“AA AAA ALA A.‘_A.A AAAJAA AA A AAAAALA A A4 A A4 AAA‘A‘A _ r \ -_, A. . ..._...V. Copyrighted. 189%. by MEADLB AND ADAMS. ENTERED AH SECOND CLAHS tan-nun .u‘ 1m: NEW YORK. N. Y" POST Ornox. February 16 law. No.1008. BEA-B1:3fifiifififlififilfihm’ Vol.LXXVIIl Eflfllflifl Dink ‘l’fllflfll, KING OF THE ROAD. By Albert W. Aiken. .114 I g 5 3' \ e I .p‘ [A a ,I P“ " I vwvvvvv‘vvwrvvvvwvvavm'vvvwvv-vvvvvvavvvvvvvv'v'vvvvvvvvwvvvvvv‘vvv‘vvvwvvvvvvvvvvvvrvvrr TEEYWERIIRNOIK.“MTONEWWRIDWMDWA‘IUMc LN» w Copyrighted. 1898. bv Emu: AND ADAMS. February 16, 1m. ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK. N. Y.. Pos'r onwn'. No.1008. “35:23:31.2?” BEA2L£L3§MD8$2$,M%WP3£§E’I“s* Va]. LXXVIIL CAPT A1“ TEE/K TALBOT, KING or THE ROAD; Or, The Black-Hoods of Shasta. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, Am 0! “m sromn DETECTIVE,” “m NEW YORK sump.” “ OVERLAND Kn.” “INJUN max,” no, mo. \\ "w “sun on nun on vov'nm A mun HAN!” THE LEADER cum, mum UP to mm on m "comm" m m WITH ms: mpow. , urn» ~W—_..,m~. Illiptain Dick Talbot, KING OF THE ROAD; on, The Black-hoods of Shasta. A wlld story oflll'o In the (.‘Innnlmr Valley; ol’thc men who [all the men “ho ruir mul 1hr mcn “ll-I klll; of the II .ulml and the Inn-"tors: weird In the plugs of the ulld “'rnu-rn lnnd. ntrnngo u the men who people the Mile und valleys over which ("out hhuntn rule-I. BY ALBERT \V. AIKEN, AUTHOR. or “OVERLAND Krr,” “ROCKY mom.L TAIN BOB,” “ chxruok, run snow," “ IN- JUN DICK," “VELVET Influx” ETC. CHAPTER I. THE LEAGUE l'N'l‘O DEATH. r DARK were the shadows resting in the deep vales near to the great. pcuk of’ Shasta; the moon, rising slowly, was Jllst appearng ubove the dimlem of eternal snow with which the 'u'cat mountain monarch of northern California is always crowned. Al'nroll’ shone the lights of Cinnabar, the little mining town, with whose fortunes the readers of the strange life of Richard Talbot. as depicted in the stories of "Kcntuck"und “ Injun Ilickl’are so well ac- quaintcd. All was still and dark, for the moon, just be- ginning to appear above the peak of Shasta, had not yet attained altitude enough to light up the entire mountain side. It was ne‘ar'the Witching hour of midnight, and the lights of Uinnubar were slowly begin- nim,r to disappear, dropping from sight, one by one, like so many falling stars. , No sound or Sign of 1i e was there, either hu~ mun, bird or beast. on that side of the old mountain peak which fronted toward the min- ing town, and any belated traveler, journeying along the narrow trail in the vale below, would, guzin upward at the dark and somber mountain- side, ve shuddered at tho funeral-like appear once. But n0w, as the last light of Cinnabar faded into nothingness and darkness reigned supreme in the Vales below, suddenly, on S 333 this side, half-way up, a little tongue of flame shot into the air, cutting the murky darkness of the night. . thnce came that flame, and who was It that thus in the “ dead waste and middle of the 3i I?” kept watch and ward on great Shasta’s e - Tho tongue of fire burned on a. narrow ledge, twenty or 1; feet square,’near the winding way by means of which a sure-footed traveler could proceed nearly to the crest of the moun- . . A small quantity of brush had been heaped together, in the center of the ledge, and the match applied. \ By the fire stood a stalwart form; black as night the ebon locks that floated loorely down upon, his shoulders, red as the vir ' 1 copper fresh from the mother lode, was his usky face; clad was he in the 1garb of the wilderness, the buck-skin shirt and aging, the gayly-trimmed mnr‘casns, the feather-plumed head-dress, but no Californian Indian was the chief; no brave of tho Shasta tribe; no dusky warrior of the red Mctflouds: no chief of an of the semi-civilized Californian tribes cou1d_ t the inches and the muscular gifts of this perfect specimen of .1 men. . A chief of the great Blackfoot nation was he, the masters of the upper ' ri. No stranger the mm to those who have my the printed plagues ,follow ~the.ca.roer of Injun DICk; 0-wa- e a was on or, to give him the title b which he was more common] known, Mud- :rtle, its red brother of the esperatc White chief who waged; such a. terrible fight a ainst W odds for the control 0 the Cinnabar m 7‘ . The chief stood with folded arms gazing down . into the valley, evidently on the watch. Thean light had been kindled as psignal, and the savage waited for a comrade. ' . ‘ Not long had he to wait, for soon to‘tbo quick can-of the Indian came the sound on; lootste upon the mountaiwide and then from the char shadows of the pines below came a human form; a nun just about the medium bight, dressed in ‘ W‘mmm.“fl““°iy“§"l§l‘w”efl°m£zz ’ wer . gnu . pan , m W69 ‘. over lie-was armodto Pb :mhcsd ml. waist; um ' aha")? twelvefmcb' I V , ‘ 'As’themm the circle 6: ' 311’s distinct-r mowith' and macaw mm y ,.. _.. HM... , r .. .4 such un- - £333.75?" by. N Captain Talbot. the look which once seen was not apt to be for- gotten, revealed that the new comer was the anions man whose name will live forever in the annals of California, Dick Talbot. "‘ How!" exclaimed the chief, as Talbot ad— vanced into the circle of light cast by the fire, and he extended his hand which Talbot grasped warmly. “ Si t, chief,” said Dick, motioning him toward a convenient. bowlder, “ for I have much to say to you.” “ Mud~turtle open cars like the wolf when the tread of the buffalo rings upon the prairie,” the I Julian re )llctl, (irawing his blanket around him, and then he squatted down like a huge toad upon the rock. "Chief you and I huvu seen some tough times together,“ Dick remarked. “ You bet,” icspondcd the brave, laconically. “ You know that the price of a thousand dol- lars is set ulu >11 my head!” “ Too littlr,” the Indian observed, with a gravl- shake of the head, “ Mud—turtle no sell his head for tmi times the dust.” "' You are uitc right there!" Talbot replied, laughing. “ shouldn’t care to trade for any sum. Well just ns'long as there is n pricc set upon my head, Iain in danger. I’ve been thinking over the matter, and in order to give you an idea of the plan that I have formed, I arranged this meeting tonight. I an) attach ‘d to this valley and to this old (mountain, despite the dangers that I have encountered hereabouts; it seems more like home to me than any other place that I know of in this world. I don’t like this skull-c- ing about under an assumed name as if I was afraid of my own shadow. I want to walk once again’yvith head erect in the sunlight, fearing no man. The Indian nodded; he speaker. , ‘“ Now, then, I haVe a scheme in my head, by means of which I think I can make my peace with the great State of California, and if they are willing to call it square, I’m sure I am,” Talbot continued. “Hush!” cried the chief. suddenly; his quick furs had detected a sound in the valley be- ow. Talbot listened, and soon he understood the reason of the Indian’s caution. Some one was ascendin the mountain trail, not cautiously, with stea thy steps, but boldly and openly. , “ Some wanderer attracted by the light of our fire,” Dick observed. ,‘ And then the mountain breeze bore to their ears the fragment of a rude song chanted by the stranger. - V “ Oh rack-back Davy cutting up a shine, G9. with the red ha'r kicking up behind !" Talbot had heard the words before, but s ken by another voice: but, as it was, he thong t he recognized the sin er. « , So also had the ndian, for he grinned from ear to ear. “Hilleo! come, bo , come!” yelled the new- comer, as he ap roac ed the fire, his voxce coarse and husky. “ on’t shoot, 'for I’m a man w’at’s safe to tie to! All I need is food and fire, rest for my boss, and a. good pull at the whiskys'ug, you can spare a drum to the squarest w ite man thattbere isiu all this hyer Golden State.” Fat was the stranger, greasy and in rags, but he was still the same irrepressible bummer as in the halcyon days of ore; there was no discount on the original Joe owers. . I . ‘ “Kin I believe me eyes?” he cried, striking an attitude as he recognized the .two men by the fire. “Duvets will I lay that it is, and if it isn’t my I be jizrgered and icked to death by ori - led mules! the gay old King of Shasta, D. To - 0t, esquiru, and my esteemed red buck, which I love like a brother, M. Turtle. Say. boys, for the love of heaven! have you got a ,drop of whisky?” . Talbot reduced a flask and the bummer took sympathized with the a lon an eager “pull " at it. “ l that's the stufl'l” he cried, drawin ,a. long breath. my “ That hits me whar I livel ell, gay and festive cusses, why have we met thus b moonlight alone? What’s up my tu- lips? 3 this a traged or ‘ the posey of a ring? Say. sports, I’m clean 'sted—all broke up, and I want a. stake. I’ve been obliged to boot it cl'ar from ’way down below, ’caso in 'o. 1 game or oker a couple of bees happened to an) up my 3 ve, and boy were a-gwine to hang me dod rot ’em; thefiowere gwiue to make the. real original ole Joe wers stretch a rope and smell hem , but my 1e were never br ' ht up . toneomylbod abuseofisand _ I t bail: you coul' n’tsee my healsj‘lsor ““Bowers, you’re the man can I trust you?" Talbot replied. “Trust me! with uncounde gold, In Pr.” I want!!!“ ,lord duke, and that’s the kind of am?" the bummer cried, theatrical . “ would; a ' ’ l .. - * u ganglia Suite for yerpr‘. thoobummor; t could “A‘ ,w... ~;_,—-..-...o n‘“ w.”- ... " . _-. . —‘ ;.hind;itbefcommade oodtime,andflso’ filoonrolled into ,._.,__.7 I._, _,. .. find“- It was the old Indian fashion. Men cooled brotherhood with drops of blood upon the blade of a knife. Talbot and the Indian rose and joined Bowers b the fire. Mud~turtle oust aside his heavy b anket and baring his muscular, sinewy right arm, pricked the flesh with the oint of he knife and allowed three dro s of lood to fall upon the glistening blade. he others did the same. - “Brothers all in life or death!” cried the In' v dian: “Maybe welive—muybe we (lb—no mat- ter, two fight for one, one fight for two!” — ~ “ reed!” cried Talbot. “ e sw’ar!" exclaimed Bowers, melo-dm— maticully. And so-the league was formed. CHAPTER II. . THE KING or THE ROAD. . MAC ILVAINE still kept the half-wa house as m the old days when the W bite ider, the drended Death Shot of Shasta, with liis‘never- faill‘mg rifle carried dismay through the Shasta va .ey. The express—coach from Yreka made its usual ' halt there one morning for change of horses and for breakfast, and the driver, a red-whiskered Irishman, known far and wide as Red Mick McGee—the name bestowed on account of hi: fierycolored hair and beard —threw the reins to , the hustler, and, descending from the box, Jerkcd his finger over his shoulder in the direc- tion of the coach and remarked to the keeper of the ranch: “ Quality there to-day, bedad 1” ‘ “ Who is it 2!” the Scotchman queried. “ Serra a wan of me knows, but it’s one of l ‘. them big-bugs, for this is an extra stage put on expressly for him, do ye mind? The regular in " three hours behind me.” Interested by this statement the ranch-keg ‘ hastened to assist the traveler to alight—a p ' f of courtesy not often vouchsafed, forin the wild 3 ’ Californian land it is each man for himself and . Sufi!) furl them all. ‘ l e so itary passenger was a rtl well- ~ ' geserved man of forty -flve orPofiftg; well.- essed, and evident] a {prison of mark. l He made a hearty rea 11st, accepted gast- c 1 tentmns of the ranch-keeper like a man to . l 4 flM‘u-t p4.th A»- I” m Ana-L u as. AAA such things, and while the fresh horses were be- ing harnessed engaged the Scotchmnn in’ con- versation. , ' " . “ Do you have much trouble on thisrouto with l the road-agents?” he inquired. '. ‘ “ Oh, yes; once in a while the;r come down on ‘ the coaches and ‘go through the passages-I ;. and the e ress matter.” a “Well, on’t the oficers try to hunt them down?” ’ “ Yes, but the fellows are very well acquaint- ed with all the mountain passes, and then, too, they seem to be informed of all the plan: that are‘laid to entrap them, for when a decoy coach is sent out, they nBVer trouble it." “ Whose ang is it?” ' “ They l themselves the Black-hoods.” / “The Black-hoods! Well, that is a rather p9 ' 4 culiar title.” ‘ ‘. “ Yes, sir; it is because they conceal their . - faces Witha sort of a black hood, and all you ’ T can see of them is their eyes." ' ' “ A good disguise to revent recognition, And » I suppcse that that is 0 object?” “ es, sir: they’re a bold set of rascals, they don’t hesitate to shed blood it any reg once is offered.” v ‘ - " Oh, the passengers do resist sometimes!” “Yes, sir; but the roadagents are always to. much for ’em.” . , ’ “ ‘ 1 “Who is the re uted leader of the band?” 9 “As to that, no y knows, although I huv'q' heard two or three of the old-timers, who hove known all about the valle since the first settle; ' en , say a 1 oo 9 war I]; t ,th t 't 1 ka the k of ick.” - “In Dick” observed the um: - than “$113,; f‘that’s Dick Talbot, ifl’f . “I r. . - " 5'42744" "2"" “There’aan old toward-of o. W’ dolls}: altered forhlm, isn’ttberei’l' ' \ ' ' ' ,, “Ibelieve that there and all 1" say about that is, that them who money have to earn it. I for banker after the job.” - . “Dick Talbot—let me see! regimens v- a... . e e av: . ' i u ‘ “.s§,s“s:.u'£”.m b. m 4“ was to ‘ . v . hurdbutthcysa‘ maths-Wt" . ,. one 'ttlohit o: w . ,thgicinmbor ,_ “I reckon so "the Scotchmnn a wise mm mm.“ - . . “An aboard!” sung out the driver, and, h gentlomlvnagam entered the coach. ‘ ‘ , _. The driver cracked his whip and o! W . The halt-way ranch was soon My ; . ~ is.“ .."S‘Y\M‘.l is”, .’ thcon dark White Riser '0 It was not a pleasant place, and the passenger gazing from the windows of the hack, reflecte upon what an excellent location it was for a road-a not attack. . Red Ilt‘key upon the box drove on without a. thought 01 such a thing, for he did not think that there was the slightest danger of an attack as the robbers rarely troubled an inward-boun coach unless crowded with assengers. But the idle thoughts 0 the stranger were destined to come nearer the truth that da than the experienced wisdom of the driver, or, as the coach passed the lowest point of the canyon and commenced to ascend, out from behind a bowlder stepped two men, rifle in hand, their faces concealed by black masks, and leveling their weapons they commanded a halt. “ Drop your reins, throw up your hands, and surrender!” was the stern order given. Mickey had been through this sort of thing two or three times before, and, as he always said he wastoo much of a gentleman to attempt to dispute with such olite fellows. Therefore he reine his horses in instantly and nodded good-naturally to the mask. “ Don’t be after troublin’ ycrselves to fire, gentlemen,” he remarked; “ a wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse, but it’s wasting time, ye are, this morning." The passenger stuck his head out of the win- dow to see what was the matter, and at once caught sight of the masked men advancing to- ward the vehicle. “ Hallo, hallo!” he muttered; “instead of my finding them, they have found me.” A third man now came from behind a rock close to the side of the coach, a cocked revolver in his hand, threatening death in the event of resistance. But the passenger hadn’t any idea of showing fl ht. g“Don’t fire, sir: I do not intend to offer re- ’ sistance,” he hastened to exclaim. These were not the Black-hoods, but another gan it was evident, for their faces were simply mas {ed by cra . . “ No harm is intended you, sir, nor are we in search of 'our valuables, if you have any on your person, ’ the new-comer replied. He was evidently the chief. “ If you will have the kindess to alight and give me some ten minute :7 of your time, I shall hold it a favor.” ‘ Really, sir, you are so persuasive that I find 'it impossmle to refuse compliance with your re- quest,” the gentleman answered with a grimace and a glance at the cocked revolver. “ I will not detain you long, sir,” said the out- law with courteous politeness, o suing the door so that the other could descend mm the coach. “ Now, drive on, and wait at the top of the hill," he commanded, addressing the driver. Amazed at the strange scene, but understand— ing that he had better comply, the driver obeyed. As the coach disappeared up the hill the road- agcnt began the conversation: “ Now, in the first place, allow me to intro- duce myself, for although I know you well enough yet on do not know me. My name is Richard Tal t, better known, perhaps, as In- iun Dick.” The gentleman started, and an expression of alarm appeared u on his face. “Do not fear; mean no harm to you, al- though some years ago you were so eager to make my acquaintance that you offered a. re- ward of a. thousand dollars for me; but I never was worth such a sum as that, and that is the reason why the reward never was claimed. I know, too, sir, that apart from your mission here to devise some means to hunt down the road— agents who infest northern California, you have some idea of investing in the old Cinnabar mine, the mine that I once swore never should be worked by mortal man. But, that’s all over now, but take my advice and don’t put your money in the Cinnabar property, for t e lode is played out, and you’ll sink more mom; in the mine than you will ever take out of l . But, now, setting these matters aside, I've got a proposition to make to you. With the aid of your. sherifls and police, you will never be able oexterminate the road-a ents. This band of Black-hoods have their hea quarters in the very town of Cinnabar. The man who destroys the band. must become one of them; he must go right into the tiger’s den and take the beast b the throat. I am tired of the reputation whic year by year grows “Epon and clings around my name. am a hun man—an outlaw, with a price dzed upon my. head, but that is no reason wh every foul deed that is done in the Shasta v ey should becharged to my score. I am not one-tenth part as bad as the world at large be- lieves me to Do. Now I wantachance to re- -deem myself. I’ll make a bar ain with you: give me a free pardon for m sel and two asso- ciates, for all deeds done in he past, and I will a co to ferret out and hunt down every band 9 outlaws that sets the law at defiance within fils State. ” “ By heaven! Talbot, you‘re a bold, brave fol low, and I’ll accept your offer!” the other ex- claimed, quicklly. _ “Mind on, ask for nothing until the work is webmplishod. Give me staimple safeguard for I Captain Dick Talbo . three months, so that I may be secure against arrest while I am ursuing my task and it with- in the three mont s I do not either bring to jus- tice, or kill with my own hand, every1 one of these Black-hoods, from the highest to t e low— est, then will I leave this golden land, never to return.” "It is a bargain; but how will you get the safe uard?” “ will call upon you in Cinnabar, for it is in that town that I must lay my snares to en— trap these outlaws who laugh at all the efforts of the regular authorities.” “ I will prepare it for you the moment I reach the town. “Adieu then, until to-night and don’t put your money in the Cinnabar. but mine is ac- cursed and never brought good luck to any one." Talbot whistled slirilly as a warning to his men, and in a twinkling the masked men H disap- peared behind the rocks, and the coach was free to proceed on its way. CHAPTER III. N10 OF THE BELLA UNION. CINNABAR CITY had got to be uite : olace; the city boasted nearly a thousan inhabitants, and in the outlying mining camps, tributary to the town, there were fully two thousand more. The diggings were rich, easily worked, did not require expensive machinery, and therefore it )6 was just t place for poor men without much capital. he Occidental was still the leadin hotel of the town, although it was retty har run by a new place, quite elaborate y built, with fluted columns in front, after the style of a Greek temple, known as the thite House, named af- ter the home of our nation’s ruler in Washing- ton. But the really popular resort of the town was a drinking saloon and variety theater combined, known as the Bella Union, after the well-known ‘ place of amusement in Frisco. The rate of admission to this temple of song and wine was one that enerally pleases the public at large, entrance ing free, gratis, for nothing, as the miners generally expressed it. It was quite a large saloon, fitted u with the usual bar, and in addition some ru e benches for the accommodation of the audience among which small tables were placed so that the patrons could enjoy their iquor at the some time that they took in the performance, which was given on a little stage, hardly bigger than a good-sized table, which had been constructed at one end of the room. To rel .te the exact truth, the “artists” who gave the performance were about on a. par with he rate of admission charged; yet a man ought not to grumble at a. il't-horse and, to do the miners justice, they 'd not, but always ap- plauded right heartily, although some merry soul, when well soaked in liquor would some- times volunteer advice to the performers which was laughable in the extreme; but this was all taken as a matter of compo, for the “artists” were even of a lower grade than the roughs who sat in front and guzzled the beer, and therefore were well seasoned to ribaldry. The bright, particular star of the Bel a Union was a dashing, black-eyed, black-haired girl, rather handsome in her personal appearance, despite the boldness that her public life had fastened upon her. She was about the medium hight, well formed, a tolerably pleasing singer and an excellent dancer—two accomplishments greatly in favor with the patrons of the saloon. Mademoiselle Nicola she was called; French 5110 pretended to be, although some of her brother performers spitefully remarked that the slight accent that marked her speech Was more Irish than French. But this clearly had its rise in envy, for Ma- demoiselle Nicola received more salary from the pro riotor of the saloon than all the rest of the per ormerl put together. And, strange as it may up or in regard to a woman following such a, h e and gaining her bread in such a vile den, the breath of scandal touchedher not—that is, with any justice, for of course strangers believed that she was far from bein pure; but those who knew her—and as she had on in Cinnabar some three months, quite a number had managed to make her ac- quaintance—knew that any attempt at love- makin was instantly repulsed with scorn, and the gir was not particular in regard to the lan- guagle she used, either, for she alwa s s oke her min freely. and as, from the life a e ollowed, the slang of the streets far more often reacth her ears than the polite terms of good societ , her 1exprestnons were far more forc1ble than e e- n . Some moon-struck miner oung and green, visiting the saloon, would, be struck by the beauty of‘the singing— ' 1, and of course natur— ally concluding from t a style of the place that the inmates couldn’t amount to much, would think that all he had to do was to wait for the rl after the performance, pour his tale of love into her ears, shake his buc ~skin bag of fid- dust in her face, and lead her away with h a willing captive \ Great would be the altonilhmant at an youth, then, to have his proposals rejected in utter scorn. “It’s played out!" the singing-girl would ejaculate, in contempt. ” Go put your head in soak; you’re a first-class fraud, and I’ll have you run out of town it you come round bother— mg me.” On two or three occasions the disoomfited suitor, being rather the worse for liquor, had attempted by main force to avenge the dispar— aging words, and had advanced with the inten- tion of kissinr the pouting li s of the beauty until she took ack her words, it the girl had always been (‘quul to the out-us )1], and us the man attempted to grasp her, bad planted a pretty little silver-mounted six:shoot4~r right under his nose with the emphatic exclamation: “ Now, you git!” And like the robber famed in the California classics, the astonished man generally cried “ You bet l.” and departed, a wiser if not a bet ter man. - ‘ And so it came to be a proverb in the Cinna bar region: “ Keep your hands oil? of the B6111 Union bounty if you ain’t anxious to start a graveyard! Nic will shoot on sight if you pro' voke her!” All the peformers in the Bella Union resided in the building, and this fact saved the girl from a. great deal of annoyance, as she was not compelled to ass through the street on her way to and home mm the performance. On the evening of the day which witnessed the remarkable interview between Talbot and tho unknown entleman,who apparently stood hi h in ower nICalifornia, 'ustas the shades of t e nig t commenced to fa 1 thick and heavy, and the lights to glimmer from the windows in the town, a lady and entleman came out of thc express—office, whic was in the same building a‘ the )0stotlice, and walked slowly up the street. T is lady was a new-comer in ‘innabar. She and her father had taken up their abode in the city about a month previous to the time of which we write. The father was a man well in years, rather slender and delicate in appearance, and ex tremer retired in his habits. He gave his name as Joscelin Daily, and the girl was called Cas— sandra Daily. She was a lovely creature, one of the kind that men go wild about. being tall, beautifully formed, with ex uisitely cut features; great blue eyes, a peach- ike complexion, and the most magnificent golden hair. She had a beautiful voice, perfect music in its tones, and was as graceful a. woman as had ever walked the street of the mining town. In fact the traveled men of Cinnabar declared that it would be difficult to find a lady to sur- pass her in all the big cities of the East. There was a little bit of Illystfl'y about Dail that rather provoked the curiosity of the id 0' gossips of the town. He had given out on his arrival in Cinnabar that he was in search of mining property, and of course he was at once set down and man of means;but as do. after day passed and he did not seem to troub 0 him- self to look at any mines but spent the time in the seclusion of the little house which he had hired, comin out only at night, like an owl, and . always spen ing the evening in the card-rooms of the hotels where he played and played largely and always successful y, ptople be an to whisper that he was much more of a gamfiler than a. speculator and hi! search for mines w..s all a pretense to disguise his real occupation. But no one thoug t any the worse of the old gfiptlclman (1m Mécount of this ]fact. On theirs- c c s ope a mos eve one ays more or u and the gambler thercri; not saigether deb-nod from the society of decent people. The gentleman who accompanied Miss Daily, in the early eveniu above referred to, a tall wall-built, muscu r man, with a brown- ish beard, a nose curved like an, eagle’s beak, ' restless gray eyes, and a culiar whitish-yellow complexion, was one of t e most prominent men in the town being the express-agent, postman— ter and the local banker, and, in addition inter- ested in two or three mining ventures. fie wan called Archibald Brocki’ord. Naturally from the nature of his offices, he was broug t in contact with all strangers much more than any one else in the town, and so he had become quite well acquainted with the la- ther and daughter. Like all men of his type, bold and daring, reckless of allobstwcles that intervened between him and the end he sou ht, the moment he bo- came ac uainted with isa Daily he became ' satisfied t mt she was exactly the kind of r1 he wanted for a wife, and so at once proce ed to lav siege to her. or a while the irl received his attention without the slightes suspicion of the truth, and was very grateful indeed to the stran r who was doing so much to make her stay in t 6 wild mountain region agreeable; but suddenly h'u manner became so marked that it was impos- sible for her to misunderstand his meaning, and then she endeavored by coldness and restraint to throw a dam upon his scion. But Brockfor was one of bull-headed r en, who never allow any unfavorable ' s to nift- once them in the least, and on th occasion, a 4.- ‘gaptain Dick Talbot. .__--._._ __.v , .._ to the evident coolness of the girl, who had al ed for a letter, he had persisted in accom- panying her up the street. “ Oh, it‘s no trouble!” he had exclaimed, when she attempted to decline his escort. “I was just going no your way,” and so he walked along with' r. The gir I . annoyed, with an angry red spot bum- hg in each cheek, marched along in silence, striving to avoid conversation as much as pos- Io. Brockford, totall ignorant, man of the world tough he was, 0 one phase of woman’s na- ture, ascribed her shyness to maidenly modesty and had no idea that a little feeling of hatred was be'rinning to grow up in the heart of the girl toward him. And neither one of the two had any suspicion that a female form closely cloaked in a dark water-proof was stealing along behind them, keepin,r with them step by step, or that a wo- man’s little hand grasping the butt of a toydike revolver was trembling with rage, and that it requircd all the self-control of the owner to keep her from doing dcndl y harm to one of the two. Brokaord saw Miss Daily to her home, part— ed with her at the gate with a bow, in which more assurance than respect was visible, and then turning to retrace his steps a gleam of ex- ultation upon his not unhandsome features, he came face to face with the watchin woman, who was no other than Nic of the Be] a Union! CHAPTER IV. ran FAITH or A POLITICIAN. AFTER the abrupt disappearance of the road- agents, the portly gentleman walked toward the coach in a very peculiar state of mind. The interview had been so sudden—so unex- pected, so totall unthought of, that the stran- ger was really oozed for a few moments. ‘* “Hang the fellow!" he muttered, as he pro- ceeded toward the coach, Red Mickey upon the box watching him with a great deal of curiosity; “I hardly know what to make of the affair.” “ Yer not hurted, surf” the driVer exclaimer‘ . “ Oh no.” “Did the gintleman go through yees?" Md Mickey grinned at the idea. “No, he merel wanted tohave a talk with me, that was I am a stranger in these parts, you know, and he wanted, I pre'ame, to ofi’er me the hospitalities of the regior.” “Bad ’cess to me if I want their hospitali- tiesl" Mickey exclaimed, gathering up the reins as the passenger reéntere the coach. “ Faix! the man that dines with them ';inerally has a leaden pill to ate, with a slicr or two of cold steel for dessert.” Again the coach went on its way, and in due time without any incident occurring worth of men on, do ted its presenger at the cci- dental Hote . In front of the hotel stood the sheriff of the county, a high brownv’oearded man, almost a tin size, illy Dancer by name, and re u- to both. ablest 01109:- that had ever filled is dllcial position. He was evidently in waiting for the solitary pan-user, for he at once advanced to the coach and opiouing the door proceeded, with the great- est r” tene- rossible, to assist the gentleman to f‘m on band, on see," he remarked. “ Hope you have laid a p easant ourney, your—" “Smith!” interruptedt e new-comer,abru t- . “ Smith, that's my name, ou understan ?” " Oh, yes,” replied the sherifl, with a know- wink. “I understand like a book! I rock. on that on don’t have to kick me many times fibre I eel it 1" “ Have you had a room prepared for me as I eated ’ ll Yes sir-eel” exclaimed Dancer, emphatic- ally; “ the best a meat that the sheban at,~ fordl; right on t 9 second floor thar; looking out onto the street, so that ou’ll be able to see all that’s goin’ on, and I tel 011, yourv” “Smith!” exclaimed the ot er sharply. “In course! as I was a—sa in’, Smith, you won’t find ary town in the orth that kin hold a candle to this lively burg. ” “No doubt—no doubt! it looks like a lively place,” the stranger remarked, With a glance aphid down the street. “ Oh, it’s jest a—rushin’ along, I tell yeri” “ Will you have the kindness to come up to my room I’ve had quite an adventure on the we. and 1 want to to you about it." ‘ strain,” the sheriff replied. The stranger walked into the hotel, registered name in a round, bold hand: “A. B. Smith, San Francisco Cal." The lherii! nodded to the clerk and remarked: “,"I'hia is the gent I spoke to you about, John- And the short-haired young man who “ run” In omee of the hotel at once expressed the great pleasure it aflorded him to make the ac- mintanco of the entlemsn from Frisco; marked the number 0 the room assigned to the d o 'tato his name on the book; ob- tho?“ the old It traveling was dry work, and that exican saying that, “it wasa long 830 between drinks,” was an extremely true as. and envoyed much meaning in few words; and at once invited the sheriff and the Frisco man to take something. Johnny Reid was bar- kee r as well as clerk. e new-comer was graciously pleased to comply and the sherifl remarked that he was too well brought up to insult any man by de- clinin to drink with him, and so the three tippe their glasses simultaneously, observed, “ ere goes," swallowed their poison as Dancer facetiously remarked, and then “ Mr. Smith ” and the sheriff proceeded up—stairs. The apartments assigned to the Frisco gentle— man were the best that the Occidental boasted, the main one being a. room about twelve by twelve on the second floor, with two windows looking out on the main street, and a smaller apartment, which served as a bedroom, adjoin- in . The rooms were tolerany well furnished, and the stranger looked about him with an air of satisfac Winn. ‘ “We these are not bad quarters,” he ob- served, “Oh lo, I reckon that we kin make a man feel to am up in this hyer neck of the woods,” Dance ' 'omai 'ied, complacently. “Si ‘ ' own I’ve had quite an adventure,” the other mniai Kod, taking possession of a rocking- chair whil J the sheriff deposited his huge limbs on the sofa, much to the endan erment of that frail ich of furniture, which iad iicvor been calcu llt/Al to afford accommodation to a man of Dancer 5 weight. “ Yrs, sir, quite an adventure,” the stranger re iea Jed. l‘le slierifl' signified that he was all ears and Mr Smith at once rocecded to relate all the pa :ticulars of the interview between himself 13‘ til the masked road-agent. Dancer listened in utter astonishment. “ Thunder l” he exclaimed, in profound amaze— nent, after the other had finished his recital, " why I had no idea that Dick Talbot was in the ‘ land of the living!” . “You know the man then?" “ N 0, only by reputation; be flourished hyer afore my time." “But you know of him ?" “Oh, yes. he‘s a regular hero in these hyer regions: he’s a mighty plucky, des rate follow, it‘ only half the stories the tell a ut him are true. Why, according to he yarns the miners spin, he thogght nothing of fighting a dozen men Single—hand .” ‘ So I have heard,” the other remarked, thoughtfully. “But I reckoned that the cuss was dead; everybody thinks so any way round about hyer; he ain’t been seen in :hcsedi ‘ “ The man that I saw today was enough,” Mr. Smith remarked, dryly. “A healthy old corpus, eh?” “ Yes, very healthy. ” “ Well what are {on a-goin’ to do about it?” “ On that point am undecided,” the other answered, slowly. “I will on that it a ainstnmy grain to make any bargain with the te ow. . “ That’s sol I kin understand that "the sheriff observed, with a ious nod. “ f it was me I’d a heap rather e him red-handed and make him stretch hemp than to bargain With him and let him off' that s in platform!” “ He makes a pro fair on'er though,” Smith said, reflectively. “To ketch t e road-agents,eh1 But kin he do it?” “ No road—agents, no pardon l” the other re- plied, tersely. “ That’s so, but how do on know that he ain’t the leader of the Blsc -hoods, and maybe, thar’s one or two, or three in the band that he don’t like—that ma be kinder kicking a ‘ t him you know, an this oifer of his’n is est a trick to get the soreheads in trouble and at the same time get a pardon for himself and two or three others that hang with him i” “I’d like to hang them!” cried Smith, ab- ruptly, and With a great deal of anger in his tones. In fact, the more the man from Frisco reflected upon his interview with the masked the affair. The outlaw had boldly plac him- self upon a level with him and to proceeded treat as with an equal war. The im udence of the fellow annoyed him. “I’ll te you what it is, your—Mister Smith !" exclaimed Dancer, suddenly. “Let’s call in Archy Brockford; he’s the postmaster and ex- press-agent, and a mighty smart man of busi- ness too, and What he don’t know about a. thing of this sort ain’t worth knowing. I’ll bet a thousand dollars to a cent that he will be able to 've good advice upon the subject.” , ‘ Yes, I’ve heard of Brockford, althou h I have never met him,” Smith observed. “ I t ink that it will be a good idea.” ’ And so a messenger was at once dispatched for Brockford, and when he arrived a long and earnest consultation took place between the three, and the result of that consultation the reader will see anon. The day wore away, and when night came, after supper was over, the stranger sought the hotel eler and told him that he expectedacaller that evening, and that if any oneeame and in- man in the canyon, the more he felt anno ed at . quired for the gentleman who came in that morning on the extra stage to send him at one. up to his room. The clerk replied that he would do so; Mr. Smith then ascended to his room once more, and it was quite evident from his manner that he was in a state of great mental excitement. About eight o‘clock that evening a rough] » dressed man, looking like a miner fresh from t e mountains, with a rough, stubby beard upon a chin that plainly had not felt the edge of a razor 1 for some time, and long hair danglingin tangled locks down over his shoulders, lounged into the “ office and in uired of the clerk if a gentleman had arrived )Y an extra coach that morning. “Room 3, rst floor, turn to the left, second door on the right after you turn," res ended the official, and the man at once proceeds up—stairs. . He reached the door, knocked, and was in— vited to enter. Smith looked in astonishment at his um outli visitor; this was not the style of man that he expected to see at all. “ W'ell, sir, what do you want?” he askul, Bresumin that he was a messenger sent by Tzil~ . ot, who ad concluded not to risk his precious person within the limits of the town oi Cinna— . ai‘. . “ I come by appointment," responded the man, 1 and the voice made the Frisco gentleman stare. ’ “ Hallol is it possible that you are Dick Tal- bot?” be exclaimed. - “ That is what I‘m called.” “ Then in that case you are my prisoner!" cried the other, qmckly, and with the word the 5 door leading into the bedroom sprung ajar, rc- vealing the sheriif with four or five men, the door into the entry also opened and Brocliford with three or four more armed followers ap« peared. Each and every man was armed with rifle or revolver, and a dozen weapons threaten ed the life of Injun Dick. ~32» .:‘.‘ .. CHAPTER V. Damon UNTO DEATH. “ DON’T attempt to move or you are a dead man!” cried the stranger jumping to his feet—e he had been sitting in the rockingchan—evi- dently greatly excited. _ With a look of surprise upon his features, but without exhibitin any sign of terror, Talbot— for this rough—loo 'ng miner was indeed the re: nowned InJun Dick, skillftu disguised—gazed upon the leveled weapons. _ “ See hyer, Governor " he said. slowly, “ain’t you made a mistake? ’l‘his hyer leetle surprise. ain’t according to our a cement at all." , “ N o mistake about it! cried the individual ad. dressed, who was indeed no less a person than the Governor of the State of California. “You are a red-handed outlaw with a price set upon your head and it is the dint of every honest man in the State to apprehend you upon sight.” “ Oh, and t e safe-conduct that you ‘promised me was merely a pretense to get me to your power,” Talbot remarked, as cool and com- d as thou h a doaen weapons were not hreatening his ife. “Yes, that is it, exactly,” replied the official, in triumph. your plighted word—your promise of “ And “lefty?” rf 1 ranking ‘ ny man is ect ‘ustifled in b faith with any supcoh villaInJas you are!” “ "on didn t talk that way in the canyon to' Ah, you had the advantage then, and you were a fool not to improve it i" the Governor re phed. “ Now it is my turn!” “ Why, you are the biggest rascal that I have ever seenl’ exclaimed albot, in an icy tone, that out home like a. knit . The Governor turned e and then red. “You infernal scoun rell don’t you attempt to move 1” the ofilcial shouted. “ Don‘t attempt to resist or to draw a weapon, or I’ll haye you riddled with balls. You have defied the powe! of the land long enough, but your defiance of justice has ended now. From this room you go to jail, and from the jail to a smfi'old.” , “ I reckon that the hemp isn't twisted will ban mel” Talbot retorted. ’ I “We’ see about that i” the Governor cried, ' defiant] . “ Handcuff him, sheriif' don’t give 1 him a 0 once to escape; remember that you an- ‘ swer for him with your life!" i “ Oh, don’t be afraid, our excellencyl” Dan- l oer responded, comin orward and dangling a ‘ pair of handcuffs Significantly in his hand; ‘ I’ll stick to him ti hter’n a leech, you bet!” /-, “ You had better ave me put where I can be safely gait ’{ Talbot suggested, quietly, as he submit his wrists to the steel bracelets, which were much more remarkable for strength, , than elegance. ,5 “What do you mean, you villain?" blustered ‘5‘, the ru’er of the State. - x ' . ' « “ Why, that I’ve got an acoount to settle with you now, and there isn’t a prison in California strong enough to hold me until that account it reckoned up !” There wasn’t a bit of bravado about the way in which the threat was uttered, but the Gover- nor trembled to his very marrow, neverthelsai. ’1 The reputation of the speaker made it 8111,1051: j T, day M Iv; TH‘- _ a—uwv »v«- .< 3., . "-Jg“ -;L<.-.-" »~.—'.‘L¥:.t_‘.‘.r'n ( : :1. " I..:j_j"f'3ukrj>l— _'-, If.» . r, ,7. o Paptain Dick Talbot. if”: .'..'.: ' . ,-<.‘.- n .5’ m _ certain that, if it lay within the compass of hu- I man power, he would be as good as his word. The politician was not renowned for courage, but, althou h be trembled, he endeavored to wnceal his ears beneath a blustering air. “Don’t trouble your head about future venge- ance!” he exclaimed. ” The best thing that you can do is to make your peace with the world as soon as possible, for the chances are a hundred to one that you haven’t got more than a week’s life in you. I’ve got you safe, now, and I’m in to get rid of you just as I would of any goo y-imuded, destructive wolf. I’in ggniig to railroad you right out of this worldl ou are the leader of these Black-hoods and I’m going to strike terror into the hearts of all these road- agents, by your fate!" “ You are a villainous liar l" cried Talbot, quickly, his eyes flashing; “ a cowardly cur withmit either faith or honor. You have warn- cd ms, and now I’ll warn you: got out of the Shasta valley as soon as you can, for, though I ma: b0 powerless, there are other bands to mi 6 in my behalf You were not wise to en— trap mo singly; there are two more whom you should have captured, and while they are at liberty you are in danger, no matter how safe the jail in which you lock me up! But, I shall vet out; it is onlyr a question of time, and then, no matter what have done in the past, I will make the State of California regret this vile, treacherous, J udas—like act of yours. You have chosen war, and you shall have it until you cry for ace l" “ ’11 come and see you hang,” responded the Governor, brutally, with an attempt to ape the coolness of the other, but, in reality he was trembling in his heart, the craveii tha he was. “ I s’ the funeral had better be movmg,” the sheriff suggested. “ Take him away, and see that he is Watched '1 day and night until the day of his execution ar- rives!” the Governor commanded. .“ Remem- ber, sheriff, I 311111 hold you responsible for his Info-keeping!” - that individual cried: “I “All correct!” reckon that I know my duty and kin fulfill it as well as any man in the State. I say, old fellerl” he added, familiarly, slapgring the prisoner on the back, “it was me and chy Brookford thar that put up this little job on you. We knowed that as you was allers a man of your word, you wouldn t be apt to believe that the Governor would think that everything was fair in war and go for you." “ I’m ver much obliged for the information,” Talbot rep ied, “and if I am lucky enough to escape the hempeii nccktio that you are all so eager to fasten around my neck, I’ll be sure to remember your kindness." The crowd looked at each other dubiously: nearly all had heard of Injun Dick and knew somethinglof the man’s reputation, for still the stories of is daring deeds durin the early his- tory of the town were current, ut not one of them all fully realized what the man could do when urged to full exertion. The armed men surrounded the prisoner, and the sherifl' took his place by his side. “Shoot him down like a dog if he attempts to escape," was the parting command of the Governor. “ You bet!” the sheriff replied. Down the stairs, through the hotel office, into me street, went the procession. By one of those mysterious chances which so often occur and which- are so hard to explain, the rumor had got abroad that something un- usual was taking place in the Occidental, and quite a. little crowd had congregated in and around the hotel, and as the prisoner and his escort passed into the street the curiosity of the throng became intense. “ Who is he? Mat has he done?” Eager poured the questions upon the sheriff, for no one reco ' the captive. A new class of citizens taken possession of the town since the days when the Cinnabar Mine was in its glory; and even if some of the old-timers had lingered, and, formin art of the crowd, upon the mauac man in curiosity, the c noes are a. hundred to one that they would not have recognized, in the rough-look- ing follow, with the hat slouched down over his eyes, the trim and gentlemaul Dick Talbot. The secret was too good keep and the sheriff could not resist the impulse to shine as the hero of the hour. “ It’s Dick Talbot—Injun Dick !” he exclaim- ed. “Thar’s a reward of a thousand dollars olrered for him, dead or alive, and we’ve just Iaiivated him i” Quickly then the word flew from mouth to mouth. . Talbot-Ian Dick—the Death Shot of Shasta, was in the hands of the law: and as the little procession passed down the street the eager crowd pressed Close to the officers, curiousto get a look at the risoner, and when the party arrived at the j ' the throng became so great as to block up the door and to prevent the officers from gaimng admission. ' 1 “Come come, bays; gi’n us room for to get in!” the sheriff cri ! And then, taking advantage of the bolt and A thatoccnmd thereby, o loud-talk- ing individual, who had been making himself quite conspicuous among the crowd, during the march down the street, by denouncing Talbot in the fiercest manner, and urging u on the throng the advisability of saving the o ccrs of the law some trouble by lynching the risonor on the spot, managed to enlist some linlf- unken vagubonds on his side, and with a. loud yell of “ Lyiichhim—hang him—runhiniupl" the party charged 11 )on the knot of armed men who sur- rounded t e prisoner. The leader of the party flourished a six-shooter in each hand, and as he led the mob on he opened fire, intending, of course, as every one believed, to take the life of Talbot; but, somehow, the bullets flew among the armed men, who, in rage, returned the fire, forgetting their prisoner, and for a few minutes a rctty lively little street—tight ensued. lie leader of the mob incontiiieiitly vanished the moment the officers showed fight, disappear— ing most mysteriously from the fray, and the mob, lacking in leadership, soon ave way and fled in hot haste; but when the s eriff, having repulsed the attack, and finally got the doors of the ‘ail open, turned to push is prisoner in, 10 an behold, Talbot had disappeared. he had taken advantage of the confusion of the attack to slip through the line of officers and mingle with the crowd. Too late the sheriff realized that the lynch at— tack was but a. clever ruse on the part of Tal— bot‘s confederatos to create confusion, sorthat in the hubbub he might escape. And the plan had succeeded admirably, too and although Dancer, mad with rage, searched the city up and down nowhere within the lim- its of Cinnabar could he discover the missing man, bold Injun Dick. That night there were three uneasy men within the town—Dancer,the sherifl' ; Brockford the ostmaster; and the astute and unprinciplled politlician, who, by skillful maneuvering, ad managed to gain the Governor’s chair. Talbot free meant danger to them all! A handbill was at once struck off and osted around the town, offering two thousand ollars reward for Talbot’s capture, alive or dead; but when the morning came Cinnabar saw another sight—a second handbill posted b the side of the first, denouncing the Governor y name as a liar and a coward and oiferin a reward of one cent to any one who would kic him out of the city, and it was boldly signed Dick Talbot. He had “posted” the politician! CHAPTER Vi, PLAIN WORDS. To say that Brockford was astonished b the sudden appearance of the woman would e to mildly state the facts of the case, for the big burly man, with all his polished dignity an wonderful strength of nerve, upon which he prided himself, became flustered and nervous as no fame so unexpectedly face to face with the 311‘ . Nic was “mad;” the fact was plainl ap- parent in her features, and her bri ht {lack eyes flushed with unwonted fire as s e gazed full in the face of the ex rose-agent. “ Howy’ do!” she exc aimed shortly; “you are kinder surprised, ain’t youi Be more sur- prised, too, you bet, before I get through with you! By this time, with a wonderful effort, the man had in art recovered his com re. “Hallo, ic, is that you?” he sai , carelessly. “ Why, you quite surprised me b Jumping out in the way you did. You ough not to come any of your theatrical tricks on me l” “’Tam’ta theatrical trick!” re lied the girl, sharply, “and you’ve got no ca to say any- thing against the theater-folks; they are a heap' sight hotter than you are anyway, you black- hearted villain l” “ Oh, if ou are going to talk in this way I’ll bemuch o liged i you’ll at out of the ath and let me go on about my usiness.” An the man made a movement as if to push her out of the way, but the girl started back and drawing the httle silver-mounted revolver, the gritty toy he‘r constant companion leveled it at his breast cockin it as she did so. . rmane to the matter 0 had “ the drop” on To use the old p rose, and to the Pacific slope 5 him and Brockford realized it at once. She was too far away for him to seize her, and he was well enou h acquainted with the girl to under- stand tba the slightest motion on his part tending toward an attack upon her, would cfiusg her to fire as surely as the night succeeds t e ay. For a moment the postmaster turned pale and caught his breath quickly. Like many an— other bi and burly man he was not game to the back no, but when cornered was more in- clined to show the white feather than to brave . the, eril to the last extremity. “ on’t you move a. step or I’ll plug you!" Nic cried, desperation in both voice and face. The girl had seen too many personal alterca- tions since her advant in the north not to be well-posted in the usual torso and emphatic ex- clamations indulged in by the miners on luoh occasions. “Hold ova—hold on: don’t I» hutyl” Broch- v . ford exclaimed, in a husky voice. “What a earth is the matter with you?" “ What on’ earth is the matter with your" the girl replied. “I haven’t been honored b I visit from your lordship for a week, an I really began to believe that you had quite for- rotten that such an unfortunate little imp u ic of the Bella Union ever existed and so I thought that I would recall myself to your memory." “Oh, I’ve been busy and—" “ You’ve got tired of me, oh?" cried the girl, sharply, finishing the sentence for him. “ Oh, no!" “'01:, yes!” and Nic mimicked his tone to per fection. “ You needn’t think that you can ull the wool over my eyes. It can’t be done! I’m up to snuff, I am! You don’t see anything green in my eyes, you bet! You’ve found out that you can’t make a fool of mo and so you’re off on a new lead. Who is the girl anyway?” “Girl!” and Brockford attempted to look as tonished, but the effort was a sorry failure and Nic sneered in contempt. “Yes, girl! She ain’t an old woman, or you wouldn’t be after her; you can bet ducats on tliatl But, I say, when are you goin to keep the romise that on made to me in Frisco?” “ romise?" an again the express-agent tried to look surprised. “Yes, roinise,” and the ir} emphasized tho word wit a little motion 0 the revolver which fairly brought the heart of the bold Bi'ockford up in his mouth. _ “ For heaven’s sake be careful!” he exclaim- ed; “if you should happen to discharge that pistol the chances are ten to one that you would either kill or maim me for life.” “Oh, I should kill you, sure!” the girl r9 plied, coolly. “I know where to hit and,I’vo been practicing at a target for a week ibw no as to get in trim to settle you !" “ To settle me!" the express-agent fairly as d. “ on hot our life on that!” the little vixen exclaimed, eflantly. “ Oh, I ain’t the kind of hair-pin that can be fooled with with impunity. You're the man that brought me up here and now I want you to make good your word l” “ My dear girl, will you listen to reason i" “Nar reason! you re too big a liar!" an- swered ic promdptly. “You see I know on now, and won! n’t believe a word you m ght say. I’ve got you in a tight place and I mean to make you settle with me 1” ,‘ “Settle! of course, certain] !" cried Brocb ford, eagerly catchin at the c ance; “ but put up your revolver an talk sense. There is no use of lettimir the whole town know all about our business.” * It was just dusk, and although the two were standing ri ht in the public street, yet it was in an out-of- 9-way part of the town, little frov quented. “I ain’t anxious to let an bod know I: business, neither do I care t al the worl knows it !” the I responded, with an imperi- ous toss of her ittle head. “ Well, what do you want!” “You’ve gone back on me!" “ Supposing that I havel A man e his mind sometimes,” he answered, sulklly. “ Then you ain’t a-going to ma me!" “To marry you?’ and Brae 0rd looked blank indeed. “ Yes, that is what you romised when you made my acquaintance in rlsco.” “ Oh, no, you misunderstood Inc; I said that I would 100 out and take care of you. " “Oh, no, the misunderstanding was on our part," the girl retorted, significantly. “§0I ook me for a fool and that’s where you made a mistake; I took you for a flat and that’s when I made a mistake. There’s nothin soft about you, either head or heart. I thou !it that you were dead one on me—you see, [I‘m oin to talk right p sin—cud like a fool I hugged I coul do what I liked with you; an so wk. you come after me in Frisco and told me what a big man on was up in this hyortown of Oil- nabar, an how much money you made and how much you thought of me, I reckoned that it was goin to be the chance of in life“ I thought tha I had struck a rich husiiand. for sure, and so I told you that some time I would come to Cinnabar, for the manager of the show here has been after me ever so long to come and work for him. But now that I am here I Ind that we were both mistaken; you are not a. flat and I am not a tool, but I’m going for not!!!» tion, anyway! Now then you’ve either got to marry me or pay for trifling with my fool- in , . . figWhy not call the matter square in it ill" he an gested. “O , you’re like all the rest of the men" mean as can be when you’ve an object in View! she exclaimed, in contempt. “But, I’m going to show you that there is one girl in the wor who won’t stand any nonsense. Here I’ve kept myself single just faggour lake and ro- fused ever so many nice era. Why, a pili- ggm from the mountains laid himself and four— n gold mines—to say nothin of silver loan- that qclaimod—a'b my feet 0 ylutnight,” from his appearance I rockoned that he no» 6 T. >-i_ .._..-.., we .L.-, .I., struck ay-dirt very rich yet. You have bligh my youngr affections and I‘m going for you, red-hot! You can’t throw me overboard and run after another girl in this here way without uttin up the checks for it. Maybe you thin that don’t know the lady, eh? Oh, what a precious little fool you must take me to be! Wasn’t I mail though when I saw that you was a—shining up to her! Why, it was as much as I could do to keep from popping at you both! But I’ve got my plan of" operations all arranged. Either you settle with me or I’ll just march up to Miss Cassy Daily and tell her just how you have deceived and trifled with me. .Oh, my! won’t it make those big blue eyes of hers stick out when she discovers that you have been run- nin after any such a poor little wretch as I am! ‘ For a moment Brockfordfflared at the girl in almost speechless anger. e had seen enough of Cassandra Daily to know that such a dis‘ closure would be pretty certain to be the d("1tl1- blow to all his hopes, and this little miiix was resolutely in earnest, too, and at present he saw no way to avoid the difficulty except by com— plying with her demands. It chafi-d him ter- ribly to be caught in such a trap, but he had only his own folly to blame. Like the majority of mankind he thought that all theater—girls 1 were alike, and that a few ounces of gold would buy any one of them. “Don‘t do that,” he said, slowly; “I will do anything in reason. “What do you want?" “Blest if I know!” Nic responded, in that reckless manner which sat so becomineg n on her small person. “ I must take time to re ect upon the matter. The fact is, I haven’t had time to think what I ought to demand, or how much you ought to pay. When a man trifles with t e feelings of such a nice young girl as I am he ought to pay pretty well for it. I had a. mind to pop at you on sight, I was so mad when I found that you were a-runiiing after this other gorgeous creature, and she’s a lily- bird for sure! But I suppose that I had better not make a fool of myself ; I give you fair warning though if you don’t settle with me then I shall foul obligated to open Miss Cassy’s eyes as to the kind of man you arel" “Well, take time to think the matter over, and when you make up your mind as to what you think you ought to have, call on me and I ess we can settle the matter, but don’t act il .” 'All right! If 'ou are inclined to act rea- sonably you will nd me the nicest little wo- man in the world to get along with. I’ll call round in a day or two and let you know what I think about the matter; ta-ta!” And then kissing the tips of her fingers to him in mockery she glided away up the street, leaving the express-agent a prey to the most unbounded rage. “The infernal little Spitfire!” he cried, in anger, shaking his fist utter the retreating figure, “ 1 had no idea. that she would dare to threaten me, but her game was to play her trump-cards at once; b holding back she gives me a chance to provi e a inst them. i he’ll warn Cassy, will she? By eavenl if she is_1iv« ing and in this town three days from this night then she will be a luckier woman and I a big- r blunderer than I think for!” And as rockford walked slowly up the street he began to plot dark schemes against the dashing Bella Union beauty. _ ' CHAPTER VII. A DARING DEED. LITTLE by little during the past few years the Iron Horse has been advancing northward and southward alon scream wakingt e echoes of the s and val- leys, and his glistening trail shining like silver in the sunbeams. ‘ As far as tho town of Reading in the north the Ore on branch of the Central Pacific has extend , and there connects With stage lines running clear throu h to Portland, Oregon. At the time of w ich we write the road had just rewhed Reading, and only one train a. day was running each way, a mixed train, freight and passenger; a single coach—more caboose than passenger-car—aflorded all the accommo- dation needed by the traveling public. The train was scheduled to leave Reading at 1:30 A. M., or on the arrival of-the stages from the north and as the time of the road was ex- tremely slow the train generally waited an hour or 36 for the stages when they were late, which was usuall about every other day in the bad season of t a year when the roads were cut up. Just two days after the events related in the i receding chapters had taken place, the train booked to leave Reading at 1:30 was waiting for the stages, which had not yet arrived although . had been due for about an hour. the 0 train was an extremely light one: an en- gine tender, express-car and a single passenger i coach The conductor, muntering along the platform, was accosted by the engineer from the wmdow of his cab. _ “ They are late to-night,” he laid, referringto in logos. the Pacific 310ml his shrill l Captain Talbot. 77 I “ Yes, but I expect them every moment.” i “ Not much stuff down to—night.” “ No, but we’ve got a good deal of Wells and Fargo’s dust aboard, and I expect that the stages will bring in a good pile more.” ‘ Do you know, Cap,” said the engineer, re— flectively, “ that I've been thinking what a good 5 haul some of these road-agent chaps would i make if they was to 5% for the train some time , when the express 0 paiiy has a heavy ship— ment on board?” i “That would be a risky job,” the conductor replied. ‘Easy enough to stop the train by piling up obstructions on the track; the road ain’t over safe as it is. I’ve been expecting to get into the ditch ever since we commenced running, and | it’s really wonderful that we haven’t iad a i Smash-up, for the roadbed is in terrible bad or- ! er. “Oh, it would be easy enough to stop the j train, but it would take a big party of them to overpower the passengers, for we generally have twenty or thirty men aboard, and about every man IS well armed and used to handling weapons; so you see, unless the road-agenm , came in strong force the passengers would be apt to beat ’em off.” “If they should fight,” replied the engineer, ‘ in his dry way. “ and I reckon that the chances are jest as great that they wouldn’t fight as that they would.” “ Maybe so; there’s no telling; you’d fight of course! ’ “ Oh yes you bet! Of course I’d fight for Wells and Ii‘argo’s old mono 01y that has been robbing the miners by who esale ever since it started. No, sir! I’m down on all these bi , over rown monopolies! Jest you let any oli gent eman point a six—shooter at my bee and see how quick, like Captain Scott’s ’coon, I’ll come down. If the express company want men to fight for their valua les they had better hire Yong; they can’t ring me in, no way they kin fix it! 0 The rumble of the stages at that moment in- terru ted the conversation. “ allo! there they are now!” “ We‘ll be nearly two hours late, and this is a. gay old road to make up time on, even if we ain’t scheduled to make more than fifteen miles an hour." the engineer grumbled. The stages deposited their passengers; the express-messengers got their 0 d-dust on board and locked it up securely in t, 6 small iron safe in the express-car. A pretty rich cargo the safe carried that day; ten to fifteen thousand dollars worth of old. The passengers, some twenty in num er, all men, not a female among them, took their seats in the car, the express-messenger got on the train, the conductor gave the customary wam- ing “‘All aboard,” waved his lantern and the train pulled out for Red Bluffs, the next sta- tion on the line southward. The train was due at Red Bluffs at 5:10 and the engineer, as he drove along in the dar ess of the night calculated that he could make up an hour of the lost time easily enough, and that would bring the train to the-next sto ping- place at 6:10, a little less than an hour bind the schedule. It was a light train, the engine was working well, and as the gray light of the morning be- gan to li hten up the eastern skies and render visible t e surrounding objects, the engineer saw that his calculation was a good one, and“ that the train would surely make up an hour by the time Red Bluffs was reached. When the light grew strong and the sun began to rise the engineer consulted his watch. It was exactly 5:30, and the station was only ten miles away . “We’ll make it I” he exclaimed. Then the train plunged into a cut, tore round a curve, and after the curve emerged into a small rolling prairie. The engineer, with his hand on the throttle and his eyes keeping watch out ahead after his usual fashion, saw a si ht on the track ahead that made him stare. barricade of rocks and timber had been built right on the pathway of the iron horse, so that any attem t to run the engine ovar the obstruction woul most surely result in the wrecking of the train. “The road-agents, by jingol” cried the en- gineer shutting ofl steam for dear life and con- sidera ly astonished at finding his calculations re rding these masters of the highway so soon fu llilled, and at the same time be reversed his ngme. The train was under 'ood headway, running at the rate of twenty (1 miles an hour, and as the engineer had rceivod the obstructions in .1 time he saw that ewould be able to stop before the barricade was reached. _ Not a soul was in sight, although the engineer nothin doubted that the little clumps of timber situate near the track were full of the outlaws The engineer had whistled for “down brakes.” the moment he discovered that there was a. de- , sign to wreck the train, and the astonished l brakenian—the train only boasted one—in won— der sprung to his post. “ I reckon that that’s a heap of ’em in the tim- 0 her, Jim!” the engineer exclaimed to the fire-r man, who occupied the cab of the locomotive with him. “ You bet!” “ S’pose I play ’em a trick even if I do risk a bullet, we kin dodge down in the cab?” “ Go ahead, old man l” “ As she begins to slow up, the engine is re’ versed, and as soon as possible I’ll let her have all she will take, and you stand read with a stick or two of wood to heave at ’em i they at— tempt to board us. If we kin et fairl started on the back-track, I reckon that we 'n soon run away from ’em, and I’d risk a shot or two jest for fun.” “All right, I’m with on!” The fireman prepare his sticks of wood, se— lectinrr small ones that he could throw easily, no bad weapons either for such an emergency as this, for a lick from one of them would be morally certain to knock a man over as flat as a pancake. The engineer, with his hands on the lever, was ready to try the trick which his experienced min had suggested as likely to baflie the out- laws in their attempt to seize the train, insti—- gated thereto by the pure love of mischief. And the passengers, warned by the whistles that something out of the common run was at hand, stuck their heads out of the windows in wonder and amazement. Slower and slower ew the motion. Not a soul appeare in sight. “We shall make it, surel” the engineer ex- claimed in glee, but also trembling with excite- men . i The wheels were whirling round in one direc' tion, the train proceeding in the other. The moment the train came to a stop, naturally she would at once proceed to retreat. The motion almost ceased—the critical mo— ment was at hand; another minute and the train 'speeding backward toward the north could afv ford to laugh at the baffled road-a ents, when out from the clump of timber rode t rec mount» ed men dressed completely in buckskin suits mounted on powerful orses. two of them time with re eatm -rifles; the third, who was evi— dently t e»! or of the three, bore a heavy ro— volver in his hand, and a repeating-rifle lay across the pommel of his saddle. “Shut of! steam or you’re a dead man l” he cried, riding right up tothe cab and “covering” the engineer With his weapon. There was no mistaking the meaning of the man. If ever mortal meant what he said, he The engineer just looked for a moment in the eye of the glistening tube, and then, like a wise man made his choice. . “I ‘ pass,’dpardnerl” he cried, and, at the same time, obeye the command. “ Count me out too!” exclaimed the fireman, dropping the billet of wood which he had clutch- ed in his hands, read to re lboarders. The faces of all 1: rec o the strangers were covered with red masks from underneath which floated dark and heavy beards, but yetthere was. one of the riders who bestrode his horse in aman» nor that surely a white man never did. “ Come down out of the engine,” commanded the masked man, “unfasten the coupling be». tween the express and passenger-car, then run your 'engine 0 ear u to the barricade, and re- main there until ive you further orders. Don’t attempt any tricks or we will be obliged to make it unpleasant for you.” “ It’s your say so, sir,” responded the m- g'ineer, polite] , and he .at once proceeded to. comply with t e request. The engine and express—car were detached and mu up the road, thus completely destroying 111 chance of escape. “ Now, then, if the Governor of California is on board of this train, I shall be very much obliged indeed if he will have the politeness to come forward and show himself.’ the road- agent leader said. CHAPTER VIII. AN ASTONISHING CAPTURE. THE ngers were through the win~ (lows, and a. few of them on he pla forms, but. not a man of them all had as yet drawn a wea- pon. The conductor was standing on the for—a ward platform, justa little anxious in regard to the matter, for he hadn’t any idea how the- thing was going to end. ' One of the road-agents had accom nied the engine and express-car down the roan and with ready rifle kept guard upon the engineer and. fireman. The other two had ridden up to the train and with cocked weapons kept vigilant watch for the slightest sign of resistance. As we have ‘ passen ers of the were armed, not one of them trayed any idea of showing fight, al-- flough they outnumbered, with the train men, the outlaws eght to one. “Will the overnor of California. who, I be— lieve, is on board of the train, have the kind— ness to step out and show himself?” the road- agent leader said in the sweetest and most lite of tones. “I want to see him, I, Riohrrd albot, sometimes called the Death Shit ‘ f Shasta ” V k wrung... _ c v 4—. -.~.~ although the majority of the V And'at thi; speech the passengers stamd 26' ' I f r”. ‘ fit.— “4... v " i‘ such other with amazed eyes. Was the Gover- l nor of California indeed a passenger on board of the train, and if so, where was he? The particulars of the strange capture, and still rtrenger escape of Talbot, were known to nearly all of the travelers, for news of this kind travels fast in the mountain region, and is G camp to camp; and, therefore, knowiin the share that the Governor hall taken in the cap- ture of the noted Injiiii Dick, his urgent desire to interview the ruler of the great State of Cali— fornia did not surprise them. Talbot was a man of his word; he had told the official that he would be even with him for that night’s work in the Occidental Hotel, and he iii- tended to keep the promise. Not one of the passengers stirred, and Ta]— bot’s keen eyes flashed fire through the holes of the mask. “Well, gentlemen, I must trouble you to get out of that car and lay down your weapons on the ground as you alight,” he said’ "and don’t be alarmed; I don’t intend to rob you of a single article, not even of your weapons. I merely dc irive you of them, lest some one of on might rash enough to Provoke a conllict. am terribly i-u earliest in t iis mutter, gentle- men; to use an old Californian sayi If I mean business, every time! The Governor I believe ‘ to be on this train, and I want him.” It was an extremely simpleispeech, but there was a vast amount of threatening meaning in it. “ Now. gentlemen, let us understand each other,” Talbot continued. “ In the first place I mean no harm to any passenger, one man alone excepted. I’m not after your valuables or your » money, although I reckon I may be obliged to s V borrow a few ounces of gold-dust from my es- ’ teemed friends Wells, Fargo & CA) ; but as they are rich, and make plenty of money with their monopoly, out of the hard-working miners, they can afford to accommodate me. I want no blood upon my hands, and therefore I warn you all against offering an y resistance, for I am now a desperate man. The law has declared me an outlaw and set a price upon my head; worse than the law declares I am, I cannot be; there- toré I am reckless as to consequences. Those of you who have ever heard of me know that I am reputed to be a dead-shot, a man 'who never misses his aim, and I now 've you all fair warning that at the first host' e sign displayed I will open fire.” » This was no idle threat, and there wasn’t a man within hearing who did not believe that the er would be as good as his word. “ r. Talbot, I reckon that this game is yours,” remarked the conductor, get-tin r of! the latform as he spoke and beginning to ‘ shack ” himself of his weapons, as a Westerner might remark. ‘ ' A six-shooter and a five-inch bladed bowie- knife were the carnal wea us of the conductor, and with a flourish he eposited them on the an , “Come gentlemen, show your hands,” he re- marked, tucetiouslyfi.a , The assengerso yed promptly'nearl every one of them indulging in some 10 ing 0 serva- ~ tion, for now that the “pilgrims” were re- ' lieved 01 the ap rehension of personal danger to themselves an the fear of parting with their treasures, they lookedupon, the affair in the light of a deuced good joke. ,‘And now, gentlemen,” said Talbot, as the disarmin operation pr, , “if you will havethe indness to mare out yonder to that little clump of trees and Sit down while I see ' how much wealth the express com an has got in their strong box, I shall be‘muc o liged to u; but, where is the conductor?” he ques- ' good, abru tl , as the last passenger filed out ‘ , at the car: 6 ad ,kept close watch upon the . ; men. but had not been gratified by the appear- ame of the official whom he was so anxlous to see. . ' ,, “H er I am,” responded that worthy, step— orward. . , “‘i thought that the Governor was on board :your train.” , ‘ Notto my knowledge”, ,r :; ggu know him ” er s . - “ An’dyhe is gotlgn board?” ' “No, sir.” I Maybe he thinks that he can at, out of the without meeti me " T hot observed, ,' y anngygd by fai are to capture the sac ' li clan ‘butit he does bewillbe " ' thalaslttmniheis'” gedt th I passer: r emer ram soar, ‘dupwmweaponsfid marched of! to 10in would? the be? Talbot commanded: ‘ 'Jayhird, look out or these gentlemen!" Tho-second road-agent. who had remained by of the leader of the ‘ and who was . ' e his head-gal- , ‘ can pistol—range , cocked rifle «.0..- x.” _.-... «' 'A eagerly carried from town to town. and from ‘ - investing aite in: l. and . fancied? l I tree of horsemen, six in number. They were all e ad alike, in blue, and the rays of the rising sun shiminered and gleained upon the (polished steel barrels of the weapons they carrie . It was a detachment of troops, United States cavalry, on the march. A corporal rode at the head of the squad, and they came leisurely on, their horses moving at a jogtrot, totally unsuspicious of danger. They had noticed the train, but had no idea of the cause of its stoppage. Talbot’s resolve was soon taken, and the move. he made was a wonderful surprise to all—for not a soul that witnessed this strange scene but imagined that the instant they discovered the soldiers were approaching, the road-agents would iiiimedintely put spurs to their horses and flee from the wrath to come. But the lockers—0n did not know Dick Tnlhot. Exasperated by the vile treatment that he had received at the hands of the Governor, he had determined to strike a blow which should show to all California that the blood of the Death Shot of Shasta had not yet turned to water in his veins. And so as the soldiers came riding quietly on, he uttered a single warning; “ Let no man dare to speak undc'. pain of instant death!” and then, puttin spurs to his steed he rode directly towai' the advancing troo , bending down in the saddle, as if he was crap oyed in arranging it, and thus concealing his masked face from the gaze of the soldiers behind his horse’s head; then, when he got within fair pistol—range he suddenly sat upright, halting his well-trained horse at the same moment, and leveling his rifle full at the troop. “ Haiti Surrender, and throw down your arms!” he cried. Never in all this world were there men more astonished. The carbines of the soldiers were slung acrcss their backs, their revolvers in their holsters, their sabers safo in the scabbards. The were six to one, but that one with a eocke and leveled rifle held them at his mercy —in the hollow of his hand. They stared, amazed and bewildered. A mngle motion looking toward resistance and one and all knew that the death-dealing rifle-ball would hurtle through the air. True it could kill but one—or perhaps if the rider was quick he might fire two or three shots before they could get ready to offer battle, but not a man of the troop was willing to risk the chance that the bullet of the road-agent might not find a billet in his own person. And therefore they surrendered. Six well-armed soldiers surrendered to one single resolute, desperate man. '1‘ ink ‘not, gentle reader, that we are dealing in fiction when we relate this wonderful cap- ture, for it is the truth, as relath in the columns time. The soldiers dismounted, laid down their arms in n heap on the plain, hoppled their horses lo gather in obedience to the commands of their captor, and then marched off and joined the passengers sitting under the trees. Then Talbot turned his dttentionvto the ex- ress-car. The messenger,~who had been peep- ng through the half~opeued door. bad had an idea of showin "trusty rifle in his hand, he concluded the. dis- cretion was the better art of valor and so sur- rendered, and, forced y the menacin weapon of the attacker, yielded u the ke s o the safe. The strong box open an the dus at the mercy of Talbot, heselected what he wanted whistled as a alga-la] to the other two, they gailo d up, put the age of old-dust into their and e-bags and then rode o , Talbot waving an adieu. “Good-by, bpysl See you again, some time, so—longl” he cried. __ CHAPTER IX. ' ran GOVERNOR’S TRAP. Numunm the news of Injun Dick‘s hold at- tack upon the railroad train excited all the Northern Californian region to a. great degree. A; we have said, such news travels fast, and it did not take long for all the particulars of the daring deed to reach even the Oregon lineéeadnd great was the wonder that the attack excl . Amid the lonely mines in the mountain gulches, in the saloons ‘of the camps, wherever two or more men met together, about the first thing that one 0: them was sure to say, was: “Pardner, did you hear tell how Injuu Dick Talbot went for the railroad train, and snatch- ed it bald-headedr? , l , Never before had any single incident since Northern California was Nort ern California so to who had to; occupied the public attentionEa And the Governor of the S ried in Cinnabar City, althou _, e hadinten ed to proceedsouthward on t _‘ve train that albot'and his men had Waylaid , detain- desiro which arose'in .his mind at the , minute to “examine carle into the - . sot theCinnabar mine whichihe lad-me thoughts of r . was boih amazed yin Mt Cagain Dick Talbot of all the prominent Qalil’ornian journals at the ,‘ fight, but as Dick rode u , his - nd . .. , 7. And he began to get nervous, for Madam Ru- mor, with her thousand tongues, haul not no, gleeted to embellish the rem-ital of the wonderful outrave with sundry flights of fancy. As the story ran, Captain Dick ’l‘alhot had as- sailed the train with no other purpose than to settle his quarrel with the ( oven nor of the State, and had placed his rifle right at the head of a passenger, who somewhat resembled the ruler of the Golden State in personal appear- ance, and would have slain him outright in cold blood, despite the piteous appeals of the victim for mercy, but for the assurance given by the rest of the passengers that he was not the party that the outlaw supposed him to be. Then, the tale further related that Talbot had sworn, with a fearful oath, that he would have the heart’s blood of the politician if he had to follow him clean to Sacramento and slay him on the very steps of the capitol itself. Little wonder that the official, who was not constitutionally a brave man, sliouhl feel an- noyed and alg‘med at all these threatening re- rts. » He sent at once for Archibald Brockford, at whose instigation he had journeyed to Cinnabar City, for it was Brocktord, keen and sharp in speculation, who had suggested the idea or re— viving the fallen fortunes of the Cinnabar property. x. Brockford came at once and he found the Governor enjoying his breakfast, in his private ar or. “ Sit down, sit down!” exclaimed the official as the stmaster entered, " sit down and help curse [to a cup of coffee; have you had your reakfast?” . “Yes, thank on, I’m an early bird,” the ex- press—agent rep ied, helping himself to a chair, as he spoke. - bg‘gave you heard the news about this Tal— ‘ 1; “Yes; a pretty bold attack.” “ And the fellow threatens my life, tool" “Barking dogs seldom bite," replied Brock— ford, lacomcally. The official brightened up a little. “ Aha! you don’t think there is any great dan er, then?” "‘ b, no! I don’t doubt the fellow would give a good deal and venture prctt rasth to be able to get square with you or t a little trick you played him, but if you takethe pro r precau— ions I don’t think here will be muc danger of his harming you. You go 2 med, of course." “ Yes, but hang‘itl the chances are a hundred to one that I should be no match for this des- perado in a hand-to-hand encounter.” “In fact, you are not hankering after a dif- ficuwr,” lirwkford observed, with a laugh. “ 0,-sn', I am not l” the Governor repl ed, de- cided] .' “But if this fellow makes his words good won't be able to get out of this infernal country without having a row with him.” “So I heard it reported, but you can’t a]. we 3 believe all you hear, you know.” ‘ And, of course, now that Talbot has appear- ed again, I suppose there is no use of figuring on the Cinnabar property an more.” Brockford looked surprise . “ Why, Governor, 'ou won’t let this outlaw frighten you out of t at speculation, will you?” ‘ Tonfound 1t, mam” t 6 Governor exclaim- ed testily, “ do you suppose I’m going to not only risk my money but my life?” the fellow has at “ Well, as far as that goe it in for you now, for all at on’re wort ," the other remarked, eaglelg. ‘ And if Ewan you, now that the rasca as declared war, I Shoulbd] g3 in for making it as hot for him a: e. ,, “You w i” said the ofllcial in an ex tremely «more of way. ’ , “Most ‘ idedly! That is the onlyvi'ny to handle sue a man. Once let him sec hat von are afraid of him and your aim is up. at, on the contrary, make a bol fight—run him out of the‘ country and then there will be no more trouble." . V . “ It I could only think so,” wasthe Governor’s dubious reflection. “Well, that’s the way it looks to me, but ‘0! course we all see with diflerent e '68.” really we oing into ’1” the other asked. abruptly.‘ f‘Ta bot told me, you know, when, he wasgnxmus toget his pardon, that the mine was layed out, and I have no reason to behave that is, the truth as-it appearedto him! . . .. id;A°d0df “genie-puga to get .ou”out olgtthg ' v 3; in e o r or! answered. “ He knows ail y‘ one, andvofcourse if he succeeded in on, he would be able tojget ho property himself, for, even if he hadn’t the mo- labia» , y “w Jove! an,“ r “a .611, Glovenior; c.5395 ’ Mam -» m we the a 9 But I m ,Brockford, is this imbar mine ' that e was not speaking the truth at the time; _ ‘ eminello good ,\ of in 3% ney’required to. at it in order. be cc find leaty‘gfleculsfimyflling maven V , . 8 with this des rado. Now, can’t you think of some means y which I can at out of this dis— agreeable hole? You know t ie way such things are managed up in this country, but I don’t. Now, supposing you were in my situation—sup- posing this outlaw had threatened your life just as he ms threatened niine—” “ I should arm myself to the teeth and shoot him on sight at the very first convenient oppor— tunity,” replied Brockh )l‘(l, grimly. “ Ah, yes, but you forget i" cried the Governor, quickly: “this Dick Talbot, with a price of a thousand dollars Set upon his head, isn’t going Captain Dick Talbot. l river. The rider bent himself almost double in the saddle, shielding himself behind his horse’s head from the waving pine boughs that threatened to sweep him from his seat. the blind trail with the main road, t iere was a little clearing, and in its center a rude log cabin had been erected; only a small affair, and a parent] y deserted, for the roof was sadly dilapi- dated, and the door had been battered so that “blind” trail leading directly into the wilder- a ness that intervened between the road and the ‘ A short quarter of a mile from the 'unction of ’, ~22 rather better armed, each and every man bust» in a whole arsenal of weapons. n personal appearance the men dlflhod vastly. Man No 1., or Letter B., as In was termed in the “argot ” of the gang, was a tall, lank fellow, with a sharp face, yellow hair ; and ard, the very picture of the sharp, plodw ding Yankee schoolmaster of the olden time. ' ,No. 53, Letter C, was nearly as tall as the other, but was heavily-built, broad-shouldered and ex- l like in appearance: his face and figure betrayed l the Dutchman and when he opened his mouth l his speech con rmed it. No. 3, Letter D, was a , . V ._-.‘s~ M _. to walk about this town in his own proper per- it swung by a single hinge, threatening at any l most decided contrast to the other two, being a son so that an one will know and recognize him; and, for t e matter of that, what is this Talbot like when he is himself ? Do you know?" Brockford shook his head. “Does any one in the town know himll Would he be recognized if he appeared right in the town without taking the trouble to disguise himself at all?” “ I don’t tln'nk he would, for, since the time when he flourished here, a new set of men have come in. No, the chances are ten to one that he wouldn’t be reco oiled.” “Thi-nsee what earful odds I am laboring under!" the official continued, nervously. “I am liable to meet this man any day in the street, without 'knowing or suspecting him. He will have a chance at any time to murder me in cold blood without giving me an oppor— tunity t) rai 'e a finger in self-defense. Come! can’t you suggest something? You see that your idea of making an open fight with him won’t work at all.” Brockford remained silent for a few minutes, evidently deep in reflection, but at last he po e: “ Well, thre is one other way that, in such a case I might ado t.” “ :‘ro ahead! rely entirely on you in this matter!” “ It’s fighting fire with fire. ” “ No matter what it is, so long as it sue— coeds!” “ Well, if I were situated as you are, I should employ a body of desperate men—fellows as wild and lawless as this Talbot is binned—to hunt him do wn.” ‘ “A ca ital idea!” cried the Governor, slap- ping his neein exultation; “a splendid ideal the very thing!” “It will be expensive, though. " “I don‘t care a continental what it costs!” the official replied. “ What are a few hundreds of dollars when a man’s life is at stake?” “ Nothing! that’s a fact I” “ But where will I find these desperate gentle- men?” the Governor questioned. “Can t you arrange that portion of the business for me? You understand the ins and outs of this wild re- gion far better than I do. ” v “ gerhaps you won’t like the men I would se- lect. “ \Vhat do I care who or what they are? So ion as they do the work, what matters the too 5’!” , “Very true. This, then, is my idea: Talbot wanted to buy his ardon by bringing the out- laws known as the lack-hoods to ?ustice; just reverse the thing now. Give the B ack-hoods a chance to buy their pardons by either killing or capturing Dick Talbot.” ‘ He must be killed!" declared the Governor, decidedly. “ It is of no use to capture him. We had im safe enough, the last time, and see how he slip d through our fingers! No, no; I want him end, not 3. 've.” I “ I can easily arrange that, and in addition to the pardons you will probably have to pay some money.” “ lri ht; curse the ex nsel" , “ I thin I can put myse f in communication with the Black-hoods tie-night. There is a cer- tain road where solita travelers are Igenerally stopped 2y these gent omen, and if go that way I sh 1 be pretty sure to encounter them.” “ Make any ment you like and I will back it i" the ofilcial exclaimed, in glee. And so the trap was laid to insnare Captain Dick Talbot. - CHAPTER X. rm: BLACK-BOOBS. WITH the falling of the shades of night over the town of Cinnabar, on the evenin of the same day that the interview between t e Gov- ernor and Brockford had taken place, a horse- man rode forth from the town and took the trail leading up the river toward the McCloud canyon. The horseman was a tall, muscular man, well armed and well mounted, with long hair and a flowing beard. About two miles from the town the road bent abruptly to the right, forced from the river by the hu 9 rocks which, towering toward the sky, form the 10 , dark McCloud canyon. . A mile from he turn the horseman fohow Hie trail, the gloom gathering so thick about him that he could hardlysee his horse’s ears, but the beast went on as though used to the a}; and at a certain spot turned aside from main road to the left, following a little ' moment to tumble to the ground. A strange location for a cabin, for in this mining region the miners and Indians were the on] inhabitants, and the whites always pitched their habitations by the side of running Water, I and the red-skins, generally, in the little plea- sant open valleys amid the great mountain chains. But two explanations were ossible in regard to the old cabin: either it was he abode of some old solitary, disgusted with the world, and seek- ing to hide himself and his troubles from his fellowwnen that he despised, or else had been built for some evil purpose. In the open glade the horseman dismounted, and the moment he was out of the saddle and cast the reins on the neck of the beast, the horse turned away of its own accord and marched into a dense thicket at the north end of the glade, plain] showing that the animal was no stranger to t e s t. Then the man en- tered the house, first istening cautiously to make sure that he was not followed. Small need of this precaution, though, for the gloom was so dense that if any one had played the spy upon the man, and, fol owing close upon his heels, lurked now a dozen yards off, the keenest pair of eyes would not have been able to detect whither he had gone. At one end of the house a rude chimney stood, built of logs like the rest of the hut and plastered with mud; the chimney~place was some four feet square. Gropin through the darkmss the horseman proceede to the chimney-place; it was plain that ho was perfect] familiar with the prem— ises. Stoopiug, he id hold of an iron ring which was carefull concealed In a cunningly- contrived nook in t 19 back of the fireplace, gave it a pull, and the whole back swung open, movv in on hinges so well oiled that the heavy door — or such in truth it was—never made the sli htest sound in opening. _ f the darkness 0 Egy 1; had not reigned su- preme within the old ea in, a staircase, rudely constructed, might have been discerned to whic the door gave access. I It was a very cleverly-devised affair. The huge chimney, built twice as big as was neces- sary, easily aflorded room for the stairway, and no one no in the secret would have ever sus— pected the existence of the underground pass- age,hfor the stairway led right down into the cart . The horseman descended without a. moment’s hesitation, carefully closing the concealed door after him, thus completely cutting of! all access to the outer world. v Ten feet down into the earth the man de- scended, and then found himself in a narrow passageway barred by a lian door. The horseman ran his han over the surface of the barricade until he touched a concealed spring, which yielding under his pressure, ope- rated the machinery of the door, and it at once opened to afford him entrance. He assed through the portal and entered into the ce lar-like apartment beyond. He was in the secret haunt of the Black-hoods the most daring band of road-agents who had ever defied the aw in northern California. The underground retreat so carefullly‘lplanned and the entrance to which was so skil 1y con- trived, was an apartment about twenty feet wide by twent long. A re lar ce ar had been du in the earth, about 11 feet deep, beams an floorin for a roof placed some two feet below the sur ace of the ground, the soil then carefully replaced over the roof, with shrubs and pines planted in it, so as to conceal all traces of the excavation. A rude table stood in the center of the room, containing now the remains of a repast, which, although served without ceremony, mmer fash- ion, was not to be despised by.a hungry man, and it had been flanked by bottles of the strong liquors dear to the heart of the average morta . Around the room five rude bunks were ar- ranged, and in one corner there was a. miscel- laneous collection of articles, the “plunder” that the road-agents had acquired, saddles, whips, spurs, weapons, eta, “too numerous to mention, ’ as the auction bills have it. The if Black-hoods” were all at home when the horseman ntered—four men, and he, the chief of the ban , made the fifth. g , Five men only were there in the band, but the Black-hoods had made it as lively for Northern California as though they boaste _a dozen. The road-agents did not differ in their and manners from the average mountain miner, excepting, perhaps. that they were i little dried-up sort of man, hardly half the size of either of the others. He was swarthy in 1 color, quick and nervous in action, eyes like two ‘ jct beads, and a careful observer, well posted as to matters and things on the Pacific 510 would have quickly declared that he had ar more right to roam amid the golden valleys than an of the rest, for he was native to the soil, a Cah- fornian born, a descendant of the old Spanish Mexican cattle-kings, who, in the days of ore, lorded it over thousands of acres with al the rincely pride of blue blood and noble estate. he fourth man, Letter E, was one of the most remarkable of the band in ersonal up arance. He was about the medium hight,-as fa as a he and as clams ,too,_ but as strong as a horse. sin 1e look a his great jowls and beefy sides an one would at once set him down as a man who had handled at some tine the butcher’s cleaver; a most perfect embodiment was he of sheer brute force. The ca tain of the gang—Captain A, as his men dub d him—was a tall, muscular man with a. heavy brown beard and long curling brown hair; a dashy sort of fellow in a pear- ance; a good deal such a man as the in; leader of a desperate band of outlaws would be popularly supposed to be. he road-agents were lounging around the room in various positions when their chief on- tered, and they merely contented themselves with nodding to him as he helped himself to a. rudely-constructed skin chair and took a pull at one of the bottles of 1i uer upondzhe table. “It’s a chilly night, ys,’ he observed. “It seems to me as if spring was never going to come.” The band, as one mm nodded assent. The a artment was illuminated bya con 10 of cand es placed upon the table, so that 0 band could see each other, for in this under- ground abode the blessed light of the sun never came. “Well, boys, I’ve got some good news for you,” the captain continued. The outings pricked up their cars at this. “Of com you have all heard of this Dick Talbot affair—how he offered, if the Governor ave him afree pardon for all he had done in z 9 past, to hunt us down and give us up to jus- ice. “ Make us stretch hemp l” exclaimed the tall, Yankee-like road-agent, with a sarcastic “ Exactly.” “ A fine promise, but first get the salt on the tail of your bird before you boast of catching it, ” sug ested the Californian. “Oh, e reckoned that he could fix that all right,” the captain replied. “Dick Talbot will never be hung for want of assurance. Well now that he and the Governor have had trouble of course there is pretty had blood be- tween them. He has open y proclaimed war to the knife and has threatened the life of his foe, and so it happens that the tables are turned, ex- actliv‘h He was going to buy his on by hun ' g us down, and now I’ve had e 0361‘ of a. pardon for all of us provided that we hunt him down. What do you say to tha boys! We’ve made money enough to retire, an if we accept this ofier we can do so with perfect safety—no danger of being called to account for our little fun with the coaches. A full pn- don for each and every one of us, if we put Dick Talbot out of the way. We must measure him for a coffin and ut him in it, and that won’t be a very tong job for us, will it be, boys?” CHAPTER XI. ' A CONSULTATION. “ 03, no I” the read-a outs cried, in a sort of a chorus, and in truth 0 thou ht that, to use tigeitmountain parlance,.t ey ha a “soft thing 0 . Of Dick Talbot the knew very little. Of course all of them had card of him, for he was a sort of a. local hero and the early times of the city'of Cinnabar were rarely discussed without the name of Injun Dick being mentioned. And then, too, his attack on the train amply proved that he was a man of metal but the“ outlaws never would have been 3 to ac- knowledge, even for a single instant, that Thlv bot was any match for them, and therefore they looked upon the cap‘teure of lnjun Dick as an on tremer simple ma r. ‘ “You agree with me, then, boys; we must fgo "1’23 this gay sport?" the road-agent 1m in u m. wanting. 1r . i .n eh! yes!” Letter B responded, and the MWHA _.__.. __... l J l: Ms rd...“c. . W , . WM "But, captain, where shall we find him?” the Ollfloruinn asked, wily, like all his race. . “In Cinnabar City, if I ain’t wrong in my reckoning,” the outlaw leader replied. “ The Governor, with Brockford, the postmaster, 1§ oing to tackle the old Cinnabar mine, and as Talbot has an idea that he's got about as good a claim to that piece of property as any man on this hyer foitstxiol,‘tlie chanccs are ust ten to one that he’ll come to town, in isguise, of course. and proceed to make it hot for the men intruding upon his rights. ’ . “ Waal, I calculate that you’ve got it about right, thar,” the Yankee decided; the Cali- foruicn concluded that such was l‘ opinion also, while the other tWO nodded silently, as they generally did. The Yankee and the Cali- l'ornian, after the captain, were the brains of the gain , the Dutchman and the butcher being simply iii; brutes, fit only to carry out the plans of the others. V “But I say, cap’n!” exclaimed the Yankee, suddenly, “is it a sure thing about this liycr pardon! no gum game about it?” “ Oh, no no doubt about it at all. The par dons are all made out. five of them, all in blank, ready for the insertion of our names the ino— ment the job is done. The Governor is mortal— ly afraid of Talbot, for Talbot has sworn to get even with him for the littlII trick which his ex» cellency played upon him. The Governor thinks that Talbot means to kill him at the very first convenient opportunity. and the chances are, as it appears to inc, that that idea is pretty near correct. The Governor is not a fight up; man, and he isn’t anxious to measure his skill in that line with Injun Dick; and so, while‘hc was frettin ovcr the idea, a certain party sug- gested that (5 could make a bargain with us to attend to the matter for him, and he jumped at the chance.” “ He wants us to catch him so that he’ll have n. chance to present him with a hempen neck- tie, eh?” observed the Yankee “Oh, no!" cried the captain, quickly, “that isn’t the idea at all! Talbot slipped through his fingers so easily when he entrapped him so skill- fully that he hasn’t the sli htest idea of trying that game over again. 6 wants Dick Talbot dead, not living.” All the outlaws nodded approvingly; it suited their ideas to a dot. Dead men tell no tales— and dead men are harmless, either for good or evil. “80 ounce that is the way the land lies, boys,” {he captain continued. “Talbot must be killed; we must finish him, and in this easy manner earn our pardons for all that We have done in the past.’ “You think Talbot will come to the town?” the Yankee 8'] id. “ Yes, I think he will. He was in search of the Governor the other day when_ he stop d the train—and an extremely neat bit of wor it was, too; I don’t think that we could have (lonc it any better ourselves. Well, he didn’t get the 1mm he was after, and when he learns that he is tarrying in Cinnabar the chances are big that he will come after him.” “ That’s so I” the Yankee averred. “ And we must smell him out. He may come in we must be on the look-out and spot him, but I have an idea that, as it is uite a 10 time since he was in the town and t ere isn’t y anybody in Cinnabar now who wouldbo apt to recognize him, he’ll be apt to make his appearance in his own proper person." “Yes, but as there isn’t any one of us that ever knew him it will be just the same as if he was disguised,” the Californian concluded. The captain laughed. “I’ve gotapoint in regard to that!” be ex- claimed. “ ve found a. fellow in Cinnabar that knows Talbot like a book; he‘s a drunken Vagabond and is uite willing to tell all that he knows, rovided t at he is aid for the informa- tion. list b accident happened to run acrosl him an discovered that, in the old time, he was a. resident of the 'camp when Talbot flourished here in all his glory." “ Waal now, cap’n, that’s what I call a streak of luck 1” _ “Luck? It is miraculousl” the little Califor- nian cried, and Dutchman and the butcher nod- ded asusual. “The tellow’s name is Bowers—Joe Bowers, and when I found out that he was the very man I wanted, I cultivated his acquaintance. It cost me five'dollars to get him drunk, thou h, for I never met aman who could swallow whis y so easily, and at first it seemed to have no more eflect u )1 him than so much water, but I fixed him, at t, and he has agreed to show me Tal- ' hot if he comes into the town." “But, can you trust him?” inquired the ever cautious and mistrusth Yankee. “Oh, yes, I think so, as lon as I pay him; and, by the way, boys, this lit 6 agreement has been made through Brockford, the postmaster: he has authority to act for the Governor, and of course it is necessa that he should be able to ‘ distinguish us when e meets us in the town, so I just told him that we would all wear a. little 'ieco of black court-plaster on our faces. It n’t matter how little the patch is, or where {yo put it. Of course such a slight: val-k as that .1‘ Captain Dick Talbot. won’t be apt to excite any attention, but it will I enable him to pick us out in a moment. .And now, bfl's, there’s another little bit of busmess that we’ve got to attend to in the town. X on all know Nic of the Bella Union l” They all nodded assent. “ W ell she’s got to be run out of the town." “ How s that?" asked Letter B, in wonder. “ There‘s a. ccrtaiu party wants her out of the way; it’s a hundred-dollar job, and I thought that we might as well take the cash as any one else.” “ Oh, yes, certainly; but what’s the pro— raiiiine in rcgard to hcr? are we to make a still" of 1101‘?” the Yankee domam‘nl. The outlaw leader shook his hear “ No, that isn't nccessnry; all tilllb ' required is to drive licr out of the town. We must go to the Bella Union and kick up a row the moment she comes out on the stage, make such a dis- turbance that she won’t be able to sing, and if she braves it our, for shc’s a plucky little imp, why some of us must prctcnd to be drunk and insist upon making hcr acquaintance; we must waylay lici' after the performance is over, force our way to her room, and in fact worry her un— til she is glad to gct out of the town.” Then at this up spoke the butcher, suddenly, and much to the astonishment of his comrades, for l" svldom took the lead in anything. “I. know how to fix it." he said; “lcnvc it all to me. I‘ve had a liankcriiig llliOl‘ the gal for some time, but I thought that I had better not tool with her for fear Iniiglit get the gang in trouble; but, since it has come up in the way of business I had just as lcf take the job oil‘ the hands oi; the rest of on as not.” The outlaws lnug ied; the burly butcher was the last man in the world that any one would linvo taken to be a victim of the tender pas- Sloll. " I for one freely resign my share in the mat— lzcr,” the captain l'(‘lllll'(l. “And .I. for another!" cried the Yankee. “I ain’t anxious to have. uiiything to do with that little s itfire, and you had better look out, old man, liow you attempt to tackle her, for she carries a [Npgnn, and they do say she 3‘ "it as lief let drive at a man as not. ’ “By all the saints!" exclaimed the Califor- , iiian “ I want nothing of such a girll" “ at ish me, you bet!” chimed in the Dutch- man, roused from his abstraction by the momen- tous question. “ I’ll ’tend to her, all right,” the butcher prom- ised, with a self-satisfied leer. _ Everything is understood then; and remem- ber, boys, ]you are to take orders from Brock- ford ust t 9 same as you would from myself. I sha’n t robably see you for two or three days, or, may , a week, as I’ve got a. little business to attend to up Yreka way. “ All right captain, you can depend upon us!” Letter B exclaimed, and the rest assented. “ And until those two matters are settled, we had better shut this place up and hang out round the town somewheres. Don’t all go to- -;ether, though, for that might excite suspicion.” “Oh, we’l attend to that.” “Well. that’s all I’ve got to say; after we’ve settled Talbot—and, mind 'ou, he’s got to be killed, not taken alive—we’ l have a division of the spoils that we hav’n’t divided up yet and dissolve partnership; I reckon that its about time too, for I don‘t think we could keep on muc longer. We’d be pretty 3 t to be hunted out of our holes; so-long, boys; ’m off!" And, with the salutation, the road - agent leader withdrew, mounted the stairs again, 0- ceeded through the old but to the wood ware his horse had found shelter, and with a free rein galloped back toward Cinnabar City. The [plot was working, and there was a. pros- pect 0' lively times soon. I CHAPTER XII. AN ASTOUNDING rnorosmou. ABOUT the same time that the Black-hoods in their mountain retreat were discussing their projects—or, to be more exact, perhaps it was an hour or so after that time——Brockford, whose name had been mentioned so prominentl in their deliberations, sat in his express-o ce, making up his books. The mail and express coach, which was due from the north at nine, had arrived half an hour late, and so Brockford had [lieen detained in the office a little later than usua . Just as he finished his entries and closed the book, the door of the office opened and a tall slender, elderly man entered: He was dressed very plainly, in complete black, but with scru- ulous neatuess, and bore himself with a. care ess, jaunty air that plainly bes )oke the well— bred, cultured man of society. - e had a long, thin face, strangely pale in hue; his eyes were gray, small and keen: his hair, once black, but now thickly streaked with gray, was brushed carefully back behind his ears, and as his face lava]: smoothly shaven, he had quite a ministerial oo . This was Mr. Joscelin Daily, the father of the beautiful Cassandra, a man of “ win ' ways,” apparently without gulls; a gentleman in search 0 a good mining speculation, but, although he g ' .W....r._. ..-,-_. . - had tarricd in Cinnabar ('ity‘for nccrlya month now, and good mines \vcn- running about the street—figuratively smoking—bogging for a buyer, yet he had not succeeded in suiting him so . Some Cinnabar “sharps,” who were opular- ly reputed to know a thing or two, had, rather take-1 pity upon this loncly, unprotected stran- ger who lnnl journcycd so fur with “ ducats ” to invest, and, althouin it made their hearts bleed to “ rope in "such an innocent sort of a mild old duck, so “childlike and bland " in his wa , yet business was business, and so they had when it upon themselves to show the man from “be- yond the gates" a thing or two in the way of card-playing, both for amusement and profits. But for once in their lives the sharps of the mining town went for wool and returned shorn. Amusement undoubtedly thcy had, but the )roiit went to the share of the mild, palc-l‘accd r. Daily, who, in the beginning, explained that he knew ver little about cards, although he had always but . in his home circlc, tllc r-‘pu- ration of being the hi hi: :1 mun llluf cvcr :ru — tied a pack of the pnintcd p. sn-lwm: s. And these bold sharps—these wild and (lush- ing blades of Cinnabar, the g0~ahcad men of the town—for on the great Pacillc slo o the gain blers are not the outcast parians t int they are in the East, but, on the contrary, gcucrnlly number among their tribe 801110 of the best men of the communic -——tlicv chuckled in their sleeves and winkm nl. ( rich other us the sim do Mr. Dail , in his honest way, boasted of iis luck, ant related how des ite the skill of his anta ronists, sheer dumb luc nearly always en~ able him to come out ahead. It seemed really a. shanio to “skin " so inno cent—so great a flat, but, as we observed “ busincss was business.” and it would be really a charity, too, so tin-so shrewd men of Cinnabar thought, to take a little of tho Cont-cit out of the old gentleman, and perhaps save him from go ing urther and faring worse; so they " went" for him. In the card-room of the Occidental a nice lib tle )arty sat down one evening, determined, eac z and every one of them, to teach Mr. Daily that he was not so lucky at cards as he believed himself to be, and that there was a thing- or two about the exhilarating game of poker that he had yet to learn. They went for him lightly at first. It vac against the rules of these bold blades to “ skin” a man complete] at the jump. The ran the rst “pot” upto about a hun- dred ollars, and than in mercy they “saw " and “called” Mr. Daily. The man who had “staid” in bad a pair of tens which “as “ good,” but the old gentleman had three jacks, w ich was “better,” and so he raked the pile, much to the astonishment of the table, for no one had behaved, from the way in which he had backed his hand, that it had amounted to an - thing, and they all began to believe that t a stranger was right when he had declared that he was a bad player, but a fool for luck. The Cinnabar sharps felt disgusted with the first attempt, and at once concluded that there was no use of wasting time over the matter, but they might as well 0 in and lay the stronger out at once, and so t ey run in a. “cold deal” on him, but Mr. Daily h the “cut,” and in some way he happened to cut so as to slightly disarrange the ‘ combination.” Accordin to the programme Daily ought to have had Iour kings and one of his opponents four aces, just enough to beat him; but the kings being so stron , and the chances so great that the ucens woul not be out, that even a first-class p aycr, unless icious of a. swindle. would be apt to bet alm his life upon the kings’ winning. But, as we observed, the “combination,” in some mysterious way was 11 by Daily ’5 “cut,” or the man who shou d have got the four queens on] got three; one of the queens was missingj 1 course he took the chances that one of nily’s kings had gone astray also, and so he “staid in": the rest all went out, with the exception of Daily, but from his ner- vous manner it was plain to his opponent that his hand was not a strong one—not four kin , surfl, or he would have backed them more lib~ era . - Thl; pot was about one hundred dollars, an it was the stranger’s turn to “ chip " in. “I'll go a hundred!” he said promptly, and with quite a boastful air, as he plunked u.“ money. , This was so ewdantly a blui! on a weak hand. that the Cinnabar chap could not help smil“ and he instantly “saw” the hundred, and \v. a a hundred better; he felt satisfied that hc \ going to “ skin’ Mr. Daily, this time: but, judge of his astonishment, when Daily prompt, ly met the hundi ed and .went five thouland dol- lars better; “ A fool for Thisfioored the Cinnabar sharp. luck,” indeed. Daily had it his four kings and was betting on an invincib 6 hand. Cinnabar did not dare to put up fin thouund and “ call ” Daily; he was not inclined to y that amount for the rivilege cf secin the our kings, and_so Mr. De. 1y raked in the p But the curiosi of the lzeafcn man was too groattober ped,andasnauypgneduio.~_,fy ‘v “1 .. ._ Frl‘jyigiz: ‘ "as IO money over to his side of the table, l’l his calm ‘ and gentle way hf! cried: “ Stranger, ’ll give you ten dollars to let me see what you had in yourhand.” . The old gentleman acce ted the offer at once, and displayed a pair of “rings! The Cinnabar men grinned a ghastly smile, and . an. idea went round the board, just then, that ‘ this cool and uiot Mr. Daily, for all his inno- cent ways, cou d handle the pasteboards for all that they were worth. And so it came to pass from that night out, when the bold sharps of Cinnabar went “gun- “ ning” for flats, they gaVc Mr. Daily a wide berth. “How-ytdo. Mr. Brockford.” the gentleman said, as he entered theollice. “ Have you a small 1 box by express for me, from Frisco?” “ Nothing to—night."y “ Strange! it ought have arrived.” "I’ll bring it up when it comes." “Thank you.” “ And, by the way, Mr. Dailv, I wanted to see you about a little matter," rockford added, abruptly. you in regard to it for some time. You have a very lovely daughter, Mr. Daily, and she ‘ has made such an impression upon me that I wanted to ask mm to use your influence with her on my beha f.” “ Oh, certainly," the old gentleman replied in the most benignant and gracious manner. “I shall be glad to oblige 'ou, although I fear it will be useless. My girl, am afraid, will never marr ." “ Sis, but surely your command would have weight with her." “ My command! yes, I presume so; but, Mr. Brockard. much as I esteem you, I should hesi- tate to use such a measure.” “ Well, Mr. Daily, the only thing with me is, that, interested as I am in your daughter, I should like to have a sort of a right to protect you in case of any trouble arising." “ Trouble! bless me! trouble concerning me?” the old man exclaimed, in amazement. “ Yes. They say, You know that ou’re the Wurst black-leg in the town, and if Ju ge Lynch should ever get started hyer, you’re about the first man that would suffer.” The old man winced, des ite his wonderful nerves, for there was somet ing brutal about Hm speech, more in the delivery, though, than in the matter, bad as that was. “ Oh, I don’t think any one will trouble me," he observed. “ Well, I don’t know; public sentiment is get— ting aroused; there is too much card—playing in the town: there are too man men like on who are making a living out o it. You’l all get cleaned out some day." Brock ford’s speech was extremely coarse and offensive. “ Oh, I guess not; but, as you have been kind enough to make in“ a proposition, I don’t mind making you one. As you just observed, I play cards once in a While, and I'm willing to risk my girl as I risk my money. You put up a thou- sand dollars and then I’ll put Cassy against it, counting her another thousand, and we’ll play poker for the two. If you win the two thousand, you shall have my daughter, and then you're to pay the thousand over to me; if you 038, why, that ends the matter—I have it all.” llrockford looked at the old man earnestly, for a moment, a slight frown upon his face, then he spoke: “ Do you take me for a fool?" he cried. “I might as well go and throw my money into the rivur. IVhat chance would I stand against you!” “Not much,” replied Daily, quiet ; “if you did, I wouldn’t make the ofl'er. Wel , I am sor- ry we can’t make a trade. Perhaps some other time we can think of a way; good-night," and he politely bowed himself out of the office. CHAPTER XIII. A WARNING. Now then in the courseof our story jump we one full day ahead and take up the thread of our tale just as the shades of ni ht are falling thick and heavy over the town 0 Cinnabar. Down the main street of the city wandered a broad-shouldered fat man, whose garments were much the worse for wear, but who march- ed along as proudly as thou h be in his own right owned the fee—simple o the richest mine in the burg. But in truth, what are wealth and honors, or all the golden gifts of fortune, compared to a contented mind? And such a thing Joe Bowers possessed, for it is of that renowned vagabond that we write. The world owed him a living; he was deter- mined to have it. So far he had succeeded in getting it—a pretty good one, too, and with very little trouble. . brains over the would have none 0 it. “I have been intending to speak to i l l l g laziness, it was his lot to wander placidly: through this weary vale of tears, enjoying‘life ‘ as he wont, content to seize u n the pleasure of the momenta: it passed, an reckless of what the morrow might bring forth. Bowers’s progress down the main street was s ow, extremely l . down below who has jest bin skinning the town, l but I’ve got ducats wot says that you kin skin ‘ him and not half try.” for he was nearly in the center ‘ ; royal duke! Are you gwine to stay long in Let other men bother with mines—rack their , - details of business; hci The embodiment of ,‘ Captain Dick Talbot. of the town; saloons, “hotels” and kindred, places of entertainment VVCI‘L‘ thick, airl the jolly bummer made it a point of homo; not to pass a house where creature comforts might be procured without taking a. look at the inside. He had been in Cinnabar City only a day or two, but already his face and form were well , known to the majority of the saloon-keepers— not to their sorrow, as we fancy the keen and ' careful reader exclaiins, for in the halcyon days of which we write “No Trust " was the ‘ motto that every saloon—keeper of the thrivin ‘ metropolis of the Shasta valley cinblazonefil proud y on his banner. As Bowers had tearfiilly remarked, at they close of his first day’s and night’s experience in Cinnabar: “ The town ain’t wot it used to be, for ,in the l ‘ golden time of yore not a tumbler-{uggler was I there in the city who wasn’t prom to set’ein 1 up for yours truly, J. Bowers, and chalk it on i the slate. Alas! how hey the mighty fallenli‘ It’s a bit a drink, ponicd up in advance, or no ‘ fire-water l" But luckily for Bowers he had struck the town at :1 pretty good time, for when he reach- ed Cinnabar the news of the attack of Captain Dick Talbot was in everybod YYs mouth and hardly anything else was talke of all over the ‘ Cit . flowers was one of those fortunate mortals who possessed a host of acquaintances, or, if he didn’t, he pretended that he did, which, to a party possessed of the almost unlimited amount of assurance that the bummer enjoyed, was just about the same. It was hard work for the average man, as he is found in the mining wildernesses of the great golden land, to receive with the cold shoulder the genial cuss, as Artemas Ward puts it, who claims you as an old acquaintance and relates how he met you at such a town, in such a year, and how lively you used to “ hoop it up ” for the boys, although you may be perfectly well aware that the story is an outra eous lie, and that you never saw the fellow fore in all your life, and were never in the place to which e alludes. And so, despite the hard cash ideas of the dispensers of “fire-water," Bowers “landed upon his feet” when he struck Cinnabar City and found the town wild over the bold explmt of Injun Dick. He knew the man from A to izzard—had drank with him, chummed with him, been a regular old side-pardner of “ his’n”—in fact, if Injun Dick Talbot was the man you were after, he could tell ou more about him in a day than all the rest 0 the world in a year! And so it happened that the fat bummer got on intimate terms with at least one—half of the town before he had been six hours a resident of the city. And the crowd generally swallowed his wild and ridiculous yarns, too, for, aftér Talbot’s bold defiance of the Governor of the State there was hardly any exploit deemed too wild for him to attempt and accomplish, and so Bow— ers had not suffered. At last the bummer reached the Occidental Hotel and found there the man he sought, for there was method in his madness, and he had not been on an aimless quest when he had ;‘ dropped in ” to all the popular resorts of the own. - In the office of the Occidental, glancing at the latest Frisco newspaper, was a well-proportion- ed man of medium size, dressed plainly in dark clothes and bearing upon his face that unmis- takable shrewd look which, to the well-inform- ed observer, at once roclaimed that he was either a speculator fo lowing fortune with an eager ste . or else a Knight of the Round Ta- ble, entit ed to sport any card in the pack upon his shield. ' Bowers sidlcd up to him with a broad grin upon his fat face. “Kin my eyes deceive me .9” he exclaimed, in the ridiculous theatrical manner so common to him. “Do I ag’in behold Mr. Cherokee, or am I the victim of a delusion?” “That is my name, sir,” the party accosted res ndocl. nd it was indeed the man so well known to the readers of Injun Dick—the long-bearded ort, who played so prominent a part in that 0 er true tale. But thelong beard was gone now, the chin smoothly shaven, only a little imperial and mustache remaining of the once luxuriant beard. ' “You remember_ me, in course, me noble lord?” Bowers exclaimed. “ Yes, I think I have seen you before.” “Uncounted gold you kin bet on that, me town?” “ We I don’t know; that depends.” “ I an erstand—upon biz i” cried tLe bummer with a knowing wink. “Well, it’s hefty, jest now; the river is up, and the stream is strong, ‘ bank full and rising,’ and thar’s a Gentile from “ What’s his name—perhaps I know him?” / u “ Daily—Joscelin Daily is his handle, and lick got a regular bluebird of a darter; the do say Hull. ’hout two-thirds of the town is Wild arter er.” And at this point the bummer helped himself to a chair and sat down on the opposite side of the table to that which Cherokee occu ied. The loungers in the room who ad been watching the progress of the interview now turned their attention elsewhere, so tisfied that they had solved the question as to who and ‘ what the cool-eyed, good-looking stranger was; he was a gentleman who depended upon fortune for a living, a member of the large class, com— mon the world over, who thought it no harm to aid skill at cards by holding good hands. “ I hev news for you, me noble dock,” ob- served the bummcr. in a low tone, so that it was impossible for any one who might chance to be loitering near to overhear him, and yet not be- traying by his manner that he was making a communication of importance. “ Yes,” responded the other, after the same fashion, still running his eyes over the columns of his newspaper, and not, to all outward seem- ing, paying any particular attention to the bum‘ merls remarks. ” You bet! Furst and foremost thur’s a. sharp in town who is mighty anxious to find out what Ca tain Dick Talbot looks like.” h ",Pcrhaps the party may be gratified; who is e? “ Archy Brockford, postmaster, express agent, side-pardner of the Governor, and the man wot’s going into the Cinnabar, mine with hisro alni s.” “ 0 ,undoubtedl he will see Talbot in time,” Cherokee remarke , the corner of his mouth contracting slightly as he spoke. “ And he s glot some little game afoot. He got me drunk t’ot er night.” And Bowers winked, expressively. ‘You really surprise me! I did not believe that such a thing was possible,” the other rep sponded, dryly. “ Oh yes; I acknowledge the com,” the bum- mer confessed. “Three or four uarts of whisky, provided it’s good stuff, wit 8. 00d grip of its own will generally fetch my age, but my head—the hea of the ole, original Joe Bowers—why a barrel wouldn’t do it!’ “ So I an posed.” “ Well, the long and the short of it is that I’ve taken his mone , and I’m his man to p’int out Dick Talbot it 16 sets foot in this hyer town, disguised, or in his own proper person.” ‘ So the postmaster is anxious to be counted in,” Cherokee observed. “ Well, men will be rash sometimes.”' ” Iiight you are, mighty satrap! But, thu's more fun afoot.” “ it it out I” e postmaster wanted to know if I ever went to the Bella U nion—that’s a, little variety dive up-town. I answered that I‘had dropped in thar onc’t, since reaching this b 'er bur and that they kept the worst liquor in own. ‘ ever you mind that,’ he sed; ‘you go thar to-m‘ght and mebbe you’ll see some fun,’ and jest then he pointed out a tall, lanky cha a-goin’ by. He’ll be thar to—night,’ he sed, and whatever lead he plays you chip in an’ foller suit, and it will be money in your pocket.’ ‘All right,’ led I, ‘ I’m the man to tie to ’and I took a good look at the lanky chap so that I would know him ag’in. Nothin’ ’markable ’bout him, ’cept that he had a little wad of court-plaster stuck on his chin like he had cut himself in shaving. ” “ What of it .2" asked Cherokee, understanding at once that the bummer attached importance to this fact. “ Oh, nothin’, not much to speak of, ’oept that thar’s three more chaps in town that nobody don’t know nothin’ ’bout, ’cept that they’ve bin seen here onc’t or twice, and each one of th: other three has got a iece of black court-plaster somewheres on their aces, too.” “I ess we’ll take in the Bella Union to night,’ the other remarked laying down his newspaper and rising to his feet. _ CHAPTER XIV. A FIRST-CLASS INSULT T0 in BELLA. THE performance at the Bella Union generally commenced about eight o‘clock. By that time the miners usually got washed up after the day’s toil and strolled into town in search of either news or fun. A due re ard for truth compels us to admit that a g y number of the miners did not take the trouble to wash up, but came in town with- out going through that operation, with the mud of t e mountain gulches still clingingtotheir persons; but the usages of Cinnabar City did not require that a man should put on a “b‘iled shirt” and a “ plug hat 7’ in order to appear [re- sentable after eventide, and so it didn t matter much. A man who usually took much care of his person and paid any extra attention to such things as cleanliness and neatness was set down by we majority of the miners as being a mutt-sop and inclined to put on airs, or frills; but t e' gamblers of the town, who were usually distinguishable from the rest of the Cowman by the style and neatness of their attire, were alone exempt from this ruling. T . ""“K"‘;e‘~"“‘ "“’ "‘ ! The Della Union was pretty well filled when again and apologized to his patrons, assuring . Cherokee came strolling in, and he contented l them that such a thing shouldn‘t happen again, l me, licr nut’ral protector, but l’m willin " to ' " himself with a seat about half-way down the l and to restore them to good-humor he an- ‘ ' nouueed that their prime favorite, the dashing l Nic, \\ ould immediate! ‘ The audience cheerei , for the girl was a rent favorite, and the manager bowed liiinsel ofl', Chnrokee had eyes like a hawk, and in glanc— l quite contented that he had stayed the threat- room by the side of one of the rude tables which were distributed among the benches so that the patrons of the establishment could enjoy the entertainment and their liquor at the same time. lug around the room, despite the cloud—like to- bacco smoke which ascended so freely, he had no dillicultyin detecting the. four men \VllO wore the Jitte patches of black court—plaster upon their faces. And (Illierokee, a keen and prac— ticed observer, used for years to men and man- ncrs of the wild mountain region, soon decided upon the characters of the men, so oddly dis- tinguished from the rest of the crowd. “No honest miners,” he muttered, “nor gamblers, nor storekee rs; possibly bull~whack- .ers, or mule-skinners,’ as the drivers of the 0:: teams and mule caravans are termed, “but more likely des )eradoes and cutthroats; but, what is their litt 0 game here, tonight?” Just at this point Bowers sauntered in, beam- ing grandly on the crowd, as he made his way through the throng. A vacant seat by the table where Cherokee was sitting attracted his eyes, and so, in the most natural way possible, he made his way to it, just as if the selection was pure accident instead of design. - He nodded familiarly to Cherokee as he sat . a woman.» yet “beers,” in the most millionaire—like tone, invit- ing the other to join. The waiter lingered for the money; cash be- fore delivery was the rule at the Bella. Union, as . well as in the other saloons of the town. Bowers, in the most afl’able mannir, asked if the waiter could break a hundred-dollar bill, and that worth , used to this sort of thing, re- plied instantly t int he could, and then he “ saw ” the customer and went hini “four better ” by remarking that the red-dollar bill if t 16 gent had any of them a- ‘ l lyin’ round loose in his pockets. “’licrcii on the bummer, in the most lordly way, plan 'cd down a half-dollar and bade the waiter keep. the change, which, as there wasn’t any, the official .i'emarked that be reckoned the job was too hefty for him and that he Would have to let it out. And this little episode revoked a general laugh from all the hurroun ing listeners. “I don’t see Brockford anywlieres,” Cherokee I-fimggged, over the edge of his glass as he sipped . e ’. ‘“ He is out b the door, keeping shady," Bow- ‘ ers replied, un or cover of his huge hand wiping his mouth. 6 “I can’t understand what their game is here, to-ni lit,” the sport confessed, as the music istruc up: the orchestra consisted of two men, and a vi'ulin and a. base viol the instruments. “Neither kin I, but the postmaster is at the back of it, and whoever he is backin’ jest now, 'I reckon is worth the lookin’ into, my noble dock!” ' i “No harm will be done, anyway, to be wide awake.” ‘ . ‘ The opening music over, up went the little shabby curtain, and the performance began. _ ‘ The first to appear was a banjo-player, a vile performer upon that simple, yet harmonious in- struinent, and a. worse singer than he was a ‘ pin. er, andas he was in that conditionpopu— ar y known as half-seas-over, his performance was not at all acceptable to the audience. Al- t‘iough the auditors had not paid an thing for their admission, et they thought 1: ey had a right to express 1: air approbation or displeasure as freel as they saw t and therefore their “‘ remar ” addressed to the banjo-player, were extremely rsonal, if not particular] pleasant. They toldlfim that he was a mush— end and a ~ 9 fraud; they recommended him toga and soak the whisky out of 'ni: while, “ Give us a rest!” ’ “Play one tune a. a tim -!” “Stand on our head and try it!” were freely slung at ini. But the player kept on, uninindful of the dis- turbance, for he was used to this sort of thing, not generall quite so bad as to—night. A. efellow had rushed the first verse of his son , Bowers. ever irrepressible, capped the. (911133“ Y idling out in his peculiar theatrical _ . y voice, whlc he could menu as well as any of the'itage— ilayers, and whic sounded distinctly above all he din: ,‘ . ' ' - “ Gen’leinen he ain’t fit toe , ~‘" .This was the last straw which broke the 4; camel’s the performer could stand a. > good , deal. but thiswes something too much, , Dow-n won}; his banjonof! came his “nigger ” wig, and sprmsmgto his feet—lie could stand, rut thatwua about all—he cried in‘_wrath: - - “’I can’t play for shupks; mebbe I can’tsing form ; but I kin ‘climb ’zthe man w’at says I ain‘t fit to cry c l” and he was about fire descend amid the audience with the intention of main 8' goocl his W0 when themanager of the, dwbo kappa bychance to be be- 'nd-the scenes, at w lei-Joel};th I . who: dad mine the V‘J w: News; A a. .1. .. - MAW.» clams l” down, called the waiter to him and ordered two. could change a. five lnind-‘ art, middlega'ged bruiser » , emb gimme—with otwhe beck. l ened storm. , “Blow th fanciful stage attire. curreuce. like fellow. hall. >cha this hyer little AN and some of tion of the str er. the u Captain Dick Talbot. eir blooming licycsl” cried the stal- wart Josh, who was a native of Britain’s tight i, little island, “ liii' I didn‘t think that they would ‘ tear the shanty down, an’ it cost a pretty penny i and be blowcd to it!‘ The music struck up and Nic came dancing on the stiwo, looking as pretty as a picture in her i The audience made the old shunt with their applause, but as the gir opened her mouth to sing, they hushed at mine into silence, and then came three clear and distinct N ic shut her pretty little mouth with a sud- den snap in angry amazement. time that she had ever been hissed in all her life, and the insult made herfirst turn red and then e. Even the musicians stopped in amazement and looked among the audience in wonder at the Oc- Then up in the center of the audience sprung a big, burly man with a little patch of black court-plaster stiickon his temple over his right e. “ Say! who did that .4” he cried; “ who was it that dared for to hiss my little woman '9” The liSteners looked at each other in amaze- ment, for the man was a stranger to all of- them, and his claim to the bright, particular star of the Bella Union puzzled them. And as for the girl, she was astounded, and galed with staring eyes upon the ugly, brute- In answer to the stranger’s demand three men rose to their feet, in different parts of the Each man had his hand on a weapon and each one scowled defiantly at the burly stran- er. E And although the fact was not noticed by any one else in the room but. Cherokee, yet he saw that each one of the three had his face orna- mented by a little piece of black court—plaster. The man who had first risen was almost with- in arm’s-length'of Cherokee, and so he was en- abled to keep a close watch upon him. “.I hissed, and wot business is it of youml” cried man No. 2, a tall, lanky fello .v, the court- plaster on his jawbone. “And so did I, and what trouble will on make?” exclaimed No. 3, a little, lithe, yel ow the court—plasu‘r on his cheek. “ at is me, hiss ter tuyfel!” said No. 4, evi- dently a Dutchman, and he had the court-plaster on the side of his nose. 7 “ What is it to me?” yelled thefflrst man vprea tending to be excited boy i is it to me? A heap, l is my old woman, and a-going to stun hyer and see her abused 1" CHAPTER XV. INDIGNANT DENIAL. To say that this statement astounded the au- ,dience would be to but mildly state the case. They all sat open-mouthed and stared at the fat and greas speaker, at the three other men, a ham atlthe an 1 _ _th 'rl u n is 3 age, w 10 was air y crying wi ig'zige, goo excited was she at the impudent asser— And as for C erokee mid Bowem,ialthough convinced that the four men were in collusion, yet. for the life of them, they could not under- stand the meaning of the scene. “What are they driving at? What game aye to?” Cherokee said to Bowers rapidl , as t is odd hum of astonishment caused by e man’s assertion swept through the room. “ You are too much for me, me lord do’ok,” Bowers replied, in the same cautious tone. ,‘pass;’ I can’t chip in, this deal?" Of course if the two had known of the offer that had been made to the road-agents, and were also acquainted with the (lemma that acer- tain person had to get the girl out of the town. the reason for this mysterious proceeding would have been quite a )areut. “ Yes, sir—ea l" t e burly fellow continued; “this hyer is my little woman, and while I stand in shoe—leather no man on top of this hyer earth shall ’buso her .” “It is no such thing, gentleme girl, indignantly. ‘ “ I am not his ii and I nfier saw the big brute before!” “Sit down—~sit down—‘shainel shame!” cried . a 'few voices, and, it is a fact worth~ recording, that not one of th near the bold intruder, ' twee in this one giv- ingncoumge. . , V ;. ' ,atwmkling the man whipped outs pour- of. r big revolvers and coolly pul 6 S appear. ‘ 1.1 me! She dusted out of Frisco, {going back ou look over it, and no man sha’n‘t 'buse her I‘m ’round l” “ It’s all a beg-rid lie l" exclaimed Nie. terribly enraged. “ I never saw this man in all my life; i I am not married and never wus !” “ Oh, you deny me, do you i” cried the man, savagely; “you never saw me ulore! and to i, think of your saying sicli a thing, urter all the bunny wot I’ve spent on you; but that scttlefl it! I was a—willin to let you go on —take all the rope you liked and hung yourself in the end, » i but, since you’re going to stand out ag’in’ me, ‘3‘ why, then I‘ll be ugly, too, and I give you fair warning that you’ve got to sto this kind of life. I won’t have no more o it. You kin clear out, if you please, and go where you like, but you sha’n’t make a. living in this hyer way in this 11 'c1' town any longer. You hear me , now qui and git!" , “bentlcnien l appeal to you i” cried the singing-girl, advaucnig to the very ed 0 of the stage with outstretched bands. “ Wil you suf: for me to be driven from the town in this main . ‘, ner? I protest to you that I do not know this , man, and that I have no idea who or what he is, or why he sets up this absurd and ridiculous claim.” » “ Oh, yes, take up her quarrel, an or all oi.‘ you!” the man growled, fierCely, an be scowl ed ferociously as he s oke, “but the man that does it had better get iis coffin ready, for I’ll be apt to put him in it. ” ' “Pardner you’re right, and I’ll back you in this hyer thing!” cried the lanky man. “I hissed cos I don’t like this saucy litlle piece, and I don’t think as how she ought to be Ln 5 'com‘aged, but, seeing as how she is your old =1 woman, why, you ought to have her, and I’ll - - ‘ hack oul” . . “ es, yes, that is but rightl” exclaimed the second one of the hissers, the native Califor- nian: “who should come between man and wife”? No one! Comrade, I will back you, too. “Sappei'menti dat is root! Iwill fight mit v dose poys niineself l” criet the Dutchman. And these four men thus abruptly and oddly ‘ ~"‘ banded together gradually neared each other, and thus formed a_lengue that few within the saloon thought it Wise toencounter. And then, too, if the girl was the Wife of the burl fellow, (and it Was possible that he spoke tie truth when he stated that she was, des ite her vehe— ment denial for women are u 0 such trick- sometimes), it was only nut that he‘ should . rfi‘ claim her, and there was uite a deal of sym- ’ pathy in the breasts of the teners for the de- ceived and deserted husband. A godly num r of them, too, knew “ ‘novr it was ‘emselves ” nd had had causeto mourn ' 0 iii”? ll ,siicllieiilss' i l ted saae, egr repea ,inan V accents, her spirits thoroughly aroused. “ do not know this man, have never known him“ and he utters a wicked falsehood when be de are: that I ever ran away from him; and why boa . hewantto drivemeawa from thistown? Icon ' tell for I am not blind, f I am a womau,_alona an helpless. I don‘t like to make my wrongs .. public, and I do not“ ask 2in man to be my . champion, but, truth-is tru ,_ and it should be spoken at all times. This is a. wicked 600' apuacy to drive me away. from Cinnabar. here is a man in this town who has d ply wronged me, and he is afraid that I add be tempted to take the law into my own hands, and, woman though. I am, avenge the in ury that has been done me. I have threatened , Iown that! I have told him that, unless he does what is right, ,I will make him suffer, and this disturbance here to-uight is all cam-ed by him. He has hired these rufl‘lans to make this attack upon me, and b I0 doing drive me from the town. They are a l strangers—who know»: ,' them1~ull leagued together, four, men—four strong men—a. uinst one 'weuk, poor little we- man. And s man, my enemy is here tax. night, skulking in the backgroun , anxious to i see his topls do the work that he hasse carefully planned.’ . , The girl used retake breath and themat- innster ju about this time wished thug he was ‘ well out of the saloon. e had‘sel a spot' well in the front of the lace, where he th ht ' he would be safe from 9 ii-l’s observation, I hehnd not calculated rig tly upon the sh ness of her ,eyes for, used as are waste 0 . place, she had (is. ted him. in an instant. . Brockford was in a. decidedlyuncomfortable ' situation, and if he could have quietly left the . room without exciting any attention he most certainly would have done so; but, as, he was wedged in by a. little knot of gapin » and could not haye ‘moved without rum; the whole (sing, it was impossible for him if “ She’s a gritty little woman,” fierok get out. served‘to Bowers. taking adva ta (the ‘ it; ' "to 'makc“.tbe ob‘gerva Ila}? M ii» fairly ring isses. lb was the first ’ J and endurace, “ hat reckon! Why, ei’lts, ain’t ry and surprised “I n ” cried the ttle woman, rs was anywhere .1 ed the hampers licensed). '12 “ And I’m not afraid to name my man!” Nic continued, after the hum of astonishment caused b her words had in a measure subsided. “ ince he wants war he shall have it and as hot as I can make it. You all know the man, gentlemen and I‘m not afraid to name him 0 ly. There he is,"and she pointed straight a the annoyed and angry express-agent. “Archibald Brockford, postmaster, express- eut and knave!" f the girl had jumped from the stage and, admcing to Brockford, had stricken him in the face, she could not possibly have excited more surprise by the action than she did by her wards . Every eye within the room was turned upon the accused man, and in almost breathless sus- pense the crowd waited for him to speak. Although taken entirely by surprise, for in this case “the engineer had been hoist by his own petard,” yet Brockford, neither in his face nor manner, betrayed any signs of the terrible an- ger which raged in his heart; he only manifest- ed a sort of indiwnant surprise as if annoyed by the accusation, but that was all. He rose slowly to his feet, and every our present bent eagerly to catch his words. “This woman is either drunk 'or crazy, fel- low-citizens,” he said, coldly. “I know noth- ing of her, except that she has called at the ex- press-office after express matter, at the post~of« flee after letters, and so contrived to scrape a sort of an acquaintance with me, but, beyond that, I know absolutely nothing whatever about her. I reckon that I have something better to do, gentlemen, than to waste my time running after dancehouse girls who are always read tobestow their affection upon any pilgrim with dust enough to pay fora good big spree. I‘m sorry that I’ve been dragged into this thing, but I’m not going to stand any blackmail business, and this woman has only herself to blame for forcing me to speak right out in public in this way. If she’ll take my adVice she will go with her husband and get out of this town as soon as possible. ” . ' That’s the talk!” cried the big fellow ab— ruptly. “Come along with me, Betsy ane, an I won’t say nothin’ ’bout our hoofing it off an' a—lcaviu’ me to pine all a. one by myself!” The girl stood rigid as a statue and simply glargd at her foes; her anger was too great for w r s. t this point the manager thought he was call- ed upon to put in a word. In fear and trembling he had listened to the altercation, expecting each instant to hear the crack of a pistol-shot, the prelude to a fight which would probably re- sult 11 Serious dama e to his world y goods, for when such rough fe ows got on the rampage, to destro and make havoc was the most natural thi n the world. “ at: all "he began, “I ax your pardink for hintcrfe ng, but the worry] best lace to settle this affair is somewhere out o ’ere. I don’t want no trouble—no disturbance nor nothink of that kind in this hycr shan I run a 'spectable saloon, I does and all t 056 that wants to kick up a shindy ad better get bout. And, Nic, you 'ad better nit and see these goats houtside and settle the loomin thing. I can’t ’avo no disturbance in ’ere, you ow.” uk'l‘ben up rose Cherokee, cool, calm and ice- 0. “ This man is avillainous liar l” he said, point- lnflto the big fellow. “ He is nothing to this fr nor she to him, and I am ready to take up or quarrel on the spot 1” CHAPTER XVI. NIC’S CHAMPION. I Tm: declaration was a surprise inde;d, to all within the room. The speaker was a stranger, but the style of his dress afforded a clew to his occupation, and hardly a man in the room but understood that he meant business from the Jam . “Bl! not at all acquainted with this lady," Cherokee continued, and he bowed politely to the amazed singing-girl; “but I am Convinced from what I have. heard that she speaks the truth, and that this man doesn’t, and therefore, as I am a very plain—sicken man and fully be- lieve that honesty is t e best polio , I have no hesitation in telling this man here . t he is an unmitigated liar and a scoundrel, and these oth- er three follows, who are backing him up, ain’t any better. That’s my say-so, pardners; now take it u if you dare.” And t e big fellow did take it up, pretty ick, too, but not quick enough to get ahead of a man who, in the old days of Cinnabar, bore the tation 'of being the best and quickest that ever pul ed a trigger. the advantages, too, were a parently up- on the sideof the man who claime tobe the bus- band of the‘ mag girl. His revolver was in his hand, the met up, ready for action, while his antagonist, on the contrary, stood we weapon in sight, and not only weapon- “, with his hamis thrust carelme into specks“ of the loose black sack coat which won. ‘ , u really looked‘ like murder for the his stran- Rto the advantage of the apparently efensc- Captain Dicky Talbot. less condition of the hold speaker, and shoot him down in Cold blood. But, Cherokee was no fool to rush into heed- less danger, and he was fully prepared to rac- tiee the old trick that had so often served ick Talbot’s purpose. In each coat-pocket he carried a ready-cocked “Derringer,” carrying an ounce ball, about as effective a weapon as the mind of man ever in— vented. The pea-like ball of the average six or seven shooter might fail to sto the savage rush of an enraged man eager for lood and death, but few mortals are ox-like enough in their na— tures to stand up after being bored by the ounce Derrin or ball. The i fellow “pulled” quick, throwing his hand wel up into line, and as he.was not ten feet from Cherokee, the latter’s danger seemed terrible, but, uickcr than the stranger was the card-sharp. e discharged the pistol through the lining of the pocket, the heavy ball striking the revolver of the other right before the trig- ger~guard, and sent it spinning into the air at the very instant that the man pulled the trigger, so that the revolver—ball went into the ceiling, but the shooter, every nerve in his huge frame tinglingfrom the sudden shock, just as if he had incautiousl undertaken to try conclusions with an electric atter at full force began to dance up and down in t 6 most ridic ous way. “ Ow, ow!” he howled, “the cuss has plugged me! Ow, ow! holy Moses! my arm is one!’ The thing was so laughable that all Within the room roared with laughter, the three other strangers excepted. - They were on their fight and at once pulled out their revolvers, but Cherokee was not the kind of man to be caught napping. Gentlemen who followed his peculiar line of business usual~ l y went well “ heeled,” and so, in addition to the handy Derringers, he had a pair of revolvers belted to his waist underneath his coat: no toy weapons, fit playthings for the city sport, but a pair of heavy “ navys ”—tools that a man might trust his life to with perfect confidence in the wildest and m05t dangerous regions of the Far West. And Cherokee had his weapons out and ready before any of the other three. Excitement now was on ti toe and few hands were there in that room t iat did not fln— ger a weapon just then, for a free fight seemed certain. But Cherokee had the advantage, and his op- nents were wise enough to $06 it; no 'hlind oolsh were they to rush heedlessly to certain deat . , They hesitated, although their weapons were in their hands, yet they did not attempt to either cock or raise them. The card sharp was master of the situation, for his weapon was out and ready. “The first man that attempts to raise his tool or to draw back the hammer, I shall be obliged to bore !” he cried. “ I ain't a hog, and four to one is a leetle too much odds for me, but I’m willing to take you all, one by one, and give ’you satisfaction, if that wil be agree- able. “No doublebanldngi” exclaimed an old and stalwart miner, an authority among the “ b0 5.” “ Four to one ain‘t the clean white article. air lay is a 'ewel, and that is what we mean to ave, oh, ya?” The “ boys ” at once immediately signified that they agreed with the or. “ That’s the ticket, gentlemen!” ejaculated Bowers, who never could kee quiet. “ That is what makes me proud of this yer town of Cin- nabar! N o double-banking—no piling onto a stranger—a pilgrim from afar, but a fair shake and a. square deal all around. Oh, gents, it does me proud for to see you run the game this hyer wa ." 13’} this time the burly stran or had examined himself and discovered that he adnot sustained any material damage, and great was the rage that swelled within his breast when he found that he was total] unhurt. He felt that he had made a fool of imself, and so panted for a chance to get even with the man who had so cleverly beaten him at his own game. “There won’t be any double-banker as far as I am concerned 1” he exclaimed. “ All I ax is a fair show for my money. This h er gent has poked his nose into my business an taken up a quarrel that don’t interest him a bit, and now 3111 want is satisfaction.” “ And that is exactly what I stand ready to give on.” Cherokee replied, decidedly. “ artain of course! I’ll go bail that this ent won’t be no slouch when it comes to back- ing his words!” Bowers remarked, with a great deal of dignitv. “ And I ain’t hankerin arter-his life, either,” the burly fellow observe , “but I reckon that I kin spile that dandy face of yours if you dare to stand up ’in’ me for ten minutes.” This didn’t strike the listeners as a particularly fair pro 'tion, considering that the speaker 'was near y twice the size of the man whom he tobatter, but the offer suited Chero— exactly. In the old da it was said that no man as cunni with the ds as ho had ever set foot in the haste vallgy and he‘felt per- fectly confident that be we d be able to give for?“ .- i ' . ’4” . , 3 . - v - '3’ , r v. «.2 . ‘ rkse ,j'." « . A: Casi». is.” I - . _,,_ in, "m the bi stranger, despite his great size, all he wante in a fair hand-to—hand encounter. “Well, I’m agreeable to that offer,” he re- plied, “ and if you are able to spoil the looks of my face, all I've got to say is that you are a better man than I take you to be.” “ I’ll go four dollars and a half to a sla. on the- back that my esteemed friend hyer whores ou, gentle fat stranger, like blue blazes!” Mr. ers exclaimed. “ Come on, out into the street, and have.it out like a man!” the big man cried. “And arter I’ve settled this chap, I’ll come back and have it out with you,” he continued, turning toward the stage and shaking his fist at the singing—girl, who, with anxious eyes, had watched the pro gress of the quarrel. Then the inmates of the saloon all started to. ward the street, and Brockford, at the door, took advantage of the confusion to speak to Bowers as he came out following close on Chero- kee’s heels. “ I say, Bowers, who is this fellow, do you know him ?” the stmaster asked. linking arms with Bowers an marching down the street with him. ’ “Like a hook, me royal dock!” the bummer answered, confidently. . “ Is he a friend of yours?” “’Oh, I’ve knowed him a heap of years." “ This fellow will kill him 1" “Not much, you bet!” “ Why, he is twice his size." ' “The battle is not always to the strong, and Cherokee will knock the stuffing out of him in— side of ten minutes!” Bowers cried, confidently. “Cherokee!” cried the other, astonished at so stran e an appellation. “ es, that’s his handle.” “Say! it isn’t Dick Talbot in disguise, is it!” asked the postmaster, suddenly, the idea just oc~ curring to him. “ He Dick Talbot!” cried Bowers, in contempt. “Why, What put that idea in your head?” “ Oh, I don’t knOW' the thought just occur- red to me, that’s all. Talbot is Just about such a man.” “ Why he’d make two of this man.” “But who is this one?" “ Cherokee, that’s his cognomen, and that’s ’bout all that I know of hims except that he’s one of the smartest sha s that you ever saw and as for a fighter, he’s Jest chain—lightning. I telllnyou! he’ll hammer this big cuss awfully; co laster and ointment will be at a premium arter his fi ht is over. ” Brockfor shook his head doubtfully. “ If the bi fellow ever gets one blow at him a will beapt to settle im.” “ Pardner, he will never et that lick. Chew kee’s 1e have been too we brought u to see his y abused. You jest wait—you’l see; if Cherokee don’t flax him awful then you kin OWr ood square have my head for a. football; kin I say any . more?" Brockford was silent, but not convinced, and bflthis time the crowd had reached an open p ce suitable for the conflict. CHAPTER XVII. A PASSAGE AT anus. Tins crowd marched along in the most deco- .rous manner, and no one not acquainted with their errand would ever have imagined that the were bound to witness a show of human en uranee like unto the gladiatorial contests of the daysof ancient Rome. _There was no noise, no loud talk, no unseemly display of the angry passions but all was as quiet as though the crowd had ust come from: mar-meeting. e burly butcher marched alon at the head of the party, with upri ht head an a confident Visage. He felt mo y'certain of giving the obtrusive stranger a good thrashing for his gains, although he was somewhat annoyed at 's interference, for it materially disconcerted his plans. But he reflected that after he had polished of! the stranger, he could take up the gigsuit of the ‘rl again, and so he was consoled. ides, when e thought the matter over care- fully, he saw that, after he had given this cool stranger a lesson, it would have a tendency to keep anybody else from interferin on the girl’s behalf, and so after all psahaps i was a good thing that the unknown interfered. The other three men who were so oddly marked by the little bits of black comtplaster, stuck on the face, had taken advantage of the movement of the crowd to come together in or- der to hold a consultation. ‘iWhat make you of this?” asked the Moxie can. “ You are too much for me, John,” replied the lanlfi man. “ e vill kill dot mans,” suggested the Dutch» man. “Not by a jugful ” responded the Yankee shrewdly. “It strikes me that our pard had wakedu the wron knows “gut he is a ut, and the odds are jest about ten to one that our friend and brother is goin to get hammered out of time and tune.” “ nd what shall we do?” questioned the Ca» passenger. This cool sport » lifomian. u . ». . . “ Wait and see how things go, and mind, or, q”- -n. ayes pretty sharp, too, or also the crowd may get an idea that we’re in cahoots, and then it won’t be healthy for us in these diggings.” “ Dot is so,” the Dutchman admitted. “This is his own private fight, and I don’t really see that we have any call to take a hand in the affair at all. Of course if his life was in danger, then by our oath of brotherhood we should be obliged to Hilll in and pull him through; but, as it is, when he gets enough, all he has to do is to any so and that ends the matter. Be- tween you anu me and the bed-post, he really needs to have some of’ the ('mu‘eit taken out of him, for he has an idea that there ain’t a. man in California. who kin boss him at fisticufi‘s, cos he’s been a butcher. you know. and used to such things. He‘s strong enough, but when it comes to science I really reckon that he won’t be than” The bi man was overconfident and really despised his adversary; ll] fact he did not be lieve that the other would dare to encounter him when the moment arrived. A few hundred yards down the street was a vacant lot well suited for the purpose in hand, and the crowd proceeding into it ormed a ring around the two champions. The big stranger cast his well-worn slouch but upon the mini in token of defiance, and then proceede to roll up the sleeves of the extremely idirty flannel shirt which he wore. . The moon, round and full,. shining quite bri htly, gave ample light. 9 butcher’s preparations completed, he ad- dressed his adversary: “Now, young feller, step up to the ca t’in’s office and take your gruel ike a man; an say, ick out a couple of seconds to pick you up arter Tknook you down.” “ Do you run a. private graveyard, sir?" Mr. Bowers in uired, with a grave face, and the crowd “snickered 7’ at the iiestion. “ Hallo! what's up?" crie a big man, pushing his way through the throng, an . the bystand— ers, turning, recognized the sheriff, Billy Dan- cor. The nature of the little difficulty was at once explained to the official, and some few in the crowd thought that poss1bly he mi ht interfere and spoil the sport, but the sheri _ nderstood his constituents far too well to attemp anything of the kind. “ Oh is that all?" he exclaimed. “ Blessed if Ididn’t think that you was u to somethin . Well, he s, I s‘ ose that. accor ing to the offi- cial posi ion I old, that I ought to kinder in- terfere, but I never like to 5 file sport, and if two gentl’men like to enjoy themselves with a little sparring match, provided that they play flight with each other, why, I don’t see that I have any call to hinder ’em." “Good for (you, Billy l” exclaimed one of the throng; “an , boys‘,’ the speaker continued, turning to the rest, ‘ I move that the sheriff be provided with a front sea. .” This resolution was at once carried unani- mously, and the preparation for the contest again proceeded. Cherokee’s toilet, though rather more elabo- rate than his opponent’s, was soon made. He had removed his coat and vest, collar and necktie—he wore these evidences of civilization, contrary to the usual custom of the mountain- men—then tied his neat silk handkerchief ti ht- ly around his waist, and. with a. confident ook upon his face advanced toward his 0 ponent. “1101’ on hol’ on I” exclaimed owers ex- citedly; “ this hyer thin will never do! Whar’s your seconds and our ottle-holdersl Whar’s your referee—who s a-gwine to call time?" “You, old man!” cried one of the throng; ll I” And this idea. suiting the humor of the crowd, they at once proclaimed Bowers the official to preside over t e encounter. The confederates of the butcher were not slow to avail themselves of the chance. either. “Wa-al, seein’ as how this man seems to be alone, I reckon that I’ll be his side-pardner on this occasion,” the Yankee remarked, stepping forward. - - “And I will back him, tool” the Californian , cried, following the lead of the other. “ I’m almost a stranger,” Cherokee observed, ‘ but if any gentleman will oblige me—” “Permit me to tender my services!” exclaim ed the smooth-spoken Mr. Daily, stopping for- ward from amid the crowd. In plassmg up the street he had been attracted by t e throng and had roceeded to investigate the matter. “ Fm sorry to trouble you.” “Oh, no trouble at all; glad to oblige you,” Dail averred. “ 9, too!” said a deep, guttural voice, apper- taining to a muscular, dark-faced fellow clad in shocking bad garments, who had slouched for. ward in Dail ’5 rear. “ Much ob ‘ged; and now I’m ready.” With the word Cherokee turned and faced his ' ent. End now that the two men stood stripped for the encounter, almost within arm’s-length of each other, to the astonishment of the crowd they discovered that there wasn’t much diner- oncoin the size of the men, after all. True, the W was the heavier built of the twO. but at ’7 Captain Dick Talbot. a glance it was easy to see that if his form was relieved of its extra weight of fat, which was decidedly a disadvantage, the man would be very nearly the same size as his antagonist. “ Time!” exclaimed liowers. The difference in tho positions of the two as they a. proached each other was remarkable. The ' was striving to impress both his opponent and the lookersmn with the idea that he was chock- f'ull of the boxei"s science, wliilo Cherokee, with his arms low down, right on the level of his waist, Seemed to be open to a wicked blow; and he held his adversary at his mercy. collected all his strength for one tremendous stroke, intend» ing at a single thrust to end the matter. The big right arm drew back and then went but it never rcached its mark, for 11]), quick as a flash, came the sincwv arms of the threatened aside, the right, with a sharp, whip—like crack right between the bully‘s eyes, staggering him back all in a heap. stupidly about him. It was a wonderful stroke, and the bystanders fairly held their breath as they watched the ef— fect of it. The assistants of the butcher ran to his aid and helped him to get on his feet again. “ He’s too much for ya, old man," the Yan- hurt.” him to do this, and he was reluctant to lieve that the dandy chap, as he termed his opponent, could be so much his superior. “It was only a lucky lick; jest wait till I close in with him and then see whar he’ll be!" he cried fiercely, in reply. The ankee shrugged his shoulders: he saw that it would be only a waste of time to attempt to ar ie the other out of his idea. “ ime!” e'aculated Bowers, who had been high] delig ted at the results of the first man . I The butcher changed his tactics this time, and instead of attempting to spar be rushed at blow with all his force, and the other humored him and gave ground, deftly keeping out of reach and then, when the butcher paused, as he did in a few moments, short of wind and un- able to keep up the attack, the terrible iron~ like fists of the other played a tattoo on his fat face. Maddened b ' the pain, the butcher made an- other rusli at is nimble adversary, but Chero- kee gave no ground this time: he merely ar- ried the blows, and then, with one tremen ous hit, cau ht the other full in the stomach, right above t e belt. __ CHAPTER XVIII. AN UNEXPECTED EVENT. 11‘ was a most terrible whack, for the butcher was fat and the fist of Cherokee like iron, and the awful dig that the former received in the “bread-basket” completely took the wind out of him; over he want, sitting down, the very picture of misery, with a vigorous “ ough ”—a.n exclamation that he did not design to make. It was funny; such contests are enerally brutal; but this one was simply ridiculous. The big man was so evidently overmatched so completh at the mercy of his antagonist that one and l perceived, even at this earl stage of the game, that to use the old saying, o had no busmess with erokee. In fact, one of the bystanders offered in the most reckless manner to bet a thousand dollars to a cent that Cherokee would win. “If I wasn’t a judge in this hyer thing, I’d take you in, a’most, jest to see you at your money up,” Mr. Bowers observed. 0 mean jud e of men and matters in the Northern wil s, he had safely calculated that the bold potter hadn’t a thousand cents let alone dol- ars. The crowd laughed and Bowers chuckled at having thus quickly squelched the man of wealth. The two seconds assisted t‘ i big man to rise. “I thought that you had better dggit,” the tYankee whispered in the ear of the omflted oxer. “Bah! what are fists good for!" cried the Californian, who, after the fashion of his race, was totally i orant of the use of Nature’s weapons. “ e knife or pistol, steel or lead, those are the thin for a mom to use.” , “I reckon that in this case it is just as well that our ardner trusted to his lists, for I have an idea t at thiScuss is as hand with his we’- nsas he is with his hands; an if that in so, Jest about this time we would have been mea- suring our pard hyer fur a pine box, if he had gone in on steel or load.” “If I could once close in on him I would kill m: n... Y as, u a game, e an- kl. rotorted, grimly. ig man, With his arms sawing to and fro, . it come soon, too, for the butcher, believing that 3 forward, straight for Cherokee’shandsome face; ‘ man, and while the left brushed the fierce stroke . which sounded clear on the midnight air, landed ‘ . i He sat down in a dazed sort of way and stared , kee whispered in his car; “quit afore you get But the pride of the other would not )ermit V‘ Cherokee like a mad bull, delivering blow after ' 13 “ 'l‘inic!“ exclaimed Bowers; he was anxiom to see more fun. But the butcher in this case was not in the i least bit of a hurry; he had got enough and he l was wise enough to know it. At last he fully ; comprehended that he was no match at listi— i cuffs with the cool and quiet Cherokee. “I cry jpiits!" he answered, doggedly. satisfiel , uml” “Why, gentle friend, you ain‘t a—going to i throw up the sponge in this hyer way?" do- , manded Bowers, in astonishment. “Get out! 1 You kin stand a hen) more pounding. We ain’t half had the worth of our money yet.” “ Well, I have," responded the other. ag‘in, l’m satisfied.” And the bystanders shook their heads wisely and nodded to each other, “ No wonder!” The conclusion to which the man had conio,co.".— sideriug the battering which he had received, did not in the least surprise them, altho l1 they set the butcher down as 8. our for “(£150- ting" so quickly. “ You are completely satisfied, then?" Chero kcc < ucricd. ‘ “ reckon that I am," the other gm fled. “ And you don’t want any moref ’ ‘ LI N(Lll “ Not for Joseph—no sugar in mine!” Bowers suggested, facetiously. ', “ But I am not satisfied 1" Cherokee sxclaim- ed, abruptly, stepping forward and confronting ‘ his antagonist, while the crowd looked on in as- i tonishniciit. “Wot do you mean?" the butcher asked, in surprise. “ You demanded satisfaction and you got it; now I want satisfaction and I mean to have it!" The other stared stupidly at the speaker. ‘ “ You are a scoundrel and a liar, and I mean , that you shall take back what you said about 3 that little irl!" and as he uttered the word! Cherokee‘s ace mourned such a threatening ox- ; preision that the butcher involuntarily stepped - ba “ I’m “Iggy c . , This was altogether unex cted. 3 “Take back wot I said?” pe , “Yes, take it back or I’ll hammer on until .- you can‘t stand,” and Cherokee raised is terri- le right arm, which had already done such Wonderful execution threateningly. I “ Hold on pard!’ cried the Yankee; “I reckon that the thing ought to be called settled, considering as how our man gives in whipped. What more kin you ask?” ‘ “Let him take back what he said about the ' 1,” Cherokee answered, his tone quite fierce. ‘ He lies and he knows that belies, and I’m go— ing to make him own up to it before I get through with him. He is not the 1’s hus- band; she is not his wife and never as been; she did not run away from him in Frisco! Lo! him ’pwn the truth or I’ll hammer it out of And Cherokee made another ste toward the butcher, who as speedily retreated.) “I ’peal to the crowdl” cried the Yankee rceiving that Cherokee was in most and hat either his man had to retreat or else ‘1 face the music again,” which he fully understood the butcher would not do if he could possibly avoid it. “ I ’peal to the crowd l” the Yankee repeated; “is this hyer thin the- square deal now? My man owns up that e’s got enough, and hadn t that ought to settle it?” “ No—sir-ee!" cried Bowers, promptly ;- “fight or acknowledge the corn! Ain’t that korect, bog?" d the “boys” to a man declared that it was. . There was no alternative; either face the iron lists of the girl’s champion again or acknowled e that his accusation was a. falsehood; t o butcher could choose either cm of the dilemma that suited him. “ Give me some show for my money l” the vanquished man cried, doggedly. “ I ain't used to fistrfi hting, anywaa” “ I M l accommoda you, sir, in any fnhion that you choose—fists, knives, pistols, rifles, ro- volvers, anythin that suits your fancy, but Iefr tied I am determ nod thismattcr shall be before either of us leaves this at." “Why don’t you let be man go?" called on. a voice from amid the crowd. Cherokee had wonderful ears, and as he he heard the voice before he had no difficulty in do cidinglin regard to its owners “p now. , kford'f” be ex: “ are ou there, Mr. claimed. “ came forward, man. and back up your tool. I be 'n to believe now that the girl was right, and at this is all a co irucy to drive her out of the town; but, come ht on sir. and say what you have to say openl ; don skulk in 9.0de as if you were asham of your own shadow." Thus boldl called upon the postmaster could- i ! n’t very we remain in the background, and lo he‘pféimptlylca‘rlpetto thl: limit. .d . was a spo e, a uni Vina that itwasbest toputaboldmceodm, “end, as I said before, why don’t on let the man aloan Ho acknowlede II. , ml that ought to contact you. I 14 r ' “ This man is a villainous her, and he shall own up before I get through with him. He either takes back what he has said or else I’ll put him through.” Brockford saw that it would be useless to at- tempt to turn the victor from his way, but, as he looked upon the resolute face. of Cherokee the idea which had previously entered his mind he- came stronger and stronger, and so being a man of determined action he at once came to the. conclusion in regard to the best course to be pursued in the matter. “ Well, it‘s none of my business. and so I wash my hands of the matter,” and he turned back into the crowd again, l.'it he ha: a phinly de— ‘fined pur mm in so doing, and moving slowly through t 1e throng took w a position right he- hind the sheriil’, Billy Dancer, with whom he entered into conversation. Cherokee. deceived into the belief that the postmaster had given up the game, an opinion shared, too, by the four conl'rderutes, turned his attention again to the butcher. That worthy was in a terrille stew; it galled him to the ve uick to acknowledge openly that he had ie about the girl, but how to esca e. from making the admission he knew not. is antagonist wai evidently deeply in earnest; it was either confess or fight, and he had no tn ste for another trial of the other‘s skill after what he had already experienced. “ TNot shall I do .4" he growled. to the Yankee. “ Give it up as abad job ” replied the other. It’s no use: he's too much for you—give it up, and call it half a day.” “ Come, decide! I’m tired of waiting!” Chero- kee cried, menacineg. “ Wot is it you want?” the discomfited bully asked, sulkily. , “ ()wn up that vou lied about the girl. You don’t know her: s e is no wife of yours.” “ \Va-al, mebbe she ain’t,” the fellow mum- bled, reluctantly. “You never saw her in Frisco?” “ Mebbe I didn’t.” “And the story that she was once your wife and run a u ay from you is all a lie from begin- nin to end, isn’t it?’ “ lebbe it is.” “ A candid confession is good for the soul they any, and now that you have made a clean breast of it you ought to feel he! tcr." A smothered growl was the butcher’s only re- ] . P I‘Wcll, gentlemen, I hope that you all feel satisfied now that the girl spoke the truth when she said that she had no knowledge whatever of thin fellow; urd us for myself I think that there was a good deal of truth in her assertion that there is a. conspiracy on foot to drive her out of this town, and I intend to make it my business to look into the matter.” By this time Dmckford had arran ed the de- tails of the scheme which he had ad in his mind when he sought the sheriff and that gentle— man at once proceeded to carry it out. With drawn and cooked revolver he stepped forward toward Cherokee. ' “Throw up your hands!” he cried; “surren- der, for you are my prisoner!" CHAPTER XIX. THE Pos'rMAs'rER's susPICION. Tu crowd were taken by surprise at this en- tirely unexpected proceeding, and in wonder the looked at the sheriff. '1 at entloman was evidentl fully in earn: out, for 6 had Cherokee covere with his wea- ' n, and Brockford, close behind him, also had i is revolver out. Cherokee, After delivering his speech to the crowd, had turned with the intention of assum- ing his garments again, but of course had halt- ed abruptl at Dancor’s command. ' “What 0 you mean, and who are you?” he asked: “ why should I surrender to you i” “Because I'm the sheriff of this hyer county, Willian Dancer by name, and (you are my pri- soner use there’s a. rewar of a thousand dollars altered for you, Dick Talbot I” The miners stared, and most of them drew a lo breath at this announcement. ‘ as this cool, quiet, but resolute and skillful boxer indeed the renowned Captain Dick Tal~ hot, the King of the Road, the Death Shot of Shuts—tho most wonderful man, in all particu- lars, that had ever set foot in northern Cali- fornlai Cherokee lsu hed. “ Why, she ’ , I reckon that you’re barking up the wrong tree, hyer,” he said, quite good— naturedly. “Oh, no! I know you, and I‘ve been on the lookiout for ou for some time. I knew that you couldn’t eep out of this town. ” “ gut the idea that I am Dick Talbot—ridicu- “ Oh! it ain’tto be thought of for a moment!” Bowers exclaimed. “ Why, Dancing Billy, I’ve knowed this hyer out for an age of shoe-leath— er. He Injun Dic —bold Captain Talbot! No, flit-eel no more than I am!” “ You shut up!” cried the sherifl, roughly, wk was not at all pleased with the familiarity of the bummer. in interfering in the matter. nor ‘~. Captain Dick Talbot. \ . ,. , I I ,, , “Yes, but it don‘t,” Cherokee replied, firmly. with the liberty which the jovial Mr. Bowers l knowledge. had taken with his name. “ Nobody axes you to stick your spoon in this soup, and I reckon that we kin git along without your assistance.” “ But, Billv, my bold buccanecr, it ain’t so!” i Bowers persisted, not in the least uhashed by the i rehulf. “I tell yer, I'm posted, I am! “'hy, i I knowcd Talbot in the old time hyer like as if i he was my brother; many is the sOcial drink and ' the quiet game of keerds that we have had to— i gethcr, and to take Cherokee, hyer, my ole side- pardner, fur him, why, brigadicr-general, you- ’re clean gone!” Dancer had timed his movement so well that he had the other foul. He was weaponless, ap— parently, though, in truth, he had a little six— shoolcr concealed in his bosom, but with the cocked revolver of the. sheriff leveled full at his heart, there was no chance for him to possess himself of the weapon, if he had desired so to 0. But, Cherokee hadn’t the slightest idea of of- i’ering resistance. He felt perfectly sure that it could not be proved that he was Injun Dick, and therefore he was quite willing to go quietly with his captor. “ 011, I surrender, sheriff,” he said. “ I don’t know what put the idea that I am Dick Talbot into your head, but I reckon that I won’t have much trouble in roving that I am not. It’s some years since lived in Cinnabar City, but there mu t be some few in the town who will be able to remember me." “1 do, fur one!” Bowers exclaimed, loudly. “ I sw’ur on a stack of Bibles as big as a meet- ing—house, that when you lived in this hyer town, a few years ago, your name was Chero- kee, and the man w’at denies it is a liar and a goat-thief!" and he glared defiantly at the sher- iff as he made this sweeping accusation. 1‘ You talk too much with your mouth l” Dancer answered, in a rage. “ X ou had better kee it shut or you’ll catch cold.” “ reckon that this hycr 1s a free country, and that our forefathers didn’t fight, bleed and kick the bucket fur nothin’,” the bummer retort- cd, defiantly. “It will takeaderrick to shut my month, my noble dook, when me blood is u l’ pBy this time the chief of police of the town, accom mined by a couple 0 the night patrol, arrive upon the scene of action, attracted by the report that a first-class row was l-rewing, and to their care the sherifl delivered the prison- er. Dancer also tapped Daily on the shoulder, and told him that, for the present, he should be obliged to take him into custody, on account of being found in company with the accused. “Bless mel” exclaimed the old sport, an- noyed at the turn affairs had taken, and believ- ing that he could see Brockford’s hand in this proceeding; “I know absolutely nothing what- ever of the man! He is a total stranger to me! I never saw him before in my life, and it was only just by accident that I happened to be passing by when the crowd attracted my atten- tion, and stepped in order to ascertain what the matter was, and seeing that the gentleman was a stranger, I volunteered to aid him.” “Oh, it will be all right; a mere matter of form,” Dancer responded; “but you’ll have to come along at present. There’ll be an examina— tion right away, and then, of course, you’ll be discharged.” Daily grumbled, but perforce was obliged to go along. The officials, with their prisoners, at once pro- ceeded direct to the jail. At Brockford’s sug- gestion, Dancer had looked around for the other second to Cherokee, but he had prudent] made himself Scarce, and all that the Sheri could learn in regard to him was that he was a dark- faced stran er. dressed roughl . “One of albot’s gan , no oubt,” Brockford observed, and the Sheri nodded assent. The prisoners were lodged in jail, and were comforted with the information that the Gover- nor would come, the first thing in the morning, to see if he could identify Cherokee as Talbot. Meanwhile the report went ra idly around town that the famous Injun Dick md been ta,- ken by the sheriff and was held in (lurance vile; but Boweis, who was perambulaiing from sa- loon to saloon, indignantly repudiate the idea. “He—that mun, Dick alhot? No, sir-ee, no more nor I me, u. 1d you kin bet our ducats freely on it I” he cried, every time t at the idea was advanced in his presence, and the doubt that the bummer felt was general throughout the town in the minds of tie people. It did not appear reasonable that a. man with a. price upon his head should boldly run his neck into the an an’s noose by coming into the V}? (33an w erehischief enemy, the Governor, a l e . It was but a. vague suspicion that had entered the mind of the postmaster that the bold stran- ger, who had taken upon his shoulders the quar- rel oi' the dancin -girl, was indeed the hero of the foot-hills an of the wild ravines nestling close to Shasta’s snow—crowned peak; but the more he saw of him the stronger the suspicion became, despite the vigorous protest of Joe Bow- ers; but Brockford did not put a. great deal of faith in the bummer. He was more inclined to tract to his own wisdom than in the vagrant”: ’- WW” 7’"? TV—WTI:": Lm Besides, he had a lurking doubt of the loud-talking Mr. Bowers; he might, indeed l-zcep faith it he was well paid, but Brockford did not feel sure on that pomt. At any rate the imprisonment of the stranger could do no harm. I he was the outlaw, with whg'e daring deeds all California. had rung, the Governor would be pretty sure to be able to identify him; if he was not, he could be dis charged and no harm would be done; Justice, being blind, was apt to make just such mistaken once in a while: and then, too, the postmaster had got Daily into his clutches, and he had a lit~ tle scheme in regard to him which he fancied would be pretty apt to bring the veteran sharp to terms so far as is daughter, the lovely Cassy was concerned: for Brockford was determined to have the girl, cost what it might. The post~ master was a bold fellow, and not one to count the obstacles in his way; therefore that night he retired to rest pretty well satisfied with the Way in which matters and things were progress» mg. Quite a number of people had pestered the jailer who had the prisoners in char re by visit- ing the lock-up, cn purpose to ask 1 the news was true and that the famous Dick Talbot really was captured. And to one and all the jailer made reply, in Kentucky style: “ I’ll never tell on; mebbe it is and mebbe it isn’t. Durned of know.” And after some twenty or thirty had pestered him with questions, he began to get annoyed and to ive short answers; and when, close on midnig it, a little dark figure came tap )in at the door just as the jailer was taking a. «W est whiffs of his pipe, preparatory to going to bed, he got angry. ‘ Go ’long with yer!” he cried; “ go home, sonny, and go to bed; this ain’t any time to be off your roost.” “But I want to speak to you particular," cried a clear, sweet voice, and tie iuiler per ceived at once that the speaker was a woman. The keeper of the prison was only human, and so he opened the little wicket in the door, wlu'ch was so contrived that applicants for entry could be examined without openin the glortal. . “Wehwot is it?" he aske , gru y. “ I w t to talk to one of the prisoners,” and the speaker kept her face so hooded with the dark cloak she wore that her features could not be seen. ' “Which one?" b “ The man that is accused of being Dick Talv 0t. “Well, miss, it carn’t he did,” the jailer ro- sponded. “It must be arranged; what harm will it do to any one to allow me to have ten minute ’con- versation with him?” “ It’s ag’inst the rules, you know.” “’ But who is to know it but you and. I end 8? “ If it should be found out, I’d get the sack!" “ I’ll give you a twenty—dollar gold-piece for ten minutes‘ talk with him,” she exclaimed, pressing the coin into the hand of the jailer, “ and no one can know anything about it.” CHAPTER XX. A womn’s mun. TWENTY-DOLLAR gold-pieces do not grow up- on everyl bush, and the jailer eyed the yellow bovait an itching palm. by should he not take it? As the woman 'ustly said, what harm was there in letting her ave ten minutes’ conversation with the prison; er, and who was to know anything about it, anyway? If he took the money he was twenty dollars richer, that was certain. The woman who hesitates is lost theysay; and man is the son of woman. The jailer deliberated—and yielded. “ Well, I s’pose that that won’t be much harm done i” I (‘0 let (you come in," he remarked, con- si hing the gel -piece to his pocket as he spoke; “ ut, say, who are you, anyfi'a ?” For reply the applicant ushed ack the hood from her faco, exposing t e pretty features of Nic of the Bella Union. “Ohol” the 'ailer cried: “and you’re the gal that he had t e fight about to-mghtl I heerd all about it, although I didn’t see it. Well, it’s only natural that ou should want to see hi for they do tell me e hammered that cuss thrift pestered you like lightning; they say it was I ummin fight.” ' Then t e jailer swung the door open and ‘1‘ lowed the girl to enter. Providing himself with a candle he conducted her to the apartment where the prisonerwu confined. Cinnabar City jail was not a very elaborately- coustructed building, and it was not particu- larly well adapted for holding in safe confine- ment shrewd and desperate menz and more than one prisoner when shown into his prison-pen by the Jailer. had remarked, after a glance at the place, that it was only his—the prisoner’s—re- s t for the law that kept him from kiddng t ewhole “end-board” out 01' the rotten con com. Cherokee was extended upon the rude bun- ‘\ I. l l l, is “" “f - '>v-w{.x m. u~i- ~r.m;k‘m/ “rowi' -r ,- .. . M ‘ . f V . .. W . . , p . w . , (— .‘ Captain Dick "l albot. , lo ‘3’ m.._# ,v .._._. 71.-.”, fl , fine I ,. 2.: .7- w i- .“ SIT—’2. with which his apartment was provided when i “And I‘m sorry that I do not think it is wise “ N o, miss it is not £your father: it is I, Mr. the jailer unlocked the door and showed the girl top me to accept your offer.“ a Brookford, the postnias erl” he answered. into the room, and he rose to a. sitting posture. ‘ ‘Why not?‘ she exclaimed, a look of amaze— ‘ “If you wish to see my father he is not in The jailersplaced the candle upon the table, ‘ ment upon her face. yet,” the girl said, after a slight pause. It was cautioned the girl that in ten minutes‘ time he , “ Because I deny that I am the party that I evident that she. was surprised at the call. should come to let her out, and then withdrew. am taken to be, and defy the who 0 world to " Yes, miss, 1 know that your father is not in; “ Oh, sir, for my sake you have got yourself l prove that 1 am Captain Dick Talbot." he has just been carried to jail, and that is the into a terrible situation !" she exclaimed, anx- “ Yes, I see; strong in the confidence of your reason that Icamc to see you: I thought that iousl , the moment they were alone together. l innocence, you will remain and fight it out 1” you had better be informed of the matter, and ’ “( h, no, I reckon that I ain’t in any particu— “That’s my programme!” that it would be as Well that a friend should 1511‘ danger.” he replied. his eyes occupied with l “ But, if there is any way in which I can serve bring the news as to leave the disagreeable tank the pg‘etty face of the girl. ‘ you, you will let me know ?" she said, eagerly. to a stranger.” “ ou don’t know this man as well as I dol” l ‘ “ 0st certainly: only don’t consider on owe The door opened quickly enough now. and She T‘J‘iEd impllISinY- ’ ' . me anything, because you do not. I wi l frank— Cassandra appeared, her face expressive in as: “ To W 10111 do you refer?" I admit to you, that, apart from the natural tonishment. . “ Brockford! he is a base, black-hearted vil- l (Iesire any decent maiffccls to interfere when “My father in jail l" she exclaimed, her eyes lain 1” s. l he sees a woman abused, I had reason to believe dilating; “ what has happened 5” “Well, I should imagine from what I have that this Brockt‘ord is on enemy of mine, and “If you will permit me to enter, Mis Daily “ seen of him that he is a man who wouldn’t hesi- , that, although I do not know him, nor he me, he said, persuasively. “ I will explain the who 9 tate much at anything; but he is almost a L yet in an undorhand way, he is trying to do me matter, for it is liuite a long story. and my stranger to me.” . a mischief, That is one reason why I espoused standing here at t iis late hour might provoke “I know him!” she exclaimed, vehemently; ‘ atpiarrel not my own.” remark.” . . “know him to my sorrow. i am only 0. nor i ‘I don’t care what the reason was!” the girl For a moment the girl hCSitated, for she had a j actress, you know, hardl that either, for uni . declared, impulsively. “You are a noble, gcne- terrible dislike-to the speaker, but then she rv» ? nothing but a variety girKand get my living by l rous fellow, and while I live I shall never for- ficcted that his suggestion in regard to what Singing and dancing in variety theaters, where l get your kindness.” ople might say was correct, and so, she rc» ’ few ladies go; but I have always tried to be a ‘ “Don’t make rash promises,” Cherokee re- uctantly admitted the Mistmaster. good girl, and I defy any one to say anything ‘ marked, a peculiar sad smile upon his face. She broughtachair or him and thou going with truth against my good name. This man ‘ “Human life is quite long, sometimes, but hu- to tlie‘doorleading into the room of the stout ; is the cause of m being here. He made my man memory quite short.” Irish serving maid, Norah—who, to use the acquaintance in n Francisco: he used to “If I live to be a liundred,I am sure the mountain arlance, “ram” the house for the fairly haunt the theater where I worked, the 'atitude I now feel for the service you have, .Dail s—ca ed out: , _ Bella Union, and at last he managed to make (one me, will never fade or die; each succeed. B “ kt; notube alarmed. Norah; it is only Mr. roe or . x... q... my acquaintance. He professed great admira- tion for me, and told me what a. fine home he had up here, and what a great man he was in the town. ‘ “ Well, sir, I was all alone in the world, not a relative on earth, and when this man wanted me to be his Wife I was weak enough to think 1 seriouslyabout selling myself to him, for that is really what it is when a girl doesn’t love a man and becomes his wife merely to secure a good home and so protect herself from want. ut, I am naturall a. little sharp, and so I made up my mind that would come u here and see ; ‘ust what kind of a man he was w on he was at g ome before I accepted his offer. The manager I of the Bella Unionsaloon here had made me quite good offers to come and work o'erhim, and so, at last, I accepted an engagement with him, and came up here. I wil own frankly that I thought this man was alittle foolish in his affection for me, and . willing to overlook the fact that I was a. stage ,ormer; but, after I got up here, I found thathe wasmuch more of a. have than a fool, and that he had no idea what- ever of keepin v his promises. He had merely amused himsel with me and when he found that 1 expected him to keep his promises he laughed at me. Of course I was wildl You see, sir, I never had much bringing up, but grew like a weed, uncured for an a] owed to go in own way, the slave to my own sweet will. went right after him, and happened, by acci- dent, to discover that he was ying attention to the daughter of the old gent eman who came gravely. to your assmtance last night, Mr. a . v “ h. that was Mr. Daily. eh?” Cherokee ,9:- claimed. He remembered the'name of the man re uted to be the best poker-play er in the town. ‘Yes, sir.” “How did you happen to know anything about his coming forward to assxst me?” “ Why, I saw the whole of it,” she answered, immediately. “ I was very grateful, indeed, to you for taking the part of ahelpless girl—a1- though I am not quite so helpless as one might imagine, for I have a six-s ooter, and Iknow how to use it—and when i saw you out with that big brute, I feared that it was i a. plan to get an away so that he and his fin? could an or on. I wasn’t gain _ to stay 11 nd and endure‘t suspense; so I ipped on the boy’s dress that I wear on the stage Sometimes, and followed after the crowd. and so it happened that I new the whole affair. But now, as. tune . press I must come at once to the errand upon whicleisI came. Idon’t know Whether you are v .09. tain Dick Talbot or not, nor do I care; but I chlho flow that I’m going to try to get you out of m .. r “0h. aid me to escape?" and Cherokee looked curiosity into the expresszve face of the “ Yes; before mornin dawns you can be - many. miles from here. nderneath my water- »Krwf and dress I have on my boy’s suit and l r ave a wi which very nearly resembles my own hair. on can put on my things, ull the wig down ova? your 3 es, and the h of the ‘ woterproof over it, an with your handkerchief to your eyes pretend to cry. You can easily get into t 6 entry without the tjailer discover- the cheat, for he is a dull ool of a fellow, ’ . Your-an getcompletely out of the ; in we , if you once get out intq’the , ill be able to cope with the jfllh‘li‘. I revolver for you undo box 3f cart- , , hushed." .3”? Flight! ‘ ——have you plenty of money?” an easy, thing for one situated as Brockford was i' heard the soun ing year will only serve to make the remem- \ brance fresher and brighter.” , be men spoke, “I trust sq,” any yet even as t hevdoubted. _ A heavy footstep sounded in the hall without. “The ten minutes are up, and there is the jailer!” the girl exclaimed, hurriedly. “Excuse the question—but this is no time for ceremony “Yes, plent .” _ “ Because ' you haven’t, I have, and what- ever I have is yours for the asking.” . “Don’t make rash promises; i. I get out of this scrape all right i might take it into my head to ask for you,” he said, extending his hand to grasp the palm which she had held out in a. fare- well salutation. A deep blush swe t rn idly over the face of the girl, but she c aspe his hand firmly and looked him straight in the elye. ’ “When you ask, be sure shall not forget my words,” she replied. with evident emotion. The entrance of the jailer cut short all fur- ther conversation. “Come, you must get out of hyerl” be ex- claimed : ‘,‘ time’s up.” “Good-by; don’t forget what I’ve said,” and then she passed out into the hall. “These women are some when they gits a-go~ in’,” the jailer remarked with a wink to the prisoner, as he took the candle from the table. “Wig-a1, good-night and pleasant dreams to on. ‘ yCherokee was left alone to his reflections. Again was he an aged in u life—and-deeth strug- gle, and again ad a young and 4pretty girl stepped forward into his path. CHAPTER'XXI. snocxronn’s ULTIMATUM. Tan ostmaster was a firm believer in a bold me. be weaker your hand the stronger must e the front presented, and when you really do hold good cards, play them for all they are worth. Acting upon this principle, be at once seized u on the chance to bget the father of the beauti Cassandra into 3 power. Even in our great eastern cities the law can be used by men rich in influence as a. means of, attack upon a. less fortunate enemy. Law does not always mean justice, and on the Californian frontier, the boundary line between civilization and the wild solitudes of the mountains, it was to abuse the owers of the law. Daily was u the company of the man accused of. being the famous Captain Dick Talbot. How eas then to cry out that he was one of Talbot’s and who had partial ted in the bold attack upon the railway train Not so easy to prove that same, though, but the postmaster had an idea in re rd tothat point- he had a plan in his hen which he- thought would be apt to get the veteran card- sharp inton heap of trouble unless he prom- ised com ionoe With his—Brockford’s—wishes. And be ughalso a firm believer in the good old a that t ere was nothing like‘striking when the n was hot, be after seeing the two pris- oners safely led ed in jail, 11proceeded at once‘to the house occup ed by Da', y and his daughter. A light shone through the curtainedwindow, sawing that the inmates had not yet retired to- r ,. “All. these gamblers’ wives and daughters keep many and vigils,”Brockford muttered, as he pderflb the door. . he summons was soon'opmred" the viz! d ,0: mowers within, the docs, and a the sweet The postmaster understood the meaning of this little bit of strategy well enough. It was to show him that she was not alone in tliehouse. Sim le as the dove, yet not Without some of the Wi es of the serpent was the maiden. “Not the slightest cause for alarm, I assure you,” he at once hastened to remark in his smoothest tones. “ In fact, before we get through with this very unpleasant little bit of business I feel sure, Miss Daily, you will be con- vinced that you haven’t a warmer friend in the world than myself. ” “Indeed I hope so; sir,” the girl replied, but there was a troubled expression upon her‘foce which plainly betrayed that hor mind was far from beingat ease notwithstanding, his words. “You will find that itais the truth, miss,” he went on, “ and althou h I am very sorry indeed -\ that your father has fa len intoso mach trouble, ’ yeti am compelledto rejoice that an o pox-tu— , nity has arisen to enable me to show 1: at my . friendship for you is not all lip-service, but comes straight from the heart. ” ’ ‘ V ' “ What is thsfirouble in which my father is involved?” she_ emanded, going directly to the point, for she liked neither the matter no:- the manner of the speaker. “He has been arrested upon a very serious charge.” ' The girl opened her big, blue eyes very wide at this information, for ‘her gmtle, hind old father, the quietest and best-natured old gentle- man in the world, in her opinion, seemed to be the lat man possible to become involved in ase- rious difficulty. ‘ ‘ ' “ Yes, Miss Cassandra, he has been arrested in the company of the notorious Dick Talbot and has been lodged in jail, charged with being an accomplice of that remarkable outlaw. I pre- sume that on know something of this Injun Dick. as be is commonl tei med “I” A “Yes, in father to d me_ aboutbis .esca ' from the o cers here and his attack upon 1: e’ > v railway train, but‘the idea of father know- I mg anytbui of this man or of 5 being an no - complies of s is really ridiculous l" V i The girl spoke exactly as 'she than them the serious charge which had been irougbt. against her father, and under which he had ' *> been arrested, did not affect her in the least, for she felt perfectly sure not 0111 that he was innocent of all knowledge of the aring king of: the road but that he would easily be able to prove that such was the fact. The confidence of the girl annoyed Brookford. . She was apparently blind to the terrible den- ger which t reatened her sire. ' ' ‘ ‘ ’ “Heaven forbid, miss, that I should do or v anythingto destroy the confidenCe which, ‘ ’ urslly, you feel in rflgard to your father’s 'itinov . i ccnce but as-yourf end-and his,too—-it in my » duty .9 tell you that no matter whether he is in~~ nocem; or guilty, he is‘in a position at Egril. He was arrested in the company 0 . t—ho had come open] forward to hi: side in _n uarrel in w 911 belied become inf voivod in t a town, and, in fact, the citizens a . lar e are fully convinced that he is a membr “ of {he outlaw fifths, and that he has come if. this town in t e isguise of a. speculator ex~ Nagy t5) spy out favorable opportunities for- er ' - ' l" - “QM the idea is'utteri absurd !” the‘g‘i‘rl ex: claimed, indignantly. “ y father is (held ‘est and;most gentle of men! In all , ' that we have lived in California, nearly , ’ Iliaye neverhuo hip: to 1:033? Mydearlfiss '. of bet-tho I occupied by Daily: taking a. lighted candle with ‘and escape the mob. Of course I am taking a '16 L.. .7; I‘Z‘j‘, "13’. l lm ression which exists in the town in regard to in), so that vou will be able to understand ‘ the Very great danger he is in. The eople at large fully and firmly believe that he is a mem- ber of Talbot’s dreaded gang; they know that Injun Dick bears this town of Cinnabar 110 very ood will ' in Sll‘ win, a perpetual vendetta. exists tween this outlaw and the people of this val- , lay; and when men nre laboring under the in i l ., fluence of a. terr: > f'i'1r they are not a )t to be vor logical. Your Miller was arrested in Tol- bot 5 company; he came freely and openly for— ward to buck the road—agent, and there is a man in the town who is willing to bear evidence that he is one of the principal members of Talbot‘s band.” “ The villain!” Cassandra cried. spiritcdly; “ what cause of malice has he against my poor , father to induce him to be willing to peril his i soul by such a. lie?” “ None at all, miss: he is a perfect stranger to your father, and states that he only comes . forward to denounce him because he icels that it . is his dufy to do so. ” ' justly necused!" the girl { east affected, as Brockforr had hoped that she would be. He believed that, womanlike, she. would yield to tears and despair; but she had such a. thorouin belief in her sire’s innocence, it was illipossildo to make her comprehend that all the world believed him to be guilty.” )ersistc'l, not in the “ My dear Mi is Daily, if your fathgr was go-1 ing to have a fair chance to prove his innocence it would be all right: but the citizens are talk— ing about c .lling upon Jung Lynch, and in case the mob (10 rise \' bot will most. cerlai. Iy he l.-u':g to the first tree without the benefit of judge or jury.” “ The wretehcsl they surely will not dare!" “A mob will dare almost anything! Why, miss, you have no idea of the way the citizens are wrought up in regard to this matter. This Talbot is a. red-handed murderer, and so far he has bid defiance to all laws; but now that he is safely on ed the men of the town think the quicker e is strung up the l otter. I think the mob will call on Judge Lynch and seize the jail before morning, and if they do—if they once get their clutches on Talbot and your fa- ther, who they have an ILlUL is the outlaw’s right—hand man, nothing on earth can save them. Now then I have a plan and that is why I came to see you at this unseasonable hour. The jailer is a. personal friend of mine; in fact, I have him under my thumb, and I can ar- range with him so that your father can slip out great risk upon my shoulders, and, Miss Cas» sandra, may dare to hope that I may be re— paid for that risk 1” Skilll’ully as the trickster had planned yet the victim sus xcted him. “ A gooi action seldom fails of reward in this world,” she replied. “More than that I feel that I ought not to say.” “ Cheered by such encouragement. then, I will at once go forth upon my mission 1” he ex- claimed, and taking his leave departed, and, on reaching the outer air, cursed, vigorously, the failure of his cunning scheme. CHAPTER XXII. ANOTHER TACK. AM‘ROUGH baflled, Brockford was by no means beaten; no man of straw was he to be turned from his way by any obstacle so weak as a woman’s whim. “I was a. fool to bother with the girl,”he mut— tered, as he walked along the almost deserted street, heading straight toward the jail. “She is only a child and like wax in the hands of that old rascal her father. I’ve got him in a hole this time though, and my luck must be an internal 3i ht worse than I think it is if'I don’t make him once to my tune. He will be a big- sr fool than I take him to be if he doesn’t come some arrangement with me now, considering the gri that have got on him." Broc ford arrived at the jail just about five minutes after the girl had been admitted, and, scouting the worthy who kept the keys of this modern gate to Satan’s realm, informed him that he desirru to have speech with old Dail . “Oh I can’t do it, Cap!" the jailer rep ied. “ It’s c ear ag’in’ orders, you know.” “You know who I am? ’ “ Oh, yes, of course; and if thar’s any man in this hyer burg that I would go far to do a favor for, you’re the one; but thar’s a heap sight of responsibility a—resting onto me now. can’t be too keerful with this hyer King of the Road in my custody.” Brockford understood at once that, seeing the force of the situation, the jailer was aftBr a “stake,” and was determined to have it, and so, reluctantly, he drew out a five-dollar gold-piece and tendered it to the man in authority. “ Here, this will make it all ri ht, won’t it?” “We-a1 now, Cap, seeing as ow it is you, I i that I’ll have to let you slide in," the 0 er re lied, with a grin, pocketing the gold- pieoe as 9 spoke. Ho at once conducted Brocldord to thecell iur father, with this Tal— I “My father can easily prove~ that he is un- l 7 Captain Dick him from the main hall of the jail so that the pair might have light for their conference. “IVhen 'ou get through, sing out,” he said, as he with rcw. Daily, a remarkably evenly-balanced man, one accustomed to take the world as it came with- , out complaining, had wrapped himself in his blanket and was reposing at full length upon the rude bunk, but upon the entrance of his visitor he sat up and surveyed him with a. ques- tioning air. illq himself to the solitary stool which, with the bunk, comprised the furniture of the room. “ Yes, but it might be worse,” the other re» . plied, philosopliicull '. . “ You are in a tight place.” 1 “ Do you think soé” question as unconcernedly as though he hadn’t ,‘ the slightest interest in the matter. “A mighty tight place, and I don’t see how you are going; to get out of it, unless I let up on on." “ \Vell, what do you intend to do in the prem— ises!" “ That depends entirely upon you.” “ Is that so!" and, although the question was earnestly put and the speaker‘s face was grave, l yer, Brockford felt that the old man was “ chaff— l lug" him. "Now, Daily, I’ll come right to the point, for i I’m a 1mm of few words and generally a. pretty ‘ )l;.i11 speakerl”thepostmasterexclaimed. “ You lmow what I’m alter, well enou rh. Your daughter is a mighty fine girl, and want her. I've gut you in a. hole, and I don’t intend that you shall get out unless you yield to my wishes in this matter.” “ You didn’t lie when you said that you were a. very plain speaker," the old man commented. “ \ all, what do you intend to do about it?” Brockfol‘d asked, roughly. " I don‘t reall know.” “Mind! this is a lion ring matter as far as you are concerned!” Bree 'ford cautioned. “ I’ve got a witness who is prepared. to swear that on are one of the principal members of Dick ‘al— bot’s gang—” “ And this valuable witness will swear that I am not, if you say sol” interrupted the old man, quick] . “That is the English of it, sir!" “ I’Vhat do you want me to do?” “ You know well enough. I want Cassy.” “Yes; but suppose that I can’t give or to you? The girl has a will of her own, you know; she’s no child, and I must say, although the truth may not be very agreeable to you, that she can't really bear the Sight of you.’ “Oh, nonsense!” Brockford replied; “ she'll get over that once I get hold of her. " “ Yes, but she is not going to let you et hold of her—that is, not if she can help horse f.” “It has been my little game to put her so that she couldn’t he] herself,” the ostmaster confessed; “and I atter myself t at I shall make my point. The whole matter lies in a nut- shell: I‘ve got you foul; your life or death de- pends upon her decision. If she agrees to ac- cept me for her husband, I’ll get you out; if she refuses, I’ll hang you as sure as shooting; you can take your choice. ” “You don’t know in daughter, Mr. Brock- ford,” the prisoner re ied. “You will never be able to make her be ‘eve that I am in any im— mediate danger. She knows well enou h that I am not one of the road-agents, and s 9 will never bring herself to think that such an accu- sution against me can stand. You planned your little game first-rate, Brockfor'd, but you didn’t take one fact into consideration—the unbound- ed faith of a. good pure girl in her father.” “ A nice sort of alife you’ve led for her to have any such faith!" the other exclaimed, bluntly. “My dear Mr. Brockford, it is quite plain to me that you don’t know much about me or you wouldn’t make such a. remark as that,’ the old man answered, in the most cheerful way. “ It is quite true that I do handle the pasteboards for a living, but I do it in a gentlemanly sort of way; you never heard of a man about my’ size being mixed up in any broils or ii hts; although in an emergency it is quite possi 1e that I can handle the tools of war with the best of them. My girl knows me only as a speculator, and I do speculate when I see a good cl ance to make money. She knows that I play cards some- times, play for money too, just to make the game interesting, you ow; but then, there’s no harm in that; a est everybody on this Pa- cific slope indulges once in a while; but as to making her believe that I am nothing but a common card-sharp, why, my dear 811‘, you might as well attempt to Whistle the snow oil? the to of old Shasta.” “ ell I’ll have tohan claimed Ilrockford, brutal y rismg in anger. “I’ll go on a. hundred dollars to fifty that you don’t l’ the old man cried, promptly. “Before you’re four-and-twenty hours older I’ll have Judge Lynch after you with a. rope and when you are but of the way, what will saw; your girl, alone and unprotected, from me you,lthat’s all!” ex- Talbqt: . “ Rough quarters,” Brockford remarked, help— . And the speaker put the ‘ I, age and resolution ” the father replied, not in the least discomfi by the threats of the other. “ Brockford, you don’t know my beauty' if i you should succeed in hanging me, whic I doubt, and then try any of your games on her, she‘d kill you with her own hand, just as sure as you stand there." "She will have a chance to try l” the l master observed, fiercely, terribly annoyed at he was at the ill-success of his plans. He called for the jailer: that worthy came and escorted him to the open air again. 5 “Anything I kin do for you, Cap. you knowl" , he called out, “don't be afeard to sling it at me.’ ' And as Brockford's tall form disap cared in i the darkness, the jailer peered earnest y about. “I wwder cf thar is any other galoot what wants to ‘ see ’ 'me to—night,” he muttered. 1 “This hvcr has been a fat ‘ strike.’ ” ' But the jailer‘s quest was in vain; no other , pilgrim came forward and proffered wealth for an interview with the prisoners under his charge, and so, reluctantly, he barred the outer portal again. But another bonanza awaited iim within the walls of the lock-up, for old Daily summoned him and offered five dollars for the privilege of a few minutes’ talk with the man accused of bl9ing Dick Talbot, and the jail- er, whose greed increased by what it fed on, in— stantly accepted, and so Daily was conducted to Cherokees cell and the jailer locked him in. “ Hallo!” exclaimed Cherokee, in greeting. “ I’m downright sorry, my friend, that I’ve got you mixed up in this affair.” “ Oh, don't mention it; you were a. stran r, and as I fancied that you were in the same ine of business as myself, I thought that it was my duty to back you up; but, since I have got my- self into a scrape on your account, I think it is only right that you should help me a. little, it thin 5 turn out badly." “ on ma command me, even to the risk of life!” Chero ee replied, promptly. “Much obliged. Now, listen to the lay-out of the game ;" and then, briefly, Daily explained how he was situated in regard to Brockford, and the threats which that gentleman had made. “ Now, then,” he said, in conclusion, “if he has got me in a bobble, and should be able to compatts my death or to have me locked up for aterm of years. i you get out of this acre. or if you have owerful outside influences tfit you can centre , do me the favor to look after 1 my irl and to be e the plans of this man.” i “ ou may rel, upon me, si , as trustfuIIy u ‘ though I were her brother 1’ C erokee assured. i This was all that Daily wanted, and so, after y a few more words of unimportant conversation, he called the jailer and was conducted back to his own cell. Again Cherokee sought his bunk, but little sleep was he destined to get that night, for in twenty minutes more he was again roused by the entrance of the jailer conducting the post- i master, the sheriff, and Dick Talbot’s mortal fee, the Governor of the State! ~ CHAPTER XXIII. run RECOGNITION. Bnocxrom), the Governor, and Dancer ad. vaneed into the cell; the jailer remained in the doorway and behind him a peered the stalwart forms of two of the sheriff s deputies, armed to the tekth. “This is the man,” said the sheriff, pointing to Cherokee. ’I‘he Governor advanced a. step toward the prisoner and looked searchineg into his face. Cherokee, seated IEOD the Slde of his bunk, bore the scrutiny un 'nchingly. “ He looks like the man, ’the Governor re- marked, “about the same hight, as far as I can judge, but I may be mistaken. You arewcused of being Captain Dick Talbot,” he continued, ad4 dressing the prisoner. “ What have you to say to the accusation?” . , “Well, I’m almost a stranger in the town now, for I haven’t been here for some time, but , still I reckon that there’s quite a. numberth will be able to remember and identify me.” “ What is your name, sir?" “ Rather an odd appellation.” “ Yes, it was given me a long time ago, when I used to wear my hair long down over my shoulders, and one of the boys remarked at the first mining cam I struck up in the north, hyer, that look like a Cherokee Indian, tht moment I set foot in the town, and so, when my name was asked, I told them that their paran had ‘handled’ me right—you see, sir, I wan short of a name just then—and so it happened 1 was called Cherokee.” “ But you have another name?” “Oh, yes, all men—Christian men—have two names, of course,” the prisoner admitted. “And what is your other name 1” “Well, John is a good name,” the other 1-.- plied, reflectively. ‘ Yes, John is as good name as I know of. S’pose you say John.” “John what?" ' “Wh , Cherokee, of course,”. the “'What will save her' Why, her own oour- . prisoner to nde , alook ofsurpriselpan his fans. “Join heroine.” ‘ . ‘ j W sage; 'r- wu- “ Cherokee.” w r “we: as” .u-w av wag- 1‘3: >." , ’ J A- nous. \ v. w :mfrz" ml“ '1"? i #959. ' 5W .. v"- in]. 7: r. “But, that is not your real name; you have anothe ’ ' “May I have,” answered Cherokee, in an extremely honest way. “ And what is it!" “ Well, your excellency, you are really ten much for me: it is so long since I was called anything but Cherokee that I’ll be hanged if I can exactly remember my other names.” " Let me assist your memory," said the Gov- ernor, grimly; “your other name is Richard Talbot.” "Not by a ‘ugfull” cried the prisoner, yriickly. “No ick Talbot in mine, if you :lense.” “ It is your right name l" “ No, it ain’t!” " You are the man l” cried the Governor, posi— tively. “ It is of no use for you to attempt to deny it. I recognize you, and I can swear to your identity before any court in California I” “ I’m too well brought up to contradict you, but you’re barking up the wrong tree.” “ Oh, you might as well own up, Talbot; you’re cornered!” the big sheriff exclaimed. “There is not the slightest doubt in my mind on the subject!" the State otlicial exclaimed, positively. ‘ I recognize both his voice and man- ner. "\Vcll, then, if there isn’t any doubt about the thing the quicker we are off the better,” the sheriff said. Cherokee looked up in astonishment. “ The quicker we are off 9” he repeated; “what do you mean i” ‘ Why, that we are up to all your tricks, and we are going to tr a little dodge on you that will make your pa 5 stare when they find it out. You slipped through my fingers once, in this hyer town, and I don’t intend that you shall re- peat the Operation.” Cherokee looked amazed, and the burly sheriff - notin the look continued in triumph: “ O ,l’ln up to a tiling or two as you will find out, and I reckon this time that your gang will have to st up afore they lie down to get ahead of me. his hyer old shanty ain’t the strongest jail in Californy, and I’m going to snake you right out of hyer and carry you down to Yreka, and from there to Sacramento, whar I reckon your pals won’t be able to do much toward git- ting you out. Aforo ou’re half an hour older we’ll have you out of t Li's town.” “ Oh. it’s a matter of erf'ect indifference to me,” Cherokee remark , as cool as a cucum- ber. “ But I give Iyou fair warning that you’re taking a good dea of trouble for nothin , for when you come to clear the thing up you’l find that ou’ve got the wrong ig by t .e ear.” “ eep it up! never say 'el” remarked Dan- cer admirin “’Handc him, and let him be thoroughly His searched!” the Governor commanded. Cherokee submitted without a murmur. wee ons had been previously removed, and now but ittle “plunder” rewarded the operators. Thirty odd dollars in money, a little pearl- handled pocket-knife, a pack of plain, white- backed cards, a little memorandum-book with pencil, and that was all. , l “ You take charge of the articles, sheriff,” the Governor said. . . “All right,” replied Dancer, deposxting the things in one of the ca acious ockets of the heavy coat he wore. “ he keer Will come in handy, for it’s a long ride from hyer to Yreka and we kin have a friendly game gomg up, an mebbe you kin give me a few paints that Will come in handy some time, for they. say that you’re alightnmg player,” and he wmked hu- morously at Cherokee. “ I’ll endeavor to make myself agreeable,”the prisoner replied. . _ The calmness of the man astonished the Wit— nesses, for he did not seem'to be at all put about by the unexpected journey. The Governor had planned the aflair with a great deal of skill. Intelligan of the capture of the man supposed to be ick Talbot had been instantly carried to him, for he had not retired to his couch at the time that the affair had oc— curred, and he had determmed upon acting prom tly. He had dispatched a messenger in searc of Brockford and the sheriff, and a1: though the second w as easily found, it was some time before the postmaster was got at, but when he finally arrived, the Governor held along and secret consultation with him, and when it was ended Dancer was notified to have a coach re— pared, so that, if the prisoner was identifie , he could be taken out of the town at once, for, as the Governor justly remarked; “ If we have succeeded in getting Talbot within our clutches, unless we are extremely careful he will slip out of our fingers again, just as he did before.” Dancer was cautioned to use the utmost se- crecyvin regard to the coach. . “ e mustn’t let any one get Wind of our de- ' ’7 the postmaster su ested. “for there’s no mg but that some of albot’s gang are right in the town and we don’t want him snaked out ofour ban 3 again. You see, if we can take him out of the town uietly. Without an one no it we’ll haveqhim half-way to take. before itth move is discovered.’ . l 1'7 7‘ Captain DiokwTalbot. The idea was a good one, and, as the reader has soon, they hastened at once to put it into execution. The prisoner was carefully handcuffed, and then, escorted by the sheriff, was taken to the coach which stood before the door of the jail. Cherokee Cast a rapid glance around him as he walked through the darkness, but not a soul was in sight. The hour was woil i'llllm‘ll to es— rape observation, and even (‘heroliwg although he knew that he had friends whose vigilance was usually untiring, yet in this case, if they were caught napping, they could hardly be blamed, for the move was an extremely good one, and one, too, not apt to be suspected. As we have said, not a soul was in sicht, and Brockl'ord, who had in some unaccountable way tel-zen a great dislike tthe prisoner, and there— fore kept a close watch upon him, noticed the senrcliing‘look that Cherokee Cast around him, and guessed what he was after. “\Ve’ve stolen a march on your pals, this time, Mister Talbot,” he observed, “ and I reck- on that, in a great measure, you‘ may thank me for it.” “l’m very much obliged to you for the in- formation,” the prisoner replied, halting with his foot on the coach—stop and looking the 0515 master full in the eye—" wry much oblige( , in- deed, and I shall feel that I am your debtor un- til I get an opportunity to square the account." It was a threat, boldly spoken, and the man meant it, that was plain. “Oh, don‘t trouble yourself to waste your breath; we’ve got you safely caged this time; I'll come and see you hung; you’ve chosen to poke your nose into my affairs, and now on must uy the penalty,” the other replied, coarse y. “There‘s many a slip between the cup and the lip, and I’m not standing on the scaffold yet,” Cherokee retortod, getting into the coach. “ Don‘t let him escapel’ cautioned the Gover- nor. “ If by any chance there should be such a thing as an attempt at a rescue, put your revol— ver to his head and blow out his brains; I’ll see you thr. ugh l” “All right, Governorl”the sheriff cried, from the interior of the coach, closing the door as he spoke; “I’ll do the thing up brown! You can jest bet that I will hold him, alive or deadl” “Start ahead l” exclaimed the politician. The Whip cracked and away the coach went. CHAPTER XXIV. 0N run ROAD. “ Goon-BY to Captain Dick Talbot!" the Gov- ernor exclaimed, as he watched the coach disap— pear in the darkness. “Yes. I flatter m self that at last we have succeeded in accomp ishin the task that a good many men have attempte but failed in doing; we have laid the unquiet spirit that so long has haunte'l this town and in the future Cinnabar will not be troubled b the visits or this red- handed avengerl” Broc ford exclaimed, exult- in l . I‘d; Governor shivered, and the postmaster whose quick eyes noted the movement, looked at him in astonishment. “ What’s the matter?” he asked. “ Don’t talk about red-handed avengers; you make me nervous,” the other replied. Brockford laughed. “ Oh, we’ve caged our bird this time, safe enou hl” “ es, it would seem so, but remember we had him foul and fast before, yet he succeeded in slip ing through our fingers.” ‘ e have guarded against that now.” “Possibly; and yet there’s a good deal of truth in the old saying that Talbot quoted.” “ Many a slipbetween the cup and the lip, eh?” “ Epactly; suppose he shoul escape from this tra l’ “p Well, if he should, it would most certainly be an ugly thing for both of us, for we have 'ven him ample cause now to take a most terri— Ele vengeance.” “ Brockford,” exclaimed the politician, ab~ ruptly, “I am not a timid man as men go, and I am as fond of my money as the average of mortals, yet this very moment I would be will- ing to plank down ten thousand dollars in hard cash if 1 could see this iron-willed, red-handed dewrado cold and rigid in death stretched out be ore me.” A ain Brockford laughed. _ “ b, you hold him altogether 1500 high, Gov- ernor! Alive or dead, he’s not worth any such sum as that.” “ I should be willing to 've it to be relieved of this dreadful feeling 0 apprehension that I constantly fee .” _ “ By this time to-morrow night you will, in all probability, be at ease,” the postmaster re- marked. significantly. “I ho so,” cried the litician fervent] . “From he very bottom 0 my soulI hope so. ’ “And if things turn out as we think they will —and in my mind there is not the slightest oubt in regard to the subject—will you go in the Cin- nabar mine s ulation?” “ Oh, I think so, although Talbot rotested that the mine was played out, and at t time he seemed to be honest in his opinion. It wil only take a few hundred dollars to try it, any- way.’ “ And in my opinion it is worth the risk.” “ Yes. yes, but not until we hear the last of Talbotl” exclaimed the official, nervously. “ Which way are you going!” " I’ll walk as far as the hotel With you.” At the Occidental Brockford bid the politician go< ud-ni 0rht. The (xovernor retirell at once to rest, while the ostmnster marched off in the. darkness, for he iad much more work on hand—work which must be attended to before the first gray streaks of morning light lined the eastern skies. But, for the resent, we will refrain from f lowing up the ootsteps of the darkest and abo the most dangerous plotter that the Shasta val- ley had ever known, and take up again the for- tunes of the man accused of being Injun Dick Talbot. The details of the scheme to remove the sus- ectcd mun forever from the town of Cinnabar ad all been carefully attended to, for Brock. ford, who had arranged the matter, was deter- mined thnt the risoner should not escape this time. Red Mic ey, re uted to be the best driver in the valley, handle the ribbons; no I’acifio s10 e graduate was be, but on the contrary he ha learned the art of holdin the ribbons on the stage-coach routes that stil exist in the up- per part of New York State. The team that drew the coach, a pair of blood bays, were the best that the express line could boast. I Hickey, too, was heavily armed, despite his protest, for as ho energetically cried: “ Wid two sich hard-mouthed divils as them bays to hould, phat’s the use of loadin’me down wid weapons that would do for a rigimentl” But Mickey was forced to arm, nevertheless. By the driver’s side sat the sheriff’s best man, “ Boss ” Thompson, a ponderous six-footer popu' larl reported to be able to whip his weight in wil —cats. He, too, was armed to the teeth, and in order to be prepared for any forcible attempt at a rescue, he carried his breech-loadin rifle on his lap, for use at the slightest si of anger. Within the coach sat the sheri and Cherokee. The prisoner was closely handcuffed, and for further securit the sheriff had tied a lariat around the prisoner’s legs, then passed it up around his waist, and then took a turn or two of it around his own portly person. As be ex plained: “I mought take a notion to take forty winksi you know, ’tween now and break 0’ day, and should feel hurt of I happened to wake up in the morning and diskiver that on had taken French leave without the formality of stopping to bid me good-by.” Cherokee smiled; he appreciated a joke even at his own expense. “Well, sheriff.” he remarked, after the bind- ing operation was com leted, “from the way you have fixed things reckon-I won’t go far without our knowledge.” “Thats my little gamel” Dancer responded, with a grin, which stretched his enormous mouth almost from ear to ear. “ I tell you what it in, old man, you’re in an awful bad fir they have gone for you this time with forty orse- powerl Did you hear what the last orders to me were?” “ Something about shooting me if a rescue was attempted.” “ Yes, sir i” “ Yes I heard that: and, by the way, if I am Richar Talbot, as is charged, and my pals should attem t a rescue on the_rood—” “ Oh, but ey won’t!” cried the sheriff, inter- rupting the speaker; “ it ain’t possible, you know.’ “ Why not?” “ How in thunder are they going to got wind of this hyer trip?” Dancer demanded, with an ' air of triumph. “ Oh, no, it clearly ain't pos- sible. It was a mighty smart trick. Your pals jest about this time are thinking you are safe in the jail, and, maybe. are hatch nguup plans to pull you out, never thinking, on ow, that you are on the road to Yreka.’ And Dancer chuckled loudly as he finished the speech. “ If I am Dick Talbot,” the prisoner repeated, , “you can just bet about all that you have in this world, sherifl, that my pals are in the habit of keeping their eyes open, and that already the know where I am as well as you do.” 8 big under jaw of Dancer disfped in amazement, and he stared, round-ey , at the cool speaker. The moon afforded ample light so that each could distinguish the features of the other. “ Oh, it’s a sure enough fact, in bold official!" Cherokee continued. “Dick albot’s friends work as well in the darknessaa in the light; and, as I said before, if I am Injun Dick, the chancel are 'ust about a hundred to one that before the wor d is three hours older this coachwill be stopped and you will be called upon to deliver ’ up your prize.” ‘ I’ll give you u dead, not living I” the Iberifl cried with grim etermination. “ at is exactly what I am 00min to,"'tho prisoner replied. “ If a rescue is a you are going to blow my brains out!” “ That’s my platform! 18 “ An’l what merry do you think you can ex« pcr‘t after that font is performed .1” The burly sheriff stared ot the prisoner. This idea had never occurred to him. “I tell you, shcrifl’, you’ll be booked for a ‘ quick passage to the. other world." “ Durn my skin !” of I don’t believe that u’re ’bout right," Dancer muttered. “ 1 pose your pals would salivafe me, for sure l" “W at else can you’expect? An ofliciul life has its dangers as well as its pleasures, Mr. Dan— cor. And just as the sheriff was about to open his mouth to reply, the coach came to a sudden stop. In alarm Dancer clutched his pistols and poked his head out of the window. The prisoner had reckoned shrewdly: masked and armed men blocked the way, and just as the sheriff comprehended the situation, a bold voice cried out, in the 01d, familiar Californian wav: "Throw up your hands, pards, or we’ll ‘ plug ’ youl” CHAPTER XXV. MEN WHO \NERE NOT EXPECTED. THE ambuscado had been chosen with excel- lent judgment. The trail at this poina tra- versed in. small prairie, dotted here and there with clumps of timber, around and among which the road ran, and although, in addition to the driver, who, as we have stated, was fairly bristling with weapons the best deputy the sheriff boasted sat on the box with a breech- loading rifle laid across his lap, his fingers on the trigfier. due precaution seemed to be taken against a surprise, but what could mortal man do, even one as Well versed in the customs of the moun- tain region as the sheriff’s de uty when from an innocent-looking clump o timber a horse- man rode and, not ten paces from the trail “covered l’ the official with a cooked rifle, an at the same moment another masked man ap- red on the right. one directly ahead and two in the rear. Against such a force it was madness to ofl’er resistance and the sheriff fairly groaned when he realized how completely he was entra pad. He sunk back in his seat and cursed his ' l-luck. The prisoner laughed as he watched the ex- sion upon the face of the burly official. “Well, sheriff, I reckon that I won’t ride to Yreka with you,” he said quietly. “Durn theluckl” the s erilf cried. you’ve layed best trumps.” “A c ance for you to carry out the Gover— nor’s order now," herokee suggested. “1 reckon that my life is worth as much to me as anybody else’s life, and I ain’t anxious to cash my checks at. The trick is yourn, pardner, and I ass.’ And with the word he unfastened the ariat which bound him to the prisoner. “Oh, no! of I was to go for you I reckon that your gang would go for me, and so, no sugar in mine, thank you.” “ A sensible conclusion l” Cherokee exclaimed. “ Well, take care of yourself,” and the prisoner moved to rise, but a sudden thought checked him. “By the by, just have the kindness to unlock these playthings, will you?” and he held up his wrists encircled by the steel bracelets as he spoke. “ Of course; anything to oblige,” replied Dancer, with a 'mace, and at once he,produced “ Again the key and ocked the handcuffs. “ And now my weapons, lease. I’m sorry that I can’t sta onger, but cannot be always with you, you now.” With another wry face the sheriff presented Cherokee with the ele ant tools which had so often stood him in goo need. “ Ta, ta! Take care of yourself. See you again some time; and, sheriff, I won’t be hard on you for your share in this night’s work, for you have only done your duty, but for the others—well, when you get back to Cinnabar, ' st give my compliments to both the postmas— r and the Governor and tell them that I owe them one, and that they may rest easy that I shall settle the obligation, for no man in the Shasta ever knew Cherokee to crawfish out of paying his debts, whether the quittance was due in either coin or blood." The quiet, determined tone fair] made the burly Sheriff shiver, and mentally e thanked his lucky stars that he did not stand in the shoes of either Brockford or the Governor. “ Solong l” ejaculated Cherokee, thrustin his weapons into their pockets, opening the cor of the coach, and jumping out onto the moon- lit ground. ‘ Drive on l” cried a hoarse voice, the leader of the masked men speaking; and the command was at once obeyed. On went the coach at its best speed, the dri- ver aptplyingr the lash to the restive animals, and Chem ee, alarmed by the strange voice, glaring around him, with hand on weapgms discovered that he was in the hands of the lack-hoods! No pals of Injun Dick had come to his rescue, but, on the contrary, the band of strangely-dis- uised men who had made a. powerful name for themselves by wild and lawless deeds amid the hills of Shasta. ' ' - ‘- defensive. Captain Dick Talbot. I The coach went on a hundred yards or more, and then making a circle to the right, wheeled around and took the back trail toward Cinnabar. For once in his life, at any rate, if never be- i fore, the hold Cherokee had been taken entirely by surprise. He had been sure when the couch ‘ had been stopped that itwas through the kindly devices of ardent friends, but when he looked , around him and saw that he was surrounded by the I‘OfldiIgellt gong, the Black~lioods of Shasta, he began to ask himsr-lf if he hadn’t jumped out of the i'rying- )nn into the fire. The coach ad disappeared in the distance, i and the road-a cuts, still with leveled weapons i j in their hands, mgan to close in upon him. 1 l If the strangers weie friends they came in a l . very unfriendly fash' i, and Cherokee, always a firm believvr in the Idea that the best way to L , Incct danger was with a. bold front, pulled out ,‘ . his revolvers and prepared to stand upon the j The highwaymen at once perceived the de- sign, and their leader called out: “ You fool i do you think that you can fight us ?” “I reckon that I can try,” Cherokee replied, , decisively. “ We are five to one! If you are wise, you will throw down 3‘ our weapons and surrender.” “Not by a jugful,” was the answer. “ I don’t know what you want with inc, but I‘m going to i find out before I allow you to come any nearer. You’re all within range now, and I give you fair warning that I shall plug some of you if you ud- vancc." “ “"6 are friends.” “ Prove it b ,r puttiirr up your weapons.” “ Haven’t we proved it by rescuing you from the sheriff.” , Cherokee pricked up his cars at this question. l How did they know who was in the coach? l “ Why did you interfere in this matter? What i is your ittle game?" he demanded. , 1‘ Well, we want just such a man as you ” ’ “ Oh, you do?” “ Yes; and since {:11 have fallen out with the law why, you had tter fall in with us.” Chero we had had an idea, when he first heard the voice of the s )eaker, that the man was no stranger to him, or his ears were wonderfully , correct in this way, and the more he heard of the voice the more certain he became that his suspicion was not without foundation. “ I’m very much obliged to you for your of- fer, hut Pin the poorest man in the world to work in company. When I am not all for my- self, I am not really worth anything. " “ Oh, you wrong yourself, am sure, and we are uite willing to run the risk,” the outlaw re- plie . “ Come, say that on will join us, and you shall have a. good posuion in the band. Re- member that we ave just saved you from the hangman's rope. ” f‘Ahl I’m not so sure of that.” Cherokee re- plied, quickly. “There’smany a sli between the cup and the lip, and to my thinking the chances are ten to one that I would have sh d through the hands of the sheriff between reka and S’hcramento—that is, supposing that my worthy friend the sheriff had ever succeeded in getting me to Yreka, and I have serious doubts in re 11rd to that. ” “ ebbefyou could have fooled the sheriff, but on can’t ool us,”the outlaw retorted. “We :now all about ou Mister Dick Talbot; we i know how you 0 ered to buy your pardon from ‘ the Governor by huntin us down and now that we have got you fou we inten that you shall either join our band or else we’ll put you , where you won’t trouble any body any more, in this world. ” Although outnumbered five to one, and the road-agents were armed with rifles as well as with revolvers, Cherokee was about to bid them to mortal combat, when he fell the victim of a i wily trick. emoment Cherokee .had sprung from the coach, one of the outlaws 1n the rear had sli of! his horse and sneaked into one of the ittle clum s of timber, and then, during the conversa- tion, ad taken advantage of the cover afforded , by the bushes to approach quite close to the , spot where Cherokee stood, and at the critical , moment, when a bloody fight seemed close at ‘ hand with a dextrOus cast of a. lasso, with ‘ Which he was armed, and which he used with all the skill and adroitness of a herdsman of the , Lower Californian plains Where thelon -homed steers roam, he insnared the desperate erokee. The prisoner had not expected any such atA tack as this, and had not been on the watch to guard against it, and so fell an easy prey. The road-agents closed in at once upon him, 'umping in hot haste from their horses. They ound him and took awa his weapons; Chero- kee made no resistance w an once fairly in their hands, for he realized that it would be fruitless; fortune seemed to frown upon him now. “Well,” cried the road-agent, who had re- ‘ viously carried on the conversation, “I rec on that you ain’t a-going to have much choice ; about this matter, now; it is to be as we say.” “ No; I might as well die now as to go on for v a week or two and than be strung up like a. dog by a rope. ” . “You ain’ half so smart as ou think you ‘ Ire!” the on w exclaimed. “ _ e have been | to come would wait until it grew, but ; loud shout some dark "" ’ ' f ’"IJTZLTZL‘ITZLE playing roots on yo‘ii, old man. “'edon’t want ion to join us; it was our little game to get you into our hands, for we’ve got the same arran e— meut with the Governor that you tried to mafia You didn’t make the rifilc, but we did. Your death secures our ardon, so I reckon that we won’t be in any anger of wearing a bumper: neck-tie yet aw ile, and how is that for high?" CHAPTER XXVI. CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER. “THE fact is, young man, wdvo stole your trick and the game is ours!" exclaimed another one of tho road-agents, in tones only too well known to the prisoner, and whvn he had finish- l ed the speech the man removed the black hood which he wore and revealed the strongly-mark- ed features of Brockford, the postmaster. Cherokee realized at once that he was in a position of great danger. He understood now who the men were, with the ~atches of court- plaster on their faces, who iad taken up the postmaster’s quarrel with the Bella Union girl. “You were going to hunt the Black-hoods but they have saved you the trouble by hunting you,” Breckford continued, grimly, “and your death procures us our pardon; and now,.since we want to be easy with you, we’ll give you the choice of how to die—what means do you prefer?” “ I might answer like the Irishman in story that I would prefer to be hanged on a goose berry bush, and being in no hurry for in time don’t suppose that you would appreciate the joke. " “Three means of death are open to you,’ Brockford replied sternly, by no means relish~ ing the levit o the other. “Steel, lead or rope; which 0 you refer?“ ‘ Oh, I’m not at al particular: go ahead and fix it any way you like.” ' “Ri a lariat from a tree branch, yonder," , Brock 0rd commanded, “I never saw a man hanged in all my life, and I’ve quite a curiosity to see the sight. ’ The postmaster was striving to imitate the coolness of the prisoner. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea, and it will give on some little inkling of how tyou will be apt ofeel when you are swung o ,” Cherokee re’ torted. “The rope is not spun that will hang mel" Brockford cried. “ Oh, yes, it is, and made and exposed for sale in some store in Cinnabar, and when J udge Lynch rises, one of these days and the angry miners with arms in their ban 5 hunt you out of your holes in the mountains you won’t be given any choice of death but will be strung up to the first tree handy as a warning to other cutthroats; you’ll die with your boots on, and I’ll bet a hundred dollars on it!” These idle words irritated Brockford terribly, and he at once hurried up the preparation for the “ hanging match.” A lariat was passed over is. projecting tree- branch, 8. running noose made in one end, and Cherokee being placed under the tree the loop was adjusted about his neck. “Mighty low down branch for a hanging scra ,” one of the road—a ents suggested. “ t’s high enough,” rockford declared, “just so long as his toes don’t touch the ground, it will work. Now, then, Mr. Cherokee, Injun Dick, Captain Talbot, or whatever else you may be pleased to call yourself, I’ll give you just five minutes by the watch to say your prayers," and as he spoke the postmaster took out his timepiece. It was an im ressive picture, and one hardly to be witnesse in any other land. The moonli ht was beginning to fade away and the faint ight of the coming dawn was ap- parent in the eastern skies. Cherokee stood under the tree, the rope around his neck; two of the road-agents at the at or end of the rope had attached it to the horn of 1 the Mexican saddle of one of their horses and stood at the head of the animal, prepared to lead it away, and by the action to launch the prisoner into the ot er world at the signal of the chief of the gang. Death indeed id seem to be fearfully near, and yet Cherokee stood beneath the tree, as- clear eyed and as calm of face as thou h be had not even the interest of a spectator in t e scene. Brockford closed his watch with a sharp “ The five minutes are up i” he exclaim ; “ drive on your mule team?” “ Get up!” cried one of the road-a ants, smaca in the haunch of the animal with is hand. The horse bent itself to t somewhat unac- customed strain, but hardly ad the rope tight- ened around Talbot’s neck when the sharp crack of a rifle sounded on the still morning airuahd with a twang the lariat ‘ arted, and than With a orms sprung out from the concealment of one of the timber clumps and charged forward upon the road-agents. and these worthies, always more ready to run than 1 fl ht, took to their heels on the instant. imbly they scampered to t eir horses, vault- ed 1) n their backs and fled at the to of their speed? never stopping to look behind em or to take count of the number of the foe. Brockfordhndrun u swiftlyend as soo- as 7.....- almnw; . i any of his men, for more than any of the rest he dreaded recognition. The five road-agents had been put to flight by two men Bowers, the irrepressible Vagabond, and the Indian, Mud-turtle, Cherokec’s stead- ; his. friends. a, As Cherokee had informed the sheriff, his .7», friends watched as well by night as by day, " for from the moment that Cherokee had cii- tered the jail, the Indian had never taken his eyes oil.’ of it, and therefore as soon as the sheriff departed in the coach with his prisoner, Chero— kee’s two faithful followers procured their horses and at once set out in pursuit. Following close behind the Coach, awaiting a. favorable opportunity to attempt a rescue, they were alarmed by the approach of Brockford and his gang, and, concealing themselves by the roadside, allowed the others to pass. They sus— . m»! ~ ‘“ “"‘.’.".*-ZL.: “:4 ‘4. tended, for Bowers had a shrewd suspicion that , Brockford was in some way conmcted either { with them or with some other band of outlaws; ' 18 had formed a. bad opinion of the postmaster. And so, being fully warned the pair had wit— nessed the Black-hoods wrest the sheriif’s prison- ur from him, and had then taken advantage of a 'l'avorable chance to advance to Cherokee’s rescue. The sudden parting of the lariat, severed by the ball from the Indiau’s rifle, had dro pod Cherokee all in a heap to the ground, and) by the time he had got u on his feet again, the ‘roadvagents were in ful flight, and his friends in full possession of the field. Mud-turtle hastened to cut the lariat that bound Ohcrokee’s hands, While Bowers, as was his wont, commenced to brag of the feat which had been performed. ' “I tell you, my noble dock! that war a mighty heft trick!” he exclaimed. “Never in all time ’did see pilgrims like these hyer git up and dust quickerl ’ And then, in answer to Cherokec's question, Bowers explained hovr it happened that they come so aptly to his rescue, and he in turn was astonished when in formed by Cherokee that Brockford was the chief of the Black-hoods. “ And henceforth,” continued Cherokee, “it will be our task to hunt these Black-hoods down. Mud-turtle, you must keep a. watch upon the postmaster, and track him to the secret haunt of the Black -hoods among the hills. Bi'ockford of course, will return to the town and pursue his business as usual, although he knows 1 am y aware that he is one of the road-agent gang, but he will rely upon the fact that so long as this accusation is hanging over me, I shall not he chic to sh r.v in face in Cinnabar; but if I 'an’t go t‘icre as .herokee, I can as some or‘ie else, and I reckon that I can assume a disguise that will bnfile the eyes even of my bitterest fee, for in the town I must be. I've got a plan in my head in regard to the Governor I intend to work before I am a month older. I’m' going to tr some of his Own tricks on himself.” , “ i thingl” cried Bowers. The Indian mere- ly nod ed assent; Mud-turtle was always spar- ing of words. ‘If the Governor was any common man, af- v ter the way in which he has treated me, it would be either his life or mine. If he refused todgive me satisfaction by a fair fight, I’d cow- ., iii 6 him in presence of the whole town, but, as Q be is the Governor of the State, and has the par- : cloning power in his hands, I mean to pursues. diflerent tack with him. I want my pardon for all ofl'enses done in the past and I mean to have it. Now, my idea. is this; '11) going to kidnap his excellency, carry him of! to the mountains and keep him there until he agrees to whatI want.” ' “But he may back out of it under the plea that you used compulsion, when he is set at lib- erty suggested Bowers. ‘ I have thought of that: but first I shall hunt down and destroy this Black-hood band, and when thatis accomplished, the Governor will see that I am decidedly in earnest and that he will not be acting wisely if he attem ts to either trifle or brave meg And then. too. t e de- strlwtion of the road-agents will afford him a fair excuse for his action in portioning me, for of course he must be able to give some realion to the public for the act, since, the people at large haven’t the best opinion in the world of ,me; and et Heaven knows nearly every one . ‘of my vio ent deeds, which has offended the ma- . jesty of the law, has been forced upon mo b circumstances utterly beyond my contro . ‘ There seems to be an evil genius who takeade- ; light in pursuing mo, and each and every time ,~ that-I get fairly Settled down to a. quiet life, some untoward event‘briugs me into same v1.0- lsnt contest, despite my efforts to avoid trouble.” -“Yo ’11 find peace, some time,” Bowers re- mark ,consolhigly. ‘ - “Yes, in the grave; nowhere. else, I fear,” ,0hegekeereplied: “but come; we mustget back I Cinnabar, for I’ve got to change, into some- body-else before morning.” . In thpee theywcm on the any“. ~23: ‘ .‘c. , “rm ,nww pected that an assault on the prisoner was in- ' “" W» v “a. -. Captain-Pick, .Talbo. - i steps to Cinnabar, and upon arriving there early i in the morning had iroceedcd to acquaint the 5 Governor with all the particulars of hisuncx- " pectcd encountcu with the outlaws in the wil- l deracss. Of course his excellenc expressed the great- l est surprise, and re revel the sheriff for allow- ing the prisoner to e taken out of his hands so i easily, but the bluff Mr. Dancer, in indignation, i wanted to know, “what in thunder" he could do? “You see, they had me. foul!” he explained. “They were all around me; it was as neat a job as you ever sec’d. In course I could have plugged my man and settled his hash to onc't, l but then, it war jest a million of dollars to a l cont that the cusses would have strung inc up i to the furst tree without giving me any time to scare up a prayer or two, or else have riddled me as full of holes as a sieve: and though I am i shcrill‘, I really reckon that I ain’t called upon i to throw my life away in any sich manner.” “Well, well, I suppose that it could not be avoided, and that you did all you could,” the official replied; " and since the mischief is done, and the fellow is at large again, why, all we can do is to put forth a strong effort to recapture him." “ ()1), I’ll lay him by the heels ag’in; you kin bet all that on are worth on that, Governor!” Dancer exc aimed, confidently, and then he withdrew to make preparation to accomplish that rather difficult task. The moment that he was alone the anxious expression which had appeared upon the face of the politician on rcceivmg the news of the es- cape, disappeared; he chuckled and rubbed his hands, gleefully. - , “Ahal” he cried: “it’s good-by to Mister Dick Talbot, thcnl Brocki‘ord was quite right; it was much the easiest way to get rid of the scound rel. The law’s delays are proverbial, and a shrewd raseal, if he has money enough to lpally o e the lawyers, can generally fim some loop throurrh which to escape.” ' A. An with amind relieved of care he called for his breakfast, and when the meal arrived sat down )rcpm'cd to enjoy it. Tulbot’s death sharpenei his appetite. ' He was in the full enjoyment of the repast when Brockford arrived. ‘ The Governor greeted him cordially, and at once guessed, from the peculiar expression upon his face, that he, too, had received the news of the fate of the Kin r of the Road. “ Sit down, old fe low l” he exclaimed; “ make yourself at home, and we’ll talk over this Cin- nabar mine matter; the road is open to us, now.” “ Not much,” the postmaster retorted,curtl .. “How sol what do you mean?” asked is a politician, in astonishment. » , “ Why, the little game I planned hasn’twork- ed, that’s all.” - ‘I don’t understaudl Dancer was here not half an hour ago, and reported that the prisoner had been taken out of his hands by a. party of masked men—the Black-hoods.” “ That’s true enough: the Black-hoods did get hold of him, all right, but the trouble was, they did not finish him on the spot, and they, in turn, were surprised by Talbot’s friends.” " The Governor fairly leaped to his feet in alarm. . “ Is it possible!” he cried; “then the fellow is at liberty, again i” “ Yes, air, that is about the size of it,” Brock- ford responded, gloomily. - r “Oh, but this is ten-iblel" the official ex- claimed, nervously. “Why mylife is not safe, now, for a single moment. Iain liable to be at— tacked at an time.” ‘ “Yes, the is true enough." te“;I‘hen the quicker I get out of here, the bet- r. , “Yes, but you had better look sharp that you don’t, jump out of the frying-pan intothe re, for Talbo . smarting under his last attempt, Will be pretty apt to try to get square now, at any cos .” , “Very true—very true,” the Governor ob- served, thoughtfully; “this is an ugly bit of business.” , “As far as I am concerned, I think I shall make myself scarce for a little while until I see how things are going to work. If I were in our place, I'should increase the reward for alhot to about five thousand dollars; such a sum as that would be an inducement to films des rate fellow to undertake the’ job of cap- turing im. Make the offer for him, alive or dead.” is won’t do any hurt, and may do some i “‘1‘ I1 1will, at oncel’bthc oflicial exclaimed, de- . ci e y. _ - ' “And if on will take my advice you will go armed to t e teeth hereafter, piepared to de- fend our life at a moment’s notice, for there is no lling when an attack may come now.” The politician turned anything but abravc man. ' “ Do youvdo you think thatit will be as bad l as that?” he asked, a tremor in his voice. - I _ “Indeed I do. Talbot is a l 1 i i i l m , m‘ .‘w w... A Mm quite pale, for lie was I and'thislastafl ' will'makehimwildforn- isuseadirtoassumingoll - 9‘) .rvengo; some! die. heave-nacho 'W' W 19 \ _ ‘ (n.9,; 7:07.“ -7 . v... ....v... . _.. to one that he will be in town to—night, ripe for mischief.” “ I must take measures to protect in self then, I suppose,” the other remarked, ruofu y. “ Yes; it is as well to he on your guard. I said before I shall probably get out, for a short time. have some business up in the mountains that I ought to look after and I reckon Ican‘t select a much better time than the present, as things arc." At this point the interview was interru tcd . by the up menace of one of the legal lights 0 the town, a s rewd, sharp little: lawyer, Jeil'crson Vanderlioof by name. This gentleman announced that he had been retained by Mr. Daily, and that he thought proper to see the Governor in person in regard to the matter, before taking legal steps to re~ lease the prisoner from durance vile. .' “ You sec, sir,” the lawyer explained, “as I and Mr. Daily understand the matter‘ you are holding him on more suspicion, and I asaume that you will be quite willing to release him at once, the moment you are satisfied that the accusation against him is unfounded.” “Certainly " res loaded the Governor at once while Brockford it his heav under-lip an cursed in his heart the (-u idity of the jailer who had evidently been bri ed by the prisoner. for strict orders had been iven, that Daily should not be allowed to lick any communica— tion at all with the outer world. “ I told Mr. Daily that I would see you at once in regard to the matter, and I assured him that I had ever confidence that the matter could be arrang . without any tronblc.” « “You know that the prisoner is accused of being one of Dick Talbot’s gang?” Brockford ro- marked. 7 “ Yes: but he assures me that the idea. is utter~ ly ridiculous.” “ The charge has been made, though.” “Oh, yes; of course I understand that, but my client claims that it is a question of mistak— en identitiy.” “ You lave heard, I presume, that Talbot is _-< again at liberty?” “Yos;thc sheriff gave me an account of the aflair.” , _ “ And of course, under the circumstances, f? we can’t be too careful in regard to any one " charged with being a member of his band. We have a witness who swears most distinctly and directl that Daily has been one of the head men 0 this road-agent gang, and so, of course, we considered ourselves perfectly Justified ir holding him.” “ Well, your excellency, notwithstanding this witness that Mr. Brockford speaks of,” the law- yer observed; addressin his conversation di- rectly to the Governor, “ am quite positive that there is some mistake about the matter, and that, when brought face to face with to” client, this witness wil notlpress the charge, and therefore I respectfully as that an examination may be held as soon as possible.” The Governor looked at'Brockford. “ What do you say i” he asked. “The witness upon whom I rely ixidprove the charge, left the town this morning an will not » return until late this evening? the postmaster replied, “ but wecan have the thing put through the first thing in the morning.” “gillgigbt; if that is the best thing that you 0. “Well, I don’t see any other way in which N we can arrange the matter, and if Mr. Daily is innocent. of all knowledge of this desperado, there won’t be any one in the world more may than I that he has been put to any trouble,”_ the postmater remarked, With an appearance of . . great honesty. ‘ _ 3 “It is possible that the Witness has made a. mistake you know ” the Governor observed. “ Or that he has n bribed to make this ab- surd accusation by some enemy of Mr. Daily who has some mil end to serve,” the lawyer said, dryly, and although he never even glanc- ed at Brockford, yet the postmaster understood that the shot was aimed at him. . . He comprehended instant] y that the old men hpd not concealed anything from his legal v ser. ' “Tomorrow will tell the story ” Brockford j’ remarked, "and if we can’t he d Mr. Dally. why then). of course, we shall have toilet Mr. Daily 30. {And he smiled and showed his teeth, _ ache spoke,,in a. way that convinced chef-law. “’ yer that he meant mischief, but, of course, at- ' resent nothing more could be done, and the limb of the law withdrew. ' , _ ' “ This Daily business is some little side game of yours, isn’t it?” the politician ask‘cd. ' ‘ Year and I reckon no law or in this town holds aband that can beat 1 , either as this man fellow will and out before he is, a day older,” Brockfoni replied; and then hemdgr" CHAPTER XXVIH. - in room manure 1mm; ‘- Am‘the interview;t ' with the the ,m’ae 20 “To-morrow morning, then, this witness is to appear?" he asked. Yes, but don’t let that worry you, at all, for I’ll engage to make mince-meat out of him!” the lawyer assured. “ Of course I assume that you have dealt frankly with me, in this matter, and that your statement that you have no re— lation, whatever, with this Captain Dick Talbot 13 strictly true.” “ Yes, sir, it is true. ceive in legal adviser. this outlhw, I should tell you so, at once. “A sensible course, most certainly. A law— yer, like a priest, should always receive a full confession, otherwise he is pretty sure to be hampered at some critical moment. If I un— derstood you correctly, Brockford is no friend of yours, and has instigated this charge for the pur mm of getting on under his thumb.” “ ‘xactly; he ha the impudencc to come and tell me so, and to threatcn that he would make it warm for me if I didn’t agree to his demands." “ Have you any idea who this witness is, who is to appear against you .4” “Not the least.” “Some fellow, I suppose, who would be will- ing to swear to anything, provided he was paid well enough.” “Very likely. Why, to ive you an idea how utterly innocent I am of icing the man they claim me to be, I never even heard of Dick Tal— bot until the other day, when the news of his fight with the Governor was made public. You see, I have only been living for a little while up in this region; in fact, I am really a new-comer on this coast, anyway." “i’ll have you out of this in the morning!” the lawyer then assured his client, confidently. Old Daily shook his head. -“ You doubt that eh ’1” “Well, I hope that ever thing will be all right but really, I am afrai that in the interim Brockford will be u to some trick.” “Oh, I don’t thin there is the slightest dan» get of that. Brockford is shrcwd enough, and utterly unscrupulous, no doubt, and wouldn’t hesitate at {my trick to gain the end he sought, but in this case he can’t do anything, and he is not fool enough to trylany game in which he is sure to _be beaten. 0 ad an idea that if he once got you locked up here, you would come to terms with him, but now he sees that on in- tend to fight him, you just take my wor for it, he will gracefully take the back-track and get out as well as he can.” “ Maybe so,” but the old man looked the doubt which he felt as he uttered the words. “I’ll have you out in the morning, don’t you fear!” and with this cheerful reassurance, the lawyer de rted. But Dai y was not at all easy in his mind, not- ' withstanding the comforting assurance. “He don’t know Brockford as I know him,” the old gentleman muttered, as he stretched himself upon the little cot-bed with which the cell was provided. “ He has made u his mind to get Cassy, and he will be apt to to. e a great deal of trouble before he gives up his urpose. If the lawyer has got him, on the lega points, he’ll bedpretty certain to try some desperate un» derhau game, for I don’t believe he will be willing to give up beaten.” And with these ideas in his mind, the prisoner primed anything but a pleasant day, although ewas greatly cheered up by a visit from his daughter in the afternoon. Cassandra like the legal light, held to the opinion that Brockford, defeated in his plan would retreat as graceful] as possible, an Daily, anxious of course to lieve that in the end all would come right, concluded that his daughter and the lawyer were correct. Daily retired early that night, and slept the nlee of the just until the “ Witching hour of mi ight,” and then he was suddenly aroused from his slumbers by the abrupt entrance into hll cell of uite a. number of men, one of whom bore a can 1e in his hand, and by its li t the awakened prisoner was enabled to see t t the faces of the strangers were masked with crape. These disguised men had gained entrance to the jail in an extremely adroit manner. The jailer’s apartment was only a ste or two from the main entrance to the jail, an on this occasion the guardian of the prison had been roused from his slumber by the sound of can- tious knocking at the outer portal. Hastily donning his garments, he hurried to ‘ the door. “ What is it!” he questioned. “I want to see Daily,” answered a voice which was strange to his can. “It can’t he did !” growled the keeper, in an- ger. “This is a. pretty time of night to come cavorting round this hyer jail! Go way; you’re I never attem t to de- If I was mixe( up with i I)! f‘ I’ve _ got a mesage from his daughter— rmghty important l” ‘ I reckon that it will keep until to-morrow,” . returned the officer- of the keys. “ She me ten dollars to give to you, so that you would kinder look arter the old man. " The custodian of the lock-up instantly pricked “33%? “'3 admin - y» ow in “ Ton doll-I'll" m a, captain Dickaalbot. “And that’s ten good reasons why you should come in,” replied the jailer and he at once un— locked, unbolted and opened the door. With a huge grin upon his coarse features he prepared to welcome his visitor, and pocket the money; the candle burning in the lantern in the entry afforded light; but a surprise was in store for the easil y-bri bed guardian which utterly astounded him. The moment he got the door fairly open, a man stepped promptly in — a stranger—and clapped a, revolver to the head of the jailer. “ l‘hrow 11 your hands and don’t move, or you‘re a dent man!” the assailant cried. And in the rear of the stranger came four men armed to the teeth, and with their faces concealed b black Grape. .7 “We‘re udge Lynch’s men!” cried the first one of the gang. “The vigilantes are up, and we are a-going to run this old fraud of a Daily out of town.” “ All right, gentlemen; it is your say—so,” re- plied the jailer, who hadn’t the slightest idea of attempting to resist these well-armed and ap— par ntl y desperate and determined men. Therefore, without making the slightest at- tempt to expostulate with the strangers, the 'ziiler conducted them to the cell occupied by ailv. “ yer’s some friends come after you,” he an- nounced to the prisoner, as he flung open the door. The old man took a look at the masked men, in doubt as to whether they were friends or en» emies, but as he was well aware that it was of no use to remonstrate, whichever they were, he at once made his scanty toilet and announced that he was ready to accompany them. They departed from the jail at once; horses were in waiting without; they mounted and rode oil“, and the jailer, as he ducked hls head in reply to their parting salutation, mentally con- cluded that the vigilantcs dodge was just a cute idl a on the part of the prisoner’s friends to pro- cure his release. The horsemen rode at an ordinary rate of speed through the sleeping town, but when they were once fairly out of the place they put spurs to their horses and pushed on at a good brisk jo . Ilp along the river they went, toward where the great peak of Shasta shone silver in the moonlight; no word was spoken; along they went in silence, like so many grim phantoms. They turned aside from the river and plunged into the jungle—like thicket; but they were not the only night-birds on the wing, for three men coming down the trail on foot were scared by the sound of horses’ hoois into the thicket, where they lay concealed un.il the horsemen passed; and when they were fairly out of sight, out into the trail came the three—the Indian, Mud-turtle, the irre ressible Joe Bowers and the mighty man of S ta, Dick Talbot. “Fortune plays into our hands, boys!” cried Injun Dick, in glee, “for, if I mistake not, you horsemen are the Black-hoods, and now we have a fair chance to hunt them to their holes. Up and follow on the trail, Mud-turtle, till you track them home 1” CHAPTER XXIX. ANOTHER SCHEME. GREAT was the astonishment of the cod folks of Cinnabar when they learned 0 the forcing of the jail and the carrying 011' of the old man. The jailer told a good straight story, protest- ed that he made a valiant resrstance and yield ed only to superior force, but the majority of the peo le doubted his tale, and the most of them be 'eved that he had been bribed toallow the risoner to escape. is stor of the rising of the Vi ‘ antes found very few hovers, for it seeme very strange indeed that, if “ Judge Lynch ” had taken action, no one in the town knew anything about it. In fine, it was the common belief, even among those who ielded credence to the jailer-’5 story, that Daily d been rescued by his friends. and those who put faith in the jailer’s account of the occurrence, looked upon the Judge Lynch busi- ness as a clever device to avert suspicron. Early in the mo in the jailer had sought the sheriff and relate to ' his story. Dancer had listened attentively but had in- stantlgr declared his disbelief in the Jud e Lyric statement—in fact, openly charged t e jailer with being a arty to the escape of the prisoner, but the bur y custodian of the jail had mdignantly denied the impeachment, and as the reader knows with truth. “ No sir-eel” he had- declared, “ no such thing, oss-fly! That ain’t the kind of man I 24m!1 I gigguldljest have liked tab have had any wo—e i ‘ try an sic 1: ing on me! Wh I would rhave whaledyhim on the spot l’" A though the sheriff did not put the least faith in this story, et, as the mischief was done, he thought i: a there wasn’t much use of making any trouble about the matter. Daily wasn’t of any consequence, anywa. ; in fact, Dancer had been rather puzzled at rockford’s persistenoy in eflecting his arrest, but he had not said anything about the matter as he thought the meter-tohoolong-headed‘w tleman, and supposed that he had good reasons for acting as he did. So, the first thing that the sheriff did after receivmg the news of Daily’s unocremonious de- parture was to hunt up the postmaster to im- part the news to him. His quest was a failure, though, for no Brook- ford did he find. The deputy, whom Brockford had left in charge of the postoflice and the express busi- ness, said in re 1y to the sheriff’s questions that Brockl'ord had) gone up in the mountains on mining business and left word that he might be back in a day or two, or that he might be de- tained for a week or more. Under these circumstances Dancer thought that he had better see the Governor in regard to the matter, so he proceeded at once to the Ooci lental. The sheriff found the politician remarkably nervous. As he explained: “This infernal Dick Talbot business has un- hingcd all my nerves. It is not agreeable, you know—the thought that any moment this bold rascal may call me to a personal reckoning.” “Well, Governor, I’ll allow that it is kinder ugly ” the sherift admitted. “ n fact it has come to my knowledge that the bloods of the town are offering bets as to whether I will be able to get out of the town or not. ‘ The sheriff stared. ,v “ Oh, it’s a fact!” the politician asserted. “I was sitting by the open window not ten minutes ago and Overheard a conversation between a couple of sports. ‘ I’ll go you an even bet that he don’t get out of the valley alive,’said one! ‘Make it the town and I’ll take you!’ replied the other. ‘011, no, I want odds if you bet that way,’ said the first man. ‘It ain’t likely, you know, that he will go for him right in the town; he’ll be apt to salivate him on the road to Yrcka.’ ”, “ S110! you don’t say so!” Dancer exclaimed. amazed. “It is a fact, sir!” the politician protested; emphatically. “Of course there was nothing to connect me with the bet, in any way, in what I had heard, but in some mysterious man- ner it instantly flashed upon me that 1 was the person referred to, and that it was my life or death they were betting on, and so I listened at- tentively. ‘Well in in opinion,’ said the second man ‘ he’ll be mig ty apt to go for him right hyer in the town, for that‘s the kind of man he is; the more fooldhardy the job the bet- ter it will suit him. I ain’t a-giving odds in this h er matter, but I will go you ten to ten that albot will make a vacancy in the ,gpvernor- , . ship afore either of us is a Vi eek older. “ Oh, well, your excellency, that was all idle talk, you know,” the sheriff remarked, anxious to relieve the Governor’s mind of the Weight of anxiety that was brooding so heavily u on it. “ It may be idle talk, but It ain’t at agree- able!” the politician retor’ced. “ I’m not a nervous man, and I reckon that I don‘t lack back-bone, but the idea that this cool, blood- thirsty scoundrel is lurking somewhere around me, ready at the first favorable opportunity to blow out my brains with a shot-gun—” “ Oh, no! he never uses a shot-gun! A rifle or a istol is his weapon.” “ ell, the wee. on doesn’t signify; it is finite enough that heis coking for a chance to sali- vate me, to use the expression that they seem to befond of up in this region. Why sir, the idea is perfectly awful- there is no doubt what ever in my mind that I stand a chance of being murdered in cold blood any time I may venture to show my nose out of doors, or for that mat- ter, I don’t suppose I am much safer even in this house. Why, it would bathe easiest matter in the world'for him to knock at this door and fix me when I opened it and the chances are, too that he would get 0 , soot-free. From what I have seen of men and manners since I have been up in this region, I have come to the conclusion that there are not many men in this town who would attempt to stop Talbot in his passage through the street, even thou h they kn w e was red-handed with my bl .” “ Governor, I reckon on are about right thar,” the sheriff observe , soberly. “ This cuss don’t hold his life worth a cent, anyway, and men ain’t, as a neral rule, anxious to invest in coffins, portion arly when it ain’t none of their funeral. The fact is, our excellency, public 0 inion is‘a leetle goi ag’in’ you, in this hyer albot matter. The town don’t think you treatv ed him jest right ’bout that there ardon: he made aflpretty fair offer when he owed that he wo d wipe the Black-hoods out provided , ou’d give him a; clean bill of health. and the ys kinder think on ‘double—banked’ him: Ivyhen”you went for in: that time in the hotel yer. “That was all Brockford’s fault!” the li« tician exclaimed irritably. I"1f it had not gen for his advice, I should never have taken the step I did, and I have been so _ about the af- fair ever since it happened. ’m not about men and things up here, you know, and of course I took Talbot to be a common sort ofo desperado and that, what We hum. that would-both.“ 0! them > - r 9,4»; 3} ter. kind of vendetta, which could only en death of one or both of us.” “ That’s the kind of hair-pin he is, for sure!” Dancer observed with a grin. “ It is all Brockford’s fault!” the official per- llsted. “Had it not been for his counsel, 1 should never have become involved in the mat- ter at all. ” “ He’s dusted out o’ town, you know.” “Yes, the infernal coward l” exclaimed the governor, in a, rage. “ He iretends that he has business in the mountains. iut I know better. He has simply got out of the Way until this af- fair has blown over. He thinks probably that Talbot will finish me, and then, satisfied, will call it square with him. He has run away and left me to bear the brunt of the whole affair, and if I get out of this scrape alive I will be even with him. But now, sheriff, I want your Idvice in this matter, for you are betlcr posted than I am about this rep ion. I am sick of it. 1 want to get out. t is Ii'mi'lcctly liori ible to stay here and be llllll‘(l(‘l'(‘( by this outlaw in cold blood! Can’t you suggest on way out'f‘7 “Well, ycs,I reckon that kin,“ Dancer rc- plied, alter a moment’s thought. “ If I was in your fix—if I was cooped up in this hyer town and wanted to quit the game and get out, with plenty of dust to back my hand, too—heeled as you are, too, Governor, on the money question v—I would jest get together five or six good men fellers that wasn’t afeard of their lives providm that they were well paid. and smile day I would have them all in readin ss, jest outside the town, and then I would get on my animal, jest as if I was a— oiug out for an airing, but would light out for 'i'eka as fast as my horse’s logs could carry me.” “By Jove! that is a capital idea i" cried the Governor, instantly. “IVell, it seems so to me,” the sheriff replied, complai'cntly. “It will be pretty sure to steal ainarch on your man. Talbot won’t look for anything of that kind, you know, and niebbe you’ll get to Yreka afore he diskivers what is up. And if it does come to a skirmish in the mountains, why, you’ll have your body-guard with you and you’ll stand some show for your money.” “It is a. fact; and now, Dancer, will you at- tend to the enga ing of the men? I presume that it would be visable not to let them know who or what I am,until I meet them on the road.” “ I reckon that is best,” the sheriff remarked, ifter thinking the matter over for a moment. ” I kin ut my finger on the very man to en- gineer the thing, too. I tell yer, he’s a team! a. werful smart man if he would on] let whisky alone, and What he don’t know a ut this hyer region ain’t worth knowing; he’s one of the old-timers hyer.” “ Who is he?” “ Bowers—Joe Bowers.” “ I don’t think that I know him.” “ He’s a. rattler, I tell yer!" cried Dancer, en- thusiastically. “ I’ll fix u the thing for you.” “ And the sooner the bester; arrange it for to- nig‘hghif m'ble.”i ; to-n ht as well as an time.” And so the inte ew ended. y l CHAPTER XXX. ran AVENGEE. AT the close of the sheriff's interview with the Governor he descended to the bar-room of the hotel, an addressmg the affable gentleman who presided over the creature comforts so dear to the heart of the average miner, inquired if he knew Mr. Bowers. . And the bar-keeper didgtilthough 1;th genial Bowers had not as yet tamed long-in Cinnabar, yet he had contrived to make himself pretty Well known, articularly to the tumbler. ' ” f t e town. Juggle?” (bummer? queried the bar-keeper, “ the bi gest beat that ever struck the town. The inerifl “allowed” that the description titted his man to a hair. “ Oh, I know him a overnment mule. ‘ Whar does he hung out? does head uarters here?” " “ 1315130130“ take this sheban htp 113;; 'od the r- eeper, in G St. i ,5 on ain’t no dive, but alIiI-gbc-lus ranch; We didn’t have 3'“ “39 for any sich men as he is, um ' g ’round yer I’.’ “Where Will I be likely to find him?» “ Try “19 Break °’Day and the All Night l ’7 he make his 5. . “Em! right, I W111,” and Dancer turned to de- t. pa}: Hold on l” bar-keeper. “ Is this hyer squar’,that _ about old Dail — that he was ed ofl 135“ mgh}: by a gang? u so 1 beefy-me: Egg: fan: It wean t any of, c S i . 6 some it h' . Jddfielt; . ve bee 0 is pals come us lik - sicli things ha. ( _ Boos: summ"r 0101163 you 1,1133%” ed the bar-keep“? Who “the” 3 lus' education. ‘ But Wh t exclaimed ,the I hear I‘Pfided hims f on 9‘ W88 trying to get . _ ye ounotiflodhisda Me ) “381:3? fie“; thoufigfoabout iagbeei‘d’sefihe M's" Wt 51” ,. Vim “on :“ '5‘. 1 He's got more'cheek than. I hadn’t the least idea I had enga ed in a i in the , tit—prob- f hedid so. 21 Captain Dick Talbot. ably she arranged the ‘ob. These women are up to mighty smart tric sometimes.” “ IVell, this girl ain’t one of that kind!” re- pllied the bar-keeper, decidedly. “ She is a dy, she is, and she ain tap to anything of that sort. I think you were barkin up the wrong tree with Daily, anyway; bu that’s neither here nor there, of course, but ou ought to notify the girl, and you might pick up a point or two! who knows?’ ‘ Dancer had never made himself remarkable by any very great display of brains, but he had sense enough to know a good thin when he saw it, and so he at once thanked the r-keeper for the suggestion and promised to act upon it. He inquired where the Dailys lived and went at once to the house. Introducing himself as civilly as possible, for like all the rest of the town, the burly Dancer was at once very favorably impressed with the girl‘s looks—he related what had taken place. Although the sheriff was not a particularly c10se observer, yet even to his dull eyes it was plain. that the girl was really astonished and pained by the news, and when he gently hinted it was more than probable that the statement of the midnight visitors, that-Judge Lynch directed their movements, was but a clever device to screen the rescue of the old man and prevent pursuit, she at once announced that she wished that she could think So. but did not. “ I am well acquainted with my father’s affairs, and I am satisfied he never had any re- lations Whatever with this man Talbot. I know my father was not connected with any of these men, and it was only the, scheme of a bold, bad man, who had personal ends to serve, who gave rise to the accusation that he had ever, in any way outraged the. law. And this personal enemy, who, I am satisfied, would not hesitate at anything to get 1112' father in his power so as to be able to enmpe him todo as ho a ishc , is at the bottom of this midnight assault. He knew well enough that he had not a particle of proof to advance against In father; he knew that this moi-nix) , thanks to t eskill of the legal gentleman who ad taken my father’s case in hand, that he must he released, as there was not a bit of evidence to warrant holding him. There was only one thing for him to do—o en, actual Kurt'e must he used, since cunning ad failed; cm 0 this midnight abduction.” The sheriif listened in amazement; he couldn’t make head or tail of this story; but he saw that the girl was tliorou 'hly in earnest, and was fully convinced from er manner that she spoke the truth—that she really was ignorant of all knowledge of her father’s release from his prison-house. » The sheriff was not “ a. lady’s man,” and so he took his departure as soon as possible, as he felt awkward and uncomfortable. He romised to do all in his p0wer to ascertain w at had be- come of Daily, although he know well enough that his efforts in that direction would not amount to much. Left alone Cassandra ve hemalf up to d thought. She well re from whose han had come the blow which had fallen so heavily u 11 her father—Brockford, her evil genius. rockford, the man who, she felt perfectly satisfied, would not stop at anything to accom- plish his purpose. It was the master, who, at the head of the disguised band had d tlp nocturnal visit to the jail and by me. force carried 03 her sire. What would be his next movement? The girl fairly trembled as she reflected u n the question. Alread she had seen w t Brockford had dared 0 do, and in her own mind was satisfied that he was capable of any me. And she was alone~all alone! No relative— not even a. single friend to whom she might ap- Ply for counsel or assistance. ' o the God of the fatherless alone could she Ppfigal but would He heed the prayer? or was "5 S ecree that, for some inscruta le purpose, girfing for the time should triumph and Virtue “ 011. Heaven save me from the war of this bOIdi bat} man i” she cried, musclzious that the blow which had fallen so heavily upon her fa- ther was in reality aimed dimly at her. And that great Providence that, with its all- seeing eye, noteth even the fall of a sparrow, sometimes responds almost immediately to the crylof the helpless and the distressed. ardly had the words escaped frOin her lips wltijen there gage: kngclfigiln the door. ass ope e 1 an old (ll-egg , miner-fashion, with long; £318gng;%1l§11l116 hfii‘rcandla smogth féice. d an a ew wor swith ‘ - van, min? he asked: “ it concerns vgifi-ufdtlhgg’ To use the old sayin —the girl’s heart was in her mouth at once. his was the messen er from Brockford whom she had e ted, 6 had come to make known to her the terms that the cgpturer of her father had concluded toexact. u es, Sn", walk m, she replied. Her lips were white, her veice trembled, and the anguish efrgfiafizrfwwmtgli; :2 her enou h, re» a Spec . mov- ing the old faded slouch hat which lie were as _ 1:3” He was not at ml the sort of fellow whom the 'rl had expected to see, for there was a good ook to his face. With the nick instinct of woman she at once formed a avorable opinion of the stranger, althou h he was roughly dress- ed, his hair untrimmetf, his chin unshaven, be- ing in that uncertain state of transition like a stubble-field, which in a man looks worst; but there wasa ood expression in the dark eyes and about tie resolute mouth, and a stump idea leaped up at once in Cassandra’s mind that in this unknown man she would find a friend, although he did come as the memenger of the villain who had taken such pains to make her his prey. He might be Brockford’s man but she felt sure that lie was not a villain at heart as was his master. “I presume we are perfectly safe from ob— servation here, miss?" he said, with one of those keen, cautions glances around him which are so natural to the mortal who leads a hunted lii'e - and who looks for an enemy in each hush. “ Yes, sir, I think so.” “Walls have ears, sometimes, you know, and when nicii's lives are at stake they can’t be too carefu‘.” “Iam sure that there is not any danger of 'our being overheaid here. We are all alone in the house, and it is clearly impossible for any one to hear what you say, even if any one should try to play the spy upon you." “Have you been informed that your father was removed from the jail, last night?" “Yes, sir: the sherill' has just been here.” “ Your father is in a position of great danger." “Alas, sir, so I feared l” the girl exclaimed. clas ing her hands together in anguish. ' “ e is in the hands of rock css, despera men , who will not hesitate at any crime." “Too true—too true," she murmured. Sh! thought of Brockford as she spoke. “But, if ou will trust in me, I can save him. My name is Richard Talbot—better known as Injuii Dick.” CHAPTER XXXI. A TERRIBLE ORDEAL. DAILY had not attempted to remonstrate with his captors althou h be had very little doubt that he had fallen nto the power of men who meant him harm. He knew well enough that he had no friends who would attempt so bold a ste ; and then, too, his affairs were not in such a. esperate .state as to require it. With the inorrow freedom would most surely come, and it was quite plain to him that, knowin thll fact his enemy—for one men only in a this world be counted a foe—had detennincd since secret cunning had failed to use 0 11 force. And that man—that enemy, rockford, the postmaster was hurried onward by the violent on w ch he had conceived for the beauti- ul Cassandra: little mercy, too the old man knew he could expect, for he rightlde Brock- ford's climacter- cruel and unscrupulous, he rocked not of the means he used so long as the end he wished was attained. Brockford, he felt sure was the instigutor of this high-handed roceedlng, probably was the leader of this mas ed band who had so uncere- moniously plucked him from the fastness of the Cinnabar jail but as he rode along through the darkness of the night, helpless in the hands of his ca tors, the old man smiled grimly as he re- flec that if he remained firm, his persecutor would have his labor for his pains, and be men- tally resolved that he would not yield an inch although death stared him in the face. Brock~ ford would not dare surely to proceed tothc last extremity. At a. certain int in the journey the masked men blindfold their ~ prisoner, and Daily took this as a certain and sure indication that he was about to be carried back to Cinnabar City, and he inwardly laughed at having so easily pens trated the shrewd device of his captors. “ This fellow is a cool hand,” he mued, “ for once he will find that he has met his match. In a little while the part halted, and the prin- oner was commanded to smount. This 0 ration rformed Daily’s hand was grasped a mug , rude fist, and he was cau- tioned to ollow his gmde and totread carefully. Other faculties being rendered more acute by the one of si ht being suspended, the old man became sensi le that he was beln conducted into a building, and this only serv to confirm Daily’s suspicions that he had been brou ht back again into the city; then he was warn that he was about to descend steps. “ Aha, they are gomg to take me into some cellar,” the prisoner thought._ And~the damp— ness of the air, which was plainly perceptible as the steps were descended, told the old man that this idea was correct. - When the bvel was reached, he was conduct- ed to a seat and at e si from the chief of the band, the scarf whic covered Daily’s eyes was removed, and he once more had the use of his eyes. V The old gentleman looked around him, curl- ous to learn whither he had been conducted. The underground retreat of the Block-hoods isslmdytamflhrtomrmenditwuiu» ,. , (Xnnabar 22 this mysterious apartment that Daily found himself, but to his soul it possessed no terrors. or he had not the remotcst idI-zi of where he i was, but fully and firmly believed that he was r in some cellar in the heart of Cinnabar City. The sight of Brockford sitting upon the other 5 side of the table to which he had been conduct— ed, served to confirm him. The postmaster looked just about the same as ever, Wore no disguise upon his face, although Daily was ‘crtain that he i ’td been one of the masked mun who had forchdy abducted him from the jail, displayed no we pons, and, in , fact, did not appear at all threatening, but the four other men in the apartment sported the dreaded, tho iioti d disguise of the B ack-hoods, and which had given rise to their appellation. But even thisdid not aft" right the captive, for he had not the slightest idea that the men he saw really were the Black-hoods. On the contrar ', he believed that the scene had been cunning y contrived to terrify him into yielding oomph- ance with the postmaster’s wishes. Brockford be an the conversation. “ I hope, Mr. aily, that you will pardon the rather peculiar moans whicn I have seen fit to ado t in this matter,” he said, with a slight I smi e which displayed his teeth in a very wolf- like way, “but you are too old a gamester to , complain, I know, for, like myself, I. am sure i that you always play to win, by fair means if you can, but by foul if the game can’t be won Q The end justifies the means, . any other way. _ you know; it’s a good old adage and a very Wise one.” Daily nodded; it was his policy just now to let the postmaster do all the talking. He want- ed his adversary, in sporting parlance, to dis- j play his hand. “ You know what I am driving at, of course?” “No, really I do not,” Daily replied, with a look of profound ignorance upon his face. “Your daughter, Mr. Daily, the fair Cassan- dra, most beautiful of women 1" exclaimed Brockford, grandiloquently. “ Wnat of her?” ‘ You know the sentiments that I entertain for her.” “ But they are not reciprocated.” “Oh, that doesn’t trouble me, in the least,” Brockford replied, in the most confident way. “You have undoubtedly lived long enough in. the world to understand that a woman is a. most , She often says no, when : uncertain creature. the means yes, and I have quite confidence enough in myself to believe that if I had a good fair chance I-could succeed in inducing your dau hter to favor m suit.” “ am quite sure t at on overestimate your capabilities in that line, ’ Daily observed, dry- y- . . “ Oh, no; I have a very rsuasuve way With me, sometimes,” and Broc 0rd, as he uttered the speech, leaned over the table and displa ed his teeth in a way which clearly showed t at the speech concealed a. threat. “Besides,” he continued, “I rely upon you to aid me in my p “ Incouldn’t do you any good even if I should 1 . ’7‘- Now you underrate , our abilities!” the postmaster persisted. “ h, there isn’t the slightest doubt about that. I know that when Cassandra comes here, and sees the light you are in, that she will be willing to do a most any- thing to get you out of the bobble." A nervous shiver crept over Daily as hellis- ‘tened to this cool speech despite his endeavors to remain insensible to fear. “I don’t exact] understand what you are driving at, " the 01 man said, with a wonderful eflort to appear at his ease. , “Oh, I suppose on think that this is all a joke, then 1’ Broc ford exclaimed, roughly. ‘Don’t you know where you are? Don’t you recognize these sharps? Don’t you realize that to hire these men to snake on out of that Cin- nabar jail has cost me a. cap of money, and what do you suppose I’ve one to all this trou- ble for? for fun? Oh, no! mean business, Mr. aily, every time. I’ve got you foul, and I in- tend to use on as a means to secure Cassandra; and as the rst move in the game I want you to indite a. letter to her.” There were writing materials on the table, evidently having been prepared for this pur- pose, and Brock ord took 11 a pen, toyed with it for a moment in thou t, and then com- menced to write; reading 1:- e words aloud as he i'ndited them: “ MY DEAR. C imixmi—TMnks to some very good friends of mine, I have been rescued from the peril that threatened me and am now safe in a. secure re- treat in the mountains, quite beyond the reach of my pursuers. It is important that 1 should see you 1 as soon as ossible, and as I do not dare to come to ’ty, you will be obliged to come to me. The bearer of his note is thoroughly trustworthy, despite his rough appearance, and you can relyu n him to conduct you safely to my hidln place. must leave the town under cover of t e night and take all possible precautions that you are not watched and followed, for such an accident would be lure to place my enemies on my track again. out once without fear, and in a few days we will be able to leave this section, never to return.” Word tossed the pen over to the eggs-:- i I Miss Daii'y listened, intently. ' v ou‘ Captain Dick Talbot. tleman, Wished :1 sheet of paper and the ink- . stand folds side of the table. " Now then. just you copy that, sign name to it, and I will see that it is deliver ‘ rivht.” or a few minutes Daily remained silent, his , brows knitted in thought. He understood well enough that if he did write and sign the papers, l it would most Surclv place his daughter helpless ' in the power of Brncki'ord, and now for the first time he began to realize what kind (f a man he had to deal with. postmaster was something of a rascal, but he 1 our l, full ,all ’ l 1 Ho believed that the , had no idea that he was so unscrupulous a vil- ‘ lain. The old man was no: composed of exactly the 1 stnfl’ that heroes are made of; still he had sonic- tliing manly about him, and so he shook his head firm ly and declared: ‘LI will not aid to place my girl in your pow- I , . l “ You will change your mind upon reflection.” “ No, sir, I will not.” “Oh, I am sure you will; I know I can per- , suade you, or else you are a tougher piece of ; humanity than I take you to be,” Brockford re- plied, grimly; then he motioned to the outlaws, ‘ and they took the old man and placed him in a curiously—contrived cage in the corner. It was remain in a standing posture, supported only by a bar laced under the chin. ‘ An in this cruel cage, without food or wa- ’ ter, they kept the old man, until at last he could endure the torture no longer, and in agony he ‘ cried: i “Let me out; I will write !” And the outlaws roared as if it was all a capi- tal joke. “ Oli—hol” cried' the postmaster, in sarcasm; " didn’t I tell you, friend Daily, that I was sure that I should be able to persuade you?” CHAPTER XXXII. THE LETTER. AFTER the night of the row at the Bella Union saloon, the dashing N in had been burning with a. desire to be avenged upon the man who had wronged her, but Brockford’s abrupt disap- pearance from the town interfered with her purpose, therefore as she could not call him to account personally, she determined to do him all the damage she could, indirectly. Her first move was to call upon Miss Daily. Of course Nic had no means of ascertaining exactly how matters stood between the two, but she had an idea that a love affair was goin on between them, and, as she tcrscl y expresse it, she had made up her mind to have a. finger in the pie. She went directlyto the house, knocked at the door, and when Cassandra answered the sum- mons, proceeded at once to business. “I’ve come to see you on a Very important matter,” she said, “and I would like to have a private interview with you.” Now Miss Daily had no more knowledge| of the existence of t 9 girl of the Bella Union than she had of the man in the moon, and was con- siderably surprised by the request, but so many strange things had occurred lately that she was in a. measure prepared for almost anything, so she invited the girl to enter. Nic, who was nothing if not impulsive, plunged at once into the matter. “I suppose you know who I am?” she said. “ I’m Nic—Nic of the Bella Union." Cassy shook her head; not only was Nic un- known to her, but even the very existence of the notorious concert saloon. Small as was the lively city of Cinnabar, the Bella Union had never fallen under her observation. “Well, I sup sad that you knew me l” Nic ex- claimed, consi ere.ny astonished at Miss Dail ’s i orance, for in the plenitude of her ' e, t e saloon belle imagined that everybod ew her, so strong is the intoxication of pui’ cess with these children of the boar . “No, miss; I never heard of you.” “But you know Mr. Brockford, though?” re— plied Nic, just a little bit spitefully. Cassandra’s face darkened; the very mention of the name of the postmaster was enough to cloud all her sunshine. “ Yes, I know Mr. Brockford,” she answered, ; after quite a ause. Nic, keen a reading faces, saw that her men— tion of Brockford’s name had pained her bearer, and that, although the postmaster might be in love with Miss aily, it was quite certain she did not return his assion. The Bella. Union auty was delighted; Brock- ford’s discomfiture was her triumph. ' l “ I see I have been laboring under a wrong , impression.” she said, coming promptly to the t pomt. “I had an idea that the man named was a favorite of yours, but I can see by the ex— } pression upon your face that he is not.’ “ Mr. Brockford is no favorite of mine,” Cas- sandra replied promptly. ‘ “I’m glad of that, for he is as black-hearted a ', villain as can be found west of the mountains; r Let me tell you my story.” And then, Without I more ado, Nic related her experience.de the . a, , .I_.»s.i '~ ._,,M,,,wa .1 so arranged that the occupant was obliged to , 81‘ 5110- ‘ -—'~‘:.‘=-A “ You dc not sur rise me at all,” she said “- tei‘ Nic had iinisha hcr recital. “Ihavo eon satisfied for some time that this man is ca- pab e of any crime to attain the end he seeks.” “ And you don’t care a pin for him, then i” “ Care for him i” Cassandra exclaimed, her pale face flushing up. “ I utterly hate and de- test him.” _ “ So do I!” Nic cried, “and Thad made a my mind to call him to an acconut, too, but he z got out of the way; gone up into the mountains, they say. ” Again Miss Daily looked anxious; in some in- explicable way she connected Brockford’s ab sence with that of her father. “Wcll that’s all 'I’ve got to say,” observed Nic, rising to depart. “1 only wanted to tell you what arascal this man is, In as you’ve found it out; for yourself, I might have spared myself the trouble; but I didn’t know but what he was makings. fool of you just as he did of me. I flatter myself that I ain’t ver dull—in fact, that I’m tolerably sharp, but ll r. Brock. ford did pull the wool over my eyes, splendidly. Why! I thought he Was just a grand creature when I first made his acquaintance! To hear him talk, down in Frisco, one would have thought he OWHcd about all this town, but, after I got up here it didn’t take me long to find out exactly what kind of a. man he was. But I’ll get square with him, one of these days. Good- by!” And then Nic departed. As she closed the door she came face to face with a. tall, lank, roughly-dressed man, who was evidently looking for some particular house. “Does Mr. Daily live hyer?” he asked. Nic nodded; she did not dare to speak for fear that the man might recognize her voice, for she had identified the fellow at once; he was one of the men who had kicked up the disturb- ance in the variety saloon—one of Brockford’s (golf, she was sure, and he was in search of Miss ai y. With the girl to think was to act and so, cal- culating that the man would proba l y take ten or fifteen minutes to deliver his message (for that he brought a message from the postmaster she was sure), Nic resolved to prepare herself to ' play the spy upon him when he should depart. Awa then she hurried, while the man went up to t e door'of the house and knocked. He, less keen of e e than the girl, had not recognized her. He ad never seen her except on the stage, and the delusive arts of the them ter made her look quite different to what she did in the broad glare of the daylight. When Miss Daily answered the knock, the man at once accosted her: “ This is Mim Daily, ain’t it 26” She replied at once in the affirmative. “ Is there anybod around, miss, wot kin hear s wot I say?” he aske , mysteriously. ,' ., “No, sir.” “Because I come on mighty ’tickulnr busi-- ness” _ “ You can 5 eak freely, sir; there is no danu ger of your be ng overheard.” “ I bring you a message from your father.” “ From my father!” “Yes but don’t speak so loud, miss, because it would be mighty ugly for him if the sharps in this hyer town got wind of whar he is. " “ Y'. 11 had better come in, sir; then there woi’i’t be any danger of any one overheating us. The man accepted the invitation and entered the house, closin the door carefully behind him; then he pro need a. letter from an inside pocket and tendered it to the girl. “ Here’s a. few lines from your father, miss.” With trembling hands Cassandra opened the letter and in eager haste read the contents. She seemed puzzled, and the man, who was watching her c osely, noticed that she read the letter over a second time, evidently perplexed. “ M father cannot returnto Cinnabar, then?” she as ad. “ No, mic" it would be as much as his life is worth. You see what he says there.” “ You know the contents of this letter, then?” “ Oh, yes, miss; he read it to me afore I started, so that in case of accident, s‘posin’ that " I was overhauled, I was to destroy the letter and v9 you the message by word of mouth, but come through all right and safe ” “ I am to start at night—” “ Yes, miss; and you better say to-night ii you kin possibly get ready, for thar ain’t in time to lose. ” “ To—night I will be ready.” There was just a little twinkle of satisfaction in the fellow’s dull eyes as she fixed the time so promptly. . “ 1 W1 1 be on hand, miss: shall I come for you hyer or had we better arrange a meeting—p outside the town somewhat ?’ “ The latter plan I think is the best, for if my father’s foes are on the watch, we might be fol- lowed.” :: goul’rnow the trail that leads up the river? es “Thar’sabendin it'bya big rock,just out ~ ads the town.” “ I know t3: lice.” , “ I will or youithere jest arter- Jacki; Am,._......_s,~_..__,_. . H > ...~.i_.-.._..__-. . , “ I will be. prompt." “ All riwht; and mind, don’t say a word ’bout the tliingtior fear that the hawks might come down onto us.” , »“ Trust me; I will be careful.” l And so the interview ended. About half-past eight that night the girl was , firstgit the appointed place. The nioonwus rising slowly and cast a dim light over the Shasta valley. S‘oon the messenger came. "' Well, miss, you are right up to time, I see, , and now we’d better be going.” “Stay a. moment,” said the girl; “here is an old frien l of my {other who wishes to go, too.” And then out from the shelter of the rock stopped a. well-built, muscular man, hugely bearded and roughly clad. ‘ CHAPTER XXXIII. THE FRIEND. To say that the messenger was astounded by the unexpected appearance of the stranger would be but to mille state the facts of the case. . His first thought was that he was entrapped, and with an oath he whipped out his revolver, but at this game Jack was equally as good as his master to use the old saying, and the new- comer had the messenger ‘covered ” bv his weapon before the latter could bring his pistol to a level. “ Hol‘ on, hol’ on! don’t be hasty, my friend, or I shall have to bore you,” the stranger cau- tioned. “Gal. I never reckoned that you would get me into a trap!" the enraged man exclaimed. ~ “‘ It is no trap, sir," Cassandra replied; “ it is simply as I told you: this gentleman is a friend of my father’s and he wishes ‘0 go with me o as to be sure that no harm may come to me.” “ Why, you ain’t afcard, are you?” ' . . “ You are a. stranger to me, and even though 'ou do bring me a message from my father, ‘it s but natural that I should hesitate to trust In {self entirelyto your care." -' Well, if this hver game of yourn brings the dogs of the law down onto your father, why, you ll only have ourself to blame for it, that’s all," the man rep ied, sulkily. “What’s the use of talking that way?” the rtranger cried, tartly. “ I ain’t any dog of the law, no way you kin fix it. I’m an old pard of this hyer young lady’s father, and I ’ust struck thistown to-day, so I ain’t got an in to do with thisxh er guarrel. anyway, ’cept 0 back up my old i'ien all I kin, and if I kin do him any good, or his daughter any good, wh , I‘m the man for their money, and that’s ,- that there is about it.” . V , The messenger took a good look at the strun- ,, Y gar; the moon afforde ample light for the u scrutiny. As we have said, he was a ood-sized fellow, roughly dressed and. beards hu el : well-armed, too; and, take him all in MI he looked like a man who in a. skirmish would be apt to prove a. pretty tough customer to handle. The messen er certai y came to this con— clusion, and a so that the man had better not 'acconipan the girl. ' ‘ “ Well, ’m sorr , miss, but I can’t take you if this entleman comes,” he declared. “An, why not?” the other demanded, with considerable asperity. ~ “Why not? Cos don’t choose to, and that’s, why not !” the means!) or retorted. ’ “I’ve a. good min to bore on,” the other V sai the pistol still leveled. “ or two cents I wo d bore you. I’ve settled the hash of many a better-looking man than you are.” . “ You just give me a. chance for my money i” >§wled the messenggri) chafing at the advan- , 9 so cleverly gaine y the other. " Oh no, it’s my little arm: to have the .butt- “do: a sin, every ime,” the stranger re- " usI you say the word, miss, and 'I’ll I et dnyli ht.right through this fellow. 'It’s my opinion 1; at he‘s trying to come some kind of a. 811m game, anyway.” ' “Ohm, let therebe no bloodshed!” Cassan- dra. hastened to say. “If he .does not wish to ' conduct us to my father, why he can go his way * 'and we can rotumto the town.” “Sartm; that’s 0. K. i” the man exclaimed. . The messenger was in a. quandary; he knew not what todo, for affairs had taken a turn en- tirel unexpected. “ by, miss, you won‘t go bankroll your fa- ’ Athor’s letter?” he demanded. “ Don’t be 80y mfg; you kin trust me; so what are you afraid .0 . ' -' “,I wouldn’t trust you wi h a dead gopher’s v skin i” cried the stranger, in contempt. v , f‘ ’1; is true that on rapist, in 13s letter, tells ‘ , perfec m on, is messenger, did notth when a wrote the letter : _ old fnendhad' arrivedin town: he {ngas’zuttcrly and without ‘a. "ma it he, know: this gen» . . . " homest‘surelywonld hnvcseutaem f to f” *' ' " “uh-M1” , - ,1” .' «a.» ""5" “u my??? ’ "film one; o. . . r, n ,,., >~ . i v. i o well of it! I’m J ako Skinner, I am, the square man from Anrrcl’s Camp." - “This gent email, I am sure, is as good a friend us my fi‘ier has in the world,” the girl hastened to so . “I can’t he p ihaf,”tho messenger replied, doggedly. “ My orders were to bring,r you alone, and I don't see no call to go back of the orders.” “I will not go without this gentleman," the girl persisted, (li-ciilvdly. “Good-night to you, then,” and the messen- ; ger sturth oli‘. " “'6 hich failed l" Cassandra cried under her breath, to the stranger. , “ Don't be sure of that. This follow, I think, will chungo his mind,“ in ("iutious tones, H9 was right. Before the. messenger had ta- ken a hundred steps he turned and began to re- trace his steps. ' ‘ “See hyer!" hc exclaimed, as he came up, “I _ reckon that I’ll get myself in a heap of trouble if I allow this man to come along.” I “I don’t see it!” Skinner rejoined, promptly. “ My old pard Daily, will be powerful glad to see me, and I lmow he’ll say that you did jest the right thing in fetching mo along.” “ I feel sure that my father will not object,” Cassandra added. “Well, miss, you’ll have to take the blame if thel‘o is any row raised.” “That I will, gladly.” “And Mr. Skinner, you’ll have to keep it shut month about the place whar I’m going to take you to,” the messenger cautioned. “ Sartinl Oh! you kin depend upon me. I tell on, I'm the right kind of man to tie to!” “ give you fair warning, you know, for the men who have protected your father, miss, from his enemies, have about all they kin do to look out for themselves, and of course if any stran- ger should learn the cret of their hiding-place in the mountains, on then betray it to the au- thorities, it would be all up with them.” _ “My friend and backer. I’ll be as dumb as an eyesterl” Mr. Skinner replied, solemnly. “ Come along, then, for we’ve got considerable of a. trump before us ;” and the “procession” started. i v Hardly had the three disappeared in the gloom, taking the trail up along the banks of the river, when from alittle clump of bushes, about a hundred feet from the spot where the interview had taken place, came a. slight, boyish figure, and like a sleuth-hound on the trail, fol- lowed closely in the footsteps of the three. The guide led them strai hi; to the old log- house situated in the w _ s, and which was reached b the blind trail. ,3 In the ouse—in utter darkness—again the guide impressed upon the two the importance of secrecy: then through the secret way by means of the fire-place they descended to the under- ground regions, and swinging open the door, e messenger ushered the pair into the domains of the outlaws who had for so long reigned with bloody hands amid the hills of Shasta. The door swung to found themselves in t Black-hoods. “ALJast Cassandra Daily, you are mine!” cried the Black-hood lender, throwing aside his disguise and revealing the face of Brockford. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE GOVERNOR’S PLAN. . TEE more the Governor thou ht over the Idea. which the astute Mr. Dancer ad suiggest- edthe more he became convinced that t was the best plan to save him from the wrath of the man whom he had so wantonly provoked. “Curse this infernal country, anyway I” he muttered as he stretched himself upon the sofa in his little parlor and repared to enjoy an at- fiangvinel if I 'ever got tor-dinner smoke. “ into such a hole before. , there’s no law or an hing else up in this wild reg-ion. I sup- pose ! this, fellow, Talbot should ‘plug ’ me, as _he elegantly term it up ’here,the chances are Jus about ten to one that the majority of the people would consular it served me just ' ht. know one thin well enough, and that is— f I ever get out 0 here. with a whole skin and reach Sacramento in safety, they never will catch me in these northern wilds again. And Brockford wants to rope me in to invest in the Cinnabar mine! He says it won’t be necessarv for meta ever come here—that he will attend to my interests: but, who’ll attend to Mm, I’d like toknow? Oh, no! I’ve had all I want of this country‘ on Iask now is to et safe] out or it, and I think that by means 0 this so eme that Dancer has suggested I shall be able to do as. mp escape had been arran for that night, and the official ardently anfinx- iougy waited for the a inted hour to come:- waited, frettm and ch 1) and-disgusted; un— til at last the‘ ong Wea , sy came to aciose and darkness begun to, ralw its sable-mantle over the earth. ». * ' ‘ " v be presence of the dreaded law on r n hm :had‘becn' N n”: "3 7 onions in ‘° r, a“; _ . Captain Dick Talbot behind the pair, and they ' ‘ hut, bi 5‘ ’ 0.4 7.13,...“ n- w. «1»- ,- niglit in order to escape the vengeance of the man whose anger he had so wantonly pm- vokcd. The politician hml provided A rough sud regular mountain fashion, a bi'ond-brimm rr boots and everything in keeping. Af— ter (hush be dressed himself up in this suit, pull-i ed the big but over his eyes, looked his dool' carefully so that no chance caller might dis cowr his absence; then slouchcd down tho stairs into the main saloon and out into tho Street, proceeding at once to the stables in the ronr of the Occidental. So for all had gone well; the )olitician’s (lis- g'uise wns perfect, and it would have required a keen eye to have detected that he was anything but what he seemed. The horses had been arranged for in advance; a good beast had been brought and left at the stable for Mr. Black who would call for it. And when “Mr. Black ” culled for the horse brought he settled the stable-bill, mounted, and rode off slowly through the main street of tho town7 ex. citing no attention whatever, for such mounted pilgrims were common enough. At last he reached the suburbs of the town, and just be’ yond the last house two men and two horses were standing, the men on foot leaning on their saddles and conversing busily. . “Hello, is that you, Mr. Black?” exclaimed one of the two, a rather short, thick-sot, “fat” man, as the Gavernor came 11 . ‘ “That‘s my name," he sud, reining in his horse. The other two at once leaped to their sad- dles. “Well, I allowed that it was you ” said the man who had previously spoken. “ t does me proud to make your acquaintance, sir. My I ~ name is Bowers; of course you have heard of me. I min the old original Joe Bowers. I’m the cove wot they made the song up about: ‘ 0h, me c it is Joe‘Bowei-s, From uglund I did ccme—.1 But, that ain‘t so, for I’m a 00d old American, all the we. from old Kentuc —one of the half- horse, hal -alligator breed.” “ I’m ghd to meet you, sir.” , “And this hyer is my friend, Mr. Turtle,” and the other horseman ducked his head at the introduction. “ He’s one of the noblest Romans . of them all. He never says much but when he does speak he just spits out the solid chunks of wisdom.” ' “ Well gentlemen, I sup we had better be traveling,” suggested t e Governor, aux» ions to be rid of the sight and sound of Cin- . us or. . “Right you are. pardner- we’ll git up and dust,” responded Mr. Bowets, graciously, and set out at a. brisk cantor. ' p ' ' -' ' v- The moon, which was an early, riser as it ‘ hap nod, creeping up the dark heavens, unord- od 1; e travelers light (or their "ourney. \ ¥ Down the valley they won following the ' gémrl: of the Shasta, and he' ngstraightfor _ re . " Soon the passed onto! sightof the town, and ‘ the litic an began to breathe easier. After " all, t e escape from the district haunted by tho outlaw was not oin tobeso difficult. " , ~ The Governors rite began to rise; shrink“ . wallop on a. pleasaan ght nightisnot a a; Bad tonic for a. loW‘spiritcd, nervous man to .\ e. ' And so, after a sharp half-hour’s gallop as, > tth eased their horses to breathe them a bit,- he felt like talking. ' x i i , “You are we] a uninth with the road, I . presume,” he said to owers. ’ ‘ “Oh, yes; I know ever inch of the wa. ,” , ‘ that worthy r nded. ‘Why, purdner, Ilvc ‘- lioofed it over (2 is hyar trail more timeatlun »’ ou’ve got fingers iand Oh I tell yer! I now this country like a book. Why, I was jest , H q youngster when I, first came hyar; it’s a ’ time agbo—so long ago, that old Shasta warn bolt so ig as his now,” and the bumrner waved his hand to where the grand old alt towered above the rest of the mountainc in. “You, — sires! it was on] a kind of medium-sized, cow" mon mountainw enlflrstknew it. 0h,1tollyor"‘ ” it has owed.” '- tiTlle overnor failed at the guide’scxoggstv m a on. - ‘ ., - ‘ “ Well, I’m glad you are well acquaintedflth " the wa , for I am not,” he said, “since there is ' a possi ility that I .mayhave some trouble on ._ the road.” v ‘ ' r . .“ So the’pilgrim that made the contract wilt ~ ' '~ us‘sggii’Bowersdremu-kedm‘ th t . ~h on un erstood a on, t, haveto ill) some fighting?” a ‘ y . mi: “ Yes, sir; that war included in the contract. We war to see you safe to Yreka, guidve there, and if any weak-minded brother mtempt ed to stop you on the way, we war to saliva» him fer all that he war worth”. ‘ ‘ ‘ If I .don’t badly think thatthere win (58? whim/thoughufiha Mammalian-wit " W'mmdmtgm . .. A 24 94.4..“ r . _..- ___. ' __ ..__~_s W._. 7“ ___ _-9eptaisDEk Tallest. fate o little difficulty with a certain party, and in no hurry, and he would wait until it grew didn‘t know but what he might attemptto ; big enough. ’ me with a gang; you know men do that [or 0 thing sometlmcs, up in this wild region.” “ Oh, yes, frequently; ut I tell you, stran- ger, it will have to be a good-sized ang to get away with us. We’re well heeled, 0th ov us, and though I say wot I shouldn’t, we kin handle ; our we’pons, we kin. fur ary man in all this big golden state of Cali- fornry." “ ’m gladto hear it; although I feel pretty ' certain that you won’t have to display your prowess in that line.” We don’t take a back seat ‘ A faint smile played about Tglbot’s lips; he had a keen appreciation of humor. “ Come, sir,” he said, after a pause, finding that the Governor was not inchned to speak, “ I am waiting on on.” At first to the mll‘ld of the official the proposal seemed fair enough, but when he came to reflect , and remember what he had heard in regard to Talbot’s skill with all kinds of weapons, he saw at once that he really stood no chance at all, for with no single Weapon in the world could he ‘ with justice claim to be an expert. “ We ou lit to earn our mone ou know ” i Y 7 Bowers suggested. I ain’t anxious to see you do it in that way,” ‘ the politician laughingly responded. , chance then do I stand if But his merriment had an untimely check, for ‘ upon emergn'ng from the valley through which ‘ they had been passing to the table—lands above, there, in the center of the road, within easy rifle range upon his steed sat the well-known figure of Captain Dick Talbot! CHAPTER XXXV. A VERY FAIR OFFER. THE three simultaneously pulled rein upon coming upon the horseman so unexpectedly, for owing to the nature of the ground they had not been able to perceive him until close upon him. It was Dick Talbot, sure enough; he sat upon his horse with his face toward the valley from whence the party had just emerged, evidently . on the watch for them- in his hands he had his rifle cocked and leveled, and although the others were three to one, yet he, from the nature of the surprise, had a most decided advantage. The Governor turned pale as death and fairly reeled in the saddle with terror, but neither Bowers nor his companion seemed at all af- fected. “ I am waiting for. on, you see!” cried Tal— hot, as the party pulle rein. “I gave you fair warning that you couldn’t get out of this Shasta valley without having a settlement with me, and when you come to know me as well as some of the men in the town of Cinnabar have known me in the old time, you Will discover that I am generally a man of my word with either friend or foe.” “ What do you want with me?” exclaimed the politician, his face pale and his voice trembling. “Satisfaction!” responded Talbot, fiercelfy. The Governor became almost wild with car. “ This is the man I fear!” he cried to Bowers; “out with your wea ns and down with him!” Mr. Bowers shook is head slowly. “Really, judge,” he said, “you are piling it on altogether too thick. Ginerall I am jest as brave u a. lion—jest as hungry or blood and daughter as any meat-ax that you ever did see but on thilhyer occasion, I really think that I shall have to ‘pass ’ and let you go it alone. Pan-duet, in this hyer deal I can‘t assist." “Do you think that these men are read to throw 1; air lives away at your bidding?” T bot demanded. “They took our old-dust and agreed to conduct on safe y to reka, but you d not tell them 11 advance that it was more than likely that Dick Talbot would bar the way. And if they were mad enou h to show light, what chance do they stand? ith the advan- tage that I now I could pick both of them 01! before t ey could get a. wea n out, much less raise the hammer and to e aim. Governor, you are like Ca. tain Scott’s ’coon- you are treed, and you had tter come down.’ “Me will you see me murdered in cold blood?” 0 Governor cried, in terror. “ Oh, I reckon, pardner, that it won’t be uito as bad as that. Captain Dick allers gives guinea a fair chance for their lives," Bowers replied; “ that’s his style, you bet 1” ‘Governor, you are in a m, and you are only wasting your breath by ing.” ‘ What do you want?” “ Satisfaction! I told you that before." “ Would you murder me i” “ Oh, no; you have t the wrong idea entire- ly. I want satisfaction-the satisfaction that one gentleman who is injured feels that he has the ' ht to demand of another gentleman,” and Talbo bowed as politely as though the scene, instead of transpr in a wild glade in the far Western wildernesses of the New World, was in a court salon. “ Oh, on mean a duel,” and the Governor felt a. little bit relieved at this discovery. “ Exactly, a duel.” “ And the weapons?” “That I leave to you; on, as the challe party, have the right of c oice. It is really 1m- m ' to me—knives, pistols or rifles, it is all the same. Swords of course are out of the question, because we haven’t any, and there Is no chance of getting any. ” “Eris opportunity for a g‘est was too good for Bowers to fail to “put in. ’ “ This entleman,” and he boWed gravely and ' com-too yto the Governor, “is in no hurry, I am sure, and even if you had to send East for words, I am certain that he had ‘ust as lief Wilt-l not, like the Irishman wgo emto be one gooseberry huh, on w was WMK wutoo email, be said tho “It is simply murder, sir, that you are pro posing!” he exclaimed, excitedly. “ You are expert with every weapon I with none! What accept your propo- sal and encounter you in single fight?” “ Well, now that you put the question so bluntly it does look as if you didn’t stand much of a show, but, why in the name of common sense then did you pick a quarrel with such a man as I am?” Talbot demanded. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!” Bowers observed, sententiously. “ I tell you what it is, Governor, we have got to have some kind of a settlement!” Talbot ex— claimed, impatiently, “for you have put a deadly wrong upon me, and I swore to be even with you, and as you are ignorant of the use of all weapons, let us disarm, then, and settle our difficulty by hammering each other with our fists until one of us cries enough!” “That’s the talk!” cried the bummer, in de- light. “ I’ll be the referee!” But this offer was. just as distasteful to his ex- collency as the other, for he had heard all the particulars of the expert manner in which Tal- bot had handled the burly rufliun, and although he was a larger man than his antagonist, yet he had no idea of trying conclusions with his foe in any such way as that. “ N o, sir; I am neither a bully nor a bruiser!” he protested. ‘ You’re a terribly hard man to suit ” Talbot remarked, quietly, and then a suddeni ea came into his mind. “I’ll tell you how we can fix it! I’ll take two pistols, draw the loads out of one but leave the other loaded; we’ll put them under a handkerchief, shut our eyes and each draw one; then place them to each other’s breasts and pull the triggers; one of us will go straight to ingdom come and the other can mount his horse and ride off.” . . The Governor fairly shivered at this, to him, atrocious proposition. ‘ “No, sir!” he cried, in horror, “I do not want to have anything to do with such an in- fernal scheme. Mr. Talbot, I throw myself upon your mercy. I am utter] in your power, perfectly helpless. You can ‘ lme if you like and I won’t raise a fin er to prevent you, but I’m willin to buy my “'0; name any sum you please, if itis possible for me to raise the money, you shall have it." “ I don’t want your money,” the other replied, sternly. “I only want satisfaction for the way that you tried to hunt me down.” At this point a bright idea flashed upon the oflcial. “I have it!” he exclaimed; “I’ll make on the same offer that you made to me. unt down the Black-hoods and you shall have a full rdon.” _ “And what assurance have I that on Will kee your word my better this time t you did fore?” “ The assurance that I’ve felt our power and that I am not anxious to affron on again. will remain in Cinnabar City un i! you either succeed or fail. ” “ Oh I am not afraid of a failure," Talbot re- mark , with a. grim smile. . “I can’t so anything fairer, and if I don’t keep faith with you this time, why then make me answer for it. ” “All right! It is a bar ain,” Talbot re lied, after a few moments’ I: ought. “ Wit in a week at most I will agree to break up the Black- hood band, either exterminate them, bring them prison into Cinnabar, or else drive them awaB from this district altogether.” “ o it and you shall have a full pardon!” “ I shall hold you to your word, mind! And now men, escort his excellenc back to Cinna- bar!” And with the comman Talbot wheeled his horse and galloped away, while the little cavalcade set out on their return. The Governor felt that he had had a lucky e§ cape, and he thanked his lucky stars that he had got ofl? so safely. , CHAPTER XXXVI. A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. IT was quite a. striking picture, and if the girl and her escort, the acute Mr. Skinner, were surprised by what they saw, the Black-hoods were no less sur rised by the entirely unexpect- ed entrance of t e stranger when they had only thought to see the girl and their messenger. Brockford had shown his hand, though, re— dless of the other presence, but the moment had allowed his triumph to find expressmn he looked at his messenger for an explanation. hem “Who isthis man?” he cried. M Old Daily sat in the back ound, won and weak, and at the first lance it was quite up arent that he was a elpless prisoner in the ands of the desperate road-agents. Cassandra would have flown to his side, but the strange- pessdof the situation in a measure held her para- ze . “Jake Skinner is what I call In self now!” the man replied promptly in 8. Ion , boisterous tone; “ but mebbe I’ve had other handles in my time like the most of people in this hyer region' but what is it to you, anyway? Who are you. Itt sleegis to me that you'io putting on a heap of s e. “You’ll find out who I am before you are an hour older, you loud-mouthed rascal!” Brock- ford exclaimed, enraged at the boldness of the man. “ Rascal yourself, you 11 -faoed villain!" cried Skinner, defiantly. “ ou needn’t think that you kin scare me with your big words or your scowls. I’ve seen worse—looking cusses than you are, a heap sight, and I wasn’t skeered much either.” ,- “ Who is this fool?” Brockford demanded. “ Fool yourself !” Skinner retorted. “ He says that he’s an old friend—a pardner of Daily, and he insisted upon coming, and in fact. the girl wouldn’t come unless he came, too,” the messenger explained. "I wasn’t go- ing to bring either of ’em at first; but then, I knew, cap’n, that you wanted the gal, and I thought that there was enou h of us hyer to handle him; and then, mebbe emight be worth going through.” “Well, Mr. Skinner, you’ve run your head into pretty considerable of a trap, as I reckon you will discover before long,”Brockf0rd re- marked. “ And so, Daily, this is an old partner of yours?” The old gentleman looked at the man earnest- ly for a moment, but no sign of recognition ap- peared upon his face. “You don’t seem to remember him?” Brock, ford observed. ' “Angel’s Camp, you know,” interposed Mr. Skinner. Again Daily shook his head. “ really don’t remember,” he said, slowly and it was quite plain both from his voice on manner that he was sinking ra idly. The ter- rible ordeal through which he E been too much for him. “ Well, it don’t make a particle of difference whether you are what you claim to be or not; I don’t care two cents!’ Brockford cried; “but the chances are just now that you won’t get out of this place alive. And as for you Miss Cas- sandra, I presume you understand that at last lyou are entirely in in power. I was bound to! ave you, at any cos and so I snatched your- father from the jail in Cinnabar City on pur- ppseto use him as a lure to entice you here. y plan has succeeded in every (particular, and at last I hold you completely an arc ." “ lg child, for Heaven’s sake forgivo me tin.- part is at I have been compelled to play in thir matter!” old Daily exclaimed, in a voice treml- lous with emotion; “but if.you only knew the tortures that I have suffered at the hands of this fiend and it was only when poor weak nature could endure no more, and believed myself near to death’s door, that I yielded; 1 cannot forgive myself for the weak, unmanlty inelding, . sacri- utterly at my but 1 am going to be justly punishe self, but it is of flood you, my child to save in ’3 cold hand is no avail for I feel that dent pressing heavily u am not long for t worl .” Instant! Cassandra hastened to her father and knelt y his side. “Oh no, father, it cannot be true!” she ox- claim , overcome with grief. “ Heaven can- not be so cruel as to let you rish and leave me helpless in the power of this id, bad man.” ' You are extremely candid if not com li- mentary!” Brockford sneered; “but I rec on after I’ve had you some time I’ll make you sing another tune. ” h“0h,hi10, you willlnot!” criedtotllile gow t oroug y enraged gir s ringing er eat and drawin her fine figiiJre up to its fullest hight, “for ere, at the very moment of you: utter triumph, I scorn and defy you I” “Enough of this!” exclaimed Brockford,‘ox asperated almost beyond endurance. “We an fooling too lon over this matter—wastin to! m ch time; I’ show on, you proud m , in- si e of five minutes, ow utterly helpless on are. Seize that follow and tie him up!” andyho pointed to Skinner as he gave the command. “Try it!” cried Skinner, a‘uickly, and in an entirely different voice from c one that he had reviously used, much to the astonishment of the outlaws, and with the words he dashed away the wig and false heard that he wore, whipped out a air of cooked revolvers, and lo! Captain Dick albot stood revealed! The outlaws were astounded; never had men been more completely taken by surpme, for the action on the art of the stranger whom they believed to be lly in their power was entirely ime ted. Inxggth, before the stranger mode the moreJ it would have seemed mm madness f / .1! ad passed had. _ .Ms. ,. MM nme andIamsuro thatI~ m . 1‘. W ,~. 4..- v . 2-”? ._.._ 4......— ‘m ffivv . .pu_ momma-«s » ... n. ._ 11-. . V. 2.1.1.1.. I Mm to attempt to cope with the desperate men by whom he was surrounded. But, now that the movement had been suc- cessfully executed, it was not such an uneven . thing, after all, particularly when two dark figures with drawn revolvers glided in through the heavy door, which the messenger had no— lected to fustcn after him. Upon such little i.‘ghings sometimes great consequences depend. And it was to give these two men time to come to his assistance that Talbot had been :alkiiig against time, delaying action all he rould. And the two brave hearts who had dared the perils of the outlaws’ den to come to the assist- emce of their chief! easily name them. “'hcn Dick Talb'twcnt, on desperate adventures bent, the stnnch Indian chief, Mud-turtle, and the irrepressible bunr mer, Joe Bowers, were certain to be near at hand. And with the appearance of the two, their weapons out and ready for a fight, matters were pretty nearly equalized. The Black—hoods were five to three, but then in a hand-to—hund encounter like this, where the nick sna -shot told, Talbot was worth two or taree ordinary men. And then, too, Injun Dick and his men had their revolvers out ready cocked for act-ion, while the outlaws had yet to raise the hammers of their weapons. A cry of rage came from the lips of Brockford despite his iron will and his great habit of self- control as his eyes fell upon the face of the fat bummer. At last he understood how thoroughly and ‘completely he had been tricked. Bowers saw that he was recognized, but it did not disturb him in the least. “How are you, pardner?” he exclaimed, nod- ding to the enraged postmaster in the most friendl way in the world. “Do you know that I inder reckoned that I’d meet you some- whar afore long?” “You infernal villain! You have been be- trayinv me all the time then!" cried the exas- perat Brockford. “ Eucher is the game, skinned on a lone ban Jnustn’t complain. ” Brockford was fairly furious; to be so com- pletely baffled at the very moment when he thought victory secure within his grasp was ter- ribly gelling. He was desperate, reckless whether he lived )r died so that he could compass the destruc- tion of his foes. Like Sampson of old, he was Willing to perish within the temple, provided that he brou ht destruction upon his enemies as well as upon imself. “Go for ‘em, boys!" he cried; “it’s life or death now !” But the “boys ” were not in the least disposed to rush to what seemed to be almost certain death. ' “ 01’ on i” cried the tall, lanky, Yankee-like road-agent; “ let’s fix this thing up. Dog don’t eat dog. you know, and as all us gents are in about the same line of business, I don’t see why we shouldn’t straighten this h er thin out without spilling a. pail of gore. own rig t up that I a' t got any stomach for. a. fight unless I’ve got my own way, and in this hyer matter really reckon that thi gent and his pards has rung in a cold deal on us. I’m quite Willing to cry quits at you folks ar’.” Brockford in desperation glared round at the faces of the others, and he immediately r- ceived that his men were all of one mind. he prowess of Captain Dick Talbot had had due' weight with them, and not of_ their own free will would they risk a fight With him and his men. _ i “ No, siree, none of it m mine, thank you,” continued the tall fellow; “ take the gal and git, and we’ll call it square; that’s what _ say.” “There's only one ob'ection to this little ar- rangement,” Talbot repIied, “ and that is that I have made an agreement with the Governor of the State of California to break up the outlaw gang known as the Black—hoods.” ' The under jaws of the desperadocs dropped; web information coming from the hps of a man like Injun Dick was no idle talk, _ “But, I want to do the fair thing, seeing that you are inclined to be reasonable,” Talbot re- marked, after a. pause. “ If I understand thmls rightly, . Brockford is spoilino‘gafor a fighti and I’m q to willing to accomm to him. _I’l meet him in single fight, and, throwm aside the advanta e that I now possess, stake 1 upon. the issue. f he overcomes me why, my men will retire and we 0 no battle; but if I am the Victor in the strugg c. you Black—hoods must .ve tp your wild and lawless life, leave this see ion Runner, and the Shasta valley must know you to more. Come! what do you say?" CHAPTER XXXVTI. 1 mail?” “wag; “flit; proposal 1 was on me minors liberal than the BIch-hoods could I: reason have hoped for, and they looked anx- hnly at the chief in order to see how he re (pardner, and if you get once in a. while you ’ldedthematter. I haivoBrockfordfulljuticahehadanortof No doubt the reader can ‘ . closemwitht Camel???“ TallBQt' bull—dog courage, although he was generally shrewd enou rh to get all the advantages on his i side, and sek om entered into a conflict without l arrzm in it so that his antagonists would have i very itt e show for their money, to use the ‘ mountain lirase; but in this case he had been , beaten rig t at his own game, and there was ‘ nothing lei t for him but to accept the offer. 1 Despite his hatred for Talbot—despite his de— sire to possess the beautiful girl——it is extreme— I y doubtful if he would have dared to engage such a. successful duelist as Captain Dick Talbot in single fight if he could have avoided it, for tho )rostigo that clung to Talbot was quite en- - i ()llj.‘_ l to make even a better man in every way than the postmaster hesitate. But, now he had no alternative. Boldly then and with an air as though he , courted the Conflict he accepted the proposal. , “That suits me exactly!" he exclaimed. l “ Your life against mine, and the victor to take the girl.” “That is agreeable, although, miss, by the way, we haven’t consulted you about the mat: ter,” Talbot replied. turning: to the girl. “I am content," she answered, instantly. “You will conquer this Villain, I nin sure of it, and 1 do not fear to have my fate hang upon the issue.” The confident s ech fairly made the an ry blood of Bl‘OCkaI‘( boil in his veins, but wit a great efl’ort he endeavored to remain calm. He understood rfectly well that he needed all his coolness an self-possession in the coming con- test and that it would be only the higlit of folly to allow his temper to get the best of him. “Come! we are wasting time i" he exclaimed. “Let us get to work as soon as possible. Which— ever way the thing ends the quicker it is over the better!” the postmaster exclaimed. “ What weapons do you choose?” “Rifles, revolvers and knives,” Brockford an- swered. “We’ll co mence at long range, a single shot apiece, an advance with our pis- tols if the first fire does not settle the matter, and finish the affair hand-to-hand.” “That suits me.” It was not a hard matter to please Injun Dick in an arrangement of this kind; he did care a button how particulars were arranged so long as his adversary did not attempt to take any unfair advantage. - “Oh it does me good to see things flxed u so quic and ship-shape!” Bowers assevera . It was a complete impossibility for the bummer to keep quiet when there was anything of this kind goin on. “ Tharls the finest old kind of a moon, an it really ought to be a satisfaction for a gen’leman to cash up his checks on sich a ni ht as this. And we’ll see you decently ‘p anted’ too, pard,” and he addressed his con- versation directly to Brockford, who soowled angrily in return, a roceeding which did not worry the irre ressi le vagabond in the least. “Oh, we’ll do he fair thing bv you, and if it will be any satisfaction to you I’ll how] a hymn over your carcass myself.” Brockt‘ord was too enraged to make any re- ply; besides, he was wise enough to know, de- spite his anger, that it would only be the hight of folly to waste words upon such a. man as Bowers, and so be ad his conversation directly to Talbot: “ Let us at to work at once!” “Proce , sir,” replied Talbot, courteousl , movin away from the door so as to allow figs Black- oods to pass. He did not attem t to take the lead himself, for he had not the east bit of faith in the fellows, and he did not intend to ‘ve them any chance to assail him treacher- o y from the rear. The outlaws understood what Talbot meant well enough, and with ill grace the filed out from their under ound retreat. albot and his men followe , Daily and his daughter bringin up the rear. The 0 d man was terribly weak; the fearful ordeal through which he had passed had been too great a. strain upon his nervous m and it was quite lain that the veteran sport was not long for t is world. . nin heavily I n his dau hter’s am he tottered orth into t e air, so litt e of life left in him that be hardly comrehended that, upon the issue of the strug lo, the fate both of him- self and his daughter e nded. The moon was up goo and full now—one of those glorious moons that make the night al- most as 1i ht as day. The litt e open lade which surrounded the old log but was jus about big enough to serve for such an encounter as was impending. The particulars of the fight were soon ar- ranged. The men were tostapd at the ends of the o 11 space, about two hundred paces aput rema there until the word was given, an then advance and give battle. They were re- stricted to a single rifle-shot apiece, but were at liberty to empty their revolvers, and.then to air knives. Talbot smiled when Brockford laid stress I: on this point, for he saw quite plain] that t e Estimator reall knew very little a t him. no contest 8 of his remarkably adventur- some life h Injun Dick. w contending with a single man, ever had mic discharge .. x. ,‘~.__. all the shots in his revolver; a single bullet had generally proved fatal. The postmaster had selected rifles first be cause he was a very excellent shot; and, too, he had never heard of any exploits of his ante. nist wherein a rifle had figured. In all of ' al- bot’s achievements the pistol had been the wee- pon, and therefore Brockford reckoned that it was possible that as a rifle—shot Talbot was not perfection. The two antagonists took their places, the Black-hoods grouped themselves on one side of the clearing, Bowers and the Indian, in com- pan with old Daily and the girl, on the other. T 10 word was given. One—two-three—firc .’ According to the arrangement, the rifles were to rest with their butts on the ground un til the command to fire was givé‘n; then the quickest man was the best fellow. Hardly had the word escaped from Bowem’l lips when both rifles leaped simultaneously to the shoulders of the men; both expert marks- men, they wasted no time in aiming, and the two hammers fell with a single click. And both rifles missed fire. A hundred times this might have been tried without the same result for these service rifles u on which, in the for Western wilds, a man’s li e often hangs, are generally to be depended u on. p“ Bah!” cried Talbot, casting the weapon aside and drawing his revolver. ' Then came Brockford’s chance; he pretended to examine the weapon to discover the cause of the mishap, but in reality improved the oppor- tunity to slip a fresh cap upon the nip lo, and quickly brought the weapon up to his 3 oulder again. ' “Come! are you ready?” he said, taking de- liberate aim at albot, who, armed only With a revolver and out of range, was clearly at a ter‘ rible disadvantage. “ Hold on!” Dick cried in amazement; ” you have already had your shot 1” “ Oh, no, the cap missed fire.” “ But a miss counts as a fire!” “Oh, no, it does not! The agreement was a single shot! I have not had a shot yet.” ‘ Holi‘. on then until I get my weapon and put on a fresh cap 1” “Oh, no!” Brockford cried, in triumph. “I have you foul now, and I don’t intend to ivo up the advantage that I have gained! on threw away your weapon of your own accord, so now prepare for death." “ Oh, you infernal skunk!” yelled Bowers, it hot indignation. All this passed much more rapidly than I can relate it, and with a deadly aim Brockford pulled the trigger, but another band was on another trigger, and the master’s action was anticipated by a similar one a second soon- er, and seconds in this world sometimes make I ' wonderful difference. A tiny ball, not bigger than a a, came whistling through the air, a little of white smoke curling up on the faint reeze of the night from behind a. stunted ine tree, not ten aces from where the postmas r stood, raven} mg the s ts from whence it came. ' .he I struck Brockford fairly between the 9 es, and pfnetrating to the brain killed him a most on t e instant. His rifle was discharged ust as the ball struck him, but the con ve start which. perforce he gave destroyed his aim, and It proved Talbot 3 salvation. Brockford tottered for a moment, and then the n droppin from his nerveleea fingers he tum led forwar on his face, no longer a bold, reckless man, full of wild, fierce palsions, but a mere mass of helpless clay. The shot was a surprise to all, and in amne- ment they stared at the pine tree from behind which the fatal dart had come. Then out from the shadow stopped a slight form, clutching a. little silver-mounted revolver in hand, from the muzzle of which the smoke was still curling. "Hie new-comer was dressed like a boy—look- ed like s. boy, but in truth it was the wild who had such bitter cause to hate the sch aster. “ l have even myself 1” she cried. “I told him that I won (1 kill him if he didn’t do what waillfighmgnized In th It Nic, f the race or on. was 0 Bella Union. ' CHAPTER XXXVIII. A ammo: REQUEST. Fox a few moments the actors in the strange scene looked at each other in astonihment. , Talbot was the first to speak. ‘ “ Well, gentlemen, our chief .a deed, dr though not by my hen , but I guess on are a! willinito bear witness that I had not 'ng to do with t e matter, although he really deserved to meet death as he did, for he was strivmg to the an unfair advantage of me.” “ It was my act, and I alone planned it!" Kin ex med, ram 171 . “I followed from Cinnabar,£is yfothndanmthnt, mischief wu afoot and am will ' mum in. mum: up pointed m“ 1 , 26 at the dead man. “If any one is to be called to an account it is I, and I am not afraid." “ Oh, I’ll take that trduble off 'our shoulders, missl" Talbot said, promptly. And, gentle- men, if any of you feel aggrieved about this matter, I stand ready to give you all the satis- faction in my power.” The Black-hoods shook their heads in a mest decided manner, and the tall Yankee took it upon himself to act as spokesman for the rest. “ We are very much obliged to on, sir,” he said, “ but I reckon that there ain t any of us hankering arter a difficulty with you. We are satisfied to call it square if you are."- “ You must leave this part of the country, you know." “Sartin; we’ll git up and dust, right away; we don’t keer to take a hand in the game if you are going to be counted in." “ his dead man was your chief?” “ You bet!" “ I want you to sign a statement in regard to that, and also one that, in consideration of my giving you your lives, you will leave California, never to return." “ I’ll fix it ri ht away, for I reckon that I kin sling a pen wit the best of them.” And the fellow was as good as his word. He told where ample evidence could be found in the underground retreat of the outlaws to prove that Brockford had not only been the chief of the gang, but the originator and the controlling spirit of it in every wa . This was exactly what Talbot wanted, for upon this evidence he relied for his pardon from t 8 Governor. “And now that this leetle business is finished, I s’pose you hain’t got no more use for us?” “ No; you are free to de art.” “Arter we git on our cases I’ll a that you sha’n’t see our heels for dust!” t 0 road- agent assured. “Solongl” the outlaws cried in chorus, and then they departed, glad to get of! so easily. The death of Brockford was the destruction of the band, for the Black-hoods could not hope to hold together and pursue a. successful career without his leadershi ). Not alone was it is courage and skill that made the band successful; but from his posi- tions in the town as tmaster and express- agent, be naturally ha splendid opportunities for getting information of rich booty to be gained by attacking certain coaches, as well as of all the measures taken by the authorities to hunt down or to entrap the road-agents. But now, thanks to Injun Dick, the terrible band was dispersed and destroyed. Surely he had earned his pardon if any man ever did, since he had accomplished what all the sheriffs and vigilantes had failed to do. Daily had grown so weak that he had been unable to stand, and was evidently owing weaker and weaker every moment. ith the d arture of the road-agents the unnatural ex- ci meat which had kept him up abated and he became quite exhausted. Assistance in his case had arrived too late. “ Oh, come quick, please!” Cassandra cried, in terror; “ I fear that my father is dying.” They all at once hurried to the si e of the 1:01 less man. albot to whom longnyears of experience had imparted a wonderful owledge in such cases aw that the old man’s life could be spanned now by minutes, not by hours. “ 0h, tell me, is there any hope?" the weeping l cried. Talbot shook his head. He could not bring himself to deceive the girl for he felt sure that ten minutes more was a that the father had left of life. “ Miss, your father is very near death’s door,” he replied, softly. “The experience through which he has passed has been too much for a man of his age and constitution. Compose yourself to meet the event, for he is even now passing away. ” The girl’s tears flowed afresh, and some of them falling upon the face of the old man seem- ed in a measure to revive him. He opened his eyes and looked around him, a faint smile upon his face. The ' lbelieved that this was a good sign but Ta bot, who was a better judge, understood that it was but the final flicker of life’s candle before its utter extinguishment. “ Well, we’re all right, ain’t we?" he mur- mured, faintlyi “That infernal scoundrel was beaten in the st deal, after all, but I’ve trump- ‘(1 my last trick, I’m afraid. Don’t cry, Cassy bar; a man can’t live always, you know.” An then his eyes wandered from the face of his dau hter to the resolute features of Injun Dick. “ ell, partner,” he said, with a smile and a nod, ‘X‘Iyou came in strong on the home stretch, d1? ou held too many cards for the scamp. eh? I’m so that I'm going to peg out so soon. I wanted to ry your metal at a quiet game of poker; I’m not much of a player, you know, but very lucky.” And as 085379 utterance to the erpression which bad 1 the Cinnabar card-sharps on to utter discomfiture he smiled shrede . ~49 You’re a good man, they say, at I’m so W Wandthenfor a moment hisrmind Captain Dick Talbot. g. began to wander. and he imagined that he was again at a card-table. “ N o, sir!” he said, quite strongly, “you needn’t search me; you won find an cards up my sleeve or down in my boot. 0 one but a bungler tries that; a man who knows his business uses his fingers, and can fix the papers to suit himself. Not that I know anything about it; I’m not skillful, only lucky! Aces scarce? Not a bit of it! You’ve got two in your la ; your partner’s got another on the floor, and ’ve got the last on the bottom of the pack,” and he chuckled 10w. ’Twas about his last effort; with a convulsive gasp, he turned his eyes upon Cassandra’s face, consciousness again returning. “ Cassy, I’m going," he murmured, faintly. “ I can’t stock the pack against death. He Wlll have his trick every time: but you won’t be alone. Talbot, you’re a man—a brother; you romised me once that you’d look out for my ittle girl. Take her now; she’s yours—she’s young, fresh-hearted—she has never loved any— body in all her life except her poor old father, and she’ll learn to love you in time. Oh, this life! We struggle and toil, and when we win, the game ain’t worth the candle.” And then the old man closed his eyes and his soul took its flight to that unknown region where peace dwells and love abideth. c‘r‘ A few more words and our tale is done. In Cinnabar City Talbot produced the body of Brockford much to the sur rise of everybody, and roved that he was the c ief of the dreaded Blac hoods, and this time the Governor was as good as his word; and, once again armed with his pardon, Talbot dared to walk forth in his own proper person without fear of any sherifl in California. Relieved of all apprehension, Talbot took an early opportunity to have an ex lanation with the eautiful Cassandra. He ha taken a great likingto the charming girl; he did not own even to himself that it was love, for his heart was too ‘ seared by the bitter memories of the past, he believed, for it ever to throb under the influence of the tender passion again. He waited upon the girl to know where she wished to reside and to learn what her plans were for the future. But he at once discovered that she depended wholly and entirel upon him. Heart-free was s e when first she encountered ‘ Talbot; but now she could not with truth say that such was the case; she had learned to love the bold man who held his life so lightly and who so readily put it in peril for others. It did not take the two long to understand each other, and Talbot felt once again that he had something to live for in this world. “ Are you willing to link your fate with mine, and follow my fortunes, desperate enou h, per- haps, they may be, through the wor d?" he asked. “My father gave me to on, and if you accept the trust I am content,” s e replied, with all a woman’s faith in her young, first love. “ Be it so. I acce t the trust, and be our for- tune good or ill, in t e future, we’ll share it to- gether.” And so we leave the man of many fortunes free once more, and blessed with the love of a noble girl. 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Each volume 100 12"“). pages, sent post-paid, on receipt of price, TEN GENTS. Dune Dialogues. No. 1. Dime Dialogues, No. 6. I Dlme Dialogues. No. 1 1. Meeting of the Muses. For nine young ladies. The Way They Kept a. Secret. For male and females. Agpcnmnccs are very Deceitful. For six boys. , Baiting a Live leghshman. For three boys. The Poet under Difficulties. For five moles. i T e Conundrum anily. For male and female. Tasso’s Coronation. For male and female. William Tell. For a whole school. ‘ Curing Betsy. For three males and four females. Ffislllon. F 01' twj’ ladli‘s. Woman’s Rights. For Seven females and two males. f Jack and the Beanstalk. For five characters. Thefeheal‘sal- 1‘ 01‘ SIX b0 9- All is not Gold that Glitters. For male and felonies. 1 The Wuv to Do it and Not to Do it. For three females. When Will you 011008“ 01‘ two boys. ; The Generous Jew. For six males. , How to Becomi- Healthy. For 1 male and 1 female. The ueen of May. For tWOIlJttle girls. ' Shopping. For three males and one female. ‘ The Only True Life. For two girls. era-Party. For four lollies. : The Two Counselors. For three males. Classic (‘olloquies For two boys. Three scenes in chrlcd Lite. For mole and female. The Votaries of Folly. For a number of females. I. Gustavus Vase and Cristiern. Mrs. Silltlles s Conlcsslon. For mule and female. Aunt Betsy‘s Benux. For 4 females and 2 males. ll. Tmnerlune and Bojazct. The Mission of the hpll'lls. For five young ladies. The Libel Suit. For two fellmles and one male. Fashionable Dissipation. For two little girls. Hobnobbmg. For five speakers. Santa Claus. For a number of boys. A School Charade. For two boys and two girls. . 1315 secret 0t: 31100939. 1‘ 01‘ three Sneakers. Christmas Fairies. For several little girls. Jenn lngelow‘s “ Songs of Seven." For seven glrk. Soun§l America. _ For three males and two females. The Three Rings. For two males. A Debate; For four boys. ' J 99 ine’s Destiny. For four females, one male. 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Two males and one female. . t _ _ , The Most Precious Heritage. Fm two boys. Cinderella; or, the Little Glass slipper. , gleafii’s‘ ngggm;iufi%’ t“%$‘g§fée M g l The Double Cure. For two males and tour females. Doiu Good and Saying Bad. For several characters. Trl‘l’e Pride A com) avg' For two fema 85' The Flowersnrden Fumes. For five little girls. The olden Rule. For two males and two females. The ‘Two L'ecmmm ‘3‘; numerous males ' Jemlma’s Novel.“ For three males and two females. The Gift of the Fairy Queen. For several females. Two View“ on “e ' A (.0110 n For two‘ females Beware of the ll ldows. For three ,irls. Taken in and Done for. For two characters. The M mg of fiug‘ic For “Soyf‘emales ' A Family not to Pattern otter. tor ten characters. Country Aunt‘s Visit to the City. Several characters. A Ho 3) C ‘ A l ‘in Verse ;rwo ms How to Mayo-age. An acting Charade. The Two Romans. For two mules. “‘3 e“ as?" . my ' ‘ The Vacation Escapade. For four boys and teacher. '1’ ' ti; on be F thre mal s The would'be 501100“ “Chen For two 65' That Naughty Boy Fox-3fcxn11esnndlmale m“ e “a” ’5' or 9. -e ' n - Come to Life too Soon. For three males. _ . ' h ‘ ‘ ‘ The a y Family. For several annuals. El 11, 0. _ _ . . Mad cap. An Mtlng c arade. . . . . g ./ clock. F01 two little girls. . d h > I. ’ . The mallow. For sev eral chnlactels. True Di m A Com“ u For two b0 8. All is not _Gol t. at G liters. Atllll proverb. gngto writs :hPo lltlilarl‘i: Stén'lefl. lFor two males. Grief mg’Eg‘ naive 013,7 'two males 37» Sic Translt Glam Mundi. Acting c ade. e e“'."‘“ e - 0" “'0 ma“ 93' Hamlet and he Ghost. For two rsons. ' ghseaswgg at Lag}; t1“ 0’ ‘W‘I’P‘ms- Little Red Riding Hood. For twopf‘Zmales. , th‘e Dmlfiguesl N°' 18' ‘ The “is: m(Inna. f 8%.! wo 1n%‘<.s.f 1 New fipucafion of an old Rum Boys and “.15. Two 0 clock. in the Morning; For three males ‘ Th: Old fag; ‘will “lift fougrmglllrrsma es’ ' “1°” 00"““m‘ A C°"“’q“y' F“ .‘w" m“ 98' fltggtfrlgtllaghlfilfiéhoegw segfirfinchllglcm . ~- . {Igglgg‘llglfiihgosfiphem-F ngr gwo llittle girl-s- ‘mme millagues No 8 ‘ Elie lightest BAoyI.) A rams)? of lloyl: analgacher. r i u elr. or v mu es. a $ - o . ~ ue a . ress see, For gir an ya. . The Virtues. For six young ladies. - . . , ' ‘ Not so Bod as it Scams. For several characters A Connubial Eclogue. The Fauy schofli‘ For a gut?le ‘ifil‘gifi’fia two he I A Curhstone Moral. For two males and female. The Public Mean For flv , n l d f 1 The Enrolhn§ O cer. F01 lree g ys. i , d. . The En nah T1. ' L m es an one emu 3' The Base-bill Enthusiast. For three boys. . sen” VS- 59'" ment- For Parlor an Exmbmon- 5 “e 3‘" For two makis' The Girl of the Period. For three girls. I Worth. “0'5 W651“); For four-boys “d a “when . Di D. The Fowl Rebellion. For two males and one female. ‘ N0 SW31! Word 35 1‘01]. FOP Several mules- - me “1099'! N00 8- Slow but Sure. For several males and‘two females. , Th9 Sleelfmg Beauty. ‘For 9. school. d f The May Queen. For an entire school. ' Caudle's Velocinede. For one male and one female. . 3fi1§ngfw€lm¥lgua TWO In“? all! a ell‘ifllfl‘ lxleress Reiflalilrtllncoonventlon.A lljnr ten gmgles. %6 Fl lure?P lzgr geveral minim chilllrlija‘ug’l5 , Boyflfik y. F“): sgggfiefiflfgoflm ll Fee 81" 5« e a oman. arr. : e o e r‘o r. orseven . l .- ° ‘ Conga]: Under Dihlcglcles. Tw‘fmalgsl: 0?. 52%.. Getting a Photography3 For males and females. M°'h“‘".‘3 Dem F“ We?“ “me “"3- . ' £230 Reprfisentatiirzes. A Burlesque. Four males. ibis shade”? ffill' gfxmera-l Imggovelglerllt. gel; Sflfi- A Practical Illuswmlon- 1“” mo boys and 3m- i the n, or n m 'ous male. ‘ o eman n. s 'se. roe r s an s x s. . Theagelhgteel 003. For twol males. ‘L . Great Ex rationsguFor two boys y Dune Dial°5“°" N°‘ 14' terpiece. For tvlvjlo males unil two females. as gag tochglol. HF‘otrhtive females ind foalrlrzialesie ¥hrs gallium gar and two ladies. _ ,, n 0 es r e en en. «‘01- mean emu. e ' . or r... Till: $3391.10 win 5331:: o Silva males. A Hard Case. For three boys. More than. One Listener For four gents and lady. Showin the White Feather. Four moles. one female. Ghosts. For ten females and one male. ,gholgnfimht is Ige? If‘m' 121.1% 01315; ) boys. The But in Call. A Rocitntive. For one male. ’ to 1;: I no 0 e a nu . . ' '( Dime Dialogues, No. 9. . Woman Nature Will Out. For a lrls‘ school. ‘ Dime Dialog“, 3. No. 4. _ Benedict and Bachelor. For two oys. , Advrrt n for Hal . For a 11 bar of females. The Cost of a Dress. For five persons. 3351.”? “Li” ' 113°” ‘5.“ °’ “‘3” Deli”: ales. ‘i‘ii‘et‘ii’lg‘i‘gi‘i mtg “Tint???” “35‘ n 98.5 t oil‘i‘i‘smyn Fl?" “x lim‘iifrmfim ' ‘ 11 1e. or reemaesanc wo em e an e ’ew.- or» "1 es an m e. ‘ ac em u re on. or ee :3. .' “the 0 and Charity. For three little rlrls. Choice of Trades. $For twelve little boys. Refinement. Acz‘lnk chamde. Several chum?“ ., Dal-b an Joan. For two males and one emale. The Lap-Dog. For two females. Conscience the Arbiter. For led and cent. " ' ‘ Y- A Floral Fancy. For six little girls. The Victim. For tour females and one male. How to Make Mothers Hap 3y. fixer two girl!- The Enchanted Princess. 2 males, several females. The Duelist. For two boys. A Conclusive ArgumEnt Tor two ho speaker. onor toWhom Honor is Due. 7 males and 1 female. The True Philosophy. For females and males. A Woman‘s Bundnes three kills. eGentle Client. Several males and One female. A Good Education. For two females. Rum‘s Work. . (Tern ). For four gents._ . no . A Discussion. For twenty males. The Law of Human Kindness. For two females. The Fatal Mistake. 0 young ladies. , ‘ . Rest-gt): ewflwfilgnmgr. F2 mfgles 1:1)? 1 female. lsgpoiled Clhilgren. For a. mixed school. ‘ fiyfiénui Nose. F nt‘agd one Indy. 7 .' 7 mm a ry.‘ or ur a as. ' ru us an assms. c 1‘ ut on." For sun 1' o oys. “"9 For three males and one female Coriolanus and Aufldius . . - he. Clock and Broom For three little r13. I The New Scholar. For in number of rls. ‘ ‘ a ‘ .“ I Dime Dialogues No 15 ‘ r “$553 w . ‘ASaCollo uy.t For two Eioys. ‘ gigs Self-made MgIn. gorFthi-ee aisle? The Fumes. m e. Fun“...er animals... _ .- r s. or womaes. eMny ueen o. . orasc 00 p v . ' , _ .. . I Cdmes A Coflogyy' For two boys. Mrs. Lack d‘s Economy. For 4 boys and 3 girls. fi H331: mkxl'i‘ofiwo $533; fififitmgnt m 3‘9"“? (ifofiazvoggnce. or four males. Should Women be Given the Ballot? For boys. allegory: titer;1 is if Eaclllr. .3 nu];ng 0t ban. 0 es. o en snow or on way. or wo a. l n Dime Dialogues, No. 10. l The Little Philosopher. For two mile girls. ‘ - Dialogues. N0. 5- ’ » Aunt Polly's Lesson. For four ladies. The Three Guessea. j‘or school 0-, 3,40“ Mrs. MnrkllTwain‘s Shoe. For 1 male and 1 female. A Wind-tall. Acting: Charade. For a number. - . Sentiment. A “Three Persons’ " ‘ The Old Flag: School Festival. For three boys, will it Pay? For two boys. ‘ ~ ' Behind Curtai , For males and females, The Court of Folly. For man girls. ' l The Hatmlnwr For n erons males. ,' ' . For five boys and a teacher. Great 31‘785- For 51! boys a 81X 811‘]? » Don't Believe What You “. F0 ' three ladies ' Examination Day. > or several female characters. Scand . For numerous males and females. A saga Rule. For three ladies. Tradin in “ 'l‘ra ." For several males. The Light of Love. For two boys. ' The on ef‘s Resolve. Extract. For two males. ,, The Se Oolboys’ Tribunal For ten boyS. . ‘ The Flower Children. For twelve girls. Testing her Friends. For several chm'actem- i .. s... salt” 2* it” We“ “1“ ml“- lhfi-De“ Wei F?” “l” M” - ' it“ “it it"sfm‘8‘3” F‘é‘é‘"&i‘““‘% ’ ’ ‘ . _ an nswer. F - , lscusswn. or w oys 4 a Ca - on an vner. ve on kA Colloquy, Eini‘lfiefifiififi, The Rehea‘rlsal. 114? or ~lighschogl. d _ Natural Selection. For three gentlem - ‘9 g i“ ' coma? “193151... 3.... Print. iii. ié’sionfio‘i’ilié‘e Til”. s. ' * Dime Dialogues. No. 16. Faliero. — The Monk and the Soldier. For two gs. .,, V ‘ Pony Ann. For four ladies and one entigmm, M Kilr- ey. ,An Acting‘ohme, ~ 1776—1876. School Festival. For two ls. 7‘ “ ~. The Heat of the Winds. For 3 so 001. _ ‘ Tue “an? HFor SiliYoung M” aflrtEth'm‘the all?“ rFog $131333“ 1 I n. 80 Wk 11,13: gm fimfimen ome. at '68111 In. 01‘ 1‘._ , 0 or .- Monaue nil-emu. rr‘glew ls. ‘ Frenchman Chanda. Numemus‘c , “ Good-by Day. ‘A Colloquy. lgor three gin-h. # 35'! at r: es). For eightcr lesnfillrttle girls. The Hardscrabble Meeting. For ten males, . , . m sci Well Man. For three boys. , we ‘ , ,1 " l -, V . I . l A _ > I - _ nUrrALo mm. AS HERO AND AUTHOR. T UFFALO BILL Novels {in Beadle’s DIME LIBRAR BY COLONEL PRENI‘ISS INGRAHAM. 851 Buffalo 3111’- Double Dilemma. 845 Bull‘ulo Bill’s Redskin Rune. 830 Buffalo Bill’s Boyslu Blue. 826 Bulfqu Bill’s Sharp-Sliooteru. 822 Buffalo Bill’s Bvst Buwrr. 816 Bull‘ulo Bill’s Bed Trail. 812 Buffqu Bill's Death-Knoll. 791 Buffalo Bill’s “’innlng “and. 787 Buffalo Bill’s I) aid-Shot. 781 Buffalo Bill's Brand. 777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy-shallower. 769 Buffalo Bill,» Sweepstakey 765 Buffan Bill’s Dozen. , 761 Buffalo Bill’n Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill’s D-nuble. 750 Buffalo Bill‘u Big Four. 743 Bull‘alo Bill‘s Flush Hand. BY BUFFALO ‘BllL. ‘ 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or Texas Jack‘s Proxy. 820 White Beaver’o Still Hunt. 807 'Wild Bill, the Wild Went Dueli-t. 800 Wild Bill, Ihe Dead-Center Shot. 639 The Gold King. 599 The Bend-shot Nine. 414 Bed Renard, the Indian Detective. BY LEON LEWIS, NED 131n~man~§l Etc. 113 nutmo Bum Bun; or, Cody to the Rescue ' 682 Buffalo Blll’s Secret Service Trail. 829 Bnfl‘nlo 3111’. During Role. \ WI, Il.-.“.~\ w . .,, “1., my, $2.13, \W ., I \V . 7, $1.. $9). «9/1; .~\ ll.‘:‘~\\.l.‘u1\\.’lu ..\ It. a. . .\\ o I ’/ \‘Qiju/ \‘flii'f .9». 3.9,; , 5.x 1/, 739 735 731 727 722 716 710 697 691 667 649 644 362 329 189 175 168 401 397 394 319 304 43 83 52 517 158 117 92 Bulfan Bill’s Blind. Buffalo Bill and “II Merry Men. Buffalo Bill’s Beagles. Bulfan Bill’s Body Guard. Bu lfnlo Bill on the War-Path. Buffalo Bill's St-ont Shadowers. Buffqu Bill Baffled. Bull'qu Bill‘s Bucks-{kin Brotherh‘d Buffalo Bill‘s Blind Trail. Bufl'alo Bill’s “voop. Blilfnlo Bill’s Chin-f of Cowboyl. Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza. Buffalo Blll’l Grip. Buffalo Bill’s Pledge. ‘Vild Bill's Gold Trail. \Vild Bill’s Trulnp Card. \Vlld Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot. The One-Arm Pard. The Wizard Brothers. White Beaver, Exile of the Platte. Will Bill, Whirlwind of the West. Texas Jock, the Prairie Rattler. The Pilgrim sharp. Gold Bullet Sport. Death Trails r the Chief or soon“. '35P! Buffalo Bill’s Fir-t Trail. Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scoutl. Buffalo Bl'l’u Strange Pard. Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. BEADLE‘S £33m (I'IIM S.'I'IIH 017.11.10.81 , [ME DIALOGUES. AND SPEAKER, FOR \ Exhibitions and Home Entertainments. ; HESE DIALOGUES, m... 9...... Scenic and Drew Pieces, and Rostrum DiVertiaelnents have now no notional rscogni- tion and reputation; for their exeellonco, availability and singularly, varied ,jchmem hare lent the little volumes into Schools, Homes Ind Aloclatlonl throughout every State and Section of thin Country and the Dominion. SPEAKERSNos. 1 to 25. 60 to 70 Piece: in Each Book. have no equal for avail- ability and merit of matter, nod have a wider popularity among teachers, scholars, schools and amotonr: than any Iorles or single 4 volume. yet published. at any price, in this 4 1,’oonntry. - _ ' ’ M Volume 100 1m Paw. 7 DIALOGUES No‘s. 1 to 41. 15 to 30 Piece: in Each Book. THE SPEAKERS run the whole rouge of Oratory, recitation and declnmtion. giving what is belt in eloquence, argument, humor, vernacular and dialect—prone and verse—thus making the series a perfect min. of good things, not only for declomotion and Imitation but for School and Family Reading. IBEADLE AND lDAMS, Publisher‘s: N V 98 Williczn so, New York: vvvvvvvvvvvvvv‘vvwvvvvvvvvv‘v‘vvvvv‘ ‘7 a. gases—Obgflag 4. <“ 1:- 3: Ill-O ~ (g: giro Lion of“. Son 0-, Th. anlod Body. .. ID .Th ’ on 1;: Dnr-lln 3.3,. n.‘p’.’.".i‘n'lll.'."."""' is: and r or. The Childron of tho ch». 1 “a word I unto"; or Tho Lnnd ottho Il- hont Eldon - '33: n: w. mm: “i'l""“‘°' M“ 5"“ I ‘ ‘4 Wo ' “I. MM": 3;“. o 913th»- of tho Plunod Juno . llo llomer tho Animoi ing; 01, Round tho World. ; 1 oil!» Ton-en: or Tho Longu- oltho Julio. lei. thobomon or. ’ 7 Oxford. Jon'- Wn- Troll. 'V 3 '~ BY oAP'r. J. F. 0. Anna. ’ no mo Sol or Niel: W . .‘ “ “n.3, lilo bro-t 85023:: was”. 5 ‘01! ll tho BoY'Tropnr. ‘ " 1" ii”. ‘l’etl or, in The Voila oi booth. BEADLE’S*HALF-DIMEarLIBRARY. Eddie. Issue Complete and Sold at the Umyorm Price of Five Cents, by all Nezoademao. 1 Published Every Tuesday. BY 0LL COOMES. ‘ I46 Kit Baldy. Detective; or, Silver Star, the iloy Knight. 163 Kit. Bandy in Texas; or. The Young Multnngal. Kin Bandy’l Catch; or, The Bar Heri'lllvfl. ] 429 Kit. llundy’n Right Bower; nr, Bum- Sammie BuyGiant 4 Kit; llundy’o Hwoop; Irr, Little llurkakin. the Centaur. l :8 Kit Ilundy‘n Slick Scheme; an Old ’i'mn Ruttler. l 61 Kit. Ilundy’s Deliverance; or, llnnntr Elm. 680 Kit. Bandy’u Punt; hr, Dunnllesa Dun. the Freelunce. 2’91 Kit. Bandy Rnttlc-d' m,'l‘helnmuruinnt. r95 rgn Ilunrly in non it. or, The Ymnliz “’hlrlwlnd. or, 5mm]. King Sum. t(, I , Dun, rh‘ Mountain Guide. in In Arin n. 80-]. Kit. "much": “I'll!” 92? Kiri Bumly'n lit-hut 989 kit limuiy'u fitnr hngngcuu ‘158 Jack Drew. the anmnis. or, Enule Kit thn no i188 Juek Drew'n Drop: nr, Liltle Hurricane, the Eoy Coptnin. ; $1302 Jnok Drew ln Deadwood; hr, i’rusyecti’utr. Demon. 27 Kent Knife ml Guard; or, Alllvlnpa Abo,1he Boy Guide ill Keen-Knife. the Prime unln: 12mm». 5 Vaznhontl Joe, the YullflK \i‘nn-ienlw Juw. 18 The Dumb flpy. - 4] Lnqu Juvk. the Young Mustnnzer. 58 The Border King: nr,’i‘he Seemi- Foo. 71 Delnwnre Dink. lliv Ynung Ranger Spy. 74 llnwk‘e e llurr ' 1h.- Young 'l‘l'apmr Rang". 88 Ilnllofi. t: Do I linger; nr,’i‘he eiraol. 184 Sure Shot flu I, lllr Boy liitlennm. 14B tear-Fave Saul. the Silent Hunter. 178 old Rolltnry, the llunnit'l‘rnpper. its " ‘izcr Turn. the T-‘xns Terrllr. 934 ulnnltin Dlo-I.‘ ; or, 'i‘rnpper Tnm‘o Cantu $28 .ittle \ lllllll't', the Yuung Prairie Nomad. 881i ’ ‘he l'nrnon Dc ti'l'th‘ 1-; or, The Little Room. 948 The Ill-guinea Gulch-g or, Willi Raven, tho Rumor. 260 Dara-Devil Dun, the Young Prairie Ringer. '7' tlinkllklll Mike, the Boy Sllnrpnhnoter. £90 .lttle Foxfire, the Boy Snv; or, Ohl Caleb Al'ka 800 l‘he Sk Demon; or, llnlnbnit, the Ranger. 884 Whip- ing- Joe, the Buy Enrichem. 401) herculeu; nr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 4| o Webt’oot Mon-e, th~ Tramp thectlve- 457 Wincedl‘oot Fred: or. Old Poinr Soul. 4.68 ’l‘amnrnc Tom, the Big Trnpper Boy. 48)) Stouewnll Bob, the Boy Troynn. 569 lllunderlnz But-ll, the Hermit Boy Trnppot. 653 Don "flrl’.,llle Plains Freeinnca 670 Norway Nelfl, the Big Boy Mountain". 778 "i bland Hurry, tthimrd Riflemnn. 828 Po or Jack. the Detective Sport. BY '1‘. J. FLANAGAN. 90g Midolllornnn Dare, the Pirate Catchers 0' The You: Cowboy Contain. 988 {:19 Two . ltlohlmnen; 'nr. 'i'ho' CoronirOour’o m - to. BYJAN DUNN IN 0. I“ Iiei. Jack, tho Secret Service Spy. , 76? no Ind Jack, the invincibleo; or.‘i‘ho Dloholkol 'l'iuoo. too“ ‘ no Coil. ‘89: lion-oi Fox’o Sweep-Stakes. i In GRIDRGE c. which. an Thor owney the Unknown. 13 giggle" "'5' "1:: muffin n n. ma 1) mu non 00 P 0?, Cl 0 t I I '0. 581 Double-Curve l'ln,’|ifl Pitcher much". no I'll“ uo Singer Domtivo; or Ownoy in A Now Rolo. “8 The teller lloteotlvo’n lion; or, Don’o Doubio my. 010 The 0eenn Detective: or. Thu LootCrnloo onho Block floor. “I The Pitcher Detective'o Ton hut Tilan- ;¥0 LII-I" the Thoroughbred; or. ton on Every Biol. 9 Iron loud. the Chormed D'tortlrt- 8“ Uncle Smu'o Detective in Chicago. BY \VM. 0. PATTEN. 0 et. VI tho Volvot Sport- or Tho Jubileo at lichen or. Vining;- Victory or. ‘l‘ho'lupor City Clean Ont. Daisy, tho oo Porno. , at night Vows or. 'i‘ o Croit - Douctlvo'o Cult. e Vnne’o You once: or,'i‘ o Wilto-Out. o Yone'o‘h: a let; or. Tho com: o Conn City. 0 o A g An V'entril «int \‘iqu: or, S rt vo. Sport. lVale the Vonquio ml. or. The Life trn in. e Vane I Vlolonl or. Tho Flay Hour! at ate. "luau-ml Elton or,‘l‘ho Douhlo lmot Bod o mlyomga or. "in On.- }; lure the port from Donut. ombohell. NM Bangor Detoctivo. ron Fern tho Mon at l'lro: or, Among tho Vulturoo. in Ho rnroo Detective! or. Tho Donbio arllelnooo "Ital ve’u Dmuly Pfll'lll onTho War-melo- n I o o lo oi oi o D Rooh. .33” at; got" ouud Roy rank. tho Yum-r Amouur t “(I Vulcan, the Lana-Rana. Ridor. the .‘lnu Mun Miwnrl. the Novor-Soy-Dlo Domino. non shfldnn. the Secret Service Spodll. Cowboy Steve tho Ranch lllucot. 0 Not): Not. tho Tondtrfnot Domain. g. i a- 3. O F. 323% Si 8 v} r- r Stoke’n Double Deal. Opotfir Rob in N Y . floater Bobh- ll "53-, flit-m. L B" OOLON EL BELLE SARA. ‘ _ , ool Dunno-d: on”. Gomblor’r Biz Guru. A’ ‘ * VBYDAPTAIN Flip”. WIIITTAKEB. 1 us The sud-y or. Tho wnu. nlDorion. Du-b radiant or.'i'ho Swot. of a Yolloontou‘ 1' Groonhorolnt Mo. boProl o. , kw m with. 15".» i ‘ tho" " ' unusuuuu—uu-‘uu— ‘ on rt BIH thBo-Bniihut. . gluing nml'na. almlruu'iso-un. .p ‘ " . BY T. 0. llARlIAUGII. 23 Nick 0- the Night: ur,’l‘h- Boy Spy oi’wa. 87 The 'lllltlo‘ll Lodge: or The thti-- Hunter. 47 Nizlrtlnxnle ih rut; M, The l‘nrent Curtains. 64‘Dnudy Jar-k; nr, The Outluwn nl'the lwznn Tan, 82 Kll "Intro-1t, the Wood-Hawk; nr, (lid Yuwdebinu. 94 .\| illnlzltt .l_nul. ; nr, ’i'hn iiny Trapper. 1 106 Did Fruity, Ihv “Midi”. "r. Tllr White Queen. 123 Klou'n Charley the While- hinstnnger. Jr.: hr, The Bu ' Vlgl'lnute. the Spun; or, 'i' e Girl Avenger. ur, lnjun Jack Frmu Red Core. l t w. Ilunier lioy; or, Tlu- Mall Hunter. “ , hr. ’1in Ulla-In nl Fatwa Revenge. ‘loL. the Bar Gold Hunter. .u 20? 1’" undo . ‘ 215 (‘nptnln lhtllvt ; l-r, Lilli» Truuknntio Crusade. 21H l'lru-ky l’ltil: or. lung, the ii.- i Jezebel. 241 Hill llrnvog hr, 1“ w Rough» nltheilnrkieo. \rmli ’ "In Kine-Pin of Bowie. 3 u ukin Don-ulna: or. The King of Rond-nuonto. 279 Dill “'invh: ur, "i’he rsm-ktkin Desnnrmloro. 994 Ihnnlnllu Dan: or. The Hmvle iiimle of (lnchatopo. 302 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 0” Eclipse. Trumn Curd ni Ariznnn. 326 The Ten I'nrt‘lfl: "r. The Terror 0! Take—Noth 886 “it: llonnnn: or, The Queen «(the ano. 46 Pltilenn Matt; on Red Thumlerhnll’n Secret. 5“ Pool ‘rlru mul I'm-"t ol Tin- Terrible Six. “6 Velvet. Foot. the imliun i‘l-tl-vtlve. ‘6 (‘uplnin (iutluuug or, 'ln- 8 rcuueer‘l Girl Foo. 96 Rough Ilol) ' hr. The [win (‘lmmplmln nl Bina Blml. 4 11 The Silkon .nnlo: "I'v'l‘he Rnnec Rum-iv Robin. 1 ill Felix Fox. the Buy sW‘ilvlr. "r. Tin-Gold Gnngol New York. 1 9&5 ’l‘oxno Trump. the flunk-r Rntllrr. ‘ 88 Phil r‘lunh, the New York Fox: nr.’i‘hr3iysueryoflloom 9h 45 The City Ynlnnirofll i”, lied ll'lll'e'o Plenum. t til Due Agnlnnt Filly: hr. The inn Mull of Keno nor. 70 The lluy Shullnw: or. iI‘l-iix Fox'a Hunt. 1 77 The Ext-t-inlnr hour-t : or. The Waslmlxton Spotter. t 99 Hingle Might. thu fine-Eyed Spurt. 02 Brnrulcd Ben. the Night Fen-«t. 51$ Jodger Dick. tln- W hurhflpy Dl-tm-tlve. r21 lodzcr Divk’u Bent Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gong. Bill “1n and Full-on, the linwrr) Shuduwr. 8'5 =1" url‘ link, the Dark Fem-t. 113 lot nor Dluk’n Double: "r. The Rlvoi Boy Detecting 58 u- u. 'u lh-opvrute Calm. ti I . thr Buy Yinirwq; ur,ll'he Gang of'i'hm. 73 ‘Ilr Two “down; or, ihulger Dick’n Slop Gums. Doll (-1- Dick's Drom or, The Mnn Iron: Jamey. .ittf- Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 9M flklnner. the Gold Shark; ori1 Tony Sharp on Guard. 1 em» or i‘lw Chulnplon Par-(in; «ml y Luther ulSllvur Bur. Flt-k Donn. the Dock Boy Detectwv. 3 Kit, the Pavement Slim-o. 58 llllly Bantam. ti"! 3"" Bent!"- ‘H Jerncy Jed. the Iinv Huntlor: nr. Shadowing the Shadow". 85 Happy "u h, the Boy )innlrinn Detective. 01 Photo rap: Fred. the Cnmero Shay. 5 “'ide awake Len, tho Holler City errot, 82 Danny Dell the Pavement elective: or, Tripping 313mg. 9 Billy w In E, lha Bell llny Detective. 54 Bill Winks, the Born lch~ Simdcw. 68 Eng 6 Ned. the Boy on Gunnl: or, ’i'no Comp lpiloro. no Tonkuwny Tom. the Red Whom $23 Til“ ‘ii‘."“l.'“.l"’°"ir t m r... 3 II. 6 u My one or duration 89? Davy Doon’n lil- Bonnee.‘ ' 905 Dundv Nugget, tho Bu" Sir-(low. 981 The Boy-from Denver. RY CHARLES HOBNI. 18 Will Son-en, tho Boy Detour". 3' Phil "It'd". the Boot Boy. 86 ’0“ : or, Nicodomno, tho Dog mo- 30 Data-tire Dick: or, 'I'ho Horo in Any tho Boothlock Do no. 'lii wnanre. theirhmupw. , innit “coo. Wlii Wildflroo Wu. lite Merry the Horbnr Po ice Boy. Wildfire in the Wootlo. on 30 . . TI'IIIIII and r or. Will \MldIro Wino ad ho- ob lloe kett; or, My-terlon of Now York. b M ‘ml'lmrlm nv‘ihlf’ivnan v 3...... en on or. ro o “and. un- l.“- Boot Bag?" Tho In” ob lloolrett; nr. Drlvon to tho Ill- owed or. Boo ltocitott‘o Fight for bill. M n ' m "l'iSJSl'h. ti on n IV t a toe u. om Talus-r" M. The Bill-k Shoop oi tho Hoot. h “goo chem Premium Bibgrity. .udow am to colon or . 0 Two “ loodl ”| or: Shonlndonh Fill old Hildong. Ink Boll-ow yt or, A 15mm. Bny in Clue lre Younfl 3 nrpor on . Roilichlng Mlh’l or Troll. Jolly Jim. the Detective An rontiro." Jolly .llrn’o Job; or, flu on“ Domtlvo. The Wnur-llonndr or. Tho Young ’i‘hmnfnorod. Dot-horny, of Du: no: or, A Wootorn ha nQuur ct”. llniph Ready. tho Hutol Boy Damn". Tony Thor-Ire. tho Vagabond Dawn". The Reporter-Detective. or. Frod Flyoro Blind. Wide-Awake Joe: or. A Boy nftho TImoo. Lorr . the Level": or. Tho Bland. at tho Boulovud. Fire y Int-k. tho River-Rut notvrtlvo. The Lost Fln on or. The Entroppo-l Cuhior. red Ver. '- » Rannrtvr DHNHW‘. Invincible Logan. the Pinkerton i-‘omt. Bill Brick. the Jolly Vagabond. 0 WI e-Awake Jrrrv. Detective: or Entombod All". 79 Dem-olive Dodge: or. The Mvotorv nt‘Frnnk Hoorty. 48! Wild Dink Kaela-t1 or, How He Fouth for Honor. 501 Boots. the Boy Fireman : nr. Tan Slurp for tho Shown. NM 'Flle. flooret ‘ "Vice Roy Deter-live. NM (inrmfi t o Ki : or. A anh Amnnv olvoo. 627 "mu ruoe ot lit-Immune or. The Wolfin tho Fold. 5 "‘lrmky Pafil. thr- lloy finenulntor. ‘0“? llnh and Rum. the Dnioy natal-tire». 1'09 'l‘ho Cnrhotono Demo-live: 01'. "I"! Hill" 3'! 3°” fit? “Determith Frrtn I": Ewan-Intakes. 569 lied Norman. tho Gnmin Broker. 8!“ "I‘nrke Dilly, tho Shirleo’rnr-up Drtutivo. 91? il‘lault lJuhtnlng, tho Mount-tin Moot-0t. RY ALBERT “’- AIKEN. II The Two Deter-liven or, The Fortnnoo oio Savory Girl. on Abe Colt. n... Crow-Killer. 'fll Sol Ginger. the Giant Tr per. 7 .88 Joe ilnok of Angola an "In noy Paid. . 447 New York Not. A To]: of'i‘rloh And Tropo ll 90th.. 8 New England Niel.- : or. The Port-moo of: Fondling. 4’ ie ck. ' «bale-‘31 NO .1 Hill-” =5: o I i o Si .- z: E 6' n I 5:251) O a -5: fl- :taomafldaafihb: D I‘ aaaevureneomm §§§§E§§E§§E§E§E§§- a:grga=3 i ?r 3‘ nan Nlnb l the Cirrno Prinu. Tom Tell. Mo Ilrl nn 8 rt. :10 cool Colorado, t o Hol $er Dotoctlvo, ‘ 18 00.! Dolorndo In New York: or. The Cowboy'- Hm A BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYMB D. I. "Y J. WV. 05130!!- 489 The Rh nl (ilnnto ofNowlmr'. ‘ 498 (‘notun llnrr. the Man tram Hord Look. 537 (Did Buvkc‘wu the sierra Shodorr. 584 Powder- I'hll, the Boy Miner. ur.'l'ho "I. Wit-hallo“ 833 i'fl'h’ l’l’l’l“. "“’ hm" "”“°“¥l' n n... x... . e r n n 'r- .911 or, a v- o. o 838 l'iru-ky‘ Fun]. tfe ilnr Pftwtll‘e‘rtnr. m guilt:- "nuté lll’ttlr.ltllr3‘;l‘r:ill Patna. in M m i I I'D III “II I Ii . H or. N: W, 923 Gold-Dun. Dun’o Slurp-Shot. ' BY Jtlfllll’ll E. BADGER. JR- Yellowlllolle .luekt or, The Tn or. , Rim-k John. the Road-Agent; or. lo Ontlow'l Rollo“. llurrlt-nnc Bill; or Mllllnnfl Slul and Hi: Ford. Multan Sum or‘Tho Kingol’tho Pinion. NIZIIt-lrllwlo "it: hr, The Dnuxhler of the Roach. A... H 5 ti Dainty Lam-e Ill: llny Sport. 1 Panther l’al : , lmmy Lance tn the Room". 0 The “luck Gluutx or. [minty Lunrn in Jeopardy. ’1 Deadly Ilnnlri or, Fighting Filo with Fire. ’ l l 0 ll 5 a .‘ II-‘UIIUI‘H - ~.. 9 9 .4 4 The Doy 'l‘ru err-r or, Dnlnty Lanes on tho Wot-M The Do Par-do: or. Dnlnty Luna Unmukl. Crooke Onlo, the Caliban ox’ Colo-Hui City. \ The Darrow-o Wolf; or, The limnlful Docuy. ‘he lllnuk Rider: or. The Ilene-Thloven’ 1m Id Double Flot or. The Stun“ Guido lu- Kim: at tlrr- Yttqu.- 0r “Mimi iioouo‘l Loot” it. Fox. tho Bordor Bov Detective .hlmvnpln Dun. the Day ’l‘rnller. .Itlm-npin Dnn’u Second rni - rllllt‘llfllll Dnn'n lion-e stretch. lli Fruity, the Man Wilhuut n Hood. 1 brim" -urt. Luto’n lmgm-‘y. .hv n! nrt Lute‘n Lon! 'lrnll. .Oflflfllfll‘l‘ v All 0 31-4. 8 5 9 i’ 7 8 AA v4 )1 ti H—AA 4 lh - I-Mmio. tlrt- Shot-hone. 9 ‘Iirm-ltlmlo, the ll-If-lshmd; ur.’i‘he Bordor Bo loath lb lillverltimle. the llultilr. or.’i‘he Bordor Beogio'o lull. 48 Sliverbiude the Friundlylov,'l‘lw nor-tor Beulo’obufl . nr' 0. DUNNXNG CLARK. 1850 1' ,Tl msv an n. Moo. ooo Tillie-m: Jillian l'... Vml .2. of‘tho‘B‘l'lcl obs-L BY LIEUT. II. n. PERRY. U. s. N. 176 The l'lo llunnwa - or The Burr-non uni-M- ' run The Se-yTroiiert lir'. A 'v... w.n x"... Ill. Captain Kit: or, Tho lily-ten of Mann-k Pol-t- BY JACK FARRAGU’I‘. 315 Ned. the Oohln lion or, Tho Witch at tho no 830 The Son Barceroooa or. The Boy Stupor. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE Rm. R i It Th Y‘all Chi i’ V onto. é; git??? ignite.- ..le 1543?“.‘33‘. 'I 0,, Ir WM . o on $1.: Gzls-ooolko-r Guide! or. n. um moot-h. BY BBAOEBRIDGENEHYXG. 8’ lolnntl Jinn or. Tho Pot of tho Foul . '1“ 0 lutffllefll b .Tho NAN“ r , lot-onto :1" no: In 1‘:- ‘r’lrk. ’ ' ' ‘ nlomtmnumo AUTIOBI. ~ r 0 Ifl 5 I. Tho "333;". I! I: m 1" . no dvon I no ollvonB o wk . firm-W "a mu ' if whammy a ’0 ' 'r o loo nape-t; out.me your ; mo... ‘m or...“ or mum-m. orrlbou. '%o.r3?rm ' ' v to a," own: or noun-onion. l7! than 3‘ n "fill". Mu may?“ 0:" a A c lrooo. “ " _ C o I o ’ ’ Th: Ill-l nSQL‘l’. or,‘l'ho mum-old. lino-It": J “II I . ' oo nan. noomalofll'uu lulrood‘holorq u.- oi Clout 7; [08 3M llnln tho Hutton who OM Cool". lym' Homian Ho moo. uni-«In t. .o..'luc.norn.ut. um... V. . la gallant“: Fl'onLIorJ‘ho Ion-g (hoopla. lydoolp, . m. Ill TH“ Ycongdh'rivomrt «.7» WA lire-(hold. h “I l' . ,, l“ “r, Tito uqu o bloodh- on. )9 J.“- . 0!“ ll. - “f “may “Isl-rig, '5 per: who Groom Roonoflho'oi. IOU. IN- V "I I I t ‘molltthoihwlnl . ILA“ lg! Ill! :rf'tor sold“ ".13": OM! 'o [M 3 I l . D. mm. on n’u'h .3. m Only“ Tronon out. was» on N 3 TI . awaaqaaaaa > D .- 8322 B 8:533. l ouch. I or: rife'mlhgn. u. mun Lu! mu Loodvlllo. o, Hoo- trnwnt A d rn o. 8.0 The Ikyn‘tetutlvol 0?. A Boy’l light tor “loo-4M .I‘, B Molar the Iron. ’ m “yell llololl. the “Ivor llovorl on“. Mio- ooo "m “mnemllllioomulmmum A r um ' . II o . ‘ I‘M Torn; or. Bon’n mar-lo Motels. 0 H. m .- 816 gollfornio Joo’o Fir-o0. 'l'roll. Dy Coo-oi It... on Mon-t . , m mn,’ nailing“, u.- cm: cum... Iy 1.3.Wlnthop. 15 The Black EM“. “y John I - - gamma-lie Melt old Ill-I 'lllm him“ .! on . nmoo. r . N. no Thrflowbo onto. 3. mu. a...» run... 55. Ari l tho M iota. Byllovid Droid. ( w l Warm. n- now l'orlot. In H.1aton. “39 TIM Noll note-flu"- llouhle. Iy Gould lb. 791 Allover-lei: ¥m€.“:tllo|llrlhr..onn Dowdro;ur,'l‘ho V at o- n. y wn . . , 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Nnvor. Br Kinglonow‘. v . .Secm Forvino Porno. 814 Am fllrh. the Fri-so Do «the. By C. I'M». ’ 880 The Grim lod u in of Alley; or. Cilia an”. M Numb" 90W!!- y Ron 1". Ho lldov. . “81 The Chico-o Mnmmer‘l Doll. 35' 1.0. ml ' 54; mil-roe chorlio. the Cot’o- Pow Sport. B: m u .- l G I nor mny' Brine. n» 3......» r... 3y 1. - . - I ull It "In thofil i'mo ' “I 8" II no I .3, “atrium. . or. v tivo‘l Lone Hand. A Now loooo Error! Too-lo: . .m I to in i ll .fifi‘ttm A ......_':.:.."...'..W.. *- nwnnmmuum ; on WWII-o BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMErLIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeakrsu BY EDWARD L. \VIIEELER. Deuthvood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince oi the Road. ‘0 Deadwood Illck’u Dclluncc; or, Double Daggers. 28; D’ztngtgg'il III:I lIDlllnza‘lnc‘;l or, Bullet: Ban - .- nu c. 2; {eagwooa Iiflnanzu; 0.,The Phunltlnm Miner. ea woo c’ u -- ,U U. 57, Deadwood Dick'n I‘Zafilgst rdrfil‘herihii‘ri‘u oi Flood Ber. TB Dead wood Dick on Deck: nr.i‘n|r.n.ity J Ine,the Heroine 7? Deadlwmn‘lI Linn, or. Corduru)‘ Chkriie- eat “'00 t‘ ' n l'nl ' (‘- iog l:tta:ll\voo:1l IDle\lce‘; or, The Double Cross Sign. on woo r as Dctccthc. 199 [Dead wood Dick‘n Double: or, Th» Gurgnn'n Gulch Gino-t. 188 Deadwood Dick'l‘ Ilomc liar-c; or, lliuild! Bill. Deadwood chk‘a iilg Strlkc or, A Game of Gold. Deadwood Dick oi Drndwoo x or, The l'lcked Party. Deadwood Dick’n lDrcuru; or, The Rivnle oi the Road. Deadwood lDlr-k’n “ urd; or, ’i‘hr- Black llill’n Jelebel. 'Deagwoog I'D’oorzl :Dmr, ICalamity Juno's Adventure. on woo c ' u- - . Dami‘v’ooi'l II'DIIcIk’Q lileh-lsl‘hni. to - m- c *. A Romance of Rough: and Tough: :33 053333333 i335: 3333.” 'Skui"°sp’”' “S'mp'L‘” i Deadwood Dick:- IDcal; or, This Gnid Brick nl Oregon. :engwoot: Dick_u Dozen: or, The Faklr oi Phantom Flats '51 ’oadwooh :1 Dncntn or, Days In the Digginz‘. 36$ "3:02:32" "lfikj graham-ed; or, iho Terriblo \endetu. Dcadwuoo Dick in Dead City. Deadwood Dick’: Diamondr. ' Deadwood Dick In New York; or, A “Cth Cue." =51:ngng I'D’Ilcl'r“: gnu-t: olr, Tiaeflchnlmgl Hand. - v r- ~. «r, 'l c ‘ 4-174 Deadwood Dick: Jinan, fichnncnclon "mum Sin. 4521 Dcndwoml Dick, Jr.’u Full "and. 4:59 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’n. Bio: Bound-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick Jr.’l Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’e Corral; or Bowman Bill. «6 Deadwood m. i. Jr)», nag Detective. 431 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, .Ir.'-, Compact. 490 Deadwood Dick Jr.‘n. lnhrritnnce. 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr): DI run. 508 Deadwood ch Jr.'II. Def verance. 51:. Deadwood Dick r.‘e l’rotegee. 522 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’n. Three. 529 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’-. Danger Dnckn. 4 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'u, Death Hunt. - 89 Deadwood Dick, Jr" III Texan. Deadwood - Jr., the Wild Welt Vidoq =::i1::03 gm, lon éll:hiiiettle. u I'- II 0 Deal wood lchk,’ air”, In Bot-trait? Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia. Dear wood Dick, Jr.. in (‘hIcazo- Dent wood 1ch '. Jr" Afloat. Dca woon or" in Denver. ha “0011 Dick. Jr.‘-. Dccrce. {33333313135 21'? "l g°°"°‘i“i’".i’"“‘ wood Dick, 11-23..“ all." 151:}: Dcat wood Dick, In. In Detroit. Deadwood Dick. r. In Cincinnati. run wood Dick. r., In Nevada. Dca wood Dick. Jr., In No Man’s Land. Don wood Dick. Jr., lifter the Queer. Dan wood IDIr-k an. In Bulfnlo. =2: :22: JJI'.’R,£1|BIG A; rogue the (iontlnont Dent wood Dlzk: 5:”! fizsfill‘hfe 0.12:, cm Den wood Dick, Jr., ack In the Mines. Den wood Dick, Jr., in Durango: or.“ Glthfl’ed 111-" on wood Dick, Jr.“ Dincoveryiorflmdnli'ortnne. Dem wood Dick, grin. llD'nfllic. woo - ' r. a. 0 III. wood Dick, Jr.. at Danger Divide. Den wood Dick. Jr.’l, Drop. Dea wood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Den wood Dick Jr? In San Funnel-co. F =GW'1NQ3-fll are-b- own—.53: UYOWWIJ e B «aceozoaoamaaczzEopmoacamwcmmaé g - 5 An--¢§' AAA M AAA--A Doa' wood Dicky Jr. I: Still Ilant. Dem wood Dick, .Dr.’n dominoes. ‘ Deat wood Dick. Jr!» 1'“ nine. Deat wood Dick. Ma’s. Don in Deal A Den wood Dick Jr.’~. Deathwatch. Dea wood Dick .lr’n, Hamlet. Den wood Dick In, Deathblow. Den wood IDh-k. .I . :- -Dc-pcrnte Strait. Dent wood Dick. Jr.’n, .one "and. Dean wood Dick, Jr.’n Dei'cat. Den wood Dick. Jr.’-, icnnrrectioll. Dent wood chk. .Ir.’e Dark Days. Dcilcd. ‘I, Don hi 0 Device. B 1' . lDelpcrnto Vontnro. DB , Diamond Dice. 1' , lieynl Flash. 0 cut woo-'1 Dick. Jr.'n I'cad-olf. 4 6 on wood Dick. .Ir.’n. lilvni. 892 Dea wood Dick. .Ir.'n, loom. 858 Del wood Dick, Jr.’-. Scoop. 884 Dea wood Dick. Jr.’r-. l’rox . Dca wood DI: . Jr)», (‘lntc . Den woml Dick, . r.'-, lllgh "one. 859 Den wood Dick fin, nt lDt-‘li'n Gulch. 323 i: 1332:} iii"? ‘i'fl'l£°:‘.il"i"ii°"“““ c' n .n o nu- . Deni wood ichk,’ .Ir.. In Mexico. 876 Dea wood Dick. Jr’n Decoy Duck. wn Dick, Jr. In fillvcr Pocket. wood .grin, {DcagiSnfieIGanld woo c ‘, . r. n, on e r ve. 904 Don wood Dick, Jr)... Trade-Mark. a wood Dick, Jr" at Tl -Top. 916 .chaii Wood Dick. Jr.’rl Dou tie-Decker. 021i Deadwood Dick. Jr. nr Dollarvllic. 934i Deadwood Dick, .lr.. at Flush Fla“. 940 Deadwood Dick. .1r.'n. Shake-rm. 040 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’-, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Illck, .Dr.‘-. Right Bower. 95'? Deadwood Dick. Jr.’-. Ten-Strike. 985 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'r-. Gold-Dust. 971 Deadwood Dluk Jr.‘l. Dnth. 97'? Deadwood Dick, erl, Death-Doom. 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'n. Bent Card. 992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Duet- 998 Deadwood Dink. Jr.'n. Biz Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr" Branded. 1011 D-ndwo d D ck. Ja’n. Dutch Ford. 1018 Deadwood Dlo .. J 3", Big Four. IIY ROBERT R. INDIAN. 1088 Dandy Dick’s Double. 1024 Dandy Dick, Detective. BY MARCI'S ll. “'AIHNG. 1026 The Three Fpoticr'. 1041! The Street Fpoltcrn’ “'elrd Hunt. 1053 The Three Spotter-0 Dead Mystery. (Dtllor Novels by E. L. \Vheoler. 80 iioacbud Roi): or, Nuuuvt Ned, the Knight. 84 lionelnul l-‘oh on Ilund; or, 14131, the Girl {\llllrr. l'li'i lion-bud Iiolr‘n Rea ncuralu-c; 0)" Photograph Phil. 121 Honclmd Rob’n (Thu lcuge: Ur, (‘Inmunun ('hip. 21’? Denver Doll. tire Detrtlire Qum-n; Hr, 'i‘hr Yuukcc'u Surround. 2151 Denver Doll‘s \ ictory: nr. Skull and (momma. 9§5 IDcIn'er iDull‘r-I Decoy ; or. Lillie liill'u Bonanza. 396 [Denver IDuli‘n Drift; ur. The Road than. 80" D'rcku .llnI. thc iiIDill-Ulilllel'ori or. Th» Ur. Lottery. 878 Yreka Jlm'u l’rizc; W, The “Miners ul \i'nhv Up. 835 Yrcka Jlrn'n Joker; or, The Rivnle ei'lled Ntea. 894 1 reka JlIII ol' Yuha Duln. 209 Eritz. the Bound-Boy Detective; or. Dot Inn-tie Game. 213 i rltz to the Front; or, The Velltriluquist Hunter 24 l filer". Mun, th. Frnnil.~r Ferret; ur, A Sister's Devotion. 24H chrra Baum: Score-t: or, The Bloody Footnrinn. 253 chrra San-'1‘ Ford; or, The Angel ni Biz Vista. 258 Sierra Sam‘u Fork-n; or,The Stolen Bride. 8151 kangaroo Kit: 0!. The Mysterious Miner. ’89 kangaroo Klt’r liackci; or. The l'rlrle mi Played-Out. 39 IDcutII-li‘ucc, lictectiw; or, Life in New York. 96 “'alch-Eyc tiw Deli-4 live; or, Arililfl nod Angela. 11? out-Edged Dick. n... Spurt Damn... 14.5 Cuutuln Ferret. the New York Detective. 16! New York Noll, the Buy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Bo) Sharp. 891 T_urk the Boy Ferret. 825 kclloy, iilckcy .k 00.. thr Di‘lrt‘ilvrs of Philadelphia. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Drtctllve. \ 400 “'rlnklcn. the Night-Watch Detoctlve. 416 High "at Harry, the Base Bali Dctoctiva. 486 Ram Siabnldcn. the BurgunBoy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pa]. Private Detentivee. 86 iiiovcn Ilooi', thc Buffalo Demon: or,’l'hu Border Vulturu. 82 Bob Wooll': ur, Tile Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Did Avalanche: or, Wlhi Edna, the Girl Brignnd. 53 Jill! Din-lune. Jr., the Boy Pheuix. 61 iiucklrorn ill“; or. The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet x or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’vCumn. 113 Jack Iluyle the Young Soecuintor. ' 185 Bonanza Bill. Miner: Ivr. Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 “on liob the King of Bootblncks. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brown 177 Nobb Nick oi’Nevadn; or, The Sienna Scampl. 131 “’lld rank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily's Love. 986 Apollo "iii, the Trail Tornado: or, Rmvdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit. the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joey the [icy Patrol: or. The Rival Heirs. 880 Little nick-Shot; or, 'l‘ho Dead Face of Dnggenville. 358 Flrnt-C an Fred, the Gent irmn Gopher. 878 Naboi) Ned: or. The Secret oi'Slnh City. 330 Cool Kit, the King cl Kid»; or, A Villain'n Vengeance. ‘88 Santa Fe Sal, the Sluhar; or. A Sun's Vengeance. «a flcalnkin Sam. the Sparkler: or The Tribunal of Ten. 913 Kit Keith. t e Revenue Spotter. 923 idol Hnarpc. the New York Night-liawk. 948 Did llaynoed Arnou Bunco Mon. 1001 Banty, the Denver ioothlack. BY J. C. CO1VDRICK. Billy. the Boothack Bravo. Billy’s Boodle; or. Clo-ring nStnnu C... Billy’s Humidity." Bill ’s Death Racket. Bil y'l Burprire Party. ny “lily; 0.3111» Rvaetactlve'IBlz lnnlnt. way Billy'n Den . ,otl 0?. The League oiSeven. way Billy Abroad} or,The Bootbiukin Fri-co. way Billy'l lie-t; or,Beetlnz San Francllcn'll'lnut. wny Billy In Clover. Billy in Texas; or, The River Runtien. Billy’s Brand. way Billy at Santa F0; or, The Clover Du]. Billy’s lv‘nll "and: or, The 6min Detective. lillly’a Buninene. Billy’s Curious Cane. way Billy In Denver. way lIIlly‘u Bargain; or, The Three Detective. way Billy, the Retriever Detectlve. way Billy’s Shadow Chane. way lillly’n Beagles; or The Trio'l Que“. way Billy’s Team; or, The Combine’l Bin Pull. way Billy’s Brigade: or. The Dead All". way liiliy’n Quecr Bequest. way Dilly “allied. way Billy’s fllfnai Scoop. I lly’n “’ no (Dut. way Billy’s Bunk Racket- iiniy’hm'm a Tu y II y mon erley an way llilly’n Half. way liiily‘n Biz Boom. way Billy’s Big Bulge. way Bllly'u Intro 000 Snap. way lilily’e Blln ; or, The Bootbi-ck Stow-way. lillly in London. lillly Shadow: London Slain; way llilly’n French Game. way Billy and the Bomb-Thrown". 800 Rilver-Mank. the Mm oi Mystery; or, The Golden Kayo. 869 Shanta. the Gold King: or. For Seven Yam Dead. 420 The lDetectIve’u AFpprentieez or, A Boy without. Name. 434 (‘Ibuta Johns or. ed-Hot'i‘lmes at Ante Bu. 481D Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 487 Dir-co Dan. the Dale ' nude. - 501i iiedllailt Ralph t a Prince olthe Road. 524 The Engineer Detective; or, Redilght Ralph'AVReeoln 548 Mart, the Night Expreu Detective. 571 Air-Line Luke the YmmR Engineer; or The Double Cue i5 2 The Boy Pinkerton: Dr, Rumian the limitl- Out. 015 Fighting llnrr the Chief oi Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Both, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Tyncwriter Tilly ihe Merchani'n Ward. 850 Woonllght Morgan the " Pileth "Men 0! Auto Bu. SR? Buttery Bob. the Dock Detective. 894 Arlzona Dick‘r “I c-lDut. 900 Jumping .lnck’e ubllce. I 906 Safety mun, the Cycle Snort. 912 Train Boy Trint’s "at linstlc, 91s The 'l‘rnmn Dock-Boy. 924 Bi]: Boole Bob, the ‘lre-Laddie. 930 Iiuntler Ralph. thc Boy Snottcr. 035 The Ex-Newuboy Dctcctive'e Chum. 941 Thu Bowling Green Dctectlre’e Drop. 944 Cowboy (iharlle’n Double. 947 The Bowery “' rot-tier; or. The Butcher—Boy? Banker. 953 l’addy’l Trump Card; or. Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport. 900 The Broadway Sport: or, Fiver Fred’s Clear Can. 9R7 $1000 Reward; or, Tho Rlvnl choflfifl’ Slut Scoop. 918 Bantam Billy. the Corkcr-Fcrret. 9’28 l’lnckv Put. the Strcct-Boy Detective. 989 Bicycle Bob‘n Ilot Scorch. 997 Fr-oruhor liam. the Detective on Wheel: 1004 Scorchcr Sam‘s Sweep-Stakes. 1009 i'nc Girl C; cli. ’n “Hnning "and. “Q anwauqaaaaagaomuwh @1966 IECIC IEGNNNNQ’Q bxnazfieaa—aca C 0;» 6 BY ABIZIDNA CY. [048 V on Rel: Bob from Cross Crick. 1088 You Bet Iiob’e Clrcnu. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 105$ llull'nio Bill in Linguine. 1046 Gold l’lulnc, the Buy liululit,; nr, Buffalo Bill,the Pony mm». mm. IiD-li’. r illie Grit, iiir Pony Express Rider. I040 Hull’qu liill‘n i'ony I‘utrol. 1011i Iiull’ulo lilil‘. ’1‘. xau '1‘ IL 1007 linil’ulo liill’u Hur h 1000 liull'nlu Ihil’rt Dru. Boy I. 99.") liull’ulo Bill‘n Drop: Drud Khot Null , the Kansas Kid. 988 Bull’qu lilll‘n Luan ruwu-s. 981 iiull’ulo lilll'n Fltzlltln Five. 975 Hull'an iiill'! Billet note. 96% liuli'alo lilll'n iiuull Ride; or, Sure-Shot. the High-Fly". 961 liuil’ulo lilll’n Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot. _ 9575 Buii’ain lilll'n ‘hare. 948 Ilulfulo Iiili'n Snap- t z or. \‘i‘iid Kld'e Texan Tall] 942 Bull’an Bill’s 'i'ou Tum-1e. 986 Buffalo iiill’u Boy 'otaor, Joe .larvinY Hold-up. 929 Bull'qu lilll'u (‘rucL-u ot ’aril. 650 Bulfan lilli's iioy Ford: or. Buitrifly Bulli- 210 lilnon “III. the Prim-c, oi the Reine. $22 In..." mm- 0qu or. um. the Bmvo Sport. BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scrut, or, The Banded Brothuhool 08 Border Robin flood: or, file Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of I‘olorado: or. The Tnpper’n Tran. 1029 'I he i’hant‘m Spy. 1088 Kansas king; or, The Red ltlghtiiend. BV CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, u. S. A. 191 Bull'qu lllily. the Buy lluiiwhaclwv. 194 liulfnlo lilli‘n lint: u The Gambler Guida- BY COL. PRE. ‘lbs INGRAHAM. 103'! Thc AriInt Detective. 1084 The Gold “'llch‘n hhadowcr. 1031 ’ ‘he Tcx..n linetlern in t uba. 102‘? The Cowboy Raider. In Cuba 10%?) The Flying \ ankee or, The Ocean Ontcul. 1028 The. Cowboy Clan in Cu a. 1010 The Do ' Bugle in Cuba. . 088 New Yor ( Nut’e Dron or, Ex-FerretSyku’ Bold Gum 926 New York Nat and i no 'i'raltor Ferret. 9'20 New York Nat 'I‘rappcd. 914 New York Nat’n 'l hrec of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’u Double. 902 New York Nat’a In Colorado. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. 889 New York Nnt’n Dcadly Deal. 8K5 New York Rat's Crook-Chane. T? New York Nat’n Trump Card. ’21 New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. 05 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot. 59 New ‘ 'ork Nat. the Gumin Detective. 53 chk Doom’e Kidnap cr Knock-0|“. 4? Dick Doom’o Ten Sir kc. Doom’n Flunh lland. Doom’n Death Grip; or, The Dehctiva by Destiny. Doom’n Dcrti ; or, The River Blacklu’l Toner. | Doom: or. 'I he . rm and Sharla: oi New York. Doom ln Barton: or. A Mm oi Many M Doom In Chicago. Doom In the 11 ild ‘Wclt. . Doorn'n (‘Ienn Ba ccp; or, Fire Link- in a Ciao. Doom’e Death Clue. ‘ Doom’e Diamo d Dcal. 19 Dick Doom’e Girl Mascot. 29 Dick 'Doom’al Shadow limit. 5 l nDooln’n Biz lilllli. 49 Dm- hlnn (Illnriic: or The Kentucky'i‘oudarloot’ll‘int'hni‘ 5 ‘ ‘ (‘hnrlic’i- Destiny; or, The Renew-duh Cupilw. 60 Dav-hing i'hnriie‘iI I’nwnco Par . 66 ‘ ' Charllc, the Rescuer. 49? Buck Taylor, King ol the Cowboy; 3? Buck Taylor, the lomnncho'n Caxtivo. . 43 Buck Taylor": no .; "snake Ridmonha Rio Grade. And Fifty Others. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Ford; or.'i'he Deed Sat at Silver City. 622 Tom-(lath! ’l‘rind; or. 'l lir Allull‘ at 'i'omhltono. Tom Cat’s Terrible Tank; or 'il:e Cowboy Detective 88 Torn-Cat’s Trium h or,BlIck finu'u Glrni emu". 46 Captain Cactun I. e haplrrai Foch; or. Jmh'n Ton Strike. 68 The Dandy ol’ Dodgc; orI Rustlilla ior Mllllom. V0 The Silvei- thrfi-t: $i.}|onhfii;e§permint'e Jubilee. 8 ShonSo to an t a now oi Ill. 9 “aria, or. Dutch vsam; m,notrimm¢n.um-u, 11 Eli ad Barnacle, the Detective Horcniel. 46 Cowho Did. the Cattle-Range Detective. 57 Warblillg William the Mountain iiiountebonk. 65 Jolly Jaremiah, the Plains Detective. 76 SI nnl Earn the Lookout Scout. y 89 BI iy t to dyp-y Fry: or,’ihe My» oiTwo Line. 99 Simple Him, the Front-no Bu-tor: or. or zStaleI. 12 The Mc-mcrlut finnrt: or, The Myetiflcd Detail“ 83 Toltec Tom, the liierl Prospector. - 45 Kansas Jlrn the Crone-Cut Detective. 61 Marmaduke, the Mum-agar Detectivo. 73 The Hustler of Rolllng Blane. 85 Lone "and Joe the Committh 010m. 01 Boat Kirby. the Hivll-Klflier from Kiilbnck. 32 The Doctor Dctc olive In Texas. 13 Two Show-non i'elel'llven In Colorado. ‘ 3? Thin 'l‘exan Fircbrnnm or, Brazui Biliy‘l Sn .Bhot, - 61 The Trump's Trump-Trick. NEW ISSUES. 064 D n Dick Decoycd. By Robert R. lulu-n. 065 liner;1| hot Seth, the Buy Riflem: in By Oll COOmOI. 066 1'0 boy Chris, the Dr: rt Centnur. Ry \V. W. Wilder. 062' You Bct Rob’s Jan le. By Art'tnnn‘ y. 068 The (‘rniee of the en W0 {.1 By Lei. ingnlmn. 089 "n Land and Fen lly Brnceb-idqe Hemyug i . 070 Nat Todd: or. This Fate ml lne Slanx Cnynive. By Ellie. By 011 Coomu. 071 Dandy Dick’s l‘ceoy, Fv Rnbi.R.lnmnn. l 07. Keen Knife, Prince of the Prairies. JUST ISSUED. 0" d R ' ’I'I‘odflkln Ruse. By (‘r-l. P. lnzrnhun 10g? gelawbog‘é'hlrlein Cinnabar. By Wm. W. Wiidor. 1057 Gold Rifle, lho Sharpsheotc r. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 1058 Roderick, the luover. Byf'i'. J Finnegan 1059 Ned Wyllle the Box Scout. By T. xn. Jack. 1060 Mario. the lenezade. liy Col. l'rentiu Ingmham. 1061 fillver Star, the Boy Knight. Ry Oil 1 oqmee 106% Thq LPft-‘land Athlcto. Hy Brncolmdgo Hemyng. 1068 “'lld Bill’s “'tird Foe. By \Vm.G Patten. A New Issue Every Tue-day. . . . i i. in by Iii nevth 2-1:th 21:31; death: Iix untl each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pnblilherl. 92 William Street, New York. '4 .- a N ¢ .. as..." -. ,. ........ ..; ,. A... , .. , .- V _. 'h a L... BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY. Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers» BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR. 929 Old Sobersldes, the Detective of St. Louis. 925 'White-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective. 918 The Double Edge. 1 Detective. 907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere. 898 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport. ’881 T :e S otter-Sport s Neck—Tie Party. 870 High- ater Mark; or. Silver-Tip Sid. 862 Riata Rob, the Range Chain do“. 855 The C whrw Chiefs Sure-S ot. 848 The Rival Red—Hat Sports. 837 Curly Kid. the Cheyenne Sport. 824 The Soft, Hand Detrctive. 815 The Soft Hand‘s Clutch. 809 Dan Du in the Soft-Hand Sport. 796 Tue Frisco I )t teetlve’s Thug-Tangle. .89 Sam Cary. the River Sp rt. , 80 Tue Dead Sport‘s Doublv. 171 Prince John, Detectivtx S ecial. 763 Dandy Don, the Denver elective. 754 1116 Man flom Texas; or, Dangerfield. the Doctor Detective. I44 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport. 720 The Secret Sir or, O.d Halcyon. 712 The Man of Sillc. 705 Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte. 693 Kent Kasson, the Ph-acher Sport. 688 Bob Breezv‘, the Rounder Detective 675 Steel Surry, the Sport frt m Sunris’ 668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Str. ak I 661 The Get—There Sharp. Silvertip St—ve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou. 645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Drtectlve. 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback MOSr, Ilie Moun-aineer. 617 The Grip Sack Sharp's Even up. 597 Big Bandy, thu Brigadier of Brimstone Butte. Sandy Sands, llie Slim-p from Snap City. 676 Silver-Tonzut-d Sid: or, Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep. 564 The Grip-Sde Shun; or. The Seraphs ofSodom. 555 Grip-Sack Sid, the Samplc Sport. 547 His Buried Detective; or, Sn 1’s Six Sensations. 541 Major Magnet, the )[an of Nerve. 5155 Dandy Dutch. the Doolirutnr from Dead-Lift 527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective. 514 Gabe Guna, the Grizle from Ginseng. 504 Solemn Saul. the Sad ion from San Saba. 405 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead’s Reprisal 188 The Thort ugiibred Sport. 474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Desnot 01' Dew Drop. 466 0d Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown 458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg, 443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny's Picnic. 4'38 Oklahoma Nick. 433 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard. 4% The Ghost Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy. 415 Monte Jim. the Black Sheep of Bismarck. R lb Roy Ranch: or, The Imps 01’ Pan Handle. [03 The Nameless Sport. 1195 Deadly Aim, the Duke of Der-ringers. 887 1) 1‘1: Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills. 372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record. 367 A Royal Flush: or. Dan Brown‘s 1.1g Game. 860 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 855 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete. 851 Nor‘ West N ick. the Border Detective. Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective. Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter. Chispa Charley. the Gold N ugget Sport. 817 Frank Lizlitfoot. the Miner Detective. 1292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout. 286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand. 283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines. ‘28? Death Trap Diggings; or, A Man 'Way Back 249 Elophant Tom. of Duranzo. 241 Snitflr‘o Saul. King of the Bustiers. 283 The Old may of Tombstone. 201 Pirate of the Placers; or, Joaquin’s Death Hunt 180 Old ‘49; or, The Amazon of Arizona. 170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective. 1155 Joaquin. the Terrible 154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. 141 Equinox Tom. the Bul'y of Red Rock. 119 Alabama ‘Joe; or, The Yazno Man-Hunters. .105 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective. 88 Big George; or, The Five Outlaw Brothers. 71 Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark. 67 The Boy J ockey; or. Honesty vs. Crookedness. 60 Jack Rabbit, tno Prairie Sport. BY WM. G. PATTEN. £10 Fire-Eye. the Thus"s Terror. 795 01.1 Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower. 768 The Prin -e of New York CrookS. 756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. 747 Double-voice Dan's Doubll: Disguisr- 715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck. 702 Double~Voica Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective 696 Double-Vales Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective, 689 ThsSparkler Sharp. 676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur- 669 Old True Blue, the Trusty. 068 The Giant ISfort; or, Sold to Satan. 056 Old Plug gly. the Rough and Ready. 648 Gold Glove Gid the Man of Grit. 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad. 081 Colonel 0001, the Santa Fe Sharp. 602 Captain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery. 1:71 01 Dismal. the Ron 2 Detective. 645 Hustler Harry, the gowboy Sport. BY GEORGE C. JENKS. 010 The Arizona. Detective. 394 Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport. 880 The Silver Sport‘s Double. 868 The Race-Course Detective. ggg ghetfiryzeetcli Detective. a a n ‘or en, the Twister Detective. 2'55 Will Pvte the Broneho-Buster Detective. 725 Fearless Sam, the Grand :19 Boston Bob. the s rt Deggcutlggflflon Detecfl'e' 572 Jauntv Joe, the ockey Detective. 554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler 588 Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective. 536 Death-Gm), the Tenderfoot Detectin W The Drummer Detective. m The Giant Horseman l8 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detectivo. G 0' H 33 SSE BY ‘I'ILLIAI'I R. EYSTEII. 916 Two Dead-Square Sports. 1102 Soft Velvet, the Man troin Snndrock. Hill Homes] Jim. Sport-at Large. 881 The Clubmuu-Crook‘s Cat‘s-paw. 867 The Friscti Sport. 852 Tho Stra get S ort‘s Shake—up. 2328 Kirk King, thu ilnn from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport 783 The, King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of biivor Bend. . 718 Unc e Bedrock‘s Big Bounce. 707 The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan, tiir Spt rt With a Charm. 677 Mr. Jacksnn, the Gent. from Jaybird. 659 Giltritldtze Johnny: or, Roldan and His Rovers. 650 Lucky Lester’s Loni- Hand. 634 Old Hantlcart‘s ills; Dump. 022 The All Around Sports. 603 Desort Alt, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile. 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belsnazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport “ithaScar. 503 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back. 459 Ma 'or Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives. 429 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Anzels’ Flat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 375 Royal Geor e, the Three. in One. 356 Thr 6 Hunt some Sports; or, The Combination. 21% Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop. 268 Magic Mike. ‘he Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cutsieeve: or, The thtlv Sport. 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch. 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand. Sharp: or, Th". Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar BY NED BI) NTLINB. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea S y. 621 The Red 1 rivateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bills First Trail. 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 1'22 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain: or, The Skipper‘s Crime. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. BY JACKSON KNOX-“01d Hawk.” 838 Old Grips Still Hunt. 827 Detective Walden‘s Web. 778 The Butler Detective' or, Old Grip‘s Grip 770 The Showman Date 1 ve. 762 Old Grip, the De'ectlve. 740 Capt in Clew, the Fighting Detective. 732 The Hurricane Detective. ‘ 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sitter. 616 Magnus. the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. 595 \Vellborn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram. the. Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcoti‘s Double. 561 The Tong King- or. The Falcon Detective‘s Foe. 548 Falconbrld e. t e Sphinx Detective. 530 Old Falcon s Foo: or, The Detective‘s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Ma 6, the Diamond Field Detective. 509 Old. Fabon, tie Thunderbolt Detective. 501 S rinrtstool Steve, the Retired Detective, 404 T c Dctective’s Spy. 4.35 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective. 477 Dead-arm Brandt. 467 Mainwnring. the Salamander. 462 The Cincus Detective. 451 Griplock. the Rocket Detective. 444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Band. 424 Hawk Heron's De uty, 386 Hawk Heron. the axiom: Detective. BY J. C. CO‘VDIGICK. 752 The Su ect S art of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats ion, t io Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sheriff Stilln'ood. the Regulator of Raspberry. The Dominie Detective. 591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 PrlnCc Paul, the Postman Detective. 557 The Mountain Graybeards: or, Riddles’ Riddle. 519 Old Riddles, the Rock Ranger 499 Twilight Charlie, the and Sport. 473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective. 4522 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas. 436 Kentucky J can. the S ort from Yellow Pine. 422 Blue. Grass Burt. the 1 old Star Detective. 890 The. Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee. IIY ED‘V ARI) \VILLETT. 488 Flush Fred, the River Shag-1p. 368 The Canyon King; or. a ce on his Head. 848 Dan Dillon, King of Crosscut. 337 Old Gabe the Mountain Tram . 327 Terrapin hick, tl e Wildwood elective. 815 Flush Fred’s Dou he; or, The Squatters' League 308 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True. 298 L'azer Lem: or. Lit ‘ in the Pine Woods. 239 Flush Fred's Full Hand. 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 222 Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack’s Crime. 209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza Prince. 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a. Strong Man's Sacrifice. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. as? The White Squaw. 284 The Hunter's Feast. 21? The Wild Fluntross; or. The Squatter. 200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico. 74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Lake Queen. 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific. 55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains. \ BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAIIAM. 911 The. Blue Blockador; or, The Coast Grayhound. 906 The Cuban Cruiser. 8.31 Tlvr‘ Ocean Gipsy. .4 831 'I he Wild Sturr lll(l\'l‘H;Ol‘, Texas Jack's Terrors, 819 The Rival Monte (Tristos. 805 The L'lSi of tlit- Pirates; or, Dorm Driven. 801 The \Vater \Voths' Detective; or,'l'rapoing the Grave Ghouls. 791 The» Const-Rnider's Death-Chase. 748 Arizona Chm-tin, tho Crank-shot Detective. 704 [nvisinle lvun the Wizard Dt-tective. 885 The Rod-skin Sea Row r. 679 R~~vello, the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers 67% The Rod Rapier; or, The SP“, Rover’s Bride. 662 The Jew Dr tet'livo: or. The Beautiful Convict. 610 The. Rov i"s Rt t iliutivn. 635 The Ex Blu'clllle' r: I r. The Stigma of Sin. 625 Red Wings; 01', The Gold Hookers ofthe Bahamas. ' : The Three uccanet-rs. The Red Flag Row r;or,White Wings of the Deep, 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver Ship: or, The Sea Scouts of ’76. 503 The Sea Rebel: or. RedRth-rs of the Revolution. 587 Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or. True Healts of ‘76. 581 The Outlaw-d Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner. 560 The Man from Mexico. 553 No.1: Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig. 546 T?“ Doomed Whaler: or, The Life Wreck. I 530 The Savages of the Sea. 524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble. 510 El Moro, tho Corsair Commodore. 493 The Scouts of the Sen. 457 The Sea Insurge m: or. The Conspirator Son. Ocean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair. 435 Thu (hie-Armed Buccaneer. 430 The Fatal Frigate; 0r, Rivals in Love and War. 899 The New Monte Cristo. 393 The Convict Captian. 877 Afloat anti Ashore: or. The Corsair Consplrntor. 369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea. 364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of the (but. 34] The Sea Desperado. 3‘36 The Magic Ship‘ or. Sandy Hook Freebaotem. $35 The Gentleman Pirate. ; or. The Casco Hermita. 318 The Indian huccaneer: or. 'lhe Red Rovers. am The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves. 255 The Pirate Priest; or. The Gain nier‘s Dau blot. M6 ggeen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlap . 2‘35 d Lightning the Mall of Chance. 224 Black Beard, the Buccaneer. 220 The Spector Yacht; or, A Brother‘s Crime. 210 Buccaneer Boss. the Lioness of the Sea. 305 The Gambbr Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon. 198 The Skeleton Schooner: or. The Skimmer. 184 The Scarlet Stilhofiner ‘:l or. The Sea Nemesis. 104 Montezuma. t e are ess. 103 Merle, the Mutineer; or, The RedAnchox-Bnnd \4 C)“ H.— c u no a; 5: Int PHILIP s. WARNE. .4 803 Dan Dirk King of No Man's Land. -_‘ 1583 Captain Adair. the Cattle Kin .. 567 Captain Midnight, the Man ofCi-aft. I t 544 The Back to Back Pards. ‘ 522 The Chain ion Three. 502 Bareback iuck, the Centaur of the Plain-I. 472 Six Foot Si: or, The Man to “Tie To." 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. 401 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy " Blufl'. 880 Ticer Dick‘s Pied e; or, Tne Golden Serpent. 359 Yellow Jack, the estizo. 388 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town. 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport. 251 Tiger Diet: vs. iron Dvspal‘d. 207 Old Hard Head: or, Whirlwind and his More. 171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart. 11-1 Tho Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand; or. The FQODHnls Sport. 29 Tiger Dick. Faro King; or, '1 he Cashier‘s 011-0. 4 The Kidnappvr; or, The Northwest Shanghai. BY CAPTAIN MARK \VILTON. 31B Hotspur Humi; or, The Banded Brothers. 311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. 805 Silver-Plated Sol, the. Montana Rover. 291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man of Big Luck. 285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. 276 Tcxa ‘ Chick the Southwest Detective. 271 Stoneflst, of Big Nu get Bend, 206 Leopard Luke the of Horse-Thieve- 263 iron-Armed Abe, the unchback Destroyer 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. 237 Long—Haired Max; or, The Black Les. 6. 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter or Ida io. 22% Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain. 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom's Mission 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. ‘ 194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent. 176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen. BY 0L]. COOMES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives. 148 One-Armed Alf. the Giant Hunter. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or. Wild Camp Life. 43 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger. BY 00L. THoMAS H. MONSTEB'. 236 Chara ion Sam; or. The Monarchs of the $10. 150 E1 Ru lo Bravo. King or the Swordsman. BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR. 919 The Sea Scout; or. The Patriot Privateer. 886 The King of Crooks. 853 Number One. the Dead-set Detective. 850 The Planter Detective. 730 Duke Despard, thr Gambler Duelist. 604 The Detective in Bass; or, The Grim Shad“ 500 The True-Heart Paras. 4 new issue every Wednesday Beadle’s DIme‘ Library is for sale Newsdeaiers, ten cents per copy. or sent by :11 fi receipt of twelw cents each. BEADPE AND ADAMS, Pam as WILL!“ 93-. Kim Y“ BEADLE’SrDIMErflBRARY. ‘ Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss lngraham. 994 Buflaio Bill‘s Lone Hand. $9 Buffalo Bill‘s Marked Bullet. 984 Buffalo Bill‘ : Life Raffle. 979 Buffalo Bill‘s Rel ntless Trail. 964 Buffa'o Bi.l‘s Invincibles. 960 Buffalo Bill's l.lue Bell: Brigade. 956 Biffle Bill’s VolunteerVigilantes. 950 Buffalo Bill at Bav. 943 Buffalo Bill‘s Block Game. 936 Buffal) Bill 3 Black Pard. 927 Buffalo Bill‘s Bluff; or, .Du'ky Dick the Snort. 921 Buffalo Bill's uandaiy: or. Velvet Bill’s Vow. 915 Buffalo Bill am the Surgeon-Scout. 909 Buffalo Bill’s League: or. Red Butterfly. 904 Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail. 900 Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders. 895 Buffalo Bill's Secret Ally. 890 Buffalo Bill‘s Lirastakc. 882 The Three Bills: Buffalo l'ill Wild Bill and Band- box Bill; or. The Br'avo in Broadcloth. 874 Buffalo ill Buckskin Braves. 869 Bufi'alo Bill's Road-Agent Round-up. 863 Buffalo Bill‘s Dca h Charm. 857 Buffalo Bill's Rm a1 Flush. 851 Buffalo Bill‘s l oub‘e Dilemma. 845 Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse. 830 Buffalo Bill‘s Bets in Blue. 826 Buflnlo Bill‘s Sher Shooters. 82:2 Buffalo Bill‘s lie-st ower. 816 Buffalo Bi 1‘s Red Trail. 812 Buffalo Bill's Death-Knoll. 794 Buffalo Bill‘s Winning Band 787 Buffalo Bill‘s Dead Shot. 781 Buffalo Bills Brand. 777 Buflalo Bill‘s Spy Shadower. 769 Buffalo Bill‘s Sweepstake. 765 B .ffalo Bill‘s Di zen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam. 761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill‘s Bu- Four;or, Custer‘s Shadow. 748 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand. 739 Buflaio Bill‘s Mind: or. The Masked Driver. 735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men. 731 Buffalo Bill‘s Bcag'es: or. Silk Lasso Sun. 727 Buffalo Bill‘s Body Guard. 722 Buffalo Bill on the War— ath. 716 Buffalo Bill's Scout. Sha owers. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The DeserterDesperado. 697 Buffalo lzill's Buckskin Brotherhood. 691 Iiuflnlo Bill‘s l lind Trail; or. Mustang Madge. 667 Buflaio Bill‘s Swoop;or. The King of the Mines. 658 The Cowb-‘v Clan: or. The T1 as of Texas. 653 Lasso King's MaguemnBuc Taylor in Texas. 649 Buffalo Bizl's Chief of Cowbo s; or. Buck Taylor 644 Buflalo Bill's l‘onarza; or. S ver (‘ircle Knights. 862 Buffalo Bill‘s Gri ; or. Oath Bound to Custer. 829 Buflalo Bill's Pie ge: or. The League of Three. 189 n ild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or. The Desperate Dozen. 175 Wild Bill's Trump Card: or, The ludisn Heiress. 168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot. By Bull‘th Bill. 978 The Dread Shot Four 969 Texas Jack, the Lasso King ~ 889 The Ranczr King Dead-Shot. 890 White Beaver '8 Still Hunt. 807 wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist. 800 Wild Bill. the Devaenter Shot. 639 Buffalo Bill’s Gold King. 599 The Dead Shot Mne; or. My Pards of the Plains. 414 Red Renard. the indian Detective. 401 One-Armed. Para; or, Borderland Retribution. 897 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Besver‘s Trail. 894 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte. 819 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West. 804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler. 243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier's Sweetheart. 88 Gold Bullet Snort: or. Knights of the Overland. 52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, ch' Bunulno, etc. 773 Buflnlo B “’3 Ban; or. Cody to the Rescue. 682 Buffalo Bill's Seer. t Service Trail. 629 Buffalo Bill‘s Darin Role; or. Daredestb Dick. 517 Buffalo Bifl‘s First rail; or. The Express Rider. 158 Buflalo Bill, Chief ( f Scouts. 117 Buffalo Bill 9 Strange Pnrd' or, bashing Dandy. 92 Bunnie Bill. the Buckskin King. BY HAROLD PAYNE. 888 The Man from Mexico in New York. 872 The King-Pin Shark: or, Thad Burr's Ten Strike. 861 The Tenderloin Big Four 853 The Quaker (‘ity Crook. ‘ 844 Tracked to Chicago. 836 The Policy Broker’s Blind. 829 The Frisco Sharper‘s Cool Hand. 821 The Tramp Shadower's Backer. 818 The Sham S otter‘s Shi'er Scheme. 806 The Grand treet Gold-Dust Sharpers. 798 Detective Burt‘s Luna ic Witness 792 The Wall Street Sharper’s Snap. 784 Thad Burr’s Death Drop. 742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. 734 Detective Burr‘s Foil; or, A \\ oman‘s Strategy. 728 Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special. 713 Detective Burr‘s Spirit Chase. 706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues. 6% Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L " Clue. 690 The Matchlesn Detective. 680 XX. the Fatal Clew; or, Burr’s Master Case. I. BY COL. TflolVIAS H. MONSTEBY. . 995 The Czar’s Spy.” 986 Iron.Wrist. the Swordmaster. 236 Champion Sam: or. The Monarchs of the Show. 150 El Rubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmen. BY J W. OSBON. W Shsdraeh. the Sport Detective. 922 Gilbert Golds ur. the Dandy Sport. BY CAPTAIN H0‘VAIID llflLl'lES. 929 Gentleman George, the. Showman Sport. 91:! Grnteel Joe's Lone Hand. 903 The Train Detective. 896 Kent. Keen, the Crookci'usher. 888, Nightshade in New York. 879 Falcon Flynn, the Flash Detective. 871 The Crook Cashier. 859 Clew-Hawk Kcene's Right Bower. 847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detective. 840 Major Bullion Boss of the Tigers. 831 Shadowing the London Detective. . 817 Plush Velvet, the Pl'llli'i‘ of Spotters. [ 803 The Bogus Broker‘s Right. Bower. 1 788 The Night-H m'k Detemive. ! 779 Silk Ribbon‘s Cr sh-out. l 766 Detectiv». Zach, the Broadway Spotter. l 751 The Dark Lantern Detv cfive. ‘1 7‘36 The Never-Fall D vectivo. ‘ 724 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detective. 711 Dan Damon, tho GiltAEdge Detective. 701 Silver Steve. tho Branded Sport. 694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower. 684 Vyrlvel’, Van, Ihe Mystery ShadOWer. 678 The Dude, Desperado 671 Jason Clew, the Silk-Flanded Ferret. 664 Monk More], the Man-Hunter. 654 Sol S hinx, the Ferret Detective. 612 Red ard and Yellow - 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. 592 Ca fain Sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 U] Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp. 550 Silk Hand. tz‘c Mohave Ferret. 543 The Magnate Detective. 532 J ac : Javert. the Independent Detective. 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or. The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire. the Two Worlds‘ Detective. 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block. 480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret. 48 Coldgrip in Deadwood. 460 Captain Colder-‘11). the Detective 459 Captain Coldgrip's Long Trail. 447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy. 441 The California Sharp. 434 Lucifer Lynx. the 'n onder Detective. 421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York. 407 Captain Coldgrip's Nerve; or. In un Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New ork Spotter. 392 The Lost Bonanza: or. The Boot of Silent Hound. 382 The Bonanza Band: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan. 374 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities. 365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow. 852 The Desperate Dozen. 347 Denver Duke. the Man with “ Sand.” 340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective. 335 Flash Dan. the Nabob. or. Blades of Bowie Bar. 321 California Claude. the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. 941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco. BY WILLIAM H. MANNING. 948 The Red-Gloved Detective. 931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch. 920 The Montana Miner in New York. as The Doomsday-Den Detective. 899 The Double-Quick Defective. 893 Yellow Gid. of Dark Divide. 885 The Expert Detective‘s Shake-up. 875 Trap ing the Race-Track Judge. 864 The olice Special’s Dilemma. 849 The Genteel Sharper‘s Combine 841 Graydon‘s Double Deal. 838 The Sport Detective’s Grip. 823 The Athlete Sport About own. 808 TheCrook-Detective’s Pull. 790 Plun r Pete, the Race Track Detective. 782 Roy Rock, the Round-up Detective. 774 Steve Starr. the Dock Detective. 764 The New York Sha ’s Shadower. 788 Detective Claxton, t 2 Record Breaker. 714 Gabe Gall, the Gsmbolier from Great Hump. 703 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Suspflct 692 Dead-Shot Paul, tlte Deep-Range lorer. 655 Strawberry Sam. the Man With the irthmark. . 546 Dark John, the Grim Guard. 638 Murdock. the Dread Detective. 623 Dangerous Dave. the Never-Beaten Defective. 611 Alkali Abe the Game Chicken from Texas. 596 Rustler Rube: the Round-Up Detective. 585 Dan Dixon‘s Double. 575 Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives 563 Wyoming Zeke, tl‘e Hotspur of Honeysuckle. 551 Garry Kean the. Man with Backbone. ‘ 539 Old Doubleilark. the Wily Detective. 531 Saddle-Chief Kit, the Prairie Centaur. 521 Paradise Sam. the Nor‘-West Pilot. 513 Texas Tartar. the Man With Nine Lives. 506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest. 498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy. : 492 Border Bullet. the Prairie sharpshooter. I 486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective. ' 479 ‘Gladivrtor Gabe, the Samson of Sasssjack. 470 The Duke of Dakotr. 463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator. - 455 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall’ Hustler of the Hills. 449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. 442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran. 437 Des Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives. 4‘27 The ivals of Montana Mill 415 Hot Heart, the Detective S v. 405 Old Baldy the Brigadier 0 Buck Basin. 297 Colorado Rube. l’hf- Strong Arm of Hotspur. 979 The Gold Dragoon. or, California Bloodhound. BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom. the Privateer. 633 The Sea S v 621 The Red nimteer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. - 381 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime. 18 The Sea. Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. : 101 The Man from New ‘ 16 The White Wizard; or, The Sgninole Prophet. , ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVELS. Dick Talbot Series. 991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck. the Sport. 988 Rocky Mountain Rub. ‘ 976 Overland Kit: or, The ldyl of White Pine. 1 741 Dick lalbot‘s Close Call. 3 737 Die: Talbot in Apache l and. ‘. 733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King. 729 Dick Taibot’s CleanOut. . 725 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp. ' 354 Dick Talbot; 01, The Brand of Crimson Cross 36 Dick Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta. Alken’s Fresh of Frisco Series. 825 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport. 660 The Fresh in Montana; 1 r. Blnke's Full Hand. 652 T e Fresh’s Rustic at run ted City. 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe: 1 r, 'I b - Stranger Sharp. 1 556 Fresh. the Sport: or. The. Big Racket nt Slide Out. ; 537 Fresh Against the Field: or. Blake. the Lion. 497 The, Fresh in Texas; or, The Escobedo Millions. 461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande. 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or Bronze Jack .sikon's Joe Plienix Series. 965 Joe Phenix‘s Mascot. 959 J on Phenix’s Double Deal. 954 Joe Phernx in Chicago. _ 949 The Doctor from T xas; or, Joe Plienix's Clue. 944 Joe Phenix’s Ri ht Bower. 865 The Female. Bar or Detectiv ; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. 799 Joe Phenix‘s Great Blue Diamr mi Case; or, The New York Sport at Long Branch. 793 Joe Phenix’s Decoy: or The Man of Three. 760 Joe Phenix's Lone Han . 749 Joe Ph ‘m'x's Big Bulge. 745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case. 708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw.. 700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crooks 681 Joe Phenix'n Specials' or. The Actress Detective 637 Joe Pnenix in Crazy Camp. 632 Jo:- Phenix's Master Search. 628 Joe Phenix‘s (‘ombin ;- r,the Dandy Conspirator 620 Joe Phenix‘s Silent Six. _ 601 Joe Phonix‘s Shadow ; or.tlte Detective’s Monitor 419 Joe Phenix., the Kins7 of Detectives. 161 Joe Phenix‘s Great Man Hunt. I 112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League. 79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy. A i ken’s Misc ellaneous Novels. 980 The All-Around Athlete. 940 Captain Jack, the Scalper 935 The hawks and \\ olves of New York 932 Detective Gordon's Grip. 926 Old Sunflower. the Silent Smiter. 923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective. 901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; rr, The Siren shadower. 892 The Countryman Detective. _ 876 Gold Button Sport; or, The Miner Sharps. 842 Teton Tom. the Half-illcod. 835 The King-Pin Detective. 814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports. 775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport. 753 Gideon‘s Grigiat Babylon 1 ar. 717 Captain Pat cGowen. ti e Greencont Detective. 674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective. 670 The Li htw eight Detective. 665 The F seo Defective; or. The Golden G ,u: Find. 618 Keen Billy. the Sport. 607 Old Benzine the “ Hard Case " Detective. 594 Fire Face, the Silver King's Foe. - 586 The Silver Sh arp Detective. 577 Tom. of Calif arms; or, Detective’s Shadow Act. 570 The Actress Detective: or. The Invisible Band 562 Lone Hand. the Shadow. 520 The Lone Hand on the Csddo. .490 The Lone Hand in Texas. 475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective. 465 The Actor Detective. ' 440 The High Home of the Pacific. . 421 The Lone Band; or. The Red River Recreams. 408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death. 881 The Gy sy Gen tleman: (r. Mck Fox. Detective 376 Black gear-d8: or. The Rio irande High Horse 1370 The Dusky Detective: or. Bursued to the End. 363 Crowningshreid. the Detective 320 The Genteel Sno tter: or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 252 The Wall Street 1 100d: or. The Telezrs in Girl. 203 The Double Detective: or.The Midnight ysterv. 196 La Marmoset. the L§trcktive Queen. or . 91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkee r‘s Daughter. 84 Hunted Down: or. The Leagueo Three. 81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire. ‘ 75 Gentleman George: or, Parlor. Prison and Street. 7:! The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress. 56 The Indian Mazeppa: or. Madman of the Plains. 49 The Wolf Demon: or. The Kanswha Queen. 42 The California Detective: or, The Witches of NY. 31 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of Lightning. 1 27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York. NEW ISSUES. 1000 Buflalo Bill’s Grim Guard. By Col. Ingrti‘ham, I 1001 The Brand—Burners of Cimarron. By Jo n W. shon. 1002 Silver City Sam. By J as I}. Badger. 1003 Gold Dan; or, Dick Talbot in Uta . W. Aiken 1004 Buffalo Bill's Death Deal. Bv Col. Ingrahsm. 1005 Foot-Hills Frank. By Jos. E. Badger. By Albert 1006 The Sea Cadet. By Col. P. Ingraham. JUST ISSUED. 996 Injun Dick. the Shasta Dead Shot. B 997 Hotsnur Hal, this} Sport from Hard J . E. Ba Ir. r. » 998 C(asptai 1 £32.", Privateer. By Ned Buntline. 999 The Velvet Hand; or. The Iron Grip of Injtm Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. A new lame every Vl’edneeday. THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale all Newsdealers. ten cents per copy. arm by mail so Aiken.- ck. By 92 William street. New 1 art. ' receipt of price. BEADLE & ADAMS, Pam, c, ..n- .w.-- +4....»~,-,... .* : I‘Jmflsvir: 0 r L 3.3%. .wt. I . 1|! ‘Bllfffllfl I iniels i l 1000 Buffalo Bill’s Grim Guard. 994 g 989 984 Buffalo Bill's l.i”e Hallie; or. The 1"( Nu.» ;' 971i ’ in“ ‘ HG" , .. . Juli '. 950 ,.' mu ‘ mm 927 “21 slim "B Bill /__,__.. \ Ten Cents a Copy. 111MB liiiifliil. By (.‘ol. Prentiss Ingrahum Buffalo Bill's Inno Hand; or, Thr- Dead Shot. By Col. P. Ingruham. Buffalo Bill's Morin-d liuiint; or, The Specter Slayer of the Colorado. 'l_\' (,‘01. Ingruham. . Doom d 'ihrue. By Col. P. Ingruhhm. 8 Buffalo Bill‘s itvlentless Trail. Prentiss lugmimm. The Dread Shot Four; or, My Pnrds of the Hum... .-.,' (A... \i. l". Lui)‘. Buffalo Bill's Invincibles; or. The Sable Sheri- ower's Sublime Sacrifice. ' mm. Buffalo llill's Blue Belt Brigade; or. Sun- flower Sum of Shasta. By Col. P. Ingrnham. Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes; or, The Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingra- hlim. ‘ Buffalo Bill at Buy; or. The Gold Seeker’s Ducni. Iiy Col. P. Ingrahum. :ui‘Tnlo Bill’s Itlljk C'lmc: or. The Mounted Mmers ot‘ the UV ‘rlund. By Col. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill‘s iii-(ith Ford: or, The Gold Boomers of the iiig Horn. By (:01. 1’. Ingra- hum. Buffalo Bill's l'ilui‘f; or, Sport. ' liy Colonel _ Dusky Dick. By (:01. P. ingrahum. Buffalo Bill's Quandary; or. Velvet Bill's Vow. 15y Col. Prentiss Ingrahum. Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or, Go- wun-go, the Redskin Rider. Dy Col. 1’. In- graham. inffnlo Bill’s League: or, Red Butterfly. By (loi. Prentiss Ingrahom. the Buffalo Bill‘s Tangled Trail; or, Gentleman ' Jack. the Man of Many Masks. Ingrnham. Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack's Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Secret Ally; or. The Texan’s. Double. 11y Col. Prentiss Ingrshnm. Buffalo Bill‘s Life-Stake; or, The Pledged Three. Dy Col. P. lngraham. The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill. Wild Bill and Band-Box Bill; or. The Bravo in Broadcloth. By Col. P. Ingrahnm. Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Braves: or, The Card Queen 3 Lust (‘.u no. .iy Col. 1". Ingrahnm. Buffalo Bill's T‘uvnd (\"rnt Round-Up; or, The Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col. P. Ingraham. luffalo Bill’s Death-Charm: or, The Man With the Hour. By (‘01. Prentiss lngrahnm. By Col. P. iinh‘nio B'li‘s Royal Flush: or, The Pony Ri-‘ der’s Death-Run. By‘Col. P. Ingruham. Buffalo Bill's Double Dilemma; or. The Great Scout’s We Three. RV Col. P. l’nv'rnimm. ' N20 l l'nknuwnj 822 ‘ 820 . an; ‘312 M7 . 500 By Col. 1’. Ingra-- 79 t 787 781 777 77 3 716 ‘ no i 091 l 109 68 Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse: or. Texas Jack's Death Shot. RV 0n]. Prentiss inwaham. or BXBJ. ‘10 hows-pea“ Put); qouvg or”, egg P v. RV Ruffan P'“. 85 lo Bill's Boys in Blue: or. d's Blot-out. By Col. P. Ingraham. 00000000" 90000001!" ooooll'lllt‘uo 000000000 ‘667 l 769 ' ' Buffalo Buffalo Bill's Sharp-Shooters; or, The Surgeon Scout to the Rescue. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Best Bower; or. Montebelln the Gold King. By (:01. Prentiss Ingraham. White Beaver's Still Hunt; or. The Miner Murauder‘s Death-Tiaclt. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill's Red Trail; or. The Road-Rider lienogmie's Run Down. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill‘s Deuth-Knell; or The lied Hand Riders of the Rockies. By Col. P. Ingraham- Wild Bill. the \Vill‘i West Duelist: or, The Girl Mascot of Moonlight Mine. By Buffalo Bill. Wild Bill. the Dcad Center Shot; or. Rio Grande Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. By- Buf- falo Bill. Buffalo Bill‘s \Viuning Hand: or. The Masked \Voman of the Colorado Canyon. By Col. P. Ingrahcm. Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot : or. TheSkeleton Scout of the Colorado. 13y Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill‘s Brand; or. The Brimstone Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss lngraham. liui‘fuio l'iill’s Spy-Shudnwor: or, The Masked Men ut Grand Canyon. Dy Col. P. Ingruhum. Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or. Cody to the Rescue. By Leon Lewis. Buffalo Bill's Sweepstake; or. The “lino-out ut Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Ingmhum. Buffalo Bill's Dozen; or. Silk Ribbon Sam. 13y Col. Prentiss ingrohum. l’hii‘fnlo Bill’s Mascot: or. Tim. Death Valley Victim No. 13. By Col. Prentiss Ingmhum. l'hii‘i‘nlo l's Druith or. $5.“ Dapperlido De- tective. 12y (.‘oi. Prentiss Ingraham. iiiil's Big Four: or. Custer‘s Shadow. Prentiss lngruhum. Iiill’s Flush Hnmi; or. Texas Jack's Fly Col. Prentiss Ingrnhttm. Dui‘fnlo Tiill's Blind: or. 'i‘iu- Mariovl Driver of I)eath's_f.‘anyon. By Col. P. fngraham. lini‘rnln ii“i ru'l Ills Morrv Mon: o". The Rubin Lood Rivnls. By Col. P. Ingraham. liufl'ul'» llill's Beagles; or. Sill: Lasso Sam. By Col. Prentiss lngrnhnm. Buffalo Bill's Body Guard: or, The Still Hunt of tin: Hills. By Col. Prentiss Ingmhum. Buffalo 11:11 on the War Path: or. Silk Lasso Sam. tho \Viil-o'-the-Wisp. By Col. P. In- grahmn. Buffivlo Bill's Scout Shmlowers: or. Emer- nld i-Id of Devil's Acre. By Col. P. Ingrahnm. Buffulo l'liii Baffled: or. The Deserter Des- pm'ado's Defiance. By Cul. P. Ingrnhnm. Buffalo Bill's ' Buckskin Brotherhood: or, Opening Up a. Lost Trail. By Col. P. In- graham. Buffalo Bill's Blinrl Trail: or. The Daughter of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingroham. Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Service Traih By Major Dangerfield Burr. zuffnio Bill's Swoop; or. the Klng.of the Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ,u . A By Col. Bui‘fnlo Urn ms. The Brimstone 658 The Cowboy Cian: or, The Tigress of Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 653 649 0-14 639 n 3.2 329 319 304 "' “'llrl 1002 Silver. City 1003 Gold Dan: 1004 Buffalo 'B‘ll's Death Deal. 1005 Foot-Hills Frank, the Fancy Sport. The Lasso King's heme: or. The Tigers of Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill‘s Bonanza; or. The Knights of the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Gold King: or, Montebel‘o. the Magnifi- cent. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis. The Dead Shot Nine: or. My Penis of the Plains. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail; or. Will Cody. the Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntline. Red Renard. the Indian Detective; or, The Gold Buzzards of Colorado. 13y Buffalo 15.11. The One-Armnd Part}: or, Red Retribution in Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. The Wizard Brothers: or, Trail. By Buffalo Bill. White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte; or, élllWronged Man‘s Red Trail. By Buffalo Buffalo Bill‘s Grip; or. Oath—bound to Custer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. )ui‘fnlo Bill‘s Pledge; or. The League of Three. 15y Col. 1’. Ingruham. Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West. Buffalo Bill. Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler: or. The Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill. The Piirvrim Shn"p: or, The Soldier's Sweet- heart. By Buffalo lel. Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail: or. Dozen. liy Col. P. Ingraham. Bill‘s Trumn Card; or. The Indian Iiy Col. Prentiss Ingrahum. Wild Bill. the Pistol D’V'id Shot: or, Dagger Don’s Double. 11y Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill. Chief of Scouts: or. The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell. Buffnlo Bill‘s Stranve Part1; or. Dandy. the Hotspur of the Hills. D. Burr. - Buffalo B’ll. White Beaver's B! The Desperate Heiress. Dashing By Major the Buckskin King:. or. The Amazon of the West. By Major D. Burr. Gold Bullet Sport: or. The Knights of the Overland. By Buffalo Bill. Dmth Trailer, the Chief of Scouts: cr. Life and Love in a. Frontier Fort. By Buffalo NEW ISSUES TO COME. Sam. the High-Roller Detective. Badger. Jr. By or Dick Talbot in Utah. By Col. Pren- By Jos. E. Albert w. Aik'en. tiss Ingraham. .By J. E. Badger, Jr. 1006 The Sea Cadet: or. The Rover of the R130. THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-pnid, on re- ceipt of price. BEADLE a. ADAMS, Publishers. ’8 WILLIAM STREET. m YORK. letts. By Col. Prentiss Ingrsham. 199p as '36," 000000000 0010000000 b 0:937» o o o a, i E l i