed it this-

? color. auburn, to disguise myself as much as.

possible. and growing from girlhood to wo-
manhood has changed me much.”

“Still I cannot place you,” said the puz-
zled miner.

“ I will tell you then that Il am Ruth
Leigh.”

“ Great God!

" The sister of Arden Leigh?" and the
miner was greatly shocked. r

“The sister of the man who so nearly took.
your life by shooting you down in the pres-

4 ence of your sweetheart, Kathleen Clyde, be-
‘ cause she loved you and not him.

“ He fled, and forged my father’s name to
a large sum to go away on, he believing that.
' he had killed you. _

“ Father and I went to Europe, and there
constantly we heard of debts which Arden
had contracted and which father paid with~
' out a murmur.
“We returned to the United States after

will find them. : two years passed abroad, and went to Cali-

“ The two men were Beaver Bill and
Deadly Eye Dick."
, A yell of rage went up as theirpames were

spoken, and another of regret that they had
been shot instead of hanged. ‘

The crowd went en mates to the Hang.I
‘man's Gulch, and there found the miner

coolly awaiting them.

They heard the story from his lips, and
the bodies were carried that 'ni ht to Sunset
Hill and buried in Angels’
miners felt that the greatest indignity the
could heap upon them after death for their
crime, was to bury them at night.

The next morning Deadshot Deanput in
an appearance at The Fr ing Pan. .
Bonnie Belle was looking unruflled by her

we to the room of Thorny the gambler.
here she left him, to look over the prop"
left by the gambler.

t noon he came to her and said:

“I have gone over everything.

“The man was a burglar for he had the
tools of one in his room, and had been a
counterfeitcr, for I found there some plates
of bank-notes and a press. I

“ He had also been a forger for he had a
book full of the copies of the signatures of
rich men who are known in business circles.

“His property consisted of several boxes
of jewelry and other vulpables, which he
must and could have only gotten from
outlaws who had robbed people on the trails
and from burglary.

“He was beyond doubt the go‘between for
the sale of those things for Silk Lasso Sam,
sending them East for him for that purpose.

“Ifound several notes from Silk Lasso

ert

Sam to him. one giving a map of the trail of ‘

how to reach his retreat, should he have oc-
casion to hunt\him up for any special pur-

u  19)

It was an exclamation from Bonnie Belle
that was as though she Was startled. and the
miner saw her face turn deadly pale. I

To see if his words ‘had caused it he said:

“With this map of the trail I shall go to
the retreat at once, and— But are you ill,
Bonnie Bell ?" ’

“ No. and yes.

“Now hear me. Carrol Dean. for I, will
tell you my secret. one I had expected to
keep hidden from all mortal e es.

“ You said yesterday that called you by
name, you remember‘f'f

u do.” ‘

“I excuslad m
by stating that
City.” «

“Yes.” I

"But I knew without that of who you
were."

"How so?"

"‘By recognizing you the moment I saw

on.” ‘ ~
y “ Then we have met before?”

“ Oh, yes." ,

“I have felt all along that your face was
familiar to me, though I could never place
you, and supposed it was but a fancied re
semblance.” ‘

“ It is not.”

 “So i now believe, but still I
the titre when we met.”

“ lt wasyeurs ago, when. I was a mere
girl of fifteen. . . . \

knowledge of V your name
was Postmaster of Pocket

cannot place

| 3.5;,
t . \ ‘
‘~*"‘« 

 

ow, for the t

" forms, on a'ranch.

“There father died of a broken heartI
ma say, for he never recovered from the-
shock of my brother’s evil deeds.

“ He l( ft me his fortune, and do you know .
* what I did?” ‘

“ No.”

“ I determined to reform my wicked bro-
, ther, and so I set out to find him, for he was
, the idol 1 had worshiped in my girlhood.”

CHAPTER LXII.
THE MINER’s PLEDGE. 1
“You sought to reform your brother?
lasked Carrol Dean, in a low tone of sur- 

prise.
“Yes, and I wished to do all the ood I

 

»

, deeds.
; “First 1 had to find him. .
“ I had been in correspondence recently-
with him, for I wished to keep him from cut-
1 ting wholly loose from us, and the last I
heard from him he was in the Rock Moun-
tains, driving a stage he wrote me. a ter hav-
ing been a wanderer in Southern lands.
3 ~ “ I did not wish to go as a woman, so I
cut my hair off, dressed as a boy and set out.
upon my travels.
" The search was a long one, indeed.”
" Brave. noble girl.” t .
“ I at last determined to continue, the
search as my natural self, and so returned to
dresses, forlas a woman I was respected even
9 among the wildest of these bordermen.” .
" That is true.” _
“I was coming to the mines to search for
3 my brother, when I'met Mr, Lazarus in the .
coach, and he seemed interested in me.
“ You ‘remember we were attacked b out-
laws, that Lazarus was fatally wound , and
; dying, he left me his fortune, as he said he

' had no one else in the world to give it to, and: ' ’

. I had been kind to him. . .-

3 “But he made a confession to would

; tablet was of his being the ally 01 Silk Lasso
m ,

"The men who attacked us were Silk
Lasso Sam’s band, and the outlaw chief in.
tended to rid himself of Lazarus. and did.

“ But he told me more, and that was
enciigh to cause me to believe, from all that
he said. that my brother Arden was one ofi. w
the outlaw band. ‘  ,fl

“ I accepted the legacy of LandlordLau-
rus, hoping thereby to find my brother. =‘ -‘

“ As I was supposed to keep up'theplaeo
of ally, in the place of Lazarus, ,I megtth
agents sent here by Silk Lasso Sam. and {it
last became satisfied that Arden was not only
with the band. but its chief.” ‘ ’ “

,“Ahl that is startling.” ~ :

"By one of his couriers I wrote to the
chief, telling him to meet me in Hangman's
Gulch at a certain time and day. i

“ He did so, and 1 found that it was my
brother Arden. '

“ Carrol Dean. I did not deserthim then,
but determined to save him if he could
rescued from his sin. ' j

“I left him then, and he was to come on

  

to Pocket City. and see me thattni t.” ,. , I.
" That was the man who 0 edlwbc"

Powder Face Pete’s father?" ‘
“ It was; ’ ‘
“But how did you know?” i’ ’v,
“I started for Pocket .Cityb way of the a“.

 

gulch. and saw you talking to m then." a

      

roofless we a
. y...

 “     

"7;; ~72,

Waripath. ‘

 
  

 

“ Ohl what did on not think of ire?"

“ I confess that have supposed you were
in league with the cutlaws."

“ But did you know him as an outlaw?"

“Yes.”

“Powder Face Pete was one of his men,
:and knowing of his death, he claimed to be
his father,”

“Yes, and had men waiting for him up
the trail and then went on to the northern

~ ' ‘trail and held up a coach, killing the driver
' and a assenger and wounding another."
, “I know of this, anti more, and that is
why I confess all now to you.

“ That. night he was here I did all I could
' to humor him, hoping that I could persuade
him to give up his life .of crime.

“At his command I took up that con.-
tribution for him, you remember, but I have
paid back in every way I could evory dollar
the miners put into that hat, for 1 found out
from those I did not recall the amount they
., gave.’

“ Again I say that you are anoble woman,
Ruth Lei h.”

“Oh! 0 not call me by that name while
~ I 'lead this life, for I know it is wrong,
though I am guilty of wrong to save my
brother.

‘° Here I am Bonnie Belle, the name that
Landlord Lazarus gave me when he was d y-
ing, for he told me that it was the name of
his daughter and she was dead.”

"I Will call you Bonnie Belle as before”,

“$hat is right. ‘

“ ut now let me tell you more.

“I know by a courier from my brother
,that he held ,up that stage, and what happen-
- ‘ed,‘and [learn now what he is doing, and I

 will no longer be a confederate in his deeds
of deviltry.

“ No, l have tried to save him, to, redeem
r him, and in vain, and now I tell you that he
must take the consequences of his evil life.

” lmust not protect him. and more, I must
betray him, for if I do not, many innocent
ones will sufier by his acts.

“ He sought your life and you know him
as he is, and I tell you frankly. Carrol Dean,
that you must be the one to put an end to
his evil deeds. -
7“, I “You must seek Buffalo Bill at once, and
,’ lead him and his scouts upon the retreat
where you will surprise the band, after
.which you can capture Silk Lasso Sam, for
. I will no longer call him by the sacred name
of brother.

"The horse you have is the one he rode
g here in disguise, and you have the map of
‘ the trail to his retreat, which you found in

Thorny’s room.
 f‘Go' there, and the horse will take you to
, it, I am sure,»‘for he has been long in the
’band, in brother said, and because he was
broken own was to be cast off.

“ Now, will you do this. Carrol Dean, and
'I_ stop this man's career of crime, only do not
x' -’ytf)urself be the one to end his wretched

i e?"

“I will, and at once, Bonnie Belle," was
the firm response of Deadshot Dean..

‘3 I pledge myself to the work."

""'"‘""‘ /
CHAPTER LXII.
0 THE mm: 'rsxns 11m: TRAIL.
V THAT ver ni ht. following his lon inter-
, view with one e Belle. and her con ession.
4‘ Deadshot Dean mounted his horse and took
“the trail to hunt down Silk Lasso Sam.

  
  
    
  
     
    

 

" j was once more a fine animal, and carried
' him briskly along upon his way. 

D'éadshot’s intention was to go at once to
the fort, seek Buffalo Bill, and then decide
what was best to be done, ‘ > \

He went byuthe same trail he had before
-» taken, and to his surprise, just as he turned
’ into the stage trail, in the spot where he had
I met Buffalo am before, he now beheld the
scout. ,

They rode rapidly toward each other, and
after a greeting. Buffalo Bill said:

“I. have my men camping upon the out-
laWs.’ trail. Deadshot Dean. for they have had
no chance to hold up thecoach since the
_ ,time I met you before, except that one man
' "robbed Horseshoe Ned on his Way out yes-
"terday. '

"I have made some discoveries of im
. ‘Kportanae, since going upon the war-path
aftertBilk' Lasoo Sam and his men, and I hope

The outlaw’s horse, with rest and food,"

is not far from Deep Dell Brook, I am cer-
tain— Ahl as I live, there comes Surgeon
Powell, and heis riding rapidly, as though
something had gcne‘wrongl”

Soon after the Sur eon Scout dashed into
view, there appeared at behind him a crowd
of horsemen. '

“ Ho, Doc. glad to see you, but what has
gone wrong?" cried Buffalo Bill as the Sur—
geon Scout rode up and halted.

He greeted both Buffalo Bill and Deadshot
Dean warmly and said:

“ The men of all men I wished to meet, for
everything has gone wrong at the fort, as
Miss Clarice Carr has been captured."

“Tell us just what has happened. doctor,”
said Bufi'alo Bill, his eyes flashing fire.

“ If I wrong him, may Heaven forgive me.
Bill, and I‘ll make every atonement. in my
power, but if that man Austin Marvin is not
an outlaw in disguise I’ll give up a year's
pay to treat on.” ,

“ What have you new on him. Frank?”

" I‘ll tell you both, and ina few words.

“ From the first I did not like him, as you
know, for you were even more suspicious
than I am.

” His story did not tally with the holes shot
in the coach, the death of the outlaw and
horses, and in other things he was all wrong.

“I watched him closely and grew so sus-
picious of him that I set a trap for him."

” And caught him.”

“ You shall bear.

“ You know that he offered a reward for
his baggage?"

“ Yes."

“Well, I got together a lot of\my clothing
and traps. with some of Captain Caruth’s and
of several other officers, 'carrled them wrapped
in a blanket to the stage trail, and with a
false beard and a wig on. alon with a mu h
suit of clothes, I halted Horses oe Ned on t e

\trail, told him I had heard of the reward pnd
gave him the bundle, on condition that he
would give me the money.

“ This he promised. and Ned took them to
Marvin who claimed them as his and gave
him the reward." ‘

“Five hundred?"

vi “ Yes."

“ What a fool.” . '

“Not so much a fool as you think, for he
got up a rig. pretended to have an important
letter to send and rode after the coach.

“ I-le headed Ned off some miles away, held
him up and robbedhim of the five hundred.”

“ Can this be possible?”

“ It is true. ,

” Thenrtaking of! his mask, changing his
rig and mounting his horse he rode on and
overtook Ned, and gave him the letter.”

“ Yes, Horseshoe Ned told me of this.”

“ In the afternoon he went ridin with
Miss Carr and when night came they id not
turn up

“ This morning I took their trail, and with
your boys went to work. -~

“ I saw that the same horse had gone and
headed Ned 03, then l d overtaken him,
and the same tracks I ollowed when later
they had gone with the animal ridden by
Miss Carr.

“They ‘went to a canyon the trail Crosses
several miles back from here. and were there
halted by a party of nine horsemen." ‘

“ What?”

“True as Gospel.”

I “ Between here and the fort?”

“ Yes. Bil‘l." ‘ ‘

“ And then?” 

“ We took the trail and the men are fol-
lowing it yonder, while I came on to get you
and our boys.”

“ am with on heart and soul‘."

“ And Capta n Caruth is‘ coming on behind
with a couple of troops.”

‘T We must catch those men new, doctor,
or never show our faces at the fort again.”

“The tracks circle toward: Deep Dell
Brook you See.” l

“ Yes.”

“ Where are you encamped ?"

“Beyond Deep Dell Brook a couple of
miles. and the men are scattered from there
'on. while i patrol this side of it.’f '
“Did you notice no trail this ,morning?”

“ None."
“ Yet they must have one to the brook.”
“They were compelle to do so. for they

 

= mwill yet track them to their retreat, for‘it.

. gig, V .,. 31‘,“  t 1; r I .
1., t . it 

could go no other way; but they have gone
by the lower ford." ,

 

“ Then to the lower ford we go.” ,

“ One minute gentlemen,” and Deadshot
Dean took a paper from his pocket.

Glancing at it a moment he said:

“It would be far the longest way to go by.

the lower ford, so come with me on the regu-
lar trail, as soon as your men eome up, for I
will lead you to the retreat of Silk Lasso
Sam and his men, for I came here for that
purpose.”

 

CHAPTER LXIII.
THE END on THE WAR-PATH.

BOTH Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill
looked at the miner in surprise, at his words,
but he lost no time in saying:

“ You were kind enough to make a detec-
tive of me, and with the aid of one whom I
need not name, I have been able to track
down Silk Lasso Sam, who. permit me to
say, was once my friend, then my rival and
would-be murderer.

“'1 have here a map which will aid me,
and if at fault I will depend upon the horse
I ride. for he was Silk Lasso Sam's own steed
for a long while.

"New call your men, Surgeon Powell,
and we will start.”

“They are our scouts, Cody, so you are
leader. and Ill act as aide, with Deadshot
Dean in the responsible place as guide.”

The scouts now came up, and as the
troopers were seen in the distance it was de-
cided to send them by the flower ford, where
all knew that the trail could not be followed
owing‘to the nature of the ground, though
it would be well to have them guard the
brook, the miner said.

0

Captain Caruth was in' command, and he

and Major Lester, who had come alon in

anxiety for Clarice Carr’s fate, were aske to
go with the scouts, which they did, thus
forming a force of fifteen men.

Deadshot Dean led the way, and when
they went down into Deep Dell Brook all
watched the guide attentively.

The horse he rode stopped to drink, then
started down the stream. '

He went toward the other shore, against
a cliff, where a massive vine hung over the
water.

This was pushed aside b the miner and
an archway through the cli was revealed.

In through this all passed, coming out into
a rocky valley beyond where no iron-shod
hoof would leave a trail.

From here on they went toward the Barren
Hills, the place where the scouts had been
thwarted before. ‘

A courier was sent back to bring on the ‘

best mounted of the troopers, and as they
reached the hills they came up with the horses
foaming from their hard ride. '

The miner’s horse still led the way, though
Deadshot Dean carried his mapin his hands.

Across the creek where there appeared to
be no ford. and thence on into a rocky
canyon, which was not seen until right upon
it, the miner led his followers, to come sud-
denly upon the camp-of the outlaws, a dozen
in number.

Upon them the scouts and soldiers charged
so suddenly that they could not escape, even
though beyond there was a pass to a fertile
valley in the midst of the hills. which had
been supposed to be utterly devoid of vege-
tation.

And in this valley were horses and cattle
and the stolen booty of the outlaws.

There were a few shots from the outlaws.
a rapid fire from the scouts, and in \a couple
of minutes of time the two-thirds of the band
had been killed and the rest were prisoners.

“ Where is your chief i" cried Buflalo Bill,
looking around him, as he stood near Clarice
Carr, who held Major Lester by the hand,
while Captain Caruth was congratulating
Austin Marvin upon his escape.

“ There he stands, in the man you know
as Austin Marvin," said Deadshot Dean, con-
fronting the man he referred to.

'A chorus of exclamations arose, while Aus-
tin Marv'n sprung toward his accuser.

But B flalo Bill threw himself between
them, and grasped him by one arm. while
Sur eon Powell seized him by the other.

” Ie spoke the truth, for this man who
calls himself Austin Marvin is none other
than Silk Lasso Sam, the outlaw chief.

“ lt’was he who,‘with a con le of —his men A ‘
held up the coach, killing Ri hens and the. .

/

 
 

 

 

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passenger, who shot one of the outlaws, and
wounded the chief.

“ He then plotted to boldly play the part
of a passenger, dressed himself in the clothes
of the dead man, and sent his baggage to his
camp by his surviving companion and here

ou will find it.

“ lle shaved off his mustache and imperial,
and you all know the rest, and how well he
played his part.

“ lie sought to get a ransom for Miss
Carr, and so arranged to have his men capture
him with her, thus deceiving her into the
belief that he was a prisoner too.

“Thus you all can see the bold game
played by the man.”

" You have no proof of these charges
against me," cried the accused man. -

“ Here is my authority," and Buffalo Bill
turned to the miner.

“ And who are you ?” asked the outlaw.

“ One who was your boyhood friend,
Arden Leigh, one whom you sought to kill,
and who knows all of your vile life.

“If you have any shame in you do not
force me to bring one other as a witness
against you."

‘The man had staggered back as the miner
faced him, and now cried hoarsely:

“ You are Carrol Dean ?"

“ I am Carrol Dean, and did I heck revenge
against you, Arden Leigh, bitterly would I
be avonged in seeingdyou as I now do.

“But I have acte only to save others,
and thank Heaven I have been enabled to do

so.

“ Buffalo Bill told me to take the
war-path against you with him, and [am
glad to feel that at last your career of crime
is at an end,” and turning upon his heel the
miner walked quickly away, as though ovor-
whclmed with the memories that crowded
upon him from the past.

CHAPTER LXIV.
CONCLUSION.

BACK to the fort went the victorious party
of scouts under Buffalo Bill, after having
buried the (lead outlaws.

They carried the chief and other prison
ers with them, and the horses and cattle
captured were driven by the scouts, the
booty also being carried along.

Night came on before they reached the
fort, but a courier had been sent ahead
with the news of the capture of Silk Lasso
3am and his band, and the rescue of Clarice

arr.

The fort was ablaze in honor of the occa-
sion and the guns gave a salute as the party
marched into the stockade.

The miner of course went along, for no
one would hear of his returning, as he
wished todo. at once to Pocket City.

"You must meet the colonel,” Buffalo
Bill had said. ‘

“ You must go,” urged Clarice, and that
settled it.

Upon the arrival at the fort Buffalo Bill
and Surgeon Powell escorted Carrol Dean
to headquarters, and there Colonel Dun.
Woody heard the whole story of the pursuit
and capture.

But Carrol Dean did not say one word
to compromise Bonnie Bell, for he. wished
her name kept out of the whole affair.

Under the circumstances he declined to
receiVe one dollar or the reward oflered, tell-
ing Colonel Dunwoody to divide it among
the scouts and soldiers who had been at the
ca ture of the Will-o'-the-Wisps.

, is pay for the services he had rendered he
did acce t. and the next day arranged to start
back to ocket City. 'for he knew ,how anx-

'ious Bonnie Belle would be to hear all.

One favor he asked of Colonel Dunwoody
apd that was that he might see the prisoner
a one.

This was routed and for a long time he
was with A on Leigh, and at lost left him
with the pledge that he would die without
saying ought to compromise his sister who
had been so devoted to him through all, and
urginglher to go East with Carrol Dean and
make or home with them.

“ And one thing more,” said the outlaw.

" Go and see Miss Nina De Sutro, and say
to her this: , v

“ ‘Silk Lasso Sam says that you are to
have no. fear of his betrn log you, for he has
done evrl enough to. in t end. be guilty of

p a kind deed when it is in his power. '

h
.

 

“ And keep the secret that I sent you to
her, Carrol,” added the outlaw.

“ I will.

” And now good-by.”

“ A last good-by," and Silk Lasso Sam ex-
tended his hand, which the miner grasped.

When he left the prisoner ile asked Buffalo
Bill if he could arrange for him to see Miss
De Sutro, as he had a message for her from
an old friend.

“She is in that arbor on the bluffs, for I
saw her go there a. moment ago,” said the
scout.

'l‘hither the minor hastened, and there he
found the woman pale as death.

She started at seeing astranger, but he said
quickly:

“Pardon me, but I bear a message to you
from Silk Lasso Sam.”

Then he delivered the messa e and left her.

That day the miner bade arewell to his
friends at the fort, and hardly had he ‘been
gone an hour when Buffalo Bill overtook
him, riding rapidly.

“ I came after you to say that the court of
ofllccrs condemned Silk Lasso Sam and his
men to die by hanging in just one month
from \to-day.

“ So be it," was the reply of the miner, and
after a short conversation with Buffalo Bill
he again went on his way.

The next night he arrived at Pocket City,
and for a long while he talked with Bonnie
Belle, telling her all. 4

Then he added:

“Now you must go with me East, for I am
going home.

“My claim is beginnin to pan out far
better. and so 1 wish to go ome and see my
loved ones, and you are to go with me, for
Kathleen will be a sister to you, and I a
brother." ‘

" But will you look after my affairs here
when you return. and close them up?”

" Yes. I will attend to anything for you.”

“ When will you start?"

“ In just two weeks."

“ I will be read .”

, And Bonnie Be le kept her word, whilethe
day they took the stage she got a letter hear-
ing the post-mark of Gettysburg, Penn.,
upon it.

It was from Flip, and in it he told her he was
at home with his mother, and she had for-
given all, while they Were to go to the South
seen where he was to go into business with
his brother-in-law.

“He has be it redeemed, and I shall devote
my life hence orth to the reformation of the
erring,” said Bonnie Belle, handing the letter
to Carrol Dean to read.

But, my kind reader, I will let the cur-
tain fall now upon the characters and scenes
of my story, for as you know, all’s well that
ends well, and that is the end of romance.

THE END.

Beadlets Hall-nime library.

BY BOOKSKIN CAI (lolor l... 0. non.)

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469 The Rlvulfiluntp ofNowhor’.
498 Cactus Burr. the Man trom Hard Luck.
581 Old Bucke e. the Sierra Shadow.
564 Powder I’ II, the Boy Miner.

609 Bolly Borrlt. the Veteran Detective.
020 Little Ll htnln 'rI League; 01, The Mntery oftuo blunt
688 Pluck uul, t 9 Boy Pros tor.

751 Gold-l nut. Dan. the Trail otml.

755 Gold Dust Duu'u (bath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator.

 

BY EDWARD WILLETT.

167 Ann Scott. the Steamboat Boy. I ‘_
199 Featherweight the Boy Champion oltho Iluoklugurn. ‘ . it
no (lurk All' or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. "
IS. The Typo Detective: or, Wane], the Boy Trump. .
.95 Furlon- l’hllt or. The King of Qumlvllle. .4.
811 The Rovln Sport; or, The Pride ofChuchluck Cow. .
38. Keno, the ‘Dctoctlvci or, Kit Ken on‘u Vendetta. '- ;
no 01]. the Oonmruoulot: 07.11:. outouo Vkuuuhu. 

av CAPT. MARK WILToN. ‘ 

.56 Young Keltuekx or, The Red Luna.
I70 Blizzard Ben‘s or, The Riot at Keno Cup. ‘, :,.~_ '
.86 Joel. the Boy Tenderfoot. . 

BY ALBERT w. Arm. 

11 The Two Deter-“vent or.’l'he Fortune- olo Bowery M  ‘
70 be Colt. the Cruw~Klllcn . A...
79 0| (all or. the Giant Tn per. '

.8. Joe Rue ' ofAngelo I. III- Boy Poul.

M7 New York Nit. A Tale olTrlch and Traps In

‘58 New Era loud Nick: or. The Fortun- ofol’o-d

464 Nllllble let, the Circus Prince.

498 To” Ted. tuo Ariloun Sport.

810 Cool Oolorulo, the Hol -Bmd Detective.

.18 Cool Color-do In New York.

 

In antenna 0. June. '; 

:3: 89 Thu- Owney thi’Pnkuowu. . '

t Thur owney’o edge. 
51. The on oe r. v ’3.
58] Double-Curve Dun, the Pitcher Detective.

5914 Flute, the Sluger Detective. '
608 The Pitcher llekctlve’u Fol]; or, Don’s Double Play.  t
616 The Ocean lleteotlvet or. The LutCruhe olthe Black Icon.

681 The Plot-her lheteotlve'o Tia-mt Taoole.

no Lorry the Thoroughbred; or, on Every Side.

779 Iron "and, the Charmed Detective.

 

 

BY CHARLES MORRIS.

1113 Will Sonora, the Boy Detective.
128 Phil Hardy, the Ben Buy.
126 Picayune 'etet or, Nicodemus. the Do: Dublin.
1.. WMVO luck; or, The Hero In RI".
1 [loud-one flurry, tho Boom-ch Duncan.
I “'III Wlm the Thoroughbred.
I Block Baa. lll Wildfire I Racer.
I“? Ike lorry the Harbor Police Boy.
10. fl] Wildlre lo the Woodo.
65 use. the Rollie-d  ‘
70 A Trim. ‘7‘; or Will Wlld ro’WlnI udm ,
74 Bob Beckett; or, hlyrtuloo of New York. .
79 Bob Roe ket the Bunk Runner.
8. Tho III!“ on and in, Wlll Wildflro’o luv-go.
8! ll. Boat 80)“ or. Tho 6m .
89 oh [lookout or. Drlron to the 'ull. {a
96 Endowed : or. Bob koclott’u Fight lor Lilo. ~
Dork Paul. the Tiger King. ‘ at,
“will; Dove, the Dandy Win. '
To— Tuuler or. The B nth Sheep of the Flock.
£36 Bo. Chan-n the Premium Duty.
'85 Flt-dew film. the Manager Boy.
:40 The Two “ Blood- ”; or, Shun-nth Bill and In- On.» .
.5. Mel: “allow-yr or, A Dakota Boy in Chic .
968 The Youngflblrflc or. Rollk-klng Mud-mt Troll.
.74 Jolly ’lllz the Detective Ayn "mice.
.39 Jolly JI- :- Job; or,'l'he oun Dohfl-lvo.
:32 fr‘”.w‘”".ll'rl‘."t' 2°" “'3 it” “if. “3.15.. a”;
on own . n u or. 'ntoru n
.14 Ralph Royody. the Hotel Boy Dotoetlvo.
84] Tony Thor-e. tho thoud Wu.
The Reporter-veteran; or, Fred l‘lyor'o nun-e.
‘1’ W IdevAwoke Joe: or. A Boy at the no“.
.79 Lou . t’e lavatory or. The Blood-of the Boom
408 I‘lfitgek. ll). River-Rut Itoeoflivo.
Fl r: or, The Emppod Cashier.
rod ’1 or I .Reporter Dobfllvo.
lb 0 ms. the Pinkerton Ferret.
Brick; the Jolly Vmoond.
:06  e-Awoke Jerry, grieve; "RE-tomb“ Allv
muvo . t or, rank M.
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D“:

Manon/inn. 

Pubhshed Every Wednesday: Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

   
   
    
   
   
     
   
  
   
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
   
   
  
 
  
    
    
    
   
 
   
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
   
  
 
 
  
   
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
   
    
 
  
 
    
 
 
   
   
  
     
   
  
 
  
 

BY WILLIAM R. EYS'I‘EB.

707 The Rival Rovers.
687 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a Charm.
677 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jayhird.
I650 Gilt-Edge Johnn ; or, Roman and His Rovers.
650 Luck Lester’s one Hand.
6'34 Old andcart's Big Dump.
622 The All Around S orts.
603 Deser. Alf. the . an With the Cougar.
‘590 Gentle JBCK. the High Roller from Humbug.
4578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.

‘ 568 The Dude Detective.
556 Hurrah Harry. the Hi h Horse from Halcyon.
519 BUlS‘laZZfll‘ Brick, the inilil'f 01' Blue .Blazes.
Sid Oregon. the Sport WithaScar.
525 Fri-sh Frank, the Derringer Daisy.
603 The Dude from DenVor.
478 Pinnacle Petr; or. The, Fool from Way Back.
459 Mn?or Sunshine. the Man of Three Lives.
429 Ha r Trigger Tom of Red Bend.
402 Snapshot Sam; or. Tue Anzels’ Flat Racket.
396 Tho Piper Detectiv»; or, The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal Geor e, the Three in One.
.856 Tor e Ham some S Ol‘tS' or, The Combination.
344 Double Shot Dave 0 the Left Hand.
335i Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.
300 A Sport in Spectacles; or. Bad Time at Bunco.
268 Magic Mike. the Man of Frills.
‘229 Captain Cu'sleeve; or, The Little Sport.
.214 The Two Cool S orts; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
192 The Lightning fiort.
182 Hands Up; or, e Knights of the Canyon.
160 Soft Hand Sharp; or, Tho Man with the Sand.
145 Pistol Bards; or, The Silent Sport fr9m Cinnabar

BY CAPT. FRED. WHIT'I‘AKER.

.614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or. Solid Saul.
445 J ourne man John. the Champion.
412 Larry ke. the Man of Iron.
406 Old Pop HICks, Showman.
878 John Armstrong, Mechanic.
$6 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or, The team.
303 Top-Notch Tom, the Cowbo Outlaw.
.295 01 Cross-Eye. the Maveric -Hunter. '
 290 The Lost Corvette: or. Blakeley’s Last Cruise.
‘ , 384 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides’ Revenge.
27? The Saucy Jane, Privateer.
" , 272 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.
‘ 265 Old Double-Sword; or. Pilots and Pirates.
$3 A Yankee Cossack' or.The Queen of the Nihilists.
247 All ator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade.
' he Ski r of the Flash.

ussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac‘s.
215 Parson Jim, King of theCowboys.
‘211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
. '. e. the Cannoneer.
193 The in Bed; or¢
v 187 The Death’s Head (.uirassiers.
174 The Phantom nights.
159 Red Rudiger. he Archer.
. 182 Nemo. King 0 the Tramps.
‘ 115 The Severed Head; or. The Castle Coucy Secret.
, 108 The Duke of Diamonds.
'- ' 98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.
.06 Double Death; or. The Spy of Wyoming.
69 The Irish Ca taln. A Ta 6 or Fontenoy.
65 The Red Ra ah; or. The Scourge of the Indies.
89 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

BY om. coomns.

. 619 Kit gaudy & Co . the Border Detectives.
148 One-Armed All. the Giant Hunter. '
187 Long Beard. the Giant 8%

99 9 Giant Riflsman: or. lld Camp Life.
'51 Rob. the Bo Road-Agent. ,
48 ldaho Tom the cum Outlaw of Silverland.

46 Bowie-Knife Ben, the Nor’west Hunter.
44 Old Dan Rackhack, the Great Exterminator
48 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger.

7 Death-Notch, the Destroyer.

‘4 n! PHILIP s. wanna.

5: ' ‘66 Captain Adair. the Cattle Kinf. .
.667 Captain Midnight. the Man 0 Craft.
.544 The Back to Back Pards.

' . w asthamgion Three. - ,
 soc back uck, the Centaur of the Plains.
472 Six Foot 81' or. The Man to “ Tie T ."
~ 431 California kit. the Always .m Hand. ‘
404 Silvergig; or A “ Daisy " Bluff.
u , 880 Tiger k's Pl 3 or, The Golden Serpent.
i, ~ 650 Yell0w Jack. the estizo. - ‘
' 7  i“ or mm: ‘ d‘t‘ifigzmmo Sport'
 nrccanmr c, s .
En  rd- ‘ ~ *
 srcvs.roni- .
; so: OHM

  
 

Head: or. d and his Man.
171. law Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart. .
114 e Gen eman from Pike.
so Alan - or; Caliban she Dwarf.
54 Always on Band; or. The Foot-Hills Sport. 1
29 Tiger Dick. Faro Kin ; or The Cashier-mourns.
4 T Ildnspper; or. e orthwcst Shanghai.

 

1 A 'd Crowd; or. Gentleman Sam’s Sister.
r 7 BY IRON ems.
2 4199 gas Cowbo COurlsrsi .
-  686 e‘On-the- i Detectives. , .
M The submarine

  
 
 

l

 
  

' c: or. The Water Ghouls.

w’ m Captain Ready. the Bed Bassoon-r.

; on The Meat Detective; or. The 3 Neither.
, Thebemon Steer.

’ j The Flying Glim; or, The island Lure. '.>

I ,I at ‘Pnor. J. n.1nonhnhm. '
‘ .816 Lafitte's Lieutenant: or. Child of the Sea.

.‘814 L-ifltte; or. The Pirate of the Gulf.

118 The in Ca n‘ . The Fallen Star
116 The Sea lippqrg‘g, The hreebootcrs.

’ «In on. sons. banana.
' .TthctsslIvoinRsn' or.Ths-Grim We.
[garners-ooan 8 Jr

. V ‘

  
  
    
   
   
       
  
   
   
 
   

The Ghost of the on Guard. '

i B'Y CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES.

i 711 Dan Damon. the Gilt-Edge Detective.
; 701 Silver Steve. the Branded Sport.
_ 694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.
l 684 Vv-iVeL Van. the Myste{'y Shadower.
674 The Dude Desperado
671 Jason Clew. the Silk-Handed Ferret.
BN4 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun er.
6M Sol S hinx. tho Ferret Detective.
612 Red ard and Yellow
608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx.
502 Captain Sid. the Shasta Ferret.
579 Oil Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.
569 Caplain Cobra. the flooded Mystery.
5'59 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.
550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret.
513 The Magnate Detective. ‘ , ,
5'32 J ac ( Javcrt. the independent Detective.
5-33 Reynurd of Red Jack: or. The Lost Detective.
512 Captain Velvet‘s Big Stake.
505 Phil Fox, the Centre] Spotter.
496 Richard Reiiflrc. the Two Worlds’ Detective.
48? Sunshine Sum. a Chip of the Old Block.
480 Hawk.<pen.r. the Man with a Secret.
458 Colilzrip in Dradwooil.
460 Captain (:oldnrlp. the Detective
453 Contain Coldgrip's Long Trail.
447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy.
441 The California Sharp.
434 Lucifer Lynx. tnc \\ onder Detective. I
421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.
413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.
4m Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or. In un Nick.
400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New ork Spotter.
392 The Lost Bonanza: or. The Boot of Silent Hound.
382 The Bonanza Band: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
874 Major Blister. the Sport 01? TWo Cities.
365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.
352 The Des rate Dozen.
347 Denver uke. the Man with “ Sand."
640 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.
335 Flash Dan. the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
321 California Claude. the Lone Bandit.
294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy.
278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the,Velvet Hand.

BY WM. Ge 

715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.

702 Double-Voice Dan, the Al ways-on-Deck Detective
696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
680 T e Sparkler Sharp.

676 I urricanc Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

669 Old True Blue. the Trusty.

so a: i‘““‘3*’°"i§"§.°“‘ :0 Barnum ,

' mg g . e lug an .

648 Gold Glove id the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack. the esert Nomad.

631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Cs rain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.

571 Oh Dismal. the Ban 9 Detective. .

545 Hustler Harry, the owboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

823 Hotspur Hu h; or. The Banded Brothers.
811 Heavy Han :or, The Marked Men.

805 Silver~Piated Sol, the Montana Rover.

291 Horseshoe Hank.lthe Man of Big Luck.

285 Lightning Bolt. the Canyon Terror-

276 Texa l Chic . the SouthWest Detective.

271 Stoneilst. 0 Big Nu get Bond.

266 Leopard Luke the in of Horse-Thieves.
263 iron-Armed Abe. the unchback Destroyer.
258 Bullet Head. the Colorado Bravo.

‘245 Barranca Bill the Revolver Cham ion

28? Lou Haired Max; or, The Black c.
927 Buc shot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida o.
2233 Canyon DIVE, the Man of thexMountain.
219 The Scorpion Brothers; or. Mad Tom‘s Mission
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.

194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.

176 Lady Jaguar. the RobbenQueen.

IIY 8AM S. HALL- “ Buckskin Sam.”

511 Paint Pete. the Prairie Patrol.

871 Gold Buttons' or. The Up Range Pards

858 The Prince of Pan Out. .

842 Blanco Bill, the Mustang Monarch.

628 King Kent; or, The Bandits of the Bison.

323 The Crimson Coyotes; or, Nita, the Nemesis

an Raybold. the Battling Ban on

ill Bowlder Bill' or. The Man rom Taos.

296 Stampede Steve: or, The Doom ofthevDouble.
287 band Dave and his Horse. White Stocking.

282 The orciless Marauders; or. Carl‘s Revenge.
278 Mountain Mose. the Go Outlaw. ’

069 The Bayou Bravo: or, T e Terrible Trail.

1 964 The Crooked Three.

256 Dodble Dan. the Bastard; or. The Pirates. .

250 The Rough Riders; or. Sharp E o. the Scourge.

914 Merciless Mart. the Man Ti r 0 Missouri.

269 The Terrible Trio' or. The zel of the Army.

as Roch Mountain -' l; or, The Wait 01‘ the age.

221 Desperate Duke. thsGuadslcupo “Galoot. '

217 The Serpent of El Peso; or. Frontier Frank.

212 The Brazos Tigers: or, l‘hv Minute Men.

204 Big Foot Wallace, the King of the Lariat.

109 Diamond Dick, the Dandy rom Denver.

has The Lone Star Gambler: qr. Mmia‘s Maid.

191 The Terrible Tonlmwav; or. Old {1: Pards.

186 The Black Bravo: or, The Tonknwsy’s lumph.

178 Dark Dashwood. the rate.
90 Wild Will, the Mad Ra era.

3 Kit Carson, Jr., the Crack Shot. ,

as con. Incline n.n¢ins'rnn1r.

so Spring-Heel Jack: or. The Masked Mystery.

so: Fightile Tom. the Terror of the Tonghs.

236 Chump on 8am: or. The Monarchs of the Show.
169 Corporal Cannon. the Man of Fort Duels.

157 Mourad,,the Mameiuke; or, The hrec Sword

masters.
150 El Rnblo Bravo. Kim: 01' the Swordsman.
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BY NED BllNTLINE.

657 Long Tom. the Privateer.

633 The Sea S y.

621 The Red rivateer; or. The Midshipman Raver.

Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.

517 Buflalo Bill’s First Trail.

361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.

270 Andros. the Rover; or. The Pirate's Daughter.
1722 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot S y.

111 The Smuggler Captain; or, 118 Skipper’s Crime.
61 Captain Seawaii'. the Privat ~er.

2‘3 The Red Warrior; or. The Comanche Lover.
18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle.

'. 16 The. White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.
14 'i‘hayendnnegea.the Scourge ; or. The War-Eagle.

BY EDWARD \VILLET'I‘.

483 Flush Fred. the River Shn ).

368 The Canyon King; or. o. P ce on his Head.

348 Dan Dillon. Kim: of Crosscnt.

337 Old Gabe. the Mountain Tram .

327 Terrapin Dick. the Wlidwood etectlve.

315 Flush Fred‘s Double; or, The Squatters‘ League.
308 Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

298 L gzer Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods.

299 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.

274 Flush Fred, the Mississip i Sport.

248 Montana Nat. the Lion 0 Last Chance Camp.
222 Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack’s Crime.

209 Buck Farle . the Bonanza Prince.

129 Mississippi 058; or, a Strong Man's Sacrifice.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

$7 The White Squaw.

214 The Hunter’s Feast.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah.

21% The Wild Huntressr or. The uatter.

213 The War Trail: or. The Hunt of eWild Horse.

208 The White Chief. A Romance of Mexico.

200 The Rifle Ran ers; or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain 0 the Rifles' or, The Lake ueen.
66 The Specter Barque. A ale of the Peel 0.

55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
12 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.
6 The Headless Horseman. v

BY HIROLD PAYNE.

713 Detective Barr‘s Spirit Chase.

706 Det"ctlve Bu rr’s Seven Clues.

698 Thad Burr. the Invincible.

690 The Matchless Detective.

680 XX, the Fatal Clew. :

BY cononm. mannn sans

106 Shamus O'Brien, the Bould Boy of Glingsl.
87 The Scarlet Captain° or. Prisoner of the Tower.
56 Silver Sam; or. The Mystery of Deadwood City.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“ Old newt.»

648 Castlemaine. the Silent Sitter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

595 Wellborn. the Upper Crust Detective. '
582 Joram. the Detective Expert.

574 Old Falcon's Double.

561 The Thug Klng‘ or, The Falcon Detective's Foe.

543 Falc0nbridge. the Sphinx Detective.

586 Old Falcon s Foe; or. The Detective‘s Swell Job.

515 ghort-Smp Ma 6, the Diamon 'Field Detective.

509 id Falcon. t e Thunderbo t Detective.

501 Sgringsteel Steve. the Retired Detective.

494 T e Detective’s Sig).
485 Rowlock. the Bar
477 Dead-arm Brandt.
467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Circus Detective.

4.51 Griplock. the Rocket Detective.

444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand. )
424 Hawk Heron’s De uty. \

886 Hawk Heron. the slcon Detective. ‘

MISCELL A NEO us.

566 The Dauntless Detec-Jve‘ or, The Daughter.
Avenger. Bv Tom W. ng. 4

542 The Ocean Driit; or. The Fight for Two Lives.
ByA F H it

. . o . .

534 Green Mountain Joe: or. The .Countcrfeiter‘l
Cave. BK Marmaduke Dey. ‘

518 34331)]me am. the Thoroughbred. By J. W.

s n.

4110 Sarah Brown. Detective. B; K. F. Hill.

366 The Telegraph Detective. y George H. Morse.

853 Bart Brennan; or. The King 0! Straight. Flush.
Bv John Cuthbert.

350 Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.

‘312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge.

r Detective. .

By Mor-
ris Bcdwing. .
275 The Smuggler Cutter. 13%.]. D. Conroy.
underbolt. By 001.

261 Black Sam. the Prairie
Yards

Jo .
190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas.
179, Conrad the Convict. By Prof. Gilderslecvs.
m Owlet. the Robber Prince. B s. 1:. Urban.
166 The Doomed Dozen. B Dr. :31: Payroll. .
152 Captain Ironnerve. the ountcrfctlter Chief
146 The Doctor Detective.  Lemuel.
144 The Hunchback of Notre me. . J Victor Hugo.’
140 The Three Spaniards. Bfli Geo slker.
138 Body the Rover. B W am Carleton.
125 The Blacksmith Out aw. By R. Ainsworth.
110 The Silent Riflsman. H. W. Herbert,
102 The Masked Band. By Orzo L. Aiken.
78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainzcr.
76 The esn’s Mus steers. Br Georre Albany.
68 The lighting Trap r. By Capt.J. F. 0. Adams. .
60 Wide Aw he. the her King. By F. Dumont.
82 B‘ho a Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegian.
11 Mlds lpman Easy. By Ca lain Mam
10 Vldocq. the French Police pv. By in it.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
6 Wildpat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.

4 new issue every Wednesday.
Bc’uflc’s Dime Library is for sale b

 

Ncwsdealers. ten cents per eopv, or sent by ms ion.
rsth of twelve cents each. lessons .2 anus.

hers. 98 William street. New Tart.

 

 

 

 

  
 

  

 

   
 
 

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Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Umform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. "~

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BY JOSEPH B. BADGER, JR.

712 The Man of Silk.

705 Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte.

693 Kent Kasson, the Prvac ler Sport.

683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.

675 Steel Surl‘y, the Sport from Sunrise.

688 Solemn Saul’s Luck Strtak.

661 The Got-There Sharp.

651 Silvertip Strve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.
645 Gopher (lube, the Unseen Detective. ..

6:35 Dundv Darling, Detective

627 Mosshack Mosv, the Mountaineer.

617 The Grip Sack Sharp‘s Even up.

597 llig Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte.
588 Sunny Sands. the Sharp from Snap City.

576 Silver-Tongued Sid: or, Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep.
561 The Grip-Sack Sharp: or. The Seraphs of Sodom.
555 Grip»ka Sid. the Sample Sport. .

517 Ill“ Buried Detective; or. $3 ll's Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet. the Man of Nerve.

56.") Dandv Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift.
527 Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective.

514 Gabe Gunn. the Grin from Ginseng.

504 Solemn Saul. the Sad on from San Saba.

495 Rattlcpate Rob; or. The Roundhead‘s Reprisal.
488 The Thorn ughbred Sport. ,

474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Desoot of Dew Drop.

466 Old Bench and Ready, the Sage of Sundown.
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.

450 The llustL-r Detective.

443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny‘s Picnic.

438 Oklahoma Nick.

4% L ughinu Leo; or. Sam‘s Dandy Pard.

426 '1‘ to Ghost Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte Jun. the Blues Sheep of Bismarck.

409 Rob Roy Ranch: or. The Imps of Pan Handle.
40:: The Nnnwless Sport.

395 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derrimzers.

387 D vrk Dur . the Ishmael of the Hills.

379 Howlingr onathan,.the Terror from Headwaters.
372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.

" 367 A Royal Flush: or. Dun Brown‘s llig Game.

360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
355 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete.
851 Nor‘ West Nick. thn rder Detective.
345 Masked Mark. the Mountul Detective.
3‘19 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
3‘31 Chis Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport.
324 Old,' orked nghtninr. the Solitary.
317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.
286 Pistol Johnny; or. Ore Man in a Thousand.
283 Sleek Sam. the Den] of the Mines.
257 Death Trap Diggings: or. A Man ‘Way Butt.
219 Elephant Torn. of Durnnzo.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.
233 The Old lloy of Tombstone.
201 Pirate of the Placers: or. Jeannin’s Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Rob: or, The Belle 0 Nugget Camp.
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.
is? goaquin. the Emma“ \
oa uin, t e ‘ e 113‘.
141 u‘lnox Tom. the Bull ' f Red Rock.
127 80 Scott.’ the Masked or. ,
11.9 Alabama Joe; or. The _Yazoo Man-Hunters.
105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.
71 Captain 0001 Blade: 01'. Mississippi Man Shark.
67 The Boy Jockey: or, Honesty vs. Crookednoss.
64 Double-Sight, the Death Shot.
50 Jack Rabbit. the Prairie Sport.
47 Pacific Pete. the Pdnce of the Revolver.
45 Old Bull s- e. the Lichtm Shot.
40 Long—Hake Paras: or.The arters of the Plains.
30 Gospel George: or. Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.
28 Three-Fingered Jack. the Road-Agent.

BY \VILLIAM ll. MANNING.

714 Gahe Gull. the Gamboller_from Great Hump,
706 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Sus ct,
692 Dead—Shot Paul. the Deep—Range 101-en
655 ‘trawberry Sam. the Mun With the lrthmark.
646 ark John, tthiislnélltxgcntlfi
I rca e ..
% M“mgl'iIi‘ust'Iljave. the Nevvr-Beaten Detective_
611 Alkai Abe the Game Chicken from Texas.
155% gustllgimtfiuhel; thglRQund-Up Detective. I
on on s on e.
.575 Steady Hand, the Napoleon of Detectives.
563 Wyomln Zeke, the Hotspur of Honeysuckle.
551 Garry egathe Man with Backbone.
53” Old Doumwm'k. the W11 Detective.
581 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prn rle Centaur.
. Sam. the Nort-M'est ot.
513 Texas Tartar. the. m with Nine Line.
503 U901!) 301W“: the Pe oemaker of Hornets Nest.
498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy.
.492 Border Bullet. the .mm, sh‘mxnoowr.
486 Kansas Kitten. t N we.» W_
479 Gladiator Gabe, 1: cm“ Mack,
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455 an]: Yellowblrd. the Ta]! Hustléofthe Hm;
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BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGRAHAM.

704 Invisible Ivan. the Wizard Detective.

685 The Redskin Sea anpr.

679 Revello. the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers
672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea. Rover‘s Bride.

662 The Jew Detective: or, The Beautiful Convict.
658 The Cowl) y Clan; or. The ’ligress of Texas.
653 The LnSSo King‘s League. A companion Story

to “ Buck Tuvlor. the Saddle King."

649 The Rov r’s et ibution.

635 The Ex Buccaneer; 01‘, The Stigma of Sin.

6530 The Sea Thief

625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the. Bahamas.
615 The Three uccnneers. '

610 The Red Flag Rovrr; or, White Wings of the Deep.
605 The Shadow Silver Ship.

600 ’l he Silver Ship: or. The Sea Scouts of ‘76.

593 The Sea. Rebel: or. Red R was of the Revolution.
591' Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or. True limits of ‘76.
581 The Outlawvd Skipper; or. The Gantlct Runner.
560 The Man from Mexico.

55:5 Mark Monte, the Mutiueer; or. The Branded Brig.
546 The Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.

540 The Fleet Scourge; or. The Sea Wings of Salem.
530 The Savages of the Sea.

5:64 The Sea Chaser; or. The Pirate Noble.

511i Chatard, the Dead-Shot Duelist.

510 El llloro, th: Corsair Commodore.

493 The Scouts of the Son. '

489 The Pirate Hunter; or. The Ocean Rivals.
482 Ocean Tramps ' or, The Desperadnes of the Deep.
471i llob Brent.the uccaneer; or. the Red Sea Raider.
469 The Lieutenant Detective: or. the Fugitive Sailor.
457 The Sea Insurgent: or. Th; Conspirator Son.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast ,orsair.
43.3 The ()ne.Armed Buccaneer.
430 The Fatal Frigate; tor, Rivals in Love and War.
425 The Sea Sword; or. The Ocean Rivals.

418 The Sea Siren: or. The Fugitive Privateer.
899 The New Monte Cristo.
89-3 The Convict Captian.

388 The Giant Buccaneer: or. The Wrecker Witch.
3?? Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
373 Sailor of Fortune: or. The Bin-negat Buccaneer.
369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.
664 The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
646 Ocean Guerrillas; or. Phantom Midshipman.

641 The Sea Desperado.
836 The Magic Snip“ or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
M The Gentleman rate: or. The Casco Bermits.
818 The Indian lsuccaneer: or. 'l‘heRed Rovers.

N7 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.
231 ThoSea Owl: or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
259 Cutlass and Cross; or. the Ghouls of the Sea.
255 The Pirate Priest: or. The. Gambler’s Dau liter.
246 agdeen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan .
fli Lightning the Man of Chance.
at The Kid Glove Miner: or. The Magic Doctor.
284 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.
220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother's Crime.
216.The Corsair Planter; or. Driven to Doom.
210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
205 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
1% The Skeleton Schooner; or c Skimmer.

164 [he Ocean Vampire; or. The‘Castle Heiress.

181 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis.

177 Don Diablo. the Planter-Corsair.

172 Black Pirate; or. The Golden Fetters M story.
162 The Mad Mariner: or. Dishonored and sowned
155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas. .

. ‘lre Eye“ or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.

184 Darke Dan. the Colored Detective.

131 Bucks in Sam. the Texas Trailer. .

129 The Chevalier Corsair; or. The Heritage.

121 TheI Sea Cadet; or The Rover of the Ricoletts.
116 Black Plume; out-The Sorceress of Hell'Gatc.
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag.

104 Montezuma. the Merciless.

103 Merle. the Mutinecr; or, The Red Anchor Brand.

94 Freelance. the Buccaneer.

89 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle.

85 The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.

2 The Dare Devfl: or. The Winged Sea. Witch.

‘. BUFFALO nlnn slovnns.
Numbers * arc flow. I)!» pm of Buzfalo Bill.

716 Buffalo Bill‘s Scout Shadowers.

710 Buxalo Bill Baffled. '

697 Buffalo Bill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.

691 liuffslo Bill’s Blind Trail.

699 Buffalo Bill's crat Service Trail." .

667 Buffalo Bill‘s woo ;nr, The King of the Mines.
649 Buck Taylor. the die King.

614 Buflalo Bill‘s Bonanza. .

The Gold King: or, Montebello. the M flcent.
Daredeath .Dick' 0r, Buffalo Bill's Da ng Role.

«599 The Dead Shot Nine; or. My Pards of the Plains
517 Budalo Bill's First Trail. -
«14 Red Renard. the Indian Detective. ~
‘401 One~Armed Pard; or. Borderland Retributlo .
‘89? The Wizard Brothers‘ or. White. Beavers Trail.
9894 White Beaver. the Eiile of the Platte.

862 Buffalo Bill's Grip: or Oath Bound to Custer.
329 The be e of Three: 0 . Buffalo Bill’s Pledge.
#319 Wild Bi , the Whirlwindaof the West.
‘604 Texas Jack. the Prairie attler. 
.243 ThePl rim Shar : or. The Soldier‘s Sweew
iv) Wild B ll’s Gold rail; or. The Desperate n
175 Wild Bill's Trump C
168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead%h’m.

158 The Doomed Dozen; \or. ffalo Bill. Chief of

Scouts.
117 Buffalo Bill‘s Strange Ford.
92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King.
‘83 Gold BulletSport: or,lK Me of the Overland.
'58 Death-Trailer. the Chief o Scouts. *

3v mason DANGEBFIEIJD influx.

448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor.

186 The P tominueppa: or. The Hyena.

156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo.

142 Captain Cri son. the Man of the Iron Face.

117 Dashin Da ; or. The Hotspur of the Hills. -
99 Buffalo ill. the Buckskin King. . r ‘

V t  .

\

ard: or. The Indian Heiress . ' '

  
   
 

1 BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren.
709 Joe Phenix‘s Unknown. .
681 Joe Phenix‘s Specials. '\
674 Uncle Sun Up. the Born Detective.
670 The Lightweight Detective.
665 The Frisco Detective; or. The Golden Gate Find.
669 The Fresh in Montana.
652 Jae-son Blake. the Bouncer Detective.
647 The Fresh of Frisco at Santa. Fe.
637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.
632 Joe l’henix's Master Search.
6% Joe Phenix‘s Comhin .
620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.
613 Keen Billy, the Sport.
607' Old Benzine. the “ Hard Case" Detective.
691 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow.
594 Fire Face. the Silver King's F 00.
586 The Silver Sharp Detective.
577 Tom of California.
570 The Actress Detective; or. The Invisible Hand.
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
556 Fresh. the Sport-Cheva'ier
537 Blake. the Mountain Lion.
5'29 The Fresh in New York.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
497 The Fresh in Texas.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
475 Chm Chin. the Chinese Detective. i
465 The Actor Detective. ,
461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande. *
440 The High Her e of the Pacific.
425 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants.
419 The Bar. or the Battery : or. Joe Phenix. Detective.
498 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death. .
391 Kate Scott. the Decoy Detective. » '
384 injun Dick. Detective: or. Tracked to New York. '
361 The Gygsy Gentleman: or. Nick Fox. Detective. . 
376 Black eards: or. The Rio Grande High Horse. ‘ -. "
370 The Dusky Detective: or. Pnrsued to the Eco. “
863 Crowningshield. the Detective
354 Red Richard: 01 i'he Crimson Cross Brand.
349 Iron-Hearted Di: 1:. the Gentleman Roan-Agent. ’
320 The Genteel Spotter:~ or The N. Y. Night Hawk. .v
. 2 The Wall Street Blood: or. The Telegraph Girl. . J" r
293 The Double Detective: or.’l‘he Minnith Mystery. ’ “T '
. 196 La Marmoset. the Letective Queen. I
: 173 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred. ‘. _
, 161 The Wolves of New York: or. J0e Phenix’s Hunt. ‘v
. 130 captain Volcano or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
‘ 112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective.
107 Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
101 The Man from New York.
! 97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.
93 Captain Dick Talbot. Kim: of the Road. "‘5
91 The Winning Car: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter. ' _«‘g
84 Hunted Down: oryThe League of Three. ~ 1 ‘ 
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heal t of Fire.
79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spv. ,
77 The Fresh of Frisco; or. e Heiress. :
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
; 72 The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress. .  ‘r
t 63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of Gulf. ..
I 59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw. A 3
I 56 The Indian Mazeppa: or. Madman of the Plains.  .3ng
, 49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha eon. ' i.
42 The California Detective: or, The Who esofN.Y. x "v
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Sava e of Salt Lake. '
36 Velvet Band; or. injun Dick‘s ron Grip.
.’ 36 Injun Dick: or. The Depth-Shot of Shams.
l 35 Kenth the S rt: or. Dick Talbot of the Mines. ,
34 Rocky Mountain Rob. the California Outlaw. .'
1 83 Owrland Kit: or. The lug] of White Pine. 
j , 31 The New York Sharp; or. he F ash of Lightning. c.
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Gir s 01 New York. ‘

.BY J. C. CO‘VDRICK.

626 Ducats Dion. the N abob Sport Detective. "
612 Sheriff Stillwood. the Regulator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.

‘ 591 Duke Daniels.the Seeicty Detective. .t
.560 Shadowing a Shadow.
565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.
557 The Mountain Graybtards; or, Riddles’ Biddle.
519 Old Riddles. the Rock Ran er
499 'l‘Willg‘ht Charlie. the good port.
473 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective.
4522 Rainbow Rub. the Tulip from Texas.
436 Kentucky Jean. the 88011: from Yellow Pine. V
422 Blue grass Burt. the old Star Detective. ‘
890 The iantCupid: or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. .. {4 .'

718 Uncle Bedrock’s mg’nounce- or The Ed Men ‘ 
of Mineral Bar. By Wm. R. Fyster. . .1
719 Bosion Bob, the Sport Detective. By George 0. '

en .

720 The Secret Six; or O'd Halcyon. the  .

. William”.  m ‘
Sam Saunders. actions-30inan Detective;

or. Hunted Wine World. syn. renal. .-
722 uffalo I! on ‘tlle‘War-path; or, Silk I‘m

 

 

 

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BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY.

Buffalo Bill Novels.

By Col. P.

 

Buffalo Bill on the VVar-pafh.
Iii;i'ali0m.
Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowersmr, Emerald
Ell of' Devil’s Acre.
Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des-
perudo‘s Defiance. By Col. 1’. lngraham.
iufi'ulo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood: or,
Opening Up a Lost Trail. By Col. ingraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, MUalallg
Madge. the Daughter of the Regiment. By
Col. Prentiss Iugraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Secret Survive Trail: or, The
Mysterious For. By Maj. Dangerfield Burr.
Bull'an Bill’s Swrop; or, The King of the.
luvs. By (.‘ol. Prentiss liigi'ahaiu.
Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo
Bill‘s Chief of Scouts. By Col. 1’. ingrahaui.
Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza: or, The Knights of
the Silver Circle. By (fol. 1’. Ingraliam.
The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Mag-
nificent. By Buffalo Bill.
. Buffalo Bill‘s Daring BOle; or. Dai'edeath
Dick, King of tliei'owhoys. By Leon Lewis.
The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Pards of the
Plains. By Buffalo Bill.
Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, \Vill Cody, the
Pony Express Rider. By Ned Biiutline.
Red Renard, the Indian Detective: or, The

*1
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Bill

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' M . ' I

“39

 

 

In Buffalo Bill, as hero and author, we have
one of the most unique characters in our popular
literature. What with his remarkably varied

Published Every ll'vdnmday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Tm C(mfs.

 

By Col. P. ingrahaui. ' '3

 

 

and venturesome life, his manly and generous G0“ Buzzards of 001mm“ By Bum‘lo Bin-

nature, his versatility of talent, and his
princely personal bearing, he is recog-
nized as a typical American, and as such
everybody is his admirer and friend in
his own country and in Europe, where
he n0w is.

It may be said, indeed, that his re-
markable career in the Old World has
done more to popularize the real Amer-
ican than any American who ever repre'
sented us abroad, in any capacity. He
is to remain in England for another
season; then he will return, to become
one of the great features of the Colum-
bian Exposition. There will bea Buffalo
Bill Exposition, in truth, for his pro-
gramme is for an exhibit far transcend-
ing anything yet attempted in represent-
ing Indian, Ranch, Mining, Hunting,
Settlement and Army Life in our Wild
W t, and embracing a magnificent
troupe of Indians from over thirty
tribes, Cowboys, Marksman, Bronco
Breakers, ctc., something that every
American will applaud, and visitors to
the great World’s Fair will regard as
one of the most representative of all the
nation’s exhibits.

In the whole realm of American
Literature nothing is more inspiriting
than Baanna’s Dnm LIBRARY series,
and nothing is finer in that series than
the stories from Cody’s own forceful pen; while
in the contributions of Col. Prentiss Ingraham,
Leon Lewis and Major Dangerfield Burr, in
which Buffalo Bill and his companion scouts and
cowboy pards are the chief actors, all admirers I
of the distinctively American in fiction havel
productions whose interest and power have made
them a distinguishing feature of the trade.

BUFFALO BILL.

401 The One-Arm Pard; or, Red Retribution in
Borderland. By Buffalo Bill.

397 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver’s
Trail. By Buffalo Bill.

394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or,
A Wronged Man’s Bed Trail. By Buffalo
Bill.

362 Buffalo Bill's Grip; or Oath‘hound to Cus-
ter. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

329 Buffalo Bill’s Pledge; or, The League of
Three. By Col. Prentiss In raham.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind 0 the West. By
Buffalo Bill.

304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The
Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill.

243 The Pil im Sharp; or, The Soldier‘s Sweet-
heart. Buffalo Bill.

189 Wild Bil 's Gold Trail; or, The Des rate
Dozen. A Romance of Buffalo Bills Old
Pard. B Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

175 Wild Bugs: Trum Card; or, The Indian

Heiress. yCol. 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 P0well. ‘

 

 

 

Dandy, the Botspur of the Hills. By Maj. 1
Dangerfield Burr. l

92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King; or, The
Amazon of the West. Bly Major Burr. ‘

: 83 Gold Bullet Sport: or, he Knights of the
, Overland. By Buffalo Bill. I
1 02 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; or, Life ‘
I and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo
1 Bi“- l

 

 

ii7 Buffalo Bill‘s Strange Pfil‘d: or, Dashing: '

No Double Numbers.

 

u... -..-.._ .__...__.._..__.._'. _

 

700 Lodestone Lem, the Champion of Chestnut
Burr. By A. K. Sims.

710 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Desper—
ado’s Defiance. By Col. P. lugraham.

711 Dan Damon, the GiltvEdge Detec-
tiVe; or, The Mystrr of Madeline
Miggs. By Captain . Holmes.

712 The Man of Silk; or, Little Puss,
the Pride of Posey’s Pocket. By
Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

713 Detective Burr's Spirit Chase: or,
The Mystery of No. 13. By Harold
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 Shadowers; or,
Emerald Ed of Devil’s Acre. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

717 Captain Pat McGowen the Green-
coat Detective. By A. WV. Aiken.

718 Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce; or, The
Bad Men of Mineral Bar. By W.
B. Eyster.

719 Bmton Bob, the Sport Detective.
By George C. Jenks.

720 The Secret Six; or, Old Halcyon,
the Stranger Within the Gates.
By Jeseph E. Badger, Jr.

721 Sam Saunders, the Go-As‘- You-
Please Detective. By K. F. Hill.

722 Buffalo Bill on the War-path. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

723 Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detec-
tive. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.
724 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detec-
the. By Captain Howard Holmes.
Ready September 7th.
A New Issue Every W'eek.

Bunuz's Dunc LIBRARY is for sale by all.
Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail
on receipt of twelvo cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,
98 William Street, New York-