BRIGAN D CAPTAIN; (“W‘s-viiw‘atw 1‘ ~ ‘ v.9 ‘ 7< 03. THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. «1 7n 1%, 1.. a“... ow“ ' ~ v’.n§y-,(- ‘7" g: ‘ ‘ - , " v ‘ « x J y {a > ‘ BY ALBERT W. AIKEN , NEW YORK: ' ,BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERQ 98 “’1 LI ‘IA M STREET. finned according to A :z of Congress, n. :1» mm“. BEADLE ' AND ADAMS. .'.l {at We of the Libmr an M Convene. M Wham ‘BRIGAND CAPTAIN. CHAPTER A. m mm JAWS or 13mm About} the bulk «f the Rio Grands—‘th river that popu- ttes the State of Texas From the Republic of Mexico—walked ' n ymmg man. The doubleharrcled shat-gum curried upon ‘ his simalder proclaimed him in Search of game; the dress of the hunter—the whiteness of his-skin—tqld that he was an Americm. Besides, he was on the Texan side of the river. In person the sptmsmaa was a tall. well-built young fellow; possiny flue-and—twenty. yam-s had passed (wet- his head; his face was of the Anglo~Suxtm type; light yellow hair curled ; V in, little iingiets tight to his head; his eyes were dark blue, ' approaching a gray in tint, save when the sunlight shone upon them; a mustache and little impetial of the same tawny hue as the hair graced his lip and chin; his features were n-gutar and pleasing, and the squaxieness of the chin mid of minim and of self-telhtnce. For dress, the hunter wave the ‘ 'bhw uniform of Uncle Sam, and the single but upon hi: slimmer mid that he held the rank of lieutenant in the army of the Republic. 11 was evident that the emcer was not on duty, for he wag ' svit‘lmut sword M sash, and wore an uhdtess blouse instead 01 the regular (whim coat. The bank of the river was fringed with timber, and t'mm ~ the timber extended, inland, the prairie-ma rolling one, {rah {unit with, tall grass and. many-lubed fluwem, for it wus in the , pleasant. uthm cf J une. -; ' As yet the hunter had roused neither bird not beat to teat M9 magksmanship; still on he went up the stream, Arlen firm to when a little creek—now nearly thy-nun m 10 Tm: Prisons PATHFINDER. the prairie into the river. It. required but a moderate jump to span it, and, as the other bunk looked firm and solid the sportsman determined to leap across. So, nerving himself fol the effort, he sprung over. The lenp was it good one, and he struck fairly upon the low yellow bunk, opposite, and found V himself up to his knees in mud. ; “ The deuce i” he cried in vexation. “This is a nice picki ‘ I’ve got more than I burguined for." He attempted to drew his legs from the mire, and gain the I firm ground, but, on making the effort he found, to his nstou- . ishment, that he was unable to move an inch; his feet and legs seemed glued in the soit eurth. Then, to his horror, he became conscious that he was gruduttlly sinking, and the truth flushed upon him—he was in a quicksnnd. Though he had , often heard of such spots yet this was the first one he ever had seen. Slowly, little by little, he felt the ground giving ‘ way beneath him, and it soon became evident that, unless he could contrive some means to escape, the United States army would be one lieutenant the less, in an hour’s time. , What was to be done ! No trees or bushes were within reach. , ’ As a first expedient, he tired oti' both barrels of his gun in, , 1 ’ quick succession; the sound might unmet some one to his uid’, but travelers along the bank of the Rio Gmnde were few and , far between. Some herdsnmn scouring,r the prairie in quest of cat- tle possibly might hear the reports, yet there was but one chance out of a hundred it' he would seek for the cause. ' Inch by inch the young officer felt himself sinking into his _ grove. He was, indeed, in the “ jaws of death.” Vniniy he . ‘ tried to throw himself over on his side so as to oppose more- 7 resistance to the action of the trencherous morass, but the " _ ‘ quicksands clung around his legs with o giant’s power. I I, _. In agony the young soldier grouned uloud. He was .a' ' ' brave man—had won his grade on the bloody fields of the : Mexican war, then but a few years past—bud faced death at the cannon’s month—had sought for it :unid Canolles’ glittering lunces—hatl escaped all the perils of the bottle-field to perish . now so horribly—to be swallowed up in the mew of the t, ‘ bottomless quicksund I . The banks of the little stream, like those of the Rio Gmnde. ,hdng fringed with bushes, shut from the eyes of the soldier '_,,i;z,.v.-.;..1 .m 0.. «Age» ‘- smxum. ' {I the view of the distant prairie. Assistance might be passing at any moment and yet the soldier, unable to see, could give no warning of his awful position. The quicksand had reached his waist; at the rate he had been sinking, an hour more would bring it above his head. Desperately and almost without hope the imprisoned man cried for help. Theprairie winds bore back the echo of his voice and seemed to mock his despair. At last, hoarse with shouting and almost frantic with agony, ' the young man resigned himself to his seemingly inevitable fate. Still he sunk. The surface of the quieksand had reached ' his breast. The little glade which, when he entered it, seemed so fresh in its beauty, now wore to him the aspect of a tomb. He.watched With painful intensity the yellow wall rising so steadily around him; he counted the moments when those , sands would enter his mouth and choke the breath from his body. The agony of such a death was appalling, even in the anticipation of it. Then he thought of the wonder of his comrades when his ‘ absence should be discovered that night; of the search that 'would be made, and the fruitlessness of that search. “ I shall disappear from the world utterly,” he said, bitterly. * . “ Well, there is none to mourn much for me. 0h ! why didn’t I fall in Mexico gloriously, instead of dying, here, the death . of a dog ?” Then to the listening ears of the doomed man came a sound Urolling over the broad expanse of the prairie-~21 sound that caused his heart to beat quicker—his blood, almost stilled in I 5 its flow by the near approach of the. grim king of terrors, to ‘ leap wildly in his veins. And what was that sound-+th sound that promised hope and help to the death-encircled man? It was the clear-ringing “thud,” ot‘ a horse’s hoofs striking the firm earth of the prairie. . p Eagerly the young soldier shouted, and the free winds seized upon the hoarse voice and here it far away over the swells of the rolling prairie. The minutes Were minutes of torture to the helpless man. -, Would the horseman hear the sound, or would he pass on and leavexhim to die? ‘. THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. mills-tron upou the soil raised a new hope in the breast o! the sinking man. . Then the heart of the young soldier leaped with joy, for, on the bank of the little creek appeared a horse and rider- the horse a pure cream-colored mustang—the rider 3 Mexican girl of surpassing beauty. The soldier thought at first that an angel from heaven had descended to his aid, but the clear, musical tones of the girl’s voice convinced him that she was but mortal. “ Sefior, you are in the quieksaud l” cried the girl. “ Yes, can you aid me '5” asked the soldier. “ Yes, senor, I can save you." “ How 1’" asked the soldier, anxiously. “ With my lasso,” answered the girl, and then shegatherod up the leather cord, and with a dexterous throw cast the 109p over the young soldier's head. “Fasten it beneath your arms, senor,” she said. “ The other end is fast to the horn of my saddle. I will then start my horse and pull you out.” ' The soldier obeyed the instructions: the girl started her horse with great caution, and, in a minute or so, the young lieutenant stood on the bank of the creek saved! Lieutenant Philip Wenie—t‘or so he was called—had looked on many a. beautiful girl in the course of his life, but never in his eyes had girl appeared so lovely as the Mexican maid that had saved him from his terrible danger. ‘ “ Are you hurt, sefior ?” asked the girl, gathering the lm‘ up into little coils. “No,” returned the lieutenant ; “ I attempted to jump across the creek and had no idea that the shore was a quieksand.” “ You are an American soldier ‘i" asked the girl, glancing at. his uniform. “ Yes." “ Do you. come. from Santa Fé ?" . . “ Yes, but some time ago. At present I am stationed in tho . Jttle village yonder,” and the soldier pointed down the rivet. . » ' “ Taws ?" asked the girl, in wonder. ' 0K Yell! ‘ . “I did not know any soldiers were stationed at Tacos; I _ . lite scarcely a mile from there,” said ,the girl. . r , N " : 1" fl" 1“" 4‘ The youngofflcer could not repress a smile of gladneu . when he discovered that she lived in the neighborhood. ,“ Very likely,” he saidI in reply to her speech. “ We came but yesterday." . “And do you intend to stay ?” asked the girl. “ Yes; for awhile at least." “ I am glad of that l" cried the girl, quickly. And the lieutenant was glad of it too, although he (lid nol say so. He already was half in love with the girl who had rescued him. “Then you do not regard Americans as your foes 1’" the ‘ officer asked. “ N0; why should I?” replied the girl. “I have never met with any thing but kind treatment from them. Besides I am an American too, now, for I live on the Texas side of theRio Granule, and of course I must love my brothers.” Wenie, as he gazed upon her fair face and sparkling black eyes. in his heart wished that she would extend a little of he! love to him. “ You say you live near Tacos ‘2" he asked. “ Yes, only a mile on the El Paso road. You will come and see me, sefior? My father will be glad to welcome you. My name is Juanita Torres." “ And mine, Philip Wenie. a lieutenant in the United States army. But I haven’t thanked you yet for saving my life. . Only for you I should have been buried in yonder quicksand,” said the officer, earnestly. “ Oh, please don’t speak of that.” said J uanlta, blushing at the earnest gaze of the young officer; “ any one would have I done the same. Besides. my horse did more than I, for I but out the lasso to you, while he pulled you out; so you see you owe him the thanks. not me.” , The lieutenant shook his head gravely. \ “I'm afraid that if you had not come along with the horse my chances for safety would have been small. I assure you I shall never forget the service, and possibly, some day, I may ’ be able to repay it." ‘ “ Now, it‘ you say a single word of thanks, I shall be angry . "Are’you going to Tacos l’" she asked. ‘ "-- ‘ "Yes." he answered. .t__ I. A. LA mum. ’ 1! . nt‘v'fix'i/ fl’ ‘ ' THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. “ Well, I go a mile that way with you, and I will point out my father’s house to you.” " With pleasure l" cried the lieutenant, delighted at the chance of remaining in her society. ‘ So together they proceeded in the direction of the town. The lieutenant had the greatest desire in the world to ap- pear to good advantage in the eyes of his fair companion, but, as he was Covered to the armpits with the yellow mud of the quicksand, he could not help confessing to himself that he was not in, the best possible condition to make an impression upon the heart of a young and handsome girl. “ How came you to discover me in tny perilous position 1’” ne :uked, as they proceeded slowly along, the girl accommo- dating the pace of her steed to that of her companion on foot. “ I heard the reports of your gun, and I thought it was the Pathfinder,” she answered. r i “The Pathfinder ‘8” said the lieutenant, in surprise. “ Yes, senor; Manuel, the Pathfinder, is my father’s chief herdsman. He promised me some game for supper; so, of course, when I heard the shots I thought that it was he, and thinking to surprise him, I rode directly where the sound came from; but there, instead of the herdsmun, I found you.” “ It was indeed a lucky chance that sent you to my aid. Another half-hour and the quieksand would have closed over my head. I shall never forget the service you have rendered . me,” said Wenie, warmly. “ Yes ; but you must fin-get it, o ' at least not speak of it. You will make me think I have done something noble, instead of which I have done nothing but a simple duty. That is my house yonder,” and the girl pointed~t0 the left. “Good-by. Rememlmr——mme !” and the. girl rode off. Wenie looked after her, his heart in a blaze with passion’l fire. 1m: PW BANDITB. V 1. CHAPTER II. THE EXPEDITION ’1‘0 TACOS. THE lieutenant watched the girl until she disappeared in the listanee, hid from view by the swells of the rolling prairie; then he continued on his course to the village. The young man, like all other young men, had fancied himself in love a score of times, or more; but never had he ‘ seen a woman who had so completely taken possession of his fancy as this fair young Mexicali. He determined to follow up the acquaintance, thus so strangely begun. \ In a short time the lieutenant reached his quarters ,in the village, changed his clothes, and soon removed all traces of {the danger that he had passed. V -V The village of Tacos was but a collection of a few scattered houses clustered around what had formerly been the mission. house, for, like nearly all the Mexican settlements on the In- dian frontier, Tacos had originally been founded by the priests —the men who, with the Bible in one hand and the sword in the other, dared the perils of the wilderness to establish the I , true faith. But the Mexican revolution, which broke the " , .V Spanish yoke, did much to diminish the power of the priest- hood, and, after that time, nearly all the frontier missions had been abandoned; so that, when the company of Federal cavalry, sixty strong, filed by fours into ’l‘ae05, they found that the old mission-house and its adjoining buildings, with a few repairs, Would serve admirably for quarters. Now, then, what brought a company of United States sol« fliers to that insignificant valley? True, it was on the Rio Grande, the frontier line between Mexico and Texas; but as there was peace between the two countries, an “army of t. , observation” tas hardly needed. Had you asked the 801’- .g diers themselves they could not have answered satisfactorily, , abut bad you put the question to the officer in command of the .egpeditioti, Major Curtin, an elderly gray-haired soldier, a major by brevet, who had greatly distinguished himselfd'uring [B THE PltAXRlE' PATHFINDER. the late war, you would have learned that the cavalry well there to watch the “ Brigands ot' the Prairie.” Who were they? All along the frontier, from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the boundary line of New Mexico in the north. there ex~ Isted a band of robbers—men bound together by fearful oaths —who (lepredated alike on Mexican and American soil. The horses or beeves stolen in Mexico would he hastily driven across the Rio Grande to Texan soil and disposed of there; the plunder procured in Texas or New Mexico would be taken Into Mexico and sold there. The actual number of the band -—that is. those who did the plundering—was supposed not to exceed thirty, but it was currently reported that they had confederates—men high in reputation among their neighbors, men of wealth and settled position—on both sides of the Rio Grande,who aided the robbers in their escape from justice, and assisted them in disposing of their ill-gotten booty. So formidable had this band become—so daring in their outrages -—that they had reCeived the title of the Brigands of the Prairie. Indeed, on more than one occasion they had met the Mexican troops and boldy given them battle, until the stolen herds were driven safely away. It was to watch these daring villains, and if poSsible to bring them to justice, that the United States soldiers had been dispatched to Tacos, in whose vicinity it. was understood the head-qtmrters of the out- laws were, while it was also a favorite point oft theirs for crossing the river. Lieutenant Wenie had hardly tlnished changing his clothes when an orderly informed him that Major Curtin, the officer in command of the detachment, desired to see him. The lieutenant proceeded at once to the quarters of the major. The major, who was seated at a table writing, was a tall, powerfully-built man, probably fifty ymrs of age. His figure showed no sign of decay, and the iron-gray hair and beard alone told of age. “ Sit down, lieutenant,” he said, indicating schair; “ you‘ve ‘ been out this afternoon." “Yes; you remember I asked permission," replied the \ 5 ,t, ' "HIE BIYAL 51711038. “True: so you did. I had forgotten. I sent worded, to your quarters about three." “ Any thing particular, major?" " Well, yes; there is," the major answered, slowly. “By the way, did you go up the river as you proposed i" “ Yes; I had quite an adventure, too," replied the lieutenant, and then he briefly related how he became fast in the quick sand, and was releused by the girl. “Aha!” cried the major, “that was quite an adventure. Was the girl on Amazon of red skin 1'“ “Far otherwise, and very pretty l" replied the lieutenant. warmly. “One of the prettiest little oval faces that my eyel ever looked upon—not so dark in complexion either as most of the Mexican women, but of a hue as though she had been tanned by the sun. 'l‘hen her hair is as black as jet; her eyes as dark as her hair—a good full eye with an honest look, and then, in figure she's a little fairy of a woman, with such I dainty little hand i" “ Why, lieutenant," cried the major, in astonishment, “I should judge you to he in love with the lady." “ So I am," replied Wenie, honestly; “ that‘s the honest truth. I am in love with her." “ You learned her name 1’” “ Yes ; Juanita Torres.” “ Ah !" and for a moment the major was silvnt ; then he mid ~abrnptly: “ I know her father, Juan Tol‘l'cs. \t'ly well. Hi! house is about a mile from here, on the El Peso road—t wealthy man, and one of the largest cattle-raisers in this part - of the country.“ “ You know him i" said Wenie, in surprise. “ Oh yes. very well. Before I entered the army I resided ill Santa Fé; I was it trader then; this Torres also lived in Same Fé; he and I were rivals for the hand of the same girl; she was a Mexican like himself, but preferred me to him, and we married; my wife had a sister a few years younger than herself; this sister ’l‘orres afterward married." “ Why, major !" exclaimed the lieutenant, “ I never knew that you had been married. '1 never heard you speak of it before" - “Muse the subject is somewhat painful; bit as you In 18 ' me rmmn: PATHFINDER. in love with this man’s daughter, it is my duty as your friend to let you know with what sort of a man you will have to deal. This Torres, like nearly all his nation, was of a treach- erous and revenget‘ul nature; I do not think that he ever for- gave me for marrying Inez—that was my wife’s name-wand though he had apparently consoled himself for her loss by marrying,r her sister, yet in his heart I am satisfieddie cherished plans of vengeance against me. A year passed, and the world went. well with me; an infant son was born; my wifeh to my eyes, grew more and more beautiful each day; I was as happy as man could be, but, when my boy was some eight months old a terrible blow fell upon me. The nurse, with the infant, went out one afternoon as usual; the child and nurse never returned. The loss of the infant broke my wife’s heart—she sickened and died. This sorrowful event is the reason why you have never heard me speak of my married life. I try to keep my sorrow locked fast in my own breast." \ And the grim old major bent down his head in evident pain. “ And did you not dismver the fate of your child?” “ No, never,” the major answered, sadly. “Both nurse and child ‘disappeared as utterly as it' the earth had opened and swallowed them up. The search for them was long and fruitless. At last all came to the conclusion that the nurse, with the child, had wandered too far out on the prairie and had fallen a prey to wild beasts." “ And did you. too, come to that conclusion '2” asked the lieutenant. u N()'” “ No ‘3" cried Wenie, in surprise “ I believed that the child lived. I believe that the child. ow grown to man’s estate, is still living. I did not blame the wild beasts of the prairie for the loss of my boy; I as- crilwd the calamity to a human foe.” “To a human the?” cried the lieutenant, still more as- tonished. “ Yes, to a human foe,” repeated the major, solemnly "'Pn one who bore me a secret hatred, a hatred that he did Put dar‘ to Show openly, but a hatred which he wished me to feel, and so he struck me in my tenderest points—my wife. \ 1 1m: Losr 0mm. and child; he stole my child, and it killed my wife. Could .‘ vengeance go further 1’” “And did you not have a suspicion as to who that foe was ?" asked Wenie. “ Oh, yes; during the search he was by- my side, the most tmtiring of all—the last man to give up the child as lost, and then he piously sail that it was Heaven’s will." ' . “ And that man’s name 1‘" asked the lieutenant, anxiously, ,_for he had a shrewd smpicion as to what. the name would be “ Was Torres—the father of the girl who saved your life. and with whom you are in love,” replied the major. “ But had you any proof that he was guilty i" “No; ifI had,I would have killed him with my own hand,", said the old soldier, fiercely. “ The villain, if he did commit the (iced, covered up his tracks too well for mortal eye to discover them ; yet in my soul I felt sure then, and do still feel sure, that it Was his hand that dealt me the terrible blow. After this occurrence as you will probably suppose— I had but little taste for business. I gavo up my store, and devoted myself to discovering traces of my lost boy. For three years I kept a steady watch upon all the movements of ,Juan Torres, but my patience availed tne nothing; no clue could I diSCover. Then I gave my child up as lost, and I sought tin-getfuluess of my misery in the bustle of the great eastern cities. Years passed ; the war came, I enlisted at once. I won my present grade; and now you know the his t Y .' ’ 3 ~ 25 . t \ 1"! . . ; . » I tory of my hte. When, at Santa Fe, I was ordered on this _ expedition, audI learned that Torres had a hacienda near here. I thought perhaps fate might place in my way, after this lapse of years. some clue to tell me of the fate of my lost ‘boyln _ “ Major, 1‘ hope sincerely that such will be the case,” said the lieutenant, earnestly. “ You have my deepest sympathy." “ I hope so,” replied the major. “ You see, however, what - , . my opinion is regarding the father of this girl. By the way, « -' to judge from your description, this Juanita must be strikingly ’ like my wife, her mother's sister; you can judge, therefore, how beautiful my wife tnust have been when I married her. and you can also judge how deeply I felt the bloyi'that tori ' 5 her from me.“ , ' ' ' ‘ I} Tim mm mm; “ Yes,” replied the lieutenant, and in his own mind he fully realized how hard it would be for him to part from the bean» “fol Juanita, should he succeed in once winning her. “ And now, to business,” said the major. “Have you an, idea why we are detailed for duty here at Tacos ‘1’” " None in the world," answered the lieutenant. , " You have heard, of course, of the Brigands of the ,. Prairie '9” 1,1 u Yen-v » ‘“ " Well, our present occupation here is to aunt down and ' destroy that famous hand of robbers." ‘2: “ Is it possible i" cried the lieutenant, in glee at the pros pact of actiVe service. 1,.) " Yes; I have already explained to Lieutenant Williams the object of our expedition. This, of course, must be kept . ' aprol‘ound secret, for if these fellows should once guess our -‘ design, good-by to our chance of breaking up the humi. From information received at headquarters it is helieved that the hand have a refuge somewhere near here; it is even intimated that some wealthy Mexicali in this neighborhoml is one of the I leaders of the hrigandm—not an acting leader, but a planning one.” “But, major, how do you expect to detect these fellows, for they will most certainly keep quiet while the troops are in the neighborhood '8” asked the lieutenant. " Very true; but there is a spy among them, who, if the Irrigands lune a head—quarters near here, will most surely find it out. These fellows will not suspect that. we are sent here to operate against them, and will not, probably, change their programme on our account. By the way,” said the mn'Jor, .mddenly, “ are you going to visit this young lady whose ac- quaintance you made in such a peculiar manner ?" “ Yes, of course; I again confess to you, major, that I am too deeply interested in her to give her up,” said Wenie, can dilly. ‘ ’ “ It is but natural," replied the major. “I was young try- self once; Icnn understand the feeling; but, chic, if you go to the house of-Junn Torres, keep your eyes about you. ' tThc lieutenant looked at the major in astonishment. ' “ What do you mean t” m mmmx ‘ ‘- ‘Simply, that if there is any man in this neighborhood who knows any thing about the' Brigands of the Prairie, I’ll bet. my commission against a. bottle of wine that Tm in M. m.” The mn§nr spoke in .1 mm: nt‘ conviction “ I hope not, for her sake i” cried Weuic. “ Don't despair; the daughter may not take after the fat/1M I hope. for ynur sake, she does mt,” said the major. And after a few more words the oflicers parteti CHAPTER III. ran an CAVALIER. Tm shades of night had descended upon the prairie; all objects were wrapped in the same gloomy mantle; the mama --ptt|e mistress of the night—40% hue, and her silver beam: had not yet fallen upon the broad surfime of the green pininst We will leave Tacos to the darkness and thy: gloom nt‘ the still June nightw and take the road tending north, tr! El Pnsog but, en: we sham have proceeded a miie or so ma our way, we mu mm to a. large hacienda—that is, in Mexican, the hmuse of a lauded prom-ham- who raises cattle-mud that hacienda. i5 the home of Juan Torres, the wealthiest. man (bf leagues around, and the father of the pretty Juanita. ' The hacienda of Terms was, like nearly ah the Mexican images. a. large, square building, built of adobe-thc sumhurut brick of Mexico—and in its frowning grimncss resembled a fortress more than the peaceful dwelling-place of at mule» raiser. The house was a. wry oid one, and around it quite a deal at shruMmry had sprung up, making. as it. were, a fruitful ” ’ oasis ht the grassy wilderness. / ' ' The entrance to the house fitted directly to the Nad,thnt1gh I I- humlmd paces Mm it, and the nppmu'ch tu it wus thmugh 3 little lane fringed with half-grown um and full-grown bushes. A: we have said. the night was very dark, and as the- wlm M: o! the. hacienda-Mexican habitat—looked only'oxiiaid THE PRAH’HE PATHFINDER. square court-yard in the center of the building, 1.0 rays of - light came from the house to illume the darkness that sur- rounded it. Yet, in the darkness, close to the house, beneath the shadow if some little trees, as if seeking concealment. more than the inky blackness of the night :tflbrded, stood twu persons en- ged in earnest conversation—one a in:tn,the other at woman. The woman wns but u slender girl of eighteen,yet lithe and graceful in form as the bending willow ; the tint of the pure oval face was a rich brown, as though the hot. prairie sun had kissed her oft and passionately; her eyes a jet black, eyes folI of passion—full of fire; her hair as dark as the hue of the rnvcn’s wing ; her lips, little, pouting and exquisite in their color and dewy freshness; her form, perfection itself—that of ngirl just budding into womanhmd; even the course garments that she were could not disguise the mutchless beauty of her per- fect form. and yet, this beautiful creature was :1 peon girl, but one degree removed from a slave 1 These peons form a large proportion of the inhabitants of all the Mexican frontier towns. They are the descendants oi the Indians, civilized and turned by the mission priests--—-the free spirit: of the savage degraded to the menial offices of the slave. Thus it comes that the perms are the drndges of the Mexicans. And this lovely girl was one of that. degraded race. She was the Wiliiillg»ll)tll(i ofJuunitu,mid by mime was called Bits. And the man that stood by her side, holding secret converse viith her, shielded from observation by the inky numtle of the night—who was he? Not a peon, for the whiteness of the features-—could we see them in the darkness—and the rich- ness of his attire, would quickly prove, that. No, he was a Mexican, and, judging by his garb, a wealthy one, for his enr- lbroidcred poutaloons are of the finest cloth, his yellow boots 01 the softest and best of leather, the frille white shirt that covers his mnnly chest is made of the finest linen, the jacket . is as richly ornamented as the pnntalmns, his hroad-hrimmed sombrero is trimmed with gold lace, and the handsome striped shawl cast carelessly over his left shoulder has not a superior in price in all the‘brond iands of Mexico. The face-of the young man—for he was young in years, scarcely reth A TRYST XN THE DARKNESS. "twentyoflve—was a handsome one, save that his full lips had sometimes a peculiar curl, and his dark-gray eyes—almost black in hue—had an uncertain, treacherous glance. . y , And the. name of this young Mexican, who was so forgetf . of the dignity of his race as to meet the peon girl Rita, with love on his lips, after nightfall and in the gloom of darkness? lie was called Ruy Lara, a nephew of Juan Torres, but zhitherto a stranger to the hacienda of that gentleman, for, ,. seven days before, no one of the household, save the master alone, knew that such a person as Ruy Lara existed in the 5 world. Without warning he had made his appearance; Juan 5 Torres received him with open arms—called him his much- : loved nephew—and lamented that family reasons had hitherto kept him a stranger to his uncle’s hearth and heme. ' And in the seven days that Ruy Lara had spent at the ba- ‘."cienda of Torres he had done much; he had shown himself » to be one of the best and boldest riders that ever crossed back inf horse; he had shown that, with the pistol, rifle or knife, illew men were his equal; and he had managed—how, even he nimself could not tell—~to make his pretty cousin, Juanita, hate him, and her waiting-maid, the even prettier Rita, to adore .sfgizhim. Hence it is that we find him now holding a love tryst with the peon girl. “‘Oh, Buy, and do you really love me ?" asked the girl, ,3?yieldi.1g herself readly to the fond embrace of the young Mex- ,"fitican and holding up her lips to receive his passionate kiss. “ Do I love you, Rita?” he cried, passionately; " you are the light of my heart. Till my eyes fell upon your face I never V‘ffitncied woman, but now I feel that I am devoted, heart and $0111, to you." Vi “ Can I believe you ?" asked the girl, striving to see his eyes gthrough the darkness—those mirrors ot the soul, that ‘are so [Int-(l to hidc deceit. But, darkness hid the gray orbs front h‘her view, and, had she seen them, they would have proved gthe truth of'his words, for they were full of passionate love. . “Can you believe that the stars shine when your own eyes ,iee them? Can you believe that the waters of the Rio Grande Joli onward to the ocean? Can you believe that. truth ll truth! Then believe in my love.” ‘ "‘ But, I am only a poor peon girl,” she murmured. THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. “What of that ‘3" he said. “Love is 1th measured by station. By Heaven, were there no other way to win you, I would strip 03‘ this gaudy dress I wear and in n peon.‘s gtirb ' work daily in the fields for your sake Oh, foolish child 1 will , you not helieve I love you ?" “ Yes, yes, I do believe it," she said softly, clinging to her lwer’s breast. ' [“That’s right i" he cried, imprinting a kiss upon her’ full red lips; “ but, do you lJve me Y” “ Yes,” said the peon girl, softly. “ Better than any one else l‘” “ Yes, better than my own life." “ And when I will it, you will fly with me ?" “ Fly with you?” she cried, astonished. “ Yes, fly with me," he repeated. “ I can not make 'you I mine here. If you love me you must go with me; you must follow my fortunes, for good or evil, for life or death.” “ You are right; I will go with you," she nnsweml. “That will prove thut I love. you, for it" I go with you I shrill leave my brother, the Pathfinder, whose love iltls been all in all in \ me. Yet for your sake I will leave even him; I will leave) the whole world for you.” I “ You are an angel of :1 girl,” cried the Mexicuu, “ and ngw I am sure that you love me.” “ You shall See that I do," she said, enrnestly. “I shall arrange matters so that within a \\'('t:k or so I can make you mine. I do not think any one in the hueiendu has any suspicions that we cure for each other.” “I tun afraid my brother has," she replied. . J “ Ah indeed! What makes you think so t‘” he asked tmx-' lously. ' “I noticed this afternoon that he seemed to be Watching ns and that. was the reason that I avoided you. My brother has s hot temper, and if he suspected our love and thought you meant me wrong, he would kill you, for he is as flexes in}. anger as n cougar,” said the girl, still clinging to breast or‘ ' her lover. ‘ “ He is dit‘i‘erentuhen from peons generally; they are not given to brave deeds,” replied the Mexican.‘ ‘ _ “My brother is ’not like a peou," the girl answered. “€31- . , manner. he: .neVer worked in the fields, but has always roamed over the prairies. He is called the Pathfinder, for he knows the land for many a league. He is expert in the use of all wea- pons, and so brave that even the Comanches fear him.” I “ There is no danger." replied Ray. “ I will arrange you! a '1 flight so that no one will suspect that I had a hand in it; and then, far away from this spot, we will find happiness—happi noes such as mortals seldom enjoy on earth." “ And you will always love me?” asked the girl. “ Always l” he replied, passionately, and sealed the pledge with a kiss upon the red lips so fondly upturned to his. Then, steps approaching up the little road alarmed the lovers. “ Some one is coming i" cried the girl. ‘ “Fly to the house, quick,” exclaimed the Mexican. “1 will remain here; the shadow of the trees will conceal me." ' “No! no! If it. is my brother, I must meet him. Go quickly i” cried Rita, and Ray noiselesst ran through the darkness to the house. L Rita remained quietly in the shadow of the trees. Would the he. noticed? Useless thought! "The new-comer. whose eyes seemed to have the cat-like faculty of seeing in the dark, came straight to her. “ Rita, he said, “ what are you doing here '1’" and the voice told . her that it was her brother, the Pathfinder, who spoke. -" The house was warm ; here it is cool,” she answered. ' “ Are you alone '2" he asked, suspiciously. "‘ Yes; do you not see that I am ?” she said, reading her :hrother's suspicion in an instant. ' ‘ “Rita, I have something to say to you,” and her brother’s mice had a touch of sternness. “ Well ?" she asked. , “ This stranger, Ruy Lara, has his thoughts upon you." “Do you think so?” asked Rita, her voice betraying no / emotion. ' ’ "‘ .And you loco him I” The darkness concealed the start that the peon gir. gave at “nerds. f‘ You‘do not answer.” the brother, mar arenas. z \ THE PRAIRIE at"! numb“. “What should I say i” demanded Rita. “If I deny it, you will not believe me." “For I know it is the truth; my eyes, that can read the v, dim'mest trail on the prairie and tell where the 'wolf has, passed, are not deceived when the king-wolf is around in human shape. Do you know why Ruy Lara comes here i" asked the. Pathfinder. H No.” 7 “ It is to marry Torres’ daughter, Juanita.” “It is impossible i” cried Rita. “ It is the truth. Would to Heaven it were not, but it is the truth,” said the herdsman, sadly. “ She is far too good and pure for such as he. Alas! alas I” “Whatdifi‘erence does it make to you it” asked Rita, in wonder. “ You are not her keeper l" , “ No, not her keeper. She is my keeper. I love Juanita, myself!” and the stately head of the peon sunk upon his breast as he made the confession. “ What?” exclaimed Rita, in astonishment; “ you, a peon, dare to love the (laughter of our master l?” . “ Why not ‘1" returned Manuel. “Do not you, a peou, love the nephew of our master—a man that seven days ago ‘ you had never seen—who may be, for aught you know, stained with the blackest of crimes? Juanita and I have been brought up together; five years her senior, I have watched over her like a brother, but, till this man came to woo her, I did not dream that I loved her. But now I know _. that it is so." . “ My poor brother!” cried Rita, caressingly passing her arms around his neck. \ “ Yes, I am poor,” he returned, bitterly; f‘ poor in birth and poor in love. But, sister, remember my warning; be- ware of the love of this man i” “I shall remember, brother," she said, as together they. proceeded to the hacienda. ‘ - Then, like a snake, from beneath the covert of the bushes. /, zrept a listener—a man who had heard all that had passed”. THE LISTEN an. aid me in some way. Ahal Tio, the Rat, thou art rightly named, and must have had the devil for a godfather. ButI now, to enter the enemy‘s camp." And with a. firm step, the roughly~dressed fellow approached the door of the hacienda ' and knocked loud and lustily. C H A P T E R IV. THE LEADER or 'rnE BRIGANDS. In his private chamber—lighted now by wax-candles stuck in massive gold candlesticks—sat the owner of the hacienda, Juan Torres; :1 man well in years, yet showing few traces of * age. Small and slender was he in figure; his face was of the true Mexican type, sallow and thin, lit up by piercing black eyes; the lips—over which curled a thin mustache, black in hue like the hair of its owner, but. streaked here and there , With silver lines—were thin and closely compressed—lips de- ' noting treachery and low cunning; his garb was that usually worn by Mexicans of the better class, for, though the hacienda of Torres was situated in Texas, yet, like many others on the Texan frontier, he was, to all intents and purposes, as much , a Mexican as though he lived miles westward from the Rio "Grande. The other occupant of the chamber was Torrcs’ nephew, _ Ruy Lara. Ruy bore but little resemblance to his uncle ; his skin was much fairer; he was much larger built in per 1 son; the eyes alone betrayed the relationship. “ Sit down, Ruy," said Torres; “I desire to have a few » words of explanation with you." “.I am completely at. your service, uncle," returned Ruy, carelessly flinging himself into a seat. . “Now, to begin at the beginning, we commence about the time of the earliest remembrance, which was when you were ‘ebout six years old," said Torres, watching his nephew‘s face iith his cold, glittering eyes. i V , ‘ “ Exactly,” responded Ray, with a look of astonishment It I THE PRAIRIE PATFIFINDER. this strange beginning; “ though I don‘t. really see what you want to go quite as far back as that for.” “ Wait and you will see,” said Torres, coolly. “ At the age of six years where were you ?” “Living with an old peon woman, my nurse, near the city ' of Mexico, in a miserable little hovel," replied Buy, with s shrug ofhis shoulder, as if the remembrance did not please him. “That is right,” returned Torres; “your history was an extremely simple one. Your mother, my sister, married a man who deserted her and her infant child; she (lied, you were left; you had no claim on me, for I had disowned my sister for her marriage. What would have been your prob- able fate in this world had I not extended to you a helping intud ?" and the eyes of Torres looked searchingly inthe face of Ray as he put the question. “ I should probably have star-vet, replied Ruy, bluntly. “ Right ; the chances are that you would have done 80, but I gave you my hand, and you lived; therefore, you owe to me your life; is it not so?” asked Torres. ‘ , “ Yes, I acknowledge the debt,” replied the young man. ; “Good. Then, at the age of six,I took charge of your fortunes. I sent you to school till you were ten; then I sent ~ .. you to the prairie to learn in the school of life. You were. '4“ , an apt scholar. When you were sixteen, few men on the A frontier cbuld ride or fight better than you.” “ That, I believe, is true,” said Ray, honestly, and without a tinge of boasting. “i have never yet met my master." “ Then, at sixteen, i placed you in another school——” “Yes,” interrupted Ruy; “this time it was a school of cut-throats, thieves and assassins. Now, uncle, that. is what has been a puzzle to me; till the time I was sixteen you acted to me like a father. and then why you should place me in the * position that you did, to make me a villain, and put me in peril both here and hereafter, is what I can not understand." “ Baht what do you call peril? Being connected with the . , Brigands of the Prairie? I have been one of them for years; am I any the worse for it 2'” asked Torres, his shrewd eyes} sparkling. . ’ “ Well, perhaps not; still. I have an idea that a ,man 'b i x has: ofl to lead on honest life," returned Ray. ' ’7 \ mum”? was. to " Honesty l” eried Torres, with a dry laugh; “honesty in this world is a fable; besides, what chance is there for dis- _> covery? For twenty years the Brigands of the Prairie have _ i_: existed, and they will exist for twenty more. But to proceed: ‘ ever since you were sixteen you have been a member of that band; you have distinguished yourself-—” “ Yes,” interrupted ltuy, dryly; “ so much so that my head on the other side of the Rio Grande is worth a hundred ounces." “That shows how dangerous the Mexican Government thinks you. You know that, ten days ago, at our ranche on the Rio Pecos, Miguel Garcia, Cilit‘f of the Brigands ol‘ the Prairie, diet ." “ Yes, from an accident in the shape of a loaded pistol in I 1' the hand of a drunken brigand,” observed Roy. ’ “ Such accidents will happen in bands like ours. Garcia’s / death leaves us without a chief. You are aware that our band in principle is a republic ; the next chief will be elected within a week; forty of our band have the right to vote for that chief, and of the forty votes I control twenty that I can lurer count on." Ruy stared at his uncle in amazement. “ Why, then, that gives you the power to elect the chief that controls our band." a “Exactly,” replied Torres, “ end I want a chief who will not my will. Garcia was a hot-headed fool, who imagined V that he alone bad brains; he crossed me once too often; the ‘ result, his death." Ruy made up his mind that, of all the scoundrels he had met during his camera—“and the number was greet—his uncle was certainly the greatest. “ Well, uncle," said Ruy, “I don‘t exactly understand what ' a '3, this has to do with me.” ’ t “ Simply that/I am about to make you chief of the Bri- gando of the Prairie,” said Torres. calmly. :“ What i" Ruy started as it“ he had received an electric shock. “ I chief l?” “ Yes; you are devoted to me; you will do my will; you I ' than be chief of the brigands; I will be the brain of em 5 kilobarpin?” ' ‘ ’ . ! .9 ,. ,., Tor-tow w,” IN THE PRAIRIE l‘A’i‘HF‘l’NDER. “ Yes," cried Ray at once; " I agree." “ Now for another subject," said 'l‘orres. is my purpose to form a union daughter ?" “ Yes; but as the young lady seems to have taken a violent dislike to the, I don't exactly see how you are going to carry out the idea.” “ Ruy, you know that I am rich.” “ Yes,” replied the young man “ All I have will go to my daughter’s husband." “ Well, I am perfectly willing, it‘ she is,” said Ruy “ She must be willing l" cried Torres, fiercely. “She hat the stubborn spirit of her mother, but I will bend her to my will. She must marry you.” “Good; force is a great persuader. hates me," observed Ruy. “ You have not tried to win her love; you have been blindly infatuated with the peon girl Rita.” “ The deuce i” cried Ruy to himself, “ what sharp eyes that precious old man has i” “ Why do you seek this girl '1” asked Torres. “ Well, honestly, I love her," said Ruy. “ Yes, as a child loves a. new toy; and, like the child, you will soon tire and throw it away.” “ That’s extremely possible," said Ruy, coolly; “ that has been the case with all my loves before.” i I “ Be careful," said Torres; “ this girl has a brother, a stout fellow, uho will probably call you to account it' you wrong his sister." “ I shall act cautiously, rest assured," replied Ray. “By the way, did you know that there is a detachment of l'nited States soldiers in Tacos ?" “The deuce! no 1" cried Ruy, with a. start. “ Yes; a full company. of cavalry.” “ Can they suspect our retreat on the Rio Pecos ?” ex- claimed Ray. ' “No; there isn‘t any danger of that being discovered. One of the oiflcers has seen Juanita." ' “ Well, what of it 1’" asked Ruy. - " You know it between you and my I know she almost ’\ _ “She saved him from the quicksand by the, bank of R _ in i, I. t It i g i '3 f ‘1 . t 1' ‘. l ‘t: ' is i' i. l I. t. i -‘\ x if? , A nosmnn TO 03mm. 81 BioGrande ; he was sinking when she came to his aid. She invited him to call here." I', i “ He won’t discover any thing." 7 f‘ Ruy, are you blind '2” asked Torres, impatiently. “ Juan— ita is half in love with this ofliccr, whose life she has saved; i’ give them but a few opportunities for meeting, and not all the persuasion and force in this world will make Juanita marry .' nu"! “ What is to be done ?" asked Ruy. “ As yet, nothing. When Juanita told me of this chance meeting I told her that the visits of this officer here would not be pleasant, and that I should not receive him. I shall instruct the servants when this officer comes to give him such a reception that he will not repeat his visit,” said Torres. “ Bravo!" cried Ruy. “Ah, uncle, we shall win the game." “Yes, but we must: play with loaded dice," returned Torres, coolly. “ And, to commence at. once, tell one of the servants to send Juanita tome. Ishall tell her that she must look Y upon you as her aflizmced husband; and, boy. be careful in re- gard to this peon girl, Rita. Do as you will with hex, but [mask it from the world." And with this sage injunction in his cars, Ruy withdrew. “ Strange how I love that boy,” the old man murmured to himself after Ruy had left the apartment. “ I love him far better than I do my own girl; it is for her sake, I suppose, for ' ‘ , heaven knows I hated the father with all my heart." ‘ The entrance of Juanita put an end to his meditations. , “ You wished to see me, father,” she said, and it was ’- gluinly evident from her manner that there was but little love netween the father and daughter.’ “ Yes, my child,” said Torres, looking intently in his daughter's face; “ you have grown to womanhood; it is time to think of a husband for you." Juanita trembled at this beginning. She had understood fully the meaning of the glances that Ruy Lara had bestowed ' / upon her; and in her heart she hated him. Why, she could » not tell, for he never offended her in any way, but some secret instinct warned her against him. 1 “ How do you like my nephew,Ruy Lara 1’" questioned ha, , lather; when he found that she did. not speak. “5'?” t’W-chu-n' , ‘ \ THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. “ I do not like him,” aswered Juanita, honestly. “I am sorry for that, for he is to be your future husband,‘ returned the father. " ' “ Wl‘ethcr I love him or no?" asked Juanita, in amaze- , ment. ‘ “ You arem foolish child; you do not know the meaning of the word ‘ove i” cried Torres, testily. f “I know that I can never love my cousin l" exclaimed , Juanita. Dani: nately; “ I know that. I hate him." fit “ Hate him l“ cried her father; “ why do you hate him 1’" 3‘ “ I do not how," replied Juanita. “ but his very presence ll 11 distasteful to me." n “ Do you lovr any one else P" questioned Torres, quietly (I, ‘ ti A burning blush spread over J uanita’s cheeks and forehead ?. at the question. V “ No, no,” she rurrmured; “whom should I love t” L g “ How can I tell 9” said Torres, coldly. “ Young ladies of if 7’ your age sometimes take strange fancies into their heads; hut, ' E fancy or no fancy, you may consider your fate settled; within ’ g sweek you will be marrie‘ to your cousin Ruy.” . “Then you do not care “hPlIlCl‘ I love him or do not love I aim ?" asked Juanita, in anwrarvnt. ff: ‘1 “ No,” replied Torres, shortly ": A “ And does he care as little fot u v feelings toward him 2" * demanded the girl. “ He loves you, and will marry yor , let. that suffice,” said Torres, determinedly. " Father, hear me," exclaimed Juan'ta a‘i the strength of her woman‘s nature aroused, “I do not love Rut Kara, and of my own free will, I shall never marry him." ‘ You are a foolish child,” returned the father. “ (‘0 to your room; you will think better of this; time will convmoo vol that you had best submit and do my bidding.” “ Never, father I” cried J uauitn, as she left the apartment. A MORNING RIDE. 1" :e- , t C H A P T E R V. 3 “IE MEETING ON THE PRAIRIE. Ed \ Tn next morning came clear and beautiful. After break- “ '7 asst, Ruy saw in the courtyard a man whose face scented P” l strangely familiar to him. The man was evidently a stranger ;I ll his dress was poor and well worn ; in size he was about the medium hlght—in face a Mexican. Ruy called ’I‘orres’ atten- ‘ ' tion to the man, and asked who he was. d 3 “ Oh, a poor devil who came along last night. begging for ' work,” answered Torres, “ and as, by his own’ account, he is a good herdsman, I engaged him.” F i‘ “ It: is strange how familiar his face is to me,” said Ruy, , slowly, as if trying to place the features in his memory. I ’ “It is a common face," said Torres. “It is evident that .lte poor devil has suffered from want in the past." And so the I , subject of the stranger, who was no other than the listener in ii the bushes of the preceding evening, who had called himself Tio, the Rat, was dismissed. After breakfast, Juanita mounted her horse—the cream- colored mustang—and rode oti‘. At first she rode directly north, toward El Peso, then, fairly out of sight of the hacienda, she made a wide circuit round to the south and rode toward Tacos. What object had Juanita in this early ride? She could hardly have told herself, save that. in her heart she had a se- ' cret hope that she might meet the young oficer whose life she had saved, and whose image since that moment had ever been before her. Riding briskly on, the town of 'l‘acos soon rose before her, and then, to her joy, galloping up the road from the town, she saw the young lieutenant, who, if truth be told, had ridden forth that morning in hopes of meeting with the fair Mexican girl. The delight at the meeting then was mutual. “ You are in thevnddle early," said the lieutenant, as they not. ~ nu “ Yes,” she replied, striving to conceal the joy which sparkled in her eyes. “ I love to ride.” f " If you will accept my escort,I shall be pleased to aceom pany you,” said the officer. “I shall be delighted,” replied the girl, truthfully. 'rrm PRAIRIE mrnrmnnn. " ‘ ' So, side by side, the lovers—for such, in truth, they were :- 'n heart, although their lips had never declared it——rode along They turned their course toward the river, and reaching it, rode along parallel with the Rio Grande. . “ Pardon me,” said Wenie, as he noticed the slight cloud upon the face of his fair young companion, “ but you do not look Well this morning—you seem sad; are you ill?" “No,” Juanita replied, with a lialtlsmile; “ but,” and she looked earnestly at the young officer to note the effect of her words, “I am going to be married.” “ Married 1” cried the lieutenant in despair; and his face showed plainly how keen was the blow. “ Yes,” continued Juanita, delighted with what she saw in the face of her companion; “ married to a nian I do not and can not love.” “ Why, then, do you marry him ?” “ It is my father’s will; he forces me to it." “ Surely, your father should consult your happiness before proceeding on a. step like this,” said the lieutenant, in amaze- ment. Juanita shook her head sadly. I “My father cares very little for anglit else but his‘ own pleasure. He intends to force me to marry, whether I will or no." “ By Heaven i” cried Wenie, hotly, “ he is not worthy the name of father. Is there no escape for you t?" " I can see none," replied Juanita. “ in seven days I am to be married." Fora moment Wenie was silent; busy thoughts were in his mind. Should he stand tatnely by and see this beautiful girl sacrificed, and she, too, the only girl that he felt he cve' had really loved—sacrificed to a man she did not love? No. he would. speak, and win or lose all. ' . “ Juanita,” he said, and his strong, manly voice trembled I! he spoke, “I have only known you a few hours, but it ' 'r; Luan‘t‘ pin are ,‘ e a, 1d ot AN “mum. MEETING. l5 seems to me as if years had passed since we first met. You are the first girl I have ever seen that I felt I could love with ' ; my whole heart. I should have kept this a secret, but what '5 you have told me makes me speak. Juanita, I love you, and I can not be distasteful to you. Can you love me a little?" The two horses had stopped, the riders were side by side. “ No, not a little,” replied the blushing girl, “ but, like you, with all my heart 1” Overjoyed, he clasped her gently in his arms; their lips met in the pure and holy kiss that true love gives to true love. “Mine! forever mine l" cried the lieutenant, as he looked full into the dark eyes that now gazed so lovingly into his. “Yes, forever and forever,” replied Juanita. ’ ‘ “ But your father will never consent to our marriage,” said the lieutenant. “ No. never." “ Will you go with me, then, and become mine despite his wishes?” asked Wenie, anxiously. ‘9 Yes, to the end of the world. My father does not treat '. me as a daughter: why, then, should I give that obedience which should be his due '3” “There is a priest in the village; he shall marry us, and once you are mine, I defy all human power to take you from me. Can you leave your father‘s hacienda to-morrow about this time without exciting suspicion ‘3" 2t “ Yes," answered the girl. “ I will meet you here, and in the interval 1 will see the ' priest and prepare all things for the ceremony. We must lose ~ - no time, for, if your father or this favored rival of mine—to ’ whom perforce they intend to marry you—should discover 1 our love, they may devise some plan to separate us. Do you ‘ consent to this hasty union ‘3" “ Yes,” answered Juanita, Irustfully giving her hand to her lover; “your will is my will; whatever you say, I will do. 3 l' t l l l l . l .. I 't {I i l i ‘l l 't . ./ t t? v 'Our plot be suspected.” “. Farewell, then. beloved," cried the lieutenant; “ remember tomorrow.” ‘ “ I shall not forget l" exclaimed the girl. gazing with than ’ :Q’OI 30 full ’of love into the face of her lover. I m mums “ransom. A warm pressure of the hands, and they parted; the,“ a tenant taking the road to the village, Juanita that which led 3 5“ northward to her father’s house. . Karly had she faced her horse about and commenced her 5' W: homewnrd joumey, when, to her dismay, she perceived her Domain. Buy Lara, on homebnck, approaching rapidly. I “Could he have seen me port with the lieutenant?“ was the 5: '1‘ question that mentally passed through her mind, and as Rny W gallopcd up she cast a. searching glance at his features, trying { to read his mind in his face. The attempt was fruitless, though, for Rny’s face wore the usual halt‘sneering smile , common to it. I “ Taking a gallop, my fair cousin?“ he said, smilingly, as l I“ he halted his horse before her. ‘ '11 “Yes,” she replied, curily, drawing her horse oil‘ to the i left, as if to pass him; but, with a quick movement, he ‘ wheeled his horse around and rode beside her. 1’ “ Homeward now, Juanita ?” he asked. .5 “ Yes," she answered. I ' She took but little pains to conceal her dislike. 31» “ I’ll keep you company, then," he replied. “By the, ' 5‘ way,” he said, abruptly, as they mde along, “ you have had ,r an escort this morning, I presume. Was that not one of the ' officers of the troops stationed in Tacos, that I saw you pare " ing with just now ?" V ' , Juanita felt that it would be useless to attempt to disguise ' 5 the truth. ‘ “ Yes,” she answered, “ it was." ‘c \ “ Was it the same ofllcer whose life you saved yesterday, in the quicksand it" he said, carelessly. “ Lieutenant—by the l ‘ 1 way, what is his name i?" .3 t A, a “ Wente," she answered, and then the next instant could have bitten 03‘ her tongue for speaking, for her quick eye noted the look of exultation that flushed over Rny’s face when he lenrned the mime of his rivnl. ‘ ' ~ “ Juanita, do you know I’ve half a mind to be jealous l”: he said, slowly. “ To see my nfllnnced wife mung alone'with ‘ ‘ oi "T‘f-‘ , a dashing young oflicer, and he, too, but the acquaintance of a tiny. is not very pleasant." fry 1 ‘ “ Indeed!" and Juanita’s lip curled inseam; " an 1‘ m; ' V. * mums! WITHOUT mm tu- ; minced wife? I was not aware that you had done me the M E honor to ask me for my hand.” The coolness of the girl (lisconcerted the redonbtahle Buy, >1“- ; who was certainly not troubled with bashfulness. m; r “ Your father arranged the whole affair," he replied, “ and Ithought, of course. that it included your consent; but, to u", u make the matter fully untlerstoml,Juanitn,I love you, and My 1 ask you to be my wife.” ‘ng “ “Senor, I am sorry; but I do not return your passion,” 55' {'aaid the girl, eoldly, “ and I must decline your offer." He ix “ it is your father's will i” exclaimed Ruy. I “ You will find that my father's will does not bind my hand 2” exclaimed Juanita, indignantly, while the hot blood mounted into her cheeks. he i “ You refuse me then i” asked Ruy. “ Yes," replied the girl, firmly, “ I do!” “ Perhaps you are in love with somebody else," returned any, sneefingly—-“ perhaps with this North American ofilcer -—t'nis cursed gringo! Let him beware how he crosses my (path, for, if he does, not all the fiends below can save him M i from my vengeance.” m' , “Threatened men live long, senor; possibly the life of this ,3 l Amerieaa will not be shortened by your words, replied Juan- ‘_ I ita, in scorn. " We slmll see t" cried the Mexican, hotly; “ but his Svifc you never will be.” “ Your wife I never will he i" returned Juanita, all the fire -of her nature aroused. “ That remains to be proved,” replied Ray; “ but for this ~ :flicer, I will take care of him.” J unnitn understood the covert threat, but she had little fear; she felt sure that her lover was more than a match for Ray lutrn. “ [shall tell your father of this stolen interview,” continued Buy. .7 a “Tell what you please. I judge from what little I have loan of you that it Is like your nature to play the spy ; but the ' l a a‘ sing-(5,, g.» A . h' E 6‘:- W's“ Interview was not, as you say, a ‘ stolen ’ one. I met the other, " by chance, openly on the prairie. I did not dream that. my ' :‘Itops rot-a watched, or that my cousin would descend to play. . - a _ 88 um ‘ mums: Hummus. ‘5 i l the spy upon tny actions." The tone of the girl was full 01 ] bitterness, and the young Mexican felt keenly the sting of halt get words. , "n By this time, they had reached the hacienda. Bun dis "I" mounted, gave their horses to the charge of the servants and entered the house. Juanita proceeded at once to her chamber while Ray sought Senor Torres. “ Well ?" questioned ’l‘orres, when Ruy entered his room” for he saw plainly, by his angry look, that something had hap- pened. “Juanita has been riding with this oflicer~eurse him—t; 5 l { upon the prairie,” cried Roy. t “ Ah !” and the brows ot‘ the old Mexican grew dark with; anger; “how do you know i" 1 sad “I saw them part on the the road near Tacos, and,judging .,‘ m from the time that Juanita left the house this morning, they} flu must have been together two hours at least.” 5 “ That is had,” said Torres, niusingly. “ Can this ofiicer be in love with her ‘2" ’ ml “Nothing more natural," returned Ruy. “ She saved his ' t life. At all events, I am sure of one thing, she is in love with 1)“. hitn.” ' ym Torres started, and his face plainly showed his anger at. this an. intelligence. > an Ju: “ What is to be done with this headstrong girl?" cried the father. “ Send her away until we can arrange every thing for the marriage-sent'l her to our ranche, on the Rio Pecos. Let' “1 her go there at night ; he kept closely housed after she is there, « for and she will not suspect the character of the place. ' . “ The plan is good i" cried Torres; “ it shall be carried out. ' m, She shall depart this very night. This soldier shall be thrown” completely off the track.” bk “ Do not. fear him,” said Ray, and a peculiar expression ap ‘V peered on his face. “I shall see him this afternoon; he has fiyo come between me and my purposes; he is in danger.” £853; “ Be careful; remember he has many at his back." 'I “My horse is swift; I can easily escape ;' no one in l y the village knows me; besides, I shall leave here to 1m night." .- . \ .__, . 7,5 . m VXLLAGE nut 80 ,t - 0‘ t i Buy led the father to his reflections, which were not alto: ‘5'? gather pleasant, and went to his own apartment. There be ex- ] Imined the charges in his pistols, tried the point of his knife, 1‘: and made all preparations as if for a deadly encounter. n . ter in, i — 1p} __r CHAPTER VI. A eonnum's WAY. ithi i Tm: hour of two in the afternoon found Ruy Lars in the L saddle, and riding rapidly toward Tacos. He had determined “3 l' to execute speedy and certain vengeance upon the young of- 'ey t, flcer who had dared to come between him and the beautiful iJuztnita. Tacos was not without that usual adjunct to civilization, 3 _ . little drinking-house; and to this Buy directed his way. Em ' The house was a little one-story structure, built of adobe, “1‘ but not in the usual Mexican fashion of a square with it court- yard in the center, for the windows looked directly upon the m“ Jtreet. > Roy’s keen eye noted the surrounding of the house as be {11° aipprouched. He dismounted and entered; his well-trained 'beast remained quietly where he had been left. PM, The little room that. Ruy entered was deserted. He seated 4“" himself by a little table close to the window and called loudly wet :for the host. ’* The keeper of the house, an oily little Mexican, came bus- m: :tling into the room. W3; . “Welcome, senor,” he cried; “ what will the senor be ' pleased to have ?” ’ “p ' “Aguardiente,” (a Mexican liquor,) said Buy, “and can 13' i. you find a messenger to carry a message to an oflcer of the garrison here?" “ Yes, sefior,” relied the host; “ I’ll bring him to you.” 1 i‘ h The host, disappeared, but returned in a. moment, bringing ‘9 {the liquor, and behind him another Mexican. ; ".1 “This is the man, senor: he will go," said the host. a m rum“: ampere Buy looked at the. Mexican, and to his astonishment saw that it was the same fellow whose face had attracted his at. tention in the courtyard of the hacienda that morning. It Was indeed Tio, the Rat. After placing the liquor upon the table. the host discreetly withdrew. “ You are in the household of Sefior Torres 2'" asked Ru, “ Yes. senor,” replied the other, with a grin. “ What-t brings you here 't’” “ I’m fond of liquor.” The answer was snfl‘icient. “ Do you know me ‘2” asked Buy. “ That depends upon circumstances,” returned Tie, with Inother grin. “ You are a sensible fellow,” said Ruy, " and, at. the present time, I am an utter stranger to you; you never saw me be- fore; you understand?" x“ Yes, sefior,” replied Tio. ‘“ And if, in an hour or so, you are questioned as to who 0 what I am ?” ' “ I shall know nothinv I” cried the vagabond Mexican, whc formed such a contrast to the other. " Exactly! I see that you understand me; you shall. not lose any thing by it,” said Rny. “ Now, will you hear a mes~ sage from me to Lieutenant Wenie, one of the United States_ officers here?" ‘ ' “ Yes, sei’ioi'.” . > “ Say to him that a gentleman desires to see him here on ‘ ' particular business.” “ Yes, senor; l’ll fly at once," and the Mexican departed on his errand. '1 “ Aha 1” said Tio to himself, as he walked toward the 111a» t: rt-rs ot' the soldiers; “ wlmt does Ruy Lam want with thet lieutenant? 1 must. know.” ’ Roy, in the menu while, drunk a little of the patent liquor“ loosened the pistols in his belt, and saw that. h'n knife played freely in its scnbbnrd. i Within ten minutes Rny saw as manly form, decked m the blue of Uncle Sam, puss the window, and in a second mom.) i. ' Lieutenant Wenie entered the room ‘ _ ; ~ \ ‘0‘; ‘5' t...“ i, r .‘i FACE 'ro men. n Rey had chosen a position with his back to the window. “ You sent a message to me, sir 1’" said Wenie, addressing Buy, the only occupant of the room. When \Venie had received the lit-essage that a Mexican gen- tleman desired to speak with him, his first thought was that it must he the father ot‘ Juanita, who had, by some means, dis- wvered the secret of his daughter's love He was surprised then, when he found that it was a young man about his otm age who awaited him. “ Yes, sefim‘," replied Roy, in answer to the ofllcer’s ques- tion, “ I had that honor. Be seated, senor,” he said, motioning 10 a chair on the opposite side of the table. The lieutenant sat down. The table was letwcen the two men, the window right at. Ray's back. “ New, sir, your business with the ?" asked \Venie, unable to guess why the Mexican should wish a private interview with him. “ You are acquainted with a lady called Juanita Torres 17" In a moment the truth flashed upon the young ofilcer‘l Inind ; the man before him was his rival. “ Yes," he answered; “ I am." “ You are in love with this lady." “I am too much of a gentleman to dispute your word," returned Wenie, bowing with mock politeness. A red spot gathered in the checks of the Mexicali at this answer. “ I suppose you are aware that the sefior‘ita is engaged to be married ‘9" said Buy, strivngr to preserve his coolness. “ How should I be aware of the fact?" questioned WenieI Inlandly. “ Possibly the lady herself may have iulbrmed you" “ Possibly," returned the lieutenant. *‘ Has she not told you ‘3" said liuy. “ Ah, excuse me," replied Wettie, with formal politeness; " you put a direct question; you really must excuse my an swering it.” “ In six days the lady is to be married," said the Mexican. feeling; that he was getting angry. “Indeed?” cried the lieutenant, coolly. “Who to 1 Are you to be the happy man 1’” THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. ‘That matters not,” replied Ray, shortly, feeling that he was no match in coolness for the American.« “ As you say, it matters not,” said Wenie. “Only I was about to congratulate you, if you were to be the happy bride- groom.” ‘ ' The Mexican felt that there was hitter mockery in the words so lightly spoken, and the blood began to leap fiercely in his veins. ' “ Senor, you must give up all thoughts of Senorita Torres," he cried. “ Must I” returned the lieutenant, coolly. “ That is a word foreign to me. But, senor, do you not think that you are proceeding rather rashly? You come to me and say that I must give up all thoughts of a lady that perhaps I never have thought of—at least, you have no proof that I have indulged ‘ any expectations in that direction.” The lieutenant was skillfully leading the Mexican on, to see if he really had discovered any thin". “Enough that we have a suspicion, which, in our minds, is as strong as a certainty,” replied Ray, his hand seeking the handle of his pistol—the movement concealed from the eyes of the lieutenant by the table. “ We,” said the lieutenant, laying a peculiar stress upon the word; “ and who—if I may be so bold as to ask the question—does we consist of ?’ “ Her father and myself!” replied Ray. “ Ah, now I am sure of it l" cried Wenie. “ You are the gentleman to whom in six days she is to be wedded. By the way, I haven’t had the pleasure of learning your name yet.” “ My name does not concern you." V . “ Oh, yes, it does,” repiied the lieutenant, “for I have an 4 idea that you and I will meet hereafter.” “ I think not,” said Ruy, grimly, clutching the butt oflhis pistol firmly as he spoke. “ But you have not answered my . question,” he omtinued. “ Will you resign all thoughts of the lady ?” c “ First prove to me that I haw thoughts of her; then‘ I’ll ‘ V tell you whether I’ll resign them or not,” said the lieutenant.- . ' ‘ jocosely. ‘ . I g “ You are jesting with me i” cried Ray, fiercely. ~80. -..- i A new on ma woman. .68 “ Never was more serious in the whole course of my life,” returned the oflicer. “ You will find that this is no laughing matter l" exclaimed . the MexicanI thoroughly angry, and only waiting for a favor- able opportunity to put his plan in execution. ; " Laughing matter ?” said Wenie, with a peculiar look—a > ' look that boded danger to the Mexican; “oh, no! you wiil find before we are through that I am as much in earnest as you are.” “ If you do not give up the seiiorita, force may be used i" cried Buy, in a. tone of menace “ Force 1" repeated Wenie; the very thought that has been in my mind for the las. five minutes, and I’ve been thinking whether to throw you through the door or through the window,” said Wenie, in his quiet way. “You need a V lesson, and I think I'll give you one.” i 'f r V“ What l you give me a lesson, dog l" cried Ray, drawing 5 his pistol from beneath the cover of the table. This epithet had hardly passed his lips, ere the firm hand ' ‘ of the American had dashed the vessel of liquor full in his face. Half blinded with the drench, Ruy sprung to his feet, leveled his pistol full at the breast of the young oflicer, and ‘ fired; but the movements of Wenie were fully as quick as ‘ those of his opponent. Springing to one side, he avoided ' L the shot, and before the Mexican could lower his hand, with a powerful blow. given with all the strength of the muscular arm of the American, he struck Ruy in the neck, right on the jugular vein. Through the open window went the Mexican, stunned and senseless. “ Well, he did go through the window, after all," said Wenie, quietly to himself, as he looked on his helpless foe. The host, alarmed by the shot, rushed into the room,‘foio lowed by the Mexican, Tio, who, from the doorway, had Watched the scene. , “ May the Virgin save us l" cried the host, as his eyes fol. . upon the senseless form of the Mexican extended on the ground outside; “the man is dead 1" “ No, he’s worth a dozen dead men,” replied the cflicu t“ Bathe his head; he‘ll soon come to ’ _I And, giving this advice, Wenie departed ‘4 THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. “ Bring some liquor l" cried 'I‘io; “but first, help me to bring him in. That devil of an American must have an arm and fist of iron.” Together the host and Tie brought the senseless man into the house. After repeated applications of liquor to his temples, Ruy slowly revived. “ Ah ! my head 1” were Ruy‘s first words. “Santa Maria!” cried Tio, “ a horse couldn’t have kicked harder ;" and he lost himself in admiration of the deftly given blow. Soon Ruy managed to stand upon his feet and comprehend what had passed. For the first time in his life he had met his master. Terrible was the oath of vengeance that he swore. Weak, and with his head swimming from the effects of the terrible bufl‘et, Ruy mounted his horse, and, attended by Tio on a. patient little mule, took the road homeward. But one thought was in his mind—vengeance l CHAPTER VII. TILE FLIGHT m' NIGHT. ON the road to the haeienda.Ruy arranged his plans. First, Juanita must he removed from the neighborhood of Tacos—removed from all chance of ever again seeing the young lieutenant who had given him such a terrible lesson. Second, Rita, the peon girl. must become his, and, in order to effect that, she, too, must be removed from the hacienda—re- moved from the watchful care of her brother, Manuel, the herdsmun. The rauche of the hrigauds hy the Rio Pecos or- ‘ered a secure retreat. Isolated from the world, Rita once there, there was but little danger of her being discwered. Then, too, there were brigands enough there to hold the ranche against a host, should it, by any fatal clmnce;“be dis. covered. But who was to convey Rita there? She must Inc, as an escort across the prairie, one that he, could that; B L. B p n_ ‘: A SERWCEABLE T001. 45 Ruy’s eyes fell upon Tio, the apparently half-starved vaga bon‘d,riding demurer behind him. And as Rny looked upon him, again he felt sure that he had seen his face before. ’ “ What is your name?" Roy asked, suddenly. “Tic,” answered the humble follower. '* Tio l” “ Yes, sefior; by some of my old friends in Mexico I was called Tie, the Rat.” “ Tio, the Rat ?" repeated Roy; “ a strange name! did they call you that i" “ Because, I suppose, I possessed the rat-like faculty of living upon almost nothing, and getting it without paying for it,” responded the Mexican, with one of his peculiar grins. “ Have I not seen you before, somewhere ?” asked Buy. A peculiar expression passed across the face of Tio, un- noticed, however, hy his companion. “ Yes, senor,” he answered. “ In Mexico 2'” I “ Yes, senor.” “ Where ‘3" “ Does the senor remember a certain New Year’s night in the prison in the city of Mexico ?" asked the vagabond. “ Yes; 'twas on that night that I escaped from it ; you then must know who I am ‘9” said Rny. “Yes, senor; one of the leaders of the Brignnds of the Prairie. I remembered your face the instant I saw it. I es- . coped from the prison with you that night.” “ I remember now,” cried Ruy; “ but you were dressed then like a gentleman, and not in wretched rags like these.” “Ah, senor 1” cried 'l‘io, with n sigh; “Fortune smiled upon me then. Since that time she has frowned upon me." “ Well, since you ltnow our secret, join us; become a Bi".- gund of the Prairie; what say you?” asked Ruy. Why ,‘ “ I shall he delighted, senor,” responded the other. -“ A brave future is in store for you,” said Ruy. “ And now you can do me a service.” “ Command Inc, senor," cried 'I‘io, quickly. “ Are you accustomed to the prairie? Can you find you way by night. with no other guide than the stars i" _ " Yes, senor," replied the other, readily. N rm: rmmm PATHFINDER. “ Do you know in what direction the Rio Pecos runs P" “ Yes, senor; it s to the east of us, almost parallel with the \ Rio Grande.” 3 “ Right. Now the service I wish you to do is this: there f is a lady in yonder hacienda whom I wish you to conduct to Iranchc on the Rio Pecos; the rauche is about a hundred and fifty miles from here. I have a rude map at home by which I can show you. the exact position of the place. Do you think you can conduct the lady there ?” t “ Oh, yes,sufior; without a doubt l” cried 'I‘io, and he could hardly concea. his exultation, for he understood fully that this , lonely ranche on the Rio Pecos was the head-quarters of the Prairie Brigands! Tie the Rat had a strong desire to pene- trate to that stronghold. ‘ Reaching the hacienda, Buy, after warning Tio to keep his tongue between his teeth regarding the expedition on foot, sought Senor Torres. Eagerly the old Mexican questioned him concerning the young officer. “ I have not been able to accomplish any thing,” was Ruy’s truthful reply. “ J uanita must be got out of his way to-night,” said Torres. thouglitfuly. “ Have you thought of a plan ?" asked Ruy. “ Yes; I shall tell my daughter to prepare for a journey to Santa Fé, and start away the moment the shades of night close over the prairie. That report spread among the household will put this ofiicer on the wrong track, if he misses the girl and makes inquiries after her. You must depart at once for the ranche; reaching it, select ten or fifteen men and return to escort us across the prairie.” “ Where shall I meet you it” asked Ray. “At the old ruined ranche, twenty miles from here, on the El Paso road. When I reach it to-night I will halt, wait {or i _ your arrival, then send back my people; they, of course, will ‘ 'H' think that we have kept straight on for El Paso. r , “Excellent,” cried Ruy. “This North American will be 3 ' thrown completely of! the trail; but it‘ he should happen to have a mountain-man in his com may—one used to trailing ~—he might be able to follow us." v 1—... < _ A a. PREPARING FOR T. 1’ “ There is little danger of that," said Torres. “ These are regular troops, and the minntain-men, used [0 the free life of the prairie, are not apt to exchange it for the dog’s life of the common soldier.” “ You will wait at the old ranclie till I come, then?” said Ruy. “Yes,” replied Torres. “ Make a détour when you up- 7 preach, so as to come from the north—the El Paso way. It. .1. is our people that we must deceive; they must think that we - are going to Santa Fé.” “ I’ll to horse at once and set out i” cried Buy, and forth- with he left the room. He (lid not go to the stables, how~ ; 2.5. ever; but proceeding cautiously he entered a small room ad— , joining that of J uanita—the room of the peon girl, Rita. - r “ Where is your mistress?” he asked, cautiously. f '. “She is sleeping,” replied the girl. ‘ “ Good ; we are not likely to be disturbed, then. you prepared to fly to-night ?” “ To—night l” exclaimed the girl, in surprise. “ Yes, to-night," repeated Ruy. “ I am about to set forth now; that will remove all suspicion that I have any thing to do with your flight.” “ But am I to go alone?" asked Rita, in wonder. “ No; of course not," replied Ruy. “ Have you noticed the stranger that came yesterday—the common-looking fellow in the garb of o. herdsmun ?” “ Yes," answered the girl; “you mean Tio ?" “I see you know his name; he is the one I mean. At nightfall he will be waiting with two horses outside the heel. code, just beyond the spot where we held our last meeting. You will go to him. Mount one of the horses; he will act as your guide and protector; you will fly—fly, to finally find shelter in my arms.” Rim, are : - “ Ah, how happy i" murmured the girl. Va . = v “ You will do this?” he asked. n " l l u h ’ Yes. “ Be sure you are not observed.” ‘kiss upon her red lips he left her. On his way to the stables he met Tio. Then pressing a farewell I To him he ex«_ ‘ Med theyplanlof operations, pointed out the'two horses to . x / 48 a ma: PRAIRIE PATHHNDER. use, ordered his own horse to be saddled, and then, with Tio,‘ returned to the house. In his room he gave the herdsman a rudely-drawn map, and pointed out the route that he must follow. Tio declared that he could find the road blindfold. Then, satisfied that every thing,r would progress liivorahly, Huy swung himself into the. saddle and galloped ofl', bending his course apparently for El Paso. Torres summoned his daughter. Upon her appearance he informed her that she must prepare to set out at night for Santa Fé. The words struck a chill to the poor girl’s heart. Resist- ance to her father’s command she knew was useless. And then, Juanita. thought of the despair that would come upon her lover, when, in the morning, he sought the meeting-place by the flowing Rio Grande, and she came not. Then the thought flashed through her mind, could she not convey the news to her lover that she had been hurried ofi‘ to Santa Fé? Yes, she could do that, and he might follow and save her. Briefly Juanita responded to her father, and said that at/ nightfall she would be ready. ' Once in her own room Juanita puzzled her brain how to convey the news to her lover. Then she suddenly thought of Rita, her waiting-maid, and of her brother Manuel, the herdsman. If they would, they could aid her. Yet, she fe!t a. reluctance to confess her love to her waiting-maid, for, of course, Rita. would suspect the truth, but, for her lover’s sake, she resolved to brave all. Opening the door that led to her waiting-maid‘s room, she called her. Rita came instantly. , “ Rita," said Juanita, a slight hlush beginning to bloom upon her cheeks, “I wish you would do me a service.” “Senorita. has only to command,” replied the peon girl, simply. “1 am going away tonight—going to Santa Fé. There is some one in Tacos "———and Juanita hesitated slightly—“ that [wish to inform of my departure. I wish to send a note, and neither my father nor my cousin must know of it. It was all plain to the shrewd eyes of the peon girl: he! antitru- hat? a‘ lover in Tacos; it was that‘lover that lib w :r ‘ master's daughter. that I must go at once to Santa Fe. m msr LOVE-LETTER. O wished to warn. The heart of Rita heat for joy; if Juanita loved some one in Tacos, she did not then love Ruy Lara. and the peon girl felt that the young Mexican w as all her own. Little did Juanita realize the powerful ally she would have in Rita, in all schemes, the object of which was to unite her and her lover. “ Do not fear, sefiorita i” cried Rita; “ I will speak to my brother and he will take your letter safely, and no one will know of it." ' Then suddenly to the mind of the peon girl came the thought of her brother‘s confession of his hopeless love for his Would he then take the letter that might be the means of bringing her to another’s arms? Not nol Rita truly felt that her brother’s interest in keeping back the letter was fully as great as hers to have it delivered. What. then, was to be done? Suddenly she thought of the Mexican who was to act as her guide and escort in that night's flight; he would take it-—wonld imagine that it was her own message, for she need not mention her mistress’ name. Yes, she felt that plan would do. Meanwhile, Juanita, at the little table, had been writing her note—the first note of love in all her life. It. began: “MY OWN DEAR PHILIP—I have just been told by my father We start. at nightfall. I do not know the meaning of this strange lit lll'llf‘V. I think, though, that in some way my father has 1021. m ti of our love. and it is done to separate us. Smnetimos. too, 1 think that we .are not going to Santa Fe, but that I have been told that was my dentmation, so that. if I contrived to communicate with you, it might deceive you, and prevent you from following me. elie‘.'e me, Philip, I do not, go of my own free will, but be cause I am forced to. I shall never‘cgase to love you as long as I live, and will be finithful to you forever and forever. Do V not give me up, but follow and rescue me from the hands of my cruel rclat ives. Your J UANITA." The little note was sealed and then addressed, “Lieutenant W'enie.” Rita, with the note, hastened to find Tin. Tlmt " ' worthy readily agreed to take it, and in an hour afterward ‘ "-Tio was in Tacos. -. fmen. had gone down the river after some stray horses, and w' ,It'heppened that he did not receive the'note till- near an. Unfortunately, Wenie, with a squad of 56‘ THE r'mmm- urns-invert ’Bitte'rly he deplored the ill-luck that gave his opponents such , I start. At nightfall precisely, Sefior Torres, his daughter, and a large escort set out. Almost at the same time, too, Rita and Tio were galloping across the prairie eastward. Major Curtin sat up late that night, carefully examining a paper spread out on the table before him. This paper was a rude map; on it was traced the courses of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pecos. The map was exactly like the one that . K Ruy Lara. had given to Tio, the But, to guide him across the a prairie to the ranche of the brigands. ' t «with 2' CHAPTER VIII ms: PATHFINDER ON THE TRAIL. TORRES and his party reached the old ranche. There they halted until the next day, when they were joined by Buy an some fifteen stalwart fellows armed to the teeth. Ruy explained that the Comunche Indians were on the war-path, and he had engaged his escort in El Peso; so those that came with Torres were sent back to the hacienda, and he and his daughter proceeded on their way with the escort 3" headed by Buy. The Pathfinder, who was one of those who had accom- panied Torres as fur us the old rnnche, when he returned te / the hacienda. was astonished to learn that his sister was ' ot there. Those who had remained behind had noticed ‘ or absence, but had thought that she'had accompanied her young mistress. The peon t‘elt at. once that his worst fears in regard to his sister had been realized. Yet, whither had she gone? That he Could not guess. Had he not seen Ruy Lam ut the head of the eseort. with Torres, he would instantly have suspected Ilth site had fled to join him; and then the thought flashed ‘,lflh)'tlle mind of the peou, might it not be so now 1 Possibly Lora had provided some retreat for his sister, where, at his \Y on rue nun. ‘ 51 leisure, he might visit her. The thought was madness to the mind of the young herdsman. He instantly resolved to learn the truth, to trail the flying girl to her refuge; hut, how had she gone? and who had she gone with? for it was plainly evident to Manuel that she had not tied alone. Then Manuel looked through the household to see who was s missing; all were there save the Stranger who had come but ' recently and who had said he was callet “ Tio, the Rat." ’ ' It was plain, then, to the Pathfinder. This man was a tool of Ruy Lam, and he instantly concluded that it was all a pre- arranged plan—the entrance of Tie into the hacienda o '“orres and the flight of his sister. - “But they can not the flown away!” cried Manuel, to himself. “Their horses must have left their hoof-prints on the prairie. I’ll track them as the woll‘ tracks the wounded deer, and, like the bloodhound, I’ll die on the trail but I’ll run ' ‘1 the game to earth." 1' Brought up from his earliest infancy on the prairie, possess- ing the Indian gift of marvelous ear and eye—which even the deadening influence of the half-civilization that he had passed through had not tampered with—the Pathfinder could follow a trail with the unerring skill of a Comanche. Burning, then, with the desire for vengeance, the brother i‘ proceeded to his task of mingled love and hate. ‘ The prairie just around the hacienda had been trampled over by so many steeds—the horses of the cavalcade—that to find a clue to the presence of the two fugitives was quite out of the question. So he went. a thousand good yards from the _, house; then he commenced to trace a circle around it, care- I ‘ fully examining the soft green award as he went. Not a blade ‘ ot' grass—not a wind-blown leaf from the shrubbery that sur- rounded the hacienda escaped his attention. f t‘ ' The Pnthfinder had completed a quarter ot‘ the circle, when. ' ‘ suddenly, he stopped; his keen eye had caught sight of hoof- prlnts. Closely he examined them; ten minutes’ careful in- spection of the trail convinced him that it was the trail ho lh‘iught. , The hertlsman returned to the hacienda, took his rifle, I supply of ammunition, his horse from the out upon the prairie trail. / stable, and the: set , ‘ ¥ A! 53' ' m mum's PkTHFXNDER ‘ Once out where the grass had not been trampled, Mama followed the trail easily. 5 0n pressed the herdsman, till the shades of night. came and forced him to relinquish the chase. Manuel slept that night beside the trail. The morning sun fonnd the hcrdsmnn again upon the track, and. crc that sun shone at mid-day over the prairie, the trail had struck the wooded hanks of the Rio Pecos and had turned norllnvard, following upward the course of the stream. Manuel proceeded with caution ; he felt that he was on the eve of a discovery. A sudden turn of the stream brought to his View a large ranche ; the house built of hewn timber and surrounded by a heavy Stockade fence. Evidently the place had been built to stand a sicgc.‘ A little lo r-house on the outside of the Stockade and near the bank of the river attracted Manuel’s attention. nestled. as it was, down among the trees that grew on the bank of the stream, yet. it seemed to shun observation. The Pathfinder concealed his horse carefully m the timber, and then, on foot, taking advantage of the trees and shrahhory to shield him from observation, scouted in toward the little lone house. He soon gained a position which commanded a full view of the hut door. Hardly had he gained his position, when, from the door of the Stockade, came Ruy Lam, and ad- vanced toward the hut. Every muscle in the body of the peon thrilled, as. from his covert unseen, he looked upon the face of the man who he felt. convinced had (lccoyed away his sister. His hand sought the rifle; the life of Buy Lara would have been worth but. little had the steady arm of the pooh leveled the long piece; but a second thought restrained him ; so he watched and waited. As Ruy Lara approached the house, a man with a gun in his hand rose from the bushes near it—the man was Tio, who had apparmnly been on guard. " “as any one attempted to approach the house. Tiot" askod Buy. “ No, St‘fim‘," replied Tio. V “ You are tired of watching, I suppose." , “ Yes, senor, I haven't got over the efi'ects of that night m yet” V THE LOVERS‘ RETREAT. 83 ' Winn is the girl doing?" V How the brother‘s heart lseztt when he heard RJy ask the question: for. from his hiding-place. he could both see and { hear—near every word distinctiy. He hnd littie doubt that the girl referred to Was Rim. “ She was asleep on the. bed, senor, the last time I looked n," responded Tin. “ You need not watch longer," said Ruy. “G0 and re— fresh yourself." Tio did not wait for rt second bidding, but hurried at once toward the ranche. Ruy,with a careless glance around, entered the little house V and the door closed behind him. For full five minutes Manuel waited; then unabielongerto endure the suspense. he determined to satisfy his mind as to - whether his sister was in the house or not, \vhateVet' might be ‘ the cost. ‘3 Cnutious’ly he left his covart and stole round to the hack of the house, thus shielding himself from all chance 0) dis~ covet-y by anyone Coming from the ranche. Behind the house, fitstened to El. tree, Manuel found two _ _ horses; he recognized them :11 onto us being from the arable of Torres, and guessed rightly that they Were the two thnt had conveyed the fugitives. ‘. ’ Approaching the hot with the caution of the panther steali- 'ing upon its prey, Manuel discovered it little opening in the ,V timbers by which he comtmtnded it full View of the interior ’ " apartment. The mom contuined Roy Lam and Rim. < r. _,___._. .‘ t When Buy Lara entered the room, with a scream of joy, ’ Rita had flung herself into his arms. 5. J “ You are come at last 1" she cried . " Yes, dem- one," he replied, soothingly. “ Did you time] ' that I was never coming 1'” I “ I have not seen you for so long,” said the gin, sorrow "fully. ' “ Why, it is but a few hours since I had you in my arms," he answered. ‘ “ The time has seemed very long to me,” she said, mourn at”, »~'..‘.u ' — u was: mums PATHFINDER. “ Cheer up. Rita," he snid, imprinting wnrm kisses on he! I it fresh red lips. “ New I run by your side, never ngain to part I: from you”, I “That makes me feel so happy," said the girl, looking up into his face, trtistingly. “ When you nre by my side I feel _ q n paradise; when 1 nm alone I have no desire to live. We : tt shall be happy now, shall we not ‘3” she asked, reclining trust- ‘ d ully on his breast. -; “Happy i" he exclaimed, “ yes, as happy as the day is .ong.“ Then his warm kisses again pressed the dewy lips— V it kisses that were given back with interest. For the moment a . they were happy—happy in the happiest of all dremns— ’ love. The sudden opening of the door rudely disturbed the lovers; Ruy Lara was by a powerful :u'm stricken to the floor, even as he had been stricken by the American, though this time the blow was not quite so heavy, nor so skillfully struck. He still retained his senses only to see over him the frowning {ace of Manuel, the herdsman, and to feel his knife’s point in his throat. ..._—c CHAPTER IX. A RIDE FOR LIFE. 4., ‘ IL; FULLY did Lam comprehend the peril of his position. He ‘ could feel the sharp point of the keen-edged knife pricking the skin of his throat. ‘ “ Utter one sound of alarm, Rita, and with my knife I’ll .et out the blood of this hound and give his soul to the Devil, its master I” cried the Pathfinder; and Buy, as he looked into the fierce eyes that glared so tltreuteningly into his own, felt :. that the Indian was indeed in savage earnest. The fierce light gleamed in his eyes like that of the cougar when it is about to spring upon its prey. “ Oh, my brother, spare him i” cried the peon girl, stretching ' is. her hands imploringly. ‘- "Listen to me, sister," he answered. “ I am about to uh -_ " . mm m) amaze. fl :4 , . he! you from this wolf. If you refuse to go I’ll kill him on the spot, as I would kill any beast of prey." ‘ ' “ No, no !" she cried ; “ spare him. I will go with you.” up f" “ I wil. spare him on one condition : that you go with me eel quietly, and without any attempt to return to him ; but, first 5 .1 Ne to secure this dog, so that he can not give the alarm after on; lat- ‘, departure. Bring the blanket from the bet .” 3 'Rita obeyed his order, trembling with excitement and fear. is “ Take my knife and cut it into narrow strips, three or foul —- 1 inches wide," the Pathfinder continued, giving her the knife, am at the same time drawing a revolver, which he placed in close —— 7' proximity to the temples of the Mexican. ,' Roy made no attempt at resistance; tho-1gb young and he 1 powerful of muscle, he felt that he was no match for the des- 91', perate brother, who needed but slight provocation to redden tis‘ ' his knife with the hetrayer’s blood. k. Then taking the strips which the peon girl had cut, the lg. Indian bound first the hands and then the feet of the Mexican, in ' rendering him as helpless and as powerless as an infant; and, as a final precaution, the peon rolled up a piece of the blanket in the form of a ball, and with a strip of the same fastened 4 , the ball securely in Ray’s mouth. thus gagging him most ef- fectually. Lara, after the Indian had finished his task, could ,“ neither more nor speak. “ The Pathfinder then cast a hasty glance through the door. . No one was in sight. " “Come,” he said to his sister, sternly. “I will take you far from this den of infamy, and from this man who would la ,3 _ destroy you.” . «'- With one farewell glance at the one whom she so idolized u 3' ' and without a word, Rita. followed her brother to the horses [ The chance of escaping unseen was desperate; they must I pass within full view of the ranche. The Pathfinder felt that :their only hope lay in the speed of their steeds. By the side of the beasts Manuel spoke again. “Rita,” he said, “ I know that you are blind to your own good. I know that this Mexican snake has fascinated you to > your ruin. I have sworn by the bones of our mother that I >2 will mvetyou from him. If you attempt to escape from me, ' ,' : i'll kill you with my own hand.” And Rita fully reclined " ‘ THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. that her brother, usually so mild and gentle, Was now terribly in earnest, and would surely keep his word. Once mounted, they proceeded slowly past the house. 86‘ youd it lay the open space, over which he must cross to gain the prairie, full in view from the mnehe. I “ Be ready, sister, t‘n' a sharp gallop,” he said, as they en. tered upon the open space. No one was in sight. The heart of the Pathfinder heat high with hope; he had gained the edge of the prairie, when, through the door of the stock ade came a noisy group—a half-dozen or so of the brigands. The instant their eyes fell upon the peons they comprehended that something was wrong; they knew that their young; chief had a girl in the little log-house, yet here she was on the prairie with a stranger, apparently flying. ' With a wild yell, Some of the brigamls rushed to the stable for horses; others fled to the log-house to discover what had become of Lara, to find him bound and gagged. 'I‘hey re- leased him at once. Wild with rage, Ray sprung to his feet. “ Horses i" he cried. “ Pursue them at once i" then dashed from the house. ’Twas the custom of the hrigauds to keep a dozen horses or so saddled, at all times, ready for any emergencies ; so that Ray, rushing from the house, found the horses ready on the prairie. , Snatching a carbine from one of the men,Ruy vaulted into the saddle, and, at. the head of ten of the hrigands armed to he teeth, rode after the titst-tlying fugitives. So quick had been all these movements—«so little time had they takeu,that the peous had hardly ten minutes’ start ; and, on the broad, open prairie, here with scarcely a hillock to obstruct the View, they could easily be seen at a distance of five Iniles,instead of the two which separated them from their pursuers. On went the chase—each party urging their horses to the utmost. ' ‘ Five—ten miles have the horses of the pursued and the' pursuers passed over. Tlxzn, turning in the saddle, the Path- finder measured the distance between himself and his puma. on. The In igands were gaining ground l and his ear catching' to“! 1 a. manor. ‘6’! is : fthe heavy breathing of his horse, convinced him that the pace was telling hard upon the animal. “ A few miles more and they will overtake us," murmured 5'; the Pathfinder, between his teeth. “ Caramba l" and he hissed ' out: the oath from his firm-clenched teeth, “if I die, other ‘g'hlood besides mine will rcdden the prairie. My poor beast '! ‘e nearly done for; I’ve a mind to pull up and make a tigh hr it there's not more than a dozen, and my rifle and re g rolver are good for six lives, to say nothing of my knife.” ’ And what were Rita‘s thoughts? Alas, poor girl, her heart .was so full of anguish that thought had almost ceased. She ff knew full well that, in the event of a conflict she must lose ‘f ? either a'lovcr or a brother, or both must perish. The beau- 3 tiful but hapless girl wished that she was in her grave. ’ “ Caramhal” cried the bandit chief in glee, as he saw that , ne was gaining upon the fugitives; “another half-hour and We shall overtake them." ‘ “ Their horsas are tiring,” cried Tio, who rode next to Buy, foremost in the chase. " Yes ; their horses are winded, while ours, as yet, are fresh,” {responded Ruy. I “Capitano, will not this peon be likely to show fight. i” : [flaked one of the brigands, a huge red-headed fellow, who an- lwered to the name of Legro. "4, “ Well, are we not ten to one i” demanded Buy. " If the 1. dog shows his teeth, we’ll pull them out for him." At which piece of pleasantry the brigands in hearing {laughed loud and long. 1, “Ah, comrade !" cried Tio, quietly to himself, “ the process fuot‘ extracting the teeth of yonder dog may be more tlifl'lcult Zillion) you imagine, and may cost more lives than one. By the ~ , fiscal-d of my grandfather, if there is to be a fight he’ll not ‘ apt to spare me, that’s certain ; so, for the present, my place - “.r, in the rear.” And having come to this conclusion, 'l‘io, I , Without altmcting attention, quietly tightened the rein on his Nurse and let the others pass him. He soon was the rear. most rider. Intent upon the chase, none of the hrigands no- ‘ , ‘tlced ’thls little maneuver. Safely located in the rear, Tio 'echuckled to himself. , ' “ Now, then,” he cried, jocosely addressing his speech to the 5‘ ’0. >5» THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER animal on Whose back he sat, “ let the sport begin as soon II I ' possible; you and I are out of danger. But may the good' 3‘ Mother of God protect that brave soul 1” he ejaculated, with real fervor. < Still hotly on, ridingr for life, pressed the pursued, and still v hotly on their track followed the brigands. I A stumble, and the horse of the peon went down upon his knees. A yell of joy burst from the hoarse throats of the pursuers§ Quickly, however, the practiced hand of the In- ‘ diam pulled the horse to his feet, and still onward over the prairie went the race for life. “This can not last much longer !" cried the peon, as he r I noted how rapidly his enemies were gaining upon him, and what signs of distress and exhaustion his horse was showing Eagerly the hunted man surveyed the broad prairie. Mile . r t upon mile it stretched on, one vast, unbroken plain. It never 4 before looked so boundless and forbidding !" i What would not the Pathfinder have given then for one little clump of timber—a single wooded knoll-in which he '. might seek shelter—which he might turn into a fortress, and f I from its cover defy his toes! o a He felt that he was doomed, and only for the iron will that "-1 clenched his firm set teeth, he would have groaned aloud in ' agony. Then, when he looked upon his sister, the knowledge V s that his death would give her again into the hands of the men f ' he hated. Ruy Lara, the Mexican, was maddening. l _'r. Convnlsively the Pathfinder loosened the knife in his belt; ', l _ the dread thought was in his heart: he would kill her rather -’ ' \t than she should fall the prey of the man who had charmed ,1- her as the serpent charms the bird. ' “Yes,” thought the desperate brother, while still he rode furiously onward, " I will stab her with my own hand, if the worst comes to the worst, for there is no other way to save her. Surely, our parents will look down from heaven and bless , the deed ! It is not murder; it is but saving the lamb from , .j the w " 7 W fits men's my. “r _ . . ,d : l "1 ; .. . . i ‘i _u ‘ C H A P T E R X . I 1': ' m COUGAR snows ms mm. sis» , " Pmnm your weapons, men 1" shouted Buy :19 It was evident to the brigund that a few minutes more n- ' would give the fugitives into his'lmnds. ne Eagerly the brigands unslung their carbines. Human blood- bounds, this chase, which must end in death, was to them but he N pastime. 1d , Tio, safe in the rear, watched the proceeding with interest 3 “By Old Nick himself, the patron saint of these fellows, 19 * r but this will be as rare fun as a bull-tight,” he cried. 81' , f’ Again the brave Pathfinder's horse stumbled and went ‘1 down upon his knees. “0 V “ By heaven I" cried Ruy, “ he‘s thrown l” he j l L And it was apparently so, for when the horse rose to his "1 f feet his muster had disappeared from his back, and the pur- Fésue‘rs could just discern u durk mass, evidently the form of the at Pathfinder, extended upon the prairie. in , A yell of joy burst from the thronts of the brigbnds at the' :3 height. In ' “ Bah !” cried Tio, disgusted, “there is to be no fight, then, - ‘_' one; “11—110 fight! I wanted to see half a dozen of these fel- t; lows laid out on the. prairie. Well, there’s one consolation, er ‘, _there’ll be more for the soldiers to kill.” 3d a; ' Rim hod dismounted, apparently to help her brother, and y ‘yet Buy noticed, as he rode toward them, that she remained is “standing by her horse, not twenty paces from the prostrate mun. 1e ;' 'l‘he brigund suspected some ruse. The thought struck hint re v 5"»?th improbable it was that the herdsmart—notoriously one as of the best riders for miles around, and used from boyhood to m_, a; tumng wild steeds of the pruirie———should be thrown from or 3; tired horse, and knocked senseless, too. by contact with the '-':jprail'ie‘s soft surface. Instinctively Ruy slackened the speed V 0(_his horse; the brigunds, with a. sort cf vague apprehension v . m danger, followed his example. , I _ i‘ The rumsns were now within rifle {sage of the Pathfinder; Q m mum: runnmnnn. and were approaching at a gentle gallop. Tio, still I: the rear, and seeming danger from afar, had Blackened the pane of his horse into a walk. Suddenly, then, from under the belly of the peon’s hotse— - which was standing broadside to the lu'ignlids-—came a little i i, puff of white smoke ; the sharp report of a rifle followed, and the hrigand who rode just behind Ruy reeled in his saddle, clutched vacantly at the air, and tumbled from his horse, shot though the breast. Ruy saw that the shot had been aimed at him. “ Bravo i” cried Tio. safe in the rear; “ the Pathfinder begins to show his teeth. the Devil get you all i" Maddened with rage, Ray rose in his stirrups. he cried. “ Forward 1" “ Shoot down the man, but spare the girl I” The brigands rushed onward, impatient to avenge their ;‘ conirade’s death. “ Reserve your fire till within pistol range!” cried Ruy. “ He is defenseless; don’t let him escape ! Make this his last trail i” As the hrigands galloped rapidly toward him—reserving their fire in obedience to the orders of their leader—the moo ment they got within revolver range the intrepid and self-pos- sessed peon opened fire. Crack! crack! crack 1 Three little puffs of white smoke, the three sharp reports, and three brig- nnds tumbled from their saddles, one shot (lead-—piercecl through the temple; the other two badly wounded. Instinctively, and without. waiting for orders, the riders pulled up their horses and discharged a scattering fire upon, “ But, so confused was their aim, that‘ ~- . their desperate game. not a single shot struck the peon or his horse, behind whose body he was now sheltered. The hrigands had halted on receiving the deadly fire and am or three showed a disposition to retreat. Almost mad” with rage, and wild at the thought of losing four of his fol lowers, Ray urged them on. “ Cowards!" he cried, “will you retreat from one man? 0n and crush him i" , . But his men hesitated ; they had guessed. from the rapidity « of the fire, that the Pathfinder was armed with a revotver I that wonderful North American weapon of which they had: heard so much and line! so little. Now draw them, sefiorhrigands, and may 1 «n own sense? ELEVEN.‘ .1 he too .At this moment the hunted peon again opened fire. Twice e discharged the revolver, lhus emptying the chambers of the eapon. Each shot was aimed at Buy Lara, for, could he disable that ruflian, the others would retreat. The second “3 Jhot toppled Lara from the saddle. 'l‘he Pathfinder gave vent "d ,‘to a fierce shout of joy, which was answered by a cry of dis- le. may from the attacking party—the members of which speedin '0‘ '. retreated out of range, hearing their stricken leader with them m. r. Fortune, however, favored the brigand chief, for the ball had 118 1 merely passed through the fleshy part of the shoulder, making "3’ :éxbut a slight wound. 4t “ Are you hurt ?” inquired red-bearded Legro, as he pauses gwith the wounded leader at a safe distance from the deadly ~Z fire of the peon. 511' t ‘ “ Not seriously; the ball has only cut through my shoulder. ‘ “My horse, starting at the moment, caused me to lose my seat,” 18 L answered Ruy, as he sprung into the saddle again. ‘1, “ Caramba!" cried the pooh, in despair; “ Satan himself It; initial this man. Four times have I missed him.” 1" Rita, who had been watching the combat with straining ' eyes, now fearing for her brother, now for her lover, opposed 1" iflo each other in this deadly combat, when she saw the brigand g- "’leader fall—dead, she imagined—killed by the ball from her ad {brother’s pistol—could not endure the fatal sight; her senses .53- fsiled,and, with a faint shriek, she fell apparently lifeless upon rs M the ground. 11., C I The moment the brigands retreated. the Pathfinder pro~ it 'v Uplcéeded to reload his weapons. I'Iis rifle loaded, he felt in his to ' ,. pouch for ule bullets of the revolver, when, to his dismay, he discovered that he had nothing but rifle bullets, too large to d . lit the other weapon. d‘“ r , “By the Virgin!" he cried, in dismay, “my revolver is 1 3r useless. I have but my rifle—one shot—one life, and they ' in yet seven to one. Should they make another attack I am I . i lost. I’ll load the barrels with powder, though; the dog may fi'ighten with his bark if he can not bite. In an hour the sun will be down; night will come; if I can but baflle them itill then, amid the shades of darkness I can escape.” . Loud and hot was the discussion among the Mexicans. already had lost four men out of eleven, which left but ‘0. 'mm mummy runsmnnn. ’ 1 seven in the field, and one of thest—eRuy, their leader—was already wounded. “If you had closed in upon him when I ordered, he would now be in our power or lifeless 1" cried Ruy, bitterly. “ Pardon, capltano l” cried Legro, who was a sort of a, , leader among the brigands, though hearing no rank. “The fiend is armed with revolvers; besides we‘d emptied our pieces. and before we could have cut him down with our sabers, he could easily have shot us down, one by one. He shoots with wonderful skill, that I’ll swear." ’ \ , “Bah!” cried Ruy, in anger; “he had fired five shots; that is the number of chambers a revolver has; the chances area hundred to one that he was helpless when we retreatec ." “Perhaps,” growled Legro, sulleuly: “ but, then, he may have two or three more revolvers, and what man wants to run into certain death? I fear no living man, but I don’t want.- to be shot down like a dog in cold blood, without a chance for my life.” “Yes, yes, that’s true! that’s sol” came from the lips of three or four of the brigands, who felt but little relish to again .‘ encounter the Pathfinder with his deatlmlealing weapons at close quarters. “ It is clearly impossible to gain any thing by making}: dio ‘ rect. attack,” said Ray, musingly. “ 0h, clearly 1" cried Legro, and the rest of the band echoed his words. “ In a short time night will come," said Ray. " Yes, and then good-by to all hopes of killing this viper,” responded Legro. “ In the darkness he can easily escape He knows the prairie like a bee, and will disappear like 1 snake.” “ Could we not place sentinels around and so hem him in?" ,» asked another of the band. “ No I" cried Ruy. “At whatever part of the line he at.- tempted to break through, he would find but one man to op- pose him. One shot then would open the way for the 138.0th flight. I have a plan, though, that may succeed.” And eagerly the brigands gathered around to listen. nmdn-Jd m AGAINST emu. CHAPTER XI. m wonr AT BAY. “ MY plan is simple.” said the leader. “ Before we failed because we all attacked together in one body and from one x point. Now, my idea is to surround and attack him from all ‘ points. His attention being thus diverted, for he can not: watch all of us at. once, some one of our number may be able to disable him, or, at all events, disable the horses. That would place him without means of escape. . “ Now,” continued Ruy, “there are, seven of us here. We will form a circle around him, keeping out of range of his fire. Then, when the circle is Complete, we wil. all dash in I ' upon him simultaneously. I will give the signal for the 11d- " ' ’ v cance by discharging my pistol. Remember, disable the eorses if you can not. the man, and do not expose yourselves ~recklessly to the fire. We can not afford to lose more men." Which caution was entirely unnecessary, for none of the tut-throats had any desire to expose their precious lives within , range of the peon’s deadly fire. V ,, “Now, then. prepare for the attack i" cried Ruy. “ Tio, r“ you remain here; this will be your station; the rest follow ,me. Remember, men, the signal for the advance is a shot from my pistol.” And 'I‘io was lefi, much to his own satisfaction, just where he proposed to remain—out of rifle reach. Buy, with the brigands, galloped ofl' to form the circle—— tvhich would soon he a circle of fire, eager to consume its x, arey-—around the death-doomed man. - Some five hundred yards or so, Legro dropped out of the franks and took his station there; the rest of the band rode 4,. on. Another five hundred yards another brigand stopped, and so they went on, until, at last, Ruy alone was left to gallop onward. Then he, too, stopped, wheeled his horse around to hes the prey, and the poor: was completely encircled by the " pub-lo bandits. I ’ " .—uruu THE PRAXRIE PATHFINDER. This maneuver had not been unobserved by the Pathfinder I -'"“ he understood its meaning only too well. n t “ Ah, the cowards l” he cried; “ they intend to dash in We“ upon me as the Indians surround and dash in upon the Wild 1 1 buffaloes. I fear my race is run. I am almost powerless fox ,' ‘, defense, too; one load in my rifle is but one life. If It had '. . my revolver charged, I’d make some of them rue the attempt hm to ride me down like a wild beast. But let them come i" 108‘ cried the brave brother, defiantly, as he drew back the ham- ' met; of his rifle and leveled it across the back of the horse, } at direct at Buy. “ He will never touch Rita‘s hand again.” 4 ’l‘he brigand captain looked around the cordon of men; h? motionless they sat in the saddle, carbine in hand, waiting for 3 ,b“ the signal. it u" Sharp and shrill rang out on the airthe report of Lara’e m pistol. ‘ he Seven horses felt the spur stroke of seven pair of heels, and Sh the brigands rode in to the attack. u" Narrow grew the circle as they closed in upon the prey. 8“ The Pathfinder reserved his tire till Lara was fairly within ' range; then the sharp report of his rifle broke upon the air. w Full at Buy Lara’s heart had the ball been aimed, but the r brigand captain was fated not there to die. The chief had ti, caught the glint of the fast-dying sun on the shining rifle-tube “ -—-had guCSSed the moment. of the discharge, and, causing his n horse to rear, the beast had recrivcd the ball full in his chest, fl and. with a convulsive groan, had fallen upon his knees, then a rolled over on his side, mortally wounded. Ray nimny dis- 5 r engaged his feet from the stirrups, and,as the beast fell, leaped s from his back to the ground. Losing his balance, however, he fell prostrate. "j A wild whoop rung from the lips of the peon as he wit- nessed the fall and supposed death of his enemy. Quickly _. ‘ leveling the revolver and wheeling upon the foe advancing in - his rear, he fired. The blank charge was as fully effectual in " one sense as if it had contained a hall, for the brigands advanc~ ing in that direction turned their horses about and retreated ’ " ‘ far more“ rapidly than they had advanced. ‘ l Wheeling quickly, the Pathfinder tired first at the briganda , 1. opproachtng on the right, then at those on the ten. P‘au‘te‘f \ s'rILL yr BAY. “x ‘ptricken at their leader’s fall, they fired their pieces at. random " at the single foe; then, following the example of the others, pretreated fast across the prairie. Ruy, by this time, had gained his feet. A cry of rage. broke from Manuel‘s lips. ' “ Is this man a fiend,” he cried, “ that I can not. kill ‘~him ?” ,ln s_ And What would not the peon have given to have had his loader: rifle in his hand again—to have had one more chance, , at the life of his foe ! Ruy snatched up his carbine from the ground, where it had been thrown by the shock of his full. 011 foot then, car»- Vbine in hand, reckless of the consequence, he dashed in upon ’the peon, as th \ugh single-handed he would crush him ; but i J there was metht d in the madness of the leader. The moment he arrived within range he leveled his carbine and fired: the 1 shot struck the Pathfinder-’5 horse just behind the shoulder; the wound was mortal, and the horse sunk upon the prairie, stricken unto death. Manuel discharged two barrels of the really harmless re- “ . l, -volver at the hrigand, and he, thinking that he heard the [e ‘ whistling of the balls about his head, and conscious that he a « had deprived the peon of the means of flight, retreated across 1i the prairie to where the brigands, all assembled together and ‘ well out of reach of the peon’s fire, were watching the mad 1 movements of their leader. But when they saw the horse of the peon fall—saw Ray retreat unharmed, they sent forth a D . . . . h shout of triumph; they admired fool-hardiness 1n othetS. 1 though they had but little inclination to indulge in it them- i J selves. ‘3 Thanks to the blank cartridges in the Indisn’s revolver. Ray ' Lara rejoined his band unharmed. “ Catch me a horse, some of you," he said. I A brigand dashed off in chase of one of the riderless horses ‘The horses had not strayed far, and the fellow speedily re- » “I turned with one. Ruy, again in the saddle, prepared to assail the ‘single foe - who still so bravely held his own. ‘ “That was a daring attempt. espitanol" cried Lego, in 'sdmirstion. . . 3-. ..‘ 06 m mum Parmmnxm “ If you had but closed in upon him. the affair would have been endet ," replied Ray; “ but, as it is, I have cut of his retreat; one horse remains for the two; either he must abandon ' the girl or sacrifice his own life." “ Why, capitano, the bullets of this red devil seem to have no effect upon you. Twice he has failed to kill you," said , Legro. “ I was not born to die by the hand of a peon I" exclaimed Ruy, scornfully. “ Recharge your pieces, you that have fired. We’ll dash in upon him again. If we can not kill him we can disable the other horse, and then he is wholly in our power.” The brigands who had fired proceeded to reload. The curbines charged, again they gather around their leader to receive his last instructions. The Pathfinder, who had reloaded his weapons, still using but powder alone for his revolver, for want of bullets, had waited patiently for some new movement on the part of his re- lentless foes. By the death of his horse he was uncovered on that side to the fire of the attacking party. A sigh escaping from his sister’s lips aroused him. Rita was recovering from her swoon. The brother hastened to' her side; the brigauda were still quiet, apparently holding a council. “Is he dead?" were the first words that came from the lip! of the peon girl. “ No; he is unharmed; the Evil One protects him,” an- swered the brother. “ And you have not been wounded ?” she asked. .“ No; but the struggle will soon be over. The next attack will probably cost me my life; then you will be free to go with this man for whom you are willing to peril your soul.” “ Oh, my brother i" cried the girl, rising to her feet,“ would that I had been dead and in my quiet grave ere I had brought you into this peril.” ' “ Would you rather die with me than lead a life of shame i” questioned Manuel, sternly, drawing, at the same moment, the keen-edged knife from his belt. No, noI brother 1" cried Rita, sinking upon her knees with - r raw 14-. ~‘ 1 I _Y -—m-—\ .‘m '9 ' um m net. 0: “mined hand; “I am not prepared to die; do mt kill me , " spare me! Let me not make you a murderer l" ’ “ Spare you 1" exclaimed the Pathfinder; “ spare you, so that when I am cold in death you will rush to the arms of this .j fiend? Spare you, so that you may bring disgrace to the h 00d of your dead mother? No I" Manuel seized her by the hand, and the shining blade of t the long knife glittered in her eyes. - “Ask Heaven to forgive you your sins l” he cried, as he raised the knife to give the death-blow. r n-- Ii! , f. ; CHAPTER x11. 1:- , * TEE MASTERS OF THE PRAIRIE. “ SPARE me! spare me, brother!" implored the kneeling girl, and then her eyes wandered wildly across the prairie doward the hrigands, as though she expected that help would 7 come from them to save her from her brother‘s steel. i “ See 1" she cried, suddenly. “ They are retreating! See ' Manuel, brother, they are flying !” Astonished at this sudden maneuver, the Pathfinder turned ' his gaze upon his toes. . .‘(1 The girl had spoken the truth; the hrigunus were in full '5 \retreat. Spurting their horses, like men mad, they were fly- ' ing at. their topmost speed across the prairie. “ Strange, I can not understand the meaning of this l" cried the peon, as he watched the rapid and unceremonious flight . at his foes. “What can have caused it 2*” Then the peon ‘1’ Sh’ept his eye around the horizon to see if he could discover 1 . ‘ the reason for this unaccountable proceeding on the part ef - the brigands. ’ . The Pathfinders searching glance soon discovered a body ’ " i of horsemen advancing from the west. I “ Are the very powers of evil against me i” he cried. “ What is it ‘2" exclaimed Rita, gazing in astonishment int. «k brother’s face. h 08 ms nume summit. “See there!” he cried. pointing to the body of horsemen Eh; advancing from the west. . its “ I see a body of horsemen advancing rapidly." 1“ I “ Yes; they ride with the speed of the wind," gloomin ro- ' git plied the peon. t'e: “ Dear brother, you are saved then 1" lo “ No; I am lost 1" returned Manuel. ‘ “ Lost i” cried Rita, in astonishment. '; w “Yes; we are both lost 1" despairingly cried the peon. t. “ Look again! Can not you guess who they are ?” r in “ They are not Mexicans, for they do not wear sombreros," bl said the girl, still shading her eyes with her hands and gazing le intently at the fast-approaching strangers. “ They are not North Americans, for I can not see the gleam of their cabem. t‘o “ Would to heaven that they were the soldiers of the Re-" In public; then we should be saved. Now we are lost,” returned! in the dejected man. f ' The dark mass had now approached so near that, to thefi ti! eyes of the girl, it began to separate into single horsemen tt “ They are Indians,” she cried, suddenly. ~ “ Yes, Comanches,” returned her l-rother. “ ’Tis a foray bl against the frontier. It was their appearance that caused the ,fa speedy retreat of the Mexicans." tl “ What can we do?” questioned Rita. . 9i “Nothing. In a few minutes we shall he prisonersinytheir hands. Resistance is useless and would only exasperate them.” Y “ What will be our fate ?” asked Rita, anxiously. “You will become the wife of some chief. and they will it make a slave of me." i m “ Ohl such a. fate will be terrible i” cried Rita, in anguish. 'l “ It is our destiny; we are doomed," replied Manuel. “ But '~ in their hands as prisoners, there is still a chance for escape it The Indians evidently are about to attack some frontier town, r i‘1 perhaps Tacos; if so, the soldiers there—of whom they can have no knowledge-will give them a warm reception and we (I stand a faint chance of release ; therefiire do not breathe a Word 1 of the presence of the North Americans in the village.” ,, “ I will not," replied Rita. “ I would do any thing—alum . my thing to escape from this dreadful fate.” , ‘ 0n came the red warriors, the masters of the prairie, "(0953, mu conmcrm WAR-PARTY. {Jug down upon the two peons as the eagle sweeps down upon Vita prey. , , 1' On they came at the best speed of their hardy little ponies, ro- gayly adorned with the bright war-paint, and the many-colored feathers that formed their head-dresses and fluttered from their long lances waving,r proudly in the wind. It was quite a large war—party, numbering perhaps fill) _ Warriors. led, too, by chiefs of note. on. r. The party were on their yearly foray against the Mexican r frontier settlements. Their course was to be marked with is,” blood, and the smoke and flame of the burning ruins that they ng left in their track. mt It was apparent that the party had not struck a blow yet, 8, for no trophies of victory adorned their persons. They had te-‘ probably crossed the Rio Grande below El Paso and struck ed inland to :tVoitl observation. Upon approaching within rifle-shot of the peons, the war- heg riors separated, and branching out to the right and left, inclosed an V the two in a circle, and then halted. The pathfinder discharged his rifle in the air. His revolver my be had previously cast down in the grass, so that it should not he ~fall into their hands; then he drew the knife from his belt and threw it far from him on the prairie, and held out his hands ,_ signifying that he was unarmed. 51! 1" Two of the Indians, apparently the chiefs of the party, ad- .” ‘Yaticed. I As a rule the wild master of the prairie despises his “ civil- ill .‘iaed" brother, the Mexican, and not without reason. But, the Jim: chiefs having noted the bodiesof the slain brigands,‘had , 5 quickly arrived at a correct solution of the situation. a £1 The two chiefs who now approached were strikingly alike in person, though one was old and the other young—evidently ,gt‘ather and son. “ Did my red brother kill these men i” asked the elder chief, '4 il‘euking excellent Spanish. “ Yes,” replied the peon. “ Alone ?” ' " Yes." “Wish I” ejaculated the young chief. “My brother in a V first brave." * 70 m PRAIRIE rum “Does my brother live in the lodges of the Mexicans?" naked the old chief. " Yes," the pcon answered. “ Yet they are dogs, and try to kill him “ A man may have foes even among the people in who: lodges he dwells,” said the herdsmztn. “ My brother speaks straight; his skin is red—his heart it not white. \Vhy will he live in the lodges of the pale-faces?” “ He was born there," responded Manuel. “Let him be born again, and this time a Comanche," said .g the old chief, tersely. ‘ “ It is good,” said the other chief, “the Iron-pan is a. great chief; he will he a brother to the red warrior who has dwelt in the lodges of the pale-tacos." “ And the Gray Bear will he his father," said the old chief; and then his eyes falling upon the girl, he asked, “ Squaw l’" “ No; sister,” replied Manuel. ' “ VVnhl she is as fair as u. prairie-flower,” said the old chief. Rita at heart trembled at the compliment, though outwardly she preserved her calmness. “Does my brother know of white lodges by the big river, there ?” and the old chief pointed south-west in the direction of Tacos. “ Yes; Tacos," said Manuel. “ Ugh! good!” said the Gray Bear; “ my brother will lead my warriors there?” " Yes,” Manuel promptly replied. “ How long ?” questioned the chief. “ We shall reach there before light in the morning," Manuel answered. ' “It is good i" answered the chief. “Let my red brother «the his rifle again; the Comanches are his brothers; he is a , . greet warrior; the Gray Bear will fight for the Long-rifle,” he Indian had already named the new recruit to the Comanche ranks. So, a horse was brought and the Pathfinder mounted and let out with' the old chief in advance of the war-party.’ Rita wu placed in the center of the warriors. And so they took up their line of march for Tacos. ’ CHAPTER XIII. THE ATTACK 0N 'rltcos. W: will return now to Lieutenant Wenie. When he to. oeivcd Jnanilu's note on his return from his expedition down :— : the river, his consternation was great. Wenie saw plainly ‘ that his love for Juanita was suspected by her father, and the M he manage" the girl away to preVent her from communicating with hint. What was to be done? Vainly he pondered over the affair. The Mexicans had l'nttror fiw: honrs’ startuhould he follow in pursuit? and then " what excuse had he should he overtake them? True, he I loved Juanita, and she loved him, but he could not very well 3 take her by force from the arms and protection of her own father. , The lieutenant was puzzled ; he resolved to seek the advice "-of Major Curtin. Repairing to the major’s quarters, he found him there as usual. , Briefly to the major the young officer explained matters- _ related how he had met the sefiorita on the prairie, and how 1 she had agreed to become his wife; and, lastly, he told of the [flight of Torres and his (laughter, and showed the major the ‘ note he had received. The old soldier read the little note carefully. ", "‘ It is evident," he said, thoughtfully, “ that the girl lovel ;!°“-” . . , “ I’d stake my life upon her truth i" cried Wenie, warmly “ Well, I believe you could do so with safety," replied the ’ Mot: “ It is plain that the girl takes after her mother, who ‘ “Has a good Woman, and not after her father, who is a black- .ened scoundrel. I am fully satisfied, Wenie, that that man 'u ys—not far distant either—l may huve him in so tight . V that he will gladly tell all he knows.” 1“,“ But, major, what do you advise me to do i” asked Wonk, g if“ warp—nothing," was the major'a can rcpt, 7! m PRAIRIE PATHFINDER “ Nothing!" cried chie, in astonishment. , “ Nothing," repeated the major. “ What else can you do!- You can't follow on this man’s tmqk with a body of United States soldiers, and say to him: ‘ I love your (laughter; give her to me or I‘ll take her.‘ There’s nothing in the Army Regulations that. provides tirr any such action as that." “ True, true !" replied Weuie; “you are right, major. But if they take her to Santa Fe, there they may force her t0 2 . awry this Ray Lara that I have told you of," said Wenie. « * “ Well, in the first place,” replied the major, thoughtfulty, “ I do not think that there is any danger that the girl will be taken to Santa Fe; and then, the next thing is to force the girl to eonsmt to the marriage, and. from your description of A the lady, I fancy that it \viil be no easy matter. They are not likely to use actual violence in the atfair, though I have t I no doubt that hath of these men are capable of it. Take my ‘ Word for it. she will not be taken very thr from here, and they will have tn keep a close watch upon her to keep her from counnunicating with you.” E “ Then you think that she will contrive in some way to let ,‘i me know where she is 2‘” said Wenie. ,, n “ Precisely so,” responded the major. “But. lieutenant, you need not remain entirely quiet and do nothing. You I: can bribe some Moxican in the vil‘mge here to) visit Torres’ hacienda on some pretext, and in a careless my question the , servants and the inmates of the Muse in regard to the where- ‘ 0i nhonts of 'l‘orres and his daughter. In that way you might be he aide to pick up Some int‘ormation of value to you.” '- w "Your suggestion is good, major. I will not ttlmn it the ‘ first thing in the morning,” said Wenie, rising to depart. “ By the way, lieutenant," said the major, “I have dim C‘IVt'l‘tH-l where the hiding-place of these hrignuis is located.”. “ l‘udeed !" cried \Venie, in astonishment. “ Yes; a seehlded l‘mtclw on the bank of the Rio Pecos. have a rude map ot‘ the road thither, and of the defenses of the place. It’s quite a strong piace, defended by a stockm wall, impregnahie, exceth against artillery or a sudden a »' unlooked-l‘or attack." “When do you propose to move Against them t‘" max. 78 p i _ ' As soon as I receive further information. My spy is even I I now in the‘hrignnds’ stronghold.” 3 “ Is it possible?” exclaimed Wenie. “ He must be a during 3 (allow. But good-night, major." K "Good-night, lieutemdii‘," returned the elder oflicer, and g "; Wenie repaired to his own quarters. 9 f , The lieutenaut’s slumbers that night were far from pleasant; l ‘ his rest was broken by confused dt'cums; and when the 7, 1 morning came and he awoke, he felt but little refreshed by '1 ,c‘ I ' his. night’s resL .3 7: The morning duties over, chie sought among the Mexi. .f cans of the village for a messenger to visit the hacienda of re_ ‘ , forms, there to gain tidings, it' possible, of Terms or his ,ve r (laughter. \ ,y 7, The messenger was soon found, who, for a golden ounce—— 3 him a tin-tune—undertook to perform the task. After receiving his instructions from the lieutenant, the f ' Mexican deported on his mission. ' Long seemed the hours to the lieutenant, until the Mexican i returned, which event occurred about noon. m, V The messenger had learned comparatively nothing—that is,' , nothing that could give the anxious lover a. clue to the destin- mion of his beloved Juanita. ‘ The Mexican told the lieutenant of the sudden departure of Torres with his daughter, nod an escort, for Santa Fe 1 the udt at the ruined runche and the aimenrnnm of Ruy‘Lnrs _V~'l"illl his armed followers; then, how the escort from the 1m- ‘(zicnnlu was sent hack, and how Torres and his dnughter had' ‘pniceeded on their way with Buy and his men. Weuie paid the Mexican his promised fee—much to that arorthy’s delight, which he showed by instantly going and (ting gloriously drunk ; and the lieutenant went to the or‘s quarters to tell him what he had learned. Cumin listened attentively; when Wenie had finished, f0! moment he reinnined silent; then he abruptly cried : ‘ "Lieutenant, it is as I suspected. i did not rum. to tell u of my suwicions last night, because I had really no ,good sous‘for them, and I thought you felt bad enough without ‘ saying any thing to make you feel worse.” “What do you suspect 1" asked Weak. in than. ’ fl. fl m PRAXRIE PATHFINDER. “Well, lieutenant, I hardly suspect now; I am sure of IL , This story of the appearance of this Lara at the ruined ranch. ' with a body of armed men, opens my eyes at once. This Lara, lieutenant, is one of the principal leaders of the Brigand. of the Prairie; Torres, as I suspected, is secretly in league with the briganjs. The armed men that Ruy Lara headed. were the brigands themselves." . “ Then you think——” and Wenie hesitated to utter the fear- ful words. “ I think," said the major, slowly, “ that the girl Juanita is now at the stronghold of the brigands on the Rio Pecos.” “ Then we have an excuse to rescue her,” cried the lien- tenant, a gleam of joy lighting up his features; “ we can at- ’ tack these villains, destroy them, and free her; that is strictly in‘the line of our duty." “ You are right 1” exclaimed the major, “ and We will per- form that duty. I should have preferred to wait until I heard again from my spy; but, as it is, the case will‘ hardly bear de- 1 I lay; therefore, we will set out at once. The hrigands‘ strong- hold is, I should judge, a score of leagues from here; but, by crowding the horses, we can reach it by sunrise. The attack it ‘ must be a surprise, or else within their stockade they might I t be able to hold us at bay. I will give the orders instantly -_._ I for the movement.” ' But, as the major rose from his chains Mexican, breathless .' l with haste, rushed into the room. 5 i “ What the deuCe do you want ?” cried Curtin, annoyed at z . t the unceremonious entrance. ‘ v' “ 0h, seiior major i” cried the Mexican, and then. pausedior ' ' _ I . c breath. “ Well, what is it '1’” “ The Indians! the Comanches l" “ What 1’” And the major started in astonishment. " 0h, senor, they are on their way to attack us—a largo . 1‘ ' war-party—a hundred warriors l’ cried the Mexican. ' And then, when the messenger had recovered his breath, he told how, hunting after stray cattle on the upper Rio Grande, concealed in the shrubbery by the river’s bank; it had seen the Indians cross the river, and strike inland. T n being the nearest town. was, of course, the objective -- _ tuner. ‘ .vu‘ - d the expedition; and the Mexican had hastened at- onee to . {1" give the alarm. ‘ ' “ This puts a stop to our expedition, lieutenant," said the major, “ for we must attend to these red demons first. We‘ll give them such a reception that the story of it shall strike terror throughout their tribe. It is very evident that they do not know of our presence here. They will not attack us - till about midnight, or early morning—that is their favorite hour. To-night, Wenie, we’ll attend to these red-skins, to- I morrow to the yellow-birds l" V So the major and lieutenant went forth to prepare for the t- expected attack. ;- " ‘ Each house received its complement of soldiers ; those at the north end of the town, the point supposed to be the first likely to feel the Indian attack, had a double number. Forty '- ’ men were ambushed in the houses—the remaining twenty d ,_; were posted in the corral back of the mission, ready to mount r l and dash upon the savages upon their retreat from the cross- !. . fire of the houses. y f When the shades of night descended upon the village, few it 3‘ would have supposed, so calm and quiet was the little street, It. ‘ that each dwelling was a fortress bristling with weapons and- y 3. . teeming with armed men. ; The hours passed rapidly on; midnight came; the major is and the lieutenant made a final inspection of their men, urging increased caution. Not a gun was to be fired until a shot from the major‘s revolver gave the signal for the attack. ' The major himself took post upon the flat roof of the mis- 7} lion-house, lying at full length behind the low railing. Cou- ._ cealed from sight, he commanded a full view of the single v street upon which Tacos was built. V The hours passed slowly away; the first gray streaks of the coming morn began to line the eastern clouds, whenI to A few minutes more and the street below was filled with dark Artbrms f.‘ ' The Comanches had come. The morning light was in the eastern sky when the In. than entered Tacos. No sound of alarm had been gm. lawn was apparently buried in slumber. l 7. THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. The Comanches gqined the little square before the mission house, the center of the town; then, rising in his rude stir- rups, the Gray Bear gave the loud war-whoop, the signal for slaughter. Hardly had the sound of the loud war-cry of the red chief broke on the still morning air, when it was un- swered by the shri‘l crack of a revolver. Up into the air con- vulsively went the arms of the Gray Bear; he reeled from the Mddle, and fell headlong:r to the earth, a lifeless mass. Hardly had the crack of the revolver answered the yell of the Indian, when a sheet of flame burst from each side of the little street. and the carbine balls cztme thick and deadly among the red warriors. Panic stricken, they turned to fly, hardly returning the tire of the Soldiers. But the major, head- ing the squad of mounted men. dashed upon them; the sol- diers poured from the houses; and the Conmnehes, disdaining to ask for quarter, were cut down like sheep in the slaughter- pen, and of the band that rode so boldly to the attack on Tacos, hardly ten of them ever crossed the Rio Grande to bear' ' ‘ back to their tribe the story of their defeat by the blue-coated chiefs in the street of the little Mexican village. The loss of the soldiers was but slight—n. single man killed ~ and ten or so slightly wounded. Few of the Indians being ? ’ armed with fire-arms accounted for the slight loss on the part :’ of the troops. But the Pathfinder and his sister—where were they ? t They were not among the ten who fled, or the party that in " wounded or dead. CHAPTER XIV. A DESPERATE GAME. THE pistol-shot of the major warned the Pathfinder that in lame way the soldiers had learned of the approach of‘the sav- , ' ages, and were prepared to receive them. As they had ridden into the town, Manuel had endeavored to elude the vigilance of the Indians, by whom he was surrounded, and give some dnm to arouse the citizens and soldiers; but the sav " m MA momms TRAPPED. I! 'kept a wary eye upon him, and he felt that the attempt Would cost him his life, and not be of much service to hi! friends He felt sure that the Soldiers, once aroused, could easily beat otl‘ the Indians. So he wisely rode quietLy into the place. The single shot revealed to him the trap mm the Cotnanches had so unwittineg stumbled into. To think was to act, with Manuel. Instantly ht: tumbled out of the saddle to the ground,jnst in time to escape the y bullets hurled so thickly into the ranks of the Indians. The . / moment he struck the ground he ran to the shelter of the nearest, house, and there remained till the brief fight. had ended. He knew that all efforts of his in behalf of his sistex would be fruitless, and be trusted to Heaven to protect her, and ., a good Providence answered the expectation. The escape of Rita was almost miraculous. In the center of the savages, their bodies were the ramparts that. shielded het' from the deadly fire that mowed them down as the grain falls before the sickle; and then the tiery Indian pony that she rode, scared by the tire—arms, carried her rapidly up the street, far from the scene of slaughter. She could not control the beast, so, with a prayer ttpon her lips, she leaped ~ boldly from his back. The soft earth received her yield- , ing form with scarce a bruise. Regaining her feet, she .hastened hack to the town, and soon was in her brother’s arms. The soldiers chased the panic-stricken Indians for over the prairie; and then, at last, growing weary of slaughter, the , major checked the pursuit. The sun was just rising as the little squad of troopers rode 1. back into Tacos. . ‘L ‘ 'l‘he lieutenant approached the major. “ There‘s ten of the lmlians whose wounds I think are not "i mortal. I've had them taken into the little drinking-shop I . suppose we’ll have to take them to Santa Fé as prisoners,” Said Wettie. 7 “ Yes; I will dispatch a courier at once to Santa Fé, with an account, of [his affair. It’s about the soundcst thrashing lhnt these marauding tigers have ever received along the border. _ They'll not. be apt to make another mid across the ‘ Grtmde, in this direction, for some time, I’m thinking"... 9: 300? 'O 1‘3 'mn mamm- ‘rA'rnm man. “ I'm afraid that our expedition to the brigands' retreat will have to be delayed another day,” said Wenie, not feeling overt pleased at the idea either. We will have to bury these dead rcdvskins, and attend to our own wounded men, as well as to the wounded Indians.” V “ That’s true,” replied the major. “ Perhaps it is better as It is. In the mean time I may receive some information from , myspy that will greatly aid our attack.” Though chafing at heart at the delay, yet the lieutenant ,; calmly proceeded about his duties. . By afternoon, Tacos had resumed its wonted appearance, 1,1 though here and there blood~stains on the walls and on the earth still hore witness to the terrible struggle. I '( Just as the dusk of evening was coming on, a Mexican rode 3 into Tacos, and inquired for Lieutenant Wenie. He was 3 speedily conducted to the lieutenant’s quarters. “ \Vell ‘2" said the lieutenant, as the Mexicali, who was not remarkable for his good looks, appeared before him. “ You are Lieutenant Wenie ‘2” asked the Mexican. “ Yes,” answered Wenie. r “ Will the senor look at this?” asked the man, drawing ’ from his breast a little note. ‘3 The lieutenant’s heart gave a leap of joy when hiseyes" rested upon the delicate inscription of the note, for he sawfi that it was Juanita’s handwriting. Eagerly he tore it open. It contained a single sentence!“ “ You may trust the bearer.” . There was no signature, but each letter of the delicate ' handwriting was graven on Wenic’s heart. He knew full well} that the note was written by his beloved. “ Where is the lady ?" the lieutenant questioned, eagerly. “ At the hacienda of her father," answered the Mexican. , y “ Ah i" cried \Venie, in joy; “she has returned then ?” :4 - “ Yes; the senor brought her back this morning early and: Iccretly,” said the Mexican. f “ How then did you know of her return 1’" demanded Wenia'. “ The senor employed me to watch her.” ‘ “And you have betrayed your trust t" .- "Yes, sr-flor; I felt. pity for the poor cellos-its. . Baidu, Into have five golden ounces.” \ “ ~ a nusanGErL 78s a ‘7’, "if you can procure me an interview With her, you shall ' v have ten,” cried Wenie. “If the sefior found it out, I shall lose my place,” said the t Mexican. “ I’ll find you another," replied the lieutenant. “I promised the sefiorita to find you and tell you of her return; but, to carry you back with me is dangerous.” "Remember, ten golden ounces,” said W'euie. The Mexicun's eyes sparkled. Wenie renewed the temptation. »_ " 'l‘en golden ounces will make a gentleman of you.” 0°- :lt' “Yes. sefior.” “he ‘ , “It is a flu-tune.” “ Yes, sefior." ale 1 “ You accept ?” “ You are a Worthy fellow i" cried Wenie, full of joy. D0" “ Remember, Pin to have another place, if the senor tuml. ’ me off," said the Mexican. “ Yes, yes,” replied chie. “ When do you wish to go?” 7“ fl “ Yes, sefior." lug) “At once.” V _ “ Impossible, senor. Remember.the hacienda ls on a prairie; Ye! your approach could easily be seen; in an hour it will he -.- a ‘ dark. Cats can see in the night, not men.” - 3'15‘ “ But there is a moon,” said Wenie. 33‘ “The night will be cloudy," replied the Mexican. J: “In an hour then you will come?" - , “I will wait here with the senor, if the sefior will let me,” "ml ‘ replied the Mexican. _ “ Certainly !" cried Wenle, pacing rapidly up and (iotru ill. - » floor, hardly able to conceal his impatience. n' ; L [How slow, to Wenie‘s ntin~\the hour Was in passing fii Never before had an hour scenic-t. so long—never were the In"? shades of night so tardy in descending. ‘ [I To while the time away, Wenie questioned the Mexican as / * to whither Juanita had been carried, and as to the reuson'of ‘ this sudden return; but, the Mexican knew nothing except P» ,lltut. She had returned, and had employed him to warn the ' , 'A. \Mtenant. He further explained that she was afraid to writ! Illa than the brief ,line, for fear it might be discover-“L. ' A THE PnAttuE PATHFINDER. With this unsatisfactory account. the lieutenant was “pet. force obliged to be content. Five minutes alone remained of the hour. “Will you tell the boy to saddle my horse? you will find him just back of the house,” Wenie said to the Mexican. After he had departed on his errand the lieutenant threw oif his uniform coat, buckled a belt around his waist to which was attached two holsters7 each carrying a revoln-r; then he slipped on his loose undress coat and was prepared for the night-ad- Veuture. Though apparently unarmed—the skirts of the Coat Concmtling his revolver—in reality he was tully prepared for danger. He had determined that it' he could possibly earty “ ofi‘ Juanita that night he wottld do so. He was ready now to do battle with a score for her sake. Hardly had tlte lieutenant finished his preparations, when the Mexican returned, and after hitn came the servant with the horse. Wenie leaped into the saddle; the Mexican mounted his mule and the two set out. As tlte Mexican had foretold, the night. was dark. Heavy banks of clouds covered the sky: only now and then at. rare intervals the moonbeams shone down upon the praitie. “ It looks like rain,” said Wenie as tltey gallopol onward. “ The Senor does not fear the rain 1'" “ Not. on this errand," replied the lieutenant; “a rain of V liquid fire could hardly keep tne hat-ls.” On rode the two. Tacos was left behind, and they galloned over the prairie. Already they had accomplished halt‘ the dis- lance between the town and the hacienda. when something peruliar about his Mexi -an guide attracted Wenie’s attention. . A. suspicion of treachery Shot across his mind, for, lover though ' ho was, yet his passion did not blind him; he was still the cool, cautious soldier. What it was altout the guide that had excited his suspicion he could not tell. except. that it. was a ‘ Iteulthy kind of a watch that the Mexiean seemed to he keep- 0 ing ahead—a watch that he seemed to wish the lieutenant not " to see. Wettie resolved to be upon his guard. Cautiously he slipped ' his right hand—the Mexican was lltllng‘ upon his left—under ' the skirt of his coat, and drew his revolver; as his tum VIM, ' m momma. I! hanging down carelessly by his side, of course the Mexican could not see the weapon as they rode onward. The hacienda was in sight. Weuie begun to think his fear! Were foolish; a few tninntcs more and Juanita might be folded In his arms. Just then they arrived at a. little house that stood by the road. As they reached it, the Mexican suddenly threw his i arms around the lieutenant and essayed to drag him from the saddle; at the same moment five or six horsemen dashed around the corner of the house—which had concealed them E . g from view—upon the two. . n" The truth flashed upon Wenie in an instant; 1‘ Was an 1"“ buscade. Prompt was the lieutenant to act. Hardly had the arms of the Mexican closed around him ere the right hand. clutch- ing the revolver, came down with crushing weight. upon the Mexiean's head. The gripe of the arms relaxed and the t ‘ treacherous dog tumbled out of the saddle. Leveling, Wenie . fired at the horsemen approaching; two shots checked their advance and two saddles were emptied. The horsemen fired; the bullets whistled around the lieutenant’s head ; one struck him in the side and Wenie felt that he was wounded. Quickly he wheeled his horse and flew at the animal’s topmost speed for Tacos. A volley from the pistols of the horsemen saluted his retreat; a ball pierced his shoulder. L The horsemen did not attempt to pursue him. It was plain ‘ pursuit was useless. » “ 0h! Satan protects hitn i" cried the leader of the assailants ‘ who was no other than the hrigand chief, Ruy Lara. Q, The hrigands looked to their wounded; one man, shot ' through the temple, was d and. The Mexican guide had )nly been stunned and was now recovering. The other, who nad fallen trout the saddle at Wenie‘s tire, lay on the prairie groaning with pain; it was Tio. “ Are you badly hurt?" asked Ruy. , "Yes," gasped Tio. “ l'm shot through the lungs—leave : me to die in peace," and with aet)11Vttlsi\'egztsl)Tio sunk buck “Leave him to his fate,” said Ruy, us he sprung into the M616. “ Poor devil : he insisted upon coming to-uight though film saw him eager for a tight before," i 1 in mm mm 15mm. The brigands rode fast for their retreat. " Ruy’s plan hadfailed ;~longing for vengeance, he had res»th . to kill or capture Wenie. The Mexican who had proved so '4 treacherous to the lieutenant, had been admitted to J uanita’l ' presence apparently secretly, and had offered to carry a mes- sage to her lover. J unnitu, little suspecting the haunt she was in, or the man she was trusting, had written the line that tho I crafty Ruy had used as a bait to lead the American lieutenant ' into the snare which Ruy had designed should prove his death. g And now, after all his plotting, the Mexican was riding hom'eward; his foe was still alive-—unharmed for aught he knew; one more of his band had been killed and another lay dying on the prairie. Bittcrly thc hrigand cursed the evil fortune which seemed to surround himI but, still more hitter would have been his ‘ ‘curses could he have looked that night, an hour later into the 4‘ quarters of Major Curtin, and seen the man who was con- ,- versing with the major there—who was apparently telling a t ‘ pleasant jest, at which the stern old soldier laughed long and ' heartily—the man was the spy who had just returned from the hrigands’ stronghold. " CHAPTER XV. m SURPRISE AT NIGHT. _ Lxsmnm Wanna rode fast for Tacos; he felt som- , slight anxiety in regard to his wounds, for they might possibly be serious. although the pain was but trifling. Arriving at Tacos, the lieutenant went at once to the quar- ters of Mnjor Cut-tin, :md brinily telling that astonished officer A, of the mnhuscmle that he had so luckily escaped, requested him to examine the wounds. ‘ , As the lieutenant had hoped, his hurts were but slight, and , the major, who was something of a doctor, speedily dressed v " them. . ‘ - “There,” said thennsjor, when hc‘hsd-fifished; “is (i an? Axwt‘_= 4 «amt ix“- u'h‘u mm M I’ll warrant that hardly a trace of your wounds will to main.“ ' ’“ They will not prevent my going with the expedition to the brigands’ stronghold, I hope ?” asked Wenie, anxiously. “ Oh, no i" cried the major; “ we’ll start to morrow, early." “ Very well,” said the lieutenant. “ I wil. retire to rest at mee. I suppose I had better keep as quiet as possible.” “Decidedly; you’ll have exercise enough to-morrow. I expect these fellows will show tight,” replied the major. The lieutenant proceeded at once to his quarters and retired ' l to rest. The major again spread upon the table the rude map on which was traced the road that led to the brigands’ retreat by the banks of the Rio Pecos. As the major bent over the map, he heard a knock at the door. “ Come in." said the major, a little impatient at being dis- turbed. An orderly entered. “ What is it, O‘Neal ?” _ “ A_ man wants to see ye’s, major," replied the soldier, Ialuting. “ What sort of a man ll" “ A little yaller Mexican, sur.” “ Wall, show him in.” In a moment the stranger entered- the room. The major cast the glance of his keen eyes upon him. “ Well '1’" asked the omcer. " The sefior is Major Curtin ?” asked the stranger, who was ' a wiry little Mexican, with eyes as keen as a rat’s and at black as a jet bead. “ Yes,” replied the major. The Mexican then took from his girdle a little keen-edged knife; with the knife he proceeded to rip open the lining of his rugged jacket The major watched the proceeding with interest. From its hiding-place between the lilting and the jacket, ; the Mexican drew out a letter. “ Will the seam- look i” asked the Mexican, with a courtly how. tendering the letter to‘the officer; I — The major had already guessed who and what the M mm mm rum. was, and so the contents of the letter in the bend hand of lab excellency, the Mexican President, did not surprise him. After reading the letter, the major spoke. “ I presume, then, I have the pleasure of addressing Sefiot Custello, Chief of Police of the city of Mexico"” “ Yes, senor,” replied the Mexican. “ You will pardon my want of courtesy in not offering you 0 chair,” said the major; “ but your strange dress—" " Don’t speak of it, senor. If I wear the dress of a beg~ gar, I must not expect. to be treated like a gentleman," said the Mexican, graCet'ully taking the offered chair. “ But non to business. Of course, senor, you are aware that the Presi. dent is as anxious to crush these Brigands of the Prairie, who plunder alike your people and mine, as your Government; and as it was extremely necessary, in order to make the How decisive, that some one should penetrate into their stronghold, and, knowing no one whom I thought more fit for the otl‘a e, I took it upon myself. That is the reason, senor, why I he. came your spy and you see me in these rags. I have just returned from the hrigands’ stronghold, by the Rio Pecos." "Ah, indeed !” exclaimed the major. “ You received a rude map a few days ago, tracing out the route thither ?” “ Yes." “ I sent it to you,” said the Mexican. “ I did not dare to bring it in person; for of course you are aware, seflor, that if the hrigands had discovered my object. in seeking their hanm my life would have been worth but. little.” “ “ It was indeed a mission of danger," replied the major. “True; but the reward, if I suceecd, is great,” said the Mexican. “Then, besides, I like once in a. while to throw aside the cares of ofi'lce; there is a sort of pleasure in hunt- ing human game; it reminds me of what I was hethre I came under the notice of his excellency, General Santa Afia, n ho was graciously pleased to elevate the to my present po- sition." ' V“ I had determined to attack the brigands to-morrow night," said the major. - . , “ Good i" cried the Mexican; “I will lead you , they will ’u like rats in a trap.” ’ ‘, L \ A atmcomax u ‘ Anti so the oflieer and lit" spy arranged the detahs of the ' expedition—the raid that was to bring death or captivity to - Ruy Lara and all his imui. The consultation finished, the Mexican bade the major gond~ night, and left the house. Hardly had the Mexican gained the street, when, in the darkness, he ran against some one \\ ho was passing. A mo- ment the stranger looked into his face; then a ery of passitm broke on the night-air, A grip of iron encircled the Mexi Jan’s throat; backward he was cast to the mirth, a knee upon his Cltht. held him firm; bet'ore his eyes flashed the bright blade of a knife, that evun now was uplifted to strike him in the throat. ' Astonished at the unexpeettal assault, the Mexican had hardly made a motion 01' resistanCe—indwd, had he resisted to the utmost of his power, it wouitl have availed but little against the museulat' force of his unknown assailant. : “Dog of a hrigand l" hissed a hoarse voice, that the Mexi Y can knew full well, “ prepare for death. You was the guide that led my sister into the hands of her lretrayer; now, Tin, Gee if your raHilte cunning will save you l'rom my knife.” The voice was the voice of the Pathfinder, and the Mexi- ' can held beneath his knee was, indeed, no other than Tin. Tin, whom we shall hereafter eail by his proper name of ' Castello, had but. feigned to he wounded when, on theitrairie, ' ' he had fallen from his horse at the lit-utenant’s tire. Having. procured all the int'tn'ntation that he desired in regard to the ltl'igitll(i5.ilis next movement. was, of eonrae. to impart that in‘ fitt'ttlaiitttt to the commander of the United States threes in l‘aeos; but, in order to do so, he must esItape from the hriganda, Ind. if possible, without causingr them to suspect that they had .mrlmt-ed a spy in their midst. How successful his plan had been we have seen, “1 not not a. brigand!” gasped Castello, hardly able. to speak, front the grip of the Indiau‘s hand upon his throat. “I am Major Curtin’s spy l” . " The Amerieaa‘s any i” exclaimed Manuel, in astonishment, . relaxing in his grip upon the throat of the Mexican. —," ," Yes, a spy," repeated Castellm I “I! you are lying—" said Manuel,‘fiemly. Q "um mum": PATHFINDER. “By the Virgin, I swear I speak the truth l" crieJ the Mexican. " Ruy Lara and all his band are doomed.” “ Are you speaking truth i’” asked Manuel, removing hil knee and permitting the Mexican to rise. " As I hope to be saved," replied Costello, not sorry to gain his feet and escape from the iron clutch of the pooh. “Doomed. " cried the Pathfinder. “Alas that they are not i" “ Sny not so, brave Pathfinder," the spy responded ; “ forty hours will bring destruction upon the Brignnds of the Prairie. The Americans ride for their destruction.” “ It. is but the justice of Heaven,” returned the Indian. “ If you seek revenge upon Ruy Lam, ride with us to—nml row and you shall have it,” said Costello. “ The troops, in deed, will need the guidance of the Prairie Pathfinder.” “ Good; I will go with you. When do you start ?" “ At early dawn; but we shrill not nltnek until after mid night; you know it is at hurd day’s ride from here." “ Yes ; at early dawn, then, I’ll be with you. I long again to take the trail of the desperado hand.” And then the tWo parted. We will nnw return to the retreat of the brigands. Lara and his men hml returned from their unsuccessful ex- pedition, cursing their ill-luck. Torres listened to the tale of the lieutenant’s escape with evident ill-humor. “This North American has as many lives as a cut; twict you have failed." “The third time may be more successful," returned Ruy ‘ In the end I may triumph.” V “ That is true," replied Torres. “ Your daughter does not seem now to be any more favorit- bly disposed to me than she did before," said Ruy. “ Once your wife, she will learn to love you," replied Torres “Buy, you should have been my son, for] think of you all one.” , V ‘ “ A strange way you have of showing it," responded Ray. “ You might have reared me an honest man, instead of ms!- iglg me what I am, a brigand and n villain." HIDMGHT. 8'! “Years have changed my plans," the. oi?! mun replied, Ilowly. “ When I reared you in the school of vice I intended you but as a tool, an instrument of Vengeance, which I was to use upon another‘s head, even if the struggle cost yourlife; but as you grew to manhood I learned to love you. I loved your mother once, boy; and your eyes are hers. Now I have ,triven up all thoughts of vengeance~all thoughts of the vcn. geanee that I meditated even before you were horn. Now I will try and make you a better man. That is why I wish you to marry my Juanita; but I will explain more fully to-ntorrow. Goodnight." And Torres left the apartment. Strange thoughts were in the mind of the hrigand captain. He knew that there was a mystery conneetml with his hirth, and often he had wondered why his skin was whiter than hit! Mexican companions, and yet his eyes! and hair as dark as theirs. In his heart, liuy Lara Could not help t'onfessing that he cared but little for the fair Mt'Xlt‘tlll gitl, Juanita. Another face was before his eyes; another love tilled his heart. Rita, the peon gll'l—-Sltt: it was who held captive tlte hrigand leader. “ Shall I t‘Vt‘l‘ see her again ?" he (tried. passionately, as the Remembrance of her beauty and truth rose up in his mind Bitter was the thought that then she was in the hands of tho marauding red—skins; hitter was the thought that net'er again should he look upon that. face. And, with these gloomy thoughts for his companions, the irrigand captain retired to test. Midnight came; all was still within the stronghold. With their usual precaution, though they little feared an attack, the outlaws had posted a sentinel within the stoeknde, by the gate. This sentinel was relieved every two hours. Two o’clock came; a new sentinel had taken his position: ‘twas Legro. Carbine in hand he paCed up and down lit-fore the gate, Careless was his watch. Ile (lid not. notice that a dark figure, which sealed the wall to the right of him and dropped noise- lessly to the earth inside, was creeping cautiously toward him. On came the figure. slowly but surely, stealing forward with all the stealth of the panther. Hid by the shadow of THE PRAIRIE PATHFINDER. the wall from the notice of the sentry, it came within six feet 0f the end of the little path that measured the beat ; then the figure halted——-waited until the sentinel had turned his hack, and then, with the quick dash of the hungry tiger, the Path- tinder sprung upon the ln'ig'and. The steel glint-rm] t'ora mo- ment in the air, then vas driven to the hilt in the hody‘ot' the ' t‘dflian, which fell heavily to the earth. Manuel quickly opened the gate, and the soldiers, headed by Major Curtin and Lieutetmnt Wenie, poured in. The surprise was complete. Taken del'ettseltrbs in their beds, the ht‘igands made but. little resistanre. A few Latter- ing shots, a gleam here and there of steel, and the struggle was ended. ' Almost bloodless had been the conflict; neatly all the tiri- gnnds had been capturetl—sotne half a (luzvtl only escaping. Among the prisoners was the hrigand captain, Ittzy Lam. Torres, rushing from his apartment, alarnml tn- the noise of the attack, had been truck by a random shot and mortally wounded. When Major Ctu‘tin heard of this he hastened to him at once. The eyes of the dying Mexican gleamed with a strange luster when he gazed t n the, face of the man he had hated 5c bitterly. “ Curtin," he said. slowly, for tire was chi/lug tint, “l have wronged you deeply.“ “ Make \rhat amends you can, while lil'e ts .ell you," Bolt-muly replied the major, as he knelt hy the Side ot' the dy- ing man. “ Your son. the child of Inez," gasped the Mexican, t‘twhl)’, “Does he live?" eagerly questioned the stern old solditr, new melted almost to woman’s tenderness. “ Yes; and—” \\ ith his ear close to the lips of the dying nnmI “the mujm listened to the story of the past. \ CHAPTER XVI. ms: LOST son. Wn‘um an hour from the time he received the wound, To: (‘68. the Mexican, was dead. Juanita, rising from the side of her dead parent, found con mltttion in the arms of her lover. There was now no obstn .cle to her union with the tnnn she loved. ' The expedition, with the captured brignnds, returned to trees. __ Major Cnrtin sat alone in his quarters: a sad look was up- n the face of the old soldier. It had been noted by his men list, since the capture of the hrigunds’ stronghold, :1 Weight ‘ketttetl to be upon his mind. The major sat with his head resting upon the table, sup' sported by his hand ; the gleam of the light—{or it was night, ahshone full upon his thee—upon the features that bore the larks of cure and sorrow. The major was talking quietly to himself—muttering is the ' t'er word—us though his thoughts were so intense that they must find vent in speech. ' j “Let me see," he muttered; “ the old Roman, Brutus. 81‘." 'is son to death. Rome, his country. first, before ties of kin- _ Am 1 a Brutus? No! no i” and the old soldier shook = head sadly. t The mnjor‘s medihtions were interrupted by the entrtmoe f. the orderly, O'Neal. “ A lady wants to see ye‘s, major.” ” “ Who is she ?" 9 Don’t know. sur, but she looks as if she's been cryin’.” ' “ Well. show her in." The orderly withdrew, and n woman, with her face concealed Lens of the shawls so common to the lower class of Mexican ’ an, entered the room. ' Well, madam ?”I asked the manor. 60 m “mam Parkman. The girl removed the shawl and revealed the feature! Rita, the peon girl. 3'. I “ Uh, sefior," she murmured, “ Buy Lara." The major started at the name. “ Well, what of him 1‘" he asked, striving to appear calm. 1: ‘. “ I have been told that he is to die.” ‘ 1 “It is likely," replied the officer. " “ 0h, sefior,” cried Rita, wringing her hands in anguish,“ his : ' 1 death will kill me also." _ 2' ‘ “Ah l" the major started; “you are called Rita, are you ] not ?” 3 :1 “ Yes, sefior.” -‘ § “ Your brother has told me something about you and this unfortunate young man. You love him ‘3” i “ Yes, sefior; love him better than life !” ‘r ' l “ You would forsake home, friends, all for him ?" ‘ “ Yes, senor; all t" ' if t “ This poor girl teaches me my duty," the .major mot-U: ‘ tered between his teeth. Then he paced up and down the room a moment, as if in deep thought, and then he suddenly K stopped before the girl. 1» :v “ Would you like to see this man 1’" he asked. a' “Yes! yes !" answered the girl, eagerly. “ Come with me then,” he said, casting over his shoulder! " a long cloak and putting on his hat. Rita. followed the major down the street until they arrived . at the adobe house that held Ruy Lara a prisoner. A sentinel j paced before the door. 7 The major and Rita entered. Ruy, handcufled, lay on a rude bunk in one corner of the ‘ room. The moonbenms, shining in through an opening in ‘ the wall, revealed to him the presence of his visitors. 1' " “ Rita l” he cried, with joy, and in a moment the peon girl, was folded to his heart. , The major stood quietly by and looked on. ‘ ' it" “ You will excuse me, senor," said Ruy ; “ but this girl is the only thing that I have in the world to love. She is the only creature’on earth that loves me; can you Wonder, 3050!, ht I am glad to see her it” ' Am Mm. I1 _ It was evident that the reckless brigand captain had been Changed somewhat by his downfall. ' “ Are you prepared for death t" asked the major. “ Yes, sefior; I have but one tie to bind me to the world . i—tltis love that has come to smile upm me in my prison and g light my passage to the grave." “ Suppose by any chance you should escape death; do you ll“ ' eufink that, in the mmrc‘ you would live tl different life?” ' ‘ , “Yes, senor," eagerly replied Ray; “I am not all bad, and "I feel sure that this girl’s love. would make me a good man. ALI was never born for a. origami, but was made one by an uncle _-wltose memory I detest.” , The major took from his pocket n key and unlocked the ' '- ilandcufl's, as he said 2—“ Yes. I know of Torres and his great crime; know that he purposely wrecked your young life, but. ; it is not yet too late to shake Off the into which his evil heart ~ g designeTiT Let what there is legit of nobility in your soul grow 3- and you are saved—saved I” There were tears in the soldier’s eyes, and his voice was Ray and Rita gazed upon him with astonishment. ' , u ” Now, girl, you follow me; and you, sir, watch your op “sporlnnity, when l engage the sentinel in conversation, to slip Font through the door and down the street; the shadow of the {fltouses will Conceal you. At the end of the street wait for ‘ "Inc." The old soldier did not give his astonished listeners a chance , reply, but, heckoning the girl to follow, he left the house. . I The major went directly to the sentinel and engaged him 1" it‘ll conversation Rita, standing near the door, served as a ' " Mask for Buy. A second more, and Lara. was at liberty, and ,xlit'ling cautiously down the street. With a brief injunction to the sentry not to disturb the soner, the major, with Rita, followed the fugitive. _ Al the end of the little street they found Ruy. “ Wain" said the old soldier, as he left them. _t ‘Clasped in each )ther’s arms and lost in wonder, the lover! i'fiited the return of the old major. / 3! THE mum: PATHFINDER. ‘DsI- 1.6:“ am. they were in the saddle, he took Ruy by lhl‘ _ hand. “ Have you 'linney ?” he asked. _ “ Yes," Tiny answered; “ I have letters of credit from Torres, on his hankerin New Ori *ans, sewed inside my jacket, Besides some gold in my belt.” I “ Go, then, to New Orleans, and Heaven speed you,”‘cried the major, grasping. Roy’s hand warmly. “Keep faith with this girl; lead an hmwst iit‘c, and—you will see me again! Go, go I God Nt‘SS you, my 30a l” ’ ()tI’ \rent the fugitivmt, wondering at the strange manner 0! the oid soldier. Littie did Ray Lara dream that he was indeed the son,of the Annu'it'an major—Um elith stolen by Torres when an in- fant. This was the secret. that the dying Mexican had revealed to Martin. This it was that had saved Ray Lara. 4 r . . ,. . . \ 'l he est‘ape of the tugl‘tvt: was (iiSCUVt‘i’eLi m the morning, i but, as the major said (carelessly that pursuit was useless, no- thing was done. 4 their track, the Pathfinder, had dvnarted for Santa Fé to hear the news of the det‘cat ot' the brig-ands, and to return with further orders. Juanita and Wenie were married ' true love met its reward. The lieutenant, tiit'tnting up his commission, took charge of the vast estates to which Juanita \‘as heiress. and he soon he'- camc one of the men whom Texans were proud to honor. The Brigands of the Prairie never retovert‘d from their de-‘ feat; from that time forth they became a mattir of history. And the Pathfinder? ' ‘ When he returned, a secret was given him to keep hy the major. That secret removed the sting which had tnierced to his very son] when he learned of Rita’s flight with Rny Lara.~ The marriage of Juanita for a while oppressed him: but, the roving hearts of her and her dovnted husband soon won him from his sorrow, and he became, illchl-‘ibl'wtll'd, the trusted. 7 agent and friend of the rich pronrietor—a friendship which > ‘ ' he ptiwd more than all things in life. THE END «.7 \‘ t x \ a. The only man that might have foliowcd on ~ Hun-It age-Ms: I95 849'! 91:1"! 1“: 91‘!!! Q C 52' STANDARD Dim; DIALOGUES ’ For School Exhibitions and Home Entertainments. Wu. 1 to 91 Inelulin. 151095 Pnpulnr Dialog:an and Drum“ In nah hank tuch Volumo 101 2mu pngul, mm pail-pnul, on wwiiw m’ prim», 1m cehld. ‘ Beadle & Adams, Publishers, 98 V] St" 11: Y. 'l'lam vulumoshnvu heen plop, (‘l with ngn't‘l'xl run-rump, 1.» "my Mummy“. p, TYMMMN hm min ml lo Irhuulsnml nlrlu w V ‘ “1 AN YOU G PEOPLE of every ,eJth nmle nml h-mnl-i. IL ia lnlrtu nnmmm ll: “PM” books in 1h: market, m. nh\' price, contain no muuy uwl'ul uud .wailublu dmloguu nuddru. or wulmul Hm llllllllll'l‘ A l nun: ,uml milled ,4 h: 3 wk, pumul, humur And uumuunx. DIME DIALOGUES. N0. 1. Meeting loa Mu For lulu yum-.2 lmllvi. llubnubMug. Fnrfive I “ken. Mung I len Engluhmnn. for lures lmyl. 'l‘lm Sel'l‘ehol Succeu. ‘ur uneo awaken. Tina‘- Cornnltion. Fur uulu null l‘uumle. Youn Amerlcn. Three null: Ind two Iomnlu. . I‘nlhlon. For two I ' h Jump lnu'l Deutluy. Four l-Inulu, onenmle. Thu Rahanrul. F0 The Folly of the Duel. For tllrru mule upuhn ‘1‘ Whlcll will you Chock-l l? . angmnllmx. For llxreenmle Ira-"ken. I,Quun of M ~. For [N lulu “Md. l'l‘llo 15mm": Cunlnunded. Fur mo boys. Th. Tuumly. Fm luur lmlw {The I-nsl Young .\1 .n. Forth mnlv-I. Thug 5mm ln “'ml-lml Lil Mnlauml fvmn (The Ye r'n Reckoning. I? female: mull nah In. Snlflleb' Cnnlcl ‘ . Fur nule uml fem 2. Thu Villnga willl Olh‘ Gintlumun. For tl.hsfo~ Th. Minion of thabpmu. l-‘n-u .ruuug lmlius. l mules find om mule. . DIJE DAALOGUES 140. 2. no Gonlnl AfLEher! . 9 mnlu: ml 1 femule. Haw to \‘rlle ‘ l‘x rulnr ’ Slorfu. Two an)... Cludnralln or, ‘ Sllmwr. The New lllhl tlw, 01.1. F”: um mnlu. in. Gan nn:lSa31nx 15nd. \‘rl’ul I lvnrnrten fienswliuu M L‘ Fur two nmlu. . G Rul Two mules nnnl two lemnlel. 'l‘he (lroenlmrn. l- lwu malen. '6“! of the F ' Queen. Several {can as. Thu Three Men 0 laurn. For (our maln- _ lien LA and 1') ms Fur. For lwn qlmrm tar Tho Olul Lad)": Will. Fur lbur mnln. Th Co mlry Aunl'l Viv. to “he City. For uv- The thlle Phil suvlle! For lu'n lluloz'rl-I. onl chum-ten. llww m Fl an “elf. Fnr the r In. The TWn Rpm-mun. For O-wn mnlen. ’l‘lu Vlrlues. Frr le young Lulla- rylnx thl Char-run. Fo- llnru males. A Cnnnn’vhl Eel me. I ll For Iewrnl ‘un' all.’ Th: 1 . Irfllnfl- Flvunnlnnml Michal-lo. '1 . l-‘o' unnl clumcu The Euglllll vaulll’. For two m1... DIME DIALOGUES, NO. 3. . Far In nulln school. The Gvntul Conk. For two mnln. ' Mn fumnlu. .Vlnswrpiow. Fur lwo mnlu: and cm? haul-u Fm . Form-omnch The Two Romnnn. For two mulel. l malel, l fr‘nmln. Tlm Snmn. Sx-cnndlconn. Furlwo mnln. . ‘ ulnnnl Repnmuuzlru. A myqu 4 mulul. Slmwlnu tha Whm Funther. 4 umlu-n. I fem)“ u; “A. Dan. l-‘ur numurmu umlu. 'l‘lnu Bum. Cull. A Rucltuuvo. Fur on. and... DIME DIALOGUES. N0. 4. Fur ten or mnrq rlrlon 'l'lm lltnhh‘amwn \‘nlunlnr. 9 mnlu,l Ian-h _ ‘ . ‘l lmw nwlvnuul Im- ml". \h'rrllu {rum " l'nul Pry." Fnr lunr mnlun. , u und Charity. Fur three llula g ls. I‘u (.‘hnrvm. Fur lhru main and on. lumnle‘ Jam For two mnlns mul onnfn-n omn. F. r llm a llllll plrls. 51- ml Funcv. Farsi: llvt e z ' . ’ ' ACullAquy. FM two Lap. 9 mnl ‘ r .. Sun. For two mulu. (mono Wlmm Hamr IDue. I'M] re I.qu ‘l'he (‘rhm-s or Dru A Colloquy. For (wok-3... Warm]. Client. Furuvuxnl l mm fouml. l'hn erml nl' voltme- kor l’uur mnlu ' Melon. A Dbcunlon. For twenty nmlu Tl-e Loud. Fur lwo mulul. l l mm DIALOGUES, N0. 6.. "in Three Guam. Fur Irlmnl or Farlnr. PM!an on Alr' A Cnllnan. Fnr two mAl-I. ‘3 hum. A"Thnol’¢nnm"‘ “w. TlmSlmlglIlll m. Fnrnm'umllmu. \ ' n1 1h. Curlnln. For nulln'l and fulnnlrl. ’l‘wo Menu "(L o. A Co'lnquy. For m: 3121.; M It. Pl Soclely. Flre ban and n in vchpr, Extra 1 l'rnm \lnrlnn Fulleru. , nmlnnucn DI". Foruverul lrmnlu chmunrMn-lrv \1nn. Ar} Ac-h-K Charmin. ‘ ' 1’ Fnrggvml "m1"; Thu \‘irnn- iornlx Von": India. ‘rlbunnlr Far len bun. Thu lrulmmn at Home. Po: tu-omnln. Sevflnl mm and tumult-I. Puhlnnnhla quulnmrnu. For liwn drk. Fur my tumulu. A Davy of [‘3 (Ey For club! or lu- llqu gm. DIME DIALOGU: 8, N0. 6. Th. Two Conn-clan. Fr‘r thno mnlrl. Tho VMII‘laI or Fully. For n number arm.“ n hole nlmol. 1mm My'l Bum. Four {on-ml“ and IV. mall: n hula- uul Mmlu. Tl:- LI‘h-l Bun. For cwo Mulc- Ind on mull «mun. Md. and haul-o. Sum Clam. I'm a nunhn album. For Ill mm. Ohflmm Fllrlo‘h. For morn! Ina-m “my...” mummy. Faun-m ’ ' A .Jtme School Series—Dialozuel. 7t“)— DIME DI \LOGUES No. 7. {be two Wm For fourteen formula. The eertluh Id in felry-lIud. For Kim Twahty yarn hence. Two remain, one me)“. The wny to Winthm. For two mnln. Woman. A pmtio&Imge It worde. Two be The ’Ologiel. A ilcquy. For two melee. How to get rid oiI horo- Foruverel hoye. . Beerdlng-Ichool. Two maimed two {omel- Plee {or the pledge. For two min. The ille o! dream-drinking. For three be e. a pride. A ooilo’ uy. For two fume ee. ghe two lecturem ehr numerone melee. \ Two view. urlile. Colloquy. Fer two {em-id The righle of muelc. For we lemelu. A hopeieu one. A query in Wren. ’l‘woxirh The wouldAbe whooi-tencher. For two mIleI. Cume to life we won. For three mull!- Eight o‘clock. For two little gull. True dignity. A cuiluzny. For two boyl. Grief two upon-ire. 'or two InIleI. limnlut and the glmrt. For mayor-one. Little rod riding hand. For two iemeiu. New Iplnlicetiuu ui'In niii ruin. iiuyl lull] [iril Cniored coneiue. A colloquy. For two innin- DIME DIALWUES No. 8. . £118 fairy School. For I number or ril. 1e enrollin oliicer. Three girle at two buye- The be» in] euthneielt. For three h n. The irl oi' the riod. Forthree w" .e. ‘Il‘he owl «hell on. Two melee (.111 one fenele. low but enre. Sever-l melee Ind two i India’eveloei he Spree. or menl mull children. he IriIl “Peter Slayer. For eeve. u boye. P O n e a L I E. o I Getting I photogrnph. Mnlee and fernniee. The Ioniety i'or ‘rnlrli im rovement Fur girls A nobleman in dieguile. Ilree i , le huyh Great "peculiar". For twn boy . Pie)“ ( echooi. Five {emeiel Ind foul melee. Ciuth for the hen-then. One mIie, one fem M A he one. For three bole. Gin-C. For ten felueiel end one male. BIKE DIALOGUES ‘0. 9. AdNfliIhQEfof he! . For t number A! {om-1n. erice to IglIn ins. For! to boye. e old end the new. Fen! female- Jle mule. nice o! trldee. For twelve little but. The le-dog. For two fem-lee. ' The victim. For four {alanine undone fillil- "he dueliu. For two boye. ' e true lloeenhy. For [amuse Ind melee. good For two towel-e. The hm el' humIn lindneee. For two Ienuhh Spoiled children. For I mixed uhool. Brutue Ind Ce-iue. Corinlenut Ind Annnliue. The new echolnr. For at number of [ill]. The teif-mIde mIn. Fur three melee. The {\in fiuun (No, 2.) For I echoei. Mre. Lech end‘e economy. 1 boyl end I xiii.- Shonld women be (ruin the heilotl For hoye. DmE DIALOGUES No. 10. Merk TwIin’e ehee. One male. one fem-1e. eold m. School Mini. For three he] . e omrte! lolly. For nun (irle. t line. Forelz born In elxglrle. d numerous melee In to us The lightoflove. For two he a. The flower children. In tee.“ girle. The deal uncle. For three boye. {l dleeuuion. For two boye. The reheIrIIl. For I Ichool. The true wey. For threeboye Ind one girl. A prltlicll llle ieIeon. For three yirle. The monk end the eaidler. For two boyl. Ills-laid. School leetiui. For two girie. Lord Dundrenry‘e Vieit. i meil't Ind I fem-lee Witchee in the cream. For 3 gli‘t Imi ii hoye. Frenchmen. Chnnde. Nun-ref! uhereetne. DIME DIALOGUES No. 11. A m deceitful. For eix ho I- eenundrnrn (Imi y. For mnle Ind femI e. n: Entry. Three mIiee Ind {our femIieI. uh Ind the benlutlik. For the ehIrIctere. he we to do item! not to do it. Uemelee. How to ecome hesitg‘y, etc. Male Ind lemeie. The only true life. or two zirie. Clank: colloquial. For two boys I. Guetnvul Veal Int‘ _Criltiern. 'I‘ImeriIne Ind B; “It. FIIhionIhle dieeipntlon. For two little [lilt- A echool chIMe. For two hoye Ind twf Jenn ingeiow‘l “Sense of Seven." Sewn ‘ r A debate. fur {our bnye. Rugged Didn't iuenn. For three boys. School chIrnde. with tableau. A ve quentinnehie etory. For two be». A eel . For time melee. The reIi gentleman. For two he”. DIME DIALOGUES N0. 12. Ielree umnnce. F . seven" chnrutert. her-Jere wInted. I A eeverel :lmrIctere. .» When i wne youn‘ . For two irie. "he molt precinuheritnge. or two hoye. "he double eu;e. Two mIIeI and {our felnnlee. "he lowengerd-n {eirIeL For live little girle. . mimn’e novel. Three "Inle- Ind two fenniu. Beware of the widow‘ For three girie. A family not to pattern at... Ten cllereetell. How to mIn-u e An eating chIrnde. The VIcItian Ide. Four My: Ind huhel. ThIt nnughty boy. Three fenIIiee Ind I We. Mad-up. An muting chIrIde. R All In not gold lhIt ziilterl. Act I proverb. Sic tun-it [lurin mnndi. Acting durede. DIME DIALOGUES N0. 13. .wo o’clock In the morning. For three melee. An indignation meeting. For leverIi femIieI. More Ind behind the ecenee. Several chIrIct'I. e nobleet A number olhoye Ind teIchrr. ne M dreu piece. For girle Ind Mil. 0t ee bed II it man. For u'll'llfihlmkfl- eerhtone mot-II. For two melee Indfennle. n. In For win-Ind Inhibition. Worth. nnt wenlth. for (our boy! Ind I leech. . No Inch word In lIil. For eeveIIl melee. The eieeping beluty. For I uhoo‘. An inneeent intrigue. Two melee end I lend. Old Nehly, the fortune-teller. For thmxirh . Bay-ten. For Ievenllittle beye. Mother il deed. For mere! little [lrh A pruned ill-etude- l‘ee twe "I‘m ...._.2;_u..1e‘e I1. lrin iii rlu ’1!- 5h surnam- Ionee. Three gent. end we ledtee. . Dime School Seflee—Dtuloguee : DIME DIALOGUES No. 14. y The horn geulue. For {our gente. More then one lletener. For {our gente endlndy. Who on eerth in he! For three girie. The right not to be It peuper. For two boyl. {Women neture will out. For I glrle' echool. Benedict :md bnchelor. For two hoye. The cont ni n dreee. For five ereonl. The eurprite pnrty. For-ix little girle. A prucucni demunetrntxon. For three hoye. Refinement. Actin eherede. Bevevnleherut‘ l‘or ind‘y endpnk yy. or two boyh or two glrie. A women llndneee. For three girle. Rntn'e work (Tempernnce) For four genh. The Intel mietnhe. For two young lediel. Eyee nnd noee. For (‘ne ent nnd one lndy. Retribution. For e numEer o! boye. A conclueiv lrgnment. ' DIHE DIALOGU'ES No. 15. The fnirine’ eernpmle. Numeroue ohernctere. A net’e perplexitiee. For eix gentlonlen. A wine cure. For two lndiee and one gent. ‘l‘he oml there it in each. A number of boys. Gent Hunu or munleey. For two bo e. The little plnloeuphor. For two litl e (hie. Aunt l’olly'el n. or {our ludiee. A wind-roll. A ting chermte. Fore number. Will it pnyl For two hoye. For nernerone melee. Don’t believe whnt you hear. For three lldi A Inlety min. For threelndiel. 'l‘he ohiuf‘e reeolve. Extrncl. For two mnleo. ’l‘oeting her i'riende. For let'erni chnrncten. The iorelxner‘e tloublee. For two lediee. The cet without en owner. Severn] chnrecten Nuturei eelection. For three gentlemen. Thu heir Int-law. DIME DIALOGUES No. 16. Pally Ann. For (our lndlee end one gentleman. The meeting of the winuie. For n uhool. The good they did. For eix lmliee. The buy who wine. For elx gentlemen. Good-b ' day. A colloquy. For threegirie. The eicir well run. For th e oye. For nine lediee. The inveetifintlngeormnlttee. A “corner in mguee. For [our boy-e. The impe of the trunk room. For tive girlt. The huneterl. A Colloquy. For two little [lib Kitty’e Iunerel. For euVernl little girie. Strotnuuu. Chernde. For Ievernl cherlcten. Teetlng her echolnre. For numeune echolere. The world in what no mnhe it Two xirll. The old end the new. For gentlemen end My. DIME DIALOGUES No. 17. Ll‘l'l'Ll IOLKI' erllcnll AND DIALOGUIS. To be heppy yon mnet be good. For two little girle end one hoy. Evnnucont glory. For A bevy of hoye. , The little pencemnker. For two little girle. What vnrte friende. For two little girls. Merthu Weehington ton perty. For the little [irie in old-time coetume. The evil there in in it. For two young bore. “'iee end loulieh little girl. For two irie. A child'e lnqnirieu. For exnell child In teenher. The cooking cluh. For two girle Ind othere. How to do it. For two boye. A hundred yeere to come. For boy end girl. Don’t truer. fecal. For eeverel emeli hoye. Above the eklee. For two elnell girle. The true herolem. For three little boyl. Give on little hoye e thence; The nor “the plum pudding; I'll be e men; A litt o glrl’e righte lynch; Johnny’e oplnion of greml- Inot'nen; The bonetiug hen; He hnowe def not; A mail hoy’e View of come; Rohhy’e eermun ; Nohod ’e child ; Nuttlng et grende Grey‘e; Little 0)" view of how Columhul diuovered Americn- tie iri'e view; Lite lie boy’e e eech on ti A ittle hoy'e pock- et; The In dnlfiht murdev- Robby Roh'l tee- ond eermon ow the hnhy tune; A hoy'e oheervetion The new ei te- A mother’- love - The cr wnln’ glor y Lulu; Joell Billin bumble-bee, wren, eliigetar; Died yeeter ; The chieken’e mietehe ’ The hair epperent; Deliver ue hon: evil; on’l went to be good; Onl e drunken fellow; The two little rohlne; e elow to condemnl A noneenee tele; Little hoy‘e deeiemetion; A ehild'e deelre; Rogue; The goblin cet; Rub. I—dub; Cnlnmny; Little chetterbox; we.» ere they; A boy’e view; The twent {mgr Golnx toechool; A mornin both; The irl of Dundee; A fancy; in he eunll ht; be new leid egg; The little Intuition; dle Ben; Pottery-men; Then end now. DIME DIALOGUES No. 18. Fairy wiehel. For eeverel chereetere Ill-Yo roee wiihout enthorin. an: lfemeie. on read n he . or ire One I:izood’turi'i deeervee Another. 6 led e Courting Melinde. For 3 hoye Ind 1 My. The new echolnr. For eeverel boye. The little interceeeor. For {our lediee. Antecedente- For 3 gentlemen end 3 ledlee. Give e dug n bed neme. For Your gentlemen. , Spring-time wiehee. For eix little girle. Loet Cheriie; or. the gipey’e revenge. For no. meroue chereetere. A little trump. For three little hoyl. Herd tl . For 2 gentlemen end 4 lediee. The leewn well worth ieerning. For two met: end two females DIME DIALOGUES, N0. 19. An ervful myeter . Two {em-lee end two melee. Ontontment. l-yor five little boye. Who ere the Ielntel For three young givle. > .Celilornle nnele. Three melee end three fenelee. Be kind to the poor. A little lelh' 13.1”. How people ere inenred. A “ dnet.’ Rayon Acting chm-ode. For four ehemten. Imolte fiend. For four neye. A kinde n diet . For e chrietmee Fee- The refined eimpletone. For (our ledlu. RMclsemhe; BenIum. Tier three melee. o ern e out on. ree melee d ! Med with too much lore. For n3. ninth“ The feiry’e wernlng. Dreee piece. For two (M. Aunt Ennice’e experiment. For lever-l. The In “origin G. G. Tv‘vloferoelee end onemek eve mo term ‘ end two femnleet‘xl‘. . ' I" “b An old-leehioned duet. tlvel. ereonet’ed y 'eeven ehreetete. h u. eletndv. For three mm. The eeetho. l'er nnmeroee Chalet. Dime School Serial—Dialog". DIME DIALOGUES, No. 2!). Them-on: mun. Three when and three [en-lee ,Aiternouu cnlie. For two little girls. ' Ned’e prelunt. For {qur boys. Judge not. For teacher and en won «I Icholnn. Telhnzdremne. For (our little loin. Sued by love. For two boys. Mistnkrn identity. Two main nn-l three femnl ‘I. Couldn't read English. For 3 mniel mull ieiuule. A little Vesuvius. For nix little girll. " Sol-l.” For three buys. An elr/eulle. For five mice end three (em-let City mnnnerl uni country henru. For tinned“ ‘ end one boy. . The Iilly xii-pute. For two :lrll end teacher. Not one there l For [our mule chum-curl. Foot-Print. For numerone churn-tar . Keeping boarders. Two fem rice and three maln- - A cure tor cowl. One ladynnd two gentlemen. i‘he credulunt wire-Acre. k‘ar two melee. DIME DIALOGUES. No. 21. A enema-Yul danntinn party. For tavern]. Out of dam out of dungur. For three mulee end three funnier. Little Red Riding Hood. Fur twn children. How I'I- Inmle him irupnee. A ddut. The house on tit.I hl.l. Fur (uur (ennui. EViulance enough. For two mules. \Vorth nnd wulth. Fur fou.‘ l'eiunlu. “hurl-ll. For neural. ‘Mnrl: lliiatinn'rrtnm. For fnnr melti- Cindu‘elin. For uwrul children. . ’- Trm much for Aunt Matillin. For three fernele' \‘i'it nunintt wx’e. Three I'rmnieund one Hale. A sudden IeK'UVery- For three melee. The alunble ttmtnzern. For lonr ltfilflLlCl Cuunting cllicltflu before the] were MM For quI’ tutti“. DIME DIALOGUES. No. 22. he Dark Cupid: or. the mistnket of e morningJ For three gentlemen end twu Indian. That Ne’nr-dwwoll: or, n brother'o lenon. For two male: and two feminine. High ert: or the new Illflllil. For two glrh. . Strung: Itnlvouturnt. For two bnyl. The king‘l eupper. For four girls. A pnu'tical rxelnplificntiml. For two hnyl. Montiuur This I in America; or, Yankee VI. Frenchman. For {our huye. Dnny’e diplomacy. a l'emnlnl and ‘ incident nil.’ A Frvnchmnn; or, the muwltted aunt For two lndiue and one gentleman. i'itnnirt'l lmnqmt. For n nnmberofrirll. Boys will be boys. For two boye and one ulr‘. A rainy duy; or, the ex-lmol-girl philewphen. For three young lndiel. Gull is i 'e. For a number of Ichnlnn. The wny e mnnnged. For ‘2 melee. 2 fen-1n Fuminngo. Vurioue character-,wlnte Ldetlte' wm. The little don-tor. Fortwn tiny girll. A meet reren m. For i‘nnrhoye. A Muy (lay. "or three linle gir I. Frnm thornhiltne to the ridirulalu. For Hull‘” ' Henri out lace. E‘urfive be”. DIME DIALOGUES, No. 23. hndr. Hunt‘e rrmedy. For Me -~nlu,l melt. bull Schmidt’e recrnnmenrl. For two nml . Cheerv Ind Gmmble. For two l.ttle bone. The p nutmn doughnuts. For Ii: Intuition. Doll it pnyl For Iix mnlel. Colnpeny mennere nnd nome impolitenrnn. two mnlel, two female- nnd two children. The zlmldnye. For two little boys. Unlortunnte Mr. ilrnwn. For I mnleJ fuel-e. The real cunt. For two girla. For (rad A beer garden. Fnr three melee, two (melee. The hnsy here. For four l.ttleglrle. Checkmnte. For numeron- cherncten. School time. For two little (irle. Denth Irene. 9 prim ipnl clmrlflln end eclij , Drone nud gold. Severnl chum", mole and (er ’ mnle. Confonnrl Mill For three melee, two fende- [gnornnce u ' For eleven melee. nntt nil. a. c For i‘our DIME DIALOGUES. No. 24. The INN"! of liberty. For nina young iodine. The three graces. For three little nirle. The mnlic director. Fur noven males. A Itrnnxe leeret. For three girll. Au unjust mnu. For four mnlet. The limp girl's v'ctcry. l mile. 3 {smelt-n the paychomutiur. 9 auntiemen, ‘) indie». Mann in no word for it. PM i'onr llidlt‘l. Wniunlcnl. A n Illlhv'l‘ of cnnrnct‘t, hoth res". _ld:u‘t:d or: the pencemnkvn. Seven you": uirie. The six lvrnve men. For nix be”. Hnu you hennl lh» new-l 'l hm tme quevn. Two young glrll. A lll‘llll xnietnke. 4 main, 1 temfle, end D'- ernl nuullnriel. Lazy and huey. Ten little fellowl. The old nnd young. I yentlemnll. l mu. mi. ‘ . Thnt postal rnrrl. 3 hull»: and l gentleman. ' Mother Home and her haunt-held. A whole animal lnncy dreu diulo.ue end tier-tie. DIME DIALth 33. N3. 25. I'm weleti-e of the delectable nmi lee miur- eblus. For two indie: mml two kt‘ililvmfin- e’limt null would llnvn. a littie buys a muher. Finn hiuu thruxmh the clnnde. For four ladle; The friend in nuerl. Fur (our mnlel. e home. For lwnlvu little «win. In doors uni out. Fur five little bays. Dinehete. For one male and fuur fem-let. e pound of [It-eh. For three boy-I. were of the peddle". 7 mixed chlrukfl- ,Good werde. For a number of how. A Mend. For n number of little girll. (3' The Above book- ere told by Newld dine, on receipt of price, 10 unto «ch. mum ‘I LBW. P Tl‘r true use of wealth. For n whnle uhool. (w'numnter. Fur numerous chum-ten. Pvt you reel! in hit plnre. For two hon. .iitlu wine hmuln. For four little [hul- The renmnrrntorl. For five lam-I. . Crnhtree'e waning. Several cherueterl. Integrity the been of ellenoceee. Two melee. ’ ‘ A crooked vnw mule “night. One [netball end one lndi. «t How to “ hr“ in " you; hello. Two “13' and one gentlemen. linden. 00 Willie- IO»! alert everywhere, or will be eat. m. to : t. . IIH " I“ mn‘n. mun. um. ulc- :lul- h '0- ttumm mm: mums—so to so Piece: 1:; mn 70111:le DIME AMERICAN SPEAKER, No. 1. Elile taming nnd rln‘g, .7. Job )On'l'l oration, You Amorlcl, Dink uy ul Wuhlngtm. Pluu lur Ibo Mum. luw, Nn'. on ma bull-vfinl-l, Tli- llnluul urn-'5'“, mm. new, 01' ununiry, T'u c In mi] of mun, A. \Vanl'mmmu, l'm-s nxuimmlily, um numl an), brillunuu. inc \vnr, “mm. dlmrg: Ur "gm “ml... ( lmm rr ul um lhvo'nuhkr lllu 1: Mia, Thu [mi {ma w u, The "W|I|g'lnllulllu.’ True mun mod, Thu niynury of llfo, Tun up. um! l! mu, Tl» Iluly Kraut. rm. gnu. mnr ....l, . am A r Marli-L‘J, Anuuhel Len, \anlungzo .‘n mm", l‘uu “nu: uuy’. lJlUu’ l’rul’. nn pi New“, I .1 Lllulilludc. the huh 0"Au 054 u ,.l.nl, A Dual: curt, The “author, A m hmxu ilmop m iv u u ,l-uund me . 'mtlvn mm“, L”... .n. d y mu‘ll‘s uljuy n, *' 1:: ll] mt. u-uw," .x'l. [mMm mm urptu— Ii -n, A [-1.5 o! n mAu-m_ .\ Ln‘inuglrm; I much, MN milk «1‘ nmun, l Gnu llm lmperlshnhlo ’IZIIu pruylircyhrluu y’l llulllllillrd pin-01mm, lluuur to “I. d l, 1:1’unurlulll3 ul lullrlm, n i ian ll-ullll'l a) nun \ v..um m hm lurnnl, l n, prux., unu‘: right-i, Klzlll. um i: uwunud. \l_v lnducr, \\ \llllllll, \luln', . m 'v-helliano! 185:, ), duuulun. l DIME NATIONAL SPEAKER, No. 2. Unlnn and in "mm, 0 ir coumry‘l nun, Tn: Ilnlelmln I lubon, 'l‘ru-s Immnrmlily‘ Let ulna childlu. mop, Our cuuulry’l gl vry, Unlou I hum-hold, Iu‘lu mulencv hell Th. Icimlur'u dignity, bu cyclrl 0! “gram, A Clam...“ (2 Hull. an E E o" - r. 7 .. .3. i 5 Th. tr l higher law, Tho one ("at "In". '1 ll. uhlp Ind II]! Mid, DIME PATRIOTIC Amerer to IE. worlJ, No of country, might nl “Myra-erva Our mun A K. uuzfilnn'l Inpul, Kunluchy upmlhsl, Tnnldlly in Irma, Tn. alumni. April nan-.1351, Till Ipirll of '6l. Illa prnclvlfl Milan, llabcyrrzou on [ha wu- A23 blumly consul-nil, Early Hung, Tm wnsp Ind the hu, '7 uni: Gram "If, No. . l' in not a single man, A. Wnnl'n advice, Hindu: on Plckwlck, R mun and Julia. H ippinlu, Dup, —l’n ian m onu mi. 1. I: M iii; Risiinnl. [Hum L I Tucn'm 'h‘l qw-r'h, l'crrilnrml squirmlon, \lurllm l1. Hum. l‘lw LIA-hill} m-m's Ilcry Tue m inn-ulna. mam, lhch null p mr, 8min: mu rclip-n, Hunullvl a! mu Luv, w' gin ux». in “in, In (will. W uliinman, 1)." are ll. inhnltnnm, lfiulugy un llcm'y Clay, Th: Irixli rlvnenl, mm 211: m ., Ullrll’ am. in, » l' :il u t, ‘:i I l icl‘ Genet-l, Ollin, ()1l"3?!!fllflrll Perry, 0 r domain, ' mm ul' uplirc hu lndi .n mm, '1'“: in lupmen. turn-I- Mu. erunnmr'l bull, How the Illunv)‘ Mm Futur. of lel Ihiuul, l4 gully h lim u.” cummy hm, Inn, 13ml :llW-l cum- ul' Incuon, .‘thufll hulrudl, SPEAKER, No. When-\- nf onr fl", 'l‘. l‘ .‘.lcn'l|l-r'nll»|rnl. Wu my. 1. like Unimi of bupuuu Lincoln': Inv- mm Hull R. , Tim New Ycur nwl "In LUAuu, \l nzzlu nll'hem. l'ln Quill“)! panes, DIME COMIC SPEAKER, No. 4. ' v gun" Enlnzlnm, Inw h i... 1| lll'wll I The Uulml 5mm, l’ufl'l ncr': ofhlnme‘. ’, l‘l‘nflil'nl plu‘euvlo-T, umnrul, Gibb-z», Dingmenhln penple. Wh it is n luclnlor likl' P :\ I 'l‘iu Ant or UIlATvH‘ \l.r||I.Rnillnry.Bnfl‘nn > Inquiry. Alli-Illinn, Mall-31v ‘ Pit), Grier, Meluucli. ly. Drum“, limp. Rumor", Cwul’flfifl. Downing, ndo, ()hnfinnry, Aulhnrilv, Cummn ‘ovbidilinz. Amr'nlng. Danylmz, «truingjxhortinz. Judging. Appvnvlnlry AC- Fuuuy lollu, A Inn: At wnn, “'nnl'n trip to Rlchm'd. Pnrudy, ’I‘lu monnkbnnk. t'umpound insurut, A lav-nun on lb. (cut, UH dug Jack, The rune" mm, llrinn O'Linn, Puckett luurflca-Ienhn Wlm ll my opponmll DIME ELOCU'I‘IONIS'I', N3. 5. SIZE. Ill. Tun (‘man-ax-r Eu!me or A1 I. Pane-Inn M Tu" Ewrvurmw. haw L) maul maul. —§‘u~rl IRIVI'I quvmm ' rm. .1 \'.I) ling, Dim-rv-n—o, filming, Cnmhmnlnz. Tenthlnz, l‘nljdunlng, gluing, Dlnmlnlng. Refusing, Grnmma. Da- . u .. P. rudonco, V Inn, Ho Dnlre, Love. Ra- anct. lelng.Woml-r, A mlrn mI,GrMilnde, uric-My. Pnnuulnn, Tem ting, Promising, Moms ()mrvm— :ulus..|‘clnupn.iil \"u‘ll! and Phrases. Vin: Pu As ny-pliL-«l to Say I‘L-nnmu _ m mmn. u. [hv- Mr I‘rvc’J m. l nzili "(Romain-u, F :ur 1 of 9pm] Mnrhr will out, Shiva ’0? HM bull. . l rising, Ho :01 ki'ulnall, Hum ul nlup, The bugle, :\ “moduli gem, l'ui-iry ul Illa nrugglo, Ul‘l nun, liunulllul Ind lrnu, l'lw wmul 01‘ um um, Mm mul tln- lullnlle, Lnngungg ul’ m 1114ng \anmul m, l'lw Dslugu- 3| Frwlom Hm wn'rhmb (‘rmiu U" our lillllull' Duty of curl-nun yr ung Turle Dnn'l nrfilon, A {unr'cu 1.1.. The own 0' Inn-pry. A [urciullor'u tribulo. l bu lull. Znnnvn, (‘numlic Vlllllcllrnl, 'I‘lu " Speculuarn." 1 anlrn! Ilnmp much. l‘umlc GrnulJlllr, No. Fan'er 1.. u“ mm, The curl; lug, The Imuck l ilc‘mnl, Slick'ldefluilion ol wlh. l'nlu a! a nu, The deb‘fllng club, .\ Dutch Iorlnon, Imf‘rlr. on ll human", Mmclimlloou Limb-rug um nm-liml u , l'ruprlaty, lit-‘5. viz.k HIV,le tin“. Um Prupnllliun, the C/zlllnlmrun, tun ulzn umn, Hm l‘ernnl . IlXPRISKVTATH‘k‘ .uu ~ Trmlllliun: A l'lun l 1 lim- 0x SECJ D V 2* menu w Pang- n- Fulalnfl‘ Snlllw uy on Hmmr; iii. [hm] oi Lincql Chnrg BallI: By! Hmnlal's Sollloqnv; mini; Klnx Willlnm Rurun the Eye; II fa lnnd RINpunlt‘, the Ihynnet Hlnory n! a Life; tho Rule; “1. an; Mncboth and the Dam” Old Thlngl; Lnnk Up- Eun nnh Mulik; Dlscoverlc- of Galilrn. lath. lnwdgu on, Luz-r, the. SEC. V. Oununon 01 Gwen Amou— Mme School Series—Spenkou. DIME HUMOROUS SPEAKER, No. 6. i and “cry, Luring at onion, A trlzic etury, Cute. Com tuhip, De t. Davils, I) 4-, Jr.’- lectunl, Ego qul echo, huniunnhiu women, Fern thistlee, Uund-uutura, tiuttliab Kiehcyergonl. Sehluukenlichter’e Innhe ’Huuu Bigiow’n opinion- DI I'he world we live in, ‘Wonmu'l ciniuls. guthore of our liberty, ‘he ran! con uuror, The citizeu'l uritnge, u Y. The mechanic, Natural Neture’l God, The modern good, [tun, Ouinn’e nddren to the Independeure hell—i717 John Burnn, Getty-burg, No not in heaven, Min Prude’l toe-puty, Hon.J.M.Stubhe' Viewl on the Iitultion, Hun Schwlchhelmer on womnn’l Iufl‘rnge, All for I nominntiun, Old ocenn. [1”, The Ion,tho tea, the open The eterhnngied upnnner Stny where you belong, Li'e'e whet you nuke it, Wh e’l my mono 8 eeeh from calm once, nn'e relation toeociety The limlte to heppin How the mono Hun—ki-dovri‘l July oretlon, I! you menn no, uy no, Jo Down on ienp yenr, Lny of the henpecked, Lot Skinner’s elegy, Mulrilnony, Nuthing to do, Oiai Cnudle'l umhrelln, Old Grime-’1 non, “ Paddle your own on- non," Pnrod y on “ Auby’n i. daughter," gun, The porter at In idea, The heuoficence o! the Sufirnge, [5“, Drum of therevolerl, HowCyrun laid the cnhie The prettie-t hnud, Pnrndoxieei, Little Jerry, the mllior, The neck, Foggy thoughle, The indieo‘ men, The‘idier The un believer, 1.“ 3' Good—nuture . hleulng Sermon from herd-ehell Tail-elude", [Bum-t, The value of money, Metdoric diequilition, Be en." you are right, Be n! good cheer Urnhhed folhl, my", Turning I malaulin e Farmerl, (country, The true greltneu of our N.En¢lend It the Union, The unseen battle-field, Pie: for the Republic, DIME JUVENILE A hoy’e philolophy, Hoe out your row, Six-yeu-oid’n protut, |The Iuicidnl cut, A vulediction, Popping corn, The editor, The name, in rhyme, The {niry ehoenullor, What we: lnrned, Playing hlll, h, why, Live for nomethlng Lay u! the hen-peeked, The onteilic dog, Wu]! and lnmh, Lion in love, Froge neking {or I king, Sick lion, Country and town mice, Man end women, Home, Tl“: Lame-planter, Little thing, A Buby’l Ioliioquy, Repentance, A pin {or 233'. Humbug pntriotllm. I II' C Shh ulnn Icholnr, A Memn'l palm otuh, Elfin, ghight utter Chrl-tmu. Poetry run and, ourth of Right nun)", Scientific ioctum. The nger, The Cockney, The codfieh, Fnte utlSergeent Thin, The fenturee’ quarrel Hnmericnn Vuudchuc , The harp of I thouund Itringl, The hut of the Inrpintl, The march to Mouton, The mytterioul guest, The pump, ME STANDARD SPEAKER, No. The two liven, The true Icholnr Judgn not inl'nilible, Fanaticiun, brine, ln-tnbiiity o! Incceutui Agriculture, tail-mi, I l [Quin e o e e we u can- Muulrohnhor, y Prnuln nnd Auetrin, Withing, The Blnrney Itone, The ntndenl of Bonn, The broken houuhold, DIME STUMP SPEAKER, No. 8. America, (ruling. “Righl of noun-ion" e Liie’e euuut, iiumnu nature, anyerl, Wrong. ofthe lndinnl. Appqu in hehnifoi Am. Miaerienot‘ wnr. [liberty A Lny Sermon, A drum. Altrnnoxnlcnl, The moon. (uni, Dutiu of Atnerinn citi- The man, SPEAKER, No. sz til" run bee-{II A mother’s work, The um», Yin}? ruin. I ea Ito , A iittircongpondent, One good turn delervu y .lrenm, (mother. Rain, 1'” never nu tobem, A Inomic, The old bachelor, Prn¥er to light, Litt e Jim, Angelinn’l inn-at, JohnnyShrimpe on boot- 0'2 Choic’o'of hour-e, Poor Riehud’e In in ‘ Who mm to- M, Thorn-MW The n eret, The ehoemnhev, The useful ductor, The wnterfnii. To the buhelon’ unit! leugue, UnitedStntee President. Vngnrieu of popping the Tuition, W Int i wouldn’t he, Ynnhee doodh Aladdin Ze Moekeotare, i933. 7. The Bible, The pum- end the neon My countr , True morn eeung‘, Wimt in wnrl Butter, My Dehnnh 1M, e nice. he pin and needle, The modern Puritan. Immortality of the m Occufuion. Hero em and daring, A ehot at the doom“: q-: r Temptetionl of citing, Bruken rewintlom, There in no doeth, no", A fruitful dhconm, A Frenchmen'l diuun’ Unjust netlonnl Acqul I The Amateur conchmul. The cold wnter mm, PermnI-ency ot Sum. Lihort ' of Ipeech, John hompeon’l dli" Haule-ciuning, It in not your h 9. “ Nothing tn do, Honeety but policy. Heaven, Ho fur the fieidl, Fuhiun on the hull. On Simnghnil, A Imile, Cenbienu. Hmuuopethic soup, None Mad oyeI, Melt, [en A hundved your: The nlldlllln end h Little eel-mom, [rumI ‘Snumen on electricity, The two erldlee. The oceen norm. Jo thy little, it well, .mi not-fulfil" (In. at. out-e ...._s_a H 4 newt-‘2: MI Ihl Dime School lorloo—Speakon. NB BIKE SPREAD-EAGLE SPEAKER, No. 10. ‘fll Buntcr’n Mntlon. shun Von Splupl'u 4th, onh Bun-Isn't Idvlcn, A hIrd-Ilull urmon, Th0 boon, Th. anequ', Noah Ind the dull, A luvar'n luck llllnlutin Adol than, Dlgeltlon Ind ’Irudlu, l)rl:lnIl MIud Mull", Dislincllou'l thdvInt- y [I‘llpTrlin nl :lrcuuutnm; Smlth, Gunhnlinn Bandlbun, A ntock ul notlom, Spa-king for tho Ill-r13, DIklng I Ihwul, Than Ind now Jolh Billlngl' lutIrlnx, Doctor DqBHItcr’I IuI't Conlignmunu, llnnl liver, 0le BryInt‘I lpOOGlI, A colund View, Nobod [Goad Idvlco, Tho itching pun, Drum-had urmouu, Schnitnrl‘l phllnmrd" “ Woqu‘I rlghu, Lulu LIthor, Th. hog, Jack S nut, New uxlnnd "Igody, Tho Inc|ou t bachelor, JIcuh Whlule'n Ipuch, lulu prognolllcntel, A wnnl with Suuuh, Sut Lovengood, A mule ri-lo, (an, Josh mum: on bus- 11 Trance". Kinln' lu Ih. IM StudIloun, Sllghtl ‘ min-l. Th. 0 truck-r. 0m huhulon, Womnn, 'l'ho NlIm NlImI. l'wplo wlll mt, Swnckhuuor'l bIll. Who wouldn't b. nn'n. Don't depend an ad“ , Munlc o! lnbnr, ’4' Th. Amman InIkn DIME DEBATER AND CHAIRMAN’S GUIDE, No. 11. I. -DIIA1’1ND Incurrufiummny. lu ujhu Ind uul’ulnou, Puruutlon of, C~mnlllutlon at, lly-ann of, Ruin u! zuvarnmant, .II ml of nrdrr, LocIl rulu of dohIta, Suhjuu for ulluuulon. u.—now 1-" DKIATI. Why than no {um good dob-tori. I‘rvuquilitn to outer lcnl Inceeu, Tho logl: o! fickle, Th. rhntorle o! deb-u, Mulmn to churn, Tho prollmlIIry pre— lulu, Urdu cf Irgununt, DIME EXHIBITION SPEAKER, N0. Tho orator of tho dIy, Tho honthen Chlnu, Tho lInd we love, Jlm Bludm, In true to ynnmlm Ah Sln'I roply A 9ch for Imllu, The StInl “I: Incl. , In. Italy, ItIly'I all": ruler, I Cu". of on ma “'7':::Ity of poo:- Tho nIdonIlflIg, mu), Pom "I on 170‘. ann Butterfly» bIll Troplzn uncougonhl t3 [rutnul UV. (or will-thinly Ch“ “I "llgloul 11b arty, loco-Id nvlaw o! the grind army. Duhonnuy u! polltlcl, “0 gr“! communnr, chuqu In! all. mumI 1%."? h... n In I | bun MNAWIIIIV m Iclan- The right of th- pooph, V.- .—c|uuuul‘luulnl vdinIri 1 Ha;- Ind mum li The orgmluitlon, Onlnr of hullnnl Ind procndlnn, " Tho " Quutl How Right. to th- floor, Right: of I D enkn II Inlnnt thn c air. Cnlllng you Ind nIyI, luterrupllng I vole. ()rgnnlntlon o! Delib- nrntlrc Bodiu, Con- vanllonl, Annual or Gum-d Ammhllu, Tho crltlul moi-aunt, Th1 eIIt Ind the volt, II thor- Iny none In I" Are w. I IItloI SociIl Klonti, Influenza o! llhcrty, Th. pItrlot’l cholco, The urownlng glory, Tho pnmphln, Whoa ou'rc down, Whu n‘lnnd In: den The right of noutrIllty, Out Inn futnn. On in lng It ll. The tp-uuxu of tho dnp. Koap tonl. The precloul (night, A Iln-Ith. The Iword tho Inn Ir- bit", Arlnorrncy. BIrnnGrlmIlkh’l death Obod Snlpklnl, A cItIItrophI, Chuvfnlnou, Mounulnl The Int 1-, I! the Illn- orpnln- lion, Flinn-nun! org-uln- lion, The order of hmln Connldnrln‘ ropor I, p - Prrl imlnIry pan, qua, OI IuhnldlIry motlonl, Tho duo order of con- Ildaring quulloI-y Committnl, Objactl ol I committn, Thnlr powers, How nImml, Whnn not to Ill, Rule: of on!" Ind pro- ceduro, How to report, The comunlmo o! thl whol‘. ‘Grnvulottn, All hIlll EmIIcl Itlon of aloha, Spirit or lomlvonuu, Amnnty Ind Ion, Hquty So n‘ 0? labor MIn lat deltlny, Lat lt Ilonol Dlnconcorud mdldItt, MIud all" um HInI InltmIn, \thl l- truu hnpplun, Th. lrlIh of it. A pu- ody, DIME SCHOOL SPEAKER, No. 13. The drud ucrat, Civil Iorviu rvfnrm, Thu true gull-nun, Thu tnch pn. HAIIAII ECHO“ PMI A cry for lilo, Tho Inhhnlh, Gnnrled Ilvel. A good llfo To whom nhIll In [In thnnhl Rowlntlon, Nuvormlnd, The Blhlo. ChrIuIInlly our bu]. Ital, TM Ilka; bun, Mincellancous. 'l'NIlnunl ul' mum; Thu dncorum of Ilchutg “into to I chIlrmIII. Iv.—nIInII. huh-ta lnfull: Which I: tba gunk-I bennflt w m. wuan tho wurlov, autu- . I thl reading of worlu o! llcuuutoho wndnmnedl H. AnlnwyerIIhoI- clt or I who to lo- cletyl V.—QUOTATIONI LID "mun. lath. 12. What '0 I. ll “0 lk'o A lecture, “'lxntl wiIh, Good mum", A hIIIId ol LIkO It‘ll. SudrIgc, ’l‘ho Cnunnlln rm, A rnlaw o! Ill-lulu, thth Brooch-I, Huan- Dondulmh'wob in A vlcfl‘n of toolhuhg Sturf ol‘tho twlnn, A to d In tho no“, My Ind. Adolphu- Tho mldnlghl "Ill. Th: brller vlew, Do thy liLtlo—Ilo It In“ Jolul 'DerOf, The hurl ha worhl, lknutiful thonghtl, apltluYO I' lift, truc to In.“ young man, ” Tlmo ll pulling the pol ol In“... S «I nol hInhly, fining d h I "on Lln {or 3004.,H Huh, Tho VIM I! tho Lou, numan Dime School Berton-Speakers.“ DIME LUDICROUS SPEAKER, No. 14.~ Anni llim, J..h‘u turkey, A hurdnhell urmon, My um nun. D‘r Lmlderv bid“, $ anal-bull“, Womun’: righti. wu-t :21. nmtllr, .\l m ..' pin-u, i): (nun, Touch u! tlu lul-limu, Blwdml Vim huunlm, lihut nninu'. minnow, Toll-cw buy-I, lligfi niuneu, My rut cigar, Terrible t'-lnlr, Silver wedding, Prob-billion, Unlucky, Queer ycople, Hutu-g «n: u non ofl', Uulurn ruin, 'i‘ha Illlflllll»! mun, l-‘nurth ux July oration, Chnr up, Sullwllrtm, Buckwheat cult“, 'l‘wuin': lillle ‘10)" A Irma wlih you, A chemical lanlrni, Thu Cindy-pulling, Contentment, 0‘. courting, 0n lunghiuu, ‘l he \unncr bay, 0:: wiummu‘nighu. 11 In! nun-r, This I rluunnl lawyer, llrullud at Manda Juno. “'nlur, Thu bull-d nfn bnhtr, G. Oil fur Iomethlnx. A norm: unnou. KARL PBETZEL’S KOMIKAL SPEAKER, No. 15. suchnntlul. Don'd hun druid. .hmbolluz, ndntuhrunco, .intclun IIIl-I no go and How. Dun IIII vM ii lab. “ Dot um miter,” Loud]: gal-.hlldlfilinun Dunn vu no cry ug, ouch-u, Pol I, P- I. Tim puukd Dutchman, A call to flu hid. u rauiion, Wu}, \nr In tho tin-Lil, Alyurltiuu tn duty, I'll. cruu-lnr'l uppal, A be)": lutimony, I III" drunk my 1-“ Th. Ipirit-Iir-n, tn'. mm nc, w. in whu In nth ii, Tut. not. AllllNII to 3 school, Hi- uphere, Trmllnliunl from Pup. The trlucllcry 0|" Jun", Don’t call u man u liur, Man. A locturl, Bu'lt. A “ :ilulgd." ‘Sixuun Shun's Inn Sum, Rukerumnher dur luv-or, NAM-ml hiltury ricwt, The cnn lotion Illa horn “To In uurulvu, This Ivi‘l bunt, = 9. Thu hnrdut Int ofull, 'l'lu CIA"! ul‘ rum, Tllu two darn-«n rnhin, Thu warns of rut-mu, ’l'hg rum fiend. Tru- lmv unll lulu. In hntl emupnm‘ :Tlle r-nlr true I lily, [Thu iuvbrlnto’n cud, Sorrowful (hit, The luulun' weirly. ‘lt‘n tho curly lain], aka, ‘Mulic, lOn lune? beer. l nudlu‘u weddinrdny, [Dut voung vidliuw, l'i'ha l-eu cow in peril, Frequont crinon, lln {or flip nilrmu‘, ‘50": u! (in link, lCm ol young Bull, DIME YOUTE’S STEAKER, No. 16. A druuium Ioliloquy, 'I'Im tvurk to do, To luhur in to pray, The Incl-euful lira, nr than guhi, Sud-um. and hnmlt. luvorutiun by culd wutor Vow, Tho grant lawn tn lam Tho In r'l lnnuul, Gml’n iquer, Thr Illinoil Ammbiy, 'l‘lu mnnihul uum, Myth-w. l'rzuei ill a Midi", ’l‘hu mcwnn, )h' childhood, Sc mudur'l link, My Infinite, Gardening, H. van dhinkln’, Abnu Junu’ IllilmOl’. By Amour) :hngn’u. Vain. o! i". work, " Acctpt in: situation," Diml of whisky, A man- wilh amen], Br I'M, Ich S|_\‘, Elfch i ! murmur-nun, Tin Wllllky why lull, [.0 l a lion ii. to llw My, Wan): nub. th- m TEE DIME ELOQUENT SPEAKER, No. 17. #n urulion, h k up. u! bulb... Purity of crack, Punch Caldwell, Vulua n! rupntutlou, Hum! thnt rack- world, Svciiing W, Summ. \Vomn'n inn, The hickia on, Wurdn 0! ll var, Drin nni drlvo 0" Th. tramp m sum (mum, The mural factor, Wnlkinx with “i. world TIM only “My, Knurrinl r, Ii. curol‘u what you lay Shad b ilm cunnil’u, riunll, Tin trucking her, Thowunt ul thn country Thu ruin. of rirtnc, Sin would I» u Inn-on, Evil: clip-mun, The no at tinnr, ' m down, IAnntnminl lecture. lk‘lhiunuunkn, ' n :rintiux n- Tha . nh‘bnlh,’ .' BunyboxliL-I, Anntomlcul luau-9 2, A bluvr in the dark, 'i'iu Ipecler uruvuu, ‘l‘lm tun nvlun, Trul {:IMI, Snlnothing to Ilium, Pin fur lreiAn-i, Smile whrno‘er youuu, Tin wood or nun, lhou M, 'h- halfuumld. The gohiiu cut, Aristocrat» The highly new-boy. A cull t" volt, Thu mndarn (mud, Running aluminum. To a young um, lift-ll, M 'l‘ no nur Malina Turning lilt- urination... Shun lax-tuna, In DIME CENTENNIAL SPEAKER, No. 18. Cniann, Wuhinmn, Any-u] lur liberty, 'l‘hnx Alurrlrun hero, 'ntrlolimu, :Irun Mmmluln boyl, .2 mum at um, Day offlnllthn lm-ut, homer-III. 'E-uu tug-Anya, J‘rudmn “I. on! “in, No Alumni" but lih’y 3m 0 fourth M July, Wn-reu’n u-hln-u, A rail to llbul’l)‘, {loud mm, M up_ ‘ Munich Rural Illinlmn‘ whim, Our ru imtlihility, British nrhlriq , How freedom in won| Adam and “My, Our dutiu, ‘Ourdmlgi mu Am en flux. The tn- union. The hull. nuu bluo, Th. uniun, Th rnnrt r Ipy, Lexinpl it, Our Inly in)» n rlnruiuu ox'lliop'o. Tho liberty Fell. Wuhlngwn’l “album “'hnl w. I", Our (rut than, Bod blul our sum. "' buck Fink nr “rim. “han'md lair mu. Amorlrn ind ‘ w l. ' Biz-w 'h-ey 034 um, ,4 Ari-Mo In. ?ri_ lnnl 'nukflMb v «A Inl Th‘; I all»: gin-in G.» uv. n imeu,‘ Our haul day. ’lfiiu Réd o]! .:w n: In I , R0 all u I - 113' 33'“ um m. . 3:913:31 - pufi'am'umh W V. - .. . .-.. ..__..; unalfiu-l-Ih‘ \i'ntlhi (for glorify” I ’0 DIME SCHOOL SERIES.—Speakers.‘ DIME SERIO-COMIO SPEAKER, No. 19. The Amrrlc-n hlllnx ‘nur n M, 'l'nm e . nuh Smart bnv'n 0 mm Tho mum. p I 'l‘lm u‘nrwrl'men 'Clnwl,’ Mr. “flaw v’enlon, 'l'ho unoluuuriom: Tho old canoe, The agar, ’l he hlltlni‘lll "pun, ('..rn-, ann In 1h: Lop, IFlsh, [Mm-ht} 'I mm cnum)‘ l'p urly, Now England woa‘horflunlge not thy broth", 'l‘h: Iilcnv. lencher, Not, .0 \Ilin' Blunts ‘ l‘lxa (in: SI. Burmu'ul, " . llm waking penl-lr, Drnd bun in rnlltlu, lemll: ancnb Strnuu, l'luu 1mm :1 cmulhlnl", 'l he luv I-Oyleu “Inn‘ WM and 'IIII‘IH ‘1‘ A rum. l boy. oplnluu “r 1mm, built llm ugh lhannt, "omu A proud, The lrnlnp'n \‘levn, Gu-nl nl an arm may“, An agricullnml mlxinu, lixn~l>lvr, Mural lllllunru. The gnu! Nupulouu, ’l‘lm new nrvipluru, |l\ r. venlon o! 0:. Yanub ll ‘ll ‘ l'lm :wullnn, ’l'he xrnmhona c: inf, Tlluueillnk I‘Ing prawn! “a, Don'l dulmml. The lone, hnnl 1mm, Sinner Arnh I Ian-mom“: midnight, The mill mnnnt grind, Amnlun mud ul-pliCuIian, Addren Lu younglndlcn, Unodmlgill, \Hm but Inn 9] I Ht, 0 am...” A llulu big mun, Truth. an nnll rn, Man, ganuiully m The lrll ol Irionduhlp, The I'nnnv mun, llnu ub wu «id for ulxn nhleml, The pic. «plenum, ’l'lu llulu onuvr, lEurly Illiug, chunlul wuddlnc. DIME SELECT SPEAKER, No. 20. nod, Irennlty nlulfi-hnru, Now ll (ha (Imp, “'cn'l {on lat my pap- S-u’o (ha Rapuhlic, ll.|:hu UM, Hxhoumlnn lo pahlola, umlx Watchuul he night, lclmheu dun't mnko flu ll: l: evorywhera, Con-flew. “:0 MI n1an A (lrrmn olulnrknen. xuldr Thu lnu mnn, llrliglon the hymn", jhlinll ynnruwn bnalnu- Srorn o! ofllce, Barbnrn Franc ‘!\l_\' Fnurth of July In)» \th Ava tho Hovl Early rlning, Tho Inn-v, pruiuul gm, :i-ncnx‘. 'lhe clly on Ill. hill, l'umpvnlkkfll and Pep lnlullrclunl 11ml morul .\ly Exquimnnx friend, lluw |0 uvo lb. 81- Irhiknfl'. power, Story at llld Imlu r'nl hln public, Only 3 trump, Thnnnla ah, My cnslln ln Spuin, Thu [and old llmcl, (‘nun them. New em nf Inlwr Shnnny Srhwnru, \ltvnnwuxll, Tinle‘l mlllnquv, “'- rk of filth, ‘The llldlln'n wrung, Ho . Find A way or "ml. (t. A dream. Addreu lo yuun.’ mun, \luml Drunlnllnn, The mu.un hunt. Lida-ma uucuxmllu, ,llenuzllul Linuw, Sell-u llltlli n mm, [The lulu. DIME FUNNY SPEAKER, No. 21. Th 0! The Ll'ilull.’ ye lr, Wrn g and right mad, An man u ~m-luy, Wham lo hnnnr. The hrd. nl lnbof, Colonel Seller: elucl-lfine hundred ylmn nun. new mytluolngy Jun o! Are, dam, De 'Iprrlencu nh Ila lielr (Vulcan!) ‘T l blown” O! k'n Clary mi: ver Stlmrl ’rand Quan . Strung. ‘l‘lm nzw mytlwlogyl llfa, nnd S‘hrl en, A dollar or two, (Pun ’ 'ho yooplo, Tannin 0‘ wd’n pn- The . 0n name morn hn-h, new mylhnlO‘yIThcmopfll, mmm. lwm. mum-y n king, Cu. The ll nI-klln club orl-‘Prolrunr llink-lnpvlgel— firm. 1 nun on Ill. origin cf‘l‘he and church doc“ ’Irmer Thornbulh on‘ lit», in. (Burrhnl,) ‘ , [kin nnd uink lo-nlghd, Jim Bind-n - or, In Pnirlc n.1l., A can-Imphlc dmy, on I. lKonuntrnled wlIrlnm, VHIII'I w-nrmllllon, The mum-4 ’I dul‘rnu‘ Tho fl-ldler. ‘Julor'l Brown and the , Axlnll'l orulnn,annvm-,Uodhl [I ha Th- regulnr luau, l nnnu in, human B-Iubonn'u gu- HI minurublo halchool-huy'n lnuum, Jnhn Jen ln nlmnn, lDodd! vov DAnbn, — Del bnby nflmine, ‘A pnmuly on C-Inr S nnh on hunt, ‘The (,mll'u Juu‘mn‘ n winrml wlndl,” b‘rlu Vn dller ll mall: I Th“ cull. lug” once more. l xuuuu. l lown on Agriculturq lA'foggy d-y, DIME JOLLY SPEAKER, NO. 22. Tha dellzhll olswlng' JuIlI Billlnm's viuvu, A new doclnmllon n Gmndlnlher': cIm-lr, ‘ ‘ ‘ m I B'Il min-r. A weak nun, Th: XlelI cenlury, llm‘ may he happy yd. Dl‘lry‘u von linle mm, Han-Mus, Or’vhvul. A Ildu View, le jn ly old I: How. A A {nuullnr luczun on Plan tew plk out n l’uerwul. A“clnulc,” Chrinlmus walwlue, wmenmllnn. Rlel iufnrnmtlun, le fir-v rnnfi. TH. firm": mle. A p-xriolir. " Igulnrzr, ‘ Th: 20ml old L r“. \ dad! A tong Nut lnu' nlnimlvr, Sl-mllnr the Iurml h:\ The story 4-! I’rmnv than: modunlud, The owl um] um yuuy- OIL Olnl nnd xuw lime. Clnyfixol'n Ipiril men, he \‘lllnn m-hool, Huw luw pik on! a dog Tim funny mnn, How uw plk out am: Don’t live it away, How luv [xik out A A :l -k warning. A Human fur the ulnuu, Ni 9, “cu nnrl "« lw‘nuinn fllmolv nh fun. J'hin ~ille And that. An Inilnl warning. AI- Dlnppnlnu-ldl wurn,‘ Nocturna' mew-lugs, rflulln Applnl, hunhrn‘n wore. The launch n-vorio, De par-0n unwed rle toe-1| I do: und der lob-hr, A bnthnlc bullnd, Pl mp2)": 'l‘hnhgiving I ynung trump, The ear. "Why. Mg“; 9! 1h. uuon, Backbone, Tho new any on mun, w'Tha nbnve book- In sold by Ncwulnlan "Drywncro. or wfll be un‘ l- M to I‘d" ', on nuipt of prlv a. 10 coma nch. ' pa. Pu ' n, 3mm & ADAMS, Pubuahers‘ 98 William 81’... 11.1. mm. I l Dime School Series—Speak. r-I. DIME DIALEC'I‘ SPEAKER, HQ. 26. ‘ "a"! hall: do mlnn The Mlniulppi mu- 9, Von I: v.th coon“ in, Date lung v0! Mnry hf gal. Put d‘Flnherty on In- In-n‘l riglm, Thu homa rule", how tlmy “ spake: Heukiuh D: Moxhrn-in-Iuw, Ha didn’t Iell the fxlrm‘ Fit: .1“. uon of Frank lin'. Hus, 1 would 1 um a ho; main, A plutoth awry, n on All about | hot, A am lid. vhw, Lluai Chlnuo oump, The nmnifuv. dutiny at th- [rill-mun. Tc our vny, “my Mchnn, On owning Gum-an, Sprays from Jolh Bil- Mnry’l dun-ll vile hunk “up. A hullhy dilcouru, Du mum-“nu: ob do 'I‘uhin n to spank, liliwutlon. um .\ :. Grimes, DIY'I nnflin new under A pnmdy, da mi. Alum and am A Negro all [out In, Bill Underwoo'd, pilot. .Thn violin I p“ Old Grnnlay, Winnie dung m, The pm paddlu’u un- ‘Our 2 ndidnu’x vlavn, lion, 'Dundreuy‘l wudum, \Viddar (Iran‘- hul‘Plnin Inngu-gu by truth~ wordl. i (n1 Jana, DIME ‘BEADINGS AND BECITATIONS, l'u lrkhm’l pun- um- I‘hl Bulimia-rod haunt Th. tux-d); a tour m a “Inky-11d Nnoml, Cum: 0! Canon, Tho dlm old fore-t, hr :1 homo, Tho Sergmlul’l uory, Dnid um Golilh, When flu com um. home, The donnlon putty, Tammy TI“, Drnming u foumou, A Michi'undu In Rum, France. bey lhould flu Ipif". Not one to Ipm. o mum) ho proud! Mn. Buuy'l pink The coming 1:: nacho, unch, Tho engineer] nary, Ruck of IgM. A undid-u for pml- J. Cnlnr Pomp-y unth’a urmon, cnl, Bull all, Annu’n tick-t, Bu [on him ., Thu mum u thumb ‘huun haul-’- lur- ‘mountzh “ rguin no. on In Wolf. uh flu can, U 7’“. “on boob an sold by Nani-don cmyvhnn, or will M mu. pout-pud, lo In. An Acumen to the The nut-boy, My ulghbor’c Condauud Kym. Plflul, Tho Noreidu, Legend! 0! AtfleI, Thu stove-pi a tuna, A dohmr‘a rubblu. Th: cunning man, The illignm and! a. Muldoon’l, Thu Hula bub)- tn the corner, A gencwlno Intern An» invitation Io bird of liberty, Th. crow. 0M won. No. 24. Death of th' owd nqnln Main tog Shllfld, A| Elboron. The cry of worn-aha“. The 'udgmun any, The um bubblo, Curfcw mun m It“ w-nighl, Tho null, The In" mill, Slm'l Inner, Foouhpo o! tho dud. Churlty, An any on duck. Inn-lily, PAE’I concupondanu, “in, on "only! of'pdu, lo «nu uch. ‘mm an “Ant. Publisher; DI Walk. I... N. Y. - DIME POCKET NOVEIJS. PUBLISHED llHI-HONTKLY, AT TEN CENTS EACH. 1’ The S rCth 90 The B er-Kilier. 9| lid N“. in Jo. T theRunzer. Tru per. 95 Gedbo d, the py. 96 {he lBlink Ship. 9'!“ i e e. 9' in Jlm. 90 The Seoul. I0 1e lye. ll Ruinholl, Runr. u The Boy Pioneer. 81 Canon, the Guide. I! The Hurt Euler. 40 The Huge Hunter. 41 Wild Nut, Trapper. 49 L nx~en . (3 e Wh te Oullew. i M The Dog Trulier. t u The Elk Kin . " to Adrien,|he list. 41 The Mun-hunter. a The Phunlom Tucker 6’ Moccasin Bill. DO The Wolf Queen. ‘1 Tom Hnwh Trlller. m n. Mm chm. 58 The Black Wolf. H Arkenlu Jack. M Bleehhnrd. IO The River Riflee. l1 Bunker Hen). Bi Cloudwood. u The Tun Hewh. O. Merciieel Mn. 01 Mud Ani'ony’n Seonle n Lnekiul Tr: per. ea The Fioridn' cont. ‘4 The Illnud Truppur. 05 Wolf-Cup. Dick. - ye. - Ind. 10 The Phenlmn rider. 11 Del-run Tom. 19 Silver Rifle. 73 The Shel-ton Seoul. 1‘ Liule Rifle. 15 The Wood Witch. 1‘ Old Bull, Tripper. 11 Scarlet Shoulder; 18 Border Riflemnn. 19 Oulluw Jack. 80 Tiger-Tull, Seminole. 81 Deatthuuier. 89 Kenton, the nger. 83 S ecter Harlem-n. BIT e Three Truppere. 85 Knleoiuh. 86 The Hunter Hercule; 81 Phil Humer. 88 The lndiun Seam. 89 The Girl Avenger. The Red Hermi ll Stu-Flee the Sin 99 The Antelope Boy 0) The Phentom Hunkr. 94 Tom Pinlle', Pilot. 95 $2. I‘l‘eid 11": lTurd. 96 e VI reppen. 91 The Squnw Spy. 9B Dusky Dick. 90 Colonel Crock-1t. 100 Old Bear Pew. 101 Redlnw. 109 Wild Rube. 103 The Indian Hunters. 104 Scarred Engie. 105 Nick Doyle. 106 The Indian Spy. 101 Job Donn. 108 The Wood King. 109 The Sulped Hunter. 110 Nick ‘he Scout. 111 The Tenn Tiger. 119 The Croued Knives. 118 Tiger-Hurt. 114 Muked Avenger. 116 The Peer] Pirlhee. 116 Binck Penther. 111 Abdiei ‘heAvanger. 118 Cato. the Crac- er. 119 Two-iiunded h It. 190 Med Trail Hunter. 191 Bitch Nick. 199 Kit Bird. 193 The Sgcur Ridere. 19‘ Giant ate. 195 The Girl Cnplein. I96 Yuuiren Enh. 191 Silrennnr. 195 8 nutter Dick. 199 T e Child Spy. 130 Man Cont. ll] Red Plume. 13‘1 Clyde, the Trill". i33 The hall Cache. 18‘ The Cennibel Chief. 135 Kureiho. 136 Scarlet Moecuin. 131 Kidnapped 138 Mlid of “in. 139 The Sciow Sconce. 140 Border Renegade. 141 The Mute Chief. 149 Boone, the Hunter. 1“ Mount-in Rate. 141 The Red Seal er. 145 The Lone Ch ef. 146 The Silver Bugle. 141 Chin e, Cheyenne. 1‘8 The engied TreiL 149 The Unmn Hand. 150 The Lone Indian. 151 The Brended Chief. 159 Billy Bowiegl. 158 The Valley can!» 164 Red Jacket. 155 The Jungle SconL 156 Cherokee Chief. 151 The Bendit Hermit. 15R The Pnzriot Scout: 159 The Wood Ranger- 160 The Red Foe. 161 Beautiful Unknown. 169 Cenehrnke Mose. 168 Hunk, Ihe Guide. 164 The Border Scout. “'ild NIL 16o Meid of Wyoming. 161 The Three Cupllvee. The Loni. Humor. Border Luv. The Lifted Trail. The ’l'reder Spy. The Ferrel Specter. The Border Foes. Border Vengeance. Border Beuie. The Son: oi Liberty. The L0" Bride. Keenre. The Tonlmvu Spy. The Preirie Scourge. Red Li htning. Brave urt. Nigln-Hewk Kit. Mu-hnx Sun. 185 Hurrlcune Bill. 186 The Red Outinw. 181 The Swump Scout. Moun- 185 The Shawnu’e ’0'. 189 Mohewh Ne 100 Old Jupe. 191 The Pruirie Riflee. 199 Old Kyle, Tniier. 193 Big Foot. the Guidi- 194 Red Brotherhood 195 The Mun in Gr: 19‘ Ginu-Eye,the G t ShoL 191 The Pnirie'i'rappen 198 Black John. 199 Keen-Knife. 900 Ind Shipper. 901 The Young Spy. 909 The indiun Avenger. 901 Rinl Lieutenant; 904 The Swamp Rid“. 90‘ The Buiioon South. 906 Decouh Seeurge. 901 The Twin Sec-ll. 908 Buchehin Bill. 909 Border Avengere. 910 Tim Bumble’l Charge 911 The Shawnee Scout. 919 The Silent Sinyer. 918 The Pr-irie Queen. 914 The Beckwoodlmen. 915 The Prisoner of LI Vintreue 916 Pele; Smilh. 911 The Witch of the Wnliowieh. 918 The Pruirie Pirnloe. 919 The Hula" Cupmin. 9'20 The Red Spy. 991 Did Duriing. 999 Muelnng Hunters. 993 Guiizv or Not Guilty 994 The Outinw Ranger. 9‘25 Schuykiii Rengerl. 996 On the Deep. 991 Iron. 998 The Mounluineer. 999 The Hunter's Elenpt 930 The Golden Bell. 991 The Swem Ride". 9259 Jnhel Huw . 933 Mneluoit’e Dennhm 934 The Mad Hunter. 935 The Reefer 01’16. 916 Antelope Abe. 931 The Hnnter’e Vow. 938 The llnnler'e Pledge m Ruttieplle. 910 The Prairie Bride. THE IOLLOWING WILL BE ISSUED [N THE ORDER AND ON THE DATES INDICATED: M1 0111 Grluly. the Bear Tanner. By Cnpmn Bruin Admu. Rudy sum-ab" 1.11:. I“ The D-ehln Dragoons. By C. Dunning Cllrh. Rudy October 9d. .48 Will-o’-the- ls . B Fre rick H. Dewey. Reed October 16th. 344 Dllhlfl‘ chk. %y 011 Coomn. Ready October 80: . I45 01d Crouflre. Bv Cupuin Churiel Howlrd. Ready November llth. “6 Ben Br-mble. By Henry J. Thomu. Rudy November 91th. 341 The Brigand Capt-1n. By Albert W. Aihn. Ready December illh. 348 old Strum". B Oil Caamu. Rudy December 95lh. 249 Grey Hair hlef. B W. J. Humilmn. Ready Jnnuury sch. 250 The Pralrl’e T en. By Iouph E. Badger, Jr. Reedy Junuury 99d. '51 The Rlvnl Hun ere. By Edvard S. EiiiI. Rudy February 51.)). 25’ The Texln Scout. By Hnrr Hexlnrd. Rendy Februury lflth. D58 Zebra Zack. By W. J. Hnmi ton. Read ' Much uh. 254 The linked Messenger. By Herrick aim-tom. Rudy Murch islh. $56 The Brethren of the Count. By John S. Warner. Reedy April In. 850 The Boy Spy. By on Coomu. Rudy April min. For rule by 111 New-denier” or lent pan-paid: single numhen, ten come; nix monthl (12 Non.) 01.98 m yeer (96 Non.) 09.50. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Plblllhefl, 98 William Street, New York.