n , J \' \\‘§ § \k\\\\ ' \ \m ' \ ' \ \ \ \ \ Q§§ \ ' x‘ \ \‘\‘\\‘\ \ WWW“ mm \mxmmmm \ \ V ' ‘. u H: I" l lll' lll‘l Hill ‘ ‘ x ..’Hllllll ‘L t”. r' ; _ L‘.’ . ‘ . - , ~ . -» Copyrighted. 1885, by BEADLI AND Axum. Entered M the Push (min: at New York. N. Y., as Second Chm Mn“ MM“??- Jlln- 14.1385. . Publish d Weekl b Be dle and Adams , Voll VI 3.??33'. 1:0. 93 ‘VILEI'AMYSTH ng YORK. , Flvigr‘lfiglts. N0. 53. 9 0 oo 0 0000000000 on, The Boy Detective of the Black Bunch. BY E. 1. Wheeler. \ , The gun was handed to Gold Riflé'—in a‘ moment he had sighed it, fired, and some'rsaulted y . back upon his feet; ' ‘ Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. Gold Rifle, ' THE SHARPSHOOTER ; on, The Boy Detective of the Black Ranch. BY EDWARD L WHEELER. Amos or ran FOLleNG ulnar-mun mums: . Nos 1, 20, £6, 28, 32, 35, 39, 42, 45, 49, 5‘5, 57, are, E“). CHAPI‘ER I. m osmium OOBBLER—GOLD nirLE‘s snoonno. Tn bright hot summer on the plains had gone, followed by its next brilliant-hued neighbor, autumn, and winter had spread her mantle Over the prairies and mountains of the Far VVest—showored he feathery-white flakes down so copiously that the Wilderness was, as it were, impassable except with the aid of snow—shoes. , A terrible storm had fallen furiously over the Northwest. for four days precrdm Christmas. and when the bright, yellow sun slantr her rays across the plains of white, after so long an absence, it seemed like a loving smile on Notu re‘s deathly face, and millions of sparkling diamond'likc partichs were born in the glorious illumination of God‘s shining countenance. The da promised to be a fair one. with clear sides, on warmth enough in the sun to obviate the bitterwlnt stint: which bit the nose of the early trapper an caused all the animal kingdom of the mountains antéyprairies to keep as much to shelter as ible. ic streams were all frozen over, so , end everywhere stretched that desolate waste of vpurest white. v cry 1 ittle of life had there been on the frontier during the last Week—I mean out on the wide savan- nns. where the snow had fallen to the depth or four or live feet on the level. Most of the wild, roving spirits who make the plain their home-trnppers, hunwrs and outlaws—hm hied themselves (:iiimr to the settlements, a few of which were scattered along the course of the Northern Pacific Ratlway, in Dakota, or to their individual retreats, wherever the m ght be. era was one little settlement where a. hrger share of this floating population had gathered. dur- ing the protracted storm—a stati n where the steam horse of the rail stopped for wood and water; and too. which was a trspiers‘ tradln": station, tiara whence peltries were shippel by car-loads to e t t. From its insignificance. perhaps, the place had nemsdopted any high-t mod name. but whenever mentions , was called-the Sutlement. which an- swered all purposes. Its only life and commerce were in the skin and tar trade. Fifteenor twenty dw cablns. and a. tavern block-house and innit y was all there was of the Settlement. Away to the south but a matter of four miles loom up the Fort. garrisoned with sol ‘iers. und r the command of General M1ynarrl,andaround it were scattered a few settiers‘ dwellings. prominent among which was the’nest farm-house or”un- i'ers ” of General Maynard. ' Thus. the territory adjacent was settled sparsely. but-this did not prevent frequent. raids by Tiger 1113?! autism and the roving tribes of red-skins wh huntedon the plains and in the mountains, not ‘ dad» miles westward from the Settlement. M: the SeMement. on this crystal clear morning, Q11 was s buzz of excitement. The event of the great holiday was to be a turkey out. and not only the‘tran rs and citizens of OSettie t5; - _ mi romthefortmnder Emidtmwm ised to be present The were as handsome. well-behaved and well- drill a squad of Uncle Sam‘s boys as held a fort in the temto , and naturally great ex ctations were born of their participation in the “s oot.“ At early after-dinner hour. they had arrived with their hand, on the spot, and all in the Settlement. were. congregated on the white snows of a level mine, a few hundred yards north of the station. here were men, women and children, of almost every cast of countenance and attire; some mounted upon horses—others standing calf dee in the snow. By noon the excessive sharpness a? the weather had melted beneath thesmiles or the sun, and it was quite comfortable out. except under foot. Besides the soldiers from the fort, there were present many hunters, tragpers and scouts who had won and lost fortunes in t e fur business. The range for shooting was three hundred yards, with Remington rifles, breech-loaders sixteen shot. A turkey was to be “stooled” at the far end of the range, and each man who had entered to shoot. at the cost of a “quarter,” had three chances to knock the bird over, if he could, and carry oi? the fowl us his prize. or course some unlucky ones must be the losers. . v but that was where the sport came in; and the man with the steadiest nerves and best practice stood the best show. The “shoot” was under the management of a coup] 5 of backwoodsmen who had raised the tur- keys, and had taken this method of securing a good round price for them. ‘ About two o'clock the sport commenced. with n and blaro of music from the military band. which 1:111 volunteered its services for the occasion. An old tm pcruamrd Strong led off on the first fowl, but fai ed to disturb a. feather, or even tho composure of the turkey. The white covering of the prairie made it bad for gocd shooting. and as a conseguence the t wl at the end of the range stood a goo show of not being hit at all. “rdv rracious!” exclaimed the man Strong, as he hea the announcement that he had not created a gobble from the turkey, “that aire ther wu'st shootin' I evyer did. fer a fact. l’m generally rum w‘en et cums tor turkey shutes, of I do say it, an no one ‘11 allow us Zeke Strong ever lied jest fer bein‘ famuss." “ Gct out, Strong! You‘re no ood as a shot. and cvei body knows it!" retorto Jay Toleman. u- out lining twent years, the son of the chief radar of the Set! ement, and an acknowledged crack-shot. “You‘re ’wny off yer groove when you tackle anything beyond a mink—trap.” “ l t you needn‘t blow, you young ones of a bull- nurp." growled back Strong, angrily, for he did not ‘ like to be told that he was behind the average. “I‘ve seen them as ked shute ye ' cl‘ar out an‘ out, un’ not half-try. Thar’s th at Tiger Track. ther outr low—I’ve heerd sed he could brush a speck ofl ’m a {ly's‘ eye-winker at a distance of three hundred or s. ' “phi shut up 1yer l n’. on old snake, if you don t wont to zit mist. I ain’t in no mood for yer chin. tor-day. I cum here to win eve cussed turkey. un‘ I’m 1; in’ ter do it, that‘s me!" olemsn ‘ said. with a contemptuous glance at the poor-shoot- in: of a trader who had overloaded new” with corn-juice. . _ _ 7,» ' , J 1y Toleman was. as mentioned. the m of Jwgb Eotlélman, the proprietor of the trading-post in t a 3. 1 ement The elder Toleman was a rude. ruffisnly customer. and it as but natural that he should bring his son up to 'isown standard And Jay Toleman, as he approached his in i ority. had developed into a des- era'e character, w 0 was equall feared and hated By the inrder men. He was rec less, rumsnly and revengeful. and carried with him a conceit that made him the more disgusting to those he came in contact with. , I Ifhe worked, it was in the deed night when no ,3 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 3 one knew it; yet heulways had plenty of money. and on icions had often been aroused that. be got it un- fair y, though just, how no one. of course, knew. He was frequently awn for several days item the Sch tlement. but no one new whither he went—few cared be ond a natural curiomty. . e was of medium night, stout of hmb, and o ly developtd in muscle, wnh a face that was dar y indicative of his evil nature. There was nothing to attract in his make-up, yet he had the name of being quite a lady‘s-man, when he mingled in society, such as the far frontier afforded. Sonic half a dozen trapper-5 followed Strong in his attempt to knock over the turkey, but beyond-the loss of a few feathers. the bird remained unharmed. Jay Tolmnztn at last took the stand With a satisfied smile, and raising his long ride, shot the turkey‘s head off, with us much composure as though he had been firing at random. A che:r went up from the soldiers and the crowd, as an lndian brought in the neatly dc capitated bird, for it was an ex mordiuury shot, considering that several expert marksmen had failed. “Thu'ol diJn‘t I tell yo?” cried young Toleman, looking triumphantly around. " I cum tor clean out titer turkey-coups, an’ that’s my first shot. Hay. down there—put up anothcr turkey!" Another bird was speedily put up accortlin ly, and several shots were fired, some of which brus ed the bird. but failed to knock it over. When it came Toleman’s shot. he sottlt'd the mat— ter with one bullet. And so the shooting went on, the young: crack-shot winning ever-1 time. much to his own elation and the disgust of the crowd. Such shooting was beyond the average—i“comprehensible. illany ol‘ the trapurrs refused to shoot against such odds, and withdrew from the contest, but there were enough others confident in their skill. to keep the ell/rev full, and the shooting exciting. But Tolman won every time, and at last the only remoininz fowl was put upon the stool. He was a monstrous turkey gobbler—thc largest any of the spectators had ever seen. He had a. body several times larger than that of the average domesticated goose, and the owners announced his weight to be seventytflve poundsl He truly was a noble and aristocratic old fellow, with a r'isdainful gobble. as he took the stand, and a cheer went up for him from the crowd.* The excitement over the handsome fowl was intense. and large sum: were ofl’ered the own« rs, for the bird, alive, all of which were declined. The backwoodsmcn declared that he was only to be had by the lucky shooter. And a hundrcd or more 0 ances were sold on lzim, both men and women entering for the sport. The last one on the list of entries. was the young buliv of the settlomcnt. Jay Toleman. and vet ho bragged that he should be the one to tumble over the giant cobbler. :Durlng the prevalent excitement, a hows-man had approached from the west and si ting in his saddle. wagbglsually surveying the crowd. and the prize no r. H3 was 'not one 1011290 remain unnoticed. for soon many curious glances were levrled at him. About twcnt years had nosed over his head, but _ these years but been busi . in perfecting and devel- oping what was now a handsome form, stout, pli- able, and athletic. capable of celerity, great strength and endurance. There was grace. too. in the body and its carriage, pleasing to the eye. In face. the young stranger ‘ waniordinarily good‘lookinz, in the way t“e world i'looksat beaut, ; it was a plain, every-day face. at a Vigilance, tann ‘ .t'rho turkey-shoot, and this big gobbler. are all ' roots. according to the voracious papersof Yankton, Dakota. Ann-Ion. brown by exposure, with round toa- -hit yet. e tures; yet study might have revealed outlines in the face, in the hazel e es, and the firm mouth, do notingmnny manly qua ities worthy of possession— expressions 01 character that were noble and hon- est; or ambition to obtain eminence. of courage, o! iearlessneas, and of will that was unchangeable when in the right. The stranger was clad in a serviceable hunting cos- tume of buckskin, liberally frin ed with mink fur. a round mink cap, and knee-boo s u n the feet. He was mounted upon a_ wir little w it: mustang, of flegy spirit and niche eye, and his saddle an its accoulerments were handsome. In his belt were revolvers.” a knife, and field telescope. at the back of his saddle a bow and quiver of arrows were attached; while. resting across the pommel in iront of him, was a gold- lntcd Remington repeat- ing rifle It was a rumor 'able-lookinfi n'eapo , the barrel and all the steel parts being (’IViiy mod with old, and polished until they shone brightly. The s ght at the muzzle of the barrel was set with a flashing diamond! . , Toward this young strangtr and his remarkable rifle many inqtnring glances were leveled, but he ap peared uite undisturbed. and watchtd the shoot in ior old ‘ng Gobbler which was now begun. bu nndt :- rather unfavornhle auspices at lhe best. For a guy pallor Lad gradually stolen over, the heavens, an a fine powdery snow was sifting ( own, rendering the shooting uncertain, as the target was dimly discernible at a distance of three hundred yards. Shot utter shot was fired n ithont the least reward, for the King Gobbler stood picudly upon the stool. with his great fan-tall outrpread. and occasionally emitting a gobble of indignation as the bullets whizzed past. Ra idly the contestants thinned down to a. little bunc I, and still the tnrke remained untouched, and the excitement grew in to intensity. ‘ What mystery was this? asked these astonished pgo’fle. \\ as the old Gobbler possessrd of a charm- e l or It was an enigma, and wk 11 even Jay Toleman tin- lshed the last of his three shots, unsuccessfully, loud expressions of wonder were heard on every side. while the young bully cursed and swore in a (right- ful manner. “ Smn ’s over tellers!" cried one of the owners or the gohb er. “ ’l‘hree hundred and thirty threv shotl‘ plugged at theta aim turk, but nary a 01 e tuk effect. Allow me ter remark, gentlemen, that thet fowl bu bin put u at five difierent shoots, but nevyer got hears a charmed life. an‘ in two years old. Any one else wanter t their luck ier a quar— ter: aside. from them as has a ct?” ' Bayrl I’ll shoot again i“ growled youm? Tali» matt.,tendoring a quarter. “ l was too nervous be— ore ' “ Can’t help that, young teller: you‘re notentltled ter firlilllthel‘msélota no nioref‘u tbs: refit. Sum follies as a n t p (re come or‘a‘ . e , you go rifle chap, can‘t you hit thot gobblerl' y ' “ Guess so,” was the rep] of the stranger. “That ain‘t half a shot; can stan on my head and knock that gobbler‘s phiz ( if." A loud yell went up at the ext orro'inury boast. “Oh! you needn‘t laugh and smile in your sleeves. ferl can do it i" asserted Gold Rifle confidently. “ I’ll bet you fifty dollars you can’t i" shout/c d-Jay Toloman. who had been imbibing whisky rather freely, and was getting immoderately excited. “ I'm ther best shot on that border, as ye can seeh my pile of turkeys here, an‘ I’ll bet ye can‘t hit tho old sflarrxiander yonder, of ye try a. month 0’ Sun- ayl ‘ r - “ lain't on the bet myself, but just to show ye that you’ve been brought up out 0’ your sphere of naetul- nees. and the wonders thatican be accomp scientific uintln" I‘ll put on my spurs and show fie," Gold said sliding from is saddle. rifle in and. “ How much is the hill of (are. hour! . 4 Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. “ Twenty-five cents. young feller," replied one of the managers. - "Whewl That knocks me down to par, then 1" Gold Rifle said, with a wry look. “ Bu‘sted, ye sue; hsin‘t seen a (anarter for an age. Tell ye what I'll do. though: I 1 give you verbal mortgage. afore the Snowd hear, on my rifle. E! I shute the gob’. both 9 and goh’s mine; of I fail the rifle‘s yourn." “ reed!" eagerly accepted the managers. “ You re to stand on your head." “ If you like, and will furnish me a piece of board to keep my head from sinkin into the snow.” The preparations were m e amidst the greatest excitement. Bets were made, some having courage enough by the Gold Rifle’s coolness. to bet that he would win, although the majority were next to p )sitive that his attempt would be a grand failure. Even if he were so expert as an e uiiihrist. that he could balance himself on his head, ow would it be ssible for him to fire a rifle with an accuracy? he question was not long to puzz e the won- derers. Gold Rifle as the young stranger had been quickly named. rapidly made pro arations for his feat. A large, wide piece of hi.).li'\ was packed down u on the snow. and upon this Gold Rifle took his position. An Indian boy stool class by. with the gold rifle, which was cocked and ready for use. After glancing at the dimly discernible gobblor, and smiling at the applause of the crowd, he knelt’ upon the board and raised his body in to the air, and in a moment was perfectly balanced on his head, his feet erect in mid-air, his hands free. The rifle was handed him—in a moment hvl had sighted it. fired, and somersaulted back upon his feet, while will and loud runs the huzzas when it was seen that the (mile! had rlroppvd flu K in” Robilrr! Later the fowl was brought in, and it was found 15" at his head had been severed from his body. And Gold Rifle was victor. CHAPTER II. A vmmmous AGOUSATION~JOBH nsnrannmn " Hum Tolemanl whar aire ye, now?" shouted the man, Zeke Strong, who was hugely overjoyed that some one should be found to carry off the big gobbler, aside from the young bully. " Hain‘t ther best shot on ther border now, sire ye?" “I‘m a little oil! to-day," was the reply, in rather a crestfallen manner, “but 1 kin do more surprisin‘ teats than that". The enthusiasm over Gold Rifle’s wonderful shot wturintense.“l Captain Bass. of the military. came forward and locked arms with the youn'r stranger, and led hi'u around and introduced to him s-ych as would be eli- gible acquaintances. for Captain Bass was but thir- ty. and a prime good fellow, who liked to see every- body social with everybody. While they were making the rounds. three men were standing apart from the main crowd, some- what, and engaged in watching narrowly the youn': ' sharpshootnr, upon whom nearly all eyes were low-1- od. in admiration. But the eyes oi‘ these three men emitted only glances of suspicion and hatrczi; evidently the Boy Sharpshooter was not n, stramzer to them. One of the trio was Jacob Toleman. the father of the young bully. He wasalittle. dried-up. villain— ous-looking mzm. with ill-attendance to his personal habillments, and a fur-rowed, evil countenance that spoke but too stronzly of excessive drink. He had a shrewd cast of eye. however. Which would have impressed one with the opinion that he was clever nt 1plotting or bargaininz—a man of few scruples. be second of the trio was Omerhaun, the gun- ' Indeed, many of the tar western papers wrote glowing articles on it, givin of course the hero's true name. while we only dea for the present with the title by which he was so widely known. smith. who manufactured or repaired firearms in his smithy. which was situated in a dark, gloonfiy gorge, not far to the west of the settlement. e was a man something vcr nearl after the patlem of Jacob Tolemsn. exoep that e was stouteh and had even a more disagreeable, hangdog look than the trader. Hoover Legree, the third of the party. WM, at 8- glance, a flrslrwatvr border rufflnn. bristling with weapons. dark, wolflsh-looking, brawny—onc of the heavy villains, sometimes so admirably represean on our principal theater stages. _ Besides his personal appearance, which was brutal and rufflanly in the extreme, he possessed all the rotliuisites of a ruman—was a whisky-guzzler, a very wi dent on a fight, and of a quarrelsome nature. ' Few men cared to cross him, for when enraged he was a fearful man to handle. He was considered by some to be very rich. having done, and still doing the most successful trapper business in the Terri- tory. Each of those three men eyed the young sharp- shooter with savage glances, occasionally exchang- ing confldcnces. ‘ The kid’s the very image of your man, Toleman ” Legree said. with an oath. which healwa s new] In speaking as a "finisher" or “starter. ‘ “Kent {6 see it in his durned countenanc ~, cl‘ar as randy?" “I dunno," replied Toleman. dubiously. " Mebbe you’re right. but I can‘t see much resemblance." “But the n gives him away. I tell ye." put in Omerhauu. ‘ 1 made thet plating an’ put ct on that gun, five years ago, when we war in Kentucky. Don‘t ye suppose I‘ve got eyes, ye fool?“ "Well. suppose that is Walter Wagner‘s kid— what then .9" “ Sure enough—what?" sneered Legree. biting fiercely at his britzandish black mustache. “ If the young teller inherits a whit or Wild \Valt’s dare- devélJiiSposition, he‘d be a. hard customer to.at- tac “ Ye’r‘ right. Boover. Wild Walt war wuss ner any ainter- an’ I kin see a dozen p’ints 0‘ our old cap- ‘in in ther young galoot 1yonder. Jest ye watch him more, will ye? He‘s rear y ter jump out 0’ his hide inter a flht under a minnit’s noticc.“ "Yes, 8 as undoubtedly been trained by Wild Wait, and knows his P‘s and Q's. D’yc s’pose he recozuized us?" “ No! He war ter young, on” then we've all changed our titles since five years ago. But I‘ll bet thcr boy war sent hear on our trail. Wild Walt ‘ll never forget ther past." “ 0’ course not. We must blot ct fer him. tho'l" replied Toleman. rimiy. “Ten thousand in gold ain‘t tot he sneeze at." “I‘d like tor sneeze at et. ef ‘twould put et inter my coflersl“ averred Legree. “ The boy’s got to be tumbled over, or we‘re no good." - "I’ve a lan worth a dozen o‘ yonrn!" Tali-man, senior. said. digging with his fingers among the roots of his hair. in a speculative way. “ You notice about the feller, yonder. a slight rp— semblance. in form, to the outlaw. Tiver Track?” Both Lezrec and the gunsmith started, and gazed at Gold Rifle. who was now standing conversinz With Capt. Joe Bass. I “Thar is some resemblance in flggcr." asscnted ,ezrce. " An‘ Ti nr Tmck‘s face, ye know, is slim; behind a mask, hat else (rye want ter make an outlaw out o‘ the boy, yonder?“ _ " Humphl you old rascal, what ye plumbin’ after?" “i‘ll illustrate,” replied Toleman, with an evil smile. “ Ye see, that cuss yonder mars well be nt out o' ther way. as we couldn’t make im tell w ar Wild Walt is, no more’n we kod a grindstun. Tharo- fore, et’s our’llne duty ter put him whar he ‘11 he an angel, instead uv an enemy. I‘ll get Jay, my son, to accuse him'o‘ being Tiger Track, and by joinin‘ in Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. 8 our testhnon" we kin soon hcv him higher‘n lla- man. See? en we’ll buy his carcass, tie et ter thet hose 0’ his. an’ ther hoes ‘ll natterally pull for ther retreat o’ ther lad, asi ken see en’s a smart ani- mal. We‘ll foller ther trail, an’ in that way mebbe come across Wild Walt?" “A darned ood pinn!” assented Legrce. “I’d gives. ig pile tur git a tug at our mscally ca t'in sthrcazc, choke me, at I wouldn’t." , 'Fhe plan seemed to satisfy the trio for in the course of a few minutes Jay Toleman was motioned for and given instructions by his father. Awhile later, the Boy Sharpshooti-r. Gold Rid-i, was still conversing with Captain Bass, when the two Tolenians, Omerhqun, and Boovor Legree sud- denly approached, and stopping in front of lnm, Jay Tolemau cried: “ Hal hal Mr. Gold Rifle, yer jig‘s up, f-‘r we four hev recognized you as the cuss who attacked us with a dozen outlaws d- nvn on Sleighton creek last wink-r. You are Tiger Track, the outlaw." “ You lie like a thief l“ replied Gold Rifle, greatly surprised at the accusation, " My name is Kit Wag- ner. and I come from beyond the Clay Bottom Stream!" “ Bahl ye ken’t lie ter us. you \vhelp!” here inter- osed Legree. "We know ye, an‘ yer jig’s up. ellers, grab that cuss. ef yo‘r’ after wantin' ’l‘iger Track. the outlaw and troopers foe!" Words like these acted like magic upon the honest but much-abused trapping element. They came forward, grim and threatening, backed by the soldiers. But quickness here proved superior to force. With a muttered ejaculation. Gold Rifle sprung upon his white mus‘ang. which stood close by. and swinging his rifle right and left, regardless us to whom he hit. he dashed furiouslv down through the parting crowd, and over the southern snow-covered prairie, toward the distant fort. A yell of race escaped the Tolomans and their friends, and running to their siacin‘d guns th - sol- diery possessed themselves of them. and sent a storm of lead after the daring sharpshooter. He was by this time on a line with the turkey stool, and though none of the bullets struck him. {1:3 horse was hard hit, and dropped dead beneath l m. Pausing on] long enough to take some papan from his and! e—ba'zs. the fugitive ke t on over the snow-covered prairie at a rapid SMEl . nearly equal to that which his horse had made. for there was a crust formed over t e snow sufficient to bear up un- der his weight, which was indeed fortunate for the f tive. uglithout looking behind him. Gold Rifle ran on for some distance. as fast as his legs could carry him. Perhaps ten minutes elapsed. and then he aused and looked around. He was in a shallow va ley or depression in the rail-le, and had stopped at the edge of a dark mot a of blasted pine. tiinbt-r. From his position he was unhl'a to look back upon the settlement and shooting-ground. because of the intervention of the swell he had descended. For several seconds he stood gazing around him. along the valley. and into the dismal stretch of tini- ber. hardly knowing which way to turn. While he was standing thus. a man with an ax on his shoulder came trampintt out of the wood. “ Hello! Graciousl who’re you?” was the saluta- tion. " Look kinder as if ye war lost, or skcci-‘d or in aperdickament. stranger. I swow ef ye ain‘t a picter o' my aunt Sallic‘s boy. Jim. J iin’s a precon- er now. an‘ they do say he‘s sum on slingin‘ Gospel. What’s the matter. stranger?” “ Oh, nothing of much account.” Gold Rifle re- plied. “ I‘m trying to dodge a pack of fools who are laboring under the delusion that I am Tiger Track. the outlaw. Was ju t considering which way I‘d best go." " Ye don‘t say so? Waal now, that‘s ww bad I swow to breeches. I ’tarnally hate for see one felici- sot outer by a big passe] 0’ roughs for ’taln't right. Et every man war only like my uni-tie Ike usedte be up in New Hampsher’. He waz a . an’ alias used ter say his Imayors every n ht afore he retired. S’pose e'd e ter find a hi '~place from them chaps w at’s arter ye. eh?" “ Yes. and I must be moving.” re lied Gold Rifle. “ Although I'm not Tiger Track I 0 not want them fellows to .t hold of me. Go Jig." “ But ho (1 up, stranger, Two ends ar‘ hetter'n one, ef one on ’em‘s empty. Jest ye tote creams: along after me. Ain't often I kin doa fe er a turn, an‘ Iallus improve sech chances. Cum on . now. without a word, an’ I‘ll show ye a coo so e that ye’ll be su rised. Ye see I‘m a man 0 charac- ter, an’ I ain‘t 3.1! so green as I look, tho’ I am fresh frum Vermont.” And it occurred to the keen eye of Gold Rifle that he did look most ridiculously ‘green." for he was clear- uill old-school Yankee, from his boots tothe top of is head, a distance of some six feet and four or five inches. He was at a glance a powarful man. but so awk- ward and unwieldy as to create a belief that he could be eas handled. But this belief would have gradually die cut to an observant eye. In face the man was extremely homely and ludicrous. while about his dress and manners was preserved all of the original and outlandish ways of his forefathers. And as he followed irustingly in the Yankee‘s footsteps. Gold Rifle could but smile at the apparent clumsiness of the great fellow. " Dunno much about you, stranger." the words came next, “but I reckon ye ain’t so bad, or on show it in yer countenance. My name's Josh em- perhill. Ye remember the Hemperhills wars great family up in Vermont. no doubt—great men, eVery motln-r’s son of ‘em—men of soun moral an’ man- ly cianucmr, sirl Ye kin find their autobiographies nnywhar in thet State. Bein’ ther last male 0‘ ther family, ther hull avalanche o’ manly character nat- er’ly di‘scends enter me. None 0’ ther Hemperhills war afraid ter work—could chop wood an drink hard cider from morn till ni ht an’ never a ueel, I tell ye. An’ as a man 0’ c aracter. at be coves me ter foller in their footsteps; so 1 him out beeran‘ hired out ter General Maynard for ten dollars a war an‘ my board. General‘s a ’tarnal good feller. at when ya cum ter his darter, I swow she's st old peaches! Ruther sweet on me, too, for shea us tells me she admires character in aman. But. cuss darn it, ther old general went an’ hired an Irishman; an‘ he’s tryin‘ ter cut around Miss May wi' his gilr berish; but I‘m solid in my b‘lief that she won‘t Sacrifice, good healthy character fer an Irish hod- can- or. “or course not," declared Gold Rifle, barely re- pressing a laugh at the Yankee‘s earnestness. “No woman of Ballad mind will stop to think of choosing hetwem an ignorant /Hibernian and a. man of your superior qualifications." This pleased Josh hugely and he talked an inces- sant flow of nonsense as h A, led the way rarpldly through the motto and ascended to the prai e on the ot er side of the shallow valley. But,.talkiag did not interfere with his rapid locomotion, as Gold Rifle soon found. Evidently there was much in the fellow which had never been brought to light. In a measure he was ignorant of his own strength and powers. . 0n rising to the level prairie again. Gold Rifle looked back toward the set lementI and saw that he was pursued. as he had surmised. A score of the trappers had joined the now mount- ed soldiers. and all hands were now descending the slope into the valley. " We shall have to run for it,.Joshl“ the - shooter said, “ or those fellows will catch up wit us." " No they won‘t' but we‘ll run, as et‘s yet two miles to the general’s." a Gold Rifle. the Sharp-heater. They did run and Gold Rifle had to exert himself to keep up with the ennui-y Yankee. On over the hard crust of snow they so like a couple of startled doors, their heads bent forward. and pointing toward a handsome farm-house which was visible in the white dazzlinfi expanse. Perseverlng y the two men kept on, with a mile be tween them and the ursuers, and at last they bounded into the yard t t surroundedthe general's house. And the pursuers still came on. CHAPTER III. DELIVER. on DOWN come soon awry. “ Eran we are stranger. at General Maynard‘s. an‘ a gosh-darned ne teller the general is, too. Clean esSence from his forefathers. an' as squar’ a felleras ever chewed his end. Bet my character ac’in' ther best bushel 0' potatoes as ever grow'd. thet ther gene- ral wull ive you a warm welcome, but ye see I ken‘t jest say ow't‘li be with Miss May, for she’s cl'ar gone sweet over me an' haln’t got an eye-winker fer any other feller, 'iess ct ar’ that dratted Irisher. Now. of I befriend ye. like a man of character shouli. stranger, ye're not to stick yer finger inter my pie, ner luk sweet at her, her try ter coax her ar- ter ye, ner any conducements liker ter disturb my future prospects." "You need have no fear of me. Jos‘i " re llerl Gold Rifle. smiling. “I don‘t think I shall be] kelv ter interrupt ther armony of your courtship. Lead uhe't ." Jos‘i accordingly led the way up the front sie of the elezant farm-house, and into n. spacious mil, which in grandeur was beyond anything Gold Rifle had ever seen The walls and ceilinz were beautifully decorated, and the floor carpeted richly. and furnished with mirror, hat-rack and coat-case. Josh led on. an] they entered a grand parlor, where a cheery tire was blazing brightly, and casting forth a mod~rate warmth. Here in this parlor were all evidences of wealth and taste. The apartment was richly furnished— with handsome chairs tables and sofas with costly cm-petlng noon the door, and chande ers ending from the ceiling. Pictures and portraits dec ed the walls, while strewn about here and there were many adornments. In a word, the parlor was equal to many of our grand eastern Minna. even if beyond, as you may say, the scope of civilization. And it is not unfrequently in western travel, that the tourist stumbles upon these cases in the desert— homes where beauty. wealth and refinement reign. Looking around. Gold Rifle took in his surround- ings at a glance. and inwardly felt that he was in the wrong place—that he was unfltted for entree into such a palace. A younz lady was sitting: at a piano. idly drum- ming the keys with her white lingers, while an old. white-haired. white bearded man was ensconced in a great cushioned arm-chair near the fire, engaged in perusing a paper. He was probably among the sixties in age, but a fine-looking man wit ‘al—flrm, erect of carriage, and iarze of build—one born to command. His eve was: still true and unflinching. and his hand tremble i not. showing that his nerves were still under con‘rol. He was attired in the costume of a General of the Regular Army. and near at hand a sword was how:- ing unshsathed, which looked as if it had seen a good many hard battles. The yo mg lady at the piano was the person whom the eyes of Gold Rifle centered upon, after he had given General Maynard a searching glance. She was about eighteen vears of a, surpassineg pretty' graceful. womanly in moi ; her features were 0 our regular and delicate. with cheeks tinted with the g ow of health; a mouth sweet an I temptv ing, and eyes of hazel hue, shaded by heavy lashes. Her hair was lighter than brown—a sunny shade, and worn in its wondrous wealth down over the shouldem in an unconfined mass. Her attire was near. and stylish, and acinz at her in her budding womanhood, Gold Rifl ) elt his young heart beat faster. and a flush of enthusiastic admi- ration came involuntarily over his own good-natured face. Both General Ma nerd and his daughter looked Illiiin surprise as Go d Rifle and the eccentric Josh emperhill entered the room. But both exhibited tilzleir courtesy when Josh had introduced his young 0 arze. “General an' Miss May, this ‘ere's a cha they call Gold Rifle, as ye mought jedge frum is {run hyar. I found him in a fix, pursued by ther ssjers 0 your command, an‘ all tber trappers an’ roughs this side 0‘ Dukoty line. au‘ bein a man of 3013:! basis character—n trail w’ich descended frum oil Nebuchadnezzar HemperhillI who died in fifteen hun- dred an‘ f )rty—i fetched him along wi’ ther insur- ance o‘ Sertection. Why, sir, thet same lad he tells me. stu on his head and shot a turkey ter-duv." k General Maynard bowed, and gazed at Gold Rifle een . “ our name—what is it. young man i" he asked, hisfltones kindly yet stern. “ What is this Josh is e no; ‘ “My'name is Kit Warner, sir." the B0 Sharp- shooter replied, “though am Imoregenera ycalizd Gold Rifle,a”ter my gun, here. As towhn: our man here has said. it is mainly true. I have een and am new pursued by those who partici ated in to-day's turkey shoot, at the S?t!lement. ecausra I won the last turkey it seems a feeling of enmity was created against me; and a cunt: fellow of about my own age. whom theyca ed Toleman,ac~ misc 1 m a of being ' er Tracie the outlaw. His as‘ sertion was conflrme by afipertetto orsoof his pals, audiosavc being lynched v the crowd I had to make adasb for liberty. Back here apiece Imet vour man, and he insisted upon my coming here. ‘But I think I had not beat trouble you. If I go at once. I may succeed in outwitting the pursuers, yet. ‘ 1 “ 'Pi‘hen you deny that you are Tiger Track, the out- aw " “ Most assuredly i do. I never heard the name of Ti er Trrck until a couple of days since. iii home is yond the Clay Bottom Stream, and am a stranger. hereabouts.“ . “ Well, well! This is rather a remarkable case!" the general observed. watching Gold Rifle as the hawk watches its prey. “You don’t look exactly like an ou'law, younaman; and yet, in this decep- tive life. we are all he 1e to make mistakes. What do you think about the matter, May?" and the white haired veteran turned to his daughter inquirin'rly. “ I believe what Gold Rifle says. apnfi' May May- nard replied, with a slight color in or c eek. at her gaze met that of the young sharpshooter. “I am sure he does not in the least resemble Tiger Track. who you remember chased and tried to capture us, but a month ago." “My opinio~i.exactly. dear. You say your name is Wagner, sir?" “Yes, sir." . “i had a friend by thatname. years ago. Now ounr man. I hardly know what to sav for you. for see your )ursuers are oo‘mimr hotly inward th‘ house; and t ey are am. $00. for mmled-S‘Dmer' havebeen heaped upon both soldiers and trap era v Tiger Track and his outlaws. I don't bei°vn they'll accept any explanation from even me, and ii. will be necessary for you to try your luck at escap- inn. “ But. believing you to be what you represent, I shall not let you go w't‘iout friendly assistance. May, mv dear. you may take this young gentleman to the Secret Corral, and give him a choice of the horses. Josh, you may remain with me. and we will keep the rabble out of the house as long as possible." Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 7 Gold Rifle arose to follow May Maynard, but first turned to the general. a suspicion of mols.ure in his e es. y“You are a good and noble man, sir," he said, shaking the extended hand warmly. “ and if it ever comes within my power to do you a. fiood turn. be- lieve me I shall mprove the chance. thank you all for the interest you have taken in me, and maybe it won‘t be long ere I can repay you." “ Nothing of the kind is uired youn man, al- though I commend your sp rit. igbt s right, in this world. and I have fought for it the whole of my life, and shall continue to do so as long as I have breath. Good-by. air, and God grant you success.“ Then Gold Rifle turned and was about to follow May from the parlor. but he was once more inter- rupted by the Yankee, Josh, who pulled him mys- terioust to one side, his rude countenance a puzzle of combating expressions. ' “Neow you see beer. stranger," he began. in a hoarse w isper—“ aire youa man 0' sound moral an rglslgiyus character? B 3 ye roof ag‘in‘ ther smiles on” f nnshuns o' ther fema e sax? Ef ye ain’t let me warn ye, that the devil flsheth best for the soul of man when his book is baited with a lovely woman Neow, young straneer, ef ye‘re a man 0' honorable character ye won’t look cross-eyed ner git spoony on my gn , Miss May, while she’s esqusrtin' ye ter- li . Ye won’t whisoer soft sentimental nonsenses inter er ear, ner feed her on sugar- lums?" "Certainly not, Josh. You shoul put more confl- deuce in me than that; and then, too, Miss Maynard is almost a total stranger to me." ‘ Yes, that's so, sure’s preechin’, but, I swow tor breeches. ye ken’t put no do ndence in boys an‘ gals nowada s, as ye nster cu’d. They lack titer solid basis 0 nracter. Thar, for instance. ar' thet Irisher, Pat Dolnni “un—hedn't bin here three bowrs afore he war castin‘ sheep’s eyes at Miss May. Now. stranger. mind how ye conduct yerself. fer if I ever find that ye tried ter win ther affections o‘ yon gal away from me, I’ll skin ye alive!" And with a tragical ' cowl Josh turned away, and Gold Rifle accom period May. The pursuing trappcrs and soldiers had by this time come up and drawn rein in front of the farm- house. and knowing what was required of him. Gen- eral Maynard stepped out upon the veranda, fol- lowed by Josh. All the soldiers, except Captain Bass. were drawn up in line, while the rest of the party, composed mainly of trapper-i and traders, were scattered about. prrsenting rather a warlike spectacl". Cap- tain Bass, unable to restrain his men, rode forward and c{clued Josh and the general on the veranda. “ rder, here!" Maynard cried, a the in his 0 e, and the true military ring still in his tone. “ W at means this disorder among you privates?" “It means that we're after an outlaw and thief -— the rufflan Tiger Track, and he‘s in your ranch i” re- plied Lirutenant Grey. a bitter outlaw-hater. who was leading the military in the place of Captain Joe Bass who had refused to act against Gold Rifle, whom he believed to be an honest man. "Order!" again thundered the general. “ ’Tis falseI the charue you refer arainst the young man. He is no more Ti er rack than I am, and I com- mand you to with raw immediately to the fan.“ “ But we declinei" rctorted Lieutenant Grey. with a sneer. “ If you'll cover a traitor. general. we won't, and we're just the boys as is swing to stretch up Tizer Track to the handlest tree." “You cannot have the lad—he is not here!” said the general, seeing that it. was useless to argue with so many inuubordinate spirits. ' “You llei" replied Grey, fiercely. “ You are a traitor to your country, vourself, and you’ll deliver up the boy, or we'll tumble down your shanty." "‘l have not got the young man about my pre- mises " deplored the general. “Any three of you are welcmno to come in and search i" “We won’t come a step, you old cuss!" shouted the lieutenant drawing a pistol. goes er shan y!" "1’ deliver nothingl" replied Maynard. “You are at liberty to come and search, for by this time your intended victim is far away." And turning on his heel the veteran omcer re-eu- tev ed the house. With an oath of rage Grey raised his wea n w are at the retreating form. but before he coul pull the fatal trigger, there was a sharp report. and a bulin- r. from Josh Hemperhill’s revolver dropped the would- be assassin dead. A cheer of approval went up from the soldiers at the brave act, and motioning to Joe Base to head them, they turned upon the ’l‘olemsns and the other ’ traders, and drove them OR at the point of their ha onets. s ended what mi bt have been a setiousmob. in the mean time ay Maynard had led the way out of the parlor, into a kitchen, and down a steep pair of stairs into a deep cellar. Here she paused. and searching arotmd for a few moments, roduced a. candle from a shelf, and l t- ed it. By is illumination Gold Rifle was anabl to see iris surroundin , and all he beheld were the hearily-planked wa of the cellar. 1 “ 33mph! I see no way of escape from this hole," ie sa: . ‘ “ Because you are not in the secret." Mny May- nard re died, with one of her pleasant little laughs. “ Here V—a.r.d she led the way to one side of the cellar. ‘ “Please push heavily against these two an s. ’ ' I) Go d Rifle did so, and to his surprise they fallback. leaving an aperture of considerable sire. Through this he went, according to May‘s orders, she follow- iugnnd closing up the hole. hey were now in a dark underground passage, about eight feet by eight in width and night. “ This prssaee runs about two miles in under- ground,” e'xplsinpd Ms. y, as they hurried alon over a hard ground floor. “ It was constructed so t at in the care of an Indian siege we could have some mode of escape. and it has an opening into a small prairie valley. Its existence is a Secret- except to my father and myself. nnd cor Josh, who think: 1 nm dead in love with him. a! ha! ha!" They soon arrived at a point in the passage where it was vastly wider, and here several handsome horses were feeding, attended by an Indian rroom. May made hurried em lanutions to the young sav- age, and then giving Gold Rifle a warm pressure“ the hand and bidding him God speed, she hurried back toward her home above the earth, while the young man selected a fine steed from the corraLand mounting, rode on through the wonderful avenue of escape, until he suddenly rounded a bend and rode out from behind a rock that hid the outlet of the pinssaae, into the light and freedom of a little prairie v ey. - . CHAPTER W. moans snows ms CLOVER-POM “ensues-an." UNDER the charge of the soldiers the trappers and traders must perform» retreat, andthey were driven quite back to the Settlement ere they were leftgiwolested, and the soldiers withdrew toward t l3 o . By this time a larger share of the troopers had come to disbelieve the story of Gold Rifle's being Tiger Track, but there were a portion left who ac- cepted the word of the Telemann for it. A consultation was held between Boover Degree. the gunsmith Omerhaun. and the two 'l‘olemans as soon as they arrived at the Settlement, in the cabin of the latter. “ Deliver, or down “ It‘s a defeat all around,” Lezree 'rowled, striv- ing to dampen his ferocious spirit by] . uent gusts of whiskv from a demi 'ohn whic upon the table between them. “ her boyee’s zone. an‘ we ain’t likely ter git a glimpse 0' him ag’ln in a dog's age, and that knocks all our prospects o' gettin' the fortune back frum Wild Walt." - " [don’t b'lieve the teller ever left old Maynard's house i" sneered Jav Toleman. “ That gal 0‘ May- nard‘s put him awn , while ther old cuss cum out- side an hamngue to us!“ “ Meb‘be ye’re right, but thergnloot's slid out afore this time " “ Of course." assented the gunsmith, lighting his lpe. “ That young cuss is smarter than on think or. He has got lots 0‘ Wild Walt‘s bl in him, and I’ll bet you won’t easy get ahead of him." “We must contrive to somehow. Where dons this Clay Bottom Stream ny which he mentioned?" "West of here." replied J‘ny Toleman. “I have been there several times fer beaver. but didn’t get enough to make it pa. . It is about thirty or forty miles. I reckon. over ill an’ plain." “Hal then it is somewhere in the neighborhood of Tiger Track‘s stronghold, is it not?" “Yes—neer where the outlaw is sugposed tor hold his quarters; A story has been tol frequently of a Black Ranch on the prairies, which is surrounded by a fence of plank sixteen feet high, and assumed to be the retreat of the outlaws. But I guess no one knows the truth of the matter." “ I'm not done with Tiger Track yet, by a long shot!" oathed Legree. " The prize 9 stole from my cabin on Lent creek ten years ago must he re- stored to me when i get a grip on the rufflan.” - “ The Tiger Track of ten years ago, and the Tiger Track of to-day cannot be the some." suggested Jacob Tolsman, "for the the claimant of the title today is represented to be scare ~ly more than a youth. Yet his skill in handling his men in a light, proves that he must have been under the training of the older outlaw. who took the field shortly after our band broke up and scitt cred." " It matters not. I b‘lleve that Agnes Wagner is still in the power of the Tiger Tmck outlaw band, and if evyer God sees fit ter put her in the power of Boover L ree,‘ she‘ll find that 3‘) i has a hard task- msster in t e man she scornfully ref used ere she be- came Wild Walt's wife.” “That has been a matter of long standing, Le~ gree. and l marvel that you still remember it!" “ l shen't forget my gruiges till dirt’s piled on top 0’ me!” replied the ruins“ trader, savagely. Two d \ys passed by in the snow-boun northwest. The weather was biting cold. and the snow still remained upon the oceanlika savannas, a winding- sheet for nature. The wint:r had set in, in dead earnest, to all appearances, and it was to be asevere one. Very few hunt ars or trappers ventured far he end their respective shelters, an'l motors on the p sins were temporarily at a standstill. Only Jay Tolemin had summoned up courage to venture forth into the wildernest of snow, giving as his reason that he had a “gang " of traps out, upon the South Fork, which must be looked after. 0n the second day after Christmas, the border- rudlan trader, Boover Legree, mounted his horse, and rode down over the heavy crust to General Maynard's. He often made it a part of his business to call at the farm-house andchat with the pretty May May. ntrd. although his visits were ever unwelcome to the general on! his daughter. But, as he had never shown any of his villainous or disagreeable nature in their presence, and was as polite and gentlemsnly as could be expected. his visits had been tolerated, for. being an influential man upon the border, the general was not desirous of crossing him. To-dsy, one of the keenest. frostiest of the prevail- ing cold snap. the trader found May Maynard alone in the cosey parlor. the general having ridden over t 1 *he fort, on business. “.i w was looking her loveliest in a stylish suit of s 1 n e '1 shouts brown material, with more color than usual to her cheeks, and a brighter luster in her Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. hazel eyes. Gazing at her—at her lovely rylph-like form. her graceful carriage. and her pretty face, half-framed by her falling wealth of sunny hair. one could but be impressed with the glory of her budding womanhood. And the evil eyes of Boover Degree were fastened gloating upon her while she sat at the piano, as he stood for a moment unobserved in the doorway leading into the parlor he was contrasting her ex- uisite beauty and wealth of nal charms with t at of the woman whom he admentioned in the presence of the Toiemans-— nes Wagner. “ She is a fine woman and t e possessor of beautv which is rarely found. Ahl but I'd give a king's ransom to gossess her, and make her furnish light to my clou yold heart. And. what's to binder?" and nere a devilish glitter darted into the ruman's eyes. “ what‘s to hinder? Maybe I can win her con- sent. and I have the plan all ready. Once I t lier in my power, Agnes Wagner can go to t s ( cvil." T he villain stood several moments, his intended victim, then stepped b0 TOOTH. Mn wheeled around with a little scream, as she hear his heavy tread, her face grown suddenly )ale. , I “ 0h. Mr. Legree, is it you? You frightened me by your abrupt coming." "Eh? frightened ye. my dove?" the trader said softly, as re took a seat near the piano. “ I go lonesome up at the Settlement, and so ventured down here, where it is Hieasant. Besides, l have a mission of mercy to fulfl . Hal hal Sounds strange. does it not, to hear an old tough like me talkln' uv mercy? Well, ye see. l‘ve got a heart after all, an' hain’t quite so bad as I'm cracked u to be. Ye rc- member that teller we war after brutality—ther one wi’ the Gold Rifle?" “ Yesi yes! What of him?" May demanded eager- ly. " I was ust thinking of him when you came in, wondering i —" “ If what?“ “Oh, no matter what? What on have to say of him, please say quickly. for I s have to excuse mvse E from entertaining any one to-dn ." “ Well, ‘tnin‘t much I've got ter say 0 ther chap," Legree repli~-d, carelesslfi. “Ye see how it was. e got shot afore he kim in hayr, an' he’s layin‘ at ther precipice 0‘ death now in my old trappin‘ cabin up on ther Clay Bottom Stream. He’s give up ther ghost, and sent me for ter tell ye. as he wants ye ter come; and so forth, and so forth!” “ What! Gold Rifle dying, and asking for me2 Mr. Leggellei"‘1iiay exclaimed, in great agitation. ‘ Im- oss b e l‘ p " ’Tnin't impossible, no sech a thing, my lady. l jest cum from there, onl stopl in‘ fer a minnit at the Settlement. Hc hes b n on n’ fer you for over half a day, sayln’ as how he had an important secret tor confl e [or ye." “ Where is this cabin? Could you direct me to it!" “No, for ye‘d soon get lost in ther wilderness of snow. But, 913 you'll accept my escort, I’llsoon have you at ther boyec's bedside." May arose from her seat and to and fro across the soft carpet a few moments in greatest perplexity of mind. She was half-inclined to believe that Legree was lying to her—that his story was only an invention by which to entice her sway from home into his villainous toils. Her father had often warned her of him, sndbade her not to trust him in the slightest,- and as she thought of these warnings, she resolved to resist, and not believe his story. " If only on Christmas (lav you were Gold Rifln's bitter enemy. how comes it that you are sent by him on this mission!" she asked. stopping short, and gazing sharply at the trader. I Legree flushed, and shifted uneasily in his chair. looting over idly into the Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. 9 " Why-wh you see—" he be n, then stopped as he on ht he stern glance of sy s eyes. “Enoug l" she said, with a content tuous laugh. “ Do not imperil the future of your sou by lying any further. I know our little game, now, Legree. Gold Rifle is no don t in safe quarters ere this, and as for your deliberate lie it has utterly failed. We have been warned that you would show your cloven foot, and it has now come forth. There, Boover Le- gree, is the door through which you came. You will please take your departure throu h it." “ No, my retty dove. I‘ll do not ng of the kind at present!” t e trader replied, with a‘frightful leer. ‘Since you've found me out, ‘gartly we may as well become better acquainted. hen I leave this ’ere ranch, I'm goin' ter fetch you along with me!” “Don‘t you dare to lay a hand on me. villain. I am in my father‘s house, and I command you to leave instantly. or I will call the servants, and have you forcihlv ejecte .“ “ Hal ha i ha i" and Legree laughed loudly—~“ that’s prett well done, Miss Maynard. Your vocation sho d be that of an actress. Why, to my own knowledge. you do not keep servants other than that Yankee, Hemperhill who is as green as a cabbage- leaf, and a raw Iris man who knows enough to get up hash, and that's all. Do you for one moment imagine that I have the least fear of them? If so, yiou are mistaken. I can lick both of them at a t me. “Then, shure, an’ ye‘ll be doin‘ what. ye niver did before!" exclaimed a voice, and the lush cook Pat Doian, stepped into the parlor, with a grin of delight at an antic pated fray. “Allow me ter interdooce In Vegas, Mister Legree —I’m Patrick Dolan, late- ly from t e ould count —sacred be its name.“ Legree started to his eet with an oath, as he be- held a brawny individual. fully as heavy as himselfI and a man evidently of true grit. Dolan was a representative Irishman, with the culiar expression of Hibernia written all over 11:: countenance, and the intelligent Irish sparkle in his eyes. He was not a handsome man. yet possessed a. it ndly hearing which would have won him friends almost anywhere. “ You see I am not unprotect-‘d, you rufflan!“ May” cried, triumphantly. “ Dolan will fight for me “ Arrabl sn' it's yersllf as spakes the swnte truth now!" assured Pat, advancing. “Share, an' has the dirtlhfly yomaadhaun bin a-givin’ ye any 0‘ his slack, me y n “Yes, Pat, he has been. threateninfi‘to carry me off, and I have ordered him to leave e house, but he refuses to go." . “Ahl thin l'll make him go, me little shamrock. Shure, an‘ of the Yankee has t the character, he- dad Pat Doolan has got the arm, an’ out goes the snalneen av a blackguard." And flourishing a clu in his hand, the impetuous son of the Emerald isle sprung toward Legree, who was evidently waiting for him. But the club was of no use, for in a moment the two men were in a boar-like hug, waltzing here and there over the carpet, Pat ondeavorlng to work the trader out into the hall and thence out of doors. But was a man of great strength. and be bent all is energy in trying to crush his adver- Pat however was made like iron, and all the efforts of the trader were for a time unavailinfi. “Och! ye mnrderln‘ shnakel” roare Pat. prime in his glory. “I‘ll show yc how they trate yer kind B llyraok, on their ould soil. Shure, it's sore . over at a heads I‘ve given many a bla‘guard, an' I've not lost the twist 0 me. wrist yit. Hooray. is that yer 1e?" —as Ingree mode an attempt to bite—“ ochi am no hog that would be after bitin‘. Bedacent an’ I‘ll kape nip this jig ontlll er heart is sore as t e nose av Wi ow Donovan’s p ," Around and round, twisting and squirming, the . two men went for several moments; then Ingres by a dextrous movement erked away his left hand and dealt Pat a blow in t e forehead that felled him to the floor. Then the rsfilan, with an oath, sprung toward May, who had retreath in affright. “Now. ~on little ti 5. I'll have on without—" “ A don tl" flnishe a voice. and he trader was suddenly confronted by the stalwart form of Josh Hemperhill, and a pair of cocked revolvers. “ Without a doubt. Mister Legree. 0h! e needn‘t look—et‘s me, ef I am as green as :1 cables? leaf. Now, sir, you git, or I swow ter brooches ef don't sock et tgr you fer kill. I ain‘t a-foolin‘, nuther. so yo {I . With a frightful oath ’Legree turned and walked out into the hall, an expression of malignant hate upon his countenance. “ Remember. May Mainland. I am not through with on, yet, nor on eit er, you accursed Yankl” he 0 ed, as he let the house. mounted his horse and rode away. Josh returned to the 1parlor and found Dolan just crawling to his feet, wit a wry expression of coun- tenance. “ The bla‘guard—the spalpeen—where is he?“ was the demand. “I put him out. Pat, darned ef I didn‘t! Jest as easy as chawin’ cheese. Ye'ro a good fighter, Pat, but thar‘s one essential ye sadly lack, an‘ that‘s good solid basis character!" CHAPTER V. m-ro 'rnn ernnnxnss—Josn’s NOVEL woolorrm rowan. Fon several days after Legrec’s ejection from the Maynard farmhouse, things moved along in their own channel. Little was done outside of the old general’ quar- ters. for he was a humane man, and not me one to cause either man or beast to labor cut in the bitter cold and freezing weather which revaiied. So that durln this time of litt o—to-do. eccentric. uncouth Josh emperhill had plenty to occup his time within the farm—house, for be paid Miss ay the strictest attention, and in his own way tried to make a successful courting. Also. he was husied in kee in aweather-eye upon his rival, the Irish- man, est eshnuldxplant a seed of fascinafioninthe eye of Miss Mayna . ' And so it happened that the two men-servants were finite a bore to poor May, whose maiden tastes and i eas took quite another channel from them, and although she had not the heart to offend by re- sisting the ridiculous protestations of Josh’s love-or the little gallantries of Pat Dolan, she was often thorougth disgusted with them. - In one of these unenviable frames of mind, she applied to her father, the white-haired old general, for relief. “ Well, well, my deny.“ the old man said with a smile; "I don’t know what you are to -do, I am sure. unless ou send Josh .away fora while on some pretex or other; for I do not wish to oifen'd the poor fellow, be having done me sevrral good turns. The crazy loon would do almost anything for you. I believe, and you might send h m o somewhere for a while, and I‘ll order Dolan not to how his visage outside of the kitchen. I see b the barometer at the Fort and a telegram from the weather bureau at Washington, that our severe cold weather is virtually over, although we may be troubled with snow." “Very well; I‘ll send Josh away then," Ma re- plied, brightening up and hurrying swag tow the servants’ quarters. "I‘m sure it won] be a eat relief to me to escape his ardor. And then, I ve just a capital idea how to dispose of him. and kill two birds with one stone." The day bein a moderate one. with a smiligs sun. she resolv to have Josh start atonee. a hunted him up in the pantry, wherehe was inno- cently eng ed in stowing awaya half of one of Pat‘s New ear mince pies with evident huge delight\ "10 Gold Rifle, the to think that ho was " hitting one " at the “ blnrsted lrisher." , ’ Calling him one side. with a roguxsh glitter of fun in the expression of her hazel eyes. May approached him on her proposed plan. “ Josh. ou have quite a notion of liking me, hav- en‘t oul‘ u r why, bless ‘your heart. yes. Miss May. I swow to gracious 0 ye didn‘t cum near takin the breath cl‘sr away frum me.“ "That is because you were appro riating Doian’s pies. Josh, which is very wrong. 0w would you like to have me make pies for you to eat. Josh ?" " 0h! Jerusalem! wrowldn’l, that be 0. K..’" nnl the Yankee‘s taco lighted up with a beaming grin. " You don‘t mean it fer sart.‘in, do ye, Miss May?” " Why shouldn‘t 1, Josh? You‘re a. great good fel- low. and ought to have all the pies you could eat. You know the Fourth of J u! isn't a great ways oif." " Fact, by J immlny. Her n't luked that fer ahead, t n “ And the glorious Fourth is an auspicious day for celebration of the nuptials of a happy pair, Josh?" " Hey—how‘s that. Miss May l“ “I say. the Fourth of July is a happy occasion for one to get spliced." " Whewi Jewhiteker J ewsharps. yes! i-ler than a brick there, Miss May!" “ Yes. and I see you appreciate my candor Josh. Not many young ladies would exchange all these little confldenoes, but I believe that you'd do almost anything for me, as you seem to love me—and— an -' “ So I do—so I would, Miss Ma —Sill"c's Methodist preachin‘ 3.1" full 0‘ glory! Lur: y! Miss May, I‘m a man of clmracter—thcr solid double basis, duplex ortlclHn‘ I‘d wade through fire an” blood for yer sweet sake l" “Oh. no, Josh!“——with a little outburst of merri- ment—" I don’t want you to wade through anything gut snow, ‘ . Now, will you promise me to do me a. vor ‘ ' "On course I will. Miss May—anything e’re a mind to ask. I‘m allusagenerous clm c lama. leetle bit green. Thar were ther hull em rhiil family, down ter old Nebuchadnezznr himsel . who war noted for theirzenerosity—old Neb once give his right hand awn ter an old maid named Jones, an’ she died an‘ let him a. fortin‘ o' n milyun. Yer see {Ber istreaigo’ character dated back ter ther Antedl- vo . "Y Josh; and nowI tell you what I’ll ask of ran. on remember the young fellow you brought hare—Gold Rifle?" “ Yo I reckon. What 0’ him?" "W , , I want you to and hunt him up, and de- liver-to him a note whlc I shall give you. You may have to be absent a week. or even a month, before you tlnd him: but after that you can have a whole winter to your5elf in his com any. With your WPa- fill. you can supply yourse f with food. and have s Yer sol- ll " as. Miss May; but sense I‘ve got n. hankerin‘ arter you. .1 kinder hate ter go away.“ " Pooh! Don‘t be a baby now, orI shall say you’ve io'lt vour character. Josh. ” "Then I’ll go. Miss Ms '. darned if I won't! W’en re slin a shot at my c aracter. like ther Hemper- hills of e olden time. Put on my muscle." , So it wesnrranged that Josh should depart at once, and he was furnished witha tine uifiment consist- ing of a fur-trimmed suit of bu s in, a. Sharpe‘s army rifle. pistols. knife. hatchet, snow-shoes and cooking utonsi and by the time he was ready to start. he a orse~load of tra s. Best of all. he was supplied with numerous artic es of food among which were several of the coveted pics. which Dolan had spent time in preparing for New Year‘s, now but two days distant. mounting his horse, Josh bade a sorrowful edict! to the form-house. and its occupants, nil ex- cept PM, to whom he gave a parting scowl, and set Sharpshooter. out over the white prairie into the. western wilder- ness. May Maynard had some doubts about sending him adrift in mid-winter, for it seemed cruel to her. but when assured by the general that Josh was a good shot, and not the one to either starve or freeze, she felt better. and her young heart beat faster, and a little beauty-flush came upon her cheek as she thought of Kit Wagner, the Gold Rifle, and the sur. prise that. would be his on the reception of her sealed note, which it was Josh‘s business to deliver. And Josh, as he rode away furtherand further into the snow boun'i wilderness. wore rather a grum ex- pression of countenance. “ Ncow et jest lucks t W me like a kind uv afraud l" he soliloquized, shutting one eye, obliquelg. “ I swow of i d n’t b’licve thet Miss May‘s jest ‘in a- humbuggiu‘ me, ter git rm 0‘ me. But mebbe I ain‘t right. Leasthow et looks croode thct she‘d want me to kerry a hilly (loo tcr thet sire Gold Rifle chap, of she kems a plug 0’ terbaccy fer Josiah Hemperhill." The snow over which the Yankee directed his course. was formed into a heavy crust, capable of safely bearing in the weight cf 11 horse? it was easy traveling on there was chance to make good progress. Josh, however. with a bitter doubt tugging at his honest heart-strings. was in no hur to return to the farm-house. from which he had on banished in so neat a manner. “I’ll hunt up that Gold Rifle an‘ keep my agree- ment with Miss May, anyhow,“ he muttered, 'frr thet‘ll add ter ther strength 0’ my character. I’ll i) t a copper ihet Miss May’s laughin’ in her sleeve, now; but, sech is life, as old unkle Nebuchadnmar used to say. when he corraled bugs on his pum'kin vines. An‘ thar‘s that blarsted Irisher too-hain‘t got no more character’n a lame ganr er au‘ he's rlnnin'. too. tcr think he’s got ther hull, and tar imselfl But. I‘ll bet Miss Mly '11 set back hi: im- perdence, for I still b‘lieve she hain‘t got eyes fern) one else but me.“ Knowing that not enough snow had fallen since Christmas to obliterate a trail. Josh decided to re- ggir to the little valley in which Gold Rifle had de- uched from the Secret passage, and here then were chances that he could strike a trail that would eventually bring him up to the sharpshooter. After about a half-hour‘s ride he descended into the valley in question, and found a faint horse trail sure enough, leading from. the vicinity of the pos- sage along the valley to the westward. “ That‘s Gold Rig "5 trail. kerect,“ Josh muttered. running his eye alone the valley. “ but the next thin ar‘ tor foller it. E! it doan’t play out, l‘ll swow rial ‘on’t foiler it, an‘ overtake Mr. Gold Rifle in a l y. 3 0n looking at the sun he saw that it wasd~clini toward the western horizon m idly but he resolv to 11311 on and accomplish w at distance he could be ore night came on, for the open prairie wnsa poor hivouac-piace. and be hoped to reach some convenient motte of timber in time to camp. Therefore he rode on throu 'rh the clerir rkllng winter’s afternoon. never deviating from t. e lain trail which the hoof-stroch of Gold ma 3’: orse had made upon the crust, riding ate swift gallop. as he had done. . Although Josh had been but a yearin the Far West. mingling among its strange men, he had picked up n considerable smattering of prairie and woodman, He knew no Indian sign when he saw it, and had. on several one, scouted about and fetched in valu- able information to the fort. Con uently he had less fear in going into the wilderness t an though he had no experience. ‘ Dakota papers remark upon the thickness and strength of the snow-crust during the mid-winter of which we write. Upon the plains its like was never known even by the oldest hunters and trapper; \ Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 11 But now. as he rode along. his mind would 0 back to the Maynard tam-house, and to the cone u- s’on that he had been designedly banished from the light of May Maynard’s beautiful eyes. ' “Et‘s u ( urned, doggoned shame." he muttered, “an‘ 1’“ tell Miss May so, see‘t I don‘t. She orter hev hed sum acts ter a feller's feelin‘s, even of I did kum frum armont. Reckon I‘m as good as any gineral‘s dart r, of I am green and gawky. Thar war old Saltpeter Hemperhill fer instance, who in hes boyhood war calkylated to he as Enwky as they make em. But that ar' teller had t or true solid basis vita/wot 1', and darned of he didn‘t rise up tor be trustce o‘ ther Skimmerville school—nn‘ now they do purtend ter say he‘s runnin‘ for Congress. So much fer character.“ Following the course of the valley for a couple of hours, Josh then ascended lo the level rniri ~, still directed by tho snow trail. This ho ollowed as rapidly as possible, and just at dusk sighted n motto of cottonwood timber ahead, which promised shelter for the night. He was considvrablv fatigued, and without thought of danger, he rode briskly forward and catered the woodland, where but little snow had fallen upon the ground, although the branches and boughs were heavily laden with the flakes. Dismounting in a well—protech spot, the Yankee turned his horse at liberty, and began maklng preparations for an evening camp-fire, when he was suddenlv and rudely interruptcd. There was a chorus of savage yells. a'd he was quic‘ 1y seized, thrown to the earth. and bound hand and foot. As quickly as heconld collect his scattered senses, he looked around, and discovered that he was in the rower or aband of red-skins. some twenty in number. who wore war-paint upon their faces, and were of a snwg“, repulsive as ct. Moreover. Josh sow by thPll‘ head-dress. and the fancy carving upon their checks, that they were braves of the Sioux nation. Without offering any Verbal explanation. the red~ skins dragged their victim along through the wood- land by the heels, taking extra pains to take all the stones and stubs in their path. At last they rmchrd a temporary Indian encampment of seven lodges. and Josh was placed, under guard. by a roaring comp-fire. / . In the course of an hour he was visited b a large. portly chief, gmootnpnnied by: nearly t e whole camp. The Chief was wellknown to the Yankee, for he had once participated in a. hunt for the big war- rior of the Sioux nation; and this chief was Sitting Bull. A fugitive from the Black Hills country, there were months when his whereabouts were real] un- known. and these months were spent in d ging among the motto-islands ot the great savannas of northern Dakota. _ “ Wa’dll Slt'in'z Bull has seen the white Yankee before,” the chief said, a sudden wave of recognition passing over his grim countenance. so horrible in its , decorative point. “He chas d the Sioux warriors from t! e for are the snows of winter made the plains u hits. itti Bull does not forget." “No, ye’re darn rl'zhtl"J sh retorted. with a grin. as he thought of the mentioned occasion. “ Ye‘l'e (lumed right. old Chainbottom‘er. An‘ now that ye‘ve got.me, l calkylate ye‘ll be “let skulpln‘ me, or roastin' me?“ » "No! Sitting Bull has even a Vette!‘ Sport forms warriors. Awild young buffalo hull has been con- tured, and shall take the Yankee toward the setting sun. Sitting Bull has said it.“ Along lariat wns fastened about Josh‘s feet, and he was again dragged through the timber—thistims to where the western side of the motto met the prairie. Here the larint was fastrned to the hind legs of an unturned bull, and Josh was ready for rapid transit. t tan yardsot rope inwvcnedbotwm him and the heels 01' lbs bull, and things promised to be mutually interesting. The whole encam ment of savages had by this time gathered upon t e prairie and nt 1:. signal [rt m Sittin Bull, there was a wild chorus of savage screec es. and the young bull gave nsnarl of terror, and plunged madly away into the ni ht, out (War a boundless expanse of prairie. and nagging poor Josh ruthlessly along in the rear. CHAPTER VI. hum-mo ram smcx uses. On over the wintry plain plunged the terrified young buflalo, with snorts and bellows. and at every bound of the strong young animal poor Josh was jerked along, at a terrible spet d—now on his back and then on his belly, in and out of hollows. over hummocks, and through bushes- it seemed that his infuriated war-horse wonld never i top. In vain he endeavor‘ d to sit u long enough to grasp the rope with his lands, vrh ch were now free, but each time he was jerked back, and subject to‘the agony of his wild ride. It was tcrtunate that tho snow-crust covcred most of the rough 1: ts ovcr which they went, or he could not have re ned his consciousnrss, durln the first ten minutts of his journey. But. desii the snow, his clothes were torn and his skin blistcred. The motto island encnm ment of Sitting Bull and his warriors was left for he ind, and the buffalo was heading due westward toward a long line of timber that grew 11 on the shores of the little Adder. Although t was a dark night. the groundwork of white had the efiect Io make ob ects at a con- siderable distance visible to the no edeye; hence, Josh discovered their approach to the timber when they were yet some distance away, and was now as- sailed With double fears for his personal safety. Of c' urse, should the bull attempt to Kass tl rough the timber, all born of his escc mg 5 ve was lcst: to be dragged along through t e timber would be almost instant death. Nearer and nearer to the timber they approached. and Josh‘s bnir began to stand on end at the pros- pect ahead of him, when there was a aha , ringing rifle report. a. bellow of pain. and the ull wen crushing forward to the round. The impetus of the fa nearly jerked the wits cut of Josh. but he soon recovered to find thehufiaio floundering in death-throes at his feet. , With his unloosened hands he soon had his feet at liberty, and rose to gaze around him. ‘ He was not a hundn cl game from the edge of the timber, and yet he coul see nothln of the where- abouts of any person from whom death-shot mi ht have come. The build. had struck the but!an in e lower part of the neck, and penetrated to the hear . “Waal, I’m ther luckiest cuss afoot. darn n1 socks cf 1 rin’tl" Josh muttered. finding that h 5 strong Sha ‘s army ride was still lashed to his back. and shelt weapons all intactl “Recan all l'm lackin‘ ar’ 9. boss nn‘ grub an‘Irwow..cf I‘m goin‘ back ter ther general’s. ontii Mics May glts luv- sick over 111 and sends ier mo ter cnm back ter her arms. No, : thar‘s too much 0' ther old Nebu- chsdnezzar Hemperhill solid basis character in me, fer that. I‘ll bet ther gnl's a-sobhin‘ after me now. these females are so capricious, unless—unless that {rash-darned Irisher is uttiu‘ on his graces. Blast. t, why didn't they sen him rut hyar. toot" “Because two 0‘ a kind is too much even for good nature to tolera‘el” spoke a pleasant voice. and a handsome form loomed up through the dark- gosiln“ Hello: I‘ll be jugged of et ain't the Yankee, as . And no less a personage than Gold Rifle advanced to the side of the dead bull. “Yes, an' yer thet Gold Rifle chap I’m huntin‘ for!" cried Josh. with a broad grin of delight. “ Hr w d’ya do,anyhowl I‘m as tickled tar us ye as! 4,... x ‘5‘. tr. 1 12 Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. would be ter see my boss. w‘ich I left back beer in ther hands of old Chair-bottomer—Sittin’ Bull." "Ah! then it is to the red-skins you owe this ride eh? and a smile illuminated Gold Rifle's face. “Ithouzht so, whenI heard you comin . I knew Sitting Bull was somewhere around on i e plains, but was ignorant of his exact whereabouts. But. {bigger brought you out here so far from the or “Jest in search for you!"Josb gruntcd, witha scowi, as he thoueht of May Maynard and the Irish- man. “Ye see, Miss May sent me fer tcr fetch ya a, Viletter‘an‘ she‘s goin‘ ter marry me next Fourth o‘ u . . " hat, Miss Ms nan-d marryfyou. Josh?“ "On course she sl I swow e I ain‘t ther luckiest 'coon in this kentry. Promised me this very morn— ‘ in‘ afore we parted." “Get outl You shouldn‘t take what she says to heart, Josh. She‘s only foolin‘ ye. I uessz.“ “ Darnation, no! She’s legitimate y engaged ter me, an‘ we’re goin’ ter hev frostin’ an” firecrackers on ther weddiu -cake, An‘ of she tries tor go back on me. I'll sue her fer britches o’ promise. I EWOW ef I won‘t.“ “ Well, I wish you much joy already. Josh !" Gold Rifle said. with a smile. “ But on say Miss Maynard sent a. message. Come along 0 my ramp in yonder wood, and let me have it.” Accordingly. the yonnisharpshooter led the way over the prairie toward t e gloomy line of timber, and Josh limped after him'as fast as he could, for he was decidedl stiff from his rapid ride over the prairie. Never 11 all his boyhood’s coasting experi- ence had be ridden so fast over the snow with noth- ing between him and the snow but his clothing. It was something novel in its way, yet quite uninter- esting to the person concerned. They soon arrived at Gold Rifle‘s camp, which was tched in under the shelter of the timber. and con- iguous to the bank of a mediumsized stream known as the Little Adder. A fire was burning brightly within a lod e of buffalo-skins. and it was awelcome sight to be -frozen Josh. ‘Here we are!" Gold Rifle cried. as they entered the cheery lodge where was warmth and the odor of cooking meat. “Now give me the letter from Miss lilaynard, and you can warm and repair dam- - “ Seems ter the ye‘re in an awful hurry tor git a letter frum one ye ain't got no claim to." grumbled Josh, taking off one of his serviceable cow-hide boots andfroduc ng a crumpled envelope. "Thar it is, but give ye ter understand that ther gal ain‘t yours no more’n the name 0‘ Hemgierhlll is.“ “No. of course not.” Gol Rifle replied. receiving the note and tearing it carefully open, thinking the while of the sweet and pretty daughter of the gen- eral. who had helped him to escape, and whom he was with, in thought, constantly The note was penned in a del cate. graceful hand, and ran as follows, with the heading of date, place. etc: ‘ " Ma. Wanna:— “Dna Sun—I send you this note by our man-sen vant, Josh Hem erhill, with the request that he will deliver it safely 0 you. In it I wish to make myself so bold as to extend you an invitation to a social gathering which will take place at our utirtcrs on the 16th of January, that being the eig tecnih anniversary of my birth. Your rcsence would be a source of much pleasure to Winter and myself. Josh you can keep with you until you pay us the desired visit. Very truly yours. “ Mu Mamas.“ A flush of joy stole over Gold Riile‘s faceas he Perused the abovev-joy because of the honor con- ferred upon him by the Maynards, and because he was given the opportunity to call noon and form a more there h acquaintance with pretty May than had thus far can his privilege. _ “I‘ll go!" was his instant resolve. “and havea good time. If between now and then I cannot clear myself of being Tiger Track, it is curious. I have the whole thing pretty well seasoned for cooking already." “ Wanil“ growled Josh, as the young sharp- shooter slipped the note into his pocket~“ what did my gal write ter ye, Cap? ’S‘pect she guv ye an in- vite tcr our weddin'. eh i" “ She give an invitation to a birthday gatherinz. Josh. the sixteenth of next month. To-morrow is the first—New Year‘s. And I mean to make the moments count, too.” “Yo don‘t sayi—an‘ did she put in any kisses or luv poetry fer me?" "Nary, Josh! She said you was to remain with me, until I get ready to go back to the general‘s. So now. you’ve got to follow the trail I lead, for the next two weeks. ‘ “ All right. I’m ther chap as kin do it. of Ido say so. I swow ter breeches at I don‘t believe I could outwaik yo!" "l haven‘t the lvnvst doubt of it. Jesh. But we won‘t try. Now, then, it is necessary that '0“ should know my business. as we are to ho. toget er. Look at this. and on will understand my calling here upon the uni es,” and pulling aside a strip of the fur with which his buckskin suit was ornament- ed. the firefight glanced upon a plate badge of solid old, with a star in the center. and an inscription on t e plate, in beautiful design, which read: U. s. GOVERNMENT,, TO c. A. WAGNER, In recognition of faithful services as a detective spy. Upon the other edge was an lnscrlptive date—- "March 187—” " Waal. by gosh, of ye ain‘t one 0‘ them detective chaps!“ Josh exclaimed, in astonishment. “Who‘d ever ’a‘ thought it? Thar war my old unkle Nebu- cbadnezzar, who war once in thet line—uster set for a hull hour on a. stretch, a-trym‘ ter detect w'ether mice got into ther rennery or not." ” Yes. I am a etecilvo," Gold Rifle confessed, "and my business here is to break up Tiger Track‘s outlaw band. and clean out a certain nest of devilrry known as the Black Ranch—the stronghold of this some Tiger Track. by the way." “Phew! ye don't say so! Neow. why didn't ye show yer cullers‘ter them galoots as war after ye, ther other do i" " That was ecause I did not care to have my busi- ness publicly known When 1 do, Ishall a ply to General Maynard for co-operationin exterm mating the ganz. I believe there were men anion those ghat chased me, who are members of Tiger rock‘s and. ‘ ‘ “ Ye don‘t say so! Wan]! waxtl! an‘ what are ye roin' tr-r do. now. since you‘ve added in a man like. me. 0‘ solid (in lex basis character?“ “I am hunt or: for this Black Ranch. Very'few upon the Dakota. frontier know where it is, yet many strange stories are told of it. and the mysteries about it. It is said to be somewhere upon these prai- rie-R. but‘ihnt a man mi ht look for it a. lifetime an". not stumble upon it. at. I believe that I am upon the trail of it, and hope to find it. ere long. You can accompanv me, and may be of some aid." The evening meal of roasted deer—meat was now serwd up. and both J osh and the young detective did it ample justice. The fire was then replenished with fuel, and they turned in for the night. Earlv on the following morning they were 3N", and after eating what was left from the evening meal. Gold Rifle furnished two mustangs from a bough-sbed. in the timber. and both he and J osb mounted and set nit, Gold Rifle in the lead. He headed their course. after leaving the timber: .m . -13»: Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 13 due north, and rode ra idly, the crust holding n beneath the strokes of t e tnimals’ feet. Josh, to ~ lowed close behind, for, although he was large awk- ward and clumsy, he was by no means a poor one- man, as Gold Rihe saw at once. About the middle of the forenoon they came upon asingle trail, headed in a northwesteriy direction. Iii $13 evidently several days old, and had partly fl 1 up. “Where do you ‘s .ect thet sire trail loads tor?" asked Josh. as he rew rein a.ongside Gold Rifle. “ White or Injuni" , “ White!" was the reply; “don’t you see the horse was shod?" “ Who‘s been along heert" “That I don’t know. If I knew who is absent from the Settlement, I might better determine. Now, you see, the course we are following. I have no doubt Is the true one to the Black Ranch. and yet this other trail probabl leads there, too. Now, you must follow one, and I i take the other." It was accordingly arranged that Josh should fol- low the northwestern trail, while Gold Rifle kept straight ahead. He rode rapidly, and in three hours came up with Josh, where the two trails merged into one. The northwesti-rn route was only a roundabout way. to throw otl‘ Scent. " We haw the straight trail ’fore us now, eh?" Josh demanded. “ Yes, I should say so. If nothing happens, we may sight it before ark.“ ey rode rapidl forward. The formation 0 the prairie was now perfectly level for miles to come and the snow-crust stout, so that they were enabled to make fair pro . The afternoon wore away toward dar ’ness; the sun sunk to alevel with the ocean of white, and owe to the north, on the crest of a irairie billow a dar speck grew visible to the scare ing gaze of the two horsemen. At first it was no larger than a pea; thmi it grew steadily until it had’assumed and was gradu- ally assuming larger Proportions. the further they advanced toward it. n half an hour they were near enough to define a great barn-like edifice upon the towerin crest of a distant prairie billow, surrounded by a big fence of plank. And Gold Rifle ave vent to a shout of joy, and drew rein as be be eld all this, motioning Josh to stop. also. . “ ’ hat‘s the Black Ranch and stronghold of Tiger Track, undoubtedly," be said, “and that is all we want to know at present. The next thing is to find a hiding-place, for I‘m satisfied we’ll have a chance to fight outlaws, sooni“ CHAPTER VII. A 30! m CLIP—A s'romr or Mam AND m BLACK RANCH. UPON the day following Gold Rifle‘s discovery of the Black Ranch upon the prairie. an Indian pogly made its way to the Settlement, and came to a b t on the village square. It was not riderless, for a boy of some six or seven ears. well wrapped up in furs. was seated astride o the saddle. One b one the villagers were attracted to the spot, and get ered around the lad with the greatest curi- osity. At a glance the waif did not belong either at the fort or Settlement. yet here he was, alone and unaccompanied; and from whence did he come? He was fat and chubby of his age, with a stoiid boyish face. a firm-set mouth, peculiar to see in one so young, and eyes as black as coal, and having the sparkle of the diamond. He did not appear to be frightened. as gradually a crowd gathered around him, but, rather. seemed to w tch the men with interest, singling out. with the wonderful intuition of childhood, the faces that were good and those which were evil. At first the villagers were at a loss what to do. but final] an old trapper broke the ice by approaching $91 ttle stranger, and beginning a series of ques- ns. t ~ - » » “ Well, my little man, who are you?" was the first interrogative. ~ “ I‘m Jack!” was the reply, without any show of bashfulness; and, too, it was apparent, that the lit.- tle fellow was intelligent be 0nd his age. “Jack, i Well. what e ack what!" “Dunno ’ was the reply. “ Don't know where lyou live, do you?" “ Yes, I do—-at the B ack Ranch. Msmma is there ——b'en very sick but geitin‘ better. Mamma‘s every nice woman." . “ As you are evidently a nice little fellow, who is your mamma?” “ Mamma's my mamma, sir." “ Of course, you little man, but what is your mam- ma‘s name 1’" “ Dunno; fordot mamma’s name." “ That’s too bad. You say your mamma‘s at the Black Ranch? What kind of a lace is that?" “Great awful big house with igh fence around i" exclaimed Master Jack. raisin his hands high aloft to signify how big he mean , but could not ex- plain. "Ahi awful big house with high fence around? Bo s, that corres ends with what we have previous- ly card of the p me Well. in little man, what do they do in this big house. an how many men is ierc.” The boy hesitated, and looked thoughtfully around. . “ Dunno what they do—lots of men; more‘n they is here,” he replied. at length. “Men got guns." “ What does your niamma do. be t" “ Mnmma she lays to bed most all day an‘ cries, an' at night they lock hei- u in the room." " Ha! what is this. you i ttle cuss?" cried‘a grufl voice, and Jacob Toleman pushed forward, excit- . 5,. “Hell and furies‘. How’d you ever get this far away from home?" and the an trader laid a heavy hand upon the wolf’s arm. and he began to c in nflright. , ‘ Hold! stop there, Jacob Tolemnnl" cried an au- thoritative voice, and General Maynard rode for- ward. "Get awa , you villain, or 1 11 have you ar- rested and put in rons. What right have you to lay hands on that boy?" “The right of a protector and guardian—the right of a grandfather “ retorted the trader, defiantly. “The little devil has wandered away from home, and I’ll see that. he goes back in a hurry." “Then you have to do with the outlaw's Black Ranch, eh?“ demanded the general. steme. “ No! the brat never saw the Black Ranch nor any one else. It is all a cussed lie about there being such a place." “ Ohl I dare say you know all about it. But we will not trust to your testimony in this case. The child is too young to know the meaning ofa lie, and we will believe him in preference to on, whom we still klngw so well. Step aside, sir, and et me question t e a 1“ At first Toleman hesitated. and was inclined to- disobey, but the drawing of the general‘s sword had, the effect to make him retire. The general then rode closer to the winter-waif. . “ Your name is Jack, eh, little fellow?” i “ Yes, sir.“ ~ “And your mamma's name—“ . “ Dunno; fordot." “ She is a prisoner in the Black Ranch f" “ Yes, sir." “ Do you know this man i" pointing out the elder Toleman. “ Yes. He bad man! He comes and say very bad, wicked words to mamma, (lat make her cry." “Hal andis there any one else here among this crowd. whom you have seen at the Black Ranch?" " No!" replied the ho , after a glance around. “Tiger Track he’s very to mamma, so she git Injunto send me oi! here. I fought a mammn‘s . name, now. Itis Momma Mabel!" , . ,, . ; z. i, i 14 ‘ Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. General Miynard started violently in his saddle, ani suad eagerly at the boy. "What! what! Mabel—Mabel what boy?" and the veteran was terribly excited “Speak! what is the remal ider of your mother’s name i" “I don’t know!” the boy re lied, growing fright- ened. “Name jest Mamma abel!" “ Mabel! Mabel! my God, can it be possible!" Gen- eral Maynard muttered, running his hand across his 0 es. “ Gentlemen "—turning to the curious crowd, ' I believe that I am on the eve of a discovery that will enlighten me concerning a lost one who has been dead to me for the last ten years. I therefore claim the rizht to this boy, until I learn more defl- nitely what I wish to know. Are you wxihng I shall take him with me?“ “A ! ay!" was the rousing shout in concert, for the general was highly respected by the large share of the settlers. “The boy is yours.” “And. my men, I may call upon you to assist in attacking this unknown nest of the outlaws, the Black Ranch. Can i rely upon. our aid f" “Av! ayi general!" was t e eager response. “ We‘re wrth you, heart and soul." Then General Maynard rode away toward his farm-house, leading the horse which bore Master Jack, by his side. - When they arrived at the farmhouse, little Jack was taken to the parlor. where May gave him a lov- ing welcome, and before an hour had assed be was quite at home, although he occasions y mentioned ‘ mamma," which is owed that she, whoever she was, had a deep hold upon his childish aflection. Nothing was said on the subject to the boy, but Maw and the general had a long talk about her and the Black Ranch. ‘ “ It is undoubtedly in limbo ," the old man said. bowing his h :ad in his lauds, “ who has been lost to me these twanty years. Poor Mabel! to think that sheds languishingiu a barbarous prison, when she might be here a comfort to mv declinin': years." ‘ Anti who is this Mabel?" May Maynard asked. Fith interest. “You never told me of her hereto- ore. " Because I did not wish to bring up the past. May, you little know all the disgrace I have suirered in m-v ounzer years, and I may as well give you a brie of the story. to-dsy. Mabel was my first and onlvdanghter. Don't start, my dear, for I will ex- plain about you, by and by. abel, as I said, was my first daughter and also my only chi] lb mar- riage. Her mother died upon givin-z birth her, I and Mabel was placed under the charge of a compe- tent nurse. “During the succeeding seventeen years, I must confess that I was little with my child; war, to— gether with a multitude of other matters, ire t me away for a most pll’t of the time. Yet I 1d a handsome home on the Hudson, which I had inherit- ed, and was able to rear my child in luxury and give her all. the advantages of education. At the a e of s ‘venteen she won the belle of her social cir- c e, a d I began to entertain hopes of her making an olizlb a match. “ About this time I saw a chance for gigantic ulations in Western railroads, and disposin'r of a my Eastern property, moved away to this coun- try. And it was the curse of my life, for in three short months I had no daughter, she having secretly wedded a man of questionable character. and had fled. I heard afterward-that he became the chief of aband of robbers. For the rscwvery ct my child I searched and toiled until the outbreak of the great war between the North and the. South; then having nothin'z to deter me, I rejoined the army and fought until victory was ours, and I had attained the hon— ors of generalship, which, thmk God, I nevnr dis- graced. Just a y ear or two behre the war I took you—wowed you as my own chil'l. from the death- 86. of a gallant. old officer of the rogul 1r army, and have reared you under my name, as you were such an exact image of what my Mabel once was. Your real name is May Faulkiand, but you are welcome to mine own, until you make a choice of ahusband and may God grant‘that your choice be crowned with success." “Yes, dear spa; but do you believe it possible that the Mabe of whom this little boy speaks, can be your long lost daughter?" “ Yes May I do candidly believe that the risoner of the black hunch, and my long-lost Mabe are the same. Indeed, the child. yonder, bears a. striking {lesemblance to Mabel, as she looked when last Isaw er.‘ “ And, do you know, papa, there is another, whose features resemble those in yonder portrait—whichis of your lost daughter, is it not?" ‘ Yes, that is a correct portrait of Mabel; and to what other do you refer!" “ To the young man who was flying to escape the mob on Christmas—Gold Rifle." “ a! is that so? I did not notice. I am sure." “ Yes, I was struck at once with the rrsemblanco between the two, but- I did not speak of it, as one often meets rs ns resembling each other who en— tertain not 1 e slightest degree of relationship." “ Well, if this is so, I should like to see the young man again, for he may indeed be the child 0: my daughter by her outlaw husband. (or it seems to me that the name of Wagner is not forei n 10 my mem- ory Whether or not I have heard i in connection with the name of my daughter‘s husband, I do. not know. After leaving home she was called Ashes. Ile changed his name, doubtless, after he became an outlaw.” , , ‘ “Well. what do you propose to do in this case. be- hevmg that Mabel is indeed alive and in the mysteri- ous Black Ranch?" . “ Do? why, I shall organize a company out of the trappcrs and hangers-on at the Settlement and start to the rescue at once. And. while I think of it, ‘twould be a good plan tostart at once, while Master Jack’s horse's trail remains distinct. No doubt by it, and the little fellow’s direction—for he is observ- ant and as keen as a razor—we can find the den of (ugliws‘withcut much trouble. And then we must ta v .’ r ‘ “0h! 'twoulvl be glorious tun, papa!” May cried, with a zest. “ I should love to be along. Can I go, please—can I? i can dress no in my male hunting costume, and you know that I'm a capital shot. May 0 .. 8 “Yes. child, even though it may be to instant death for i fear to leave you here alone and unpro- tected, with two such heartless wretches hovering at the Settlement, as Jacob Toleman and Boover Levree. Yes, get your ou-‘flt in readiness. at once. - {or I shall start as soon as I can ride back to the Set- tlement and e uip my men.” “Why not t e the soldiers, papal” “Bicmse the would be of Win or no service in this kind of mm . I want men who will know what I mean when I say fight! Such are found among our hunters and scouts. As I said before. get your- szlt ready; arm yourself thoroughly, and rovi-ion and clothe yourself fora long-z stage, for i may be months on we g t back from our journey." Then the general arose and left the parlor, to or der his horse. and May also hastened to her room to prepare for her expedition into the Wildernesg Which she was confident would b a source of great delight to her. » .For she was a lover of the ride and hunt and wild life incident to c impinz out; had on more than one occasion scoured the plains in search of game, and proven herself an unerring shot. And it was a pleasurable thought to her, that. by going’ now, she might be able to do good to a suffer- inz sister; then, too. ’wa down in her young heart there was the least bit 0 a hope that, in the path of their _onrney, the might run acroas the young sharps ooter. Gold ifle. For the younilfiunter and scout was wnstant! on > her mind, and unted her dreams, until she \ Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. 15 .Erown to listen expectant! for his footstep, and ream sweet dreams of h m, in whose face there was so much that was noble. First of all she roviqed herself with and donned a semi-mule hunt ng-suit of buckskin, which had done her service in many a prairie tournament, be. fore, and fitted her to perfection. Then she armed herself with a Sharpe‘s mid-range rifle, and revol- vers and knife. Her horse. a handsome hay animal was. then brought around by Pat Dolan, and the saddle‘bags equipped With a good stack of cold meats and other provision for the coming campaign. By the time all this was accomplished. the general arrived at the farm-house with twenty man whom he had enlisted in his service at the Settlement. They were mostly tra pers and fur-traders, a rough. but kindly-dispose hand. The general had been careful in selecting his men. for he well knew that a great deal depended upon their skill and trustiness. A well-stocked larder ever being a fact in the May- nard mansion. the band were all provisioned there before starting, for little of the game kind was to be found for the searching in the snow-bound wilder- mess. At last everything was in readiness, and with the white-haired old general in the lead. and May by his side. leading the else of little master Jack the cav- alcade set of over the snow-cl- st toward the Black Ranch — for General Maynard had secured the s niece of an old trapper who had seen the famous outlaws‘ den and was confident he could guide the party to it w thout trouble. CHAPTER VIII. oonn arm's name VENTURE—A ram m'r (unear— imou near 'ro DARKNESS. FRO)! the Black Ranch it would have been com- paratively an easy matter to have detected the two orsemen as they stopped in full view u n a crest of white. Gold Rifle was well aware 0 this. and having but little doubt that their rash advance had already been discovered, he knew it would be necvs- sary to hunt a place of refuge; hence his words at the conclusion of a late chapter. Glancing sharply around he sought and found a place which he knew would better answer their pur- pose, in case of an attack. than theopen prairie. It was a small motto of a few scattering cottonwoods, which grew around a buffalo wallow; yet it com- manded a view on all sides. and was the best cover to be h'ld in the vicinity. “If it were not that we were obi ed to leave a snowtrail," the young detective salt , as he and Josh made haste to take possession of the motte— “if it were not for this, we might evade the cusses ye . ‘ v “How d'ye kno' they've seen u‘s ct?" was the Yankee‘s demand, for he was one w o believed in looking on the best side until it came to the worst. " I don't know for positive but it looks very likely. You notice that there is a high tower rising from one corner of the Black Ranch? I have no doubt but that is a watch-tower." “Waal. mebbe ye’r‘ right. But, what‘s ther use of outlaws coming out here? I swow ter hreeches ef the ain‘t foolish tcr think 0' fightin’ men 0’ solid has s character like me an‘ you i” “ Correct; but that makes no difl'erence with them. They fight all men alike and I reckon they‘re pretty rough customers to handle. Nor do Ibelieve that they confine their depredations and doincs alone to outlawry in this country. To me. it stands to reason that they could not exist upon the fmv pel‘s they capture and dispose of—they wouldn’t fetch more than enough to supply the gang with bad whisky. And, then, the surrounding expanse of territory for miles and miles otters no great inducement for raid- ing and plunder, No, sir: there is a dee r some- thing behind a‘l this outlaw buain an I‘m the or bu’st, you one that is going to unravel the hear me! Already I‘ve got my mind glued onto the busmess. and I‘m going through with it.“ Turning their horses‘ heads while the were con- versmg, they rode away to the motto, an dismount- Here the ground was less covered with snow, and wuh easily extemporized shovels of bark they soon had a lar e space cleared to earth on which to build a fire on camp. This operation piled the snow up around them so as to quite hide their camp, and keg; OK the sharp cutting wind. ld Rifle had in his saddle-bags a piece of raw venison, yet. large enough to last for a couple of meals, and they concluded to use this first, and re- serve their other provender for the future. leaving Josh to pre are the evening meal. Gold Rifle left their snow to ifications, and scouted about the camp. He could find no signs of enemies in the neighbor- hood, nrr were there any signs of up reaching ouir laws from the Ranch. his wasarelief‘to the young sharpshooter, for he had no desire toflght against odds of twenty to one " In the direction of the Black Ranch all was niet; evidetliltly the outlaws had not discovered the ap- proac , , Scouting through to the western side of the motto, the young detective made another important dis- covery, namely—the existence of a deep, sluggish stream of water. It was now frozen over, with a glassy-like surface, caused by an overflow and freeze. That it was deep and still water, Gold Rifle determined by the bank- whicli were full to a level with the grcundlng. This stream ran through a deep and extremely Iamw valley which opened abruptly down from the west» ern side of the motto—a sort of channel through Nature’s cold white face, and by following ltsoourse as for as eyesi ht would allow, Gold Rifle came to- the conclusiont ntthe stream ran in its northerly trench not far from the site of the Black Ranch, for along both edges of the valley grew fringes of a species of sage-bush, and these he could seen long” \vziyein the direction of theranch. turning to camp he foundJosh read to serve up their meal, and while they partookof e venison , he related his discovery of t e stream. “ [believe it‘s the only wa I can approach any nearer to the outlaws’ nes than I am now,“ he said, thoughtfully, “ for to go over the raideiscei" tain discovery. ‘ankii ,I am provid with a of good skates. and i the stream goes by hin gunshot of the ranch, l’m bound to get that near. anyhow." » “Yns; but whar‘m I goin' ter rt while e‘re doin’ this?“ questioned Josh, wit a grim ooh. “ D'yo calkylate l‘m goin‘ ter follerat yer heels an' run the risk 0‘ gettin’ in head blowed nflf E1 am a man 0’ character, I ain‘t hankerln‘ after losin’ my top~knot.” ~ " Ohi no danger about you! It will beyour duty to stay here and take care of the horses and the camp. You can kee an occasional lookout to pre- vent being surpri and caJnured, and await my return, w ich will be imme lately after I spy out all that is requisite to my lane. Ifthe cusses get me in a tra . why probably you won’t see me at all, and. had tter go back to the fort and give the alarm ” ' Darkness was by this time enshroudin the earth and Gold Rifle determined to cover the d tance be- tween him and the Black Ranch while it lasted. For. he argued, the place would be less on guard should he arrive at the dead of night. and e would have a favorable opportunity to get inside t e walls. Looking carefully to the condition of his rifle and. revolvers, he bade Josh adieu, and leavinfifhecamp paused long enough to affix to his bootsa andsome pair of regulation skates. and then he defied m d away over the glassy surface of the river like a The course of the river was very tortuous and de- captive, and it soon became apparent to the young detective that to leach the Ranch he must accom- . 16 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. plish about twice the distance that would have been necessary. had be gone overland. But he cared not for this, as the skating was excel- lent, and he enjoyed it hugely. Every stroke sent him nearer and 'nearer to his destination. In two hours‘ time he concluded he must be in close proximity to the Ranch, and accordingly slackened his speed finally coming to a halt. With his skates still fastened to his feet, he left the ice, and cautiously ascended so that his face was on a level with the prairie. He gazed around. It was a dark. moonless night, yet he was able to disti uish objects at a considerable distance, the snow lig ting u the ound. dim y. be lack Ranch now lay to the north-east of him several miles, but by the line of bushes which fringed the valley, he saw what he had before surmised—- that the stream agrd valley wound close to the Ranch on the northern 3 do, but just now close he was yet unable to determine. Going back to the river he resumed his journey on the ice, making strangely weird music with his. ringing skates. The remaining distance he accomplished in an- other half hour without much exertion, and found himself in an abrupt bend in the course of the stream, just around which was the Black Ranch. in close roximity to the banks. The high lank fence. n fact, ran out t) the very edge of the ank, and only the upper part of the ranch could be seen over its top. : After he had brought himself as near as he dare. without exposing himself, he sat down and took off his skates. and secreted them in the butt of a hollow 103 which ended u through the ice. Wrapping his reclous rifle in oi cloth he also secreted it ill urnorw e bushes, reserving for use only his revolvers and knife. for in close uarters he knew these would answer his purpose etter than a rifle. His next move was to creep stealthin up among the fringe of hen-sage. and lying low. make obser- vations. All about the place wasrdeepest uiet. - . ' There were no lights, no sign 0 life—nothing m _ sight to tell that the grim structure within the black painted fence was inhabited by humans. Nor was there a sound of nature afloat on the night —unless. maybe, it was the snap peculiar to all bod- ies of ice on a sharp night. There was no light in the tower which arose a score of feet above the main building at the south- western comer, and after watching for some time without seeing any one, Gold Rifle came to the con- clueion thatt ere was no sentinel posted to-n' ht. Satisfied on this, he crept from his concea menl. ra By over the snow toward the fence. This was f fteen feet high, and he knew that if he could once t in its shadow it would be one strong point gain in its favor. And his rapidity of movement soon brought him safel there, and he stood up alongside the fence and toned. The same dead. ghostly silence still prevailed up- on the prairie and around the Ranch. and the young detective could but draw the conclusion that the place was wrapt in slumber. Still. with this knowledge. very few men of older years than Gold Rifle would have cared to venture so boldlylumier the very shadow of such a death den as was t e Black Ranch by repute. After listening to assure himself that no one had been disturbed by his coming Gold Rifle sat down and took off his boots and hid them in the snow where to find them again, for at present time of action their crunching onto the crust was danger- ous. As a substitute to rotect his feet from the cold, he drew upon his eet heavy fur moccasins, which were among the mysterious contents of his haversaok. He was then ready for businesshnnd first of all, made a tour of ins stopping now and on and endeavorlng to peer be- tlon around t e mighty fence.‘ tween the cracks, without avail. The darkness in- side preventing his seeing anything of the interior. Upon the southern side he found two ponderous gates, made like the fence of heavy plank, and bar- red on the inside. Here. evidently, was the only en- trance and exit of the Ranch. Here. also, Gold Ritie saw the fresh imprint of 'horses’ hoofs, showing that some one had recently entered the yard from on the ralrie. Gorng all around the Ranc , he arrived at the spot he had started from. and throwing oi! his outer, or hunting, jacket, he set silently and noise— lessl to work. with his stout hunting-knife, he cut out in square cakes a large space of snow-crust. taking care to. work under the dark shadow of the fence. These cakes he made about two feet square. and when pried out they had a solid thickness of about five inches, and were all a person would care to carry. After cutting over a hundred of these, a task which occupied fully an hour. he carried them close to the fence, and be an piling them up in order of a stairs, until be ad elevated them so that by standing on the last stop he could just peer over the top of the fence. In two minutes after the completion of his novel snow-stairs. he had drawn himself up on the top of t e fence, and ving a hurried glance. he dropped lightly down in the yard—and into the grasp of half a dozen men who had all the time been crouch~ ing in a black shadow. In vain he young detective fought to free himself from the ron grasp upon him. and to get at one of his revolvers. But he might as well have tried to raise the earth. . He was borne down upon the snow. and bound se- curel , hand and foot, and then carried between four rawny outlaws into the Black Ranch, which was a monster building,_roughly constructed, and repellent in its midnight color. In through a'series of halls and entries. and then finally the captors halted in the center of a long wide apartment, fur-g uished onl with rude settees. Gold ' e was placed on one of these, and allowed, the privilege of sitting up. The room was brillian 1y lighted with chandeliers containing lam s. and the young detective had a chance to see w 0 his ca tors were. One he remembered 0 having seen at the Christ- mas turkey shoot. and heard addressed as Jacob Tolemanaone of the foremost in denouncing Gold Rifle as the outlaw, Ti er Track. ' The others were mas ed, but that they were some of the trader’s pals there could he no doubt. The trader advanced now, a devilish expression of jubilnnce upon his face. “Hal hal you young hawk, you didn't escape us so nice. after all, did ye!" he leered. ourself in our man-trap neatly. Now t‘ien. I don't ntend ter spend much breath over a. but I've t a few questions ter ask ye. Ye‘re ild Wail: ag- ner’sukid—that we know. Now then. whar‘s yer “Find out and you'll knowi" rctorted Gold Rifle. " Ifll not tell ye." " All right; we won‘t u you. Search him. be . and then cast him intot e pit without bonds. 0 can’t never git out—that's bin proven." A hurried search of Gold Rifle’s clothing was ac- cordingly made, and an old letter found and handed to Jacob Toleman. He tore it open and urged n ewrlv. his villainous countenance mum a more (in:d olical expression. When he had finished he sa : “ t’s a couple of months old, but here‘s what it says: “Dun sow—When this reaches you I shall, have left our mountain home. and taken the gold to a safer hiding-place. On my return I have a great mission to perform—this is to rescue your denr mother and my wife from captivity. Only yesterday “ You put ' Q; Gold Rifle, the Shrpshootex‘. 1'2 I got an inkling that she whom we have so long mournedasdead ishving and a risoner in Tiger Track’s stronghold. If you can ( o anything, do it quickly, for our mutual sake. Ycua FATHER." “So ye thought you‘d come and search for yer mother, did ye, b0 i \\ ell, we‘re goin’ ter give ya a chance among t e human skeletons as will keep on company in the pit. D'ye know where Wild zValt ts?’ ' “No! I wouldn‘t tell if I did!” returned Gold Rifle indignantly. " He’ll be the death of you yet.“ No more was said; the four men pounced upon him. and though he struggled with all his power they bore him to a wriHike opening in the center 0 the {loot and pitched him over into it head-fore- mos . Down—down—down went the oung sharpshooter into the black depths, and the Our ruffians turned away with horrible chuckles, as though the work were nothing un to them—a sort of by-play to pass away time. CHAPTER IX. m was mars—pom mm’s ACTION. WHEN Gold Rifle found himself going down head- foremost into the pit of darkness he felt sure that he was goin to his death. yet he. the presence of mind to m e a desperate attempt to turn over, so that he would strike upon his feet. Whether or not he succeeded he never knew; all he realized was a terrible jar, then a blank came and he knew no more.‘ How long he lay in this condition of course he could not tell. but at last there came an awakenin . ‘ Heo ened hiseyes. Everything that bar passed came c early to him. and in a second he knew that he had been cast into the pit beneath the Ranch. For many minutes he lay erfectly quiet. fear- ful to move lest that act shou d bring to him the discovery that some limb had been broken or mis- placed. He could feel no soreness as he lay upon the ground, and after awhile came to the conclusion that he was not hurt at all. and with an eflort rose to his feet. He now found that he had sustained no in uries otherwise than a severe shock which had ma e his lower limbs rather stilt. and that he was still better than half a dozen dead men. He stood for man minutes at loss what to do. Around him all was tygian gloom. He could not even see his hand in front of his face. Above, many hundred feet it seemed, was a tin round speck of light and this he knew emanated rom the room of the slack Ranch, from which he had been hurled into the pit. He was in a hole. dee down in the bowels of the earth, which was inten ed as his tomb. That others had died here was plainly evidenced by the terrible stench that prevailed—a deathly, sickening odor of decaying bodies. A horrible place it was. and a shudder escaped Gold Rifle as he breathed the foul atmosphere. “Ughl” he muttered, half-fearin to stir; ‘ this is about ther worst dose of perfume ever got. What’s to he did? that’s the nestion before ther Investi- gatin’ Committee. A is er can‘t remain long in this stench and live: and as long’s l‘m hull-boned yet, I ain‘t s-going to say die. The first re ulsite is slight, and I have the very article of produc ion in my Coat- sleeve pocket. which is handler than a pocket in a shirt. lad them chaps were kind enough to leave mg hands and feet free." ending over. he fumbled in his capacious right coatsleeve, which contained a leathern pocket, and soon produced a half of a sperm candle and some matches. One of thus he struck upon his sleeve and then ignited the candle, and had a bright light, which illuminated the bottom of the pit with star- tlin distinctness. he saw was but evidence of what he had been given reason to expect. He was in a tomb, deep down in the bowels of the earth-a place of the dead rather than the llvin . All around were strewn skeletons, skulls and hal idecayed corses; close at hand lay a body that apparently had not yet entered into decomposition—that of a man past forty years 0 age. At one side of the it was a deep hole in the bot-' tom, With a body hal drafied into it, and close at hand lay a shovel and a p c . To Gold Riiie, the meaning of this was quite plain. The stench rising out of the it being too greatin the Ranch above. a man had en sent down by the outlaws to bury the dead, but weakening when the job was half—complete the fellow had backed out, and left his tools behind him. And to Gold Rifle this was next to a reprieve. for he knew in an instant that the pick and shovel meant life and liberty to m. Sticking the cand e into a thumb-denture in the wall, he seized the shovel and began rolling the de- cay ed bodies into the grave. it was it trying piece 0! work. and any man but one with iron nerves must have fainted in the stench around. But, work'- ing for life and liberty ever lends to man extraordi- nary endurance, and at last the job was finished; every come. or evidence thereof, was rolled into the grave, and the dirt iled coglously upon than. As a natural resu t, the s nch in the pit became less and less offensive. and in half an hour the at- mosphere below was uite breathable Atleast. it seemed so to Gold Bi 0. after the sickening ordeal he had passed through. His candle was burning low, and having but one more in his pocket, he knew that he must neuis get to work toward escaping. ‘ " He had already formed his plans- for his hands and brains had each been busty]. lie would cut a spiral stairway of steps around e pit, from the bot‘ tom to the i It was full thi feet to the floor above. but w at of that? ife, li rty ve canoe, all awaited his exertions. He had fai h in suc- cess to work out his fully-formed plan. by aid of the shovel and his hunting-knife—for, strange to say. the outlaws had not. deprived him of his wea So commencing, he cut a deep indenture to the ground siding. and worked from that. ste by step. be ground was of tenacious clay, but th s was all the better for him, as it made his staircase of earth all the stronger. ‘ With all his strength he worked away, throwing the soft dirt into the bottom of the pit, and thereby effectually shutting out the scent of the dead bodies. By the time his candle was haltos at he had two circles of his staircase complete , and was about halt-way up from the bottom of the it. Although much fatigued in his 9 haustivelabor, he did not pause but kept eterminedly on, for he I knew that he must needs accomplish the remaining distance while his light held on , and he calculated the candle, which was a whole one, would last about six hours. in all. The hour and minute hands of his watch pointed to the hour of twelve, but he was unable to tell whether it was noon. or midnight, not knowing how long he had been insensible. Believing by the state of his stomach that it must be noon. he pnused long enou h to eke of the scraps of venison which were n his aversack. He then went on digging resolutely. and worked until he fnund that. he must eld to exhaustion, and rest. He accordingl cease his work. and di g out a (loop hole in t a dirt, ensconced himse in i ard went oil into a sound, refreshing sleep, flfit, ow- ever blowing out his candle. W en he awoken couple of hours later. he felt greatly refreshed and siren honed, and set to work again. For two hours he abored and then. when he was within ten feet of the opening into the room above. his candle wholly ex ired. But this was not so res a disappointment new. as sufficient light for purpose came down from shove. Right here he dug out, in addition to his 18 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. staircase. a large. deep cavity in the earth siding of the pit, in what he conclude was the northern si-io. He spent severa hours in its construction, for he meant that it should be large enough so that two persons could move about handily. Two persons—for with remarkable daring his form- ed plans now included the rescue of his mother, and escape by way of this very pltl After he hai completel the little cave he proceed- ed to complete his staircase. working carefully, and with as little noise as possible. for there was now danger of being overheard by the outlaws should an of them ch woe to be in the room overhead. herefore. though swiftly, h 3 worked silently, and in the course of half an hour he hai attained a. at: Iding position from wh use he could grns the floor rim above with his two ban-ls without fa ling, so that it would be an ensv matter to draw himself up out of the new half-filled pit. But this he was not anxious to do immediately. He had been caught by the outlaws once, and .if he was to be caught again, he meant that it should not be for lack of precaution on his part. Finishing the last ste necessary. he returned to his li'tle cave. Lil] feet slow. and sat down to rest and listen. From bore him )st iWei‘YtlllD" going on in the room overhead could be distinctly card. Some time elapsed before Gold Rifle heard any sound: then came the tramp of h auvy-bootel feet, and a mm ears} over into the pit. with a strange, hollow Ian; . D rectly afterward the lights in the room wera turned low. and Gold Rifle heard the fol- low tramp away. - “Humphl” he muttered; “ I guess the coast i; clear now, and I can go u safely. Rezkan that ~ chap w 1.8 a guard. and t wil be my duty to silence him if he gets in my way The roo In above evident- iyis not used excapt on oonslms when the band meets to try a folio v-morttl for snne. choose, and chuck him down into the pit.” Leaving the shovel in the cave, and arranging his knit: and revolvers in a c invenlent position, the young detective set out on his daring vrnture. Bv ha power of his str mg young? arms he drew himself up out of the pit into the roam. H: was no.v free in one sense—free from imprisonment in that deep, darksome earth-dungeon It will be rezu embers! thtt he left his boots in the snow. outside of the great fence; therefore he coull now move nearly noiselessly, clad in his thick, warm moccasins. Gliding into one corner of the room where the shad) .vs were the thickest. he crouched down upon one of the rule ssttee! anl waltari. Ha had as yet not fixed upon any plan of iron sdht! action, but he could notrennln ion; nudisconre 1. [mice 1. h) inw heard the clumsy fo )ted guard coming hick, with anuttergd curses upon some object which he had r) we . “ an‘t be I dropped it inter ther pit!" he growled. tram in: into th) me n. and apnronching the black hole the floor. “ Wouldn't ’a' lost th at plug 0‘ ter- baccy feta counterfeit dollar. 'os'se thar ain’t no more in ther Rmch. of old J.m B mfl'il'. the qu u-ter- master, don't lie. Kinier ‘spect Jim‘s hid ther weed for his own use. and wants tcr make ther b’yees go wi'out. durn his old bid a. an‘—" " Haiti One move or w )r’l and you die!" came a low command, accommnlel bv the click. click, of a revolver lock. “ Stand perfectly still. without look- ing either way. or over you go into that pit. eenl over send, as sura's thar's strength enough in six tellers to put you than“ The guard obeyed with a muttered curse. He dare not disobey. when he felt the cold muzzle of a revolver touch the back of his neck. With the strong deer-thong stra s which he al- ways carried in his pocket. Gal. Rifle securely bound the rufflan’s hands behind him. and then wineled him around so that they faced each other. “ There ye are, my maul“ he said. with a chuckle. “taken a prisoner just as nic: as you please. Couldn't have done it better yonrself, could on?— Therel take care on don’t speak loud, or I’ send {Ion where they ave hrlmstone hash for board. ow, then, since ou’re my prisoner, I have a per» fect right to sub ect you to a ti orous course of questioning which may not be at a l to your liking. b t which you must swallow and digest as you would a sugar-coated Pill. “ And also you mus answer every uestion and if you don‘t. and go a-tryiu‘ ter yell. or k loud to at- tract attention, or any dodge games. down goes your shanty into that pit o' the dead, like a double- distilled thunderbolt! D'ye hear!“ The man assented by a nod of his head. He knew it wasn‘t his trump flop, yet. CHAPTER X. QUESTIONING—FALSE Ra‘s—manna GUAnD—A cu:- rnu AND use“): mm m cave. “ WELL, then," continued Gold Rifle. giidin away, and closing' the door which lhe guard had le 0 n, and also turning on a greater wer of light mm the lamps, ” the first question shall ask you is what is your name? Answer in a. low prompt tone, and you’ll not be harmed." “ My name‘s Mose Renfrou!" was the sullen re- sponse. “Mose Renfrau, ehf Do you belong to Tiger Tragk’s ouglsltws?" G 2 ‘ “ o—— e ong lo a . ' “ What’s that?" us “ The gang w‘at works inside. The outlaws ar' No. l. and hev nothln‘ ter do wi’ us tellers.” h“0h'l that’s the layout is it? You’re a guard t cu?’ “Yes. i have charge of the whole building—a heat through every hall to see that all is right." “ Do you ever enter the rooms?" 7 “CV course; I hev ter give ther signal and they let me in." “ What is the si all" “ Go find ouv—l' i not tell ye." “ You won’t, eh " Gold Rifle reminded seizing him and forcing him forward toward the hole of the pit—"then down ye go. end over end." The fe110w‘s face assumed a white, scared look as he was confronted b the yawning abyss. and he trembl Ed in every lim . I "Yes! yes! I'll tell “ he gasped, his teeth chat. tering, "only don‘t shove m9 com: in that grave. What is it you want to know?" . “ The si no! you spoke of." “ Well. t is live successive light raps upon the door. One teller never speaks ter'ernuther, durin' workin‘ hours." ' ' Goii Rifle gazed at the guard sharply. to see if he was lying, but he was evidently not. judging from his common??? But. Oget thtling did not escape the; ynx eves o e on (- ec ve—aragged edgeo hide where the be. r an beard met above the ear. "See here i" he exclaimed griva. “you ain‘t ther cha ye seem at all. What means this?" and with his ands he erked off first a long false beard, and then a wig 0 hair. " What kind of a crooked game are ye tryin‘ ter pisv. anyhow?" The man swore roundly in French. and his eyes looked like balls of Shorn of his hirsute pos- sessions, he appeared a man of thirty-five. smooth- faced. and the very photogra h of all that was evil, " You may as well out wit it." sold Gold. Rifle, “ for I know that you are not here wi houtan ob act. You are under disguise and have some plan oot, or you would not be era. Needn‘t be afraid to‘ tail me, for I‘m a. detective. and don‘t want any: thing more to do with you than can be helped. What are von here for. you rascal!" “To kill Tiger Track. the outlaw!" replied the: man. flercel . “I have been here a'year for purpose, on still Tiger Track lives.” " What wrong has he ever done on?” “ Ruined my wife, and afterwnr murdered h9r to Gold Ride, the Sharpshooter. 1 J gift of her. Do you not think I ought to hate m y “ I should say yes. And now, are we to be friends or enemies? You evidently care nothin for the hand, except to accomplish your object: am here to rescue my mother who has ions: been a prisoner in Tiger Track‘s power. You can let me have your lace as ward until i get her free. and then assume this disguise again for your own tglans." i “ (goal-root; but where will I s y, during all that t mc " Down in the pit. The dead are all for under the ground and there is no smell. You can remain there, and I will lower on down provisions. Its day goes by without your caring from me. you can come up by aid of a stairway I haye out into the earth. You will find your trappings in this room." They talked at considerable length, and after giv- ing Gold Rifle all the information possible, Reni'rau consented tobe lowered into the pit. on condition that Gold Rifle would not forget the food This the young detective promised. and procuring a long, stout rope, be lowered the Frenchman into the pit. He then donned the wig and false heard, after which he closely resembled th ! man whose place he was usurpin . The first round he made of the beat he was watc ful and readv for defense, should his assumption be detected. He passed several men in the long halls of the Ranch, but none of them paid the least attention to him. After making half odozen rounds. according to Renfrau‘s directions, he repairrd to the cook-room and got his morning meal, which consisted of veni- son and corn-dodgers. for which he had a strong relish. ’80 strong in fact, that he managed to store away. five of the dodgers in his pockets. These he dropped down to Renfrau on his retin- to the audiv~nc’-1'oom. Of the elder ’l‘oleman he had seen nothing, and no one mentioned him. The outlaws he foun to occu- y quarters in the southeastemart of the build- . ng, where they remained. h y ever venturing into any other parts. A (la and a ni ht passed. and still Gold Rifle re- ‘maine on guar duty. The larger part of the day he was allowed to sleep. as there were filenty astir throughout the Ranch; night was when is services came into requisition. Although he had been nearlv all through the Ranch he had not stumbled upon the room which contained the imprisoned Agnes Wagner, his long- lost mother. Renfrou had told him that-she was somewhere in the great building, but even he did not know exactly where. . ‘ But there was one discovery he had made—one which no one outside the outlaw clique had ever sus- ,ted. De; 9 Blm-k chh was in 1601711110 rounterfiim-r‘ flen. when have coin was manufactured and. finished for the market. Gold Rifle had been in five rooms devoted to its manu'acture, the first being the molding. the second the sizing. the third the stamping and the fourth the weighing and perfecting room; e fifth apartment was the store and limiting-room. and also the off-ice. As near as he could learn, without thyjng him. Self with over-imnisltivnncss. Gold Rifle concluded that the counterfeiting had been coins on for nearly six months, during which time over twenty thousand dollars' worth of spurious coin had been success- fully “ flooded," and still the counterfeiters had twice that amount on hand for future use. They only worked at the dead of night—from elev- en o'clock until day-dawn; then the counterfeiting- rooms were locked up, and the men. some eighteen or twenty in number. mattered to their various rooms throughout the building. ' There was a bar in one room, and this was the general resort of all within the Black Ranch. Moreover. Gold Rifle learned that a squad of ten men constantly acted as pickets in the yard outside of the building. and a man . kept watch in the tower. And he saw them it would benext to impossible for him tolescaoe, unless it was as he had designed, by tunneling out in under the Ranch. This he resolved to do, as soon as possible after finding his (prize; the imprisoned Agnes Wagner. For the ay following be had to occupation. and in .ihese hours. when there was no (1qu of their being discovered, both he and Renfrau worked at the tunnel. for the Frenchman saw that it might serve hill] as an avenue of escape, after he had com- pleted his meditated vengeance on Tiger Track. About six o’clock in the evening Gold Rifle resum- ed his guard d uty. but .ttenfrau kept on digging. In one of his rounds through the halls on the second floor of the .Ranch, the young detective board a groan, and apgroaching close to the door nearest him. he plum and listened. There were voices inside, engaged in conversation. It was evi- dently a man and a woman. and the man was speak- ing. in the unmistakable tones of J: cob Toleman. ‘Therel there! shot 11 yer blubberinz. woman, over that brat o‘ ourn. t cum ter thcr Settlement, an‘ I had it brained, as I told you I would. of on ever tried an games to escape. I reckon {e’ll out after aw ileIhet I’m mamr! When stole ye away from Alf King. or Boover Lean-e, as he's now known, I thort I war gettin’ a lamb. ’ca’se ve tillers appeared so while ye war Wild Walt’s wife; but I soon found ther difference 1" “Yes, you brute! you found that l was yet a wo- man. am would fight for my power. It’s now many years, Do] h Carew, since I saw the light of rho outer worl , but God he raised. I believe it will not bemth longer; I am Inspired with a faith that I shall either die, or be rescued from‘ this terrible in— carcerationi" _ . “Hai_ ha! you are getting wild a sin. Aggie—out o‘ yer right mind. Why. you old 001. who do you suppose could rtscne you from this impregnahle prison? You are here for your life—my wife, my 51mm, if I choose to make e.” “ Your 10W 1' God iorb (ii The bonds which you forced u on me were but a horrible mockery in' the sight of eaven,for1 have a. husband iivin . No' nol you need not leer and scofl. lonWild alt still lives, and I shall be again his ere long. Something tells me so, and I cannot drive off the impression. It clln to me by day and by hi ht." “ An ’11 hev ter keep a-clingin . fer all that good it will do you. I see Lryree a few (in s ago, an' he‘s as hot as ever at Tiger Track fer st: n' ye. Legree is a very devil l” I “ But an angel, compared with you, you wretch!" was the retort. "I know l'm not an angel!" replied tl‘e villain. with a mall nant chuckle. “Indeed. it is one of the greatest deighis of my life to worry and torment vou—to make your existence it forctaste of hell. ’i‘hat is because 1 lore ycu so. But 1 cannot tarry longer. now. for I must away to ciher work. Gen- eral Maynard. your fathom! mnynswell tell you, will soon make rn attempt to take this Ranch. with the vein hope of re ossessing himself of you. He has but a handful o men—one to our three—and in- side of twenty-four hours from now. if they ao- proach near. their bodies ’11 make coyote fodder. 80 stood by. you shetigress Cub, and may your dreams hereafter not be so silly. Your da 3 are doomed to he s .nt within these dismal Will 3, and when you die shall cremate you, and retain your ashesasa souvenir. in a glass case at the head of in bed!" With a horrible lunch the ruffian turns , and Gold Rii‘i.a heard him coming toward the dcor. He ste ped to one side, an expression of grim de- terminat on upon his face, his eyes gleaming forth the nontrup an or that was in his breast. “I’ll bastet e inhumah beast one rap." he mut- tered, seizing a hickory walking-stick which stood user. “If I can’t drop him. I’ve got a ‘knife to finish him with, aside from as noisya pair of revolvers as ever cracked. I dare uot,use them here, how- evw'. " 20 Gold. ' Rifle, the Sharp-boots“. Nearer th'e rufilan came, and Gold Rifle seized his stick flrmly. There was much do ndin . now, and be resolved to be the victor when e h the chance. The key turned in the 10 , the door opened, and the elder Toieman, or Dolp Carew, as the prisoner had called him, stepped on into the hall. hen came a whiz and a whack of the club, and without even a groan the old rufflan dropped to the cor. Gold Rifle did not pause to sec if he was seriously hurt or not, but seizmg him by the heels, dragged him back into the room occupied by the risoner. “Come!” he said, turning to her and cholding a pale, ickly-looldng woman of eight-and-thirt ' years. ‘ If you would escape from this living dcat I, come with me, for I am your son, come to rescue you, my lon dost mother l” And he advanced toward her wit outstretched arms. “My son!" she gasped, rising toward him,her eyes shinin lorlously with a. new-horn hope; “ my God, can th 5 true, or am I going mad—mad—mnd .9“ “ You are not wrong, dear mother l" the young de- tective replied, kissing her tenderly “for if you are Agnes Wagner. the wife of Wild Wait. I am our son, whom you have not seen since he was a ittle boy. But come, dear motln-r. we must not tarry here, for you probably well know the men who sur- round usi ’ “Oh, God! I have not prayed to Thee in vain for aid. and You have sen: me a noble gift which over- whelms me with gratitude toward Thee. Yes. come, my son, for I would not longer tarry in this horrible confinement. Is be dead?" with amotion toward the senseless r'riflan. "No. I think not. so. I will lock him in this room. that he may have a taste of what you have experi- enced. herei" Gold Rifle said, grimly. He hastil; g‘athered UK a bundle of ma s and clothing. \v ic cau ht is eye, and than ed the way out into the he , locking the door after them. Then they cautiously descended the stain-l, and made their way through a labyrinth of halls. most luckily not encountering any one of the enemy. On reaching the pit room, Gold Ride by Reni'rau‘s assistance. succeeded in getting Mrs. Wagner safeiy down into the little cave in the ads of the pit; then Gold Rifle went to the cook room and succeeded in capturing a largehaunch of venison, already roasted for the morrow s meals. This he took down into the little cave, and then Renfrau received back his disguise and went on guard duty above, the some as at first, promising to warn the oung detective in case of danger. After s icing on the venison. and secreting it about his person, Gold Rifle set desperately at work in tunneling toward the river-shore, which Renfrau had already well started! CHAPTER Xi. our on. mam—ox was me AND A man son urn—- rs was run or AN AVALANCHE. Drramnsto now was Gold Rifle to escape, for he had a dear mother to care for, and he worked away with a will. The dirt was now light and loamy, being so near the surface, and he made rapid headway. When it was about morning, he ceased his labors for a few moments, and with Mrs. W ner partook of some of the venison he had captu . He then went at it a‘gain. and by noon he conclud- ed by a gurgling soun just in front of him. that he was almost through. So lie paused, and went back to the little cave in the dirt, at the commencement of the tunnel, where he had left his mother. He found the guard, Renfrau. here, also, waiting anx- iously to know the result of the labor. "1 ass I'm nearly through." Gold Rifle answer- ed. to his inquiry, “but whether I shall come out above or under the ice. I do not yet known I shall ullat flesh out until darkness again. How is it out- 8 e. “ Sharp and clear, with moonlcss nights. You'll gfit oil. easy enough, an’ I wish ye God speed, an’ t e leddy too." _ The guard then took his departure. and Gold Rifle and his mother waited anxiously for the coming of darkness. During the time intervening, they found much to say to each other, and Mrs. Wagner was greatly overjoyed to learn that her husbnn '1 was alive and somewhere in the West. The knowledge was con- sollng to her. . > The afternoon passed quickly, and when b his watch he knew it was owing dark, Gold ‘ 6 led the way into the tunne , and on reaching the spot where he had left oi! di ging, he set to work to break through the remain ng dirt. it was an ens matter, for a few shovclfuls of dirt only were t en out. era a dull light shone in. Peering out of the a rture. he gave an exultant lit- tle cry, for his calcu ations had been so correct, that they would c )me out fair and even upon the ice. In five minutes he had the hole large enough to Mint of their egress, and they breathed the pure air of. freedom. Before them stretched the night and a snowy wil- derness. And they had now to depend upon their feet to bear them away from the terrible den that had so long been Agnes Warner‘s prison. “ Oh! God be pr " she murmured, as she gazed out over the boundless view of crystal white, and u at the heavens, where a few pale stars were twink ing. “ This is the grandest, most grateful sight that has greeted my eyes for many lon years. It seems like coming out of a dark worl into a brighter one." d‘ And so it will be to you, dearest mother. for I shall and others will strive to make your future life most hagpy and bright. You will remain, please, while I s u is around the neighborhood and get my boots and rifle, which I left outside the fence ere I attem red theater the Ranch and got caught. 1 won't 8 long." - “ But on are going into peril again, my son.” "No, am not risking ranch, dear mother, and will soon return." So saying Gold Rifle crept from the hole out into the open a r, and along in the shadow of the creek bank. Above him towered the shadows of thegrwat Ranch surrounded as it was by its black, high fence. Everything looked about the same to the young. scout-detective, aswhen he had entered, now some forty-eight hours before. Stealthin he crept alon the bank several ards, and then came upon his 116, securely hidden n the sage bushes. Leaving it. he crawled along over the snow to— ward the fence. near where he had scaled it, for it was here he had buried his boots. It was adarlng venture, but he was aware that he must have them, in order to escape. Inch by inch he crept along. ex- Feit‘lang every minute to get a challenge, or a bullet n b n. But luck was with him and without evident dis- covery he found and ulled on his boots. He was about to retreat, when is eve caught sight of an ob- ect close at hand, and his heart ave a jump when we saw that it was a medium-sued" frame hand-sled, with a lasso attached. it had evidently been left there by some Ranch hand; yet, it occurred to Gold Rifle, might it not be a decoy? it was just the very thing he wanted to draw is mother upon. still 0 hesitated and lay upon the snow, \\ atclllng with the eyes of a lynx. “ Reckon a teller can‘t more'n try, anyhow l" he muttered, at last. “an’ ef I am discovered, I calcu- lat ~ wi‘ my skates on I kin outrun ’em." ' Creeping forward he raspei the larlst and began creeping hastil town the river, pulling the sled behind him. ithout accident he reached the ice, and securing his rifle and skates, he advanced along ‘11 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 3 1 up to the hole. Here he found Mrs. Wagner await- ing anxously. ‘ Had you any trouble?" “ No, but 1 coins we’d better be glttin' out of this, lively. ’rwon’t be long before there‘ll be a. rum us in the enemies‘ camp. You get on the sled, wh e I am putting on these skates, and we’ll soon be of! " “ Hark! listen} :1 shoutl“ exclaimed Mrs. Wagner hreathlossly. pomting into lhi‘ hole. Quickly Gol gigs sprung to the opening. and listened for a repe- t on. it came booming alon through the tunnel. a. mo~ meut later, in a hoarse, ( eep vorcwthe voice of the guardsman, Rentrau: “ Fly! fly I (hep/‘1” «Ii-amsred yerflighI—lool: out fer 'em. a good on: n dozen xlrong. Fly! ” As I expectedl" Gold Rifle muttered. with a grim contraction of his brows. “ We‘ve got to git, n she .’ ' He Afished buckling on his skates. then placing Mrs. Wagner upon the sled. he wrappod her warmly in the blankets he had fetched from the Ranch. Every minute now seemed an hour until thcy should get started. “ Now hang on!" he said. and seizing the lsriat he started down over the ice. drawing the sled behind him. The track in befnrv him like a monster reach of glass. and a spirit of joy was the young sharp~ shooter‘s, as he was able to dart awa frcm the out- law den, at a much faster speed than e could go on the snow. He could hear the shouts and curses of the out- laws. and knew that they had discovered his esca , and the route he had taken, but he resolved to (B6— tance them. nor give up in the attempt. ” ‘hey’ve got only one possible chance to head us off," he muttered, ‘and that‘s below here. a couple of miles in the sharp bend of the river. By (70mg overland on horseback. they can rerhaps get there ahead or me. But not if i can he p it.“ He set his teeth ard together and darted on over the smooth surface like a ti ing bird. never pausing once to look back or aroun him. Not until he was amroachlng near to the bend; then he came to a h . “ What is the matter!" inquired Mrs. Wagner, anxiously. “ Is there danger?’ “Yes. to advance further on the river. A whole gang of the outlaws are concealed around a bend down yonder, and we shall have. to leave the ice." He was not longlin making the decision. but pulled the sled u 'onto t e. strong snow crust on the west- ern side 0 the river. “ You had better let me get oft and walk,“ said Mrs. Wagner. anxiously. ~‘ I have. considerable strength on occasions like this.“ “ No, no; you sit still. I can make better time drawing you than if you were to walk. The. crust holds up perfectly under my skates. and I shall keep them 0 . It was too dark to see anything of the enemy. so he set out over the prairie at a brisk speed. the stiff crust answering nearly the same purpose as the ice for skating For several hours he tolled on. pullinghls precious prize behind him. determined to keep a-going as long as his strength held out. But at last he was obligo’l to succumb to fatigue, and came to a. halt in a small belt of timber on the top of a prairie crest. ‘ “ I'm in‘ to stop here till dayhght. anyhow,” he said pl ng and nting from his over-exertions. “I don't reckon he devils will get my trail before that time. We must have come fully eight miles from the river. if not more." He did not build a fire. although the night was cold for this would be certain to attract his enemies to the spot, but wra ping all the blankets snugly around poor Mrs. agner. he threw himselt flat upon the crust, loco downward, and went on into a sound sleep, trusting to his instinct to arouse him in case of, danger.‘I Gold Rifle slept on undisturbed] until close 11 u daydawn. when he awoke ready or the day’s la. r, come it m what sha e it might. . Amusing his mot er. who had not suifered much from the cold, he gave her some of the venison he had fetched alo , and they both satisfied the crav— ing of their appe ites. ‘ We Will wait a little longer. till the darkness en- tirely clears away. for I want to geta view of the surrounding prairie.” Gold Rifle said. “This must be the highest omt for several leagues around, as I remember, an I can see the out aws if they are anywhere on the grairle within eye~shot. The mountains of the Li 1e Panther range cannot be far back of us.” , “And is there where you are oing, my son 9“ “ If I am pursued, yes. 0t icrwlse, I shall cut around and make for the fort. of which your father has command.” 'The darkness cleared away rapidly now. and lhe light of a clear crisp day dawned over the snow w lderness. d the sight that was presented to the view of Gold Rifle was little more than he expected. The outlaws were at the spot where he had left the ice. some five miles to the eastward, and were inst starting out upon his trail. He saw this much. )y aid of his glass; but he. also made a discovery that. was in a degree encouraging. There were but about a score of the pursuers, all told. The remainder of the outlaw gang had evi- dently taken another course. > .“Can you see the Black Ranch. my dear?" Mrs. Vs agner asked. coming out to the edge of the tim- ber. where Gold Rifle was standing. "One corner of its roof—no! it‘s the. tower of the. Ranch. ’wa ofl yono er. The remainder of the place is hi den bi hind a prairie swell. greater than this. But come; We mist not tarry here, but must recommence the race. 'llic rutla“ s are. already be ginning pursuit, where we left the ice. and I wish to reach the mountains err we stop agfln." Mrs. Wagner again rrslzmrd her position u n the sled. and seizing the lariat, Gold Rm. set out riskly to the westward. No halt was made. but he pushed determinedly on toward a high mountain peak which loomed up before them in the distance. looking like a‘giant specter in its sheet of ure. white. “There‘s a cave ha f-way u that mountaln~s5de, if I remember!" tl e young etectlve said. as th-y advanced. “for i think that is the Elk or Earth- gunke peak I’ve heard old Alva Lanche tell about own at Yankton. if we can get ii: the cave we'l bail; flight, and can fight off the vsrminls until they g c 'n 1 But in the course of a half-hour, a new change up peered. The heavens suddenly became overcast with a dull gray color, land'snow began to fall fast and thick. every fluke counting. being as large near- ly as a nickel. Evidently a severe storm was at and. ‘ A stern expression came overGold Ellie’s features. and Mrs. Wagner not iced it at once. ‘- What is it?” she questioned. -“ Will not this snow cover up our traill" “ Yes. and us, too, unless we strike cover inside of two hours." was the dis uieting rep . “Et‘s goin’ ter be an old snorter, sue as ye res aboutl" " Many of my readers will say. doubtless—“WI: . I should think he would have frozen, lying there " But my answer is. no! Several winters ago. I had occasion to try the experiment, at the suggestion of an old woodsman. for we were out where neither shelter nor tire was to be had. I laid downfand be- ing fatigued, dropped into a sleep which lasted until mornin . when I was awakened, vezlmuch refresh- ed. not eeling the cold scarcely at . I have often since tried to study out the reason of my not freez- ing. but gave it up as a mystery; ' ' \ 82 Gold Rifle, the Sharpsbooter. . ' He increased his walk to a run and kept on, while the white flakes came down in dense clouds, cover- ing them perfectly white. On—on, resolutely at doubtingly, and at last the arrived at the foothi s of the monntains. but to the r disappointment not a tree was there to ofler them shelter. And the snow came down faster and faster: it hadalready fallen to the depth of a foot. and still no si s of cessation. ” et off and let me assist you 1" Gold Rifle sail; “ we shall have to try and hunt up the cavv, up in the mountain-side. or perish in the snow 1" They began the steep rocky ascent. which was nearly perpendicular. and gained an altitude of flity feet or more; then stopped with white. scared faces. as the heard a strange humming. rushing roar above hem—something awful in its imlport. “ My God. we are in the le/t of an «ca one/Le I" Gold Rifle exclaimed. CHAPTER XII. on was rmma~aurrmus AND transmits. Tn man whom General Maynard had engaged as guide into the Black Ranch countr was in many re- 8 acts an“odd ‘un " on the side of uman character. e was ev'l iently along in the fortirs, strong and muncularly built. with a nick sharp glance for every new object, and a ha. ital watchfulness about himself. lest he should be stricken by an enemy, or should betray hims li'. _ He was one of those old roving spu‘its who harl spent a lifetime on the border, and corn rough life in nearly all its different phases; was a man of liberal education. evidently, but uncouth and eccen- tric of speech as a general thing. Little of his face could be seen for the heavy beard that swept nearly to his belt, and at a glance into his black. slamming eyr one would say that he was not the man to brook insult or much oflenso. He gave his name to General Maynardl as Old Steuben. and by this title he was made known to the whole party. After leaving the farm-house the cavalcado struck into a sharp gallo and headed due westward into the 1pure white of the snow-bound West. A of the rty were mounted upon streds whose pozvers of en urance had had many atesi. and whose was hard to equa‘; and therefore than was a jolly spirit prevaiiln . Perhaps, more than all else, it was because pretty ay Maynard headed the band, looking gay and bright in her artistic costume—for she was now a m 'n amonfi them. and every man could have well wished her t eir captain. Old Ste aben rode on in advance, grimly silent and uncommunica‘ iv except when questioned. ‘ . The man 586mm to have some burden resting upon his mind. same secret which caused the reserve which was one of his personal peculiari‘ies. May noticed this. and her tender young heart kin- dled award him, for his quiet withdrawal from the fist of the men looked as if none were friendly to in. "Are you lonely without com any. sir?" she ask- ed. zallo ingforward to his ex 0. “I should think you we d be." . "Eh? lonesome, my leddy? No, I don‘t reckon I am, more'n usual. Kinder natural to me. yzs see— this preference for solitude. ’Taii’t many ladies as comes ter talk ter an old nut'iike mo." “ That is because they are so blind as not to see that men ofttimes are found under the rudcst .oover- lag, sir " was the reply. ‘ God bless ye, young lady. fer thar‘s more truth in ‘em words than fie’d suppose. Thar was a time when Old Steuben ed as much style as any 0' thcr b0 eeubut life on this frontier "11 soon take trier po an’ starch out o‘ a fellar.” Ma could but be impressed with his words, and saw but there was a sound.dee§>ely-sensibie man, under the ro h exterior of Old 8 ub'en. 'l‘iwytravel along awli'tly in the afternoon‘s sun- light. makin a picturesque sight as they trailed over the whi winding-sheet of he prairie About sundown they came in SI ht. of a. “ prairie island,“ or motto of timber, aevera miles ahead, and General Maynard signaled to to the scout, who np~ preached resgectfu y. “ You see t e timber ahead, scout—would that not fonluwns an admirable camping-ground for the in: l ." " Yes, general, if it is not already occupied by thcr enemy. Them ar mottes ar’ ginerally occupied. in scch weather, by red-skins. or ans 0‘ sum sort, an’ they‘ll be sure ter fight fer their rounds." “True, but I don‘t fancy the no on of cam ing down in the open. In there not another of t ese islands where we can find shelter by a few hours more of brisk ride?" “ Most likely, sir, and we will strike of! a little more to the north. curving gradually in that direc- tion. But here, let me call yer attention ier sum- thin‘ w‘ich i reckon hes escaped yer eyes. D‘ye know thet we're follered?“ “Followed f not by whom. pray l" “ Dunno. sir, fer my eyes won‘t reach fur enough tor let me find out. Lut thar they are. about six mlies back in the rear—jest in plain sight. now!" All hands turned in their saddles, and gazed back over the ocean of white. in search of the sail of life, and, sure enough. two horsemen were seen far in the distance, on the crest of a prairie swell. “ They've iollered us frum ther Settlement i" said Old Steuben, “an’ I reckon they're up tor sum devil~ try. or they‘d hurry an‘ ketcb up." ‘ I cannot imagine who it is. unless some of Ti'zer Track's men were in the Settlement when we left.“ smd General Maynard. anxiously. “ Yuur idear is probabl kerecti” replied the scout; “anyhow, they ken‘ do us no harm as long as they kec at each a distance—thei's a fao’i" The cava cade now turned their course to the northwest, and made a wide detour around the motto General Ma nard would have chosen for a. camp. Sharp Old teuben kept a weather eye u on the sland for some time after they had passe it, and although his eye-search was nnrewarded b a glimpse of enemy. something seemed to tell himt at enemies were there. And if thev were red-skins, he was well aware what that signified—they would be follow.:d and attacked. “I guess we‘d better not cam to-n ht.“ he said, addressin General Maynard, "' ut- ha better push on while i: one is darkness to cover us." “And why not camp. scout?" “ Beoa‘se. general. we’ve got a leddy among us, an‘ I kno‘ ye wouldn‘t want her ha’r fingered by a red-skin’s greasy fingers!" ” Great heaven, no. Why? do you apprehend dan- ger from Indians to-nirht?" . “ Mought beer fruni ther red rips of we war ter git in route 0‘ ‘om." . “ Well. then we must keep moving and keep out of their way. for a charge on us and consequent loss of numbers must now be avoided if possible. On. mcni Let no halt be made until an hour before (inv- bre'ak.“ " And on galloperl the cavalcade swiftly over the winter’s snow. Night now began to settle down rapidly. and with dense darkness. What few ale stars appeared in the heavens were insufficient make light below. A ghastly palcness rising from the snow was_ all that afforded lhe travelers light by which to guide their course. when once night had drawn her shroud closely around. Old Steuben now withdrew from the cavalcade at Gsneral Maynard‘s suggestion, and waited fora cou- ple of hours upon the trail. This was for the puapoze. of learning whether or not they were‘ followe by either the two strange horsemen or by other foes. But his two hours of watching and waiting result- ed in no discovery. and he rode on and overtook the Gold Rifle, the Sharpthooter. 88 cavalcade about midnight, at the edge of a belt of cottonwood timber. “Writ, what is theyews?" General Maynard de- manded anxi ‘Did you see anything of the enemyl‘l’ ' "No- I guess we have outwitted them. sir. Hev ye bin in t is timber?" " Yes—or I sent t ree of the boys. here. and they made a thorough search, without finding anything in the enemy line.” “Well. then we mought as well sto hayr an' rest, fer thar‘s no telhn‘ w‘at tervmorrer ‘ bring forth." They accordingly rode into the heart of the rnotte. where no snow had fallen, on account of the dense matting of tree-tops.anl a campfire was built to keegvofl the cold of the night. " e must past three sentinels around the border of the motto! ‘ said Steuben. "to insure safety, and revent any one getting into the timber unknown us. I for one will stand guard. How is it with you, Cotton l“ addressing an old grizzled trapper. "All ri ht, I‘m willing—" “ And will act as third sentinel!" announced May Maynard, eagerly. as she step (1 forward rifle in hand. “Iwould enjo nothing ettrr." “ But, young Ieddy, it‘s rat or out o’ yerline. ain’t 9“ “No. sir—it’s just what I like. and I‘ll wager you can't go out on the prairie, and slip in past me. except I second challere you." “Let her go. if she will," sa‘d General Maynard. coming up, with a smile. "I‘ll Lager she'll take care of herself,—and us, too. for she was not hrou ht it without training!" “A ri t—justasyesa. l" replied Old Steuben; “but 1‘ not ‘low et, e she war my gal. Too risky.t this puttin' a putty gal up fer an Injun 9 Ma took the station assigned her. however — had er own we ,just as she usually did—on the eastern side of t e motto. while Steuben took the southern. and Cotton patrolled the northern and western sides. The watch was a lonely one. but May Maynard was far from a coward and she faced si entl alo the edge of the w . stoppln o listen at e all test sound, and investigating the cause. as tar-as s e was able. After awhile Old Steuben got to meeting her at the southern end of her beat, and the exchange of a few words was the means of driving away the loneli- ness of the hour, and making the watch endurable. “Seen anything'“ asked the scout. once. when they met. “ Btter look retty sharp. fer my bones tell me thar’s Injuns ha by. watchin‘ for a chance ter pop later the motto, but dunno t'er sart’in. Er ye see anything outside of ther timber line. w’at‘s got le or moves, blaze away as a slgnal ter ther boys 1: camp. "l‘won‘t do ter let 'em know we’re small in numbers,so the OR one o‘ yer revolvers several times after each rifle-shot." " 011! I'll attend to that. never fear. But, I want {con to answer me a question. which is of much in- rest to m . Do you know a young man by the hang at; Go Rene?" “ Yes-I believe his real name is Kit Wagner.“ “ Yes. I rf‘clron I knowhim-orter. at least. What about himl" . “ Obi nothing much." and the darkness hid the blush that swept over the fair sentinel‘s face. .“I ' didn‘t know but you ht have seen him lately.“ “ No. I hevn‘t seen m for a dog‘s age. Guess he‘s got a new Layout on the string. Where did you ever seehim. 1 d 1" “He came to y father's house. Christmas, for protection from a gang of tra pers who were our- suing him under the delusion t at hewas the outlaw, Tiger Track. Joeh, our farm-hand. fetched him in, and we helped him to em ' “ And th rascal stole stifihin' afore he got away. tng.id;d3’t l Oh: ye might have knowed be war a 1 ' f‘ What! Gold Rifle a (W) Impossible. air. We missed nothing.“ “ But he ate e sumthin’, howsumdever—yerleetlo heart, In leddy. an’ I know at. Didn't I tell ya he war a in ef. eh?“ “ You are incorrigible. sir. I did not ask because I was in love with him—l mean—I mean—" "Just what on my. Miss May; an’ e! ye’ll take an ole cuss‘s ‘v \e. like me. ye‘ll ee right on s-luv- in‘ Gold Rifle. fer he’s a good lad an as a border do- tective. he‘s a-g'oin‘ ter make a h 1;.“ They now separated. and resumed their beats. but the old scout‘s words had left his Maynard‘s heart in a little flutter, and it best an throbbed faster when she thought of the young sharpshooter—and how glad she would be to see him again. She little knew that at tl is same hour he was bur- rowin like a prairie dog in the earth beneath the Black rich. working for liberty. ~ tilt in her thoughts of him, she did not forget lhrt the safety of the camp was depending on her watch- fulness. and she kept a sharp eye out u n the snow- white prairie. onto which she could 00k but fifty yards ( r so. because of the darkness. It was well along reward morning, the darkest part (I night. when she saw two men ridi dincily toward the motte; and at thesame time a erce vin- dictive 'ell wrnt up frcm the southern end of the matte, ollowed by a rifle report. Instantly Mny fired at one of the approaching horsemen. and with a curse he tumh ed to the ground. but the other pressed on toward her. “Whatis the matter?“ demanded General May- nerd. as he and half a dozen men came running out of the timber. Rufflansl" said May, slipping a fresh cartridge into her breech-ion d+ r. " Red-skins. and old Sitting Bull at thetl" cri. d id Steuben. dashing up, and then away again in on instant. CHAPTER XII]. A man scarinan ash A are smart. ” Did you fire. May?" askrd the general for 3 inc-- mr nt at a loss what to do. “ I heard a r' e re on." “Yes. I fired. and dropped my man, sir,“ sy re- lied. her eyes riparkling. “Here comes the at] (r ellow. and 1']! ay him out. roviding he does n‘! stop on bail! Halt! you ru an, hall .I" and hrr gleaming rifle bore directly do“ n upon the approach ing horseman. But. he heeded not her words. and despite her n‘nr - ing rifle-shot his horse leaned forward to the edge of the motte. and the man slid from the saddle. ' “You needn’t hev bin so cursed imperdentl“ he growled, limping a trifle. w'en a teller‘s t in’ t-er wlaién yo 0‘ ther red-skins. Most humans w‘u d been g a .‘ ‘ . 1“Boover Legree‘." cried May. stepping back in a am. “Yes, my daisy; but ye needn’t be “card 0‘ me on 'em old scores. fur l m beer fur a different pur- pose. ter-night. Gineral. git yer men iergethcr. and no quick ter ther southern end 0" ther motte. fer ihur s nigh about a bin dred o’ Sittin' Bull’s gang thar. an’ Old Steuben flghlin’ ‘em 01!. That‘s w at s ther matter. Come ahead, you loutsl“ and away leased tre trader. with rifle in hand, to ass st in re- pel ng the attackers. Seeing that his was evidently honest for the present. General ynard ordered his men to follow his example. while he and May hurriedly brought up the rear. There were new loud yells in the direction of the southern end of the motte. that were fierce and sev- aee, and were followed by an accompwlment of riiflatreports, which echoed fltfully out upon the n . > a three minutes they reached the battle nod. to and Old Steuben assailed on or at e b a swarm of copper—colored varmints; bu the val of the scouts turned the tide somewhat. and it was a hand-whand conflict on every side—a desperate. .4“..-,........ l . 94 Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. determined struggle for victory on the part of both reds and whites. “ Sock et to 'em, boys l“ yelled the guide. Old Steu- ben, as he did wonderful execution with both knife and revolver—"let the skunks hev et fer all ye’re wu’thl" . . One by one the ravages went down. until full a score had fallen. General Maynard had sent May back into the trees, for he feared for her to join in the battle, and he fought in the midst of tho aflray. But the struggle con d not last forever. and at last there was a signal whoodp, then the savages quickly ceased fighting and with rew out upon the rairie, leaving their dead, but dragging their woun cri after them. “Hooray! thet's ther kind 0‘ medicine ier give ’em!“ shouted Old Steuben. danci (leiiehtedly abou “thet’s ther kind 0’ hull-dozin ter guv ther red lripscailions. Hurrai fer ther victory we‘ve won ' And the trappers all accorded with the Sentiment by a yell. . Morning was now dawning in the east, rapidly, and the whole party remained noon the battle. ground until the day was light enough to see how the field lay. Then it was discovered that some twenty-five of the red-skins had been killed, while Sitting Bull and his remaining warriors had withdrawn to the prairie, a mile awav, where they were grouped down, evi- denth awaiting action on the part of the whites. “ T ey mean to follow and torment usl" said Gen- eral Maynard, turning to old Steuben. “Sitting Bull is one of the worst demons on the frontier to battle with—a dogging cut—throat of snakish ani- mosityi” ” Ye‘re right. thar, ginerail" agreed Steuben; “foot an‘ hand thet old Bull's a hard ’un. But, ’tain‘tzoin’ tor benefit us ter stay hayr. Let‘s git out at once. Er them cusses foiler, we kin lend ’em a hand.” Accordingly arrangements were made to leave the motto, and continue on toward the Black Ranch, which Steuben declared could not now be over a half- day's ourney further westward. \v e preparations were being made ithere was a. 1i tle commotion. occasioned by Old éteuhen, who had threatenineg confronted the man Legree, who had declared it his intention to accompany the bri- ga' e. The eccentric guide and trapper had confronted the trader, u n seeing him for the first, with flam~ in; eyes, an an expression of countenance which was savage. ' "Hal hal Alf 'Kin . so you‘re here, are ye—here where your foes are t ickest, and iyour life hangs on nthread r Good! I‘m glad of it— want ye. present» Iy—want to pav you a trifle I've owed you for ears. But not now—we have no time to arrange due s over individual disturbances. General Ma. nard, you will Shoot ‘piease keep gait/ch over the wretch, or he is a man of mine to d with and must not escape. him down if he attempts itl“ “ Who in ten thousand demons are you, I" growled Le c. fiercely. with half anotion to spring forward anr annihilate the cool guide. yet somehow fearing to attempt the job. “ it matters not who or what I am you wolf. I am one who will do the world a favor hy riddin it of you. forever!” was the reply. as the guide urned away. The cavalcade now mounted. and Legree was placed between two mounted guards “You‘ll have to submit to this. or go over and join Sitting Bull," the general said in answer to a growl from the whim trader. “None of us trusts you behind our backs, and we can do no less than keeg you under watch. You should have stayed at the ettlement, where there is larger scope for your villainy, for if you joined us, with the hope of steel- ing away my daughter May. you will be disappointed by finding her 'wi e awake, and fullyas alive to her own interests as we are. So your mission will be en- tirely unrewarded. unless by some act of treachery you get a bullet through your skull!" The guard who had been left on the outhern end of the motto now returned, with the announcement that the redskinshad made no more to change their quarters yet, but were evidently eating their morn- ing meal. " Now’s our time, then. to get outl" he added. “and git a start." “ Correct!” agreed Steuben; “ come ahead! Look out f 3r danger, and taller me.“ He led the way through the heart of the motto to the northwestern corner, and thence out onto the rolling prairie beyond. “We’re goin’ for hev a thunderin’ storm. by-an’~ by I" he said to General Maynard and May. who rode on either side of him. after giving a speculative glance at the sky. “ Et’ll be a Shorter. too." “ Why do you judge so, scout? I see no signs upon the sky. which is as bright and beautiful as the smil- ing countenance of Got can make it." _ “ True enough, general, but l‘ve got a barometer in my bones by w‘ich I ken foretell as correctly as a clock can tick. In about two hours—no, say four, at the longest. ye’il see a change, wi‘ snow-flakes a-faliin‘." “ Then it behooves us to find a place of shelter as soon as possible, does it not? These heavy storms are‘not pleasant things to meet upon the open prai- rie. ’ “ Right ye aire. general. and we must trust ter our luck in flndin’ a motte, fur I don’t know 0' any. very contiguous to the Black Ranch.” They moved along—on over the white glistening sno w-crust into the wilderness, at a jog trot. ‘ For the animals had received but comparatively little rest and were less high spirited than on the previous day. A sha look-out was kept in the rear, and it was finally iscovered that the savages were gunning—were stealing along in the back- groun at their leisure, with no apparent desire to overtake the enemy, got. “ They‘re goin’ ter nd w’at our lay-out is, furstl” said Steuben, “an’ then try an’ nonpluss us. But I reckon w‘en et comes ter snow, they‘ll hev ter git a big spy-glass ‘twill find us." ' “ I fear their consolidation with the outlaws whom we are going to attack!" said the general, uneasily. “ We’d be in a hard flx, then." , “ Don’t e fear. eneral fer sech won’t be ther- case, at al , fer I‘ve eer’d thet Old Sittin’ Bull hates ther outlaw 'Il‘ilger Track, like that Old Niel-{hates holy water. ’ll quicker put in a dig fer us, first, an‘ then try ter bounce us, afterward. On—on over the glistening waste of white the rty advanced; then, after a couple. of hours came he change which Steuben had redicted—a quick cioudin over of the sky to a som rleaden hue. and a few eaihery flakes of uncommon began to descend hesitatingi . In ten minutes agar the first flakes had begun to fall, a perfect hurricane of snow was descending and the brigade were wrapped in a ghostly mantle- ago they urged on their horses through the terrible s rm. , “ Never saw anythin like this before, I declare!" General Maynard row ed, with a head-shake. “ I‘m at the opinion the we’re in for a hard time, before we get out of this. I wish I’d left you at home, May. where and have had comfort and warmth, in- stead of pen and cold to submit to.” “Pshawi papa you_ needn’t wo about me!" May replied, wit a httle ripple of aughter, " for I’m warm, and all right. I prefer this wild sport in being penned up in the house. Don’t fear but what I (1 com lain if I had any cause." “I don‘t b‘ eve you would, you’re such a lucky little thingi" the old officer replied, riding ahead a little to join Steuben. “Do on think there‘s any danger of our bei 'g snow under, scout!“ Gold Rifle. the Sharpnhooter. 3‘ “Dunno, glneral; ken’t tell about thet. fer thar's no tellln‘ what is what ner when sech a storm as this is goin' ter quit. fleckon ef et snows us under, thar’s enou h 0’ us ter dig out, sumhow.” And it look exceedingly as if there was danger of their being snowed underufor the falling cloud- bursts of now were gaining in ground depth with astonishing rapidity and making the labor of the horses severe in the extreme. Butthe kept on, under the urge of the smut - toiling a on: through the blinding storm. whose denseness was something unparalleled. It was growiu darker, too, which looked as if the heavier part of he storm had not yet fallen. On consideration, it was decided that it would not doto sto now—they must needs keep a-going. at least am the storm abated. “Bin out in a few storms. myself," observed an old trapperb the name of Deking. “hut durn my old plcter ef evyer heerd tell 0‘ ther beat 0’ this. Wh , tellers. ef et don’t quit afore long, we're goin' ter he entombed alive, afore our time." “ An’ hev a funeral all ter outselvos. he s t" chimed in Old Steuben. “ One thing we orter e thnnkful fer-that ain‘t man wolves an’ buzzards around. this weather ter pic our bones." In the to ble blinding storm, it was hardly posst ble to advance in regularity, and so they Scattered somewhat. each one picking a path for himself. it so happened that the trader, Boover Legree, was left unguarded and unnoticed b the rest of the brigade. But witha fiendish express on of satisfaction he fol- lowed on, now and then chuckling to himself as he heard Maynard’s clear silvery voice ringing out through t 0 storm, and muttering a curse when he thought of the scout, Old Steuben. "Ef thet cuss knows me. an' he do fer he called me by name, Ido not know him—can‘t think of an enemy of the past, whom he might be —unle.ss—lmt ’shaw! that man is dead long ago. although J zilw 'l‘olemnn behaves to the contrary. And the» girl— Jove! she’s a queen to even what Agnes Warn: r used to be. and of I don’t possess her er-- the worm ceases.‘ may 1 never be able to raise a villain"; hand aga n.‘ And the man laughed low and crafty at some meditated plan of action. He lagged behind all the rest of the rignde, but watched those ahead of him as well as the storm would permit. And he saw, with great satisfaction, that May Maynard was gradually falling behind the rest, ln-r steed having grown contrary and lazy. She evi- dently was unmindful of the fact. and had forgotten the existence of a wolf in the fold. But Legree was .not unmindful; he was watching her as the hawk hatches its prey—with a gleaming, s'nister eye. He had come from the Sett‘ement with the pur- pose of capturing May Maynard fully fixed in his mind‘ Omerhaun had fallen by the daring beauty‘s fire; but he would not—nol the victim was dropping nearer and nearer. unsuspectineg ignorant that she was not keeping up with the rest. Until she felt a strong laid u 11 her shoul- der. and looked around to ver the she was alarm with the villain Le ree her only companion! The brigade had left her ehlndi “ Help! helpl" she screamed. CHAPTER XIV. burn on VICTORY mum o. “Cass ye. et won‘t do yo no good tor screec‘i fer helpl" growled Legrec. rudely clapping his hand over May's mouth. “Ye'll find ye‘ve fallen inter ther claws of a tigerl“ . “ I fear you not!" re lied May. indignantly. “ and I defy you. My frlen are not far away, and will answer In cry. ’ “ Will t ey. tho‘? Mebbe so an‘ mebbe not. Jest you cum along wi' me, or you’ll be sorry; none 0’ yer scroechin‘ now. ef ye don’t wanter get killed ter oncet. " . And turning his horse’s head sharply from the trail as it ran in a northerly course, he gave the beast a cruel Lab of the spur and seized May‘s than oughbred by t e bits. in when his horse bounded madly forward, May‘s balked in its tracks. and as a result the tamer was jerked backward from the saddle onto t e snow. “ Hal ha! ha! That‘s the time you didn't make a ointt" May exclaimed. with a laugh. Thensheput or hand to her belt for a revolver, but to her sur- prise she did not find one there. They had all been removed, and hcr knife also. " Hal ha!"chuckled Legree, risingfromhlsplunge into the snow. "He laughs best who laughs last,m dove with clipped wings. I‘ve got ye jest as completely in my power as 1 bed before!" “No, sir-9e, you hain‘ti" exclaimed a voice, and who should ride in u on the scene but Josh Hemper- hill, the Yankee. " ’en et cumster i:th a man 0‘ no charncter, or wisdom. or boo -l‘arnin', snags hisself ag‘in‘ a man 0‘ solid basis, dubble-ggffleate character. as represented by ther Hemper fami- lv, he allus gits hisself in a box~trap deeflkilty. Character aire one o' ther time ackomplishmenls o' ther H. family. frum ol Nebnchadnezzar down to yer 'umble sarvent, an' we've bin a healthy, prosperous race. Hello! darn my socks! Inwow, e; 9: ain't Miss May and that cusslboosted once a nru!‘ ~ And the eccentric Yankee covered the trader with his revolvers, while a grin of triumph spread over his countenance. “Oh! Josh. is it you? I am so glad you have come!" May cried. “ Yes. I reckon ye must be sum‘at tickled, seein's ye war in a fix." Josh re lied, with unusual grim- ness. “ Danger ginerally tors ther Opinions 0’ ther female line. Fer instance. ye war orful tickled whc-n ve got rid 0‘ me by sendin’ me 03 after Gold Rifle. but I notis Josh cums in mighty welcome about rescue time!" “ Ohl Josh. not quite sobad as that. But, did you find Gold Rifle?" “Reckon so. an‘ lost him ’in. Darn his picter, he left me in a motie ter wait or his return, but ther outlaws got a lectle too hot, an’ so I slid out fer the:- ort ” “ And what became of Gold Rifle?“ “ Dunno. Started fer ther Black Ranch. an’ didn’t cum back. Guess as how he got gobbled up by ther rufl‘lans or mebbe he‘s all hunky. But, where's the rest 0‘ t er folks—how‘d ye git out hay'r?" “ There's more ahead, toward the north—“ “ No. they‘re here. now!“ exclaimed a voice. and General Maynard and the brigade rode forward. “ What‘s the cause of this delay, In , my child?" “ There‘s the cause. papal" M135 repiied. pointing to Legree. who was cowering t er 6 hearing of Hem perhill’s istois. “ The villain tried to can- me £3,511“; fail when Josh came up and showed his an ." “ Hal is this so? Josh, you‘re a trumpi Boys. seize the accursed tuition and bind hishands and leave him alone here on the prairie, without his horse. If he ets out without freezing or starving, it’s all the pun hment I care to give him." The order was executed to the letter. and Degree was left alone in mid-prairie, while the brigade re- , sumed its course, with Josh in company. Mag rode by his side, and when no one was near. nes toned h m concerning Gold Rifle. who was now t a center of all interest to her. “ Do you think Gold Rifle was captured by the outlaws, Josh?" “ Dunno‘l Guess he’s smart enough t'er hoe his own row. “ What did he say when you gave him the letter?" “ Sumthin‘ about yer inv tin’ him ter yer birthday arty. Neow. see hyar. Miss Mny. yelr’ oln‘ et a eerie ter strong ter suit my notion, an’ e ye don‘t 86 Gold Rifle, the Sharpahooter. stop. I'll hev ter sue yer fer breecth o‘ promis', swow ter gracious of I won’t!" “Josh you silly fellow, I hope you don‘t imagine for a moment that there i: any eilzagcment existin between ulna-i01- that I love you? No! no! you mus n be so nd and foolish. I like and respect you as 0 friend and all that. but as for marrying you, I could not think of such a. thing.” “Then e sire fishing after Gold Rifle, eh? Ye caik late e‘il fit yer i less b3tter‘u me, oh?" ‘ don‘t know. Josh; but don‘t you think we'd make a better match, he being nearer my own age .. “You, mebbe ye‘r' right. an‘ I won’t kick so hard of ye ain't a—goin’ ter let Pat Dolon, the Irisher. inter yer {good graces." “ promise that Josh. for Pat‘s at home, and we’re OK here. and liable to be for some true." The snow-storm continued 4 with unabated fury, and it w more and more difilcult to urge the horses fig. for at every step they sunk deep in the feathery . The cavalcade was wandering on. not knowing ex- actly the direction all were going-wandering on, to keep from being snowed under, with scarcely an ob set now, unless itwm to find a place of shclter. ome of the men were growing very much fa- tigued. and a large number of the horses threatened to play out before long. “ Hark' did you hear that?" demanded General Maynard. as a terrible roar in the distance was dis. tinct audible, and fairl shook the earth. “ t at does it In an. teuben?" "That war an avalanche w’nt he: slid frum top tear that fut o' Earthquake mags which ar‘ oi! tcr our 1 nor’west thirteen or less les. He 2rd ’em afore. an’ seen em. too. A big mass 0‘ snow gits piled up on ther mount'in side. an‘ a spring 0' water in the geek loosens et, an‘ down she comes lickety scoot. ope no one waru't going up them mountains then, forJat would he a sure funeral ter thet unlucky fel- Josh at this juncture rode forward in his eccentric wa . to give some intelligence. ‘ Miss May tells me ye're s‘archin‘ fer ther Black Ranch. gineral. Ef that's so yc‘d better go keeri'ul, as ye may bunk up ug’ln‘ it. kcrslap. store ye know ct. "l‘ain’t fur ahead." and then Josh related what ill: krilew of Gold Rifle‘s attempt to penetrate the smc . “ The rash youth undoubtedly has received death at the hands of the outlaws for his rookies xventure ” said General Maynard. anxiously. “He should never have attempted such a feat. except with plen- ty of aid near at hand to back him " " 0h! he'll git thar all the same. an‘ don't ye for- git etl“ put in Old Steuben, quickly. “ i know afow feet 0‘ thet lad. an’ll bet my rifle he goes through ef it’s through fire an‘ water. “i hope so, trul . scout. for I believe him to be a nephew of mine. ut. you have heard Josh’s advice. Had we not better come to a halt. lest we do run un- expected! upon the Ranch? Such an event would be a discs 1‘ to be avoided if possible." “ I think I remember a motto of timber a mile fur- ther east. and we will make a closing attempt to find it. If we fall. so be it." So they kept on. and the day drew toward a close. But Steuben was right. and just when night was faliin thickly. they found a small motto of cottonwo 3 whose densely-matted branches had revented t a snow from reachin the ground. cavinia flue camping-spot for the 'bworn brig- ade. ‘ search of he timber revealed no enemies and a rousing camp—fire was built. and all gathered around it to partake of their evening meal. “ I don‘t judge we'll be molested here." Steuben said. “unless some belated Voyageur like oursulves aooidentali stumbles along in this direction. The outlaws Wll koe close to their den this weather." “Ye‘r' wron t at. 'l swan ter gracious of ye ah't !" put ln‘Josh. " er a gang 0’ ther salamanders invad- ed my cam , early this mornin’ which war ther means 0’ ma n' me skedaddle. lit out. an‘ they after me, ontil ther snow came, w’en they oouldn i: see me no longer ” “Then. sumthin's ther row. Mebhe Gold” Rifle found and escaped n‘i’ ver daughter, general, w‘ich called out ther roughs?“ “ Gel forbid that they are out in such a storm as this." replied the general. with a. shiver. The evening was spent in warming and eatinz. around the great fire; then all turned in to sleep. ex- cept Steuben and another scour. who stood guard at the western and northern sides of the motto. About midnight the snow ceased to fall as abruptly as it had come, and in half an hour the sky was clear and a few stars hung pendent in the heavens. All around the motto lay 9. wide long wilderness of purest white piled upon white. while over it and all nature a strange quiet prevailed—not a sound to break the monotony of the weird dead winter scene; or the midnight hour. - But the quiet of the night did not make Old Stew ben less on the alert than usual. He knew that they were justas liable to be en rised as if there ware no snow upon the ground. 'ow and then he would pass through the camp, to ascertain if all were sleeping right; then back to his post he would go faithfully. it was getting along toward morning ere he dis- covered any signs which he calculated were of the enemy. But at last his sharp eye caught a glimmer of light out upon the western rairie, such as might have emanated from the torc of some night-traveler. it was raisihie for some time, and then totally disap~ peare . “ We scout. what does it mean i" It was General Mayne who spoke. he havln come out from th : camp so silently that Steuben ad failed to hear him. “ Do you think that enemies are approaching i" " Guess it luks thet wa . gineral. 'Spect some 0‘ the outlaws, or else r -skins sire makln' for this yore clump. in which case thar's bound ter be a rumpus Hev ther boys bed enough sleep?“ " Probably; shall I awaken them?" I “ Yas, an‘ tell ‘e '1 ter git ther pop-guns ready. fer thar‘il be work inside 0' half an hour. What ll: it, D1ve?"——th’s to the other snntinel. who had returned from the northern and eastern side of the motte. “ Any signs 0' danger?" "Reckou so; thar's a hand 0‘ tellers wi’torohes upgroachin’ ther motto from ther east, and I reckon as ow it’s ther outlaws." “ Then we're bound tar git it on both sides. eh? Wei, of a divide up right, we can make et musical f 1r ’em. t ey not knowin‘ our exact number. Day- break is close at hand. w'ich is fortunate in itself." It was nearer than he was aware. and it was soon light enough so that a Rood view could be had of the prairie for several miles in any direction. The am. hushed scouts were also able to make another dis- covery. Not a mile away, on the crest of a prairie-hillow. was a large. born-like structure. inclosed within a huh lank fence—tho Block Ranch. of which they were fallen snow. " That's the Black Ruck. gineral." said Old Steu- ben. “whar ye sag {or daughter is, an' et‘s a tough old place to attac , tell ye." Little Master Jack. who had been fetched along with the brigade, under the charge of an old trapper. was brought forward, and instantly recognized the building and gave a shout of delight. “Bloc Ranch!" he articulated. “Jack mm: to see his mamma; s‘ie over in big house." “ And. God granting, you soon shall see her. my pet." the gent-r11 sold. tenderly. ' The men were all aroused and put in readiness for a coming combat. One party of the enemy wet-ea preaching from the east, and one from the w , each numbering about a score of men, who were no» search, although it was new white with the, Gold Rifle, the Shad-palmetex'. 27 ' doubtodly outlaws of the notorious Tiger Track's bandw The eastern enemy were the nearest, and it was not until they were less than a mile : wav that it was discovered that they weresrmed With rifles of a lone range make. Tbs was discovered by aid of a field lass. g " Thet puts a new aspect tet- tl er easel" Old Steu- ben said, “ and «f we evcr calkylate ter git out 0‘ this wi' our skulps on, we‘ve not tcr do sum 0‘ ther tallest flghtin‘ on record. White lnjuns, an‘ lots of ’em at ther some time. aire a dose I ain‘t fond of." . Half of the men were distributed along the eastern tilde of the motto, and half along the western; then with fast-beating hearts they waited for the enemy to come within rifle rang; Death or victory was pending. CHAPTER XV. our or DANGER-FIRE! M- was aterrlble fact. that the words of Gold Rifle expn‘ssed. “ My Godl we are in tho ath of an avalanchel" Above, the storm-noun mountains rose sheer and declivitous; around them the whirling snow was a feathery vortex; above all came that ominous, frightful roar. “A what?" Mrs. Wagner demanded, growing deathly pale; "a-" ” An nvalanchel" Gold Rifle repeated, scarcely above a Whisper. “ l\ (.- are doomed, unless we can get out of the way in four minutes or less!" He stood not an instant idle, but worked even while he spoke. He had kicked away the lately fallen snow until he came down t» the lard-frozen crust beneath. Then with his stout hunti 1,: knife he cut out a large block of this; crust. Below the snow was soft and unpacked—easy to pvnetrut". "Quick! quickl" he raslx>d~"ln lp scoop cut a {tole'wlth your hands—there is not a second I ; be Ustl . \ Neither there was. The fearful hissing rumbling roar was wing louder; coming nearer each mo- m‘cnt, wit l a terrible slide of snow and ice upon its w ngs. A few seconds when a man is working for dear life. will accomplish miracles. Both Gold Rifle and his mother set desperately, almost \vildlyto work in digging a trench below the crust—they worked like mad, hurling the show out and deepening their excavation. The avalanche glided ou wit accelerating velocity: was not ten yards away, when the lav flat in the trench. and Gold Rifle pulled the islodged crust into ils former position above them. Then the very mountains seemed to uako and tremble. as the giant mass of snow and we passed over them, and plunged in a huge hank among the foothills. with a roar like an ocean hurricane. Gold R'flo‘s ingenuity had saved them. . For when the terrible avalanche had passed. he raised the cake, and they emerged from the moun- tain-side. unharmed. “ God be praised, for he has watched over us, kindlyl" Mrs. Wagner said dcvoutly. “Myson. do you think therein danger of another of those dread- ful snow-slides?" “No, mother. dear. Do you not see, the moun- tain has been swept of all the loose snow. audit will require time for more to accumulate sufliclent to cause another avalanche. We will keep on no a way further. and I have hopes that we will flnd the cave I have mentioned." And with an inward prayer of thanksgiving for their escape. thev continu -d the ascent of the steep mountain-side. Goli Rifle had to lead. and with a heavy stick make indentations in the crust in which to men. or they could not have advanced a rod with- out slipping back a yard or more. . In the course of half an hour they arrived in front ofanoverhanzlngcliflofrook, lnwhlchwualarge round holfe—the entrance to the cave Gold Rifle had spoken o . At first he hesitated to enter, fearin he mifigt he diigperiling his mother by taking her to a sr’s 1:. But reconnaissance dispelled this idea, and they entered, to find it a snug little cavern of twenty h sixteen feet, dry. and not ill-smelling. It had ev - dent] been inhabited before, as there were evidin- ces o tenancy—a broken kettle, a lantern, and fire- wood piled up in one corner. “ Hal this is ilust the mpllace we are looking for," Gold Rifle excla med. 31 y. “ Here we can remain until 1 find my father. or until the storm stops. and then I‘ll take you to the fort. It's a good round for: ty miles. but We can do it easily in a couple of days afoot, by cutiin across by a route I have in view.” "Do you thin the outlaws are still following us, my dear boy i" ‘No. They undoubtedly gave up the chase when they found that the snow was in one sense befriend- ing us. They cProbably came out unprovided with provisions. on we re unprepared for a siege." Thanks to the capture he had made in the Black Ranch larder, Gold Rifle knew that they uould not want for food for sew—rel days to come. He built a rousing fire out of the dry pitch wood and cones, and soon had a. genial warmthpervading to cave. Out of the venison they made a comfortable meal, and then leevin his mother to warm at the fire, Gold R fle left i e cave to take a view of their sur- roumlings from a more elevated point. But ni ht was droning near, and it was still snowing. so i at he had to return without making any discovery whatever. He found his mother standing at one side of the cave. with a timed torch in her hand, and she was visibly excited. “Oh Kit, do come herel“ she exclaimed. excited- ly.n"lit re's your father’s name uritten upon the wa ." “ Then he must have been here before us,“ replied Gold Rifle, approaching and glancing at the inscrip- tion painted u on the rock: “Wil Walt. October 10th, 187-." “ e has not been here since chbcr. probably. I love not SPt n him for two years." “ Ohl the he were here now, for Walt was ever good to me." said Mrs. Wagrer,vrith a sigh. “ He was a man of questionable repute when I fled with him, and turned out to be an outlaw chief. But I loved him none the less for this. and soon persqu him to leave the band. and lead an honest. upright life, which he did, until 1 was abducted by Alf King, one of his own in: II." Gold Rifle (lid nct consier It necessary to keep a guard, as he beliewd that very few knew of the mountain cave, and less were likely to attempt to reach it in the driving storm that was now sweepin over the Northwest. 80 he lay down and accepts of nature's gift of refreshin slee . He awakened about midnight, and stepp wit out the cave to note the effect (f the storm. To his surprise he found that lie sky was clear with a few stars shin- ing and that the snow had ceased to fall. “Po-marrow we shall leave this cave and attempt to cross the wilderness again to the fort," he said to Mrs. Wagner tn his return, “so sleep and rest well. so that on will be prepared " Had. eadded his own thoughts in words, some- thin! like this would have been said: “ For, dear mother, I am anxious to get back to the fort and obtain a glimpse of another face there, which has haunted me since over a week ago. ’Til the sweet, prettti face of May Ma nsrd that is ever before me. ouzh why should think of and aspire to her, who is so far above me in education, wealth, and position i" We return to the bricade whom we left in the prairie vvilcll mess, laying low for the wing of the enemy. 28 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. t... G.:neral Maynard and Josh Hem crhill had charge of the half-score of men who lay w thin the motte on the eastern si to while Old Steuben with May May- nard—Captain ily, as she was called—commanded the western approach, with nine men. The tenth, an old trapper, had been left in the center of the motto in charge of little Master Jack. - The eastern gang of outlaws were approaching the fastest, and would soon be within range. while those advancing from the west came on more lei- surely. " hen these rascals get near enough, boys, let ’em have iti" cried General Ma ard, now in spir:t for battle. "You can guess the ength of rifle range. Don’t shoot their horses. but shoot dead at them. They're the curse of these prairies and must be ex- terminated." "Yas, boys, plug et ter ’em ther best ye‘ve got writ down in yer catalogue. Put all yer solid basis character inter yer pop—guns, an‘ sling it straight at thei' cusses an' ye're sure to win." Nearer and nearer the oui laws rode, evidently un- suspectingiy, and then. when they were within easy rifle ran e. General Maynard gave the word. and the crack 0 half a score of rifles echoed over the wil- derness in white. Then as many men of the ap— groaching bandreeled in their saddles. and four . ropped ifeless upon the snow. The others. how- 'ever, retained their seatsathere was a fierce, vindic- tive yell. and the rnfllans came charging on like “ Lay low, boys—now, one, two. three and fire ,"' ' ordered the general, grimly. and again the death- dealing repeaters of the brigade spoke, and six out« laws dropped back out of tho saddles. never to fol- low the war—path again. " Hurray! thet's tber kind for ye, boyees—charac— ter- lated, war every one 0‘ them bullets, an’ in]: at the r execution!" cried Josh “ Yes-there’s only ten left on this side, boys. but they’re comin’ like thunder, and you'll have to work nick!” cried the general. And he spoke the truth. he ontlaivs were spurring their animals and goali- ing them on, although it was but feebly they floun- dered through the doc snow. All were masked an armed with rifles and army revolvers, and they were a desperate looking set of men. “I tell ye what i" exclaimed an old trap r, “I‘ve disidvered one ‘int ahead 0' ye, boys. het chap thar in ther lea ‘5 none other t an the cussed galoot they call Tiger Track. an’ I know it." “How d'ye know et. Greckel?“ “Beca‘sel war once tuk a prisoner by him, but esca ed." “ ay low. b0 5!" cautioned General Maynard. “ Hark! the devi s have attacked t'other side. Hur- r up—let‘s clean out. these roughs, an’ join that rest 0 that boys. One—two—three—" And a sin a report of ten rifles rung out, and every as. dis: was emptied although some of the out— laws were not ldlled. but severelylwounded. and left l ng upon the prairie by the orses which were s ur g away in nearly every direction. Wit out waiting to look after the wounded. Gene- ral Maynard and his men hurried to the western side of the motto, where they found a hot contest waging. fillrlugnber of bullets had been exchanged, but no one e . The outlaws on this side were a round score, in number. and fiercely ur ed on by no less than the two mn‘lan traders. Jaoo Tolemau and Beaver Le- gree, who In some inexplicable way had joined in with the outlaws. Old Steuben had been badly wounded in both arms, and could no longer participate in the afl'ray. but he cheered on the men. and kept them wide awake to the enemy‘s weak points. “ You see them tw0 men. Josh i" he said. pointing out the rufflan traders to the Yankee. “ Waal. them chaps sire after Miss-May. an‘ of ye don't put a, buz- zer n their ears, I‘ll no longer count ye a pard. ’ And, in the next charge that was made both Le- gree and Toieman fell, mortally wounded. evegal of he brigade were hard hit. but theya ured such a destructive volley into the rumans t they “ turned tail," to use a western phrase, and beaten ignouiini- ous retreat. “.Licked ’em by thunder, an” character‘s whai did their job—dupl , solid basis character. sure’s I'ma relic o' ther characteristic family 0’ Hemperhill!“ Josh exclaimed, dancing delightedly about “ Miss May, tye're a good’uu an' no mistake! Ye’re solid. an‘ e ye war only ter link yer fate wi' a man 0' un- doubted character. like me. w’at happiness would b: ours. yours an’ mine!" "I’m sorr , Joshl" May replied, with an effort to keep from anghing: "it is decreed that ,1 shall esteem you as a friend. not as a husband.” “ All right, honey, I ain't going to blubber nors )out iiest because ye hev given mother mitten. T ar‘s bots of fishes in ther sea w'at’ll bite at characteristic ait.’ “ Of course, Josh, and make you a better wife than I would," The outlaws continued to retreat until they were out of sight from the watchers at the motto. They did not go toward the Black Ranch, and this lookel rather strange, too, seeing that it was their nearest place of refuge. “i tell ye what!" averred Old Steuben, “I've jest got an idear 0‘ what ther row is wi' them chaps. There‘s but a dozen o' ’em left. an‘ they calcylate they ain’t strong enough to hold ther Ranch. with is undoubtedly empty. So they’re goin’ tcr light out an‘ nit this country; ‘ " erhaps you're right,“ assented General May— nard. “ and after we have gathered in our risonei-s we’ll attempt to investigate the matter. Al hands. now, assist in bringing in the wounded." It was a work that occupied considerable time, and eighteen, in all, were brought in. of the outlaws. and their hands and feet bound, and their Wounds skillfully dressed. Among them were Le ree and Tiger Track—Jacob 'l‘olemen having expire shortly after he had been shot. On removing the mask of Tiger Track. it was a great surprise tu‘ the men of the Settlement 10 behold the sinister. evxl face of the dead trader’s son—the bullying Jay Toleman, whom we introduced at the beginning of our narrative. The excitement of this discovery had not yet wholly abated when Old Steuben, who had been on a scout, came rushing into camp with ion lea . ‘IELThe Ranch! the Ranch!" he cri -“ t is all a e! ’ CHAPTER XVI. aoanim JUSTICE—CONCLUSION. IT was indeed true—the Black Ranch was wrapt in flames. The smoke and flames were darting from many a window and crack, and the heav body of snow upon the roof had all melted off. here was scarce] in visible spot of the building above the high Plank once but was on fire. and the fire was evident- y a well-executed scheme of an incendiary. " God forbid that my daughter Mabel is in yonder building howl“ General Maynard said anxiously, “ for no saithly ower can save that outlaws’ strong- hold. See- you er is a horseman Just leaving the gates and flying southward. He is evidently the fire- fleng in tbislcagefi; h, ho bed “ um 00 , e enoug w sum gru e ag’in' thegaoutiaws!" suggested Old Steuben. dfil reckon that Gold Rifle succeeded in resculn‘ yer darter. glueral, an‘ that's w‘at started the outlaws abroad. “I truly hope that such ma he the case, scout, for to have my loug~lost dang ter restored to my arms, would be one of the greatest joys Ican im- agine in my old age. Of her I have ever carried: a hope—that we would meet again." i ‘ D'ye think, general. that of ye war ter hev yer if! Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter. daughter restored to you, thet ye could freely for- give her past desertion 0‘ you. on also forgive the at-one~time outlawed husband With whom she fled, providing he had reformed from the past. intera man 0‘ men?" “Yes, scout, most freely would I forgive them both and take them to my heart in my declining age, for except my dear May here, I have no one to love or care for me. But, why do you speak thus, Is):;or(:{;vvhat know you of my anghter and her hus- n “ I simply know that Wild Walt will be rejoiCed, sir, and embrace an earl opportunity to take a place at your family boar as your future ate. and support. But, enough of this; see, the build n is now going rapidly, and soon the Black Ranch wil no longer be a thin of existence. What do you ‘pro- pose to do with t e outlaws, general?" “I propose to give them an immediate trial, and string ’em up. if the verdict so decides." was the stern reply. “I think there will be sufficient evi- dunce against them, and I’m satisfied that they wouldn’t have granted us even the mercy of a trial. ‘ All hands stood upon the ed e of the motte and watched the burning of the Blac Ranch—this place of death and the devil, which had become a rival in the Nor. hwest to what the slaughter station of the inhuman Benders was a few years ago u n the middle border—watched the flames lick up t e wood fiercely, until the great pile, fence and all, was re-‘ duced to a bed of ashes and glowing coals. Then the part went back to the camp, in the heart of the mot , and preparations were made for the trial of the outlaws. “ General Maynard assumed the position of in e at the request of the little hand. and opened t e court with a stirring speech, relating how the coun— try had lately been scourged by bold. lawless men w to had raided, thieved and destroyed homes with- out number; and he wound up with a request that the gentlemen present who knew anything concern- ing the outlaws would step forward and be sworn, and give their testimony. “ An old “ Vet,” by the name of Darrel, came for- ward, was sworn, and declared that Tiger Track and his band had raided his home but a year ago. mur- dered his wife and mother, and robbed him of stock and money. Another man, from Cheyenne. testified that he had seen Tiger Track stab a man to death, in an upp 2r settlement, and then esca . Still another testified t t he had been one of a train crossing the lains on the previous summer, which had been a tricked by Tiger Track's band, and all hands save himself and teamster were mur- cred. ” This is enough, Gentlemen of the Jury. to satisfy the minds of any honest men. But, if there‘s any more testimony, let’s have it.” “There is!" exclaimed a voice. and who should ride forward into the es vwhere the border court was litteld but Gold“ el. “ I can testify. and sgegr , necessary, was recent ca ture y old Jacob 'l‘oleman1 and Tiger Track‘gou laws. and taken into the Black Ranch, where i was tched into a pit, where there were many dead bod es, some of them recentlyk laced there, others decayed and nothing but a e etons left. That they were victims of the outlaws, there can be no doubt, and as a de- tective. I vote that the inhuman scoundrels all be strung up!" “ And so the shall be. Gentlemen of the Jury. you have heard t e testimony of witnesses. You may retire to consider the case." . ‘ ." No need 0‘ that. ginerai!" said Old hteuben. who formed one of the decisive body know as the “Jn ." “We don't leave our seats fer sech cases as t , but unanimously say ‘ guilty ' an’ so strirnf ‘em up. tor oncet. Thet’s w’at the rve. acco - lifter our agreement—eh. be cost ‘ ‘ l a l” responded the cry. “ en n the name of the law. which we have of necessity taken into our own hands. I sentence each and every one of the prisoners to be lynched in the southern end of this motte, and may God have mercy upon their souls.” The words were hardly spoken. ere the trappers and traders composing the brigade, s rung forward go (i? the work. which, according to t eir views, was us ce. In vain the poor wretches begged and entreated— all except Ti er Track or Jag Toien-an, but it was of no use. e resolution of t e Regulators was not to be broken. Jay Toleman was the only calm one among the lot, as they were borne away toward the assigned lynch- ing ground. He had a sort of grim. bull—dog defl- ance—did not quail, but rather denounced the cap- tors in the vilest inn age of his vile vocabula . The young wretch s heart was too hardene —-his (sloulut‘oo deeply steeped in crime for him to care for ea . At last all of the outlaws had been removed to the southern end of the motto. and all of the brigade ex- cept four had gone to witness the “ sport."for in the remote West. a good old-fashioned lynching is con- sidered by the frontiersman next to the Fourth of ui . The four remaining behind were General May- nard. Gold Rifle, Old Steuben and May. The quar— tette stood facing each other for some moments—— expectancy upon the faces of the general and the scout. Gold Rifle stood with arms folded. ahalf-humorous expression upon his countenance, and a gleam of trium hin hise e , “ all,” he s d, lancing from one to another, "I take it, y your loo s, that you’re expecting some thin of me." “ nd you’re exactly right," replied Old Steuben. with a. laugh. “We‘re expecting much of you. But first, let us know each other Kit, my boy, this is your grandfather General Maynard and this young ady. your aunt, i suppose. General, and Miss May. this is your relative, it Deronda, detective.” “We are glad to meet you, young man.”thegene- rel said, extendin his hand, “ and although it is a little surprise at t is time, 1 must confess that I‘ve. had an inkling of our relationship, su ested by my darling adopted daughter, May. But, teuben, you say‘my son" can it be possi le that you are the Wild Walt agner with whom my daughter fled. years ago?" “ The same, general." and the old scout—guide threw off a wi and false beard, and a handsome— looldng man 0 mag-eight stood revealed. "Then, praise , for I am reunited to my dear father husband and children!” cried a voice, and Mrs. Wagner, so long lost to loving hearts, rushed into the scene. and ell into the open embrace of Wild Walt. Such a glad reunion! The two men, husband and _ father, went into ecstasres over the returned one, and while they were engaged thus, Gold Rifle or Kit Deronda, turned to 11155 May who was standing a little aloof. holding Master J by the hand. “Well, Miss Maynard. this seems to be a. gladme moment, does it not? and it occurs to me, Just now that we must be brother and Sister, eh, or aunts and uncles or—“ . “ Only by adoption, Sir!" May replied, a painful flush risin to her cheek. “ I have latel found that Iain not enerai Maynard's own daughter, but an adopted one—the c ild of an old army ofllcer named Faulklnnd. Therefore inm an outsider, but I cannot help feeling ovajoyed all the same at. the hapRy turn of events.” - , ' hich shows the goodness of your heart. ' And I‘m right glad, too, that you are no relation to 'xre', although I would love to have a sister. I suppose this is in little brother whom I have never seen." After t e exchan e of a few more words Ma ,and Gold Rifle joined t e others, where Wild Wal was speaking; . -5..." n... 30 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. “ I joined an outlaw band, general, after I fled, ac- comianied by your daughter. In the communityin whlc you lived at that time. I was nearl unknown and the name of detective had been lit! e heard. i was a detective on my own book. and joined the out- laws purposely to ascertain their force, and how to successfully break them u . I was made their chief, and known as Wild Walt azner. I had not been forty—eight hours with them when I was seen and recognized bye party of hunters, and branded as an outlaw. it was usless now to leave them. as death awaited me outside of their ranks. So I stayed un- til the oodness of my wife, here, caused me to flee from t em, with our little boy. . I hid myself, but Alf King, one of the men, stole awn my wife, and she was agproprlated. later by Dolp Carew, known to you as oleman, Jr. Wl h him she came to this countrv, and she has ust told me that the wretch forced her to mM'ry m. The little boy, here, is a result of their union But he shall never lack for a father, in me, and now that we are all reunited in one happy family, I see no reason why we should ever part.” After about an hour the troopers and traders came marching back from the southern end of the matte, singing in wild harmony a peculiar lynching song: " We‘ve hung u the cusses to a cottonwood tree, To a cottonwoor tree, to a cottonwood tree, They Blend en‘ they arfiied, ut we couldn't a i agree, So we boosted ‘em up to glor-r-ry." "Yes, capt'in, we‘ve suspended them galoots above. wolf reach, an' they’re out 0’ sin an’ tempta- on. “An’ I swow ter breeches. thnr warn‘t only one solid basis character geloot among 'em!" put in Josh. “He war thet Jay Tolemun, or Tiger Track «tuk his rations as noiterai as my boss ked do, wi‘out a grunt. " “If you've hung the wretches ou‘ve done the country a g d service.” said Wild air, “ for them outlaws h 110‘ uai for fiendish cruelty and devil- ishness. May Go , however. forgive them. as we all ho e to be forgiven our sins.” 0 which there was a, hearty amen. That night when all were gathered around a rous- ing camp-lire. Gold Rifle was lni rtuned to relate all about his adventures in rescu in Mrs. Deronda, his mother which he did, touching htly. however, on parts where he had prlgged t e eroic. He re- lated whathe had discove about the Black Ranch, concernln the counterfeiting scheme, and his expe- rience in t e death pit. “ Who do you think fired the Ranch, Kit?" Wild Walt asked. " The guard who aided me to escape, no doubt, for he was a bitter enemy of Tiger '1 rack. His name he said was Rentrau." ' “ Do you think it will pay to overhaul the ruins of the Ranch to get at that counterfeit mono ‘i" “ No. It has doubtless been melted, an could be of no use tons. anyhow.” And so the Black Ranch’s ashes were left undis- turbed. and on the following morning the br ade set out for the Settlement. which. in due time, hey safely reached, the Maynard party proceeding on to the genera.” quarters, glad to get out of the track- less wilderness. /' May Faulkland had her birthday party after all. and a brilliant aflalr it was, to which all the soldiers and tn. 3 were invited. Gold Rifle was out, and on at auspicious occasion found time o whis- er his love-dream to the fair May. And it became on. later. that they were engaged; later still, in , £1111?! spring-time. they were unired in matrimonyv- they all live almost under the guns of the fort, the two families of Derondas. as happy as the day is A ' lmymdlsstillgrendsupervisorofthings at the fort, even in his old age, and finds at the homes of his own daughter and daughter of adep- tion, a. double blessing to his declining ears. The gold hch cars «go Wild Wal had taken from the out awn, as been contributed, we learn to a committee at Yanuton for the pu ose of erecting a free school on n. and scale. alt “ would not have the stufl on is hands," he said. And with Gold Rifle livesas a retainer no less a personage than eccentric Josh Hemperhill. THE END. Half-Dime Singer’s Library 1 Wu“. Emu! and 59 other Songs. 2 CAPTAIN Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 THE GAxxssono‘ BAT and 62 other Songs. 4 Josmw MORGAN and 60 other Songs. 5 I‘m. 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