5 \“r ~\‘ 7 A»: 7 __ . . .-‘ 9.x ‘,\....4.\-.-. ,.: . I 5655655é6‘f WWWWWWNQ”*‘MWWWH“. (I 7 71 m 18)- by READ“: A“) “Mus éNTEIlED AS SECOND (‘1..sz MATTER AT THE NEW YwIlK. N. Y.. POST OFFICE. January 6. 1394-77 ‘opyrg e. H. V ‘ . t - 7 V," 7 7. '— E N M (:68ch16 ()7. “fir/«ms, (Publishers, Te“ 0”“ 3‘ cw" NO. PnbllshodEver’ r“ , $5.00 a Year. Wedne'day- 9: WILLIAM STREET. NE-V Yonk- __._—__.__ \\\,/ a? / ,..\ ““ ."§\ 3 ,, "x?" ‘ /.’/ ' A... / \w - f’“".’{ll!!”;:;" -\ _‘- " k ‘ “A MADMAN. CERTAIN i" CRIED TEXAS JACK. Buffalo 13111 and." * Buffalo Bill at Bay; THE GOLD-SEEKERS DOOM A STORY OF THE GREAT SCOUT'S RED ALLY. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. CHAPTER I. 'I‘llld Los'r Grime. ‘1‘ . " God have mercy! we are lost! ” Like a death-wail the words tell from the lips of a man who stood upon a * plain, alone, save for his horse, which, with head hung down, and worn look, was by his side. ‘ “We, have fought against the hard- ‘ v if est fate, we have conquered every ob- » ‘stacle. have toiled day and night, have ; suffered untold hardships, and, in the " face of all, won fortune, yet now I can , do no more as a guide, for I am lost. and those poor fellows coming yonder must die withvme here in this wild land. v " My God! the thought is terrible, yet it must be so. It is our fate!” , The speaker was a man of fine appear— name, or had been before he had been ; dragged down by sickness, suffering, ‘ . starvation,- and despair. .A [His clothes were in tatters, and he ‘ r-stood, haggard‘faced and wretched, gaz- ing across a barren plain to where Was ._"visible a wagon,.drawn by four horses, followed by a dozen horsemen, ap— wrenching. ; r'vsThe' outfit was as miserable as the men ~100ke'd, for the horses Were in bad condi- ,; .' tion,'.the harness patched with deer and buffalo skin strips. and the clothing of the riders was hardly Worthy of the hamaf it, ‘ t ‘ - . > 1‘ But, their weapons'were‘ in‘condition ' findali were thoroughly armed. ‘ ; Like the man on ahead, their faces plainly revealed scant food and suffering. IAt'a slow, painful pace they came .,along over the plain, heading toward jgbh‘e solitary man a mile ahead awaiting lthempand who had ridden back to meet ‘ithem, coming from a clump of timber .,; which he had entered in the hope of find- 3'- liig both grass and water. But; neither was there, and the guide fighleader of the expedition, for such he finished? turned back to meet his cum- ‘ s and uttered the.,pltiful words: God have mercy! we are lost! " ,K,Darkness was not a couple of hours heavy clouds were sweeping up over e distant mountains to the northward, maths air was growing chill, the night “ ‘i‘éa‘tenlngto usher in an icy blizzard. , “came the wagon and its followers, ,to a brisker pace by the hope that had good news for them. 16’ tifthey, drew nearer, the look “‘ifiw'vfaoe, told the sad sltory~they «hing to-hope fan " h9g1 . missed , their; béai‘lhfiWF mid , findings, with provisions, grow- lesjs now were reducedto «that « [then-could km to subsist upon. ‘ Waltz-Captain Snott, what have you . ” ‘aiskedi‘ one Of‘ the men, as ’, halted where their leader. stood. ‘Abaodutely nothing, my friends. ‘I moieter lost, ,, a not know "f’d‘o to save ydii'.’,’-"‘_,, -' , ‘ l. that followed , was int-x " 19’s,; ”t atLlas’t ‘thowho had me question saldrf'? , ' 3 l Qohn‘ Scott. do you forget thlewchs tiered wit. 11' you brought ,us‘ with you thistle}; 1y: trail?" ' g ‘ {itold‘you- at I knew where, we .3 Wm n ‘ ‘ score crutch, ' ‘ t _ emgyou-Jaidfthat,” "and. i-to‘id ’ at wow. ,. *- ~ , méitihfiyyou lanid more—that, if serum " ahwouldj be aim-tune '. .. youths truth, or the gold. in v x v postmanrelinsmtiedt“ shouldgbe will!” hang "i B’ I “Hang him! ” ' The words burst from the lips of all but one man of that haggard, ragged group; they came with a roar of fury. John Scott shrank back as from a tornado. “Hang him! " The words were repeated fiercer than before. “You have broken faith, you have lost us, led us here to die, even though .you did find the gold you promised, and I, too, say we should make you forfeit your life; we should hang you.” The words were from the man who had assumed the leadership, and were spok- en in terrible earnestness. “Comrades, would you hang me?” demanded the guide, as his 'vcs wan- dered over the group before him What. he read in those faces was merci- less resolve, only one appearing to show a sign of pity or sympathy. The men were half starved. and in their despair. with their gold .in hand, they were maddened, crazed. and would Wi'eak vengeance on their guide. ‘ “ We will take you at your word, John Scott. We will hang you,” was the re- lentless decision, and the speaker ad- vanced nearer to the guide. “ Remember. I have those. who love me. who depend upon me, who trust me, and are awaiting my return," urged the un- happy man. “Will you not spare me, comrades? " . The appeal was useless, for the leader answered: A ' “ You must hang! " Who says nay?” “I do,” and the man who had before uttered no word stepped forward. CHAPTER II. ,_, Inn ‘onnV-pnnsnomtjf V ~‘ The one exception eto-fthé,-wish*to hang the'gulde, John soott, was a young man of twenty one or two; * He was well built, had a handsome face, in spite of its look of suffering, and there was a fearless expression in his clear eyes. All eyes turned upon him with surprise, and malignant looks began to creep into the faces of the men whose merciless in- tention he had, dared to oppose. “What did you say, Percy Willard?” demanded the self-imposed leader, Gor- don Gentry. " . , 2 “ You asked who said nay to your.in- human intention to hang Captain Scott, and I answer, Not" ' p Q ‘ “Thank Heaven that I have one friend," fervently exclaimed the, guide. , “ It will do you not an atom of good,“ said Gentry, and he. continued, as he faced the young man: “ Do you go against us, Rercyvgiilard“, , in. this matter?” «» “1:5,. ' “ Yes,’T‘ dogfimostemphith‘gnnyi‘3“ * remain! 'We on. are you-“rimmeiiselyi and wish you no darmybut-you must not. I H ' ' jthe shelter behind the wagon,'~-h :4. oppose us." , v x , , , '“ I do not fear:~you, and I saythat it is in outrage to hang thatman, to: he has ‘ done no, wrong.” ' “He has deceived us", ,3 . ‘ “He. has not. ~He came 'here alone into this trackle‘ss country, and after a month of hardships and search he found old‘.‘ ' t _ " * ’ g ‘f Alone he could ‘only carry back, a lit- tle .of thdiflndpwhich was enough for many. 'It‘wasanother man's,'but there before the uncovered pocket and the al- ready gath‘erndnuggets lay the skeleton of that‘first' finder; ‘ ,. " V. V ‘.‘ There ,was no hearse—nothing to. tell whol'the was; so it‘was. Scott's by .-right;._,ooflih9 came back and picked out .tho , £111"th Wished to have share; in his" ortune. , . '5 . " {A \" gm aglfntherswho are. dead, "came ring, the Radioman as dise'cu tit“; v . ’ idiy redskins; the passed. ' 183d) , whom youLwould hang, and-myseli'ivent on the trail fer food, and a long trail it was. “We returned to find sickness in camp, and for that reason were detained until .‘ the winter was almost upon us. '7 “But, we then started, and with the whole feature of the country changed by the seasonjfor it does not look the same in the dreary winter that it does in the summer, Captain Scott went wrong, got lost, and here we are, used up, with no food, yet with gold in plenty. “It is because he has lost his way that you now say hang him, and i say no! " The young man had related the whole story truthfully and impressively, and all had listened, but with gloomy faces. iz'hen he had finished Gordon Gentry sai : "1 “What you have said, Percy. Willard, We know as well as you do; it is nothing new; it does not change our minds; John Scott has got to hang. What say, men? ” ” Hang him!" l' The SliOlll, came from the crowd, eleven in number, without counting the guide and his defender. _They had been reduced by Indians and sickness from a score to a fatal thirteen! “ Men, 1 hays, pledged my '81ipp0tt?:t0;: Captain Scott, anal anal} Stand by him,” Percy Willard firmlyan‘nounced. ‘ ,. “Do you mean that you will resist '. )3 " ;; .. us? " “I will stand by Scott.” ’ , " , “Your own death will be the penalty."-"Z~*, W “So let it be! It will only anticipate " v day or two, for we are all doomed.” . ' ‘ V “ We, will easily down you, Willard, so don't be a fool,“ urged Gentry. “I shall defend Captain .Scott and myself as long as i can, and throw no shot away," was the unflinching assur— ance. and the young man whipped out . "“Noi norm?- “ mending?“ ’1 not offer our life as‘a sacrifice, 'fo‘r‘ti'i " ‘9' men are lood mad, don't you see? ' “I must be the sacrifice alone. .g “Men, I am ready to meet my fate, as soon as I write a line in my diary, and to you, Percy, I entrust it, for I have a. belief that you will yet escape." “Write quick! " ordered Gentry. . V With firm hand the doomed guide rest-,_2‘,r2$w‘ 5' ‘ ' ed his book,up0n the wheel of thsiyaEOfl " ” and wrote two pages in it. , i « “ " All gazed at him in silence but no pity .came to their hard faces.‘ . Then, handing the book to the young man, he said: i “ You know to whom to give ready, men.” “You are armed, Scott. so defend your:_ 4 self!" cried the young man. ' ' "1 “The man who ad Scott dies! " and'th‘ .lard male“ ., - '- “f ~~ ‘ CHAPTER III.’ ' THE (fitment . defender-had Sprun, a —.... .—~ p. I m- ,The guide’s to Volvers drawn and leveled. . , r' i ‘ One of the men who confronted him called out: ‘ _ ' - “ Don’t shoot, pard‘s! Let us'hang ’em , ’ both. We can do it! 7’ , At this the men took shelter behin their horses, every man with revel in hand. I _ John Scott had notions ‘ ' neither drawn a ' ,_ . ” intention to resist. “ . . « “Percy, myiboy’,‘ 'you' shall; not b shot down upon!émy account. - 7 ness toreslshand Lyield- take me, and; do not fire on that bra be PM , . 3,“. _.z%he,‘guide held his hands labove theories he spoke._ ._ / - ,1 ~‘ "1w I'll take you," shouted one of they (men, and he was leveling hisrovolvor when, there was a. flash and report from near the wagon. I, ' . ' A cry followed; and the intended mural , derer pitched forward upon his facets: , , “dead man. » _ ‘ a r “,3 ' \ '~ g, u; 2i .\v a ., hide itho'iiréaéuigi: diatribe ‘ ' es”! .- . .r . warn-1 .. W ‘V 13.15.133.11” am. .,.,n..—.-— «a...» m... m.» .. .n...s...Mm-uwm-a.... .....4. _. ,. ., m , . a... .. .- 3 “I did, and have another for you,” warned Willard. John Scott advanced immediately, and called to the men to take him and spare the young man. Instantly a rope was thrown over his head, and half a dozen men sprung around him, while he called out: “It is madness,‘ Percy, to resist. Don‘t—" But, a second shot cut short the words, and another man went dowu, while sev- eral revolvers cracked that Were aimed at the resolute young defender. The result was that one bullet struck Pf yf‘b i'revolver. and the weapon was . ,-"' ocked from his hand. WhiCh, for the ‘ ' moment. was deadened by the shock, though not wounded. In an instant half a dozen men were upon him, and, borne to the ground, he was quickly secured. ' Meanwhile. the guide, oifering no re- ' '1 sistance, a lariat was put about his neck. “It was to save you, my boy, that I would not resist, for being shot is better than hangingrbntg-I do not flinch from whatever'dmm these mad devils care to I liifigif‘i’i‘iflf‘ct’?’ said John Scott. “I am sorry that my defense was use- less." “ And I am sorry for you. my boy.” , ‘f Here, men, night and that blizzard . ,prising yonder will catch us, so hurry to ' ' rcpiiiii'yonder timber and string him up," cried 'Gordon Gentry. Both prisoners were forced to mount; ‘ the two dead bodies were thrown into the wagon, and the tired horses urged to their best pace. -. t. *The, timber was reached and a hall: was made. ,. as . vés,"="cried Gordon Gen- . army 'The men wont to work, the leader selecting the spot beneath three odd- ' shaped trees. The question was asked him: “ Why only three graves, Gentry? ” ‘ “ One each for our two friends killed, Wgnd one in the centre} for'the gold, for airfare cannot travel longe- with it, if we ’ one to save our lives. ‘ “It must} be buried here, while we hasten on with the empty wagon, for it will give the fact away of the hidden ,gold if we leave it here." “But! these two men who are to be hanged?” ' “ The middle grave is to be the deep~ ,3 Wand the gold, is to be put in first. .enamels"momma: of John Scott and Perms" " they will thus m. a r ’ “ When we are safe-ourselves, we can come in the spring'and get the gold.” A shout followed this. for all felt that 2'3: with the gold they could not push on as " they would wish, and could do on horse- Ink.» and all knew that death was creep- , _j".n_a‘arer to them'every hour in that wt d‘land. ' Quickly they set to work, and, though weakened by hardships, they stuck to their tasks and were not long in digging :‘fh‘é three, graves, the middle one deeper :jl‘x n if” other two, I , id sacks were taken ‘from the wcénfie gm; Who bottom of the trampled down lian in and Then the two bodies were 131d .11, the other graves, and Gordon Gentry outed t. g < . - :. ome.""‘ “ And my young friend, Willard?" V ff'We will attend' to him later. You hang now.” '- ‘ f‘Iam ready." ,r ‘,‘;Men, catch hold of this line and draw Jilin up when ‘1 tell you, for with his, going luck will come to us again," was . ‘-f the next order. , ' “ My curse rest .upon you, one and all! ‘jihoarsely said the debuted mamand spite of their mad frenzy. the men mu '1' . p ,. - pfpr him!" . ., . . .,..,‘..;;:i;‘;:'{‘y r” » " “ Get outy ' r.pick'sifahfli8hovels, inen, John Scott, your time to die has r CHAPTER IV. LIKE AN APPARITION. The rope was drawing taut about the neck of the doomed guide, when once more came the solemnly-spoken words: “Yes, upon all of you rest my dying curse. May the blackest doom follow you through life—” “ Quick! for do you not know that his curse will hoodoo us?" yelled Gordon Gentry, his face blanching at the guide’s terrible anathema. The end of the lariat had been passed over a stout limb, and half a dozen hands were dragging hard upon it. Off his feet the guide was swung, and with hands and feet bound he was dragged up into midair. The frenzied gold-seekers gave a wild yell at his struggles, which were ap— palling to, contemplate, but their glee was checked by the words: “ And I, too heap curses upon You for that black deed! May he haunt you every moment, living and waking! " “ Hang him, too!” ' “ Silence his foul tongue! ” “ Your turn next! ” So, on. went the yells that answered the anathema of Percy Willard. ‘ Bound to a tree, he had to behold his friend’s death struggles, and his face was the hue of a corpse, not at his own fate, but in sympathy and rage at the ignominious murder of the noble guide. Letting the body of the guide fall heav- ily 0n the ground when their foul work was done, the maddened brutes rushed toward the young man, whom they also had doomedto death. (“Heidi ’.’ i. f '2’, mfioyijhaited in (spite; to! their duty. " I have but ‘ you.” .3 “ What is it? " asked Gentry. “ You have never known me to flinch from a duty or a danger.“ “That‘s so," admitted several. “ I do not flinch now, for I do not fear to die; but I wish to say to you that there are men looking with hatred into last crust—~men whose lives I have saved, as all of you know, and it there is one spark of humanity’ left in your coward hearts, you will grant my request, for it is the request of a man who is looking down into his open grave.” “What is it? ” Gentry demanded. “ To you, Gentry, as the leader of these human wolves, I appeal. } “Don’t misunderstand me, for I do not appeal for my life—oh, no! I would not accept it at your hands, now; but I do _.appeal r justice. You have murdered “15001-pr 11' Scott: youhave had your re- venge upon 'hlm,jai§d..1,ibelleve you will make your: escape"!rblii' here; tbut. that dead man gained riches, moron: he». shared his find with you, and Lappéai to' you by all you hold dear on earth, or your hope of hereafter, to take his share to his wife, when you get your own. “Take it to her, with whatever lie you may concoct betweenyou, as to how he died. ‘-‘ To-my mother I ask you to: give my share, and to her also its about ’howI. died. ‘ r. -.‘f ,1 “There is in my pocket the dim-ny John Scott: give that. too, ‘to hisw'ito. “I.have no more to say: .so do your: worst, and accept my curse upon you, as you will also have tobear that of yonder murdered man’. ' ‘ _ ‘ ' ' ‘ “I am- ready—mo, I have one more red' quest.” ‘ 'w- ‘I I‘2 ‘V “Nathan,” and the‘men Were become his very nervous, for night was coming (in fast, and the wind had begun to howl dismaily throughthe pines; the clouds the approach oi! the blizzard. - _ .- “ I do not «Wish to be hanged like a dog. I wish to hesitate". f " ‘ . . l. ‘ v.7. ,I will grant your-requestd’egcy Wilt lard, cowards ,a’nd murderers you one. “requesting.ka , my face with whom I have shared my' we’ll hear you,” he called dualioud ‘ I see, but lmurder! " were getting bladder and blacker. - with. . ' poor iellow, but I did hear what w now- that no more murder shall be: 3911‘; “But that man’s own words doomed him to death, and you sided with‘him and killed two of our comrades, so you are doomed. “I will do as you say, give what be- longs to him to his wife, and your mother shall also have your share, for we are not thieves. “ Now, men, draw your revolvers, stand there in line, and when I give the order you are to fire to kill. “ Come, Percy Willard, I will place you ten steps in front of your executioners, for you force them to be such.” “ I am ready.” . He walked to the spot indicated, and with his hands bound behind his back fearlessly faced the blood—mad crew. But, ere the order came from the lips. of Gordon Gentry to fire, out from a deep gully not fifty feet away came a horse-n man like an apparition before the line of executioners, and then the words: “Hold! I command you! ” CHAPTER V. THE HURSEMAN‘S NAZHE. . _; The gulch opened out or ended near the tree upon which John Scott had been hung; and, the spot where Gordon Gentry. had placed young Willard to be shot“ was within a few yards of where layihe , . form of the executed guide. . The young man stood with his backi to the body, and also to the gulch. h} , face white, his lips set, but not a shadow of fear upon his countenance. His executioners, revolvers in hand. ready to bring up to a. level, were ranged. in a line. ‘ ~ " Gordon Gentry stood on one side. ThoTpei-emptory/command of the hersei.i man haidstartled each man of the ten: executioners, while Gordon Gentry was fairly dazed. . As for the man so near the threshold of the grave, he quickly turned, and his- eyes, with all others, were bent upon the? newcomer. _ - What all beheld was a man splendidly, mounted, and seated in the saddle, as: though molded there. ' \ , 'r aHe was dressed in corduroy pants stuck" in the tops of high boots, and a dad-kt woolen shirt beneath a buckskin fringed” and headed jacket, while upon his head, was a broad~brimmed sombrero. ' He was well equipped. At hissadd'l horn hung a repeating rifle, and “in eith‘ hand was a revolver. t r it His hair was long, and fell below. higf broad shoulders; while a close, curling! moustache and imperial gave him {1 mil itary appearance. r . f The goldoflnders had not believed; was a white man within'a hundred". dbthem, and ,yet thisustrik’énsrl‘ ” indi‘tridual appeared suddenlybetore: startled eyes. . , ~ , But. if Gordon Gentry was amaz was not to be bathed. 0n thainstant. “ resolved to permit no interference; his set purpose. , ., H , v: “ Hold on yourself, stranger,- bntii send this man to his :‘grave, and - y 'r "That man shall not. disi’iégn commandingngure on the horse ha: in the stirrup; while the revolts too level. , , . “What have you got ,to do with ’if from Gentry, insolently. ' ,. ~‘f‘Ewsrything! You have ki , ' shall not commie .“ Are you shying this to me? “A ed Gentry. now at a white heat of; -,“ Yes, to you‘nnd your murderous galls," and the revolvers moved ‘~ " 1y, fingers ‘on the triggers. _. .4 , _ , “I did not come in time to lave 9" in - the last Yew minutem, and. to -. ‘i‘Myf dear sir, you‘r-é‘wiiionlyget, into, troubie, so its not mind; " its» Percy, .Wiilnrd, strqu ~ mi A in atropidi: 4,, people that they will rue this day’s work! ” “ Where is your backing? ” asked Gen- try, now impressed by the man more than he cared to admit. “ It is here," and his revolvers moved menacingly. “One man against eleven," Gentry. “But one, as'you see, but behind me is a power you will have to answer to.” ' ’ “What power? ” , f “ The United States Army! ” came the determined response. The effect was startling. Gentry saw his men grow uneasy. He himself grew nervous. . “ Who are you, anyway, that plays this big bluff?” “I am known on this frontier as Buf- falo Bill." The response was quietly uttered, but it was a dead centre shot. ' The murderers quailed at the mention . - of the name. 7‘ ',/\.‘ sneered CHAP’TER' VI. . THE rowan or A NAME. "‘ Buffalo Bill! " Each man echoed the name. f , Even Percy Willard repeated it after the others. * :All knew the fame of the one who bore ,it‘é—all had heard of the King of Border— men! They knew him as one who had won his titles upon many a hard-fought field, finany a long trail, in many a desperate "Encounter. ’ They knew that he was a man of iron, of nerves of steel and muscles of oak, Midwhose eye and hand never failed. : They gazed upon him breathlessly. Did the man fit the name they had heard; _ V % Did he come up to: all they had heard 30! him in‘appearance? "1' He most surely did. ."The man and his name were united he one to the other. ' ,And his actions showed that there geoul'd be no'mistake. He had boldly faced eleven to one, and l of them armed men. ‘There could be no mistake. ' .That man was Buffalo Bill. 'They knew that he was Chief of Scouts orlthe army of the frontier. ‘ «.They knew that he was the idol of has army. 3d yet, ‘ l. , ’He felt that he could without the com- a: of Buffalo Bill have gotten his com- ,{r’atksout of their despairing condition, at). them to some refuge. , V _ With the great scout there, he would "i’beollly Gordon Gentry. ‘- "Than, too, might he not be called to teen , t: forhis killing of the guide and tended execution of his defender, Percy “lard? , ' . ms comrades were greatly surprised shoots hear him suddenly say: “You say you are Buffalo Bill? " -. Gordon Gentry dared hesitate 4! EcuheVe my word for it."' “You may he.” » ff» ' ds up. quick! r r , {the not that. or you answer! ” » bps revolver had covered Gordon Gen- " nan instant. pther seemed to be f. his men. ' ' l. “ Quick, before I count til-reel; - . no! Twoiw” . ~ . ‘ .didn’t say you did lie; I said might, a. don’t know you.” ' ' , ,. on have. to take my word for it. “Am I' to have trouble, for let-it come there is a blizzard rising, and whs‘going toshelter then I came upon . g" ,_ , ,‘e was something so decidedly in- ‘nt to all danger in his way of " [that Gordon Gentry was. mas- held upon each ,7 ne' imade'a bad break, and-.h'e ,would retract as best he could. M g, > k, V I I, ‘ ‘ ‘V trotted down the ravinelito where the Buffalo 3111 I Bay... So he said: I ‘ “And we, too, wish to find shelter and food, for our horses and ourselves, for we are starving, and that dead man was guiding us to our doom.” ‘ “ It is false; he was doing all in his power to save us, for he had gone wrong and bitterly regretted it. ' “And for that they hanged him," cried Percy Willard, earnestly. “And you killed two men in defend- ing him, and die you shall for it,” shouted Gentry. “Dare to harm that young man, and it is the last act of the one who at- tethS it." It was Buffalo Bill who said this, and his eyes flashed; his whole manner was like that of an angry tiger about to Spring upon a foe. Again Gentry was cowed, and he said: “This talk amounts to nothing. “Our lives. are in danger, and if you are Buffalo Bill, the Military Scout, I ap- peal to you to save us and show your claim to the name of the greatest of guides.” , “ I can and will save you, but not .while you intend harm to that young man. “ He goes free as one of you, or we settle it right here and‘now, so talk quick, for time presses.” “You have us at your mercy, and our lives depend upon you. “Let Willard free, men.” ' The men were scared now at the ap- pearance of the heavens, and they sprung quickly forward to unbind their victim, while Buffalo Bill said: " I have food in plenty for all, men, and there is grass and water and wood where I take you—ample shelter; but every minute is precious." “We are ready," shouted Gentry. “And leave that man who has been your friend and companion unburied, fooder coyotes? " said. the scout. ‘ , . ““I will buryhim, sir, and follow. t‘ You cannot, let—” but Gordon Gentry? and several of the men had already grasped the body, dropped it into the grave, and were throwing dirt in on top of it, while others collected the horses and were mounting in haste. CHAPTER VII. A NARROW ESCAPE. Released of his bonds, Percy Willard stepped forward and would have thrown earth on the grave of his friend, but he was rudely, pushed back by those at the work, and he turned away to where his own and the guide’s horse stood, and mounting his own, led the other, riding up to Buffalo Bill. ~. The latter was watching the move- ments of the men like a hawk, and called out: “Move now, ifryou would save your lives. “Follow-me!" ‘ The grave was ha elyfllled, but the men 'saw that ~the ut knewthe full danger of delay, and at once hurried for, their lives: , , ' “ l g . The other two graves of the men killed by Percy Willard had been filled in be: fore the hanging of the guide; and all knew that in that lone land no one was lik 1y to over pass there again, so the Go d Hunters held no fear of their treas- ure being found. I . Certainly during the winter . there would be no danger of its discovery, and they Would return at the earliest mo- ment in the spring. . ' So one of the party drove the wagon, others led the dead men's horses, and they all followed Buffalo Bill as he rode along the edge of the ravine. ‘ “ Come! " he called out. but this Was to a. pack horse down in the ravine. I The'animal had been left there when the scout rode on out of the head of the ravine to so-' suddenly face'themaddened men and their Work. u ‘ : - , At the command of‘the‘scout- the horse scout ltd, the way‘acroés it, and then : Bill had taken out of his pack saddle a. ' the shelter from - we, .iiieirce‘i storm. 12 [lead ,what2 they had escaped‘ and how they had made, where they were glad . kept closeitoi; ’ heels of the he ‘ ' their lives to Buffalo Bill. ’v ‘- The pace set. by Buffalo Bill was a. good one, and, as the ground was rough, the question was whether the wagon would stand the strain. But it was forced on, as Gordon Gen- try did not wish to leave it anywhere near the graves. Out of the timber went‘the scout, r and down a narrow, barren valley into a. canyon. This widened out into a heavily tim- bered basin, watered by springs that formed a considerable stream. Here, sheltered by surrounding cliffs, was a. sheltered spot, and the hungry horses rushed eagerly to feed upon the line grass found there in large quanti- ties, and quench their thirst in theme! waters. - ‘* . - “ Let them free, for they will not stray. “ Get to work with your axes and cut brush for a shelter, as you will need it to—night, and the horses will be safe in . these thick cedars and pines. l ~ ' ,I “ Work with a will, men, for night and storm are upon you," cried the scout. i The men did w01 k like beavers, and using the wagon for a brace, they soon hada pile of shelter built right among g , r the pines, two..large fires were”.-blgz’ihg‘;«5? ' the blankets were spread, and Buffalo k 7 i" A ..‘}’.&\MSWWoJm-h " ‘ is . w“. 'l ’ .mgw,«w,:~ayv,«a~_ {mewsy , side of bacon, Some dried buffalo meat, a haunch of fresh venison, with coffee and flour to make hot cakes. - The darkness had fallen, and the roar - of the coming blizzard could be heard, driving the horses to the shelter of the pines, where they stood huddled together for warmth. , ~ The air grew colder and’colder, but." ' the men ate their supper ravenously, and. in appeasing their hunger, warmed by ~ the hot coffee fand‘.the.,.,fire,‘and with, " \ seemed to have forgotten their late 13'7x‘41l‘, ‘ fering's. and savage hate for their two L V .. comrades, one of Whom they had left behind in his grave and the other of whom . “ was seated by the side of Buffalo Bill, ' ’ ' eating his supper in silence, his thoughts busy with the scenes of the past few hours. 1 .. . “You saved me, sir, from sudden; ‘ death, and these men from a lingering " l i one, far more terrible,” and the words of ' é . the young man caused his comrades to " shudder. ' He had spoken to Buffalo Bill, who re- plied: “I am more than glad to have served you all. , “Yes, you would not have survived..«“,.‘ this night, men, where you were, {Qty-l1, hark, how the blizzardgm‘i’ww, '41,? fut’g‘; 3‘2», . - . 4;. j . Tmmsmmanmwd each one re’al- \ 'narrowly.', * The wind roared like a fierce battle, and trees “snapping off in the clifh mpg-135,452., added to the impression. I g in” - Large rocks were hurled down from_ the heights above, and then came the driving, pelting rain of bail and sleet, " " driving the men quickly to the shelter x ‘1" to huddle together in their blankets and ' still shiver to their marrow. . , ' 5 "“ “ You share my blankets With me: “ We will be armor-{Nike’sth had. said to Perc Wil ‘ard, and the two in the thick blankets were; comfortable and ‘ -:. protected and soonsfiv‘ent to sleep in spite i- . ' " of the continued fury ‘of the storm. ' ‘ CHkPTER VIII. ;. , x . V THE, smzzann- ‘- The Gold Hunters lay huddled to- ‘ gether like sheep beneath the shelter the ' scout had made them build, and with , . the blankets of ,their three dead com— .' rades in use with‘their own. K '7' \ Well they understood that they owed: _ ’7 / i “'a~~,".2 7‘7 - : Buses ark-Bav- 4r The fires had been so placed- and piled with many logs that they blazed brightly, the wind wafting the heat over the shel- ter and aiding to keep them from freez- mg. g It was with terror that‘they heard the .2 howling blizzard, listened to the driving ' . > * sleet and thought of what would have * been their fate but for the scout. They saw him rise once in the night, I wrap his heavy overcoat about him and I build up the fires, after which he looked ‘ at the horses, crowded together in the dense cedar thicket near by, and where the heat of one of the large fires blew 1 ,"o‘ver them, thus tempering the freezing l I ’, blast. I ‘ . The return of the scout to his blankets v“ ' was proof to the men that all went well. ’ ' “It is a fearful night,” said Percy Willard, when the scout returned: ’ .. ,1 “ Fearful, indeed. f ' “We are lucky to have reached this ' place in time to prepare against it. for this wind would have frozen us quickly if exposed.“ , , , . .‘9.We’owe much to you, sir,” ‘ “ I was fortunate in finding you, but I ,4 , " 7 was looking for this place myself, and ' ‘ " which I knew, having camped here a i year ago. “I knew we would havea bad night, : ' ‘ 7 .yet, this is worse than I had expected. ' “ You are returning Gold Hunters, I suppose, in hard luck?” Every man was awake, and each ear was turned to catch the reply of Percy - Willard. r - a They had made no mention of the v treasure in that grave beneath the body of John Sgott. Into .d;tv m’ ti .t ,sai'notn n 0 en Ofll.‘ if the man they had so nearly .killed told? , Could they trust the scout? K.- ' ‘ v ‘ No, they could and would trust no one, ' ‘ a and the moment that the young man told of the buried gold each of his foes vowed silently that it would settle the 7' fate of both the scout and'hi'mself. v ,They should both be“ slain by treach- .~=€|‘y. v But the reply of Percy Willard came: He said: , .. . “Yes, we are returned Gold Hunters, =~‘ after a long stay, and in very hard luck." , The reply was significant, but the scout did not see it in any other light than _ that they had been unfortunate, had lied, to find gold, as,many others he 1 ,lot‘hndijbeen,‘before\th£m. ' V l he'uhen‘,’ 1'8an more freely. , - . Their' muchvabused me had ; not :‘be- ' trayed them, even to his presenter. “Well, many come back as you do, but a few are more fortunate. “ Which way are you going? ” “ To return home was the intention.” ~“« And your guide got lost?” "‘ Yes, he got astray unfortunately and i V _. so took us out of the way, and, becom— W :1" ing bewildered, hewas thoroughly lost, poor fellow.” ‘ g “It often happens, and guides are not _ Lafallvto blame; but the men, half‘ starved, and desponding, acted from . minutwithout reason." ' 4 The- mil Marduk and felt that the ,a - scout meant todust.‘ ‘ ' ' ‘ They listened to hear _more,, pricked ' :their ears Up for a Whispered“w0rd from Percy Willard that might betray them' ct; but none came, and the scout said: 7 Well, the storm is getting worse. I I believe, so let us sleep it out.” . Then no more was heard, and one by ’fii‘fioneflall dropped off to sleep, the very _ ‘fury of the elements without the shelter , ‘ making them feel the more comfortable and again and again mentally bless the scout. . The dawn name, but the blizzard still I , raged, and thawyho glanced out saw I drear an, toils“??? tantrum blanketh-aigifl - mix W10 £111, howey’er I. ll? ’ the warmth . ‘3 again threw wood upon the fires, pitched in the ends of the burned logs, had an- other look at the horses and returned to the shelter ' The whole earth was a sheet of glass, the wind blew at hurricane speed, to cook would be impossible, and he so in- formed the men. Percy Willard would have risen with him to aid him, he said, but the scout recalled his tattered clothing and would not hear to it. Had the young man done so the Gold Hunters, suspicious of him, fearing he would tell about the gold, would have shown that they were in a humor to trust no man, and shots, treacherously fired, would have ended the career of the man who had saved them and the one 6 had rescued from their fury. It was a narrow escape for both, and the kindness of Buffalo Bill in not allow— ing Percy Willard to face the freezing blasts had saved them both. Returning to his blankets, even hard- ened as he was, Buffalo Bill was glad to retreat to their shelter. Thus the morning passed, when the blizzard had spent its fury, and the scout’s experience, told him that but one thing would save the lives of the party and that he alone could do. CHAPTER IX. MISSING. What discovery Buffalo Bill had made the Gold Hunters were not left long in doubt of. A combined breakfast and dinner was .eaten,'tlie ice in the stream being broken for watery“ ' - ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ' “Men, but "for: have guided you on in safety," said the scout, as the party sat shivering around the fires. All felt that he had some important disclosure to make, and were all atten- tion, Gordon Gentry remarking: , “You have saved us all by bringing us here, sir.” ~ , “And myself, for I would have per- ished away from this good sh lter; but let me tell you that I am retur ing from an extended scout, and, expecting bad weather to set in, I started earlier than was my intention to the fort. “This fact is‘the cause of my having a. larger supply of provisions than I otherwise would have had; but still ,what I have is limited and would not last us all ten days. “ It would take you’ that long almost to reach the fort in the present condition of your horses, and asthe country is DOW, , blocked :withsnow .and 'ice, they could not make iti at nth-so my. only chance to save you “s to leave when my supplies, except what I needior myself, and start to the fort fbr help. “ My horses can take me there in three or four days, and with-good animals I can return for you, within ten days, at least. . “ You may get some game to help you out in your provisions, but be sparing, in case I am delayed. ‘f Now, you know what is before you, and I’ll start this afternoon, fort delays are dangerous.” The men saw the truth of all that Buffalo Bill had said, and knew that but for aid he would bring them they were doomed. They must'depend alone upon him. ' Percy Willard heard his words; with a sinking hehrt, for he believed that the Brien were yet determinedthat he should e. He'aawthat they would not allow him to be alone an ,instant with the scout, and weilhe knew what it meant. It would'be one less mouth to feed, and the frenzyof \thejGold Hunters had not left them; it. only slumbered. fl But he decided not" to ask to accord- pany thescout, sincethat‘ would bring on,a,scene,’-and yetvhe determined to '~eenndao< refrained-n » We am this; blizzard; - :I could a would not be sacrificed to the hatred of men now thirsting for his blood, because they had been thwarted in their pitrpose of slaying him. Quietly securing some of the provi- sions left, he planned to slip away on the trail of the scout as soon as darkness came on. He would trust to his horse to follow on after the ‘scout, and knew that the animal was the strongest and best of the lot. In vain did he try to get a chance for a word with Buffalo Bill, or to slip'a note ' to him; he was too closely watched. He did manage to get the guide’s blan- kets with his own, and some matches, and to put these with the provisions ’he had secured. ‘ In the middle of the afternoon the- scout was ready for his start, and to the , great joy of the young man he decided not to take his pack horse along. I .It was a fine animal, in good condition” and would the more readily follow‘-on ‘; after the horse the scout rode. ‘ “ Well, pards. good-by, and expect me back soon with help. it is the only. chance to save you; but let me say now, that when I return I expect to find my ' young friend here, safe and well. “Don’t let harm befall him, for if meets with foul play, I tell you now that, ‘. every man of this outfit shall rue it, and * I am not a man who makes- idle threatsifl Buffalo Bill looked each man in thgiw eye as he uttered this threat, ,and their? gaze fell beneath his own. ' . He had read them aright—that ham_ would have befallen Percy Willard for this threat. 4 K _, With a grasp of Percy Willard’s ham!" alone,'Buffalo Bill mounted his horse, and, thoroughly protected from the in“ tense cold, rode aWay. ‘ ' When he disappeared from sight, Got?! don Gentry said: _“That threat saved you, Percy WI lard; but, look sharp and do the work of this camp, or you might freezeg, . death, and we are not responsible 'fdl‘ "f that." ” “In other words, you intend to me your slave.” . " Just that; so see to it that the t! are kept up and our ,meals are ready time.” ’ ‘ 5 Percy made no reply, He preps. the supper, and then said he would bring“ in wood ‘for the night. - He walked off in the gathering glob _, returned with a heavy leg, but. he was called half an hour later he " ‘-= gone! make- CHAPTER X. , A BAD WAY. . p A' The night passed with an 'ing upon the camp offthe Gold Hunters. It was bitterly cold and a strong: yet moaned through the pines, the storm was over. . -. -~ The men had all they could do to seep warm, even in their shelter. and rejoiced in the bitter cold, as it-was‘n to freeze the daring youth ,who had : ed upon. the trail'of Buffalo Bilh,‘ “ ,1 When the morning came therewh' abatement of the cold, but they had the fires built up, broke that, the stream for water for themselves, the animals that still grouped elude! gather in the cedars and then had'breiit fast. ' * -~ .~ This over with they could only! ' about thefire and talk. a z Percy Willard had surely gone, a‘n hiaid taken Buffalo Bill’s pack horse} r e. - “He’s dead before this," hora l Gentry in an exultant way. ; , ’ “ You bet, for he had nothing to , him from ’freezing,,exceptwhis’iown John Scott’s blankets." . “He had no matches to buildza-d with." ' ~. , ,, = ' 2 ‘ = 1 . " And he stariedln the dark, so set iosmsht 911,-." ‘ .2 A who had been examining into theisup- plies came up and said: “Now, I didn’t belieVe Percy Willard , was a fool, and he isn’t.” ' fa}, “ What’s up?” quickly asked Gentry. ' ’~ “ Well, he just carried off with him the two saddle blankets belonging to Buffalo Bill’slpack-horse, and which the scout left, along with his own two, Scott’s two and that ain’t all.” “ What else? ” ‘ “He had the saddle blankets of his .own and Scott‘s horse, so he won't freeze for a bed, that’s certain.” “He can’t build no fire? ” v “ Now he can.” :u n ,1 , . “He’s got a couple of boxes of ’ matches.” ' “The devil he has.” ‘* -”",-And th‘ht haln’t all.” 1" What else?” *"‘Well, I seen ther supplies Buflalo ‘1 ill left, and out of ther coffee, ‘flour, potatoes and bacon be Just got his share, tthough I will say he was square enough take no more. ‘: “Y He was putting the provisions away, you'know, so he just salted his share, and e went off right well fixed, you bet." This information was a sad blow to gt-‘Ke'Gold Hunters. I§,showed them that Percy Willard new that. he dared not trust them with yfiifiiifes after the departure of thescout, had;,£aken the chances of following édefender. .' r . l ; me overtook him he was all right. ‘ at if not, the chances were largely ’li ' K ,, ’ffalo Bill had had four hours’ start yd? meant a great deal. Th ,xtoo, theyoung man had started .‘i‘a , ,. “El, 'D‘dCOlHCT Sod'ndtrail, even it} the rozen ground would show", one by‘ "6 Odds were certainly greatly against chess. . at he had taken all chances. When a talk had been had over the dingo: their victim, it was decided that '8? men should start out on foot and ‘ they could pick up the two trails. c this 1 they might discover it the outflvwas really on the track of But- "Ila. hill. r‘ I ' . , o: the best trailers were selected . I ,‘Wprk, and they started. It, was hours before they came back, Bay were used up with, cold and , g _ i ii; report was soon made... and it ’ 'n'iost uncomtortable feeling upon had fellowed both trails, for the theyoung Gold Hunter was going ‘ egscout's led, in spite of the fact “Weenight. ‘ . 2 .;. ’had gone as far asthey dared.» w’here theyhoped theywOuld find I‘d had reached 'Bufialo ’ Bill’s may hidcome upon no camping V 13 where, Buffalo Bill had shot a. hungry coyotes were snarling hecarhtiss he h‘ad left behind. ~I this, parting“ said Gentry. ; . eationce most attentive. , , got up with Buffalo Bill, and ‘ "are he did, Why Wearedished. . _ story hegtells nudan Bill will, to; thejarrestedv-and taken to the. , ' their. [means trial for. lfihan'gi‘n’g figttfnu’,eg . _ - ,- '1. gnaw trials '~-qtiiék- and 5 H ' l sessile pleases. '- 73: ninegsftgralt lathe spring, v} If he had not, but had perished in the ad, in ‘tacit‘be? may trips} “LB 8016 home Evil/1 be out: 3 i g ' "Sure?" . . : “ And that isn’t all.” ‘ ' ‘ ,, , . "‘ What more, for the Lord-'ssake, Gen- try? " asked a voice impatiently. “Having hanged Scott and tried to kill Willard, there is nota man of us dare go back to our homes to live, whether we go rich or poor.” A groan was the answer to this last assertion, and every man looked aghast, as’its truth flashed fully upon him. CHAPTER XI. THE PLOT us run (who iiI'Nrrzns. The sun was shining brightly, the wind no longer howled through the pines and the cold was growing less and less bitter. But these cheering signs the Gold Hunters did not notice. They were away down in the dumps With the words of Gentry that they dared not return to their homes after taking the life of John Scott and trying to kill young Willard. . I They all had come from the same neighborhood and been most friendly with John Scott. He had "been a man of means, but had been ruined in his generosity in endors— ing for others. Then he had gone off to the mines to seek his fortune. The result has been *toldrand the very men he had taken along gfto share his good fortune had turned against himin the end..,,_, , .‘ ‘ k m, andPiémyngillard knew the real rea- .son,r"fr‘orm haying overheard a , lot. ‘It was/fer Gentry to lead, denounce John Scott, and those who proved his friends wue to share the fate he did, and then the number would be cut down that was to share the gold, and return- ing home, the survivors were Ito‘teli how and the; amount ,itou'nd" was. to" be but Satienebreurth. what it really was. ‘ ' The arrival of Buffalo Bill had thwart—- ed the plot, though he had saved the lives of the party, beyond a doubt. Percy Willard's father had been a judge in the community where he lived, and stood well with all, while the son had friends untold. His word would be believed, and so it was that Gordon Gentry’s plot had been foiled bytthe rescue otthe youth by But-g: falo . 4 , a" The mentallsaw the position they were in if Perc'ir Willard;hadfovertaken Buf- falo Bill;., ‘ ‘ ' snow, then they recalled the threat of Buffalo Bill. ' ‘ Remembering this, they knew how ut- terly useless it would be for them to tell the scout the youth had followed on after him: , . ,1 _ . - a “v it. He would” . tut ' ‘ ‘ ‘ Weatherman . , , V that 61 John :SCWt.iif _ _ A1,“, 91:12.5? " f e ‘, ., The med satiabougt. hefyiigefiguzing‘ dis-7' ,mall’yfgataachi others .. 'f 1». , A ‘ rThey- had/hen honest men up to the time, their temptation to nine more gold" than waggiuhtlyr their share had made them turn: again-st. their ,leader, hang him, and seeltfietcy Willard’s. death for befriending him. ‘, Y , I The «death or the;th men; slain v'ihy the young'man, they, di§,..not regret, ,i'or' that took two moreout of tits-number to r divide the gold with"; ,. .j I f ' It entry ' had his way: flames deter- mine that there j fouid‘bedstill other deaths, from one I usefiot‘fahother, Ibe- retainer reached utv—fiuflalgdB . at: pains dished, why it ‘ their: cemmdemv'ers; Michelin «Indians; it talkedljongintb design.» ‘- -, , ' Eszhey up bright and eafly'th’e he z.th mean! i I know each one is to ‘be‘depended upon- “We did not anticipate this fearful blizzard, so we" do owe our lives to that scout. , “But, where we were living on one- fifth rations, and poor. ones at that, a. day when the trouble came, we have had good rest and food now, and we all, feel the better for it. ‘ of the scout’s supply we could make it last us, pinched, for weeks. “If we stay here he will return for us, and that means a trial, and perhaps is cheap out here. ‘ . “If Willard is dead, we are ,not in, a we are. “ . “We dare not go home, and we have got to hunt other lands. “ Now, my plan is to get out of this at - once, while we have good weather, go on get our gold. “ We have extra horses for our gold, and we can make our way back the way we came, to the old deserted mining days. before" weeEhanged John Scott; \ \- plenty, \with‘ Water, was, and grass in‘ place where our herses had a square feed. and get interest on our idle gold at least ” When spring comes we can light out, and one of us can go to~ the fort to see what tale Buffalo Bill has told, and an- Willard has ruined us there. “If he has not, home we go; but if he has, why there are other lands and other peoples ‘ , ~ , aria; yea i " , wearers the answer. 3 r - CHAPTER XII. ON THE BACK TRAIL. , Upon maturer deliberation it was de~ cided by the Gold Hunters not to act until the folldwing morning, ‘ ing’in the cedars, but. now that“the, \ having. a feast. ‘ which two days of their back trail would carry along for the horses. _ Each man worked with a will, {1'13 men went toiheirfihl immune aim“ m f ‘g _ 51W 9 , . wfla‘hd «all realized the full force of their unfertunate position, should Bui— fajlo'Bill return with power to arres them Tor murder. : ’ ‘ vHad' Percy ’Willard overtaken? their minds ithat "they would have close [call for, the gallows, and certainly“ not escape the'penitentiary. ' The back trail was, therefore, t only salvation, and the d i and phantoms would be forgotten. 80' they _ argued to .‘ themseiyesgg- and f #156 a break! can, «fire» honor?“ their ‘ 4 wen, partisan? era‘siéwién “tacit “ There is little of our rations left, but R . every one of us may be hanged, for life ‘ bad way; but if he got to the torts-tam} _ 3 ' the back trail, leaving our wagongandai Whip you remember that we passed three . . ‘ l “The cabins arstgogasgtsm, gain ’. ' abundance, and that was nearly the last- I “The old mines are played out, but we. ,_ can work them over during the winteqai; other can return home secretly to see it y. A w ' ' e131: ‘ _ _ too hastily, but to stay where they were. ‘ The horses had, gotten fairly good plaid-ts 'Warmth had melted the ice, the, graggir_fi"' was good in the basin, and they wemfl, . As it was a desert land, almost, through'fi take them, they decided to all set to on Work getting grass and packing it use“ scout, and have his charges out doan against them;.lt was, an assured tact in.“ ad a most substantial» ham.” .. ,I- __V narfiwfl .. i ' «Nu-at 039‘“ gm («V m... ..,. 4,. A. Stat: 43.: f» a... .. mam-twmma . u. . Buffalo Bill at Bay. Then the horses selected for the bun- dles of newly cut grass were led up, and had their loads strapped on, and once more the Gold Hunters were ready for the march. But something had been left undone, Gordon Gentry said. All watched him as he took from his saddle bags pen, ink and paper and be- gan to write What he wrote was as follows: “ To “ William F. Cody, “ Buffalo Bill. “ Sir: “We were so fortunate as to have a party of miners pass through this canyon on their way to the settlement to the south of here, and, as they were well supplied with provisions and all else we so sadly needed, we decided to go with them. “The chances of your return were slight in the minds of all, as we could not expect you back in the face of the winter, which has set in so early and with such severity. “We owe’ our lives to you, sir, and appreciate the fact, and, should you re- turn and your eyes read this, let me say that We deeply regret that your journey here was useless: but sell—preservation is the first law of Nature, you know. “ The young gentleman in whom you took such an interest, declined to remain with us after your departure, so followed you, as of course you know, for he could readily overtake you. “Again, thanking you, sir, “ We remain, “Your attached friends, “ THE GOLD HUNTERS.” This letter was greeted with cheers as 92 ma-sterstroke, and a receptacle of r0cks Was built in the centre of the camp and it was placed where it would be dry and safe. This duty attended to with laughter at the scout‘s expense at their giving him the slip so cleverly, the Gold Hunters pulled out of the camp upon their back trail. After a slow ride of several hours they came in sight of the timber where had occurred the fatal feud, and poor John Scott had been hanged. Their faccs grew gloomy as they ap- proached the scene, for they were not yet so sure of escaping the winter with their lives as to cause them to be in a happy mood, and several shuddered as they rode up and beheld the grave of their once beloved leader and guide. ‘ “I don’t like this turning back. “It’s bad luck,” said one, and there were others who felt as he did. It was seen that the storm had blown a large pine down, right on the grave. It had fallen lengthwise of the grave, so completely covered it, and had to be cut in two places to remove it. This was no easy task, and the axe- men went to work in sullen silence at their task, for it was hard work and the delay would keep them there until night, and that meant a camp without water for their horses. But thesound of the axe—men was soon 801101118 in the timber, and, as stay there they must, a shelter was made for the night, and the men TeSigned themselves sullenly to their delay. Late in the afternoon the large pine was cut in twain and rolled away, and the picks and shovels were called for to dig into the grave and get the gold that lay beneath the dead form of the man they had hanged. CHAPTER XIII. A MYSTERIOUS INDIAN. When John Scott, the guide and leader of the Gold Hunters, had turned back from the timber where he had found neither water or grass and started to go and meet his half—starved comrades on the trail and make knOWn to them his, lll fortune, with theirs, he little dreamed that human eyes were upon him, that he had been under the cover of a rifle. But, so it was, for there had been one there ahead of him, and who had seen his coming. The numerous ravines in the timber have been spoken of, and up one of these, running parallel With the one Butt-.110 Bill had approached by, had the one who had deteCted the approach of the game made his way. The manwas tall, slender, and in the full glory of war paint, while he wore the bonnet of a chief of high rank. He was not mounted, however, might have a pony near. Seeing the approach of the guide he slunk back into hiding, rifle and said in his own tongue: “ The Running Eagle will get a pony now, and food, with the scalp of a pale face, too.” . At once he went into position for ac- tion, and was prepared to fire upon the guide when he came within range of his rifle. but, though coming directly toward him, John Scott suddenly changed and turned to one side. He went through the timber, found neither water nor grass and returned on a trail that brought him within range of the Indians rifle. But the redskin did not fire. He had discovered the coming of the wagon and its escort, so drew back into better hid- ing. Another motive than the coming of the others had prompted him also, for he had recognized the one under cover of his rifle. , “It is Gold Chief, the friend of the Running Iiagle. his scalp not for the belt of the. Itunning idagle. “ But bad pale laces are with him, and would kill red man on sight," and he glanced at the rising storm clouds as though he realized that danger was in them for the white men. The guide, all unconscious of his dan- ger, turned and rode back to join his comrades, with a result already seen. The Indian, however, did not leave his place of ambush. He seemed to feel that the white men would not tarry there in the face of the coming Storm, but push on to good shel- ter. ' " The Running Eagle will get good horse," he muttered, and his intention was to follow on the trail of the whites to where they camped and then cut a horse out. But the halt in the timber he saw with surprise, which was increased as he wit— nessed the thrilling scenes that followed Gordon Gentry s denunciation of the guide. The lone chief had mastered the lan- guage of his foes, and he knew that the pale faces, madaened by hung-er, niche. and suffering, visited their wrath upon the guide, whom he had called his friend. Twice his rifle was raised as though to save his friend, but the madness of his act came to him and his finger (lid not touch the trigger. And therehe sat, the savage red man, and saw the white man of boasted civili- zation play the part of a brute to his fellow man. He saw the brave young Gold IIunter seek to save his friend, and then how the guide was mercilessly dragged into midair at the end of a rope. He saw the close call of the young de— fender, then the coming of the Border King, Buffalo Bill. Back further into his hiding place sunk the Indian chief at sight of Buffalo Bill He knew him as the deadly, yet gener- ous, fee of the red man. He knew him as one who never fired a shot ruthlessly, but was one to stick to a trail to the bitter end, could almost trail a. bird, and knew no fean yet locked to his The chief saw him now openly defy the odds he faced, and heard and saw all that followed. There he crouched, gazing anxiously at the rising clouds, and saw the Gold Hunters file away under the guidance of Buffalo Bill. But he did not follow on their trail. His eyes had been riveted upon the limp and motionless form of the one he i had called his pale face friend. He had seen them throw him into the middle one of the three graves, and then dash in the earth upon him. But the Indian chief had hardly seen the last one of the Gold Hunters dis- appear, when he leaped from his hiding place and rushed to the grave of his friend. Like a wild beast he began to dig, throwing the dirt out as a hungry wolf might. Was it the gold he was after? At last he reached the form of the guide, and instantly he raised it in his arms and placed it on the outside of the grave. ' Leaping out, he took the form in his arms, and bore it rapidly away to the ravine he had made his hiding place. CHAPTER XIV. A DUEL TO THE DEATH. That the reader may learn still more of the mysterious Indian chief who had had the guide under cover of his rifle, and later had seen the sad fate that had be- fallen him. A couple of hours before the approach of the guide to the timber, the Indian chief had been half a mile from the scene that had been enacted in the tim- ber, and his appearance indicated that he was lying in wait. either for game or a fee. He was just at the mouthcf a small canyon, and glad indeed would have been John Scott to have happened upon the spot, for under the shadow of the cliffs grew grass that was \long and luscious to the taste of a horse or game. Up the canyon a few hundred yards 3. spring oozed out of the base of a solid rock, forming a. small basin, which it over-flowed, and then lost itself in the ground, which soaked it up. But this dampness caused the grass and trees thus fed to grow luxuriously in the little canyon. In a cliff on one side of the canyon, and hidden by the cedars that grew about it, was a cavern that was some dozen feet wide. and ran back into the rocks in two chambers, one of them penetrat- ing several yards, the other much fur- ther. That the smaller cavern was made a living room by the Indian there was every indication, for wood was piled up _there, a buffalo and ,a bear robe were upon the rock flooring, and a bundle of blankets, while, beneath a hole in the rock roof was the ashes of a fire. A haunch of venison and a wild tur-’ key, along with a large fish, hung out— side, showing that the chief was a gen- erous provider for his larder. The second cavern he evidently used‘ as a stable for his pony, which was hid- den near him as he lay at the mouth of the cavern in ambush. ' Still waiting there, as he was, the chief suddenly became deeply absorbed in something he had discovered. His eyes had fallen upon a horseman coming across the plain toward the can- yon. At once he was all attention, and said: “The Night Hawk is no skulking coy- ote, for he is coming to meet the Run— ning Eagle as he said he would. “ His scalp will hang at the belt of the Running Eagle toonight, and he can re- turn to his people and not be ashamed to show his face.” So- saying, the Indian chief went back to where his pony was hitched, and mounting, rode boldly out of his hiding place. _ His manner was hostile from the first, I l «1" $3.- r a, ' . and yet, though going to meet an evident foe, he did not, savage though he was. take an advantage of him and remain in ambush. The horseman who was approaching if t was also an Indian, wearing the war bonnet of a chief, and in the fullest gorgeousness of barbaric splendor of war .4 paint and dress. :" He answered the wave, of his foe's " hand with one of defidnce, and bringing fiisrifle up for use, rode swiftly toward im. ' The other also had his rifle ready, and , he too dashed toward his enemy, utter— ing a wild and defiant war cry. It was instantly answered by the other, who, instead of firing suddenly, dropped on the other side of his horse from his. enemy, and begun to ride in a circle. The Running Eagle turned his pony ,'so' as to make him also circle around. though he sat bolt upright in his saddle, . as though in defiance of the other's hid- ‘ ing behind his pony. » ‘.. Thus the two circled around and ,aroupd, the diameter of the ring growing 1 sfialler and smaller. Now and then-one would utter his wild war cry, which would be promptly an- SWered, and often their rifles would be raised and lowered, as though they wished to. be sure before they fired. ' I . At last, as though tiring of these cir- . {cling manoeuvres, the Running Eagle suddenly wheeledhis pony and charged ' straight toward his enemy. ' 1,.lnstantly the rifle of the other cracked, antidown went the pony of Running Eagle“, a :bullet in his brain, and falling so heavily that his rider was thrown fiwith" great force. ,“F'For an instant he lay as incuin stunned, and with a wild cry his meniy ‘, dashed upon him. ' 7‘;,=_B‘iit, Running Eagle was quickly upon (Fi‘s‘é'reet, his- rifle was in his grasp, and .loyeled. ’ T ‘ l * ' ' I .. v u Then came the, crack, just as the :rider » J. rew.his horse back upon his haunches, Vasthough to protect himself. n-‘jt had the desired effect, for the bullet pierced the pony's breast, and he fell back upon his rider. Ere he could rise, Running Eagle was on-him, knife in hand, and with the telltlble war cry of his tribe, he drove drawing it out with the skill gotten from icing experience, madea circle around the top of. the head, his hand grasping the 4‘1 scalp lock. anti the red trophy was his, womb" the desperate duelhe had fought ‘torsome'rsason with a icilow,chief. ', , tmras from this'fatal encounter that ,film Running Eagle went to the timber nd came upon John Scott, the guide. w CHAPTER XV. ‘r (,3'5,WHAT was Form» 1N Tim GRAVE. he. 'Goldmen, as they liked ‘to be . hadgworked diligently in cutting ydi‘the large ,pine that had fallen "the gums. , hedhange of weather they knew had thseart‘h to settle considerably, Vt an. also seemed as they had left it. They "had resigned themselves to the " that they must remain where t'they for the night, though they felt anx- - 10mm“ l ‘ a change of weather they know had your Buflalo Bill’s (even. and they " his early returan while for the reason, and“ knowing that Percy flupmounted upon the scout’s ,1t’dey i’éhredme had not perished, as had hoped. * ‘ ‘ I : .' . 3' ‘mmer.had ‘set in _ cold and , rho early in the season, they were' 'itincéan: another normato .‘ follow toklyrsb , as they could reach‘shel- . and. thud destroy all trace of their " .th‘a’tBu‘flaloxBil-i could not ape t irklotter left for him was a lie, uld hence be unable to ,fol\low : 5' their '. traits . \J .; l ‘ slits, as they, stood, watched“ the ' At’deep into the foe’s braWny breast, and. throw out the earth, hardened by the wetting it hadireceived. ' ' They were looking dewn with pale Ii’aces to the‘ discovery of the body of I their one—time friend, the man to whom .they owed so much, and so cruelly had 1' murdered. They did not relish the sight they ex- ' pected to behold, and a few turned their heads away. “ I didn‘t think it was so deep as this,” said one. ‘ ' " It didn't seem so to me," remarked another. , But they dug on. with comments pass— ing around the group, until at last the man who had the pick cried out, in a 01‘Y allied to horror: “Look at that!" “What is it? " “ Another body! " “ What do you mean?" “We have struck a, body we didn‘t put in the ground! " ' “ Yes, but———~" “ The body is not John Scott's!" A groan burst from evd'y lip, for the man had suddenly dragged the body out of the earth. It had been lying upon its face, and it had not the clothing on that John Scott had when buried. The men all peered down into the grave with staring eyes, while the man who had been wielding the pick grasped the shoulders of the dead man and raised the form in his strong arms, - Another movement'and the body was thrown out of the grave. ', “Ari Indian!" ' Each vome had spoken: “and he has been scalped," said Gordon (icuti‘y. “Yes; redskius came along. saw the freshly made grave, and buried one of their dead here,” one of the group re- marked. ' , . ‘ , g ._ T‘Andthe gold?” ” .‘ k . The question ‘was asked: in tones'ot dismay. ' “It is there, of course," Gentry. The man seized his pick again and went to work with the greatest energy. Up and down the pick rose and fell, and then he leaped out of the grave and two men sprung into it to throw out the dirt; but no gold was revealed! The man went to work with his pick again, until he suddenly shouted: " Bedrock! ” ‘3' I, “The gold! the gold!” yelled all. “Is not here." ‘ , V , ~ The men leaped down themselves until the grave was packed with them. They raved, swore, shouted, and yet all to no use. ' The gold was not in the grave! , “What does it mean? " yelled Gordon Gentry. Only silence answered him. . At last Gentry spoke. \ , . “Men, ‘this is Percy. Willard‘sgworkl ” Avyell answered him. ‘ . “‘He overtook the Scout, told him all, andthey got the gold." ’ ‘ This seemed to be the. opinion until one 'man said: , , “ But that Indian?“ This ‘was a stumbling block. ‘ ‘“ Yes. the Indian? ” came the question. “ It could still be their werk, for you know Buflhlo Bill scalps his dead, and hevmlght have killed the I dian." But the ,redskin was; t ere; and he changed the idea of Gentry that Buffalo Bill had returned with Percy Willard and gotten the body, , “ They'could not have carried the gold away without more«horses and help." “Where/ls their trail?" “This body' was ‘put here before the storm" r- I ’ j , . The last assertion caught every car, “and it was true, as they aim. '- ’ The storm had broken within three or said Gordon The hall and ‘sleét h‘ad‘fallenthen and lulled thd gravel, and the melting. later had".hard‘ena,d th '1“; "1"” if i , earth lastlie‘y’ had round oi i I through to rob us, and we must have re- ' 1 Way] bags to it at \ ' so! get 'us‘ out of (the one to wear a dead man’s shoes.” four hours after. they; ‘had' left the spots Then, too, the tree had been blown: down by the storm. This did aWay with all idea of Percy. Willard and the scout having secured the gold, for they were with them in the camp until after the storm. CHAPTER XVI. IN A llchll MAN‘S SHOES.‘ ' t“ The men stood glaring at each other i as though each one was guilty of treach- i cry. - ' ‘Each one was thinking how he could f i» vent his injury and disappointment upon . ' the other. , Gordon Gentry saw this, and grew anxious; he must turn the tide of savage despair that was seizing upon an. t ' » v To do this he said: “Comrades, we" have been robbed, that is certain; but whether it be Percy Willard's act, or the scout's. is the question. The scout may i have had comrades near whom we did V not see, and who dug up 9111' treasure as' ‘ soon as we left. We must have r'cveng'e. , You know that Bull‘qu Bill is an Indian fighter, and he was on a scouting expedition when he came upon us. You know how bold he was, and my idea is , that he had comrades near, and the done. a. - Indian wasqone they had killed; ‘ ,' “They saw us bury the gold, and while Buffalo Bill was taking us to shelter they robbed us,‘ and afterward he joined them, and that traitor Willard ' did also. ‘ . “It was,. in my opinion, a ‘plot all in? venge.“ “ What can we do, for are we not lost, starving, and will soon freeze?” asked a,» man, savagely. ‘ ‘ , “We are not starving, for we have If footho last us.for some time. , 9 mm. "leis «Invests andgourgr and there wood, water, grass, and'game " are in plenty. “We will suffer some, yes, but we can .. work the old claims, and in- the spring ‘ w .- ’ come out. ' ' ' “Don‘t despair, men, [but let us go where life, not death, awaits us, and we will win/in the end. mark my words." e Two-thirds of the men cheered - , idea, and seeing his advantage, .Gent‘r“ ‘ ’ continued: . i ‘ f if , .‘ , ,.’ “Now, while the trails are fresh We x will look about here, and discover all we T ' ' can: but first "let me say that we have no leader, and I move that we elect one." “What is the matter with you?" “ I am only a self-imposed leader, and , s32. V there may be others whom you would i=3 prefer, so just decide first of all.” ' There was a hurried parle -, J _ 7, v men cried out i r Gordon, =1 man. one Item!- u ‘»“" C , . , “'lYnir ,g'ot‘us'ihtofithis ‘trouble, 'Gentry, _ ft. ., ' V it, and remember, as ~ . you were " the man who accused John " Scott, and hanged him, the same rule will apply to you as well.” ~.;,:;,,,,, ;. . Gentry shuddered at this. He. fastened-’7 his eye upon the speaker, who was named. w 7; ,r Buck Braxton, and .a man not to trifle "ti" with. ' “ 3 ' a Buck Braxton met his gaze unflinché "33, ingly, and said: “ Yes, John Scott said we were to hang I ' him it he betrayed us, and we hanged because he lost us. , , V; .. , “The man who leads‘ua ‘mlmt take the same chances, say I. or he is not , p , fit to be the captain ot'a dozen desperate sigh” men.” . v ‘ ~ . . This was received with cheers: theme . - were readyddr anything. '1 iii/33,57, “ DQ you accept the responsibility, Ger-{T} ' don Gentry? ” asked Buck. , - , _ _ u ‘do." . ‘ i“ ‘ ": hen yOu are our captain. You'ari; - . a]; . 2. The men cheered, and one cailed~0ut: “We should have a second in com-V mand, and I propose Buck Braxton. ’ ’ A shout greeted the proposal. All knew that’Buck Braxton was a man ’ nd no nonsense." . ‘ ~ ' .Vi V . .-.,g " 9 ‘ '. : 4 ;’ to, ...._~...... V's . » Burns Bin: He had been bold enough to put a price on the captaincy, so he would be the one to serve. “Under the same conditions,” Gordon Gentry. “ Yes, I would refuse otherwise to hold the position," remarked Bruxton. Then were the two leaders elected. This over with, and Bruxton called out: “ Now men, while we are accusing Buf- falo Bill, Willard, and others, and mak- ing numberless enemies, would it not be well to ask what has become of the body of John Scott? ” The question fell like a bombshell in their midst. No one had thought of John Scott. .The fact that the dead redskln had been found in the grave completely took their attention off of the man they had buried there. “A fair exchange is no robbery, it is said,” continued Bruxton. “ but this was not a fair exchange, as an Indian is not worth a white man, dead or alive, and more, they had the gold, too. “But about John Scott, would like to know?" The question none could answer, and an eyes turned upon Ruck Bruxion to see if he could SOIVe, the mystery he had sprung upon them. cried is what I CHAPTER XVII. LOST IN THE NIGHT. But Buck Bruxton could not answer his own question. They expected him to speak, to say more he saw, and so he said: “ Was John Scott dead? ” That second question startled all. Gordon Gentry atwonceironlled in I. ~ . sneer-ing way, for he saw «that his second «thrway to Win more favor than 'he did: “Dead? Did We not hang him?“ "‘ That decs not follow that he was , dead." ' “Nonsense.” “Well, let us see. He was dragged up, now lets face the end of the rope. “He might not have been hanged to \":“'5'i#death when Buffalo Bill came upon the Boone, for he was then dropped to the ground and forgotten. “Then he was tossed into the grave and left there; but, as the gold was taken before the storm, and the body also. might he not have been alive? ” “ No! ” said Gordon Gentry, flrmly. " “Then why was the body not found the Indians, for such men to carry a dead man around a .. "Etieéieokmratflgany “I do not understand anything about the whole accul‘scd mystery." he said. “We lost our gold, We found an In- dian in the grave, and the, body of John Scott gone, and that is the situation. Let us separate while we still have “lightand try. and find some clue. " This weather is not going to last long. ' and if we do not get to the shelter of that camp we will all be dead." , This settled the question, and the men "started .out to see what clue they could the mystery. : tibia was filled up again by - .4 Mthe pine log was about t0 be 1'01 three graves, as though for Dram, when Buck Bruxton called out: ' _ .“ There is one important thin “Luvs metten.” “ What IS it?” impatiently. from don Gentry. " " What about the other KNIVES? 7 _“ Well? " _ ' “ Are we sure the men we buried in them are there now?" ‘It was another question to answer by opening the graves. ' , f‘ We find Indians in them. too,” said one; .Themen who- had returned from' the « torsion. balm. dozen in number. at» the graves. a... » With a. will they worked, and at last the bodies were reached, were taken out and found to be their dead comrades. “Bu‘ they have been scalpeuz” said Buck Bruxton. " . It was true! The scalp of.each man had been taken. “This points to Indians, and not to Buffalo Bill,” said Bruxton. “But would Indians take the body of John Scott?" sneered Gordon Gentry. “They might, if he was still alive, just to enjoy the pleasure of torturing him to death.” Again did Buck Bruxton score against his captain. The graves were now refilled, the men rolled the log across the three, and all having returned from what had proven a fruitless search, and darkness settling down, they went to camp for supper. But it was a gloomy meal, and in an ugly mood, they turned into their blank- ets early. When the dawn came they were all up, intending to push-on to the nearest water. twenty miles away, on the back trail, to halt for breakfast, but suddenly an alarm arose. Buck Bruxton had made a discovery; three of their very best horses were missing. A watch was at once begun, but the stake ropes had been pulled up, that was certain, by human hands, and the hard soil thereabout left no trace of a trail. “Indians,” decided Bruxton. This suggested that it would be best not to stay in a search for the three missing horses, but to push right on their way. ' rub-TM .g...ls‘M-‘ laden . . corralled,” ooraosg‘oenny“ 111',th it}; had all been his way of thinking. As the gold had been lost. the missing horses (lid not inconvenience them, and were just so many less animals to care for. Gentry led the way, and every man was told to be on the watch for Indians, and also to see that no mistake was made in the trail. ' Their own trail had been destroyed by the storm, and as they had not expected to return that way, they had not partic— ularly noticed the country through which they had passed. To make a mistake and not find their way back to the old deserted mining camp they had passed, each man of the party knew would be their doom. - CHAPTER XVIII. , ,_ THE scours COMING. as he was to freezing blasts and day, an~ falo Bill, wrapped nn‘--,§ieii.3?=‘teo.iynould that swept about him when he left the Gold Hunters in the camp he had taken them to. He knew well that he was risking his life in going as he did; but he also well knew that the men in the camp must soon get help or would freeze or starve to death. It was his way, always, to sacrifice him- self for others, and he would not turn back. ‘ ‘ He would take all chances of getting on his way, and only go into camp when compelled' to do so to keep from freezing. The ground was lcy and frozen as hard as a rock, and he had to pick his way, though his horse was rough shod. Only at a walk could he go, for a faster fgait would cause the splendid horse to a . . has his way was slow. I_3u-t on‘he went, and only when dark- ness was close upon him did he begin to look about for apiece to camp. . He found one at last, a break in a cliff, at the base of which there was a dense growth of cedars, and where there was a small brook, but frozen hard. He‘ knew that his horse must su the was; of open , trend. but hebznksth‘ei" f~ Whitehead he, ‘3 - "- ~encrusted, by the night of a bright spotronte not but bend before theme - welcome. ' 4!! w he could not relish his supper, for the animal who was his comrade must go hungry. At last he said: “I‘ll give you the, meal, old fellow, for I can do without bread, and I have more flour." So the horse ate this and was content, a. part being reserved for his breakfast. Close by the fire the horse lay down, the scout spreading his rubber blankets over him and lying down close to his back. Thus the night passed without suffer- ing, though not in comfort, and again the ice had to be broken in the brook for, water for breakfast. Once more the scout mounted and went on ‘his way, glad that he had at least come thus far of the distance. . At noon the weather grew warmer, and the horse had a good feed of grass. ' Then the.trail was resumed and kept up until night, when an excellent camp- ing place was found, and'both man and beast were fairly comfortable. ' Once more an carly start was made by the St'Ulll, and the weather growing warmer. he knew that it was no longer a. question of doubt, he would safely, reach the fort and be able to return and rescue the Gold Hunters, for he would go back prepared for the very worst of weather, and which he knew must now be ‘ expected. v But then to’rescue a dozen souls, other. lives must be risked. for so it has gone ‘“ : through the whole history of the world, and such work it is that makes. heroes of men. . Toward night of the fourth day’s trail the weary horse and haggard ,rider were lined against the sky. -- g It was, the flag of the United States fluttering in the cold wind, and it waved abow Fort Shelter. , Buffalo Bill rode into the formats" the cheers and shouts ‘of welcomed! hun- v dreds of gallant soldiers, who had given I up all hope of seeing him alive again. ' The fearful blizzard coming on, weeks sooner than usual, had caused oflicers and men to give him up as lost, for all knew, that he had gone to the mountains its the northward to scout about and see the Indians were threatening a raider"- had been peaceful. r I ,‘ Cowboys attending cattle in exposed ranges, and the poor beasts “they cared for, had been frozen to death. The stage coach had been caught in, the blizzard, and came in with the driver dead upon his box. . , ' A hunting party from the fort; come in with the loss of one of their number, and two scouts of Buffalo Bill; company had been found dead on th than. while help had to be sent mining camp twenty miles away in the mountains. ‘ ‘ That Buffalo Bill would ever getélfn alive, even those that knew him“bé§t. did not believe. , He was a man ofluck as well as p but could he withstand that terrible gang. zard, was the question. - . ‘ ' Imagine, then, the welcome the ,' chief of scouts’received, for he was idol or‘ the fort. and one and align ' him for the danger he had known,“ admired him for his indomitable plea: and will. ' , ' _ Haggard, hungry, weary, and. a ing, he went straight to beam] '" and was honored by hearing «can Miles call'out to the sentinel: _ ' “ Present arms to him, air, for bed!- serves it!” . “I CHAPTER XIX.‘ THE DOI‘BLE RELIEF. ‘ Buffalo Bill fairly dropped chair which Colonel Miles motioned to, after warmly grasping his turn as all right, Cod 7 not expect - 5Y9]: got back “It was a fearful blizzard, sir. the worst I ever saw for this season of the year; but will you order gotten ready, sir, blankets and food, and the surgeon, with all haste, sir, for there is a band of forty Indians perishing in the mountains, and I must guide the party of relief there at once." “ You must? ” “ Yes, sir." > “Why, man, you are scarcely ‘able to stand." “A square‘meal and warming up will ' bring me around all right, sir, by the time the relief is ready, and no other per- son would be allowed to go there, for they know I am their friend." ‘.‘If you can stand it, yes, and I will ‘Order’the relief at once, and it will be a good thing to help this band." __,“It will, indeed, sir, have a good ef- feet; but there are others to help also. and I’ll tell you about them as soon as I have braced up." The scout now went to his quarters, . and a. cold bath. drink of brandy, and good, supper made him, as he said, as good as new. ' - Then he returned to headquarters and reported the finding of the Gold Hunters. and the frenzy he had found them in. V -“ Poor fellows, they were maddcned at finding no gold, and the sufferings that followed. “I feel sorry for them, but they must be brought to the fort, and again tried for that murder, and the intended one of/the young man whom. you say so Fboldiysnefended his friend.” . ' '_. ." But did they not kill the young fel- ‘iow after you left? ” “I am anxious about him. sir, but I ‘Warned them, and threatened them with econsequences if they did.” ;“’“;'f§.1,a'lxope,that. will'cause them to spare mm, m- 23‘}. is? ; 3.. ' «r V H “ ut how far away are th'e'y’?” ‘ " " Over two hundred miles. sir." «SA terrible journey to make in the ‘ ace of what we have just had in the way =,.of, “weather.” " Yes, sir, and I fear we will soon have ~ another blizzard.” , I . .' “I 'wiil call for an officer to volunteer, :‘and'ithe men, too.” ,;,f“Colonei Miles, with your permission, 3-1fwould like to take only‘my scouts, sir, fidozen of them, for they are more ac- ' ,‘,,custom,ed to hardships than the soldiers, and it wiii be a fearfuiiy hard trail." you mean to go, Cody? _ ' . ~In : h , ~ A bid 1L"- ; ' I " '.«, nt;«.£:oion‘ei~ Miles, ino' man could and 1:83: canons-id "snow come on, save my- . f5,"who knows the way. as I marked it i coming back. and I really do not feel my "-7th ride new, sir, save in fatigue." ' ‘f-You can have your way, Cody, for I , ignitiyou will «Ms-bio start some i " I will go to-night to‘the indian‘ camp. strand, my scouts, with the supplies for Vthi‘flol‘d Hunters, can follow at daWn, ' I will meet them on the trail. , » he surgeon and the soldiers who go Mightican remain inithe Indian camp til they, can} moved. for I found in, a very bad waY.’.’. ., Mitflas it, Cody?" kWh smoke, sit-Land rodethere. his; barelyable to {keep Wood on the 1’ indthey Were out of food, Vihrgshowed fight even-,th‘on, butvI "Wifli inn-hands unfigave them ; meanings“ enough for a cup of, hot coffeo’sll round. - - « ~ I v left them my _~-. , it“? as What Lennie. M91!“ sue, IKhMl‘fi-‘ji 0me u C” , m” mooning Yes; 811'; they are'guilty of maiderrr'» ' you can gauge your own powers ,[ntql heywere' huddled together in a 03.114"- ‘fé.§rovisions I'had with me,.‘-and.- ' lifiQaththl‘t.’ nonmaliavesone. hand they only would e. v “They are under their big Chief, Red Willow, who is very 'old, and I cannot understand why he isso far from his village with so small a band of his braves; but I asked them no questions, sir." “It was best. “ I suppose many are frostbitten? " “Yes, sir, and that is Why I wish the surgeon to go along, and they need warm clothing and blankets, too. sir." “ I'll order anything, and both assist- ant surgeons to go, in case of need. “The outfit will be ready within half an hour, and I hope you will care well for yourself. also.” “I have reported thoroughly, sir: but let me also say that the men 1 left in the mountains are in rags, their blankets are worn thin, and—»%" “I will send clothing, boots, and all they need, and your scouts can get: away at dawn. so you can meet them about noon on the trail. but try and get some rest before they come along, for you will need it after your night ride.” “ l’m all right. sir," was Buffalo Bill’s cheery reply. and soon after he rode away at the head or the relief party for the lndian band. CHAPTER XX. 'rm-z moms CAMP. Though the weather had greatly mod- erated, the cold was yet severe, and the relief party all were well prepared for their night? side» and what was: before them: - " ’2‘;»"E,ver ready to respond to a call for help, the soldiers went willingly, a score I in number, with an (lflli'i’l' in charge, the two surgeons. and a couple of ambulances with hospital stores, while pack mules were well laden with supplies. Had. there been, any one-who wished to, ambient ' 'e solomvirisltf’nm.,fthe.est: "fihfié'fi‘ffia stains}, just int-mm an aha” “most fatal ride, would have shamed them. He rode to the front and said in a cheery tone to the lieutenant in com- mand: “ All ready to pull out, sir.“ The order was given, and the party went forth into the darkness and cold. Buffalo Bill led the way, and the pace he set was a good one, for he intended to get to the rescue as soon as possible, well knowing the great distress the little: band of braves wasin. f f . , It was a newexpericpce to him“, going 'to the wreliefmf heathen. the very In—. radians who wore-'thirsting for... his scalp» apd“with,Whom-the soldiers were con- stantly‘at war! ~ , The old Red Willow had seemed to stand the suffering better than his young "it‘ll. { lie was a great chief, the bitter foe or 19919113031: :Euffdlo Bin Thad; been “surprised, to find him so far-from hisviitagc, with. ' a” few mam as his. only escort. . . The‘Indians had wondered at the act) of’tha great scout; but when he had brought wood for their fires, given them coffee, and had taken all of his own sup- 'plies to feed them, giving them his own blankets, they had felt that he was their friend. .. . , “I will come back with help-for you, clothing, and .foodrand‘ I will bring-no foes . with me,‘ but . my red brothers friends," he‘ had sald.;and then, he sought m‘ore wood‘io‘r them.fand mounting his ’borse. Md riddennwayhng' . The firstjact of, old. chief was to try and urge his braves, strengthened by thé‘foodgoqd Warmth; to mount their harsh-a and... W? but, not half a dozen havevridden off to their death, as all -Thermust stay there and trust in the .word of thetreatr-scout.‘ a : . . frz~hisirtonsus was crooked. then they mnlugg’isirr _ "disfasythéy-had; lived, without a «and relieve: ran a. - .V‘neur tit 9931,93 " " a “a P as “fifeehied condition. ,the palefaces. but in his old age hads'nbtf, .‘ ' I . ‘ the .' W ,i, , _ known to so “you ‘ w ,dhre’d'frostgthe - some: member V r wing gigging snatshowed that ~ g u’mwym, ' ' ,4, and, crowded together, the poor Indians encircled the fire. The food had put them in better con— dition to bear the cold than on the night before. They had, too, the benefit of the scout’s blankets. - But those who had been the worst frostbitten suffered. untold anguish, and all had their share of misery. ' Unable to sleep with their pains, they kept the fire up as best they could, and but for the scout they would not have had the wood to keep them warm, as none of the braves were able to bring the heavy logs, as he had done. Their ponies, fortunately. could crop some grass, but not much, and they, too, were in a bad way. . . , Midnight came and passed, and the suffering braves, in spite of their stoi- cism, which causes their race to bear all ills in silence, would now and then utter 21 groan. I - Suddenly they heard a hoof fall out . in the darkness. Was it the scout‘s. or was it a foe? If the scout. had he come back as a friend, or with soldiers at his back to shoot them down, his kind act being but, a trap to keep them there to die? _, - , , Another moment, and in their own language a Voice said: “Pa-e-has-ka has come back to help his red brothers. “My people are here with clothing, blankets. and food, and my medicine men?“ .~ have come to help the great chief, Re Willow, and his young braves.” ’ Then the scout strode into the fire~ light. and. rising with an exort to his feet, the old chief said: ~ " The great White Chief is our brother.- He has spoken with a straight tongue.” arm -v . A. .. 7 J v i " i . 11'. . . ,r 51?, n . ‘ 1 . , , them to Join, and with their leader out of the way, the young man I spoke of done for, those he killed making two less, the rations they had, the provisions I ,. left them, and mounted on their horses, ‘ ‘ “which had had a rest, they could take . the back track, go to where they started ;. ' , . from and get through the winter in some Way, for there must be other miners ‘ where they have been." “'It‘his looks the right idea," said a con . their letter says that . after me at the time I left,“ *i' ,knew.” “Yes. sin” ' ‘ “ That young man was plains- ' ,man of the lot, and he was,no.,.¢opi_ to chances in that freezingth- ‘ or unless he was well prepared. ; ‘f They would not have allowed him‘ to, take food and blankets from them. and it ~ __ who got them. he slipped away With themo , ' "If he .did not he had to fly 101' his ‘ 2 life, and they drove him off to die, and , i; _ that was murder. , I ‘ “Wehave [found no skeleton of horse or man on their”, so he could not have jfoliowed on after me." “No, sir.” _ .- - ‘ g .‘fa‘he men were all splendidly armed and had plenty of ammunition, and so I“ they the back. trallg'rathst than ,w‘mhem,hx,.m to “gr- « ‘ 4 Wiffittjdsgnyfiuty to, "No party has come near‘here‘for' ‘M ’ ’early in the season, would not last long, they awoke to find the fierce wind had -- sun the I! where they would have been tried for the murder of their leader and that young man. “ In my opinion that is just what they have done.” ‘-‘ It looks so, chief! ” “ I guess you are right.” “ Sure.” ‘ “ You've got the right trail, sir.” “ You always hit it right, chief." “ But what can be done about it, sir." So the comments had run on, until the last question deserved an answer. After a moment of thought Buffalo Bill said: “ With the supplies they had they could run for a. couple of weeks on short ra- tions, and mounted, they could go a long way in a week, without their wagon to retard them.” “Ah, yes; they could get well away. “ But Just how long has it been. sir? " asked Texas Jack. ‘ “I ran upon them just one week ago to-day. “I left them to go to the fort the fol- lowing afternoon, and say they got out the next day, they have had five days the start." “ Sure.” “Give them but four, and forty miles to the day, and you see they are a long way off. “ If they have gone the back trail they came, I know of no mines under a couple of hundred miles in that direction, and I have heard that they were abandoned as no good. “ Further beyond a hundred miles there is a good paying mining country, and it is said there are hundreds of miners up there)? , L I Ears,"s¢ns?itsm..airw “ I suésséthey “ Doubtless. I “ it is there, at least, I shall look for them, as soon as I am sure." “llut do you expect to follow them. chief," asked Texas Jack, with all the others surprised at the Words of Buffalo Bill. “ Oh, yes." “ But this storm will have destroyed all trails, perhaps have frozen the outfit to death." . “ It is my duty to find out. “ I came here to rescue those men. “ They are not here, and after this blizzard is over, before another storm comes I will find out where they are. “ I warned them not to kill that young man. “Either they have done so, or driven him out to die, and they were already murderers, hence a dangerous band to be at large; ‘ ‘ met I find them, and I will, , .r . '.-,i'a.dth.escouts saw determinism-,7"? 3 ~ an. ure of their'chief's « ' I-‘i'?’ But there was no backing down in band of heroes. ‘" CHAPTER XXVII. A TELL TALE LETTER. Through the whole day the blizzard continuedto make man and beast uncom- fortable. I The scouts realized how bitter would have been their sufferings had they been in a less complete shelter. They had the satisfaction of feeling, however, that the snow, falling that the sun quickly melting it. . Upon the morning of their third .da lulled, the sun areas in a claudless ek'y,‘ the.“ intense cold no longer greeted'them and the horses were neighing to get out of their close confinement. , They Were quickly turn out, the ice broken for them to get ter, and'they could get what picking could be found in places the snow did not cover. ' .‘ ‘ “ It’s a rough country to the north- ward, the way. to go. pards, so we will wait until to—morrow and give the horses all they can get.of;.gra' r:- "' “ it .11 , not. . Bufi'alo 'fifllfi'at r with tiger = . It proved as he had said, for the snow melted as quickly as it had come, and the horses had a feast. The start was made the next morning in weather that was only cool, and Buf- falo Bill led the way directly back toward the waterless timber on the edge of the barren plain, and where the Gold Hunters had left three graves to mark their short stay there. The scouts were not long in discover- ing that their chief was not going by guess work, that he knew just what he was about. for he rode directly to the spot where the Gold Hunters had camped during the ‘day and night of their stay there. “This camp was not here when I was in' this timber last. “ See, they made a night camp here, and now to see why they came here to stOp, where there was no water or graSs. “We will have a look at those graves over in yonder timber, so we stay here for some little time,” said the chief. With this he dismounted and walked over to the timber. When the others came over and joined him, they found him standing by the three graves. ' “Jack, the centre grave was where they buried their leader, and the other two are where the men killed by that young man Willard were buried. “ I watched closely, and I did not see them search the guide‘s body before burying it, and he certainly must have had something about him as to who he was. “Now I told you these men had come. on the back trail, for had they gone southward they would not have come “ Here is their camping pinch" this: tree has fallen across the grave and been “’ cut in two, and is now placed over the three. ;.‘ ' “ This is proof to me that the ,grayegifiif graves, were open, and it may" be" that ' before I showed up that day they had _' buried their gold in one of the graves. “ It is worth seeing, however." The scouts agreed with their chief, and; picks and shovels were gotten iromytlw packs and the men set to work. T “2. They opened the middle grave first. They were positively startled When scalped head of an Indian appeared, an there was no white man found in t grave. ~ .g . f; “This grave was dug large for guide and the young man. .. , “ An Indian‘s body is in it nay, though I saw a. white man buried here", \ " Buffalo Bill was himself mystified. ' But, he waited until‘ the other grains, were opened. . ‘ A..,wmte‘%'m we in? ‘ , “ been cut as s. - ‘ “More food for thought," muttered” Buffalo Bill, and he gave the orders it). rebury the bodies. ' But, suddenly, he called out: , ‘- .1 “Search the bodies first, thoroqgh’iy."§ This was done, and upon one body. ' found a letter. ’ It was addressed in s. feminine'hldid “ Lucas Shelton, Esq." , ,i‘ ' The rest of the address wa’ ., but the postmark was there, and. 7 , with the one at the heading of‘the let , It had been written from a yillage in“ Mancini, and dated some {our before. ~ ' ’ This letter Buffalo Bill read, and“ “ It is a. letter from a girl to her 10‘? and she is looking forward to hisuretam with hope and pleasure. ' ' " She says that she knows Cupid-1n. Scott—will lead them to riches, and back home, as all the neigh “ confidence in 'him. ._, " ‘ .. Also. the letter all , they have had to suffer and! and those Who had been killedl.,_in fights with Indians'were m 'phopedi that y “20 ‘ :- Buffalo Bill at Bay. 14 displayed was jusr what all had expected of him, while his mother felt most proud of her brave son. ' , “ The letter is signed Belle Lester, and i it tells me where to find out all I care to I know about those Gold Hunters." CHAPTER XXVIII. Tit.\l|.l.\‘ti 'rittz Mys'rtzi-zv. The discovery of the telltale letter was what Buffalo liill had wished. He wanted to find some clue as to who the Gold Hunters were, where they Were ,, from, and all that he could about them. 52'." He had found out that they had all 5 " doubtless come from the same locality in Missouri; that they were supposed to be under a leader that Would lead them to fortune, and this leader they had hanged. The young man who had been a “hero,” they had also intended to hang. They had suffered hardships, had had fights with Indians. and the letter had hinted that they had been successful in their enterprise. had found gold. What motive had such tnen for wish— ing to get, rid of their leader anti his de- fender, the scout had thOught. Then came the. questions: “Where is the body of Captain John Scott? " “ Why is an Indian in his grave?" “Who scalped that Indian? " “Why were the. two men in the other graves also scalped? ” These questions were asked over and over .again. But no answers were returned. That the man Lucas Shelton was the one whose return was hoped for by the writer of the letter had lost his life at the hands of Percy Willard, whom he ~ had spoken of so highly in his letter to Belle Lester, there was no doubt. ' “ She looks in vain, poor girl, for his return," said Buffalo Bill. , Then he began to feel that her lover ' must have been one who had sided with Gordon Gentry for some reason. The depth of the middle grave con- vvinced Buffalo Bill that gold had been hidden in it, the body being placed over it for secure hiding. The scouts thought the same. The'Gold Hunters had surely returned there and gotten their treasure. ' If Percy Willard had left them, as their latter had stated, then he knew of the buried gold, and they feared to trust him. They feared that he might tell secrets about them that would cause them . trouble. Hence their determination to fly, and 'try to fool Buffalo Bill. 7 So it looked to the scouts. ‘But the absence of the body of John W. Scott was a puzzler. ' ' Another was that the Indian that held this place was scalped, as well as the two white men. Why Was this? » The graves had been opened after the L. first storm. that was an assured fact. “ Now, about the body of the guide, )thatl saw put in that middle grave, and v Labour, the Indian, scalped, and the two Tug-hits men also scalped. fid‘tPut on "your thinking caps, pards," saidhfiuflalo Bill, and he walked apart frqmi’the men. after telling them to re- .hury the bodies. . He was evidently “ hunting his mind,” an the men expressed it, for some clue. ’ some trail: ., "Let the chief alone, and he'll get I “more?! said one. - i'The‘o‘thors were of the same way of _.thinking, and all busied themselves to ‘i'innd out just what had happened there. ' At last Buflalo Bill called‘ out: ‘ ."Jaok." . . " . fl“ Ay, ay. chief! ” ' “ Come here.” TherTexsn walked omr to where his _' ’iéf'was, and the latter said: " “Jack, that .redskin was a Sioux? " Pies." ., . f , his titan!) ornaments a chief.” ‘o. ,. (I a ski It was a‘ young chief. byth '1 sif 2; ou‘nro right. fer Tim Hale said he, of Night Bird, one of the worst toes of the whites, and who is trying to be head chief when old Red Willow dies. “Tim I'Iale took a good look at him, and knew the chief he said it was.” “Why should he be scalped, if 21 Sioux. for there are no other tribes about here? " “ True." “ I know of the chief you speak of, and he is a disturbing element in the tribe: but who scalped the two white men?" “ Don‘t know." . “They were dug up and scalped? " l “ Yes.” “Where is the body of the guide?" “ Don‘t, know." ‘ “Jack, there is some one else aboutt here than those Gold Hunters." ' “ it looks so." t “ Now, those lndians we met and fought might have scalped the two white l men, but, not the chief. 5 “Then, too, old Red \Villow's band may have come from this way; but they did not do it unless right after the bodies were buried, for I came upon them three days after, you know." “ Yes." “And Red Willow would scalp the white bodies, but not-Jack, I have an idea." “ Yes, chief, you generally have." " You know how different chiefs quar- ‘ rel and challenge each other to fight ‘ duels? ” “ Yes.‘ “Now, old Red Willow, knowing his young rival's designs, may have been hot after him, and their bands have met, for the second lot we saw may have been Night Bird‘s.” “ You are right.” “ Now, it Red Willow killed Night Bird in a duel he Would have scalped him." “ Sure." “ That would account for the young chief being calped.” “ Yes." “ And the two white bodies being scalped also.” " Correct." “ “But the Indian occupies the grave of the guide, John Scott, so now what has become of the latter‘s body? " “I give it up, I’ard Bill; but you just keep on as you are, and if you don’t ferret the whole thing out I am greatly mistaken,” said Texas Jack. “I shall go on, Jack, until I let day- light into this mystery. “But now to have dinner. and then we’ll decide what to do," and the two re. joined their comrades, who had filled up the graves and left'all as they had found it. v r CHAPTER XXIX. lll‘v'li.)l£l) ’l‘IlAlLS. The scouts saw that their chief was mystified. that he was at a, loss to ac- count for what had happened. He had carefully put away the letter found in the grave, and addressed to Lucas Shelton, for he seemed to consider that of importance for the future. After dinner was over Buffalo Bill said: “ Men, we will leave here within half an hour and our trails will divide." All looked curious at this. Then the chief continued: "I have found enough here to decide to make at headquarters at the canyon we have left “You will take six men back there with you, Sombrero Sam,_and go to work building cabins, and making shelter for the horses. “ In the canyon the snow will not lie long, but you can cut grass so as to have hay for the worst weather, cut wood and make it a regular winter camp." “ Yes, sir." . ' “ You will return there from here," “ I am ready, sir." . "I shall go on with the rest of the men, save Pony Pots, whom I shall send back to the fort with dispatches. say- ing what I have discovered, and asking for. ,plibsto be sent ‘to ,our wmter y . v y. fl,_ ‘ figfl . ., . ml “ The rest of the men will continue on with me until I am sure which trail the Gold Hunters took. Then, if they have pushed on, Texas Jack and I will take a. good lot of supplies and follow. “If we find them, Jack or I will come back for the force. The party we have can then return to our winter camp, and Sombrero Sam you will he in charge, and i feel will get all snug and comfortable." “ We will, chiet'.‘ “But there is a duty whith you must perform." “ Yes," sir.” “ Of course, you must look out for bliz- zards; but all other times you must keep a. couple of men from dawn until dark watching this timber and its ap- proaches. ' “i am sure that there is some camp near here, and I wish to know all about. it." " We‘ll chit-I." “That is just what I wish, and that is all that I wish, for. while remaining in hiding yourself, you must find out the. mystery hanging about this region. “Now, men, Jack and I will supply ourselves well from the outfit, taking two pat-k horses, anti you, Pony Pete, will start for the fort at once. as I have written the dispatches. and guide the re— liet' back to the winter camp, with four more of my scouts which I will ask Colonel Miles to send, for nothing will be done this winter but wait, I feel sure, as far as military operations against the Indians are concerned. “ The rest of you men will go with Jack and myself as I said.” The scouts saw that the chief was on the Gold Hunters trail to stay. They at once set to work and prepared for the divided trails, while he wrote the dispatches to Colonel Miles. Receiving them, Pony Pete started off alone to take advantage of the good weather and get well on his way. : : Sombrero Sam and the others followed more slowly soon after, going'b'ack to the camp up the :anyon, and Buffalo Bill, 'l‘exas Jack and the remaining five started off across the plain. Buffalo Bill led the way at a brisk pace and a score of miles were put behind . them while the sun was yet, well above the horizon. The chief was watching the range ahead, and studying its contour well. He Was anxious to find a break. the place where the Gold Hunters had come through With their wagon, or gone over. At the base of the range was some hard soil, but soft. enough to leave a way- on track. And right here he found a wagon track, the trail of only one, and the Gold Hunt- ers had made~their‘ la’st camp at that spot before crosningthe plain to the tim- ber, where death had come into their midst. What pleascd Buffalo Bill most, how- ever, was the discovery of further tracks right there, and they were turned in the. other direction. , There was no wagon track with this trail, and all knew that it marked the Gold Hunters’ return whither they=had ‘ come. — “Pards. they did not camp here re- turning, but pushed on to where they knew water and grass could boyfound 'in the range, and if I mistake'not, we Will not have to go many miles.” It was as the scout said, a camping place was found before sunset, and there was a tiny stream there and scattering grass, also the signs of the Gold Hunters’ camp. The soouts went into camp for the night, and feeling sure he was right, Buffalo Bill started the five men back to the winter quarters saying to the scout in charge, Larry Loundes: “Larry, you will reach camp before night. ' ‘ ' “‘ - “ Keep an eye on the timber as you go, however. r “ Jack and I will push on, and we at R 1/ unrated eves-so. men a ~‘ “ do all we can to find out, Buffalo “ But we are going to find those Gold Hunters.” The scouts gave a cheer, and Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack pushed on up the range. ' _ CHAPTER XXX. N", THE GOLD lIt'NTERS’ RETREAT. .. , r ' When the Gold Hunters started upon 'l' the back trail turn the timber that she]— fl: tered the three graVes, they were as I, much mystified, if not more, than was '» Buffalo Bill. They had found the man whom they had hanged and buried metamorphosed into an Indian. “They had tound the Indian scalped. 1 Also. had they found their two dead h comrades had been taken from their it graves and scalped. ‘ These were surprises, certainly, but mysteries as well. u.- Was John Scott taken from that grave *l“ dead or alive? Had he been dug up by Indians 01' white men? , , ‘ The worst blow to the Gold Hunters, . however, had been the loss of their gold. They were poorer by far than when they had come to the mines. Then they had been well equipped and had ample supplies. ,, Now they were in rags, horses and men were lean and haggard.‘ their gold was gone. the winter had set in, and starvation, or death by exposure, stared them in the face. Certainly their case was a pitiable one, and they could not but consider how, bad they not attacked their leader, Buf— falo Bill would have. met them, taken, them to shelter, and-thencon‘le WHEN" .5 ~ Efl‘d,mey,and their gold would have cw. ._....4...A.. . A b“ r safe. But they had taken the wrong way of getting out of trouble, so had to bear the consequences. ‘As they. moved on they came to the ,,,_c3.mp where they had halted before their last march 'to‘the timber. They‘ would not halt there, but pushed on to where they knew there was water and some grass up in the mountains. ‘ There, they halted for the night. But their rations had been cut. down, wood had to be brought a long way, it \was cold, and the night passed in wretch- ed discomfort. A scanty breakfast the next morning and the march was resumed. All were sullen and silent. fire; was no cheery leader to urge :fihfwohgaamtt . had done. ., *5 t ' . “allow, such as, ‘ laugh and forget theirsni’ferlngs.‘ _ ' “‘f‘ It was a march of worn—out horses. tagged, half—fed men, grim and in ugly mood. ~ Their noon camp was where John Sentt -_.k_.had made his mistake and gone off on - ; ‘._”‘"thefitrail that. had led to their misfort- unes. They all talked it over and denounced him ‘for it. And yet Gordon Gentry and others know that the plot had been hatched ‘ long before toget rid of John Scott and _. that V gold? might go the further , , 1W- ‘ h :gvllsh on, for the weat er was We, mountains, and the weatherwise pmflfifid"mother ,bliz- zard. l. ,3 , . Witihcaught them away from t end in their doom, then and there. Gordon Gentry, saw their ugly looks ' ,, and remembered the doom that hung overthsieader or, the Gold Hunters, if ‘ theywént wrong. ‘ , . I So. he pushed the horses hard. " Allthrough these wild. rugged mount- , ains Sam? was scarce, there was little “miller. and only now and then could _ ' ' ‘ grass be round for the horses. , Thanh“ suffered-o their ’ "\ - .r l i l . J" ' r- 5 _ . downward units the anew would not? Percy W lllard':Wv’i‘béen.”tb§¥makae; T shelter, all knew that the gold trail m;th W . no. in ,red‘thé'yore v t a} _ began to fear another blizzard would break upon them before they the deserted mining camp. Had it done so, there is no doubt but that another frenzy would have seized upon them, and Gordon Gentry‘s doom would have been sealed. At last, with the air misty with icy particles, the heavens dark and threat- ening, and the wind roaring in the mount~ sins, they came in sight of the valley— like canyon in which was the deserted mining camp. it was hidden away in a heavy growth of pine timber,._ under the shelter of over— hanging clit'fs. and with a stream running swiftly through the canyon. There were meadow lands upon each side of the stream, good grazing the year round for the cattle, and a herd of deer scurried away at the approach of the Gold Hunters, several falling under their fire. “ Good luck, pards. for we’ll have a fine supper. and there is plenty of grass for our horses. “Wood and water are right at hand, and the cabins will shelter us and all our cattle—see! ” and Gordon Gentry seemed to forget all sutferings as he dashed into the pines and halted before one of the dozen log cabins that had formed the mining camp of other un- fortunate fortune hunters. CHAPTER XXXl. BY A NARROW man-om. The camp was an ideal one for the winter, so well was it sheltered from the north by the cliffs, and down in the can- , you by the. pine timber . Thostireajm H .s itt,.ato treeze; ‘lia igdglgown iii; bottom of the canyon, so grass was plentiful, while wood could be had for the gathering. The others who had been there had seemed to have laid in their supply of wood about each cabin, and then de- parted before the winter came on. The men chose the largest and best cabin, cleaned it out, built fires in the large fireplaces at each end, and made themselves comfortable before nightfall. The horses were given another large cabin, and as they would not leave the grass and water in the canyon for the barren mountains, they were turned loose, as soon as they had passed a night in their stable and knew where to go for shelter when the storms came. ' The deer that had been shot were dressed and hung up, and Gordon Gentry had alsokilled a couple of wild turkeys, ’ ,jwere to have a feast that night. ' d»...u‘p.._.a