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unu AND ADA

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A W _ w“ glfifgfliyfwvjlmk, N. Y., an Sucond Chm

Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams,
No. 98 WILLIAM ST.. NEW YORK.

I’Hoe.
Five Conta-
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Jun. 14. "1:szL

No. 53.

 

O 0
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WW

RIFLE, :

THE

Sharpshuoten

on,

The Boy Detective
of the Buck
Rmch.

BY

Emem

 

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em ‘1’.

In. Iii-1

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3N!“

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

 

Gold Rifle,
THE SHARPSHOOTER;

n)

The Boy Detective of the Black Ranch.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,
Auraon or run roan)me HALIFDIME umuams:
Nos. 1, 20, 26, 28, 32, 85, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, are, are.

CHAPTER I.
ma: crumb eossLna—oonn nmLa‘s snoo'rmo.
Tan bright hot summer on the plains had gone,
followed by its next brilliant-h ucd neighbor, autumn,
and winter had spread her mantle over the prairies
and mountains of the Far Westdshowcrnd her
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 preceding Christmas. and
when the bri ht, yellow sun slante her rays across
the plains 0 white, after so long an absence, it
seemed like a loving smile on Nature’s deathly face,
and millions of sparkling diamond~like particles
Were born in the glorious illumination of God”
shining countenance.

The da promised to be a fair one, with clear
skies, am warmth enough in the sun to obviate the
bitter wintr sting which bit the nose of the early
trapper, an caused all the animal kingdom of the
mountains and rairies, to keep as much to shelter
as ossible. T e streams were all frozen over,
soli , and everywhere stretched that desolate waste
of urest white.

ery little of life had there been on the frontier
during the last week-I mean out on the wide savan-
nas, where the snow had fallen to the depth of four
or five feet on the level. Most of the wild, roving
spirits who make the plain their home—tragpers,
hunters and outlaws— had hied themselves eii er to
the settlements, a few of which were scattered
along the course of the Northern Pacific Railway, in
Dakota or to their individual retreats, wherever
the might be.

are was one little settlement where a larger
share of this floatin population had gathered, dur-
ing the protract storm—a station where the
steam horse of the rail stopped for wood and water;
and too, which was a trappers’ trading station,
from whence peltries were shipped by car-loads to
the East.

From its insignificance, perhaps, the place had
never ado ted any high-toned name, but whenever
mentions , was called the Settlement, which an-
swered all purposes. Its only life and commerce
were in the skin and fur trade. Fifteen or twenty
dwelling cabins. and a tavern block-house and
smithy was all there was of the Settlement.

Awa to the south but a matter of four miles
loom up the Fort, garrisoned with so] liers. under
the command of General Maynard, and around it
were scattered a few settlers‘ dwellings, prominent
among which was the neat farm-house or“quar-
tors " of General Maynard.

Thus the territory adjacent was settled sparsely,

but ‘t _ not prevent frequent raids by Tiger
'l‘raok‘l Yo wshand the roving tribes of red-skins
Who  oi: t e plains and in the mountains, not

a dozen‘infies Westward from the Settlement.

At the Settlement on this crystal clear morning,
all was a buzz of ex tement.

The eVent of the great holiday was to be a. turkey
shoot, and not only the trappers and citizens of
the Settlement, but the military from the fort, under
$igkowtun nu, had promised to be present

' e a hand. '
v. .

 

The were as handsome, well-behaved and well.
drillc a squad of Uncle Sam’s boys as held a fort in
the territoriv, and naturally great ex ectations were
born of the r participation in the " 5 00m”.

At early after-dinner hour, they had arrived with
their band, on the spot, and all in the Settlement
were congregated 00 the white snows of a level
prairie, 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 cal: dee 1n the snow.

B noon the i-xcesswe sharpnesso the weather
be melted beneath the smiles of the sun, and it was
quite comfortable out, except under foot.

Besides the soldiers from the fort, there were
present many hunters, tra pers 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 he “stoolvd ” at tho for end 01’
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 off the
fowl as his prize.

Of course some unlucky ones must be the losers.
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
couple of backwoodsxnen 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 a
rand blarc of music from the military band, which
ad volunteered its services for the occasion.

An old trappcrnamL-d Strong led oi! on the first
fowl, but fai ed to disturb a feather, or even tho
composure 0f the turkey. The white covering of
the prairie made it bad for good shooting, and as a,
consy uence the f wl at the and of the range stooJ
a good show of not hein hit at all.

“ gracious!" exclaimed the man Strong, as he
hen. the announcement that he had not created
a gobble from the turkey, “thet aire ther wu'st
shootin’ I evyer did, fer a fact. I’m generally Mum
w’en et cums ter turkey shutes, ef I do say it, an
no one '11 allow as ZAkc Strong ever lied jest fer
bein‘ famuss.“

“Get out, Strong! You're no ood as ashot, and
everybody knows it!“ retorte Jay Tolemml I a

out rising twent years, the son of the chin?
rader of the Set! ement, and an acknowledged

crack-shot. “You’re ’way 0!? yer groove when you
tackle anything beyond a mink-trap."

“ Oh! you needn’t blow, you young cuss of a bull-
Purp!” growled back Strong, angrily, for he did not
ike to be told that he was behind the “6,1380.
“I‘ve seen them as ked shute ye cl'ar out an out.
an‘ not half-try. Thar‘s tin-t Tiger Trackkthel‘put—
law—I‘ve heerd sod he could brush a spec 0“ “I a
fly's eye-winker at a distance of three hundrnd

yards.”

“ Ohl shut up 1yer 1 in’, on old snake, if you
don't want to git nife . I ain’t in no mood for
yer chin. ter-day. I cum here to Win every cussed
turkey. an’ I’m g nin’ tcr do it, that’s mel oleman
said, with a contemptuous glance at the poor shoot.
ing of a trader who had overloaded‘ his corpoiosxty
with corn—juice.

Jay Toleman was. as mentioned, the son of Jacob
Tolcman, the proprietor of the trading-post in the
Settlement '

The elder Toleman was a rude, rufflanly customer,
and it was but natural that he should bring his son
up to his own standard. And Jay Toleman, as he
approached his majority, had developed into a des-

l'a‘e character, who was equal) feared and hated

y the border men. He was rec ess, rufflanly and

revengetui, and carried with him a. conceit that mad 9 ,

£11211 the more disgusting tothose he came in contact
1: he; worked, a was in the dead of night when no

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nnr-r'H-I-‘E‘ nE‘DQNQENL‘

 
 

  

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. 8

 

one knew it; yet be always had plenty of money. and
sus icions had often been aroused that be got it un-
fair? , though just how no one. of course. knew. He
was frequently awa for several days from the Set-
tlement. but no one new whither he went—few cared
be 0nd a natural curiosity. .

e was of medium hight. stout of hmb, and lar e-

ly developed in muscle, with 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 min led in society. such as the far frontier
affording

Some half a dozen trappers followed Strong in his
attem t to knock over the turkey. but beyond the
loss 0 a few feathers. the bird remained unharmed.

Jay Toleman at last took the stand with a satisfied
smile. and raising his long rifle. shot the turkey‘s
head off, with as much composure as though he had
been firing at random.

A cheer went up from the soldiers and the crowd,
as an lndian brou ht in the neatly decapitated bird.
for it was an ex raordiuary shot, consxdermg that
several expert marksmcn had-failed.

"Therei didn't I tell ye?" cried young Toleman,
looking triumphantly around. “ I cum ter clean
out ther turkeycoops. an‘ that’s my first shot.
Hay. down there—put up another turkey l“

Another bird was speedily put up accordineg and
several shots were fired, some of which brus led the
bl .1. but failed to knock it over.

When it came Toletnan's shot, he settled the mat-
ter with one bullet.

And so the shooting went on. the young crack-shot
winning every time, much to his own elation and the
disgust of the crowd. Such shooting was beyond the
average—incomprehensible.

Many of the trap )ers refused to shoot against
such odds, and with row from the contest. but there
were enough others confident in their skill. to keep
the en/ree full. and the shooting exciting.

But Tolman won every time, and at eat the only
remaining fowl was put upon the stool. He was a
monstrous turkey gobbler—the largest any of the
s ctators had ever seen. He had a body several
tunes larger than that of the average domesticated
goose, and the owners announced his weight to be
seventy-five pounds! He truly was a noble and
aristocratic old fellow. with a .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 sums were otYered the owners,
for the bird, alive. all of which were declined. The
backwoodsmen declared that he was only to be had
by the lucky shooter. And a. hundred or more
c ances were sold on him, both men and women
entering for the sport.

The last one on the list of entries. was the young
bully of the settlement. Jay Toleman. and Vet he
bragged that he shouid be the one to tumble over
the giant cobbler.

During the prevalent excitement, a horseman had
approached from the west and sitting in his saddle.
wngblcasually surveying the crowd. and the prize
go er.

He was not one long to remain unnoticed. for soon
many curious glances were leveled at him.

About twang years had assed over his head. but
these years b been busie in perfecting and devol-
or‘ing what was now a handsome form, stout. pli-
able. and athletic. capable of cclerity, great strength
and endurance.

i There was grace. too. in the body and its carriage.
pleasuig,r to the eye. In face. the young stranger
was 0 inarily good-looking, in the way the world
looks at beaut ; it was a plain. every-day face. at a
glance. tanne brown by exposure. with round fea-

‘Tbe turkey-shoot, and this big gobbler. are all
facts. according to the voracious papers of Yankton.
Dakota. - Amos.

I

    

 

tures; yet study might have revealed outlines in
the face. in the hazel e es. and the firm mouth. de‘
noting many manly qua ities worthy of possession—
expressions of character that were noble and hon.
est; of ambition to obtain eminence. of courage, of
Iearlessness, and of firm will that was unchangeable
when in the right.

The stranger was clad in a serviceable bunting cos-
tume of buckskin. liberally fringed with mink fur.
a round mink cap, and knee—boots u on the feet. He
was mounted upon a wir little w to mustang of
tie spirit and nicks eye, and his saddle
an its accouterments 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
front of him, was a gold- lated Remington repeat-
ing rifle It was a It mar abie-lookin weapon. the
barrel and all the steel parts being eavin plated
with gold, and polished until they shone brightly.
The eight at the muzzle of the barrel was set with a
flashing diavnondl

Toward this young stranger and his remarkable
n'fle many inquiring glances were leveled. but he ap-
peared uite undisturbed. and watched the shooti
for old 'ng Gobbler which was now begun, bu
under rather unfavora le auspices at the best.

For a. gra pallor had gradually stolen over the
heavens, an a fine owdery snow was sifting cown,
rendering the shoot ng uncertain. as the target was
diméy discernible at a distance of three hundred
yar s.

Shot after shot was fired a ithout the least reward,
for the King Gobbler stood [in udly upon the stool.
with his great fan-tail outspread. and cocasionally
emitting a gobble of indignation as the bullets
whizzed ast.

Rapidly the contestants thinned down to alittle
bunc . and still the turke remained untouched.
and the excitement grew in ts intensity.

What mystery was this? asked these astonished
pfisciprleé l\ as the old Gobbler possessed of a chemi-
e 1 o

It was an enigma. and whr n even Jay Toleman fir-
ished the last of his three shots, unsuccessfully, loud
expressions of wonder were heard on every rida.
while the young bully cursed and swore in a frith-
ful manner.

“ Strin ’s over fellersi" cried one of the owners (f
the gobb er. “ hree hundred and thirty three Shf is
plugged at that aire turk, but nary a one tuk effect.
Allow the ter remark, gentlemen, that that fowl has
bin put it at five diflerent shoots. but nevyergnt
bit yet. e bears a charmed life. an‘ is two years
old. Any one else wanter try their luck fer a quar-
ter aside frum them as has shot?"

‘IHayrl I’ll shoot again!" growlid young Tole-
;nan."tendering a quarter. “ I was too nervous bu -

ore.

“ Can‘t help that. young ftller: you're not entitled
ter ernuther shot. no more’n the rest. Sum feller
as hain‘t plugged come for’a‘d. Hey. you gold
rifle chap. can’t you. hit tht t gobbleri'

“Guess so,” was the reply of the stranger. “Tl‘et
ain’t half a shot' can stand on my head and knock
that gobbler‘s phiz ( if.“

Aloud yell went up at the ext arrdinary toast.

“ Oh! you needn’t laugh and smile in your sleeves.
for I can do it!” asserted Gold Rifle confidently.

“I‘ll bet you fifty dollars on can’t!" shouted Jay
Toleman. who had been mbibin whisky rather
freely, and was getting immoderatt y excited. “ I‘m
ther best shot on ther border, as ye can see by my
pile of turkeys here. an‘ I’ll bet ye can‘t hit that old
salamander yonder, of ye try a month 0’ Sun-
da sl .

I! ain‘t on the bet myself. but just to show yethat
you‘ve been brought up out 0' your sphere of useful-
ness. and the wonders that can be accomplished by
scientific uintin'. I'll put on m spurs and show

e " Gold esaid. sliding from is saddle. rifle in
hand. " How much is the bill of fare. boss?”

   
  
   
   
    
  
   
   
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
    
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
 
    
    
   
    
   
   
  
  
   
 
  
   
   

    
 
  
 
 
 
   
  
   
 
 
   
   
 
  
 
  
   
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
     
   
    
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
   
  
   
   

x

I were standin

‘ v » .' ‘ the titleby  ho_was so widelyknown, ~‘

4

 

Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter.

  

 

" Twenty-five cents, young teller," replied one of

the managers.

“‘Whewi That knocks me down to par, then!”
Gold Rifle said, with a wry look. “ Bu‘sted, ye sue-
hain’t seen a uarter for an age. Tell ye what‘ I’li
do, though: I I give ye a verbal mortgage, afore the
crowd beer, on my rifle. Er I shuts the gob’, both

- rlfl‘e andgob‘s mine; of I fail the riflr's yourn."

.dl" 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 positive that his
attempt would be a grand failure. _

Even if he were so expert as an e uilibnst, that
he could balance himself on his head, ow would it
be sible for him to fire a rifle with an accuracy?

he question was not long to p e the won-

erers.

Gold Rifle as the oung strangerhari been quickly
nomad, rap dly m e pre rations for his feat. A
large. wide piece of boa was packed down u on
the snow. and upon this Gold Rifle took his position.
, An Indian boy stood close by. with the gold rifle,
which was cocked and ready for use.

After glancing at the dimly discernible gobbler,
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 he had
sighted it.flred, and somersaulted back upon his
feet, while will and loud rung the huzzas when it
was seen-that the bullet had dropped the Kmv
Gobbler! Later the fowl was brought in, and it was
found that his head had been severed from his body.

And Gold Rifle was victor.

CH \PTER II.
A masons AOOUSATLON—JOSE nmmm.

“ Hanna Tolemrml whar aire ye, now?" shouted
the man, Zeke Strong. who was hugely overjoyed
that some one should be round to carry off the big

obbler, aside from the young bull y. ‘ Hein’t ther

st shot on ther border now, airs ye?”

“I’m a little off to-day.” was the reply, in rather
a cresttallen manner. “ but 1 kin do more surprisln’
feats than that."

The enthusiasm over Gold Rifle’s wonderful shot
was intense! ‘

Captain Bass. of the milita . came forward and
locked arms with the ounrrs ranger, and led him
around and introduce to him such as would be en-

ble acquaintances. for Captain Bass was but thir-

y. and a prime good fellow, who liked to see every-
body social with everybody.

While they were making the rounds. three men
3 apart from the main crowd, some-
what, and engaged in watching narrowly the young

rpsbooter, upon whom nearly all eyes were level-
ed. in admiration. '

But the eyes of these three men' emitted only
glances of suspicion and hatred; evidently the Boy
Shnrpshooter was not a strano'cr to them.

One of the trio was Jacob Telemanuihe father of
the, young, bully. He was a little. dried-up. villain-
ous-looking man. with ill-attendance to his personal
hablliments, and a furrowed. evil countenance that.
Spoke but too strongly of excessive drink. He had
a shmwd cast of eye. however, which would hays
im one' with the opinioathat he was clever
at letting or bargaining—a man offew scruples.

.» , second of the trio was Omerhaun, the gun-

‘ Indeed,.many of the tar western papers’wrote
wing articles on“, givix of course‘tho 7.1!01‘0'5
onnme, whilewe only den for the present with

 

 

, ., ..).'

:Wild Walt is, no more'n we.

 

smith,‘who manufactured or repaired firearms in
his smithy. which was situated in a dark, glootrniy
gorge, not far to the west of the settlement. e
was a man something ver near after the pattern
of Jacob Toleman. excep that e was stouter, and

had even a more disagreeable, hang-dog look than ‘

the trader.

Boover Legree, the third of the party, was, at a
glance, a first-water border rufflan. bristling with
weapons. dark, wolflsh-looklng, brawny—one of the
heavy villains, sometimes so admirably represean
on our principal theater stages.

Besides his personal appearance, which was brutal
and rufflanl in the extreme, he possessed all the
re. uisites o a ruiflan—was a whisky-guzzler, a very
“'1

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-

orv. , -

Each of thrse three men eyed the young sh p-
shooter with savage glances, occasionally excha -
in; confldences. ,

‘The kid‘s the veryimage of your man, Toleman "
Legree said. with an oath. which he alwa s usod n
speaking as a “finishern or “starter. ' “Ken‘t '
fie see it in his durned countenanc‘, cl‘ar 3&8

randy?”
“I dunno," replied Toleman, dubiousl .‘ “Mebbe

.you're right, but I can’t see much resem lance."

“But the n gives him away,Itell ye." put in
Omvrhnun. ‘ I made thet plating an‘ ut at on that
gun, five years ago, when we war n Kentucky.
Don’t ye suppose I’ve got eyes, ye fool?” _ 1

“Well, suppose that is Walter Wagner’s kid—'
what then?" ’

“Sure enough—what!" sneered Lessee. biting
fiercely at his brizandish black mustache. “if he

young !eller inherits a whit of Wild Walt’s darc- .

deviliflisposition, he‘d be a hard customer to at-‘

‘f Ye’r’ right. Boover. Wild Walt war wuss ner any
painter; an‘ I kin see a dozen p’ints 0‘ our old cop-
t’in in that young galoot yonder. Jest ye watch him
more, will ye? He’s ready ter jump out 0' his hide
inter a hunt under a minnit‘s notice."

“Yeahs has undoubtedly been trained by Wild
Walt, and knows his Pa and Q's. D‘ye s'pose. he
recognized us?"

“ No! He war ter young, an' then we’ve all
changed our titles since five years ago. But I’ll bet
ther boy war sent beer on our trail. Wild Walt ‘11
never forget tber past". — r

“0’ course not. We must blot et fer him. tho’l“
replied Toleman, (grimly. “ Ten thousand in gold
ain’t ter be sneeze at." ‘

“ I‘d like ter sneeze at at. ef ’twonld put \stJnter
my coffersi” averred Legree.- “ The boy’s got tobe v
tumbled over. or we’re no good.“

“ I've a lan wortha dozen o‘ yournl" Tolemau,
senior, sa d, digging With his fingers among the
roots of his hair. in a. s culative wa .

“ You notice about t e teller, yon er, a slight re-
semblance, in form. to the outlaw, Tiler Track?“

/ Both Lance and the gunsmith started, and gazed

at Gold Rifle, who was now standing conversing ,

with Capt. Joe Bass.

HT

Le 'oe. . .
‘glAn’ Tiger Track’s face; ye know, is alias behind .
a mask. What else d’ye want terrmake an outlaw
out o’ the boy, youderl”, n‘ n . .
(L‘sfi’i’l‘mphl you old rascal, what ye plumbini
a B . 1 ' ~ l -.
---' 1'11. illustrate." rep d 'Toleman, win. an‘evil
smile. V“ Ye see, that cu yonder marsz he got
out o’ thor way. as we couldn't let tell w or
a grindstun. There-

fore, efi'sour line duty tor pu Elm viii” he 11 be at:
angel :5 uv'an‘anomy. . got ay nylon.

aocpse him 0’ being Tiger Truck, and by 10mm in
:‘h ' 1 a 'i  V - '

   

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dent on a fight, and of a quarrelsome nature. / -

bar is some resemblance in agar,” assented if '

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\
Gold Rifle, the Sharpshootor. .5
our testimou we _kin soon bev him \higher’n Ha- sot enter by a big passe] o’ roughs for 'tain‘t rigi‘t.
man. See? ' en we’ll buy his carcass tie et tel‘ Er ever man war only like my unhle lke used to he
that boss 0’ his, an’ ther boss ‘11 natteraliy pull for up in ew Hampsher'. He waz a good Christian,
ther retreat o' ther lad, as'i ken see et’s a smart nni- an’ alias used ter say his prayers every n ht More
mal. We’ll foller ther trail, an’ in that way mebbe he retired. S’pose e‘d hke ter find ahi n’-place
come across Wild Walt?" from them chaps w at‘s arter ye, eh?”
“A darned good. lanl" assented Legreo. "Yes, and I must be moving." re lied Gold Rifle.
“I‘d vs a big pi e ter git a tug at our rascally “ Although I'm not Tiger Track 1 0 not want them
ca t’m sthrcate, choke me, of I wouldn‘t.” fellows to get hold of me. Goo -h .”
he plan seemed to satisfy the trio for in the “ But hold up, stranger, Two heads at“ better‘n‘.
course of a few minutes J ay Toleman was motioned one, ef one on ’em‘s empty. Jest ye tote er carcass
for and given instructions by his father. along after me. Ain't’often I kin do a fe ler a ood
Awhile later, the Boy Sharpshooter, Gold Rifle, turn, an‘ 1 allus improve sech chances. Cum on ,
was still conversing With Captain Bass, when the now, without a word, an‘ I’ll show ye a coo so sage
two Tolemans, Omerhann, and hoover Legree sud- that ye’ll be su rised. Ye see I’m a man 0 charac- ,;
denly approached, and stopping in front of him, Jay ter, an‘ I ain’t ialf so green as I look, ti o' I am ’
Toleman cried: fresh frum Vermont." ‘
“ Hal hal Mr. Gold Rifle, yer jig‘s up, for we four And it occurred to the keen eye ofGold Rifle that ‘ ‘ -
hev recognized you as the cuss who attacked us with he did look most ridiculously ‘green.” for he was
a doz -n outlaws down on Sleighton creek last winter. clcar-qfiill, old-School Yankee. frcm his boots to the -
You are Tiger Track, the outlaw." top of is head, a. distance of some six feet and four x, g

“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 1"

“ Bah! ye ken't lie ter us, you whelp‘." here inter-

osed Legree. “We know ye, au’ yer 'ig‘s up.
ellers, grab thet cuss, ef ye‘r' after wantm’ Tiger
Track. the outlaw and trapper’s foel“

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 mustang, which stood close by, and
swinging his rifle right and left, regardless as to
whom he hit, he dashed furiously down through the
parting crowd and over the southern snow-covered
prairie, toward the distant fort.

A yell of rage escaped the Tolomans and their

frlends, and running to their stacked guns the sol-
diery possessed themselves of them. and sent a
storm of lead after the daring sharpshooter.

He was by thiytime on a line with the turkey
stool, and though none of the bullets struck him,
 horse was hard hit, and dropped deed beneath
Jm.

Pauling on] long enou h to take some papers
from his sadd e-bacrs, the ugitive kept on over the
snow-covered rairie at a rapid s as . nearly equal
tothat which is horse bad ma , for there was a
crust formed over i: e snow sufficient to bear up un-
der his weight, which was indeed fortunate for the

I tive.

“without 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 v ley or
depression in the guide, and had stopped at the

- edge of a dark moi: of blasted pino timber.

Fro his position he was unble to look back upon
the sett ement 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 tim-
ber, hardly knowing which way to turn.

While he was standing thus. a man with an ax on
"his shoulder came tram ing out of the wood.

“ Hellol Graciousl w o're you?” was the saluta-
t‘lon. “Look kinder as if ye war lost, or skeer‘d or

v in aperdickament,'strnnger. I swow of ye ain‘t a
picter o' my aunt Sallie‘s boy, Jim. J im's a preech-
er now. an’ they do say he‘s sum on slingin‘ Gospel.
What’s the matter. stranger?“ .

‘ “Oh, nothing of much account.“ G- lid Rifle re-
plied. “I'm trying to duties 1: pack of fools who
are laboring under the delusion that I at? Tiger
Track, the outlaw. Was jut considering wh 0 way

‘ .r , . _ l ‘ ‘ A

fiwow tob I

“Ye don’t say sot Wual
reached} Melly

hate tor no one teller

 
 

 
 

  
  

now that’s   5i V

 
  

 

’4,

m ‘2'
“5’s '
2'": '5‘ F

or five inches. , _

He was at a glance a powerful man. but so awk-
ward and unwieldy as to create a belief that he ‘ '
could he easil handled. But this belief would have <
gradually die (ut to an cbservant e e. In face '
the man was extremdy homely and lu crous. while \ _ .
about his dress and manners was preserved all 01' ' ~.
the original and outlandish ways of his forefathers. ' ;

And as he followed trustinply in the Yankee‘s -
footsteps, Gold Rifle could but smile at the apparent
clumsiness of the great fellow. fl

“Dunno much about you, strangenwhe words
came next, “ but I reckon ye ain’t so bad, or ad
show et in yer countenance. My name‘s Jcsh em- ~

urhill. Ye remember the Hemperhilis were great 1

amily up in Vermont. no doubt-— at men, every \ 3»
mother‘s son of ‘em—men of soun moral sn’man-
1y c’za'ucfer, sirl Ye kin find their autobiographies
nnywhar in thet State. Bein’ ther last male 0‘ tier
family, ther hull avalanche o’ manly character not- ‘
er’ly descends ontcr me. None 0‘ ther Hemperhills ' "
war afraid ter work—could chop wood on drink , =
hard cider from morn till night an‘ never s use], I ‘
tell ye. An' as a. man 0' character, et be oovrs
me ler fuller in their footsteps; so I kim out beeran’
hired out tcr General Maynard for ten dollars a .
your an‘ my board. General’s a. ’tarnal good teller,
ut‘when ye cum ter his darter. I swow she's at
old peachesl Ruther sweet on me, too, fer she as
tells me she admires character in a man. But. cuss , , .
darn it, ther old general went anihired an Irishman, - ' .
an’ he‘s tryin' ter cut around M188 May wi’his 3111- 'c. -, .
berish; but I‘m solid inmy b’lief thet she won‘t . ,
sacrifice, good healthy character fer an Irish hod- ’ '-
carrver. \ -

“Of course not," declared Gold Rifle, barely rev
pressing a laugh at the Yankee‘s eamestness; "No .
woman of sound mind will stop to think of-choosing, . , ‘
between an ignorant Hibernian and a man of your my . 1
en erlor qualifications." . ‘ -

his pleased Josh hugely and he talked on inces-
sant flow’of nonsense as b‘ led the way rapidly

’ throu h the motto and ascended to the prairie on

the ot er side of the shallow valley. But, talkinfi
did not interfere with his rapid locomotion, as Go)
Rifle soon found. , "
Evidently there was much in the fellow which had _
never been brought to light. r
In ameasure he was ignorant of his own strength,

  
    
    

and powers. I .
On risin to th level grains again, Gold Rifle
looked bae tower the set cogent, and saw thatho

was pursued, as hohad surmised. . .. ,1
- A score of the trapper: had Joined the now mannt- '
ed soldiers. and all hands were how descending the
slope into thmlley. r -
. " We shall have to run for it. Josh!” the sharp- -
shooter said, “or those fellows will catch up with
“5‘”: . ‘ .

   

“' tithe won‘t’vbut we'll run,“ et's’ 9! two,
.mllelgto‘theygenenl’l." ' , g  “

‘v-Z‘V . \ ,1

 
    

 

 

.116

‘ fer any other teller,

/

Gold- Rifle. the Sharpshooter.

 

They did run and Gold Rifle had to exert himself
. to keep up wit the clums Yankee. On over the
hard crust of snow they spe like a couple of startled
deers, their heads bent forward. and pointing toward
a handsome farm-house which was visible in,the
white dazzlin expanse. :
Persevering y thetwo men kept on, with a mile be-
tween them and the ursuers, and at last they
hounded into the yard t t surrounded the general‘s

ouse.
And the pursuers still came on.

 

CHAPTER III.
nmvnn, on DOWN ooss vows ssAN'rv.

“ Hans we are stranger, at General Maynard‘s. an’
a gosh-darned fine to] or the general is. too. Clean
essence from his forefathers, au‘ as squar' a teller as
ever chawed his cud. Bet my character ag‘in' ther
best’hushel 0‘ potatoes as ever grow’d. that ther gene-
ral wull give you a warm welcome, but ye see I ken’t
jest say how‘t‘ll be with Miss May, for she‘s cl'ar
gone sweet over me an' hain’t got an eye-winker

’less at ar’ that dratted Irisher.
Now, of I befriend ye, like a man of character
should, stranger, ye're not to stick yer finger inter
my pie, ner luk sweet at her, ner try ter coax her ar-
ter ye, nor any conducements likely ter disturb my
future prospects."

“You need have no fear of me. Josh ” relfilied
Gold Rifle, smili . “ I don‘t think I shall be kely
te’ringerrupt thar armony of your courtship. Lead
a as .

Josh accordingly led the way up the front ste of
the elegant farm-house, and into a spacious all,
which in grandeur was beyond anything Gold Rifle
had ever seen.

The walls and ceiling were beautifully decorated,
and the floor carpeted richly, find furnished with
mirror. hat-rack and coat-case. ,

Josh led on, and they entered a grand parlor.
where a cheery fire was blazing brightly, and casting

. forth a moderate warmth.

Here in. this parlor, were all evidences of wealth
and taste. The apartment was richly furnished—

‘ with handsome chair? tables and sofasl with costly

V mach a palace

carpeting upon the cor. and chandeliers nd‘mg
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 salons. even if beyond, as
you the say, the scope of civilization.

And i is not unfrequently in western travel, that
the tourist stumbles upon these oases 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 plehat he was unfltted for entree mto

A younv lady was slttin at a piano. idly drum-
min the eys with her wh te fingers, while an old,
whl e—hsired. white-bearded man was ensconced in a
great cushioned arm-chair near the fire, engaged in

n a r.,
“335; p33:ny among the sixties in age, but a

line-looking man wit ial—flrm, erect of carriage, and
- o

f build—one born to command. His eye was
still true and unflinching. and his hand trembled not,
showing that his nerves were till under control.

He was attired in the costume of a General of the
Regular Army. and near at hand a sword was hang-
ing unsheathed, which looked as if it had seen a good

' , many hard battles

/ the eyes of Gold

The young lady at the piano was the person whoa
Rifle centered upon, after he h
given General Maynard a searchingglance.

.th was’about eighteen years ol-a e, surpassineg
pretty' graceful. woman y in moi ; her features
were clear regular and delicate. with checks tinted
with the glow of. health; a month sweet an-i tempt.
inmondqea 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
shoulders in an unconfined mass.

. Her attire was neat and stylish, and azing at her
in her budding womanhood, Gold Rifle 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
111? in surprise as Go (1 Rifle and the eccentric Josh

emperhill entered the room. But both exhibited
tllllell‘ courtesy when Josh had introduced his young
0 arse. , »

“General an’ Miss May, this ’ere’s a cha they
call Gold Rifle, as ye mought jedge from is gun
hyar. Ifound him in aflx, pursued by ther some
0

your command, an‘ all ther trappers an' roughs '

this side 0' Dakoty line, an‘ bein a man of solid
basis character—4. trail w‘lch descended frum old
N ebuchadnezzar Hemperhill, who died in fifteen hun—
dred an‘ forty—I fetched lnm along wi‘ ther insur-
ance o' rt action. Why, sir, that same lad. he tells
me stut on his head and shot a turkey tor-day.“
k ellieral Maynard bowed. and gazed at Gold Rifle
eon . x

“ our name—what is it, young man i“ he asked, ‘

his tones kindly ~yet stern. ‘,‘ Wth is this Josh is
telling?"

“ yname is Kit Wa ner, sir." the Bo Sharp-
shooter replied, “thong am Imorogenera called
Gold Rifle,alter’my gun,hcre. As towhst our
man here has said. it is mainly true. I have Ben
and am now pursued by those who particigated in
to-day’s turkey shootha the Settlement. ecause
I won the last turkey it seems a feeling of enmity
was created against me; and a cum: fellow of
about my own age, whom theyca ed Toleman,ac-
cusel m3 of being 1" er Track the outlaw. _ His as-
sertion wasconflrme by a uartetto orsoofhis pals,
andto save being 1 nched y the crowd I had to
make adssh for iberty. Back here apiece Imet

£01m man, and he insisted upon my coming hurc. I

ut I think I had not best trouble you. If I go at
once; I may succeed in outwitting the pursuers,

e .
1 “ ghen you deny that you one Tiger Track, the out-

aw
“ Most assuredly I do. I never heard the name of
er Trgck until a couple of days since. M home
yond the Clay Bottom Stream, and am a
stranger. hereabouts. " ',
“ Well, well! This is rather a remarkable case!"
the eneral observed, watching Gold Rifle as the
haw watches its prey. “You don’t look exactly
like an outlaw, youn man; and yet, .in this decep-
tive life, we are all lie is to make mistakes. What
do you think about the matter, May?” and the white
haired veteran turned to his daughter inquirine‘iy.
“ I believe what Gold Rifle says, Bapa,"‘Msy May-
nard replied. with a slight color in or check. as her
gaze met that of the you sharpshooter.
sure he does not in the less resemble 'I‘ ger Track,

Ti
is

“I am,

who 'you remember chased and tried to capture us; ,

Lut a month ago." \

“ y opiniou.exactly. dear: You say your mum
is Wagner, sir?“

” Yes sir."

uI hl'ad a friend b thatname. years ago. Now‘

oung man, I hardly ow what to say for you, for

see your ursuers are co ' hotly toward the.
house; and t ey are ang , too, or manyind'mities
have been heaped upon th soldiers and trap , rs
by Tiger Track and his outlaw don‘t be we
thlfiy’ll accept any explanation from even me, and it
W

in . . . .
'6‘ But. behaving you to be what you represent, I

shall not let you go without friendly assistancm

Ma , my dear you may takethls young enticmnn
to e Secret éorral, and give him a cho cc of the,
horses. Josh, you may remain with me, andWe 

\

be necessary for you to tryyourhick at escape ‘

keep the rabbleout ofthe houseaslonguposslble. ,

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I 'whom he believed to be an

Gold Rifle arose to follow May Maynard, but first
turned to the general, a suspicion of moisture 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 ood 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 re ulred young man, al-
though I commend your sp rit. ight 18 right, in
this werld.‘ 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. sir, 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-
teriously to one side, his rude countenance a puzzle
_ of combating expressions.

“Neow. you see heer, stranger,” he began, in a
hoarse whisper—“ aire you a man 0? sound moral an
religyuscharactcr? Be ye roof ag‘in‘ ther smiles an’
fascinashuns o‘ ther fema e sex? Ei’ ye ain’t let me
warn ye, that the devil fisheth best for the soul of
man when his hook is baited with a lovelyI woman.
Neow. young stranger, ef ye’re a man 0' onorable
character ye won‘t look cross-eyed ner git spoony
on my go , Miss May while she‘s esqusrtin’ yoler—
libert . Ye won’t whisper soft sentimental nonsenses
inter or car, ner feed her on sugar- lumsl”

"Certainly not, Josh. You shoul put more confi-
dence in me than that; and then too, Miss Maynard
is almost a total straneer to me. ’

“ Yas, that's so, sure’s preechin’, but, I swow ter
brooches. ye ken‘t put no dependence in bo an’
gals oowada s, as'ye uster c u’d. They lac 'ther
solid basis c aracter. Thar. for instance. ar‘ thet
Irisher, Pat Doluni run—hedn't bin here three howrs
afore he war castin' sheep’s eyes at Miss May. New,
stranger, mind how ye conduct yerself, for If I ever
find t et ye tried ter win ther affections o’ yon gal
away frum me, I’ll skin ye alive!"

And with a tragical FCOWI Josh turned away, and
Gold Rifle accompanied May.

The pursuing trappers 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 trappers and traders. were scattered
about. presenting rather a warlike spectacle. Cap~
tain Bass, unable to restrain his men, rode forward
and . olned Josh and the general on the veranda.

' rder, here!" Maynard crie
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 rui'dun Tiger Track, and he's in your ranch i" re-
.plled Lieutenant Grey, a bitter outlaw-hater. who
was leading the militar in theplaoe of Captain Joe
Bass who had refuse to act against Gold Rifle,
honest man.
“Order!” again thundered the eneral. “ "I‘is
false, the charge you refer acainst t e youn man.
Hols no more Ti er rack than I am, and com-
mand you to with raw immediately to the fort.”

we decline l" 'retorted Lieutenant Grey. with -

a sneer. “ If you'll cover a traitor. general. we
won’t, and we’re just the boys is going to stretch
up Tiger k to the handlest res.”
“ You cannot have the lad—he is not herel" said
the general. seeing that it was useless to argue with
I so many insubordlnate&pirlts. ‘
“You liel" replied rey, fiercely. ,“You are a
traitor to your country, yourseli. and you’ll deliver
I / up the boy, or we’ll tum 1e down/your shanty."
. “I have not got. the young man apout my pre-
‘- mises.“ declared the general. “Any three of you
. ‘ .are welcome to come in and search!" ' i

" “We won’t comefigltop, you old cuss!” shouted
-. '  u . or;
. ’- , . . . 35%
2'» ,.

Gold Rifle. the Shirps‘hooteh

.aflie in hlse e.,

come to disbelleve the story of Gold Ri

 

the lieutenant, drawing a pistol. “ Deliver. or down
goes er shanty!”

“I‘ 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 oilicer ro-en.
tered the house. A v v

With an oath of rage Grey raised his wee n to fire
at the retreating form. but before he ooul ll the
fatal trigger. there was a sharp report. and 3 “Hi: t‘
from J oah Hem erhill’s revolver-dropped the would-
be assassin de .

A cheer of approval went up from the soldiers at
the brave act, and motioning to Joe Boss to head
them, they turned upon the 'l‘olemana and the other
gliders, and drove them off at the point of their

a onets. ~

' his ended what mi ht have been a serious mob.

In the mean time ay Maynard had led the way
out of the parlor. into a kitchen, and dm a steep '
pair of stairs into a deep cellar.

Here she paused. and searching around for .a f w
moments. produced a candle from a shelf, and l t*
ed it. By ts illumination Gold Rifle was enahl to
see his surroundin s. and all he beheld were the
heavily-plunked wa of the collar.

1 “ Hgmphl I see no way of escape from this hole."
1e sax .

“ Because you are not in the secret." Ma May.

hard replied, with one of her leasant little laughs.

“Here —and she led the w y to one side of the
cellar. “Please push heavily against these two
planks.“

Gold Rifle did so, and to his surprise they fell back,
leaving an aperture of comziderable size. Through
this he went; according to May‘s orders, she‘follow-
ingand closing up the hole.

hey were now in a dark underground passage,
about eight feet by eight in width and night.

“ This passage runs about two miles in under-
ground," explained Ma . as they hurried alon over
a hard ground floor. “ t was constructed sot t in
the case of an Indian siege we could have some
mode of escape and it has an opening into a small
prairie valley. ts existence is a secret except to
my father and myself. and gim- Josh, who thinks]
am dead in love with him. al ha! ha!" ,

They soon arrived at a int in the passage where.
it. was vastly wider, on here several handsome
horses were ceding; attended by an Indian groom.

May made hurried ext lanations to the young nov-
a e, and then giving Gold Rifle a'wu'm pressure of
t 6 hand and idding him God speed. 5119 hurried
back toward her home above~the earth, while the
young man selected a fine steed from the co ‘and
m0unting, rode (in through the wonderful avenue of
esca 9, until he suddenly rounded a bend and rode
out rom behind a rock that hid moi-outlet 0: the
passage, into the light and freedom of a little prairie

valley

 

, I

. I CHAPTER iv.

mom snows ms omvnmroorr "masons."

UNDER the charge of the soldiers the' trappors
and traders must perforce retreat. and they were
driven quite back to the Settlement ere they were
left 1i'ii:'£u‘iolested, and the soldiers withdrew toward
t e 01 '

By this time a larger share of the tra ershad

i rTrac but then-overs a rtlon Mtwbo lo-
535:: the Iword of the Tolommfso for it. .

the nsmlth Omerbaun. and the two
soon as they. arrived '

I‘m-I1
“h H atthefiettlemaentJn
o - e a r., . I ‘ r , r - ,
erect all around." [mes led, otiiv-
inz to dampen his ferocious splrltlagfillomqm:
of whisky from. a demi ohn whi -uponntho
table ihetween them. ‘.‘ her homologue. '
ain‘tl elytor gt: a gllInMO’himag home

5‘.

 

A consultation was held between  ‘ ,
a. h 

ut'we -

 

‘ .

 

 

\

age, and that knocks all our prospects o‘ gettin’ the
fortune back frum Wild Wal ."

“ i don't b‘lieve the teller ever left old Maynard's
house!" sneered Jaw Toleman. “ That gal 0‘ May-
nard's put him awa , while ther old cuss cum out-
side an harrangue to us!"

"' Mebbe ye’re right, but ther galoot’s slid out store
this time." _ . .

“Of course," assented the gunsmlth, lighting his

ipe. “ That young cuss is smarter than ou think

or. He has got lots 0' Wild \Valt‘s blo in him,
and I'll bet you won‘t easy get ahead of him."

“We must contrive to somehow. Where does
this Clay Bottom Stream y which he mentioned?"

“West of here.” replied Jay Toleman. “I have
been there several times fer beaver, but didn’t get
enough to make it pail. It is about thirty or forty
miles I reckon. over ii an' plain."

“E’ai then it is somewhere in the neighborhood
of Tiger Track’s stronghold is it not?"

“ Yes—neer where the out aw is sugposed ter 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 Traci: get, by a long
shot!" oathed' Legree. “ The priZe e stole from
my cabin on Lent creek ten years ago must be re-
stored to me when I get a grip on the roman.”

“ The Tiger Track of ten years ago, and the Tiger
Track of to-day cannot be the same." suggested
Jacob Toleman. “ for the the claim-int of the title
to-day is represented to be scarcely more than a
youth. Yet his Skull!) 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 scattered.”

“It matters not. I b’lieve that A, nos Wagner is
still in the power of the Tiger Trac outlaw band
and if evyer God sees fit ter put her in the power of
Boover L ree, she‘ll find that she has a hard task-
msster in t e man she scornfully refused ere she be-
came Wild Walt's wife." .

“ That has been a matter of long standing, Le-

e. and [marvel that you still remember iti”

“ l shen’t forget my grudges till dirt’s piled on top
0' mai" replied the whim trader, sava ely.

Twodiys passed by in the snow-boun northwest.

The weather was biting cold. and the snow still
remained upon the oceanlike savannas, a winding-
sheet for nature. The winter had set in. in dead
earnest, to all appearances, and it/was to be asevere

one.

‘ Very few hunters or trappers ventured far be and
their respective shelters. and ma5ters on the pains
were temporarily at a standstill.

Only Jay Toleinan had summoned up courage to
venture forth into the wilderness 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-
ruilian trader. Boover Legree, mounted his horse.
and rode down over the heavy crust to General
Msvnard‘s. .

He often .made it a part of his business to call at
the farm-house and chat with the pretty May Ma -
nud. although. his visits were ever unwelcome o
the general and'hls daughter. ,

But. as he had never shown any of his villainous
or disagreeable nature in their presence, and was as
polite and gentlemanly 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—do , one of the keenest, frostiest of the prevail-
ing co snap. the trader found May Maynard alone
A in the cosey parlor, the. general having ridden over
‘ tothefort, onbusinessu ‘ v
~ May was looking her loveliest in a stylish suit of
some delicate brown material with more color than
uauai to her cheeks. and {brighter mm: in her

 

W‘s

  

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

. \

hazel eyes. Gazing at her—at her loveiv s lph-like
form her graceful carriage, and her pre ty face.
half-frame 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 Legree 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 wea th of ersonal charms with
t at of the woman whom he ad mentioned in the
presence of the Tolemans—— nes Wagner.

“ She is a flue woman and t e possessor of beautv
which is rarely found. Ahl but l‘d give a king’s
ransom to possess her, and make her furnish light
to ml}; cloudy old heart. And, what’s to hinder?"
and ere a devilish glitter darted into the rufllan’s
eyes. “ what’s to hinder? Maybe I can win her con-
sent, and I have the plan all ready. Once I get
gerWin‘ my power, Agnes Wagner can go to the

ow .’

The villain stood several moments, loating over
his intended victim, then stepped bo dly into the
room.

Ma wheeled around with a little scream, as she
hear his heavy tread, her face grown suddenly

pale.

“ 0h, Mr. Legree, is it you? You frightened me by
your abrupt coming.”

"Eh? fflfihtened ye, my dove?" the trader said
softly, as e took a seat near the piano. “1 got
lonesome up at the Settlement, and so ventured
down here, where it is fileasant. Besides, I have a
mission of mercy to fulii . Hal hai ’Sounds strange.
does it not to hear an old tough like me talkin’ 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. e re-
member that teller we war after hristmas—ther
one wi’ the Gold Rifle?"

“ Yes! yes! What of inml'flMay demanded eager-
ly. “ I was just thinking of him when you came in,
wondering if—"

“ If what?"

_“Oh no matter_what? What a{ion have to say of
him, ease say quickly. for I sh have to excuse
myse E from entertaining any one to-day. ’

“ Well, ’tain’t much I’ve got ter say 0 ther chap,"
Lezree replied. carelesslfi.

“Ye see how it was. 9 got shot afore be him in
hayr, an‘ he’s layin’ at ther precipice 0’ death nowln
my old trappin’ cabin up on ther Clay Bottom
Stream. He‘s give up thenghost, and sent me fer
ter tell ye. as he wants ye ter come; and so forth,
and so forth . ’p

“ Whatl Gold Rifle dying, and asking for me; Mr.
Legree i" May exclaimed, in great agitation. “ Im-
possiblei” ,

I “ 'Tain’t impossible, no sech a thing. myiady., I
Jest cum from there, only stopjpin’ fer a minnit at
the Settlement. He hes bin ca m’ fer you for over

1

half a da , sayin’ as how he had an important secret, ,

ter confl e ter ye.” ,

“ Where is this cabin? Could you direct me to it?"

“ No. for ye'd soon get ’lost in ther wilderness of
snow. But. of you‘ll acce t my escort, I’ll soon have
you at ther bpyee‘s bedsi e."

May arose from her seat and paced to and fro
across the soft carpet a few moments in greatest
perplexity of mind. She was half-'nclined to believe
the Legree was lying to her—that his story was only

an invention by which to entice her away from home .

into his villainous tolls.

Her father had often warned her of him, and bade
her not to trust him in the slightest, and as she

thought of these warnings, she resolved to resist. ‘7

and not believe his story.

“If only on Christmas dav you were Gold Ri x‘s
bitter enemy. how comes it that on are sent by im
on this mission?" she asked, pping short. and
gazing sharply at the trader. .

Legree flushed, and shifted uneasily in his chair. r

 

    

m .5 n... J an...” “snowman... -

ti

vi.

  

 

 

<' «.1

.‘.W:P»t,w.t

Gold Rifle. the Sharpshootero

‘ 9

 

“Why—why you see—" he begani then stopped
as he cau ht he stern glance of May s eyes.

‘ “Enoug l" she said, with a contem tuous laugh.
“ Do not imperil the future of your sou by lying any
further. I know your little game, now, Legree.
Gold Rifle is no doubt 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

/

‘kspe u this jig ontill
“AW: 03' d d twisti d squirming th '
. roun BX! roun ng an 8
iii? mos west i9r sev'eru moment-i then  by

foot, and it has now come forth. There, Boover Le-
gree, is the door through which you came. You will
please take your departure through it."

“ No, my firetty dove, I'll do nothing of the kind at
present!" t a trader replied, with a frightful leer.

‘Since you’ve found me out, artly we may as well
become better acquainted. hen I leave this ’ere
ranch, I‘m goin’ ter fetch you along with mel“

“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 forcibly ejected."

“ Hal hal ha i” and Legree laughed Ioudly-“ that’s
pret well done, Miss Maynard. Your vocation
shou 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 Irishman who knows enough to get I

up hash, and that‘s all. Do you for one moment

imagine that I have the least fear of them? If so,
_ou are mistaken. I can lick both of them at a
mic.

“Then, shurel an" ye‘ll be doin’ what ye niver did
before!" exclaimed a voice, and the Irish cook Pat
Dolan, stepped into the parlor, with a grin of (le ight
at an anticipated fray. “Allow the ter interdooce
mesilf to en, Mister Legree —I’m Patrick Dolan, late-
ly from t e ould counth -—sacred be its name."

Legree started to his set with an oath, as he be-
held a brawnyindividual. fully as heavy as himself,
and a man evidently of true grit.

Dolan was a representative Irishman. with the -
culiar expression of Hibernia written all over is
countenance, and the intelligent Irish sparkle in his
eyes. He was not a handsome man, yet possessed a
k ndly hearing which would have won him friends
almost anywhere.

“ You see I am not unprotect'd, you rui'ilani”
May" cried, triumphantly. “ Dolan will fight for
me a

“ Arrahi an‘ it’s yersilf as spakes the swate truth
nowi" assured Pat, advancing. “ Share. an‘ hasthe
dirtfi ginsdhaun bin a;givin’ ye any 0’ his slack,
me y

“Yes, Pat. he has been threateninfilto carry me
on, and I have ordered him to leave
he refuses to 0."

“Ah! thin ‘h make him go, me little shamrock.
Share. anI ef the Yankee has ot the character, he-
dud Pat Doolan has got the arm, an‘ out goes,
the spa! n av a black uard."

And ourishlnz, a clu in his hand, the impetuous
son of the Emerald Isle s rung toward chree. who
was evidently waiting for im. . -

But the club was of no use, for in a moment the
two men were in a hem-like hug, waltzlng here and
there over the carpet, Pat ondeavorlng to work the

171';ng out into the hall and thence out of doors.

I: was a man of great strength, and he
bent all energy in trying to crush his adver-

sary.
‘ Pat however was made like iron, and all the eifortl
of the trader were for a time unveiling.
“Och! yo murderin’ shnakei" roe/re Pat, prime
in his film . “ ‘li show yo how the trste yer kind
over at Ba lyrock, on their ould sol . Shure, it's sore
heads I’ve given many a hla'guard an’ I've not lost
the twist 0 me wrist yit. Hooray. s that yer lei"
—as Legree made an attempt to bite« “ ochi am
no hog that would be after bitinY. Be decent an' I'll
or heart is sore as the nose
Donovan's "

e house, but .

 

Pat‘s New year mince pics with evident  delith '

a dextrous movement erlred awe. his left hand
and L 3' Pat a blow in t e torches that felled him
to the :oor. ri‘hen the roman, with an oath, Inning
toward May, who had retreath in affright.
“Now, ou little t‘ 55, I'll have on without—"
“Adou ti" flnishe a voice, and he trader was
suddenly confronted by the stalwart form of Josh

Hem rhill, and a pair of cocked revolvers.
“ ithout a doubt. Mister Legree. Ohl e needn‘t
look—et‘s me, ef I am as green as a cab leaf.

Now, sir, you git, or I swow ter breeches ef don‘t
sock (let: t‘er you fer kill. I ain‘t a-foolin', nuther, so
you I . . .

\Vitn afrightful oath Legree turned and walked
out into the hall, an expression of malignant hm
upon his countenance.

“ Remember, May Mainard, I am not thro
withryou, yet, nor on eit er, you accursed Yank '
he c ed, as he let the house, mounted his horse
and rode away.

Josh returned to the Earlor and found Dolan Just
crawling to his feet, wit a wry expression of coun-
tenance.

“The hla‘guard—the spalpeen—where is he?“ was
the demand.

“ I put him out. Pat, darned of I didn‘t‘l1 Jest as

easy as chawin‘ cheese. Ye‘re a fig tor, Pot.

but that’s one essential ye sadly lack, an’ that‘s

good solid basis character!” ’_
CHAPTER v. ' 

m'ro 'rnn wmnnannss—aosn's NOVEL momma"
Pownn. ‘
Fen several days after Legroc’s e action from the

Maynard farm-house, things mov along- in their
own channel. '
Little was done outside of the old neml‘s quar-

ters. for he was a humane man,r.n not i. ,0 one to
cause either man or beast to labor out in the bitter
cold and freezing weather which revailed.

. So that durln this time of litt ova-do, eccentric.
uncouth Josh emperhill had plenty to occupfiis
time within the farm-house. for he paid Miss y
the strictest attention, and in his own way tried hard
to make a successful courting. Also. he was busied
in kee in awesther-eye upon his rival, the Irish-
man, est e should lant a seed of fascination in the
eye of Miss Mayuar .

And so it happened that the two manger-vents
were guits a bore in poor May, whose maiden tales
and i eas took quite another channel from them,'\
and although she had not the heart to oflend by re-
sisti' the ridiculous protestations of Josh’s love. or
the le gallantries of Pat Dolan, she was 0061:
thoroughly disgusted with them. . ‘

In one of these unenviahle frames of mind, she
applied to her father, the white-haired old general,

for relief.
“ well my deary." the old man said with

W
smilefl‘l" I doh’t know what you are to do.
sure, unless ou send Josh away for a h
some pretax or other; for I do not wish
the poor fellow, be having done me sev rel
turns. The c Ioon would do almost‘
for yam! believe, and you might send h
somewhere for a while, and I’ll order Dolan not
show his visage outside of the kitchen. I see
the barometer at the Fort and a telegram
the weather bureau at Washington, that our more
cold weather ll virtually over, although we may be
troubled with snow."

gs
E
izgs'igifas

“Very well; I'll send Josh sway them"! rot
plied, brightening up and hurrying may!” the
servants' srters. “I’m sure it won be a t
relief to me to escape his ardor. And then. I
gust a capital idea how to dispose of him,and'

wo birds with one stone." 1 ' ,

The day bein a moderate one, with a [film
sun. she resolv to have Josh start at once.
hunted him u in the w{Pantry where how inno-
cently engag in sto us away: half of one at

“J.
.

 

an

 

 
   

wished
v has of a fur-trimmed suit of bu

Gold me, the Sharpshooter.

 

to think that he was “hitting one " at the “ blarsted
' ' II

or.
Calling him one side. with a roguish glitter of fun
in the expression of her hazel eyes, May approached
him on her proposed plan. . .
“Josh. you have quite a notion of liking me, hav-

en’t i’ .

“£110!” why, bless tyour heart, yes. Miss May. I
swow to gracious e ye didn't cum near takin the
breath cl‘ar away frum me.” _ ‘

"That is because you were appro mating Delan's
lee. Josh. which is very wrong. ow would you
' e to have me make pies for you to eat, Josh i”

“ Ohl Jerusalem! wouldn’t that be 0. K. i" and the
Yonkee‘s face lighted up with a beamin grin.
“ You don‘t mean it for sart‘in, do ye, Miss ayf'?

“ Why shouldn’tl, Josh? You’re a great good fel-
low, and ou hi: to have all the pies you could eat.
know i. 9 Fourth of ngy isn’t a rent ways ofi'.”
act, by Jimminy. H n‘tluke that for ahead,

VI
“And the glorious Fourth is an auspicious day for
celebration of the nu tials of a happy pair, Josh?"

“Hey—how’s that, iss May?” .
/“I say, the Fourth of July is a happy occasron.
for one to get spliced." '

“Whewi Jewhitaker Jewsharps, yesl Yer sol-
ider than a brick there, Miss May i”

“Yes. and I see you appreciate m candor Josh.
Not man young ladies would exc ange all these
little con dences, but I believe that you’d do almost
anything for me, as you seem to love me—and—

.

“SohI rib—so, ' hllflwqulld. MlissLMa 7%e‘sMMethIodist
ppm nut ogory ory ss ay ’ma
man of character—ihcr solid double basis, duplex
article—an’ I‘d wade through flre an‘ blood for yer
sweet sake 1"- ~

“ Oh. no, Josh "—with a little outburst of merri~
ment——“ 1 don’t want you to wade throughanything
but snow. Now, will you promise me to do me‘a
favor?"

“ 0n course I will. Miss May—anything e’re a
mind to ask. I'm allus agenerous abs 6 lane a
Ieetlebit green. Thar were ther hull em rhill
family, down ter old Nebuchadnezzar himsel , who
noted for their generosity—old Neb once give his
mt hand aw tor an old maid named Jones, an'
she died an’ let him a fortin’ o’ n milyun. Yer see
t k 0' dmraeter dated back ter ther Antedi-
luvs itself. " i

“.Y Josh; and nowI tellyou what I’ll ask of

on remember the young fellow you brought

Mid Rifle?

:."¥e ll reckon. What 0’ him?” '

“ Wei , I want on to go and hunt him up and de-
liverto him a hole whio I shall give you. ~You may
have to be- absent a week. or even a month, before
you find him: but after that you can have a whole
winter to yourself in his com ny. With your wea-

Wyou can-supply yourse f with food, and have

’1
 “‘es; Miss May; but sense I've got a hankerin’
ester you, I kinder hate ter go away. ’
“ Pooh! Don’t be a baby now, or shall say you’ve
lost our e no . . Josh. ! '
"Either: I‘ filament! . dungeng along W’en
e a a my no r. or em r-
hillsfldfihe olden time. i m on my muscle.” pa
Sol gedthat Josh should depart at once,
withaflne equi men consist-
_ in. a harpe's
nmy rifle, pistols. kuife..hatchet, snowshoes and
cooking uterus and by the time he was ready to
start. he had a arse-Mot tra . Best of all. he
was supplied with numerous arti of food among
which were several of the covete ,p es, which Dolan
had spent. time in preparing for New Year‘s. now but
two days distant. h

Y9.
yet

is home, Josh bade a sorrowful

» Then moufin
adieu to the house. and its occupants. all ex-
, pop!)  to whom he gave a parting scowi. and set ‘

. a considerable smattering of pr

 

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 J 0511, as he rode away further and further into
the snow-bound wilderness, were rather a grum ex-
pression of countenance. '

“ Ncow et jest lucks to me like a kind uvafraud l“
he soiiloquized, shutting one eye, obliquel . “ I
swow ef I d' n‘t b'lieve thet Miss May‘s jest ‘in n-
humbug 'n‘ me, “‘1‘ git rid 0’ me. But mobbe I
ain‘t rig t. Leasthow et looks crooked thet she’d
want me to kerry a biliy~doo ter that airs Gold Rifle
chap, ei' she kecrs 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 u the weight of a. horse ;* it was
easy traveling on there was chance to make good
progress.

J osh, however, with a bitter doubt tugging at his
honest heart-strings. was in no hurrfi to return to
the farm-house, from which he had een banished
in so neat a manner. ‘
- “I’ll huntu thet Gold Rifle au’ keep my rec-
ment with iss May, anyhow," he muttered, ‘ fer
thet’ll add ter ther strength 0’ my character. I’ll
bv-t a copper thet Miss May’s lau hin' in her sleeve.
now; but, sech is life, as old unk e Nebuchadnezzer
used to say, when he corraled bugs on his pum’kin
vines. An’ tbar’s that blarsted Irisher too—hain’t
got no more character’n a lame gander, au" h ‘s
firinnin’, too, ter think he‘s got ther hull mid ter

imselfi But. I‘ll bet MlSS May ‘ll set back his im-
perdence, for I still b‘lieve she hain't got eyes fer no
one else but me."

Knowing that not enough snow had fallen since
Christmas to obliterate a trail Josh decided to l"-
ggir to the little valley in which Gold Rifle had dc—

uched from the secret passage, and here thers
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 980‘
s e along the valley to the westward.

That’s Gold Rifle’s trail; l-rerect," Josh muttered,
running his eye along the valley. “ but the next
thin_ ar’ ter foller it. El.’ it donn‘t lay' out, l‘ll’swow
eiffll ,ou’t foller it, an’ overtake r. Gold Ride in a
J Y- .
On looking at the sun he saw that it was declining
toward the western horizon rapidly, but be resolved
to ush on and accomplish w at distance he could
be are night came on, for the open prairie was a
poor bivounc-plnce. and he hoped to reach some
convenient motta of timber in time to camp. ‘

Therefore he rode on through the clear ling
winter’s afternoon, never deviating from t. e. lain
trail which the hoof-strokes of Gold Rifle‘s orse
hattmade up n the crust, riding ata swift gallop.
as he had don . - ‘ ” .

Although Josh had been but a year in the Far West,
mingling among its strange men he had picked up ‘

airie and woodcraft.
He knew an Indian sign when he saw it, and had, on
several occasions, scouted about and fetched in valu-
able information to the fort. Conse ueutly he had
less fear in going into the wilderness t
ad no experience.

 

* Dakota papers remark upon the thickness and
strength of the snow-crust during the mid-winter of
wide we write. Upon thepl
know even by the oldest hunters and hoppers, ‘

\

. ’ < .

. / ’
-» ——.~.~.t. a . ~L—MMr——< w. waWA ,

in: though he '

sins its like was never , .‘,

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
   
    
  
    
    
 
  
  
   
 
    
 
    
     
    
 
 
  
   
  
   
  
 
 

 

   

 

 

 
           

  

._/

swm

7m~.,

77,—‘1—lmw‘ 

I

Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter.

11

 

But now, as he rode along. his mind would 0
back to the Maynard farm-house. and to the cone u-
sion that he had been designedly banished from the
light of Ms Maynard‘s beautiful eyes.

“Et’s a urned, doggoned shame," he muttered,
“an’l‘ll tell Miss May so, see‘f I don‘t. She orier
hev hed sum res eats fer a. felier's feelin‘s. even ef 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 Hemperiiill fer instance, who in
hes boyhood war calkylated to be as gawky as they
make em; But thet ar’ feller had t er true solid
basis char/mm: and darned of he didn’t rise up tor be
trustee ’o‘ ther Skimmerville school——an’ now they
do purtend ter say he's runniu‘ for Congress. So
much i’er character."

Following the course of the valley for a couple of
hours, ‘Josh then ascended to the level ruirie, still
directed by the. snow trail. This he. ollowed as
rapidly as possible, and just at dusk sighted a motto
of cottonwood timber ahead, which promised shelter
for. the night,

He was considerably fatigued, and without thought
of danger, he rode briskly forward and entered the
woodland, where but little snow had fallen upon the

round, although the branches and boughs were
heavily laden with the flakes.

Dismounting in a well» rotected spot, the Yankee
turned his horse at Ii erty, and began making

preparations for an evening camp-tire, when he was
suddenly and rudely interrupted.

There was a chorus of savage yells. a'd he was
quickly seized, thrown to the earth. and bound hand
and foot. As quickly as hecould collect his scattered
senses, he looked around, and discovered that he was
in the power of a band of red-skins. some twenty in
number, who wore war-paint upon their faces, and
were of a savage, repulsive as ct.

Moreover, Josh saw b their head-dress, and the

,fancy carving upon th ir~cheeks. that they were
braves of the Sioux nation.

Without offering any verbal explanation, the red-
sklns dr god their victim along through the wood-
land by t e heels taking extra gains to take all the
stones and stubs n their path.
a temporary Indian encampment of seven lodges.
and Josh was placed, under guard. by a roaring
camp-fire. , ' _

In the course of an hour he was viSited b a large.
portly chief. accompanied by nearly t e whole
camp. The chief was well known 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 reall un-
kn0wn. and these months were spent in do ging
among the motto-islands of the great savannas of

r northern Dakota.
" Warzhi Sitting Bull has seen the white Yankee
before," the chief said. a sudden wave of reco ition
assing over his grim countenance. so horrib s in its
ecorative paint. “He chas d the Sioux warriors
from the fort. ere the snows of winter made the
‘ plains white. Sitti Bull does not forget." g

.“No, ye‘re dame right!" Jrsh retorted. with a
grin. as he thought of the mentioned occasion.

“Ye’re durned right. old Chair-bottomer. An’
now thet 'ye‘ve get me, 1 c late ye’ll be after

skulpin' me, or roastin’ me i" .

“ Nol Sitting Bull has even a better sport for his
\ warriors. Awild young buffalo bull has been cap:
tured, d shall take the Yankee toward the setting
sun. tting Bull has said it." _
lo ' larist was fastened about Josh‘s feet, and
heéwasngagain dragged through the timbers-this time
to where the western side of the motto met the
mean-1e. , , _
r the ins-lat was fastened’to the hind legs of on
untamed'buil. and Josh was ready for rapid transit.

9W.“

\

I

r
o ' ’
~_' {

t last they reached v

 

bout ten yards of rope inteivenod between

him and the heels of the bull, and things promised.
to be mutually interesting.

The whole encam ment of savages had b this
time gathered upon t c prairie and lit a sign from
Sitting Bull, there was a wid chorus of savage
screechos. and the young hull gave it snarl of terror,
and plunged madly away into the hi lit. out over a’
boundless expanse of prairie. and nagging poor
Josh ruthlessly along in the rear.

 

CHAPTER VI.
HUNTING THE BLACK RANGE.

On over the wintry plain plunged the terrified,
voung buffalo, with snorts and bellows. and at every

ound of the strong young animal poor Josh was
jerked along, at a terrible spot d—now on his back
and then on his billy, iii and out of hollows, ovcr
hummocks, and through bushes—4t seemed that his
infuriated war-horse would never stop.

In vain he endeavorl d to sit u long enough to
grasp the rope with his hands. wh ch wn‘e now free;
but each time he was jerked back and subject to the
agony of his wild ride. It was ortunate that the
snow-cnist coyered most of the rough s ots ovc r
which they went, or he could not have re allied his
consciousnrss, during the first ten minutrs of his
journey. But. deal ite the show, his clothes were
torn and his skin blistcred. ’

The motte island encampment of Sitting Bull and
his warii'ors was left far behind, and the buti’aio was
heading due westward toward a long line of timln r
that grew 11 on the shores of the little Ad 1'.

Alt ough t was a dark night. the grou work of
white had the effect to make ob ects at a con-
siderable distance visible to the nu ed eye; 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.

or Cl urse. should the bull attempt to Ross through
the timber. all hope of his cscs 1112‘ :1 ve was lost;
to be dragged along through t e timber would Lo
almost instant death. ’

Nearer and nearer to the timber they approached,
and Josh’s hair began to stand on end at the pros-
pect ahead of him, when there was a sharg, ringii g
rifle report. a. hollow of pain. and the ull went
crashing forward to the ground. '

The impetus of the fall nearly jerked the wits out
of Josh, but he soon recovered to find the builaio
floundering in death-throes at his feet. ‘

With his unloosened hands he soon had his feet at
liberty, and rm to use around him.

He was not a bun n d (yards from the edge of the
timber. and yet he coul see nothin of the where.
abouts of any person from whom he death-shot
might have come. The bullet had struck the buflalo
gie E lower part of the neck, and penetrated to the

ar . -

“ Waal. I’m ther luckiest cuss afoot. darn my
socks et I ain’t!“ Josh muttered. finding that l s
strong Shar e’s army rifle was still ed to his
back. and 5 bolt weapons all intact. “Recan all
I’m lackin‘ ar’ a boss an' grub van’Iswow efI'm'
goin’ back ter ther general’s. onti Miss May glts luv-
sick over in and sends fer me ter cum back ter her
arms. No, e: thnr‘s too much o' the:- oldNebn-
dhadnezzar Hem rhill solid basis character in me,
fer that. I'll bet her gal’s a-sobhin' arter me now
these femalrs are so capricious. unless—unless that
gosh-darned Irisher is mum on his graces. Blast
t, why didn‘t they son him rut hyar. toot” \ r

“ Because two 0‘ a kind is too much even hi:
good nature to tolerate!" spoke a’ pleasant voice.~
and a handsome form loomed up through the Mo
gash"? Hello; Ill be jugged et at ain’t he Yankee,

os , - ' - - . ,. , 3‘.

And no less a personage than Gold Rifle advanced
to the side of the dead bull. . t - r; - * \
"Yes. an' yer thet Gold Rifle chop I'm h n'~

for!" cried Josh. with a. broad grin of delight. “ {ow .

d’ye do,anyhowi l’in as  W Wig“:

«

a;

< i

 

'\

as
)2

. 2;!"

 

 

/

Gold Rifle, the Sharpnhooter.

 

 

would be tor see my boss. w‘ich I left back beer in
ther hands of old Chuir-bottomer—Sittiu‘ Bull.”

“ Ah! then it is to the red-skins you r)st this
ride oh? and a smile illuminated Gold Rifle‘s foo».
“It ought 0. when I heard you coming. I know
Sitting Bull was somewhere around on the plains,
but was ignorant of his exact whereabouts. But,
Evhgggver brought you out here so for from the

or r

“Jest in search for you!" Josh grunted, with a
scowl, as he thourht of May Maynard and the Irish-
man. “Ye see, Miss May sent me for MT fetch ye a
lftferfian' she's goin’ ter marry me next Fourth o‘

u .

" What, Miss Maynard marry ['you. J 0:411?"

“011 course she is! I swow e I ain‘t ther luckiest
’coon in this kemry. Promised me this very morn-
in' nfore we parted.”

a. “Get out! You shouldn‘t take what she says to
heart, J osh. She‘s only foolin' yo. I guess."

“ Davnotion, noi She’s legitimately rnrzuged ter
me, an‘ we’re goin’ ter hev frostin‘ nn‘ firecrackers
on ther weddiu’-cake An‘ of she tries tor go back
on me. I‘ll sue her for britches o’ promise, I swow of
I won't "

" Well I wish you much joy already. Josh 1" Gold
Rifle sai . with a. sail] ~. “ But you say Miss Maynard
sent a message. Come ong to my camp in yonder
wood. and letano havci .” r ,

Accordingly. the youniishurpsbooter led the way
over the prairie toward t a gloomy line of timber,
and Josh limped after him as fast as he could, for
he was decidedly stiff from his rapid ride over the
prairie. Never in all his boyhood‘s coasting experi-
ence had'he 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-
esdnz to the person concerned.

They soon arrived at Gold Rifle‘s camp, which was
gltched in under the shelter of the timber. and con-

guous to the bank of a medium-sized stream known
as th 3 Little Adder. A fire was burning brightly
within a lodge of buffalo-skins, and it was a welcome
sight to half-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 Maynard, and you can warm and repair dam-

“Seems ter me ye‘re in an awful hurry ter it a
letter frum one ye ain‘t got no claim to." trrum led
Josh, takin 03 one of his serviceable cow-hide boots
and roduc ng acrumpled envelope. “Thor it is,
but give ye ter understand thet ther gal ain’t yours
no more’n the name 0' Hem rhiil is.”

"No, of course not." Go! 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. delicate, graceful hand,
and ran as follows, with the heading of date, place,

c.:

“ Mu. WAomz— ‘

“Dun. sz—I send you this note by our man-ser-
vant, Josh Hempgrhill, with the request that he will
deliver it safely you. In it I wish to make myself
so bold as o extend you an imitation to a social
gatherinu which will take place at our unrters

.on the 16th of January, that being the eig teenth
anniversary of my birth. Your resence would be
a source of, much pleasure to other and myself.
Josh you can keep with you until you pay us the
desired visit“ Very. truly yours, '

V ’ “ MAY-MAYNARD."

A flush of joy stole over Gold‘Rifle’s face as he

Fe the above—joy because of the honor con-
erred upon him by the Maynarris,-and because he
Irma r31? thehoppolil-tfiuntiat‘y to caglunontanfi form a
more re n ncewi pre , 8 then
had thus for cable privilege. y. 'y ”

that chased me, who are members of Tiger
band ” ‘

 

“I'll gel" was his instant resolve. “and haven.
good time. If between now and then I cannot clear
myself of being Tiger Truck, it is curious. I have
the whole thing pretty well seasoned for cooking
“Fit ld J h th h I

‘ ani' growe os,as eyoungsa -
shooter slipped the note into his pocket—“ flat (1 (1
my gal write ter ye, Cap? ’S‘pect she guv ye an in-
vite ter our weddin’, eh i"

“ She give an invitation to a birthday gathering,
Josh. the sixteenth of next month. To-morrow is
the first—New Year's. And I mean to make the
moments count, (00."

“Ye don‘t sayl—un‘ did she
luv poetry fer me?"

"Nury Joshl She said you was to remain with
me. until 1 got ready to go back to the geneml's.
So now, you‘ve got to follow the trail I lead, for the
next two weeks. ’ 7 .

“ All right. I’m ther chap as kin do it. of I do say
so. I swow ter breaches ef I don’t believeIcould
outwalk ye!" . ‘ .

“i haven't the least doubt of it. Josh. But we
won‘t try. Now then, it is necessary that on
should know my usiness. as we are to be toaet er.
Look at this, and on will understand my callin
here upon the prai 05;" and pulling aside a. strip 0
the fur with which his buckskin suit was ornament-
ed. the firefight glanced upon a piste 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 inscriptive date—
“March 187—”

“ Waal. by gosh, of ye ain‘t one 0’ them detective
chapsi“ Josh exclaimed, in astonishment. “,Who'd
ever ’a.‘ thought it? Thar war my old unkle Nebu-
chadnezzar, who war once in that line—hater set for
a hull hour on a. stretch, a-tryin' ter detect w'ether
mice got into ther rannery or not." 7

“ Yes, I am a etective," (Sold Rifle confessed,
“ and my business here is to break up Tiger l:Irock’s
outlaw band, and clean out a certain nest of devilt
known as the Black Ranch—the stronghold 01th,;
same Tiger Track, by the way. ' . '

“Phewi ye don‘t say sol Neow, why didn’t ye
show yer cullers ter them galoots as war after ye.
ther other dog",

“ That was cause I did not carevto have my busl- -
ness publicly known When 1 do, Isbell a ply to
General Maynard for co-opemtion in exterm noting
the gnnzz. believe there were men amen thise

’s

“ Ye don‘t saysoi Wool! weal! an’ what are e
goin' ter do. now, since you‘ve added in a man ll 6
me, 0’ solid duplex basis character?”

“I am hunt n2 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 s said to be somewhere upon thueprai-
rich. but t t a men might look for it a lifetime uni
not stumble upon it. Yet. I believe that I am upon.
the trail of it, and hope to find it. are long. You can
accomnanv me, and may be of some“ ." ,

The evening meal of roasted deer-meat was now
served up. and both Josh and the 01mg detectiv‘o
did it ample justice. The fire was t on replenished
with fuel. and they turned in for the night.

Earlv on the following morning they were stir,
and after eating what was left from o evening-
menl Gold Rifle furnished two mustangs ‘

put in any kisses or

a. .
bough-shed. in the timber. and. both he and Josh 
‘ mounted and set off, Gold Ride in the lead

He headed Mew: after haw-nearer;

 

V

i

 

 

,«J—"N‘ ‘

fi—fl

\~.

-~Trfia

V'andgat

/

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. \ 18

 

due north, and rode rafiidly, the crust holding u
beneath the strokes of t e animals’ feet. Josh f0 -
lowed close behind, for, although he was large, awk-
ward and clumsy,he was by no means a poor horse-
man, as Gold Rifle saw at once.

About the middle of the forenoon they came upon

a single trail, headed in a northwesterlv direction. '

It was evidently several days old, and
filled up. v
“Where do you 'sgiect thet aire trail leads tori”
asked Josh as he rew rein aongside Gold Rifle.
“ White or fnjun ?"

“ White!" was the reply; “don‘t you see the horse
was shod i"

“ Who‘s been along beer?"

“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 1 take the other."

It was accordingly arran ed that Josh should fol-
low the northwestern trai ,- 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 northwestern route was only 0.

ad partly

V roundabout wa , to throw off scent.

"We have t e straight trail ‘fore us now, eh?"
Josh demanded.

“Yes. I should so . so. If nothing happens, we
111% 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 progress.

The afternoon were away toward darkness; the

,sun sunk to alevel with the ocean of white, and awa

to the north, on the crest of a Brairle biliow a car '
speck grew visible to the searc ing aze of the two
horsemen. At first it was no larger t ana pea; the-n
it grew steadily until it had assumed and was gradu-
ally assuming larger Proportions. the further they
advanced toward it. n hid! an hour they were near
enough to define a great barn-like edifice upon the
towerinficrest of a distant prairie billow, surrounded
by a big fence of plank.

And Gold Rifle ave vent to a shout of joy, and

dtrew Sin as be be eld all this, motioning Josh to
3 Op. so.
“ That’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, soon!" .

CHAPTER VII.

‘A BOY IN CAMP—i STORY OF MANIA AND THE BLACK

amen.

Urox the day following Gold Rifle's discovery of
the Black Ranch upon the prairie. an Indian pon
made its way to the Settlement, and came to a h 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 big one the villagers were attracted to the spot,

cred around the lad with the lgreatest curl-
osity. At aélance the wait did not be ong either at
the tort or ttlement. yet here he was, alone and
unaccompanied; and from whence did he come?

He was fat and chubby of his age, with a stolid
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 amond.

He did not appear to be frightened, as gradually a
crowd gathered around him, but, rather. seemed to
w tch the men with interest, inglina out. with the

T , wondeer 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,
' finalfian old trapper broke the ice by approaching

ie stranger, and beginning a series of ques-

“ Well, my little man, who are you i" was the first
interrogative. '

“ l'ni Jacki" was the reply, without any show of
hasht‘uluess; and, too. it was apparent, that the lit-
tle fellow was intelligent be end his age.

“Jack. eh! Well, what e e~Jack what!"

“ Dunno!” was the reply.

"Don't know where you live. do you?“

“ Yes, I do——at the Black Ranch. Mamma is there
—-b’en very sick but gettiu‘ better. Mamma’s aveiy
nice woman." -

“ As you are evidently a nice little fellow, who is
your momma?"

“ Mamma’s my mamma, sir."

” Of course, you little man, but what is your mam-
mu’s name I“ ~

" Dunno; fordot mamma’s name."

“ That's too bad. You say your mamma‘s at the
Black Ranch? What kind or a lace is that?"

“Great awful big house with iigh fence sroundl"
exclaimed Master J ack, raising his hands high aloft
to signify how big he meant, but could not ex-
p am.

" Ahl awful big house with high fence around?
Bofvls, that corn-s onds with what we have previous-
lv card of the p ace Well. m3 little man. what do

they do in this big house, an how many men is

th ere l” '
The boy hesitated, and looked thoughtfully
around. I .,

“ Dunno what they do—lots of men; mcrc‘n they
is here," he replied. at length. “Men got guns."

“ What does your niamma do, boy?“ ,

“ Mamma she lays to hued most all day an‘ crics,
an"at night they look lier p in the room."

“ Hal what is this. ycu little cuss?" cried a grut!
vgice, and Jacob Toleman pushed forward, excit-
e . ‘

y > .

“Hell and furiesl How'd you ever get tlis far
away from home?" and the rufl‘lan trader laid a
heavy hand upon the waif‘s arm, and he began to
c in affright.

‘ Holdl stop there. Jacob Tolemani“ cried an au~ '

thoritative. voice, and General Maynard rode for-
ward. “Get awa , you villain, or 1 ll have you ar-
rested and put in rons. What right have you to lay
hands on that boy?"

of a grandfather retorted the trader. defiant y.
“The little devil has wandered away from Louis,
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. stemly.

“No: the brat never saw the Black Ranch nor
any one else. It is all a cussed lie about there being
such a place.“

“ Oh! I dare say you know all about it. But we
will not trust to your testimony inthis case. The
child is too young to know the meaning of a lie, and
we will believe him in preference to on, whom we
12.1111 klnoxlv‘so Well. Step amde, sir, and et moquestion

e ar 1

At first Toleman hesitated. and was inclined to
disobe , but the drawing of the general’s sword bad
the e cct to make him retire: The general than
rode closer to the winter-waif. ,

“ Yourname is Jack, eh, little fellow?"

“ Yes, sir. “

“Andyour mamma's name—‘3

“ Dunno; fordot."

:: She is_a prisoner in the Black Ranch 1”

, Sll‘. '
‘5 Do you know this man!" pointing out the elder
Toleman. ' ,
“ Yes. He had maul He comes and say very bad.
, wicked words to momma, dat make her cry." ,
“Hal andis there any one else here amen this
crowd, whom you have seen at the Black Ranc ?"
“No!” replied the bogdai’ter a glance around.
“Tiger Track he‘s very to momma, so she git
Injun to end me off here. I fought o mamma’l
J name, now. It is Mamma Mabel)" . ~

 

v

“The right of a protector and guardian—the ht V

s
w
.
»
i
..

 

 

  

14,

   

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

 

   
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
  
   
 
    
  
 
   
    
   
  
 
 
    
    
   
    
  
 
 
  
 
   
   
 

General Maynard started violently in his saddle,
and gazed eagerly at the boy.

“ What! what! Mabel-«Mabel what boy?" and the
veteran was terribly eXCited “Spea 1 what is the
remai ider of your mother’s name?"

“I don’t know!" the boy Pfillled, growing fright<

ened.‘ " Name jest Momma abeii“
- “ Mabell Mabel! my God, can it be possible 1" Gen-
Nv ~ eral Maynard muttered. running his iiand 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 ri ht to this boy, until I learn more defl-
nitely what wish to know. Are you willing I shall
take him with me?"

“ Ayi ayi” was the rousing shout in concert. for
the general was highly respected by the large share
/ of t e settlers. "' The boy is yours."

“And. my man. I may call upon ou to assist in
attacking this unknown nest of t e outlaws, the
Black l‘tinch. Can I rely upon our aid l"

“ Ayi ayl generall" was t e eager response.
“ We're With 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 farm-house. little Jack
was taken to the parlor. where May gave him a lov-
ing welcome, and before an hour had aSSed he was

\- quite at home. although he occasional y mentioned
' momma," which showed that she. whoever she
was, had a deep hold upon his childish affection.

Nothing was said on the subject to the boy, but
M’ll’ and the general had along talk about her and

‘ the Black Ranch.
‘ “ It is undoubtedly my Mabel." the old man said.
bowing his head in his bands, ".who has been lost to
. 'me rhese twenty years. Poor Mabel! to think that

“ she is languishingiu a barbarous prison, when she

' might be here a comfort to my declining years."

“And who is this Mabel?" May Maynard asked.
Evith interest. “You never told me 0 her hereto-

ore.

“Because I did not wish to bringup the past. Ma .

you little know all the disgrace have suffered in
’ mv younger years. and I may as well give you a

' brief of the’ story, to-day. Mabel was my first and
ml 7 daughter. Don’t start. my dear. for I will ex-

plain about you. by and bv. bei. as I said, was

, my first daughter and also my only chill by mar-

riage. H gr mother died upon giving birth to her,
and Mabel was placed under the charge of a compe-
tent nurse. ‘ ~

“During the succeeding seventeen ears. I must
confess that I was little with my 0 ‘id; war. to-
gether with a multitude of other matters. ke t me
away for a most part of the time. Yet I ad a.
handsome home on the Hudson, which I had inherit-
ed. and was able to rear my child in luxu and
give her all the advantages of education. tthe

e of s ‘v inteen she was the belle of her social cir-
c . and I began to entertain hopes of her making an
eligible match. ‘ '

“About thii time I saw a chance for gigantic
s lotions in Western railroads. and disposing of
a my Eastern property. moved away to this coun-
try. A'li'] it was the curse of m life. for in three
short months I had no'daughtcr, 9 having secretly
wedded 1 man of questionable character. and had
fled. I heard-afterward that he became the chief. of
a band of robbers. For the recovery of my] child I
- searched and toiled until the outbreak of t e great

i . / war between the North and the South; then having:

: ‘ nothing to deter me, I rejoined/the army and fough

until victory was ours and I had attained the hon-
on. of generalship. which, hank God. I never dis<
graced. Just a year or two before the war I took

{gal—idode you as my own child. from the death-

of agallant old officer of the regal l!‘ army, and
have reared you under my panic. as you were such
an exact image of what my Mabel once was. Your

 
  

/

 

 

real name is May Faulklan l. but you are welcome to
mine own until you make a choice of ahusband
and may od grant that your choice be crowned
with success." ‘

“Yes, dear papa; but do you believe it possible
that the Mabel of whom this little boy speaks. can
be your long lost daughter?“

“ Yes. May, I do candidly believe that the risoner
of the Black Ranch, and my long-lost Mabe are the
same. Indeed. the child. yonder. bears a striking
assemblame 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 dying to escape the
mob on Chm‘stmas—Gold Rifle."

“ I-Iai is that so? I did not notice, I am sure."

“ Yes, I was struck at once with the resemblance
between the two, but I did not speak of it. as one
often meets lpers ns resembling each other who en-
tertain not t e slightest degree of relationship."

“ Well. it this is so, I should like to see the young
man again, for he may indeed be the child of my
daughter by her outlaw husband. for it seems to me
that the name of Wagner is not foreignrto my mem-
ory. Whether or not I have heard it in connection
with the name of my daughter’s husband, I do not
know. After leaving home she was called Agnes.
He changed his name. doubtless. after he became
an outlaw."

. “ _Well, what do you propose to do in this case. be-
lievmg that Mabel is indeed alive and in the mysteri-
ous Black Ranch i" ’

“ Do? why, I shall organize a company out of the .

tra pers and hangers-on at the Settlement and start
to he rescue at once. And. while I think of it,
’twouid be a. good ian to start at once, while Master
Jack’s horse‘s trei remains distinct.
it, and the little feilow‘s direction—for he is observ-
ant and as kecnias a razor—we can find the den of
guilaiwlsnvnthout much trouble. And then we must
a e ..

“Ohl ’twould be glorious fun, papal" May cried,
with a zest. “ I should love to be along. Can I go.
please—can I? I can dress up in my male hunting

fostgx'ne. and you know that I‘m a capital shot. May,
0

‘Yes. child, even though it may be to instant
death for I fear to leave you here alone and unpro-
tecte , with two such heartless wretches hovering
at the Settlement, as Jacob Toleman and Beaver
Legree. Yes, get your and“ in readiness. at once,’
for I shall start as soon as I can ride back to the Set-

tlement and ulp my men."

“Why‘not ta e the soldiers, ape!"

“B~ciuse the would be of tile or no as in
this kind of Wnr . I want men who will k what

I menu when I say fight! Such are found ‘among ‘

our hunters and scouts. As I said before. get your-
self ready; arm yourself thoroughly. and revision
and clothe yourself for a long siege. for i may be
months are we g it back from our journey.“ 'v
Then the general arose and left the parlorrro or-
der his horse. and May also hastened to her room to
prepare for her expedition into the wilderness,
which she was confident would be a source of great

delight to her. . i

For she was a lover of the ride and hunt and wild
life incident to c imping 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 beable to do good to a shtfer-

ing sister; then, too, 'wa down in her young heart

there was the least bit 0 a hope that. in the path of —'

their ourney the mi ht run across the young
sharps ooter.’Gold§tifle.z ‘. _
For the youn hunter and scout wasoonstan 0.

her mind. and aunted her dreams, until she. I '

No doubt by‘

 

“flu—4...“... to». l .. '

    

 

 

rough customers to handle.

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

w..-,.

gro‘wn to listen expectantly for his footstep, and
dream sweet dreams of him, in whose face there
mils so much that was noble.

irst of all she provided herself With and donned
a semi-male hunting-suit of buckskin. which had

 

' I done her service in many a prairie tournament, be-
‘ fore, and fitted her to perfection. Then she armed

herself with a Sharpe s
vers and knife.

Her horse. a handsome bay .animal was then
brought aro d by Pot Dolan. and the saddle-bags
equipped wit 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 men whom
he had enlisted in his service at the Settlement.

They were mostly tra‘ppors and fur-traders, a
rough, but kindly-dispose band. The general had
been careful in selecting his men, for his well know
that a great deal depended upon their skill and
trustiness.

A well-stocked larder ever bein a fact in the May-
nard mansion, the band Were al provisioned there
before starting, for little of the game kind was to be
found for the searching in the snow-bound wilder-
ness.

At last everything was in readiness, and with the
white-haired old general in the lead, and May by his
side. leading the orse of little master Jack the cav-
chade set ofl over the snow-crust toward the Black
Ranch —- for General Maynard had secured the
s rvices of an old trapper who had Seen the famous
outlaws‘ den. and was confident he could guide the
party to it without trouble.

CHAPTER VIII. ‘
GOLD arm’s name VENTURE—A mm mm CAUGHT—-
mom mos-r 'ro DARKNESS.

Fnon the Black Ranch it would have been com-
paratively an easy matter to have detected the two
iorsemm as they stopped in full view on a crest
(f white. Gold Rifle was well aware 0 this, and
hzwiniir but little doubt that their rash advance had
already been discovered, he knew it would be neces-
sriry to hunt a place of ref 9; hence his words at
the conclusion of a late chap er.

Glancing sharply around he sought and ound a
place which he knew would better answer i eir pur-
pose, In case of an attack. than the open prairie. It
was a small motto of a few scattering cottonwoods,
which grew around a buffalo wallow; yet it com-
mended a view on all sides, and was the best cover
to be had in the vicinity. '

“If it were not that we were obl' ed toleavsa
snow-trail," the young detective sai , as he and
Josh‘made haste to take possession of the matte-—
“ l: it were not for this, we might evade the cusses

e .

mid-range rifle, and revol-

Yankce's demand, for e 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." ‘ I

“ Waal. mebbe ye’r’ right. But, what’s ther use of
outlaws comin out here! I swow ter brooches ef

the ain't fool h tcr think 0’ fightin’ men 0’ solid

ba s character like me an’ you!” »

“ Correct; but that makes no diflerenoe with them.
They fight all men alike and I reckon the ’re pretty
Nor do I lieve that
they confine their depredations and doings alone to
outlawry in this country. To me. it stands to reason

. that iliey could, not exist upon the few pelts they

capture and dispose of—they wouldn‘t fetch more

' than enough to supply the gang with bad whisky.

A a, then, the surrou din ex nse of territo for
so and miles oflerslho ggi'eatpiiducement ferriaid-

‘ ’ in and'nluiider. No, sir: there is a dee :- some-

‘Ione "hat is going to unravel the

th behind if] this outlaw business a. I‘m the
ball or bu‘st, you

“"How d‘ye kno’ the 've seen us' at?" was the

13

hear me! Already I’ve got my mind glued onto the
business. and I’m going through with t."

TurningI their horses’ hends while ting 
versigg, t e rode away to the motto. .d unto.
ed; .ere t 9 ground was less covered with snow,
and With easily extemporized shovels of, bark they
men had a large space cleared to earth on which to
build a fire an camp. This operation piledihesnow
up around them so as to quite hide their camp. and
keg; off the sharp cutting wind.. .

'ld Rifle had in his die-bags a piece of raw
venison, yet. large enoug to last for {tooling of
meals, and they concluded to Use this at, on W
serve their other provender for the future. .

Leaving Josh to prepare the evening meal. Gold
Rhine left their snow fortifications, and scouted about

e camp.

He could find no signs of enemies in the neighbor-
hood, nor were there an signs of a chins ont-
laws from the Ranch. his wasarelfief to the you
sharpshooter, for 11‘: had no desire to fight again:
odds of twenty to o e " , .

In the direction of the Black Ranch all was et‘.’
evideililtly the outlaws had not discovered the up
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. r

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 banks

which were full to a level with the grounding. in
stream ran through a (199% and extre sly narrow
valley which opened obi-up y down 213% hewest-
em side of the motto—a sort of, channel through
Nature’s cold white face. and by followin immune
as far as eyesi ht would allow, Gold ecomoto
the conclusion t at the stream ran in gsjiortherly
branch not far from the site of the lac Bunch,
for along both edges of the valley grew frin , of a
species of sage-bush, and these he use long
wa in the direction of the ranch. _ . . ,

lattuming to camp he found Josh read to serve
up their meal, and while the partook of venison
he related his discover y oft anti-com. ,  . ,, . '

“ l believe it’s the only w I can approach only
nearer to the nutlaws‘ ne than I am -now,", 6
said, thoughtfuli , “ for to go over the alrie lacer-
tain discovery. uckil , I am proud with a
of good skates. and i the stream goes by wi _
gunghot of the ranch, l’m bound to get that near.
any ow.’ ,

“Yas; but whar’m I oin“ her art while s‘ro
doin’ this?" questioned gJosh, wiBtRi ,a grim look.
“D’ye calkylate l’m oin’ ter follor at yer bedsiui’ ’.
run the risk 0’ gettin in head blowed rm E! Iln
a mitin Gk, character. I in’t hankerin' after lodn‘
m op- no . r . r

x Oh! no danger about you) It will be your duty
take care of the horses and the
camp. You can kee an occasional lookéut to pre-
vent bein surpri and co tun-d. and dwelt my
return. w icli will be inime lately after I upmout
all that is requisite to my plans. If the costs! get
me in a he , why proba ly you won‘t use me at
all, and: had tter go back to thefort and give the
:1 arm. _
Darkness was by this time enshroudinfi the eugeh- .
and Gold Rifle determined to cover the d 96
twlegn llilim and ghetng Ranch bile it lasted».

r. eargue . epoce wo
should he arrive at the dead of night, a:
have a favorable opportunity to get inside ow

Looking carefully to the candi
revolvers, he 6 Josh odioiuand'm
paused long a ugh to am: to his bootoa.
pair of regulation skates. and then he dart ,
away over the glassy surface of the river like .

The course 0 the. river wuveu tortuo a

to stay here and

 

c tive and it soon Went“! Gym 
313mm that to rsa'oh'tho' ' horn m; V

 

    

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 nearerto his destination.

In two hours' time he concluded he must be in
close proximity to the Ranch. and accordingly
Blackened 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
uprthe nd. dimly.

he 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 and valley wound close to the Ranch
on the northern side. but just how close he was yet
unable to determine.

- Going backto the river he resumed his journey
on the ice, making strangely weird music with his
rln ng skates. .

a 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 filank
fence, n fact, ran out t) the very ed e of the ank,"
and only the upper part of the ranc could be seen
over its top. /

After he had brought himself as near as he dare.
without exposing himself. he sat down and took 03
his skates. and secreted them in the butt of a hollow
log which ended u through the ice. wrapping his
precious rifle in o -cloth he also secreted it in amon

he bush reserving for use only his revolvers an
knife. for close uarters he knew these would
answer his purpose tter than a rifle.

His next move was to creep stealthiiy up among
the fringe of hen-sage, and lying low, make obserf
vatlons. . 5

All about the place was deepest uiet. .

There were no lights. no sign 0 life—nothing in
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
—nnless, 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 corner, and after watching for some time
without seeing any one, Gold Rifle came to the con-
clu ion that there was no sentinel posted to- ht.

Satisfied on this. he crept from his concea menl.
midi over the snow toward the fence. This was

I y flyfteen feet high, and he knew that if he could
once et in its shadow it would be one strong point

3 in its favor. ,
And his rapidity of movement soon brought him

$ there, and he stood up alongside the fence

n . -
‘ 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 holdl under the very shadow of such a death den
as was t Black Ranch by repute.

After listening to assure himself that no one had

disturbed by his coming Gold Rifle sat down
and took as his boots and hid them in the snow
w re to find them again, for at present time of
so their crunching onto the crust was danger-
ous. As a substitute to rotect his feet from the
cold, he drew upon his Feet heavy fur moccasins,
which were among the mysterious contents of his

blur-sch. ,
He was then ready for basin and first of all,
made a tour of i on around mighty fence.

 en andendeavoring topeerbe-

 

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 am
trance and exit of the Ranch.

Here. also. Gold Rifle 'saw the fresh imprint of
horses‘ hoofs, showing that some one had recently
entered the yard from oi! the rairie.

Going all around the Ranc , he arrived at the
spot he had started from, and throwing 01! his
outer, or hunting, jacket, he set silently and noise-
lessly 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 thickne~ of about
flve 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 begin!) piling them up in
order of a stairs, until be ad elevated them so
that by standing on the last step 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
the fence. and giving a hurried glance, he dropped
lightly down into the yard—and into the grasp of
half a dozen men who had all the time been crouch-
ing in a black shadow. 3,

In vain the young detective fought to free himself
from the iron 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-
curely, hand and foot, and then carried between
four rawny outlaws into the Black Ranch, which
was a monster building. roughl consti ted, and
repellent in its midnight color. n throu a series

of balls and entries. and then finally the captors,

halted in the center of a long wide apartment. fur-
nished only with rude settees.
Gold Rifle was placed on one of these. and allowed
the privilege of mm up.
The room was bril ian ly 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
Toleman—one 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 als there could be no doubt.

The trader Vanced now, a devilish expression 0?
jubilance upon his face.

“Ha! hat you young hawk, you didn't escape us
so nice. after all. did ye?" he leered.- “You pu
yourself in our.man-trap neatly. Now t'~en. I don’t

ntend tar spend much breath over a. but I‘ve a
few questions ter ask ye. Ye”re ’ild Walt ag.
363’;nkid—that we know. Now then, what’s yer
a .

“Find out and you'll know i“ retorted Gold Rifle.
” I’ll not tell ye.",

“ All right; we won't urge you. Search him. boys,
and then castyhim into the pit without bonds. He
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 'i‘oleman. He tore it open and rused it
eagerly, his villainous countenance assnm ngva more
diabolical expression. When he had finished he

as . -
“It's a couple of months old, but here's what it
says: , .

“Dun Sow—When this reaches you I shall havn
left our mountain home, and taken the gold to a.
safer hidingplaoe. On my return I have a err-«t

mission to perform—this is to rescue vrmv amu-

 

niother and my wife from captivity. Only 5‘ .. 4, -



g;

  

 

 

145-.-

 

~ into the pit.

I
a

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

17'

 

I got an inkling that she whom we have so long
mourned as dead is living and a risoner in Tiger
Track’s stronghold. If you can ( o anything, do it
quickly, for our mutual sake. Youn FATHER."

“So ye thought you‘d come and search for yer
mother, did ye, boy? Well, we‘re ,goin’ ter give ye
a chance among t e human skeletons as will keep
Wu company in the pit. D‘ye know where Wild

alt is?‘

" 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 well-like opening in the center of
the {ioor and pitched him over into it head-fore-
mos . ,

Down—down—down went the oung sharpshooter
into the black depths, and the our rufflans turned
away with horrible chuckles, as though the work
were nothing unusual to them—a sort of by-play to
pass away time.

 

CHAPTER IX.
1}: rm: mars—GOLD mum’s ACTION.

WanN Gold Rifle found himself going down head-
foremost into the pit of darkness he felt sure that
he was goin to his death, yet ha the presence of
mind to ma 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 .

He opened his eyes. Everything that bar? passed
came clearly 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, fears
ful to move lest that act shou (1 bring to him the
discovery that some limb had been broken or mis-
placed. He could feel no soreness as he lay upon

he ground, and after awhile came to the conclusion
that he was not hurt atIall, and with an effort rose
to his feet. ‘ '

He now found that he had sustained no in uries
otherwnse than a severe shock which hai ma e his
lower limbs rather stiff. and that he was still better
than half a dozen dead men.

He stood for maréy minutes at loss what to do.
Around him all was tygian gl‘oom. He could not
even see his hand in front of his face. Above, _many
hundred (set it seemed, was a tin round speck of
light. and this he knew emanated rom the room of
the Black Ranch, from which he had been hurled

He was in a hole. dee down in the’bowels of the
ea h, which was nten ed as his tomb.

hat others had, died here was plainly evidenced
bfy the terrible stench that revaile —a deathly,
s ckening odor of denying bo ies. A orrible place
it was. and a shudder escaped Gold Rifle as he
breathed the foul atmosphere. .

“Ugh!” he muttered, half-fearing to stir; "this is
about ther worst dose of perfume I evergot. What's
to he did? that’s the uestion before ther Investi-
gatin’ Committee. A is ex: can't remain long in this
stench and live; and as long‘s l‘m hull-boned . et. I
ain‘t goingrto say die. The first re uisite isa ight.
and I vs the very article of produc ion in my coat-
sleeve pocket. which ishandier than a pocket in a
Shirt- Glad them chaps were kind enough to leave
my hands and feet free." ‘ ‘

ending over. he fumbled in his capacious right
coat-sleeve. Which contained a leathern ocket, and
soon produced a half of a sperm cand e and some
matches. One of these he struck upon his sleeve
and then ignited the candle, and had, a bright light,
which illuminated the bottom of the pit with star-

tliaghg'stiuctness. , r .
the saw was but evidence of what he had

been given reason toexpect. He was in a tomb.

 

deep down in the bOWels of the earth—a place of the
dead rather than the living. All around were strewn
skeletons. skulls and half-decayed corses; close at
hand lay a bod that apparently had not yet entered
igto decompos tion—that of a man past forty years
0 age.

At one side of the it was a deep hole in the bot-
tom, thh a body hai draggied into it, and close at
hand lay a shovel and a p c .

To Gold Rifle, the meaning of this was quite plain.
The stench rising out of the it being. too great in
the Ranch above, a man had een 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 who pick and shovel
meant life and liberty to him.

Sticking the cand e
wall. he seized the shovel and began rolling the de‘
cayed bodies into the grave. It was a trying piece
of 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 corse. or evidence tlnreof. was rolled into the .

grave, and’the dirt lied copiously upon tht m.

As a natural reru t. the s such in the pit became
less and less offensive. and in half an hour the at-
mosphere below was uite bieathable At least. it
seemed so to Gold Ri e. after the sickening ordeal
he had passed through.

His candle was burning low, and havirg lut one
more in his pocket, he knew that he must nerds get
to work toward escaping.

He had already formed his plans: for his hands
and brains had each been busy. He would cut a
spiral stairway of steps around the pit, from the bot-
tom to the tokl Itwas fully thirt fret to the floor
above. but w at of that? ife, li er , ven eance,
all awaited his exertiz as. He had fa th in is 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 wee one.

So commencing, he cut a deep indenture me the.
ground siding. and worked from that. step hyste .

he ground was of tenacious clay, but this was 1
the better for him. as it made his staircase of earth
all the stronger.

‘ l
With all his strength he worked away throwing

the soft dirt into the bottom of the pit, in (1 thereby
effectually shutting out the scent of the dead bodies.
By the time his candle was half-s ent he had two.
circles of his stair case crmpleie {and was about
half-way up from the bottom .of the pit.

Although much fatigued b his exhaustive labor,
he did not pause but kept etu‘minedly on,‘_ior he
knew that he must needs accom lish the remaining.
distance vhile his light held on , and he calculate '

the candle, which was a whole one, would last about '

six hon: s, 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-v
long he had been insensible. .

Believing by ihe'state of his stomach that it must
he noon. he paused long enou h to artake (f the
scraps of venison whichwere n his aversack. ‘He
then went on digging resolutely. and worked until he
found that he must ield to exhaustion, and rest.
He according! cease his work. and digging out a
deep hole in t e dirt, ensconced himse in it and
went, oi! into a sound, refreshing sleep, first. ow-
ever blowing out his candle.

'When he awoken copplc of hours latér, he fart

greatly refreshed and siren thened, and set to Work.
again. Fortwo hours he abogd and themwhen
he was within ten feet of the op ni’ng into the room _
above, his candle wholly ex red.

But this was not so rea adisappointment now. .
as sufficient light for purpose came down
above. Right here, he dug out, in addition to hit

into a thumb—denture in the ‘

v O

 

    
    
   
    
   
   
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
    
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
    
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
   
  
   
 
  
    
    
   
  
  
   
  
   
       
  
    

, revolver lock.

 

18

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshootei'o

  

 

staircase, a large, deep cavit in the earth siding of
the pit, in what he conclude was the northern side.
He spent several hours in its construction, for he
meant that it should be large enough so that two
persons could move about handilg.

Two persons—for with remarks. ie daring his form-
ed plans now included the rescue of his mother, and
escape by way of this very piti

After he had completed 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.

heretore, thouzh swiftly, he worked silently, and
in the course of half an hour he had attained a
stat iding position from wh >nce he could gran the
floor rim above with his two hands without fa in ,
so that it would be an easy matter to draw himse f
up out of the new half-filled pit.

But this he was not anxious t0vd0 immediately.
He had been caught by the outlaws once, and if he
was to be caught again, ‘he meant that it should not
bs'for lack of precaution on his part.

Finishing the last ste necessary. he returned to
his little cave, ten feet slow, and sat down to rest
and listen. From here almost everythin'r going on
in the room overhead could be distinctly ieurd.

Some time elapsed before Gold Rifle heard any
sound; then came the tramp of heavyvbooted feet,
and a man [geared over into the pit, with a strange,
hollow laug . Directly afterward the lights in the
room were turned low, and Gold Rifle heard the fel-
low tramp away.

“ Humph!" he muttered, “ I guess the coast is
clear now, and I can go u safely. Reckon that
chap was a guard, and it wil be my duty to silence
him if he gets in mywuy. The room above evident-
ly is not used excapt on occasions when the band

zmeets to try a. fellow-mortal for snne offense, and
chuck him down into the pit. ”

Leaving the shovel in the cave, and arran ing his
knife and ravolvers in a c )nvenient posit on, the

I young detective set out on his daring venture. B

v
he power of his string young arms he drew himself
up out of the pit into the room. He was now free
in one s lose—free from imprisonment in that deep,

’ darksoxne earth-dungeon

It will b a ram unbered that he left his boots in the
snow, outside of the nreat fence; therefore he could
[no v move nearly noiselessly, clad in his thick, warm
moccasins. ‘v

Gliding into one corner of the room where the
shadows were the thickest, he crouched down upon
one of the rude settees and waited. He had as yet
not fixed upon any plan of immidiate action, but he
could not remain long undiscovered. Indeed. he now
heard the clumsy footed guard corninerI back, with
ginttergd curses upon some object which he had

ropne .

“Ken’t be I drapped it inter ther pit!" he growled,
tram n2 into the room, and approaching the black
hole the floor. “ Wouldn‘t ‘a' lost that pin 0’ ter-
baccy fern counterfeit dollar, 'oa’se thar a n’t no
more in ther Rmch. of old Jim Bender. the qu u‘ter-
master, don’t lie. Kinder ‘spect J im’s hid therweed
for his own use, and wantster make ther b'yees go
wl'out. durn his old hide, an‘—”

“ Halt! One move or word and you die!" came a.
low command, accompanied by the click. click of a
. H Stand perfectly still, without look-
ing either way, or over you go into that pit eend
over send, as sure’s thar's strength enough ln 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 which he al-
ways carrlsd in his pocket, Gol Rifle securely

. bound 'the' rufflan’s hands behind him, and then

wheeled himf'arennd so that they» face each other.
~“"l‘here ye are, my man!" ‘he said, w th a chuckle,
“taken a prisoner just as nice as you please.

’ then a

 

Couldn't have done it better yourself, could you?—
Thcrel take care on don’t speak loud, or 1‘ i send
you where they ave brimstone hush for board.
Now, then, since ou’re my prisoner, I have a per-
fect right to sub ect you to a ri rous course of
questioning whic ma not be atal to your liking,
but which you mus swallow and digest as you
would a sugar-coated pill. '

“ And also you must answer every (%uestion and if
you don’t, and go a-tryiu’ ter yell, or alk 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 I.
QUESTIONING~FALSE Ra‘s-purist; GUARD—A CAP-
rnnn AND nscnra INTO ran osvn.

“ WELL, then," continued Gold Rifle, gliding away,
and closing the door which the guard had left ofpen,
and also turning on a greater war of light rom
the lamps, “ the first question shall ask on iswhat
is your name? Answer in a low promp tone, and
you‘ll not be harmed."

“My name’s Mose Renfrnn!” was the sullen re-
sponse. \

“Mose Renfrau, eh? Do you belong to Tiger
Track’s outlaws?”

“ No—I belong to Gang 2."

“What’s that?”

“The gang w'at works inside. The outlaws ar”
No. l. and hev nothin' ter do wi’ us tellers."

h“ 0?},1’1 that's the lay-out is it? You’re a guard
t en

“ 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?"

“0v course; i hev ter give ther signal and they
let me in.”

“ What is the signal?"

“ Go find out—I’ll 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 ind."

The fellow‘s face assumed a white, scared look
who was confronted b the yawning abyss, and
he trembled in every lim . .

“Yes! yes! I’ll tell ” he gasped, his teeth chat-
tering. “only don‘t shove me uown in that grave.
What is it you want to know?” V

“ The si no! you spoke of." _

“Well, t is five successive light raps upon the
door. One feller never speaks ter emuther, durln’
workin' hours,” ‘ '

Gold Rifle gazed at the guard sharply, to see if he
was lying, but he was evidently not, judging from
his countenance. But, one thingdid not escape the
lynx eyes of the oung detective—a ragged edge of,
hide where the ha r and beard met above the ear.

“See here!” he exclaimed grimly. “ you ain’t ther
cha ye seem at all. What means this?" and with
his ands he erked off first along false‘ beard, and

wiio hair, , ‘ a.

“What ind of a crooked game are ye tryin‘ ter '
play, anyhow ll" .

he man swore roundly in French, and his eyes
looked like balls of fire. Shorn of his hirsute pos-
sessions; he appeared a man of thirty-five, smooth-
faced. and the very photog-ra h of all at was ovil.

“You mayas well out wit it," sai Gold Rifle,
“ for I know that you are not here wi houtanob ect.
You are underdisguise and have some plan not.
or you would not be ere: Needn’t'be Afraid to
tell me, for I‘m a detective, and don‘t want any-
thing more to do, with you than can be helped.
What are you here for, you rascal?" .

“ To kill Tiger Track. the ,outlawl" replied the
man, fiercely. “I have been here a year for that
puregse, and still Tiger Trac lives." v I

" hat wrong has he ever one on?" I

l‘ Ruined my wxfe, and afterwa murdered hertq

.
.p .

 
 

Gold Rifle. the sharpshooter.

'11

r

 

r t rid of her.
hit!) ?"
" 1 should sayyes.

Do you not think I ought to hate

And now, are we to be friends
or enemies? on evidently care nothin for the
hand, except to accomplish your object: am here
to rescue my mother who has long been a prisoner
in Tiger Track's power. You can let me have your
place as guard until I get her free. and then assume
this disguise again for your own lens."

i"Co‘rrect; but where Will I s y during all that
1; me?

” Down in the pit. The dead are all far under the
ground and there is no smell. You can remain there,
and I will lower on down provisions. Ifa day goes
by without vom- enring from me, you can come up
by aid of a stairway I have cut into the earth. You
will find your trappings in this room."

They talked at considerable length, and after iv-
lng Gold Rifle all the information possible, Ben ran
consented to be 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 beard, after
which be closely reacmhled the man whose place he
was usurp . The first round he made of the best
he was watc ful and read for defense. should his
assumption be detected. a passed several men in
the long halls of the Ranch, but none of them paid
the least attention to him.

After making‘half a dozen rounds. according to
Renfrau‘s d’rectlons. he repaired to the cook-room
and got his morning meal, which consisted of veni-
son and corn-dud ore. for which he had a strong
relish. So strong in fact._ that he managed to store
away five of the odgers_ in his pockets.

These he dropped down to Renfrau on his return
. to the audience-room. -

Of the elder Tolemsn he had seen nothin . and no
one mentioned him. The outlaws he foun to occu-

yquarters in the southeastern art of the build-
ing. where they remained, bard y ever venturing
into any other parts.

A ds and 3 nl ht Passed. and still Gold Rifle re-
mains on gun du y. The larger part of the day
he was allowed to sleep. as there were plenty astlr
throughout the Ranch; night was when is services
came into requismon.

Although he had been nearly all through the
Ranch he hnd not stumbled upon the room which
contained the imprisoned Agnes Wagner, his long»
, lost mother. Renfrau 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 hadever sus-

pected.

Tim Black Ranch was in reality a counterfeitaro' do».
when base win was manufde and finished for
the market. ~

Gold Rifle had been in five rooms devoted to its
menu Pasture, the first being the aiding. the second
the sizing. the third the stamping nd the fourth the
weighing and perfecting room. The fifth apartment
was the store and boxing-room. and also the office.

As near. as he could learn, without betraying him-
svlfwith .over-inquisitlveness, Gold Rifle concluded
that the counterfeiti had been going on for nearly
six months, during »wb ch the over twenty thousand
dollars' worth of spudoua,ooin had been success-
fully, “ flooded," and still the counterfeitevrs had
twice that amount on hand for future use.

The only worked at the dead of night—from elev-
en o’c ock until da dawn; then the counterfeiting-
rooms were locks up. and the men, some eighteen
or twenty in number. scattered to their various
rooms throughout the building. ‘

.There was a bar in one room. and this was the
gennml resort of all within the Black Bench.

Moreover. Gold Ride learned that a squad of ten
 men constantly acted oil-pickets in the and outside
_ of the building, and a man rapt watch the tower.

\.1L.

 

And he saw that it would be next to impossible for
him to escape. unless it was as he had designed, by
tunneling out in under the Ranch. ,

This be resolved to. do, as soon as possible after
finding his rize. the imprisoned Agnes Wagner.

For the ay followmg he had no occupation. and
in these hours. when there was no danger of their
bei discowrcd, both he and Renfrau worked at
the urine]. for the Frenchman saw that it might
serve him as an avenue of escape, after he had com-
pleted his meditated Vengeance on ’11 'er Track.

About six o’clock in the evening Go d Rifle resum-
ed his guard duty, but Renfrau kept on digging.

In one of his rounds throu h the halls on the
second floor of the Ranch. he oung detective
heard a groan. and up reaching c ose to the door
nearest. him. he pause and listened. There were
voices inside, engaged in conversation. It was evi.
dentlya man and a. woman, and the man was speak-
ing, in the unmistakable tones of J. cob Toleman.

'Therel there! shot 11 yer blubhering. woman,
over thet brat o’ ourn. t cum ter ther Settlement.
an’I had it bralnedhes I told you I would. at on
ever tried an games to escape. I reckon {e’il nd~
out after aw ile thet I'm mamr! When stole ye
away from Alf King. or Boover Legree. as he's now
known, I thortl war gettin' a lamb. 'cs’se ye allers
appeared so while yo war Wild Walt’s wife; but I
soon found ther diiferencei"

“Yes. on hrutel you found that I was yet a wo-
man. an would fight for my powar. It's now many
years. Dol h Carew, since I saw the light of the
outer worl , but God be raised. I believe it will not
be much longer. I am nspired with a. faith that I
shall either die, or be rescued from this terrible in-
calzclgfliflhonl’" tti ild ‘ i Ag i t

‘ a a youare ge ngw agsn. ge—ou
o‘ yer right mind. Why, you old fool. who do you
suppose could rescue you from this impreknable
p son? You are here for your life—my wife, my
slave, if I choose to make ye.“ "

“ Your wife f God forb di The bonds which you
forced uplon me were but a horrible mockery in the
sight of raven. forl have a husband livin . 'No'
no! you need not leer and scoff. for Wild alt still
lives. and I shall heagsin his ere long. Something
tells me so, and I cannot drive off the impression.
It clin to me by day and by n ht.” .

' “ An ’11 hev ter keep a-clingin . fer all ther good it
will do you. Isee Le reea fewda s ago,-an’~he‘s
as hot as ever at Tiger rack fer etc if ye. Legree
IS a very devil!" .

“ But an angel, compared with you, youwretdh!"
was the retort. ‘

"I knowl’m not an angel!" replied the'villain.
with a malignant chuckle. “ Indeed. it is one of the
greatest delights of my life to won-y and torment
rou—to make your existence 9. ton-taste of hell.
'l‘hat is because I love you so. But Icnnnot.tarry
longer. now. for I must away to other work. Gen-
eral Maynard. your father. I mayas well tell you‘,
will soon make an attempt'to take this Ranch. with
the vain hope of re ssessing himself of you. He

has but a handful o men—one to our three—end ln- -

side of twent -four hours from now. if they egg
proach near. t sir bodies ’11 make coyote fodder.
good by, you she-“gross cub, and may your dreams.
ereafter not be so silly. Your days are doomed to
he s nt within these dismal wal . and when you
die shall cremate you, and retain your ashes as a
souvenir, in a ass case at the head of m bed i"

With a. be Is laugh the roman turns .and Gold
Rifle heard him coming toward the door.

He ped to one side. an expression of grim de-
terminat on upon his face, his eyes gleaming forth
the Pent-up anger that was in his breast.

" 'll haste the inhuman beast one rap.“ he mut-
terpd, seizin a. hickory walking-stick which stood
near. “ If onn’t drop'him..1‘ve goth ltnifeto finish
him with, aside from as noisy: . of revolvers
as even cracked. I dare not use hem here,
ever.

u
l

\

4)..

/

 

20

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. ' /‘

 

Nearer the ruflian came, and Gold Rifle seized his

Itick firmly.
There was much do ndin , now and he resolved
to be the victor when 6 h the c aims. The key

turned in the lo , the door opened, and the elder
Teleman, or Dolp Carew, as the prisoner had called
him, stepped on into the hall.

Then came a whiz and a whack of the club, and
Xithout even a groan the old rufflnn dropped to the

001'.

Gold Rifle did not pause to see if he was seriously
hurt or not, but seizing him by the heels, dragged
him back into the room occupied by the risoner.

“Camel” he said, turning to her and cholding a
pale. sickly-looking woman of eight-and-thirt years.

‘ If you would escape from this living deat , come
with me, for I am our son, come to rescue you, my
lon -lost mother 1‘ And he advanced toward her
wit outstretched arms.

“My son!" she gasped, risin toward him, her eyes

shinin loriously with a new- orn hope; “ my God,
can th s true, or am I going mad—mad—mnd?"

“ You are not wrong, dear motherl" the young de-
tective replied. kissing her tenderly “for if you are
Agnes Wagner, the wife of Wild Walt, I am our
son, whom you have not seen since he was a ittle
boy. But come, dear mother, we must not tarry
here, for you probably well know the men who sur-
round usl '

“Oh, God! I have not prayed to Thee in vain for
aid. and You have sent 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 he dead?" With a motion toward the
senseless r'iflian.

“No. I think not, so I will’lock him in this room,
that he may have a taste of what you have experi-
enced here!" Gold Rifle said, rimlly.

He hastil athered u a nod e of wralps and

. clotliin , w iic ca ht 5 eye, and then ed the
way on into the h , locking the door after them.

Then they cautiously descended the stairs, and

made their way through a. labyrinth of balls, most

luckily not encountering any one of. the enemy.

0n reaching the it room, Gold Rifle by Renfrau’s
assistance. succe ed in getting Mrs. Wagner safely
down into the little cave in the s-‘de of the pit: then

Gold Rifle went to the cook room and succeeded in.

capturing a large baunch of venison, already roasted
for the marrow s meals.

This he took down into the little cave and then
Reni'rau received back his disguise and went on
guard duty above, the same as at first, promising to
‘ “warn the oung detective iiLcase of danger. .

After icing up the venison. and secreting it

bout his person, Gold Rifle set desperatel at work
11 tunneling toward the river-shore, whic Renfrau
had already well started! -

CHAPTER XI.
our or Maris-0N 'rns ion AND A men For. Lun—

' IN on PATH os- AN AVALANCHE.

‘DI‘I'EWID ow was Gold Ride 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 hea way. When it
was about morning, he ceased his labors for a few

I moments, and with Mrs. Wigner partook of some of
the venison hehad capture .

He then went at it again, and by noon he conclud-
ed by a gurgling soun just in front of him. that he
was almost though. So be paused. and went back
to the little cave n, 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 k ow the result or the her.

"igues I'm nearly through." Gold Rifle answer-
ed, to his inquiry,“‘ at whether I shall come but
above or under the ice, I do not at know. I shall
not break out until darkness as n.‘ How is it out-

it

behind him.

' “Sharp and clear, with moonless nights. You‘ll
get oir. easy enough, an‘ I wish ye God speed, an’
the 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 husband was alive and
somewhere in the West. The knowledge was con-
soling to her.

The afternoon passed quickly, and when by his
watch he knew it was owing dark, Gold Rifle] i
the way into the tunno , and on reaching the sp t
where he had left off di ging, he set to work to
break through the remain ng dirt. '

It was an casts; matter, for a few shovelfuls of
dirt only were en out, are a dull light shone in.
Peering out of the a rture. he ave an cxuitantiit-
tle cry, for his calcu ations had on so correct, that
they would come out fair and even upon the ice. In
five minutes he had the hole large enough to adm t
of their egress, and they breathed the pure air of
freedom. V

Before them stretched the night and a snowy wil-
derness.

And they had now to depend upon their feet to
hear them away from the terrible den that had so
long been Agnes Warner's prison.

" Ohl God be praised." she murmured, as she
gazed out over the boundless view of crystal white,
and fit the heavens, where a few pale stars were
tw ‘ g. “Thi is the grandest, most grateful
sig t that has greeted my eyes for many long cars.
It seems like coming out of a dark world nto ii
brighter one." I

“ Andso it will be to you, dearest mother, forI
shall and others will strive to make your future life
most hafipy and bright. You will remain. please.
while I s u it around the neighborhood and get in
boots and rifle, which I left outside the fence ere
atte 2* :‘ed toenter the Ranch and got caught. I
won’ 6 long.”

‘2 int on are going into peril again, my son."

. v0.
will soon return."

Bo sayi
the open air. and along in the shadow of the creek
bank. Above him towered the shadows of the great
Ranch surrounded as it was by its black, high fence.
Ever thing looked about the same to the young
scou detective, as when he had entered, now some
forty-eight hours before.

Stealthily he crept along the bank several yards,
and then came upon his rifle, securely hidden in 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 a daring
venture, but he was aware that he must have them,
in order to escape. Inch by inch he crept along. ex-
pecting every minute to get a challenge, or a ullet
in his brain. \

But luck was witfi’him and without evident dis-*

covery he found and ulled on his boots. He was
about to retreat. when is eve caught sightof an oh-

1ect close at hand, and liis heart gave a jump when

6 saw that it was a medium-

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 deco ? it was just the ve thing he wanted to
draw is mother upon. still a hesitated and lay
upon the snow, watching with the eyes of a lynx.

“ Rec-iron a teller can‘t more‘n try, anyhow!" he
muttered. at last. “an’ at I am discovered, Icalcu‘
lat -' wi‘ my skates on I kin outrun ’em.”

Cree :l 1g forward he as the lariat and
cl‘ilfipilllg‘ hastll wwa threw“, pulling film

 

ithout accident he reached the ice,
and securinghis rifle and skates, he advanced along

am not risking much, dear mother, and ‘
Gold Rifle creptfrom the hole out into .

     

\

    

:‘L’ :i! an.

E582

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.

\\‘

81

 

up to the hole. Here he found Mrs. Wagner await
ing anxously. ,
‘ Had you any trouble?”

“ No, but I opine we'd better be gittin' out of this,
lively. "l‘won’t be long before there‘ll be It rum us
in the enemies‘ camp. You get on the sled, whi e I
amnputting on these skates, and we’ll soon be

" Hark! listen! a. shout!" exclaimed Mrs. Wagner
hreathlessly, pointing into the hole. nickly Gold
31:10 sprung to the opening, and listene for a repe-

t on.

It came booming along through the tunnel, a mo-
ment later. in a hoarse, deep voice—the voice of the
guardsman, Renfrau:

“ Fly! fly .’ they‘ve discovered yerfligILt—look outfer
'em, a good mom dozen Wrong. Fly .1

“ As I expectedl” Gold Rifle muttered, with a

m contraction of his brows. “We‘ve got to git,
n sharps}

Ho nished buckling on his skates. then placing
Mrs. Wagner upon the sled, he wrapped her warmly
in the blankets he had fetched from the Ranch.

Every minute now seemed an hour until they
should get started.

“ Now hang on i" he said, and seizing the lax-lat he
started down over the ice, drawing the sled behind
him. The track lay before him like a monster reach
of glass; and a spirit of joy was the young sharp-
shooter s, as he was able to dart away from the out-
law den, at a much faster speed than he 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 s-
tance them. nor glve up in the attempt.

“ They'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 smug
overland on horseback, they can perhaps get there
ahead of me. But not if I can be p it."

He set his teeth hard together and darted on over
the smooth surface like a ti lng laird. never pausing
once to look back or aroun him. Not until he was
a reaching near to the bend; then he came to a

h t.
. “ What is the matter?” inquired Mrs. Wagner,
anxiously. “ Is there danger?‘

“ Yes. to advance further on the river. A whole

ng of the outlaws are concealed around a bend
iown yonder. and we shall have to leave the
ca. ' ~
He was not longjin making the decision, but pulled
the sled u onto t e trong snow crust on the west-
ern side 0 the river.

‘f You had better let me get off 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 it you were to walk. The crust
\holds up perfectly under my skates, and I shall keep
them on. _

It was too dark to see anything of the enemy. so
he set out over the prairie at a brisk speed. the stiff

' 1{crustkfiswerlng nearly the same purpose as the ice
or s ng . .

For several hours he toiled on pulling his precious
prize behind him. determined to eep a~going as long
as his strength held out.

But “last he was obliged to succumb to fatigue.
and came to a halt in a small belt of timber on the
tonof a prairie crest.

“I‘m in' to stop here till daylight, anyhow." he
said. pu ng and nting from his overexertions.
“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 ng all the blankets snugly

. around poor Mrs. agner, he threw himself flat
upon the crust, lace downward, and went off into a



J,‘ . \ J

 

sound sleep, trusting to his instinct to arouse him in
case of danger!

Gold Rifle slept on undisturbed] until close in n
day-dawn, when he awoke ready or the day‘s la r,
come it in what she it might.

Amusing his mot er. who had not suflered much
from the cold. he gave her some of the venison he
had fetched along, and they both satisfied the‘crav-
ing of their appetites.

We will wait a little longer, till the darkness en-
tirely clears away, for I want to getaview of the
surrounding prairie," Gold Rifle said. “This must
be the highes int for several lea ues around, as I
remember, an I can see the out ws if they are
anywhere on the prairie within eye-shot. The
mountains of the Little Panther range cannot be far
back of us." .

“ And is there where you are oing, m son 2"

“If I am pursued, yes. 0t erwise. shall out
around and make for the fort, of which your father
has command."

The darkncss cleared away rapidly now. and the
light of a clear crisp day dawned over the snow
Wilderness. And the sight that was presented to the
view of Gold Rifle was ittle 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.

The were but about a score of the pursuers, all
told. he remainder of the outlaw gang had evi-
dently taken another course.

“Can you see the Black Ranch. my dear?” Mrs.
Wagner as ed coming out to the edge of the tim-
ber. where old Rifle was standin .

“One corner of its roof—no! it s the tower of the
Ranch ’wa oil! yonder. The remainder of 0
place is in den bthind a prairie swell. greater t an
this. But come; we must not tarry here, but must
recommence the race. 'lhe outlaws are already be
ginninfilpursuit, where we left the ice, and I wish to,
reach t e mountains ere we stop again." ‘

Mrs. Wagner a sin resumed her sition upfn the
sledI and seizing he lariat, Gold fle set out riskly
to the westward.

No halt was made. but he pu§ned determinedly
on toward a. high mountain pea ‘which loomed up
before them in the distance, looking like a giant
specter in its sheet of ure white.

“ There‘s a cave ha {-way nap that mountain-side,’
if I remember i” the young etectivp said. as they
advanced. “for I think that is the Elk or Earth-
guake peak I’ve heard old Alva Lsnche tell abon

own at Yankton. it we can get in the'csve we’
betalil flight, and can light of! the varmints until they

s c

But in the course of a half~hour, a new change sp-.
peered. The heavens suddenly became overcast
with a dull gray color, and snow began to fall fast
and thick, every flake counting. being as large near-
l‘y as a nickel. Evidently a severe storm was at

an

A stern expression came over Gold Rifle's features,
and Mrs. Wagner no'iced‘it at once.

“ What is it?“ she questioned. “ Will not this snow '
cover up our traili" ,

“ Yes. and us. too. unless we strike cover inside of
two hours " was the disggietlng rep . “Et'l goin‘
ter be an old shorter, su as ye rea aboutl"

* Man of my readers will say. doubtleu—" ,
I shoul 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 woodsm . for we were out where neither V
shelter nor fire as to be had. I laid down. and he— _
ing fatigued, dropped into a sleep which lasted until
mornin . when I was awakened, ve much refreshg
ed. not eeling the cold scarcely at . I haveoften ‘

 

since tried to study out the reason of my not  ..,- 1‘

ing, but gave it up as a mystery,

\
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Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter.

 

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 et doubtingly, and at last they
arrived at the toothi s of the mountains. but to their

. disappointment not a tree was there to alter them
shelter, And the snow came down faster and faster-
it had already fallen to the depth of a foot. and still
no ‘ us of cessation.

“ oi: oi! and let me assist you!" Gold Rifle said;
“we shall have to try and hunt up the cave, up in
the mountain-side. or perish in the snow!"

They began the steep rocky ascent. which was
nearly perpendicular, and gained an altitude of fifty
feet or more; then stopped with white, scared faces.
as the heard- a strange humming. rushing roar
above hem—somethin awful in its im ort.

“ 3/ God. we are in t w pal/L of an aim (Invite I" Gold
Ride exclaimed.

 

CHAPTER Xll.
0N run rum—annulus AND ann’sms.

Tan man whom General Maynard had engaged as
guide into the Black Ranch country was in many re-
s tsan “odd ’un" on the side of uman character.
If? was evidently along in the forties, strong and
muscularly built, with a nick sharp glance for
every new ob'ect, and a ha )itnl watchfulness about
himself. lest e should be stricken by an enemy, or
should betray himself.

He was (me of those old roving spirits who had
spent a lifetime on the border, and seen rough life
in nearly all its difierent phases; was a man oi
liberal education. evidently but uncouth and eccen-
tric of speech as a general t ing.

Little of his face could be seen for the heavy beard
that swept nearly to his belt, and at a glance into his
black, gleaming eyes one would so. that he was not
the man to brook hisult or much 0 cnse.

He gave his name to General Maynard] as Old
Steuben, and by this/title he was made known to the
whole party. ‘

After leaving the farm-house the cavalcade struck
into a sharp gallo and headed due westward into
the re white of t e snow-bound West.- ‘

Al of the ‘party were mounted upon steeds whose
powers of en urance had had manyatest. and whose
’ speed was hard to equal; and therefore there was a.

jolly spirit prevailin . Perhaps, more than all else, it
wasbecause pretty ay Maynard headed the band.
looking gay and bright in her artistic costume—for
she was now a m m amon them. and every man
could have well wished her 1; eir captain. '

Old Ste .1an rode on in advance, grimly silent and
uncommunicative except when questioned.

The man seemed to have someburden resting upon
his mind, some secret which caused the reserve
which was one of his personal peculiari'ies.

, May noticed this. and her tender young heart kin-
dled toward him, for his quiet withdrawal from the
rest 0! the men looked as it none were friendly to

m.

“Are you lonely without com any. sir?“ she ask-

.‘ed; tall ing forward to his si . “ I should think
you w d be.” ,

9-‘Ehf lonesome. mg leddy? No, I don’t reckon I
am, more‘n usual. inder natural to me. la: see-
this preferenoetor solitude. ’Tain’t many ies as
comes ter talk ter an old nut like me.”

“That is became they are so blind as not to see
that men ofttlmcs are found under the rudest cover-
ing, sir." was the reply.

"‘ God bless ye, young lady. fer thar’s more truth
in ’em words tbun ve’d suppose. Thar was a time
when Old Steuben lied as much style as any 0' ther

ees, but life on this, frontier soon take the:-

no ' an’ starch out o’ a feliar." \
May could but be impressed with his words, and

saw hat there was a sound. deeply-sensible man.

under thero h exterior at Old Steuben. . '

' '53”? travel _‘ along swittlyinthe afternoon’s sun-

v

 

light, making a picturesque sight as they trailed
over the white winding-sheet ‘of the prairie

About sundown they came in si ht of a “prairie
island," or motto of timber, severn miles ahead, and
General Maynard signaled \to to the scout. who ap-
proached res ectfully,

" You see 1. e timberahead. scout—would that not
fql‘llntg‘l'ls an admirable camping-ground tor the
me] .

“ Yes, general; it it is not already occupied b thrr
enemy. Them ar mottes ar’ ginerally occup ed. in
sech weather. by redskins. or rui’flans 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. Is there not another of these
islands where we can find shelter by a few hours
more of brisk ride 2‘”

“ 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 ter sum-
thin' w’lch I reckon hes escaped yer eyes. D’ye
know thet we’re toilet-ed i"

‘ “Followed I no! by whom. pray?"

“ Dunno. sir, fer my eyes won’t reach fur enough
ter let me find out. But thar they are. about six
miles back in the rear—jest in plain sight. now I”

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 follered us frum ther Settlement!” sai'l
Old Steuben. “ an' I reckon they 're up ter sum devil-
try. or they‘d hurry an‘ ketch up.”

“ I .cannot imagine who it is, unless some of Tiger
Track’s men were in the Settlement when we left,"
said’Genernl Maynard, anxiously.

“ Your idear is probany kerectl" replied the
scout; “anyhow. they keu’ do us no harm as long
as they kee at sech a distance— thcl‘s a facll"

The cave cade now turned their course to the
northwest, and made a wide detour around the
motto General Magnard would have chosen for a
cam . Sharp Old touben kept a weather eye u n
the ml for some time after they had passedpit,
and although his eye-search was unrewarded b a
glimpse of enemy. something seemed to tell himt t
enemies were thrre. And if they were red-skins, he
was well aware what that signified—they would be
followed and attacked. '

“I guesslwe’d better not cam to-n ht." he said,
addressln General Maynard, " ut be better push
on while are is darkness to cover us."

"And why not camp. scout?" ~

“Beca’se. general. we’ve got a ledd among us,

an’ I kno‘ ye wouldn‘t want her ha’r gored by a
red-skin’s greasy flngersl"
“‘ Great heaven. no. Why? do you apprehend dan-

ger from Indians to-nisht?‘

“ Mought heer [rum ther red rips e! we war ter git
in range 0' ‘em.” ;

“ Well. then we must keep moving and keep out or ‘
their way,‘ for a charge on us and consequent loss or
numbers must now be avoided if poossible. 0n, men!

{act lno halt be made until an or before day-
rea . ' I
And on galloped the cavaloade swlttly over the

winter’s snow. ,
Night now began to settle doivn rapidly, and with
dense darkness. t few pale stars appeared/in
the heavens were insufficient to make light below.’ A
ghastly paleness rising from the snow was all that
nflorded the travelers light by which to guide their
course, when once night: had drawn er shroud
closely around. ‘ ‘ f '. ' ‘ ~ 7 ‘
Old Steuben now withdrew from the cavaloade at
eneral Maynard‘s suggestion, and waited fora cou~
ple of hours upon the trail. , l g I ~
This was for the pu .e of learning whether or
not they were follow by either the two strange
horsemen or by other toes. , , '
But his two hours of watching and waiting result-
ed in no discoveryi and herons on and overtook the

. I

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Gold Rifle. the Sharpthooter. £23

 

cavalcade about midnight, at the edge of a belt of
cottonwood timber.

“ Well, what is the news?” General ‘ Maynard de-
manded, anxiously. “ Did you see anything of the
enemy?"

“No; I ess we have outwitied them, sir. Hev
ye bin in t s timber?" ,

" Yes—or I svnt tl‘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 tellin’ w‘at ter-morrer ’1 bring forth.”

They accordin 1y rode into the heart of the motte.
where no snow ad fallen, on account of the dense
mattin of tree-tops, and a camp-tire was built to
keo o the cold of the night.

“ 6 must post three sentinels around the border
of the mottel“ said Steuben. " to insure safety, and
prevent any one getting into the timber unknown
to us. I for one will stand guard. How is it with
you, Cotton?" addressing an old grizzled trapper.

" All right, I‘m willing—” ‘

“And I will act as third sentinell“ announced
May Maynard, eagerly, as she step ed forward
riflein hand. “I would enjo nothing ettcr."

qut, young leddy, it’s rut or out o’ yer line, ain’t
e .

“ 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 see and challenze you.“

“Let her go.if she will," said General Maynard.
coming up, with’a smile. “ I‘ll “agar she’i take
care of herself,—und us. too, for she was not
brou ht u without training!”

“ rig it—just as ye so. i” replied Old Steuben;
“but I’d not ’low at, e she war my gal. Too
risky, this puttin‘ a putty gal up fer an Injun
target."

Ma took the station assigned her, however—
had er own wa , just as she usually did—on th
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
greed silent] along the edge of the wood. stopping

listen at t e slightest sound, and investigating the
cause, as far as she was able.

After awhile Old Steuben got to meeting her at I

the southern end of her beat, and the exchange of a
few words was the means of driving awaythe loneli-
ness of the hour, and making the watch endurable.

_“ Seen anything?” asked the scout. once, when
they met. “ Butter look retty sharp. fer my bones
tell me thar’s Injuns hard by, watehm' for a chance
ter pop inter the matte, but dunno fer sart'in. Ef
ye see anything outside of ther timber line. w'at’s
figt legs or moves, blaze away as a signal ten ther

ya in camp. ’Twon’t do tor. let ’em know we're
small in numbe so fire oi! one o’ yer revolvers
several times after each rifle-shot."

.“Ohl I’ll attend to that ever fear. But. I want
you to answer me a ques on, which is of much in-.
terest to me. Doriyou know a young man by the
name of Gold Rifle " ' ‘

" Gold Rifle?"

“Yes—I believe his real name is Kit Wagner."

“ Yes. I reckon I know him—orter, at least. What
about hunt". ‘.

f‘Ohl nothmg much.” and the darkness 'hid the
blush that swept Over the fair sentinel‘s face. ‘5
didn't know but you in ht have seen him latel .“

‘f No, I hevn't seen m for a do ‘5 age. (guess
he s got a. new gay-out on the string. ere did you
ever see him, i dy?”

, “He came to my father's house. Christmas, for
protection from a gangl of trgpers who were ur-
slnng him under thode usion at he was the out aw,

Tiger Track. Josh, our farm-hand. fetched him in,

and we helped him to escape.” ' ‘

" And thermal stole sumthin' store he got away.
too, didn‘t’hel Ohl ye might have knowed he war

, _

o

 

“ What! Gold Rifle a thief! Impossible, sir. We
missed nothin ." y

“ But he sto e sumthin', howsumdever—yer leeth
heart. In leddy‘an' i know et. Didn't I tell ye be
war a th ef. eh?‘

“You are incorrigible, sir. I did not ask because
I was m love with him—I mean—I mesn—"

“Just what you say. Miss May; an‘ et ye’ll take
an ole cuss‘s ’v1.:e. like me, yo‘ll 'eep right on a-luv-
in' (iold Rifle, fer he's a good lad an as a border de-
tective, he‘s a-goin' tcr make a hit.”

Theg now separated. and resumed their beats. but
the ol. scout‘s words had left Ma Maynard’s heart
in a little flutter. and it beat 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 this some how he was in r
rowing like a prairie dog in the earbh bmeath tic
Black Ranch. working for liberty. ' .

llut in her thoughts of him. she did not forget 1121 t
the safety of the camp was depending on her we ch-
i'ulness, and she kept a sharp eye out 9 on the six w-
white prairie. onto which she could ook but till y
yards or so. becauselof the darkness.

It was well along toward morningihe darkcst ‘

art of night. when she saw two men ridin dirr cily
oward the motte; and at the same time a erce Villv
dictive ell went up from (1:6 southern end of the
matte, ollowed by a rifle report. /
Instantly May fired at one of the approaching
horsemen. and with a curse he tumb
ground, but the other pressed on toward her.
“What is the matter?“ demanded General May-
nard, as he and half a dozen men came running out
of’ the timber.
Rni'flansl" said ‘May, slipping a fresh cartridge
into her breechelonder.
» “ Red-skins, and old Sitting Bull at thetl” criu‘.
i0chs St‘euben. dashing up, and then away again in an
us an . '

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A LI'I'I'LE SCRIMMAGE AND A BIG s'roan.

“ Did you fire, May i" asked the general forja mo-
mt-nt at a loss what to do. " I heard a ri a re ort."
“ Yes. I fired, and dropped my man, sir,” ay rr-
plied, her eyes 5 arkling. “Here comes the otl (r
ellow, and 1'}! a him out. roviding he doe: n’t
stop on bail! H ti you ru an, halt!" and her
gleaming rifle bore directly down upon the approach-

ing horseman. ‘ '
But he heeded not her words. and despite her tiny-

ing rifle-shot his horse lea egforwsrd to the edge of '
r \ '

the motte, and the man 43 om the saddle.

“You needn’t hev bin so cursed imperdentl" he
growled, limping a. trifle. w’en a teller’s tryin‘ ter
warn‘ye o' ther red~skins. Most humans w‘u‘d been

“Boover Legreel" cried May. stepping back in

“Yes, my daisy; but e needn't be afeud‘o’ me
on ’em old scorrs. tur i m beer turn. different pur-
pose. tor-night. Ginerol, git yer men tergether, and
go quick ter ther southern and o’ ther motto, fer
thars ni b about a huvdred o’ Sittin‘ Bull‘s gang
thar. an’ id Steuben flghtin“em oil. That's w at’s
ther matter. Come ahead. on loutsl'hand sway
lea the trader. with rifle 11 hand to ass stir: re-
pel ng the attackers Seeing that his pm- osr- was
e den honest for the resent, General nynsrrl
n cred is men to ioliow’ is example, while he and
Ma. hurriedly brought up the rear. 1 . g \

There were now loud ells m the direction of the
southern and ‘ot the mode. that were fierce and sor-

and were followed by an accompaniment. of
iflfitreports, which echoed litrtu out upon its
11 . I . ,
n three minutes they reached the battle- round.
to and Old Steuben assailed on ever? si e b a
swarm of copper-colored varmlnts; bu the arr-’ivnl

of the scouts turned the tlde“soinewhat, and it we'll,
“WilWWil 9939.3" °‘i “"7 9‘9“?- 9¢§P°§fi‘?:-

I ,

‘\
.r r

/
-1'33

   

ed to the p



 

 

 

w I

t

e.

 

 

 

 

 

/,

84 Gold Rifle. the Sharpshooter.

 

determined struggle for victory on the part of both
reds and whites.

" Sock at to ‘em, boys 2" yelled the guide, Old Steu-
«hen, 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 savages 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 the aflray. But the struggle
could not last forever. and at last there was a signal
whoodp. then the save. as quickly ceased fighting and
with raw out upon t e (prairie, leaving their dead,
but dragging their woun ed after them.

“Hoorayl that’s ther kind 0’ medicine ter give
’em!“ shouted Old Steub'm, dancing delightediy
about—“thet’s ther kind 0' bull-dozin tor guv ther
red Irip'scallions. 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 upon the battle-

ground until the day was light enough to see how

the field lay. ‘

Then it was discovered that some twentv-flve of

the red-skins had been killed, while Sit-ting Bull and

- his remaining warriors had withdrawn to the prairie,

amile awav where they were grou ed down, evi-
denth awaiting action on the part 0 the whites:

“ ey mean to follow and torment usi" said Gen-
eral Maynard, turning-to old Steuben. "Sitting
Bull is one of the worst demons on the frontier to
battle with—a dogging cutvthroat of snaklsh ani-

' mositv l"

"Ye’re right. thar. ginerali" aglreed Steuben;
,“foot an' hand their. old Bull‘s a and ’un. But.
’taln’t goin' ter eneflt us ter stay hayr. Let’s git
out at once. El' them cusses foller, 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.

While preparations were being made'lthere was a
liitle commotion, occasioned by Old teuben, who
had threatenineg confronted the man Legree, who
had declared it his intention to accompany the bri-

ade.
8 The eccentric guide and trapper had confronted
the trader, u on seeing him for the first, with flam-
ing eyes, an an expression of countenance which

was savage.

“Hal ha! Alf King. so you‘re here, are ye—here
where your foes are thickest, and our life hangs on
athread? Good! I’m glad of it— want ye present-
] —want to pav you a trifle I’ve owed you or ears.

ut not now—we have no time to arrange due sover
individual disturbances. - General Ma nard, you will

v please keep watch over the wretch, or he is a man
of mine to deal with and must not escape. Shoot
h down if he attempts itl" -

.Who in/ ten thousand demons are you I" growled
L9 . fiercely. with half anotion to spring forward

, an annihilate the cool guide. yet somehow fearing
to attempt the job.

, “ It matters not who or what I am, you wolf. I am
onefwho will do the world a favor by riddin it of
you. forever!” was the reply. as the guide urned
awa .

r Thye 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 satl in answer to a
growl from the rutfian trader. d‘N’one of us trusts
you behind our backs, and we can do no less than
kee you under watch; You should have stayed at
the ettlement, where there isle. er scope for your

-‘ . villal for if on oined with the ho ‘ of steal-
, v ing afi'y my défihjter Maylg'you will be diggppointed

. Wanmm

\ , I

e awake, and fully as 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 l"

The guard who had been left on the southern end
of the motto now returned, with the announcement
that the red-skins had made no move to change their
quarters yet, but were evidently eating their morn- .
ing meal.

'Now’s our time, then, to get out!” he added,
“ and git a start."

“ Correct!" agreed Steuben; “come aheadi Look
out fer danger, and foller me.”

He led the way through the heart of the motte to
the northwestern corner, and thence out onto the
rolling prairie beyond.

“We‘re goin’ ter hev a thunderin’ storm. by-au’-
by l" he said to General Maynard and May, whorode
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? Isee no signs upon
the sky, which is as bright and beautiful as the smil-
ing counten'mce of God can make it."

I “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‘ll see a change, wl‘ snow-flakes
a-fallin'.”

“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 terour
luck in findin’ a motto, for I don’t know 0’ any. very
contiguous to the Black Ranch.”

They moved along—on over the white glistening
snow-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 pursuing—were stealing along in the back-
groun at their leisure, with no apparent desire to
overtake the enemy, y t. ‘

“ They’re gom’ ter find w‘at our lay-out is, furstl”
said Steuben, “311’ then try an’ nonpluss us. But I

reckon w‘en et comes ter snow, they’ll hev ter 'gita .

big spy-glass ’twill flnrl us."

“ I fear their consolidation with the outlaws whom
we are oing to attack!” said the general. uneasily.
“ We’d e in a hard fix, then.”

“Don’t e fear, choral. fer secb won’t be ther
case, at al . fer I‘ve eer'd thet Old Sittin’ Bull hates
ther outlaw Tiger Track, like ther Old Nick hates

holy water. He’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
party advanced; then. after a couple ofhours came
the change which Steuben had redicted—a quick
cloudi over of the sky to a som rleaden hue, and
a few eathery flakes of. uncommon size began to
descend hesitatingiv. ‘

In ten minutes after the first flakes had begun to
fall. a perfect hurricane of snow was descending
and the brigade were wrapped in a ghostly mantle-
ats they urged on their horses through the terrible
5 arm. ‘

“ Never saw anythin like this before, I declare i" I

General Maynard grow ed, with a head-shake. “ Pm
of the opinion that ,we’re in for a hard time. before
we get out of this. I wish I’d left you at home.
May where ou’d have had comfortand warmth,in-
stead of peri and cold to submit to.” u ,
“Pshawl papa, you needn’t wo about me!"
May replied. with a little ripple of aughter. '.‘ for
I‘m warm, and all right. I prefer this wi (1 sport to
being penned u in the house. Don’t fear ,‘but
what I d com 1 n if find any cause." «
"I don‘t b‘ eve you would, you’re such agglucly
little thingi” the old officer replied, riding and a
uni?) to jolnglliilll‘bin. , d :' b6»; 7

‘oou heresany angeroo
“Owed-y‘plderl  .  . 
. ‘ I

_ v , o

' \

 

 

 

 

.der, and looked around t

 

, Gold Rifle, the Shaw-hater. 93

K— '

“ Dunno, gineral; ken‘t tell about thet. fer thar‘s
no tellin’ what is what. ner when sech a storm as
this is goin' ter quit. Reckon of et snows us under,
thar‘s enowgh 0’ us ter dig out, sumhow.”

And it did look exceedin ly as if there was danger
of their being snowed un er, for the falling cloud-
bursts of snow were gaining in ground depth with
astonishing rapidity and making the labor of the
horses sew-re in the extreme.

But the kept on, under the urge of the scout——
toilin'g a one through the blinding storm, whose
denseness was something unparalle ed.

it was growing darker, too, which looked as if the
heavier part of the storm had not yet fallen.

0n consideration, it was decided that it would not
do to sto now—they must needs keep a-going, at
least un t1 the storm abated.

“Bin out in a few storms. myself," observed an
old trapper bly the name of Dekingi.l “ but (lurn my
old picter of evyer heerd tell 0' t or beat 0‘ this.
Wh , tellers, of et don’t quit afore long, we‘re gom’
ter e entombed alive, More our time."

“ An’ hev a funeral all ter ourselves he s!" chimcd
in Old Steuben. “ One thing we orter e thankful
fer—thar ain‘t man wolves an’ buzzards around,
this weather, tor pic our bones."

In the terrible blinding storm, it was hardly possi—
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 by the rest of the brigade.
Bu with a fiendish expression of satisfaction he fol-
lowed on. now and then chuckling to himself as he
heard Mayl Maynard’s clear silvery voice ringing out
through t e storm, and muttering a curse when he
thought of the scout, Old Steuben.

“Ef thet cuss knows me, an‘ be do fer he called
me by name; I do not know him—can‘t think of an
enemy of the past, whom he might be —unless—but
’shaw! that man is dead long ago, although Jake
'l‘oleman believes to the contrary. And the girl——
Jove! she’s a queen to even what Agnes Wagner
used to be. and ef I don‘t assess her ere the storm‘
ceases. may I never be ab 9 to raise a viliain’s hand
again."

And the man laughed low and crafty at some
meditated lan of action. He lagged behind all the
rest of the rigade, 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, her
steed having grown contr and lazy She evi-
dently was unmind ful of the act, and had forgotten
the existence of a wolf in the fold.

But Lezree was not unmindful; he was watching
her as the hawk watches its prey—with a. gleaming,
sinister eye.

He had come from the Sett'ement with the pur-
pose of capturin Ma Maynard fully fixed in his
mind; Omerhaun ad alien by the daring beauty‘s
fire; but he would not—no! the victim was dropplgg
nearer and nearer, unsuspectineg ignorant that s e
was not keeping up with the rest.

Until she felt a stronggirasp laid u on her shoul-

o scover tba she was alone
with the villain Legree her only companion! The
brigade had l-“ft her behind!

” Help! help i” she screamed.

CHAPTER ~XIV.
burn on more“? mrannr‘o.

“Cass ye, et won't do yo no good ter screech for
help!“ growled Legree. ruder clapping his hand
over May’s mouth. “Ye'li find ye‘ve fallen inter
ther claws of a tiger!"

“ Near yon not i" re lied May. indignantiy. “and
Idefy you. [My frieu are not far away, and will
answer my cry. ' V x ,I V I ,

“Will they, tho’? Mebbe so an’ mebbe not. Jest
you cum along wi‘ me, or you’ll lie-sorry; none 0‘

 

\

yer megghin‘ now, ef ye don’t wanter get killed] fatty. Neow, see hyar. Miss a yer .

tor once

 

 

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 thor- ‘

on hbred by e bits.

ut when his horse bounded madly forward,
May’s balked in its tracks. and as a result the
trader was jerked backward from the saddle onto
the snow.

“Ha! ha! ha!
oint!“ May exclaimed. with a laugh. Then she put
er hand to her belt for a revolver, but to her sur-

prise she did not find one there. They had all he]:
removed, and her knife also. '

“ Hal ha!" chuckled Legree, rising from his plunge
into the snow.

“He laughs best who laughs last, in dove wi'h
clipped wings. I’ve got ye jest as comp etely in my
power as I bed before!“

“ No, sir-ee, you hain‘t!” exclaimed a voice. and
who should ride in u on the scene but Josh Hemm r-
hill, the Yankee. “ "en et cums ter ass thet a man
0’ no character, or wisdom, or boo l’arnln'. snaps
hisself ag‘in‘ a man 0' solid basis. dubble-di licnie
character, as represented by ther Hemperhil fungi-
lg. he allus gits hisself in a box-tron desflkilty.

haracter airs one o' ther rime ackomplishmrnvs
o‘ ther H. family. frum‘ o! Nehuchadnezzar down
to yer ’umble sarvent, an‘ we‘ve bin a healthy.
prosperous race. Hello! darn my socks! Iswovc,
g; etlain‘t Miss May and thetvcussIboosted once

ore ‘

And the eccentric Yankee covered the trader with
his revolvers, while a grin of triumph spread over
his countenance. ‘

“0h! Josh. is it you? I am so glad you have
come!" May cried.

“ Yes. I reckon ye must be snm’at tickled, seein‘s
ye war in a fix.” Josh , re lied. with unusualgrim-
ness. “Danger ginerally a ters ther opinions o‘ thcr
female line. Fer instance. ye war orfui tickled
gflfn ye got rid 0’ me by sendin' mo of! after Gold

6'
about rescue time!"

That's the time you didn’t make a ‘

nt 1 notis Josh cums in mighty welcome.

“ Oh! Josh. not quite so bad as that. But, did you I

find Gold Rifle?”

“Reckon so, an’ lost him ag’in. Darn his picter,
he left me in a motte terwnit for his return, but the:-
outlaws got a leetle too hot, an' so I slid out for ther

“ And what became of Gold Rifle?"
“ Dunno. Started for ther Black Ranch. an’ didn‘t'

cum back. Gues as how he got gobbled up by iher r

rufflans or mebbe he’s all hunky. But, where's the
rest 0’ t or folks—how‘d ye git out hayr?”
“ There’s more ahead, toward the north-"

“No. they’re here. now!" exclaimed avoice. and ‘

General Ma nerd and the brigade rode forward.
“ What’s he cause of this delay, May, my child?”
“There’s the cause, papal" Ma re led. pointing
to Legree. who was cowering un er he bearing of
Hemperhili’s lstols. " The villain tried to can me
off, but fails when Josh came upand show his

“Illa! is his so? Josh, you’re a trump! Boys '
reed-roman and bind hishands a j 
(leave him alone here on the prairie. without

seize the

horse. If he lgets out without free or starving,
l V .

it’s all the pun shment I care to give hm.”

The order was executed to the letter. and Legree
was left alone in mid-grains, while the brigade re-
sumed its course, with osh in company. \-

Ma rode in his side. and when no one was near.

ues oned h
t 9 center of all interest to her. _ l

“ Do you think Gold Rifle was capturedby the
outlaws. Josh i" - '

“ Dunno! Guess he's smart enough tor hoe‘his
own row " - I

“ What did he so when you gave him the letterti'. .

“ Sumthin‘ abou yer invitin' b to tear er 
y o a
etlc tor strongter suit mynotion, anie yoydon’t

concerning Gold Rifle,who was not i

t

 

 

 

  

Golfl‘ Rifle, the Sharpshootel‘.

_- ___...i m. .0“

 

stop. I‘ll hev ter sue yer fer breeches o’ promis’,

swow ter gracious ef I won’t!”

"Josh you silly fellow, I hope you don’t imagine
for a moment that there is any engagement existing
between us or that I love you? Nol no! you must
not be so blind 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 6 sire fishing after Gold Rifle. eh? Ye
caikrylate e'll fit yer ideas better‘n me, eh?"

‘ don‘t know. Josh; but don't you think we‘d
malt; a better match, he being nearer my own
a e 4'

‘ Yas, mebbe ye‘r’ right. an‘ I won‘t kick so hard
of ye ain‘ta7goin' ter let Pat Dolan, the Irisher, inter
yer Food grace."

“ promise that
we're off here, and liable to be for some time.“

The snow-storm continued with unabated fury,

and it ew more and more difficult to urge the

horses a ong. for at every step they sunk deep in the
feathery bed.

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
oh act now, unless it was to find a place of shelter.

me 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-

tinctly‘audible, and fairly shook the earth.

“ at does it in \an. Steuben?"

‘- Thet war an avalanche w’at hes slid frum top ter
ther fut o’ Earthquake range which ar’ off ter our
nor’west, thirteen or less miles. Heard ’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

rak loosens et, an‘ ,down she comes lickety scoot.

ope noone waru’t going up them mountains then,
lfornet would be a sure funeral ter thet unlucky fel-
er.
Josh at this juncture rode forward in his eccentric
way. to give some intelligence.

‘ Miss May tells me ye’re s'archin’ fer ther Black
Ranch, ‘gmeral. Ef thet's so ye'd better go keeriul,
as ye may bunk up oag’m’ it, erslap, afore ye know
at. ’Tain’t fur ahea ." and then Josh related, what
he knew of Gold Rifle’s attempt to penetrate the

Ranch. ,

“ The rash youth undoubtedly has received death
at the hands of the outlaws for his rcckles wenture."
said General Maynard, anxiously. “ He should
never have attempted such a feat. except with plen-
ty of aid near at hand to back him,"

"Oh! he’ll git thar all the same, an‘ don‘t ye for-

t at!" ut in Old teuben. quickly. " I kn aw afew

r eet o' t at lad, an’ bet my rifle he goes through ef
it‘s through arm' water. -

“ I hope so, . scout, for I believe him to be a
nephew of mine. t. you have heard Josh’s advice.
Had we not better come to a halt. lest we do run un-
expectedly upon the Ranch? 'Such an event would

' be a disaster to be avoided if possible."

“ I think I remember a motto oi.‘ timber a mile fur-
ther east, and"we will make a closing attempt to find
it. If we fail. so be it." ,

So they Eept on, and the day drew toward a

teuben was right. and just when night
was fallin , thickly, they ound a small, motto of
cottonw s whose densely-matted branches had
Prevented the snow from reaching) the ground.
» eavln a. fine‘ cam lug-spot for the il-worn brig-
ade. . search of he timber revealed no enemies
and‘a rousing camp-fire was built, and all gathered.
around it topaz-take of their evening meal.

“ I don’t judge we'll be molested here," Steuben
sold. f‘ unless some belated voya eur like ourselves
accidentally stumbles alone i t direction. ,The
pa ws win has close to their en this weather." -

, . ‘ 9‘ e’r’wron t on Ilswan tergracious of ye ain't!"
put in Josh, ‘ er a gang 0’ ther/salamanders invad-

Josh. for Pat‘s at home, and -

ed my cam , early this mornin’. which war ther ,

means 0‘ ma n‘ me skedaddle. I lit out, an’ the
after me, ontil ther snow came, w’en they couldn t
see me no longer." I

“Then, sumthin‘s ther row. Mebbe Gold Rifle
found and escaped wi' yer daughter, general. w‘ich
called out ther roughs? ’

“ Gol forbid that they are out in such a storm as
this,” replied the general, with a shiver.

The evening was spent in warming and eating.

around the great flre; then all turned in to sleep, ex- r

cept Steuben and another scour, who stood guard
at the western and northern sides of the motto.
About midnight the snow ceased tori’all 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 a wide long wilderness
of purest white piled u on white, while over it and
all nature a strange qu ct 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 Steu-
ben less on the alert than usual. He knew that
they were just as liable to be sur rised as if there
wrre no snow upon the ground. Tow 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 is-
covered any signs which he calculated were of the

enemy. .

But at last his sharp eye caught aghmmer of light
out upon the western rairie. such as might have
emanated from the torc 1 of some night-traveler. It
was viisible for some time, and then totally disap-
peare .

“ Well scout. what does it mean i" It was General
Maynar who spoke, be having come out from the
camp so silently that Steuben had failed to hear him.
“ Do you think that enemies are approaching?”

“ Guess it inks thet wet-1y, gineral. 'Spcct some 0‘
the outlaws, or else rel skins sire makln‘ fer this
yore“ clump. In which case thar’s bound ter be a
rumpus Hev ther boys hed enough sleep?"

:zlérobably 1slh’all Itaxvailfzefili them?" ad f

as; an' e on erg ierpop-guns re y, er
thar’ll be work inside 0' half an hour. What isit
Dave?"—this to the other sentinel who had returns
from the northern and eastern side of the motto.
“ Arliy signs 0’ danger?" .

" eckon so; thar’s a band 0‘ fellers wi’ torches
apgroachin’ ther motto from ther east. and I reckon
as ow it’s ther outlaws."

“Then we’re bound ter git it on both sides. eh?
Wal. ef we divide up right, we can make et musical
fer ’em. they not knowm’ 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 good view could be had of the

prairie for several miles in any direction. The am- ,

innshcd scouts were also able to make another dis-
covery.
Not a mile away, on th crest of a prairie-blilow,

was a large, barn-like st cture. inclosed within a‘

high plllank fence—the Black Ranch, of which they
were search. although it was new white With the
fallen snow. . ‘

” That‘s the Black Ranch. gineral," said Old Steu-
ben, “ whar ye so yer daughter is, an’ et‘s a tough
old place to attac , tell ya." ' ,

Ll tle Master Jack, who had been fetched along
with the brigade, under the charge of an old trapper,
was brought forward, and instantly recognizgd the
building and gave a shout of delight. '

“Black Ranch!“ he articulated. “Jack want to
see his mamma; s‘m over in big house.”

“And, God granting, you soon shall see -her,my _

pet." the general said. tenderly. - . v
The men were all amused and put in readiness for

a coming combat. One party of the enemy wereap-

'proaching from the east, and one‘fron thawest, '

 

each numbering about a scoraof men, who were un-

    

 

   
    
   
 
    
     
  
     
  
  
  
   

‘l...

 
   
 
   

Gold Ride, the Shanpshooter. 27

gougtedly outlaws of the notorious Tiger Track's
an .

The eastern enemy were the nearest, and it was
not until they Were less than a mile awn. that it was
discovered that they werearmed with ri es of a long
range make. This was discovered by an! of a field

lass.

g " That puts a new aspect ter ther case!" Old Steu-
ben said. “and at we ever calk late ter git out 0'
this wi’ our skulps on, we've go ter do sum 0‘ ther
tallest tightin’ on record. White Injuns, an‘ lots of
‘em at ther same time, aire a dose I ain’t fond of."

_ Half of the men were distributednlong the eastern
side of the motte. and half along the western; then
with fast-beating hearts they waited for the enemy
to come within rifle ran .

Death or victory was impending.

CHAPTER XV.
our on DANGER—Fliml
IT was aterrible fact that the words of Gold Rifle

expressed. .

"My God! we are in the th of an avalanche!"

Above, the storm-boun 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 avalanche!" Gold Rifle repeated, scarcely
ab0ve a whisper. “We 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 v the hard-frozen crust
beneath. Then with his stout huntin knife he cut
oht a large block of this crust. Below he snow was
soft and unpacked—easy to penetrate.

I “Quickl quick!” he gasped—"help scoop out a
holeyith your hands—there is not a second t) be
osti ‘

Neither there was. The fearful hissing. rumbling
roar was rowing louder; coming nearer each mo-
mient, wit a terrible slide of snow and ice upon its
w ago.

A few seconds when a man is working for dear
life. will accomplish miracles.

Both Gold Ride and. his mother set desperate] ,
almost wildly to work In digging a trench below. at
crust—they worked like mad, hurlin the snow out
and deepenin their excavation. he aval he
glided on wit accelerating velocity; was no ten

arrls away. when the lay flat in the trench. and
field Rifle pulled the islodged crust into its former
position above them. V

Then. the very mountains seemed to nuke and
tremble. as the giant mass of snow and as passed
over them. and plunglend in a huge bank amon the
foothills, with a roar ‘ e anocean hurricmo. old
Rifle's ingenuity had saved them.

For when the terrible avalanche had pamed. he

 

raised the cake, and they emerged from the monn-‘

rain-side. unharmed. .

“ God be praised, for he has watched over us,
kind! l”Mrs. Wagner said dovoutly. “My son, do
you t k there is danger of another of those dread-
ful snow-slides!"

"No. mother. dear. Do you not see. the moun-

been swept of all the loose snow, and it will

/ require time for more to accumulate sufficient to

causeanother avalanche. We will keep on ugh way
further. and I have hopes that we will findit e cave

I have mentioned."

And with an inward .pradve‘r; of thanksgiving for
their escape. thev contlnu t e ascent of the steep
mountain-side. Goll Elle had to lead, and with a.
heavy stick make indentath in the crust in which
to me , or they could not have advanced a rod tho

lfinfing back a yard or more.
In the course of half an hour ,

t ‘
mmumknfir '7 mm

him. and turn

 

Wualargo,

round hole—the entranch to the cave Gold Rifle had

spoken of. .

_ At first he hesitated to enter, fearing he mi ‘ht be

dimperiling his mother by taking her into a
en.

But reconnoissance dispelled this idea, and they
entered, to find its. snug little cavern of twenty b
sixteen feet, dry. and not ill-smelling. It had ev -
dent] been inhabited before, as there were eviden-
ces o tenancy—a broken kettle, a lantern, and fire-
wood piled up in one corner.

“ Hal this is just the glace we are looking for "
Gold Rifle exclaimed, gla ly. “ Here we can rema it
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 acouple of days
afoot, by cuttin across by a route I have in view."

“Do you thi 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 robably came out unprovided with
provisions, an were unprepared for siege."

Thanks to the capture he had made in the Black
Ranch larder Gold Rifle knew that they would not
want for foo for sewrai days to come.

He built a rousing lire out of the dry pitch wood
and cones, and soon had a genial warmth pervading

e cave.

Out of the venison they made a comfortable meal,
and then leavin his mother to warm at the fire,
Gold  fle left t e cave to take a viewof their sur-
roundings fromta more elevated point. But n ht
was drawing 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 wtth a. fired torch in her hand. and she was
visib excited.

“0 Kit, do come here!" she exclaimed, excited-

An‘LhL-re s your father’s name written upon the
w .

“ Then he must have been here beforeus." replied
Gold Rifle, approaching and glancing at the inscrip-
tion painted u on the rock: “Wil Walt, October
10th, 187-.” “ 9 has not been here since October,
probably. I have not seen him for two cars.”

“ Ohl that he were here now, for We t was ever
good to me]? said Mrs. Wagner. with a sigh. \“ He
was a man of ecéuesflonable reput when I tied with

out to be an 0 law chief. But‘I
loved him nonetheless for this, and soon persua d
him to leave the band, and lead an honest. it riu t
1119. which he did, until 1 was abducted by a! King,
one of his‘own men." _ ,

Gold Rifle did not consider it necessary to keep
a. guard. as he believed that very few knew of the
mountain cave, and less were likely to attempt to
reach it in the di iving storm that was now sweeping
over the Northwest. So he lay down and accepted
of nature‘s gift of relreshin slee . He awaken ed
about midn ght, and steppe wit out the cave to
note the eflect of the storm. To his surprise he
found that the sky was clear with a few stars shin~

and that the snow had cease to fall. ’ z

‘ Tomorrow we shall leave cave and attempt
to cross the wilderness again .to the tort," he said to

. Wagner on his’return, “so sleep and test well,
so that {on will he prepared.”

added» his own thoughts in words. some. ‘

9
thing 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 overt. week 33%.]. ‘Tis

the, sweet tt , face of Maynard t is
everbefofégee. t' ugh why sh’duld .thinkof and
aspire to her, who is so far above me. in education.

wealth, and position?" I .
We return to the lax-trade whom “we-m in the

[prairie wildernesalaying-low fartheoomingof the/
enema. ._ _. ,.  _,

i

ear‘s ‘

 

 

 

N,

 

General Maynard and Josh Hem erhill had charge
of the half-score of men who lay w thin the motte on
the eastern si e while Old Steuben with May May-

' hard—Captain ay, as she was called—commanded
the western approach, with nine men. The tenth,
an old trapper, had been left in the center of the

; mom in charge of little Master Jack.

‘ ' The eastern gang of outlaws were approaching

'v the fastest, and would soon be within range, while

those advancing from the west came on more lei-
sure .

’ “Wylien these rascals get near enough, boys, let

i 7 '61)) have it!" cried General Maynard, now in spirit

for battle. “ You can guess the length of rifle range.

Don’t shoot their horses, but hoot dead at them;

They‘re the curse of these prairies and must be ex-
. , terminated.” /' ,

‘fYas, 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
ther cusses ’ ye‘re sure to win."

Nearer and nearer the outlaws rode, evidently un-
suspectiugly, and then, when they were within easy
rifle ran e, General Maynard gave the word, and the
crack 0 half a score of rides echoed over the wil-
derness in white. Then as many men of the ap-
ggachin band reeled in their saddles, and four

pped ifeless upon the snow. The others, how-
- ever, retained their seats—there was a fierce, vindic-
' tive yell, and the rumans came charging on like

. ' . “Lay low, boys—now, one, two, three and fire!"
’ ordered the eneral grimly, and aiu the death-
' dealing repea rs of the brigade s o 'e, and six out-

, laws dropped back out of the sad les, never to fol»
low the war-path again. '

“ Hurrayl thet's ther kind for ye, boyees—charac-
ter-plated, war eve one 0’ them bullets, an’ luk at
their execution!" cried Josh

“Yes—there’s onl ten left on this side. boys, but
they’re comin‘ like t under, and you‘ll have to work
$uickl“ cried the general. And he spoke the truth.

he outlaws were spurring their animals and cod-
ing them on, although it was but feebly they oun-
dered through the dec suo w.

' v All were masked an armed with‘ rifles and army

' rerolvers, and they were a desperate looking set ol~

men.
- - .‘ “I tell ye what!" exclaimed an old trap er, “I‘ve
,' r ' diskivered one ‘int ahead 0‘ e, boys. het chap
- that in ther lea ‘slnone other t an the cussed galoot
, they call Tiger Track, an‘ i know it.”

“ How d‘ye know et, Greckeli”

‘i Beca‘sel war once tuk a. prisoner by him, but
esca ed." » '

“ ay low, ho sl” cautioned General Maynard.
“ Hark! the devi s have attacked t‘other side. Kur-
ry up—let’s clean out these roughs, an’ join ther rest

Er . o ther boys. 0ne—two—three—"

' I And sin a report of ten rides rung out, and
v . every sa dle was emptied although some or the out-
‘I r laws were not killed. but severe! wounded, and left
1 ng upon the ‘prairie by the orses which were

,- , , urrgéig away irnearly every direction.
_ . '1 Wit ut waitlu to look after the wounded. Gene-
l e rs! Maynard and is men hurried to the western side
3 arms motte where they found a hot contest waging.
tilllmalibe!‘ of bullets had been exchanged. but no one

o . v

The outlaws on this side were around score, in

number. and fiercely u ed on by no less than the

.. two ruiflan traders, Jaco Toiemaii and Boover Le-

gree, who in‘some inexplicable way had joined in

‘ ~ with the outlaws. - i
z ‘ Old Steuben had been badly wounded in both arms.
* " ’ and could no longer participate in the aflray. but he

 ' cheered on the men. and kept them. wide awake to' '

the enerhy's weak points.
, I “You see them two men, Josh i” he said. pointing
I , out the roman traders tothe Yankee. “ Waal. them
"V chagmmmssMay.an’efyedOn’tputabuz~
nor their ears, I'll no longer count yelp pard.”

 

r'
.
i
u
i/\

 

And, in the next charge that was made, both Le-
gree and Toleman fell, mortally wounded. Several of
the brigade were hard hit, but they cured such a

~destructive volley into the rufflanst a they “ turned
tail." to use a western phrase, and beat an ignomini-
ous retreat. ‘

“ Licked ‘em, by thunder, an‘ character‘s what did
their job—duplex, solid basis character sure's I'm a
relic o‘ ther characteristic family 0' emperhilil"
Josh exclaimed, dancing delightedly about "Miss
May, e're agood’un 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 be
ours. yours an' mine i"

“I’m sorr , Joshl" May replied, with an effort to
keep from aughing: " it is decreed that I shall
esteem you as a friend. not as a husband."

“ All right, honey, I ain’t going to blubbernors out
{est because ye hev given me ther mitten. 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 froin the watchers at the motto. They
did not go toward the Black Ranch, and this looked
rather strange, too, seeing that it was their nearest
place of refuge.

“I tell ye what!” nverred Old Steuben, “I’ve jest

at an idear 0‘ what ther row is wi’ them chaps.

here‘s but a dozen o’ ’em left. an’ they calcylate
they ain‘t strong enough to hold ther Ranch, w'icli
is undoubtedly empty. So they're goin‘ ter light out
an‘ guit this country; '

“ erhaps you're right,” assented General May—
nard, “and after we have gathered in our prisoneis
we’ll attempt to investigate the matter. All 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 _Legree and
Tiger Track—Jacob Toleman having expired shortly
after he had been shot. Onremoving the mask of
Tiger Track, it was a great surprise tn- the men of
the Settlement to behold the sinister. eVil 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 01d Steuben, who had been on a
scout, came rushing into camp with log lea .‘

‘ fl‘;T.h'e Ranchl the Ranch!" he crl —“ t is all
a e.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
sosnsa Jusrmn—coscmsion.

Ir was indeed true—the Black Ranch was wra t in
flames; The smoke and flames were darting rom
many a window and crack and the heav'yhbody of
snow upon the roof had all melted off. ere was
scarce] a visible spot of the buildingrabove the high

lank ence but was on fire. and the , e was evident-
y a well-executed scheme of an incendiary. .

“God forbid that my daughter Mabel is in yonder
building nowi" General Maynard said anxiously,-
“for no earthly wer can save that outlaws' strong-
hold. See' you er is a horseman just leaving the
gates and ying southward. He is evidently the fire-
flend in this case."

“Sum galoot, like enough, who had sum grudge
ag‘in’ the outlaws!" suggested Old Steuben.
/reckon thet Gold Rifle succeeded in rescuin’ yer
din-tear.i gineral, an’ thet’s w'at started. the outlaws
s ro ‘ I

for to havo my long-lost dang r restored'to my
arms, would be one of the greatest. joys I mim-
aglne in my adage? \Ot her i have ever carded a
hope—that we would meet again.’." - - .r
D’ye think; general; that of ye war torhevyer

I ,

44"

“I truly hope that such :ma be the case,~soont, .

 

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, taken into the Black Ranch, where 1

nothing but 8

 

Gold Elam, the Sharpshooter. _ 29

 

daughter restored to you. thet ye could freely for
give her past desertion 0' you, an’ also forgive the
at-one-time outlawed husband with whom she fled.
providing he had reformed from the past mtera
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,
scout—what know you of my aughter and her bus-

and?”

b “ I simply know that Wild Walt will be rejoiced.
air, and embrace an earl opportunity to take a.
place at your family boar as your future stay and
support. But, enough of this; see, the build n is
now going rapidly, and soon the Black Ranch wil no
longer be a thing of existence. What do you pro
pose to do with the outlaws. general?" .

“I propose to give them an immediate trial. and
string ‘em up. if the verdict so decrdes." was the
stern reply. “ I think there will be sufficient evi-
dence against them, and I‘m satisfied that they
wouldn’t have granted us even the mercy of a trial. ’

All hands stood upon the edge of the motte and
watched the burning of the Black Ranch-this place
of death and the devil, which had become. a rival in
the Northwest to what the slaughter station of the
inhuman Benders was a few years ago u n the
middle border—watched the flames hck 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 judge
at the request of the little band. and opened t 1e
court with a stirring speech, relating how the coun-
try had lately been scourged by bold, lawless men
who had raided, thieyed and destroyed homes with-
out number; and he wound up with a request that
the gentlemen present who knew anything concom-
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 Tragkhstab a man to death. in an uppm
settlement. an t on esca . ,

Still another testified tfit he ‘had been one of a
train crossing the lains on the_ previous summer,
which had been a tacked by Tiger Track’s band,
and all hands save himself and teamster were mur-

f .
dq‘g'dhis is enough, Gentlemen of the J dry. to satisfy
the minds of any honest men. But. if there's any
more testimony. let's have it." . .

“There isi” exclaimed a vows, and who should
ride forward into the co where the border court
was held but Gold Ri e. “ I can testify, and swear
tolt, if necessary. that l was recently ca tuned by
old Jacob Toleman, and Tiger Trac ‘s on laws. and
as ltched into
a. pit. where ‘there were many dead bod es. some of
them 'reoentl \ laced there. others decayed and

{re etons left. That they were victims
of the outlaws,.there can he no doubt. and as a de-
tective; I vote that the inhuman scoundrels all be
strung up i"

“ And sothe shall be. Gentlemen of theJury, you
have heard the testimony of witnesses. You may
retire to consider the case.”

“No need 0' that. gineralz" said Old Steuben. who

v formed on‘gv‘of the decisive body known as the
. uh .n

e don’t loave our. seats for sech cases

I 31mg, but unanimously sa ‘gnilty ‘ an‘ :0 string
' "em up, ter oncet. Thet‘s w¥
l‘

at the

eserve accord-
agreement—eh. bo eesi ' ‘

ury- .
7. the name of the law, which we have of

~ ‘ hi to
“44.13%” responded the
. r u_

 

necessity taken into our own hands. I sentence each
and every one of the prisoners to be lynched in the
southern end of this motto, and may God have
mercy upon their souls." '

The words were hardly spoken, ere the trapper-s
and traders composing the brigade. s rung forward
301:9 the work. which, according to l. elr views. was

us ice.

In vein the poor wretches beg d and entreated—
all except Ti er Track or Ja
of no use. T e resolution of t e Regulators was not
to be broken.

J ay 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 rim. bull-dog defl-
nnce—did not quail. but rather enounced the cap.
tors in the vilest language of his vile vocabula .

The young wretch‘s heart was too hardene —his
soul too deeply steeped in crime for him to care for

death.

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- .
‘sTidlered by the frontiersman next to the Fourth of

u . .

6 four remaining behind were General May-
nard, Gold Rifle, 01d Steuben and May. The quar-
tette stood facing each orher for some moments—
expeftancy upon the faces of the general and the
scou .

Gold Rifle stood with arms folded. shelf-humorous
expression upon his countenance, and a gleam of
triugivph in his .eyes.

“ ell,” he stud, glancing from one to another. “I
take it, by your looks. that you’re expecting some-
thin of me." I
“ d you‘re exactly right,” replied Old Steuben.
with a laugh. “ W e‘re expecting mm): of you. But
first, let us know each other Kit, my boy. this is

our grandfather General Maynard and this young

ady, your aunt, su ose. Genera . and Miss Me .
this is your relative. it Deronda, detective."

“We are glad to meet you, young man."the gene-
ral said, extendin his hand, “and although it is a
little surprise at t istime, l a net confess that I've
had an ng of our relationship, su ested by my I
darling adopted daughter. Ma . I‘ut. teuben. you
say ‘my son;’can it be possi ie that you are the
W id Vi alt Wagner with whom my daughter fled,
y

ears ago!”

“ The same. general.” and the old scout-guide
threw off a wig and false beard, and a handsome-
looking man of thirty-eight stood revealed.

“Then, praise G . for 1 am reunited to my dear.

. fathea.’ husband and children!" cried a voice, and

Mrs. agner, so long lost to loving hearts. rushed
into the scene, and fell into the open embrace of
Wild Walt.

Such a glad reunion! The two men. husband and
father. went into ecstasies over the returned one,
and while they were engaEEd thus, Gold Rifle or Kit
Deronda. turned to Miss May who was standing a
little aloof. holding Master Joe by the hand.

“ Well. Miss Maynard. this seems to he a ladsome
moment, does it not? and it occurs to me, gust now
that we must be brother and sister, eh, or aunts and
11110 es or— .

“Only by adoption, sir!" Ma re lied, a painful -
flush risin to her cheek. “ I hgve found that I
him not neral Ma ard‘s own dang ter,but,sn~
adopted one—the c id of an old my one]: .
named Faulkland. Therefore I am an outsider t ’
I cannot help feeling overjoyed all the some  the
happy turn of eVents." , , ‘ -

‘ hich shows the goodness of yourheart. And
I‘m right glad. too/that you are no relation to me,
although would love to draw a sister. I suppose
this is in little brother whom I have never seen.’ ‘ .

Aftert exohan _ of slow more‘wordowgnd I
Goldefle joined' 9 others; Where Wild W was . 7
3W - , , , .. N ,

l‘. . \

 

oleman, but it was «

'80

9".

  
  

 

“ “inc: cmmp-flre, Gold Rifle was im
." all show, his adventures in rescu ng' Mrs. Deronda,

“ I joined an outlaw baud, general, after I fled, ac-
com anied by your daughter. In the communi in
whlc you lived at that time, I was nearly unknown
and the name of detective had been little 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 agner. I had not been
forty-eight hours with them when [was seen and
recognized by a 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
trom ‘t em, with our little boy. I hid myself. but
Alf King. one of the men. stole awng my wife, and

' she was a ropriated, later. by Dolp Carew, known
to you as oleman, Jr, With him she came to this
country, and she has ust told me that the wretch
forced her to marry ‘m. The little boy, here is a
result of their union But he shall never lack or 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 tra pers and traders came
rnarcliinz back from the soot iern end of the motto.
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 an‘ they arglied,

r ut we couldn't a 1 agree,
So we boosted ’em up to glor-r-ry."

“ Yas, cspt’in, we‘ve suspended them galoots
shove wolf reach, an' they’re out 0' sin an‘ tempta-

1011.

“An' Iswow ter breeohes. thar warn’t only one
solid basis character galoot among 'eml" put in
J ash. “ He war thet Jay Toleman, or Tiger Track
.—tuk his rations as nalteral as any .hoss ked do,
wi'out agrunt." '

“ltyou’ve hung the. ,wretches ou’ve done the
country a good service,” said Wild alt, “ for them
outlaws had no e ual for fiendish cruelty and devil-
ishness. May .Go , however. forgive them, as we all
hope to be forgiven our sins.” '

'. To which'tlxcre was a hearty amen.
' That nirht when all were gathered around a rous-
rtlmed to relate

his mother which he did, touching lightly. however,
on p;th where he had fled the eroic. He rc-
latc whathe had discove . about theBlack Ranch,
concerning the counterfeiting scheme, and his expe-
rl men in the death pit.

“ Who do you think fired the Ranch, Kit?" Wild
Walt asked.

- " The guard who aided me to esca . no doubt, for
he was a bitter enemy of Tiger 'l'ra . His name he
slid wasRsnfrau." I A . I

" Do you think it will pay ,to Overhaul the ruins of
the Ranch to get‘at that conuterteit mone i”

“ No. It has doubtless been melted. an could be
of no use to us. anyhow."

Asd so the Black Ranch‘s ashes were left undis-
tztrba l. and on the followingJ morning the brigade
s3]: out for the Settlement. w lab, in due time, hey
safely reached, the Maynmd party praceedmg on to
t'ie general‘s quarters, gl to get out of the track-
less wilderness. , '

~M17 Faulkland had her birthday party after all.
and a brilliant affair it was; to which all the soldiers
and in ars were invited. Gold Rifle was resent,
and on hat, auspicious occasion found time ,whis-
~ rhis lovmdream to the fair Hay. And it became
nown‘. later. that they were engaged; later still. in
the spring-timetable}; were united in matrimony—

’ \ and they all livo almost under the guns of the fort.

 

{he two. “mines of Derondas, as happy as the day is
o .r . ‘ v , ,  l ‘
. general Maynard is still grand supervisfi'pf things

:

 

 

 

Gold Rifle, the Sharpshco/ter.

at the fort, even in his old age, and finds at 11:0
homes of his own daughter and daughter of adop-
tion. a double blessing to his declining ears.

The gold whvch yems ago \Vild Wal had taken
from tLe outlaws. has been Contributed, we learn lo
a committee at Yankton for the pigpose of erecting;
nfree school on a nd seal“. alt “ would not
have the stuff on is hands," he said. And With
Gold Rifle lives as a retainerno less a personage than
eccentric Josh Hemperhill.

THE END.

Half-Dime Singer’s Library

1 Waos, ERMA! and 59 other Songs.
2 Carrst Carr and 57 other Songs.
3 Tan GAIxsaono’ HAT and 62 other Songs.
4 Jenny MORGAN and 60 other Songs.
5 I’LL STRIKE You Wrrn A FEATHER and 62 others,
6 Gsonon THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs
7 THE BELLE or ROCKAWAY and 52 other Songs.
8 YOUNG Fawn, You‘ns Too FRESH and 60 others
9 Say YOUNG Gun. and 65 other Songs. .
10 I’M was: Govsanoa’s ONLY son and 58 other Songs.
11 MY FAN and 65 other Songs.
12 Coxm’ 'hmo’ Tun: RYE and 55 other Songs.
13 THE Romoxmo misnqu and 59 other Songs.
14 OLD Doc Tan and 62 other Songs. _
15 Waos. Cnsaua and 59 other Songs.
‘16 IN rms er BY AND Br and 62 other Songs.
17 NANCY LEE and 58 other Songs.

 

 

18 I’M was: BOY ran‘s BOUND T0 Buss and 57 others. ‘

19 THE Two Oarms and 59 other Songs.

20 War ARE ran WILD Wsuss Sumo, Stars-.11?
and 59 other Songs.

21 Iunionm POLLY‘WOG and 59 other Songs.

22 Tea ULn ARM-CHAIR and 58 other Songs.

23 0): Cone! Isuzu: BEACH. and 58 other Songs.

24 OLD Susan, was: HOT-CORN MAN and 60 others.

25 PM in Love and 56 other Songs. I "

23 PARADE or was: Gm. abs and 56 other Son

2?. Yo. Hana. Ho! and 60 other Songs.

9.8 "I‘wrm. Navsa no 'ro Gm IT up So and 60 others.

29 Buns Bowers Ovaa rna Banana and Mothers.

30 THE Mann! LAUGHING MAN and 56 other Songs.

31 Swear Fons man-Nor and 55 other Songs.

3-2 an‘ut Ban! Miss and 53 other Songs. ‘

83 Du BAN-IO As on INETRWENT roa Ma and 53 others.

34 Tun and 50 other Songs.

85 J uswro I‘m-ran Boys and 52 other Songs.

86 Smyrna on ONE IN Tm: Gonna and w others.

87 Roman!) Exam and 59 other Songs.

'88 Nu. Dasrmxnun and 53 other Songs."

89 Tu: Gnu. ILu-r Bsaxxn Mn an} 50 other sung; -

40 'sz an; A LI'l'l'LE Fanan Fwwnn and‘50 other.

41 PRETTY Wamnntums and 60 other Songs.

42 Duane is run Bass and 63 other Songs.

(8 H. M. . PTNAFORE. comma, and 17 other songs. ‘
eryw ‘ .Newsdealers at five cents

pesro‘oemyv. or gtmmlpazd. to any ’a’ddrels. on 11>

ceipt of Sin: cents per number. » l ,

AN ADAMS. Pun saw. .. 
BF:pr  Smiliswtonx.

 

.3

"f": gm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

r

 

Deer-hunter the Boy Scout. av on 000."...

Buifuln Bill, from Boyhood to Mnnhood. By Col, Pm].
this inzmhnlu.

Kit Carson. King offinldu. Bv Albert W. Aiken.

Gordon Lillie, NIH Buy-Interpreter ol‘the I’awneea. By
Major. H1.l B. Stoddard. ,

Bruin A mm. d Grizzly u Bo Ford. 11 In rnhnm,

Demiwmul Dick an aiiny. 12; Edward  \fiiicelvr.

“'ild Bill, the Final Prinm. By Col. 1’. lngrnhmn.

The Prairie Ranch. By Joneph E. Bridger, .lr.

Roving Joe. “3' ILH. Post.

’l‘exnu J uok, the Multnng King. By Col. P. ingmhmn.

Charley Skylark. By Minor H. ii. Stoddard.

Marina-n Marsh. By .lum-ph E. Badger, Jr,

Roving lien. lly John J. Murahall.

3 ring Hteoi, King of the Built. By J. E. Bridger, Jr.

" idc-Awuke (it-orke. BY Edw'fl’d Wine“

16 The Buy “’iznrd. Br Bun-v Rixigqold.

1’? Pete: go penguins, the Greenhorn fromGothnrn. By

Non I n .

18 Adrift on the Prairie. and Amateur- “anger.
on the Bnii'uio Rnnue. By Oli Cumnea.
19 The Fortune Hunter; or, Roving Jud na Miner,

Carboy, Trapper nnd Hunter. By A. ll. Post,

20 Tra per Tom. the Wond Imp. By T. C. Hurbnugh.
21 Yeiflw “air, the Buy Chlufof the Pawneea. Bv Co].
Prentiss lngrnhmu. '

22 The Snow Trnil. By T. C. Hui-hunch.

23 old Grizzl Alinmn. By Dr. Frank Powell.

24 Womi- an “’uters. By Capt. Frzdflick Whitmker.

25 A Rolling Stone: incident: in the Cnreer on Sea nnd
‘ Lnnd of Col. Prentiss ingrnhnm. By Wm. R. gym,“

26 Red River Rove a. ll C. Dunning Clark.

9‘? I’inzn unii_l’lnin5 or, ii ild Adventures nf”Buckakin

Shlll.” (Mir. Sum. 5. Hull.) Hy Col. P.1ngrahnm.

23 The Sworl Prince. The Romantic Life'oi’ Cu]. Mon-
atery. By Ch t. Frederick Wlilit her.
29 Snow-Shoe ’lom. By '1‘. C. llurhauzli.
0 Paul tie Lucy, the French Beau Charmer. By C.
81 RDuun‘llnghclaék. Fl ,

mm 2 amp re. Br Jone \h E. Bnd or r.
we White Heaven/tho ludinn Medic-lilo Chief. EByJCoi.
83 Tfinxgu ln(l§rnlmln;l B C

e oy rut-u er. y a t. Fred. Whimhn
B4 The Chase of the Great: Wllite stag. and, camp

and Onnoe. B C. Dunning clurk. .

.35 (Ill) Tur Knuek e and His Boy Chums. By R. Starbuck.
86 The Dashln Dragoon; or, The Story of Gen. George

A. Cuafir. ky alum Fred. ghiitnlun.

31 Ni ht- aw cor . .v ‘a . Prontlu In ham.
8% Th5; Boy Exiles oi'g‘iberia. By T. C. Hnrb'mgh.
89 The Young Bear iluntern. By Morris Redwing.
40 Smart Sim. tha Lad with n Laval Hand. By Ed. Willa“.
41 The St-ttier’s Son. By Edward S. Ellia.
49 Wait Ferfiuanu’a Cruise. By C. Dunnin Clark. _
48 Rifle and evolver. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.
y Whalers. By T. C. Hubnugh.

45 Bronco Billy, the Snddio Prince. By Cokingrnhnm.

46 Dick. the Stowaway. By Churlen Mun-ll.

47 Tile Colorado Boys. By Joseph E. Badnr, Jr.

4B The Pampas Hunters. Ev T. C. iinrhnuqh.
“ 4;) The Adventurous Life of Nehrnnka Charlie.

By Col. Prentiss inrzraham.
50 Jack Harry and Tom. the Three Champion Brothers.
, By C‘apt \

than—semaam 1F“ 19"

HHHHfll—l

. Frndl: “’i‘rlitlli‘ikegij B -

1 The Your: .nn - u er. 0. D. Clarlr.
22 The Boy etectivea. By T. CYHnrhnugh.
[,3 "onth flurry. y Charles Mnrril.
54 Califoth Joe. By Col. Prnnill! lng‘rnhnm.
55 TI” Treml. the Floater. By Edward Willoit.
56 The snow llunterl.  d3 Ferrari.
57 “gr”. some", thu Sailor oy agiciu. By S. W.
D

P .
as 'r "'liavenmmr. I.th or 09 can. Jock, tho
' ' - will 5""‘l‘fhi'fil‘ilm By a M .r
the.ue nyo n . . or a.
:8  Trail Hunters. By 1'. C.Hnrimugh.
61 The TI er Hunter-ll. lly Jmpyh E. iiudflvrlJn
63 Doctor air-vie“ t'i‘ta;‘Evii Bplrit ofthe i’ln ill. By
‘ a In . v
will??? :enfiiHI. By Razor Starhurk.

68 m- o '
' ii) i. B lhert W. Aiken.
a: ‘ gnégkigi nut.‘ ‘iiy Cd§nntlu inznhun. \

 

O
a
a
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67 Texas. Chm-lie, the Boy Bangor. By Col. Ingnihnm.
(i8 thtle Rlfle. llv Cnptnlu " Bruin " Al nmr.
ii!) The Youn Nihilist. By Charles Morris. ‘
70 Porky the nwbo . RV thor H. B. Stoddard.
71 Ru llubnartun lliuBeur. By Captain“iir\lln”
lllil. r
72 The lye Ele hunt. By Capt. Frederick liittalrer.
'33 The \ ounu L loone-lluntern. By W. H. A innning.
74 The Boy Coral - l‘lnhern. By R gar Stun-hunk.
75 By Cul. Prentlls lnm‘nham.
76 The Condor Killer-l. liy 'i‘. C. i-lnrhuugh.
’37 Llsld [lldtinheeim the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger
tnr uc .
’ffl Fiutbout Fred. By Edward Willeit. Ready Oct. 10.
79 Boone, the iiuntnr. iiv Cnptnin F. Whittaker.
30 Kentucky “on. By Roger Stnrhuck.
81 The Kit Carson Club. By '1‘. c. Hnrhnugh.
3’3 Little Buck. the Buy Guido. B ' ilnrry Ringgold.
83 Pony Bob, the Reckless Rider 0 the Rockies. By Col.
Prentlsn Incmhnm.
94 Captain Fiy-by-Nl ht. By Jotcpll E. Bridger, Jr.
85 Cuptuin Rui h. the onnz Exnlnrer. By C. D. Clark.
1* Little Dun {00km By Mun-ls Rcdwing.
8 The Meuuirerie Hunters. 1! Mnj. H. Grenville.
H The Buy Ci rumvu. iiy J. M.l nflnmn.
H ’Longshore Lijo. By C. l). Clnrk.
90 ltfin‘llfifl‘ Rifle, Unater’l Lliili Scout. By T. C. Hur-
flll’ .

Orcgzm Josh, the Wiznrd Rina. By Roger Starbuck.
\ Hurricane Kit. By A. F. Holt.

Jumping Jake. By Bryant Bambrldge.

Stun Spence, the Brond mm Buy. By Ed. Willait.
Moscow to Siberia. By Charles Morrir.

Fighting Fred. By T. C. Harbanuh.

Cruise oi‘ the Fiynwuy. By C. Dnnnin Clark.
The Bo Vi ilantem. iy MnJJ-LB. Stn dnrd. ‘
> The W ite ‘izera. By Ca t. Churlea Howard.
0 The Snow-Shoe Trail.
1 Mnriuno, the Ottawa Girl. By Edward S. Elill.
2 The Fivuway Aiinnt. By C. Dunning Cinrk.
it! PM Mulioney’s Adventures. ByC. L. Edam-do.
he Boy l‘ronneetor. By Roger Starbuck.
inonee, the Wand Witch. By Edwin Emmon.
6 Boy Cruisers. By Edwnrd Willett.
he Border Rovers. By J. Milton H rii'mnn.
.anim. the o‘f-Qneen. Bnd t. Howa d Lincoln.
1rlntiun Ji theWJiltc Mnn’l friend. By I. 5. Ellis.
llc y Joe. the Bny Avenger; By J. M,Hoflmnn.
re order Gunmaker. BY Jnmel 1.. Bowen.
fl-llunded Pete, the Douh a-Knliu. By Joleph

Bugger, r.

‘l .he iver Rifles. By Capt. J. EC. Adamo.

I one on the Plain. B Edward Wiliatt.

115 Silver llorn, nnd Hl- Rifle, rcdenth. By R. Stu-buck.

111) Eighth lofllelekinh Smith. thoBMkwoodnman.
By mer on Raliflllil.

117 The Young Muotnngerl. By C. D. Clark.
118 Old Trap” (r, tho Boy iiivnh. By Barry Rinmid.
119 Center Shot. the W hwa Crow. By T. C. Harhnugh.
120 A flat Truil. By Clutrlel Mon-in. ‘
121 Hunter I’m-d Ben. By Roger Starbuck.
1B9 The Enuuhnuux’ Qu‘een. By G. Waldo Browne.
193 Win), the Boy Acrobat. By Charla Mania.
Ready Airgun ‘21. v

134 ueen Bellle, the Border Girl. By Henry J. Thom".

I _ ady Align-t 28. / V,
185 ggmy'grlgoz, the Boy Fugitive. By am, Rinxgoid.
126  the Death Shot. By Jon. E. Badger, 

181 m?g.epilll£nterm By John Jrlidarlhnllr

eececccse
.. y. p“...

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Beadlo’h Boy’l Libra-y [I {or nib by all manner,

manna: an» ADAMS, Puhnuhuu‘

 

 

y St. George Rathhoue. ‘

fin cent. for e'opy, or nut by mull on receipt of“: mi- nth. '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T r . . .
so The enert Ron-r. Million“. 98 Willhln Strut, New‘ank.
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,32 OGTAVO PAGES.

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, 80 on Front.

2 EV Col. Premise lnzrulmm.
, en. By Edward 1.. Wheeler. f
The Two ill-toot vea. By Alhrrt W. Ailnm.
The Prairie Pilot. By Buffalu Bill.
The Bulfqu Demon. By Edward-L. Wheeler.
Antelo e Abe, the Boy Guide. By 01] Cnonma.
~ .Ned V1110» the Boy Scout. liy “Texan Jack "
Bulfan Ben, Prince 0 the Plato]. By E. L.thelr~r.
Ralph Roy. the Buy Buccaneer.
Nick 0’ the Ni ht. By T. U. l-larbnugh.
Yellowstone nek. l y Jalaph E. limiger, Jr.
4 Wildlvnn the Bay Claude Duval. By E. L.Wl|oaler.
5 diamond Dirk. By Cnlonel Prentiss Inmnlmm.
(cert-Knife, Prince niche Prairlre. ByOliCoomuI.
i-rezon Sol. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
Death-Face, the Detective. By E. i... Wheeler.
mm Junk. By nil Coumee.
0 Roaring Ralph Rockwoml By ll. St. George,
The Boy Clown. By Frank S. I-‘inn. ‘

B The “hantom Miner. Ii Edward L. Wheeler.
The sen-Cat. 13y Captain ‘rnilerick Whittaker.
The Dumh 8 y. Hy Oil Cowman.

Rattlng Ru 8. By Hurry St. George.

0111 Avalanche, the Grunt Annihilator. By Wheeler.

Gla s-Ey Grant Slini. nitlm “'eat. By cnpuadrmr.
38 The Boygoptain. Bi Roller Starbuck.

Dick Darling. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

b Woolf. the Bnrdi-r Radian. By E. l... Wheeler.

Nightin ale Nat. By T. Q. Harbaugh.

Block ohn, the Rnad A ant. Bv .i. E. Badger, Jr.

0mahn 011, the Mn.“ error. By E. L. Whpaler.

4 Burt. Bunker. the Trapper. By George E. Laualla.
The Roy R flea. By A. C. irons.

86 The White B Kala. By Genrgu E. Laulle.

87 Jim Bludnoe, Jr. By Edward L Wheeler.

88 Ned Hazel. the Boy Trap er. By Capt. Adnme.

89 Dead] E e. the Unknown cont. Bv liuflalo Bill.

40fNick hrllen’n Pct. By Cu t. J. F. C. Adan“.

4i Deadwood Dick’s Enzlen. y E. L. Wheeler.
Border King. By Oil Connie].

0| )llekor? By Hnrr St. Gmrge.

The White ndion. y Co I. J. l". C. Adamo.

Buckhorn Bill. By Edwin: L. “'heoler.

The S w Ship. By Col. Prentiu lnzrnhnm.
ed Brotherhood. By W. J. Hmniltnn.
By T. C. Harbin-ah.
ll. By Jun.- h E. Badger, Jr.
W. J. amilton.
. By Philip S. Worne.
The Border Robin Hood. By Bilii'nlo Bill.
{laid Rifle the Sbar nhontel. By Ed: L. Wheeler.
01:] Zip’e (labia. y Capt. J. . C. Adml.
Delaware 0 . By Oil Gnome]. c
Ml om Water-n.
Deadwood Dick on Deck. By .
llawkeye llarry. By 011 Commas.
‘ The Buy Duelist. B Col. Printing lnzrahnm.
t Abe Co 1:, the Crnw-Kv ler. By Albert W. Aiken.
Corduroy Charlie. By Edward L.Wherler.
Wm Bomerl. the liOy Detective. By Cllls. Morrll.
Sol Ginger the Giant Trapurr. Bv A. W. Aiken.
Rooebu ob. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Ll liming Joe. By C- t. J. F. C. Adan".
K II foot- y . Huhaugh.
Rollo, tln Boy Ranger. B Oil Cool-ice.
Idyi. the Girl Miner. i3 ward L. Wheeler.
9 Detective Dick. By harle- Mann.
Shot Seth. he Bay Riflmnan. By OllCoornu.
By J. Alannder Patten.
the gel. By Albert W. Aiken.
Phllfiha Boy Slontll. By E. L.Whaeler.
ne ete. .By-Charies Morr'l.
75 Island. Jlml‘ or.'l‘he Pet of the Family. By Brice-
briilge Hwynx (Jul-ll Harklway). »
‘IG gag-lie the Shadow. By Edward L. Wheeler.
.77 k on i: e. 3" Col. Promise Inzrnhnm.
7g gandgood flicks Devlee. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
I e Inch n'ltanger. By Ca t. Ma , Bud.
thi- Guide. By T. C. arlgeng .
(per. B Col. Prentiss hagrahnm.
o. By whriiS.Ele. _
C nod. 0h¢¥tho Counterfeit hid.“ B Wheeler.
{The Dumb one. By Capt. rodorick hittakor.

 

 

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By w. J. Hg'i’nmon.
. Wheeler.

«Managua

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By C i. Ingl'ahnm. -

 

85 The Boy Miners. ByEdwnrd S. Ellin.

88 ank llarkuway in New York. By Bruce:

8? Tia—“if; llemyné.

- e uannr uptaln. By (‘nLl‘rentlsu In raham.

88 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. “3’ E. LAf'hueler. ' '

89 Bill Biddon, Trap er. By Edward S. Ellie.

90 'J ippy. the Texan. y George Gleason.

91 Multan]: Sum. Bv .lnz'. E. Badger, Jr. .

92 '1 he 0001“! Bloodhound. liy Samuel W. Puree.

9&‘1’hil llnrd ', the Boss Raj By Chariea Morris.

94 Deadwood lick an Deteétlve. By E. L.Wlmeler.

95 Buck Buckrnm. By CliPiuin .l. 1-. (7. Adams.

96 Gilt-Edged Die-k. ly Edward L. Wlieelrr.

97 The Black Steed ofthc Prairies. J. 1.. Bowen.

9" The Ben fior out. liy Juan Lewia.

99 Bonanza Bil . the Man Tracker. By E. L. Wheeler.

100 Nut ’1‘.ndd. By Edward 5. Ellis.

101 During ltnv . B Harry SLGenrge.

102 The \ (allow ville ’. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

103 Chip, the Girl S nrt. By Edward L. “'lieelur.

104 The Black Sr ooner. Banger Starlruclr'.

105 Handeonle llarry. By Charle- Morril.

106 Night-Hawk Kit. By J08. E. Badger, Jr.

1"? Jack 110 119:: Lead. “y Ellwnrll L. Wheeler.

108 Book it contain Kit. By T. C. liarbaugh.

'l he rundcd liand. Bv Franlv Diunnnt.

The Drend R der. By George W. Browne.

“on! Rob. (in: King nl'linntblm-kr. liv E. L.Wilce'sr.

The llelpleu “and. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

Si-ar-Fm-ofiaul, the Silvnt lluntvr. By 011 Cumnoe.

Pine Paul lhe Mmmlnir. Buy. By '1‘ (Lilhrhnuzh.

Deni wood Dick’n Doubl . By L. L. Wlieelin'.
oboz Collin. Shipéwl‘. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

’Z Farm-v Frank, of alnrado. By Buil'alo Bill.

yildflre, the 'l‘hnroughhred. lly(1hae.MoI'rle.
119 Dion 0 Bill or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Bneeu
By Edwnr

(EL. healer.
120 Gopher 1d, the Boy’l‘rnpper. By T. C. Harbengh.

131 Harry Armltron . the Ca lain of the'Club. By
Bracehridge Huinyngflack Hnr away.)

123 The Hunted Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis.
1233 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. By E. L. Wheeler.
124 Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. Harlimlgh. '
126 The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayan Reid.
126 Blue Blues. By Frank Dumont. Ready Juno 9.
127 Tony Fox, the Ferret. By Edward L. Wheeler.
128 Will Wildfire’e Racer. By Charla Merrie.
129 Eagle Kit, the Hay Danton. By 011 Coomel.
180 Gold Trigger, the Sport. By T. C. Hurbaugh.
131 A Game of Gold. By Edward L. Wheeler. “
11,3 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By J. E. Badger, Jr.
188 Wild-fire, tho Bonn oithe Road. By Frank Dammit.
184 Mike Merry, the HarbarPnllte Boy. ByC. Morris.
185 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. ‘By Edward
L. Wheeler. '
186 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton Holman. -
13’? Dandy Rock, the'Man from Texan. By‘G. Waldo:
Browne. ‘ ’
1118 yksggfift, the Boy Dodger. By Chin. Mun-In.
189 The Black Giant. ‘By Jowph E. Badger, Jr.’
Randy Sept. 8.
140 captain Arizona. By Philip 5. Wayne.
. Reedy Supt. lb. - .

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142 Little Texa nu Youn' Muitonger. a 'onmw’e
Randy Sept. 90': g ‘ y w. 1

Inna] Every Wednesday. ‘ ‘ \y‘"
Beadle’n Pocket Library in for made by all'anu-
denlou, live «at! per, copy, or uni. by mail on receipt ’0! nix
mute ouch. ‘
BEADLE mans, rum-lien,
98 William Street, New' York.

 

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