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ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK. N Y.. POST OFFICE. December 12. 1894.

Wzéj-Qaéigis7herg: momma... W m

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WednesdIY- 9s WILLIAM STREET, NE v YORK. $5 00

LACK BIE'L at
BAREFOOT BAR.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

CHAPTER I.
THE LETTER WHICH GAVE THE CLUE.
THE dusk ot the night was coming that over
hill and dale.
It wasoarly spring.
The way was wild and ruahmore trail than
road, winding umid the rocks—fringed here and
there by clumps of timber. A more lonewome
place, at such an hour. could not well be found. .7 -
Yet we write not of some wild Western trail, .,
but of aroudwithin rifle-shot of one of the old- I AM A DECOY TO LURE YOU TO YOUR DEATH, ’1 )N 'I‘mx! THE mm. In.“ LADIED.

.r

 

iTeton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

7 l
est cities in New England,fair New London,

nestled by the broad Thames.

This rude apology for a road quitted the main
highway, the northern “ pike,” a short eighth
of a mile below the spot of which we write, and

here a second road, as much a trail as the first, ,
split off from the other and went up into til) ,
l

hills.

At the junction a man stood, dressed plainly '

in dark clothes, with a broad-hr mmed slouch

hat, such as is common in the West; a noble- ‘

looking fellow, nearly six feet high and magni-
ficently muscular, a frank, open face, 5::iootl1‘y-
shaven, and almost as dark in Lucas u'i liirlian’s
Visage; his raven-black hair too was long like a
red—skin’s, but came down upon his broad shoul-
ders in curling locks.

In his hand the man held a. fragment of a,
letter, the blackened edges of which showed
that it had been ex posed to the peril of fire.

He read the writing upon the fragment aloud:

“ The twentiath of the month—April—I will meet
you at N. L. I have discovered the hiilnz-place of
the old woman, and if the son 1 Yes—as I believe——
we are not secure. until he is put out of tho-way. It
is important that we do this work ourselves for it is
not safe to trust to other hands; th ‘l'i'l'ul'e We must
not be seen together. On the twentieth—time it so

as to arrive in N. L. about six o'clock in the al‘tcr- :

noon; take the N road: about two miles out turn to
the left—it is the ilrst road, and more like one ofour
Wild Western trails than a road in a civilized coun-
try; ashort distance and you will come to where
the road splits in twain; there I will meet you
iiiid— ’

and the end were missing.

“Although this letter was not intended for
me yet I am here,” the man remarked, a deter-
mined look snining in his clear eyes. “ It is the
twentieth of the month, the hour of six is past,
and I wait for the coming of a man whom I

have never seen—whose name I know not, and 1

yet whom I intend to hold to a bloody reckon-

ing.

“ From the shadows of the Rocky Mountains
have I come, where the Teton River poms its
icy flood down into the mighty Missouri, and
here in the very heart of the old-time civiliza-
tion I mean to call this Unknown to an account
for his wrongdoing in the land of the setting
sun. -

Then a slight noise fell upon the well-trained
ears of the Westerner and he hastened to seek
concealment in the thicket near at hand.

, It was but a. big dog, on a foraging expedition
intent, probably.

The stranger kept to his lair. The minutes
lengthened into hours, he heard the distant
church—hells ring, the big round moon came
slowly up, and upon looking at his watch he
found that it was after eight.

He made a gesture of impatience.

“Something has occurred since the letter was
written to make these men change their plans,
and I will only have my trouble for my pains,”
he muttered. “ Which of these roads would
my man take? Evidently he has a rendezvous
somewhere in the neighborhood on one of the
roads—hark l” he cried, abruptly. “ A horse
has turned into this trail from the main road ll
It is robably my man!” And with a gleam of
satis action on his dark face he sunk back again
to his concealment.

The sound of the horse’s hoofs grew louder and
louder, but the animal was only approaching at
a walk, and the practiced ears of the watcher
soon detected that there was something the mat-
ter with the animal. .

“The horse is either very tired or lame," he
muttered.

Then up the road, distinctly visible in the clear
moonlight, came the horseman.

A ouug, good—looking, muscular fellow, with
blon e hair, bright blue eyes and that unmis-
takable look which comes from birth and breed-

_ in only.

9 was handsomely dressed and rode a good-
looking, blood-bay horse which was so lame that
it was as much as he could do to limp along, and
the rider evidently was very unevagy.

“ Great heavens!” cried the esterner, the
moment he got a good view of the horseman’s
face, “this man is the living image of Randal
Crawford—Randal Crawford as he was thirty

ears ago! He is not the man I seek, for my
ellow isa. man well in ears according to the
best description which could get of him.”

The rider stopped his horse some twenty feet
below where the Westerner was hidden.

“ It is a. shame to burden the poor beast with
my weight!” he exclaimed as he leaped nimbly
to the ground. “ A shame even to force him to
go on in his disabled condition. I do not under-
stand it. for the beast seemed all right when I

, started.”

One of those powerful impulses which some-
times seize upon men prompted the stranger to
step forth and speak to the horseman.

‘ Hello! something the matter with your
horse 9” he asked, as be advanced into the road.

“ Yes, the brute is dead lame,” the horseman
replied, surveying the striking person of the
other with a. curious glance.

“ Let me take a look at him; I am somewhat
of a jockey.”

The stranger examined the h )rse’s leg.

“The trouble is in the hoof. Aha! there has
been foul play herel See!”
From the hoof he drew a small nail, which
, had evidently been placed in it in such a way
that it would gradually produce lameness, as
the pressure of the hoof noon the ground forced
it grtidiiafly up into the quick.

“ I am amazed l” the horseman cried. “ Have
you not made a mistake—is it not an acci-
dent?” /

“ Oh, no, the nail was inserted in such a way
as to gradually lame the horse. Are you on a
quest where it would be to any onels interest to
have you detained?”

“ Hardly; I am on my way to my mother,
who is so ill that she is not expected to live un—

. til morning. I have been summoned home to re—

She lives about half a

ceivo her d}, lug words.
I am a

mile off, at the end of this upper road.

; student at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massa-

chusetts, and wass i uunoned home by telegraph.-
As I got 011’ the train at the depot here in New
London, a man accosted me.saying: ‘ Your mo-
ther has been dreadfully worried for fear you
would not come in time; here is a horse ready
for you.’ I mounted and came on at a good pace
until the horse became lame.”

“ is this your mother’s horse ?"

“ No, hers is an old family beast, suited for a
nervous woman."

“ The man was a stranger?”

“ Yes;but not suspecting that anything was
wrong, I took no particular notice of him. I

i d btifI ldb bl tor co n‘ th fello
Here the epistle stopped short; the beginning ‘ 0“ W0“ 9 u e e g 126 e W

if I saw him again.”
“ And ten minutes’ walk will bring you home?”
(I Yes.”
” The horse was fixed so as to force'you to
walk the latter part of the way. This road seems

i to be a lonely one—”

“There is not a house until you come to my
mother’s",

Then to the mind of the stranger came the
passage in the letter, which had by a strange
accident fallen into his hands: “ 1 have discov-
ered the hiding-place of the old woman—and if
the son lives—we are not secure until he is put
out of the way.”

Did not this refer to the young man and his
mother?

“Have you any enemies who might wish to
harm either you or your mother?”

“ None that I know of l” replied the other, in
amazement.

TheWes terner meditated upon the situation for
a moment. The conviction had seized upon him
that an attempt would be made to assault the
student as he walked along the lonely way, and
he was calculating whether it was safe to allow
the other to go on; finally be resolved to permit
him to decide.

Hurriedly he explained his suspicious, and
why he had them.

“ I will go on!” the student exclaimed, imme-
diately. “ I can hardly believe that either my
mother or myself can have enemies desperate
enough to meditate murder, and as for the
West, my motherhas never been in Montana,
to my knowledge, nor has she any relatives,
friends, or even no uaintanccs there. My name
is George Haven, t e same as my father, who
died when I was about five years old; he was a
sea captain."

“ You are the living image of a man who
once held a very prominent position in Mon-
tana, and when I rst saw you I was startled.
If you choose to risk going on I will follow a
little in the rear, so it' you are attached, I can
come to your assistance. Unless you are killed
outright by in gun or pistol-shot, I will be able
to rescue you.”

“ We are not in the wild West, but in the civ-
ilized East, where assassins seldom are found,
the student replied, with a smile.

“ Crime lurks everywhere, and it is the unex-
pected that always happens!” the stranger re-
joined. ’

“ Go on, I will follow; it can do he harm."

The horse was fastened to a tree, and then up
the lonely road at a brisk pace went the student;
a 'hundred yards behind, gliding over the
ground with the noiseless stride of the red
brave when stealing upon a sleeping foe, came
the dark-faced stranger.

Backward two hundred
gone, and the Pequot’s day
this wild, rock-ribbed land.

years the age had
ad come again to

CHAPTER II.
THE ATTACK.

NOT a sound was there to denote that there
was a human within miles of the spot.

The frogscroaked in the lowlands to the right
of the road, and the mournful hoot of he
screech—owl sounded dismally.

On the two went; the student’s footsteps ring-
ing out sharply along the rocky, winding way;
the road descended intoa littlevalley,preparing
to climb a sharp ascent, around which It wound
in a curious fashion, known locally as the S of
Red Hill. Here there was a thick growth of
chestnut and oak, deeply shading the road.

As the young man got well into the gloom
there was a peculiar whirr in the air.

 

The sound came distinctly to the ears of the

trailer; he had heard it too often not to under—
stand what it meant.

A lasso had been thrown.

The student started the moment the noise fell
upon his ears, and involuntarily threw out his
hands, but the coil of the lariat—the ro e a
rawhide one, strong enough to hold a wild uf-
talc—settled around his shoulders, then tight-
ened, and he was hurled violently to the earth,
the concussion stunning him.

The moment the deed was done, forth from the
shadow of the trees into the road leaped two
dark forms.

“ You have done the trick, Bill, to the queen’s
taste l”cried one of the men, in a st! Ong, harsh
voice—the voice of a man used to command.

“VVa—al, I reckon I ain’t swung a lariat for
years down on the Mexican peruiries for noth-
ing!” the other replied, using the tones of the
wild, rude frontiersman, the desperado of the
desert.

“ And now that the prey is secured, we must
give him histicket to the happy hunting-grounds
—send him to join the father, who, no doubt, is
waiting anxiously for the coming of his son and
l heir.”

“ Shall I use knife or pistol?”

“ Neither l” the other answered. “ There must
be no trace of violence on the body, nothing to
raise the murder hue and cry. The man is
stunned and helpless. I have a vial of chloro-
form and a sponge; it will be an easy matter to
strangle him with the stufl’, then W0.W]]l drag
the body into the bushes, and put it in some
secluded nook at such a. distance from the road
that it will not be apt to be discovered for some
time. In the interval, the insects, the birds,
stray dogs, and such like vermin will so sadly
disfigure the body that it will be hard work for
any one to tell the cause of the death; no marks
of violence will be found upon the corpse, and
the chances are great that it will be presumed
that death came from natural causes ; the young
man was, robably, under the influence of
liquor,wan ered from the path, fell and choked
to death; that is a reasonable supposition, you
know.”

“ Oh, yes, Lordyl w’ot a head you have got!”
cried the other in a. tone of intense. admiration.

“ And by the time that the bod is discovered
we will be in the wilds of the est'again, pos-
sibly on the very ground to gain which we slay
this young fellow, whose only crime consxsts in
being the son of his father.”

During this conversation the Westerner had
drawn a air of revolvers, and,with the stealth y
tread of he panther, stole through the shadows
toward the pair. I

He was within fifty feet of them before his

resence was discovered, then the man with the
harsh voice happened to catch a sight of the
dark figure gliding, like a. phantom, along the
road.

A n exclamation of alarm came from his lips.

“ 'l‘urowu ) your hands!” cried the Westerner,
sternly. “ hrow up your hands and surrenderl
Don’t attempt to pull a, weapon or I’ll kill you
on the spot l” ,

Ordinary men under like circumstances would
have surrendered at once, but these two were
evidently desperate rascals, forthe momentthey
realized that their plan to murder their Victim
was frustrated by this unexpected interruption,
and their own capture threatened, they made
a dash for liberty. \

Into the thicket, one man to the right, the
other to the left, they went, the movement per-
formed so quickly tl-ist the Westerner would
have found it a difficult matter to have shot
either one of the two, if he had been so dis-
pOSed. ‘

It was but a single leap from where the ~men
stood to the shelter of the trees, and once Within
the thicket they ran away at the top of their
3 eed. ,
pAlthou h two to one, yet they did not care
to risk a fight; possibly because they feared the
report of fire-arms would rouse the neighbor-
hood.

The Westerner advanced to where the student
lay, and listened for a few moments to the
’ sound of the men racing away for dear life.

“ ‘ Build a bridge of silver for a flying enemy,’
the Spaniards say, and in this case, I might as
well let these fellows get away as to pursue
them. They have not materially damaged my
friend here, and if I went in chase of one of the
scoup’drels the other might return and settle
him.

Having come to this conclusion, the speaker
knelt by the side of the student, removed the
lasso and raised his head from the ground, sup-
porting it on his knee. . _

The effects of the fall ware rapidl passing
away, and soon the young man opene his ey e_s,

He stared around him for a moment as if
striving to underttand what had happened,
then sat upright and exclaimed:

“By Jove! I did not believe there was any-

‘ thing in your suspiQ'OnB. hi“? 5’ 011 were Tlgbti”_

“Yes, there were a pair of scoundrels in wait-
ing for you, and they worked the trick in the
Western style by means of a lasso.”

“ I have read of such things, but I never ex‘
pected to be a. victim of the operation,” and the
student rose to his feet.

 

 

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

3

 

 

.—

"' How do you feel?"

“ Not much the worse; a little pain in to
head. the result of the sharp crack I got when
'was hurled to the earth so unceremoniously.
But 1 do not understand this assault. I know
of no reason why any one should wish to injure
me i" the young man remarked, earnestly.

“ it could hardly be for the purpose of rob-
bery—not if the fellows knew me-for I am not
in. the habit of carrying more than a few dollars
in my pocket.”

“ It seems to be something of a mystery," the
Viesterner observed. “ But from the brief
conversation between the two, which I has rd as
l was creeping in toward them, I gathered that
they bore your father a grudge, and went for
you on his account."

“ I cannot understand it, for my father has
been dead for years. But I have not yet
thanked you for the service you rendered me.
I feel that I owe you my life, and if the oppor-
tunity ever occurs rest assured I will be glad to
pa the debt.”

' ‘he two men clasped hands.

“ But, your name?”

“ Teton—Thomas Teton.”

“ You must come with me, so that my mother
will have a chance to thank you for the service
you have rendered her son.”

“ I shall be glad to do so. ”

CHAPTER III.
THE REVELATION.

UP the lonely mountain road the two went.
Five minutes’ walk brought them to an old—
:fashioned farm-house, situated on the hilltop;
lights gleamed from the Windows, and a pair of
shepherd dogs came bounding forth with shrill
barks. -

The moment the young man spoke to the
beasts the barks turned into whines of delight,
apd they frisked and jumped about in huge
g ee.

The noise made by the dogs attracted the at«
tention of the inmates of the house. The front
door opened, and a matronly-looking woman of
fifty appeared.

She was still a handsome woman, and had
evidently been very beautiful in her youth.

The student gave a cry of surprise upon be-
.holding her, and she echoed it.

“ Why, George, this is indeed an unexpected
pleasure 1” she exclaimed.

“Unexpected!” the young man cried, “ why
you might have known that I would come as
soon as, I possibly could after getting your tele-
irram.

a “ My telegramlllsaid the lady, in wonder. “ I
did not send you any messagel”

“ Is it possible? There is something wrong,
then, for got a. message, hearing your signa-
ture, bidding me hurry home at once, as you
had been seized by a sudden illness and did not
expect to live.”

“ I do not understand it, for I have never been
in anv better health in my life. But come in; I
am glad enough to see you, no matter how it
was that you happened to come.”

“ This is a new-made friend of mine, mother,
Mr. Teton, who has done me a great service to-
night," the student said, introducing the West-
‘erner, who bowed as the lady addressed him:

“ I am glad to see you, sir; any friend of my
dear to is always welcome to his mother’s
house. at come in,for the night air is chilly."

The young men entered the house and were
conducted by the mother to the sitting-room, a
large, comfortable - looking apartment to the
ri ht of the doorway.

here was a huge, old-fashioned fire-place,
wherein a log fire blazed.

Mrs. Haven saw her visitors comfortably
seated and then she expressed her wonder at the
false dispatch. .

" Mother, it was a trick to lure me to my
deathl” the son said, and then he explained all
that had taken place, ending with the declara-
tion: “ Had it not been for this gentleman, in
all probability I never should have looked upon
your face again."

“ Oh, sir, it was the hand of Heaven which
guided dyou to the spot!” the grateful mother ex-
claime .

“ It really seems so,” the Westerner remarked,
“for it was a stran e combination of circum-
stances which broug t me into this neighbor-
hood. I . have Just returned from a foreign
trip, havmg been away from my native land
for nearly twelve years. My home is in Mon-
" tana.

Mrs. Haven gave a violent start and fixed her
eyes anxiously upon the face of the speaker.

“ Montana 1” she exclaimed, “ yes, and your
face seems familiar to mel I felt sure I had seen
iron before, the moment I saw you, and yet I
cannot remember where.”

“ I do not think we have ever met, madam.”
the stranger replied. “ I have a most excellent
memory for faces and Seldom forget any that I
have ever seen.”

“Why, mother, were you ever in Montana?”
exclaimed the son in astonishment.

“ Yes, I was married there,” the lady replied,
with a deep sigh. “ But I had forgotten how
time flies. It is now nearly eighteen cars since
I left Montana, and, of course, I cou d not have

 

met you there, for, sir ” and she bowed with
stately dignit to the Vesterner,“ on would
have been on y a boy at the time. Still, there
is something about your face so strangely fa-
miliar that I am sure I must have been ac-
quainted with some of your relatives—your
father, perhaps ?"’

“ Yes, that is probable," and there was a pe-
culiar expression in the dark eyes of the W est-
erner as he uttered the simple remark.

“ Yes, sir, I can thank you for my son’s lifel”
the old lady exclaimed, gratefully, to the West-
erner.

“I but did my duty, madam," was the reply.

“ Is it not a strange, mysterious affair?" the
young man exclaimed.

“Well, I think I can, in part, explain the
mystery,” the old lady remarked with a sudden
air of resolution. “There is a painful secret
connected with our family, my boy, which I
have never revealed to you. I do not hesitate
to speak before you, sir, and intrust you with
this secret, for I feel as if you are a true friend
to my son."

“I can assure 'ou, madam, that you can de-
pend upon my discretion,” the Westerner hast-
ened to declare.

“ Twenty-two years ago your father, George,
and I were married. I was on a pleasure-trip
through the West, met your father at Fort Ben—
ton on the Upper Missouri, and as I was an or-
phan,of age, and my own mistress, there were
no obstacles to my wedding the man I fancied.
Your father was the Indian Agent in charge of
the Crows. Two years after my marriage—
you were then about a year old—a desperate
attempt was made to ruin him. Charges were
promulgated at Washington against him; he
was accused of all sorts of corruption. It was
the work of a few men who were envious of a
rich mining strike that your father had made
on a little stream known as Prickly Pear Creek,
and a town called Bearfoot Bar sprung up
there.

“ By means of this foul conspiracy they hoped
to couVict your father of having cheated the
Government, have him imprisoned, then they
would seize the mining property.

“ Your father had provided a home for me at
Fort Benton, and when he learned the nature
of the conspiracy he came in haste to me. I
was to go to Washington and ask the aid of
some influential friends, while he organized a
force to protect the mining pro erty.

“ I went, taking you with me, ut, to my dis-
may discovered that the conspiracy had been
so adroitly planned that there seemed to be no
chance for your father to prove his innocence.

“ To add to my despair a letter came from
him, in which he said he was on the eve
of a bloody battle for the possession of the
mines, and the chances were that he would be
beaten in the fight, possibly killed, and the ruf-
fiaus who opposed him had boasted that if they
triumphed in the fi ht they would hunt me out
in the East and kil both me and my be , so that
no one should dispute their right to he prop-
erty, therefore he urged me to take a false name
and Conceal myself.

‘ ‘ I had property of my own sufficient to amply
support me, so I would be above the reach of
want. I obeyed my husband’s injunctions.
This property belonged to a cousin and I pur-
chased it, for I did not believe my husband’s
enemies would ever discover me in this secluded
retreat

“ Anxiously I perused the news apers, seeking
intelligence of my husband, an at last news
came; there had been a battle, my husband,
who was represented as havin been entirely in
the wrong, was beaten in the ght, and was sup-
posed to have wandered away and died of his
wounds.” -

Here the old lady aused for a moment to wipe
away the tears wh ch these melancholy recol-
lections had caused to flow.

“ As soon as I recovered from the shock," she
continued, “ I sent a detective to Montana for
the purpose of discovering my husband’s fate,
but his quest was a fruitless one; my husband
had disappeared, and no one knew whether he
was alive or dead. It was the genera: impres-
sion, thou b, that he had died of the wounds ro-
ceiVed in t e fight, although his body was never
discovered. I have always cherished the hope
that he might be alive; still, it is hoping against
hope, for if he was alive, during the twenty
years that have elapsed, I surely would have
heard something from him.” '

And again the tears flowed from the afflicted]

woman’s eyes.

“ Do not weep, mother," the student said, ap-
proaching her chair, kneeling, and utting his
arm tenderly around her waist. “ If) my father
is dead tears cannot recall him. If he is alive,
I will find him. If he was murdered by these
scoundrels I will avenge his death and recover
the property which was wrested from him i"

A look of pride came into the eyes of the
mother as she listened to the noble words.

“ But you are all I have in the world,” she
tmurmured. “ The fight is such an unequal one,

00.
“ No, for I have right and justice on in side!”
the student cried. “ These scoundrels y this
attack on me have commenced the war. Now;

 

I will disguise myself and transfer the light to
the wilds of the far West; amid the hills of
Montana the scene of battle will be!"

“Let him go, madam; he is not his father’s
son if he does not burn to avenge that father’s
wrongs!” the Westerner exclaimed. “ And if
he cares to avail himself of my assistance I
shall be glad to given. I have an account to
settle with the man who wrote the letter, and
who, I believe, is one of the chief conspirators.
He is not acquainted with me,and so myuppear-
ance in the mining-camp will not alarm him, and
your son can easily disguise himself so that he
Will not be recognized. ”

At last the mother consented.

“ (l3, then,rind Heaven will protect you, I am
surel” shoexclaimed. “And now for the first
time I will tell you your right name. It is
George Haven Randal Crawford. Your father
was Colonel Randal Crawford, oriCe of the regu-
lar army, but who rosi nod to take the Indian
agency which wrought is ruin.”

A ain the peculiar light shone in the eyes of
tho Vesterner. His guess in regard to the iden—
tity of the young man was correct.

“ I will redeem myfather’s name and brin to
the bar of justice the villains who conspire to
ruin him i” the student declared.

And deep down in the soul of the dark-faced
Westerner a similar vow was registered.

CHAPTER IV.
was: MINING-CAMP.

BEARFUOT BAR, on Prickly Pear Creek, in
the eastern fact-hills of the old Rocky Moun-
tains—as flourishing a mining—camp as can be
found in Montana, for, in addition to the regu-
lar mining works, there were plenty of chances
for individual miners in the neighboring hills
and gulches, so that a man could average four
or five dollars a day and not have to work hard
either.

And then an United States post, Fort Fre-
mont, was located a mile down the creek, gar—
risoued by two companies of regulars, nominal—
ly two hundred men ; actually about a hundred,
and this helped to make the camp a busy town.

The leading place of resort in the town was
the Golden Star Hotel, kept by a long-legged
“ pike” from Missouri, universe ly called by all
Long Pete Logan. It was hotel, restaurant,
bar-room and gaming saloon all in one, after the
fashion of the West.

On the night when we introduce Bearfoot
Bar and its inhabitants, the main room of the
saloon was well filled with people. Some eat-
ing, some drinking, a few gambling, but the
ma Jority were gathered in little grou )5 discuss-
ing the news of the da ; the ‘most of hem were
in the neigliborhoodo the cigar stand, which
was quite an elaborate nfl’air, presided over by
a good-looking young woman, who would have
been decidedly handsome but for her strong
masculine appearance. '

But for a I this, she was one of the belles of
the camp.

Cherry Labarge she was called, and from her
dark complexion it was believed she had Indian
blood in her veins, but this the girl always in-
dignantly denied, seeming to consider that it
was somewhat of a disgrace to‘admit she was
akin to the red-men.

v In a small room, just back of the cigar-stand,
entrance to which could only be had by going
behind the stand, sat three men. '

This room was reserved for privileged charac~
ters, and this trio were three of the most
prominent men in the camp.

One was a big, burly man, well iLidyears, with
a long brown beard, thickly streak with gray,
as was also his hair, which was of the same
hue.

This was Archibald Crawford, Mayor of
Bearfoot Bar, and President of the Black Snake
Mining Company, the principal concern in the
town; the second was a muscular, broad-shoul-
dered fellow, also well in years, with a dark
forbidding-looking face his complexion bronzed
to a hue almost as dark as that of an Indian,
the face rendered still more stern and repulsive
b the fierce, short black beard which covered
:11 the lower portion of it. His dress was an
odd compound of the costume worn by the
miners and the mountain-men, as the trappers,
guides and Indian-fighters are called.

This was Black Bill Ricolls, one of the old—
timers, who boasted that he knew ever foot of
the country from the Yellowstone to t 6 upper
branches of the Missouri. V

The third man of the three, was a short,
thick-set Irishman, with a face so Celtic in its
appearance that no one would ever make the
mistake of thinking he was anything but a son
of the Emerald Isle.

He was called Barnard Finnegan, and was
both a lawyer and doctor, but his red face he-
trayed that he was a slave to dissipation, and
his general appearance was far from pleasing.

Crawford had just entered the room and taken
a seat when we introduce the three to the notice
of our readers. '

“ You sent for me, Barney?” the mayor said.

“ Yes. on a matter of particular business, do
ye mird,” the Irishman replied, speaking with
a slight brogue.

“ I’m here—what is it?”

 

 
   

4

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

“ Shure, talkin’ is dhry wourk, Mister May—
or,” suggested Finnegan, with a nod toward the
Ear, which could be seen through the open

our.

“You are always ready for a drink!” Black
Bill exclaimed. “ You have got the biggest
swaller of any Irishman I ever struck.”

“ I was born thirsty l” replied the lawyer with
a wink.

“ Tell Cherry to bring us a intflask of
whisky,” said the mayor to the o d mountain-
man.

“ Oh, shure, Archy dear, a pint is a weeney
sup for three of us!” Finnegan exclaimed as
Black Bill rose to execute the order.

“Quite enough to wet our whistles,” Crawford
replied.

Black Bill spoke to the girl and she dispatched
the boy, who assisted her at the cigar-stand, for
the liquor.

After it had arrived and been duly sampled,
the lawyer drew the attention of his companions
to two men standing in one of the groups,a little
way from the ci ar-stand.

Two young to lows dressed in the usual fron~
lgerliashion, both well—bronzed, and muscularly-

Ill .

“ They are strangers,” the mayor said, after
taking a good look at them.

“ Yis, they arrived in the camp yisterday,"
the Irishman remarked. .

“ What of them?”

“ Have ye taken a ood look (it the taller wan
of the two? If not, 9 afther doing it and tell
me where ye have seen a face like his before?”

Thus advised, the mayor and the old moun-
tain-man, carefully surveyed the man indicated,
End as they did so a dar look came over their

aces.

“ Aha! maybe ye are afther smelling a rat!”
the Irishman exclaimed.

“ Well, I don’t think that I ever saw this fel-
low before, but I most certainl have been well
acquainted with some one W cm he strongly
resembles," the mayor remarked with a puzzled

air.

“Yes, that is just the way it strikes me,”
Black Bill observed. " I hain t never seen this
galoot as I knows on, but I have seen a cuss
w’ot looks wonderfully like him.”

“ Go back wid ye twinty odd years, wash the
coloring that this bucko has put on his face,
change his black hair for light yellow, and who
will he look like?” the Irishman asked.

“ Randal Crawford 1” said the mayor in a tone
3 little above a whis er.

“That is the man, ’ Black Bill added.

“ Now yez have hit it: and who is this man
who bears such a resemblance to dead Randal
Crawford 9” Finnegan asked.

“His son from the East, I suppose," the
mayor replied, with a peculiar lance at Black
Bil which that worthy returne .

“ is, exactly' there was a son, ye know,
and at the time t e ruction took lace the wife
went East and took the boy with er.”

I ‘I‘II remember,” the mayor observed, thought-
u y.

‘t‘ But I say this man looks like a regular
Westerner,” Black Bill remarked. “ The other
one ’ ears more like an Eastern chap."

“ hat is where the cunnin’ of the deluder
comesinl” the lawyer exclaimed. “ Andthat,
too, to my thinking, shows that he is a mighty
dangerous customer. It is not many young min
of his age that would be afther having the
abilit to assume a disguise.”

“ ell what difference does it make to us
whether he is Randal Crawford's son or not?”
the mayor asked, with an assumption of care-
lessness.

“ Oh, no difference at all, at all, of coarse,”
the lawyer replied, also assuming a careless air.
“ I only thought you would like to know about
it, particularly as he has been afther asking
some impudent questions in regard to the min-
in property which Colonel Randal Crawford
he (1 in this town twenty odd years ago.”

“ 0h, he has been asking questions, eh?” ex-
claimed Crawford, with an ominous scowl.

] “d‘if’is, he has been trying to pump the land-
or .

“ Well, I reckon he didn‘t get much informa-
tion out of Long Pete, for he is our man and
knows enough to keep his tongue between his
teeth,” the mayor observed.

“ 0h. yis, Pete is a sly one and he never was
afther letting on, ye know, that he thought the
spalpeen was pumping him, but he tw1sted the
conversation round so as to try and find out
why the man was curious about the early his-
tory of the camp.”

‘1; Vghat questions did he put?” the mayor
as e .

“ e invited the landlord, and his pard,to
take a dhrink wid him—he calls himself Teton
Tom, by the way, and his pard is named Harry
Burke—then he remarked that this was a foine
ard asked—it was all cut and

cam , and his
t where a

dri , ye see—if this wasn’t the spa

man named Randal Crawford made such a big
strike twinty odd years a 0."

“Ah, yes I see: and suppose Long Pete
never hear

served.
“ You l’ave Long Pete alouel He was that

of such a man? the mayor ob-

    

 

innocent that butter wouldn’t melt in his
mouth l”the Irishman declared, with a chuckle.
“He allowed that he ha‘d been here for going
on twinty years, but had never heard of such a
man—«was he a relation of yours, mayorll he
axed, but neither of the pair knew anythin
about that. All they knew was that they ha
heard somewhere that a man named Randal
Crawford once made a big strike here.”

“Oh, yes, that is a likely story!” the mayor
exclaimed, in contempt. “ Randal Crawford
disappeared twenty years ago—died, probably,
though no one ever knew for certain—and it is
safe to say that, outside of a certain circle of
men, there are not five in the town who ever
heard of him, and hardly one of the live would
be apt to remember that the strike that Ran-
dal Crawford made is now known as the Black
Snake Mine, one of the richest properties in
Montana.’

“ True for yez!” Finnegan exclaimed. ” But
in all cases of this kind there is always some
meddler by for to be afther putting his car in,
and one of the smart Alecks of the camp ad-
vised this Teton Tom to find Dumb Dickey,that
idiot, you know, saying he, maybe, could tell
him, as the natural was an old-timer, and well-
acquainted with the history of all these mining-
cam in the upper Missouri region.”

“ hat Dum Dickey is a drunken fraud, and
he ought to be kicked out of every decent camp l”
tha inayrli: declared. d th h "

rec on he is rett well- to oug ,
Black Bill remarked). y W ’

“ Oh, I don’t think so, and to my thinking he
is more knave than fool; he is always sneaking
around trying tooverhear what bacon, and that
is the way he manages mam-prise these ignorant
miners sometimes when he tells their fortunes,”
Crawford declared.

” Wa-al,if the durned fool knows w’ot is good
for him he will keep his spoon out of our soup!”
Black Bill declared.

“ I reckon, Bill, you had better give the idiot
a gentle hint that we think his room is better
than his company in this camp, and that if he is
wise he will take himself ofl.’

“ All right I will attend to him the first time
I run across the p'ison galoot l" the old mountain-
man declared.

“ And now about this Teton Tom l” the law er
asked. “ He m’anes mischief, and that he s a
den erous man, too, I will go baill It is in
thin ing that if yes are wise, Mister Crawfo ,
ye will cut his claws afors he has a chance to
use them.”

The mayor took another look at the dark,
muscular, handsome stranger, who by his bear-
ing so strongly reminded one of a anther; in
his mind again he traced the resemb ance to the
Randal Crawford, the founder of Bearfoot Bar,
and a peculiar vague feeling of dread stole into
his heart.

“You are right, Finnegan, ri ht for a thou-
sand dollars!" he exclaimed. “ his man is like-
ly to prove dangerous and it is my rule in a
fight to always get in the first blow, so, Bill,you
had better attend to him. Arrange the matter,
you know, so that no one will suspect that there
is an thing in it but a common row.”

“ h, that is all right; I will do the thing up
in style. I noticed that the fellow was chinning
with Cherry a while ago, and I will get her to
put up the Job.”

“Going to allow her to know what the game
is?” the. mayor asked, and {from his tone it was
plain he doubted the advisability of it.

“Oh, no; I told the Chinaman that I would
come up for some cigars to-night, but I will send
her instead.”

The cigar-stand was Black Bill’s property.

“ And you will suggest to Cherr to get this
Teton Tom to escort er 3" Crawfor said.

“ That is the programme, jest to make the
other fellers jealous, and so encourage trade!”
Black Bill remarked, with a grin. _

“ That scheme will work all ri ht, the r1
will not he apt to have any susp owns, an if
on the way the ir are met, and there is a row,
it is an acciden . of course."

“ You bet!” Black Bill declared. .

“ Well, go ahead, pick flgood men for this fel-
low seems as if he was a hter, alt onggiel sup-
pose you intend to take in by surp ,” the
mayor observed. -

“ That is the game! I don’t reckon to give
him much chance to show what he can do,”
fad then Black Bill sauntered out into the sa-
con.

The others watched him s ak to a pair of
rough-looking fellows, and at r a brief conver-
sation, the two left the saloon.

Then Black Bill went up to the bar and chat-
ted with the landlord for about ten minutes,
after this he came over to the cigar stand.

“ Cherry, I wish you would go up to Charlee
Lee’s and get the cigars he war to have read
to-night. Jimmy will look out for the stan
and if you like, you kin take that new beau o
yourn along with on, that Injun-like feller
yonder. It would e a good idea, for that
would kinder stir the 0 her galoots up a

eetle.”

“All right; I don‘t doubt hewill be glad of
the chance,” the girl replied.

“ He ain’t no white man if he isn’t!” Blank

‘ l
n e

 

Bill declared, and then he returned to the inner
room again.

The girl waited until she caught the eves of
the handsome stranger, then nodded to him to
approach.

_ ‘ I am going up to the Chinaman to get some

ci ars," she said, with a coquettish glance.
“ I t is a little way up the gulch, and l shouldn’t
mind, havxng some nice young man for an es-
cor .
“I shall be delighted to offer my services!”
Teton Tom replied, immediately. ‘ It is a de-
hghtful night for a stroll, for the moon is so
bright that it is almost as light as by day.”

“If on will wait outside to the west of the
hotel will be out in a moment. It would not
do for us to go out together, for that would
make all the rest jealous, and then they might
go somewhere else for their cigars, and as I get
a commission on all I sell, I cannot afford to.
drive away customers."

“ Certainly not! I will wait for you.”

Then Teton Tom returned to his companion,
exchanged a few words with him, then quitted
the saloon.

As he had said, the round full moon rode
higifitin the heavens, and it was a beautiful
n1 .

eton Tom walked slowly up the street until
he Igot beyond the hotel, then halted.

e had not long to wait, for the girl soon
made her ap arance, having donned a coquet-
tish-looking elt hat of the Alpine style.

Teton Tom olfered his arm, and the two start-
ed up the gulch.

There were only some eight or ten houses-
above the hotel, so it did not take the pair long
to get out of the confines of the town. and free
from the gaping scrutin of the loungers.

1 “ What is your name ’the girl asked, abrupt»

y“ Thomas Teton, but I am generaly termed,
Teton Tom."

“ You are a half-breed?”

“ I sup so, but there is a little in 
about that. I am not quite certain who am. "

“I love men with mysteries.”

uI hope on will love me then!” the young
fellow rep ed, with a laugh.

“I am oingto love you enough todo on a
service w ch may cost me dearly,” the g 1 ob-
served, hurriedly, as two men made their ap-
pearance in the trail a couple of hundred feet

away.

“ Is that true?”

“ It is. I am a decoy to lure you to your.
death, Teton Tom I” the girl exclaimed,

 

CHAPTER V.
a QUARREL.

“ I occur to be astonished, I know,” the.
young man said, “ but I am not, for I expected
as much.” ‘

“Judge me not too harshly!” she implored”
“I am in the power of a merciless t rant who
forces me to do his will. If I shou cl dare to
disobey I should he sent back to dwell amid
the savages from whom he took me years ago——
to be the squaw there of some brawny red
butcher, and that is a fate which I dread worse-
than death.”

" I can understand the feeling; I am sorry for"
you and if it is in my power to aid you I will.
gladly do so.” A

“Alas! you will need all your courage and
strength toprotect yourself!’ the girl replied.
“ I am sure these ruffians coming, who are two
of the worst men in the camp, mean mischief.
I felt that I was being used as a lure to lead you
into danger when I was instructed to ask you to
be my escort, but I did not know the nature ot
the plot, and I did not dare to refuse. Do not.
ask me to tell you who instructed me, for I can--
not.

“ I am not at all curious. I shall discover
who my enemies are soon enough,” Teton Tom
replied, with a cool confidence which amazed
the girl. “ But, as I told you, I suspected I was.
being led to a trap, but I came willing]
enough, f0 I want to let some .men in this
cam see what kind of a. fellow I am, and the
quic er I give them ataste of my quality the
better.”

“ You are brave to rashnessl" the girl ex-
claimed in admiration. “ Heaven grant that
you may prove the victor in the fight 1"

By this time the two men were so nearthat the
pair were forced to stop conversing, and as the

allows came up, one exclaimed, in a loud and
extremely oflensive tone:

“ Hello, if h erain‘t my lovely tulip, Cherry,
hooking onto t e arm of a strange alootl Say,
you mud—colored son of a sea-coo , drop that
gal l3nd git, or I’ll let daylight right through

er

The two had approached within a yard or so,
of the pair and stood directly in the way, so it
was im ible for them to go on.

“On of the way, you insolent hound I" cried
Teton Tom with an outburst of flerceness which.
greatl astonished the hearers.

“ ot’sthati” cried the desperado, immedi-
ately reaching for a weapon.

But quick as he was, eton Tom was quicker

 

. salivate

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood. 5

 

 

Before the ruflian could get out his pistol the
dark-faced stranger, with the quickness of a
panther and the strength of a lion, dealt him a
terrific blow, which landed full on the “ Adam’s
up is” in his throat.

he man threw up his hands, staggered back,
.and dropped as if he had been shot.

This gave the other one an opportunity to get
-out his pistol, but before he could cock ir, Teton
'1 cm turned on him and with a dextrous kick
sent it flying out of his hands, then, springing
forward, he smashed the desporado bet ween the
:eyes, fellingr him like a log to the ground.

The affair only lasted a second, and never
since Benrfoot Bar existed had two men been so
completely knocked, and with so little trouble.

Of course two such hard headed customers as
' the-desperadoes were not long in recovering their

wits.
They staggered to their feet, pullin out their
pistols as they did so, but only to Illl them-

selves “ wvei'ed -” by a pair of revolvers, the
hammers raised, ready for action, in the hands
of the stranger.

" Go slow!" Teton Tom warned: “don’t at-
tempt to cock those pistols or you are a pair of
dead men." .

Ata single glance the desperadoes saw that
they were in a tight place, their adversary had
“ the drop " on them in the worst kind of way.

Fora moment they glared in impotent rage
at Teton Tom, and then the man who had begun
the trouble, cried out:

“ You durned red nigger! you don’t dar’ to
give me any chancefifor my white alley! l’in
Diamond Joe, I am, the worst man in this hyer

camp, and if you give me any sort of show I
Will fix you ready for planting in no time i”

“ That is the riflie am onto, too, you bet!”
the second desperado declared. “My name is
Crooked Smith, and I reckon thar ain’t many
men in this hyer camp who won’t turn white
when they hear that I am a-gunnin’ arter them.
Jest you 've me a show, and I will put you
whar the ogs won’t bite ye l”

“ You are a pair of villainous cutthroatsl”
Teton 'I‘om declared. “But I reckon that after
I get through with you, neither one of you will
be worth muchl Just walk along. Miss Cherry,
and wait for m9 at the rise of the hill while I :it—
tend to these two bIOWhardsl”

The girl complied with the request without a
'word, but no sooner had she get well out of
range when two new-comei s appeared upon the
scene —- a lady and gentleman, mounted on
horseback, rode up and gazed with astonish-
ment at the strange sight.

The lady was a handsome blonde-haired girl
of two and twenty, a dashing creature whose
appearance would attract attention even in a
ball-room, crowded with beauties.

This was Katherine Cadwalader, daughter of
the old army veteran, Major Roland Cadwala—
o'er in command of Fort Fremont.

Bier companion was a rather dudish-lookin
officer, one Captain Jefferson Morgan, attache
to the garrison.

This unexpected arrival caused a hitch in the
proceedings.

“ Two against onel" cried Katherine, with a
flash of indignation, as she gazed upon Teton
Tom ; “ that is not fair play, and cannot be per-
mitted l”

I“ h, it doesn’t matter,” Teton Tom replied,
Wit a respectful bow, as the lady reined in her
horse at his side. " You cannot call such
scalawags as . these rascals men, you know.
They rank With Digger Injuns and such like
vermin. I reckon I could whip about a dozen
chaps like these fellows and not have my hands
very full either.”

The boast brought forth cries of rage from
the t we desperatloes.

“ You can‘t do it, nohow l” Diamoan Jae
cried. “ You took an unfair advantage of me
and hit me a lick in the throat aforeI was ready
for you, but I am up and ready for business
now: gi’n me a chance in a fair fight and I will
you i”

“ That is the talk 1” exclaimed his companion.
“We are big chiefs, we air, both on us. and all
we ax is‘a show for our money. I reckon you
have spoiled my good looks for one while with
that'smash in the face that you gi’n me, and I
am Jest hunger-mg for a chance to git squarel”

This was the truth; Crooked Smith could not
be called a handsome man when at his best, but
now that be was disfigured with a pair of
ferocious “ black eyes,” he was about as ugly a
customer as could be found in the town.

‘ Yes, but you are two to one, and that is
not fair play!" the girl persisted. her eyes
dwelling with interest upon the handsome face
of the dark stranger.

“On, that is all right; if they are satisfied I
am,” Teton Tom replied, with an air full of con~
fldence.

The young officer, who was Katherine Cad-
walader’s most persistent suitor, was not leased
With the interest that the young girl eVIdently
took in the dark—faced stranger, and he thought
it wise to speak at this point.

To his notion, Teton Tom was an errant
booster, and he did not ‘believe he stood any

lechance of whipping the airif he was com elled
' to fight both of them. p p

 

“ If this man believes he is more than a
match for the two, 1 do not see why there
should be any objection to the fight," he re-
marked. “ If he gets the worst of the battle. it
will be a lesson to him not to be so confident the
next time,” and there was a perceptible sneer in
his tone.

“That is it exactly l” Teton Tom exclaimed.
“ Perhaps I need a lesson, and perhaps these
scoundrels can give me one, but I doubt it!”

“ 0h, jest gi’n us the chancel" Diamond Joe
rozired.

“ Yes, that is the talk i" cried his companion.
“Give us the chance and see how we will jump
at it!” ,

“ I am very much obliged to you, miss,"
Teton Tom said, “for your wish that I may
have fair play, but I am satisfied to let the fight
go on. I am a stranger in this camp, and the
quicker people find out what kind of a manl
am the better. Now then, if you two mean
business, turn and walk up the trail for a bun-
dred feet or so, then right-about face, and come
at me as soon as you like."

“ That’s the cheese!" cried Diamond Joe.

“ You bet!” yelled the other.

And the pair at once proceeded to execute
the maneuver.

“ it is a shame for all that l" the girl declared.
“ But I suupose a willl‘ul man must have his
own wayfyou have my best wishes, though,
for your success in this unequal fight."

“ Thank you l” responded the adventurer,
with a grateful bow.

Then Iiss Cadwalader and the captain rode
off to the right, halting when they were well
out of range, and facing their steeds about so
as to witness the fl ht.

Katherine Cadwa ader was a soldier’s daugh-
ter, had followed the fla with her father ever
si “1‘6 she was a little gir , and so did not shrink
from witnessing the shock of arms.

The dcsperadoes went fully a hundred feet be-
fore they turned, examining their weapons as
they marched along.

“ I say, Diamond, this galoot thinks he is a
fighter, whether he is or not,” Crooked Smith
observed.

“ Yes, he is plucky enufl’, but we will skin him
when we git arter him.”

“ He is a good man with his fists,” Crooked
Smith observed, reflectively. “Darn me if I
ever got a worse lick in my life! If he is as
good with his we’pons as he is With his fists, we
won’t have no picnic l” ,

“ Wa-al. if we two can’t do him up, we ought
to be booted out of the town i" Diamond Joe
exclaimed, evidently more confident than his
companion.

“ Yes, we ought to do the trick, but how will
we come at him?"

“ Not together, for that would give him too
bigashow. When we turn, you skirmish off
fifty feet or so to the right; then we’ll bear down
on him, and the odds are big we kin lay him
out!

“ We are to get fifty ducats apiece for this
riflle?" Crooked Smith said.

“That was the figure.”

“ ’I‘aiu't enuff', pardl This is an extra good
man. and it is worth a hundred.”

“ Right you ar’l We will strike Black Bill
for fifty extra alter we lay him out."

“ Ef he don’t lay us out.”observed Crooked
Smith, evidently a little doubtful in his mind.

By this time the hundred feet were covered
and the two turned.

“ Now be off with you 1" Diamond Joe, ex-
claimed. “ By getting at him this way the odds
are big that we “'1” bother the cuss."

Away to the right some thirty paces Crooked
Smith .went.

Diamond Joe waited until his pard was in
position, and then gave the signal to advance.

Motionless as a statue, his dark figure outlined
against the sky, a revolver in each band, Teton
Tom waited for the approach of his foes.

The pair had determined to reserve their fire
until well Within range, but when they got to
a point some six feet from the adventurer up
like a flash came 0th of his hands, and the lev-
eled revolvers caused the pair to halt and take

aim.

They had jumped to the conclusion that the
stranger was one of those seldom seen men who
could shoot as well with the left hand as with
the right. .

Hardly had Teton Tom’s revolvers reached
the level than one of them was discharged; it
was the pistol which covered Diamond Joe, and
by a second or two be anticipated the desper-
ado’s shot. for Joe was one of the marksmen
who liked to dwell on his aim.

To use his own ex ression, he thought he had
a “ dead sure bead ’ on the young man, and be-
ing a fair revolver—shot the odds are great that
he would have succeeded in hitl ing his man had
not the diseharge of Teton Tom’s pistol inter-
fered with his aim.

The adventurer had designed to hit the desper-
ado in the breast, a little below the line of the
shoulder, but a movement on the part of the
human target interfered with this, and the ball,
tearing its way alorg Diamond J oe‘s right arm,
entered the shoulder.

The revolver dropped from his hand, dis-

. 1

 

charged, but with the aim destroyed, just as To-
ton Tom’s bullet cut into the flesh.

A yell of pain came from the stricken man,
and with his left hand he essayed to draw his
other revolver, but the effort was too much for
him, and with another groan he sunk to the
ground. .

Crooked Smith had banged away as soon as
Teton Tom fired, but the fellow was a cor shot
and the bullet cut the air a yard overt e head of
the man in whom it was aimed.

Then with his left hand, Teton Tom returned
the fire. but too d asperado anticipated the shot,
and dodged just as it was discharged.

The (l\'Vll e sax cd him from a Severe wound,
for Teton Tom was a dead-shot with both hands
but the bullet cut away the lobe of Crooked
Smith’s lelt ear.

With a yell of pain the desperado clapped his
hand to his ear and then fled, believing himself
to be much more severely wounded than he
really was.

The fight w
an easy victor .

The sound of the firing attracted the attention
of the loungers in the camp and they began to
hurry to the scene of action.

Miss Cadwalader and the captain rode off,
anrll Teton Tom joined Cherry at the top of the
hi1 .

When the miners reached the 3 0t Diamond
Joe had recovered sulliciently to te i the story of
the light, and the miners bore him to the camp.
The mayor was immediately summoned. Great
was the wonder which existed; the Bar was in a.
fever of excitement.

CHAPTER VI.
A WARM RECEPTION.

TETON TOM went on with the girl as placidly
as if encounters of this kind were every-day oc-
currences.

“ You are well—fitted to hold your own I see i”
the girl exclaimed. " You have whipped two of
the worst desperadoes in the camp.”

“ One of them turned and run away fast
enougluthough, when he felt the sting of my
bullet," the adventurer remarked.

“ Yes, the downfall of his companion evident-
ly cowed him." a

“That is usually the way with nine out of
every ten of these desperadoes. Let them be
confronted boldly and the weaken. Well, I
am much obliged to you or the caution you
gave me, and can you still further oblige mo
withy the reason why this attack was made upon
mel’

“ No. I cannot; I am as much in the dark as
yourself in regard to that. Can you not guess?
Hay/(£3 you not enemies in the camp who fear

on

“ I don’t know a soul in the town. I never
was within a hundred miles of it before,” Teton
Tom answered. “ There is no reason, us far as
I know, why any one here or elsewhere should
wish to injure me.”

“lt is a mystery, then,"the girl remarked,
thoughtfully. “ But you can rest assured that
there is some good reason for it or the attack
would not have been made."

“ I presume these fellows are but hired
tools?” ~

“ Yes, and I must caution you that because
you have baffled this first attack, you mustnot
think you are out of danger, for the men who
are at the bottom of the plot will not stop be-
cause the first attempt fa led.”

“ I suspected as much; and now will you
frankly let me ask why you took the trouble
to Warn me—why you did not let me go blindly
on?

“ And I will. answsr as frankly by saying
that I do not know,” the girl replied. “ It was
a. sudden impulse which came to me, and I
obeyed it. I will say more: if I should learn
that you were threatened with any danger, and
I could save you from it. own at the risk of
personal suffering, I would gladly do it, and I
cannot tell you why. either.”

“ It is a case of liking at first sight, ehT’Te-
ton Tom exclaimed. “ Well, I must say that I
appreciate it, and if at any time you need a.
friend, I will do my best to be one to you I”

“Thank!”

The girl extended her hand, and the young
man clasped it warmly.

“There, we are comrades now, pledged tO‘
help each other!” he exclaimed. " By the way,
did you see the lady and officer on horseback
who rode up and witnessrd the fight?"

“ Yes," and then Cherry explained who they
were.

“ She was evidently much interested in you,”
Cherry added, with a touch of mischief.
“ There’s a sweetheart for you 1”

“Oh, no, she wouldn’t care for a man like
myself ; besides I would prefer a girl like you. "

“ Nonsense! iNobod y wants me with my bold
face and masculine ways.
man than a woman 1”

“ You wrong yourself; you are as attractive
a girl as I have seen for mu ny a day.”

“ Yes, that is what Dumb Dickey says, and
he always predicts a rich husband for me when
I go to have my fortune told.”

‘Ah,that reminds me: he is a party that I,

ended, and Teton Tom had won

I am more like a

6

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

 

want to see; who is he, and where can I find
him?”

“ He lives in a cave up the gulch, and you
can generally find him there, if he isn‘t out on a
begging trip. He is a harmless old man who is
out of his mind, and believes he can tell for-
tunes, and he reads the future after the fashion
of the Indian medicine-men; the people of the
camp humor his notions and get him to tell
their fortunes so they can have an excuse to
give him something to keep body and soul to-
gether.”

“But why do they call him dumb if he can
speak?”

“ Because he never speaks if he can help him-
self, excepting when he is called upon to tell
fortunes.”

“Yes, yes, I see.”

“ Here is my destination, Charlee Lee’s, the
John who makes cigars; excellent ones, too,
better than those we get from Helena,” and the
girl paused in front of a rude cabin. “ He came

here to start a laundry, but nearly starved to '

death, for b’iled shirts are at a dbcount in this
region; finally he got into this cigar-making,
and now he is getting along nicely."

The cigars were procured and the two return-
ed to the camp.

 

 

E

l

The others agreed that this was not an unrea-
sonable view.

“ Send Long Pete in to me,” Crawford said.
“ I want to get a few particulars from him,and
then I will explain the scheme which I have in

y mind.”

Black Bill obeyed the command, and in a few
minutes the landlord was busy in consultation
with the others.

Meanwhile Teton Tom was holding a regular
levee in the saloon, the citizens insisting upon
making a hero of him in spite of himself.

There were many honest miners present who
had been abused by the desperadoes, and they
were delighted that a new “ chief ” had arisen.

After this signal defeat neither Diamond Joe
or Crooked Smith could hope to loro it over the
camp again.

As soon as possible, Teton Tom and his pard,
Hurry Burke, got away from the crowd and re-
tired to their room.

So friendly were the miners, though, that it
was after eleven before the pair got up-stairs.

It was the general opinion that such a man as
Teton Tom had proved himself to be ought to
be offered inducement sufficient to make him

locate in the town, and at least a dozen had ,

proffered him a share in their claims, and the

Teton Toni was the observed of all the observ- 1 most of them had said, in the most generous
ers as he entered the hotel, for the news of the l manner, that if he did not happenlto be well-
iight had spread like wild—lire and all were anx— l heeled, financially speaking, it (lid not makeany

icus to see the unknown Stranger who had so
eusil y whipped two of the best men the camp
could boast.

Cherry returned to her place behind the cigar
stand, but was at once summoned into the little
room still occupied by the mayor, Black Bill and
the Irish lawyer.

Eagerly she was questioned in regard to the
trouble, and she related the particulars of the
affair.

“ Be the owersl this spalpeen is a lively
divil i” the Irishman exclaimed. '

“ Oh, Joe and Smith evidently thought they
had a soft thing,” Black Bill remarked. “ They
were too confident, and so let this Teton Tom
get the best of them.”

” oh, no: they did the best they could!” the
girl asserted. “ The stranger was too much for
them."

“ Diamond Joe swears that this fellow took an
unfair advantage of him, and some of hisfriends
are trying to get the marshal to arrest this Te-
ton Tom on the ground that he tried to assassin-
ate Joe,” the mayor remarked, with a peculiar
glance at the irl, as much as to ask how far
she would go in swearing to the truth of the
statement.

The girl understood what the mayor was driv-
ing at in a moment.

“Well, Joe is a friend of mine. and I would
do anything in my power to hel him get square
with this man who has wounde him so badly,”
she said, endeavoring to appear as truthful as
possible. “ But it would not be of the least use
for Joe’s friends to try any ame of that kind,
for it cannot be worked. I it depended upon
my testimony it might be done, but there were
two more people who witnessed the fight, Miss
Cadwalader and Captain Morgan, and they will
bear witness, of course that this stranger met
the two and whipped them both single-handed
in the fairest kind of a fight."

“ Aheml yes, under the circumstances there
would not be any use of your attempting to tell a
different story," the mayor remarked.

“ That is what I thought,” Cherry replied, in-
nocently.

“ I reckon, Bill. you had better see the mar—
shal and tell him to advise the boys to go slow,
for he cannot haul a man up for acting in self—
defense."

f‘ All right; I will attend to it,” Black Bill re-

lie .
p “ That is all, Cherry; I only wanted to get at
the truth of the matter," Crawford said.

The girl nodded and returned to her stand.

“ It is as I suspected when I saw the three in
there together,” she murmured. ‘* The mayor
is at the bottom of the plot; but why should he
bear hatred to this stranger? That is a. m s-
tery which I must set my wits at work to is-
cover, and I will do it, too, before I am many
weeks older I”

“Some other game will have to be Worked,”
the mayor remarked, after the girl departed.

“ Yis, wid the ividence of Miss Cadwalader

‘and the captain ag’in‘ us, we would niver be
able to convince a Jury that this fellow was af-
ther trying to mur er Diamond Joe,” the Irish-
man declared.

“1f the men on the jury knew enough to go
in when it rains they would be a mightv sight
more apt to think that Diamond Joe and Crook-
ed Smith set out to murder this strange galootl”
Black Bill declared. ~

“ That is true enough,” the mayor agreed,
“but I have a little scheme in my head which I
think will work. From the display that this
fellow has made, it seems to me that he is likely
to prove an extreme] troublesome customer,
and I am now thoroug 1y convinced that if we
do not settle him as speedily as ossible, we are
like) 99 find ourselves with 9. lg job on our

8.

 

difference.

It was the man they wanted, not his money,
and they were willing to agree to any fair ar-
rangement. He could have all the time he
wanted to pay.

Teton Tom thanked the citizens for these gen-
erous offers, expressed his pleasure at being
thus warmly received, and said that as soon as
he had time to look around, he would accept
some one of the liberal offers, for it was his in-
tention to settle down in Bearfoot Bar, for a
while, at least. '

Up-stairs, in the solitude of their apartment,

‘ the pards fell to discussing the situation.

Their room was on the second floor—there
were but two stories to the building—the lower
one being occupied by the saloon, while the up-
per was divided into small sleeping apart-
ments.

The furniture was of the rudest kind, and only
consisted of a cot bedstead with a hay mattress
and a couple of stools. In lieu of a table a shelf
was affixed to the wall and upon this Teton
Torn had placed the candle which the host pro-
vided for his lodgers.

As the reader has undoubtedly guessed, Teton
Tom and his pard,Harry Burke, were the two
young men whose acquaintance the reader made
in the first chapter of our story.

George Crawford had so completely disguised
himself that his most intimate riend won (1 not
have recognized him, but Teton Tom had made
no change in his appearance except to don a cos-
tume mainly composed of buckskin, suited to
the Montana wilds.

CHAPTER VII.

IN THE NIGHT.

Anna placing the candle upon the shelf, Te-
ton ’l‘om seated himself upon one of the stools,
while Burke, as we shall call young Crawford
while masquerading in his disguise, helped him-
self to the other.

The stools were by the single window which
the room contained, and as the apartment was
in the front of the hotel the pards had a good
view of the main street—in fact the only one-—
of Bearfoot Bar.

The moon was still high up in the heavens and
flooded the room with its silver light.

“ We do not need the candle,” eton Tom re-
marked. “ The moon affords ample light, and I
will put the candle out. I want to hold a. con-
sultation with you, and if we put out the light,
in case any one is prowling about the entry
they will come to the conclusionthat we have
gone to bed.”

“ That is true. ”

Then Teton Tom extinguished the candle.

When he resumed his seat Burke remarked:

“ Well, our first day in Bearfoot Bar will be
apt to be remembered as aremarkable one.”

“ Yes; I expected we would have trouble be-
fore we got through the camp, but I did not
think it would come quite so quick.”

“ I gathered from what you said when you
came in that you think those two fellows intend-
ed to kill you?” ,

“ Yes, that was the game; they would have
laid me out if they could. They pretended to
take offense at seeing me with the girl, but that
was only an excuse to pick a quarrel with me.”

“ What does it mean?"

“Why, that our mission to this camp is sus‘
pected. and it puzzles me, too, because the blow
was delivered so quickly.”

“ I do not see how any onecOJld possiblyguess
the object which brought us here,” Burke said.
“ We have kept our 'own counsel and have not
mentioned the matter to a. soul.”

“It is evident that we will have to fight a
wary and suspicious foe—onewho is on the alert
and ready to strike at the first signs of danger.
This I did not expect, for I thought that so long

, blood of the white man.

 

a possession would give a sense of security, but
I see it is not so."

“But why were you singled out for an at-
tack ?" Burke asked. “ Why you more than any
other stranger i”

“ Because I questioned the landlord in regard
to the strike that Randal Crawford once made
in this neighborhood. "

“ True, you did.”

“ And he professed i orance, although we
were told by the stage- river who brought us
in that this Long Pete was one of the first set-
tlers in the camp—that a little whisky saloon,
which he ran, was the third building erected in
the town. The man’s memory was a convenient
one, you see: he did not wish to recall Randal
Crawford’s fight for the valuable property
which was wrested from him by force of
arms.”

“ Yes, I remember; all he was willing to
acknowledge was that he had once heard of a
man by that name operating in this neighbor-
thOOdfibllb he ‘ reckoned’ he had never run across.

im.

“ It is very easy to forget what a man doss;
not Wish to remember,” Teton Tom observed,
sarcastically. “ But I knew by the expression
upon the fellow’s face, and the peculiar way in
which he looked at me out of the corners of his
eyes that he was not telling the truth.’7

“ lion are a close observer, Tom. I was
watching the man while he was speaking, and
yet I saw nothing out of the way.”

“ I have been trained from babyhood to read
the signs which are in the skies, on the earth,
and written on the faces of mankind. I am a
half—breed; in my veins flows the red life-~
current of the Crow Indian, mingled with the.
Until I was ten years.
old I dwelt in the tents of the red—men and was
fully as great a savage as any Indian boy in the
tribe; in all muscular sports I excelled, and,
young as I was, the skill I displayed in the-
chase, and on the trail, made the old warriors
of the nation (predict that when I grew to man’s
estate I woul be a chief as great as the mighty
Crow nation had ever known.”

“ This is like a romance!” the other ex-
claimed. .

“ It is no romance, only the truth,” Teton
Tom answered. “ Then there came a change in.
my fortunes. My Indian mother died : she‘bore
the reputation of being the most beautiful s new
that had had ever been known along the ppei‘
Missouri. My white father, who was absent at
the time, came in sorrow and took me away
with him. He was a wealthy man and loved
my mother sincerely. although she was naught
but an untutored Indian maid, and he was le-

ally married to her,too, just the same as if she
fiad been a. white woman, by the priest who was.
trying to convert the Crows.”

‘ He was an honorable man.”

“He was one of nature's nobleman!” Teton
Tom exclaimed, impressively. “He sent me to-
Europe to be educated—he would have done
this before, but my Indian mother would never
consent either to part with me or to leave her

,tribe; settled a handsome amount upon me—~

he was a wealthy mam—and so I lacked for
nothing.”

“ You were fortunate.”

“ Yes, I, the child of the New World, the son
of the wilderness, was educated with the noble.
scions of the old continent.

“ I preferred a soldier‘s life, and was schdoled
for one, and when I came of age I traveled
about, and, like the old-time soldier of fortune,
served under adozen different flags. My father-
had died shortly after 1 went to Europe, and so
I had no ties to bind me to any one particular-
place, but in time my heart turned to my na-
tive land, and 1 longed to see the red-men
among whom my early days were passed, so I
'geturned to America and went back to my early

ome.

“ The chiefs received me like one who had’
come from the dead, and I felt that though
their skins might be of a dusky hue, yet their-
hearts were white. '

“ 1 ‘had come just in time to assume the réle of
an avenger. Ten years before a white man who-
had married one of the squaws, and had a
prettylittle girl, had come to the campone night-
and kidnapped the _child. Chase was given, but
the man escaped With the irl. Now, word was
brought that the man had een seen at Fort As-
siniboine and I was de uted to hunt him down.
All_the ciew that I ha to him was that he was
a big man with a very long beard.”

“Not much to go upon."

“No, but I got on the track of such a man at
Fort Benton, and although unable to learn his)
real name, for he gave one at Fort Assiniboine
and another at For t Benton—evidently a rogue
of the first water—I happened to come across
the letter which led to our acquaintanceship.
He had set it on fire and thrust it into a stove,
but it failed to burn.” .

“ Of all the stories I have ever heard this is.
the oddest l" Burkeexclaimed. ’

“ Yes, it is a strange tale, and I have an idea
that I shall meet this man, who stole the Indian
girl away ten years ago, in this _town. It is.
probable that he has altered materially; the re-
moval of the huge beard and the extremely long

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.-

 

'7

 

 

hair which He wore would completelychange his
appearance.”

“True, and he, I suppow, is one of the men
who attempted to kill me. ”

“Yes, undoubtedl . Now, while I have not
done much talking uring our sojourn in this
camp, yet I have listened attentive] to what
other people have said, and I have isoovered
that the great mine of the town is called the
Black Snake; the mayor of the camp is the

residentand the chief stockholder, and his name
is Archibald Crawford. "

“ Well. that is rather strange l” the young man
exclaimed.

“ Yes, so it struck me, and now the question
arises—is be any kin to your father?”

“That I cannot answer positivel , but it is
my impression that he is not, for think my
mother said that my father was the only son of
I an only son, and had no relatives. I am not
= sure about this, but it is my impression.”

l “ I see, but the chances are that it is correct.”

“ I think so.”

“ Is this Archibald Crawford, then, one of the
original rascals who seized the mine, and he has
changed his name to Crawford so that peoiile
z, will confound him with the original discoverer?”

i “ That is possible. " .

i “ Well, we will get at the truth some (lay,that

7 is, if they don’t succeed in putting us out of the

way, for this attack tonight is but the com-
mencement. ”
“ You anticipate that the conspirators are

‘: desperate and will endeavor to keep it up until
4 , they make an end of us?”

I “ Yes; I should not be surprised if an attack
: g was made upon us this very night.”

'3 i “ Here in our room i” asked Burke, in sur-
prise.

“ Yes; scoundrels like the two I vanquished
i usually go in gangs, and the gang may attempt
, , to avenge the defeat of their comrades."

T' . . ‘_‘ There is a stout bolt upon the door, for I shot

it in its place after we entered.”
, , “Yes, I noticed that you did so; but appar-

: ently stout bolts are not always as trustworthy

‘  as they seem. Examine it carefully and see if

,i thehsgr’ews which hold the catch in place are all

‘ rig . ,

Burke did so, and was amazed to discover that
the screws were so loose in their holes that a

all ht push would displace them.
. hen he reported this discovsry Teton Tom
smiled and said: ‘ , ,
3 “ It is an old dodge; the regular screws have
é been withdrawn and smaller ones put in their
laces. If we had retired to rest, confident in
he security of the bolt, see how we would have

been deceived.”

“ Yes; with the bolt in that condition it would
be an easy matter for any one to enter the room
without makin any ncise. Does it mean, then,
that we are to e attacked tovni ht?"

“ That is my opinion; these to lows are work-
ing the game with wonderful sharpness; this bolt
has evi ently been tampered with this evening
since my fight with the desperadoes, for I no-
ticed it when we were assigned the room this at-
ternoon audit was perfectly solid then.” ‘

“ Yes yes; it is a trap, no doubt.”

\ r “ Well, we must prepare to receive them.
> With our four revolvers we ought to be able to
ive an unwelcome visitors a warm reception.
9' W11 construct a breast-work out of the bed
in the further corner here, lie down behind it
and fire from the sides: we can tilt the stools up
against the door so they will fall and make a
noise if any attempt is made to open it.”
Burke thought these were capital ideas, and
the were immediately carried out. ,
he bed was placed u on_ its side leu hwise
across the room, the stoo tilted up aga t the
door and then the two, after careful] examin-
ing their weapons, laid down behind t e bed.
i he moonbeams streaming in through the
_ I wligiidlcliw enabled them to distinguish all objects
i, I p y.
f“ . ‘ ' Teton Tom looked at his watch.

' “ Ten minutesof one,” he said. “ We will not,
in all probability, have long to wait. An attack
.f . be most likel to come between two and
‘ three. If on are copy, takea nap and I will
keep watc ." ‘ I

Burke tprotested that he never felt less like
sleep, on this was true, for the excitement had
driven all desire for slumber away.

'l'wolpi’clack calms.

By 1; 3 me e camp was buried in slumber
and no sound disturbed the stillness of thé

n1 ht. ' v
‘F‘ They are coming!” Teton Tom warned;
Bis quick ears had detected footsteps in the
en . ' \
, , Thye door was opened gently; over want the
g‘ ' , stools with a rodigious clatter, then the door
, was flung vio ently‘ open and armed men ap-
peared in the ports v '
“ Advance 9. single step within this room, and
your blood be on your own heads!” Teton Tom
cried, in warnln . ’

CHAPTER VIII.
run LYNCHEBS.‘ ‘. ’
, Tun intruders were taken completely by sur-
prise; it had . been their game to take the
' strangers unAWai-es, and they werevamazed at

I ‘ -

inn-

“W'mfl'flm own... “A ,. g.
e

   
    
     
  
  
 

 

 

 

 

having the tables turned upon them in this un-
ex ected manner.

’ hey halted in the doorway, the men behind
pushing) on those in front, and these worthies
posted ack, for they had an idea that the men
within the room would be as good as their
word, and open fire if they attempted to ad-
vance.

There were fifteen or sixteen in that party, as
nearly as the two pards could make out, all of
them brandishing weapons, as ugly a looking
at «if rufiians as could be scared up in the

es .

Confident in ztheir number, they had ad-
vanced boldly to the attack on the sleeping
men, calculating to make prisoners of the pair
before they would be able to offer any resist-
ance, and they were much astonished at this un-
expected check.

To seize upon and bind helpless, sleeping men
was one thing, and to advance upon a pair of
desperate fellows intrenched behind a breast-
work, determined to sell their lives as dearly as
possible, was another. '

True, sixteen men. by a desperate rush, ought
to be able to overpower a couple, but it was as
certain as anything could be that Six or eight
of the attackers would be apt to fall before the
feat was accomplished, and the men in the ad-
vance were likely to be the ones to fall, so,
though the fellows who were in the rear, in the
entry, were anxious to go on, the leaders in the
doorway were not.

After the first moment of the surprise was
over. Crooked Smith, who led the gang, cried:

“ See hyer, you had better surrender peace-
able, and not give us any fight talk, for we
have got men enuif hyer to clean you out and
not half try 1”

“ Pitch in and try it on then!” replied Teton
Tom, defiantly. “ We have twenty-four shots
here, and then our knives to fall back‘ on after
the guns are played out, and if we cannot lay
out two-thirds of your gang, it will he mighty
strange, so pitch in as soon as you please!”

“.I want you to understand that We ain‘t no
gang!” Crooked Smith declared. “We are of-
ficers of the law, We are, and we come to arrest

on, the hull town is back on us, and if you
ay us out, you can’t whip the camp, iiohow!“

“”Upon what charge are you gomg to arrest
us?

“ For the murder of Diamond Joe, the man
you shot last night i”

“ Is be dead 3”

“ Wa-al, ho is so near it that thar ain’t no fun
int) it l” Crooked Smith replied. “ We ar’ jest
goin to arrest and hold you until we see whe-'
ther e is going to kick the bucket or not. You
needn’t be afeard, ’cos you are going to git the

unrest kind of a deal. You will have a trial,
a 1 right and reg’lar, and if youiwasnlt to blame
in the affair, you haiu’t got no cause to be
afeard.” _ '

By this time Teton Tom had recognized the

on er.

Sp“ Aha! it is you is it? Well, I thought I re-
cognized your voice! Now do you think I am
fool enough to believe that I would get any fair
show at the hands of such a gang as would be
apt to follow your lead? Oh. no! I am no ten.
derfoot, and you cannot fool me for a cent!
You areaparty of lynchers—that is your time,
and the only show would get at your ands
would be a rope l" ,

“ Oh, no, we ar’ all squar’ men!” the fellow
protested.

“Not much 1” cried Teton Tom in contempt.
“I am up to,your little game, and it will not
work! would not surrender if there were
«forty of you!-. If I have got to die, I might as
we]! have com any on my trip to the happy
hunting-groun 3; if death must come it is bet-
ter to perish like a man, fighting to the last

spfi, than to submit to be strangled like a

OR

The rufiians were perplexed; the advantage
of the situation was surely with the assailed
man.

That they could be hunted out from behind.

their intrenchment was possible but it would
surely cost a score of lives, an these fellows
were not willing to laid up 1: air own lives
even for the satisfac on of killing the man who
defied them.

" You had better quit this fool talk and giva
up I” Crooked Smith exclaimed. “ I ain’t blood
thirsty—1 ain’t anxious to have you killed out-
right without any chance for trial, as you will
be if I let the boys git at you.” r ‘

“Oh, don’t worry about ush’Teton Tom re—
torted. “The chances are big that it will not
be our funeral! We have got the advantage
and we can whip youout of your boots! Se
in and see how we. will boreholes through you,
and after we have laid out the first six or eight.
I reckon the rest will not be in a hurry to come

   

  
   
  

,to close uarters.” -

The ru ans looked at each other as these bold
words fell upon their ears. , '» l

The most of them had one into the thing, ex-
pecting that it was go to be a “picnic,”so
Crooked Smith had assured
tainl did not-seem» much like one.

“ a «will give you jest-
come out a Render!”

 

 

      
  
   
 
  

them,but 

 

five miu’tel- tom 

  
  
 
 
 
   
  
   
   
     
    
   
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
    
   
   
  
  
    
   
   
 
   
  
 
   
  
   
   
    
    
    
   
    
   
  
  
    
   
  
  
     
   
    
     
 
  
  
 
     
    
  
    
   
   
  
   
    
       
   
  

tered. “ This is your last chance and don’t you
make any mistake! It goes ag’in’my grain to
kill a good man like you in cold blood, but if you
don‘t surrender I shall have to sic the boys
onto you, and I have got the hardest crowd at
my back hyer that kin be raised in the hull . ;
of Montana!” 4 if
“ No doubt about that l” Teton Tom retorted. r’
“ I can easily tell from the looks of your gang 3 ,
that the chances are hi there is not a man in it
who ought not to have can hung long ago!”
This uncmiiplimeutary allusion roused the " 
wrath of the intruders, and, with hoarse cries r;
of rage, they called upon Crooked Smith to any . ‘
the word and they would “ wade in” and make ‘
l

mince-meat out of the pair. ,

“ Do you hear that i" Crooked Smith exclaim-
ed. “ 0 you hear how anxious the boys ur’ to l
git at ye? I tell you, sport, you don’t stand no .
more chance against this crowd than nothing at ‘ ' {i
all! They will chew fiflu right up!” 

“ Oh. bosh l” Teton om cried, contemptuous- '_ ,
ly. “ You are only wasting your breath. You 
might as well attempt to talk a solid rock out / 
of the earth as to talk its out of this. If you
mean business go at it and don’t fool any
more i”

“ I am only talking to give you two a chance l”
Crooked Smith exolaimed. “ You are a man
with sand! Any galoot kin stethut with half
anl eye—~and it goes ag’in’ my grain for to see
you killed in cold blood! I am a good, squar’
man, I am, and I want to give you a chance for
your life i”

“ You are a pack of infernal cowards!” Teton
Tom cried. “You know we have got the best
of the situation, and you are afraid to come up
to the rack and take your fodder like men. But
I am tired of We sting ireath upon such a gang
of ours. You give us ve minutes to come out-
now I will give you three minutes to skip. and
at the end of that time if you haven’t made
yourselves scarce, I will open fire and see out of
how many jobs I can cheat the hen man I" .

Greatly enraged were the infra ers at thus
being so boldly defied. /

They brandished their weapons with hoarse
cries of rage and clumored for the blood of the
daring speaker. .

But_ it was the men in the rear—safe in the
entry, but of range of “re, who were most
vociferous in demanding a chance to kill the
strangers.

Crooked Smith and the three men, who, with
him were crowded in the doprway, ware in a
quandary. ‘ '

It was all very well for the fellows in the en-
try, who were not exposed to danger, to yell out
a ferocious demand to be led to the attack, but
the doorwa men would have to stand the brunt
of the bat e, and if they were shot down—and
the chances seemed big to them that they would
lie—would the others ush on and aveu 9 their
fate? Although, to fe lows like Crook Smith
and his pards such a thing would be an ex- - .
tremeéy poor consolation for death, or a fearful
woun . . . “ ‘

“ it all ready, boys !” Crooked Smith ex-
claimed aftera pause. “Since they will have
it, they hain‘t got anybody to blame but them-
selves if they git skinned alive!" ‘

“ The three minutes are up! Go for them,
Burke 1” sung out Teton Tom.

Cgack! crack! went the revolvers of the

er s. ‘ , - i
p Purposer they fired hi 1:, for as Teton Tom ‘
had said in a whisper to s companion: '

“Don’t date kill, unless on see that they
are reallyc ing atus. I t kwecanstam-x .

do the crowd with a few shots. I do not '

elieve that they have sand enough to stand 
the rocket!” x ' ‘

This assumption was comet, for the moment
the bullets whisted through the doorway, over
the headset the murderous talking gun-fights
fellows broke and ran like a flock of ,
fri brand by the appearance of a wolf. ‘ ,

be men in the rear who had been loudest in ,
their demands to be allowed a chance to kill the ‘
pards were the quickest to retreat. - _ , g

The lynchers‘ airly tumbled over each other»
in their haste to get away from the dangerous;

The plprds were quick to‘ improve their advan~
tags. h'ey followed the mob c then
through the entry and down the stairs. and ‘
about half the gang, in their headlong haste ,
rolled from the top to the bottom of the filghtof I,

a“ 3- . f - i
The hotel was in an uproar: the lodgers rush- "
ed out in wild confusion. the most of them
in exceedingly scanty attire, and such a scene
of confusion the town had not witnessed for
{

many a day. .‘ v , ~
The root of the lynch- y was complete.
and foot 'began he of the opinion

that Teton Tom had abdut as muck send as any
man ‘who had ever struck the camp. , _ 
“I reckon we will not be disturbed again "
the adventurer remarked, grimly, when at h I
request, the landlord gave them another  '

. CHAPTER IX. _
i r ,A man“ wmmo, , l

, ‘wereu ecrlyinthe morninkr
«on/Tom  I  _ furthen

   
  
      
    

  
  
    
  
  

 

Tn
A!

 
   

8

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

 

tempt was made to molest them. The bolt up- I

this camp is going to bea lucky one for me,” the

on the door of the second room was all right, 1 adventurer remarked.

and the Half~Blood remarked, to his com-
panion:

“ You will find him up the gulch—about half
a mile. He lives in a cave dug out in the hill

" After the decided failure of the first at- l side ” the girl explained.

tempt it will take some time for our enemies to
hatch up a new scheme. You see, the men who
are in the background are too wary to show
their hands, but trust to hired bravos to do their
dirty work.”

The conclusion was correct.
disturbed.

When the two went down to breakfast they
found themselves the lions of the hour.

Early as it was, the news of the fight had
spread throughout the camp, and the pards were
warmly congratulated by the miners upon the
fallout way in which they had repulsed the
ynch-party.

As the two had suspected, the gang was made
up of the worst men in the town, friends and
associates of Diamond Joe and Crooked Smith,
filelllofws who were always ready for any mis-
c If .

“ Oh, I knew that it was not any regularVigi-
lantes,” Teton Tom explained. “ If it had been,
and l was sure they fairly represented the town,
[would not have thought of showing fight. I
am too much of a gentleman to want to stay
in any town where the inhabitants come to the
conclusion that my room is better than my com-
panv."

Thercupon the citizens took pains to assure
Teton Tom that Crooked Smith and his gang
did not represent the town; they were a lot of
roughs and desperadoes, and it would be a bene-
fit to the camp if Bearfoot Bar was rid of
them.

“ Well, I don’t set myself up for a bad man
but if those fellows boi her me any more I shall
be obliged to go a gunning for some of them,
and after I get through there is a chance that
there will not be so many of the gang as there
is now,” Teton Tom remarked, quietly, butwith
an air which impressed the hearers that it was
no idle boast.

After they finished their breakfast the pards
Went to the stand presided over by Cherry to
get cigars.

As there was no one near there was a chance
for the exchange of a few words.

“ All the town is talking about yourbold fight
last night," the girl said, as she spread out a
handful of cigars for their inspection.

“ Well, we did have rather a lively time,” Te-
ton Tom replied.

“ I suppose you understand that this Crooked
Smith and his gang are not men to undertake
such an attack without there is a good reason
for it.”

The adventurer was quick to catch the girl’s
meaning.

“ Revenge for the wounding of their pard was
not a strong enough motive, to say nothing of
Crooked Smith’s desire to get square with me?”

“Oh, no; the fellow would be quick enough
todo you an injury if the chance came in his
way, but he has not the head to plan such an
attack as he led last night."

“ I understand that; the men in the back-
ground are superior to this gang in every re-
spect, and it looks as if they had come to the
determination to make the town too hot to hold
me.

“ Yes, it seems so."

“ But I am going to stay right here, all the
same I”

“ You are a brave maul” the girl exclaimed,
with an admiring glance.

“ More obstinate than brave perhaps!" Teton
Tom replied with a. laugh.

“ Oh, no, all are of the opinion that no better
man than you has ever come to the camp.”

“ They do me proud 1” the other exclaimed.
good-naturedly. ‘ But I do not think that it
required any particular bravery to put that
crowd of blustering cowards to flight. They
were brave enough when they expected to pitch
upon two helpless men, but when it came to an
actual fight, the fellows really tumbled over
each other in their haste to get away. But I
say. you can do me a service it you will.”

“ I shall be glad to oblige you 1” Cherry ex-
claimed, quickly. ‘

“Keep. your eyes open and if you learn any-
thing which will be a benefit for me to know
tell me."

“ Oh, yes, I will do the. .”

“And, perhaps. there may come a day when
I u ill be able to return the service."

“ Perhaps: one never knows what will happen
in this uncertain world,” 'the girl said with a
slight sigh.

‘ It strikes me that you are not as happy as

ou might be," Teton Tom remarked, with a
Searching glance at the dark, handsome face of
Cherry. ' '

“ Possibly not, few people are.”

A couple of miners happening to saunter up to
the stand at this moment caused a change in the
conversation.

“ By the way, I have been told that you have
an odd character in the camp who tells for-
tunes ” Teton Tom said.

es, Dumb Dickey.”
“ I reckon I must give him

They were not

a call and see if

/

    

 

“ f I go straight up the gulch I will not be
apt to miss it?" Teton Tom said.

“ No, and as it is a bright day you will be a]-
most ceri ain to find the old man seated in front
of the cave sunning himself.”

“ I reckon we will take a stroll up that way.”
Then the adventurer paid for the cigars, the
pards lit them and departed.

“ The girl is disposed to be extremely friend-
ly,” Burke remarked, after the pair were in the
street and on their way up the gulch.

“ Yes, and I am disposed to be extremely
friendly to her," Teton Tom replied. “ I have
not fallen in love with her, mind, so don’t run
away with that idea. But there is something
about the girl that interests me.”

“ Is she not a half-blood like yourself?”

“ She looks like one, but I heard some of the
miners speaking about the matter last night,
and they said she declared she was not, and ra‘

ther seemed to resent the idea of being thought ‘

to have Indian blood in her veins, but it is my

impression that she has, although she may not

know it, and it may be that fact—like the tie

2f kipdred, you know, is what attracts me to
er.

“ I think you are disposed to form strong
friendships,” Burke remarked. “ Take my own
case for instance. Here you have plunged into
my quarrel. and fighting it as bravely as if it
were all your own.‘

“ That is true. but I have got interested, and
being a soldier of fortune by profession—and by
nature, too, I think—it is as natural for me to
fight as hard for a stranger,wheh once I espouse
his cause, as I would for myself.”

“ Well, I certainly owe you more than I shall
ever be able to pay i” the young man exclaimed,
frankly. “ I should have been no match for
these scoundrels, and if I had attempted this
quest alone, I should, undoubtedly, have made
an utter failure of it. ”

“ Don‘t let the weight of obligation trouble
you; we will square the account all right one of
these days, ” Teton Tom replied, with a laugh.

 

CHAPTER X.
DUMB DICK EY.

AS the pards roceeded up the gulch, they
passed directly n front of the Black Snake
Mine, and Archibald Crawford,who was sitting
in the oflice of the works, caught sight of them
as they paSSed.

The oflice was in the front room of a cabin
built of slabs, the rear apartment being used as
a sleeping chamber for the mayor, who got his
meals at the hotel, an arrangement common to
the business men of Bearfoot Bar.

With the mayor was the Irish lawyer, who
was his constant companion, and a thick-set,
muscular fellow, with a bushy red beard and a
thick shock of hair of the some fiery hue.

This was George Livingstone, Marshal of
Bearfoot Bar, and reported to be one of the big-
gest desperadoes in the district.

The inhabitantsof the far Westerntowns very
often go on the principle of “ set a rogue to
catch a rogue,” and select the greatest despera-
do in the camp for the marshal.

It was certainly so in this case, for Living-
stone was a tough customer. Being a man of
muscular proportions. a hard drinker, and pos-
sessed of a rather bad temper, it did not take
much to get him on the war-path.

His great specialty was wrestling: he was re-
puted to be the best in the district; that wasnot
saying much, of course, for none of the men
could claim to be more than amateurs, and from
the success which he had met with in throwing
his opponents he had got the nameof Anaconda
George, and no one thought of calling him any—
thing else.

Such a name as Livingstone was “'too durned
high strung for Montana, anyhow,” to use the
lingo of the district.

The marshal had just entered the mayor’s of-
fice and was speaking in regard to the attack of
the lynchers on the two strangers when the
pards came by the office. _

“ There are the two fellows now.” said the
mayor, a dark look in his eyes, as he directed
the marshal’s attention to the pards. /

“That is so!” ejaculated Anaconda George,
and he stared through the window at the pair,
who walked by, unconscious that they were ob-
served.

“ That ’ar’ Teton Tom is a .nightylikelymade
cuss,” the marshal continued, with the air of a
judge. “ This is the fu’st chance I have had to
size him up and see w’ot he is like. I did not

git a good look at him last nigh t. A leetle weak.

’round the waist, seems to me,” and Anaconda
George cast a complacent glance at his own
massive proportions. “ A leetle too much built
onto the greyhound plan: sich men are apt to
be so fine drawn that they break in two when it
comes to a real, tough old struggle.”

“According to all accounts he banged Dia-
mond Joe and Crooked Smith in a way they do-
spised,” the mayor remarked.

,  l
.. ,V y

_ «

 

 

 

“ So I heerd,” the marshal answ’ered, assum-
ing an air of deep reflection. “ Wal, I should
not be surprised if the galoot was rayther quick
on his pins, and sich light~waisted men as he is
ar' apt to be spry and handy with their fists.”

“Joe and Smith found him so; too spry and
handy to suit them.”

"That is likely; neither one of ’em amounts
to shucks when it comes to a fist fight, or a
wrastle; they are keen with their we‘pons, bull
when you say that you size ’em up for all they
ar‘ worth 1'”

“ It is very evident that whether Diamond
Joe and Crooked Smith are good men or not,
they are no match for this sport," the mayor
observed.

“ You can bet high on thatl” the marshal as—
sented.

“ I wonder where these fellows are bound
now i" Crawford remarked.

“ ()h, I reckon they are jest taking in the
town—~seeing what the camp looks like. I
heerd talk among the boys last night that these
s orts were thinking ’oout locating hyer. and I
s pose they are jest kinder prospectin ’round.”

“Oh, no; they have no idea of setting down
here!” the mayor exclaimed. “ That is only a
gag to blind th eyes of the boys!”

The marshal ooked amazed at this strong and
abru t declaration.

“ a], I didn’t reckon that they were up to
no game,” Anaconda George reniarkeil,scratch—
ing his head in a thoughtful way, as though the
process would stimulate his ideas.

“ They are a couple of sharps on the make,
and the camp will find it out, too, before they
have been here long."

“ Is that the way you size ’em u ’1"

“ Yes: and you will find that am correct,
too. I have seen too many such roosters to be
deceived."

“ W a1, they do look like sharps, for sure.”

“ No doubt about it at all; and the first thing
you know they Will be opening a game some-
wherein the camp.”

“ I reckon we have got enufl games running
now." the marshal declared. “ Most of the
sports are growling already, swearing that thar
an" a heap sight more wolves in the camp than
sheep. and that-it is all they kin do to ma erun—
ning expenses.”

“ Yes, we certainly do not need any more
sports in the camp,” the mayor said, decidedly.
“ And if I were running a game here I reckon I
should do all I could to make it unpleasant for
this precious pair.”

“Yas; I s’pose it wouldn’t beabad idea to
jest pass the word round among the boys that
these hyer strangers in" sports who will be apt
to set up a game and that they had better hustle
themselves for to stop it.”

I“? will not do any harm,” the mayor rev
p ie . '

He had kept his eyes fixed on the strangers
during the cODVersation, and had evidently been
speculating as to where they were bound, for he
now exclaimed, abru tly:

“ I will bet a hat is at I know where they are

oin l’ . v

“ Is that so!”

“ Yes; they are going up the gulch to see that
idiot, Dumb Dickey. They were speaking
about going to see him in the hotel yesterday.
These gamblers are all superstitious, you know,
and when the found that the f 00] told fortunes
theynwere ta en with the idea of consulting
him.

“ Like as not. It is the s orts of this h or
camp that kee the old man a ive," the mars a1
remarked. “ hen they haven’t anything else
to do the go two bits on him jest for the tun of
hearing the old galoot spin his arns,and ho kin
talk like a Dutch uncle, too, w en he wants to
though he is as dumb as a clam if you don’t git
him started on fortune-telling.”

“I think that old rascal s a fraud, and he
on ht to be warned out of the camp,”tho iiihyor
deglared. “He is nothing but a drunken old
vagabond, a disgrace to any decent town."

‘ He ’bout lives on whisky, and I reckon it is
time he was on the move. He has stayed hyer
now a heap sight longer than he usually does.”

“ suppose‘you cup and give him a hint that
the camp thinks it is about time to travel,” sug-
gested Crawford.

“ All right,  will, and I kin see w‘ot these
two sports ar‘ like at the same time," said the
marshal, rising. “ I would kinder like to have
a talk with this Teton Tom, and since he has
set himself up for a big chief. I wouldn’t mind
trying a leetle wrestle with him. jest for greens,
you know; jest to kinder sample him so as to
find out how big a chief he r’ally is.”

“ A cod idea!” exclaimed the mayor. “ I
would 0 it if I were you, butI am betting high,
Anaconda, that when it comes to a clinch, no
such man as this sport has any business with

u.

“Wal, I am kinder reckoning that way, my-
self, but you know, Mister Mayor, .you never
kin tell much ’bout sich things until you find
out for sure, but I reckon I will sample him be-
fore Bo has been long in this hyer camp.”

The marshal ke with caution. yet there
was a smile on his face which belied his words
and his manner plainly revealed that he had

i.

,. . ,.

 

       

 

 

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood. 9

 

 

no doubt he could easily conquer the stranger j claim,an-l then howagangof scoundrels formed i ever struck! The idea of a man being warned

s ort. I
pThe marshal left the office and proceeded I
leisurely up the gulch, following in the footsteps :
of the two pards. 5
Leaving the marshal to pursue his way we
will follow the friends.

As the girl had said, the cave-home of Dumb
Dickey was easily found and, as she had predict-
ed, the old man sat in front of it basking in the
Warm rays of the sun.

An odder, more peculiar specimen of a man
the eyes of the two had never looked upon.

He was gaunt and haggard, a man who looked
to be fully eighty years old; he had evidently
once been tall and muscularly built, but now
he was barely more than a skeleton, and his
form bent almost double; his long iron-gray
hair came in matted locks down to his shoul-
ders, a thin straggly beard of a whiter hue
reached half-way to his waist. He was dressed
in an old buckskin hunting-suit, which had once
evidently adorned the person of some Indian
brave, but it was now so tattered and torn that
it barely hung together. His feet were pro-
tected by a rude pair of sandals, the leather
soles of some discarded shoes, bound on with
strips of skin. _ .

As the pards halted by his Side the old man
turned his e as upon them and then, in harsh,
shrill tones, e said, addressing Teton Tom:

“ Colonel Randal Crawford, I am glad to wel-
come you back to Bearfoot Bar! It is many a
long day since I had the pleasure of gazing up-
on your face, but although I am not so young
as 1 once was, yet, thank Heaven! my memory
is not at all impaired. I am weak physically,
but mentally as strong as ever.”

The pards looked at each other in amaze-
ment, not knowing what to make of this strange
declaration.

“I beg your pardon, sir, what did you say 7”
Teton Tom asked.

“Why do on ask that question, colonel i” the
old man exc aimed in a querulous way. “ You
surely have not lost the use of your ears. I
spoke perfectly distinctly, and dyou certainly
must have understood what I sai .” ‘

“Oh, yes, I heard your words, but I do not
understand their meaning. You addressed me
as Colonel Randal Crawford, but that is not my

ome.’

“ No?” the old man said in an indiflerent way.

“ My name is Thomas Teton, better known,
perhaps, here in Montana as Teton Tom.”

“ Oh, yes, I understand all about that!” the

old man exclaimed with a dignified wave of his
hand.
“ In this uncertain life of ours men sometimes
bear many names. I understand; Bearfoot
Bar has changed since the old days; upon your
return here you find yourself in the midst of
enemies, and so you disguise your identity under
a false appellation.”

Again the two friends looked at each other in
wonder. What strange delusion was this that
had taken possession of the old man?

“My friend, you have made some mistake;
this is my first visit to Bearfoot Bar.”

“No, no, no!” exclaimed the other, testily,
“ why do you sa that? You must not attempt
to deceive me. out you know that I am a
prophet and the son of a prophet—that the fu-
ture which is to the rest of mankind as a sealed
book is to me but an 0 en page?”

“ Yes, we understo that you were learned
in the fortune-teller’s art, and that is why we
came,” Teton Tom explained.

“I am not surprised by your visit, although
it has been a long and weary wait for me.”

“ How i—you expected us?” Teton Tom asked,
amazed. '

“1 ex ected you—not this youn man, al<

though I comprehend now some 0 the signs
which were not plain to me before; sometimes
it is extremely difficult to understand the we rn—
ings. This is a friend who has come to aid you
to win your own again.”
The ards were puzzled; the old man’s words
seemed) to indicate that though he had made a
mistake in the arties, yet he had a knowledge
of the nest w ich had brought them to the
wildso Montana.

Of course, neither of the two had visited the
old man with any idea of having their fortunes
told; that was only a ruse to get him to talk,
and when he got started they hoped to draw
from him the_bistory of the early settlement of
the town, which would include the contest that
had cost Colonel Randal Crawford his mine and
his life, for that he was dead there seemed no
room for doubting; had he been alive he surely
would have made himself known to somebody
during all these years.

“ Yes, yes,” the old man continued. “ I have
been expecting you for twenty years.”

“ Oh, can’t you see that I am not the man you
take me to be?” Teton Tom exclaimed. “Twenty
years ago I was a slip of a boy.”

“No, no you werea man of thirt -five, and
as fine a. fellow as ever trod the soil 0 Montana.
I remember you perfectly well—1 rememberthe
day when. by a chance stroke of the pick, you
discovered the rich lode now known as the

a league to wrest the property from yru.

“Why, it all comes back to me, colonel, as
plainly as though it was only yesterday.”

“Yes, yes, go on 1" exclaimed Teton Torn,
dec 1y interested.

The pards fancied that they were about to
hear the story which they so desired to learn,
yet thch was a lingering doubt in their minds
as to whether the old man could be trusted to
tell the truth.

what men will do when the baser passions take
possession of the mind.”

“ Gr ) ahead and give us the history !” exclaimed
Burke, anxiously.

“ But why waste time in speaking of the
past?" the old man exclaimed. “ The future——
the future! that, colonel, is important for you
to know.”

“Tell us of the past first, then we can come
to the present, and after that to the future,” Te-
ton Tom suggested. “ That is the usual test of
the ability of a prophet.”

“Very well, colonel, we will proceed in that
way,”and then the sound of footsteps fell upon
the ears of the three, and, looking down the
gulch, they saw Anaconda George approaching.

“ It is the town marshal, Anaconda George,"
the old man exclaimed, with a dubious shake of
the head. “As bi a scoundrel as there is in the
camp; and I fear e comes on no good intent.”

 

CHAPTER XI.
A “WRASTLING” LESSON.

“ Wnarnan scoundrel or honest man, his
looks are decidedly against him,” Teton Tom
observed.

“ Yes, he is a hang-dog looking rascal!"
Burke exclaimed.

“ His looks do not belie him, gentlemen ; he is
one of the terrors of the camp!” the old man
. asserted. “ And I fancy [ can see a menace in
‘his look; he comes to make mischief.”

The marshal wasadvancing with considerable
gt a swagger, an ugly look perceptible upon his
ace.

“ I reckon he will not trouble any of us, even
if he is the marshal of the town, and a bad
man." Teton Tom' remarked, quietly, for Ann-
conda George was now close at hand.

“ How are ye?” exclaimed the marshal gruff-
ly, with a slight nod as he came up to the
party.

The others returned the salutation.

“ I hope you strangers ain’t wasting any
money on this old fraud l” the marshal con-
tinued. “ He is a durned old whisky-sucker
who ought to have been warned out of the camp
long ago, and if 1 had had my wa sich beats as
this old galoot wouldn’t be allowe to stay in the
town over four-and-twenty hours; I would jest
light on to ’em as soon as they struck the camp,
and I’d say to ’em, ‘see hyer, we ain’t got no
room for no sich trash as you ar’, and I 've
you jest four-and—twenty hours to git!” hat
is the way I would lay down the law to ’em, but
the mayor is kinder solt of heart, and so he has
let this old snoozer hang out hyer. hut the jig
is up now, and you have got to quit I"

The man’s tone was offensive ll) the extreme,
and he looked at the pards in a peculiar way, as
much as to say, “ Don’t you dare to interfere in
this matter.”

The look was a challenge which Teton Tom
was prompt to accept.

“ oil, I reckon you must have a strange
kind of a camp here i“ the adventurer ex-
claimed. “ Hain’t the officials of the town any
more important business than to bother their
heads about an inoffensive old man like this
one? Why don't you go for some of the gam-
blers and desperadoes of the camp? I am a
stranger here, but] will bet ten to one that I
can find twenty men in the town who on ht to
be made to emigrate instead of this one o d fel-
low!”

The marshal was surprised by this speech.
He had not anticipated t at Teton Tom would
take the old man's part so promptly, but as it
was ju-t what he wanted, for he sought an ex-
cuse for a quarrel, he was glad the sport had
not been “ backward in coming forward."

“ Say! I reckon that you are kinder interfer-

conda George exclaimed.

” Well, I don‘t know about that!” Teton Tom
replied, with a glint of fire in his dark eyes.

“ You are a stranger hyer—what is it to you
how we run the towni”

“ I reckon that hasn’t anything to do with it
—my being a stranger. I am in the town now,
and I expect to stay for awhile, so it is my im-

ression that I have a right to take an interest
in what goes on, but whether I have the right
or not, I am going to take it, all the same. ”

“ There is no need of making any trouble
about the matter,” the old man remarkei at
this point. “ It does not matter to me where I
am; one cam is as good as another as far as I
am concerne .”

“Oh, it is the principle of the thing that I

 

Black Snake Claim.
“ I. remember how you worked to develop the

ob'fect'to!” Teton Tom exclaimed, promptly.
“ ‘his is about as high-handed an outrage as I

“ lt is a melancholy story, a revelation of the ,
worst side of human nature, and goes to show ‘

ing in a matter that don’t consarn you i” Ana—v

2 into trouble.
=0!d hummer. but you had better not do it

 

out of a camp simply because he drinks a little
whisky and amuses himself by telling fortunes!
Why, the idea is ridiculous I"

“ Mebbe you had better undertake to run the
camp yourself since you know so much about
it!” Anaconda George exclaimed, with a. sneer.

“ \Vell, I would not waste my time in gun-
runs: for any such game as this old man, when
there were bigger birds to be not. But there is
one point about the matter which shows that
your head is level. This man is sure not to
fight, but if you tackled one of the gamblers or
desperadoesof the camp you might find you had
bit off more than you could chew."

The face of the marshal grew black with
rage. He had expected to provoke the stranger
into a quarrel, but for all that he was not pre-
pared for any such “ back talk ” as this.

“ You don’t know me or else you wouldn’t say
anything of that kind!” he exclaimed.

” Oh, reckon a man doesn’t have to summer
and Winter a fellow before he finds out what
kind of a hairpin he is!” Teton Tom retorted.
“ You maybe a good man; you are big enou h
to be. but it is my calculation that you won (1
take the job of warning an old man, like this
one here, out of a camp a mighty sight quicker
than if he was a man like myself.”

This bold speech afforded the marshal an op-
portunity, and he was quick to improve it.

“ Mebbe I will have a chance to tell you that
the camp thinks your room is a darned sight
better than your company afore long!” be ex-
claimed.

“ Oh, I reckon not,” Teton Tom replied. His
quick wits warned him that he was on the trail
of a new scheme to worry him, and he was
anxious to induce the marshal to explain.

“ I reckon yes!”

“ Oh, no, I am one of the quietest and best-
behaved men in the world never get mixed up
in any trouble, if i can help myself, and never
was warned out of a cam in my life.” .

“Thar has got to be a urst time, you know,
and though you may talk as if butter wouldn't
melt in your mouth, yet I reckon we ar' onto
your leetle game, like a thousand of bricks!"

“ My leetle game oh, and what may that be?”
Teton Tom inquire .

“ Why, you are a sport, of course, and you
come hyer with the idea of skinning the camp,
but I kin tell you, right to once, that it i“: a
hundred to one you won’t make no big Winnings
in this hyer camp. Thar’s too many sharks
hyer now—too many wolves, and thar ain’t
sheep snuff to go ’round, and though you may
reckon yourself to be a reg’lar king gam' mar,
yet that ar’ plenty of men in the town as good
as you ar', and the chances are big you’ll be
durned sorry you ever struck this camp afore
you have been hyer a week.”

“Oh. you are away off!” Teton Tom exclaim-
ed. “ I am no gambler, and did not come to
Bearfoot Bar with anv idea of running a gene,
and, I reckon, you will find that I will be as
good a citizen as you have in the camp.”

“ Of course you won’t own up!” the mushal
sneered. “ I did not expect you would. You
are one of the fly chaps t at play smart so as to
catch suckers. but , on won‘t catch any in this
hyer town. ’cos, as said, we ar‘onto you. and
I shall make it my‘hiismess to sp’ile any leetle
game that I see you trying to work, and I give

on fair warning too, you don’t want to inter-

ero with a man about my size or you will get
You stuck your ear in ’bout this

ag‘in l” And Anaconda George shook his head
in a menacing way.

“ Oh, do you fancy you can muzzle me?”

’ ” Wal, I mean to try!"cried the marshal.

“You cannot do it, and if you are wise you
will not make the attempt l” Teton Tom reizli‘rd.

“ i reckon you set yourself up for a fighter?”

“ No, but I reckon I can hold my own so that
no man will be able to walk over me, not even
if he is the marshal of the town.”

This was a direct challenge, and Anaconda
George was not slow in taking it up.

“ Sn 1 I don’t want to take any unfair advan-
tage, 0 you l” he cried in a bullying way. “ You
are a stran er hyer and you don’t now me.
The boys ca I me Anaconda George, and 1 am
the boss wrasiler from Wrastlevillel When I
git a grip onto a man be either goes down or I
break him in two!” .

“ Oh, you don’t frighten me with your boasts!
lI l1:.m”not afraid to meet you in any way you

i e!

“ Will you try a fall?" cried the marshal,
eagerly.

“ As many as you like!” was the prompt rs-

] .
p x Oh, that won’t be many I” Anaconda George
cried with a savage; grin. “ I reckon that one
will satisfy you. hen I git my grip onto on
and sling you to airth you will kinder rec on
that some lamed thunderbolt hit ye !”

“ If you are not an extra good man then you
are the biggest blow-hard that I ever met,”
Teton Tom remarked as he took off his coat and
gave his weapons to Burke.

As the marshal were no coat, in the free-and-
easy style common to the wild West. all the
preparation he required was to remove his hat

-

w..._......_......._ __;_i_.s_.cw _. a.» -.
. “mm... M. n.

 

< aiW.—._.—o. _

10

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

 

and weapons, roll up his shirt—sleeves, and
tighten the belt around his waist a little.

Teton Tomltook similar precautions.

“Now now Will you have it?” the marshal r
cried as he faced his opponent.

“Just as you like!”

‘ ‘ Cutoh-uswatclrcan3”

“That suits incl”

“Say! if this turns out along {it of sickness
for you,thai"ll be nobody to blame but your—
self 1" the murshul cried.

“ Oh, I will run my chances on that, and if I
scpieeze the life outof you, your friends must-
nt blame me if the camp has to look uruund ‘
for another big bully to serve for u marshal.”

The taunt made Anaconda George grind his
teeth.

“ Jest wait until I git my hands onto yel" he
threatened.

“ Oh, come on! pitch in and stop your blow-
in i" exclaimed Teton Tom, conteinptuously.
“ on’t waste your time in talking. If it is

our little game to get me riled with your

oasts so you can obtain an advantage, I can
tell you, right off, that the thing will not work.
You are a bully and a scoundrel—there is no
doubt about that, but you are not half so smart
as ou think you are.’
eton Tom had penetrated the designs of the
other. It was Anaconda George’s favorite
trick; in this case, though, not only had itlfailed,
but Teton Tom’s taunts had made him furious-

ly mad.

The pitfall which he had prepared for his foe
he had fallen into himself.

“ I’ll crush the very life catch you I” he yell-
ed, and then rushed at Teton Tom with the fury
of a mad bull.

But though it looked as if the marshal had
the ,advantage on account of his superior size
and weight, yet it was not so; as an athlete,
Teton Tom was a far better man than his op-
ponent; bone and fat do not count in a contest
of this kind, and then, too, Teton Tom was a
trained and practiced wrestler; he had been
taught the art by a Cornish man, amid the
mines of Cornwall, famous for its stout English
champions; in his travels, too, in various clinics,
he had contended with the trained wrestlers of
many nations, learning something new from
each man whom he encountered, and it is safe
to say that the Marshal of Bearfoot Bar could
hardly have found in all the big United Statesa
more dangerous opponent.

Anaconda George little suspected this though,
and confident in his superior strength, be
rushed at Teton Tom, anxious to teach him that
he was not the biggest chief in the Prickly Pear
region.

As he came on, be determined exactly how he
would seize his foe, but in a peculiarly dexter-
ous way, Teton Tom evaded his grasp, and in
place of securing the “ under holt ” upon which

e had calculated, his advarsary gripped him in
a manner which completely astonished the big
fellow.

He found Teton Tom to be not only as strong
as steel, but as wiry and slippery us an eel.

For about a minute the men tugged at each
other, Anaconda George putting forth all his

ower to break the “lock 7 which his opponent

ad secured, and then .with a sudden twist
Teton Tom “ back-heeled ” his opponent and
down with a mighty shock, went the marshal,
Teton Tom dextrously lending his own weight
to increase the violence of the fall.

In his many wrestlin encounters Anaconda
George had not escap a fall now and then,
but he had never got one anywhere near as bad
as this.

Teton Tom was on his feet again in a second,
as nimble as a cat, and showing no signs of vio-
lent exertions.

Anaconda George, on the contrary,rose slow-
ly, and his breath came hard and fast; the!
weight of his bone and fat made “bellows to
mend."

But the marshal, being a dull-minded brute,
did not even yet comprehend that he was no
match for his opponent.

He regarded his fall as theresult of an acci-
dent. His antagonist was more nimble, and
contrived in some way to give him the “ foot,”
but he was confident the trick could not be
workeda ain. _

“ Well, managed to down you that time!”
Teton Tom exclaimed, laughing in the face of
the marshal. _

“ You did it by a dumed slip ry trick 1” the
big fellow retorted, in a rage. ‘ But I am onto
you now, and I reckon you can’t come any lee-
tle hanky-panky game 0 that kind ag’in.”

“ Why you don’t know as much about wres-
tling as I thought you did!” Teton Tom ex-
claimed, contemptuously.

“ It was jest an accident, that was all, and
my foot slipped when you got thech on I" the
marshal asserted.

“ Oh, don’t give us any more such talk as
that or I shall begin tchink you never wrestled
a man in your life i” Teton Tom retorted. “ But
since you are not satisfied. come on again and I
will show you a Cornish wrestler’s trick which
will be up: to knock a little sense into yourthick i
head i”

Goaded on by the taunt, Anaconda George

 

 

made another desperate rush at the stranger,
but as before Teton Tom managed to cvuue his
grasp and secured one of his own, and then, by
a series of peculiar muuciiversuthe marshal
was never able to expluiiijust how it was done-~
Teton Tom got Anacondu’s head under his right
arm and, us‘ing his hip as a fulcrum, threw the
marshal vicar over his head backward.

It was the full known to the “fancy” as “ a
cross- buttock. ’7

Down came Anaconda George on the flat of
his back with such terrific force that it Sec-med
{illuiost enough to fairly knock the life out of

llll.

Young Burke looked astonished. As a Hat—
vard student he had seen plenty of boxing and
wrestling matches, but never a men more
worthy to be regarded as a champion than his
friend.

Teton Tom’s words were prophetic; this fall
did knock some sense into Anaconda George.

For fully five minutes he lay on the ground
half~stuuncd, and then, gradually recovering,
rose to his feet, feeling sore and lame.

“ I am all ready for you!” Teton Tom ex~
claimed, assuming a position as if he expected
the marshal to make another rush at him.

“ Wal, you may be, but I am durned if I am
read for youll’Anaconda George growled.

“ 'ou are not satisfied already?” Teton Tom
exclaimed, in a tone of astonishment. “ Why,I
have only just begun! I have half a dozen more
tricks to show you i”

“ I will be eternally durned if you show me
any more!” the marshal exclaimed, in deep dis-
gust. “By the everlasting hills! I feel as if I
didn’t have a hull bone in in body! It is all
right; I ain’t a-grumbling a mite! icked the
fuss myself and that ain’t nob y else to
blamel’

“ But how about the old man here,” and Teton
Tom nodded toward Dumb Dickey. “ I suppose
there will not be an objection to his holding on
in the camp for a w ile lon er f”

” We], the mayor allows that I ought to tell
him to git, but as long as you stand up for him
I reckon he kin stay. I, for sure, ain’t going to
buck up ag’in’ you ag’in. I pass after this, I do;
so-long l”

And then the marshal departed, a sorer and
wiser man than when he came. '

“ l have fixed that all right for you,” Teton
Tom remarked wheuAnaconda George was out
of hearing.

“ And now we will resume our hirds’ egging.
Tell us of the past.”

CHAPTER XII.
THE PROPHET SPEAKS.

“ THE past, yes, yes, but that is no test of a
prophet, you know,” the old man urged.

“ Never mind that; as a genuine soothsayer,
you ought to be willing to oblige your patrons.’

“ Yes. that is true,” and the old man nodded,
with a wise look on his wrinkled face. “ Well,
then, for the past.

“You, colonel, were the original discoverer
of the treasures contained in this gulch; your
guide was an Indian of the Crow tribe, whose
favurite hunting—ground was in this region, and
he led you to the spot.

“ You located the Black Snake Mine, and
then discovering that the claim was too big for
one man to handle, for it needed expensive ma-
chinery, you tried to bond the mine and en-
deavored to form a company, and the very men
whom you believed to be your friends hatched
a conspiracy to rob you of your property.
The claim was jum d during your absence
and you were oblige to hurry back from Fort
Benton, whither you had gone to see your wife
and hub boy, in order to fight the robbers.”

The 0 d man paused at this point, and the
pards looked at each other; the same thought—
that the old man was well-informed—had come
to both.

“ The struggle was a brief and bloody one,"
Dumb Dickey continued. “ You made a night
attack, trusting to recapture the mine by a
sudden dash; the attempt failed, your party
were beaten in the fight, and you, shot through
the body, mortally wounded, as all believed,
fell into the creek: it was the period of high
water—the spring freshets were on—you were
swept away by the swift current, and that was
the, last that anybody in Bearfoot Bar saw of
Colonel Randal Crawford."

Again the young men exohanged glances—-
Dumb Dickey was not paying any attention to
them, but, with his eyes fixed 11 on the distant
hills, was talking away as thoug he were recit-
ing‘a lesson. .

he tale that the detective had brought East
to the sorrowing wife was true. Randal Craw—
ford had perished in the fight for the mine, and
the old man’s recital of how he had fallen into
the river accounted for the fact that his body
had never been discovered.

“ It is a sad tale!" Teton Tom remarked.

“Yes, and never was there one more full of
base treachery!” the old man declared. “The
discoverer of the Black Snake Mine was be-
trayed by the very men who owed almost every-
thing they had in the world to him.”

“ nd this happened twenty odd years ago!”
Teton Tom remarked, thoughtfully.

 

 

 

 

“ ’Yos, that is the past, and now for the pres-
ent.

“ I fancy we know all about the present,”
Burke exclaimed. “ The men who stole the
mine away from Colonel Randal Crawford are
new in possession of it. They are rich and are
daily becoming richer—the scoundrels who
ought to be hanged for murder 1’7

Burke spoke with heat, and his young blood
boiled with indignation in his veins as he reflect-
ed upon the treacherous work.

“ Your statement is correct, and yet it is not
correct," the old man remaiked. “There is a
strange contradiction for you, eh?”

“ Yes, explain it!” Teton Tom requested.

“ The men who seized the mine Were a gang
of i'ufliuns, men who would cut a throat for ten
dollars; they loagucd together to jumpthe Black
Snake property; it was a source of wonder to
the camp at the time why these scoundrels
should undertake a venture of the kind, but
after the death of Crawford they disposed of
the claim to three men who had always been
supposed to be fast friends of the colonel. Those
three men now own the property.

“ Observe, they had nothing to do with the
fight—they did not lift a finger either to seize
the mine, or to defend it.”

“ But they bought it from the scoundrels who
stole the property !” Burke observed, hotly.

“ Yes, that is true, but you must remember
that these scoundrels were in possession of the
Eroperty,” the old man observed. “ Even in the

ast—in civilized communities, where the law
reigns supreme, session is considered to be
nine points out o ten; in this region it is usual-
ly the whole ten. Crawford was dead; these
men in possession: claiming ownership on the
ground that they were the original discoverers,
and had located the mine before the colonel ever
came into the gulch; of course the claim was
preposterous, but it was good enough to serve
their purpose. The three bought the mine, and
the scoundrels cleared out. The tongue of slan-
der though is never quiet, and there were people
in the camp rash enough to assert that the three
men who bought the property were the men who
hired the i-uflians to jump it, and that the sale
was all a sham.”

“ No doubt the statement was true!” Teton
Tom observed.

“ It was whispered about at the time, but as‘
the new owners of the mine were known to be
men of determination and not troubled by
scruples, few cared to talk about the matter for
fear of exciting their an or. At present they
are in secure possessiono the property.

“ And now for the futurel”

The old man cast a cautious glance around as
though he feared there might be an eavesdrop«
per near; there was not a soul in sight. He
lowered his voice to a cautious whisper though,
and said: ’

“ I came of an old Scotch family, and have
the gift of second sight. You understand what
that is, I suppose?”

The young men nodded.

“ I do not exercise that gift for the benefit of
these miners; I tell their fortunes in the com-
mon way, by cards generally. But you under-
stand, gentlemen, this second sight is something
that the possessor cannot control; it does not
come at will, but whdii it is least expected.

“ During the last month, a half a dozen times
at least I have had visions wherein the future
Was revealed. I saw you, colonel, with your
friend here, make your appearance in the gulch,
and watched you triumph over your enemies; it
was not an easy triumph. The struggle was
long and difficult, but in the end you succeeded;
it will be a bloody fight though, for in my vision
the faceslof dead men glared at me.”

“ But 1 say, my friend, can you not see that
you have made a mistake in calling me Randal
Crawford? I am not a man of fifty-five or
therea bouts, as Randal Crawford would be if
he were in the land of the living, and then, ac-
cording to your own story, Colonel Crawford
was killed in the fight for the mine,” Teton
sai .

The old man named a cunning look, and he
nodded, wisely. ‘

“ Yes, yes, I understand all that; you look
'ust about the same asyou did when you .were

illed; your complean is darker, but, of
course. that is due toartiflce;you have disguised
yourself so you would not be recognized.

“ You were mortally wounded in the fl ht, no
doubt about that. I myself saw your b y car-
ried away by the flood in the creek, but the
Lord has permitted you to return to earth again
so you could avenge the cruel wrong that was
done you. You have risen from the dead—not
a day older than when on died although
twenty years have passe away, ’You are a
messen er of van eance, commissioned by the
dread 0rd of osts. and all the powers of
darkness cannot prevail against you! ’

The young men saw that the old fellow was
undoubted]; out of his mind. and as they had
obtained t 9 information they Wished, they
gave him a dollar, which he was reluctant to
take and departed. ,

“ What do you think of his story 1” Burke
asked, as they retraced their steps.

“ I have no doubt that he has told the story

I

Teton Tom, the H‘ lmelood.

 

 

of the fight correctly enough. He is one of the 1 Tom, ’cos’ he allowed that I hadn’t ought to i

.all over the camp, ’cos' it would

replied.

didn’t.

old settlers, and the tale is familiar to him.” i drive the old cues away, and us 1‘ got the worst

“ How strange that he should declare you to
be my l‘nther !"

“0h, his wits are out of order, that is evi«
dent, and he has brooded over the matter until
he was ready to accept the first stranger that
inquired about the affair as u messenger of ven-
geance l” Teton ’l‘om explained.

CHAPTER XIII.
A SURPRISE.

DURING the interview between the mayor
and the marshal the lawyer had ke it quiet, but
utter Anaconda George departed ‘innegan re-
marked:

“ Yez have been nfther putting a bee in his
bonnet; he will not be satisfied now until he has
tried Teton Tom and found out of what he is
made.”

“ That was what I was aiming at when I
spoke," Crawford replied. “ I did not want to
say right out to him that I was anxious he should
attack this stranger, but I talked in such a way
as to be certain to reuse him to do it. The mar-
shal is one of the big chiefs of the town, you
know, and when another big chief appears it is
his duty to climb him as soon as possi le."

“ Your lan succeeded to a charm : I could see
from his ace that he had made up his mind to
pick a quarrel wid the man.”

The mayor laughed and observed complacent-
ly that he “reckoned " he could pull the wires
as well as anybody. Then the conversation
turned upon other subjects, and the pair talked
until the lawyer, happening to glance out of the
window, saw the marshal returning.

“ Here comes Anaconda now I” he exclaimed.
“And from the look on his face I’ll go bail that
he hasn’t been either making a success of it.”

“ He doesn’t show any marks of having been
in a fight though,” the mayor observed.

“ That’s true.”

The entrance of Anaconda George ended the

 

- conversation.

“ Wal, gen’lemen I have slipped up on this
hyer business in the worst ’nd of way,” the
marshal declared. “ This on s is the biggest
kind of a chief! he’s on the fight bigger’na wolf!
and don’t you forget it I"

, “ You don’t seem to have suffered much dam-
age-I suppose that you have had a tussle with
him ” the mayor remarked.

“ .I est a. leetle wrastle, and he slammed me
down in a way calculated to make a man think
that a mountain had fallen onto him. "

The face of the mayor grew dark; the failure

of his scheme enraged him.

“ This fellow is a warrior, then?” be ob-
served.

“You kin bet yer bottom dollar he is,” Ana-
conda George declared. “ As good a man as
ever struck this camp, bar none! And the man
who kin git away with him need not be afraid
to take a front seat anywhar in Montana."

“ The fellow is deceptive; he doesn’t look it,”
the mayor observed.

“ You ar’ right thar, sureas ye'r’ born!” Ana-
conda George asserted. “I reckoned I was jest
going to have a walk-over but it turned out to
be a picnic for him instead of me.”

“ It isa most astonishing affair!” the mayor
declared. “ Why, I had so much confidence
that ‘you were by far the best man that, had I
known there was going to be a. contest between
you, I would have been willing to bet two to

one on our coming out ahead !”

“Wa , I reckon I would have given big odds
myself, and gone every ducat that I could raise
onto the thing, ” the marshal remarked. “But,
as the s orts say, I wasn’t in it at all.”

“ Ba ’cess to the fellow! it’s a wonder he is!”

exclaimed the lawyer.

“ You never said a truer word in your life!”
Anaconda George asserted. “ But I ssy,gen’le—
men I don’t Want this hyer thing to go any
furt er. I have jest let out the honest truth
’bout the skirmish, but I don’t want it known
ive the boys
the opportunity to git the grand augh on me,

and wouldn't do me no good, noh0w !’

“ Oh, that is all right; you can do end upon
it that neither Finnegan nor I wi i say any-
thing about it,” the mayor replied. “ But this
sport, though, will be apt to let it out, for it
will be quite a feather in his cap to be able to
boast that he got the best of a. man like your-

 ,,

“Oh, es, the spalpeen will be sure to be of-
ther ma ing a great brag about it!” the lawyer
declared.

“ Wal, I ain’t so sure ’bout that," the marshal
“From w’ot I have seen of the galoot
I should say that he wasn’t much given to blow-
ing his own born. When I went in for to pick
a ass with him, he kinder insinuated in a quiet
way that I had made a mistake, and he would
have some fun with me, and, blame mel if he
But I don’t reckon that he will go and
blow ’round town about it.”

“ Maybe not, but most men would. How about

' the old idiot—did you see him?" the mayor asked,
abruptly.

“Oh, yes, and I told him I reckoned it was

about time that he got out of town and that is

what made the fuss ’tween me and this Teton

 

of tho ilght, nrtcr it was over I allowed that
p’hups I had been 11 leetlc hasty.”

“ ()h, it doesn’t really make any difference
whether the old idiot goes or slays,” the mayor
declurell, endeavorng to appear unconcerned.
“So we will not say anything more about it.
But in regard to your tussle with this sharp, you
can depend upon Finnegan and myself to keep
the matter quiet.”

“Much obleeged! I will do as much for you
one of these days,” and then Anaconda George
took his departure.

Both the mayor and the Irishman brooded
over the matter for a few moments, and then
Crawford exclaimed :

“ This man is going to prove more dangerous
even than I expected l”

“True for yez! it’s a foine fighter he is!”

“By this time he is probably in possession of
all the facts regarding the fight for the mine, for
Dunb Dickey being one of the old settlers, will
be apt to know the story.”

“ Yis he has been ’round the camp, off and on,
for the ast tin years.”

“Longer than that. I was talking with a
man from Saint Peter’s mission, and he said he
remembered the old man for nearly twenty years.
The Catholic priest at Saint Peter‘s heard that
there was uwhitemnnkept prisoner by theme
Indians, and he looked into the matter; it was
this old man, but he was not a prisoner; being
crazy the Indians looked upon him as a great
medicine-man and treated him well. The
red-skins either couldn’t, or wouldn’t, tell any-
thing about how he came to lose his wits. All
they knew, they declared was that he had
come to their camp one day, asked for food,
and remained there. It was generally believed.
though, that he was the surv1vor of some emi-
grant psrty who had been attacked and killed
by the Indians.” .

“ Yis, and he wint crazy from his injuries.”

“ Exactly; and that is his story’ undoubtedly.
But, to return to our mutton, don't care a
snap of my finger about the old fraud now that
the story of the mine is told but I don’t intend
that this strange sport shall lord it over the
town. A new idea has come into my mind; see
what on think of it 1”

An as the mayor finished his explanation,
the two pards came down the gulch.

“ Aha, there he is nowl’ Finnegan ex-
claimed.

“ Yes, and as soon as he is out of the way, I
must be ofl l” Crawford cried.

We will now follow the two friends.

They went directly to the hotel, discussing
the situation as they went along.

The first point they decided was to find out
1also now held an interest in the Black Snake

me.

“ We must pursue our investigations cau-
tiously,” Teton Tom remarked, “ for I am con-
vinced that the scoundrels are on the alert.
In some mysterious way the fact of our quest
has leaked out, or it ma be that the rascals
are acting on suspicion a one, the fact of our
inquiring about the past having alarmed
them.”

In the hotel the two sat down at a table and
took up newspapers, hoping to get into conver-
sation with their neighbors so as to learn what
they wished to know.

But it was not until after dinner that an op-
portunity came, and then, while engaged in
conversation with a genial stranger. into the
saloon marched a file of soldiers.

“ You are Teton Tom 3” said the sergeant in
command of the squad, as he approached the
pards.

“ That is my name.”

“Then you are my prisoner!”

There was a tableau of astonishment.

 

CHAPTER XIV. .
ON THE ROAD.

THERE were a half-dozen loungers in the
saloon besides the two pards, at the time when
the soldiers made their appearance, and the
words of the sergeant excited general wonder.

The two most astonished men were Teton Tom
and Burke.

“Eh, what is that you say?” Teton Tom ex-
claimed, fancying that the soldier had made
some stupid blunder.

“ Your name is Teton Tom?”

‘5 Yes.”

“Then you are my prisoner l” the sergeant
exclaimed.

“ You arrest me?”

“ Those are my orders.”

“ But upon what charge?”

“That is more than 1 know, sir. I am a so]-
dier, and it is my duty to obey orders without
asking questions, ” the sergeant replied. ' “ I
was told to take a file of men and arrest one
Teton Tom, whom I would be apt to find at the
hotel. and that is all I know about it.”

“There must be some mistake!” the adven-
turer declared.

‘f Well as to that, of course, I couldn’t say.
I was ordered to arrest you.”

“ Who gave the order?”

\

\

II

“Major Cudwalader, who is in command of

g Fort Fremont.”

I ” I don’t see What tbcdvuco the major lms gut
to do with me!” 'l‘elou Tom cxcluiumi. " l um

i a private citizen and do not come under mili-

tary laws!"

“I know just us little about it us you do, sir.
All I know is that I must obey my orders.”

“Of course, I understand that. There must
be some mistake ubout the matter, and 1 am not
at all afraid to {rice the music, for I am not
guilty of any oil'cusc which would bring me
under the ban of the law, either civil or mili-
tary,” Teton Tom remarked, rising as he spoke.
“I am ready to go with you. May 1 inquire
where I um to be taken?”

“ To Fort Fremont.”

“Will there be any objection to my accom-
panying my friend?” Burke asked.

“ None that I know of—it is a free country,”
the sergeant replied.

At this point Barney Finnegan, who was pres-
ent, taking a drink with a. friend at the bar,
came forward.

“ You’ll excuse me, sor,” he said with an
elaborate bow to Teton Tom, “if I take the lib-
erty of sp’aking a wourd in this case. I am a
lawyer, and as ye seem to have gotten into a
wee bit of a hobble here, maybe I can be of use
to vez."

eton Tom cast a quick glance at the man,
and although Finnegan had a. smooth, agreeable
manner, yet the adventurer formed an unfavor—
able im ression.

“ We , I don’t know about that.” Teton Tom
remarked. “ I reckon the trouble will not
amount to much, for it is my impression that
there is some mistake about the matter.”

“ It is always the wisest Ian to be re resinted
by counsil, do 6 moindl shall be p ’ased to
act as {er legs. adviser, and if I do yez no good
I’ll ma 6 no charge.”

“ That is fair enou h,” the advonturer re-
plied. “ I don’t think will need your services,
yet if you want to try what you can do, I am
agreeable."

“ Of coorse, that is where yer head is level i”
the Irishman exclaimed. “ Sergeant, darlint,
are ye aftber executing a warrant 01' anything
of the kind?"

“ No, just verbal orders. The major said:

“ ‘ Take a squad of men. go to the town, hunt
u a man ca led Teton Tom and arrest him.
YEhu will probably find him at the Golden Star
Hotel.”

“ Ah, yis, I see' and that was all i"

“ Yes, that’s all.”

“ It is jist the military way of doing it,” the
lawyer remarked. “I will go wid yez to the
fort; the major is an old fri’nd of mine, and ye
needn’t be afeard but what you’ll get justice at
his hands. He has a. rough way wid him, like
malnypn ould military man, but his heart is all
rig t.

“ Oh, I am not at all alarmed. There isn‘t
any reason why I should be troubled, and so
my mind is easy,” Teton Tom remarked.

“ That is right, me boy! always keep a stiff
upper lip! Be aisy, and if ye can’t be aisy, be
as aisy as ye can I"

Then Teton Tom fell in between the soldiers
and away they went, the lawyer and Burke
bringing up the rear.

Fort Fremont, the military post commanded
by the grim old martinet, Major Roland (lad-
walader, was two miles down the creek from
Bearfoot Bar.

Though called a fort, it was by courtesy only,
for there was nothing of a fort about it, being
only a simple military post.

As the party proceeded down the trail, the
lawyer opened a conversation with Burke. As
the two were a little distance behind the rest,
they could speak without danger of being ever-
heard.

“ Faixl if there was only a little law in the
camp, I would be either t’aching these militar
spalpeens a lesson I" the Irishman declared. “ t
is monstrous! the idea of arresting a man wid-
out so much as a bit of paper! Aha! if there
was only a judge handy that I could be either

etting at, how soon I would have a few legal
documents that would not only take the prison-
er away from these sodgers, but bring the ma-
jor into court to answer to a charge of false
imprisonment. But you see, the major knows
that there’s no law in this region that a man
can get at and that is why he dares to carry
matters wid a high hand.”

“ Yes, I understand, but this is some blunder;
Tom hasn’t offended against the law in any
we. .” Burke remarked.

‘ Have you been wid him ever since he kim
into this region l”

"Yes, I met him in Chicago and we started
West together, and have not separated since we
started.

This was the story which had been arran ed
between the two that each was to tell w on
questioned.

“ And he’s had no trouble with the military
anywhere?" ,

“ Not a bit! Why, this is the first place that
we have come in contact with them.” ‘

“Well, now, upon me wourd if this isn’t one
of the qu’arest cases that I iver heard of in all

 

 

 

 

 

I2

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

 

 

me lefi'ill experience i" the lawyer declared. “ I
gillnyl’i you must be right—it’s some big blun-
er.

" Yes, some mistake, evidently.”

“ Ye‘r’ jist looking around, like. other young
ininvlooking for a dare where there’ll be some
chance for ye to ma 0 money .3”

“That is our game!”

“ Be the owersl this isa mystery l” Finnegan
declared. ‘ I wonder what has been afther hit-
iug Major Cadwaluder to make him sind his
sodgers on this wild-goose chase?”

The solution of the mystery was near at hand,
for the party were now within sight of the low,
white-washed buildings of Fort Fremont.

" CHAPTER XV.
i THE ACCUSATION.

THE prisoner was conveyed at once to the
presence of Major Cadwalader, who sat behind
a desk in the main room of the largest building
of the group. ,

The major was a man of fifty-five or sixty,
with a commanding figure and the head of a
determined fighter. He had iron-gray hair and
a. short, bristle-like beard of the same hue; a
fine type of the overbearing military martinet.

There were three other officers in the room,
one of whom was the captain who had been
present with Miss Cadwalader at the time when
the adventurer had the fight with Diamond Joe
and Crooked Smith.

The prisoner was ushered into the apartment,
the lawyer and Burke following after the sol-
diers.

The major cast a stern, inquisitive sort of a
glance from under his bushy eyebrows at the
civilians, and it was plain from the expression
upon his face that he was not pleased at their
presence.

The Irishman though did not seem to notice
that the soldier was glancing at them in any—
thing buta welcoming way, and he nodded to

.him in the most friendly manner.

“How are ye, major? It is delighted I am to
see yez. This gintleman here, Mr. Teton, is a
friend of mine, and so I kim wid him to see if
I couldn‘t be afther helping him in this little
scrape.”

“ How do you do, Mr. Finnegan?" responded
the major, coldly. “It is natural, of course
that you should wish to help your friend, but i
am afraid that you will not be able to be of
much service, for this case comes under military
rules.”

“ Ah, yis, I see, and ye don’t want black-coats
mixed up wid yer blue wens?"

“ That is the point," the major replied. “We
military men go straight for justice and don’t
trouble ourselves much about law.”

And then be bent his keen eyes full on the
face of Teton Tom, who bore the scrutiny with-
out flinching.

“ Humphl your name is Teton Tom!” the
soldier exclaimed, in n harsh, overbearing way.

“ Thomas Teton, rightly,” the adventurer re-
sponded.

“ Au assumed name, of course,” was the ma-
jor‘s comment. “ What is your right one?"

“ T'homas Teton is all the handle that I pos-
sess.

“ Harkye, young man, you had better speak
the truth i” the major exclaimed, sternly. “ You
will find that it will be a great deal better for
you in the long run.”

“ Why do you jump to the conclusion that I
am not 8 ,eakin the truth—as you have evi-
dently?” I‘eton om asked, not in the least
awed by the threatening manner of the soldier.

“ Look you, sir, it is my privilege to ques-
tion and your dutyto answer!” the major re-
torted.

“Oh, come now don’t put it that way for I
will not haveit!" 'l‘eton Tom exclaimed. 1‘ You
have arrested me, and I did not attempt to
make any resistance, although ou have no
more right to arrest me withou a warrant,
and by due process of law, than I have to get
together a party of my friends andarrest you.
But when you come to talk about it being my
duty to answer, you are putting it on a little
too strong." ~ I

"We will soon see about thatl"the major
cried, harshly. 5‘ And I warn you in advance
that you had better keep a civi tongue in your
head or it will be the worse for you I’

“ And I warn you that I am a free American
citizen and one who will not stand an non-
sensel’lTeton Tom exclaimed, in bold do ance.
“Because you happen to be an officer of the
army gives you no right to trample on me, and
so I warn you to go slow, for I shall hold you
to a personal account for any insult that you
my offer to me.” ' _

he face of the soldier grew white with rage
at being thus addressed.

“ You had better put a bridle on that inso-
lent tongue of yoursl" he exclaimed, hotly. “ If
you are not careful, it will get you into serious
trouble. I am not a man to allow myself to be

bullied, and I tell you that if you do not adopt
a different tone, it will go hard with you I”

“ Oh, nonsense l" exclaimed the adventurer;
“you cannot frighten me, and you are only

 

wasting your breath in attempting it. You
may be a great man in a military way—a high
and mighty satrap~but that does not make
any difference to me. I reckon that it is not
war times at present; this district is not under
martial 121W, and you have no more business to
interfere in ith me than any ordinary man, even
if you are the major in command of the fort.”

Cadwalader was in a fearful rngc; naturally
impetuous and overbearing, lie was inclined to
lord it over all with whom he came in contact,
and this plain speaking so irritated him that it
was only by a violent effort be restrained him-
self from an outburst of passion; but holding
his rage in check, he said:

“Perhaps, my man, you will change your
tune when you find out the nature of the
charge which has lheen brought against you!"
and he frowned in an ominous way.

“Oh, no, I shall not!” Teton Tom replied, im-
mediately. “ It does not matter the wag of a
sheep‘s tail to me what the accusation is, for I
know that I have not been guilty of any crime.
But, I say, will you excuse me if I remark that
we are losing time in talking,” the adventurer
continued. “ We had better get right down
to business as soon as possible. If your idea is
to scare me I can tell you that the game will not
work. No man on earth can bluff me, and you
are only wasting words.”

“ I would not say too much if I were you l"
the soldier retorted. “ You may have reason
to be sorry for it hereafter."

“Oh, no; a man is never sorry for taking a
bold stand when he knows that he is in the
right," Teton Tom replied, stoutly.

By this time the major’s heat had cooled a
little; he saw that there was nothing to be
gained by liandying words with the prisoner.
.t was a game in which “Jack was as good as
his master,”so he proceeded to business. I

“The accusation which has been brought
against you is a pretty serious one,” the major
remarked, “ and if you cannot disprove it—
and it certainly seems to me as if there was no
possibility of your doing so—it will go hard
with you.”

A smile appeared on Teton Tom’s face, and
he shook his head.

“ Go ahead! let me know the accusation; I
cannot attempt to disprove the charge until I
know what it is.”

“You are accused of being a duerter from
the United States .Armyl” exclaimed Major
Cadwalader, sternly.

A look of amazement appeared on the faces
of the listeners, for the announcement took
them all by surprise.

“ Oh, this is absurd!”Teton Tom cried. “ I
never had any thing to do with the United States
Army in my lifel”

“Look you, sir, you cannot deceive an old
military man like myself 1” the major exclaimed.
“ I can plainly see from your erect carriage and
the way you handle yourself that you have
smelt powder l” _

“Yes, that is the truth, I have seen serv1ce,
but not in this country."

“ Exactly! and if you are the man you are
accused of bein that fills the hill.” 5

“ Does it? wel , I am not the man, I reckon.”

“ Your name is Robert Raymond, you enlisted
in the city of Chicago about a year ago, stating
that you were a deserter from the English force
in Canada; with twent others, you we're trans-
ferred to this post, an deserted on the second
day after you arrived here.”

“ Oh, no, I am not the man !” Teton Tom de-
clared. “ I never was in Canada in my life,
and never enlisted in the United States Army.
I should think that you would be able to see
from my appearance that I am not an English-
man.”

“ Neither was this Robert Raymond. He was
a Canadian half-breed and just such‘a man as
you are,” the major replied. “ As it happened
I was absent from the ost at the time that
this man arrived, so I id not see him, there-
fore I have no personal knowledge of the mat—
ter. If I had ever set eyes on you I would be
able to tell in a. moment whether you were the
man or not. Unfortunately for you though
some of the men who were in the same squad
as ygurself are still here and they can identify

“ I reckon that when they come to take a
good look at me they will see that I am not the
man.” Teton Tom exclaimed, confident] .

“ Well, 1 hope for your sake that it Will prove
to be as you say, for I can tell you that it will
go hard With you if you are identified as this

obert Raymond, for Colonel MacLane, who is
now in command of Fort Logan, and to whose
care you will be committed for trial if you are
provedto be the man, has a perfect hatred for
deserters, and the chances are great that your
punishment will be a severe one.”

“Your words have no terrors for me, for I
am not the man.”

“ Send in one of the witnesses,”commanded
the major.

The man made his appearance, a soldier who
answered to the name of Richard Biglan, an
ill-looking fellow, and he swore without the

least hesitation that Teton Tom was the desert- .

er, R )bert\Raymond.

 

A second soldier, one William Thompson, anv
other hangdog-looking rascal, testified to the
same effect.

Teton Tom did not seem to be disturbed by
this, merely saying:

“The men have made a mistake, as will be
proven when I come to have a regular trial.”

“For your sake I hope so, but I will have to
hold you. and as soon as possible I will send you
to Fort Logan.”

Then, by the major’s orders, Teton Tom was
conveyed to the guard-house.

Burke and the lawyer returned to the town
after taking leave of the adventurer.

“ Don’t ye worry 1” the Irishman exclaimed,
at parting. ‘ “ I’ll go over to Fort Logan. It’s
a big friend the colonel is of mine, and Pi get
ye offl”

 

CHAPTER XVI.
ANOTHER WITNESS.

his: news of the arrest of Teton Tom created
a deal of excitement in the town, and it was the
general subject of conversation, and although
at first the citizens Were inclined to think that
the accusation did not amount to anything, yet,
after Finnegan related all the particulars of the
arrest and, with owl-like gravity, shaking his
head had declared the sport to be in a bad box,
but that he was going to do all he could to get
him ( ut of it public opinion began to veer
around.

The landlord of the Golden Star Hotel too
was inclined to think that the soldiers had got
the right man.

He professed to have seen Robert Raymond
once, and declared that the sport strongly re-
sembled the deserter if he was not the man.

Archibald Crawford also remembered the
half-breed soldier, and he said Teton Tom look~
ed a great deal like him, and the opinion of these
three leading men of the camp had great influ—
ence.

Burke, young and enthusiastic, had believed
that he could enlist the citizens in the cause of
his friend so that a pressure might bebrought to
bear upon Major (Jadwalader, but he soon saw
that the miners were not disnosed to interfere in
any way ; this was principally due to the words
of the three men before mentioned, although
the landlord had taken an opportunity to assure
the young man—speaking at a time when there
were no listeners about—that he considered the
arrest to be a high-handed ieceof business.and
he thou ht the citizensoug t to have something
to say a out the matter, that is. if there was a
doubt as to Teton Tom being the man, and then 7
he Broceeded to cross-examine Burke as to what
he new about the adventurer.

Skilllully and carefully as the landlord pro.
ceeded in this “ pumping ” operation, yet Burke
was not deceived, and soon comprehended what
he was after, and thus, being on his guard, the
host did not succeed in learning anything be-
yond what he already knew.

“Then you don‘t know anythin about your
pard’s past life ?" the landlord sai , after Burke
had related the story which had been agreed up-
on between himself and Teton Tom.

“No; but there isn’t any doubt in my mind
that he is just what he represents himself to
be. ’

“ Mehbe so; but I am afeard he will have a
hard job to git out of this scrape,” the landlord
remarked, with a dubious shake of the head.
“According to what Finnegan says, these two
soldiers swear positively that he is the man and
it ’pears to me that these military cusses er-
all y shoot deserters, don’t they i"

“ In time of war I believe they do, but I
hardly think they punish the offense so severely
now.

“ Wa—al, anyhow, I wouldn’t like to be in his
place,” the host declared.

It did not take Burke long to see that he could
not hope to do anything with the Citizens.

They were sorry for Teton Tom,. hoped he
would get out of the scrape, but, With the ex-
ception of the lawyer, no one seemed at all
inclined to do anything to help the accused
man. ,

Finnegan, on the contrary, was loud in his
protestations of what he would do, and he too
tried the landlord’s game of pumping Burke,
but as the young man was on the watch the
Irishman only had his labor for his pains.

One point Burke was acute enough to notice.
The lawyer did not seem to go at all upon the
idea that Teton Tom was not the deserter; on
the contrary, he seemed to be satisfied that the
military had got hold of the right man, and his
whole idea was to get him off with a light pun-
ishment by using his personal influence with =
Colonel MacLane.

“ By Jove l” exclaimed the young man at last,
in disgust; “ as far as I can see there is no way
in which I can be of the least possible use to my
pard l He has got into this hole on my account,
and yet I am not able to do anything to help
him out.” -

Probabl the person who was most aston-
ished by t e accusation brought against Teton .
Tom was the major’s daughter, the dashing
Katherine Cadwalader.

After the sport was taken to the guard-bouse,,
Captain Morgan went over. to the major’s quar—

 

 

Q

*-

~b

in

 

Teton Tom, theinIali'fBlood.

1.3;

 

 

ters for the express purpose of telling Miss
Katherine about the affair.

The captain had been paying devoted atten-
tion to the major's daughter for some time, and
he did not like the interest which the brilliant
,girl had taken in the stranger.

“ It will rather astonish her. I fancy, when
she finds that the fellow is a deserter and is now
securely laid by the heels!” he exclaimed, in
high Inice. as he proceeded across the porude‘
ground.

The girl received the officer in her usual gra— j

cious way, and as he antic1 gated, she was amaz-
ed at the recital. '

“ Oh. it is utter nonsense!” she exclaimed.
“ This man is not Robert Raymond l"

“ What do you know about the matter?”
asked Captain Morgan, surprised at this de-
‘claration.

" Why,I was here at the time the recruits
came and saw the squad.”

“ Ah, yes,” and the captain was now angry
enough that he had been so foolish as to speak
about the matter, but he had never for an in-
stant supposed that she knew anything of the
deserter.

‘ I remember the arrival of the men distinct-
ly, and it was about as poor a squad of fellows
as I ever saw!” the girl declared. “ There was
hardly a good man in the party. Nearly all of
them are gone, some deserted, three or four
were drummed out of the army for drunken-
ness, and those who did stick are in the guard-
house about half the time. Two of the men are
here now, Biglan and Thompson. and they are
more trouble than any other two soldiers in the

command.”

“It is those two men who have identified this
Teton Tom as being their former comrade,
Robert Raymond.” V

“ I would not believe either one of the rascals
underoathl” the girl exclaimed.

“ They are a couple of bad e gs—there is no
mistakeabout that,” Captain organ admitted.
“ Still, in this case, I do not see what the men
can gain by lying about the matter. If this
fellow is not Robert Raymond, the deserter,
why should they say he is?”

“ Oh, I don‘t know; I am not acquainted
with any of the facts in the case,” Katherine
answered. “ There may be some reason for it,
and my opinion of those two men is so poor, that
I really believe either one of them would swear
a man 5 life away if there was five dollars to be

, gained by so doing.” ~ ,
;;. “Ah, now you are a little too hard on the
a, :men’!”

“Not a hit! two worthless scoundrelsl” the
girl declared, emphatically. “ Both of them
ought to have been drummed out of the service
long ago, for they are a disgrace to the
army."

The captain did not attempt to argue the
'point, for he knew that the gir was right in re-
gard to the character of the two men.

“ It is lucky you saw the man, for if this fel-
low is not the deserter, you will be able to bear
witness to that eflect.”

“ Oh. I feel perfectly sure that he is not one
of those recruits, yet. I am not positive I

should be .able to identify the right man if I ‘

cameacross him, for I never took much notice
of the men."

“ Yet you are certain that this Teton Tom is
not the deserter?”

“ Yes, yes, he is such an odd-looking man
that I should be certain to remember him if I
had over seen him.”

“ Oh, he has changed. of course,” the captain
explained. “He would not be fool enough to

come back here if he had not. But I say, Miss ‘

Katherine, don"t you think that you are a little
hasty in declaring that you are sure this is not
Raymond when you admit that you do not feel
positive that you would recognize the deserter
if you saw him?"

‘ Oh, no!” the girl declared positively.

The major coming in at that moment put a
stop to the conversation 'and the captain de-
parted.

Katherine immediately spoke to her father in
regard to the matter, but she found the veteran
firm in the belief that the soldiers were correct
in saying that the adventurer was the de—
serter.

“ You must take into consideration the fact
that you only saw the fellow a few times, and,
of course. you wzuld not be apt to take any
particular notice of him, while these men were
his boon companions,” Major Cadwaladerurged.
“ besides, this fellow is disguised now. Both
Iiiglan and Thompson say that he has stained
his face so that he appears to bee great deal

darker in complexion than he really is, and then 1

he has allowed his hair to grow,and so managed
to disguise himsclf pretty well.”

” I cannot bring myself to believe that he is
the maul” Katherine exclaimed. “There was
got one of those recruits who looked at all like

, iml’

“ Well, if he is not Raymond it will be easy ‘

for him to show who he is. He can give an
account of himself," the major remarked.
“Tell what business he has been engaged in.
and where. If he is not the deserter it will not
be diflicultfor him to prove it. When I ques-

tioned him he stuck to it that his name was
1 'I‘etony Tom, although that is absurd on the face
i of it.

“ Suppose I go and see him, father!" the girl

exclaimed, abruptly. “I have an idea he will
. tell the truthl"

“All right! Ihave no objection. If he has
any secret we will not betray him. Let the
man speak out and free himself, it' he can.”

“ Is he in close confinement?”

l “ Yes. I will give you an order to see him."

Ten minutes later Katherine was on her way
to the guard-house.

CHAPTER XVII.
IN THE GUARD-HOUSE.

THE guard—house was a small, one-storied
‘ building. situated on the extreme right of the

plateau upon which the post was laced.

It was strongly constructs , the door
': strengthened by massive cross-pieces, and the
i one small window which gave 1i ht to the in-
, terior was guarded by stout iron )aI'S.

A sentinel paced his beat without; both door
and window were on the same side of the build-
ing, the one which faced the parade-ground,
. around which the buildings of the post were
' placed. forming a hollow square.

1 All the furniture the room could boast wns

; half a dozen home—made stools.

|‘ Around the room on three sides a broad shelf
extended, and this was the “bunks” of the
risoners, the only bedclothing allowed them

going a few army blankets.

The sergeant in command of the squad which
, conducted Teton Tom to his place of contine-
l ment noticed that the prisoner cast an inquiring

lance around as he entered the room, and so

elt called upon to remark:

“This ain’t no first-class hotel, you know,
and in here the fattest man has the softest bed.”

“ Oh, the accommodations do not worry me
any," 'Teton Tom replied. “I am used to

i roughing it and can sleep as soundly on the
ground, or on the soft side of a hard plank, as
in the nicest kind of a bed.”

| “ That is lucky,” the sergeant observed, “ for
a man who was not used to hard fare would
have a tough time of it here.”

“ I reckon 1 will survive it.”

Then the soldiers departed, leaving the pris-
‘ oner to his meditations.

He sat down by the window so he could com-
mand a view of the parade-ground, and fell to
musing upon the situation.

‘ ‘ This was an extremely well—planned scheme,"
he soliloquized. “ That is, we lplanned as far
as my arrest on this accusation goes, but for
the life of me I don’t see how they are going to
carr it out.

“ t was easy enough to have me arrested—
not a diflicult matter to induce such rascals as
the two fellows who testified against me to swear
to about anything.

“ They were hired to swear that I was this
deserter, of course. There is no reason why
they should think I am the man without some
one paid them to think so, for it is hardly with-
in the bounds of possibility that I can be so like
him that these men really think I am this
Robert Raymond.

“Oh. no! that verges too much on the im-
probable to be accepted!

“Both these men are reckless scoundrels. if
their faces indicate their characters, and I
a think it would not take much money to induce

them to swear to almost anythin .

“ So far the game has worked Eeautifull . I
am in durance vile, and the next move wi be
to send me to Fort Logan to be tried.

“Now the question is, do the men who
planned this afl’air reali believe that I will
not be able to prove that am not the deserter
when I come to have a regular trial at Fort

‘ Logan?

“It does not seem possible!” the adventurer

I exclaimed, after meditating over the matter

 

 

 

for a moment. “The odds are a hundred to
. one that I can prove I am not the man, and the
‘ men who are at the bottom of this thing are

able tic; calculate the chances just as closely as
, myse .
l “ Then the game must be to keep me locked
. up here, so that they will have time to pre—
1 pare another stroke. I must he on my guard,
then."

The meditations of Teton Tom at this point
were cut short by his catching sight of the
dashing Katherine Cadwalader crossing the
parade ground, coming directly toward the
guard-house,'and the thought at once came to

he prisoner that she intended to pay him a
Visit.

She sought the sergeant in his quarters. gave
up her pass, and was by him conducted to the
3 guard-house.

Tetou Tom rose as Miss Cadwalader entered,
and bowed in return to the lady’s nod.

“ I could not refrain from coming to see you
in regard to this absurd charge which has
been brought against you,” she remarked.

“ Well, I am glad that there is some one who
does not believe the accusation to be a true
one!” Teton Tom replied. “ Excuse my remiss—

ness-allow me to offer you a seat.” and the ad"
venturer brought a stool, upon which Miss Cad- '

 

walud'cr seated herself, and then he resumed his
former position.

“ Oh. no, 1 am certain you are not the (le-
sertcr!” the lady declared, in the most positive
manner.. “ For I saw the mun when he came to
the fort with the rest of the recruits, and I am
as sure as i can be of anything that you are not
this Robert Raymond."

" \\ ell, [uni certain of it, of course, but the
difficulty u ill to for me to prove it, for I am a
stranger here. and so am not able to bring for-
ward anybody to identify me. If I was an old
resident now there would not be any trouble in‘
disprovlng the testimony of the two mldiers,
who swear in the most positive manner that I
am the deserter."

“ Both the men who have sworn against you
—-—Biglan und Thompson—are errant rascals—a
disgrace to the uniform they wear, and l hon-
estly believe that ten dollars would induceeither
one of the two to swear to almost anything l”tlie
girl declared.

“ Well, I was rather inclined to that im-
pression myself. If the characters of men can
be judged by their faces, both these follows
are hard vases.”

“ That is the truth!
house about half the time.

“But, I say. Miss Cadwalader, if these men
are not honest about the matter—if they are
not swearing that 1 am the deserter because
they really believe that I am. why do they take
this action?"

“ Oh, I haven’t the remotest ideal” Katherine
answered.

“ Of course there is a reason for it. ”

“ Have you had any trouble with these men?”

“No, I never saw either of them until they
con fronted me on my examination.”

“ I have it!” Miss Cadwalader exclaimed,
abruptly. “ A solution of the mystery has just
occurred to me. These soldiers may be friends
of the ruflianswhom you defeated.and they have
sworn that you were the deserter in order to get
even with you.”

“ That may be possible; yet it seems to me
that such a scheme is a little too deep for any
common follows to go into."

“It is the only explanation as far as I can
see,” the girl observed thoughtfully. “ There
must be some motive of this kind or else these
men would never have troubled their heads
aboutthe matter. If you were really the de-
serter. who was an old chum of theirs, for all
three came to the post in company, they would
be much more apt to swear they had never seen
you than to betray the Secret.”

“ No doubt about that. It is not through any
desire to see justice done that these fellows have
sworn against me. It is a plot, of course; there
is no doubt in regard to that in my mind, but
I am puzzled to guess who is at the back of it.”

“Have you had any trouble with any one In
the camp besides the two whom I saw you con-
quer'i"

“No, nothing to speak of,” Teton Tom re-
plied. “The town marshal and I had a lttlo
trial of strength and skill. He imagined that
he was a great wrestler, and I succeeded in con-
vincing him that he was not as expert as he be-
lieved; but he took his defeat in a good spirit
expressed himself as being satisfied, and I don’t
honestly think the man harbors any ill-Will
toward me on account of the affair.”

“ It must be then those men whom you de-
feated.”

“ I am doubtful about that. It has seemed to
me, right from the beginning of that afl’air that
those two were set on to attack me, for there
was no reaSnn why there should have been any
trouble.”

“But as you were a stran er in the camp,
how could such athin be, an ass, indeed, you
have some old enemies ere?" Katherine asked,
in astonishment. ,

“ No; there is nota soul in the town whom
I have ever encountered before to my knowl-
edge.”

“ It certainly is very strange. ”

“ Yes, it is; and then this second attack makes
it lcok as if somebody is making adead set at
me, and without the s ightest reason so far as I
can see.”

" It certainly is an extremely strange affair,"
Miss Cadwalader admitted. “I had aconver-
sation With my father in regard to your case.”
she continued. “ I told him that I felt sure you
were not the man. but the direct way in which
the soldiers swore that you were had an influ-
ence on him, particularly as l was obliged to
admit that. though you were not Robert Ray-
mond. yet I did not believe I would be able to
identify Raymond if I saw him; but he said if
you were not the deserter you would be able to
show it by giving a lull acmuntof yourself-
what business broug t you here and what you
intended to do. Of course, if you intrust your
secrets to my father you can rely upon his dis-
cretion.” '

“ Yes, certainly,”Teton Tom remarked. with
a peculiar look in his eyes, but the girl did not
notice it.

“ This was why I called upon you,” Katherine
said, rising. “ If you explain matters to my
father I feel sure you will not have to go to Fort
hogan.”

They are in the guard-

V

1%

“I am a thousand times obliged to you l” Te—
ton Toni exclaimed.

“ Oh, don’t mention it,” she replied.
only doing what I know to be right.”

After the girl departed, Teton Toni watched
her as she rctruced her steps across the parade-
ground.

“ The major is inquisitive,” the adventurer
mused. “ l i he tooone of the gang? I hope not
for his daughter’s sake.”

CHAPTER XVIII.
run MAJOR. MAKES A DISCOVERY.

KATHERINE CADWALADER went straight to
her father, and to him related the particulars of
her Interview With Teton Tom.

The major listened attentively.

“ It seems to me, Katherine, that you are
taking a deal of interest in this fellow,” he ob-
served.

“ Because I am satisfied that he is not the
man lieis supposed to be,” she replied, promptly.

“ Why does he not speak then and tell who he
is?”

“ I think that if you saw him, father,he would
be willing to satisfy you."

“ “Tell, I will have a talk with him and see
what he has to say for himself.”

Major (Judwalader was as good as his word,
and about an hour afterward visited Teton Tom
in the guard-house.

“ I thought I would drop in and have a little
talk with you,” the major remarked.

“Iam

 

“ Always pleased to receive visitors, although-

I cannot boast of very comfortable quarters at
present,” the adventurer observed.

Teton Tom had been seated by the window,
but had risen at the major's entrance. '

“ Sit down,” said the soldier, taking a seat as
he spoke.

Teton Tom resumed his plane by the window.

“ My daughter is so pos1tive there has been a
mistake in this matter that it induces me to give
you another hearing before sending you to Fort
Lo an,” the major explained.

‘ 1 am very much obliged to the lady for the
interest which she has taken in my case. Of
course I know that it is a mistake and that I am
not the man, but in the face of the fact of these
two soldiers swearing so positively that I am it
is not strange that my unsupported word should
be doubted.”

“ Well, I have been reflecting upon the mat-
ter. I have a great deal of confidence in my
daughter’s judgment, and as she is so earnest
about the affair, being sure that you are not the
deserter, the idea came to me that if I were to
come and see you, possibly you would be willing
to give a statement in regard to yourself which
would satisfy me that the two soldiers were
mistaken in swearing that you were Raymond.

“ I can understand, of course, that there ma
be reasons why on should not want to spec
in an Open cour in the ‘presence of witnesses,
but here we are alone,un you can depend upon
my discretion. You need not fear to speak
freely, for any secret you may intrust to my
care will be sucredl y kept.”

“ Oh have no fears in regard to that,”
Teton ' om replied. “ You are an officer of the
United States Army,and aman in your position
should be a gentleman and an honest man, and
such a one ought to be capable of keeping any
secret intrusted to his care.”

“ Exactlyl it is as I said; you need not fear
to intrust me with your secret!” the major de-
clared.

“ Yes, but I really have not got any secret,”
Teton Toni replied. “ If I had should not hes—
itate a moment in revealing it. ”

The expression upon the face of the major
showed that he did not credit this statement,
and he hes1tated for a moment before he spoke.

“ Of course it is only natural for you to wish
to keep your business to yourself,” the soldier
said at last. “ And under ordinary circum-
stances I should not blame you for being can-
tions, but it seems to me that when a man finds
himself in as bad a box as you are at present
he would be very foolish not to do anything he
could to get out of it.”

“That is true enough; no doubt about that,
and I assure you, major, I would not be slow to
avail myself of any chance that offered," Teton
Tom declared.

“ Why not confide in me, then?” the soldier
urged. " Tell me, frankly, who you are and
why youcame to this camp. You had some rea-
son in coming, of course. A man does not go
ahead blindly in such a matter.”

“ That is certainly correct, but there isn’t any
secret, and why you should imagine that I am
anything but what I appear to be is a mystery
to me.”

From the commenceme t of tho interview
Major Cadwalader had be nstudying the face
of the risoner intently, and the impression
came to im that at some time in the remote
past he had either seen Teton Tom, or some one
whom be closely resembled.

The major’s mind went back to the net the
moment he came to this conclusion. _ ad he,
indeed, met the prisoner at some distant period,
orlwas it but a chance resemblance to somebody

is
This question was a difficult one for him to

 

Penn Toms, the..,He1fé13.19_9d-

answer, and the more he puzzled over it the
more perplexed he became.

His face, though, gave no indication of his
perplexity, for long years of experience had
taught him to vail his feelings with the cold
mask of indifl‘erence.

He replied after a short pause to Teton Tom’s
speech.

“Il'ell, Iwill say to you frankly that the
name which you claim does not seem to me to
be a real one.”

“ in reality it is Thomas Teton, but after
the fashion of the \Yest, it has been trans—
posed.
man, and my pards choose to consider Teton

Tom a much better handle than Thomas ’l‘e- 

ton.”

“Yes, I can readin undeistand how that ,

cou‘d happen, but the name itself is an uncom—
mon one. Teton is not the name of a man, but
that of a river.’7

“That is correct, and it was the river gave
me my name, for I was born on its banks.”

“ Why do you not near the name of your fa-
ther?”

“ Sim ly because all the name my father was
known y was White Crow. He was a white

man who married a Crow squaw, and became ‘

an adopted son of that nation, but what his
right name was is a myster .”

“ You are really a half-breed, then ?” the
major questioned, in a tone which expressed
considerable doubt.

“Oh, yes; can’t you see that by the color of
in skin?”

“ Well, to tell you the truth, it was my idea
that you were in disguise, and your dark color
from some dye which you had applied to your
face and hands," the major declared.

“ Oh, no, my color is a natural one, and for
proof, look i”

Teton Tom opened his shirt in front, exposing
the skin beneath.

“You can see for yourself that I am a half-
breed, and though the color of my breast is not
as dark as that of my face, it is because the
one is not exposed to the sun as is the other.”

The ma‘or was more puzzled now than ever,

for he ha gone upon the assumption that Teton ‘

Tom was not a half-breed, but now it was cer-
tain he was, the soldier’s bewilderment in-
creased.

“I see I was wrong in my belief,” he ad-
mitted.

“ As you are in your idea that there is any so-
cret connected with me. The sto of in life
is a simple one, and is soon told. YI was rn,
as I told you, on the banks of the Teton River,
brought up among the Crow Indians, and then
carried toEurope by a showman, where I re-
mained for some time, but getting tired of the
life, I became a soldier in the Turkish Army,
and fought through the war with Russia. When
that ended, I drifted back to America, came
out here to my Western birthplace, where I be-
came a mountain-man.” ‘

The story seemed like truth, and the major
could see no flaw in it.

“ How did you happen to come to Bearfoot
Bar, and where did you encounter this pard of
yours—this Burke?”

“ I met him in Chicago; he was a. tenderfoot
on his way to Montana, Where he proposed to
invest in a mine, and as he was not posted in
regard to the country he made me an offer to
go in with him, and we came up to this district
because we heard this region was enjoying a.
boom.”

“Your story is a plausible one, and if you
had some witnesses now to support it you would
not have any trouble in getting out of this
scrape,” the major observed.

“Yes, that is just where the shoe pinches!”
Teton Tom replied. “ I am a stranger here
and don’t know a soul in the town, so it is
impossible for me to bring forward any wit—
nesses.”

“ That is unfortunate,” the major remarked
still intently studying the face of the other and
sitlgiviitng to remember where he had seen one
i e .

And now, all of a sudden, the recollection
came to him, and it was as much as he could do
to refrain from a start.

Teton Tom noticed that the expression upon
the face of the major changed, and wondered

at it.

“Well.” the soldier remarked, after quite a

pause “ I su pose I will have to send you to
ort Ingan. at I will do what I can for you
on our trial,” and then he rose to depart.

‘ Much obliged,” said Teton Tom, ‘ but I ani’
not at all worried.” I

“ Oh, I guess you will mme out all right,” and
the major quitted the guard-house. .

“ The resemblance is wonderful,” the soldier
muttered, as he returned to his quarters. “ No
wonder I w as told to note his face and see if it
did not recall memories of the ast. But he is
in a trap now, and he will be a ucky fellow in-
deed if he escapes from it.”

CHAPTER XIX.
A HARD cusrounn.
“ Tm: ms or is taking a great deal of interest
in my case, ? Teton Torn observed, with a. quiet
\

 

\ 

I ' .1. “2"; um“.

I have been a scout and mountain- :

 

smile. “ Why does be trouble himself about
the matter? sit poswble that he is in league
with the men who have been attacking me ever
since I struck the towu’.4 \Vus he one of the
original gang which stole the Black Snake Mine
from Colonel Randal Cruwlcrd! It seems un-
likely; still, more unlikely things than that
have happened. One thing is sure, though: if
the major came for information, he did not suc—
ceed in gaining any.”

Then the adventurer fell into a fit of medita-

tion, from which he was aroused by the arrival
, of another prisoner—en ugly looking soldier,
considerably the worse for liquor.
| He evinced a disposition to fight the guard,
r and undoubtedly would have done so had he
I not been outnumbered six to one.
i As it was, he swore at them in the most fluent
l manner, and made all sorts of threats as to the
vengeance he wozild take upon each individual
member of the guard, from the sergeant down—
ward, When he got his liberty again.

“ You had better hush your talk i” cried Ser-
geant Kelly, angrily. “You needn’t think that
i you can score anybody.”

l “ I will have the heart’s blood of every one of
, you 1” the infuriated prisoner declared.
, ‘ Oh shut up! yc u are enough to make a dog-
J sickl” kelly declared. “ I can just tell you
i what it is, Skinny: if you don’t let whiskyalone
i you will be drummed out of the army the first.
‘: thing you know i"

“ And what do you s’pose I care i” the soldier
, howled. “ To blazes with the army. It will be

a proud day for me when I am clear of these

cursed barracks; but I want you to understand
‘. that I am a bad man, and the galoot who stacks
‘ up ag’in’ me is going to have a hard row to
hoe l’ -
“ You are the biggest fool in the fort, and if I
had my way I would run you out in short or—
der 1” the sergeant declared, in disgust, as he
withdrew.

“ Jest wait until I git shut of this hyer den,
and see if I don’t lay that galoot of a sergeant
out as flat as a pan-cake l” the soldier cried ,shak—
ing his clinched fist fiercely at the door which.
had closed behind the guard.

Then the man turned to Teton Tom.

“ hey have got you into the calaboose, 1:00,,
hey i”

“ Yes; I reckon they have got me foul.”

“ Well, now. I tell you, you kin jest bet yer'
boots that this is the last time that they ever
git a chance to loelo me up in this hyer hole.”

“ It is not agreeable,” Teton Tom observed.

“ Durn tha’r measly hides i" cried the soldier,
inarage. “ I have got all of thislsort or life
that I want. I am a high-flysr, I am, and I.
ain‘t goingto lead this dog’s life no longer! I:
tell you What it is—whenI git to going I am
jest as bad as they make ’em. You jest ask
anybody in the town if Skinny Giflord isn’t a.
holy terror when he gits a-gcing l”

“ I have no doubt that you are able to keep
your end up,” Teton Tom remarked.

“Oh, yes; I am a bad man!” the other ex-
claimed. “ But I ain’t much when it comes to
a. fist fight; the knife is my weapon, and when I
i am on the war—path with a good keen bit of
steel in my hand I am a holy terror, I am.”

“ A knife is an ugly wen pun in the hands of a
man who knows how to use it.”

“ I am jest that critterl”_ the soldier declared.
“ And I have jest been wasting my time in this-
durned kind of a life. Why, thar’s plenty of
money to be picked up in this hyer countr by
men who have got the sand to try for it. ay 3‘
don’t you want to go in with me in n leetle
road-agent business? You kin bet all the ducats
that you kin raise that two men like_us goinim
cahoots could make a pile of money in a mig ty
few weeks."

“ I reckon we would have to get out of this
first.” Teton Tom observed. _

The soldier put on a knowmg look and then
winked, mysteriously.

“ Don’t you worry 'bout that,” he replied,
dro lug his voice tofa low and cautious tone.
“ TEPs ain’t the first time that I havebecn locked.
up in this durned hole. and you kin jest bet all.
your rocks that I ain’t wasted the time that I
had to put in hyer. The major is kinder down
on me, and I have been efeard that he would
take some chance to sock it to main a way I
wouldn’t like, so I have jest been fixing things——
fixing ’em, ou know, so I could light out be—-
tween two ys if I had to. r I

- “That was a good idea.’ '

“Yes, you bet it wasl Oh, I am a downy-
bird, I tell you!” the soldier declared. “ The
major has got a grudge ag'in’me, and one of
these days he will be sart’in to go for me. -Now,.
I am no man’s tool, and _thar’s no galoot in the

arrison that kin pull the wool over my eyes.

bar‘s somebody in this hyer fort that wants to-
git me into trouble. My being In the guard—
house now is all a. put-up Job.”

“Is that so?” Teton Tom asked; not that he

do so.

the galoots who testified against you i"
Teton Tom nodded. _
“Well, the cuss and I ain’t on good terms.

 

nl,.‘\ (aw ' i. w .' ,4

took any interest in the matter, but he spoke-
because he saw that the other expected him to.

“Yes; you know Dick Biglan—he is one of."

-jfh“

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

“715

 

’cos we have had two or three growls lately,
but he came to me in a real, friendly way to-
day and let on that he had smuggled a bottle of
whisky into the fort and said I was wel :oine to
a share of it, and the moment be commenced to
talk about whisky my throat got as dry as an
ash-heap, so I jumped at the chance, and by the
time we had finished the bottle both on us were
full; then we got to chulling one another, and
Biglan let out that he would have seen me in
blazes ’fore he would have shared any whisky
with me if somebody hadn’t put- hini up to do it
jest on purpose to git me into trouble."

“ That was strange.”

“I didn't wait to hear any more but jest
waded into him, and as we were pounding each
other the guard captured us and, durn my skin !
if the major didn’t believe l31glan's yarn ’bout
how I was trying to kill him, so ordered me into
the guard-house and let him go.”

“ Well, that was rough!”

“ Oh, I tell you the major has got it in for inc,
and the first chance 1 get I am going to light
outl”

And then the soldier indulged in pleasing an-
ticipations of how he would get even With his
enemies when he regained his liberty, and final-
ly becoming sleepy from the infects of the liquor,
stretched himself upon the bunk and was soon
bound in sluinber’s chain.

Teton Tom fell to meditating upon the sol-
dier’s story.

“ If the fellow has told the truth it is an odd
affair,” he mused. “ Why any one should plot
to get him into the guard-house is a mystery.
for, from the man’s appearance and words I
judge that he is one of the kind who would be
certain to get into trouble without outside inter-
ference."

The soldier slept soundly until roused by the
entrance of the trooper with the supper ra-
tions.

This happened to be the man, Thompson,
who had sworn so strongly against Teton Tom.

The soldier greeted him as an old pard, and
the two held a long consultation in whispers in
the corner.

After he withdrew, the prisoners began upon
their supper. It was a frugal meal and one that
it did not take them long to dispatch,

By this time the darkness had come, and as
the gloom gathered in the apartment the soldier
remarked, abruptly:

“ Pard, I reckon I am going to get out of this
More morning.”

“ How are you going to work it ?”

“Oh, it will be as easy as rolling off! a log!”
the soldier exclaimed, confidently.

“ “fall, it may be so, but I must confess it
doesn’t look that way to me.”

' “ But, you see, you don’t understand how the
land lays,” the soldier replied. “Did you no-
tice that Thompson and I had a long talk?”

it Yes.”

“He is an old pard of mine, and is willing to
do a heap for me. He knew I was in a peek of
trouble and expected I would makes bolt for it.
These hyer window- bars w’ot look so strong
don‘t amount to nothing. They are all rusty,
so that a good tug will fetch ’em right out.
Now, about midnight I reckon to take hold of
them bars and yank ’em out.”

“ Yes, but there is a sentinel outside 1” Teton
Tom exclaimed. , “Have you forgotten him i”

“ Oh, no, he is all right and don‘t you forget
it!" the other replied, with a grin. “ I have
got that fixed. Thompson is on duty thar to-
night,and I have arranged with him that when
he hears me whistle he is to ’round the corner of
the shanty and stay there until we have a
chance to get oif. l have fixed it so you kin go,
too. Oh, tell you, we will have a high cld
time and make big moneywhen we git at the
road-agent business,”and then tho soldier told
story after story of the crimes which he had
committed before he joined the army, and if the
half only was true the wretch ought to have
been hung long ago. ‘

Teton Tom was suspicions that all was not
ri ht, and said as much, but the soldier persist-
e that it was and declared he would be a fool
not to esca 9 when the chance was open to him.

Slowly t 6 hours passed away.

At midnight the sentinel was changed, and
after givin time for the guard to gain the
shelter of t eir quarters, the soldier whispered
to Teton Tom that the hour had come.

Then, going to the window, he uttered a low
whistle.

 

V CHAPTER XX.
run FATAL snor.
THE sentinel was at the end of his beat at
the further extremity of the house hen
the low whistle of Skinny Ben fell upon his

'ust taming to retrace his steps, but
came to a alt alter facing around.

“ Aha! I reckon one of those dog-goned pris—
oners is up to seine mischief l" the sentry ex—
claimed, removing his musket from his shoul-
der and bringing the hammer up to full cock,
so as to be ready for action.

The sentinel was Dick Biglan, the man who
had sworn so strongly against the adventurer.

i

 

“I will jest lay low and see if I can’t have
some fun with these durned guloots if the are
up to any mischief,” he continued. “ ii ebbo
now because the cusses can‘t see me they are
reckoning that I ain’t herc~think l have gone
oil’ to git a drink somewhar, but that ain‘t the
kind of a rooster I am; thor ain’t any better
man in this hyer world for to stick to his dooty
than old Dick Biglanl"

The man was well under the inlluence of
liquor now, but as he was a regular toper, it
made no perceptille difference in his gait or
boa ring.

Then distinctly to his ears came the sound of
one of the prisoners tugging at the bars which
guarded the window.

“ You kin jest bet ycr boots that I was
right!" he exclaimed. “Tho birds reckon that
I am out of the way—because they can’t see
me, and they are g'ving for to try and get out
of thi-ir cage. Tue major has a long head,
for he had a notion that one of tho fellows
might be up to some mischief, and that is the
reason he said to me after I was put on guard:
‘ Biglan, keep your cyes opcn to-night, and if
that Teton Toni atlenipis mescape, don‘thesi—
tate to put a ball through him. If both git
our, plug Tom. It is about time that some of
our rasmls here got a lesson, and if yOu suc-
ceed in laying out an escaping risoner, it will
be a ten-dollar slug in your poc iet.’ ”

Then the soldier nodded his head sagely.

“ Now if these galoots is trying for to git out,
and I git a chance to draw a bead onto ’em, l’ni
jest as sure to corral that ten—dollar slug as if I
had it in my pocket]

“ I hope it will be that Teton Tom, though,"
the sentinel continued, after a pause. “ I hada
heap sight rather plug him than to shoot one of
the command.”

The sentinel had slunk well around the corner
of the house, and as he was in the shade—the
moonbeams shone on the upper end of the
guard-house—he was well concealed from the
view of any one looking out of the window, and
yet there was light enough to enable him to
easily distinguish any one climbing through the
easement.

The sentinel‘s vigilance was soon rewarded'
out through the window came a head, and the
sentry could easily distinguish that the head
wore the broad-brimmed slouch hat of the
Westerner, and not the little peaked cap of the
soldier.

“It is that Teton Tom !” the sentinel mut-
tered. “And I reckon I’ll plug him now for
keeps.”

The head remained motionless for a moment,
as though the owner was looking around to see
if the coast was clear.

And then, apparently satisfied that there was
no one near, the owner of the head began to
climb through the window.

“ The cuss has managed to wrench the win-
dow-bars away,”the sentinel muttered. “ But
I have a bit of lead in my niusketwhich isworth
about a dozen iron bars when it comes to keep-
ing a man from gitting away."

Then he brought his gun up to his shoulder
and took deliberate aim at the escaping prison-
er.

A moment he dwelt on his aim, and then the
sharp report of his weapon rung out clear on the
still air of the night.

The man at whom the gun was aimed gave a
groan of pain and tumbled through the window
to the ground without.

The soldier dropped his gun, drew his revolv—
er and sprung forward so as to be ready to in -
tercept the other prisoner if he should attempt
to come through the window, but he was appar-
ently deterred by the fate of his companion, for
no second form appeared.

The sound of the shot aroused the fort im-
mediately.

Out from their quarters came the officer of
the night and his squad. They were in the
next building to the guard-house, and as the
were clothed it did not take them long to reac
the 0 en air.

“V hat is the matter?” cried Captain Mor-
gan, for as it happened that gentleman was on
duty on this particular night.

“One of the prisonrrs tried to escape, cap
tain, and I shot him i" cried the soldier, salut-

in .

F‘It is Teton Tomi” exclaimed the captain,
catching sight of the broad-brimmed hat.
“ And you have killed the fellow l”

“ That’s orders, captain,” cried the soldier,
with another salute.

By this time the fort was in a commotion,
heads were poked through windows and doors,
and soldiers, more or less dressed, came hurry-
in to the spot.

ajor Cadwalader soon made his appearance.
The commander of the post was a late bird, and
seldom went to bed until after one.

“ What means that shot?” he questioned, as
he came up to the group.

“The prisoner, eton Tom, in attempting to
escape has been shot by the sentinel,” Captain
Morgan replied . .

“Not by a. jugfull” exclaimed the voice of
the adventurer, as he poked his head through
the window of the guard-house. “ Teton Tom

va _‘

 

has not tried. to cscapo,and ho is still in the land
of the living, thank you!”

'l‘hercwas a tableau oi’ astonishment, forthi-rc
was not one of the gang but had been sure that
it was the adventurer who had fallen.

Major Cadwuluder hurried to the window, the
rest following in his footsteps.

And when the major came close to the fallen
man he saw that it was indeed the soldier, Skin-
ny lien Gifford, who was on the ground, but he
were the brow 1~brimmed but of Teton Tom.

“What docs this mean i” cried tho major,
angrily. “ llow comes it that the fellow has
your hat on his head i”

“ Well, we changed hats,” Teton Toni ox-
pliiined. “ He was just crazy to escape and
thought he had a sure thing. It was all ar-
ranged with tho sentinel, he said. When he
whisilcd the sentry was to go around to the back
of the guard-house so as to give him a chance to
escape."

“ 'l'hat’s a. lie i” Biglan cried.
any such agreement with him i”

“ That was just exactly what I thought!” tho
adventurer remarked. “ And then, too, as I
told the man, if he had made any such arrange-
ment it did not follow that it would apply to
1721', and the chanceswere big that it I attempted
to escape through the window the sentinel would
be sure to shoot me."

“ You bet I wouldl” Biglan cried.

“ But my companion was o. hot-headed, ob-
stinate fellow, and being well soaked in liquor
was determined that he was right and 1 was
wrong, and in order to prove to me that this
was so he said he would put on my hat, in order
that the sentinel would think that ho was me.
and thus convince me that everything was all
right, for he declared he had arranged for both
of us to escape.” 

“ It is a lie ll’Biglan cried, indignantlv. “ He
never said nothing to me and I wouldn’t let him
git oii', nohow l”

“ The shooting of the man proves that your
statement is correct," Teton Tom remarked.
“ And it also shows that my companion did not
understand the situation as well as 1 did, and
how he should come to make such a mistake is
really amazing "

“ It is a luck thing for you!” Major Cadwal—
ader exclaimo , evidently annoyed.

“ Yes, I think myself that it was lucky. I
was evidently born under a fortunate star. and
there is an old saying you know which declares
that it is better to be born lucky than rich,”
Teton Tom remarked, complacently.

By this time the surgeon of the post was on
the scene.

“ Take a look at the man, doctor,” command-
ed the major. .

The sur eon did so.

“ He is end, major,” he reported.

“ You had a narrow shave 1" Major Cadwala—
der observed, again addressing the adventurer.

“ Oh, well a miss is as good as a mile, you
know,” was the careless answer.

“ How is it that you did not attempt to escape
after the shot was iired?"tue major inquired.
“The sentinol’s gui: was empty and you had a
good chance to get off.”

“ I did not care to make the attempt; I have
no desire to secure my freedom by running
away. That would not do me any ood, for
everybody then would be certain that was the
deserier. and as I know I am not, and feel per-
fectly satisfied that when I cometobe tried I
can rove it to the satisfaction of any fair-4
min ed court, I would be a fool indeed to take,
refuge in flight. I explained my position to the
soldier, but he was obstinate and would not lis-
ten to rcason, and so came to his death. I am‘
an innocent man, and will not attempt to escape
even i f I am not usrded.” ' ‘

“ I think we wi I keep a watch on you all the
same, though," the major remarked, dryl .

The window was nailed up the body re.
moved and again the post settled down to its
normal quiet. '

“ I never made

CHAPTER XXI.
AN AMBUSCADE.

THE news of this affair created a. great excite—
ment in the mining-camp when it became gene-
ral] known.

T 6 reports were much exaggerated, as is
usually the case; there were three or four ver-
510118 of the affair, but the one that found the
widest circle of believers was that after the
sentinel killed the soldier he ran off to alarmthe
post, and that Teton Tom could have made his
escape without any trouble, but did not do so
and when questioned in regard to it, declare
that he was an innocent man, and that innocent
men did not run away like thieves in the
night.

This story made a deep impression, although
some of the prominent men in the town did not
hesitate to declare the yarn to be a ridiculous
one. asserting that any man placed in sucha
position as t at held by Teton Tom would be
sure to endeavor to escape if the way was

open.

Archibald Crawford, the landlord of the
Golden Star Hotel, andtbe Irish lawyer, Fin-
negan, were all of this opinion, but they found
few to agree with them.

 

  

had turned and was running strongly in favor
of the advonturer, young Burke took advan-
tage of it to get up a committee to wait upon
Major Cadwaladei‘ in regard to Teton Tom.

The committee we 3 a representative one, being
composed of soino of the best men in the town.
The soldier received them politely and listened

with patience to their address.

“Gentlemen, I regret that the matter is one
which 1 cannot settle,” he said in reply.
“ There are two men who swear in the most
positive manner that the prisoner is the de--
sorter, Robert Raymond. inyseli’ know noth-
ing about the matter, excepting that there was
a recruit, named Robert Raymond, who was
sent to the post with a lot of others about
a year ago, and that he deserted on the first op-
portunity. I was absent at the timo--did not
see the man, and therefore am not able to say
whether the prisoner is the man or not, but he
certainly answers to the description, and in the
face of the positive assertion of the two men,
who were Raymond’s com anions—enlisting at
the same time—that this etou Tom is Robert
Raymond, I should be neglectful of my duty if
I released him, taking his bare word, unsup-
ported by a single bit of proof, that he is not
the deserter.”

, This seemed good, sound sense to the commit-
tee, and they admitted as much.

“ The man is in no danger if he is not the de-
serter," the major asserted. “ In a few days,
as soon as I can make the necessary arrange-
ments, I shall send him to Fort Logan to Colo-
nel MacLane for trial. If he is unjustly accused
he has nothing to fear.”

The committee expressed themselves as being
satisfied. and requested the privilege of, calling
upon the prisoner, which the major freely
granted.

Teton Tom was glad to see them, and re-
marked that it was pleasant to a man in a
“ hole ” to know that all the world had not gone
back on him.

The committee explained how matters stood,
and Teton Tom declared that he felt no fear in
regard to the result.

“ When I come to have a regular trial, I shall
be able to prove easily enough that I am not the
man these soldiers swear I am,” he said, as he
parted with the committee.

For two days the adventurer remained at the
camp, and then, on the morning of the third
day, he was informed that he was about to de-
part for Fort Logan.

“ I can only spare a detail of a sergeant and
four men to go with you,” the major an-
nounced. “So I will be obliged to put you in
handcuffs. I am sorry, but under the Circum-
stances I must take all ossible precautions
against your escaping on t 6 road."

“Oh you need not be alarmed about that!”
Teton Tom declared. “ I have no idea of try-
ing any such game. You would be perfect y
safe, Major Cadwalader, in turning me loose
and ordering me to report at Fort Logan.
would be there as soon as your soldiers.”

“ That. may be perfectly true, but you surely
can understand that it would not be the proper
thing to do," the major replied, with digni ed
hauteur. “ The adoption of such a. course would
be entirel out of the question. 1 have written
to Colone Logan that my daughter is positive
that you are not Raymond, and as she saw the
fellow when he came to the post, her evidence
may do you some good. I am going to take the
trouble to come to Fort Logan with her so as to
be present when you are tried.”

“ I am ver much obliged.major,” Teton Tom
remarked. ‘ And if I live to get to Fort Logan
there is no doubt I can prove that I am not Ray-
mond, the deserter.”

A slight shade ussed over the face of the sol—
dier, and he fix his deep, sunken, restless eyes
with a keen gaze upon the countenance of the
adventurer.

'Teton Tom smiled blandly under the scru-

tiny.

“ Wh do you say, ‘ If you live to get to Fort
Lo an? ” the major demanded, sharply. “Sure-
ly t ere cannot be any doubt about that matter.
You are in good health now—you certainly do
not expect to die on the road l"

“ Well, life is very uncertain, you know,

articularly amid the hills of Montana,” Teton
, om answered. “ What man can be sure of his
existence for a single day? There are a bun-
dred accidents that may happen on this journey
to cut my thread of life in team.”

“ Oh, yes, but it is extremely improbable that
any serious mischanco can happen to yo dur-
ing this short journey,”tho major rejoin ev1-
dent] y ill at exse.

“ I don’t know about that; my experience is
that danger often comes when we least expect
it,” Teton Tom replied. “ And as you send me
on this journey with my wrists fettered you put

. it out of my power to defend myself in case I
am attacked.”

“ Oh, that is nonsense!” the major declared,
and his manner showed that he did not like the
turn which the conversation had taken. “ You
will be guarded by five well-armed soldiers, and
the sergeant in command, Mike Kelly, is as
good a man as the United States Army can

7 Teton

l
Finding that the current of popular opinion

 

boast. These men would allow themselves to be
cut t’? pieces before any harm should come to

Cu.

“ Well, your statement may be correct—on
the face of it most people would declare it was
s i, but I have not any faith that I shall reach
F. rt Logan alivo if you handeulf me so that I
will not be able to defend myself if attacked."

“ Your ideas are absurd 1” Major Cad wulader
exclaimed, angrily. “ There is no more danger
to be anticipated on the road from here to Fort
Logan than there is in going from this fort to
Bearfoot Bar, and if I neglected to handculf
you I should feel as if I had neglected my
duty.”

And then the officer cut short the conversation
by departing.

In about fifteen minutes Sergeant Mike Kelly
entered the room, carrying a pair of handcuffs
and bade the prisoner prepare.

“ I don’t admire this at all,” Teton Tom re—
marked, as the sergeant asked him to extend his
hands so he could snap on the “ bracelets.”

“ No, it isn’t pleasant, but it is orders, you
know, and orders must be obeyed,” the soldier
replied.

“ Oh, yes, what can’t be cured must be en-
dured, and as I am powerless to help myself in
this matter I shall have to grin and ear it,”the
adventurer observed.

After the handcuffswere in place the sergeant
led the way to the open air.

The four soldiers ware in the saddle before the
guard-house, and two of the four were the men
who had sworn so strongly against the prisoner,
Birglan and Thompson.

he sergeant and Teton Toni mounted, and
away the squad went heading up the creek to-
ward the Missouri.

The party rode on at a brisk trot, the ser-
geant in the advance, then the prisoner, and the
tour soldiers brought up the rear, riding in

was.

A couple of hours brought the party to the
jaunction of Prickly Pear Creek and the Missouri

iver.

They forded the Missouri and struck off to
the eastward, and were soon'among the foot-
hills of the mountain range on the other side of
which Fort Logan was situated.

By noon the party were well into the moun-
tains, and halted for a bite of something to eat
in a little va:ley, thickly dotted with small
clumps of timber, through which ran a good-
sized stream. '

Silver Valley this glade was termed, from the
fact that a prospecting party had once believed
they had struck a rich “ lead ” there, but it
proved to be worthless.

The valley was just about half-way between
Fort Fremont and Fcrt Logan, and the major
hlad instructed the sergeant to make a noon halt
t ere.

The soldiers dismounted, tethered their horses
hung their carbines to thesaddles, and prepared
to take matters easy for an hour.

Having no thought of danger, the soldiers
strap led off to the lower end of the valley in
scare of wild berries, leaving the sergeant and
the prisoner together.

The two engaged in conversation for ten or
twelve minutes, and by this time the troopers
were out of sight.

“ Those fellows had better not wander off too
far, or they may get lost, for this is a hard
country for a man to find his way in if he is not
well acquainted with it. I’ll call them back!”
Kelly remarked.

The sergeant rose and walked down the val-
ley for about a hundred yards, calling to the
men as he went along.

Then suddenly, from out of a neighboring
thicket, burst a and of six horsemen.

Teton Tom sprung,r to his feet and ran toward
the sergeant, and the soldier took to his heels
to join his men, who had just made their ap-
pearance a thousand yards away.

CHAPTER XXII.
ran OUTLAW‘S OFFER.

THE horsemen soon overtook Teton Tom.

“Halt thar, right quick or we‘ll fill you full
of holes!” the foremost horseman cried as he
came up to the adventurer; this was ev1dently
the leader of the strangers, and he gave empha-
Eis to the threat by leveling a. revolver at Teton

om.

“ Hyer’sa boss for ye,” the man continued.
“ Mount and we’ll light out!”

There was no refusing an invitation couched

in such a peremptory manner, and so Teton,

Tom jumped into the saddle, mounting without
difficulty despite his fetters.

“ Kin ye manage to ride with them ’ar brace-
lets?” the leader asked, as Teton Tom grasped
the reins

“Oh, yes!”

“All right; we’ll skin out, then, and you
want to keep right along with us, you know.
Don’t try in git away, ’cos we won’t have it
and you will only git yerself into a heap o
troubloif you try anything of the kind !” and
the speaker flourished his revolver in the air as
he spoke.

While this dialogue had been going on, one of I

the horsemen, with some slashes of his bowie-

Tom, the Half-Blood.

 

 

knife, had cut the lziriats which confined the
soldiers" steeds, and then, with a wild yell, stam-
peded them, driving them up the valley.

The horses broke away to the right and left
and soon disappeared in the bushes.

Then the horsemen retreated as speedin as
they had advanced. '

The soldiers were dumfounded. By this
movement the marauders had made pursuit im-
possible.

The horsemen soon vanished amid the shrub-
bery, and the soldiers, realizing that it would
not be possible to overtake them, did not at-
tempt to pursue, but scattered in search of their
horses.

Straight through the wild and broken coun-
try the horsemen rotle, and now Teton Tom
livid a good opportunity to see what they were

i e.

The men were evidently outlaws, for each and
every one were armed to the teeth and wore a
black mask so as to conceal the face.

Most men would have been apt to jump to the
conclusion that it was through a friendly mo-
tive the masked men had been led to interfere,

‘ but Teton Tom did not think so.

it was his opinion that he had fallen out of the
fr ingpuu into the fire.

‘he horsemen rode straightonward for a good
hour, then they turned to the right and plunged
into the very heart of the mountain—range.

At last they halted in a little valley shut in
by grim mountain-peakS—as wild and desolate
a 3 oi: as could be found in all Montana.

his was evidently the head—quarters of the
band, for there were a couple of rude huts and
a small corral for the accommodation of the
horses

The horsemen dismounted, and.-in obedience
to the orders of the brawny fellow who had
spoken to Teton Tom, the chief, evidently, the
prisoner was conveyed. to the largest one of the
two huts.

Then the outlaw leader directed that a senti—
nel should be posted at the lower end of the val—
ley so as to guard against a surprise, although
he remarked, with grim emphasis:

“ I reckon the odds are ’bout a million to one
that none of them fool soldiers Will be able to
smell out the trail ’cos it would bother an old
mountain-man, and we would make it hot for
them if they dl( .”

Teton Tom had too much experience in this
line not to understand how true the surmise

was.

The chief followed the prisoner into the but.

The only furniture within it was a rude bunk,
made out of pine branches covered with a con is
of wolf-skins, and a section of a log, set u on
end, for a stool.

Teton Tom sat down on the bunk and the out:
law took possession of the stool, ‘

“ Wal, you are making yourself comfortable,
I see i” the stranger exclaimed.

“ Oh, yes, I believe in taking things easy,” the
other replied, and he leaned back on the bunk as
he spoke. .

“ reckon you ar’ right, but thar ar’ mighty
few men who are able to do it.”

By this time Teton Tom had come to the con-
clusion that the speaker was no stranger to him;
the voice was certainly familiar, as was also the
appearance of the man, “although from the fact
0 t i; face being hidden it was not easy to iden-
ti y im.

“ It seems to me that I have seen you some—
where before,” Teton Tom remarked. “ Any—
way, your voice is familiar.”

The brawny fellow chuckled.

“ Wal, now, I reckon you ar’ 8. pretty keen
one, and no mistake," he observed. “But you
ar’ right; this ain’t the furst time that we have
chinned together.”

“ That was my idea, but not being able to see
your face makes it a difficult matter for me to
place you."

The outlaw removed his mask and revealed
the features of the genial stranger with whom
Teton Tom had conversed in the saloon of the
hotel.

“ Thar, I reckon you kin savvy me now i” he
observed, with a grin.

“ Ah, yes, I know you, and I thought I did
too, although I wasn’t sure as to where I had
met you. If I remember rightly your name is
Hickman.”

“ Yes, sir-es, that is my handle. Bill Hick-
man, ginerally called Tough Bill Hickman. and
I reckon thar ain’t no discount on me !"’

“But what is the meaning of this disguise?”
Teton Tom questioned.

“ Oh; this is my reg’lur biz,” the other ex-
plained. ” I ain’t no miner! I am not the man
to fool away my time for three or four dmlars a
day when 1 kin take it easy like a gentleman
and pull out a thousand or two at a Single lick.
When you met me in the camp I was jest pros-
pecting around, looking for a chance to make a
haul, you know.”

“Ah, yes, I see.” ,

“ And when I ran across you 1 jest had a no-
tion that on were the kind of man i. wanted to
j’ine my and, and so, when you got inter the
mess with the sodjers, I made pp my mind
to git you out of it if the trick could be
worked.” ,

 

 

Tern Tea ihgflalf-BIPQL

 

w

“ Well, you did it up brown I" l

“ Oh, you bet! and that is the kind of man I 1
am!" the outlaw declared. “ I wanted jest sich ‘
a paid as you ar’ and I reckoned to git you out
of your fix."

“ 1 am much obliged!”

“ Oh don't mention itl” the outlaw exclaim- ,
ed. “ I am jest the kind of man that sticks to 1
my pai‘ds, and I reckoned from the talk I had l
with you that it was likely we could do a good ‘
stroke of business together.” I

A. look of surprise appeared on the face of ‘
Teton Tom.

“ I don’t think I understand you,” he said.

“ I got the idee from the way you war a-
pumping me ’bout the Black Snake Mine,”
Hickman explained.

“ 9h, I was only inquiring out of pure curios-
it .

3‘" Come now! don’t try to fool your uncle!” -
the outlaw exclaimed. “ I know better than
ihatl You ain't the kind of a man towaste
words. You don’t chin without thar’s ap’int
to be made. Besides, you don’t fool me, you
know? with any Teton Toni business, for I know

on.

y “ Now you really excite my curiosity!” the
prisoner declared. “ For if I am anybody but
Teton Tom I should like to know it.”

“ Oh, I know who you are well enough I” the
other exclaimed. “I reckon you can see from
the looks of my figure-head that I ain’t no
chicken, but a reg’lar old~timer.”

Teton Tom nodded. This was the truth.
Tough Bill Hickman was a man of fifty, or
Lhereabouts.

“I was up along Prickly Pear Crick ’fore
thar was any sich town as earfoot Bar, and I
know all about the Black Snake Mine business,
and I kin call you b, name, easy ernuff l”

“ Well, if you cal me anything but Teton
Tom you Will not hit the truth i” the adventurer
declared.

“ That is all well enuff to give the crowd. but
you can’t stuff me!” Hickman declared. “ Your
name is George Randal Crawford, and you are
a son of the Colonel Crawford who discovered
the Black Snake Mine, and who was killed in a
fl ht over the claim! I know your father like
a 00k, and I kin see his face looking right
out at me from yours, and your leetle ame
up in this region is to hunt down and kil the
men who killed your father.”

Teton Tom laughed.

“Oh, my friend, on are away off!
you see that I am a mill-breed?”

“That is all right] ]you are disguised, of
course!" the outlaw dec ared. “ You wouldn’t
he sich a fool as to come walking ’round hyer
without fixing yourself up so that no one
would know you. Now, I am jest the man
you want to strike. I have a good band at
my back, and can help you to git at the men
you want to strike if you make it worth my
while." .,

“You are on the wrong track. I have no
enemies—no scheme of vengeance to carry out,
and do not need your aid.”

“ Oh, bosh, I know better!” cried Hickman,
angrily. “ And I kin jest tell you what it is:
if you ain’t Willing to let me go in with you,
I will j‘ine the other side. I have got you in
a pretty bad box hyer, and if I choose to
make dog’s meat out of you, I kin do it and ‘
no one Will be the wiser, so on had better
take up with my offer. I wil give you time
to think it over,” and the outlaw rose.

“ When I come back I want a decided an-
swer, and if you don’t agree your jig is up!”

Then Hickman departed.

CHAPTER XXIII.
AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY.

AFTER the departure of the outlaw Teton Toni
began to meditate upon the situation.

‘ It is as I suspected,” he muttered; “out bf
the frying-pan into the fire. This fellow is not
honest in the offer that he has made. It is but
a. clever device to at me to confide in him. The
conspirators have ecomealarmed, and they are
anxious to find out whether they are in danger
or not. They hesitate to put me to death on
bare suspicion, and then, too, they are desirous,
probably, of ascertaining 'ust how great is the
danger. One of the oddes things about the af-
fair is the fact that these rascals have itched
upon me as being the son of Colonel andal
Crawford, and seem to have no suspicion that
my pard is really the man. Another strange
fact, too, is that the old fellow. Dumb Dickey,
should take me to be the colonel himself come
hack to life. That is the delusion of a. distract-
i-d brain, of course, but I must bear a strong
msemhlance to Crawford or else the idea would
2: it have occurred to him. v

“ Now, then, what is my game?”

And the adventurer meditated over the mat-
ter for a few minutes.

“ I am in a tight place here and no mistake,"
he murmured, at last. “ No way of escape
open. as far as I can see' still, there is manya
slip between the cup and the lip and a man :
ought not to despair until the last moment
comes.

“ This Hickman is an unscrupulous cut-
throat, and there is no doubt he would not hesi-

Can’t

I

 

 

tate to take my life if he got his price for so do-
ing. By giving the information that he seeks I
should not save my life, but only render certain
my death, therefore I must persist in my denial.

' These follows are playing the game with
wonderful Skill 1” Teton Tom exclaimed, abrupt-
ly, as the thought came to him. “ The idea of
t cir employing this Hickman to get me into
conversation so that they might learn if I was
anxious to discover the particulars regarding
the Black Snake Mine, an the rascal played his
party’so well that I had no suspicion he was a

' 'he meditations of the adventurer were in-
terrupted at this point by the entrance of one
of the outlaw band, a thick-set, muscular fol-
low, with a very- dark complexion, and after
Teton Tom took a good look at him he came to
the conclusion that he was an Indian.

The outlaw had removed his mask so the ad-
venturer was able to see what he looked like.

The fellow had evidently been detailed as a
guard to watch the prisoner, for after entering
he squatted upon the floor, produced a pipe,
filled it with tobacco and began to smoke, sur—
ve ing the captive the while with a stolid gaze.

eton Tom studied the face of the Indian for
a few minutes, and then the conviction came to
him that he had met the man before, but he was
not able to recall where or when.

“ It seems to me that your face is not strange
to me," he remarked.

The Indian shook his head as much as to
imply that he did not recollect ever meeting the

other.

“ Yes, the longer I look at you the stronger
grows the im ression that we have met before.”

Again the ndian shook his head.

“ You are an Indian.”

The other nodded assent.

" What tribe i"

“Crow, maybe," replied the red-skin with a
slight scowl upon his dusky face, as though the
subject was not a ipleasant: one.

“ I thought so! Teton Tom exclaimed. “ I
felt pretty certain that Ihad met you before
although it is so many years ago that it was not
possible for me to remember right away the
circumstance, but when you say you are a Crow
that helps me to remember. ”

Then the Indian fell to studying the face of
Eetgn Tom, but after a fewminutes he shook his

ea .

“ You don’t remember me?” the adventurer
asked.

The chief shook his head.

“ Well, that is not strange, fothave changed
a great deal in the last twenty years, and it is
fully twenty yea rs since we have met.”

The Indian seemed sur need at this statement,
and again he studied t e face of the other in-
tently, tut, as before, he finished the scrutiny
by shaking his head.

“ Possibly I should not have remembered you
but for the strong likeness Wu bear to your fa-
ther, the great Crow chief hits Eagle.”

A dark look came over the face of the Indian,
and he remarked, slowly:

“ White Eagle was a great Crow chief.”

“ And you, his son One Tree, bid fair to fol-
low in his footsteps, but for the love of a. fair
Crow squnw you killed a young brave who was
a. successful rival. The squaw who witnessed
the fight swore that you took an unfair advan-
tage and killed the chief without giving him a
chance to defend himself.”

“ It was a lie!" the Indian declared. “ The
fight was a fair one, and 1 killed the chief be
cause I was a better warrior.”

“ But the girl swore to the contrary. and as
the relatives of the dead man had a deal of in-
fluence in the tribe they made it so hot that you
were obliged to fly f or your life. You became
a wanderer and an outcast-- you who might
have become one of the great chiefs of the Crow
nation.”

Teton Tom had uttered these words in the
Crow langua 9, much to the amazement of the
Indian, for he adventurer s oke the Indian
tongue as fluently as though he ad never known
any other.

“What are you—a great medicine-man that
you are able to read the past?” the red-skin cried,
in his native language.

“Oh, no I am no medicine-man, and twenty
years a go I was our companion, and together
we learned prairie-craft from the lips of the old
chiefs. 1am White Crow 1"

For a moment the Indian stored in astonish-
ment and then he nodded his head, slowly:

“ Yes. yes, you are right; 1 remember you
now, although you have changed reatly."

“ And you, too, have changed, ne Tree; how
is it that I find you here in company with these
white outlaws?

“ It is the cursed fire-water of the white-
skins,” the other replied, doggedly. “ It gets
into my head and makes me mad: and then
what e se is there for me? Am I not an out-
cast—a warrior without a tribe—is not my life
blasted?”

“ No. there is achance for on toredeem your-
self. The squaw who swore alsely against you,
in orderto revenge the death of er lover, has i
been summoned to the happy hunting grounds, {
and on her death-bed she confessed that she had

 

.17

lied. 0f the chiefs who were instrumental in

having you driven from the tribe, only two re-

main, and they have not the influence now that

they use-d to possess. You can go back and defy

yournenemies; you will find friends to back
on.

Eagerly the warrior listened to the cheering
words.

“ it is goodl” he cried, in the sententious In-
dian way. “ You have given me new life. But
you, my brother, you are in trouble.”

“ Oh, yes; I think this white scoundrel means
to kill me.”

“ Yes my orders were to shoot you if you at-
tempte to escape."

“ He thinks I ossess a certain secret, and if
1 do not reveal t to him he will undoubtedly
murder me.”

“He shall not! I will.kill him with my own
hand first !" the chief declared.

“ N 0, you must not do that, for then you
would have to fight the rest of the ang, and
fettercd as I am, I would not be ab e to be of
any assistance to you. We must trick this
white scoundrel. Bad as these rnfilans are, the
chances are real; that none of them will care
for the job 0 killing me in cold blood, and you
must volunts or to be my executioner. '

“ It is good, I will do it."

“ I have been looking at these handcuffs, and
I think by introducing the point of a.knife they
can be sprung open.”

“ I will tr ,” res ended the Indian.’

It was as eton om had said. The handcuffs
were old-fash ioned ones, and it was an easy mat-
ter to pick the lock.

Then by stuffing a. small piece of wood in the
catch, so as to kee the boltfrom shooting home,
it was possible for eton Tom to still present the
appearance of being securely manacled when in
reality by a single motion he could shake the
handcuffs ofi’.

“Now,then, in case our ame of deception
does not work ‘we will stan some chance in
a hand-to-hancl fight l” Teton Toni observed.

“Bettertry that plan right away when on
geta chance at the white chief,” the red-s in
suggested. “ He is fully armed, and if we take
him by surprise, and secure his weapons there
will be on] four men to fight, and one of them
is on guar down the valley, so he cannot get
here until we have a. chance to settle some of
the others.”

“ That is a good idea,” the adventurer re-
marked. “ You are right: that is the game.
He will not sus ect that there is any danger of
my attacking im, and I will be sure to take
him by sur rise."

“ If you ill him it does not matter,” the In-
dian remarked. “ He is a. bad man.”

“ He looks like one."

“It is his boastthat he has killed more men
than he has fingers and toes.”

“ that is so it is about time he got ales-
son.

The Indian held up his hand in warning.

“Hush! some one comes!” he said, in accu-
tious whisper.

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE TOUGH MAN Is as'romsnun.

THE keen eais of the red-skin had not deceived
him. There were heavy footsteps a preaching,
and in a few moments the outlaw c of entered
the hut.

“Well, how do you find yourself now i” he
asked. “ Have you made up your mind to
make a clean breast of it?”

“ I see you are determined not to believe
:11 statement that I have nothing to reveal."

‘Oh, that is all ammonl I know better than
that!” the big fel ow cried, ro hly. “ I want
you to understand, Mr. Teton om, that 1 am
amen who is up to snuff, and the galoot who
pulls the wool over my eyes will have to get up
mighty early in the morning to do the job.”

" I am not trying to deceive you,” Teton Tom
protested.

“Yes, you are, and on know dumed well

but you ar’ trying for 0 play the biggest kind
of a guru game‘ on me; but I reckon you will
find out afore you ar’ through that you can’t
work it nohow you kin fix it.

‘t‘; 9111’, no; it is you who are playing the game,
no .

“ Wal, I reckon I have got you foul!” and the
outlaw indulged in a hoarse laugh. “And you
can jest bet our boots that I wouldn‘t have
gone into iti I had not made up to mind that
thar was a heap of money into the t ing.”

“ I don’t understand how on came to get an
idea. of that kind l” Teton om exclaimed, ef-
fecting to be astonished.

“ It is all along of this Black Snake Mine
business,” Hickman declared. ‘ " I know thar’s
big money into that mine, and .. reckon on are
trying to work the game so as to git he! of it—
going ‘or to try to make out, I's’pect, that these
hyer men who have got hold on it now ain’t
got no right to the property and that it r’ally
belongs to you through your dad.”

“Oh, you are away ofl!" the adventurer ex-
claimed. “ Why, if you will take the trouble
to reflect about the matter you ought to is able
to see that, even if I were the man you ta ke me
to be, I would not stand any chance to secure

 

r,» I _

the Black Snake property, held as it is by some
of the loading men in the camp—men, too, who
are utterly unscrupulous, and would not hesitate
to resort to any mode of fighting in order to de-
fend their property.”

The outlaw looked a. little surprised at this
bold declaration.

“ Oh, you make a good bluff—thar’s no mis-
take 'bout that," he remarked, after thinking
the matter over for a moment. ” But I am up
to you all the same. I know that I am right
’bout the thing, and all the talk you kin iiiake
won‘t alter my opinion. And since you ar7 so
durned stubborn ’bout the thing I rockon I will
have to See if I can't show you that I am jest as
obstinate as you ar’,” and the big fellow shook
his head in a threatening way.

“ Oh, no, you are altogether wrong. I am
only telling you the truth.”

“ Bosh! [ know better!” the other cried.
“And since you ain’t willing to make a clean
bieast of it, I reckon I will have to put the
screws on you, and mebbe, in a way you won’t
like, but that is the kind of man I am, you
know. I am as easy and gentle as kin be until

ou go to rub my fur the wrong way. and then

’m a. terror, you bet!”

“ I see that it is only a waste of words to talk
to you; you have made up your mind, and you

r are determined to stick to it, right or wrong,”
Teton Tom remarked. I

“ You kin bot all you are worth that you
never met a fellow who was keener to stick to
anything than a aloot about my size!” the out-
la-W exclaimed. ‘ Now, mebbe you think I am
going to be satisfied with your story that you
ain’t up to any game?”

“ Well, you ought to be!" the adventurer re-
torted.

“But I ain’t, and I reckon I will be able to
make you sing a different song afore I am
through with you. I have taken the steel out of
obstinate men store, and I reckon I know how
to do it as well as any man you ever saw. - You
think you ar’ plucky, niebbe—got lots of sand
in your craw, but I bet I kin find a way to make
you squeal.”

“ Oh, you are a big blowhai-d!” cried Teton
Tom, contemptuously; his purpose being to ir-
ritate the outlaw.

The words produced the desired effect, for
Hickman became red with rage.

“What is that you say, durn ye?” he cried,
advancing toward Teton Tom and threatening
him with his clinched fist. "You ar’ goin to
be sassy, are ye? We], now, you can jest be all
the rocks you kin raise that I will take that out
of you! I ain’t a-going to kill you right off;
that ain’t to game, ’cos’ dead men can’t talk
nohow, and reckon to make you spit out what
I want to know afore I git through with you. I
am going to try some good old mountain games
on you—going to torture you a leetle so as to
see jest how much sand you have got. Did you
ever smell a. red—hot iron held within an inch of
your nose?" and he glared with the look of a
fiend into the face of the captive.

“ No, I cannot say that I have. That is a
little experience which I have yet to undergo.”

“You will come to it mighty soon!” the out-
law declarrd. “I have known man an'obsti-
nate man find the use of his tongue w en he felt
the heat of the iron burning his eyes, and then
thar‘s the little dodge that the old pirates down
on the Spanish Main used to work: build a nice
hot fire and put a man so that his feet will git
well toasted by it. Oh, I reckon I will make you
talk afore I git through with you!”

“ You are a cowardly scoundrel, and one of
these days the hanginan’s rope will choke the
life out of you !” Teton Tom exclaimed.

This speech increased the anger of the out.

w.

It had been his idea to frighten the prisoner
with his threats, and he was astonished at being
thus braved.

“ You miserable galoot!” be fairly howled,
and he shook his fist in the face of eton Tom,
who had risen to his feet as the other approach-
ed. “I will make on change your tune before
you are an hour 0 der! I will bring you down
on your marrow-bones and make you yell for
mercy!”

Teton Tom had his hands together in front of
him, and managed to withdraw the right one
from the handcutf without attracting the out-
law’s attention.

And being thus prepared for a struggle he
provoked it without delay.

. “ You red-handed butcher!” the adventurer
cried. P? I laugh at your threats and defy your

wer ,

“ Inside of ten minutes I’ll fix you !” the other
retorted. “ And I will ljest smash you once
now so as to Peru you to cop a civil tongue in
your head!" r .

But as he drew back his arm so as to give due
force to the blow, Teton Tom anticipated the
action and With wonderful quickness struck the
outlaw full in the face with his right fist, but
being so situated that he could not put all the
power of his muscular arm into the blow, the
stroke only staggered the rufilan back a yard or
so and did not prostrate him.

But before Hickman could recover himself
Teton Toni Wasupon him, and this time the blow

 

 

catching the outlaw right between the eyes sent
him over on his back.

Sudden as the attack had been though, it was
not quick enough to keep the outlaw from sound-
ing an alarm.

The fact that the prisoner had succeeded in
freeing himself from the handcuffs was enough
to alarm Hickman even if no attack had been
made upon him.

The Indian had sprung to his feet and drawn
his revolver.

Thc yells of the outlaw captain had attracted
the attention of the gang, and the sound of
hasty footsteps approaching the but could be
distinctly heard.

After being knocked down, Hickman did
nolt attempt to rise, but hastened to draw his pis-
to .
Teton Tom was on the watch, though, for
just such a movement, and the moment the
gutlaw produced the pistol he pounced upon

im.

Ho grasped Hickman by the throat and
choked him until he was black in the face, at
the same time with his left hand seizing the
rufiian’s right wrist so as to prevent him from
using the revolver.

Hickman struggled with all his power, but
although a. powerful man, he was no match for
his antagonist, and was not able to break the
grip which was slowly, but surely, choking him
into iiisensibility.

The noise of the footsteps grew nearer and
nearer, and soon a couple of the gang rushed in-
to the but.

The Indian was prepared for them, though, and
as the two made their appearance he opened fire
on them. <

The ruffians had their pistols in their hands,
but, notwithstanding this fact, they were not
prepared for so warm a, reception, so the In-
dian was able to fire two shots before they
could discharge their weapons, and these shots
stretched tin outlaws upon the round, for
the red skin was an excellent mar 'sman and
fired to kill.

There were only two more of the gang, and
although they were close upon the heels of
their comrades, yet when the sound of the shots,
followed by the cries of the wounded men, fell
upon their ears, a sudden fear came upon
thong, tiand they halted, afraid to venture into

e u . ,

 

CHAPTER 'XXV.
TURNING THE TABLES.

“I SAY, Jake, w'ot in blazes is the meaning
of this hyer thing?”quoth one of the outlaws, in
amazement. -

“Durned if I know,” responded the other,
“ but it ’pears as if thar was a big fight going
on inside, and it kinder looks, too, as if our
cusses were gitting the worst on it.”

“Thar’s four on ’em inside!" exclaimed the
first rufilan. “ Four ag’in’ one, and it don’t
seem possible that he could git away with the
hull on ’em.”

“ I dunno,” responded the second outlaw,with
a dubious shake of the head. “Mebbe this
galoot is a reg’lar teaser. One thing is sartain:
our pards are in thar. and they hain’t come
out, and I reckon 1 will wait awhile afore I
lrush, in so as to kinder see how the land

ies.

“ I reckon your head is level every time l” the
first follow declared, with an approving nod.
“This hyer is a blamed queer thing, and it
kinder looks as if our pards wasn’t gitting the
best of the fight, ’cos it they was they would
be apt to put in an appearance and say so.”

“ Pard, ain’t we a leetle close to this shanty?”
the other inquired, with an anxious look
around.

“ You bet!” cried the other, emphatically.
“If this hyer galoot has fiaxed the four, it is as
sart’in as anything kin be that he will go in for
to try his hand on us, and wemustn’t give away
any p’ints.”

The other nodded assent to this sage remark,
and the two prudently retreated until they were
fullya hundred feet from the but; then they
halted, each man sheltering himself behind a
tree—trunk.

These words had been rapidly exchan ed,
taking far less time than we have occupi
transcribin them, and by the time the pair
reached their positions the struggle within the
hut had ended. I

Teton Tom had choked the outlaw chief into
insensibility, despite all the strugglesof themus-
cular ruil‘ian, and when this was accomplished
he disarmed the man and snapped the handcuffs
upon his wrists.

“ We Will see how he relishes a dose of his
own medicine," the adventurer remarked, grim-
ly,as the steel bracelets closed with a sharp
snap.

The Indian, after disposing of his men, had
stepped to the door so as to be in~readiness to
receive the other two as soon as theymade their
appearance, and, being on the watch, all his
senses on the alert, soon made the discovery
that the pair had come to a belt, and this fact
he at once communicated to his companion.

“They are wise,” Teton Tom commented,

Teton Tom, the Half—Blood.

 

 

“ for it would be like forcing an entrance into a
lion’s den to seek to “enter here.”

A few moments more, and the red-skin an-
nounced that the pair had retreated.

He had peered through the crack of the door
and so ascertained what action the ruflians had
taken.

" It is evident that they have become alarm—
ed,” Teton Tom remarked. “The sound of the
shots warned them that there was a fight going
on in here, and the fact that their comrades
have not made their appearance excited their
suspicwn that all is not as it ought to be."

‘-" They liaveretreated and sheltered themselves
behind trees, "the red-skin observed.

“ I reckon we will have to go out and go for
them,” Teton Tom remarked. “ If the moun~
tain will not come to the man, then the man
must go to the mountain. These fellows are
like the wily fox in the fable who noticed that
all the tracks went into the lion’s den, but none
came out. They saw their comrades enter, have
not been gratified with a view of their coming
out, and, naturally, have jumped to the conclu-
sion that there is something wrong.”

“ We can easily defeat them,” the Indian ex—
claimed, with true savage arrogance. “ Neither
one of them ist great brave.”

“ The quicker we go for them then the better!”
the adventurer remarked.

During thi so few words he had been examin-
ing the revolvers which he had taken from the
outlaw chief in order to ascertain whether they
were in condition for battle or not.

The n eapons were good ones, fully charged
and prepared for service.

“ Are you ready, brother?” asked the Indian.

“ All ready—go ahead !”

Through the door stepped the pair, and the
astonishment of the two rufiians as they beheld
the prisoner, freed from his handcuffs and fully
armed, accompanied by his red jailer, the two!
apparently on the best of terms, can better be:
ima ined than described.

“ hunder and lightningl”cried the first out-
law in supreme astonishment. “ Durn my skin
if the red skunk ain’t gone back on us!”

“ Blow me tight if it don’t look like it!”thev
other declared.

“And, I say, the cusses are coming on as if
they meant business!”

“ You kin bet your bottom dollar that they"
do !" the other responded. “ You kin see now
that they have cleaned out the captain and the
other two.”

“ Oh, yes, no doubt!” assented the first fellow.
“ And it strikes me that we don’t stand the big-
gest show in the world to git away with these
galoots.” '

“ Your head is level thar, and for my part I
don’t see why we should chip into this game
whar we don’t stand no show for our money.
The captain and the other cusses were-able to
hoe their own row, and if they have gone under
we ain’t obligated to take up the fight.”

“ Nary time! and I will jest spit it out to
these galoots too so as to let ’em know that we
ar’ ,willing to call the thing squar’ and pull
out.

“ That is the talk! I am with you, every
time!” ,

Thus encouraged, the first outlaw stepped
from behind his tree and held up his hands,
making the Indian signal of peace.

“ Ah! it is as you expected!” Teton Tom ex—
claimed to his companion. “ They have no idea
of ti hting.”

“ ore squaws than warriors,” responded the
Indian, contemptuously.

“ Oh,no, they are wise men who hesitate to go
into a fight when there isn’t an chance for-
them to make anything!” the a venturer de—
clared. “ Undoubtedly they were merely carry-
ing out the orders of their leader in capturing
me, and take no personal interest in the matter
at all.

“ Squaws! they would rather run with the-
mbbit than fight like a. wildcat!” the Indian ex-
claimed. ,

“ Say, stranger, I reckon you have come out
on top in this hyer leetle diificulty !” the first,

outlaw cried. ‘

“ Yes, that is about the size of it,” Teton Tom
replied. “ With the assistance of my red pard
here I have succeeded in laying out your leader
and two of his men, and I am ready to com-
mence Operations upon you two just as soon as
you are ready.”

“Pardner, I reckon you will have to excuse
me and my friend b er. We ain’t got no grudge
ag’in’ you that we nows on,” the rufiian de-
clared.

“ No, sir—ee, nary grudge!” the other outlaw
assented, coming from behind his tree. “ And
we ain’t fools enough to chip in to any game
without thar is a chance for us to collar a big,
stake.”

“ Them is my sentiments to a. hair i” the other
asserted. “ The captain had his . reasons, I.
s’pose, for going for ou, but we don‘t know
nothing about it and if he has not been able to
keep his end upI don’t see that we are called
upon to go into the thin ,so, If it 1 all the same
to you, we will draw on .”

“ I have no objection," Teton'Tom remarked.
“It you don’t care to engage in the quarrel I

 

am not anxious that you should. I am willing
to call it square us the matter stands if you
are."

“ You kin jest bet that we ain’t hankering for
any of it in om s!” the follow replied.

“ Have you any idea why your captain went
into this game?” the adventurer asked.

“ Nary an ideel Tough Bill Hickman is a
close-mouthed galoot, ho is, and ain‘t the kind
of man for to give his plans away. We don’t
know a thing ’bout the rifile. He never let on
nothing to us.”

From the Way the fellow spoke, Teton Tom
felt convinced he was telling the truth, and so
did not press the matter.

“Are you two willing to get out and leave
my pnrd and I in possession of tho campi” he
asked.

“ Oh yes; all we want is our hosses, and then
we will git as fast as the Lord will let us!” the
fellow declared.

“ Go ahead as soon as you please i”

The pair were quick to improve the opportu-
nity, and in five minutes more were in the sad-
dle, their horses trotting down the valley.

The pards watched them until they disap-
peared in the distance.

“ We shall not be troubled by them again,”
Teton Tom remarked. “ They are only too glad
to be able to get away without being forced
into a fight, and now I must put the screws
upon this outlaw chief, for I am determined to
findnout who it was that put him up to attack
me.

“ He will not speak,” the Indian observed.

“ Oh, yes, he will, upon due persuasion,” and
a peculiar gleam appeared in the eyes of the
adventurer as he spoke. “ This rufl’ian suggest-
ed to me certain wa s by means of which an ob<
stinate man might 6 induced to speak, and he
has no right to complain if I try some of his own
medicine upon him. ’

Then Teton Tom reéntered the hut, while the
Indian remained without as a sentinel.

CHAPTER XXVI.
A MERCILEss EXAMINATION.

As Teton Tom outcred the hut the outlaw chief
rose slowly to a sitting position. He had just
recovered his senses and his rage at finding
himsalf a prisoner, With the steel bracelets upon
his wrists, was great.

But he was stiil too weak and sick from the
effects of the choking which he had received to
attempt to fight, even if his hands had not been
fettered, but the look of hatred which he be—
stowed upon Teton Tom as the adventurer con—
fronted him, was fiendish in the extreme.

“ Well, the conditions under which we now
meet are a little different from What they were
a while ago,” Teton Tom remarked.

“ I was the bi gest fool in the world not to
kill ybu when I ad you in my power 1” the out-
law declared.

“ If you had pursued that course you certain-
ly would have had the best of the afi‘sir,” the
adventurer remarked.

“I wanted to play sharp, and so got cotched
in this hyer hobble.”

“ How play sharp i”

“ Why. I reckoned thar was a big stake in this
thing somewhar, and I was in hopes 1 could git
a iece of it.”

‘By not killing me, eh?”

“ Yes.”

“ at, I say, who was it set you on to attack
me?” '

“ Nobody i” the outlaw responded, doggedly.

“ Oh, I know better than that,” Teton Tom
responded.
you should attack me unless some one put you
up to it."

“ n. yes. there was! Didn’t you try for to
pump me ’bout the Black Snake Mine? Ain’t
you the son of the man who originally diskiv-
ered the lode?”

“ Oh, what nonsense!” Teton Tom exclaimed.
“Can’t you see that I am a. half-breed?”

“ You are fixed up to look like one—any fool
kin see that, but you are young Crawford, all
the same i”

“ Oh, no; that is ridiculous, and if you knew
anything about the matter ,you would not be apt
to make any such mistake. -

“ Wal I will admit that I ain’t so well ostcd
as I oug t to he,” the outlaw said. “ But have
had a talk with a man who is osted—a cusswho
knows the hull thin as wel as any man who
kin be scared up in t ese diggi s, and what he
gpn’g know ’bout the thing ain 1; worth know-

5 You are speaking of Archibald Crawford, I
suppose the man who now runs the Black Snake
Mine 1” Teton Tom observed.

The outlaw put on a wise look and then shook
his head slowly.

“ I reckon it don’t make no diflerence to you
who I was talking to,” he remarked. “ One thing
is sart’in, though you are ’way 011’ the track, for
it wasn’t Archy drawford.” .

“ Who was it?” .

“ Oho 1” the outlaw exclaimed “ I reckon that
is a bit of my business which ain’t going to
give away i”

The brows of the adventurer contracted.

 

“You infernal scoundrell” he cried, and he ,

" There wasn't any reason why .

 

Teton Tom, the Half-"Bloody.

shook his clinched fist in the face of tho ruilian,
“ what sort of a man do you take mo to be? Do
you think I am one of the kind who can be im-
posed upon with impunity ’4 You miserable
hound! are you not helpless in my power? And
are you for a moment fool enough to believe
that I cannot find a way to muko 3 cu speak?”

A look of defiance was on the face of the out-
law as ho glared at the half-breed.

“ Do you think I am the kind of gnloot who
kin be skeered?" he cried. “ If you do you are
’way off! My name is Tough Bill Hickman,
and you kin bet all the wealth you kin get
your hands on thatI live up to my handle every
time!”

“ Well, Mr. Tough Bill, I reckon I am the
kind of man who breaks just such bills as you
are,” Teton Toni retorted. “ There are certain
things that you know that I want to know, and
I have made up my mind that you shall tell me.
In the first place I want to find out who it was
that sent you on to get in conversation with me
in Bearfoot Bar and instructed you to talk
about the Black Snake Mine. That is point
number one, and number two is, who put you
up to this rescue business?”

“And do you think I am going to‘give the
thing away?” the ruflian cried. “ I by you
don’t know me I”

“ And you don‘t know me if you think I can-
not force you to do exactly as I please now that
I have you helpless in my power,"'l‘eton Tom
retorted, sternly . “Awhile ago you were talk-
ing about hot irons applied to men’s eyes—how
certain such treatment was to make an obsti-
nate man talk, even if he had resolved not to
open his mouth. You were perfectly sure you
could force mo to speak, and as you seem to be
a judge of that sort of thing, I reckon there is
something in it. Anyway, I will soon find out,
for I am going to try the hot-iron business on
you before you are many minutes older unless
you, conclude to knuckle and do as I want you
to

A moment the outlaw gazed into the stern
face of the half-breed, and then his rage broke
forth in a torrent of oaths.

He swore in the most horrible manner until
he was fairly out of breath.

Teton Tom waited patiently until the out-
law’s passion ended, and then, in the calm,
determined tones of a. judge delivering sentence,
said :

“ I reckon swearing will not do you any good.
The irons will burn you just the same, no mat-
ter how much you swear. ”

“ If you dare to do it I wouldn’t give a dollar
for your life!” Hickman cried.

“ You are not asked to make any bid 1” Teton
Tom retorted. “ I have been able to look out
for myself pretty well up to date, and yet I have
met some good men in my time too. You
thought you had the foul and yet I managed to
crawl out of the trap.”

“ It was that cursed red-skin. I will kill the
red buck the furst chance I git!” the rufiian de-
clared.

“ I reckon you will not be able to damage
unybod much until you get out of this hobb e.
Coniel haven’t got any time to waste. Are
you going to do as I wish or shall I be obliged
to try the persuasive powers of the hot iron? ’

“ I‘ll kill you if on do the furst time I meet
you atterward l” E ickmun cried.

“ 0h Dosh! after your eyes are burnt out,
you will not be able to do much damage to any
one,” the adventurer retorted, in so heartless a.
way that it fairly chilled the blood in the veins
of the outlaw.

Then Teton Tom stepped to the door and bade
the red-skin get the iron, light a lire and heat

it.

“ Me do it,” responded the red-skin, and then
he strode away.

Teton Tom eaned against the door-post of the
house and watched the Indian, paying no atten-
tion to the prisoner.

A hundred wild ideas flashed rapidly through
the brain of the outlaw, and bitterly he cursed
the unlucky chance which had given him into
the hands of the adventurer.

If he only had the use of his hands—if his
weapons had not been taken away from him—
if he could meet his foe in a fair fight, man to
man; and then he fairly groaned in rage as he
reflected upon his helpless position.

“ You don’t dare to give me a. fair show i” he
exclaimed. “ You don’t dare to ive me back
my we’pons, take off these cussed andcufl’s and
fight me like a man I” he cried.

“ Oh, there isn’t any dare about it,” Teton
Tom responded. “ You would not have been
willing to give me any such opportunity when
you had me foul, and most certame you ought
not to expect any better treatment than you
were willing to give. Besides, to yield to your
wish would upset my plans. I am anxious to
get you to speak so as to learn who it was that
set you on to attack me, and if I should give
you a chancefor a fair flfht, the odds are about
a hundred to one that should kill you, and
then I would not be able to obtain the informa-
tion. I would be a fool indeed to throw away
the advantage which I have gained. Oh, no,
we will go on as we are. You will reveal what
I want to know, or I will torture you in such a

 

19

way as to make you wish you had never been
born!”

In his soul the ruiliun trembled, for he real—
ized that he need not expect any mercy, and
then, despite his boasts, he “ weakened," to use
the terse Western word.

Tho sound of the red-skin breaking up sticks
for tho lire, which came plainly to his ears,
probably had something to do With his sudden
change of mind.

“ It" I make a clean breast of it, will you let
me go free?” be asked.

“ Yes; and give you all the chance for a ti ht
that you want afterward, if you are hankering
after satisfaction.”

The outlaw made a grimace and then shook
his head slowly.

“ That is a ’int that we kin settle arter—
wards,” he 55I( . “In course it is only nat’i'al
for a man to feel r’iled when he is catched in a
tight place, but I reckon that if I am lucky
enough to git out of this I won’t be apt to trou-
ble you ag’in.”

“All right, just as you please; but I stand
ready to give you satisfaction if you areaiixious
for it " Teton Tom (loclzil‘t-(l. ,

“ I al, no; I reckon I will be glad to call the
thing squar’ ii' I git cf! all right this time.
ain’t no hog, and I ginerully know when I git
enough.”

“ Go ahead then and tell me how you came to-
go into the matter.”

CHAPTER XXVII.
A BOLD ANNOUNCEMENT.

Epus directed, the outlaw began his re»
c1 a .

“ It won’t take me long to spit it out,” be de-
clarvd. " Black Bill Ricolls is at the bottom of
the hull thing; Black Bill and I are old pards,
and we have een mixed up in some big ‘obs, so»
when he wanted a man to work a. diffiouIt trick
he pitched straight on me.”

“ But Black Bill is not the
on,” Teton Tom remarked. “
as agent for somebody else.”

“ Wal, now, do you know I never troubled.
my head ’bout the matter,” the fellow observed,
slowl . “ He told me that you were nosing-
roun the Black Snake Mine in a way he did
not like, and he wanted me to take the job of
settling your hash.

“ Now, i had never seen you and didn’t know
nothing at all ’bout you but when I came to
talk chin a bit with you I smelt a. rat. I knew
Colonel Crawford in the old time, and you are i
so much like him that it did not take melon to
see what Black Bill Ricolls was up to. 0 , I
spotted his leetle game! He was afeard you
had come hyer to look arier the Black Snake
Mine—mehbe to set up some claim to it, and as
he is making a good thing out of the property
he didn't intend to be h’isted out of it, so he
wanted some good man to go for you.”

“ I suspected that the Black Snake men were
at the bottom of it,” the adventurer remarked.
“And Ricolls undoubtedly was merely acting as
spokesman for the rest.”

“ Like as not; but I don’t know nothing ’bout
it. I took the job without thinking much about
the matter, and it wasn’t until artcrl had got
you into my hands that the idea came to me
that I could make a good thing out of it, but I
slipped up jest terribly on it.”

“ What bargain did you make with Black Bill
in regard to me?”

“I was to tako you ofl? to some lonely place,
artergitting you out of the hands of the sod-
gers. and fix you for planting," the outlaw re-
sponded, spea ing in the most careless and mat—-
ter-of-fact way, just as if there was nothing out
of the common in the transaction.

“He wanted me disposed of so there would.
not be any danger of my troubling on 'body."

“That was his say-so, for sure," t e ruflian
responded, with a grin.

‘ And this is all on know about the matter?”

“ Yes, honest! on can depend upon it!" the-
outlaw asserted. “ I am giving it to you as.
straight as a string. Oh, I tell yer; I’m a man.
of in word!”

“ hen it is Black Bill Rieolls whom I must-
hold accountable for this attack?”

“ He’s the man 1”

“ Do you suppose Major Cadwalader knew
anything about the matter?” Teton Tom asked,

 

 

rincipal. I reck-
e merely acted

abruptly.
A no of amazement appeared on the face of?
the other.

“ Wal, I reckon not,” he answered. “ How in.
thunder could he know anythin ’bout it?"

“ Why, aren’t the major an Block Bill on, ',
prett intimate terms?”

“ at as ever I heered on.”

“Perhaps it is Archibald Crawford and the.
major who are such great friends, then?”

“Mebbe it is, but will never tell yer 1”

“37011 have given all the information youposr
seas ‘

“Every mitei I told on I would make a
clean breast of it, and I ave. I am a man of
my word. and you can bet high on it! This has
been an awful bad biz for me,” the ruflian add—
ed, with a. mournful shake of the head. “ I had
as good a leetle gang for solid business as kin be
scared up in the West, and now it is bu’sted all.

2O

Teton Tormlshe Half-Blood.

 

 

 

to smash. I reckon I will have to emi ate, too,

for after it comes to Black Bill’s know edge that

I have gone back on him,this won’t be a healthy

location for me.”

“You can thank your lucky stars that you
have got off with H. whole skin,” Teton Tom re-
marked. “ And if I had not been anxious to
discover who it was that instigated this attack
against me I should not have had much mercy
upon you.”

“ Oh, we], a miss is as good as a mile,” the
outluw remarked with the air of a philosopher.
“ And now. I reckon that I will have tocall upon
you to fulfill your part of the bargain, seeing
as h0w I have done mine.”

“‘ All right; I am ready.”

Then Teton Tom summoned the Indian, and
he removed the handcuffs from the wrists of the
outlaw.

“ Now I am off,” said the fellow, with a sigh
of relief. “ And, Mister Teton Tom, lemme
give you a bit of advice at arting. “ If you
reckon to buck up ag’in’ Blac Bill Ricolls, you
had better git a good ready on when you start,
’cos you will find him a tough customer to
climb." And then the outlaw departed.

Teton Tom and the Indian followed the ruf-
flan from the but and watched him ride
swag.

“ 0 you know the road to Fort Logan 1" the
adventurer asked, as the outlaw disappeared
from si ht.

The ndian answered in the affirmative.

“ I want you to conduct me there then you
can return to your tribe, and to the brow chief-
tains you can -say that it will not be many
moons before the White Crow is again with his
red brothers." -

The red-skin promised to do so, and then the
two set out for Fort Logan.

It was Teton Tom’s purpose to have the de—
seer charge settled as soon as possible.

It was his calculation that the soldiers, after
"having been deprived of their prisoner, would
not go on to Fort Logan, but return to the post
from whence they started.

On arriving at Fort Logan, he found that he
had guessed correctly"!i

To Colonel John acLano, the grizzled old
veteran in command of ' the post, he made
known his business. and the aged warrior was
«extremely surprised.

“ Bosh! what utter nonsense l" he exclaimed,
in his abrupt and vigorous way. “ You are no
more like the man t an I am. He was a tall

I lathy fellow, with a milk-and-water face, and
the eneral air of a sneak l"

“ ould you mind giving me a letter to Ms-
;jofigiadwallader to that eflectl” the adventurer
as .

“ Certainly not l”the veteran replied, prompt-
}ly. “ And as I have to send a courier with dis-
patches to Fort Fremont to-day, 1 will write a
personal letter to Major Cadwallader, telling
A im that these rascals who swore you were the
ideserter lied most grossly.”

Teton Tom thanked the veteran, and with-
drew.

"To the Indian he explained that his business
was settled, and he should return to Bearfoot
Bar at once. ‘

“One Tree will go with the White Crowl”
the red-skin announced. “ While his brother
has been talking with the big pale-face chief,
the Crow warrior has been thinkin . The
White Crow has enemies—he is here in t e land
of strangers—shall not his red brother go with
him and be in readiness to contend with his
:foes?”

Teton Tom reflec ted for a moment.

‘The idea was certainly a good one. There
'was no doubt that the odds against him were
great, and the aid of a good fighting-man, like
the Crow chieftain, was not to be despised.

'So the adventurer told the red-skin that he
"fully appreciated his offer and would be glad of
his aid.

Teton Tom did not start immediately for
Bearfoot Bar, although his business at Fort Lo—
;gan was completed, but he waited for a day so
as to give time for the d ispatch-bearer to reach
Fort Fremont.

He watched the soldier depart, and then, some
ihours afterward, followed leisurely in his track.

it was night when he reached Bearfoot Bar
and his entrance into the saloon of the hote
created great surprise, for it was totally unex-
pected.

Young George Haven shook the hand of his

v friend Vigorously, delighted to see him again,
and the miners who crowded around loudly ex-
pressed their pleasure.

“ I was afraid you had fallen into a trap
'which might prove fatal!” George Haven ex-
claimed.

“That I was not killed was no fault of the
men who planned the snare,” the adventurer
replied. “ But though the squeeze was a tight
one yet I managed to pull out without beinte,r
damaged, and now I propose to make it warm
for the men who put up the job.”

The miners looked at each other in astonish-
ment.

“ Oh, you may stare, fellow-citizens, but it is
the truth !” Teton Tom continued. “ I have
been the victim of a deep-laid plot, and that I

 

am not a dead man now is because the snare did
not work the way it was expected to work.

“ This charge that l was a deserter was a part
of the scheme, but here is a letter from Colonel
MacLane, of Fort Logan, which settles that.”

And then the adventurer read the veteran’s
letter aloud.

“ That settles that, and now, gentlemen, I
here give public warning that I am on the track
of the men who have attempted to murder me,
and soon they will have to step up to the cap-
tain’s office and settle l” ,

Amazement was written on the faces of the
miners as they listened to the bold words.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHERRY SPEAKS.

AFTER astonishing the inmates of the saloon
with his bold declaration, Teton Tom went to
the] cigar-stand, George Haven keeping him
company.

Cherry received him with a gracious smile.

“ I am glad to see you back again,” she said.

“ Thank you,” Teton Tom responded with an
answering smile. “ I am glad that there is some
one in Bearfoot Bar who is pleased to see me,
for I fancy there are not many here who are
friends of mine."

“ Oh, I do not believe the citizens at large
have anything against you!” the girl declared.

“That may be true; there is no reason why
they should have, but from the dead set that
has been made at me I am satisfied that there
are some men in the camp who are my bitter
enemies."

The girl cast a rapid glance around, but it
was done in such a careless way that if any one
had observed it they would not have been apt to
suspect that the girl’s idea was to ascertain if
she could speak freely without danger of being
overheard.

Circumstances were favorable, though; the
miners had gathered in groups, were busy in
conversation. and none of them were near
enough to the cigar-stand to overhear what
was said.

“ Do you like mild or strong cigars?”7 the girl
asked, as she opened the case.

“ Mild.”

“ 1 think some of these will suit you. ”

And she took out a handful and placed them
upon the glass for inspection; and then, in the
same commonplace tone, without any change of
expression, she continued:

' You are right; there are men in this camp
who are fees to you, and they would not hesitate
a moment in striking at your life if a favorable
opportunity presented itself.”

eton Toni took up some of the cigars and
pretended to examine them, so that if any one
noticed that he was in conversation with the
dashing Cherry they would think he was dis-
cussing the merits of the cigars.

“ You are correct in regard to that," be ob-
served, ‘ ‘ for the attempt has already been made.
The gang who rescued me from the soldiers did
so that they might be able to put me to death.
By a lucky chance I succeeded 'n escaping from
the trap and was able to turn he tables on the
leader of the hand so as to force him to a con-
fession, and thus I learned who it was that had
plotted my death.”

A shade passed over the girl’s face in spite of
her wonderful self-control.

She felt that the expression of her features
was betraying the interest she took in the con-
versation, and so she bent over the case and took
out another handful of cigars.

“I know what you discovered,” she remarked.
“ Since your departure I. too, have learned that
your foes desire your death, and one of them,
not knowing that I was near enough to overhear
his words, declared that the trap which he had
arranged was so cunningly devised that it could
not fail, and that you were as good as a dead
man already."

“ I think I could name the man who made
that remark.”

“Yes, I have no doubt you can; but it is not
my fault; you ought not to blame me for his
actions," the girl said. plaintively.

“ Oh, I do not; but I regret that matters are
as they are, for I cannot remain passive. I have
been attacked, and now that I have ascertained
who it is who dealt me the blow, I propose to
strike back.”

“ You are right; no one can blame you for so
doing.”

“ l have been attacked Without reason—a
sti anger to the camp, I have not given any pro-
vocation.”

“ Oh! don’t you know why it is that you have
been attacked?" the girl aSked, surprised.

“ I know of no reason why my death should be
desired by any one in this camp.”

“ it is because your secret has been discovo
ered.” Cherry explained.

“My secret?”

‘ ‘ Yes; without intending to play the listener I
overheard a few words of a conversation in re-
gard to you. The men whonow control the Black
Snake Mine believe you to be a. son of the Colo-
nel Crawford who originally discovered the
property,and they think your mission here is to
endeavor to get possestion of the mine and to re-
venge the death of your father.”

 

 

“ These men, then, are answerable for the
death of Colonel Crawford,” Teton Tom re-
marked. “ For if they were not they would not
be afraid of being called to an account. But
they are wrong in their surmise as to my being
young Crawford. My name is Thomas Teton.
It is the only one I have ever been known by,
and so they are away off the track.”

I“They are fully satisfied that their supposi-
tion is correct, though,” the girl replied. “And
if you are not young Crawford you must pre<
pare to accept the consequences, just the same
as if you were.”

“Oh, yes, I understand that, and though I
am not anxious to assume the responsibility be-
longing to another man, yet as I have been so
fiercely attacked I am going to strike back ex
actly the same as though I were the man these
fellows have taken me to be. I am sorry that
this action has been forced upon me on your ac
count, for you took interest enough in me, a
stranger, to drop a word of caution, and I hate
to be obliged to attack a relative of yours.”

“Yes, there is the tie of blood between us,
but for years he has not been like a father to
me,” the girl said, with a low sigh. “ And
sometimes I think there must be some mistake
about the matter, for it does not seem possible
that a father would treat a child as he has treat-
ed me."

“ As near as I can make out he is a merciless
ruflian, and 1 should not be at all surprised at
an thing he might' do,” Teton Tom remarked.
“ he bond of relationship has very little weight
with a man of his class.” V

“ It certainly Seems so. ”

“ As I said before, I am sorry on your account
that I have to call him to a reckoning, but I
have stood all I intend to stand,and I think it is
about time that these fellows weremade to com-
prehend that this one-sided war has come to an
end, and I now propose to hold them responsi-
ble for what has been done. If there should be
trouble, though, and you are depr)ved of your
natural protector by my hand, I should consider
in self in duty bound to look after you.”

‘ My natural protector!” and the full lips of
the girl curled in scorn asshe uttered the words.
“ Indeed, he has done but little for me during
the past fifteen years. Just as soon as I was
able to I was made to earn my own living, and
before that time the eople who took care of
me did so out of charity, for although my fa-
ther agreed to pay for my keeping he never
did, but the people took an interest in me,
and so did not abandon me to the cold mer-
cies of the world. Why, for months at a time
I never heard a word from him, and did not
know whether he was alive or dead. Is it a
wonder, then, that 1 do not feel for him the
affection which a child should have for the
parent.”

“ Indeed, it is not strange: in fact, in my
opinion, it would be stranger far if you did ex-
perience a daughter’s affection for him.” .

“Yes, that is true. He has been harsh and
stern to me ever since I can remember, and if
he is my father has never acted like one.”

The conversation was interrupted at this
point by the entrance of the very man of whom
they were speakinfi.

Black Bill Rico s swaggered into the saloon
in a way that immediately suggested the idea
that he had come on mischief bent.

, CHAPTER XXIX.
IN COUNCIL.

AND now that the reader may understand
how it was that Black Bill Ricolls happened to
make his appearance in the saloon at this par-
ticular time, and why he entered in such a
warlike manner, we must relate the particulars
of an interview which took place in the office of
the Black Snake Mine, 8. short time previous to
Black Bill’s appearance in the saloon.

In the oflice sat Archibald Crawford and
Black Bill.

The latter had just entered.

“Any news?” asked Crawford, ea erly.

“Not yet,” Black Bill respon ed, as he
helped himself to a seat. “But it is hardly
time." '

“Well, I don't know about that," Crawford
responded, thoughtfully. “ It seems to me that
we ought to have heard something about the
matter ere this.”

“ Oh, no; you are in too much of a hurr . I
did not reckon to hear anything unti ’ to-
morrow; in fact, not until tomorrow night.”

“1 do not understand why there should be
any delay about the matterl” Crawford ex-
claimed, in an impatient way. “Everything
seems to have gone all right, just as we ar-
ranged. The soldiers returned and reported
that the prisoner had been taken out of their
hands and carried away by a gang of masked
men; that showed that our scheme had pro-
gresrsed successfully, and after the fellow was
carried off, the gang ought to have put him out
of the way in short order.”

“That was how it was arranged, and as my
man is a fellow who can be depended upon, and
was well paid to do the job, there isn’t any
doubt that he speedily made an end to this To
ton Tom as soon as he got him in a convenient
place.” ' '

 

 

 

 

:
' l
y
l
i
l
l
i
l
l
.
i

 

Teton Tomi

 

 

“ Why this delay, then, in hearing about the ‘

matter i"

“ Oh, well, the man doesn’t think there is any
particular hurry, I reckon,” Black Bill replied.
“ He has done the job 2111 right and will soon
turn up to claim the rest of his money, I only
paid him a quarter down, and the balance he
was to have when he brought me proof that
Teton Tom was dead. The fellow is pretty
sq urn—that is, I have always found him so.
but in a case of this kind I wouldn’t trust my
own brother, so I told him I should hold on to
the money until I was sure the job had been
completed.”

” You were wise, for a man who is rascal
enough to undertake such a iece of work would
not be apt to hesitate if 8 got a chance to
cheat you.”

“ Well, I don’t know about that,” Black Bill
responded. “ Thar’s a goud deal in the old say~
ing about honor among thieves, you see.
what I know of the galoot I think he would be
apt to keep faith in a matter of this kind; and
then, too, the thought that if he didn’t he would
have me after him, would be apt to make him
toe the mark.”

“ In my opinion his fear of on would be
more apt to make him live up to is agreement
than any sentiment of honor that he may pos-
sess,” Crawford remarked.

A grim smile appeared upon the swarthy
face of Black Bill, and he nodded his head
significantly.

“ Miybe you are right about that ” be ob—
served. “Men who know me are no anxious
to have me get after them, and this galoot
knows melike a book. We worked in cahoots
once, and he understands that I am not a man
to be trifled with. Everything is going on all
right, and by to—morrow night we will probably
get word that Mister Teton Tom has cashed in
his checks for good.”

“ I hope so !’ Crawford exclaimed. “ To my
mind, there is no doubt that he is a dangerous
man, and one who would be certain to work us
harm if the opportunity was offered him.”

“ He’s a good man; it would be safe to bet on
that, and I agree with you that he might have
made a good deal of trouble for us if we had not
acted so prompt] ,"’ Black Bill assented.

At this point t e conversation was interrupt-
ed by the entrance of Major Cadwalader.

The major was in fplain clothes, and wore
the broad-brimmed so t hat common to the re-
grn.

There was a peculiar expression 11 on the sol-
iicr’s face as e entered, andbot of the in-
mates of the apartment immediately jumped
lo the conclusion that he was the bearer of un-
welcome tidings.

“ GoodeveningI gentlemen,” said the major,
upon entering. Any news of our man yeti”
and he took a. chair as he spoke.

“ No, nothing,” Crawford replied. “ We were
just discussing the matter, and Bill thinks that
it is hardly time yet for us to hear anything, al-
though I think it is.”

“ You are right, Crawford; it is time for us to
hear something,” the major remarked, decided-

y. I ,

The others looked surprised at the tone in
which the major spoke.

“ I suppose ou wonder why I am so certain
about the mat er,” the soldier continued. “ But
I have good reason to be, as you will soon See.
A courier from Colonel MacLane, of Fort
Logan, came in late this afternoon, and, among
other dispatches, brought me a letter from the
colonel wherein he states that I made a mistake
in arresting Teton Tom on the supposition that
he was the deserter, Robert Raymond, for not
only was it true that he was not the deserter,
buthe did not bear the slightest resemblance to
the man, and the soldiers who swore to his be.
ing Raymond willfully lied. Then he relates
how Teton Tom had come straight to Fort
Logan, and secured a personal interview with
him so as to disprove the charge.”

“ Well, durn me if this ain’t one of the queer-
est things that I ever heard of in my time!”
Black Bill exclaimed.

“ Yes, and it goes to show that in some mys-
terious way the fellow managed to escape from
the trap which we laid for him,” Major Cad-
walader remarked.

“ It is strange, but I have had an apprehen-
sion all along that all would not be plain sail-
ing,” Crawford remarked. “ Bill can tell you
that 1 have been worried about thematter.”

“Yes, that is true enou h, but I reckoned
everything ,was all right, or I had a deal of
faith in the man I picked out to do the job,"
Black Bill observed.

“There has been a slip-up somewhere," the
soldier assorted. “ There s no doubt that Teton
Tom was taken away from the soldiers by the

ang all right, just as we planned, but the fel—
ow evidently contrived to get away from his
capturers and made straight for Fort Logan,
where he succeeded in settling this deserter
charge so that it could not be brought against
him again. ” '

“I tell you, entlemen, this man is a dan-
gerous one!” rawford exclaimed. “ When
we did not hear today in regard to the mat-
ter, I felt sure that the plot had miscarried,

From ‘

 

e Half-Blood.

9!

 

 

and now the first thing we know this Teton Tom
will be in the cam again.”

“ Oh, yes, undou tedly,” the major assented.
“ Well, we must sharpen our wits and try some
other game. Because the fell w has succeeded
in getting the best of us so far is no reason
why we will not beat him in the long run.”

The opening of the d4 or interrupted the
conversation, and Long l’ctc Logan, the land
lord of the (ioldcn Star Hotel, made his appear-
ance.

From the way the landlord hustled into the
room the others judged that he came with im-
portant information, and they looked anxiously
at him.

“Well, gents, the gnloot has turned upl” he
announced.

“ Not Teton 'l‘oml" Crawford cried.

“ That very identical cuss! Large as life and
twice as natural 1" the landlord declared.

The conspirators looked at each other and an
expression of disgust was on each face.

“ He has not only come, gents, but he has
come ugly, too.”

“Aha! he has, eh?” cried Black Bill, and be
doubled up his fists in a menacing manner.

“ Oh, yes, he is jest as ugly as kin be,” Long
Pete declared. “ e says he has been attacked,
and he reckons tha he won‘t stand it no longer!
0h he is on the war-path and is going to make
it 157er for the men who have been arter him."

“Gentlemen, I reckon I will have to wade
in and climb this galootl” Black Bill remarked.

“ Oh, that reminds mel” exclaimed the land-
lord, “ hyer is a letter which a man left at the
hotel for you.”

Black Bill opened the note, cast ahasty glance
over it and then said:

“ Gents, I reckon this hyer will interest all of
you; jest keep your ears 0 en 1"

And then Black Bill rea the letter aloud.

It was a miserably-written scraw], and ran as
follows:

“ Dunn PARK):—

“ The thing has gone up the spent. The cuss got
me in atite place, an‘ I had to squeel; he will be
arter you; keep yer eye peeled. No more from

“Yours truly,
“ Tovan BILL.“

“ This explains the mystery l” Crawford ex-
claimed. A

“ Did you say this h er Teton Tom was in
your saloon?” Black Bil asked as he put the let-
ter in the flame of the candle and watched it
burn. .

” Yes, he is thar.” , '

“All right; I will be thar too in a brace of
shakes, and than I reckon thar will be music in
the air. No need for this aloot to hunt me
for I will save him the troub eby hunting him.”

And this is how it happened that Black Bill
Ricolls made his appearance in the saloon in so
threatening a manner.

 

CHAPTER XXX.
THE ACCUSATION.

“ IT 13 my father and he comes on mischief
bent, I am certain l" Cherry exclaimed, hurried-
ly, to Teton Tom the moment Black Bill made
his appearance.

“ It looks like it,and asI am in all probability
the game he seeks I must be ready for war,’
Teton Tom remarked, putting down a coin in
payment for the cigars and turning around so
as to be in readiness to face the new-comer.

Black Bill gave a contemptuous glance to-
ward the two friends and then marched up to
the bar.

“It is my treat, boysl” he exclaimed, “and
I want every gentleman in the house to waltz
up to the bar and name his p‘ison.”

Such an invitation is always cheerfully ac-
cepted whether the giver stands in the palatial
bar room of civilization or in the den common
to the frontier.

The miners ranged up along the bar, the two
pards being the only men in the room who did
not respon to the invitation.

Black Bill had his eyes upon them and was
quick to notice this fact.

“ What is the matter with you two galoots?”
he cried, angrily. “ Ain’t you got ears in your
head—don‘t you understand good United States
language when you hear it?”

“ Do you suppose I would drink with such a
miserable scoundrel as you are?" Teton Torn ex-
claimed, pulling his revolver from its holster as
he spoke.

The adventurer had noticed that Black Bill
had his right hand in the side-pocket of his coat
and conjectured that the hand grasped a revol-
ver, but by this prompt movement he prevented
the other from taking him at a disadvanta c.

It would hardly be possible now for B ack
Bill to get “the drop” on him.

Old and experienced as was Black Bill in
border warfare he was somewhat bothered by
’l‘eton Tom‘s action. It had been his me to
provoke a quarrel and then secure first e, thus
giving him a chance to settle his man without
much trouble.

The scheme could not be worked now, for.
with his op onent prepared for war. it would
not be p 19 for him to draw his weapon
vzitpeut exposing himself to the risk of being
a o .

 

“What do you menu by calling me a Scoun-
(lrcl and drawing your we’pon on me?” Black
Bill demanded, assuming an aspect of virtuous
indignation. “ Is it your game to pick a quar—
rel and then murder me without my being al-
lowed a chance to defend my life? No one but
the biggest kind of a coward would try such a
game as that l"

“ You are a good man to talk about anybody
playing the coward,” Teton Tom declared.
“ And about killing people without giving them
a chance for their lives 1 You miserable rascal!
didn’t you hire tough Bill Hickman and his
gang to murder me, and wouldn’t I be in my
grave now if I had not been lucky enough to
get the best of the light?”

“That is a lie from ’way back!” Black Bill
replied, scornfully. “ And if-Tough Bill Hick-
man said so he is a durned liar, and you don’t,
dare to bring him face to face with me.”

“ Thath a safe declaration for you to make,

for you know well enough that there is no

chance of my being able to do such a thing,”
Teton Tom retorted. “Tough Bill has taken
himself off, and he is not like] to be seen in
these parts again for awhile. I ave broken up
the band he commanded; two of his best men
were killed in the fight, and that settled Tough
Bill as far as this district is concerned.”

Blnck Bill listened in amazement, for there
was no doubt in his mind that the other spoke
the truth.

What kind of a man was this who had suc-
ceeded in not only escaping from the hands of
the outlaws, but had managed to disperse the
ruflian band?

“ Oh, I reckon you are laying it on pretty
thick now,” he declared, after a moment’s pause.
“ It is all very well for you to brag ’bout doing
a. help of big things, but I reckon this hyer
camp ain’t going to take any stock in anything
that you may say without you have the proof to
back it up.”

“ Well, as to that, itis a matter of small mo-
ment to me as to whether I am believed or not,”
Teton Tom rejoined. “ But I am prepared to
amply back up what I said a moment ago about
you. You are a cowardly scoundrel, who has
sought to have me killed by hired assassins in-
stead of coming out and meeting me boldly like
a man; you are the fellow who insti ated the
two ruflians to attack me right after arrivad
in the camp,instead of comin forward and at-
tending to the work yourself; at now, afterthis
last attack, when you hired a whole gang of
outlaws to kill me, have made up my min to
make you come to the front and face the-
music. ’ '

“You needn’t be afeard but what I will do
it!” Black Bill declared. blusteringly. “ I
reckon no man ever invited me to step up to
the captain’s oflice without finding me ready to
break my neck to get thur, and that is the kind
of a hairpin I am. All I ask is a fair show for
my money. As to my setting men on to attack
you, it is all bosh; what have Igot against 011,
anyway? You are a stranger to me, and t ere
is no reason why I should want to harm you.”

“Oh, es, there is!” Teton Tom replied, im-
mediate y. “And you must not fall into the
error of thinkin thatI don’t understand the
game, for I do. he man you hired to murder
me, Tou h Bill Hickman, got caught in his own
tra , an in order to get out of the hole he made
a c can breast of it. It is you and the other
Black Snake Mine men who are attacking me,
because you believe that I am George Crawford,
the son and heir of Colonel Randal Crawford,
the original owner of the Black Snake Mine."

This announcement created a deal of excite-
ment, and all gazed with curiosity upon the
speaker, while lack Bill’s face grew dark with

ra e.

511: is a lie!” he declared, his voice hoarse.
with assien.

“ o. it isn’t!” Teton Tom retorted. “It ll
the truth, and you know it! But you are wrong
in your supposition that I am George Crawford
but now that you and our backers have forc
this quarrel on me, am willing to fight you
just as if I was. I propose to begin “1th you,
and then attack the men who are at your back,
one by one I”

“ That is a lie I say!” Black Bill cried.
“ There are no men at my back. I always pad-
dle my own canoe, andas to m bein concerned
in any plots against you, it isn t so. don’t care
two wags of a mule’s tall what Tough Bill H ick—
man said! Everybody that knews an thing
’bout him knows that a bigger liar than t at a-
loot never was seen in Montana. 13 he ed

'any games on you and got left, there isn’t any

doubt that he would swear to anything to at
out of the scrape, for that is just the kind 0 a
galoot he is.”

“ No matter haw big a liar the fellow maybe,
I am satisfied he to] the truth when he do-
clared that you were the man who set the trap
to catch me, and that the trick was worked be-
cause it was believed I was Geo 9 Crawford
and had come to Bearfoot Bar wit the idea of
making a fight for the Black Snake Mine. His
confession opened in eyes at once, for I sus—
pected that adead so was being made at me
although it was a puzzle why I should be sin 1 '
out. You, of course, was at the back of ibis

g-

9.9.).

.see the fight.

22

deserter charge; that was a cunning trick to I‘

get me out of the way, and as soon as 1 get

through with you it is my intention to call,
Major Cadwalader to an account for his share ,

in that business.
cannot walk over a free American Citizen, if he
is a major in the United States Army.”

“ Oh, you think you are going to git away

I mean to teach him that he '

they have no more right to the property than
they have to the whole camp of Bearfoot
Bar!"

This bold and warlike declaration astonished
the miners. Never Since the foundation of the

' camp had a more defiant speech been delivered

with me then, without much trouble!” exclaim- 1

ed Black Bill, angered beyond measure by the——
to him—arrogant assumption.

“ I reckon I am good for you!” Teton Tom
replied. '

" Come outside—give me a fair show, and if
I don’t fix you for planting, I won’t want a
cent!" Black bill declared.

“ Go ahead! I’ll give you all the show you
want. Go up the street fifty or sixty feet, and
then the moment I make my appearance, you
are welcome to commence the fun.”

This was not exactly what Black Bill wanted,
but as it was the best he could do under the
circumstances, he accepted the situation with a
good grace.

Cut into the street he marched, followed by
about all the inmates of the saloon, anxious to

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE DUEL.

IT was some time since the camp had been
favored with a contest of this sort, and the
miners hurried after Nicolls, desrious of secur-
ing good places to witness the show.

here was a. full moon, bathing the town in a
flood of silvér light, so that everything was
about as visible as by day.

A better night for a duel could not he wished.

The moment he got out of the house, Black
Bill drew his revolver and raised the hammer,

so as to be in readiness for the coming struggle.

He did not meditate an sharp practice, for
the unwritten law of the uello which rules in
the wilds of the “fest would have held him
guilty of murder had be done so.

As well as any man living Black Bill knew
the laws which govern an encounter of this
kind, and now that he had a reed to meet
Teton Tom in a fair and open flg t, he knew he
must not try to secure any advantage by under-
hand means.

Up the street he marched, some thirty paces,
then halted and wheeled around.

By this time Teton Tom was in the street.

He walked straight from the door to the mid-
dle of the road, revolver in hand, and, turning,
faced his antagonist.

The miners were ranged along the sides of
the street, all keeping well in by the buildings
so as to avoid being hit by a stray ball, although
in a fight of this kind, the fighters being good
men, there was not much danger.

“ Are you ready?” asked Black Bill, after the
adventurer had taken his position.

“ All read I go ahead as soon as you like.”

And as eton Tom spoke, he leveled his
revolver and took careful aim at his antago-

mst.

Black Bill Ricolls was a fair revolver-shot,
but not a champion marksman, and as in pac-
ing the distance he had miscalculated, being
over seventy feet from Teton Tom in place of
fifty, to inflicta deadly wound upon his oppo-
nent, as he intended, required no mean skill,
particularly as the adventurer, well posted in
all the tricks appertaining to the duello, was
standing sideways so as to present as bad a
mark as possible; Black Bill, on the contrary,

"stood almost squarely facing his opponent.

The two revolvers were discharged almost
simultaneously.

Black Bill’s bullet whistled within a foot of
Teton Tom’s head—a good line shot, but too
high; the adventurer‘s lead went truer to the
mark, striking Black Bill full in the breast.

Ricolls threw up his hands, gasped, and then
fell forward on his face.

The crowd waited for a moment in almost
breathless impatience, but as Black Bill did
not stir after falling, there was a rush to his
side, it being the general impression that he
was dead.

The camp doctor was in the crowd, and he

- made a speedy examination of the fallen man.

“He is not dead,” he announced, “ but I
reckon he is so badly hurt that he is mighty
near it.”

“ Gentlemen, I call on you all to witness that
this was a. square fight and that I took no un-
due advantage 1” Teton Tom exclaimed.

“That's so—that’s sol” came in a sort of'
chorus from the crowd.

“ And now I want to make a public reclama-
tion—I want the citizens of Bearfoot ar to un-
derstand that I have been attacked in the most
outrageous manner, and I hold all the princi-
pal men connected with the Black Snake Mine
res nsible for the attack, and I shall not he
sat sfled until I have called them to a personal
account; also Major Cadwalader of Fort Fre-
mont. I am not George Crawford as these
men imagine, but I am ready to take up the

hairs! ust the same as if I were the heir of

olonel andal Crawford.

“ In my opinion the men who now control
the Black Snake Mine are a lot of thieves, and

 

in its streets. I

“ This is my say-so, gentlemen, and I stant
ready to make every word good at any time I
may be called upon 1” Teton Tom declared.

'lhen he returned to the hotel saloon, where
he held a regular levee until he got away from
his admirers by going tip-stairs with his com-
panion, Burke.

Black Bill was carried to the Black Snake
Mine on a shutter, and deposited in his bunk
in the cabin which be occupied on the prop-
erty.

Long Pete Logan, the landlord, had assisted
the doctor and the ‘boys ” in taking care of
the wounded man, and after Black Bill was
placed in his bunk, the others were dismissed,
the landlord remaining. Archibald Crawford
and Major Cadwalader, who had lingered so as
to learn the result of the fight, had come forth
when the procession approached and were now
standing by the bedside of the wounded man.

The doctor, who was a tolerably skillful fel-
low—one of the wild blades driven to the fron-
tier by drink and dissipation—made acareful
examination of the wound. Black Bill was still
insensible, not having recovered from the shock
occasioned by the ball—then he shook his head
in a manner that excited the apprehensions of
the others.

:13 dangerous wound, eh, doctor?” Crawford
as e .

“ You can bet your life on that, gentlemen,
and it will be wonderful if the man ulls
through. I can’t feel the ball, and I on’t
dare to probe for it. If I was going to venture
an wealth on this thing I reckon I would back
01 Death this time, for it looks as if he had a
copper-fastened cinch on Black Bill.”

‘-‘ It was Teton Tom who shot him,” the land-
lord explained.

“ Then if Bill dies, Teton Tom’s neck will be
in dangerl” Crawford cried.

“ Oh, no, not at all!” exclaimed the doctor.
“ It was the fairest kind of a fight. I saw the
affair from beginning to end. And that re-
minds me, I stuck Anaconda George for the
drinks, for he had an idea that Black Bill would
get away with the sport and, jest for greens, 1

et him the drinks that he wouldn’t. ”

Then the doctor proceeded to bandage the
wound; the others watched the proceeding in
silence, their faces gloomy with thought.

When the operation was completed, the doc-
tor said:

“ There, that is about all I can do at present.
I will go to my cabin now and fix up a mixture
for him, perhaps by the time I get back he will
be in a condition so I can try to extract the
ball, although it is not very probable,”and with

v these words he departed.

The landlord hastened to explain to the others
all that had occurred.

“ He has thrown off the mask, and now it is
war to the knife l" Crawford exclaimed.

“ The fellow is going to call me to an account,
is he?” observed the major, his stern face sterner
than ever”.

“ His easy victor over Bill has made him
reckless,” the land ord remarked. “ He evi-
dently thinks he can whip the whole town
now.”

“ He will speedily find that he cannot dare
me with impunity!” the major declared.

“ Don‘t you trouble yourself about the mat-
ter, Crawford; let me attend to this boaster,
and if I do not make him sing another tune be-
fore he is four-and-twenty hours older, then my
name is not Cadwalader 1”

CHAPTER XXXII.
PREPARING FOR BATTLE.

Arrsn getting up—stairs to their room and
making a1 secure for the night, the two pards
sat down to deliberate in regard to the future.

“ Yon have declared war now,” Burke ob-
served. “ Your speech will be carried strai ht
to the Black Snake men, and they undoubte y
will be after us as soon as they can get ready.”

“That is exactly what I expect,” Teton Tom
answered. “ In reality the Black Snake men
have been after us ever since we struck the
town. Our little game of coming to this camp
and looking arouu quietly to note how matters
stood did not work at all. In some mysterious
way we Were spotted and our errand known as
soon as we struck the town.”

“ That is true. andthe joke of the thing is that
it is you who are suspected of being the son of
Colonel Crawford.”

“Yes, I am aware of that fact. No one ap-
pears to suspect that you are the heir.”

“It arises from the fact that the old-timers
here, men who were acquainted with my father,
think that you bear a wonderful likeness to
him,” Burke ex lained. “ During your absence
two of the ol citizens—men who were well
acquainted with my father, took pains to seek
me for the purpose of gaining information in
r ard to you. Of course I said that you were
no George Crawford, and that I was certain of

 

 

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

it, but my positive assurance did not convince
these men; they shook their heads, said, ‘ May-
be they were wrong, but they reckoned that
they wasn’t,’ and then they departed, not at all
satisfied.”

“ Yes, it is rather odd,” Teton Tom com—
mented, apparently paying little heed to the in—
cjdent.

“ Now that affairs have progressed so rapidly,
we shall have to change our game and play in
an entirely difl'erent manner from what we had
calculated upon,” he continued “ We have
openly declared war upon the Black Snake men,
and I think the next move will be to proclaim
that you are George Crawford, and that you
claim the Black Snake property by virtue of
being the son of Colonel Randal Crawford.”

“ No doubt they will laugh the claim to scorn,”
the other remarked.

“Let theml There is an old proverb which
says, ‘ He- laughs best who laughs last,’ and
there isa deal of truth in it. Of course, your
setting up a claim to the mine does not amount
to much without you make some effort to get
possession of the property.

“ Certainly, that goes without saying," Burke
observed. “ But what eflort can be made under
the circumstances? I fancy there would be
little use in appealing to a court of law, for a
sheriff and hisposse would have no terrors in a
region like this.”

“You are right; the prospect of a lawsuit
would not worry these is ows much; it is a far
cry from here to the nearest court, as the Scotch
say, and Justice, bein blind, would be apt to
have considerable di culty in finding her way
amid these Montana wilds,’ Teton Tom remark-
ed with grim humor.

“ This is the country where men take the law
in their own hands,” he went on, “and Settle
such little disputes as thisby ferce of the strong
arm. To alter the saying of the first Napoleon
a little, in Montana the law is on the side of the
heaviest artillery. The best armed force will
win the game every time. It is an old legal
maxim that possession is nine points of the law;
in the mining region it is generally ten—the
whole game.”

“ Very true, and as the foe are in possession,
our fl ht will be a difficult one—the advantage
is on heir side.”

“ Not a doubt of it! They hold the property
by force of arms. Well, we must raise an
army, too;we must fight fire with fire; that is
the only course to be pursued. We must make
public proclamation that you are George Craw-
ford, the son and heir of Colonel Randal Craw-
ford, that you claim the Black Snake property,
and propose to support that claim by all means
in your power.”

“ That will create a commotion.”

“Exactly, and if I can force the Black Snake
men to attack us, it will be a point gained,”
Teton Tom declared. “ I shall take pains
though, to have a few fighting men engaged,{an
Secure a house to serve as a headguarters, and
fortress, before I let the Black nake people
know my game.” -

“Yes, this is an excellent programme, and
I do not see any reason why we cann carry
it out; but, my dear Tom, it is goin to be
an expensive proceeding; fighting-men cost
money, even in the wild W est, and I don’t
exactly see where the sinews of war are com-
ing from. I am sure I cannot raise them.”

‘ Don’t let that trouble you,” Teton Tom re-
plied. “ I will act as minister of finance, and
will see that the army-chest is kept Well sup-
plied with funds. During my life of adventure
abroad, whereI layed the role of a soldier of
fortune, I was ucky enough to strike some
good things, particularly in India, that land of
gold and precious stones, so when I returned
to America, I did not come empty-handed by
an manner of means.”

oung Crawford—as we shall hereafter call
him, chopping his false appellation—extended
his hand to the other.

“ Tom, how shall I everbe able to pay you for
this kindness?”

“ Oh, well, if you don’t know how, don’t try,”
responded the adventurer, with a laugh, return-
ing the warm grip of the other.

Early in the morning the pards set out to se-
cure suitable quarters. _

A cabin was soon found; a strongly-built one
composed of hewn logs, well calculated .0 stand
a 810 c.

It Eras situated on the outskirts of the town
in a rather isolated situation, and being on a
little elevation, commanded the surrounding
country.

“With ten good men I would undertake to
hold this house against a hundred, so long as
they were not provided with artilleryl”Teton
Tom declared, quick to perceive with his well-
trained soldier eyes the advantages of the posi-
tion.

The house was secured, and then the pards
ntoceeded to engage their fl hting-men.

In a town like Bearfoot ar, which for its
size had a large floating population, there was
no difficulty in finding eight good. men who
were willing to risk their lives in another
man’s quarrel, provided they were well paid for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4“

Teton Tom, the H

 

8.:1fi3100d- ,

23

 

 

The eight,with the Crow warrior and the
two ards, made a, force of eleven men.

“ ‘herc’s luck in odd numbers,” Teton Tom
observed, jocosely.

“ But do you think we will have men

enough to cope with the Black Snake gang?”
young Crawford asked, evidently a little doubt-
in].
“Yes, I think so. There are only twenty
men, all told, in the mine,” Teton Tom replied.
“ And you can be certain that the are not all
lighters; the probability is that t are are not
more than six or eight of the twenty who can
be depended upon to stand up to the rack and
hold their own in a desperate fight. The men
in the mine have not been selected with especial
reference to their flghting abilities, like our fel-
lows.”

“When they learn that we have raised a
force, the maygo in to strengthen their army,”
'Crawfor suggested.

“Very true; that will probably be their
game, but we have the pick of the camp, and
nothing but the refuse is left for them. I am
satisfied that with our fellows we can— clean out
any force that they may be able to bring
against us, and if I am mistaken—if they suc-
ceed in raising an army so big that we do not
stand any chance in the fight, then it will be
easy for us to increase our force by recruiting
a few more men from some of the neighboring
loam s. For that matter I can send to the
nort and get ten or twenty Crow warriors for
I am a son of thct tribe, and my red brot era
are bound to extend aid to me if ] make a de-
mand for it. ”

Of course in so small a camp as Bearfoot Bar
the en agement of so many men, evidently for
a war ike purpose, created a deal of excite-
ment.

Nothing else was talked of, and then Teton
Tom added fuel to the flame by writing out a
proclamation which he caused to be tacked to a
large tree which stood in the center of the
town.

In this document he made'public the fact
that the man known as Harry Burke was in
:realit George Haven Crawford, son and heir
of Co onel Randal Crawford; that he claimed
the Black Snake Mine and warned the thieves
who had stolen the property to vacate within
ten day s or take the consequences“

It is not wonderful that this document cre-
ated the greatest excitement that the camp of
Bearfoot Bnr had ever known, and it was the
general opinion that the town was going to see
the biggest kind of a fight, and, strange to say,
the sporting shar swere rather inclined to'back
the side whereon eton Tom was ranged.

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
run MAYOR cossunrs ran MAJOR.

As the reader has seen, Teton Tom did not
permit the grass to grow under his feet, and the
Black Snake men were astounded when the
news of the movement was brought to their
knowledge.

It was the Irishman, Doc Finnegan, who
brought the intelligence. He happened to be
down-town at the time when Teton Tom tacked
the proclamation to the tree, and was one of the
first to read it.

Finnegan had been “ under the weather ” for
some time, indulging in one of his usual sprees,
during which he had made his headquarters in
one of the lowest dens in the camp, and this
was how it happened that he did not come to
Black Bill’s assistance when he was hurt, and
£139 other doctor was permitted to attend to

im.
There’s an old saying that two of a trade never
agree, and most certainly there was no love lost
between the two doctors.

Finnegan made his appearance at the mine on
the morning which succeeded the night on which
Ricolls was wounded; he was sobering up now,
and was something like himself.

The other doctor had just departed, having
paid an earl visit to his patient, bringing the
medicine as a had promised, and after makin
a careful examination of thewound had declar
he could not locate the ball and did not dare to
probe for it.

Black Bill by this time had recovered his
gensdes, and was growling like a bear with a sore

ea .

He was extremely dis sted at the doctor‘s
refusal to endeavor to e ract the ball althou h
be swore like a pirate and protested that a
could not endure the pain when the doctor tried
to probe the wound, and Finnegan, when he
learned what the other doctor had said, and
done, declared that he was an ignorant block-
head,,and that the ball could be taken out.

“ It’s a wee drop of something to put yez to
sleep while the operation is going on that ye’ll
want.” he remarked.

“ Me hand is a trifle unsteady nor: an’ I don’t
dare to risk the operation until I in all right
ag’in, do ye mind?” he continued. “ Wait until
I am meself ag’in an’ I’ll have that ugly bit of
lead out in a jiffy. Don’t ye worry, Bi ll Take
ms word for it, you’re worth a dozen dead
men!”

But despite this consoling assurance Black

Bill did worry, and he did not have as much
i faith in tho Irishman as the others appeared to
possess.

“ It may be that I am not hard bit,” he
l growled, “ but I am afraid I am. One thing is
a certain, I am feeling tho tormcnts of the
I damned, my blood seems turning to liquid fire,
1 and I know I can’t stand this agony intu hours
i longer!" ,

l “ l’ll give ye something to put yez to sleep, so
i as to give nature a chance to git in her fine
; work,” the Irishman remarked;
Then he administered an opiate which speedily
put the wounded man to sleep.
l Archibald Crawford was amazed by the news
, brought by Finnegan, particularly in regard to
the declaration that Harry Burke was thovson
’ of Colonel Crawford, for he, like the rest, had
been led by the resemblance that Teton Tom
bore to the colonel to believe him to be the son.

“The scuts m’ano business, too, be jabers!”
Finnegan declared, and then he told of how To-
ton Tom had enlisted an army.

Crawford’s face wore an anxious look, and
after meditating over the matter be determined
to ride over to Fort Fremont and consult Major
Cadwalader in regard to the affair, but before
he went he was careful to put the mine on a
war—footing.

He sent or the marshal, Anaconda George,
and asked him if- he had heard of Teton Tom’s
move.

The marshal replied in theafiirmative, adding
that he reckoned thereworen’t many men in the
camp who hadn’t, for the thing had created the
biggest kind of an excitement.

“ Well, as president of the Black Snake Min-
ing Com any in 5 my duty to defend this prop-
erty, an as mayor of the town I reckon I on ht
to raise a force to clean out this Teton om
and his gang, for if he keeps on there will be a
riot. -

“ Yas, it looks now as if thar was going to be
a row, for the galoot oes ahead as if he means
business,” the marsha admitted.

“ Will you undertake to raise a crowd and go
in to clean this fellow out?” Crawford said, and
then perceiving that Anaconda George hesitat-
ed to reply, he added: “Of course I expect to
pay a good big sum for the service, and you
fan ,give large wages to the men whom you en-

ist. ‘

Anaconda George shook his head slowly.

“Mister Mayor, I reckon you will have to
count me out this time,” he responded. “ I
don’t see no show for me to go in on this deal,
no way.”

“ Why, how is that, Anaconda?" exclaimed
Crawford, in surprise. “ You are marshal of
the town, and I should think you would ump
at the chance to get a job like this wit big
mone in it.”

“ 5.1, now, it is jest like this: if I didn’t
know the man, mebbe I would: but I have sized
this Teton Tom u oncet, and 1 don’t want no
more of him in mine, thank you.”

“ What!” cried the other, in amazement,
“ on are surely not afraid of the man i"

‘ Oh, I don’t know as it is that exactly,” re-
sponded the marshal, very slowly. “It so be
as how I should run up a in’ the man, and the
game was for me to buck e to him without my
being able to git out of it ’sides a clean bat-k-
down, I reckon 1 would go for him for all I was
worth, but as to jumping into a row with a
galoot like liini— VV al, I ain’t a-tempting
Providence in no sich way. The man who kin
down Black Bill Ricolls as easily as this cuss did
is a bad man from ’way-hack, and don’t you
forget it!”

Crawford was annoyed, for he had depended
upon Anaconda George in this matter.

“ Well, I am sorry the fellow has blutfed
you so easil ” he observed, with a slight sneer.

“ Mister ayor, it is jest bye-r: I am too old
a gambler to go into an?7 game whar the man I
have otto buck ag'in’ 9 playing in big luck,
and I 'now afore I «to in that I don’t stand no
kind of a chance. sbbe it is kinder showing
the white leather, but I can’t help it; that is the
gait I am going on. You kin git plenty of men
who will be glad of the job no doubt. I reck-
on either Crooked Smith or biamond Joe would
be jest delighted to be it, for both' of ’em have
got a grudge ag’in’ Te n Tom, but as far as I
am consumed, I don’t want none of it in
mine.”

Crawford tried his best to argue Anaconda
George out of the osition which he had as-
sumed, but all his 6 oquence was wasted, so he
was reluctantly compelled to send for Cronked
Smith to take command of his forces, the mar-
shal promising to do his best to Secure some
good recruits for him.

“ It is a sure-enuff fact, though, that this
Teton Tom has got the ick of all the men in
the town,” Anaconda oorge remarked, as he
took his departure. “ I have beam that he's
101; nigh onto twenty men, and I reckon that
’ out cleans the town out; but I will do the
best I can for you.”

A decidedly unpleasant ride had the Presi-
dent of the Black- Snake Mining Company,
from Bearfoot Bar to Fort Fremont, for all the
way be worried over the strong demonstration
which the adventurer had made.

 

 

Major Cudwnlador listened (‘alinly to the re-
vital, and it was apparent from his manner that
ho was not much alarmed.

“ I think you oxngeruto tho dniiger,”he re-
marked. “There is no doubt that this follow
is considerable of a dcsperudo, and really
menus to make an attempt to gain possession of
the mine, but Iiittuch littloimportunce to the
movement. You are in possession of the prop-
erty and can easily hold it against any force
that he will be able to bring.”

Crawford replied that he was not so sure of
this, and related the particulars of his failure
to secure Anaconda George’s assistance.

“ Well, Anacondais a good man and ought
to be a good judge,” the major admitted.
“ It may be that there is more in the move-
ment than I think, but I can help you out of
tho scrape easily enough. if you find that this
fellow is about to attack with a force which
you cannot beat 01?, fallback on your mayor-
shi and send for me to preserve the peace. I
wi stretcha point and come with my troops;
the fellow will think twice before he gets Uncle
Sam‘s boys after him.”

This idea pleased Crawford immensely, and
he said as much.

“ You. have solved the riddle, undoubtedly,”
be declared, in conclusion. “ The idea of hav-
ing on and your soldiers take an active part
in t e afl’air was one that did not occur to
me, but it completely upsets this fellow’s
scheme."

“ Yes, but it will not come to that,” the
major remarked. “ It is my intention to put a
spoke into the wheel of t is Teton Tom and
that right speedily. The follow has allowed his
tongue to wag about me entire] y too freely, and
I intend to teach him a lesson which will 9 apt
to last him for one while. I told you, if you re—
member, that you need not allow the rascal to
worry you any—that I would attend to him,
and, from long experience, you ought to be
aware that I am a man of my word.”

“ Oh, yes, of course.”

“ Captain Morgan has gone to see this gentle-
man in order to ascertain what way of taking
off will be most agreeable to him,” the major
said, with a grim smile. “ And if he does not
show the white feather, I anticipate that by to-
morrow noon his career in Montana will come
to an untimely end.”

And now leaving the pair to finish their con-
versation, the rest of which was of small im or-
tance, we will follow the gallant captain an see
how he succeeded in his mission.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
PLAIN SPEAKING.

CAPTAIN MORGAN accepted the mission to
Teton Tom readily enough; in fact, he was high-
ly pleased to thin there was a pr0spect of the
adventurer getting into trouble. i

He had taken a strong dislike to Teton Tom
on Miss Katherine’s account. The interest
which that young lady evidently took in the '
stranger was extremely distasteful to the gallant
captain.

1t was quite a triumph f or her when the letter
from Colonel Muoli'zno arrived disposing of
tho deserter charge, and she told her father
that she thought he ought make an effort to dis-
cover what induced the two soldiers to swear to
such it falsehood, but the major replied, with
unusual grufi‘ness, that he should not bother
himself about the matter; he had something bet-
ter to do than to trouble himself with the va-
garies of a couple of drunken vagabonds. And
when Katherine, With all the shrewdness of her
sex, suggested that the soldiers were prompted
to make the charge by some enemy of Teton
Tom’s, he scoffed at the idea.

Captain Morgan, too, considered the sugges-
tion to be absurd, and was unwise enough to say
so to the girl ; and, as a result of this frank dis-
closure, a decided coolness sprung up between
himself and Katherine.

For this be blamed the adventurer, and there-
fore it was with decided satisfaction that he set
out on the hostile errand to Teton Tom.

He found the adventurer at his head'clluarters,
and made the discovery that Teton cm was
proneedmg in regular military style.

There were sentinels posted. and he was not
allowed to enter the cabin until word was sent
and permission obtained.

The captain was decidedly nettied by these
proceedings, and felt extremely ill-humored
when he was at last ushered into the presepce of
the man he sought.

“ Well, sir, you are hedged around with as
much red-tape as though you were the com-
mander-in-chief of an army,” the captain re-
marked, when he came face to face with the
adventurer. ‘

“ Well, that is really about the position that
I occupy at present,” Teton Tom replied.
“éll‘akp a chair, sir, and make yourself comfort-
a e.

The captain sat down. i

“ But it seems to me that this proceedin of
yours is rather unusual—to put it mild y—
posting sentinels'and interfering with free pa-
age— .-

“ gen my own land, sir!” Teton Tom inter-
rupts ,coldly. “I believe that a man has the

\

 

24:

Teton Tom,_‘_theWHalf-VBlood.

 

 

right to keep trespassers off his property, even i “ Y—yes, he said he thought rifles at a him

by force of arms, if he so elects; I think if
you lpok into the matter you will find that is the
law.

“ Well, I am no lawyer,” the captain replied,
seeing that the other had made a point, “ so
that is a matter which 1 am not able to de-
cide.”

“You will find I am correct, I think. The
position I have assumed is not at all out of the
way when the circumstances of the case are
considered. I am acting for a man who lays
claim to a certain mining property. The par-
ties who are now in ossession of that property
secured control of it by force of arms; to use
the Western saying, they ‘jumped ’ the claim,

having no more right to the mine than either '

you or I. This is a case where it is hardly
worth while to bother with the law. The
thieves took the mine by main force and they

ought not to complain if a dose of their own ‘

medicine is administered to them.”

“ Of course, I take no interest in the matter,”
the captain observed, stitfly. “ I know nothing
about the facts in the case, and so am not com-
petent to pass an opinion in regard to who is in
the right or wrong.”

“ Oh, I did not look for any expression of
opinion on your art,” Teton Tom replied.
“ You are not a citizen here, and, of course, as
an officer of the United States Army, you can-
not be expected to take any interest in these
mining quarrels. But may I ask to what I am
indebted for the honor of this visit?”

“ Certainly, I have called upon you in behalf
of Major Cadwalader.”

Teton Tom bowed but spoke not.

“ Some rather uncautious speeches made by
you have come to the knowledge of the major, ’
the captain continued.

“ You astonish me!” the adventurerexclaimed
in rise. “ I am generally very careful of
what say, and I am sure I have not made any
uncautiOus s eeches about Major Cadwalader,
or anybody e se, for that matter.”

“ It is strange,” the captain remarked. Be-
ing a little dull of comprehension he did not see
that what he took to be a. denial was no denial
at all. “ It has been reported to the major that
you spoke harshly of him ; asserted that he was
a rascal in league with your foes, and that it
was your intention to call him to an ac-
count."

“ That is true, every word,” Teton Tom de-
clared to the captain's astonishment. “ That is
exactly what I said, and I mean every word of
the s ech too l”

" gadl if you don’t call that an uncautious
speech what is it?"

“ Not at all; I made the speech so that it
should be carried straight to the major.
wanted him tounderstand that I knew the little
game he was playing, and intended to call him
to an account. ”

“ Well, I must say that this frank acknowl—
edgment of yours simplifies matters,” the
captain remarked. “ The major has sent me to
see if yes really did speak in this way regard-

ing him.
‘ I did—what then?"

“Why, if you consider that you have been
wronged by him in any way he stands ready to
give you satisfaction."

“ Do you bear a challenge from Major Cad-
wslader to me?”

“ 0h,no. the major is not sending challenges ”
Captain Morgan replied, with a lofty air. “ It
is not of the slightest importance to him what
you may say or do. He attaches no weight
whatever to any offensive exlpressions that you
may me in regard to him. is position is this:
if you think he has wronged you he stands
ready to give you the satisfaction of a. gentle-
man, and it seems to me you ought to be con-
tented.”

“ I reckon the major takes me for a fool if he
imagines that I do not see the cunning little
game which he is trying to pla ,” the adven—
turer remarked, contemptuous y. “ He has
been cut to the quick b my declaration that he
has acted toward me ike a rogue and a rascal,
but he does not challenge me because he knows
that by the laws of the duello 1 would have the
choice of weapons, and that does not suit him.
He wants the challenge to come from me so
that he will have the privilege of choosing the
arms.”

The captain flushed a little, hesitated for a
moment and then said:

“ Really, I give my word as a gentleman that
I do not know what the major thinks about the
matter. He requested me to see you and deliver
the message which I have delivered.”

“ But you are empowered by him to make ar-
rangements for a hostile meeting in case I de-
mand one i” Teton Tom asked.

“ Well, yes,” the captain replied, after a
moment’s hesitation. “ He said at parting that
if you demanded satisfaction he sup osed it
would save time if I accepted the chal enge on
his behalf and arranged the details of the meet-

3

“ And he named the weapons?” Teton Tom
said, a faint, sarcastic smile curling the orners

of his lips as he looked searchineg into t 0 eyes
of the other.

i dred paces would be as good as anything.”

“ His favorite distance, I presume, and the
i weapon of which he fanCIes he is a master,”
I commented Teton Tom.

“Very nicely arranged, indeed,” the adven-
l turer continued. “ And if the major can sue-
‘ ceed in killing; me the thieves who are in posses.

sion of the Black Snake Mine can rest secure.

“ Now , although I hovepenetruted Major Cad-
walader’s p'an, and think him a bigger rascal
l than I before believed him to be, yet I am per-
i'fectly willing to meet him on his own terms,
, thereby giving him all the advantages which he
i has so cunningly schenied to secure,”T(ton Tom
1 remarked. “ Rifles, ata hundred paces will suit
me, and if I do not succeed in making avocancy
in the United States Army, so as to give some
men a chance to step into a majorship, it will
be because I am not as good a shot as I think I
am.

The adventurer spoke with an air of confident
assurance that rather astonished the officer, and
yet there was nothing of the bragging boaster
in his manner; the sEeech being delivered with
the air of a man w o knew what he could do,
and was not afraid to make it public.

“ You challenge Major Cadwalader then?”
the captain said.

“ Yes, and so give him the right to choose the
weapons. You see I do not hesitate to give the
major the advantage which he is so anxious to
attain,” Teton Tom responded. “But tell the
major from me that I understand his little
game, and if I thought he was going to gain
anything by it I should not allow him to work
it, but as I feel sure that with the rifle the ad-
vantage will be on my side I am perfectly will-
ing to agree to fith with that weapon. Mr.
Crawfor will act as my second.”

Then the adventurer summoned his pard
from the inner room,introduced him to the cap-
tain, and then explained the nature of his busi-
mass.

The details of the affair were soon arranged.

The due] was to take place on the following
morning at six o’clock. The spot, a little plain
down the creek, just about half-way between the
camp and the fort.

The captain rodeback to the post well pleased
at his success in arranging matters so easily, yet
rather dubious in regard to the result.

“ Han me if I would bet on the major, al-
though know he is a deuced good shot! ‘ he
exclaimed, so impressed had he been by the ad—
venturer. ‘

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
A SURPRISE.
“WELL, this is a rather unexpected move,
isn’t it?” Crawford asked, after the captain de-

parted.

“Yes although I had an idea when I made
the pub 'c announcement in regard to the major
that it would result in forcing him to make a
demonstration," Teton Tom replied.

“ You succeeded admirably. ’

“Oh, yes, Major Cadwala er has come prom-
inently to the front, and his prompt action
satisfies me that the suspicions I entertained in
regard to his being in league with the rascals
who control the Black Snake Mine are correct.”

“ It certainly seems so.”

“ I have been inquiring a little into the past
history of the major, and I find that about
twenty years ago, just about the time when the
mine was stolen from your father, that Cad-
walader,.then a captain, was stationed here at
Fort Fremont, and was one of your father’s in-
timate friends.”

“And yet now he is apparently acting with
the men who robbed my father of his property—
who murdered him.”

“Well, the idea has come to me that he is
heavily interested in the mine now, although he
was your father’s friend in the long ago,” Teton
Tom remarked. “ I have not seen much of the
major, but I think I understand the kind of
man he is as well as though I had known him
for years. He is a dogmatic, irritable man,
used to having his own way and wieldin des-
potic authority; like a good many old so diers

e is disposed to treat civilians with the same
harshness as the men under his command, and
in this emergency, being nettled by my blunt
remarks, he has taken upon himself the mile of
‘Bell-the-cat.’ You remember the old fable of
how the rats in solemn convention decided that
it was necessar for the safety of their race
that some one 0 their number should watch un-
til the cat was asleep and then tie a bell to her
neck, so that all the rats would have timely
warning of her approach; the idea was thought
to be an excellent one, and all agreed that it
should be carried out, but the great trouble was
to decide who should erform thetask, and as no
one was willing to ta 9 the risk the scheme fell
throu h.” ‘

“ es I remember the fable. ”

“ In this case, I answer for the cat, and the
major is going to attend to me, only the hell he
designs for me is a rifle—ball; he s acting for
the Black Snake men.”

“ That is my idea, and they realize that
though I am the ole imant for the property, et
you are the man who is dangerous, and the if

 

 

 

you are silenced they will have little to fear. It
is extremely complimentary to on, but de-
cidedly the reverse for me,” Craw ord exclaim-
ed, laughing.

“ Well, I am the general in command of the
forces and of course the shining mark,” Teton
Tom replied.

“ Oh, no, it is not that; your death is sought
because in reality you are the head and front
of the attack, and the more 1 think of the mat—
ter the more puzzled 1 become; why should you,
a stranger, risk your life and fight for me?”

“ Am I not a. soldier of fortune?” Teton Tom
replied. “ Is not war my trade? Like ancient
Pistol is not the world mine oyster to be opened
with my sword l”

Crawford shook his head.

“ Your reasoning doesn't satisfy me,” he re~
joined. “ You are acting in this affair more
like one of the old-time knights, who espoused
a cause because he believed it to be just, rather
than as a soldier of fortune,who usually sells his
sword to the highest bidder.”

“ Never mind discussing the matter now, old
fellow,”the other replied. “Just you wait un-
til we win the fight and then see what a bill I
will bring in for my valuable services.”

Crawford laughed.

“ Well, if you claimed the entire property I
don’t know if I should be able to dispute the
justice of the demand, for one thing is certain,
without your aid I could no more wrest the
property from these scoundrels, who robbed my
father of it, than I could fly.”

“ It is not to be expected that a student like
yourself should be able to manage a campaign
of this kind as well as a man who has seen ser-
vice in the four quarters of the globe.”

At this point the conversation was interrupted
by the entrance of one of the guards, who brought
the intelligence that Dumb Dickey wanted to
speak to Teton Tom.

The old man was soon ushered into the cabin.

He nodded, helped himself to a chair, waited
until the man departed, then looked around in
a mysterious way as though he was afraid some
one was laying the spy upon him.

Teton om guessed t e thoughts that were in
the old man‘s mind, and at once proceeded to re—
assure him.

“ You need not be afraid to speak; we are
alone, and nyone can overhear what you say.”

“ That is good, for I come upon very particu-

lar business,” the old man asserted.

“ You can speak freely.”

“ My life would not be worth an hour’s pur-
chase if the Black Snake scoundrels knew the
nature of my mission to you.”

The pards looked a little surprised at this as-
sertion. although they were inclined to believe
it was but an idle fancy of the old man.

“ Oh, it is the truthl ’ he persisted, detecting
with wonderful uickness that his listeners
were inclined to e incredulous. “ Those fel-
lows would take my life in a moment, colonel,
if they knew of the important document that I
p055ess.”

By the use of the title the pards saw that the
old man still clung to the delusion that Teton
Tom was Randal Crawford.

“ An important document, eh ?” Teton Tom
remarked, with the idea of humoring the old
fellow. '

“Yes, I have kept it safely for you, colonel,
all these years, for I knew that some day you
would return and want it.” Then the old man
fished out of a secret pocket in the inside of his

'shirt a small package wrapped up carefully in

oiled silk, but after producing the article Dumb
Dickey looked carefully around, shook his head
and said:

“It is true what I told you, colonel; those
villains would not hesitate to kill me if they
knew that I was the man who gave this precious,
package into your hands.”

“ You need not be alarmed,” Teton Tom re-
marked, reaSSuringly. “ There is no danger of
tho Black Snake men discovering that on had
had anything to do with the matter. our se-
cret will be safe in our possession.”

“You are quite sure that there are no spies
lurking near?”

“Oh, yes; set your mind at rest on that;
point.”

“ I am not young enough to fight these scounw
drels you know, and if they attacked me I
shoufd certainly fall a victim. They are a set
of remorseless villains, men who would stoop to
any crime.”

. “You are perfectly safe and can go ahead
without fear,’ young Crawford declared.

“ Yes, es I ope so,” and then the old man
studied t 9 face of the heir for a moment.

“ So you are George Crawford ?” he continued,
after quite a pause.

“ Yes, that is my name.”

'flien Dumb Dickey looked at Teton Tom for
a moment. ._

“There is a resemblance—I see it now, al-
though I did not before. Your son, colonel, is
worthy of you. I congratulate you on having
such a boy. ’

“ Yes, e will pass in a crowd "the adven—
turer remarked, humoring the old man in his
delusion.

“ Now, let me give you back this paper, colo~

 

 

Teton Tom, the Half—Blood.

25

 

 

nel, which I have carefully kept for you all
these years."

Unrolling the silk, a roll of paper, yellow
with age, was disclosed, the writing faded, yet
perfectly legible.

It was the Will of Randal Crawford, dated
twenty years ago.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

A NEW RECRUIT.

“THE will of Randal Crawfordl" exclaimed
"l‘eton Tom, completely taken by surprise, as he
read the title-line of the document.

" Yes, there it is, all safe, just as you intrust-
ed it to me, twenty years ago, on the night
which receded your attack on the Black
Snake - ine. If you remember, colonel, you
said you had a presentiment that you might
fall in the fight, and you wanted all your af-
fairs straightened out, and so you made this
will,leav1ng all your property to your infant
son, George. Why, Lord bless you, colonel, I
remember the events of that night as Well as
though it was only yesterday. You had two
Witnesses to the will, so that there could be no
question in regard to it—Alonzo Williams and
Martin Craddock; and, as it happens, both men
.ure alive and in the camp today."

Teton Tom knew this statement to he true,
for he had met both Lon Williams and Mart
Craddock, veteran miners, and men of high re-

)ute.

I “ Well, this is a surprise-party l” the adven-
turer exclaimed. “ And the production of the
will materially strengthens our cause, for it
shows beyond a doubt that you, George, are
your father‘s legal heir, although, even without
this paper, the property would come to you; but
the document aids us, for it might be disputed
that your father had a son, but this settles that
point."

“ Yes, yes; I thought it might be of service to
you, and that is why I brought it,”the old
man explained, rubbing his hands together in
great glee.

“ I will see Williams and Craddock about the
matter," Teton Tom observed. “No doubt
they will beableto give some valuable informa-
tion.”

“ Nodoubt—no doubt,” Dumb Dickey respond-
ed, with a wise nod of his head.

At this point the conversation was interrupted
lay the entrance of the guard, who bore a mes—
sage that Doc Dick Johnston would liketo speak
in ith Teton Tom.

This was the medical man who had been in
attendance on Black Bill, and the adventurer,
knowing this fact, surmised that he brought
some intelligence in regard to that worthy.

The doctor was brought into the apartment,
andt he exchanged salutations with the occu-
pan 5.

“ How are you, gentsllglad to see you!” he
remarked. “ reckon, eton, from the way
you are going on that you calculate to make it
warm for the Black Snake gang.”

From the style in which the doctor spoke the
pards jumped to the conclusion that he was not
favorably disposed toward their opponents.

“ Well, we intend to make it as lively for them
as we can," Teton Torn replied.

“ I ain’t much of a betting man,” the doctor
observed, reflectively, “ yet when I think I see a
chance to collar a few ducats without too big a
risk I generally am not very backward in com-
ing forward, and I want you to do your level
best in this Hills, for I have put my shekels up
on your side."

“ Is that so?” Teton Tom inquired.

“ True as preaching l”

“ How is that? I thought you were attending
Black Bill, and under the circumstances you
on ht to bet on his side.”

‘ Oh, no; that hasn‘t got anything to do with
it. I put up my money on you before I was
called upon to look after him," the doctor ex-
plained. “ButI am out of that job anyway.
The galoots have sent me word that I need not
come any more.”

“ ls Black Bill entire] out of danger, than?”
Teton Tom asked. “ I ad an idea that he was
pretty hard hit.”

“ Well, now, sport, you can bet your bottom
dollar on that, and you will ‘call the turn’
every time,” Dick Johnston declared

“ I had no wish to take the man’s life. but,
under the circumstances, I was obliged to look
out for myself ”

‘~ Oh, yes; I saw the hull thing from he ’n-
'ning to end. I was the uarest kind 0 a
fight .” the doctor declared. “ 0 one can blame
you for plugging the'man when he was doing
his level best to plug 1yJou- but you did not make
any mistake about t e matter—you put your
lead where itwill do the most good and it Black
Mill ever gets off the bed which he is now on, it
will be a good deal like a. miracle, and I reckon
migac’ips ain’t worked now as much as they used
‘to e.

“ How comes it, then, that you are not want-
Ied—thut is strange!” ’

“ It is all along of that drunken Irish fool
who thinks he is a doctor—and he claims to be
a lawyer. tool’ Dick Johnston cried, in a fine
burst of' scorn. “ I reckon the cuss has gall

 

enough to start in as a preacher, if the camp
came to the conclusion to run a church.”

“ Ah, he has taken the case out of yourhands?”
Teton Toni observed.

“Yes, and it is all because I would not at—
tempt to extract the ball!" Dick Johnston ex-
claimed, indignantly. “ I don’t claim to be
away up at the top of the heap as it doctor; I
know that there is a great many men who can
discount me, but I have had a heap of i'actice
in gunshot wounds since I came to ontana,
and it nukes a. good man to beat me at that
game. This Paddy-whack can’t do it, for sure!
and if he tries to extract the ball, it will be
‘goodby, John!’ for Black Bill!”

“And is he going to do it?" Teton Tom in-
quired.

“ Yes, that is his say-so, and I told him right
to his teeth that if he did, and Black Bill died
under the operation,it would be his tool that
killed the man and not yours.”

“ I reckon he didn’t relish that."

“ You bet he didn’t, and we came pretty near
carving each other right then and there, but
the others interfered, and I left. But 1 am
through with that gang for good and all,and
i’ve dropped in to see if you didn’t want a man
to go in With you to help clean ’em out. I have
got Q in for them red-bot, you betl"

Teton Tom was glad to accept the recruit and
then the doctor turned his attention to Dumb
Dickey.

“Hello, old man. how do you find yourself?”
he exclaimed. "When are ye going to let me
make an examination of your head?”

“ No, no, no use to trouble you," the old man
observed, in a nervous way.

Then, perceiving that the pards were looking
at him in an inquiring manner, the doctor pro-
ceeded to explain.

“ Our aged friend here has a leetle trouble
with his head once in awhile. The head gets
an idea that it don’t belong to him, and wants
to go off on a jamboree of its own. Now,
there's always a reason fora thin of that kind,
and the notion came to me that it was possible
Dickey had sustained an injury at some time
during the East, which displaced a part of the
skull, and t at a portion of the bone was press-
ing inward, which would account for his head
troubling him sometimes. If such is the case a
simplegiperation would soon make him all right
again.

“Oh, yes, no doubt about that; I have often
heard of such cases; they are not rare,” the ad-
venturer remarked.

“ .ight you are! the books are full of them i"
the doctor declared. “There are plenty of in—

stances on record, too, where a' patient sufferin .

in this way has been cured hyan accidental fal ,
the shock of which restored the bone to its nor-
mal condition."

“That is true: I have heard of that, too.”

“Now if Dickey would only let me make an
examination—” the doctor said, in a coaxing
way.

“No, no, I know there ain't anything the
matter With mel"exclaimed the old man, start-
ing up as though he feared the doctor would
use force to accomplish his object. “ I will see
you again, colonel, after you have whipped this
Black Snake gang!"

And then the old fellow hurried away.

“ He’s as mad as mad can be, on some points,
yet-sane enough on others.”Johnst0n remarked,
as he rose to depart. "‘ I would be willing to
put up a good stake that it comes from some
injury to his head, and that I could cure him
if he would let me try; so long," and away
went the doctor.

Teton Tom immediately sent for the two wit-
nesses to the will, and when they came, both
remembered the particulars in regard to the
document when the circumstance was recalled
to their memory, but thev were extremely puz-
zled to understand how Dumb Dickey came to
be in possession of the will, or how he knew
anything about the affair. According to the
best of their recollections, lie was not in the
camp at the time—in fact, both men were posi—
tive that it was fully three or four years after
the colonel’s death that the harmless old mad-
man made his appearance in Bearfoot Bar.

“It is odd,” Teton Tom commented. “And
owing to his peculiarities it is not possible to
get an explanation out of him. Just oblige
me, gentlemen, by keeping quiet in regard to
his share in the transaction, will you i”

The pair said they would, and then departed,
much amazed at the strange circumstance.

“ It is an omen of success for usl" Teton Tom
declared.

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
BLACK BILL SPEAKS. ‘

ARCHIBALD CRAWFORD sat by the bedside of
the wounded ruliian. Black Bill. '

The lapse of time had brought no ease to the
suffering man, and the manner in which he
grumbled and swore was something fearful.

“ What is the use of kicking up such a row?”
Crawford exclaimeddmpatiently. "It will not
make the pain of your wound any less.”

The s aker had just entered and had been
saluted y a torrent of curses. ‘

“ Oh, yes, it is all very well for you to talk 1”

 

Black Bill growled. " You are not compelled
to lie upon your back, suffering tortures that
would be apt to make a saint swear." ‘

“ Well, you are no saint; that is one thing
that is certain,” the other observed.

“Neither are you, if it comes to that!"
Black Bill retorted. “ I don‘t pretend to be
any better than I ought to be, but I reckon
when the devil gets us both, that he will not
makeY it any hotter for me than he does for

on.

Crawford laughed contemptuously.

“Ohol you have come to that point, have
you? beginning to speculate in regard to what
is going to become of you alter you have cashed
in your checks“ and gone to another world.
Why, Bill, I didn’t think you were that chicken-
hearted l”

“That’sa liel” cried the wounded ruflian,
fiercely. “I have got as much sand as you, or
any man you can scare up in a hundred square
miles] ho was it that went in to clean out
this sport when it became certain that he was
going; to be dangerous? Was it a man about
your size? Oh, no, I reckon not!” And Black

ill‘s voice had an extremely sarcastic tone.

“Oh,there is no disputing that you volun-
teered to do the job,” Crawford admitted.
“You have always been noted for being able
to hold your end up with anybody, but from
what you said I rather reckoned that you were
weakening alittle.

“ Not by a domed sight!" Black Bill exclaim-
ed, decidedly. “ I am jest as good a man as I
ever was—hare got jest as much sand, and I
ain’t afeard to pass in my checks, if that is the
lay-out that is before me. ’

“ Well, I reckon that there isn‘t any danger
of it. Finnegan says that you Will pull through
all ri ht, an he ought to know.” ‘

“ es, he ought to,” Black Bill admitted, but
in a tone that expressed doubt.

“Finnegan is agood doctor; there is no dis-
count on that!" Crawford asserted.

“ Yes,when he knows what he isabout—when
he lets liquor alone, but it seems to me that I
haven’t seen him really sober at any time for
the last three months—" .

“ Oh, it is not so bad as that, although I think
mys If that he has been drinking more than
usual lately."'

“ Where is he now i”

“ Asleep; he said he wasn’t in a good condition
to attend to your case and would lay down and
slee the effects of the liquor off, then, when he
awo ’9, he would attend to extracting the
ball.’

“ Do you think it is safe to let him do it?”
Black Bill asked evidently dubious.

“ Why, yes, of course!” Crawford replied, im-
mediately. “If I were in your place I would
not hesitate for a moment.”

“ But Dick Johnston said that he did not dare
to attempt to git it out?" Black Bill urged.
“And Johnston, you know, is a pretty good
doctor.”

“Yes, but he is a much younger man than
Finnegan; he hasn’t had the experience of our
pard ; and then,too, Irecxon that Johnston ain’t
much on the nerve, anyway.” ‘

“I don’t know how that is; I don’t know
much about the man, ’cept that I have heered
some of the boys allow that he was a ripping
good doctor.”

“He ain’t anxious to rip you though,"and
Crawford laughed heartin at is jest.

“I reckon that if you was a-laying hyer on

er back like] am, you’wouldn’t see much to
Iaugh at !" Black Bill declared in a. sulky waly.

“ Oh, that is all right, old man, you wi be
all over this in a few days!" Crawford ex-
claimed, reassuringly. “ Just as soon as Finne-
gen” gets the lead out, you will begin to pick
up. '

“But Johnston said the operation was too
risk just now; he wouldn’t do it, you know."

“ e hasn‘t got the nerve: it is jest a I told
you. You can depend upon Finnegan ; he knows
what he is about, and if the thing is risky he
will not try it."

Here the conversation was interrupted by the
appearance of the Irishman. ‘

“I’m to the fore ag‘in,boysl" he declared.
“I am all right now, and I Will be afther hav-
ing that uncomfortable bit of lead out in a
" ’1

“ Bill is feeling a little nervous over the mat-
ter on account of what Dick Johnston said,”
Crawford remarked. “Johnston, you know,
wouldn’t take the ball out—said he wouldn’t
risk it.”

“ Small blame to himl” Finnegan exclaimed.
“ He is not the man to meddle wid any such a!-
fair as this; it is not in him, and he is wise

enough to know t.” ~

“ You think will pull through all right
then i” Black Bill asked. ‘

“Oh, yes. not a doubt of it! It is not a bad
wound at all, at all i” -

“ Wal, I hope I will never have a worse one,"
Black Bill replied. with a roan.

“ By the w ay, Crawfor . who do you s’pose I
saw skulking about outside of the works. wid
his two eyes peeping at. everything!” the Irish-
man asked. abruptly.

“ Haven’t an idea i”

26'

“That murthering th’afe of an idiot, Dumb
Dicke l” '

“Ahal the fellow was spying around in the
interest of this Teton Tom, of course!" Crawv
ford exclaimed.

“ It is likely. Shure, I think we made a big
mistake that we didn’t run the sent out of the
town a long time ago. It is m
was the one that posted Teton
Randal Crawford.”

“Yes, that is my idea, and I a
make it my business to walk up to t 5 Dumb
Dickey’s cave some time, and take advantage of
a favorable opportunity, when they isn’t any-

om in regard to

body’round, to blow the top of his crazy head ‘,

01!! Crawford declared, with an angry scowl.

“ Be the powers 1 it ought to have been done a i

Ion while ago 1“ Finnegan asserted.

T en the Irishman began to examine the
wound, a roceeding which caused Black Bill to
groan an swear in a fearful manner.

Finnegan went on, though, regardless of the
pain he was causing the wounded man, and soon
succeeded in extracting the ball.

Black Bill fainted at the end of the operation,
a Circumstance which did not disturb the Irish—

man in the least, although it alarmed Craw- ‘

ford.
“ By Jovel I am afraid he is done for, Finne-
gan l” he exclaimed.

“Oh, no, he is all right. It isalittle shock,
that is all," the Irishman replied, proceeding to
bandage the wound. “ He’ll come to his sinses
in a few moments, and thin he will improve
rapidly.”

At this point the daughter of the wounded
man, Cherry,made her appearance, and the pair
gladly relinquished the wounded man to her
care, departing from the house.

It was fully ten minutes before Black Bill re~
covered his senses.

The shock had been a severe one, and the man
was extremely weak ; he recognized the girl with
a nod and then looked for the men.

“ Where are they i” he asked.

“They said there was business to which they
must attend," Cherry replied.

“ The Icoundrels I” muttered Black Bill, “ they
have left me here to die!”

“ Oh, no, father, they said ycu were in no
dan er.”

“ hey liedl that infernal Irishman has killed
me,and I believe Crawford set him on to do it,"
the wounded man declared. “ I can feel that I
am growing weaker and weaker. These scoun-
drels want me out of the way so that they can
git my share of the mine, but I’ll strike ’em a

low, even though I am sinking into‘the grave.

“I hain’t been a very good father to you, my
girl, but ’twasn't my fault; I wasn‘t built that
way. Your mother was a Crow Squaw, but she
left me because I ilLtreated her and Went back
to her tribe, taking you with her. I wanted
revenge, and when you were a little kid I stole
you from the Indian village, not that I cared
for you, but I wanted to get squar’ with your
mother.

“I reckon I’m itting paid for that, and all
my other acts of eviltry now,” and the sufferer
heaved a deep sigh.

The girl hastened to bring him a drink of wa-
ter, but he refused it.

‘ I can’t swallow anything; I’m a gone coon,
and hnin’t got many minutes left. I reckon
these scoundrels want me out of the way. When
I’m dead you go to Teton Tom: tell him that it
was Arcl'iy Crawford. Major Cadwalader and
Black Bi who got Randal Crawford‘s mine
away from him. Red Archy and I jumped the
claim and Cadwalader fixed the army business
so that charges were made at Washington that
the colonel had robbed the Government; Cad-
walader was his quartermaster—he warn’t no
major then; Crawford believed he was his
friend and trusted him, but the major drank
and gambled-was ’way behind in his accounts,

but continued to fix it so that it looked as if the '

colonel was to blame.

“ Oh, we worked the game to the queen’s
taste! If we had only killed the heir in the East
at thetime Crawford and I went for him—but—
Well, I’ll put forty dollars on the queen—1’ a
good man; no better in Montana— ‘ .

v His mind wandered; a few more incoherent
words, and then death claimed his victim.

Black Bill was at rest at last.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
'rnn HOSTILE MEETING. 4

Tm: pards were up early on the following
morning; just as the first gray streaks of light
began to appear in the eastern skies they sat
down to their breakfast, and did full justice to
the meal.

“ You don‘t eat like a man with anything on
his mind,” Crawford obServed.

“ Oh, I am too old a soldier to be troubled by
alittle aflair of this ln'nd,” the other replied.
“ If I was certain that I was going forth to
meet my death. I think I would enjoy my
breakfast all the same, on the principle, you
know. of making the best of the good things of
thislifo while they can be enjoyed.”

“ I suppose that is the true way to look at the
matter, but it is not every man who can do so,”
Crawford remarked.

 

bel'afe that he .

going to ,

I

“ Oh, I reckon it needs a special training, and

that I have had.”
i “ I don’t know much about this Major Cad-
‘ walader,” Crawford observed, thou htfully.
l “ But from what I have seen of him should
i imagine that he would bea rather tough cus-
‘ tomer in a duel of this kind.”
“ I have not the least doubt of it, and that is
‘ the reason why he has stepped forward to
champion the cause of the Black Snake men. ‘I
have an idea that he is a silent partner in the
mine-in all probability is heavily interested,
or else he would not take so much trouble about
the matter.” Teton Tom remarked. “ He was
the man that hatched the deserter charge, and
that was arranged for the express purpose of
giving the outlaw gang a chance to capture me
i ——as they did—~when l was sent to Fort Logan in
charge of the troopers. It was the major who
got the soldiers to swear I was the deserter;
then, when I was in the guard-house in the fort,
the putting of the drunken fellow in with me,
; and allowing him to arrange a. plan of escape,
i was another trap. It cost the unfortunate
i wretch his life, but he was shot by mistake for
me. ’

I “Yes, no doubt about it.”

i “ I regard the major as an unprinci led
i scoundrel, and in this coming fight I she not
i hesitate to kill him if I can,” the adventurer re-
? marked, with firm determination. “ And yet
I am anything but a seeker after blood, and
ham to take life even in the red heat of battle,”

“ But in this case it seems to me that you are
fully justified,” Crawford observed, after think-
ing over the matter for a moment. “The man
has attempted to murder you in the most
treacherous and cowardly manner. It is he
that really dared you to the field in this contest,
after taking care to arrange the matter so that
he could secure, what he sopposed to be, an ad—
vantaee. The man deserves to die if ever a
; mortai did, and if he falls by your bullet, his
‘ death will be as the death of the criminal who
i perishes by the hand of the executioner.”

“ Yes, I suppose I ought to look at the matter
3 in that light. I am in for it, and have got to go
ahead, anyway, and as it is a moral certainty
that the major will kill me if he can, I would
he the biggest kind of an idiot to spare him.”

“Most decidedly.”

“ Yet, when I think of his daughter, I feel
rather queer about the matter,” Teton Tom ob-
, served, slowly. “ I know the father is a bad

egg, but I have an extremely favorable opinion
of the girl.”

“ Yes, she impressed me favorably.”

“ Well, it cannot be helped; as a man makes
his bed so must he lie; Major Cadwalader has
chesen to be a scoundrel and must take the con-
se uences.”

y this time the meal was ended and the
pards began to prepare to depart, and so little
did the adventurer trust to the honor of the
soldier, that he took the greater part of his
army to the field with him, only leaving a
couple of men behind to look after the head-
quarters.

And, early as was the hour, a great many of
the miners were astir, and when they beheld the
pards march of)? with their force they came to
the conclusion that Teton Tom was going to
attack the Black Snake Mine, and they followed
after. eager to see the “ fun,” so by the time
that the pards get well out of the town there
were twenty-five or thirty men bringing up the
rear.

When the part arrived upon the ground,
which had been se acted for the fight, they found
the soldiers waiting for them.

Major Cadwalader was accompanied by Cap-
tain Morgan and another officer, who was intro-
duced as the surgeon of the post. .

The military men looked with astonishment
at the crowd, and Captain Morgan took occasion
l to remark that he hoped the major was not ex-
pected to fight the whole town. .

“ No. sir, only one man, and that is myself,”
Teton Tom replied with courtly politeness.

“ If I remember rightly there wasn’t anything
said in the agreement in regard to restrictin
the number of witnesses who should be presen
at the fight, and so I took the liberty of bringing
a few friends; it was a matter of precaution
too. I am engaged in a struggle with desperate
men, who will not hesitate to use any and all
means to compass my death, and I am too old
a bird to be lured into a trap where I could be
assaulted by superior numbers and slaughtered.
My army is at my back, and, if I am attacked,
I can give blow for blow l"

“ 1 can assure you that I would not lend my—
self to any such proceeding,” the captain assert
ed in an indignant and lofty tone. “No, sir, I
give you my word that if any attack was made
upon you I would risk mylife to defend you!”

“ Captain Morgan, I make no charge against
you,” Teton Tom asserted. “And I am quite
willing to believe that you would not descend to
i any treachery, even though it might aid your
, principal. And in regard to the greater part of
I these gentlemen, I beg to assure you that they
| are not partisans of mine, but honest citizens of
I the camp who, in some way. learned that a duel
was on foot and came to witness the proceed-
ings, and from what I know of the men of Bear-

 

I
4 ‘:

 

Teton Tom, the Half-Blood.

foot Bar I feel sure that all they desire is a fair
fight, and they will not favor either the major
or myself.”

This was the cue for one of the miners to.
speak—a grizzled veteran—a man of weight and
standing in the town, and be repeated Teton
Tom’s assurance.

“A fair field, and may the best man win!—
that is our platform !” he said, in conclusion.

This matter decided, the seconds proceeded to
arrange for the contest.

The distance was measured off and it was set-
tled that after the men were in position words.
of caution were to be given. and then, at the
discharge of a pistol by the old miner, who had
been selected for this task, the opponents were
at liberty to fire.

” Take yer places, gents !” exclaimed the vet-
eran.

The seconds escorted their principals to their
positions.

Teton Tom swung along with his light, nerv—
ous tread, wearing as careless an air as a man
entering a ball-room, but Captain Morgan no—
ticed that Major Cad walader seemed a trifle
nervous and out of sorts,and this made the cap-
tain uneasy, for his commanding officer was.
usually a man of iron.

“ What is the matter, major?“ he asked. “It
seems to me that you seem a trifle rocky this,
morning.”

“ Had a deuced bad night,” the major an»
swered. “ I don’t believe slept two hours. and
yet I went to bed early, too, on (purpose to have»
a good night's rest; but I tesse and tumbled,
and the infernal sleepwouldn’t comeuntil I was.
all tired out. and then, when I finally succeeded
in closing my eyes in slumber, I was troubled
by the most outrageous dreams that ever tell to
the lot of a mortal. Why, captain, when I
awoke this morning I was bathed in a cold'.
Sweat l”

The captain looked serious.

“ Well, 1 hope, major, that this bad night
will not interfere with your aim, for I have an!
idea that this fellow is no slouch, as these min-
ers say.”

“ Oh, no, don’t worry about that,” the major
replied, with a nervous laugh, which had little
merriment in it. “ The moment I get in)
position and bring my rifle up to my shoulder I
will be all right—my nerves will be as firm as a.
rook. Look ye, ca tain, I have made up my
mind to kill this to low. I am going to put a.
ball straight through his heart. The Black Snake
people are friends of mine, and I will fix this

desperado so that he will not trouble them any

more.”

By this time the pair had reached the spot
where the major was to stand, and the captain
took leave of him.

Morgan’s mind was full of sad forebodings as
he retraced his steps.

“ The major is not himself/at all,” he mut—
tered. “ He is as nervous as awoman; he knows
he is not up to the mark, too, and is only boast-
ing to try to keep his 3 irits up. I wouldn’t be
in his place, and in sue a condition, for a gold-
mine! ’

“ Now then, gents, are you ready i" the old.
miner asked.

" Readyl" I‘eton Tom responded.

“ Ready i” said the major.

Both had their rifles at their shoulders and
their keen eyes were gleaming along the polish-
ed barrels.

The miner waited for a moment, then 11 into
the air went the hand that held the piste , and
the shat report of the weapon rung out clear
and shri 1.

Two similar sounds immediately followed,
one a little behind the other.

Teton Tom had discharged his rifle promptly
the moment the crack of the revolver reached
his ears, but the major, owing to his nervous-
ness, had hesitated fora moment.

That moment’s delay cost the soldier dearly,
for the adventurer, thinkin him to be 9. dan-
gerous opponent, had fired With a deadly aim.

The major too had tried to draw a “ head” on
the heart of Teton Tom, but if his aim had been
true, the moment’s hesitation would have been
fatal to his purpose, for the bullet of his opgo—
nent struck him just as he discharged is
weapon causing his arm to swerve, so that his
bullet did not come within a yard, of the man at
whom it was aimed.

Teton Tom’s missile though went directly to
its mark.

The major, shot throu h the lungs, dropped
his rifle, threw up‘his ban s, staggered forward,
then stumbled and fell upon his face.

The due] was ended. .

Captain Morgan and the surgeon immediately
hurried to the assistanco of the fallen man,
while Teton Tom dropped the butt of his rifle
to the round and waited for their report.

The ace of the surgeon was grave after he
examined thewound.

“ I am afraid the major 13 mortally hurt,” he
said, to Captain Morgan.

The fallen man, whom the pair supposed: o
be in a swoon, opened his eyes at this.

“How long have I to live, doctor?” he asked.

“Oh. I don’t know; it is not possible for me
to say,” the surgeon replied, evasively. “You

 

 

 

 

+31“- . .

 

*.

 

 

 

 

I.

‘ there is in the saying.

I
knelt
, eyeoof

Teton "Tom. the Harman; Vi

2’7”

 

 

may be able to pull through all right with care—
ful nursing. "

“ Oh, no; I know better than that: you must
not attempt to deceive me. Have 1 twenty or
thirt minutes of life left?”

“ es, yes; you are hard hit, but, unless I am
greatly mistaken, your life will be meeaured
by hours, days, perhaps, instead of minutes.”

“ But there is not much hope of my pulling
through?” the major demanded.

“ Oh, yes. you may; it is impossible for me to
say under the circumstances."

“ I have time enough to make some little
atonement,” the major murmured, half to him-
self and halfvaloud. “ W hyshould I keep silent?
The fight is ended as far as I am concerned,
and l have a. presentimcnt that this man is
destined to win in the strug lo. Wh ,then,
should I contend longer when ate itself as on-
tered the lists against me?”

During this speech the surgeon had been busi-
ly engaged in bandagin g the wound.

“ There now you are all right,” the doctor
said. “ We will fix up a litter and have you
carried to the post.” ‘

“ Ask Teton Tom to come here; I want to
speak to him," the major said, abruptly.

“Be careful not to give way to any excite-
ment," the surgeon continued.

“ Oh, that is all right; I am perfectly cool and
collected."

Teton Tom was summoned; he approached,
and citizens gathered near, curious to witness
the strange scene.

“ Well, sir, you have done for me I reckon,”
the major remarked; he was in a half-reclining
position, with his head resting on Captain Mor-
gan’s arm, who, kneeling, supported him.

“ It is the fortune of war; the men who take
the Sword must perish by the sword.”

“ Oh, curse your Scripture l" exclaimed the
soldier, testily. ‘ ‘ Don‘t add insult to in ‘ury by
tellin me that I deserve to be killed! know
that do, but I don’t relish being reminded of

It, all the same! Of course; it isjustice but‘no
rogue e’erJelt the halterdraw with good opinion
of the law,‘ and. I have been big enough rascal
in my time to understand how much truth

' But now I want to
make a bargain with you. I have a daughter—
if II die she will be left almost helpless, forI
have been a reckless, improvident man, and
have squandered my money as fast as I got it,
thinking I would alway s bavo the Black Snake
Mine to fallback on, but I begin to think now
that you will win the fight fer the mine, and so
that is gone; if I aid you, will you do something
for rsnly girl after I am gone?"

“ es, whether I win the fight or not—whe-
ther you aid me or not, you can depend upon
in seeing that she does not want for anything
w ile I live!” Teton Tom exclaimed, impulsive-

ly.

“ I will take your word as I would take the
oath of any other man.” the soldier declared.

“You will win this fight, for you have justice
on your side. Twenty yearsago I was apoor
man, heavily in debt, and threatened with the
loss of my commission if my errors were dis-
covered. To me came one Red Archy. a
gambling de redo, who knew how I was
situated,and e proposed a plot to steal the
Black Snake Mine from Crawford, its owner.
I joined hands with him and his gang, and we
succeeded. _ I betra ed Crawford, who was my
intimate friend, bu _ managed my treachery so
well that my share in the transaction was not
suspected by any one. Red Archy is now
known as Archibald Crawford. Mayor of Bear-
foot Bar and preSIdent of the Black Snake Min-
ing Company, and he has no more right to the
property than I have to Fort Fremont. He isa
woundrel of the dee est d e, and he made a
scoundrel out of me. o is t e devil that tern t-

edme intocrime. But I have anticipated t is

explosion for years—in fact. we three men‘who ’

were instrumental in stealing the mine and
killing Randal Crawford, Red Archy, :Black
Bill icolls, and myself, have always been
afraid that some day the son of Colonel Craw-
ford would call us to an account.”

At this point the stren th of the me or began
to fail and the surgeon hoisted that e should
not attain It to speak longer. ~
A rude itter was constructed and upon it the
wounded man was conveyed to the fort. Teton
Tom and the rest .rcturnedto the town. but
hardly had the two perds reached‘their head-
quarters when they werestartled by a messenger
who brought the news that there had been a
fight between Archibald Crawford and the
poor fool. Dumb Dickey; Crawford was dead,
and Dumb Dickey dying.. I

The struggle had taken placeat the cave-home
of the old man. - _

‘ Teton Tom, youn Crawford and Doc Dick
Johnston,accompan ed by a crowd of miners
at once hurried to the spot. .

Dumb Dickey had been shot in ,the head, and
thcwonnd seemed to havetransforined him into
aflend, for, seizin a huge stone, he had killed
Iii-assailant at a ngle b ow. '

r The old man was .ing fast to the land .of
hadows, but as the octor and the two pards
byhhis side the light of reason Was in the
edying man. ‘ ‘ '

l
I

 

The doctor examined the wound and made a
discovery which he at once announced to the
rest.

It was as he had thought: from an injury to
his head Dumb Dickey ’s insanity had come.
and the bullet of the assassin, although it had
sapped the life of the attacked man, had re-
stored his reason.

“ I am glad you have come," the suflerersaid
faintly. ‘ I wanted to see fyou both before I
died. At last I am mysel again- the cloud
which so long obscured my brain as assed
away. George, I am your father—I am ndal
Crawford.”

This astounded the hearers.

“And you, who are you?” he continued, to
Teton Tom. “Your face is not strange to me,
for when I look into it the face of my youth
comes back again.”

“ 1 am your eldest son——the child of the Crow
girl whom you wedded. by the banks of the Te-
ton River in the long ago!"

“ Thank God! I see you both once a sin!"
the old man murmured, pressing their ands
warmly.

They were his last words—his last moment on
an 3th, for, with a long—drawn sigh, his spirit

e .

The mystery which had so puzzled young
Crawford was now explained. Teton Tom was
his half-brother: fate had brought the two to-
gether and aflorded the elder an opportunity to
serve the younger.

It was fated to be a day of surprises, for on
returning to the camp Cherry Labarge was en-
countered. She had 'ust come from the death-
bed of Black Bill,an( she made the pai'ds ac-
quainted with the facts that the wounded ruman
had disclosed to her. '

“I had a suspicion that I would find the man
I sought in Bearfoot Bar, after I discovered
why he was in the East, dabbling in the assas-
sin 3 trade, ” Teton Tom remarked.

Then he inquired whatthegirl intended to do,
and Cherry replied she intended to, keep cn in
the cigar business. Black Bill had left every-
thing to her, so she was in a measure independ-
en . . ,

A few more words. and our tale is told.

After the death of Archibald Crawford ‘and
Black Bill/Ricolls, and the confession of Major
Cadwalader, no one was bold enough to attempt
to dispute George Crawford’s claim to the Black
Snake property. so he took possession of the
mine, and one of his first acts, after he got the
property, was to deed a. clear one-half of it to
Teton Tom, although the adventurer protested
that he did‘ not want it.

major Cadwaladei' did not die of his wound,
but it made an old man of him, and he soon re—
tired on half-pay, and both he and his daughter
disappeared from Montana, and it is tobe hoped
that the old soldier repented of the deeds done
in his hot youth. '

And now we lay the pen aside, yet at some
future time we hope to again use it in describ-
ing some new adventures that fell to the lot of
the white Crow chief, the Half-Blood, Teton
Tom.

' THE END.

 

The Cresce—fi 6in Sport; ,

GARE GANDERFOOI’S MISSISSIPPI
MAN-HUNT. ‘

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. '.

 

Introducing a mighty strange detective from the V

Hoosier State. who, by a great river tragedy of a
teamer’s blow-up, strikes a wholly new trail.
Drifting in the flood on a trunk. he finds-—

The Young Sport and His Fate!

7a lovely girl, a p'anter's daughter,-on a mud
island: and thereby hangs a momentous train of
gems.

Gaming and Plantation Lite!
Treachery, Jealousy and Hate!
;'l‘he Young Sport’s Betrayal!
-—all are followed by a rapid series of escapes.

banishments and persecutions which lead all con-
cerned into New Orleans, where there ensues some

Mos! Wonderful Detective Work

by the Hoosiers and the CresentCity Sport. A man-
hunt, a woman-hunt, a net-work ofvillainy, a series
of strangest adventures. then the unmasking of the
conspirators and a revelation of their heartless
scheme, make the narrative one of big portent

- and surprising surprises.

,fl‘he powerful story of it all willbe voted one of; the
best library ISS“€S\ f the year. ‘ _

 

 

 

JUST PUBLISHED.

Dime Dialiiues No. 41.

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TOO MANY SMIrirs. by S. Jvnnic Smith.
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Tim THIRTEEN ORIGINAL Sums. by Professor J. W.
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ONE or ran DAuoanms. mm. by C. D. Morris.
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1 American Speaker. I 14 India-cuss Speaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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l ""‘\,

 

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMErLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.

 

. BY OLL (30011128.

Kit. Bandy. Detw- 'v:; or, Silvul’ Stur, the i’oy Knight.

kit, Bandy In an; or. The Young Muatangui.

Kit Bandy'~ Catt-II; m'. 'i‘hr, iim- ilcrclllvfi.

. Bandy‘u Bight, Bower; or. linllV 'nln.tim lluy Giant
Bnndy'n bin oop; or, Littlo liurLakln, tilc (inninur.
Bnuily‘u Hill-k hit-heme; or. Hhi Twill linttler.

. BIIIIdy‘I Deliverance; or, linnller liau.

. Ilandy‘a Part]; or, Unuullrsn linu. tlw qulmlct‘.
Ilnndy Itattlod: nr, Tiu- luinuuiinui.
Hunqu In Red Ruin; ur, 'I h1- Young “ irlwlnll.
_It Lianin BI]; Buntk-z or,Snddlc it ll): Sn .
304 I.“ nunnv. lh'lguqlo; or. Ilun, nu- Mollulnin Guide.

153 Jack Drew. line Noun-nix. or, Euuiu liit illl‘ lim' human.
[’42 .lavk DI-I-w'a Drop: or, Lliill- ilurrll'nm'. th» ioy Captain.
(:02 duel. Drer III Deadwood; or, l'rmpt-ct l’elv.

27 Keen Knii't- on (inurd- hr Ailivllnu Ahr the 80 Guide.
31 Keen-Knife. le I'riuve oi'ihu'l‘inmul. ’ y

5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandariug Jew.
18 The l h N '.
41 Latino Ill , I. Young Mustang”.

55 The Border King; nr,'l‘he Sm-retl‘oa.
i 31 ll -lnwnru Dick, the You'll: Runner Spy.

74 wkve '0 Harry llu- Young Tlnpper Ranger.
88 Rollo, the Du Ilanxcr; or. 'l‘hclluirm.
.7134 NIII'C Shot Hot I, th. itoy liiiiunmn.

{I48 Soar-Fare haul. thesiir-nt lluntnr
17$ Did Solitary, the llcrmii Trapper.
818 Tiger Tom, the '12-an Tum-r.

2934 llnnhin Dirk; or. 'l'rupprr Tonl’n ('aatle.

228 Little \ 'Ildilro, the Young i'rulrie Nunmd.
'28” The I’arnon Dc tortivo; or, 'l he Little Ranger.

248 The Dir-gained Guido: or, \‘i ihl Raven, the Rang".
260 Dare-Devil "an, the Ynlilii: l‘ruirie Rang-r.
2T2 Minkuhln Mike ' hurp..h.-.ol«r.

390 Lit.th Foxfire, the [ivy Sm; or, Old (‘uluh Arhuckl‘.

800 The, h‘ky lit-"Ion; or, Ruluholi, {he ituugel'.
884 “l hlprklng .100, the “av Rum-hum,

409 llerunlun: or, Dirk, thi- Boy Rnllgvr.

417 \Vobi’ooi. Moi-o, tlw Trump Drtuvtive.

457 \Vlnzt-dfoot Fred: or. Uld l’olar Saul.
«Mill 'l‘amnrao 'I'om. thu ilig Trappur Boy.
, *1! Stonewall Bah, the, lioy ’l‘rnmn.

.i2 Blundcrinz Bonil. the Hermit lloy Trapper.
052 Don Barr, thu i‘luiun Frw-Inums.

670 Norway Nola, thv Big Boy Mouutninuer.
g7“ Illfhlnnd Harry. the Wizard Riilenmu.

23 P .cr Jack, the Duiectlvc Sport.

  

 

 
 

   

 

 

 

BY T. b. IIABBAUGII.

‘ o’ the Night; or, 'i‘ho- lluy Spy oi ’16.
I Idden Lodge; or The Litth- Ilunter.
uhtlnanlu Natl Hr, 'l'nu Fur-tut (‘nptuinm
ndy .lnuk; ur, 'I‘ho Uuilum or the Oregon Trail.
Kit llnrei’oot, illu Wood-Hawk: «Kohl Powdur-im
4 \iiduight Jam-L: mi, The lloy Trnppm.
I ll (lid Fronty, Ihu Hulda; or, 'l'hu- White Queen.
1 ii Klon'n Charley the Whit illualnnger.
l 1) Judge Ly nah Jr.t nr. 'l‘ha Ill-v \'ii_ri‘luute.
1 It: Gold Trigger, tho 5 wt; or. Tho Girl Avenger.
um Tornado Tom; I‘Y' lujun Jacl. From Ilrd Core.
iii,“ Ned Temple, thz Border lloy; or,’l‘iu- .\|:.d llunter.
i 1‘»! .\ rknnnnw: hr. '1 h.‘ on». n oi hair’s Revullgu.
‘20? Navajo Nit-k. tin: Iiu\' Gold Hunter.
.‘Jli‘i Captain Bulloi : t r. Little Tilllklml'n Crusado.
2i” I’lavky l’hll; nr. Roan, no ital .iulehui.
2211 “III Bravo; or, The kimglla Hi this iim'klea.
. 55 (‘npialn Apoll , "he Kink-Pin ui' iiowiu.
'26? The lln Ullt‘lll Detective: Hr. Thu Kim: ni' Rond-ugeutl.
279 (lid \l'lI ~II; o The lilil'kuitin Desperado...
994 Dvnalulle Dn . W. The lluwie lilude of (lnrhetopa.
802 The Mountain Duel-live: or. The Trigger Bur Bully.
810 Did Eolipar, Trump Curd oi” Ar‘lln
'32“ The Ten I'ard-A: --r. The Terror , nine-Notice.
386 Bia- Bell-mu or, Tim Qlwvn oi Ihu Lu-uo.
345 I‘lflleun Mutt; or livid Tllunvlvrhnll'n Surrut.
’lifiii l‘uol ~IIuI and Pan "3 0“ 'i‘h 'i‘nrrihle Six.
‘lltm Velvet. Fool. the lmhan ll ilw.
«3H6 (lnoinln (lotion-Ii "r. iln- il muwer'a Girl Foe.
‘396 Rough Roll: nr.'l'ha lw‘in Cluuupiounol Blue Blazes.
Jill Tho h'llken Ilauot rrr,'i'llr Rona ni'llnur’I llnhin.
‘41” Felix Fox. “it! lihy Sili‘lli‘r: inr.'i‘hr. Guld Gangui'Nv-w York.
425 Texan ’l'r'nnn. illw n'nrmrr Rntilvr '
436 Phil ii‘la-n. lhe Nh-w 'I'ork Fox. unTln- Riystl-ryoi'iloom ii.
445 The, (‘lly VIInInIrI-I: hr, Red Rom“. l’luw'll.
‘46I "no Azalnni Fifty: or. 'i he hurt him: of Kwno Bar.
i470 The lloy Shadow: or, l-‘ulix l-ox's llllnl.
>477 Tho i‘ZXI'oI-ior Nporlvz or. Th:- \Va..|uugtun Spout-r.
491i fllnqio chhi. tlw Ono-Filmi spurt.
'602 Branded III-n. lilr Nichi Fern-t.
.512 loIlIu-r Dink. thy Wont-Spy l‘ivtuulive.
long-r Diek'a Bell Dmle 0r. ’l‘hl- Gotham Gold Gang.
Fox and Fall-on. iiu- ium~rrvsiuul.,w,.
lodzrr Illl-k. Ihu iIm-k Frrrvt.
‘ ' Illuk'n Double; or. The Rlvnl Boy Detectives.
zer llivk'n III-IpI-rnto (‘a—o.
“1.x . Dink. lhr Buy Viiiorq. or, 'l'lm Gang ni Three.
673 l‘ t- Two Shutdown; or, limlm-r Diuk't Slop Gnmo.
.532 Dodger DII-k‘n Drop; or. The Mun from Jenwy.
Anh- Lon, the Stru-l-t-Slnut-r Dn-tul'livv.
.9“) old flklnuer. 'lll‘ linhi Shark; or, Tony Sharp On Guard.
.82“ ’ ‘hI- (‘hnlnplou I’ari‘la; Hr. ’l‘hu Luciier oi‘Silver liar.
6117 Dick Donn. the Duck linv inductive.
'45 Kit. the Pan-men! flhnrp.
'35“ Billy 'Ihntnm, tln- llnv Bugle.
171 JI-ruI-y Jud, tin- ilm' l‘luIilur: ur, Shadowing the Shadovar.
1835 Happy IIII€rih the Buy Mumrinn i’lrh-ctive.
'70! l’lloiogrnp I Frod. the Cnmera Sharp.
' “Widt- Awake Len. the Qllilki'r City Fumt.
42

   

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Dniny Doll. the Puwmunt Dutcctlve: or, Trapping 3130..
Billy WInkI, the Brll ilny Duipi-tlva.

54 Bliiv \Vlnku, lire lion nor Shallow.

gun Eagle Nod. ch. Boy on Guard: 0., The Camp spiders.

.780 Tonknway Tom. the Rind Wizard.

7 Th- Bnninm fiport.

84% Clip, the Battery Ferret: or, Jack Jeifern’ Foul PlIy.

O
.9

BY BUOKRKIN SAM (MIIor Sam. 8. Hall.)

2284 Did Rocky'- “ Boyce" or, Bonito. the Horu-BraIkIr.
“B46 Giant George; or, The Ang’i of the Range.
'l‘i‘i Arizona Jack 1 or. Giant Gaorge'u Ford.

‘29? The Tarantula of Tool: or, GlantGaorn'u Raven...
.301 Tim litrluze Paul I or, Little Ben’- Dnth Hunt.

818 Ker-whoop. Ker-n'hooI or, The Tarantula of TaoI.
82? Greening Oata the Collan or. The Red and White PIrdl.
i582 F‘rlo Fred I nrr, Thr Tonkawny’a Truat.

ii i4 The Flzhtlu: Trio: or. Raitimnnke, tho Tnnkawny.
i349 Vl'lld Wolf; or, mgr... “an... to m. From.

dirt? The Bum-h Raider-I: or. Thu Siege of Fort Pargatory.
86 i Khan-Eliot, the Boy Banker.

875 Chlotn. the (Week: or, The Thrn,» Thunderbolta.

881 itandorn "III: or Frio Frank to the Front.

3!“: Romeo and the Rodin or, The Beiaazuend RIncli.
‘04 Little Lariat: or. Prcan Pate'l Big RampIgo.

414 The Daily from Denver.

42'? The Three 'l‘rallernu or, Old Rocky on tha imam
'4” Bluff “III; or, The Lynx nitho honI.

455 Litin Lom- litan or. The Bella 0! tin Cibolu.

1334 Gael” Dar]. the Chich Giant.

 

BY ALBERT 11'. AlKEh.

11 The Two Detective»: or, This Fortunes oi I Bowery Girl.
76 Abe Colt. llle Crow—Killer.
79 So] “Inger, thu iiinni. 'i rapper.
283 Joe lint-I. oi'Angt-In and III: Boy l’ord.
45? New 1 ork )al. A Title u'l‘rlcks uud Traps in Goth-m.
4.:8 New England N k-II; or, 'i h.- Furtuuen oi'I Fondling.
464 hilnble Nit-k, the Circus Prince.
4&8 Tao-A Ted, tun Arizona Sport.
5 I

Cool Colorado, the Hull-Brued Detettlve.
518

Cool Colorado III New York: m, The Cawboy’s Fight.
B1 GEDIH-‘uli l. JENKB.
485 Git Thar Own ' the Unknown.
Git ’l'hur lln'l -y’u I’ll-dire.
The Demon Dot-tor; or, ilemlholui, the Kid Detective.
Do lilo-Curve D Iilv- I’itvln-r llt‘lt‘t‘llvr'.
Fl , the Sing- ti w, or, liu‘nry ill it New Role.
608 ’I ht- I'itchcr e’n Foil; or, line’s Douhlt: Play.
’I‘hctloon llctt- ti or Thu Cllllfll'iliilu- ltlack Bear.
'I‘ht- I'I or lleievilvt a To wheat Til-ode.
Larry tin- Thorolurhhro Britten on Every Sido.
Iron Iland, illv Cluuau-d thwnw
l'ncit- anII’n IM-iu-ilt'c III Chicago.
B" (JIIA B LICH MOBBIB.
\VIII Runner”, the no; “rtectlvn.
I'IIil I ly, 1h.- lilms liuy.
- I't-tt' Ir, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective.
vc Die ' Thu Hero in Rugs.
llandnonu- liar , tile lionthlai'k Detect.th
\i’ Ill Wildiir x e Thoroughbred.
Blank "can, Will Vl'lldilre’u kurur.
’f Mike Murry lh.- ilnrnor Polio-s Boy.
Will 11’ ildilre In the “'noda.
Billy Baggage, tllu itnilronii lto v.

 

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rII Ip Car-1H or, \\’l|l Wildfire Win: and Lola
Bob Book -tt ' ur, Mysteriew oi New York.
Ilob line I, tlu- llnnl; Runner.
The Hidden llnnd v or, Will “'lldilru’a Revenge.
lured “ulynrd, u... hi. it... in... u. Th. Smugglen.
Iloh Iluekett; or. Driven tn tlu- Wull.
shadowed: or. lloh km-Lutt‘n Fight for Lne.
Dark I'nul, thu Tiger King.
Dashing Dave. the Dundy lloiei‘tlvv.
' ' III Tanner ' or. 'l'hu lilnck Sher]- oi the Flock.
anI Charmin the Pruniqu Dark).
adou' h‘nIn, tlu- illrlsiwilurr llny.
he Two “ Blood.- "5 or, Simuundoah Bill and Rh Gang.
Dick Dnnhau-IIy : or, A lluhotn iluy in Chit-ago.
ill”! The Young Sharps: or. .Lollhming Mike’s Hot Trail.
27-! Jolly Jim. the ilelecilt‘l‘ awn-nil...
Jolly JIIII’I Job; or, 'l‘lu- Young Drier-live.
The “'ntcr-Iloundg or, Thu Young ‘l'horuugnhred.
' Danhnway. oi‘ Dakota: or. A \Tfi‘hlrrll Lad in Quaker City.
2 1 Ralph Ready. lllr Hotel lin_\' helm-live.
341 Tony ’I‘IIorne. thu Vnuuhond Dutm-twu.
The lieporler-Dctectlvm or, le Flyer-a Blizzard.
\t’ Ida-Awake Joe: 0'. A Buy m the 'i‘Iun-a.
lint-r. the L0\ cler: or. 'l‘hu iiluod. oi "it! Boulevard.

 

 

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403 l‘lrciL Jack, the Rivel'art lh-iurtiu.
423 The Loni. Finger; or. 'l'hr l-Znirnpped thier.
42 Fred I"I,\'er. tlu- Ropnrirr Detertive.
482 Invincible Lotran the Pinkerton Ferret.
466 Billy Brit-k. thv. ly t'uuanmul.
44m Wide-Awake .iI-I-rv, Ih-leutive; or Entnmhad Alive.
479 Detective Dodge: or. The iiiwum- of Frank Hearty.
43" “’Ild llivk Racial-t; or [low il.‘ Fought i‘or ilonor.
50] Boot . the Boy Firen I I nr. 'l'nu Sharp tor the Sharper.
mm Th - - 'rc-t Forviue Boy Dotcvilve.
Mill .II p the Kid or, A anh Among Wolvel.
62? ’I‘ tru I- oi rknnnan: "nTlII' Wollln the Fold.
6455 I iIu-ty I .Iul, the Boy H Ilator.
Iiii? Ilol) n d Earn, the Dniuy Dru-(twat.
70$ ‘IIe ' rhnlonc uteri. ' tor. Ilnrry Hnle’I Big But.
757 Ilvit-vtlvc Frank I! Fwo p-niah’cl.
869 .\cd Nor-nun. the GIIIniII Broker.
BY .10 PIERCE.
in"! Bob 0’ the, Bowery: or, The Prince of Mulberry Shoat.

415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Boh’n Boom.
452 "(Its nr Bob, the Strert-lluy Detective.
460 The mwyor’n filladou'i "1' him" 1-08“!-
472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horas-King.
494 Early film, the Young Fern-I un Deiai‘tlve.
504 Fire l’olntu l’hli, thn i’un-nnsnl i’nnce.
509 Jack Jllxflern. th Butcher Boy Detuctlve.
hill Tartar Tinu or. l“lv.- Points Phi“: Menagerie.
526 North River Nut. the Pit-r thefllivu.
I533 “’rcnillng Rex, the Pridrni'ihe Sixth Ward.
5“ .loif Fllvkor. thI- Stable Buy Detective.
5m Xiok Nottin, tllt- iioy Slunlnw; or, The Old Well Mystery.
559 IIarlI-nI JIu-lt'. illl' ()fllrl‘ Iloy nril‘f‘llVE.
5M) Brook yn Ben. tlw On-Hli-Own-Hook Demure.
57'? I’aven ‘nt Pete thuSenmt Sitter.
5%“ Jack -Lnnivrn, tlw lindrr—Svn Proapuctor.
«08 “’itlc-Awukc Bert. thu-Stn-ut-Stevror.
61-1 “'hiutllnz Jacob; tlw thvvtivr’n Aid.
“‘33 Buck Bulnhlohoo, the llfll’ll'II-I Huuimer.
6:39 SIInrl-o Soul, thv Exprl'Iu-Traln erI-et.
6 ill Gnnlln Bob. ilu- Bou'rry Ilmlger: or, Scoopmg I Slippary Set.
«FIN Shy-Rocket Rob. the Lila-Savor.
6'43 Hallpi‘il‘l‘ fiol. iiw va York Navigator
694 flpioy .lllll, illi‘ Oniv Um- nl' le. Kind.
101i Tom Thistle. m.- Rond-llonm- Detectltb.
“7 .‘l‘omlnllo Jul-k, the ilurtlurtiamln.
'leil Dom I illv Brown Sport‘n Kid.
74:1 Dick of tho Dock-t. tiw Night-Vi utch.
76o Flipper Flynn, the Smut Patrol.
7“ Foxy Frod'u Odd Port]: or. Th» Keener'a Huge Hultll.
731 (‘ant-Ilff Pale, thu Scnpruoat Dem-tire.
324 flowery "lily. tho limit-n Bouncor.
£8? The Bil! Four of the Bowery.
i346 Bunk. the Non" "ark Sharper.
8.50 The iirnnd “trout Aral).
Rafi The “'ont Broadway Gnmin.
30“ The Bunt-(‘lnh M nut-0t: or. Dun Ducher‘a Double Deni.
864 The Lnlon Square Bnamlu'e Boy.
“1’ I’IIILII’ fl. “'AIINE. .
07 Patent-Lenther Joe: or. Old Rattle-nah. the Charmer.
175 Cnptaln Arizona; or. Patent-Lumbar Joo’n Big Game.
193 Captain Monk: or, Patent-Leather Joe’a Dnl‘eat. \
219 Denpard. the Dueliat: or. The Mountain Vumpiru.
839 A Tall ll Boy 3 or, Th5 Dwari’a Ruvenge.
863 LII.th ornado: or. The Ontcuflta oftha Gian.
373 Little Jlnnor or. the Queer Pard.
833 Little "ll-my; nr, Caught In His Own Tran.
401 Lil“: illlo‘n-FIy: or, A Race inra Ranch.
408 Little ilonther-Rreu-he-l or. Old Jumbo’a Cum.
4!“ Little Ah Hint or, The Cum of Blood.
451 1‘olorndo Kate. A Tale ni‘th- vllnaa
Gilli) Thr” Jolly Portia: or. The Pet: of Paddy’s Fiat.
517 Jim Gluddrn’u Bounty: nr,The Jolly Parll'n Campaign.
52? The Jolly Pnrdn to the Roy-one; or, The Jack of Henri...
54’? Sandy Andy; or. A Good Man Down.
556 Lariat Lil; or.Tln- (‘Isi for a Liia.
5711 Did “'t-naol-iop. 1h.- Mnn with the DogI.
593 Keen Clem. thr- Ranch imp.
599 Jim Dandy the No~Nam.~ Sport.
613 Billy Blnzon: mgTh» Skalpinn’n Legacy.
685 [Oklahoma III th» Fl w-i‘mat Scour.
648 Happy Harry’— RII: Find; or, The Beautiful Jezebel
66’ Cheeky Charley the Special.

 

 

 

 

#—

BY BUFFALO BILL (lion. “in. F. Cody).
Ig; or, The Rail Right lllli’iii.
19 The onI S y: or, 'i in: Mint oi'tlle i’rnirie.
Deadly-Lye. the nknown Scent; ur, Tin- iSunded motherhood
N Border Ilohln flood; or, The Prairie Rover.
Fancy Frank of Colorado; or. Tim Trapper’l Trust~
BY (70L. A. I“. "0LT.

“’idcnwnkc. the ’l‘ruln-hoy ileiarlivc.
Headlight Ilia-1'33: Flyer; or. Duke Derby.
Headlight. Ilirry‘n Hazard.
Ilcndlizht lIan-y‘n Ilanl; or, The Railroad Parda.
Headlight Ilurry‘u lecn; or. Mud Madge.
Headlight. IIIIrry’n llerllazo.
Headlight llarry’n llunt: or, Thu (‘nnhc ofGold.
lilaek lint-kukln ' or, 'l'ht- Marllmti Men of Death CInyoa.
Kenneth, the Kni -l\’|nu; or, The Doomed Six.
Little Llflhti'ooi. the Pilot oi the “'oada.
8 The Dandy Sport; onTha King Pin Compirator.

BY JOBEI’II E. BADGER. JR.

2 Yellountone .) nuk; or, The 'l rally".
48 Black John. the Road-Agent; or, he Uutlnw’I Retreat.
65 llurrlcano Bill; or. Mustang Sun: and Hit PIrd.

119 Mustang 8am; or.’l‘lm King oi the Plains. .

186 Night-Hawk Kit: hr. The Daughter ui'the Ranch.
Dainty Lnnvc the iloy Sport.

15l Panther l'anl: or,l)uiniy Lunce to the new".

160 The Blank Giant; or. lluinty Lulu-«in Jeopardy.

16% Deadly Dnnh; or, Fighting 1-‘ire wuh Fire.

18 l The Boy Trailer” or. Duiuty Lulu-o on the War-Path.

208 The Boy I’tIrdI-z or. Dainty LullCe UnmIIkI.

211 (‘rooked Cale, Illv ('nlihnu or (folentinl City.

810 The Barrant'a \\ oli'; or, The ilrnutii‘ul Dacoy.

319 The Black Bider; or, Thu liorse-Tilievul’ LeIguo.

885 Old Double Fit-i ; or, 'i'he Strange Guide

355 Thu Kimr (II tln- \Vnodu: nr lhunei BuonI’I LIIi Trail.

419 Kit Fox. the Border Bov Dutnctlva

62:. (‘hlnvnpin Dan, the Buy Trailer.

677 (‘lIlncnpin Dan‘n Not-0nd Trail.

685‘ (lllllli‘llplfl llnll’~ llmno flirt-toll.

119.“ 011i Crazy. the Man \\'ithnui a Head.

705' Light-Ilonrt Lnto’n Legal-y.

71H LigIIt-llrnrt Lntc‘n Lap-t Trail.

723 h‘ilverhlndo. the Shot-hone.

729 Mlvorblado, ihr iinli-iihiod; or, The Border Bugle It Bay.

739 fillvt-rlilndc. ilw llvfiilll‘. or, 'l'hu Border Iiongle‘l Trail.

748 Sliver-blade tho Friendly, or. 'i‘hv Border Beaglu’a Boy Paid

B" J. \1'. ORINDN.
469 The Rh nl Glut-tn oi'ihowhar‘.
493 Cantu— Bnrr. the .\lan irum iinrd Luck.
53? (lid lu- ‘cyn. the Sierra Shadow.
561 Powder ’lIll, the lioy Minor; or, The Man Withoutal’ut.
609 Holly Dorrlt. tln- \uturun Detectin.
620 Little Lightning-h: League: on The Mystery oftne hind
iii‘lil l’lIIa-l ' Paul, i. u lioyl’ronpertor.
751 Gal Int Dan. the Trail Patrol.
755 (hold Ilnnt llan’n (lath; or, Rel-Hen Roy, the Regulator.
BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAT L01: U. 3. A.
191 Buil'nlo Billy, the Boy llullwhackev.
194 Bnfl'alo Bill I Bet: or. The (x‘unihlnr Guide.
BY I'IDlYABD S. ELLIS.
6 ant Blddon, 1......
8 Seth Jone-I; or, Thv Captives of tn» Frontier.
iii Nnt Todd: or, The Fate oi the Sioux Cuptlva.
$1 The Frontier Angel.
93 The Boy Mint-r“ or, The Enchantvd Inland.
132 The Ilnntcd “outer: or, The Strunze Honoth
254 The Half-Blood : or, The Pantiusr oi the Plain.
271 The Ilnze IIIInlt-r: or. The Steam Prairie Man.

MISCELLAN ED“! AU'I‘IIIMLB.

4 The Vl'ild-llortle IlullterI. By 01M. M“ I“ I“
Frederick Whittaker.

9 Adventure! ol'Bu-on Mom
12 Gulliver’s Travail. Donn Swift.
14 Aladdin; or,’i‘he Wand llAm .

16 Iloblnuun Crusoe. (21 lllunt III.)
18 flindhnd the Sailor. His Seven vanes.
22 The Sea Serpent; or,TlII Boy Robinwl Om Dylan

uwil.
88 The Ocean Bloodhound: or, Tho Rod Plum 0! ti.
Carrion-«I. B) S. W. Pierca.
86 The Boy (liownt or. The An-nn Quean- By F Elm.
8» Ned “'ylde. the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack.
51 Tile Boy Bli‘ent or. Thu Underground CImp. By A.C.lm
95 The Rival Itov era; or, The Freahooteu oi the Minluippi
8v Liqu ol. Hazaltlne.
98 llohln od. the ()utiawed Earl; or.’l‘he Merry Men eterna-
woud. By Prof. Gildoraleevo.
105 Did Rube. the Hunter. or, The Crow Captive. By CI’III.
Hamilton Holman.
112 The Mad ll uteri or. 'heCuvu oilleath. By Banana-n.
124 Tlnny. the Texan: or. The Young Champion. By Gm“
EPI’II’I.
128 The Young Privateer; or,'l‘he Pirnto’l Stronghold. 3,
Harry Cavendllh.
143 Sharp Stun: or, The Adventurel OI I l-‘riondieu Boy/ I, J.

 

 

 

 

 

:-

 

 

   

Alexander Patten.

02? lanky Darrell. Tn per: or, The Green Rang-I OHMYII-
iowutone. By Edward menon.

261 1‘9er"- Fonrnnught the NEW Y arlt Bo . . lam

 

y B

966 Killh'or. the Guide: or. Davy Crochtt'a érookod Tn“.
3y Enaign C. D. arren.

298 loll (Flaw. the One-Eyed Trappsl; or, Tin MIid at til. (31‘

y CnptIln Cum-tori.

317 I eaooek Pete. the Livaly Lad loam LeIdviilI. By IA.-
tenant Alfred Thorns.

an The flky lletrt-tivet or. A Bow-Flam ‘01 “in And Hon-I.
By Mainr Mickey Free. ..

850 Bed Ralph. the River Rover: or, The Brothu’a I.
venze. By Nari Bun tline.

365 Rollin-orc- Ben the Boolbhmh Detectlvm By A. P. Honk.

374 Gold-“nah Tom: or. “rn'l Dnuhio Match. By G H» Maria.

8?“ California Joe'I FIrIt Trail. By Coinnoi Tm.
Hoynr Monatary.

418 Billy llomhIhL-ll, tha Cliil' Climber. By F. S. Winthrop.

415 The Blank ith . By Johns Warner.

484 flnmnnche Dlel‘; and Ilia Three Invinciblol. Dy
Henrv J. «mu.

582 The Cowbo Duke. By Edwin Brooke Format.

552 Arinl the At lute. By David Druid.

5'15 ‘Vlll Watera, tie Bov Fermi. llv H.EntoI.

682 Tim Dead Detectivc’a Double. By Gerald Carlton.

721 Maverick Moan, the Arizona Dstentlvr; or,The Wiurdol
Urkm. Pins. By “'iil Liaunbee.

809 Dan Dnnto". tin: Gent from Denver. By King Keene,uim
U. s. Suvrfit smim- Corps.

R14. lino High. the Fri-no Ilntot-ilvo. By C. E. Tripp.

880 Tllt- Grim Lodpora III lint: Alloy; or. Citizen Rube
ni‘ Numiwr Swrn. By Ben D. Huliidwv.

1‘81 The (‘hioann llrllnnnor’u ,DI-al. lly I. G. Fethura.

841 Dali-go Charlie, the Cnt’I-l’ow Sport. By Manna-
I II ’P or.

848 l'lnn‘, the River Sport; or, Failing the Frisco Sharp. 3,

$7" Rl‘lil‘.
861 Billy Brine. the Swamp Fox. lly Chan. 1“. Welles.
'- \o-W Inn“ [ivory I III-unis“
The Half-Dime L rnry in ior mm by Ill NenIdeIlui, Iv.
uhtlpor copy, or aunt h mIII or: met I oi Iix eonta aafln.
mania: am» A vans, l'uhliahon.

98 William Street, New York.

 

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1 BEADLE’SakHALF-DIMEaeLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Unaform Price of Five Cents by all Newsdeazers

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 
   

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 
       

 
  

 
  

        

   

 

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I . . I ‘ I' I ‘ 0' 

 

 

 

BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY.

Publtshed Every lVednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Umform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BY COL. PBENTISS INGRAHAM.

2:305 The Last of the Pirates; or, Doom Driven.

801 The Water Wolves‘ Detective; or, Trapping the
(Brave. Ghouls.

791 The. CoaslnRaider’s Death-Chase.

713 Arizona Charlie, the Crack-shot Detective.

704 lnvisinle lvan, the Wizard Detective.

685 The Red-skin Sea Rover.

‘679 Ri-vello, the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers

672 The Rz-il Rapier; or, The Sea Rover‘s Bride.

4562 The Jew Detective; or, The Beautiful Convict.

658 The Cowl) iy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas.

610 The Rev r‘s Rct ibutionu

.635 The Ex Buccaneer; or, The Stigma of Sin.

630 The Sea Thief '

4525 Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
61.3 The Three Buccaneers.

«610 The, Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep.
605 The Shadow Silver Ship.

600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of '76.

‘59.": The Sea Rebel; or, Red Rovers of the Revolution.
587 (lonrad, the Sailor Spy; 01'. True Hemts 01’ ‘76.
.581 The Oiitlnwed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.
 The Man from Mexico.

553
.1516
.540
.530
.524
.516
510
49:3
489

The Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.
The Fleet Scourge; or, The Sea Wings of Salem.
The Savages of the Sea.

The Sea Chaser; or. The Pirate Noble.
Chatarll, the Dead-Shot Duelist.

El Moro, th- Corsair Commodore.

The Scon ts oi" the Sea.

The Pirate Hunter; or, The Ocean Rivals.

:476
469

45” The Lieutenant Detectiva: or, the Fugitive Sailor.
' i

The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.
Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.
i The One-Armed Buccaneer.
The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and War.
' The Sea Sword; or. The Doc in Rivals.
The, Sea Siren: or. The, Fugitive Privateer.
The New Monte Cristo.
The Convict Captian.
The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch.
Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
Sailor of Fortune; or, The Barnegat Buccaneer.
The Coast Corsair: 01‘. The Siren of the Sea.
The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of me Coast.
Ocean Guerrillas; or, Phantom Midshipman.
The S *a Desperado.
The Magic Snip; or, Sandy Hook Freebooters.
The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermits.
The ludian Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.
The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.
The. Sea Owl: or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
Cutlass and Cross; or, the Ghouls oi' the Sea.
'25!) The Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler's Dau hter.
216 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan .
‘ ’ Red Lightning the Man of Chance.
231 The Kid Glove Miner; or. The Magic Doctor.
22; Black Beard, the Buccaneer.
.7220 The Spect *r Yacht; or, A Brother‘s Crime.
216 The Corsair Planter; or, Driven to Doom.
210 Buccaneer Bess the Lioness of the Sea.
:20?) The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon.
198 The Skeleton Schooner; or. The Skimmer.
154 line 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 Mail Mariner: or, Dishonored and isowned
3155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas.
139 Fire Eye; or. The Bride of a Buccaneer.
‘34 Darke Dan. the Colored Detective.
31 Bucks in Sam. the Texas Trailer.
B The Chevalier Corsair; 01'. The Heritage
:1 The Sea Cadet; or The Rover of the IV iettfl.
Mi Black Plume: or, The Sorceress of Hui ‘ate.
)1) Caplain Kyd, the Kiniz oi! the Black Flag.
“14 Montezuma. the Merciless.
l Merle, the Mutineei ; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
ilk Freelance. the Buccaneer.
l The Pirate Prince; or, The Queen of the Isle.
1' The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.
2 The Dare- Devil; or, The Winged Sea Witch.

377
.373
.369
.364
316
341
:336
325
318
307
25 i
l 259

BY CAPT. FRED. “’HI’I‘TAKEB.

\314 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul.

445 Journeyman John. the Champion.

412 Larry Locke. the Man 01' Iron.

406 Old Pop Hicks, Showman.

.378 John Armstrong, Mechanic.

326 The Whitest Man in the Mines.

‘310 The Marshal of Satanstown; or, The League.
603 To -Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw.

295 Oil Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter.

290 The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise.
284 The Three Frigates; or. Old Ironsides’ Revenge.
277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer.

272 Seth Slocum. Railroad Surveyor.

265 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates.

259 A Yankee Cossack: or,The Queen of the Nihilists.
247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade.
242 The Fog Devil; or, The Skiipsper of the Flash.

230 The Flying Dutchman of 1 0.

226 The Mad Hussars; or. The 0’s and the Mac‘s.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys.

211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport.

206 One Eye. the Cannoneer.

193 The Mai: in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
187 The Death’s Head Culrassiers.

174 The Phantom Knights.

159 Red Rudiger. the Archer.
'132 Nemo, King of the Tramps.

115 The Severed Head; or, The Castle Coucy Secret.
108 The Duke of Diamonds.
98 The Rock Rider; or, The Spirit of the Sierra.

96 Double Death; or, The Spy of Wyoming.

59 The Irish Captain. A Tale of. Fontenoy.

6-5 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies.
'39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

Mark Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig. g 75.

‘2 Ocean Tramps; or, The Desperadoes of the Deep. ‘
Bob Brent, the Buccaneer; or. the Red Sea Raider. ‘

 

BY ‘VIVI. G. PATTEN.

795 Old Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower.
768 The Prin ‘e of New York Crooks.
756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective.

i 747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise.
3 715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.
. .702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective

 

696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
689 The Sparkler Sharp.

676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

060 Old True Blue, the Trusty.

.1 663 The Giant S ort: or Sold to Satan.
4553 Lasso King‘s Leaguemr, Buck Taylor in Texas. ; UP ’

0:36 Old Plug gly. the Rough and Ready.

. 648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack, the. Desert Nomad.

.‘ 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Captain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
571 Oil Dismal, the Range Detective.
545 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN H0‘VABD HOLMES.

803 The Bogus Broker‘s Right Bower.
7H8 The Night-Hawk Detective.
779 Silk Ribbon‘s Crush-out.
766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter.
The Dark Lantern Detective.
The Never-Fail D Itective.
Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective.
Silver Steve, the Branded Sport.
Gideon Grip, the Seciet Shadower.
Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower.
The Dude Desperado
Jason Clevv, the Silk-Handed Ferret.
Monk Morel, the Man-Hun'er.

'. Sol S hinx, the. Ferret Detective.
612 Red ard and Yellow.
608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx.
592 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret.
579 Old Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.
569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery.
559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.
550 Silk Hand, the. Mothe Ferret.
513 The Magnate Detective. '
532 Jac‘: Javert. the Independent Detective.
5‘23 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective.
512 Captain Velvet‘s Big Stake.
505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter.
496 Richard Rednre. the Two Worlds' Detective.
487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the 01d Block.
480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret.
4 l8 Coidgrip in Deadwood.
460 Captain Coidgrip, the Detective

53 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail.
447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy.
411 The California Sharp.
434 Lucifer Lynx, the ‘v‘\ ontier Detective.
421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.
413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.
407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; 01‘. In'un Nick.
400 Captain Colilgrip: or. The New ork Spotter.
302 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound.
. " The Bonanza Band; or, Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major Blister. the Sport of Tw Cities.
365 Keen Kcnnard. the Shasta Slia ow.
352 The Desperate Dozen.
317 Denver Duke, the Man with “ Snnt ."
310 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.
335 Flash Dan. the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
321 California Claude, the Lone B ndit.

. Broadcloth Burt. the Denver nndv.

278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand.

BY J. (I. CO‘VDRICK.

752 The Sus ect S )ort of Daisy Drift.

626 Diicats ion, t ie Nabol) Sport Detective.

612 Sheriff Stillwood, 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.
51!) Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie. the oad Sport.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
45:! Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas.

436 Kentucky Jean, the S ort from Yellow Pine.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.

390 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

772 Ca tain Corden, the Twister Detective.
755 Wi d Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective.
726 Fearless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective.
719 Boston Bob, the S ort Detective.

572 Jaunty Joe, the ockey Detective.

554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler.

53‘! Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective.

526 Dea'th-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective.

507 The Drummer Detective.

432 The Giant Horseman. _

898 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective.

BY J' W. OSBON.

759 The Sport from St. Louis.
518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred.

BY LEON LEWIS.
797 Pistol Tommy, the Miner Sharp.
785 [he Down-East Detective in Nevada.
773 Buffalo Bill's Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue.
699 The Cowbo Couriers.
686 The On-the- Vin Detectives. .
621 The Submarine etective: or, The Water Ghouls.
481 Captain Ready. the Red Ransomer.
4-31 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew.
456 The Demon Steer.
428 The FlyingGlim; or, The Island Lure.

BY DB. NOEL DUNBAR.

730 Duke Despard, the Gambler Duelist.
604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadower.

736

724

701
694
684
673
671

500 The True-Heart Pards. .x

BY DR. FR \NK POWELL.

746 The Dragoon Detective; or, A Man of Destiny.
158 The Doomed Dozen.

 

A‘
BY NED BU NTLINB.

657 Long Tom, the Privateer.
633 The Sea Spy.
621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover.
on Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King.
617 Buffalo Bill s First Trail.
361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot.
270 Andros. the Rover; or, The Pirate‘s Daughter.
1‘22 Salli Sahberday, the Idiot Spy.
111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper‘s Crime.
61 Captain Seawaif. lhe Privateer.
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 Tliayendanegea,the Scourgezor, The War-Eagle.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“Old Hawk.”

778 The Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip.

770 The Showman Dete Live.

762 Old Grip, the Detective.

740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective.

732 The Hurricane Detective. .

643 Castlcmainc, the Silent Sifter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective. '

606 The Drop Detective.

595 \Vellborn, the, Upper Crust Detective.

582 Joram, the Detective Expert.

574 Old Falcou’s Double.

561 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe.
516 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective.

536 Old Falcon s Foe: or. The Detective‘s Swell Job.
515 Short-Smp Maje, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective.

501 S ringsteel Steve, the Retired Detective.

494 T ie Dctective‘s S y. «

485 Rowlock. the Bar or Detective.

477 Dead-arm Brandt.

457 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Circus Detective.

451 Griplock. the Rocket Detective.

444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand.

424 Hawk Heron‘s De uty.

386 Hawk Heron. the alcon Detective.

' BY PHILIP s. WARNE.

801 Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s Land.

5% Captain Adair, the Cattle King.

567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft.

544 The Back to Back Pards.

522 The Champion Three.

502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains.

472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.”

431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.

404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy " Bluff.

380 Tiger Dick’s Pied e; or, The Golden Serpent.

359 Yellow Jack, the cstizo.

338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.

299 Three of a Kind; or Dick, Despard and the Sport.

280 Tiger Dick's Lone Hand.

251 Tiger Dick vs. iron Despard.

207 Old Hard Head: or. Whirlwind and his Mare.

171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart.

111 The Gentleman from Pike.

80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf.

.51 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.

29 Tiger Dick, Faro King: or. The Cashier’s Crime.
4 The Kidnappt‘l‘; or, The Northwest Shanghai.
1 A Hard Crowd; or, Gentleman Sam’s Slater. .3

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

237 The White Squaw.

234 The Hunter's Feast.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah.

214 The Wild Huntress; or. The Squatter.

213 The War Trail: or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse.

201% The White Chief. A Romance of Mexico.

200 The Riile Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Lake. ueen.
66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pac1 c.

55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
12 The Death-Shot: or, Tracked to Death.
8 The Headless Horseman.

MISCELLANEOUS.

566 The Dauntless Detective: or, The Daughter
Avenger. By Tom W. King.
542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives
By A. F Holt.
534 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter's
Cave. By Marmaduke Dey.
366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse
353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush
Bv John Cuthbert. .
350 Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor-
ris Redwing.
275 The smuggler Cutter. By'J. D. Conroy.
261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. By COL
J o Yards.
190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas.
179 Conrad the Convict. By rof. Gildersleeve.
166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By s. 3. Urban.
152 Captain Ironnerve. the Counterfeiter Chief.
116 The Doctor Detective. B George Lemuel.
144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. By Victor Hugo.
140 The Three Spaniards. B Geo. Walker. ‘
133 Body the Rover. By Wi 11am Carleton.
125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By E. Ainsworth.
110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert.
102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken.
78 The Mysterious S y. By Arthur M. Grainger.
76 The Queen's Mus 'eteers. By GeorgeAlbany.
68 The Fighting Trapper. By(Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.
60 Wide Awake, the Robber ing. By F. Dumont.
32 B‘hoys of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegian.
11 Midshipman Easy. By Ca rain Marryatt.
10 Vidocq, the French Police . py. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.
ii new issue emery Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all
Newsdealers. ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS,
Publishers, 98 William street, New York.

A

 

 “ BEADL,’S*D¥Y. '

 

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prelltins lng‘rnliain.

. "26 Buffalo Bill‘s Lasso Throwers.
) 8'32 Buffalo Bill‘s Best Bower.
1, Hid Buiflilo Bill's Red Trail.
Bill’s Death-Knell.
Bill‘s Winning Hand.
Bill‘s Dead Shot.
Bill‘s Brand.
Bufl’alo Bill‘s Spy Sliadower.
Buffalo Bill‘s chcpstakc.
. B ii‘falo Bill‘s Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
Buffalo Bill’s Mascot.
“ Buffalo Bill's Double.
Buffalo Bill‘s Big Four.
Buffalo Bill's Flush Hand.
Buffalo Bill’s Blind; or, The, Masked Driver.
Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.
Buffalo Bill's Beagles; or. Silk Lasso Slun.
Buffalo Bill‘s Body Guard.
Bull'an Bill on the Wur- ath. I
Bull’an Bill’s Scout Sha owors.
Buffalo Bill Bafiled; or. The Deserter Desperado.
Buffalo Bill‘s BuckskinBrotherhood.
Buffalo Bill's Blind Trail' or. Mustang Madge.
" Buffalo Bill‘s Snoop; or. The Kiln: of the Mines.
'r . Buffalo Bill's Chief of Cowboys: or. Buck Taylor
' Buffalo Bill's Bonanza: or. Si ver Circle Knights.
‘ Buffalo Bill's Gri ); or. Oath Bound to Custer.
Buffalo Bill’s Ple go: or. The League of Three.
Wild Billis Gold Trail; or. The Desperate Dozen.
Wild Bill‘s Trump Card: or. The Indian Heiress.
Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Bull’nlo Bill.

White Beaver’s Still Hunt.

Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist.

Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot.

Buffalo Bill’s Gold King.

The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the. Plains.
Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

. One‘Arined Part]; or. Borderland Retribution.
‘19 The. Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver's Trail.
‘394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West.

104 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler.

.243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
83 Gold Bullet Sport: or. Knights of the Overland.
52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntllno, clc.

1‘73 Buflalo Bill's Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue.

.582 Buffalo Bill's Secret Serv1ce Trail. '

1329 Buffalo Bill‘s Darin Role; or. Daredeath Dick.

51? Buffalo Bill‘s First ’ rail; or. The Express Rider.
158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts. _ _ _
117 Buffalo Bill 5 Strange l’urd;_or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Bufl’alo Bill. the Buckskin King.

BY \VILLIAIVI II. l‘lANNING.

+23 The Athlete Sport. About Town.

808 TlicCrlmk-Dctective's‘Pull. I

1’90 Plunger Pete the Race Track Detective.

774 Steve Starr. t ie Dock Detective.

764 The New York Sharp’s Shadower.

738 Detective Claxtou, the Record Breaker.

714 Gabe Gall. the Gambolier from Great Hump,
70‘! Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Sus ct.

692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range x lorer.
 Strawberry Sam lhe‘Man with the irthniark.
£46 Dark John, the Grim Guard. ‘
{$38 Murdock. the Dread Detective.
li2fi-i Dangerous Dave. the Never-Beaten Balaclava,
611 Alkali Abe. the Game Chicken from Texas.

5% Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective. ,

.585 Dan Dixon’s Double. _ .
575 Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives.
563 Wyominc Zeke, the Hotspur of Honeysuckle.
551 Garry. Kean, the Man with Backbone.

.539 01a Doubledark. the Wily. Detective.

531 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur.

521 Paradise Sam. the Nor’-West Pilot.

.513 Texas Tartar. the. Man With Nine Lives.

5015 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker,“ Hornets’ Nest.
491i Cantral Pacific Pa- 1. the Mail Train Spy.

19;! Border Bullet. the Prairie sharpshooter.

485 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.

479 Gladiator Gabehthe Samson ot Sassajack.

470 The Duke of Dakota. I

463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator. _
455 Yank Yellowhird. the TallicHustler of the Hills.
449 Blufl Burke. King of the Bo ides.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

437 Dee Duke; or, The Man of Two Lives.

427 gm ivals 01131 lgnganbavlgislhv
415 otHea t e e eel .
405 Old Bald?) the Brigadier 0 Buck Basin.

385 Will Dick Turpin, tile Leadvllle Lion.

297 Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotsgur.
279 The Gold Dragoon. or. California Bloo hound.
BY ll -\ IIOLD PAYNE.

821 The Tramp Shadower’s Backer.

813 The Sham S tter's Shrewd Scheme.

806 The Grand treat Gold-Dust Sharpers. .

798 Detective Barr’s Luna'ic Witness; or, The River-

side Di-ive Death-Mystery.

792 The Wall Street Sharper's Snap.

781 Thad Burr’s Death Drop.

74:2 Detective Burr Among he New York Thugs.

731 Detective Burt's Foil' or A Woman's Strategy.
. 1'28 Detective Burr. the Flee quarters Special.

718 Detective IBurr? Spirit 

tect ve urr 5 even ues. ‘ v

$83 33m Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L " Cine.

690 The Mlitchlesa Detective.

680 xx, the Fatal Olew: or. Barr’s Master Case.

In! LIEU'I‘. A. K. RIMS.

804 The King Pin of the Leadv'llle Lions.

786 Chicago Charlie's Diamond Haul.

776 Chicago Charlie. the Colombian Detective.

7'58 The Wizar l Kink Detective.

723 Teamster Tom. the Boomer Detective.

709 Lodestone Lem, the Chunbpion of Chestnut Burr.
695 Singer Sam. the P11 in etcctlve. ,

688 River Bustiers; or t eDetective from Way Back
673 Stuttering Sam, the Whitests art 01! Sum Fe.
666 Old Adamant. the Man 9t Boo '. -

618 Kansas Karl. the Detective King.

552 Prince Primrose. the Flower of the Flock. .
#18 Huckleberry. the Foot-Hills Detective.

Buffalo
Buffalo
" liliiflllo
Buffalo

 

:2:

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.
821 Tile Soft Hand Detective.
815 The Soft Hand‘s Clutch.
809 Dan Dunn, the Soft-Hand Sport.
796 The Frisco Drtvctlve‘s Thug-Tangle.
781) Salli Cary. the Rivvr Sport.
781) The Dead Sport‘s Double.
771 Prince J olin, Detective S ll‘Clfll.
763 Dandy Den. the Denver )etrctive.
75-1 '1 he. Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield,

Doctor DUtPCthC.
7-14 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport.
7:50 The Secret Six; or, Old Halcyon.
712 The Man 01‘ Silk.
705 Baiitaln Bob. the Beauty from Butte.
693 Kent KllSSOl]. tlil: l’rl-nl-lici' Sport.
683 Bob Breeze. the Rounder Detective.
(375 Steel Slirry, the Sport from Sunrise.
dull Solemn Soul’s Luck Streak.
" The Gut-There Shani.
(351 Silverlip Steve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.
615 Gopher Gabe, the Unsl-cn Detective.
631i Dandy Darling, Detective.
627 Mossbnck Mose, llie Mountaineer.
The Grip Sack Sharp‘s Even 11 i.

597
V

the

Big Bandy. the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte.
Sandy Sands. the Sharp from Snap City.
576 Silver-Tongqu Sid: or. Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep.
56! The Grip-Sack Shlir i: or. The Sernplls of Sodom.
55.") GripSack Sid. the sample Sport.
517 The Buried Detective; or. Soul's Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet. the Mall of Nerve.
535 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift.
5'3." Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective,
514 Gabe Glinn. the Griui from Ginseng.
504 Solemn Saul. the Sad on from San Saba.
49.3 Rattlepate Rob: or. The Roundhead’s Ruprisal.
488 The Thoro hbred Sport.
47:4 Dadd Dea -Eyc, the Desnot of Dew Drop.‘
406 Old 1 ouch and Really, the Sage of Sundown.
4358 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
450 The Rustler Detective.
4-13 A Cool Hand; or. Pistol Johnny's Picnic. '
438 Oklahoma Nick. .
433 Laughing Leo: or. Sam‘s Dandy Pard.
426 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte Jun. the Black Sheep of Bismarck.
409 Rob Roy Ranch: or. Tile Imps 01' Pan Handle.
403 The Nameless Sport.
2395 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
38? D lrk Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills.
379 llowlinz Jonathan. the Terror from Headwaters.
372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.
367 A Royal Flush: or, Dan Brown‘s Big Game.
360 Jumping: Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
855 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete.
351 Nor‘ West Nick. the Border Detective.
345 Masked_l\lark. the Mounted Detective.
339 Spread Eagle Sam. the. Hercules Hide Hunter.
331 Chispa Charley. the Gold Nugget Snort.
3:51 Old Forked Lightiiintr. the Solitary.
317 Frank Lighttoot. the Minor Detective.
302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.
292 Mokc Homer. the Boss Boustabout.
236 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand.
2&3 Sleek Sam. the Devil of the Mines.
257 Death Trap Diggin s: or. A Man ‘Way Back.
2m Elephant Tom. 01' uraneo.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Bustiers.
233 The Old Boy of Tombstone. ,
2m Pirate of the Pincers: or. do uiu's Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Rob: 01‘. The Belle 0 Nugget Comp.
180 Old ’49- or. The Amazon of Arizona.
170 Sweet William. the. Trapper Detective. l
165 Joaquin. the Terrible _
154 Joaquin. the Saddle King.
141 uinox Tom. the Bul'y of Red Rock.
127 so Scott. the Masked Minor.
nil-Alabama Joe: or. The Ynzoo Man-Hunters.
103 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.
71 Captain Cool little: or. Mississippi Man Shark.
6'? The Boy Joc ey: or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
64 Double-Sight, the Death Shot. '
50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport.
47 Pacific Pete. the Prince’ 01' the Revolver.
45 01:! Bull s-Eye. the Lightning Shot. ’
40 Long-Haired Paras: or. The Tarters of the Plains.
30 Gospel George: or. Fie Fred. the Outlaw.
28 Three-Fingered J nck. t is Road-Agent.

BY WILLIAM RJYSTER.

828 Kirk King. the Man from Kirby. ,

S18 Gentleman Dave. the Dead Game Sport.

783 The King-Pin Tramp. ‘

767 The Sport of Silver Bend.

718 Uncle Bedrock‘s Big Bounce.

707 The Rival Rovers. . ,

687 Double CinchDan. the Sport With 5 Chem.
677 Mr. Jackson the Gent from Jayhlrd.

659 Gilt-Edge Jo uni; or, Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Luokv Lester’s one Hand. r .
684 OidHandcai-t‘s Big Dump.

622 The All Around S orts.

608 Desert sit. the an With the Cougar.

590 Gentle Jack. the High Roller from Humbug.
578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.
568 The- Dude Detective.

558 Hurrah Harry. the High Horse from : Halcyon.

.549 Belshazzar Brick. the Bailiff of Blue Blues.

533 Oregon. the Sport With aScar.

525 Fresh Frank. the Derringer Daisy.
The Dude from Denver.

.478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.

459 Mngor Sunshine. the Mon 01 Three Lives.

429 Ho 1' Trigger Tom 01' Red Bond.

402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Aiicels‘ let Racket.

396 The Piper Detective; or. The Gil Edge Gang.

375 Royal Geor e, the Three in One.

356 Thr"6 Han some Sports: or, The Combination.

844 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand. .

383 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop. ‘

300 Sport in Spectacles or. Bad Time at Bunco.

$8 Magic Mike. ‘he Man 0 Frills. l .

5229 Captain Cutsieeve: or, The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool S ; or, Gertie or the Gulch.

192 The Lightning Tport.

182 Hands Up; or, ie Kniehts of the Canyon.

160 soft Hand. Sharp: or. The Man With the Sand.

145 Pistol Pards; or. The Silent Sport’trpm Giana

 

hot

ALBERT W. AIKENVS NOVELS-
chk Talbot Series.

7‘41 Dick Tnlbot‘s Close Call.

7:17 Dick Talbot in A inclie Land.

7313 Dick Talbot. the lunch King.

7129 Dick Tnlbolfis CleanAOlit.

72') Dick Talbot in No Man‘s Camp.

381 luck Talbot in the Rot-kins: or. Injun Dick.
351 Dick ’l‘.ll|lot; ()I. The Brand of Crimson Cross.
:lill Dick. the Ut‘lltll'lllml Road-Agent.

10? Dick Talbot, of Cinnabar.

93 Dick Talbot. Kim: 01’ the Road.

41 liiok'l‘albot in Utah: or, Gold Dan.

38 Dick ’l‘lilbm‘s lron Grip; or. The Velvet Hand.
36 Dick 'l‘lilbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta. i
3!) Dick ’l‘albot at the Mines: or. Kcntuck. the Sport_
34 Dick ’l‘:-lhot‘s Foe; or, Rocky Mountain Rob. '
83 Dick Talbot at While Fine; or. Overland Kit.

Aiken» Fresh of Frisco Series.

8215 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport.
061) The Fresh in Montana: or. Blake's Full Haml-
652 The. Ff‘t‘sll’s Rustic at Painted City.
MT The, Fresh at Santa F9; or, The Slrengol- Sharp.
."ili lt'l‘t'Sil. the. Sport: or. The Big Racket lit Slide Out.
537 Fresh Against the Fie‘ll; or. Blake. the Lion.
529 The Fresh of Frisco in New York.

497 The. Fresh in Texas; or The Escobedo Millions.
461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande.

1721 The. ll‘resli in Arizona; or, California John.

130 The Fresh in Mexir-o' or. Captain Volcano.

97 The Fl’tltlll in Big Walnut Camp; or\ Bronze Jack

77 The Fresh of Frisco.

Alkon’u Joe Plienlx Serleu.
799 Joe Phenix's Great Blue Diamond Case; orI The
New York Sport at Long Branch.

793 Joe Pheiiix‘s Decoy: or, The Man of Three. f
760 Joe Phciiix‘s Lone Hand. .‘
749 Joe Phrnix‘s Big Bulge.
745 Joe Phenlx‘s Mad Case.
708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or. The Woman Hawkshaw.
700 Joe Phonix‘s Unknown; or. Crushing .the Crooks
1581 Joe Plienix’s S iecials; or. The Actress Detective
637 Joe Plienix in irony Camp.
632 Jon l’henix's Master Search.
628 Joe Phenix‘s Couibim ; onthe Dandy Conspirator
620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.
001 Joe Phenix's Shadow : or.the Detective’s Monitor
419 Joe l'henix.. the King of Detectives. ' '.-
391 Joe Phenix's Still Hunt.
161 Joe Plicnix‘s Great Man Hunt. . ,
112 Joe Phrnix, Private Detective; or. The League. )1

79 Joe Plienix. the Police Spy. -

Alkcn’s Miscellaneous Novels. ‘ _ I

814 The New Yorker A1110“! Texas Sports.

775 King Dandy. the Silver Sport.

7'58 Gideon’s GriRIat Babylon Bar.

717 Captain Pat cGowen. the (irecncoat Detective.

674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.

670 The Li rhtwelght Detective.

665 The Fr sco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find.

618 Keen Billy, the Sport. . .

607 Old Beuzine the “ Hard Case " Detective.

594 Fire Face, 1: e Silver King‘s Foe.

58% The Silver Sharp Detective.

577 Tom, or Cnlittrma; or, Detective‘s Shadow Act.

570 The Actress Detective: or. The Immune Hand. 4

562 Lone Bend. the Shadow.

580 The Lone Hand on the Cnddo:

490 The Lone Hand in Texas. _

475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.

465 The Actor Detective. .

440 The High Hon-e of the Paelflc. .

421 The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Recreantl.

408 Doc Grin. the Vendetta of Death. ' .

381 The Gy .y Gen tlemnn: (1‘. Nick Fox. Detective .

876 Black cards: 01. The Rio Grande h Horse -

870 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to t e End. '
363 Crowningshicld. the Detective ‘

320 The Genteol Spotter: or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 7

252 The Wall Street Hood: or. The Telemann Girl.

203 The Double Detective: nr.’l‘hc Midnight Mystery. ‘
196 La Marmoset. the Detective Queen. .
101 The Man from New York. '
91‘ The Winning Oar: cr. 'llic Innkeener’s Daughter.
64 Hunted Den-n: or. The League of Three. ‘
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
7'2 The Phantom Hand or. The 5th Avenue Heiress. ,
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of Gulf.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
56 The Indian Mezeppa: or. Madman ot the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon: or. The. Kailawha neon.
42 The California Detective: or. The Witc. es of NJ!-
81 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of Llshtning.
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York.

L‘Arssr AND new ISSUES.

829 The Frisco Sharper’s Cool Hand: or. Routin
the Rocker crooks. By Harold Payte. , , i

830 Buffalo Bil '5 Boys in Blue; or. Thc‘Brimston‘e.
Band‘s Blot-out. By Col. P. lngraham. _

831 Shadowing the London Deteclive; or. H ey
Hawks’ Snort-Sta . By Cagt. Howard I'ln mes.

832 Gld Gale‘s Block ume' or. ld Silverti'p sTie-np‘
at Tangled Pine. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

888 The Sport lDetectlve‘s Gri : or Bouncing the
Raceflourse Honors. By m. .anning.

834 The WilgrSteer Rlidern'or. Texas Jack B Terrors.

‘ Bv Col. entiss n In am. 1 . .

835 The King-Pin Detecgtivc: or. The Red Water.th
C'eerut. By Albert W. Aiken. ‘

838 The Policy Broker‘s Blind: or. Detective B
Police Puzzle. By Harold Payne. ' ' '

S37 Curly Kid. the Cheyenne Sport; or Captain
Clean-Up's Cool Crew. By Joe E;\Bar .Jr.’

838 Olcl Grips Still Hunt; or. Tlie’Bank President I
N minis. By Jackson Knox. - . *

889 The Rough Igiggle!DIE-izfil-Shot; or. Temp! Jack’s
Prcxy. u o o . r

840 goal}: Shock. the Clue-Finder. By Capt .Eowerd‘

0 es. .

A new team every Wednesday.

Beadlc’s' Dime Library is.for sale a :11

Ne sdeolers. fen cents is!- cop . or sent by m
recgipt of tWelve cents leach. KEADLE & ADAMS.
Publishers. 98 William street, New York. I

 

fluiialo Bill flovels in Beadle’s Billie Library.

 

 

839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or. Texas Jack’s
Proxy. By Buffalo Bill.

830 Buffalo Bi.l‘s Boys in Blue; or, The Brimstone
Band‘s Blot—out. By Col. P. Ingraham.

826 Buffalo Bill‘s sharp-shooters; or, The Surgeon
Scout to the Rescue. By Col. P. mgruham.

822 Buffalo Bill's L5th flower; or, Montebello the Gold
Klng. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

820 White Beaver's Still Hunt; or The Miner Ma-
rauder‘s Death-Truck. By Buffalo Bill.

816 Buffalo Bill's Red 'Imil: or. The Road-Rider
Renegades Run-Down. By Col. P. Ingraham.

812 Buffalo Bill‘s Death-Knoll: or, The Red Band
Rider‘s of the Rockies. B Col. P. Ingrahum.

807 Wild Bill'. the Wild West uelist: or The Girl
Mascot of Moonlight Mine. By Buffalo Bill.

800 Wild Bill, the Dead'Center Shot: or. Rio Grunde
Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. By Buffalo Bill.

794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand; or, The Masked
Women of the Colorado Canyon. By lngroham.

 

 


lilll/

l
l

 BUFFALO BILL AS HERO AND AUTHOR!

l..

l

78? Mole Bill's Dead fiber or, The Skeleton Scout
or the Colorado By 00 . Prentiss Ingrahnm.
751 Buffalo-Bill's Brandz'or. The Brimstone Brother-
" hood. BS 001.- Prentlss Ingrahem.
m Buflalo lll's Spy Shadower; or. The Masked
' 1 Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. lngroham.
‘ m Elana Bill’s Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue. 3!
r on ow s. ,‘
“769 Buffalo Bill’s Sweeggmke‘, or. The Wipe-out at
Lu: Chance. , By i. Prth Inmhem.
785 M10 Bill's Dozen“, or, am: Ribbon Sum. By
On]. Prentiss I am.
' 4'76! Buffalo Bill‘s est-0t; or. The Death Valley
- Vlctlm Na. 13. By Col. Prentiss Inlrmhsm.
7&7 Bus:an Bill's Double: or The Desperado Detec-
’ five. Br Gil. Prentiss Ingmbnm.
r .Bufle'lo Bill‘s Biz Four: or. Custer": Shadow.
~ I By Col. Prentiss Introl-em.
7MjBuflalo Bill‘s Flush Handgun. Texas Jack's
‘ ' van. Bv Col. Prentiss lnmhsm. i ‘
Mb Bill‘l‘ Blind: or. The- Muked Driven-.01
M’lcenyon. Bycol Prentiss , V W“

;

 

735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men: or. The Robin
Hood Rivals. By-Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

731 Buffalo Bill’s Beagles; or, Silk Lasso Sam. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

727 Buffalo Bill’s Bod Guard: or. The Still Hunt of
the Hills. By Co . Prentiss Ingrsham.

722 Buffalo Bill on the War Path; 0r. Silk Lasso
Sam. the Will~0’-the- Wisp. By Col. P. Ingrnhnm.

718 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shodowers; or. Emerald Ed
of Devil‘s Acre. Bv Col. Prentiss Ingrnham.

710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or, The Desm‘ter Desper-
alio‘s Deflnnce. B Col. P. ingrallam.

697 Buffan Bill’s lino skin Brotherhood: or, Open
ing U n stt Trail. By Col. P. lnurahsm.

691 Bufl'a o Bill‘s Bliua Trnil; or. The Daughter of
the Regiment. By Col. PrPlllifiS ingrahtun.

682 Buflnlo Bill‘s Secret Service Trail. By Major
Dangerfield Burr,

667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop; or. the King of the Mines.

 

By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm.

 {51,

658 The Cowbofilan; or. The Tigress of Texas.

B Colonel ntiss lumbam. -
653 T e Lasso King‘s League; or. The Tigers of
Texas. By Colonel Prentiss lngraham ,,
649 Buck Tlfilor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bills
Chief 0! outs. By Col. P. Ingraham.
644 gillflfllOC‘BlP‘l %m&?a¥o§h‘lhe $1811“ of the
ver re 9. , . . . _
689 The Gold1 “31:15; or, Montebeflh Magnificent.

By Bum o . _ .

ago nuaan Bill‘s mung Role: or. Dal-east!) Dick.
King Of the Cowboys. B Leon Lewis.

599 The Dead Shot Nine: or. y Paras of the Plains.
By Bufldo Bill. _ ,

517 811118.19 3111': First Trail. By Ned Bunlllne'.‘

414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective: or. The Gold
‘Bnmrds of Colorado. Marlo Bill.

401 The One-Armed Pal-d. ‘ B? Buffalo‘Bill.

897 The Wizard Rrolhers; or. White Denver‘s Trail.
Buss! Bill '

1‘89." .

 

o .
him flea-vex:

' 8481119

362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or, Oath-bound to Custer.
By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm.

329 Buffalo Bill’s Pledge; or, The League of Three
By Col. P. Ingrahnm.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By Buf-
falo Bill.

304 'l‘exas Jack. the Prairie Rattler; or. The Queen
of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill.

2l3 The Pilgrim Sha ; or. The Soldier’s Sweetheart.
liv Buffalo Bill. ovornment Scout and Guide.

189 Wild Bill’s Gold Tiail; or, 'lhe Desperate Dozen

Col. P. Ingrnham

175 ild Bill‘s Trum Card; or, The Indian Heiress.
Bv Col. Prentiss nlzraham.

168 Wild Bill,the Pistol Dead Shot: or. Dagger Don’s
Double. ll Col. Prentiss Ingrnham.

158 Bufl’alo Bil. Chief of Scouts; or, The Doomed
Dozen. B Dr. Frank Powell.

117 Bufialo Bi 1‘s Strange Pard’ or. Dashing Dandy,
The Hotspur of the Hills. by Major D. Burr.

 

 

92 Buflslo Bill the Buckskin R ' or and!“
of the West’. By Minol- mtg?“  v .
88 Gold Bullet S 11;: or, the ights o the Over-

land. By Bu :10 Bill.. ‘ ‘
52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scout (1'. Life and
Love in s Frontier Fort. By‘Buflslo Bill. ,
LATEST AND NEWJSSUEB.
840 Major Bullion. Boss of the '1' rs: or Jupiter
Junk’s Last lnnlngDe‘Bly 0a. to award Holmes.
841. Graydon's Double - orfil‘rspplng the River
Thieves. By Wm. Ellwnln . l "
843 Teflon. Tom. the ‘ Halt-81005: or. Black Blll. :
Backers at lieu-toast By Albert W
n . ..
Mississippi Mon.- out. by “out.  slum.-
‘ 4m Lb "angrily" let in!
a " I nu! or u - l  '
N drums-mu. y . auxin": L,
t WIS '

 

halal “films;an A, r.

 

‘or.'Gsbe Gandortoet’s :. , ' i