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A Romance L‘fllken River. ‘ , I ~    

BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, v ‘-' a  ;  V i.

AUTHOR OF “PISTOL PARDS." “DOI‘BLE SHOT
DAVE.” "GILT-EDGE JOHNNY,” no.

 

CHAPTER I.
A WILEY mumm.

“SOME one’s a-comin’, so better stow yer
“hint till we see of it's Lher hose.”

“ Bass, nothin’l It’s . Weary pilgrim. I kin
see ther top ov his tile, au' kin jedge all ther
rest. 13 he wu’th ther skmnin’? I sh'u'd may
not."

The speakers were men of unpleasant appear-
ance, and they had an auditory like to themselves
in every respect.

Six men huddled on the very tip-top of the
divide, and if they were met there for any g v - A ~
purpose their look: Itrangely belied them. run BLOW SENT ran VILLAIN sranuNG STRAIGHT ALONG TH: L’NCIRTAIN BRIDGE.

 

 
    

 

I

\

13.:

s,,,i.

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bouncie. ' ~

 

In the thriving town of Mineral Bar, which
lay at the foot of the south side of thedivide, the
first speaker was known as Bandy Bruce.

The man who answered him was Toni Trueflt,

' according to his own statements, though he was
generally called Tommy Twofeet by the
members of the tough circle in which he
moved.

The four others had names which had been
more or less altered and amended, to suit the
whims or tastes of their acquaintances, and if it
a pears necessary they will be mentioned in due
t me.

At all eths the six looked very much like a

ang of conspirators, if like nothing worse.

sand all, they kept their eyes fixed on the
trail which led down the north slope of the
divide, waiting for an Opportunity to inspect the
man whom whistle they heard at some distance,
and who was slowly coming nearer.

“Becket, then, thar’ll be no bizness. Don’t
yer think itd bin 'est on well of we hadn’t all bin
by?” together. ’ ears ter me it kinder looks

'T “ Blame ther Iooksl” hastily interrupted

ommy.

“I take it back. The rest ov you skoot inter
ther bresh, an‘ me an Bandy’ll see w’ot he has in
his kicksies. Looks better than I feared.”

“ But, ef ther boss—"

“ He never said nothin’ ag’in’ a stroke ov work
when ther job war jest slung at ye. It’s a
chaince sech ez we can’t afford ter throw away.
Lay low, now, tell ye hear me talk, an’ then be
on hand. About one minnit more an’ he’ll be
ready fur ther slaughter.”

Bandy did not appear entirely satisfied with
the prospect of a stock operation und er the cir—
cumstances', but he held his round, while the
other four melted out of sig t with a celerity
god a silence which spoke well for their train-

ng.

The whistler was so free from are Bruce
might have interrupted still further with a

, classical quotation, had he been up in his Horace;

, and he had Opened his mouth to give vent to an

‘ opinion of his owu when Twofeet turned on him
with a savage scowl, at the same time allowing
a cocked revolver to fall into line with his
hews ‘ 'fl'

“ Jest hold. er yawp, Bandy. Suthin’hez got
tor bedid an a leetle stake are better than none,
at all. Ei ther boas which you are so steered ov
don’t wantns on ther war-path he better pon
hp more ov them ducksts be are so fond ov tel -
in’ us about. I ain’t goin’ ter starvo, an’ it‘s on’y
’cause I love yer like a brother thet I’m a-lettin’
you in. Ov course, Onless it turns outa bigger
haul than it looks like, the rest don’t sheer.”

“Hev it yer own way. I kin give yer help
:1; 5,1,8? won’t take advice. I’m ez hungry ez you

And to show that he was in earnest, Bandy
drew his own revolver.

The two men were lying flat on the ground,
and were now partial] shielded from view by a
convenient bowlder. class the stranger hiid

. been very much on the alert he would not have

3 been able to catch a glimpse of them until they
were ready for him.

l 'AE‘a last precaution the pards donned, each of

z them, a mask; and then as their gains reached
the crest of the divide, they raised up, cooking
their revolvers as they ’rose.

“ Hands up, Mister Man l” harshly grated
Tommy.

“Don't make ary mistake about it. Ef you
don’t knuckle right under ye’r’ a dead man.’

The stranger came to asudden bait, and stared
around him with an air of affright which was
ludicrOiis to see.

" Hands up, I say! Didn’t yer hear me? BE
1 hev ter say it ag in you kin expect ter croak.
Breath’s too mighty skeerce ter waste it on a
loonatick whodon’t hear when he’s spoken to like
a ntleman."

here was no more hesitation. The hands of
the stranger went up ovor his head as high as he
3 could reach.

“ For more ’s sake, hold out What have I u

been doing? n’t point these things this way.
I am, as a lamb, and it’s not the square
thing torus the chances of any accident». What
‘do you want with nfei”
‘- ~ ~‘ We want yer mono , er yer life, dog blast
lei Shanon ercroakl ’

" “There coul be no mistaking the sav e
earnestueu of the snarl and considerin 0
position. the stranger oould'have been par oned

I or showlm nervousness.

And after the" dinees with which he had
obeyed the I r, that was just what the two
men ex .

/ But—nothing of the kind.

The stranger broke into a ringing laugh that
was just as genuine as anything the footrpsde. had
evvr heard.

“ Bless my soul, boys, don’t! You make me

red.
“ We’ll make er tireder yit,” growled Tommy, .
who, now that e was in for it, was ready to go ‘-

thp extreme limit if need be.

“ Thar don’t seem ter be no use ter waste 00d,

sense on yer, an’ so—jest once more ov as in’,
sn’ then—over ther range yer gOes.”

 

l

But Bandy Bruce had been looking over the
stranger keenly, and had a word to say.

“Give him a chance, pard. “It’s comin’ on
him surprisin’, like; but i kin see he’s ready tor
talk, and I wants ter hear w‘ot he hez ter say
afore he crooks.”

The fact was. on taking a second glance Bruce
was not sure but what the contract they had

cd' and the profits to be made considerable lose.

he stranger was a yonn man, clad in a suit
that had once been rather oud, though now so
much the worse for Wear. His hair, long, wavy
and black, fell over his neck in unstudied confu-
sion, and the battered tile on his head had seen
i such service it had no longer shape or color.

And yet, something about him said he was a
good many degrees higher than a tramp, and
that whatever better days he might have seen he
expected to see again.

“ Talk? Of course I am willing to talk—even
to such a brace oi hangdog, skulking, c0wardly,
pitiful-looking cut-throats as you are. It has been
so long since saw one of the color that I’m even
willing to play you are white, and have a paiav-
er with you, according. Say something more.
It amuses me so—you can’t think.”

“It won’t be so amusin’ ef we fit yer fur a
wooden Overcoat,” muttered Tommy in an aside
which he intended should be loud enough for the
young man to hear.

“ Now then, [don’t want no more chinnin’ tell
I’m done with yer. Ef pard does he kin have
w‘ot’s left ov yer when I git through. Jest keep
yer han's up that ways tell I see w’ot’s in them
pockets ov yourn, an’ then we’ll know w’ot’s best
ter do with yer.”

“There it is, again. To think that now—of
all times, now—any internally idiotic skip-jack
should take a notion to go through me, when
I’ve logged millions around in my time without
ever having to ut mv hands up as high as the
level of my oh . Why, pard, I’m clean gone
burst. If you can find a maravedi in my pockets
I'll give you my note of hand for a thousand
payiabl’e t e day after the luck comes my way
a n.

" So on say. Reckon you think it won’t hurt
you to ie sleetle. We ain‘t lookin’ fur much
tea-day, but sich ez it is we’re bound ter have
t l

“ Which means, pardnerf” asked the young
man, his face suddenly growing sober as Tommy
Twofeet advanced toward him.

“ That you’re a-lyin’, dog-gun ye i”

Tommy was just in reaching distance, and had
his eyes on the stranger. If the latter had at-
tempted to draw a weapon he would have seen
the movement on the instant it was begun, and
would have pulled trigger accordingly.

Of any other method of resistance he was not
thinking, it seemed so utterly unlikely he would
meet with it, so long as the muzzle of his pistol
was pointed directly at the stranger’s breast.

One of the forearms of the stranger went back
a little, though still hanging high in the air.

Then, he hit With a snap. ‘

The second knuckle of the young man’s hand
seemed to be of iron, for it fairly divided
Tommy’s nose from root to point when it landed,
and the foot- ad sat down without the least
hesitation, an with so much firmness of purpose
he never noticed the sharp rock which left an
imprii t that he felt for hours after whenever
his tli ughts wandered from his injured pro-
inontol'y.

“ You see,” continued the young stranger,
turning coolly to Bandy, “ I wouldn’t object to
being robbed, if I had anything to lose; butl
draw a line somewhere-and your rd happen-
ed to hit against it, hard. I ( on't low a gentle-
man to remark that I prevaricato as ion as I

i expounding gospel truth. Now, then! Vhet

ave you got to say for yourself?”

Bandy was not within reaching distance, and
had his revolver cocked, so that he appeared to
be reasonably safe. but he hesitated‘a trifle be-
fore answering this cool ,stranger. When he did
speak it was with a grin, and a slightly altered

as: r.
“ P’raps, pard, I better say nothiu’ tell yo’re
all clean done. You war tr in’ ter ’xplain
s’uthin when he chipped in. on better hurry
'it up now, when y'er got their chance, fur he’ll
slau hter you sure'when he gits up.” .

“ Thanks for the mission; but I am keeping
an eye on him, an I don’t think he will harm
any one for the resent. What I was olng to
remark was, the:J your brethren over at ordon’s
Gulch cleaned me out, slick as a icon on a mill-

nd and when I undertook to foot it to Mineral
' Er I got lost in the mountains, and on are the
first living souls—if you have souls— have seen
lfor a week. It did my eyes good to see you, and
if you had treated me halfweys decent I would
have embraced on both for brothers.”

“ An’ ez we d dn’t, w’ot yer goin’ ter do about

“ Take on both into camp, for the fun’s sweet
sake.” as d the stranger, with a slight twist of
the uplifted hand, which had gone into elevation
againafter landing on Tommy’s nose.

The derrin er in that hand spoke before Band
realised the rep was on him. As he droppe
four, men came rushing from the bushes. an

 

Tommy sprung to his feet.

i~ ,r«)w’

   
 

     

. 
/.| if“:

taken was a heavier one than had been anticipat- .

l CHAPTER II.
THE Pmenix STANDS PAT—AND WINS.

As Bandy fell his revolver exploded; but the
bullet went high. He was bringing the weapon
into line as the stranger pulled trigger, and in
an instant more the boot would have been on the
other leg.

With Bandy d0wn the young man might have
taken a breathing spell if he had not understOod
his business; but fortunater for him he had a
suspicion that his work was only just begun,
and he went straight along with it, accordingly.

As Tommy Twofeet sprung up, the ‘blood
spouting from his injured nose, and a blurr upon
his eyes, but otherwise strong as ever, and twice
as vicious, he found himself in the arms of the
stranger. They gathered him up, turned him
around, fier him in position, so that one arm
could hold him as a shield,_and then the other
hand jerked out a pistol which had been swing-
ing at the back of his waist.

‘ Hold hard, you! Not a step nearer or there
will be cold meat for treakfast. And that just
reminds me—i’ve not had mine."

Tommy had been in some tight places in his
time; but hedid not remember to have ever been
' in a tighter. The momentary pressure of the
two arms of the stranger had been agonizinz;
and even the one arm ap . red to be gradually
crusbin his (9le into is ribs.

“000 1 Don’t!" be osned, in his pain for-
getting to be nstonishegr that so much strength
could be found in a sin le arm.

“ Stan’ back, boys! on’t you .09 be" km“)!
me? It’s all or mistake fur ther joke’s on t’other '
side. Let go, can’t yeri We on’y meshed ter
hev a ia’tl', an’ ef yer hadn’t bin a dog-gun fool
yer might ’a’ knowed it. Han’s empty, tellers,
er he’ll kill me, sure. Let him go by ef he was
wu‘th a million. We don’t want him.”

By jerks and splatters, talkin first to one
man, and then again to the four, ommy gasped
out these words. With that contracting grip of
steel around him he thought of nothing but him-
self. He had not the reputation of being a cow-
ard, and possibly if he had not been somewhat
dazed by the blow which split his nose he would
not have begged so abjectly. ‘

The four men had jumped at the bark of the
derringer; but they had not more than got into
sight before their pard was between them and
the stranger, and that revolver seemed to cover
the whole of them at one motion. They halted
at his order, fast enough, though they were only r
bidin their time.

“ hat’s all good enough fur you, pard,” an-
swered one o the four, handling his revolver
cautiously, as though ready and willing to bring
it to beer at the first opportunity.

“ But byer’s another pard tliet hez his last sick-
ness, an’ it wouldn’t look well of we didn’t try a
leetle ter git even. store we tole him to go on his
way rejoicin’. Ef you two hedn’t bin so fresh,
thinkin you knowed it all, it would ’a’ saved a
heap ov trouble. Bein’ ther ball hez opened, it
cain’t stop a-rollin’ tell we hev did what we kin
ter git things in proper shape. An’ I guess we
don i. stop short ov a hemp necktie.”

“Now you are shouting l” laughed buck the

stranger. who still held his prisoner witliouta
visible efl’oi't.
. “And the only question is, who it is to be
fitted on. As for your pnrd there, he’s not half
as badly hurt as he seems, and if you would pay
a little more attention to him and a little less to
me, you might find it out. If he passes in his
checks it will be because ypu fools won’t take
care of him when he needs you most. So far,
there is nothing more the matter with him than
a little ridge across the top of his skull and a
corresponding shock. I crooked my finger a
little too soon for a dead-shot; and I am not
certain whether I am sorry for it or not.”

The young man did not seem to be frightened
into giving his explanation, for be was as cool
and smiling as ever. And as far as any tremor
or strain in his voice—no one could have guessed
from his tones that he was slowly crushing a full
grown man in his grasp.

Tommy TwOfeet knew it though, to his sorrow..

“Oh,ohl Good Heaven, let up! I cave! I

knucklel I ot ernufl W’ot more do yer want!
him, 8/ Cain’t yer see, ther devil’s a-»
' killin’ me?” '

His voice was in a thin scream, and about his
earnestness (here coinld no longer be an doubt.
Up to this time his pards had rather enjoyed his
situation, though they had refrained from shoot-
ing' principally on his account.

he distance was not gree t. but the mark was
uncertain. It was no sure thing where a bullet
Would go if aimed at One of those figures so
cloaely blended.

NOW, one of the four  and examined
Bandy Bruce. The fact of his being masked
had rendered it impossible to judge an thing
from his face, and he had lain motion ess as
though dead.

“ Guess it’s a true bill,” said the fellow. rising
up from his investigations. “1 don’t believe he
is half as dead as he looks, an‘ of mm, ther, are,
done with his foolin’, an’ ’ll let that chap go,
we kin bring him ’round. What do yer say,~
, party? Are yer willin’ ter let go yer hold an
° pass on,
handler

 

er must we talk biz. pack up to ther 

 

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m. i Wain. “.44

 

 

 

 

 

' _r -1, r‘ J  (.n M15”.  ;%,‘:,.1-: o 

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce. ’ 3

 

 

“ Beginning to see the joke, are you? Good
boys! You have found out which side is being
held up, after all. I don’t suppose there is
enough wealth in the outfit to justify a respect-
able i‘ootpad in going through your combined
pockets, so I may as well let you off this time,
but this one thing hear in mindzl don’t Wont
any more of such foolishness; and if you try to

lay me foul I’ll take you all in out of thedamp,
if 1 have to run you down one at a time, and it
takes a year to do it in.”

“With a powerful wave of strength be cast
Tommy Twofeet half a dozen yards away, and
then filled his other hand with another revolver.

“ Reckon, party, we mean ter play yer fair;
but of we didn’t you’d never know who hit yer.
Mehbe you‘ll know us of yer sees us ag’in, an’
nleii)“ yer won’t. Ef yer thinks yer does I’d
"Vise Ver ter lay low an‘ say nothin’. 

“My dear fellow, if it was any object for me
'to do so I could have you all spotted again be-
fore the moon rises, but this is Just a bit of fun.
pure and simple. Keep out of my way and I
will hold no grudge. Get in it again and I’ll
shoot to kill. So long, all!”

“ So long, if you call that going, Good-1uck
toyou, down at the Bar, and if we only dared
visit I’d cows dawn to see the fun. It’s a tough
crowd on will have to back against, but I guess

, you wi l be able for them.”

' “ They cleaned me out at the Gulch on asquare
game without a flyer, and I haven’ta word to
say. I walked in with my eyes open. But
there‘s no danger of finding anything of the
kind at Mineral Bar, so I guess I’m safe enough.
Thanks for the warning, though. Some day I
may be able to throw a brick in your back
yard.”

He tossed the words over his shoulder, but
never halted or looked behind him. If any one
there had taken a notion for a shot at his back
there would have been an elegant opportunity.

But the truce was made in good faith, and no
treachery was intended. The stranger passed
along down the trail untila bend in the road
concealed him from possible eight, and the fear
.be an to look over their discomflted pards,

audy Bruce was still insensible; but it was a
little hard to make out what was the matter
with Tommy Twofeet. His neck might be
broken, or he might simply be gathering himself
together to do justice to the occasion. Be lay in
the little huddle he! formed when he first touched
the ground, and it was not until the stranger
had been gone for several minutes that he un—
«coiled himself and began to swear vigorously.

By that time, h0wever, Bruce was beginning
to show signs of returning consciousness, and
all attention was centered on him.

Seeing that he was neglected Tommy arose,
and bolt lug his nose, from which the blood still
continued to spout, staggered over to where his
p-ird was lying.

“An’ you ids let ther blamed gerloot oil’
without a try ter git even? Blast my eyes, ef I
wouldn’t like ter hev men fur panls, once! An’
'pore Bandy a-lyin’ thar dead, an’ me next door
ter a cripple for life of it ain’t no wuss!"

“ Oh. dry no, Tommy! He war your meat,
warn’t he? Who hustled us off inter ther bushes,
mi’ wanted ter hev all ther glory, an’ a good bit
more ner all ther coin'l Bandy ’ll be all right
soon, he’s comiu’ ’round now. An’ I reckon
thar’s nothin’ wuss ther matter with you than a
split bugle, an’ that kin be stucktergether ng’in,
Simmer down, now, an’ help nnss Bandy.”

Whatever answer Tommy might have given
to this was checked by a sound that suddenly
came to his cars. He held up his hand for silence,
and the rest could hear the easy gallop of a
horse, coming up the north side of the divide.

“Thar boss, by all that’s unlucky!" WbiSlN’Ted
one of the men, while Twofeet gave a hurried
glance around, as though looking for a Way 0"
retreat.

“ Yer can’t do it, Tommy,” muttered the man.

“He’s almost hyer, an’ now, you kin do yer
'own talkin’. He’ll want ter kniw what’s biu
3010’ on hyel‘. an’ thar ain’t nobody knows bet-
ter I reckon.

'I‘nere was no mistake in that. The horseman
’hfld augmented h" 8peed as he came nearer,
and almost at the Inlttnt was in sight, and but
a few yards away. V

Without the least hesitation he urged his
hoirse up to the group, and then suddenly drew
re u.
“ What is the meaning of all this! Have you
been uarreling among yourselves? Speak up
quick here, and I will knew what todo.”

His hand swung to his revolvar with the easy
movement of one who is used to drawing, and
.a frown covered his boldly handsome face.

Tommy had nothing to say, Bandy was just
beginning to gasp for breath, and so the one of
the four who had been chatting Twofeet hastily
Ventured a few words to still the rising wrath of
the new-comer. Very briefly he sketched what
had taken place, and wound up with an outline
sketch of the appearance of the stranger.

To'his surprise there was more than anger in
the face of the new-comer, long before he was
done speaking.

" And he was crushing Tommy with one arm

‘ while he held you all at bay with the pistol held

in the other hand?”

 

l

“That war about the way of it. It wasn’t
our put in right then. He war too everlastin'
handy with his shooters, an’ when he war willin’
ter move along we were mighty glad ter git rid
qv him.”

“ And you six let him get away with you all;
let him lay out tWo of you about dead enough
to skin, and then bluflf the rest; and never one
of you had the courage to even take a shot at
his back? Heavenil what curs men can be!
And I’d give a thousand in good gold coin—ten
thousand, if I had it—to have him right here,
now, where he ought to be if you were men
worth the powder it would take to bl0w you
away! l’d spoil his dev'llsh, handsome face, if I
never did another good deed in the worldl I’d
grind it down into sand, and—but enough of
that. If you ever have the chance again I’ll
give a thousand if you take him in in good
shape, ready to hear what I have to say to him;
and if you let him get away again I’ll murder
every mother’s son of you. Now, no more of
that! There are still enough of you to listen,

and I want to talk business, chuck up.”

 

CHAPTER III.
camps In COUNCIL.

MINERAL Baa was not a large city, by any
means, but it was as thriving a town as its age,
position, and population could warrant.

A year or so before the openin of this story
it had been more populous, but it s doubtful if
it would further decrease in size, if present ap-
pearances were not altogether deceptive.

While there was not sufficient richness in the
mines which were in the neighborth to make
it a booming city, and while there was not much
hepe of new discoveries in the region to which it
acted as headquarters, there was visible support
for its present population, and there were strag-
gling outposts which could draw their supplies
from no other direction as handily.

It lay at the foot of the divide, and on ground
which had been promected over pretty thorough-
ly. Beyond it, on the one side, was *a country
which had been more or less explored, with but
barren results.

There were floating stories of strikes, made
somewhere in the regions that were the least
known; but so far their location could never be
found and prospecting in that direction had sel-
dom showed a color. There had been expedi—
tions, to hunt up the lost mines, and search for a
treasure supposed to have been hidden, but they
had resulted in nothing, and at present the town
seemed to be satisfied with what was in si ht.

There were three or four stores in fiineral
Bar, where a person could purchase almost any-
thing desired in such a corner of civilization;
and there were a dozen saloons, in which the
liquor sold was very much on the same average.
The proprietors of stores and saloons were all
making money, though Jack Harper of the
Flume had of late been doing the best of all.
His place was the fashion, and though he did not
personally set out the liquid poison, and only at
intervals was seen to handle the cards, he had
such able assistants that his presence or absence
made but little difference in the running of the
place.

He had been in charge of the Flume but a few
months, and at first seemed to be none too sure
of the ultimate success of the Venture, since ' be
retained an interest in an establishment on the
other side of the divide, which occasionally drew
him away from the Bar.

Then, there was Doctor Rice, who had an
ofllce not far away from the saloon, and who
had the reputation of being as skillful a surgeon
as there was within a hundred miles of the camp.
If he had been content to practice his rofefssion
and charge according to what the tr 0 would
hear he might have made money, even in a town
like Mineral Bar.

But the doctor was an uncertain factor in the
population. At any given moment it was hard
to say whether he would be found at his office,
at the Flume, or away in the mountains, pros-
pecting.

He was not much of a gambler, however,
though now and then he would play a game
after a fashion which showed he knew the value
of his cards as well as any of them, unless it was
Jack Harper. As no one had ever seen the.tvm
play together, no one knew how a game between
them would be apt to result, for Harper was the
chief of the t0wn at short cards. In the list of
the professionals, a oung man of the name of
Billy Barton rank next; while the doctor was
only counted king of the amateurs.

A few hours before the aflair on the summit of
the divide, Doctor Rice was seated in his ofllce,
smoking a pipe, and talking in a lazy way to a
companion.

“ No, Billy, the whole thing is not a fraud—
not by a good deal. Of course, this is between
you and me, and it would make a hoe of trouble
if the thing was stirred up again, ust when it
has been about forgotten. bad the story from
first hands, and have the clew now. Or, rather,
half the claw. When the missing part is found,
I should say we as good as have the treasure in
our hands.”

. “ A ole w, you say? And you have never told
any one of it before?”
“ Never. And there is but one other oqa

.“
7

 

  

 

 

knows of it, and he can scarcely more than sus-
t.

“ A friend or a toe?"

“ Neither—a tool. He has Seen the paper, but
probably thinks it lost or destroyed.”

“ Don’t bank too much on that. You are
hardly going to let him in; and if you are not,
he may make trouble hereafter. It don’t take
much to start a rush, and it is possible he might
head it in the right direction.” -

“ No danger of that. He is just as wide off as
can be about the location. He dropped the man
who carried the map a good fifty miles or more
from the very outside of the range to be gone
over.”

I “lHe dropped the man i” asked the other, care-
ess y.

Billy Barton had been fortunate in not having
to kill his man since he opened in business at the
Bar, but from the way he had used fire-arms on
several occasions, it was supposed he could ban-
dle them as well as the best, and that a man or
tw0, more or less, on his record, would not trou-
ble his sleep greatly of nights.

He was a young fellow, of slender'build, but
lithe as a panther, and with an eye keen as the
keenest.

“ That is something I ought not talk about,
but with you there can be no great objection.
Red Larry has enough reputation to be able to
carry a few more no And after all, he
only he) do the work. There were other:
who he a hand in it, and I never will forget
how they howled when they found out they had
had their labor for their pains.”

Barton’s eyes glittared, but whether through
interest or disgust it might have been hard to

say.

" And that was a long time ago?”

“ Quite a while, my son; quite a while.”

“ How does it come you have let the thing go
for so long, without doing a little investiga-
tion?”

“Bless your soul, I’d like to know why you
think there was no investigation made? There
was plenty of time lost over it that might have
been put to some other use. As I told you, I
only had half a clew.” V

“ And you think there is a chance now to get
the other half?”

“ I don’t think; I know it. Our friend at the
 of town carries the rest of it; or I’m away
0 .

Barton gave a long, low whistle. ’

“ That is the reason you had an eye in that
direction? I thought it was the daughter, all
the time; and wondering what you could see in

her.

,“It might have been the daughter, and I
won’t swear it won’t be the den hter before it
is all done and over' but when got dOWn on
the old man’s object I couldn’t think of anything
e se.

“ And how did you drop to that?"

“ Name was familiar; and he didn’t have to
ask half a dozen questions of some of the old
settlers before I was on to what he was after.
Then, I set some of the boysto spying, and
when they reported a few things said between
the t,on knew here was the right track at

“ And you didn’t offer to go into business with
them i"

” Not a bit of it. I know without asking the
old man would not trust me. I’ll do better
than that. The young lady carries the secret;
and if she don’t she can make the old man tell
all he knows. The best plan is to get a double
cinch on, and make sure of the work.”

“ After that?”

“Then there, will be a little excursion.
a great pity I will have to mix in l talent,
but just at present it will have to be relied on.
Perhaps it will be the cheapest in the end.”

“ You will do as you choose about that,
iagugh I must say, I would not care to trust to

“ You needn’t, to boy, vou needn’t. I will
manage that part 0 it. For the rough work
they will do well enough, and tl‘ey can be drop-
ped Overboard when the real business begins.”

“See here! You are not going to set up a
game to harm the girl, are you? I have hel
iyou out on some things that were a little she y,

ut I have a line drawn somewhere if I can on y
find it. I think it would be about there.”

“ The girl will be safe enough. All she has to
do is to 0 up on the points they have, and
make her ather do likewise if necessary.”

“ But, an she won't!”

“ Bosh! ere never was the woman yet who
wwldgglrell :1! she knew, and alldtfhatgger'; rela-
tions to or great-great-gran a r new,
if she had some one to ask her the right sort
of uestions. You won’t have to take a hand
in t at part of the game, and the less you know
about it the better.
before loninf the boys don’t bun le their work.
If they do will have to take hol of it myself.”

Billy shrugged his shoulders.

“ If you want to take the risk, proceed. I can
stand the rape if you are not afraid of them. Of
courss, if you are in the mud I will get into the
mire. .

“That won’t be a terror when we ii re up
what is at the other end of the line.

You. can expect the move

ith the 

  
 

 

 

 

   

 

  
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
    
  
  

  

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gold once in sight we can afford to leave the mean nothing. And think of the years between!

worst kind of avrecord behind us.

mean we are going to do it; but I reckon neither ! that name.
you nor I would weep it We Went out of the camp <

tomorrow with the knowledge we would never
dare come back to it.”

“Correct as usual,” responded Barton, care-
less] lighting a cigar.

“ t is coin we are after, and we don’t much

care how we get it. If I struck twenty five -

thousand I would be willing to give a guarantee
Mineral Bar would hear of me no more.”
“Unless I am away off. your share of it will
amount to just that less a share of the expenses.
Confound it. Billy, i
enthusiastic! For a kid of your age it is big

Wish you were a little more i

l
i
l

Not that I I There may have been dozens of men bearing

This one seems to be new in these
regions.”

“ if I only dared ap roach him about it I
could soon satisfy mysell‘, by a question or two;
but I am afraid of arousing his suspicions.”

“ Does it not seem that it he wasa villain then.

I he wpuld hardly be bearing the same name

i
i

n0wi’

“If he was an ordinary villain, perhaps not.
In the number of his crimes he may have for-
gotten all about the one of so many years ago.

‘ Or, it may be, he has learned something of our

1

money you are playing for. and you don’t have t

to put up a cent to see the hands.”

“ Did you ever know me to gush ever any-
thing! lam just not of that kind. But when
you want a pard to tie to, Billy Barton is all
there. Let me know my share of the work, and
it’s as good as done, so long as it is not killing a
girl. I’ll leave that for you if it has to be done;
and I won’t swear [ wouldn’t interfere than, at
the last moment.”

“ I understand! You are young yet. I have
had my experience of the sex, and I am about to
the conclusion they are bad medicine, all of
them. But I don’t care to have any killing in it,
anyhow, if it can he helped. I think things are
on a straight strin . I only wanted to give on
a caution that t era was work on haml a
little more important than we have been in late-
ly. and to be ready to take up the running when

gava the word.

“ Good enough, rd.
before. Give me vs cards and I’ll show what
they are worth.” ’

“Oh, you won’t have a hand to ila until
I' at the points on the game; an t on it
wi i probably not be a hard one to manage.
Keep an eyeon things till I get back to town
and I will let on know what succem I have
met with. I ink I will go over the divide
and see how thingsara running on the other side.
Sabbal”

" I reckon. I’ll cap for that, and say nothing
to any one till I see you n.”

Barton threw away the cigar he had tried to

, smdoérde, and arose from his chair, while the doctor

“Look out for ,me meantime. It may be
I will send for you n a hurry. If I do you
know what that means. Good-day. if you call
that going.”

“Iam off, now. If you are going yourself
there is nothing to keep me here. Look out for
your agents, however; .and perhaps on had
better give me the roll. There is no tel ing how
soon some of them ought to be shot."

“Time enough for that when they have
done their work,” laughed the d0ctor, and Billy.
with an answering laugh, glided out of the
room.

 

CHAPTER IV.
SEARCHING FOR. A TRAIL.
IN a little, two-roomed cabin, at the very out-
skirts of Mineral Bar, two rsons were seated.
conversin ;and they weret a Very two of whom
Doctor Rigs and his young pard had been talking

0

~ but a few minutes previous to this interview.

The elder of the two was a man well beyond
middle age. who was dressed in a well fitting
suit of clothes, though they were of materials
made for wear. rather than she w.

His face was that of one who had been more
of a thinker than a tailor. though at present it
had the healthy bronze which out-door life and
plenty of exercise is apt to give. He might look
something like a tenderfoot, and at there was
that about him which told he won d not he a t
to leave a trail when he had once camped on t,
and that he would hold his own in s ite of odds.

Near him was seated the girl of w cm the two
plotters had spoken.

She, too, was dressed for service and there
ware none of the adornmenta of a hello about
her thOugh she had the looks of a brave girl as
well as a andsoma one.

The two had not been residsnm of the town
for more than a few weeks, and the cabin they
occupied was one rented from week to week, so
it was plain they had not come to make an ex-
tended stay.'though they had brought some little
furniture with them, and accumulated more.

There was a rumor that the old gentleman
was waiting for funds from the East. and that
not until he received them would he decide
where he would locate. He had spoken of his
companion as his dau hter—and such she was.
though onl by adopt on. The two could not
have felt c oser to each other, and there were
ties of blood between them.

" Nothin definitei Nothing to show we are
nearer to t e end?"

The Ispoke; and_her father—for such she
called im, whether alone with him, or in the
presence of others—responded wearily:

“ Nothing more Edna. Yet. I cannot think
we are as far of! mm successes we seem. It
may be it is all a false suspicion on my part but
something tells me that I am not wrong.”

“ Yet t e clew is so very faint. The name of

ice, as remembered from an old letter, may

I am there, as I said 

 

quest, and has the liardihood to wait to draw
our attention to him. He has burn bent on
making us his acquaintances, eVen though the
intention was carefully disguised."

“ And you think he knows of the treasure
hidden by my—my fatherf"

“ I am sure of it. And if he has recognized us
be sure he will watch keenly, that, in case We
have a ciew, we may lead him to it.”

“ If u e did i”

“The same fate might overtake us as did poor
Paul. For that reason I have been thinking it
would be better. first of all. to make sure of him,
and when that business is settled, then look for
the treasure we believe is even yet to be found.”

“ How will you do it!"

“ I do not know as yet. Fate will dud a way.
I have been watching him. if there was some
one here to help mel But there is no one I can
trust. I might find one of his tools in the first
man I approI-ched."

“ Cannot 1 help you?"

“ N »t more than you have been doing. Have
patience. One day justice will have her own,
and all the wron s will be righted. Continue to
be prudent. are our intentions known, our
safety might be endangered. If this is the same
man, he might think the surest wayto attack
me would be through dyou.”

“ If he only woul l Then we would know
our suspicious were not so far wrong."

“It mav come sooner than we expect. Con-
tinue to be on our guard. This is at best but
an evil place to ring a girl like you, and I have
my regrets on the subject, even though you are
not like other girls. and can rotect yourself be-
yond what mi ht be expecteX”

“ And for th afternoon!”

“ I will be in the town. The s will lie due.
if it gets through on time, which confess is a
little doubtful, and I am anxious to receive the
letters we are expecting. And there are some
inquiries I would make. It seems strange I can
find no one who can at least put me on the track
of some one who was among the first toentsr
this region.”

The conversation ceased with this, for Edna
was preparing the frugal meal, while her father
reclined on the bunk which served as bed and
lounge, and while he rested he was thinking
deeply. It was well on in theafternoon when he
left the door of the cabin, and strolled toward
the heart of the town.

It was lonesome this pleasant afternoon.
Books were few in the cabin. and of papers
there were none. Even a girl with a purpose
can exhaust her internal resources, and be
wearied out through waiting.

There was a little sewing to do. but if. was not
important; and the household work was all
done. After looking through the dingy windomv
more than once, at the mountain beyond, she
caught up a hat and started out and away, with
a quick, elastic ste Around and in the house
the day was ferven ly warm, and walking in the
sunshine was not the most pleasant thing in the
world; but it was not. far to where she would
reach the shadow, and a cooler air.

The trail followed was one not much used, and
she had little thought of meeting any one.

At the same time, the loneliness did not
frighten her; and for protection she carried a
short but heavilychambersd revolver, which
had been her constant companion since reaching
thfigutskirts of civilizlation. d Sh

he s pace wa ht an n y. 0
passed over the groundlgevsn mflflpfilly than
she thought. and before stopping to glance back-
ward, had accomplished a mile or more. The.
hardiest mountaineer would scarcely have done

better.

Baiting for a little, not so much to rest as to
obtain a view of the valley below, she went on
more leisurely. This quiet was not like the quiet
of the cabin. lt soc ed.

Further upward noticed a fainter trail.
leadin ofi' from the main track, and without a
ssco thought turned aside and followed it.

At first there did not seem the slightest danger
in so doing.

The ground was reasonably open, so that she
could see for some distance in every direction;
and unless she had at least a glimpse of some-
thing that looked like danger she would not be
llkel to expect it. ,

“ f I go a little hi her,” she thought. “ I will.
be able to get a at i better view of the valley
than 'I have yet had and be able, perhaps, to
trace‘ the route we followed when exploringoon
the other side. I thought then we were beariu
too much'to the north, and if our guide had a

he could stay with us no longer than

 

 

was necessaryto reach this town, I think I could
have convinced father of the fact. It is not
likely I could recognize the land which he has
tried to describe, and yet I might make. some
discovery. I wish the day was not so far gone.
I might have time—”

Her train of thought and her progress both
came to a sudden halt.

Beyond her, at the distance of several bun»
dred yards there was a huge rock, and it seemed
to her she had a fleeting view of some one van-
ishing behind it. It was more like a flitting
shadow than the figure of a man, and yet she
Was sure she had not been mistaken.

The action was suspicious.

Had she seen a man Coming straight toward
her she would not have been alarmed, nor at.
once have suspected him of evil intentions. She
would simply have dropped her hand on her re-
volver, so as to be prepared. and continued
straight on. .

But this looked as though the man was in bid—
ing; and suggested an ambuscade.

If she went formird her course would take
her directly eat the rock, and she would not be
able to see w at danger was behind it until she
was too near to retreat. .

It might look cowardly to turn about, and
might even invite pursuit; but then, she would
at least have a little time to provide for it. lf
this skulker attempted to follow she would warn
him off, yet would not produce her weapon until
the last moment.

All this darted through her mind in an in-
stant, and hardly had she halted when she had
leisurely turned, and was pursuing a backward
course. '

When about a dozen rte had been taken
Edna glanced over her shou der and in spite of
her courage a little cry escaped from her iipa

There could be no longer any doubt as to what
aha~ had seen.

he man had stepped out from behind the
rock. and was silently drawing a bead upon her
with the carbine he held in his hands. A black
mask covered his face. but she could see a dark
eys lancing along the barrel.

All this was in perfect silence. which made it
the more rrible. If he had said a word. even
when she mod and stood as though transfixed,
she would not have been as much frightened.
It looked as though he intended to shoot her
down without a word of warning.

Her hand was on her revolver but she hesita-
ted to draw. The distance was too great to
hope to do execution with such a tool. while it
exactly suited the range of the carbine. Unless
the fellow would come nearerahe began to thihk
she was helpleu.

She regretted she had not taken to headlong
flight at once, for once started she would have
had the courage to have kept going; but now,
she was too much under the magic of the drop
to start.

u ‘H“ b. :91

The fellow broke into a coarse. explosive
laugh, the meaning of which she understood an
instant later. He had been but playing with
her. to attract her attention. From behind, an-
other masked msn approached silently, and
reaching around caug t the wrist of the hand
which rested on her revolver.

“ Neatly did, young gal, an’ you’ve saved us
a heap sight ov trouble, at we war est acomin'
down ter town, a-lookin’ for ye. neidor yer»
self in ther lion’s month, an’ be mighty keerful
you don’t git him ter make his teeth meet.”

“ Hands off. you scoundrell” she exclaimed,
trying to wrench herself away; but the effort
was a vain one.

Instead of that. her arm was twisted until the
pistol dropped, from her hell-‘19. fingers, and she
gave a sharp cry of pain.

"Sorry, miss, but I guess ye are in fur the;-
trip, an’ es ther dark .are comin’ on fast thar’s
no chance fur a breathiu’ spell. Jest step out in
ther way ye should go. an ef we git tun “are
night, so much ther better.”

CHAPTER V.
A nonls'r amour.

“ Wna'r is it you want?”

Edna had recovered her self- on and
decided t0 ml“ no more e ort until the
supreme moment had arrived. Parha
could engage these men in convs
might be thrOwn off their guard.

“Wants yer tar move on: that’s all we kin
say. We ain’t ther head chiefs in this thing,
but on’y actin’ fur therole man ov ther mount’in,
ea wants ter talk with yer vs pertick’ler.
When he sez bring, ther party [9' Med out are

 

on, they

must gineraliy brnng,,an' you don't want us a- ‘3

kerrvin’ ov yer.”

“ No, not Keep your hands off of me, and I
will walk as far as my strength will carry me,
sooner than that.” '

“ I “dryer war a gal ov sense. an’ dow I know
it. All ht! Pull foot an’ we'll see yer ain’t:
wanderin’ rum ther trail ez we go along.”

It seemed that without knowing it aha had
been goin straight into danger. for they turned
her steps ong the ve course she had been pur--
suin . The man she ad first discovered dodg-
lug hind the rock went on in front. Then, she
was followed by the fellow who! had actually

if she

   
 

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ca tured her; and the rear was broughtup by a
tth man, of whom she only had a glimpse as

the started.

Vghen she saw this disposition of the forces
hope revived considerably in Edna’s breast. It
was not dark as yet, but it soon would be, and if
they had far to go, as had been hinted, there
might be the chance to slip aside, and escape.

For the present, silence seemed to be the bet-
ter plan. If only for a few moments she could
go along with some degree of willingness they
might be so far thr0wn, off their guard as to
be induced to talk; and you may be sure Edna
Lyons was anxious to get a clew to the cause of
this capture.

After some minutes of this, one of the men

, spoke, though it was to the leader of the party.

You think we kin make the old
tree ai'ore dark? Ef we don’t we’ll hev tor camp
on this side er keri'y her acrost. Don’t b’lieve
it would be safe for let sich n val’lyble package
run ther chance ov slippin'. It would be, Good-
by, John; an' what would ther boss say ter
that?” , _

“ Dry up on that. We ain’t thar yit: 'au’ of
it hez ter he can’t we. kerry her acrost? Bet
yer she won t squirm then. Sue hez ez much
sense ez ary gal ever did up in caliker, an’ i’m
reel innin’ ter be admirin’ ov her.”

“ as, but it war luck so amaziu’ that I’m
afeered it won’t last. Thar war we, a-thinkin’
ov w'ot a time we‘d hev wr pursuade her ter
come our way, an’ figgerin’ how it war fer be
done; an’ hyer she dropped inter our arms, f’ust
clatter."

“Thar’s too blame much clatter about you.
Next thing yer knows yer will be sayin’ s’uthin’
yer o’rter not, an' then I'll be puttin‘ a head on
yer. I’m a-runnin’ this thing, now, an‘ I say
simmer."

“ Simmer goes, pard, but I don’t see ary
thing‘ter put yer inter sich a dog-gun bad hu-
mor.

“ We ain’t outkn ther wood-z yit, an’ of some
’un comes slinkin' up we don’t need ter tell him
ter run ’round an’ head us off. Whenthar's a
onhealthy spot on ther trail yer don't wart for
be shoutin’ it cut fur all creashun.”

The only answer to this caution was a grunt,
but it gave Edna a warning that there was
something ahead to try her nerves, even if there
was not some deadly danger connected with it.
She saw the shadows of evening thickening
around them, and wondered how soon it was to
come.

L‘ Is it much further that we have to go?” she
as ed inatone urposey aint.

“ I have had it) longer tramp than I am used
to, and I do not feel as though I could keep this
up much longer.”

“ Simmer, please. You'll know when you git
that‘ an‘ when you can’t go no furder, dropl
We’ll know what .ter do, then. Afore that it’s
no use ter waste breath chinnin’.”

“ Indeed, I have given you as little trouble as
I possibly could. and you might give me that
much encouragement."

The words were whined out, as though she
was on the point of losing heart altogether,
though she never felt more like making an effort.
Something told her they were not far, now,
from the old tree spoken of, and that her es-
cape must be made when they had about reached
that spot, if at all.

She was right in the idea, for even before she
expected it the leader made a brief halt.

“ Hyor we are, Tommy, an' I hope‘ther sight
does yer good. I’ll go across. Ker see ef it‘s all
right; an you an’ yer pard kin stidy her’atween
yer. Ef yer thinks she can’t make it, you’ll hev
ter kerry her, that’s all. Thar ain’t no safety
this side ov ther kenyon.”

In front of them lay a black line, which Edna
knew was a narrow gash in th» mountain-side,
"mm"! in either direction as far as her eyes
could reach. '

Then. Without waiting for answer, the speaker
pushed straight ahead.

The Chum» for such it seemed to be, was too
wide to leap. yet, it was on bio of being spanned
by a small tree, the butt 0 which lay very near
to the 0d 8. While the branches on the other side
projecte far out over the rocky footing to be
found there. . « I

it only required a few rapid steps to take one
over the den er, but they had to be made with
soreness. Er na recoiled, this time in real .nd
pOsitive terror.

“ Hold! I cannot. I dare not try it! By day-
light it mi ht be different, but now I cannot see
my way. shall fall! I shall certainly fall!”

‘ Hold on a minnit, pard l” exolaimed the man
who had expressed a doubt in advance about be-
ing able to take her safely across.

-“ l’ve flattened it out. I recline. Ketch hold
on ther I‘npe, air you an’ me kin stlddy it fur her
ter hold on by, an’ pard kin step cloet behind her
ter see that she ain’t gitting of! ther track. Thar
ain’t much chance ur'mte her betwixt us, an’
she’s a hull load for one man."

The follow had a coil of rope swinging at his
side, and as he spoke he loosened it, and tossed
one end over to the man on the other side, who
caught it.

Between them they he‘d the r

“ Say, pardl

taut eunuch

7 tossrve for a'tolerably reliable if .iine. Than

 

the one who was to guide her over moved up to
the rude bridge.

“ Go in front of me!" exclaimed Edna, cower-
i‘t'if back a little. “Let me feel your clothing

th the one hand, and the rope with the other.
Perhaps I can cross it in that way, if I shut my
eyes. But if there is nothing in front of me I
shall certaian fall.”

“ Yer won’t fall ef ye don’t think so," grum-
bled the fellow, “ All yer got ter do are ter
step out lively, an’ don’t keer fur nothin’. Then
you’ll make it.”

Nevertheless, he moved on in advance, for it
really seemed to him the girl was speaking the
truth—and at the moment she thought so her-
self.
It mi ht have been better for him if he had
held to he first plan. As he waited, with one
foot on the log, expecting Edna to stepto his
side, there was a change in affairs as startling as
it was unexpected.

Up from the ground behind them sprung a
dark figure, striking as it came—first right, and
then, an instant later, left.

The two blows were quickly given, and there
was no chance to guard against them. Any re-
sistance at all would have had to come from the
man on the other side, but he had no idea of
what was happening until it was too late .for
him to retrace his steps, and hardly time was
there for him to draw his revolver.

The first blow caught the rearmost rufllan
somewhere on the back of the neck, and stretched
him out on the very edge of the chasm. The
second was not quite as effective, but it sent the
villain stumbling straight a1 ing the uncertain
bridge. He kept his footing, but his arms were
spread out on either side, as he wobbled along.
and he uttered a number of wild yells that told
how frightened he was. '

But, the straugsamailant did not stop with the
two blows, or wait for the other tough to take a
hand in the game. He gaveastocpnand a sweep,
and the first man down was fine to the gash.

He might have shot down the ellow who was
balancing on the brid , but did not care to use
firearms. Instead c that, ‘he once
more. and this time caught hold of the butt of
the tree.

it was lodged quite firml in its place but the
stranger evidently knew w at he was about. A
tug or two, a powerful shove. and tree and
shouting man dropped dawnward.

Edna had viewed the scene with a feeling
akin to horror, in spite of the fact that the man
was flghtin for her rescue. Now, he gave her
no time to t ink, but caught her by the hand. .

“ This way, leetle hummin’ bird! put yer best
foot for’rads, an‘ gallo tsr ther rear. A leetle
tumble couldn’t kill ch wickedness ez them,
an' of the him around store we git a start, we
kin ooun on pistils, bloody murder, and all sich
foolishness.”

Instinctiver her fingers closed on his kindly
hand, and without a word of answer she started
awe in what, without his refusing influence,
wou d have been a headlong fl ght. ‘

In a few minutes Edna was almost out of
breath, but she now had recovered her coolness
of mini. When she listened to catch the sounds
of any pursuit she co d hear voices, calling
at one time, and utte ng curses at another.
The men did not seem to be dead, at all eVents.

“ I'll see you through ther wu‘st ov the riffle,”
said her rescuer, trotting along with a heavy
but untiring gait. '

“ Then, I'll leave yer ter git in ther house by
that back way. I ain‘t keerin’ fer ’pear ez ther
gallant rescOOer. Fact are, it wouldn’t suit me
at all. Peromise me, leetle woman, peromise
me, hope ter die, sink down stone dead, that yer
won’t tell on ole Bedrock. Jest say yer getter
’wey. ef yer hev to, but, don’t mix him in tell he
sez ther word.”

“ As you wish it!" panted Edna; “ but, it is
nothing to be ashamed of." '

“ ’Snamei It’s coin in me pocket of yer don’t,
that’s all! I got- yer peromise, an’ that’s good
ernuff. I’ll see yer outsn ther woods an’ then
ye kin flicker on yer Ownaocount; I’m all done,
an’ riddy fur a new game.”

CHAPTER VI.
‘ THE nan m m Prr.

THE whistling pedestrian of the divide seemed
to be accustomed to such adventures, since he
pursued his way without haste or trepidation,
and never once looked behind him. It was still
quite a distnnCe to Mineral Bar. and he was not
lagging on the way, but there was no change in
his long, steady stride.

In five minutes he had temporarily forgotten
what had occurred on the crest nfthe divide, and
his thoughts were all for the land in front of

“If I am not mistaken. yonder smoke must
come from the town. but it looks as though it
must be a goml ten miles between, and an
quantity of crooks and turns. It will be dar
by the time I reach it: When I do, will I have to
beg. borrow. or steal? I swear I won’t pawn
my irons; and yet I must eat. and I am not so sure
but what adrink is a necessity. My dear boy,
you srercertainly as near down to bedrock as
you generally get, and the prospects for the line
mediate future is uncomfortable.” ' ‘

 

Then, he shrugged his shoulders, lengthened 
his pace a trifle, resolutely driving all these un- I X "
comfortable thought; out of his head. The first
thing to do, after all, was to reach Mineral Bar.

It would be time enough at that to formulate a
campaign. ‘

Hour after hour he plodded on, his step ‘
growing less elastic as the day wore away, even '
though he had at last a glimpse of the distant
town.

As he had suspected when watching the smoke
in the distance from near the crest of the divide,
it was something after nightfall when he at
length passed the first shanty.

“ Brace up, old man l” he said to himself: and 'i
as he muttered the words he seemed to gather -
strength. 2'-
“ You are tired, hungry, and as thirsty a mor- ' ,

talas ever tramped across the mountains on an; - 
empty stomach; but the chances are business  
will come along, butt-end foremost, and the _ .-
pleasure will not arrive till later on.”  .

The words were prophetic. _ r,

Bcurcely bad they been muttered when the
young man halted, and looked keenly around.

“Upon my soul! I may be mistaken, but I be- ‘ 
lieve she is here now." ~'"

He had heard a low, indistinct sound, that
ended in something like a moan.

There was no moon, and the stars gave none ~ , ,3?
too much light. A dozen men mightbelying "‘1"
within a dozen yards, with no other covert than ‘
the shadows, and ‘he would be none the wiser.

He had passed one shanty, but there was quite 
a vacant space between it and the next one. .;;
“ Is it a trap!” he thought. , _ , 

“ From what I have heard of Mineral Bar
that would be about what I might expect-—
though it could hardly have been laid for me.
It is coin these hard cases are after, and they
ought to know there is little enough of that to
be found about me. If I was wise I suppose I
would pass on the other side. As I am not wise, . 
I guess I will have to explore.” it.

For a man of his stamp it was not necessary ‘
to feel of his pistols. They were always ready, ~ '5,-
and in order. He simply gave a glance around, 1
to make sure there was no one else to plaly the .
part of either thief or good Samaritan. hen, ' 
as he stepped toward the spot to which his at- “ 
tention had been attracted, he heard once more
a sound which he was now certain came from
the lips of a human being in in.

It was nearer, too, than 0 had at first sup-
posed, dnd he looked about considerably pus-
zled to know where it could come from. In
so doing he took his eyes away from the spot to
which they should have been directad,snd 90‘
came near to havingI an ugly tumble. Nine ,
men out of ten would ave lost their footing and ' "j
gone dawn more feet than the average individ- " ‘
ual (aresto fall.

But this stranger was a tenth man, and his
footfall was naturally as cautious as a cat’s
when he was movin on debatable ground. He
caught himself just in time, throwing the weight
of his body suddenly back on h a left foot,
while he returned his right to the solid ground.

A pit had o bed before him, the mouth of
which he ecu d even now but dimly discover. .

He glanced along the edge. It was ofno great
length, and he was almost certain it was but a .
few yards wide. Most likely,an old prospect
hole into which some unlucky wanderer had fal-

len. .
Kneeling dawn by the edge of the pit he called ‘ 
in a w tone:
“‘ ello,downthsrel Any one in trouble?” ., 6
There was no immediate response, yet the man ‘
felt sure his ears had not deceived him. He felt ,1“?
through his hats and drew out a bit of paper "v
and a mate . Holding the paper down so that ‘ .
the flame would not be apt to attract attention : ,. i
at a distance, be lit the match and held it to the v’" '-
extemporized torch until it was this bless. ‘
.Then he dropped the homing paper into the

 

   

1t.
p lt fluttered slowly down, givin, an oppor-
tunity to mark the sides and de e on their
practicability of descent, and finally fell upon
the breast of a man who lay on his back, with
one arm doubled under him in an ugly way,
suggestive of wrenched cords and broken
banea.

" Drunk as usual, and as there is no other
court and jury the fates have sent him up for

thirty davs. It does seem to be kind of rough
that it has to fall to my lotto fish him out. Can j;-
I do it, or must I rouse the town? I’ll try it, and ' 't'

ifI fail there will be two fools in a hole instead
of one.”

The pit was of no great depth. At least. the ‘ 12‘
than had not fallen more than ten or fifteen .93
set.

The side of the spot where the stranger stood
was precipitous enough to preclude any idea of,
ascent or descent, but he had a glimpse w
the burning paper was descending of something ' , ii,
that bolted like a ledge leading downward. ‘ ‘ ‘ a!

It was possible the .r it had been dug by a sin-
gle man, who was wil ing to out the extra work
there to save rope and raising power. The
young man lit another match, looked more '
closely, decided the way was practicable, arid ,
githout more hesitation began to scramble ‘
0WD. \

   
 

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Lew.’

 

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[I '  Uncle Bledr‘ook’s BiéBohhcef‘   r ‘

 

“ More liick than a little,” he thought, as he
reached the rock y floor of the excavation.

“Nothing like taking the chances. You can
or you can’t. and if yen play long enough you’ll
find it so. Now, then, for the victim.”

A third match was sacrificed to obtain a
nearer view of the man, and the sport came as
near to a start of surprise as it was possible for
him to get.

The face he saw hardly belonged to a man
who would fall into such a trap through drunken
wandering. There was an accident here, indeed;
if not something worse. He felt the face of
the unlucky man, and then his heart. In the
glimpses had of him it was hard to say whether
or no he was really living.

Those faint moans might have been his last.
“ He's alive, and that’s a fact; but it’s a little

/ hard to say whethervhe is gomg to keep on in

,well doingI or throw up his hand for good. If
I want to do anything I had better be about it

nick.

q " Shall I try to nurse him up here, where there
is not much chance of interruption? If there
are any bones broken, asI guess there are, it
would hurt him less to carry him up as he is;
but it is not going to be the easiest task in the
world for my mother’s only son. Here goes to
try it, though.”

There was no mistake about the task being a
difficult one, but somehow or other it was ac-
complished, and the two, the one senseless and
the other breathing a little hard from his exer-
tions, were on the firm ground above.

Then, the sport looked around again, uncertain
what was best to do.

The house he had already was the near-
est, but it had looked as though it might be
tenantless.

Nevertheless, after a momentary hesitation,
the fainting man was borne in that direction.

“ Nice sort of a position to be found in if any
one comes this way,” thought the young man,
who. seemed to take everything as cool as the
coolest.

“ If some one went through his pockets before
pitching him in that hole they could carry the
plunder without fear of afterclaps—the mob
would hang me on sight, and never trouble them-
selves to ask’questions. I’m not sure I would be-
lieve the yarn I have to tell myself. Guess I’ll
have to stay by him till he comes around if I
want to clear my skirts.” '

In spite of these cogitations he went boldly

to the door of the shanty, and still holding
it); burden ovor his right shoulder, with his left
and attempted to give a thundering rap.

The intention was good, but the result was
not what he looked for. At the stroke the door
flew open.

“ Hello, in there!" he cried.

“ I’ve picked up a man that has some arms
broken and a few legs out of joint, and I want
a littlenllelp to see whether he is going over the
ra e.

is voice rung through the room before him,
but it awakened no response.

“ No one at home eh! Then I guess we will
take possession. This man can’t die on the
trail for the want of a little care. Make your-
self at home, Pony, make yourself at home! If

on don’t do it there is no one else here to do it
or you.”

Gently he eased dewn his burden, and again
lighted a match, found that though the room
was for the present tenantless it was by no means
uninhabited. ‘

The first thing he did was to light a amp
which stood on a pine table near at hand; hen
he removed his late burden from the floor to a
bunk on the other side of the room.

“Now, old man, y0u want to come to your
senses justss soon as you can. I’ll lay doctor
if I have to, but if there is any home t at belongs
to you, or any one who has a better right to
nurse you than I have. I’ll see on to the right
spot, I’I’Id then resign. This t ing is growmg
weary.

Neverthelem, he handled the man with all the
gentleness of a skilled nurse, and with all the
self- ion of a practicin surgeon. He felt
here. and pinched there. 0 listened to the
low breathing. turned up the closed eyelids,
chafad- the thin wrists, and finally had the
.tisfactlon of seeing the signs of returning con-

scheme”.

“It’s a sin to waste precious bourbon on an
utter stranger, who is too far one to appreciate
it,” he muttered, as for the th or fourth time
he held his own private fiask to the blue lips, and
watched for the effect of the few drops be squeezed
into them. '

“ It was almost empty to start with, and
Isupgose, when he comes around, I’ll have to
soon as the rest of it; but it was a good thing,
after all, I did not empty it when I was so
sorely tempted to-day. Ah! Here he comes,
now. , -

Sure enough, there was a faint flush of re-
turning color a twitching of the e slide, and
after a little the man gave a mean 0 pain, and
then opened his eyes.

“ What-what has happened!" he whispered

faintly.
“ I thought I fell in the darknem. Where is
Edna!" ‘

u
h
h

 

CHAPTER VII.
morsrurs AT rail: DOOR.

“ In it is the girl you mean, I reckon she has
gone. to look for the doctor; and if you can stand
it being here alone fora little while I don’t know
but what I had better go and help her. I sus-
pect you are notas badly hurt as we thought,
but the sooner those bones are ot into shape
the less pain you will be likely to ve."

The words dropped from the mouth of the
young man straight as a string, but he had no
more idea of whom the man meant by Edna
than if she had been an inhabitant of the moon.

“ Wait! Wait!” answered back the whisper.

“ Do not leave me. I am not crazy with either
anger or pain, and if I am not, then I remember
falling, and a streak of awful pain. Did you
get me out? And was Edna gone when you
brOi ht me here?”

“ on have it all down fine, and there is nothv
ing more to tell you. I got you out of the hole,
and brought you here because it was the nearest
shanty. There was no one about when I arriv-
ed, and I know nothing about Miss Edna. You
may as well know the truth at first as at last.
Now, can I leave you for a spell till I can get a
doctor?”

“ No, a thousand times no! There is but one
man who calls himself a surgeon and I would
rather die than pass under his hands. I suspect
I will die, anyhow. I would rather trust to you.
If you cannot help me further leave me to my-
self. Perhaps Edna will come back.” .

The voice was growing stronger. The bourbon
forced between his lips was having its effect.

The young stran or looked his man over once
more. From his uage it was not hard to
tell that he was no or inary miner, and perhaps
it was not hard to hazard a guess concerning
the missing Edna. Theinjured man was plainly,
but by no means roughly dressed. His clothes
had seen service, but save for the marks of the
late fall were well cared for.

The man looked as though he might be about
fifty years old, and of rather feeble constitu-
tion.

” You do not belong in Mineral Bar?" he
asked suddenly, meeting the eyes that were fixed
upon him.

" Who are on i” ,

“ A traveling sport by profession, and the
last letters of my name spell Taylor. As for the
front handle it has been so long since I heard it
I have almost forgotten what it is. When I get
to know the boys they generally call me Pony.”

“ You know no one in the town?”

“ No one, so far as I can tell.”

“ Would you be willing to stay here to-night,
and nurse me, doing what you can to help me!”

“ Just as soon stay here as anywhere—after I
get my supper. As I had no dinnerI begin to
remember I skipped the early morning meal,
and made a light supper yesterday.”

"‘ You will find plenty to eat here, such as it
is. Yonder is the cupboard. Help yourself to
what you can find until there is time to cook
something more solid. Do it at once, and then
come back to me. You ma suspect I am suffer-
ing a great deal more than let on. If I am not
I certainly ought to, for I know the extent of
my injuries even better than you do.”

“ All right, old man. I am with you till
morning. if you need me. I’ve dug graves for a
dollar when I was hard up; I won’t object to
playing nurse when I am down to bedrock. If
you think you can stand it I’ll like s’look at the
pantry. My strength wont long ago in hunger,
and I am living now on my nerve. So, you see,
there is a pair of us."

It seemed like a cool proceeding to turn away
from a man with a broken arm, and other minor
hurts, but Taylor was ravenous, now there was
a prospect for iced, and it was not hard for him
to make up his mind that for the sake of both it
was best to give first attention to himself.

The cupboard was not bare, though there was
not much of a variety. A pan of cold biscuit
and some slices of fried bacon had their charms,
however, and with some cold coffee to wash
them down, Taylor ate with satisfaction, and in
silence.

When he had finished he looked once more at
the man in the bunk, who had all the time
maintained a complete silence.

“ For the present that will do for me: now,
let us see how it is with you. Rempmber, I do
not guarantee any‘g‘reat skill as a surgeon, but
I have put more t one man together who had
been shot or cut apdrt; and it may he that with
such a tlent as you appear to be, I can have

more t an the usual success. What.all do you

think is the matter with you i"

“ I have an arm broken, an’ some ribs badly
bruised. I thought it was worse at first,but
now I have a chance to gather myself together
and fight the pain, I can see what is to be done,
and tell you how to do it if you do not know.”

“That’s enough. If we don’t find anythin
else wrong we will get along nicely, and I wi
have you all fixed up by the time your daughter
gets back.

“I hope it—I know it! When she returns it
will be because Iam well enough to bring her.
And if she does not ceme—then Iwill avenge
$133.3?“ work! To workl There is no time to

:1

i “Very true. It would have been better to

have begun some time ago. but I had to pick up
i a little strength bef. rel rook hold. Here goes!
‘ We will talk over the other mutters when We
l get through with the patching.”

Pony Taylor had some curiosity, of course,
and an interest in the young lady who had dis—
appeared, but he went to his work without fur-
ther delay.

The man had hit pretty nearly the whole
truth when describing his condition. His shoul-
| der was, in addition, badly sprained and bruised,
but there were no bones broken save the one in
his arm; and that one Taylor proceeded to set
with a quiet skill that showed he understood
what he was about. The splints were home-
made, and the linen need was not new, but no
surgeon could have made a heater job.

“Now then, with water dressings on the
sprains and bruises, and a heap sight of good,
honest pluck, I think you will not need much
watching to-night; and I hope you won’t. I
am at your service, of course: but the plain
truth is I. have had a hard deal for the last day
or so, and I need some rest. I can wake up
every hour or so, and a word from you will
waken me. If you want to send me anywhere I
will go; or if there is anything more [can do
for you here, command me. But say it now. 1
don’t want any afterthoughts. I don’t suppose.
you can sleep very much, and [have nothing
that will help you, worse luck. Grin and bear
it if you can. If you can’t, wake me up and I’ll
help you swear at the man who pushed you
OVer.’

While he talked be arranged the other dress-
ings. He might not be able to give as much
ease as a practitioner, but he fancied he would
leave his patient in as good shape as could be ex-
pected, and after '_that it was time to look out
for himself.

“ Thanks!

 

A brother could not have done
more, or a doctor better. If I only knew—but
I dare not think of that. I want no fever, or
lingering recovery. When I can hear my arm
in a sling, the rest will follow without swearing.
I may not know whose hands pushed me into the
prespecthole, but I can guess whose brain con-
ceived the plan.”

“Better not worry about him now. As a
stranger I cannot help you any, and you don’t
want to Weary your brain thinking of what you
will do. I notice those set plans don’t amount
to much, anyhow,"

“ You are right.
daughter’s is Edna.
afternoon. Say nothing of it.
enough—time enough.”

The voice was fainter than it had been; and
the words Were interrupted by spasms of pain.
Evidently the man was in no condition to ex-

lain further than he has done; and had proba—

l y talked too much already.

” He has some reason for not wantin the out-
side world to take a hand in, and he ates the
doctor like poison. There is nothing more I can
do for him at present. if he don't faint in the
next five minutes, I will be asleep. I never
knew rest to feel sweeter, and I may as well
have a trifle of it as to be fussing around him
like a wet hen with one chick making a heap of
clatter and doinglno good.”

80 Taylor thought, and with his chair tilted
back, he tried to watch for the five minutes stip-
u ted by himself.

My name is Lyons. My
She has been missing since
It will be time

closed his eyes, and his long-drawn, though soft
breathing told that he was asleep.

Taylor was one of those men who can set

themselves certain limits in the matter of slum-
ber and live to them, almost to the minute.
Ile had decided that if he was not awakened
by Mr. Lyons‘) he would sleep for two hours.
By that time . 0 would be able to tell whether
the patient would need closer watching, and he
would have the strength to give it f needed.
He was not complete] exhausted, of course;
but he wanted to be full working order for
the following day; and to be that, required rest
am».

In two hours, then, he awoke. "

. Lyon was not ulcep, and was talking
very soft y to himself.

“ Considerste, that ” thought Taylor.

“ Wonder if what he is saying is flute and
confidential? If he is crazy as a n, he still
has sense enough not to wakes friend. There
he goes now, on the Edna tack. Who is that
Rice, do on suppose? Must be the doctor; and
he don’t ike him for a cent. That is sure.”

In a low whisper, which, however came
sharply to the ears of the listener, the injured
man went on:

“No, no, Mr. Rice; you think it is your turn
now, but it is only a flash in the pan. My turn
will come b and by—and not so very by and
by, either. on think, with Edna in your hands
you have me under the mill-tone. We’ll see
about that. Who killed Paul Prindle?”

The question was viciouslyghot out, and un-
consciously the voice speaking it was raised to a
thin screa

man cast a keen glance toward Pony Taylor.
“I’ll never tell you. paid. The fact is, I
never heard of the gentleman before, and l

 

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fore that time had elapsed, howeVer, he had .

In. .
At once the babble stopped, and the injured

 

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wouldn’t wonder if you had been dreaming.
Anyhow, it was time I was wakened up. lmust
look after those dressings a little. You seem to
be getting along all right. Swelling not~ half as
bad as I eXpected, and pain nothing to complain
of. You will do. I think I will take another
nap.”

Taylor had examined his patient while speak-
ing, and Without paying,r further attention to the
question threw himself back again in the chair
and closed his lids. He was a willing nurse, but
by no means an obiuiuious one.

He seemed to fall asleep once more, but he was
neVer wider awake to his life; nor was it curios-
ity keeping his senses on the alert.

The murder of Paul Brindle was nothing to
him. He had seen too many men killed in his
time to trouble himself about the death of a
stranger at some indefinite period in the past.
He was simply restless, and though his long lash—
es drooped over his cheek, he was watching the
injured man, in default of anything better to
d

o.
‘ “ Must have mesmerized him," he thought a

‘ little later, as he saw the patient’s nerws relax-

ing Irom the tension pain and fever had put
upon them. ’

“ Just as well if he can get a bit of rest, though
I doubt if it will be for long. Wonder what the
upshot of this all is going to be? Will I take a
hand in this man’s game; or will I go on my
way rejoicing. And never know the fate of the
missing Edna? I’d like to hear something of the
history of the two—for history they certainly
have—andd am open to conviction that this
Rice'is a villain; but I am afraid I cannot spare
the time just now. Queer way of earning a sup
per, though—and not much of a supper, either.
Wonder what we can scare up for breakfast? If
_I thought the old gentleman would keep on sleep-
ing, I might begin nolv. My appetite tells me
there is some lost time to make up.”

In some such line as this his thoughts fiowad.
Perhaps he even pictured to himself a face he
thought looked like the missing Edna’s, and won-
dered why in r father had so little to say about
her, when he could find strength to speak of
other things.

He certain] had been waiting for half an
hour for the sieep which would not return, and
in all that time Mr. Lyons slumbered as soundly
as could possibly be expected.

Then, just as 'l’a vlor was on the point of drop-
ping oil' into a doze himself, he roused up with a
start, and listened.

Outside there was the sound of light-running
feet, coming directly toward the house. and an
instant later heavier ones in pursuit. Then the
door lievv open, though no one entered, and at
the threshold there was a suppressed cry and the
sound of "a struggle.

. With his hand on his revolver, he sprung
silently to his feer.

CHAPTER VIII.
EDNA ears BACK.

Tait partly opened door shaded Taylor from
View of any one beyond the threshold. His first
idea was to spring forward and take as active at
part in the struggle as he usually did when any-

hing of, the kind was going on in his neighbor-

' hood

The thought on which he acted was to wait an
instant, an know more of’ what was going on.
Perhaps there would be no need for shooting or
loud hurrah, and he was willing to save his
patient’s nerves that much of a shook.

If those were the steps of a woman he had first
heard it was possible the woman w Edna. The
strong hint that she had been abducted had not
been lost on him, and it sounded to him as
though she might have made her escape, only to
lbe‘pzain overtaken on the doorstep of her home.

If that is the case,” he thought, “ l‘ll wager

‘my little fortune in shooting-irons and cold

victuals they don’t t her very far away
again before yours tru‘ley comes into the game."
But there may be fun amazing in this before
we ell through. They don‘t seem to scare
lane at the idea of meeting the old man: I
wonder what they wil think when they strike
great. bis. halthy me. as, she has the grit
of the old men! Hope he Won't waken till the
trouble is over. It would run in the blood for
film to want to take a hand, crippled as be
‘He hardl put his thou hits in

words—he ad not time foig it—but 2:233:03:
them ran something like Not. The woman
was making a fight to win his admiration, and
the odds ware against her. He could not hesi-
tate about getting to her Side.

And yet, before he left the covert the heard
a harsh, coarse whis r.

" Take it easy, is yhird, ef yer don‘t want
ter break a bone. Thats m gripe on yer
wrist, an’ it stays thar tell we re sure yer don’t
trick us ag’iu. An’ that’s a navy six at yer
forehead. an’ of yer raises yer v’ice above a whis-
per ther finger on ther trigger gives a pull. We
take yer back of livin’, but ther orders war of
we didn’t bring yer we must be rank sure yer
war dead. Don’t fool yer time, but knuckle, an’
come on store we hev tar kerry yer.”

“ Hands off, villain!” was the answer,

mutiously low. ,
l? ,

 

“ I do not care to have all the Bar know of
the insult that has been offered a woman, but a
loud word means help for me and death for
you. Go, while you have the chancel"

She endeavored to wrench her wrist away as
she spoke, but failed.

“Not so fast, purtv. It’s a long ways fur
ther men ov Min’ral Bar ier Come, an’ when
they got hyer they Wouldn’t find us, but yer
Own purty corpse. Better come along afore
ther ’old man wakes up, an’ we hev ter kill
him.’

Then the speaker seemed to catch the other
wrist by a quick snatch, and to hold her easily
in spite of her struggles.

“ Ketch hold, pards,” he gritted, his anger
rising at the delay.

“Thar are no use ter waste a hour w'en a
mlnnit will do ez well. Ef ther old man comes
out, slug him fur keeps.

There was something familiar about the voice
of the ruilian, though at first Taylor could not
place it. The last words left him no longer in
doubt, and he decided the time for action had
come, if indeed it had not been there all along.

The door was near to the corner of the house;
'nst around the corner was an open wind0w.
l'oiseless as a cat, Taylor turned and sprung
out. A step or two and be was at the back of
the bully who held the woman by the wrists.

He came like a phantom, and was not seen
until he had his arms wrapped around the man,
one reaching over his right shoulder, the other
under his left.

He had given such hugs before, and he knew
what Would follow. That gripe seemed to the
villain to be cutting him in two, His grasp on
the woman opened instantly, and his hands
went up to claw the air in a mad and senselem
fashion. Before he could utter the cry that
was being forced from his lips, he was cast
aside, and two blows followed, right and left.

Three men v. ere on the ground as the woman
darted into the house, and snatched up a reVol-
ver hanging at the bylside of Mr. Lyons.

When she came out again, Taylor held an
option on the movements of the three. He had
his reVolvers out, and while he spoke in a low,
guarded tone he kept the villains covered.

“ Now, boys, I don’t want to have any noise
about here for the old man has gone to sleep,
and he may as well have his nap out. .I ought
to take you all in, but the bother might not be
paid for in the profit. I’ll give you just one
chance to get out of here, and if you don’t take
it you won't be in condition to move in about
three seconds hereafter. Git and git liver !"

“ It‘s ther devil himself i” gasped the man who
had almost had his ribs crushed in, and whose
shoulder felt hopelessly crippled from the grasp
but lately on it.

“ Oh, no. It is only the gentleman who held
over you once before today. Sconer or later
[suppose I will have to kill you all, if you keep
on getting into my road, but I'm chuck full of
men: just now, and so, am willing to give you
a litt e longer run. Now, mosey 1"

“You bet, pardy. You hold the drop, and
we know how you can shoot. Bht one day we'll
get even, an’ don’t yer furgit it. So long!”

There were three men there against one. but
the odds were not in their favor. None of the
rufllsus were in condition to shoot a' close string,
and fortunately for themselves they knew it.
They slouched away, until their figures were
lost in the shadows. ,

Taylor turned at length; It seemed certain
the fellows did not intend to ti a siege, and
they would hardly risk a shot at t 8 house when
there was as much likelihood it would reach Edna
as the sport. The presence of the girl counted,
just then for more than she thought.

“ Stead
her about to re-euter the house.

“ Everything is all right if you take things
easy. But don’t wake your father. They gave
him rather a rough deal, but the cards came his
way after all, and in a day or two he will be
around, right as a trivet.”

“ Thank Heaven for thati If it had not been
for him I would not have had the courage to es-
cape. He is unharmed?"

‘ Not exactly that; but his harms won't do
much damage if fever don‘t set in. I found him
in a hole, and plastered him up after a fashion.
He fell asleep a bit ago, and he may as wed have
all the chance he can to build up. That was the
reason I played it so light out there.”

He was afraid there might be something of a
scene; but the young lady had all the courage of
her father, an the ability to master her emc-
tions. It seemed she had suspected something
of what the sport told her from the first. She
stepped acress the threshold as lightly as she
could, and looked quietly toward the bunk which
held her father.

Her presence seemed to have an effect upon
the old man. - He had been resting more or ess
uneasily, but now, though not exactly awake
he became restless, talking to himself n
the same strain Taylor had already heard.

Then he attempted to move his broken arm,
and at once the darting pain sweeping throu h
the injured member brought his eyes Open wi e.

“ You are there, areyou, Mr. Rice! I thought
you had crawled 01! to your hole, to hide your-

y, young lady 1” Pony said, as he saw.

much _

 

self. Never think I fear you. Where is Edna
Oh, she has gone away until I can get ready to
strike. Then—”

He stopped as suddenly as he began, and
rubbed his eyes With his sound arm; then stared
at the spot where the young lady was standing,
uncertain whether he should believe his Senses.

“ Don’t be frightened, old man. You are just
as sane as you ever were,” said Taylor, coming
forward.

“The young lady is smarter than you gave
her credit for being, and here she is, safe and
sound. Go slow, now, for you have no strength
to fool away if you want to be up and around,
loliking after her safety.”

“Yes, Edna it is,” added the girl, gliding com-
posedly to the bedside, and putting her, arm
soft! around tlte neck of her father.

“ ‘hanksto this gentleman, I am once more
by your side. And rest assured I will not be
again taken off my guard. This Weapon never
leaves my side again while we stay in Mineral

\Bar; and no stranger gets so near me that I

cannot use it.”

“ And he has helped you, even as be aided
me?” asked Lyons, looking over at the sport,
“:10 had carelessly thrown himself down in his
c air.

“ lie is an angel, and life will be too short
to repay what we owe him. But for his courage
and care I would not now be living.”

“ Don’t pile it on too thick,” laughed Taylor
seeing the glance the girl shot toward him, an
marking the overvl helming gratitude it seemed
to convey.

“ I have just been working for my board and
lodging. was a wayfarer. without much
knowledge of where I was drifting, and this was
as good a place to stop as any."

“Do not attempt to belittle your services.
We know how great they have been. It was
dreadful for me to be taken back whenI had
reached home once more; and it was the more
terrible to go without knowing what it was I
had the mOst yearning to know. If I couldlhave
only been sure no harm had come to him I
would have felt less like the fight I was making.
Yet, I would not run the risk of drawing him
again into danger by making an outcry.

“ All the better, since they had no excuse for
doing you any real harm before I made up my
mind just what I should do with them. I did
wrong, perhaps, in letting them off so easily,
but what wou d we have done With them if they
had nos taken themselves in as they did ?"

“You did well. They were. but tools; and
though Mineral Bar might have hung them
had the truth and their necks come in the way,
what good would it have done! The man for
whom they worked Could have found others.”

“ That was what I was thinking. They are
vicious dogs, but they bite only as they are told,
and even then a steady front and a little dis-
play of brain will scare them off. If I am not

 

mistaken, this is not my first meeting with ,

them.” .

“Yes. I thought the recognized you,
though you were so comp etely a stranger to
m

e.

“ Oh, it was only to-day I met them—up on
the mountain. They tried to waylay me, and
came off second best. What surprised me was
that they should have reached town without my
getting a glimpse of them again. They certain-
y did not pass me on the road.”

“ Not likely, since they are not of the kind of
men who travel the regular trails. The shorter
cuts are known to them, and the lurking-pines.
They are of the gang that has its hes narters
in the mountain—though it is thought y some
the homes of its members are in the town.”

“ I have knewn such cases,” said Taylor, with.
out showing much interest in the subject.

“ New. I must look our patient over, and then
you can tell him briefly what has happened, but
there must not be too much talk. As the doctor
in charge I must insist on our patient having as
much quiet as . hie under the' circumstances.
Your return w do him good; but he must have
a chance.”

CHAPTER IX.
ran NECK‘I'IE PARTY n rm: nun.

“ Tank question fur ther court an’ jury are 1

how much does ther blamed gerloot know abou

this hyer gang? Be dropped unto us mighty '

sudden; but war it on’y a big blufl', a good guns,
or kin he pick us eaten a crowd of he happens
tor meet us at ther Bar, er elsewharl”

“ Reckon he hes got onto our voices, an’ when
he hears’em he’ll kn0w who’s a-talkin’. What
we goin’ tor do about it!”

" t‘s blame lucky ez Tommy said suthin’
’bout respectin’, afore be left town; an’ they

know e wouldn’t go fur ’thout a pard or two.

It looks ez though we can’t back ’thout we
take ther stranger in outen t er .wet, an’ from
w’ot I’ve seen ov him it'll be a mighty cold day
when he gives us ther chance.”

“ Don’t be too mighty much skeered. Thar
ain’t no one hurt muc yit, an’ ’ce tin’ ther
fresh young stran er I don’t guess t ar’s need
ter be. No use ter fay out a minnit longer than
we Want to.”

 

 

 

 

  

. Min’ral Bari

fl

8..,.

 

‘ Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.‘  ‘ , L.

 

 

“ You think?”

“ I know it. Don’t yer see, he’s only dropped
on ter voices, an’ don’t know looks from a sine
ov sole-le-ither. All we got ter do are not ter
let him hear us talk an’ We’re all right till we
git a chance ter down him.”

“ An’ that won’t be long a-comin’. Ye’r’ right
ez us’al. Reckon we’d better slip inter town,

,an‘ leave ther boss ter find out jest how things
' went."

“ Two of us can go in, but some one must post
him up or he’d begunnin’ after us when he found
how we were left.

“Ef you think so all right; but who’s a-goin’

er go?‘

“I will if no one else cares to. We kin watch
ther house for a bit,,au’et' he don't come out
We’ll know he’s ther fur ther night, an’ it‘s no
use ter lay fur him now.”

The twice baffled aliductors had halted when
they found there was to he no immediate pur-
suit, and were taking counsel with each other.
It was after the preliminary cursing had been
done that the conversation just given ensued.

After a little further talk, all of which boded
no good to the stranger if he fell into those
hands, the party coucluded it was no use to
longer watch the house, and broke up. Two of
the men slunk away toward the town, while the
third made his way along the trail which led up
into the mountains. I

A few minutes later, when the coast appeared

to be entirely clear, a figure rose up from where

it had been crouching within hearing distance
and after a careful glance around, slouched
away in the wake of the two who had started
to enter the camp.

“ More luck ner jed ment in that,” this indivi-
dual chuckled, in a th ck, oily whisper.

“Swear ter m’ussy it’s sin ’ler how much ov
eenterest a man kin see if he eeps his eyes shet,
an’ lis’sens ter w'ot comes his wa . I ain’t look-
in' fur no gan , but of I war d know a heap
fur a starter. the head center are in ther
mount’in hilt ther members kin be found in

An’ ther Bar are whar 1 war
goin’, innercent en a lam’, an’ not keerin’ ef thar
war gangs in the world. Ef I could it some
confidin’ cuss ter loan me a uarter I’d t ther
hull ov it that store I’m t er a week I’ll be
in a hgap sight ov trouble all in account ov them
same.

It was so dark there was not much danger of
this individual being observed by any of the
m, whose conversation he had been over-

ug; but he slouched along in a silent way
that suggested he was more cautious than he
looked.

He was of the class who are seldom troubled
with either bashfulness or timidity, if looks
went for anythi . A stranger meeting him
where there was a light enon h to get even
half a glance woul have set im down as a
tramp without a moment’s hesitation.

Even in that uncertain ll ht his appearance
was that of a man who trave ed on his wits, and
made a mighty r living by it.

Over his shou der was a stick. supportin his
bud at of extras done up in a dirty ban ker-
chi . On his head he wore a banged-u and
generally dilapidated hat, from under wh ch his
ong hair straggled over his thick, sun-reddeued
neck. His face was fat, and at first glimpse ex-

ssive of nothin but ood nature, though
here was now and t on a g cam in his eyes which
told of reserves of temper, and a possibility of
something better behind the exterior than his
furnishing would indicate. 0

His frame was ponderous, and hi step slouch-
ing, yet he moved with a noiseless tread at times.
If the three villains had been still at the spot
where he had overheard their conference they
would have scarcely heard him 0 by.

It has already been explain that the house
occupied by Mr. Lyons lay at the extreme verge
of‘thetown, and that between it and the next
building there was quite a vacant space.

After that there were more straggling shanties,
and finally the solid cam , whic was thriving
and populous for a place 0 such an out-of-the
wa location. .

be two men seemed to have vanished for
ggod, and the tramp spent no time in looking for
t em.

He braced up his shoulders a little as he came
to where the light from the windows by the way-
side an to reach him, and tramped along the
street like a man very much at home.

“ Lemme see: Jeeames give mes p’in'ter er
two on ther Bar, but ez he ain’t bin h er fur nigh
onto a year, I don’t guess the cool. he ov ary
use. Looks kinder familyerl ke; but perobably
“ther ole settlers is mostl hung, meantimes, er
shot, or otherwise disposedyov, an’ this hyer are
a new race, ez knows not Joseph. Ef things is
as the used ter was it‘s ‘Ther Flume’thet I
would
bad man es I won
as to.”

loons there were‘ in plenty, and of various
grades and sizes, to jud e from their exteriors;
ut the wayfarer several of them without

a use.

finally, he perceptiny slackened his pace and
gave a sharp glance ahead.

" Kin I hlieve me eyes! Thar’s whar she ort

dn’t want for hev much tor

lookin’ turI an’ its boss would be thei’

 

ter be; an’, ’pon me soul, I b’lleve she’s ther now.
‘ Ther Flume,’ in red, big letters, an’ all ther ole
lan’marks, jest ez Jimmy give ’em. Now, Uncle
Bedrock, spread yerself, ,fer yer got ter earn yer
supper, draw a check, er do ’thout grub. It’s
hard up yer are, an’ in ’bout another hour you’ll
be starvin’.”

Nevertheless, as he turned toward the door he
saw that perhaps his arrival might not be as op-
portune as he could have Wished. There was ex-
citement enough on the inside to even cause a
man of ordinary habits to think twice before go-
ing‘ in at all.

' here Was no hesitation on the part of the man
who had called himself Uncle Bedrock.

The door was near the corner of the building,
and between the saloon and the adjacent shanty
there was a narrow passageway or space.

Into this he tossed his bundle, stick and all,
and then elb0wed his way straight through the
throng which would have blocked the way of a
less energetic individual.

As he came through the cr0wd there was the
sharp report of a pistol, followed by a grim bowl
from the mob.

“ Down With him!’ yelled half a dozen voiccs.

“ He'll get away yeti Can’t you see he’s made
cold meat already?”

Then there wasa scufiiing of feet, and a con-
fusion of cries, and Bedrock leaped upon a table
to obtain a better view of what was going on at
the further end of the saloon.

It was a gambling-house brawl, no doubt, and
he had seen scores of them in the churse of a
very checkered career; but they always had an
interest for him.

It was one man against a dozen; and that one'
man but a stripling. ’

It was not that sympathy was entirely against
the youngster; but those who might have had
the courage to speak a ood word for him were
a little too far away to o anything more at that
moment; and no one cared to cross a certain
open space which separated them from the spot
where the trouble was going on.

“ Hold on, ther!” shouted a voice at Bedrock’s

back.

“ Give the boy a chance to say what Red
Larry was doing. If you crowd him f, he’s got
to shoot, and he don t sling lead fo nothing
when he begins to pick trigger!" '

It was perhaps a half-hearted protest at best,
but it gave the tramp an inkling of how the case
stood; and it always did go against his grain to
see a dozen on one. He got down from his perch
and sidled along the wal in the direction of the
fracas, in spite of the fact that when others
were hanging back it was a pretty sure sign a
stranger was running some risk in getting so far
forward as to be able to interfere.

Then the leader of the gang had something to

u 0

xOh, come off ther roof, Billy Barton. It’s
no use ter wi gle when the Bar goes gunnin’ in
earnest. R Lsrr ’s ther last man you’ll have
a chance to puttha bit ov steel inter. Han's up
er down yer goesl” ,

The speaker was a rough of the first water if
his looks did not belie him, yet he had plenty of
following. If the things they were saying meant
anything they were wild with rage. .

here was some reason for it, too.

There was one man lying motionless on the
floor, almost forgotten in the savage excitement
of the struggle that had been, and which was to
be renewed, but there were several more who
were bleeding from glighter wounds, who were
all the more eager to 'oin in the afi'ray.

And in one corner aloud the boy at bay.

At least, he was but little more than a boy in
appearance, though he had the coolness and
courage of maturer years.

His hat was off, his eyes were flaming. his
clothing torn where he had wrenched himself
away from the hands which had tried to retain
him, and he held a revolver out with a courage
that never wavered. -

So far he had not uttered a word since Bed-
rock entered the room, but at the rough order
he opened his thin, flrni'lips, and dropped sylla-
bles of wisdom.

“ Dead or alive, I can’t pull trigger without
getting some one in the urn, and if I am not
away off, it will be you for one. You don’t
about because you daren’t. I tell you, on can’t
crook your finger so sick that I can’t ave you
down. I don’t ob ec to taking a back seat till
some white men ook into the case and say,
served the villain rightvbut when I let a gang
like yours take me in hand, or give up in tools,
it w 11 be after I’m a corpse, and you are uried.
Now, stand back, and let somebody decent come
to the front and hear just how it was."

The young man had slipped out of their first
gri , and got the gang to temporizing in front
of im. It looked as though he might even
bluff them yet, if he really meant what he had
been saying.

Ami just then the leader of the dozen fiung
himself over backward on the floor, there was
the sound of a single report from the revolver in
the hands of the young man, the lights went out,
involving the place in darkness, and there was a'
sudden rush of many feet as the gang went for-
ward with a bowl. I

And Uncle Bedrock went along. ,

'. . f

 

CHAPTER X.
SANDY SOAKEBS, THE SPORT WITH A TIN EAR.

Tantramp knew little about the right or
wrong of the affair, but it was all the same to
him. He struck in on the weaker side.

No one else appeared to think seriously of
interfering in the preliminary movements of a
lynch court, while that bleeding, motionless body
lay upon the floor, and lore stranger to attempt
it was a dangerous thing without a doubt. For
a stranger of the general appearance of Bedrock
it seemed simply madness.

He did not give a thought to that. He was
gliding along the wall, and 'when the li hts went
out was abreast with the crowd. is spring
was a little quicker and a greut deal longer than
any one else there could make, and before the
crash Could come, he was in the advance. Then
he wheeled and struck out, right and left.

One man dropped to his strokes, and another
staggered bar-k, the two together interfering
sadly with the rush of the rest, who came
stumbling over them in the darkness. ,

Yet, one or two men got past; there wasa
curse and a snarl; and then a voice,-shouting:

“ I have him, boyeesi Show a light here, and
go slowi The man that croaked poor Larry is
not fit to go out with cold lead. He’s got to
stretch hemp!”

Bedrock located the voice, and could see the
situation as well as though the lamps were
lighted. He knew if any time was lost it
would be too late to save the youn man. The
wonder would be if he was not led at once
and in the dark. He gave a leap that brought
him to the speaker, and with hands on his col-
lar and knee at his‘ back, had him oi! his feet be-
fore there was chance to make an outcry.

As he fell this man was taking Barton with
him, but Bedrock was ready for that, too. By
a blind snatch he caught the young man in his
arms, and thrusting. he fallen man aside sav-
age] with his foot, d the prisoner to himself.

“ on’t make a fool ov yerself," he whispered.
“ I’m yer solid friend. It’s time fur me ter git,
an’ you better go ’long.”

That much for warning; then he urged the
young man away.

A moment later and they tumbled out of a '

window together.

Bedrock lit on his feet, but the other stagger-
ed, gave an involuntary though low cry, and
then stood feelin wiidl for a weapon, not a
peering to realize e barf dropped his revolver n
the late struggle.

“ Don’t be foolin’ yer time away thar, young
man,” said the tramp, with a sternness rather
unusual with him.

“ Ef yer don’t pull foot, hot, 1 mou’t ez well ’a"
kept outen ther riot. Ef we stay hyer a holy
second they’ll hang us both.”

“ Thanks, stranger, and you better go,” on-
gefied the young man, with his coolness all come

c .

“ Sorry you had to chip, as you seem to be a
stranger in the town; but I’ve rained my
ankle, and don’t want to make myse f ridiculous
trying to run. I The fact is, I cannot walk a
step. and they are bound to get me.” ‘

‘ Rough deal that, on yonrn truly, if them
wild-cats gits out an’ around; but I’ll play laigs
an’ you lay brain tell we kin find kiver. W’ich
wag, an don’t loae no time thinkin’i”

e caught up the young man as though an in-
fant, and moved away.

-“ Straight forward till I tell you to turn.’ And
if anythin shows up, drop me and look out for
yourself.
up, and I can’t fight them now; ut as ong as
there is a chance I may as well make the most of
it.

It did seem as though theyhad been able to
make their exit without bein seen, and that
the gang behind were at fan t. The two had

ct some distance from the Flume before the

ights were relit, and from the noise it appeared
that for the time the pack were at fault.

“It won’t last lon , old man,” laughed the .

oung fellow, as he eard a chuckle from the
ips 0 his bearer.

“ But it does me good to think how they must
be swearing. If I had my sixes, and two good
to "and 09. I'd real] go back and listen.
If they don’t strike in on e trail soon we may
beat them yet.” ,

“In course we will. Ef we cain’t do it with
our laigs we’ll do it with a club. Same time,
for a weary galOot es hez trayeled‘on his two
feet sence sunrise, ’tbout a bite 0v grub, an’
ou’y one drink, it’s gittin’ rough on ther mourn-
ers. Ef oil could t think ov a hidin’-place,
whar we d be safe tel [could wrestle with a bit
ov pr0vender. an it me second wind, ther pros-
pect fur havin’ a) ther j’ints ov me neck in run.

up

nin’ order we’n to-morrer’s sun rises would be

’slder’ble more allurin’.” ,

For the third or fourth time the young man 1'

gave a direction? as to their course, and when
they had proceeded in little further, suddenly
slip out of Bedrock’s arms, though careful to
alig t on his uninjured foot. ‘

“I could make it now for myself, it had to

do it on my hands and knees, but I don t like to ‘
leave you in the soup: and I hardly know—who ‘

are you,anyhowi You have risked your life

for me asinot another man in camp would have ,.

 

 

 

he hounds won’t be a t to ive me '

 

 

 

 

 

iB.

was-1

'-

 

 

 

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.

9

 

 

cared to do, and now I wish I knew you were

a man to be tru I swear I can’t leave
no”

“ W’o axed yer ter leave me? I ain’t prezactly

ther lookin’ sorter a gerloot you’d pick out fur a

pard; an’ I dunno on I want ter run in double

harness, aryhow, but w’ot’s ther matter with,

you an’ me stickin’ter this riflie tell ther racket’s
played out fur ther night? Ef not, loan me a
quarter an’ pass on."

Uncle Bedrock held out his hand as he fin-
filled, and his words rounded as though he meant
them. Barton gave a low laugh of enjoyment.

“ You are a gooi man to tie to, no doubt,
and as cool as they make them, but you are en-
tirely too modest. For a service like on have
done me—but, of course, the quarter only to
be the owning wedge. Say how much more
You want, and if those hounds have left my wal-
let—if? By heavens! You gauged my finances
better than you knew! They have hit me a
heap sight harder than they knew, or I am
wide off. There ought to have been at least
five hundred in the book, to say nothing of what
was there besides. I’ll go back and—no, I
won’t, either. Best of reasons, I can’t. There’s
your quarter, though.”

He extracted a coin from the loose change in
his pocket, and tossed it to the man of rags, who
can ht it without trouble.

“ hanks, boss. Yer onderstands that I’m
down ter me uppers er I wouldn’t ax a stranger
fur a leetle loan. I can’t starVe, an’ it ain’t
wu’th w’lle ter run reesks fur stealin’ su’thin’ ez
no account ez a bit ov grub. Ef I stay hyer
long ernuf ter hev a chance ter prosper, I’ll
recomember w’ot I borried, even of I don’t pay
it back. I may be keerless’bout money mat-
ters, but I ain’t onthankful. An’ me, not ser
long ago, jest a-rollin’ in wealth!”

“I asked you, once already, who you were.
If I knew, after what you have done for me, I
think I might be justified in taking you where
You would not only be safe but well cared for,
now and in the future. You look rough, I’ll ad-
mit; but you could earn bi wages if you can
keep up the gait you traveler on to—night.”

“ I kin do that last ever night in ther year,
an’ every ear in ther centr . An’ ez fur who
I be—stri es me looks spea fur theirselvas.
I’m a good man down ter me uppers, an’ lookin’
fur a chance ter recooperate. Ef yer ever
heared ov one Sandy Soakers, otherwise ther
child with a tin ear, yer tin see him afore e.”

“Can’t say that the ame is familiar, at it
sounds natural, and seems to fit. And you say

on want a chance. What sort of achance?

hat is your little ame? I known man who
needs a man: and i [was dead sure you were
wicked enough, I might put you onto the chance
of your lifetime.” i

“ Wicked ernuf! Holy Hades!”

The simple exclamation was all the assumed
Sandy Soakers could utter on the spur of the
moment. There did not seem to be words to do
Justice enough to the occasion.

They appeared to be sufficient, however.

“ I may be making a mistake, though it is
something I seldom do. If you are in earnest.
give me {our word and your oath, and you go
along. f you don’t suit, on will know enough
to keep your trap shut, anrl’there can be no great
harm done. I tell you old man, I was in a tight
place, in there, and not a real friend in the
house, when you chipped. I am grateful, but
you don’t want to make any mistake. If you
go back on me they will plant you alongside of
Red Larry, and there Will be no mourners.”

“ In course, in course, an‘ so they orter. But
arter sich a shake ez they give yer ter-night I
thort maybe you’d be wantin’ ter slide out fur
cooler quarters tell this thing blows over.” .

“Bah! To-morrow there will not be a man
to lift his finger against me as long as the gang
which Larry trained with can’t get me into a
11916 With themselves all alone. It was kill or be
killed. and I only saved myself, as 1 had a right
todo. The cam will stand by me whatever
“19!? 2808 at the Flume might do. linou h of
thIS. now. Give me your shoulder. and will
try to bobble along. It is time I was doing
romethins for that ankle if I want to be out on
the street to-morrow.”

The. conversation closed at that, for without
question 0" s“ngstiou the tramp oflered his
"me He 00"“ ""7 the young man if he had
to. but be futile? mforred to let him do what
heBcould for himzeilf.

3'00" “151138 00 K03 alon full as ra id!
as they had been going before? amiyooUId rind:
onto their course without a word being “my
They were quite a distance from the Flume
and there were no sounds of pursuit. Whed
they had gone a little further Barton called
another halt.

“ It’s not likely we will meet any one, and if
we do we must take the chances. If you want
00 go with me, I guess I will have to blindfold
You after all. It is not 300 late for you to turn

Ck: .but if you are the man I think you are,
You Will not obfict to that precaution, and it
may KiVe you some idea what sort of a party
yo‘l‘l are going to meet.”

Clap on ther blinders, soon 92 yer hez a min’
ter. I’m willin’ ter go ’most arywhar, s’long es
that’s a chaince fur grub, an a bunk at ther end.

 

I left me bundle et ther alley alongside ther
Flume,so ez I cain’t slick up ez I’d want w’en I
met strangers, but I ' t guess I’ll do ez I be.”

" Oh, yes, you wil do, especially when I tell
how much better you are than you look,"
laughed the young man, as be arranged a hand-
kerchief over the eyes of the tramp.

The Operation was carelessly done, as though
he had confidence in his man, and trusted to
his good faith not to interfere with what was
done more for form’s sake than through any
real doubt.

They went along slower than ever, but the
journey did not take much more time. When
they halted, Barton gave a rap on a door that
was at his hand, and then there was a whisper-
ing so low that even the sharp ears of Uncle
Bedrock caught nothing of what was said.

The delay at what Uncle Bedrock supposed
was the door was but brief. Again he moved
forward, with young Barton’s hand still upon his
shoulder, and he was pretty certain they Wore
traversing some sort of a passage, though whether
it was above ground or below was more than he
could say.

It was something more than an average temp-
tation, but Bedrock restrained his curiosity, and
made no effort to obtain a glimpseof what might
be around him. It would not have been hard to
move the bandage over his eyes, at least enough
to obtain a p, but he had placed himself in
the hands of is guide, and believed there would
be chance enough in the future to obtain a view
of what he was pledged in the present not to try
to seo.

“ Here you are, old man. Just sink down
gracefully in a chair and remain as you are until
you are spoken to. You will excuse me if I go
and wash my hands after handling such a grimy
subject. We will have to remedy all that,
though, if you are going to stay in Mineral Bar.
But whether you do or you don’t, you won’t for-
get that I owe you one, and that sooner or later

will show you I am not of the forgetting
kind.”

“Don’t yer say a word more; not a leetle,
teetle, teenty Word. You go tie up that laig ov
yourn, w’ich must be a-painin’ orful, an’ send
some one hyer ter tend ter my stomjack. I
can’t stand it much longer, not fur all the soft-
soap an’ blarney ever cemented.”

“Be patient a minute while I gotoexplain.
And keep your courage up, whatever is said to
you. I f you hadn't shown such a good stock of
that, I would never have given a thought to bet-
tering your condition. , So long. You won’t
wait any length of time.”

 

CHAPTER XI.
BEDROCK STRIKES A JOB.

THE chair into which Bedrock drop was
comfortable, and as he threw himself ck he
was not sure he was in as much hurry for his
supper as he had been letting on. The adven-
ture at hand suited him well enough as far as it
had one, and he was willing to wait a little for
deve opments.

l‘f‘ So it goes, so it goes!” he muttered to him-
se .

“ [axed him fur a quarter, an’ he give me a
eagle. I come to ther Bar fur rest an recooper-
ashun, an’ it begins ter blossom out that I’m er-
lected fur ther usu’l large stock ov hard workin’
fun. When, oh, when are ther wooman in ther
case ter putt in a appearans’? When I see her I
kin tell to a dot on w’ich side ov ther fence Rufus
Primrose, een‘yer, are a-goin’ ter be. Rufus,
Rufus! ’Cordin’ ter habit ye’r’ a-gittin’ in with
ther higiiflyers, an’ it's dollars ter dimes yer
won’t be a-doin’ ov ’em ary gocd.”

His meditations closed abruptly, for he heard
a soft step, almost at his side.

“ You may leave that handkerchief on your
eyes for the present, though the mom is so dark
already it will make but little difference. Still,
as your guide explained to you, there is no use in
taking chances a bit sooner than is necessary.
Talk lainly and to the point. From what I
have rd of you, I think you are a reliable
man; but I must know whether you will suit our
line of business. Who are you?"

“ Sandy Soakers, ther sport with a tin ear.”

Very gravel was the amp er given, but as
the name hada ready been mentioned by‘Barton
in describing the man he had brought with him
it excited no surprise.

“ Where from?”

“ All eround. Sometimes from one place but
mostly frum others. Lass’ heared ov from Spur
City, a journeyin’ to’rrads Mineral Bar."

“ And in your life time, which. from your
appearance, seems to have been somewhat long
in the land of the wicked, you have done5
what?”

“ Oh, anythin’, anythin’. I’ve did so much
it’s actooally kept me poor. Frum robbin’ ther
mails ter borryin’ a quarter, it didn’t make
much diffren’s. But thar’s two things I never
did. I never went {back on a pard 92 need me
w’ite; an’ I never shot a man in ther bark. Ez
long ez a man’s runnin’ let him run. Ef he don’t
turn ’round he ain’t likely to do much harm.

See?”
“I see that far; but how is it if he does turn
around, and has a revolver in his list? Do you

, I think we can use

shoot justasbade the soonest, or do you run
away yourself?”

“Ax Billy Barton that questyun, and 
w’ot he sez. I ain’t blowin’ me own horn too
loud.”

“That is a fair answer, because it was the
sample he had of your courage that brought
you here. Suppose Mr. Barton continues to
take an interest in your affairs, and should ask
you to even up matters for him with a man or
so of that gang, what would you do about it ‘5"

“ ’Pend on ther ’mount ov the obligashun he
allowed he’d put me onder fur ther doin’ ov it.
Ef it war heavy ernuf I reckon I’d call on ther
gerloots ter step ter ther front, smack the’r
faces, an’ then ketch ther drop. A feller must
hev fun in this world, an’ he can’t starve, more-
over.”

Through the folds of the handkerchief Prim-
rose saw the sudden glow of a stricken match,
followed by the steadier one of a lighted lamp. In
the silence which followed he knew he was being
examined, and bore the scrutiny withOut flinch-

ng.

After a few moments the voice spoke again.

“ You came to Mineral Bar with scarcely a
dime, as i understand. What was the object of
your coming?”

“ W’ot’s ther objeck in livin’ at all? We don’t
ax ter come, an’ we git over ther range jest
w’en we most don’t want tor. Betwixt times,
we’s wanderin’ ez fate draws us. It says, go ter
Spur City, an’ we goes. It says, hoof it ter
Min’ral Bar, an’ we pulls foot accordin’. In
twenty weary years 0v trampin’ I dunno ez thar
war ever a reason fur whar I went to, er sense
in my gittin’ away, onless thar happened ter be
a committee taggin after.”

“ Then, by your own showing, you have been
a worthless vagabond so long there is little
chance you will be of any value in the future to
yourself or an one else. ’

“ Ax Billy arton, boss. It ain’t for me to
say. Ez I’m a stranger in town he’s ther only
man I kin give yer hyer: but of thar’s time fur
letter writin’, I kin give yer a heap ov just sick
reecommends.”

“And you say you can shoot?”

“ Plumb center every time. But it’s easy
flndin’ that out. Kin give yer a sample a’ry time.
I ain’t been a c0wboy an’ a rus’sler fur nothin‘.’

“ Your looks are against you. but we might
chla;nge them, suggested the other, half to him-

” 0

“With that long hair cut in the fashion, a
clean—shaven face, and a suit of broadcloth, you
would pass for almost anything as long as you
kept your mouth shut.”

“ Hold on, boss! Hold on !” retorted Bedrock,
as if in terror.

“ Sich ez 1 be yer hev aop’shun; but don’t you
try ter gild gold. It’s a loss ov time an‘ money.
I kin spruce up a bit, but don’t yer ax me tar
train onder false colors. They’d see ther lion’s
ears a-stickin’ out onder ther borryed hide, an’
I’d be no good, ’stead ov bein wu’th big
money.”

“I believe you, and I begin to think Barton
made no mistake whenlie brought you this way.
you.

“ Fur big money, b0ss, for big money. I ain’t
a ten-cent customer. Ef ther job ain’t wu‘th
rocks thar’s no use ter ondertake it.”

“ Yes for big money, if we are once sumo!
you. on will have to be tried first, before you
can be trusted, however. If you are found
worthy the rest will be explained. For to—nigh
keep out of sight of the Flume, and on wi
receive notice when your time comes. e care-
ful how you step until you are posted, for you
might run against the wrong men. Barton will
see you to-morrow, but let him cheese his own
time and way. It will not do for him to make
too public a display of his affection, for I sup-
gise you understand he is not in your sphere.

ow, pull foot for the nearest eating-house and
fill yourself up. After that, find a sleeping-
place. It will not do for on to make too much
of an exhibition of yourse f until wedecide what
is to be done with you.” 0

As he ceased another voicc took u the min
though it was the first intimation edrock had
that he was not alone with his interlocutor.

“Jest leave that rag whar it are tell yer gits
ther word ter take it off. It’s 92 well yer don’t
know whar yer bin tell it don‘t make no dif-
feren’s. I’ll lead yer all right tell yer gits out
inter ther road, an’ then you kin go cz you

lease.”

“ I’m jest a lam’ in yer han’s. Hev it ter suit
yerselws. But, I don’t reckon thar’s ary one
tryin’ ter play roots, on Sandy Soakers; fer of
ther war it mou’t cause a onpleasantness.
Sabbei”

“ Oh, I sabbe, plain ernough; an’ I’ll treat yer
better than a brother. This way. That’s my
hand on yer arm.”

And in the darkness Uncle Bedr0ck was led
awa .

He? traveled for some distance without a word
being spoken. The tramp was counting the
steps, and it seemed to him he had about reached
the spot where Barton had applied the bandage
to his eyes.

The hand on his arm seemed a heavy one, and,

 

if voice told anything, belonged to a rough-look-

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ing man. Primrose was looking over in his
mind for some questions to ask his guide before
they separated, that should not seem leading.
yet would elicit the information he was begin-
ning to yearn greatly to possess. *

Suddenly the hand lifted, and he heard the low
noise made by light running feet. The guide
had takes flight without a word of farewell, and
he was alone in the street.

i With due deliberation he removed the hand-
kerchief which had so long been shading his
eyes, and looked around him.

There was no one in sight, and he could form
no idea of where he had been from the appear-
ance of any of the shanties within the range
of his vision.

“ Alle ’lighty. my frien’s. Thar’s a big me
afoot, somewhar, an’ ez usu'i Uncle B rock
are freezui’ onto it. W’ot loads ov fun a tramp
kin pick up; an‘ who’d be a millyunaire w’eu he
kin be a bummer?”

With this philosophic reflection he turned his
steps toward the business part of the town, in
search of some place where his appetite could be
appeased. New that he had leisure to attend to
its demands the clamor began to be uncomforta-
blv loud.

Still remembering the information received
from the pard who had visited the Bar, he look-
ed around for a place kept by one Michael Fin~
nigh , and found it without much difficulty.
The 0 d landmarks were slower to change than
he had thought.

Mike took lodgers, besides keeping a place
where meals oeuld be obtained at all hours.
Though the accommodations would not have
pleased a man of fastidious taste they suited

rimrose well enough. Giving the name of
Sandy Seekers he made his arrangements to have
his headquarters there while in the camp, id a
day’s heard in advance out of some loose c age
he discovered in his pocket, and then stowed
away a mighty meal as a sample of what he
could do. /

The hour was very late, but Mike kept open

all the time, and after lighting a pipe Primrose
stfioned away without saying where he was
go n .
“ geckos some galoot hes got away with my
luggage, but it won’t do no hurt ter take a turn
that way an’ see. Ther clo’se ain’t ov much
’count, but I’d hate ter10se ther stick."

Without a th ht of the warning, he had re-
ceived, be ahead his course directly to the
Flume.

The late excitement at the saloon had quieted
down when he stood in front of the door, though
everything was running at the avers e rate of

ressure. To his surprise no one had ound his

audio, and it lay where he had left it.

“’All right, he Lei Better luck ner I expect-
ed, an’ mebbe I tter not be in a hurry bout
ketchin’ yer up. Ther night’s young, thar‘sa
coin in my pocket, an’a game in ther house.
W’ot’s ther matter with takin’ a flyer at ther
hank? An’ mebbee I kin hear a bit ov news fur
ther eenterest ov me side pard w’en I see ‘him
a ’in. I guess I’ll go in.”

ot a thou ht of any possible danger to him-
self appea to enter his mind as he boldly
swung forward with his most aggressive air, and
passed through the open door.

Within, there was nothing more to be seen
than the ordinary disorder. The body that had
been lying on the floor had, of course, disap-

i'ed, and with it had gone all traces of the
to fracas. If it was not forgotten, every one
showed a thorough unconcern. There were
plenty of men in the bar-room, but they were
no linger excited over the fall of Red Larry.
Their conversation was all about something
else. and as Primrose slouched up to the bar he
heard the same name in a number of mouths.

He stopped and listened in spite of himself.
The name was familiar and what one man said
was a sample: “i tell you.” was the cry, “if
he ain’ Ready Rank, l’m’way off. It was his
0 old; and before we are done with him
see him at the Bar.”

CHAPTER XII.
FUN as THE FLUMI.

Tail news seemed to have,but latel
and one place in the room was as

come,
a place

_ as another to gather it. Uncle Bedrock pushed

on for the bar. .
Once by the side of the counter and he turned.
smiling benignantly, while his eye rsnover the

' crowd as if insearch of a familiar fate.

An ordinaryanan would have had no difficulty
in finding that face, or one that wanted to be
familiar. The chances were he would have found
half a dozen. When a stranger to town made
his way to the her he was seldom compelled to

‘ drink alone if he could understand a broad hint.

in‘ this case, however, there were several rea-
s0ns why the general rule did not apply. ‘
For one thing, the citizens were too pinchin-

' terested in something else to notice him.

For another, if they had noticed they would
have thOught the chances of wringing in on him

afor a drink were but slender.

Shaking his head solemnly Bedrock turned
away from his search, and faced the bartender,
who seemed to be but just aware of his presence.

 

 . Uncle. "Bedrock’s Big 3011-1199." ~ . . " '

" It's no use, me noble nibs,” Primrose si hed.

“ It‘s a stranger 1 am, sure enough, an’ I l hev
ter drink alone. Whisky an it please yer royal
highness. An’ I prefers ther hot kind, thet
warms ter ther toenails.”

“ Money talks,” was the rejoinder.

“ Pay first and drink afterwards.”

“ In course. of it, hez ter be done, w’y, did she
are. An’ look sharp as I git ther right change
back.”

He tossed his ten-dollar gold-piece down with
a lordly air, and inserted one thumb in the arm-
hole of his tattered vest while awaiting the
movements of the tumbler-juggler.

“ Ah, excuse me, Mr. Floyd, I did not recog-
nize you," laughed the man, as be tossed the
change over with one hand, and pushed forward
a tumbler and bottle with the other.

“ Was afraid you would want to draw a
check, and our banks, here, are not in condi-
tion to handle paper. Did you bring any mines
with you, or are you down to on y the Star Fish
Bonanza?" '

Bedrock executed a wink that was asgood in
its way as a circus.

“Fur ther peresent I’m incog’, an’ I'll take it
as a favor of yer don’t give me away. Sandy
Seekers be my gentle cog. Ef that ain’t long
ernough yer kin tack on, Ther Sport with ther
Tin Ear. But keep yer eyes on me. By’mby
thar’ll be ’velepments.” ,

“Rest easy. We will keep an eye on you,
and if that is not enough there is a switch. Be-
have yourself while you are in the Flume and
all wi i be lovely. If you don’t—out on go.”

With this'advice the gent behind he counter
turned to another customer, and the tramp felt
that for the present he was free of the house.

He slid quietly into a corner, and listened
without being obtrusive. By good luck he had
the chance at the very outset to hear what he
wanted to learn. A man who looked like a re-
spectable miner was just asking who was Ready
Rank, and what he had been doing.

“ Bless my soul! Au’ you nevsr heard of
Read Rank? Wh , he used to bejust the king-
pin 0 all the rust ers. He was lightning along
the cattle trail, and a bad man tomeet with a
gold train. He never got down to overhauling
afitage; but when he get hard up, or the notion
took him, he just went in and corraled a town.
.Did it more than once, and got away with big

il.

“ But something happened to him a year-er
so ago, so they say, an’ he’s bin of! the road fur
repairs. Now, it does look as though he had
broke loose again“ There was a gang went
throu h Gordon’s Gulch the other night, gath-
ered in a heap sight of coin, looked over the
registers at ther hotels ter see if there was any
game there worth the picking, and then slid out
without any one stoppingin

“ Oh, he s a daisy, is .eady Rank, and when
he once gets on the war-path there is no telling
where to look for him. Seems as though he
might be working this way.” '

That was the substance of the story as he
heard it, though there were some particulars
added by other lips, within his hearing. It had
its interest to the tramp. From time to time as
he listened be rubbed the side of his nose dubi-
ouslg with the pudgy forefinger of his right
lian .

“Kinder queer, all this,” he muttered, or
rather mumbled, for though his lips made a
sound, no intelligible words issued from between
them. “ Thor’s s’uthin’mighty niister‘ous about
it all. Ef he comes this way, beicherilil’e he
won’t come alone, an’ fun thar will be, cl’ar up
to ther limit.” ‘

While he was meditating he was not altogether
uiiobeervant of what was going on around him
and just now he noticed an individual enter thd
saloon, and come through the crowd with a care-
less nod to this man and that as he passed aloug,
but not halting until at the end of the bar.

There he stood, leaning forward while he con-
versed in a low tone with the individual who had
served Bedrock on his first entrance.

There was something about the face of this
man that attracted more than a ing glance
from Primrose, though the latter was careful
enough not to allow his interest in him to show
itself by anything like a fixed stare.

The new-comer was clean shaven, his hair
claser cropped, and he was d in irre-

hable style. Once or twice he glanced up.

at in that fleeting look Bedrock was lsure he

took in more of the throng than most men would

have done in five minutes. It even seemed as

though itlingered a little the longest, if such a
thin was possible, on him. '

“ port she be,me ther ground up. Wou-
der ef he b’longs round hyeri” thought the
tramp.

“i hate ter be axin’ conundrums. but I’ll hev
ter know More I go out 0v this. Thar’s s’uthin’
familyer like about him, an’ w I dunno him
from a side ov sole-leather. her did I git
f’ust glimp’ ov him?”

He cast another glance in the direction of the
rt, and was almost Certain he met the eyes of

t clatter fixed full on him, and that at the same
time there was a frown on the high, broad fore-
head Which had not been there a moment before.
“ Don’t like me looks. l’m a-thinkin', an’ get

 

half a noshun ter come my way with ther
switch. W’ot’s ther reason?"

“ Jack seems ter be in a bad humor,” said one
of the men to whose conversation Bedrock had
been listening.

“ Guess Johnny is telling him about the racket
Barton had with Red Larry, an’ it don’t please
him worth a cent. If he had been here things
would have gone a leetle different. Wonder
when he got back?"

“ With ther stage, most likely. If he wants
ter run ther Flume he better stay right by it.
There never was a better man stepped on shoe-
leather than just Jack Har r, but when he’s
not here that don’t count. onder if he’ll be
hun’t’iu’ Barton up ter make him aawful exim-
plei

“ More like he’d be on ther other side. Larry
didn’t get much more than he deserved. Doc
Rice an s if it had been half an inch either way
he won d have ot his last sickness, but that hes
all right if he on’t make too much of a fool of
himself. Ain’t that luck enough for one night?"

“ -iyther, when they picked him up for
dead." ’

So Larry was not dead, after all.

Primrose made a mental note of the fact. It
was a fortunate thing for Billy Barton; and,
perhaps, for himself.

There might be some private scores to be set-
tled, but there would be no call for public ven-
geance. He had not been particular] afraid of
a revival of the lynching spirit wi out fresh

revocation, but this would make a difference in
his movements. It was not so necessa to take
a back seat until he found out whether e would
be recognized as the man who had interfered

. between the mob and its victim.

He had hardly realised the fact when he be-
came aware of somethi else. Jack Harper
had singled him out,-,wit outva doubt, and was
advancing toward him. Had he been posted as
to the?way in which Barton really happenedto
esca .

“ here, my man what are you doing here?
Hadn't you any friend to tell youthe Flume was
not the looting-place for men of your class!
Move along if you please.” ’ ~

Short and sharp came the words though
spoken in a tone so low it was possible t ey were
not heard by an one but the man addressed.

“ Frien’s is s as, an’ advice like hen’s teeth,”
replied Bedrock, without offering to move.
“ I’m a-holdin’ down ther bench ther best I know
how; but ef er thinks ’yer kin do it better 1’]!
give yer haf ov it, an you kin see. Takes a
good man ter do it jestice, though.”

“Curse on, what do you mean by your imi-
pudence? don't want to have a muss on the
floor; but if what Johnny thinks is true, and
any of Larry’s friends drop to you, there would
'be something more to clean up in the morning.
It’s your own good I’m talking for, but I don t
want you here, anyway.”

“Sorry, John,”drawled the tramp shaking
his head grayely.

“I’m tired ter death, ez it war, an' got kinder
reckless like. An’ then I’m s-waitin tell I git
thirsty afore I git a move on. No use for make
to o efforts, an’ it'll be some time tell I want my
night-cap.”

Harper shot afierce glance at the speaker.
although he had without a doubt already sized
him up pretty well.

The proprietor of the Flume was a well-liuilt
man, and those who knew him best would have
said he was afraid of nothing, but he did not
care to undertake this ragged and travel-be-
grimed individual himsel . Ile looked back
over his shoulder and modes motion, slight, but
well understood by those for whom .it wasin-
tended. ” ‘
' Two men were at his side in an instant.

“He wants to go out, bad, but don’t know
how. Show him.” V

Harper did not believe there would be serious
rssisrance, but be was a men who was seldom
taking many chances, however much he mi ht
appear to be cf! his guard. Bedrock knew with-
cut appearingto see it that the hand of the pro-
prietor lay in a side pocket. and he could guess
what it was resting on. He made neither an-
swer nor movement. _

“Come, old man! Out you go, head first, or ,
feet first, just as you ch009e.”

“ Kerry me out, then. I’m orful weak.”

The men hardly waited for Bedmck’s answer.
One at either arm, ihey' ade their spring, and
had him in their grip before the nearest specta-
tors guessed what was coming. .
Then they gave a wrench commensurate with
the size of the body they expected to move.

Unfortunately for them. Primrose was just a
shade ahead of the tug.. They had all the steam
at their command applied, and yet were pulling
against the empty air. They broke their own
hold, and staggered apart, while Bedrock shot
forward, throwing out his arms wildly as he
canles

It seemed like a chance to the few who were
watching; but it was not ‘chance at all. His
right arm shot out under the left one of Jack
Harper, while his left hand caught the right one
of the proprietor of the Flume. ..

“ Al han's ’round, and balance ter yer pard-
ners!” Bedrock shouted, and without pause he

 

 

 

 

' :decision, troubled himself

 m. s

1'“ ’ " ‘ ‘1 ' “.1. t. '
s ,-r r; ,.

drock’

     

‘ v.4. . _.
\ , v ‘
a

 Big

i..'

 'e Q ’ ' ‘v z

D

Bounce.

‘11

 

 

whirled his captive around as he pranced toward
the door with a regular polka step.

“ Heel and toe away we go!
Oh, what delight it is to know
The pleasures of the polka!"

So sung Uncle Bedrock as be dragged Harper
this way and that, managing toelude more than
one hand outstretched to grasp them, and reach-
ing the door so quickly that the men against
whom he carromed in his passage had little time
to guess what had happened.

At the door there was the briefest of pauses.

“So-long, gents! Sandy Seekers ’1! see yer
later!" the tramp laughed, as he deftly swung
his captive from the floor and tossed him on a
convenient table.

Then he slipped out of the door, dove into the
alleyway, caught up his bundle, which still lay
there, and had vanished utterly by the time the
two bouncers, followad by pretty much all of
the s ectators, swarmed out on the sidewalk.

“ lained rough play," said Harper, quietly,
to the few who were there to hear him as he
picked himself off of the table.

“ He’s a better man than he looks
not sure but what it served me righti’

CHAPTER XIII.
THE MAN WITH A MAP.

WITHOUT attempting to describe all his aches
and pains, it is enough to say that after the ex-
citement consequent upon the coming of his
daughter had subsided, Mr. Lyons did not rest
well during the rest of the night.

He tossed and turned as wellashis injuries
would let him, and Pony Taylor did not sleep as
soundly ‘9 he would have liked to, in Spite of
the fact that Miss Edna took the duty of nursing
is oi, oi! his'hands.

he yoang lady had told her story briefly, and

'then begged to say nothing more about it until
mornin . Perhaps she was wise to refuse to
'think a ut it more than she could help, but the
injured man, though seemin ' to acquiesce in her
the more.

The night came to an end, however, and the
dawning morning showed two faces haggard
.and wan, and a third bearing no traces of any-
thing but mild interest. as its owner looked
.around him somewhat curiously.

The cabin rather improved under a daylight

View,
. It was a tumble-down sort of an affair, and
its furnishing meager enough, but there was a
iieatiiess about the nterior which showed that
Mle Edna was not neglectful of household
duties, even under the most discouraging cir-
rcumstanoes.

“ Looks like a shame to attemptto wring in
here, and I ought to be moving,” was his
thou ht.

" at it would not be a half bad place to have
headquarters until I can get on my feet. If I
had a little capital to go on, I mi ht see if there
was an opening, but, I swear! don’t like to

ucome in as a pauper."

With somethin ot a sigh he decided he would
have to trust h mself to the tender mercies of
Eiyeoimrg, but before going he looked over Mr.

Taylor knew something about broken bones.
and was an. amateur surgeon of considerable
skill. He did not want ’to make any mistakes
With the gentleman who had confided himself to
his care. Much as L ‘Onfi seemed to dislike on
meeting Doctor Rice, aylor would have insisted
calling him in if he had not felt sure the arm was
set as well as it could be, and that there was no
danger of any permanent disfigurement.

Vi bile he was, making his examination Edna
\prepared breakfast. It Was too late for him to
flip away. She was cheerful, Mr. Lyons was
feeling better, and there was no need for him to
be the only unsatisfied one at the feast. He
made himself agreeable, and ate a breaka
that was satisfactory in both quality and quan-

no.
hgrt if I talk plainly,” said Mr.

and I am

 

i'i Donit “.1

, _ Lyons, a little la r.

“ on have done me a great service, and one I
can DEV". POPMPO, repay; but you must allow
me to Show you my gratitude. From what you
have said I fancy you have lately met with
hard luck. Allow me to put myself at your dis-

sel until you can light again on our feet.

ntil I have somewhat recovered I 0 not care
to be at all times here alone with my daughter
and if you can stand the accommodations for a,
few nights, I would prefer to have you with me.
Even if you came in late you would be here no
doubt, at the hour I would need you most.” ’

“ Thanks. That is a fair offer, and I am not too
proud to accept it. I am down on my luck, but

t will only be temporary. have a spare
revolver on which I can no doubt get a small
:gzrzncemaxlig with a ifew fallen; in my pocket
w ano an era rivin '
coin direction.” pa 8 8 mm, m
‘And outside of sp‘ort—at which I have an
idea you sometimes ta 0 a hand—in what direc-
tion would you like to have it come?”
Oh, I’m not particular. Anything is game
'that comes in the ring. I can manage a mine,
[or I can prospect on a grub-stake. I can run a

‘. hotel, or boss a wagon train; clerk in a bank or

 

round up a herd of cattle. Anything in a
mining-camp from alcalde to hotel bouncer
would be in my line, for I have tried pretty
much of them all.”

“ And equally good at all, no doubt. Perhaps
—if you are reallyopen toan engagement-there
might be profit to both of us it' Igot you to
work for a time with me.”

“ Perhaps,” answered the sport, looking keenly
at the speaker.

It had occurred to him already that Mr.

Lyons must have some strong inducements to
make up his mind to such a residence, in such a
town.
“ You may think the chances for roflt are
not as large as you would like them! n regard
to that I would scarcely be able to convince you«
by any figures I have to shOw; and yet, in the
words of the immortal colonel, there may be
‘ millions in it.’ ”

“’Uini Something in the line of a lost
bonanza, I presumei'?

“ You have hit it exactly. It is from something
of the kind you would have to draw your large
profits, if there were any. But there is some-
thing else in which on could help me, for which
I could pay you f r wages as you went along.
We did not come to Mineral Bar exactly
pau . and I have 1: but little waiting
unti I could find a cow before making any
wild expenditures.”

“ No doubt, then, there is a missing man, and
you think there are traces of him here.”

“Correct again, though how you are wizard
enough to guess so exactly is more than

strays.”

“ ot a bit of it. The 10st bonanaas are
scattered around by the thousand, and mining
men seem to foot up well into the millions. It
is always one or the other, with the bonanza for
choice, when a gentleman like yourself becomes
mysterious.”

“Then, you think I have been deceiVed, and
that nothing of the kind exists?”

“Oh, no. I would not say that. Plenty of
them there are; but the trouble is tofind them. I
never set myself down on the trail of one, so
that I don’t know what I might he able to do,
but I think I would rather hunt the missing man
if I had any proof at all he was in the land of
the living.”

“Well, the man who is missing is dead, he-
yond'a doubt; and the search is rather for the
one who killed him. There is not much to go
on, and et I have believed I had some faint
traces. I‘he occurrences of the at n t serve
to convince me I have not men together
wron ."

“In other words, Jon believe you know who
killed Paul Prindle

“ Right again,” said Mr. Lyons, more sur-
prised than he had been; and a good deal
puzzled.

“ Sure] you know nothing of the man!”

“ Nothing save what I caught from your mut—
terings last night, when you were resting un-
easily. I know the direction of‘your sus icions,
and that is all. If I could see your man would
be willing to give a guess whether he had a man
on his bed-post of nights.”

“ Then, you shall see him. Indeed, if you stay
any great time in Mineral Bar you could hardly
help hutsee him. If he is the man who killed
poor Paul, then I am almost sure he has the
other half to the key which will point out the
spot to search for the hidden wealth.”

“ And who was Paul Prindle, if the question
is not an impertinent one?" '

“ Not at all. He was the uncle of Edna—the
brother of her mother. He came out here ten
years ago, or more, after a failure in the East.
From that time on we heard nothing of him un-
til he was supposed to be dead."

“ No letters, or anything of that sort, mean-
time?”

“ Not a line.

“ We were hardly surprised at that, however.
Paul Prindle was not the man to send news un-
less it was good news. ‘Unless I can strike it
rich you won’t hear from me till I am dead and

one.’ That was what he said when he left, and

e kept his word only too well. He must have
been dead for years when the letter came which
said he believed he had found ,even more than
he had hoped for.”

“ You had a letter from him, than?"

“ Yes, a letter that by some strange fate had
been wandering around for years—or, perhaps
lying hidden in some old mail-sack. We had
made inquiries meantime, plenty of them, but
the West seemed to have swall0wed him up.”

“ And this told on where to find him?"

“Not exactly; at it gave a int of de
tare, which was what is now nown as pur
City, if I am not mistaken. It gave 'the direc-
tion and the distance he had to travel from that
point to reach the neighborhood of his bonanza,
and then the half of a map which would locate
the spot. The other half he promised tosend in
his next letter." ,

“ And that next letter was never sent?”

“ Never so far as we know; yet I have a
strong belief it was written. and that he was

killed to obtain on of it.”

" Well 1 should say it would hardl be worth '
while to 'spend much time and moneyyssarching

 

for it now. If there was any claim in this region
it has without a doubt been retaken by this
time, and worked over. The placers here are
almost played out, and the quartz ground is
pretty well covered.”

“ Sol feared; but, if I have not misunderstood
the’directious I have, Paul Prindle’s find wasin
a region where there has been but little ros-
pecting. and less development. Unless am
away of! I have found the district; but I am at
a loss where in it to search. It might be any-
where within an area twenty miles square.”

“ If there is anything worth the finding, and

on can get it down that fine, the quest is not
hopeless. I suppose you hardly have the map,
such as it is, with you?”

“ No. I came prepared for the campaign, and
with my eyes open. 1 know every line and ,

shade in it as well as though it was before me, '

and can reprOdUCe it on the same scale to the
fraction of an inch, if need be tomatch the miss-
ing half.”

“ And you have been over the ground?”

“ Of that I will not be positive; but it seems
to me I have recognized some familiar spots.”

“ And, one question more. 80w does it come
you so the doctor of having had anything
to do with the killing of your brother-in-lawf"

“ Principally because he has had an eye on me
from the time I came into this camp. If he is
the man I think he is, then there would be noth-
ing strange in his having recognized my name,
and guemed at what was my mission. But
whether he wants to remove me for his own
safe , or desires to hold an advantage in order
that e may get the rest of that chart, is more
than I can determine. Time will show. Of
course, you are a stranger in this section of the
country?"

Taylor smiled all through these last state—
ments.

It had struck him that perhaps the doctor was
as much interested in Miss Edna as he was in the
chart. So far, he was just on the outskirts of
the story. There was plenty moreto be describ-
ed, but he thought he saw signs that the con-
versation was taxing his boss mars than was
safe and he atteln ted to draw out of it.

“That isenou for the precast, m friend.
Let me think it over for a while, and t Loan
ask you questions about the rest. I might tell
you, though, that I scouted through this region,
some years ago, and know about as much con-
cerning the lay of the land as the average man.
That will come in later, thOugh.”

“ Ah, you tell me sol Look, then. I will
trust you as I would have trusted no one else on
such short acquaintance. Edna, give me pen.
cil and paper. We will see if you recognise the
map I will draw you." ‘

“ But your arm. papa! Are you not afraid
you may damage it?

{Edna was either more cautious, or more care-
fu

“ Never mind the arm. I can use the other
and it can do me no hurt. I cannot rest until ,
see whether fate has not brought the right man
to our assistance." '

Pony Taylor said nothing, but watched the 
hand to her father the materials asked for, and
then the skillful fingers swiftly tracing the rude
chart. -

“There! That is the map as I received it.‘ 

Seel It is cut diagonally in two. This land in
the corner it seems to me I have found; but of
this stream. a little further on, ihere is no trace.
Look well at the map, for I must destroy it at
once. Then you can tell me if it corresponds
with any ground you know of.”

Taylor followed the direction of Mr. Lyons’s
finger, and at the same time to be try-

ing to recall something he remembered but

dimly.

“ it looks natural,” he muttered.

“ I fancy I know the spot you are speaking of.
and if this is the shine, then that stream you
failed to find is the Suhken River.
knows what its course really is, so far as I have‘
heard, but it is more likely to be that than any-
thing else. Perhaps Paul Prindle‘s bonanza is

to he found in its ancient bed. Do you know, I .

think if there is anything in it at all, the division

of the chart was only a blind, and that all the '

points are in the fraction you hold? If I was as

young as I once was I would!» quite enthusio
astic.

CHAPTER XIV.
rnlnxns unlit,
“ Tum!
be something in it after all!”

Lyons asked the question anxiously; and his 1
cad Taylor that thr .
man was not thoroughly infatuated about the f

very earnestness convin

hidden bonanza.

“ Oh, come now i" laughed the sport.

“I never believe much in what I don’t see:
and I have not had time enough to think about
this. I don’t want you to go of! on a wild-
gooaachssejuetbecausslgiveyouawordot
encouragement.”

“ No danger of that," answered Lyons, a lit.1

tle sadly.

“It will beavweek or morebeforelwillhe'

able to go anywhere, outside of this house; but

you haVe said enough to show I madonomiam

No man'-

you begin to believe these really may ;

 

 

 

 

 

.a~.

or

»»n.

j!

12

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.

 

take in making you my confidant. I have guard-
edly questioned a hundred in regard to that
country, and you are the first who has ever
hinted at the Sunken River.” .

“ Probably they could have had no idea you
were asking for more than was on the top of the

round. I would never have thought of it but

or the map. Now, then, I must suggest that

on have had enough of this for the morning. If
{fists Edna thinks she can take care of you for a
while I Will go out and view the town. I am
not as feverishly anxious as I was about it last
night, when I did not know what roof WouId re-
ceive me, or which wa I would turn; but it is
as wellto getan idea 0 the city. Even if we
go on the hunt for the sunken stream it will be
some little time before we can stari ; and mean-
while something may be done here.”

The sport had not really so much interest in
the town, and would as soon have passed the day
lounging in the shadow of the cabin, smoking his
pipe; but he recognized that to ate. there longer
would keep up the excitement of r. Lyons, and
he decided to go before it had done him further
harm.

“ If he gets to talking about the Paul Prindle
matter yet, he may be raving before he is ready
to quit. It is time I slipped away, and left him
to the soothing influences of his daughter.”

So thought the sport, and very firmly he took
himself away

Mineral Bar was a thriving little place, but by
daylight there did not seem to be so much of it.
It did not take him long to explore the business
part of the town, and take a long-range view of
its environs.

In spite of the fact that there was no imme-
diate cause to worry over what he was to eat
and where he was to rest, he felt a good deal like
a cat in a strange garret.

“ It is all very well to make headqmrters with
Lyons, but there is no telling how long that is
going to last; and for a man to be without
money is-well, tempting Providence. I must
make a raise, if it is only a few dollars. And I
won’t ask Lyons for a friendly loan, either.”

He had said that he had a spare revolver.

That seemed the most likely thing on which to
get an advance, but he had some articles of more
value. He looked around for a place where he
might be able to make a deal; and finally stum-
bled into the one establishment in town where
the diamond studs he carried in his vest pocket
were available.

“Mordecai Levy,” read the name above the
door, and the sport was pretty certain he could
pledge his diamonds there, if the proprietor once
caught their sparkle with his eyes.

The gentleman behind the counter was a
Hebrew; of that, a glance made him sure. He
nodded, and began business without delay.

“ I want a loan on good and sufficient collat-
eral; and I don't want too big a one, either.
Will you let me have twenty-five on these?”

The individual addressed was Mordecai him-
self.

“ Dot vosh so modest I dinks I vill offer you
fifdy set the bersehent vos is e enough.”

“I understand. If I am wi ling to stand the
swindle in the matter of interest. About what
is the size of the per cent. you expect?”

“”Shoost a leedle dhen berschent. Dot vos

all.

“That looks a little too moderate. If I took
them for a year, your dollars would not grow as
fast as they ought to in legitimate business.
Ten per cent. a year is legal, but it is hardly
enough.”

“ A yearl Mine craycious, vot you dakes me
for? A day! Dhen berschent a da is vot shen-
tlemans vot bledges di’munts vosh n der habits
of haying; but as I knows you, Mishder Daylor,
I makes t for you somedings less.”

“ You know me, do you? That seems strange,
for it is a long time since I had any dealings
with”any of your tribe, and certainly never with

on.

“ Dot vosh so, but I remembers you ven you
van in der Elefunt Lode, and they said on vosa
buoty schquare man do deals vith. ake der
fifdy and pay me oent’rest ven you gits der di’-
munta.”

“ Thanks for your good opinion; but it don’t
seem to make business much easier to transact.
I might as well give you the stones and be
done with it. They are worth a hundred and
fifty right here; and a good deal more further

ast. '

“Pizzness ish pizznel, mine friendt, undt a
shport of dot monish can make it a goot many
dimes ofer,in den days.”

“Yes, but at present I’m not on the sport.
It’s only a little spending money I am looking
for, until the w es begin to come in. I don t
calculate to brea any bank with it, or worr
the chiefs at short cards. I tell you, Mordeca ,
it’s a virtuous steady sort of life I am after liv-
in n0w, and I can afford the deal.”

vy looked at the diamonds, and then at
Taylor. His little black eyes twinkled avari-
ciously, and he turned away with a sigh.

Then, he suddenl faced the sport again.

" Mine friendt, i dot vos drue I loans you dot
dwendy-vive midout der gollaterals, undt you
make id right ven it suits you do bay me.”

He shoved the money over as he spoke, and

 

then retreated hastily, as though he was afraid
to trust himself longer in the neighborhood of a
man with such magnetic influence. He said a
word to a clerk, who came OVer to where Tay-
lor was standing, and then continued his flight
through a door which led to a room at the rear
of his store.

“ Well, I’ll be blessed!” gasped Taylor, thor-
oughly surprised, yet not altogether unwilling
to take adVantage of the offer.

“ There must be something behind it all, but
I don’t see how it can hurt me. The only thing
is, I’m sort of bound over not to set up for a.
chief. If [do I suppose there is an unwritten
bond to pay him my ten per cent. a day. That
must be what he is after; and I guess he is go-
ing to be, dimppuintrd.”

He told the Clerk be was in need of nothing
for the present, and left the store. As he came
out he found himself face to face with a man
whom he recognized; and who seemed to recog-
niz 9 him.

Taylor looked a little the Worse for wear, but
he was a city dude compared with this man,
who was out at the elbows and down at the heels
after a most shOcking fashion. Nevertheless
the s rt stopped when he was accosted, and lis-
tone without any viSIble repugnance.

“Thar’s ther hand ov Sandy Soakers.” the
ragged individual exclaimed, thrusting out one

aw, though not getting it quite within reach-
If g distance.

“ Thar may he dirt on it, an’ of so he shakes it
hisself, nn’ says, I’m glad ter see yer; pard,'an‘
yer dies me proud.”

He ccvered the right paw with the left, and
shook it heartily. It was an old trick of his,
and 0'I6 who had ever met him would probably
recognize him by that if by nothing else.

“ Thanks for the trouble saved,” answered
Taylor, smiling at the tramp. “ Still on the old
trail? There is no disputing tastes, and I sup-

so that, as usual, you have found something
interesting to a )bilosopher. What are you do-
ing at Mineral r?”

‘ Oh, hummin‘ ’round ez usu’l. Can’t sw’ar
ez yit, but think I’ll strike it ’bout ez rich ez
hereterbefore. So fur, am grub an’ onlimited
hitters ahead, an’ ther cream ov ther game tor
hear frum. An’ erself? Are ther Taylors
spreadin’ the’r fest ve lay-out fur ther benefit
ov ther weary peel rims, er hev er kim to ther
front in a boomin bonanmr? harever yer
goon yer prospers, but ef it’s ondesired consider
ez Sand are askin’ no ques’shuns.”

“Oh, have been in hard luck, myself, and
without your reserve to fall back on. If it had
not been for a lucky chance I would have been
hustling as hard as you ever did in search of my
daily bread. I am not sure, yet, how things are
going to Work, but if they run as I expect, it
may be I will have use for a man of about your
size. If so, are you open to an engagement! ’

“ ’Pends ontirely on ther cirkimstansea ov ther
case. Et' it’s ter right wrong, or defeat ther
eends ov villainy, yer kin count on Bedrock.
Ther longer he travels ther more he sees ov
them things an’ ther quicker he gits a paw inter
ther mix. But of it’s Jest a or’nary job, ov good
wages an’ nothiu’ much ter do, count him way
out. I’ve bin ole bizzness in me younger days,
an’ now I’m enjoyin’ rest an’ rekreashun in me
old age, ter say nothin’ ov ther fact thet I hev a
leetle game ov me own ez ’pears ter be opeciu’
up fine.” .

“Might know it was no use to talk sense to
you, though I suppose if you happen to he need-
ed you will he on the carpet all the same. It is

our way. Is there any temporary stringency

n the money market? It seems to me you loo
worse than usual.”

“ None, me noble lord; an’ yit, if ther sakre-
fize are not too overwhelmniu’ it mou’t be ez
well ef you coald loan me a quarter—jest fur
ther benerfit ov ary anx’shus ’bserver. lt mou’t
bebetter fur us two ter scem ter be strangers
tell ther play are over, an ’ ther folks gone
home—”

“ G00d thing you didn’t ask me to make it a
half or I might have had to ask you to change a
bill. Theres the coin that represean my for-
tune when I struck the bar. And, by the way,
do you know anything about Father Mordecai,
who runs this ranch? He seems to have me
down fine, but blessed if I remember anything
about him.”

“ Don’t know him frum a Afrikan guerriller.
Thanks ter yer hi hness fur ther accommsr-
dashun. Kin slip t inter yer han' ag’in ther
I’th time we meet in ther dark. Ta-tal An’
look out fur ’em at ther Flume, ef yer wanders
thatnway. Tber men tbar are onregenerately
bad.

The walking hilosopher swung himself away,
and slouched town t 0 street. The conversa-
tion had certainly been overheard by no one;
and if any one was viewi the interview from
afar, the most that could seen was that the
bummer had struck the sport for a small stake,
and had gone on his way rejoicing.

“ I sw'arl ”

Bedrock had not roceeded a dorm: yards
when he muttaed t eexclamation. If he had
been any other man he would have at least turn~
ed and iven a glance toward the spot where he
had jus left Tay or.

i

‘ “ An’ me a—furgittin’ ter say arything to him
’hout w’ot they war sayin’ lass’ night, 0v Ready
Rank bein’ no furder off than ther Gulch. Ef I
warn’t for wonst surprized clean ofl’n me base!

I An' ef Rank war a-lookin’ over ther hotel regis-

ters, w’oi’s ther matter with it bein’ Pony he war
after? Not ez it mou’t ’a’ bin ther mos’ comfort-
’ble thing a-goin’ fur ther rus’der ef he’d ’a’ found
him; but a hint Wouldn’t hurta blind boss, ef
thar war no time ter gii e him a wink.”
Fortunately, perhaps, PrierSe was himself;
and so made no attempt to look for the sport.

acquaintance should not be known he showed
his wisdom.

As he swaggered along he heard a voice at his
shoulder.

“ Who m 3 your friend? It looked as though
he must have been one, since he was willing to
make you a friendly loan."

The speaker was Billy Barton, and Bedrock.
thought he had sharp eyes to see the financial
transaction at the distance he must have been.

“ Yer can’t prove it by me. I addressed him
ez John Swinson, ov Turkey Bend. He didn’t
seem ter recomember ther name, So I struck him
fur a liniin amount, an’ that anewered jest ez
well. Looks sport frum ther ground up. an’ ef
I’d ’a: thought I might hev steered him your
way.

“ Thanksl You let steering alone till you are».
told to do it. And now, What in thunder did
you go back to the Flume for, last night? If'
you are not a dead man before the day is over it,
will be because Jack Harper is afraid the boys
will never get done joking him about his corpse.
You are rather a tough-looking customer to go
on the record of Gentleman Jack.”

Bedrock stuck his thumbs into the arm-holes
of his ragged vest, and swelled out his chest.

“ That frien’ ov yourn seemed ter think I war
a middlin’ no-account sorter a fraud, ez couldn’t.
take keer ov meself w‘en I got in good company,
an’ I ,jest tho’rt I’d show him w’ot sorter a man
I be.’
“Well, we don’t want any more of it, and I.
am not sure you have not already destroyed
igur usefulness. It may be, however. there will

something for you to do to-night. Be at.
Mike’s about sundown, and stay there for an
hour if you don’t hear from us sooner. After-
that, go your own gait for the night. That will.
do for the present. I’ll move of! before you
strike me for a loan.”

CHAPTER XV.
JACK HARPIR’S OFFICE OPENS roa nosmnss.

PONY TAYLOR had met Uncle Bedrock before,
and knew something of the man and his ways.
This meeting With him had its significance.

“ The old fellow is not here without a purpose
of some kind. What that can be there is no use-
to guess for if he told you you couldn’t under—
stand h m. The only question is, whether he
and I will again find ourselves in the same game..
There might be worse persons for a uer if he
did not have sucha confounded ten ency to play
a lone hand. What could he have meant by-
that hint about the Flume? He could hardly
havo taken a better plan to get me in that direc-
tion, for Ragged Rate, as they used to call him,
seldom speaks without meaning something.”

Taylor had passed the Flume. in the course of

his explorations, but by daylight everything
there was quiet and orderly. it was hardly
worth while to Visit it now. And as he had
engaged himself to Mr. Lyons it would never-
do to enter it after dai k.
Pong knew that it was not in his nature to
stand ack when sport was going on around him,
and so had decided to keep out of the way of‘
temptation—if he could.

In due course of time he got back to the cabin
on the edge of the town, and found his dinner
i waiting for him. Mr. Lyons seemed to be doin -

well, and Miss Edna gave no sign that she feared
another attack.

Yet Lyons acted as though he thought some
one might he s ying on them, and spoke in low
tones. Ha ha questions to ask in regard to the
land in the vic nity of the Sunken River, and
was read to unfold the plans he was already
framing or the coming campai n.

“ If things are as I suspect, will try for the
bonanza first. That will brin
killed Paul Prindle in my wa e. Perhaps we
would be safer for the present if he knew of our

June for the future, thou h I would not have
im know too much, either.

Once started on this tack, and Mr. Lyons had
a good deal to say.

As he was getting along so wall, Taylor did
not attempt to stop him, and so the afternoon
went alon quite rapidly; but when night came,
it was quite a different thing. If he had been a
small boy, and there had been a circus band in
the distance, he could not have stirred more un-
easily in his chair.

“ You are tired of this, Mr. Taylor,” said
Edna with a smile.

“ You are as curious as a woman, and would
like to see how the town looks by lamplight.
Why not got With our rayolvers, and the door
locked, we are certame safe, and there isno
need for you to be a prisoner."

“ I suppose you are right. I didn’t know it,

 

 

 

If he was already anxious that their previous ‘

the man who

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bo“

ok’s Big. Bounce;

   

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but I must want to go—bad. If I can beofl
duty for a con la of hours, I will improve the
Opportunity. hen I return on can have the
rest of the night to yourself, as will be on hand
'for any looking a ter that your father may
need. ’

' Out of the house, and Pony turned toward
“the Flume as naturally as though he had lived
'there, He felt sure it was the most important
salOon in the place, even if it had a rougher
on me than some of the others. When he reached
the doors everything was “ wide open,” and he
entered without attracting any apparent atten~
$10!].

As he edged his way through the crowd, he
became aware that a pair of dark eyes were sur-
veying him with a scowl, and looking their
owner ovor, he saw that the man had his nose
well patched up with court-plaster.

“ Bless my souli" he thought.

“ 1 may be wrong, but though you have dif-
ferent clothes on, I’m open to a fair bet that
there is a specimen of my handiwork. If I have
struck on the headquarters of the gang I met on
the mountain, I want to move slow till I can
feel sure of my footing. There is not the chance
here for fine work there is in the open, and
I might have to take in a few innocent victims
if there was a racket started in the house.”

He made no mistake about the man. though
“he was visible for only a moment. iThe man
with the court-plaster on his nase was as much
fl‘lljpl‘lsed as was Taylor, and slid out of sight so
Edlckly, Pony did not know what had become of

mi.

There was a man, however, who did see.

Jack Harper was on duty, and when he was
about, there was llttle that escaped his eye. He
followed the man out, and found him waiting,
probably for one of his pards.

“ Seen a ghost, have you, Tommy?"

_ He came up quietly, and spoke in a low, laugh-
:ing tone.

“ Not by a blamed sight; but I wished I had.”

“ That stranger who just came in, eh?”

“ That same. hyer, if you ask, it’s a safe
thing ter tell yer w’ot yer wants for knew. He’s
~tlier gerloot ez lastered this nose 0v mine all
«over my face. on kin jedge how hard I’m
a-lovinl ov him.”

“Tried to do something in a professional sort
of way, and found you had run against a mag?
.He does look as though he might make it uncom-
'fortable for an outsider that was putting on
frills when he didn’t want to see them. Has he
any stumps?”

" He sell not; but I ain’t a-takin’ his word fur
snore nor 1 see. He may have half a millyuu.

He looked a heap sight harder, when I see’d,

him, though. Bin a-spruciu’ up, an' from his
face I sh‘u’d say he war not suiferin’.fur coin.
Better try him a jingle afore he gits inter my
hanlfl‘"

"Perhaps I had. But if I do I want you to
understand there must be no picking of a quar-
u'el with him in my house.”

“Pick thunderl Not while he’s lookin’ my
way. I’ve bin thar. Ef it’s very dark es he
- one home, I might be willin’ ter watch when he
got- by, but} don’t want ter say notliin’ to him
;—-not of he kin hear me. An' I don't think I got
«Eagll‘gézzkeofl her take it up whar I left off.
, my; menses new, chuck up, an’ you better

e must be, if he has sca "
'Twofeet. If I knew more of wl-hfgt (hit 1:321"?
«tiguld unvlli‘arstandi battens, but perhaps I) ail blat.
' rnot as quest one. oyouaro oin -
low it down, and let it go? 8 gamma!

“Good sense and more profit about that. I
~thought he was rather a touch above your line.
:I wanted to get at what was behind that look

you v him—and, by the way, I shouldn’t
we
hhiflrflg he saw it. He has eyes in the back of

“ I ain’t sure but there’s more profit outed

him dead than livin’,au'if ou’ll fixitsothat
'thar vigou't be no danger ov a ripe-party I’ll take
:ther lame sf you'l do that killin’. Mou'tbe
big $239311: kit a: I fin’ dared ter touch him.”
.0 . i
1 101‘; mm ti”, bottom” put him on the trap will
arper name! course who he was talkin‘
to; and Twofeat understdod the allusion to thg
button, even ‘11., be: had never seen the trap
. Korked. title looked up with a glint of fire in
is eyes at was not I '.
flasks)“ , 0st even in the semi
og-gone him yes! But ‘
_ I don‘t want ter’be whar tfl’ggzlgg 1:3
lliso kin drop on menus“ seems to:- me he’ll
. 2:15 that. truth ov \wot’s comin' right eaten
' "Don’t be afraid 0 that. If I was '
had the wealth about hls clothes that I mwchi
would know better whether it would be worth
while to try him a whirl. I’ll find out, and let
you vkvu’mr gather to be around.” i
s got in for him i" thou ht T
u the gain‘tier turned away. 8 ommy’
J a all right' at it ain‘t fn
duckats in his pockets.’ Jack could gel-that;
fast ernough, ’thout fakin‘ me in en a side pal-d.”
viug Tommy to study over the mystery,
the gainb or sauntersd luck into the saloon, and
~1hongh it would have been hard for any one to
in. v j . n I I ‘ ‘I

t a

   

   

 

have told that he was lookin in the direction of
the sport, he at once satisfl himself that Tay-
lor had not left the saloon during his absence.

Pony was still in sight, lounging around with-
out any apparent object, and after a little
Harper came sliding his way, and greeted him
with a nod.

“ Stranger here. I believe? Make yourself at
home, and if you don’t see what you want ask
for it. That is the principle we run on.”

A man of Taylor’s experience did not have to
look twice to see that Harper wasa gambler,
and he had already had him identified as the
proprietor.

“ A bit of a stranger, but it don’t generally
take me long to get acquainted. And as I don t
often want the earth it is not likely I will have
much to say. There ought to be enough here to
satisfy the ordinary man.”

“ Just so you feel at home; just so you feel at
home."

Harper seldom had to go out of his way to
hunt up a game. He left that part of the busi-
ness to the men who had it in charge; and his
cappers, though not generally known as such,
did their work well. If there was a game in
town that could be reached it came to Harper,
in case he wanted it, without any effort on his

art.

It was a little awkward to have to throw him—
self in, the way of, this stranger, but he thought
he had managed to do it without showing more
than an ordinary professional spirit. If Pony
Taylor was a chief he would not be slow to an-
swer what might be construed into a challenge.

And Taylor had forgotten his good resolu-
tions, and was thinking where he had met this
man in the past; and trying to make up his
mind whether it could beworth his while to find

out. .

To do the latter there was nothing like a
seance at the card table, and the tamptation
was great. Before be fairly knew what he was
saying he had answered:

“You hit me close towhere I live, in that,
paid. Honor bright, I do feel something like a
cat in a strange garret. It’s not the safest
thing in the world to wring myself into one of
the games, and yet it seems to me it is where I
ought to belong. You couldn’t introduce me,
could youi”

By a sweeping gesture he included the room
at large. If Jack Harper was angling to inVei-
gle him into a game, certainly Pony was willing
to meet him half-way.

“That‘s right,” nodded Jack. ’

“ If you want to be a chief there is nothing
like starting in at headquarters. There is an
empty table over there, and as we go along you
might be naming your vanity.” I

“It takes money to buy land,” answered
Taylor, gravely. ..

On second thought it had struck him he was
but poorly equipped for a struggle with the pro-
prietor of the house, who was no doubt gilt-
edged as a player, and with thousands to back
him. He rather wished he had tried to inveigle
Mordecai into a bigger loan, and wondered
whether it would be worth his while to go out
and seek an interview before sitting down at the
table. Twenty-five dollars was a beggarly capi-
tal to begin with.

“ Oh, it is sport we are after, and I do not
profess to be a high—roller myself. Fix the limit
to suit for the present, and at another time we
can raise it if we want. I never like to see a
thoroughbred Iufl’er.” _

“ Then it’s not to be for blood and hair. All
right. I’ll do my best to make things comfort-
able, and I have no doubt we can have an ele-
gant time.” ‘

Harper looked at his watch.

"I have an hour I can give you; and some-
thing tells me it will not be an hour lost. Better
come into my office, after all. I can introduce
you to a friend or two, and whenI they are there
we generally open a bottle of wine. I don't
iglookwnhow you take it, but I think you are in

c . ‘

' CHAPIQER XVI.
rauiruau or was: BUTTON.

Tan office was a room, in one corner of the
buildin , which Jack had fitted up as his own
den, to which few were admitted without a
formal invitation. -

It was reached by several doors, and in this
case Harper preferred to take his new acquaint-
ance thither by one which Opened from the rear
side of the house. There was some risk of their
being seen entering together, but not so oer-Nu-
ly as if they had passed directly from the main
room, of the saloon. '

For the moment they were on the street, how-
ever, . y saw no one near, and Jack could only
guess that Tommy Twofeet was watching from
a distance.

“They are not much for style, but a heap for
comfort," said Jack, sweeping his hand around
to all points of the compass. and then motioniug
to amhair. '

“ None of the boys are about. but some of
them will be on hand before we have gone very
far with the game. ,They seem to scent it from
far amend,de in to sea-them and

at

 

   

 

Pm
not‘sure but what they are making a he“

take a hand in. There are cigars over there;
Help yourself.”

There was nothing surprising in all this, yet

Ta lor was not for an instant deceived.
here was a better reason than the desire for
a companion for an hour or so.

Nevertheless, he accepted the attentions as he
had done under somewhat similar circumstances
in the past. He lit a cigar, and threw himself
down in the easy-chair that had been pointed
out to him, wondering whether it was not rather
to talk than to gamble this man had brought him
there.

“ If you say fun, we will make the ante a dol-
lar, and the limit five. If you prefer it wide
open it will suit me just as well.”

As he spoke, Harper tossed dOwn a fresh pack
of cards, lighted his own cigar, and slid into a
chair at the side of the table.

“ I vote for the limit. Perhaps I will last lon-
ger. Anyway, I will hardly make more than a
mouthful.”

Jack smiled. and cut the cards which Taylor
had been shufliing. Then, the game went on.

It was not in the nature of two such men to
begin a game without becoming interested in
it. By the time a few hands were played, each
of them knew the other was an adopt, and that
the luck, what there was of it, was with Pony‘
Taylor. .

Playing for a trifling limit made the game
very lively, and Harper seemed more reckless
than he had ever been before with a stranger,
such as Pony was. A dozen hands were played
in as many minutes, and a good many times
more than half the stakes went to the stranger
sport.

“ You are in a streak to-night,” said Harper,
as his antagonist raked of! a number of pots in
succession. . e’

“ What is the use of making two bites ofa.
cherry? Either you go burst, or I take water.
Let’s raise the limit.”

“ It suits me well enough as it is, but it’s your
turn to have a say-so. I don’t care about seeing
the blessed institution raised clear out of sight,
though. How would a hundred suit you?”

“ Anything at all. And as the boys are slow ' . 

about coming, suppose we try that wine before
we go any f urther."

He pressed a button as he spoke. and though
the hell was too far away for him to hear it
tinkle Pony knew he had rung it, all the same.

In a few Seconds a man in slippers came glid-
ing into the room, carrying a tray which he
placed upon the table at Harper’s elbow, and
then silently withdrew. If he had been in a _.
metropolitan saloon he could not have shown
better training.

“ The most of my customers prefer the regular
hardware; but 1 think I am good enough judge
of faces to know when I have hold of a fellow
mortal who can appreciate the real good things
of life. Taste it and be convinced.” ‘

He filled a glass for himself, and then pushed .
the bottle and a glass toward Taylor.

It did not seem possible that as yet the wins " I i

had been doctored, though Pony began to sue.
pect that if luck continued to stiy with him
something of the kind would he tri. in the end. ‘
He could see the bottom of his glass, as clear as .

crystal;and as Jack had helped himself {min ' ,

the bottle in‘ his presence there should be no
daugerin drinking with him. Withoutheaita-
tion Taylor followed suit. ,
The wine was all that had been claimed for it,
and on the instant seemed to act
ongbe drg‘kelm read th h th
geni g ow sp roug e syste
the sport, while the gambler leaned forwardf
confidentially. ‘
“ It mayseam a little odd for me to pick upa
stranger, and bring him into my sanctorum,
but the fact is, I get awfullylonesome scinetimes. .
There is money in Mineral Bar, and Iam getting
my share of it; but money is not the only thi ,
in the world. If it wasn’t for Doc Rice, egg.
one or two others—and the doctor is the on! _
one of the bunch really worth caring for—-, ‘ .
think I would Jump the game and go where u"
there was something else besides hard gambling
and an occasional drink. Of course, have”:
keep my head clear or business woul snfl'sr, so
I touch the bowl lightly." V ‘ 6,,
“ I an nd you exactly,” answered Tayla'! '
and he thought he did. ' ,;
“Wth a man makes a business of the game 2
it sometimes gets tiresome, and if there is now 5,
thing to relieve the strain it gets awful. Vi hat-bi
sort is Rice! Another good man thrown away
in the great West!" ~\ , I
“ Yes. If he was where he had the chance ha A;
would beone of the great ‘ ts of his profs-t»
sion. I wouldn‘t like to see l!“ 80' but that is,
whatl have told him more than ones. He is
working himself in pieces hero. riding over the.“
mountains, and trampiug up the gulcbes, to look“ , .
after a lot of sick brawn that couldn‘t pay 
if they would, and if they could would all. '7;
about him assocn as they didn’t need him 

longer.” r “ 
‘ He has the field all to himself. here has he'll"

“ Be is the nnlv man w0rth sh u an a
cident: but there areaoouple youngsters who;
can sling pills, and measure out powders.

generously  ‘
in‘of ‘,_‘ **

    
  

14

Uncle 'Bedrock’s Big Bounce. '-

 

 

thing of it than Rice—but he don’t seem to
care.”

“ Does something at the pasioboards, now and
then I supp0sei”

“ last him! that’s the one thing he won’t do.
We play a game now and then, for the fun of
the thing, and puta limit on so low that it’s
bound not to hurt. I don't want his money; and
he don’t believe he can get mine. All the same,
he can play a stiff hand when he wants to. I
don’t know a man in the camp who could get
away with him in a square game.”

“ He’s an odd one, then. Perhaps he is just
~ laying back for something worth the while.”

“ No. I have told him he was a fool to be

wasting his life here; but he has some stuck-up l

notions about the ‘ good of humanity.’ I offered
to take him in on the ground floor, and make his
everlasting fortune, but he only laughed. He
says that is not his style. He’ll havo to keep on
doing good to the widows and cripples to the end
of the chapter.”

“ Might be doing Worse, after all. Guem he is
happier than either of us,” said Taylor With a.
sigh that sounded like the genuine article.

“ Perhaps he is; but all the same, it looks like
a dog-gone shame. But fill u your glass again,
and then We’ll go on with t e cards. We can
talk after awhile. When I get started on the
doctor I don’t know when to stop. He’s so clean
white, and he’s just been my salvation.”

Pony Taylor was more than interested in this
conversation, even though he could not be sure
of the truth of what was being said.

As yet he had seen nothing of Doctor Rice,
and had heard nothing outside of what Mr.
Lyons had sairl. Even if Harper was talking
fora purpose it might be he could be used to
bring them together, and so he listened eagerly,
though not showing his interest, and tried to
keep the conversation going in this channel,
though all the time thinking the gambler must
have some reason for these confidences.

“ It must be that he knows I have taken up
my headquarters at the house of Mr. Lyons, and
be either wants to do his friend a service by
giving him a good character, or else he is pre-
paring the way for pumping me about the in-
tentions of the man with whom i am staying.
Either way, it is pretty certain, Lvons is not so
far wrong when he thinks Doctor Rice is scine-
thing of a villain. I may as well keep him talk-
ing ,i’fI can, but I must be careful of whatI
say.

Convinced in his own mind of the object of
the gambler—and some object, which did not
appear on the surface, he knew he must have—
Pony Taylor was thr0wn off his guard in a way
he never would have been had the game gone
straight on without any interruption.

The wine was good. He had already tested
that, and had no objection to more of the same

sort.

Without a thought he once more filled his
glass, and slowly drained it as he listened to
Jack Harper still further descanting on the vir-
tues of the whitest man in Mineral Bar.

Then Harper gathered up the cards, looked at
his watch to see how time had gone, and began
to deal, still talking.

The deal was certainly a square one, and as
Taylor looked over his hand he regretted that he
was so poorly equipped for a struggle. In spite
of his winnings he had but little over the one
hundred dollars at which they had fixed the
limit, so that it was no use to suggest that the
game go on without a flyer.

Yet he was certain that he saw by the gam-
bler’s eyes, which were not as thoroughly under
control as usual, that he had a hand on which he
would have risked a good many hundreds. To
lose such an opportunit was really distressing.

Jack followed his smal opening with a bet a
trifle larger, and from that time the stakes rose
by slow degrees, the two players operating with
all the finesse and firmness they would have
sh0wn if each manhad thousands at his elbow.

B the time two or three little bets had been
m e, Taylor was dimly conscious that he was
not altogether himself.

One who knew him would have known better
than he did that he was changing, both in looks
and nature, and might have been puzzled to ac-
count for it. B the time each man had about
seventy-five dol an on the table, Pony felt as
thou h he owned the earth.

“ t is sad,” he laughed, as he pushed over
some twenty dollars toward the stakes already

“perm fills the limit, and is as good as a call,
though I would hardly have cared to stop there
if things had been otherwise. Do you see me?”

“ Bother the limit!” laughed the gambler.

“ On this one hand it wan’t do to be too strict.
There is your twenty to look at; and here are a
thousand better to talk to. Call, straddle, or
throw to the middle."

Taylor somehow was treading on air, though
he did not know how he did it. The aces in his
hand looked like four brilliauts, and if he had
not been harder-headed than the avorage, the
few coin left at his elbow would have been mag-
nified to a million.

As it was, he had never felt so reckless in his
life, though his tongue was not altogether away
from him.

 

 

“ Sorry, pard, that you lay over me in ammu-
nition, for when one is in the vein, it is bad form
to balk at a. little fence. The limit don’t trouble
me as much as it ought to, though I guess I’ll
have to stick out for it. If you had said five
hundred, now, I might have tried to meet you.”

” All right. I have sized your pile. Five
hundred goes. There you have it: is it good?”

Harper spoke rapidly, and acted as Swiftly as
he spoke. With one hand he drew down (We
hundred of the stakes, and with the other threw
his five cards face upwards on the table.

Taylor gave a glance, and then began:

“ Four kings, eh? Not good Here—”

He was flirti his hand open, but as he spoke
his arms drop , heavily upon the table, and be
stored straight forward with a. strange, wooden
sort of gaze.

Just then, Harper touched the bell once more.

if Pony had seen the motion, he Would not
have divined that a change in the connections
had been made since the ordering of the wine, or
that a bell tinkled low in an entirely different
part of the building.

And the answer did not come in the shape of a
slippered waiter, but, instead, the floor opened
under Taylor’s seat, and he and his chair dropped
out of sight.

 

CHAPTER XVI].
Bannocx‘s INITIATION BEGINS.

WHEN Uncle Bedrock parted from Billy Bar-
ton he was not certain whether he had done a
wise thing in turning himself over for the dis-
pose] of the unseen man who appeared to intend
to take possession of his destiny.

“ Billy Barton may be a good leetle man, an’
a desp’rit fighter, but I don’t b’lieve he ever
j’ined ther church. An’, ef I onderstan’ a hint,
ther boss are a wuss man than he be. I don’t
mind investorgatin’sich men, but blamed ef’ I
like for let ’em order me ’round. Billy seems
ter hev ’covered fur ernough ter walk with a
stick, but maybe he’ll not be able ter be ’round
tel-might, an’ then I’ll hev ter go it alone among
strangers. Are ther fun wu’th ther pleasure?”

It was not often Bedrock took a serious view
of the dangers in evil assocmtes: but then he
had generally claimed the ray-so. He had trust-
ed to the inspiration of the moment when Bar-
ton spoke to him, and now he was not altogether
satisfied with the seeming result.

“Eron’y knowcd w’ot war ther objeck I.

wouldn’t kick sostrong, but ef it should turn out
ter be. nothin’ but bloody murder, an’ a few dol-
lars fur ther doin’ 0v it, w’ot a ass I’d think l’d
made ov meself. An’ yit, ’pears ter nae thar
must be suthin’ in it wu’th ther onderstandin’.
I guess I’ll wait on ’eiii a trifle longer, an’ see
how it pans out.”

The walking philosopher did hate to give up
a game till it was played through to the end, and
so kept himself out of the range of trouble dur-
ing the day, and was about Finnighty’s at the
hour of sunset, where he waited patiently for
what might turn up.

At Mike’s the society was not of so high a
grade that he was out of place. Men spoke to

im, and he spoke to other men, but the right
one was slow in coming. He had about given
him up when he heard a whisper:

“ If you’re waitintg for somebody you better
follow me. I think saw the man asking where
to find a fellow of your bigness."

The dialect was net the same, and it was hard
to becertain of the sound of that voice, but it
seemed to him it was from the lips of the man
who had led him away after his interview with
my Barton’s friend.

e made no motion to show he heard the ad-
vice, yet, in another moment he very naturally
swung himself out of the door, and slouched
slowly down the street.

Before he had gone a dozen yards he heard a
step in his rear.

‘ It’s mighty early, pard, to try to run you in
to headquarters, butI think itc an bedonewith-
out an one dropping to the game. If you are
as g a man as you have been trying to let on,
and are dead set on a job. I think the boss has
something for you to-night. Something that a
stranger can do better than the boys that are
known around town.”

“ I'm follerin’,” replied Primrose, without ever
taming his head.

“ See that you do, then. If you play slippery,
or try to, it will be the last of you.”

Then his guide Went on in advance, without
paying any further attention to him, and finally
entered a ittle building, near to the more pre-
tentious one of the Flume.

There was a low-burning lamp in the room,
and Bedrock closed the door before looking
around.

Then he broke into a lau h.

“ Dogogone my tail feafiieri” he thought to
himself.

“Ef I ain’t in a doctor’s shop I want for
know. An’ that guide ov mine are outer sight
an’ hearin’. Wonder of it‘s all a sell, er if l’m
ter murder ther sawbones w’hen he comes in.
I ain’t even got a hint ov w’ot’s 'x Icted, an’ ef
I thou ht ’at sich a game could )8 played on
Bedroc I’d say it war a trap. Le’ss see. Mebhe

 

I kin find whar he went to, an’ ef I do, you bet
I fuller.”

There was a door on the opposite side of the
room, and be advanced to that, though he was
almost certain his guide had not had time to
pass through and close it.

When he opened the door he found a room
still smaller than the first, and in one corner an
open trap door.

“ Looks wn’ss an’ wu’SS' but I'll foller me
nase at it p’ints ter Halifax.’

He understood that the situation would be
delicate, if he was found there by an innocent

roprietor, but he was in for the adventure.
Ele had the lamp in his hand, and when he had
descended a narrow flight of steps he turned the
blaze up higher, and looked around him. As he
did so the trap-door at the head of the stairs
shut softly.

The sound made by the closing door was slight,
but it reached the ears of Uncle Bedrock, and he
realized he was probably a prisoner.

That made no difference to him.

On the other hand it rather added to his con—
fidence, as it showed him he was on the right
road If he had been unexpectedly discovered
there, an outcry of some kind would have fol-
lowed.

He looked around the cellar, and saw that it.
was small, but rather well built to be under so
unimportant a building. There was no visible
window or outside door, and he recognized it
might be a matter of some difficulty to make
his escape from the place if he was really a pris-
oner.

“ Ef it warn’t fur Billy, now, I’d be sure thar
war some snide game about it; but ther boy
war honest in w’ot he s’ed an' after I holped
him outen sich a tight place e wouldn‘t go back
on me fur ther fun ov ther thing. Thar’s noth-
in’ like waitin’ ter see w’ot ’1] turn up."

He placed the light on the floor, about the cen-
ter of the cellar, and seated himself on the low—-
est stair to await developments.

' He waited some time nithout hearing or see-
ing anything. He waited so long, in fact, his
eyes began to get heavy.

Finally, he braced his back up against the
wall, rested an elbow upon a stair above him,
and to all appearances was fast asleep in a min-
ute.

When he recovered his senses he heard a voice,
near at hand, though he was in utter darkness,
and no longer on the cellar steps.

“Worked to a charm, but he seems to be a
long time coming around. He has nerve enough,
or he never would have SPale'tl himself so quietly.
The only quc-tion is, Whether he is to be trust-
ed. From his looks I should say he would be
willing to take hold of ’most any job that there
was coin or whisky in; but he would be just as.
apt to blather about it afterwards.”

“If there was an afterwards,” was the enig-
matic answer.

“ He can do the work in hand better than
some one we know more about. By the time he
gets through with it we will now better
whether we need him for something else. At
present he just fits into our hand.”

“ You are right; but still, I would feel easier
if I knew more about him. The man seems

enuine from the ground up, all but his name.

f he has a better one, I would like to know it.
It might tell more about who he really is.
An how, the thing has been managed very well,
so Kit; and it is about time to wake him up.”

“If you can, for the present. Poor fall0w!
That last drink at Mike’s was too much for him.
It was no wonder he felt sleepy. Some men
would have been stone blind long enough before.
It was a neat calculation.”

Bedrock understood now that he had been
trapped after all.

Although the place in which he found himself
was in darkness, it was not the cellar in which
he had gone to sleep.

He was no longer resting on the stairway, and
though he was seated, or rather half recliningin
a chair, his feet pie-ed a solid, board floor.

There was a feeble glimmer of light, and then
a brighter flame. Some one approached the
chair, and gazed dawn at him.

He hardly knew how the drug might beex-
pected to work, but thought it as well tosave
the waste of any antidote which might be tried
if he feigned unconsciousness. He opened his.
eyes, and gazed around him with a vacant stare.

“Ah! on are awake, are you? It is time.
Are on most ready for business?”

“ tcher lifel” mumbled Bedrock, straight—
ening himself up in his chair.

“ Can’t call on Sandy too soon. Btir him up
a hour ov ther day or ary day ov ther year,
an "yer fln’ him on deck, an’ no ques’yuns tor

“ You are the man we are looking for. There
is no use to tell you there is a aug. You ought
to know it by this time. e want a few men
with the nerve we ti ink you have and 'if you
prove younelf able to an the bill, there will be
coin in it. Are you ready to make a corpse?"

“ Ready, an‘ willin’. But I ain’t a-doin' ov
it far cl’ar fun. Lemme heft it, an’ I kin see my
wa clearder.”

e held out his hand, and worked the fingers
suggestively.

 

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The fact that his interlocutor was masked,
and held a revolver in close proximity to his
head, did not trouble the old man in the least.

“You want to see what it is worth, do you,
before you undertake the job. Not a bad notion
when it comes to a thing of that kind. Perhaps
your price might come too high, and so I will own
up that I was only trying you, “7e “ant fel-
lows who will stick at nothing; but the work on
hand is not so serious as that. Here is a twenty
for good luck, and if you give satisfaction you
will get the mate to it; but it may take you Sev-
eral days to earn it. Are you willing to watch
a prisoner that long, if we decide it is necessary,
and uarantee he does not get away?”

“ est so thnr’s money in it; an’ I hev a chaince
t” SPend it when ther game’s over. Fetch on
Yer pris’ner, an’ give yer orders. I War ’way
down terlow-water mark w’en I stumbled acro~t
m0 leetle side—pard, but ef this thing keeps on,

 

am

@m‘

V)...”

- those arms.

Y you would have got cite this low.”

5 of it war

.. We...”

1’]! be jayhird yit. Like ter hev two jilis ov
sich—er a dozzin.”

“ They Will come your WHY. sure 0110“:le-
l You see, it don’t suit any of our men to be miss-
, ing in case there is anything of a racket made,
’While With you it will make no dlifPI'unc‘f’, as
, you are a stranger. This way. Be a little care-
i In], for you may find you are more tired than
i you think.”

Bedrock arose to his feet, and though the Can-
‘ tiou was not altogether unnecessary, managed to
. stagger along, finding he was gaining strength

at every step. '

He did not have far to go, either.

Two doors and a narrow passage, the walls of
Which showed him he was still underground,
and then he saw the man he undersde he was
to uard.

f the si ht was a shock he managed to conceal
the fact. n the death-white countenance of the
bound man who lay before him he recognized the
face of Pony Taylor.

“ Bless my soul i” he exclaimed.

“ Yer don’t want me hyar. Ther gerloot are
dead a’reudy.”

“ Not. dead yet, though he may be before we
get done with him. But that is for some one
else. to say. All you have to do is to watch him
and see that he does not get away. And be sure
not to get yourself within rtiai'hillg distance, of
He is the strongest man in the
mines, and if he once gr ts them loose could tear
. a hole through a stone wall.”

“ An’ of he gits ter ifsurin’?”

- “Tap him on the head. We want to save him
if we can; but it would be bottl‘l‘ for you to kill
him than let him get away.”

“ All right! 1’]! try him a hit, an' of ther work
are too tiresome I kin kill him an’ sw’ar be war
Eittm’ away. Oh, I got ther thing fine.”

CHAPTER XVIII.
“ WAKENINING Faox run DRUG.
Wanna am I?’
. Pony Ta lor came to his senses at last, though
it was Wit 9. bewildered air that he asked the.
question, and Without much hope of receiving an
answer. '
“ Ye'r' in ther

 

bOWils 0v ther yearth, an' yer

. Onkle Bedrock are ’sponsihle fur ther keepin’ 0v

yer a preacher. Don tcher raise
ary tricks on a lorn orfln, that ez ter make a
livin’ of it are by ther wages ov eeniquity.”

.Uncle Bedrock was squatted near. smoking a
pipe, and as unconcerned asa man could well be
under the circumstances. When he spoke h‘e
removed his pipe; but made nomiotion to go to
the assistance of the sport. If he had not known
something about the strength of these arms,
that were reaching up eVen as Pony asked his
question, perhaps he would have been more

our.

“ You here! Ah, now I remember. You did
warn me to keep away from the Flume; but I
had no idea you were so well-a uaintod with
its inside work. 1 would never ve thought

,.
er v ice, er try

. Don t be exci , ole man. Prehaps it’s
tez'wsll it’s me as if it war soine’un else.
on kin bank on Ragged Rafe, ever time; but
som’e’un else, say Tommy wofeet, ea
W” 9-holdin’ ther boxBoyou could flgger itu
easy Just how kind he‘d ter yer. In coursefl)
didn’t know it war you as I war tor meet hyer, er
I dubin a heap anx'shusur for come.”

I see the villains robbed me after I went
through the trap. What a fool I was to allow
manic bedeceived by all that nonsense he

Red. Why didn’t he poison me stance, and
be done with it! What can he expect to e
111.91% out of me! And he surely dare not let
me. o aftermhat he has done.’K

h, yer talks too much ata time. Ez yer
rockets are inside out I reckon the: ain’t much
eft in em; but at you'd tell me who done it I’d

 

“Who! The care little 8
port who runs

the Flume, of  You must know that
much. though.”

Eedrpck ave along, low whistle
d, A“ B“ y Barton’s his pend, obi New I hev

d it. ’ the ain’t aheapin for me on ’count
0v lass night l'mahowlln’ liar (runs up t

gig? Blame it all! lsp‘ect we're both P

know a hearing!“ better how tor ans'er yer.

.had no desire

 

“ They seem to have been kind enough to
leave you your tools, at any rate,” answered
Taylor, suspiciously.

“ They wer’n’t taking any risks with me, for
they even tied my hands.”

“ They’re loose now, though?”

“ That goes without saying. Hanor bright!
Are you really the tool of these men? One never
knows just how to take you if he only has looks
to judge from.”

“ Reckon I‘ll hev her be a tool fur ther peresent,

tell 1 kin find out w’ot ther game are. After
that, mebbe we kin both git awn livin’,
though I’m beginnin’ ter doubt. I aid ther

gentle Johnny out on his back lase’ night, an’ he
don’t look like ther kind ter eenj’y it.”

“ You don’t mean to stay you intend to stay
in this hole, and keep me here, a moment longer
than you can help?"

“ That’s about ther lcn’th ov it. I hev a ker-
racktei' t/er substam. an’ of you walked inter
ther trap after me warnin’, I don’t see cz l hev
ary call tor be iiiussyful. Lay still, thar, dog-
gun ye, w’ile I figger it all out—onless yer wants
ter ’xplain a leetle w’ot ther reason are they’re
wringin’ in a sanded deck on you.”

Taylor acted as though he thought of getting
up; and Bedrock lined him with all the prompt-
ness of a bonafide jailer. If he did not rea ly
intend to shoot, he played his part to the na-
ture.

“ Have it your own way,” responded Taylor,
a little bitterly.

“If you can’t see they will probably kill us
both before many hours are over, there is no use
my trying to show you.” /‘ l

“I don’t think so; I don’t think so. They
ain’t dropped outer ther ole man yit; and on-
less yer kin sh0w cause, I cain’t see w’y they’re
goin’ fur you so heavy. Didn’t think on war
a-kerryin’ a millyun in yer britches poc ets, did
they i”

“ I tell you it is something more than a game
for any money they may have thought I had.
This gambler and Doctor Rice are side-perils;
and Rice is after Lyons or his daughter, and
thinks I might; he in the way. That’s the only
line I can figure it out on.” .

“Dunno, dunno! Not knewin’ much about
Dui‘ Rice, an‘ less erbout ther man with a
da’ler, I can’t sWear one way er t’other; but I
heared su’thin’ las’ night thet'l’d ’most bin fur~
gittin’; an’ I dunno w’y I should reecomniember
no\v, ’less it’s su’thin’ ter do with it all. They
doeay a cha called Ready Bank are on ther
trail ag‘in. in yer see ary conneckshuni”

" No, no! That must he a mistake. If I
knew my grip I made the man a hopeless cripple.
He will trouble the trail no more."

“ Well, pai'd, I hope yer won’t slip up on sich
a dead sure thing, but I war goin’ ter give yer
warnin’ ter-dav, an’ forgot it. Mebbe, b day-
light it would a’ seemai a leetle more like y,”

Taylor had been somewhat abroad when he
first came to his tenses, but he recovered his
nerve rapidly, and began to be something more
like himself.

, “ You'ought to knOW. You were in the game
when we played it out. I thought afterward we
might have made a surer thing of it, but from-
that day to this I have heard nothing of him.
If he had been living, don’t you think he would
have been on my trail i”

“ That’s it ter a t-y, ty. He‘s got his growth
ag’in, an’ are a-rakin’ up ole times. Ef I ain’t
mistooken he bu’sted through Gordon’s Gulch
shortly after you left it. "ot’s ther matter with
him a-havin’ bin a-huntin’ r you?”

“ It might have been so. If that is the truth
Heaven help Edna if he can get his hands on her
again!”

“ Frum w’ot I hev seen I reckon yer sister kin
take party good keer ov herself. It’s Pony
Taylor w’ot wants ter look out for number one.
I ain’t sayin’ but w’ot thar’s reesks, but ther
game’il showrz it begins terd’velop. W’en we
see w’ot they‘re goin’ terdo with you. we’ll
know better w'o’s at ther rudder ov ther clam-

scow."

“Much obliged for the interest you take in
my atfairs, but I would sooner bodoin the in-
vestigating from the outside. It won! be the
safer for both of us.”

“Safety don’t count. Ef you kin git away
spite ov Beds-00k, gitl But I in be turrybul vi -
lent w’en it’s necess’ry, an’ I wouldn't ’dvisa yer

ter make me angry buns rise. Go ter slee'fi
ag’in, that’s a good y, an’fier Unkel Bedrock
watch over yer slumbers. e wants everythin’

all peace an’ uiet w’en ther boss‘comes; an’ of
they kill yer it i be over his dead body.” '

“ A heap of, satisfaction that will be to me,”
growled Taylor, shrugging his shoulders.

“I can’t go for you like I would for another
man, but don’t carry the joke too far.”

It did not seem to be any use to remonstrate,
for Primrose sat doWn grimly, with his revol-
ver din his hand, and refused to say'another
wor .

Taylor would have liked to obtain some infor-
mation ,as to where he was, but Bedrock knew
little more about the spot than could be seen by
the uncertain glimmer of the lamp, and for once

Mb d air on while uesses. lThey
were an er an t e oor was ocked
behind them. gm ' ,

 

 

 

After a little, the prisoner closed his eyes. He
did not feel sleepy, but he wanted to think.

Though he did not know it, the drug still had
some hold on him.

When he had got ready to think, he began to
want to sleep more. In spite of himself he
dropped into a slumber which lasted quite a
while. When he wakened again he found he
was as he had been, eXCept that Bedrock had
disappeared. Save for himself the prison pen
was vacant. -

Originally the hands and feet of Taylor had
been tied.

When he came to himself he had slipped his
hands out of the cords by instinct, and would
have gone. further had it not been for the warn-
ings of Primrose. ‘

Now, the first thing he did was to loosen him-
self altogether.

“ The old rascal! I suppose the thing to
do would be to trust everything to him, and
hope for the best. i would, too, if I thought he
knew what he was after. The chances are, he
will just drift along, and tmst to luck coming in
our way near the close of the game. He may
have gone out to explore; and yet, as the door
was locked, how did he get away? More than
likely we were both asleep, and they have car-
ried him of! to his reward. He was careful not
to say how he came to get here, and the chances
are his footin is slim enough. I think I may as
well begin to 00k around for myself.”

He arose from the flow, stretched his limbs,
and moved cautiously to the (icon

To his surprise he found that it yielded to his
touch; and when he had c'raun it open there
was ii narrow vaulted passage in front of him.

\Vliile he peered down this passage, wondering
whether it would be best to try it, there was a
light patter of footsteps, and Bedrock appeared, 5
out of breath, in hisperiizg:

“ They’re a-comin’ now.
thar’s no way hyer!”

Git back ez you war;

CHAPTER XIX.
BEDROCK BREAKS A WINDOW.

“ Tina’s a chance now, for you ter make a
break, an’ fur me ter save me neck an' still keep
in with ther gang,” continued Primrose, as he
drew Taylor back into the den, and closed and
locked the door behind them.

The latter operation was performed with a
key of his own that he replaced in his pocket.

“Jest make out thet yer hevn‘t come ter yer
senses tell they git ter foolin’ round yer. Then,
bu'st ther re .s, an cut loose d0wn thet passidge.
You can’t re no wuss bif ncr yer be; an‘ ef
the ’ve furgot ter close ther other door you’ll .
IIIM yerself in a cellar onder ther doctor’s oif’us.
Take five good steps, an’ yer kim tcr ther stairs.
After that, jest scoot, an‘ leave me ter play me
hand alone. I’m able for ’en), an’ I hope it’ll be
’thout ary shootin’.” . “

“ Fix it [oeuit yourself, so you don’t want to
truss me up too tight. I believe in your good
intentions but [’m not taking too many risks.”

Taylor knew that Bedrock was a far better
man than he seemed, even though at heart he
was as genuine a tram as ever walked the
roads. He threw himsef down in the position
he had been in when he regained his conscious-
ness, except that be had a trifle better view of
the door, and allowed Bedrock hastily to arrange
the ropes which had been on wrists and anklea x.
They looked as tight as ever. but Pony was sure
he could drop them oi! at the slightest exertion.

Then Primrose toak his own position, just as
the key grated again in the lock.

The door opened cautiously, and as it did so
Bedrock started from his crouching tion.

He had a revolver in each be , and one of
these weapons commanded the door, while the
other was pointed ostentatioust at the prisoner. .

“Don’t turn that thing this way," said the
voice of the man who had of: him in char e.

“l, was afraid the fellow had received a
stronger dose than was intended; and it looks as
though he had. Hasn’t he moved eti”

There was a slight trace of troub e in the tone,
and Prion-me detected it. I he had it to do
over again he would perhaps aye made dimer-
ent arrangements; but it was now, too. late. ,1

“ Wouldn’t go nigh him, of I War you. » Thor ,
blamed gerloot might bite. He’s jest heginnin’
ter wiggle—an' it war time.” ~

‘iNo dun r if he has been having that long a
nap.
raise his hand. And I wouldn’t have had him
croak for big money—not iyet." . ~

Primrose looked curious y at the man. v »

He was masked, and his clothing was too i.
renugh not to be a disguise, when the thorough-
b nature of that voice was considered. It .
might be Jack Harper was hidden under that . ,

garb, but if so ,it was more than the average 

inn: could do to identifyhhn withonta closer
00 .

Whoever the man was, he advanced to the 9
side of the prisoner, and bendin down scanned
him, or attempted to seen him, c osely. * ;

*He started ck again, with an oath, but the
start was made too in .

Taylor’s wrists shot apart as though they had
suddenly wrenched asunder the cords Which ‘
bound them, and the nearer hand continued the ,

‘l

Itw ltake him half an hourtobeableto 

  

   
 

,m. fruifix" :,  ~   r
".‘ x. Lu. ‘ ‘ “ “' "

16 T V

motion, snatching at knife which stuck in
the belt of the man bending over him.

There 'was a,flash of stud. as the blade came
out of its scabbard, and darted down to cut
away the cords at his feet. Then, Taylor sprun
a" , up. shooting out his fist as he rose, and bound
;." g. toward the door.

  The blow hardly went home, for as it came the
man was shrinking back, his hand at the same
time darting to a pistol. He staggered, and then
turned completely around, lurching heavily
against Bedrock, who was apt enough to spring
 in his way.

--  ‘ In 3 ite of the rough treatment he had received
14.] ' , Pony aylor had no desire to kill unless it was
' at the last moment, when his escape demanded

 
 

 

it.

Hastily he thrust the knife behind him, hilt
downward, into his hippocket, and leaped to the
door.

He was uncertain what he might meet there,
and crouched low as he sprung. .

A fortunate thing it was that he did so, for
 , right on the threshold appeared auctlter masked
is ”' ' man, who had been standing guard without, and
had caught the sound of the struggle.

This man shot first, and thought afterward.
The )all whistled over the head of the sport, so
closely he could feel the wind of its passage and
it was almost a miracle it did not find a victim

if” ‘ in one of the two men beyond. It passed be-
' ‘- twelsen them, and flattened itself against the
'v - wa l. b

- Bedrock gave a yell, and the man who was
, wrenching himself from his arms uttered a.
~cur-w: but there was no time for another shot.
v Once more Taylor was striking out, and this
:3 stroke cleared the passage.
 ' Bounding over the prostrate man he dashed
along the passage, his hand thrust out in front
of him. Before he had taken many steps he
came violently against a door.
,:~.; Fortunately it was not bolted, and it swung
’f. open, with just enough of friction to save him
from an ugly fall.
“ Five steps,” he thought, “ and then the stair-
way. It looks like a cowardly thing, but if the
. old man wants it this way perhaps I had better
.. , I go and leave him to work out his owh scheme.
" ' e can’t be in any danger, and he is heeled and
able to take care of himself if he is. The man
that pulls the wool over his eyes very far will
have to get up early in the morning.”
_ He had slept of! the influence of the drug
- entirely, and never felt more like himself. Had
it not been that Primrose appeared so anxious
, to retain his footing with the villains who had
: him in tow the sport would have turned even
then, and gone back. As it was, he laughed to
? himself as his foot touched what he thought must
:1“ v be the staircase. The escape all appeared so
easily managed. ’
I ._ Up he went, noiselesst enough, for he did not
_ , know what mighzbein the office Bedrock had
‘ ‘ spoken of. The trap-door above was closed, but
i yielded to a thrust of his shoulders, and giving
a spring as be straightened up, be bounded into
, the middle of the room, the trap softly dropping
“K r- to its place once more.
Then he looked around him—and laughed in

a

 

 

 

0”

set.
V, v “I must have made a mistake in the stair-
. , mg," he thought as he surveyed the room.
I e was once more in the den where Jack Har-
,, per and he had begun their little game.
‘5 . He found the room vacant, and the road to
' the outer air was before him, but he hesitated,
. looking, curiOusly around. _ '
ft“ , , In one corner was a desk, and in a pigeon-hole
, , a revolver. / '
s '. I ‘ Don’t know that I am yearning to make a
tradetillI knew this is as 00d a tool, but it
 horns the best I can do, and i Johnn is willing
- we’ll call it square on that load of po es.”
3 " i As he spoke he caught up the weapon, and
,. thrusting it alongside of the knife in his hip-
, _ ,pocltet, turned toward ani or door. Softlynhe
., , ‘ * raised the latch, and cool ysauntered out to
‘1 3, h the main Saloon.
Meantime, there was a chance for Uncle Bed-
 ‘rock to make his escape with flyin colors, and
g z ‘ if he did not imeve the opportunin it was be-
 . cause he was time in pickin up the man
wts‘okhad fallen in the passage, to any Taylor’s
:s e.
“ I've got him!” he shouted.
 ,- “This byer time ther cum don’t git away.
" _ : Lend a band ter put ther straps on, an’ tame
; ther kickin' rooster!” .
. As he spoke be dragged forward a rough-look-
ing customer, from whose, face a mask was hang-
ing by loosened strings, and bending over him
II they get within the glare of the lam . he
_. bad a wiew of the face of the unfortunatefi'om-
‘  my Twofeet. ‘
’ ‘Yo infernal, foolll'gritted the other man,
. who ha managed to s gar away from Prim-
_ ~‘m’s grasp a moment be are, and who had but
.. ' first reconred his head.
“That’s not the man.

Brin the lam and
mellow as closely as you can. It [Will

than gin

is: ’3.

Lin trap has caught we may get him yet, but, I
,m: want him to have the chance to knife mo
, , e

3’ 'fll‘flons
 " 3,. ‘ ., There was a coolness about the man, whoever

k. How could I have been so infernal

 

' i ‘ Uncle ’Bedrock’is Big ~ 

 

1w. _

“Vick: "7. * "

he was, that Bedrock ad mired, and yet was not
altogether glad to see. He attempted to follow
his orders, but before three steps had been taken
was away in the rear. Before Primrose was out
of the passage he thought he heard the trap-door
swinging at the head of the stairs.

He could think of nothing better to do than
to follow after, as rapidly as possible. There was
no certainty what sort of reception he would
meet with above, but he would sooner be called
to question above ground than below. Placing
the lamp on the floor he made his way up as
silently as he could, and found himself, to his
great satisfaction, in the room at the rear of the
office. ,

He might have made his exit through a win-
dow, but he was in too great haste to raise the
sash, and did not care to break it. Without
hesitation he passed out into the other room.

His coming seemed to be a thunrlert'lup to two
men who were sitting there, conversing in a low
tone, and one of them without a word of warn-
ing sprung at his throat.

‘he attack was too sudden for Bedrock to
dodge it. The fingers Were tightening around
his windpipe before he had time.

“Who in Hades are you f” gritted a strange
vorce.

“ What are you doing here, and what do you
want i” l r '

“ Jest w’ot I war thinkin’ ter ax you. Mebbe
you kin ans’er it for: me," splnttered Bedrock,
uncertain what tack 0 take, and shrugging his
shoulders up as though in fear of a blow.

“ Lemme down ear: , boss. I jest crawled in
thar fur a snooze w’i e I war a-waitin‘ fur ther
pillman. It’s reel kind in him ter hev a bunk
fora pore; tired pilgrim w’ot hez ter wait his
chance, nu’ ain’t got stren th ter stan'. Ef you’re
ther boss I wanter consultashun.” '

“ I'll consult you!” was the savage answer, as
ghe doctor began to force him bac toward the

cor. '

“ If you have been sneezing in my bunk I’ll
skin you alive, and I’m not sure I won’t blow
your brains out afterward.”

“ Thankee, boss; but don’t choke quite so hard.
It makes me weak. I bed er five tor give yer
’bont my case, of yer ain’t shook it outen my
pockets. Let up, won’cher?” ‘

Primrose hardly made a. struggle. He then ht
it possible the other man might not be as far
bind the scenes as he felt sure the doctor ’was,
and was willing to retire to the other room for
explanation.

‘ Did they get him?" he asked, eagerly, as he
pushed the door shut behind them.

“Get who, you infernal bummer? ,I want to
see what you have been doing here before I
shoot."

“ Thankee, sur, you better had,” responded
Primrose. meekly. -

As he spoke he thrust his chin downward with
a suddenness that broke the grip on his throat,
and dodging the outstretched arm had his cap-
tor around the waist. Then, there was a jingle
of breaking glass as the doctor went through the
wiudOw, follovved closely by Primrose. The
latter had his chance and was away. ‘

CHAPTER XX.
EDNA suns TOO MUCH.

WHEN Ta lor went out to view the town by
lampllght r. Lyons and Edna had nothing to
do but to talk to each other. .

They had been doing that for so long previous
totho coming of the sport that now it began
soon to seem rather tiresome, lonesome work.

That, again, put Edna in a suspicious humor.

" You have no doubts of this man, 1 suppose,”
thoughtfully murmured the girl.

“ e is such an utter stranger it seems odd
we should have confided so utterl in him. If
he preves false'he knows as muc as we, and
perhaps more, about the hidden gold. Would it
not have been well to havn tried him a little
lon er?”

“ f be was an ordinary man he could not so
soon have im ressed me with his honesty. If
he is true, he s the one man I Would have asked
to meet.”

“ If he is true—yes.” “

“ But‘we might have waited a lifetime and
not had the opportunityto test him so then-
oughly again. Cool, brave, and able to take
care of himself and friends under any circum-
staubes; after he had saved my life, and rescued

on from the bounds who would have recap-

ured on for a fate worse than death, how
gold 7” doubt that it was a move of fate‘in our
vor

 

“ True; and yet <it seems strange that a man .

such as beseems would be a wanderingputcast.
so to speak. What if he should be in league
with the enemies we know we have in this very
tOWni” , v
“I have no fear of it. And at the worst he
can do us but little harm before we find him out.
A week from now and we will be ready for the
journey; In a week 0: intercourse if he is not a
ricnd s will betra himself. And when I am
myself again that w ll be all I ask!

‘ Do not be ten sure. In the hands of a man
like he iswo might finding ourselves little
inure than ' children, are it fit for leaving
you here alone! would folldw h tonight.”

v‘. \'3 h

    

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"mouth opened,

 

  

, .  ' 5 ,,:

“ TH":  ‘.. .'i is
,I,’v' 2' ‘ ‘- b ,." " 

“ Do not attempt it. I have no fears for my-
self. I am stronger than I had hoped to be
and could start on a journe to—night if
necessary; or with my one 3 hand protect
myself against a dozen. But you might be in
more danger than ever. I am sure this house
has been watched, and that you would be
followed from the moment you left the door.”

“Enough of that, then. Let time decide.
Since you are so sure of this stranger I will not
attempt to shake your confidence in him, though
I wish I could feel as you do. Rest 'if you can,
and I will watch until he returns.”

The suspicions of his daughter seemed to have
no exciting effect upon Mr. Lyons.

In fact, they rather had a tranquilizing result.

\Vhen Elna, after a few moments’ silence,
looked at the quiet figure upon the bed she saw
thee es of the man were closed. and that he
was rifting into slumber.

She was careful not to disturb him.

Another five minutes passed, and then she
was sure he slept.

“ He is safe enough here,” she murmured.

“ If the house is watched the danger will be
for me; and I will keep so keen an eye around
that I will be able to take care of myself. Be-
sides, I will be inside of the town, instead of
outside, and a single cry would certainly bring
the assistance which even here it might be hard
to get.”

She arose, and after bending over her father to
make sure he was sleeping, glided into the other
room. ,

When she returned, if Taylor had been there
he would have had to look twice to recognize
her.

She was dressed as she had been more than
once during their wandering3 and now looked
like a rather well-a pearing y.

Cautioust she sipped out of the door, and
made her way toward the town. If there was
any watcher she did not see him, and without
any positive objective point she drifted toward
the Flume.

She was not more than half an hour behind
Taylor, and passing by the open ,door hada
glimpse of the sport just at the time Harper was
moving up to accost him. She strolled on a
little further, and then turned. There was no-
thing suspicious so far; but then, it was not far
from the Flume to the office of Doctor Rice.

Again fate favored her. She saw two men
come out of the main room of the saloon, and
re-enter the building by the side door.

“ It looks like a Verification of my suspicions,”
she tho ght.

“ Su ly they must be going into the private
room to have aconfidential interview. And I
have heard that Rice often oes there. If I am
not mistaken, as I hope am, I am in luck.
There may be an honesty of pa in all this,
butit lookalike treachery. f t are ls a secret
council I must see something of it, even if I can-
not bear.” ‘ ~

To see without danger of being seen was im-
possible, but she took all the precautions she
could. ‘ ’

She wandered along the street, her gaze dart- ,

ing here and there, exploring every shadow
where some one might be iurkgrcg; and return-
ing, she slipped along b the e of the house
and peeped in at the win ow. ’

There was a blind, but a fortunate crack had
been'left at the bottom.

.The two men were seated opposite to each

other, with cards and coin between them, but
did not seem ver intent on the game.

There was a
the two held their glass” in their hands, While
Jack Harper was murmuring something in a low
tone. ,

.l I». it a conspiracy, and are the cards butt) a
blind? There seems to be no one also there, at
it is not too- late for the doctor to mme. I had
better slip away a ain for a few moments.
can hear nothing, can read between the lib
from what I can see.” , \

Again she came back, and this time saw some-
thing which had not been counted on. > '

The ame seemed to be in earnest nOW. The
face 0 Jack Harper was toward the watcher.
and she caught a certain gleam in his eyes which

' Pony Taylor missed alto .ther.

She looked on in breat less interest. not altoa
gather understandin what she raw, but certain-
ly. things were non pg a dim,

She saw the gards sprout: “and :‘llienni’lony

1 arms r0 no on e 9.
Ta or . ppm 1 ‘9'” the man sick!

hat had ha n
Was be dying! Elfin there been foul play? ,

ttle of wine on the table, and ’

For answer she saw Taylor and his chair dmp '

swiftly out of sight. V '
There was no time for a scream. that miihc
have betrayed more than her presence. As er
a hand caugtht llier by the neck,
and another s her son co ar. e
“ Spyin’ hygo‘: upgdyerl Don’t yer go ter yemn’,
Ef yer see’d or thin wu’th ther tellin’, spit her
out. Thu- m, be a spec' in it fur ther boob ov
us. An‘ talk yer got to, er go dead bu’st.” ,
Taken so entirely 08 her guard, it would not
have been strange if she had for otten every-
tbln but the sight so lately seen.
tip 0 her tongue to tell the,whole trdth.
And; if she had done so at first, she

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. unders

.1:-

, could get her thu

- who querstood its significance even;

 

. .Jack Harper took

 

told more than she meantto. An excited wo-
man, pouring out such a tale, wuuld have spoken
her sex before a. dozen words had been uttered.

Fortunately. the grip on her neck was stron
enough to givo her pain, and the counter-shoe
put her senses on the alert. _,

She noted that at the very best this man went-
ed her secret so that he might use it. If he saw
money in it for himself, he would not be par-
ticular what disposition he made of her. She
writhed around, seeking to break away.

“No, yer don’t, leetle one. Thar war a game
ov some kind, an’ I wanter know w’ot it war.
Spit her out, er I’ll cut it out. I’m ther bad
man from up ther crick, an' I ain’t a-warnin’
yer twicte.”

Tie fellow drew a big knife with one hand,
wh o with. the other be tightened his grip on her
collar.

Edna was uncertain what he would do, but
she knew better than to tell him what she had
really seen. If she could have wrenched her-
self away she would have done it without utter-
in a sound. '

gut she had tried that, and failed. The knife
looked very'dangerous, and something hadto be
done. .

“ Take your hands off. I wanted to see what
Jack Harper looked like, that was all. He’s
there and you can look for yoursel f .”

' “ W’ot bizzness are it ov yourn w’ot Jack
\Harper looks like? Melibe yer got s’uthin’ in
fur him that’s w’uth while fora pard ter know."

“ No, I nchr saw him before in my life, and I
don’t know that I want to see him again. Let
go there. It’s none of your business anyhow.”

“ We’ll see about that. Don’t er whimper,
kid. Ef yer does ther knife goes in, up to ther
han’le. We wants ter git tei' bedrock on this,
an’ I reckon ther boss in thar kin tell better
w‘ot she are.”

So far she had managed to disguise her voice,
'so that the man had no suspicion of her being
other than she seemed,'tliough it was plain he
was puzzled where to place her. His next move
was a surprise. r .

Still watching her sharply to see she did not
give him the slip, he leaned toward the windOw,

‘ and rapped lightly on it with the blade of his
m e '

k 'f .
The tap in was a signal which seemed to be
tooxfbg Ear er, who was still in the
room. Without he ration he turned down the
light and then came, not to the window but to

door.

“ Hye’r’s a kid I ketched a-lookin’ in. He sez
he didn’t see nothin’, but you kin jedge ef yer
thinks it’s w’u’th while fur ,me ter hev ketched
him. Cash gees, an’ he’s yourn furs dollar.”

“ How long ago Was it you found him there?
Aflg’me you certain you wern’t peeking your-
se
’ “Didn’t have ther chance. W'en I come be
war thar. It mou’t 'a’ bin twolminnits ago. It
couldn’t aobin much longer an’ we’s Wasted
that much chinniu’.”

Harperfiid not appear t e least flustered,
though he understood the 31' nation” Ina cold,
hard voice he answered:

“ If he was there two minutes ago hexsaw.

  much; and ,f be missed it by a trifle it’s

not wellvto take och risk till we know more
about him. Bring him in.” ,
- “All right, pix-d. I tried to pump him, but
he hadn’t arythingi tor say. Played of! mi hty
innercent, an’ of hadn’t felt him a-trem lin’
I mlghter let him go.”

“See that he makes no racket. It’s safe
enough to bring him in. There is no other

we . _
5- JHe knows. E! he makes ther lightest yawp
it’s ther end ov him.

Ther knife are a.
ostehin’ tor tlckel his innards. SW? '0‘“, ther.
kid. 01' I’ll do s’uthin’ more nor talk.

Ali m Edna had thought only of getting
away. If she could only break away she had
no fear but what she could make a safe re-

‘ treat.

Now, sho' thought of the revolver iii her
pocket. She was not wise in such things, but
ustiuot told. her that at the distance, if she
lab on the hammer, and her
finger on the trigger: she could hardly miss.
Quietly she dI'OP her hand to her pocket.

‘9'“

CHAPTER XXI. ,-
un. LYON S HAS A wan-03.
Tim movement seemed ‘0 Minimum euou h
to escape notice. but 5'19 '33 dun”! With a mgn
better than

obi. w '
g lost to eighth. w. .

Before her hand was

",grlpe on her elbow, and she WIS film! back over

the knee of boron tor, who quickly shifted hi.
other hand so that t covered her mouth. _
“Thor darned leetle cuss waned tor film
from his pocket. Take hole on him. ’ Er hp 81'“
his gun 03 w" draw a crowd thatll wan; m,
RDOW a heap sight too much afore lelVin . V I
a hand In: 80‘! between
them Edna was whigkod inside before she my.

'- , . , I Thmwashutone
‘ » fled what w sthe inteli‘ttllftlillaha {an a)“ the H ,

thing to do with her,

 

she felt sure of esca

. of doing it,

 

  

 “‘9” expected there would be shoe

for Pony Taylor. Helpless and speechless, she
was being dragged toward the side of the table
and the spot where Taylor had been seated.

Harper left her to the hands of his assistant,
while he turned up the lamp once more. Then
he leaned forward toward the bell. '

“ Watch out, now, and when it opens throw
him downl It will not harm him, and after that
the work will be in my hands.”

The spring was pressed, the trap Opened as be-
fore, and the man slid his hands from her mouth
to her shoulder to obtain a better purchase.
As he did so Jack obtained a better view of her
'face.

“ Hold on, there i” he shouted.

“ Your kid turns out to be a woman in boy’s
clothes. Who is she?”

. He turned away from the table, and the trap
closed of its own accord. The discovery he had
made seemed to give him more trouble than the
knowledge that his actions had been spied upon
through the uncurtaincd window.

His aesistant was startled, too.

When Jack Harper talked that way he meant
business, and the fellow was not sure but that
in some way he had made a mistake. His hands
looaened, and he tried to stammer out some
words of surprise and explanation.

Edna was ready for the opportunity.

Likeaflzish she dodged under his arm, and
darted for the door, leaving him standing di-
rectly in the ~way of the gambler. She had
listened, and knew the men had not taken time
to turn the key in the lock, or to shoot a bolt.

The door yielded to her touch, and she sprung
out into the darknes<. Behind her she heard the
crash of the men coming together, and gave a
little laugh to herself as she bounded out upon ,
the street. Though there was no one in sightl

She had a start of)6 perhaps half a minute, and
could run like a deer; but the chances were not
as much in her favor as she supposed. The two
men lost a trifle of time, but they were at the
corner of the Flume, just as she was passing
through the glare from the windows of a neigh-
boring saloon, and the first of the two threw up
his hand and halted suddenly.

He was just crooking his finger when Harper
seized him by the wrist. ,

“None of that, Twofootl It’s my risk, and
I'll chance it before sending her up the flunie.
You want to play light with your triggers till I
give the word. Pull foot up around Bandv‘
Bruce’s shanty, and see if you can’t head her off.
I’ll keep track of where she goes to.”

“ All right! She don’t know me, an’ I wouldn’t
keer of she did. it’s your feet ez are in ther
hvzpple. Ef I ketch her,.you’ll hear her shout-
!“ O

The two were already separating, and Harper
made no answer. He ran on softly after the
flyin girl, though he began to see that there
was anger in Overtaklng her, even more, per-
haps, than in the letting her go.

“ There is only one girl it can. be; and I’d
s00ner iii-op the Flume into a hole in the ground
and send the top after it, than harm her. If I
knew h0w much she saw, I would know better
what. to think. I‘ll keep her in sight, anyhow,
and if she lgoes straight home, there is no great.
rush, until find out what she knows.”

He wa thinking this as he‘flew along, and be
rather ished he had not sent Tonimy on as he
had done. He might attract attention, if noth-
ing more. For himself, hiecould wander allovsr
Mineral Bar {with a revolver in either hand, and
though it might excite comment, no one would
be apt to fol ow him, and few would ask ques-
tions where he could hear them.

Tomin wasp little too slow, hOWevsr. Al-
though e hadthe shorter track, he saw the
seeming boy flitting on ahead when he turned
the corner of Bruce’s shanty, and as he puffed
Sioux in her wake, he was joined by the garn-

er. . i

“.The gains will strike straight for Lyons’s
cabin, and if it does,_and in,. it is all right.
Keep itin sight,-and if you lose it there come
back and let me knOW. If 1 am not about, say
yes to Johnny, and that will beenough. I must
go back.” a '

Tommy went off as ordered, but, to himself,
grumbled as he went along:

it Dog—gone it! l‘d like ter know w’ot she did
see, but blamed of I keer ter move up that way
tex- ax her. Ef the-fr lslport comes wanderiii’gmck
he mi ht ive a e er one more squeezet std
be theigeend ov him. An’ ther oleman’ll be apt
ter be sottin’ ’round ther winder With ashot—
gun. But it won‘t do ter go back ter Jack Har-
per’thout thertruth, so, 199:8. do yer dutv. He
might 1a, gi’u me a wuss {0b. He’s mighty easy
satisfied, an‘ ther kid con dn’t ’a’ seen so much, ,
arter all.”

- 'The task was not a
had thought. . '

E in run straight toward her home. She was
frightened and perplexed. Had it not been for
her caJJture by Trueflt. She might have “9"”! a
cams on in the t0wn by calling amp the citi-
zens to organize a raid upon the Flume; bi“
after her own narrow escape, she never thought

difficult one, as Tommy

0f caurse',

 

she knew she was pursued. and
ties

    

\

  

 

in her direction. The revolver in her hand was
ready, and it was as well that Tommy did not
get too close. As long as she was outpacing him,
she hesitated about opening the ball.

The evening was well advanced, and there
were but few persons on the street, while of
these it happened she met directly none. When
she reached the house she entered softly, and
found her father still asleep.

Tommy remained on guard for a short time,
watching the house, but she did not reappear.

Then he took courage and crawled up to the
window. Peering into the larger room he saw
Edna, clothed in her regular garments, and
seated by the side of her slumbering father. For
tne present there was no appearance of danger,
and he turned back tothe lume to re rt.

Mr. Lyons was getting along as we 1 as could
be expected. It was tedious, of course, to re-
main quiet when he wanted to be acting, but as
it was the best thing for him to do he had done
it. When he went to else he did it sound] ,
and if nothing had occurre he would probab y
have slumbered far into the night.

When Edna seated herself by his bedside she
was nervously anxious to tell him what she
thought she had seen, but dreaded to waken
him. She remained silent, to be sure; but her
eyes were fixed intently on his face, and as a
matter, of course, they had their effect. After
a little he moved uneasily, and finally awoke.

Even then he remained silent for a little, after
a glance to make sure his daughter was watch-
ing him. Finally, he spoke:

“ Foolish child! I need no watching. It
would be better for you to be sleeping. sup-
pose Mr. Taylor has not come in yet."

“ No; and I doubt new if he comes at all if I
can believe what I am sure I saw.”

“What do you mean?" he asked, somewhat
annoyed by the tone, and thinking that Edna
too must have been dreaming.

Then she took courage, and told him of her _

adventure. There was considerable to explain,
and once started she made quite a story of it.

Mr. Lyons listened gravely, without suspect-
ing what the climax was to be until it came.

He was too much shocked to speak at once,
and so Edna had the chance to go on and tell
of her own peril, and how it was only the chance
discovery of her sex which saved her from shar—
ing the fate of Mr. Taylor.

As she told of her narrow escape, and of the
pursuit which followed, Mr. Lyons struggled as
if he was about to rise from his bed, though the
hand of his daughter was proming him back.

“ Wait, waitl" she went on.

“ You can help only by your advice. What
am I to do?"

Lyons became cooler.

“ Are you certain you saw what you say?”

“I was not so sure what it meant un il the
trap, opened for me. After that, how could I
doubt?”

“ True. And yet it is hard to say what should
be done. The trap might be found if we could
go the force to make a search; but it is not
li ely Mr. Taylor would be there. They went
back to spirit him away.”

“ And he may not be harmed. Harper told.

the man who caught me, that the fall would not . i

harm.”

“ True; and if he had killed Ta lor the man
would not have your lie solely be-
cause you were a woman.
he would have shot you down.”

“But ’the uncertainty of it! If I had only.

been more courageous! A scream would have
brought help; and instead of giving it I had to
shiver in' the hands of a man with a knife."

“ Better as it is. I have heard of such thin
before. Harper has a following that would be
him through thick and thin, and you'would only
have gotten yourself into danger. He may have
drugged the man to rob him, ‘and then throw
him but. If he could accomplish his ends in no

other way he would not hesitate at that. We -

can trust no one here by daylight, and for you.

to attempt any mow at this time of night would 

be reckless ‘folly. You would he etc on the?

road. I might go with you, but-I u not see

i my way clear. Let us think it over.”

Mr. Lyons could see the danger in the way of '

immediate effort. And if Pony Taylor should
happen to turn up again by morning—he had no
doubts at all in regard to his good faith-4t
might be best to have said‘ nothing about» the
 Sal-if. “ .
They talked some little about it between them.
selves, hewever, and aftt a while, when Kr.
Lyons had succeeded in showing how unfortu—
nate it would be if they were compelled to mix
themselves up in the affairs of Jack
they heard a step approaching the door.
It was the step of a single'man, and

it was not made by their missing ledger. ,
When the man outside halted it was at
door; and without delay there came a knock

which sounded a though made bya man  ’

Even on the street ' '

a ,1)", '
re ~'
Edna no particular fright, though she wugm ,

costumed to going wherehewanted toand moa-  a

ing a welcome when he came.
‘ Who is there?" asked Mr. Lyons.

“ Late for a call, am I?” came back the'an—I
swsr. “I only heard of yonr'eccldent a urn.”
7 while ago, and came mum to '

-°° “we

 

 

      

   
 

;.
’1

 

 

‘18 '

'were, and if I could be of 'any use. Am I too
late to see you?"
“ It is Doctor Rice,” said Edna, and at a mo-
(tlion from her father she moved toward the
001'.

 

CHAPTER xxn.

BEDROCK SEEKS A REFUGE.

THE doctor stepped in without hesitation; and
with barely a nod to Miss Edna moVed over to
the bedside.

“I was out of town yesteniaylcr I suppose
you would have sent for me. Don’t knew how
your little accident got out, but I heard a couple
of the boys talking about it and got particulars
as far as they knew them. Bad place, that old
prospect-hole! --()ught to be filled up, or fenced
u . On a. dark night any man might wander
05 the trail. You were lucky to get out so
well ’

“ My arm is gone up,” explained Lyons, as he
saw the doctor oii‘ering his hand, while running
on about the accident.

“It is hardl equal to a. shake just yet.”

“No, nci 1 course not. What am I think-
ing of? But is that the extent of your injuries?
Nothing wrong inside, I hope.”

“Nothing but a. little soreness. I will be up
and about to-morrow.”
“ Don’t be in too great a hurr . A few days

lost now may add a good many ays of comfort

to the other end. What I want to get at is,

. whether that arm is in shipsnupe fashion. You
dan’t want to be a cripple for life, nor yet to
have it broken over again about the time the
bones fairly knit.”

“Thanks, butI know something of such things
and think I can guarantee the workmanship.
I'll take the chances. It is going on well, and
all I seem to want is to sleep, eat, and be
mar .” , .

“Glad to hear you in such good spirits. It
won’t be long before you will be out again.
Meantime, I am at your service ifI can be of
any useto you. I mean, outside of the pro-
fessional line. And, by the way, who is my
rival?”

He glanced at the arm as he spoke.

“ He seems to understand his business, and I
would be glad to make his acquaintance."

“ Oinhe is a stranger, that seemed to wander
providentially to the spot. He had the strength
and courage to help me out, and the wit and
wisdom to put me together alter-ward. His
name is Taylor, and he will stop with me few
days. He strolled down-town totry his for uues
at the Flume, and has not returned, though I
am expecting him momentarily.” v

The doctor stroked his long heard thought-
fully, and then peered up at Mr. Lyons from un-
der his gold-mounted spectacles.

He was one of the best—dressed men in Mineral

_ A Bar, and, with the exception of Jack Harper,

there was no one in the town who could be as

o,‘ engaging when he tried.

Just a word of caution,” he said at length,
bending closento the bed. ‘

“ I have heard of this Taylor, and probably
can htaglimpse of him on the street to-day.
He 8 a clever fellow, but he has the reputation

I of being a desperado, pure and simple, in spite
of the engng ng manner of his ways. Don’t
You think it a little risky trying to domesticate

he tiger?”

I From the time he entered, a study was being

madeofthe doctor. Mr. Lyons had met him more
than once, and so far had never been able to
clearly decide what lay behind his urf'ing
‘ ways. He was not sure he understood h in even
now. He need up with a 100k which was

. ' good deal lanker than his feelings.

“ In what way!”
“ You have a daughter, in whom, I am afraid,
Iain be inning to take more than ordinary in-
;mt. n is hardly the man you would care to
allow approach her too cloudy.”
“Thank you for the caution, but I assure you
it is not needed. Th re is a certain amount of
ratitude needed, u rthe circumstances. Out-
0 of that, his relations with us will be purely
business. At the same time I think you are mis-
taken in (your opinion of the gentleman, and wish
you cool meet him. I have known more than
one man who was worse than hisreputation, and

, new; and then I have met with a. few who were

better. . I think he is one of the few.” v
There was a coldness about the words of the
injured man that showed the doctor he had ven-
‘ tured on delicate ground. And there was no
mention of Edna, though he had so pointedly
alluded to her. '
“It sometimes costs something, out here, to
five ood advice, but there is no extravagance
n [is ning to it. It would be better for you to
depend on those in whom’ you can trust, than
- yourself at the mere. y of a stranger. I
~ tap: on. will not has Occasion to remember
w t have been sayin when it is too late."

: “ I am placing mysel at the mercy of no man.
whether he be known or "known. And I shall
take good care of E'ina— f she needs it. There
are worse places than Mineral Bar, and while I

sin/under the weather I think I can trust to its

citlnona to stand by me if I need them. When
out again I am my own insurer.”

 

    

 

""3‘ ..  h  ';.i.’,§’mr
veg,” , a -V_k>t-" em; .ylfi

g,

“ Perhaps you are right; and right or wrong,
I see that in your present mood it is useless to
talk to you further about the things I might be
willing to mention. Iran in as a matter of duty
but must be off again. Take care of yourself,
and if you need me, send for me. Good-night.”

He knew that Edna had slipped out of the
room when he first began the conversation. He
heard her moving in the adjoining apartment,
but did not wait. After hiszstatoliest manner he
bowed himself out, and Mr. Lyons could hear his
retreating footsteps.

Edna came hurriedly in when there was no
danger of his return.

“ You said nothing to him about the tragedy
at the F‘luniv-i He cannot suspect I was there?”

“I said nothing, yet I think he has his suspi-
cions. I have heard that he and the gambler
are more than friends, and that he owns the
ground on which the Flume is built, even if he
has not an interest in the earnings of the house.
If I Were to give a gun-sq] should say he came
here to form an opinion as to what you really
Saw.”

“ Why not have told him the truth? Knowing
what we knew, they would not have dared to
harm him.” ,

“I am not so sure but what the other is the
better plan. If no one but Taylor knows What
has happened, they may make some bargain and
then turn him loose. Or, perhaps, he has not yet
come to his senses, and they may leave him
somewhere to reCover at his leisure.”

Mr. Lyons guessed as aptly as though he had
been in the business himself. For a time Edna
was quieted, though her fears for the safety of
the sport were not altogether dissipated. She
could not rid herself of her curiosity as to his
fate, even thoagh she felt that a man of his re-
sources must be able to make his escape.

“ If father would only go to sleep again, I
think I would risk another trip through the
town,” was her thought.

“They might recognize me now, but of that,
what difference? I see now I was too ready to
run. A little firmness when I once had them at
arm’s length, and I might have saved him.”

Her father had guessed better than either of
them knew. Just about this time Jack Harper
was telling his hired ally, Tommy Twoi'eet, that
the girl had seen nothing, but there was a little
job for him to help do. .

" There is a chap who tumbled into the cellar,
and I am afraid he can’t get out unless some one
helps him out. We can carry him between us,
but first I want to ma he sure he has not a paper
on him that ought to belong to me. A pard of
mine is keeping his valuables for him till he gets
out. but somehow he missed the paper.”

How they went down, and what followed, the
render already knows.

Pony Taylor made his way back to the saloon,
which he had left to have a private game with
its proprietor; and following a different route,
Uncle Bedrock landed in the office of the doctor,
and found the latter at home.

Primrose acted promptly, and on the s ur of
the moment, but if he had taken ever so ong a
time to consider, he would have worked his game
in the same way. If the doctor was behind the
scenes. as he more than suspected, it looked as
though he meant mischief all the same; and if
he was not, it was as Well not] to. make explana~
tions at present. I

The doctor had, for a miracle, passed through
the‘window without hurting himself at all seri-
ously. There Were a few bruises. but no blood
was drawn, and he was on his feet almost as
soon as he struck the ground. -

Quick though he was he mined Primrose, who
bounded clean over his head as he was rising,
and shot around the corner of the house just as
a late] filled Rice’s hand.

he doctor rushed forward, and halting at
the corner of the building threw up the weapon:
but lowered it again Raggei Rnfe was step-
pii‘ig softly through thuioorway of the Flume.
ithout a second glance 'Rice turned back
and re-entcred the office.

Considering the nature of his exit from the

lace the previous evening, the ‘ Flume was

rdl the place for Bedrock to take refuge.
Jack arper was not likely to either forget or
forgive.

Nevertheless, the man of rags entered without
a sign of hesitation.

Chance had left a tolerably clearxlano directl
to the b3. and through this he steered h s

urse. is battered old hat was shedback

in his forehead, a genial smile alrly blazed
over his ruddy countenance his thumbs were
thrust into the arm-holes of his vast. and as he
walked he jerked his feet up. and set them down
flatly, was a bend of the knee that was scarcely

rcfipti e.

“ yer's ther ole 'man ag’ln, drunk er us’ali"
he chuckled. v . "

“Right in town. a’n' all dressed up! Ami:
centsa drink a 000g: dozen of yer stepaloug.
drink with Sandy ker, the sport frum Saw-
dust City.” - ‘

And to himself he mumbled:

“ Ef that don’t fetch ther boss it’ll be ’cuuse
he ain‘t ’round, or hez flirder use fur yonrn

l .”, .
Tiers-w ; plenty thorn
' ’1,  W J i',‘.:,:

to recognirethe man
I I 1:35 * y '

4

     

      

»

2. l5“

‘7‘}7     53;; '  dim ~

 Uncle“ Bedrook’s I E

2i: ,;  . a:  "
.

unoe.

"iv
\

who had excited so much commotion the pre-

ed to beamused and took the chances. It was
acrowd of the latter followed him upto the
bar. and watched the tumbler-juggler with
critical eyes as Primrose threw down a gold
piece and exclaimed: ' ‘

“ My frien’s Johnny, all my frien’s. Set ’I m
up fur ’em, an sot ’em up twicte fur me. It‘s 9
orful dry time fur oo’n.”

Johnny recognized the man, but he also heard
the iing of his coin. He looked over the crowd
in his wake, and without a word spread out
tumblers accordingly. ,

“ You raised a racket here last night, and got
off all right. This time I reckon the boss will
kill you, but you may as well be driving a few
nails whi 9 you are waiting. I don’t know that
I want to tackle you myself.”

And while the bottle was going down the line
Pony Taylor slid into place with the rest, and
quietly remarked:

“SOmething a little smoother, Johnny. I
have a bad taste in my mouth, and want some-
thing to rinse it down.”

There was a crash as Johnny dropped the
tumbler he was handling. He stared at the
snort as though looking at a ghost, and pony
Taylor knew, if no one else did, what was pass-
ing in his mind.

At almost the same moment Jack Harper
came sauntering through the door by which
Pony had entered the mom.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
PRIMROSE RUNS THE FLUME. ‘

BEDROCK took in the situation at Once.

Up to that moment be supposed Taylor had
made good his retreat, and was probably for
enough away from the spot.

Now, he saw the young man was still on
hand, and from his deadly smooth style be-
lieved he was out on the wur~path.

Gluncing warily around, to see if there was
any sign of trouble brewing from the other
side, he caught a glimpse of Jack Harper glid-
ing in.

“Dog—gone ther jim-hlastcd luck! Ef this
thing goes on he’ll kill him sure w’eu they git
ter foolin’. An’ that won‘t suit my han’ wu’th a
cent. Et’ Gentleman Jack kuowed ez much
about Pony Taylor ez I do he’d lay low tell
ther mad wore oil? a. leetle, an’ then mebbe be
Wouldn’t fin’e him so stricka fatal. Bedrock
you better run this yere thing yer own way, an
leave ther fun you war goin’ter hev for some
other evenin’.” '

Considering his previous expefience Primroae-
would have been justified in thinking of himself,
but it never seemed to strike him that Harper
might feel himself compelled to take hold of the
man who had turned the laugh on him socom-
2::me the night before, tramp though he‘might-

The bartender was so taken aback that he had
not a word tq say while he turned mechanically
for the decanter ho tho ht might suit better
the taste of the man Who ad apparently risen
from the dead. .

“ Young man, yer looks innercent an happy,”
hogan Bedrock, speaking with sternness, and
pointing one pudgy finger at Taylor.

“P’rhaps you hev a chileless mother, or a
widderless orphin, ’pendinlon ther labor ov yer
hau’s. Fur us ole stagerl them things donlt
count, but of I war in your lee, jesta‘abuddin’ ,
up inter bloomin’ man . I’d stop short on
ther giddy path. I cain’t reeconcile it with me
conshens ter holpe along in ther rooin yer seem
ter be bound on makin’.

Ragged Rufe‘was deep] impressed with a
sense of Taylor’s folly,i ooks went for any—
thing; and utterly unconscious of anything like
insult in his manner. He gave astare of sur.

rise at the roar of laughter from the men who

hastily emptied their tumblers to make sure

of their contents, and than eagerly waited for
what was to follOW.

“ You think?” answered. Pony, cumin draw-
ing toward the liquor which Johnny had placed
within reaching distance. .

“I saw the number mentionedin your in-
vtitation was not full and came forward under
your request. From your appearance I should
say you were a. gentleman and I scholar. As
such you must unde ad that it has passed
beyond your control. f you don’t whack up
the needful. Johnny, hero, Will "7 hi! Oh“);
and if he has to strain too hard I’ll help.”

Pony was a new man re, to the most
of them, and from his appearance few
would havo thought he was of the kind to
quarrel with a man of the stamp of the bum-
mer, much less wring in on him for a drink._
Was there anythin behind it all! I

Jack Harper, ha ting a moment at the door
and taking in the scene at a glance, thought
there was. ,

“ The infernal old idiotl
and don‘t care where he
it. if he chooses. I begin to think he is square

He in...» business,
ds it.

rhnps it would be as well to do it for him

 

   
  

fcoursc no one wants‘ to harm I'lr. T9
he can help it. Oh, no! Not a bit of it.

   

      

:1 mi

vious evening, and there were others who want- ‘

mu.

Lethlrnstart -'

after all, and if he can’t take “no: mum" ~ 1-'

 

 

‘,...

 

 

 

 

    
   

 

 

 

 

7:35-

 

 

is...

  

w‘gu'elong with him.”

tn...

     
  

    

l
I, 4. -_.

as‘

...- 1- _‘ I_ J, .,Y._ .1 K, -. w , u ,.,r .,.-»_

L? I":  i. s .

\

 

 

It was rather a wise conclusion to come to.

 Big'vilBounc‘e. I

 

The words were a threat rather than a caution,

The gambler was not sure about the one man; . and Taylor would have answered after his own
I fashion had not Bedrock taken the chance away

but he had his mind made up about the other.

If Pony Taylor was killed before he made any

allusion to the late trouble it might save him the
trouble of attending to his taking ofl’ himself.

And the moment Jack Harper saw the sport,
he decided the latter must never go out of the
Flume alive. If he lingered there after making
his escape it must be for the purpose of getting
even; and if he Was not successful in one way
Would he apt to try another.

Bedrock. hoWeVer, was doing his best to draw
attention his way.

“ Ez apeacI-ful inau, ov pertick’ler principles,
it’s ag’m’ me jin’ral rule ter git inter ary sOshul
eentercourse With folks ez are not ov ther fu’st
standin’. They hev hrung me nothin’ but de-
flckilty an’ danger.
obtrude 1 pass km: by with silent sco‘n. But
this are u leetle too agrevatrd, 31}, I W‘“ be "0'"-
pelled t/er eenfiick pussonal punishment. _ Ther
diii‘eren’s in our persishuns are too plain ter
make yer ackshuns teas her a eensult.”

“ Rats, Mr. Soakcr, if that he your name,”
smiled back Taylor, hardly allowing his eyes to
wander in the direction of the tramp.

“ As a friend of the proprietor I am not sure
but what it is my duty to lire you out Without
further argument."

so far it was simply a case of chaff. A man
like the sport can do Such things without excit-
ing more than a momentary surprise that his
taste should lie in that direction. It would lie
with the man of rags to decide what was to he
the outcome.

When such bits of sport begin there is no tell-
ing how serious the ending will be. And then,
though there was a good deal of license given to
patrons of the Flume, the proprietor always
stood ready to take a hand in.

Bedrock noted one thing that no one else ap-
peared to. Taylor was thoroughly unconcerned
in his bearing, but he was not off his guard, and-
had detected the appearance of Harper the mo-
ment he came on the scene. In the rear of the
row of demth that graced the bar was a
broad looking-glass, and Pony could note what
was behind him. I _ '

“Jest so you follers I’m willm’ tar go,” bristled
up Bedrock. “ Ther deegmty ov a-walkiu’
pheelosofer hev bin insulted, an’ satisfackshun
are in order. Choc-is yer Weepins, name yer
fr’eu’, an’ meet me on ther field ov honor. Thar
shell no man live ter say he hez beat him outer
a drink ’thout he kin fu’nish a fun’ral fur ther
ncx’ da .”

“ 0h, bosh!” laughed Pony.

“ Go soak your head; and while you are about
it get a little of the mud oi! your clothes. You
know on are nothing but a vile old fraud, and
that i you saw a man with a gun coming there
would be a right smart chance for a foot-race,
with you well in front. Dry up, now, or there
will be something that hurts.”

Then he suddenly wheeled and faced Jack
Harper, who had been softl coming nearer.

Bedrock was too slow. in fact, the gambler
began to think he was only holding his man in
play till some one should come to take the seri-
ous part of the job all his hands.

At the sudden cha e of front he knew his
presence had been no from the first. though
without exactly understanding how, and that it
was time for him to come into the game.

“ What is going Ion llierei” he asked roughly,
starin strai ht at ay or.

/ “ Joshua ,gdid these men drink Together!”

“ Yes, r.”

“ Then they are good enough to fight together,
and the honor they step ontsnde and get to work
the better it will be for them. I can’t have them
rowins uroumi inthis house. Move. you man.
before I have to me up the floor with you.”

“ NOW ’0’!" about 11’, me noble lord l” exclaimed
Bedrock. flout-hing a revolver, and executing a
war-dance. . l

I“ I bin a-waitin' on him, actooally a-waitin’.
For fun 81' “"3" I “D take his scalp, an’ I bet
yer a ten he dusn’t fuller me."

Tdfland me the switch, Johnny’s mm Harper
00 y.

His hand was in NI Iide pocket, and he was
ready to shoot the moment Taylor said a word
in regard to the , sumo lately Played between
them. but he was!“ the club which tho barbell.
der hissed to him, 80d “300 Wand savage]; on
the tramp.

, ‘5 You can’t play the same 8m to Win twice
in’this place, my gentle gazelle. I am “muting
you are a better man than you 100k. and so I am
going to keep the advent“8 0'1 3/0" til the am

ti .,
In spite of the ready revolver Hm am;
his stick. and advanced a step “95"”- :

“ A moment, Mr. Harper. Perhapl you would
like to Relive a shot atb ma:Y it'filppo” I m “I.
respone )0 rt int isa a -

“ Not in plilyyown house,” retort“ Jim". is

‘T'YIOT edged up to thrust himself between sh,

ntlemen start a racket here and

1 h it up I
. then “'3' '0 9“" “ ’0' me to an“ ttle matrix:

fit them both out, and let them $9

in the middle of the street. on better

Most frequent, w’en sich ;

from him even before the gambler was done
speaking.

“ Put me out i” he howled.

“ Put Sandy b‘oakers outl W’y yer can’t put
one side ov him out—you ner all yer heelers.
I’m ready an’ a-waiu‘n‘, w’y don‘t yer try it on?”

He danced around, swung his pistol in one
band and slapped his thigh with the other, and
cared nothing for the fact that three or four
handy-looking men were standing near ,
their eyes fixed on Harper, waiting for a sign.
That it had not been given was something of a
wonder.

“ Out you go!” suddenly shouted Harper, and
be aimed a quick, heavy blow at Pony Taylor,
while half a dozen more threw themselves on the

" tWO men.

As the NOW descended Bedrock swung up his
revolv'er, and fired once, in the direction of Pony
Taylor. Then he dodged back directly between
the nearest two of the charging hecleh‘.

It looked like a wonderful chance. The bullet
hit neither Taylor, nor yet the proprietor of the
saloon; hut struck the end of the falling club

I just before it reached the spot where, the previ—

ous moment, the head of Pony Taylor had been.

At the same, time Harper pulled the trigger
of the, derringer which lay in his left-hand
pocket.

The dodge the sport made carried his head
out of the reach of the club, but at the report of
the pistols he suddenly clapped his left hand to
his side, staggering still further back.

The, movement brought him near Bedrock.
who had struck out at the two who, confused by
his sudden movement, were clawing at the
Vacant air. ‘

First with the right hand, and then with the
left, he threw in his weight, landing his blows
at the butt of the ear, and then plunged for-
ward again, throwing up the right hand of Tay-
lor in time to make a bullet waste itself harm—
lwslv on the air. ’

“Yer hung too long on ther perlim’naries,”
whispered Primrose, as be. clasped the sport
around the waist and whirled him around.

“ Hyre’s tin-r hull gang on hand, and ’ei’ we
stay we got ter slaughter ’cm all, an’ that don’t
suit me. Ef yer love me, leave.”

Harper was sure, when he saw the sport clasp
his hand to his side, that his shot had gone home,
and he saw that by his quick work Primrose
had probably saVed his life. After that he was
willing to allow his henchmen and their allies to
finish the Work. The only question was whether
he should make an effort to save Bedrock.

With a grim smile on his face he stepped back
and watched the struggle.

For a dying man Pony Taylor certainly
showed he had some wonderful reserves left.
After the shots there was a confused medley,
Some men trying lto get forward and others
back. There were other shots and shouts, a
surging and a swearing, and in the midst of all
Taylor andlBedrock hard at work, knocking
out a passage to the door.

-——-—

CHAP‘I‘ER XXIV.
[TAYLOR ous DOWN 'ro wonx.

“ DOG blast it! For ther love ov ole times,
cain’t ye give me a sh0w? Thar ‘ll be plentv ov
time tor git back on him, an’ it's life er de’th
with me, tor say nothiu’ ov heaps ov money.”

T20 two were on the street together, and Pony

. . ed to be' halt-ting whether to drop into
cow-r and wait for the crowd, or move of! with-
out fugtlliter cerem‘on . h

, oupu. ttatwa oldman,Isu
pct-e1 willhave to. Youstgdd b m0ng

had the last racket with Ready nk, and I
suppose I will have to return the com liment, if
you are really on the track of somet ng more
thaiifuni: d

“ ve in a-etan in’ in with er

whether it looked so or not; an’ {vheuutlhelrl' ht;
round comes I’ll 'be with for solid. Until I
struck ther ang I hedn’ta dear that thar war
big money n it, but puttin' thin tergether
w’ot I know, an‘ w’ot I’ve heard,.I in aw ar ter
it now.” '
“ Then you must
‘unior’s cases. He oculd put it in worse hands,
’11 try not to interfere, but don't be too brash
about getting in my way. I’d have to down
on. for you play mighty reckless when' the fit

a on you.”

" W ish I could ’xplaiu ms game; but it would-
n’t work. 1 cain’t sheer even with Pony Taylor.
I‘m gittin too old ter hope for a strike a ’in in
me;- mmgg, an’ this hyar are me lass’c ance.
Br I make ther riifle I’m goin‘ ter quit ther road,
my go back to mp;- buzzom 0v me fambl . That
daimr 3,9 ‘ mm, , an' even ther ole Ill y'd ive
meaweloome e! I come with a cool be red
thouuud more, Now, at it’s all ther same tor
you. I'll 1m git round this byer 0° 9' 3'" “h
a shot at yer hack. Ef it comes to erbul cl0st

'u be afeared 1 kin shoot to a hair. an’ you

 

    

on" “333‘” . l a; u.
1 been bur in .a ong 00 e 00
,vermtinu got W123. a, and weapons and

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be working up one ofthe.

distance from the Flume. Without giving
Taylor time for answer he dodged aside and by
the time Pony looked over his shoulder ad dis-
appeared.

“ Kind of wearing on the nerves,” thought
the report as he pushed on, feeling sure the shot
Would come, and that it would not go very wild,
either.

“The old man is not exactly a lunatic, and
yet, there is no telling what he may become,
Some day. If he happens to go clean off his base
right now he might hold a little too straight.
Humph !"

He heard a sharp “ hist,” right at his ear, and
the report of a revolver, tired from the distance
of not more than a score of yards. The suspenSe
was over, and if he had not known who pulled
the trigger he would have thought it was a sure
enough thing.

“ 'l'hat Settles it. If he has not made himself
solid with the gang now he never can. 1’]!
leave the coast clear for him, and turn in ior the
night. As he would have it, there has been fun
enough for one evening. Tomorrow 1 may take
it up again where we have left off, unless Jack
Harper thinks it is necessary to make a call this
evening.
but he may think I will iqueal about the trap and
if he dOes he will imagine he is bound to kill me.
A dollar would I give if I knew what- was
the real motive for that funny business over the
game.”

It suddenly occurred to him he had no dollar
to give, and that aroused his anger more than
the attempts on his life. He walked faster than
hehad been doing, but in his heart he did not
much care whether the pack from the Flume
overtook him or not.

It was not altogether to give them the chance,
however, that he turned aside from the direct
route to the cabin of Mr. Lyon.

If there was a mob following, him, or even if
Harper shoald set a couple assassins on his trail,
he did not care to lead them directly to the two
who had shown themselves his friends.

He was striding along in no good humor with
either himself or the rest of the world when
a figure seemed to rise from the ground in front
of him. ,

“Mr. Taylor, I believe?” said a voice, that
had an inquiring ring to its tone.

“ Taylor goes. N at so sure about the mister,
though I haVe had the idea I was a full-fledged
man.”

He was not sure about the stranger, though
his objects appeared pacific, and his size
rendered it uncertain whether it was boy or man
'spea 
“ 1 am not particularly your friend, but I want.
to give you a friendly warning.
no harm to listen, even though you do not after»
ward care to act.” '

“ Drive on, then. You will get the usual
amount of thanks for such things, and I will
probably do as I please.”

“ Of course. But as it is a matter which coh-
cerna others besides yourself, there is the more
reason for my speaking. I understand you in-
tend to leave the Bar as a guide for two persons

who are in search of a lost mine, or a missing
treasure. or something of that kind.”

“ Well?" .

“ I do not ask you if such be the case, but if it.
is I would advise you to waste no time in pre-
parations, but to 0 at once."

“Thanks. If do not, I supposethere are

‘some parties in Mineral Bar who will endeavor
to see I do notgo at all?”

“ Wrong, my dear sir. Though they miss
be willkig to'kill you (if if they had and .
Opportunity, it would not- be to prevent your-
going, but rather from fear you will not start
promptly encugh.”

“ And on advise!”

“ If it possible, start at once. By so doing
you ma throw them of! your track altogether.
Otherw , they will be apt to follow you clog:-
than will be oonvenien , and in case success
shoald crown your efforts, they will be on hand
to reap the benefits of it.”

“ You appear to know a good deal aboutwhat-
will be, or may be done.” I

“I know more about it than I desire. I am
not sure that I wish to prevent yOurpumit, but~

I would like to save you from harm.

of a task to follow us. Running away from
until you are certain you are leaving none he-
bind fl

“ Perhaps, if you got a fair mt, things might.
afterward shape themselves so that. the danger
of being followed would be the l and before
you were overtaken it would be together re»,
moved.”

“Ybu are speaking in riddles, and I do not
care to guess them. I will go when it seems

way aha from under.”
“ Still, the warning cannot have done you any

to do you  Again I say, if you are going,

go stories.
“And if I do not!”
' “Then look out for

 

   
 
      
  

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i let him down as easily as I could .

It can do you.“

“ But if we are missed it would not be much. _,
danger is apoor plan. The safest way is to stay ‘

 

best. ifI out all. Letlthoae who are in the.”

harm, and perhaps you will remember it in timer

fisthatyouatlsaeh

 

    

  
  
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
 
   
  
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
    
    
 
   
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
 
   
  
   
 
    
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
 

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4' of more than one of your gang.

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will he killed, to make room for a less competent
man.

“ You seem to know a good deal about me.”

“ More than you think, You are no stranger
'to some of the men of the Bar, and it may be
they have some private grudge to satisfy, which
'could be better avenge out in the mountains
than here, but if there seems to be little chance
for that, they would not hesitate try a shot from
behind, even in the center of the town.”

“Thanks for the warning. A shot of that
kind was tried not long ago, but it missed, as
you see. They will always miss until the time

comes for me to go under, and when that arrives .
, nothing I can do will make any difference.

If
you have nothing more to as , I will bid you
good-evening. I had some 0 your friends on
my trail not long ago; and it is not certain how
soon they will put in their appearance again. If
they come you might not care to have them see
you in conversation with a marked man like my-
self. So-longl”

Over his shoulder the sport gave a quick

lance as he moved away, but found that the
individual had alread vanished.

“Had the figure 0 a boy, but the experience
of an older head. Wonder why the warning

, was given? If Lyons was able to mount a

horse I don’t know but what I would be ad-
vising the very thing myself. The longer we
loaf around the Bar the bigger will be the fol-
lowing when we do pull out. They are onto his
plans here, and when one man starts after hid-
den treasure, or a 10st bonanza, there are always
.a hundred willing and anxious to follow.”

He was too much of a stranger in the town to
recognize the person who had taken the trouble
to giVe him the warning. Had be known who
he was he might not have been any the more
‘willing to take it, but would have understood
.better that the individual was talking by card.

In spite of what he had said, the warning, or
advice, did make an im ression on him. He
decided to quit his wan ering for the night,
and if Lyons was awake when he returned, to
tell him of his adventures of the evening.

He walked rapidly in the direction of the
cabin. . ,

Now that his attention was turned in that
direction it seemed to him he heard the treadvof
many feet, and caught a glimpse of moving
shadows in the distance.

The crowd, if crowd there was, had been mov-
ing on a line parallel with that on which he was
‘graveling, and was now some distance ahead of
,1 1m.

“ It is a gang on its way to Lyons’s house—are
*they after me, or is that only to be the excuse?
By heavens! There will be some livel times
if they dare to cross the threshold whi e I am
at the front. I may be able to head them 03
if I put on steam.”

He lingered no longer, and darted away with
his best foot foremost, but he came a trifle late.
The crowd had, come against the door with a
rush forcing it open, and Mr. Lyons, suddenly
awakened, ut with wits all about him, had
lined the leader who stood upon the threshold.

" Put up yer pistol l” the fellow shouted, afraid
to advance, but unwilling to retire.

“ It’s not you we’re after; but that dog-goned
gerloot what plugged Jack Harper. Turn him
out hyer, an’ will go on our way, rejoicin’.”

“I know not in about any such man, and
my daughter and are alone in the cabin. if
there was such a man here, though, I’d allow
myself to be torn in pieces sooner than'turn him

over to a set of masked cowards who come here '

to do murder under cover of the night. .Leave
while you can. Crippled though i am I have
still strength to draw trigger, and I never miss
my aim.”

“ Ye’r’ a stranger h er, an’ dunno who
~‘talkin’ to, er ou woul n’t crow gear so loud

“I am gla I do not kn0w. ' would want to
cut my throat if I thoughtl had acquaintances
such as you. Leave, now! The last time of ask—

nizl” .

“ Don’t rub it in too thick, old man. We ain’t
hed nothin’ in fur you, but that ain’t so in’ we
mayn’t hev. We’re ther Regulators ov ineral
Bar, an’ when we come for a man he’s at ter
go. If he’s h or trot him out an’ we’ll ma e yer
no more two 0. If he ain’t hyer we got to be
pure ov it." I

“ That will do. You don’t come in here alive
and before we get through the same can be said
Get back!”

The fellow at the threshold hesitated. He had
no intention of going forward while that weapon
covered him; but he did not care to give ground
unless he had to. 'While he parleyed he knew
there was a force stealing around to the rear of
the house, and that when th attack came from
both front and rear, he in ght it most likely

ye’r’

' the man on the bed would surrender.

At this last order, however, he saw there was
no timeto lose. He then threw himself back-
ward a shade before the explosion came, and at

the same time the men at the rear of the house -

came swarming in. Unless the drop was really
on them. they cared little for a single man, even

if he did havo a pistol.
It was a moment of danger to Mr. Lyons,

"though he was not thinking, of himself. He was
‘ expecting to hear a cry from Edna. He did not

 

  

believe this attack was made on account of any-
thing done by Pony Taylor, yet he hesitated to
shoot against such odds; and while he glared
around some one came through the door like a
cyclone.

It was only one man, and be against nearly a
dozen, but he never hesitated, and had all the
advantages of a surprise. Right and left, right
and left, he struck off, knocking the men around
like tenpins. One or two flew through the rear
door before they touched the ground, and in a
twinkling there were more black eyes and
bloody noses than the Bar had ever seen made
up in the same length of time.

In the struggle of half a dozen of the more
timid ones to get out of the way the table was
overturned, and the lamp extinguished, leaving
the fight to go on in the darkness.

Pony Taylor was at the front, and he had
everything his own way. Every man he could
reach was fair game, and the darkness covered
his motions so that no one could locate him.
Until he hit it was a mystery where he was;
and after that the nearest man was not in con-
dition to locate him. r

When he had a little breathing room the
sport caught up a chair. He was not alto-
gether reckless. With that article he could do
very good work, and keep the crowd at a dis-
tance. In spite of the aimless resistance that
was made, the result never was in doubt. Some
crawled out, some rushed out, and some were
put out. The room was cleared as if by magic.

A halt was made at the distance of a few rods
from the house, but the party was badly de—

moralized, and when Pony Taylor stepped out.

he only had, to say a few words to them.

“ Gentlemen, my shooting is agood deal bet-
ter than my fisticuffs. Say the word if you
want to have a sample. And if you don’t want
to say the word, just remain as you are the frac.
tion of a minute, and I open the batteries.”

“ Not ary in mine!” said Tommy Twofeet,
and he led the way in the general scramble
from the spot.

 

CIMPTER XXV.

nannocx TELLS Tait saws.

“THEY are evidently in earnest about down-
ing me,” said Taylor. as he re-entered the cabin.

‘From the little I heard I believe that was
their excuse for the intrusion.”

“ I should have shot sooner,” lamented Lyons,
who had been reall both prudent and braVe.

“ But I knew i they were not the most
cowardly brutes in the world, I could not hope
to beat them off'without more slaughmr than I
could make, crippled as I was. Where is

v Edna?”

“ Here, father!”

To the surprise of both she entered, not from
the other roqm, but through the open door.
While the struggle ad been going on she was
not in the house at al .

“ Ah, if I had only known 1” whs the exclama-
tion of her father.

“I feared for you, and it t iok away my
courage. You would have taken care of your-
self, as I should haVe known."

“Don’t trouble yourself about lost 0 por-
tunities,” interpoaedihe sport. “ You wil cer-
tainl y have plenty more of them if you remain
long in this place. We are evidently marked
men. I have been playing,e light with the
wretches, but it seems to mercy thrown
away.”

“ Yes. And yet. to begin slaughter might
only make the matter worse in the end,” re-
sponded Edna, with a shiver.

“I begin to think the advice I received a bit
ago Was worth theflistening to. Some one whom
I never saw before told me that for the sake of
our cwn safety it would be well for us to leave
the place at once. 1 put on the high and mighty
style, butI did not mean much of what I said;
and now I cannot say I mean any of it.” .

“ Ah!” said Ta lor, hastily. -

” Just such a vice was given to me. Per-
haps I laughed at it a little too soon.”

“ It is certain," continued Edna, “that we are
the objects of a great deal of attention. , If what
I overheard is to go for anything we are spied
upon more closely than we have imagined.”

“ Foolish giril What have you been doing?”

Mr. Lyons raised himself up again in some
excitement. He knew his daughter had once
more taken risks that were at least unwise, and
to do so had to a certain extent deceived him.

“ Not hard to guess,” she answered, turning to
the s rt. .

“ ou must know I was doing some scouting
earlier in the evening, and through a window at
the Flume saw you tumbled into the cellar. I
was'discovered, and some danger was near‘me
for a time, but I escaped. I could not rest,
however, until I knew what had been your fate
and was going topee, a short while ago when
met my would-be mentor. Then, I heard
steps in the darkness, that came near to where I
was crouching; and a low conversation. intend-
ed tobe heard by no others than the,two who
carried it on.” .

“ And who were the men?”

“‘That I do not know. but one of them was
cauti sing the other to keep his eyes open for a

i
‘ , Li :

 

map such as you ‘ drew today. It may have
been that to find it was the principal object of
the attack. If so the will come again, it with
a different excuse. ould that we could leave
here.” ‘

Mr. Lyons appeared to be deeply moved by
her words, and spoke promptly: A

“And we will—if it is only to hide ourselves
in the wilderness until we can get to our work
with the strength needed for it. 1 have been
half expecting some such emergency as this, and
am not unprepared for it.”

But, Taylor was not satisfied. -

“ If you are in earnest Iam afraid I shall
have to put the brakes on. I don’t mind run-
ning away when there is anything to be made
by it, but you are not in shape for the journey.
Perhaps we can make the fight better here than
in the regions you wish to visit?” he so}: ested.

“ Never trouble yourself about me. Igmay he
a burden, but will not bealtOgether helpless. If
you fear the risks, say so, and retire. I have
no claim on you. Edna and I can go by our-
selves.”

Ta lor smiled.

“ ith those who know me I have the reputa-
tion of personally fearing nothing. It is for
your daughter I have fears, if for any one.
Make up your mind as seems best, and wherever
and whenever you want me you will find me
around. I would liked to have finished the little
game begun with the proprietor of the Flume,
but that can keep. As you know, I am without
means of my own, but if you~choose to furnish
the transportation, Pony Taylor will furnish his
proportion of the rocession.”

“ The means wi i be furnished, and wo—”

He ceased Speaking because the sport sudden-
ly darted from the room. He had not seemed
to be noticing anything without, but for some
little time had thought there was an unseen
listener. Now, he was about sure of it. As he
came rushing out he could hear footsteps crash-
in aWay in the darkness. ’

{is was a fleet runner, but the man held’his
own, though there was a glimpse of him in the
distance.

“ I may be wrong,” thou
turned back; “ but it look to me very much
like old Bedrock himself. If he is playing a
straight game what was he spying around there
for! It would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer to
decide on the evidence whether the old vaga-
bond is to be trusted.” I

If Taylor had fol10wed him, it would have re-
quired all the remembrance he had of t ser-
vices to retain his confidence in the tramp.

Bedrock it was, and he had overheard the con- ,
versation up to the point when the sharp ears of
the sport had discovered his presence.

He was entitled to a certain amount of credit,
however. He had not come out with the gang
who claimed to be in pursuit of Taylor, thong
he had followed in its wake for a time, and then
constituted himself an unseen guard over the
brave hearted Edna.

When she entered the house he crept nearer.

When he retreated he knew the risks he was
running, but made no effort to hide himself af-,
ter he'had once got beyond easy shooting range.
From time to time he glanced back over his
shoulder, until he saw that Pony had given over
the chase: then moderated his pace. r

“ He orter onderstan’, arter ther hint I give
him, thet things cain’t allers be jest w’ot they
seem, an' that vole Bedrock are playin’ it fine
on everybody but him. He orter give me a
show, he reely orter.
wuss for him! Now, of I could on’y see ther ‘
chaince ter peddle me infurmashun things ’d be
ri ht on or string like inyons.”

gI'he chance came sooner than he expected.

He made his way to the nei hborhood of the
Flame, only to come sudden y upon a man
whom he did not recognize, but who evidently
knew him, and had something to say to him.

" This way, old man. There is something you
may ‘as well hear now as at some other firm. It
would have been all the better if i had been
reiady’ to say it sooner. Might have saved a
m x.

“Gimme yer han’ fur thirty do Thar’s
nothin’ I like ter hear better ner the onset con-
fesshun, w’ot’s good fur ther soul. Speak it out,
sweetly an ’eirene. It’ll make me feel better
than ef I bed a dish er buckwheat cakes an’
hone .” I V

“ on Were on trial toni ht, and went
through nobly. Most men wou d have felt like
throwing ofl' under such circumstahccs, but you
stuck to your game. It may be the rest was a
mistake on your part, butafter say g Jack
Harper’s life, as you certainly did, a one can
doubt your good intentions.”

“ That’s prezactly w’ot all ez knows me allerl
sed.
dulterated send, an’ wisdom out eend. W’en
he puts out his paw, yer got a man ter tie to.”’

' No doubt no doubt! The on objection I. ‘
have found is, you do not wait or orders, but
try to run things on your Own idea. After thh
things will be different. You will understa
what you have to do, and cenflne yourselfto

d rs ' v ‘

ht Taylor, as he

/

or e . , , - ,
x“ All right, boss. I war jest shOWIn’ov mo

style w’en I war goin‘ it erlone. Bot, putts 

Ef he don’t, so much ther, , r

‘i."'.

‘He’s a man 0v ’stin‘ uishedIOoks, oner-‘ '

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stiddy han’ on ther bit and ther ole war-hoes kin
prance ter some pu’ppose.”

“Very Well. Mineral Bar is a hard town,
and we who run the camp can do a hard busi-
ness, but it will not do to take too many risks.
As long as Tnylor keeps his mouth shut, we
will ham to let him alone until he opens up a
fresh chance. Shooting at him on the street
may not be altogether a safe amusement. He
is sport from the ground up, and if you only
give him rope for awhile, he will be sure to
ban himself in the end."

“ dunno ez I understand yer games 39,1
dunno ez it’s nessysury thet I sh’u’d; but it
won’t do ter make that rope too long, fur he’s
goln’ ter skip ther camp. I didn’t F“ 815 tel‘
ther bottom ov ther plan, ’case they smoked me
out too soou, but fur a guess, I sh’u’d Say it'd be
mi hty sudden—perhaps atwixt now an’ morn-
in . ’

“ Sure?” ' ,

“That war ther wa they laid it down. Ole
man Lyons hes got s cc 0v ther tOWn; an’
the s rt, he’s a- oin’ along.”

“ hat is sud. en notiCe, but—how would you
like to go with them i"

,“ Er est behind 'em, eh?”

“Wei, yes—just behind till we find where

. they are going to.”
' ‘ Gimme a hoes an’ I kin keep up with ther

gang.”

“ And if there is red work to be done at the
end of the trail?”

‘9 Sandy Soakers won’t squeal.”

‘f Enoughl We will need you. Get back as
qmetly as you can, and watch their movements.
If they leave the camp tonight, some one will be
on their trail hard to shake off. G0, at once. I
will send you your orders later on. Just now, I
must see about sending the news.”

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
ran summit nrvaa.

DOWN dee in the canyon there was a, little
thread of wa r, hard to reach, but none the less

, sweet for that, you may be sure.
‘ On the bank above were camped two men and

a we n. The party consisted of Mr. Lyons,
his da hter Edna, and Pony Taylor.

The y had been luridly hot, and the tired
horses staid waiting eagerly for their rations.

It was slow work, toiling upward with water

‘in the canvas buckets, and Taylor would have
been glad enough to rest first, even on the baked
ground, which was still as hot as the floor of an
oven. '

But the horses had to becared for, tosay noth-
ing or Edna and her father. The work of this,
and several preceding days, had been hard
enough, but there was no certainty worse was
not to come. It was altogether the best plan to
look after food and water first. After that, if
there was still opportunity, rest would seem
doubly sweet.

The camp had its disadvantages; but there
was not a better and safer site within twenty-
fl.ve‘ miles—perhaps fifty. The chances were

itbat another nig t, if the moved forward,
would find them in one whic was worse.

There was water here, tbOug'h hard toget; and
there were scattered bunches of gram, with here
and there a scrubby tree, the branches of which
might‘ eke cut the slender provendsr for the
herses. ,

With a dripping bucket in either hand, Taylor
looked around him, and expressed himsel as
well satisfied.

“ Well satisfied!” exclaimed Edna. “ What
would it'take to make you anything else!"

lelor smiled. He was not surprised that the
loam”. With its trouble and terrors, had been
weari on the young lady. He would have an-
swefld 58”“! had not Mr. Lyons spoken prompt-

ly:

" s‘mr‘cflm 1| fonly a relative term. We
mil!“ be in mo" contortable quarters; but we
are still in the land of the living, and have our

on. What mar. Md we “no

u “0“” “k ‘ “deal more if it was any
use. Most of all, would like so be mm thou-
sand miles away from here with the work now
before us all completed. liming “m, I would
like to be sure we know when w. um, um “I”
we have not lost our way in an. “one. mum
try, where one poipt of the con“. man ex.
act] like the rest.

“ banks for the confidence dhphyod in the
undgrsi negé' laughed the roan: may. “mung
his at is; y. _

‘ “But, tell the truth, if you please: a“. you
the least idea where we really 81'9" .

“With all due deference tothe fallibm of
Ilmgmmd as eiiemplififd in guides, and such the,
5 cu as h ve. ,

“ Then, beg :our pardon for the doubt, “a
way we were winding in and out, and 80‘“! back
almost in our very tracks—a8 we hazefbeen do-

- ins for the tar part of the day— nnciied it
leaked, mm: as though we were groping n the
d k. l

* Quite a natural conclusion' observer. ere

though I did not care
giving unnecessary

’ were reasons for so doing.
« to mention them for fear of
f alarm.” -

     

in

 

 

“ The suspense is worse than the alarm-
though the reason ought to be guessed."

“ Yes. You can imagine what I have to tell
you for there could be but one thing to appre-
hend. Since yesterday we have been followed.”

“ By whom?" *

“ That is to find out; though I suppose it must
be our friends from the Bar.”

“ And are they near us newt”

“ Whether the party has been thrown ofi’ the
track remains to be seen. I suppose it depends
a good deal upon the course We were expected to

take. What that was I have been only able to
hazard a guess. By this time to-morrow we
Will know.

“Those of us who are living, I suppose you
mean.”

“Truly, a good proviso. I have found life
here to be very uncertain. Yet, I do not think
we are in any danger from those behind if they
overtake us—not now, at least They are anx-
ius to keep us in view; and I to drop them.
Meantime, I am responsible for this outfit, and
I think I am equal to the occasion.”

Mr. Lyons, after his one interruption, listened
quietly to the conversation. He looked some-
what the worse for wear, yet he had been stand-
ing the journey far better than Taylor had
thought possible when it was_begun. Itiwas sheer
good luck that had helped him through, for the
chances were a hundred to one he would injure
his arm the first day in the saddle.

Instead of that, the arm was giving him no
trouble at all; and he began to think of the not
very distant time when it could be taken out of
the sling altogether. .

He came forward again to have his share in
the talk. ‘ I

“ Of course, we ran the chanCes of being fol.
lowed, and we must meet the situation the best
way we can. If they drive us 03 of our course
we must make a circuit and return to it when it
is safer.”

Ta lor became more communicative.

“ far, they have not driven us very far.
The water below us is the stream I have called
the Sunken River. It is almost lost now, as you
can see. A dozen miles from here it is gone a1-
together.” '

“ Then we are nearing the locality we set out
to explore l"

“ We are already there. If I am not mistaken
this section of the country is pictured on the
other section pf the map which you suppose is
in the hands of the enemy. I would not have
stepped here it it could have been avoided, but
the pot of trefu e—an old relic of the cave-
dwe let's—for wh ch I am aiming istoo far
away toreach to-day. Let us hope wecan make
it tomorrow without being tracked. After
that we can afford to rest.”

Darkness was beginning to come down upon
them, and for the present the conversation
csesed. There was no need to build a camp-
fire, and but little more could be done b them,
for the horses which had carried them faithfully
ever many miles. , They seated themselves and
made a meal of a frugal kind with scarcely
another word.

Cam ing out in such a spot had its disadvan-v
tages, ut father anddaughter made the best of
the situation, and, leaving to Pony Taylor the
duty of keeping guard during the first part of
thle night, it was not long before the two were
as eep.

For some time Taylor lounged around the spot,
not altogether easy in his mind, yet uncertain
what danger there could be to fear. He was as
well convinced as could be that the party in pur-
suit—of which he had obtained but a single, un-
certain glimpse—could not have headed them

0 , i

From the rear he anticipated no immediate
danger.

For some time they had been making their
way along the edge of the canyon, by a narrow
trail, Known to but [em The canyon on the one
side, and the Overhanging rocks on the other,
protected their flanks. They were now encamp-
ed near the entrance tea small pocket, chosen
as a spot susceptible of easy defense and Pony
Taylor felt sure one man could here hold half a
dozen at bay. I

Since they had fairly started the young man’s
res t for his employer had been rising. --

hough Mr. Lyons knew little about this
region, there was very little of the tenderfoot
about him. He had plenty of courage, and
Pony shrewdly suspected that if it came to ‘
let it would he found that experience was not
altogether lacking. With but One arm that
could be used the elder gentleman was not to be
considered a mere cipherfor fig‘hting purposes.

Taylor had been thinking ever these things,
had et he was not altogether satisfied.

" t was a foolish bit of business, this, after’

all. After the taste we had of them there is no
Mistake but what the bad men of Mineral Bar
"BI"! ready for almost anythinggtnd the" "a!
danger for them while the livod in that shanty,
gist-e they could be wipe; out before the rest of

. '0 knew what was going on. But, the

   

  

       

0“ man has is f on for resent expen- threw himself back with his shoulders inst

“find I ogglilttyt: hgo tglide ¥him move his a convhnlent rock,'and composed hi I‘ for ’

garters. -.A.t in. hotel they would have been; slumber. , i i 
W shunts-u, lbonewasknit. .  a i  “Yonsqtsn9ns’in’fi0r ohm.  A

j,

,camp, if I stayed there was nothin

       

 

 

“Or if it seemed to him that the Bar was no I

longer safe for him he has moved in the wrong
direction. Over at the Gulch he might have got
up an outfit that he could have relied on to see
him through. If anything should happen to me
what would become of the two?"

The question was a serious one—more serious
than Pony Taylor was in the habit of asking
himself.

He was not given to airing his courage; but
as a general thing went straight ahead, wher-
ever the notion took him, without considering
the odds. He recognized the fact, and gave a
short laugh.

“ Ha, ha! I must be a little harder hit than
I could have thought possible in so short a.
time. Couldn’t resist the temptation to pose as
something of a hero, and to earn her everlast-
ing gratitude by doing the impossible! If I
had been flash, now, I would no doubt have
tried a more sensible plan; but with empty
pockets, and no chance to make a strike in the
for me to
do but get a shot at Gentleman Jac , and then
starve.

“ That was the reason, I suppose, I was willing
to find the bonanza first, and then go back to in-
vestige this doctor, though I do not et under-
stand what Lyons meansde With im if he
should turn out to be the individual who killed
Paul Prindle. Does he want to have him hung,
or to execute him without benefit of judge or
jury? I think I will have to ask him. He has
told a mighty indefinite story, and there may be
some more points l on ht to know.”

He looked toward t e sleepers, and ‘then rose
to his feet and slowly strolled away along the.
trail b which they had reached the spot.

He ad been on the lookout during all of
his unspoken soliloquy' and did not think there.
was any danger near; at he cared not to con-
tinue the line of thought he could see was open-

in up.

In the gorge everything was darkness tether
ordinary eye. There was danger, while wander-
ing, of a tumble into the canyon of :the Sunken
River, and he could hardly expect to meet with
any one. Unless those in pursuit were very cer.
tain of their quarry, they would not be aptto
enter such a trap in the darkness that had rapid-
ly¥athered over the spot.

aylor was not 03 his guard, however. Ha
advanced cautiously, pausing now and then to
listen. The very fact that he was nervous and
uneasy seemed to be proof there was some one
near; and the further he went the more he be-
came convinced. There was no one to notice his
caution, but if there had been, he would not have
been ashamed of it.

After a little he heard a faint, but suspicious
sound, and dropped at once to his knees. B
daylight he would not have heard it, but at
night even the turning of a pebble would reach-
his ears.

Though he remained motionless for several
minutes, no such sound was re shed, and he
again advanced, this time on is hands and
knees. looking upward he could make sure
nothing uld flit by him in the trail.

'His precautions were thorOugh, as be though
and he was bent on finding out what had turne
the pebble. He did not make sufficient allow-

ance for the fact that another man might be V

playin the same game. I
Sud only. his head came squarely against that

of a man who was advancing in the same man-

nor!

 

CHAPER XXVII.
cacao 11' nor CAUGHT. ' '

Coxrmt'rl though the surprise to ht be it
did not take Pony Taylor cfl his gun . »

Throwing his weight entirer on his‘ knees,
with a movement like a flash he thrust out his
left hand and caught the throat of the intruder,
while with his right he threw forward his pistol,
just in time to have the fingers of the other man
close upon his wrist.

“ Btidd , Pony, stiddyl It’s on’y ins—yer
blamed o e rickety, racket , Ragged Rafe. I
thort it war time ter hsv a , it ov chin-chin, an’
so war jest makin’ a all.”

“ And a mighty close call it was, for you, old
man! I think if I had not recognised the feel of

I would have had the tape! .

those gndgy fin rs
your on of! this time. In the name of
common sense, w t didnyou mean coming for
the camp after this style

“Common sense an’ yer Uncle Bedrock ain’t‘

got much ter do w ith each other,” wu the'

reply, still in a guarded whisper. “1!! they
had he’d be snoozin’ in cantige’stead ov maskin’
his life a-crawlin’ ’ronnd :- camp 0v Pony

Tqylor.”

‘ All right 5 take our time to it,” said Ta ior,
resignedly. ‘ You vs to beat around the
1;: so longbefore you will in to talk business.

t away! When you get own to the kernel

I’ll be listenin . _ Meantime, cu couldn’t keepa
watch out wh I do some that mooning you
speak of! If you don’t want it I do.” I

" Don’t snorel' chuckled Bed

      

as

reck,asPony7

 

 

       

  

a
f .

 

 

 

“.1 wax».
«,1.

Uncle Bedrock’s Big B

r ‘v- - .
j h.

1111

: l . .. I H I i‘

06. ‘“ ’,

 

' But, I ain’t got space ter tarry. I didn’t reckon
you d be tooken off guard, but I bed a word ov
warnin’ fur yer perivate ear. You mind w’ot I
:tole er, back at ther Bar, ’bout Ready Rank?”

“ seldom forget.”

“ I on’y bed a glimmerin’ idear ov ther tacks:
’but senoe then thar’s clearder light on ther
.subjeck. Things is workin’ all right fur me;
but the ain’t jest so sirens fur Pony Taylor, on-

" .less be news how ther land lays.”

" What has that to do with Ready Rank?”

“ Heap sight, ez you’ll be willin’ ter admit
when I tell yer be are camped ri ht down on
7 or trail now, an’ warn’t for o n it at ther

ar.”

The confident Way in which the old man spoke
.had its effect. Pony was thoughtful fora. mo-
ment—the more so because Bedrock was pre—
ternaturally quiet, allowing time, as he said to
himself, for his information to soak in.

When he spoke it was slewly, and as though
trying to weigh the intelligence he had heard as
he went alon .

“ Thanks, 0 (1 man. It was worth some risks
on my part to know that much, and here you
have been taking them off my shoulders. Needn't
tell you, after what you know of the trouble
once between us, that he has no love for me.
He would mean murder, pure and simple, if he
once got the chance.” '

“ Aggersvative murder, ef w’ot he set kin be
b’iieved. You kin flgger it up w’ether it’s best
ter keep outen his way, or ter hev it out with
him on {sight He hez six ter back him, not
countin’ a jim-dsudy ov a leetle pard, er yer
‘umble servant. I reckon they count on seein’
'whar ye’r’ goln’ afore they show the’r hands;
but when I tole ’em you war startin’ out on this
trail it jest tickled ’em all over.”

“ Only six, you say?”

Though Primrose had just confessed to having
put the pursuers on the track, Taylor paid no
attention to the fact. He was thinking of the
odds against him.

“ Six asides me an’ ther leetle rd ez are
second in command. Concernin’ rock thar
.ain’t no need ter say a word. He’sa holy ler-
ror, frum headwaters: but about thet leetle side—
pard it ain’tso easy ter post yer. Hez a e e like
«a hawk, an’ nerve by ther bucket' but ain’t
sure he ain’t ot er lwtle game ov his own.”

“No mists e about Rank. I suppose. If my
memory don’t fail me'you have almost as much
to fear from him as I. You stood him oi! while
I got ready for work, and the rustler seldom
for ets, if all I have heard is true.”

" ary mistake. He fooled me for shit: but
I’m countin’ on it that I fool him all ther time.
One tramp are on much ov a mnchness with
ernother, an’ w on illy rung me in with ther
.head center ov ther gang, I set done ther han'-
sum, tell he thort 1 war his t frien’ s’long es
1 could depend on coin for wages."

“ Well, as far as anything goes which I can
see to the contrary, (you may be. You have at
him on the trail, an I do not know what on of
his you ma not be trying tofurther by your
visit here. don’t trust you any too much, for

, what you have told me cannot harm him much,
nor do me any good I have really an idea it
would be‘good policy to take you into camp and
keep on there.

“ hat’s ther way it looks; that’s ther wa it
looks! But Uncle Bedrock are wu’kin’ fur is-
self fu’st, Iass’ an‘ all ther time. When I struck
ther Bar, an’ got in with Johnny Harper, Doc
,Rice, Billy Barton, an’ that gang, I tho’rt it war
goiu’ ter be fun amazin’, an nothin’ more. But
when me eyes war once opened 1 see it war‘ pure
llizzness, an’ nothin’ else. Say! you reconlem-
ber ther ’On’nable Lewis Stafford?”

“ Certainly.”

“ An’ are his word good fur a cold hundred
thousand?”

“I would take it for that and not offer my

chances cheap.”

, “ That it are, then. That’s w’ot’s ther matter.
‘I’m keepin’ an eye on Bank sauce I found him
\an’ w’en I git ther cinch on I’ reckon I’ll corral
thet leetle amount, an’ retire from ther life ov a
vagahond. It hes its al’uremints, sich ez kin be
found nowhar else; but I hev a fambl ter can-
sider and of this thing pans out well m oil for
Noe awk, ter set up fur a millyunaire.”

“Perhaps I believs you, old man and if I can
«do anything to be] you it will be done. But if
you have any part oular use for the king- in of
the rustlers, keep him out of the way. hen
we meet one of us will have to drop, and I will
try my best to see that the man who falls will
not be Pony Ta lor.”

“ That’s w’ot war thinkiu’, an’ I jest dro

‘in ter ax yer tor let him down easy, like, e it
war in ther ke ards. Ef I ain’t done ther trick
sfore, be men he williu’,ter make a lass’ dyin’
confeshun, yer know.”

“ Where are they now!”

The sudden question did not disconcert the old
ohadower. .

“ Lookin’ fur me, I reckon. I crawled down
inter ther kenyon, ter look fur sign, an’ of they’ll
b’lieve me, I must ’a’ lou’ ms way. 'Ef lgit

1 hack afore mornin', it’ll do good ernuf. Don’t
be shared w’en I tell
You jest o strai lit a sad an’ s ow ther ole
man whar rflne hlddm honenur. Thar

l

or ye ca ’t drop ’em. ,

 

won’t beno fou’t tell after that, an’ ther sooner
it comes ofl, ther better.”

“ And snpponing something happens to throw
Miss Lyons—the young lad with us—into their
hands, what is to become 0 her?”

“ Act’ooally speakin’ I dunno. Ef Ready
Rank are up to his rep him, it won’t be on-
ple'isant. But then, agin, it looks to me es of
Billy Barton’d take keer 0v her. He ain’t much
more ner a boy, an’ hez touches ov softness
’round ther heart when yer counts in a female

man; but he kin hev a heap ter say for
imself; an’ w’en lip won’t do, he are Jest ez
handy with a weepin. Oh, I guess she’ll git out
allnright, howsomedever things may turn for
us,

More was said thou h on much the same
lines; for Bedrock coul be charmingly indefi-
nite when he desired, and it was plain he did
not care to do more than put Taylor on his
guard.

The sport knew that it might be an advan-
tage to have a friend in the camp of the enemy,
and that there was no use totrytointerfere
with the peculiar methods of the tramp.

In the end the latter crept away as silently as
he had come, leaving abundant food for reflec-
tion behind him.

One caution Taylor had given him: that it
would be best for him not totry to invade the
camp again in the same manner. Friend or foo
won d be apt to meet with the same reception,
and that at the muzzle of a revolver.

“ Just as big a fool as ever; and just as liable
to come out on the top of the heap,” thought
Taylor, as he watched, and listened in vain to
catch the sound of retreatin footsteps.

“He would not say anyt ing definite tosave
his life; and if one could believe his words, he
would as soon as not lead the rustler to the
attack, if any leading was necessary. If he had
explained how Ready Rank came to be on hand
on the trail I would have forgiven him the
rest. The old fraud never would crawl twenty
miles through the dangers of the darkness, and
if not, then the gang is nearer than he was
willing to admit. I wonder if it would notbe
better to locate them now, than to wait for
them to locate us. Where would they be apt to
camp?”

If Uncle Bedrock could be believed, and if his
hint had not been misunderstood, the man he
had called Ready Rank was on the trail,.or so
near it, that when morning came all he had to
do was to follow the la of the lapd, and the one
practicable path woul bring him right along in
the wake of the fugitives.

For in 'tives they were, at the present, even
though a lor, since he knew the force a inst
him, woul not have hesitated to stay‘an fight
it out with the rustler captain, had it not been
the thought of the danger to those .whom he had
undertaken to guide.

“ If only Lyons was better able to take care
of her,” waahis thought.

“I wouldn’t care where they were camped,
or what way they chose to come at me; but it
won’t do to take too many risks. If I sent them
on ahead, and laid back to fight it out with the
gang, tide chances are I would 303w out all
rig t; ut sup in somethin i be u—
where would liberaxsei'g g ppe

While he hesitated the minutes were slipping
away, and there was no doubt but that Bedrock
was going with them. He looked back over his
shoulder as though it was possible to see his
companions; and then ahead, where the trail lay
as dark. v ,

“ There is one spot where they might have
tied upfor the night. I thought some of stop-
ping there myself. It means a good five miles
there and as many back, and perhaps nothing to
be made by it when I get there, but I believe I
will try it. Lvons will hardly miss me, and
any danger to them will have to pass me on the
road. I must know if Rank is really in this
miss, and who he has behind him, if it is in the
w to find out.”

For a while his progress was slow.

He had to guard against overrunning Prim-
rose, and the way at best was none too safe for
one walking in t e darkness unless he kept close
to the rocks noon the left. It would not 1' uire
much of a mistake in the bearing to go cras ing
down into the canyon.

After a while, however, the way grew plainer.
The late-risen moon shed its llg t more and
more open the trail and Taylor was able to ad-
vance with something of freedom in his step.
The distance dropped awa behind him and be-
fore the second hour was sit up he knew he
was in the ne bborbood of the spot for which
he had been a ming. ' 1

After that lie became cautious once more, and
advanced foot by foot. He felt sure he couldlap-
prosch‘the camp without discovery; and so far
as the men were concerned he might have suc-
ceeded' but, as he groped his way along he was
startled by the sudden snort of a horse, which
had been lying almost in his path, but which
now sprung to its feet without much attention
(til: the hopple by which it was kept from wan-

At choc he heard from the darkue- be and a
voice,.which he recognized as‘ that of Iieady
Rank himself:

 

“ Stir a foot and I’ll drill youl
speak quick. Who are you?"

“ lt’s on’y Sandy, jest riddy ter drop. Ef yer
waitsa minnit you won’t hev ter pull trigger.
I’m clean did up, but I’ve got big news. Let up
on it, yer royal highness, tell I kin give yer ther
p’ints. Then, of yer say so I kin die hspfg’

The voice that answered was that o ncle
Bedrock. He rose from the ground not a dozen
yards away from Taylor; and the latter as
silently as he could sunk to the earth.

“ Step out, then, with your hands well up,
till I see you are coming along. I thought
your confounded neck was broken, or you had
given us the slip and gone back to more com-
lortahle quarters.”

“Notter bit ov it. When the bolt slipped I
went over inter ther drink, but, Sandy Soakers
ain’t the man ter be killed that way. 1 wag-
goned along down- stream tell I thort I’d never
git out tell I come ter Chiny, but I got here all
ther same, an’ bring news by ther cord. We
got ’em on ther hip. They’re camped mebbe
five mile on, with you on one eeud, rocks on one
side, ther kenyon on ’nother, an’ a lan’slide that
shets up ther trail on ther for other eend. They
cain’t git out.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A MYsmIous prearruaascn

SOMETHING very like a thrill ran through
Pony Taylor’s frame as he heard the assertion
of the man of rags, albeit he was an individual
not enerally giVen to thrills.

as it possible Uncle Bedrock was comet as
to the stoppage of the trail beyond the spot
where they had camped for the night? If so,
they were cagediudeed—and he knew that Rag-
ged Rufe, whatever his folly at odd times, gen—
erall ke by card when it came to matters of
fact ike thiS.

Did Bedrock know of his presence therel and
had he uttered these words as is warning? and
why had he not given it before? Or, was he
playing a double game, and actually willing to
sell out the little rtv, if n'scessar to do so, to
accomplish his so sl He listenedto ear further,
though his first thought was to go back to warn
Mr. Lyons.

" Good enough, old man, if the news you brin
will do to swear by. You’re sure you ain’t 0
on that slide! because, if you’re not it’s worth
an extra hundred. For a man of your looks
you seem to be about the most valuable tramp
that ever were out shoeeleather.”

Bank had dropped the. muzzle of his pistol,
and Bedrock came swaggerlng up.

“ Oh, I knowed we ad ’em, jest ez soon ez
they turned inter ther fiume hyer' but I warn'
a-runnin’ things, an’ laid low tell war sure me
eyes warn’t deceivin’ ov me. Ef they had one
on a mile furderthey’d a found it out theirse ves;
but they’ll know it in ther mornin’, onless ye
makes u yer mind ter gather ’em in ter-night.”

“Oh, I’m not in a ho to gather them in,
till they get to the end 0 their journey. We
have them headed off from the spot I was afraid
they were striking for, and sooner than stop the
fun I would haul off and give them achance to
back out of the trap. It goes against the grain
to wait; but there may be ooin in it.”

“But, bless yer soul! Yer don’t say that
arter all this hyler trouble you ain’t goin’ ter
scoo ’em in?” g

“ ot just now, Sandy; not just now, unless I
change my mind.
with Pun Taylor, and I’ll get it done in good
time, :if I, havo to hire a gang of Apaches to
burn him at the stake; but first, he can do a
bit of work for his adoring friends. Without

Hands up, and

 

him the old man wouldn’t know which way to ,

turn, and the girl would be a grandmother be-
fore Paul Prindle’s mine would do her any
if

“I kin see ther game; but Pon ain’t ther
man ter take many reesks with, of ’m ter jedge
from ther way he handled hisself back at ther
Blf‘. I’ve heered 'sider’hle ’bont a map. Ef
you jest kin kerrel that, maybe ole Sandy could
lead or to ther rocks ez wel ez Pony Taylor.”

“ don’t know that I have asked for your ad-
vice; but if you want to sling it my way I might
as well listen to it. You think, then?"

“Book it to’em w’ile yer hez ther chaince.
Et yer grits ther sport ther ole man ’11 be willin’
ter trade all he knows, an’ of you can’t see
through his millstone let Sandi hevasquint.
Betcher sweet life he’ll find ther ole yer kin see
through tar w‘ot‘s on t’other side.” ,

“ You think! I guess we will have to hear
what Billy has to say on the subject. R’s not
often he tries to give a lead, but when he does
his mouth drops words of wisdom.”

“ lt’s Ready Rank sure enough,” thought
Taylor, as ho listen ' “ but he has 0
someiin the last year. He’s not half as reek]
though he may he gust as wicked. If Icon
only. get a glim .e 0 this Billy Barton I would
be the better ah e to size up the outfit. The rest
of the flock can’t have much force when left to
themselves."

But there was no chance to see what the little
pard looked like.

There was a dim outline of several fi vis-
ible, as they stood together conversing, at even

the ponderous frame of old Bedrock-might. have

I
i

 

I have a settlement to make '

hanged

mufimfiflffiua-qunm... .

 

 

 

 

 

 

(H

I

,, he spoke it aloud. When he looked 010.“. 9
found they had utterly disappeared.

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.

.._ _.,-~.-.____._   

23

 

 

belonged to any other man, so far as any distin-
guishing features could be made out.

Barton was there, too; but was slow to speak.

When he did it was in a low whisper which
showed how cautious the man could be when the
occasion warranted.

“I haven’t been taking much stock in this
thing, and you ought to kn0w it; but if there is
anything in the map, Sandy is not far wrong.
Take them while on have them. It may save
two or three lives 1!) the end, and the less corpses
there are lying around when we go off the trail
the better.”

“All right, my son. We have till daylight to
think the matter over. It won’t do to try to
stampede the camp in the dark, for if I know the
man—and I ought to—that’s what he is waiting
for; and mi hty anxious for us to try to make
the mills. I we do, map or no map, gold or no
gold, just remember, Pony Taylor is my meat.
I have been waiting for ayear to have him come
my way, and I’d lose every ounce Paul Prindle
ever found sooner than have him get away now.”

“ If you can get him, take him; but I wouldn’t
have been wasting all this time. A shot in the
back would have dropped him, and the thing
would have been done. If you hang too long on
your aim you may miss altogether.”

“ I want to use him first; but for all the
coin I could carr OI would not let him off
that easy. Curse iml When he does pass up
the range I’ll see that the sharp stones cut his
bare feet at every step, and that he drinks
sorrow With every foot of the ground'he goes
over.”

” Have it to suit yourself. Whena man feels
that way I have generally noticed he can’t do
himself justice, and if he has no friends to look
after him he most often comes out at the little
end of the horn. I’ll do the best I can to see
you don’t drop the Paul Prindle legac into the
.grave along with Pony Taylor, but would a
good deal rather you had less feeling in the mat-
ter. It makes it dangerous for all of us.

“And if I were you. I wouldn’t raise my voice

quite so high. There is notelling who may be
within long range, and if Taylor is the man you
say he is, he may be nearer than we think.”
“ No danger of that. He might be willing to
pump lead our way if he coul hear the little
game as it is bei set op; but Sele would have
nosed, him out be ore this, if he was on hand.
'For horse sense equal to about four men, Sele
takes the bun.”

Rank had recovered his 000an, which had
been momentarily lost when thinking of the
hate he bore to the unseen listener. He spoke
with a laugh, even, and looked over at the horse
which had already put him once on guard not
knowing that Bedrock had appropriated to him-
?elf the warning given of the presence of Tay-
. or.

There seemed to be nothing more to learn,
and Pony saw it was about time to think of
making is retreat. Selim might takea notion
to show his intelligence at any moment; and
when the men began to talk about interlopers

 

they might end by hunting for them.

Carefully he began to back away from the
spot.

His progress was slow; but it was sure. No
rolling stone made the slightest noise under his
feet, and before many moments he thought it
safe to assume an u right position and hasten
back to his camp. hether it would be well to .
warn Mr. Lyons of the state of affairs he had
not as yet decided.

Now that there was no need to fear overrun-
ning Bedrock, or tumbling into the camp of the
enemy, it was easier to go at I I'led P800. and
Taylor was not more than half as long return-
ing to his campas he had been getting away
from it. He advanced cautiously, for be ex-
pected that Mr. Lyons was still asleep, and did ;
not care to waken him or Edna. It still lacked _‘
an hour or so of daybreak.

No one challenged him as he stole around i
the Opening 0f the pocket, and the place some-
how seem to have a deserted feeling. which he
noted the moment he reached it.

“Something Queer about this,” he muttered,
.as he moved over toward the spot where Lyons
and Edna had thrown themselves down on their
blankets.

“ I casi’t :12: hear tbedsoupd of their breath-
'in —an a i man,an asee ingman isa t
togsound his bugle. ybeflm he Know it 'or no’i.
What has happened?

There was no answer “0 thequation thou h

CHAPTER XXIX.
PONY TAYLOR TAKES TH! CHUTI.

IN the two or three hours 17111011 had ela
since Taylor followed Uncle it from the
camp there was time for a goal dfml ‘50 IFilm”).

Taylor had felt perfectly safe In 1%“98 the
spot unguarded, since he would be "Ivehng to-
ward the only foes that, so far a! he knew 03'
believed, could be in the neighborhOOdv

The pursuing party from the Bar “’95 {01’0"
ing; and'it was not likely that any Town“ “my
would he traveling at that time of night. to
come in (rem the other side. k

He looked around carefully, but the poc 8t

 

‘. wastoodark to see anything clearly, and he

knew there was no risk in starting a little flame.
At least he thought he did, though he was not
certain of anything just then.
The two were gone, and so were their blankets
and other belongings thatjwere portable; but the

horses were where he had left them; only they

were loosened, so as to be free to wander away
if the took a notion.

“ hat in the name of heaven is the meaning
of it all?” was the uestion he asked himself
when he became satis ed there were no traces of
how and whither they went.

“There has been nothing of a fight, nothing of
an alarm, but they appear to have just naturally
fiown away. They certainly did not follow me;
and if they have no on in the darkness they
must have tested t e truth of Bedrock’s story by
this time. I don’t think the man would deliber-
ately give me the cold shake, but if he has done
it I want to know as soon as possible. There
seems to have been only one way they could
have gone, and I may as well follow.”

There was no delay after once making up his
mind. He gathered up the three horses, mount-
ing his own, and leading the other two, and set
out.

In perhaps a little less than half an hour he be-
gan to look around for traces of the landslide—
and found them right in his front. Bedrock had
described the situation exactly. Further ad-
vance along the trail he had expected to follow
was entirely barred.

“ They didn’t go further and they didn’t go
up—what’s the matter with their havin gone
dawn? Pity I didn’t think of it before fooled
away all this time. Something frightened them
of! and they stumbled down the side of the
canyon as they saw me do. Gracious heavens!
They may both be lyin there dead.”

The descent to the of the Sunken River was
no trifle to accomplish in the darkness, and
Taylor had made it at what he thought was the
one practicable'place—even if Bedrock had found
another.

He wasted no time in experiments, but hurried
back to the site of the camp. There was no
telling when he would return, if ever, and acting
as Lyons had done he turned the horses adrift
again, and cautiously began the descent.

He reached the bottom without mishap, and
then slowly followed the course of the stream,
having first satisfied himself there were no dead
bodies lying around loose at the foot of the
canyon wall.

His progress was tedioust slow, and at many
risks, and with some rubs.

Now and then he stumbled over a rock which
lay in his way; several times his feet slipped or
sunk, and he had hard work to save himself
from falling headlong into the narrow stream.
As he went along be from time to time called
cautiously the name of Mr. Lyons.

Although it looked like deliberate desertion
he knew what strange panics will sometimes
happen. It might be that father and daughter
would hail his coming gladly.

“ No use to go another foot till daybreak,”
he said at length, after he had wandered on for
what seemed to him to be a terrible time.

“ If they skedaddled on their own account
they never got further than thiszand if they
were carried off I want to go a little slow.
From the looks of what I can see of the sky
aboveit must be the dark hour before dawn,
and i may as well tie up till I can see what I
am doing. From the sound of the water I take
it there must bea drop somewhere about here,
and the way on this side is getting mighty
rough. Perhaps I had better try the other.”

The stream was no great depth or width, and
though he had managed to keep on the narrow
beach all the_ way along he had no fear of the
channel. Without another thought he turned
to the left, raised his foot cautiously and held it
for a moment over nothingness.

Then, his foot slipped; he gave a short, grufi’
exclamation—and was swallowed up by the
opening in front of him.

There was a short struggle, ended almost as
soon as it was begun, as his fingers slipped away
from the rocks he tried to grasp in passing, and
then he dropped down ward.

The water ran on as before, with a low,

. gurgling splash, and saw for that for a moment

all was silence in the canyon.

Then a coarse voice, with something of a
shiver in it, muttered:

“ Blamed ef ther gerloot ain’t took the shutel
Say nothin’ ’bout it, but we needn’t be a-worry-
in’ over him.”

Nevertheless, two men crept out of the darker
darkness, where they had been concealed, and
peered anxiously downward.

Knowing what it was they were looking for
they had little difiiculty in making out the
yowing hole, into which tumbled the water of
the Sunken River.

“I tell yer, Bitters, ther cha knowed ther
1.! 0v the land oncte on a time, iut he ain’t bin
’1!" sence the airthquake, thet’s sure, or he
Wouldn’t be a-frolicin’ down, to’rrads Chiny, er
that other plumay
a It’sdjust 'what I always said, Dave,” replied
“32:0” ‘70' . not as rough as the first, but

1°" of regret in its tone.

“Only go slow on your shooting, and if his
time has come to go out of the dew it will be
provided for. This saves us, and him, and
them, all around. Larry ought to know it.”

“ Larry’ll find it out soon ernough. He
hedn’t ary use fur him; an’ it won’t hurt him
ter be keepin’ his eye open a leetle longer. We
war ter stay hyer tell daylight; an’ blame me cf
1 ain’t goin’ for stay.”

“Always provided the gentleman known as
Ready Ran don’t bring up his forces. I
don’t want to see him too close; and I guess
Larry don’t want to put eyes on him at all. He
talks a little about a settlement, and all that,
but if he had twice as many men at his back
he would have no business with Bank when the
old ri’i'stler got really down to work on the war-

th.
pa“Oh, bosh, Bitters! He’s a good man ter be
sure; but he ain’t got his ole pards behind him.
Billy Barton are a good leetle man, fur be
downed Larry t’other night afore be begun ter
move, but it warn’t fur keeps, an’ ther rest don’t
count much, ez we hev fig ered ’em out. Sich
men ez Tom Twofeet an Bandy Bruce are
tough nuts, but ’rouud hyer they ain’t jest at
home.

“ Ef thar’s coin ter be made they are mighty
willin’ ter git a sheer in it of they hev ter fight
for it, but it takes a leetle su’thin’ more ner
that, an’ you an’ me, Bitters, would be able fur
ther raft ov ’em, leavin’ out ther bosses An ’ef
you cut yerself clean loose, I wouldn’t like ter
gamble on Bank, hisself. Eh ard?"

“Dry up on the tafl'y. e knew what the
chances were when we came out, and we’ll have
to stand them. We have the inside track just
yowhand we got to keep it. That’s all there is
n it.

If Pony Taylor could have heard the mnver—
sation he would not have had any trouble to un-
derstand the situation. It is hardly worth while
to waste time in explaining that Red Larry was
not as dead as he had seemed when he dropped
away from the fingers of Billy Barton at the
Flume, and that he was on the trail with a
second gang; or that Mr. Lyons and his daugh-
ter had dropped, so to speak, from the frying-
pan into the fire.

The capture was so simple that it was really
child’s play. When the two were awakened the
man who should have been on ard was away
on a scout, and there was no c ance for resist-
ance, and ver little for expostnlation. They
were hurried own into the canyon proper, and
then led away in the darkness, after a few
threats, the vagueness of which made them
doubly awful.

It had been a narrow escape for Taylor him-
self, since at the Very time he was talking with
Bedrock, Red Larry was scarcely a stone’s throw
distant, and listening eagerly. He had his hand
on his revolver once when he thought his pres-
ence had been suspected, and only for the re-
straining hand of Bitters, which had dropped
upon his wrist, he might have fired.

The coming of Primrose had covered their ad-
vent, and when Taylor followed on after the
man of rags, they had the coast clearto get in
their work.

Bitters and Dandy Dave were left behind, to
gather What iniornmtion they wuld, and if pos-
sible watch the movements of the sport on his
return. There was not much danger to be ap-
prehended from one man, but it was just as well
to know what he was about.

That part of the arrangement was quietly
made, for it was not the plan of Red Larry to
allow his priconers to know that there was any
likelihood of Taylor attempting to aid them.

On tie contrary, he gave them to understand
that he had been disposed of before their cap—
ture, and that there “as nothing left for them
but to submit to his guidance and tender mer-
cies, which he gave them to understand would
be a good deal more to their liking than if they
had fallen into the hands of Ready Bank.

The flight along the canyon was not a rapid
one while they followed the course of the
stream; but shortly after passing the spot where
Pony Taylor came to grief there was again a
practicable route to the trail above, and here
the dried-up bed of the Sunken River was left.

Red Larry was as well aware as any one of
the condition of the arm which Mr. Lyons car-
ried in a sling, and he handled the risoners as
gently as though they were to e of ‘spun
g ass.

A single man stood waiting for the party when
they reached the trail. .

While he could guess who it was coming he
left nothing to chance. As they came strag-
gling up the bank be greeted them with a sha
lenge which was quickly answered; yet he only
dropped the monies of his revolvers when Larry
8980096] into view.

“ It’s all right, pard. This time we got ther
dead medicine on racket, and when these little
‘birds have sung their tune there will be nothing
more to hear. It’s been a long wait; but if
there is any coin in it you bet it’s going to come
now.” .

“ You have them i”

“ You bet—and just in time. Rank is not far

 

off, and if he is as full of business as he gener-
allyis when he starts on the trail, he would

24:

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.

 

have had them before morning. Then, where
would we have come in at?”

“ You saw him, did you?”

“ Not much. The less I see of him till this
trick is Worked the better I will like it. He only
has half a dozen men behind him; but he counts
for a round dozen himself. I got the points
from one of his men, who was letting his tongue
run about the outfit when he didn’t know who
was listening to him. It has been a tough night
of it on me; and I guess the old man here,
thinks the same for himself: but we have got to
travel on, till we get out of the draft. Bitters
and Dave are on the watch, and when they ick
up a point or two will be ready to follow. ’Iphey
won’t start before daybreak, but that’s not so
far off, and if they don't lose their way they
ought to get-in ’most as soon as we do. Are the
horses all right?”

CHAPTER XXX.
RED LARRY TALKS VERY STRAIGHT.

To Mr. Lyons it all seemed like a troubled
dream, when he tried to think it owr.

He had trusted to Taylor by instinct; and in-
stinct seemed to have deceived him. He felt
sure there Could have been no conflict rev10us
to his capture, for nothing serious could; ave oc-
curred without some noise being made. The
man he thou ht as full of courage as of strength
had become rightened, and deserted his charges
in the darkness, and in an unknown land.

The journey through the darkness, carefully
as he had been handled, was like a nightmare;
and the awakening only the more real because
the more terrible.

They were encamped in the very refuge at
which Taylor had been aiming. Lyons recog-
nized it from the few words their late guide had
let fall and that set him on a new train of
though .

What if he had been betrayed all throu h;
and these men ware only the confederates of ghc
traitor?

There was one satisfaction.

So far, Edna had been treated with the utmost
consideration, and did not appear to be greatly
frightened at the capture, or troubled about the
future.

For her sake he endeavored to keep up his own
spirits, without thinkin that she might be play-
ing the same game; on y, with a woman’s wit
she had begun it first.

They were alone together, and just as surely

risoners as could be, even if they were not fet-

red and there seemed to be nothing but a
single guard, stationed a score or more of paces
away, to hinder a dash for freedom.

From the moment of the capture the two had
maintained comparative silence. They had no
idea of speaking until they understood the mean-
ing of the attack. Nothing could be gained by
an outcry; and something might be lost by too
sitirddenly deciding what to promise, or what to
0 er.

When they had eaten their breakfast, and had
been left alone for a little it was different. The
men appeared to have all they wanted to do
waiting for the coming of the two men left in
the canyon as a rear guard, and watching for
the possible pursuit.

“ And what now?”

Edna was the first to speak serioual of the
situation. Up to this but. few words had passed
between the two.

“I know as little about the situation as you
do. All we can do is to wait. A cripple and a
girl can scarcely ho to hold their own against
a force like this, un ess fate uts some extraor-
dinary advantage into their ands.”

'“ But what is the meaning of it all? These are
not the men we were expecting; and from what
I have overheard they have as much to dread
from the men who were in ursuit of us as we
fancied we had. Who are t eyi”

“ Another gang, but just as unscrupulous, and
perhaps more so. It is as Taylor at first said it
might be. We have started the rush again, af-
ter the lost mines, and the hidden bonanza.
Heaven only knows how many more men of the
same stripe are to come.”

“ The more the merrier. They may be like
the Kilkenny cats. When they have slaughtered
each other our time will come.”

“ If we are not slaughtered with them.”

“ No danger of that, so long as there is jus-
t'ce in Heaven. Why, this very move ma point
out to us the men we are the most anxious to
reach. We may lose the treasure; but we will
hang the men who killed Paul Prindle. That
bein done I am satisfied.”

“ r that half, if only half the victo
can be won; but I am not despairing et. f
only you could have been left behindi orture
could not have drawn a word from me. They
know too much not to have had an eye in this
drection before; and the qur-stions they may
ask will be hard to dodge, but I shall do my
best. And you know nothing. That is your
safest line. am crazy Over a hidden treasure
that I have heard of, and you have come with
me as my guardian. That is the scheme. Hush,
now. One of them is coming, and we will soon
know what they want, and what they think

the get.”
geotfossd hastily, for Red Larry was ap-

 

 

proaching, and Mr. Lyons had made a close
guess at what he had to say, and the questions
he intended to ask.

Red Larry was not a young man. and he had
lived a life of the kind which leaves hard lines
on the face.

His cheeks were a little paler than usual, from
the blood-letting lately received at the hands of
Billy Barton; but he had hard, cruel eyes, which
were as keen as they had ever been, and they
looked through and through Mr. Lyons as he
came nearer.

“ Well, old man, hope you have found every-
thing as comfortable ns you expected i”

The smile of Mr. Lyons was ghastly, as he
looked around him.

“Comfortable? Yes, as much so as one un-
certain whether he is to live or die' can be.
The breakfast was not had, and with our own
blankets to sleep on there is little to be com-
plained of in regard to the other accommoda-
tions. Of course, the pic-nic is delightful.”

“ That’s the way to say it, even if you don’t
think exactly after that fashion. No use to be-
gin by swearing at a man. There may be a
chance to make a good bargain if you wait and
see. Get his everlasting mad up, and he takes
what he wants, and makes no bargain at all.
Sabina?”

“ No sir. I cannot understand. There is no
bargain to be made, as far as I know. My part-
ner and I had but ascanty stock of supplies,
and as yet we have not reached the regions
where we expected to prospect. You have al-
ready taken everything of value which we had,
and the only thing we can ask, or expect, is for
you to turn us adrift. It would be too much to

elieve you will return us to the camp from which
we were dragged, but rhaps we can find our
way to it. If not, our orses are lost to us, and
we must travel on the best way we can.”

“ Oh, simmer on all that rigmarole, and come
right down to business. Don’t you suppose I
had an eye on you back at the Bar, and just as
keen a one as ever Ready Bank had in his
head?”

“ I do not understand what you mean; and of
any such person as Ready Rank I never heard.

at has he to do with the present situation i”

“Docmr Rice will do as well, if you never
heard the other name. He didn’t think I had
caught on to him; but I don’t let an old side
pard fool me, if he does tog himself out in a big
wig, and long whiskers? He was onto you from
the day you came into camp; and so was I.”

“Again, I must say, i do not understand

ou.’

“ Rub up that memory of yours old man. A
good many years ago nk andI were on the
track of a neat little cache, but somehow we
missed it, though it wasn’t because we didn’t
look hard enough for it. I didn’t see he was try-
ing to throw off on me; but since then he has
played dirt on me, and I can understand it all
ri ht now. That little pard of his pretty near
di for me the other night, and I guess it was
Rank set him up to it. You can gamble on it I
have no use for either of them in mine, and since
I got hold of you I wouldn’t wonder if I took the
trick after al the waiting.”

“ I tell you, I know nothing about any cache,
and have no idea of finding one. If you have
been waiting so many years perhaps some one
else has been more fortunate. Go to your old
comrade in crime if you want information. I
do not understand you, and there is no intelli-
gence to be got out of me.”

“Just where you are away 03. You didn’t
come down here without knowing what you were
about. You had the items, and that man, Tay-
lor, was to do the work. I may as well let you
know he has gone through the shots. and any
bargain you made with him is ofl’. That being
the case I make you a fair and square offer.
Give me your points and I’ll do the work better
than he would have ever done.”

Lyons shook his head obstinately, but said
nothing. Having once begun the game of igno-
rance he was going to carry it through.

“ Won’t work. I am going mighty slow with
you now, because I think there is still a chance
two!) to listen to reason. When I change the
d it will be with a vengeance.”

“ I tell you, it is all a mistake."

“All a mistake that Paul Prindle made a
strike, sent for his wife to 'oin him, hid his gold
while he went to meet her, ropped out someway
on the road and never was heard of again; that
his wife came on, and couldn’t find hair nor hoof
of him, and started back East. to he lost on the
steamer! Oh, I tell you, We keep notes of all the
points when we see a chance for coin in the dis-
tance.”

“ But what is Paul Prindle to me!” asked
Lyons, desperately.

He saw that th s man was thoroughly posted,
and was going to be hard to throw off the track.

“ Nothing much, but that wife of his was your
sister, if I have picked up the rights of the story.
Now, then, last time of asking. You had a map
that showed a has more than you have been
willing to an . and it over and we hunt in
the bonanza or you, and give no a square hal .
After that, if you want to get ck on Rank for
good and even, it won’tbe hard to at some of the
boys to help you over the riflie. aints couldn’t

I

 

offer fairer, for there’s no reason why we should-
n’t corral the whole boodle.”

“Man alive! Can’t you see that if you were
right I would 'ump at the chance? What better
could I do? by, if you leave us to go our way
the chances are we will starve. if I only could
make a fortune that easy you can’t think how
quickly I would do it.”

“ That’s going to be your game is it?”

Larry spoke with a slow, steady determina—
tion, which left no doubt of his earnestness.

“Now, I will give it to you straight. There
never was a life or two that could stand between
me and ten thousand dollars. to say nothing of
the amount there is in this. I don’t want to kill
you, because there is money in you; but you’ll
wish you were dead long before I get to the end
of this thing, if you try to hold out.

" For the present you have a little time to
think it over. We can’t move out of here till we
see what sort of a move Rank is going to make.
He is a good man, and so is his little pard; tut
the fellows training with him don’t amount to
much. I don’t say I would sooner have a square
fight with the old king-pin of the rustlers; but if
it comes, we can give a goud account of our-
selves—besides saving you and the little party,
there, a heap of danger. Rank is a bad man to
fool with.

“ But when we get things squared with him,
one way or another, we get down to business
with you. You’ll talk than, or we’ll scrape your
very bones to see if the secret is not written
there. You understand? Idon’t count on kill-
ing you, but we’ll grind till the secret comes out,
if there is nothing left but a little suffering life.
The body will be nothing much to speak of."

“ I understand,” replied Lyons, soberly; “ but
all the same. I know nothing about what you are
speaking of.” _

“ So-long, then, for the present, and if on un-
derstand what is good for your soul‘s sa vation,
you will try and find out."

CHAPTER XXXI.
BITTERS cars This DROP.

SELD! stood watch without alarm for the rest
of the night, and secure in the guardianship of
his steed, Ready Rank threw himself down and
slept a sleep that was as sound as the sleep of the
righteous. '

When morning came, however, he was up be—
times.

The exertions of the previous night had given
Bedrock an extra capacity for sleep. The sun
shone on his eyes but he never blinked. When
the rustler stirred him with his foot he thrust his
hand mechanically toward his belt, and then
snored on.

“The infernal brute!” said Rank, turning to
Billy Barton, with disgust written all over his

face.

“ All the luggage he thought of bringing along
was his arms, and two jugs of benzine, slung
over his saddle. And the worst of it is, there is
not another man in the outfit can drink the
liquid fire and hrimstone. I am going on your
say-so a good deal, my son, and it has seemed,
once or twice, that he was a useful sort of a
brute to hava around; but he is the worst I ever
traveled with. I expect we will have to cut his
throat before we are done with him. I may be
wrong, but it strikes me he is beginning to put
on aim.”

“ He saved my life when Larry’s gang had the
chance of the season for an interesting necktie
party. And every time he has had the chance
he has shown he had ood metal in his get-up.
Drunk or sober he is t e best man you have in
the outfit.”

“Too blame good, perhaps. We‘ll see, later
on. I am not trusting him further than I can
see. There is something too infernally familiar
in his looks. He may not have recognized the
doctor: but when he dropped his eyes on me, I
could see he recognized me fr0m the ground
11

“ Not more than a thousand other men would
do: and be all the better pards for the doing of
' 3

1‘.

" Pards, blaml A thing like he is will do for
a tool; but when he gets t rough with his job,
the best thing he can do is to go to the happy
land of Canaan. I won’t need him here.”

By a sort of mutual consent, the two had
drawn aside, and were walkin away, convers-
ing in a low tone. If Uncle rock was asleep,
their words would hardly waken him, since,
waking, Bank did not believe they could be
heard.

A grim smile crept up to the inside of theiips
of the tramp—and stopped there.

He was not the sort of man to make much
outward sh0w, even if he was sure no one was
watchin him; but he felt a great deal.

“ He roufiht us the news last night, straight
enough,” con nued Billy.

“ Strikes me, if you don’t want to trust him,
it would have been as well to have left him out
of the outfit altogether. He may kick if he
finds he is not in on the gr0und-floor with the
rest: and if I am not mistaken he has the caps.-
city for doing that same 9 cal to a thousand
mules, and sixteen droves of exas steers.”

“ Good enough. That is what I want him to,
do. Then I will be sure of my ground, and

 

  

 

 

-~ «Luis Jelxagufz . 5.".- « 1-“ - "

 

- a

 

 

.n

‘ ton’s thought. a! he vanished

 

 

take him on the wing. I know there is no useto

ump him as to his antecedents, and even Ready
Bank is hardly the kind to shoot a fellow in the
back on bare suspicion.

“ But let that go. There is no doubt they are
in the pocket, and the land-slide shuts them in
unless they have taken to the canyon. To do
that they have got to abandon their horses, and
with a woman in the lay-out, I suspect they
would sonner take the back track."

“ Then, you want to find out what they are
(loin ?

“ xactly. And I suppose there is not a man
in the gang here. but you—or myself—«I can
trust to do the work.”

“ All right, I’ll do it—if you won’t trust
Sandy. You Want to stay here, I suppose. and
see they don’t make good their retreat? ’

“That is the size of it. There is not much
time to be wasted. When they get to the slide,
they will stop an hour to prospect and make up
their minds. Then they will begin to act: and
when Pon Taylor moves it is sometimes like a
streak of ight. If he was alone in this thing, I
wouldn’t expectto head hiui ofi"; but a cripple
and a woman for the rest of the outfit will be a
~dra , work it as he wants to.”

“ f I find them, you don’t want any of this
sort of thing!"

Billy drew his revolver, balanced it in his
hand, and looked loving}?!v along the barrel as he
sighted at the head of gged Rafe, which was
vismle in the distance.

“ Hold on! No! if I thought you would try
anything of the kind, I’d—I’d drop you myself.
I have figured the thing out, and the answer
proves every time. The coin first; and these
two will lead us right to it. After that, Ta lor
belongs to me, and I’ll settle with him.
is a score to settle a year long; and when I’m
done he’ll be ground to powder.

“ Rave it your own way,” carele-ly answered
Barton, returning his istol.

" You seem to ave t in for him solid. and all
I have to say is I pi? him as he goes through
the mill. I never' alt that way toward man-
kind but once, and I remember what it was like.
Sail in and prosper. You run the applf-cart,
and Pm just taggingtafter toget what frui drops
out behind.”

Bedrock yawned and rolled over as they came
back to the camp. Tommy Twofeet and his
pard, Bandy Bruce, had been on guard the latter
part of the night, and looked enviously at the
man of as he leisurely arose.

“ Well, , w’ot’s ther racket fur ther day!”

“ Lay low, and keep dark," was the terse re-
joinder of the rustler.

“ W hen there is anything to do you will get
your orders. If I find you monkeying around
without them there will be cold meat. Get
igumlf together if you are done snoozing, and

ready for what comes your way.”

“ Ye’r’ shoutln’, now. Shows I wa’n’t for at
when! thunk it war time to git a move on.
Sandy are, ready now, an’ all ther time. all he
needs are a boss ter pull ther strings an’ be kin
jump With ther jumpists.”

There was no evidence of oflense at the harsh
answer which had rested him, and he moved
0“ With'lllcl‘ity '0 t o jugs which had aroused
'the ire of the ruetler.

Billy Barton had claimed to be an all-around
man; and young though he was in appearance
the head on his shoulders had always seamed old
enough to justify his claims“ When he moved
off a little later Rank saw him go without any
fears that he would not be able to accompum
his errand as successfully as the rustler could
have done himself. He dro ped down into the
canyon with only a nod 0 leave taking, and

moved lightly and cautiously along till he was.

out of si ht.

Ready nk had given him no cautions as to
lie? "18 out of sight; but that went without
88! 08- The rustler believed that so far Ta lor
was not aware of pursuit, and it was the li e of
his scheme that the wandering trio should not

suspect it. p

“ I half thinkxhe suspects me " was‘ Billnyar-
rom view of the
cam

“ (course. it is all right for him to want to
be on hand to move the camp in case they
should take the back track before I can return;
but all the same, I wouldn't be. surprised if he
came along in the rear to see what I am doing.
Then the tramp will be SP": to follow him, and
the rest come taggIDS 8”" the tramp and we
will all get on the ground together. Whatan
elegant racket thaziwgliflge "mu". especially if
Ta lor dro toi D A -

as lau hiddpegt the idea, and then his face grew
sober. he work he had set out to do was more
than a joke. A skulker around the camp might
tare badly.

" Strange that so many men who have hunted
over this ground should get together at one
time. One knows just where to plant his foo
and another just where to look for the print 0
it. After all the time thrown away it hardly
seems possible any luck will come to this ex-
pedition. There me be some 0d 00050: Dbl”
tied, but the more I t ink of it the more 0“ E
that the treasure will be found, or my me" 0
the mine.”

 

Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce.

At first be moved along with a confident step,
though occasionally the roughness of the route
made his progress slow. After a few miles had
been passed over he stepped more cautiously,
and from time to time stopped to listen. He did
not intend to be surprised.

When he came to the point below where the
camp of Taylor had been be halted like one
who knew he was at the right point in the road
to turn aside.

f‘ It would be uncomfortable to be caught
climbing there,” he thought looking upward.

“ if I did not feel sure they had gone on I
Would not risk it. They might not wait for ex-
planations, hut smut on sight. Looks as though
there had b'een more than one pair of feet over
the ground, so they can hardly notice if I follow
over the same trail.”

He went on up without difiiculty, and after
peeping cautiously over the edge to see that the
coast was clear, advanced to the spot where the
camp had been.

It was dayli ht, now, and he could seesome
things which had escaped the notice of Pony
Taylor. There Were a few little articles scat-
tered around where the had been dropped,
that told a story to the een eyes falling upon
them.

“ Looks like a flight, or something worse;
what is in the wind? There has been some com-
ing and going here, that needs accounting for.
Looks den’t always count, but I should say‘there
has been foul play. Could that man aylor
have played them false?”

With a troubled look in his face he beat around
over the rocks, noting how the horses had been
wandering, and finally followed their tracks as
tiigy returned once more to the spot of the land-
s i e.

Be was careful to keep a keen watch ahead, so
as to be readly to drop down out of sight the
moment he d scovered the party he was trying
:0 trail' but he might as well have gone boldly
orw .

“ They never went upward," he said at length,
with a shake of his head, his lance runnin up
:lhie almost perpendicular w of rock blocking

e way.

“ And if they went down it was not from
here as a startin int," he added, craning his
neck over the b of the canyon.

“ it seems like a pity to leave the horses here,
but they are stripped of anything of value and
turned loose. I guess they can take care of
themselves till Bank has his sayoso as to what to
do with them. For one reason or another Tay-
lor has taken to the lower can on, and Ill] have
to see where he has gone to I take the jump

flyiizg.”

8 did not risk his neck in that we , however,
but went back to the point which he new was a
safe one to start from, examining the ground
carefully as he went.

Down in the canyon once more he drifted
along more rapidly than before. Whether the
arty were in full flight, or whether the

ing hurried away, there was not much
of his Oven-taking them soon.

When he came- to the spot where Pony Taylor
had dropped into the shots he halted in sur-

rise.

“Something new at last; and b heavens it
looks as though some one had trave ed the road
to the infernal regions against his will. The
green moss is latelv scraped aside, and it seems
to me I can see the fingers of a man clutching in
rain at the projecting point 01 TOOK If he
went down there he never touched bottom alive.
It might be a thousand miles down.”

Who had taken the drop? _

That was a question easier asked than an-
swered. It was not likely all had gone the
same way;and when he had found traces of
some one pissing beyond he left the vicmity of
the yawning pit into which the waters or the
Sunken River were flowing, and soon found him-
”u walking in the former bed of the Sirelm.

“ It’s going to be a longer job than we counted
on and supposeiought to go back and give
the points as I have found them. But that
would not be according to orders, and We’ll
obey them if it. breaks owners. I can guess
"OW. Where this trail is coming out at; and
don’t leavs it until I know just who is at the
other end.” ..

He was no positive that he spoke the Word!
aloud without knowing it, and then doggedly
bent forward, and went on with a tramp that
"8513mm"? Savage. An hour later and he left
the bed 01' the canyon atapoint where there
 a. well-defined trail upward. and without
hesitation made his way along a nu rrow mountain
gorge. .

He had a fixed point

were
801'

in his mind, now, and
“in?” (‘wa interruption before he came
"mm “'3'” 0f “- It Was the surprise or his
life when he heard a coarse voice, not any too
far away: V

is Don’t be a fool.  .

animal hsv tor dun 5.9.5? 3‘“ up. er pard
n‘ u ward in t1 .

“s was r as u’ne Ioéié’ifti'fffi'éitfi‘i‘i’i

2i. loi’difc‘ngg“ him tMIME!) the sights

meant business, ' i and knew they both

 

v
\,7.

25

CHAPTER XXXII.
THREE IN a DUNGEON.

“ SO this is a bit of your work, is it?" asked
Barton coolly, as he stood at ease, with elevated
hands.

“ No back talk, Barton,” retorted Bitters, who

always spoke after his pard had got in the first ,

word; but generally with something more to the
int.

“We are only deck hands, and if you have
anything tosay you can speak it when you get
up to the captain’s ofiiCe. Of course, we have to
take you in, because where Billy Barton is, the
man they call Doctor Rice up at the Bar is not
very far behind.”

“And Red La is the captain? Humphi I
thought he had lai off for repairs: but this only
shows a man slips up on a sure thing. All
right, boys. I know something about your
shootin , and you could get in three shots apiece
before could reach c0ver. When a fellow has
been so dog-gone careless as I have he deserves
all he gets.”

"I wouldn’t advise you to make anv remarks
to the old man about those same repairs. He’s
not likely to be forgetting who tried to send him
into the bone- yard, but if you stir him up about
it too much he will be ravxng mad. And when
Larry gets that way he can bite, bard.”

Leaving Dave to keep the prisoner covered
Bitters stepped cautiously down and relieved
him of his weapons which he strung around
him. over his own bait.

“New, hay-foot, straw-foot, left and right!
Forward march! There is no use to put hopples
on a man of your sense. You ought to know if

on try tojump the game, down u go. It's
uck you came along when you di , too. Dave
and had just started to pull foot for head-
guamrs when we got a glim of you, coming
own the kenyon. This w i make Larry too

.happ , and we can get all the news he wants

abou what Rank is up to.”

" Who’s Rank!” asked as he trudged
alonggin front, his hands now swinging easily
by h side. “

“ Don‘t try to plageoi! innocent. Red lury
knew Dmtor Rice fore you were born, and
trained behind Ready Rank when he was king.
pin of the rustlers. He says there’s no differ-
ence; and what he says goes. Now, button!
There is business in front of us; and you want
to'tga’ye your breath to mend your bellows
'1 O

Although both men knew the little gambler
as a man of thorough grit they were satisfied
that their capture was an important one.

Without a doubt he knew what were the plans
of Ready Rank, and if an Larry could-make him
unfold them. There were some legends of the
past which went to show there was little diflerv
ence in conscience between Rank and his former
pard, and both of them had we a and means of
procedure it was not good to of beforo one
with tender nerves.

Nor did the two men want to wait for Bank
to develop his intentions. They had no idea of
allowing him to overhaul them if he was on the
trail, being pretty sure they could not catch
him in the same trap that had netted Billy Bar-
ton.

Their return was more like a flight than a

triumphal precession, and when they reached '

the inter-mural recess where their companions
were meamped they were too well tired to feel
the Sense of relief they were entitled to.

“ By the heavens! but this is worth waiting
for.” was the exclamation of Larry, as Barton
was brought into his press nce. "

“ I knew it would come before we got back,
but I didn’t think it would be quite so soon.

k knew I would be on the roundss soon
as he Would, if I had the chan , and so he sent
you out to tickle my ribs with a knife. A dear
thing it will be for you, Billy Barton; and

when the reckoning comes with Bank he will

say the same.”
” Get off with that nonsense," retorted Bar-
ton, oontemptuously.

"If there had been any dirt played it would . 

not have been by the hands of yours truly.

We differed on a point at cards; you tried to_

pull, and I got my knife in first. Then these
peaceful little lambs that sport around behind

you froze right in and wanted to swing meifir‘: "
0

thing. That’s all there was of it, and i

thing wasn't done according to your ideas, wh , -

do it ever: that's all there is about it. Bi y
Barton never eats dirt, or squeals if the shoe
pinches." ,

“ Yes, but this time you are going to squealso
loud it will be a bowl. it has con e on me a lit-

tle too sudden to decide juat what ought to be .,

done. You will have an hour or twoto think
over the position.
my mind."

‘ Anyway, it will be something dreadful, no
doubt,” laughed Barton.

He met the fiery gaze of the man without
quelling, and his words were a taunt, that ‘

seemed purposely spoken to drive Larry to and-
den desperation. '

What might have been the issue had the con-
versation continued much longer on the lines a

started can readilybe guessed; but Dandy Dave _ i

,came with an interruption:

In that time I can make up , g

a?"

 

 

 

V i ii I

   

I

I 'r   ,'-‘y._.,  ,.~

A

“ Reckon, boss, onless e’r’ too busy yer hed
better take a uint at an thin’ we kin see at ther
other end 0v 1. er plain. We may be’way off
but it looks ez though Ready Rank war comln’
now with all his rustlers.”

“There is time for that always. Look after
this purt%——turu him in along with the other
cattle. hen Rank comes it will be a-boiling.
I’ll say that for him.”

“ All right; but I don’t guess it’s safe ter take
so many chances with him?”

“Of course not. A cripple and a girl are not
dangerous; but this fellow is a. wildcat, as you
ought to know. Look out he don’t claw you.
And if he gets away I’ll take it out of you, same
as if he didn’t.”

“You hear him, Billy? I got it straight from
head waters, an’ that war what I wanted. I
didn’t know ef'he’d allow shootin’ if you war
skippin’ ther ranch; an’ I don’t figger it healthy
fur you ter he runnin’ ’rouud loose. It might be
all right fur Larry, but whar would I come in
at?”

“ Oh, you only kick as he pulls the halter.
It’s Larry I am after; and much obliged am I
for your introduction. I might have waited a
long time before I found out he hadn’t hopped
the twig.” ‘

Dave grinned, but said nothing more. Al-
though he was well enough satisfied in his own
mind that when he went back to Mineral Bar,
or an other convenient outpost of pulation,

. Billy rton would be permanently mt behind,
it was as well not to run any more risks than
were needful.

“ Eyer’s a pardner fur you two ter chin:with a
bit,” was his greeting to Lyons, as he steered
Barton into the presence of the other prisoners.

“ That’s no ’bJection to a moderate ’mount ov
chinnin'; but you don’t want l0 get up too much
gush over yer feller-suf‘rer. It might make me
sick enough ter waltz in with a club. I’m ree-
sponsible fur ther outfit, an’ I mean ter keep yer
well under.”

Barton looked up curiou-ly from under the
rim of his hat as he passed Edna, and for a mo-
ment his eyes rested searchingly on her fair,
young face.

Then he noddedsilently, and passed on over to
the opposite corner of the dungeon-like room;
the door closed again, shutting,r out the sunlight,
and the three were alone together.

Had the new arrival been any one else, or,
rather, had it been a. stranger. he would have
been more likely to meet with a welcome from
Mr. Lyons. -

As it was, the latter recognized the arrival at
once, and was satisfied he should remain at a
distance. As the right hand man of Doctor
Rice—or of Ready Rank, as ho was beginning to
be called—Billy Burton was an object of four as
much as of anything else.

Barton, hOWeVer, did not attempt any conver-
sation, or show any curiosity in regard to the
interior of the prison-pen. Perhaps he knew the

.place as well, even, as Red Larry.

‘ He threw himself lazily down, propped his
head on his elbow, closed his eyes, and went off
into dreamland without delay. Others had
been more on the stretch during the past night;
but he had the chanCe for rest now, and took it.

His slumbers were uninterrupted for a longer
time than he could have expected when he began
them. It was well on toward dark when Dandy
Dave opened the door to admit Bitters with a
nose-hag of supplies.

“4 Hyer’s er supper l” shouted Dave.

“ Lay ho d an’ eat hearty, fur thar’s no tellin’
when you’ll git another one. Hyer’s yer fresh
meat, an’ hyer’s yer hard tack. Ef you war
back East, at ther Astor, you couldn’t git noth-
ln’ finer."

“ You needn’t about so loud, David,” said Bar-
ton, quietly coming forward. “I don’t admire
the table- inen, and that horse-bucket itself
might becleaner, but to a man who has eaten
nothing since daylight the provendor has a
mighty good small. What is it —mustang

s k
‘ Mustang nothin’. It’s a heifer two cars
old, and fat as butter. You can thank ok
for it. He drove part of the herd this way, and
saved us the trouble of killing the herdsrs.
“ If there were any. I
were mavericks, and i Rank had a horse under
him he has roped the pick of the lot; but this is
goodrenough eating for me. Anything new out-
side I
The three moved upon the common center as
a single impulse. Hunger can draw the most
rdant elements near to ether.
“’Pears tor me I've tol yer a heap a’ready.

’ Thar war chance't let the boss would make a

bargain. a war mighty anxious toknow what
war Bank’s game: an’ he’d hev .furizive thet
tickrlln’ with the steel ter know. He don’t need
it now, thou h. Bank‘s not for off, an’ speak in’
for him". her outline now are ter string yer
up at da break ter-morrer, jest for make Randy
r ar. T or earth ain’t big ernough far your bass
an’ mine, sence both ov ‘em Wants ther hull 0v
it; an’ I reckon we got ther inside track."
“True bill, that, eh! Well, there don’t seem
:to be water enough to drown one in this infernal
'oountry, so I so pose I may as well get ready
tor the other th ug. Daylight tomorrow, you

suspect your hard

 

' i I f I 'Uncle Bedrock’s Big-Bounce, -' v i I ..

say? Can’t you put it an hour or so later, and
let my teeth meet once more in a steak like thati
My regards to Larry, and tell him he knows the
choicest cuts. Another one like this and I could
die happy. It’s the first meat worth the eating
I’Ve >truck since I went in off the range.”

“ Oh, you'll die a-shoutin’, anyhow. The two
hez llllll some kind ov a pow-wow at long range,
with white flags afloppin’, an’ that sorter non—
Sense, au’ ther boss wants ter let Ready know
positive what he thinks ov him."

“ And will stretch in neck, accordingly. Not
a bad scheme. Sorry won’t be on hand to see
what Rank does on the strength of it; but I can
guess. It will be a shade lute fpr me; but
tliert’s a heap of satisfaction in imagining.”

Billy spoke betwren mouthfuls, and did not

neglect trenclier duty. If he had been left to
have his way, he might have kept llundy Dave
talking indefinitely; but Bitters had a word to
say.
“ Button, both of you! It’s not the thing to
joke about. If you have any prayers handy,
Billy, it’s ii good time to say them to-night. If
I had known how it was going to go, blessed if I
would have taken a hand in, but it’s too late.
It’s lead now, or hemp in the morning, though I
guess it won’t be quite so early as daybreak.”

“ All right! Hemp is good enough for me,”
retorted Barton with a shrug of the shoulders
that was characteristic.

Bitters shook his head solemnly, and went
out.

Dandy Dave followed shortly afterward, and
Edna could stand it no longer. She had heard
unmoved the threats against her and her adopt-
ed father—partly, perhaps, because she could
see a way out for them if the worst came to the
worst.

“ Surely,” she said, in a low tone, “ they can
not mean it.”

“ Every word‘of it, little woman.”

“ And there is no hope?”

“ Lots of hOpe; but the chances are all against
us. Better not talk now. If the worst comes to
the worst I may have something to say‘, though
the whole. trut i would be almrst too much for
you. If Rank was in earnest, now, I would ex-
pect developments before morning; but the won-t
of it is, I more than half think he would be will-
ing I should go over the range; and he’s not half
wrong in it. That will do. Your sympathy
does me more harm than good.”

" But, if he only knewl”

“As well that he don’t. You are as safe in
the hands of Red Larry as in his. They are old
comrades in crime, who have fallen Out, and
there is not a toss-up between them.”

He moved over to the corner he had at the
first pre-cmpted, and threw himself down once
more in the same easy attitude.

Edna watched the dusky outlines of his figure
by the waning light which straggled in through
the narrow window in the stone wall beneath
which a guard was posted. She was getting
near to the terrible, and began to fear for her
names.

In a low tone Lyons spoke to her, and for some
time a conversation was kept up between the
two, but it gradually died away. In the silence
and darkness there was nothing for their. to do
but to fall asleep or go mad.

When Edna aWoke it seemed to her that she
had slumbered for an age, and she was positive
that a familiar voice was sounding in her ears,
which seemed to say: “ Hyer’s yer pard ter tie
t3. nHussel out, now, an’ we’ll make ther riflie
y t.

_—

CHAPTER XXXIII.
A WILD sxnnannnr.

THE voice sounded too plainly to mistake it
for a voice in a dream. Silently but swiftly
Edna rose to her feet. If she was not greatly
deceived the man who had rescued her from her
abductors at the fallen tree was again near.

She could see nothing, but heard a whisper
from Billy Barton.

“That’s all right, pard, but you needn’t sing
it out quite so loud. Where are on i”

“ My melo’jus w‘isper wouldn kerry a rod;
but it sounds tor you es of acannou had wentofl.
1 got yer down all right. Whar’s ther rest, an
kin they be woken u thout givin’ a shout?"

“’Shl" warned Er no, a movement of Lyons
tellll‘lg he was aware of the resence.

h ‘i‘ g" e are listening now. he is it; and what
I .

“Won’t do for menshun no names: but I are
a frien’ frum ’wayback, an’ jess’ dropped in ter
’range things a leetle. Dunno 92 l orter bother,
seein’ as I bed no orders; but w’eu I see ther
chance fur fun a hull reegemint couldn’t hole me
back. Et 1 onderstan’s ther altera'shun you’d
like tar be crawlin’ out ov this. Ef that’s so,
now’s yer time tar crawl.”

“ But where will we go fl). and what is the
meaning of this, anyhow? The men we under-
stand are out yonder are as much our enemies
as these who have us in their keeping; and if on
are a friend of theirs you cannot be a frien of
ours.”

Mr. Lyons thought it time to take a hand in.

e was not sure this was not a trap of some kind;

 

and he was not so broken up by his misfortunes
as to flee headlong, without a thought of where
he was to land.

“ Pard, it’s your say-so. You kin leave er you
kin stay. I ain’t engaged ter deliver yer to no-
body er I’d flop over ther goods un’ not ask yer
permissliun. I thort you might be willin’ ter
pull f0ot mos’ ary d’recshuu so it war away from
hyer; but of I war inistooken, w‘y, stay, dog-
gun ye! Billy au’ mo’ll be inakin’ tracks all ther
taller. Et' I meet Pony Taylor I’ll say ez you
koncluded not ter wander. an’ be kin look for ye
hyer, ef meantime yer ain’t clumb a tree.”

“Do not put your faith in Taylor,” interposed
Barton, who had been silently listening.

” If I mistake not be will neVer be seen again.
He fell into a trap of nature’s own setting and
was buried when the jaWs sprung. And you
need not put faith in us. You would be foolish
if you did. But once outside and you Cut) leave
us and trust to your own resources. You can-
not make matters worse for yourselves; and
after. what you have seen of our entertainer here
I should think the chances were they could be-
decidedly battered.” . h .

“ Yes, yes, we will go I” hastily whispered
Edna.

" But how are we to escape from this! I do
not understand yet how this man succeeded in
reaching us. Have the guards been with—
drawn?”

“ S’casslv; an’ at they don’t hear us a-buzzm’
vit, it’ll be ther eighth wonder. But, yer
Unele—ah—Sundy, explored this hyer rooms
afore Paul Prindle found his bonanzer. He
knows ther ways in, an’ ther ways out, an’ w’en
Billy gas with me you may ez well prance er-
long. Gimme yer han’ an’ l‘ll lead yer in ther
middle ov ther road." '

Bedrock came near making a bail break Just
then, but he caught himwa in time, and it is
doubtful if Billy Barton noticed how be stam-
iuered over his own name.

Outside of that he spoke frankly enough; and
Edna was convinced. She caught her father
with one hand. and extended the other to Bed-
rock, while Billy Barton brought up the rear,
with his hand resting on the shoulder of Mr.
Lyons.

" Stoop, now, an’ look out yer‘don’t jam or
skulls wide Open. It‘s a narrer way you’l be
travelin’, an’ these st’uns kin cut him a knife.
When we gitup ground ag’in you kin scatter fer
suit yerselves; but that’s one warnin’ more. It
lllOl] t not be healthy fur you ter meet Billy an’
me ag’in, an’ ef yer do, don't yer trust us.”

Billy runaincd silent.

This might not be the kind of work Rank
wanted, but he was not on the ground tobcss
thin a, and for the resent, what Bedrock said
wasiound to go. his was the second time he
had dro ped in at the moment of danger, and
gratitu e Would compel that much, even if the
revolvers of Bedrock did not have a persuasive
waiy about them.

here was no great difficulty about finding the
way, for it seemed to bee straight, low tunnel
they were in, without any turnings and twist-
ings by which they might be bewildered.

After a while it opened into a narrow fissure,
the work of nature, and shortly afterward they
came out from under a low eyerhanging rock.
Below them lay the plain.

“ Now bein as you don’t trust Billy an‘ me I

uess we’ll hev ter split. Ef I war you I’d steal
Iong yanderways in ther shudder, and strike fur
ther round hill yer sees in the deestan’s. That’s
water on this side, in a leetle gorge ez ain't bard
tor find, an’ ef yer camped thar Pon might
come your way store you war s-think n’ ov it.
But ef he don’t come, a straight shoot fur ther
high bills tor ther no’tbeast l’ll bring yer out
right at Min’ral Bar, whar you kin refit, an’
take a fresh start-I So long, rds, an’ be good
ter yerselves. Billy an’ me I strike fur ther
cam , an’ be riddy fur Larry in ther mo’nln’.

Betc or sweet life he’ll be too busy ter wander'

fur arter you.”

Escape seemed assured, yet it was no pleasant
matter for the two to go b themselves. The
landmarks had been so plainly described they
could scarcely go astray, but there might be
other dangers on the way, and they were an.
armed. -

Lyons .said as much, detaining Bedrock even.
after he had turned away.

“ Could you not go with us?" he added.

“ You are mistaken if you say we would not
trust you; andI have no fears of your friend
here, if he once decides to throw in his lot with
ours. The com any you have been in was none
of the best, but t is.not too late to desert it”

“That ks fur yer good opinyun, an’ Bank
would say ther same at be war nigh ter hear
yer; hut ther fact are, it’s onpossible. Ef we
git hack Ready’ll be strong ernnf ter be in his
with Red Larry an’ his gan , an’ won't be trou-
blin’you. But of we we back on him he’d
know it afore noon, an’ wouldn’t let grass grow
under his feet afore startin’ out ter roundus up.
Oh, no! Things are good smut, ez they are!
but l’ll lend yer one ov my shootin'-irons tell
kin git a chaince ter borrer one ov Larry,
or one 0v his gang. Now, paddlel This time
we’re goin’ ter start, sure.”

The start was made, but when Bedrockand

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Billy Barton had gone some short distant-e‘jhe
former turned his head and looked over his
shoulder.

Mr. Lyons had already halted. Though his
course had been marked out for him he wanted
to discuss the subject a little. He was not sure,
after all, that he would trust the coarse spoken
man, whose fwe he had not seen.

“ That‘s ther way with a l‘lllHlHl i’geot,” mut-
tered the man of rags, jun-t loud enough to be
overheard by his companion. “ it’s all to plain
he won‘t run fur fear he’ll hev ter read. It war
safe ter bet. heavy on his doin' that same thing,
an’ that Rank’ll have 'eiii both afare mornin’.
Leastwise, he would ef he war lookin’ fur stray
sbee by niimilight.”

“ f I thought that, I would go back and lead
them away myself. I may be hacking Bank’s
hand when he plays a fair game; but ldon’t
n-opose to load up the adVantages against green-

oriis like them. Say, old man, I‘m Billy Bar-
ton, card-sharp and bad young man, that has
been right-hand supporter for Ready Rank when
he was playing roots on the Bar, and taking a.
chance to doctor up for the road again, but I’m
not bad enough to Wish that girl harm, coin or
no coin.”

“ Nutter doubt 0v it, Billy. Nutter doubt ov
it. I knowed it ther iniiinit Iseen yer stick
that knife for Larry’s ribs, that night at thcr
Flume.”

“ Oh, dry up on that! What I was going to
say is this: Suppose you pilot them in. I’ll
agree to keep Rank off the trail, and pay you a
hundred for the work. That is as much as you
would be likely to make if you stayed here, not
saying anything about the chances of getting
dropped while putting on Side with Bank in one
of his ugly moods."

“ Can’t do it, pard. I’m hirad ter ther boss,
an’ I work ter orders. This are jest a side
show ov me own by way ov ’xperymint, an’ I
ain’t shore I bin a—doin’ right. Let Pony take
keer ov ’em. That’s wo’t he war hired fur.”

“ But the man you call Pony is dead, Without
a doubt.”

“Fur a ccrpse he’s a high kicker yit. He
went inter one eend ov ther shute, ter be sure;
but he come outen ther other. Now,ef Lari-y
ain’t comin’, I ain’t waitiu’ no longer. Le’ss
git inter camp, for Ready are beginnin’ ter
worry ’bout yer, an’ ef m-don’t turn up soon,
he’ll be chargin’ on ther breertworks.”

“ And where is the camp!”

“ Down yander. He’s holdin’ ther dorxr shet,
an’ bound tor see thet Larry don’t git away."

“ And if Larrv has lost his prisoners, what
good is ill that do?”

“his, hai 'l‘het’s fur him ier fine out. He
hesn’t hole me yit, thet I knows 0n.”

Billy looked at the tramp as well as he could
in the darkness, and shook his head. He hardly
understood what sort of a man this “as, and
probably Bedrock did not intend he should.

They lingered no longer, though Barton did
give one glance backward, to see that Mr. Lyons
and Edna had moved from the spot where he
had last seen them standing, and had vanished
altogether.

Barton and his rescuer were on the other side
of a wide range of rock, or they might have
heard something of interest.

Dandy Dave, havmg been on guard all the
previOus night, was not in condition to keep his
eyes open the wgole of this, but he had a com-
rade who was i the same situation. and had
been. Between them, Bitters and he thought
they ought to be able to manage their duty.
Either one might have succeeded alone; but,
toggther, they ho fell asleep.

hen they owe 6 there was an uncertainty
in their minds as to how nearly the night was
ended and it seemed like an ago since they had
seen t sprisoners.

“GNP! Scotti Bitters, of ther bosswere outer
this. we'd be one coons. How do we know
what’s bin goin on!"

“ Nothing has been going on or off. Here we
are, right "here they had to as. A mouse
couldn‘t have gone through witggut waking us.
It's all right.”

Bitters was not; as sure as he pretended, how-
ever, and when Dave moved to the door, he
offered no objection.

“ I can’t rest tell I know' sn' of arything hes
happened, blamed of our best show ain’t ter
jump”ther camp. I’ll take one squint, and make

are

“ Take it then, and stop your infernal‘clatter.
You'll have Larry up here. next. to see what is
the matter.”

Dave threw open the door.

Within all was darkness, but as he listened he
thought he Could hear the low breathin of the
prisoners. He would have been ssti ed with
that, and would have turned aside had not Bit-
ters, more persistent, struck a match and held it
up own- his shoulder.

As the llttle~fisme brightened a face grow into
outline and feature before them; a face on which
their eyes dwelt in horror.

They had Icon Pony Taylor, back at Mineral
Bar, and noted him well.

They had seen him since; and they had heard
him when he went down into the shuto of tho
Sunken River.

 

This face was his, and it appeared to be float-
ing in the air, a very ghastly, ghmtly visitor.

One more look they gave, a look so long it was
almost.a stare; then the match was dashed
dewn.

“A ghost, by the eternal i” gasped Bitters,
turning and dashing away in needless panic,
while Dandy Dnve gave a wild yell, and threw
himself over backward.

Very strange was it. Either of these men
would have downed Pony Tnylorliving, without
a spark of compunmion; but from Pouy Taylor
dead they fled like frightened bounds.

The yell of the frightened man was heard, and
before he had staggered once more to his feet,
men were running in the direction of the sound.
Bitters, who recovered something if his wits
when once out of the placeuthouglit it best to
provide for his immediate safety by making a
Sllent retreat. so that when Red Lam- and sever—
al others came rushing up they ound Dave
standing in front of the empty prison, staring
Btu idly around.

Iiis explanation was vague and unsatisfactory:
but when Larry examined the place he found
the prisoners were gone and there was no telling
how they went.

“ Scatter out men!” the leader shouted.
“ They can’t have got far away and it’s a hun-
dred apiece to the men who find them. As for
this fool, I’ll settle with him later on.”

CHAPTER XXXIV.
A NIGHT MARCH.

RED LARRY had the advantage of position.

Perhaps he had counted on being followed
more closely;.and taking the rustler in an am-
buscade. If he did he was doomed to disap-
pointment, since Rank knew the ground as well
as himself, and preferred a safer game. He had
crossed the canyon of the Sunken River, and
reached the mesa in front of Larry’s position by
a way that was more practicable, even if some-
what longer;

Although he knew there must be war between
himself and his old-time pard he was in no hurry
to begin it, even though delay might mean dan-
ger to the prisoners, and failure to himself.

He preferred for the present, to watch from
some little distance, and see what Red Larry
had in view.

Bedrock had dropped out without orders, and
it was some, time before his absence was ob-
served. When Ready Rank knew of it he was
thoughtful rather than angry, and prepared to
keep a closer watch than ever during the night.
Billy Barton, approaching the camp alone, was
brought up at long range shooting distance, and
it took a few iiiotiients’ explanation before he got
closer. .

“ Well, my son, this beats the deck,” was the
salutation of Rank, as the young man found
himself fairly within the lines.

“ Where havo you been wandering, and how
did you get here? I had been thinking the fellows
over there had you, and were going to make it
warm for your jacket.”

“ Correct you were, every time. He had it in
for me, large as a ‘cow, and didn’t hesitateto
tell me so. Had something to say about hemp
at daylight, and the like. Oh, it was as uncom-
forta lea picnic as Billy Barton ever shock a
foot at.”

“ How in the fleud’s name did you manage to
get away? Larr has a tolerably tight grip, if

have to say it.

“That same old Sandy, always on hand. If
you can believe the story he was telling me as
we came along, he has lived in this countr
somethiu over a thousand years, and knows a l
aboiit it, mm a to ampersand.” .

The brief information staggered the rustler.

“ He did? He is too everlastingly fresh to
live. I wanted to have the pleasure of doing the

ob myself, and here be has taken it out of my
ands. Where is he now i"

“ They to have wakened up on the hill,
and he turned back to see if he could find out
what was the matter."

“ And you let him go?”

“ As he had the strength and the weapons on
his side I don’t see h0w I could have stopped
him. I want tools of some kind, by the way.
Larry has confiscated mine, and I won't feel
half a man till I get heeled again."

“ Much of a racket when you cleared cull”

“ Not much at the time; but short] after-
ward there was the deuce to pay. ouldu’t
wonder i 5 they got up nerve enough to come this
way et.

“ am! Your Winchester is with the outfit,
and there is a spare six in my kit. Heel your-
self and then beon deck. I can small business
in the air."

It seemed a little strange that Rank asked no
questions in regard to the other captives. whom
he must have suspected were in the hands of the
enemy. Billy Barton had been trying to frame
a story that would cover the ground without
positively putting him on the exact truth. It
was discouraging to haw wasted the time.

Bank had his own thoughts, however, hard as
it might be to fathom them.

In a few minutes every man of the party was
up and ready for work, and evon the little
gambler felt a thrill of excitement at Bank

\

 

I

 

turned to him with more seriousness than he
usually showed.

“Now. my son, it is pretty plain that where
you could get out we can get in; and if I haven’t
been away of! in Billy Barton’s caliber I should
judge you were not one of the forgetting kind.
Something tells me there is a chance here to
strike it rich, and we won‘t wait on Sandy, but
take it now. You go owr the ground the same
any you covered it as you came away, and we
will go along. If we happen to chance on
Larry spreading himself on the trail, he will.
be apt to have a headache in the morning.”

“All right; you’re the doetor. I’ll do the
best i can. It may Le uncertain work, and one
hill looks like another bill in the mOonshiue,
but l think I can pilot you through. lf 1 can't
there will be no harm done trying.”

Billy knew nothing of the apparition that had
frightened the two guards, and supposed Lyons
had long ago moved out of range, so he was
safe in thinking this way. Otherwise, he might.
not have shown himself so confident about his.
not being able to do harm.

Of course, there was danger of meeting with
Red Larry and his men on the way; but as a
meeting had to come some time this was per-
haps as suitable an hour as any.

The night was already well advanced, and it
seemed likely it would barer be possible to,
make the shelter of the rocks before daylight.
If there was any trouble about finding the spot.
be was to seek. it might is later.

That, however, was Rank’s look-out. The
rustler asked but few questions, and had appa—
rently made up his mind. .

After that there was nothing to do but to fol-
low orders.

The whole party moved ofl' together.

It was part of the plan to go as far as possible
on horseback, and then run the risks of leaving
the animals behind under a guard. When the
the acclivity was reached, down which Bedrock.
had led the little gambler, a low order to dis--
mount was given.

“ Tommy, you and Bandy will look after the
horses. I wish I had two better men for the-
work, but you want to understand that when I
get back 1 want to find them here. You ought
to know something about the sort of man I am;
and I merely remark it will be awful unpleas-
ant for you if you throw up your hands before I
have played my game out."

“ We understand,  Only, when you come
up to us you want to let us know who it is.
Et' that’s a man gits within ten rods ov us
’thout givin’ ther signal he’ll go onder ’thout
bein’ axed fur it."

“ That is the way to talk it, my boy—see that
you act as straight as you speak. If you don’t
intend to, you may as well be saying your
prayers." _

One spot looked pretty much like another,
yet Billy Barton was confident he had not gone
wrong. Many a man might have had his mis-
givings; but what the young sport knew he
knew, and he piloted the rustler without a sign
of hesitation.

Up the side of the hill thev passed, the rocks

.gmwing more familiar to Billy as the went

long; and finally the overhanging roc , with
the narrow opening beneath, was at hand.

Barton stooped to listen fer an instant before
he spoke.

Then he pointed. ‘

“ Here’s your back door; and at the other end
I have no doubt you will find Red Larry and his
men. I tell you n0w, if they happen to be watch-
ing the opening—and I am not sure I can work
the stone that closed it after we passed throu h
—it will be an elegant chance to wind up
whole of us. When we arrive, if itis not ask»
Eng tpo much, I would as soon you would go

rst.

“ Let up on that, to son. I know you don't
mean a word of it. on have it in for Larry,
and would just die if I didn‘t give you an even
chance to get at him; and would a shade sooner
you could go first.” .

“Perhaps, if it wasn’t putting all the good
cards in his pile. But I don’t jump so savage at
the bait when I know the dead medicine is.
against me. Come on, though! You will have
to get on your knees for once, though I promise
you won’t stay there long." I

" Perhaps, perhaps! Strange, I never d
on to this secret of the rocks before. I ve
been over this ground, and so has Larry, more
than once. It may mean a hen sight more than
you have been letting on, and ‘wsut to be first
on theground."

“ You think then i—”

“ Yes, of course I do. Ask me no more nes-
tions, but lead on. If the way is as plain as ling
as you have said there is no need for lights—not
yet awhile, at least.” '

“ I am notso an e of that. Hark! “'hat do
you make of the sounds? War somewhere; and
we want to have a hand in it.”

Billy spoke with an earnestness that was um
mmmon; but there was a cause for it.

In the distance, soundingI stranger muffled,
voices could be heard, and on report: of fire-
arms. .

“ Forward all!” hastily ordered Rank, giving;
no hs‘ed tohis young pard. ‘* ‘

 

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“ No matter who is in the racket we take a
hand in for ourselves. And remember, until I
tell you to shoot to kill ou want to hold your
hands. if we can help t, Red Larry must not
go down till we know what he has found out:
and as for Taylor, if we find him, l’ll kill the
man who harms him if he can be taken alive.
I’ve an old sore to settle, and I wouldn‘t miss
the chance of doing it my way for a million.”

In spite of their anxiety the progress was
slow; and Bank had the opportunity to give his
warnings asthey moved along, though in spite of
them every man had acocked revolver in his
band, and it was more than likely would shoot
at the drop of the hat, no matter where the
bullets were to lodge.

Straight on they went, guided by the sounds,
and by the wall of rock they could feel on either
hand—and skipping nimbly behind them, his
presence all unsuspected, came Ragged Rufe.

UHAPTER XXXV.

 

AT BAY.

WHEN Pony Taylor felt his feet slip from
under him, as he tried in the darkness to step
across the narrow current of the Sunken River,
he was at first Sure that tis last hour had come.

As already hinted, he had been along the bed
of the canyon before, but not since the convul-
sion of nature that had sent dowu the landslide;
and he knew he had met with another change,
and a more dangerous one.

Down he went, slipping, sliding, not as rapid—
ly as at first, but none the less surely.

He spread out his hands and sought to catch
rsome projecting knob of rock, but his fingers
xfound none. Even in the agony of the moment
he noted that the quanity 0 water passing down
the rapids was now but small, and the noise of
its fall scarce] reached his ears.

The descent ted for but a few moments.

Then, he landed in a l of water, which
'broke the shock of a fal of a dozen feet or

more.

After that his feet were on a solid rock, from
which there was no danger of slipping, and he
stood there without attempting to move until he
is?! collected the win which had about deserted

m.

His clothing was wet, but of course his arms
were all right, with their waterproof cartridges;
and he had a box containinegita r matches,
which, when closed, was harm y sealed.

He managed to light a match, and looked
around.

The water had found its sunken channel and
was sluggishly moving on, as it had been doing
above ground. He could almost imagine him-
self in the canyon which he knew was above

him.

He looked back at the trail down which he had
come, and shook his head.

“It is easier to forward than to go back.
That last plump o a dosen feet shuts the door
against me that as . There is not a chance to~

' ° work up between t 0 wells, since they are too

i. = 

 

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24f,

wide apart to offer a foothold. There is but one
thing to do—go forward. It is a weary journey
’but there may be an opening somewhere that
will be more practicable. If not, I can die.”
The little taper burned to his finger ends,
sputtered, apd then went out. He was alone

, sin in the darkness.

he journey under ground was full of a dread-
ful sameness. The way was clear-cut, and he
followed it without trouble, et there was all the
time the chance that the roc 5 might open again
beneath him, and givs another, and a fatal,
tumble.

When he had once decided he could not ascend
the slope down which he .had come, he gave up
all thoughts of it, however; and this journey,
Bursued with grim and silent determination, was

is only chance.

True, he might, in the darkness which reigned
above aswell as balmy, pass some point where
ascent was practicable, but he did not allow
'himself to dwell on the fear of it; and after a
while he knew the sun must have risen, and that
light, however faint it mi ht be, would find its
way to we underground 0 nnel wherever there
was an opening.

If ever there was a mortal happy it was Pony
.‘dl‘ayllgms he caught a glimpse of the blessed

a ht.

When he found a practicable route to the
upper air, it seemed as though in ,him had been
wrought the miracle of the ages.

A less powerful man mi ht have failed at last,
but after more than once using all the ground

‘ allied, and at the expense of some pretty severe

raises, he won his way upward at last, and
threw himself down, temporarily exhausted, on
the dry bed of the upper canyou._

The reaction was only temporary. After a
short rest he arose and moved onward.

He did not believe he had left Mr. Lyons and
Edna behind him. They had certainly not fallen
as he had done; and his best course was to go
'ahead. trustin to find them in the neighborhood
of the very p see to which he had intended to
lead them. .

A fortunate decision it was, since in this way
he lost no time, and was enabled to see some-

 

' thing of the movements of Ready Rank and Red

Larry before the sun went down.

When the darkness came he started to go with-
in the lines. He could guess at the situation of
affairs, and knew he must use caution in double
portions.

When Bedrock stole away, Taylor saw him;
as be hoped, without being seen. He dropped in
behind, and followed like a shadow.

At times he was within speaking distance, but
he did not care to reveal himself until he could
discover what was the intention of the man of
rags. Bedrock had a way of dodging the truth
which would render questioning useless, and
Pony wanted to see what he really intended do-

ng.

When Primrose disappeared through the well-
hidden entrance to the underground passage,
Pony was as much surpriSed as the rustler was
liiiter on. He followed, though, Without hesita-
t on.

Within the passage all was silent, and he was
afraid to light a. match. He knew nothing of
the way and his experience of the previous night
had made him cautious.

Thus it happened that he missed the route to
the place where Bedrock was interviewing the
su rised prisoners, and stumbled straight on.

he path begun to widen, but it did not seem
to be the right one. Behind there was some-
thing like the murmur of Voices, and he made
sure be had passed Bedrock on the way. He
turned and went back.

This time he found the true route to the prison;
and he did not know the birds had flown. From
that side the opening of the stone door was
simplicity itself. Had Bitters and Dandy Dave
waited another moment he would have saved
them trouble by lighting a match himself.

He was more amu than alarmed at the
meeting but when the two made their retreat
he faced about, well knowing it would notbe
long before some one else would be on the spot,
own if the frightened guards did not recover
their coura e.

He oi the door carefully behind him, but
did not at once hu away. So long as he
remained close at han , and there was no move-
ment on his rear, he knew he was master of the
situation. But one person could passthrough
that opening at a time, and he had in his hands
as many lives as there would probably be in the
party on the other side.

He heard something of whatwas going on,
and knew the men there were at fault, though
he thought it possible they would not remain so.
He would have waited and watched for a while
to make sure if he had not heard other voicss
which he recognized, in the passage behind him.

Edna was softly calling to Mr. Lyons, and he
was answering her. ’

The fact was, Lyons could not make up his
mind to follow the advice of the man who had
not only rescued him once, but if he only had
knewn t, w0uld have rovlded for his future.

“ If we follow his a vice, it may be, and most
likely will be, but to offer ourselves an easy
prey to his friends. Even if the rough- ken
man is honest I know the fellow who over eard
is the tool of Doctor Rice, as he has been calling
himself, though it now seems‘ he is a man notori-
ous for his wickedness under another name. Bet-
ter to try another route, or even to remain near
where we are. f it. can bereached, I suspect
we are near the goal for which we have been
striving.” 5

So he reasoned; and when he saw Bedrock
and the little gambler striding away, he turned,
and hurriedly dragged Edna back into the
shadows.

Unfortunately, as it seemed, it .was not so
easy to shape a course in any other direction
save that pointed out by Ragged Rule. The
plain across which he had pointed luy before
them. brand and shining, but behind them and
to either side, lay the rocky hills, dark and mys-
terious. ,,

They lingered, looked this way and that, at-
gmpied to tind a path that would lead them

some haven of refuge, where they mi ht at
least remain for a time in hiding; and a last,
by the merest‘chance, came back to the over-
hanging rock, and the passage opening into the
hillside.

Just then they heard voices on the night air,
that seemed to be coming nearer. lu sudden
desperation they entered the passage once more,
and plunged blindi forward in the darkness.

Before they be gone far they became sepa-
rated, one following the natural rift in the
rocks, while the other turned into the artificial
passage. It was then that Pony Taylor heard
their voices, and hurrying toward them called
them by name.

There was no hesitation then.

Lyons had forgotten his so icions, or had
them entirely dispelled by wha he had heard
Bedrock say, and greeted his guide with un-
allon pleasure.

“ hat lucky wind blow you this wa ?" was
his question, as he plasped Pony’s ban in the
darkness.

“ I had feared on were dead until a few mo-
ments ago, and dd not expect to see you soon,
in any event.”

“Not dead; but I have been treading mon-
strous high to the borders of the grim monster’s
kingdom. This is but the merest chance. Bad

r ‘.

 

I not followed a prowler, without the least idea
he could brin me to you, it is more than likely
we never won d have met.” ‘

“Perhaps he was the man who set us free.
He talked as though he had seen you; but ad-
vised us to retreat at once, saying that you
would probably join us. I did not altogether
trust him, and it was well I remained. Since
we haVe met I consider our troubles are almost
over. Do you not think this place fits into the
map of the region of the Sunken River?”

“only too well. Bedrork, who has spent the
last tWeuty years alternately mining and tramp-
ing, knows altogether too much about it; and if
any treasure was ever hidden here, it looks as
though it had been found by some of these men
who have visited he spot. Yet Red Larry
seems never to have found it—though no-v that
he suspects the existence of a passage here,
there is no telling how soon he will.”

“ Then our escape has been discovered i"

“Yes, and they are going over, stone by
stone, the wall that lies next to the hill. Some-
thing has convinced them you did not make
your exit by the d0( 1'.”

“ Ah, what is that?”

Edna had been silent. Not but what her joy
at meeting with the sport was not as great as
that of her father, but that she was content to
allow him to talk. Looking back she had seen a
momentary glow in the assage behind.

It looked as thougha 001' had been opened,
and then the light on the other side suddenly ex-
tiuguished.

‘ Ah, they have found it, then,” was Taylor’s
reply, when she had told what she had seen.

“ Larry is on the study whether to follovv with
torches, or try a still hunt in the dark. Either
wag he will not take us without a fight for it.”

e hurried them away, and at the intersec-
tion with the underground rift, turned to the
left and burrowed further under the hil‘.

They were none too soon in the movement,
for a light gleamed along the passageasthey

left it, and Red Larry with half adoaen men, .

came rushing along, silent, but in deadly earn-
est.

Chance or instinct made them follow the same
course as that taken by the fugitives, and they
were moving the more rapid] . Suddenly they
came upon Taylor and his c gee, turned at

3- __

CHAPTER XXXVI.
vxnounon WINS.
“Go slow there, Mister Man. Until we know
who you are, and what you want, there is a dead.
line in front of us, and if you try to pass it you

dro ."

The stern challenge of Taylor brou ht Red
Larry and hi men to a sudden halt. he had
not heard the footsteps of the fugitives, an their
presence was a surprise.

lWhat they saw us they looked around was an-
ot er.

The rift had opened out into a crater-like bowl,
set in the mountain.

Of course, they could not take in the exact
conformation of the place, but Larry knew he
had reached a spot the existence of which he had
never even so ted; and as he looked upward
he could see i 6 stars shining, and a trace-line
where, high above, rocks and sky touched.

All this he took in at a glance. Then, his gaze
went back to the one man who with weapons
extended, was coolly awaitin h s answer.

It was not hard to ess w o be was.

This was no gliOst, ut the man who had drop—
ped into the underground channel of the Sunken
River, and by some miraculous chance had been
sued. He it must have been that rescued his

risoners; and this spot they were in was the
out mine for which he was searching.

This last thought made it the worse for Pony’s
chances of a bloodless victory. The wonder was
that Larry did not try a snap shot for answer.

Instead of that ho was cooler than usual, and
a little slower with his pistols.

,“ You will find us just what you want us, as
long as you play us fair; but you want to get oil!
the roof and come down to business without a bit
of nonsense. It don’t take much to make me
tired; and if you look around you may see the
advent es are all on our side 0 the line.”

“ No, don’t see it. We have the position,
and I hold the drop besides. If there are any
terms to be made I will be the one toname them.
You have been trying some funny business with
these pie, who are under my care.
right would shoot first and argue the matter
with your corpse; but I am a little slow in start-
ing on the war-path, unless I am crowded hard
from the jump. You are just as hadaman as
Ready Rank, and if I am not mistaken there is
no good blood between you two."

“What has that got to do with it, young '

man?”

The bringing in of Rank‘s name was a puzzle.

“ Only this. Were it not that I am sure he
is on your trail I would not parley with you.
No aureement on would make would be bind-
ing on you, an the only safely for us would be
over your dead body. But Rank feels the same
way, and you and e might as well fight it out),
and save me the trouble of puttin you on my
record. I assure you, I will he w ing to deal

'aa—d‘a .

IfIdid‘

 

 

144.... ~

.r

mLA mm

 

 

 

 

.\\ ‘

0

Uncle Bedrook’s Big Bounce.

29

 

 

_

with the survivor, but it seems like a sin to have
to kill you both.”

In the most niatter-of-fact tone was all this
said; but Larry was sure there was something
behind it all. Taylor was playing for time—
yet, what good could he think a few moments
more or less would do him?

“ If there is any more of that I’ll finish with
you on the spot; and be ready for Rank when
he comes. too. You are up a little higher in the
world, but you make all the better mark, and
no matter who goes down at your shots there
will not be enough left of you to talk about when
our rush is over. Throw those pistols down,
and step this way. The other two are all right:
and we can trust them not to do the feel not; but
we take no chances with you. Keep him cov-
eil-ed, boys, and if he pulls a trigger down them
a ll ’

Had Taylor been alone he would not have
quailed at the thought of fighting the gang. By
the time the trouble was over he would have
given a very good account of himself.

But, from the first, he was anxious Mr. Lyons
and Edna should not be there When the crash
came. They had followed him mechanically
when he had taken this po.~ition, and now, at a
whispered direction, were trying to steal away.

They had already made some progress, and
would soon be where they could risk a more
rapid flight, but there was no doubt Larry had
reached the end of his patience, and that the
fi ht must come now.

aylor’s flnger was already tightening when
there was a movement on which he had not
counted. The two torches carriedrbgLarry’s
men were suddenly dashed downwa , and ex-
tliigiiished, while a storm of bullets swept over
the place he was suppOsed to be.

The unexpected act confused the aim of the
sport, but he knew it before a shot of his had
been wasted. At the nine time his finger re-
laxed he flung himself down, sothat he remained
unscathed.

“If they don’t hear my tools the will think
I have gone under, sure. If they 0 that and
come closer, I will want nothing better. Ican
make it so lively for them here they will not
think of anything in the world but Pony Tay-
lor and how to down him."

do he thought, and lay there expecting a
rush.

The rush did not come.

instead of that, there was an interva. of com-
pie-Ea silence, broken at last by a cry from the lips
of due.

Larry had detected the skulkinfi figures steal. -
ing away, and had sprung forwa in pursuit.

“ Ah, lad bird! I have you again!" he
chuckled, as is gripe tightened, and he felt sure
she was fairly in his grasp.

“ This time I’ll swear to it you don’t get awa
until this little matter is settled for good and al .
By that time, perhaps you won’t think of

cin 1.
g H: raised her clear of! the ground as he
spoke, and moved back to the spot he had but
Intel left.

“ ou want to look before you shoot, young
man ” he sternly shouted.

“ ou can’t reach me except through her,
and you are hardly ready for that. Don’t try
ti. play it fine on us, but hold our hands up
and come down. We have you on], and mean
to keep you that way.”

As he spoke one of the torches was a n
raised, and whether it was waved into ht
again, or was lit by a match, it flared up
enough to show that Red Larry spoke but the
truth. He was holding the girl up Without
any apparent effort, and he was most eflectually
screened.

The sport saw his stratagem had failed, apd
that the men did not intend to come near him
while he was armed.

He 98". too. that for some reason of their
Own they were anxious to take him alive.
Probably they thought he knew all about
the hidden mine. and could be forced toreveal
its secrets.

II but W” the M they were of coum un.
der $ disfiqv‘nt‘fli '0 I certain extent, though
it did not increase his chances for getting away
in the long run. There was one other game he
might play.

‘ I don’t give up my tools, even to the best
man living; but I am willin to put them where
they they can do no harm i you give me your
word you will put that lady down, and treat me
square.”

“That depends on what you call square," an—
swered Larry, convinced the young man was
weakening.

“ You are our prisoner, and will be until we
know you don’t want more than your share of
the boodle.”

“ All right then,” responded Taylor, carelesly
thrusting away his was as.

“ Come and take me.

He smiled} as he spoke, and seemed perfectly
unsuspicious of danger but every nerve was
strung to its highest tension while waiting for
the men to advance. He had planned to play
on Larry something like his own game.

ut even as two or three men with pistols
POiIed were beginning to move forward a man

 

who had been left behind on guard came run-
nln at full speed down the passage, while be-
hin him pursued half a dozen men, at their
head Rank the rustler, and Billy Barton.

In the rear of all skulked BedrOck. He had
been playing a lone hand for some time, and he
did not want to lose the advantage it was giv-
ing him.

‘ Bless my eyes!” he thought, as be Went along
past the spot where the tunnel branched ofl.

“ Thar’s bin a shakin' up ov dry bones hyer.
Looks ez though I ain’t ez shar ez I thort me-
self. Thar must ’a’ bin a w laid up hyera-
bouts w’ich ther airthquake hes shooken down.
Ef I didn’t wanter lay low keep dark, an’ see
w’ot’s comin’ next I’d reely shout.”

Larry was tween two fires: but had it
not been for Pony Taylor at his rear, he would
have held the advantage over Rank, since the
ruszlers could only pass out of the rift in single

e.

As he heard the cry of his approaching scout,
that the rustlers were coming, he did not hesi-
tste, treacherous though the act might be.

Pony Taylor had no weaplons in his hands,
and had apparently yielded imself a prisoner,
yet Larry gave one glance at the rift, and then
threw up his hand and sent at him what- he
thought whs certain death. He had dro ped a
man from a galloping horse at twice the dis-
tance before now, and with less time to dwell on
his aim.

He forgot the girl on his shoulder.

She had not out her wits, and divined his
pur as soon as it was formed.

ith one sweep of her hand she thrust his
wrist to one side, and the bullet flattened itself
on the rocks.

He was raving mad, but there was no time to
show it.

“Fling your torch over at the opening, and
shoot down every man who passes its glare!

Sharplfidhe gave the order, and then, still
holding na, crouched low. Taylor could no
longer see him, even if the girl had not shielded
him; and he wanted, new, to take Ready Rank
first of all. He saw a figure he knew must be
long to the rustler leap out from the rift, and
this time his bullet, aimed with inconceivable
quickn went home.

Rank pitched heavily forward, and Red Larry
uttered a shout of trium h. Edna was no longer
strug ling, for she h felt the inutility of at-
met ng to escape, and scarcely knew which of
these men she had the most to fear from.

“ Take them as they come, take them as they
come l” shouted Larry.

“ 90 your work clean, and wipe them all
out!

He did not see a lithe flgure, crouching low,
and stealing around the edge of the rocks; he
was waiting for the rush which he was sure
would come.

Then the little gambler gave a great bound,
and there was a feeble flash of a blade in the
waning light.

“ This t rue,” hissed Billy Barton, “ vengeance
wins, and the steel goes home."

The arm holding Edna relaxed, and the form
of she stricken man swayed heavil under the
shock. Without waiting to seethe e ect of his
blow the little man caught up Edna, and dashed
strai ht on toward Taylor.

“ old hard, Taylor! I am your solid friend;
and we’ll have to work this thing together.
Both of the bosses are down, but their tigers
may show their teeth yet.”

CHAPTER XXXVII.
BEDBOCK mums BIS COUP.

As Billy Barton took his place beside Taylor,
the torch gave its last flicker and went out.
They could dimly see the figures of the men
crouching near, looking this way and that, ready
for fight, or panic and flight, as the thing hap-

ned.

Then came the rush of Ready Rank’s men, for
a moment delayed, but never abandoned. It
was a hand-to-hand stru is of maddened men,
who might have fled i they had known how;
and who fought blindly because they were not
ordered to stop.

Cree ing g ngerly behind the rush, Bedrock
made is way to the side of the fallen rustler.
He found him more by luck than judgment,'and
coolly felt for the beating of his heart first of
all. If he was dead, it might not,bo worth while
to carry him of! the field of battle.

Ready Bank was alive, though hard bit. It
might be he would die in another minute but of
that Primrose was willing to take hisc ances.
He gathered up the fallen man in his arms as
though he had been an infant, and bore him out
of the crater into the rift, halting after he had
gone perhaps a rod.

“ Pity them fellers he: ter waste the’r energys
in ther dark. They are willln’ ter hev a reel
confortable time, but ther darkness are ag’in’
’em. Mebbe they‘d sta longer of I shed a leetle
ll ht on ther subjeck. won’t do hotter bit ov
hgrt ter try, an’ it may help me own steps
along.”

He fumbled in his pockets for a moment. found
what he wanted, lit a blue-light, and slinking
back to the opening into the crater, tossed the
light among the struggling combatants.

 

 

J

“Thar, Pony, you kin see ter pick ’em ifl’ 92'.
emparshul ez yer chooses, an’ I hope you’ll knep
’em bizzy tell I git outen range. l’m a-workiu’
fur big wages, an’ I’ll do w’ot I kin ter yearn
me money.”

He lided back to where he had left Rank,
and ho_ding him tenderly, made his way to the
open air.

Two men were there, watching the hoppled
horses, and listenin in somethin of a tremor
for further sounds From the let they knew
had been going on.

Bedrock had no use for them, though he did
not wish them any particular harm. He had
his own opinion about Tommy Twofeet and his
pard, and thought he could dispose of them.
Gently he dropped his burden, and then with a
revolvor in either hand be rushed out, shooting
and yelling as be came.

He was right on them before they were aware
of his coming; and they did not wait to see who
he was, or how many ware behind him, but took
to their heels at once. According to the rate at
which they started, there was not much danger
of their stopping soon and Bedrock for the»
present had the field to himself.

“ Now, Ready, I’m going ter do ther squar’
thing by yer, es fur ez are consisternt. But
fn’st ov all, I must do jestiss ter Bedrock. f
you hev ary 'portant papers ’bout lyer pusson,
they bed better be in ther han’s ov yer ’zeckyter,
which are me, ged Rufe. A leetle more
light would be a heap sight nicer, but daylight
are a-comin’ fast.” '

As well as he could, Rufus had been examin—
ing the wound. and temporarily bandaging it.
The bullet had one through and throu h the»
body of the mailer, and it seemed impossi is he
should recover, yet there was no telling of what
the well-seasoned man was capable.

Now, the tram ‘looked through his pockets for
the papers he ha spoken of.

There was no sign of them there, and Bed-
rock next turned his attention to the valise
strapped to the rustler‘s saddle.

He found no such pers there as he was
looking for; but somethi
which he ve a whistle t at might be of sur-
prise, an came back to the wounded man.
Over him be bent. peering into his face for a lit-
tle, and then carefully tugging at the mustache
glob shaded the hard, flrm mouth of Ready

n .

It came of! in his fln rs, and Bedrook, by
the aid of the suit of clot es he had disc0vered
in the rustler’s valise, had penetrated the triple
disguise. Ready Bank was not only Doc r
Rice, but he was Jack Harper as well.

“ ’Pon me soul, this complercatee matters,” he
muttered, once more examining the man in
whom he thought he began to see signs 0 re-

turning consciousness.
rs the ’re like es not

“Ef he hez them pa

back at ther Flume. n i g t him back ter

’int’em out fur sheer grattertude, or must I
save him hyer, an’ go look far ’em meself?
Blame ef I don’t hole on to him er see him croak ;
An’ ther fu’st thing ter do are ter git outen
hyer.”

It was as well that Bank had not sense to
comprehend the intentions of the man who bent
over him. No one but Bedrock would have
thought it possible to get the wounded man back
to Mineral Bar alive. Perhaps he had little
hopes, but was willing to make the effort.

“Fu’st, fur the nearest water. an’ then fur'
ther home run. It’s hyer whar ther jugs ov
benzine are goin’ ter come in at. Gentle stim-
mylants kin kerry a man like Rank throu h a
heap, an’ jest so 1 kin perdoose him livin’, ohn—
ny ll give me ther run ov ther house.”

In all his life Uncle Bedrock had never under-
taken a harder contract, yet he carried it faith-
fully through to the end, and came u out of the
desert marches with Ready Rank liv ng, and in
Jack Harper’s clothes.

Whether he was in his right mind, it was, for
the most of the time, hard to tell.

wound was not as dangerous, of itself, as
had been at first supposed, but fever had set in,
and Primrose was prett sure his man was
booked for the other si e of the divide. He
smuggled him in at the back door of the Flume,
and found that in the absence of the rustler
things had been running on as usual, with
Johnny in charge.

The advent caused some commotion among
the attaches of the house, but by dint of some-
hard swearing and divers dark threats, Bedrock
succeeded in impressing on the minds of the.
men the uecemity for keeping the condition of
affairs from the outside world. Of course, he
installed himself as chief nurse; and waited im-
patiently for the time to come when he could
ac

Toward midnifht Rank raised his head, and
stared around h m.

“ Not a bad place for Mazeppa to land at,” he
muttered.

“ It seems as though the old rufllan had me
tied to that horse for a thousand years.

“ But he stuck to me! If the other curs had
been half as good men as be we would be in the
lost mine now, and all the treasures of the Sun-
ken River in our buckskins. Six men behind

else, at the sight of .

 

(w

i

l

   

.

    

’i
‘.

Uncle Bedrock‘s Big Bounce.

 

-oo

 

'me, and every one of them a coward, unless it
was Billy Barton—and he wasn’t a man at all!
“Why, three of us held up the whole of
Gordon is Gulch. When I cracked the whip the
curs dove into their kennels and stayed there.
And we weren’t able for Red Larry and his
gangl It’s time for me to 0 out of the damp—
if I could only take Pony ‘aylor along I would
die happy.”
80 he wandered along, and all the time Bed-
rock was keenly watching him. There was no
telling what secrets he might reveal if this was
delirium.

" And I remember you, too. Sandy Soakersl
Ha, ha! You are old Bedrock, the man who
'backset Pony Taylor when I was laying the
big hand in the robber’s roost. I’ll orget that,
now, for you have stood by me when the rest of
the cars would have let me die. Onlyfivon don’t
take Ready Rank back to he hung. c’s dead,
long a o, and I’m Jack Harper the, man who
runs t e Flame. What are you going to do
about it?” ‘ ’

“ That’s all right, pard. I’ll see you through
the mud er lose a w’eel. Have me who you
want an’ it will be all right. But of you don’t
know by this time I am that man yer wants
when ye r’ in a tight pinch thar’s no use ter tell
yer ov it. Sleep sirens, fur ther man w'qt’s
watc‘dn’ yer slumbers are got u ter stay thar.”

"I believe you. my boy. on dont much
care what you tie to so there isachance for
fun; and this time you happen to be on the
other side. hen Pon comes, wake me up
and give me my pistol. ’ll heready for him in
more wa s than one.” I

“ Now s ther time tor make me ten-strike of it
are ter be made,” thought Bedrock, a little
later, watching the uneasy slumber of the
rustler.

There was a secretar in one corner of the
room, and to a man of rock’s resources the
look was no great defense. A twist or two of
the wrist and it was open, and he was running
over its contents with the speed of an expert.

“ Ah, at last i” . 1

He seized a legal-looking paper and glanced
at the few lines of writing on the back.

“ Contract between President and Directors of
the S. B. O. and K. R. R., and Lewis Stafford.”

“The idiot! To be leaving a little fortune
like that to knock around here, and go lraips-
ing of]? in search of the cache on the Sunken
Rive'rl Horace DeLangdon, you are in luck
once more, and when Stafford hands over the
reward you will once more take roar place
.among the nations of the earth. Oh, if I had a
million shares of the S. B. O. and K., how quick
I would sell them. When this comes to hand
the can’t back out of the bargain, and Lewis
wil have the double—cinch on.”

in his exaltement the old fellow had dropped
his uncouth style of speech, and talked likea

o different man. Those who knew him best were
aware he could do that upon occasion.

The excitement lasted only for a moment.

Then he thrust away the contract among
his rags, closed the secretary, and slouched up
to Rank’s bedside, once more the same old
tramp.

 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. ‘
THE ROUND UP.

11‘ was not the first time the p otechnics
which Bedrock sometimes carried h come in to
the aid of his game. The burning of the blue-
light prevented the retreat which would other-
w as have been made, and the two leaderless
bands continued the fight like savages for a

me.

When nearly every man had received a wound
.Pony Taylor thought it was as well to say a
word. ,

“Here, you! Hands up, all! There are four
of us here, with the drop on you, and we mean
business. This thing has got to be sto ped or we
come in and slaughter you all. ow is it?
Peace, or war?"

, The sound of his voice was all that was needed
to brin the fray to a close, since there were only
aconp e of men there able to continue it, and
may were ready to quit.

’ hen Taylor, who had been watching Billy
Barton all the while, turned squarely to face

oa—are you takingoug Bank’s game
where he ei't off; or is there 9 a truce be-
tween us? You drew Edna out of the press or I
would have had you down on sl ht.” -
“ I came with Ready Rank, at not to back
his game, whatever he may have thought. I
have had vengeance on the man "—he pointed
at the body of Red Larry—“ who killed Paul
Prindle, though there may still be an unsettled
score with the rustler, if he lives. I saw him
gown, and the man who calls himself Sandy
kers dragged him away.”
“ Who, then, are you!”
“ I ism—Paul Prindle’s widow.”
The answer was given in a lower tone, and
one that had softened in the speaking of it.
Without doubt it came from the lip. of a wo-
man.
There was a sharp cry from Edna; ah excla-
mation of astonishment from Mr. Lyons.
“Impossible! And yet—that v’oicel , Paul

     

 

Prindle’s wife came West to search for him,
learned that ho was dead, and was lost returning
on the Risin Star.”

Lyons ha hold of the wrist of the little
gambler, and was staring into his face, trying
to read its lines by the little light beginning to
struggle down from above.

“ aul Prindle’s wii’e never went on board of
the Rising Star. She remained to execute a
vengeance which, if long deferred, came at last.
I would have saved you all the knowledge of
this, since the bitterness of the strug le was
over; but it is the truth, and you know t. We
have found, too, the hidden mine of which he
wrote as, and if the treasure, even, be gone,
there m y be a chance here to work out a for.
tune. Igso, let the wealth be for you and Edna,
and the man who has done his best to serve you
on the dangerous trail."

The hardness of the disguise she had so long
assumed had blunted somewhat the feelings of
Paul Prindle’s widow, but she knew the struggle
that must be going on in the mind of Edna, and
was striving to retain her own self-possession
for the sake of the daughter who forsomauy

had ceased to know her.

“It must be, then,” said the girl, speaking.
feebly, “ that you are my mother. "

The wounded men had been cared for, and the
med who were able to do mischief had been dis-
armed. Daylight was streaming in to the crater-
like recess, and the four were searching for

 

traces of the old-time presence of Paul Prindle. .

When they found the spot where he had unearth-
ed a pocket they found something else.

There were nuggets there, done up in a buck-
skin, which might be worth some few thousand
dollars. There also was a letter.

The writing was well preserved, and it told
the story of his strange discovery of a hidden
mine, spoke of the vein from which wealth could
be dug, and of the pocket in which were buried
the nuggets which would furnish him the means
to carry on his work. The letter went on to

say:

“On second thou bio, and in its of what I
have written you, have determ ned to leave
here but a fraction of the solid gold .I have
found. The nuggets will make perhaps ten
thousand dollars, and if anything ha pens to me
there is is still a fortune in the m as, dimcult
though it may be of access. With a careful,
honest partner, who knows what mining
and the West are, I would not ask better
provision for my wife and daughter. If I never
see them again, and this meets their eyes, they
will be assured of my love.”

Here the story naturally ends.

With Red Larry, the actual slayer of Paul
Prindle, killed, and Ready Rank nigh to death’s
door, vengeance could claim no more; and with
a cool hand like Pony Taylor‘to counsel and as-
sist, Mr. Lyons and Edna had no need to fear for
their future, even if “Billy Barton” had not
learned ways of wisdom far beyond the average
of womanhood while on the trail of the men who
had robbed and murdered her husband, and
would have stolen the balance of the fortune in
which she should have had a share. She had
watched somewhat over Edna at the Bar, and
it was a word she had said to Mordecai th t had
induced the Jew to exhibit his unparallel gen-
erosity when Pony negotiated the loan.

'The rush that followed the opening of the mine
near the Sunken RiVei' isa part of history. While
other fortunes were made, there was none like
that won by Pony Taylor; for, bad he not gold,
and Edna also!

In Mineral Bar there was always something of
a mystor about the closing of the Flume; and
whether ack Harper was iving or dead was a
matter of debate among those who had known
him. He vanished, an his assistants with him.
But, when a man came over from Spur Cit y with
a bill of sale for the saloon and its fixtures. there
was no one to so nay to his taking session.

Bedrock vanis ed as uietly; but e reappear-
ed shortl thereafter in Frisco, gorgeous in pur-
ple and no linen, talking like aprince, and hand
in glove with Low Stafford, the great capitalist.
He lingered long enough to see the man of rail-
roads get the “double-cinch" on the S. B. O.
and K., and complete the great combination on
which his heart had‘ been set. Then, Horace
DeLangdon. as he was now called, turned his
face to the East, and went back to meet his wife
and daughter.

TH] IND. l

 

Beadle’s Half-Dime library.

BY WILLIAM B. BY STE“.
190 Danlynarkog or, The Tigers of High Pins.

 

.10 Faro rank. or, Dandy Duke’s Go-Dowa Paris

BY ALBERT W. AIKEH.

The Two Detective-t 0'.'l‘ho 'ortuuos ola Bowery Girl.

Ab. (loll. tho Crow-Killer.

an] “l” or, the Giant Tn per.

Joe "up ' of Angels on Illa Boy Pard.

N ork Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps la Gotham.

ew' n land Nit-LI” or The Fortunes ofa'ooaollng.

lek, the drone

8 TIM ' loo Arlsons 8

away...

o I the Helms! Detective.
undo”!- Ilow York. .

rlnco.

 

 

 

BY 00].. A. F. “0LT.

.99 Black Buck-kin; or. The Masked Men of Death Canyon. ’

419 Kenneth, the Knife-King.

‘35 LIIJIO L itfoot. the Pilot of the “'ooda.

It. The Dill y Sport; or The King Pln Cons inter.

078 Ilead‘llgllt llarry’s llazardt or, The '.lg tnlng Express
tort Vt.

891 Headlight llnrry’s llaul.

797 lleadllght llurry's In'lren. ii

759 Headlight llurry’s Heritage.

BY PIIILII’ 3. WI RNE.

GT Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake. tho Chm.
175 Caps-In Arlnonat or, Patent-Leather Joo's Big Game. ,
19! Captain Mask; or, Patent-heather Joe's Defeat.

ll” Deep-rd. the Duelist; or. The Mountain Vampires.

.38 A Ton ll Boy: or, The Dwarl's Revenge.

80' thtle ornndoi or, The Outcast. oi‘ihoGlon.

BTU [Jule Jln‘o: or. the Queer Ford.

.88 thtlo (Ila-my; or, Caught In His Own Tran.

401 l.lttlo fihoo- ly ‘ or, A Race for A Ranch.

408 Little Leather-l recoil"; or. Old Jumbo'scnno. ’ »
CCI thtlo All fill!) or, The Curse of Blood. i,
451 Colorado Rate. A Tale of tho uiinso. "
‘80 Three Jolly l'arda.

517 Jim Gladdcw’n Deputfi.

597 The Jolly l’nrds to t e Helena.

‘4? Handy Andy; or, A Good Man Down.

.56 Larlat LII; or. The Casi for a Life.

574 "Id lVoaoel-top. the Man with the Dogs.
8 Keen Clo-n. the Ranch imp.

699 Ill. Ihnly the No-Name Sport. ‘_
6|! "lily Blaze-t or,'l'he Skeleton's Legacy.
085 oklahoma III the Blue-Coat Scum.

648 Happy Harry's Bl Find.

664 Cheeky Charley t s Special.

 

BY IlllACEBRlDGE “EXYNG.

'89 Island Jim: or, The Pot of the family.
.191 The Captain oftllc Club: or. Tho Rival Atklotl.
10] Jack llarkaway In New York.

BY CHARLES MORRIS.

Will Burners, the Boy Detective.
l’hll Illrd g the Boss Boy.
.0 Picayune etc; or, Nll'ndemul, the Dog MIVO.
30 Detoctlvo Dick 3 or, The Hero in Rags.
andnorwo llarry, In. Boothlscli Detective.
lll Wlldflre, the Thoreu hbred.
lll'l‘ Bean. Wlll Wildfire s Racer.
Ike Merry the Harbor Police Boy.
lll Wlldnre in the Woods.
lily Bu an. the Railroad holy.
Trump ardt or. Will Wild ro Wine and In...
ob Rocket“ or. Mysteries of New York.
ob Roche" the Bank Runner.
The lfldden lland or, Will Wildiiro's Raven”.
.7 Fred llalyurd. the lie Boat Boy; or. Tho Smugglers.
189 “0b Rockett; nr. Driven to the “'all.
[96 flhndowfll; or, non Rorkott’s Fight for Llfo.
’06 "ark Paul. the Tiger King.
DID Dashing have. the Druid Detective.
220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock.
835 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky.
’85 Shadow Sam. the Messenger Boy.
94! The Two “ "looda "; or, Shamanic-h Bill and His Gang.
.5. Dick llunhlwny s or, A Dakota Boy in Chira o. r
969 The Y can; “harp-I of. ROHii‘Hns Mike's ct Trail. .
.74 Jolly Jlm. the lietoctive Av rentlco.
.89 Jolly Jlm’s Job; or, The can Detective.
.98 The Water-llonndi or. The nung Thoroughbred.
805 Ilanhnway. oi‘ Dakota; or. A Western Loci in Quaker City.
"4 llllpll Ready, the Hotel lioy Detective.
84! Tony Thorne. the Vagabond Detective.
I“ The lloporter-Detectlvei or, Fred Flyer's Biimd.
807 Wide-Awake Joe: or. A Boy oi'lhe Times.
8?” Larry. the Levelert or. The Bloods oi the Boulevard.
408 I'Irclly Jll‘k. Ills River-Rut Dekclivi.
488 The Lost FM on or. The Enivappod Cashier. 1
42!! Fred Flynn t e Reporiur Dolor-live.
482 lnva-ih e Lona. the Pinkerton Ferret.
450 Billy Brick. the .lully Vagabond.
W'ldc-Awake Jerry, Deirrilvo; or, Entombed Alive.
479 "elective "ed 1-; or, The Mystery nl'FYInk Hearty.
49‘ Wild I'lck [luv 1%.
50] Boots. the Hay Flreman i or. Too Sharp for the Sharper.
fill“ The Ker-rot ‘crvlce Ilov Defective. \
690 Jlnnn ' the Kld; or, A and. Amung Wolves.
627 Tom "we of Arkansas: or. The Wnll'ln the Fold.
655 l’lncky Paul. the Boy Speculator.
667 lloh and Hum. the Daley Den-dives.
T09 The l'nrlpntono Defective: or. Harry Hale’s Big Beat. *
75? Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes.

MISCELLAN icons isn'rmms.

4 The “'lld-llorse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Bold and
Frederick Whittaker.
9 Adventure! of Baron Munch-noon.
I! Gulliver'e Travels. B Dean >wlfl.
l4 Aladdin! “r. The Wonder ul Lamp.
16 Robinson Crusoe. (iii illustrations.)
18 Sindhud the flallor. "in Seven Voyages.
l. The Sea Serpent: or. The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan
A'W I.
88 The Ocean lllondhoundi or. The Red Photos of tho
Carrion-s. fly 8. W. Pierre.
86 The lloy Clown: or. The Arena Queen. By I‘ S.l’iun. l
3! Ned “'ylde. lhI Boy 800!!!» By Tons Jack.
5| The lloy Bli‘on or. The Underground Camp. By A.C.lrous.
95 The Rival Rover-l or. The Froobootors of the Lil-isolppi.
By bloom-(70L Huelllno. V.
.8 lit-Mn flood. the Untiawod lavl:or,‘l‘hs Merry Men oiGroono {
wood. 8 Protllllderslouvo. ‘
105 "M III) e, the Hunter: or, Tho Crow Cautlvs. By Captain
Llitmlllon Holmes.
III ’li'he Mad Hunter: or. "hr CI" of Death. By Bum-inn.
I“ lglpny. the 'l‘oxani on'l'lu Youns Champion. By Goovgo

i334:

35>:

 

umguuuuuuuuuuuu
Q$beaflflfid

l INNNGQRFD:

 

- canon.

1.8 The Young l’rlvaueri "UNI. Pirate's Stronghold: By
Harry Cavend . .

1‘s shun, 3mm or, The Adventures oi a Nondis- Boy. By J. ,' 1

 

Alexander Patton. 
T Dually Dav-roll. THEE": or. Tho Green Ranger of tho Tol-

‘owstono. By ldward men. P;
'3‘ r. o Fearnan ht the New Y vrk Boy. B G. L. Aiken. A
.60 K" or. the Ga (lei 'fl. Davy Crockett's rocked Troll. _ ,

By their» C. D. nvron. '
'98 Red C ow. the Ono-Ind Trapper, or. The In“ es the Gill. «g '
Captain Comatock . ‘

 

      

.17 szk Pete. the. Lively Lad from loadvlllo. By blou-
ienant Alfred Thorns.
II! The Sky lletoctlve; or, A Boy’s Tight lav Lil‘oanl Hones.
B Iaior Hickey Froo.
BIO llyod llaln’lli. the River Rover. ov,‘l'ho Bram Dov
vonro. By all Bouillon.
BII “altlnon Ben the Booibllci Detective. A. r. m
Ii" Gold-[root TO-i or. Dan’s Death Match. filler“.
ITO fialll‘ofinlat Joe’s First Trail. By (‘4 I Then.
0 0' one ‘n
on mil, Romano". the CllflCllmhor. sy as. Winthrop.
TI The Black FM . By John I Warner.
Col-am- e lilo and Ilia Three Ilfllolbloss I]
Henry . homas.
[8! The Cowl» "Ike. By Idols Brook-Torrent.
“I Ariel the At late. Dr Dovld .
58‘ Will Wa‘oro, tlo Bov Poi-rot. Bv H.lnton.
l!” The D notootive'n Double. By Gerald Carlton.
Til Maverick Mose. tho Arlsona Detective; onTM Wind oi
no ""f‘."2i'.1.ii"'.i'”i L":"§"M s 1- M h r
u 0 a core 0 re : ,
ry. By Da’n Dunning, (oi tho Swat growl: Conan) w M
A New Issue Every Tuesday:
[The Half-Blue Library is for solo by all nowldoalanJvn ‘
a... perm, or sent by mall on receipt of six cools out
BEADLE AND anus. Publishers.
=es William Stroos. new York

 

 -'-(r“‘v

 

 

 

 

 

a

   
    

BEADL

-  _ “i. a. I." . >. - 3a , .. ..

t‘,

finer-J .. A . z  i." was .* ._ .
xv =1 '. ,- . ' - w’ .. Q .4

 a n u.
‘ z

i

r », sit '.j ._':t.' z'  ', 1"1’m.’ ‘; u t.’ v. "1 .

E’SrDIMErflBRARY-

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

g-». _; ~ . :.. '7-
.55.!

 

 

 

BY WILLIAM R. EYSTEB.

707 The Rival Rovers.
687 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a Charm.

, 677 Mr. Jacksam the Gent from Jaybird.

65! Gilt-Edie Johnni; or. R0ldan and His Rovers.
650 Luck *ster's one Hand.
634 Old andcart's Big Dump.
622 The All Around Sports.
603 Di‘Si‘l‘. iii. the an With the Cougar.
590 Gentle J sex. the High Roller from Humbug.
576 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.
566 The Dude Detectiye.
5.33 ilurrah Harry, the Hi h Horse from Halcyon.
519 licls'iazzar Brick. the ' a of Blue Blazes.
53.1 Oregon. the Sport WithaScar.
525 Fresh Frank. the Derringer Daisy.
503 The Dude from Denver.
478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from way Back,
4.30 Mn or Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives.
429 Hair Trig er Tom at Red Bend.
402 Snapshot in; or. The Anzols‘ Flat Racket.
306 The Pi er Detective; 0r. The Gilt Edge Gang.
875 Royal rattle Three in One.
356 Thr-~e Han me 8 rts; or, The Combination.
344 Double Shot Dave 0 the Left Hand.
333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.
300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bed Time at Bunco.

We Mike. the Man of Frills.

Captain Cutsleeve; or. The Little Sport.
214 The Two Cool S rts; or, Gertie or the Gulch.
192 The L1 htning wt.
182 Hands p; or, e Knights of the Canyon.
160 Soft Head, Sharp; or, The Man with the Sand.
145 Pistol Pards; or. The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY CAPT. puny. wnrr'raxnn.

614 The ShOWman Detective; or. The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul.
445 Journeyman John. the Champion.
412 Lar Locke. the Man of Iron.
406 Old op Hicks. Showman.
878 John Armstrong. Mechanic.
826 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or. The League.
803 To -Notch Tom. the Cowbo Outlaw.
295 Oil Cross-Eye. the Maverlc -Hunter.
290 The Lost Corvette: or. Blakelrr‘s Last Cruise.
.284 The Three Frigatesi or. Old Ironsides' Revenge.
277 The Saucy Jane. Privateer.
272 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.
265 Old Double-Sword; or. Pilots and Pirates.
25‘; A Yankee Cossack; or.The Queen of the Nihilists.
247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade.
242 The Fog Devil: or, The Ski - of the Flash.
'230 Thl' Flyinc Dutchman of 1 .

26 File Mad Hussars; or. The 0's and the Mac‘s.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys.
'21! Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.
206 One E e. the Cannoneer.
193 The an in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
167 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers.
174 The Phantom Knights.

_ 159 Red Ru Iiger. the Archer.

132 Nemo. King or die Tramps.
115 The Severed Head; or. The Castle Coucy Secret.
193 The Duke of Diamonds.
98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.
96 Double Death; or. The S y of Wyoming.
69 The Irish Captain. A Ta e of Fontenoy.
.65 The Red Rajah; or. The Scourge of the Indies.
39 The Russmn Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

BY om. coomns.‘
619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives. .‘
14S One-Armed Alt. the Giant Hunter.
1:47 Loni: Board. the Giant 8%
90 'l‘ln- (iinnt. Rifleman: or. ild Camp Life.
5.1 Rwl Rah. the Boy Road-Agent.
4;; :.1:.l1..'l‘wn, lho Younf: Outlaw or Silverland.
'46 ll Avie-Knil'l- ll ~u. tlw Nor‘West Hunter.
44 0M Dun iiii'klun'k. the Great Extarminatar
43 Dukol'i Dan the I’lui‘klt’ss Ranger:
7 Death Notch. the Destroyer-

BY PHILIP S. ‘VARNE.

53” Captain Adair. the Cattle Kllig.‘

567 CED’nin Midnight. the Man of Craft.

5“ The Back to Hack Purds.

62“! The Chfim ion Three.

502 13.3mka uck, the Centaur of the Plains.

‘72 S'XFWfiEI: or. The Man to ‘~ Tie To."

4‘31 Ca“me Kn. the Always on Hand.

3&1 gi‘verggdé 0" A “ Daisy “ Bluff. t
"W" e" to o nSer n.

859 Yellow Jack. the fiemngne G me 1’" V

388 Jack Sands. the Bog. of the Town.

299 Tum or a Kind: "knelt. Despard and the Sport- .

280 Tiger Dick's Lone
251 Tiuefibigknvsédlmn D .
207 Old ar e : or. d“ I
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of me gaggle? Mare
111 The Gentleman from Put,” .

80 A Man of Nervepor. Comm the 1""!-

54 Always on Band. or. The gmhm". Sport.

29 Tiger Dick. Faro Km I; 01;, The Game“! crime.

4 The Kidnapp‘h’: 01‘. Gel?“ Orthweu Shun)“.

1 A Hard Crowd: on em gum. 8m“.

mi [.1505 am.

099 The Cowbo Couriers.
686 The On-the- l Detectives.
624 The Submarinengetecdvakzrgo'rhe We“, 1‘-
434 Captain Readv.tb~ . The mer. 05°“
44;; file ISilent Dgttgectivo, 01'. Bogus New .

16 mon r.
428 The Flying (mm; or, The island Lure.

BY Pnor. J. mancnanam,

9 . f  . 80‘.

316 Lafitte s Lieutenant. or. Child 0

iii we   the? 626:7... ....
0 ur ar p , .

113 The Sea Upper; or, The )reeboown,

BY on. most. Dvnnan.

«)4 The Detective in Rails; 0" The Grim smwer'
5W The True-Heart Par“ .

d.

i BYCAPTAIN nowann nonmns.

711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective.

701 Silver StoVe, the Branded Sport.

694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.

684 Velvet Van. the Mystery ShadoWer.

675 The Dude Desperado

671 Jason Clew the Silk-Handed Ferret.

664 Monk Morel the Man-Hun er.

651 Sol 8 hinx. tho Ferret Detective.

612 Red ard and Yellow _

608 Silent Sam the Shadow Sphinx.

592 Ca tain Si . the Shasta Ferret.

579 Oi Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery.

559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand. the Mohave Ferret.

548 The Magnate Detective.

5&2 J ac‘: J avert. the Independent Detective.

523 Reynard of Red Jack: or. The Lost Detective.
512 Ca tain Velyet's Big Stake.

we Ph 1 Fox. the Control Spotter.

496 Richard Rednre. the Two Worlds' Detective.

487 Sunshine Sam. a Chip of the Old Block.

4S) Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret.

48 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective

45‘! Captain Coldirip‘s Long Trail.

447 Volcano. the mace Spy.

441 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer Lynx. the W onder Detective.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.

40! 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.
$2 The Bonanza Band: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major BIISter. the S rt of Two Cities.

365 Keen Kennard. the hasta Shadow.

852 The Des rate Dozen.

347 Denver uke. the Man with “Sand.”

340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

835 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. G. PATTEN.

715 DoubleVoico Din on Deck.

702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective
696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
6‘39 Th e Sparkler Sharp. I
676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

66) Old True Blue. the Trusty.

cm The Giant s art; or, Sold to Satan.

656 Old Plug  the Rough and

648 Gold Glove l the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack. the Desert Nomad.

631 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Ca tain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
571 Oli Dismal. the Range, Detectite. ‘

545 Hustler Harry, the owboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN Manx WILTON.

323 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers.
311 Heavy Hand; or. The Marked Men.

305 Silver-Plated So], the Montana Rover.

291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man 01' Big Luck.

265 Lightning Bolt. the Canyon Terror.

276 Texa = Chick. the Southwest Detective. "

271 Stoneflst. of Big Nugget Bend.

266 Leopard Luke the in of Horse-Thieves.
26‘? lron'Armed Abe. the nnchback Destroyer.
258 Bullet Head, the Colora lo Bravo.

245 liarranca Bill the Revolver Cham ion

237 Lon -Haire-i lilax; or, The Black c.
227 Due 'shot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida 10.
2‘23 Canyon Dive. the Man of the Mountain.

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 Robber Queen.

BY SAM S. HALL- “ Buckskin Sam.”

511 Paint Pete. the Prairie Patrol.
3'71 Gold Buttons; or, The Up Range Pards
358 The Prince of Pun Out. I
812 Blanco Bill. the Mustang Monarch.
328 Km; Kent: or. The Bandits 01' the Bason.
322 The Crimson Coyotes; or. Nita. the Nemesis
309 Rayhold. the Battling Ranger.

301 Bowlder Bill; or. The Man from Taos.
293 Stampede Steve: or. The Doom of the Double.
287 Dand Dave and his Horse, White Stocking.
282 The erciless Marauders; or, Carl‘s Revenge.
2733 Mountain Mose, the Gorge Outlaw
269 The Bayou Bravo; or, The Terrible Trail.
264 The Crooked Three.
256 Double Dan. the Bastard; or, The Pirates.
250 The Rough Riders; or. Sharp Eye. the Scourge.
244 Merciless Mart. the Man Tl enor Missouri.
2‘39 The Terrible Trio; or. The ngel of the Army.
25 Rocky Mountain Al; or. The Wall of the Range.
221 Desperate Duke. the Guadeloupe “Galoot.”
217 The Serpent of El Paso' or. Frontier Frank.
212 The Brazos Tigers; or, file Minute Men.

204 Big Foot Wallace. the King of the Lariat.

199 Diamond Dick. the Dandy from Denver.

195 The Lone Star Gambler: or. Magnolia‘s Maid.
191 The Terrible Tonkawav; or. Old Rock ’s Pards.
136 The Black Bravo; or. The Tonkaway‘s lumph.
173 Dark Dashwood. the Des rate. 1

90 WW; wm, the Mad Kane em.

3 Kit Carson. Jr., the Crack Shot.

BY con. 'rnoMAs H. MONSTEBY.

- eel Jack: or. The Masked Mystery,
g3 gigi'tfng'rom. the Terror of the Toughs.
386 Champion Sam: or. The Monarchs of the Show.
1” Corporal Cannon. the Man Of Forty Duels
Mom-ad, the Mameluke; or. The Three Sword

1‘0 E1 . King of the Swordsman.

“3 £626.??? or. The Nihilist League

1: RC Demon ‘uelist: or. The We or stool.
'1 Wrist. the Swordmastet. ‘

.  _. 

 

 

BY NED BUNTLINE.

657 Long Tom. the Privateer.
633 The Sea Slpy.
621 The Red rivateer; or. The Midshipman Rover.
584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail. ‘
361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot.
270 Andros. the Rover; or, The Pirate‘s Daughter.
122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot S y.
111 The Smuggler Captain; or, he Skipper's Crime.
61 Captain Seawaif. the Privat-er.
23 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 Thavendanegea, the Scourge;or. The War-Eagle.

BY EDWARD WILLBTT.

483 Flush Fred. the River Shgp.
368 The Canyon King; or. a co on his Head.
348 Dan Dillon. Kin oi Crosscut.
337 Old Gabe the ountain Tram .
827 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood etective.
815 Flush Fred's Double; or, The Squatters’ League.
3% Hemlock Hank, Tough and True.
298*ngger Lem: or. Life in the Pine Woods.
289 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.
2‘74 Flush Fred, the Mississip i Sport.
248 Montana Nat. the Lion 0 Last Chance Camp.
2% Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack's Crime.
209 Buck Farle . the Bonanza Prince.
129 Mississippi . one; or. a Strong Man 's Sacrifice.
‘ IfY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
$7 The White Squaw.
234 The Hunter‘s Feast.
228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obnah.
21% The Wild Huntress' or. The uatter.
213 The War Trail: or, he Hunt of he Wild Horse.
208 The White Chief. A Romance of Mexico.
200 The Rifle Ran rs; or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain 0 the Rider or, The Lake ngeen.
66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pac .
55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
12 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.
8 The Headless Horseman.

BY nanonn PAYNE.

713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase.
706 Detective Burt’s Seven Clues.
698 Thad Burr. the Invincible.
690 The M atchiess Detective.

680 XX, the Fatal Clew.

BY COLONEL BELLE SARA.

106 Shamus O‘Brien, the Bould Boy of Glingal.
87 The Scarlet Captain' or. Prisoner of the Tower.
53 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of Deadwood City.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“Old Hawk.”

643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter.

616 )lagnns. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

595 Wellborn. the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Jomm. the DetectiveExpert. ;
574 Old Falcon’s Double.

561 The Thug King; or. The Falcon Detective‘s Foe.
546 Falcoubridge. the Sphinx etcctive.

536 Old Falcon‘s Foe: or. The etecriw's Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop M1je, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Fal on. the Thunderbolt Detective.

501 S ringsteel Steve. the Retired Detective.

494 T 9. Detectiw’s Spy.

48’) Rowlock. the Harbor Detective.

4T7 Dead-arm Brandt.

467 Maimvarinz. fhe Salamander.

462 The Circus Detective.

451 Grinlouk. the Rocket l‘otcolivc.

444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Hand. ‘
424 H‘uvk Heron‘s Deputy. '
336 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.

MISCELL \ NEOUS.
566 The hauntless Detecive: or, The Daughter
Avenger. liv Tom Vi . King.
542 The. Ocean Drift; or. The. Fight for Two Lives.
By A. 1‘. unit. .
531 Gre -:1 Mountain Joe: 01'. The Counterfeiter's
C‘nw. lly Mamiaduko Dey.
516 Royal Richard. the Thoroughbred. By J. W.
) : 1011.
410 Sarah Brown. Detective. Bv K. F. Hill.
366 The Telegraph Deleclivc. y George H, Morse,
3.13 Bnrt Brennan: or. The King of Straight Flush.
liv John Clubber-t.
350 Flash Falcon. Soviet v Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
312’ Kinkfoot'Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mo!b
ris Rodwing. ‘
21'?) The SmuL'glvr Cutter. B J. D. Conroy.
261 Black Sam, the Prairie 'lyhunderbolt. By 00L
- Jo Yards. '
190 The. Three Guardsmen. Bv Alexander Dumas.
179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Glider-sleeve.
166 Owlet. the Robber Prince. B S. R. Urban.
158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. 33k Powell
152 Captain ironnerve. the Counter-falter Chief
116 The Doctor Detective. a George Lemuel. ’
144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. By Victor Hm
140 The Three Spaniards. B Geo. Walker.
133 Body the Rover. By W1 'am Carleton.-
125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Alnsworth.
110 The Silent Rifle-man. By H. W.‘Her
102 The Masked Band. By Gcorze L. Aike .
78 The Mysterious Sfy. By Arth r M. Grainger.
76 The een‘s Mus 'eteers. By r20 Albany.
68 The ightlng Trapper. By Capt. J. F. C.‘Ad&lnl.
60 Wide Awake. the Robber King. By F. Duniont.
82 ‘B'ho of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegian.
11 Mid ipman Easy. By Ca tain Marryatt.
10 Vidocq. the French Police py. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.

A new issue every Wednesday.
Beadle,- DIIne Library is for sale by all

 

Nowadealers. ten cents r man
mm elve cents  “m by
Pub William street, New York.

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BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY.

a.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY JOSEPH II. BADGER, JR.

712 The Man of Silk.
7% Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte.
698 Kent Kasson, the Preaac or Sport.
683 Bob Breeze. the Rounder Detective.
675 Steel Surry. the Sport from Sunrise.
one Solemn Saul‘s Luck Streak.

661 The Get-There Sharp.

651 Silverth Strve. the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.

645 Gopher Gabe. the Unseen Detective.

686 Dandy Darling. Detective

627 Mosshack Mose .1he Mountaineer.

617 The on Sack Sharp’s Even a l.

597 Big Ban y, the B dler of B mstone Butte.
588 Sandy Sands. the rp fmné‘gilla City.

555 Grip-Sack Sid. the Sample Sport.
547 The Buried Detective; or, Saul‘s Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet. the Man of Nerve.

585 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift.

527 Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective.
514 Gabe Gunn. the Grizzl from Ginseng.
504 Solemn Saul. the Sad 11 from San Saba.
495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead’s Reprlsai.
4&5 The Thorn hbred Sport.
2'53 gash! -Eye. the Despot of Dew Drop.
' 1
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
450 The Rustler Detective.
448 A Cool Hand; or. Pistol Johnny's Picnic.
438 Oklahoma Nick.
488 Laugihing Leo; or. Sam's Dandy Pard.
4% The host Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte Jim. the Black Sheep of Bismarck.
y Ranch: or. The Imps of Pan Handle.
40:: The Nameless Sport.
895 Deadly) Aim. the Duke of Derrin ers.
887 Dark u .the Ishmael of the iis.
879 Howling onathan. the Terror from Headwaters.
372 “grain Crisp. the Man with a Record
867 A yal Flush: or. Dan Brown's Big Game.
360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
855 Storm Steve. the Mad Athlete.
851 Nor‘ est Nick. the Border Detective.
845 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective.
389 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
881 Chis Charley. the Gold N ug et Sport.
824 Old orked Lightninrz. the Sol tary.
317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.
2% Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand.
288 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines.
257 Death Tra Diggirgzs; or. A Man ‘Way Back.
249 Elephant om o urango.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustiers.
288 The Old Boy of Tombstone.
201 Pirate of the Pincers; or. J0 uin's Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Rob: or. The Belle 0 Nugget Camp.
15!) Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.
170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.
165 Joaquin. the Terrible
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
141 F uinox Tom. the Bully of Red Rock.
127 So Scott. the Masked Miner.
.119 Alabama Joe: or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.
1% Dan Brown of DenVer: or. The Detective.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.
71 Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark.
67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
64 Double-Sight. the Death Shot.
50 Jack Rabbit. the Prairie Sport.
47 Pacific Pete. the Prince of the Revolver.
45 Old Bull's-E e. the Lightning Shot.
40 Long-Haire Pards; or. The Tarters of the Plains.
80 Gospel George; or. Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.
28 Three-Fingered J ack. the Road-Agent.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNING.

714 Gabe Gail. the Gambolier from Great Hump,
708 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan SusEect.

692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range x lorer.
655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the
646 Dark John. the Grim Guard.

638 Murdock. the Dread Detective.

623 Dan erous Dave the Never-Beaten Detective.
611 Alka i Abebghe Game Chicken from Texas.

596 Rustler Ru ° the Round-Up Detective.

585 Dan Dixon's Double.

575 Steady Hand, the Napoleon of Detectives.
568 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotsplur of Honeysuckle.
551 Garrv Kean. the Man wit Backbone.

539 Old Doubledark. the Wily Detective.

581 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur.

521 Paradise Sam. the Nor’-West Pilot.

513 Texas Tartar. the Man With Nine Lives.

5“ Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest.
428 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy.

4” Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpshooter.

486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.

479 Gladiator Gabe. the Samson of Sassajack.

470 The Duke of Dakota. ,

468 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator.

455 Yank Yellowbird. the Tall Hustler of the Hills
449 Bloc Burke. King of the Rockies.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

487 Doe Duke: or. The Man of Two Lives.

427 The vais of Montana Mill

415 Hot Heart, the Detective 

405 Old Bald . the Brigadier o uck Basin.

885 Will Die Turpin. the Leadvilie Lion.

297 Colorado Rube. the Strong‘Arm of Hoggur.
279 The Gold Dragoon. or. lifornia Bl hound.
BY LIEU’I‘. A. ll. SIMS.

709 Lodestone Ion). the Chain ion of Chestnut Burr.
695 Singer Sam. the Pilgrim Igtective.

688 The River Bustiers.

678 Stuttering Sam the Whitest SE in of Santa Fe.
an Old Adamant. the Man of Roe .

618 Kansas Karl. the Detective King.

552 Prince Primrose. the Flower of the Flock.
526 Huckleberry. the Foot-Hills Detecdve.

irthmark.

576 Silver-T Sid; or. Gri rp’s Sweep.
564 The deSharp; or. he Seraphs of Sodom.

ugh and Ready the Sage of Sundown.

 

BY (10].. PBENTISS INGBAHAM.

704 Invisible lvan. the Wizard Detective.
685 The Red-skin Sea Rover.
679 Reveilo. the Pirate Cruiser; or, TheRival Rovers
672 The Red Ra ier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride.
662 The Jew Dr. tive: or, The Beautiful Convict.
658 The Cowboy Clan; or. The Tigress of Texas.
653 The Lasso King’s League. A companion Story
to “ Buck Taylor. the Saddle King.’
640 The Rev! r‘s t ibution.
635 The Ex Buccaneer; or, The Stigma of Sin.
6:” The Sea Thief
625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
615 The Three .- uocanecrs.
610 The Red Flag Rover; or.White Wings of the Deep.
605 The Shadow Sliver Ship.
600 The Silver Ship: or. The Sea Scouts of ’76.
598 The Sea Rebel: or. Red Rovers of the Revolution.
597 Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Heaits of ‘76.
581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantiet Runner.
560 The Man from Mexico.
553 Mark Monte. the Mutineer; or. The Branded Brig.
546 The Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.
540 The Fleet Scourge; or. The SeaWings of Salem.
580 The Sav es of the Sea.
524 The Sea user; or. The Pirate Noble.
516 Chatard. the Dead-Shot Duelist.
510 El Moro. the, Corsair Commodore.
493 The Scouts of the Sea.
4:39 The Pirate Hunter; or. The Ocean Rivals.
482 Ocean Tramps' or. The Desperadoes of the Deep.
476 Bob Brent.the Buccaneer; or. the Red Sea Raider.
469 The Lieutenant Detective: or, the Fugitive Sailor.
457 The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.
446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.
4‘35 The One-Armed Buccaneer.
480 The Fatal Frigate; or. 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.
898 The Convict Captian.
888 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch.
877 Afloat. and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
878 Sailor of Fortune: or. The Barnegat Buccaneer.
369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.
an The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
846 Ocean Guerrillas; or. Phantom Midshipman.
841 The Sea Desperado.
8% The Magic Ship' or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
825 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermite.
818 The lndlan Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.
807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.
281 TheSea Owl: or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
K9 Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls of the Sea.
255 The Pirate Priest: or. The Guru nier’s Dan hter.
246 ,ueen Helen. the Amazon of the Overlan .
285 d Lightning the Man of Chance.
231 The Kid Glove Miner; or. The Magic Doctor.
224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.
2%) The Spect'w Yacht; or. A Brother's Crime.
216 The Corsair Planter: or. Driven to Doom.
210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.
ill5 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
198 The Skeleton Schooner; or The Skimmer.
184 rue 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 stery.
162 The Mad Mariner: or. Dishonored and isowned
155 The Corsair Queen; or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas.
139 Fire Eyw' or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.
134 Darke Dan. the Colored Detective.
181 Bucks 'in Sam. the Texas Trailer.
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or. The Heritage.
121 The Sea Cadet; or The Rover of the Rigoietts.
116 Black Plume; or. The Sorceress of Hell Gate.
109 Captain Kyd. the King of the Black Flag.
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.
108 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 Rovor; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.
2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch.

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
Numbers 9 are from the pen of Bufalo Bill.

710 Buflaio Bill Baffled.
697 Buil’alo Bill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.
091 Buffalo Bill's Blind Trail.
682 Buflalo Bill's Secret Service Trail.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoo ;or. The King of the Mines.
649 Buck Taylor. the die King.
644 Buffalo Bill's Bonanza.
0689 The Gold King; or. Montcbeiio. the Maggiflcent.
Daredeath Dick' or, Buffalo Bill's Da g Role.

#599 The Dead Shot Nine- or My Pards of the Plains
517 Buflalo Bill‘s First ral . '

‘414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

I'401 One-Armed Ford; or. Borderland Retribution.

‘897 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver's Trail.

.894 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

862 Bull'alo Bill‘s Grip; or Oath Bound to Custer.
829 The e of Three: or. Buflalo Bill‘s Pledge.

I'819 Wild Bi . the Whirlwind of the West.

.304 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler.

.243 The Pi in She : or. The Soldier's Sweetheart
1w Wild B ‘13 Gold rail; or. The Desperate Dozen
175 Wild Bill‘s Trump Card: or. The Indian Heiress
1% Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot. 5
158 The Doomed Dozen; or, Buffalo Bill, Chief of

Scouts.
117 Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard.
92 Buffalo Bill the Buckskin King.
’86 Gold Bullet Sport: or. Kn hts of the Overland.
‘52 Death-Trailer. the Chief o Scouts.

BY MAJOR DANGEBFIELD BUBB.

448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor.

186 The Phantom Mazeppa; or. The Hyena.

156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo.

142 Captain Crimson. the Man of the iron Face.
117 Dashin Dandy; or, The Hotspur of the Hills.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

ms Joe Phenix‘s Siren.

700 Joe Phenix's Unknown.

681 Joe Plii-iiix‘s Specials.

674 Uncle Sun Up. the Born Detective.

670 The Li htweight Detective.

665 The F sco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find.

660 The Fresh in Montana.

652 Jim - son Blake, the Bouncer Detective.

647 The Fresh of Frisco at Santa Fe.

6‘37 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.

632 Joe Phenix's Master Search.

628 Joe Phenix’s Combin ~.

620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.

613 Keen Billy. the Sport.

607 Old Benzine. the “Hard Case " Detective.

601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow.
' 594 Fire Face. the Silver King‘s F 0e.
5% 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-Chowder.
587 Blake. the Mountain Lion.
529 The Fresh in New York.
52) The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
497 The Fresh in Texas.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
475 Chin Chin. the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective.
461 The Fresh on the Rio Grande.
440 The High Hor. e of the Pacific.
42‘! The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Bea-saute:
419 The Bat of the Battery; or. Joe Phenlx. Detective.
4% Doc Grin, the Vendetta of Death.
891 Kate Scott. the Decoy Detective.
884 injun Dick. Detective; or. Tracked to New York.
881 The Gygfy Gentleman; or. Nick Fox. Detective.
376 Black -ards; 01. The Rio Grande H n Home.
370 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to e End.
868 Crowningshieid. the Detective
854 Red Richard; 0: The Crimson Cross Brand.
349 Iron-Hearted Dick. the Gentleman Roan-A eat.

The Genteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night lfiwk.

252 The Wall Street Blood; or. The Tel ra h
an The Double Detective: or.The 111an t ystery.
196 La Marmoset. the Le motive Queen.
178 California John. the Pacific Thoroughbred.
161 The Wolves of New York; or. Jae Phelix’s Hunt.
180 Captain Volcano or. The Man ofRed Revolvers.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective.
107 Richard Talbot. of Cinnabar.
101 The Man from New York.

97 Bronze Jack. the California Thoroughbred.

96 Captain Dick Talbot. King of the Road.

91 The Winning Car: or. The Innkee 's Daughter.
84 Hunted Down: or. The League 0 Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.

79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy:

77 The Fresh 01' Frisco; or. he Heiress.

75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
72 The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress-
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert at Gulf.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or. Madman of the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen.

42 The California Detective: or. The Witches of N.Y.
41 Gold Dan: or. The White Sav e of Salt Lake.
38 Velvet Hand; or. injun Dick‘s ron Grip.

36 Injun Dick: or. The Death—Shot of Shasta.

85 Kentuck the S rt: or. Dick Talbot of the Mines.

Rocky Mountain Rob. the California Outlaw.

33 Ovariand Kit; or. The id I of While Pine.

31 The New York Sharp; or. 9 Flash of Li§htning.
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls 01 New ork.

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective.

612 Sheri! Stiilwood, the Regulator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.

591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards; or. Riddles‘ Riddle,
519 Old Riddles. the Rocky Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie, the Road Sport.

478 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas.

436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pine.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the Gold Star Detective.

890 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers; or, Emerald E6
of Devil‘s Acre. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
By Albert W. Aiken.
718 Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce; or, The Bad Men
of Mineral Bar. Bme. B. Eyster.
Ready Ju‘y 21th.
719 Boston Bob. the Sport Detective. By George C.
Jenks.
Ready August 86.
720 Old Halcyon. the Stranger Within the Gates. or.
The Six Sinners of Sahara. By Joe. E. Badger.
Ready August 10th.
A new issue every Wednesday.

Beadle,- Dlme Library is for sale by II
Newsdealers. ten cents per copy. or sent by mail 0.
receipt of twelve cents each.

BIADLE AND ADAMS. POW

 

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