‘uuunnd

\

:1me :_



Commur. 1879. n Bnnu: a Ammo. EITIBID u SIOOND Cm: Myrna n rm: You. H. Y Poe-r OFFICE. May, 190).

M“

M J. IVER“ & C‘ . Publishers '
Pnbu-hod Every ' ’ 10 Cent; 3 COpy. v I 
In.  (JAumSULLIvm. Pnonlmn). 81.00 ‘ You. 0' .

Honth- 379 Pearl fltrofl New York.

THE FRESH 0F FRISCO; or, THE HEIRESS 0F BUENAVENTURA.

:B'Y ALBERT w. AIKEN.

 :I'.’ y '1 .r I! ;- :' ,~4v/ y, I [Iver/,1 ' I, I], 1" —I I" V"
V _‘y :  , .' ' t ,, v, :.,I'l, I .t I, 1 ‘V’VVI.’_ ',./;,,’I‘ , HY- _
"' “""‘ " ‘ 'v ‘  I 41,.  M,
' I (a ‘19." -  l“!l4§\~,\\'§m.t’ I I . .' " I ’  » ' r, A ‘ ,, 1,: [fr]    A v _ .ii; ’«f’éII/flié‘yilnl ‘  "f, ' I
a" «\ ‘ * 1,3..v'/..v/ MW 1/;- "w" "wu-  
* ' Jaw/w“ I 4:21,”, I, w I ./ .
’71;  [NH ‘ / I”  x. I
' l I. ' t;
' - Jaw/~1va  .} . .;, 
y(21¢; " ""/"';”3’I"A’I’/'é,“'/" 7017' "fr/I". 2' " "
:2", EU” I; II,” :1 ‘ ,,f ' ‘Iv , fy'
_ Ia‘§}lad.‘ “(I‘ll/‘1" Ila/‘41)). / .

l.

‘ yr '1 :‘l" 11': ’
5PM," ‘ r '; ' 4- r, / ‘

‘5 JP”; .1 f A , 37-5,, ,    ~ . I . , vzv'jr 441/;

. ' ‘10.!

‘IS . ,I-
14:11 '  ‘, ',"
«Him! ,5 4
agar/y; (5,”; '.

 

  
  
 

    

2
k The Fresh of #65657

The Heiress of Buenaventura.

 

 

A Story of Southern California.

 

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.
swam. or. “m ruzw roar ‘sniar ‘," "ovrraan
arr," “aocxr norsnrs non, ' “ answer, was
mar,“ “macs ores,“ rm. arc.

 

CHAPTER I.
m nurse or run vroms'ru.

“ Bruno out the last prisoner," commanded “ Judge
Lynch.“ a tall, brawny, determined-looking miner,
armed to the teeth.

For the first time in the history of Kern Bar, the
Vigilante-s had risen.

ern Bar was a little mining camp on the head-
waters of the Southern fork of the Kern river, in
southem Califoniia, ust a mile or two from the
main trail which led rom Bakersfield through the
Tah-cc-chay-pah pass to Mohave city and the prin-
ci 1 settlements on the (‘olormlo river.

0 write of the devs of 185“, only a short time
after the close of the Mexican war and the disband-
ment of the forces of the victorious North American
Republic, which in so short a time had vanquished
Mexico.

Kern Bar was a prosperous little mining camp
musterng about a hundred souls all told, men and
b0 1!, every one of them--not one of the weaker sex
in he district.

And as the festering carcass of the dead buffalo
upon ths greatsandy desert attracts from afar the
snarling, sneaking wolf, and the carrlon-l )ving vul-
ture. so does the scent of gold attract the human
birds of prey.

And then all ofa sudden, the miners of the Bar
rose up in their might, and with the first gray light
of the morning, one day, without warning, the \i )-
antes laid violent hands u n the evil-doors who )id
fair to make the name of 'ern Bar a bywurd and a
re )roach.

ie wretches who resembled the vultures fied'
those who sped the wolf showed their teeth and
offered resistance' but the awakened wrath of the
Vigilantes, rising n righteous indignation, is like the
avalanche of ice that hurtles down the mountain-
side, crushi all res stance.

There was“: brief and bloody fight; ten men Went
lowu weltcring in their blood, three of them of tho
law-and-order crowd—the other seven, desperate
deepermloes.

Five of the seven were killed outright; the other
two were mortally wounded.

And then, so savage was public sentiment, ropes
were put around the necks of all, both dead and
dying, and without prayer or shrift they were rude—
ly strung up to the branches of a little clump of
scr-ubby oaks on the outskirts of the town. The rest
of the gang, five all told, had thrown down their
arms and beg ed for mercy. terrified by the fate of
their com ons. They were put into a convenient
cabin. an a court at once convened to t thern' and
so, jus. as the morning\sun rose ran  above
the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, an the ' pines
which lined the sides of the mountain chain bean
to cast their shadows on the Western foot-hills, e

trial he an.

Speerigy indeed was the course of justice' no
special pleas, no legal nibbles availed an ht ere
h this wild free court. e learned men w l0 have
written of the “law's delay “evidently were igno-
rant of, and rgftrii-‘redflrzgt to, JudguL 130‘: s court.

nor was .

"Izhliake “$1331; chargesp i" the judge exclaimed, and
there were accusers enough, for in a little commu-
aityllke Kekrgonar, if a man was a it was
peer. wn.

 got off htly. for “ gambler“ or
“ drunken vaga bond " was t e extent of the ohnses.

“Three hours to t out of town!" was the judge‘s
stern sen ce. an each man romised solemnly
that three would see him ‘ shut “ of Kern Bar,

never to return.

One by one the slunk away, and then came the
in e's comma with which our story as.

‘(li‘fie door of the cabin was opened and a well-built,
imposing-looki fellow stepped forth-a man stand-
ing about five eet eight inches, w hing about a
hundredand fifty pounds. all bone an muscle, too,
without an ounce of useless fat; well-form well-
proportioned. as glnceful as a danci -r r,as
muscular as a bu whacker, and as
young Apollo. As fine a head sat on the shapely
neck, supported by the broad shoulders. as ever a
culptor craved for a model; a rather boyish face,
mangel white, with its smooth su hardly
marked by one of time‘s deep lineshand yet the finn-
nt. resolute mouth. the massive c in and the cold,
dear gray eyes, as deep in their depths as the
fathomlcss waves of a bottomless oceanbglainly re-
vealed that‘though lthlriikmaln‘s f'auoe ;nig‘:irtis “a: ‘0:

e, frin er , s - e c p c
$r, yetgthe ggner of theyface was one of iron will

tinted energ .

“gout-7:: dressed wail-Mexican fashion in complete
block, but instead of the small Jacket belonging to
that me he wore a velvet coat: his linen was
spotting—the b'iled shirt that could
M and on his he sported the broad-bummed
diff sombrero onmnton to the Oalifu‘nian herdsmen,
rather an unusual headgear this foran American,
which the man evidently was.

As he stepped into the circle before Ju Lynch,
who was mounted upon a dry—goods box. ere was
a dead silence, and all surveyed him with eager

fl ‘1' a stranger to Kern

e was
“ What's the charge against

aomanswered.
’I'hn'e

Bar.
thh man!" quoth the

    
 
  
   

   

 

m t's and then the
mifimfimd bowed tothsaowd.
mMMmmeatyutbfih'tone of
.. 9 tr
""3! .n . he awas

  

» -The V

a mistake, and now, udge, I‘ve no objection to take
a drink with you an we‘ll call the matter square."

Judge Lynch frowned; there was a coolness and
Iinflixuruuce about the man that was not pleasing to

un.

“ why was this man arrested?" he cried.

“ \i e found him in the ‘ City ofthe Angels Saloon '
a-plnvin‘ cards with the rest of the gang and Went
for h m on suspicion,“ one of the miners re )lied.

“ Quite correct," and the stranger bow-mi politely
to the miner, “ and didn't I come with you as quiet
as a lamb, although l'm ‘heeled ‘ cool enough for
any don-n men in this crowd?" and holding up the
skirts of his coat he showed two silver-mounted rc-
volvers securely fastened in secret pockets. The
miners had never thought of searching a man‘s coat-
fia for weapons.

‘ Your name?" demanded the judge.

“What business is that of yours?“ was the cod
rejoinder.

” Answer or you'll find out!" thundered the judge,
enraged.

“I ll bet you two to one in ponies that I won‘t,"
was the deliberate  “ Don‘t get r‘iled, Judge:
I'Ve done nothing in hyer town to deserve pun-
ishment, whatevr-r I may have done elsewhero.‘ ,

“I know him!" cried one of the bystanders, sud-
denliy. “I thought that it was him—Blake

“ tight you are, my honored friendl“ ejaculated
the man, Hill cold and calm, although there was a
slight shade now on his face.

‘ What “lake?” the judge asked.

“J ck Blake!“ -

And then three or four cried out in a sort
chorus:

“ The Flte'h q/‘Frtecofl‘

“Right again, my gentle friends!“ exclaimed the
stranger, a hit of defiance in his tone now. “Jack-
sun lilake, the Fresh of Frisco, as some of my
friends have seen fit to term me. Gauthier, black-
leg. card-sharp, des )erado, road-agent, mull-robber,
murderer, horsethef, everything that‘s bad; but,
that's no business of yours; I‘ve done nothing to
offend any one in (Iila' cam n."

“uh, i‘ve heard of you, ‘Judge Lynch observed,
and there was a visible degree of respect in his
voice and manneras he spoke. snrveylr the man
curiously the while. “They say you've k lied more
men than you've got fingers and toes."

"The m a nod many things in this world,
jud ~, kilos their rayerS' but, one thing they
can tsay of me, and t at is that mortal man ever
saw m back when I was dared to hold my own in a
quarre , or that I ever took an unfair advantage of
either friend or enemy. Why, I could have wiped
out eight or ten of you this morning when this little
difflcu ty began, but I hadn‘t been introduced to the
town and I tho ht it would be rude."

“One hour to cave by r,“ said the judge, coldl .

“But, judge I haven't tread on the toes o a
mortal man since he been in the camp!" Blake
ex ulated.

Fresh of Frisco.

of

' ho matter; we dont want you here; we know 1-
you by reputation; you've been warned out of every ;
between this and the Golden Gate; ‘

mining cum?
you‘re too resh,‘ so be off!"

“ Bring me my mule and I‘ll git. I‘m too well-
bred to stay if my corn iany ain't agmhle, although
I reckon the Bar wou be none the worse off if I re-
mained, for I‘d made u my mind to drop my old
life and lead a new one; ut since honest men won‘t
have me among them, why then I'll try how the out-
laws of the Sierra Nevada will like my com y. ’

” One hour to leave town," re ted the udge.

“ If this animal don‘t buck!“ cried Blake, spring-

ing it n the mule‘s which one of the miners
had run ht, “I'll be on e of your old camp In
five minugs. I an , uds'e. can't you ve me a let-

ter of rccornmen on to—the next wnt" And
then amid ageneral smile he rode away, but with
the bitterness of death in his heart.

 

CHAPTER II.
m seem ransvaa or mum
A assessors and uncertain shore is the coast-line
of Southem Callfomia' clear from tho- Golden Gate
down to San Diego, either ragged, rickv my; 0,
sniffing, n sand-bars render ravljgauon d“.
t.

The coast-line runs almost directly south until it
reaches the Brojectlng tongue of land known as
pop: 23:“ ; out; thfiait bemto the east almost

t a or OI“ Ill
trev. #613353 thrasoutir. y “a. “In men

A: at ncep on t eseapassage
channel of Santa Barbara begins—tifenogrnmgtgg
islands called Santa Barbara, from whence the
channel takes its name, guarding the passage from
the fury of the south-westerly gales.

At hi it noon of a certain bright Ihy day in "'3

ear 1 a small sloop-Ii craft rounded 1’0"“

‘onception and hogan to t u Santa
channel. for the land breeze was lowing the m0"
unfavorable wind that the craft could have m

The sloop might be reckoned at some “'1'” °'
forty tons measurement—a rather us 'Wm m
something on the Dutch lugger order. ‘ m
an immense spread of canvas for its site. 
dently ca hie. despite its awkward lpm 0
much bet -r speed t ran one would b." 

She was a coasti craft .13 ' on. tha:
traded along the shore with name MW
dot the line of the coast.

The crew was extreme

1!
one, a tall well-built fellow with a sandy an
“"8 midi! hair brushed carel backhhehind his
“PG—l man of thin -flve or f w“ r. Ihn'
“00 Md rather a p t air. 0t er was a

common. sailor-like chap.
m m s 0".
There was a third p650" ‘ngu‘ and bgautl-

den“ l nger-a woman—O _
M In]. mamas, darkeyed. U” M “‘l'fU- 8
V017 Diana in the perfectin- of bf P ynicll
char-mg

3)“, "u mum u n . coil of ropes near the
tiller hereyes fixmwmam “ “9°”
the blue line of the distant I110"-

. 'u .t the helm.
The ca tain of the org!“ as”, and

“You U ad, 5 Mndt'udd
3, this wand
with a . Scotch accen m“.

3‘.

 

 

    
 

mm, two men onl'J' ‘
beard

,’ ._- ‘‘ ‘‘ V ; :muzz
“ A strange pnesentiment of danger fills my mini,"
she lied. ‘ I have a dread that on onder
111%; (I):' a welcome I flail“ fl‘r‘rd a 5e." mm
esprwasa e ventosurstitioa
What Scotc unan is there who does not y‘igld some
little credence to the tales of second-sight or pro
rriorgtion so common It!) iii: lain: o‘ cakes?

“ i, you mustn‘t t win t t wa ', mi "be ob-
served, reassuringly. “It‘s a bonnyy folfits'une that
you are gomg to, and it‘s your grandfather‘s ain
man that s waiting for you on the shore. You‘ll be
tire  of Buenavr-ntura, as your grandfather we.
t re o ."

“ But this merchant——this Stuart McKerr: who
and what is he?“

“ A close-listed old fellow,“ the sailor replied “ and.
to tell the truth, I never thought much of hirn'
but as far as you are concerned, miss, he has acted
all right. He was your grandfather‘s agent, a long
time ago. Your grandfather, miss, was a very kin
in the old time and had more diamonds and goiii
than any landed pro u‘ietor from San Francisco to
Los Angelos. In 1 when the war broke out ba~
tween Mexico and the United States—this was all
Mexican territory then—the Americans, with a ca"~
nlry force, pushed through the desert and occn ieh
this coast. Dreadin the p e of the sold rt
your dfather co lectcd all is jewels and gold
toget er and fled with a few trusty servants to ths
mountains, and there in a secure spot, ho ‘ cached '
his treasures and all his private papers, and h dly
had he accomplished this task when he was gken
suddenly ill and died. Your grandfather always
called himself Michael Buenaventura, at are one
had any idea what his real name was untiflecently.
“is property has been in the hands of the lawyers
ever since. ora multitude of false heirs sprung up
at once, and it was only latelv, and in some myste-
rious way, that Mr. McKerr discovered that the old
cattle ki "' ri ht name was Scott, and that he had
a marri son ivlng in New York. Iwas dispatched
to Ieam the truth, and, as you know, found that
your father, old Scott‘s son, was dead. and that you
Were the on] remaining heir. I wrote all the -
ticulars to r. Mi‘Kt‘l‘l‘ and he ansWenxi,direcfl=irg
rue to bring you on. Tl rough the some m sterious
sou by means of which he leamed t at your
father was old Scott‘s son. he also discovered a clew
to the hidden treasures ‘ cached‘ in the mountains,
which have for so many years been buried fro the
world. He instructed me to brinfi you to Ban lgran-
clsco, and then by water in this ttle craft of mine
to Santa Barbara. You have a dangerous rival,
miss, in your claim to our grandfather‘s estates—a
man called Alexander lack who is an alcalde of a
small mining vil e on the ohave river, known as
Tejon Camp. Th a Black used to be ourgrandfath-
er‘s overseer, and so afraid is Mr. chrr cf hi
for he is a dark and unscrupulous man-one who,
report speaks true, would not hesitate to men to
any crime to serve his purpose—that I do not inand
to land at Bur-nav'entura, where Iir. McKerr lives,
but I am to put in here at Santa Barbara, and in or-
der that your enemies shall not even know that you
are in the country. i shall not run in until after dark,
* and then not into the regular harbor, but into a little
cove ust around the point to the nor h. lir. Ic-

 

Kcrr to light a beacon-fire near the coveas a guide
forme to steer . Bo cheer up, lady; friends wait
for you. Ir. rrwiil aid you to the extent of

his power, for he thinks that on will win the es-

tates now. beyond a doubt, an of cou

to‘be on the rvtviufning side.“ no be 'm
so 0 a man is this Mr. Black?“ she

“A great, red-bearded fellow, almost a %
stature, andasstrongas anox; aman em
ble temper. and reports do say that the town over
which he rules as alcalde is little butt. than a Id
of cutttlhroats."

“A readful op non indeedJOI’l poor 0 bars
girl like myself topczntc'n'd With. M '0. like t eli-
can girl, i must put“! In! Mr {00d 3.1“
Bar to aid me this unequal h ." ting

r face

clearly

‘ a

tighter of old hichsel been, the
king his only true .
that he has left b‘mine. lyhave a clew, mitt’fig
hidden treasure! etched in the mounthins,

.n the world to deprive me of m runny"

us had fie spoken to heme]! .
least M the sl '

f the am

Gate
quest for the golden fleece,

And 10"“ “mes. despite her no.

com‘gl‘ over her soul
°‘ “dd”! (lane-r lurking In

“"1 ‘V 1" "m strange instinct. to common
man. so inexplicable w .5. {an M
Weh'mex'c‘n banker. thh Iexerr
1‘“ {one to in the trouble of hunting her up in
gm“ 0“? 0f the far Mu“. '

'1" “g be? to the scene 0‘
""8 t be able to mac . (list for her
friend to her. but rather a m" “'7‘
As we have sud mm was no reason (0,.
plcion; an the age“ were
{55% '0 Powerful was it that it

8

 

r d w
Bought her effortl

friend w t.
’0“ m yo:qu
who '11! not sent
. move You from
'03. m Bterioua voice.
. if ra ers to
her name iii {his chenilleI
m? t0 invokhe her
a ion or
"'9 “hart he's '"as to
"WI! at this t me of
b to make the 0010.
“MP on a bar just
the |bones of man,

imu‘ed.
hattimewiil
babes

1:,“ :

   
  
  

   

 
   

 

 

 

 
  
    
 
  
   
  

Thebiiiresh of Frisco.

3

 

 

v t: f

The girl rela into a dreamy silence, her gaze

fixed 11 n the blue and distant land.

held the future for her—an easy triumph
and quick possession of the hidden treasures of
Dnenaventura, or a dark, damp grave in this un-
known land?

The sailor-adventurcr——bold, reckless Sandy Mc-
Alpine—watched her covertly, she all unconscious _
of the scrutiny. Many a beautiful girl had be seen
in his time. but none to compare with this peerless
maiden, and in his heart of hearts he vowed that he
would be her friend, no matter how powerful her
enemies. -

—

 

CHAPTER III.
m swam: or rues can.

in: ht .came on dark and gloomy. As the
aaiiorh predicted there was no moon, and great

‘ clouds covered the face of the sky.

6 restless su es of old ocean beat w’th a resist-
less force upon t e sandy shore, and the breakers
were so hi h and fierce that it seemed almost impos-
sible for a at to live in them.

As the sun sunk slowly to his couch that evening
in the unquiet waves of the far Pacific a man in the
dim twilight, mounted upon a s tted mustan , had
ridden from the town of Santa arbara, and, ollow-
ing the trend of the coast, proceeded northward.
He had cut across the little point of land which juts
out into the sea to the north of the town, skirted
along the shores of the cove-like indentation beyond
the int, and then halting upon the little tongue of
lantffnst beyond the cove, looked around him.

A man of peculiarly striking appearance was the
horseman.

He was well on in years; a great, gaunt person in
stature, with a massive head and strongly marked
features. His hair was iron ray and cropped quite
short; his beard, iron gray ii e the hair, descended
from the chin and  upon his breast like the
tawny mane of a lion. He was well-richly dressed.
and, as was common to the dwellers of lower Cali
fomla, at the time of which we write, when travel-

abroad, well armed.

is man was the merchant banker of Buenaven-
turn Stuart McKerr.

Behind him on the saddle a bundle was strapped,
and now, as he halted and cast an anxious, sweeping

lance seaward, from the bundle he drew a power-

ui marine glass, and applying it to his eye carefully
surveyed the vast expanse of water before him.

The sun had vanished from view and the night
was coming rapidly on, but there was still light
enough to serve his purpose, and he soon discovered,
by the aid of his fine glass, the white sail—small al-
most apparently as the wing of a gull—of a little
craft beating up the channel.

“ ‘Tis the Santa Maria!" he murmured. By this
hi h-soundlng appellation the sloop of Sandy Mc-
A pin'c was known. “The fellow calculated shrewd-
l ; he will be in by night, b tif the Wind keeps on
Ireshcnlng it will be a brave boat to ride this surf,
and the boat that comes from yonder craft to-night 1
carries the heiress of Buenaventura and her for-
tunes.“

The eyes of the speaker sparkled stra ely and a
dark and gloom ‘look came over his h features.

“And now, w ere is my man?“ he murmured, dis-
mountin from his steed, horpling it with his lariat
so that ft could not stray or away, and glancing
carefully around him.

Then, from a cluster of bushes, some twenty paces
distant, rose the figure of a tall and brawny man—a
huge, gaunt, red-bearded fellow, whose dress was a
strange mixture of the herdsman and the miner.
Armed to the teeth was he, and from his looks one
would have quickly concluded that he would not
scrapie to use his weapons to back his game.

It was a strange meeting, in the gloom of the eve-

, between these two men, so like and yet so un-
like each other.

The man from the bushes cast a rapid glance
around him as if he agprehended da er, and then
as if satisfied that the orseman was one, advan
to meet him. ‘

“ You are Alexander Black, aicalde of Tejon .
Camp, I take it," the horseman said.

“And on are Stuart McKerr, banker and mer-
chant of uenaventura," the other replied.

“Yes the man who has stepped forward to ht

or: on behalf of the o han , Barbara, for he
hidden treasure of old chael tt.“

“ By all the fiends below! but you‘ll find that you
have taken no easy task u n yourself!" cried the
alcalde, coarsely, and he g at the other with a
menacing look.

The banker laughed a hard and ringing laugh,
which displayed his white wolf-like wet . .

"Oh, hoi‘ he cried, “do you threaten me With
be wrath of your cutthroats of the Tejon Camp at
once? You and 1, Alexander Black, have done much i
business together in the last ten years, and yet this
is the first time that we have ever stood face to E
m H

“It is strange that we have never met, considering
lat you were old Scott's right-hand man in the
town, and I his second self in the mountains,“ the
“remarked.

“Iaaw ou yesterday, for the first time, in the
streets of ta Barbara; on were inted out to
mean the man who was eterrnin to obtain the
treasures of Buenaventura.“

“Why did you send for this girl!“ demanded .
Black, abruptly. " I would have made a better bars
gain with you. ‘

Per ps.
“It is not too late' she has not an'ived yet." !

“She is yonder‘ and the s or pointed sea-
ward. “Sandy iicnipine a .ringing her in his

Ora-ft." :
“The meddling fool i“ cried the alcalde, hoarlely, 5
"his blood will be at my door et!" ' g
“I am here to-night to lig t a beacon to ginde i
aim in."

“ You are not wise to tell me thist" the other or _
claimed ominaisly; “ cu tempt me to do you a i
mischief," and this wo hiv, who was much more of 3
an outlaw than a magis rate, put his hand mean- 

ingly u n the butt of one of his revolvers. . p

on have really no chance at all find this ;
girl." Ic err went on, unconcernedi ' e labor I

y.

grandfather-heir be and the shadow of a doubt-
,mae—inherboahmahocarrwh“

al-Odbbrfathcbyhot sown

   

. “ He will steer so as to kr-e

i mit and

et
' strange, white face, and he bore a

hand, and in that packet is a map of the mountain

lie cached.“

“She must wade in blood before she gains that
treasure!" the mountain-man cried, ferociously.

I; As full of passion as ever, eh, Donald Mat-don-
a '1‘? .

The aicalde gas 1 in amazement.

“ As full of hot lood.“ the other continued, “ as on
the day when, on the Scottish hillside2 ye struck
down your rival, Geordie Buchan, and killed him on
the spot, and that crime made yea wanderer forever
from your native land."

“In God‘s name, who are you that know this?“
the bloody-handed man exclaimed.

“ Your ain brother, Angus Macdonald, your elder

fortune in a foreign land."
The two grasped hands, warmly.
“ Ilut your name, man; why have ye changed it?"
“ I have my reasons; ask me no questions and I'll
tell ye no lies: but now to business. I recognized

i you yesterday, and that is why I summoned you

ere tonight. We murst work together and not
against each other. The wealth of old Michael
Scott— the hidden treasures of Buenaventura-are
for us and not for this youngJ lassie. She is to land
to-night. Sandy McAlpinc rings her in his craft.
He is a shrewd rogue, and he knows a secret or two
of mine that he should not know. This is a danger-
ous and uncertain coast; 1 am to light a torch to
lde him in. The torchls to be dispia ed on yon-
er point,“ and he waved his hand to t e eastward
where the long point projected into the water.
that light upon his right
hand, and that course w ll bring him safely into
the cove."

“Aha! but you will not display the light upon
that point!“ the alcalde exclaim , jumping at once
in thought to the scheme of the other.

“ No, the light will be displa ed here. In the dark-
ness he will sail straight in caring no danger. A
mile out, at low water the bi lows play over a sunken
shi on a sand-bar; at hi h tide there is a scant two
fe of water above the t mbers of the wreck. The
Santa Maria, running straight in, decoyed by my

1 false light, will break her bones upon the obstruc-

tion, and it will be a stout swimmer indeed that
will make the shore alive from that sand-bar to-
night.“

“And should t‘ e waves
and cast her up a single 3 0t will end the matter,"
suggested the alcalde, again tapping the butt of one
of his revolvers.

By this time almost total darkness had come, and
the only evidence of the close proximity of the sea

‘ their lair! in the mountains the
: region where the hidden treasures of Buenaventura 

‘ regarded the cattle-raisers as mo
i thought it no wro

‘ by seven years, who left home long ago to seek his I

x

sallied forth to
plunder the inhabitants of the fort le plains below.

Nearly all the landed proprietors were stock-
ralsers, and the outlaws swoopin down .upon the
herds of fat beeves would drive cm oil, and then,
through their confoderates in the upper valleys.
easily dispose of them. ,

At the time of which we write these landed pm-
prietors were nearly all Californians or Mariana,
and as the “Wolves of Tejon," as the brigands de-
liglnbd to term themselves, were mostly American.
or men of English—speaking nations, naturally the;

slit-mics,
il them of their wealth.

Few of the inhabitants en, of the lower plains.
cared to attempt the p e of the Tejon Pass tint
less in company with a we armed force.

Seldom was it therefore that a single man rod.

to des

‘ alone through the pass.

rave more kind than we, t

was the hoarse roar of the surf breaking with ter- 1

rible force upon the rocky beac .

“It is too earl yet to iglit the torch‘ let us sit
down and wait ‘ suggested the elder brot er.

The two sat down side by side, and peered out into
the darkness of the night.

writhed in strange convulsions.

“The spell—the s 11 is on ine—do not speak!" he
cried, hoarsely, an evidently under the influence of
terrible excitement. He threw himself at full
is h upon the earth and pulled his blanket over
his end.

Struck with awe, despite his iron nature, the elder
brother remained as motionless as a statue.

A good half-hour the alcalde lay prone upon the
eart , and the superstition of the other told him
that his brother was holding communion with the
spirits of the other world, for Donald MacDonald
was the seventh son of a seventh son—his father the
seventh son of a seventh son. and the ift of “second
sight,“:iy means of which the dim an misty future
wasm e plain, was the acknowled ed portion of
these seventh sons of seventh so: a. t came upon
him, this terrible spell, unawares; he could not in-
voke it, could not resist it; but when it came, to sub-
pass into the condition of “trance” was
a matter of course.

“ It is time to light the torch," McKerr said, at ,

last, and rising, he pre ared the beacon light, fixed

, it firmly in the groun , applied the match, and the

flickering flame springing at once into being, burnt

5 a hole in the mantle of the inky n ht.

The alcalde sat upright, gale an wan.

“ Well what saw ye?“ t e other questioned, anx-
iously; ‘ will we succeed i"

“ I canna‘ tell " the alcalde replied; “ it was a dim

and uncertain on. Onefigureonly sawicleariy."
" The girl?”
“No, a man, and that man destined to be our
deadly foe.“
“ ndy McAlpinef“

“ Nay, a stran er-an American, dressed all in
black, and e a Mexican, somewhat, with a
k of cards in
his hands, and ever and anon he he (1 up to me the
jack of spades in warning, and spades signify a

ave.“

“There is no such man in this district, to my
knowledge," observed McKerr, thoughtfully.

“ He was a stranger, and he came from the north-
ern passes, for he brought me chili air of the moun-
tains with him and he seemed, too, to be enveloped
in the red smoke of battle.“

“ And he threatened you 9"

“Yes, and laughed when he threatened, and his
smile was like ice."

8”“! How know you that he was connected with the
,‘U

" Because, when I first saw him he bore a senseless

I female in his arms, all dripping wet, as though she '

had $18! been plucked from the waves."

” e‘ll go on, though?" McKerr said, in a tone of
question.

“ Yes, although I was sure that hell itself was
gaping open to receive us!“ the aicalde replied.

CHAPTER IV.
rail: wonvns or mos.
Tin Tejon Pass is the gate by means of which an-
trance is gained from the u r valleys to the fertile
lains of the San Barbara rict, but at the time of

which we write the pea was haunted by a band of

b road nts, who in

“ when...“ w age “an: .. ....
ooun

pa- alluded the outlaws Sewer-go, and from

_ }

 

And yet, as the sun was sinking to its bed, and
the eveni twilight was drawing on a see, the
white-fa man, who had been hunted ii e a wild
beast, and driven out from the minin —town of Kern
Bar, rode into the gloomy rocky defi e.

Little knew the man, the Fresh of Frisco, as he
was so oddly termed of the danger that awaited the
solitary traveler in that lonely mountain trail.

Like the Wanderingflgew of the oid~time stor , a
curse seemed upon . The miner had spo en
tnin when he had said that every milliling and
every stock-ranch from San Francisco to korsleld
had repudiated him. He was an outcast, and yet no
worse, if no better, than the rest of the wandering
fraternity to whom he belonged, the men who claim-
ed the fickle goddess, Fortune, for a protector, and
who often risked not only gold but ife itself upon
turn of a card.

The North had driven him forth, through *0

of the Sierra Nevada: he would descend upon

e fertile lains of the South and try if fate would
deal more ’indly with him.

Mounted upon a shaggy-hided gray mule, a ro
vicious—looking animal, uta beast that, like a n'
cat, was much better than he looked, for he was In—
tiring in limb, could keep fat upon nothing and w-
as sure-footed as a mountahi goat, the outcast rode
fearlessly into the dark and g oomy defile.

And then, suddenly, a hiigebearded, muscular fol-
low, armed to the tee h, step ed out from behind a
rock and leveled a pistol at t e rider.

“Halt thar, stranger!" he cried. “ Light down,
and pony up 'our wealthl“

The rider c rocked his mule and, seemingly in no-
wise cowed by the hostile demonstration, burst into
a loud and ringing laugh.

“Oh, ho, ho!“ e cried, “this is the richest oka
of the season! How much will you take. my 1d

. buccaneer, for all the wealth that you will get out
‘ of me?"

 

 

“See hyer, you‘re entirely too smart!" growled
the outlaw, annoyed by the manner of the other.

,‘ “And I don't want no talk out of you! Jest you
Suddenly the features of the alcaide began to ‘
, work. and a low moan came from his lips; his body ‘

tumble off that mule and turn out our pockets, not
forgetting your money-belt, or I'll et daylight right
through you i" .

“Supposing there isn‘t anything in mv pockets;
supposing that I don‘t own any such thing as a
money-belt what then?“ the rider ueriedz cool! .

“You tal too much, and do you now I ve h a
mind to plug you, any way, ‘cos you're so sassy!“
cried the robber, savagsly. “Do you know who I
am?“

“ I ‘ pass ‘ on that!"
“ I’m one of the Wolves of Tejon !"

“ One of the bears, more hkely," the rider re-
torted.
“ And we Wolves own this pass, we do: and
man white or yellow, red or black, goes thro
this yer pass without paying toll, do ye mind?"

“And when a pilgrim is dead broke and can‘t
‘ante ‘ up, what then Y"

“Why, then we strip him to hishide and let him
so."

“ you intend to strip met"

“Thats the ‘iead' I‘m on, so ‘ ht or else I'll
fit y’e for a hole in the ground e of two min-
utes "

And then, as if hted b the threat, the rider
bent forward in the die an clutched the mane of
the mule as if intending to spring to the ground.

Deceived by the movement, the outlaw rapped the
muzzle of his weapon; but, sudden] , in the twink-
lin of an eye, the rider sat bolt u ré

die, a revolver clutched in his d an
ing tube leveled directly at the breast of the strain

r.

Never was there a man taken more completely at
a disadvantage.

“ And now, my gentle friend, your pulp is mine un-
less you throw down your arms and beg for merc l"
the adventurer cried, “covering " the outlaw vi a
deadly aim.

But not alone with a single man had the outcast to
contend, for in a second, half a dozen well-arm
rumana rose from their coverta in the b ca,
fore, behind, and on either hand, and a single, w
directed shot pierced the heart of the mule; the
beast fell lifeless, but the rider skillqu disengaged
himself as the mule fell and hted on feet.

The Fresh of Frisco had fal en into a trap. Like
the prairie wolves, from whom these outlaws had
borrowed a name, they never hunted singly, but al-
w s in a pack.

‘ Throw down your weapons, or we'll murder you
in cold blood!" one of the ahou .

“Let me go free or this man dieai“ths adven-
turer Issued; for he still kept the first outlaw
“005° f'nhim b0 ‘criedth firstruman. he

“ 0 or ' , ys ." e w
was evidently the-leader of the gang.

The command was answered by the short. quid
bark of a revolver.

CHAPTER V.
m: wonvns am A um
Tn revolver-shot was followed by a cry of agony
from a wonnudfd magi. t"ediiigriy radians who had
so an ounly pu t e stranger's
theTejonPaaswaa down flat on g
with a bullet th his brain

 

 

 
   

‘.

v.
i.

y

in

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

held their lives as lightly as though life was a simple
boon to be had for the asking. t for the first time
since they had commenced heir wild career—since
they had set themselves up as lords of the rocky,
Inelate mountain range through which the pass
III, those savage reckless men encountered a foe

as eavage, when his blood was up, and as reckless, in .
face of danger, as any one of their ruil‘ianiy ,

band. Their master he was, too, in the use of the
revolver, as he uickly proved, for hardly had his
unerring ann sent the leaden ball straight to

"the brain of the giant rufiian, than, suddeul wheel-

another outlaw with a snap-shot!

.ingr apparently without taking aim at all, 6 drop-
His wea

pon was a self-cooker; a single pull at the

l

vanced a ste , and this simple movement acted upon
the outlaws ke magic.

As nimny as squirrels they skipped away and flat-
tened themselves down behind he giant bowlders

' that cropped out of the rock surface of the pass,

r both raised the hammer and released it. A '

th r shot followed the second and another man was
down; a fourth and the nearest fellow on the other
side suffered. Five shots the le-faced sharp-shoot-
er had fired, and each bullet ad reached its billet,
before the amazed outlaws made a reply in kind,
and then their nerves unstrung by the murderous
effects (I the stra er's attack, their aim Was wild,
their bullets iiew w de of the mark, and when their
foeman plucked forth another revolver—another
silver-plated, toy-like weapon—the courage was not
in them to longer tarr and wage battle.
Incontinently the ed, until they got beyond re—
volver-range, and t ion, like sulky, half~tamed wild
beasts who had provoked the master's whip, longed
torend and tear, yet dared not, they stood, grouped
ther, an amazed, an lot of outlaws.
ven men had essaye to etc the stranger's way;
four of them had fallen in the a tempt, each and ev-
ery man shot in exacti the same place, in the cen-
ter of tin forehead, j t above the line of the e es.
Was it a wonder, then, that the remainin t rec,
clustered together, pistols in hand, were rat or un-
gr’tain in regard to what their next move should

Three to one were they, and yet they hesitated.
If the Shah or had held his own against seven, what
could three iope to do? and yet, it was a disgraceful
shame that they, the bloody Wolves of Tejon, should
suffer ii. iii le man to force his way through their
chosen batt e-ground.

Bold and reckless men were they, too—these sur-
vivors of the brief but bloody fight the nest of the

Black Jim Placer a tall, swarthy-faced fellow, a

nt in size, with long black hair and a flowin

ard; Colonel Bill, a yellow-bearded, broad-shoufi
dered worthy. with his mild blue eyes, looked much
more like the head of some stock-farm than the out-

i
l

l

law that he was; Spanish Pete, and every inch he i

looked the name—tall, swarthy, with the air of a
rince and the stride of an em )cror, for many a
road acre and fat becve this Ca fornian Spaniard

had owned in the fair southern plains bordering on
the l'aciflc before the wine-cup, tho gaming-table
and the cunning wiles of fair but treacherous wo-
men had made ducks and drakes of his once ample
fortune.

Three as bold men, as ready with their weapons ‘

and careless of their lives, as any one could iliid in
all the great, rock-ribbed (i oldcn State.

But, bold and reckless as they were they hesitated
to attack the single man who, within the compass
of a single minute, had worked the Wolves of ’l‘ejon
more harm than all the sherill's and police officials,
backoJ by the armed and enraged hcrdsnieu, who
had suffered from the outlaws' (leprcdiitioiis, had
I)?” able to do since the band was formed,

0

ur men had he slain, and all that the Wolves had 1 ,
, drcls. One thing about McAlpinc is that he is a man

to show in return was one dead mule.
Noticing the hesitation of the outlaws, Jack Blake

so that only the tops of their code were visible.

Blake burst into a loud laugh.

“ What! three to one, and you hide behind rocks!"
he cried, in contempt. “And you call yourselves
the Wolves of 'l‘ejon, eh? Uo ’long with you! The
Jack-rabbits of Tejon would be a better name, and
decidedly more appropriate."

“ Say! Whothe deVil are you, anywa i” asked the
colonel, dextrousl elevating his e es a ve the edge
of the bowldcr be find which be ad found refuge,
and ready to dodge at the slightest sign of hostile
action upon the art of the fee.

“ M ' name is ackson Blake!“

“'1‘ e Fresh of Frisco!" exclaimed the colonel,
rising in his amazement and exposing the upper
part of his body above the rock, when Blake, more
in sport than in anger, leveled his revolver at him,
but the outlaw threw up his hands in entreaty at
once.

“Hol‘ on! It‘s all a mistake! Don‘t shoot! Like
Captain Scott‘s 'coon, 1 come down! Why, we're
pards, we are! Why Blake, you would have been
welcome to the best that we’ve got if we had only
know‘d who you was; dog don‘t cat dog, you know. ‘

“ You know me, then?’

“B name, es; I reckon that thar‘s few sports
from ore to regon but what has heered on you."

“ Oh, how an evil re utation travels!" Blake mut—
tered to himself, a s ads on his handsome face.
“ Well, if you know me, so much the better; you‘re
the very man I want to see. Honest men have
driven me forth and now I‘ve come to join you
Wolves of Tejon. Where‘s your captain?"

“ Roastin in blazes about this time, I reckon,“ the
colonel real ed, coolly, “for he was the chap you
settled at e first clip."

" So much the better, then, for I ’11 be your cap-
tain.

“ You, eh?" cried the outlaws in abreath, amazed.

“Yes, do you want a better one? So far in this
world every man’s hand has been against me, and
now I pro to return some of the blows which I
have received. Come, is it a bargain?"

CHAPTER VI.
m BBEAKlNG ROCKS.

EARNESTLY the- two conspirators who had plotted
so deeply together against the orphan heiress waited
for the culmination of their scheme.

The night was extremely dark and the wind in-
creased in iower as the night wore on. The signal
light blazedl flifully, strii 'glizig with the Wild 5} irits
of the wind who seemei determined to extinguish

b.

“Who and what is this Sandy McAlpine?” quoth
the alcaldo of chon (lamp, abruptly. “I know but
litl le of him except that he has crossed my path two
or three times.“

“He‘s a cunning rogue for whom the law has
reached several tiinr-s, but he has always becn

 

‘ shrewd or lucky enough to keen out of its clutches.

prepared for action. To the butt of each revolw-r a .

small ring was attached; to the ring a loop of strong
silk cord; so that, by paming his hand through the
loop, the revolvor was suspended from the wrist
ready for action in a second and yet the wearer had
free use of his hands.

Passing his hand through the loop of the unused
revolver, he proceeded to recharge the other, and
the outlaws looked on in sullen amazement.

“ Let’s make another dash at him i" Black Jim
Placer exclaimed. “Why, we're three to one, and
if we close in quick on him he won't stand no show!"

8 anish Pete shook his head.

“ by rush to certain death? It is not wise; this
man is a devil; surely no mortal ever used a weapon
as he used his. We were seven—we are three now.“

“died-rock sense, every timel“ Colonel Bill cried,
with an spprovin nod. “I move that we adjourn
and let this pilgrim go to blazes: anyway, for my

rt, I don‘t want none of this funeral to-day; I ain t
kering for it.“

“ But to retreat from one man,“ growled Black

Jim.

“If he ‘sallvates‘ us as badl as he has the rest
we won‘t retreat,“ the colone observed, ocosely;
“ we'll stay ri ht whar we are and no in e."

“By blazes I never turned my back on a sin is
too yet 1" Jim exclaimed, with an angry shake of a
massive head.

“ n’t you do it, Jim; go in and wipe him out!"
fie colone urged.

“ Will you two back me?"

“ Nar back for me," the colonel replied tersely.
"But I' tell you what I‘ll do; “I'll stay ere and
see the fun, and help to ‘ plant ‘ you decently after
he iier you i"

" And you, Pete!" growled the angry ruillan,
“ what do say "

The Calimnian shook his head in a very decided
manner. '

“ time has not yet come and I am in no hurry
b ru into the other world.‘
Just at this moment Blake finished the recharging
of his wee n, and immediame addressed the es -
to on aws. H
“ me, ntlemen, I‘m waiting on you! he cried,
bold vows ringing out clear on the breezy moun-
air; “and in the first place I want to know who
lagoing to pay for this mule? as good a beast as I
ever hacked, and he cost me fifty ellow boys in
Bakersfield, on! a week ago. Now, t en, who past
That's the qu on before the meeting 1"
The cool tones, the brisk, business-like air and
of the man were really astonish-
and bafled brigands were at a

silvemeanenswu

  
 
 
   
 
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
 
   

 

 M“;

110 is the master and owner 0 a small sloop which
he calls the Santa Maria; he pretends to be an hon-
est trader, up and down the coast, but in realit he
is as hold a smuggler as ever defied the law. any
a rich cargo he has run in on the Mexican coast,
right under the noses of the custom-house officials,
and men do say, with their knowledge and aid, for
these Mexican oiilcials are nearly all arrant scoun.

of his word, and will stick like wax to a barg in;
that is the reason whv I chose him as my agent to
iliid the rl. I iigreei to pay him a certain sum_ for
the service, and also, if I was successful in finding,
through the girl's aid, the hidden treasure, to give
him a uarter of my profits in the affair.“

“ Unr er the circumstances, then, the quicker Sandy
McAl ine goes to Davy Jones‘s locker, the better, ’
the a calde suggested, with a smile. '

“Yes; he must certainly die,“ the other replied,
coolly, “ for if he escapes the wreck he is just the
kind of man to make trouble."

“ Oh. but he will not escape!“ the alcalde exclaim~
0d, “ for if the waves and the rocks spare him we
certainly will not.”

“ How in the flend‘s name will we know when the
sloop goes on the bar in this darkness?" the banker
asked, endeavoring to Ker through the inky dark-
ness of the night over e gra line of the breaking
surf roaring in at the foot of t e bluff.

“It will be impossible for us to know unless the
moon breaks through the clouds.“

“There is no moon to-ni ht.“ ,

“Perha their cries for help when the veael
strikes wi reach our ears.“

“ I doubt it unless the surf abates its noise, which
is not likely."

But the elements seemed dis sed tohelp these
worthies, for just then a vivid ash of lightni —a
somewhat unusual thing for that coast at the mo
of ear of which we write—illuminated the heavens,

b the aid of this unlooked-for light the watch-
ers pll'iihly discerned the little sloop of the Scotch
adventurer, which carried the heiress of Buenaven-
turn and her fortunes, standing straight in toward
the headland, and only about a mile from the

land.

The lightning faded awe and again the gloomy
mantle of the night cove in both sea and land.

A dark and ferocious smile had up ared upon the
face of Stuart McKerr as he noted he whereabouts
of the little craft; the alcalde, ignorant of the coast,
could only less at the nearness of the danger to
which the also beacon-light was luring the sloop;
but the banker, being well-informed upon this point,
saw at a glance that a miracle alone could save the
1E}anlta Marla from the fate which he had intended

or 191‘.

“ Well, is she heading for the bar?” demanded the
ale 0, anxious .

“ es, straight; within the next ten minutes she
should strike. '

“ No danger of McAlpine suspecting the danger
vomm' it?“ h t hed uic “ Th

no, a more an rep ' , ., e
ht is here—the s nai displayed 9::ngin to guide

mia- w shoul heeuspectthata htiewro t
tiieealo'lihuhetoeuppoee that I‘lfedretowo'fik
Methanol" . ‘ \

 

which had
ravenous

 

Ju-

“ None in the world,“ the other replied, after a mo
ment’s thought. “ But Sandy McAlpine is a bold and
muscular man, a seaman used to brave the dangen
of the wave,’ continued the alcalde pursui a
train of thought which had arisen in his 
“ Howfur is it to where the wreck will take place?"

“About half a mile."

“ Will. he not be able to gain the shore?"

“It Will be difficult, for the surf is running high,
the undertow is strong, and the landing a most in-
gerous one.”

“But it is not impossible that such a man as Ill
adventurer might ain the shore?"

“ Few thi in t iis world are im 18 to a M
man With a c ear head and gifted With sufficient mul-
cular strength to back his efforts."

‘_' Clearl then, brother, this Sandy McAlpine will
gain the s ore.”

" And we will receive him with pistol and knlfq
and then, when our work is done, cost him back for
the waves to toy with and the slimy denizens of its
deepvto feed upon.“

“ e humans will be more merciless than the
waves and the rock!" the alcalde cried, with a my

age laugh.

Again the lightnin flamed forth, not the hence
fire which accomp es the thundebguat, but the
mild heat-lightning of the summer skies.

It was quite strong enough the h, to reveal in
the lonely watchers upon the s ore t e sight will fit
the so much desired to witness upon the sea.

isled by the false light the Santa Maria had HG-
den full upon the bones of the stranded shi and
 sharp [zineces lorliftclilak had beaten in the ei es of

e oopas oug e were composedo put
We?" thanhsolidtt raglan. f .-

m upon t cos c e spears the sl a
feared to the eyes of the dark plotters, reveoeflzd g
be glare of the lightning. The sea ran high, and
huge combing waves were swee ing over the can
from stem to stern. No human Being could live on
board the sloo and withstand that terrible sea un-
less lashed to t e riggi , and, clearly, as the vessel
had struck and filled w thout warning, the unfortu-
nate souls on board could have had no op rtunity
to avail themselves of any such moth of with-
standi the attack of old ocean’s merciless billowe,

The ght faded and darkness again veiled the
scene.

“She must have just struck l" the alcolde cried°
“ now, we must to the beach, prepared t1 receive an
that escape.“

The two, in their excitement at the scene revealed
by the lightning, had risen to their feet, and stood
with straining eyes glaring out to sea.

“Com thenl ' Stuar McKcrr responded, and with
the wor s, be snatche u the torch and drew a
heavy revolver from his be t. The merchant-bank;-
of Buenavcntura evidently was determined to stop'
at nothing to attain the end that he desired.

And as the two men started to descend from the
Hull to the beach below, again the lightning illumin-
ated boili sea and shore.

Eagerlv the two gazed seaward.

The s on was two-thirds under water, and the
sea was in 'ing a clean sweep over her. Not a soul
could be discerned clinging to the rigghg.

. “The ' are all in the water struggling for thick
lives!" cherr cried, with hoarse joy, as he led the
way to the beach.“

‘ Which way does the tide set—up or down?"

“Down, at this stage of the water, so we must
patrol the beach down by the town.

Away on their ill-omcned mission the two sped
but success did not crown their efforts, although
they did not relax the search until the morning
hght came clear and stron .

Apparently not a soul has escaped from the wreck.

hung at last of the fruitless quest, the two to
ceeded to the town. Repairing to the inn t ey
breakfasted, and after the meal was finished as
they drew their chairs to ther to discuss their
plans for the future, a little not of idlers, gathered
OUXSlgel,‘ attracted thgilr attention.

3 ernian was e center of the u and
he was relitin to the thron how he andiigorlh'pan-
ion early tha morning, h discovered the wreck
of ndy liicAl ine‘s craft.

“ And heha a female passenger aboard," the man
said, in conclusion, “for on the beach, a mile or so
north of the wreck, we saw a woman's bod high on
the shore. It was too rough for us to male a land-
ing, so we thought we'd run in to the town and bring
the news."

Thaalcalde of Santa Barbara was at once sum-
moned. but Stuart McKerr and his companion in
3;de :gt mg; to accompany thatthdilatory indi-

u u awn a onceto e twhich
thghflahermanlhzil disgrth a be 8”
ebanker m eamt et vioua ht
in Egardito ttllile tide' iihdad set norptrinltea'g‘of
son ,an so e a comeonsh
cog: hanged of down:c on up the
e s erman‘s sta ment was to co
the two plotters dist-Overed u n 
spot where he had said the tde had “Brenna the
body, but as they came within view of e lace a
shglit omnger wlcnt u on the air from both mate.
ep rewovestesneakin t been
bcjf‘ore if”?! ' 8 coyo a, m
pac o snarlin ,sna pin brutee were
over the body, andgshre o clothing whim
eager jaws had rended from the corpse were not
on y scattered up and down the beach ut were eke
borne b the breeze, now blowing fresh from the
land—a d rode on the crest of the billowl beyond
thBlin‘eiof theisurf. I d f m m
ra ngt errevovm...n dung 01"
loud shouts, the brothers essayed to ve the brain
from their prey. - ~~

The stretc ed a cough of the wolves over on
their cks with two we aimed shots and the rest
of the pack took to their backs trotti off with an
angry yel , altho h in truth t one 7. little of the
ban not sit to at rad the!!! for they had picked
the nee almost clean. No ng but a few mm.
nants of clothin scattered abou were left to indi.
cate whether the nu belonged to man 0r woman.
Even the skeleton had been torn am by the new.
“1% h aimw§ny ‘ 'ed to th “0'

t t e 0 ea
both of the beholden $3: “a! " °‘

‘1‘;

  

wu‘womu’ ' I
bunny mnkmg, ,

 

_‘ .M ewes—74*“ A

l
i

 

 
   
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
  
    
    
  
    
 
  
       

 

 

 

 
  
 
  
   
  
    
    
  
  
       
       
   
   
   
 

’1

f v alcalde smiled grimlyas he noted
I..hdmuldsoonbemasterof theweal itcon
r s 33:21

“ Mioecaaionthe octane,
.wmmw  hewilde am

The Fresh of Frisco.

  

5

 

c:

 

" here is no doubt that this is the mortal remains
d Barbara Buenaventura!” McKerr exclaimed.

:‘ghere was no other woman on board the craft?"

0 o. 1

“It is certain, then,“ and ashe he the alcalde
scooped and picked up a little st of white cloth
that the wind brought to his feet. pon the cloth a
name was written inindelible ink. “ Barbara,‘ " he
said showing McKerr the name.

“ hut the sealed ‘Eacket—the packet which con-
tains the secret of a hidden treasure!“ cried Mc-
Kerr, his eager eyes roamirg u and down the beach
in search of the precious ic e.

Vainly the two letters looked for the treasure
that they sought; t was not to be found; and at last
they came to the reluctant conclusion that it had
aitha' become saturated with blood when the beasts
commenced to rend their prey and so had been de-
voured by them, or else thr :, in tho‘r st les, they
had torn it open and the w nds had carri it to the
mum-wand t an becoming .giaturated with water it

Their scheme had removed.from their th the
unfortunate girl who had crossed a co eat to
grasp a fortune but found a grave instead.

CHAPTER VD.
rayon cm.

Outheu per waters of the Mohave river in the
foot-hilt o the San Gabriel mountain range the lit-
tle mining town known as Te ‘on Camp was situated.

It was uitea rosperous ttle place of seventy-
flve or a un people all told; pretty rough cus-
tomers, too nearly a of them, for Tejon Cam was
the “jum ing-oif place" of civilization. W en a
man had n driven out of all the other mining-
towns ’I‘ejon Camp always opened her arms to re-
ceive in, no matter how great were the fellow's
crimes. It was away up in the mountains, fifty
miles, fully, from the nearest town, surrounded by a
wilderness of rocky crags and ravines wherein a
fugitive from justice could  hid defiance to
pursuit: but to do Tejon Camp ful justice it was a

‘ mfe sanctuary for the felon fleeing from an outraged

It was the proud boast of this odd mining—camp
no man, no matter how great his crimes, ever
sought shelter there and had been eit or re-

fused shelter or ven u to the officers of Jus ce.

Quite a rich litt 6 bit 0 mining country surrounded
the Camp and as the “diggir "was nearly all
"surfac lrt," even the most in olent worker with
thlriavrinost primitive “ tools ” could contrive to pick up
a ng.

But even this peculiar “town,” reputed to be the
hardest camp south of Frisco, had its laws and its
emcers to enforce them.

Iron-fisted broad-shouldered Alex Black was the
alcalde of the town, for, following the example of
the Mexican towns, their neighbors on the south,
they called their chief magistrate by the old Spanish
title. The code of justice which prevailed in the
cam was extremely simple. A trial by battle gen-
erallly settled all quarrels and to the victor went the
spoil. Black ruled the town with a rod of iron, des-
perate and reckless as were the inhabitants, but he
owned about half the town and had a stro

 

body-
guard at his back able to put down all cad tion.
A single street only the camp boas , running

the river‘s bank, and the shanties, which com-

the town,hfa{:ed thehstMIn.thA%o usual in r111]
miningcampst e argest ouse n e wnwas tie
hotel, and on this occasion the building was hotel,
'saloon and eneral store all in one. and bore on its
front a rude y-executed sign which announced that
its name was Tn Autumn‘s RANGE, kept by Alex

Black.

It was about a month from the time that the
Santa Maria left her bones on the inhospitable coast
bf Bo'uthern California that we convey the reader
in sgmhto the little mining camp in the San Gabrie

N ht has fallen, and the usual motley crowd as-
Iem , as the ly did night after night, in
~he barroom of he ate] to gamble, drink and lp.

The cam had received quitea noticeable dition
to its inha itants that day—a fat, long-haired bum-

’ mermech who had announced himself as

Major Jake Smith, of Arkansaw, and upon being
taken before the alcalde and questioned as to who
he was, as was the custom toward all stra ers seek-
hag the hos itality of the camp, and ed what
crime be h committed to force him to seek refuge
there, had coolly announced that he had poisoned a
whole mining town léy putting arsenic in the river
that flowed by it and r« m which the inhabitants got
their drinki water, and upon being uestioned as
to the partic of the deed, still furt er astonish-
ed the alcalde b tel ' another big yarn so utterly

‘hooherent that lack nally dismissed him with the

remark that he was the b t liar that he had ever

seen, an observation which the fat vagaboud evi-
dent took as a compliment.
‘ But if he was the champion liar, as he proudly an-
nounced himself, he very soon made it evrdent to
some sharps of the hotel who tried his metal, that
he knew a thl or two about cards, and that he was
as skillful a c eat as ever had honored the camp
with a visit.

. The major sat in front of the bar stretching out
his longllegs in the most comfortable manner, and
Istonis ing the crowd with lie after lie, and all of
them so monstrous that it seemed almost incredible

t the mind of man could conceive such things.
he clock upon the wall had just struck nine when
the door of the saloon opened and a second stranger
entered, so different in appearance from the usual
“ pllfiilm " that instantly, every eye within the room
was ed u n m. He was a slender strrplr(r31‘glgi un-
der the medlilm hight, dressed like a native for-
nian, with a clear»cut, ohve~tin§ed face, so dark as
to est a thought of Indian lood.

W out ying any attention to the scrutiny of
the crowd, he oung man walked u to the monte
table, over whi the alcalde presid in person. and,
a chair just left vamnt b the abru t depart-
ure 0 a “cleaned-out " miner, rewa buckskin bag
. of dust from his pocket and began to tKitty.f t

- e O u 9‘

  

     

  
 
   
     
   
  
 
   
  

   
   
   
 

cc of the bag, for he not doubted that

 

      
  

 

pile of gold before the stranger increased in size, as
ra id] as the dealer’s decreased.

lac looked glum: it was no oke to lose a thou-
sand dollars in a night; but flu in that luck per-
sistently favored the oung man, t e alcalde put in
practice the thieving evice by which he had so often
robbed the stranger of his gold.

He made an almost imperceptible s' n to a hu e,
brawny rufflan who had stationed himse behind t , e
stranger’s chair, and was apparently deeply interest-
ed in watching his game.

The moment the rufflan received the signal he was
quick to act.

“ Durned if I didn't think so!” he cried, driving
his knife through the buckskin bag and pinionin it
to the table. “ Ye’re the man that robbed my cafiin
t‘other day, and this yere is mfu bag!"

The stranger started to his set n alarm, a revol-
ver gleaming in his hand, but before he could make
a movement a strong arm seized the hull by the
throat and forced him to his knees and at t e same
time lpressed the cold muzzle of a revolver to his
tern e.

“ on are a thief and a liar!" cried the newcomer,
Jack Blake, the Fresh of Frisco.

$IIAPTER VIII.
'rru: TRIAL av sauna.

Tn: alcalde fairly gasped for breath as he azed
u n the features 0 the cool and determine man
w 0 had thus bold] ‘ bearded the lion in his den, for
the face of Jack lake was the face of the man
whom he had seen in his vision, and who had shown
him the ominous card signifyin a grave!

Here was the man in livin ii 9, bold and hardy en-
ough to take sides sgianst im in a quarrel not his
own.

“ A liar and a thief i" repeated Blake emphatical-
ly. “You know that this money isn’t yours; you
are only taking advantage of your brute size to try
(if) lfirlly this gentleman out of it, you big scoun-

re " .

“ What concern is this of yours, young man?"
cried the alcalde, rising, having in a measure recov-
ered from his confusion. “It is not your quarrel;
why then, do you interfere?"

“ - use I choose to " replied Blake, cooll .
“ That is my little gait in this world' mebbe it won d
be better for me to mind my own business many a
time, but I can‘t; it‘s a failing I’ve got whenever I
see anybody imposed upon to put in my car.“

“You are a stranger here—what do you want?"
demanded the alcalde, sternly.

fl “ Vthat‘s that to you, anyway i" replied Blake, de-
ant y.

” I‘m the alcalde of this town, and I‘ve a right to
know " Black retorted.

“O , you‘re the alcalde, are ou—the man that
owns and runs chon Camp? ell, you‘ve got one
man in it now that you can neither own nor run, and
just as soon as I settle with this fellow, I‘ll be read
to give you all the sat sfaction that you want. Pic
up your money, young man,“ he said to the Cali-
fornian. “Don‘t be afraid! If any man-jack here
attempts to prevent you, I‘ll bore a hole through him
on the spot! ‘

The threat had due effect and the young man was

rmitted to gather up his ains without molesta—
ion, for the bystanders saw t at the alcalde himself
was somewhat puzzled by the stranger‘s boldness
and uncertain how to deal with him.

“You don’t dare to give me a chancel” growled
the bully, on his knees.

“ Oh! you want a chance, do you?"

“Release the man i" commanded the alcalde, and
to enforce the threat he drew a revolver from his
belt, but in a twinkling another silver-mounted Fis-
tol glistened in the hand of the bold and reck ess
Fresh, and the alcalde saw that he was cavered by a
self-cocki weapon which only required a single
pull upon t e trigger to discharge the ball.

“If you attempt to cock that weapon I shall be ’

obliged to bore you!" Blake cried, in 'a tone which
veg clearly betrayed that he was not to be trifled
w .

The alcalde set his teeth together in a rage; never
before since he had led his ollowers into the little
valley and founded the mining town of Tejon Camp
had mortal man dared to brave him.

“ You have grossly insulted this man and accord-
ing to our law he is entitled to a trial by battle if he
demands it. "

“ I do! Blazes! am I to be handled this hyer wa
without getting satisfaction for it?” the giant grow -

“A fair fl ht, eh?”

“33s!” t e alcalde crieltll. d I m ,

“ t up your weapon t en, an ‘m agrees e.’

The alcalde did not much relish the tone of com-
mand which this bold {‘ou man used, but he re-
solved in quietly bide is t me, and so he shoved
back the revolver into his belt.

Blake released the giant and he rose sulkily to his
feet, shaking himself like a huge dog just emerged
from the wa er.

“ See hyer, my little cock-sparrow, I ain‘t used to
bein‘ handled in this hyer way, an‘ I’m jes‘ a-goin’ to
mgke you pa fur it. Do you know who I am?"

‘ I hain‘t t e pleasure,“ Blake responded, with an
extremely polite bow, which only seemed to inflame
the wrath of the big ruilian.

“Wal, my name is Dave Mendoza, and I‘m the
giant of the Mohave, I am! Now, who are you?"

“ Jackson Blake.”

And then a solitary voice cried out: “ The Fresh
of Frisco!" Even in this remote mining—camp the
evil fame of the man had receded him, for a hum
of astonishment followed e announcement of the

name.

“Oh, yes, that‘s my handle; 1‘ see that I’m no
stranger by re utation, at least to some of you. Oh,
it‘s pleasant or a ilgrim to fall among friends!’
there was an air of itter sarcasm in the speaker‘s
voice as he s ke, which gave the lie to his words.

      

 

“ Wal f or no fresh, you’re my mutton!" re-
sponded the giant. “ I reckon that I don‘t ’low no

man to take me b
out of me like as
The bar
sport an
implied.

the throat and choke the wind
I war a yaller of no ’count.”
[if had never heard of e well-known
ttle guessed what an encounter wi h

Nor had the alcalde of Tejon Camp any
knowledge of the man. For some years he had re-
dded in t pasta master

~ beanie

  

  
    

     

"108'.

 

citement broke out, as the master-spirit and founder
of the minin town.

But, Alex lack was no fool, and be guessed from
the sensation that the name of the bold man, who
had dared to brave him in his own saloon, had
created when he announced it, as well as from the
strangeness of the designation, that he had to deal
With no common man.

Mendoza, the Mohave giant, was a noted bu , an
excellent pistol shot, and the alcalde had very ttla
doubt that he would be able to give a good account
of the stranger.

“ To the o 11 air!" Black cried; “there is a bright
moon, and t is quarrel might as well be settled now
as at an other time."

“ Oh, ‘m _ ble," Blake responded, and then
the crowd wr the saloon surged forth into the
open air.

“ Why should you enter upon this quarrel for my
sake?" the Californian youth cried quickly in the
ear of Blake as they passed through the door.

“ It’s a habit I have,“ he replied, ' htl . “ I can‘t
keep out of. mischief to save me! si es, you are
no match for this big bully. It is all a e to rob
you of your dust. I saw the alcalde s gnal to thb

ellow when he saw that the me was going heavily
against him. This town is a den of thieves; may-
be it will be cleaned out some time. And your face,
too, I like the looks of it. I saw that you were to be
imposed upon and I made u my mind to take a
hand in the matter, like a foo , too, as I always am,
for my game at present is to lay low, keep my eyes
open, and say nothing.”

“But you must not fight for mel“ the Californian
urged, his voice deep, musical and clear; the lad was
evidently of no common blood.

“Oh, don‘t worry on; head about that! 12.): a
pleasure to me; besi es, this quarrel with the bully
of TejOn Cam has got to come some time if I stay
here, and I might as well make a beginning."

“But this man may kill you i" the striplin urged.

“Alive or dead, it’s all one to me and to %h rest
of the world, too, I guess,” Blake re lied, carelessly.
“But don’t ou wo about me. fore this cam
is an hour 0 dcr I‘ll s ow them a trick or two wit
the revolver that I'll bet a trifle the Mohave region
never saw before, or I‘m a Dutchman."

“Let me fight this maul” the youth demanded,
with kindling eyes.

“ All right~after I get through with him.” And
Blake laughed as he ke. It was a simple speech,
but the tone made it uh of fearful meaning.

“ After he got through with him i” If the Fresh of
Frisco‘s refutation was not unjustly gained, the
giant woul be of very little use to any one in this
world after Blake had finished with him.

In the open air the crowd gathered in little knots,
e or to witness the comin fight.

he big, round moon, ri ing lull in the heavens,
looked down in silent majest upon the scene; many
a bloody fight had Madam una witnessed in that
little valley thro h which ran the Mohave stream.

“Now stran er, 'sten to the conditions,” the al.
calde said. “ orty paces apart you will be placed;
your pistols‘in your hands. I wrll give the signal;
you will draw, advance and fire, and after you‘ve
emptied 'our revolvers on can fall back on your
bowie-kn ves. Is that as isfactory?"

“As fair as fair can be!" Blake exclaimed, sen-
tentiously.

“ Cor-eckl" yelled the giant. “ Pick out your
grave, young feller, for you‘ll need it afore you're
ten minutes older!"

Blake smiled contemptuously, but did not deign to
reply to the vaunt.

‘ tranger, you pace oi! down the street twenty

; Mendoza, you go u . Halt at the word and
hen tiiznhand at the wo , begin,” the alcalde sail.
a a ."

H
And then the two started. ,
Each and everyman in the crowd counted the

paces.
Tobie twenty were paced 01!, and then the alcalde

“Halt! Are you read t Turnand lira"
Thefun was about to n.

CHAPTER IX.
sous: sum snoorrmc.

Born of the men turned prompt] at the about,
the bright moonlight distinct ' illum ated the scene
They advanced wrth measured steps, each keeping a
w eye ugon the other.

'I‘ e spec tors held their breath in anxious sus-

pe .

’In‘lign, all of a sudden, the giant raised his arm and
leveled his revolver; he was taking deliberate aim;
but quick as a dash up came the arm of Blake, not
to the level of his e es but merely to his breast, and
the sharp report 0 the revolver instantly followed;
the 'ant was slowly cocking his piece at the time,
but e did not wait to fire he simgi threw the is-

 

Y
tel down as though it had sudde become red- ot
in his pe, and then commenced cing about as
if a w ole nest of bees were stinging him.

“0w, owl" he howled, to the intense amazement
of the crowd, the alcalde included. “0h, murder!
ob blazes! ow, owl"

éuch a war-dance hadn’t been witnessed .in the
streets of Te n Camp for some time.

“ What‘s t e matter?” cried the alcalde in a rage;
“is the fool mad?”

And as for Blake,with a quiet smile u n his face he
stood still and watched the antics of t 6 giant.

“This man‘s lifeis at my merc ," he said, “but I
hate to interfere with any man s enjoyment," and
hcgauhghhednquletly to himsetl.f.th . t d”

er ps wasen en: egran was cing
all? mm the expression u n his ’

 
 
 
 

briskly enough; s
face as well as from the vigorous way in w ch he
was swearing, it would seem to indicate that, al-

 
    

tho h a man might dance, yet he might not be
big entertainedt erelgy.

t the blazes is e matter with out" the
alcalde cried, losing patience at last and ' g up
to the apparently crazy man.

“ Oh, my funny-bone! ow! murder! oh!“ cried the
fellow, recover-in in from the shock, and then
be stripped up he rt-sleeve—he wore no coat, I 
dirtyredshirt theo garmentoverthe “
perpartofhisbod —andon heelbowa'  ‘
ms" ' tfire  I '

% ~ shot

   
   
 
 

 

  
  

 

      
 
 

i
-1. r
6.
Lil
i?
__I



. J
F.
I
’2

  
 
   
 
 
  
  
 

 
   

 

6

7" “*1._.____ .

 

but he could not bring himself to believe that it was
the result of design. Surely no living man could be
w‘exceliienmiqaioi; I t be h f ihi l

‘ er ac , ‘ve go a ut cnor o s “
pnotestcdvthe bully. “ wm kind of clianlge do I stand
with this hyer cuss wot kin bark a feller‘s elbow and
not half try? Blamed cf I see‘d him take any aim
at all i"

“It was onl an accident!" the alcaldc replied.
“Itis not possible thatany man in the world could
make such a shot.“

“ But, see h or, Mister Black; I want to quit, I
do! Durnede this feller haiii‘t taken the steel all
outen me."

“Going to show the white feather, eli, Mendoza?"
the alcaldc sncered.

“No man ever scd that of mel" the bully blus-

‘1‘; But the whole town will sayit, if you give this
t u .“

“ utlit man wot kin tickle you on the funny-bone
with a revolver bullet," the giant insisted, ruefully.

“ An accident; it‘s a huiidre to one that he
couldn't do it again."

“Do you think so?“ The bully was leth to renew
the struggle.

“ No oubt about it at alli"

“Oh, well, I s‘ so I'll have to tackle him ag'in
then," but fromt 0 look on the face of the man it
was {bin that ho had no relish for the contest.

“ ake your places ain,“ commanded the al-
calde, as he strode back 0 his former sitioa.

“ Hold on i” cried Blake; “ I reckont at this man‘s
life belongs to me now, and I don’t see as I am call-
ed upon to risk mine against his again. I appeal to
the crowd! I could have shot the fellow a dozen
times when he was dancing up and down with his
revolver on the ground, only scorn to murder an
unarmed man in cold blood. It was my aim to do-

rive him of his weapon and I fired on purpose to

isarrn him."

“An accidental shot; you can‘t do it again!“ the
alcalde declared.

“ 0h, can't I?" Blake rctorted, scornfully. “ Well,
go on with our bird‘s egging, and I‘ll show you an—
other shot ust as good. '

Tire giant stared at the words, and an uneasy ex-
pression ap red upon his face. In truth he had
already ha taste enough of the uality of the
stranger, and was not “ hankering " a teran more;
but, urged on by the tauntin words of Blac , he re-
solved to do the best he can d although he feared
for the result; but, then, if he ‘ked out now, that
would end his career as the bully of the camp for-
ever, and he feared the moon; and 10ers of the mi-
ners almost as much as he did the weapon of the
stranger.

“Now then, are you ready?" Black cried.

" Rear y," responded Blake, prompr.

“Read ,"aiisr/ered the bully, butiiotatallprom t-
ly, and, mm the manner iti which he uttered t a
word, it was plain that ho had no heart in the con.

“ Fire, then i” the alcaldo cried.

At the word, Blake advanced rapidly upon his an-
figonist, the revolver gleamin in his hand, but the
weapon carriel low down at h s side.

The giant had also advanced at the word, but not
particularly quick, and the rapid movement of his
an "onist so confused him that be halted irresolute
and to take aim. He had a presentimeiit that
a single shot would be all that would be allowed
him, and that if he did not succeed in disabling the
stranger at the first fire, he would not get another
0 rtunit y.

o extreme pains that the bully took defeated the
purpose. He waited until the stranger came within
range: he waited until he was Certain of the aim,
and then, just as he was about to pull the trigger,
Blake anticipated him with the same rapid move-
ment that had proven so effective before, and appa-
rently again without taking aim.

The shar crack of the revolver was followed by a
howi of n from the giant and he tumbled over
hackwa apparently done for.

Four or five of the lockers-on rushed to his assist-
ance as he rolled over and over on the ground, howl-
ing with pain.

‘W‘at‘s the matter? Whar has he plugged you?"
cried a syiupathizing friend.

“ Ow, owl I dunno!" roared the giant.

“ Here‘s blood on his shoulder !“ cried a keen-eyed
observer.

It was true; the Fresh of Frisco had “pin, e( "
his man this time, but he had not aimed at the s on]-
der as one of the bystanders speedil discovered, for
this inquisitive Dick had picked u t e giant'srevolo
ver and made the astounding iscovery that the
stranger had shot the himmer away so that the wea-
pon was rendered harmless.

A c of amazement went up from the crowd
when t is fact was made known and even the red-

ed, iron-faced alcalde seemed amazed.

Never before had Tejon Camp seen such marks-

manship.

The bullet had glanced after carryi away the
hammer and had entered the bull ‘s shou der, inflict-
Ing a slight flesh-wound only, wh ch fact was s i-
I discovered and made public, much to the of of

0 giant.

But, the bully of the Mohave rose from the ground
an altered man. He was whi , and henceforth
life in Tejon Camp had for iim no charms, so he
alunk away and disappeared.

Blake turned to the alcalde.

“ Well, is there an bod else that wants satisfac-
tion!" he asked. “ ow hat I‘ve got my hand in, I
might as well accommodate all that care to be ac-
oommodated."

There was many a dark look on the faces of the
bystanders, but after the display of skill that Blake
had exhibited there wasn't one of the bullies of the
town that cared to take up the bold challenge.

“ Well, as no one speaks, I conclude that you're all
satisfied eh?" And as he spoke Blake looked around
him with a scornful smile upon his clear-cut, hand-
some face. It was Iom thing of a trium h for him,
done and sin le—hand to walk intot e roughest
min town hat was in all California, and make
t). no 6 iightingmen of the camp acknowledge his

“'0'. ..
“You have hoid'your own, oung man. and no
Ins of coaxing“: against you,"tho
tone magi-anion Re bad

 

i

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

' what I tell you, for I am a man of my Word

 

“*7

n the matter during tl.e last few int)
'hy should he wa e war against this
stranger who was so well ab 0 to rotect himself?
\Vhy not make an ally of this bol and skillful fel-
low, turn him from an enemy into a friend? It was
a capital idea, the shrewd Mr. Black thou lit, and be
determined to act upon it as soon as possi )lc.

Blake bowed gracefully.

“ 1f everybody else is satisfied, so am I,” he said.
“ I never yet went round this world trying to tread
upon anybody’s toes.“

“ Have you ever visited this camp before?"

“ Never."

“ We have some rules here which we require all
new-comers to abide by, and if they do not like them,
and do not care to live under them, why, then we
expect they Will depart seek some other abiding-
placc. and yet take no 0 ense."

“That seems fair enough," Blake remarked, and
he looked inquiringly at the young Californian.

“ I can me no objection.” the stripling said.

“At eight to-iiiorow then. call u n me in my
office and I will ex )lain matters. nd now, boys,
let's all take a socia drink."

The alacrity with which this invitation was ac-
cepted clearly proved that tho alcaldo was a popular
man, or else that the crowd was extremely dry.

~— \
CHAPTER X.
A smson iu-zqritsr.

Tm: crowd slowly dis named, the most of them re<
turnin to the saloon, w.iile the remainder saunter-ed
oi! to t eir cabins to retire for the night.

The Californian approached the man who had so
pluckily taken up his quarrel—and so successfully
Bronccuted it—and grasped him warmly by the

an .

The contact of the slender, womanly fingers sent a
strange thrill through the stalwart frame of Blake,
for the hand was as cold as ice. .

“I owe you a thousand thanks for this service,"
the young man exclaimed, “ but, alas! I fear that it
rill never be in my power to repay you for the

avor."

“Oh, don‘t speak of it," Blake replied, walking
slowly up the street, the Californian keeping him
company so as to get out of earshot of the loungers
who were loiterin' about.

“ Ahl but I shou (I speak of iti“ the other replied,
guickly. “The Weight of obligation will pressure

own unless I can find some way to cancel it.”

“It isa foolish habit I have of tlirust' myself
into quarrels that do not concern me inmfiie least
but, ever since I can remember, I could never bear
to stand tamcly by and see any one imposed upon.
This town you know, is nothing but a den of thieves.
I don’t believe that there are ten decent honest men
in the place. This is the Alsatia of the Pacific slo .
If you are an thin of a scholar you mayremem r
that, in the o den t me, there was a certain rt of
London where thieves and criminals of a kinds
found a safe harborage, and it was the boast of the
inhabitants of the district that the officers of the law
never dared to seize their prey within its botmds.
That was the old Alsatia, this is the new. No sheriff
ever chased his man into this valley and attempted
to take him out. Why? The inhabitants would rise
en mature to resist the outrage."

“ And what brings you here, among the wretched
criminals?" cried the Lalifoniian, abruptly.

Blake laughed.

“Suppose I put the same uestion to you, eh?"

“ 'ou are not a crimin —you are notathief—
your hands are not red with blood l" the young man
cried with astonishing earnestness.

“ I am a criminal and yet I am not one; I am not a
thief yet many a time I have taken money for
which did not work! There‘s a riddle for you."

“in this wild, stmn e land, men sometimes stain
their hands with hi and yet are innocent of any
actual crime; for amid these rude scenes each man
is a law unto himself. You have tziken life, per-
haps, in self-defense; who then can blame you?
You have won money at the gaming-table' it can
hardly be called a crime when every one does it,"
the Californian replied, slowly and deliberately.

“Ah, I see my young friend, that Iyou are deter-
mined to make a hero out of me," lake observed.
banter-lug] . “But you never got hold Of WONG
material or that purpose in all your life. Enigma

w -
ever else my faults may be—when I say to you that
I‘masbig a rascal, in certain ways, 88 over we!"
unhung. Heaven gave me wonderful strength and
skill, and I have sadly misused both.‘ I am no boy
now, and with the advantages that I ve had in this
world I ought to amount something. instead of
bein the wretched outcast that I am.

“ on an outcast? No, I will not believe it!“ the

outh exclaimed, vehemently. NO. 3’0“ "0 I00 110-
gle—too generous !" H

“ Oh, you‘ve got the wrong] idea entirely! Blake
cried, laughin at the warm of the‘ other. “ I see
that you don t know me. Why. I m the biggest
devil that ever escaped “Wm” “"1 If there 8 a
(man-9180i on anywhere aroun me it seems an
utter imposs bility for me to keep out of it."

“ And you always take the weaker side, eh? as you
did to-night?"

“ Now don’t you let this feelin
awa with on." Blake said. so rly.
the
kee away from me. I am an outcast from the
ci 1 ed world; only in some wretched spot like this
cutthroat town would my sojourn be permitted.
I'm telling you the honest truth when I say that I’ve
been warned b the vigilaan out Of nearly every ‘
minin campc ear from here to Frisco.

reflected ii
ments.

“ Probably

 

of gratitude run 1
st ad ce that I can give you is to warn you to < nothin and expired-

The youth cvidentl was determined to make

liv‘ro out of the man vilio had befriended him. .
Oh, but I knock "1011 down in the dark and go
through their pockets; 1 waylay drunken miners
and ease them of their gold-dust; I carry three or
fourrnackspf cards up my sleeves and so ring in 9,
cold deal on my opponents; in fact, I’m just as
bad as they make ’eni l"

The Californian regarded his companion for a
moment with an incredulous look upon his face, and
then he slowly shook his head.

They had strolled on until the had got away from
the loungers in front of the sa oon, and then halt~
mg, continued their conversation, tiie moonlight
being so bright that they could see each other‘s
faces as plainly as by day.

“You are not so bloodthirsty as you wish to
make out, ’ the youth said. “You could easily
have killed that r0u h fellow tonight if you had
wished, Twice hisl e was at your mercy and yet
you'lslpami him." f l, Blak

‘ eovergrown oo ." o cried in t
“ He was but the tool of this recioui'i acocigrlildg‘ilc‘i!
an alcalde. I scorn to wrca m vengegnoe u n
the servant when I can easily reac the master.‘

“ This alcalde is your foe?” and the eyes of the
youth sparkled, strangely, as he put the question.

Blake was somewhat astonished, not so much at
gig; question as by the look upon the face of the

er.

“My foe—well, that‘s a hard question to answer.
£2132? fitw ithe man before tonight, and never of-

‘ m a an wa exce
ln‘rfigtfim (my y pt by locking his game

‘ u 0 our foel"the bo asseverated with
stra e earnes ness; “ you know that he is your foe
and t at he Will do you a harm if he can and yori
are not the man to tamely submit to a’ny wrong
gomfhimreven though he is the Ilcalda of the

“,n ‘)

“No notif he were a thousand alcal "
mag?!) des, Blake
0 s my enemy!" the youth continu hurried-
ly, and with excited speech, “ but he doesd' not know
me. Undera false name I come, but if he was to
discover who and what I am he Would instantly at-
tempt ni lite—lie would set his cutthroats at me—
he woul hunt me down as the ant wolves on the

rains ull dowl the woundeg‘ buffalo. I need a

riend, or alone I cannot c0pe with this man. Will
you be that friend? Will you dare to back my quar-
rel against this bloody-minded alcalde as you did
my quarrel with his mfllanly tool? I cannot pay you
now; I have some money, but only enough to enable
meactotcalr;ryt.‘otililtuthemxtilaniiIwriiirilibl3 came hither to
ex u e, u e ure, 8 a rich, giadl
will I share with ou all that I gain!" ‘nd y

Blake gazed w th wonder at the youth, 8
as he did, like one ins ired, and, stran mixture 0
cautigusbgoolnesslana imptetuous reek essnem as he
was e came re wit somethin o
panion’s spirit. 3 0: ms com
“ ‘It‘s a bargain!“ he cried, extendin his hand:

I ll back your quarrel even to the death!"

A warm grasp of hands closed the corn t, then
the two sauntered slowly back to the hate secured
their rooms, and retired for the n ht,‘for, by the
time the conversation ended, as we ve described,
it was near midnight.

Blake, ever can ious, secured the door with its lit-
tle wooden bar, for locks and bolts were scarce arti-
cles in Tojon Cam , and threw himself, all d
upon the rude bun and drew the blanket over him.

It was some time before slumber came, for many
mm thoughts were in his mind, yet, when he d”
sleep, he slept soundly; but from his sleep he was
rudely awakened. Strong hands were upon him-
strong cords Mum! him—he knew it not but the
Black Men of Tejon had seized him for their my.

“I BOCHAP'I‘ ER XI.

.x or urcruxr. soon.

Tn: alcalde sat in his private room in the Alcalde's
Ranch. It was a small a rtment built out at th.
extremecnd of the builgia just behind the bar
communicating with the room by ‘Btout door'
which was eVidently construct“! '"th 3 t5
defense against an unwelcome Visitor. for bold and
reckless as was the red-bearded 9M0 Of this wild
and lawless town, he had in bi! "me encountered
men as bold and iecklesa as “Wm “M On two or
three Occasions he had been hunted ho“! to his den
, and closely imprisoned the” by mruriMod despot
. adoes and only released 5 “’9 wunmufi 0‘ 8 88M!“

 

' al alarm whic had roll °an to ‘3
Bullet-proof, therefore. w the (10°? leadim‘igbm
! the saloon into the prile momv ‘5 Was the

‘ other door to the room WHO” 19‘? into the

gand from this second (100“ if the winging!
. the  twhasmclloselyll 2.3;an forcing their
. way n e 00118 ’“ce’ 9'“
i made to {he shelter of the WOW“! 100t- 
[ few hundred yards lw‘yt for “ s “r of

i tain chain was quite new “hie”
I on the little valley and mm“ “‘0 Wotan of t e
' “its “21ml: “3:” some
I w e aci c t0 9 W
' parched earth greed“! dm“ "9 “"3 'hobhegiuiii:
: of the river, and “1° ‘tmfiq’;mch '3 its
romised to 8W0“ “"0 ‘ m g to? cum“ Whereas
I the navies of the Woriithznsiegiizygss .d h into

W grain ‘

. largo s reams an l'mowlae? “p "'3 one 0‘ the 

ders of the far water” p “8'

The alcaide‘l upmmen‘ "“ “meme-l mum,

furnished; . rude hammock-like , g, 0' m

covered with skins. ‘ md" “we "d ‘ Mile of

Go where i chairs, evidently the work of 80m lion". ,

ou w ll, up and down this Pacific slo ,and o ' d not the product of civiliuuo
lvind the name of Jack Blake, the Fres of 1.~.,,,{,,",§ , a; £321,311: .1]. o 9'
pretty well known—as it was here to-nigbt. An Q'vfl . The", w” only a single Window in the m d
reputation travels fast. I an, M high in the wall looked into the “1:01;:
“And Why do the“ men Persecute you?" the : Anot or method or Pmutmn’ um’oGKI-lnst a 1.0.1

’9“§>hmpe” t l ' d Rink in bed agai

‘ u e “ an 0 ug - H 1
that’s not the word. You know. It isn t n’rsédiitiiifiF I
it is ustice; it‘s the law reaching with long armé
for e man who has dared to disobey its rules “

“ They hunt you from their town because you are i
more skillful and braver than the rest of the people '
-tlio common herd-and they fear on. You shoot .
the men who attack you! ou win I. 0 money of the .
flyho WWYOutop yl Iaitacrimotodo

  

g
g
E

53.
E

i

with 1"" Ina ‘-
M'mujustiqo to mwmmdg‘a,

 

   
 
    
     
   
   
    
      
   
   
   
  
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   

\ ...,._¢_ --. ,

     

 

M
a
M,‘___

\..,.....~~. ,

I

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

 

hr 1

Mm out to be a second Hercules in strength, a rival
of an o ra—dancer in lightness of foot, a very “Non-
pareil ' in boxin , a better man than a Cornish
champion in wrest ing, as sure a shot as any Kentucky
rifleman who had ever brought weapon to shoulder,
a Beau Brummell in manner, and a wizard for luck
It the raining table.

And he aicalde, with these wondrous tales in his
ears, retired to his rivate apartment to meditate
how he should deal w th this remarkable man, whose
wandering footsteps had chanced to stray into the
lawn of Tejon Camp.

A dan erous man for an enemy, perhaps also
vqually (gangerous as a friend.

And as the alcalde sat and mused upon the subject
here came' an odd, peculiar knock at the outer

door.

The rilcalde lifted his head and listened, for he
maid hardl believe that he had heard aright.

The cu iar knock was repeated.

‘ It s he,sune enou hi" he exclaimed, and rising
he hastened to the cor. His old cautious habits
did not desert him though, for before he opened the
floor he made sure of his visitor.

“ Who is there?" he asked.

“ Open; it is I, Buenaventural“ was the reply.

The alcalde undid the fastenings, for this oor too
«as barricaded as though it was the entrance to a
fortress, opened the door admitted the applicant,
'Aiid than securely fastened the portal again.

The visitor was Stuart McKerr.

The merchant was booted to the thigh and armed
no the teeth; a broad sombrero u n his head, and a
.éostly Mexican blanket, worn e a borseman‘s
cloak, concealed his person.

Upon their partin in Santa Barbara the alcalde
had arra ed with t e merchant in regard to a Vasit
to Tejon mp, should circumstances demand it,
but he had not expected him so soon.

“Sit down, man; I‘m glad to see you, although
your coming is unexpected. and I suppose that
means that you bring bad news."

“Well, you're right this time!" replied the mer-
.'.hant., flinging aside his hat and blanket, and seating
himself b the table. “Have you a su of whisk
handy? ‘m as stiff as a ramrod, and chilled by this
.ukeen mountain air. I tell you, man, it is no joke for
me to ride post-haste from Buenaventum up to this
hole without hardly drawin bridle-rein."

The alcalde hastened to p ace refreshments before

'~i.is west.

“ all,” he said, after the merchant had taken a

00d pull at the whisky, “ what is it? Did the seal-
!d packet which you say the girl carried concealed
about her person escape the )crils of wind and
wave, and has it fallen into the ands of a foe? or
has the girl herself come to life again!"

“ Oh, no, both packet and girl have vanished from
this world forever; there is no danger of either one
~of the two ever comingi to life again, but a new dan-
-ger menaces us am threatens, unless we use
paimpt and violent measures, to totally defeat our
.- us."

I “ Ahal well, that is bad news; but explain the
particulars at once."

“ The son of old Michael Scott has come 2"

“ Theson of Michael Scott!" the alcalde exclaim-
ed, in amazement.

“Yes, his soul Now don‘t look at me as if you
thought that I was dreaming or had lost the use
of my wits. I know what I am talking about well
one h.“

“But I never knew that old Michael Scott had a
.son, that is unless you mean the father of this girl,
whom we lured to death with the false beacon-light,
and on told me that he was dead.“

“ h, it is not that party at all; this is a son of his
old age, the child of a Californian girl. who was the
daughter of the herdsman in the o d man‘s em loy.
'] be old man fell in love with the girl, and in need
xiicr to run away from her home and take up her
abode with a friend of his just outside Buenaven-
tira, an. there in secretly visited her. I knew of
this at- the time, but I had no idea that the minx had
persuaded the old man to marry her. In time a
child was born—a boy and shortly after the birth of
the child the mother fell in love with a Mexican of-
dcer, whose acquaintance she chanced to make, and
being a fickle jade, and, woman-like, tired of her old
lover, she ran 0! with the new, carrying the boy
with her. Nothing was ever heard of her and the
affair had utterly passed out of my mind, when I
made my calculations in regard to the estate, but
now, all of a sudden, the boy has appeared, a bright
astiipling and a hold one; he proclaims himself the
Km of his father; swears that his mother was legal-
ly married by one of the riests of the mission to
old Scott, and announces is intention to lay claim
at once to all his father left, includi the secret
«ache in the mountains, in regard to wh ch he seems
to be pretty well informed.“

“How did you hap n to learn all these particu-
lars?” asked the alca dc, astonished at the extent of
the other‘s information.

“ Did you ever hear of the half-breed named Jose,
 Embusterof"

“Jose, the Liar! oh, yes; he used to be old Scott's
body-servant, and since his death he has become a
worthless, drunken sot; I doubt if he draws a sober
breath a month. El Embustero, or to freely trans-
:late it, the liar, that's his title, and he‘s as well
known from here to Buenaventura as any man that
can be named."

“ I take a very great interest in that drunken vag-
abond,“ MUKE‘" observed, quietly.

“ You do?“ the alcaldo cried, in astonishment.

“ Oh, yes, so much so that I keep a constant watch
:npon him so that he shall not come to harm. Some
bone of my spies keeps him in sight day and night."

“ But why?“ asked the alcalde. “ I do not under-
stand; what do you care about the fellow 9”

“ I am convinced that that worthless, drunken old
Indian carries within his head the secret of Michael
.Scott’s treasure cache in these mountains."

The alcalde started in surprise.

“ Is it possible?" he cried.

“ It is more than possible' the half-breed was with
'the old man when he died; e closed his eyes, and I
dun satisfied from certain things which have come to
Jny kngwledgo that Jose poaessea the secret of the

“Thoaecretis ours then !”
“Oh,no, the old rascalisastightasadrum; heis
totho trust repooed in hintin- I have an

 

idea that old Scott, with his dying breath, charged 
him never to reveal the secret of the cache but to =
one of his blood."

“Either the son or daughter of Scott would an-
swer then?"

“Yes, and this young man called upon the half-
breed, held a long interview with him and then de-
parted for this )lace.”
hi“Ohoi he is ere then, and I guess that I know I

m 2“

“Yes, by my spies I was informed of the affair,
and when my watcher, who had plied his trade so
well as to overhear part of the conversation, inform-
ed me that old Jose called the youth Miguel Scott, I
instantly com rehended the danger that threatened
our plans, an at at once took horse and followed in
pursuit.“

“ He is a young stripling, and now that I take note
of it, he does beara great resemblance to old Michael
Scott, for I have seen the bird and hold him now se- .
curely cagedl" the alcalde cried.

CHAPTER XII.

'rrrr: BLACK new or mos. ;
No weak child or timid coward was Jackson Blake, :
to tamely submit to this midnight attack without a i
struggle, and he could resist, too, for the vast i

stren b which dwelt within his muscuhr frame
woul never have been judged correctly by the out- |
ward seeming. i
It was apecuiiarity of the man that he always 1
awoke with all his senses on the alert, a habit forced 1
upon him by the wild life of adventure which he had i
led for so many years. 
A single instant, then, and Blake at once compre- (
bended what had occurred; no thought as to who i
i
i

his assailants were, or why he was assailed, crossed
his mind; it was enough for him that he was in :
danger, and he acted rom tiy.

With one nilghéy e ort e essayed to burst the
cords which boun his limbs.

The Black Men of Tejon had fettered many 9 pris-
oner since the time when they had first commenced
their midnight excursions, and therefore no bunglers
were they in the art of noosin': an unconscious and
helpless sleeper as tightly as a turkey trussed for
roasting; but on this occasion the mighty strength
of the man, whom they had so mysteriously attacked,
set at naught all their rope-t ing skill, thanks to the
weakness of the cords that t ey had used, although
each and every one seemed strong enough to hang a
man. '

The cords snapped like so many cotton strings and
Blake reached for his revolver.

If he had ever got that trusty tool in his hand, the
disguised band, who called themselves the Black
Men of Te on, would have suffered severely, for
six lives at east the Fresh of Frisco carried in the
weapon; but the midnight marauders were prompt
to act.

One threw a heavy blanket over Blake‘s head as
he sat upri ht in the bed, after the violent effort
which had urst the cords, and essayed to grasp his :
revolver; three or four more—there were six in all—
ilung themselves upon him and by main force at-
tempted to overpower him.

The bunk, never having been calculated to with-

with a. crash and came
amid the ruins the des-

stand such weight, gave wa
tumbling to the ground, an
perate men struggled.

The heavy blanket wound around Blake’s head .
prevented him from making an outc , if he had
thought of attempting such a thin , w ich in truth
he did not, for with men of the sh of Frisco‘s
stamp, they are much more likely to endeavor to
fight their own battles than to call upon others to
help them.

In any civilized locality the crash of the falling
bunk and noise of the desperate struggle would have
been certain to excite attention and provoke in uii ;
but such conimotions were far too common :1 t e

Alcalde’s Ranch to arrest attention. Hardl a night
passed without some drunken miner break 11 down
is bed, and then sitting amid the ruins, like arius

of Carthage, swore loudly enough to awake the
Seven Sleepers, or else some unfortunate wretch in
the clutches of the vivacious “ Man-with-the-polcer "
made night hideous with his fiendish yells and his
frantic endeavors to kill the snakes and rats which
he imagined were attacking him.

Therefore, as the noise of the struggle in the
apartment of Blake was but trifling com ared to the .
usual racket when any of the lodgers go on a ram- 1
p e, it excited absolutely no attention at all.

he stru le was a des rate one although brief,
for even ake, with al his wonderful stren h,
was no match for the six stalwart fellowa, part cu-
larl as they gained (finite an advan at the
be nning by muffiing im in folds of t 0 heavy
blanket. '

The moon shining into the room afforded plenty of
light for the assailants to see what they were about,
and in 3 Me of Blake’s desperate stru les they
succeed in overpowerin and binding in anew;
not with cords this time, owever, but with lariats
made of untanned leather, strong enough to hold a
wild bull on the prairie.

The job was fairly completed this time; Blake was
bound hand and foot, his head muffled in a second
blanket in addition to the first, in order to avoid the

bility of his ving an alarm' and then, lifting a
tra loor in the cor, by means 0 which the rufiians

evidently gained access to the room, they raised
their prisoner in their arms and descended the
(31pr which led from the room below up to the trap-

oor.

The last man down closed the tra and fastened it
by a heavy wooden button upon t 0 under side so
that it would be impossible for any one to open the
tralp’in the room above.

e trap-door was a cunnineg contrived plan to
either rob or murder without detection, the unsus-
pecting occupant of the sleeping-room.

As Blake had truly said, Tejon Cam?) was a den of
thieves and the very head-quarters o the gang was
in the Alcalde‘s Ranch.

The room into which the men descended was a
narrow cubbv-hole of a place, totally unfurnished,
and, when the was above was closed, as dark as
Egypt. It was a ently built eigensst to afford a
secret way to the sleeping-room ve.

 

 

It was eno h when a man ht aecommo- was in an underground apartment of
dations at t 0 Al de's Ranch to him to this extent. - ‘
room.andthonhaeouldbepl andyetno AMtahdf—hmohpeduwohavo,ufl.~
;. ,« ,‘ 4‘: .‘l‘ 
. ~w‘;'\  ’ . 
, r “5- j ‘ I A J A N -
a " Am“ f“ .3”; N r 1. A.” > M

traces left of the manner in which the robbery was
perpetrated.

As we have said, when the tra —door closed the
gang found themselves in utter arkness, but they
were provided against this, for one of them drew a
candle from his pocket, lighted it and their, stooping,
lifted a trap-door in the floor which revealed another
flight of steps, similar to the one which led to the
room above, and as this second apartment was on
the ground floor it was evident that there was some
sort of a cellar underneath into which the ste led.

The cellar under the Alcalde’s Ranch woul have
rather astonished most of the people of Te on
Camp, for only the members of the Black on
knew of it.

“Three of you carry him to the Judgment Hall,

-‘ disarm him and prepare for trial; the rest come with

me," said one of the masked men who seemed to be
the leader of the gang.

Two of the men carried the helpless prisoner bodily
dowdn the stairs, the third lighting the way with the
can e.

1t was a dark, inky lf into which they descended,
not a cellar, but mere y a narrow underground pae-

e winding through the bowels of the earth.

fter the party with the prisoner disappeared
from sight, the rest quitted the room by a door
a lliich led from the secret chamber directly into the
so oon.

The room was deserted now. The gang had on-
.‘ered it at the lower end at (us corner: they went
straight across to the other comer and a secret door
there admitted! them into just such another room
as the one which had the trap-door in it leading to
the underground passage.

This too had the trapdoor in the ceiling leading to
the room above, with the convenient ste for finin-
ing access to it. Also a trap-donr n the oor

‘ throggh which the underground passage could be

gain

Cautiously groping his way in the dark to the
steps the leader of the party ascended and, ’
his ear against the trap—door, listened attentively.

It was plain tha two of these cunning] devised
rooms, so that rob .r or murder could easily
perpetrated, the Alcalt e’s Ranch .

Not a sound could the listener ear, and, satisfied
that the occupant of the chamber was wrap in
slumber’s chain, the masked man, slowl an cau-
tiously, lifted up the trap-door, first twist the but-
ton around.

Thanks to the rays of the moon the room was suf—
ficient: edlighted to enable objects to be clearly dis-
in .

ppn the rude bunk the Californian was stretched,
his lanket drawn over him, his senses securely
wrapped in sleep. Many a long mile had his good
horse covered that day and it was only natural that
the rider, sorely fatigued by the journey, should
sleep soundly.

Besides, too, the Californian had no thou ht of
dan er;_wh ' should he have when even the wi y and
gum -w1t Fresh of Frisco, deceived by the really
sti‘o bar upon the door, and believing that it was
utter y impossible for any one to force an entrance
Without making considerable noise, had retired to
rest perfectly satisfied that there was no danger,
and t at even if foes threatened, the stout bar would
be a sure protection against a surprise?

But the Black Men of Tejon were scientific cut-
throats, and they worked by craft and cunning
more than by open force.

The Californian slept, unconscious of dang',
while the outlaws gathered in force around the bed.

CHAPTER XIII.
m csvs or maxim-r.

Bans, bound and gagged by the blanket, was
borne onward by the men who had assailed him; so
securely was he fettered that he was inca bio of
moving, much less of offering resistance. e ke t
his wits about him, though, so as to be able to dra-
cover whither he was being borne. He was sorely
at a loss to understand the meaning of this strange
proceeding. When he had been first attacked o

ad supposed that the intent of the assailants was
robbery, for be fully understood all about the delu-
Sion that the majorit of men entertained in re-
gard to him; they be eved that he was rolling in
wealth and generally carried large sums of money
upon his person; therefore when the une
and ferocious attack was made upon him, na urally
he believed that the assailants sou ht his hidde-
stores, and when he was overpow reg by the su
rior numbers and securely bound, e laughed in h:
sleeve at the disappointment that was in store for
his captors when t ey " went for " his wealth.

_Grcat was Blake’s astonishment then, when after
bindin him hand and foot, so as to render him
incapa le of any resistance, instead of immediately
proceeding to relieve him of his valuables, as he had
expected, they raised him in their arms and carried
him down the steps.

And then when the descent into the lower region
was accom lished and the passe through the
nude un patth was begun lake knew at
once in the chilly ampness o the air that they
were beneath the surface of the earth, and his won-
der increased. What was the meaning of this
strain i pyroceeding and what did they intend to do
wr in

On went the rocession, the guide ahead with the
s uttering can 0, which struggled manfully not
t e damp currents of air that swelled throng tho
1 , the two men following close on his book
carrying the captive, and no easy task was it for
them el her, although both of them were big,
erful, brawny men, but Blake with his hunting-yd
fifty pounds of solid flesh was no light burden, and
before they had got half-way through the
the bearers n to grunt and swear, wm
sweat poured 0 their faces.

Butall things must come to an end at last, and
so did this ourney whih was no exception to the
all- werfu rule.

B e felt that be was being de ited upon a soft
surface. a skin couch he suMnd then for half
an hour or so no one touch him, no one came near
him, although to his acute senses, gagged
was, it was perceptible that he was not alone
in some mysterious way, he got the idea

 

   

’ claimed

-'ay, and as for the older towns at the north, I‘ve
been

“no ckyatcarda bepennittedtohang'

  

8

The Fresh ofLF‘risc 3.

 

 

allowing Blake considerable time to late in
regard to the strange things that had transpired,
and then rude hands were suddenly laid upon him;
the blanket was removed from his head; his wea )IIS

lucked from his person; the lariat removed rom
his feet, and a hoarse voice bade him 'ct up.

He rose to his feet, somewhat s owly, for his
limbs were rather stiff from the long and irksomc
confinement, and looked around him.

He was in a vaulted cavern fifty feet or more in
diameter, one of th se peculiar chambers due to
volcanic action in a far-otf age. The apartment
was dimly li 'hted l‘y candles clustered in bunches
around Cll'Clllfll' sticks, each thus forming a sort of a
torch.

Here and there in the walls of the vaulted cham-

r Were great black cavities, evidently the en-
trances to other caves.

At one end of the apartment, upon a sort of rude
stone throne, a tall, black figure was enseonced.
Six other figurer: were in the room. All tall, all
clad in long, black robes covering them completely,
and through the head of each robe shone gleaming
0 es.

yEvery man was armed with a cocked revolver. the
chief alone excepted, and each and every revolver
was leveled full at the breast of the prisoner, al-
though his arms were tied, his weapons gone, thus
destroying all ho f a successful resistance.

And as Blake ooked upon the scene for the first
time there flashed across his memory the remem-
brance of some wild tales which he had heard in re-

rd to certain mysterious men who were sup osed
ginfest the town of chou Camp, a silent ban who
worked by n ht in the dark like the old-time braves,
and with kni e or pistol “removed " the men who
were not wanted in the mining valley.

Blake had always regarded these stories as mere
idle tales, the brain-coinage of boastful pilgrims who
wanted to “ stufl " the world with wondrous lies.

But here was the secret band and no mistake;
there was no doubting the evidence of his own eyes.

And he, was their prisoner; what fate did they in-
tend for him?

“Do you know where you are, Jackson Blake?"
asked the chief of the gang, who sat upon the throne-
like rock. The speaker s )oke slowly and solemnly,
evidently endeavoring to ( isguise his voice and 1111'

rt a tinge of awe to the scene, but the ears of the

an of Frisco had always been noted for their keerr
ness, and so he felt sure that he recognized the
speaker upon the instant. ‘

“I do not,“ he replied to the question, betraying
no sign of either sur )rise or recognition.

“Do on know w 0 these men are that surround
you .9" t he chief questioned again.

“A gang of amiable cutthroats, I should judge,"
Blake answe ed, as cool as a cucumber, and with
not atrace ofrngitation u n his handsome face.

A sort ofa hoarse, sulx ued growl came from under
the black hoods. It was plain that these gentlemen
of the night did not relis l the plain speaking of the
captive. .

' Keep P civil tongue in your head qrrt maybe
the worse for you!“ the chief exclaimed, steruly,
and evidently annoyed by both the manner and
matter of the ech. “ You stand in the presence
of the Black Men of Tejon. Few men eVer look upon
this scene and then live to tell of it."

A pecuniar, ominous sound forlowed the warning:

Each and every man lowered the hammer of his
revolver down upon the cap, then clicked the cylin-
der round as if to make sure that the tool was in
working order, and’ then raised the striker to full
cack uin. _ .

But lake, to use the old expresston, didn’t scare
worth a cent; his clear, calm eyes glanced quietly
around upon the masked men and a shght smile
a ared upon his lips.

DE: had seen cocked and leveled revolvers before
in his life. more of them too than his eye could take
in now, and yet lived to tell of it.

' “We rule this town—this valley, we Black Men
of Tojon,“ the chief continued, “and all who dwell
within our lines must obey our will or dio—diea
death of horrid torture, a hundred times more
fearful than the instant death that knife or bullet

ve."

Blake nodded; be perceived that he was expected
to say something, bu at present he preferred to pin
a “ waiti " game; it was not his policy to force h s
adversary 3 hand.

“ Those who rebel against our sower perish miser-
ably," the chief continued; “ an now that you un-
derstand who and what we are, we desire to ask you
a few questions." ‘

“ Go ahead; I’m quite ready to answer."

"Your name is Jackson Blake, and sometimes you
are called the Flesh of Frisco?“

“ Yes, that is quite correct."

“ What brings you to 'l‘ejon Camp?"

“ A roving disposition, x-ood my lord,” replied
Blake with an extremel polite bow. "

“ But you came here or some definite purpose?

“Not a purpose!"

“ You had better tell the truth, for if we catch

on in a lie heaven have mercy on your soul!" cried
{he masked leader in a hoarse voice.

“Oh s or your threats; you can but kill!" ex-
lake, impatle l , “ and I’m too old a
gambler to worry m'uc a ut my life at this late

in the game.”

“ veal to an instantly the pa which brought

u into this camp or repare o suffer! Remem-
{gr that you are utterly n our power; we can either
fill or torture, and the torture which we inflict rs
sometimes worse than death. Answer, I say: why
do you come here?“ .

“To get my living," replied Blake, bluntly.

“ To get your living in what way i" .

"Wh , in any wla thaItlllit‘f‘iriiod n tolling: I ll take a
pauan t for 0 ,or ‘ apc- oranymau
at fair wryes. gI‘m o n for anvthing that offers,
and aftort e day‘s to: is done I‘ll iin a card in an
saloon, and with any man in the camp for as muc
money as I can raise to back my game. ’ .

“But why. did you seek this crimp—why did you
not 0 to ot er and richer diggings?‘

“ use this was the first camp that came in my

 

warned out of nearly every one of them he-
” I'm rather too quick with my pistol and alto-
lu
’ N

 

 

     

Sc“;va'ere did you make the acquaintance of Miguel
o t 7‘

“I don‘t know such a man."

“ Oh, don‘t you? Bring out the red-hot imns; we‘ll
apply them to your~ eyes, and as we burn out the
Sig ll perhaps your memory will be improved,” the
chief cried, with fiend-like suvagcuess.

CHAPTER XIV.
rm: TRIAL.

Tm: command was obeyed at once, for all had,
apparently, been prepare< .

' wo of the disguised men retreated from the main
care and disu )peared in one of the dark passages
which seeme< to be, in sober reality, entrances to
the infernal region itself.

Blake had faced many perils in the course of his
life of adventure and bred to tell of them, but now
{ii-[Mental likely to come nearer to death than ever

* ()l‘u,

No avenue of escape appeared 01 en to him; he
was helpless in the power of these men, and et he
did not des ir, although few in this war! have
faced such anger with 11 right head.

But while there was li e there was hope. There
was no arson why these masked men should kill
him. e had offended no one since coming to the
Camp, with the exception of the bully whom he had
defeated in a fair tight, and the disguised man had
not referred to that quarrel at all; as for this Mi rel
Scott, about whom the outlaw leader seem so
anxious, to the best of his knowledge he had never
met any such man, and the belief of the judge that
he had, puzzled him greatly.

In a few moments the two men retumed. bringing
a small furnicc, full to the brim with glowing coals,
wherein a stout iron rod was stuck.

“ Bring in the plank !“ commanded the judge.

Two more men disappeared in one of the dark
cavities and then immediate] returned, bringing
with them a heavy piece of p ank about- ten feet
long. This they braced in an upright position
against the rocky side of the cave.

“ Now bind him to it:"the masked leader ordered

The work was performed at once and with a skill
which showed that the men were old hands at the
business.

Blake did not attempt to resist: indeed, bound and
he] )iess as he. was, resistance would have been the
big it of folly.

“Let him smell the iron,“ commanded the outlaw
chit-$2 after Blake was securely fastened to the
p an .

A hoarse, smothered chuckle came from under the
hooded mask of one of the band as he took the iron
rod—the end of which was heated red-hot—from the
furnace, and with a flourish, poked it near enough
to Blake‘s face to allow him to fully feel the heat.

Securely )inioned as he was, the prisonrr could
not resent t to movement, although his blood fairly
boiled in his veins, and he would willingly have giv-
en ten years of his life to have stood a free man,
with his revolvers ready for use, in the center of the
cave.

“ You see that we are in dead earnest!“ the judge
exclaimed, grimly. “We mean business ever time!
Now, don‘t allow yourself to be deluded w th the
idea that this red-hot iron business is only a threat,
and that we don‘t mean to carry through the whole
operation, for we do. You never saw men more
earnest in your life. You‘re a pluck fellow, but
we‘ve got the dead wood on you this t me, and you
might as well cave in and acknowledge the corn.
Now, then, for the last time—we give you fair warn-
ing—will you aner the questions which I put to
'01:, or shall I have you tickled with this red-

ot playthiug! And, mind you, if that thin
fools around your eyes, they‘ll never be mu
to you after it. Will you answer?”

‘ Certainly," responded Blake, very promptly; “I
have‘n‘t re used to answer."

" Yes, you have!“ cried the judge, tartly. “ When
Iasked you about Miguel Scott you said that you did
not know such a man.“ .

“ No more do I."

“Why you came to town with him to—nighti"

“Nary a'fllme!” replied Blake, terscly.

“ You came into the Alcalde‘s Ranch together."

“ Oh!" cried Blake, a light sudden] breaking in
upon him—9 you mean the young Cali ornian whose
part i took this evening?"

 

ever
goo¢l

“ aimed Miguel Scott."
" ell, t t may be his name f0r all I know."
“Are yo not at, uainted with him?”

“ Never M him In my life before to-night."

The masked outlaw leader bent an earnest, search-
ing aze u ‘ Blake, but he bore the scrutiny with-
out inching. He was speaking the truth, for there
was no object in deception.

“ You never saw him before ro-nighti" repeated
the. udge, slowly and deliberately.

Ib‘v‘t‘yel.!"

“Take care! We Black Men of Tejon have wa s
and means. for ascertaining the truth that you lit
dream of."

“ I am s _ king nothing but the truth," Blake re~
plied, iinn .

The chie ,secmed puzzled. He hesitated fora few
moments before he spoke.

“ Blake,"~'he said, at last, “ ou speak like a man
who is telling the, truth, but t seems incredible to
me that y,0u should involve yourself in a quarrel,
wherein you put your life in peril, on account of a
boy whom you now say is a total stranger to yr u."

“ Well, judge, that's the kind of a man I am.
Don’t all the men that know me call me the. Fresh
of Frisco? and why should I hear such a name?
Sim ly because I can‘t mind my own business. Too
fresh—too eafier to back other men’s quarrels when
I think that t cy have the right on their side and are
being imposed upon. I saw that it was all a plan to
rob the boy of his gold-dust. Luck had favored him
and he had won largely; the montedealer called in
force to take back what he had fairl lost.“

“Wh do you say the monte-de er'r" questioned
the in ge. harshlv. “What had he to do with the

uarrelt It was b Dave Mendoza who seized the

ust and claimed it as his pro rty.”

“Well, jud e, I reckoned t rat it was all in the
family,“ Blake replied, shrewd .

“It was no business of yours. '

“No; but I tell you I can’t help interfering when
I see such oings on; the boy was alone, frienth-
in a den of vec—" ‘

i

a

'; ,_ v a J V .r h
 i‘» ,, .'-I'-:.;'.f«f§..a.1'1 ,._.=.

. '9.’ _» 2. w”:

 

 

“ Take care! take care!" cried the masked judge.
sternly. “ You had better be careful what you are
saving. We don‘t allow any such talk as that in
this hyer Camp.“ '

“ Oh, this ain‘t a free country, eh?"

“if you stay in 'l‘ejon Camp you‘ve got tokeep
your mouth shut.”

“ Well, I reckon that I won‘t stay in Tejon Camp,
then 2“ Blake responded, dryly.

“ We‘re. all brothers h or, and we stand shoulder
to shoulder against. outsh ers. This young man was
a stranger; he hadn‘t even got permission to stay in
the Camp, and it‘s no part of our game to allow an
stran rs to come in and beat us at our own game. '

AIM a man has got to get permission, then, befono
he can locate here?“

“ Correct! this hyer Camp is the refu . for the
op ressed. No matter what a man has Stine, he‘s
we come here so long as he agrees to abide by our
laws; it don‘t matter a fig if his handsare red with
the blood of a dozen men, he‘s welcome here, and
once he is received within our Camp, we defy the

wer of all the she! iffs in California to take him out.

Ve know no laws here except the ones we make our—
selves, and wh0ever itches his camp in this valle
has got to yield 0 lanes to those laws or we'
h‘ist him out, mighty sudden. Alexander Black, the
alcalde, rules the town, and we rule the alcalde
Alexander Black. We are the agents of death and
destruction. When we get ready to put our mark
on a man he might as well order his grave du and

pay for his tomb-stone. Now then we want to 0w
where you stand; are you for or against us?“
“ Judge, you are really too much for me. l‘ll’

have to give it up; give me an easier conundrum,"
iBlake. angwered, not at all abashed by the threaten-
ngs \ec .

“ b, you know what I mean, well enoug and
we dont want an nonsense!" cried the Judge,
sternly. “We nee just such men as you are.
You‘re a bold fellow—too hold to stay in Tejon
Camp unless you join us Black Men, for if you are
not one of 'us, this peculiar disposition of yours will
most surely lead you to work against us; and We
reckon that we ain‘t a- oing to give you a chance to
kick up any trouble. e’ve got you foul, now, and
we don t propose to lose our  We thought that.
you Were a pal of this Mi 9 Scott and we were
going to settle your hash n short order, but since
you ain‘t why we'll give you a good show. Come,
what is it to be?“

“Buti judge, this thing isso sudden,” protested

Blake, ris shrewd wits perceiving a chance of as
ca .

i Rah, nonsense! You don't need a week to think
t orer. “

“But give me some little time, though—untilto—
morrow say."

"Until to-morrow?" asked the judge, reflective] ,

“ Yes, and then if I can't see my way clear to jo
51m wh l‘ll get out like a gentleman. ’

“ We] , that will be as we shall decide," remarked
the judge, in an extremel suggestive manner. “We
don t enel'ally ve muc chorce to such menas you
are' it 8 either oin us or die.“

“’I‘hat ain’t much choice, is it?" the prisoner ob-
served, a quiet smile upon his face.

“ You shall have until tomorrow morning, and.
then it‘s either join us Black Men of 'I‘ejon or die.
Take him away!"

Two of the men stepped forward, unbound Blair.
from the lank and then led him away through one-
of the dirt cavities.

~ CHAPTER XV.

'rnr: camronsux.

HARDLY had the figure of Blake disap
the judge made a signal to another
masked cutthroats.

“ Bring out the. other one," he said.

The. men obeyed the command at once, and from
one of the dark passages they brought the young‘
Californian, his arms securely bound and his weap-
ons removed.

The second prisoner did not show the com
of the first. for his face was ashy is, and he (rem.
bled visibly as he was brought nto the judgment
cave.

The eyes of the masked judge sparkled. Blake
with his devil-may-care assurance had in a measure
baffled him, but at the first lance he saw that the-
young Californian was no suc man of ice and iron
as the renowned sport; therefore be calculated that,
though he had com leter failed in impressing the
soul of the Fresh 0‘! see, he would have much less
trurlle with this white-faced, nervous boy.

“Wt ll, youn man, do you know where you are?"
the Lodge qui s ioned in his gmflest tones.

“ 0 do not," replied the youth, with an anxious.
glance around him.

“ You are in the jud merit cave of the Black Men
of chon. We run t is town, we do, and it‘s our
business to question all strangers and learn what
business brings them into our valley. Now we are

oing to question you, and I give in fair warning
t lat you had better answer truthful ‘ or else it may
(08!. you dear. We have our sp es abroad, and
mighty few men get into this by. r camp without
our knowing all about them and their business w
tore they ever step foot in our streets."‘-

Again the youth cast anxious glances around him.
nrd his lips visibly trembled—signs of uneasiness?
which the jugge noted with great satisfaction.

“We rule 3 camp with an iron hand,“ he cow
tinned. “No one Within the limits of the Mohave
valley dares to dispute our power. Were. a, man ti
even lift his little finger in resistance to ourw
we‘d give him to a death so sudden and terrible that
men nould talk with lated breath when they told of
his untimely taking-off. And now, yhoung man, that
l have explained fully who and w atne are,y(u
will of course perceive that it is to your interest to
answer our questions without resent .Cr conceal-
ment. Maybe you have some in portant lusiri as up
this section of (country—gt ie new! rflair uhich ou
think conccrns ycunelf n on? Now don‘t :1 ow
yomself to be misled on tl-atfrirtJor it is just
possible that we know your lusmcss as well as you

now it yourself, and perhaps better: so make a.
clean breast of it. We can give you valuable aid
an  that you astinclinedtto trustullis; but. if 0L

s can rary on again»; our w and
our email-tenant inseam-mum..-
one we can bale yorn- ohm."

ared when
race of his.

 

Q iguat ‘.

 

 

““ _~ :..___

 

p.
T

‘6-

min...—   lightjflntw‘

 

 

i

 

 

 

   
 

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

 

 

v anus!

 

 

 

 

l
Again the youth‘cast restless, nervous glances i
around and his ll it. trembled. . .
The ind laug ed in his sleeve; his threats had E
had due 0 ect and the boy was (‘0 wedalready: but a i
face and trembling lips in some organizations .
are not alwa s indicative of aweak or cowardly; j
nature. The ieart may be stout, although the fies ‘
may not bestrong.
“ Now‘ then your name is Miguel Scott?" I
“ Noi’ replied the youth, promptly, and a pecu-
t‘brly strange expression appeared upon his paliid

I e l
“ our name is not Miguel Scott?" cried the judge,
kl accents of amazement, astonished indeed at the
plump denial.
“$3, it is not!”
“ ung man we‘ll put you through a course of
before lo l" hreatened the masked man, i,

sprou
air-fa at the yout . f

“ can’t help it, sir; I am only speaking the
truth " lied the youth, earnestly. ‘ My name is
not iiigu scott and I should beutteringafalse-
hood if I said that it was."

“0h, perha my information was wrong, that
My spies bly made a mistake although they
are nerally very correct. What business brings
you ere, young man?"

“ No particular business at all."

0: But you must have some motive in earning to'this
m ‘ '

“ 0 seek my fortune only; I understood that a
man might do well here, that is all.”

“ Are you surethat that is all?" queried the judge,
in an extremely sarcastic tone.

“I seek my fortune, nothin more, not less.”
The youth's stout heart an powerful ' over- r
came the trembling flesh, and although the lips t
quivered, yet the words came out firmly. ~ ‘

“Ah, vour fortune! and what may be your name,
in young friend i"

6 youth hesitated.

“ Ohol trying to think of one, ch 7" cried the judge.

“ There may be reasons why I should not give my
owrhgdthe boy replied. quietly, but evidently deeply
exc . :

 for denying that you are Miguel Scott,
0 9

“ But I am not Miguel Scott!"

“ Your name, then i" cried the judge, harshly.
“ Never mind what you have done; a confession here
won’t hm you nor endanger your liberty. If on
have killed a man or two, it don‘t matter; or rob d
a bank, or a. church; it‘s all one to us and we‘ll think
the better of on for it, but for the last time I warn
you not to at .empt to deceive us or we’ll take the
most terrible ve eance that the mind of man can
conceive or the and of man execute. frank ‘

with usand we will aid you; treat us as foes and y '

you had better never been born."

Again the slight figure of the youth shoot as
though he had been seized by an ague fit, but the
Will—the indomitable will, remained firm.

“ My name is James Blake," he said.
“ 0 l a brother of our renowned friend, the Fresh
of Frisco, eh?"

“ No, no relation at all; I never even saw or heard
of him until to-night." ,
And your business here is simply to seek your

fortune?" the judge said, in a veryI amiable tone.

“ Yes." The youth began to be eve that his story
was received as truth, but he was soon undeceived.

“Wh then, young James Blake, did on visit the a
cabin o the drunken half-breed, Jose Embusterof t
Why did he call you M el Scott and promise to aid

on in your search for t e buried treasures of our

ather, old Michael Scott the cattle king?" exc m- ‘
ed the judge, in a tone of thunder, rising and shak-
i his finger threateningly in the face of the youth.
'pfi'ou are a villainous liar and must die the death of
a dog for having attempted to deceive us after we
had airly warned you. Brothers he is yoursl"

Each and every one of the masked men raised the
hammer of his revolver and leveled the weapon full ,
at the person of the young man. No word was ,
s ken but the ominous click of the locks rung ‘
t ugh the vaulted cavern like the knell of doom.

The boy sunk upon his knees; the flesh lded
but the iron will which dwelt within the cheats
frame, was still strong.

“Spare me!" he cried. “As there is a heaven
above I swear that I k nothing but the truth. I
am not Miguel Scott; never knew that there was
such a person in this world—l never even heard the
name until the half-breed pronounced it when I en-
tered his cabin—the cabin of a stranger to inc—to
inquire my way.“

' But (you accepted the title; you accepted a bag ;
ofhgold~ ust from him to help you on our way."

Because he forced it upon me a I sorely need- 1
ed it. the th replied. earnestly. “ I told him
I was not iguei Scott—that I knew no one by that
name, but he, like you, did not believe. He spoke at
random about some treasures cached in the moun— j
talus, told me that I was the heir, and that I should
have it. I believe that the man was raving, for he
was deeply under the innuence of liquor, 1 too

old-dust because he forced it upon me, and I told ‘
that I would repay the loan soon as 1 could. 1
What would one do in such an extremity as I w”
placed in? Upon my life I sin speakinglghe mm,
m though ‘your billets fear my breast t momenl
my s done,» still, with my dying hm“, 1 do
declare that I, am not Miguel Scott—nor do I know
him! ,

httgtngelf, if ever truth dwelt in human being, 3
w“ in the voice and face of the speaker. '

For a moment {Illel jiidgehwlzs puzzled and than

a this N upon I ' i
‘P‘wg‘th: prisoner back to his cave!" he cried. I

‘F rbee t on are 3 red but your trial will ‘
loogrbtezfnpagaii'i. )We have id this half-breed Jose,
the Liar, by the heels; we‘ll bring you face to face, ’

"1d n w i‘ll soon dial-mei- the truth” Ifyoum ,
MiguglmScott, beware! for you shall die afearfu] ;
death

I"

 

PHAF'YL‘R XVI.
J'.)‘3'T, T“ 2: Mi ll. I
IR obedience to 'im commands of the, 59110,! 0‘ “‘9
dunked and lion it‘ll llli‘lt iii ‘ )‘ii‘dllk' ‘Iah‘nyman was
moved from the center cave to out: ot'the Eur; l
._ Vii-like holes that served as lanes of co \ en 1
9“ “IQ prisoners of the secret gland. ,
. A ..~ . r

. no, |

,is no we

' ' “ Hush yer yawpl‘ cried one of the men.

. a- .. . _ z
, . . ., r .. t . -.. .r

“ Now, then, for the other!" the judge cried, when
the two men returned. “ Bring out Jose, the Liar,
and give that furnace fire a poke some of you; we
may have , to try the hot-iron argument on this
drunken red-man. for he‘s as cuninng as a fox and
as obstinate as a mule."

The two men at once departed to obey the com-
mand.

Along the right-hand side of the cavern, at irregu-
lar intervals, the dark mouths of three lesser a -
iiicnts a peared. In the first, Blake had n

laced, t e second held the young Califorman, and
into the third the two men now went. ,

A special excursion had these Black Men of Tejon

made to the abode of the icon Indian, and seizm

, him in his lonely hut in t emountains had boun

him hand and foot, and then, placing him upon the
back of a mule, had borne him a ca live to the so
cret cavern, which was so near to the cart of Tejon
Uam .

The old Indian had not attempted to resist the at-
tac but had submitted with agood ce. l’OSSl-
bly thou ht that resistance woul be fruitless
and would OI {provoke harsher treatment. .

The captors ad Placed the old peon in one of the
cavern cells, slight y releasing the bonds which fet~
tered his limbs, so that he could move about a little,
and thus render his confinement less irksome.

“ The Indian must speak,“ the masked udge ob-
served, addressing the disguised man w o stood
close to him on his right hand, and who, evident] ,
was one of the principal men of the band. “ e
must speak," he repeated, fiercely, and with de-
termined accent, “or else we will not only burn out
his e es but his tongue as well.“

“ here is no doubt in my mind that this boy is the
son of Michael Scott," the other replied.

I ‘:yery little in mine, and yet he denies itstrong-

f‘ Perhaps he fancies that not onl his fortune but
his life depends upon his denial of iis identity," the
other observed, his voice full of threatening mean-

ing.
1 ‘He‘s not far wrong, eh?"

“ Perhaps not."

The conversation at this point was suddenly inter-
rupted by the return of the two men who had been
sent to bring the Indian.

They came rushing back to the main cavern, wav-
ing their torches in wild confusion, and before they
had opened their mouths one and all within the cave
guessed at once that some untoward accident had
occurred.

“ Well, well?“ cried the masked judge, in hoarse
accents of command, as the two men paused breath-
less 1y before him.

“ he Injun l” shouted one.

“ Clean gone!“ e aculatod the other.
“ Gone!’ cried t e chief, springing to his feet in
utter amazement.

“ Gone 1“ the band re-echoed, in vast astonishment.

“ Dumed ef he ain‘t!" the first ruffian answered.

“ Nary piece of him left, hide nor ha‘r," the second
one chimed in.

“It is impossible!“ the leader cried. “ Mortal man
could not escape from any one of the cells. There
of either getting into or out of them ex-
ggit by t e single passage which leads into this cen-

 H

“Can‘t help it, Cap; the buck is clean one!“ the
rufflan replied. with a dubious shake o the head.
“ He was thar all right at dark, for I took him in
his fodder."

“ Yes, I‘ll sw’ar to that, for I see‘d him, too!" the
other masked officer exclaimed.

“Come with me, on two, and we’ll examine the
cell!” the chief exc aimed, hastily. “I cannot un-
derstand it at all. An escape under such circum-
stances seems like a miracle. ’

With hasty steps the three rushed into the narrow
cane where the peon Indian had been laced.

rchee carried b the two guitfes fully illum-
inated the cavern, whic was small in extent, not
fgtfien or “m: widefland about twaint in
e , ve n ouine, more ov t
:guare, andy the walls broken into all sorts of curious
pee.

But the masked men noted not the peculiar beaut
of this underground apartment, old nature‘s bandit
work, for they had eyes only for one thing.

At the extreme end of the apartment, curled all
upritii a heap, a parently asleep, was a. man.

e masked eader uttered an exclamation of rage

as he looked upon the sleeper, and the two des
were so thorougllig astonished that the coul only
stare open-mout at the unexpected sfiht

The sleeper was the Indian whom they had just

, declared had escaped.

“ Why, you stu id dunderheadsl“ the judge cried,
in a rage, “wha did you mean by sayin that you
were not able to find him? Are you or so
drunk that you can’t see?"

“I‘ll take my oath he wasn’t thar a min’tc agol"
the first millandeclared.

“ I wish that i may be kicked to death by cripples

k his ‘ of he war than" the second one asse

l9!

" hi on couldn’t have looked very carefully
the 1,5:l‘i‘idgey retorted; “but, since you seethat hot:
here, suppose ou bring him along with you."

The two rufKans proceeded to rouse the sleeper
from his slumber; and the were not icularas
to the means they used, eit er, for wh is one laid a
heavy hand upon the shoulder of the Indian and
Emceeded to shake him roughly, tbs aghgrnmtrefi

im in a most vi oroiis manner, an
0011 uence the 'lzndian sat up and proceeded to

ear u an extreme fluent way.

“Shot u er co er-colored nig 'er. YO!!!" yelled
the other. pl‘ ow 32:" you use good Christian cuss-
‘V‘ardsi you 'tarnel red heathen? ‘
you "it up and come along; the cap‘n wants to see

“ Me no want

iev tone.

‘ Who the blazes cares whether you want to or
“0t: Yer red ini of mischief?" the first ruffian ex-
claimedL'and e emphasized the remark with a
hearty ml: which made the red-man swear With
wonderful ease.

see capitun!“ the Indian cried, in an

But the Indian sot-ambled (0 ms feet, evidcnily I tollluldlldi‘d

anxious to a. oid another attack.
H? W.” still hamperedwiih the. stout hunts with
which i‘le had been sagech bound, but.  the

v gs

 

 

l his‘old

cords had been loosened, he was enabled to move
about with tolerable ease.

The two men conducted him into the central cave
and placed him before the judge who had now re-
siimed his seat.

In the full glare of the torches the person of the
Indian could be plainly disti ' ed.

Jose, El bustero-Jose, t e Liar, to freely truis-
late the title which local gossip had fixed upon the
red chief—was a man of at least fifty years; a little.
withered, dried-up sort of a man, strongly resem
bling an Egyptian mummy. He was a n—atame
Indian—one of the rod-men whom the oly Catholia
fatbors had converted in the early days when, with
weanflns both spiritual and carnal, the mission
mo had exercised almost despotic away over
California. -

As a general rule in this world when we civilin a
barbarian he is much more apt to learn oar vices
than our virtues, and in the case of Jose, un ess re-
port  belied him, he had learned not but
Ellie v ces the white man who had eesayed to tame

im.

“Jose. we want a word or two of truth out 0!
you!" cried the judge, sternly.

“ Me tell truth all time," the n res nded, with
a curious glance around at e ed men by
whom he was surrounded.

“We intend that you shall tell us the truth or suf-
fen":l Ithe judge replied. “Bring the furnace for-

m ‘1

w
In obedience to the command the fiery furnace
with its mass of glowing red-hot coals was placed

' ht at the peon‘s side.

‘Now we mean busin Jose, every time," the
judge remarked, “and we don‘t' want an fooling.
i’m going to ask you a few questions an the vow
first time you attem t to-fool us with a lie we '
apply one of these he irons to lyour eyes. Lie No. I
we ll burn out the wht eye, a No. 2 we‘ll operate
on the left one; lie 0. 8 we ll give you a chance to
taste it on your tongue.“

The Indian treni led visibly asho listened to the
terrible threat. He was a coward at heart' every
one knew that, and it was not a wonder t at he
trrelmliled when threatened with such a fearful
0 ea.

“ Me no lie,“ he murmured, humbly.

“ You had better not!“ the judge cried, harshly;
“and now we want to know about this boy—mi;
Mi iiel Scott.“

is Indian took a single step forward, opened his
mouth to redey and then-fell suddenl forward on
his face, an at the same instant up mm the fur-
nace rolled a cloud of pungent, breath-stifling smoke
which, in a second, ahnost filled every nook
corner of the apartment. The men gasped, choked
undigwore. f ‘ th 1 dgeroared, “ '

“ ownon our aces!’ e u orwe
will all stlfieix

 

 

CHAPTER XVII.
ran seems.

Tm: timely su cation of the masked chief proved
the salvation of e disguised men for. by throwi
themselves fiat upon their faces, t e were enabl
to breathe with comparat ve ease, or the strange
vapor which had arisen so suddenly and in such a
mysterious way, from the furnace, 0 ed the strin-

ent law of nature and floated tow the roof of

e cavern.

Bo dense was the va r-iike smoke, that even the
b torches failed make an impression upon it,
and ii e lights burning in a fog, were walled in by

leaden gloom.
“ What is the meaniii of this?" asked the disguis-
edman, who had stood by the side of the masked

u and who, in throwing himself upon the floor,

‘ matings? nelarkto thexc f.“I age

‘ e n ony nows" eu relied,a.ngrilz.
d “‘gttihygi’i suppose that the Indian had’anything

o ‘5

“Perhaps,” mid then a sudden the flashed
over the speaker's mind. “ Why, it is a ousand to
one that be reduced it."

‘ Produ it! How?"

“Cast some drug into the furnace' these peon
areskiiled inherbsand roots, andI have often
heard that this Jose was a mighty medicine-man;
thecun rascalhasoverreac edus."

“ tgtckl’” 0 not understand—what can he gain by

“Liberty; he saw thatwe were dispfeedto push
him to the ck, and ashewasnots letoopgoee
force be tri what cunning would effect. This an
old cave, on know; it was here when the town was
first sett ; it is eviden an old mine, for it bears
marks of ha been wor ed: no white men though
ever had a ban in it; it is one of thesecretminee of
the Indians, for the very entrance to it even is care-
fully bidden,and it was only by acclaim that I
stumbled upon it, and I have kept the he
of the mountain passage within my own breast. I
caused the ound way to the Aloaide's
tobe construct for Isaw howuse‘fui the cavun
would prove. Now it is just po-ible that thisoliiw
scampofared-skin knowsalltheins andouts the
cave much better than I do. If you remembq'.
when the men went to fetchhim a. minute or so age
he was not there, and when I went myself and saw
him i curled up on the floor, I believed thatthey
had ' essly overlooked him, altho h I could at
very well understand how the co do an a
thing. They protested stoutly t the bed head
their eyes as well as thanknew how, that who
they had gone the first e the cell was unpty. Of
course [cursed them for aco leofcu-ele-rascals.
but I am satisfied or thatughey spoke the truth
The peon was not . He knows some secret
{gas a which leads from that lime cave. It 8 pro-

ble hat.intheoldtime, thiscavernwas not w
a mine but served as aplace of forthe -
mfinnifittllie time of danger,and the. lethal-eels:
w y e which a pares
nowhere—th by tge solidtyock~
were constnictod. Rae and every one had some
secret outlet skilif constructed, and so c
arran ed as to bathe e most searching eyes. on
hays; ollowgd me in this?“

“ '05, on
0 force the of Miguel
lili,-I‘L‘t30le to escaperather than my
muslin??? ' r‘ ,.

ou think the Indian , '  '

 

   
     
 

 
   

110

 

 

The,“ Fresh of Frisco.

 

ness which he produced by casting some dnrg into
the furnace fire, to esca , and the chances are a
thousand to one that y he is far beyond our
reach.“

“ The vapor is losing its force; soon we will know
the truth.‘

Such was the fact; the Ipeculiarsmoke, so ungerrt
in its character, was slow fading away, an breath-
Infi was no longer opp ve.

I Suppose that the ndian has escaped?"

“We hold the b0 , thou h; and this desperate
sharp, who is so handy with th his tongue and his
weapons " the in e replied. and there was a men-
ace in his tone w ch boded no good to either the
Californian, or to the outspoken Fresh of Frisco.

The vapor grew thinner and thinner. the light of
the torches began to again illuminate the dark re-
cesses of the cavern, and like so many dark and
horrid waffles the prostrate Black Men of Tejon
lifted up eir heads and glared around them.

The jud was right; no Indian was to be seen“ the

:1 had aken advan e of the vapor to wri le
away in the darkness. t was quite plain tha l
Imbustero was no stranger to the secrets of the

cavern.
ain the d sed men stood upon their feet and
blin ed in one other'rr faces like so many owls,

brought suddenly from darkness into light.

These hold, ro h men, desperadoes of the worst

pe, e ually reck ess of their own lives and of the

ves 0 others, suddenly comprehended that they
had escafgd, as it were, from the very shadow of
death. e understood that, if the Indian had
used double he quantity of powder that he had cast
upon the furnace i‘lre, not a man in the room would
have escaped to tell the tale but that one and all
would have lperished b sull'ocation. There were
whit;- i‘aces t on undert eblack hoods. and drunken
Jose, the Liar, suddenly became exalted into a foe
of no mean ability.

The judge resumed his place upon the rocky
throne.

“ Bring out both the boy and the man," be com-
manded. “ We have no time to spare now, for
mornin is not far off, and we must get to the bot-
tom of his business before day breaks.“

The officers do )arted to ca out the orders, but
in a few seconds t ey canre rus ing back in amaze-
ment.

“ Both are gone!" they cried.

‘ "Gone!" exclaimed i e chief, and the rest of the
ang re-echoed the words.

It was plain that this was destined to be a night of

sugrises.

urriedly the chief roceeded to examine the cave
cells in person, trust ng to find the pair aslee in
some corner. as, but a short time previous, he ad
discovered the eon.

But the scare was a fruitless one, this time. Not
the all htest trace of either one could be found.
Both t 0 Californian and the adventurer had dis-
appeared, and as m sterlously as though they had
tricked into the soli rock.

The masked men searched high and they searched
low; every hollow gossage in the cells, 
eno h to allow a rah it to go through, they tri ,
but there was a secret outlet, and t ere was very
little doubt that one did exist somewhere, it was too
cunnineg contrived to be discovered by mortal

0 es.

yBaffled in their search the masked men retunred
to the main cavern and there held a consultation, the
result of which the reader will see anon.

And now we will return to the two prisoners and
relate the manner of their escape from their prison~

ns.
p0Blah» after his interview with the chief of the
Black Men u on being conducted to his cell again,
immediately Egan to prepare himself to pass the
night in comfo , fora true son of the border was
be, and no matter how rou h the accommodations
he always endeavored to m e the best of them.

Hardly had he camped himself down in a sngg
corner of the cave when he was suddenly astonish
by hearing a slight noise as though a heavy body

had Jumped htly to the ground from some con-
aiderablet high but, whether animal or human, he
w no .

His doubts were soon solved, thou h, for with a
stealthy stepnthe'thin approached im, evident
able to see the dar , and Blake braced hi

for a strug le.
“ No burg white man—me friendl“
In a hoarse whls r came the words, and extreme-

ly reassuring was t e sentence, too.

“ Well, I want friends just now, if ever a man did,"
Blake replied.

“ You friend—Miguel Scott, eh?“ questioned the
mysterious st er.

‘ If by we] ott you mean that you Califor-
nian I t I can answer safe that am his

friend, for I like the lad. and I won (1 go out of my
to do him a service."

‘ You no want to sta here, eh i“

“ Not much i" repli Blake, emphatically.

“ 8’ I gette you out, you fl ht for Miguel
Scot eh!" ucstioned the voice, anx usly.

“ es,tha s a be n; on get me out and I‘ll
stand 11 for the boy e s rother.“

“ 1 Me gette you out!"

“But, who are your“

" Jose. the Liar! Wait me some back soon."

And :31! Izaak; heard the sound 1:: retrtlaltiu fogt-
s ow y a peculiar sou as oug t e
manthere scrambling up the side of the wall. Then

was
“Jose, the Liar eh?“ Blake muttered. “I ho
on this occasion, though, my gentle friend will be 0

his name.
Hake waited in patience, and at last his vigil was
rewarded.

As the chief of the masked men had conjectured,
the Indian did throw a powdered drug upon the
thus producing the va r; then under- ;
cover of the gloom. he had glid awe. ,
the cave-cell where Blake was confln re
him from the us which bynd him and instruc-
ted him how the sub
secret passage, the entrance to which was some i

E

fight feet from the floor. Then he conducted him
fight to the cave where the Californian was contin-

the lad from the larlats which bound him
into another secret pauage, led
outer air. and after-one fifteen or i
I

/

' / /

 

‘ lnqulrlng loo .

iwentyminutcs‘yvalk, through the underground as- 
sages, came out on the mountain-side in a lttle ,
eve of shrubby pines, high up above the town of r
ejon Cam , which was plainly visible to the eyes of ‘
the three. thed in the rays of the pale moonlight
afar down in the valley.

CHAPTER XVIH.
ms common

For; the first time the escaped prisoners looked
upon the face of their rescuer Jose, the peep—Jose,
the Liar—who ptmsesscd sue a onderful know-
] , e of the. secret e of t e underground
ju ent-hall of the lack Men of Te on.

e old Indian, scantily clad with is long black
hair streami down upon his shoulders m under
his e§ed sombrero, looked like anything
brrt a hero, bu there was no disputing the fact that
the peon, with his cunning tric , aided by his won-
derful knowledge of the underground passages, had
saved the lives of the two captives.

“ Well, old fellow, you have done us a good turn,
to—nightl" Blake exclaimed. "I say us," be con-
tinued, tumin to the Californian, ‘ for I presume
that you were u a tight place, too?"

“ Indeed I w “ the youth replied, frankly, “ and
I trust that it wi be many a long day before I come
so near to death as I have been this n ht."

“I for one won't forget it, my red riend.“ Blake
observed, “and the day may come when I can repay
the service. If it ever does, rest assured on may
command me, even to the shedding of the net drop
of blood within my veins.“ -

No heedless speech or empty boast was this. The
Fresh of Frisco meant every word of it, and he was
one of that kind of men who made good their word
with their blood.

“And 1, air, owe on a debt of gratitude no less

,at than this gent emanl“ the outh cried; “and
too, am willing at any time to risk my life to pay
the debt.“

The old Indian wagged his head in a very peculiar

wa .

'yMe no want nothing nohow," he re lied. "Me,
long time ago, Michael beott man—no 0 et cattle-
king of Buenaventura. See! his face lve again
here I” and the Indian pointed to the outh. And
this was really a wonderful stretch of he imagina-
tion, for there could be but very little resemblance
betWeen the young, smooth-faced boy and the
grim, old, bearded cattle-king of Buenaventura.

The dark eyes of the youth glistened and he made r
an im iatient gesture.

The ndian misunderstood the outh.

“Be no ‘fraidl" he cried; “ re friend," and he
pointed to Blake. “Big chief—fight for you; you
need heap friend to ht lwdrones dere," and with
his skinny fore-flnger t in red-man pointed down the
mountain-side to where the uict town of Tejon
Cam lay sleeping in the moon lgbt.

“ is gentleman is a stranger to me,“ the Califor-
nian remarked, a peculiar expression upon the olive
tinged, resolute face. “ Alread he has ventured his ‘
life in my quarrel, and to ask h m to do more would

 

be to )lace myself under a weight of obligation
which n the future might crush me to the very ,
ground.“ 1

“ Your life Jose save!" the Indian exclaimed for-
cihl ', shaking his skinny fore-finger at B e.
“ at for you do for da(, eh?"

“Anything you like!" the Fresh replied, on the
instant.

“You fight for him if I say so, ehr"and Jose
pointed to he Californian.

“ To the death!" Blake answered, promptly.

“It is good: your fadder was my master," said
the Indian, addressing the youth. “ Old Jose live to
be a t‘ousand years he nebber forget old cattie~

kin ." - I

“ ut my name is not Mi el Scott; I am not the 3
son of the cattle-king of uenaventura: you are ‘
laborin under a delusion!" the youth exclaimed,
evident y the prey of strong excitement-

The Indian wagged his head sagely. It was quite ‘
plain that the enial of the youth had no more
effect upon him than the whisper of the breeze sigh- ,
ing throng: the pines of the mountain side.

‘ That right," he muttered, with a on
leer; “your secret-hide it tight—tell it not even to ‘
the winds, for who knows when it may be betrayed?
Old Jose know it—this North American, he know it
——no one else. Good! You need money. Jose brow
where the gold lies hid in the mountain pocket. Iie
know, too where, in the heart of the mountain, the
old cattle- ng cached his treasures. When old red-
beard die Jose will s ,“ and the peon. muted
down into the valley, t us plainly indicating r, by
old red-beard he meant Alexander Black, the aicalde
of Te on Camp. .

“ hat has his death to do with the secret?" the ‘
Californian demanded, in wonder.

The Indian shook his head, put his finger upon his
lips as if to entreat silence, and then with a guttural
“ -by," shook both their hands and lided away
in the ‘forest, vanishing amid the es like a

specter.

Blake and the Californian looked at each other in
“Mfr? 51min hedi u: to ehi‘ ggest

“ t e uc n e upper s ry, ' su
ed the Fresh.

“ It would seem so,“ the Californian replied.

“ Well crazy or not, he done us a good turn I
this n lit, and I will not forget it if the chance ever
comes or me to return the service. I‘ve learned a
thing or two in the last few hours. These Te on
Camp cutthroats have ca ht me na ping once t
they will never t a secon op rtun ty.

“And so say 2“ exclaimed t 0 youth; “and yet I
must brave their power whether I will or no, forI
have business in yonder Camp, and I must pursue it
even at the risk of life."

“Well, my friend, what say you now: shall we
on together or separate here and say good-by?2 y
Blake asked regarding the youth with an earnest.

‘ That is as you say.” i

“As I say eh!" Blake repeated, reflectively.
“ You know t e Californian custom, I suppose?"

“ I am not sure that I understand to which one
you refer.“ ,

“Why, in this wild, rude land two men cometo- ,
gather, by accident or by design; they become com-
panions, rtners, brothers; and oftentimes the tie
bus has formed is as enduring a one as that

soul

I or another; and if I fail I
; death at the hands of my brutal foes, and then what
, matter oaths and secrets to me?"

‘ hidden treasures of
1‘ of old Michael Scott, the cattle- in

.MindyouJ am not ex
men:
{to

—A v 2x

cemented by blood relationship. And now, wise
say you—shall we be rartners, brothers, each for
the other and both for one?" .

A painful expression swept over the olive-tinged

face.

“ Oh! but it is not right to d on into In ar-
rel l". the youth exclaimed. “lingoryne on a dengi-lato
mission, and in attempting to gain the end I seek 1
shall undoubtedly rouse against me all the rumanly
villains of this camp of outlaws!" and as he s ke
the Californian shook his clenched list at the ce
ing town below. “ Ahead you have put ourlif);
rn p’eril on m account' w y, then, should seekte
em roll you urtheri Why not attempt to tread
my own dangerous life-path alone, and then, if I
fa l in my design, and perish by the hands of these
wild and desperate men, no life but my own will be
sacrificed?"

“You an, then, Miguel Scott, the son of this old
cattle-king of Buenaventura. and you seek the secret
treasure hidden in the mountains, in regard to which
the old Ind an c‘iwipoke; and. if I guess the situation
rightly, this al de of Tejon Camp is also after the
treasure, and that is the reason wh the attack was
made aripen us tonight in the calde's Ranch, '
Blake d slow'y.

“I am not Miguel Scott. but I do seek the hidden
treasure,and I have as cod a right to hasanp'
one!“ the Californian replied, ilrmly.

“ Well, rtner, I might as well take a hand in the
fun for am alread mixed up in the affair, and I
shall probably have 0 do my share of the lighting,

anyway. ‘
‘ Since you will take my titular-rel upon your back,
in me, t en l" and the you extended his hand,
ulsively, as he spoke.
e two clasped hands and the big
high above in the heavens, witnessed he compact,
‘And now, if you choose, I canbring to our as.
sistance some , stout fellows who will more
than a match or double their number of these Tejon
Cam bullies " Blake remarked.
“ on can? ' and the Californian opened hiseyes
in wonder.
“ They are black sheep, every one of them, but we

 

round moon,

1 must fight fire with fire.

“ No matter who or what they are, so lo as the
will back my uarrel and help me to fightn§hese vii
larns of this re her town i"

“The men I speak of have a haunt in the mouno

‘ tains only a few miles from here,“ Blake explained.

“Thefv are outlaws, every man of them; noes livi

n the band but for whom an outraged lawng

reaching."
“I care not so long as they fight my battles for

‘ me, and if I succeed I will make every man of them

ficthtatyond ttlllrieir Y'lilggsft dreams.“
‘ u one n r o otten “ Blake added.
" gen nvvthcat 115m" rg ’

“ w necessary for on to oin the outlaw
band, or otherwise I cannot tgist youjwith the secret
of their mountain retreat.”

“ I will join them," the Californian answered
geromptly. “ What care 1? If I win my light, I shall

rich enough to give them a fortune apiece and
U1 understand human nature aright theban will
dissolve immediately when each member has money
enough to seek a civilized home, either in this land
shall probany meet my

“You reason shrewdly; and with the aid of m
Wolves I think the chances are ten to one that of;

. will win!" Blake cried, impressed with the spi t of

the youth. “.And now, let‘s be oil, for we have
some miles to cOVer. You have faced the Black Men
of Tejon tonight; now try the Wolves, and see if

1 they won’t treat you betterl“

 

CHAPTER III.
ran war or ran salsa.
Tn two set out on their wa ; odd] -mated con

: panlons, the stripling Caiiforn an, wit his delic

eife to manners. and the resolu
Fresh of Frisco, man of ice and iron. ‘0'
if he sought the

Well was it for the Byouth, though
uenaventu the buried wealth

that he had
sostrong an all as Jackson lake.

Along the mountain- de, following atrail. aimed

imperceptible except to the eyes of a man well

' versed in woodcrsft. the pair

“ Rimmeded.
I am tolerably familiar wi this mountainsid ”
Blake explained. as they walked alongI “ for. thisad
loads dinectl from the ohave valley,

Inn Tn” Cam i
w ere e on s s tuated ht past the
3 trance to the lair of) the Wolves. '1):th had no idea:

the existence of this vast underground pangs
through which we have passed to—night "

"Is this organisation of which you arearnern ,
and which you term The Wolves, a band similar
that of the Black Men of Tejoni‘ azkod the Cantor

“Somewhat. and yet altogether different in t&
t: these fellows. from whom we escaped to
thetooisofthealcaldeo Te
lack, while the W as are &
treebooters of ancient story. are gu—
tlemen who have had. at diaerent times. sundry db-
putes with the oillcers of the law, and for whom the
atmosphere of civilian-bu is not particularly healthy.
cusing the crimes of they.
hey are wild, desperate lawless fellows, Quick
handle the knife or pistol. etermined to live a“
live well, no matter who pays the coat. I, too,
men. am an outcast; no ou ed law reaches
for me, though. I have merely d the re
rudecustomsofthe border cam Iamagsm
by arnofemion sim because I ve marvelous six.
in t line. and can make money easier inthat
wa than by any other."

‘ But do you like such a life?" cried the Califu»
nian, abrupt) . “Is it not a mean, miserable way
of getting a vingr Would it not be better to toil -
a miner, getting your bread by honest labor, wren-

e golden grains from t e sand and the Inch,
the

, th
‘ rugher than fleecing simple fools by means of

Thted past:I l‘

e s c was a stran e , i

and witmtraordinary fogs.“e "p dw deliver“
Blake opened his eyes in amazement. He bu

heard some pretty plain agreehes during the -

ear,whenhehadsoraid
from m G n a . ,, waadmsouthw

. 3,... nr-er‘g'.” ~‘« «.4. .._:

"k-

..._...—;.—q—.fl... . .. v.

Tberreshe

11

 

 

 

 

town, from cam to cam
Committees, whgse partir‘i’g words Were wonderfull
alike: “ You’ve been hyer too long—you’re too frcs
't up and dust l" .
nd the sport had never attempted to argue the
" “int ” : he had “ ot up anddusted " at once.
"Well, you’re put ing your side of the case
strongly,‘ Blake remarked, placed upon the
fire by the attack. -
" Have I not stated the truth?"
“ The truth as it appears to you.“
;. :. Yes, as it a pears to me, and must appear to any
ht nest person, ’ the youth replied.

\

I

4 Blake winced; the words out home.
«'1 “And yet, had as I sin—bad as m companions
are, you are willing ,to accept our to help you
th your battles." r v
“ One must use such tools as one can find," the

Culifomlan replied. “ Besides, if I am to udge the
rest by you, I could find far worse men in t is world.
You are a brave and generous man, or else you
Would not take my part and ofler to assist me

of such a m
vising you to a

life that on lead is unworth
are; am , then, wrong in
I, lit
Blake was considerably astonished at the youth,
those words went as st lit to the pomt as an
:1 row to the mark discharg by a skillful archer.
“Y but listen to my side of the case!" be ex-
llsim . “ There can be‘more than one aspect to
lame thin in this world, for it depends sometimes
Very m'ic how you look at a thing. Do ou le-
member the old sto of the shield about wh oh the
‘ fights fought? ne declared that it was black,

as you
don

‘T

 

the other that it was white, and after the battle
was ended, and they had fought until they could
lght no more, the examined the article and lol it
Dru black on one de and white on the other."
“I cannot see how there can be two sides to the
'ife which you pursue."
‘ “ Because you don‘t know anything about it,“
replied Blake, bluntly. “ Let me show ou what my
0 has been, from my stand int. had trouble
in the East and was forced to y‘to the West. Now,
don‘t misunderstand me,“ he added, quickly, per-
ceiving a peculiar expression hering u n the
features 0 s companion. I on‘t want make
a hero of m if, but truth is truth and since I am
going to ust my deeds I must to l of the good as
well as o the ad. I must tell you all or nothln .
“I was left an orphan at an early age and mm
the time'that I was eight years old Ihave fought
. the world on my own account. I got along very
well, too, consid :fing that I had no one to aid me,
or to speak a gocfii’eword for are. When I was about
twenty—five I had a good position in a bank—was
trusted and respected y all. One day the president,
just as we were closing up business for the day,
called me into his private office and informed me
that there was somethin wrong in the affairs of the
bank, and that, in brief, e was afraid some one of
the omcers had proved recreant to the trust reposed
in him; his faith in my honesty and capabilities
3] being strong he requested me, in company with the
oldest officer of the bank—a gentleman with whom
I boarded—to remain after hours and carefully ex-

4‘.-

the on rit. The old gentleman—I will call him

i bankcl

a large family, and there had sprung u a love- air
between his eldest daughter and myselF—not a very
serious one, but get enough to justify the belief that
In time we won] be married.

“ Smith and I commenced our examination and I
noticed that he seemed strangely nervous and agi-
tated, but I had no idea, even when I saw how un-
wed he was, that he was the man who had rob-

the bank. But it was so. and in a short half-

our I detected the false entries b

.0 had covered n his crime.
‘ own on his knees fore me and

L

 

means of which
0 old man went
me for the

 

induces which he had shown to me, not to ex
. The story of his crime was the old, old e.

._  He had been tempted to speculate—had become in-
 , Volved beyond his means and h taken the bank's

a f funds to aid hlm‘to retrieve his ' osses, but when a

i i man once gets involved in the whirl of Speculation it
‘ is rett sure to end by swallowing him up He had
onyta en a small sum too, acoupleo thousand
(101 are, but he was utterly unable to make it up and
I only had about five hundred dollars of my own.
There was but one way out of the difficulty. t was
useless to attempt to cover the matter up, for it I
‘3‘! PGpdrted that I could not discover who the thief
W38. an expert would have been called in, and, inside
of twent minutes, he would have traced the guilt
home. he matter lay between Smith and myself:
it Iwas either he or I. Now, what was to be done ?"

. You took the old man‘s guilt on your shoulders!“
me. CMum'nlan exclaimed, nstanti —-astrange, pe-
culiar ii ht shining in his brilliant b ack eyes.

glake aughed.

W9“. you’re right for once in your life if you
I hever Were before. I didl I saved the old man at
the expense of my own reputation. Ialtered the
figures in the books so that it would a pear as
if the Rise entries were my work. if two
hundred dollars out of the tty cash to help me on
my way, turned over my nk-book to the bank
wrote the president a brief note, stating that I had
i fallen into temptation, but that I would make the
, money good as soon as I could, tied Smith hand and
Man agged him so that it would be lain that
e was no% my confederate, and then fled e a thief

n the night.
. ' ' “In truth, I was not sorry to get away), for the
wild demon of unrest me and I ~ u cred
for the wild, free life of the 'frontier. I had a wa s
g .' been anexpert with cards and I knew that I co d
make aliving even among the sha of the gold-
: land. I came out here, but an evil ortune seemed
‘ to follow me. Fate willed that I should become
" involved in quarrels—fate willed, thanks to my quick

.«T;

.~a._-,.

4 ..  es and ready hands, that I should kill the men
' ..' V  :‘io sou ht to kill me. Soon I a uircd an mil
‘1 name. ’fiis Fresh of Frisco was polite passed from

1 '~ '
 ‘1‘!» camp‘to camp until I found myself i need to herd

"with the outlaws of 'I'ejon Camp. I am a bier-—
amid-shunbutlddyanymantosay I"
W "t ‘ A : I . a -.i 
' i t '4 . 4  '
.9, v . ~

 , irks of his family, as well as fort e many acts of I
it

35:22 T

against foes whom few men in this world would i
care to brave if the task could be avoided; but this ,

 

amino the books so as to detect, if it was possible, ‘

Kr. Sm th, names matter not—and myself, after the ;
osed, set about our task. I had been a mem- I
her of Smith‘s family about five years; he had uite

 

 

* -‘..g-~‘u.d_q f .
. _, .. ,

p33,  _. , ‘r‘

by terse-spoken vigilance ’ bantered a greenhorn to playl 0h, nol the sh

who live on the pilgrims are my mutton, andi I
fleece them is it anyt ing more than dog eat dog?"

“ 0, you are right; you are not as bad as I
thought; but still it is a miserable life!" the youth
replied, dowly. ‘

‘h‘how me the way to a better one and see how
quickly I‘ll grasp the chance."

“ I will, some day, if I live, and mind, I shall hold

you to your romisel" the Californian exclaime
quickly, the o ive-hued face lighting up with a glad
expression. -

“ Halt!” cried Blake, pausing in front of a massive
belt of pines. “ We are near our ourney‘s end,
and you must submit to be blindfold , for until you
pass through the ordeal which the elves exact, I
cannot trust you with the secret of the stronghold."

CHABTER XX.
’I'BE HAL'N'I‘ on THE wonvns.

“ BLINDFOLD me‘r" '

“Yes,” Blake replied “and I must give you fair
warning that the ordeal through which on will have
to pass is no light one, but if you seek t e aid of the
Wolves it will be necessary to join the band. f
course, as far as} am concerned, there is no com-
pulsion about the matter. 1 will aid you—will do
anythin in my power for you, but I cannot bring
the  to your assistance without you join their

“Let me fully understand the matter " the Call-
fomian observed, after a moment's thong t. “Who
commands this band, do you? Are you the master
of the Wolves?”

“ To reveal that fact to you would be to betray
one of the secrets of the band," Blake declared.

“ But, how then, if you 'are not the master of the
Wolves can you bring~ them to aid me in my fight
With the wretches of ejon Camp?"

“You are as in uisitive as a woman l" the sport
exclaimed, with a. augh. “I cannot very well satis-
fy your curiosity now, but when on haVe become
better acquainted with me, you wi be.able to say,
with perfect confidence that Jack Blake never yet
broke faith with either rlend or foe".

“I will trust you!“ the Californian announced.
with a kindling eye; “ I will trust you with both my
life and fortunes."

“And if I xprove false to my trust, shoot me on
sight the no time you meet me, and I fromise you
I will not raise a finger to defend mysel ."

“ ginde me, t once' I am eager to enter upon
my sk!" tile you h cri , impetuously.
deal! '

 

‘It will be a terrible or

“I do not shrink from it." ,

The face of Blake plainl showed that he was im-
pressed with the courage o the stripling.

From his waist Blake unwound the gaudy Posh
which belted in his sinewy frame, and then carefu
homid it over the eyes of. the youth. No cobwe
bandage was this throu hwvhich the wearer could
distinguish the obiects hat surrounded him,'but a
muming that effec ually shut out the world.

“Now give me your hand; follow and fear not,"
the Fresh ‘said, and as he ke he grasped,the
slender palm of the youth, 6 little brown band,
small enough, and dainty enough, to be a woman’s
pride and boast. .

There was a wonderful diflerence between the
strong, muscular hand of Blake, firm as iron, almost
in its texture and as chilly to the touch as-a piece 0
lifeless me , and the warm, agilsating palm of the
Californian; and as the hands uched a thrill pass-
ed through the slight form of the youth.

Instinctively almost, Blake felt the sensation.

“Does my and chill you?" he asked. “Folks
generally say that it is like a lump of ice."

“ Yes, it is cold."

“It is an honest tool, though, and has served its
owner well in many a desperate emergencyl."

“ A cold hand betokens a warm heart, t ey say,”
the Californian observed.

“ Faith! if the rule be true, and works as true b
contraries, then you must have a deuced cold hear ,
for our fingers are as warm as toast."

“ have a warm heart to my friends, as you shall
find one of these days, but a bitter cold one to my
enemies."

With stead steps the Californian followed in the
footstolis of ke.

n Bare t of the use of one sense, the others seemed
ungaitth t on the alert. time outh could distin-
a e was pass roug anarrow assage

in the shrubbery, then his feet commenced E) tread
a thway, and from the damp and confined
nature 0 the surrounding air he became sens‘igle
that he was proceeding through some undergro d
aslsage, the entrance, no doubt, to the cavern of the

o ves.

A few minutes more and then the smell of smok-
ing torches reeted the Callfornian’s nostrils; the
main hall of t e cavern evidently was reached.

“Remain here a few moments,” said Blake, in a
loud tone, and then he added hurriedly, in the ear
of the youth: “Keep up a bold heart and fear
notl”

And then, relinquishing his grasp of the Califor-
nian's hand, Blake hastened away.

The youth remained motionless; cool and collect-
ed, though; fully prepared to undergo the ordeal
before him.

About five minutes he waited and then heavy foot-
steps sounded behind him; the bandage which
covered his eyes was suddenly removed andagain
he had free use of his vision.

The youth looked around him.

He was in a circular shaped cavern of great size;
in the center a huge fire burned, and this I was that

ave out the smoke which the youth had imagined

Come from torches.

The blaze from the fire amply lighted up the cave.

A hu e table, roughly constructed from hewn logs
and sin occu led one end of the cavern, and on
this table a huu r’s banquet zas spread: a haunch
of venison ribs of bear; a bi l-pie, cooked in a bi
tin an like an English wild-wood dish of the 01
Rob n Iiood time; is e platters of - , the
miner’s standby: and or wine the ta les boasted a
fine arra , from the slender flasked vintage of the
Rhine to he beakers of champagne.

And for drinking vessels, cups of solid gold had
these mountain outlaws evidently rey wrested
from some gold-burdened randiaro o the Mexican
harder ' ~

. »

 

'9 . . I . e X g i

1‘, _

 

And the lords of this caverw—of this ba net—of
this strange scene, somet ' akin to the o legend
of the Norse gods feasting in Ha?

Seven muscular, well-armed men, nearly all of then
huge—bearded fellows dressed in true mountain fash-
ion, and with the upper $11 of their faces covered.
by a little black mask, ugh which shone their"
g itterin eves.

Five 0 t e men sat in a circle around the fire,
which biased in the center of the cavern; and the
sixth man was the one who had removed the band~
age, and he was evidently the officer who attended
to the initiation of new me for, after removing
the scarf. he took a position by the side of the can-
didate. The seventh man was plainly the ca tain of
the band, for he occupied a seat a rt from t e
mounted upon a roc y throne. e too, like nearly
all the rest, wore a flowing beard jet black in color,
as was also the long hair which streamed down over
his shoulders.

The chief was fully armed, and before him on the
rocky l e behind which he sat was a pair of re-
volvers. e also wore a. mask.

The youth looked around with an eager gase' he
thou ht that he would be able to recognize Blake
desp to the mask, but his scrutiny was in vain; nota

le one of the men seemed to resemble the Fresh
of sco in the least.

“ What do you desire?“ asked the chief in
hoarse, deep tone, evidently disguised.

“ To join your band."

“ Why do ou wish to ' in the Wolves l"

“Because need the a d of strong, bold men."

“And why should we join in your uarrels?"

" useyou stand towinag roundsumin
gold if I suc ."

The Wolv ricked up their ears at this.

“ Suppose you fail in your undertaking, what shall

we gain?" _

“ othing but hard knocks."

“ Do you understand what the conditions of oin~
ing our band are? (Do you know that we re
quire you to aid as in our schemes, no matter
whether 0u like it or not "

“Yes, understand all t at."

“ And you are willing to comply?"

“ Yes, or I would not be here."

“Who vouches for you i"

“Jackson Blake.”

“ Let Blake step forward."

Not a man moved.

“ Aha i" cried the chief. diarply, “ your vouchu'
does not seem anxious to'a ar.’

“ He vouches for me all t e same, thong ."

“Young man!” exclaimed the chief, suddenly and
roughly, “ we know you and the object that brlii
you here. We have our spies in Tejon Camp as we
as elsewhere. Alex. Black, the alcalde of Tejon
Camp, has hired you to come here and join our band
so as to betray our secret haunt in the mountains to
him. You have pla ed a bold game but it won‘t
work; I’ll give you ust five minutes to confess, say

our. prayers, i you care to, and then may Heaven

ve mercy on your soul l”

The chief took up one of the revolvers, cocked it
and took deliberate aim at the unprotected breast
of the youth. '

The Californian merely smiled. .

" If this is one of your tests, you maysave yourself
the tnouble," he observed, quretly, “ for I know that
it is not the truth, and so do you."

“ Confess! .The five minutes are nearly up," cried
the outlaw chief, threateningly.

“ l‘have noth to confess. ’

‘_‘ Perhaps I ve been misinformed," said the
chief slowly, droppingthe muzzle of the revolver
“an since you seem to be true blue, why, we’

ve you a chance. Bring out the goblet and admin-

ter the oath tohiml" g. a

*—
CHAP'I‘ER' XXI. ~
m arm.

Om: of the mengl‘iy the fire arose and as he ad-
vanced toward the ‘ 'fornian, drew from his girdle
Ehe broad-bladed, keen—edged hunting-knife which

e wore.

“ Now then, young man, remember that this oath
which you are about to take— the oath of the Wolves
—must be sealed by b ; but as we always act
fairly and squarely wit all who wish to 'orn our
ranks, We now give you to understand t at once
this oath is taken, from that moment you become
one of the Wolves of Tejo and {lodged toobedi-
ence to orders 'ven even thug to ca out the
commands wo render certain the dent of your
own brother.”

“ I have none,“ said the youth grimly, “neither
brother nor sister, father nor mo er, nor any other
relative! I am utterly alone in the world."

. “ The oath once taken you are ciu's forever, but it
is not yet too late to retrace your steps," the chief
continued. “ You have entered our stronghold, but
as yet you know nothing of our secrets; you are at
liberty to retreat now if you wish to, merely giving
us your solemn romise that ion will never betray
to mortal soul w at your eyes ave witnessed here.
Do not decide hastily—take time to reflect; remem-
ber that it is no idle thing that you are about to do,
and that the word once given can never be recalled.‘

“I do not desire time,” the Californian re lied at
once, and .without a moment’s hesitation. ‘ I have
fully considered the matter and am ready to join
your band immediately. Do not waste time but pro.
ceed to the oath. I am about to give each one of
you a chance to make a small for! une f0i- himse
and if I fail in the attempt, why then, the quicker
gouinto my grew; the better.”

Administer the oath,“ the chief commanded.

Tile outlaw tendered the youth the broad-bladed

e. .

“Take the knife in your right hand-and elevate
the blade,” said. “Re t the oath after mel—
I homily swear by all that hold sacred in this world
--by my ho of a hereafter, or my fears of an
eternal home in everlasting flames—never to betray
the secrets of the band of brothers known as the
Wolves of Tejon—one of whom by taking this oathl
now become. I swear to humbly and nhgiously

v

p .3.

obe any and all orders ven me by the lug
W0 ;to stand by my brotmers to the death in ‘
hour of danger;_to risk is and limb so can»:
brother from pen andifI o ve -: W
the‘hourofneed I,  *

 \3‘ “ . ‘7

' . the

 

 

-most

 

 

'18

Théifrésh 9f Frisco-

bx"

 

 

 

 

. l
I I do not carry out the orders given me-uf I hetra
lie secrets of the Wolves, then may swift and terri: 7
his death be my ortion; may I be rent, limb from 1
beasts of the woods: may the ;

limb by the wil
Inc ng, snarling coyotes of the prairie gnaw my
bones as they bleach in the sun; the earth refuse to
‘ receive in bod and all thin conspire together to

my alou to t is world—‘Be old the remains of a l
i' y .‘ near the very spot where the old mine was locat

traitor

In a firm, distinct voice the Californian repeated ‘

the oath sentence by sentence, as it fell from the
(Mfg of the brawny outlaw. If there was any trace
fear or apprehension in his heart it did not appear
upon his face
“ Kiss the
dther cold steel, hot leml, or the haugman‘s rope

will be your fate, if you betray your brother‘

Wolves!’ exclaimed the administerer of the oath.
Coolly and deliberately the youth touched his lips
to the blade of the knife.

' “Now brin forth the goblet of blood~thc warm
and living h 00d, and let him drink success to the
Wolves!" the chief commanded.

Des to his firm nerves an expression of disgust
rapidly over the face of the youth; it was

me plain that he did not relish this test: but. in a

, resolute way he shut his lips tight! together,
as though he was determined not to s rin from this
ordeal

From the banquet table the outlaw, who had
acted as master of ceremonies, brought one of the
massive golden goblets and as he ap roached, the
gmomian saw that it was filled to he brim with

It was not a pleasant sight, and even the firm-
nerved, resolute seeker-after-fortnne felt that his
face was growing white and that a strange sensav
tionof nausea. was rising within his frame, and it
required the use of all his wonderful nerve to- enable
him to grasp the oblet. -

“ 'hirn ’round a deway, so that I can have a good
look at on i" the chief exclaimed:

The alifomian obeyed, but he felt that his head
was in a whirl, and he doubted whether he should be
able to accomplish the feat, for to his delicate senses
thgre was something terribly repugnant about the
o eal.

“Now then, drink!“ the chief commanded.

Setting his teeth firm together and bending
every nerve to the effort, t 9 youth raised the gob-
let, while the outlaws looked on with curious eyes;
manyaone of the stout fellows there had shrunk
from the test. '

Half-way up the youth carried the goblet, his face
deathly white, when, suddenly through the sport
ment, rung the quick, sharp bark of a revolver, and
the oblet went whirling out of the Californian‘s
.hamf, but the youth never even started at the shock
—merely turning his head and larlng at the chief
(who had fired t e wonderful y-simed shot) with
eyes widol disten ed.

The Wo ves roared. in applause as they beheld
the result of the shot—the practical joke of their
chief-«and they ap lauded, too, the nerve of the
new-comer who ha allowed the goblet to be shot
out of his hand without movi a muscle.

“ You are accepted!“ crie the Master Wolf.
“ Inanceforth you are one of the Wolves of Tejon!
Rise, all of you, and salute a brother!"

And then the outlaws got u n their feet and howl-
ed in an extremelymffectivei not melodious chorus.

“And now, boys tackle your fodder, while I have
alittle talk with this youn man in regard to the
enterprise in which he prod cts t
cumulate a small fortune. Foil me.”

The chief descended from his throne-like seat and
led the way into a small cavern situated immediawa
in the rear of the rocky ridge which, cropping out
of the earth, served him %a seat.

The inner cave was a all, circular one, lighted

by a few candies stuck‘upon projectin portions of
the walls; some buffalo, bear and wo skins scat-
tered about were the only “furniture.” A little

Scotch terrier dog lying at the entrance to the cave
k t watch and ward. The smallcave was separa-
‘ , to? from the large cavern by a passage ust about

big enough to allow a man to pass throng and that ‘

was all, and some ten feet in length.

The moment that the d heard the sound of foot-
ste s in the (passage-Wit , he commenced to bark
f ousl , an
master adc him be uict.

“A vigilant sentry, ’ observed the Californian, af-
ter they had entered the smaller cave. “It would
be difficult for any of the band to surprise on un-
awares if an desperate man took ltmto h 3 head
that he woult rather be captain of the Wolves than
to longer serve under you.“ '

The chief turned in considerable surprise and az-
ed at the youth; he was astonished, for the all-
fornian had guessed only too well why the dogkept
watch and ward at the passageway.

“ You have shrewd w ts." he remarked, slowly.

“ Yes, and uite shrewd enough to penetrate your
disguise, Mr. lake, so you may as well remove our
mask and beard and then we can talk face to ace;
and allow 'me now to thank you most sincerely for
the well-aimed shot that thrust from my lips that
disgusting draught. I am as flrm- erved as
the most of mortals, but inexpressiva horr is such
a drink to me. “ .

The chief removed his black mask, his long-haired
wig and false beard, and, sure enough, Jackson Blake
stood revealed.

“You stood the test well, and now you can com-
mand the power of myself and all the band to aid
you in our designs." "

“Wit ur aid I shall he sure to succeed. the
youth reg) d, confidently.

“ Wha is the first move that you propose to
make?” Blake asked.

“ It will be necessary for us to getthe alcalde of
the Tejon Cam into our power."

" Yes, and w erefore?’

“ Because the hidden treasure that I seek, the old
buried riches of Michael Scott the cattle king of
Buenaventura, are conceal . within that very cavern
into’yhich we were con-i by the Black men of Te-

   
 

  

 

  
   

blade of the knife and remember that 

 

we shall ill ac- .

did not cease until the voice of his ‘

 

ears before. The old man sought a secure place to
ide his treasures, and there is no doubt that the
ROD Indian, Jose, confided to him the secret of the
idden mine of his tribe, which long a '0 had ceased
to be worked. By one of those odd 0 ances which
often hagpen in this life of ours, this Alexander
Black, w 0 ever since the hidin r of the treasure has
been eager in the search for lit, pitched his cars?

and, by another odd coincidence, discovered the ex-
istence of the mine and used it for his own evil de-
signs, never suspecting that the. treasure which he
had toiled so hard to gain was at his fingers‘ ends."
“ Aha!" cried Blake, who had listened attentively
to the recitak “ you are quite i'i ht. The first point
in the game as matters stan now, is to lay the
bold alcalde by the heels!"

CHAPTER XXII.
BACK rson nsA'rn.

Tun alcalde sat in the saloon of the Alcalde‘s
Ranch. The little clock, ticking on the shelf behind
the bar, marked the hour of nine, and it was the
morning of the day which succeeded the night which
had witnessed the advent of the young Californian
and the cool and off-handed sharp who bore the
nip llation of the Fresh of Frisco, into the town of

e on Camp.

Alex Black, the stern and heavy-handed alcalde of
the mining camp, was not a man much vento
meditation, but on the present occasion 6 had
am le reason for reflection.

e sat by the window near the bar, which looked
upon the one street of the mining town. The saloon
was deserted: very little business indeed the Al-
calde’s Ranch enjoyed during the daylight hours,
for then its customers, the miners, were all busy
working their respective claims along the stream or
in the mountain gulches near the town. Even the
bartender had deserted his post, and, fast asleep
under the counter on a rude bunk, was reveling in
the delights of drenmland.

As we have said, the iron-handed aicalde was deep
in moody reflections; for about the first time since
he had swayed the destinies of Togon Camp, his prey
had escaped him; and escaped n so mysteriousa
manner, too! Black was both angry and puzzled;
some potent, unknown )ower seemed to work
against him. Who was this mysterious youth who
had so abrupt] appeared, prepared to dispute with
him for the h dden treasures of old Michael Scott,
and what malicious demon had ur ed thokee -eyed,
quick-handed, ready~witted Jack lake thro h the
northern into the Mohave valley?

One th ng, thoughl was pretty certain now: the
summary measures adopted bfv the Black lieu of
Tejon had undoubtedly d the own of the pair.

 

“That infernal Indian is at the bottom of it all, I

am sure," he muttered, in wrath. “The next time
I get in clutches on him, though, I‘ll box him tip so
safely t at he‘ll never get out until he walks into his
grave. I failed at every point last night, and only
accomplished one thing. and that I was not trying
for—I rove the meddle-rs outof' town."

And just as the alcalde finished the muttered

h, down the stairs from the upper regions of

t 6 “hotel " came the stalwart figure of Jack Blake!

The alcalde had turned his head ust o of mere
curiosity in order-t6 see who it was t at ha slept so
late, thinking that it was some customer who had
drank overmnch the night before and had lain late
so as to slee off the effects of the debauch. «

Wonderfn , then, was the astonishment of the al-
calde when his eyes fell upon the manly form of the
Fresh of Frisco.

Blake came carelesslydown the stairs just as if .

nothin unusual had happened during the ‘night,
nodd carelessly to the alcalde, glanced at the
clock, and remarked in an rise:

“Hallo! nine o’clock! w y I had no idea that it
was so late. I reckoned that had overslept myself,
but I had no idea that it had got to be nine. How
about breakfast? not much chance for a breakfast
here I suppose!"

"No, not now," the alcalde replied, recovering a
little from his surprise. “ We don't run a restaurant
here; we only set out the regular meals at regular
hours; but at French John's down the street you
can fit somethi to eat: he cooks to order.”

“ ank you; will patronize him; by-the-by' I
believe .that it‘s the rule here for ine, as a stran er,
to call upon you. You‘re the alca'ide, ar‘n‘t you ’

t “lYes; my office is next door; office hours ten to
we ve."

“ All right; that will just give me time to get my
breakfast; I’ll see you ater, ’and Blake passed out
of the door, as easy and unconcerned as possible.

The alcalde was rplcxed; he hardly knew what
to make of the mat r; but one thing he felt sure of :
Blake did not suspect that he had aught to do with
the cave 'procecdings. Then the idea of securing
Blake u n his side came into the mind of this plot-
ting en leman.

‘ Bgy blazes!" he muttered, “I believe that the fel-
low s ke the truth when he. said that he knew noth-
ing w atever about that Miguel Scott, and that he
t0(.k his part merely because he thought that he was
being imposed upon. I cannot see w y he shouldn‘t
be willi to serve me. provided he is well paid for
it, As any y else. I‘ll try him; it will do no harm.“

A horseman—a stranger—riding up the street at-
tracted the alcalde‘s attention, Just then. He was a
tall. well-built man, with a massive face and abig
yellow heard. 6 was dressed roughly, but more
ike a cattle-ma than a miner, and was well armed.
He rode slowly up the street, evidently having just
entered the town, and from the way he looked about
him it was plain that he was in search of some par-
ticular spot. . .

Black ept his eyes fixed u n the man, for the
idfcg‘had entered his head that t e man was in search
0 in. ‘ .

And it reall seemed as if such was the case, for
the moment is tainted upon the of the Al-
calde’s Ranch, his lightened up an he directed
his course straight toward the house.

“ Now who is this fellow, and what does he want?"
the alcalde muttered, a frown on his face. A pre-
senti ent of danger had suddenly seized upon him—-
dame . and from this stranger, in man whom he had
never seen before.

 

 

:v—“fl—~ *

thing could be rightfully raIed a gift—tended to
make him so. In his vision he had blen forewarned
of the advent of the white-faced Fresh of Frisco, for
in the person of Blake he had recognized the man
whose figure had appeared to him when on the Santa
Barbara, hights he had waited for the craft of Sandy
McAlpine to break her bones on the sunken wreck‘
but in the vision Blake had appeared, bearing in hi“
arms the heiress of Buenavvnturn, all dripping wet,
as though at the risk of his life he had p ucked her
from the breaking wav:s; but, so far, nothing had
appeared to connect the careless and daring sharp
in any way whatever with the rl who perished on
the rock-ribbed Californian coas .

As a general thing, too, the moody alcalde's pre-
sentiments seemed to come tolerably true, and so he
yielded almost im licitly to them.

Therefore, as t e stranger rode up to the door.
dismounted and tied his horse pre aratory to enter
ing, the alcalde quickl drew h revolvers from
their holsters and exam ned them; on and charges
all were correct and ready for use; is knife, too
was loose in its sheath and played easily up an)
down; he was ieady to receive his visitor, whethei
he was friend or foe.

The man came stalkin into the room, for he warl
alon -le ed, gaunt so of a fellow, and after ho-
close t e door behind him, he took a good 1001!
around the room, as if to satisfy himself that he and
the alcalde alone occu led the apartment; then he
nodded familiarly to B ke, helped himself to a stod
—chairs were few and far between in the Mohavo
valley——drew it up near to where the alcalde was.
sat down, and gazing in an inquiring sort of way imp
the face of Black, said:

“ You are Alex Black, the Alcalde of Tejon Camp
I take it?" ~

“Yes. sir, that is my name." replied Black, sur.
veying the stranger with an earnest look, and the
impression gaining ground that the man was no
stranger to him, although for the life of him he
couldn’t tell when or where he had met him.

‘ Well, you and I ought to be old acquaintances,
although really believe that this is the first time
that we ever met face to face, though we ma have
:fine so in the old time when Michael Sco t waa

ve."

The name of the old cattle king sent a chill through
the heart of the stern, lawless alcalde. Who was
this man who talked so familiarly of Michael Scott!

“ Your face seems familiar to me, although I can-
not glace you, just at present," Black observed.

“ erhaps we have met although L’don't recall
the instance just now, but I‘m sure you‘ll know in)
name the moment on hear it.“

“Yes. and what your name?"

“ Sandy McAlpine! ‘

If the man had risen and stricken the alcalde in
the face he could not have astonished him more
than he didhy the utterance of the name.

“Sandy McAlpine!" the alcalde cried, in utto
amazement. The sea had given up its dead; th
Santa Maria had broken her bones on the doomed
ship and her timbers had lined the beach, but the
Santa Maria‘s master lived to tell of the dan or
from which he had escaped! Here he was in t e
flesh, literally back from the grave a llvin , breathe
ing man, worth a dozen dead fe ows, Hf ready to
make a bold fight if he had cause for quarrel!

“ You seem astonished,“ uoth Sand ,malicionsly.

“Oh, no; why should I aston ed? I know
nothing of you except that I have heard 'our name
mentioned, and so know that there is we a man in
existence,’ replied the alcalde, with an effort recov-
erin his composure.

“ h you know nothing of me of course!“ cried
McAlpine, in contempt. ‘You and Stuart McKerr
did not plan my death-did not wreck my craft
with the false beacon-light; but both in self and
Barbara Buenaveutum escaped to tell the e."

CHA: TER XXIII.
A saw cnanux'r. -

AGAIN, despite the firm nerves, the alcalde could
not repress a 100k of amazement. Barbara, the
heiress.1hen, had sees as well as this adventit-
er, but wh in the name of all that was wonderful
did McAl me suspect that there was any connection
between imself and Stuart McKerri

“What are you talking about?” cried Black. It
was his gyme always, in this life, to pin a bold
hand. -“ hat have to do with you, or wi h Stuart
McKerr?

“Oh. your bluff ame. won’t work this time!"
McAlpine replied, w th a sneer of contempt. “I‘m
no tool, and I can see as far into a millstone as the
man that cked it. There was a contest between
you and cKerr for the hidden treasures of the
old cattle-king. He dispatched meEufl to secure
the girl and promised me a share of the Spoils. but
while I was gone you and he man ed to come to an
understanding, and the first resut of that under-
standing was to sacrifice my craft, myself and the
girl. Oh! it was a brave trick! McKerr was so
much afraid that some of your spies would discover
that I had the girl on board my craft thathede-
clared I must not land at Buenaventura but at
Santa Barbara instead; .and then too, I must come
in under the shadow of the nig t and cast anchor
in the cove to the north of the town, and he, on the
headland with a li ht, wolfld guide me in. Eternal
tool that I was! might have suspected that if he
cane to any arrangement with you he wouldba
certain to sacrifice bothm self and the irl. I know
an n ly secret or two 3 out Stuart ficxerralso,
and t at was another reawn why it was to his inter
est that I should flnd a watery wave; but,somo
men in this world, like cats, have nine lives, and the
Great Master, who rules all things. did not see fit to
call me to my long reckoning just yet. You wrecked
my craft, thanks to your infernal scheme . and the
ve? in cut I rode onto the old wreck omtho bar
an felt r stranded bones break in the timbers of
my craft, I knew exactly where I was, and re
:l‘lfi nature and extent of the trap into which I had'

en-I! l

“ What utter nonsense is this!” cried the alcalde,
impatiently. “ What on earth have I to do with you
or with Stuart McKerr?"

“ lC’).h}(:'l’hyou were not with him, then, in Santa

 

l

 

 

 

 

/ \“liis‘tgiom‘i 3'." til-.081“ fan continued In
. H  . N

' ' ' 02m Michal Scott the town of Tejon I No childe this stern son of the old scotch land

> actual-t, but. the oid Indian cave in the 1 yield to idh fears; but by nature to wmmly

   “ions; the gift of second-six t—if a

\

  

9 int was well pat, and the alaldo winced r
for; in?an and than-showod his teeth like afwcll.  ‘
Y. i a , . f_ .

  
 

 

 

  
   
   

   

   
 
 

    

 

 

  

 

 

 

1., . :“ "

 

‘ Supposing I was, what of it i" he demanded.

‘ Do rou take me for a fool?” McAlpine retorted.
“’laanli Heaven the perils of wind and wave did not
in! a away my senses! I knew the moment I struck
an the old ship, that I had been betrayed into a
’Mul‘e and I at once set my wits to work to guess
why I had been so betrayed. I stuck the shore
safely 9. mile or two north of the Sand-bal‘,.tll(‘ll
made my way to the town, and, upon inquiring,
learned that you and McKerr had taken breakfast
t tether there that very morning and had ridden
a; ay in company. Of course then the whole matter
was plain to me. I understood that you and McKerr
had patched up your quarrel and resolved to work
in com any rather than against each other, and as
the firs? result I had been cast overboard; but, here
1 am, you see—turned up again like a bad penny,
and I can tell you,.I am resolved to have my share of
the gains of that speculation."

, " reckon that you won‘t get anything out of
.10.” the a do exclaimed, defiantly.

“Oh, we t I?" McAl ine rejoine . “Well, that
remains to be seen. I old the heiress in my pos-
session, and she holds the secret of the hidden treas-
ures of old Michael Scott.”

“ You are playing a hint! game, Sandfi McAlpine !"
the alcalde «led, “but you’ll find that am as ood
at that as you are. The heiress is not alive; 0 is
dead. I, in self saw her mortal remains on the
' beach, wait or she had been washed by the waves,
1nd as I came e1(in I drove awayapack of wolves
who had polish bones so neatly that not an
ounce of flesh rcm med.”

“ And how did you know that it was the mortal re-
mains of the heiress, Barbara, that you saw?” de-
mended McAlpinc, shrewdly.

“The bones were there, and plenty of fragments
of a woman‘s dress, and if more proof was wanted
that this body was the body of Barbara, I picked up

I shred of linen with her name on it,” and as he,

completed the speech, the alcalde laid back in his
chair and smiled grimly in the face of the adventur-
er, as much as to say, “ upset this now, if on can!“

‘You were deceived my canny. alcal e i" cried
McAl ine, instantly. “ e wish was father to the
thong i‘.'. The bones you saw belon ed to the sailor
boy who sailed on board the Santa ria with me,
ind the womanly attire that you saw on the beach
was wrested by the waves from the person of the
heiress—b the waves in her desperate struggle to
rain the 2;. 0:0." .

For a moment the alcalde was unled; was there
any truth in this story? Had t e heiress escaped
from the cunningly-devised scheme of destruction
which the banker-merchant of Buenaventura had so
clever] devised? .

' “ We 1, supposing that this is all true," Black re-
marked at last, “ why do you come d tell it to me?
If Stuart McKerr and myself are in cague together,
well be pretty apt to maLe it hot for {on if you

- dare to interfere and attempt to protect t e heiress
from our schemes."

‘.‘ That is exactly the point I am coming to," Me-
Alpino reviled. “ am uite willing to sell out my
share in the matter if a. fair irice be given me.”

“ Oh, you prefer to sell rat ier than to fight?"

“ Yes, very much refer it."

“You‘re a scnsib e man, and you‘ve come to the

fight shop to do business: but first, before we begin
to talk (100‘ t terms I want to be assured that your
«at; i 3 true." . -

ou want to assure yourself that the heiress is
Ili‘yo and that she i; tigder my protection?"

“ ,03Jihat‘s the idea, exactly.“

0-1. that is easy enou h. You will have to see
Italic” about the matterfi presume t?”
“ Undoubtedl . \
“ How soon can you see him?”
ht awa .”
Biff: lane lo‘gked astonished. w
_ wn now' come to see me as i .y
.bout this business,” the alcalde added. pee
, Desiégte the adroit address and cool nerves of the
td 76" flrert he could not prevent a sudden flash of
Hg” {3:111 flufihing his cheeks.

. ‘ 8111; I" 1do noticed". and laughed heartily.

A e cried. you bear my merchant friend
pi Euemvenmm no great amount of good will. I

see.

i uNo. curse hl‘m," med MC“ me fiercely. “I

“ventgndnglig 8111113: MMCKerr {gr the loss of my
er plowed the Ocean" mm was as good a craft as

“And we“. Stuart must make it up to you, you

ess- .
es' lie .°" somebody else " the adventurer re-
lol'wd' o L‘me care I where or from whom the
039,“? Seme%501°ng as Iget my hands upon it.”
I e hryt'l “8 is “8 y0u say, if you have the girl
‘9 you; Ian 8’ find a:1‘9 Willing to betray her to us—
70“ Be 1, 5pm plum}; there is no usein beating
‘bout t e ush in such matters_wh
and ulpon our pay“)ng “hem”
Wm" ‘3'" t9ntalk Wit McKerr a ut the matter,
andbt tg’ t“ W drop in here, so to-night, I’ve no
‘0? a we C?“ come to a s )ee y understanding.”
.ih‘eAEaflfifiii “lube on ban
- ' 0" CAlpine departed He passed
through the door “It , ' .
10%: offl (1013'!) the ’stréelt‘fd hi8 beast, and mounting.
e 8‘ ca ° W“ not idle while this 0 ration was
bemigtzpcompli'hed. He struck his foot sxienartly u n
" 08,0allndspot .m the floor. near his chair, evident y a
con; e ts-rnng operating a bell in anadjoinmg
$333135" Moth:l 1-133“ “muggy the dogr at thle
mOPen andarat ersinal,
i wanhy'mced fellow came hurrying into the apart-

or the service.

Went. His  “’88 an odd mixture of miner and -
e was fully armed, and his face be- j

herdsman.
flayed the rascal in every line,
mhunglt'mggfietl'hehs‘rsgman!" the nlcalde cried.
filmmfiiz inmh the n ow to McAlpine, just. t ien
Tick, '1 to is lair. no matter how farhe goes' 88-
061131“ b‘3Yond the shadow of a doubt who and what
he is, where he has taken up his uartefl. his bus“
mess in this section, and see )art
friends or companions with ii in, or whether he is
here alone.“ ‘
“All ri ht!" the ruan exclaimed. “I'll track
tun as as though he was a fox and I a bound

“wean  tli nonunion, the bot“?
. n o "
' than!!! ‘

l
l

 

.4(

you can de- f

; so long!“ and thh :

saddle: keep out of his sight, but :

cularly, if he. has .

_ The Fresh of Frisco.

 

“ You don’t want him settled, though?" asked the
Mexican, for such he was, tapping the long knife in
his il‘dle significantly.

“ Veil—~m), not at present, Lope,” the alcalde re-
plied, slowly, “although I've no doubt that may
come in time. I desire to see first whether he is
here alone or not.
companion, but I doubt it, and in fact, as I think
the matter over, I am not sure that he said she was
here—this companion is a woman." .

“Suppose he should discover that I was playing
the spy u
matter?” e
his ugly yellow face.

“Oh, Well, in such a case I sup you would
have to protect yourself," the alca de replied, re-
flectively. “We've got about all the men in town

should happen to this stranger, wh , I reckon the
Cam would be able to get along wit out him.”

“ ou wouldn‘t blame me, then?“

“ Oh. no; but I would rather that you should find
out all about him first, if you can."

through the saloon to the back door, sons to gain
the street without being observed by the man he
was about to track.

A gy, wily dog was this same Lope Domas—Lo e,
the exicau, as he was generally called, and as ig
a cutthroat as ever put a knife into a fellow~being.
It was currently e rted and commonly believed
that he Mexican “Scored a life for everyfinger and
toe e essed, and few men were there in Te on
Capt? bold enough to cross this little, wily, yel ow
do when his blood was up and he was on the war-
path; no better tool than he could the alcallle boast
in all the Mohave valley.

“He‘ll give a good account of my bold Sandy."
the alcalde muttered, rising and stretching his gaunt
limbs lazily; “ and now for this bold-spoken sport—
this Jackson Blake; he must yield to my will, or else
I’ll set Lope after him, too."

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
A. “rnssn ” raorosmox.

Buox sauntered out of the saloon and lloceeded
to the door of the little shanty which oined the
Alcalde’s Ranch, and over the door of wb h an ex-
tremely modest sign bore the words:

ALCALnn's Omen.

Unlocking the door, the ruler of 'l‘ejon Camp en-
tered the single apartment contained within the
shanty. It was scantily furnished; in fact, furni-
ture was rett expenswe in the Mohave valley, as
it had to e al transported on mule-back over the
mountains, and the veer plainest article almost cost
its wei ht in old for might, to say nothing of the
i origina cost, store it CO'JI'l be, set .down in the
minin town. The “ oflice " held arude, home-made
desk, hree stools, two large dry—goods xes, with
the top and one Side knock d out, so as to serve for
prisoner and witness boxes, and that was all.

The desk was quite peculiar in one respect; it had
the usual slantin top, and a lace for a drawer, but
no drawer was t ere, nor b there ever been one,
but, in its lace was a shelf where the alcalde, when
holding als, always placed a brace of ready—cock-
ed revolvers and a long, keen-edged hunting-knife,
stout and true enough in its blade, when wielded by
a vigorous hand, to split an inch board in twain.

In this way the ispeiiser of justice for Tejon
Camp always had his weapons handy to his grasp,
prepared for any emergencies, and on mom than
one occasion the articles had been of great service,
for, as C rdinal Richelieu once wisely said: “Despair
sometim turns captives into conquerors," and
more than one bold soul when rudel forced to the
bar of justice and asked why he had red to disturb
the peace of the mining town by wild and unseemly
acts had attempted to answer the accusation by
sla ng the alcaldein cold blood; but the cocked re-
vo ver backed by the iron face of Black, had awed
the on prit to abject submission, although twice the
alcalde had been obliged to shoot the man down in
cold blood, and thus 8 fly end the trial. -

Black seated himse at the table and then eposit-
ed his weapons in their usual places—not hat he
feared trouble with Blake, for he intended to talk
sweetly and mildly to him, understanding that in
this case he hadaparty to deal with upon whom
bent brows and loud-words would have little effect.

The alcalde had made up his mind to attach Blake
to his side if such a thing was ible, and he had
very little doubt that he won d succeed in the at-
tempt, for be reasoned that Blake was too sharp a
. fellow not to know upon what side his bread was

 

buttered.

“Well, one thingJ is certain in my mind,“ the al.
calde muttered; “ 6 either joins my forces or else
I’ll make this town so hot for him that he‘ll find it
s mighty uncomfortable to stay here."

And just as Black gave utteranceto this resolu-
tion, the door opened and the bold face and manly
figure of the Fresh of “Frisco a poared.

“How are e?” be said, wit a familiar nod, clos-
ing the door hind him and takin a quiet survey
of the apartment. “ Ready for usiness, I sup-

so?”
p0“ Yes, sir; sit down and make yourself comfort-

able.‘

Blake he] himself to the stool, and dra it
u to the esk sat down upon it, then rested is
e bow upon the judicial piece of furniture in an ex-
tremely comfortable, but decidedly free and easy

manner.

' The alealde didn‘t relish this sort of thing at all° it
was his habit to awe people and keep them at a” is-
; tance, but this cool and easy son of fortune evidently
v wasn’t that kind of chap at all. To use the common
Westernism, he didn‘t ‘ awe " worth a cent.

Black made a grimace and showed his teeth, as
‘ was usual with him when annoyed, but with a great
i effort be repressede his temper and endeavored to

a (31' agreea, e.

H Well, here I am, on hand,” Blake remarked,
breaking the silence. “although I don’t exactly
: understand the little game. 1 have been accustomed
i to have formal meetings with ma ors, alcaldes
} Judge Lyncbs and other distingu ed officers of
V the various towns that I have visited, but these

interviews to which I refer were always heldujust
MmIMnot, nponmgonivsl.’
I ‘ ' ‘ ‘ :s V  ix
. - 5 r an. 
«In-KW? "  '1
At: a u‘ g. ~51

|
l
|

He says that he has a certain,

11 him, and attempt to be ugly about the :
ruliian asked, With a sinister grin upon 1

now who can make a living here, and ii‘ any accident 1

‘ allalottery. When 1 do business I

“I’ll attend to it," and the Mexican hurried back ;

 

 

~ leave town," and then be

“Well, we are a sort of a peculiar community here,
Mr. Blake,“ the alcalde suggested.

“ Yes, so I have heard, and I may add, so I have
seen, during my brief sojourn in your town; but
towns and camps are about all alike to me,” he add-
ed. “ It don’t make much difference as long as the
general business is good and the dust is panning out
well; if there’s any money in circulation I reckon I
stand a chance to get my share of it as well as the
next man."

. “ How do you propose to acquire that dust?" asked
the alcalde, in an extremely bland way.

“ Playa ker with the men who have got it," re-
plied B ‘e, in the most n‘aitrr-ot-fsct nay.

“ Oh, you don't intend then to o ten a store here
or to invest in an mining s1 eculationt"

“ No, sir; store- ee ing is too confining; it would.
n‘t suit me at all; an then there isn’t the least bit of
excitement about it; and, as for mining, why that's
want a sure
thing, like poker, for instance; put me at a poker
table with the chips going up lively, and I know
exactly where I am."

“ ell, it seems to me Mr. Blake, that you ain‘t
a-going to be much benefit to this hyer Camp," the
slealde observed. .

“ Oh, yes, I‘llbe a. heap! I’ll just help to circu
late the money more than any other man yov’ve got.
in the burg!"

“ No, sir!" Black cried, decidedly, “ we ain‘t g
bit of use for card-sharps of your caliber, in this or
town at all."

“ Ain‘t you a little hasty in your decision .9"

“ No, sir; were got fellows enough of your style h

m but you don‘t know what my style is, et,‘
Blake responded, sweetly and smilin ly. “ Jus give
me a chance, you know. I'll break t ree or four 01.
your first-class card-sharps before I‘ve been in tow:
a week; then they’ll have to clear out and go some
where else, and that will leave plenty of room to.
me, do you see?" ' » , e

“No, sir, I do no " replied the decide, sharply
“ There‘s only one c nce that I can see for a man.
like yourself to remain in town and make a good
thing of it but rhaps you wouldn’t like to accept
it," and Black 3 ot a quick glance from under his
hen? brows at the placid face of the other. '

“ ell, I don‘t know," Blal'e remarked, with Q
sort of a. drawl. “It depends agood deal, I suppose.
upon what it is. I‘m deuced bard up, just now, and
beggars mustn't be choosers, you know."

‘ You understand that 1 rule this town just about
as I like."

“Yes, I’ve heard so,” and there was a fearleelt
expression about the mouth of Blake which did not
please the alcalde at all, and yet, it was nothing at
whiglli‘ becomild take o‘fi't‘ense. d I , n h

‘ e amp is gro ng larger on argera t-
time, and I have trouble sometimes with men whl,
films in and fancy they can run the town as well u

0",

“ Yes I see."

“Well, now, it is necessary for me to have 001
men at my back in the time of trouble, and
what I have seen of on I fancy that you would i!
the bill exactly. I on ‘t mean, you know, to put
you in the ranks, but ive on a command-make

on a sort of chief ofpo co— fact, the second mu,

n the town after myself.” '
“ Exactly."
“ You get my idea?"
6‘  w. H

“ Well, what do you say 9” asked Black, just a it.
tle anxiously.

“ Oh, I ain’t the man at all!”

The alcalde looked disgusted.

“ I never could fight anybodys battles except in
own, and the free ghts nto which any stranger
welcome. If you were to tit a collar on me and
make me anybod ’s do ,_I'd e no good."

“I’m sorry to ear t!" Black exclaimed, “but,
hadn’t you better take time to think the matter
over?”

“ Oh,,I shouldn‘t change a bit if I was to think the
mat over for a month i”

“ ell, I suppose you understand how we rust
things up in this region," and the alcalde to
show his teeth a. little; “any one that is not or no
is ag’in’ me, and I‘m a right-up—snd—down man.
hel my friends and strike my foes.”

‘ t‘s natural, and as for me, I pla alone had,
alcalde, but every time I back it w th my llfoi'
Blake rose slow to his feet as he spoke and than
was a light in his clear blue eyes which made the
alcalde quail, master thorgh he was of Tejon Camp.

At this point the door of the shanty was thrown
violently open and an excited msn rushed in.

“ Whar are 9, Black?" he cried. “There‘s a'
woman saw —a regular critter, and she's a play-
actress too, and is gwine to gi’n us a. showli'

. CHAPTER XXV.
'rin: STRANGE wens.

Bun: took advantage of the interruption to.
esca further conversation with the alcalde.

“ ell, so—long alcaldei See you again befon I
sauntered out through the
open door into the street. Black glared after him
with an angry face; he realized that he had utterly

ailed; he could not use the Fresh of Friscosss

“Well, well," he muttered, between his firm-set
teeth “ since you want war on shall have it, and I
will ke care to make it -hot, too. Before on
are many days older you will and that it was rat or
a foolish act to come right into Tejon Camp and at

tern t to brave Alex Black!”
“ y alcaldel" cried the im tient manager
on had not ex tar:

astonished that his‘communic
more attention for women were few and for
tween in the ohave valley, “how about the she.
critter, eh?" i,
“ What did you say—a woman?"
“You, sir-cc, boss-fly! and, oh! ain’l'she a. m—
I‘

“What does shownnt hefil" cried the slcalde.

' “Women are no benefit to the. Camp; the men

ticoats were here

always t to fighting about diam' the asttwo tr
a dozen good men £3-
llv‘es store I ran them out of town.” ‘ ‘ ~ .

daisysin‘t common . up?»
hot authoritatmmfomrr ‘ Y ’ .
. I; a” ‘

 

   

2: 2m- -'

l; in! 
» .1), _ V

l o
 '

$5.35 ‘1

,m _'\

2‘ ,‘.' irr-

   
      
    
     
     
 
 
     
  
 
 
    

32¢:

’1:

ft

mine n
m.

 

 

 

   

assertion. He was retty well aware of the kind of
women that the miners in the mountains looked

n as an els. This new-comer was probany a
“me better- ooking—a little better dressed than he
rest of the wandering sisterhood of vultures, who,
for the sake of the golden dust that the patient
miners wrested from the bosom offlold mother
nature, dared the rils of the mountain region and
lie wild life of the rontier.

“The better-looking she is. and the smarter, the
more dangerous,“ Black observed, sourly. It was
no easy matter, as it was, to kee the turbulent

irits who dwelt in the valley un er control, and

nine fair frail ones brought disorder in their
tra n.

"0h alcalde this one is a cut above the common
PI!) of em, I tell ye!“ the minor declared with fluent
force. “ 0h, she‘s a hull team with a big dog under
the wagon! I met her as she rode into the Cam
and she smiled at me as pert and as chippy as a h_
row of squirrels. ‘This ischon Camp? she said,
'Yes, marm, it are.‘ I 'lowed. ‘What is the best
hotel in the Campl‘ ‘The Alcalde‘s Ranch, right
down the street, thar,‘ and I pointed out your
shant to her. And then she said, ‘Won‘t you
have kindness to show me thar?’ Wal, I ‘lowed
(could; and so we come up the street together, and
on the way she axed me if thar had ever beena
theater show in the town, and I told her that thar
never had, nor any theater-actors either, although I
had seen some once at Los Angeles when I were
over thar. And then she u and told me as how she
was a theater-actress an she had been advised by
her friends to come over the mountains and vs the
boys a few shows in the minin camps. Wa —I told
her how in my opinion. this yer Camp war jest
ripe for sich a thing and that she could make big
money if sheigot the thing started right." _

“ She‘s in the hotel, now?" Black asked, his curl
unit rather excited by the recital. ‘

“6h es: our tnmblcr-juggler laid himself out

' to do theyhan some thing by her, and I reckon that

he‘s stowed her away in the best room that you’ve
got- in the shanty:
“I suppOse t t I had better go and seethe wo-

“ 0h, she ain‘t no common woman—she‘s a lady,
the is, eve inch of her!“ the miner declared.

. Black loo ed a little incredulous, but he contented
aimself with simply nodding; then he looked up the
office and roceeded at once to the hotel. '

The bar- 'ee r—the tuinbler-juggler, as them ner
had termed him, Black found to be equally im ss-
ed with the new—comer, and he describet her
charm: in glowing terms; and the alcalde really
began to be anxious. If she was going to lay the
mischief with the men in this way, and h a mind
to be trOublesome, there was no te ling into what an
uproar she mi ht set the Camp.

Black thong it that he had better see her at. once
and satisfy h mself in regard to the danger to be an-
ticipated. So he made his way to her room and
knocked at the door. .

A clear, full, womanl voice, rich in music, bade
him outer, and at once e obeyed the command, to
and himself in the presence of a tall,ilnely-forrned

irl, with a wonderful! beautiful, olive-hued face.

6 was dressed vcry inly in a traveling costume

‘ which showed evident traces of the long and fatigu-

ad risen to receive her visitor, and Black,

or once in his life, taken completely b surprise,

felt a little ill at ease in the presence of t s charm-
ing creature.

He had not expected to behold anythin of this
kind at all. He had looked to see a mi die-aged
woman, somewhat the worse for wear, and had not
calculated upon being received by a young and
beautiful girl, hardly out of her teens, and as fresh
in her fair young beauty as a newly-plucked moss-

I068.

No wonder that the miner was astonished—no
Wonder that the level-headed bar-keeper, whom
long experience in dealing with all sorts of men, on
bibulous refreshment intent, both with money and
without, had rendered unnaturally shrewd and suspi-
cio was at once “ taken into camp " by the charms
of t strange woman.

The girl fixed inquiring eyes upon the alcalde, and
he, in a measure recovering from his surprise, saw

he was called upon to explain the reason of his
visit.

“ Beg your pardon, miss," he said, “ but learning
of our arrival here I felt that it was my duty to
calf upon you, seeing that you are a stranger to our
town. My name is Black—Alexander Black—and I

in joum over the mountains.
f The girfii

am the alcalde of this town."

“ I am glad to meet you, Mr. Black," she respond-
ed. and in a most charming manner she brought a
chair to him; “ please be seated."

“Thank you, miss " he said, acce ti the chair,
gratin himself, and all the while east ng hise es
on the young beauty of her almost matc ess

ace

“As the alcalde of the tOWn," he continued, “I
came to bid you welcome to our Camp, and to see if
there was anything that I could do to make your
stay pleasant while you remained with us."

‘ I am ve much obliged, indeed, and feel really
grateful for t is kind interest in a stranger."

“ Oh don‘t mention it, miss!" the alcalde hastened
to rep y. ‘OA stranger and a lady are two strong
claims upon my attention."

“I have come to your town partly on a profes-
Aonal tour and partly on pnvate business. I am an

act

“ So I have been informed.“

“ I was obliged to crass the mountains otreidprivate
business, and some of my friends 3 es that I
in ht as well make my trip a pro table one by
gi a series-'of entertainments at the principal
min cam . -.‘ '

“ {Ange eggellent idea, and I’ve no doubt that you
will find t a very roiitable one; at least I feel sure
that I can answer or this town. I‘ve no doubt that

on can pack the largest room that we have in the
at a dollar a head." .- ‘

“I? it would not be asking too much for you to
some gentleman whom I could rely upon to
, arrangements; of course I
be to allow him a liberal salary,” she

look in her  

. beautiful
trams

. a, c

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

t “tBlllt I cou-ldn’t think of troubling you I" she pro-
es 8( .

“ Oh, it‘s no trouble at all.”

“ I‘m sure I shall never be able to repay you, nor
to forget your kindness.“

- “ Don't mention it. I beg."

The alcalde was wonderfully gallant for a man of
his stern and iron-like nature, but, to relate the ex-
act truth, the alcalde had become infatuated at the
first glance with this level creature; his was not a
nature to yield idlyto su( den ion, but when
such a man does allow the wi d impulses of his
heart to have full sway, then, as a general rule, he
yields to absolute mastership).

“And you have private usiness in this region,
you Ysay, riniss?" the alcalde queried.

“ es s r."

“ Perhn. s I can be of service to you there, also?"

“ Oh, I on‘t doubt that you can, sir, if you would
care to take the troub ."

“No trouble at all!"

“It is connected with mining matters; if you
are an old resident of this region perhaps you will
know something about it. I suppose of course that

on thave heard of the old cattle king, Michael

‘  '9"

For a moment the alcalde stared in utter amaze-
ment; siran e how for the past few years the
memory of his old master was brought back to him.

“ Oh, yes," he said, after quite a pause, “I knew
old Michael Scott very well indeed. was in his em-
ploy once."

“Well, I ought to be acquainted with him, too,
although I never saw him," she remarked. “ He
was a sort of relative of mine." ' e »

“Indeed!” and Black fully looked the astonish-
ment he felt. ~_

“ Oh, yes. I married his son.” ‘ '

“What?” cried the alcalde, in utter amazement,
“you married his son 1'“

“ Yes,” and the girl looked surprised that the ap-
parently innocent remark should have such an effect
upon her visitor. .

“ His son!“ the alcalde repeated.

“ Y , his son—Mi uel Scott."

“Mi uel Scott! 0 yes; I’ve. heard of him "'and
the alcalde, althou h in a fever of impatience,
strove to a pear - in. “And where is your hus-
band now?‘

“ Oh, he‘s dead, sir."

“ Dead?" Here was another surprise.

“ Yes; he died in San Francisco about a ear ago,
and as he left me totally unprovided or I was
obliged to go on the stage in order to supportm -
self ' but my husband, just before his death, tod
me that there was a large amount of mom: in this
re ion belonging to him, coming from his fa her the
ol cattle king, and. that if anything happened to
him I must come'in search ofit."

. CHAPTER XXVI.
'rns Anvnsmsak; PLAN.

Tm: alcalde was decidedlmerplexed- this dis—
closure was entirely nuex ec . le had felt con-
vinced that the young Ca ifornian was Miguel Scott
in disguise, and now 10, and behold! up starts his
strange girl who dec ares that she was the wi e of
Miguel Scott and that Mi el Scott is dead.

Rapidly Black reflect upon the situation; was
this new event in his favor or otherwise? Most cer-
tainly it would be more apt to advance his chance of
securing the buried treasures than retard it; but,
was the girl well informed of all the circumstances?
"A series of skillfully-put uestions no doubt would
put him in ssession of all he facts in the case. »

“No don t you have noticed that Iseemed sur-
prised when I learned ‘our name," Black observed.

“ Yes, sir; I noticed t e fact." ,

“I was your grandfather’s right-hand man, in the
old time, and pretty well informed in regard to all
his affairs; your husband, his son, I never saw: but
a youth, a Californian, appeared in the Camp yester-
day; he took pains to conceal his name, and from
the m sterious way in which he acted it was gener-
ally be eved that it was young Miguel Scott."

‘ Oh no sir," the girl declared, tlvely; “Mig-
uel Spott dead; there is not the east doubt in the
world in regard to it, and when in trunk comes—it
is on its way, by express—I will s ow you a scrag
cut from one of the San Francisco news pers wit
the date of his death and the notice of t e funeral.“

The tone of the 3 er carried conviction with it;
but, if the you ‘alifornlan was not Miguel Scott,
and he strongly eclared that he was not, who then,
in the name of wonder was he? and what was he
doing in Tejon Cam ? reflected the alcalde, and
the more he thong t about the matter the renter
he was puzzled. But, one thing was certain, hough
—aifairs now looked much better for him than they
had. Thisgirl was the undoubted heir to old Scott
hidden treasure; true, the other girl, Barbara we
in the land of the living—that is, if any reliance
could be placed upon Sandy McAlplne‘s statement,
but what of that? the adventurer and his profegee
could be easily removed from the ath; the road to
fortune was open. Wh should e not tread it in
company with this beau iful ri who had sosudden-
ly ox unexpectedly ap ret u n the scene! The
sch e was worth the rial an the dark and plot-
ting alcalde determined to win the girl if he could
an the hidden treasures along with her.

“I think I know something about the matter to
which your husband referred “ he said. “It was
common] reported, and re ly believed. that old
Michael tt, just before his death, hid away in
some secure nook in the ,mountains quite a large
sum in gold and precious stones.“

“ Yes, a secret cache."

, " have searched for it and without avail."
‘ “Ah, t was because they did not possess the
claw to the hiding-place of the treasure."

“ And you have a claw?" exclaimed the alcalde,

eagerl .
‘ I think that I have, but I am not quite sure."

“ ggu can easily ascertain, though ’

u ' es."

“ We , you shall have all the aid that I can give
you, and, although I say it, who, rhaps, should
not, yet there’s not a man in this v ey can aid you
as well as I." _ -

“ I can  believe that sir.” -

.For a half an cur-lo r, theinterview odntinued;

 

come n was of little importance,
though, not worth detailing; and 'the alcalde

  

 

withdrew feeling sure that a? last he was on the
right road to prospe ty.

And now, for a wh ie, we will leave the alcalde and
his plhns, and follow the progress of the adventurer,
Sandy McAlpine.

After the interview with Black. Sandy mounted
his beast andvode away, his heart filled with bitter

rs e.

ficAlpine had pin a bold me and so fhrhe
had been successt . He had eceived Black when
he had declared the girl, Barbara, had escaped
from the wreck. In reality he did not know of his
own knowledge whether she had esca or not.

On the night of the wreck the moment the Santa
Maria impaled herself on the sha bones of the
stranded ship, McAlpine, at the he m, was thrown
violently forward by the shock and a huge wave,
sweeping over the vessel at that moment, swe him
away like an idle straw on its crest; but the tch
adventurer was an excellent swimm, and being'
well a nainted with the set of the currents on that
coast, slowed the tide to bear him onward at its
own sweet will, merel using his hands and feet
sufficiently to keep his ead ab0ve water; and, so, in
time the waves landed him on the shore, some two
miles north of where the ship had struck.

McAlpine's story of the escape of the girl was
merel a bold and clever device to learn why he had
been ecoyed into the ve jaws of death by the dc.
struction of the Santa aria, lured on by the fail.
beacon light. .

In Santa Barbara, the day after the wreck. he had
learned that Stuart McKerr had been seen in the
town, in company with a tall, raw-boned red-bearded
man; this answered the description 0 Alex Black,
the alcalde of Tejon Camp, exactly, and McAlpine
suspected at once that in some mysterious way the
two men had come together, and that 'he had been
sarciilced to seal the bond of union be ween them.
Hence his visit to TeJon Camp and t e cg ning
device by means of which he learned the (rut . He
had sought the merchant, McKerr, at his place of
business in Buenaventura, determined to force him
to a reckonin , and there had learned that MCKCH'
had gone to t e mountain mines on business. The
adventurer suspected instantly that he had gone to
Tejon Camp, to see Black, and had followed in pur~

suit. -

“It is as I thought,"he muttered as he rode down
the street; “ that internal scoundre , McKerr, havin
come to an understanding with Black, coolly plann
the death of both mysel and'the 'rl. Poor childl
her fofibodings were correct enoug ; she said that,
instead of a welcome, she expected to find a grave
in‘this strange land, and so it roved: but I escaped,
and now, if I don’t make cKei'r pa wall for his
treachery, tl’ m name is not Sandy cAlpine.” ._

The Scotchman ad laid his Plans well. McKerr ‘
had departed that morning to v sit a new discovery
in one of the mountain lches justrabove the. town,
where the nature of t e ore rendered machinery
necessa , and the owners of the claim were anxious
to get merchant to take an int t in the
“ strike," and advance -the use unds to put
up the “ stamps " to work the ore. Asihe mine was
only a little way from the town the merchant had
mounted his horse and rode off unattended. McAl—
pine knew that he would probably return to the
town about noon, and so, after satisfying himself
that his surmise in 're ard to the merchant‘s
treachery was correct,
McKcrr as he returned.

McAl ine was one of those man -sided men who
are in y at home almost everyw ere, and he was
equally as good a mountaineer as he wasa sailor;
so he selected an ambush with the eye of a bri and.

He concealed his horse in the hen borin th cket
and then he crouched down behin a p e tree,
revolver in hand.

And .so it happened that when Stuart McKerr
came ridinglalong, the reins loose u n the horn of
his saddle. is note-book and pencil n hand, and he
bus ' in thinning up the prospective routs of the
mil which e thou t of putting up in t e mountain

lch, he was mos wonderfully and woefully aston-
shed by McAlpine, darting out upon him from
behind the ins tree, like a hawk pouncing upon a

be] less chic 'en.
.voiver in h the wen n cocked and leveled,
tlgféfil ine appe before be amazed and discom-

nker like an unquiet spirit from the silent
tomb.

1‘1?l this case Davy Jones’s locker had not held its
v c m.

The very last man in all this world that Stuart
McKerr expected to see was Sandy McAl inc.

“ Come, dismount, partner; we vs a lit is business
to talk over, and we couldn’t have a better opportu-
nity l“ the assailant cried.

‘ Sandy McAlpine!" McKerr exclaimed.

“ Yes or else his ghost from the bosom of the
Pacific, ‘the other responded; “ but, whether Iam
ghost or human, it matters not; you’ll find mea
pret‘ta’ hard customer to deal with.‘

“ hat do you want with me 2"

“Light down and then you'll learn. Come, h
up! for I‘m in no mood for loitering. I give youf
warning that I am in dead earnest and if you air
tempt to trifle with me in any way, '11 put a bullet-
ihrough you with as' little ceremony as though you
were a prairie wolf.”

McAipine meant it and the merchant understood
from the determined look in the eyes of his assailant
that if he rovoked him, he would be as good as his
:dord; so, owiy and neluctantb' McKerr dismount--

)3 resolved to waylay

“ Tie your horse 1" McAlplne commanded.

The merchant obe ed.

f‘ Now, then, here 5 a draft for five thousand dol—
iar; fiynble at your banking~house to In order,"
and cAlpine tossed the draft down at en’s
feet. “Have the kindness to write your name at
the bottom of it!“ And from one of his pockets the
adventurer’took a pen and a little bottle of ink. He
was amply prepared for every emergency.

“ Five thousand dollars!” cried cherr, aghast at.
the sum.

" Yes, five thousand!"

“ But to give you such a sum as that l—forthin
draft with m - name at the bottom of it will be culi-
ed immedia ely if you present it at my not.
Buenaventura. ’ ‘

     

   
 
 

"n. :.«.-.. .  ~.:  ‘. .-

f

V a.

" . gawk
,. .

  

 

 

 

 

/"
,2
“Than-exactly whuloxpect," [mm

 

rear .2; 3% £5: ll

sire an?

. Jig—J AMAA

_ n

          

   
 

‘33 3‘3. 8'"

v—w-nvuwflfaofl 

 

41.

 

 

   
 
 
   
    

The ' Fresh of Frisco.

 

.15

 

I

“But this is sheer robbery; it is an outrage!"
McKerr exclaimed, trembling with excitement and

fi Oh, and when you lured me to death and wreck-
ed my little craft, about all that I had in the world,
first was not an outrage, eh?"

“I am in your p wer now, but some day my turn
will come! ' the merchant declared, purple with

e.
nfil am quite willing to let the future take care of
itself so longas the present works well for me. Come,

n I”

And then came a sudden change in the scene; a
dark form bounded from the underbrush and fiung
Itself upon McAlpine.

CHAPTER XIVII.
TURNING rs: rm.

Wrrs the spring of a tiger the unknown amailant
lhad leaped upon the adventurer, and stout Sandy
McAlpine despite his great strength, was taken at
.a fearful van e.

The merchant o Buenaventura, too, was also
prompt to act, and being a man of large and muscu-

r frame almost a match for McAlpine at any time,
.he prov to be of no mean assistance to the other.

In a second after the newocomer attacked the ad-
venturerin the rear, McKe‘rr grap led with him in

m

and ‘s d te struggl h mi tk‘lo’bdesp‘lti‘t
y espera es, e was u 0 re

to the und, and then, when thii fgat wigs acggm-
plisbetflgith a dexterity due to lo

ng and constant
practice, the new-comer whipped

 

out a lariat and

skillfully trussed McAlpine hand and foot, and so

tightly and artistically was this job performed, that,

w on t was concluded the adventurer was racti-

cally as helpless as a c lid in the hands of h foes,

ex to a terrible fate indeed if they chose to
push their advan . '

McAl ine conquered, the two victors stood up-
right, row a long breath and locked down in tri-
=um h upon their prey.

e merchant had at once recognized the Mexican,
for it was the cutthroat hull of Tejon Cain who

come so opportuner to s assistance. 0 al-
calde had not neglected to introduce his best bravo
to the merchant. _

“Now then,'8andy McAipine I fancy that the sit
;ilaition ll: somewhat changed!" McKerr exclaimed, in

um

“ I was foolish to have given you a sin is chance
for our life!“ the adventurer retorted b tterly: “ I
0112 t to have settled my account with you With a
well~almed bullet the moment I saw on.“

“ Ohoi“ McKerr cried, “ is that what you think? By
the faith that is in me, Sandy‘McAlpine, I think that
With Our own lips, you have sealed your doom 1'"
And hen he turned to the Mexican. “ How did it
happen that on came as you did? Was it accident
0" design? y all that is lucky but you came at the

- lit moment, for the fellow had me foul!"
Orders,“ raplied the cutthroat, laconically.

“ h. We, 0 era!“ cried the adventurer, in anger
Orders from your ally, the black-hearted alcalde 0
"Jon Camp, and, like a fool, I never suspected that

he would put a watch 11 11 me, although I might

ha‘ye known that he woul ."
You are not a wise man to walk into the licn’s
den. take him by the beard and then think no evil con-

“iluences won (1 follow the rash act," the merchant

remarked. “What were the orders regarding this

fellow?" he asked, ain addressin the Mexican.
To follow him— nd out where e went and who
he had with him, for he said that a woman accom—
nied him."

“Aha!” cried McKerr, abruptly, “that was your
fame. 0h?" The merchant, a shrewd and crafty
Rbtter himself, at once  to the other‘s plan.

You pretended that ra Scott had escaped

in the wreck and you came here to see how much
money on could extort out of us. Oh, it was a bold

Me: i: it has failed, and now I am master of

w;.fate. Come, what have you to say for your-

The adventurer scowled, but would not gratify his
enemy with a rep

“

l .
Killed at eve point, and now your

But u have
life is at “is i“ the mere ant continued, in tri-
“ dy cAlpine, is there an reason in the

wo why I should spare you, now t at I hold you
helpless in my power?”

‘go on with your work, and don‘t waste your
breath, McAlpine retorted, impatiently; “you may
need it some day to cool your port-i e."

What were the orders, in a to this man‘s
life? the merchant asked of the 
he was ugly," the cutthroat an-

To kill him
"GM. as as careless] as tho h be referred
toua rabb t rather than to aiiyiman beui8

Well, then Iyou might as well settle him at once
and so save a further trouble " McKerr remarked,
t" refiectingfor a moment regard to the mat-

The Mexican took his revolver from his pocket
Iitclgoung suspendfide‘ftflllieishside and cockdxngrtlhe
a rose e ess man 0 er
to make maniacal-tam. M
to his iron will and his cool nerves the sweat-
m to oose out on the forehead of the adven-
. ndy McAlgfe had seen the dark angl‘of
death prett close him quite a number of as
fixing his ife of adventure, but never nearer than
“ All read ," said the bravo, takln deliberate aim
at the head of the prostrate man, t e muzzle not a
yfiyli’lflilofi’lh‘m. d 0d b sand
, on, an go - y, t McAl inc!" cried
are merchant. y p
Mexican obeyed on the word, but there were
M reports instead of one, the first a moment quick-
or then the second.
Wonderful was the result.
A new-comer had turned the bend in the trail, a
feet off, just at the moment when the iner-

undead
chant had given the command to fire, and, unobserv-
ed by all the actors in the tragic scene, hall immedi-

‘ ater taken a hand in the aifa .

He perceived that murder was in the air and at
Onoc- took action. He was resolved at all hazards
and at all risks, if he could, to prevent the perpetra-

of the bloody deed.

‘Eh W shot; ashlgxican‘s the sssgngk the

IQ. aimed, loody design, e
h a: - new-corner, with a

'~. s

adventurer,

     

 

uick, snap shot, fired apparently without the fcnn- 1
glity of aim bein taken at all, had struck the revol~ .
ver from the ban of the cutthroat, the shock acting i
upon the Mexican like a shock from a galvanic bat- {
te , almost rendering helpless his strong, cunning ‘,

i
l
I

' t arm.
nfi‘he timely bullet saved the life of the bound and
helpless man, for the bullet of the bravo, diverted ,
from its course by the. wonderful shot, sped away a
harmless through t e air.

"Hallo! what are you about?" the new-comer
cried, the moment he fired, advancing rapidly wrth
outstretched weapon, fully master of the situation.

“Bel i help!" exclaimed McAl ine; "these men 1
intend murder me in cold bl -." .
By this time the Mexican had recovered from the i
effects of the sudden shock which the stranger had i
so unceremoniously bestowed upon him, and, with a E
muttered curse, he sprung toward his revolver, but i
the stranger was on the alert and with a warning
word be halted the cutthroat.

“ Hold on!" he cried, imperiously, “don't touch
that we‘pon‘ or I shall be compelled to bore you i"

The tone of the stranger‘s voice perfectly satisfied
the Mexican that the speaker would be as good as
his word; and then, too, the new—comer was no
stra er to him, although he was to the merchant
who never had the pleasure of making his

naintance.
e new—comer was Jackson Blake, the Fresh of

Frisca

With that remarkable spirit of interference which
was so strong in his nature, Blake no sooner looked
upon the scene than he w impelled to come tothe
rescue of the man, who, und and helpless upon
the ground, was at the mercy of the others.

The merchant glared in anger when he saw the
Mexican halt so promptly at the call of the new-
comer. He knew nothing of Blake—nothing what--
ever of the Fresh of Frisco 3 wonderful skill with all
sorts of wea as he had no idea that it was the
stranger‘s skillfully-aimed ball which had stricken
the revolver from the hand of the Mexican; on the
contrary, he had fancied that Lope had careless]
missed the almost certain shot and had dfillglped h s :
weapon in disgust, and so the wily Mc err, loth
to give up his rey, now so secure in his power,
showed a rave mat to the stranger. ‘

His revolver was out and sohe instantly ‘_‘ covered " 3
the bold intruder with it, an operation which did not 3
seem to trouble Blake in the least, for he held his
weapon at the level of his waist and made no attempt >
to repeat the other‘s threatening gesture.

“Be oil! with you and mind our own business!"
the merchant cried, loudi . “ y do you thrust
yourself into a quarrel w ich can have no possible ;
interest to you?" :

"Oh, it‘s a way I have,“ Blake replied, in his
eas , careless manner, which was so deceptive, and
Which so generally led strangers into a wrong V
impression.

‘ Well, it‘s a way that you had better et out of!"
cried McKerr, arrogantly. He fancied hat he had
measured his man, and that, awed by his bold front, ‘
the stranger was, to use the mountain phrase,
beginnin to “take water."

‘ Oh, gut I ailili’ti cu know," Blake retorted,
rathereno ngt e c e.

“You l’iatyiibetter; you may interfere in a quarrel
that will cost you dear!"

“ This one, perhaps, eh i“ asked Blake, in a ban-
teri tone.

“ es, this one, and if you‘ll take my advice you'll
travel out of this about as fast as your legs can

 

ca on.”
EZn’d supposing I don’t choose to travel, what
hen?“
cried McKerr angrily; “why then

"What then?"
I’ll give your friends, if you have any. a first-class
chance to provide a tip-top funeral for you."

“ Hal hai“ Blake laughed, merrily, for the idea ‘
struck him as being a comical one, “ ou’ll provide a
funeral for me, eh? I hope that you give me time
to get ready."

‘ Come, be off with you; I am tired of talking!"
McKerr commanded.

“ Well. sto talking then and act a little." .

“ You fool do you want me to murder you in cold i
blood?”

“ You murder me? Oh, nonsense L" was Blake's
cool rejoinder.

 

CHAPTER XXVI“.
a ram PROPOSAL.
FOR a moment McKerr stared in amazement; to be
thus defied by a man comtplggilly in his power and at
6

his mercy was really won . ‘
“Wh , you impudent scoundrell" he cried, in a i
e, “haven‘t you got cps? Can‘t on see ata ;
lance that I ho d your life in the very ollow of my ‘
iand i"

“No, I can’t see it, and Ivery much doubt that
such is the case."

“WhyI have you now ‘covered‘by my weap- -
on—f'

"And the hammer down," Blake interrupted
ulckly “while my revolvers are self-cockers an
they only uire a single pull to both raise the ham-
mer and let oose the charge. Now calculate how
many shotsIcan fire while you are cocking our ,
pistol and see how much chance you have. hy, 1
you agidioti Icould put three balls at least into

you ore ou couldcockyour istcli"

For the rst time the mere ant comprehended
that he had mistaken the man, and that the stranger
real] held him at a terrible dismlvantage.

“ ow, then,“ Blake continued, “I propose to sit
in jud merit in this case. Idon't know anything
about the merits of this quarrel at all and sol am
well qualified to givea most impartial opinion. At

resent you’ve got this man foul, and,.if I'm any
fudge of signs, IYou Were going to send him either to

seven or to t e other place withamighty short
shrift, when I appeared u II t _e scene."

“He attem ted my li e!“ cried McKerr, hastily,
“and swore t at he would kill me if I didn‘t sign a ‘
check for five thousand dollars!"

“ Stran er, I call upon you to give me a fair show '
for m fife!" McAlpine exclaimed, eager, like a I
grow ng 'man, to clutch at any straw that promised :

o )e.

‘ You shall have it, sir," Blake re lied, with a .

courteous bow. “ I give cu in word or that; You

MMall of youtatl Moth-testim-
 . t 4“ l  “r  
‘ .1? — “ #_ r ‘ 3,51. "

pmaigtial and upri ht judge that ever heard a 

i of this man, 1 will surrender my life, without a

. to the matter?"

i and myself are bitter enemies; the'fortune of war
. and

‘ “there‘s no telling but what t may come handy

: come afterward -I suggest that we all

,‘ money or my life when my friend yonder happened
1 between us we overpowered this scoundrel and, but
Mag h

 

   
   
 
 
    
    
   
    
    
   
   
    
 
  
   
  
  
 
  
  
    
  
    
    
 
   
  
   
   
     
  
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
 
   
   
   
  
    
   
  
 
 
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
     
   
 
 
 

hyar golden nd.
“ I am satisfied to abide h your decisicnl"»'the ad-
venturer cried, quickl '. “ f after hearin \hecase
you decide that I oug t to meet death at e hands

single ap l for mercy l"
“ He ks fair enou h 2" declared Blake, add”.-
ing the merchant; “ w t have you to say in regard

it

should I submit my rrels to r ju
ment?‘ McKerr demanded, figs "ms 11?:
has ven him into m hands; I have cverpowered
. und him—his li e is mine; why then should-I
give him another chance simply at your bidding?"
I“  you anaetJm tqfone and that aintfail'
pa ." erespon . “ youweremantcman.
an you had overcome him in a fair fight, why then
it would be a different matter; to slay a man in the '
heat of passion, with the red riot of rage hot in Our
brain, is one thin ; but to kill a foe in cold
and he disarmed and be] less at your feet, is
guite another. brave man wi kill his enem in a
air and open fight, but none‘ but a cow our
will murder a man with cool deliberation, as you
two were about to do when chance brought me upon
the scene; but, we‘figoing to have a fair trial now.
Untie that man!" command was addressed to
the Mexican, and was enforced by an extremi 1y sig
nificant motion with the revolver.

The cutthroat glanced at the speaker for a momen
his countenance dark with rage; then he looked
the merchant as if to ask his advice, but McKerr.
astounded at the cool bravado of Blake, was unwill
ing to bring on a conflict with him. .

“ Come, come hurry up; l’m not a particular

.atient man, and it worries me to be kept waiting!
as: simmer-.“Reisgimwr
o t ay t t ug

“But I protest againstlghis interference l‘
chant cried.

“Protest all you like, if it will ease your mind
any,“ Blake retorted. “ I'll give you about one
minutchjust about the time it takes me to count tea
to release that man, and if he is not free at the end
of that time I shall consider that the war has hm
and I shall go in to ‘salivate ’ both of you tcthe
of my abilit .

The merchant and the Mexican exchanged glance!
—— lances full of baffled hate and impotent rage.

‘ Now — fair warning —— one—two -— three -— four-n
flvfi—N 81 h k began

nconsciou y t e voice of the spea or to
deepen and the peculiar glitter, so ominous of danger,
to appear in his eyes.

The cutthroat hesitated no lo r; be kneltb the
side of the prostrate man and w th his long, g tter-
ing knife cut the strong lari‘at that so securely fet-
tered his limbs.

50  I”

Clear and distinct came the word from Blake's lips,
but with the utterance, up to his feet rose Bandy
McAl ine, a free man once again. '

“ ck up your weapon, stran er," Blake ordered:

once, or
you t"
the men

afore you get thro h with this b 'er matter.“

The revolver h been fo from McAlpine‘s
grasp during his desperate stru is with his assail-
ants, but he was quick to obey ie command.

“ And now, entlemen, since we are going to have
a trial instead of a fight—although the fight may

pu up our

weapons, and then no one of us will have an advan-

t e over the other " Blake remarked.

lowly and suueniy McKerr thrust his pistol bait

into its pocket, then Blake replaced his revolvu- t
his belt, as he announced:

“The court is open, and the judge is ready to do
his duty without fear or favor, so spit out your
stories. First and foremost, I want all to under
stand that I‘m going to be. just as impartial a man i!
this hyer case as ou could scare u clean from "I.
Mexican line to t e Golden Gate. don‘t know any:
thing about anv cfflyou—never set eyes on you tw s
princi parties, though I have had the leasuis
of see this gentleman before," and he wed to
the Mexican with as much ceremony as tho he
had been the greatest man in the land. “I’ give

on a good, square judgment, for of course I‘ve not

he s htest possible interest in your uarrel."

“ h man attempted in life!" cKerr cried,
angrily. “He hid himself hind atree and then
jumped out into the trail with drawn revolver and
took me at a disadvantage. He swore that he’d take
my life unless I signed a check in his favor for five
thousand dollars."

“ Well, he did strike you pretty heavy," Blake
commented.

“He had me in his power, and it was either ing-

to arrive, and he at once‘came to my assistance. and

for your interference, his soul would be
the flames below by this time.“
“ The old fliman down-stairs will hold a

swat me, I resume, for interfering," B
o rvedhjocosely. p

“ Now ear my side of the sto i“ Mcupine inter-
. “I did waylay and sees this In
as he has stated; to explain the reasohnitwillbe
necessa for meto late quiteastory."

“Go cad, sir," lake said, with a polite bow:
“thisnhyer court has got gobs of time atitsdiso

posal.

“To n at the befiuinin : this man andIar.
old acqua ntances, and ve one much busine. to-
gether. He is Stuart McKerr, the merchant-banker
of Buenaveii' ura, and I am Sandy Meal ine, former
1y master of the sloop Santa Maria. man em-
ployed me and my craft in Sin ling operations
for which the law would gri “Elem smartly if I
chose to play the informer; t at is one reason why
he wants me out of the way; as ion as I live I am a
standing menace to him. Lately eem loyed me
on a peculiar mission. I was dispatcth yhknin
my sloop to .San‘ Francisco to brings girl to Mia
Barbara. This girl by name Barbara scott, was the
holiestgd to oldh cilxilateill Scott‘s hidden treasures
secre . somew ere esemountains. Poaaibi; w ‘
have heard of old Michael Scott the cattlevking 

it.

Blake nodded: was very much inm-
now (1 still mox astonished, for flifl

 '00 y x; J.” 3
~  u,

  

    

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

 

.113]

are W11 the old cattle-kin concealed—this man,
Stuart cKerr, and the acalde of Te on Camp,
Alexander Black. In the old time,

in the mountain region. These two men, each
searching for the treasure naturally had little liking
for each other, and so earful was McKerr that
- Black would discover he had sent for the girl that I
was instructed to land at Santa Barbara instead of
Buenaventura, and McKerr, with a beacon-light, was
to guide me in. During my absence these two men
E18 together and the result of their alliance was a
e

 

n for the
beacon-light was displa ed so as to guide in
craft straight onto a bar w ere a stranded wrec
broke in the sides of my vessel, and left us all to the
mercies of the roaring waves. The girl, the ill-fated
bellies, Barbara was drowned, but, by a miracle
almost, I escaped. I heard in Santa bara that
Stuart McKerr and the alcalde of Tejon Camp had
been seen there togetherfiand so I soon {lumped to
the conclusion that the two had joined an s and
sacrificed me, and I determined to be even with this
man who acted so treacherously, and that was
the reason why I attacked him.”

“See bier, gentlemen!" cried Blake, suddenly;
“ I guess ’11 have to resign my position of ju In
this business, for I‘ve a lg interest in this hi den
treasure myself." ,_

. CHAPTER XXIX.
 I run rams mm.
W, Tmsintelligenw excited universal astonishment,
1 . ‘ And all three of the men looked at Blake in amaze-
; ment.
27‘1"” “Oh, I mean it, gentlemen," he continued; “ it‘s a
{V i sure enough fact; here’s no mistake about it. I‘ve
" 7' got a finger in this pie, and I find that I ain’t so un-
prejudiced as I thought. Oh no; it is utterly im-
possilie for me to sit in u gment, for the way I
eel about the matter I co du‘t decide with an .un-
., biased mind. I reckon that my interference has got
‘.’.“:‘ us all into a heir) of trouble, and how we are 0mg
 toget out of it is a puzzle." And Blake shoo his
3». . head gravely.
“ I can suggest an extremely easy way!” exclaim-
ed McKerr. ‘Let us put affairs back as they were

when you first appeared and then you 0 on your
way without trou

 

an," 

ling your head about t is matter

a .
Sandy McAl ine’s gri was 11 n his wea n in an
instant bold defiance plfinly wrltotcn upon is face.
This idea didn't suit him at all, so he suggested an-
' other lan:
f’ “ Re ire if on like, sir, and I’ll engage to fight both
 . oftégem sing e-handed and ask no better chance i" he
. cn . .
' “ Well, now, that is as fair as fair can be!“ Blake
- declared, a provinfgy. “ That is fair for you to pro—
pose " and e nod to Send» “ but utterly unfair
or these gentlemen to accept,vfor two to one is not
the square thin at all, and of course you refuse,“
and now henod ed to the merchant and the Mexican.
" You wouldn't take a mean advantage for the
world, and the easiest we I know of to fix things
,up is for you two to deci e which one of you Will
 fight this gentleman and so settle the difference in
 a straight-forward, honest way.” -

“Yes, but we had him foul, and why should we,
having got the better of him once, be compelled to
do our work over again?”

“Well, that point is not badl put," Blake admit-
ted, slowly and reflectiveiy, n reply to McKerr.
" You did have him foul, and m arrival c ged
_ r thi somewhat. Now suppose place him bound
' afid elpless as he was before-that would suit you,

e ?19

“ Oh, yes!" McKerr responded.

“ But 0 a little further back 1” Sandy put in.
“ When his man arrived," and he inted to the
Mexican, “Lheld you at the muzzle o my revolver,
utterly helpless!“

“That point is well taken, too!" Blake awely de-
cided, much to the t of the two ceitederates.
“So you see, Mr. Mc rr, if it is right for me to go
back and replace things as they were when I appear-
ed, it is 0 fair that ste shouldbe retraced a little

further an matters fix as they were when he ap-
peared," and Blake inted t4) the Mexican. “But,
of course, you obj to that. ‘

“Yes, most decidedly i"

"There’s 0 one way then, that I can see to
straighten out tangled snarl, and that is for you
and this gentleman "—he in cated Sandy as he
s ke-—“ to fight out your cult in a good situare
d‘dgaland this gentleman "—and i8 bowed po ‘tely

e Mexican—“and myself will stand by to see
fair lay and bury the man that‘s killed. Or, as
stan b will be rather tame work, and this hull
thing is o the nature of a free fight we can have a

little tussle to ether ust for the fun of the thin .“
The face the exican strongl ex ire his
re ugnance to this proposal. He ha ’t t e slightest
to encounter in si le fight the nameless shot

' who had so easily discom ted the giant bully of the
'. Mohave Valley.

. ,' “ well, what do you say, gentlemen l” Blake asked

'4 after a moment‘s silence. ‘How does the propose
suitlyou? Is it a go?“

“ have no quarrel with you," replied the Mexican,

dog-sadly.
hehbless on! we can easily arrange that!"
' cried a Fresh. quite cheerfully. “If you are one
. of the kind of men that has to getmad toflght, I
T reckon that I can stir you up in short order. Just
. :soon as you get ready-say so, and I‘ll call you a
1.; rue-thief and a liar, and an that you’re no gentle-
  man, l:ndhthaltl ou can’t trink, and ifhthatiain’t
-w onoug wy, ' slap our acetwoor reetmes,
r and pull your nose, or Knock you down and tread on
you. You bet I’ll wake you right up just as soon as
, ‘ you say so!"
. , The Mexican did not appear at all teful for
‘w in so kind offers; his yellow face assume a strange,
unearthly hue as he ground his teeth together in
lillpOit‘lll’; anger.
. McKerr sun that he was in a trap; he had no mind
_. . rto ' mes-.uro utmngth and wea us with Sandy
. ,, IIcAtplue in nfmr and open fig t, and a present:-
W,’ spent warned him that this bold stranger. w had
‘ , " monio-isly niteifered, was far mo ely
: Alpine than to take his lldo the
4—. 3-, . ’ , . -_..,:' vi H ,

l .

  

 
 

.J‘
x

" There are two men who hungered for the treas- I

cKerr was i
Scott’s principal man in Buenaventura, as Black was ;

destruction of the heiress and myself. ;

“ Let the matter go as it is," he remarked with an
: ill~ race. “You and this man can go on your way
; an we‘ll go ours. I seek no quarrel with this fellow:
it was he that attacked me, and since I have baffled
that attack I do not care to pursue the matter
3 further; but I warn you, Sandy McAlpine, that if
‘ you dare to interfere in my projects I Will have you

unted down and slain like a dog if it costs me every
cent that I have in the world."

“ All! see what it is to be rich 1" suggested Blake,

, mockingly. “He that hath the ducats can buy his
1 vengeance, but we poor devils, not rich even in
‘ shekels, are obliged to redress our own wrongs or

suffer in silence and with patience."

“()0 your ways, and we ll ours!” cried McKerr,
imperiously, and with 3. lord wave of his arm.

‘ Oh no; not so fast," B! e returned, an intona-
tion in his voice that made the merchant feel un-
easy. “For the present, your way, Stuart McKerr,
lies with me!”

“With you?" exclaimed the merchant, in aston-
ishment.

“Oh yes- I’ve taken a great fancy to your com-
pany, and I am going to crave the pleasure ofa

yonder.“ .

“What do on mean i" and McKerr‘s hand sou ht
the butt of is revolver, but what match was 6
slow and cautious merchant for the impetuous,
quick-acting sport?

In a twinklin Blake had him “covered” by the
golf-(cocking too , so true a weapon in its master‘s

an . - ~

"None of that!” he cried, “or I’ll send you to
your long home so quick that your master, the fiend,
will not have time to prepare to receive you in a
fitting manner. I told you that I had an interest in
the hidden treasure of Buonaventura, and as you
are one of the principal men who stand in my way
I am going to carry you off with me fora while,
until can perfect my arrangements to get my
hands on the valuables. ’

"I will not surrender with life!” McKerr cried,
and in desperation he plucked forth his revolver.

“ The first attempt on make to cock that weapon
—the first click of it: look is the knell of your
doom!” Blake replied in his cold, icy wa , and a
glitter in his eyes lplainly betrayed that he ad given
utterance to no l( e threat.

For a moment McKerr stood irresolute, and then,
cowed by the manner of the other, he thrust his re-
volver back again into its ket.

“That‘s rig t; you act ke a man of sense, for to
resist me would be the hight of folly,” Blake assur-
ed him. “ Do not be alarmed; your ife is safe; I do
not intend to strike at that. ‘ Then he turned to
McAlpine. “I am sor to interfere in your ven-

eance but in this word you know it is each for
imseif, and the fiend for us all.”

“ You saved me sir, and I should be un rateful in-
deed if I complained," McAlpine repll , with real

feeling.

“ You are free to do rt,“ Blake announced, “ but
if you have nothing tter on hand I can offer on
a chance in my little speculation, for I need not
such blades as yourself.

“I’m your man,” Sandy answered, glad of the
chance.

“All right: and, as for you, Senor Greaser," and
Blake fixed his keen eyes on the Mexican, “get
back to Tejon Camp as soon as you can and tell
your cutthroat alcalde that I have. taken this Buena-
ventura rogue up into the mountains to have an in-
terview wi h the lad whom he called Miguel Scott
and that, if he is anxious to see either one or the
other, to follow on the trail, for it will not be a hid-
den one: but warn him .to bri a good force at his
back or else he ma be hand] more roughly than
will befileasant. am!"

The exican did not wait for a second bidding
but took to his heels and soon disappeared aroun
the bend of the trail.

“ Do you understand what my plan is?" Blake in-
quired addressing the merchant after the bravo had
taken flight. “ I take you with me to the mountains
on urpose to draw the alcaide from Tejon Camp,
an I hold out the bait, too, that the young Califor-
nian is with me. I want to meet this ulldog alcalde
and his cutthroats in a If“ 0d square fl ht, and if my
Wolves and I can’t whi him and is men, why
then, my sports ain‘t the ys I take them to be. I
calculate to draw the alcalde and his forces into an
ambush; then I‘m go! to cut his body-guard all
to pieces, and either kill iim or take him prisoner.
I want him out of the way, for this hidden treasure
that the old cattle-king left is right in Alex Black’s
clutches if he onl knew where to look for it.”

McKerr listen in rfect amazement' t knowl-
edge of Blake astoun ed him. It seemed 1 email:

‘ And now, sir," Blake continued, “I trust t t
you will excuse me if I take the precaution of dis-
arming you. Mr. McAlpiue, will you have the kind-
ness to relieve this gentleman of his weapons?”

Sand was quick to obey the request, and McKerr
was ob iged to submit to be disarmed, which he did
with a very ill- ace indeed, but he was completely
in the power 0 his captor, and fully realized that
resistance was useless.

“Take care of his weapons; I rather think that
you will find them all useful before you are a day
older, unless the alcalde of Tejon Camp is a differ-
ent sort of man from what I take him to be, for I

 

 

i
i
!

   

fanc the moment he hears that I have carried this
gent eman off to the mountains, he will follow on
the trail immediately with all the force he can mus-
ter, but he‘ll meet with a warm reception, for we
Wolves of the mountains know what is us to such a
distinguished cutthroat as Alex Black. And now
we’ll be off."

Blake led the way; the prisoner followed, while
McAlpine brought up the rear, and up into the wild
mountain region they went.

 

CHAPI‘ER XXX.
ml Issuer.

Tm: strange woman who had so astounded the
alcalde with the disclosure of her name and business,
sat by the window in her room gazing out upon the

uiet street of the minim,r camp. an. over and mum
s e drummed iistlessly upon tin: dingy window-pane.

.Wild and random fancies were liaising mptily

across hernnmi. She had dart-d as low women

   

 

visit from you to me at my home in the mountains I

  

 

f ——.m
would dare, to venture in this may: andno‘
for the first time doubt had seized he itsproy.

Would she succeed? would she, a weak woman
gain the prize, the hidden treasures of Buenawn
turn, for which strong, wily and unscrupulous use
were toiling?"

Wrestling with busy thoughts her eyes were in.
dering vacantiy out 11(pon the alinost
streets, for Tejon Camp uring the wore a a.”
day-like stillness, when the figure 0 an odd, um
couth man attracted her gaze.

This fellow, a middle-aged, long~leggcd , e.
tremer seediiy attired, was commgup the root,
and upon preceivin the female face at the window,
he halted, indul in a most elab~ rate bow then
made a bee-line or the door of the saloon of the AL
calde‘s Ranch.

The girl paid no attention to the fellow for, since
her coming to the mountain region, $0 H grown
used to the homage almost invariably paid her by
the rough miners.

The man, who was no other than the new arrival,
Ma orJake S ith, of Arkansas, whom Alex Black

no apéliytcrmed the champion liar, entered the
saloon, n dad in the most friendly manner to the
barkoeper, who, truth to tell..looked upon the major
in uite a suspicious way, .for since the Arkanaian's-

val in Tojon Cam he had not been favored wifla
a sight of the color 0 Smith‘s money, although the
p rim had takemquite a number of social drinks
at he expense “(2 the o n-hsarted Tejon 0am ites.

The major w not a all abashed at the barges
er's rather unfriendly looks for his 0 gang
nature scorned the idea of being on bad with
the man who presided over the mystic barrich
fund vhvgi‘ch King Whisky and his cohorts was in-

renc .

“I see she‘s arrived i” he exclaimed, and he nodded
skyward as he s ke. “ No, nothing fur mo to-da ,
thank e ” he (led, with a polite bow, M as if c
fanciei t lat the active barkee r was about to “set
’em up.” “No, {jest see’d er at the winluas 1
came up the street, and I reck’d that I'd call in and
see how she was arter her journey. 0h, me and hot
is old rds, you know; I use to kee door at In
shrug-s ow up to Frisco whar she to
hi t 7 y. And Itell ye what it is, , it‘s a
m ghty ucky thing for me that she‘s put in an ap
pearance in this hyer Camp djes‘ as she has, fur I‘m
about down to bed rock an nary chance kin I not
in this b er region to make a rich strike. I mkion-
that if_s e’s flush she won’t mind ‘staking’ an old
pard, what’s had a rough time of it late] .

“I reckon that if she stakes‘ you she’ never see
the color of her man ain!" the young manexo
claimed contemptuous y.

“ Oh, I’m square, I am—the clean white article
and no mistake,” the major re lied, a tone which
clearly betrayed that his fee were injured by
the doubt.

The barkeeper sniffed, suspiciously.

“Wal, I’ll go up and try my luck, anyway; and 1'
say, seein as how you are so mighty unurtin in
your opin on of me, I’ll jest go you ten dollars for
greens that I make a stake outcn her!" the major
exclaimed, proudly.

“Put up your money, old mani" cried the bar-
kee r. romptiy. He felt perfecti sure that a
slug e do lar won (1 bluff the major, is alone ten.

.‘ Ain’t my word god?“

“ Your money is tter

“ Oh, well, we can‘t bet then, since
but I'm going to try the rims anyw

u

9’
.

you doubt me
a . ’
“No rt to try, but she's no flit," mplied the
other, sententiously.

“ Mebbe not, but for the sake of old times, [reckon

she won’t-go back on a feller she knows!" And then: '

the ed vagabond betook himself lip-stairs.
No 001 was Major Jake Smith, but of a
great deal mom brains than most people gave him

credit for. The lady was an utter struth to him'
he had only seen her once before in his l e and tha
was when she rode into the Camp, but of course-
who and what she was, and wh she sought the
mining 'on soon became no! abroad.

The ma or had been intrusted with a m
deliver to the lady, but he was sorely
would not be permitted to see her, for he knew vs
well that he did not stand in very good Inputs wi
the Alcalde‘s Ranch people, and so he devised the
innocent fiction that he and the strange lady wen
old ualntances, trusting that, as an old ricnd,
he won d be allowed to see her.

Thetgghvitc: had rsucceededtl‘t’a'ixcellently, for he was
permi pass reer up—s rs.

Chuckllg In his sleeve at the success of hi ruse,
he knock at the door of the room occupied by the

lad . -

She came at once in answer to his knock.

" I beg your pardon, marm for intrudin', but I‘ve
got a message for you, which I was told to give to
yo’luhpfllaltggd, passed h h

egr troug soman tamox-
periences during the last few days of or life that.
she was not so rised at anything now, so she invit—
ed the major 0 enter, and courteously placed a
chaiIrhfor him. to d h ‘

“ ar’s a party wants see on, marm, an es;
a-waiti for you jest outside oi; Camp on the tril-
that is a down the river, and he that he‘s got
some im rtant business, and he’ to have you
come rig t away, if you kin make it convenied.’

“ Who is the person?” the girl asked.

“ He’s an Injun mum—says he‘- called the m
or somethin of that sort."

0 to
he

“Jose El mbusterol"
“ That‘s it marm, that‘s it, to a hair!"
“Ve well; Iwill go at once." The girl rose to

her fee , and then she cast a glance “the

an idea having evidently occurred to her. “ Can I
trust you to keep this matter a secret!"
“Kin you trust me i" the major exclaimed. “Wal

now, on kin bet a heap of money on that. Oh, I’m
jest t e man to tie to ‘ j

The lady had her own ideas in regard to this state-
ment, but she took out her purse and put a glitta‘
iwoMen eagle into the hand of the major a pro
c mg which caused the faded eyes of the veg.
abond to s larkle with an unnatural ht.

“ Keep t 's matter to yourself, for don"t want all ,
the people in the Cam to know my business," Illa
said; “ and if I do well ere, perhaps I may be M
to put some more money in your we ."

‘ Oh, I‘ll be as dumb as an oyster!

  

D

a. m." ~ at? "

 

 

 

 

 

 

an. agar: 5' 0.! 3’12

Ht;

Afinfi

      

 

 

 

 

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

17

 

a.

 

hum—A v

aloud, and then he backed out of the room, assuring
’18 rl as he do rtcd that he was “just the right
dn of man to e to."

The mlrjor went straight down to the saloon, as-
tonished the barkeeper by flipping the gold coin on
he counter, and requested him to “set ’em up. Just
mce for greens.“

And while the major wa': ocurpied in disposing of
the social glass, a proceeding in which he had invit-
ed the fluid-dispenser to oin, the lady passed out in-
to the street and walks rapidly away toward the
apgmted spot.

we have said, the street was almost deserted,
and so there were few persons to watch the girl‘s
footsteps.

Soon she passed beyond the limits of the little
Camp, following the trail which led down the river,
turned the slig t bend, passing around which the
view of the town was ice to the wayfarer, and Jig-ll.
a short distance beyond the angle saw the old In n
oqp‘atting on a stone b the side of the trail.

_ e girl advanced d rectly to him, and the Indian
grinned in the most friendly manner.

“ Howl" he exclaimed, as the girl came up to him,
looking into her face in a very inquisitive way.

“ I received your message and have come
requested," the girl said, looking the old man ri ht
hi the eye, but with a face that was as incapa le
:1 trev ng her thoughts as the face of a marble

a ne.

" The fool white man tell you all right, eh?" In
this, uncomplimentary way the Indian referred to the
he or.

" Yes; what do you wish of me?"

“ You have heart like big mountain bear!" Jose
ixclaimed in admiring tones; “too boldl—too bold!"

e added, slowly.

“ How too bold?"

“When I dnink I not know you—I not know you
pw, but the face of the cattle-king has come again
when I see you. Take care! This beast alcalde—he
Iill like you was a dog he find out."

“Find out what?“ '

“ Who you are " re lied the Indian, impressively.
‘Have no fear that tell. It is either your life or
go. Alcalde kill you or you kill alcalde; no get

'dden treasure without.“ _ .

A dark shade passed rapidly over the girl‘s face.
Was the hidden cache of the old cattle-king after
'all worth the trouble which must be taken to gain
t?

Such was the question that the girl put to herself, ,

 

' once proceeded to take

 

and, indeed, it was an extremely difficult one to ‘

IDSWEI‘.

“ Trust me,“ the old Indian continued, ” trust me, ‘

and trust no one else. The white men call me the
“11". but to you I will speak nothing but the truth.”
a] “ lion do not know who I am,” the girl observed,

0w y.

“ I know what you say you are," the peon replied
immediately.
crawl into ranch and hear what you say to alcalde—
you fool him—he no think that you are what you are;
.- ut take care that he no finds it out; he Will kill you
an the spot!“

The eyes of the girl flashed fire at the words.

“ Be is a miserable wretch!" she cried; "bl":
attribution is much nearer than he thinks."

“ He ought to die!“ the Indian exclaimed' “ so
an uch blood on his hands, all the wat :rs of the
rl ver yonder could not wash them clean.“

"Very true," the girl replied, with a face cold and
rigid, for an awful thought had arisen in her mind.
Could not the hidden treasure be gained except by
bloodshed? Did the life of the dark alcalde indeed
"and between im- and the prize s :o sought!

Small chance Was there for her to think the
matter over, for net then, with a whoo and a yell,
-\ round the bend n the trail came Alex lack and a
has of his cutthroats.

CHAPTER xm.
noun A PRISONER.

in sudden and unexpected a pearance of the
ricalde and his men is easily expl ed.

he bummer, with that spirit of boasting so com-
mon to certain men, must ne:ds display the gold
noes given him by the girl as a bribe to keep his
outh shut, and brag t.) the barkeeper of the in-
iuence which he p0sscssed over her.

The alcalde chancm to enter overheard his
son and when he un erstood that the lady had
rven im the money, he at once concluded that the

ollow by some ingenious device had extorted the
'nfilgfrom the girl; so he immediately accused him.

ught fairly to bay, for Alex Black was not the
nan to be trilled with, the old vagubond was forced
‘0 confess the truth, and very much puzzled indeed
tas the alcaldo when he learned that not only had
the old Indian sent a‘message to the girl but that
die at once had set forth to meet the peon.

Here was an unexpected move in the game: what
in earth had the Indian to do with her or she with
ilm? Were they in 1e no, and was her story but a
winning trick to misl him?

It was a difficult problem but the alcalde set
about solvin it at once. He called his body-113$

together, am away they started—his design mg
l'oisiig rise the two together, and he succeeded ad-
in ra y. ' -

“ We are lost!" cried the girl, as the alcalde and
his men came round the bend in that

There was a look of apprehension visible upon the
Itolid face of the Indian, for in truth be had quite a
taste of the alcalde and his methods, but the ruligg

mien strong own in this hour of danger impell
to so

“ Lie ouyt of it—I know not you, nor on me!"
A very aim is and ingenious plan in eed.
alcal e and his men came on, weapons shin-
mg in their hands as though they expected. to en-
counter a band of armed and dc rate men instead
of one poor old Indian and a sing e woman.

“Put up your wc'pons, boys!“ the alcalde ex-
claimed, as they came up close to the two. “ The
lad ain‘t hurt!"

_ “ boys " obeyed the command at once, while
the Indian looked on with a stolid face as though
the performance possessed no interest at all for him.
_ “ on really must excuse us " the alcaldo sai
Wit-haven polite bow tothcgir “butIheard tha

you ventured outside the town. and salt ain‘t
‘o, altodosuch a W,If-led-d

,, , onyx-loofaqu

“I saw you when you come to town; I .‘

 

“ I was not aware that there was any danger," the
girl replied.

“ Oh, thar is, miss, hea s of it! the country round
about here is infested th a lot of worthless vaga-
bonds, and this old copper-skin hyer is as big a ras-
cal as kin be scared up in a hundred miles in any
direction; but, mebbe, he‘s a friend of yours?"

“ He sent me a m e that he desire to see me,
that’s all," the girl sai , in her quiet way. “ I pro-
sume that it was wrong for me to come, but the
m , excited my curiosity and that. you know, is

gene y all- werful with a woman.“

, “Oh, t‘s right miss, of course, as long as on
have each harm, ut I was very much afraid t at
you had n decoyed into a trap, for this fellow is

none too good for such work.“

“ Me tell white squaw where to find what she
wants in the mountains, mebbe she pay good-howl“
«xvlaimcd the lndian.

“ Oh, that’s the game, is it?" observed the alcalde
in an extremely amiable way.
come alon wit

information is valuable you can rest assured that
you shall be auipl rewarded."

A sickly sort smile came over the dark face of
the Indian and there was a restless glitter in his
eyes, as he gazed from one to another in the throng
and looked wistfully at the distant foot-hills.
Jose, the Liar, would have given about all that he
guessed just then to have escaped to the shelter of

e big pines that reared their nodding green plumes
on the mountain side. But both resistance and flight
were out of the question; the alcalde and his band

him as safe as a rat in a tra , and the alcalde
nodded significantly to a couple 0 the band who at
charge of the Indian, while

Black escorted the lady. ‘

“ I tell you miss, you gave me a terrible fright!"
he exclaiin as they proceeded up the trail toward
the town. “ These heathen bucks are up to all sorts
of ames, and I had an idea that it was all a deep-
lui scheme to kidnap on."

“ But who Would wis to kidnap me?"

The question bothered the alc do, for he was only
trying to find a lausible excuse for his ursuit and
interruption of er interview with the r skin.

“ Oh, I can’t say exactly, but there‘s all sorts of
scalawngs round, you know."

“Igut why should any one wish to interfere with

a good, big ransom for you; t ese mountain outlaws
are all up to just such games."
And in this ingenious manner did the alcalde be-

y the time they reached the Ranch, that he had
succeeded in completely “ pulling the wool over the
eyes ” of the girl.

But in this case as it often happens in this world
to tricky, deceitful men who are forever engaged
in tryinglto conceal their own purposes and to un-
mask t e designs of others, the alcalde deceived
himself in tr ing to deceive the girl, for he entered
the Ranch
indeed spoken the truth in regardto her going forth
to meet the Indian, and that she really had no 
vious acquaintance with the red-skin. But why ad
the peon desired to see the girl? What was the rea-
son that im lied him to seek an interview? The
motive for t is the alcalde could not guess, but he
smiled grimly as he reflected that be old the red-
skin securely in his power, and that he would have
to answer the questions propounded to him or else
suffer.

Black gallantly escorted the lad to her room, and
then hurried to the alcalde's o co where the red-
skin had been conveyed.

The guards were loungln by the door, but keep«
inga Vigilsnt eye nevert eess upon the peon who
was seated upon one of the em ty boxes by the
table, looking as placid and conten ed as though he
was not in the power of a man cruel and unscrupu-
lous enourh to commit any crune prOvided the end
to be attained was of importance enough to sanction

it.
The alcalde entered the room and addressing the
rds bade them wait without as he desired to
iave some private talk with the prisoner.

The two men withdrew, and he Indian and the
alcalde were left alone to other.

“Now then, Jose " sai the alcalde, seating him.
self upon the rudflesk and surveying the ndian
with a iercing glance, “ do you think that you
could tell the trut if you tried m hard?“

The red-skin grinned; he reg ed this question
as a sort of a compliment. -

“Mebbe,” he replied, briefly.

“ Well, all there is to it is, t at if you don‘t tell the
truth you'll suffer “ and Black tapped the butt of
his revolver signi cantiy, and the red- ’ at once
looked sober and sad.

“You‘re a smart customer I know,” Black con-
tinued, " but I want on to un erstand this time that
you can‘t play an s arp tricks upon me."

The peon hf up his hands and rolled up the
whites of his eyes as much as to say that he would-
n’t dream of doing such a thing.

“Now, then—don’t try any gum games. mind]
What did you want with this gir , and why did you

send for her?”

“ To make money," replied Jose, laconlcally.

“ How make mono Vt“ ,

“ Make b‘lieve tell or where the hidden treasure
is cached."

“Aha!” cried the alcalde., starting, “you know
where the treasure is cached?”

“Oh, no; how should I know?" replied the peon,
stolidly. “Me so. , me make b’lieve know where
treasure is, so his e plenty money."

“ o is this girl, anyway?" cried Black, abrupt-

ly.
“ She tell you she wife of Miguel Scott," observed
the red-skin, shrewdly.
“Why, how did you know that!”
“close got long ears—listen at the door when she
come."
“ Well, old fellow. you’re more knave than fool,
l” Black exclaimed.

afterall -
Again thepeon unnumbered“ thisas an-

otheroomplimont. . - ' ‘\~-

\ .61

th the full conviction that the girl had '

i

i

' sorry that I was
‘ n'i be helped

1

to be the wife of Miguel Scott you determined to
strike her for a stake."
“Why not?"
“Oh it‘s all right; each man to his game; I'm
0 liged to spoil yours, but it could~
; and now, to talk right to the point,
Jose. I believe that you do know w ere the treasure

; is cached in the mountains and that you could lead

me right direct to the spot if you choose."

Earnestly the peon retested that it was not so.

“ Oh, you can deny t all you like," the alcalde ro~
plied, sitively, “ I am satisfied that you do know.
and al that bothers me is to decide which is the belt

; w‘tho compel you to tell ‘

ose can no tell what he does not know,“ the In
dian asserted, sentcntiously. ‘
“That’s Very true, but the bird that can sing and-

’ won‘t sing must be made to sin l“ and Black knitted
1 his brows and looked at the In ian in a particularly

“Well, you shall ,
us and you can tell me, for the .
‘ lady is un er my protection just now, and if your

threatening way. .
d The red-skin folded his arms with true Indian.

i nity.

5‘ Mebbe you kill Jose; he no tell then more than
now.“

The eyes of the alcalde listened; he closed his
teeth tightly, and then 3 00k his clenched flat
menacineg in the face of the red-skin.

“I‘ll have Iyour blood, drop by drop, but you shall
tell before get through with you!" the o-
cried, his face dark with rage.

CHAPTER XXXII.
s'rsn'ruxc saws.

A'r this point the conversation was suddenly and
rudel interrupted. Into the office rushed the Mexi-
can reathless with haste.

The alcalde at once guessed what had happened,
for he knew the nature of L0 Dumas onlytoo
well; im tient to dip his ban 3 in blood he had
provok ' McAlpine to an encounter and slain him.

“ Did you settle him?” he asked speaking as care-
less] as though the question did not relate to the
dent of a fellow mortal.

“ Common .’ no! the fellow est-amid!“ the Mexican
replied, and then glanced at the Indian. The alcaldo
understood that affairs had not progressed favor.
ably, t2nd that Lope desiied to speak with him in

nva ..

“ I will return in a moment,“ he said to the

, and then passed out of the office, followed by tho

3 Mexican.

“They might get the idea in their heads that you ‘
had a lot of money, or they might carry you off into '
‘, the mountains, thinking that 'our friends would pay

Black did not h sitate to leave the Indian alone
within, for the single window, which afforded light
to the office, and which was the only means of egress
from the room besides the door, was situated in tho

_ front of the building, and therefore it was impossible

i for the Indian to escape without bein
guile the homeward path, and he felt quite satisfied ‘

 

observed.
“Blazes is to pay, alcalde!" cri the Mexican,
the moment that he and his superior were outside
of the ofllce, and then timidly he related what had
occurred
The alcalde listened. in astonishment, and for a
moment hard] knew what to make of the matter.

“The dare evil s and the Californian are in

league, then, as I ex ted," he said, at last. “The

. ytaun tilnan is Migu' e ott, beyond the shadow of
a on

And the sportdcfles me, does he?“
“ He does indeed i’
tar A?nd he has carried & the banker to the moans

ns 7' m .J

“ Yes, and dares you to follow 1” -

“ I have heard of these mountain outlaws and it it
about time that some one gave them a lesson. Go,
get the men together, fifteen or twenty of the best
that you can muster; see that they are well armed,
and t lat every man takes a good su ply of ammuni-
tion with him. If I once get on I e trail I’ll hunt
these Wolves out of their holes if it takes the better
part of a month." _

“ Oh there will not be much difllculty about finding
them for this sfirt means light, eve time!“

“ We‘ll give 'm all he wants," t e alcalde ox-
claimed, grim] . “ But, hurry up the men' we want
to strike on e trail while it is fresh and before it
grows col ."

“ I’ll have ‘em ready in half an hour 2"

“ Pack up a good supply of provisions, too, on the
back of a mule, so that we won‘t be obliged to oomo
back to the camp until we hunt these fellows to-
their holes 2"

The alcalde was terribl in earnest.

The Mexican hurried o and then with brows com--
pressed and a sober, thoughtful face, tho alcalde ro-
entered the office, prepared to bring the examina-
tion to a close.

But that was destined not to be, for—

he mom was empty.

The alcalde glared around him in amazement, but
keen and excellent as were his eyes still they were
not good enough to discover the person of the old
peon.

In cunning craft Jose, the Liar, was fully a match
for any white man who ever stepped foot on Califor

_ nian soil.

The manner of the Indian's escape was quite ap'
parent. He had simply, by means of some
instrument which he had concealed about his
son—a knife, evi ently—tunneled a passage ht
under the back we. 1 of the office; there was no flooi
1203518 building other than the ground upon which it
s .

Au exclamation of anger came from the lips of the-
dark alcalde at befi thus eaSily tricked. Twice had
the old peon slip through his flngers after being
secure! caught.

Rapidly, indeed, had the Indian worked, for Blacl
had not been absent over ten minut and it wfl

lain that in order to accomplish the ta Jose mud

vs at once set to work the very moment that the
door had closed behind the alcalde.

From the rear of the office it was an easy matter-
to sin the wooded foot-hills, only a hundred yards.
dis nt, and once this shelter was reached, no easy
task would it have been for a dozen of the fleetest-
and the best men in Tejon Camp to overtake the red
buck, for Jcse was as good on his Is as a Wild\'
deer,t almost; and knew, too, every t of that
coun ry.

“ e deuce take that follow!" thealcalde cried 
wrath ;. “ the next time I get my hands upon him I .
haveliim necksndheelssothathe canltmovo-

shall watch him ,

 

    

* with a bang upon the bar.

18

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

“7 . ,..-—.

 

 

get hold of him n some time, and if he sligs out
of m fin ers a rd time wh , then I am a igger
(001 t u think I am! The fe low evidently knows

something or else he would not be so anxious to
escape."

Black now sought the hotel to prepare for the
a ition. He went str ht to his private room
an armed himself, caref ly examining each and

weapon, for he fully realized that if the Fresh
of Frisco was roperly backed, it would be no child’s
play to hunt in down in his mountain fastness; but
he dark-browed alcalde had been used to having
his own way so long, and had been so completely
master of ti» Mohave valley and the mountain
region adjoining, that it did not seem possible to
him that any one conld succeed in offering success
to] resistance to his power.

In just about thirty minutes from the time that he
had departed the Mexican returned with the intelli-
gence that everything was in readiness for the
expedition. The men, all carefully picked and
armed, were in the saloon, and the mule, laden with
provisions,l was at the door.

The alc de saliled forth at once.

The members of the band were indeed well re-
;ared for reugh service. Each and ever man ad
a couple of revolvers belted to his wa t akeen-
sdgled, broad-bladed knife thrust through his girdle,
«s a rifle slung on his back.

The fierce alcalde's eyes glistened as he looked on
the warlike array; good judge as he was of men
and matters in this wild Pacific land, it did not seem
{I mible to him that such a band could be beaten by
is «y skulking mountain outlaws.

“ aka a parting drink, boys,“ he said, “and fill
{our flasks up, for we may have a long tramp of it

cine we return to the Camp.” '

The men eagerly accepted the offer, and after
they had satisfied themselves, flied out into the

ttreet.

The alcalde lingered behind to sa a parting word
to the barkeeper, who was one of is most trusted
men.

“Keep our eyes open in regard to the girl,“ he
lid “an if any one comes to see her, watch and
over ar the conversation if you can, and if she

out have her followed, for she must not stir
without my knowing the why and the wherefore.”

“All right, sir; how soon will she come back?"

“Come back! cried Black, in amazement.

“ Yes, sir; didn‘t you know she had gone out?“

“Indeed, I d not."

“Yes, sir, she has."

'" How long since?“

“About ten minutes, I thought she was going
rith you, for she came down, went round to the

stable, got her horse and rode slowly up the street
just as f she was killingéime till you got ready."

“ ly the eternal fires low! she has tricked me i"
tried the alcalde, bringing his clenched fist down
“It is a hundred dollars
:to a cent that she is in league with that young Cali-
!ornian and that daredevil sport; but, I‘ll follow
:bard upon her track for We no doubt that she has

one to join the others in th mountains. She came
iack here to play the spy u on me, but my interrup-
Ion of the interview betw n her and the old Indian
alarm h r; she knew t at I held the red-skin in
my power nd she was a aid that I would frighten
him into a confession, a that was the reason why
she got out. Cursed to that I was not to suspect
that there was somethin wrong!”

“I could have stop her, but I thought that it
was all right."

“It is not your fault; I do not blame you; I only
blame myself for allowing her to pull the wool over
.my e es; but I had no idea'that she was smart
venoug to do anything of the kind. I’ll have her,
though, before the sun sets this day unless she is
smarter thanI think she is!" And then, with r e
rankling in his heart, the alcalde strode out into t re
street and took command of men.

The Mexican took the lead placing himself in the
advance, and the alcalde, followed by the band, came
hard after.

Lops led directly to the spot where the interview
between the four men had taken place as described
.in axprevious chapter.

“ was here that I garted with them," the Mexi-
iian said, as he reache the place. “ and they struck
off u the trail.”

“I the were bound for the mountains they rc-
iiably too the old Indian trail which branches 0 to
the right about a quarter of a mile further on."

The alcalde’s guess was correct, as the party dis-
covered u n reaching the junction of the two trails.
lior the b0 d sport, in deris on and defiance, and to
[make ood his word that he would not seek to hide
his trail, had tom a pine branch away from the par-
ent tree and cast it down to serve as a guide to the
pursuers.

The brows of the alcalde knitted as he beheld this
plain token that the Fresh not only did not fear but
courted pursuit.

He ke t his thoughts to himself, though, and spoke
so wor as he led on his band, but, for the first time
to an to realize that he had taken no easy task
upon is shoulders when he had undertaken to hunt
.60 his lair the man who claimed the rough “ Wolves"
of Tejon Pass as his friends.

Fast on the trail the band dproceeded, the way
Jlainl indicated every here an there by the broken
'. \ranc es cast u on the round.

U ——u into t e heav y-wooded mountain region
the n went, the way growmg wilder and more
desolate at every steflp. .

The band kept a rm gripe u in their weapons,
and cast mdany a wary glance it ut them, for they

er.
y en upon a rocky, elevated plateau, when,
suddenl , from behind a massive rock, rose the well-
kncwn ure of the daring sport, the Fresh of Frisco.

 

CHAPTER XXHII.
A mm noun.
Bo suddenly did the sport arise from his place of
concealment that for a moment the astonished men
ased upon him with wondervstricken eyes, just as
E he had been an airy spirit from another world
rather than the bold mortal of send flesh and blood

whichme
., Bhkewasdressed exactlythe ssmesshehad
tfissswhsnhenutmadehissppsarsnoeintho min-

ing camp, no sign of arms or traces of hostile intent,
but he rose as quietly and faced the well-armed band,
who were evidently on blood and slaughter bent, as
calmly as though there were no had blood between
himself and the desperate men of Tejon Camp.

No sign of arms the sport displayed, we say, and
each and every member of the invading band noted
this fact at the first lance, but Blake was no stran-
ger to them now, an they all understood that the
man of ice and iron never was more dangerous than
when he smiled and appeared ha mless.

“ Halt!" he cried, as e rose in view.

And the promptitude with which the advancing
band stopped, rooted as it were in their places,
when the command reached their ears, was some—
thin wonderful.

“ ow are ye, alcalde!" Blake continued. “I feel
quite delighted at seeing you so near my hunting-

ounds. You extended to me the hospitalities of

ejon Camp only a little while ago, and now it is my
turn.“

“ You are a bold, impudent blade!" the alcalde ex-
claimed, scowling darkly, “ but I give you fair warn-
ing that I am in no mood for joking to-day and that
I'm here on business."

“ So I suppose, judging from the looks of your
escort."

“ You and Sandy McAlpinc have been riding a
pretty high horse and it x about time that you, and
all like you. understood t at I don‘t allow any such
going on in my ne hborhood. I've come after

tuart McKerr, and i you know when you are well
off you will surrender him at once and give yourself
up at the same time; otherwise I may be obliged to
make an example of you so as to deter other rash
men from attempts to dispute my power in this hyer
re on."
Ohoi you think that you are supreme master

tremer exas rating.

“You will nd, be ore you are an hour older that
I am master hyeri" the alcalde angril respon ed.

“I'll go on ten to one on that!” t e Fresh cried.
“I‘m mas er hryer, my man! Did you ever hear of
the Wolves of ejon?—-"

“A band of cutthroats that I'll string up to the
pines on these hillsides one of these days like onions
3: alrope as a warning!” the alcalde exclaimed, de-

nt y.

“ As a warning that you don’t want any cutthroats
around except t e scoundrels that follow our lead 1'"
Blake sl ted, and at this home-t rust there
came up, e an echo from amid the rocks and
stunted pines, a sort of chorus of deep ‘ Haw-hawsl’
an ominous, specter-like sound that caused the al-
caide and his men to p their weapons and glare
earnestly and anxion y around them.

Blake smiled as he beheld the astonishment and
alarm of the invaders.

“ Oh, don‘t be alarmed, gentlemen i" he cried
in his light and airy way. “ It’s only one of our odd
’mounta n echoes. We have very strange echoes up
here in the mountains, sometimes."

From the alcalde downward there wasn't a man
in the band but understood that the cool but des r-
ate sport was making game of them. His ecnfl ent
manner puzzled them. Had they been led into a
trap? Had the trail purposely been made plain and
easy so as to entice t em up into this wild and deso-
late spot and into an ambnscade?

It looked like it, for, to the fevered imaginations of
the astonished band, the chorus of invisible “ haw-
hawsi" seemed to come from a score of throats, and
tgoggtirely encircle the little glade wherein they
8

Anxious then were the looks that the band cast
around them, and dark the angry scowl upon their
rug features.

iey were all bold and careless men, reckless of
their own lives and of the lives of others, et, bold
and reckless as they were, and as cheap ast ey held
their lives, it was not agreeable to think that they
had walked blindly into an ambuscade, and that
the were at the more of a concealed foe who only
we ted for a given sgnal to pour in adeadly fire
upon them.

“ And now, my bold alcalde," continued Blake,
“ since you have delivered your ultimatum, just
listen to mine. You are all utterly at my mercy.
You have walked into a trap from whence, for the
greater part of you, there is no deliverance except

a descent into the valley of death, and how many
0 you hold, rough scoundrels are ready to die?"

I the question had been put to them in the town
of Tejon Camp, not a man in the band but would
have protesiel stoutly that he eld his life no dearer
than a pin’s fee, and was read at all times to risk it,
and would at once have fcug t unto the death any
rash man who dared to say to the contrary; but in
this wild spot, this bit of unknown ground, confront-
ed by a man whose e ual for cool hardihood had
never fyet stepped foo in the Mohave vall y, these
men 0 bloody reckless lives felt the war courage
oozing out at their fin er-ends, and the cold taint of
fear beginning to sap t eir stout hearts.

“ That is a question that you had better ask your
self and prepare at once to answer it!“ the alcalde
cried, roughly.

“ And why should I prepare to answer it?" Blake
asked, with that arrogant coolness which in him was
so exasperating.

“ Why ?" the alcalde fairl shouted. “ Why?
Don’t you understand, my b0 (1 buck, that we have
come after you and the boy whose quarrel you have
so rashly taken upon your shoulders, and now that
we have run you to earth, all that you can do is to
surrender at once or else, inside of five minutes,
there‘li be one bold sport the less in California?"

Blake laughed in contempt.

“ You pig-headed fooll’ he exclaimed; “do on
suppose hat if I was helpless and without back n,
I would have allowed you to track me so easily? 0 ,
no! It was my game to lead you on, to lure you into
a trap, from whence with life you will never escape.
You are completely surrounded by my men, not'one
of your force but is covered by trusty weapons in
thehands of aha shooters whose superiors ain’t to
be found on all his b er Pacific slope. I just rose
out of m ambush to ve you fair warning—to save
the she ding of blood, if you are at all inclined to
listen to reason. I’ve no quarrel with all of you
men but this gentleman, my bold alcalde, is my
mutton' and now I‘ve got him just where I want

 

him. Therefiofyonoanpul"

here, then?" retorted Blake, in a tone which was ex- '

 

For answer the alcalde deliberately raised his rifle
and ulled back the hammer.
th“ s it war?" Blake cried; “look out for-yourself

en ‘$',

The alcalde pulled the trigger, but at the vc "
moment that the piece was discharged, Blake dcdg
down behind the rock which had previously shelter- '
Ed laim and the bullet whistled harmlessly overhis 

ea . I'

Sharply rung the crack of the alcalde’s rifle on the 
still mountain air, and a dozen echoes, each one at '
strong as the original report, repeated the sound.

No em ty, harmless echoes, these phantom-like
“ cracks ' either, for the leaden bullets came whist 
ling from the stubby clumps of pines and from tbs -‘
cover of the bowlders, behind w ich the secret foe
was ambushed. 3

No foolish boast had the Fresh of Frisco made
when he had declared that he had the invaders in s

tra .

file effect of the volley was terrible—six of the al. :1

false: men were down, either slain outright or bad «
y u .

And the deadly fire continued, too, dropping, ir-
regular shots, the fire of the skirmish line, for thl
ambushed men were so near to the entra ped alcaf.
do and his force that they were using the r six-shoot
ers now. -

No matter how brave the men were, individually-
it was not in human nature to stand and give battle
against such overwhelming advantages.

A few wild, random shots the alca de‘s men fired
and then they broke and fled! “Each man for him-
selfmand the devil take the hindmost," was their 1
mo .

Even the alcalde followed 11 the flight, carried
away by the sudden rush, and then from their cov-
clrhts rose Blake and his band, and followed in pur-
s t.

Fast raced the fugitives cver the rude and broken -
ground, and fast the pnrsuers followed.

Blake and Sandy McAl inc had marked the alcalde
for their rey, and nut ringly as the gaunt prairie
wolf on t e trail of the wounded bu alo, the fol-
awed the desperate, defeated master of ejon

m

Tell: times at least Blake, with his wonderful marks-
manship, could have “dropped " the fugitive with a
snap-shot, as he caught sight of his broad back as »
he raced through the scrubby ines, or clambered ‘
over the jagged rocks but the F’resh refrained. Be a
wished to ta 0 alive the bold spirit who had so long ,
with an iron hand ruled over t e Mohave valley; ho -
hungered to put him through some of the “ sprouts "
ah: the Black men of Tejon had practiced upon

The two pursuers began to 11 upon the fieei
man, and he, understanding 0%: he could e t 3g ."

  

 

giertiy from either. one, determined toseli is life-
ear y.
The alcalde referred to die rather than fall into

the hands of t emen whom he had wro ed. He
felt that his strength was failing, and that 6 could
continue his flight but a little while longer, and)
though he had doubled and twisted around likea‘
hunted hare yet he could not throw his eager pur-
sners off the track.

A desperate man indeed, be determined to turn
and fight for his life although the odds were against ‘

m.

Crafty was the move he made.

Coming to a little open space he raced across it for
dear life and plunged into the ines beyond, but the
moment he was sheltered by he timber he turned
and taking deliberate aim at Blake, as he advan r ‘
into the opening, fired, but the" Fresh was on his}
guard, and the moment he noticed that the hunted
man had stopped he fiung himself upon his face.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
an nssxrncran nvm.

NOT a whit too soon was Blake‘s action, for the
well-aimed bullet of the desperate alcalde whizzed
by him not a foot show his head. If the wonderful .
instinct of the Fresh had not warned him that ’
danger threatened the instant he discovered from
the sudden stoppage of the Ill ise made b the fugi-
tive in his flight, that the alcalde had alted, this
brief, but exact, chronicle would have come to a
sudden end, for the death of the hero should always
end the tale.

But, Blake was well u in frontier tricks, and the
moment he discovered t at the alcalde hadhalted
in his headlong fii ht he understood that the dos r- '
ate man, determined to sell his life dearly,
resolved upon resistance. ..

McAi ine seeing Blake dodge down, followed hisi
eimmp 9. Although they were two to one yet the
pursuers did not think it rudent to attem t to
advance, for the alcalde, intrenched behin the
rooks, was pretty certain to hit one or both of them.

The on] hing to be done was to flank the fugitive
in his wel -chosen position.

Neither McAlpinc nor the Fresh were the kind of
men to let the rass grow under their feet in an ad.
venture of this nd, and so immediately, and with'
out consultation, the began to work round in a
half circle to attack t e alcalde in the rear.

All was still as death‘ the quiet of the
primeval forest reigned, for the two men skulk
alo , stealin forward to their design with all the
cant ons ates th of the red son of the wihierness
from whom they had learned the cunning trick.

But their craft and skill alike were set at nan ht'
the alcalde was no novice in woodcraft, and he
tdken advantage of the stoppage of the hot pursuit
to steal away. ‘

He had halted only long enough to fire the shot
and force his opponents to take cover, and then,
silently as a snake, had retreated.

McAlpine and Blake came face to face right behind
the bowlder which had served the alcalde so well.

An angry exclamation came from the lips of the
adventurer but Blake only laughed; the trick being
shrewdly p yed, only served to amuse him. or the
Fresh was one. of those peculiar natures who are as
quick to admire a cunning device in a foe as to
praise it in a friend. ‘

“ He has escaped us," McAlpinc cried.

“ Yes, and I underrated the man for I had no idea
thathewasuptosuchad . Itookhimtohea
bull-headed bravo who woul , when cornered, put 9

gentleman.

hishackminst rock di lik
sdlinghis usearlgss‘gzisdgle. 0‘

 

 

 

 

  
 

xx.

_ ---. ., __ .- .
, Mn ‘

 

wv-w

- ' u-v—v v
,.,_ .

 

  

“FIR—Phil"

coon,97mo

 

85ml TR 9

833563 a P2 was:

‘r

wk

19

 

EH-v— he“ _.__ , W _,

““He who fights and runs away—‘ " (1110th

“ ‘ ill live to ht another day;’ eh?" cried
We, finishing the t(lgiotmion.

:Let us pursue him at once!" i
1 What after the start that he has got 2"

_1 thin that I am woodman enough to lift the
u u .”

“Do you think on can over these bare rocks that
la we no mark of uinan footsteps?”

“Yes ” replied Sandy. confidently.

" “Well go ahead; that sort of thingis out of my
sue.”

McAlpine in truth was a prett ood tracker, and
almost as good on the trail of a ying foe as any red
devrl that ever lifted hair, and the alcalde in his
headlong flight had not taken any pains to disguise
his trail; in act, he had no time to accomplish this
if he had wished to; and so, in s itc 0f the bad
.nature of the ground which rem cred the task a
difficult one indeed, McAlpine soon “lifted the
trail,” in mountain lance, and fast he and Blake
f illowed in the foot ps of the flyiii man.

Little hope had the Fresh, thong , of overtaking
the fugitive, for he reasoned shrewd] that with the
part t the alcalde had gained, sue a thing would
be almost impossible. And so it proved; for, after
fellowiug the trail clear down to the foothills, where
it struck the regular old Indian ath, and was lost
amid a dozen other footprints, t e pursuers were
it rced to ve up the chase.

“Satan imsclf protects this man!" McAlpine ex-
claimed in anger, as he came to an unwilling halt.

" No doubt, no doubt!" Blake replied, in a tone of
perfect conViction, “and the bi chief with horns
and tail has no better servant t an the alcalde of
Talon Camp,"

‘ I had achance at the scoundrel three or four
times, but I waited until I could be sure of my
game," Sand remarked, in a rsgrotful tone.

“ And so missed it altogether!’ Blake cried, laugh-
hg. “ Now, in future take pattern by me—always
‘ pull ' on a man if you think you have half a chance
9 hitting him; that’s my rule always, and it’s these
snapshots—marl all of which are more luck than
marksmanship—t t have given me the reputation
of being one of the best men at the trigger on the
N“ I.

“ I’ll crack at him the next time, whether I think
that I can hit him or not!"

“ And that next time will come ve soon,“ Blake
lemarked, its they struck back into t e upper trail
Again.

“ The sooner the better!" Sandy replied.

“ I reckon that in this little affair to-day we have
(aid out one-half or two-thirds of the best fighting-
Incn the alcalde could muster in his cutthroat camp,
and now I think that the man who takes Alex Black
by the beard won‘t have to be backed by an army."

8iKnificant words when coming from the lips of
Jackson Blake.

Leavin the two to retrace their way to the strong-
hold of t e Wolves, in the mountain, we will follow
lvhtlalfootstcps of the defeated ruler of the Mohave

a ey.

31%]: had quite a reputation for a-great many
1fts among the Tejon Lam ites; but, use runner,
to had never been counter much, yet it is uite
doubtful if there existed a man in all the Mo iave
“11.18% White or red, who could have beaten his
“ time” that day.

Winded and weary, full of rage at his defeat, and
Swear"! great schemes of vengeance upon the man
who ha so com letely beaten him at his own bold
Bil-me, the 8.1 de approached the mining town,
511d. JuSt at the same moment, from different ponits

the foothills, came other breathless and haggard
glen. One and all bearing evident marks of the terri-

le exertion which they had made. _

The alcalde halted and surveyed them With e es
nfiamed with r e—not wit i r e toward them, ut
and the euni‘igig foe who handgso roughly handled

m

It was the first time since the founding of Tejon
um that the alcalde and his bold ii hting-men had
"'3? n compelled to skulk home li e beaten curs.
The men gave ample proof of the desperate na-
are of the struggle through which they had passed,
or one and al were bleeding from ugly wounds.
‘he flight and the hot pursuit had been as bad as
line battle terrible as had been the surprise of the
Imbuscade. The alcalde had been the only; man
the hiad been fortunate enough to escape wit out a
oun .

Five men straggled forth from the pines of the a
[loothllls and came doggedly forward to meet their -’

eader, and each and every man shook his head 578
8 came up to the alcalde, as much as to say i H 1‘
Wasn t my fault; my blood and wounds show that I
lought like a tiger! ‘

f‘ And are you all that is left?" cried the alcalde,
with blazing eyes, as he looked upon the face-S 0f the
frond, stout men who had so often backed his quar-

“ Oaramba.”’ exclaimed the Mexican, who had
been 0ne_of the fortunate ones, and succeeded in es-
caping With only a slight flesh wound, " I think that
there is not many more. What would you have?
The? 81l’a‘lghtered us like sheep in that trap, and then
chased us through the mountains like so many
devils. B the bones of‘ all the saints! I never ran
lo‘fast be ore since I was born!” .

‘ Five—only five left!” the alcalde cried, seemingly
unable to convinc himself that the massacre could

we been so terri le.

“W11 . half of us went down at the first fire before
'0 a chance to return a shot!" another one of
be hand exclaimed

“ And then they followed us as we fled as fast and
‘I close as our shadows!" the Mexican ejaculated.

Wamba J" if I live to be a thousand years old, I

never forget this day's work i“

“ Nor I—nor I,” the alcalde repeated, slowly.
“ Well. It’s done now and can‘t be undone, but our
m come, boys, and then we‘ll back what
we owe for this day‘s work with doub e nterest.”

The members of tho gang'made wr faces at each
other; they were quite satisfied to at the matter

' land as it was; they had not the slightest desire to

over face the dare-devil sport and his followers

‘ Yen had better enter theI ranch by the and: door?
Black suggested. “ on’ care a u eve
thetownknowingthattheu fellows have

 

 

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

flexed us; and mind, keep a still tongue in your
heads about what has transpired to—day."

Of course they swore that they wouldn’t breathe a
word to mortal, and then they all proceeded to the
hotel.

The alcalde wcnt at once to his private apartment
and washed oil? the stains of the battle and flight,
then roccedcd to recharge his weapons. I-Iai'dl':
had t is been done when the door opened, and Stuart
lichcrr. pale and agitated, walked into the room.

The alcalde started to his feet in surprise.

“Aha! you have escaped!” he cried.

“ No: I was released to bring you a message.”

“ A message?"

“ Yes, a challenge to mortal combat.“

And before the alcalde could cry aloud his aston-
ishment at this, the loud, bold voice of Jackson Blake
run out, clear as the tone of the lierald‘s trumpet,
in t e street of the mining camp!

CHAPTER XXXV.
A non) DEFIANCE.

“ Wanna is this man, Alexander Black the alcalde
of this hyar Camp?" Blake cried. “Where is he?
He‘s the man 1 want; bring him out that I may spit
in his face and tell him to his teeth that heisa
cowardly cutthroat—a villain—a murderer of the

 

doe tdye!"
T e alcalde rasped his weapons and started to
his feet, his ace inflamed With an er, and no

wonder for it was not pleasant to be t us bearded
and defied right in his own town.

“He f0 owed me quicker than I thought!" the
merchant exclaimed. “ He released me and told me
to go straight to Tejon Camp and inform you that
he was com n in person to seek satisfaction."

“The curs idiot!" Black muttered; “his success
in the mountains has intoxicated him, and now he
has laced himself in m wer."

“ on’t be too sure 0 tiat,"‘McKerr warned. “I
think you will find he hasn’t come alone, but has a
good strong force at his back."

“ He’ll find that he has walked into a hornet's nest
before he gets out of this town!” the alcalde retorted.
although as he spoke the thought flashed across his
mind of how many good, bold rufflans had been laid
low that day in the fearful fight in the mountains,
the very picked men of the town, and he began to
count over in his mind the number of fighting-men
whom he could do nd upon to assist him in driving
this bold invader mm the Camp.

If he could only succeed in raisin the whole
Camp, the destruction of the Fresh an
was undoubted, but it was a question whether he
could succeed in doing so.

Ali-cad the daring sport had won a name for him-
self in t e annals of Tejon Camp, and the alcalde
felt that it would be no easy task to rouse the miners
to take action a *ainst him in a merely personal
quarrel, and whether he was strong enough to give
battle to the bold challenger, assisted only by his
own men, was a question that could only be decided
by actual trial.

And if he failed— Ah! the alcalde did not want to
think of that, for he .fully realized that, in this
struggle, it was either victory or death—there could
be no half-way about it.

“This cock is crowingnpretty loud, but if I get a
bead on him I reckon put a leaden pill into him
that will be mi hty apt to cha ge his note,” cried
the alcalde, as e marched out into the saloon,
revolver in hand. It was his intention to fire at the
bold invaer through the window, for the alcalde
was a dark id tricky Scoundrel who scorned a fair
and open fi t when he could take a mean advan-

e.
he saloon was deserted, with the exception of
the presiding enius behind the bar who looked
sober and shoo his head dubiously when its chief
appeared.

‘ Where are the boys?” the alcalde asked, per-
ceivi that none of the gang were around.

“ A1 u stairs.”

“Call t em, for I reckon that there is going to be
trouble.” ,

“Oh, this cuss means business, every time,” the
other remarked, as he departed on his mission.

The alcalde cautiously approached the window
and looked out. His revolver, ready cocked, was in
his hand, and he was fully prepared to fire if he
could get a favorable chance; but Black had to deal
with a man fully as crafty as himself, although the
Fresh would have scorned to use his craft to gain an
unfair advan of a foe. After promulgating his
bold defiance, lake had retired up the streettoa
safe distance, and, shelterin himself behind the
angle of a house, waited for t 6 coming forth of his

oe.

The Fresh was accompanied by eight men,_in-
eluding Sandy McAlpine and the young Californian.
The entire party were on foot, ut armed to the
teeth, and as Black from the window looked forth
upon and counted the party be fully realized that
unless he succeeded in rousing the miners of the
town and induced them to join him, he stood very
little chance of driving the assailants from the

am .

Th5 gang headed by the bai‘keeper came slowly
down into the saloon; they had bound up their
wounds and recharged their weapons, but they
evident] had no wish at all to encounter the men
who h previoule handled them so roughly.

A single glance t e alcalde took at the faces of his
men, and then felt satisfied that he would never be
able to induce them to stand against Blake and his

force.

But could he rouse the town? Doubtful, even if
he had the chance, which at present seemed denied
him, for the Camp was almost deserted now, the men
being at work in the mountain ches, more or less
distant from the town, and wi h Blake in full pos-
session. of the Cam while he was shut up in the
house, the Fresh ,h a much better chance of pre-
senting his side of the question than was afforded
to his enemy.

The face of the alcalde was fairly black with 
sion; never before in the whole course of his 1 e of
adventure had he been so fairly brought to bay, and
with so little chance of escaping from the perilous

position.
was
bloke

And while the alcalde, chafing with rage
eagerly seeking some escape from the tra ,
took advantage of the chance to explain t e situa-
tion to the few town-men who gathered around him.

 

his cohorts

 

attracted by the bold and ringing defiance which he
had uttere .

“ This thief of an alcalde has carried matters with
a high hand too long in this valley!” he declared.
“ I came here, a stranger, bearing malice to no man
within the limits of this Camp, and willing to abide
by the laws which are in force to overn you all
here. But that didn’t suit the alca do. He asked
what business I followed, and I told him honest]
and frankly that I never bothered my head muc
about business but depended upon my skill in and
playing to get a living and then he coolly informed
me that he didn’t think there was any opening in Te-
jon Camp fora man about my size, but that the quicic
er I got out the better, unless I would ‘oin his gang,
for he needed just such a man as myself. And then
at night he had a gang of masked men—the Black
Men of Tejon, as they called themselves—seize me
as I lay asleep, and they carried me down into a cave
where they were going to burn out my eyes with
red~hot irons and indulge in a few other pleasantries
of a like nature, but I managed to slip out of their
fingers, and now I‘ve come back, fellow-citbens, to
square the account with this great mogul who thinks
that he owns all this hyer valley; but he don’t own
me, and whilel stand in my boots] will not allow
any man to tread on me without calli him to an
account. And that‘s why I‘m hyer, ba ed by these
few friends, who kindly came along to see fair gray
or, if the alcalde‘s ang were willing, to take a d
in the fuss themse ves. I bear no ill-will to Tejon
Camp or to the men of Tejon Camp; in fact I pit
myself forward to deliver you from the tyranny of
this Alex Black who has lorded it over the Mohave
valley long eno h. He don‘t own this land, feilow~
citizens, not an inch of it, although he has set 11 a
rlaim to it; it belongs to the estate of the old cat le-
kin , Michael Scott Buenaventura, and I represent
the eir to that estate."

“ Well, stranger, it’s no quarrel of ours," said a
gra '-bearded miner, one of the re resentative men
of t e town. “ Of course the alcal e ain’t any more
than any other man, and if he has got any private
quarrels, why he ought to settle them, same as any
other gentleman.”

“Exactly! that is all I want!” Blake exclaimed.
“And as far as I am concerned, I‘ve done all that I
ought to, in the e(premises. I’ve walked up to the
man’s door, call him a thief and a liar and dared
him out to meet me: what more can I do?"

“ Nothing, that‘s a fact,” the miner admitted;
“but I say, stranger, s‘pose’n I go and see the al-
calde, and tell him that you’re hyer for a fight, and
see what he‘s going to do about it i”

_“ That’s a good idea; go it! I‘m ready to meet
him with any weapon he chooses, rifle, revolver or
knife; and if he wants to make the thing interesting,
and his gang are anxious to take a hand in the fun,
whyifiiy  hyer will accommodate them."

“ ' , ‘ carry t e message."

The olfminer departed.

The alcalde had noticed the interview and guessed
when he saw the miner approach the nature of the
message which he brought.

The miner, old Captain Bull, as he was generally
gallfid, related the particulars of his interview wit

a e.

The -alcalde gave an indignant snort when he
finished his recital.

“ And am I to risk my life against that of any
rufflanly fool who chooses to think that I have
wrongei him?” he demanded.

“ But it's our law, on know, alcalde; every man
has the right to a tria by battle."

“ Yes, when the man proves that I have wronged
him, which I hav‘n’t done and as for his cock-and
bull story about the Black Men of Tejon, why that is
all utter nonsense; the fellow must have got drunk
and dreamed it; but I say, captain, is the Camp
gom to stand this sort of thing? Am I, the alcalde
of t ie town, to be besieged in my own house and
compelled to fi ht whether I want to or notf Why
don’t on soun an alarm—raise the boys and drive
these ellows from the town )” demanded Black, im-
periousiy.

“ Well, really, alcalde, I don‘t believe that an of
the boys are hankering after sich a job,” the m ner
replie . “These cusses mean business, alcalde;
they intend to force if: to fight or know the reason

ar as I ' see, it’s all a private quarrel,

why, and as f
we .”

‘ Oh, is it?” sneered Black fearfully angry that
his words had no influence; ‘ and the town is going
to let this rufflanly gambler rule it and do exactly
as hfi likes?” t m h u

" ut you can’ expect e u cam to ht our
private battles for you!” the veteranpex fig 

“ Well, you can go back to this fellow and tell Him
that I am intrenchei hyer and I defy him and all
his force to get me out of this Ranch!“ the alcalde
cried, defiant y.

“All right; I’ll do ust as you say, but they‘llgo
for you, sure as shoot n’!”

“And if the do I’ll la some of them on their
bacllgs in migh y short 0 er," Black rotor-ted fero-
010 y.

The miner returned and delivered thedeflanoe to

Blake.
"Inside of an hour, I‘ll give him all the fight he
w ts, or I’m a Dutchman!’ the Fresh declared.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
aroma ran cm

Wrrn an ugly look upon his dark face the alcalde
watched the miner return to the invaders with the

deflafiit me e w‘hifi: he 
“ 0 you n e w dare to us ’
McKerr asked, anxiousfy The mercharmg-

ventura had little relish for this sort of till!" one
of luxury and of ease had unltted him for 1')an—
pati in deadly encounters.”

“ O , yes, he will try it on beyond a doubt," Black
answered 0 lessly.

“ And do ou believe that we will be able tohold

m?" McKerr was evidently doubtful
on this mint.
V

"Wit e determined men well armed and good
shots, ust such fellows as I ve hyer, I feel condo
dent t at I could hold the Ranch against fifty, and
tl.is infernal scoundrel hasn't got more than tea with

ma"3‘°m‘tw-"m- u’wm’ -
e wowere a .
wtofurehotdflanrfidp‘whomm .1

 

 

 

  
  
  
  
  

  

20

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

 

'—
'by the other window, the nearest one to the

Thisfellow is a desperate and determined man,“
the merchant remarked, evidently ill at ease, “ and
wonderfully expert, too, with his weapons.“

“ Oh, don’t be alarmed!" cried the alcalde, abru t-
iy; “although he did whip me pretty had up in t re
mountains, he can‘t repeat the operation hyer in the
town. You must take into consideration the fact
that he had all the advantage of position, and that
he took me entirely by surprise, for, I had no idea
that he had eight or ten men at his back; but the
tables are turned now. I am intrenched and he
must attack. There is no way of gaining an entrance
to the house exce t through the door or windows in
the front, unless t ey take an ax and chop a hole in

,1 en the. thingupssabadjt
‘ to try some cunnin: tric
‘ you and I irad better go up-s

b, or else they are going
11 n us. I reckon that
irs,“ he observed, ad-
dressing McKerr. “And you," and he addressed
the Mexican, “ take command down hyer. Bar the
door and plug ‘em if they attempt to break in
through the windows; but before they can do that
they‘ll have to run the gantlet of our fire from the
upper windows and I reckon that we will drop a
few of 'em on t e way."

Then tue tm men proceeded u stairs. The al-
calde threw up the window, and as e did so. a. well-
aimed bullet whistled by him, passing within an

1 inch of his head.

the side orback of the shanty, and as the Ranch is ‘

surrounded by open ound on all sides, they can‘t
possibly approach wrthout our seeing them. I‘ll
post a man at one of the upper windows in the rear,
and that will prevent a surprise in that quarter,"
and the alcalde at once proceeded to carry out this
n‘ocessary measure, then returned to his forther posi-
‘ on.

“ The ame has not been so easy a one for uses
we anticfpated," the merchant suggested.

“ No, on the contrary, we have only gained a
dngle point. The girl who came so far to seek her
nurtune we destroyed but her death seems only to

tve brought other claimants into the field, people
that I never dreamed to exist.“ .

“It is stings," the merchant admitted; ” and, by

Ire wa , now that you recall the destruction of ,

cAlpine‘s craft, do you remember the vision
that on ex rienced that night when we kept
nw upon t e bluff?"

The face of the alcalde darkened and he shut
his teeth firmly together for a moment, but an-
twered:

“ Ye I remember it very Well indeed."

“An that vision has come true, hasn't it? The
pan with the pale face dressed entirely in black, and
who Seemed to brir. the chill airs of the north with
him, was this dare-t evil Fresh of Frisco?" _

“Yes; and do you remember further that in my
vision I connected him with the girl because when
he first appeared to me, he bore a senseless female
n his arms, and she was all dripping wet, just as if
the had been plucked from the waves? ’

The merchant was quick to catch the idea.

“ You think, their, that as one part of the vision
me come true the other may be correct also?“

“Why not?“ the alcalde uestioned: “we believed
that Sandy McAlpine per-is red on that night, but he
escaped to tell the story of the wreck, and why not
she? ’

“ He is a strong man; she a weak woman—“

“ They stand a terrible amount of hardship some-
times, and like a cat they seem to have nine lives.
The strange irl, of whom I‘Ve told ou—who came
here and sai she was the wife of guel Scott, who
d‘sappe'u‘ed so suddenly and mysteriousl , and
ap arently without any reason—do you know begin
to dieve that she was this Barbara!"

It seems almost im ossibiel" McKerr exclaimed.

" The most impo4sib e things happen sometimes,"
go alcalde replied, “ and in this matter wherein all

e advantage appeared to be upon our side, fate
itself seems to have worked for the other."

“ Has the marvelous gift which you posses warned
you at allof what is in store in the future?“

“Yes but only dimly and uncertain; never since
sari childhood and the spell began to grow upon
meshes the sight been as clouded and uncertain;
but the visions presage death—whether to myself or
to another I know not; shrouded in a mist vapor a
tall iknre appears to me, Wearing a plai reversed
an i that always signifies death, on know, according
to our Highland creed; but w ether it is myself or
another who is fated I cannpt tell for ttllre tglloom
which enshrouds the figure s so ense in am
I nable to discover by the checks of the plaid whether
I is ours or another's.“

The face of McKerr assumed a gloomy expres-

D‘on.

“If are fi re wore the plaid, then it is pretty
. lain that it either you or ,“ he observed.

“ no; it may be this man Blake; he may be a
icotchman and entitled to wear the plaid, for all we
know," the alcalile replied. “ Blake, you know, is a

oid Scotch— r s name.
'W‘I‘f it is his own, which is doubtful," McKerr ob-
Iarved.

“ I never thought of that."

While this conversation had been going on, nei-
ther one of the two had neglected to keep a watchful
eye upon the movements of the Fresh and his men,
who were congregated a little way up the street,
rig-ht at the corner of a house which, in a measure,
Ill altered them from the observation of the men in

Candy

 

Despite his firm nerves and well-tried courage, he
dodged back; it had been a narrow miss.
The shot came from the interior of a small shanty,

 

l
l

‘ of the Santa Maria along the Pacific strand and ‘-

store and saloon combined, which was situated on ,

the opposite side of the stree
yards from the Alcalde's Ranch.
attacldng force had selected the shanty as a cover
for their operations.

“Are you hit?“ questioned McKerr, in alarm.

“ No, but it was a narrow sthueak,“ Black replied;
“but a miss is as good as am e, you know!"

t about a hundred L
It was plain that the ‘

Then the alcalde took the rude bunk in the room 1
and braced it up, mattress and all. against the win- ,

dow.

“ There, it will take a l{good charge of
a fine rifle to drive a ba throught at,“
with a dark smile u n his stern features.

Tire bunk also a orded the beleaguered men a
cover from whence they could look out and note, al-
most unobserved, the movements of the foe.

We say almost unobserved, for the alcalde was not
wholly so as was quickly proven, for he had hardl
occu )ied his look-out five minutes before the quic
crac of a rifle again run out on the air, and the ex-
pert marksman put a ha in the window casement
so near to the head of Black that one of the splinters
displaced by the ball struck him on the cheek.

An angry oath came from the lips of the alcalde-
his rifle cocked and ready. was in his hand, an
eagerly he sought to
who was displaying such excdlent marksmanship.

“ If I draw a
blazos, kiting!“ the enraged man cried.

But the expert riileman was so skillfully ambushed ‘

that, with at his keenness of vision, Black could not
get a sight of him.

For some fifteen or twent minutes nothing was
done on either side, and the ystanders, who, at safe
distances, were e erly watching the fight, were just

gain asight of the unknown ;

Ipowder and ,
eobserved, .

cad on him once, I‘ll send him to

beginning to vent late the opinion that, notwith- ‘
standing the threatening preparations, it wasn't go- ,
ing to be “ much of a shower after all," when, all of ‘

a sudden, the attacking force 0 he a most terrific
fire u n the Alcaldes Ranc , and dancingout
from bind the shelter of the shanty seemed upon
the point of charging Black‘s stronghold, pell-mcll.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
'rns Lun‘s AID.

Tm: alcalde‘s gang were frilly repared for action
thou h, and at once opened a risk fire upon the
attac ers and for a few minutes there was a lively

' exchange of shots, but very little damage done and

 

the  slackening. to h h

“ e 0 not are c arge acro. t e o ning!“
the alcglde exclaimed, in triumph. x I 1mg: that I
could hold the Ranch against them, and if they don‘t
do better than this,

on freezes overi‘
ut, hardly had the boast escaped his lips when
there was a terrible commotion down-stairs.

There came a yell of triumph, a few quick shots, a
grim of heavy footsteps and the sound of a struggle

, ow.

It was plain, no' 7, that the attack in front had
been but a clever device to mask an advance in the
rear and while the besieged men had had their at-
tent on occupied by the marksmen, covered by the
old shanty, another party had contrived, despite the
sentinel posted to keep watch in the rear, to gain an
entrance into the house.

And in order to explain how this had been accom-
plishcd we must 0 back a little.

e moment t t Blake received the defiant mes-
sage of the alcalde he prepared to attack the master
of chon Cam
realized that th
t.

It was while debating how to wage the war that a
new-comer appeared upon the scene-none other

. than the pcon, Indian Jose, the Liar

th 9 Bench; and they had been busily engagedin con- ‘

v0 nation until now, evidently debating!
m sic of attacking the Ranch; but now t e confer~
er ce ntly came to an end, for there was a
dc ci movement; Blake and his men abru tlfv rc-

rom

tnzated behind the house and disap
vi ht.
he alcalde and his gang grasped their weapons;

they felt that the tug of war was near at hand.

“Theyare coming for us sure enough!“ Stuart
McKerr exclaimed nervous . In truth, the incr-
chant had little rollsh for th s sort of thin , and 1.
hundred times since the trouble commen he had
wished that he was safely back again In Bueuaven-
turn, endinwardly he swore to himself that, if he
once got safely out of the scrape, not even the hid-
den treasures of old Michael Scott would tempt him
to venture his precious person in the wild and law-
less mountain re ion in. '
Btt' the sleek e was made of sterner stuff, and
aitho h' be had serious mlsgivin as to the issue of
the fig t, yet, man of blood and esperate deeds as
he was, he did not shrink from the contest

the twist ,

but rath- ‘

erlnvited it; for he liltd fully determined that the .

and would only be reached when he or Blake had
fallen and, with the bulldog courage which was so
co cuous a part of his nature, be real] cared
very little whether he lived or died, if he co d only
stressed in compassing the death of the man who
had had the boldness to brave his power and defy
Min to his ve teeth right in his own stronghold.

“1 We hat they mean business!" the
confessed. as he noticed that all the attack-
had w “M has either giv-

   
 

The old savage wandered about like an unquiet
irit, and his comings and goings could not be at
ide‘pended upon.

its grinned at Blake after the usual fashion of his
race, 6 aculated. “How?” then beckoned Blake
apart rom the rest, and in his peculiar way ro-
tested against an open attack upon the Al
Ranch —which of course meant that the savage had
a.better plan.

“ Out with i red-skin, if ye‘ve got an idea in yer
noddlc i“ cried lake.
Jose again nned as he suggested that by using

the secret un erground passage ieadin
old Indian mine in the mountains to t re Alcaldc's
Ranch an entrance could befained to the very heart
of the stronghold and the cfcnders taken entirely
by surprise.

Blake at once declared the plan to be a most ex-
cellent one, and the only thing difficult about it was
to procure a ride who knew how to find the en-
trance to the o d mountain mine, which the original
delvers in the earth had concealed so carefully.

Jose immediater declared his willingness to act
as a guide and significantly remarked that there was
not a foot of the mine but was as well known to him,
either in the dark or in the light, as his own hand, as
the district and the mine had been the property of
his tribe for a great number of years before the con-
qufiring white man had ever set foot in the Mohave
va e .

Bla e, eagerly accepting the offer, proceeded to
put the plan at once to the motion] test.

Four of his band he place under the command of
Sandy McAIpine, and they were instructed to keep
the alcalde and his ang busy by threatenin
attack from the fron keeping themselves we
con-red durin the operation so as not to expose the
weakness of t air force; and as the Indian stated
that within twenty or thirtyminntuat thalamus

I can hold it until the infernal ‘

‘ foot of Tejon Cam

in his very stronghold. He well t
is would be no easy task, for, forced -
l to the wall, Black would make a desperate flgh

de‘s ‘

, ing fmm the frequent discharges that a free hht o 

from the ‘

. dealt him so terrible a blow, then turned away with

i that it was a g

l as to fu v occupy the attention of the
~ thus render the surprise complete.

 

    
 
   
  
       
   
  
  
 
    
 
   
 
  
   
    
 
  

the attacking party would arrive at the 'm
McAlpine was nstructed that at that time he : I
his part were to wake a strong demonstration, ; :

besieged :

The orders were carried out to the letter. McAl-
pine himself Was the skillful marksman who :.
excited the rage of the alcalde by his well-aim.
shots, and if ever a man threw his heart intoh
work, the adventurer most sure did, for he we“
after l‘t‘Vi‘il e for his wrongs an panted fa- satin.
faction for t e crafty trick which strewed the hon”

nearly sent him to a wateryfirave.

With a yell and a cheer lake and his men came-
mshing into the saloon.

“Throw down your arms or die!" the Fresh cried.

But the ruffians, panic-stricken by the unexpecte‘
attack, and expecting to be instantly slau hte ‘ ,
rushed in hot haste out through the dooran fled u 
the street; at the same moment, too, the nice] . '
comprehendin r that all chance of holdingxthe Ranch
was gone an that safety could only found r
flight p ed the bed away from the window -:
jump (rlrg through the casement leaped to
groun .

It was a device that deserved success, but as
alcalde leaped through the air, sharp and clear
out a sin le rifle—shot.

Full of ife and strength, areckless, (tea
was the alcalde when he ice (1 through t re <
but the mass that came eavin tumbling to a.
ground, was but flesh molded n the image of .
man—carrion clay, fit only for the worms or t *-

raiem

funeralgryre.
Alex lack, the Alcaide of Teg‘on Cam , was dead.
the stro man who had ruled he mug and turb '

lent spi ts of the Mohave valley with a rod of iro ‘
had, b the agency of a little bit of leadégropeiled
by a ew grains of powder, and direct by the
hand of a man whom e in his imperious wa , had
rudely trod ugpn, yielded up, in a second, the rfe
stron within is veins.

Wit the death of the alcalde the fight ceased, for
Blake and his band disdained to strike at the trio:
stricken rufi‘ians fleeing in hot haste for their 1 es.

It had been an almost bloodless victory, thanks to
the clever plan of Jose, the Liar.

The merchant, unnerved and affriglued, descended
to the saloon, expecting to be harsh] dealt with;
but, to his su rise, he was quietly rece ved by Baku
who referred “in to the oun Californian.

“ You can settle wit th s gentleman," he re:
marked; “ if he chooses to call you to an account we.
shall be obliged to take up the quarrel; otherwiso‘
you are free to depart as far as I am concerned."

“ Step one side, please," said the young man, and
when t re merchant eager! complied trustin that
he was oin to get out o the obble in wh ch he
girund h mse f, the Californian made known his con—

tiorrs.

“ I represent Barbara Scott," he declared
the amazement of the merchant, “ the
you doomed to a most cruel death; now w
pro 6 to do to atone for that act?“

cKerr saw that he was fairly can ht and that, in
order to escape from the trap in w ch he had un-
wittingly laced himself it would be necessary to
make a li rai offer. The alcalde was dead; upon
the alcaldc's shoulders, then, he could place all the
blame, for the dead man could not very well deny it.

It was an ingenious idea, and the merchant put it
in a very sresentable form as he related how that
alcalde a tempted him and how weakly hehad

ielded to the tem tation, but he kept in his own ';
reast the secret t t he and the dead man were i
kindred. .

He made an extremely fair offer; if the past we!
blotted out and his conduct f0 tten, in the futur' .,
he would do all in his Wer to d the youn heiress "
not only to find the hi den treasure of the o d cattle'
king. but to recover the estates of her grandfather. ‘
which so many eager, lawless hands had clutched. 
As the merchant tersely ex lained, near eve ,

belongede her, and ede "
alcalde, in truth, ad not the shadow of a claim to:
it. In fine, he would work for her intereststo thO'
best of his ability, and would acce for his servicd ‘
whatever recompense the heiress c use to bestow. .3

To this ofi'er certainly no one could ob ect, and ti)!
young Californian at once signified that e would so
cept t

much to
girl whom
at do ya!

 

 
   
    
   
 
     
 
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
  

on behalf of Barbara Scott.
‘And where is Miss Barbara?“ the merchant in

quired.
“She will be here tonight," was the repl .
McKerr refrained from asking any furt er qu
tlons, although he was eager to learn how the -
managed to escape the terrible death to which 3
had been consigned: but, situated as he was,
thought that it would hardly do to expose his

osit .

T e miners came tFrrulually flocking into town, .
tracted by the soun of the firing, naturally su r '
the “ tallest “ kind must be gorng on.

Great was the ,neral astonishment when they I
held the dead y of the alcalde and learned w
had transpired. And then there was a mystery, u ’3.
about the alcalde‘s death; no one seemed to kn
who had fired the shot which had laid low the on
iron-willed master of Tejon Camp.

Sogreat had been the excitement and confusi v
attending the struggle that the slayer had ’
unnoticed.

Sandy McAlpine, though, had come forward an!
taken a good look at the fallen man, who had onot ‘

 
    
       
   
 

a fierce but satisfied look .rpon his bronzed f , and ~.
the chances are great that the adventurer could have
23111:? the name of the alcalde‘s slayer had he at 4,.

    

To Blake, the Californian made known the
ment which had been entered into with the mere t
of Buenaventu and the Fresh at once declared
th ng.

“He can render aid in this matter that no other
man can for he is well uainted with the affair
from the ning, and a the lesson which he
has received. there is hardly a doubt that he will in
honest now," he remarked.

To the miners Blake explaind why he had attach
ed the alcalde, showed them the secret trap-door! u
the Ranch, and the secret, underground
and althoughtbedead mwasnctwitbcum

 
 

 
 
 

 

  

 

  
     
 
 

 

a no 70314:} arre- o v

‘3'

sr66°

 

 

I

B hi.

   
 
   
  
   
    
  
    
   
   
  
  
 
  
 
   
   
  
   
 
  
   

 F .95. sis-.srr‘irfi 1

l

i

b .
l

flu Sign: 23.5.? was“ as

 

 

 

the prowess of the Fresh and his backers had
n so great that nothing openly was said.

The alcalde had ruled b virtue of the strong arm;
by a strong arm had he gillen; it was his fate, and
now that he was dead the town of Tejon Cain real-
Agreathed more freely, for a stern ruler had been
t dead chief.

 

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
'rnr. man’s FAITH.

Tn: Fresh at once took possession of the hotel in
the name of Miss Barbara Scott, and as he was so
well backed no one dared to say nay.

When the shades of night began to gather around
the Camp, the young C 'foniian came to flake and
announced that he must ride forth to meet Miss Bar-
bara and conduct her to the town.

Blake merely assented with a nod of the head, and
the_young man departed; but there was a curious
emne upon Ila face as he looked after the mysteri-
ous stra er who had succeeded in kicking up such
a. row in t e mining town.

The throng that night in the saloon of the Alcalde‘s
Ranch was great, for like wild-fire the news of the
fight and the t ic death of the alcalde had spread,
and one and all ocked in to take a look at the scene
of the encounter, and to hear from eyewitnesses the
full particulars of the tragic affray.

The saloon looked the same as usual; everything
was in full blast as on the night when we fin-it intro-
duced the reader to its mysteries, with the excep~

'tion that the stalwart form of the alcalde no longer
presided over the monte table.

The clock behind the bar pointed to the hour of
nine and the hum of conversation mingled with the
vclinking of glasses resounded through the room
when t 0 front door of the saloon o ned suddenl
and a tall female figure, complete y clad in blac
and heavily vailed, entered the a ment.

The conversation ceased; the 'nk of glass touch-
ing glass was heard no more; instead, a loud “ hush l"
sounded through the room and every eye was fixed
upon the stra er. It had been generall rumored
around that t e heiress would arrive t t night,
but few expected to see her alone and unattended.

Then one rough fellow near the door took it upon
himself to do the honors.

He pulled off his weather-beaten hat, cleared his
voice with a husky “ ahem,“ and said:

“ Miss Barbara Scott, of Buenaventura, I take it,
niarm ?‘ ’

“ Yes, sir,“ responded the lady, in a clear, sweet,
but strong and resolute voice.

And it was Barbara Scott, the orphan heiress, who ‘

had journeyed so far to grasp a fortune, but had
so nearly found a grave instead.

“We’re glad to see that you're alive, miss, and
came to claim your own!“ the rough fellow contin-
llill .

And then another, not to be outdone by the first,
pulled olf his hat and swung it over his head, crying
on : '

“ Three cheers for Miss Scott, of Buenaveutura!"

‘The cheers were given with a roar that made the
p. l sliauit ring; then Blake coming forward.
.1‘. roducel himself and informed the lady that the
“ti-st apartment that the Ranch could boast had been
assigned to her.

Not sorry to escape from the demonstrations of
the min -rs, although the were prompted by the
most 'kindly feeling, the rally followed Blake, who
clinducted her at once to her room.

Where is the gentleman who went to bring you?"
the Fresh naturally asked, after they had entered
the apartment.

The lady turned and quietly removed her vail.

Blake was struck by the marvelous resemblance
touthe youn ' Californian.

Ah, my old young friend is your brother, then?"
he observed in the most innocent manner possible.

She smiled and fixed her brilliant black eyes full
upon his face.

“ Wh do

claim H on attcm t to deceive me?“ she ex-
e .

_ on know oil well who and what the
you Californian was. Although I did not believe
“I at ‘ rBt'yet now I am satisfied that you penetrated
my disgmse the very first time that we met in the
1'00!!! below.“

“ Oh. 110: not quite so bad as that! Idid not guess
§221and what you were until from the lips of Sandy

me I heard the story of Barbara Scott."

e recognized me at once; but then, of course,

he had preViously known me, but he had wit enough
$000 my secret."

You played your part so well that I would have
defied almost any one to have discovered you unless
“‘3? had been acguainted with on.“

Fortune wiile that I sho d be well favored by
gluture and by circumstances, so that I could success-

 assume such a disguise," she re lit-d. “ All my
0&1 y life was spent at sea. 2i! ather was the
311185981- of a trading craft that p ‘ed in the Gulf of
exico, and so it happened that I was used to all
weathers and to almost every hardship,
reckless wa I learned to take my ‘ ri
Wheel as we as any sailor that ever took a tiller in
hand' I could swim like a fish, and therefore, when
the tile craft of McAlpine was wrecked, i found
Inwa in an element almost as natural to me as the
And. It was a long swim and a da erous one,
for the surf beat on the coast with terrib fury, but
I made the shore at last. I understood at once that
had been the victim of a terrible plot and that, if I
“shed to battle my enemies, I must le them believe
their scheme had succeeded, and that I had
’erlshod. When the light came I found some alti-
eles‘ of male attire that had been washed ashore
from the wreck. I discarded my womanly armems
a and attired myself in these, casting m clot “‘8 upon
iéthe body of the you sailor which I ound hi h and
.~. upon the stran . I knew that the hi and
,fibeasts would soon make haVoc of the mmains, and
si‘if my enemies came to look for my body, when they

hadsurely perished."

“ and so it all ha pened, it

., “ Yes; then,

a... ut to beg m

a tit at whiih
~ - old

a

to kce

way to this p ace, but the very first

implored assistance was the home of

glean. He was deeply steeped in liquor, but
blance took

for in my :
ck’ at the ‘

eund the bones of the sailor, with piccos of my gar- ‘
u ents near, they would be misled into believing that 1

pg my‘disgulee, I set ‘

 

The Fresh of Frisco.

2:.

 

«

 

not Miguel Scott but he insisted that I was, and so
at last I resolve< to humor the delusion, since it
would do no harm. lle supplied me with clothes,
weapons, 0. horse, money, everything. Then I went
to San Barbara, procured what articles I needed,
and then came on here; you know the rest."

“ At last you have triumphed.”

a clew to the hiding-place; the wealth is concealed
in that very cavern where, with hot irons, the
alcaldc threatened to burn out our eyes."

“ He was hot on the scent yet never guessed it
Blake declared.

“ Let us go at once and see if the treasure is still
there; I am in a fever of impatience!“

“I will get a lantern."

Blake soon returned with this necessary tool for
the work which they had in hand, and at once they

roceeded to the underground ion, whither they
kill been carried on that ineinora lc night when the
Black Men of chon had seized them for a prey.

In

Rapidl they threaded the narrow, subterranean
way, an in a very short time arrived in the main
cavern.

“There; it is concealed behind the rocky throne
where the masked udge sat; the rock moves on a
ivot—it is a natur rocky stone, but the force must
exe in one particular place else it will defy
{he} strength of a hundred men to move it a par-
ic e.”

As they advanced eagerly to the stone 8. dark
figure dttggped out from the shadow of the wall and
confron them.

Strong of will and resolute as were both these
seekers after fortune, yet the sudden apparition
startled them.

“ How?“ came in guttural tones from the lips of
the unknown and they saw at once that it was the
Indian J one Embustero.

The Liar was faithful to his trust, and well it was
that he was there, for, with that artfulnees so natural
to his race, he had blocked the rocking-stone with a
small fragment of granite, so that it was impossible
for any one, even though acquainted with the secret,
to cause the stone to move.

With one of his stolid grins the sav
trick, and removing the obstacle ca the stone to
rock aside, revealing a cavity wherein the hidden
treasures of the old cattle-king were snugly bestowed
just exactly as he had placed them long years be
fore.

The wealth was there; and, more than the wealth
—an old and yellow warohment which, at Barbara‘s
request, Blake examined.

told of his

 

City in Up er Arizona, somewhere near the Great
1 Canyon of t it: Colorado, where golden nuggets lay

‘ Hilcd in solid heaps, and wealth equal to the wildest f
reams of the greatest iniser that the world ever a

saw, was to be had for the mere takin , provided a
‘ man had wit enough to find the Lost it , strength
; enough to cope with the wild red Apache warriors
whose tcrritor ' must be entered, and worldly know-
I ledge sumcien to laugh to scorn the vague unsub-
| stantial stories of the horrid shapes, demon shadows,
| the unquiet souls of, the old-time denizens of the
Lost City who were said to still haunt their former
abode, and whose wrath was excited if strange foot-
; steps trod u on their hallowed ground.
“ You wis ed a chance to lead another and a bet-
, ter life!" the girl exclaimed. “ Take this parchment,
, find the Lost City, and its treasure will make you
i independent forever, unless you prefer to stay and
l share my fortunes!"
. “ No, not a penny!" Blake replied, decidedly. “ I
l will undertake the quest, but if I return alive, one
favor I will ask at your hands.”

“You have but to name it and it is yours!" she
cried, extendin her hand, which be grasped, ardent—
ly; “ask even or my life and it is yours!"

The treasure found and Barbara mistress of her
: own our tale is told. We lay aside the pen, but not
for ion r, for in a new field we must trace the for-
tunes 0 Jackson Blake, the “ Fresh of Frisco."

THE END. -

 

DIME DIALDDUES AND SPEAKERS

FOR 3011001; EXHIBIT/0N8
AND HOME ENTER TA INMEN TS.

Dialogues, Nos. 1 mm inclusive, 15 to 25 popu-
lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol-

ume 100 pages 12mo. .
Speakers, Nos 1 to 24 inclusive. Each speaker
100 pages l2mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES

Dime Book of Winter Sports.
Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports
Dime Gents' Letter Writer.
Dime Book of Etiquette.
Dime Book of Verses.
Dime Book of Dreams.
Dime Fortune Teller.

3 Dime Ladiee' Letter Writer.
i Dime Lovers‘ Casket.
I Dime Ball-Room Companion.
‘ Dime Book of 100 Games.
Dime Chess lnstnictor.
Dime Book of Beauty

WThe above books are sold by newsdealors
everywhere, or will be sent. post-paid, to any ad

' “W ° km W 3" 030° lad 13‘ dress. on receipt of price, ten cents each. Brunt. ,
no , a m of my _ r9e whom , .
‘ never at until then. told him that! was at. Anna, Publishers. 8 William #13,“!~
en . . '  l‘ A f " ,1 I ., I L I . ‘ :‘ r  M ‘ .
:5? 'M 3 ’1‘). “\ ' ”

“ Yes; the secret, hidden treasure is mine; I have ,

 

he parchment told a wonderful tale of aLost ‘

 

BEADLE & ADAMS’

STANDARD DIME PUBLICATlDNS

Speakers.

Bum Aim Anus have now on their lists the fol!
lowing highly desirable and attractive text-hem
prepared express] for schools, families, etc.
volume contains] large ages, printed from clear.
open tylpe, comprisin t e best collection of Dir
logues, ramas and itations, (burl ue, comb
and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for he season
of 1879—113 far as now issued—embrace twenty-one

 

volum viz.:
1. American Speaker. 12. Exhibition 8 er.
2. National Speaker. 18. School Spe er.
3. Patriotic Speaker. 14. Ludicrous Speaker.
4. Comic Speaker. 15. Komikal Speaker.
5. Elocutionist. 16. Youth‘s Speaker.
6. Humorous Speaker. 17. El uentb er.
7. Standard Speaker. 18. Colum ia Spell»
8. Stump Speaker. er.
9. Juvenile Speaker. 19. Serb—Comic Speak
10. Spread-Eagle Speaker [ 20. Select S er.
11. Dime Debater. 21. hinny peaker.
22. Jolly S or

These books are re lete With choice pieces for t
School-room, the ibition, for Homes, etc. The
are drawn from ram sources, and contain some
the choicest oratory of the time. 75 to it!) Declamen
tions and Recitation in each book.

Dialogues.

The Dime Dialogues, each volume 1(1) pages, on-
brace' twentyvthree 
size:  as 1 mm-  PM...
Dialogu‘ues No.’ Three. 1 Ding: Ng' Fffutcen.
Dialogues No. Four. ' Dialogues No: Sixteen.
Dialogues No. Five. 1 Dialogues No. Seventeen.

Dialogues No. Six. l Dialogues No. ‘ hteen
Dialogues No. Seven. , Dialogues No. Nineteen.
Dialogues N0. Eight. ' Dialogues No. Twenty.’
Dialogues No. N me. i Dialogues No. Twenty-one.
Dialogues No. Ten. l Dialogues No. Twenty-two.

Dialogues No. Eleven I Dialogues No. Twenty-three
Dialogues No. Twelve. ' Dialogues No. Twenty-four.
15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book.

These volumes have been re with especial
reference to their arailabiHy n all school-rooms.
They are adapted to schools with or without the fur
nitiire of a stage, and introduce a range of charac-
ters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and
female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet
offered to schools, at (my price, contain so many
(trailer and useful dialogues and dramas, serious
and comic.

Drama and Readings.
164 12mofiPages. 2!) Cents.

For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and. the Arr»
ateur Stage, comprisin Original Minol
Comedy, Farce, Dress eces Humoro
and Burlesque, by noted w ters; and -
and Readin , new and standard, of tin,
celebrity an interest. Edited by Prof. A. K. \

DIME HAND-BOOKS.

Young People’s Series.
Burma’s Dun: Hum-Boone ma Yovxo M
cover a wide range of subjects, and are especial
adapted to their end. They constitute at once the
cheapest and most useful works yet put into the
market for popular circulation.

Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games. ‘
Gents‘ Letter-Writer. FortuneTeller.
Book of Etiquette. Lovers’ Casket.

 

Ball-room Companion,
Book of Beauty.

Hand-Books of Games.

BEADLE'S Dun: HAND-BOOKS or Gums AND Pom.“
RAND-BOOKS cover a variety of subjects, and are 90-
ially adapted to their end.

Book of Verses.
Book of Dreams. |

k of Croquet. Yacht‘ and Rowi .
Chess Instructor. Ridinguhgnd Drivinng
Cricket and  Book of Pedestrianism.
Guide to SWimmmg. Base-Ball Player for 187‘),

Manuals for Housewives.

Bnnm‘s Dnm FAIILY SERIES aims to an a
class of text-books and manuals fitted for evepplgeb-
son 3 use—the old and the young the learn and
the unlearned. They are of con ed value.
1 Cook Book. 4. Family

2. Recipe Book. 5. Dress and In.
8. Housekeeper‘s Guide. 

 

Lives of Great Americans.
Are resented to d og-ra
of mgn of theumglanp‘ewhouhavzufldned‘clutgter 
gepuoc by their lives and deeds. The series em-

l.—Geo Washington. v11- Cm],
n.—Joi.;g§sui Jones. VIII £7.13 m‘

Ill—MadAnthonyWayne ix.:Kit mi?“

IV.——Ethan.Allen. X.—Tec h.’

V.——M:trtquis de Lafay- xXIII.-—Abraliaiiiflinch.
. e. —

VI.—§Danicl Boone. ' 01mm.

 

SONG BOOKS.

Burma‘s Dun: Sosa Boons. Nos. 1 to 83 containing
the only p0 ular collectzl f ' '
found in thtla3 market. on O wpyflgm songs to be

 

MISCELLANEOUS mam BOOKS.

Robinson Crusoe. J ' / Book
Pocket Joke Book. I pfldgmmm
The above f - ' I" t A l
or. he I... r
'v ' 'j . r s ~ V; w  A)": 
.> a .335? .. ' 

 

I

 
 

 

I

 

 

 

BIG JOKE BOOK SERIES.

“OH! MAMMA, BUY‘ME THAT!”
STORIES. Illustrated. 64 pages. ;
GRIN’S CATECHISM OF FUN. Illustrated. 64 pages. _ ‘ 1
THE TROUBLES OF MR. AND MRS. BOVVSER. Illustrated. 64m 1
MCGINTY‘S JOKE BOOK. Illustrated. 64 pages. 1
WIT AND HUMOR OF THE BENCH AND BAR. 48 pages. I 1
WIDE-AWAKE SKETCHES. Illustrated. 80 pages. 
SOME SCREAMING YARNS. Illustrated. 64 pages. ' - l
ROARING JOKES FOR FUNNY FOLKS. Illustrated. 64 pages.
“ JOLLY JOKES FOR JOLLY PEOPLE." Illustrated. 64 pages.
"THE BUTTON BURSTER; on, FUN ON TIIE RAMPAGE.” Illustrated. 64 pagm.
LAUGHING GAS; 0R, DRIVE DULL CARE AWAY. Illustrated. 64pagea
PUT THROUGH; on, FREEMASONRY AND ODD FELLOWSHII
EXPOSED. BY “BIIICKTOP.” Illustrated. 64 pages.
“ FUN ON THE ROAD.” A RECORD OF AMERICAN WIT AND HUMOR. 48 page.

PRICE 12 CENTS EACH BY MAIL. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN.

 

 

 

A COLLECTION OF JOLLY JOKES AND Fm:

 

 

 

HUMOROUS PUBLICATIONS.

THE CELEBRATED

 

LAUGHING SERIES.

 

HY MOTHER-IN-LAW. BY “ BRICK’I‘OP.”
Hopkins. 88 pp., Paper, Svo.

This is one of the most humorous stories of the day. Every man and
\oman in the country should read this seriocornio experience Of a man with
[is mother-in-law. who made home torrid for him. and how he succeeded, after
my attempts and failures, in getting rid of her.

)UR FIRST BABY; on; TIIE INFELICITIES OF OUR HONEY-
MOON. By the author of “ My Mother-in~Law,” etc. Illus-
trated. Paper, 8vo. ,

This is a witty and charming narration of a young married couple. It pre-
sents vividly the first attempts of a young husband at housekeeping.

SMITH IN SEARCH OF A WIFE. By the author of " Our
First Baby," etc. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo.

Thisstory is not founded on fact. but there is so much comical human
ntnre in it that truth couldn't make it any better. It should be read by every-
body contemplating the great lottery of marriage. Lsughsbly illustrated by
fl'homas Warth.

ffARMING FOR FUN; on, BACKYARD GRANGERB. Br " BRICK-
TOP. ” Illustrated by Thomas Worth. Paper, large 8vo.
A laughable story. The experience of Timothy Budd and his wife at city

gardening is brimful of fun; and thousands who read it will exclaim: “I‘ve
been there i"

fPARseN BEECHER AND HIS HORSE. Br "Bmcmop."
Illustrated by Thomas Worth 96 pp., Paper, large 12m0.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, brlmful of fresh, brilliant humor and
imghable situations, the author claiming it to he the best of his many humor-
ous productions.

FRED DOUGLAS AND HIS MULE. Companion to “ Parson
Beecher and His Horse.” By the same author. Illustrated.
96 pp., large 12m0.
Asa story of the late war it deals with people who “ were there,” and will
.0de popular with the “ Vets," many of whom enjoyed the very fun that
bhere depicted.

Illustrations by

'v I
BOUNCED; on, THE ADVENTURES OF AN UNLOCK? MA]. 3" ‘

JouN CARBOY. Illustrated. Paper, 8vo.

THE QUIET YOUTH; I... JUST LIKE H3 Uncu. Br  I
Tor.” Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. ”

BEANWHACKER'S TROUBLE; OR, NOT A BIT Lin H3 “
UNCLE. A sequel to “Just Like His Uncle.” Br J0!!!~ J
Cannon Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo.

BEACON BOGGLES AND HIS LIVER PAD. Br Vina.i
WANDER. Illustrated. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo.

This book is a humorous record of the Deacon‘s frantic strugghs with d.
malignant enemy of. the human race—the dreaded len Pan.

THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS SHOWN UP. BY “Baml
Tor.” Illustrated. Paper, 8vo. "Don’t make any misr
take." 4 gs

JOINING THE GRANGERS; on, Expanmxcs or em a ll
DODGER. By the author of “ My Mother-ln-Law.” 64 I :4
pp., 16mo. i ll

DRY GOODS DRUMMER. BY TO)! WONDER. 88 pp., 161110. E

This is one of the funniest of all the Laughing Series. and its glimpseso! the
trials. scrapes, and troubles of a Drummer on his travels are Mt!»
medicine to cure the blues and make the reader happy.

TRIP OF THE SARDINE CLUB. Br “Bummer.” so pp,‘

16mo. Profuser Illustrated by Thomas Worth. '

This book is full of fun and sentiment, giving personal observations and

historical reminiscences of places on the Hudson betWeeu New York IN
Albany.

SCRAPES OF FARMER SKOOPENDYKE. Illustrated. He

buys a Billy Goat. He Gives Widow Snugg a Sleigh-ride

His Experience with Dr. Bungle. Mrs. Maloney’aamt.

etc., etc. Paper, 8vo. 80 pages. "

 

     
 

88388333’3333

Any Of the above books sent by mail on receipt of 12 cents. Postage stamps taken.

 

 ~ fli. .l. lvers & 60.. Publishers. (James sum-m, mm.) 379 Pearl Street. New York.

. J

y

 l'flluss‘nasaiaas

he 3~=s~'»,a;m'*.~"r -- '.-  A n .4

" BEADLE’S*DIME*EBRARY.

MW Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.

928 Old Sobersldes, the Detective of St. Louis.
65 White-Horse Wheeler. the Revenue Detective.
918 The Double Edged Detective.
907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere.
Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport.
884 T.e S tter-S ort's Neck-Tie Party.
870 High- ater ark; or. Silver-Tip Sid.
962 Riata Rob. the Ran e Chain ion.
. 855 The C -waV Chief s Sure-S ot.
848 The Rival Red~Hnt Sports.
837 Curly Kid. the Cheyenne Sport.
824 The Soft Hand Detective.
815 The Soft Rand‘s Clutch.
% r[gap Egon tIhe Soft-Hand Sport.
ne sco )etectlve’s Th -'I‘ is.
189 Sam Cary. the River S ortl.lg mg
‘80 The Dead Sport’s Don le.
(71 Prince John. Detective S ecial.
763 Dandy Don, the Denver etective.
754 the Man from Texas; or. Dangerfield. the
144 s “Tag? h 81
-' ‘wee ta es m,t e iverSport.
5; 72) The ret sa- or. Old Halcyon.
I, 712 The Man of 311i.
713 Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte.
693 Kent Kasson, the Prvac er Sport.
683Bob Breeze, the Ronnder Detective.
675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrix;
Solemn Saul’s Luck Strxak
3:} 31:9 Get-Tigers Sharp.
iveat p ~ve. tie S Scra r from Sisxi on.
645 Gopher Gabe, the Ungen Dearective. y
6% Dandy Darling, Detective.
627 Mosska Mose, Ihe Monntaineer.
617 The Gri Sack Sharp’s Even u .
597 Big Ban y. the Biigadier of B mstone Butte.
588 Sandy sands. the Sharp from Snap City.
576 Silver—Tonsgued Sid: or, Grip Sack Sharp‘s Sweep.
564 The Gl'lp- ack Sharp; or. The Seraphs of Sodom.
555 Grip-Sack Sid. the Sample Sport.
547 The Buried Detective; (Ir. Sniil’s Six Sensations.
541 MaJor Magnet. the Man of Nerve.
535 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift
524' Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective.
514 Gabe Gum. the Grizzl from Ginseng.
504 Solemn Saul. the Sad an from San Saba.
495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead’s Reprisal
488 The Thori ughbred Sport.
474 Daddy Dead-Eye. the Desoot of Dew Drop.
4 0d Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown
_ Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenbcrg.
443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.
438 Oklahoma Nick.
.- $33 Laughing Leo; or. Sahi‘s Dandy Pard.
6% The Ghost Detect ive: or. The Secret. Service Spy.
416 Monte Jim. the Black Sheep ofBismarck.
09 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
103 The Nameless Sport.
895 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringers.
D irk urg. the Ishmael of the Hills.
_. 1672 Ca taia Crisp. the Man with a Record.
867 A yal Flash: or. Dan Brown‘s liig Game.
360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
855 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete.
351 Nor West Nick. the Border Detective.
345 Maskedlliark. the Mounted Detective.
839 Spread aagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
831 thspa Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport.
817 Hank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.
902 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.
2&1 Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand.
283 Sleek Sam. the Devil of the Mines.
257 Death Tra Dig ngs; or. A Man 'Way Back
249 Elephant om. o Durango.
941 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.
933 The Old Hoy of Tombstone.
an Pirate of the Placers: or. do uin‘s Death Hunt
180 Old ‘49' or. The Amazon of A as.
170 Sweet William-the Trapper Detective.
‘ 165 Joaquin. the Terrible
154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.
141 Equinox Tom. the Bull ‘ of Red Rock.
119 Alabama Joe; or. The 'azoo Man-Hunters.
lib Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.
88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.
71 Captain 0001 Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark.
67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport.

BY WM. G. PATTEN.

810 Fire-E e. the Thug’s Terror.
795 Old N hirHfiWk, the Crook Shadower.
M The Prin e of New York Crooks.
756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective.
747 Double-voice Dan 3 Double Disguise.
715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck.
702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective
J96 Double-Voice Dan, the Go—lt Alone Detective.
689 The Sparkler Sharp.
676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.
669 Old True Blue. the Trusty.
. The Giant Sport; or. Sold to Satan.

I Old Plug Lay. the Rough and Read!-
" ~ Gold Glove id the Man of Grit.
w 1 Aztec Jack. the PSé‘l’t Nomad.
d Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp.
ti" Ca taln Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
'4 O Dismal. the Range Detective.
" Hustler Harry. the Cowboy SP0”-

IIY GEORGE C. JENKI.
010 The Arizona Detective.
No Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport.
m The Silver Sport‘s Double.
1” The Race-Course Detective.
856 The Hayseed Detective.
77: Ca in Cordon. the Twister Detective.
755 W Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective.
m Fearless Sam the Grand Combination Dem".
' m. Boston Bob. the Sfiol't Detective.
4‘ W 'Jauntv Joe. the cckey Detecdvo.

‘ Mad Sharp, the Rustler
' ’ Rocket. thwt Detective.
' - the erfoot W1.

 

 

 

m

.x.

 

 

    

   
 

  

 
 

" P
a i,.......~ L.

i V ‘ “ 19"

 

‘

BY WILLIAM R. EYS'I‘EII.

916 Two Dead-Square Sports.

902 Soft Velvet, the Man irom Sandrock.

891 Genteel Jim. Sport-at—Lar e.

881 The Clubman-Crook's Cat s-paw.

$7 The Frisco Sport.

852 The Stranger S rt’s Shake-u .

828 Kirk King. the an from Kir y.

818 Gentleman Dave. the Dead Game Sport

783 The King-Pin Tramp.

767 The Sport of rilver Bend.

718 Unc'e Bedrock's Big Bounce.

707 The Rival Rovers.

687 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a Charm.
677 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird.

659 Gilt-Edge Joh any; or. Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Luck Lester‘s one Hand.

634 Old andcart‘s Big Dump“.

622 The All Around S rts.

603 Desert Alf. the an With the Cougar.

590 Gentle Jacx. the High Roller from Humbug.
578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile.
568 The Dude Detective.

558 Hurrah Harry. the H h Horse from Halcyon.
549 Belshazzar Brick, the i111! of Blue Blazes.
533 Oregon. the Sport WithaScar. -

503 The Dude from Denver.

478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.
459 Ma or Sunshine, the llhin of Three Lives.

429 Ha r Trigger Tom of Red Bond.

402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Angels‘ Flat Racket.
396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal Geo e, the Three in One.

356 Thr e Ham some S iorts; or, The Combination.
333 Derringer Dick. the Inn with the Drop.

%8 Magic Mike. ‘he Man of Frills.

229 Captain Cu‘sieeve: or. The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports: or. Gertie of the Gulch.
182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon.

160 Soft Hand. Sharp: or. 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 8 y.

621 The Red 1 i'ivateer; or. The Midshipman Rover.

584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.

517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail.

361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.

122 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot 

111 The Smuggier Captain: or. ie Skipper‘s Crime.
18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle.
16 The White Wizard; Or, The Seminole Prophet.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“Old Hawk.”

838 Old Grips Still Hunt.

827 Detective Waldcn‘s \Veb.

778 The Butler Detective' or. Old Grip‘s Grip

770 The Showman Dete live.

762 Old Grip. the Demctive.

740 Capt=in Clew, the Fighting Detective.

732 The Hurricane Detective.

643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective.

595 Wellborn. the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Joram. the DctectiveExpert.

574 Old Falcou‘s Double.

561 The Thug King' or. The Falcon Detective's Foe.
548 Falcoubridge. t e Sphinx Detective.

536 Old Falcons Foe: or. The Detective‘s Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop Ma e. the Diamond Field Detectin
509 Old Falcon. t e Thunderbolt Detective.

501 S ringsteel Steve. the Retired Detective.

494 T e Dctective‘s S y.

485 Rowlock. the Bar r Detective.

477 Dead-arm Brandt.

467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Cilcus Detective.

451 Grlplock. the Rocket Detective.

444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Hand.

424 Hawk Heron’s De uty.

386 Hawk Heron. the talcon Detective.

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

752 The Sus t S it of Daisy Drift.

6% Ducats ion, t is Nabob Sport Detective.

612 Sheriff Stillwood. the Regulator of Raspberry.
598 The Dominic Detective.

591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards; or. Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles. the Rockéo Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie, the ad Sport.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Rob. the Tulip from Texas.

436 Kentucky Jean. the S ort from Yellow Pine.
492 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.

390 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John’s Jubilee.

BY EDWARD WI L LETT.

483 Flash Fred. the River Sha .

368 The Canyon King; or. a P1 ce on his Read.

348 Dan Dillon. Kin of Crosscut.

337 Old Gabe the ll ountain Tram .

327 Terrapin Dick. the Wildwood etective.

315 Flash Fred‘s Double: or, The Squatters' League
GB Hemlock Hank. Tough and True.

m L'\gger Lem: or. L1!“ in the Pine Woods.

299 Flush Fred's Full Hand.

274 Flush Fred. the Mississiptpi Sport.

948 Montana Nat. the Lion 0 Last Chance Camp.
2?) Bill the Blizzard: or. Red Jack‘s Crime.

209 Back Farley. the Bonanza Prince.

129 Mlssissippl Mose; or, a Strong Man '3 Sacrifice.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
$7 The White Squaw.
884 The Hunter‘s Feast.
% R: galdnruntress; farm» Squgtter.
e ngers- or. ventures ‘ etioo.
4}The(hptainotthofkiflep- or, _. 

 
  

d

 

BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGRAHAM.

911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound.

906 The Cuban Cruiser.

854 The Ocean Gipsy.

834 The Wild Steer Riders;or, Texas Jack’s Terrors.

810 The Rival Monte Cristos.

805 The Last of the Pirates; or, Doom Driven.

801 The Water Wolves‘ Detective; OLD-am the
Grave Ghouls.

'791 The Coast-Raider's Death-Chase.

748 Arizona Charlie the Crack-shot Detective. ‘-
704 invisible Ivan. the Wizard Detective. '
685 The Red-skin Sen Rover.

679 Revello, the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rover!
672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s 81160.

662 The Jew Detective: or, The Beautiful Convict.
640 The Rov/ r‘s Ret ibution.

635 The Ex Buccaneer: or. The Stigma of Sin.

625 Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
 The Rrgdfiagli‘tmneemwm Wi f th Deep.
he overzor, te ngso e

6% The Shadow Silver Ship. '

600 The Silver Ship; or. The Sea Scouts of ’76.

593 The Sea Rebel: or. Red Rovers of theRevolution.
5117 Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Hearts of ‘76.
581 The OiitlaWed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.
560 The Man from Mexico.

553 Mauk Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig.
546 TlN Doomed Whaler; or. The Life Wreck. ’
530 The Sav es of the Sea.

524 The Sea haser; or. The Pirate Noble.

510 El Moro. the 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 Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wan.
399 The New Monte Cristo.

893 The Convict Captian.

377 Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.

364 The Sea Fugitive: or. The Queen of the Goad.
341 The Sea Desperado.

336 The Magic Snip‘ or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
325 The Gentleman .l irate; or. The Casco Hermitl.
318 The ladian Huccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.

307 The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves.

255 The Pirate Priest; or. The Gambler‘s Da hter.
246 ueen Helen. the Amazon of the Overlap .

235 Lightning the Man of Chance.

224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.

290 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother’s Crime.

210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.

‘15 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon.
198 The Skeleton Schooner: or. The Skimmer. .
184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis. '
104 Montezuma. the Merciless.

103 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Red Anchoer

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

812 Dan Dirk King of No Man‘s Land.
583 Captain Adair. the Cattle King.
567 Captain Midnight. the Man of Craft.
544 The Back to Back Pards.
522 The Cham ion Three.
502 Bareback uck. the Centaur of the Plain.
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To."
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.
404 Silver Sid; or. A “ Daisy " Blufl.
880 Tiger Dick‘s Pled e: or. The Golden Serpent.
359 Yellow Jack. the estizo.
838 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick. Despard and theSpora
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Dé-vsgard; ..
an Old Hard Head: or. irlwmd and his Mare.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.
114 The Gentleman from Pike.
so A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf.
54 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.
29 Tiger Dick. Faro Kin ; or. The Cashier's China
4 The Kidnapper; or, he Northwest Shanghai.

BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

323 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers.
311 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 Terror.

276 Texa t Chick the Southwest Detective.

271 Stone-fist. of Big Nu t Bend.

266 DeOpard Lake the ag of Horse-Thieves-
263 Iron-Armed Abe, the unchback Destroyer
258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo.

287 Lon -Haired Max; or, The Black Le a.
927 Buc shot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida 10.

223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain.

219 The Scorpion Brothers; or. Mad Tom's Million.
202 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.

194 Don Sombrero the California Road Gent.

176 Lady Jaguar. the Robber Queen.

BY OLL COOMES.
619 Kit Bandy & Co . the Border Detectives.
148 One-Armed Alf. the Giant Hunter.
99 The Giant Rifleman: or. Wild Camp Life.
43 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger.

BY COL. THOMAS II. MONSan.

936 Ghana Ion Sam: or. The Monarchs of the In.
150 El Ru 0 Bravo. King of the Swordsman.

BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR.

919 The Sea Scout; or. The Patriot Privateea

886 The King of Crooks.

858 Number One. the Dead-set Detective.

850 The Planter Detective.

730 Duke Despard. the. Gambler Duelist.

604 The Detective in Rags; or. The Grim SM- \
500 The True-Heart Pards.

     
  
     
     
      
   
   
     
    
      
      
   
    
   
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
  
 
   
   
  
   
     
   
  
  
 
   
  
    
  
  
 
   
  
  
    
  
 
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
 
  
 
  
    
 
   
 

  

  
     
      
   
     
 
    
    
         
       
   
    
 
    
 
 
   
 

  

l

l

 

\ Each Number

Complete.

 

 

1

‘h-

.5

.AAAzxMA/

‘

_/\_. 4

V/\ 1‘V\ ./\_ (\J

r:
t3
‘1

O

VUW.

N \.1\A‘/\

C
p.
U

in

/V

Buffalo I'llll's Boys In Blue;
Band's Blot—nut. Hy l‘ul. l’. ltgmhum.

Buffalo Bill's Slmrp—Shwuts-rx; nr, 'l‘hn- Surge-«m 658
Scout to the Rel-mu». By (‘ul. 1’. Inuruhum.

 

BllFllllfl

lllll
levels

Three. By (,‘ol. 1’. Ingrululm.

Buffalo Blll‘q Rr-lentle-sn ’l‘mil.

I’m-hum lugmhmu.

The bread Shot Four; nr, My 1‘4”le
‘5. l‘. ‘

l’luzn.» l2_\' 1 '4~I\

tuff‘lln Blll's lnvmcllllv-s; hr, 'l'lw Sal-l.- Slvul-
(mu-r1 Sulrllrm- Sdt'l'lllt‘c‘. By
luuu.

Buffalo Bill's Blur h-lt llruuvlo,
110er Sam uf Sh'w‘tu-
Buffalo

hum.

Buffalo lllll'sa Blm'k l’unl;
“(mun-rs Hf Ilu‘ l‘.”; Ill lfl.

luun.

Buffalo Blll's llluff; ur, l’uslq'
Spun. 5y Vul. l’. lugmluuu.

Buf'l'nlu lllll's Qunn‘lnu. Hr,
By (Jul. l'rvul‘lxl lugruhzun.
Buffalo Blll null thu Hume-nu
wan-gm. the Itwlsluu ltldr-r. By
grulmm.

Buffalo Bill's Ix-nguo; or, [m]
Cnl. l'rt-nllss Ingrnhum.
Buffnlu Blll's ’l‘nngln-vl 'I'mll;
.Jzu'k, Ihv Mun uf’ Muuy Masks.
lugrulluub
lulfnln Bill's Rough thlum; m‘. 'l‘c-xns .lm‘lx'ré.
Shurp-Shuutvrs. liy (Ml. l'wuuss lu;;rulunn1..l
Buffalo Bill's Hw-rv't .\ll\'; Hr,
Double. B) (‘nL l'n-nxms lngruluuu.
Buffalo lzlll's Lifv-Slaltv, ur,
Three. Uy ('ul. l'. luumlmm.
The 'l'hrm- llllls; llul‘fulu Bill,
tunnl-l’mx Bill; (-r, 'lhv Hlll\\) lu lSrumlt-luth.‘

By Col. 1’. Ingrulmm.

Buffalo Hill's Ailll‘ltskln l’.:‘uw-s; or, 'I'lu- t‘unl 7
wau's lam! . '
Buffnlu Hill's Rum! Aw-nf lln-uul-l'p; nr, Tho
Mysterlnuu Mm;ka Mun In Black.

.| u". lly «'ul,

1'. lngruham.
Iluffuln Bill‘s IlHtlIIJ‘lmI‘m‘.

\Vlth the Svur. By (,‘nl. l'nrntlss lngruluuu.
Buffalo Blll's Rnynl Plush; nr,
dt-r's Lonth-Run. Hy t‘nl. I'rt'ntlHa
hum.
Buffalo Blll's Dnuhlv Dill-mum; ul', Tho Croat
Scout's BIL; 'I'llrw'. liy l'nl. l' ‘
Buffalo Blll's lenkln Rum-z or. 'I‘vxas Jack's “91
Death Shut. By (bl. I'lv‘llllfll lnurulmlu.

The Ram‘h Klng Dead-Shut; ur, 'l‘vxns Juvk‘s “82

Proxy. By Buffalo iill.

 

 

/

Ten Cénts a

Copy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I:

I;y ("Ill
lill's anuntw-r Vlellnnfl-s;
M)’Sl(‘f‘IUIIH Mun m l:luv-. lly
hum.

Buffnlu llill :lt lluy; «Ir. 'l‘hn
Dunn]. ll)’ (".nl, l'. Illgl‘ulmm,
Buffalu illl's lllm’l; (lslmv, Hr,
Minn-rs of mu (JH'rhnuL Ily

.—

"" lt'IlTuI» l:l;"~ sums! 'urlm.\'wr: Mr. Tim Mrtsltwl‘
MM: 1:! Hum l';ll1_‘»ul| lly ('ul. 1'. lugrulmm.
lfvlf'l'ul» llll'
lly l..-wl. l
liul'llllu liill‘< S\\'hwyv\'l l‘.:I'j ur‘ 'l‘Ilv \\'l;n- null

liy 1‘.

IlllI‘IdIU I‘ll
«If Ilv-ulh's ('zmynu. l'.} l »l. l'l'vulisr“ luxur‘
hum Ins
liut'llllu Bill null Ills le‘rv Mun; nr, 1110
Il-rlllll llu-ul l:1\.ll.\. l3) I'ul. I'l~'llll5$ lnm'm 13%
Imm.

*l

or, Thu Hrlmstone 067

1‘;.- 1:.“ 11:”; IL) «ill. I’. lugmlmm.

l’.!lffi'qlw l‘-'l"w l‘mlln‘llv“ Il'.'I‘lIuSkn-lennSI‘Hlll .
ml 1' w I will: 1?» l‘. \Vvl. I'l'r‘llllrh lumulluml. [ “"1
liull'nl» lllll's l‘....;.I my 'l‘hv lll'imsl NH“ "(9‘

ll'mlllwrlluwl, In “'L. l‘x-utms lugmlmul.
394
llm. ..y, (‘mly tn tlm Itvscuo.‘

..-'\i:. .
\ 3"2

l

at Lust ('l1.m.w~ li) (’ul. l’rwullw; lmzlulmul. T...
I111”.le lilll'o I'm/.I'Il. l)l'_ SIIIL IllIIImll Sill“.
l’.) L'pl. l‘lmllma' Ill);l':tIl.lllI,

Buff:an l’vlll'u Mun-n". Hr. 'l'lm I'wulll Valley
Victim Nu. 115. l:_\' ('nl. l'runtlss lugrnluuu. m”
lllll'l'nlw I'.."'.\' l)- lllfln; my" 'l‘h.- I‘va‘pq-rniltl lN'-‘
Il'I'lHI I1\
liut‘f..l.. lizll ~4 flit: I“‘rlll: III'. f‘ust-‘r‘s SIMULAV.‘
My Val. I'lt‘llll~‘» lrlel.lh.1m.

liuff'uln l '

Ill!)

4 (my; l’r-‘utnx‘ lmzl'ulmm. an
l

l's Flush ll'mtl; Hr. Tn-Vus .Illl'Il'H 1&1.
\ (HI. I'lv'llll‘lrl lu;:r:Ih;Im.

1'}. “Hull. Hl', 'I‘Ill' IIIJI‘IU‘II lu'iw‘r I77.

'.I.
'.l.l\:m I:

iul’ful» lilll's Pwnuln-s; Hl‘, Sill; Lawn Sum.‘ H

It) t‘nl. I'm-nil»: lumuluuu.

lulfuln llfll s llv ly (lumwl; vvr, Th" Stlll Ilunt‘

of flu» Hulls. Hy l‘nl. I'K'CHUSS lngruhnm. 93

{uffnl > lilll un tlw \\':u' l’utll; nr, flllk Insanl

Sum, tlu- \VllI-n'lelt'-\\'Isp. By (MI. l’. lib.
Kldlllllll. 4 S3
Buff:le lllll‘s Scum Sluuluu'm's; or, ICmvr-
llltl “(I nf ln-n‘l‘s Aww. Hy (N. l'. lngraluun. 5.,
liufl'ulu llill lntllwl, nr, 'l'lu- Ill‘svru-r l)vs-.
pl-mllu‘s lN-llullw'. It) (fol. l‘. lum‘uluuu. l
Buffuln lllll‘s Buwkskln Bruthr-rhmul; «ml
()pv-ning l'p n Lust 'l‘tull. By (Ml. l‘. 111-.
gruhnm. 9R5
Buffalo Bill's llllnd 'l‘mll; 0". Tho hnukhtl'r‘
of :ln- lh'yrlnwnt. lly t‘nl. l'n-ntlsn Ingrnluun.’
liuf'fuln lllll's Socrut Sl-rvlw ’l‘mll. By Major
lmnuvrtlrlrl Burr. I”s
Mummy Blll‘s Swamp; or, tlw Klng of the‘ 7
)llnm. By (‘01. I’l‘untlr-m Ingrahum. ‘
Tho (‘uwlmy (11111: or, Thv- 'l‘lgrvss of Texas, 999
By (‘nluntll I’rcntlss lugruham. i

9R6

CUInni‘I
uf St-uuts.

‘ (‘lr'l'lu

5‘va

(l‘.--
: “1’
I‘.

thr'
\\'ll:l ltullrs. 1:) Buffalo
’l‘lu~ |‘.l;'!':m Sharp; ur, 'I‘lm Sal'llvr's Swot»!-

' llut'f‘ulu Bill, Htx‘crnml-ut

lllll'x CnlII

l'.
Trump Ward; nt‘, Tho‘
I’ro-nlls.‘ lugruhum.
I‘lstnl livrul Shot:
l‘ul. I‘l'vlllle Ingrahuul.
liuffnhn Hill, (‘hlvf uf‘ Svnuts; Mr, The Doomed

Cul.

’._\'

lvnliull

lllfl
lMll

[imam #

nunam Inn's LU“ Rum“: Ur. The Dvmmwl '82:: liuffuln ltill‘a I‘mst l‘um‘w‘: m‘, Mann-hull» tlm‘fififi 'l'ho- 1.11590 King's Imnmlei 07'. Th" Twat" 0'
HUM KIM: l1_\ l'vrl, I'll‘llllrls‘ lnm‘uluuu.

\\‘lll'~ lll'uw-r'H Still Hunt; 01‘, The Hmong“)
Muzzlulln-l'n lb-ullr'l'sm ll, lig. IIhfleU l’-lll. 
:zul'luln liill': llwl ’l‘mil: Hr, 'l‘lw ltu'ullAlli'Ir‘rlfifL
lin thumb“ liuu l| y\\'n. By (ul. 1'. luxmluuu.
I'.llII..I . lilll'u In,|ll\ Ix'llo-l‘ w! I‘l“ “"4 Hill“! 639
Ill‘ll [a H1” ,
\\ lll l'-l 1, thr» W11! \\(IS' lIurII-t;:r,’1‘110<;l11‘62”
.\I«l>l':ll nl' 3I‘l4>lllll.:lll Mllll‘. Ii) l'-ll.l.'liw lilll.

\l'ibl lilll. t‘w Wm! \\'v- I lhlvllr'l. nr, ’l‘lw Hill mu
(Hulnlv- {.lllvll. tllv- 4’u\\'lm\ I'lllvl‘. IL.‘ llul'~
IlI‘I Ill! ‘17
li‘l'l'llw l‘.l!1'~ \‘C mum; llzmll. Hr. 'l‘hu Muskml
\\..m.m  1hr I'rviwmllu llmyun. l'._\‘ ('ul. l‘.
l::;.;l‘:1ll.m 4“

l‘.:ll.

Exile of the Platte; or,
Man's liwl 'I‘rnil.

Buf‘f‘nlu Bill's: Grip; or. (lfllII-Imuntl to Custvr.
' l'H-utlss lmzz'uhulu.
1“.“
l'.
lh“ \Vhirlwiud uf thn “'cnt.

~1Iq.-; ur, The League of

lu,;r;ll1:un.

I‘l'nirin Ilnltlr'ri

Trnll; hr. The
lug: :Lhulu.

Frank I'nH-ll.
Rtmnm- I‘nr'l: or.

tho Bu: kskin
\Vkfll.

Sport '.

Imntly, tlu- llotspur nf the Hills.

Klngz,

or. The Knlghts of “1(-
Buffulu “III.
the ('th of Scouts: cr, Llfe
My Buualo

Frumler Fort.

Iron “'rlat, the Swurtlmnater.
Mnnstcry.

Rhndrm-h, the Sport Dotwtlve; or, The Secret
‘ \v, ()sbon.

the Callfornla Outlaw.

Juhu

Ilnt'ky M: ~untaln Rub.
Aiken.

ISSUES TO COME.

lmnzrllnlrml f‘nrvls: or, The Tartan of
My Jorwph l‘I. Badger, Jr.

By Col. Thou.

 

a .‘.n Jw¥l\. \_. ‘,~\-l\_/\_/¥/\.A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A~M\\/_I\AAAAF\

.x,

 

 

 

 

é\\\\.
\ {‘29

25
\

. \
a: \90 51?.
\

 

° . ' [IE DIME LIBRARY Is for sale by all NOWHdcalcrs, f f
: a: K/  : ten cents per copy, or sent. by mall, pre-pald, on rc- :  1?
:  \ = c cclpt of price. 3 : \\\
=  {50/ E 3 g a
f /' 0‘ " g g g Q
a 5 3 c v

 

 

 

l'n-ntlss Ingram-1m.

IIIIl‘k 'l‘nylnr. thv- Smlnlle King, Buffalo Blll'a
By (‘01. l‘. Ingruhum.

I‘mnunzu, ur, The“ Knights or
By l'ul. l', lngxuluuu.
Hr. funnu-Iuelln, the Magnifi-
lhzl'fnl»
lmring Rnln; or.
wf tln- (‘~\-'lmys. By Lean llcwlu.
. .‘Tinv: Hr, My Purxla
liy liufl'uln lilll.
Trnil; Hr. \"ill (‘1)413', fhn
l-ixx‘rvss lull-r. lzy Null liuntllue.
I\.-tr~ot1\'.-_
‘,;..,...1;», By Buffalo Bill.
my .r, Ilml Itvtrihutlon In
l'-_\ liulfulu Blll.
Ilf‘ulllt‘l‘\‘; or. “'hlte Beavor's
Buffalo lllll.
Illo‘

 

 

 

Hy Maj! tr Dangerfield

 

i

3'
a
WWW WWW/W _.
\W\f \M/ \fiN‘N‘\/‘V“\/‘ ‘A/ ~.’~

000000000
009000000

 

 

 

m

l

l