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Kit Bandy and 00.,

THE BORDER DETECTIVES;

on,

The Big Wipe Out at Hermit-Dome.

BY OLL COOMES.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE MOUNTAIN FAIRY.
SOCTHWARD through a deep, narrow canyon

of the great mountains two men were leisurely f

riding and discussing the topics incident to their
surn umdings.
The midday sun shone down With unusual

splendor into the grim defile, dispelling,r the,

murky shadows that were wont to lurk there at
all hours, save when the god of day stood upon
the zenith, warming into new life both animate
and inanimate nature. Birds of bright plumage
and sweetest song disported themselves on airy
wing and sling or whistch in frolicksome glee as
though they were having a merry-making or
giving a con cert for the benefit of the two horse-
men. The foliage of the few trees that grew
along the way, and of the bushes that sprung
from the crevices of rocks, and the acres of vines
that festooned the roir'ky walls on either side the
pass or swept downward like green and scarlet
drapery, glowed and rustle in a silvery sheen
of ( uivering light.

The horsemen were not indifferent to this
transitory beauty of the defile, for they had been
following it when the twili rht shadows hung
deep around them and woltis forms tiitted be-
fore and behind them, and owlish wings rustled
ominously in the rocky crevices overhead.

As their general a pearance indicated, both
horsemen were men 0 the border. The elder of
the twain we have met before, and no further in-
‘ troduction will be needed when we say that he
was the redoubtable Old Tom Rattler—self-
st led the Red River Epidemic. He was mount-

u n his famous horse Comet, whose “ wea-
ther- ten ” appearance, like his master’s thin,
sharp face, belied the mettle that was in him.

Rattler’s companion was known in Deadwood
and the outl ing camps as Philip, the Miner, or
One-Armed hi . He was a man of \rha six—
and-twenty, a little above the m ium ight,
slender and strai ht as an Indian. His face was
covered with a ull beard. He had a pleasant
blue eye from which shone the light of a resolute
and determined spirit. As his name indicated,
he had but one arm, his left being off between
'the elbow and the shoulder. He was dressed in
a new suit of buckskin and armed with a pair of
revolvers. ‘

As the rode alongland the sun swung square-
ly over t e )ass before them, Old Rattler said:

“That’s t e first I’ve seed the face of old 801
to-day, and he beams down upon us in genial
smiles.” ' _

“ Yes,” replied One-Armed Phil, “ and Ishould
like to take dinner before the sun gets out of the
can on, for I never did like to eat‘shadows.”

“ unshine onto a feller’s b does make it a
leetle more palatable, I co ess, Philip ” replied
Rattler; “ and I think your Wish can grati-
fied, for yander lies the crystal spring we’ve been
endeavorin’ to reach glowin’ in the sunlight like
a big silver dollar in a nigger’s  _ oa,
Comet, my old Pegasus! here we s ake our thirst,
rest our wearied bones, and dine.”

The two horsemen drew rein by the little
sprin that boiled out from under a eat rock
and dismounted. They watered their orses and
then turned them out to graze on the grass that
grew here and there in bunches.

Then seating themselves the bordermen took
from their packs some food and began their din-
ner.
and apparent satisfaction of men who were in
no h and who relished their plain, cold vi-
ands. ey also manifested an indifference to
their surroundi that was evidence of a per~

fect ease of min so far, at least, as gers
were concerned. . _
When their was at length finished, Ope-

Armed Phil too a. small tin cup from his p331:
and, reachi ' out, filled it with cold, spar g
water fromt e ' g.
“Have a. drii , Rattler?” he asked, handing‘
the cup out toward his companion.
“ If ye please, Phili ,” answered Rattler, and

reaching out he took t 6 cup: but just who did ,

so, something struck the vessel with a “click,”

They ate and conversed with the leisure .'

The Border Detectives.

ing on a ledge of rocks high up on the opposite
, side or the valley looking toward them, her face
i, aglow with ri pling smiles. In her hand she
! held a small ri e, which she proceeded to reload
l as she stood regarding the tWo puzzled and con-
! fused men.
This strange being was a young girl—a mere
child, of not over fourteen years of age, with a
lpetite and g'mceful firiu'e. Her sun-browned
I face was decidedly hanr some, and her laughing
! black eyes told of a light heart and the merry,
blithesome spirit of a mischievous little madcap.
Her dark hair, that lay low upon her temples
was gathered back and hung In one long braid
, down her back. She was dressed in a frock of
i green that corresponded well with the color of
the foliage around. It was short. reaching just
1 below her knees. Her limbs and feet were in-
. cased in buckskin tastin ornamented with va—
rious—colored beads. At her side, b means of a
strap passing over her shoulder ung a little
hem ed pouch, from which she took ammunition
to reload her rifle.

“A female !—a girll—a child!” exclaimed One-
Armed Phil, who had first recovered his power
of spc'ech.

“And a lily-lipped hummer she is, too!” de-
clared Rattler.

“”The murderous little wretch! who can she

2

 

“ I’ll ax her,” said Rattler, and then to the 11n-
known girl he shouted: “You owdacious little
. rascal, whar on earth did you drop from it“

I Aglain the girl broke into a peal of merry
, laug ter, and the echoes cau ht up the sound
I and repeated it until a hum red hidden wood-
; nymphs seemed laughing in glee at the astound-
l ed bordermen.

’ V Old Rattler wiped the perspiration from his
, brow, glanced at is companion and then at the
' provoking little flgureon the le( e.

I “Did I scare you, old robbers?’ the girl finally
P called out, in a clear, musical voice.

‘ “ No, you young scamp,”‘replied Old Rattler,
“but you come mortal nigh shootin’ me through
the heart. Don’t you fling lead ’round kind 0’
reckless, gal?” .-

“I generally know where I’m shooting,” the

me out t at top button of! your tunic.” _
“Go ’long! I’ll do no such a thi , you little
wild-eyed heifer! I believe you’re a >loody out-
lawess."
“ It’s not so—I’m not an outlaw!” the girl de-
(tflared indignantly, with a stamp of her little

co .
“Well, who are you, then?”
“ My name’s Gypsy,” she answered.

“ —what? ’
“ mGypsy, some folks call me, but I‘m not
' wild—I’m tame as on are.”

“ Whar the thim er d’ye live «3”

“At home, to be. sure,” was the curt and eva-
sive replfy.

“ By osycrusians!” exclaimed Rattler in a
low tone to his friend, “that l’s sharp as a
cactus-burr, consarn her; but I o wonder if we
can’t get her down here?”

“Try a conciliato tone,” suggested Phil.

“ y, Gypsy,” cal ed out Rattler, “won’t you
. come here, m little lady?”

l “ Little 1 y!” repeated the girl in a. voice

 

! tinged with no little irony; “you talk nice, old I

I stranger; but what do you want me to come
: down for?”

' “ To make love to you,” was Rattler’s absurd
; reply; “ I‘m a real old honey-puddle on the love-
; make, and you jist ought to come down and
' hear me.” _ .

I “I’ve got a lover,” the girl re nded With a
; merry laugh, “and he’s more’n a undred' years
younger than you are, and he’s not ugly either.

The two bordermen could not help laughing
‘ outright. _ .

“ Rosycrusiansl” Rattler exclaimed iii an un-
dertone, “ isn’t she a. clipper, Ph11?—an ox-eyed
dais ?—-a little velvet—throated tempest?”

"‘ he’s a bright child, Rattler,” replied One-
. Armed Phil, “ and as handsome and fearless as
i she is smart. I would give anything to know
who she is, and where she belongs.” .

“Ma be h talkin’ nice we can coax the in-
formation on of the little minx.” ' O
l “ No you can’t, old sinner,” exclaimed the ht-
- tle madcap, whose keen earshad caught the bor-
derman’s remark.

“ P1 0 take it, gal,” remonstrated the old
man ‘ don’t be so all-killin’ aggrevatin’. I
gouldn’t harm a hair 0’ your head. I’m Old

om—

Further words were here cut short by the girl

 

girl responded, “and if you don’tbelieve I can 1
shoot r1 ht where I want to, stand still and see

the water burst from either side of it, and simul- . raising her rifle and firing into the tree-top di-

taneously the clear report of a rifle came to their ' rectly over the bordermen’s heads. A demoniao

ears. ‘ scream coming from the tree, immediately fol-
“ Great R0sycrusiansl” burst from the lips of ! lowed the crack of the gun.

Old Torn Rattler, as the two smug to their . Glancing up, the two men saw a huge cata-

feet, drew their revolvers and g cod around i mount release its feeble hold on a limb and come

them for the unknown foe who had sentga bullet  crashing to the earth, Old Rattler having to leap

through the cup within a few inches of itattler‘s ! aside mareth it falling upon him.

‘ondy. Wild ypsy broke into a pool of me laugh-
Befcre they had discovered the source of the ; tor as she saw the two men retreat hastily from

shot, a ringirg outburst of musical laughter fell ; near the floundering animal. I

la: their ears, and looking in the direction 5 Again the two bordermon exchanged signin-

w co it came they were completely startled cant glances. ..

and confused to see a slender female figure stand- “ I wonder how much lmger that httle wench

 

 

’s goin' to keep us dancin’ ’round here like a. pair'

0’ wall-eyed insane asylumsf”

“ She‘s a fine shot,” was Phil‘s only answer.

“Great Rosycrusians!” the old man cried,
“ gal, you paralyze me! I’m gittin’ dizzy!"

“ Bathe your head in the spring then,” was the.
maiden‘s reply.

“ Darn you. gal, you‘re a Gypsy, sure enough,
and if I could only get up there I’d have a kiss
if it killed me. Sic sass I never heard from a
gal— There! by Rosycrusians! she’s skip red
out, Phil—vanished like the little sunbeam t at
she is. and we’re no wiser than We Were, but
feel a darned sight foolisher—I do at any rate.”

“ She was rather provokin ,Rattler, I’ll ad—
mit,” replied Phil, “ but I won (1 give my supper
to know who she is and where she belongs.”

“ So’d I.” declared Rattler, “ and if we‘d the
time I‘d find where she belon *s before the
sun sets. If we return this way, hil, we’ll have
to call on Miss Gypsy."

“That’s so, Rattler,” replied Phil; “ but now
I’m going to have the drink! she has kept me out
of at any rate."

Deprived of his cup by the maiden’s bullet,
One-Armed Phil advanced to the spring, and
dropping upon his hands and knees, leaned for-v
wart todrlnk from the spring; but as he (lid so,
he started back with a startled cry}, kee )ing his
eyes fixed upon the water as if eld t ere by
some horrible fascination.

Old Rattler stood at his side, and hearing his
exclamation, and seeing his queer actions, leaned
forward and gazed down into the s wring. when
he, too, started, for up out of the impid pool
they saw the white startled face of a woman
gazing upon them!

Fora moment both were speechless, breath-
less. Rattler was the first to speak.

“My God, Phil!” he ekclaimed; but at the
sound of his voice the vision vanished from the

rm .
8p“ 158 gone, Rattler!” said Phil, his white face
betraying no little emotion.

Rattler had the presence of mind to look up.
It occurred to him that the vision was the re—
flection of some one looking from the rock over-
head, but if such was true, that person had dis-
appeared, for he saw nothing.

‘ What do you make of it, Phil?” the old man
asked.
“ It was nothing but a vision,” said Phil.

“Of a beautiful woman’s face,” added Rai—
tler; “ but, Phili , it has given you a shock.
You’re pale as a g 0st.”

“ It startled me, Rattler, I must confess; but
it was surely the reflection of some one on the
rock overhead.”

“ I saw no one, for} I looked.”

“It can’t be this spot is haunted—that the
maiden we saw on yonder ledge was a vision.”

“ Nary vision, Phil, for visions don’t; go ’round
shootin’ cups Outen men’s hands and pluggin’
catamounts. No, sir, it war a real, live flesh.

' and~blood gal, and a. toy—tempest one at that.”

“ Say, men 1”

It was the voice of Wild Gypsy that thus ad-
dressed them, and, looking.” t ey saw the girl
standing on the ledge from which she had so re~
cently vanished; but she now appeared to be ex-

Cited. ‘
“Well, what is it, Gypsy?” asked Rattler.
“Who are you?” the ' lasked.

“Well, my name 18 cm Rattler, and this
other—”

, “ Then you’d better be rattlin out of there,”

she broke in, “ for there’s a lot 0 outlaws—Red

Vultures—comm down the canyon tight as they

can pelt it down! ’

As she concluded her warning words, the girl
again disa redamon the rocks and bushes.

Like sta ues of stone t 8 two men stood mo-
tionless. They heard the clatter and ring of
hoofed feet in the canyon above them.

“ By heavens!” exclaimed Rattler, “ horsemen
are comin’! perha the girl war right. _ Let us
{nount and be rea y to fly if they should be out-

aws.’

They took up thei. packs, fastened them to
their saddles and then mounted; nor were the
a moment too soon in doing so, for.just then the
horsemen came in sight.

PfihThey are outlaws!” exclaim' ed One-Armed
“Then our salvation lays in the heels 0’ our

horses,” said Old Rattler; “go, Comet, like the

wild winds!”

Away the old hunter dashed, his companion at;
his side.

A wild ell, the report of istols andthe whim.
ling of b eta told t 9 two rdermen that they
wore indeed pursued by a part, at least, of the
band of outlaws whom One-Armed Ph

lance, recognized as the Red Vultures, b the

fing red collars abdut their necks, an the

queer ca, on their heads that were made with

lon ,hoo ed’peaks, in imitation of the heads and

baa sof vultures.

“Rattler,” said One-Armed Phil, “we’re in
fora lively race of it, for those fellowa are the
Red Vultures, and they are noted for the fast
horses they ride.”

“Let them swoop down upon us, Philip if
they can,” was the cool reply of Rattler: 1‘ if
they take us for tender lambs or dead critters
sich as vultures like, they’llbe the wu’st startled

i1, at a.

 

 

 

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The Border Detectives.

 

 

 

birds that ever eat carrion ‘bout the time I un—
limber Old Epidemic and begin swattin’ them in

the digestion. This is my way 0’ fightin’, boy— ,

on the run. I furst fascinate the foe so‘s they’ll
foller up, then I let loose, and if ever you see‘d a

thundergust—an untamed tempest frolic around i

in a hay-field, then you can have some idea 0’
my capacity and Comet s to devastate and dee—

stroy. Come, Comet. pat ‘er down, old boss— ‘1

make this old mountain hum—{romp the fire

right outen the earth. Now. Philip. don’t be i

f scatter distance behind him nobly, for an old. .

boss? Don‘t he reach out greedily for the miles 3

before him By the Rosycrusiansl that‘s a like-

ly critter you ride, Philip; he holds alongside 0’ ‘

Comet hke a star o’ the. fu‘st magnitood: but
will his wind last?”

“ He’s good for a twenty~mile race, Rattler,”
declared Phil.

“ Then come on, you red—necked varlets l” and

Rattler deliberately turned his head and waved v
his cap in too air in defiance to the pursuers, his 1

voice ringing in stentorian notes above the thou-
sand rebounding echoes that went crashing like
thunders through the mountains.

 

CHAPTER II.
A CAMP-FIRE STORY.

IN a narrow strip of timber on the banks of
the Moreau river, at a point not far from where
that stream debouched from the foot-hills of the
Rocky mountains into the great plains, a camp-
fire was burning, its genial rays of light dispe 1-
ing the gloom of night from under a cluster of
somber pines. Before the fire, in attitudes of
ease, reposed three men. Two of these were
Old Tom Rattler and One—Armed Phil who, in
their race with the Red Vultures two days pre»
vious, had not only escaped from the outlaws,
but had slain two of their number.

The third person was a young man in years,
though a giant in stature. It was Stonewall
Bob, the Boy Trojan ot' the Great Range, and
more than this it is scarcely necessary for us to
say to the reader who with us has followed the ad—
Venturous footsteps of this brave, gallant and
kind-hearted young plainsnian before.

It was by appointment that the three had met
there under the pines by the Moreau at sunset
that evening, and since that time they had
passed the hours in telling of the adventures
they had had in their journey there.

Old Rattler first narrated the story of their
adventures at the mountain .5 iring with the girl,
Wild Gypsy, and their pursuit by the outlaws, in
which case Rattler and his horse, Comet, had
given One-Armed Phil an exhibition of his

‘cyclone—frolic" fighting. The old borderman
was in a. ha py vein of humor that evening.
This enabled im to tell his story inhis original
style of narrative, which made it highly en oy-
able to the Boy Trojan, and, so rofusely d1 he
“paint” the whole sto from ginning  the
end, that One-Armed P i1 himself became inter-
ested in the old man’s vivid powers of exagger-
ation and skill in word—painting.

After he had finished his story, Stonewall Bob

id:

“Well, now I have a story to tell you of an
adventure I had in coming here, every word of
which is true.”

'“Tb be sure,” said Rattler, “we [mismen
never tell anythin but the plain na edtruth.
But go on, lad, an tell it; nothin kills time so
humanely as a good camp-fire story that has the
rin ' ’ truth 0’ the Book 0’ Revelations in it.”

‘ Well,” said Stonewall Bob, “I started for
this point two weeks ago. I knew it Wouldn’t
take me all that time to reach here, but I want—
ed to visit some friends on the way and thought
I’d start in plenty of time. Just one week ago
in crossing the plains north of the Big Che enne
I came across a wagon-train consisting 0 four
wagons and seven persons. They were on their
way to the gold mines at Deadwood by the
Cheyenne river trail, or rather they were an-

ling off in a course to reach that route, they

avmg been deceived into leaving it some days
previous by an ignorant guide.

“The train was in charge of a Mr. Mahlon
Graves, who had along with him his daughter,
Ruth, a oung lady of eighteen, and a fairer and
more la ylike woman I have never met.”

“Oh-ho!” exclaimed Old Rattler, “and I’ll
bet on of: all broke up on her beauty.”

“I’ll (feelarefl’ Bob went on, with a smile on
his broad, expansive face, “ I had a notion to
turn outlaw and run of! with her to the moun-
tains. I told her father that his daughter’s face
would bring him trouble if an outlaw or Indian
should see her, and even while I was speakm . I
discovered a number of horsemen of: on a l s-
tant hill a rent] Watc iiiig us. spy-g ass
in possessioIhPEf theytrain revealed the fact that
they were all Indians but two, and these we re—
cognized as Red Vultures by the red collars
around their necks and the ugl caps on their
heads. Altogether there were fifteen of them,
and by their actions it was apparent that they
were intent upon robbery or murder, or both.

“The gold-seekers became alarmed and they
be god me to stay with them that day and

'g t, and as their course was not much out of
3 way, and it was not long until night, I de«

’ ed to do so, more on account of—”

88.

 

" T he gal—yourdoom," brake in Rattler, with
a pleasant chuckle.

I fiucnce. and that there was an unseen power

guiding my footsteps I now have every reason

“ I must confess,”th Boy Trojan continued. 1 to believe. Perhaps some would call it fate, and
“that I am an admirer of the ladies and would 1 others animal instinct. but whatever it was, it
‘ sooner lay down my life in defense of imiocent " hurried me on until 1 suddenly came in sight of
womanhood than any other cause under the 2 the wagi'm—box with its canvas tilt intact, float

heavens."

“ Bravo!” shouted Onc~Arined Phil. his blue
eyes sparkling with genuine enthusiasm and ad—
miration.

“\Ve eucaniped a short distance,“ Bob con-
tinued, “from the Cheyenne river. about two
hours before sunset. That was the nirht the
rreat- storm swept over the plains of lakota.

‘he clouds were already piling up against the
western sky, black and ominous. so that we had

: to prepare for the storm as well as the foe. I

tell you things looked blue around that camp
about sunset. There was not an experienced

ilainsman ' in the party, except myself. Mr.
Ilraves had been across the plains once to Pike’s
Peak, but for all that he knew nothing of rairie—
craft. The guide that had started wit them
from Fort Sully, and led them astray, had been
discharged several days before. \Ve ate a cold
supper, or rather those did that had any appe-
tite at all. Miss Graves watched the gathering
clouds and the shadowy forms on the distant
hills with an uneasy, troubled look upon her fair
face. W'e all worked like Turks, but before we
had things as we wished them we heard the
moan of the storm in the distance, succeeded by
a strange roaring noise that fpnroved to be a
mighty torrent of water that ' ally came roll—
ing down the river, filling the stream batik—full.
W e knew that a watervspout had burst and
poured its flood into the river, and yet not a
drop of rain had fallen where we were.

" Soon the sky to the west of us became over-
cast with black, purple clouds, the lightning and
thunder became terrific, and then we knew the
rain would soon begin to fall. So busy had we
been in securing the stock that not a tent had
yet been erected. so Miss Ruth was placed in
one of the wagons and the tilt securely closed all
around. Never did men work as We worked,
and between our watching out for the Indians
and labor preparing for the storm—with dark-
ness over and around us—we progressed slowly.
To make the situation all the more appalling,
we suddenly heard a stran re roaring sound—a
somid I ha heard once before in my life—and
knew what it was.

“ ‘Men, it’s a hurricane? I shouted; ‘ throw
yourselves flat on the earth, face downm-rquickl7

“As I spoke, I throw myself on the ground
and the emigrants did likewise. lVe d scarcely
done so when the storm broke over us wild and
furious. I heard a crash and, as I thought, a
cry min led with the roar of the storm. I raised
my be slightly and saw that two of the wag-
ons had been blown over and with their con-
tents were being scattered over the lain. The
other two wagons—one of which she tered Ruth
——I saw in motion sweeping like mad toward the
river. In ‘ parking’ the vehicles these two were
placed fronting toward the river and in line
with the storm, and they had been set in motion
and were driven before the wind.

“ I realized the maiden’s awful danger and ate
tempted to rise and go to her assistance, but the
storm flung me back to the earth as violently as
though I had been a child. I tried to speak, but
the wind took my breath.”

“ Rosycrusians l” broke in Rattler, with im -
tience, “ talk fast, boy—trot along—what b:-
came 0’ the gal?”

“Be patient, Rattler,” Stonewall said, “ and
I’ll get to that in due time. You see the storm
was a young prairie—hurricane—quick and furi-
ous. It swept by like a mad giant. Inafew
moments it was gone, and we sprung to our feet
confused and terrified. A dead calm almost in-
stantly succeeded the wild dash of the hurricane
whose receding. shriek could still be heard in the
distance. The change was like that from a howl-
ing mob of madmen to the chamber of death.
Not even the faintest rumble of thunder could
be heard, but the whole heavens were ablaze
with sheet-lightning that lit up the scene with a
lurid glare.

“ ‘ My God! my child! where is she?’ Mahlon
Graves cried, when he saw the wagons had been
swe t away. ‘

“ told him the wind had driven the w ons
away, and that I would go at once in seam-c of
her. I did not tell him that it had been carried
toward the river, and of the fears that filled my
breast. I started off at once, though to tell you
the truth I never expected to find her alive, if at
all, for I was satisfied the wagon had been rolled
into the mad, roaring river.

“Just as I started the rain began to fall in a

rfect torrent out of the blazing, thunder-rent

eavens, but I stopped not for this. I went
‘down to theriver and found it bank full and in
places creeping out into the ‘ass. Such a con—
fus1on of rushing, roaring, f ' g waters I nev-
er heard.

“ In the lightning’s glare I looked for some
vestige of the- wagon. but in vain. I then
started ofl.‘ on a run down the river through
the pelting rain. If any one had seen me they
would have declared I was or . I had no
hopes of finding the irl (lead or ahve, and yet I
wasimpelled onwar as if by some unknown in-

|
l

l

 

iiig down the mad. roaring river.

" The question with me now was whether the
maiden was in it, and, if so, whether she was
dead or alive? At first I was tempted to shout
to her, but then I knew I could not make myself
heard above the roaring storm and waters, and
without a moment‘s delay I ran down the river
ahead of the floating box, plunged into the
stream. and struck out like a walrus for an ice-
floc. I intercepted the box in the middle of the
river, and I was iretty well blowed when I laid
hands upon it. did not try to enter it, nor did
I make my presence known. So ’fraid was I
that the. maiden was not there or dead that I
hesitated about learning the truth. But hang-
ing to the rear of the box I listened, and
to mv heavenly joy I heard the girl‘s voice—-
been her raying with all the fervenc of a
true Christian soul. Still I said nothing, ut at
once began to work myself like a rudder toa
boat. and in obedience to my efforts the box be-
gan to edge slowly off toward the north shore.
You  the box had floated clear of the running-
gear of the wagon when it plunged into the
river. and it had weight enough inside to ballast
it and keep it in an upright, or natural sition.
I was nearly half an hour in getting t e craft
ashore, and as soon as it touched the bank I
swam around and climbing out of the water
pulled the box ashore, which was not difficult,
for the water was just beginning to creep over
the bank at that point. I now spoke calling
Miss Graves by name. and a wild, 'oyfu cry an-
swered me. But. would you be 'eve it? as I
passed around to the other end of the wagon-

x to open the closed tilt, what was my sur-
prise and horror to be confronted by a 1jttle
weazen-faced Indian warrior that—”

“ Oh, crucifixion!” burst from Old Rattler’s
lips; “whar did the red—rinded varmint come
from, anyhow?”

- “ I don‘t know,” replied Stonewall, “ but I do
know where the malignant imp went to, for that
same power that had led me on to the maiden’s
rescue was still at work within me, and, quicker
than on could bat your eye, I shoved my fist
into t e varlet’s face, and t e last I saw of him
his carcass was bobbin up and down on the
waves of the rushing river like a lo . At the
same instant Miss Ruth sprung from her priso
and in her wild joy she threw her arms abou
my neck and breathed out words of heartfelt
thanks that are still ringing in my ears.

“ I tell you, Tom Rattler, that was a raptur-
ous moment for me, when, with her arms about
my neck, I felt her warm breath on my cheek
and her wildly fluttering heart beatin against
my own tumultuous breast, and as led her
back to her father I was the oudest boy that
ever walked Dakota soil; and Irthought her fa-
ther would never get throu h thanking me.

“ Of course we were all nched to the skin,
and if ever a camp presented the sorry spectacle
of having been ‘cycloned,’ it was ours. Not a.
horse was to be seen, and the wagons and their
contents were scattered from there to the Gulf
of Mexico, and about all we could do was to sit
down and await the coming of morning. The
ni ht being quite warm we did not suffer any-
thing but disagreeableness from our drenched
clothes.

“ Everybody tried to accept the situation in
good grace, and not-a few stories were told and
jokes cracked before da light came; and when
it did, finally, our joy ew no bounds. But
what a sight was before us! Ruin and desola-
tion, almost, seemed to stare us in the face.
We were all day in hunting,l our strayed
horses, getting our clothing ' and gathering
up the scattered effects of the party. Of the
four wagons but three were ever gathered to-
gether again. Our ammunition was found in
rood condition, for this was the first thing we

secured when we saw a big storm was brew-

in .

a The next day We again gotstarted mountain-
ward. I had agreed to accompany the train two
days, and it was well, perhaps, that 1 did, for
the very first day, along in the afternoon, we
were attacked by that same band of Indians and
Vultures that ’d been hanging off on the hills
before the storm. I had espied them long be—
fore they reached us, and when they came up we
were ready for them, and in two minutes and
tenseconds we flaxed them out in fine style
kilhng a wounding half of their number; but
we did 11 t escape without loss. One man was
killed, two wounded, and three horses were
killed.

"After this fight we had no further trouble,
and the next day we reached the Cheyenne
Crossing and there came upon a large party
bound for Deadwood. This aflorded me an op-
portunity to lcave my friends without any fear:
for their safety, for they had decided to travel
together to the city of decayed timbers. But
for this you would, in all probability. not have
seen me ere inside of the next two weeks.”

' “ Reckcn on were sorry you struck the Jther
train,” said attler.

 
  

«,7, .or-g'sa- ,v  .

.»- 

 

4

The Border Detectives.

 

_——

 

“ I must confess that I hated to be separated !
from Mr Graves’s Jerry,” Boo soil; “but when 

I was about to ta (0 leave of them, Miss Ruth
came to me, her face suffused With embarrass—

ment and her soulful eyes filled with tears, and, :

in a voice tremulous with emotion. said:

“ ‘ Mr. Cornstock, I am sorry that we are to
lose your company, for we fully realize that but
for you we would non all be dead.

. 1 . . . .
lautry, I desn‘e to decorate you With this badge
of honor.’

“ She then, with her mm hands, fastened upon ,

my breast this little gold pin or badge. which
bears the word ‘Ilonor’ engraved upon it. I
thanked her for her kindness, and was about to
mount my horse, when she again said:

“ ‘ Mr. Cornstock, that jewel 1 prize most
highly—not for its intrinsic value, but as a keep~
salue.’

" ‘ “'hy part with it then?" I asked; ‘I will
take thl‘ word for the deed."

“ ‘ No. that will not satisfy me,’ she said. ‘ I
give it to you in hopes that within the year you
will return it to me in person.’ ”

“ Ah! that war woman’s Wit and cunnin’,” de~'
clarel Rattler. “I see that gal had fallen in
love with you. boy, and she took that means of
placm.’ you upon your honor to have you visit
her - c ever trick—a 10vely little snare to
catc. big Bobby Comstock, the Boy Trojan.
But of course you promised to return the
jewel l"

“ Indeed I did,” replied Stonewall, “and just
as so<>n as I get back from this trip I’m going to
keep my Word.”

“Poor boy:” said Rattler, with a sigh, ad-
dressing Oue-Armed Phil, “ he‘s a goner. He’s
no longer (Stonewall Bob. the Boy ’l‘rojan, for he
who has faced and fought a dozen red—skins suc-
cessfully goesdown before the eyes of a pretty
gal; but then his story has been a good one, and
now it devolves on you. OmsArm, to spin us off
a yarn. for it’s quite a while yit till snoozin’-
time. You intimated to me t’ol‘her day'thnt that
empty sleeve 0‘ yours had 9. history—s’pose you
give us that?”

“Yes, part1,” added Stonewall Bob, “come,
 us the story.”

" Indeed this empty sleeve has a history,
friends,“ said Phil, and the muscles of his face
quivered as with a twinge of pain, and his mild
blue eyes began to blaze as if a smoldering fire
had been stirred up in his breast by some bitter
recollec'tii',>n, “but I seldom ermit myself to
think about it, much less tnl c about it, for to
brood over it makes a demon of me at heart.
But now since we are on the subject I will tell
you about it. Years ag<y—”

But here he was interru )‘ted by the sound of
approaching footsteps, am looking up he and
his friends saw two men—both strangerswenter
the radius of the light and advance toward them
addressing them in the friendly familiarity so
characteristic of men Of the border.

CHAPTER III.
A CAMP-FIRE TRAGEDY.

THE newocomers that had so suddenly cut
One-Armed Phil’s story short were dressed in
citizens’ suits of dark-gray material, high-
topped boots, and light i’elt hats with. rather
narrow brims.

The oldest of the two was a man of perhaps
‘fifty years. He was rather tall, had dark-gray
eyes and wore a. full, brown beard. His long,
straight nose was bestridden with a blood-red
scar.

The other was short, and stoutly built—some
' ears vounger than his friend, but far less intel-
ectual in general appearance. Neither of them
carried any wen . us that were visible.

“ Hullo! g eveninc, folks!” the bearded
stranger exclaimed; “ hope you will pardon
this unceremonious intrusion of noc' no-
mads.”

“ No need 0’ formality on the prairies, stran—
gers,” re )lied Old Rattler, scrutinizin the men
closely. ‘ our fireside are free to all isposed to
let its light shine on their mugs if they be hon-
est. but seein’ you are strangers, what are we to
call ve?” *

“ Iy name,” said the tall man, “is Bane
Bradstreet, and my stout chum here is Jim Noe .
By profession or calling, or whatever you’re a
mind to term it, we’re a. pair of confounded
dolt-heads.” .

“You be pretty hard on yourselves, folks,”
said Rattler; “ why is this thus?”

o“ I am almost ashamed to tell you,” replied
Bradstreet, as he and Noi-l seated themselves be.»
fore the fire, “but the fact is, We’ve bi; 11 lost on
the plain for two days and have been ollowing
this stream up supposing it was the Belle
Fourche.”

“And how do you know but what it is?” asked
Rattler.

“ We came to the conclusion this evening that
it was not, for according to our map it makes
the turn as we a. proacb the mountains.
We deci ed it was the WI, or Moreau.”

“In that you’re ri ht,” said Stonewall Bob;
“but you‘re not trove ing afoot, are on?”

“ N 0; we left our horses down the ver aways,
aged almost to death, and we’re but little beta

 

As a token ‘
of my regard for your her-01c service and gal- ‘

 

“Gents, make yerselves to home here,“ said
Old Rattler; “we’ve plenty room, plenty 0’
ground for beds, and abundance o’ sky and
darkness for kiver, and if ye’re hungry eat yer
fill from our larder, and drink long and deep
from the murmurng Moreau. VVe’re a tripod
o’ as free-hearted buccaneers as ever swatted a
buf’la, trailed a red-rim"! to death, or winged a
Vulture. We :t‘.,o make :2 specciality o' doin’
the ’way-up thing by ladies, and tendcrfeet,
and—"

“ Then we’ve struck the right camp, for under
the latter class we claim your hospitality,” said
Bradstreet, with a soft. laugh.

Thus the conversation ran on for some time.
The two men declined food, having already had
their supp. 1‘ out of their own supplies. They
discussed the topics incident to their surround-
ings, and finally, when all subjects of interest
scented about exhausted, Old Rattler turned to
One—Armed Phil and said:

“ \Vell. Phil. s’pose you go on with your
story,” and then to Bradstreet and Noel he con-
tinued: “ He had just begun a camp-lire story
when you folks came up—the story 0’ how he
lost that arm.”

“Tell it, by all means,” said Jim Noel, “for
I’m tired of talkin’ and ready to listen.”

“ I think you'd better exeuse me, entlemen,”
said Phil. the color all seeming to fin o from his
face, while his friends noticed a peculiar and un—
natural light in his eyes.

“No, we won’t expuse you, Phil,” said Stone-
wall.

"Go ahead, boss,” said Bradstreet, leaning
back against a tree and looking up into the
Elarkncss with a contented expression upon his

ace.

“By your desire I will.” said One—Armed
Phil, turning toward Bradstreet, as if compli-
mented by that gentleman’s request, at the same
time adjusting his pistol-belt as if to relieve him
of some miduc pressure. “Many years ago,”
he again commenced, “when I was a boy of
fourteen, I lived with my parents in a prairie
home—no difference to anv of you where it was
located-and alongside of us lived a neighbor
on! his fann'ly. There were two children
of llS—lllyself and a baby sister of nearly three
_ Of our neighbor’s family there Were
three—the father and mother and one child, a
daughter about my age. At the time we set-
tled there we were exposed to some dangers
from the Indians and so were kept in great sus-
pense. But instead of Indians harming us we
were visited one day by a. band of outlaws or
horse-thieves, who deliberately demanded our
horses, of which father and our neighbor had
six. In endeavoring to protect his property
father was shot down dead as was also our
neighbor and his wife. It hen the villains
came to the cabin to phmder it, mother and
I endeavored to defend it with our lives and
mother did shoot one of the villains dead, but
the next moment she, poor, brave woman, was
killed, and I seized and dragged out into the
yard and after, some parleying a big villain
raised his pistol and fired at me. I remember
that well, and his blazing eye as it glanced along
the murderous tube will never be efl’aced from
my memory as long as I live. I fell within a
few feet of our door and, of course, I remem-
bered nothing more until hours afterward. It
seems that the thieves and murderers fired both
cabins after plundering them, and the smoke of
the burning uildings attracted the attention of
some cattle-men returning southward from the
hills, where the had been in search of stolen
stock. They roc e down to the binning cabins,
which were a mass of red ruins When they
reached them. At the edge of the pile that
marked the place of our home, they found me
1 'ing with m left hand burned to a. cris by the

e that ha rolled outward, they sai , when
the cabin fell.

“Finding that I was not dead, the stockmen
removed me to n littlestream hard by, bathed.
my brow  my wounded head where the
outlaw’s bullet had done its bungling work, and
restored me to consciousness.

“But when I realized my condition—that my
hand was burned off, that my parents, baby-sis-
ter and neighbors were all dead and burned to
ashes—along with my untold suffering, I prayed
for death to relieve me." ‘

“ Great Rosycrusians! it must ’a’ been awful!”
exclaimed Old Rattler.

“Dreadful! dreadful!” added Raney Brad-
street; “ it is a miracle you survived the awful
shock.” ,

“ I did, h0wever,” Phil went on, “ but what I
suffered no tongue can tell. The stockmen took
me to the nearest settlement, which was thirty
odd miles away, where, to save my life, I had to
undergo the amputation of m arm. After I
got so that I comd travel, the s kmen sent me
to 111 friends in the East. There I recovered,
and was sent to school that I might obtain
such an education as would enable me to make a
living with my single hand. But all the time
I was restless“ I could not forget my murdered
friends—I could not eflace from m memo

that murderous eye blazing along t at piste .
Something seemed to be cryin out to me, (lay

‘F-félf‘li.

and night, to avenge the den h of my friends.
And tins grew upon me untilI was no longer

 

able to resist the power that was urging me on.
and so I returned to the Vl’est, a Nemesis at
heart. I landed in Deadwood, and while lying
in wait there for my victims I engaged in min-
ing, and now have a rich-payin claim there;
and yet I care naught for gold. gMy heart cries
out for revenge! revenge!

“11 whavc been there nearly three years,
am —’

“ How many of the bloody devils have you
swattalf" asked Old Rattler, becoming some-
what excited.

“ Not one," Phil continued; “the fates have
seemed against me. all along. I may have met
some of the murderers, but failed to recognize
them, although I felt certain I would never for—
get the faces of some of the villains no difference
when or where I should meet them. There was
another face. howm'er, that has ever been be—
fore my mental visiou, and that was the face of
Margery Ashton, our neighbor’s daughter. She
was a fair and comely girl who had won a warm
place in my boyish heart, but I have never en-
tertained any other thought than that she was
murdered With the rest. A thousand times, as I
have sat alone tracing out forms in the flying
clouds or in the dancing flames of my camp-fire,
the sweet, fair face of Margery always comes up
before me: but never did it seem so plain as the
day I stooped to drink from that mountain-
spring—”

“ Ay !” exclaimed Rattler “then the vision
you saw in that spring was the face of Margery
Ashton 5”

“ Yes, Rattler," he answered.

“ I saw the vision, too. Philip!” declared Plate
tler, “ and, my boy, if that was Margery’s vision
then Marge is livin’, for I am sure it was a re—
flection of a 'vin’ bein’.”

“I cannot think so,Ratt~1er. If I could see
her face in the clouds of Heaven, why not in the
limpid pool?”

“ But why should I see the some, Philip?"

“I do not know,” he answered, with a nerv-
ous movement of his whole body. "I have
brooded over the matter so often and so long
that sometimes I think I am losin my reason,
for my mind becomes confused and everything
seems swimming before me. That is why I have
refused to talk on the subject. But I have no
doubt but Margery was killed with all the others
but myself, and even me they left for dead.”

“Then you really think you would recognize
the outlaws if you should meet the murderous
wretches?” observed Bradstreet.

“ As I have said,” replied Phil. “I would re-
cognize some of them, if not all. he man who
fired at me I would know among a million."

“ They may all be gone from this country, or
killed oil' before this,” said Bradstreet, “ for the
life of an outlaw is a very uncertain one, I
should say.”

“ If any of them are dead, they are doubtless
undergoinor the unishment that God has prom-
ised to all evi «loci-s,” answered Phil; “ but
whenever, or wherever-4' ever, I meet any of
them on this earth I n' avenge my wrongs.
\‘Vouldn’t you, Mr. Bradstreet?”

“ I certainly should,” answered Bradstreet,
shifting his position.

Scarcely Were the words out of the man’s lips
ere One-Armed Phil sprung to his feet, whipped
out his revolver am sent a. bullet crashing
through Raney Bradstreet’s brain.

“There!” cried the avenger, with the ferocity
of a madman, “ vengeance is mine! I took him
at his word, and he is my first victim of that
murderous band!”

CHAPTER IV.
rim CHAINED FuoIrIvns.

THE tr '0 death of Bailey Bradstreet fairly
para] zed. he senses of those who witnessed it,
so su den and unex cteu was the blow of the
avenger given, and or a moment they sat llke
men in a stupor of horror.

Old Rattler was the first to move and to

.ak.

Spf:My God! Phil, What have on done?” he
cried, springing to the side of radstl'eet, who
had fallen over u n his face.

Before Phil cou (1 answer, and while Stonewall
Bob was rising to his feet, the friend of the dead
man, Jim Noel, sprung to his feet with the
quickness of a panther, and, seizinga. stout club
as he did so, dealt the Boy Trojan a blow upon
the head that Sent him back to the earth. Stun'
nod and bleedin , and with almost the same mo,
tion the fearful Eludgeon swung around, sinking
the hand of One—Armed Phil and knockms his
revolver from his grasp out into the darkness, _

“ Ka-lee! ka—lcel Lin-lee!” 11m from N038
lips, even as he plied the club, in t. e clear, Shrfll
notes of a bird of thenlght. _

All these transactions, from the tune Stone-
wall was stricken down until Phil had beep d18-
armed, occupied but the fraction of a minute,
and as Noel’s cry was instantly answered from
the surrounding darkness by  “31093,
Old Rattler sprung 1’0 his feet Wlth the excla-

mation: _
“ Red Vulture! 116131 tliz'eiggat Rosycrusiansl—

’ ur
will: IE: 533mg wells addressed to Jim Noel
who, with upmised club, sprung toward the bor-

derer. but with the agility of a cat the old man

 

 

 

 

. "/

 

 

 

 

 

._._-:

 

The Border Detectives.

 

 

leaped aside and avoided the blow intended for
him.

At the same instant half a score of men rushed
frmm the darkness with a yell that too plainly
told Rattler and his friend Phil that the Yul-
tures were u on them. and that their only safe
ty lay in flig t. But this was not to be thought
of by the brave film‘nsmen, for their young
friend, Stonewall ob. had not recovered suf-
ficiently from Noel's blow to be able to rise to
his feet, and they at once prepared to battle in
his defense. The odds. however, were too great
for them. One-Armed Phil now possessed no
weapon but hissingle hand. but with this he dealt
terrific blows before he was ove wered and
borne to the earth. Rattler got in ut a single,
yet deadly shot before he was seized from behind
and also borne dovm, disarmed and bound hand
and foot.

Curses loud and deep fell from the lips of the
Vultures as they gazed upon the lifeless form of
Bradstreet and the victim of One—Armed Phil’s
revolver, and it required some effort on the part
of Noel to prevent the villains from shooting
Phil down in cold blood. It seemed that Brad-
street was a cat favorite with the outlaws,
and his death 'cd them with a spirit of frenzy,
but in face of all their threats and menac-
ing acts the one-armed avenger stood unmoved
and defiant as if courting death. .

“ Quite a haul of roustabouts.” one of the V111-
tures finally exclaimed, “but it has been rather
expensive, giving the life of Bradstreet for three
such plungers. Say, Noel, who is that big cha.
there, and what’s the matter with him? Hpe
seems confused.”

These questions referred to Stonewall Bob,
who reclined upon one elbow on the earth, gaz-
ing around him in a listless, confused way, feel-
ing about him on the ground with his free hand
like a blind person. His face was covered with
blood that trickled from the wound on his head.
He seemed to notice no one nor heed the outlaws’
threats or brutal jests.

“ That’s the biggest haul of the kit, Bramble,”
replied Noel: " it’s the famous Stonewall Bob,
the Boy Trojan, who won such notoriety last
fall in cleaning out Black Bluford’s band almost
to a man.”

“ Indeed?” replied Bramble: “ well, if Captain
Vulture was only here now, I’m of the opinion
he’d order a ,eneral hanging-bee. But what ails
the Trojan? lie gropes and glares around like he
was slightly confused by our presence.”

“ I gave him a salter on his head that’s set his
brilliant brain in a. whirl,” replied Noel; “but
as he‘s gradually etting around to his senses I
guess we’d better alter him up and save trou—
ble. Will some one bring an extra lariat’l—be
quick! the kid’s trying to git up now.”

A man hurried off after arope, and while gone
Stonewall Bob, with a great effort, rose to his
feet and reached out his hands like a blind man
feeling his way—muttered incoherently, and
staggering backward would have fallen had No-
el not sprung forward and grasped him by the
am

1.

“He’s crazy as a blind bed-bu _—kind 0’
groggy,” said the outlaw, “and’s a tt-le weak
inhispe . Perha sa bullet through his car-
cass won (1 be the cast trouble for us and the
easiest, trip for the Trojan outlaw-demolisher
ant —

The outlaw’s remarks were suddenly cut short
by the B0 Trojan jerking away from him—
turnin as e did so, and driving his fist into the
villains face with such terrific violence as to
lift him clear off his feet and land him prestrato
on the earth twenty feet away, while, with a
yell of defiance, the young giant bounded away
into the darkness.

So quickly was this done that the Boy Trojan
was out of sight before Noel’s friends could com-
prehend the situation and act accordingly. A
few random shots were quickly fired in the di-
rection thaxyouth had gone, and two of the Vul-
tures. star in pursuit of him, but they soon re
1‘ ur nel, cursing with impotent rage.

As to the facetious Jim Noel, he scrambled to
his feet in a much worse condition than he had
pronounced Stonewall Bob a few moments be—
fore. His nose was mashed flat upon his face,
and a great gash out on his cheek from which
the blood was urmg in torrents. The fellow
could not spea . He was compelled to hold his
lips closed to keep the blood out of his mouth,
and it was only With a great effort that he was
enabled to breathe through his broken nose—at
eve breath the blood spurtnng out inhot jets.

“ ~ods, man!” exclaimed Bramble, ‘ he’s
mashed your whole face—the big hound played
it on you fine.” _

Noel blubbcred out an oath, at the same time
motionin r for he .

His frignds did Irill they could _to 31:0 the flow
of blood and alleviate his pain. ater was
brought and his face bathed, and when at length
the bleeding had ceased, his agony became all
the more intense. His face began to swell up

t le.
an‘9Burnriiiliillbon. Jim,” Bramble finally 0b—
serv , “your face ‘5 beginnin’ to look worsen
a ham of spoiled meat. You’re a horror—a
ghastl horror!"

Noe oaned out a curse.

Despi his perilous situation Old Rattler could

 

maintain his silence no longer, and ventured to
remark:

“ That boy—giant’s a lily-Upped hummer, folks,
sure as the devil ’ll git you all. W hen he swats
a feller with that fist he swats to smash—spoil-
dccnmlisb.”

“ Silence, you old vagrant !” thundered Bram—
ble, “ or you’ll  swinging to a limb first thing
you know.” v

“ Give me a pistol till I shoot him!” muttered
Noel, his blazing eyes Just visible between the
two slits in his SWelling face.

“Hullol”

It was a strange voice that thus accosted the
Vultures in the midst of their anger and excite—
merit.

Looking in the direction whence it came the
outlaws were somewhat startled by the sight of
a man standing just within the radius of light.
He was a most wretched specimen of hmnanity.
He was rather tall and slender, though his age
was uncertain. He was covered with rags and
dirt, and but for the contour of his features no
one could have told his color. He was hatless,
and his scraggy heir hung in muddy “ rat-tails"
about his head. He had a thin short beard that
was burdened with dirt and clay. He had a
wild, hunted look about him, which was in a
measure accounted for when the outlaws saw
that his hands were fastened together with a
pair of iron handcuffs.

“By the Wandering Jew l” exclaimed Bram-
ble, “ what on earth appears before us ?-—a man,
or an escaped chimpanzee?”

“You tell, for I can’t,” was the response of
another astonished Vulture.

“ Men, I’m a poor, miserable, hunted devil,
chased almost to death,” said the wretched-
looking mun, “ and I’ve a pard, too, that’s hi 7 h-
ly gone. For days and nights we’ve been 01-
lered and hounded from wood to water. ki—yofe
den to mud-hole, without rest or food. Vile see‘d
your light and cre t up, and findin’ you were
Vultures made bol to seek rest by your fire.
You’ve nothin’ to fear from us.” -

“ I should say not,” replied Bramble; “but
where’s your permit”

“Here, behind me,” replied the wretch, and
as he spoke his “pard” stepped into view. He
was a short, stout, smooth—raced man. but full
as ragged and dirty as the other. His ban
were rec, vet around each wrist the outlaws
saw an iron bracelet from which dangled a few
links of a broken chain.

“ By J upiterl” exclaimed Bramble, “you’re a
pretty hard-looking pair of sports.”

“And you’d be, too, pards, if ye‘d been chained
mince days and had to hunt yer holes as we‘ve

to 7

“ Who ut them darbies on you?”

“ Ther etectives did it.”

“ What detectives?”

“Didn’t hear ther name 0’ but one, and his
name war Kit Bandy.”

“ The deuce on say!” retorted Bramble. man-
ifestin no litt e surprise, which was also shared
by his riends; “where did they nab you?”

“ In ther hills northeast 0’ Deadwood.”

“ What ’d you been doing f—robbing some one’s
tilll—or hen-roost?”

“ They ’cused us 0’ robbin’ the Deadwood
stage, they did.”

“ Well, did ye?” queried Bramble.

“ Seein’ as what you’re a Red Vulture, I’m
not afeard to say that you‘re no better’n we be,”
was the fugitive’s evasive reply, withan attempt
at a facetious smile.

“Well, that’s a roundabout way of answering
a straight question, but since you don’t deny the

robbery, I ess you’re somewhat guilty. But
I’d never e you fellows for road-agents.”
“ Reckop we don’t look f’rocious, but if you’ll

ive us somethin’ to eat we’ll show ye we’re no
int- ki-yotes.”

“ ' ell who are you anyhow?"

“I’m Bill Sherk—thats my Christian name,
but in the hills ther blamed fools named me Mus-
ket-Mouth, and rd thar, he. answers to tber
beautiful naine o Slickchop Mose.” .

“ Never heard of either one of you before,” said
Bramble; “ I reckon you’ve not been in business
long?

“ Not in these diggin’s,” replied Musket—Mouth,
“thou 'h we used to be quite numerous down
’bout enver afore society got so dumbed stuck-
up as to want us to wear neckties.”

While this desultory conversation was oing
on, the two fugitives gradually worked t em-
selves up to the camp- e, though they seemed
uneasy and restless. and started at every sound,
as if it were the tread of a ursuer. Finally
Musket—Mouth’s restless eyes ell upon the dead
bodies of the two outlaws and also upon the
bound forms of Old Rattler and One-Armed
Phil. when he observed:

“Got some stiffs, I see, and two ‘plungers.’
Been havin’ a racket have you?”

“Yes,” answored ramble: “ but how did you
escape from the officers? We want to know
more about you.”

“ Slickchop, butted one 0’ them over 8. CH3
when he wasn‘t. loo "' ’, and I kicked the
other in the l=cwcls and he curled up like a
bear and begun to vomit, and then we

milled out. But the sick feller soon got rid 0’
his cramp and give the ’lam to his friends that

 

war com in’ behind, and we‘ve had it ever since .

Last night we hid in a hole in the rocks, and,
pard there sawed all night on the edge 0’ a.
sharp stone and wore his chain in two, but I had
no rock to saw on, and ever sense then I’ve been
busy trying to keep outen the ‘ plungers’ ’ way?)
as we call iher detectives.”

The outlaws examined the irons on the fugi-
tivcs’ wrists. and Bramble even tried to ull
Musll'ctoMouth’s off over his hands, butma e a
signal failure execpt to cause the fugitive to roar

' and bowl with pain.

“Old dandy, you’re elected to carry your
bracelets awhile longer, at least,” said Bramble,
“ though’they would come good just now if we
could et them off to put on that pilgrim there.”

“ 'ell, never mind the irons now,” said the
gaunt, wild-eyed fugitive, “but if you’ve an
stuflin’-fodder for us, mention it—bring it fort
like a royal diadem.”

“ Hav‘n’t any here,” said Bramble, “ butwe‘ve
lenty at our own camp ’bout tw’o miles from
ere. It may be you can find some ’mong them

‘ plungers” outfit there.”

“Plenty of it," broke in Old Rattler; “in my

{3de you’ll find bread and butter, and roast

ump o’ buf’lo, and br’iled venison, and baked
fish, whisky-pickles, canned peaches, baked
beans, punkin pie, coffee, cream, and anything
and everything dainty and stout. Help your-
selves, for I reckon we wont need it any more.”
1 “ No, indeed, you will not!” retorted an out-
aw.

The two beggarly fugitives went through the
borderman's e ccts like jackals, and brought to
1i ht some bread and meat, which the devoured
li 'e rapacious wolves. Old Musket-i outh was
compel ed to can both hands together when-
ever he took a bite, but he took advantage of
this by keeping both hands full and takin a
double bite, thereby keeping his mouth so full
that his attempt at conversation was like the
growl of a dog over a piece of tough meat.

The outlaws watched the hungry beg ars
gorge themselves, not a little amused at t eir
pe ormanccs, for all attempts to keep up a con-
versation with them was very unsatisfactory.

_Finall the two road-agents finished their re-
past. usket-Mouth arose and grunted with an
aird of satisfaction, then seating himself, he
Stu .

“I feel better now that a long-felt want has
been filled, and if that ’are critter thar ”—refer-
ring to Old Rattler—“ war that anglin’-legged
Old Kit Bandy, I’d show you ultures how to
cut 11 and carve a ‘plunger.’ I’m feerocious
when ’ve a full stomach, but tame and entle
as a sucliin’ dove when chained down and oller
from skull to boots.”

In the course of an hour or so two men were
dispatched to bring 11 the Vultures’ horses.
They were afraid that tonewall Bob might run
them off, as they had already discovered that
the indomitable youth had got away, unseen,
with his own horse and those belonging to Rat-
tler and One-Armed Phil.

When the men came back with the horses the
animals were tied close by, under saddle and
bridle. ready for instant use. The news that
Musket—Mouth brought of the presence of Kit
Bandy and a party of followers in the country
was sufficient cause for them to be on the alert.

It was late in the night when the party laid
down to rest, leaving a man on guard.

Musket—Mouth and SlickchOps were given a
blanket to share between them and the two fu-
gitives laid down on the ground and drew the
cover over them. Tired and worn the two fel-
lows soon fell asleep, but much to the annoy-
ance of his bed-fellow and the Vultures that
were trying to sleep, Musket—Mouth talked in
his slumber and occasionally started up striking
put with his fettered hands at an Imagina' ' Ty

0e.

' The man on guard was not a little amused at
the old fellows ravings at first, but it finally
became monotonous and so he concluded to rout
him out and make him sit up or Seek other
quarters. Walking across the now dimly-
hglited area he gave the old man avigorous
kick. saying:

“Git up here, you old deal and get out of
this or keep your mouth shut. You’ll wake
them dead men up a-snorin’.”

" I’ll git up,” the old man said, and with the
suppleness of youth be bounded to his feet, his
shackles alling from his hands as he did so ,'
then, wit the quickness that the hawk drops
from the air upon its prey, he dr0ve his bony
fist into the face of the unsuspecting outlaw,
who fell to the earth, ten feet awe .

A yell from the prostrated ulture’s lips
awoke his companions from their slumber.

In an instant Slickchops was upon his feet,
knife in hand, and at Rattler’s side. In another
moment the old borderman’s bonds had been
severed, and he was upon'- feet a free man!
Almost simultaneously fonew Bob came
lungln out of the darkness with a yell that
would ve utto shame o. Comanche warrior.
In each han he clutched a revolver.

The Vultures, thus suddenly startled from
their sleep, were for a moment confused but the
first thing the discovered was that they had
been entrap'ie ,andm'ithoutattemptin to raise
a hand or fire a shot, they endeavo to 88*

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6 The Border Detectives.

 

safety by flight into the darkness of the woods. E them over with boughs. Had they possessed

But of the ten only five esca ed the deadly wea- _ the tools with which to open the earth they
us of the Boy Trojan, .Iusket-Mouth and I would have buried them in compliance wit
lickchops. l their convictions of Christian duty.

The victors did not- attcmpt to pursue the out l Among the lifeless forms there was that of the
laws through the intricate darkness of the j desperate Jim Noel. His face was swollen and
woods, but the moment victory was assured ' purple from the blow dealt him by the Boy 
them, the fugitive Musket-Mouth turned, and ' 31111. As Old Rattler threw a bough over him
graspinr both of Old Rattler‘s hands, said, in a. i he said: .
change voice: 1 “Bradstreet and Noel, poor. miserable, lym’

“ Rattler. by the horn 0‘ old Joshua! I’m ex- ‘ devils. are both gone Over the dark river. '1‘ icir

‘ that I could manufacture, and we went to work

again like two kittens. Things swum along love-
1 y and a few months later Sabina suggested that
if in my ramblin’s around I should run across a
nice little orphan child without a home, to try
and git it and we would adopt it as our own,
and raise it up and we would come to love it as

‘ our own flesh and blood and thus loving it, it
‘ would be a kind 0’ a  to bind us closer to—

pirin’ glad to cross palms with you, you darlin’ T deception didn’t work like the classic per- .

old scamp l”
“By the reat Rosycrusians, and confusion o‘ ; pal'd. Slickchops. But the death 0’ Bradstreet

- Babel!” exc aimed Old Rattler, in wild astonish- ; was a wild-eyed stunner—that reminds me—

ment, as he glanced into the eyes of Musket— : where‘s Phil?”
Mouth, “ I hope I may expire if it isn’t that old
buccanecr, Kit Bandy, king of frauds and prince ; Stonewall: “ he said he’d run out and reconnoiter
o’ mountaineers!” l the situation.”
“ I’ve been so full 0‘ business I hadn’t missed
CHAPTER V. him,” said Rattler, “ but isn’t he a ten‘or on the
STORY or links ADOPTED. , shoot? Didn’t he play his story fine on that
FOR several moments Kit Bandy and Old Rat— l bearded outlaw? Ah! that man Phil is a
tler stood mute with surprise razing into each , strange critter, but true as steel and brave as a
other‘s eyes, their hands claspe. and their faces 3 lion. I met him a month ago for the fu’st and
radiant with joy. Bandy was the first to speak, l we naterally froze together, and when I told him
and in reply to the old hunter’s exclamation, he r o’ my goin’ on this trio he asked to accompany
sai : me, and, of course, I couldn‘t- refuse. am
“Yes, Rattler it are I, Ka-ristopher Ko—lum-‘  clad now I didn’t. for he’s a. hull team if he has
bus Bandy, nomad and martyr—a fugitive from int one hand.”
the (perils 0’ domestic infcelicity; but ri rht down “ He‘ll make it hot for the murderers of his
la
Euro years since we Jill‘tell at Laramie, and I 5 meet every one of them for they will not recog-
don’t see as age hasa ded even a wrinkle or a  nize their su posed boy-victim now grown to
gray hair to your beauty, you old bushrnnger.” ‘ manhood. my this gives him an advantage of
“As for you. Kitsie,” Rattler responded. “ I the murderous scoundrels.”
can’t say what time has done for you, for the dirt ; Kit Bandy and his friend, Zeke Ruble, pre-
on your profile has so completely concealed you i sented ( uite an improved appearance when they
from view that there’s uothiu’ recognizable ’bout i returner to camp. Rattler was now enabled to
you ’cept your Adonis-like figure; and then your see that the lapse of time had made little if any
classic voice—the belchin‘s of a musket-mouth, : change in the old mountain detective. He was
sure enough, war a mixture 0‘ Choctaw and ki- just about the same in looks, in his jolly and
yote', but, bless your deceptive old soul, I’m glad r rollicking spirit, physical powers and undaunted
to meet ye ‘ for a’ that. for a” that.’ ” i courage.
“ This ’ere rooster, Rattler,” said Kit, turning } But no one would ever have taken Zeke Ruble,
(
l

 

to the man Slickchops. “are a pard o’ mine. an
be rambles to the name 0‘ Zeke Ruble. He’s not , Slickchops. and it was only the presence of
much on mouth—work, but just turn a grizzly ' Bandy with him that convinced. the others that

loose (in him or a dozen Ingins, if ye want'to see 3 such was the case, so great. a change had the g _
. w1th a chuckle.

how a buzz—saw works up timber." man made in himself. ‘He was a man of perhaps

“I are very glad to meet you. Ruble,” said : forty-five years of age, of about medium hightv 1

Rattler, shaking hands with the mountaineer: i and rather inclined turorpulency. His smoothly- T frown, "this isa serious matter to me, and Y 011

“and now I’m goin’ to introduce you to my i shaven face possessed a frank, open look. :11-
chums. This ’ere gentleman are One—Armed ‘1 though it bore scvvml uglv scars that somewhat
Phil. and this bit o’humanity with a lump on his 1 marred its symmetry. is forehead was broad
head are Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan.” ; and intellectual. and his mouth rather large yet

“Glad to grasp your hand, Phil,” said Bandy; = expressive of Iirnmess and decision. His eyes . _ , , ,
" went on, “ in selectm the desired link, but whcn

“but as to Bob, Rattler, we met him awhile I were of a dark—blue. and the only feature of his
a v 0.” face not altogether in harmony with the others
~ “ thcn—Where?” —not but what the} were bright enough, but
’ “ Before we came here—that is, a few minutes they had a quick. restless and flirtive movement
after be erected a Chinese pagoda on that out— . of one accustomed to being on his guard. No
law’s mug and then lunged into the wilderness ; one noticed this quicker than did Old Rattler,
of night. We had a. long chat with him, and ‘ but he naturally attributed it too. nervous tem-
there and then arranged our disguises, put on i perament and force of habit from living in the
our handcuffs, named each other with appro- i midst of constant dangers.
priatc handles and sailed into camp, and the rest i Rattler complimented him upon his improved
you know.” I up )earance and then, turning to Stonewall
“Then on carry your disguises with you?”  Bo ), he waved his hand toward Old Kit and
I

observed ne—Armed Phil. said:

“ Our clothin and handcuffs we carry." an- “Look there, Robert Comstock. at Kris. ’Lum-
swered Bandy; ‘ but as for this dirt on our faces . bus Bandy, and tollme if you don’t think he‘s a
we secured that down by the river and thar’s l Ambrosial god? a star-eyed buccaneer?" -
plenty more thar yit.” The Boy Trojan smiled in a perplexed wa ,

“And these revolvers Bandy and Ruble loan- for, being a stranger to Bandy, he could hardly
ed me,” said Stonewall, displaying the weapons . enter into the full spirit of Old Rattlers humor—
with which he had done such fearful execution  ous satire.
among the Vultures. Bandy, however, at once came to the young

1

“ O b the we , Bandy,” remarked Rattler, i plainsman’s relief, saying:
“ for the nrd’s sa 'e, when did you fellows have i “ Stonewall, that old bushranger‘s compli-
anything to eat last? ’ mcnts don"t disturb me at all, own if they are

“’Bout an hour ago,” responded Kit, with a ; fun-pokers. If he’d gone through all that I have,
bland smile; “I tell you, Rat, we war hungry, the enamel ’d be off his bright. brassy face. If
for we hadn’t had a bite since mornin’ and then , he’d weathered the storms o’ ten years 0’ mar—
onl had a little, half-grown fawn baked on hot i ried life as I have, he’d know more’n he does. I
003. s.” confess that I’m but a relic of my former self,

“D ' fellers, you be.” said Old Rattler; E for I carry the mementoes of may year 0’ rnv
“you’ve ost our appetites, I know,” and in j connubial alliance somewhar about me. This
the mornin’ ’11 make ye some hummin’-bird , Catskill range here down In Chcekis where my
broth. But look here, I‘m a little nervous, and ; wife, Sabina Bandv, fetche( me one little love-
lf you’d step d0wn to the river and soak your- ' swipe with a hatchet, and this Smoky Hollow
selves and git the dirt off your mugs, you would- i gutter on my head here is whar she em )hnsized
n’t frighten me so—'but then, mebby water’ll ! a wifely command with the poker. T‘is sun-
hydraphobia you. Kit.” floyver here on my brow is not a birthinark, oh,

“ It are no greater stranger to my face than no! it is whar my loving spouse kissed me by

our stomach, my festive old friend,” retorted ' proxy with a simlin’-hot sad-iron. Do you won-

't. “I’ll bet a coonskin you don’t know how i der that I‘m disfiggeredl—that I’m not so ex-
Dakota water tastes.” i uisitely beautiful as Mr. Rattler? Do you won-

I

 

“ Kitsie, I see you are the same old lill dipped L er that I'm a Ruins of Alhambra? a downfall
hummer as of yore, the same meetin’- louse o’ , o’ the lRoman Empire? a Dcestruction of Hercu-
piety, rooml district 0’ simplicity and State’s g laneum? a magnificent monument. Chillle and
prison full 0’ arbitrary pro )’iety.” v defaced bylthe ruthless hand of woman?’

“I wish, Rattler,” said it, “that you had Old Rattler roared with laughter, and the oth-
some virtues I could extole. but you hav’n’t, and j ers could not sup ness a smile.
never will have until some parson preaches your “ How like theH’salms 0’ David and the La-
funeral.” -. , mentations o’ the Martyrs that soun ,” said

After some furtth stiparrmg between the old Rattler,’ “ but say, Kitsie, have you been mar-
bordermen, Bandy an Ruble went down to the ricd ary time since I see’d you last?”
river and washed thedirt and mud from their “Onc’t,” replied Kit, with comic gravity;
hair, faces and hands, then they proceeded to “that is, me and Sabina met, and arter talkin’
where the had left their horses and outfit and ' things over in a rational way we concluded to
removed t em down to camp. make up. quit bein’ a pack 0" fools, settle down,

Meanwhile Stonewall Bob and 01d Rattler I and live together again;aud so I em loyed- an
searched the dead outlaws and took possession architect and workmen and proceede to erect
of their revolvers, knives and ammunition. Then one of the finest sod-houses in all the big rowdy
they carried the bodies to one side and covered I West. I stocked it up with the finest furniture

“He left several minutes since,” answered .

as he now appeared, for the slouchy, dirty—faced ‘

formance 0‘ that luscious Muskrat-Mouth and his 3

gether. To this proposition I quickly consented
for I knew exactly whar I could lay my finger
on the ‘link.‘

“ VVal. in a few days I went over to camp and

i made straight for the ‘ Foamin’ Mug,’ the lead-

in’ saloon in the place, whar a o ham, 9. sweet
little dark-e ed, meek-faced gir was helpin’
’tend bar. f course, ’Bina said nothin’ as to
whether the orphan should be a gal ora boy,
and so I made up my mind to try and git little
Azelia away from the contaminatm’ inflooence of
that bad place. The saloon—keeper was an old pfot—

r

’ bellied Dutchman that hadn’t any more feelin o

‘ an 0 man or ’preciation 0’ the beautiful than Old
3 Tom attler has for pure, unadulterated water.

i I talked with old sour-kmut about the child,and

he said her prett face drawed him much cus—

» tom. and he didnt want to let her go. But I

I’m 

coasted and entrcated. and finally a- reed to ive

, him so much money if he’d give er up; he
, money fetched him a-flukin’. but before andm’
1 it over I went and talked with little Azelia about

to meet on, Rat. Let me see; it as been ' friends,” said Stonewall, “and I be )e be may
I . .

Changin’ her home. The little thing said she’d
like to be adopted into a good, Christian family

‘ and I told her that war we, and then she talk

with old mash-tub awhile, and came back and

' told me she would go home with me. So she

packed up her goods, and I iaid old Linlbur er—
give him my note payable In one year Wit in-

‘ tcrest and other trimmin’s—and stalted for the

. Bandy clearin‘s the ha iest man on earth. If

- she’d been my own 0 11d I couldn’t have felt
i proudcr  I led her into the parlor whar Sabina

war fryin‘ some corn biscuits and interduced her
to her new ma. The little thing, herself, seemed

1all joy and happiness. She war just twenty

years old, but I ope to smother witha falsehood
in my month if she looked a day or an hour over
—say fourteen or fifteen.”

“ You rascally old fraud!” exclaimed Rattler,

“Silence, man!” commanded Kit, with a

don‘t want to be flingin’ in your insinuations to
barrow up my feelin’s.”

“If I’d been Sabina I’d harrowed up your
hair for ye,” Rattler again put in.

"I thought I’d done a splendid thing,” Kit

‘ I‘d interduced her to her mother, and I see’d

’Bina’s under lip begin to hump up in the mid-
dle. I knew to onc’t that she wer’n’t satisfied
with my selection 0’ an orphan, and as soon as
we war alone she told me she‘d rather had a
little boy-link 0’ five 01' six than a 11'1 0’ Uncer-
tain years. Thor’s whar we diifcre but then I

3 didn’t tell her so—I knew better. I hadn’t f 'n‘-

 

got the time she sewed me up in a. blanket and
rolled me into the Yul»). river, jist because I
danced a few times and then drank a bumper—
a modest little bumper—with Hagar Ann For-

ot.
g "‘ Things ran along quietly for several days,
but all the while I could see a little cloud gather-
in’ in the domestic sky—that the link that war to
bind us closer toget hcr was actin’ like a joskey-
stick rowdin’ us furder apart. .

“ One day Sabina took me aside, and with a.
triumphant gleam in her eyes, axed me if I
knew that my link—my little Azella, was a wid-
der of twenty-two, whose hUSband had been
killed in a saloon racket in Cheyenne. I was
horror—struck by the neWs, and almost broke
down under it: but then and than I had to
promise that I’d waltz the o han back to the
camp inside of the next three 8Y5-

“ but same day I managEd to get a. private
talk with the child, and I told her Mrs. Bandy
wanted her to go away jist because I thought so
much of her, and that if she had to go, I d go»
too. I then axed her if she wouldn’t go away—-
’way off with me where I Could be a father to
her, and not be tormented to death by a jealous
mother. She said she would, and in heart W118
exceedingly happy. Then we ma 9 arrange—
ments to go that night. We were to start at
midnight. I had to ,o,over to the camp and
was not to be home 111 the night, and I Wis
to meet Azelia with two horses all rig ed at a
certain )ine tree. The mght was dar ——most
darned 1-1:, but at the a pomted time I was at
the appointed place, an by and by myhttle
Orphan came trip ymg down to me all bundled
u in her jaunty 1tt16 hat, vail and contawmh
glbves on her hands. ‘ I gfieeted her in a Whlspel‘,
and she answered me In t esame way. Tenderly
I lifted her into the saddle, nimbly I mounted
my own boss, and then away we went down the
dark valley into the darker canyon. taken
the reception to m1
hoo 8 mm. 9 no scum .

“ Occasionally 1, lefmed over and tenderly
whis red to.my tlmid, silent child, and. 5‘3qu
she would whisper ml? ‘ es sir,’ or ‘ n0. 511'-

“Oh, how exoeedin‘ imp y war. I! The
moon shone down into the canyon at timeS, and
as we glided along it seemed to me that

 

uflle the horses’ feet 90 their

v. main“. - '

 

 

 

 

 

 

.apistol as
Rattler, an when I was off the boss she rattled

 

The Border Detectives.

'7

 

 

 

I war floatin’ in a gondola on a sea 0’
moonshine. The rip and rustle 0’ the night—
birds’ wings seemed like sounds emitted from
ha strin s swept; by the fairy fingers o’ the
nig twing. Every sound, in fact, seemed to
resolve itself into music in symphony with my
tuneful heart. The stars actually seemed to
scrouge over before me in the sky, as if each
one was scrambling to be the guide that war to
lead me and my child to the happy land 0’

'vCanaan, while the man in the moon seemed

laughing with joy and winkin’ coyly with his
bias eye}
“ 0 all fools, they say an old fool is the wu’st,”
observed Rattler, sententiously. g

“ Viell,” Bandy went on, without appearing
to notice the interruption, “ the purple s adows
of night began to thin up after hours and hours
of riding in heart-thro biiig silence. Mornin’
was comin’, and I war really glad, for I wanted
to look upon little Azelia’s fair, sweet face. I
watched the eastern sky growin’ red and redder,
and daylight was just about upon us when I was

startled by a click very much like that of a

pistol. The sound was at my side, and lookin’
around, what was my speechless horror to be—

' hold my child with a derringer leveled upon my

heart!

“ ‘ Azelia! my child!’ I cried, ‘ what does that
mean 2’

" ‘Stop!’ she fairly shrieked, and we quickly
drew rein. Then she lifted her vail, or rather

snatched it away with a snarl. and if there, in-

stead o’ my little Azelia, didn’t set Old Sabina
Bandy, I hope to smother for want of breath!
Yes, there she sot, Rattler, With Azelia's jaunt y
little but, and coat and Vail and gloves all on

.nice as you please. The demon o' fury was

blazin’ in her e es, and if looks ’d ’a’ done it
she’d ’a’ shiverc me to dust then and thar. I
was terribly taken back—I felt sickish, and I
longed for an avalanche to come down the

.mountain—side and bury me sixteen million feet

under it. But instead of an avalanche, Sabina‘s
voice ng’in rung forth.

“ ‘ Kit Baudy!’ she fairly screamed, ‘cliinb
down off 0’ that hossat once or you’ll fall off
dead!’

“ Boys, I got. for I knew Sabina could handle
cefully as ‘I can handle Old Tom

on:

“‘Kit Bandy, I have a notion to 00nd your
career anyhow, yo‘li’ base. ungrateful wretch.
But I reskon you’ll not undertake to clope with
another widder— orphan child —- soon ag’in.
Thank the great and adorable mercy! Azelia
Boggs had honor enough to give you away to
me and help me in thwartin‘ your heartless de-
signs you prince 0’ old tools, as the widder
coiled you? Now go or come as yon please, and
go or come the best you can !'

“ And with these remarks she took both horses,
turned and departed homeward. Confound her
old picters! she had ridden all o’.th1rty_ miles
jist to git to play that miserable little trick on

me.

“ “’al, I was left standin’ right there feelin’ a
little muttonish, and after while I sot down by
the wayside under a pine. and begun to cogi-
tate. I'now diskivered why it was that the man
in the moon had laughed so broadly andhad
winked so cony with his bevel eye, and-w e I
was )onderin’ over the sudden changes in life—
hOW was dum «1 out 0’ my visionary gondola
o’ bliss onto 8. Karma island 0’ humiliation, the
stage from Deadwood came tearin‘ down the
road like mad. I riz to my feet and sprung out
before it to hail the conductor for a ride. The
express messenger in the scat alongside the
driver took me for a road-agent, and let fly with
his reVUlver. The motion 0’ the stage probably
saved my life, for his bullet just grazed the tip
of my ear—a close call for Kit Bandy.”

f‘ Hum )hl" ejaculated Old Rattler. “the tip 0’
a jackass s ear is a ion r ways from any vital spot.
It wasn’t no close ca at all, you infamous old
buccaneer!”

Unable to hold in longer, Stonewall Bob and
Zeke Ruble burst out into a roar of hearty
laughter, but scarcely bad the sound of their

"mirth died awa ere the spiteful crack of a rifle

came crashing t rough the night.

 

CHAPTER VI.
ran HUNTED CRIMINAL.

'IN an instant every man was upon his feet, nis
rifle or revolver in hand, for he felt satisfied that
the shot that had startled them had been fired
by One-Armed Phil who was, perhaps, in ril.

“ By the born 0’ .Ioshua!” exclaimed 01 Kit,
dubiously, “ that report tears through the night
as thong i it war a death-knell.”

“ I’m afeard One-Armed Phil has run into an
ambushed outlaw,” said Old Rattler.

“ If there’s any more fighting to be done to-
night- I pro :3 to have my share of it,” declared
Stonewall ob, and he turned and glided away
in the direction whence the report had come.
.He had gone buta short ways, however, when
he met One-Anned Phil returmng to camp.

‘t What’s up, Phil?” he asked. _ I

“Nothing now, but a skulking red-skin is
down,” was Phil‘s facctious reply.

“ A red-skin! do you mean to tell me that

 

 

we’ve got to have a round with them varmints,
too?”

“I cannot tell you,as to that, Bob, but there

l
l

as The Minister but what his true name was he
didn‘t know. I-Ielalso said The Minister never

i went out with the band, but was the real head

must be otheis around and in league with the out- i

laws. If you’ll return and report to our friends

that they may prepare for the worst, I will con- .

tinue on the watch down hereaways.”

“All right, Phil,” replied Stonewall, and be
hurried back to camp and delivered his message.

“By Rosycrusians! In ins!” exclaimed Old
Rattler, rubbing his ban 5 together excitedly;
“are it possible we’re to have some red-rind
fightin’?”

“Don’t git skeered, Rat,” said Bandy.

“ Skeered, Kitsie? Ingm—fightin’s my bolts. I
war raised on it for recreation from the time I
could hoe beans till I war a man grown. Bring
on your red-rinds if ye want to see me let loose
like a thundergust at a picnic, or a. cyclone in a
hay-field.”

"I’ve did a little Ingin-fi htin’, too,” said
Bandy, “ and I reckon we can found here till
niornin’ if they have any desire to interview us.”

“I was not aware that the Indians were on
the war-path,” observed Zeke Ruble.

“As a tribe they’re not,” replied Bandy, “but
then these bills are full 0’ outlaw Ingins 0’ the
different tribes just the same as there are out-
law white men; and you generally find the red
and white plunderers and murderers pullin’ to-

ether. In fact, I’ve never undertaken to run
(own an outlaw in these mountains but what
there’s more or less Ingin blood to be spilt. I

wouldn’t be a bit surprised to be met on this ,
trip by not only the white outlaws, but a hund- ‘

l‘e(. ‘red ones."

“By the way, Bandy,” said Stonewall Bob,
“ what kind of a trip are we going on, and where
to? When Rattler sent me an invitation to meet
you here and accompany the party he promised
me fun, excitement and adventure. The bill in
this respect has already been pretty Well filled,
but the particulars of the trip I really haven’t
heard more than it was to be a search for a crim-
inal of soizie kind.”

“ The "s it exactly,“ replied Old Kit. “ our ob-
jective point is the very spot, valley, canyon or
cavern where we can clap our hands on John
Rossgrove, an escaped criminal who‘s under sen—
tence of death for murder and for whom there’s
a handsome little reward offered. The reward
is what makes the thing interestin’ for the dev-
tectives. The State in which the killin" occurred
offers one thousand, and then a man-the one
who employed . me—named Israel Danbaugh,
offers ten thousand more.”

B ‘iJVVhewl quite a pot!” declared Stonewall
0 .

"Yes, but I don’t keer a cent for the money
myself, inore’n to pay expenses, but it's the fun
and glory I’m arter. You see the murder was
done thirteen years ago, and ever since that
time the most famous city deetectives have been
tryin’ to catch the criminal, and for me, an old
mountain 1plunger, to beat them fine-haired fel-
lows, wou (1 do me more good than to hear my
esteemed friend, Rattler, there, tell two suc-
cessive truths.”

. “ that object can that man Danbaugh have
in ofierin’ such a big private reward?" questioned

ob.

" I don’t know, and as I told my pard, Ruble,
I didn‘t care so that I catched the murderer. In
fact, it wasn’t any 0’ my business to ask him:
but then I had my 0 inion, and that war that
With Rossgrove dead anbaugh would profit by
it in some way. He told me right out that he
wasn’t a relative of the murdered man, and I
knew then it was business with Mr. Danbaugh.”

“ But what makes you think Rossgrove is in
these bills?”

“ Well, I’ll tell on: Rossgrove, they say, is a
shrewd, sharp fe ow, and ever since his escape
the booger has been deliberately writin’ letters
back to the sheriff of the county where the deed
was done, in everv one protestin’ his innocence of
the murder of Henry Endicott, I believe his
name was. ()1? course the writer gave no ad-
dress, but the post-mark showed they were
mailed fast one place and then another. Once
one came from Luba, then one from Montreal,
then from the Sandwich Islands, New Orleans,
Cit of Mexico, St. Paul, WallaFVValla, and the
las two from Deadwood. Of course every
time a letter was received it war ’ven the dee-
tectives, and in this way it kept t e fellers skip-
pin’ ’round all over God’s creation. But when
two letters in succession had been received from
Deadwood, Danbaugh made up his mind his
man was there or thereabouts, and he came on
in person. leavin’ the city deetectives at home,
concludin‘ to trust his case to men of the “Test.
Well, he struck me at Che enne and told his
story and wanted me to wor up the case and I
agreed to try it- on. We come on to D wood
and thar 1' spent two months lookin’ out
for my man, but he wer’n’t amon the miners,
nor gamblers, nor thugs, so I cone uded he must
be among the outlaws. The fu’st clew I struck
was some weeks a 0. An outlaw belongin’ to
Captain Vulture’s nd was nabbed and taken
in charge. by the Vigilantes. Before he was hung
I hhad an interview with him, and. I wormed out
of im the information that there was a man an-

swerin’ the discription 0’ Rossvrove to a dot be- ,

lengiu’ to "the band. He said t e man was known

 

and brains of the ganc'. The poor devil told me
this, thinkin’ perhaps e might save his neck by
givin’ his friends away. but he had to hang.

1 This now is all I know about it, and as soon as I

 

 

heard this much I set about organizing a picnic-
party to hunt the criminal down if he’s in these
hills or yonder mountain. I fu’st saw Rattler
and Ruble, and they were in for the hunt, and
then Rattler suggested that we have you. Bob,
in the party, and glad am I that you are. Now,
boys, if we can clap the darbies onto Rossgrove
and waft him back to where he’s wanted. alive,
you fellers can take the reward and I’ll take
mine in.7 glory over downin’ them city man-

rs.

“ What’s the description of Rossgrove?” asked
Zeke Ruble.

“ Medium hight, slender as a garter-snake,
long brown beard when he left home, blue eyes,
fair complexion, a small scar over his right eye-
brow—prepossessin’ and intelligent in general
a )pearance. This was his description twelve or
t irteen years ago, and of course he‘s that much
older now and may be changed considerably.”

“ Rather a good description for a man guilty
of murder,” said Bob.

“ Rather,” added Ruble.

“ll'ell, indeed,” said Stonewall “it is not so
aggravated a case as One-Armed I’hil’s.”

" “'ell, what about his case?” asked Old Kit;
“ you see he’s a stranger to me, and you haven’t
told me the particulars of the tragedy enacted
here by him.”

Old Rattler narrated the story of the death of
Phil’s family and neighbors at the hands of a
band of outlaws, as told by Phil himself a few
hours before, including the story of the killing
of the man Bradstreet.”

“ Then he really thinks some 0’ his folks
might 'a’ escaped after all ?” observed Bandy.

‘?No he <8_<;:esn‘t, and yet he’s haunted with
some kind 0’ a presentiment that he can’t ex-
plain. It makes him silent and thoughtful at
times, and then he’ll fire up with a revengeful
spirit, and again finally subside into a pleasant
and jolly companion. He are brave as they
make them, and Lflnd he is no slouch in the
knowledge of )rairiecraft.” ,

“ I beheve t at I’ll go out and help him in his
watching,” Zeke Ruble suddenly remarked, and
takin up his rifle the hunter at once departed.

“ T ar, Kitsie Ban,” said Old Rattler, nod-
ding his head in the direction Ruble had gone,
“ is an enigma to me.”

“ Who? Zeke Ruble?” exclaimed Kit.

“ Yes; his eyes are a study for an eye-ologist
——they’re so quick and furtive. and when I war
tellin’ the story of One-Armed Phil‘s vengeance
he betrayed emotions that war not entirely all
surprise.”

“ I noticed that myself.” said Stonewall, “ but
it must be a kind of a nervous habit. for he act-
ed just the same when Kit was telling about
Rossgrove.”

“ I think a great deal 0‘ Zeke,” said Bandy,
“and at Deadwood he stands high as a man,
hunter and scout. He‘s been right in with me
ever since I undertook to run Rossgrove down,
and if he‘d turn his attention to it he’d make a
rattlin’ detective.” '

“ Oh, well,” exclaimed Old Rattler. “this
world are made up with queer people. For in-
stance, there’s you, Bandy, I defy the tribes o’
earth to duplicate.”

“Thar’s whar we differ. Rat, for I can find
haydoogin’s o’ counterparts 0’ yourself over
amongst the Digger Ingins.” _

“Poor old Bandy!” s1ghed Rattler. “the she-
bears are liable to come for you any time— Hul-
10! here comes One—Armed Phil. What’s up
now Philip?”

“ There’s something going wrong, men!” the
bearded avenger rqplied, betraying some excite-
ment. “A canvas-covered wagon drawn b
four horses is movin northward across the va -
ley escorted by no ess than thirty or forty
mounted Vultures and Indians.”

“Horn 0’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, “ that
is 1:ifllinttle suspicious. How far are they away,

' 2

“ All of two miles when the * passed near
where I was concealed. I heard t 6 noise of the
wheels, and unable at first to make out the cause
of it, I advanced in the direction from whence it
came, and made thé’discovery I have reported.”

“ Didn’t see what war in the wagon, did you i”
asked Rattler.

‘ ‘ No ; the canvas cover was fastened down at the
sides and ends, and two Vultures were mounted
upon the near horses. 1 am satisfied. however,
that that wagon contains something that should
not be there. ,

“ Did you notice anything peculiar about the
wagon or team different from the eneral run of
emigrant-wagons ?” asked Stonew Bob, betray-
 no little excitement.

‘ Nothing,” replied Phil “ except that there
was a big red star pain on the canvas and
under it was the word ‘ Empire.’ ” _ I

“ Great Heaven! are you sure of this, Phil?”
cried Stonewall, startin to his feet. I I

“ I saw it plain enoug . Bob,” replied Phil.

“ Then it was one of the wagons belonging tn

 

 

8

The Border Detectives.

 

Mr. Mahlon Graves’s train!” the Boy Trojan de-
clared; “ they had such devices painted on
them.”

“ You mean the party that had the gal, Ruth,
Whom you rescued from the flood ?” said Rattler.

“ The same, Rattler," Stonewall answered,
“ and I am afraid they have got into trouble
after all. In fact, there seems to be no doubt of
it now, else that wagon would not be here, and
friends, I must know what is in that wagon. I
am afraid that Ruth—but, heavens! that cannot
be 1"

“Now, bov, don’t be rash.” admonished Old
Kit Bandy; “ you act for all the \\".,‘X‘l(l as though
you’d a gal in your mind, if not in your heart."

“ He to whom the wagon belongs, Kit, had a
fair and lovely girl with him. th0 knows but
she may be in that wagon in the power of those
demons? I shall not sleep till I know."

The young plainsman examined his revolvers,
and then, as he was about to take his departure,
Rattler said to him:

“ Look out that you don’t collide with Zeke
Rubel in the dark, and report to us if you need
help.”

“ All right, Rattler,” replied the young giant
as he disappeared in the darkness.

Afters. few moments’ conversation with Kit
and Rattler, One—Armed Phil again left the
camp. He could not be still. The spirit of re-
venge, that he had so long nursed in his breast,
seemed to burn with greater intensity since he
had slain the villain, Raney Bradstreet.

In the course of half an hour Zeke iuble came
in. He had been off up the river, but found no
trace of an enemy in that direction.

Bandy informed him of the discovery made
by One—Armed Phil and of the departure of
Stonewall Bob to investigate the same, and as
they now awaited the return of the young Scout,
Ruble said:

" Bandy. on and Rattler lay down and take
a nap. Phi and I will keep watch until morn-
in , or until Stonewall returns. You old coons,
I s ould think. needed rest and slee a”

“ Horn 0’ Joshua!” exclaimed 'it; “ Zeke,
we’re tougher’n b’ilt Owls, but since there's no
need 0’ us all sittin’ up, s’pose we try a little
snooze, Rattler?”

“ Seem’ you’re not to stand guard, I‘ll risk it,”
said Rattler, and so the two bordermen wrapped
themselves in their blankets and laid down.

Bandy soon fell asleep as his heavy respira-
tions indicated, but Old 1 ttler was not so for-
tunate. The excitements of the night seemed
to have banished the oddess from him. How-
ever, he lay quiet, an in the course of an hour
when Ruble threw 3. inc stick on the bed of re
coals and a blaze ared up and relieved the
camp of its gloom, he was about to get up, but
a movement on the art of Ruble caused him to
change his mind. 0 saw the hunter glance
around him, then advance to where the dead
outlaws lay, and removing the boughs from the
bodies, bend over and search each face closely
as if he was searchin for one that he knew. In
this movement of t e guard there was some-
thing that Rattler could not fully understandand
when at length he saw Ruble manifest a decided
surprise, and begin searching the ground beyond
the bodies as if for a. trail, he arose to a Sitting
posture, and rubbing his eyes as if he had been
aslee , he yawned out:

“ ow is it; Ruble? ’Most mornin’5”

Ruble started, and advancing toward him
stooped over and said in a low tone:

“It can’t be long: but, Rattler, one of them
dead outlaws has disappeared as sure as I live.”

“ Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rattler, spring-
ing to his feet, “ ye don’t tell me!”

‘ Durin the darkness that prevailed after
you and 't laid down,” Ruble said, “ I thought
I heard a. cree ing noise in the bushes, and when
it ceased and made sure it wasn’t an enemy
crawling toward us, I threw a stick on the fire
and made a light and by it made the discovery
of the body being gone.”

“ VVhat’s wrong now, boys?” asked Old Kit,
starting up out of his slumber, and seeing the
two men together knew by their very looks and
attitude that something was wrong.

“One 0’ our dead outlaws has crawled ofl',”
answered Old Rattler.

Bandy threw aside his blanket, and rising to
his feet advanced with Rattler and examined
the faces of the dead outlaws.

“By Rosycrusia'nsl” exclaimed Rattler, “the
one that’s one is that sc ,Jim Noel, under
whose eye tonewall Bob er ted a cathedral.”

“ Horn 0’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, “ I’ll
bet the scoundrel was feignin’ death all the
time!”

“If so, he’s played it on us in a way that
beats Musket-Mouth and Slickchons all up. "

“ And has doubtless overheard every word
that we said,” Ruble added, “in relation to our
future movements.”

“ And furthermore,” exclaimed Bandy, “if
he should it to his friends that have that tilted
wagon, an re rt Stonewall Bob on their trail,
they might m e it hot for the Boy Trojan.”

‘ It’s a. bunglin’ piece 0’ work,” said Rattler,
“ but suppose we take a look for the fellow; he
may be wounded and just crawled oil~ and con-
cealed himself hereabouts. ” _

"‘I will leave that for you and Ruble.”said

 

l

,1 Kit, " but I an) goir.’ t«:.>shin ( u: down the river.

’ and if I can find Stonewall, put him on his

guard, for fear the outlaw has escaped us and
at '10 his friends. And now you men mustn’t
orgit that those villains that did escape might

be lurkin’ around and seein‘ you two alone in:-

dertake to paralyze you.”

“ I think We’d better extinguish our fire." said
Ruble.

‘ A good idea, but look out that you don‘t fire
into iriends returnin’ to camp,” cautioned
Bandy.

“All right, Kitsie,” replied Old Rattler; “ I
don't think I can be catched ag‘in too-night by a
gang 0’ them infernals; and as for you, Kit, be
keerful, old pard. You know that if you git
killed there‘ll be a. cog outen the, universe and
the old thing'll go bumpin’ around until its
jarred into chaos."

But Kit heard not this caution, for the old de-
tective had glided away into the darkness.

Ruble and Rattler, instead of putting out the
fire, retired into the shadows, and. revolvers in
hand, seated themselves to await further devel-
opments, the return of their friends and the
coming of day.

 

CHAPTER VII.
WHAT WAS 1N 'mE WAGON.

Stormwmm Bos. after leaving camp, moved
directly down the river with the avowed pur-
pose of following its course. until he struck the
trail where the \ ultures had crossed the Moreau
or found their camp. Ho was satisfied that they
intended crossing the river, for they must do So
.to reach the fastnesses of the nearest hills. yet
he did not think that they would undertake to
cross with the wagon that night, and therefore
had hopes of finding them in camp on the banks
of the stream.

He soon en'iergcd from the grove into an open
valley. This opening he crossed and finally
came to where the plain was covered with a
dense growth of willows, wild—plum bushes and
cottonwood shrubbch

By this time the moon, which did not rise un—
til nenriy morning, was p . Objects could be
seen quite a distance, so the young plainsman
was compelled to move with extreme caution
and keep under cover of the thicket as much as
.ossible. He knew not but that Bramble and

is four friends might be lurking by the way.

Finally he struck a deer-path follom'ng close
along the riVer, yet well in the shadow of the
bushes. Into this he turned and followed along,
his revolver clutched in his ready hand. Large
as he was, the movements of the ti rer through
his native jun le were not more stea thy.

In this way e had stolen along for nearly a
mile, when there suddenly rose up before him in
bold outlines a conical-shaped hill. During the
previous day Stonewall had noticed this on ac-
count of its peculiar ,formation. It- was there
alone, and was a landmark known among the
hunters as “ The Hermit Dome ” and “ The Her-
mit Butte.” Viewed from the south it resem-
bled a dome, but viewed from the north where
the river had washed away the base until that
side was high and almost erpendicular, it had
more the appearance of a latte. The land side
of this eminence was covered with a dense

rowth of pine bushes not over three or four
eet high, but there was a. little spot on its very
summit entirely devoid of vegetation.

The very moment Stonewall swept his eyes
across this Hermit Dome he discovered an object
on its top that he knew did not belong there and
which a second glance told him wasa canvas-
CO’lTel'ed wagon! Of this he had no doubt, for it
was distincth outlined against the eastern sky,
now bright almost as day with the rising moon.

This discovery satisfied him that the out-
laws and Indians had halted there for the ni ht.
And then.- was not a doubt in his mind but t at
the wagon contained something of value to
them, else they would never have gone to the
trouble of climbing the hill with the vehicle. It
was plain enough that the position was a. good
one for a ni ht defense, for the Dome being
situated in a s arp bend of the river, was flank-
ed half—way around by perpendicular banks and
also by the stream itself. There was another
thing the thoughtful young plainsman took into
consideration, and t at was that the outlaws
must have had some knowledge of the immediate
presence of pursuers or dangers, else they would
never have taken the pains they did to secure
the wagon and its contents against invasion. He
could see no signs of life about the vehicle, yet
he was satisfied it was there, and the next ques-
tion with him was as to how he was to accom-
plish the object of his mission in finding out
what the wagon contained.

As he could settle upon no definite Ian until
he had ascertained the strength and isposition
of the enemy, he moved on toward the Dome.
He had almost reached its base when he caught
the sound of voices that seemed to come from
the thicket before him and to his right.

Stepping from the deer-path into the denser
shadows of the bushes, he listened. He
could hear a. Babel of voices. Indians and
white men, in contmrsation. He could also
hear horses cropping the bushes and tramp—
ing about, and presently he scented the odor of
burning tobacco. This discovery was a disap-

 

 

 

pointment to the, youth. -He was satisfied now
that a line of sentinels, reaching, no doubt,
from the river below the Dome to the river
above. guarded the approaches on the land side,

and that lie was just about as close to the wagon '

as he was likely to get that night.

For once in his eventful life Stonewall Bob
was at his wits” ends, and while trying to study
out some course to pursue without mving to
deliberately beat a retreat, his keen ear caught
a. slight sound near him. It was very faint and
appeared to be in the path from which he had‘
just stepped aside. It was a. sound made, by
something crawling, but whether human or
beast the young scout could not determine.

For fear. however, that his presence in the
vicinity had been detected, and that the sound
was made by an Indian in search of him, he re-
mained motionless and silent until the sound
could no longer be heard. But scarcely was his...
mind free of one fear before he was startled by
another—the sound of heavy footsteps coming
along the deer-path from up the river.

A few moments later he saw a. man whose
head and shoulders rose above the bushes in the
moonlight pass near him.

The fellow was hatless, and his face—a hid-~
eons-looking object—was covered with blood.

Stonewall would have sworn the man was the
outlaw, Jim Noel, from whom he had received
and to whom he had given blows that night, had
he not seen that villain‘s body dragged aside
lifeless and laid alongside his slain comrades.

But whoever the fellow was, Bob saw that he
advanced with tho boldness of one who seemed
to have the assurance of friendship in the outw
lawsand Indians near, and he listened for the
result of the fellows approach to them. A few
moments later he heard the sentinel call out:

“ Who comes there Q”

And “then to his surprise and consternation, be-
her rd the answer:

“ fife, Jim N00! 1”

Still Bob would not have believed the man.
had his eyes not borne stronger evidence of the
startling fact. But how the villain had ever got
away alive, even if he had been feigning death,
was a question that vexed the young scout’s
mind, and created in his breast a fear for the
safety of his friends at camp.

The arrival of Noel among his associates create,
ed a ripple of surprise; but the discovery of
his condition produced an outburst of wild ex-
citement. ’

Instantly an idea. flashed arough the mind of
Stonewall Bob, and that was to take advantage
of the outlaws’ excitement and endeavor to ass
the sentinel; and it was no sooner conceived
than he roceeded to carry it into execution.
Stepping )ack into the deer-oath he crept for-
ward on hands and knees.

He passed within twenty feet of the excited
mob that would have torn him to pieces in a
minute had he been discovered.

But even before he was aware of it the adven—
turesome young scout had passed the guard—
that indiv1dual, as he had anticipated, being so
deeply absorbed in the tale of horror that the
battered Jim Noel was entertaining his friends-
with that be, for the time being, forgot his duty.

Stonewall gainbd a point in the thicket a few
rods 11 the sleep side of the dome from whence
he co (1 et a. partial vew of the enemy’s camp
below. 6 was surprised at the lam e number
he saw, but he was not discouraged. n fact. he
was rather encouraged, for he realized that
their great excitement and fury would blind
them to the real situation and throw them off
their guard.

He could hear Jim Noel’s voice from his hid~
ing-place, but with the exception of a word, now
and then, he could not understand what he said,
for Jim’s mouth and facial muscles were not in.
a condition for distinct articulation.

When the villain had finished his story, curses
loud and deep were uttered by the outlaws.
Especial blessmgs of this kind were called dOWn.
upon the head of Kit Band , the voluble Mus-
ket-Mouth, and Stonewall b, the-boy-with-
the-battering-rams. Never did a man under-
stand more thoroughly whathisenemies thou ht
of him than did the Boy Trojan, and yet e
anathemas heaped upon his head were mild in
com arisen to those devoted to Kit.

I 'le listening to the villains Bob saw five.
more men come from up the river and join them,
and no sooner had one of them spoken than he
recognized the voice as that of the villain Bram-
ble, who had figured so conspicuously at our
friends’ camp that night. ,

The arrival of this five and the story they had,
to communicate created. another Wlld excite--
ment, which terminated in a. decision to go a]-
most en masse and raid Kit Bandy’s camp, as
the termed our friends’ rendezvous.

B’ut while they were busy making repam
tionsto go, Stonewall left his hiding-p ace and
began to ascend the hill, creeping on all-fours
throu h the bushes. He had no fe for his
frien ’ safe now that he knew t e? were
alive. althoug he had been unable to 
how Jim Noel had ever turned up there alive.

The young scout crept along rapidli- He was»
halfway up the side of the 01118, ‘3’ 611!” Was”
suddenly brought to a halt by P11301118 1113 hand

upon something warm and wetupon the wound... ~

 

 

.‘I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- those belonging to Mail:

 

 

 

The Border Detectives.

9

 

He held his hand up sothat he could see it in the ‘
moonlight, and to his surprise and horror saw
that there was blood upon it.

Droppin back into the darkncss, he cred
out beforeiliim for the source of the lilom . E e
saw the outlines of a dark object lying upon the
earth. He drew his revolver, anl rim-hing for-
ward touched it. The contact gave no sound.
The object was soft, yielding and motionless.
The boy scout touched it with his hand and
found it was a human body. But life was er:-
‘tinct, althou h the body “as still so warm that
the blood ha' not ceased to flow from a wound ‘
in the breast—evidence that the follow had been
quite recently slain.

further examination revealed the fact that
the man was an outlaw-a lied Vulture, but
who had. slain him? This was the question that
now pl‘l‘SL‘lltCll itself to the Boy Triujan’s mind,
and without its solution he left the body and
passed on up the steep hillside.

Finally the determined youth reached the edge
of the bald spot on the very summit of the Dome
in the center of which, silent as the grave, stood
the covered wagon which he readin recognized,
by the device painle upon the canvas, as one of

on Graves’s train.

The boy listened intently, but not a sound i
could he hear in or around the way-on, and he
had begun to think that he had had all his
trouble for his pains when he espicd a motionless
form stretched on the ground at the edge of the .
barren on his ri rht. Ho crept softly toward it,
still kee ing un or cover, and soon iscovercd it
was an ndian, but what was the most startling
to him was to discover the savage was dead.

What this second death meant was a most ,
perplexing mystery to the Boy Trojan. The In-
dian had undoubtedly been left there to guard
the wagon which now sccmcd deserted on the
outside. but what might be under that canvas
cover the youth shuddcrcd to think.

For fear a guard night be concealed in the
bushes, or perchanco in the wagon, Stonewall
made a circuit of the barren and found notth
in the shadows, but discovered that the wagon-
tilt was closed all aromzd.

Stop ing where the shadow of the wagon
reached out to the. edge of the thicket, Stonewall i
stepped from the bushes into the cpeningand .
advanced along the line of darkness toward the I
wagon which he reached unchallenged. In 3
breathless suspense he placed his ear against the
canvas and listened. He heard subdued voices ‘
insider—voices that undoubtedly belonged to fe- 9'
males, but they were so low that he was unable l
to settle in his mind, one way or another, the ;
dread fear that had seized upon him the minute '2
that One—Armed Phil had reported the “ Star of .
Empire” wagon in the possession of the allied .

oes.

After listening a few moments longer the ‘
youth tapped gently upon the canvas with the I
end of his fin er.

Instantl 21 became silent within 5.19 wagon, i
then the {mg murderous blade of a knife was I
thrust throu h the tilt from the inside—swept
upward withélightnintiquickness cutting a long
slit in the cover from e wagon-box to the ridge-

 

e.
p0Throu h the opening thus made there was in-
stantl t st from within a hand clutching a
cocked revolver whose murderous appearance
was accompanied with the command:

“ Silence or death!”

CHAI PER VIII.
srorvrwnnn‘s wons'r nuns sumac.

QUICK as the lightning’s flash the left hand of
Stonewall Bob flew up seizing that of the un-
known and knocking up the munle of the revol-
ver, while he thrust his right hand into the sha
dows of the wagon. and seizing the fellow by
the throat dragged him half through the open
ing in the canvas.

And then it was that the Boy Trojan was al-
most struck dumb With surprise and ch 11,
for, as the moonbeams fell upon the face 0 the
supposed outlaw-guard, it revealed the quaint
and B‘BI‘lO—COHIIC Visage of Old Kit Bandy!

“ Hold, Bob—bee—eel” Old Kit Band man-

to whistle out through his contrac wind-
pipe. his tongue almost protruding from his
mouth. so vise-like was the grip of the Boy Tro-
jan upon his throat.

Instantly the youn scout rele his hold,
gym ashedidsow: hnolittleenrnectneas:

‘ Ygou old villain! I‘d ought to choke you in-
sensible!” ,

The old detective saw b the look on the boy’s
face, and b the tone of ' voice that he had
«tried his ve for a practical joke, even in 17
very presence of danger, a little too far with
Bob whose mind was not in a condition for fun
at that time; and after rubbing his throat and

hi, jaws to get his vocal organ: in or
m, be said in an apologeth tone:

“ Stonewall. I’ve been wmtm’ for you hm half
an hour. How did you get through "19.1mm"

“By followin your trgliégitrevl'g  
outlaws and Ind ans, you , Y P u v .

ed Bob, with a grim smile; but, K13»
what or who is in this wagon?”

 

 

 

“ The can speak for theirselvm,”_said Bandy
leapingy’m the ground with the mmbleness of

’l. he next moment the face and form of a. fair
and beautiful girl appeared in the opening in

. the canvas, an at a glance Stonewall saw that

his worst fours Were realized—that Ruth Graves
was a )risoncr in the wagon—«that the fair wirl
whom ie had rescued less than a fortnight dw-
I'ore from the raging flood—she who had deco-
rated him with a badge of honor, was a helpless
captive in the power of the Red Vultures and
the outlaw savages!

“My God! Ruth—Miss Graves)” the young
plainsmun cried, " I was afraid or" this!”

“ Oh, Stonewall!” cried the girl, in an excited

Whisper reaching bar hands out toward the

work pulling that wagon up here, and the out-
, laws camping at the foot of the hill.” Stode
i remarked.

I “ I can tell you one reason why that was done,
,‘ Robert,” replied Rut-h. “ I heard Captain Vul-
i ture tell the guard that shoull soldiers, of whom
1 he seems to be in constant fear, come upon them
i suddenly in force, to start the wagon down the
aCCllVfly’ on the river-side, and hurl the ‘ outfit,’
as he called us, into eternity. If you noticed,
the wagon was la-l’t so that with but little ell'ort
, it Could be started toward the river.”

I “ The ternpcstuous hellyons!” exclaimed Old
' Kit; “ why on earth did they want to murder

 

 

young '11 rojan, as if in him she placed her hopes ‘ youvinnocent gals!”

of deliverance, “ I never supposed we would
meet thus! Oh, the terrors that I have suffered
since those ev il Wit-arches attacked Olu‘ camp and
carried me away 1” -

‘ And your futhcr-—whcre is he?”

“ 1 do not know, certain, but I heard enough
I said by our captors to make me think that I was
to be killed if they could not escape with me.
Captain Vulture talked as though my capture
was a business transaction that he wanted to get

“ I do not know—I do not know whether he 7:.“ i t‘r‘m'xi-g'h with as soon as possible.”

dead or ali‘.'c,"the maiden responded. “Oh,
this will drive me mad 1"

“ Cheer up, Miss Graves,” said the brave
young plainsman. “ I have seen you inpcril be—
fore and know you have courage, and with the

i help of Heaven we will cheat them villains out

of the prey they think is so secure here.”

“ I know you are strong and bra v3, Bob.” the
maiden replied, a faint glimmer of hope flitting
over her distressvd and lief—stricken face,
“but there are so many of e outlaws and In-
dians.”

“ Oh, myi isn’t he a. big fellow, though?” an-
other person was suddenly heard to sax , in a

; girlish voice, from the shadows of the tilted

wagon. .
A confusml smile played for a Inonz'rnt around
Ruth's lips. and then she broke the momentary
silcnr-c that followed the speech of the other by
saying:
“ You see I am not alone in my captivity

‘ here. Stonewall. At the time I was taken this

brave little girl was taken also.” and as she con-
cluded she drew the subject of hcr remarks into
the opening where Bob could see her.

“ I’ve heard of you, Stonewall Bob,” the
maiden said, without the least embarrassment
or apparent depression of spirit over her situa-
tion.

“Well, indeed! who are you anyhow?” asked
Stonewall, completely surprised by the pres-

‘ enco of the girl, whose face was one of bewitch-

ing beauty.

“My name’s Gypsy, and I live in the moun-
talus,” was the unsatisfactory response of the
child. for such she really was in appearance.

“That’s rather an Indefinite answer,” said
Bob, feasting his gaze upon her big, sparkling
eyes. '

“ That’s all I could get outen the little rascal,”
said Old Kit, “and if she wants me for a bean
she’glgetter tfill m3 who she is.”

‘ , you orroi , ugly old man!” the irl
plied, in a petulant tone, though a. roguisi fit;
that threateneu to burst into a peal of laughter
dim led her brown cheeks.

“ iends,” suddenly declared Stonewall,
“we’re wasting precious time, and the sooner
we get away from here the better. Most of the
outlaws and their red allies have gone 01! up the
river to our campto avenge the death of their
friends, and if we ever get away from this Her-
mit Dome now’s our chance.”

“ Do you know what caused the commotion
among the outlaws down there awhile ago?”
Band asked.

“ earrival of Jim Noel among them with
the first new: of our nce and work.”

“Just so," said Kit. “I knew that Jim Noel
had come to life before I left cam , and
it war to put. on on your gu that
I came down ere. But when I see’d
this w reared up here on this Pis-
gah ag inst the sky, and discovered the
most 0’ the outlaws at the foot 0’ the bill, I
couldn‘t resist the temptation to crawl past the
sentinel and ascend the Hermit. And as I came
upll met a Vulture that war goin’ down to see
w at the racket was that had so suddenly broke
out ’mon his friends. At least I supposed that
war who he war goin’ down for, for he come
bulgin’ along through the bushes ten feet to the
€33), and stumblin’ over mg anatomy he fail

. enough to bn’st him, on he didn’t git up
{zg’im I thank you. Well, then I put on the

ulture cap and cont—they’reinthew n the:
now—and came on up here and- ever n’ly de-
molished the Ingin gnu-d store he had time to
smfl a rodent. Now-these tells me tint
they heard Captain Vulture it tell one o’
hif‘mcn to change the every two hours.”

And how 1133):? when the last change was

an hournfore I came, and so we’venn
hour to go on,” replied Kit; “ but for four visit-
on might come up, we’d better be waftin’ our.
selves away.”
 u to the bushes at any rain,”
31Tmtimt'" , and there arrange our plans
. o t is there was no objection, and so Bob us-
smted the girllfrom the wagon, and the four
sought the shelterof the bushes in. few rods to
the east of line summin'nnd there stopped. '
“Itappeurstomelikeasinanhrpbeoot

I

’ "Then there may be some one else besides
, Vulture that is interested in your capture,” said
l Stonewall—“some one that’s got sight of your
3 fair face in crossmg the plains.”
E “It might be the very man we are huntin’
3 down. Bobby, that notorious Rossgrove,” said
1 Old Kit.
“ :Vhof” exclaimed Ruth, with a sudden
start.
| “An old crim’nal,” replied Kit, “the ltcad
t and brains o’ the outlaw band. But I wonder i
I the soldiers are in the field?”
I “ I do not know,” replied Ruth, “ but the OUIr
, laws are uneasy and made a forced march to
I this place. They had expected to have got
' across the river to-night, but the sheer exhaus-
! Son of the wagon—horses compelled them to halt
here.”

“ Well, as to our escape, Kit,” said Stonewall,
impatiently.

“ We’ve got to got a ast the cordon 0’
guards,” Kit said, “that, presume, are sta-
tioned cl’ar ’round the land side 0’ this Dome.
Of course, escape by the river are impossible on
account o’ the high banks and deep water.”

“ Can’t we jump over into the river and swim
‘ like goats?” was the astonishing suggestion of

GYPSY . . .

“ Oh, you Wlld little breakneck!” replied
Bandy, “ you’ll be for fightin’ your way out
next, won’t you? \Vhat kind 0’ gal be you, any-
how? You’d make a mate for my wife, Sabina
Bandy.”

“Oh, mercy! he’s married!” exclaimed the
precocious little madcap; “isn’t he ugly, Ruth,
to have a. wife?”

But for the prompt admonition of Ruth the
girl would have followed up her question with
an outburst of laughter.

“Child, you must not speak so loud,” Ruth
said in mild reproval, “ or all these brave men
have risked for us will have been in vain, and
their Eggs; as well as our own again, will be en-

er . ‘

“ knt’s so, Ruth,” the child said, demurely;
“my friend Margery always said my tongue
was so rattle-tee—bang that it would get me into
trouble. I’ll not speak again tfll you .tell me to.”

“I must say Gypsy is a brave little soul,”
Ruth said, as if to apologize for the child’s
words; “for at me time of the outlm's’ attack
on our train in the mountain canyon she was
concealed near, and with her rifle shot an out-
law dead, and it was this that (it her into trou-
ble, for her shot revealed her fiiding- lace, and
an Indian dashed into the thicket an captured
her. But pardon me, friends, for consuming our
time in ”

. “ hat’s all right, little gal,” replied Kit. “I
like to hear yo talk; but now to work. Bobby,
I war jist c _'tatin’ over a. plan to git awa
from here. at is, for you to take the gag
and move around to the upstream side o’tho
Dome, and there endeavorto pass the guards.
To help you in this, I will sta here till you’re
half-way down the hill, then I’ 1 push the wagon
to the edge 0’ the slope and start it of! down
toward the plain on the dorm-stream side 0’
the hill. Of course the hill beingso stee the
vehicle will go a—flukin’, and the noise W' at-
tract the foe away from our side 0’ the Dome,
130’: you can slip throngr with the femeninec,
and I’ll git out some way, if I have to jump
into the river and ‘ swim like a. gout.’ ”

“A good idea. Kit, I should think," said
btoncwnll; “so come, girls, and let us be mov-

1’

each by the hand the gallant youth led
the way down the hill, ing low to keep un-
der cover of the bushes. hey had not made
over half the distance to the river before they
heard the low rumble of the wagon-wheels, and
glancing back, Stonewall saw the white top
moving against the sky down the hill—slowly at
first, but rapidly increasing as it gathered mo-
mentum.

“ Now let us hurry on faster. girls,” the youth
said, please. with the way their plans were
Wig]?! ' ttle 2 th in ' wing

u n. e e ymg wagon gro
plainer instead of fainter, caused the yous-a
plainsman toglance back again, and as he
so a cry burst from his lips.

“‘ In God‘s name, what “loos that mean!" he on

 

 

churned. almost aloud.

 

 

3.0

 

The wagon had turned in its course, from
some cause or other. and was comingr thundering
down the hill, almost directly toward them!

And the excited voices of the outlaw guards
in the valley could now be heard shouting to

each other, and Stonewall could see several of ,

them hurrying through the bushes to get in
ahead of the flying we gon.

The young lainsman paused, at a loss to know
what to do. 'e loolnxl for Old Kit. He, saw a
form gliding down the hill toward him. He
recognized it as Bandy‘s and he raised 11p to his
f all hight that he might be seen by his friend.

The next moment the old man had rejoined 5

them.

" Juss the tempestuous wagon l” he. exclaimed,
excitedly. “ I started it straight t‘other way,
but one 0’ the front wheels struck a stone which
caused it to turn off on a tangent and in this di—
rection. Come, quick, or— Horn 0" Joshua!
hear that hellish howl! Stonewall, we’re disco v—
erwl I”

"‘ Yes, but we are not caught, Kit,” replied
the Boy Trojan, a stern look of desperate deter-
mination upon his face, and an unnatural light
blazing in his hitherto pleasant blue eyes.

 

CHAPTER IX.
KIT DANDY IN TROUBLE.
BAI‘TDY and his friends turned their faces to-
ward the summit of The Hermit Dome, for their

would elude the at vancinjz foe.

i

The Border Detectives.
3‘ but he was as feeble as an infant in the powerful
l grasp of the young giant.

i “Choke him, Stonewall, choko him purplel”
enclaimed the reckless, fearless little Gypsy, ex-
citedly.

“ Go on, girls, go on,” said the Boy Trojan, a
little impetuously, as he bore the outlaw to the
' earth.

1 “ Come, Gypsy,” said the almost terrified
‘ Ruth, grasping the child by the arm and moving

' on: but they had gone but a, few paces when .

j Stonewall Bob was at their side again.

1 Not a sound had the maidens heard in his

i mrugzglc With the outlaw, and the thoughtless,

’ impulsive Gypsy asked:

“Stonewall Bob, where’s the old robber!”

| “ Back there,” was the young borderman’s

‘ laconic, reply.

i “ Ohi but I did give him a good scratch in the

l face.” the girl declared. as she grasped Stone-

, wall‘s liigg hand in both her own.

1 “ Gypsy, we must keep quiet now,” the youth

‘ said. “ for we are in gre at danger.”

i The fugitives reached the valley without fur.

I ther trouble. They now turned to the left and
moved along until they stood on the river-bank
at the lower side of the Hermit Dome. Here
they shipped to await the coming of Old Kit.
The bushes at this point were taller. In fact, a
few of them grew to the proportions of saplings
and even trees, thus affording deeper shadows
for the fugitivcs’ retreat.

the sky was growing red with morning dawn.

l
l
footsteps to that lace must be retraoed if they  Stonewall glanced toward the east and saw
l
l

“ Allow me to assist you, Miss Graves,” said
Stonewall, who saw that Ruth was almost iar- .
alyzed with fear, and taking the man en’s l
hand drew her arm within his own and hurried I

away. .

“And let me help you, Old Mr. Bandy,” said 5
Wild Gypsy, with artlcss iimocenco that would
have provoked Kit to laughter under ’most any
other circumstances.

Taking her little hand in his the. old man glid- ‘
9.1 up the steep ,hillside with the celerity of
youth, the brave little girl keeping pace with
iim, while close behind them came a' savage
yelling; like a demon to direct the course of his 3
friends in the pursuit. ,

“ Fiends take that howlin’ savage!” Old Kit 1
suddenly exclaimed; “I would shoot the lungs ‘
out 0’ him if I wer’n’t afraid the tone 0’ my iron .
’d complicate affairs!” T

“ I’ll stop him!” declared Stonewall Bob; and ‘,
bidding Ruth move on he stopped, and snatch- ;
ing up a great stone that lay at his feet the '
young athlete raised it aloft, and like Jove hurl- f
mg a. thunderbolt from Olympus, he sent the 3
terrible missile at the savage, who was but a few

aces away, strikin_ him full on the naked l

roast and crushing im to earth as though he
had been a. tender reed. A dull thud and a sti-
fled  were the only sounds that followed the
dreac fu blow.

“ A Boy Trojan you be Stonewall,” said Old
Kit, with surprise and admiration; “but now,
Bob, you go on with the als and strike for the
river east of the Dome ant I’ll j’ine you there.
I’m goin’ to act bushranger and lead them var- ‘
mints on a. false trail—go, boy! they are com- 5

Anticiplating the old detective’s intentions .
Stonewa hurried on with the two girls—all l
three bending low to keep under cover of the l
bushes.

Suddenly the re ort of a pistol Was heard to I
come from the hil side toward the west, and it
was immediately succeeded by a series of pecu-
liar yells and shouts that Bob knew emanated
from the lips of the redoubtable Old Kit Bandy.
These were answared by Indian wanwhoops and
outlaw cries, and in a few moments the excite-
ment of the chase seemed tending off in another
direction.

“ Brave Old Kit!” exclaimed Stonewall, “ he’s
succeeded in drawing the foe off our trail 1”

R" find may lose his own life by doing so,” said

ut .

“ Kit Bandy is a most wonderful man Miss
Graves, and let us trust that a kind Providence,
who has protected him for so many years, will
brin him back to us unharmed.” '

Without further words the three hurried on
around the Dome and down toward the river.
'1'hey had almost reached the level valley. Wild
Gypsy, who was asnimble-footed as a fawn, was
a few paces in advance. A little opening lay
before them. Across this they were moving
when suddenly an outlaw sprung from the:
shadows on the opposite side of the glade, and
leveling his rifle over Gypsy’s head at Stonewall
Bob, commanded: ‘

“ Halt there 1”

The three quickly obeyml.‘ Gypsy was not
over four feet from the outlaw, and scarcely had
the word of command fallen from his lips are
"the child, upon the impulse of the moment, and
with the quickness that a cat springs u its
gey, sprung at the villain and dash both

ndsinto his face with such violence as to sin -
ger him backward. This not caused the muz e
of his rifle to tip out of range of Stonewall’s
breast, and before he could again _ather himself
into pasition, the Boy Trojan ha him by the
throat in a (loath-grip!

He listened. He could hear the enemy on the
opposite side of the Dome.

“Now if Kit were only here v.9 might elude
the foe before it grows light,” Stonewall said, in
an anxious tone.

“ Oh. dwarf just listen to those. horrible yells!”

? cried Ruth, as a sudden outburst of savage howls

rent the air.

Stonewall Bob is rned his head like a startled
deer, for the first t me betraying a decided un-
easiness. He stood for a. moment listening, then
said:

“ 1’} irls, we will have to move along.”

0 “ And not wait for Old Mr. Bandy @"exclaimed
)' JSV.

" No, I’m afraid he’s in trouble,” replied the
Boy Trojan; then he led the way along: the river
for some distance. Presently a series of hills
rose up on their right, and as they moved on
these frrew more precipitous, and, trending in
toward the Morcau, crowded the fugitives close
to the edge of the stream. Stonewall finally be-
gan to entertain fears of their progress being
stopped alhizether. but with hopes. at the same
time, that the frownng bluffs might soon be
found receding from their encroachment on the
river, he moved on. ’

In his hopes, however, the young plainsman
was doomed to disappomtmeut. Their progress
grew more difficult at each step. and finally they
were stopmd altogethc r by the perpendicular
bluffs reaching out’to the river’s brink.

By this time it was almost broad dayli ht,
and to get out of their predicament it woul' be
necessary for the fugitives to retrace their steps
fully a uarter of a mile, and this would, in all

; probabi ity, be attended with the greatest dan~

crs.‘ Had they posseSsed means to have cressed
t 0 river, escape would have been an easy mat-
ter.

Serious, however, as the situation was, the
Boy Trojan (lid not become discouraged. but

manly heart, he remained calm and apparently
unmoved. ’

The sun comin up, the ale, beautiful face of
Ruth Graves, an that of t e brave little G sy,
showed signs of weakness and fatigue, for t 1eir
courage and endurance had been taxed to their
utmost. It was a wonder to Stonewall, how-
ever, that they had borne their trials as well as
the seemed to have done, but he knew they
cou d not stand the strain much longer without
rest of mind and body. The prospect for this
was not very flatterin , yet the youth resolved
to do the best he co d, realizing that on him
now depended their safety and their lives.

Turning, they-began retracin their footsteps
u the river; but they had gone ut a few
w en Stonewall’s attention was attracted by the
sight of a little thread-like stream of water that
came creeping from among the bushes on the
left and lided softl into the Moreau riVer.
Calling a It, be lef the maidens to follow the
stream, thinking that rha it flowod through
a. cut in the bluffs tha wo d admit of their es—
cape from the valley. Butia. few moments’ in-
vestigation proved that he was mistaken as to
the source-of the stream. Not four rods from
where he had left the girls concealed he found
the head of the tiny rivulet, and what was most
surprising of all, it was in a great hole or
cavern in the steep bluff. This cavern was
reached through a strai ht narrow cut or pas—

e, which, as it ran bac into the hill, grew to
a opth of fifteen feet. Both the cave and the
outlet had the a 1109 of having been made
by the hand of man. thou b there were no indi-
cations of anything but w d beasts ha '
about there for years. mm the cave the
end of the it was fully thirty feet, and

 

The Villain struggled and gasped for bluth,

yet not over two eat in width. The wall: were

with a determination to meet the worst with a~

 

H

I

in a good state of preservation. The bottom of
the cut was smooth and hard. the little rill of
water flowing from the spring inside the cave
having kept it clear of crumbling dirt and
debris.

Upon reflection it suddenly occurred to Stone»
wall Bob that there was a hermit‘s dugout or
cave in the, vicinity of the Hermit Dome. He
had heard his friend, Old Pegleg Sol, speak of it
as ha ving my '0 been the home of a hermit hunter
for yours, and. now felt certain that the place he
llllll found was the deserted dugout of that
hunter. But whether it was or not, the youth
saw that the place would be, as one of defense, a
perfect Gibraltar. and as the maidens were tired,
and weary, and the chances of escape from the
valley against them, he resolved to take refuge
therein until the coming: of another night or
friends to their relief, or until hunger forced.
them to abandon it.

Returnimr to the girls he told them of his dis»-
covery and is plans, and at once started for the
dug-out. They entered the cut, one before the
other, Stonewall taking the lead. The water
flowing from the cave had worn itself a track in
the bottom of the cut, so that the maidens were
enabled to reach the cave dry-shod.

Notwithstanding the rise of the 5 )ring in one
corner of the dug-out, thefugritivcs found the air-
h'ght and pleasant, and light enough was ad--
mitted through the 0 iien approach to enable
them to distinguish each other’s features.

“ Now, girls,” said Stonewall, “ you can sit
down and rest with the assurance that we, are
safe as long as we are in this dug-cut. If an
outlaw or a savage attempts to reach us here
through that passage, or a dozen of them for
that matter, they Wlll meet certain death.”

The young plainsman seated himself where he
could command a view of the cut. He had.
three revolvers, two heavy navies, and a smaller
one that he had taken from the outlaw he had
encountered awhile before day. These weapons
he laid on the ground at his Slde.

Ruth Graves seated herself near him and en-
gaged him in conversation, while the impulsive
nypsy proceeded to explore the darker corners.
o the dug—out.

Half an hour had passed when Ruth suddenly‘
saw her companion start and grasp a revolver.

“ What is it, Robert?” the maiden asked.

“ An Indian—two of them, and an outlaw,”
he answered, calmly; “they are searching the
ground for our tracks, but have no fears.”

The savages and the outlaw had stopped near
the entranceto the cut leading into the cave.
' hey were searching the round closely and.
when Bob saw one of the ndians point down-
ward and then turn toward the cave with a.
quick, excited movement, he knew that his and
the maidens’ tracks had been discovered leading
into the dug-out.

But Stonewall Bob was not altogether sur—
prised. He was too much of a borderman not-
fo have considered the possibility of their being
tracked by the lynx-eyed snvn ges, but in taking
the risk he felt sure it would be far less danger—e
ous than to attempt to go back up the river in
davlight.

The red-skins and outlaw stood and conversed
together in low tones for several minutes, ever
and anon glancing up the passa 0 toward the
cave. They seemed to be undeci ed as to what
to do. It seemed that they fully realized the ad»
vantage that one in the cava would have over
them, and hesitated about advancing.

Stonewall was sorely tempted to drop one of”
them, but considering discretion the better part
of valor he kept uiet. '

Presently the three foes de rtod, and then
Bob made up his mind that t ey had one off
for assistance, or else to lay in ambush or those
in the dug—out to come out. It proved to be the
former, for in the course of an hour a large
number of outlaws and savages returned to the
entrance to the assao'e, and what was the most
startling to the 0y rojan, was the presence of
Kit Bandy among them, a bound and fetter-ed
captive!

 

CHAPTER X.
IN THE SADDLE AGAIN.

WE will now return to the cam of our friends
on the Moreau. for around those 6ft there inc:-
dents of an exciting Character have been accu-
mulcting.

As soon as Kit Bandy had (10de in ho sof.
intercepting Jim Noel or to aid Stonewal. Bo'b
should the wily ontlaw’s escape involve him in
danger, Old Rattler began to realize that their
position was not the safest WIth but three of
them left to defend it ,ainst an unknown num-
ber of lurking fees. 9 confer:ch with Zeke
Ruble and suggested that their fire be extin-
guished and  horses all brought in from-
grass, saddled and bridled and. everything made-
ready for any emergency be It fight or flight:
To this Ruble was agreed. and the liorsefiyin'

cludin, Kit and Stouewall’s. Were all brought»

up an saddled and bridlcgi', Then Rattler toqk
the dead outlaws’ belts With their revolve-1‘s 1n
the holsters and buckled three of them around
his horse‘s neck, and one around the neck 01
Band ’5 horse, sayinfihas he did so; I
“ a may need em tools afore we sit.

 

 

 

 

 

gnu-.A‘. ..

 

 

no... a»;

.. .. ..‘\-._.:._s

 

_ whehn and slay

 

 

 

The Border Detectives.

 

through with our blunder in lettiu’ Jim Noel get
away.”

Their blankets, provision, ammunition sup—
plies, and in fact everything belonging to them
were securely packed on the back of one of the
outlaws’ horses; and to Zeke Ruble it seemed
that these preparations for departure had been
suggested to Old Rattlers mind by an intuitive
forewarning, for scarcely Were they completed
before One—Armed Phil came hurryinginto camp

- with the startling information that a large force

of outlaws and red-skins had dismounted from
their ponies about half a mile down the river
and Were then advancing, no doubt to over—
them.

“ Boys, let’s mount and amble,” said Old Rat-
tler, “ for they’re a little too frequent in num—
bers fcr us with Kit and the Boy Trojan
{LVv'fl .

“ But what about them?” asked One-Armed
I‘liil; “su pose they should return here expect-
ing to flu us where they left us?”

“ VVe’ll drift back here,” replied Rattler, “and
if the boys don’t git into trouble they’ll loiter
’round here somewhar, if they find us away, till
we git back. We can takea little gallop out in-
to the open plain, and if our enemies want us let
’em come after us hard. But fu‘st let’s turn
them outlaws’ hosses all loose ’cept the one we’ve
got for a rack—nag, and cut up their bridles and
saddle-girl’s, and if they do catch the animals
again, they’ll have no harness for ’em ”

It required but a few moments to turn the
horses loose and destroy the usefulness of the
bridles and saddles. This done, the three mormt—
edand rode out of the belt of timber into the
broad, moonlit valley. They were scarcely forty
rods from the grove when the crash of firearms
behind them, and the whistling of bullets through
the air around them, told that they were not a
moment too soon in their departure for a moon-
light ride over the plain. .

“ Ho! ho! ye red-rinded varmints,” exclaimed

ld Rattler, glancing back over his shoulder,
“you war a leetle too late!”

“ But, by gracious] we were not too soon,”de—
clared Ruble. “ thatcvei‘ possessed you, Rat-
tler, to prepare for this 'ride? Did_ you have a
warning—a presentiment of coming danger—-
that is, any more than might naturain be ex-
pected?” .

“Whole seeds 0’ premntiments, Ruble,” re-
plied Rattler. “ You see I’ve rummaged around
when Ingins, death and deestruction so long
that can tell when danger’s comin’ by the state
0’ the atmosphere. Ever since Kit and Stun-
wall left, the darkness has smelt and tasted sour
and even the moonlight seemed a little frowy.
And then besides— Zip! I tell ye that bullet
cut close; some feller in that gang must have a
bug-ranger like my Old Epidemic, and now
if—

“ Suppose we move a little faster,” suggested
Ruble ‘ and get out of range of their guns?”

“ V 6 can do that, Zeke,” replied the old bor-
derman.

So they dashed on at a gallop.

The foe soon ceased firing and all became

uiet. ’
q “ Do you think they’ll attempt to follow us?”
asked One-Armed Phi .

“Most assuredly they will,” answered Old
Rattler; “and jist as soon as they can git astride
their bosses the '11 come for us like ki—yotes for
a wounded but 0. But I’m not afeard 0’ them,
and if your bosses can hold their wind and shuf-
ile their feet like Old Comet here, and the foe’ll
only follor till daylight, I’ll give you an exhibi-
tion 0’ the Red River Epidemic’s way of fightin’
m the retreat. If I’ve room to spread myself in
- - to inane-aver in—I don’t keer for the hull red-
lliivliil nation. I’d ’a’ deestroyed the hull fra-
‘ ""-’"Fl;‘i' anyhow afore this, if tweren’t for throw-
~17 so many missionaries, soldiers and lngin
!-.()11iv‘-OU.U€D employment onto a sufl'erin’ world
1 ) become politicians, thieves and beggars. Oh!
Tie a. big heart In me, and I feel for the unfor-
iuna'te and distressed, but I love better ’n all to
are} for an Ingln’s Vitals with this ’ere old rifle.
1 tell you she’s a nailer, and when she sings
mmethin’s first to come—somethin‘ goin’ to be
“fir-d hear 1' e ole buckskin. But not changin’
the subject, boys,  want to say that 0’ all the
HLutmuiuous, luv-hpped hummers that ever sot
a “umber-sixteen moccasm on Dakota soil, that
‘c'tuiiwall Bob takes the corn-pone.”

it Yes, but the brave young giant came mighty
near qsin’ in his cheeks to-iiight when Jim
Noel belted him over the head With that club,”

said Ruble. . _ 1

“‘ Yes that war a Villainous blow, but he soon
paid No’cl back with compound interest and fees
for collection, by dispersm’ the stamps nose all
over his battered face. But hOIICSt, HOW, _did
you fellers ever hear 0’ more -dceception Since
Adam did eat o’the apple, than's been played on
the banks 0’ the Moreen to—nig'ht? FU’SD come
Rune Bradstreet and Jimmy iV oel as hot ged
trove ers, and we took them in, and then e-
Armed Phil took in Brad with a bullet, alld
Noel took Bob over the head With a club. Then
follcred Bob playiu’ the stupor. and miaflrthe
delectable Musket-Mouth and the angehc Shck-
cho s—you, Mr. Ruble-got in their work With
trill; and fancy trimmin’s—the whole thing end-
iu’with the escape of the dead Jim Noel. Oh!

 

11

 

 

it makes me sad and sorr’ful to know tliar’s so
much wickedness and accception in this bad old
world; and as I lay to—night thinkin" it over, my

eyes filled with tears—for the wind blowcd the ?
smoke of our camp-fire into my face, and I made ‘

up my mind that-— Bythe great Rosycrusians!
there they come hilleteescoot! New, boys, you

can put on a little more speed, and you, Comet, :
can show Mr. Ruble, how frolicky you can pad- _
Look, Ruble, how superbly he ’
stretches out—how gremin he reaches for the j
Do you know why I call him ,
Comet? It’s a fact, that he. can run so all—fired '
fast that the electricity gineratcd by friction is i
emitted in sparks from the end 0’ the hairs on ;
his tail, and it’s a beauchei’ul sight to behold on i

dle the sod.

miles before him.

a dark night to see him go streamin’ across the
plain like a meteor across the sky.”

The pursuing foe Could not only be heard, but 

seen, but after a couple miles’ racing it was
plain enough to the fugitives that the distance
was widening between them. , ‘

The course of our friends was toward the
southwest, and after riding some five miles they
came to a creek whose shores were fringed with
willows and wild-plum bushes; and occasionall
a little matte of some pretensions raised its dar
crown against the sky.

Along the right shore of this stream the fugi-

' tives pursued their way, and when at length

the had left their enemy behind out of sight
am hearin , they slackened their speed some-
what to bus )and the strength of their horses.

Old Rattler at once 0 ned a conversation
with his friends, but to t e amusement of the
latter the old borderman did most of the talking
in his inimitable way interlarded with bits of
whimsical humor; and while he was thus rat-
tling away in his happiest vein, a voice from the
depths of a little motte near which they were
passin called out:

“ W 0 goes there?”

The voice was clear and sharp, and sounded
like that of a be or woman. It was couched
more1 in the spirit of an inquiry than a com-
man

The three fugitives quickly drew rein.

“ I’ll declare I believe that’s the voice of Ram—
bling Dan, the Boy Mountaineer!” exclaimed
Zeke Ruble.

Old Rattler did not know who Rambling Dan
was, but he bawled out as soon as Zeke had
spoken the name:

“That you, Dan?”

‘.‘ Yes; but who are you?” again inquired the

vOice.

“ I’m Old Thomas Rattler. thundergust and
epidemic, and by my side ride Zeke Ruble. the
hunter, and One—Armed Phil, the avenger. Now,
do you want any truck of us?”

“ Ride this wa , gentlemen,” requested an-
other voice from he matte, “you are some of
the men we seek more than all others.”

“ That was Rambling Dan’s voice, I know ”
said Ruble, “ and I should say the party was all
ri ht—Dan I know is.”

ith this assurance the three rode toward the
grove though Rattler kept his hand on his re-
volver.

When several paces from it the lithe form of
a boy of rhaps seventeen years of steppfid
from the ushes and advanced toward them. 6
was clad in buckskin and armed with rifle and
pistols. He had an open, manly countenance,
a big hazel eye with the expressmn of a girl’s,
and a voice soft ‘and pleasant.

To Ruble the outh was known as Rambling
Dan, the Boy ountaineer. He was the son of
a Deadwood miner, and his love for a rifle and
the hills wherein the deer abounded had made
him a noted hunter, and there was scarcely a
foot of the great mountain-hills within a circle
of fifty miles of Deadwood but what was known
to this Boy Mountaineer.

Zeke Rubles rung from his saddle and grasped
the boy warm y by the hand, saying as he did
so in an excited voice:

1‘ Dan, I am glad to meet you: but I hope you
bring no bad news.”

“Mr. Ruble,” replied the boy, his voice half-

rushing river; but God knows it would have
been bettor, perhaps, had she died in the flood.”
P The man spoke in a tone of bitter anguish,
and all could see that he was deeply moved by
some distressing weight upon his mind and
heart. And knowing what he did of the canvas-
covei‘cd wagon he had seen that night, One-
Armed Phil readily divined his troubles, and
said: .

“Then your daughter is a captive in the
hands of the Red Vultures and the savages?”

“Yes, sir; but how did you learn the fact!”
replied Graves.

“I saw a wagon that Stonewall said was
yours moving ovor the  escorted by those
villainous marauders. he tilt of the we on
was closed all around, and I knew by that tilt
something precious was in the vehicle.”

“Yes, that is the party that captured in
child,” said Graves. “V hen Stonewall Bob
left us a few days ago on the Cheyenne river we
had joined a large party of gold-seekers bound
for Deadwmd, and we had made arrangements
to travel with them through to the bills, at any
rate. But their teams were almost worn out,
while ours were comparatively fresh, and so, as
we neared the mountains we bid them good-by,
and pushed on alone, having all assurances that
we were past every danger from outlaw or
Indian. But in this we were doomed to bitter
disa ipointment. We were one da ’s journe in
the ills when we were surprised a ban of
Red Vultures and Indians, and tor a hard-
fought battle we were ove wered. All of the
men were killed but inyse

and friend Jackson
here and it was just a miracle that we escaped.
My daughter was taken prisoner, laced in one
of the wagons, and driven off in t 's direction.
And what was most surprising, during the attack
upon us a shot was fired by some one concealed
in the bushes u the side of the canyon, and an

 

 

 

Indian was kil ed. Another savage scaled the
side of the acclivity, and a few moments later
came dragging from the bushes down into the
valley 8. young girl—a mere child of not over
fourteen or fifteen years. Her, too, the murder-
ous demons carried off in the wagon.”

“ It was Wild Gypsy,” said Rambling Dan.

“ Great heavens! exclaimed Ruble, with a
start “is that true, Dan?”

“What is the gal to you, ole feller?” asked
Rattler of the excited hunter; “do you know
Wild Gypsy?”

“ I have seen her—she’s a bright and lovely
child—the daughter of some old hermit tra per,”
re lied Ruble in a tone that was not entire y sat.
istldctory to Rattler.

“ Did you three fellows expect to rescue the
captives from thirty or forty outlaws and In.
dians?” asked One-Armed Phil.

“We did not know what we could do ” re»
plied Mahlon Graves. “After the attack we
chanced to meet this brave boy, and he at once
volunteeredto o with us inpursuit of the foe
which we cone uded to follow until they devi’
ated from a line with a certain point where Kit
Band , the detective scout, and a party of
frien swore to meet at a certain time on the
Moreau river.”

Rattler started, and advancing to the Boy
Mountaineer, asked:

“Bo , I’d like to know how on found out
’bout t e meetin’ 0’ Kit Bandy an his friends on
the Moreau, when the hull expedition war to be
a secret?” '

“ Rattler, old pard,” said Zeke Ruble, befOre
the boy could reply, “yonder comes our pur—
suers, and we’d better be goin’ or prepare to re-
ceive them.”

“ Exactly so Zeke,” replied Rattler, glancing
over the moo 't plain; “but, boys we ve been
chased ’round ’bout enough two-night, and seein’
we’re six, new, and got a darslihnifosition, I per-
pose we drap back into the ders and give
the varmints a reeception—turn loose an epi-
demic amon them.”

To this a quickly consented, and retreating
into the matte, our three friends secured their
horses, and then, rifles in hand, took their posi-
tion to receive the allied foe who came thunder-

choked, “ we’re in pursuit cf some outlaws and 1 ing over the plain screaming and howling like
Indians that carried off some girls, but here demons of the night.

comes my friends, and I will irterduce~you to
them.”

Two men came from the matte, and approach-
ed the three fugitivcx, all of whom had dis-
mounted. One of them was a short, stout man
of perha s thirtly years with his head tied u in
a rod 811 hand erchie . The other was a ,
straight man, with a fine, robust physique, a
Roman cast of features, a full, iron-gray beard,
and a noble head set 11 n a stout. muscular
neck. 'He wore ablue
2:31 evgéluch lay open, revealing a deep, massive

The first of these two men Rambling Dan in-

troduced as Jackson, and the last as Mr. Mahlon i

Graves, and at mention of the last name, Old
Rattler exclaimed:

“ By the great Rosycrusians! I’ve heard our Q

 

CHAPTER XI.

f A STARTLING REVELATION.

annel shirt, the collar 5

- IN silence the six whites in the matte awaited
l the a preach of the foe.

‘ A fool: of d rate determination was upon
the noble face 0 Mahlon Graves, and his eyes
glowed with a fire that told of the spirit of re-
venge burnin in his breast.

Ramblin'r an. the Boy Mountaineer, stood
with his rifle at a trail, his big eyes fixed on the
approaching foe with an eager gaze, yet
taining the coolness and patience of an old vet-
eran.

Finally Old Rattler gave the word to fire, and
almost instantly the six rifles spoke as one, and
i that they . ke to a purpose was endent from
the cries o dismay and oils and curses of the

name before, Mr. Graves—heard StunwallyBob i foe who, when they saw t 6 red tongues of flame

speak o_’ you just to—night.”

f‘ It 15 very likely it you have seen him,” re-
phed Mahlon Graves, “for within the last two
weeks that gallant young plainsman rescued m
daughter from death by drowning in a mad:

: burst from the shadows of the grove and heard
I the deadly bullets among them, became panic-
stricken and like a flock of birds scattered and
fled in every direction.
Our friends heard the shouts and curses of &

 

 

12

 

The Border Detectives.

 

 

white man endeavoring to rally his terror-
stricken crowd, and who succeeded in stopping
three or four outlaws, but the deadly rifle of Oh
Rattler kept playin on them so livel that
even they were force to seek safety in t e dis-
tance.

Then it was that Old Rattler leaped out into
the moonlight, and, swinging his cap in the air,
shouted forth at the top of his brazen lungs:

“ Hoe-rah for victory and the Untamed Tem-
pest! G0 it, you red—rinded heathens and white
cowards!”

Owing to the state of the atmosphere his voice
could be heard a long ways ofi', and it having
reached the ears of the foe they replied with a
sickl shout of defiance.

“ urn their e '95, that yell comes out a little
smothery,”the o d borderman said. “ But didn’t
they run plump up ag’inst a sleepin’ hurricane
that time? By the great Rosycrusians! it wer’n’t
no fight at all, and I’d fixed myself for a buzz-
saw-and-bear fight, and it leaves my blood in a
bad condition, for thar’s one o’ my spells Comin’
on me, boys, and I must—”

“ What kind of spells“!
asked Rambling Dan.

“Nary fit,” replied Rattler, with a laugh,
“but volcanic spells 0’ hot flushes that fair]
fries my moccasins and crimps my hair, but I’ I
go out and pull up a tree or two and ma be I’ll
rekiver. But  boys, now many sad les did
we empty that W iirl?’

“ Four or five anyhow,” answered Ruble.

“A miserable poor haul!” said Rattler, con-
temptuously: “if the. vannints had had Sand
enough to come up and mingled with us we’d ’a’
made it fraternally hot for ’em. int if the gang
is the one, or a part 0’ the one, that’s carryin’
them gals off, maybe Old Kit and Stunwall
Bob’ll git in their work and rescue the feminines
while so many are away from the wagons.”

“ That Robert Comstocl-t, or Stonewall Bob, is
truly a. brave and gallant youth,” said Mahlon
Graves. “ I have seen him tried, and I dare say
that there are few old borrlermen to )ossess a
better knowledge of prairie craft than he.”

“ Brave and gallant!” exclaimed Old Rattler:
“ that don’t express it, Mr. Graves. He is a hull
multitude in one—a tom estuous young Ajax, a
lily-lipped hummer. W ien Philip thar reeport—
ed a wagon with certain marks on its kivcr
:novin’ over the plain, he said at once it war one
o’ yours, Mr. Graves, and in fourteen seconds be
war swallered up in the darkness— one to in-
tuire into the cause 0’ the wagon )ein’ there.
- nd a few minutes later Old Kitsie Bandy, the
shambangest old goggled—eyed deetective that
ever ladled out lies to a lovin’ friend like hot
honey, or trailed down a criminal, follered the
Boy rojan. When we hear from them two—
that deelicious pair—we’ll hear somethin’ wu’th
listenin’ to if it’s nothin’ but one o’ Bandy’s wild-
eyed whoppers.” ‘

By this time it was almost day, and after a
short conference the party concluded to remain
there until morning, and then advance wglether
to the old camp on the Moreau, where they oped
to meet Kit and Stonewall.

- No one attempted to sleep. Zeke Ruble and
Mahlon Graves ke t constantly on the move,
pacing the circuit 0 the grove and watching the
surrounding plain with feverish im atience.
Zeke manifested as much uneasiness an trouble
of mind as Graves, and this did not escape the
notice of Old Rattler, who, when alone with
One-Armed Phil, said:

“ Philip, that man Ruble puzzles me. I tell
you thars somethin’ more on his mind than a
share 0’ the reward offered for the capture of
John Rossgrove, the murderer.”

“ I know it—I have noticed itmyself,”respond-
ed One-Armed Phil, “and since our meeting with
Mr. Graves and party his uneasiness has been
quitemarked. It may all come from his knowledge
of our surrounding danger and his determin-
ation to a. must it. And another thing:
I heard im an that dashin boy, Rambling
Dan, in a. low conversation aw ile ago when of!
alone. Of course, I did not follow them up to
hear what they said but the happened to stop
near where stood. I o y caught a vpart
of their conversation, but enough to con nee
me that the captive girl, \Vild G y, is known
to him and the boy. And since heard that
fragmentary talk, I have been wondering what
relation the face of Wild Gypsy bears to the face
I saw reflected in the mountain rin and what
relation Zeke Ruble bears to see of hem.”

“Oh, I reckon it’s all fancy Phil,” replied
Old Rattler, “ thou h I’ll swear by the Rosycru-
sians thatI saw the face in the water myself.
But since then we’ve passed through so much
excitement, and had no sleep, and see’d so much
bloodshed and deestruction, that we’re gittin’
into such a. condition 0’ inind that we can imag-
ine anythin . Why, if we don’t find Kit and
Stonewall w on we git back to. our old camp,
jist like as any way ll figger out in my roarin‘
tempestuous old head, that the Boy Trojan an
that old buccaneer have rescued the gals and
run away with ’em themselves.”

At this 'uncture a. footst sounded near, and
a voice d: -

“ I beg your pardon, friends, for interrupt-
ing you, or darin’ to listen to your conversa-
tion.

Do you have fits?"

I
l

l

 

Rattler and One—Armed Phil started. It was

the voice of Zeke Ruble. A faint look of resent- i

ment swept over the faces of the two men, but ’

Rattler, with a forced laugh, said:
“ They say listeners seldom hear any good 0’
themselves.”

clutlaws and death may claim her before her bro—
t er.

“ Trust in Heaven, boy,” said Ruble, with true
Christian earnestness and grace.

“ And Old Kit Band and Stonewall Bob,”

. added Rattler, “for w ' e the Lord kindly pro—

“That will not hold good in my case,” said i
Ruble, seeingthat the old hunter was inclined 1
1

to reproach
ing bad about myself, if I did hear you express
yourselves as to my being an enigma and a puz—
zle. I’ll confess now that there is somethin else
in my mind than a share of the reward o 'ered
for the capture of John Ressgrove, and I am go—
in’ to free my mind and heart of the burden,
and this moment, too. Phil, you say you saw
that girl Wild Gypsy as you came through the
mountains?”

“Yes, sir; that is what she said her name
was,” answered Phil.

“ Well, she is your sister, Phil—your sister
Mary I”

“W'hat? my sister?” cried Phil, grasping the
hunter’s arm, “Ruble, you are jesting! do not
trifle with my feelings.”

“I am not, sir,” declared Ruble, in a tone that
indicated a great relief of mind and conscience;
“let me tell you: the evening of the same day
of the massacre of your parents I passed b
the smoldering embers of the burnt cabin.
mile from there I found, hiding in the brush on
lVillow Creek, Margery Ashton and our little
baby sister, Mary. The child was as eep at the
time, but Margery was almost crazed with ter.
ror. She told me that she had taken little Mary
out to take care of her that day for your mother,
and that she was gathering flowers alon the
creek when the outlaws came and kill her
friends and fired the house. She spoke of an-
other arty that she saw come to the ruins after-
ward, ut suppOSing they were outlaws, also, she
remained in concealment.”

"They were the stockmen that rescued me,”
said Phil.

“Yes, but Margery knew nothing of your es-
ca . On the contra I have often heard her
telIlmGypsy, as we call ary, about her handsome
brother, but I believe she always called him
Jack.”

“That was the nickname I went by,” said
Phili J his breast throbbing with emotion.

“ ell, she always told Gypsy that you had
been killed,” Ruble went on, “and they know
no better to this day. I took the children when
I found them, placed them upon my horse and
carried them to my mountain home near where
you first saw Gyps . There have we dwelt all
these years. But offered to send the girls to a
settlement that they might find their way to
friends, but to my surprise and infinite joy they
did not want to cave me to make their home
among stran crs, even though relatives, No one
knows what oving compamons those girls have
been to me in my lone y hunter’s home. It is
true I had a friend in an old Scotchman that
liv with me many years after I adopted the
girls. Poor old Sandy! he died only a. year ago,
and was a true and noble friend, but was not to
me what those dear girls have been. Had they
been in own children I could not have thought
more 0 them, and I behave they will bear me
witness that I have been a father to them. As
a); grew older I méinaged to ggt hofld :1 some

magazines an papers an , in so ,every-
thin ’I could to amuse and instruct them. I
tang t them to read and write, and—”

“ Great Rosycrusians!” broke in Old Rattler
“who ever beam 0’ a borderman like you and
me, Ruble, teachin’ school. It war a good joke
ye p‘lg‘yed on ther gals.”

’ y, blame it. Rattler, I can read and write
a little, and what I didn’t know old Sand did.
At any rate, Margery has grown to a nob e wo-
manh , and Mary, or my Gypsy, is one of the
most lovely, bright and vivacious little souls on
earth. She has no fear of danger and is 3. won-
derful huntress for a girl, and as a rifle-shot she
is remarkable.”

“ We know what she can do with a rifle,” said
Rattler, as his mind reverted to the perforated
cup and the dead catamount.

And you tell me, Ruble,” said One-Armed
Phil, “ that that lovely little savage is m sister?
and that she whose face I saw rail in the
sprin is Margery Ashton?” _

“ es. be and all doubt, Philip,” replied Ru-
ble; “ but did not discover the fact until this
evening when I heard of the story you told of
your empty sleeve and of the killing of the man
Bradstreet. I should have told you the truth
then, but I concluded towaitnntil a more favor-
able time The news that Graves’s brings
of G ’8 capture has hastened this revelation.
As to argory, I resume—I hope she is safe,
but the capture c Gyplsly will almost kill her.
If Margery saw on, ili , she probably did
not recognize in t e bearde , one-armed man of
five-and-twenty her boy lover of thirteen.”

“Yes, but by Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rat-
tler “ he seemed to recognize her, for he almost

bed at the vision in the water.” ' .

“I’ll confess,” said Phil, “ that in the vision I
saw in the sprin I the face of the one I had loved
as a boy was be ore me as plain as life. But af-
ter all, this revelation brings grief as. well as 105'
to learn that my sister is in the power of the

.‘,. ,.,,_.2‘ W i m
»£g’,':>'~" "5!" ’ “i 1.31 r “   , ,
negate Newtoniaééwf, . n.

m for his silence; “I heard noth- ‘

 

vides ways and means, we’ve got to buckle ri ht
down to work or we’re goin’ to git left. he
source 0’ all is God, but if we hunters git a deer—
skiu, or beaver- .lt, or buf’lo-hump, we’ve 0t to
dust around an find it. for no one’s goin’ ring
it up to our door: and then if an In ' gits arter
our scalps, we’ve got to tramp or fig t like darn-
ation.”

“Quite a philosophical view of the matter,”
said Ruble, in doubt as to whether the lecture
was intended for him or Phil: “ and there is no
doubt in my mind but that Bandy and the Boy
Trojan will give a good account of themselves.
But friends, we’ve talked here quite awhile.
It’s broad daylight.”

True enough it was. Several bright—eyed birds
were twittering in the trees overhead where the
first beams of the risin sun were gilding the
emerald foliage with a s een of burnished gold.

The three were about to rejoin their friends
when Rambling Dan came hurrying up to where
they were and said:

“ Say, folks, a robber that got wounded in the
skrinnna e last night, has crawled into the grove
and Mr. raves wants you to come at once. He
don’t know whether to wind u the feller’s busi-
ness with a pistol, or bind up is wounds with a
bandage l” __
CHAPTER XII.

THE “PRAIRIE DOLPHINS” AND THE INDIAN IN
WHITE.

RAT'I‘LER and his friends soon reached Graves
and J ackson‘s side, and found them standing by
the wounded outlaw who sat leaning ainst a.
tree-trunk in dreadful a ony. The fol ow was
deathly ale, and his clot ies saturated with his
life-bio . When Old Rattler spoke he looked
up. His eyes and One-Armed Phil’s met, and in
one instant a chan, e swe t over the aven er’s
face, and grasping his revo ver he drew it rom
his belt, fairly hissing through his set teeth:

“He is one of the murderers of my friends!”

“ Hold on, young man,’” gasped the outlaw,
throwing up his hand as if to ward off the shot.
“I’m ’bout one—don’t waste your ammunition
-' ou’lln it.” :
in eplacing his weapon Phil turned aWay, say-

g:

“ Friends, pardon me for threatening to shoot
a dyin man even though he is a murderer.”

“ Ol feller,” said Rattler, addressing the out—
law, “ you’ve got a bad dose, hav’n’t ye?”

“ Yes,” replied the villain, with but little ap-
parent compunction of conscience, “but if my

riends hadn’t deserted me like cowards I might
’a’ lived. My veins have run dry and I’m ’bout
gone.”
“ And isn’t it ’bout time you war goin’!
You’ve been a robber and murderer many
years ” said Ruble.

“ II‘ow do you know I have?”

“ It has been thirteen years since you helped
murder the Noble and Ashton families on il~
low Creek in Nebraska. That one-armed man
rec ized you as one of the murderers.”

“ es, Jmi Noel told us about him killin’
Bradstreet. But that was a wicked b killin’
them families. It was more the wor of spite
against them than anythin else,” admitted the
dying wretch. “ But I’m e last one of them,
boys, and I’ll soon be gone.”

“ You-fellers ou ht to ’a’ known more than to
fool ’nound an epi emic last night ” said Rattler;
“ but seein’ you have got to die, don’t you want
to make a confession—clean out your boat and
a preach your God with as light a load as pos-
81 lei”

“ I have no fears of the future,” replied the
outlaw; “ I don’t believe there is a. God or he’d
never made so much wickedness.”

“Old Infidel, thar’s whsr ou’ne in’ to cork
yourself,” said Rattler. “ t’s all h to talk
bout that bein’ no God, and you’ll find it out
afore lon . He’s not reesponsnble for your sins,
but will old you to account for it, and when

'ou’re writhin in torturin’ flames rmember
the warnin’ Old Tom Rattler, the Red River
Epidemic give you.”

“ You’re comm, old man, I sw'ar you be,”
said the outlaw, writhing in his pain

“You don’t deserve pity when you deny your
Maker ”

“ Be you a preacher, ole man?" the outlaw

ask .

“ No,” replied Rattler, demurely; “ but I am.
a converter of sinners into quiet, peaceable men.
Lead has been the argyment I have used. And
yin 132,808 to see a man go into eternity as you are

“You needn’t worry yourself ’bout me,” the
unregutant wretch said, in a dogmatical tone.

“ ell, would cu answer me a few questions
before you die?” ttler finally asked.

“ Fire in, stranger,” the outlaw .said; “ if I
can do the livin’ any good I’m "inln' to do it,
but I’ll answer sich questions as; P103136.”

“‘ You’re ’ amey, old teller. ssid Rattler,
“but what Id like to know is 130' many men
b’long to the Red Vulture band?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i .. .m“...,_—.._‘.

I
l
l
l

 

“ Not as many as thar did,” the outlaw replied
with ghastly facetiousness: ‘ ‘ but thar’s still enuif
left to send you fellers all over the range. The
outlaw—Ingins are. helpin’ the Vultures."

“ I’m aware of that, but is Ca itain Vulture

voui- real leader, or isn’t there (mot er folk-r that t

(1’ ~esu’t take to the saddle, that lords it over your
band?”

‘* Yes, there is,” was the reply.

“ Would you object to give me his true name,
if you knew it?”

‘ He’s called the Devil,” with grim humor.

“ True, very true,” declared Rube, witha faint
smile.

“ But say, old man," Rattler repeated, “isn’t
there a fellow in your band named Rossgrove?
John Rossgrove?” .

“ There may be, but none 0’ the boys ever Vive
their true name when they join the Red ul-
Tures. It’s ag’inst the rules 0’ the band to do so.
All they want to know is what a man will do and
run do—not what he’s done to send him nito the
bills. for nobody ever becomes a outlaw till he’s
done su’thin’ stout.” . _

“ Thisman Rossgrove,” continued Rattler, “ IS

1-. rather slender man with blue eyes, and Used  i

wear a full beard, and has a little scar above his 3

right eve—any sich a feller there answerin’ that l.
. . .- t, _

/

u’ecscnption

“Yes, sir; there is,” answered the outlaw; j

“ he‘s called Blue Beard, and he’s a bad man.
You want to git the army out if you ever git
him. But, say, won’t you give me a drink of
x 'ater?”

“' Yes; you shall have water,” replied Rat-

'tler.

Rambling Dan was sent down to the creek
with a canteen for water, which was given the
arm man, Ruble holding it to his parched and
l leer ing lips. .

Inflammation had set in and our friends saw
that it was a mere question of time until his
death. They could do nothing for him except
in give him water; and after lingering along for
three hours he died, game to the last.

Our friends now turned their attention to '

their own needs, the first of which was break-
fast. But it r uired but a few minutes to pre—

pare and eat this meal. then they mounted their 1

horses and started back toward the Moreau riv-
or. the coming of day havmg disclosed ~the field
of 'vision clear of enemies. .

They reached their old camp on the river to
find it entirely deserted. Even the bodies of
the dead outlaws had been removed. .

After looking around the place awhile Rattle,-

id:

m“ Neither Kit nor Stunwall are about,

that’s sure; nor are there anything that indi-

cates they have been. Now. I’m a leetle oneasy
folks, ’bout them boys, and I’m a—gom’ to make
a reconnoissance down the stream. If I find that
gun o’ red-rinds and outlaws down thar. I’ll
thini the boys are somwhars about, but if the -
’i‘e gone, I don‘t know Wng ’,I’ll think ’bout It.
Now, kee our e es pee , .

With thriginjunZtion the old borderman took
his departure, and in the course of an hour he
returned, bringing the information that the foe
were not only in camp down the river, but that
they had been reinforced while he was in sight
of them by wt less than forty outlaw-Indians
that came dewn Sand Creek valley from their
haunts in the mountains. But not one word of
information could he ive in regard to Stone-
wall Bob, 01d Kit Ban y or the captiye irls.

Alook of hopeless despondency crou ed the
face of One—Armed Phil and Zeke Ruble, whose
interest now in the welfare of Gypsy had be-
come mutual, while Mahlon Graves seemed al-
most prostrated b the discouraging news the
hunter brought. 6 bit his lip to keep back an
outburst of grief, yet despite his efforts teais
glistened in his eyes.

‘ ‘ And now what’s more, friends,” Rattler final-
l y went on, “it will never do for us to stop here
in this grove. That great horde o’ red-rinds
and outlaws m'ght pounce upon us at any time
and they are too many for us in the woods
where they can fight their own way. We’d be
for safer on the open lain where we could fight
or run as we deem best. know we’ve got
the bosses that can do the clean thing runmn’,
and that we’re the concentrated cyclone that
can do the fl htin’.”

“ That’s a 1 very true, Rattler,” ammed Ru-
ble, “ and the sooner we get out of here the bet-
ter it’ll be for us, I presume.”

The matter being thus settled, the six again
mounted their horses  rode back into the
open valley, still keepin in charge the horses
belonging to Bandy and tonewall, aswell as the
outlaw’s ' upon which their efl'ects were
packed. .

Thev shaped their course toward the southeast

and finally drew rein in the open valley two

miles from the river. North of them the crest
of the Hermit Dome rose 11 clear and distinct,
and over it and up and own its sides they
could see the foe on horseback and on foot mov-

in . .

ne—Armed Phil took from amon his effects
a gay-glass that he had brought Withghim. With
this the party scanned the Herimt Dome and
could almost distin ish the features of the
bearded, booted on ws, but. nowhere could

,1 them, but this gave the whites no uneasiness,

The Border Detectives.

13

 

I

they see Kit or Stonewall, or either of the cap-

tive girls. There seemed to be. however, quite

a commotion among the enemy, but this was
~ doubtless created by the presence of our friends
on the lain.

The utter had dismounted in a long, gentle
depression in the valley where the grass was tall,
1 thick and luxuriant, and, without removing the
l bits from their horses" mouths, permitted them
! to graze about, though at no time allowing them
‘ to vet beyond the end of the reins away.

’ hrowing himself upon the ground, Old Rat-
tler exclaimed:

| “By tlier great Rosycrusiansl I don’t know

4

1

whenever I had to camp in view 0’ the enemy .

afore and dasn’t advance or wouldn’t retreat,
but hang around like a. pack 0’ Bedouins watch- ‘

in’ a caravan. Think 0’ it, boys, here we lay ?
under the warm sun in ther steamy grass, kick- ! a few moments the old borderman exclaiui :

in’ up our heels like a shoal o’ Sportive dolphins f

-—-prairie dolphins.” I
‘ Well, what is your 0 inion, anyway, Rat- .
tler. by this time, about t e prolonged absence :
' of Kit and Bob?” asked Ruble.
“ Ruble, I’ve run clear outen o inions, but I 
still trust in that old heliotrope an that big sun- 1
flower bloomiii’ out into view yit. But look, 
you can see now with the naked eye them red~ !
rinds and the outlaws grouped about on the ?
Dome. I reckon the ’re takin’ in the landsca g
‘ like Moses 0’ old, an punchin’ each other in t e ‘
ribs as they contemplate the spectacle 0’ we ,
folks loungin’ out here like a bevy 0’ mermaids i
wallerin’ iii the sand. But— Ohoi do you see
that? There comes ridin’ this way from the foot I
o’ the Domea few bold crusaders. I wonder if '1
they venture forth to do battle?” I
“ To draw us into a trap, in all robability,” '
said One-Armed Phil, scannin t e horsemen
with his glass; “ they are all In ians.” ,
“ I shouldn’t think Red Vultures war as plen- l
tiful to—day asthey war yesterday, since an epi— ‘
dcmic broke out ’mongst ’em,” said Rattler, t
“ and I reckon Cap. Vulture’s goin’ to ’conomize ,
r on his fellow and let the red-skins buck ther i'
tempest awhile. Thar’s 'ist six 0’ them Arabs :
comin’ this way, and so ’m o’ the opinion that
‘ they’re puttin’ up a job to draw as into a dead-
fall. But then we’re no mess o’ fools to be draw-
ed into danger like an antelo with a red rag.
If they want to fi t they’ll ave to come over
' here and we can ’ odate ’em.”
3 The six Indians boldly advanced over the val-
, ley as if they intended to dash right down upon

I and with their hands on their rifles they calmly

' awaited their coming.

‘ When about five hundred yards away Old

 Rattler arose to his feet and swinging aloft his

, cafi uttered a yell of defiance.

j, ' ut instead of his actions incitin the red-

: skins to renewed speed as he had hoped it Would,
they{ immediately reined in their ponies to a
wa .

! ‘t‘Rosycmsiansi” exclaimed Rattler, in disap-
, pomtment, “I’m afeard I skeered ’em out in-
. stead o’ incitin’ ’em on, and now we’ll be cheat-
ed out a little rifle exercise.”

The warriors continued to advance at a walk,
but finally drew rein when about eighty rods
away; 0 d Rattler quickly raised his rifle as if
to 0 but, quick as a marmot drops into its
h_ole, every savage threw himself to the opposite
suits of his ny out of sight.

“Ther amasked cowards l” exclaimed Rat-
tler in disgust, as he lowered his and a in
seated himself on the grass; “1’51:n htto re
pony and red—skin both throu h, but t enI don’t
want to_ Waste a shot an when Epidemic
speaks I'intend somethin’ shall res nd.’

_“ I’d like to peg one of ’em myse ,”said Ram-
bling Dan, the D o Mountaineer, a. look of ea-
gerness upon his rown bo ' h face, “and if
they’ll edge this way a little closer I will show
Mr. Rattler how a be can handle a rifle.”

“ That’s the talk, y ” replied Rattler ap—
provmgly. I love to 100k 11 n a brave boy for
it makes me think thar’s a c nee 0’ some one
comin’ on to step into the shoes, so to k, 0’
Old Tom Rattler. I can see by the flicker o’ yer
9 es, Daniel, that you’re a lily—lip hummer.

at I don’t think ’em red~rinds 1 come close
enough for us to Wing ’em. Moses! how their
wild, tempestuous start from the Dome did sim-
mer down to a summer zephyr. They thought
we prairie dolphins were green critters, but I
reckon they begin Ito realize that they are the
m p bulbs by this time, and can’t ‘draw’us
015 blisters any more’n a poultice o’ skunk-cab-

e ’11 draw the solidity outen a stone.”

ing the whites remamed perfectly inactive
the six red-skins finally an maneuvering
about. They galloped to and macros the plain
yelling like demons mdlglosmcuhtmg in a defiant
and excited manner. is they kept up for fully
an hour, going through every performance their
savage minds could conceive, in hopes of pro—
vokin the Whites into pursuit of them. Finally
four 0 them dismounted and the other two tak~
ing all the ponies started off toward the Hermit
Dome, but even this ruse (id not tempt the
whites to even rise to their feet, and the ponies
were brought back and all again mounted.

Finally their stock of expedients seemed ex-
hausted, and after a consultation they turned
and rode away toward the Dome in evident dis-

 

 

gust. But they had not gone far when all dis-
covered another horseman galloping out from
the direction of the Hermit ome toward them,
and they drew rein to await his coming.
Our friends had discovered the horseman also,
and after gazing at him a moment, Rattler said:
“ That critter seems to be dressed in white
don’t he? Philip, pull it up with yer glass and
see what it is.”
“ It is a woman!” declared Phil, glancing at;
‘ the horseman through his glass.
“ Ther Iiosycrusians! it surely can’t be one 0’
i the gals!"

“ it‘s a woman dressed in white,” One~Armed
Phil went on' “ she has on a hat gay with flut-
term; ribbons. Here, take the glass and look
for yourself, Rattler.”

After summing the horseman through the lass

“ By the great Rosycrusians! it are an Ing-in

’ dressed up in a white dram, with a jaunty little

hat and hull oceans 0’ red and blue ribbons flut-
terin’ behind. Mr. Graves, did the devils git
yourdarter’s wardrobe when they captured her l”

“Yes, a large trunk filled with her clothing,
among which was a white muslin dress,” an-
swered Mr. Graves.

“ Then that red-rinded devil has ot that dress
on, and a hat with a long white p ume is upon
his apisli head; a red sash is around his waist,
and multitudes 0’ gay ribbons are flutterin’ about
him—some 0’ them tied to his hoss’s mane and tail.”

“ My God! is my child’s captivity—perhaps
living death—to be thus flaunted in devilish
mockery in my face?” cried Mahlon Graves, his
face growing white with passion. “Men, 1 can-
not stand itl—I will not stand it! I must do
something thou h I die in the attempt.”

He sprung to iis feet and snatched up his rifle.
Rattler gently laid his hand upon his shoulder,
and in calm yet sympathetic tone, said:

“Easy, my dear friend. Don’t ’low yourself
to become excited, for that is exactly whatthem
demons have been tryin’ to provoke in us. I’m
an old borderman, and scores of times have been
in difficulties from which thar seemed no escape.
but by possessin’ my soul in patience I allers
found my wa out. You see we can do nothin’
ag’inst sich 0( (13 as lay in ambush for us ’round
yander Dome, and you also see they are afraid
to come out after us in an open field. We’ve got
to rely on our wits, and whenever Bandy and
Stonewall re rts, if they ever do at all, we’ll
know better ow to act. Just let that varmint
caper and monkeyshine all he wants to, and if
he dares to come within four hundred yards I’ll
win him, now mild.”

“ ttler, I know your advice is right, but I’ll
declare it is hard to submit to having insult add-
ed to injury,” said Mr. Graves in tones of bitter
anguish, as he again seated himself on the
ground, Rattler following his example.

The six mounted Indians retm'ned with the
one in white, but as before they drew rein at a
safe distance from our friends and dismounted.

The savage in female apparel now began a

rformance to arouse the whites which would

ve done credit to a daring rider of the circus
rin . He stood upon the Pong’s bare back and
gulfoped swiftly back and ort across the plain.
hen he would balance himself upon first one
foot and then the other his pony still going at a
swinging gallop, while his dress—skirts flapped in
the air an his ribbons fluttered about him like-
bright-winged birds. Finally he dropped him-
self astride his animal and went through other
performances, such as riding backward, lying
across his pony—all the while yelling like a de—
mon, and ever and anon making some insulting
gestures.

Our friends, however seemed to regard his
capers with stolid indifference which finally in-
cited the cunning red-skin to bolder ventures.
He galloped out in a circle as if he were going

to around the whites, but he would 0 a few
, then turn and gallop around to t 6 other
side. In this way he ept going, first to the right

and then the left, each time venturing a little
further. until Old Rattler was led to remark:

“ Now then, that awful cute red-rind has fool-
ished around just about enough, and I b’lieve I'll
try him a swat when he ambles back toour right.
It s a big, long shot, but then Old Epidemic as
along reach, and we’ve got in our work that fur
skads 0’ times. ”

“ Where’s Rambling Dan?” Zeke Ruble sud—
denly exclaimed, looking around for the b0 .

But no one answered, for no one knew. ile
the men had been so intent in watching the sav-
age’s performances the boy had slipped away;
nor could he be seen anywhere upon t 9 plain.

“ The little scamp’s crawled of! into the tall
grass somewheres,’ said Old Rattler; “ but there
comes that frolicsome, red-rinded ape agin, and
now I’m goin’ to him a swat Jist ’ ut the
time he goes to turn k”

‘ galloped along until almost due
east of the whites and fully four hundred yards
awa , then, as he turned to ride back Old Rat-
tler brought his rifle to his shoulder; but even as
he did so, all saw a cloud of smoke burst from
the grass behind the sava e, and as the report of
a pistol rung out 11 ii e an- the daring red—
skm was seen to tum 16 from his horse, while up
from the grass hard by popped the lithe figure
of Rambling Dan, a smoking pistol in his hand!

I

 

Vim.

Theifiorder be“

tectives. 

/

 

 

CHAPTER XIV.
m RANDY A LA ARNOLD WINKLERIED.

STONEWALL Boa from his seat in the Her-
mit’s Dug-out,  only see such objects asap-

outsidein line with his range of viswn, ‘
to the cave. '

or in the narrow passage leading
But with this limited View he was enabled to see
no less than a dozen savages and outlaws at the
entrance to the cut with Kit Bandy a prisoner,
and kept in front so that his form would be a
ial rotectbn to them.

The 0 d detective’s hands were tied at his back,

and his face and garb showed that he had been

rou hly handled by his captors- and when Stone— g
aced around the ;
that the foe in~ ,

wal saw the end of a lariat
old man’s neck he mistruste
tended to march him in front of them into the
cave, and thereby shield themselves from bullets
from within the retreat. And in this he was cor-
rect, for soon the old detective was crowded for-
ward, a dozen outlaws and savages forming in
single file behind, and the advance upon the dug-
out begun

To prevent Band from dro ping himself sud— 
by expose the out- 5

denly to the groun and there
law following next to to him. the lariat that had

been put around his neck was taken to the top .
of the channel and tied to the center of a :tout .

pole, which was carried by two men, one of
whom walked on one. side, and the other on the

opposite side of the cut. The rope was kept so 1
taut that at [times Old Kit was compelled to 1
gasp for breath or walk on tip-toe to keep from f

strangling.
In this way
usage, the outlaws and their red allies f0 ow-
ing With drawn pistols and tomahawks.

upon his face. He could get glimpses of the foe
behind Kit, yet no vital spot was ever exposed.

By slaying Bandy he could stop the advance of ,

the enemy, but rather than do this he resolved
to take his chances with the whole band.

“Girls,” the iyouth‘saicl, in a whisper, to his
two fair com anions, “take this knife, and if a
chance is o ered when Kit reaches the cave,
sever his bonds.” .

“ I will,” said brave little Gypsy, taking th
knife, “ and I’ll carve up an old outlaw, too, if I
get a half a chance.”

Keeping his eyes upon his‘ap reaching friend
that was shielding his foes, a t ought suddenly
flashed through, the young plainsman’s mind
and, raising his revolver, he took a steady aim
and fired, and the rope that held the old man
erect washout in two with the bullet as smooth
as if done with a keen-edged knife.

Oathsand exclamations from those outside,
and threats and curses from those behind Ban-
dy filled the air. The fellow next to Kit seized
the end of the re still left around the old
,man’s neck and hol ing the muzzle of 'a revolver
at his ear, threatened to shoot him down unless
he walked slow and uprinrht.

‘3 Boy—Stonewall!” suddenly burst from Ban-
d ’s lips, “shoot me. down-take no risk! I’m
0 d and ready to die—ready to receive the Aus-
trian 8 rs for your salvation and—”

A v gorous jerk on the rope cut short his
speech, but the next instant Stonewall’s big
navy rung out, a bullet tore through the air, a
groan escaped Bandy’s lips, be straightened up
with a convulsive shudder, rattled in the throat
and then dropped like a bullet to the earth at
the feet of the outlaw. ,

Scarcely was the Red Vulture-’5 head expOsed
bathe fall of Bandy before the revolver of
S newall again rung out and the villain fell
forward over Bandy, shot through the brain.
And then, as fast almost as one could count, the
deadly weapons of the Boy Trojan be an to
sing out—first the right and then the aft al-
temzxialiiing with each other with almost rhythmic
prec on.

The l ‘ o of foes melted down before the dead-
lgfire—blockm‘ ' the passage with their bodies.

error and co usion reigned. ‘

Some of the enemy crowded toward the cave
as if drawn in that direction by some horrible
tascinatiou- but finally those in the rear broke
and fled and soon the passage was clear of all
but those that were down dead or dying.

Cries of mercy, oaths of vengeance, u braid-
ing curses and yells of dismay rose from he lips
of those that la wounded in the cut, and those
that could not seen outside. 'Not an outlaw
or savage had ever passed over Kit Bandy’s

body. ex , ,

Two wound Indians and one outlaw Stone-
' wallpermitted to‘ crawl from the cut and join

their friends outside. 

With terror Ruth Gram crouched in the
darkest corner of the save her white lips mov-
ing in prayer; but all the while the fearless little
Gypsy, a fascinated by the horror of
theco ,,stoodnearBobclappiug her handb
mdahouting: , . ,
be“ II301) away, Bob! , Pop away, you brave big

cm the firing of the shotthathadcutthe
rope arouudxit's neck until the last of the foe

had an; , but a few brief moments had
cup-ed. ordeal wuas short as it was deeds

3.

the old man was forced alon the i

‘ ed to get around last night as I agreed to; but it

With a revolver in each hand and resting ‘
upon one knee, Stonewall Bob awaited the dread 3
ordeal with a look of resolute determination .

. l
l lv, and when it had ended Stonewall turned to i

l the iris and said, in a calm voice:
‘ “ here, girls, we’re safe again for the time
Q bein .”

“ ut poor Old Mr. Bandy!” sobbed Ruth,
“ has given his life to save us! ’

“ Do you think so Ruth?” replied Bob, with a
1 gri’in smile; “look out here, quick, and see if he
> is.

The maidens glanced down the passage, and to
heir utmost surprise and infinite joy they saw
E Bandy drag himself out from under a dead out-
‘ law, spring to his feet and glide into the dug-
out, callin out:

“ Hullo, oh, you and the gals in here?”

“ Yes, Kit, God bless you, we are here!” ex-
, claimed the Boy Trojan. as ing the old man

by the arm and severing t e c rds that fettcred
, his wrists. _

“Oh, dear, old grand Bandy!” crledG psy,
l grasping his hand an kissing it, “oh! ’mso
i glad you’re not killed you dear old folks!"

“See here, Gypsy,’ exclaimed Kit, stoopin
1 forward, “ don’t waste kisses onto that old hand.

Before the words were scarcely out of his
mouth, the maiden, in her childish joy, threw
her arms about the old man’s neck and kissed his
hard, wrinkled cheek.

“There, by heavens l” the old fellow exclaim-
ed, “ that serves me right, gal, and lifts my old
heart up with joy. But how glad I am to meet
you three ag’in.’

" I see you have been in rough hands since we
parted last night, Kit?”

“ Yes, I should say so,” replied the old detec-
tive. rubbin his hands together to restore the
circulation t mt his bonds had impeded: “ I fail-

war In~ omx fault and not the focs’ so much that
I didn't. After lcudin’ the varmints off your
trail I kept (lodgin’ around in the bushes at the
foot 0’ the hill till I come to whar some ionies
war tied, and 1 concluded I’d take. a. few 0 them
fur us to ride. If I’d been content with two I’d
get away all right, but in tryin’ to steal four I
got nab d, and oh! ram’shorn 0’ Joshua! how
the Satonians did thump me around. But, boy,
you are a daisy pistol-shot. The way you cut
that rope that held me up so majestic-like war a
superbum prize shot; and then thé way you
can ht on when I invited death runs you up to
the and 0’ your class in mind-readin’. But, say,
didn’t I tumble nicely, though? didn’t I do the
convulsive act tragically? Didn’t I git of! that
death—rattle in mosaic style? didn’t 1—”

“ Gracious!” exclaimed G) )sy, “ ar’n’t you
oingto stop for breath? You ll smother if you
on’t. 7 '

Bob lau hcd (nitright at the child’s remark,

nor could nth repress a smile.

“ Gal,” said Old Kit, himself amused at
Gypsy’s heedleSS words, “ you’re bad as Old Tom
Rattler to fire into me. But speakin’ o’ Rattler:
don’t I wish he could ’a’ see‘d me marchiu’ u )
thar a liviu’ breastwork for them varmints, an
see how nicely I threw myself on the Austrian
spears so to speak, like that brave Switzer We
read about?”

“ Did you learn how those fellows fared that
visited our camp n the river?” Bob asked.

“ They come bac a—cussin’ and pawin’ the air,
bringin’ two 0’ their crowd in blankets, and
several with holes in their systems that made
’em sick. I guess Rattler and his chums give
’em an informal rece tion.”

“ What had Jim oel to say to you '21”

“ Not very much, for that pagoda you ’rccted
on his right- cheek and Hindu temple on t’other/
continued to grow, and at last accounts his peepl
ers were closed and bombardments 0’ cold water
outwardl‘ , and whisky inwardly, war bein
made to emolish the pagoda and temple. Jim 3
in the condition 0’ snake in dog-'days-Jim’s
blind.”

“ And I realize that we’re in no enviable posi-
tiOn,” said Stonewall Bob. 1

“ I’d rather be here than out in that ditch
whar them five or six Ingins and pirates are,”
said Kit.

“But we have no food; if we h'ad we could.
stand a long siege, having water right at hand,
but these g rls must have somethin to eat. ”

“ Do not worry about that, Robe ,” said Ruth 5
“ I could not eat a bite if we had food in plenty.’

“ As soon as night comes, I’ll git out here and
hunt the other boys up,” said Band . “ The ’11
not leave till. they hear from us. I either 0 I
think our enemies ’11 leave till they have to.
They’ll try to freeze you out—not me, for you
know Pm dead. They‘d made up their minds to
shoot me, and war even making arrangements
for the fun when a teller arriv’ with the infor-
matio that'you’d been trackedto the old er-
mlt’s u -out, and after they’d made known he
clan are m approachin‘ the cave through the
ditc , the ‘ concluded to use me as a breastwork
seein’ as ow I war a great, bunny-breasted
teller. But I proved a boomerang to them, the
miserable scam .” '

“It’s a won or you got out without some
serious in , at least.” said Stonewall. 

“ A man t‘s see’d the hardships o’ married
life— ‘ thro’ as many domesticcycloaeoas
I have. are not to be downed by common-4’

' his hands began to tremble.

 

 

Alcwgrowlandac froan ‘cntshort
theold m'sku-da,

y mi newsman-go

from a hole in the darkest corner of the dug-out
a small slack bear which, rearing upon its
haunches, looked from one to the otherof the
intruders in its retreat as if to determine with
which of the four it should begin a contest for
the right of possession to the dug-out!

CHAPTER XV.
OUR FRIENDS ON THE WING AGAIN.

“BY the great Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Old
Rattler, as he saw the Boy Mountaineer up
from the grass near the fallen red-skin, “that
boy, Rambling Dan, has killed the save 6! But
now, men, mount and ride for the lad, or an-
der comes them other red-rinds to avenge eir
friend’s death.”

Springing into their saddles the five men rode
swiftly toward the boy, who, seeing his danger,
retreated rapidl toward his friends. This soon
brought them a together again, and that, too,
in ample time for the men to dismount and pre-
pare to meet the savages.

Rambling Dan, although elated with his ex-
ploit, was perfectly cool and self-possessed, and
was the first to raise his rifle and fire upon the
advancing foe, tumbling the foremost red—skin
from his saddle. His shot was succeeded by the '
boom of Rattlcr’s “ Epidemic,” and this in turn
by the rifles of the other four. Two more red-
skins and a horse went down, and the survivors,
without firing a shot, wheeled their ponies and
fled in terror and dismay. But before they had
got beyond range of Old ttler’s Henry, an-
other of the party paid with is life the penalty '
of his rashness—the shot being made at such a.
long distance that it called forth words of sur-
prise and admiration from the lips of the old
marksman’s friends.

“ That was a bull ' old accident, Rattler,” ex-
claimed Rambling an, his boyish face aglow
with delight. ‘

“Sugar! that war jist a me who shot, you
scamp,” replied Rattler ;_ “ andi we hadn’t run
out o’ Ingins I’d show you some shootin’ with
frills and trimmin’s that’d take your breath away
from you. But say, lad, do you know I’ve a no-
tion to pound you?”

“ Why, what’s the matter now?”

“I’d ax that wouldn’t I? What’d you sneak
off through the grass fur like a weasel and cheat
mo outcn that frolicksome, kittcny Ingin? But
then I’ll forgive you this thus, for you done the
job up so superbnm that my old heart melts with
pride. Boy, 1 see you are a meek—eyed daffodil
—~a lily-lipped hummer; but s’pose we all go
over and look at that Jelly Ingin circus- 'der?’

To this all consentc , and tth moved to where
the dead savage lay dressed in his robe of white.
He was lyin upon his side just as he fell from
his pony. ' he bosom of the white dress was
crimson with blood. The lady’s hat on his head .
was crushed and broken. Around his neck was
a gold chain to which was attached an old-fash—
ioncd locket. ,

“They are all my daughter’s effects,” Mr.
Grn vcs said, almost breakin down with emotion.

Rattler took the crush hat from the dead
warrior’s head and handed it to Mr. Graves, who
removed the ribbons, and rolling \them up, put v
them in his pocket. . , ‘

Zeke Ruble removed the chain and locket,
an}; placing them in the grieved father’s hand,
an . .

“ You recognize that, of course?”

“ Yes, it contains the picture of Ruth’s dead
mother—see?” and he handed the opened locket
back to the hunter.

Ruble looked upon the fair face of the woman
therein, and his face instantl grew white and
0 one noticed his
emotions except Old Rattler.

Finally Ruble asked:

“ Is that the picture of your wife?”

“ As  said, it is Ruth’s mother,” replied,
Graves, in a tone that required no keenuess of
peroegtion to see was evaswe. ‘

Ru lo gazed at the picture a few moments 1
then turned the locket over and-over and lqok
at it like one in mental reflection. é

“ Pardon me,” he suddenly remar ed, pushes
the locket back to graves, and the as he turn
away the observing Rattler cough the glimmer
of a mist in his eyes. 'i

“ B Rosycrusianl” t): ht Old Rattler,
“what does this mean? t man Graves 
evaded a. question 0’ Ruble, and I know that
picter’ is somethin’ or rather to Zeke. Sugar! I
wish Old Kit Bandy war hcre to note What I
have and foot up facts and see what he can
make 0’ it. But my notion that thafsmethin‘
queer’bout Ruble’s not weakened chit. He’s
no fool. that I’m. sure of. and the way he looks

has makeshim teal gs though

at a feller scmeti '

be war at the Bar 0‘ Judgment, _ . ,  .
The old hunter’s musmgs were 

ed bg Rambling Dun Who suddenly’ m : I
“ reat vipers! 100k yonder. folks} than-comely,

mains enuflfor, . ttler, 13m”. J v
is from the cover of the bushes that elm-M

the base of the HemlltDome,  than fifty 

bargain? appealed riding)!“ a.“ M 
“ nr anew! *1 I‘m in , »

said One-Armed P1195, looking?  his;

8 “A :prlakfln’ o’ outlaws ‘fhi'fil’ atlas:

 

   

The Border Detectives.

1.53

 

J

l
 make apretty big deluge for we six rairie- § laid down on the plain and took a nap while

olphins,” said Rattler; “ and now 1 thin it are i others kept watch.
’bout time fur usto bewaltzin’ across the lain & As soon as it began to grow dark, Rattler
in s’arch 0’ some more salubrious atmosp ere.  said:
I

Come, boys, to saddle.” . “ Now, boys, we’ll remain here till night sets

Ina moment all were in their saddles, when . in, then we’ll change our position so that the
01d Rattler led the way across the valley in a ‘, Vultures and red-rinds can’t ride straight down
southwesterly course. 1 to us ’long the trail they made to-day paddin’

“ We’ll keep ina direction that leads toward I back and for’ard tryin’ to disturb we dolphins.
water,” said the borderman, "fur if we are 3 But narry saddle nor bridle must be removed
forced to fight we don’t want to make a stand I from a boss this night, nor must a man let go 0’
till we reac water. But jist listen to ther hy— ; his rein. We must be ready to jump aboard in
enas howll They are tryin’ to paralyze us with ; an instant. And another thing: some one will
terror. They don’t know that they’re bein’ led I have togo back to our old camp and see if Kit

 

 

 

 

down to death even now. If they’ll foller us ,
twenty miles, I’ll contract to down one for ev- l
ery mile. Shoot and run are my tactics—kee ,
the varmints mad so’s they’ll foller up. But it l
takes a long—ranged gun, a good marksman and l
.a fleet boss to do the shoot-and-run trick, but 1
then that combination are persessed by the Red ‘
River Epidemic. And now I’m goin’ to show
you how it’s did. You fellers keep straight
ahead toward that rise in the plain ’way yander g
and I’ll overtake 'e, and after awhile inebby j
things ’11 git into s ape so’s we can all git in a i
lick.”

As he spoke he drew up on his rein and soon
.‘fell behind, and after a while he stopped entire- l
1y, dismounted and appeared to busy himself I
8. out his saddle—girth.

'he foe coming on at a breakneck )eed were
strung out over half a mile—those on t 1e fleetest ?
horses taking the lead. Rattler waited until the
foremost were within two hundred yards of him,
then he quickly threw his rifle across his saddle
and fired, and, without stopping to note the re—
sult of his shot, he vaulted into his saddle and
dashed on after his friends. As he did so he
glanced back over his shoulder, and a horse run—
ning riderless on the plain told how true his shot
had b90121.

As the old borderman and Indian-fighter had
anticipated, the red-skins were infuriated by
the death of their friend, and urged on their 1
horses with heel and lash, shrieking like demons i
possessed. '

“ Hurrah for Rattler !” shouted Rambling Dan;
“ he done that nice as a new ribbon."

“ He’s a daring, dashing old man," said Mah- 
Ion Graves; “but If his horse should slip or *
stumble his fate would be sealed in a few mins -
'utcs.” ,

“ Ve true, Mr. Graves,” added Zeke Ruble, l
"‘ but Rattler knows his horse, and is emboldened i
by a lifetime of successful adventure.”

“ But one thing that makes him so successful 
in the shoot-and—run game is his 10ng~ranged {
gun,” said Graves, “and some day he’ll run ;
against a foe With one Just {ls-good,” I

In the mean time the pursuit continued. Ten ‘
miles were soon passed OVBI‘ and for half that -
distance back the foe Were strung along. Not

' more than one-fourth of the number that had i
started out on the chase were now at the front, 5
and one by one these kept dropping out by the 1
sheer exhaustion of ‘their horses. 01' the deadly i
bullets of Old Rattler, until but half a dozen re- !
maimed. As soon as their force had been tlills -
diminished the old bordcruum called out to his a
friends:

u Say, boys, Svpose'we change the programme ,
and chase them awhile now. Thar’s on y six 0’ I
the varmints arter us now, and I won’t run from 1
six red-rinds. Pull up. bOYS, and let’s swat ’em.” 3

They drew rein and prepared to meet the foe,
but the latter, seeing .
also, and as soon as the whites advanced toward
them they turned and retreated—the pursuers l
became the pursued. After‘ridmga few miles, ;
however, they came up With some 0f their ‘
friends that had dropped 011$ 9f the 1' ace. and as ,
they continued the retreat their force augmented i
from the stragglers of the Pur-‘mt- ‘

At length the red-skins and outlaws attempted

to make anocher stand, but the terrible long— I
ranged gun of Rattler opened upon them, and l
they were compelled, a score stro , to gapop I
onto keep out of reach of the one eadly nfle~ j
man. . l
Rattler and his friends, hOWB‘Zer» dld “Ct 1311353 I
them hard, for they had no (105er for 3 001111103
at close quarters, but they reSOIVBd that When i
the foe reached the Hernnt Dome they WORM
not be far away. Nor were the? £9? When the
savages had struggled back to t °_rlver,Ratfler
and his friends were back in their pOSltlon as
“ rairie dolphins.” ' _

‘Now,” said the old Indian-fighter, as he
threw himself u n the grassy earth, how
much have the in ernal fools gained outcn their
grand sallies? N ow, it ’pcars to me film? they 1’9
out some six or ten red-rmds, while here ,we
'ternpestuous, Sportive dolphins lay frolickin in I
the sunshine 0’ the prairie ocean. But: 3” Qt
seems to me it are time to dine, bOYSv 3m” I u l
'perceed to spread ther table on the gromm- _ h l

Dried meats and drier bread, an water w1t l
which each one was supplied in WW9“, mad" I
up their nufnu, but frugal as it was it satisfied ‘
their appetites. . -

The enemy made no further demonstrations }
during the remainder of that do . bu". Rattler l
was satisfied that they were 0 ywaitnio for!
night to renew their operations: and Wm." {an 1
parties were thus inactive most of our 15118an

their intentions, drew up l~

and Stonewall have reported there.”
“ I will gladly ' rform that duty,” Ruble said,

i “ for I would rat er be on the move than stand-

ing idle here.”
And matters being thus arranged, the party
awaited the coming of night.

CHAPTER XVI.
STONEWALL Bon’s ADVENTURE.

WE left our friends, Kit Bandy, Stonewall
Bob and the two maidens in the Hermit Dugout
confronted by a new danger in the sudden ap—
pearance of a bear from a hole in the darkest
corner of the cave.

As for Stonewall Bob, be regarded the animal
with no more apparent concern than if 1t were a
coyote, and drawing his big revolver he sent a
bullet crashing through its brain. With a roar
of. pain, the beast fell back, and after a few
nilinittes’ spasmodic stmggiing, yielded up the
g os .

“ Thar, by the horn 0’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old
Kit, “if we’d Some fuel we’d have a b’nr-roast
and live like kings and queens o’ the olden time
when the enemy striv’ in vain to cross the moat,
sick-pile the portcullis and storm the castle walls,
a ,

“ You’re getting quite romantic, Bandy.” said
Stonewall as he replaced a cartridge in his re-
volver; “ but then we’ll not starve even if we
have to eat raw bear-meat like fugitives in a dug-
out while surrounded by a horde of wild savages
and white <_>u?‘i:1'.vs.”

“ That’s intended for sarkasm, I see, Bobby,”

 

. said Kit, “ but secin’ I are a. married man sich

little anicjotcs don‘t make me blush; but jokin’
aside, boy, the chances 0’ gittin’ outen here are
not layin’ "round thick as dead Trojans in that

E cut out there.”

“I’ll get out of here some time tonight.” de—
clared Stonewall Bob. “ Of course I’ll not at-
tempt it until the foe has exhausted all his expe-
dients to get into this dug—out, for I am sure he
will try every way to ca ture us under the
friendly cover of darkness}

“ No doubt but they’ll watch this place like
fourteen cats watchin’ one mouse—hole,” replied
Bandy.

In view of all these facts the party was anxious
for, and yet dreaded, the coming of night. The
hours were by slowly, and when at length the
shadows of night began to gather, misgivings of
fear began to pervade the breast of the besieged
maidens. They intuitively crept closer together
and clasped their arms about each other’s form
as if in this closer companionship there was a
sense of greater security.

Vigilant as the fabled Argus, Stonewall Bob
sat at the entrance to the cut with eye and ear
on the alert. The night was exceedingly dark
outside, and in the cave and the passage leading
thereto darkness could not be blacker.

Nothing, whatever of the Indians could be
heard, but the Boy ‘rojan was too well versed
111 Indian cunning not to know that the wily
foe’s presence was not always attended wit
noxsy demonstrations.

The dead outlaws and Indians still lay in the
cut, the water from the spring in the cave creep-
ing neiselessly under their bodies, and in view of
the fact that Stonewall had placed his last car-
tridge In his revolver, and that they were likel
to be sorely pressed for ammunition with whic
to defend themselves, Old Kit concluded to creep
out into the )assage and secure the revolvers
kmves‘) tome wks and ammunition that he ha
seen during .the day on the bodies of the dead.
He had but little fears of harm in so doing, for
he reasoned that even if the foe should hear him
approaching they would think him endeavoring
to escape and await his coming in silence at the
end .of the cut. Nevertheless, he observed all
pos5ible silence, and as he crept away even Stone-
wall could scarcely detect a sound of his stealthy
movements.

. so accustomed had Kit Bandy become to work-
ing in the darkness of night that he was enabled
to do 89 With much of the mechanical precision
of a blind man, his sense of hearing and touch
taking the place of sight: and so he was not gone
over 0 minutes, returning with three revolv-
ers, four hatchets, and no less than seven long-
bladed and murderous-looking knives.

During the day the two men had discussed the
probable plans t e fee would resort to in order
to reach the dug-out. Both had been of the
opinion that a sudden dash would be attempted,
and to‘guard against the success of such a move-
ment tne possession of the enemies’ knives sug-
gested an expedient to Old Kit, and that was to
construct a 'ind of an aha/is of the weapons.
So selecting four of the Luz-gen and sharpest of

.--» my ‘-».--

 

the blades he stole back into the passage. About
half-way down the cave he stopped, and rising
to his feet he felt the walls of the out until he
had found a spot suitable for his purpose when,
with a fifth knife, he bored a hole in the hard,
clayey earth about four feet from the und.
Into this hole he inserted the haft of one of the
knives, the hole being so slanted as to incline the
point of the weapon toward the entrance to the
pa e. In the wall on the opposite side an-
other 'nife was planted in the same position as
the first and two feet below these two more were
fixed. e space left between these points was
not over a foot, and it would be impomible for a
person, walking erect, or upon hands and knees
at a fair ait, to esca receiving the deadly
points in his breast, an in such a manner as to
stop further advance toward the cave.

ith a feeling of greater security Bandy re-
turned to his friends and announced the success—
ful construction of his abat'is of knives.

“ Your bump of self-preservation is well de-
veloped, isn’t it, Kit?” observed Stonewall, in a

leasant voice.

“ I’ll confess it is, lad,” replied Kit; “ and let
me tell you that two-thirds recaution and one-
third fight is the best recipe know of for a bor-
der detective or scout to compound and take
twenty-four timesa day if he’d add to his lon-
gevitv and happiness.’

” How about a little Muskrat-Mouth deception
and fraud?” asked Bob, the darkness concealing
the smile upon his face.

“ A leetle 0’ that added for to give the other a
body sometimes helps another feller with a
broken head,” was Kit’s response.

“ I catch on, Kit, like a burr,” replied Bob, as
his mind reverted to the blow Jim Noel had
given him, and from which he was still suffering
no little ]pain.

Thus t 1e fugitives passed the hours pleasantly
aSXOSSlble under the circumstances.

long toward midnight they were suddenly
startled by a noise as if of something dropping
in the passage. They listened, and upon hear»
ing the sound repeated knew the foe were at
work. They were dropping 'pebbles into the
passage from above for the purpose, no doubt,
of testing the vigilance of the besieged.

Satisfied that the sounds were not made by
any one in the assage, Stonewall remained r—
fectl quiet, With his finger on the trigger 0 his
revo ver.

Fully another hour went by, when suddenly
the Boy Trojan detected the sound of footsteps
outside the cut, and almost at the same moment
of this discovery the night was made hideous
with unearthly yells and the firing of guns and , ,
pistols on the hillside above the passa e. But
the very instant the sounds burst forth t 6 quick
brain of Old Kit saw the object in view, and said

Bob:

“ That hell-howlin’, Bob is to drown the noise
0’ others advancin’ through the passage!”

“ Yes, they’re comin’now !” exclaimed Bob, in
a whisper,’but scarcely had he spoken when a
piercing shriek of agony burst from the cut and
was succeeded by gasping moans, the shuffling of
feet and low muttered curses.

“By the horn 0’ old J oshua!” exclaimed Ban—
dy, “ an outlaw’s im aled hisself on them knives! -
T e critter’s body locks the passage 50’s the
others can’t advance—don’t shoot, boy, and I’ll
take advantage 0’ the confusion to skip out 0’
here when the varmints fall back and go for
help.”

“No, Bandy,” said Stonewall, “ you can de-
fend here as well as I, and I can go better than
you—I’m young and supple and can run the
gantlct aseasy as you—here, take one of my re-
volvers.”

Kit saw that the tone in which Bob spoke
would admit of no protest, and so he quietly took
the weapon, merely adding:

‘1‘ Iiave it your way, Bob. I’ll die by the

a s.

g The wildest confusion reigned on the hillside
along the edges of the cut—so clamomus, indeed,
was the noise that those making it seemed not to
hear the voices of those in the cut. But Stone-
wall and Kit Were more interested in those in
the passage than those above, and they listened
intently to their movements. They heard the

ping moans of one, and the curses of others
git could not comprehend the cause of the
blockade.

With a parting word to Kit and the maidens,
Stonewall Bob glided into the passage, his
ri ht hand, in which he clutched his re—
vo ver, extended before him. He groped his
way along until the muzzle of the weapon came

' in contact with an obstmction which proved to

be the bod of a man that was standmg in the
passage. w, rattling moans were issuing from

is lips while the crowd behind Were endeavor—
ing to shove him forward.

tonewall saw in an instant that the wretch

was impaled upon Kit’s knife-points and could
not advance nor could he retreat for those be»
hind. The fellow was sonear gene that in re-
sponse to a question from behind him he could
not answer, but Bob saw his opportunity, and

1min his head near that of the dying outlaw;

e sai «imitating the man‘s broken vorce:

“ God! I’m innpnledl—dyin’l—flee, they‘re
comin’l Oh—gl—il!”

 

 

'16

. .. . i
The Border Detectlves.

 

 

 

“Fall back there! fall back!” instantly shout- ! that this might be another Indian trick to en—

ed the outlaw next to the impaled man, frantic
with terror; “ the cut’s barrlcaded and Boker’s
stabbed to death!”

This startling news was communicated from
one to the other of the attacking party, and in-
stantly all became seized with terror and a panic
ensue . A general scramble for life followed,
and even yet those on the hillside were ignorant
of what had happened and were howling away
like demons.

Stonewall placed his hand against the breast
of the impaled outlaw and shoved his bod back.
It fell with a dull crash to the earth. W ith his
revolver the Boy Trojan felt for the knives in
the wall. He found the two lower ones and re-
moved them, but the others had been withdrawn
from the wall when the outlaw fell back, the
knives remaining in his breast. The way thus
cleared for his own passage, he walked over the
dead bodies that lay strewn along the cut and
followed along at the very heels of the panic-
stricken foe. As he emerged from the passage
the youn plainsman could discern the s adowy
outlines 0 those before him, and as they rushed
madl into the dee --r shadows of the bushes and
trees 6 followed t em, and soon found himself
in their very midst, 'ostled on every side by the
excited wretches. ut while the youth was

uite eager and anxious for other company, he
did not act hastily nor precipitately in gettin
away, through fear that his actions might Is
to detection. But unmolested or discovered he
finally made his way from the midst of his foes,
the very boldness of his adventure disarming
the enemy; and before those that were doing
such demoniac yelling on the hillside could be
made to understand the situation—the failure of
the assault on the dug—out and the death of B0-
ker—the Boy, Trojan was several rods away,
movin rapidly up the river.

But tonewall was destined to meet with an-

other adventure before getting clcar of the foe. '

He had not gone more than forty rods when,
emer 'ng from a dense clum of bushes, he was
start ed at sight of a great nfire before him.
It lit up the valley from the bluffs to the river,
and to make good his escape he must cross this
field of light. He saw two rsons seated near
the fire—an Indian and a w ite man. Both ap-
peared to be wounded, for their heads were ban-
daged and one arm of the Indian was in a sling.
A second glance at the white man and Bob
recognized him as his old enemy, Jim Noel, who
was evidently beginning to see he light of day

ain, et unable to take part in the proceedings
8. the ateful dug-out.

Just beyond the two men Bob saw a number
of horses hitched, saddled and bridled, and the
youth at once made up his mind that he should
ride. But he had no hope of eluding discovery
by the Indian and Noel, and he at once decided
how he would dispose of them from offerin
him violence at least, though he hardly expect
he could dispose of them in time to revent
them giving an alarm. But once on t 0 back
of a her. he would feel no uneasiness.

With the quickness of a lion he bounded for— .

ward straight at the outlaw who was nearest to
him and sat face toward him. The villain saw
him the moment he emerged tom the shadows,
but before he could even rise to his feet Stone-
wall swept

several feet beyond, and scarcely lackin his
speed the Youn Trojan dashed at the In ian
who had succeeded in gettin 11
gave him a stunnin rapon t e and with his re-
volver that drop him senseless to the earth.
Another bound carried the daring youth to the
side of a horse which be quick y untied and
mounted: then turning its head 11 the river he
rode leisurely away through the timber until he
reached open ground, when he urged the animal
forward at a Sweeping gallo .

When about a mile away 6 drew rein and lis—
tened, but he heard no sound from the direction
of the enemies’ quarters to indicate that his es-
cape had been discovered. and with a 'm smile
:(fxl triumph upon his noble face, the y Trojan

e on.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
THE WRONGED WIFE.

As soon as darkness had set in Zeke Ruble
mounted his horse and started for the old camp
on the Moreau, taking with him the horses of
Kit Bandy and Stonewall "Bob, whom he hoped
to find in waiting for him.

When about fort rods from the old rendez-
vous he dismounte , and hitchin the horses ad-
vanced on foot. He was afraid t at others than
friends might be around, and so resolved to run

no risks.

While moving along through the thither he
sudden}?r discovered a ht some distance before
him. oping that it ght be from the camp-

' fire of the two friends he sought, .he moved on.
He soon got close enoughto the fire to see that it
was burning on the verly sgrgt where their camp-
fire had burned the nig t fore, but to his sur-

rise and disa pointmeut he saw. neither of his
, riends in its ht. but a female—a woman!
Instantly it

ed through the hunter’s mind

 

 

 

!

past him, giving him a brushing kick ! For wear
in the stomach that doubled him up breathless I here had

 

trap him, and he resolved to act accordingly,
but catching a glimfise of the woman’s face, he
saw that she was w ite. To him, however she
was an entire stranger, and that a woman was
actually there before him he could scarcely be—
lieve yet. So he crept still closer and finally
came in sight of an old “ weather-beaten ”-look-
ing horse hitched within the radius of light.
Hard bg’ he saw a side-saddle, an old umbrella,
and a undle of something, and a green baize
sachcl—nll of which convinced him that there
was no deception in the character before him.
But what a woman could be doing there alone
and whether she was a friend or foe, Ruble could
not tell, but he resolved to know, and straight-
waly walked into the camp.

he woman was seated upon a log gazing into
the fire as if in mental reflection, art at the
sound of the hunter's footsteps she quickly
looked up—not in fear, but su rise.

Ruble was the first to spea , addressing her
just as their eyes met with the familiar saluta—
tion:

“ Hullo! good-evening, stranger!”

“ Deary me, who be you i” the woman replied,
in an unmistakable female voice. as she rose to
her feet and tipped back the flaring old “ scoop”
that was doing duty as a bonnet.

Ruble in surprise and astonishment saw that
she was an elder] woman with a care-worn and
withered face, a 'een, netratin eye, a sharp
chin, and a long, straig t nose. er iron-gray
hair was combed down upon her forehead and
for want of recent care was beginning to fluff
up and hang somewhat scraggy. Around her
shoulders was an old faded shawl. Her dress
was of some dark material and quite plain in
st ' e.

3“ I’m Zeke Ruble,” the hunter said, in answer
to her question, “and you need have no fears,
for seeing you are a woman, I am your friend.
But now, may I inquire your name?”

“To be sure you can,” replied the woman,
rather sharply; “ my name is Sabina Band ,
and I’m the lawfully-wedded consort of it
Bandy—villain. monster. and old upas—tree to
woman’s heart that he is l” '

“ Great temple of Solomon!” exclaimed Ruble,
astounded by the claim she made upon and the
charges she preferred against the old detective.
“I am astonished. Kit spoke of his being a
 man, but I thought he was only jest-
m ——

“ The remorseless Israelite that he is!” the wo-
man broke in, apparently enraged by Ruble’s in-
formation; “ he spoke of bein’ married, did he?
No doubt he jested ’bout it, for the sacrile ions
brignnd jests at all thin sacred. But, p ease
the merciful Father! I’ not jest with him if
ever I lay (hem hands upon him. I’ll avenge
the wrongs he has done me by winnin’ in child—
ish heart and then desartin’ my bed an board
when I begun to fade. Man—stranger !” and she
straightened up with 0. tr ic look upon her face
and a gleam in her eyes, “ you saint or sin-
ner, Jew or Gentile, hunter or outlaw your heart
’d melt down with pity if I war to tell you of all
that old heartrcrusher’s iniquity. But I will
spare you—the story’s long as the Moral law

' whose penaltiesare gradual! encirclin’ the life

of Christopher C. Bandy un knownst to him.
months I’ve been on his trail, and
hoped to swoop down upon him like

the Assyrian and—” 'v
“ Then you think your recreant husband’s in

n his feet, an ‘ this neighborhood i” said Ruble.

“ Think? think?” she replied, with a look of
slight contempt “I don’t thinkanythin ’bout
it, ut I know it, else I wouldn’t ’a’ been ere.”

“Well, madam. I have no desire to tell you
else than the truth,” said Zeke: “ I came here
myself to meet your husband, Mr. Bandy, and
as he is not here, I’m afraid he’s in trouble.”

“Another woman!” exclaimed Sabina, fierce-

y“No, Ingins and outlaws,” replied Ruble,
scarcely able to repress a smile, “and I am
truly afraid this fire will bring like troubles
upon you.”

“ I’m afraid of no Ingin or outlaw that ever
hoppIed on God’s een earth! I’m no young
chic en-heart to faint at the si ht of a man or
skeer like adeer at sight of an n . A cruel
fate named Christopher C. Bandy as made me
a fearless, stony-h woman, and once I was
as timid as a fawn an tender-hearted as a mo—
ther-dove. Oh! the wickedness— But, eat
adorable mercy! who’s thatf—old Goliar ta 1?”

This sudden chaenfe in the woman’s words and
tone was occasion by thea pearance of a third

on from the shadows. uble turned quick-
. , and to his infinite joy found himself face to
ace with Stonewall Bob.

“ God bless you, boy!” the man cried, grasping
the Boy Trojan’s hand, “ I am re'oiced to meet

on a V in, for we’d begun to t ' you were in

oub e.” ,

“And on were ri ht in so thinki , Zeke,”
replied tonewall. ‘ but where are t 0 other
boys?”

‘Out on the lain awaiting your coming
along with a r. Mahlon Graves and two
others.”

“ Mr. Graves! Thank God he lives!”exclaimed
the young Trojan; “but has he told you of his

 

daughter’s capture by the outlaws and In
dians?”

“ Yes, Bob, and also the capture of the child,
Wild Gypsy; but what of them, Stonewall?”

“The are besieged in a dug-out below the
Hermit ome. I left them with Old Kit not an.
hour a o.”

“This woman,” said Ruble, turning and in-
troducing him to Sabina, “is Kit Bandy’s
w1fe—” /

“ Yes,” Sabina smoothly glided in, “I’m the
lawfully—wedded wife of Christopher Columbus
Bandy, and as you see, young man, a wreck of
my former self and beauty, and that ongrateful
man is the cause of it all.”

Stonewall was astounded by this revelation,
and at first he was disposed, out of the manliness
of his allant heart, to sympathize with the
wronged wife, however much he admired the
brave and inimitable Old Kit Bandy, but as the
woman kept on with her vindictive language
and vitu tions, he made up his mind that
perhaps t e old detective was not possessed of
the philosophical patience and forbearance of a
Socrates to submit to the torments of a Xan—

tip .

‘PI can assure you, madam,” the young
plainsman finally said, “that your husband is
not far away. I left him in a cave or dug-out
with two young ladies—”

“Great and adorable mercy!” shrieked Sa-
bina, “you left him with two girls? Man, do
you know that the old, oily-tongued flirt will
make love to both of them ' Is and win their
affections, as he won mine, fore the mornin’
sun kisses the mountain hights?”

“I think he has something else to do than
make love to the girls,” replied Bob, a faint
smile upon his face, “ for he’s surrounded by In-
dians and outlaws and may be a dead man even
by this time.”

“The ,resence 0’ Gabriel with his horn to his
lips won dn’t prevent him flirtin’ with a girl,”
declared Sabina, “even though he knew the first
toot 0’ the trump would send her 11 and him
down. No, youn giant, I know Kit Bandy bet-
ter’n you know t owe to heaven, and I’m 0—
in’ to break up that ‘ttle tétedtdt in t at
cave.”

As she concluded she took up her saddle and
flung it on her horse and fastened it. Then she
packed up her traps, and, despite the protesta-
tions, warnings and coarings of the two bor-
derers, she mounted and rode away down the
river.

“Well, I’ll be everlasting! confused!” ex-
claimed Stonewall Bob; “that eats anything in
the strong-minded-woman line that I have ever
met in my short experience. She’s a darned old
fool. Ruble!” .

“ She’s an oddit and an enigma, Bob,” Ruble
replied; “but we ave no time to discuss that
now, for I do not deem it safe to tarry here.
My horse and yours are hitched out here in the
wng and we had better be getting away from
here.

To this Stonewall assented, and in a few min-

utes they were in their saddles, riding across the I

valley. As they proceeded along Ruble briefly
narrated the adventures with which he and his
party had met since the night before, and Stone—
wall in turn recounted the perils throu h which
he, Kit and the two maidens had as .

Finally they reached their frien s on the plain.
Stonewall was received with demonstrations of"
joy, and his meeting with Mahlon Graves was
atuinded with no litt e emotion on the part of
eac .

In as few words as ible the Boy 'I‘i‘ojan-
told the story of his an Kit’s adventures in res—
cuing the maidens and of the situation that he
had eft the old detective and the girls in.

“ Then we’ll have some robust fightin’ to do
afore we it to that cave,” observed Rattler,
when Bob d finished his story. ‘

“ Indeed we will, Rattler,” replied Stonewall.

“ Wal, we’re the kidne s that can do that
bumfustic. We’ve had no ghtin’to s k of for
several hours. And so Old Kit’s we 1 and with
the gals? The darlin’ old buocaneer! but oh! if
that old wife 0’ his gits her peepers on his ma»
'estic form he’ll wilt like a cabba -head in a

ot wind. But, boys, it be 'ns to ook to me
now that afore we get to the Vultures’ roost
and clap the irons on our man John Romgrove,
we’ll earn the reward offered.’

“ The more outlaws we kill down here on o :1
ground the less we’ll have to fight in the hi1 8,”
said Zeke Ruble.

“ Very true, Zeke, and it might be sich a thin '
we’d run ’g’inst our man out here with ther r
o’ the flock.”

“ No such good luck, if it be so as they say
that he never takes to the saddle; but, be that,
as it me , our first duty is plain enough, and
that is—

“ The reecue 0’ Old Kit and the 'rls,” said
Rattler; “ and the sooner we are m n’ the bet.
ter it’ll be for us and for them. Stonewall Robert,
since you know where the dug-out is located, the
lay o’ the land thereabouts, and the path 0’ the
enem it’ll devolve upon you to lead the way
and p an the attack on the Varmintl. To this
if thar be any objection, let the man shout it out:
now.

But there were no objections, and Stonede

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The Border Detectives.

 

1'7

 

 

Bob accepted the trust with a full sense of the
resvonsibility resting upon hlnl. The fair face
of Bath Graves was ever before him, and the
kind words she uttered when fastening upon his
breast that bad (3 of honor, were incentives that

filled his young leart with heroic pride and fired i less fury.

his soul with manly courage.

don’t know that Stonewall Bob‘s at large. He
just passed through here like a hurricane and

icked in my whole stomach and battered down i

the Sioux—that’s what I mean.”
Captain Vulture’s face Grew black with speech
Jack Bramble in his rage fairly
danced a hornpipe. The excited red-skins, in—

In a few minutes more the party was on its 1 fui'iatcd by the death of another of their friends,
way in the direction of “ The Hermit Dug-out.” l lunged away in pursuit of the destroyer.

CHAPTER XVIII.
WROTIIY ROBBERS AND AN EMPTY CAGE.

THE outlaws and red-skins had never dreamed
but that Old Kit Bandy had been slain in the
passage leading into the dug-out, and thus be—
lieving, they sunposed they had but a single foe
to contend wii , and that one Stonewall Bob.
However bitter ex rience had taught them
that the Boy Trojan ~cupied an almost impreg-
nable defense that he was able to hold single-
handed as long as his ammunition lasted and
starvation did not force him to capitulate.

Captain Vulture was a man conSidered fertile
in cxpedients, and the midnight attack which
had resulted in Stonewall’s escape was a scheme
of his fruitful, strategic mind: but a greater
blunder could not have been conceived by the
outlaw, although Old Kit’s abatz's of knife-points
could hardly have been anticipated by any one.
But the stupidness of the whole affair was the
continued howlin and firing of the mob posted
on the hillside. ’ heir din was intended to con-
ceal the movements of the attacking party. but
it proved the mOSt advantageous to the defend-
ers. As nothing could be seen in the pitchy
darknem, nor nothing heard but the infernal
noise on the hillside, it was several moments af-
ter the ignominious retreat from the out before
the defeated party could make their friends un-
derstand the situation and sto the howling.
When they did, however, and al learned that
the leader of the assailants had been caught and
impaled upon'some kind of weapons in the dark
passage a. feeling of no little regret was mani-
fested, for the outlaw was a favorite among his
friends, both red and white. Captain Vulture
was visibly affected, for the man was one of his
most faithful and daring followers.

“ By the gods!” he exclaimed, “ if things con-
tinue this we much longer, the Red Vultures
will all be foo for coyotes.”

“ Our enemies alers gits the advanta e 0’ us,”
said an old, repulsive-looking villain, ca led Buz-
zard Bill, who was inclined to find fault.

‘~ They 11 never get the advantage of you,”
said the villain Bramble, who figured so con-
spicuously With Jim Noel in our friends’ camp
the night before, ‘f unless they should attack us
in the rear, some time, where you are always to
be found.”

“ Bram, yer don’t want ter knife me with yer
tongue.” re lied Buzzard Bill, “for yer know I
can fight w en I_ have to. I’m for stayin’ right
here—never givm’ 1i till that~ giant, Stunwall
Bob, are stretched ll '6 old Goliar, dead on ther

llain.” ,
I “I want to stay till I glt one shot at him,”
said another, “and then he’ll trouble us no more.
But we shouldn’t feel so  toward him, seein’
he killed off Old Bandy.” _

“That war nothing m 1118 faVOr, for we could
have ‘ slewed’ Bandy jist as easyas he did,” said
Bramble: “but then, we‘ll stay ri ht here till
purgatory freezes over but what we have them
girls—the oldest one, at any rate-

Thus the defeated Villains conversed for some
time, within three rods of the entrance to the
dug-out. The were ended and n0isy, and at
times two or is were talkm at once. Van-
ous and novel were the many p ans suggested by
the outlaws for the capture or death 0 the Boy
Trojan but in the face of two bloody defeats,
none of them were indorsed by Captaln Vulture-
It was rather e rating to the outIIW Chlef
to be held at bay by a single man when he was
backed by no less than three-score. H1? 1059 had
already been so great that he was afraid his red
allies would become discouraged and Withdraw
from the contest, and it taxed his energies 
keep up their spirits in the face of repeated dis-
aste

rs.
In the midst of their disorderly conference a
was to come from the direction of
t eir bivouac. Silence was enjoined and _all
listened, when to their ears came the startling
appea :
“ Here, men! come nick. for God’s sake 1”

It was the voice of im Noel.

Like a flock of sheep outlaws and Indians
rushed away in a body toward the camp.

They soon reached the field of light and were
startled to see the wounded Indian they had
left there a short time before lying prostrate up-
on the earth to all appearance dead, while Jim
Noel lay rolling on the earth, his hands clasped
u his stomach, cursmg and groaning in ter-

1 agoni- .
“Great eavens, J iml what’s the matter?”
exclaimed Bramble-
45 I’m (Winn—my whole paunch ’s kicked off—-”
it Who did it man? speak!” roared Bramble.
“Stonewall Bob, of course!” groaned the un-

Jim.
luiclkfim, what do you mean?” thundered Cap-

' ulture.
mfg}; Goal” groaned Noel, “it’s queer you

 

l

A horse was found missing, and this discovery l
led to the belief that the Boy Trojan had escaped l thirds of the distance to the cave.

' with the girls.

 

. x. ‘ i *I 2' ' ’ r
. r,  mas-“.4  .kfi_k4$[‘.)~ )4“, ‘f I "v _ _, 'h.” , “LEEJ‘HW , I»

" But how or when could they have escaped?”
asked Bramble.

“ I persume,” said Buzzard Bill, and his pre-
sumption was in a measure correct, “that the
Boy Trojan and the als follered out at the heels
0’ our panic-stricken iraves and in ther darkness
waltzcd off while we war yel in’ and tearin’ our
lungs out up on ther hillsi e. A dandy set 0’
vultures we are, Bramble-we’d better go to
roost, and to—morry go home and clip our wings,
and be content tor live on bugs and mice.”

“To-morrow we will make a forward move-
ment,” declared Captain Vulture “and end this
business one way or the other. e’d better all

l torch to look for Bandy’s body, the situation in
;’ the dug—out might be disolosed.
A bundle of pine sticks was prepared and one
! end of it lighted, then acconi allied by Sabina
2 and followed by half of the and, the outlaw
chief led the way toward the dug—out.

Reaching the entrance to the narrow passage
i leading to the cave, he handed Sabina the torc ,
l saying: -
“ He fell in that narrow passage about two—
You‘ll find
! the bodies of several of our friends in there too,
; but pass right on over them. It may be that
; Stonewall ob has dragged Bandy’s body into
‘ the cave. but then you’ll find out when you get-
, in there.”
“ Ar’n’t you goin’ in with me?" Sabina asked
“ No, I believe not,” was the re 1y.
“ Well, I’m not afeard to go a one,” she said,

, and raising the torch above her head, she ad-

vanced into the passage.

The outlaws, as if ex ting a volley from the

‘ cave did not expose t eir persons to view, but»

stan 1an on either edge of the cut they leaned
l forwar and peered down into the fateful
passage in extreme caution and in dread sus—

die trying to do something than allbe killed dev- , pense.

ilin’ ’round here the way we have been with half
a dozen old men and one big boy.”

“Suppose we go and examine that dug-out?” '

said Bramble.

Sabina slowly advanced uttering cries of hor—
ror at sight of the dead lies, each of which
she examined as she sed over it.

But among all the iodies she did not find that

“Not by a blanked,sight!”retcrted the outlaw , of her husband, and the two-score pair of eyes

chief, “ for there may be a torpedo or two in
there yet.
you want to go in I’ll see you decently uried,
provided we can get possession of the remains.”

“Thank you, captain,” responded Bramble:
“ but I don’t propose to die either, for I intend
to enjoy the societ of that handsome Miss
Graves, and die an o damlhonalre.”

“Confound the girls!” suddenly put in Jim
Noel, who had got the kinks out of himself;
“ they’ve proved a curse to us already, and are
now out of our grasp, and I’d say let ’em go if
it wer’n’t that I want double reven e on that
Stonewall Bob. Another welt from im and I
James Noel, will be demolished. It’s damed

ueer he don’t bat some one else once in a while.

ut I say rllb out that ang of bloodhounds
that’s after us, even if we ave to lose the gels
in doing so.” .

“W'e tried and have been a-trymg to erase
them ” said Bramble, facetiously, “ but they’re
like lood-stains—hard to wash out. Just to-

day we started out to demolish them, and after -

several hours’ racing and chasing we returned
several men short. with every bloodhound at
our very heels. U to date We’re out no less
than ten or twelve ultures—half of our band—
and a score of red-skins, and what have we got?
Old Kit Bandy is all, and even be we didn’t
kill.”

"Haven’t I got a. mashed face and my kid~
ne 5 kicked out?” asked Jim Noel; “ what you
ta in’ about?”

“ You’ve been very fortunate, Jim, in that re-

lspect ” answered Captain Vulture, “but I don’t

envy you your ions. But hereafter we
will kill everything on sight. If we had done
that last ni ht instead of allowin Musket-
Mouth and S ickchops to ring in a co (1 deck on
us, we would have had none of this trouble.”

And thus the outlaws talked over and be—
wailed their bad luck until they were suddenly
startled b the sound of voices a preaching
from upt 0 river. They were exmted voices,
and when the outlaws recognized them as those
of their friends they were led to believe. that
the Boy Trojan had been captured and their Joy
knew no bounds. But this ,‘was only a delusion
that was di ed when, a few moments later,
Sabina Bandy rode into the field of light, escort—
edub a score of red-skins and outlaws.

ell, What on earth have you struck now,

men?” asked the outlaw chief, as he fixed his
gaze upon the woman whose face wore a look of
anger and lofty disdain.

An old a1 ” replied one of the escort, “that
says she is t e awful rib of Kit Bandy.”

Is that true, madam i” asked the captain.
“ t—is—true! "she declared, with emphasis.
Then, my dear madam, it is my painful duty
t0,ka 330 you the melancholy news of your
bemg a widow. , Your husband was killed to-day
by his friend—one Stonewall Bob.”

, A Wild» hysterical cry burstfrom the woman’s
1195, and dropping from her saddleto the ground
5h? fell upon her knees, and covering her face
“nth her hands gave we. to a paroxy of grief
that W0uld have moved any one to tears but
those SWDY'heal‘ted outlaws and savages; and
even they Stood Silent and motionless until the
2:01:11}? had quwbed her grief androee to her feet,

‘ ut,Perh§P6 he’s better off dead than livin’,
Fhough If bed stayed with me whom he rom-
Ised to cherish and rotect instead 0’ god 'n’ all
’round over all crea ion, he might ’a’ lived many
happy. happy years ct. Poor, miserable old
wretch! 91%, I’d ' e to ive him a decent
bln‘mll and If It isn’t too muc trouble I Would
hke to look 11 n his body.”

“ You shal be conducted to where hisremains
are at Once.” assured Captain Vulture, the idea
fiashmgifinto his brain in an instant that, by
permit 3 the woman to enter the cut with a

M

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peering over either edge of the rift saw her pass

I don’t want to die tc-night' but if f on into the dug-out unchallenged.

Then followed moments of dire suspense on the
gart of the outlaws; but after exploring the cave

abina went back to the entrance thereto, and
holding her torch above her head shrieked out to
them:

“ Kit Band ’5 body’s not here—and there’s not
a thing in t is hole, either, but a dead bear.
Have you fellers been tryin’ to deceive me?
Shame! shame!”

As she uttered these words in a voice sepul—
chral in its intonations, her face looked sallow.
and ogrish; and the straggling locks falling
about her head and neck—seemingly aquiver
with life as the wavering light of the torch
danced over them—the black depths of the cave
behind her, and the smoking glarin torch—all

ave her the ap rance of the weir Sibyl that

‘neas met at t e entrance to the infernal re-
gions.

A murmured exclamation escaped from the
lips above her as her announcement fell upon
their ears. Ca tain Vulture and his friend, Jack
Bramble, exc an ed glances that spoke their
feegiingS plainer t n words. Finally Bramble
sai :

“Have we been duped in'the death of Kit
Bandy?”

“ It seems so,” replied the outlaw chief. “I
do wonder if we are fools, Bramble? or are our
foes so darned much smarter that one hundred
of us can’t, by brute force, kill one of their men?
Say what do you think about it?”

“I think we’re in a, very dupable condition,
captain,” replied Bramble; “and we’ve got to
ado t more vigorous measures. I’m going to
exp ore that cave. Old Bandy’s body might
have been buried in there—at any rate, I’ll see,
or die.”

And he did. He strode boldl through the pas-
sage over his dead friends, an taking the torch
from Sabina’s hand examined every nook and
corner of the cave—even peering into the hole
from whence the bear had appeared.

"‘ Old woman,” the facetious villain finally ob—
served, “ I ggiaess you’re not a widdcr after all.
It appears t t our alavantin husband has
been ressur’ec or 6 his ver has been
spirited awa .”

“ Dear, dear!” sighed the woman, “will my
troubles and trials never, never end?”

“We’ll do all we can, Mrs. Bandy, to help
you end them,” Bramble responded; “ I assure
vou we are as, anxious as you are, to see your
husband gathered to the bosom of Abraham;
and if I can only get within pistol-shot of him
I‘ll grant you a bill of divorce and marry you
myself.”

“Never!” shrieked Sabina; “one ’scape-gal—
lows is all I want to marr 1”

This retort was greeted y a loud laugh from
a number of Bramble's friends who had come
into the cave since it had been found deserted.

In the course of a few moments Bramble, Sa—
bina and the outlaws wended their way from the
dug-out when the entire party an retracing
their steps toward the camp. T ey had gone
but a shortdistance when‘ their ears were greeted
by sounds of savage triumph coming from up the
river.

Satisfied that something unusual, at least, had
happened, the party hurried forward, and as
they entered the camp from the eastbalfa dozen
Indians came in from the west leading in their
midst Wild Gypsy. a weeping captive

“ Thank fortune for small favors!” exclaimed
Captain Vulture, at sight of the helpless maiden’s
drooping form and lovely face.

CHAPTER ~XIX.
xrr BANDY’S DARING ADVENTURE.
WHILE the outlaws had mistrusted that Stone- '

 

 

wall Bobhadesoapedwith the maidensfromthe

 

 
 

    

18

 

The Borderpetectives.

 

!
cave of refuge, they were completely astounded :

when they discovered that the body of Old Kit
Band y, whom they firmly believed dead, was
gone. But the idea of attempting to m :n pa with
the maidens had never entered the old detective’s
niind until a few minutes before he proceeded to
carry it into execution.

Unknown to Stonewall Bob, he had followed
close at his heels when the Boy Trojan started to
follow the panic-stricken outlaws from the pas-
sage. \Vitnin the shadows of the cut, however,
be rated, and crouching low, awaited the result
of Stonewall’s adventure. All he had to jud _'e
by was the ear, but as soon as the yelling on the
hillside ceased he heard the defeated assailants
telling of their repulse and knew at once that
Bob’s escape had not been discovered.

A few minutes later he heard calls from up
the river—calls of distress that at once drew the
excited horde away from the cave, and it was at
this moment that the idea of escape was sug-
gested to the old detective—scout.

Hastening back to the maidens Kit told them
that he felt satisfied that the way was open for
their esca , and asked their opinion as to mak—
ing; thee ort. Having the utmost faith in the
old man, they announced their readiness to go

whither he might lead, and five minutes later ‘I

they passed from the gloomy dug—out out into
the almost as gloomy night. Not a savage or
outlaw was present to challenge them, and tak—
ing each of the girls by the hand, Old Kit led
them close along the base of the blufi's where the
shadows la the deepest.

Ever an anon the fugitives stopped to listen.
They could hear a great confusmn among the
foe, and as they were really approaching them——
which was necessary to escape from the valley-—
their excited voices and fierce i'iialcdictions could
be distinctly heard, but a firmer grasp of Old
Kit’s hard hand gave the maidens renewed cour-
age.

All obstacle, however, that the old detective
had not expec was suddenly thrown before
them. The great, roaring bonfire of the foe was
burning in a little opening which extended from
the base of the almost perpendicular bluffs to the
riv Across this line of light the fugitives
must pass to make good their escape, but as there
were no less than th rec—score of enemies—mostly
lynx—eyed savages—standing within sixty feet of
them he. felt that the undertaking would be ex-
tremely hazardous at that time. and so be con-
cluded to remain still and watch for a more in-
vorable opportunity to cross the light.

“ Benorvy, pals," he said, in a whisper to tho
maidens, “we’ lwait here a few iiiinutes till a
good opportunity’s offered to skip over that line
of light.”

From where they stood they could hear nearly
every word spoken by the foe, and by steeping
down where the foliage of the bushes was not so
denSe, Kit' could see most of the excited mob.
And to his joy he saw most of them preparing
to leave, and when, in the course of a few min—
utes, Captain Vulture, Jack Bramble, and the
bruised and battered Jim Noel were left alone,
the old man again took the girls by the hand,
saying, in a whisper: .

“ 1‘? cw, gals, our time has come. Be quick as
a cat and silent as slimiows.”

Silently they crept from the bushes and glided
across the line of light and entered the darkness
of the thicket beyond unseen or unheard by the
foe.

" There,” said Kit, with a breath of relief, “ I
think—I hope, at least, that we’re apast the
worst danger.” \

Fast as possible the three hurried on still keep
ing close to the base of the frowning bluffs.
They passed by several Indian ponies that had
been turned loose with their brid cs on to browse
among the bushes; and finally the heard the
sound of voices on their right whic convinced
Kit that a part of the foe, at least, that had left
a short time before, were returning to camp,
and the excitement they manifested aroused in
the old man’s mind a fear that Stonewall Bob
had been killed or captured. This he could have
determined by gomg back to where he could
command a view of the camp, but every mo-
ment was precious to him now and be pressed
on.
It was some time before the hi, itives cleared
the dense thicket and reached t 0 open plain
where traveling was easier but dangers greater.

As they entered the plain Bandy was su rised
to find Miss Graves in an almost exhausts: con-
dition. She was trembling in body and limb,
and her breathing was labored. A reaction was

setting in. During all her captivitv and hours
of danger she had borne up bravely, but now
that the worst seemed passed overtaxed nature
began to give way under the great physical and
mental strain.

Bandy discovered her condition With a. sense of
the deepest regret. They were not yet safe be—
yond all dangers, and yet he saw that she could
travel no further on foot. The only way out of
this serious and unexpected dilliculty was for
him to leave the girls and return and Secure a.
horse from the enemy.

As this ro ition met with no objections
from the girls 9 left them in concealment and
hurried away in the direction of the enemy’s

camp. He was not gone over half an hour, re—

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turning with a pony and a horse. On the former
Gypsy was mounted, and owing to Ruth’s ros-
tration Kit took her upon the horse with 'm,
and. thus. mounted, the three rode away over
the Valle . .

The 01 border detective’s objective point was,
of course, the camp on the river where he had
left his friends the previous night. He now hoped
to reach it before, or as soon, as Stonewall Bob,
although he considered it policy to make a wide
detour on the plain to elude new dangers.

But for all his plans, his caution, and his hopes,
fate was against him. He had not gone over
forty rods after entering the open valley when a
score of niomited enemies came thundering from
the darkness of the brush and wood in pursuit of
them, yelling like demons possessed.

Gypsy’s horse, accustomed to dash away at
the sound of the Indian war-whoop, was in no
way false to its teachings, and in an instant it
bounded away like a. deer across the valley.
Gypsy was not an experienced rider and was
therefore unable to control the pony, but exert-
ed just strength enough upon the rein to turn
the animal out of the course they were pursuing
and 0311' her back into the power of the foe.

Old Kit endeavored to follow her, but his
horse, under its double burden, was no match
for the pony. In fact, the old detective saw that
the Indians were fast gaining upon him, and he
finally came to the conclusion that he would
have to tight to save even himself and the one
girl from capture. However, he resolved to con—
tinue the flight until forced to stop and defend
himself and friend.

He had gone but a short distance further when
he saw the shadowy forms of a number of horse-
men rise up before him out of the darkness of
the plain, and instantly the thoughts flashed
throuin his brain—were they friends or toes?

Before he could turn to either right or left. his
ears were greeted by a deep, yet clear, sonorone.
voice ringing out:

“ Halt there!”

Despite the darkness, the noise of the howling
mob behind him, and the general excitement of
the moment, Bandy recognized the voice in an
instant as that of Stonewall Bob, the Boy ’l‘ro—
inn, and at once began checking the speed of his
iorse; but before he could stop the animal he
had plunged through the ranks of his friends
who, on horseback, were drawn u in battle ar—
my to receive the foe they hear approaching
over the 1plain. '

“I’m it Bandy, Bob, and ’ve got one 0’ the
galsl—look out, the red hellyons are arter inc!”
roared the old detective, as he dashed apast his
friends.

Before the words were scarcely out of his
mouth Stonewall shouted:

“ Revolvers, boys, and fire!”

The next instant the rattling crash and “ pop ”
of revolvers Were mingled with the yells of the
savages whose cries were at once changed to
those of sur )rise and dismay.

The red-skins were completely taken by sur-
prise and un )repared for the assault. The pres-
ence of the plainsnien was unknown to them un-
til they heard the thunderous voice of the Boy
Trojan, and even then they were too close to
turn aside to elude the murderous fire of the
whites. whose revolvers, flashing in their very
faces, stiuck terror into their savage hearts.

 

CHAPTER XX.
A. STARTLING DISCLOSURE.

THE sudden meeting of the plainsxnen and
savages was like the meeting of two angry
waves in mid-ocean, but here the comparison
ends, for while the greater of the two waves
overwhelms and swal ows upthe lesser, such was
not the casein the meeting of the human foes
for the force of the red-skins was thrice that of
the whites and yet they were almost annihilated
before the survivors could fairly com rehend
the situation and flee from beyond reac of the
deadly revolvers.

The work of the whites, it seemed, could not
have been more effective had it been open day-
light. Most of them had become so acoustomed
to working and fir'hting in, the night that both
6 e and ear, like the cat’s, had become trained to
t :0 darkness. And yet so ea er were the victd
rious plainsmen to speak wit Kit Bandy that
none of them attempted to pursue the escaped
fee, but at once turned and rode back to where
Kit and Ruth had dismounted.

“ Howling tempests, Bandy!” cried Stonewall
Bob, who was the first to reach the old detective-
scout and his charge, “how in Heaven’s name
did oulfiet here?” i

“ Va ed, rode, and raced, Bob,” was Kit’s
answer.

“ Oh, Robert!” cried Ruth, staggering to the
brave boy, who had dismounted, and grasping
his arm for support, “ I am so glad to know you
are safe but poor little Gypsy! 1—”

“ Rut , my child! God be thanked that we
meet again!’

It was Mahlon Graves who thus spoke as be
rushed forward and clasped his child to his
breast, while Ruth, throwing her arms about his
neck, sobbcd in joyful s.” are.

“ Kitaie,” said Old Rat. ler. as he came up and
grasped his old pard‘s hand, “ I’m tempest’ous

 

_‘
'-

glad to agitate your paw again. To git here I
know, from what Stunwall was just tellin’, that
you’ve been doin’ gorgeous fine work.”

“ Yes, Rattler,” replicl Kit, “and it War by
the merest accident in the world that I did not
save both the gals.”

“ Then little Gypsy is again in the hand-s of
the enemy?” said Zeke Ruble.

“ There’s little doubt o’ it, old friend. The boss
she war 011 became unmanageable and darted oi?
before I could prevent it, situated as I was with
Miss Ruth.”

“Poor child! may God protect her!” sighed
One—Armed Phil, in a tone of bitter anguish, for
since he had learned that Wild Gypsy was his
sister, he had hoped and pro. ed for her rescue
and an early meeting with er. But now his
hopes seemed blighted forever, and only the re-
ineiiibranco of the face of W'ild Gypsy, as seen
on the led e in the mountain pass, lingered in
his mind ll 9 the vision of a dream.

“ We were on our way to your rescue, Kit,”
Stonewall said, to break the silence of grief and
disappointment that followed Phil’s words of
sadness and'sorrow.

“ Perhaps I did wrong,” re lied Bandy, with
a tinge of regret in his tone, ‘ in not wai ' ’ for
you at the dug—out.”

“ No, no,” quickly responded OneArmed Phil
and Zeke Ruble, sotto 'voce ,' “ no one knows bet-
for what is best for him to do than Kit Bandy,”
Ruble continued; “ I know you did what you
believed was best, and what no doubt was best,
for some of us, and perhaps all, would have
fallen had we undertaken to fight our way to to.-
cave.” '\

“ Well, there’s no time to be spared even now, -“
Kit said, “for the other gal must be rescuen
either by force or by strategy. But before we
attempt either we will have to know the exact
position of the foe and the disposition of the cap-
tive. As I’ve been runnin’ the range over 1
think I’m the very feller to make a recon-
noissance, and that now’s the time for me to
strike.”

“ Look here, Old Kit Bandy,” said Rattler,

.“ you’re a brave man, a cheerful, jolly compan-

ion, and a smart (lectcctive, but you’re selfish.
You’re willin’ to share your last crumb 0’ bread
and last drap o’ w——watcr, but you are swinish
afiopt sharin’ the honors of war—you want it
a .

“ Pard, by the born 0’ Joshua! we‘ll all have
haydoogins 0’ war afore We git G my, and se-
cure that criminal, Rossgrove. e’ve‘got to
tight our way clear through to the outlaws’ den
from this on, I’m thinkin’.”

“ Mr. Dandy,”said Zeke Ruble, “ I had almost
forgotten, in our excitement, to tell you that I
met your wife Sabine. at our old camp to-night,
and despite my ontreaties she left camn and
rode away in the direction of the ermit
Dome.”

"Horn 0’ Joshua! do you mean that. Zeke,

or are you tryin’ to frighten me outh my '

liver l”

“ It’s the Book-o’—Revelations truth, Kitsie,”
declared Old Rattler, with a chuckle.

“Then, pards,” said Kit, “we must part here
and now. I can stand it to fight Inginsand outs
laws, Wars“ and cyclones, fl and fire, sin and
sorro’, but I’m not goin’ to be caught babboonin’
with a buzz—saw. So good-by, boys, and look
out for breakers.”

W'ith this the old man turned and moved away
in the direction of the Herrmt Dome.

“Good gracious!” exclaimed One-Armed Phil,
“I hope he hasn’t left us in this——”

“No, no,” put in Rattler; “ he’s foolishin’.
You couldn’t scare, hire, nor drive him away.
I know Bandy: he’s a darlin’ ole buccaneer.”

“And I’ll bet he can hold his own with his
wife, if she don’t use an hing; but lip,” said
Rambling Dan, the Boy ountaineer, “ for, oh!
Scotland! isn’t he a rattler on the talk ?”

“ Yes, lad, voliuninous as the Spanish chroni-
cles, whatever that be, but when it comes to
fightin’, he’s the most numerous man I ever sce-‘d,
and the we be scatters deestruction are a can-
tion toa Whirlwind. If there’s a gal into the
hoodoo, he’s so constituted that he can ladle
out sweet words to her with one hand, so to
speak, and fight for her life with the other, as it
war. No, my kid, that’s but one Kit Bandy in
all this big, bad world, and he’s a hull gineration
o’ crusaders concentrated into one. "

Until Bandy should return from his reconncis-
sauce the party was to remain there upon the
plain. Rambling Dan, whose sense of sight and
hearing in the darkness was phenomenal, was
placed on guard, while Old Rattler sat down to
entertain his friends with some of his rollicking
stories that Were calculated to drive dull care
and grief from the minds of his listeners.

Ruth Graves had gradually recovered from
her temporary rostrntion. Being safe with her
father, and in t 0 presence of the daring, heroic
Boy Trojan again, she regained some of her
wonted spirit; and in the course of an hour or
two she and Stonewall Bob found themselves
walking side by side some distance from their
friends. conversing together in a low, quiet tone,
 finally led Old Rattler to sayto OneArmed

l .
_ “Philip, them youngsters are genera—mit-
peter won’t save ’em.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Border Detectives.

19

 

,.__.

 

“I do not know what you mean, Rattler-—
what you have reference to.”

“ T 6 that joke, that old, wall-eyed joke called -

——-Love ”
rate,” answered Phil, with a sail smilo.

The young couple having seated themselves
upon the grass in few rods from their friends,
Ruth said:

“ How fortunate it was for me, Robert, that
you and your brave friends were on the line of
the outlaws" retreat to the mountains.”

“Yes, I
Graves,” Stonewall reg-lied; “ but my greats-st
and happiest surpi ise is of your having stood up

l

l J c,
. 01, A.-

confidence for I know not whether the name
you refer to is Rossgrove or Danbaugh. "
"Robert Conismck,” she said, stifling her

- . ‘ emotious and speaking in a firm, resolute voice,
“ ()lil—well, they are a splendid lair, at any ‘

“ I shall keep nothing from you who bay 0 risk-
niuch for me, though you may feel, when I

 

,‘ have told you ail, that I am unworthy of all you

have so kindly, so gallantly and bravely done

. for me."

have thought of that myself, Miss ‘

.' r well. under all the perils and suffering that i

you have been subjected to within the past two
weeks. I am convinced now, that it is not al-
waj ' e strongest that can lirar the most trouble
and l min. 7’

“I thank you for yl'urcompliment, ii. ocrt,

 

, father I”

but I must confess the: I have more strength ;

and. fortitude than I cwr supposed I lmsessed.”

“Uiio cannot tell when theyare possessed of '

until tried—especially in a case like ours.”
“ eril, of one thing I run certain, obcrt, and

that is to you alone in my first danger, and 3 on 3
and your brave friends in in second, I owe my ,

life and a debt of gratitude
to pay.”

" Time will tell, Ruth —Miss Graves.” the
young plainsman replied, slightly confused;
“ in: :‘wquaintanco has born of but a few days,
yet do-izlcdly pleasant and happy to inc, and
llici'e is v. demand which I ccul; make of you
t' at w- -ul«l more than repay all I have done for
you; but it would be presuiigptuons on my part
to take any advantage of your present pea cc of
mind or perilous and embarrassing situation. I
should not have said even this much, and sin-
c-éi'r- 1;; l wg your pardon.”

Ruth’s lmart fluttered wildly, joyfully. Her
\‘(.)1'.' Us instinct, as well as her own intuitive
fcclni
13.019012(‘I‘LIVIUCk loved her; and by hi silence
1}; x loy ’i'in ijnn inisti‘uratcd that sl ;- iifni road 
mi: 1 and lltjl-ll'll, and to relieve. hero-i whatswm-
ml c::.lnii'rassinent, he continued:

“ 1;; lief-gins to appear to inc now that an unseen
)0er guided me and my friends into this coun-
rv. it i-= true, we oa1:1cl.cr~ on our way to the
hile having in View the cantu: a, (I? .‘L criminal—~11
“yup {on r for whom there is o v :: ry large reward
Gap-31.3, but this fugitive has been ilu) agent eni-
1)l()'='z‘(ll;_‘,-'ifi’.<‘i to bring about your rescue upon
two «'Lii'i'croiit occasion 7‘

 

    

 

 

 

   

st

  

col?” .1 It'll Sold, in (’Vi'lent disappointmi-nt.
liq-51m ml that you and ,‘,~"~9l11‘ trial; in mid rc—
iin'n with us, for I now. .'
in this country unless weil i'ni‘otcctcd.”

“'l'lio lieaalamizirl‘crs of t 9 very outlaw band
that is giving us so lulu‘h trouble now is our des-
tinzi‘; ion. It is said that the criminal we seek is
installed there, the moving power behind all the
cussed 053 of the outlaws and red-gigins And it
hm y be such a thing that your capture has been
by command of that Villain. You see the out-
la ws keep spies out at various points, and when.
vou crossed the Missouri your fairfacemay have
been seen by a spy, and your destination being
ltriffCI'tailled, the same was “sported to Ross-
grove—77

“ Ftossgrove did you say, Robeit?” Ruth e):-
claiuied, with a start, her voice betraying some
agitation.

 

   

 

’1

hen rd the name before, Miss Graves?”
“ I have,” she answered, with trembling lips—

will never be illile ‘

“ I am sure I cannot imagine what bearing
your secret has upon your life," said Stonewall,
“ but I care not what it may be, I would risk in
vour behalf twain all that I have in the past.
But do not, I pray, make any revelations to
me that will be distasteful and humiliating to
you.”

“ You are truly a kind and generous man,
Robert.” she replied, “ but I cannot, keep from
you my sec-rut, and that is—fhe crz'nn'nal you are
hunting down John Hossgrorc, is my own
CHA PTER XXI.

Kir awnr’s RECONNOISSAXCE.
\Virnix an hour after leaving his friends Kit

l
heard a movement of men and horses back to-
, ward the enemy’s camp that he could not imdcr-

i went he saw the place tics.

stand, and his curiosity getting the bottcr of
him, he dismounted, hitched his pony and st '
back throth the woods and br ‘ ‘ .. A ‘

the cause of? the movement. He finally reached
a point from where he could command a View of
the camp. and to his surprise and disappomt
iriml. The foe La.‘
broken camp and with thL‘ll' captives started for
the mountains. Ile could hear than but a short

(.8

  
 

    
 

r]
I:
C'
C
5
(I
*1
E

y:

 

, distance away moving around the base of the

Hermit Dome—just above which was an Indian.
ford where they evidently intended to cross the
river.

Kit’s first impulse was to hurry away to 1:33

‘ friends and then with them hasten across to the

river and intercept the foe. but asecond thought
Convmced him that it would be impossible lo no
this before they crossed the river. However,

, the old man was in no way discouraged, and

turning he again began retracing his footsteps

l back to his friends.

Bandy was back on the river within ear-shot of V

the enemy‘s camp.

The Indians and outlaws Were evidently all in.

and a conference of no little seriousness was be-
ing held. At (ne side he saw Wild Gypsy and
his spouse, Sabina. seated Side by side apparent—

1 1y engaged in mnvcrsation, while a big, burly

1 tle-l~’aoe

.s lolxl lit-rplaiiny (‘1)01’lfijll that big, brave ‘

outlaw stood ncai' watching them. Three or
four wounded red-skins lay a short distance
from the fire; one or two dead om-s couldalsro be
see-ii, and Jim lice-1’s hideous face was quite con—
spicuous in the camp which had every appear-
ance of having been visited by a small cyclone.
It was evident from the cradled voice and es-
tures of the Clilvf oi' the renegade Indians, 1r-
that that worthy was in no amiable
mood. lie. Captain Vulture and Jack Bramble
were (lisr'u-sinfr the situation. It seemed that
the last defeat of the. Indians by the plainsnieii

‘ hzrd’arouscd the chief’s auger, andKit, as he lis-
, toned to their conversation, felt in hopes that i
the matter was going to terminate in a revolt of ‘

the red-skins.
Uri-oping llll close as ho dared. the old detective

' heard Turtle-Face say: _
“ My warriors have fallen around in:- like au- ‘

tumu leaves, and yet not a. pale—face i'oe’s scalp
has been taken. All we can show ior many lives

. are them two squaws, and Turtle-Face will fight

“ 'i‘hm your Journey's curl. lies not bccn rcach— .

that one is never safe ‘

no more here with his white fi-icuds, the Red

V ulturts. ” ' I
“ You will surely not leave us, Will you,

tone.
“ T urilc-Face,” replied the chief, “ has spoken.

= He will not fight the white foe whose guns reach

far over the plain.- and whose revolvu‘s are more
deadly than Sioux rifles. 'Wlien the sun I'lSuS
:io'ain, Turtle-Face will take his warriors and go
lack to the hills. There alone will inc fight the
foe among the rocks and the trees where the
pale-face bullets cannot find th braves.”

CHAPTER XXII.
RUTH’S STORY.

STONEWALL Bon could not suppress his E‘mz‘y
tions of startlino surprise at Ruth G-raves’s revo—
lution of John ossgrove being her father, for it
fell upon his cars like a thunderbolt from a.
cloudless sky. Ruth initioed it and it seemed to
ovorwhehn her with grief and move her into
tears.

In his confusion and great sympathy for t' ‘
beautiful girl, Bob reached out and taking her
hand in his—~a liberty: she did not resent—die
Said. in a kind, sympathetic tone:

“ Iluili, my dear trim-(i, I confess your revela-

 

. tion is as startling as it is sad; but do not grieve.

God knows you cannot help the stain that at-
tacli:,s to your father’s iamc.”

“No, Robert,” she replied, the bot tears fall-
ing upon his hand, or lur lips quivering; with
some deep emotion, “ Lut, but then—”

‘5 But what, Ruth l”

“But you—”

“Never mind me, 'Rutli,” the young plains-

: nian again interrupted, “my regards for yvu

are deep-rooted in my breast, and even though

: you were the daughlcr of Captain Vulture him-

self, thcy would be .ll the deeper out of sympa-
thy for one so unfortunate, yet so dr-servmg of
all that innocent and noble womanhood is cnti~
tiled i0.”

"' Oh, Robert! you are truly a noble follow,”
the maiden replied, a thrill of joy rousing her

; dcswondent spirit, and \vritlailiinp; lit-r white lips
‘ chief?” Bramble was heard to ask, in a p.03ding _

wit a hopeful smile; “but isn’t it rather a

'. strange coincidence that while you are risking

.“W'ell,” replied Captain Vulture, “fidcn’dy ,
disappomtcd, “ if you leave us, chicf. with your v

warriors, the scalps of those pale-faces that
have killed our friends will new-r be taken. “

“ The Red Vultures.” replied the chief, “ have ;

two white squaws there. Take them oit’ in to the

: hills. The pale-face hunter-s will follow to rescue

her breath coming hard as if something heavy ‘

was )i‘essing upon her breast; " but do you know

of w at crime he is guiltflw
He slew a fellow—ntan, was ar— l

“ Of murder.
rested, tried. convicted and sentenced to be
hanged, but escaped, and for years has eluded
justice. But I ‘
"'ou MISS Gl‘m’t‘s. therefore will drop it.”

“ ‘vo. 110a RODCI‘t,” she quickly replied, “I’m
interested now and ‘
Rossgrovo- heard Rattler say something
about a large revafd being offered for a crimi-
nul ; was that Cl‘ll‘lllnaly Boasgrove?”

“ It; was. I believe Lit said that the party of—
ferintr the reward was named Israel Danbaugh.”

A eep Sigll‘vulmOSt ‘1 gasp, escaped Ruth’s
fins. She buried her face in her hands and on
the instant gave “ll-Y ’03 some emotion of grief
that seemed to convulse her whole bodv.

Stonewall was completely amiinde‘d by this
sudden change in the maiden’s Spirit Be (.0111 d
not understand wh she should becomg so affect-
ed bv what be 1m to” h.” 9f Rosy'grove, the
criminal, and he “'95 at ms “133’ end to know
how to extl‘l(‘fltr‘3.hlmsel_f [mm the delicate situ-
ation he found himself in. Bu h, howwen gum
denly started 111%,and bmsmng ‘1 flOOd of tears

' iere 'es 831 3 .

I‘VFfiLbera I ’presume you filiqu me foolish, but
I cannot help it, To me the] 0 15 more inana me
you have 1118111301139 than you could possibly
' 0' ~ ‘ was. , ,

$30!, replied, in no little surprise:
“ had I known this I “'Ullld hm“; Said nothing,
for you 1m 0w, Ruth. I would iliot .Ofi‘all creation
wound your feelings knowing  ht Since the
matter has come up, I hOPe may have Your

 

see this sub 'cct is distasteful to ‘

want to know all about '

‘. tinned on at Mwingzurr gallop. ll’hen he reached :

‘ (iown. Then will the scalp of the bi"

' dians.

them. Turtle-Face’s warriors will hide among

, j the I‘Nks in the narrow valley. When the pale-
“ Yes,” Stonewall answered : “ have you ever

faves Come along the Sioux will shoot them
pale-face
brave hang at Turtle-Faces girdle. Kgain Tur-
tle-1934;? has spoken. Let the Red Vultures now
SJEH. r.. .

I“Chief.” said Captain Vulture, seeing there
was 110 Other compromise to be made with the
sullcn savage» “ 'Our plan is a good one. The
head of Ttll'tle- lace is as clear as his heart is
brave. 'lhe Red Vultures will go with the In-

They Will take the old squaw and the
young. The pale-faces will follow, as a matter
of course, 111351 then your braves can mow them.
Now I have spoken. "

, Apparently satisficd, the chief turned and
wait

ed away, and as soon as he was gone Cap-
tain Vulture and Bramble separated also, the
former soils 9"” and ePtel’mg into a conversa-
tion with Sanina, Whose indignantspeech did not
indicate a dejecteds int.

Kit’s fingers fair y ltched to send a bullet
through the heart 0f the .outlaw chief, and
when he go!) I'f‘ad)’ to leave 111»? ‘OSition he could
not resist the tem tation to pic up a rock the
size of his fist, an i (1111:1112? an outburst of laugh-
ter at some remark of bnbina’s, hurl it over into
a group of savages. Had I)- bombshell exploded
in their midst it would not have caused greater
consternation. A red-Skin Was struck down
senseless by the IPISSIIG, although no one had
seen from whence it came. In fact, no one saw
the missile at all. bill? thi’y heard the blow and
saw the warrior go down.

And while the cam jvas the scene of excite-
ment and confusion. alt Bandy crept away and
started on his return to his friendS. On the way
he came upon some pomf‘s among the bushes,
and catching one of them be mounted it and con-

your lie for the child~—”

“ Ruth, why pursue this subject that is so dis-
tressing to your" interrupted Stonewall.

“Now that it has been introduced, Robert, I
must tell you all, if you Will hear me.”

“ Certainly, Ruth, if it is your 1'-lcasur9.”

“I ncvrr saw my father.” the girl wcnt cn.
“ that I remember. My dear mother died when
I was but two years of age. At the time. of her
death my aunt Rachel, a widow lady, came fi cm
a distant State and took me home with her.
Soon after this she married M r. Graves, who has
been to me a kind and loving father. Soon after

i niothcr’s death father went to California whom

he remained four years, and then I'(‘llll‘1‘.€(l to
Rushville, where his old home v. as. Pic-m there
he wrote to uncle Graves that he was going to
pay us a visit in a few days. But lu- newr care.
In the settlement of some business Lei wren him
and a . Henry Endimyt: they lzad a bitter
quarrel, which came near resulting in violence
at the time. As father and Mr. Endirottvrre
both prominent men in the village tho «‘tiffirul'ly
created quite a sensation, and the sympathy of
the community was nearly equally (livii'iul be»
tween them. But on the second night illVlf‘l‘ the

 quarrel Mr. Endicott was shot down dead on the

the edge of the plain e stopped to listen. He ‘

 

street. On the information of two men, named
Rosenberg and Quinlan. father was aires-‘cd for
the murder, though solemnly protesting his in-
nocence. But Rosenberg and Quinlan swore
they saw him do the deed, and as overvbodv
knew of the quarrel, the situation 100de gloomy
indeed.

“Father was indicted and convicted of mur-
der in the first degree and sentenced to be hanged
in six weeks. But three weeks before that time
the jail was fired. and during: the excitement
that prevailed father escaped and they never re—
captured him. That he is still living there is no
doubt, for, about once in two years, the sherifi'
of the county in which he was convicted receives
a. letter from him declaring his innocence of En-
dicott’s murder and expressing a. hope that the

real truth would some day be known. He also
wrote to uncle Mahlon Graves, king feeling-

ly of his child, whom the wic ednew of men
had made worse than fatherless, and of is wan-
dering a fugitive on the face of the earth for
others’ crimes.

“His letters bore no address and the post-
marks were of laces located in distant omin-
tries. No two t iat I ever heard of came from
the same place, and this is what bothered the n r-
tectives so that that they have been lwl from
one lace to another, and all to no purpose, for
near y thirteen years. I have heard nothing

 

 

 
 

.20

 

 

The Border Detectives.

 

from him for three years until this hour, but the
last we did hear led us to believe he was in Brit-
ish Columbia.”

“Then your uncle Graves never saw him?”
said Bob.

“ No, sir; while he was under arrest uncle
Graves lay very sick, and for this reason we

were unable to visit father while he was in ‘
prison. Uncle Mahlon Graves would not know :
father if he should meet him. There was not a ‘
picture of him in existence at the time of his ‘

flight.”

“Then your aunt is not living—the one who
took on to her home when your mother died f”

“ i 0, sin she died four years ago. and after
that uncle Mahlon failed in business, and finally
he and four friends resolved to seek a fortune in
the gold-hills. He gave me my choice of accom-

anying him or remaining with a sister of his.
'lut being of an adventurous spirit, I obese the
former, and I assure you that the adventures
and perils I have passed through have taken all
that spirit of romance out of me. But, Robert,
what evidence have you that father is one of
Captain Vulture’s band?”

“ 1 must confess that I do not know,” Bob re-
plied; “the case was given to Kit Bandy, the
noted mountain detective, with the promise of a
large reward in case of Rossgrove’s capture. In
addition to the reward offered by the State in
which the murder was committed, ten times
larger reward was also offered by a gentleman
named Danbaugh—Israel Danbautrh.”

“ Israel Danbaugh!” exclaimed CRuth; “ why,
he is father’s cousin 1”

“You don’t tell mel Then wh on earth
should he want his relative hungf , su iposed,
:md so did Kit that he was a relative of t e mur-
dered man, i r. Endicott. Danbaugh was in
Deadwood some weeks ago, and there is where
be employed Old Kit to hunt the criminal down.
Knowmg the many dangers to be encountered
the old detective em iloyed Old Tom Rattler
Zeke Ruble and myself to assist him, One-Arm
Phil going along of his own accord. I do not
know what evidence Danbau b has of Ross-
grove bein in Vulture’s bant , but it seems to
be settled t at he is there. I have not had an
opportunity since I met Kit on the Moreau, to
converse with him on the subject. I understand,
however that Rossgrove never rides with the
band. I—Ie may be a cripple if he is an outlaw.
But now, Ruth, for your sake, I hope our trip
to the outlaw stronghold will be a failure.”

“ I thank you, Robert, for your kindness to
me, and et I would not ask you to forego any
duty of onor you owe to any one on my ac-
count. But I desire to say further, in relation
to my father, that my aunt Rachel always be—
lieved he was innocent of the murder. She said
he had always been an upright and honorable
citizen, and did not believe he was capable of
such a crime. But then people might say it was
natural for her to say so as he was a relative.
For the same reason, perhaps, I have always
felt that he was innocent, and if your trip re-
veals anything I hope it may be that he is not
one of Captain Vulture’s band.”

“ Ruth, within the past few minutes it has oc-
curred to my mind that such a thing as your
father being with this outlaw band is impossi-
ble, or else he would have discovered some-
thing about you or our name that would have led
to your identity. ven had he learned through
a spy, or otherwise, that Mahlon Graves with
you was crossing the plain he would never have
directed or favored a violent attack upon the
train at the risk of so many lives. If he is inno—

lcent of the murder, as he claims in his letters
why should he be an outlaw? Why a criminal
here, if he trusts to the future to rove his in-
nocence there ? I’m beginning to lieve, since
you told me Danbaugh was your father’s cousin,
that there is something about that murder the
world knows nothing of. I’ll swear I don’t be-
lieve the father of Ruth Graves is a murderer or
outlaw, though he may be a fugitive.”

“I fully appreciate your compliments, Rob-
ert and hope that time will prove that you are
ri t.

it this juncture the young folks were inter—
rupted by the presence of Zeke Ruble, who
strolled out to w ere they sat and said:

“ Beg pardon for intrudin on you. folks.”

“It’s no intrusion, Zeke,” ‘tonewall replied.

The hunter came closer, and dropping upon
his knees opened aconversation witht em about
the situation. He asked many questions about
G , for it had been made known to both Bob
anydfifiuth that he was the foster-father of the
little maid. Ruth told him of their capture and
of Gypsy’s resolute courage through all their
dange s.

In 9 course of a few nunutes One-Armed
Phil joined them, and he, too, was eager and
anxious to'hear about Gypsy.

After Phil and Ruble both went away, Stone-
wall said to Ruth: .

“There are two more brave souls that have
suffered more than tongue can tell, especially
One-Armed Phil.”

‘ ‘ This is awicked world, Robert.” Ruth replied,
“and it is always the innocent that have to
sufier most. But I am going to talk with uncle
Graves about your mission into this country. I
must tell him of Israel Danbaugh’s anxiety for

 

 

the capture of my poor father, and get his opin-
ion of it."

“Do so, by all means,” answered Bob, “and
perhaps he will lay the matter before Kit Band ‘,
who has a marvelous gift of weaving solid fab-
rics ’of facts out of the merest threads of evi-
dence— Ahl I hear Bandy’s voice now; he’s re-
turned from his reconnoissancc of the enemy’s
camp.”

Stonewall sprung to his f cot, and assisting
Ruth to rise, the two starth toward their
friends whom they reached in time to hear Old
Kit saying:

“ The hull Ingin and outlaw outflt has ulled
up, crossed the river and gone for the hi] s tak-
in’ with them little Gypsy and my wife Sabina.
And now, friends as to little Gypsy, by the horn
0’ Joshua! they s ll not keep er, and as for
my wife Sabina. by the confusion o’ Babel, they
cannot keep her!”

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
STONEWALL sums FOR 'rmc mums VILLAGE.

Tm: news Old Kit brought back was a surprise
and disappointment to all. To Zeke. Ruble and One-
Armed Phil, whose interest in the welfare of Gypsy
had now become mutual. it was bitter, for if the foe
once ained the fastnesses of the mountains there
woul belittle hope of the maiden’s rescue.

“I ot within a deCcnt carsh'oto’ the cam ," Ban-
dy said, narrating his adventures; “and looked
upon little Gypsy in her helplessness, Jim Noel in
his beauty, and my wife.-Sabina, whose melodious
voice I heard doin, some 0‘ the prettiest word-paint-
in’ I ever heard. She just slos ed the loudest col-
ors all over that camp. and the way them fool In-

ins and outlaws laughed war a caution to forty-

even jackals in a grave yard. I also heard a con-
flab between Captain Vulture. Jack Bramble and
the chief. Turtle-Face. The Ingin was in a bad
humor. So many 0‘ his warriors had been slain,
and no income either, that he was resolved to ull
or! and leave the outlaws unless they ’dopte his
way 0‘ fightin’. and that was to sneak off into the
hills and ambush us.

“ To this old Vulture agreed, of course. and they
war to carry bOlh Gypsy and Sabina with ’em so
that we‘d foller to rescue ’em and by that means
run into their dead-trap."

"By the great Rosycrusians l" exclaimed Rattler.
“ they’ll give us a deal 0’ trouble if that’s their
game."

" 'l‘hnr‘s no doubt 0‘ that,” responded Bandy; “ in
fact. We’ll hardly dare to venture into the moun-
taina against the outlaws backed by forty or fifty
outlaw Indians red-hot for vengeance.”

" In God‘s name, what shall we do?” asked One-
Armed Phil.

“Thar‘s two ways I could suggest, and one is to
send to the fort for troops and— ’

“ That’sim racticable,Zeke."interrupted Old Kit,
“for before t e post-commandant reported to the
division commander, and he to Washington, when
like as not a cabinet meeting would have to be called
and the matter cabinetnl over, and maybe a few tele-
grams 0‘ inquiry sent, and then the order given to
move, and then the soljers have to polishtheir shoes
and furhish up theirbuttons, and be put on dress-pa-
rade and then marched to the hills. perhaps litrle
Gypsy would die of old age, and my wife Sabina—
but what‘s the use talkin’r If I war toing to sug-
gest anything for our immediate relief, it'd be to
send to the village 0’ Black Bear a friendly chief
and ask him to send a band 0‘ warriorsto help clean
out them mountain coyotes, root and branch."

“ That‘s the gospel. Kirsie.” declared Old Rattler:
“ your old noodle‘s lewl, if it is holler. The instincts
0’ self preservation are strong within you, while
your bumps 0’ caution stick out in chunks all over
your Adonis-like form. Send for the red-skins. by
all means, Kitsie, and thenwe’ll see if two can t
play that little ambush game.”

“ Wal," said Old Kit, " who‘s the teller to go f—one
that knows the way, and has influence with the chief
when he glts there 7"

Stonewall advanced closer to Kit, saying:

"Old pard, it has been something less than one
year since I rescued Singing-Bird, the daughter of
Black Bear, from the clutches of a white villain, and
knowing an Indian never for ets a kindness nor an
insult, I feel confident 1 won] have some influence
with the chief. At any rate, I‘m willing to risk it,
and start at once."

" But will not the. journey be attended with great
dangers?" Ruth Graves asked. unable to conceal
the interest she felt in the welfare of the Boy Tro-

an.

“No doubt o’ it, Miss Ruth,but we trust Bob’s
ekal to any emergency," answered Old Kit. "It
are only b takin' chances that we bordermen ever
accomplis anything.”

Stonewall at once made preparations for depart-
ure. It was allof fifty miles to Black Bear's village.
The strongest and fleetest horse was saddled and
bridled for him. Then, with the best wishes of all,
the “God 8 eed you ” of Ruth, whose swimming
eyes told 0 her deep solicltude. the young plains-
man mounted and galloped awn throuzhxthe night.

“ Horn 0' Joshua!” exclaime Old Kit, as the boy
disappeared. "that big, brave youth's leavin’ us
makesa terrible hole :1 our crowd that can’t be
filled by any other.”

"Just the reverse 0’ your goln‘ away, Kitaie,”
said Rattler. "for in that case a terrib 8 hole or
yawp ’d be closed. and all‘d be as quiet and serene
as two lovers watchm’ the moon rise ‘bove the tree-

“Rattler you beautiful bush-ranger. you’re eter-
nally tryin to rooin’ my repetntlon, but then our
efforts are like a bloodthirsty goat tryin’ to utt
down Pike's Peak ’cause it see‘d the reflection 0’ its
emery self in a puddle 0' water.”

“Gentlemen,’ said Mahlon Graves, who did not
understand the two old bordercrs, “I hope you will
not become personal in your remarks."

” Oh, Rosycrusians I” replied Rattler. “never. Mr.
Graves; I’d think no more 0’ gittin’ rufl’ied at Bandy’s
remarks than at a prett gal stealin’ a kiss from me
every hour or no. No, talk jist to animals Kit."

In spite of the party’s depression of spirits they

 

could not suppress a smile, and some of them
laughed outright. In fact, this was what the old
men were after. They knew that nothing so tended
to defeat and disaster as a dejected spirit, and there
was just enough of the humorousz‘n their own na-
tures to keep that enemy away

By this time the night was Well advanced. and af-
ter a short consultation it was decided that they
should m0ve. over to the Moreau and encamp ti 1
morning.

As the horses were already saddled, the party
with the exception of Kit and Rattler, mounted and
moved away, the two old bordermen leading the
way on foot.

Without any trouble they soon reached the river
and went into 'camp in the timber, not far from the
old Indian crossing above the Hermit Dome.

A tent, or bower, was constructed of bushes and
blankets for Ruth. and the maiden at once sought
rest therein.

Rambling Dan and One-Armed Philwent on guard
and as Soon as all had become settled and quiet,
Mahlon Graves turned to Bandy and said:

“Mr. Bandy, my daughter, in conversation with
Stonewall Bob, learned that you and your friends
were in this vicinity, hunting down acriminal named
Job :1 Rossgrove."

“That’s a fact, sir," answered Kit, “though I, or
Bob either. w. vuld have said nothing: ‘bout it had there
been any likelihoods 0’ our man gittin’ wind 0‘ what-
we war after and skipped out."

“ And I alsou derstand,” Graves continued. “ that
one ,I’srael Dan augh is the man that employed

“Xes, air, and Israel comes down handsomely,

d “ Did,he tell you why he wanted Rossgrove hunted
own?

“ No,but he intimated, and I supposed, that he
war a relative 0‘ the murdered man whose death he
wanted to ace avenged.”

“ OnOlhe contrary, Mr. Bandy, he is a car/sin 0/ the
man, John ermove I”

“ You don ’5 tell me?“ exclaimed Kit. “ Then you
must know Rossgrove and Danbaugh both l“

" I do not know them personally, but Iknow Ross-
grovn well by reputation, and have heard of Dan-
baugh.”

“ I‘hen you‘ve heard of the murder of Henry En-
dicott f”

" Yes. sir."

“ A foul murder it war "

“ Yes, whether Rossgrove did it or not."

“ Ah! then ynu have doubts, Mr. Graves?"

“ I certainly have. Kit. but then it may be but nat—
ural since John Rheszrow‘s wife and mine—both
now dead—were sisters.’

” Horn 0' Joshua! is that possible?"

“ Yes; and what is more, Bandy, that innocent
girl in yonder bower is the daughter of John Ross-
grove.

“ Confusion o' Babel l" exclaimed Kit.

“ Rosycru slans I" added Rattler.

“It is a fact," Graves went on, and from the be-

nning. repeated in substance the star that we

nave heard Ruth narrate to Stonewall Bo . When
he had finished Old Kit exclaimed in surprise and
astonishment:

" Ram‘s horn o‘ Joshual John Rossgrove the fath—
er 0’ Ruth Gravesl—a murderer the father 0’ sich
an angel gal l”

“ it confuses—paralyzes me,” declared Rattler.

“And israrl Danbaugh the cousin—blood rl-Iativo
0’ John Rossgrow,"Klt went on, “and Danbaugb
offering a big reward to us for the capture of Ross-
grove that he may be hanged by the neck till dead.

isn‘t this a little singular?”

“It certainly seems so to me. Kit," replied Rat-
tler, “and if you‘d give your majestic intellect rope
enough for your ‘ reat mind to reach out and
grasp the few simp 8 facts in the case you might
come to some conclusion in the matter.“

"Thar's one thing I’ve alread flggered out,"
said Kit. “and that is that I don’t lieve the father
of inch a gal as that gal Ruth, could be a murder-

“Second the motion, Kit," exclaimed Rattler;
" now what do you say. friend Ruble f”

“ Noble and upright men,” answered Zeke,
“sometimes in the heat of passion have done mur—
der most foul; but in this case the fact of Danbaugh
being, as Mr. Graves so. 3, Rossgrove’s cousin, his
eagerness for the dent of Rossgrove certainly
thrown a shadow of mystery, if not doubt, around
the affair.“

“That’s true. Ruble, and the doubt‘s in favor of
Rossgrove." declared Bandty. “It looks a little
queer that Danbaugh concea ed from me the fact 0’
his being a relative o' Rossgrove’s and I’ve half a.
notion to go back on him and throw up the whole
job; for, to tell the truth,I‘d rulher lose forty big
rewards than add one pang o’ rlef to that child’s
heart. But. as to that, we wil decide after little
Gypgy and Sabina has been rescued.”

" on spoke once, Kit." said Ruble. “of an old
pard of yours. named Ichabod Flea, that had gone
as a spy among the outlaws and renegade Indians.
Was he to have met us here?"

B “ gee, if he could do so conveniently,” answered

an y.

Something ve much like a. chuckling laugh es~
ca 1 Rattler’sl ps, but he at once turned it 01 by
as ng:

“I wonder what Stonewall think. 0‘ this Dan.
baugh-Rossgrovo main"

"Just about as the rest of you do,“ answered

raves.

“ Well, by the horn 0' Joshua! this puzzles me—
breaks me all up. How does it affect you, Rattler?
speak out and give the world the benefit 0’ your gi-
gapgic intellect—help a man outen a mudd e, can‘t
ye

“ Well, I‘m 0’ the opinion that Israel Danbaugh
is makin’ a hull mess o' fools outen some-bod . and
it begins to look as though these fools are Kit andy,
the great, walle ed. mountain detective.”

" Well,” said and “ I’m going to sift the thing
to the very bottom. Rougrove is among the out-
laws 1 want to know it; and at the some time there
are other things I want to understand—things that’l
come up in my mind the last hour. One of them is
-—lf Rossgrove living is in Danbauph‘s way, in on
she or manner, why might not Rougrove's ga .
Rut , be also? and if she is, what relation does Dan-

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The Border Detectives.

21

 

 

 

bangh‘s presence in Deadwood bear to the attempt-
ed abduction o' Rut-h— Ruth Rossgrove, as I s‘pose
is her name?” . .
" Now. Bandy,” declared Rattler, rubbing his
hands together in apparent glee, “ our brain is be-
‘nnin’ to work—you’re gittin‘ to so id business. and
f on keep on you’ll figger Danbaugh out a crimi-
naf, Rossgrove a persecuted man, and yerself a
whalin’ big mess 0‘ tools.” _
“That’s 'bout the size 0’ it. Rattler.” affirmed Kit.

"Some people do bliibber out the truth once in 3

awhile, audit we could lift the veil that enshrouds

this wnole affair. I‘m thiiikin’ We‘d find more than ,

Rossgrove needed liaiigin’ However, let us dr0p

the subject for to-night, and try and set a little rest i

and sleep, and as soon as Stonewall gits back we can
decide on our future course."

To this the others consented. and in a few min- 1
uti—s all were wrapped in slumber except One-Armed 1.

Phil and the plucky little Rambling Dan, who re-
mained on guard.

CHAPTER XXIV.
amen wow AND rm: WHITE-BUFFALO-CALF.
1s a beautiful mountain vale, through which
flowed a limpid stream, was located the village of
Black Wolf, the Sioux, the destination of Stonewall

 

Bob.

The night had passed and the day was near] half

one when the Boy Trojan came in sight of tie In-

ian town. and most heartily did he rejoice, for his
horse was well-nigh jaded. and hunger, excitement
and the loss of two nights' sleep were beginning to
tell upon his own robust frame. And yet he almost
dreaded to meet the chief. for to meet him was to
also meet his daughter, Sin ing-Bird. It had been
less than a year since he ad rescued the dusky
maiden from the ower of a white villain, which act
had made him an (mored guest in the chief‘s camp
on Grand riVer, and won, not only the fidlllll‘aiion
of the girl, but her most passionate love— a feeling
that the young dplainsman in no way reciprocated.
It is true. he ha treated her kindly and gallantly
as was his nature, but he had in no way encouraged

heriii her affection for him. He had not seen nor ‘

heard from her, or her father, since they had parted
on the Grand river, and now as he approached the

village he inwardly hoped that this interim of;

months had dispelled from the heart of the savage
maiden her unrequited love.

The Iyoung plainsman’s approach was heralded
throng l the town before, he had reached its limits.
and lazy bucks. greasy squaws, and naked pap-
pooses, filled With excitement and curiosity,

swarmed along the street by which he entered the r

village.

The bucks who had met him on the Grand river ‘

readily recognized him, and from their lips, and
through the town, was shouted the name:

“ White-Buffalo-Calfl W hire-Biiffalo-Calfl”

Bob recognized this friendly greeting with contin.
ued bows on the right and the left until he reached
the lodge of the chief. who advanced to meet him
with a sad smile upon his face.

Dismountinz. Bob grasped the Indian‘s hand and
shookit warle- The youth saw that while Black
Wolf seemed glad t9 8‘36 hlm.hc was morose and
gad‘ the cause of which he soon learned.

Two bucks were on hand to take charge of Bob’s
horse, while the youth himselt. was conducted into
the chief‘s apartments and seated. Then water,
and bread, and meat. W88 brought him. for his very
looks told the Ionian that he was thirsty and hun-

ry; and never did food taste better to the Boy

,0 an than that ash-bread and broiled meat.

Bilack Wolf was silent until he had finished his
reput; then he Opened the conversation by saying:

“Black Wolf has locked long for the coming of

- lo-Calf." . . ,
tbs migtfiggg19en anxious to Visit the Sioux vil-
1age‘n replied Bob; h but ighy is the chief s daugh-

r, Sin in -Bird, not here ”
te“Thegspigi-it of Singin ~Bird has gone to the land
of the spirits," Black olf answered, with a and
voice. as he searched the eyes of the 30y Twill! a!
if for evidence of sorrow.

Nor was he disappoint d. A sish escaped the
great-beamed boy's lips, for the Bad news WM 8:
startling shock to him, and he felt a filings? his
breast aki? to remprseflll'orihgegehope e 8"

reused be ore enter ng e v .
pStonewall expressed the greatest sympathy 10"
the bereaved savage father. and every Word “me
from the heart. too. for there was no deceit in the
breast of Bob Comstock.

It was some time before a favorable 0 portunit!
was offered for the Boy Trojan to make nown the
Obi?“ Of his visit there without obtruding upon the
feelings of the chief. who minted in recounting all
the tender memorioe of h dead child. However,
in anflwer to I queetion,ho was finally enabled to
make this answer:

“I have come to oonlult with Black Wolf. There
Are many bad White men in the hills and many more
bad Indians. and the have carried off two pale-face

uaws. My white fiend-are few, while the one-
mies are many."

Ahloogfigg' dent "in passed over the chief’s face
.3 are :

"Black Wolf know- that may of his warriors
broke 0"" “‘1 '°”‘ ‘0 We Mill; but they are not
the only bad 19‘3"" there. The Pawnees, the
CI‘OWSl the Cheyenne. ""1 "'0 Binokfeet have maivy
outlaw warriors there be] ing the bad "IQ-fms to
'rill and rob and burn. 1‘ I their crimes that make
the Great Father St Wuhington gum with ‘u the
Indians. and "'0" he lands his soldiers to punish
them or be withholds our annuities. But Black
wolf cannot he] the" being bad Indians any more
“I” the. amt athercan help therebeingm we,

H

faces.

to t is all very mm. m.“ wolf." am
m:::dL u but when we found we could notmrlgi-
one our white friend. from a” to”. one 0' mv
friends said. ‘ Go for the soldiers" but I said. ‘ NO‘I
'm o to we 'mqo 0' 31”“ W01fand he will send
warr onto help us for he never (Omen a. mend and
kindneu. and helmet his warriors can an“ in
the hills better than the Ioldiers.

The chief was flattered by the you” mmmm's

0rd: llob bad ndroitl presented h ‘ .nd
that too in a way thet a most precluded solemn.“

the ’ rt of the chief to comply with his mm.

03% bad? with roll. diplomatic an“,an p

I Black Wolf upon his honor. and while the wily old
chief did not fail to discern the young plainsman’s
tact. be fully appreciated the compliment paid his
savage honor, and, with brightening eyes and breast
Sivelling with pride he answered:

“The White-Buffalo-Call’ speaks like a white-
haired counselor. He is deep in his mind as the still
waters in the river. He is strong as the whirlwind.
and bold as the lion. Black Wol has not forgotten
the young pale-lace’s bravery. The spth of Sing-
imz Bird whispers to me in the wind and the trees
i the praises of White Buffalo-Calf whom she loved.
Her spirit calls on me now to send warriors to the
i help of the pale—face. i will summon Standing-Elk,
my bravest war-chief, and bid him prepare for the
l war—path at once."

i A messenger was at once dispatched for Standing-
' Elk, who received his instructions from the chief,
and soon the whole town was alive with hustle and

I excitement.

, The Indians were to go to the scene of waron foot.
I taking the shortcut through the hills, and as Stone-
i wall would not tarry there he was furnished a fresh
, horse, his own being too near exhausted to make the

trip. As the wav the Indians were going was im-
‘ assable for a horse he would have to return as he

find come, alone; but as the red-skins’ route was
much the shortest they would be enabled to reach
the appointed place of meeting on the Moreau al-
most as soon as he.

The war-party of Some sixty braves left the town
before Stonewall did.i_n high spirits over the pros-
pect of gratif ing their natural thirst for human
scalps, even t iough they were to come from the
heads of their own race.

The sun was on a downward course when Stone-
wall Bob bid the chief good-by, and mounting his
horse rode away from the dirty, smudi:r village
where he had been an honored guest. 1‘ 0 horse
that he had been provided with was the best at the
chief‘s command, and proved as good, if not better,
than the one that had carried him to the town. He
sped along at a steady gallop, and his mind was so
occupied with thoughts of his friends and their dan-

ers that it was sunset before he was aware of it.
Eut there was no halting for him that ni ht. and he
. rode on. The twilight shadows decpene into dark-
ness, through which he was compelled to travel at a
l more cautious gait. He was now following a deep,
wooded valley trending away toward the Western
hills, when he suddenly came in eight of three or
i four twinkling camp-fires some little distance before

him. .
l Quickly he drew rein, for he knew not but that
foes were before him.

He listened and heard the voices of white men,
and then a pool of rollicking laughter.

Riding 0n, he had gained a oint Within a few rods
of the fire when he was cha lenged. At the same
moment he discovered that a part of United States
cavalry was encamped there, an giving his name
he was permitted to enter the lines.

Riding into camp, he dismount/oi and saluted the
soldiers.

A man wearing the insignia of a captain advanced
and,with a look of surprise upon his face,addressed
the oung plainsman. .

" ir, whom have I the pleasure of addressing?”he
asked.

“ Bob Comstock," was the young man‘s response.

“By Jove! that must be Stonewall Bob, the Boy
Trojan," said a man in a civilian’s suit, the fashion
of which was not of the border. I

“ That‘s who I am. sir," Bob responded.

“Indeed?” exclaimed the officer, extending his
hand. “I’m truly glad to meet you, Stonewall, for
I have heard of you frequently. Iam Ca tain Rain-
bolt and this gentleman is Doctor Powel . the—”

“ The Surgeon Scout?” exclaimed Stonewall.

“ Yes."answered the doctor, who was dressed in
a neat suit of buckskin. “I am like yourself, Bob,
got a name for every locality I strike. ‘

‘.‘ Well. doctor." returned Bob. “ if reports are
true, you deserve every good name indicative of
skill and bravery that‘s been tacked onto you. and
since we‘ve met I’m of the opinion you deserve them
all if one can judge anything by appearances, and
I think I can sometimes."

” Compliments from everybody are not flatterin
to me. but from Stonewall Bob. the Boy Trojan.
accept them most gratefully. Permit me. Bob. to
introduce to you this gentleman, lsruel Danbaugh."

CHAPI‘EB XXV.
rnl MMIR'I’ON nn'rncrrv: inlamws non.

S'rox‘fluu. Boa started at mention of Israel Dan-
baugh a name, and although belied noticed the man
before—for it was be who had first spoke Bob's
name—a feeling of repulsion filled his breast. The
man 8 very face, his voice, and the touch of his
hand, whichjeemed cold andclammy. like a snake‘s
bodf 8“ conspired to add to the involuntary dislike
the name had engendered,

Even after the youth had had time for reflection,
and be had endeavored to convince himself that his
feelings toward Danbnugh were unjust—the result
of prefiudwe flowing out of the man‘s pursuit of
John ossgrove. the father of Ruth, he could not
change his first impression.

Danbaugh was I tell, well- rved man of r-
haps fifty years. He wore ong, silken chin- his
kers. Hie upper lip was smoothly Ihnven. He had
dump-3y eyes that were not possessed of any re-
muklnblofirrilliancyg. yet they seemed half-closed in
a mm a, is mann re were easy, pleasant,and en-
tiemunli; but for all this Bob could not overcng
his dish a of the man.

“ Stonewall Bob." owaugh said. as he shook the

0mm; hand, “I heard that noted old mountaineer,
{at mndy, speak of on. I am glad to meet on,
and here is my frien . Austin Smith. Mr. Smié is
from ghicago, and one of Pinkerton’s but dam.
tivee.‘

The young lalnlman and the detective shook
hands. Bob 5 eflingmward Smith were not the
same as toward Den h yet there was a coldm
in his breast even town the detective, which went
to show the strength of the b0 ‘3 love for Ruth,
“no” everythinglmd everybody t. atseem aim
her dirm‘tly or indirectly, engendered hi mike
.nd gun-ed up a feeling _of bitterness within him.
He knew without the telling that Smith was there
in the pm lay of Danbaugh. who was too impatient
to unit tfio result of Bandy’l expedition in hunting

 

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Rossgrove down, but must take the field himself in
person, aided by the Government troops and led by
the Surgeon Scout. He felt no bitterness toward
the soldiers He was satisfied that they knew no
more of certain facts in the case than he and Bandy
.hemselves did when they set out on the expedition.
And it was only by accident that he had been led to
change his mind. somewhat—not alone. however, as
to Rossgrove’s guilt, for of that he knew riothing,
but as to the motive thatinspired Danbaugh to hunt
down his relative and give him over to the hang-
man.

"I hardly expected to meet you here. Bob,“ Da
baugh said, “ for I supposed you were with Bandy “

art .”

“ I left Bundy’s party last night, and I am now on
my way back." replied Bob.

" What success have you had ?"

“ Very poor indeed. We have been kept busy
fighting outlaws and outlaw ludians whose numbers
are so much larger than ours that I had to go to
Black Wolf for help."

b  You don’t tell me?" exclaimed Captain Rain-
0 t.

“ Did you succeed in gletting help from Black
Wolf?" asked Austin Smit .

“ He at once sent three-score warriors to the scene
of action.”

“ And where is that scene, Bob?" asked the 085»
taiii.

“ It has been upon and around a place called the
Hermit Dome, but it will now be transferred to the
mountains.”

“I know exactly where the Hermit Dome is,"
sail the Surgeon Scout; “Old Fenwick’s Cave is
near there ”

“Then Bandy’s determined on having my man.
Rosserove?" observed Danbaugh. but the words
caused Bob‘s brow to contract with a feeling of dis-
gust; stiil, repressing his feelings he said:

‘ ‘ We’ve all had something elseto do than hunt for
criminals in trying to save our own scalps. and
rescue a young girl that is in the enemy‘s power."

“Thunder and Mars!" exclaimed Rainbolt, “is it
possible that the red and white outlaws are ewn
carrying of! women under our veri noses? Who
is the captive? and where was she ta on from?”

" She’s the daughter of a hermit hunter that lives
in the hills away over toward the mines.”

‘ I know of no hunter over that way," said the
Surgeon Scout. “except Zeke Ruble, and he has no
dauzhter."

“ There’s where you're mistaken. doctor,” replied
Storewall, “for it is Zeke‘s daughter that‘s in the
power of the foe. Yes, and they also have Kit Ban-
dy’s wife ”

“ Kit Bandy’s wife?” exclaimed the doctor; “ who
ever knew he had awifei \\’ell,here’s a double sur-
prise. I alwags thought Ruble was one of these
quiet, seclude sort of men that preferred his own
company to that of others; but if he has a daughter
he‘s been afraid to let it be known to his best
friends, and I don’t blame him. She would have
been carried on by some villain long before, had
herttpresence been known — espec lly if she's
pm ._n

“ Wye", she is—she'e a little wild-eyed beauty,"
said Bob.

“ It’s an outrage i” exclaimed the Surgeon Scout,
his manly dignity rising within him, “to think a
more aggressive policy is not pursued against those
human vultures. A woman is not safe in this coun-
try unless surrounded by re ‘ments of friends, and
the white villains are worse t an the red savages."

Stonewall was on the point of making known the
attack on Mahlon Graves‘s train and the capture of
Rutbi', but the presence of Danbaugh changed his
min .

After some further conversation Bob was invited
to share the soldiers‘ bivouac with them, but this he
declined, saying):

“ I must reac my friends before dayli ht.“

“ If our horses were not so near jaded, would be
tempted to break camp and go on with you," said
the captain.

I‘ ghen'thnt is your destination!" said Stonewall.

‘ es.’

“ I was afraid," spoke up Danbaugh. as if he
seemed to think he owed an apology for enlisting
other help in the work he had intrustod to Bandy‘s
party, “ that Bendy's force might not be able to
cope with the outlaws, and u n learning the sol-
diers were coming into the hil s on a tour of! in: ec-
tion, I enlisted t em in my cause, which is t eir
cause so far as hunting down outlaws in concerned. "

“I assure you. captain,” said Bob, turning to the
officer-s though in contempt of what Danbaugh had
said. "that your assistance will be timely, and we
shall look for you along some time to-morrow.”

With this the young plainsman vaulted into his
saddle. touched his hat and rode away.

Pmin the guard.he rode at awalk on up the
valley. hen about twenty rods from camp his
ears were greeted by the familiar words:

“ Oh. Bob!”

The young man drew rein, and in a low tone
naked:

“ Who calls me?"

“1, Austin Smith," was the answer, and the next
moment the detective mood at the side of his horse.
“Msmount, Bob, leue," he went on, “for I’ve a
word to speak wit you.”

Wondering what 0 could have to say, Bob dis-
mounted.

“Let‘s move on a little further from camp, now,“
Smith said, taking Bob by the arm.

,The two walked on fifty yards further and stop.
ped when Smith said:

“ hob. I've the reputation of being a detective by
nature “3'8" as by practice. I have made human
nature a study these twenty years, and I think I can
read most men pretty well, and your opiniop of
Israel Danbaugh seem very clear to my mind.

Bobwu com ietol taken byaurpriee. Hedidnot
suppose his dis lke Danbau I: had been no pinin-
1 shown, and before he coud frame a reply to

mith’s declaration the detective continued:

” Now. you must have come reason for your dis-
trust of Mr. DanbAUKh." _

“ You take a fellow rather abrupt”. 519ml."
Stonewall said; “ but then I have no desire orinten—
tion of denying the truth of what you discovered in
my feelin toward that man; and furthermore. as
you are in employ, I have no deolroto give you my

 

 

22

 

reasons for disliking him. You’ll discover that in
time no doubt.”

“ Yzoung man, I'm a detective.” said Smith. “and
that Endicott murder has been in my hands for
years. Somebody committed the crime, that’s
sure ”

" Then you must have some doubts of Rossgrove
having done the deed,” replied Bob.

“I didn’t say so, did I?”

“ No, but you intimate as much. But then I
don't care what Danbaugh or any one thinks of me
or my opinion, because it time: look singular to me
that a. man would be so eager for the death of a

lood relative as to offer a fortune fl r his capture.”

“ Ahl that’s—that’s the sticking-point with you,
eh f”

“ That’s one of them," answered Bob.

“ A lid the other?” obsequiously.

“That’s my secret.” responded Stonewafl, not to
be cautrht by the dcteCliVe’s sbrewdness.

Smith laughed in a silent way.

“Why, boy,” he said, “i can tell you why Dan-
baugh wishes Rossgrove‘s capture. It's no secret
to me, her need he be ashamed of it. in one sense.
In England, or Scotland, I forget which. there’s a
fortune of a whole big million of dollars that Ross
grove's heir to. In case of his death it goes to his
coz, Israel Dunbaugh, d’ye see? Now, if Rossgrove’s
captured. he‘s good as dead. and then lsrziel gits the
wealth. That’s all there is of it. The fortune's do-
ing Rossgrove no good, and as the bequest is so
made that his issue cannot inherit it if Rossgrove is
dead. and Danbaugh alive, why, it ’d do his child no

ood.’

"Then Rossgrove has a child?” observed Bob.

“They say so—a girl somewhere East—now a
young lady of seventeen or cightcen."

“ And in case of her father’s death she would not
stand between the fortune and Danbnugh ?”

“I understand she would not, though she might
give him a deal of trouble.”

“Has Danbaugh ever expressed any fears from
that source?”

" He‘s talked about it.”

“ How long after the murder of Endicntt was it
before a knowledge of the inheritance awaitinga
claimant was discovered?” questioned Stonewall.

"Two years, or thereabouts," answered Smith,
“ so you cannot say that Rossgrove, out of an exu-
berance of spirit over his great inheritance killed
Endicott. But if Dnnbau h had slain Rossgrove.
then we might suspect t at hc—Danbaugh— had
bade. previous knowledge of the fortune and the
conditions of the will."

“ That’s very true. Mr. Smith," replied Stonewall.
in a voice that indicated some impatience. “ but if

;you have been a. detective twenty years you know,
or ought to, that there's more ways than one of ladl-
1' a man." _

‘ Zipl" exclaimed the detective, slapping the
young plainsman on the shoulder, " you‘vo t e in-
stincts of a detective, Stonewall. I understand you
now pretty well, and have no more to say, only that
I do believe on know more than I can pump out of
you. But it s all right; I think we’ll understand
each other perfectly before many weeks roll around.
Now let me repeat again that l’m working up the
Endicott murder for all there is in it, and not for for
tunes in Europe. I hope you‘ll succeed in rescuing
the hermit hunter’s daughter, and Kit Band ’8 wife,
and capture the whole outlaw gun —iuclu ing the
notorious Ross ovo. Goodnight, ob "

And before tonewall could reply the detective
was gone.

Mounting his horse the young man rode on, and a
hundred times during that lonely ride he re eated
over and over the words of Austin Smith, an
mind wondered what revelations the future would
develop.

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
sum“ nmnr cars In Him wonk.

Dnvuou'r found the allied forces of Captain Vul-
ture and Turtle-Face many miles from the. Her-
mit Dome encamped in a deep mountain valley,
sparser wooded with pine and cedar. Here they
had resolved to remain until assured that Bandy
and his friends intended to follow them, scouts hav-
ing been left behind to watch the movements of the
plainsmen, and regort the same. _

Meanwhile, Old aoina Bandy was making it ex-
ceedingly interesting for her captors with a constant
stream of tongue-lashings. but the only elfect it had
was to rovoke the outlaws to laughter, which in
turn to the fire of her wrath. ~'

Gypsy, after her recapture, had become some-
what despondent and irritable, but after her captors
had gone into camp in the mountain valley, and ar-
ranged a. commodious tent for her And Sabina, she
laid down and went to slee , Sabina. sitting by her
side through the entire nl t—listening and watch
ing like a. cat to learn the ntentionl of the foe.

In the morning, when the maiden arose from her
sleep, she felt refreshed, and after having bathed
her hands and face at a little stream flowmg through
the valle , eaten a. few bites of broiled meat and
dry bread: she and Sabina strolled 01 up the valley
a short ways they having been given the freedom
of the camp in that direction, though they were not
to go beyond the guards stationed some .forty

‘ from the encam ment. .

When out of curing of their captors they sat
down and entered into conversation, but they had
talked but a. few minutes when they Were invited,
or ratherordered, to return to camp It once. When
they reached there they found their captors were
astir as with some new excitement. .

“ ell, my dam ” said Captain Vulture, With an
affected smile of pleasure upon his red, fluffy face,
“ I gueu‘wo’ll mount our horses nnd mpvo along.
You look much refreshed,Mrs. Bandy, this morning
—~ you don’t look to be a day over six—teen.”

“ Tyrantl villoin l” rotorted Sabina, “ don’t pro-
voke me to further anger. by addin’insult to injury.
Please gracious! man, if I set them fin ers in your

- yes the rest of your duty: will be spen in gropin’
Elindness. Don‘ forgit at I’m the lawfully wed-
ded wife of Kit Bandy. and he’ll make on smoke,

If ever helnys hands upon you. so he w ll.” V
“ Mrs. Bandy, ’ ' said the outlaw chiel‘, “ Jack Bram.
ble, there. has fallen in love with you. and I'm go-
ing to see you get a divorce from ugly Old Kit, so’s
he can lowl‘ully wed you.” . _ , I
“ Wed me I” shricked Sabina, With virtuous indig-

 

in his.

 

The Border Detectives.

nation.
in’ heart and become. the bride of death before I‘ll
submit to be that viilain’s wife !"

“ Well. at any rate," said Captain Vulture. “ Bram- _
ble will be your escort to our romantic retreat ainny ,
back in the hills, and the more spirited you are the ;

happier will be our ride. Boys, bring up the horses.”

Four horses llI‘ldli‘d and saddled were led into
camp. Gypsy was placed upon the back of one of
them, and Sabina quietly submitted to be assisted
in the back of another. Then Captain Vulture and

Bramble mounted the other two, and the four rode , ~ ‘
' the reins a quick pull that ltiartially checked the ani‘

off 11 ) the valley, the outlaw captain at Gnusy’s side
and ramble at Sabina’s. They were followed by
two n ounted outlaws that had bl (-ii tOObadlyiii-
jured to take partin the contemplated massacre of
Bandy’s party; and these in turn were followed by
four slightly wounded Indians and outlaws with the
horses and outfit belonging to the party.

Then those left behind socretedthcmselves among
the bushes and rocks on either side of the narrow
vale. for their scouts had, brought the word that the
plainsmen were advancing but a short distance
away, along the pass.

No Sooner was Captain Vulture out of sight of
camp than he became uneasv, although he felt as-
sured before starting that t l€' way before him wes
clcar. He urged on his and Gypsy’s horse, at a gal-
lop. Bramble and Sabina followed close behind,
blitiltlie w0undcd men Were unable to ride out of a
we .

After moving along at this rate for a mile or two,
Old Sabina. suddenly shrieked out:

"Oh, Lordl loan never stand it to ride so hard!
I’vei got a murderin’ stitch in my side now—oh l catch
mt, 1‘

She gave her rein a violent jerk that. brought her
horse almost to a. stop, and the next instant she
gave herself a fling and landed full length upon the
ground.

Bramble burst into a, roar of laughter as he drew
rein, while Capl ain Vulture. checking up, turned and
came riding buck cursing like. a pirate.

“Shoot the old hyenal" he roared. with an oath,
“if she’s going to cut those kind of hysterical ca.-
pers.

Scarcely were the Words out of his month be fore
Sabina. sprung’to her feet, and with a single motion
she extended otli her arms 7 one toward/ Bramble,
and the other toward Captain Vulture. In each
hand she clutche-i a. little dcrringer that she had
fished out from some unknown hiding-place in her
garments, and, as one, the two weapons rung out
with a vicious ‘ s ting " starting a. hundred echoes
ringing through t e hills.

\ it hout even as much as a groan Captain Vulture
dropped his hands at his side, his head fell back,
and reeling in his saddle he fell heavily to the earth
shot through the heart. while Bra mble. with a groan
and 9. curse. jerked his horse most violently, and
then in his frantic endeavors to keep his saddle.
dug is roweled heels into the animal’s side with
such cruelty that the tortured beast lunged forward
and dashed madly away down the valley. its wound-
ed rider swaying to and fro in the saddle—the hot
blood pouring from a terrible wound in his breast.

But grandly as Sabina had done in liberating her-
self from the power of the outlaws. her daring deed
did not relieve Gypsy of her danger. The horse the
maiden rode was a. spirited one and. frightened bv
the crack of the derringcrs and the fall of Vulture‘s
body. it also dashed down the valley at lightning
Speed carrying the shrieking girl back, for the sec-
ond tune, into the very midst of her enemies.

CHAPTER XXV II.
A BLOODY CONFLICT.

THE reader who has followed with us the fortunes
of Kit Bandy heretofore. has doubtless been aware
of the fact that Sabina. Bandy was no woman at all,
but the irrepressible Ichabod Flea. the inseparable
friend and com anion of Old Kit—a glirewd and dar-
ing man and ski lfnl detective whose work wnslnrge-
ly done in the disguise of a. fomnle character, which
a beardless face, rather (lellcz: to features, and a de‘
cidedly female voice enabled him to poi-sonata as a
vindicrive old wife to perfcclian. Not one of Klt's

resent party knew that Sabina Bandy wns Ichabod

lea except Old Rattler. It is true, Bandy had told
them all of his friend lcbabod who had gone into the
hills as a. spy, but he had kept a secret the fact that
he had gone them in the character of a female.

The two wounded outlaws following behind Cap-
tain Vulture and Jack Bramble were about three
hundred yards away when Sabina. fired the two
deadly shots that unhorsed the outlaw chief and
seriously wounded the ether. and heedless of dan-
get to themselves from the same source they urged
their horses forward, despite their wounds,in lio es
of being able to assist their fallen lender. it a-
binn. or Ichabod Flea. as we will know this c urac-
ter hereafter, turned aside, and lifting the heavy
revolvers from the freebooter’s belt, opened fire at
long range on the advancing outlaws.

So close did the bullets whistle around them that
they became alarmed and drew rein. A fifth shot
from the supposed female’s revolver struck one of
them on the klioe.causing him to fairly scream with
agony. and the next moment. the two were beating
an inglorious retreat down the valley.

In the mean time, vasy’s horse was carrying her
down the vale lit a. frightful speed. The efforts of
the child to check the mmldeiiml beast only served
to increase its speed. Down past the outlaws that
were bringing away the hOrscs and plunder of. the
band, it flew— on past where lay the writhing
of Bramble. who had fallen from his horse, and
still 03 toward the now deserted camp of the allies
it spe .

The Indians and outlaws that were concealed
among the bushesrund rocks awaiting the coming
of the bordermen, had heard the report of the. pis-
tols up the valley, and in dread suspense they await-
ed for the meaning of it.

The ridorless horse of J rick Bramble suddenlv
burst into their view, and close behind it came Gyp-
sy‘s. This told them something had gone. wrong.
and seeing the maiden’s horse was running away
with her, they rushed from their concealment and
throwin themselves before the mad beast, en-
deavor-e to stop it.

But the frantic horse needed them not, and piling-
inglthrough their ranks tore on manly down the
va. cy.

 

. Y, ;~,.l:.!<:li7'. . 31 I ‘

“ Nari/r I I’ll plunge a dagger to my flutter- "

 

A hundred yards further on. a. huge form sudden-
ly leaped from the bushes before the horse. It was
the form of Stonewall Bob. and at sight of him the.
savages gave a demoniac yell and dashed off in pur-
suit of the daring foe.

With a bound like that of a panther the Boy Troy
{an Sprung at the flying horse as it came up. With

iis right hand be seized the animal by the mane
and with the left the reins. and at the same instant
he was jerked off his feet and dragged along by the
frantic beast; but with a grip like that of a vise he
clung to the mama and finally succeeded in giving

mail. but the bit was snapped ill two by the jerk and
the bridle torn from the. head of the liorse, which,
instantly taking advantage of this freedom, again
bounded a“ my.

But thizeiwll Bob was not to be thus defeated,
and before the bcust was in full Spl’ell he threw his
left hand forward and seized it Ky the nose. Then,
with n quit-k and almost su )erliuzuau effort, ht' give
its head a. sudden wrench that thing it and its rider
violently to the earth, the Boy Trojan going down
with them.

But in an instant Stonewall was upon his feet. To
his horror he saw G.V‘osy lying prone upon the earth
(lead or unconscious while not (her fifty yards,
away came two-scoréof infuriated savages.

The situation was indeed critical, but the heroic
boy did not lose his presence of mind for a moment,
and stoopiug he lifted the inanimate form of the
girl in hisstl‘Org arms and bounded away—his hair
flying. his head pure, and the perspiration bursting
in great beads from every pore lll'hiS face.

The savageshegan firing upon him. The bullets
whistled closely around him, and to avert these he
swung usid- ond ( murl d the undergrowth thutskirto
ed the baseot‘ the hillside.

On dashed the “HIDE: savages, sure now of the-
scnlp of the Boy rojan. But suddenly four men,
lei by Kit Bandy, burst from coVer of the bushes
and confronted them. It was a small band to con-
front such fearful odds, but it was a Spartan band,
and the next instant a fearful liand-to-hand contest
was raging.

Stonewall Bob laid down his burden and returned
to the. asristance of his friends. At the same time
Old Rattler. Ichabod Flea and rambling Dan came
hurrying to the scene of action from up the vallev.
while over the hill from the north, with a war-whoop
that resounded for miles, came the warriors of
Black-Wolf.

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A sexism or DEATH.

Tm: sudden appearance of Buick-Wolf’s warriors
was hailed with a shout of joy by the outlaws and
their red friends. for they believed they were com-
mg to their aid. and not until the Sioux were upon
the field dealing death to the allied forces of out-
lfizws did they see their fatal mistake and attempt to

ee.

Like frightened sheep they scattered at the sound
of Tu: tle-Face’s warning cry and fled in every direc-
tion that offered an avenue of escn e pursued by
the victorious warriors of Standing- Jik.

Some attempted escape by scaling the steep hill-
sides. but these Old Rattler and Rambling Dan ensi-
lyhpicked off With their uncrring rifles.

ore than a. score of dead. (lying and wounded
lay in almost_a heap where the l attle had raged the
fiercest. and it was with a feelin;,r of sickening hor-
ror that Stonewall Bob, who had come out of the
contest unscathed. saw half of his friends lying in
the heap. Band . Graves, Rubin and Jackson were
down.nnd Old ‘t was the only one that showed
any signs of remaining life.

" Great God: Rattler, half of our friends are
killed 1" the youth exclaimed.

t] “ It war a bloody light while it lasted,” said Rat-
er. '

A groan escaped Kit Randy’s lips. The old man
rose to a sitting posture and glared around him like
one suddenly awakening in the dark.

“ Bandy, old pard, are on hurt?”

“_That‘s your voice, fiattler, ar’n’t it! Did we
Whip? is the gal safe? whar be I, Rattler!" the old
detective asked in bewilderment.

Stonewall assisted the old man from among the
dead and seated him at one ride, answering his
questions as he did so.

A glance at Jackson told that he was dead.. Ru-
ble‘s body was dragged from the heapjof corpses and
laid out upon the ground to all a penrnnces dead.
IlIshlon Graves moaned feebly on then his friends
gave their attention to him.

“Where is Gypsy?” asked One-Armed Phil. gaz-
ing about him. his thoughts ever upon his little sis-

tcr.

“I left her in yonder thicket either dead or un-
conscious, I know not which, from the fall of her
horse,” answered Bob.

And bounding away across the valley. he entered
the shrubbcry and soon returned bearing the inan-
imate. form 01' the girl in his arms.

“Thank Godl" he exclaimed, joyfully; “she’s”
coming to)"

liob laid her 11 on a blanket and One-Armed Phil,
falling upon his noes at her side, kissed her brow
repeatedly, crying out:

" Oh, my darling, baby sister: May God spare
you to me 2"

To still add‘to the excitement of the moment the
thunder cf horses’ lioofs suddenly broke upon the
ears of the party. and the next moment the troop.
ers under Captain Rainbolt came in sight at a sweep-
ing gallop.

‘ hunk God l" cried Stonewall, “ the Surgeon
?r:outlis ,with them. and he may be able to save our

i'Iiint' s.’

In a very few seconds of time the sbldiers had
drawn rein a few rods away. and Captain Rainbolt.
throwing himself from his saddle, rushed forward,
exclaimingr: '

“‘G'rfatlieavcnsl we are too late after all, Stone— -

l.’

_“ The lights over. and. thanks to the Siou we an-
nihlln'cd the the allied toes. But it cost us ecrful-
ly,” replied the. Boy 'I‘roJun; “ but, doctor." he said
to the Surge-m Scout. who came up at this juncture.

»" there is heroic work for you.“

“I see the form «.f a. woman there," said the doc-
tor. whosr: quick eye had taken in the situation; ” is.
she dead?"

 
 

 

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“ Only stunned, I think, from the fall of her
horse.” - ,

\~ lt‘nnut another word the dth advanced and
stomping owr the girl looked into her fair face and
examined her pulse

 No, she‘s not cloud," he said, "' and will doubtless
recover soon, if the-re are no internal injurivs.”

Then the d00201' turned and ieqnescld iho near- .
est soldier to bl'llll! his saddle bags, in \\’thh be cur-
l'lod his surgical implrmunts and medicines.

" This ‘s Zeke Ruble. isn‘t. it?" Elm doctor said. as
he S‘lég'p‘fki ovur to where the hunter lay and gazed
«low imo ins face.

“ Yes, and l’ni m‘eard he'sgom-clean under," said
Builder, sadly.

'i‘lle‘ Suit/eon Scout knelt by the body. and after
 l  (2.... ninution l w wile

" I“). he's not dead, but in a terrible bail fix. He’s
been svhot through the right shoulder, :.nd_ received
ufl‘lgiltl’lll blow on the bend. He’s i.-ll\.‘0l‘-.m,'_l'3llS from
that lnoiv, and if inflammation of ilw l-Irmn'doesn’t
wt in he might stand one chance in tin-t L' at pulling
through. But hen- is another bud also." and is!
nroso and walked over to thr side of Maillon Graves,
whose breast.  saturated with blood.

with ms knife the surgeon cut open Graves‘s  tar-rive said,

clothing and laid hare his breast, in which was a bul-
let-hole no.“ the left nig'pl’c. _ 1

Ate-thin. of it the doctor shook L19 11‘ no. mid the
look upon his face 8 oke plainer 'litm Word}.

""an is a very lope ess case," he said, “and
needs my first care.” .

’Illleu he proceeded to probedhe wound, v. lncli he
did with Skill und dispatch. lcr he was a. wteran
surgeon, and in the treatment of Win-Silo; wounds
he was witnont a peer among; army surgeons. He
was wall prepared for just. such cases. as. war» now
before blin. In fact. he haw come pro .ared. for he
Knew tum if hie. skill was x ceded at cl it would be
u’rfl'fl This battle-field.

There was abundance cf pure mater near, that
was brou h: in canteens for the surgeon’s use; and,
fortunafey, the clothing the outlaws had taken ‘
tram R uh‘s trunk was lound on the back of a pony
captured in the valley. and a portly.» o: i: #11". ed a f
good purpose in bandaging the wznnds of the in- ’
jnred man.

Ichabod Flea. who had removed 1.25 female gar-
mentsand appeared in a rather suggestive suit of
gray flannel pants and shirt, with his l.:ng hair still
aried in the middle and drnu up in a knot at the
Lack or his head, gave, his alien'icn iu b.s friend
unruly. Hef lurid he old man’s only injuries were
uponthebead,which he at once washed and dressed ‘
will no little Still]; and in a short lime Kit began to
ilnpl'd'v‘é‘, mad when he luui so far recovered his
senses as to be uble to recognize his friends and the
situation, he said:

M Buys, i’ll git around after awhile."

1;- ‘ .1» the Surgeon Scout had finished dressing
(“men’s wound. Stonewall took Captain Rainbolt
aside. and said: . ,

~~ Captain that man s dnuahter is concealed about
two miles rom here awaiting our return. Don't.
-. I ~' “link nhe ought to be brought here at once 2‘"

’ -~[ certainly (lei,"answered the officer, “1‘ :r I‘m
afraid that man cannot last long, and his daughter
should we him while he H rational."

u Then I will go at once," said Bob.

“I will give you an escort of men," the captain
added. .

"'Tbank yon, captain," replied the youth. and
soon be and tea soldiers. with an extra horse‘ for
RU, u, Wore ofldown the valzey

1);; the time the dOJtOr‘il m tracth Ruble and
gmsued dressinghls wonms the i. inim- had so far
h revered as who 3%!th FPEBK. on: he took little

on cottbln- surou um
11 ,. gm," 831% me Sllggtt‘mk V3391); he had finisher:

.5; m Zeke's woun s. ‘1 e .are no moreo
“gm needing fittgntion I Will do what I can

i l cnem 'swoun P. .

to}: Vl’ieiatt” eiclnlmed Israel Danbaugb. who all the
while hw'fiood around a. silent spectator. ‘ ou’re
not; going to doctor theeuemy. are you, PuWe i"

" Why not?“ asked thedontor. ‘ 1 v .

a Cure mom up 3%: whey l-anebtllicher more inno-

?" an n allan i.

083.“!  bDe mssegsged of scam 0f the 91917193163 '
Sir,"the surgmn sold. in a,
that brought the color to

 

of Carnation humanity
mm of song-nil? retbu e
l)». were w an . .
‘ Til-re \mrc twogwoundod mitlaws and four In.
din  received the care of mu great—hearted
doctor. though Dome of them he knew could not live
long. Then three more incluws were» bran tit-down
{routine hillslllqmnd an outlaw was came in from
up the vomiyw The latter was the notorious aaclr
"ramble, who was still alim
inea'u bulletin tho'eboulder. and unonxqrinlurv
lllfii..iut‘d when it fell from his horse. His zone
was 94le with door! and his hair a llfil'fe'lt cm“
1 .' qugQIEtSQ' gore, [my this this doctor washed
never. and having bandaged his head gave his nt-
xlemiw to hinoiherwoumis. ' I '

“ Another burl casq."the-docror Slu-JI. as be probed

he wound; "a We warm than Rilble‘s.”

“Out mv lbw,ttmnger."aaid Bramble mill 9.
groan and emu-Sc, "and end my misery. 'I‘d miner
lit) a. dead endow. than a llvln’ prisowblrd With a
lung :2 nd lrlrlney shot on. " a

"Dan‘t worry. old.:nn."eald the, summon: “i ll
care fonyourncw and ‘t you and the l‘uture have in

JD .

out. ' - , . I. . _ .. .
With Bramble!“ doctor’swolrk was finished for
the um... being, enough he knew the went well yet

to come. ‘ Yo .
had full recovered from herahockand
bfd’ogfied he by her twiuherfieke Ruble.
whom eve ‘ numbed with painful and
cry while flail stood aw. renting his
m" “9°” “3’ “mi 52”.“ Ma. mmslll‘lfid  its
memory 11:3 1:2! as p «on other, “a be men;

f the imagery of
W39,gl§rxlum,ae.m o

h bubonic her
"2” «a.

or; » ’ » . = ' ’
“wk ‘ adamant we: suddenly created
“diatom 3012’: approach with

from the m the  draws
0 w.

vet.

in mile of Ichabod »

l

 

uan
wands *

_.,. , q. -_

"33?? tows ;_

A “73119”?

Sector! by Ruble‘s si ,

Stonewall had already told her of her 1' ¢tlwr inp-
ing wounded. and she knew “’(‘ll enoug- by ’s
mamwrs that. he was worse than the 51:11:45 plain»
man would admit.

Ruth‘s face lliitS Whliegrio! had lost  c. it.
charms, and as she walked along pm: t‘nu czs‘cm-
blAd throng, her eyes cast (i"m:nwul‘d and lzer white
lips quivering: in sorrow. tho mldiers bored their

" r

l heads in silence. for there was s unwilling inner
i queenly beauty and silent grief that plum-n Zl;r,!1‘

hearts and commanded tlwciviliiies llanr mu: man-
hood is ever wont to pay to that V'iln." is I‘m must
sacred of all God’s gifts. pure hi.l,ill.11u"..l;lli. woman-
hood.

When Ruth‘s eyes met those of her fuw'lsirate fa.-
thor a or}; o: grief burst from her lips. and {ll'vppizrg
upon her knows, she threw her arms about his neck
and sobbed in silence.

Stonewall Boilturned and walked aim-.7, his own
heart deopr grieved by the maid. n‘s ic.ii:?cr~ii.;:.

“ Robert." a voice suddenly said 10 1513,3de a
hand touched his arm.

Bob locked around and saw Austin {Snizth at his

side. _

" You'll pardon my interruption. I lope." the do-
" but you did not tell me. Robert. lust
night. that two maidens had been capture: by the
outlaws.“

“I don‘t tell everything I know," Bob replied,
with :1 grim smile.

"That's all light, Robert," Smith said. "I don‘t
blame you for that, for mu much language sumo-
tmws spoils un argunwnt. But may i inquire the

I name of that wounded mam”

“Mnhlon Graves.” ansivered Bob. in a low tone.

“Tm! foster-fall her and uncle of John I’Aiss-b'rnve's
child, eh?“

“ Yns. sir.“

' “Thvn that lovely gi 2'] must be the criminal

daughter." -

" She is; she adlrlts itl’iersell’.”

“Poor child! llutisn't it a Iaihl‘rstr511gn germ.
do-nce that you should meet the child—n lowly lady

S

. pod-whilehuniiug down the father?“

“ Smith, ” said Stonewall. “ you‘re a kind ( f a
caldbloodl-J followaml are biking soul“ wins In re-
mind me of an unpleasant s Iuaticn. What do you
mean by it?" ‘

Smith chuckled to himself. and sail:

"Never mind. Robert: I In: lei-stand your feelings
now. Pardon me.“ and be to wed and u alwd away.

At this juncture the Surgeon Scout. addressed the
crowd, saying:

" Mm, tin-re must be some work .erfornlall right
away. it will be weeks and {rerun 5 months befnre
these Wounded men can be moved from here, and
we must have tents and pallets prepare—d fur them;
food mm: bu prim-bred. and, i n fact, everythlnrdone
that will add to their comfort.” ‘

So willing bands “'antto work, andin a char 1 ime
the blankets and plunder of the defeated outlaws
and red-skins had been githered up. Several
blankets were pinned together at their edges With
sharpened slivers, thus making cowrs for several _
large tunathe framework of which Wesmude oil
poles laid in forked posts (iriwninm lb.- mound.

When the tents were completed. Mahlun Giaves
was placed in one of them on apallet made of grass.
leavvs and blankets.

Zeke Ruble and Jack Bramble. by the doctor’s
ordel s. were placed in another. the wounded In.
dians in a thirduvhilea (our! 1; was reserved fox-Ruth
and Gypsy. _

As soon as Kit Band had fully recovered from his
blowon the head he be u a long. priv.“ to conversation
with Danbnngh, but not one word did he sayln re-
gard to Graves or Ruth. for be—Dnnhangh— seemed
entirely ignorant. oi.’ whom they we: 0.

Along tomlrd the close of (lay Zeke Ruble recov-
ered his mind, and when he had learned that Gyps
in: safe he felt fully repaid for all he was so

e ng. , l ,

G psy and Ruth visited back and forth from one i
ten to another, and it was nr atimd that their bright,
sweet tacos alwa s seemed to carry sunshine to the ,-
hearts of the nu erers. , i

Ruth’s kindness proved that she Wits Possessed of
the gentle heart of a min sin-ring angr . Sim hesi-
tated not. to hold a cup of ster to the parclmd- lips
01' an outlaw or stmn 'er. and once When she was j
she passed her soft. cool

- I

hand over his hot, Emu-9d brow, and when the gen- l
lilo touch seemed to reachahEdd n well-springdown l
deep in his heart and his eyes 5 led with mist, she l
finch? brushed his tears away while hu- lips moved .,

Sheaer .
, .atter both girls hadleft Ruble and Bragn- f
big 5 tent. the latter com lained: ;

Dominion, Ruble! it only had a daughter like ,

.Vnurs to itinand out. here like sunshine. I'd never ' ll

3 ut ere] lay an old outlaw shut all to thun- '
den: and not  far good womz‘glllh- H
' You didp t have lobe an outlaw. Brnmblv," rev '
plied Ruble; "pmi then. if your calmer hadn‘t been “
checked when, ll. was I would. new be cizildlesn '
Think oi' li ‘ here you lny reconfirm water t0 038m“ '
youmhlrsn from the ban ' '
would have déotro e ." i -
am into me that

“Don‘t. able: on'i {he ‘a
fit meg, ang hem on the

way. it"s hard enough
edge of the gravgxwitb my conscience [01de down ‘
With old sins. Without. but? my wounds raked open .
girlish and an}; aim. wed in ’em.” ' - » ' '
“  '319 no. 98 I‘Q'Ltondd to our miser- , tor with ,
your guilty conscience” ml spllyslcal Interim I ;
$33.99. 1W" 38 you 893'. the-1.10:1 have enough to
“Idon'tjhlnk I’ll‘ever. ullt ‘ ua'h . 0‘: flint g
swarm”.- “3% W”  m”
g ‘oll n v 1‘ can h ‘
in? ‘p afighwfieiuw‘ Je ‘ , ore bllg t that sent.
‘ on e um i have an  “ » ' ‘
may; ?9Wu on your back: 33.53333“ bet?” ’0‘“ l
e r. converse on was brredncef t
entrance oftlilt andy anailgmel 'Detgfirgigh. who 1
came. to pal thewoundec wen u. violin-c. ’
gut mom pa iicularl’nto canwmmth :5;
l9. ,, .  . ‘
this one it u” m 
town not disfingugh . lilo
tennimt Quaint 11,311 1,1)
gala. , be seated in. 

l
i
l



l
.2

rgdg‘i‘l: uni t" ' ll
rm fliafllfi‘ifli ' ’
mimic  '

d5 of one whose hie you w

_.M i you
hymn ;

out:

 

Both Ruble and handy noticed that Bramble (lid
not respond to the man at once, and when he finally
(Sid it was in a changed voice.

‘ was we answer he gave, “but all felLon-s
don‘t suffer arcordin’ to their Sins."

“That‘s Very true, Brnmble.”replied Danhauuh.
in n more sympathetic tone “but say, I would like
to ask you a question.”

"Peg away, stranger,” replied Bramble, ard
voice seemed to grow more husky.

"I um in search of a man who ii is said belongs to
ymir band of outlaws," Danbnuuh raid.

" Lots of fellows are after folks that belong to our
band. but old Satan’s gettin’ IXEOSE of them: but
what ‘s your follow‘s make-upi—l mean his dcmrip»
tion i”

“ Well, he is now a. man of about forty-five, and
When he escaped the law, years ago, he was a slen—
Ger man, of about medium night—had dark blue
eyes. light brown hair, and wore a full heard. Over
his right eye was asniall scar about half an inch
long“... His name. was John Rossgrove, but what it.
may be now I can’t. say.’

Bramth was silent for fully a. minute, then laid:

“ l’ll think the boys of the hand all over between
pains. and give you an answer in the morning.”

“ You may be (lead by that time,” was the brutal
and s-vliish reply of Danbaugh. and Kit himself was
shout to reprove him for it. when the man arose,
and with a. muttered curse left the tent.

After speaking a. few words more with Ruble, Kit-
aleo left the lodge.

“Say. yard." called out Bramble, in his natural.
mil-u main. when they were alone, “ did you hear
that flit-J fallow said to me?”

I I“ i did, and he‘s a heartless heathen,“ replied Ru-

1:

a 9,
" lln‘s :1 darling to talk to me about the wages of
sin.“ Bumble went on. “for do you know, pard.
that l know :hat manlike nbook?"
“ Yes. I do. Bramble,” resggnded Ruble, “ and do
you know (Act [how new 11 you are . "
CHAPTER XXIX.
A STARTLING DISCLOSURE.
Drama the night two of Lhc “Finlde Indians and
the of the outlaws diedbut aside from these t‘ r of I)-

. yrs: all named through as comfortable as could has 9

men €31.)°Ct(’d.

In the niornlngihe doctor went the rounds of v El
his patients and found them doing very Well. 1r.
(irriqu was the greatest euil'e:er, )rt whh his: m.
lfil~DCOESllllltlfin, lair wenthrr, [ht healthful ll‘J’lw
min nir no pr-ril-ct (part, the dortor though .e
was some lr knee of his recowry.

{Ilzl Rainer and Rambling bun vwre chosen 1 in-
tors to procure fYESI meat for the camp. on :19
tier-rebounded in great numbers in i «C: info: 02:»
vicinity the task was easily performed by the s‘lnlléd
hunters; and for the firs: breakfast they had- ', lo-
clued venison enough to feed [-lalusmen,sold3.xs
and red-sums.

After the sun was an hour high the Surgeon Safari:
threw 0 en the sides of his patients’ tents so that
the sun 3 ruse could enter and the balmy Ln:th
kiss the feverish brows of the suffering men.

Zeke Rubie-’ seemed quite cheerful and his face

l2;

; wore a look of decided happiness. Some thoughbit
. an ill-omen and others ascribed it to the minister-

ing care and smiles of both Gypsy and Ruth. The
doctor didn‘t know why it was that he should feel
SOLti'hEllel‘éul, and therefore expressed“ h no opifnloni.

it e ypsy was a so unusua y all Y. or '11"
ing the ni ht her'klnd friend and tog-Mar, Zeke
Ruble, ha revealed holler the fact hat the noble- 
looking oung avenger, One-Armed Phil, was her
own brot er.

Danbauzb did not call on Bramble for his answer,
notwithstanding the outlaw was alive with a pro:-
peci‘. of recovery. , .

Alon ebony/ten o‘clock that day, Kit Bandy. Aus-
tin Sm ill and Stonewall Bob met as if by accident
in from or Ruble and Bramble‘s open tent. and af-
ter king together a few moments, Kit called
Dunbauzh up and said: , . -.

" Mr. Danbwgh, thnr’a no need o'us all here now. ‘.
and it we’re lu‘ to hunt \ip the outlaws' den and
look {urtber or yer man, Rougrove, we'd better be
a'uou it." .

“I am ready, and so is the contours-id Dan—

1

It was Zeke Ruble who spoke.
, !‘ What is it, Zeke.’“uked Bandy; “d’ye want to

310:: i" . ,

“N . want to savejyou vimherdpveplied the
wounded hunter; “you need march no tux-that for
that criminal, for [am Join: Bong I“ '

"Holy born 0' Joshua!" burst from Old Eli’s 

lmibn. John Rosanne?" cried Danbaugh, 
e balefulfiearching since upon the face of th ,
prostrate min.

“Good God! men you'll kill m patiemdead‘l"
cried the Surgeon Scout, repro 31y, “why raise
this excitementh?” ‘ ~ ~

“ Easy, deem.” re lied the smooth—tongued Anne
tin Smith; “ you‘re t e only man that‘s raising an
mitcmrnt. Gotekeasadative." . ‘ \

The ggcgor signced‘fiund him. He now at 3:13:31;

u n n y’s 9.00, We pure 3
chgnposeunnd whenrhaggu _ muc-
ir. near. u look of. ,
bfiht faces, he lmcw

by Ruble m ‘
fives, Ruble and the all
,0!  previous night, end
turned and countered
“Yee,Danbaugh.“ '  , ‘

cousin, John
fuflM_ ,



and
we

 

 

  

24.-

 

The Border Detectives.

 

 

Kit; "I wouldn't treat a bound up that way. If
this gits out it’ll rooin my reputa .ion. Jist think 0’
my hirin’ a. man to help hunt hisself down i”

“Kitiiie. 0 away, ’wuy out in the mountains and
liurlyersel into a chasm, You‘re in your dotage—
old enough to suicide," said Old Rattler.

“ Of course l'm John Rossgrove," declared Ruble.
eying Danbaugh like a hawk, " and yonder fair girl
is my daughter." and he pointed to Ruth, whose
pretty face was aglow with joy.

" How brazen-faced the criminal is." exclaimed
Danbnugh, not a Hit le disconcerted by the apparent
indifference of the detectives.

“ It are a clear conscience he has, Israel.”
Bramble who spoke thus.

” Huilo tharl" exclaimed Rattler; “returns in
from nnotherpreecinct. ”

“ i guess lsrael doli’t recognize me either," Brem—
ble Went on, “ but then he never seen me With a big
whisker on. Come in and shake with an old chum,
'[srueL I’m nobody on earth but Doke Rosenberg,
trail) teller that shot poor Henry Endicott at Rush-

. e.

V " What does that scoundrel mean?” questioned
Danbcugh.

“ He can answer for liisselt," said Bondy.

“You see, Israel.” Bramble again said. “ you told
me last night I lnight b .- dead before morning, and
so you scared me into making a confession, and by
so doin’ Ruble and I found out w ho each other was,
and I concluded I’d confess the wrong I did Ross-
grove.‘l '

“Then you admit killing: Endicott " snid Austin
Smith, "but swore the deed on: o ltoiisgrove, and
tried to get him hung. and Would have succeeded
but for the burning of the jail?"

“ Me and a pard named Quinlan (ii-l the shootin’
and ten did the sweurni‘ together,” answere
Bramble.

“For what purpose?" Smith asked.

“ Shekels—a thousand of them war promised, but
We only got five hundred.”

“ Who employ ed you to do that murderous work i"

“Israel Dunbau h, the man who re roved the
Surgeon Scout for eipin’ us poor woun ed devils oi’
outlaws instead of lettin’ us die 1” exclaimed Bram-
ble alittie excited.

" l-ie liesl He’s an impostor—a coached im ostOr
of John liossgrovel” thundered Danbaugh, his face
blot-k with rugs.

“ Easy Dan augh," commanded the mild-voiced
Smith, " e‘s down and can’t get up. He stands at
(ls-atn’s door, and has a. right to clear his conscience,
though he lives or dies. I think he‘s done well l0
keep this secret all these years when he might have
tormented your life out for hush-money."

" The fact that he has not is evidence of his false-
hood." declared Danbaugh.

“You remember, Israel," Bramble went on, “I
had to leave Rushville very madam—hadn‘t time to
call for the balance due on the Endicott account.
You remember the Vigilance Committee waited on
me and Quinlan and invited us to waft ourselves
awaty from there that night and promised to hang
us i we ware ever caught in the 8 ate. So we went
away and drifted out to wicked Denver. Two or
three years later, who should we meet there but J a.-
Cob Day? Jake,you remember, used to has leading
wealthy citizen of Rushville, but he ot to drinkin;
and went down into the gutter, and unity received
his death-wound from a knife-stabin a row in n Den-
ver saloon. He lay several do. a before he died,
and I ate. ed right by him like a rother and minis-
tered to is wants. hen he seen he was goin’, he
confesued to me, as I now do to you. Israel, that ho
was one of the Vlgilantes of rominent citizens
that turned my star of emp re westward, and
he said you, Israel, was he leader of the
committee. I thoughtit a mean trick to serve us
jist to get rid of payin" us that balance, and I swore
i‘d git even with you. That was several years 0.
and I kc t knockin‘ about—was four years a s u-
dent in t 0 Nebraska State Institoot for takin’ a
halter with a horse to the end of it—and since then
I‘ve been too busy with other uifnirs to give my at-
tention to on, Israel. And now here I be, a pretty
spectacle or wolves and warms. But when l recog-
nized you last night 1 concluded to let you car the
load Ihad for awhile and besides:in John ss-
{zrowi ‘a rent from odgin' detectives. That’s all,

srae .

" Then, sir,” spoke upthe Surgeon Scoutdn a mild
tone of authority “ I want you to give your tongue
3 rest or ou‘li talk youracl to denth."

“ ht, doctor " and a look of relief mod
over thoputlcw‘s pa n-pinclicd gch,

Scarcer Ind these submissive words fallen from
the man‘s lips when the c of half I. score of
rifles cOncecled on the densely-wooded hillside
started the silent echoes of the canyon, while a.
shower of bullets came whistling down through
the air, one of them passing close to the h
of the Surgeon Scout, and another striking n :01-
disr dead in his tracks.

The enemy, after all, had not been vanquished,
And in the noted security of those in camp the
assassin shot came with frightful manning.

1

It was

 

CHAPTER xxx.
um run: A [TANNING Discount.

Tan wildest excitement followed the murderous
shots of the concocted foe and a nic would have
ensued but for the cool held and I nerve of the
Surgeon Sc ut.

_ Quickl Lieutenant-Granger called his men into
line to meet on nticck, while Standing Elk.
followed yhis warriors. dashed away up the wood-
ed hillside to engage the secreted enemy.

The fire of the latter, however. was not re outed,

and it soon become evident tint the h, disap-
peued. Forth init win some time, fore quiet
could, be recto .nnd even than an can and

fear pcrvndedthe amp. But. the worst of all—to
the rage of Kit Bun ,, the mortincatiou of Austin
Smith,and the ch: in of the entire camp—it was
found, after quiet restored. that Israel
Dmhcngh ind diuppenredi A careful search
cround comp failed to produce him. He had nude
good his coupe duringetho excitement end when

st fuct was assured, yond question, jack Brunv

tly excited.
A m

 

more extended search wuthonln- ,

stituted for the villain. In fact, nearly two days
were spent by hunters, soldiers and Indians hunting
for him, but without avail.

More than Jack Bra mbie Were exercised over the
fmlow’s escape, and John Rossgrove wus one of
them. Knowing the man’s true character now, he.
realized that his life Would still be in danger as long
as the scoundrel was at large.

Under the skillful treatment of the Surgeon Scout,
hmvever. Jacx Bramble, atd others of the wounded.
continued to improve slowly; but while this was

. true. the doctor informed them that it would be

some time before they could be removed. and wax
then an ambulance would have to be brought up
from the fort.

in the mean time. Rambling Dan and One-armed
Phil. as stated. had been dispatched to the hidden
home of Zeke Ruble to conduct Margery Ashton—-
the. settler‘s (i‘iughter he had rescued at the time he
dill little Gypsy—to the bedside of her buiiefuct-.:r.

R-imbliug llun knew where the hunter‘s home
was located for, :~ince the death of Zeke‘s old friend
Sandy, the youth had been a frequent and welcome
visitt r there; and yet he had, by Ruble's desire.
kept secret the place of the hunter’s home and the
treasurmi it contained.

Five days had been considered sufficient time in
which to make the round trip, barring aCcidt-nts or
u. avoidable delays.

As lianbaugh could not be found and the hostilo
Indians and outlaws seemed to have all vanished from
the surrounding country. Standing Elk and his
warriors bid “Camp Kit Bandy” good-by and re-
turned to their village with the sculps of many of
their enemies at their girdles. All 1‘ le soldiers, ex—
cept the Surgeon Scout, and ten men under Lieuten~
ant Granger. departed also. Even this guard. some
thought, would not be necessary for the safety of
the camp, for it was not likely the enemy would re-
turn twain.

it appeared to all as though the attack had bet-n
made solely to afford Dnnbaugh an Opportunity tor
escape, for, bad it been dciayc tWo minutes longer,
the great scump would haw been ill irons.

As the days passed the escape of Dunbath be-
came a matter of less consequence then the ex-
pect-d coming of Rambling Dam and One-Armed
Phil with miss Ashton. The five days giviin for the
trip were u , and when the sixth poised and they
on me no t, folm Rossgrove grew OXiP-t‘t‘llngly uneasy.
His friends endeavored to allay his fears, for he was
yet in no condition to undergo much ('thllPIllBllt.

Old Rattler and Kit Bandy now hold a consulta-
tion, and it was ,decided that Tom snould make
some investi ition into the "waiter.

" I regret, homas," Old Kit said, "that I can‘t
0 along and take care 0' on. 5 course. ou’ll ct
ack with a roarin‘ Tom attler romance i nothin’

else."

“Kitsie,” responded Old Tom, “ as a twister 0'
truth I long ago s’rendered to 'ou. I awarded you
the world’s rize ears ago, an all you n ed now is
a. brass met al. ut, old pard, you must be quiet
and patient till I git back. A man a hundred years
old can’t stand everything.”

With this admonition Rattler left his friend and
departed from camp. He walked bliskly away down
the defile in the direction of tho riVer. and when
about half a. mile from camp met Ruth Graves and
little Gypsy on horseback. acc impanied by a. couple
of young soldiers, returning from a Sh‘ll‘t ride down
the pass.

Stoppin them, 'l‘rm read the girls a good-natured
lecture at out venturing so far from camp, even
though accompanied by soldiers. All accepted his
reprovul in good nature, for Old Tom had won a
warm place in every heart.

Passing on he had gone less than half a. mile fur.
ther when he heard two shots behind. He stopped
and looked back. Aturu in the defile concealed all
above from his view. He listened but heard noth-
ing, and naturally supposing the sho‘s had been
fired by the soldiers—the girls’ escort—lie moved on.

The unt r knew the exact routo by which Dan
and Phil were expected to return. The would
cross the river at the ford ncar the Harm t Dome,
and toward that point be bent his footate . .

It was several miles to the ford, and ye it was no
walk for the wiry old bordermnn, and ra idly he

used over the miles. He was not far mm the

ord—less than an hour‘s walk—when his attention
was suddenly attracted by the frightened scream of
a. bird that went whirring away up the canyon. To
the borderman this simple incident had a signified.
tion and he quickly stepped aside and entered a
clump of bushes by the roadside.

From this position he soon made a discovery that
for a moment startled him. An Indian whom he
knew by his dress to be one of the late allies of Red
Vulture, came in light walkin up tho puss, observ-
ing a caution that convinced t 0 old hunter he had
either detected the presence of danger in the air, or
was making a very careful reconnoissnnce of the

as.

His presence satisfied Rattler that other indium
were near, and if no that their presence meant fur-
ther mischief. The warrior had no doubt been sent
out. to reconnoiter the pans in the direction of Camp
Kit Bandy- the uni source from which they might
expect trouble. he wu right in his suspicions,
then the non-up ounce of Rambling Dan and One-
Armcd Phil con (1 be nccountod for.

Whig? until the savage was out of sight up tho
pass, tier moved on toward the river, kccpin
away from the trnil and well under cover, for
enemies were in force near he know they could not
be far from the ford.

He finally struck the river about fifty rods below
the crossing, and c moment htcr, mode 1 discovery
that confirmed bk suspicious and worst fears.

Just above the ford, in tho contcr of the river, was
an island some live or six rods wide by eight or ten
in length. It was covered with a dense grewth of
willows, not tall enough to conoecl the presence of
three horses upon it. They were bridled 1nd sad.
died. and it did not require a second glance to tell
Rattler that they were the identical animals Ram-
bling Dan and Ono-Armed Phil had taken away
with them! The young hunters, however, were not
to be seen, but tht the were concealed cmo the
willows he had no doub , for, on the o itc a o of
the stream, some eighty yards from t e lslcnd, he
discovered a score of rod-skins and some two or
three outlan moving chow, some of them with

i

l
rides in hand, and all with their eyes turned toward
; the island.
l The next thing for the old hunter to do was to as-
Certain the. situation on his side of the river op osite
the island, and at once set about it. A care ul re.
connoissancc disclosed the presence of quite a force
of red—skins on that side and what was more sur-
prising, startling than all was the sight of Israel
Dtlltbuftyh (Int/r710 the Indians. moriin about, afree
man, and acdmy very J/z'uc/l like ow in authorizy /

CHAPTER XXXI‘.
A FLOATER.

OLD Ton Rumor: took in the situation at once—
the remnants of Turtle-Face and Captain Vulture’s
forces had reorganized, and. finding that most of
the troops and all the friendly Indians had departed
from Camp Kit Bandy, the villains had resolved to
strike another blow a: the whites. And with them
Israel Dan‘iaugii had joined issues, in ho )es, no
doubt, that he might be able v.0 carry out is hife.
IliOllS scheme against John Russ rove.

Tom was fully satisfied that Mn and Phil. and.
doubtless: Margery Ashton also. were concealed up-
on the island. If so. he Concluded they must have
been there buta short time. and that the Indians
were watching an opportunity for a shot, or were
waiting for darkness before making an attack,
knowing full Wt'll to attempt it in daylight would
cost them dearly. But if darkness was what they
Were waiting for, they would not have long to wait,
for already the sun was sinking behind the distant
mountains.

What was Rattler to do? or rather, what could he
do? To return to camp for assistance would require
half the night, while the little assistance that he
could give alone Would avail nothing against such
odds. He would willingly have risked his life with
thOSe he believed to be on the island could he have
reached them. .

For once in his eventful life, Tom Rattler was at a.
dead loss to know what to do~which way to turn.
Finally, like one in bewilderment he stole aura
down the river some ili'.y rods elow the for .
There he Stopped, Scratched his head and put his
wtts to work.

By this time it was quite dark. and the shadows
never Seemed so heavy With loom and full of creep-
ing forms as they did at that our. There was not a
breath of air stirring. The river glided smoothly,
noiselessly bv, and only the chirruping of a cricket
broke the foreboding Silence.

Soon tlieeager ear of the borderman detected a
slight sound in the stream. or, at least, he imagined
he did. H-- stood on the low bank in the bushes at
the rin‘r‘S very brink, and parting the foliage, put
his headthrough the opening and glanced up and
down the stream. Of course he saw nothing; but
again he heard that splash in the Witter. It sounded
nearer—at his very feet. He bent over and gazed
down into the water. His e es became fixed on
something there—something t at assumed the ap
pearance of a human face. and a human face it
was, with the dark hair floating about it in snaky
clusters.

Framed around by the phosphorescent light of the
water, Tom could see it was the face of a white man
-—a beardless face at that, and the old hunter was in
the act of putting out his hands to touch it—to pull
it closer that he might. see whether it was the face of
a dead friend or foe floating away with the current
-—whcn he suddenly started back, for he saw the
head rise slightly in the water—saw that the sup-
pOscd flouting corpse was possessed of life!

Up rose the head until it sat squarely upon a pair
of shoulders that also began to rise up out of the
water and move toward the shore.

The question with Rattler now was as to whether
the unknown was friend or foe, and he determined
to settle it without further suspense. Drawing his
revolver, he cocked it. The person in the water
heard the click of the weapon and instantly became
motionless, with his eyes, turned scorchineg upon
the bushes that concealed the hunter. Now was
Tom‘s time, and in n low tone he exclaimed:

“ Whist, there, stranger!”

There was no response. but Rattler saw the un-
known's form begin to settle in the water in evident
alarm, and to rcvent his escape the hunter conclud-
ed to bring t ngs to a climax, be the u own
friend or foe, and in an audible tono he said:

. “lipid on, stranger; I'm Tom Rattler—who are
you ‘

Again the form arose out of the water and then
moved towa the shore. evidently, from the noise
he made, somewhat excited.

“ ’Shi stun or,” cautioned Tom, “ or the vormints
'llhgnr yci ive me yer hand and I’ll give you

t

li .

The unknown put up his band and Rattler helped
him ashore with his left hand, still clutching his rc-
volver in the right; and as he drew the stranger into
the bushes the old man held tightly to his hand as a
safeguard nguinst a blow or knife-thrust.

“ Are on really, Tom Rattler?" the unknown
asked, w on he found himself ashore.

“Thut’l who I are at present, but confound in
eyes, if I can make out who you bet" wu Tom I

relponsc.
“ 1 cm Rambling Dan, the Boy Hunter-i"

CHAPTER XXIII.
not m but ml: A.IOLD m1.
“Git-Ar Rouycrullcnsl” burst in .l loud whis-
from Old 'l‘om'n lipo. for he now recognized
Rnibling Don's voice. ‘Dm‘l, my boy. any
blocs youi But. tell me, Dnn'l, what’s wrong—what

bu huppencd 9"

~‘ ho rod-skins.” answered Donn“ have
had me, and Phil. and Misc Marge corrilled on the ~
island up there ever since noon to by.“

“ J nut in I'd fl things out when I seo’d yer
homes," doc om. -

“ We were ignorant of the presence of a single
rod-akin," Dan explained, “ when we mortal acres
the river to-dcy, and were half man before they
showed themselves on bed: sides. A: we were necr
the illnnd when they did. we  for it and
there we‘ve been ever since crouching in the weeds.
As soon as I thought it- was dark enough not to be
seen. I entered the river end floctcd‘down here. I’d
hope! of gettln’ nid here bolero they assaulted the
islnnd, as they’ll likely do boron morning. Are
you alone, Tomi"

 

 

 

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“ I war, but I’m not now,” replied Old Tom, the
presence of the daring youth reviving the old man’s

wonted spirit and action of mind: ‘ the Red River
Epidemic, and the Belle Fourche Cyclone are now
together. and whatever is done for One—Armed
Philip and the gal any ways s..0n we'll have to do
it.”

“ But. Tom. there are thirty or forty of the foe."

“ I don’t hear a durn. boy; we‘ll hit ‘ em a r’apsody,
anyhow, to remind ’em that in the midst 0‘ life
they’re in death, and the neighborhood of an Epi-
demic and Cyclone. Oh, Rosycrusians! if that big
tumult. Stonewall Bob. war here. and that ole
thundergnstian. tut Bandy, we’d hand ‘em as hard
a slap as they can.”

“ \\ ell. I’ll do my best, Tom," assured Dan.

“I know you will boy; you're nervy as a roach-
back. and I‘m proud o’ yer society. The more 0’
them varmints we kill tonight the less We’ll have to
kill hereafter. and seein’ as it’s darn as nothivi’ now.
s‘pose W" glide up to’rds the ford and see what the
hell *hocks are up to.”

Ei entl
bushes tnat fringed the shore toward the ford. A
deer-path running along the bank afforded them an
ens advance and within a few minutes theywere
within hearing of the foe who was posted in an

opening on the river-bank which sloped gradually

down to the water. .

The hunters had listened but a few minutes when
they discovered that {)1 eparatinns were making for
an attack, sure enoug . upon the island. Just how
soon it was to be made they could not learn. They
could hear them talking about the “signal.” and
hear a loud-mouthed outlaw, or renegade, cursmg
somebody in an impatient manner. _ _

Suddenly the. report of a un on the oppOSite Slde
of the river crashed throng the gloom. The long-
expected signal for action seemed to have been

ven, for at once the foe an moving down the
giant: toward the water. T ey filed so close past
Tom and Dan that they could have foamed them
with an extended rifle-barrel. The darkness how-
ever, was so intense that the bordernien could see
but the shadowy outlines of the forms as they
moved by. They could not distinguish renezade
from red-skin, and this quickly suggested a daring
scheme to the now active brain of Oll Rattler,
which he at once communicated to Rambling Dan.
It was a scheme characteristic of the reckless and
ventnrcsome old veteran of the border. and one into
which the no less fearless and adventurlsome boy
entered with :I. Will.

As the. last <1 the shadowy forms filed past them,
the hunters laid aside their hats, threw off their
hunting jackets. and laid them aside with Tom’s
rifle and cartridge-belt. Then they stole noiselessly
from their covert into the opcmng, and, turning,
followed closely at the heels oflthe red—skins, the
darkness concealing their'identity, and the, very
boldness of the act Itself being a blind to the foe.

Into the water waded the red-skins. and Still at
their heels followed the two shadowers, a revolver
in the left hand and a knife in the right. Dan kept
close behind Olal Tom. being careful that he did no:
lose sight of his shadow. and soon they were min-

 

The Border Detectives.

for the first time. the presence of enemies in their
very iniist was «'liscovered!

By this time Rattler and Dan had got ihtmselves
into position a: One side. and elonching to. their
chins in the river bee-an blazing away with their
revolvers at the bobbing bends and forms of the

i now thoroughly enragedred-skin»; and renegades.
‘ ThPII‘ weapons being charged with waterproof car-

tridges suffered no inconvenience from their sill»
mersion. and so effective were the shots of the
lynx-eyed liorderers, as well as those from the
island. that the enemy were almost thrown into a
panic. p _ . _

I\o longer could the red-skins maintain their

l

j silence. and so opened up their throats with fright- '
'ful yells of rage. that were mingled with the-

they crept along in the shadows of the '

grt‘ans and cries of the wounded. Then to these

Sounds were added the battle-cry of the Red River I

Epidemic and Rambling Dan as they blazed away ‘
at the foe. l

’l‘ he savages now found themselves exposed to a l
deadly cross-fire. and with apparently half their i,
force already killed or wounded, they turned and '
fled shoreward before they had dealt a single blow!

This was a surprising. as well as pleasant, turn in I
the situation to Tom and Dan, and they hastened l
toward the island. Old Rattler heralding nis coming ‘
in a voice not to be mistaken by those who had ever '
heard the Epideniic’s yell. As they advanced they .
discharged the empty shells from their revolvers l
and reloaded with cartridges they had been thought- 3
ful enough to place in oil-skin pouches. in their .
pockets before venturing to follow the Indians.

Meanwhile the souzd of a sharp conflict arose ;
from the other side of the island. and it was to take ;

. a hand in this that Tom and Dan moved in such ‘

ling. elbowto elbow. Elmo“, With the unsuspec‘- ‘

n foe.

ilh as little noise as possible the party moved ‘
forward toward the island. the water reaching to ,

their waists. But, in spite of their caution the
vigilant One-Armed Phil dctectedhtheir approach,
and notified them of the fact by discharging a bul.

let that way, the missile P1188138 just over their ‘

heads.

The savages made no response to the shot, but an

uicklv dro upon thvir knees. thus submergin
gnems'elves Iggige chin. Rattler and Dan, of com-sf:
did likewise. and thus the party moved on. walking
almost wholly submerged. Their movements, how-
ever, were not altogether noxselsss, and another
shot from the island came that way. _

Rattler 'was on the watch for this second shot.
and the wen on bad scarcely flashed its tongue of
fire ere he ha< flung his right arm out to one side
under the water. and dr0ve his knife to the g
into the breast of the nearest red-skin.

With a shriek of horrible agony the savage leaped
half out of the water and fell forward upon his

, friends and swam to the island. reachin

face. making more noise with .his arms and legs .

than a harpooned whale. .

Aside from this one yell the red-skin never uttered
another sound, and, naturally enou h, his friends
supposed he had received his deat_-wound from
the island. Even Rambling Dan was i norant of his
friend‘s performances, and suppose the red-3km
had been shot. ’ .

The noise made b the floundering savage enabled
the watcher on the island to locate the position of
the party with some de tee of accuracy, and a,
third shot was fired, the ullet passing so close to
Rattler’s head that he not only heard it. but felt the
wind on his cheek! The veteran continued to 1m-
prove the o ortunities morde him, and again
plunged his llfihde into the Vitals of a savage. and
again esca (1 detection. the blow following so close
after the of that the foe attributed it to those on
thef island.

‘ only that delectable. lyin‘ Old Kit Bandy war here
, now how we could relish this vict.” "’

Still making no response, the savages moved I

on toward the island with remarkable coolness for
an Indian. They were less than twenty yards from
the little beast when two shots were fired almost
simultaneously.

but one of them was on the op- '

posi‘te side of the island; and. as the death—yell of .
a savage followed the shot on the other side, it not a

only told Tom and Dan that the enemy were up-

more than one defender upon the island! One- 1

Armed Phil could not have under anyplrcum-
Stances, fired both shots. as only the fraction of a
second intervened between them. Unless Margery
had fired one of the rifles, than there was at least
one other than she and Phil upon the island. But.
who could it be? who could have reached the covert
unobserved since Dan left?

There was no time now for speculation. forv

es of are were flashing from the island before
them in rapid succession, lacing them in great.
dun er of bei killed by heir own friends.‘ so,

n: the lead ttler swung off to the right. 1llnvm
a red-skin a parting dig as he did so that set t e to -

tongn

, Margery would beve been added to the list of cap- '

low bowling with pain. As the blow had only in- .

flictcd a painful wound the Indian was not long in
making known from whence it had come, and then,

: firmed Ichabod Fl 11' “ ch
proaching from the south, also. but that there was , e ‘ ey were carried 0“ to’dfly

headlong haste. for now. chew the noise of the ‘
struggle. Old Tom could recognize the stentorian ‘
voxce of that young border giant. Stonewall Bobl

CHAPTER XXXIII.
SAD saws FROM CAMP.

How Stonewall Bob came to he on the island Old .
Tom and Dan did not stop to inquire, but hastened
with all speed to the scene of battle.

At the southern extremity of the island they found '
not only Stonewall and Phil, but a third man but
fling with the savages that had come over from the j
south side of the river. The young giant- wilh a
clubbed gun was raging along the bank like a mad
man dealing fl‘i htfnl blows upon the heads of the -
foe. ably and in nstriously assisted by Phil and the .
unknown.

The bank at this point was about four feet high
and sloped slightly down to the water. Up this bank
the f0e were endeavoring to cum b, and to prevent ;
this the defenders were 'ept busy. Time and again ’
the savages were heat back. but rallying, renewed i
the attack, yelling like fiends. Aimed only with
knives and tomahawss they were unable to reach
the human cyclones on the bank above them, but
kept up the smuggle. momentarily expecting assist-
ance from their friends on the. other side. for the
confusion of their Own struggle had kc vt them in 1
ignorance of the inglorious defeat of t at party.

lully one—half of their force was floundering in the 1

river with cracked and broken, heads when Old
Rattler and Rambling Dan appeared on the scene
and began pouring lea/l andfire into their faces.

This proved more than India u courage could stand,
and at once they began to melt away from the bank
and hr ak for more cmgenial quarters, 193v.
ing their wounded to take care of themselves as best
thev could.

The struggle thus brought to a successful termi- !
nation Stonewall Bob panting with exertion turned
and asked:

“Who did that flnisbin’ act P—fircd those shots?"

“ Them shors came from tools held in the paws 0‘
Thomas Rattler and Ramblin' Dan‘l.” responded
Tom. himself.

“ Gzz'eat King I" exclaimed Bob, “ it is Tom Rattler,
sure. ‘

“ It are. by the Rosycrusians!" added the hunter,
“and it do seem to me that we made lovely 8.1111
divine connections in this fracas; but. it’s a mystery
to me and Dan ’l how you come to be here."

" We discovered, before dark. the situation of our

here but .
eparted,"

ten minutes after Rambling Dan had
Bob explained.
“ We?” migrated Tom, “ who‘s ire? ”
:: Ichabod lea, and I."

Here l" exclaimed Ichabod, advancing and grasp-
ing Tom’s hand. “Glad to meet you. Thomas." ‘
‘ RosvcruSiansl this is a hull s’prise party all
I‘Ollll'zldl" Train defilared. ]

is com an particu arly totlie In 'us.” added .
Flfia: Phat, homas. how came Wu harem?"
_ Came (War. we, did, with the lngins—waded right '
in and mingled with them in the river like brothers.
In the darkness one looked like the others, only
mgr? so;” I
‘ on re a 09 ”

Ichabod dandy. you are, Toml declared

"Thanks. Ichabod, for the complishment; but, if

“Ah! Thomas, the ‘ ”
assured Bob- real battle has not begun yet,
 3:31;}th you 11138.8. Robert?”
raves an s are int , -
laws‘and red-skinsl” yp y be hands or out
‘1 Don’t jest. Stonewall. that way.”
He speaks the truth. Tom. I’m sorry to say," af-

 

soon after your departure from camp The wer
out ridin with a con - z y e
thefihret‘gm the pie young 8 vldlers. and on
am e girls carried away into the bills. f

soldiers was killed outright. and the othegggnsoug‘s
if not mortally wounded. Both were left for dead.
The wounded man says fourmen with masked faces
dashed from the month of a dark defile lessthan
half a mile from camp and captured the girls after
the shots had been fired. It was to find you that
Bod and I came down here. avd it‘s well we did, or

tives.”

. “ Wal. this is horrible!" declared Old Tom. “and
it looks as though we bordermen have made some
bad breaks the last few days in not keeping a closer
watch round us. But, pards, do you know who’s at
the bottom 0’ this new order 0’ deviltry?”

were waylaid. th. 01 ' l . ~
9 8 me" sh“ ' asking for an interview. at “19 same time indicating

25

I

“ Turtle Face and Red Vulture’s followers, or the
remnants of their gangs, I suppose,” answered
Stonewall.

"Yes. caged on by that declicious villain. Israel
Danhmglif ‘ avem‘ed Rattler. '

" Do you think so. Tomi”

" I know so ,' "' returned Tom with emphasis. “for
didn‘t i see the villain himself this afternoon ’moncst
the red varniints struttin’ ’bont like be war cock 0’
the walk? on i by the Rosycrusinns! thar‘s been too
much pic rickin‘ gun” on up at Camp Randy. Rob-
ert stonewall, Dan-rough and his rcd-riuded allies
are ‘nout in the prop: r numor now to inur .er them
gals. knowin’ it mold he a I order blow to us than
death its self. But. boys. we‘ll foller '(‘111 to the end
0‘ the trail. and don‘t neglect to remember it. We’ll
have them gazs hack dead or alive! Ohl if Kit
Bandy was able to help us! Our force would be one
ole pirate more—twenty governuu—nt soldiers and a
battery 0‘ artillery stronger in afight, and if any
deception and fraud war required to com lete our
wcrk. Kit and his measly little pard, Icha od Flea.
could furnish it smokin’hot. But, boys. whar’s the
gal, Margery?“

" Here. Tom," answered OneArmed Phil, who
came forward. leading Margery. "Miss Ashton,
this is Mr. 'I om Rattler.“

“ 01d Toni Rattler." spoke up the hunter. taking
Margery‘s extended hand; “I am glad to meet you.
Margery. and hope fie ar'n't scared to death.”

“Oh. no. Tom,"t 9 girl I'L‘31l6d. “butl must con-
fess l was terribly frightens . To your brave men

5 I owe my hfe.

" That‘s what we come here for. and it’s a lovely
pleasure to know that our eflorts weren't in vain."

Arrangments for Leaving the island were at once
made. Rattler, Flea and Rambling Dan entered
the river and waded and swam down the stream,
finally landing near where Dan had first gone
ashore.

Then they crept back up the stream and made
a careful reconnoissance of the woods and breaks
contiguous to the lord. This occupied fully three
hours. and finding n0 61%an about 'they Signaled
to those on the island and they immediately came
(vet and then the entire party set out for (me Kit

; Bandv.

It was nearly daylight when the camp was reach—
ed. The party found everybody awake. In fact,
not an eye had been closed therelhat night. A deep
gloom and fear hung over every heart. and when
Old Tom related his story of israel Danhaugh‘s

.‘ presence among the out aws and red-skins. the

Wl‘alh of Kit. Bandy and ustin Smith. the detec-
tives. knew no bounds.

Old Kit declared. by the born 0’ Joshua, that he
was going to take the enemy's trail at daylight if he
had to crawl. and but frr the fact that the Surgeon
Scent administe red to him a heavy opiate that kt pt
l;is eyes closed and his tongue still until the next
dav. he would doubtless have undertaken the trip.

l\‘hen he did come around. however, and learned
that Stonewall Bob, Rambling Dan, One-Armed
Phil and Austin Smith, with Old Tom Rattler as
guide, had departed hours before to the rescue
of the maidens, he quieted d0wn with the observa~
HOD: ‘ .

“ By the born 0‘ Joshua! it’s pervokin’ fora young
man like me to h~ tied down this way, while that
ole fossil. Tom Rattler. ’ll have the glory 0’ rescuin"
them gals. It war always so when e and I worked
tugether in a case his!" tlzar was a gal; I'd do the
fightin’. bleedin‘. and dyin’, while old Tom would
come. up with a smile bloomin’ all over his anment
face, and the girl droopin‘ sweetlv on his arm But
for all that, Tom's a Roman legion, God bless him!”

 

CHAPTER XXXIV.
‘ your: corsm. ISRAEL nuances."

EARLY n .~rniug found 'l'om Rattler and his party
on their w v westward through the hills itpon the
trail of Ruth and Gypsy’s captors, the latter’s horse-
tragks being' easily followed.

Some ten miles back they came to where the
outlaws had halted—«evidently for some time. Here
they had been joined by a much larger party of
horsemen who had come in from the southeast and
the pursuers concluded that the latter weie an-
baugh and his ang that had joined the others there
after their de eat at the Belle Fourche ford. In
evidence of this. in fact. two newly made graves
were discovered near. and upon opening them they
were found to contain the bodies of two Indians
who had doubtless received their death wounds at
the island.

ln looking around Stonew‘ll Bob found a small

,acka e tie. up in a paper and sus nded from the
lmb o a tree. where it could be easxl seen. Taking .
it into his possession he found it a dressed in pen-
cil to " John Rossgrove. Esq., Camp Kit Bandy.”

Opening the Rage Bob found it was composed
of a number 0 small slips of paper numbered from
one to ten consecutively. Upon them the following
communicatic n was addressed to Rossgrove.

“Joan Rossenovn. ESQ-DEAR Covsm: this finds
me on my way to 1170 far West, and I have the
pleasure of the Misses Ruth and Gypsy‘s com any.
’on folks played your cards well, but you will find
I hold the winning Land in the end. I now defy on,
Jack Bramble. Toni Rattler, Kit Bandy. the whole
army and the devil. as well as that smiling, Soft.
Sna Anstin Smith. and Stone-head Bob. I mean to
hole my advantage. John Rossgrove. and bleed
your purse if not your heart. Now, if you have
anv desire to release your daughter, you can do so-
on y in one way—by compromise. If vou so desire.
as soon as convenient .put an “ad ” in the “ Heelena
Montanna, Times" addressed to “Dagger” an

where you may be found. Remember. there's to
be no snap judgment. My agent will call on YOU-
not I. John. Meanwhile. don't let yourblood-hounds
crowd me. Call them off. or I swear you will never
see the girls alive! All. if anything, must be eflect-
ed by compromise. Don’t forget this, for until I
hear from you through the medium indicated, you
need not expect to hear again from
" Your cousin.
“18mm. Daemon.”

Old. Rattler could not an press a mild oath when
he heard this heartless. bru 1 message read.

“ He‘s a fiend and a coward!" he added; “ a low,
slimy, wolflsh thing that thinks he can prevent his

 

 

  

 
 

.26.

The Border Detectives.

  

 

’bein’ hunted down by threats! Eh? what do you
say, Stonehead Robert, and “ Soft-Sue. ” Smith?”
Asmile passed over the faces of al as Bob re-

led:

“ We’ll follow them to the Pacific Ocean but what
we'll have those girls. dead or alive l"

“Amen!” exclaimed Old Tom, “so let the pursuit
be resumed forthwith and at once unmediately
right now.”

Alnd so saying, the old borderman led 03 on the
trai .

The enemy had the advantage in that they. or

most of them Were mounted, and could travel after 1

dark, while the pursucrs, in order to keep the trail,
could travel only in daylight. This fact. however,
did not discourage Old Tom. He was satisfied that
days, and perhaps weeks, might; be: required to
overtake the fee; but it mattered not to him if it
should require a year. He was determined to follow
the trail to its end.

For two days they followed due westward. The
trail was “ warm,” as Tom expressed it. but' not
once ware the foe sighted.

Finally the trail began to bear toward the south-
west, and this led the pursuers to mistrust that the
enemy were heading for the fastnesses of the Black
Hills. if not for the great mountains beyond. Still,
nothing daunted, the party pushed on. and finally,
on the sixth day of the pursuit, entered a moun-
tainous country, where the dark and winding can-
yons and defiles made rapid traveling impossible.
and where it was necessary to keep a man deployed
in advance as a safeguard against hidden danger.

Rambling Dan was acting in this ca acity toward
the close this first day in the great ills. He was
some little distance in advance of his friends, care-
fully pursuing his way up a deep, gloomy defile.
when suddenly his ear caught a sound in the bushes
on the right.
into position for instant use, and the next moment

‘ n iught.

Strongly the young man denied his guilt, but his
words were receive with yells and jeers. and cries
of “ reduce the knifel produce the knife!" But
this e could not do, and his past fidelity to the
hand, his bravery in battle, and his skill as a rifle-
shot and other savag: accomplishments, went for
Hr must «he!

The youth was taken and tied standing to a tree
hard by. Three outlaws with rifles were detailed by
Danbaugh to do the shooting, They were stationed
about ten steps from the condemned. A loud-
mouthed renegade called, and very ap iropriately,
too, Dirty-Dog Bill was to give the signal to fire.

In consideration cf his kindness to her and Gypsy,
Ruth made an earnest appeal for White Smoke’s
life, but her appeal was answered in words of
mockery.

Taking his position, Dirty-Dog Bill exclaimed:

“Attention thar, now; when I count ‘three,"
you fellers want to slam the lead right into the
traitor’s bosom: make read 'l”

The three men raised their rifles, and as they did
so a wild, terrified shriek burst from the steep hill-

? side above, causing every savage and outlaw to

start with sudden fear.
Lifting their eyes, they were struck speechless

‘ with surprise on beholding the lithe figure of Little

. before ever she reached the level.

Stopping short, he dropped his rifle ‘

a blood-stained a parition sta gored from the'

thicket. and with ands uplifte
stopped still before him!

CHAPTER XXXV.
TROUBLE IN CAMP.

Ln'r us now for a while accompany the Outlaws
.and their red allies on their retreat into the hills.

Israel Danbau h was, in reality, the leading spirit
in the party, an . barring his lack of knowledge of
frontier and camp life, he soon convinced the gang
that he possessed all the elements of character

.necessaév to make him a fit successor to the no-
torious aptain Vulture.

Ruth Graves was sad-hearted and downcast from
the very first, but the impulsive little Gy )sy’s spirit
could not be broken, and therefore gave ier captors
a deal“ of trouble.

in mute appeal,

Gypsy come flvlu down the acclivity toward them,
a long knife clutc ed in her hand!

CHAPTER XXXVI.
rsmn saunas FOR rm: BAD LANDS.

Tun execution of White-Smoke Jim was for the
moment forgotten, for now all eyes were focused
on the little madcap Gypsy, flying down the ac-
clivity, where it seemed her neck would be broken
But sure-footed
as a deer, she gained the valley unharmed and run-
ning to where White-Smoke stood, faced the excited
crowd. and in a tragic Voice exclaimed:

"You shall not kill Jiml He is innocent of what
I heard you charge him! I cut the girths and bridles

‘ myself 1"

Several times while in camp and ,

on the march her hands were tied to keep her from '

doing mischief, but even this and threats of other

punishment could not subdue her deflanr, willful ,
i admiration for Gypsy. however. would admit of no

spirit. nor stop the lashings of her caustic tongue.

Both ca )tivcs were treated fairly well. To the
credit of anbaugh, be it said, he cautioned his
white f lends and red about using rude or insulting
language in the presenCe or hearing of the girls.

Up to the day that the foe enter :0. the Back Hills
proper, their journey had been more like the march
of a funeral party than a band of umrauders. The

fear of pursuit, as Well as the exasperating fact of "

their having been unable to avenge. the death of two—
thirds of their friends, kept them silent and vigilant.
But when they reached the hills their courage re—
vived. for they felt safe now from all danger.

On the other hand the spirit of Gypsy became sub«
Idued. It seemed that upon entering the hills all
hope of rescue faded from her breast and despon-
dency succeeded.

A young half-breed Indian of tweni years. with
the euphonious name of White-Smoke ’ im. had been

.mercy. Gypsy turned an

D“And Jim furnished you the knife!" put in Dirty-
0g.

“And then helped to conceal you." added Dan-
bauzh.

“ It’s a hel—a liel-both of them I” the girl frantic-
ally exclaimed. “ I did it all myself! You shall not
kill him. on hideous cowards!”

"Stan aside, viXen." commanded Danbaugh;
“we will not be trifled with longer!"

Seeing there was no appealing to the villairs’

deliberately cut the
thongs that held White-Smoke to the tree. As she
did so, she said:

“ Run. Jim, for your life—they mean to kill you!
Run. for my sake, Jim!“

But for this last up a] White-Smoke would have
died in his tracks rat 191‘ than turn his back to his
would-be murdere's. conscious of his innocence; his

refusal of her appeal. He glanced quickly around
him, then like a deer bounded into the bushes fring-
ing the base of the bluff.

Ayell of savage indignation resounded through
the canyon. and half a score of warriors dashed
away in pursuit of the boy.

U from anion the bushes upon the side of the
bin Whitermo e soon appeared—up with the
swift, sure footste s of a mountain goat.

The revolvers o the outlaws began to bark. and
bullets whistled through the air.
fugitive paused slightly ar (1 seemed to stagger as if

1 he had been hit; then with a new burst of speed he

dashed on up. and up urtil the summit- of the

- heights was reached and then disappeared from

detailed by Turtle—Face himself as Gyr sy’s attend- .

ant and escort.

He spoke English Well. and was .

rather a goodlooking ln'dian. and prided himself on _

his personal appearance and his accomplishments
as a runner, leaner. and fighter. From the very first
the young warrior had endeavored to win the good
graces of “Panther-Killer," as an Indian whom
Gypsy had relieved of some of his facial cuticle had
named her. and his efforts at reconciliation and

‘dangfé‘a for a number of

‘peacemaking afforded his friends no little amuse- ;
1 gialv‘e dygu bound hand and foot, gagged and blind—
_ one

ment.
Israel Danbaugh. however, looked upon White

Smoke‘s attention to the girl with some misgivings, T,

for he saw the fellow was infatuated with the pretty
little madcap. and there was no telling what his
infatuation might lead to in the end. ‘

The first night in the great Hills the band on-
camped in a little park approached through a war
fiwfldeflle and surrounded by steep. rocky, brushy

u s.

As usual Ruth and Gypsy were given the freedom
of the camp. They came and went at pleasure
though were never permitted to go beyond the

ar 3.

The night passed quietly. but early next morning
the camp was thrown into a fever of excitement by
the announcement that Gypsy had disappeared
from camp, and the further discovery that every
saddle-girth and every bridle had been literally cut
to iecesl

i: first it was believed that the girl had done the
cutting. but how she coul'l have escaped from camp
unaided, guarded as it had been, was a mystery to
all. Even Ruth pleaded entire ignorance of a
knowledge of how and when her madcap compan-
ion had escaped.

. A svcond and more extended, search was made for
the girl, but no trace of her could be found.

Suspicion of treachery was aroused, and Dan-
baugh charged White Smoke Jim of being accessory
in the girl's disappearance and the cutting of the
girths and bridlee.

The half-breed indignantly denied the charge; but
when it was discovered that his huntin -knife was
not in its accustomed sheath. and that e was un-
able to account for its whereabouts, the fellow’s
guilt seemed almost conclusive.

Others than Danbauirh knew that “Jim” had
been infatuated with the grétt captive, and it did
not take a council long to col e that he was guilty
of treachery in aiding the maiden to esca in

sight.

Gypsy. who had watched his asCent in breathless
suspense, now clapped her hands and. laughed in
gmaiipehght in the very face of the enraged Dan-

aug I.

But White~Smoke was not et entirely out of
eet-footed savages
Icjlllm the bluff and started away in pursuit of

m.

Danbaugh grasped Gyps rudely by the arm and
walked her into the tent w ere Ruth sat, saying as
he did so:

" Miss, you want to settle yourself now, or I shall

“No. you won‘t, you old fool!" was Gypsy's re-
joinder' then as Danbaugh. white with rage, turned
away, s e sat down by Ruth saying in achanged
tone, a smile on her face: “I don t think they’ll get
Jim n0w, do you, Ruth? He’s innocent as you are
of cutting them bridle; and saddles. I slipped his

i knife cut of his belt last ni ht. and when you were

sound asleep, Istole out an cut up the things. I
wanted to make them trouble, and delay them so
our friends, if we have any alive. could overtake us.
I hid in the cutest little hole, half-way u) on the
bluff, and pulled the hole in after me. An Ingin
passed me twice so close I’d auction to stick him
with my knife, just for fun. But I‘m awful sorry
mv mischief has caused poor Jim trouble.”

“You must be careful now Gypsy," cautioned
Ruth, “ for our captors are all enraged, and they
migiiifidp ou harm."

5- i P

just more’n carved them."

And once the'

 

them be now,” the gr] repled: “but ‘

what fun the 'll have mendin their bridles, for I ‘
y g I flcientto t e critical Old Tom Rattler of his truth.

The “fun” lasted nearly two hours, and before i

they got through. the allies were compelled to ap-

ropriate belts, strips of buckskin jackets, and even
ariats, to make serviceable their outfit; and when
this was completed. another hour or two was lost,

waitin the return of those who had «one in pursuit '

of Wh te«8moke Jim. This latter loss of time would
have been considered well s ent had it resulted in

: any good, but it did not: t e warriors returned

l

empty-handed and crestfalien. The nimble-footed
“James ” had our-sprinted them and escaped.
Danbaugh and his right-hand man. “ Belindse
Mack,“ were greatlv exercised over the half-breed’s
esc Ipe; they knew they had incurred the enmity of
the youth, and that he would pursue them to the

posed by Bellnoso Mack. He suggested that they
strike north, double. back fifty miles east. and then
make for the Bad Lands of Montana.

To this Turtle-Face and his warriors objected;
howeVer, he consen’ed for Danbaugh and his out-
law companions to take the caprives and go where
they pleaScd. He was no longer disp Sod to follow
the outlaws, or join issues with twin. His ex-
perience of the past month had fully satisfied him
with partnership exp-"litmus. and they were going
on to their destination, 'White—Smoke Jim to the
contrary, notwithstani 1:2 

The decision of the chief was exactly to the out-
laws’ wish, and althou;h ex ircssing deep regrets at
having to part from the chief and his brave fol-
lowers, they packed hr at once. bil the red-skins
and renegades fareWc l, and with the captives de-

arted. .

p There were just five of the outlaws, counting Dan-
baugh—a sorry remnant of the once notorious band
of Red Vultures.

Thev rode on westward some three miles then
turned northward into a side canyon from which
they expected to turn eastward and on to the Bad
Lands where Belluose Mack assured Danbaugh Old
Satan himslf would be unable to find them.

Glad they were rid of the outlaws and the possible
necessity of having to fight to retain possession of
the captives, the indians and white renegades re-
sumed their retreat at a leisurely pace. keeping a
warrior in the rear to guard against danger from
that source. And it was well they did, f or toward
eyening of that very day the scout brought in the
startling information that a party of white men was
in hot pursuit of them, accompanied by White-
Smoke Jiml __

CHAPTER XXXVII.
'ron nn'rrnnn m omen quaarans.

A'r sight of the blood-stained Indian Rambling Dan
grew a hit uneasy through fear some trap was about
to be sprung upon him and his friends. and as the
Indian started toward him, his hands still uplifted,
he demanded:

“Who are you?"

“ White-Smoke Jim," promptly came the answer.

“ Well, what do you want?“ questioned Dan.

" to talk with you—to all of you.” he responded.

The rest of tee party coming up, Dan said to
them:

"Boys this is Smoky Jim, and he wants to talk
with us. he informs me,"

“ By Rosycrusiansl Jim," exclaimed 01d Rattler,
“it looks as tho’ you’d been in a den 0‘ roach-
backs."

“ N0." said the Indian with a shake‘of the head,
“ I was wounded and pursued by my friends."

" They war luscious friends. I’d say," Rattler ob-
served. “Who war yer friendsl whard’ye belong?"

" I was one of Turrlc-Face’s followers."

"The holy Rosycrusiansi war you too ornery to
belong to that gang 0‘ viperish hell ons?"

"I was threatened w th death ecause I was a
friend to the captive maidens you seek to rescue."

An exclamation burst from the 1i 3 of the party
as they gathered closer about the Inc ian.

“ Indian." said Old Tom. eying the half-breed
sharply. "are you nellin’ us the truth? \\ ar you
driven outen camp because, as ye say, you war
friendly to the captive girls?" I

“ I have told t e truth." declared Jim; “I was
sentenced to be shot. The white girl,Gyps , cut
my bonds and by her request I ran. They snot at
me. I was wounded in the arm. They pursued
me. The bushes and thorns lore and scratched my
face and it bled—my wounds all bled until I feel
weak.“ .

“ When was it, Jim, this all happened? ’

“ This morning."

‘2 And you say the gals war alive and well?"

‘ Yes."

“ Good! good !" exclaimed the entire party. _

“This puts only ten hours behind, boys,” said
Ichabod Flea. “ We'll overhaul them yet. But say,
Jim. is there a white man called Danbaugh in the
crowd?”

“Yes,” Jim answered, “and he’s a bad man—he
the one that want me shot because I was a friend to
girls."

“ Did you try to help them escape?”

" No; but I meant to.“

“ When f”

“ When I got a chance." _

‘* How do the girls bear up under their cap-
tiviry?‘

“ One is sad and uiet—Gypsy makes them lots of
trouble. She cut t elr bridles all to pieces. They
say White-Smoke done it."

“Do you know. Jim, where the gang is headed
for Y” Stonewall Bob asked.

“ Yes—far away—many days‘ travel yet. You
can catch ‘em if you hurry on—never will if you
talk, talk talk.“ was the sage answer of the yout .
“And what are you goin’ to do nowi’ Rattler
asked.

"G i with you and show you the way:” .

“And won’t betray us—lead us into a trap?"

“If you fear me, don’t trust mel" was the per-
tinent re ly of the young half-breed.

White» moke Jim’s wounded arm, his straight-
forward story. his cool. calm demeandr, and the
unflinchin gaze of his black eyes, were all suf-

fulness and honesty, and he at once set the youth
at ease by expressing implicit confidence mhlm,
and in accepting his proffered servme.

That the Indians desme to serve them was as
much for the purpose of avengin his own wrongs
on Danbaugh as any other. t ,ere was not a
doubt in an one’s mind; but tl‘is made him none
the less deslrable addition to their party. ,

After Ichabod Flea had dressed the Indians
wounded arm the pursuit was continued until dark,

. when a halt was made for the night.

bitter end They were not afraid of him alone. but i

of the mischief he could do them indirectly. for.
knowing their destination with the girls. and being

De.
cutting the harness, and premeditated desertion of familiar with all the intricacies of the hills. he could

the party.
The sentence pronounced was death by shooting!

lead a party of avengers upon them at will.
A change in their decimation. was] therefore pro-

M’kku . f

Rambling Dan having succeeded in shooting a
,deer close 0 cam . the party had a royal sup 1- of
fresh venison wi h lenty left for breakfas and
also some to carry w th them.

They were off bright and early next morning
and about ten o’clock struck the campgrounds
Evhere Jim had so suddenly taken leave of his
riends.

Continuln on in great haste they assed the
mouth of re canyon into Which Dan flush. and

 

 

 

' .-- y‘-

 

. any";

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

The Border Detectives.

2'7

 

party had turning without detecting the deviating
trail.

Two more days were thus passed and a third was
drawing to a close when the pressing need of some-
thing to eat sent Old Tom and Stonewall Bob
back into the hills in search of game, the others to

continue on to a certain point clearly designated by

“Jim.”
The hunters struck a platrau, or rather a bench

-of the mountain. where they felt confident a deer

could be found. At the head ot‘a little depression
or swale trending off toward the south the hunters
separated, one going on the left side and the other
the right of the swale. They (lid not get out of

.sight of each other at any time. and in this way they

had gone perhaps half a mile when Old Tom caught
sight of a form gliding among the rocks some two
hundred paces before him.

It did not take a Second look to tell him that the
form was that of a skulking Indian, and without
manifesting any alarm or even changing his gait,
he turned and started l Aisurely toward Stonewall
Bob. He had gone something like tliirt rods when
he suddenly came to a bait and starte back. He
found himself standing on the brink of a deep chasm
some twelve or fifteen feet wide, and so deep its bot-
tom was lost in darkness. The swale at the head of
which they had Separated had grown into the ugly
chasm unknown to either.

Tom beckond Bob toward him. In a. few moments
‘the two stood facingr each other the abyss between.

“ Bob, there’s an Ingin skulkin’ down ahead 0’
me," Rattler said.

“The dickens you sa '2” exclaimed Bob; “then
you had better be gettin ’i'ound on this Side. for— ’

A savage yell cut short his speech. It came from
up the chasm. and was answered from below and
lialf-a-dozen other points on Tom‘s side. A glance
told Bob the savages were closing in on the 4 id man
from every . uarter, and that escape up or down the
chasm woul be impossible. I .

“Jump the chasm, Tom! Jump it, can t you?”
he exclaimed. . .

Having alread measured the abyss With his eye.
Old Tom shook is head, saying:

" I never could make it. Bob—not spring
enough—” _ _ .

"Then throw me your rifle—quick!“ lnl’l‘l‘l‘llpted
the now thorou hly excited young giauz.

Tom pitcheu iis rifle to Bob v. ho. dropping it on

l
l
l
l

the ground by his own, walked backward a few ;
paces. then he dash: (1 forward to the wine of the

chasm and liken deer bounded through the air. land-
ing on the other edge of Rattler‘s side!

“ Heavens: what a leap!" exclaimed Tom; i. if
17(]_7Y

He did not finish the sentencefor Bob seized the
old border-man by the collar of his hunting-shirt and

I llidn't you i now this kor-rzl.’ was here?"

1 tion, “ they have got us in here. but death’s 3. Ion

the seat of his buckskins, jerked him off his feet ‘-

and holding him face downward, say-1m: mm (0 and ,
fro a time or so and tnen, With a iriltivt‘v “Yum I

pitched him head-foremost through in air over the
yawning chasm. landing him sprawling on his srnm.
ach on the opposite side Thenrgain backing {may
the young giant made a running Jump and again
leaped the chasm With apparent ease,

Improbable as it may Seem this almost super-
human t‘eat of the big borderinan was performed in
lesa than tire-and-twvnty Seconds; but it was none
too quick to avert danger, for the yelling red-skins

'ere ressin close. _
“ Falliiig liegvily on his stomach as he did, Old
TOlll had the breath completely knockel on: of
him. and as the old fellow scrambled to his knees
he see med half dazed.

Seeing his condition, Bob snatched up the two
rides in his left hand and With his right he again
seized Tom by the collar and ran dragging mm
along like a lion would a lamb to the cover of a
huge rock some twenty paces back from the abyss.
Nor did he gain that cover a second too soon, for as
he dropped behind it, half a dozen bullets whistled
over his head. I v

Not, knowing but that the red-skins would leap the
chasm as he had done, the giant prepared to receive
them; but when the red-skins came up to the brink
of the yawning depths they paused and drew back.
They had not the courage to attempt the daring feat
so easily performed by the athletic Stonewall.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. .,
* “EORRULED, BY THE can” aosrcarsuxsl'

“ GREAT Rosycrusisns!" exclaimed Old Tom Rat-
tler. as he recovered his breathing. " what theblazes
has happened? Did a cyclone hit me? or did I hit
a cyclone? Am I in the chasm? or in heaven? How
is it, Stonewall Robert :7" _

Smi'ing at the old man’s confusion, Bob briefly
explained what had happened. _

“Holy horrors!” the old man exclaimed; “I Wish
'Old Kit Bandy could ’a’ See‘d you perform! Boy,
you’re a lilly-lipped hummer—a sort 0‘ a wiiirlwmd
ion 1e . The ijee a pitchin’ me across that ditch that

1 con dn’t jump is the biggest joke 0‘ the trip. But i

say, Bob, it begins to look as though we’d come to
tlfig‘end 0’ that trail and find thar’s somethin' on it,
e ’ .

“You’ve been wantin’a fight, Tom,” answered
Bob, “ and I guess you‘ll get it; but then we want to
get away from here before the varlots head the
channel and swuop down upon us.”

This thought came none too soon; for glancing
up the plateau they saw several Indians leaping the
chasm at a. narrow point to their side.

Taking a Keep around the rock Stonewall saw two
red-skins w b rifles in hand standing on the other
side of the abyss watching that the did not escape.
Communicating the f «of to Tom t 9 two prepared
for action, and step ing back a ways from the rock.
both sprun sudden _v to their feet. and made snap-
shots at the red-skins, Tom with his rifle and Bob
his two revolvers. As both were experts at this
kind of work both redosltins fell; but judging from
the fanatic howling they set up they had only been
woun ed.

That, however, was sufficient for the hunters’ pre-
sent strai ht, and turning they at 'once dashed
away sout ward. The Indians coming down he
plateau saw them fleeing and set up a frightful
yelling and at the some time redoubled tbur efforts
to overhaul the two irrepressible white hunteis.

B this time it was almost dusk, a fact that was
in Ivor of the fugitives, for it enabled them to
dodge the red-skins; but in so domg, they became

 

separated themselves in
timber that was thick with undergrowth. Hoplig,
however, to meet again on the other side of the
strip, they hurried on.

passing through a strip of i

l

Tom Rattler. on emerging from the timber. could ;

See nor hear anything of Bob, but as he could hear
the redskins in pursuit. or, at least. making con-
siderable noise not far away, he moved on, knowing
he would meet Bob at camp anyhow.

As good luck would have it, the old man descend-
ed a long, steep hill and came upon his other friends
at the place designated by WhiteSmoke Jim. but
Bob was not there yet, and as they were in an open.
exposed osition. safer quarters would have to be
found. ev waited there. however, for Bob until
they heard the red-skins coming near, and then they
struck out up the. defile.

They had proceeded some forty or fifty rods, and
were just opposite the black mouthof a deep defile
on their right. when suddenly a dozen or more in-
dians appeared in the pass before them to dispute
their further passage in that direction.

" Into th ‘ gorge. boysl" exclaimed Old Torn,
“ for the redd'inded vai‘lets are afore and aft o‘ us!"
and suiting the action to the word. he led the way
into the narrow rift which fortune seemed to have
placed so handy.

With quick footsteps all whirled into the assage
after him, and the foe with a yell came das mg n )
as if they meant to follmv, but a shot from Rattlers
rifle warned them to keep back.

Proceeding along the defile, the hunters found it
grew deeper as they advanced. and the walls more
upright and barren of vegetation; and as they moved
on the passage began to narrow. and all at once the
walls came so close together th-it the men could only
proceed in single file. This narrow nay, however,
suddenly admitted them into a bl'CI‘Jl, circular open-

l
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l

 

ing, where. to the surprise and horror of all the
can on suddenly terminated with high. projecting
wal s on all sides. with no possible way of egress ex-
c ‘M by the way they had entered.

Scarcely had they made. the discovery when a
wild yelling and laughing were heard coming from
the triumphant ice down the canyon.

“Kor 7' I! n'. by the great Rosycrusiansl” burst
frcm Tom Rattler's lips.

"Exactly!" affirmed (inc-Armed Phil, “ we’ve
be m headed off in a skillful way, and driven right
into .i death-trap I"

" C'uss the luck!” Rattler exclaimed. " We‘ve
come a long ways to git can-lied in this hole like a
Mod 0' innocent lambs. White—Smoke. how is this?

 

“ it I had [would have told you,” replied Jim, be-
traying some uneasiness.
" Vi al. boys," said Rattler, with an air of resigna-

vsays ofi‘ yit, if we are out 0‘ fodder. Stouewa
Bob’s at large. 1 hope. and if they don’t down him,
we‘ve a chance for life, but if they dO—WBU, I’d as
soon die here as any place!"

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.
NASTY-coo “ mass. "

FROM the manner in which the savages and rene-
gado-s kept up their triumpqant yelling and laugh
me if was plain enough to the hunters that they
Were in a state of frenzied delight They Set-med in
no hurry to com 'lete their work by crowning u on
the besieged, bu “'1 re disposed to celebrate t eir
v.ctory by degrees— as it v. as won, step by step.

Another thing that doubtless deterred them from
making a rush was a knowledge of the fact that
one man at the mouth of the narrow entrance
could defend the place against fifty—the same ad‘
vantage in keeping them out that they had in keep-
ing the hunters in.

chitbod Flea was placed to guard the entrance, a
revolver in each hand, while the other kept watch
for foes on the edge above.

With the. crvmin: of darkness Ichabod saw that
the savages had lighted a fire at the lower end of
the narrmv passage. This was, no doubt, to pre-
vent tne hunters escaping from their tra unseen;
but at the same time the same light won d enaole
the guard to see a red~skiu should one attempt to
enter the passage.

An hour or two after night set in the besieged’s
ears were greeted all of a sudden by a voice calling
out from the top of the chasm:

“ Hullo, down tharl how’s you tellers makin’ it in
the ‘ F ool’s 'I‘rap?’ "

“That’s pretty well said,” observed Old Tom. in
an undertone to his friends; then with his rifle in
hand he step ed out from under the wall and
watched sharp y for the outlines of the renegade‘s
head against the sky in hopes of giving him an an-
swer with hot lead. But the fellow was too cautious
to expose himself, and after five minutes’ silence he
again called tut:

~‘ 1 say, Stonewall Bobby. giant and wall-eyed-
terror. Why don’t you kick t .e bottom outen the
Fool-Ti'apY—pull down a wall and go forth to lib-
crty?‘

"It’sthe voice of Ihe renegade Nast -Do Bill"
said White-Smoke Jim. ’ y g ’

“And vou see,” added Rattler “that Nasty-D02

tat tells us Bob’s
time. Bobby’s a

Bill thinks Stonewall is in here?

safe and will be heard from in

thorn in them variets’ flesh. Bobby is; but it‘ll be
w::.“.to let ’em continue to think he’s in here. and
Ill] reply for him. so here goes: Say, Nasty-Pu ,
what are ye shootin‘ from River for, up thar? If:
you’ve anything to say to Stonewall Bob, the big Ins
gin-killer. come down—plenty room here.”

“No, thank yo." came down the repl'. “I’ma
leetle partic’ler ’bout my company: but may call
in the mornin‘as you‘ll prob’ly remain in there
till lark-soar, anyhow." . '

" That depends on how we feel,” Rattler retorted.

“Ha! ha! hai” laughed the renegade, “you’re a
jolly joker-g. comic almanick, you are. Say. are
you Bill N yer or Scratch Twain? You ’pear to be
awful “funny.”

Durin all this exchange of compliments Tom
keptacose watch for the rene'zade’s head His
lfingers fairly tingled for a shot at the facetious vil‘
a n.

 

.The conversation finally caused by Dirty-Dog bid-
ding dtake besieged good—night and returning to his
en .

I times

Tom and One-Armed Phil now made an explora-
tion of the “Trap.” They found the walls project-
ing more or less all around. The ground was strewn
with rocks x. ml spalds that time had loosened from
the face. of the cliffs, and with these the party pro-
ceeded to e huff a barricade to prorecc. them. when
oaylight should come, from shots fired from the top
of the “ Trap.”

it was a tedious job in the darkness but, neverthe-
less. it was completed after two or tlll‘fé.) I:' urs’
labor; and then there was nothing to do but to sit
down and wait.

h The guard at the entrance was relieved every two
ours.

The Indians kept up their fire throughout the en-
tire night. though all became quiet in their camp
after midnight.

With the. comic of day the guard retired behind
the stone barricalii under the projecting wall, Old
Rattler with his Winchester taking a position behind
the. same cover to watch the approach to the " Trap,”
the barricade having been erected so as to com-
mand such a view.

“ Now let ’em come," the hunter observed. " for as
they’ll have to come in single file, I’ll string six at a
time on one bullet from ‘ Ole Paralyze.’ ”

But the besieged found out that the foe did not
propose to risk another life unnecessarily. They
were so situated that they could take their time for
their work of vengeance.

During the day the hunters caught glimpses of
sod-skins around the top of the “Trap ” evidently
watching for a chance shot: but the besieged re-
frained from firing upon them although several
tempting chances were oil'cred.

Thus the day wore. aw. y, and night again Set in.
but, without food or water, the heroic little band
kept up their Spirits. their hopes of escape centering
whoily upon Stonewall Bob.

Ju:t how the younflbordercr could render them
assistance against thirty l r forty savages. no one
could imagine. That was a matter for Bob to deter-
mine, and that he would succeed in some Way. or, at
least, make the attempt, they had no doubt provid-
ing he should find out the predicament they were in.

Again the red-skins lighted their fire at the lower
end of the narrow passage. Then they spent an
hour or two in a wild. liilaiious carousel, after which
Na-ty-Dog Bill again appeared on the rim of the
“Trap " and mm c some sneering inquiries about
the state of the besieged‘s health and the condition
of their larder. This he kept up for some time. but
finding he could elicit no reply from the hunters, he
retired and quiet succeeded.

One-Armed Phil and Rambling Dan took the first
watch. Tom and White-Smoke Jim laid down he-
hind the barricade to sleep until their turn should
come to reliuve Phil and Dan.

Ichabod Flea and Austin Smith sat down under
the wall d. rod or so from the barricade and entered
into conversation. While thus engaged both heard
a pebble drop near them. Of this. howvver. they
thought nothing until they heard it repeated several
Then Ichabod concluded it meant something,
and rising he walked out from under the rock. As
he did so he ran against something swinging in the
air before him. Involuntarin he shrunk back, and
drop ing on his knees bent forward so as to bring
the o jeot out against the starry sky.

An object he saw. true enough. and of considera-
ble size. It seemed to be suspended in the air. forit
was swaying gently back and forth.

Cautiously the little detectiVe approached it-put
out his hand aud'toucbed it. It was nothing pos-
sessed of life, and so he took hold of it and ran his
fingers owr and around it. The smell of roasted
meat assailed his nostrils and stai'pentd his pangs
of hunger.

“ What is it, Ichabod i” asked Smith. in a whisper.

“ It’s a hat. by heavens! a but made into a basket
and lowered here, full of cooked meat, I do believe,
in my soul! Austin, it must be the ravens are try-
ing to feed us. as they did Elijah in the wilderness-—
ah! I have it! Those ravens are Stonewall Bob!
This is his hat! 1 know it by the (-ha'n-band upon
it. and its size: and it‘s full-got a bushel 0’ some?
thing in. Glorious Stonewall Bob!"

“ Be careful, Ichabod," cautioned Smith; “ it may
be another trick of the foe. The meat may be
poisoned!"

This thought had not occurred to Flea; however
be emptied the contents of the hat upon the ground
and then gave a little jerk or two. 'l he jerk was re-
peated by whoever was at the end of the r0 )6, .- ixty
feet above, and then the hat wasininiediatc y drawn
upward out of his hands.

Flea and Smith were now in a quandary what to
do. but they finally concluded to let the matter rest;
until morning without saying any thing to the others,
and did so.

When daylight came, and all had retired behind
the barricade. Ichabod brought out the meat, and
laying it on a stone before his friends, said:

"Behold what the ravens of night brought those
who languish and hunger in the ‘ Fcol's- Ir» .’ "

“ Where on earth and in the name 0’ t e reat
Rosycrusians did that come from?" exclaime Old
T0111, with starin eyes.

Ichabod told him the whole stor , adding:

“ But we were afraid it might e a trap and the
meat poisoned, so we concluded to let the matter
rest until da lght—”

T “ Do you s pose Bob ’d p‘izen it?" interrupted Old

om. .

“ No; we thought the. Indians might have got [1015
of his bat and doctored some meat for us,” fchaboi
replied; “ flut there’s no question it came from Bob,
for I find (his among the meat." ‘ . .

He handed Old Tom a piece of white wood that
had been whittled flat, and upon the two aides a
communication written in pencil. The wood was a.
mere chip, about four inches long by three in width.
After Tom had looked it over. is handed it back to
Flea, who read the communication thereon as fol-
lows:

“Boys. I‘m onto our posish—accident’l heard
renegade and you t l: last night—was close y—had
notion to throw him into trap with {on-went back
ten miles today—shot deer and coo 'ed old hat full
-here it is-keep stiff backbone—stole two stout
lariats to-day from lngins‘ ionies—to-morrow night
I‘ll be here again. ifalive— e riady at mldni lit-

' will drop pebbles—find end of rope, and I'll raw.

 

 

28

The Border Detectives.

a «r.

 

you out—tie rope round whis‘. thrn jerl: three times
as signal to pull. and I‘ll yank the teller up-don‘t

s ueal if rope pinches-Rattler come first—look out i p

ready. STONLWALL hon.”

“Lord! how I want to velll" exclaimed Rattler:
“but I‘ll wait. Glorious bert Stonewall! Boys,
I'm goin’ to see if this venison’s poisoned. if I
should die, it’s ’isened, and if 1 live—”

“The res: 0 us will starve to dr-ath,"broke in
Ichabod Fleu, as he watched Tom devour a piece of
the meat.

“ Boys," said Austin Smith, “we‘d as WOll all die
together so every fellow lay hold and proceed to
suicide.’

The food was divided up and eaten with a. keen
relish, and as the effect 0 the feast was of a Very
agreeable nature, it was the unanimous opinion
that Stonewall had repared it.

And with their ies thus strengthened. and their
breasts filled with hope, they seated themselves be-
hind the barricade to await the coming of night.

 

CHAPTER XL.
Tax TRAPPsas TRAPPED.

Nsv'sa was a band of savages possessed of a more
vindictive spirit against an enemy than Turtle-Face’s
was against Stonewall Bob and his friends. Strong
in numbers a. month before they had joined with
captain Vulture and his reckless followers and set
forth on a. grand maruudina expedition that prom-
ised to enrich them all. But now, alas! they were
returning to their old haunts with two-thirds of
their companions left lifeless behind, and not one of
the Vultures with them.

As to Kit Bandy, 'i'om Rattler and Stonewall Bob
in iarticular, they attributed all their misfortunes,
an now that they had. as they supposed. all but
Bandy shut up in the head of the canyon. they had
settled down to stay there until the whites surren-
dered or died of starvation.

Double guards were llpet posted day and night. and
during the latter a. fire was kept burning to prevent
the cunning foe stealing out among them during the
garkjness as thoy had done at the Belle Fourche

or .

Thcir horses had been tethcrcd to grass in a little
valley half a mile awn ‘. and the loss of two luriais
had been discovered, )ut as the horses were found
wand =rin~ of! in the hill ; the natural conclusion was
that thcybhad bccn los t.

Dirty-Dog Bill had born 9 mt to converse with the
whites in order to give them an opportunity to sur-
rendcr if they so (it-siren; but they soon discovered
that the whites Wel‘e as dt-flani. as though they were
the offensive instead of the (lcfenei vc part .

The third night of the siege was on. A right fire
had been built and the usual evenLng festivities in-
dulge in. F;ur men were kept Constantly on guard
and a fth one was detailed to keep up the watch‘

re.

When the hour of midnight came it found half of
the warriors lying upon the ground asleep along the
base of the bluffs within radius of the light. They
slept with their guns, tomnhawks and pistols on the
ground at their sides. The four uards sat with
their eyes riveted on the mout of the pas~
sage leading to the “ Trap," never for a single
moment removing them ‘

One o‘clock came and a deep]. midnight stillness
reigned in the cam , though t e watch-fire flashed
and flickered bright y :1 ever.

But suddenly—like a burst of crashing thunder-
the crack of firearms broke the silence of the hi ht

and fairly shook the hills, and to this was added he l

wild, triumphant about of desperate men as they
came charging up the canyon into the camp, led by
the giant Stonewall Bob!

in the agonies of death the guards went down at
the first discharge of the hunters' rifles. The slee
ers started in wild confusion and terror from the r
rest. Nasty-Dog Bill gave One glance at the ad-
vancing foe and than vanished into the narrow way
learlin to the Fool”: Trap, for he saw and recog-
nized tonewall Ijob. Tom Rattler and all those
whom he had supposed were in the Trap. them-
selves, advancing upon them with death flashing
from every hand!

The savages ran here and there in bewilderment—
like panicstricken sheefi. Turtle-Face endeavored
to quiet them and re y them to defense of the
camp, but the brave chief fell in his efforts and his
followers became a mob that the bullets of the
whit-s mowed down like grass.

Once the red-skins were on the eve of making a
fight. Some of them caught sight of White-Smoke
Jim and his presence seemed to throw them into
rage, and two of them dashed upon the young half-
breed and before they could be stopped split his
head with their tomahawks. But the next ins'ant
both of the avengers fell at the side of their victim,
and a few moments later the bloody conflict, or
rather massacre, for it was no ht, ended. A few
of the Indians had escaped up t e passage into the
Fool‘s Trap but not one down the can on. The sur-

rile of the hunter: had been comp etc, and with
he exception of White-Smoke, bloodless. Stone-
wall Bob had ke t his promise and at the time desig-
nated a pear with his lariats and rescued his
friends rom the pit.

But now that they had overthrown the enemy
where were the captive 1s, Ruth and Gypsy!
Where was Israel Danbaug f

Not one of the three was to be seen. Some
searched among the dead and dying for Danbaugh
while others searched the kets and recesses o
the canyon walls for the gir . But not one of them
could be found!

A look of and disappointment and grave fear
clouded the faces of the party. The suspicion that

they had been held back while Danba h made good
his escape with the irla was forc upon t em
What else could have me of them?

To make sure. however, of the girlsmot being
about, a more extended search was made, Austin
Smith and Ono-Armed Phil being left to watch, that
none of the foe that had fled into the Trap came

out.

To the Chicago detective the scene of death before
him was most shocking. Most of the red-skins had
been killed outright, but among the wounded was a
white ren whose pitiful cries of pain arrested
the attent on of the detective. and going to where
the man lay found \that both his eyes had been shot

  

 

- i
’ out. and that he was sulfering a hum‘rcd deaths.

l

i Bending over him Smith said, in a tone full of sym-
atliy:

“ Old fz-llow, you're in a bad fix, ar‘n‘t you? ‘
"Oh. Godl kill me! kill me. and relieve my
agony!” the renegade cried, lifting his arms in
an imploring reach.

“No.” replied Smith. “that would be murder."

“It‘d be merry!" fairly shrieked the sufferer:
“finish your work, or givc me a pistol i” _

"They say the wages of sin me death." S-‘Elld
Smith. “You brought this all upon yourselves.
I Had you let those girls ulonc—"’

“Ours-3 them girisl" raved out the renegade,
“curse Israel Danbaugh and all his gang! They
have been a scorpion’s sting to usl We’ve been
tools for them, and now we suffer, while Danbaugh
with the girls get-s free and unharmed l”

“ Where‘s be gone tor and when?” asked Smith.

“ He‘s not been with us for nearly a week,” the
dying renegade replied; " we had trouble one morn-
in’ with one 0' our men—White—Smokc Jim. The
half-brced got away and Danbaugh got scart and
he and four men, with the girls, struck north at
once, calkerlatin‘to make for the Bad Lands 0’
Montanny. Cuss ’em all—cuss ”em a thousand
timesl I hone you’ll foller’m, and Send all to hell,
whar they b‘long.”

Smith called up Stonewall Bob, and made known
to him the dying renegade's story. The fellow was

straightforward story, and finally (lied expressing
gig gape that Danbaugh would be caught and pun-
e

iris with almost hopeless despondency; but I
. om Rattler came to the rescue. and soon revived
their s irits, and ins ired them with a renewed
determination to cnntinut: the ursuit.

As they would be compelle to double back on
their course several days‘travel, before reaching
the point where the rvncgadc had claimed Dan-
baugh and party had left them for the Bad Lands,

back, as the red-skins’ unies Were now at their dis--
posal. So Stonewall rich and Rambling Dan Were
sent to bring six of the best animals to camp, for
they proposed to start back at once.

\\ hen the ponies were brought up, and all ready
to depart, Stonewall Bob ascen cd to the to 3 of the
Fool’s Trap. and called doivn to Nasty-Dog ill:

“ I say, down there. hasty-Canine William, how
are you gottiu‘ along .9" '

“ Go to blazes!" was the It negade’s reply, coupled
wit v H few choice oaths.

" Well. ole fol,“ Bob ccntinued. “you’re havin‘
. hard luck. You see how uncertain life is. Now we
i Could keep you down in that Fool’s Trap till the
buzzards carried you out in pieces; but you’re not
worth the pains. What I come to tell you is that
we‘re goin’ to de art hence. and vou can so down
and take care 0 your wounded friends; then soon
as convenient go out and shoot yourself."

Having thus advised the outlaw, Stonewall re.
turned to his friends, and in five minutes the Earty
was mounted, and on its «way back throng the
Hills bound for the Bad Lands of Montana.

 

 

CHAPTER XLI.
A aunt. sunrmsn.

ON the morning of the seventh day after the de-
parture of Tom Rattler and his part from the
scene of their last battle with Turtle- ace’s band,
the pursuers found themselves traversin the south-
ern ‘extremity of that weird and deso ate waste
known as the “ Bad Lands."

They had found, as the dying outlaw had told
them. where Danbaugh and his party With Ruth
and Gypsy had left the red-skin and turned north;
and from that point they had followed the Villains’
trail into the Bad Lands. '

“'it-b strong hopes of overtakm the scoundrels
soon. Tom and his friends pushe into the hilly.
brush-covered waste, Rattler, himself, acting as
trailer most of the tzme.

The first half of their first day) in this desolate
region had not yet passed when t e watchful eyes
of Stonewall Bob discovered a thin column of smoke
rising from among the hills 8. mile or so before
t cm.

A ball. was immediawa called, and Rattler and
Bob, leaving their horses with their friends, went
forward on oot to make a reconnoissance.

As thefy ap reached the vicinity of the rising
smoke t eydscoverod ten horses, most of them
with saddles on. grazln in a little opening near
where the smoke was rising from a thicket of wild
plum bushes. -

" Them don’t all look like outlaws’ bosses, Stone-
wall," Old Tom said after after a careful surve of
the animals. “The saddles on some 0’ them 001:
like soldiers‘ outfits."

“And so they must be.” declare’l Stonewall. as
he saw a man in blue emerge from the thicket,
ask?! a look at the horses and then return to the

us es. .

“ 1t are, by the great Rosycrusiansl" exclaimed
01d Tom.

But notwithstanding this discovery the scouts con-
tinued to advance cautiously, keeping under cover

hen they saw two men whom they recognize

soldiers they had left at Camp Kit Bandy.

Without further delay they be dly approached the
soldiers both of whom recognized the scouts the in-
stant, they saw them And gave them a hearty
‘mAe ng.

“Tom Rattler and Stonewall Bob!" exclaimed
one of them, advancing toward the'scouts with ex-
tended hands.

" The same, my gallant blue—coat," replied Tom;
fibutnwhat on t o earth are you fellerl doin’ up

ere?

,“ Hunting girl-thieves?" answered the soldier.

“The lame here " said Rattler “ but when did
sou leave camp? ow’s everybody therei—how’s

le Kit Band f-how'l -"

“Ka-ristop er Ko-lumbuu Bandy is fairly well. I
thank you," said afamiliur voice, and turning, Old
Tom was rendered speechless With sur rise by the

Elli! they were within twenty paces of the cam}:i

 

Gym on the other!

l A

' ism; "; find”; not, i ~ J 

cross-questioned closely, and he adhered to the one , '
' had come down to Camp lundy an: reported see-

Thé renegado's revelation filled the friends of the ,

the pursuors rcSolved to make the journey on horse- '

ap earance, from behind a cluster 0 bushes. of i

 

.._.. “w— flan-M...— ___._...._..__.______...____.i-.__i_.._... _....

 

I from the ‘ort, a feeling of regret and some unoer- ,

' baugh and saved the girls, an

Tom rubbed his eyes. and blinked at the trio,
glanced at Stonewall and the soldiers, muttering:

" Rosvcrusiausl dost my ole eye see what they be—
hold!l ost l—” .

“Oh. yes, Thomas."exclaimed Kit. “you‘re all
right. but I got the bulge on you this time. you
bloomin ole pirate "

The soldiers laughed, while Stonewall Bob ad-
vanced. and shook hands with Kit and the Shilling,
happy Isaiiens.

'l'nen Tom came forward and grasped the extend-
ed hand of the chi detective and shook it till the
joints fairly cracked.

" God bless you. Kit!“ he said. his face beaming
with joy. "these‘s hopes o‘ vou brin' auseful man
fit! I congratulate you! I hai you wit": joy! You‘re
ookin‘ thin about the gills, but just as handsome
as evrr. You’ve been doin" noble work. but. tell me
quick, what ye did with the gentleman that em ploy-
ed the great Mountain Detective to hunt. down debt:
Rossgrove—l mean lsrael llanbaugh .9"

“ Come, and ill show on.“ answered Kit. and he
led the way around the ashes to where Dantaugh
sat handcuffed and guarded by a soldier.

" Oh. hol" Tom exclaimed, “and ’tisthus we meet
again, lsracll Well. well. well I"

Ilanbaugh made no reply. The villain was com
lelcly broken down. He could now see the end of
is lr ng life of evil close at hand. -

Kit took Tom aside and told him how he and the

soldiers had eflecred the irls‘ release. A hunter

ing four men and two girls pushing northward
toward the Bad Lands, and, from what they
could gather from the hunter. Kit and the Surgeon
Scout made up their minds it was a party of out-
laws. with But and Gypsy. At any rate, the mat-
ter was thought to be worth looking after: so Kit.
having sufficiently recovered from his injuries. with
three soldiers. set out for the Bad Lands. About
one hundred miles north of where Tom and Bob
met them. they found the wary, killed all but Dan-

that, too. before the
unsuspecting villains could fire a shot.

\Vlicn Kit had finished his storv. Tom in turn nar-
rated briefly the incidents of their pursuit of tho-
(floc, and how Danbaugh came to give them the

0' g..

As the party had only halted for dinner they were
soon in the saddle agazn on their homeward march.
C(llnlllg to where the rest of Tom‘s party were wait-
ing, a short halt was made for the greeting of
friends. and then the journey was resumed

In the course of many days' travel the camp was
reached without incident worthy of not». and their
arrival was the occasion for ger aral rejoicing ur on-
the. part of everybody—save only the now mt st ab-
ject Israel.

All the wounded were found on the rapid road to
recovery except Jack Bramb e. Contrary to rho
doctor‘s first expectations. the outlaw‘s recovery
had been amended with troublesome c0mpflcnti<.xm.
Some thought his mental troubles had much to do
with his continued physical weakness, for he was
gonstantly begging the Surgeon Scout t( let him

1e.

After a few da 3’ rest the whole party broke
camp and started or the fort, where they arrived in
due time, then h the journey had been a hard one
for Jack Bram 19.

Austin Smith left at once with Danbaugh for
Rushville.avhere he had the villain placed in gall to
await the action of the law; then he returned to the
fort for Bramble. who. by this time, was able to
make the trip. though far from well.

And while we are writing of Danbaugh and the
Endicott murder. we will dismiss the subject on-
tirely with the following summar 2

Dannaugh was tried and Conwcted u n the evi-
dence of Risenberg and Quinlan. the attrr bsing
found in Olympia. Washin on Territory as the
chief conspiramr in the murt er of Hen linrlicozt.
He was sentenc:-d to prison for life, whi e Bramble
and Quinlan got twent. years each. but Bramble
 of his wounds be ore he reached the prison
ce .

Withinaweek after his incarnation Israel Dan-
baugh took his own life by ban ng himself with a
ro .made of strips of his blan ct; but before he
di so, remorse compelled him to make a written
statement of the crime he had been guilt of against
Endicott and Ross ve. He admitted t iat,through
an unscrupulous ngtl’iesh lawyer who had first Oll-
covered Rossgrove‘s in the first heir to the for-
tune, he had been induce to try and revent Ross-
Frove coming into possession of it. ut. how was
t to be accomplished Without creating; suspicion he
knew not.

For two years they managed to kee the existence
of the fortune from Rosargrove an finally. when
the latter had uarreled with Rndicott he— Dan-
baugh-conceiv the idea of fixin the crime of
murder upon Rossgrove. and with t e assistance < f
the two ready tools Rosenberg and Quinlan. we
have seen how near 6 came to success. and yet
how the pitfall be dug for another became his own
dishonored wave.

John Rossgrove was thus exonerated and restored
to the good consideration of his fel'ow-men. There
were those, however who, out of mistaken kindm 53,
were disposed to censure him for fleeing when he
knew he was innocent, holding that for him to have
remained with his trust in God would have wrought
in some way proof of his innocence.

But the more matter-of-fact friends thought he
did the best thing possnble, for. with the evidence
aminst him. falseas it was,yct seemingly conclu-
sivr, the gibbon only three. weeks away. there was no
time for sentiment or cringin appeals to an inex-
orable fate. That he was ght in the course he
pursued. although he had sutured many priva-
tions, was proven in the happy termination of the
whole affair.

 

CHAPTER XLII.
81‘0an wuss m nun.

ONCE more we will return to our friefl.

When the time approached for their departure

' minty pervaded their minds and hearts, and to Jo

01 Kit Bandy with Ruth Graves upon one side and '

Rossgrove and Mahlon Graves It amounted almost!

a dread.
They knew that their future ways lay apart, and

 

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‘-‘.\’.' c. J.

 

 

 

 

The Border Detectives.

.. a. .4... ..«,.-._.,-. ,

29

 

\

 

that Ruth must decide between them as to which .I

she should go with. It was a delicate matter they
could not bring themselvris to dismiss together.
Each in his own heart conceded the other's claim to
the affections of the lovely girl. and each made up
his mind to accept Whatever the future might de-
cree him. But the suspense so preyeri upon Ross
grove‘s mind that he finally went 1 ) Ki; handy and
asked his counsel in the inattwr.

“That‘s exactly what Graves aske'l me yester-
day," Kit confessed, "and I See it war \"oi‘l'you‘ him
mightily. I do hope you melt ’ll not let any teelin‘
spn’ng up between you after till you re passed
through. ’

" G"'.i forbid it. Kit!”
" Malil-m Graves has been a .
chill.
his protecting care. She has known in» nrhcrtn-
titer :ind iwes him as a father; and yet. after all
my Yt‘llrb' of b.11.islunent—-“

" You in turn. Rossgrove," inscrrupted Kit.“ have
been tearing and protecting two lavely girls who
10ve you its a father. You‘d not be hit alone even
though R'iih should prefer to go with Gram 

“i will aimit, Bandy. I love those girls. and y t.
Pmth is of my own flesh and blood, an 2 that makes
a (inference th-lt no one but a parent can fully
realize.“

“ l‘huz‘s true, I suppose. )Ir. ROSsgrove. _ But. see
here: there‘s a very easy way to settle this matter
’twixt you and Graves}

“ How. K9, is tha'?”

“Let Ruth decide which of the two she’ll go

' Ii .5,

“That would be a good way providing Ruth was
willing: but she is so sensitive and kindliz-arted that
it will be like death to her to have to make such a.
decision." ‘

“But if she will, you‘ll abide her decision?"

“ Yes, most assurele—I could not, nor would not
do otherwise.”

“ Then i will speak with Graves. and if he onsents
to this, we’ll soon have the matter set ed one
way‘r t‘other."

An hour later Rossgrore was summoned tothe
room in which all our friends were assembled, and
when he had been seated, Old Kit arose, and turn-
ing to Ruth said:

" Miss Ruth. as we’re soon to separate. there’s 9.
duty 0‘ no ileasant character devolvin' on you. You
are more ortunate than most pretty gals in that
you‘ve wt two fathers, but as their ways lay in up-
posite (Elections, you can‘t live with both. and it
are best for your hapginems and theirs that you now

ecide which one it s all be you go with."

“ That will be a. hard matter for me to determine,”
Ruth ans-.Vered, thoughtfully; ‘Ilove botli_of my
dear fathers, and have been thinking all this over,
and i think I have a solution of the diificulty that
will be acceptable to both of them."

“ And what‘s that?" queried Bandy.

“Robert Comstock." she answered, with a deep
blush. "has asked me to be his wife. and as I love
him. too. I accepted his proposal."

"Robert Conistock is worthy the love of any
woman in the land 2" exclaimed llahlon Graves.

“Then, so be it!" added John Rossgrove, with an
air of happy resignation. .

“ Glory! ’ shouted Old Rattler, and Rambling Dan
clapped his hands in Joy. _

" By the horn 0’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit.
with an affected look of disappointment, "that
cooks my goose again. Bob Comstock,‘ you lucky
rascal, I was just on the eve o’ groposm’ to Miss
Ruth myself. But, I‘m always ehind—alzoaya-J"
wi h a long drawn sigh. .

An outburst of laughter that set everybod in the
very best of spirits followed the jowal ol detec-
tive‘s absurd declarations. .

“You can allers count on Kit Bandy bein’ in love
with the weemin,” Old Rattler remarked

“I confess the weakness, Rattler." Kit replied;
“I‘ll admit that I do like the ladies, but. I allers git
left somehorv, and in this case l’m left badly—not
nigh enou h gals to go ‘round ’less I gobble onto
Ger" 3“ *”

" ou ole irate!" exclaimed Rattler, “ you‘ll
grighgen thec ‘ld to denh talkin’ iii-18 a Red Vul-

ur-

“ Oh, no; I know Mr. Randy‘s just in fun, for he's
alwayi D1 1113 me," responded Gypsy. her dark
eyttb‘ Spa-1‘ mg With good nature.

I 511109 the meeting 0! One-armed Phil and Mar-
gery Ashton, their old-time aflection had grown
anew, end the outcome of it was that they. too.
gain tphglited their love to each other before leaving

e ore.

At length the day for departure from the fort
came. and after an affectionate leave-taking o! the
soldiers and the athearted Surgeon scout, the
journe toward vlhzation was begun,

Old t and Rattler went with the folks to a point
far southward be out! any possible dc. er, and
there announced at they must bid all goo -by and
return to the fields of exciting labor in the moun-

exclsi'iietl Rossgrore:

talus.

With a feeling of downright grief the pars real-
ized that they must separate from those two rays,
heroic and jolly old borderman.

The hunter and detectives were shaking hands
around, with their friends. when the came to where
Stonewnll Bob and Ruth were stand rig.

“Stonewall Robert.” said Old Kit. “your; pal-di
it‘s hard to give on up. but then you've fa en into
good hands-an it nre in a good cause you quit the
great range for the bi'igliter.'and I trust, fiaPpler
life 0’ bliss. Out 0’ our expedition in search 0 the
criminal, John Rossgrove, you. Bob. git all the re.
ward—s big, (1 prize worth a. round billion 0'
dollars in go I know you‘ll be happy. Bob. with
sich a wife as Ruth‘ll make you—that is. it you do
your part by her. and if he doesn’t Miss Ruth, you
send me word and I‘ll go stra ht down to your
house and whalahlxi‘im igostt tum tarouilév, :néi take

u wa from . an you a no e n —
yo“ 6h, do ho you 1n? Rattler and Ichnbod will
ell come often see us," urged Ruth. her eyes n11.
ing with tears, while a sad smile hovered about her

ml! the good Lord spares us we will,” responded
glob his ogn fiyisxgrowing mom; "so. good-by,
- . u n

ms. and to each, and in the
hot young hurt Ruth bent her he

tefulness of
and with the

gears still falling from her eyes, kissed the old man’s
an .

Without another word Kit turned and walked
away. Coming to where John Rossgrove stood try-
ing to quiet nis feelings for the final parting, he said:

‘Well, Zeke, thar‘s an end to all things, and I sup-
pose this is the end of our :10]. urn together.”

" lintlnsr tliu end of 0111‘ expedition criminalhunt-
lug," rcspon .C‘d Hussy-(we.

“ Exactly l" returned Bandy, “ end w.n got him,
too. out he Wei-‘n’t the teller we started out after,
thank Che Lord. But, if eye: in the future you want

I any dvcttcm e wom done cull on me at my ofiice."

6“)ng father to my .
She has grownup in his family and Ulliiel' i

l

 

I .. s: Sandy’s sicn :i Stupenduous ole netectivel“
put in 'i'on: Rattler, with u smile; " employed a man
to hunt llllllfr‘tlf to the gal us. Oh. tortures! Ross-
grov.‘ won‘t ever tell illut l n Kitsi9—vion’t give the
to vinultiious old nn-untain autcctive away; and
may tn!— i-i-st 0‘ your days be crowded from inornin‘

. till night with joy and happiness. (iced-by, Russ-

grove.

Ecssgrove warmly shoot-c the hand of each: then
‘hcllmre 01d bordcrnien mount-ed their horses and
in Silence rode slowly away toward the west.

THE END. 1

 

Beadle’s Half-Dime library.”

BY LIECT. A. K. SIMS.

1548 Captain Car-tun, the Chaparral Cock.

56?! The Dandy of Dodge.

5‘36 The Silver Sport.

583 Rsifl'ron Viol. the Man With a Shadow.

599 Tom-Cm. and Paul; M, The Dead Set It Silva City.
601 llu p5 Hails. tlic Dutch Viiloc . -

011 nil in Hurnncle, the Detective ercules.

622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad

6:51 Tom Cat's Terrible Tank.

6855' Touht‘nt’n Triumph; or. Hint-k Ivan’t Great Combine.
“M; (low buy Gil], the Cattle-Range Detective.

155'? Warhlinx “'llliam. the Mountain Mountebank.
665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective.

BY “'11. G. PATTEN.

489 The Illnmond Sport' or, The Double Fm olBed Rock.
519 Cu um .viyutery; aniline in Or...

b3] Du u "are the Sport. from Denver. /

5‘? 01d Bombshell, the Ranger Detective.

604 Iron Pym, llze Man at Elie.

619 The Boy ’l‘rnmp Detective: 0r,Tho DoubioGriletne-
{£29 \ inlet 1 one. tile Velvet Sport.

Q4l Dismal nun-34 Dandy Paul.

(.51 IIound [lay Frank. the Young Amateur Detective.

668 1 lolet \ une's Victory.

BY CAPTAIN FRED. WIIITTAKEB.

15 The Sen-Cut; 0!. The \Vitch of Darion.

99 The Ilumb 1'1 9; or,Tlio Doge’l Daughter.

48 Dick Inn-Hug. t 9 Pony Express Rider.
150 Lance and Lani-oz or. The Children ofthe Cbuo.
154 The Swiinl Hunters; or. The Land oltho Elo hunt RIM:
159 The Loot Ca tnln z or, Skipper anel Coflin’l 8min.
.00 The Boy lie oulnn: or, The Brotren o! the Plumod Luce.
214 \V olfuung, the ltobber of the Rhino.
249 Mllo Homer, the Animal King: or, Round the World.
365 The ’1‘ er Tuner: 0!, Thu League oi the Jungle.

 

' 831 Black l Ink. the Demon Rider.

8 5 0.1110?an Jon’s “'nr Trail.

BY ROGER STARBUOK.

Q5 The Boy Captain: or. The Pirate‘s Daughter.
114 The Black Schooner; or. Jib Junk. the Old Tn.
259 The Golden Ilnrpoon : or. Lost Among the Flo...
 Elli-circa} ongid  the Death-Shadow. -
g on e. 0 run or, Tho Odd Pads.
I61 The Phantom t-house. M
8C0 Breaker lien. the Real-Runner.

BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Milo? Slim. 8. 11-11.)

234 Md Rocky I “ Bo eel: 0r. Benlto. we Horn-Bunker.
2-16 Giant George; or, in.» Ang’lgf the Range.
375 Arlsonn Jack: or, Giant George’s Yard.
I The Tarantula of Tam- - or. Giant George's Revenge.
34)? The Strange I’m-d: i-r, Little Ben’s Death Hunt.
818 Ker-whoop. her-who»: or, The 'l‘nnntuI. of Tm,
82? Cree in: Cut. the ledo; onTho Rod dehm Panic.
Frlo red: or. The 'l‘nnkaway’s Trust. _
The Fighting Trio: or. Rattlesnake, the Tonhway.
81.9 “'Ild \\ oil; or, Big—Foot Wallace to the hunt.
357 The R uni-h Raiders or. The Siege of Fort Psrgnmy.
361 Snap-Shot. the Boy anger.
at?) “data. the Creel; 3 or. The Three Thunderbolts.
851 linmlera “III: or. Frlo Frank to the From,
899 Romeo and the Red-z 0". The Bel-Iguana Ranch.
404 Little Lin-lat: or. Feesn Petal Big Rump-go.
414 The Dally from Denver;

The Three 'l‘rallen: on Old Rocky on u» lumps...
on Blul Bill: or, The Lynx of the Loans.
4.35 Little Lone Star: onTh- Ball. of the Cibolo.
684 Cache Curl, the Chlcn Giant

::
a

“s
:49

BY GEORGE “'ALDO BBOWNI.

88 "and Rock the Man from Toxu.
90 The I rend Blder; or. The ’l‘oun Duoliat.
99 The Tiger of'l‘non or, Dandy Rock's Angel.
115 The Mad Miner: or, Dandy Rock’s Doom.
131 The Golden "and: or. Dnndv Rock to the m.
164 Dandy Rock’s Pied e: or. Hunted to Death.
178 Dandy Boek’l Rh 3 or. Tho Hnuntod Mold elm.

BY CAPT. J. 1". C. ADAXS.

34 {Dragon Sol: or, Nick Whiflin’s 30 S .

46 Glou- Eye. the Great Shot of the Witt...”

54 Pied “Incl the Tnppor.

50 hick Whl en’n ct: or, 1: Th. anh oIDeflh.

0 he White India; or, The Scout of t c Yellowstone.

70 "M Z! ’n Cabin; or. The Grunhom In the Woods.

31 Lightn n; J o, the Terror of the Prnlric.

6 uck Bnekra-g or, u,tho Femnlo

.4? Old Grillly M! “In l’otn or. Tho Wll Hum
.51 L ht-houoe .Iuex or, Oncooh, the [Iv-braid.
.5? T a Lost. "unto"; or The Undo and Cup.
238 The Scalp Klngz or, 0 Human hand-rich.

BY J. W. 0830K.

469 The Rival Ola-ts ofN
408 Cactus Burr. the Mini 9.3.7533“;
58'! 01d But-kale. the Slam shadow.
II, the Boy liner.
3%  Briana thc’ Viagra Detective.
. o n n I blot.
088 I’luoky nul, zh'o Boy r3§3§hm mum on.

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

l The Two Detectives or The Fortu- to.” Girl.
is Abe colt. tho Crow-Krill». ' “I
1’” Sol (villi or. the Glmt Tn per.
038 Joe “no of Angel. n In: Roy Purl.
44‘! new York Not. A Tail. of‘l'rlch and Trop- In Goth-I.
458 new En land Nick; or. The Fortune 0!. hull-g.
434 film!) e Ink, the Circus Prince.
493 ’I no: N]. to. Arizona Snort.
510 (Joel Colorado. the Half-Broad MI".
516 Cool Color-MIG In New York.

"I.

.—

 

BY PHILIP S. “'ARNE.

6'! Patent-Leather Joe: or. Old Rattlesnake, the Chum”-
175 ( uplaln Arizona; or, Pzzteiit-Leuther Joe's Big Guns.
193 Cnptlhl .“n-ikz or. Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat.
219 licnpurd. the "ueubt; C". The .‘ulountiiin Vampirfl.
38" A 'l'nu in Boy: oi, i‘Lw- Dwurl‘s Revenge.
368 Little I‘urnudo: or, The Outcasis ulthe Glen.
873 leh; Jlngo; or. the Queer “mi.
88“ Little (Hi-my; or, Caught ir. His Own Trap.
~10] Lillie Flinn-Fly: or. A Race for a Ranch.
408 Little Leather-llrerches: or, Old Jumbo’l Cm
431 Link: .Ui Mn; or, The Curse of Blood.
4.51 Colorudo Vale. A Tale of the niluel. ,
450 Three Joli) l’urdn. '
51‘.” Jim (.‘lndder’s Deputy.
52? The J oily I’urds In the lie-cue.
547 Mum)‘ Andy; or. I. “MIMI _\'..m Down.
2):)“ Lnrliit Lil: ur. an Cut {‘1' n Lite.
{:74 UN “Easel-top, the Man “llll the Dogs. !
59!: Keen Clem, llm l‘.:-.i cl: Imp. ‘
599 Jim lhim‘ly the NIFNPJH" Snort. ll
ms; mm, Bil-zen; «Tm skrlvtnu’s Lerzacy- G.
612.”. “Llilliumu Ill, il-r Mme-(Inn Scout.
0245 Happy llnrry'u Big Find.
(“34 Chm-i.) that-icy, tn. Si-eclnl.

BY JO PIERCE.

89’? Bob 0’ the “inn-r)“: or, The Prince of Mulberry Stu“
415 The Vagabond IIeleutive: or, Bowery Bob’s Boom.
4.32 “0!: ur Bob, the Duvet-ll. y Detective. v
4-‘i0 The uwyer’s Shadow; or. Luke's Dem.

4?2 Jimnty Joe, the Young Hone-King.

494 Surly Sim. the Young l‘erryniar Detective.

1504 Five Point: Pin”.

50:! Jack Jagger's, tn: Butcher Boy Detective. ,

5H5 'l'iirlm' Tim; or. Fire lu-Ints Phil’s Menngerle.

526 North Illyer Nat. the Pier Detective.

538 “’rentilnx Rex, the Prid» M‘tlie Sixth Word.

541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Buy Detective.

551 Nick Nettle, the llo ' Shadow.

55!! llurlem Jack, (liel mu»: B4»)- Detective.

569 Brooklyn Ben, th-- ()n-Hln-Own-Hwk Detective.

577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter.

583 Juvk-o'Jmntcv-n. Ilw Fuller-Sea Prospector.

608‘ “'ldc-Awuke Bert. the Street-Stunt.

61-} \\'hl~tling Jacob, the DrtcCtlve's Aid.

628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer.

639 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret.

649 Cumin Bob. the Bowery Badger; or, Snooping n Slippery 868
658 Sky-Rocket Bob. the Life-Savor.

BY J. C. CIDWIHIIOK.

C‘o Sllver.M.gk, the Man of Mystory.

889 film-in. the Gold King: or, For Seven You'lM

“0 The “etectlve’n A prenflce: or, A Boy Without n NM
434 Clbnlu John: or, ed-Hot Times u Ante Bu.

489 Sandy Sam. the Street Scout.

46? 91:41) Dan. the Dnisy Dude,

490 Broadwn Bill '. tie Bootblnck Bravo.

506 ltedllfht‘Ia'l , the Prince of the Road.

514 Bron wny B1 1 ‘s noodle.

524 The Engineer 1 emotive.

586 Brondwny llllly’u Humidity."

548 .“art, the Niuht Express Detective.

557 Brondwn ' Hllly'n Death Rocket-

5?! Air-Line .ukc the Young Engineer.

579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Snrprlu-Pmy.
592 The Boy Pinkerton.

605 “'lliln 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detoclive’l Big Inning.
815 Flghflnf Ilnrr ' the Chief of Chnined Cyclone.

628 Brondvo B“ 3"!) Dead Act.

640 Barebrc Beth, the Ccntnur of the Circle.

64? 'I pewllter Tllly, the Merchant‘- Ward.

659 oonllght Morgen. the “ Plane-t " Man of Auto BB.
869 Broadway Billy Abroad.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

2 Yellowstone Jack: or.The Tn or.

4% Black John the Road-Agent: or. in Outlnw’l Retreat.

65 Hurricane In“: or. Mustang Sam and Hi- Pad.
119 Ilia-Ital Sami‘orfl‘he King of the Plains.
180 N lit-l awk It: or, The Daughter of the Ranch.
144 Du nty Lance the Boy Sport.
151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lane; to the Rama.
160 The Black Giant: or. Dnlnty Lance ln Joopnrdy.
1633 Deadly Duh; or. Fighting Fire with Fln.
184 The Boy Trailer. ; or. Dainty Lance on tho Wet-Path. ,
.08 The Bo "an; or. Dainty Lance Unmukl. ’
Ill Crooke Ogle, the Caliban of Colonial City.
810 The Btu-ranch “'0”; or, The Beauilful Decoy.
819 The Black lllder; cr’Tho Hone-Thievu’ha‘nq.
.85 011! Double Fist or. l‘bc Strum. Guide

The King 0! Nu- Vomln: or. Dwiel Boone’s Lat Tm .

‘1” Kit Fox. the rdu Bov Detective.
625 Cblncapln D n, the Iloy Trailer.

HIEOELLAN EOUD AUTHORS.

4 The Wild-Hone III-ten. By Capt. Mayne Bola uni
Frederick Whittaker.
9 Adventure! or Baron Haunts-sen.
I. Gulliver's Travel-i. B ' Dun Swift.
14 Aladdin; or. The Wonder ul Lunp.
16 Robinson Crusoe. (97 Illunnun .)
18 Sindbnd the Snllor. His Seven oyuol.
I. {globu- Serpent: or, Tho Boy Robinson Cm. Dylan

W -
38 The Ocenn Bloodhound: or, The Ed Plum o! the
‘6 girflbéec.  S. W. inn.
0 o! own: or, The Arena Quun. I I 8. m.
I8 Ned Wylde. the Boy Scout. By Tenn Jock.’
51 The Boy mom or, The Undo ound Sump. By A. C. Iron.
95 The Riv-l Rover-I; or, The mbooun of the Mississippi.
By [Jenn-Col. Huoltlm.
98 Robin flood, the Uutunved Eu]; or,1‘he Merry Mn of Grou-
wood. 3 ' Prof. Gildenleru.
105 (Md Ru e, the Hunter; or, The Crow Cnntlvo. Dy Captain
Hamilton Holmes.
118 The Mm! III-Ger: or, necm of Death. By Burton Sun.
I“ Tlppy. the Texan; or, The Young Champlon. By Georg.

“DOD.
Prlvuteor: or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By
wry Clvon

Ills Sh" Snug or, The Adehm of a kindle. Day. By J.
Aloxuidcr Patton.
“1' Dusky Dunc“. pot: or. The Green Ranger at tho Yol-
lowltone. By Edvard mulch.
IO! Fergus Penn..- M the New Yrrk Boy. 35 O. L. Mk”.
.66 Killb’ar. the 0- dc; '21,va Crochn'n rocked Tn“.
By Ennlfn . D. Warren.
.9. Red C IV. tho Ono-Ind Trapper: on“. In“ of the Cl”.
Br Captain Commk.
ll? I’encoek Pete. the Lively [all (ma Ludvlllo. Dy Lion-
tcnnnt lfnd Thor-o.
8.8 The Sky Dem-«Ivor or, A Def-fight hr Wondflm.
By Mnior Hick-y Fm. \
:50 Red Ralph. the River Rover: «.11» Ma’- le-
venge. By Nail Bnnlllno. .
.65 Raul—m Ben the Boolhlnci DOM“ A. 1’. I“
.74 Galbnun ’l‘._: or Ben's Double Match. 0. I. lone.
no Cantor-Il- Joe’n hut Tun. By (:0 cool The.
over Mommy. ~
 gringo-nag], a»; exciting“ By I. a. Wham.
e no . . _v n n mm.
m Com-eke me! and m. Three hm n,
m wildflm“. nu sac. hymn-I Idl-
. m g a
u: The 001v). DIE Iri- M '0'“-
y no“;  .. is...“  m.
n n, o v v .
8 The Deal macaw. Double. ’Ywm

A New Icon. [m T‘OI‘IY-
‘l‘hI-If-DlummbMI-hhfl m.”
‘pacqymruflbynfllnnulflotdxmu

nun: um um, Publicist-o.
u wnuu- “not. 30' Yell

 

 

1

{ Published Every lVednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold

"'r a... 1A a

l

BEADLE’SrDIMEakflBRARY.

at the Umform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.

£8 Old Sobersides, the Detective of St. Louis.
3% White-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective.
US The Double Edged Detective.
07 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere.
98 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport.
84 The S tier-Sport‘s Neck—Tie Party.
.70 High- Water Mark; or. Silver-Tip Sid.
l62 Riata Rob. the Range (,‘ham )ion.
55 The C--wbov (“hief‘s Sure-S 0t.
848 The Rival Red-Hat Sports.
.837 Curly Kid. the Cheyenne Sport.
1824 The Soft Hand Detective.
815 The Soft Hand’s Clutch.
809 Dan Dunn. the Soft-Hand Sport.
796 The Frisco Detectlve’s Thug-Tangle.
189 Sam Cary. the River Sport.
‘ 80 The Dead Sport‘s Double.
471 Prince John, Detective S ecial.
763 Dandy Don, the Denver etective.
754 the Man from Texas; or. Dangerfield. the
Doctor Detective.
2‘44 Swee stakes Sam, the Silver Sport.
720 The Secret Six; or, Old Halcyon.
712 The Man of Silk.
705 Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte.
693 Kent Kasson, the Preac er Sport.
683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.
675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrist, ‘
668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak
661 Thg Get—There Sharp.
651 Silveciip Strve, the Sky Scraper from Sisxiyou.
645 Gopher Gabe, the UnSe-en Detective.
636 Dandy Darling, Detective.
62? Mosska Mose, the Mouuvaineer.
617 The Gri Sack Sharp‘s Even up.
597 Big Baht y, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte.
588 Sandy Sands, the Sharp from Snap City.
576 Silver-Ton ued Sid: or, Grip Sack Sharp‘s Sweep.
564 The Grip- ack Sharp; or. The Seraphs of Sodom.
555 Grip-Sack Sid, the Sample Sport.
547 The Buried Detective; or, Soul’s Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve.
535 Dandy Dutch. the lie-aerator from Dead-Lift
527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective.
514 Gabe Gunn, the Grizzly from Ginseng.
504 Solemn Saul. the Sad ian from San Saba.
495 Rattlepate Rob; or, The Roundhead‘s Reprisal
,188 The Thorou librcd Sport.
4 474 Daddy Dezu -Eyc, the Desoot of Dow Drop.
14% Old Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown
‘4 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.
443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.
9138 Oklahoma Nick.
133 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard.
Q6 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy.
16 Monte Jim. the BlaCk’ Sheep of Bismarck.
")9 Rob Roy Ranch: or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
)3 The Nameless Sport.
15 Deadly Aim, the Duke of Der-ringers.
F Dark Durg. the Ishmael ot the Hills.
1‘2 Ca tain Crisp, the Man with a Record.
' 67 A yai Flush: or, Dan Brown's Big Game.
360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecnck from Sundown.
355 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete.
~35] Nor” West Nick. the Border Detective.
345 poked Mark. the Mounted Detective.
' 39 Spread Eagle Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter.
‘ Chispa Charley, the Gold N ugget Sport.
- 817 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
’292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.
286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand.
283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines.
257 Death Trap Diggings: or. A Man ’Way Back
219 Elephant Tom. of Duranzo.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.
233 The Old boy of Tombstone.
20] Pirate of the Pincers: or, am uin's Death Hunt
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of A na.
170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective.
165 Joaquin. the Terrible
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
141 Equinox Tom, the Bull 1 of Red Rock.
119 Alabama. Joe; or, The azoo Man-Hunters.
105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.
7‘1 Captain 0001 Blade: or, MiSSissiopl Man Shark.
67 The Boy J ockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport.

BY \VIVI. G. PATTEN.

810 Fire-E e. the Thug’s Terror.
795 Old Night—Hawk, the Crook Shadower.
768 The Prince of New York Crooks.
756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective.
747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise.
715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.
202 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-DeCk Detective
.396 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective,
689 The Sparkier Sharp.
676 Hurricane Hal, the Cowboy Hotspur.
669 Old True Blue, the Trusty.
668 The Giant S art; or, Sold to Satan.
856 Old Plug my. the Rough and Ready.
‘648 1d Glove Gill the Man of Grit.
641 tec Jack, the esert Nomad.
531 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp.
302 Cu taiu Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
371 0i Dismal. the Rang!- Detective.
'45 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

! The Arizona Detective.
Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport.
The Silver Sport’s Double.
The Race-Course Detective.
.856 The Hayseed Detective.
£772 Ca . thin Gordon, the Twister Detective'
‘ 1’55 wl’l‘d Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective.
. 726 Fearless Sam. the Grand Combination Detective.
'. 719 Boston Bob, the Sport Detective.
; W2 Jaunt, Joe, the Jockey Detective.
; 554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler
t 588 Rat... Rocket. the Tent Detective.
_ I26 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detect“.
‘ 50,? The Drummer Detective.
, m The Giant Horseman. - p ‘
’ Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective.

l

 

‘—

Bl’ \TILLIAIVI R. EYSTER.

916 Two Dead-Square Sports.
902 Soft Velvet, the Man from Sandrock.
891 Genteel Jim. Sport—atrLarge.
881 The Clubman-Crook‘s Cat's-paw.
867 The Frisco Sport.
852 The Stranger S )ort's Shake-up.
828 Kirk King. the ilian from Kirby.
Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport
783 The, King-Pin Tramp.
The Sport of Silvar Bend.

718 Uncle l-iedrock’s Big Bounce.

707 The Rival Rovers.

687 Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm.
677 Mr. Jacksv‘in. the Gent from Jayhird.

659 Gilt-Edge Johnny: or. Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Luck ' Lester’s Lone Hand.

634 Old f andcart‘s l-licr Dump.
622 The All Around S orts.

603 Desert Alf. the 1 an With the Connor.
590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug.
578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile.
508 The. Dude Detective.
55S Hurrah Harry. the High Home from Halcyon.
549 Delshazzar Brick, the Badlt‘t‘ of Blue Blazes.
583 Oregon. the Sport With a Scar.
503 The Dude from Denver.

78 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back.
459 Mu'or Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives.
429 Hair Trigger Tom 01’ Red Bend.
402 Snapshot Sam: or. The Angels” Flat. Racket.
396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal George, the Three in One.
356 an 4e Handsome Sports; or, The Combination.
33:3 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.
268 Magic Mike. ‘he Man of Frills.
229 Captain (Misti—eve: or, The Litth Sport.
21-1 The Two Cool Sports: or, (lortie- of the Gulch.
182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon.
160 Soft Hand, Sharp: or, The Man with the Sand.
145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY NED BUNTLINB.

657 Long Tom, the Privateer.
633 The Sea S y. ,

621 The Red rivateer; or,uThe Midshipman Rover.
581 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King.

517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail.

361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.

122 Saul Sabberday. the idiot Siy.

5393
«2.»

111 The Smuggler Captain: or, he'Skipper’s Crime.
18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Qu .en 01' the Isle. >
16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“01d Hawk.”

38 Old Grips Still Hunt.

827 Detective Waiden‘s Web.

778 The Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip

770 The Showman Detective.

762 Old Grip, the Detective.

740 Captain Ciew, the Fighting Detective.

732 The Hurricane Detective.

643 Castiemaine, the Silent Sifter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

595 \Velibosn. the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Joram. the Detective Expert.

574 Old Falcon‘s Double.

561 The Thug King; or. The Falcon Detective‘s Foe.
518 Falcmihridge. the Sphinx Detective.

536 Old Falcon s Foe; or, The Detective‘s Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop Ma '6, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon, t- e Thunderbolt Detective.

501 S ringsteel Steve, the Retired Detective, .
494 T e Detective‘s S y. '

485 Rowiock. the Bar or Detective.

477 Dead-mm Brandt.

467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Cincus Detective.

451 Gripiock. the Rocket Detective.

444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand.

424 Hawk Heron's Deputy.

386 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective.

BY J. C. CO‘VDRICK.

752 The Sus set S or? of Daisy Drift.

626 Ducats ion, t e Nabob Sport Detective.

612 Sheriff Stiiiirood. the Regulator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.

591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards; or, Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles, the Rock Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie, the ad Sport.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the. Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas.

436 Kentucky J can, the S ort from Yellow Pine.
422 Blue Grass Burt. the ‘old Star Detective.

390 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John’s Jubilee.

BY EDWARD WILLETT.

483 Flush Fred. the River Sharp.

368 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head.

348 Dan Dillon. Kin of Crosscut.

337 Old Gabe. the ll ountain Tramp.

827 Terrapin Dick, the Wild wood Detective.

815 Flush Fred‘s Double: or, The Squatters’ League
808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True.

29‘; Linger 1.8m: or. Life 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 .Tnck‘s Crime.

209 B- cl: Farley. t n- Bonanza Prince.

129 Mississippi Mose: or, a Strong Man’s Sacrifice.

BY (‘11 P'I‘AIN MA I'Nll‘. IKEID.

$7 The White Squaw.

234 The Hunter‘s Feast.

21“ The Wild Huntress: or. The Squatter.

#10 The Rifle Rangers: or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain of the Rifles: or, The InkeQueen.
66 The Specter Barquc. A Tale of the Pacific.

55 The Scalp Hunters 3 P0513101.- of the Phone.

 

l

BY 00].. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. |

911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound.

906 The Cuban Cruiser.

854 The Ocean Gipsv.

831 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack‘s Terrors.

819 The Rival )lonte (,‘ristos. .

805 The La st of the Pirates; or. Dorm Driven.

801 The Water \Volv-t's’ Detective; or, Trapping tlw
Grave Ghouls.

791 The (Toast—Raiders Death-Chase.

718 Arizona Charlie. the Cracks-hot Detective.

704 invisible lvun. the Wizard Detective.

685 The Redskin Sch RoVer.

679 vacllo, the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rover!

672 The Red Rapier: or, The Sea Rover’s Bride.

6112 The Jew lu-tective: or, The Beautiful Convict.

610 The Row r’s Rct.ibution.

6:35 The EX—BuCcanerr: or. The Stigma of Sin.

62.3 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.

615 The Three rut-cancers. '

610 'i' he Red Flag: Rover; or,White Wings of the Deep,

605 The Shadow Silver Ship.

600 The Silver Ship: or, The Sea Scouts of ’76.

593 The Sea Rebel: or. Red Rovers of the Revolution,

587 (Yonrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Hearts of ‘76.

591 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gautlet Runner.

560 The Man from Mexico.

553 .113. I; .‘lofie, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig.

516 'i‘l'rs Doo ed Whaler: or, The life Wreck. '

5'30 The Savages of the Sea.

524 The Sea Chaser; or. The Pirate Noble.

510 El Moro, th l Corsair Commodore.

493 The. Scouts of the Sea.

457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator Son.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair. -

435 The One-Armed Buccaneer.

430 The Fatal Frizate: or, Rivals in Love and Wan.

399 The New Monte L‘risto.

393 The Convict Caption.

377 Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.

369 The (‘oast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.

364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of the Coax.

341 The Sea Desperado,

336 The Magic Snip' or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.

325 The Gentleman rate; or. The Casco Hermits.

318 The Indian Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.

307 The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves.

255 The Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler’s Dau liter.

246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan .

235 Red Lightning the Man of Chance.

224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.

220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother‘s Crime.

210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.

205 The Gambit-r Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagocflv

198 The Skeleton Schooner; or. The Skimmer. !.

184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nenfifl. u‘

104 Montezuma. the Merciless.

103 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Red Anchorhm ,

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

802 Dan Dirk King of No Man’s Land.
583 Captain (lair. the CattieKing.
567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft.
514 The Back to Back Pards.
522 The Cham ion Three.
502 Bareback hick, the Centaur of the Plains.
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “Tie To."
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.
404 Silver Sid; or. A “ Daisy " Blufl.
380 'l‘izzer Dick’s Pied e: or, The Golden‘Serpent.
359 Yellow Jack. the estizo.
338 Jack Sands. the Boss 0! the Town.
299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport
251 Tiger Dick vs. iron Despard.
207 Old Hard Head: or, Whirlwind and his Mare.
171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart.

114 The Gentleman from Pike.

80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf.

51 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport.

29 Tiger Dick. Faro Kin ; or, The Cashier‘s Grim

4 The Kidnapper; or, he Northwest Shanghai. ‘

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

823 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers.
811 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men.

305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover.

291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man of Big Luck.
285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Termr.

276 Texa: Chick. the Southwest Detective.

271 Stoneflst, of Big Nugget Bend.

236 Leopard Luke the Kin of Horse-Thieves
269 [mu-Armed Abe, the unchhack Destroyer
258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo.
237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black Le e.
227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida o.
223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the-Mountain. .
219 The Scorpion Brothers; 01', Mad Tom’s Math
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.

194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.
176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen.
BY 0L1. COOMES.

619 Kit Bandy 8: Co , the Border Detectiver.
148 One-Armed Alf. the Giant Hunter.

99 The Giant Difleman: or. Wild Camp Life.
43 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger.

BY con. THOMAS H. mousrnnt‘.

236 Chant ion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the $0..
150 El Ru io Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.

BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR.
919 The Sea Scout; or. The Patriot Privateer.
886 The King of Crooks.
858 Number One. the Dead-set Detective.
850 The Planter Detective.
730 Duke, Despard. the Gambler Duelist. ,
601 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shad“
500 The True-Heart Pards.

1 mm argue arm; Wednesday

Beadle’n Dime Library is for sale ‘1
Newsdeaiers, ten cents per copy, or sent by g:
receipt of twelve cents es"

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: Wished Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

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BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss lngraham.

994 Buffalo Bill‘s Lone Hand.
98? Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet.
984 Buffalo Bill’s Life Ruffle.
.979 Buffalo Bill‘s Relentless Trail.
964 Buffalo Bill‘s lnvinciblcs.
3960 Buffalo Bill’s lilue Belt Brigade.
956 Buffalo Bill‘s VolunteerVigilantes.
950 Buffalo Bill at Bay.
1943 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game.
1936 Buffalo Bill‘s Black Parti.
927 Buffalo I-lill Bluff; or, Dns Dick the Snort.
, 921 Buflfalo Bill‘s Quandary: or. elvet Bill's Vow.
915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon-Scout.
Buffalo Bill’s League; or. Red Butterfly.
Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail.
Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders.
895 Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Ally.
890 Buffalo Bill‘s Life-Stake. . _
882 The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill.Wild Bill and Band-
box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.
874 Buffalo Hill’s Buckskin Braves.
.869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-A rent Round-up.
863 Buffalo Bill’s Death ‘harm.
857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush.
851 Buffalo Bill‘s Double Dilemma.
845 Buffan Bill’s Redskin Ruse.
8‘30 Buffalo Bill‘s Bors in Blue.
8% Buffalo lill‘s Shar )-Shooters.
822 Buffalo lill’s Best ower.
816 Buffalo Bill‘s Red Trail.
812 Buffalo Bill’s Deatthnell.
794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Band
787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot.
781 Buflalo Bill's Brand. 1
777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower.
769 Buflalo Bill’s Sweepstake.
765 Buffalo Bi ll's Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot.
757 Buffalo Bill’s Double.
750 Buffalo Bill‘s Big Four;or, Custer‘s Shadow.
748 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.
739 Buffalo Bill‘s Blind: or. The Masked Driver.
735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.
'731 Buffalo Bill's Beagles: or, Silk LassoSam.
727 Buffalo Bill‘s Bodv Guard.
722 Buffan Bill on the \\ ar- ath.
716 Buffalo Bill‘s Scout Sha owers.
" 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The. DeserterDesperado.
.697 Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood. .
,691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail 5 or. Mustang Madge.
667 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or. The King of the Mines.
1658 The. Cowbov Clan; or, The T1 ess of Texas.
{653 Lasso King’s League: 01‘. Buc ’ Taylor in Texas.
5649 Bui'faloBill‘s Chief of Cowboys; or, Buck Taylor
2614 Buflalo Bill’s Bonanza; or. Silver Circle Knights.
653 Buffalo Bill‘s Gri 1; or. Oath Bound to Custer.
, Buffalo Bill’s Ple ge: or. The League of Three,
1 > Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen.
75 Wild Bill’s Trump Card: or. The Indian Heiress.
$8 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.

5’73 The Dread Shot Four _

969 Texas Jack, the Lasso King

1839 The Ranch King Dead—Shot.

820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt. .

.807 Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist.

 Wild Bill. {he GTJeng-{SJenter Shot.

" -. Buffalo Bi 1’3 ‘01 ng.

7599 The Dead Sh ot Nine: or, My Pards of the Plains.

‘414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

401 One-Armed Para; or. Borderland Retribution.
397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver’s Trail.
394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West.

but Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler._ _

1243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier s Sweetheart.

i 83 Gold Bullet Snort: or. Knights of the Overland.
52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

BY Leon Lewis, Ned Buntllne, etc.

778 Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue-

;682 Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Service Trail. ,

629 Buffalo Bill‘s Darin Role; or. Daredeath Dick.
517 Buffalo Bill’s First rail; or. The Express Rider.
158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts.

3117 Bufl'alo Bill s Strange Ford; or, Dashing DandY-
’ “‘3 Buflalo Bill, the Buckskin King.

BY HAROLD PAYNE.

|583 The Man from Mexico in New York.

7872 The King-Pin Shark: or. Thad Burr’s Ten Strike.
861 The Tenderloin Big Four

853 The Quaker City Crook.

844 Tracked to Chicago.

886 The Policy Broker’s Blind. ‘

829 The Frisco Sharper’s Cool Hand,

821 The Tramp ShadOWer’s Backer,

813 The Sham S otter's Shi‘er Scheme,

1905 The Grand treet GoldoDust Sharper-s.

798 Detective Burr‘s Lunalic Witness

m The Wall Street Sharper’s Snap.

184 Thad Barr’s Death Drop.

742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs.
734 Detective Burr’s le' or. A Woman’s Strategy.
728 Detective Burr. the .eadquarters Special.
713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase.

706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues. ”

698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L Clue.
1690 The Matchless Detectwe. ,

68) XI, the Fatal Clew; or. Burr 5 Master Case,

BY COL. THOMAS H. IVIONSTERY.
995 The C ar’s Sp '3
Iron Wrist. thle Swordmaster.
' Chain ion Sam; or. The Monarchs of the Show.
. 0 El Ruglo Bravo, King of the Swordsmen.

§

BY J. W. OSBON.

fi'flnadrac‘n. the Sport Detective.
36?: Gilbert Golds ur the Dandy Sport.

. e 1' let.
:7”? I(1.301 Creede, mafia-Sgt.
e- from t. .
I6 Raymund, the Thoroughbred.

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BY CAPTAIN Howann HOLMES. i
I

929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport.
912 Genteel Joe’s Lone Hand.

903 The Train Detective.

896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher.

888 Ni htshade in New York.

879 Fa con Flynn, the Flash Detective.

871 The Crook Cashier.

859 Clew-Hawk Keene’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 Prince of Spotters

803 The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower.

788 The N ightsHti wk Detective.

779 Silk Ribbon’s Crtsli-out.

766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter.
751 The Dark Lantern Detective.

736 The Never-Fail Detective.

724 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective.

701 Silver Steve. the Branded Sport.

694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.

684 Velvet Van. the. Mystery Shadower.

678 The Dude Desperado

571 Jason Clew. the Silk-Handed Ferret.

664 Monk Morel, the Ma.n~Hunter.

654 S01 S hinx. the Ferret Detective.

642 Red ard and Yellow.

608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx.

592 Ca tain Sid, the Shasta Ferret.

579 01 Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

569 Captain Cobra. the flooded Mystery.

559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret.

543 The Magnate Detective.

5‘12 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective.
5‘23 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective
512 Captain Velvet‘s Big Stake.

505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter.

496 Richard Rednre. the Two Worlds‘ Detective.
487 Shnshine Sam, 3. Chip of the Old Block.

480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret.

468 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective.

453 Captain Coidgrip’s Long Trail.

447 Voicano. the Frisco Spy.

441 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer Lynx, the '\\ 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 Des erate Dozen. .

347 Denver uke. the Man with “ Sand."

340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

335 Flash Dan. the Nabob. or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
821 Caiifomia 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 Glor Gulch.
920 The Montana Miner 11 New York.
908 The Doomsday-Den Detective.
899 The Double-Quick Detective.
893 Yellow Gid. of Dark Divide.
885 The Expert Dctective’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.
833 The Sport Detective‘s Gripf
8:23 The Athlete Spart About own.
808 TheCrook-Detective's PulL
790 Plun er Pete, the Race Track Detective.
782 Roy Rock, the Round-up Detective.
774 Steve Starr. the Dock Detective.
764 The New York Sharg‘s Shadower.
738 Detective Claxton, t e Record Breaker.
714 Gabe Gail, the Gambolier from Great Hump.
703 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Susgect

692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range ‘

655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the

646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.

698 Murdock. the Dread Detective.

623 Dan erous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective.

611 Alkai Abe the Game Chicken from Texas.

596 Rustler Ru e: the Round-Up Detective.

585 Dangixtiiii’s Baubll‘e. L

575 Stea y an . t e ’apoleon of Detectives

563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur of Honeysuckle.

551 Garry Kean, the Man with Backbone.

539 Old Doubledark. the Wily Detective. l

53 Saddle-Chief hit. 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 annual PaCiflc Paul. the Mail-Train Spy.

492 Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpshooter.

486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack.

470 The Duke 01' Dakota.

Egg goldRG§iufitle% thje Ghulc'lli Gladiator. ‘
an e ow ir .t e, a] Hustlerof the El

449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. m

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

437 Dec Duke: or, The. Man of Two Lives.

427 The vals of Montana Mill.

415 Hot Heart, the Detective S v.

405 Old Baldy the. Brizadier 01p Buck Basin.

297 Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Ho ur.

279 The Gold Dragoon, or, California Bl ound. ~

BY NED BUNTLINE
657 Long Tom. the Privateer.
633 The Sea Spy“
621 The Red Privateer; or. The Midshipman Rover.
584 Fire Feather. the. Buccaneer King.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail.
861 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.
122 Saul Sabherdav. the Idiot: 
111 The Smugglei- Captain; or. e Skipper’s Crime.

lorer.
irthmark.

 

 

p.‘

. 607 Old Benzine

 

18 The Sea Bandit; of, The Queon of the Isle.
16 The White , "The Ssmhole Wt. j

ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVELS.
Dick Talbot Series.

: 991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck. the Sport.

988 Rocky Mountain Rob.

976 Overland Kit: 01'. The Idyl of White Pine.

741 Dick ialbot’s Close Call.

737 Dick Talbot in Apache Land.

733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King.

729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out.

72.3 Dick Talbot in No Man's Camp.

351 Dick Talbot; 01. The Brand 0 Crimson Urns!
36 Dick Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.

Alken’s Fresh of Frisco Series.

$25 Fresh, the RaceTrack Sport.
660 The Fresh in Montana: or. Blake's Full Hand. '
652 The Fresh's Rustle at Painted City.
647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or, The Stranger Sharp.
556 Fresh, the Sport: or. The Big Racket at Slide Out.
537 Fresh Against. the F ield: 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 J act,

Alken’s Joe Phenix Series.

965 Joe Phenix‘s Mascot.

959 Joe Phenix’s Double Deal.

954 Joe Phenix in Chicago.

949 The Doctor from Texas; or, Joe Phenix’s Clue

944 Joe Phenix‘s Ri c Bower. ' _

865 The Female Berger Detective; or, Joe Phenix in
Silver City. 3

799 Joe Pheni "s Great Blue Diamond Case; or, The
New York . port at Long Branch.

798 Joe Phenix’s Decoy: or The Man of Three.

760 Joe Phenix‘s Lone Hand.

749 Joe Phenix’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‘s Specials or, The Actress Detective

6‘37 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.

632 Joe Phenix's Master Search.

628 Joe Phenix‘s Combine ; or,the Dandy Conspiratox

620 Joe Phenix‘s Silent Six.

601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow; or.the Detective‘s Monitor

419 Joe Phenix., the Ki 2 of Detectives. ‘

161 Joe Phenix’s Great an Hunt. ’

112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League.

79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy.

Aikeu’s Misc ellaneous Novels.

980 The All-Around Athlete.
940 Captain Jack, the Scalper
935 The hawks and Wolves 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; or, The Siren SW
892 The Countryman Detective. I
876 Gold Button Sport; or The Miner Sharps. _,
842 Teton Tom. the Half-Blood.
835 The King-Pin Detective.
814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports.
775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport.
753 Gideon’s Grig at Babylon Bar.
717 Captain Pat IcGowen, the Greencoat Detectives
674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.
670 The Lightw eight Detective. .
665 The Frisco Detective; or, The Golden Gate m,
613 Keen Billy, the Sport.
the “ Hard Case ” Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King's Foe.
586 The Silver Sh up Detective.
577 Tom, of Calif ornia; or, Detective's Sh ow Act.
570 The Actress Detective: or. The Invisi 6 Band
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
490 The Lone Band in Texas.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective.
440 The High Horse of the Pacific.
421 The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Remnants.
408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death.
381 The Gy sy Gen tleman: cr. Nick Fox. Detective
376 Black ards: or. The Rio Grande High Horse.
370 The Dusky Dete cti‘ve: or. Pursued to the End.
363 Crowningshield. the Detective
320 The Genteel Spo tter: or The N. Y. Night Hawk.
252 The Wall Street Blood: or. The Telegra h Girl.
206 The Double Detective: or.The Midnight ysterv.
196 La Marmoset, the Letectlve Queen.
101 The Man from New York. ‘
91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper's Daughter:
84 Hunted Down: or, The League 0 Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire. ‘
75 Gentleman George: or. Par10r. Prison and Street,
2 The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heirs“.
56 The Indian Mazeppa: or. Madman of the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen.
42 The California Detective: or, The Witches of NY-
81 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of inning
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New out.

NEW ISSUES. ,
1W Buflalo Bill’s Grim Guard. By Col. Ingraham,1
1&1 The Brand-Burners of Cimarron. By John .-

Osbon.
1002 Silver Cit Sam. By Joe. E. Bad er.
1003 Gold Dan? or, Dick Talbot \in Utah By Albert
W. Aiken
1004 Buffalo Bill’s Death Deal.‘ Col. Ingraham.
1005 Foot-Hills Frank. By .105. Badger. _ r
1006 The Sea Cadet. By 001. P. Inflation" V,

J DST ISSUED.
1 Di 1:. th Shasta Dead Shot. en.
3? flaggimrcflal, (Elie Sport from HmBlu‘i‘iE B"

' Jos. E. Badger, Jr. r B Ned 31mm.

g 33%‘921353‘6‘1235771... Irgll Grip 0: Injun
Dick. By Albert W. Aiken.
A new issue wary Wednesday.

THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all
NewsdeaJers. :n cents or! can); a- sent by mail ot-
recelpt of pics. H»- -c~ . 5:, 54'“ W,
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979 Bufi’alq Blll's Eelmltless Trail. By Colonel'820 Vl'hfta~~'~“em-er‘s Still Hunt; or, The Mineri653 The Lassm King's League: 01'. The T188?! Of
l‘l‘entlfis Ingmham. : Ma‘  l)\;;'.ill-'f;‘dcl;. By BJEMJ Bill. Texas. By Colonel Prentiss 
r 973 The Dread Shot Four; or, M. paHS of he 816 Y‘n . .s: Ttml Tral11 or. Tho finarl-Rlder;640 Buck Taylor, The Saddle King. Buffalo 8111':
’l lamina. by Col.  F. L’ ‘ 3 k t ' Riv a Run Down. 33' 032.1“. lugrahazu Clzletot flours. By Col. P. Ingrallam. - »
)964 Buffalo Blil's Invincibles; or, Th»: Sable slums” '3' i . I t,"'il,‘.}1-Kne}‘; qr "iv-31mg; name“ fluffqlo 13:113.; ponz:nza;\or, 3m Knlglm or
K ower'rl Sublime Sacrllluc.  “ ~-  *5  “I‘m-Uli- LY Mu- ‘- l-lgluil'clm. me bliver Llrc.e. By (.01. l. ngzaham.
ll ham. ‘ 7 i 311, tlxe W111; Ties. .l ‘1le t .r, .The (:lrl‘cao The Gold Kim“: or, Montebello, the Mama-
1 1960 Buffalo Bill's Ellun Belt Brigade; \or, , I'm“ "‘4“""“""””’”‘ “M” ‘ ' "5"” my" ' “72“ 13" Ema” 3”" . 
1 flower Sam of bhaata. By Col. 1'. last-alum. 9:)? Will mil, (“:7 Will? \‘Z'vasz I.u:e"‘.-r; ur, The CM ‘629 Buffalo Bill's Daring Role: or, Daredeath‘
)9?” Buffalo Bmls Vommegr Vigilante“ on Th9 Gliiinl‘l’f" Ralph. the Cowboy’Cllief. By Buf- ch3, King of the Cowboys. By Leorl Leyla.
Mysterious Man la Blue. by Cal. P. Ingm—i 14‘" "“L , 590 The Dead Shot Nine: or. My’Pardl’ of the
ham. ,, , 2‘71“ ltllffuzll lllll‘f “lnnlnr: Hand: m‘. Thea Maskgd Plains. By Buffalo bill. ' _
950 Bur:an mm at Ba'y; or. 'I'ule Gold“ Seeker's‘ PT??? 0‘ “U “Wm” "an-W“ By “0" ‘- 517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail: or; Wlll Godv.’tbe
'( Doom. ' Col. P. Ingraham. l 113‘“ “‘m'

 

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927 Buflaio ‘mll's Bluff:
B; Col. P. lugruham.
021 Buffalo Bill's Quandary;
Vow. By Cal. Prentiss Ingraham.
915 Buffalo Em and m» S
wan-do, the P.
graham;
9w Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterfly. By
, Col. Prentiss Ingz‘allam.
V, 9% Buffalo Bill's_ Tangled Trail; or, ‘ Gentleman
- Jack. the Man. of Many,h'iagks.
lugraham. '
900 pumalo Dlll's Rough Rideré; or. Texas Jack’s
filial-p-Shuolers. By Col. l’rentlas lngraham.
896 Buffalo Bill: Secret All)’: or. The Texan's
Double; By Col. Prentiss Ingrahumw
800 Buffalo lllll’; Lite-Stake; or, The Pledged
» Threw By Col. 1*. Ingmham.
Bills: Buffalo 13m, Wild Bill and
Bland—Box Bill: or. The Bxluvo, ln Broadcloth.
5 By Col; 'P. Ingmham ‘
, 1. Sfi’ Buffalo Burg Buckskin
., Queen’s Lg.“ Game.

ort.

882 The Three

Mynerlou
v r P. Ins?
868 £3

Proxy. By Buflalu ill...

I ‘ 330‘ sumo mn'. Boys 2:. Blug
Band'p Blot-opt. By Col.

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mm

Burran Bill's Block Game; or, The Haunted? ‘57
Miners 0! the Overland.
ham. '

Buffalo ' Blll‘s Black Pard; or.
{women at the Big Hem. 13y Col. 1‘. Ingram “‘

aham.

umalo Bill’s Death-Charm:
V uh the scar. '
83? Bufltalo Bill‘s Royal Flush:

. Hat’s Death-Rum, By Col.’ Prentiss Ingra-

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'7 851 15310 mum Double Dilelfimr
, . ’ 8091K". Bl: Three: Byflol. P
 - 845 Buflulb Bill'c’ Redgkln mine: or. Texas Jack's
l 2 Death Shot. By Col. Prentiss \Ingraham.

i ’. " 889 The Ranchku‘lk Dead-S30“. 01:" Tex” 336k.“

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.The Gold } -...

or. uaky Dick. the

urgeon Scout: or, Go-
edskin Rider. By (:01. P. In-

Dréves; or. The Card
By Col.  lngruhazm

860 Buffalo Bill's Rhad Agent Round-Up; or, The
' s Masked Man in Bl

Lor,  Man
By Col. Pmnllss Ingraham.
kw, I’I'he Pony Ri-

. or. The Gregt

or. The Brimstone
I

Shmanhootm; or; The. Surgeon

Regent. By col. P. Ingraimm.

aur- Best answer; or. kontebe
ta 

 

Col. mums ,Inxraham.

 

 

 

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acaoqaoéo

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 of price.

‘4‘00'1300000

 

 

 

31 “lul‘l'nI-J

Buffalo Iliil‘sDearlSl'mt;or.'l'heSkeletonScout 4“
of the 0.,»lol'zull). Ity 'oi. Premlss Ingraham.
l3:‘(l'.llel‘hl)l,ld. By le. Premise. lngmham.
Rtll‘lelo Ilill’el Spy-Shtdownr‘. or, The Masked.
Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. Ingl‘ulmm.
773 Buffalo ‘Dill's Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue. 394

By Leon Lewis.
709 Buffalo llill's Sweppsmkc: or. The Wipe-out

at has: Gimme. By Col. Prentiss Ingmllam. 3,3
765 lufr’ulo Bill's Damn: or. Silk Ribbon Sam.

Pony Express Ride; By Nell Buntllne. . a
Red Renard, the Indian Detecth'e: or, The
Gold Buzzards at Colorado, By Bulfilo Bxll.
The One-Armed Paul: Cr,‘ned Retribution in
lwrdurland. By Buffalle Bill‘ '1 ' {.
397 The Wizard Brothers: 01', White Beavers
TI‘dll. B'y' Buffalo 13111.
White Beaver. the‘ Exile of the Platte; or.
gl‘l‘frongml Man’s Red Trail. ‘ By Buffalo \
l .. ‘ ‘

Brand; or. The Brlmfilone .401

{3

Buffalo Bill’s Grip; 02‘. Oath-bound thCd‘tnl'.‘
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. r' ‘ ' r 4 ' ‘

U." (‘01. I‘m-miss Ingraham- A 329 Buffalo Blll’arPlt-dfe; or" The ? been. or '

761 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot; or. The Death Valley Three. By COL. .‘r‘.

Victlm No. 13.
757 Hurrah) Bill's Double: pr. The Desperado De-
},33' COL Pl'entms Ingra‘ham' ~ 804 Texas Jack. the Pralrlo Hauler: or, r'l‘h‘e
3 750 Rumuo Bill's Big Four; or. Custer's Shadow.

tectlve.

ngraha
133’ Col. Prentiss lngraham. 319 “rim 13m. the ’“vhlrlwm‘d 0: the Wat. By
‘ Buffalo Bill. \-

Queen of the Wlld Elders. By Buflalo Bill. =

By ‘391. lu-enllss Ingraham. _ E 243 The pilgrim Sharp: 0,. m somgefggw‘ut, . .
743 Buffalo Bfll's Flush Hum]; or. Texas Jack's heart. By Bulimia Blll, GovemmszScout

Bravos.

By Col. lwenzlsg ngraham. ' and Guide.

739 Buffalo Bm'g Blind; or. The. Masked Driver 189 Wild Bill's Gold Tm“;v or.‘ Th6"Detponte
. graham v, x

of Death's Canyon. By Cal. Prentiss Ingra-

ham.

i
\

Duzeu. By C01. P. In > , I .i I
175 Wild Blll's Trurri’ Card: or. will; Indlqi l

735 Buffalo‘ Blll and His Merry Men: or. The Helress; By Col. rel:th Ingmham.
' Rubln Hood Rivals. BY Col. Prentiss Ingra- 16$ wnd am. the plum; Dead Shot; éoft'Dwr.

ham.

Doll’s Dogble. > By Col. Pfentlsls Ingraham.

731 fiui‘i’a o Bill's Bea lea: or.~Slll_¢ Lasso Stun. 158 guflalo Blll. Chief of, Scouts; or, The‘Docmcd .

-By C l.

0! the Hills.

{rah am.

71!: Emma/Bill's Scout Shallowars: or. Emer—' 33 Gold Bullet ~ t. ‘ mi A '
ald'Ed‘or ngll's Acre. By Col. P. Inst-mam. Overland. B§pfizfia§§ pm. “mg?” 9‘ t“

710 Buffalo Bill Bgmed; or. The Desertet Des- 52 Death Trailer. the Ch 61' SW: puma ‘
perndo’a Deflancg- Byv Col. P. Ingraham. l

697 Bufialo ~Blll's Buckskin Brotherhood; or; '
Opening Up a’Lost Trail. By Col. P. In-

(raham.

69x Bfufialofinnxu. Bungylrraiihpor' Thez‘mug‘hter  The Gold‘ Lace Sport: or. The Tami/831m}.
or the iegirmmt. Co . rent u, nrraham. .  v .
ass léunal’o Bum Secret Servlce Trail. By Major 982 0‘1"“ Cm’m 9' mm“ 3‘” ~°"» 317"
Dangerfield Bu, i . 1 \ V V
as? ammo Blll's Swodb: or. tile Kin: of the 983 Kid r: . ,the fight. .1. 0. Com ‘
~ 1 By Col. Prentiss lam-m. ' Gm” K ' ‘ , By  l; ..

Clan; or, The Tim-cu of Tom: 984 Buflalo Bill's Lite name; or, '11:;
Prentlu warm. '1‘

M an.

Th'e Cow
65.8 By Calm

V‘—

Pramim nsmhxun.

727 Buffalo nun Body Guard; or, The sun Hunt 117 Buffalo Bill's Stramte Par ' . Dafihins
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. By

722 Buffalo Bill on the War Path; 0:", Sill: Lasso  ' ,
» Sam. the VYlll-o'-the-Wlsp. By Col. P. In- 92 Bum“) 3”" the BMW“ Km" ‘3" Th"

IT.

w _ V‘. —— u— V v
r

Y 1110:" Blurb [ all Newefiealeu; a
ber’ob‘ply; qr tent by m , pre5pud, on my

ozen. By Dl‘. Frank Powell.

Dandy. the Hotspur of the ills. 9.30:
D. Burr.

 

Amazon of the West. , By Major meld,
Burr. r

Inglis Love in g; From rrFoz-t. By Buaalo'

. new Isstms m oo'up. ;

son’s Wide Swath. By J03. E. Badger, Jr; f "

Rascally Valez’u Douhle Game. By A. P. .4
norm. ‘ L ‘ “

drick. Really August

 

11:69. By 001. P. Ingramm.  1. x

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