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HIHILIKW‘H“ ,u-m-Ivuw \r w ! c  ‘. .  ‘ ‘
Copyrighted, 1884, by Bum: AHD Alum. Entered n the Poet Office :1 New York, N. Y., en 1 nd Class Mall Matter. JID. “.1884.
Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams — Pr!
’ I Five Goats. N0. 1 I

02.50
VOL I. . Year. No. as Wm 81., Km Your.

THE PRINCE OF THE ROAD ;

 I  ’ Or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER.

 

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“ Ha! ha! ha! isn‘t that rich, now? Ha! ha! ha! arrest Deadwood. Dick if you can I"

 

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

    

 

Deadwood Dick,

THE PRINCE or THE' BOA-D;

OR,

The Black Rider of the Black Hills.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,
AUTHOR or “ROSEBUD ROB ” NOVELS, “ SIERRA
SAM” NOVELS, ETG., ETC.

CHAPTER 1.
mass FRANK 1'0 THE RESCUE.

ON the lains. midway between Cheyenne
and the B ack Hills, atrain had halted for a
noonday feed. Not a railway train, mind you,
but a line of those whitecovered vehicles drawn
by strong-limbed mules, which are most prop-
erly styled “ prairie schooners.”

There were four wagons of this type, and
they had been drawn in a circle about a camp-
fire, over which was roasting a savory haunch
of venison. Around the camp fire were grouped
half a score of men, all rough, bearded, and
grizzled. with one exception. This being a
youth whose age one could have safely put at
twenty, so perfectly developed of physique and
intelligent of facial ap earance was be. There
was something about im that was not hand-
some, and yet you would have been puzzled to
tell what it was, for his countenance was strik-
ingly handsome, and surely no form in the
crowd was more noticeable for its grace, sym-
metry, and proportionate devolopment. It
would have taken a scholar to study out the
secret.

He was of about medium stature, and as
straight and squarevshouldered as an athlete.
His complexion was nut-brown, from long
exposure to the sun; hair of the hue of a raven’s
wing, and hanging in long, straight- strands
adown his back; eyes black and piercing as an
eagle’s; features well molded, with a firm,
resolute mouth and prominent chin. He was
an interesting specimen of young, healthy man-
hood, and, even though a youth in years, was
one that could command respect, it not admira-
tion, wheresoever he might choose to go.

One remarkable item about his personal ap-
pearance, apt to strike the beholder as being
exceeding] strange and eccentric, was his cos‘
tume—buc skin throughout, and that dyed to
the brightest scarlet hue.

On being asked the cause of this odd freak of
dress, when he had joined the train a few miles
outlfrgm Cheyenne, the youth had laughineg
re 1e :

a Why, you see, it is to attract bufilers, if we
should meet any, out on the plains ’twixt this
and the Hills.” .

He gave his name as Fearless Frank, and said
he was aimin for the Hills; that if the party in
question won (1 furnish him a place among them,
he would extend to them his assistance asa
hunter, guide, or whatever, until the destina-
‘tion was reached.

Seeing that he was well armed, and judging

 

  
 

from external appearances that he would prove
a valuable accessory, the miners were nothing
loth in accepting his services.

0! the others grouped about the camp-fire
only one is specially noticeable, for, as Mark
Twain remarks, “the average of gold-diggers
look alike.” This person was a little, deformed
old man; humpbacked, bow-legged, and white-
haired, with cross eyes, a large mouth, a big
head, set upon a slim, crane‘like neck: blue
eyes, and an immense brown heard, that flowed
downward half-way to the belt about his waist
which contained a small arsenal of knives and
revolvers. He hobbled about with a heavy
crutch constantly under his left arm, and was
certainly a pitiable sight to behold.

He too had joined the caravan after it had
quitted Cheyenne. his advent taking place about
an hour subsequent to thetof Fearless Frank.
His name he asserted was Nix—Geofirey Wals-
ingham Nix—«and where he came from, and
what he sought in the Blark Hills, was simply a
matter of conjecture among the miners, as he
refused to talk on the subject of his past, pres-
ent or future.

The train was under the command of an iras—
cible old plainsman who had served out his ap-
prenticeship in the Kansas border war, and
whose name was Charity Joe, which. consider-
ing his avericious disposition, was the wrong
handle on the wrong man. Charity was the
least of all old J oe’s redeeming characteristics;
charity was the very thing he did not recog-
nize, yet some wag had facetiously branded him
Charity Joe, and the appellation had clung to
him ever since. He was well advanced in years,
yet, withal, a good trailer and an expert guide,
as the success of his many late expeditions into
the Black Hills had evidenCPd.

Those who had heard of Joe’s skill as a guide
intrusted themselves in his care, for, while the
stages were stopped more or less on each trip
Charity Joe’s train invariably went through all
safe and sound. This was partly owing to his
acquaintance with various bands of Indians,
who were the chief cause of annoyance on the
trip. '

Sofar we see the train toward the land of
gold, without their having seen sight or sound
of hostile red-skins and Charity is just chuck-
ling over his usual good-luck:

. “ I tell ye what, fellers, we’ve bed a fa’r sort
uv a shake, so fur, an’ no mistake ’bout it.
Barrin’ thar ain’t no Sittin’ Bulls lyin’ in wait
ter us behead yander, in ther mount’s, I’m of
fher candid opinion we’ll get through wi’out
acre in’ a. ha’r.” ‘

“ hope so," said Fearless Frank, rolling over
on the grass and gazing,at the guide, thought-
fully, ‘ but I doubt it.‘ It seems to me that
one hears of more butchering, lately, than there
was a month ago—all on account of the influx
of rufllanly characters into the Black Hillsl”

“Not all owing to that, chippy,” interposed l
“ General” Nix, as he had immediately been
christened by the miners—“ not all owing to
that. Thar’s them gol-dauged Copper—colored
guests uv ther Government—they’re kickin’ up
three pints uv the’r rumpus, more or less—con-
sider’bly less of more than more 0’ less. Take a.
passe] uv them barbarities an’ shet 'em up inter

 
   
   
  
   
    
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
  
  
 

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 3

 

a prison for three or thirteen yeers, an’ ye’d see
w’at an impression et’d make, n0w. Thar’d be
siveral less massacrees a week, an’ ye wouldn’t
see a rufyan onc’t a month. W’y, gentlefel-
lows, thar’d nevyar been a ruflian, ef et hedn’t
been fer ther cussed Injun tribe—not one!
Ther infernal critters ar’ ther instignators uv
more deviltry nor a cat wi’ nine tails.”

“Yes, we will admit that the reds are not of
saintly origin,” said Fearless Frank, with a
quiet smile. “ In fact I know of several who
are far from being angels, myself. There is
old Sitting Bull, for instance, and Lone Lion,
Rain—in—the-Face, and Horse-with-the-Red—Eye,
and so forth, and so forth I”

“Exactly. Every one 0’ 7em’s a danged de-
scendant o’ ther old Satan, hisself.”

“Layin’ aside ther Injun subjeck,” said
Charity Joe, forking into the roasted venison,
“ I move that we take up a silent debate on ther
pec0uliarities uv a deer’s hind legs; so beer
goes!”

He cut out a huge slice with his bowie, sprin-
kled it over with salt, and began to devour it
by very large mouthfuls. All hands proceeded
to follow [115 example, and the noonday meal
was dispatched in silence. After each man had
fully satisfied his appetite, and the mules and
Fearless Frank’s horse had grazed until they
were full as ticks, the order was given to hitch
up. which was speedily done, and the caravan
was soon in motion, toiling along like a diminu-
tive serpent across the plain.

The afternoon was a mild, sunny one in early
autumn,with a refreshing breeze perfumed with
the delicate scent of the after-harvest flowers
wafting down from the cool re ions of the
Northwest, where lay the new El credo—the
land of gold. .

Fearless Frank bestrode a noble bay steed of
fire and nerve, while old General Nix rode an
extra mule that he had purchased of Charity
Joe. The remainder of the company rode
in the wagons or “booted it," as best suited
their mood—Walking sometimes being prefer-
able to the rumbling and jolting of the heavy
vehicles.

Steadin along through the afternoon sunlight
the train wended its way, the teamsters alter-
nately singing and cursing their mules,- as they
jogged along. Fearless Frank and the “ Gener—
al ’ rode several hundred yards in advance,
both apparently engrossed in deepest thought,
for neither spoke until, toward the close of the
afternoon, Charity Joe called their attention to
a series of low, faint cries brought down upon
their hearing by the stiff northerly wind.

” ’Pears to me as how them sound sorter hue
man like,” said the old guide, trotting along
beside the young man’s horse, as he made known
the discovery. “Jes’ listen now, an’ see if ye
ain't uv ther same opinion!”

The youth did listen, and at the same time
swept the plain with his eagle eyes, in search of
the object from which the cries emanated.
But nothing of animal life was visible in any
direction beyond the train, and more was the
ngstery since the cries sounded but a little way
0

. ‘I‘ They are human cries l” exclaimed Fearless
Frank, excitedly, “and come from some one

 

in distress. Boys, we must investigate this
matter 1”

“You can investigate all ye want,” grunted
Charity Joe, “but I hain’t a-goin’ ter stop ther
train till dusk. squawk or no squawk. I jedge
we won‘t get inter ther Hills any too soon, as
it ar’!"

“You’re an old fool I” retorted Frank, con-
temptuously. “I wouldn’t be as mean as you
for all the gold in the Black Hills country,
say ngthin’ about that in California and Colo-
ra 0.

He turned his horse’s head toward the north,
and rode away, followed, to the wonder of all,
by the “ General.”

“ Ha! ha!" laughed Charity Joe, grimly, “I
wish you success.”

“You needn’t; I do not want any of your
wishes. I’m going to search for the person who
makes them cries, an’ at you don’t want to wait,
why go to the deuce with your old trainl”

“There ye err,” shouted the guide. “ I’m
goin’ ter Deadwood, instead uv ter the deuce.”

“' Maybe you will go to Deadwood, and then,
again, maybe ye won’t,” answered back Fear—
less Frank.

” More or less l” chimed in the general—“ con~
sider’bly more of less than less of more. Look
out then ther allies uv Sittin’ Bull don’t git ther
dead wood on ye.”

0n marched the train—steadily on over the
level, sandy plain, and Fearless Frank and his
strange companion turned their attention to the
cries that had been the means of separating
them from the train. They had ceased now,
altogether, and the two men were at a. loss what
to do.

“Guv a whoop like a Government Injun,”
su gested “General” Nix; “an’thet’ll let ther
critter know thet we be friends a-comin’. Par’ps
she’m gi’n out ontirely, a—thinkin’ as no one war
a-comin’ ter her reskyl" ‘

“She, you say?”

“Yes, she: fer I calkylate ’twern’t no he as
made them squawks. _Sing out like a bellerin’
bull, now, an’ at ar’ more or less likely—con-
sider’bly more of less ’n less of more—that she
will respond!”

Fearless Frank laughed, and formin his
hands into a trumpet he gave vent to alou , ear-
splitting “ hello!” that made the ,prairies ring.

“Great whale uv Jonerl’ asped the [a
‘General,’ holdin his hands tower the region
of his organs 0 hearing. “Holy Mother 0’

Mercy! don’t do et ag’in, b’yee—don’ do et; ye’ve
smashed my tinpanum all inter flindersl Good
Heaven! ye hev got a bugle wus nor enny steam
tooter frum heer tew Lowell.”

“Hark!” said the youth, bending forward in
a listening attitude.

The next instant silence revailed, and the
twain anxiously listened. afted down across
the plain came in faint, piteous accents the
repetition of the or they had first heard, only
it was now much ainter. Evident] whoever
was in distress, was weakening rapi ly. Soon
the cries would be inaudible.

“ It’s straight ahead I” exclaimed Fearless
Frank, at last. “Come along, and we’ll soon
see what the matter is!"

He put the spurs to his spirited animal, and

 

 

4

the next‘instant was dashing wildly off over the
sunlit plain. Bent on emulation, the “ General ”
also used his heels with considerable vim, but
alas! what dependence can be placed on a mule?
The animal halted, with a vicious nip back at
the offending rider’s legs, and refused to budge
an inch.

On—on dashed the fearless youth, mounted on
his noble steed, his eyes bent forward, in a
sharp scrutiny of the plain ahead, his mind filled
with wonder that the cries were now growin
more distinct, and yet not a first glimpse coulfi
he obtain of the source whence they emanated.

On—on—on; then suddenly he reins his
steed back upon its haunches, just in time to
avert a frightful plunge into one of those re—
markable freaks of nature—the blind canal, or,
in other words, a channel valley washed out by
heavy rains. These the tourist will frequently
filfipunter in the regions contiguous to the Black

'I s.

Below him yawned an abrupt channel, a
score or more of feet in depth, at the bottom of
which was a dense Chaparral thicket. The
little valley thus nestled in the earth was about
forty rods in width, and one would never have
dreamed it existed, unless they chanced to ride
to the brink, above.

Fearless Frank took in the situation at a
glance, and not hearing the cries, he rightly
conjectured that the one in distress had again
become exhausted. That that person was in
the thicket below seemed more than probable,
and he immediately resolved to descend in
search. Slipping from his saddle, he stepped
forward to the very edge of the prempice and
looked over. The next second the ground
crumbled beneath his feet, and. he was pre-

cipitated headlong into the valley. Fortunately J3

he received no serious injuries, and in a mo—
ment was on his feet again, all right.

“A miss is as good as a. mile," he muttered,
brushing the dirt from his clothing. “Now,
then, we will find out the secret of the racket
in this thicket. " ,

Glancing up to the brink above to see that his
horse was standing quietly, he parted the shrub-
bery, and entered the thicket.

It required considerable pushing and tugging
to get through the dense undergrowth, but at
last his efforts were rewarded, and he stood in a
small break or glade.

Stood there, to behold a sight that made the
blood boil in his veins. Securely bound with her
face toward a stake, was a young girl, of per-
haps seventeen summers, whom, at a glance,
one might surmise was remarkably pretty.

She was stripped to the waist, and upon her
snow-white back were numerous welts from
which trickled diminutive rivulets of crimson.
Her head was drooped against the stake to
which she was bound, and she was evidently
insensible. '

With a cry of astonishment and indignation
Fearless Frank leaped forward to sever her
bonds, when like so many grim phantoms there
filed out of the Chaparral, and circled around
him, a score of hideously painted savages. One
glance at the portly leader satisfied Frank as to

is identity. It was the fiend incarnate—Sit—
hos Bull!

 

Deadwood. Dick, the Prince of the Road.

CHAPTER II.
DEADWOOD DICK, THE ROAD-AGENT.

“ $500 Reward : For the apprehension and
arrest of a notorious young despIerado who hails to
the name of Deadwood Dick. is present where-
abouts are somewhat contiguous to the Black Hills.
For further information, and so forth. apply 1mme-
diately to HUGH VANsavnna,

“ At Metropolitan Saloon, Dead wood City.”

Thus read a notice posted up against abig
pine tree three miles above Custer City, on the
banks of French creek. It was a large placard
tacked up in plain view of all assers—by, who
took the route north through ‘uster gulch in
order to reach the infant city of the Northwest
—Deadwood.

Deadwood! the scene of the most astonishing
hustle and activity this year (1877). The place
where men are literallv made rich and poor in
one day and night. Prior to 1877 the Black
Hills had been for the greater part undeveloped,
but now, what a change! In Deadwood dis-
tricts every foot of available ground has been
“claimed ’7 and staked out; the population has
increased from fifteen to more than twenty-five
hundred souls.

The streets are swarming with constantly
arriving new-comers; the stores and saloons are
literally crammed at all hours; dance-houses
and can—can dens exist; hundreds of eager, ex-
pectant, and hopeful miners are working in the
mines, and the harvest reaped by them is not
at all discouraging. All. along the gulch ’are
strung a profusion of cabins, tents and shanties,
making Deadwood in reality a town of a dozen
miles in length, though some enterprising indi-
vidual has paired off a couple more infant cities
above Deadwood proper, named respectively
lizabeth City and Ten Strike. The quartz for—
mation in these neighborhoods is something ex-
traordinary, and from late reports, under vigor-
ous and earnest development are yielding be-
yond the most sanguine expectation.

The placer mines west of Camp Crook are
being opened to very satisfactory results, and,
in fact, from Custer City in the south, to Dead-
wood in the north, all is the scene of abundant
enthusiasm and excitement.

A horseman riding north through Custer
gulch, noticed the placard so prominently
posted for public inspection, and with a low
whistle, expressive of astonishment, wheeled
his horse out of the stage—road. and rode over to
the foot of the tree in question, and ran his
eyes over the few irregularly-written lines
traced upon the notice. '

He was a youth of an age somewhere between
sixteen and twenty, trim and com aetly built,
with a preponderance of muscular evelopment
and animal spirits: broad and deep of chest.
with square, iron-cast shoulders: limbs small
yet like bars of steel, and with a grace of posi-
tion in the saddle rarely equaled; he made a
fine picture for an artist’s brush or a. poet’s

en.
p Only one thing marred the captivating beauty
of the picture.

His form was clothed in a tight-fitting habit
of buck—skin, which was colored a. jetty black,
and presented a striking contrast to anythin
one sees as a garment in the wild far West. An

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W"""‘ ‘~ --tA——"f ‘H‘l

 

Deadwood Dick, the Drink” of the Road. 5

this was not all, either. A broad black hat was
slouched down over his eyes; he wore a. thick
black vail over the upper portion of his face,
through the eye-holes of which there gleamed a
pair of orbs of piercing intensity, and his hands,
large and knotted, were hidden in a pair of kid
gloves of a light color.

The “ Black Rider 7’ he might have been just-
ly termed, for his thoroughbred steed was as
black as coal, but we have not seen fit to call
him such—his name is Deadwood Dick, and let
that sufiice for the present.

It was just at the edge of evening that he
stopped before, and proceeded to read, the pla-
card posted upon the tree in one of the loneliest
portions of Custer’s gulch.

Above and on either side rose to a stupendous
hieht the tree-fringed mountains in all their
majestic grandeur.

' In front and behind, running nearly north
and south, lay the deep, dark chasm—a rift be-
tween mlghty walls—Custer’s gulch.

And over all began to hover the cloak of
night, for the sun had already imparted its dy-
ing kiss on the mountain craters, and below the
gloom was thickening with ra id strides.

Slowly, over and over, Dea wood Dick, out-
law, road-agent, and outcast, read the notice,

’ ' and then a wild sardonic laugh, burst from be-

neath his mask—a. terrible, blood-curdling
laugh, that made even the powerful animal he
bestrode start and (prick up its ears.

“Five hundred ollars reward for the appre-
hension and arrest of a. notorious young desper—
arlo who hails to the name of Deadwood Dick!
Hal ha! ha! isn’t that rich. now? Ha! ha! ha!
arrest Deadwood Dick! Why, ’pon my word it
is a sight for sore eyes. I was not aware that I
had attained such a desperate notoriety as that
document implies. They will make me out a
murderer before they get through, I expect.
Can’t let me alone—everlastineg they must be
punching after me, as if I was some obnoxious
pestilence on the face of the earth. Never
mind, though—let them keep on! Let them
just continue their bounding game, and see
which comes up on top when the bag’s shook.
If more than one of ’em don’t get their fingers
burned when they snatch Deadwood Dick bald-
headed. Why I’m a Spring creek sucker, that’s
all. Maybe I don’t know who foots the bill in
this reward business; oh, no: maybe I can’t
ride down to Deadwood and frighten three kind
0’ ideas out of this Mr. Hugh Vansevere, who—
ever he may be. Hal hal the fool that h’isted
that notice didn’t know Deadwood Dick, or he
would never have placed his life in jeopardy by
performing an act so uninteresting to the party
in uestion. Hugh Vansevere; let me see—I
don’ think I’ve got that registered in my collec-
tion of appellatives. Perhaps he is a new tool
in the employ of the old mechanic.”

Darker and thicker grew the night shadows.
The after-harvest moon rose up toa suflicient
hight to send a silvery bolt of powerful light
down into the silent gulch; like an image
carved out of the night the horse and rider
stood before the placard. motionless, silent.

The head of Deadwood Dick was bent, and he
was buried ina deep reverie. A revsrie that
engrossed his whole attention for along, long

 

while; then the impatient pawing of his horse
aroused him, and he sat once more erect in his
saddle.

A last time his eyes wandered over the notice
on the tree—a last time his terrible laugh made
the mountains ring, and he guided his horse back
into the rough. uneven stage-road, and galloped
oflf up the gulch.

“ 1 will go and see what this Hugh Vansevere
looks like!” he said, applying the spurs to his
horse. “I’ll be dashed if I.want him to be so
numerous with mv name, especially with five
hundred dollars aflixed thereto, as a reward.”

Midnight.

Camp Crook, nestling down in one of the
wildest gulch pockets of the Black Hills region
—basking and sleeping in the flood of moonlight
that emanates from the glowing ball up afar in
heaven’s blue vault, is suddenly and rudely
aroused from her dreams.

There is a wild clatter of boots, a. chorus of
strange and varied voices swelling out in a wild.
mountain song, and up through the very heart
of the diminutive city, where the gold-fever has
dropped a few sanguine souls, dash a cavalcade
of masked horsemen, attired in the picturesque
garb of the mountaineer, and mounted on ani-
mals of superior speed and endurance.

At their head, looking weird and wonderful
in his suit of black, rides he whom all have
heard tit-he whom some have seen, and he:
Whom no one dare raise a hand against, in sin--
gle combat—Deadwood Dick, Road—Agent-
Prince, and the one person whose name is in
everybody’s mouth.

Straight on through the single northerly
street of the infant village ride the dauntless
band, making Weirdly beautiful music with
their rollicking song, some of the voices being
cultivated, and clear as the clarion note.

A few miners, wakened from their repose,
jump out of bed, come to the door, and stare at
the receding cavalcade in a dazed sort of way.
Others, thinking that the noise is all resulting
from an Indian attack, seize rifles or revolwrs,
as the case may be, and blaze away out of the
windows and loopholes at whatever may be in I
the way to receive their bullets.

But the road-agents only pause a moment in
their song to send back a wi d, sarcastic laugh;
then they resume it, and dash along merrily up
the gulch, the ringing of iron-shod boots beating
a strange tattoo to the sound of the music.

Sleepin the miners cran back to their
respective couches; the moon smiles down on
mother earth, and nature once more fans itself
to sleep with the breath of a fragrant breeze.

 

Deadwood—magic city of the West!

Not dead, nor even sleeping, is this head-
quarters of the Black Hills population, at mid-
night, twenty-four hours subsequent to the rush
of the daring road-agents through Camp Crook.

Deadwood is just as lively and hilarious a
place during the interval between sunset and
sunrise as during the day. Saloons, dance-
houses, and gambling-dens‘keep open all night,
and stores do not close until alate hour. At
one, two, and three o’clock in the morning the
streets present_as lively an appearance as at any

 

 

 

6 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

period earlier in the evening Fighting, shoot-
ing, stabbing and hideous swearing are some of
the features of the night; singing, drinking,
dancing and gambling are others.

Nightly the majority of the miners come in
from such claims as are within a radius of from
six to ten miles, and seldom is it that they go
away without their “load.” To be sure, there
are some men in Deadwood who do not drink,
but they are so few and scattering as to seem
almost entirely a nonentitv.

It was midnight, and Deadwood lay basking
in a flood of yellow moonlight that cast long
shadows from the pine forests on the peaks, and

linted upon the rapid, muddy Waters of

hitewood creek, which rumbles noisily by
the infant metropolis on its Wild journey to ward
the south.

All the saloons and dance-houses are in full
blast; shouts and maudlin yells rend the air. In
front of one insignificant board, “ ten-by-twen-
ty,” an old wretch is singing out lustily:

“ Right this way ve cum, pilgrims, ter that
great Black Hills Thee’ter; Only costs ye four
hits 1161' go in an’ see ther tender sex, already a-
kickin’ in their striped stockin’s: only four bits,
recollect, ter see ther greatest show on earth, so
heer’s yer straight chance!”

But, why the use of eyelling? Already the
shanty is packed, and judging from the thun-
dering screeches and clapping of hands, the en-
tertainment is such as suits the depraved tastes
of the ruflianly “bums ” who have paid their
“ four hits ” and gone in. _

But look!

Madly out of Deadwood gulch, the abode of
many lurking shadows, dashes a horseman.

Straight through the main street of the noisy
metropolis he spurs. with hat off, and hair blow-
ing backward in a jetty cloud.

On, on, followed by the eyes of scores curi-
ous to know the meaning of his haste—on, and
at last he halts in front of a large board shanty,
over whose doorway is the illuminated canvas
5; n—“ Metropolitan Saloon, by Tom Young."

videntlfyr his approach is heard, for instant-
ly out of the “Metropolitan” there swarms a
crowd of miners, gamblers and bummers to see
4' what the row is.”

“ Is there a man among vou, gentlemen, who
bears the name of Hugh Vinsevere?" asks the
rider, who from his midnight dress we may
judge is no other than Deadwood Dick.

“That is my handle, pilgriml” and a tall,
rough-looking customer of the Minnesotian or-
der steps forward. “ What mought yer lay be
ag’in’ me?”

“A sure lav!” hisses the masked road—agent,
sternlv. “You are advertising for one Dead-
wood Dick, and he has come to pay you his
respects.”

The next instant there is a flash, a pistol re—
port, a fall and a groan, the cluttering of iron-
shod hoofs; and then. are any one scarcely
dreams of it, Deadwood Dick is gone!

CHAPTER. III.
THE “CATTYMOUNT’k-A QUARREL, AND ITS
RESULTS.
THE “Metropolitan” saloon in Deadwood,
one week subsequent to the events last narrated,

 

 

was the scene of a larger “ jamboree ” than for
many weeks before.

It was Saturday night. and up from the mines
of Gold Run, Bobtail, Poor Man’s Pocket, and
Spearfish, and down from the Deadwood in
miniature, Crook City, poured a swarm of rug-
ged, grisly gold—diggers, the blear—eyed, used-
up-looking “pilgrim,” and the inevitable wary
sharp, ever on the alert for a new buck to
fleece.

The “Metropolitan” was then, as now, the
head-quarters of the Black Hills metropolis for
arriving trains and stages, and as a natural con-
sequence received a goodly share of the public
patronage.

A well-stocked bar of liquors in Deadwood
was non est, yet the saloon in question boasted
the best to be had. Every bar has its clerk ata
pair of tiny scales, and he is ever kept more
than busy weighing out the shining dust that
the toiling miner has obtained by the sweat of
his brow. And if t1e deft-fingered clerk cannot
put six ounces of dust in his own pouch of a.
night, it clearly shows that he is not long in the
business.

Saturday nightl

The saloon is full to overflowing—full of
brawny, rough and grisly men; full of ribald
songs and maudlin curses; full of foul atmos-
pheres, impregnated witn the fumes of vile
whisky and worse tobacco, and full of sights and
scenes exciting and repulsive.

As we enter and work our way toward the
center of the apartment, our attention is at-
tracted by a coarse, brutal “ tough,” evidently
just fresh in from the diggings, who, mounted
on the summit of an empty whisky cask, is ex-
horting in rou h language, and in the tones of a.
bellowmg bul , to an audience of admiring
miners assembled at his feet, which, by the way,
are not of the most diminutiVe pattern imagin~
able. We will listen:

“ Feller-coots and liquidarians, behold before
ye a lineal descendant uv Cain and Abel.
ye’ll reckolect, ef ye’ve ever bin ter camp‘meet-
in’, that Abel got knocked out 0’ time by his
cuzzin Cain, all becawse Abel war misproperly
named, and warn't able when the crysis arriv
ter defen’ himsel’ in an able manner.

“ Hed he bin ‘ heeled ’ Wi’ a shipment uv Black
Hills sixes, thet would hev enabled him to dis-
tinguish hisself fer superyer abilitv. Now, as I
sed before, I’m a lineal descendant uv ther
notorious Aim and Cable, and I’ve lit down
hyar among ye ter explain a few p’ints ’hout
true blessedness and true cussedness.

“ Ohl brethern, I tell ye I’m a snorter, I am,
when I git a-goin’—-a wild screechin’ catty-
mount, right down frum ther sublime spheres
up Starkey—ar’ a. regular epizootic uv rellgyun,
sent down frum clouddum and scattered per-
miscously ter ther forty winds uv ther
earth.”

We pass the “cattymount,” and presently
come to a table at which a. young and handsome
“ pilgrim,” and a ferret-eyed sharp are engaged
at cards. The first mentioned is a tall, robust
fellow, somewhere in the neighborhood of
twenty-three years of age, with clear—cut fea-
tures, dark lustrous eyes, and teeth of pearly
whitenese. His hair is long and curling, and a.

 

» « “Wee ‘—_.‘)

Deadwood Dick. the Prince of the Road. '1

 

soft brown mustache, waxed at the ends, is
almost perfection itself.

Evidently he is of quick temperament, for he
handles the cards with a swift, nervous dex-
terity that surprises even the professional
sharp himself, who isa black, swarthy-looking
customer, with “ villain ” plainly written in
every lineament of his countenance; his eyes,
hair, and a tremendous mustache that he oc—
casionally strokes. are of a jetty black; did you
ever notice iti—dark hair and complexion pre-
dominate among the gambling fraternity.

Perhaps this is owing to the condition of the
souls of some of these characters.

The professional sharp in our case was no ex-
ception to the rule. He was attired in the hight
of fashion, and the diamond cluster, inevitably
to be found there, was on his shirt-front; a jewel
of wonderful size and brilliancy.

“Ah! curse the luck l” exclaimed the sharp,
slapping down the cards; “ you have won again,
pilgrim, and I am five hundred out. By the
gods. your luck is something astonishing!”

“Luck !” laughed the other, coolly; “well,
no. I do not call it luck, for I never have luck.
We'll call it chance l”

“Just as you say,” growled the gambler,
bringing forth a new pack. “ Chance and luck
are then twin companions. Will you continue
longer, Mr.—”

“ Redburn,” finished the pilgrim.

“ Ahl yes—Mr. Redburn, will you continue?”

“I will play as long as there is anything to
play for,” again finished Mr. R., twistin the
waxed ends of his mustache calmly. “ aybe
you have got your fill, eh?”

“No; I’ll play all night to win back what I
have lost.”

A youth. attired in buckskin, and apparently
a. couple of years younger than Redburn, came
sauntering along at this juncture, and seeing an
unoccupied chair at one end of the table (for
Redburn and the gambler sat at the sides, fac—
ing each other), he took possession of it forth-
with.

“ Hello!” and the sharp swore roundly.
“ Who told you to mix in your lip, il 'm?”

“Nobody, as I know of. Thong t ’d squat
right here, and watch your sleeves!” was the
significant retort, and the youth laid a cocked
six-shooter on the table in front of him.

“Go on, gentlemen; don’t let me be the
means of spoiling your fun.”

The gambler uttered a curse, and dealt out
the pasteboards.

The youth was watching him intently.

He was of medium hight. straight as an ar-
row, and clad in a loose-fitting costume.
broad sombrero was set jauntin upon the left
side of his head, the hair of which had been cut
close down to the scalp. His face—a pleasant,
handsome, youthful face—was devoid of hirsute
covering. be having evidently been recently

handled by the barber.

The game between Mr. Redburn and the m-
bler progressed; the eyes of him whom we ave
ust described were on the card-sharp constant-

yThe cards went down on the table in vigorous
slaps, and at last Mr. Pilgrim Redburn raked in
the_stakes. ,

 

“Thunder ’n’ Mosesl” ejaculated the sharp,
pulling out his watch—an elegant affair, of pure
gold, and studded with diamonds—and laying
it forcibly upon the table.

” There! what will you plank on that l”

Redburn took up the timevpiece, turned it
over and over in his hands opened and shut it,
gave a glance at the works, and then handed it
over to the youth, whom he instinctiVely felt
was his friend. Redburn had come from the
East to dig gold, and therefore was a. stranger
in Deadwoo .

“ What is its mone value?” he asked, famil-
iarizing his tone. “ ood, I suppose?”

“ Yes, perfectly good, and cheap at two hun-
dred,” was the unhesitating reply. “Do you
lack funds, stranger?”

“ Ohl no. I am three hundred ahead of this
cuss yet. and—”

“ You‘d better quit where you arel” said the
other, decisively. “ You’ll lose the next round,
mark my word.” .

“ Ha! he!” laughed Redburn, who had begun
to show symptoms of recklessness. “ I’ll take
my chances. Here, you gamin, I’ll cover the
watch with two hundred dollars.”

Without more ado the stakes were planked,
the cards dealt, and the game began.

The youth, whom we will call Ned Harris,
was not idle.

He took the revolvers from the table, changed
his position so that his face was just ‘in the op-
posite direction of what it had been. and com-
menced to are his finger-nails. The fingers
were as white and soft as any girl’s. In his
hand he also held a strangely-angled little box,
the sides of which were mirror-glass. Looking
at his finger-nails he also looked into the mirror,
which gave a complete view of the card-sharp,
as he sat at the table.

Swiftly progressed the game, and no one
could fail to see how it was gain by watching
the cunning light in the gamblers eye. At last
the game-card went down, and the next instant,
after the sharp had raked in his stakes, a.
cooked revolver in either hand of Ned Harris
covered the hearts of the two players.

“ Hello!” gasped Redburn, quailing under the
gaze of the cold steel tube—“what’s the row,
now?"

“ Draw your revolver!” commanded Harris,
sternly, having an eye on the card-she at the
same time. “ Come, don’tbe all nighta out it I”

Redburn obeyed; he had no other choice.

“ Cock it and covtr y:ur man.”

“ Who do you mean?”

“The cuss under my left-hand aim.”

Again the “pilgrim” felt that he could not
afford to do otherwise than obey.

So he took “squint” at the gambler’s left
breast, after which Harris withdrew the siege of
his left weapon, although he still covered the
young Easterner the same. Quietly he moved
around to wherethe card-sharp satfwhite and
trembling. .

“Gent amen l” he yelled, in a clear, ringing
voice, “ will some of you step this way a mo-
ment?” ,

A crowd gathered around in a. moment; then
the outh resumed:

“ allot-citizens, all of you know how to play

 

 
   

 

8 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the, Road.

 

1 cards, no doubt. What is the penalty of chest—

in , out here in the Hills?”

g‘or a few seconds the room was wrapt in
silence; then a chorus of voices gave answer,
using a single word:

“ Death l”

“Exactly,” said Harris, calmly. “When a
sharp hides cards in Chinaman fashion up his
sleeve, I reckon that’s what you call cheatin’,
don’t you?”

“ That’s the size of it,” asserted each bystand—
er. grimly. “

Ned Harris pressed his pistol—muzzle against
the gambler’s forehead, inserted his fingers in
each of the capacious sleeves, and a moment
later laid several high cards upon the table.

A murmur of incredulity went through the
crowd of spectators. Even “pilgrim” Redburn
was astonished.

After removing the cards, Ned Harris turned
and leveled his revolver at the head of the young
man from the East.

“ Your name ” he said, briefly, “ is—”

“Hurry Redhurn.”

“Very well. Harry Redburn, that gambler
under cover of your pistol is guilty of a crime.
punishable in the Black Hills by death. As
you are his victim—or, rather, were to lie—it
only remains for you to aim straight and rid
your country of an A No. I dead—beat and
swindler.”

"Oh! no!” asped Redburn, horrified at the
thought of taking the life of a fellow-creature.
“I cannot, I cannot I”

“You can !” said Harris, sternly; go on—
you must salt that card-sharp, or I’ll certainly
salt you I” I

A deathlike silence followed.

“ One I” said Harris, after a moment.

Redburn grew very ale, but not paler was
he than the card-sharp Just opposite. Redburn
was no coward; neither was he accustomed to
the desperate character of the population of
the Hills. Should he shoot the tricky wretch
before him, he knew he should be always calling
himself a murderer. 0n the contrary, in the na-
tural laws of Deadwood, such a murder would
be classed justice. I

“ Two I” said Ned Harris, drawing his pistol-
hammer back to a full cock. “ Come, pilgrim,
are you going to shoot?” .

Another silence: only the low breathing of
the s ectators could be heard. .

“ [tree I” .

Redburn raised his pistol and fired—blindly
and carelessly, not knowing or caring whither
went the compulsOi-y death ealing bullet.

There wasaheavy fall, a. groan of pain, as
the gambler dropped over on the floor; then for
the space of a few seconds all was the wildest
confusion throughout the mammoth saloon.

Revolvers were in every hand, knives flashed
in the glare of the lamglight, curses and threats
were in scores of mout s, while some of the vast
surging crowd cheered lustil y.

At the table Harry 'Redburn still sat, as
motionless as a statue, the revolver still held in
his hand his face white, his eyes staring.

There he remained, the center of general at
traction, with a hundred pair of blazing eyes
layeled at him from every side, ,.

 

“ Comel” said Ned Harris, in a. low tone,
tapping him on the shoulder—“ come, ardner,
let’s git out of this, for times will be brisk soon.
You’ve wounded one of the biggest card—devils
in the Hills, and he’ll be rearin’ pretty quick.
Look! d’ye see that feller comin’ yonder, who
was preachin’ from on top of the arrel a bit
ago? Well, that is Catamount Cass, an’ he’s a
pard of Chet Diamond, the teller you salted, an
them fellers behind him are his gang. Come!
lflollou; me, Henry, and I’ll nose our way out of

ere.

Redburn signified his “readiness, and with a.
cooked six-shooter in either hand, Ned Harris
led the way.

 

CHAPTER IV.

SAD ANITA—THE MINE-LOCATER-TROUBLE.

STRAIGHT toward the door of the saloon he
marched, the muzzles of the grim sixas clearing
a path for him; for Ned Harris had become no-
torious in Deadwood for his coolness, courage
and audacity. It had been said of him that he
would “just es lief shute a man as ter look at
’im,” and perhaps the speaker was not far from
right.

Anyway, he led on? through the savage-faced
audience with a composure that was remark-
able, and, strange to say, not a hand was raised
to stop him until he came face to face with Cat-
amount Cass and his gang; here was where the
youth had expected molestation and hindrance,
it anywhere.

Catamonnt Cass was a rough, illiterate
“ tou h” of the mountain species, and possessed
more rute courage than the general run of his
type of men, and a bull-dog determination that
made him all the more dangerous as an enemy.

Harry Redburn kept close at Ned Harris’s
heels, a cocked “ six” in either hand ready for
an? emergency.

t took but a few moments before the two
arties met, the “ Cattymount” throwing out
is foot to block the path.

“ Hello i” roared the “ tough.” folding his huge

knottv arms across his partially bared breast; -

“ ho! ho] whoa up thar, pilgrims! Don’t ye go
ter bein’ so fast. Fo’ks harn’t so much in a.
hurry now-’days as they uster war. Ter be
sure ther Lord manyfactered this futstool in
seven days; sumtimes I think he did, an’ then,
az’in, my geological ijees convince me he
didn’t.” ‘

“What has that to do with us?” demanded
Ned, sternly. “I opine ye’d better spread,
some of you, if you don’t want to run a can-
yon through your midst. Preac to some other
pilgrim than me; I’m in a hurry l”

‘ Haw! haw! Yes I observe ye be; but if
ye’re my meat, an’i think prob’bly ye be, I
ain’t a‘goin’ fer ter let yer 011’ so nice an’ easy.
P’arps ye kin tell me who fired the popgun, a
miunit ago, w’at bested my ole ardi’

“ I shall not take trouble to te ll" replied Ned,
fingering the trigger of his left six uneasily.
“Ef you want to know who salted Chet Die:
mond, the worst blackleg. trickster and card-
player in Dakota, all you’ve got to do is to go
and ask him 1”

“Hold!” cried Harry Redburn ste ping out
from behind Harris; “I’ll hide be in no man’s;

   

   
    
 
    
  
 
    
   
 
    
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
    
  
   
    
  

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 

 

shoulder. I salted the gambler—if you call
shooting salting—and I’m not afraid to re at
the action by salting a dozen more just 0 his
particular style. ” I

ed Harris was surprised.

He had set Redburn down as a faint-hearted,
dubious-couraged countenjumper from the
East; he saw now that there was something of
him, after all.

“Come on, young maul” and the young
miner stepped forward a pace. “are you with
mel’

“ To the ears 1” replied Harris, grimly.

The next instant the twain leaped forward
and broke the barrier, and mid the crack of
pistol-shots and shouts of rage, they cleared the
saloon. Once outside, Ned Harris led the way.

“Come along!” he said, dodging along the
shadowy side of the street; “we’ll have to
scratch gravel, for them up-range ‘toughs’ will
follow us, I reckon. They’re a game gang, and
hain’t the most desirable kind of enemies one
could wish for. I’ll take you over to my coop,
and you can la low there until this jamboree
blows over. ou’ll have to promise me one
thing. however, ere I can admit you as a mem
ber of my household.”

“Certainly. What is it?” and Harry Red-
burn redoubled his efforts in order to keep
alon side his swift-footed guide.

“ romise me that you will divulge nothing,
no matter what you may see or hear. Also
that, should you fall in love with one who is a
member of my family, you will forbear and not
speak of love to her.‘

“ It is a woman, then?”

“ Yes—a young lady.”

“I will promise;—how can I afford to do
otherwise, under the existing circumstances.
But, tell me, why did you force me to shoot
that ambler?”

“ e was a rascal, and cheated you.”

“I know; but I did not want his life; I am
averse to bloodshed."

“So I perceived, and that made me all the
more determined you should salivate him.
You’ll find before you’re in the Hills long that
it won’t do to take lip or lead from any one. A
green pilgrim is the first to get salted; I illus-
trated how to serve ’eml”

Redburn’s eyes sparkled. He was just begin-
ning to see into the different phases of this wild
exalting life.

“ Good 1” he exclaimed. warmly. “I have
much to thank you for. Did I kill that card-
ehar i”

“ 0; you simply perforated him in the right
side. This way." ,

They had been running straight up the main
street. Now they turned a corner and darted
down one that was dark and deserted.

A moment later a trim boyish figure stepped
before them. from out of the shadow of a new
frame building; a hand of creamy whiteness
was laid upon the arm of Ned Harris.

“This way, pilgrims,” said a low musical
voice, and-at the same instant a. gust of wind
lifted the jaunty sombrero from the speaker’s
head, revealing a most wonderful Wealth of
long glossymair: “the ‘toughs’ are after you,
and you cannot find a better place to coop than

 

in here.” The soft hand drew Ned Harris in-
side the building. which was finished, but un-
occupied, and Redburn followed, nothing loth
to get into a place of safety. So far, Deadwood
had not impressed him favorably as being the
most peaceable city within the scope of a con-
tinent.

Into an inner room of the building they went,
and the door was closed behind them. The
apartment was small and smelled of green
lumber. A table and a few chairs Comprised
the furniture; a dark lantern burned suspended
from the ceiling by a wire. Redburn eyed the
strange youth as he and Harris were handed 4
seats.

Of medium hight and symmetrically built;
dressed in a carefully-tanned costume of buck-
skin the vest being fringed with the fur of the
mink; wearing a jaunty Spanish sombrero;
boots on the dainty feet of patent leather, with
tops reaching to the knees; a face slightly sun-
burned, yet showing the traces of beauty that
even excessive dissipation could not obliterate;
eyes black and piercing; mouth firm, resolute,
and devoid of sensual expression; hair of raven
color and of remarkable length ;—such was the
Ecture of the youth as beheld by Redhurn and

BIT}?-

“ You can remain here till you think it will
be safe to again venture forth, gentlemen.” and
a smile—evidently a stranger there—broke out
about the speaker’s lips. “ Good-evening!”

“ Good-evening!” nodded Harris, with a quiz-
zical stare. The next moment the youth was
gone.

“ Who was that chap?” asked Redburn, not a
little bewildered.

“That?—-wh_v that's Calamity Jane!”

“ Calamit Jane? What a name.”

“Yes, shes an odd one. Can ride like the
wind, shoot like a sharp—shooter, and swear like
a trooper. Is here, there and everywhere, seem-
ingly all at one time. Owns this coop and two
or three other lots in Deadwood: a herding
ranch at Laramie; an interest in apaying lacer
claim near Elizabeth City, and the L0 only
knows how much more.”

“ But it is not a woman!”

“ Reckon ’tain’t nothin’ else.”

“ God forbid that a child of mine should ever
become so debased and—”

“Hold! there are yet a few redeeming quali-
ties about her. She was ruined ”—- an here a
shade dark as a thunder-cloud passed over Ned
Harris’s face—“ and set adrift upon the world,
homeless and friendless' yet she has bravely
fought her way through the storm, without
asking anybody’s assistance. True, she may
not now have a heart; that was trampled upon
years ago, but her character has not suflere

lemish since the day a foul wretch stole away
her honor!”

“What is her real name?”

“ I do not know; few in Deadwood do. It is
said, however, that she comes of a Vir nia
City, Nevada, family of respectability an in-
telligence.”

At this juncture there was a great hubbub
outside, and instinctively the twain drew their
revolvers, expecting that Catamount Gas and
histoughs had discovered their retreat, and

 

 
 

Deadwood Dick. the Prince of the Road.

 

were about to make an attack. But soon the
gang were heard to tramp away, making the
night hideous with their hoarse yells.

‘ They’ll pa a visit to every shanty in Dead-
wood,” said arris, with a grim smile, “ and if
they don’t find us, which they won’t, they’ll
h’ist more than a barrel of bug-juice over their
defeat. Come, let’s be going.”

They left the building and once more emerged
onto the darkened street, Ned taking the lead.

“Follow me, now,” he said, tightening his
2191137, “ and we’ll get home before sunrise after
He struck out up the gulch, or, rather, down
it, for his course lay southward. Redburn fol-
lowed, and in fifteen minutes the lights of Dead-
wood—magic city of the wilderness—were left
behind. Harris led the way along the rugged
mountain stage~road, that, after leaving Dead-
wood on its way to Camp Crook and Custer
City in the south, runs alternately through
deep, dark canyons and gorges, wit an ease
and rapidity that showed him to be well ac-
quainted thh the route. About three miles
below Deadwood he struck a trail through a
transverse canyon running northwest, through
which flowed a. small stream, known as Brown’s
creek. The bottom was level and smooth, and
abrisk walk of a half—hour brought them to
where a horse was tied to an elder sapling.

“You mount and ride on ahead until you
come to the end of the canyon,” said Harris,
untying the horse. “I wi 1 follow (matter
you, and be there almost as soon as you.”

Redburn would have oflered some objections,
but the other motioned for him to mount and be
off, so he concluded it best to obey.

The animal was a fiery one, and soon carried
him out of sight of Ned, whom he left standing
in the yellow moonlight. Sooner than be ex-

ted the gorge came to an abrupt termination

nthe face of a stupendous wali'of rock and
nothing remained to do but wait for young
Harris.

He soon came, trotting leisurely up, only a
trifle flushed in countenance.

“ This way i” he said, and seizing the animal
by the bit he led horse and rider into a black,
gag'ng fissure in one side of the canyon, that
ha hitherto escaped Redbnrn’s notice. It was
a large, narrow, subterranean passage, barely
lar e enough to admit the horse and rider.
Re burn soon was forced to dismount and
brim: up the rear.

"How far do we journey in this shape?” he
degnlanded, after what seemed to him a long
w 1 e.

“No further,” replied Ned, and the next in-
stant they emerged into a small, circular pocket
in the midst of the mountains—one of those
beauteous flower-strewn valleys which are often
found in the Black Hills.

This “ pocket,” as they are called, consisted of
perhaps fifty acres, walled in on every side by
rugged mountains as steep, and steeper, in
some laces, than a house-roof. 0a the western
side rown’s creek had its source, and leaped
merrily down from ledge to ledge into the
valley, across which it flowed, sinking into the
earth on ,the eastern side, only to bubble up
again in the canyon with renewed strength.

 

The valley was one vast, indiscriminate bed of
wild, fragrant flowers, whose volume of per-
fume was almost sickening when first greeting
the nostrils. Every color and variety imagin-
able was here, all in the most perfect bloom.
In the center of the valley stood a log cabin,
overgrown with clinging vines. There was a
light in the window, and Harris pointed to.
ward it, as, with young Redburn, he emerged
from the fissure.

“There’s my coop, pilgrim. There you will
be safe for a time, at least." He unsaddled the
horse and set it free to graze.

Then they set off down across the slope, ar-
riving at the cabin in due time.

The door was open; a young woman, sweet,
yelt sad-faced, was seated upon the steps, fast
as eep.

Redburn gave an involuntary cry of incre-
dulity and admiration as his eyes rested upon
the picture—upon the pure, sweet face, sur-
rounded b a wealth of golden. glossy hair, and
the sylph- ike form, so perfect in eVery contour.
But a charge of silence from Harris made him
mute.

The young man knelt by the side of the sleep-
ing girl and imprinted a kiss upon the fresh,
unpolluted lips, which caused the sleeping beau-
ty to smile in her dreams.

A moment later, however, she opened her
eyes and sprung to her feet with a startled
scream.

“ 0h, Ned!” she gasped, trembling as she saw
him, “ how you frightened me. I had a dream
—-—oh, such a sweet dream! and I thought he
came and kissed—"

Suddenly did she stop as, for the first time,
her penetrating blue eyes rested upon Harry
Redburn.

A moment she gazed at him asin asort of
fascination: then, with a. low cry, began to re-
treat, growing deathly pale. Ned Harris
stepped quickly forward and supported her on
his arm. .

“ Be calm, Anita,” he said, in a gentle, reas-
suring tone. “ This is a young gentleman whom
I have brought here to our home for a few days
until it will be safe for him to be seen in Dead-
wood. Mr. Redburn, I make you acquainted
with Anita.”

A courteous bow from Redburn, a slight in-
clination of Anita’s head, and the introduction
was made. A moment later the three entered
the cabin, a model of neatness and primitive
luxury.

“How is it that you are up so early, dear?”
young Harris asked, as he unbuckled his belt
and hung it upon a peg in the wall. “ You are
rarely as Spry, ehl” .

“Indeed! have not been to bed at all,” re-
plied the girl, a weary smile wreathing her lips.
“ I was nervous, and feared something was‘go-
ing to happen, so I staid up.”

“ Your old plea~the presentiment of coming
danger, I suppose.” and the youth laughed gay-
ly. “But you need not fear. No one will in»
vade our little paradise, right away. What is
your opinion of it, Redburn?”

“I should say not. I think this little moun-
tain retreat is without equal,” replied Harry,
with enthusiasm. “The only wonder is, how,

    
   
   
 
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
 
    
  
    
  
   
   
   
  
 
  
     
  
    
  
   
    
    
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
  
   

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 11

 

did you ever stumble into such a. delightful
ace?”

“Of that I will perhaps tell you, another
time,” said Harris, musingly.

Day soon dawned over the mountains, and
the early morning sunlight fell with charming
effect into the little “pocket,” with its count-
less thousands of odorous flowers, and the
liltltle ivy-clad cabin nestling down among them
a .

Sweet, sad-faced Anita prepared a sumptuous
morning repast out of antelope-steak and the
eggs of wild birds, with dainty side dishes of
late summer berries, and a large luscious melon
which had been grown ona cultivated patch,
contiguous to the ca bin.

Both Harris and his guest did ample justice
to the meal, for they had neither eaten any-
thing si'ce the preceding noon. When they
had finished, Ned arose from the table, saying:
“Pardner. I shall leave you here for a few
days, during which time I shall probably be
mostly away on business. Make yourself at
home, and see that Anita is properly protected:
I will return in a week at the furthest ;—perhaps
in a day or two.”

He took down his rifle and belt from the
wall, buckled on the latter. and half an hour
later left the “pocket.” That was a day of
days to Harry Redburn. He rambled about
the picturesque little valley, romped on the
luxuriant grass and gathered wild flowers,
alternately. At night he sat in the cabin door
and listened to the cries of the night birds and
the incessant heating of the mountain owls
(which by the wav, are very abundant through-
out the Black Hills.)

All efforts to engage Anita in conversation
proved fruitless.

0n the following day both were considerably
astonished to perceive that there was a stranger
in their Paradise :—a bow-legged, hump-backed.
grisly little old fellow, who walked with a staff.
He approached the cabin, and Redburn went
out to find out who he was.

“Gude—momin’l” nodded General Nix, (for it
was he) with a grin. “I jes’ kim over inter
this deestrict ter pros ect fer gold. Don’ Seem
ter recognize yer unk e, eh? boy: I’m Nix Wal-
singham Nix, Esquire. geological surveyor an’
mine—locater. l’ve located more nor forty
thousan’ mines in my day, more or less—giner-
ally a consider’ble more of less than less of
more. I perdict frum ther geological formation
0’ this nest an’ a dream I h‘ed last night, that
thar’s sum uv ther biggest veins right in this
yere valle as ye’ll find in ther Hills!”

“Hump ! no gold here,” replied Redburn,
who had already learned from study and expe-
rience how to guess a fat strike. “It’s out of
the channel.”

“ No: et’s right in the channe .”

“Well, I’ll not dispute you. How did you
get into the valley?”

“ Through ther pass.” and the General chuck-
led approvingly. “See’d a filler kim down
ther canyon, yesterday, so I nosed about ter
find whar be him from, that’s how I got here;
’sides, I hed a dream about this place.”

“Indeed!” Redburn was uzzled how to act
under the circumstances. ust then there came

 

a lpiercing scream from the direction of the
ca in.

What could it mean? Was Nix an enemy,
and was some one else of his gang attacking
Anita?

Certainly she was in trouble!

CHAPTER V.
SITTING BULL-THE FAIR CAPTIVE.

FEARLESS FRANK stepped back aghast, as he
saw the inhuman chief of the Sioux—the cruel,
grim-faced warrior, Sitting Bull: shrunk back,
and laid his hand upon the butt of a revolver.

“Hal” he articulated, “is that you, chief?
You, and at such work as this?” there was stern
reproach in the youth’s tone, and certain it is
that the Sioux warrior heard the words spoken.

“My friend, Scarlet Boy, is keen with the
tongue,” he said. frowning. “ Let him put
shackles upon it, before it leaps over the bounds
of reason.

“ I see no reason why I should not speak in
behalf of you suflering girl !" retorted the outh,
fearlessly, “on whom you have been in icting
one of the most inhuman tortures Indian cun-
ning could conceive. For shame, chief, that
you should ever assent to such an act—lower
yourself to the grade of a dog by such a dastard
deed. For shame, I say I”

Instantly the form of the great warrior
straightened up like an arrow, and his painted
hand flew toward the pistols in his belt.

But the succeeding second he Seemed to
change his intention; his hand went out toward
the youth in reeting:

“ The Scar et Boy is right,” he said, with as
much graveness as a red-skin can conceive.
“ Sitting Bull listens to his words as he would
to those of a brother. Scarlet Boy is no stranger
in the land of the Sioux; he is the friend of the
great chief and his warriors. Once when the
stormgods were at war over the pine forests
and picture rocks of the Hills; when the Great
Spirit was sending flery messengers down in
vivid streaks from the skies, the Big Chief cast
a thunderbolt in playfulness at the feet of Sit-
ting Bull. The shock of the hand of the Great
Spirit did not escape me; for hours I lay like
one slain ,in battle. My warriors were in con-
sternation; they ran hither and thither in
afl’right, calling on the Manitou to preserve
their chief. You came, Scarlet Boy, in the
midst of all thefpauic;—came, and though then
but a stripling, you applied simple remedies
that restored Sitting Bull to the arms of his
warriors.*

“ From that hour Sittin Bull was your friend
-—is your friend, now, an will be as long as the
red-men exist as a tribe.”

“Thank you, chief;” and Fearless Frank
grasped the Indian’s hand and wrung it warm-
ly. “ I believe you mean all you say. But I
am surprised to find you engaged at such work
as this. I have been told that Sitting Bull made
war only on warriors—not on women.”

An ugly frown darkened the savage’s face—a
frown wherein was depicted a number of slum-
bering passions.

" be pale-face girl is the last survivor of a

 

*A fact.

 

 

12 Deadwood men, the Prince of the Road.

 

train that the warriors of Sitting Bull attacked
in Red Csnyon. Sitting Bull lost many war-
riors;yon pale squaw shot down full a half—
score before she could he captured; she belongs
to the warriors of Sitting Bull, and not to the
great chief himself.”

“Yet you have the power to free her—to
yield her up to me. Consider, chief: are you
not enough my friend that you can afford to
give me the pale«face girl? Surely, she has been
tortured sufficiently to satisfy your braves’
thirst for vengeance.”

Sitting Bull was silent.

“ What will the Scarlet Boy do with the fair
maiden of his tribe?”

“Beat her to a place of safety, chief, and
care for her until I can find her friends—prob
ably she has friends in the East.”

“It shall be as he says. Sitting Bull will
withdraw his braVes. and Scarlet Boy can have
the red-man’s prize.”

A friendly hand-shake between the youth and
the Sioux chieftain, a word from the latter to
the grim painted warriors, and the next in-
stant the glade was cleared of the savages.

Fearless Frank then hastened to approach the
insensible captive, and, with a couple sweeps of
his knife, cut the bonds that held her to the
torture—stake. Gently he laid her on the grass,
and arranged about her half-nude form the gar-
ments Sitting Bull’s warriors had torn off, and
soon he had the satisfaction of seeing her once
more clothed properly. It still remained for
. him to restore her to consciousness, and this
promised to be no easy task, for she was in a
dead swoon. She was even more beautiful of
face and figure than one would have imagined
at a first lance. Of a delicate blonde com-
plexion, wit pink-tinged cheeks. she made a
very pretty picture, her face framed as It was
in a wild disheveled cloud of auburn hair.

Ahatful of cold water from a neighboring
spring dashed into her upturned face; a con-
tinued chafing of the pure white soft hands;
then there was a convulsive twitching of the
features, a low moan, and the eyes opened and
darted a glance of aflright into the face of the
Scarlet Boy.

“ Fear not, miss;" and the youth gently sup-
ported her to asitting posture. “I and a friend,
and your cruel captors have vamosed. Lucky
I came along just as I did, or it’s likely they’d
have killed you.”

“Oh! sir. how can I ever thank you for
rescuing me from those merciless fiends!” and
the maiden gave him a grateful glance. “ They
whipped me, terribly!”

“ I know, lady—a1 because you defended your-
self in Red Canyon.”

“I suppose so: but how did you find out so
much, and, also, etfect my release from the
savages?”

Fearless Frank leaned up against the tree
which had been used as the torture-stake, and
related what is already kn0wn to the reader.

When he had finished, the rescued captive
seized his hand between both her own, and
thanked him warmly.

“ Had it not been for you, sir, no one but our
God knows what would have been my fate.
On! air, what can I do, more than to thank you

 

a. thousand times, to repay you for the great
service you have rendered me?”

“Nothing. lady; nothing that I think of at
present. Was it not my duty, while I had the
power, to free you from the hands of those bar-
barians? Certainly it was, and I deserve no
thanks. But tell me, what is your name, and
were your friends all killed in the train from
which you were taken?”

“I had no friends, sir, save a lady whose ac-
$uaintance I made on the journey out from

heyenne. As to my name—you can call me
Miss Terry.”

“ Mystery!” in blank amazement.

“ Yes,” with a gay laugh—“ Mystery, if you
choose. My name is Alice Terry. ’

“ Oh!” and the youth began to brighten.
“ Miss Terry, to be sure; Mystery! ha! ha! good
joke. I shall call you the latter. Have you
friends or relatives East?’

“No. I came West to meet my father, who
is somewhere in the Black Hills.”

“Do you know at what place?”

“I do not."

“ I fear it will be a hard matter to find him,
then. The Hills now have a floating population
of about twenty-five thousand souls. Your fa-
ther would be one to find out of that lot.”

A faint smile came over the girl's face. “I
should know papa among fifty thousand. if ne-
cessary,” she said, “although I have not seen
him for years."

She failed to mention h0w many, or what
peculiarities she would recognize him by. Was

e blind, deaf or dumb?

Fearless Frank glanced around him, and saw
that a path rugged and steep led up to the prairie
above.

“ Come,” he said, offering his arm, “ we will
get 16p to the plains and go.”

“ here to?” asked Miss Terry, rising with an
effort. The welts across her back were swollen
and painful.

“ Deadwood is my destination. I can deviate
from my course, however, if it will accommo-
date you.”

“ Oh! no; you must not inconvenience your-
self on my account. I am of little or no con-
se uence, you know.”

he leaned upon his arm, and they ascended
the path to the plain above.

Frank's horse was grazing near by where the
scarlet youth had taken his unceremonious
tumble.

Ofl? to the northwest a cloud of dust rose
heavenward, and he rightly conjectured that it
bid from view the chieftain, Sitting Bull, and
his warriors. . '

His thoughts reverting to his com anion,
“ General" Nix, and the train of harity.
Jloe, he glanced toward where he had last seen
t em.

Neither were to be seen, now. Probably Nix
had rejoined the train, and it was out of eye-
shot behind a swell in the plains.

“Were you looking for some one?” Alice
asked, looking into her rescuer’s face.

“Yes. I was with a train when I first heard
your cries; I left the boys, and came to in-
vosrggate. I guess they have gone on without
me.

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 18

 

” How mean of them! Will we have to make
the 'nurney to the Hills alone?”

“ es, unless we should providentially fall in
with a train or be overtaken by a stage.”

“Are you not afraid l"

“ My cognomen is Fearless Frank, lady; you
can draw conclusions from that.”

He went and Caught the horse, arranged a.
blanket in the saddle so that she could ride side-
fashion, and assisted her to mount.

The sun was touching the lips of the horizon
with a golden kiss; more time than Frank
had supposed had elapsed since he left the
train.

For 011 toward the east shadows were hug-
ging close behind the last lingering rays of sun—
light; a couple of coyotes were sneaking into
view a few rods away; birds were winging
homeward; a perfume-laden breeze swept down
from the Black Hills, and fanned the pink
cheeks of Alice Terry into a vivid glow.

“We cannot go far,” said Frank, thoughtfully,
“ before darkness will overtake us. Perhaps
we had better remain in the canal, here, where
there is both grass and water. In the morning
we will take a fresh start.”

The plan was adopted: they camped in the
break, or “canal,” near where Alice had been
tortured.

Out of his saddle—bags Frank brought forth
crackers, biscuit and dried venison; these,
with clear sparkling water from the spring in
the Chaparral, made a meal good enough for
anybody.

The night was warm: no fire was needed.

A blanket spread on the grass served as a
resting place for Alice; the strange youth in
scarlet lay with his head resting against the side
of his horse. The least movement of the ani-
mal, he said, would arouse him; he was keen of
scent and quick to detect danger—meaning the
horse.

The night passed away without incident; as
early as four o’clock—when it is daylight on the
plains— Fearless Frank was astir.

He found the rivulet flowing from the spring
to abound with trout, and caught and dressed
some for the morning meal.

Alice was awake by the time breakfast was
ready. She bathed her face and bands in the
stream, combed her long auburn hair through
her fingers, and looked sweeter than on the
grevilous night—at least, so thought Fearless

ran .

“The day promises to be delightful, does it
not?" she remarked, as she seated herself to
partake of the repast.

“Exactly. Autumn months are ever enjoy-
able in the West."

The meal dispatched, no delay was made in
leaving the place.

Fearless Frank strode along beside his horse
and its fair rider, chatting pleasantly, and at
the same time making a close observation of
his surroundings. He knew he wasin parts fre-
quented by both red and white savages, and it
would do harm to keep on one‘s guar .

They traveled all day and reached Sage creek
at sunset.

' Here they remained over night, taking an
early start on the succeeding morning.

 

That day they made good progress, in conse-
quence of Fran ’3 purchase of a horse at Sage
creek from some friendly Crow Indians. and
darkness overtook them at the mouth of Red
Canyon, where they went into camp.

By steady pushing they reached Rapid creek
the next night, for no halt was made at Custer
City, and for the first time since leaving the
torture-ground, camped with a miner’s family.
As yet no cabins or shanties had been erected
here, canvas tents serving in the stead: to—day
there are between fifty and a hundred wooden
structures.

Alice was charmed with the wild grandeur of
the mountain scenery—with the countless acres
of blossoms and flowering shrubs, with the ro-
mantic and picturesque surroundings in gener-
al, and was very emphatic in her praises.

One day of rest was taken at Rapid creek;
then the twain pushed on, and when night
again overtook them, they rode into the bust—
ling, noisy, homely metropolis—Deadwood,
magic city of the Northwest.

CHAPTER VI.
ONLY A SNAKE—LOCATING A MINE.

HARRY REDBURN hurried cfil toward the
cabin, which was some steps away. In Anita’s
scream there were both terror and alfright.

Walsingham Nix, the hump-backed, bow-
legged explorer and prospector hobbled after
him, using his staff for support.

He had heard the scream, but years’ ex ri‘
ence among the “gals ” taught him theta emit
nine shriek rarely, if ever, meant anything.

Redburn arrived at the cabin in a few flying
bounds, and leaped into the kitchen.

There, crouched upon the floor in one corner,
all in a little heap, pale, trembling and terrified,
was Anita. Before her, squirming along over
the sandscrubbed floor, ev1dently disabled by a
blow, was an enormous black—snake.

It was creeping away instead of toward Ani-
ta, leaving a faint trai of crimson in its wake;
yet the young girl’s face was blanched with

ear.

” You screamed at that ?” demanded Redburn,
pointing to the coiling serpent.

“Ughl yes: it is horrible.”

“ But it is harmless. See—some one has 'ven
it a blow across the back, and it is disable for
harm.”

Anita looked up into his handsome face, won-

deringly.
“ 1 {guy at a rap across the spinal column,
w’en kim into the valle ,” said General Nix,
thrusuing his head in at a cor, a ludicrous grin
elongating his grisly features. “’Twar a~goin’
ter gnv me a yard or so uv et’s tongue, more or
less—consider’bly less of more than more of less
—so I jest salivated it across ther back, ker-
whack!"

Anita screamed a sin as she saw the General,
he was so rough an homely.

“Who are you?” she managed toarticulate,
as Redburn assisted herio rise from the floor.
“ What are you doing here, where you were not
invited?”

There was a degree of ham htiness in her
tonszd. that Redburn did not ream she pos-
sea

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 
 

 

The “ General ” rubbed the end of his nose,
chuckled audibly, then laughed outright.

“I opine this ar’ 3 free country, ain’t it,
marm, more or less? W’en a teller kerflum-
muxes rite down outer a payin’ streek, I opine
he’s goin’ter roost thar till he gits reddy to
vamoose, ain’t he?”

“But, sir, my brother was the first to dis-
cover this spot and build us a home here, and
he claims that all belongs to him.”

“He do? more or less—consider’bly less of
more than more uv less, eh? Yes, I kno’ yer
brother—leastways hev seen him an’ heerd
beeps about him. Letters uv his name spell Ned
Harris, not?”

“ Yes. sir; but how can you know him? Few
do, in Deadwood."

“ Nevyer mind thet, my puss. Ole Walsing-
ham Nix do kno’ a few things yet, of he ar’ a
hard o'ld nut fer w’ich thar is not cra’kin’.”

Anita looked at Redburn doubtfully.

“Brother would be very angry if he were to
return and find this man here. What would
you advise?"

“I am of the opinion that he will have to
vacate,” replied Harry decidedly.

“Nix cum-a—rousel" disagree the old pros-
pector. “I’m hyar, an’ thar’s no yearthly use
o’denyin’ that. Barrin’ ye ar’ a. right part—
lookin’ kid, stranger, allow me ter speculate thet
it would take a dozen, more or less—consider’-
bly ,less uv more than more 0’ less—tar put me
out.

Redburn laughed heartily. The old fellow’s
bravado amused him. Anita, however, was
silent; she put dependence in her protector to
arrange matters satisfactorily.

“ That savors strongly of rebellion,” Redburn
observed, sitting down upon a lounge that stood
hard by. “Besides, you have an advantage—l
would not attack you; you are old and unfltted
for combat; deformed and unable to do battle.”

“Exactlyl” the “General” confidently an-
nounced. . I

“ What good can come of your remaining
here?” demanded Anita.

‘fSit down, marm, sit down, an’ I’ll rceed
ter divest myself uv w’at little infermation I’ve
got stored up in my noddle. Ye see, mum. mv
name’s Walsingham Nix, at yer service—Wal-
singham bein’ my great-great-grandad’s frontis-
piece, while Nix war ther hind-wheeler, like nor
w’at a he-mule ar’ w’en hitched ter a schooner.
Ther Nix family war a great one, bet yer false
teeth; originated about tber time Jouer swal-
lered the whale down nigh Long Branch, and
’ve bin handed down from time to time till ye
behold in me ther last survivin’ pilgrim from
ther ancestral block. Thar was one remarka—
ble 7pecooliarity about ther Nix family, frum
root tar stump, an’ thet war, they war nevyer
known ter refuse a gift or an advantageous of-
fer; in this respeck they bore a striking resem-
blance ter the immortal G‘orge Washington:—
G’orge war innercent; he had never tell a lie.
:80 war our family: they never hed it in their
hearts to say Nine to an offer uv a good feed or
:a decoction o’ brandy.

“ It war a disease—a hereditary aflfection uv
'ther hull combined system. The terrible mala-
-dy attacked me w’en I war an infant prodigy,

 

an’ I’ve nevyer yit see’d thet time w’en I c’u’d
resist the temptation an’ coldly say ‘ nix ’ w‘en a
brother pilgrim volunteered ter make a liberal
dispensation uv grub, terbarker or bug-juice.
Nix ar’ a word thet causes sorrer an’ suffering
ter scores ’n’ scores 0’ people more or less—gin-
erally more uv less than less uv more—an’
tharfore I nevyer feel it my duty, as a Christ-
yun,ter set a bad example w’ich others may
fuller.”

Redburn glanced toward Anita, a quizzical
expression upon his genial face.

.“ I fail to see how that has any reference as to
the cause of your stay among us.” he observed,
amused at the quaint lingo of the prospector.

“ Sart’in not. sart’in not! I had just begun
ter git thar. I’ve only bin gi’in’ ye a geological
ijee uv ther Nix family’s formation; I’ll now
perceed to illustrate more clearly thr’u’ veins
an’ channels hitherto unexplored, endin’ up wi'
a reg’lar hoss-car proposal.’

Then the old fellow proceeded with a ram-
bling “ yarn,” giving more guesses than actual
information, and continued on in this strain;

“ So thar war gold. I went ter work an’
swallered a pill o’ opium, w’ich made me sleep.
an’ while I war snoozin’ I dreampt about ther
perzact place whar thet gold war secreted. It
war in a little pocket beneath the bed of a
spring frum which flowed a little creeklet.

“ Next mornin’, bright an’ earl, , I shouldered
pick, shuvyel an’ pan, an’ went or thet identi-
cal spring. To—day thet poo et, havin’ been
traced into a rich vein, is payi ’ as big or bigger
nor any claim on Spring creek.”*

Both Redburn and Anita were unconsciously
becoming interested.

“And do you think there is gold here, in this
flower-strewn pocket-valley?”

“ I don’t think it—I knew it. I bed a dreem
et war hayr in big quantities, so I h’isted my
carcass this direction. Ter—nite I’ll hev ernuther
nighthoss, an’ thet’ll tell me precisely where
ther strike ar’.”

Redburn drummed a tattoo on the arm of the
lounge with his fingers; he was reflecting on
what he had heard.

“ You are willing to make terms, I suppose,”
he said, after a, while, glancing at Anita to see
if he was right. “ You are aware, [ believe,
that we still hold possession above any one else.”

“ True snuff. Ye war first to diskiver this
place; ye orter hev yer say about it.”

“ Well then, perhaps we can come to a bar-
gain. on can state your prices for locating
and opening up this mine, and we will con-
sider.”

“ We], let me see. Ef the mine proves ter be
ekal ter the one that 1 located on Spring creek,
I’ll rake in a third fer my share uv the di 3.
Ei ’tain’t good’s I eXpect, I’ll take a quarter.’

Redburn turned to Anita.

“From what little ex erience I have had, I
think it is a. fair ofl.’er. hat is your view of
the matter, and do you believe your brother
will be satisfied?"

“ Ohl yes, sir. It will surprise and please
him to return and find his Paradise has been
turned into a gold mine.”

 

*AfB/Otu'

    
  
   
  
   
   
 
 
 
   
    
  
 
 
    
  
  
    
  
  
   
    
  
  
 
    
    
  
 
 
    
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

£15

 

“All right, then. we will go ahead and get
things in shape. We will have to get tools,
though; before we can accomplish much of any-
thing.’

“ My brother has a miner’s outfit here,” said
Anita. “That will save you strip to Dead-
wood for the present.”

And so it was all satisfactorily arranged.
During the remainder of the ay the old
“General” and Redburn wandered about
through the flower-meadows of the pocket, here
and there examining a little soil; now chipping
rock among the rugged foothills, then “ fee ing
in the bed of the creek. But not a sign of any-
thing like gold was to be found, and when night
called them to shelter, Redburn was pretty
thoroughly convinced that Nix was an enor-
mous “ sell,” and that he could ut all the gold
they would find in his eye. he “General,”
however, was confident of success, and told
many doubtful yarns of former discoveries and
exploits.

Anita prepared an evening meal that was
both tempting and sumptuous. and all satisfied
their appetites, after which Harry took down
the guitar, suspended from the wall, tuned it
up, and sung in a clear, mellow voice a number
0 ballads. to which the “General.” much to the
surprise of both Redhurn and Anita, lent a rich
deep bass—a voice of superior culture.

The closing piece was aweird melody—the
lament of a heart that was broken, love-blasted
—and was rendered in a style worthy of a pro-
fessional vocalist. The last mournful strains
filled the cabin just as the last lingering rays of
sunlight disappeared from the mountain top,
and shadows came creeping down the rugged
walls of rock to concentrate in the Flower
Pocket, as Anita had named her valley hozne.
'Redburn rose from his seat at the window and
reached the instrument to its accustt med shelf,
darting a glance toward sad Anita a moment
later. To his surprise be perceived that her
head was bowed upon her arm that lay along
the window-ledge—that she was weeping softly,
to herself.

Acting the gentlemanly part, . the young
miner motioned for Nix to follow him, and they
both retired to the outside of the cabin to lounge
on the grass and smoke, and thus Anita was
left alone with her grief and such troubles as
were the causes thereof.

Certain it was that she had a secret, but
what it was Redburn could not guess.

About ten o’clook be and Nix re-entered the
cabin and went to bed in a room alloted to
them, OE from the little parlor. Both went to
sleep at once, and it was well along toward
morning when Redburn was aroused by being
ruder shaken by “ General” Nix, who was
up and dressed, and held a torch in his hand.

"Come! come!" he said in e. husky whisper
and a glance convinced Harry that he was still
asleep, although his eyes were wide open and
staring.

Without a word the young man leaped from
bed,donned his garments, an the old man then
led the way out of the cabin.

In assing through the kitchen, Redburn saw
that nita was up and waiting.

“Come 1” he said, seizing a hatchet and

 

stake, “ we are about to discover the goldemine
and our fortunes,” with a merry laugh.

Then both followed in the wake of the sleep-
walker, and were led to near the center of the
valley, which was but a few steps in the rear of
the cabin. Here was a bed of sand washed
there from an overflow of the stream, and at
ghilst the “General” pointed, as he came to a

a .

“ There! there is the gold—millions of it
deep down—twenty or thirty feet—in sand—
easy to get! di l DIGl DIG!’

Redburn mar ed the spot by driving the stake
in the ground.

it now only remained to dig in the soil to
verify the truth of the old man’s fancy.

 

CHAPTER VII.
DEADWOOD DICK on THE ROAD.

Rmnme noisily through the black canyon road to
Deadwood, at an our long ast midni ht, came the
stage from Cheyenne. loade down wit assengers,
and full five hours late, on account 0 a broken
shaft, which had to be replaced on the road. There
were six plun ing, snorting horses attached whom
the veteran J e u on the box, managed with the skill
of a circusman. and all the time the crack! snap! of
his long-lashed gad made the night resound as like
so many pistol reports.

The road was through a wild, tortuous canyon,
fringed with tall spectral pines, which occasionally
admitted a bar of ghostly moonlight across the
rough road over which the stage tore with wild
recklessness.

InSide, the vehicle was crammed full to its utmost
capacity. and therefrom emanated the strong fumes
of whisky and tobacco—smoke, and stronger lan-
guage, over the delay and the terrible Jolting of the
conveyance.

In addition to those penned up inside, there were
two passengers positioned on top, in the rear of the
driver, where they clung to the trunk railings to keep
from being jostled 011'.

One was an elderly man, tall in stature and notice-
ably portli, with a florid countenance. cold ay
eyes, and air and heard of brown, free] mixed
With silvery threads. He was ele ant] at lred, his
costume being of the finest (:10 an of the very
latest cut' boots patent-leathers, and hat glossy ass.
mirror; diamonds gleamed and sparkled on his im-
maculate shirt-bosom, on his fingers and from the
seal of a heavy gold chain across his vest front.

The other personage was a counterpart of the first
in every particular, save that while one was more
than a semi-centenarian in ears the other was bare-
ly twenty. The same fault ess elegance in dress, the
same elaborate display of jewels and the same
haughty, aristocratic bearing produced in one was
mirrored in the other.

They were father and son.

“ Confound such a road 1” growled the younger
man, as the stage bounced him about like a rubber-
nall. “ For mypart I wish I had remained at home,
instead of coming out into this outlandish region.
It is perfectly aw ul.“

“¥-y-y-e-s!j’ chattered the elder between the jolts
and erks—“ it is not what it should be, that’s true.
But ave patience; ere long we will reach our des-
tination, and—”

“ Get shot like poor Vansevere did i” sneered the
other. “ I tell you, governor, this is a. desperate
game you are playing.“

The old man smile , grimly.

“ Desperate or not, we must carry it through to
the end. Vansevere was not the right kind of a man
to set after the young scamp."

agow do you mehan?” may

e was too ras —ent too rash. Deadwood
Dick is a daring whelp, and Vansevere’s open

 

 

10 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

odor of a reward for his apprehension only put the
young tiger on his guard, and he will be more wary
and watchful in the future."

This in a positive tone.

“ Yes; he will be harder to trap than a fox who
has lost a foot between jaws of steel. He will be re-
ve eful, tool” _

“ ahl Ifear him not old as Iam. He is but a
boy in‘years, you remember, and will be easily man-

ged.
l “i hope so; I don’t want my brains blown out, at
eas .’

The stage rumbled on; the J ehu cursed and lashed
his horses; the canyon grew dee er, narrower and
darker, the grade slightly descen ing.

The moon seemed resting on the summit of a peak,
hundreds of feet above, and staring down in surprise
at the noisy Sta 6.

Alexander Fil more (the elder passenger) succeed-
ed in steadying himself long enough to ignite _the
end of a cigar in the bowl of Jehu’s grimy pi e;
then he watched the trees that flitted by. C ar-
enoe, his son, had smoked incessantly since leaving
Camp Crook, and now threw away his half-use
cheroot, and listened to the sighing of the spectral

pines.

“ The girl—what about her?" he asked, after some
moments had elapse .

" She will be as much in the way as the boy will.”

“She? Well, we‘ll attend to her after we git him
out of the way. He is the worst obstacle in our path
at present. Maybe when you see the girl you will
take a fancy to her.”

“ Pishl I want no pettlcoats clinging to me—much
less an ignorant backwoods clodho per. She is
probably a fit mate for an Indian chie ."

“ You are too rough on the tender sex, boy," and
the elder Filmore gave vent to a. disconnected laugh.
“You, must remember that your mother was a wo-
man.

“ Was she ?” Clarence bit the end of his waxed
mustache, and mused over his sire’s startli an-
nouncement. “ You recollect that I never saw er."

“ D’ye carry poppin’—jeys, pil rims?" demanded
Jehu, turning so suddenly upon 1: e two passenge:s
as to frighten them out of their wits.

“ Poppin days?" echoed Filmore, senior.

“ Yas— s utin’-irons —-rewolvers —pitent perfo-
ratin’ masheens.” ,

“ Yes, we are armed. if that is what you mean."

0n dashed the stage through the echoing canyon-
on plunged the snorting horses, excited to greater
eflorts b the frequent application of the cracking
lash. T e pines grew t icker, and the moonlight
less often darted its rays down athwart the road.

“Hey!” yelled a _rough voice from within the
stage, “w‘at d‘ye drive so fast fur? Ye’ve jonced
the senses clean out uv a score 0’ us."

“Go to blazesl" shouts back Jehu. giving an ex
tra crack to his Whigis “ Who‘n the name 0’ John
Rodgers ar’ drivin’ t omnyhust, pilgrim i—you or

“ You’ll floor a boss of ye don‘ mind sharp!"

- “ Who’n thunder wants ye to pay fer et. ef I do?"
rings back, tauntmgly. “Rsckon w‘en Bill McGucken
can’t drive ther thru;ter—Dertdwood stage as gude as
ther average. he'll suspend bizness, or hire you ter
steer in his place.”

On, on rumbles the stage, down through a lower
grade of the canyon, where no moonlight penetrates,
and all is of Styglan darkness,

The two passengers on to% of the stage shiver
with dread, and even old ill McGucken peers
around him a trifle suspiciously.

It is a wild spot, with the mountains rising on each
side of the road to a stupendous hight, the towering
pines moaning their sad, eternal requiem; the roar
of the great wheels over the hardpan bottom: the
snorting of the fractious lead-horses; the curses and
-crackin .of Jehu‘s whip; the rin of iron-shod
hoofs—l is a. place and moment con ucive to fear,
mute wonder, admiration.

 

It  '[H

“ High above all other sounds now rings this cry,
home toward the advancing stage from the. 1m ne
trable spaco of gloom ahea brought down in c ear,
commanding tone wherein there is neither fear nor
hesitation.

That one word has marvelous effect. It brings a
grip of iron into the hands of J ehu, and he jerks his
snorting steeds back upon their haunches; it is
instrumental in stopping the stage. (Who ever knew
a Black Hills driver to offer to press on when chal—
lenged to halt in a Wild, dismal place?)

It sends a thrill of lonely horror through the veins
of thoseto whose ears the cry is home it causes
hands to fly to the butts of weapons, and hearts to
beat faster. .

“Haltl” A ain the cry rings forth, reverberating
in a hundred 'ssimilar echoes up the rugged moun-
tain-side.

The horses uiet down' Jehu sits like a carved
statue on his ox; the sxlence becOmes painful to
those within the stage—those who are trembling in a

fever of excitement, and peering from the open-

windows with revolvers cooked for instant use.

The moon suddenly thrusts her golden head over
the pinnacle of a hoary peak a thousand feet above,
and lights up the gorge with a El astly distinctness
that enables the watchers to be old a black horse-
man blocking the path a few rods ahead.

"Silencel Listenl” Two words this time, in the
same clear, commanding veice. A pause of a
moment; then the stillness is broken by the ominous
clickl clickl of a score of rifles; this alone announces
that the stage is “ covered.”

Then the lone horseman rides leisurely down
toward the stage and Jehu reco nizes him. It is
Deadwood Dick, Iii-ince of the Bo l

Mounted lipon his midnight steed, and clad in the
weird suit 0 black, he makes an imposing spectacle,
as he comes fearlessly up. Well may he be bold
and fearless, for no one dares to raise a hand
against him, when the glistening barrels of twelve
rifles, protruding from each thicket that fringes
the road, threaten those within and without the
st .
C ose up to the side of the coach rides the daring
young outlaw, his piercing orbs peering out from

he eye-holes in his black mask, one hand clasping
the bridle-reins the other a nickel-plated seven-
shooter drawn back at full cock.

“ You do well to stop, Bill McGucken!” the road- '

agent observes. reining in his steed. “Iexpeeted
you hours ago, on time."

’Twam’t my fault, yer honorl” replies J‘hu,
meek as a lamb under the gaze of the other’s pop-
gun. “Ye see, we broke a pole this side 0‘ Custer
City, an’ that set us behind several p’ints o’ ther
compass."

“‘Pyyhat have you aboard to-night worth examin~

“Nothin’. yer honor. Only a stageful uv passen-
gers. this trip.”

“ Bahl you are getting poor. Get down from OR
the box, there!"

The driver trembled and hesitated.

“ Get downl" again commanded the road-agent,
leveling his revolver. “before I drop you.”

In terror McGucken made haste to scramble to
the ground, where he stood with his teeth chatter-
ing and knees knocking with terror in amanuer
pitiahle to see.

_“Ha. ha, ha l” That wild laugh of Deadwood
Dick’s made the welkin ring out a weird chorus.
“ Bill McGucken, you should join the regular army
you are so brave. Ha, ha, hal"

And the laugh was taken up by the road-knights.
concealed in the thicket, and swelled into a wild,
boisterous shout.

Poor McGucken trembled in his boots in abject
terrorii while those inside the coach were pretty well
scare . ‘

“ Driver,” said the Prince of the Road coolly, after

 

._____4'.,‘._._ ._ hi _..__

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 1‘?

 

the laugh “ go you to the passengers Who grace this
ricket s ebang and take up a collection. You
needn t cum to me wi‘ less’n five hundred, ef ye
don’t want me to salt el" ‘

Bowing humble obeisance, McGuckcn took off his
hat and made for the stage door. .

" Gentlemen,” he pleaded, ‘f there 18 need 0’ yer
dutchin’ out yer dudads right liberal, ef. ye’ve enn
purtic’laranticypation an” deSire ter git ter Dca -
wood ter-night. Dick the Road-Agent are law an’
gos e1 heerabouts, I s ec’late!”

“gmrned a cent ’11 fork!" growled one old fellow
loud enough to be heard. “ I ain’t afeerd 0’ all the
robber Dicks from here ter J erusalum."

But when he saw the muzzle of the young road-
agent’s revolver azing in throu, h the win ow, he
suddenly changeg his mind, an laid a lethoric
pocketbook into McGucken’s already well- lled hat.

The time occupied in making the collection was
short, and in a few moments the Jehu handed up
his battered “plug ” to the Prince of the Road for
inspection.

Coolly Deadwood Dick went over the treasure. as
if it were all rightfully his own; then he chucked
hat and all into one of his saddle-bags, after which
he turned his attention toward the stage. As he did
so he saw for the first time the two passengers on
top, and as he gazed at them a gleam of fire shot
into his eyes, and his hands nervously griped at his
weapon. .

“ lexander Filmore, you.herel” he ejaculated,
his voice betraying his suiprise.

“ Yes,” rephed the elder Filmore, coldly—“here
ou dastardly dog," and quickly

to shoot you ‘ .
e took rapid and deadly aim, and

raising a pistol
tired. ’

 

CHAPTER VIII.
nor sari

WITH agroan Deadwood Dickfell to the ground,
blood 3 urtin from a wound in his breast. The
bullet o the e der Filmore had indeed struck home.

Loud then were the cries of rage and vengeance,
as a score of masked men poured out from the
thickets, and surrounded the stage. _ ‘ ,

“Shoot the accursed nig erl” cried one. ‘He 5
killed our leader, an’ by a the saints in ther cal-
endur he shall pay the penalty 1”

“N01 no!” yelled another. “we’ll do no such a
thing. He shall swing in mid-air!” .

“ Heyl” cried a third, rising from the Side of the

rostrate road-agent, “in1 ye be so fast, boys.
The capt’in still lives. He is not seriously wounded,

,u
“in loud huzza went up from the score of throats,
that caused a thousand echoing reverberations along
the mountain-side. ,

“ Better let ther cant’in say what we shall do Wi‘
yon cuss o‘ creashunl" suggested one who was an;
parently a leadi spirit; “ it’s his funeral, am t it?

“Yas, yas. it‘s is funeral!” .

“ Then let him do ther undertakin’.” _

Robber Dick was accordingly supported to 3. Sit-
ting posture. and the blood that flowed freely from
his wound was stanched. In the operation his
mask became loosened and slipped to the ground,
but so quickly did he snatch it up and replace it,
that no one caught even a glimpse of his face.

In the meantime Clarence Filmore had discharged
everv load in his two six-shooters into the air. He
had 'an object in doing this; he thought that the re-
ports of fire-arms would reach Deadwood (which
was only a short mile distant, around the bend),
and arouse the military, who would come to his
rescue.

Dick's wound dressed, he stood once more upon
his feet, and glared up at the two men on the box.
They were plainly revealed in the ghostly moon.
light. and their features easin studie . I

“ Alexander Filmore!” the young'road-agent said,
aterrible depth of meaning in his mice, that the
cowering wretch could but understand.

 

“ Alexander Filmore, on have at last come out
and shown your true co are. What a treacherous.
double—dyed villain you are] Better so. better that
you should take the matter into your own hands
and face the music than to employ tools, as you have
done heretofore. can fight a dozen enemies face
to face better than one or two lurking in the bushes."

The elder Filmore uttered a savage curse.

4‘ You. triumph .now I” he growled, biting his
gather lip in vexation; “but it will not always be

us.‘

“ Eh?think not? I think I shall have to adopt you
for awhile. Boys, haul down the two and bind them
securely.”

Accordingly, a rush was made upon the stage and
the two outside passengers. Down they were hauled,
head over heels, and quickly secured by strong cords
about the wrists and ankles.

This done, Deadwood Dick turned to Bill Me-
Gucken, who had ventured to clamber to the seat of
the coach.

“ Drive on, you cowardly lout—di‘ive on. We've
done With you for the present. But, remember, not
a, word of this to the population of Deadwood, if
you intend to ever make another trip over this route.

ow, go ’

Jehu needed not the second invitation He never
was tard in, getting out of the way of danger; so
he pickc u the reins, gave an extra sharp crack of
the long w i , and away rolled the joining stage
through the b ack can on, disap caring a moment
later around the bend eyond w ich lay Deadwood
—magic city of the Wilderness.

Then, out irom the thicket the road agents led
their horses; the two prisoners were secured in the
saddles in front of two brawny outlaws, and without
delay the cavalcade moved down the gorge, weirdly
illuminated by the mellow raysof the soaring moon.

 

.Cla'rence Filmore had hoped that the report of
his istol-shots would reach Dead wood. If so his
Wis es were fulfilled. The reports reached the ar-
racks above Deadwood just as a horseman galloped
up the hill—Major R—— just in from a carouse down
at the “ Met."

“ Hallool” he shouted, loudly. “To horse! there
is trouble in the gorge. The Sioux, under Sitting
Bull, are upon usl’

As the majors word was law at the barracks, in
very short order the garrison, was aroused, and
headed by the major in Eerson, a cavalcade of sleepy
soldiers swept down t e gorge toward the place
whence had come the firing. '

Wildly around the abrup bend they clashed with
yells ofla'ntimpated victory; then there was a fright-
ful colhsmn between the incoming stage and the
outgomg cavalry; the shrieks and screams of ho
the curses and yells of wounded men; and a genera
pandemonium ensued.

The coach. passengers, horses, and all was upset.
and went rolling down a stee embankment. .
,Major R,——— was. precipita ed headlong over the
embankment, and in his downward flight probabl
saw more than one soaring comet. He struck hea -
first in a muddy run, and a sorrier-lookin ofiicer of
the U. S. A. was never before seen in the lack Hills
as he emerged from his bath, than the major. ' His
ridiculous appearance went so far as to stay the gen-
eral torrent of blasphemy and turn it into a channel

of boisterous laughter.

No delay was made in putting thigss sfip-sha e
again, and ere morning dawned De wo. behe d
the returned soldiers and wrecked stage With its sul-
len passengers Within its precincts.

Dick and. his men rode rapid] down the canyon,
the two prisoners bringing up t 6 rear under the es-
cort of two masked guards.

gage? guards were brothers and Spanish-Mexicans
a a .

The elder Filmore, a keen student of character,
was not long in making out these Spaniards’ true

 

       
    
  
 
  
   
  
  
  
 
     
  
   
  
   
  
   
    
     
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
    
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
 
 
 
   
   
   
   

 

 

\18 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

character, nor did their greedy glances toward his
and his son‘s diamonds escape him. .

“ We want to get free i” he at last whispered, when
none of those ahead were glancmg back. “ You will
each receive a cool five hundred apiece if you will set
us at liberty.”

The two road-agents exchanged glances.

“ It‘s a b ain. ' returned one. ‘ Stop your horses

and let the at are go on."

The main party were at this juncture riding swift-
ly down a steep grade.

The four horses were quietly reined in, and when
the others were out of hearing their noses were
turngd back up the canyon in the direction of Dead-
woo .

“This will be an unhealthy job for us," said one
of the brothers, “ should we ever meet Dick again."

“ Fear him not i" replied Alexander Filmore, with
an oath. “ If he ever crosses your ath shoot him
down like a do and I’ll give you a ousand dollars
for; tiae ’work. he sooner he dies the better I’ll be
en te .’

He spoke in a tone of strongest hate—deepest ran-
cor.

 

CHAPTER IX.
AT 'rnn “Mar.”

A new nights subsequent to the events related in
our last chapter it becomes our duty to again Visit
the notorious “ Metropolitan “ saloon 01' Deadwood
to see what is going on there.

As usual everyth ngraround the place and in it is
literally “ red hot." he bars are constantly crowd-
ed. the gamin -tables are never empty, and the
floor is so full 0 surgin humanity that the dance.
fongefily a chief attract on, has necessarily been sus-
pen e .

The influx of “ pilgrims ” into the Black Hills for
the last few days has been something more than
wonderful, every stage coming in overcharged with
feverish gassengers, and from two to a dozen trams
arriving “15.68,

01' course dwood receives a larger share of all
this immigration—nothing is more natural. for the
young metropolis of the hills is the miner‘s rendez-
vous. being in the center of the best yieldiu locates.

Every person in Deadwood can tell you w are the
“Met’ is. as it is general headquarters

We mount the mud-splashed ste s and disappear
behind the screen that stands in rent of the . oor.
Then the merry ciink of glasses, snatches of nbald
song. and loud curses from the olluted lips of some
wretch who has lost heavily a the gaming-table.
reach our hearing. while our gaze wanders over as
lsnicfltjley a crowd as it has ever been our fortune to be-

0 . .

Men from the States—lawyers. doctors, specula-
tors. adventurers. ilgrlms, and dead-beats; men
from the western si e of the Missouri; grisly miners
from Colorado; hunters and trapper-s from Idaho
and Wyomin ; card sharps from Denver and Fr’isco,
pickpockets rom St. Joe and bummers from Omaha
—-ail are here, each one a part of a strange and on
the whole a very undesirable commumty.

Although the dance has been suspended, that does
not necessitate the discharge of the brazen-faced
girls. and they may yet be seen here with the rest,
mingl freely among the crowd.

Seate at a table in a somewhat retired corner.
were two persons en aged at cards. One was a
beardless youth attire in buckskin. and armed with
knife and pistols; the other a big, burly tough from
the upper chain—grisly bloated and repulsive. He
too, was nothing sho of a walking arsenal, an
it was plain to see that he was a desperate char-
acter.
' The game was poker. The youth had won three
straight games and now laid down the cards that
ended the fourth in his favor.

“You’re flexed ‘in, pardnerl" he said. with a
light laugh. as he ed in the stakes. “This takes
your all, eh?”

 

  

“ Every darned bit!" said the “ Cattymount "—for
it was hehwith an oath. “ You‘ve peeled me to
ther hide, an‘ no mistake. Salivated me ‘way out 0’
time, sure’s thar ar’ modesty in a bar-girl’s tongue!"

The youth laughed. “ You are not in luck to-night.
Maybe your luck will return, if you keep on. Haven‘t
you another V?"

“ Nary another I”

.“hvghere‘s your pard. that got salted the other
mg

“Who—Chet Diamond? Wal, hee’s around heer,
sum’ars, but I can’t borry none off 0‘ him. N 0; I’ve
gotter u.it straight off."

“I’ll end you ten to begin on,” said the youth.
and he laid an X in the rufi'lan’s hands. “ here,
now, go ahead with your funeral. It’s your deal.”

The cards were dealt, and the game pla ed, re-
sulting in the favor of the “ Cattymount.’ nother
and another was played, and the tough won every
time. Still ' ‘ze youth kept on1 n, uiet smile resting
on his fleasant features, a twmk e in his coal<black
eye. he youth, dear reader you have met before.
He is not he, but instead—dalamity Jane. 011 goes
the game the burly “tough "' winnin all the time,
his pile o tens steadily increasing in jght.

“ 1‘qu about Joner an’ the ark, an’ Noar an’ ther
whalei“ he cries, :lappin another X onto the pile
with great enthusiasm: “ bed a grate, grate muth-
er-in-law w’at played keerds wx‘ Noar inside 0’ that
eyedentical wha e’s stummick—played poker wi‘
w'alebones fer pokers. They were afterwards land-
ed at Plymouth Rock, or sum uther big rock, an‘ fit
together, side by side, in the rebellyuns."

“IndeedW—Mth an amused laugh—“then you
must have descended from along line of respected
ancestors. "

“Auntsisters? Wa’al. I jest about reckon I do. I
hev got ther blood 0‘ Cain and Abel in my veins,
boyee, an' ef I ken’t raise the biggest kind 0’ Coin.
’tain’t because I ain't able—obi no. Face anuther,
pi rim?"

‘ Ircckon. How much hev ye got piled up thar
in that heap?”

“ Squar’ ninety tens, my huckleberry, an’ all won
fa’r on bet.”

” en it’s the first time you ever won an thing
fair, Cass Diamond I" exclaimed a voice 0 ose at
hand. and the two players looked up to see Ned
Harris standing near by, with his hands clasped
across his breast.

Calamity Jane nodded indifferently. She had
seen the youu miner on several occasions: once she
had been ren cred an invaluable service when he
rescued her from a. brawll in which a dozen toughs
had attacked her. '

“Cattymount” Cass, brother of Chet Diamond
the Deadwood card-king. recognized him also, and
with an oath. sprung to his feet.

“ By r71 the Celestvalsi” he ejaculated, jerking
forth a six-shooter—“by all the roerin’ screechin‘
shriekin’. yowlin’, squawkin', ring-tailed flat-futte
cattymounts thet ever did ther forest aisles 0' old
Alaska traverse! ynu here, ye infernal smooth-faced
varmint? You heer, arter all ye‘ve did to ride ther
cittyzens o' Deadwood inter rebellyun, e leetle pig-
minian deputy uv ther devil? Hurral Kurra! boys!
let ’5 string him 11 ter ther nearest sapling!"

“Hal ha!" laug ed Harris, coolly, ‘ hearthe cow-
ard squeal for his pard’s assustance. Dassen’t stand
on his own leather for fear of gettin' salted fer all
he‘s worth.“

“You're a liarl” roared the “ Cattymount,"
spreading himself about romiscuously, but the two
words had scarcely left is ii 3 when a blow from
the fist of Ned Harris reached im under the left eye
and he went sprawling on the ground in a heap.

“ Herel herel” roared a stran'rer, rushing in u on
the scene. and hurling the crowd aside with a ex-
terlty something wonderful. “What is the mean-
ing of all this? Who knocked Cass Diamond down i”

‘I had that honor,” cool]. remarked Ned Harris
stepping boldly up and co routing the Deadwood

      

 

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 19

 

Card-kin . for it was the notorious Chet Diamond
who ha asked the question. “I smacked him in
the gob. Chet Diamond, for calling me a liar, and
am ready to accommodate a few more, if there are
any who wish to prefer the same charge.”

“Bully, Ned! and here’s what will back you!”
cried Calamity Jane, leaping to the miner‘s side, a
cocked six in either white, shapely hand—“so sail
in pilgrimsl”

biamond cowered back and swore furiously. The
wound in his breast was yet sore and rankliiig, and
he knew he owed it to the cool and calculating young
miner whose name was an omen of terror among
the “ toughs ” of Deadwood.

” Come on, you black-hearted acethiefl" shouted
Calamity Jane, thrustin the muzzle of one of her
plated revolvers forci ly under. the gambler’s
prominent nose—“ come on! slide in if you are after
squar' up-an’—down fun. We‘ll greet on best we
know how, an’ not charge you anyt ing, either.
Seel I’ve got a couple full ands c’ sixes; every one’s
atrumpl Ain’t ye got no aces hid u yer sleeves?"

The card sharp still cursed furious y, and backed
away. He dare not reach for a weapon lest the
dare-devil 'rl or young Harris, who now held a
Cockled pill- ox in each hand, “ should salt him on a

l a ’

"Hal. ha! hal” and the laugh of Calamity rung
wildly through the great saloon—“ha! ha! ha]
here’s a go! Who wants to buy a clipped~winged

shar 1!

“gold out right cheap!” added Ned, facetiously.
“ Clear the track and we‘ll take him out and boost
him to a limb 1"

At this juncture some half a. dozen of the gam-
bler‘s gang came rushing u , headed b Catamonnt
Cass, who had recovered mm the e ects of the
blow from Harris‘s fist.

“ At them! at ‘eml” roared the " screechin’ catty-
mount frum up nor’.” “ Rip, dig an‘ gouge 'em.
Ho! ho! we’ll see now who‘ll swing, we will! We'll
l'arn who‘ll display his agn'lity in mid-air, we will.
At 'em, b’yees, at ’emI We'll hang ’ein hke they do
boss-thieves down at Cheyenne."

Then followed a pitched battle in the bar-room of
the “ Metropolitan ” saloon, such as probably never
occurred there before, and never has smce.

Revolvers flashed on every hand. knives clashed in
deadly conflict; yells, wild, savage and awful made
a perfect pandemonium, to which was added a
second edition in the shape of oaths, curses, and

roans. Crack! whiz! bang! the bullets flew about
like hailstones, and men fell to the reeking floor
each terrible moment. .

The two friends were not alone in the adray.

No sooner had Catamount Cass and his gang of
“ toughs " showed fl ht. than a comfiapy of miners
sprung to Hari-is’s si e, and showed t eir Willingness
to fight it out on the stgiare line. .

Therefore, once the rst shot was tired, it needed
not a word to pitch the battle.

Fiercer waged the contest—now hand to hand—-
and loud rose the savage yells on the stillnight air.

One by one men fell on either side, their life-blood
crimsoning the floor, their dying groans unheeded in
the fearful melee.

Still unharmed. and fighting among the first. we see
Ned Harris and his remarkable companion, Ca-
lamity J ane; both are black, and scarcely recogniz-
able in the cloud of smoke that fills the bar-room.
Harris wounded in a dozen places and weak from
loss of blood; yet he stands up bravely and fights
mechanicallv. '

Calamity Jane if she is wounded shows it not, but
faces the music with as little apparent fear asaiiy of
those around her. ‘ ' '

On wages the battle. even as furiously as in its be-
ginning. the last shot has been fired; it is now lmife
to knife, and face to face.

Full as many of one side as the other have fallen,
and la strewn about under foot, unthought of. un-
cured or in the excitement of the desperate moment,

 

Gallons of blood have made the floor slippery and
rocking, so that it is difficult to retain one s footing.

At the head of the mtflans the Diamond brothers‘
still hold sway, fighting like madmen in their endear
vors to win a victory. They cannot do less, for to
back off in this critical moment means sure death to
the weakening party.

But hark! what are those sounds?

The thunder of boots is heard outside: the rattle
of musketry and sabers, and the next instant a com-
pan of soldie , headed by Ma'or R—, ride
straight up into t e saloon. firing rig t and left.

“ Come!” cried Calamity Jane, (grasping Harris by
the arm, and pulling him towar a Side door, “ it‘s
Ulfie ,for us to slope now. It‘s every man for him-
se .’

And only under her guidance was Ned able to es-
capte, and save being killed and captured with the
res .

 

About noon of the succeeding day, two persons on
horseback were coming along the north ch lead-
ing into Deadwood, at an easy Canter. cg were
the fearless Scarlet Boy, or as he is better nown,
Fearless Frank, and his lovely protegee, Miss Teri-v.
They had been for a morning ride over ten. neigh-
boring claim, and were 'iust returning.

Since their arrival in De adwood the youth had de-
voted a part of his time in a search for Alice‘s father
but all to no avail. None of the Citizens of Deadwood
or its surroundings had ever heard of such a person
as Captain Walter Terry.

The young couple had become fast friends from
their association, and Alice was improving in looks
ever day she stayed in the mountains.

“ feel hune¥,‘i observed Frank, as they rode

_ “ Thish e_ in the hills gives me a keen appe-
tite. How is it With you, lady ‘2"

“ The same as with you. ll guess. But look! You-
der comes a horseman toward us!"

it was even so. A horseman was gallo ing up the
gulch—no other than our young friend. lyed Harris.

As the two parties approach, the faces of each of
the youths grow deadly pale; there comes into their
eyes an ominous giitter- their hands each clasp the
butt of a revolver, and they grad ually draw rein.

That they nrefinemies o o d—that the fire of ran-
cor burns in their hearts, and that this meetingisun-
ex eeted, is plain to see.

_ ow, that they have met, probably for the first
time in months or years, it remains not to be doubt—
ed but a settlement must come between them—that
their hate must result in satisfaction, whether in
blood or not.

 

CHAPTER X.
was DUEL AND rrs assum'.

BELLIGERENT were the glances exchanged between
the two, as they sat there facing each other, each
with a hand closed over the butt of a pistol; each as
motionles: as a carved statue.

Alice Terry had grewn pale, too. She saw that
friend and protector and the st! anger were enemies
—that this meeting though {finely accidental was
not to end without trouble. er lips grew set, her
eyes flashed, and she reined her horse closer to that
of the Scarlet Boy. '

Ned Harris let a faint smile, of contem t and pity
combined, come into relief on his Ii s. as 6 saw this
action. Better ten male enemies him one female.
he thought' but. then, women must not stand in the
way, now. 1l‘lol nothing must block the path inter-
vening between enmity and vengeance.

Harris was, if anythin , the coolest of the three;
but. after all, why shoul he not be? He had 5 out
several years in society that seemed callous to ear,
-that knew not what it was to be a Christian; where
the utmost coolness was necessary to the preserva-
tion of life; where bravery was all, and education a

* Living characters. .

 

 
 

Deadwood Dick. the Prince of the Road. .

 

dead letter. Fearless Frank, too had seen all
phases of rough western life, probably, but his tem-
perament was more nervous and excitable, his pas-
sions tenfold harder to restrain. Still, he managed
to exercise a. cool exterior now that equaled that of
his 0 posits—his hated enemy. Mystery, as Frank
habi ually called the ' 1, did not offer to conceal her
feelings. It was bu natural that she should side
with him to whom she owed her life, and the glances
of scorn and indignation she shot at the young miner
inight have driven another man than him into a re-
reat.

Fearless Frank made no motion toward speech; he
was determined that the young miner should open
the uarrel, if a quarrel it was to be. But beneath
his rm-set lips were clinched two rows of teeth,
tightly, fiercely; while every nerve in the youth’s
body was drawn to its utmost tension.

Harris was wonderfully calm and at ease; only a
gray pallor on his handsome face and a menacing

reg; this piercing eyes told that he was in the least
as! 6 -

“Justin McKenzie l”

Sternly rung out the words on the clear mountain
air. Ned Harris had spoken, and the grayish allor
dee ned on his countenance while the fire 0 ran-
cor urned with stronger leam in his eagle eye.

The eflect on the scarle outh was scarcely no-
ticeable, more than that the ips grew more rigid and
compressed, and the right hand clutched the pistol-
butt more tightly. But no answer to the other‘s
summons.

“Justin McKenziel" again said the young miner.
calmly, “ do you recognize me?" .

The Scarlet Boy bows his head slowly. his eyes
watchful lest the other shall catch the drop on him.

“ Justin McKenzie, you do recognize me, even after
the elapse of two long weary years, during which I
have sought for you faithfully, but failed to find you
until this hour. We have at ast met, and the time
for settlement between you and me,Justiu McKenzie,
has arrived. Here in this out«of-the<way gorge, we
will settle the grudge I hold a must you— we
will see who shall live and who shal diel"

Alice Terry uttered a terrified 0?.

“Oh! no! 1101 you must not flg t—you must not.
It is bad—obi so awful Wicked!"

“ Excuse me, lady, but you will have no voice in
this matter" and the miner’s tone grew a trifle more
severe. “Knew ou the bitter wrong done me by
this young do ‘ with the smooth ace and oily
tongue—if you knew what a rl hteous cause I have
to defend, you would say ‘let t 9 battle roceed.’ I
am not one to thirst for the blood ofomy ellow- men
but I am one thatis ever ready to raise my hand an
strike in the defense of women 1”

Alice Terry secretly admired the stalwart young
miner for this gallant speech.

Fearless Frank, his face paler than before, an ex-

ression of remorse combined with anguish about

is countenance, and moisture standing in either
eye.assuuied his uasi-erect attitude as he answered:

“Edward Ham 5, if tyou will listen, I will say all I
have to say in a, ver ew words. You hate me be-
cause of a wrong I id you and yours, and you want
my life for the forfeit. I shall not hinder you longer
in our purpose. For two long years you have
tra ed and tracked me with the determination of a
bloodhound, and I have eva-led you, not that I was
at all afraid of you, but because I did not wish to
make you a murderer. I have come across your

nth at last; here let us settle, as you have said,

eel I fold my arms across my breast. Take out
your pistol. aim steadily, and fire twice at in breast.

have heard enough concerning your 5 {ill as a
marksman to feel confident that you can kill me in
two shots!"

Ned Harris flushed, angrily; He was surprised at
the cool indifference and rec lessness of the youth;
he was angered that McKenzie should think ham
mean enough to take such a preposterous advan-

 

“ You are a fooll” he sneered, biting his lip with
vexation. “ Do you calculate I am a murderer I"

“ I have no proof that on are or that you are
not] replied Fearless Fran controlling his temper
by a master effort. “ You remember I have not
kept a watch upon your actions.”

Be that can ma , I would be an accurscd dog
to take advantage 0 your insulting roposal. You
must fight me the same as I shall fig 1: cu!"

“No Ned Harris, I will do nothing 0 the kind. It
is I who have wronged you and yours; you must
take the offensive; I will play a silent hand.”

“ You refuse to fight me?“

“I do refuse to fight you, but do not refuse to give
you satisfaction for what wrong you have suffered.

ake my life, if you choose; it is yours. Take it, or
forever after this consider our debt of hatred can-
celed, and let us be—”

“ Friends? Never. Justin McKenzie, never! You
forget the stain dyed by your hand that will never

ash outl"

“ Nol nol God knows I do not forget!" and the
youth’s voice was hoarse with anguish. “ Could it
be undone, 1 would gladly undo the deed. But, tell
me, Harris, about hm Does she still live?”

“ Live? We-Ll. yes. if you can call staying living.
Life is but a blank; better she had died ere she ever
met you l”

“ , ou speak truly; better she had died ere she met
me. '

Unconsciously the two had ridden closer to each
:fiher;  they forgotten themselves in recalling

e as

“ he lives—may live on her lonel life for years to
come," Harris resumed, thoughtfu y, “ but her life
Will be merely endurance."

” Will you tell me where—where I can go in secret
and take but one look at her? If you will do this, I
will agree to meet you and give you your chance
for satis—"

” N01“ thundered Harris. growing suddenly furi-
ous, “no! a thousand times! I'd sooner see her in
the burnin depths of the bottomless it than have
you get. wi bin a hundred miles of er with your
contammatin g presence. She is safe] hidden away,
and that forever, from the companionship of our
sex. So let her be till death claims her 1”

“You are too hard on herl"

“ And not hard enough on you, base villain that
you are! Who is this young lady you have in your
company—another of your victims?"

. “ Hold! Edward Harris: enough of your vile in-
smuations. This lady is one whom I rescued from
Sitting Bull, the Sioux, and I am helping her to hunt
a father who, she says. is somewhere in the Black
Hills. Y’our language should at least be respectful.”

The rebuke stung young Harris to the nick, but
lfietreined in his passion in a moment, and ofled his

a .
“ Pardon me, miss. pardon me. It was ungentle-
manly for me to speak as I did, but I was surprised
at seein one of your sex in company with this ac-
com lis ed scamp, Justin McKenzie. ’

“ y presence with him is as he said, for the pur-

se of finding my father. e rescued me from the

ndians, and has volunteered his services, for which
I am very thankful. So far, sir, he has acted in a
courteous and gentlemanly manner toward mel”
said Ahce Terry. “ What he may have been hereto‘
fore concerns me not, as you must know."

“ He is always that—smooth-to ed. until he has
lured his victim to ruin l” reto (1 Ned, bitterly.
“ Beware of him. lady, for he is a rattlesnake in the
di ise of a bright-Winged butterfly!"

learless Frank grew livid at this last thrust. For-
bearanceisa virtue, sometimes, but not always. In
his case the Scarlet Boy felt that he could bear the
taunts of the miner no longer.

“ You are a liar and a dastard l” he cried fiercely.
“ Come on if you wish satisfaction, and I’ll give it to

ou l’

“I am ready, always, sir. I challenged you first;

      
    
  
  
    
   
  
  
    
   
   
  
   
   
  
    
    
   
    
   
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
   
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
     
  
 

 

    

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 21

 

you have the choice 1" retorted Ned, as coolns ever,
while his enemy was all trembling With excitement.

“ Pistols. at fifty yards; to be fired until one or the
other is dead 1” was the prompt decxsion.

“ Goodl Young lady, you Will necessarfl have to
act as second for both of us If I drop. cave my
body where I fall, and it will be picked up by friends.
If he fails, I will ride on to Deadwood and send you
out help to carry him in.”

Without delay the distance was guessed at. and
each of the oung men rode to position. Miss Terry
the beautif second. took her place at one Side 0
the gulch, midway between the antagonists, and
when all was in readiness she counted:

“ One l”

The right hands of the two youths were raised on
a level, and the gleaming barrel of a pistol shone
from each.

A h  l” ‘

There was a sharp click! click! as the hammers of
the weapons were pulled back at full cock. Each
click meant danger or death.

Harris was very white; so was Fearless Frank, but
not so much so as the young woman who was to
give the signal. _

“ Three! Fira !” cried Alice, uickly; then there
was a flash, the report of two pis ls, and Ned Har-
ris fell to the ground without a groan. .

McKenzie ran to his side, and bent over him.

“Poor fellow!" he murmured, rismg. a few mo-
ments later—poor Ned. Ha 4‘s dead I”

It was Hari'is’s request to be left where he fell.
Accordiii 1y he was laid on the grass by" the road-
side, his iorse tethered near by, and than. accom-
panied by Alice, Justin McKenZie set out to Dead.
wood.

 

CHAPTER XI.
m POCKET GULCI! mums—muons or THEM.

WE see fit to change the scene once more back to
the pocket gulch—the home of the sweet, sad-faced
Anita. The date is one month later-ame long, event—
ful month since Justin McKenzie shot down Ned
Harris under the noonday sun, a short distance above
Deadwood.

Returning to the Flower Pocket by the route to the
rugged transverse gulch, and thence through the
gaping fissure, we find before us a scene—not of
slumbering beauty, but of active indust and labor,
such as was not here when we last 100 ed into the
flower-strewn paradise of the Hills. I

The flowers are for the most part still intact,though
occasionally you will come across a 5 0t where the
hand of man hath blighted their growt . I

Where stood the little vine-wreathed cabin now
may be seen a larger and more-commodious log
structure, which is but a continuation of the origi-
nal

A busy scene greets our gaze all around. Men are
hurrying here and there through the valley—men
not of the pale-face race. but of the red race; men,
clad only to the waist. with remarkable muscular
developments, and fleetness of foot.

Over the little creek which dashes far adown from
pine-dressed mountain peaks, and trails its shining
waters through the flowering land, is built another
structure—of logs, strongly and carefully erected,
and thatched by a master hand with bark and grass.
From the roof projects a small smoke-stack, from
which emanates a steady cloud of smoke, curling
lazily u ward toward heaven’s blue vault. and inside
is heanFthe grinding, crushing rumble of ponderous
machinery, and we rightly conjecture that it is a
crusher in full operation. Across from the northern
side of the gulch comes a steady string of mules in
line, each pulling behind him a Jack-sled (or, what is
better known to the general reader as a stone-boat)
heavily laden with huge uartz rocks. These are
dumped in front of one of t e large doorwa s of the
crusher, and the “ empties " return mec nically

 

and disappear within a gapin fissure in the very
mountainside—a sort of tunne , which the hand of
man, aided by that great and stronger arm—powder
—has burrowed and blasted out.

All this is under the immediate management of
the swa.thy-skinned red-men, whose faces declare
them to be a remnant of the once great Ute tribe—
now utilized to a better occupation than in the dark
and bloody days of the llpast.

Near the crusher bu‘ din is a large, stout-ly-con~
structed Windlass. worked y mule ower, and every
few moments there comes up to t e surface from
the depths of a shaft, a bucketful of rock and sand,
which is dumped into a push-car, and from thence
transferred to the line of sluice-boxes in the stream,
where more half-clothed Utes are busily engaged in
sxfting golden particles from the rich sand.

W hat a transformation is all this since we left the
Flower Pocket a little over a month agol Now.
everywhere within those majestic mountain-locked
wallsis bustle and excitement' then. the valley was
sleeping away the calm, per nine-laden autumnal
days, unconscious of the mines of wealth lying nest-
ling in its bosom, and content and happy in its
quietude and the adornments of nature‘s eauties.

Now, shouts, ringing halloos, angry curses at the
obstinate mules, the rumbling of ponderous machin-
ery, the clink of picks and reports of frequent blasts,
the deadened sound of escaping steam, the barking
of dogs, the whining of horses—all these sounds are
now to be heard.

Then, the valley was peacefully at rest; the birds
chimed in their exquisite music to the Eolian harp-
like music of the breeze through the branches of the
mountain pines: the waters pouring adown from the
stu endous peaks created an everlasting song of love
an constancy; bees and humming-birds drank deli-
cious draughts from the blushing lips of a million
nodding flowers; the sun was more hazy and drowsy-
iooking; everything had an appearance of ethereal
peace and happiness.

But, like a drama on the stage a and transfor-
mation had taken place; a beautiful ream had been
chan ed into stern reality; quietude and slumber
had so. at the bold approach of bustlln industry
mild hge. And all this transformation due to
w om

The noonday sun shone down on all the busy scene
With a glance of warmth and afleotion, and particu-
larly did its rays center about two men. who, stand-
ing on the southern side of the valley. u]? in among
the rugged foothills. were watching he Ving pano-
rama with the keenest interest.

They were Harry Bedburn andthe gueer old hum -
backed, bow-legged little locater, 'General W —
ein ham Nix

edbnrn was now looking nearly as rough un-
kempt and grizzled as any veteran miner, and or a
fact. he actualLv had not waxed the ends of his fine
mustache for over a week. But there was more of a
healthy glow ufion his face, a robustness about his
form, and a lig t of satisfaction in his eye which
told that the rough miner’s life agreed with him ex—
ceedingly well. .

The old “ General ” was alldirt, life andanimation,
and as full of his eccentricities as ever. He was a
character seldom inet With—ever full of a quaint hu-
mor and sociability, but never known to t mad—
no matter how great the iprovocation mi 1: be.

His chance strike 11 n he s t where ythe gold
of Flower Pocket im dded— it could be called a
chance, considering his dream—was tfie prelude
the opening up of one of the richest g districts
south of Deadwood.

We left them after Harry had driven a stake to
mark the place which the somnambulist had pointed
out as indicating the concealed mine.

On the succee day the two men set to work,
and du long and esperatel to uncover the trees:
ure, an after three days of ncessant toil they were
rewarded with success. A rich vein of old, or
rather, a deposit of the valuable metal was ound, it

 

 

being formed in a deep, natural pocket and mixed
alternately with sand and rock.

During the remaining four days of that week the
two lucky miners took out enough gold to evidence
their supposition that the had struck one of the
richest fle ds in all thelBlac Hill‘s country. Indeed,
it seemed that there was no end to the depth of
sand in the shaft, and as long as the sand held out
the old was likel to.

W en, just in t e flush of their early triumph. the
old humpback was visited by another somnambulis—
tic fit, and this time he discovered old deep in the
northern mountain-side, and prop esied that the
quartz rock which could be mined therefrom
would more than re ay the cost and trouble of open-
ing up the vein an of transporting machinery to
the gulch.

We need not go into detail of what followed; suf-
fice it to say that immediate arrangements were
made and executed toward developing this as yet
unknown territory. _

While Redburn set to work with two Ute Indians
(transported to the gulch from Deadwood, under
oath of secrecy by the “ General ”) to blast into - the
mountain-side, and get at the gold-bearing quartz,
the old locater in person set out for Cheyenne on
the secret mission of procuring a portable crusher,*
boiler and engine, and such other im laments as
would be needed, and getting them sa ely into the
gulch unknown to the rovmg population of the

ills country. And most wonderful to relate, he
succeeded. ,

Two weeks after his departure, he returned with
the machinery and two score of Ute Indians, whom
he had sworn into his service, for, as a Ute rarely
breaks his word, they were likely to prove vn lnable
accessories to the plans of our two friends. Redburn
had in the meantime blasted in until he came upon
the quartz rock. Here he had to stop until the arri-
val of the machine . He however busied himself
in enlarfl'lnithe ca in and building acurb to the
shaft, w ’c occupied his time until at last the

" General” and his army returned. ‘

Now, we see these two successful men standing
and gazing at the result of their joint labors, each
financially happy; each growing rich as the day rolls
away.

The miners are in a grasperous condition, and
eve hing moves off wit that ease and order that
of shrewd management and constant atten~

on to business.

The gold taken from the shaft is much finer than
that extracted from the quartz.

The (anartz yielded about eirrhteen dollars to the
ton, wh ch the " General “ dec ared to be as well as
i‘a t’eller c’u'd expect, considerin’ things, more or
essl

Therefore, it will be seen by. those who have any
knowledge whatever of gold mining that, after pay—
ing oi! the e enses, our friends were not doing so
badl , after .

“ es. yes!" the “General ” was remarking. as he
azed at the string of mules that alternately issued
rom and re-entered the fissure on the opposite side

of the valley; "yes, yes, boyee, thin s ar’ workin' as
I like ter see ‘em at last. The sha t ’11 more‘n pay
engnses if she holds her head ’bove water, as I
op e she will, an’ w’at ar’ squeezed out uv the
quartz ar’ cleer ‘intment fer us.’

“True; the shaft is more than paying OR the
hands,“ replied Redburn. seating himse 3? upon a
bowlder, and staring vacantly at the dense column
of smoke ejected from the smoke—stack in the root
of the crusher building.

“ I was looking up accounts last evening, and after
deducting what you paid for the machinery, and
what wages are due the Utes, we have about a thou-
sand do 3 clear of all, to be diVided between three

of us."
* This crusher is said to have been the first intro-

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

“ Exactly. Now. that’s w’at I call fair to mid~
dling. Of course thar’ll be more or less expense,
heerafter, but et‘ll be aconsider’ble less 0’ more than
more 0’ less. Another munth ’ll tell a larger flnan~
shell tale, I opine.”

“Right again, unless something happens more
than we think for now. If we get through another
month, however, without being nosed out, why we
may consider ourselves all-fired lucky."

“J es‘ so! J es’ sol but we’ll hev ter take our
chances. One natteral advantage, we kin shnte ’em
as fast as they come—”

“He!” Redbnrn interrupted. suddenly, leaping to
his feet; “ they say the devil’s couriers are ever
around when you are talking oi! them. Look! iii-
vaders already.”

He pointed toward the east, where the passage led

out of the valley into the gorge beyond.

Out of this passage two persons on horseback had

just issued, and now they came to a halt, evidently

igrprised at the scene which lay spread out before
em.

No sooner did the “ General " clap his eyes on the
paggthan he uttered a cry of astonishment, mingled
w1 Joy.

" It’s thet scarlet cha . Fearless Frankl" he an.
nounced, hopping about ike a pig on a hot griddle.
“ w’at I war tellin’ ye about; the same cuss w’at de-
sarted Charity Joe‘s t ain, ter look fer sum critter
w‘at war sereechin‘ fer help. I went wi’ the lad fer
a ways, but my jackass liarpened to be more or less
indispositioned—consider‘bly more 0‘ loss than less
0’ more—an’ so I made up my mind not ter continny
on his route. Ther last I see’d o’ the lad he disap-
peared over sum kind 0‘ a precypice, and calkvlatin’
as how he war done for, rej’iiied Charity Joseph,
anI kim on."

“ He has a female in his company I" said Bedburn,
watching the new-comer keenly.

‘ “Yas, ’peer to me he has, an’ et‘s more or less
hkely that et‘s the same critter he went to resky
w’en he left Charity Joe‘s train l“

“ What about him? We do not want him here: to
let him return to Deadwood after what he has seen
would be certain death to our interests.”

“Yas, thar‘s more or less tiuth in them words 0
yours, b’ ee——,consider’bly more 0‘ less than less 0’
more. e ken’t 'go back now, nohow we kin fix et.
He's a right peart sort 0’ a kid. an‘ I think cf. we wai-
ter guv im 3. 'ob, or talk reeson‘ble ter him, thet
he’d consent to o the squar’ thing by us."

Redburn frowned.

" He‘ll have to remain for‘a certain time, Whether
he wants to or not,” he muttered, more sav 6 than
usual. It looked to him as if this was to be he Sig-
nal of a general invasion. “ Comcl let‘s go and see
what we can do.” _

They left the foothills. clambered down into the
valley and worked their way toward where Fearless
Frank and his companion sat in waiting.

As they did so, headed by a drum in black. who
wore a mask as did all the rest, a band of horsemen
rode out of the fissure into the valley. One £11511ch
and we recognize Deadwood Dick Prince of the
Road, and his band of road-agentsl‘

 

CHAPTER XII.
MAKING TERMS ALL AROUND.

OLD General Nix was the first to discover the new
invasion. . _ ~

“Gorra’mighty i" he ejaculated. flourishing his
staff about excitedly, “ d'ye mind them same w’at’s
tuk ct inter the’r heads to invade our sancty sanc-
torum, up yander? Howly saints fruin ther cullen-
derl We shall be built up inter an entire City ‘tWixt
this an’ sunset, of ther populatin‘ sect becum enny
more numersome. Thar s a full fifty of them
sharks, more or less—consider’bly more 0’ less than

 

duced into the Black Hills. -

less 0’ more—an” at we hain’t got ter hold a full hand

 

 

    

   

 

W: V

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

23

 

in order to clean ’em out, why, ye can call me a
cross- yed. liare-li‘pped hyeeny. that’s all.”
Redbui'n uttcre an ejaculation as he saw the

swarm of invaders that was perhaps more forcible.

than polite.

He did not like the looks of things at all. If Ned
Harris were only here, he thought, he could throw
the responsibility all off on his shoulders. But he
was not; neither had he been seen or heard of since
he had quitted the valley over a month ago. Where
he was staying all this time was a problem that no
one could solve—no one among our three friends.

The “ General “ had made inquiries in Deadwood,
but elicited no information concerning the young
miner. He had dropped entirely out of the magic
city’s notice, and might be dead or dying in some
foreign clinic for all they knew. Anita worried and
grew sadder each day at his non-return; it seemed
to her that he was in distress, or worse, perhaps—
dead. He had never stayed away so long betore,
she said. always returning from his trips every few
days. What, then, could now be the reason of his
prolonged absence? _ .

Redburn foresaw trouble in the intrusmn of the
road-agents and Fearless Frank, although he knew
not the character or calling of the former, and he
resolved to make one bold stroke in defense of the
mines.

“ Go to the quartz-mines as quickly as you canl"
he said, addressing Nix, “ and call every man to his
arms. Then rally them out here, where I Will be
waiting with the remainder of our forces, and we
will see what can be done. If it is to be a fight for
our rights, a desperate fight it shall be."

The “ General” hurried OE With as much alacrity
as was possible, with him, toward the quartz-mine
while Redburn likewise made haste to visit the shaft
and collect together his handful of men.

He asserl the cabin on his way, and, seeing Anita
flea? in the doorway, he came to a momentary

a .

“ You had better go inside and lock the doors and
windows behind ou,” he said, advisingly. “There
are invaders in t e gulch, and we must try and ef-
feet a settlement with them; so it is not desn‘able
that they should see you."

“ You are not going to fight them?"

“Yes, if they will not come to reasonable terms,
which I shall name. ‘ y "

“ Ohl don’t fight. You will get killed.”

“ Humphl what of that? Who would care if I
were killed l" '

“I would, for one, Mr. Redburn.“

The miner’s heart gave a great bound, and he
gazed into the pure white face of the girl, passion-
ately. Was it ssible that she had in her heart any-
thing akin to ove for him! Already he. had con-
ceived a passing fancy for her, which might ripen
into love in time.

“ Thanks!" he raid, catching up her hand and
pressing it to his lips. “Those words, few as the
are, make me happy, Miss Anita. But. sto i
must away. Go inside, and kee shady unti you
see me again,” and so saying he urried on

In ten minutes‘ time two-score of brawn , half-
dressed Utes were rallied in the valley, and burn
was at their head, accompanied b the “ General."

“I Will now go forward and old parley,” said
Harr . as he wrap ed a kerchief about the muz-
zle 0 his rifle-barre . “If you see me fall, you can
calculate that it‘s about time for you to 5 ing in a
chunk of your lip."

He had fallen into the habit of talking in an illiter-
ate fashion, since his associatlon with the “ General.”

“All right,"assented the old lOcater; "of they try
ter salt ye, jes’ giv’ a s uawk, an’ we’ll cum a—tearin‘
down ter yer resky at t er rate 0' forty hours a mile,
more ’or ess—corisider’bly more 0’ less than less 0’
more.

Redburn buckled his belt a hole‘tightelj. looked to
his tw revolvers, ain'd set out on his missron.

The oad~agents had, in the mean time, crrcled oi!

 

to the rl ht of the fissure, and formed into a compact
body, w ere they halted and watched the rallying of
the savages in the valley.

Fearless Frank and his lovely companion remained
where they had first halted, awaiting developments.
They had stumbled into Paradise and were both sur-
prised and bewildered.

Redburn approached them first. He was at loss
how to open the confah, but the Scarlet Boy saved
him the trouble.

“ I resume I see in you one of the representatives
of this concern," he said, dofflng his hat, and show-
ing his pearly teeth in a little smile, as the miner
came up.

“ You do," replied Redburn, bowing stifliy. “ I am
an owner or'partner in this mining enterprise, which,
until our sudden advent, has been a secret to the
ou‘tsf rfeiivorm'" i i th h r

‘ ‘eve you, pi grim; or oug am prett
thorough] acquainted with the topography of thg
Black Hi 5 country, I had not the least idea that
finch 3n enterprise existed in this part of the terri-

‘ No, I dare say not. But how is it that are are in-
debted to you for this intrusionY—for such we feel
justified in calling it, under the existing circum-
stances.”

. “.1 did not intend to intrude, sir, nor do I now. In
riding through the mountains we accidentally stum-
bled into the fissure assage that leads to this gulch,
and as lthere was no ing to hinder us, we came on

roug .’

“ True; I should have posted a strong guard in the
pass. You have a female companion. i perceive;
not your wife?"

“ 0h, nol nor my sister either.
an estimable young lady, who has come to the
Black Hills in search of her father. Your name is—"
‘ “ Redburn—Harry Redhuru; and yours. ,I am told,
is Fearless Frank.”

“Yes, that is the title I sail under. But how do
you know aught of me?"

"I was told your name by a partner of mine.
Now then, concerning the present matter, what do
you Fropose to do i"

“ 0 do? Why, turn back, I suppose; I see nothing
else to do."

Redburn leaned on his rifle and considered.

" Do you belong to that other crowd?"

“ No, indeed l” Frank’s face flushed half’angrlly:
" I thank my stars I am not quite so low down as
that yet. Do you know them? That‘s Deadwood
l)rck. the Prince of the Road, and his band of out-

aws.‘

f‘ What—is it possible? The same gang whom the
Pit/new is makm' rglisuch a splurge over every week i“

“The same. at fellow clad in black is Dead
wood Dick, the leader."

“ Humphl He in black; you in scarlet. Two eon.
trasting colors.“

" That is so. I had not thought of it herore. But
no significance is attached thereto.”

“ Perha s not. Have you the least idea. what
brought em here?"

“The road-agents? I reckon I do. The military
has been chasing them for the last two days. Prob-
ably they have come here for protection.‘

‘ Maybe so—or for lunder. Give me our deci-
sion, and I will go an see what the wan ."

“ There is nothing for me to dec do more thanjo
take the back track.”

Redburn shook his head decidedly.

“ You cannot go back!" he said. using
in his argument; “that is, not foraw e. You’d
have all Deadwood down on us in a jifiy. I‘ll me
you work in the shaft at three dollars a day. on
can accept that ofler, or submit to confinement until
I see fit to set you at liberty." '

“ And myagompanlon here—” .

“I will 15 a under the. charge of Miss Anita for
the present, where she wrll receive hospitable treet-
men .

This is Miss Terry

tiveness

 

 

  

    
   
 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

Fearless Frank started as though he had been
struck a violent blow; his face grew very white; his
eyes dilated; he trembled in every joint.

“ Anita I" he gasped—“ Anita I"

“I believe that IS what I said!” Redburn could
not understand the youth’s agitation. He knew
that the sister of Ned Harris had a secret. Was this
Fearless Frank in any we. connected with it, and if
so! how? “Do you know er?”

‘ Her other name is —”

“ Harris~Anita Harris, in full. Do you know her,
or aught of her?”

“ I—I—I did, once!” was the slow reply. “ Where
is she? I want to see her. ”

Redburn took a moment to consider.

Would it be best to permit a meeting between the
two until he should be able to learn something more
definite concerning the secret? If Ned Harris were
here would he sanction such a meeting? No! some-
thing told the young miner that he would not;
something warned him that it could result in no
good to allow the scarlet youth an interview with
sad, sweet-faced Anita.

“ You cannot see herl” he at last said, decidedly.
“ There is a reason why you two should never meet
again, and if you remain in the gulch, as you will be
obliged to for the present, you must give me your
world 'of honor that you will not go near yonder
on n.

Fearless Frank had expected this; therefore he
was not an rised. Neither did Redburn know how
close he he shied his stone at the real truth.

“ I promise,” McKenzie said, after a moment's de-
liberation, “ on my honor that I will not approach the
cabin, providin you will furnish me my meals and
Rd r elsew ere. If Anita comes to me, what

en

“ I will see that she does not," Redburn answered
positively. Gradually he was assuming full control
of things, in the absence of Harris, himself. “ Miss
Terry, you may ride down to yonder cabin, and tell
Anita I sent you. Pilgrim, you can come along with

e.

“ No: I will accomcpany Alice as far as where your
forces are stations ," said Frank, and then they
rode down the slope, Redburu turning toward where
the road-agents sat “gm their horses in a compact
body, with Deadwood ick at their head.

As the miner drew nigh and came to a standstill,
the Prince of the Road rode forward to his side.

“ Well-?" he said, interrogatively, his voice heavy
get pleasant; “I suppose you (165% to know what
izness we‘ve got in your cornfield. eh, stranger?”

“That‘s about the dimensions of it, yes,” replied
Redburn, at once conceiving a liking for the young
road-agent, in whom he thought he saw a true gen-
tleman, in the disguise of a devil. “ I came over to
learn the object you have in view, in invading our
little valley, if you have no objections to telling. "

“Certainly not. As you may have guessed al-
ready, we are a band of road-agents whose field of
action we have lately confined to the Black Hills
country. I have the honor of beingghe leader and
you have doubtless heard of me— eadwood Dick,

he ‘Road-A‘gent Prince,‘ as the Pioneer persists in
termlng me._ Just at present, things are rather
sultry m the immediate vicinity of Deadwood, so far
as we are flcemed,fa€g v35 staugh‘tdthisfiocalitylto
escape asm _army 0 e ea wo m ‘tary, w o
havgvbelen 11951113 around after us for the past week."

i e _ 7

“Well, we happened _to see a man and woman
come this way. and believing that it must lead to
somewhere or other. we followed, and here we are,
out of the reach of the blue-coats. but, I take it, in
thenway- of a party of secret miners. Is it snot
so

“No, not necessarily so, unless you put yourselves
in the way. You wish to remain quartered here for
the Present?"

“ f not contrary to your wishes, weshould like to,
yes,’

 

“ I have no objections to offer, providing you
agree to two points.” ’

“ And what are they, may I ask?"

“These: That you will camp at the mouth of the
passage, and thus keep out any other intruders that
may come; second, that you will keep our men to
this side of the valley, and not inter ere with any
of our laborers.”

“ To which I eagerly agree. You sh all experience
no inconvenience from our presence here; you fur-
nish us a haven of safety from the pursuing soldiers;
we in return will extend you our aid in repelling a
host of fortune-seekers who may any moment come
down this way in swarms."

“Very well; that settles it then. You keep your
promise and all will go well."

The two shook hands; then Redbum turned and
strode back to dismiss his forces, while Dick and his
men took up their 1position at the place where the
fissure opened into 1: e gulch. Here they made pre-
parations to camp. Redbum, while returning to his
men, heard a shout of joy and looking1 u saw, to
his surprise, that the old “ eneral ” an A ce Terry
{yere locked in each other’s arms in a loving em-

race.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
AT was ours.

What did it mean?

Had the old hump-backed, bow-legged mine-
locater gone crazy, or was he gin-poser insulting
the beautiful maiden? Fearless rank stood aside,
apgarently offerin no objections to the hugging,
an the Indians di likewise.

At least Miss Terry made no serious attempts to
gree herself from the “ General’s ” bear-like em-

race.

A few bounds brought Redburn to the spot, pant-
ing, breathless, perspiring. “What is the meaning
of this disgraceful scene 7" he demanded. angrilgi

“Dis acefuli” The old “General” sot iss
Terry own on her feet, after giving her a resound-
ing smack, and turned to stare at the oung miner,
in astonishment. “ Disgracefull Waa . young man,
ter tell the solid Old Testament truth, more or less—
consider‘bly less 0’ more ‘11 more 0‘ less—I admire
yer cheek, hard an' unblushin‘ as et ar’. Ye call my
givin’ this pretty Eiece o’ feminine gender a Sinai”,
fatherly sort 0' a ug disgrareful, do ye? Thin et’s
all out 0' ther bounds 0’ firopriety do ye?”

“I look at it in that lig t, yes," hedbum replied. .

“Howl haw! bowl“ and the General shook his
fat sides with immoderate laughter. “Why, pil-
grim tender-fut, this ’ere hundred an‘ twenty-six

ounds 0' feminine gender b’longs to me—ter yours

ruly, Walsingham Nix—fian‘ I have a rfec’ lnder-

vidual right ter hug an’ kiss her as tune as I please,
Wi’out brookin' enny interference from you. Alice
dear, this ar’ Harry Redburn. glnerall sup’lntendent
0’ ther Flower Pocket gold-mines, an’ ’bout as fair
specimen as they make, nowadays. Mr. Redbnrn,
I‘ll formally present you to Miss Alice Terry, my
drifter.

Redburn colored, and was not a little disconcerted ,
on account of his blunder; but_he rallied in a mo-
ment, and acknowledged the Introduction with be«
coming grace and dignity.

" You must excruse my interference,” he said ear-
nestly. “ I saw the old ‘ General ’ here taking liber-
ties that no stran er should take, and knowing
nothing of the rela ionship existing between you, I
was naturally inclined to think that he was either
drunk or crazy; therefore I deemed it necessary to
investigate. No offense, Ihope?”

“ Of course not:" and Alice smiled one of her
sweetest smiles. “ You did perfectly right, and are
deserving of no censure whatever.”

After ta few moments of desultory conversation,
Redburn took the “ General ” to one side, and spoke
on the subject of Fearless Frank and Anlta Harris—
of his action in the matter, and so forth. Nxxeor

  

    
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
  
  
   
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
    
  
  
   
    
   
   
  
 
 
  
   
   
 

 

 

 

a

.4

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

25

 

Terry, as the latter was evidently his real name—
hoartily coincided with his views. and both agreed
that it was best not to let the Scarlet Boy come
within range of Anita, or at least not till Ned Harris
should return, when he could do as he chose.

Accordingly it was decided that Fearless Frank
should beset tower]: in the quartz mine, that being
the furthest Jrom the cabin, and he could eat and
sleep either in the mine or in the crusher building,
whichever he liked best.

After settling this point, the two men rejoined the
others, and Frank was apprised of their decision.
He made no remarks upon it. but it was plain to see
that be was anything but satisfied. His wild spirit
yearned for constant freedom.

The Utes were dismissed and sent back to their
work; the “General ‘7 strolled off with McKenzie
toward the uartz mine; it devolved upon Redburn
to escort Ahce to the cabin, which he did with pleas-
ure, and gave her an introduction to sweet, sad-
faced Anita, who awaited their coming in the open
doorway.

The two girls greeted each other with warmth; it
wasapparetit that they would become fast friends
when they learned more of each other.

As for Redbum, he was secretly enamored with
the “ General’s " pretty daughter shewas beautiful.
and evidently accomplished, and her progenitor was
financially well-to~do. What, then, was lacking to
make her a fliting mate for any man? Redbui-n

ndered deeply on this subject, as he left the girls
gazether, and went out to see to his duties in the
mines.

He found Terry and Fearless Frank in the quartz
mine looking at the swarthy-skinned miners; exam-
iniu new projected slo es, suggesting eaSier meth-
ods or workin out d' erent lumps of gold-bearin
rock. While t e former’s knowledgeof practic
minin was extended, the latter’s was limited:

“ l t ink thet thar ar’ bigger prospects yet, in fur-
ther,” the old locater was saying. “ I ain’t much
varsed on jeeological an’ toppygrafflcal formation.
myself, ye see; but then, it kinder ‘peers to me thet
this quartz vein ar’ a-goin’ to hold out for a consxd—
er‘ble time yet." -

“ Doubtless. More straight digging an‘ less slopes
I should think would be practice 1e,” McKenme
observed. . '

“ I don’t see it!" said Redburn, joxmng them.
“ SlopinE and transversing discovers new veins, while
line wor soon plays out. I think things are work-
ing in excellent order at present."

hey all made a tour of the mine which had been
dug a considerable distance into the mountain. The
quartz was ordinarll productive, and being rather
loosely thrown toget er was blasted down Without
any extra trouble. After a slum consultation Red-
burn and the “ General” concluded to place Frank
over the Utes as superintendent and mine-boss, as
they saw that he was not used to digging, blasting,
or any of the rough work connected With the mine,
although he was clear-headed and inventive.

When tendered the position it was gratefully ac-
cepted by him, he expressing it his intention to work
for the interest of his employers as long ashe should
sta in the gulch.

ight at last fell over the Flower Pocket gold-
mines, and work ceased. .

The Utes procured their own food—mainly consist-
in of fish from the little creek, and deer and moun-
tain birds that could be brought down at almost any
hour from the neighborin crafs—and slept in the
open air. Red burn had Mc am e a comfortable bed

e in the crusher-house, and sent him out a meal
fit for a prince.
As yet Anita knew nothin of the scarlet youth‘s
idfipt ;—-scarcely knew, in act, that he was in the
v ey.
At the cabin, the evenin meal was dis etched
with a general expression 0 oheerfulness a ut the
board. Anita seemed less dowucast than usual, and

the vivacious Alice made life and merriment for all.

 

She was witty where wit was proper, and sensible in
an unusual degree.

Redburn was infatuated with her. He watched
her with an expresSion of fondness in his eyes; he
admired her every gesture and action; he saw some-
thing new to admn'e in her each moment he was in
her society.

When the evening meal was cleared away, he took
down the guitar, and sung several ballads, the old

General’ accom anying him with his rich, deep
base, and Alice wit her clear, birdlike alto; and the
sweet melody of the trio’s voices called forth round
after round of rapturous applause from the road-
ag‘ents camped upon the slo e, and from the Utes
w 0 were lounging here and t ere among the flower-
beds of the vale . But of the lot, Deadwood Dick
was the only one old enough to approach the cabin
He came sauntei-ing along and ha ted on the thresh:
old, nodding to the occupants of the little a artment
With a nonchalance which was not assume .

“Good-evening!" he said, tippin his sombrero,
but taking care not to let the mas slip from his
face: “I hope mine is not an intrusion. Hearing
muSic, I was loth to stay away, for I am a great
lover of muSic;--it is the one passion that appeals to
in better nature.“

e seated himself on the little stone step, and mo-‘
tioned for Redburn to proceed.

One of those inside the cabin had been strangely
affected at the Sight of Dick, and that person was
Anita. She turned deathly gale, her e es assumed
an expresSion of aflright, an she tremb violently,
as she first saw him. The Prince of the Road, how-
ever, if he saw her, noticed not her agitation; in
fact, he took not the second glance at her while he
remained at the cabin. His eyes were almost con-
sAtJantly fastening upon the lovely face and form of

ice.

.Thinking it best to humor one who might become
either a powerful enemy or an influential friend,
Redburn accordingly struck up a live] air, a la
Rama, and in exact imitation of a mith , rendered

Gwine to Get a Home, Bymeby." And the thun-
ders of encore that came from the outside listens
showed hcw surely he had touched ll n a pleasan
chord. He followed that with seve modern serio-
comic songs all of which were received well and
hearth applauded.

“That recalls memories .Jf good old times," said
the road-agent as he leaned back against the door-
sill, and gazed at the mountains, grand, majestic
stupendous and the starlit sky, azure, calm an
serene. “fiecalls the days of early boyhood, that
were , pure, and ha py. Ah! hol”

.Hfi caved a deep sig , and his head dropped upon

reast.

Adeathlike silence ervaded the cabin' that one
heartfelt sigh arou a sensation of pity in each of
the four hearts that heat within the cabin walls.

That the road-agent was a gentleman in disguise,
was not who alnsayed; all elt that, d iteh s out-
lawed callin , e was deserving of a p e among
them in his etter moods.

As if to accord with his mood Alice began a sweet
birdlikehsong, full of tender pathos, and of quieting
sympa y. ‘ '

It was a quaint Scottish melody—rich in its hone -
ed meaning, sweetly weird and pitiful; wonderfnliv
soothing and nourishin to a weeping spirit.

Clear and flute-th he maiden‘s cultured voice
swelled out on the still night air and the mountain
echoes caught up the strains and lenta wild
accom animent. .

Dea wood Dick listened, with his head still bowed,
and his hands clasped about one knee ;—listened in a
kind of fascination, until the last reverberations of
the song had died out in a wailing echo; then he
sprung abrupt to his feet, drew one hand wearily
across the ma ed brow; raised his sombrero witha
deft movement and bowed himself out—out into the
night, where the moon and stars looked down 4%
him, perhaps with mom lenience than on some -

 

 

 
 

 
 
   
  
   
 
   
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
  
  
  
  
    
   
     
      
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
   
   
  
 
 
 
    

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.‘

 

Alice Terry rose from her seat, crossed over to the
door, and (gazed after the straight handsome form,
until it ha mingled with the other road—agents who
had cam ed upon the slope. Then she turned ahout,
and sat own upon the couch beside Aiuta.

“ You are still, dear," she said, stroking the other’s
long, unconfined hair. “ Are you lonely? If not
why don’t you say something?" _

‘ I have nothing to say,” re lied Anita, a sad,
sweet smile Ela ing over her eatures. “ I have
been too muc taken up with the music to think of
talking.”

“ But, you are seldom talkative. ”

“ So brother used to tell me. He said I had lost
my heart, and tongue."

Redburn was drumming on the window-casing
with his flngers;—a sort of lonely tattoo it was.

“You seemed to be much interested in the outlaw,
Miss Terry.” he observed, as if by chance the
thought had just occurred to him, When, In reality,
he twas downright jealous. “Had you two ever
me —

“ Certainly not sir,” and Alice flashed him an in-
quiring glance. ‘ Why do you ask ‘3” ‘

“Obi for no reason, in particular, only I fancied
that song was meant especially for him."

Redburn, afterward, would have ‘ven a hundred
dollars to have recalled those words, or the haughty
half-indignant look Alice gave him instantly showe
him he was on the wrong track.

If he wished to court her favor, it must be in a dif-
ferent way, and he must not again give her a glimpse
of his jealous nature.

“You 5 oke of a brother,“ said Alice, turning to
Anita. “ oes he live here with you?”

“Yes, when not away on business.
been absent, for over a month."

;‘t 1indeed! Is he as sweet, sad, and silent as your-
se

“ Oh! no; Ned is unlike me; he is buoyant, cheer-
ful, leasant."

‘ ed! What is his full name, dear?"

“ Edward Harris."

Alice grew suddenly pale and speechless, as she
remembered the handsome young miner whom Fear-
less Frank had slain in the duel, just outside of
Deadwood. This, then, was his sister; and evidently
she as yet knew nothing of his sad fate.

“ Do you know aught concerning Edward Harris?"
Redburn asked, seeing her agitation. Alice con-
sidered a moment.

“ I do," she answered, at last. “ This Fearless
Frank, whom I came here with, had a duel with a
man, just above Deadwood, whose name was Edward
Harris!”

“ My God g—and his fate—"

“ He was instantly killed, and left lying where he
dr'gfipedi”

ere was a scream of agony just here, and a
heavy fall.
Anita had fainted!

He has now

CHAPTER XIV.
ms TRANSIENT TRIUMPH.

Ransom: sprung from his seat, ran over to her
side. and raised her tenderly in his arms.

“Poor thing!" he murmured, gazing into her pale,
still face, “ the shock was too much for her. No
wonder she fainted." He laid her on the couch, and
kept of! the others who crowded around.

Bring cold water!” he ordered, “ and I will soon
have her out of this fit!”

Alice hastened to obey, and Anita’s face and hands
were bathed in the cooling liguid until she began to
show signs of returning cons ousness.

“You may now give me the articulars of the af-
fair," Redburn said, rising. an closing the door, for
a chilly breeze was Weeping into the cabin.

Alice proceeded to comply with his request by
narrating what had occurred and as nearly as os-
sible, what had been said. When she had conclu ed,

 

 

he gazed down for several moments thoughtfully
into the face of Anita. There was much yet that
was beyond his powers of comprehension~a knotty
problem for which he saw no immediate solution.

“ What do you think about it, ‘ General?” " he
asked, turning to the mine—locater. “ Have we suf-
flcient evidence to hang this devil in scarlet?”

“Hardly, boyee, hardly. ’Peers ter me, ’cordin’
to ther gal‘s tell, that thar war a fair shake all
around, an’ as duelin' ar’ more or less ther fashion
’round these arts—considerably more 0’ less ’11 less
0’ more—ct ain’t law-fell ter yank a critter up by
ther throatl”

“ I know it is not, according to the customs of this
country of the Black Hills; but, look at it. That
fellow, who I am satisfied is a black-hearted knave,
has not only taken the life of poor Harris, but, very
probably, has given his sister her death-blow. The
question is: should he go unpunished in the face of
all this evidence?”

“ Yes. Let him go; I will be the one to punish
him i”

It was Anita who spoke. She had partly arisen on
the couch; her face was streaked with water. and
slightly haggard; her hair blew unconfined about
her neck and shoulders; her eyes blazed with a wild,
almost savage fire.

“Let him gol” she repeated, more of fierceness in
her voice than Redburn had ever heard there before.
“ He shall not escape my vengeance. Oh, my poor,
poor dead hrotherl '

She flung herself back upon the couch, and gave
hei-Self u to a wild, passwnate uncontrollable out
burst of ears and sobs—the wailings of a sorrowiug
heart. For a long time she continued to weep an
sob violently; then came alull during which she fell
aslee from exhaustion—a eep sleep. Redburii
and lice then carried her into an adjoining room,
where she was left under the latter’s skillful care.
Awhile later the cabin was wrapt in silence.

When morning sunlight next eeped down into the
Flower Pocket, it found everyt in generally astii.
Anita was up and pursuing her ouseh old duties,
but she was calm, now, even sadder than before,
making a strange contrast to blithe, gaysome Alice,
who flitted about, here and there, like some bright-
winggd butterfly surrounded by a halo of perpetual
suns ine.

 

Unknown to any one save themselves, two men
were Within the valley of the Flower Pocket gold-
mines—there on business, and that business meant
bloodshed. They were secreted in among the foot-
hills on the western side of the flowering paradise,
at a point where they were not observed, and at the
same time were the observers of all that was going
on in front of them.

How came they here, when the hand of Deadwood
Dick guarded the only accessible entrance there was
to the valley? The answer was: they_came secretly
through the pass on the night preceding the arrival
of the road-agents, and had been lying in close con-
cealment ever since.

The one was an elderly man of portly figure, and
the other a young dandyish fellow, evidently the
elder’s son, for they resembled each other in every
feature. We make no difiiculty in recognizing them
as the same precious pair whom Outlaw Dick cap~
tured from the stage only to lose them again through
the treachery of two of his own band.

Both looked considerably the worse for wear, and
the gaunt, hungry expression on their features, as
the morning sunlight shone down upon them, de<
clared in a language more adequate than words.
that they were beginning to suffer the first pangs of
starvation.

“ We cannot hold out at this rate much longer,”
the elder Filmore cried, as he watched the bustle in
the Valle below. “ I’m as empty as a collapsed bal-
loon, an what’s more, we’re in no prospect of im-
mediate relief.”

   

   
   

 

 

-i.

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the

Prince of the Roadfi 2'?

 

Filmore, the younger, groaned aloud in agony of
s irit.
p“Curse the Black Hills and all who have been
fools enough to inhabit them, anyhow l” he growled,
savagely; “just let me get back in the land of ciVil-
ization again, and you can bet your bottom dollar
I’ll know enough to stay there.‘ .
“Bah! this ittle rough experience Will do you
00d. Ifwe only had a s uare meal or two and a
gasket of sherry, I should eel quite at home. Noth-
ing but a fair rospect of increasing our individual
finances woulg ever have lured me into this outland-
ish place. But money, you know, is the root of
all— i

“ Evil!” broke in the other, and after three
months’ wild-goose-chase you are just as destitute
of the desired root as you were at first.”

“ True. but we have at least discovered one of the
shrubs at the bottom of which grows the root 1”

“ You refer to Deadwood Dick?”

“ I do. He is here in the valley, and he must
never leave it alive. While we have the chance we
must strike the blow that will forever silence his
tongue." _ _

" Yes; but what about the girl? She Will be gust
as much in the way, if not a good deal more so. ’

“We can manage her all right when the proper
time arrives. Dick is our game, now.”

“ He may prove altogether too much game. But,
now that we are counting eggs, how much of the
‘lay ’ is to be mine, when this boy and girl are flu-
ished ?” be queried. .

“ How much? Well, that depends upon Circum-
stances. The girl may fall to you.”

“The girl? Bah! I‘d rather be excused.”

 

' The day passed without incident in the mines. The
work went. steadily on, the sounds of the crusher
making strange music for the mountain echoes to

mock.

Occasionally the crack of a rifle announced that
either a road-agent or a Ute miner had risked a shot
at a mountain sheep. bird, or deer. Generally their
aim was attended with success, though sometimes
they were unable to procure the slaughtered game.

dbum, on account of his clear-headedness and
business tact, had full charge of both mines, the
“ General ” working under him in the shaft, and
Fearless Frank in the uartz mine. I

When uestioned a out his duel with Harris by
Redburn cKenzie had very little to say; he seemed
pained when approached on this subj ct; would an-
swer no questions concernin the past; was reserved
and at times singularly hang ty. .

During the day Anita and Alice took a stroll
through the valgefy..but the latter had been warned,
and fought shy the uartz mine: so there was no
encounter between Am a and Fearless Frank.

Deadwood Dick joined them as thev were return-
ing to the cabin, loaded down with flowers—flowers
of almost every color and perfume. .

“ This is a beautiful day,” he rcmarked,8u11ing up
a daisy, as he walked gracefully along. “ _ he rarely
sees so many beauties centered in one little valley
like this—beautiful landscape and mountain scene ,
beautiful flowers beneath smiling skies, and love y
women, the chief center of attraction amon all.”

“ Indeed!” and Alice gave him a coqnettis smile.
" you are flattering, sir ro' d-‘agent. You, at least
are not beautiful in that horrible black sum and vii-
lainous mask. You remind me of a icture l have
seen somewhere of the devil in disguise; all that is
lacking is the horns. tall and eleven-foot."

Dick broke out into aburst of laughter—it was one
of those wild, terrible laughs of his, so peculiarto
hear from one who was evidently young in years.

Both of the girls were terrified, and would have
fled had he not detained them._

“Ha, ha!" he said. stepping in front of them “ do
not be frightened; don’t go, ladies. That’s 0 y the
Way I express my amusement at anything.”

‘ Then, for mercy’s sake, don't get amused again,"

 

said Alice deprecatingly. “Why dear me,Itho ht
the Old Nick and all his couriers had pounced dlhgwn
upon us.’

“ Well, how do you know but what he has? I may
be his Satanic majesty, or one of his envoys.”

‘f I hardly think so; you are too much an earth]
help for t at. Come, now, take off that detestab e
mas and let me see what you look like.” -

“ N o, indeed! I would not remove this mask, ex-
cept on condiiions, for all the gold on toili miners
are finding, which, I am satis ed, is 11 small
amount.”

“ You spoke of conditions. What are they ?"

“ Some time, perhaps, I will tell you, lady, but not
now. see! my men are signaling to me, and I must
go. Adieu, ladies;" and in another moment he had
wheeled,vand was striding back toward camp.

in their concealment the two Filmores Witnessed
this meeting between Dick and the two girls.

“ So there are females here, eh ?" runted the
elder musingly. “From observation should say
that rince Dick was a comparative stranger here. ’

“That is my opinion," groaned Clarence his
thoughts reverting to his empty stomach. “ Did ou
hear that laugh a moment ago? It was more like
the screech of a lunatic than anyrthing else.”

“ Yes; he is a young tiger. here is no doubt of
that in my mind. ’ I

_“And we shall have to kee on the alert to take
him. He came to the cabin st night. Ifhe does
to-ni ht we can mount him 1"

Be ore 11.1%116 the elder Filmore succeeded in cap-

turing a Wll goose that had strayed down with the
stream from somewhere above. This was killed,
dressed and half cooked by a brushwood fire which
they hazarded in a fissure in the hillside wherein
they had hidden. This fowl they almost ravenously
devoured, and thus thoroughly satisfied their appe-
tites. They now felt a great deal better, read or
the work in hand—of capturing and slaying the are-
dev1l Deadwood Dick.
_ As soon as it was dark they cre t. like the rowi-
ing wolves they were, down into t e valley, an posi-
tioned themselves midway between the cabin and
the road-s ent’s camp, but several yards apart, with
a lasso hel above the grass between them, to serve
as a “ trip-up.”

The sky had become overcast with dense black
clouds, and the gloom in the valley was quite im-
penetrable. From their concealment the two Fil-
mores could hear Redburn, Alice and the “ General "
singing up at the cabin, and it told them to be on
their guard, as Dick might now come along at any
moment.

Slowly the minutes dragged by, and both were
growmg impatient when e firm tread of " the
Prince ’ was hea swiftly approaching. Quickly
the lasso was drawn taut. Dick, not dreaming of
the trap, came boldl along, trip ed, and went
sprawhng to the groun . The next stunt his ene- ‘
mifiifiere on him, each with 3. ion! murderous knife
in .

 

CHAPTER XV
TO THE mason .1

Tim suddenness of the onslaught prevented Dead-
wood Dick from raising a hand to defend himself,
and the two strong men piling their combined weights
upon him, had the effect to render him utterly help-
less. He would have yelled to apprise his comrades
of his fate, but Alexander Filmore, ready for the
emer ency quickly thrust a cob of wood into his
mout , an bound it there with strong strings.

The youn road-agent was a risoner.

“ Hal ha! ’ leered the elder lmore, peering down
into the masked face—“ ha! hal my young 9 let;
so 1 have you at last, have 1? After re ated e arts
to get on in my [ifwel' I have at last een reward‘
e? tvigil;Bisuclfcigsle li? Ilia! hug! the (terrible scour e
oeac sesereameetminetoo
with as I shall see fit.” y ’

 

 

28

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

“Shall we settle him, and leave him lying here,
where his gang can find him?“ interrupted the
younger Filmore, who, now that his blood was 11%,
cared little what he did. “You give him one ja ,
and i will guarantee to finish him with the secondl"

“‘No, no, boy: you are too hasty. Before we
silence him forever, we must ascertain, if possible,
where the girl is."

“But. he'll never tell us."

“We ave that yet to find out. It is my opinion
that we can bring him to terms, somehow. Take
grilld.‘ and we will carry him back to our hole in the

l .

Deadwood Dick was accordingly seized by the neck
and heels and borne swiftly and silent] toward the
western side of the lch, up among t e foothills,
into the rift, where t e plotters had ain concealed,
since their arrival. Here he was placed upon the
ground in a sitting posture, and is two enemies
crouched on either Side of him. like beasts ready to
spring u on their prey.

Below n the valley. the Utes had kindled one soli-
tary fire, and this with a starlike gleam of ii ht from
the cabin window, was the only sign of ii 6 to be
seen through the night’s black s roud. The trio in
the foothills were evidently uite alone.

Alexander Filmore broke t e silence.

“Well, my gay Deadwood Dick. Prince of the
Road. I suppose you wish to have the matter over
with as soon as possible.”

The road-agent nodded.

“ Better let him loose in the jaws,” suggested Fil-
more the younger: " or how else shall We get from
him what we must know? Take out his gag. I’ll
hold my six against his Bulsometer. If he s uawks
allelilence him, sure as t are is virtue in pow er and

The elder after some deliberation acquiesced, and
Dick was placed in possessxon of his speaking power,
while the muzzle of young F ilmore’s revolver
pressed against his breast, warned him to‘silence
and obedience.

“Now " said the elder Filmore, “just you keep
mum. fypu try any trickery, it Will only hasten
your destruction, which is inevitable!”

Deadwood Dick gave a little laugh.

“You talk as if you were goin to do something
toward making me the center of uneralistic attrac-

I].

“ You’ll find out soon enough, youn man. I have
not pursued you so ion all for not ing, you may
rest assured. Your deat will be the only event that
flan atone for all the trouble you have given me in

e as . '

“ e that so? Well, you seem to hold all the trump-
cards, and I reckon you ought to win, though I
can’t see into your inordinate thirst for diamonds
when spades will eventually triumph. Had I a full
hand of clubs I am not so sure but what I could raise
you. Imam t ough you are!" _

“ I think not; when kings Win, the game is virtu-
ally up. We hold altogether too high cards for you
at present, and bag as you may, we shall not pass
you.‘

“Don’t be too sure of it. The best trout often
slips from the book when on are sanguine that you
have at last been immo orater successful. But,

eno h of this cheap talk. Go on and say your
say, n as few words as possible, for I am in a
hurry ”

Both Filmore, Six, and Filmore, J r., laughed at
this—itsounded so ridiculously funny to hear a help-
less gristvner talk of being in a hurry.

“ usiness must be pressing I“ leered the elder.
savagely. “ Don't be at all scared. We’ll start on
humming along the road to Jordan soon enou , if
that’s w at you want. First, however, we esire
you to inform us where we can find the girl, as _we
wish to make a clean sweep while we are about it.”

“ Do you bathe your face in alum—water?” abru t-
ly aske the road'agent, staring at his captor, qu -
zically. “ Do you 2'

 

“Bathe in alum-water? Certainly not, sir. Why
do you ask?”

“ Because the hardness of your check is highly
su estive of the use of some similar application. ’

exander Filmore stared at his son a moment, at
loss to comprehend; but, as it be an to dawn upon
him that he was the butt of a bar bit, he uttered a
frightful curse.

‘ My cheek and your character beara close resem-
blance then!" he retorted hotly. “Again I ask you,
will on tell me where the girl is?”

“ 0; you must take me for an or’nery mule, or
some other kind of an animal. if you think I would
deliver her into your clutches. No—no, my scheming
knaves, I will not. Kill me if you like, but it will nor,
accomplish your villainous ends. She has all of the
pa rs, and can not only put herself forward at the
gig t, time, but can,have you arrested for my mur-

eri

“ Bah! we can find her, as we have found you; so
we will not trifle. Clarence get ready; and when I
count one—two—three—p the trigger, and I’ll fin-
ish him with my knife!”

“ All right; go ahead; I’m ready 1” replied the
dutiful son.

Fearless Frank sat upon abowlder in the mouth of
the quartz mine, listening to the strains of music
that floated up to him from the cabin out in the
valle , and pufling moodily away at a grimy old
Pipe e had purchased, together with some tobacco,

rom one of the Utes with whom he worked.

He had not
supper' he di not feel hungry, and was more con-
tented here in the mouth of the mine where he could

 

one down to the crusher-house for his

command a view of all that was going on in the val-,

ley. With his pi e for a companion he was as ha py
as he could be, eprived as he was from associa ion
with the others of his color who had barred him out
in the cold.

Once or twice during the day. on coming from
within to get a breath of are air, he had caught a
ghmpse of Anita. as she itted about the cabin en-
gaged at her household duties, and the yearning ex-
pression that unconsciously stole into his dark e es
spoke of a passion within his heart that, thoug it
might be slumbering, was not extinct—was there all
the same in all_its strength and arrlor. Had he been
granted the privilege of meeting her, he might have

lsplaced' the barrier that rose between them: but
now nothing remained for him but to (oil away until
Redburn should see fit to send him away, back into
the world from which he came.

Would he want to go, when that time came:
Hardly, he thought, as he sat there and gazed into
the quiet vale be ow him, so beautiful even in dark-
ness. There was no reason why he should go back
agflin adrift upon the bustling world.

e had no relatives—~no claims that pointed him to
go thither; he was as free and unfettered as the
wildest mountain eagle. He had no one to sa where
he should and where he should not go; he ' ed one
place equally as well as another, providing there
was plenty of provender and work within easy range;
he had never thought of settling down until now,
when he had come to the Flower Pocket valley and
caught a glimpse of Anita—Anita. whom he had not
seen for years; on whom he had brought censure,
reproach and—

A step among the rocks close at hand startled him
from a reverie into which he had fallen, and caused
him to spill the tobacco from his pipe.

A slight trim figure stood a few yards awe , and he
perceived that two extended hands clas e objects,
whose glistening surface suggested the they were
“sixes ’ or “ sevens."

“ Silence l” came in a clear, authoritative voice.
“One word more than I ask you, and I’ll blow your
brains out. Now. what’s your name?”

“ Justin McKenzie’s my name. Fearless Frank
generally answers me the purpose of a nom de
plume," was the reply.

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 89

 

“ Very good," and the stranger drew near enough
for the Scarlet Boy to perceive that he was clad in
buckskin; well armed; wore a Spanish sombrero,
and long bairdownover the square shoulders. “ I’m
Calamit Jane.“ . ' I

If Mc enzie uttered an ejaculation of su rise, it
was not to be wondered at, for he had hear many
stories in Deadwood, concerning the “dare-deVil gal
dressed up in men’s toggerfi.” _ _ _ .

“Calamity Jane?" he ec oed, picking up his pipe.
uWhere in the world aid you come from, and how
did you get here, and what do you want, and—"

“One ata time, lease. I came from Deadwood
with Road-Agent ick’s party—unknown to them,
understand you. That answers two uestions. The
third is, I want to be around when t ere's any fun

oin oh; and it’s lucky I’m here now. II guess Dick

as Just got layed out by two fellows in the valley
below here, andthey‘ve slid off With him over among
the foothills onder. I want you to stubalong after
me, and len the voices of your sixes, if need be.
I’m oing to set him at liberty!” .

“ m at your service." Frank quickly replied. Ex-
citement was one of his passions; adventure was an-
other.

“ Are on well heeled?”

“ I rec on. Always make it a point to he prepared
for wild beasts and the like, you know.“ _

“ good idea. Well, if you are ready, we'll slide.
I don’t want them toughs to get the drop on Dick if
I can help it."

, “ Who are theyi".

“Who——the toughs?"

“Yes; they that took the road-agent."

“I don’t know ‘ni. Guess they re tender-foots—
some former enemies of his, without doubt. They
pro ose to quiz a secret about some girl out of him
an then knife him. We’ll have to hurry or they’
get their work in ahead of us.”

They left the month of the mine, and skurried
dfiwn into the valley, through the dense shroud of
g oom.

Calamity Jane led the way; she was both fleet of
foot and cautious.

Let us look down on the foothill cam . and the
two Filmores who are stationed on eit er side of
their prisoner.

The younger presses the muzzle of his revolver
against Deadwood Dick’s heart, the elder holds a
long gleaming knife upheld in his right hand.

“ Onel” he counts, savagely.

“ Two l“——aftpr a momentary pause. Another lapse
of time, and then—

“ Hold! gentlemen; that will do!" cries a clear
ringing voice; and Calamity Jane and McKenzie,
steppin out of the darkness, with four gleaming
“ Sixes in hand, confirm the pleasant asserttonl

 

CHAPTER XVI.
'rns ROAD-AGENT'S MERCY—CONCLUSION.

Hammass, the gleaming blade of Alexander
Filmore descended. and was buriedin the fleshy part
of Deadwood Dick’s neck, making awound. painful
but not necessarily dangerous.

“ You Vile var-mint,” cried Calamity Jane, pulling
the hammer of one of her revolvers back 0 full
cock; “ you cursed foo], don’t you know that that
onli seals your own miserable fate i?"

S e took deliberate aim, but Dick interru ted her.

“Don’t shoot, Jennie!” he ga ed, t e blood
Spurting from his wound; “ this ain’ none 0’ your
funeral. Give three shrill whistles for my men, and
they’ll take care 0’ these hounds until I’m able to at-
tend to ’em. Take me to the cab—"

He could not finish the sentence; a sickening
stream of blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell
back u on the gfound insensible. _

Fear ess Fran gave the three shrill whistles, while
Calamity Jane covered the two cowering wretches
with her revolvers,

 

The distress signal was answered by a yell, and in
a. few seconds five road-agents came bounding u .

“ Seize these two cusses and guard 'em we I!"
Calamity said, grimly. “T ey are a precious pair,
and in a few days, no doubt, ou’ll have the pleasure
of attending their funerals. our captain is wound-
ed, but not dangerously, I he 6. We will take him
to the cabin, where there are ht and skillful hands
to dress his wounds. When e wants on, we will
let you know. Be sure and guard these ves well,
now.

The men growled an assent, and after binding the
captives’ arms hustled them oif toward camp, in
double—quick time, muttering threats of vengeance.
Fearless Frank and Calamity then carefully raised
the stricken road-agent, and bore him to the cabin.
where he was laid upon the couch. Of course, all
was now excitement.

Redburn and Alice set to work to dress the bleed-
ing wound, with Jane and the “ General ” looking on
to see that nothing was left undone. Fearless Frank
stood apart from the rest, his arms folded across
his breast. a grave, half-doubtful expression upon
his handsome, sun-browned features.

Anita was not in the room at the time but she
came in amoment later, and sqood gazing 8. out her
in wondering surprise. Then, her eyes rested upon
Fearless Frank or the first and she ew dead]
white; she trembled in eve limb; a hill {tightenedt
half-pitiful look came into er eyes.

The young man in scarlet was similarly aflected.
His cheeks blanched, his lips became firmly com~
pressed; at mastering expression fell from his dark
in etic orbs.

T ere they stood, face to face, a picture of doubt,
of indiflerent respect, of opposite strong passions,
subdued to control by a heavy hand.

None of the others noticed them; the were alone,
confrontin each other; trying to rea the others
thoughts, t e one penitent and craving forgiveness,
the other cold almost to sternness, and yet not un-
willing to forgive and for et. '

Deadwood Dick‘s woun was quickly and skillqu
dressed; it was not dangerous, but was sooexceed-
ingly painful that the pangs soon brought him back
to consciousness.

The moment he opened his eyes he saw Fearless
Frank and Anita—perceived their position toward
each other, and that it would require only a single
word to bridge the chasm between them. A hard
look came into his eyes as they gazed through the
holes in the mask; then he gazed at Alice—sweet,

iguant Alice—and the hardness melted like snow
Be ore the Lagging sunshine.

“Thank d, it was no deeper," he said, Sittilelg
upright, and rubbing the tips of his black-glov
fingers over the, atches that covered the ashes.
“Althou h deuc y bothersome, it isnot 0 much
acoount.

To the surprise of all, he sprung to his feet, and
strode to the door. Here he sto ped, and ‘ooked
around for a. few moments, sni mi at the cool
mountain breeze, as a dog would. sin le cedar-
tree stood by the cabin, its branches, are and
naked, stretching out like huge arms above the
doorway. And it was at these the road-agent gazed,
a savage gleam in his piercing black eyes.

After a few careful observations, he turned his
face within the cabin.

“ Justin McKenzie," he said, gazing at the young
man steadily. “ I want you to do me a service. Go
to my camp, and say to in men that I desire their
presence here, to ether With the two prisoners, and
a couple of stout exists, with nooses at the end of
them. Hurry, now."

Fearless Frank started a trifle. for he seemed to
recognize the voice; but the next instant he bowed
assent, and left the cabin. When he was gone, Dick
turned to Redburn.

“ Have you a glass of water hand , Cap? This
again the gullet makes me somewha thirsty." he

 

 

 

 

30

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.

 

‘ Redburn nodded, and procured the drink; then a
strange silence ervaded the cabin—a silence that
no one seemed Willing to break.

At last the tramp of many feet was heard. and
a moment later the road-a ents, with Fearless Frank
at their head, reached t e doorway, Where they
halted. The moment Deadwood Dick came for-
ward. there was a wild, deafening cheer.

“ Hurral hurral Deadwood Dick, Prince of the
Road, still lives. Three long heart cheers, lads,
and a hummer!” cried Fearless Fran , and then the
mountain echoes reverberated with a thousand dis-
cordant yells of hurrah. .

The young road-agent responded With a nod, and
then said:

“ The prisoners; have you them there?” .

“ Here they are, Cap!“ cried a score of veices, and
the two Filmores were trotted out to the front, with
ropes, already about their necks. “Shall we h’ist

fl “tht jest yet, boys; I have a few words to say,
rs .

Then turning half-about in the doorway, Dead-
wood Dick continued:

“Ladies and gentlemen, a little tragedy is about
to take place here soon, and it becomes necessary
that I should say a few words explaining what cause
I have for hanging these two wretches whom you

see here.

“ Therefore, will tell on a short story, and you
will soe that y cause is dust, as we look at these
things here in this delectab e country of the Black
Hills. To begin with:

“ My name is. to you, E hrar i Harris I” and here
the road-agent flung aside the black mask, revealing
the smiling face of the young card-sharp. “I have
another—my family name—but I do not use it. pre-
ferrlng Harris to it. Anita, yonder, is m sister.

“ Several years ago, when we were chi dren, living
in one of the Eastern States, We were made orphans
by the death of our parents. who were drowned while
driving upon a frozen lake in company With my
uncle, Alexander Filmore. and his son, Clarence—
those are the parties yonder, and as God is my
judge, I believe the are answerable for the death of
our father and mot er.

“Alexand Filmore was appointed ardian over
us, and executor of our property which amounted
to somewhere in the neig borhood of fifty thousand
dollars, my father having been for years extensively
engaged in speculation, at which he was ’most a -
ways successful.

‘ From the day of their death we began to receive
the most tyrannical treatment. We were whi ped,
kicked about, and kept in a half«starved cond tion.
Twice, when we were in bed, and, as he suppmed.
asleep, Alexander Filmore came to us and attempted
to assassinate us, but my watchfulness was a match
{Jor dlgis Villainy, and we escaped death at his

en .

“ Finding that this kind of life was unbearable I
appealed to our neighbors and even to the courts or
protection. but my enemy was a man of great influ-
ence. and after many vain attempts, I found that I
could not obtain a hearing; that nothing remained
gleaming to do but to fight my own way. And I did

g .

“Out of my father’s safe I purloined a sum of
mono sufilclent to defray our expenses for a while,
and t en, taking Anita with me, I fled from the
home of my youth. I came first to Fort Laramie,
where I spent a year in the service of a fur-trader.

“My uardlan, durng that year. sent three men
out to ll me, but they had the tables turned on
them. and their bones lay bleaching even now on
Laramie plains.

“ During that ear my sister met a ay, dashing
fiougf ranger w o hailed to the name 0 Justin Mc-

en 6, an of course she fell in love with him. That
was natu as he was handsome. suave, and gal-
gn‘lli, and, more than all, reported tolerably well-

‘ 0'

 

“ I made inquiries, and found that there was noth-
ing against his moral character, so I made no objec~
tions to his paying his attentions to Anita.

“ But one day a great su rise came.

“ On returning from a ulifalo-hunt of several
days’ duration I ound my home deserted, and a let-
ter from Anita stating that she had gone with Mo-
Kenzie to Che enne to live; they were not married
yet, but woul be soon.

“ That aroused the hellish part of my passionate
nature. I believed that McKenzie was leading her a
life of dishonor, and it made my blood boil to even
think of it. Death. I swore, should be his reward for
this infidelity, and mounting my horse I set out in
hot haste for Cheyenne.

“But I arrived there too late to accomplish my
mission of vengeance.

“ I found Anita and took her back to my home, a
sad and sorrowing maiden; McKenzie I could not
find; he had heard of my coming and fled to escape
my avenginlg hand. But over the head of my weep-
ing sister, swore a fearful oath of ven eance, and
I have it yet to keep. I believe there ha been some
kind of a sham marriagle; Anita would never speak
3n the subject, so I ad to guess at the terrible

rut ."

“ And there's where you made an accursed mess
of the whole affair!" cried McKenzie, stepping into
the cabin and leading Anita forward by the hand.
“.Before God and man I acknowlndge Anita Harris
to' be 7m legally wedded wife I Listen. Edward Har-
ris, an I will explain. That day that on came to
Cheyenne in pursuit of me, I’ll acknow edge I com-
mitted an error—one that has caused me much
trouble since. The case was this:

“ I was the nearest of kin to a rich old fur-trader,
who proposed to leave me all his property at his
death; but he was a desperate woman-hater, and
bound me to romise that I would never marry.

“ Tempted y the lust for gold, I yielded, and he
drew up a will in my favor. This was before I met
Anita here.

“ When we went to Cheyenne, the old man was
lying at the point of death; so I told Anita that we
won (1 not be married for a few days until we saw
how matters were going to she e. If he died, we
would be married secretly, and s e would return to
your roof until I could get possession of my inherit-
ance, when we would go to some other part of the
country to live. If he recovered, I would marry
her anyway, and let the old man go to Tophet with
his money-bags. I see now howl was in the wrong.

“ Well, that very da , before your arrival, the old
man himself ounced own upon us, and cursed me
up hill and ( own for my treachery, and forthwith
struck me out of his will. I immediately sent for
a chaplain. and was married to Anita. I then went
up to see the old man and find if I could not effect a
compromise with him.

“He told me if I would go with him before Anita
and swear that she was not legally my wife, and that
I would never live with her, he would again alter his
will in my favor.

“ Knowing that that would make no difference, so
far as the law was concerned, I sent Anita a note
apprising her of what was coming, and stating that
she had best return to you until the old man should
die. when I would come for her. Subsequently I went
before her in company with the old man. and swore
asI had promised to do. and when I departed she was
weeping bitterly, but I naturally supposed it was
sham grief. A month later, on his death-bed, the old
trader showed me the letter I had Sent her. and I
realized that not only was my little game up, but that
I had cheated myself out of a love that was true.
was left entirely out of the will, and ever since I have
bitterly cursed the day that tempted me to try to win
gold and love at the same time. Here. ward
Harris,” and the young man drew a packet of papers
from inside his pocket, “are two certificates of my
marriage, one for Anita, and one for myself. You
see now, that although mine has been a grievous

 

 

l
l

J‘s.“ .

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.-

31

 

error, ‘ no dishonor is coupled with your sister 5
name. ’

Ned Harris took one of the documents and glanced
over it, the expression on his face softening. A mo-
ment later he turned and grasped McKenzie‘s hand.

“God bless on, old boy 1” he said, huskily.‘ “ Iam
the one who as erred, and if you have it in your
heart to forgive me, try and do so. I do not expect
much uarter in this world, you know. There is
Anita; ke her, if she will come to you, and may
God shower his eternal blessings upon you both!"

McKenzie turned around with open arms and
Anita flew to his embrace with a low glad cry. There
was not a dry eye in the room.

There was an impatient surging of the crowd out-
side: Dick saw that his men were longing for the
sport ahead; so he resumed his story:

“There is not much more to add,’ he said, aftera
moment’s thought. “ I fled into the Black Hills
when the first whispers of gold got afloat, and
chancing upon this valley, I built us a home here,
wherein to ive away the rest of our lives.

“ In time I organized the band of men you see
around me, and took to the road. Of this my sisler
knew nothing. The Hills have been my haunt ever
since, and during all this time you scheming knaves "
-—pointing to the prisoners—" have been constanth
sending out men to murderme. The last tool. Hug
Vansevere b name, boldly posted up reward papers
in the most requented routes, and he wentthe same
way as his redecessors. Seeing that nothmg could
be accomp [shed through aids, my enemies have at
last come out to superintend my butche in person;
and but for the timely interference of Ca mity Jane
and Justin McKenzie, a short time since, I should
have ere this been numbered With the dead. Now,
1 am inclined to be merciful to on] those who have
been merciful to me; therefore, I ave decided that
Alexander and Clarence Filmore shall pay the pen-
alty of hanging, for their attempted crimes. Boys,
string ’em up I”

So saying Deadwood Dick stepped without the
cabin, and c osed the door behind him.

Red burn also shut down and curtained the win-
dows to keep out the horrible sight and sounds.

But, for al this, those inside could not help but
hear the pleading cries of the doomed wrenches. the
tramp of heavy feet the hushed babble of voices,
and at last the terrible shout of “ Heave ’o! u they

.0!” which signaled the commencement of t e vic-
ms’ journey into mid air.

Then there was a long blank pause; not a sound
was heard, not a voice spoke, nor a foot moved.
rl'his silence was speedily broken, however, by two
heavy falls, followed almost immediately by the
tram of feet.

No till all was again quiet did Redburn venture to
open the door and look out. All was dark and still.

The road-agents had gone, and left no sign of their
work behind.

When morning dawned, they were seen to have re-
camped on the eastern slope, where the smoke of
their camp-fires rose in graceful white columns
through the clear transparent atmosphere.

During the day Dick met Alice Terry, as she was
gathering flowers a short distance from the cabin.

 

“Alice—Miss Terry,” he said gravely, “I have
come to ask you to be my w e. I'love you, and
want you for my own darling. Be mine, Alice, and
I will mend my ways and settle down to an honest,
s‘tilg’lféf’wir? ml‘5 in ked tyin 1

e uti u 'r 00 up pi g y.

“ No," she saig,l shaking her head, her tone kind
and respectful “I cannot love you, and never can
be your Wife, r. Harris.”

“ You love another?” he interrogated.

She did not answer, but the tell-tale blush that
suffused her cheek did, for her.

“ It is Redburnl” he said positively. “Very well;
give him my con atulations. See, Alice;” here the
young road-agen took the crape mask from his

osom; “I now resume the wearing of this mask.
Your refusal has decided my future. A me road-
ngent I have been, and a merry road-agent shall
die. Now, good-by, forever.“

 

On the following morning it was discovered that
the road-agents and their daring leader, together
with the no less heroic Calamit Jane, had left the
valley—gone: whither, no one new. .

About a month later one day when Calamity Jane
was watering her horse at the stream, two miles
above Deadwood, the road-agent chief rode out of
the Chaparral and joined her.

“ He was still masked, well-armed. and looking
everjy inch a Prince of the Road.

“ ennie,” he said, reining in his steed, “ Iam lone«
ly and want a companion to keep me company
through life. You have no one but yourself: our
spirits and general temperament agree. Will you
ma me and become my queen f"

“ 0!" said the girl. haughtily, sternly. “I have
had all the man I care for. We can befriends, Dick;
more we can never bel“

“Very well, Jennie; Irec‘on it is destined that I
shall live single. At any rate, I’ll never take a re-
fusal from another woman. Yes, gal, we'll be
friends, if nothing more."

There is little more to add.

We might write at length, but choose}; few words
to i1end this over true romance of life In the Black

s.

McKenzie and Anita were remarried in Deadwood,
and at the same time Redburn led Alice Terry tothe
altar which consummation the “General” avowed
was ‘ more or less of a good thing—consider‘bly less
0’ more ’n’ more 0‘ less. ’

Through eastern layers, a settlement of the Ear-
ris affairs was eifect , the whole of the property
being turned over to Anita, thereh lacing her and
Fearless Frank above want for a fe ime.

Therefore they gave 11 their interest in the
Flower Pocket mines to dburn and the “Gen-
era . ’

Calamity Jane is still in the Hills.

And grim and uncommunicatlve there roams
through the country of gold a youth in black, at the
head of a bold lawless gang of road-riders who,
from his unequaled daring, has won and rightl de-
fierggs the name—Deadwood Dick, Prince 0 the

0

THE END.

POCKET LIBRARY.

W W

ISSUED EVER Y WEEK

No. 1.

Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road ; or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

No. 2. ‘ .
Kansa. King; or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill, (Hon. Wm. F. Cody.)

No. 3.
The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

No. 4.
The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. By Edward L. Wheeler.

No. 5.
The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. By Albert W. Aiken.

No. 6. ,
The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phentom Spy. By Buffalo Bill, (Hon. Wm. F. Cody.)

No. '7.
The Buflalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler.

No. 8.
Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coo‘mes.

No. 9.
Ned Wylde. the Boy Scout. By “Texas Jack ” (J. B. Omohondro.)

No. 1 0.

81132.10 Ben, the Prince of the Pistol; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise.‘ By Edward
L. Wheeler.

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