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V01. III flsf'Ils‘lf’f. No. 93 WILLIAM ST" NEW YORK. Fh‘l;r(‘$\:‘l‘fl.  I  I

 

0L1) AVALANGH 

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,

AUTHOR or “DEADWOOD mcx,“ “THE DOUBLE means,” 1:70., 1:1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILD EDNA’s RIDERS.

 

. Old Avalanche.

f Old Avalanche,

GREAT ANNIHILATOR;

on,
‘ was Edna, the em Brigand.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,
Amos or “ nunwmo arcs." “'rnn noan
BLOOM" “cmvxs noon," “ scrum
sits," mm, are.

CHAPTER I.
mmntn m was nuns acme.

Form men had pitched their camp on the crater of
enonhern peak, thousands of feet above the level
of the sea. thousands of feet above the level of the
g2“ , of Nebraska, at the close of what had
. n a sultry August day. I

The peekmble-lsud was far the most elevated of
‘any of its neighbors of the surrounding chain and
its top was as smooth and even as a floor, while in
dimensions it was abOut three hundred feet in cir-
cumference. '

On the northern, eastern and southern boundaries,
stretched away mile after mile, one continuous
wilderness of rugged and tree-fringed mountains,
“whose tops were capned with snow, and down be-
tween which dashed angry torrents, silvery cwscarlcs
and slides of rock and frozen ice, into dark, yawning
seams and chasms.

On the western side of this aerial plateau, ynwnnd
nu immense, fathomless abyss, whose aspect was
weird, silent, awful in the extreme. It appeared to
Mve been formed by a sudden sundering of the sur-
rounding mountains b some mighty convulsion oi!
nawre, and to have can left a black, bottomless
abyss into which no eye could penetrate from. above,
into which no man could descend.

“While two rt the four men were reperinp: the
evening meal. the remaining two sto at the brink
of the precipice, regarding the scene with awe and

 

DOE. ,

The space in front of them was about fifty feet in
width by one hundred in length—as netnrnli formed
shaft extending far down int) the bowe s of the
earth. Directly across on the western side. and con-
siderably below the plateau, a goodly-sized cascade
leased over into the abyss, and as no sound could
be istinguished of its striking bottom. the wetche
drew the conclusion that the rift reached down a
least to a level with the plains.

" "Pie 3 {rightful gulch!" ejacul ted the elder of
the two, a man of some eight and rt
whose, bottom nothing of his has probe

“ Yes. In all our ex lomtions, Sir Henry we have
never confronted sue a, fissure of the e . By my
soul, I'd vs a deal to be able to descend to the be -
tom.if t ere is a bottom,snd see whatsqrtof a
place this chasm really is." ' ‘

“True. Milburn; but that could never be. It would

requireuiiee ofro toiowsronedown.sn th h
we have a. goodptahomand feet, ’two'nid new

enough.
“ Let us be content, then, with the leurels ot dis-

ever ex -

meme highetst peak of this wonderful chain of ~

it not be highest in America. Onthe
marrowle wthe name g this expedition in
the noel-ntth plateau, tell future genera-
‘ tions whose-feet first rod upon these "

Bo saying Sir Henry turned hook toward the
eaten-fire, while Milburn 'nmainei! 3' short time
longer at the brink ofgthe dizzy abyss, staring
thoughtlully down into the black de tbs.

"Curse him!" he muttered. gnaw n at his mus-
tache. comely. "how [lute him. . I ioinod him in
his confounded wanderings,“and stil I have not

ears—“ at _

 

accomplished the ohjectI had in view, when I did
so. Two long years we have traveled together. and
never yet have I found the suitable op rtunity, to
——to——but bahl I am weak. The time 1 ll come and
that not many days distant. too, when Sir Henry
and I will part company, and forever!“

He rejoined the arty at the fire, and seated him-
self to partake of t 6 dried venison and roasted bear-
meat which the other two men had repared. They
were odd-looking specimens of t e rontier, and

lainly not persons of culture or education like

ir Henry and Milburn. '
oun er and more noticeable of the twainf

The
evident y n anadian, was about nineteen years 0
age. He was swarthy in complexion yet not unpre-

possessing and possessed a form marked in its
muscular ( cvelopment.

The second man was short, grizzly and athletic,
with not 11 pound of superfluous fies l on his limbs,
nor a Sign of cars upon his head. they having been
shaven of! close to the skull. His eyes were gray
and piercing, his mouth large and indicative of
humor, his hair tow-colored, and his beard brown
and stubby.

He was attired in buckskin. as are the generality
of Northern mountain-men, and armed with silver-
mounted revolvers, knits, tomehawk and Spencer

rifle.

.“ parsed bad hoot." he 11W .io Sir Hoary, mo-
tiomng toward the abyss, and at the same time tak-
ing a huge bite 'of bear-meat. " Nev ar see‘d ther
beet on't, only once nfore, in In life. ‘

“When was that!" asked ir Henry, gnawing
own at his bone in true hunter style.

“ a1," said the 1guide, meditativelv, “et ar‘ sev-
eral yeers. since. t' was that time I war up hyar
wi’ emuther ‘sperditioni"

“ What!“ exclaimed the baronet. star-tin: up, ex-
citedlyMi—“ you do not mean to tell me you were over
here, ore sir?" .

“Reckon i do. I’ve feasted on b‘ar-steak on this
plataw, mor‘n this onc't, yer honner."

“By heavens! you have astonished me. I had
5W we were the first human beinr's who ever
t upon these rocks. Explain yourself.”

“Thur hain‘t much ter ’splain.ssr 'ca'se ef ye'll
go over under thar. ter the son” an’ sharply scmwt-
chinize her rocks, ye‘li see who s bin hyar ahead on
ye.‘ 'thout my ‘splamin‘."
‘ Sir Henry sprung to his feet at once. as did Mil-
burn, and seizin s flamintz cone from the fire, for
the all of nig t had settled over the land, they
hurried to the southern edge of the lnteau. and
bent over to scan the rocky floor. T ey had not
ion to look,'for the soon came upon it spot where,
by! e skillful use 0 a hatchet, former discoverer-S
h we out their names:

“JOHN 0. our.” "Krr CAnsos."
~ “Hers, ," called Sir Henry, “come here.
How did you know of these names?“

Alva Lancb.‘ the guide, left his place by the fire,
and muntered up. _ o

. “ How 'did I know on 'em? ’ he re atcd, grimly.
“ Wal. [happened ter be hyar when hey wnr cut. 1
war eriong wi‘ ther Fremont experdishun w’en they
soar‘d over thes d’recshun; an’ conserkently, w'en
them handles war indented thar."

“ But you never told me?"-

“ Why shed Ii Ye asked me no questions nor!
didn‘t tell ye no who pers. Ye guv me seventy old
dollars for help ye i: enter ther to o‘ ther lof lest
geek in thee range 0' mountings; tuk ye up, an‘
Yvar ye ar', arter fifteen days‘ hard trampin'.

e‘d’ve dun better ter ask me More we set out of
ennybody war over bin hyar ahead on yo. Then
I shed ‘a’ tole ye yes. [is it war. ye nevynr said
1309.3? nuther did I say boo. Et nr‘ so, sin‘t et,

_“Yes; you speak truly,“ replied Sir Henr , in a
discouraged done. “ it was all my fault. never
addressed you on the subject, because I did not
deem it necessary, so positive was! that no explorer

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om Avalanche. a

 

had as at done this range. ‘ John C. Fremont.‘
and 'Ki Carson.’ Hum hi America owes a deal
to those two men. As hristopher Columbus was
first in discovering the American continent. so Fre~
meat and Carson ave been foremost. in the present
generation, inexploring the most lofty peaks. the
wildest canyons. and the smallest and most obscure
lakes. How many were there of {our expedition.
when you gained the summit. Lanc i”

“Three—Fremont. Carson. and myself."

“And were you three all of the exploring party i?"

“ On course not!" replied the guide. ‘There
were seven of the pack. but only us three kllm up
hyar, ther other (our remainln' at ther place whar
we camped Inst night."_

“ How long ago was it?“

'“l'll‘w‘o years, three months an‘ seven days, ter-
n t.

‘5 How long did you stay here?"

“ Only over nite uv the day we arriv'. 'Twas un-
comfort’hle cold up b ar. them times. so we soon
du out for warmer climates. Fremont named on
h ther Death Gulch. becawse his stIy‘el or
tumbled of! inter at an’ Carson called t iis t er Fla
Butte; then we buckled on our armor. an' marched.
marched awa ."

“I wish I had known of this some time ago." said

Sir Hen . gloomily. turning back toward the tire.
whither nch and Milburn followed him.
. Soon the evening pipes were brought forth, and
while the quartette puffed away thereat. the guide
related some interesting details of the former ex-
ploring expedition under the great Fremont.

Sir Henry listened eagerly, but Mllbum and the
young Canadian were not so much interested.nnd
presently withdrew to the edge of the abyss to have
a little conversation b themselves.

Alva Lunch watche them secretly. as he told his
story. under cover of his shaggy eyebrows. but said
nothin bearing upon them. * A

Fi y the time arrived when it was desira-
ble that all hands shonld turn in, as an early start
was roposed on the following morning; therefore
Sir I enry called in his companions, and bade them
pre are for slee ).

“ har'll hev. or be sum’ more cones lugged up
from ther second peak. below." said Lunch. glancing
at the are. which was fast expiring. “fer it begins
tor feel er little chilly up hyar. 1 so . ye Can‘dy
Thistle. s‘posin' yegoan try yer ’nac at shinnin‘
rocks. I toted ther rust sackful up; at ar‘ no more'n
fa’r ye she‘d do vice-versypn ther seckont.”

He addressed the Canadian. who was about to roll
himsel u in his blanket.

“ Ba ll" 6 growled. showing his pearlIy white teeth
in a forced smile: “you’ll excuse me. prefer day-
light for my clamboring over the mountains. Let
the fire go out. it it wants to. l guess we won’t
freeze."

“Then you won‘t go!” demanded Lunch.

“No: I am quite comfortable.” replied the youth,
wra ping himself in his blanket. and giving vent to
am her smile. “It on are so fond of starli ht
rambles. Mister Lan , perhaps it would be we to
8°. YO -

“ Here! herel Raleighl" exclaimed Sir Be an-
grily. " let's have no more words of handy. W you
go orthe fuel?" ‘ ,,

“ No,“ replied he, doggedly—‘ not to-nlghtl
“131w i shall at once you from my ner-

“ Will you. though?" hissed the fellow savagelfi.
his dark visage growing still darker. Very we ;
just as you please. sir."

And rolling over he made pretense of seeking re-

“ but ‘im hev his own way.“ said Ianchhiaklng up
a large Which lay among the other 0 acts that

V

thnpan bro ht alon . "l'll slide down for
the:- caries in n. :3in . TelEmon-er I‘ll wailup ther
young whelp for his un "

rdenoe.
no at once descendedpferom the plateau by clam-

 

hering down from ledge to ledge and was wanton
from view in the ll of inky blackness that envelop-
ed the mountain- p. ’

“You can lie down, Sir Henry. if you like." said
Milburn. as be lit a fresh «In . of tobacco. ‘ for I
know you must be fatigu ram our lo ascent.
today. and need rest. As for me. I'll mo 0 awhile
10%“. yet. and await Alva‘s return."

a baronet ac uiesced in this pro tlon. and
leaving Mllburn h r-reclinlng in the llg t of the dy-
in embers ufllng away at his imported meet-

um. Sir enry rolled himself in his blanket. and
quickly was in sound and refreshing slumber.

Milbum. however. became women more
restless. until he trembled with sup excite-
ment. as he glanced toward Sir Henry.

Half an hour wore away. and the loud respira-
tions of the baronet proclaimed that he was sound
asleep. wherupon Mllburn rose stealthin to his feet.
and stole forwafii. Simultaneously the young Can-
adian did likewise. v

“Are you ready ?" he demanded. in a whisper.

“ Ayl‘ , reglied the other. “all ready. Now. then.
heave ahea : you take charge of his mouth and see
that a screech don‘t escape him. while I bind his
hands and feet.“

“ Agreed!" whispered back the Canadian; and
then the two men threw .their combined wed
upon the slumbering explorer. and in a twin
had him securely bound and gagged.

It is needless to say that Sir enry was both as-
tonished and enraged at the rude and uncommonl-
ous treatment but could only lay and glare at the
two villains in utter hei lessness.

“ Hal ha i“ laugth lburn. with a grim chuckle:
“you are surprised. eh?" ‘ '

A nod of the head signified assent.

“ I thought so.“ resumed the villain; "but that is
nothing strange, as weare liable to surprises. Do
you recognize me. SirHenry. as any one you remem-

r of ever havin seen?"

Another head-s ate. in the negative.

" Don‘t? Well. probably not. I must admit my
disguise is one hard to netrnte. This hair. th s
beard and these garmen s are all forei n to your,
recollection. Yet they hide the man lr H .
whose life has been devoted. since childhood. to 3e
sole attainment of an object—an object which must
be patent in forever removing dme from my path.
Lis’eni" Then be. bent low an whispered a few
words in the prisoner’s car. at which the baronet ut-
tered a loud. agonized groan and grew pale and

itated.
3‘“ It. is true " resumed Milhurn. with a triumphant
leer, “ and I ave followed the course of our move-
ments ever since you left New York, for e urpooe
of removinghyou. I do not wish to kill you under
on the ban ‘oi.’ an English nobleman is not at all
desirable, and therefore I simply wish to put $011
aside from my path. You admire America' I ve
England, In native soil. Then. is it not wel that I
should live England. while you remain here in
quie‘t'. peace and plenty?
“ eel—doubly yes. I have found a cage in which
Imaginglne yaw 31:] ino h. of ever hem“
trou on e no our co
rope, and agten one end aboufiht‘hls bgrgnet. Work
lively. now. for we must be well awnautrom here.
ere hat tenet-eyed guide returns. oe we no
safely in St. Joe. and Our lorer lies at the bottom
ofDenthGulch’hn thousan gold dollars shall be

 0
y'l‘hs amen: obeyed with ulncrity. and from
among the “tra " of the expedition produced a
large coil of stou half-inch ro . an end of which be
arranged into a noose and irred about the hero-
not’s waist. ‘ .

This done. Milburn proceeded to deliberately rifle
the prisoner‘s person of everything of value, save
his arms and ammunition. which he did not touch.
He then whis red for several moments in Si
Henry's ear. a which he rose to his toot.

 

at

Old Avalanche.

 

over into the

"You ma

tch all that l
abym, first. sigh “ he said, sett ng an exam 1e
by pitching over b ankets. etc.. “for in our flig t,
you see. we shall not be able to carry wait save our
weapons, and I do‘ not mean that Alva nch shall
derive any neflt from these tools and traps i"

Oenseguently everything save the two villains‘
rifles an ammunition was honed over into the can-
yon—axes, picks. blankets. pots, kettles, Sir Hen-
ry’s and Lanch's rifles. surveying instruments. and
so forth. in turn, until the plateau was swept of all
except the two men and their prisoner.

He, too. was then dragged forward to the brink of
the frightful gulf. and t elowering began. »

In vain did Sir Henr endeavor to shriek out a
plea for help, or burst t e cruel bonds that bound

in

All to no avail.

Bwiftly the two men on the tabledand above al-
lowed the rope to slip through their fin ers. and let
the helpless victim of a flendish plot escend into
the bowels of the mountains.

' Present] they had allowed all but about a yard
of the den h-cord to all away.

“ Shall we let him go " asked Raleigh in a hollow,
scared tone.

“Yes!” re lied Milburn, white and ghastly)~
" let her sl 9. He‘s probably to the bottom e-
forgthis; and if he's not. he ain‘t far from it. Let

The next instant the released the to e from their

p: then turning ike the two gu t wretches

9 were t ey seized their rifles. left t e plateau.

and hurriedly skurried off down into the black
mountainous depths.

CHAPI'ER II,
was PLEAmE-PARTY—FIGHTING onus.
'Dowlr across the t savannas of the Northwest,
booming along in front oi! a giant volume of wind
which spread its arms out afar. rolled a thick clou
of dust, in whose depths allo d a party of six
Regions. all mounted on s to , thoroughbred ani-

'l‘wo of the six were ladies. attired in rich but
unattractive garments; but the fact that they wore
' diamonds of marvelous size and luster. evidenced
the sup tion that they were persons of wealth
and 1 rank.
The ntlemen were tastefully accoutered, save
itbe h one exception—the guide of the party—
and bore the unden able impress of refinement.
One, who was evidentl chief in command, was
a tall. athletic young fel ow. with clearly-cut fea‘
. tures. dark-blue eyes. and hair of a chestnut
color. while in form he was a model of grace and
symme .
vi'll‘hgeéfiecondtff the foulrgi1nales we; ititglendglré «131$;
s gen eman ve ngon 0 ve .,
was evidently a Sp’aniard. or or some forcign de-

scent.

The third was of a far different type, and his hair
was sprinkled freel with lines of gray. He was of
islflnmetfize 3:512). an sait his horgeimulfih more gust;-

Y a compan one; an » n s gener -

nee reminded one of the stern old lords or
ukes of ancient times.

The ladies evidently were mother and daughter.
The elder was a woman who had seen nota little
would? for her brow was furrowed deeply and her
h r o a silvery white. Still. she showed many
t of former beauty.an‘d was at really Dfe'
guessing. desaige the weary yearn ng expression

fiver haun her sad face.

' daughter was a repetition of what the mother
had been in her youthful days—a bright. vivacious
little body. just nearing the portals of a lorious
womanhood, with laughingheyes, soft hlon 6 hair,
that blew unconfined to t e rairie breeze. and a
completion that matched we with both hair and

e es. .
ySuch were the party, exclusive of the guide. He

 

was a stalwart backwoodsman of an uncertain age

and as rough and uncouth as are the mailorityo

those ever-moving spirits. the Princes of t e'l‘rail.

His name was Dan Coggswell and he had been

engaged at Dakota City to lend his assistance to the
leasure-partg'. for such the cavalcade was. during
heir stay in he West.

Now. we see them spurring madly down from the
northwest. across a mammoth savanna or plain
and hu ng close to the giant column or cloud 0
dust, w ch the brisk northern breeze watts steadily
in front of them.

Their horses are flecked with foam, evidencing the
fact that a long and rapid ride has taken place: and
still on. on, over the een-car eted savanna they
dash; on at a speed on y secon to the breeze that
rolls the cloud of dust in advance.

It is mid-afternoon. and the sun that hangs like a
golden hall in the azure blue sky. lights up all objects
beneath its rays with a mellow distinctness.

Across to the west looms u the gray uninviting
ran e of mOuntains that are escrlbed as bein the
ren ezvous of numerous bands of red-skins an out-
laws; to the east, coiling its course through barren
tprairies. runs Au Jaques or Dakota river, in the even

.nor of its existence until it debouches, miles
below, into the mad ssouri; to the south and
sou’east stretches one of those monotonous savannas
or grazing plains of Dakota famous as the home of
the deer and the buffalo. the aradise of hunters
and trappers; while to the nort and nor’westahai
here the interest deepens, and the cause of the
undue haste on the part of the pleasure-seekers.
becomes apparent.

Sweeping down in their rear, and only a couple of
miles distant, are a bodv of horsemen, who. as one
glances over them. look like a small army. so strong
are they in numbers.

And. too, their horses are fresh and fleet, and they -

are gaining slowly but surely on the partv in
advance. That they are Indians is evidenced by'
their wild riding. their semi-nude dress. and the
occasional war-whoops that float faintly forward on
the breeze. Sioux is their tribe (for it is a rare
occurrence to meet a war-party of any other tribe
in Northern Dakota). and that they are determined
to overtake the fugitives is onl too plainly shown
by 1the manner with which t ey urge on their
pen es.

Dan Coggswell was in the rear of his party, hur- .

rying them along as well as he could. and at the
same time acting as n rear guard in case the foe
should get near enough to pour in a fire with their
rides, for all were seen, through the guide's field-
glass, to be well armed.

On. on, on, the pursued whites dashed. desperate-
Iy determmed to escape if such a thing were possi-
ble. but as a half-hour flew by. and the horses be an
to lag and the Indians to gain. Coggswell shook is
head doubtfully.

j‘ We can‘t hold out at this rate, much longer," be
said, as he galloped ahead and oined the young
commander; “ for them 8005 ain t goin‘ to give; us
the slip, e can bet yer eyes; and our bosses are
loosin’ is their breath. too. I opine we mought
as well come to a halt. an' try an” persuade ’em not
to cum forninst us. as the Irishman sez. with our
rifles. What's your views on't. Sir Harry?"

“ What! stop here and let the devils come up and
murder us at their leisure? Never! We must do
something, guide. Do you hear? we must do some-
thing to get my mother and sister out of danger. Is,
there no other direction we can take toescape these
hellhounds i"

“ ’Yasg" replied Coggswell. reflectively, ' ' that is two

n em.

“ Then. in Heaven‘s name. why not take them?"

" Wal, I reckon ’twonldn’t be 0‘ no sorter use. Sir
Barr . One's tow‘rd Da ota river. I Go that way.
an’ t e varmints ’ll head 8 off afore we git thar, or
at furthest will drive us into the stream w‘ot are too
deep and wide to sw1m.”

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“ The other. than?”

“The t‘other? Wal. that‘s tow‘rds them mount-
ings. of! yander. They're chock l’uller o‘ thcr red
hecthan an' white outlaws, than the Black Hills
themselves."

“ But can we not find temporary shelter there. in
some canyon or gulchI where we can fight these
rascals. and in due time steal om"

“ Hardly probable. Soos ain‘t on thcr give-upI
nowadays. Vhen they scent a prize they‘re the
lads as hes got as much hang-on-a-tivenesxs as ther
next one. Howsomedever, if ye say the word. we'll
shy oi'f fur them hills. an‘ run our chances. We kin
bleach in ther mountings as well as any other place."

“ How far are they distant? Can we reach them
before our horses give out?“

“ Reckon so, if we ride full spurt."

“Very well, then lead ahead, and we will follow."

The course of the fleein cavalcade was instantly
changed, sharply to the gin, and the spurs used
with more vehemeuce.

Already the savages had gained one of the two
intervening miles. and threatened every moment to
gain a posrtion in the chase within rifle-shot.

0n~ou sped the fugitives. like the hurricane wind.
Dan Coggsweli keeping slightly in the lead. and
using his field-glass now and then to define the route
which promised to take them nearest to a place of
retreat.

The ladies although much fatigued, were eagerly
urging on their animals, and putting their mi hc t
trust n the skill and sagacity of Dan. Had tnot
been for the impending danger, they would have
enjo ed the wild ride immensely, for they were true
Eng shwomen, and having chased many a fox down
the mooriands of their native isle, they had become
masters in the saddle, as well as mistresses In the
social circle and household. But a hundred grim
and bloodthirsty savages, bringing up the rear. with
the desire to rob or murder them. took from the
situation all its romance.

Ou—on, over the green savanna they swept. and
in hot )ursuit came the red slayers.

“I t iink I know about the spot where a canyon
0 .ns into them hills," said the guide. ering
8 might ahead, "or at least, heerd Old Ava anche.
who traps, hunts an' annihilates injuns u hyar-
abouts. safithat that war a place 0‘ thor kin d‘rect
east from at Butte peak. That’s oil' youderl“
. He pointed straight ahead. and off afar through
the hazy distance oomed up the frowning aw ul
pile of rock whose summit was hundreds or feet

igher than the surrounding )eaks.

“ Flat Butte. did you say?‘ exclaimed the elderly
lady excitedly- -“ Flat Butte?"

“ es. ma‘am. that‘s what I said."

“Ohl Sir Fleming."shelgasped, turning to the

entieman of the great girth, "is that the place?
s that the spot where my dear husband met his

death?"
Her voice was full of sorrow and an ish; her
cheeks had rown a shade paler, and or hands

were clas ed eseechiugly.

“1 thin not, Hetty." re lied he,ratherlnerv0usly
as he took the glass. “ i! you peakis christened
Flat Butte, it is not the one from which Sir Hen
flung himself, fifteen years 0. That one is. it
remember arlght. further sout and east."

“ yer pal-ding, sir. but I rec‘ons how ou're
mistoo . Ths butte are the only one's oullflnd
up nor‘. h er. in this particular region. cept it be
Pu kin utte in the Hilts"' said old Dan.

“ o. I am not mistaken, ’ was the haughty reply.
“ However. let's drop the subject. and turn our eyes
around us. lest we be surprised."

A glance went to prove that the pursuers had
come within arrow r nge; and were preparing for a

n sp .

“0nl” cried Co gswell. sterniy. and the jaded
steeds were lashed nto further speed. “ They must
not gitin a wipe 0‘ them arrers on us. or some o” us
'1! be troubled wi‘ chronic]: rewmatisml"

 

0n. desperately on they dashed, hotly chased by

the painted man-hunters, whose yells were now in-

creased both in volume and hideousness. 0n. and

they were nearing the mountain range which rose so

frowning]? out of the almost leve savanna. when
a

Cog we uddeniy shouted:
“ kl there is the mouth of the canyon otwhich
I speaked. if we kin It inter it, we kin tight the

p‘izen varmints at our eisure."

He pointed to a black angular opening in the
mighty bluits or mountain, through which singled
a i ttle streamlet.

A cheer rose from the lips of Sir Harry and was
answered by a perfect pandemonium 0t yells lrom
the savages.

They lashed their ponies furiously. and sent cloud
after cloud of arrows and voile after volley of hul-
iets in pursuit of their intendet victims.

But all to no avail. ’

In five moments Dan C swell led his party be-
tween the towering walls 0 the can onI and order-
ing the ladies to ride on into the depths. be com-
manded the men to dismount and prepare to defend
th mseives. .

n came the Sioux in a rush. with the idea that
they could break into the canyon. but they were mis-.
taken, there.

The horses had been wheeled broadside mm the
entrance. and as the savage enemy came uring
into view. four well-directed bullets from t e little
party’s re ating rifles. unhorsed as many reds.

Again t 1e repeaters spoke. and eight instead of
four warriors went sprawling to the ground. At
first the Indians were confused; and. hill! terrified. '
beat a hastv retreat out of rifle range, to hold a
short consu tation. boon they came ercely on in
another rush, only to be. n et with a rtect stream
of tire from the wonder ul repeat 3 riflel. that
swe t away halt a dozen braves from their ranks.
A n‘they withdrew a short distance and leavinxa

or two-score to watch the fugitives, the main

y separated and swerved to either side of the
canyon. Their purpose at once became evident
They were going to scale the mountains and enter
the gulch from the rear.

CHAPTER 111.
Two REIARKABLE Visrrons.

“THEY are oing to assail us from some other
point." said 8 r Flemin . as he with the others
watched the division 0 the save es. “Is there
another end to this canyon, guide. hrough which
we can make our escape? ‘

“Wai now, that’s a question that only time can
solve. ‘raps thar’s an outlet sumwhar more or
less than five thousand miles from here an‘ ag‘in.
p‘raps thar ain’t. These can ons ar‘ as full 0‘ crook!»
curiiv uews an‘ curious i' 0' natur’ as a mule‘s
bin at. It thar's an end to this purtlclt‘iar one ya
can bet yer shiners that it ar‘ fur from this—ol'ar
1.1111133”! other side 0’ ther mountings. That's true

05 .
E “And do you think the red-skins who just rode,
away contemplate climbing the mountains and get-
ting into this canyon in our rear?" asked Sir Harry.

" I hain’t ther least doubt o‘ it!"

“ Then, in God‘s name. what ought we to tie—what
must we do?"

“ That‘s w'at I‘m cogitatin' on. but ain't made up
in mind, yet. Give me room an‘ time to think."

en he relapsed into silence, and while the others
were watching the movements of the remainder of
the Indians. Dan racked his brain for some possible

)lll‘l by which he could extricate the party from the
in ending dan er. ' '

e guard le outside the entrance were now seen
to dismount and picket out their fponies. while active
pre tions were bei made or cam on the
spa . V This convinced guide that the enemy
were not going to relinquish their prize. while there
might be a chance of capturing it. The were Reins
to surround and take the gorge on all Bl es.

 

8: 1,1

“We will camp where we are." he said, at last,
“ an' do the best we can. ‘Twon‘t do to ventur' in-
tor ther depths o‘ther mountings too far. fer we
thought like‘s not git caged thnr. Sir Bruce. ye’d
better trot oil' up t 6 Canyon. an‘ recall Lady Mil-
hurn an' Lady Maude, an’ we’ll camp right hyar for
ther present. '

Sir Bruce obeyed with alacrlty. and in half an
hour returned with the ladies, and a camp was
pitched on the spot.

This consisted of a couple of portable tents which
had been brought along or the use of the females
andthe ntlelnen; and soon a tire was built, and
Cog? prepared some dried venison for the
who e

. l

BK tfitti'me it was sunset, and the shadows of
ni t settled dark and somber over the earth.

Harry volunteered to stand guard the fore
part of the night, and Dan the latter: so the night
passed away and another day dawned bright and
may, without sight or sound of hostile movement
from the enemy. '

A breakfast Dan put the camp in charge of Sir
Harry and shouldering his rifle and mounting his
horse he set oi! up the canyon to make observations,
as he said.

The canyon soon proved itself to be similar to
many others of its kind in this wild region. In laces
it was not over a hundred feet wide, and Wu led in
by such mammoth towers of rock that all was dense‘
ly black at the bottom, which was grassy and
watered by an infant stream.

Then further on it would widen somewhat and
become lighter, though the sides were still high and
perpendicular. For miles it stretched away between

tpeaks. whose crests were cap ‘ with snow
ear around, and woundits way ike a forsaken
fresh of nature through the silent northern wilder-
ness of rock and Wood. Far away. still in the dim

distance. loomed up the Flat Butte like a frowning _

monster. as it reared its summit haughtlly above
. those of its neighbors. and seemed to discountenance

. human spgroach.

w I had never explored the range. but he
had much concerning it, and did not venture
very far into its depths for fear he might arouse an‘
otherfiang of red-skins. So. after assuring himself
that a canyon extended at least as far as
the Flat Butte, he turned his horse‘slhead toward
camp. .

As he retraeed the route over which he had come,
heminutel scanned the walls on either side of him.
to see it here was any chance for the enemy to
penetrate the gorge.

No; there was no 0 ning in the great mass of
rock. that would adm t of assage. if they got in

all it wonld be by lowe ng each other with las-
sces hem the pinnacles above, whither they would
have to climb. -

Satisfied that such was the true state of affairs,
and-that days if not weeks must eie so are such an
entrance could be eifected. Coggwe l rode back to
the camp. Here he found mat rs ashe had left
them. and that there were no signs of immediate
trouble from-the twenty reds who had camped out-
side the mouth of the canyon.

 Harry Milhnrn was lounging on guard just out
of rifle range, and Sir Fleming and Sil‘ Bruce were
in their tent cleaning their wea ns.

. “What did, you make out?‘ asked Sir Harry as
the snidejoined him.

“ h. nuthin’ much. I don't» ‘spect any trouble

tofl, tho' it’s well enuffto be on ther lookout

for it."'" was the reply. " Any stir among the

" No.1 not to speak of They seem to be lounging
'andlsxing around, at their own ease. as you see
them ' -' '

"Hotnpr An‘ all the w'ile they're plannin’ sum
defliuent; lie can bet ‘ ywr flip. Howsumdever,
m‘re powerless to purvent it. A l we kin do ar' tel‘
lay low, an‘ wa‘it further dewellopments.“

 

 

Old Avalanche.

The day passed without incident, and night with
her somber mantle overshadowed the mountains,
canyon, and plain. .

811‘ Bruce was detailed to keep the ilrst vigil, and
Dan the last.

Accqrdlnkly. they chan red on at midnight, and
the gunde went on duty. here was no moon. and
though a. feW pale stars twinkled up afar in heaven‘s
blue vault, the shadoon the towering blui‘is cast
over the camp a pull of loom.

No tire was kept bu ng, for the guide well knew
that the . enemy would take advantage of the
light to 101: off an occasional white with their long-
range ri es. They however, kept a little blaze near
by their camp. on when it would die down their
pickets always took pains to replenish it, so that
their camp was flooded with light.

Coggswcll could not understand this at first,
although he was alive to the fact that there was a
motive in it. He was not aware that full half the
save. es were concealed beyond that fire eagerly
watc ing the enemy‘s camp. with the idea that some
of the whites would. out o curiosity, cree near to
spy upon them, and thereby offer a target or half a.
score of rifles. .

But in this the fierce wretches were foiled. Dan was
too wise to “ nose around ” in their vicinity. Still
he did not allow his watchfulness to decrease, but.
on the contrary, kept his eyes and ears even more
alert than on the foregoing night. He felt that
something was soon to occur, but what it was he
was unable to imagine.

The hours went slowly by, and as . morning‘s
dalvlvn approached, the night grew blacker and
sti er.

The guide had just returned from a tripI around
the camp, and was starting oil' toward t e Sioux
camp. when a suspicious sound arrested hisatteir
tion.

«It came from the direction of the entrance, and
sounded like stealthy footsteps in ,the rustling

grass.

Cooking his repeater. Dan peered straight ahead.
his eyes sharpl searching eve object in the .
At first be con d make out noth us. but present he
beheld a. visible moving and swaying of the tall
v tation. and looking. as he was. toward the
b lit-light of the enemy’s camp-tire. he thought he
con (1 distinguish the bobbing of a head now and
then above the surface of the grass.

Who was it? Were the savages trying to steal in, I

and effect a su rise?

it looked demdedly so, else why so stealthy an

ap roach?
etching warily for a moment longer, the guide
bPOUth his gun to his shoulder. and sung out:

" Haiti Who comm there?”

In an instant all was silence.

The rustling ceased, and the bobbing in the ver-
dure was gone.

“ Speak; who are you?“ again demanded Coggs-
well. advancing—“ friend or foe?"

” i reckin thet ar' erbout the state 0’ affairs,” re-
plied a shrill. wheezy voice; and the next moment

he figure of a man leaped nimbiy from the depths
of the grass. and came tumbling with handspringa
into the guide's resence. closely followed by a.
small. sheepish-loo ing animal of the genus Capra—-
a real. live, and excee ingly “EIY'XOOking goat- Dan
Coggswall lea ed baCk in consternation at the un-
ceremonious elm: of the pain but, as the little old
man ceased his eccentric revolutions and came
squarely upon his feet. rifle in hand. beside the goat,
the guide sprung forward with a lad cry“.

“Old Avalanche. by all the 's holy!” he ex-
claimed. catching the new-comer's hand and wring-
ing it warmly. ,

"Yes. yas; yer correckt. h yne—correckt as er
full moon in fly-time. Et ar‘ Old Avalanche. the
lnjun Annihilator. who is a volcaner o’ destructive-
ness. a hail-starm o‘ demolishen. an‘ or whirlwind
o‘ terriflcossity—a great an‘ awo-inspirin' avalanche

  

  
  

g.

 

    
  
   

       

.7... M- v"..—

 

 

Old Avalanche. 'f.

 

0' annihilation w'ot contineraily sweeps down thr’u’
these boreal lattytudes l"

“ Good! I'm as glad to see yo, old man, as a
coyote is to smell (lend boss, artcr a severe winter.
But, whar in ther name 0‘ Israel Putnam, did ye
cum from?"

“ Cum from? Whar'd I gush forth from. d‘y wan-
ter kno‘l Oh! uowhar in Purtickylar. I smelt the
savory odor o‘ lnjun down his wa . so I at aboard
0’ a veritagable thunderstarm 0‘ emails ion, under
the conductorashun o‘ 0' R02 Borey Alice. nn‘ war
wanted over inter thes deest ct fer ther piirpuss n'
annihilatin‘ a. couple a-hundred Socks. Sec yc‘ve a
reglm'int 0’ ther same acting as yer body-guard, out
ha 1-. ‘

30h yes. The divils have got us Penned u
1: ar. an‘ thar's no tcllln' how we‘re oin to git ou .

hat kind 0' a boost d‘ye call this te ier?"

“That? Why. crceation hain't ye nevyer heerd
tell 0' thet anymiiot Thet‘s my half—my best-half.
and a flat 0' ther destructive Avalanche. That 'ar’s
a he goat, w‘at navygaits under ther apploation 0’
Florence Ni ht—in-a-gale. Put the he-goaI-u. w‘ot
floats throng the atmosphere under them ognonicn
0’ Old Avalanche. Injun Annihilator: an‘ he's my

ard, Ye observe et allus takes (no, at thcr most

ndet‘fynite cal‘liylution, to make a bargain. nn‘ sum-
times three. al. sich hein' ther status 0' erfairs, I
an' Florence ar' two. nn‘ w’en ther third teller cums
in wi' his say ’bout things in ginersl, we two consoli-
date an‘ win the bargi'n by demolishen ther third
party! We ar‘ one an‘ always wms when it comes
to ll ht, or fodder. or fun."

" awi haw! haw!" laughed Dan. really happy.
now that he had met one of his own type of men.
" I see ye‘re‘s lull 0‘ sass as over, old man. But, tell
me. how did you git in here‘s"

“ How did I git hayar? How (lid the miihty
avalanche o’ deniolishen git here? Why. b'yeo. ow
does this great ackcheevemunt allus work its as-
toundin‘ miracles? How does the whirlygig 0' de-
struction allus sweep down like a grasshopper bri-

ade thru these Injun lat-ytudes an longytoads?

ow, indeed? Echo ans‘ers faint] haow! Wnl
I‘ll explain to c. lsmeltSoo down nyrabouts. so l
an‘ Florence ight—inn gale ist stepped aboard o‘ a.
thunderstarm o‘ exterminas un, cornducted by the
root 0‘ Rory Bore Alice. an’ were socked down at
her entrance 0' th canyon in less time ‘n et takes
to say Zackarlah Zebulon l"

By this time the shrill tones of the eccentric Ava.
ianche had aroused the camp. and the whole of the
party came tumbling out of their tents, to ascertain

he cause of so muc commotion.

it was still uite dark. and only the outlines of the
two friends' orms were discernible to the noble-

men.

“Hello. there, guide!“ shouted Sir Harry as he
a proached. accom ied by Sir Bruce and sir

eming: “ what's the go?“

“Oh! noth much." was the reply. “ Come up.
I‘ve got a room t here!"

“A recruit. ehi" and the gentlemen crowded
eagerly around. “What! a mountaineer? Jove:
thisulnckl" -

“Yes, sar," replied the old man. leaning on his
rifle. and. peering at the noblemen through the
Satin], “a ginnuywine northern mountener. who

ts through the atmospheie about five feet above
terrymiirmer, under the pum handle 0‘ Old Ava-
lanc the Great Injin Anni ilator—a voloaneck
errup on o’ destruction, a hailstorm o‘ demolishon,
and a veritagable equinocksyell decockshun o‘an-
nihilation.“

 

CHAPTER IV.
mm In“ nan.an TOLL.

THIS caused a barn! laugh, during which the cor-
pulent Sir Flem n espled the old goat, faintly dis-
cernible in the dar ness.

: “Helloi What is this-a mountain dog?“ he asked.

 

advancing with all an Englishman’s love for the
canine creation, and attempting to at the animal
on the head. “Nice doggg, nice (oggvi There.
pup, do not be frightened ecause I w: not harm
you "—for Florence Nlfihoin-a-gale had backed
away, shaking his head ubiously. Seeing that he
could not eflect an acquaintance with the stubborn
“ o .” the nobleman turned to Old Avalanche.

“ hat breed
condescendingly.

The Annihilator was about to answer when there

is your dog. stranger?” he asked,

was a rush, a savage “ha-mu " and the neck and
heels of Sir Fleming suddenly approached each
other with nstonishin uickness. and he went roll-
ing end over end to t e urther side of the camp.

ir Fleming (lolefully picked himself up, and
glared about wildly.

“What was that Y" he demanded, stamping his
foot with rage; “ what was that that struck me i"

The answer came quickly, for like a rocket the
frolic-some out. with a bound and a bleat, rammed
his knotty cud against the baronet's imposing
paunch, again rolling him over and over like a ball.

“ That‘s ’bont ther breed 0‘ my dorg " snorted
Old Avalanche. roaring with laughter. ant rancing
(lelightcdly about: " that‘s ther pedigree o' lorence,
Night-inra-guie. Kim hyar, Florence. ye onmannerly
rapscallion. Don' e kno' no better'n to buck one 0'
yer own color? y b‘yee, ye shed alius remember
thet ye ar' only called upon tew butt Idmm—tew
lend yer head-geer tow the her-than. Nevyar. nor or
let me cotch ye buckin‘ one 0‘ yer own color erg in.
or I‘ll wallop yer red l“

Sir.Flcniing arose with evident trepidation. and.
claspmg his hands over his abused paunch, made for
his tent With greens and muttered curses.

Morning dawned clear and warm, and in the first
rosy light, the imprisoned party was enabled to view
for the first time a genuine northern mountain man—
tor such was Old Avalanche—from deerskin leggings
and beaded moccasins, to his fringed skin hunting-
shirt and benrskin cap.

He was of medium stature. with a mnscularly
developed form. and clean, wiry limbs, and looked to
be a person of uncommon strength. Though well
along in years he was stillsuppie and active As a
man of forty. his skin was tanned to a dark brown;
and his whole face and appearance was as grizzly all
grizzly could be. His face was dee‘pg’ scarred and
seamed. his hair was long and tang e . and his en
were wonderfully brilliant and iercimz. conside gt
his age. The seemed capableo reading'one's inner.-
most thong ts and secrets. In some aflray he had
lost both ears. a disflguration that would render him
recognizable in any place or under any cii‘cuniv
stances.

.His arms were of improved pattern and finish, the
rifle being a re nter. and the revolvers lnhis belt
of the (‘nlt ma. 'e. A bowie-and hatchet also hung
at his hip, and this completed-the outfit of the not-
able mountaineer and guide. ‘

His reception by the Ladies Milburn was hearty.
and Sir Harry and Sir Bruce were no less demon,
strative in their joy at his coming}. Dan had said
much of the prowess. skill and genuity of the
Annihilator. and now that be had condescended to
drop in upon them, all felt that they could rel
upon him to extricate them from their present omit.
cult and danger.

" dunno about it." was the veteran‘s reply. when
Sir Harry asked him if he hit himself equal to the
task of idin them into a place of eatery. "These
purteck er latgytudes au‘ iongytoads ain‘t ther most
delightful ken ries as ye ked wish fer. 'less ya're
able ter ’preeshate ther failings an‘ virtues o thei-
Injun creeashun. If a feller ts inter lnjun embar-
rassments it’s mor'n prob‘le e won‘t git out 0‘ am.
wi‘out los n' his wig. less he hap no to beahaii-
starm o‘ demolishen: like me fer nstance."

“ But there certainly must be some way b which
to escape from here. Does not this canyon ve an
opening at some other point?"

 

01d Avalanche.

 

“Ye‘ve got ther Avalanche thnr b‘yee. fer sart‘in,
'ca'se I don't cg tly kno‘. e so». I nevyar
'splored it any fu her‘n the Flat Butte. WlIOse base
at" ‘bout twenty miles from hayr. Thar mought be
another eend to et, then at: in thnr moughtn‘t.

. These canyons ar' worse nor a dose 0’ pills fer
rhinickin‘ a feller‘s ijees an' calkylashuns. Sum‘-
imcs they‘ll run for miles as party an' natcheral-
like as a volcauer o‘ destruckshion: then ergain,
ye‘il p‘r’a )8 fuller oneTor a mile or two gude ernuifx
whekn‘ ye‘l cum slap-dab up ag‘in’ u mounten 0
we . .

w"g;i'deedl How far westward does this range ex-

" .

“ More or less'n a hundred miles. It‘s cl‘ar twenty
on 'em to ther fut o‘ ole Flat Butte, un‘ thet ar‘n't a
sarcumstance ter w‘ot’s beyond."

“Humphl We are indeed in a trap. then. I al-

, most despair of ever getting back within the bounds

‘ of civilization.“

" Ye mustn‘t guv up so easy."

“ And why hope, pray?“

“Oh! for numerous reason. I'll bet a cart-load
o' b’ ~meat that I an‘ my j‘iut ‘11 get you out 0‘
this atorelongi"

“Your j'int?"

“ le-my ‘int-my h: lf-an‘~hn.lf l"

"I fail to compre end."

“Eh? Don‘t see thr‘u’ et? Walx that‘s quare.
Ye observe thet my goat their, ar‘ 0. 1 int 0' the grout
thunderstorm o' boreal destruction, an‘ consekent-

ly. he‘s a j‘int o’ ther famuss Avalanche, w‘ich same
In" er’unible sarvint. He’s my goat. is Florence
Nig t-in-a-gale, an' I‘m his goatee. He's a j‘int,
coggwheel an‘ ram-rod o' ther Annihilation; I’m the
proprietor, ther orig'nator. an‘ :her hull machinne
o' ther ackcheevement. We two. consolidate ,
make up ther arful Norweesjan avalanche o‘do-
struction, w‘at swee oif Injun vermin from three
lnttytudes an' long ds- ther volcaneck errupshun
o’ extermination; her whiriyglg o‘ demolishun nu'
rm 0' subversion an‘ annihilation!"

“ Heaven!“ gasped Sir Harry, “ it you are all you
claim to be, I should hate to have you wage war

nst mei”

‘Con‘eckt—correckt as full moon in fly-time.

ppers an' mounten dewi why, when both
’ints o ther Avalanche git inter o ration. an'
r’s plenty In uns erbout to annihi ate, we‘re a
perfect thunde lterous decockshuu 0‘ death an‘
extinkshun. Sir. jes’s truo’s I‘m a Norweezjan
avalanche, I an’ m half-an‘-hnlf. Florence Night-
in-a-galeJhar, kin ick more Ininn-meet than any
alliance this side 0‘ Mississip‘ rivyer on a bet, an' by
ther sun. Wanter bet?"

" No. I think not. I should first prefer to see on
0 ate on these savages out there at the mout of
t5, on."

“An' ye shell be grattyiiml soon. sure‘s thar‘s
Virtue an' modest in a he-mule’s hind rut. I think
I'll take 3 skirmis over thar. now, I do."

V looking to his weapons the eccentric old fel-
low threw himself on the ground and wiggled oi!
toward the entrance, close y and silently followed
by his remarkable goat.

I The in the mouth of the canyon was nearly
waist h, in consequence of the round at this
spot being somewhat marshy, so tint the move-
ments of the Avalanche were not observed by the

, watchful savages outside.

The two were absent a greater share of the day

and those in camp were beginning to grow fearful

that their stand-by had either deserted them or been
captured, when he quietly reappeared among them,
accompanied by Florence.

Aglanee at grim. anxious face told them that
something had happened. which bodod them no

good. ,
, “What is it, sir?" asked Lady Milburn as she sp-
hed. him, leaning on the arm of her beautiful
anghter. “ i trust we are in no immediate danger
‘ of being massacred? Coggswell said, only yester-

 

day. thatflhe apprehended no trouble for several

dayiwvet.
" al. ma'am," was the Annihilator's answer, as
he seated himself on a convenient bowlder, “ that‘s

all to one’s we 0’ thinkin'. As l‘ve observed sev-
eriai times behind, it ginnerale takes two or more
arsons to make a bargain. ow. then, I an' my
in‘t, hyar, Florence Night-in-a-gaie. hev been coni-
parin' notes, to-day, an we‘ve arriv‘ at ther univer-
snl conklusion thet we‘re goin‘ to expcerience thun-
der‘n' hot times. Piriy soon, near’s we kin jedgel"

“ What‘s that? asked Sir Harry, coming up.
“ Have you made any alarming discoveries, scout?"

“Alarmin‘? Wnl, that’s jes‘ as ye luke at the
thing. You mouglit call ‘em ainrniin‘, while I call-
ed ‘em simply ‘bot.’ Howsumdever, I’ve satisfied
my ijees, thet of we wait ’til ye esca thru that
hoe! yonder. wi‘ ther assurlty that ye git safe away
wi'out gittin‘ er ba‘r dressed by In'in barber's, ye' i
he’s gray‘s o e Job's hen-turkey. i‘her pererarey
ar’ 95‘ swarmin‘ wi’ red-skins, au' they'reggrgparin‘
to rive us back inter ther mountains. hayr,
folkses, thar's one thing‘w‘at puzzils me. Ev ry
consarned Injun out thur kerries ther calkylashun
'bout him, that when they get Jon-'uns the 'li it
swads on swads 0’ money an‘ imunds an’ ewe s,
an‘ sich like. Thar‘s white devils ‘mong 'em w‘at‘s
seen ye up at Dakota City—Idaho Bill an‘ Red Bill,
for instance, who ar’ two 0‘ the wu‘st cut-throats
this side 0’ gerdishen. an‘ they‘re a-urgin’ on the

red ni 'gurs y tellin‘ ‘em w'at lots 0' spondulix ye‘ve
got. 1‘? ow, is this so, or is et sum 0‘ them renegades'

cussed lyin‘?"

Sir Harry and Lady Milhurn exchanged glances;
then the former replied:

“ Yes. it is partly true. We have money and ew-
els enough about our persons to come to a in ion
dollars i sold in fair markets."

The old man shrugged his shoulders.

" Ye're dumhlnsted tools for bringin‘ ‘em out inter
this kentry, then,“ he growled. ‘ That. however.
ain’t none 0‘ my bizness. Ye‘ve got yerselves inter
a muss, an‘ ye must prepare to bear up no matter
w’ot ‘turnai dimkilties ye meet. Ef we all it out 0‘
these mountens 'thout we git ha'r dressed. 've lost
my scientiifeck rec’onin‘. Nevyertheless. we hev

ot to 111/. 'l‘her great Avalanche is wi' ye. an’ of he

en't see e out o‘ thes embarrassment, no other de-
structive uman ken. But ernuir o‘ juw-waggin‘; let’s
adjourn ter hizness. Saddle an' mount yer bosses,
all hands. an‘ ride for dear life up ther canyon. Do
not stop ‘til ter-morrer davbreak ef ve ken keep on.
Thet‘ll fetch e ‘bout ter ther fut o' Fiattened Butte.
Sto hayr an wait ‘tii I j‘ine ye!" .

“ ut what do you intend to do?"

“ I must steal a hose from them In uns fust.
Nev er feer for me. I‘ll cum out top 0’ t e pile."

“ 'hall we take the tents along?" asked Sir Harry.

“ No. Leave ‘em whar they ar‘. They may keep
ther reds from ‘speckin‘ ye‘ve sloped an' keep ‘sm
from attackin' rightoff.‘

So the tents were left standing. the horses care-
fuli saddled, packed and mounted. and then, when
all was in readiness. the cavnlcade dashed oi! up the
gorge, under the guidance of Coggsweli. leaving Old
Avalanche and Florence sols tenants of the deserted

camp. .

For hours they rods rapidly on. The bottom of
the canyon was com ratively level. consequently
no serious impedimen was altered to their progress.

Night fell dark and dense over the grand old
mountains, for the-s13 as overcast with menacing
black clouds; and ii the fugitives urged their
steeds through the glomn of the great canyon which
stretched away, as deep. silent and lifeless as before,
and doubly more blank and im notrable.

All night they rode] on.an as the first tints of‘
day-dawn were seen to flush against the mountain!
crests, they came to a halt at the base of tha
mighty pile ofrock and wild ndeur the Flat Butte.

“Thar. ma‘am," said 01 Dan. dotting his hat
respectfully to Lady Milburn, as he nodded upward

 
   

 

 

    
 

 

 

 

 

toward the far-distant peak—" that‘s ther Flat
Butte. up yonder an‘ ther only pile o' mountin 0‘
that name n all ota; in fact thar ain’t ernut er
flat butte short 0‘ ther Black Hills or ther Rockies."

"0h. Sir Flemingl" exclaimed the lady: “ then

on must be mistaken. This must be the mountain

am in search of. Ohl sir, do not tell meI am
wrox . I must. I will know the truth, and haven.
sears made for my poor. lost Henry's bones. Ay.
I will. sir, if we have to search the country over!"

“Nonsense. Betty; you are getting crazy over
this subject. I have told you once that this is not the
Flat Butte i mean. Is not that enou b?”

“No! it is not enoughl" cried Sir arry, sternly.
“ I now fully believe this to be the peak."

“Take care young man, how you speak to me,
your better. You to et."

“No. I forget noth ng; nor do] fear you. If my
mother wishes search made. it shall be model Let
that be understood.“

“It shall not. withrut my consent. Who com-
mands this party, pray Y“

“ J do—my share of ti" was the retort of the de-
cided young nobleman.

“And what do you claim as your part?“ snecred
Sir Fleming.

“ My mother and sister. sir. and our guide, I trust
Sir Tyrant. As to Sir Bruce Lesquirk. I do not
know whether I can count on him as ally or not."

Sir Bruce smiled a. purely French smile, and
nodded his head negatively.

“Sir Emmy] forgets that I owe my sup rt and
title to Sir eming." he said, in a soft. on y voice.
“I should therefore consider his wishes above all
others." . .

“Very well." bowed the haughty young peer.
coolly; “ ust as you like. Your room is of more
account! anyour society."

Sir Fleming laughed. evilly.

“ I think by the rights of a husband and guardian.
I also have the ladies under my controll" he
chuckled.

Sir Harry hit his lip savagely, but did not an-
swer. Co gswell, however. spoke for him: r

"Enough 0‘ this wranglin', now." he growled.
“fer thar 5 other biz on hand. We‘re goin’ to have
visitors.“

He pointed on up the canyon to where a large
party of horsemen had come in sight through t e
gloom. and were galloping down toward them. They
were all attired in the garb oi' mountain-men. were
armed with polished rifles. revolvers and knives.
and wore cra e vails as masks over the upper por-
tion of their aces.

But. most strange of all. they were headed b a
woman—a young and beautifu creature, with s -ln
of creamy whiteness. flare and classic features. eyes
like stars in their brig tness, and hair of nut-brown
color. which hung to her waist in a mass of wild
confusion. Her form was the rfection of a. syl h.
and was clad in a rich Spanish- exican riding-ha it.
while a belt around her taper waist was bristling
with weatgons of the best pattern and finish, as was
the rifle at was slung across her saddle-bows.

She was mounted upon a superior black ch er.
adorned with ay and eleth trapfl . and set or
saddle with t e ease an raceo a nished e ues-
trienne. As the noted these facts, both an

well and tr Henry uttered exclamation: of
won or and admiration.

“Beautiful!” said the latterto his pretty sister
who was ridint by his side. “ She is in“ my ideal of

- what woman can be."
. “You think her pretty?"

" clyl—-Wh8t grace! what strength. what com-
man I She is magnificent! Hey. guide. do you

know her?“ - 7.1
, “Reckon so; at least I‘ve heenl tell on her. but
didn‘t ex t to meet her hyar, nomore‘n I would

\ ’ve Job’s en-rooster."

“But. who is it?-—who are they 7“
" Tiler femayel is Wild Edna. the Girl Bandit, an'

Old Avalanche.

 

./9

 

them others ar' her backers—at wild an‘ fearless a
set 0’ devils as ever chawed le'd i“

“ Whatl a rl-banditt that beauteous girl aban-
dth lmpO' le. sirl“

“N et ain't nuthin‘ o' the kind. Jes‘ waitabit
an‘ e’ 1 see for erself." '

A the guide s command all the men cooked and
raised their rifles. and as the new-comers came
within speakingldistance, old Dan sung out:

“ Halt or we rel“ .

Wild Edna addressed her followers then, and they
drew up in form across the canyon. while she, amx-
ing a white ‘kerchief to the end of her rifle. rode
fearless] forward.

“Wha do you want?“ demanded Sir Flemin as
she rode within a few rods and drew rein. “fihat
and who are you?"

A smile irradiated the maiden's face as she eyed
ever one among the warty. and then re lied:

“ our ponderous ords: p I have e honor of
introduci m self as Wild Edna. the Girl Bandit.
Those 1 lo the ind me are in men."

“Indeed! A most remar able vocation for a
young lady of your personal beauty. Ishouldla .
was not aware that America was infested wi

banditti l“

“Then dyou were not well informed, sir. Hal
make bol to inquire what brought you into De l‘s
Canyvon?" '

“ e were driven hither by the Indians." replied
Sit-Ha .eying the vision of beauty‘before him
with an isguised admiration.

“By the Indians, eh? Well, that is no un-
common occurrence. for we often see arties of
hunters, tra pers and explorers cog in this
same traB. suppose it is your desire to pan on
through?" e canyon and get out of these mountains,

t no
“ Most assuredly, if there is possibility of such an
escage.“
“ on are then, doubtless. prepared to pay the
toll without delay, so that you can earlier take your
departure?"
The (all f"
“The toll. Every person who see the Flat
Butte by the gateway of the Devi ‘s Canyon in re-
uired to pay a tol , the same being an amount
may see fit to exact. On considers on of its
ayment in gold or greenbacks. my followers .00
flint you are guarded safel on through the mount-
ains and started on route or the nearest post of
dying?" d l" l d s: I! i in rage
eos grows r em . a .
“youyhave t 6 most sublime cheek itnhgal ever been
in lot to behold. Why. child. do you imagine we
w tolerate any such interru tionas on p
will seek to place in our pat 1’ I‘ll eat you for
your impatience."

“No. you will do nothing so rash." was Wild
Edna‘s cool answer. “One finger laid upon me in
anger or a hand upraised against me. would seal

our ate. My men are all sworn to obey and pm
{cot me, and ave a me should I fall. God pl the
man who incurs eir enmityl His death wo be
terrible.“

Sir Fleming cowered under the fire that shone
from her wondrous eyes. '

“What toll do you require,“ asked Sir Harry.
"before yougaass us on?"

"Wei the. tagging? list me sec—3mm ling:
0 an see 0 you save e elpo
fiizfi'nonds—a fact that tells me your wm great.

Of what nationality are our"

“ All. except two. are nglish. Sir Bruce here. is
a French Canadian. and the guide a Yankl"

‘ Very well. The toll. then. shall be m Mound
«Iouan—onelthousand a head i" _

CHAPTER V.
ow nausea: on was MIPMII. .
Anna the oavaicade was out of sight. the
ravine or canyon, Old Avalanche began to nxut‘inn

 

10

  

01d Avalanch’c.

   

 

around in camp, in such a manner as would lead the

sav es to suppose all the rty were still there.

He ound several blankets n the tents, and wrap-
ping these about suitable broken limbs that were

strewn about be manufactured some quite credit-
able dummies. which were put in position near the
mouth of the gorge. After arran 'nfi everything

teto his satisfaction, he station t 8 goat near

t eentrance to watch. while he threw himself upon
the ground and was soon off in a sound and refresh-

slumber. from which he did not waken until the
shadows of night had enveloped the earth.

Then, after calling in Florence by a shrill whistle.
he ate a few bits of dried bear-meat, after which he
was ready for the war-path.

Out on the prairie he could see the glow of many
camp-tires, and from these he guessed that the reds
were not to attack the camp that night, or, if at all,
not until a late hour.

The reflection of the tires against the clouded sky
enabled the shrewd old scout to ascertain their num-
ber. for each flre cast a distinct glow from the
others. where they were not too contiguous, which
was not the case. now.

There were eleven reflections, and from their scat-
tered positions. the Annihilator concluded that the
enemy were spread out over a considerable portion

of the neighboring savanna.

' After carefully examining his weapons, and bid-
ding Florence to lie down and watch the camp, he
slung his rliie‘behind his back, tll“0W himself on all-
fours. and crept out of the mouth of the canyon.
Once outside, he came to a momentary halt..and
cautiously gazed about. All around him lay spread
out a panorama of wildness. life and grandeur.

~ Down across the almost limitless plain. were the
lights of twinkling camp-tires. which there lit u the
starless night like open day; the moving of un-
dreds of dusk figures, the neighing of horses and
the guttural outs of men, told that there was the
Indian camp.

Here were countless dozens cooking their evening
meals: there were other grou s engaged at their
long council-pipes. Here were vcs rubbing down
the rhorsesb the light of the flaming torch, and
there a smal army of dogs, yelping and snarling
over a cast-oi! bone.

Eve here were more or less hustle and a tivity,
and. owed in the bright light. of great, roaring
cam fires, it was a scene of exciting interest and

nove ty.
After several moments‘ scrutiny, Old Avalanche
became satisfied on two points. One was that there

wasalarge increase in numbers since his revious
visit, and the other was that there were not essthan
adonen sentinels concealed in the rass. very close
to where he was crouchin . He ha seen more than
,one suspicious swa ingo the verdure around and
in front of him. wh ch, as there was not the faintest
breece stirring could only be accounted for by the
presence of a skulking red-skin.
To get begond their lines without attracting atten-
tion he we knew was impossible; but beyond he
was determined to , if he had to wade through a
whole ment of t cm.
50. tig tenin his belt, and drawing his keen-
edged bowie. e crawled caretull on. making
-scsroely sound or stir among t o high grass.

Bis course y along the base of the mountain, for
he knew that if he could escape the sentinel in
this direction, he would be enabled to approach
the corral of the Indians' horses with more sure-
glegf not stumbling against a cordon of one-

On be crawled. with less noise than a creeping ser-
Bent. every nerve strung and really for work and
is and ears on the alert for hostile sight or

sou . Presently he suddenly aused.
Right in front of him he hes a rustle. which be
.tokened the nee of a ssv . Had the red-skin

' discovered h m? For fully hal a minute the scout
pausodindosbt; but, as all was again silence, he

 

thrust the blade of his knife between his teeth, and
began to wriggle slowly backward.
This retreat. however, was of but short duration,
for he soon came to another halt.
There were enemies coming up in, his war .’
These were not cree ing up, though' but advanc-
ing in an upright posi ion, and were our in numv
ber. Their course lay straight toward where the
scout was concealed, and in a few moments they
would be upon him.
“ One on ‘em‘s Idaho Bill," he muttered, as the
loud, brawling voice of one of the new-comers floated,
out on the air. " Darn his black hide, et won‘t do
for him tor git his peepers on ther Averlanche—thor
boreal breeze o‘ destructivoness, or thar'il be mir-
acles to pay. I opine et would be healthy to 310 ."
In retreating from where he supposed the sen incl
to be i 'ing, it had been the scnut‘s Plan to gather
himsel u and, by a succession o handsprings,
land plum on top of his enemy: but a lglance, now
warned him that this would be mposslb eon accoun
of the approach of Idaho Bill and his companions-
so he once more crawled ahead toward the conceal
rod-skin. He experienced no dimculty in obtaining
his former position, where he paused and grasped
his knife in a firm hand.
Then he listened. There was no noise ahead. The
next instant the Annihilator gathered himself up
and made a erce innge ahead through thegrass, to
where he believed the savage was lying..
But, great was his mistake.
No savage was there. and his long knife was
slunged to the hilt in the earth. Ere he could with-

raw it. he heard a chuckling runt. and wheeled
about just in time to avoid the l) ow froma hurtling
tomahawk. hurled from the hands of a giant savage,
not six yards away. -

In another instant the two had sprung to each
other’s embrace. and were locked in ades crate war-
hug. Over and over they rolled throught e rustling
grass, writhing. twisting and s uirming. but emitting
no sound save what was cause by their movements,
each determined to crush the other in his terrible

hug.

The Annihilator was knifeless. but still had his re-
volvers. but clasped in that terrible hug he could not
draw either wea n. The red-skin still possessed his
knife, but was ll ewise powerless to use it.

So the struggle depended alone upon craft and

strength.

0! the latter the savage had the advantage. al-
though Old Avalaucho was possessed of even more
than an average share, and a few moments convinc-
ed the scout that he had met more than his equal.

The red-skin was gradually warming up to his
work and bent all his energies toward retaining his

cell: on on the u per side. And. though the scout

ought desperawa against this. he was doomed to
defeat. for. ere he was scarce aware of the fact. the
savage had wrenchrd himself from his hold, turned
him under. and pininned him securely to the ground
as in the grip of a vise. _

He then eyed his prize with a demoniac grin on
his bedaubed features. as if undecided what to do—
whether to bind him with cords and hear him into
camp, or to brain him on the spot.

80 astonished was Old Avalanche that for a few
moments he was rendered bless. Never before
had he been so easily conquered by one of the hated
red-skin race. The grinning captorseemed todivine
his thoughts for he said: ,

“Ugh white dog much heap big brave: kill many
Sioux. Running Antelope too much stout for"imi
dough. He take great brave to Rain-in-the-Face, an
dey burn him at stake!"

"Ye will. hey? Ye‘ll take ther enormous Nor-
wee anavalanche ter yer camp, will ye, an‘ roast
him n ther Soc fryln‘ skillet, will ye? Ye‘ll trot
ther boreal thunderstarm 0’ demolisheu ’bont jest as
ye please. will ye?“

"Ugh! yes. Rain-ln-thel‘ace he been 'rim! to see

the No-Ear brave."

 
  

 

 

     

 

Old Avalanche. f!

 

“He will, hey? He‘ll slop right over wi‘ ioy w‘cn
he sees ther volcanic snow-slide o' annihilation. will
he? Wai, 'i-s‘ telegmf tew him not tew slobber jcs‘
vit! Tell im ter adjern his feelin’s o‘ funnynis ‘til

e‘s not yar ’umble sarvent fu‘st."

“ Ugh !" grinned the demon, “ let the No-Ear
listen. The white chief is coming, and he will help
Antelope bind his prisoner.“

Old Avalancbe’s heart now sunk within him. for
he heard the tramp of man feet and the loud mur-
mur of approaching voices but told him ldaho Bill
and his companions were coming up. Once now
he struggled fiercely to free himself, nit all in vain.
gunping Antelope had him where he could hold him

rm y.

“ gh!" he chuckled—“can't no git away." But
he spoke not the truth, then.

Searcer had the words left his lips when there
came upon his hearing the shrill blcat of a goat, and
the next instant the form of Florence Nightin ale
shot meteor~like through the air. and the Auto 0 e
became the reei ient of a tremendous bunt in t 0
back that shut hnn u like a jack-knife, and wholly
broke his hold upon t e scout.

Old Avalanche leaped to his feet with alacrity and
darted away into the darkness, for tho rcdskin‘s
howls instantly brought a swarm of his comrades
to the spot' and it was not safe to linger thereabouts
longer. Fllorcnce meekly followed, and in a few
moments the two were out of the reach of immedi-
ate dan er.

Here be old man halted and took in his bearings.
after which he started off in the direction of the
corral, which lay some two miles distant to the
northeast.

In order to reach it be was obliged to make a cir-
cuit of the entire camp, that was now awakened and
on the alert' for, by the magic system of Indian
telegrn by, t e news had been transmitted to every
camp- re of the scout's escape. But to a man as
thorough] experienced as the Annihilator, this
was mere y play. and in the course of half an hour
he and his faithful “ j‘int" were close in the vicinity
of the corral. This was about fifty rods from any
camp-fire and the animals were guarded by four
mounted bravesl each well armed.

The red-skin nearest to where Old Avalanche and
Florence were crouching. was a stalwart youn’
warrior, and was mounted upon a clean-limbed,
fiery Texan horse of a city black color.

Both horse and ri er were motionless, for the
latter's attention was now directed toward the camp,
which wasall excitement on account of the scout s
probable presence in the vicinity.

As he gazed at the handsome warrior and the
magnificent horse. a desperate resolve entered the
Annihilator's mind.

He would obtain possession of that animal, or
something more than a common “ scrimmage"
would rove a failure. With it, and he on its back,
it woul be no trick at all to dash back into the
Devil‘s Canyon, from whence he would follow and
join the advancing partv.

Bidding Florence to lie down, the scout crawled
stealthin forward through the grass, and after
some .time reached a. tion directly behind the

card 5 steed, and so c ose that he could touch its
aunches with his hand. Then he rose softly to his

. The brave was still unmindful of the pre-
sence of‘an enemy.

His attention was cast upon the movements of
those in camp. .

For several moments Old Avalanche softly stroked
the hairy bounches of the horse to uiet him, for on
the scout‘s rising he had appea , restlvo. Then
placing his two hands firmly on the animal‘s hips, he
made an agile spring and landed s%uarely upon his
back behind the sentinel, around w om he flung his
arms in a steel-like embrace.
“Theda?! reared,  snorted wig) tel-[rma and

en away WI y, bearing raig I. own
into the warming camp.

 

CHAPTER VI.
A semen on was scum. .

ALL, oven Coggswell the guide. put up their ban s
in astonishmen at the amount demanded by t e
Girl Bandit. The had imagined her tell would not
exceed a few do! rs. consequently the sum named
seemed almost an incredible tee.

“ Zounds!" cried Sir Fleming; “do you imagine
we are made of mono f Your impudence is astoun-
ding! Had I a suitab o whip I would chastise u."

A mcr pea] of laughter from Vi ild Edna I owed
how this ittle speech affected her. Evidently she
was as fearless as she was beautiful.

“ Who are you, lady?“ asked Sir Harry, respect-
fully. “ We seldom see females of your surpassing
loveliness the master of such adangerous and ro-
mantic situation."

“ True, Slr luquisitiveness; but who I am and
what are my antecedents, concerns you no that I
see. My business here, is to collect the ll for
passing through this canyon, and not to divulge my
secrets and history to utter strangers."

Her voice was now cold and hau hty.

Sir Ilarry flushed a trifle, and b t his lip to keep
hack a hot reply. Her retort had dampened his
ardor more than e would have dared to own.

Shar -eyed little Lady Maude had noticed the
effect, owever, and gave him a sisterly little and e.

“ Faint heart never won fair‘lady, you know " s e
whispered. and then burst into a ay, ringing ugh
that caused more rushes of co or to gO’datting
across her brother‘s handsome face.

" Dahi" be grotvled, with a frown. Then. taming
half-savagely upon the Girl Bandit, he continued:

“Well. what are you waiting for i" '

“ For six thousand dollars," was the cool, uncon-
fused answer.

“Indech You can go, then, for you will get no
such a sum out of me!" .

“You forget. my lord. I only ask one sixth of
the toll from you—the remainder from your cam-

nions.’

' " Bnt’t'hey will not give it, no more will I. So you
can 0.

“ li ny I presume to inquire, then, what you trill do?
You can go no further in this direction without pay-
ing the toll.” '

“ 1’01: target we are armed. and capable of fight:
ing our way through!“ ventured Sir Bruce, sneer-

in l .

E‘E‘Kcareeiy, through such odds as my’ band. I
command full sixt brave men. What could you
hope to do a ainst hem?" - ‘

“Not muc , it is true. Nevertheless. I. for one.
will not submit to being swindled thus out of a thou-
sand dollars. I rcfuse to pug you a single dollar!"

“Likewise. I!“ growled S ‘leming. ,

“And I!” from Sir Ha . -

“And I!" grinned old an. "This ohicken‘s bin
bankrupt these five yearn."

“Vi y well. If this is your final decision,gentie-
men, suppose it includes your ladies "yen as
yourselves."

“ it does.”

“ Then‘i will bid you adieu. Make no at to
go further up the canyon. or you will be ri died
with bullets. These are stern laws. but they are
such as bind the bandltti of Devil’s Canyon together.
You have refused to pay the toil. Tomorrow. next
day, and the nextiwil visit on and its

syment. If you refuse each t me, you It not be ‘
gunned n."

“ Inde . Then, I suppose you will adopt harsher
measures!" i

“ Yes. The laws of the brotherhood will then
grant you ten days to ‘escape from the canyon by
t e route you come, if you can fight ti: a
legion of red-skins. On the mom of the eleventh
day the floodfiates of Lake Tlco, a sheet of water-in
the peaks of is range and connecting with Dev
Can on, will be removed and its water will]
ant at blocks its path, in this place, away i"

 

 

18

“By Heavenl“ g Sir Harry, " I believe you

are an incarnate flen ess!"
“Nay. my young sir. you are wrong. I have no
more war to avert this catastrophe t an i have to
move enemountains. It is trueI am the captain
of you hand of men. but when parties refuse to pay
the tell, my power ceases. and another than I, sees
that the terrible laws-of the order are enforced. I
am bound and a helpless captive while the work or
destruction goes on P

“Borriblei” cried botll Lady Miiburn and her
dsu hter in a breath.

" trs eousl" growled Sir Fleming.

“True; ut i must not tarry. You still refuse to
pay the toll!"

‘ You will not lower the figure?"

" I will not—cannot—dare notl"

“ That is all, then. We refuse."

Without a word the beautiful commander turned
her horse's head. touched him with her jeweled
whip. and galloped back to the band. After a short
consultation they soon all dashed away up the run-
yon and quickly disappeared among its numerous

curves.
After they were out of sight Sir Harry turned to

Ww .
‘ ell. it is done with now, I suppose. What are
your views on the subject old man?“

Dan shook his head dubiously.

“Ye’ve got me." he replied, slowly. “I don't
gowpz‘io more what ter do nor does a new born

“ Then there is no we. we can et out of here ex-
cept by retreating or go she , eh 9"

' N one's I knows on. opine we‘d better cam
down hyar, ’cordin‘ ter Avalanche's orders. nn‘ wa t
for him tew come up."

“ Yes. I believe you are right. We are securely
penned up. for sure and may as well make the best
of our flseiltliéllitlon. ith red devils at our back and

w in our front, we cannot hope to escape,
that I see!" . .

Dan nod and then dismounted. while the
others follow his example. The canyon was car-

peted with an abundance o grass at this point. and
after the animals were pic eted out to graze, the
we set about arranging the camp. As but one
‘s sunlight netrated the bottom, it was quite
eveninm dda . son roaring firewas kindled

out of cones and brushwood.

Olst’of a few remaining blankets a tent was impro-
vised for the use of the ladies. and soon all Were
quite comfortable in their novel retreat.

slowly away.

le others were lounging about camp. Dan
shouldered his rifle and scoured the sides of the
canyon in ho a of finding some break that would
rmit them 3: escape from the impending danger;
mtvain the search; the ant walls towered frown-
ingly aloft. unbroken. an uninvlting. No break in
tluirfnee would admit of the passage of a human

During histramp however, the sharp-eyed ide

had succeeded in bringing down a younhgar, rom

. the pinnacles above. and his he bore g back to
camp as a handsome trophy. '

Choice steaks from young brain were roasted over

and made a very palatable dish to the hun-

the
ves.
museum was directl at the base and in the
shadow of giant Fiat utte. A person stand-
ing onitssummit could drops peb is into camp,
asdkli-sgggaseasil as to flingastone. Soar-
SIr ing. and e requested that the camp

. finer ru the go o.
guide went 0 to see ow near were Wild
Edna's guards, and soon returned with the news that
A do guard was posted a mile further up the
.’ .. f ' In wager thar‘s slathers more on ‘em class
V ’ _, 0 said by way of conclusion.
. he camp was accordingly transterred several

 

01d Avalanche.

hundred yards to fly: western side of the mountain.
and out of such danger as Sir Fleming had appre-
bended.

At last night fell over the peaks, and preparations
were made to “ turn in.“ I

All were more or loss anxious about the nonop-

earance of Old Avalanche, except Sir Fleming and

ir Bruce.

The were apparently unconcerned, or at least,
they d not seem to care whether he returned or
no .

“ it is ssiblo he may have been ca turcd by the
Indians 'suggested Lndv Maude. as t ey all stood
grou ) around the crackling camp fire.

“ as. et‘s possible. an‘ that's erhout all. I tell
yeit takesared-skiu wi‘ a cast-iron he‘d ter take
ther Annihilator, all alone. I‘ve knowcd ov his es-
calpin‘ from ther red warmints w‘en they hed him
al ready to roast—I hev, by gum. IIe‘s jes’ as slip-
pery as an on], an' hes got as many lives as or spot-
ted tom-cat.“

. "And as much tongue as a bayou alligator,“ put
in Sir Bruce spltcfully.

“Wal, to be sure. he ar‘ troublr'd wi‘ too much
speech. but et ar‘ nattcml for him."

“ How did he lose his ears?” asked Sir Harry.

“ Oh! thet ar‘ a matter o’uyeers ago. W‘en ther
old man war a boy. hes hu family war tuk by an
Injun raidin‘ expedition an‘ all killed but two-
Avalanche an‘ his twin brother. Tiler latter war
sold to a Missoury rancher fer a song, w‘ile the
former war held for torture. W‘en the day 0‘ tor-
ture arriv', the lad's ears war shaved oi‘f b the
chief's son, Craz Horse, an' another young rave
named Idaho Bil . As Avalanche didn t squeal nor
squarm in the operation, they, out o‘ Injun respeclc.
permitted him to go free. Since then he‘s made
thin urty hot fur the darned Soos. ye can bet."

“ n' his brother—what of him i“

“Dunno. Old Avalanche hain’t never heard from
him sence thetiime, ’cept that he learan from the
rancher thet he'd started out in the world on his
own hook. He mought be dead, or he moughtn‘t.
Jess as it happens."

After a. few more words, the ladies retired to their
tent, the noblemen threw themselves down near the
fire to sleep, and Dan went on guard.

He made. a tour up and down the canyon, but
failed to .discovcr any signs of prowlcrs. Douhtlcss
the Indians had not yet penetrated the gorge, and as
for the bandits. they probably meditated no mis-
chief ; so all was safe for the resent.

Returning to camp the felt in! fellow seated him-
self near the fire to ponder over the strange position
into which he had been thrown.

But his eyes grew heavv. and despite his efforts to
kee awake he soon fell fast asleep.

'I‘ e hours rolled by.

The camp-fire burned low and the cant?!) was
tilled With dense shadows. In her tent. dy Mil-
burn was restless and wakeful. Her thoughts were
of such a nature that she could notre se. y
Maude lay beside her. sleeping sweet v, but my
lady could not enjoy the same peaceful b essin .

“l have a foreboding of coming danger,’ she
murmured. as she at ast arose to a half-sitting
position. and peered around her. “ I wonder
what it menus? Can the Indians be creeping upon
us

Through an aperture in the blankets. a faint
1glimmer of light from the expiring fire shone into

3 tent.

Instinctiver my lad drew her jeweled watch
from its place in her be t. A

The hour was midnight: the camp and the awful
mountain solitude were hushed in slumber.

Casting a shawl about her shoulders and rising to

her feet. she stepped from the tent an stood in the
open air.
All of the men lay prone upon the . sound

asleep. save old Dan: for. though he was hat in un-
consciousness. be retained an upright, sitting pool.

i
l

r ‘i‘.’


5
§

 

 

Old Avalanche. 13

tion, his knotty hands clasped over the muzzle of
his pet riilc. >

So encefully was he sleeping that Lady Milburn
can] not bear to disturb him.

"Poor fellow." she. murmurrd. sympathetically.
“let him enjoy himself. He is fatigued. I’ll war-
rant."

She shlvcred a trifle at. the crisp mountain air,
and drew closer to the tire. Then. involuntarily.
she raised horcyes toward the top of the frownin *
Flat Butte. As she did so, she gave a low, stiilc
cry.

Great Heavcnl What was this she saw? Was she
dreaming. or was it reality?

The summit was illuminated by a mighty bonfire,
which lit up the northern skv to a bloodvred glow.
Standing at the edge overlooking the canyon was a
tall. spectral figure.cloth(-d in snow white, with
a heard of the same color that reachc nearly to his
feet.

In his hand he held an instrument resembling a
baton, and he was wildly waving this to and r0.
while faintly downward on the breeze floated the
strains of 8. Weird chant.

With dilated eyes. Lady Milburn watched and
listened. Then suddenly 1 ie spectral figure seemed
to see her. for he ceased his song and pointed one
long menacing finger down toward her, as if in ter-
rible anger. She grew dcnthl y faint and endeavored
to collect her senses. But her head swam wildly.
her limbs refused to support her. and with an aw«
ful, lillercingshrlek she sunk upon the ground, in-
sen e.

 

CHAPTER VII.

THE THUNDER-STARK 0' DESTRUCTION BITRR’I’E‘I‘R
FORTH.

Orr—on. leaped the frightened horse. on whose
back were the two struggling men—Avalanche on-
deavoring to get his enemy's knife'into a fatal spot,
the savage des erately writhing and twisting to get
free. Finally. owever. he gave a gurgling grasp,
and leaned back in the scouts arms. 11:: was cad

The Annihilator had touched him in the fatal spot;
he five in without a cry. ,

S llful y disengaging his feet from the stirrups.
Old Avalanche permitted him to top 10 oil into the
grass, and then he was master of the orse.

By this time he was right in the camp. and as it
wouldhe useless to attempt retreat. he urged on
the flying steed by prickin it with his knife—point.
and away they rushed stra ght down through camp-
fires and clumps of Indians like a hurricane wind.

Shrieks of surprise and anger went up from a bun-
dred throats. and high above all roared the ston-
torian voice of the duuntless scout. .

“Kerwhoopl hayr we kim—ther great an‘ arful
Norweegjan snow-slide o‘ destruction. and the few-
nrious erru shun 0‘ demolishen an‘ subversion.
Cl‘ar de trac . ye ondecent imps 0' stove-black: git
out o’ ther track 0‘ ther boreal breeze o‘ annihin
tion. or by ther bosom-studs o‘ Generale Washing-
ton. m bumfusticate ya like all naiur‘ i“

On—on dashed the spirited horse and his more
spirited rider—on like the wind. and still the surg-
ing swarm of red-skins grew denser and thicker.

uddenly Old Avalanche made a discovery that
had hitherto escaped his notice. A roaring camp-
fire was burning in the entrance to the canyon.
Forms. tall and grim. stood in its light. and he knew
they were indians.

Still, he was determined to break through their
ranks, if such an set were possible. and gain the
gorge beyond.

On he sped, through the heart of the camp, and.
strange to say. as soon as the wily red-men became
convinced that he was heading for the canyon. not a
hand was raised to sto him. Instead. the screaming

rds closed in after 111. and followed. Yelling at
his horse‘s heels.

. At first he was unable to comprehend their mo-

 

tive. but not long. howrvur. was he to be left in a
state of doubt.

As he approached the entrance he made the start-
ling discover that the mouth of the canyon was
.rammed ful of 'puin/evl «(waged through whom no
man or beast could for a moment hope tobreak.
Plainly. he was in an Indian trap.

The overvexultant demons Were yelling in his face
at his back. and on either side of him. Swarm: o
the dancing and screeching imps were crowding up
from every hand.

Escape seemed an impossibilitg.

Wha man could hope to rave hundreds of
brawny warriors. all armed many of them with the
most improvml weapons. urely there was not a
shadow of a chance. Old Avalanche rained in his
stood. and glared about him as does a hunted ti or
when at bay. in a few seconds at the furthest ie
howling couriers of Satan would be u :1 him. I

Should he yield and allow himse f to be taken
n.1 prisoner, or. worse still. be slaughtered. then and
t l *rci’

No! a hundred timrs. no.

It was not the nature of the old man to willingly
give up. There must be a. struggle first. and in
that struggle more than one Sioux dog would bite
the (lust.

“ Yas. blast the‘r dirty skins.“ ho growled gazing
at the horde as all came rushing up " of £15? take,
ther Norweegjau avalanche wi‘out his kno if at,
et will be cur'us."

He set his teeth together with a click and replac-
ing the knife in his belt. drew and coc ed his two
bar dsomo revolvers. one of which he held ready in
one hand. for instant use.

Nearer and nearer trotted the sav They well
knew the desperate character with w cm the had
to deal. They all had either met or heard 0 him
and his prowess. and they knew he never ulled a
trigger on the same man. tum! Then. 00. the
average American savage ls crafty. cunnln and
stealthy. When he can strike a blow wit an
surety of success. and when there is a show for h s
own escape. he will do it. Sometimes. superior
numbers will urge him to greater risks. but put him
before a blare man, and the red-skin is wary as a

ox.

The Sioux came to a halt jnst out of rifle range,
and ap cared to hesitate

The gure of the splendid horse and its watchi‘ul

rider as they remained 'outJncd against the lirelit

 

sky, looked a formidable obr-ct to attack. In the

chambers of those two revolvers. which he took

gain? to display. were fourteen lives—fourteen
eat an .

h_’I‘herckcould be no doubt of that. He never missed
19 mar .

In the midst of this hesitation. two figureawm
trying to urge on the inted hell-hounds.

One was a brawny ndian chief. who wot-shin hair
down over his shoulder—an evil. brutal-lookin
fellow. with eyes asred an tire. and ii:- thie an
flabh like a negro‘s. You ask who is t is? No one
who as seen the notorious chief. Crazy Horse, one.
would need to ask. Once seen he is not easily to be
forgotten. The other man is a half-breed u-
sociate whose name is Idaho Bill- or William Cum-

mings. {his well’suittiedh ‘r areal: amigo
sava curses an rea s. u u
eyes'tll‘ta'uplashe recognized Idaho Bill. Cray Horse

was not so easily laced by him. forhe could only
catch an occasion slim so of his features. But he
knew idaho Bill in an ins ant. and his fingers worked
nervously about the pistol-triggers. 0111 if he womd
onlv come within ran el

Finally. the two 0 iefs succeeded In animating
their warriors. They came stealthin on. watching
the scout in balf-termr and rage. He seemed so .'
cool. that they could but admire, hate. and fear 

all at the same time.
throughout the horde. t $1.
0

It was unders
Avalanche was to be taken alive. The Boom; ‘ '

 

   
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
    
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
     
  
 
 
    
  

,

, down u

14

Old Avalanche.

 

self, easily guessed this, else he would have boon
shot down before.

But if they counted on an easy victory. they were
greatly mistaken.

No sooner was the flash of a istol to be seen than
the Annihilator commenced a estructive fire to the
right. left and in front, and for every shot be aimed,
an Indian fell. ~
It [Tired but the s e of a few seconds to
empty t e chambers of th revolvers. and then a
deafening howl of trium h went up from the red-
skins for they realized t at the scout had nothing
now eft for use but his knife and rifle. On they
lea toward their Frize, making the night ring
wit their horrible yel s.

" Take him alive .’ ' shouted a voice from the back-
ground. “Take him alive!“

. A grimi defiant smile ditted across the features of
the Ann hilator. as he heard these words No
sooner had he em tied the chambers of his revolv
vers, than. by a de t movement. he cur-acted them,
and re aced them by duplicate chambers, filled with
cartrir gen .'

Consequently he was again ready for business.
Crack! crack! went the weapons. now aimed to-
ward the weakest spot in the enem ‘s ranks, and
every shot told with deadly effect. be after an
other dropped in his track, and the scout wheeled
hissteed and bore flercel down against the place
where mast had fallen. 11 n as he went.

Involuntaril the astoun ed red-skins shrunk to
one side, ma ng an openingato the [prairies beyond.

his was what the scout d ant cipated, and he
u his horse on.

nddenly one brave bolder than the res and a
cot giant in size. sprung forward and se zed the
ying scout by the leg. to which be firmly clung,

and attem ted to unseat him. At first Old Ava-
lanlche near lost his equilibrium. but he managed
to so

in the saddle and finish discharginfi his pis-
tols. on he quickly thrust them into his sit, and
drew his knife.

The red Hercules tugging at his leg seemed de-
term not to let go; his grip was like a vise.
'l‘hefly ng horse had now borne them out of the
midst of the savages into the savanna beyond the

tires.

G ing the saddle-bow with one hand for an
mums scout made a parry at the red-skins
wrists, and though he cut them to the bone. the
glesgerate brave still clung on, and. by a mighty
er .

in hurling his victim oi! onto the.

gronnd. _

Ere Old Avalanche could clear himsslf, the horse
had dashed away.

“ Cuss vol" he grittedx plnioning the savage to the
ground, “ I'll l'arn ye w ot et ar‘ to blockade er Nor-
gakeegjtagx {ignlancha ye copper-hued hippopotamus.

e e
, He buried his knife in the naked bosom. and the
next instant had leaped to his feet and was away
through the darkness.

The whole horde were now swarming after him in
mud pursuit.

,Be must have a horse. or vain would be the
at mpt to esca The enemy could chase him
do are he coul run half a mile. So he shaped
his gourse toward the corral, whither the horses
were guarded. .

Thesavages anticipated him, and before he was
scarcely twinge of it, he behold a dozen sweeping
n

m.
Had t discovered him? He did not wait to see,

'but threw lmself in the tall grass and crept with

rent nlacrit out of their ath.
3. With beatigg heart he “Baked the result. Would

thme by?

‘ 0 they had seen him, and were once more

show? their course toward where he was crouch-
. ‘ e could hear their excited shouts and knew

, t the rest of the savages were all fleeing toward
Ron-a1 to mm

11.

 

Concealment was now of no further use, so he
sprung to his feet and leaped determinedl on.

As he ran be loaded both of his revo vers with
fresh cartridges, and retained them in either hand
for ready use.

Ou—on he leaped, silently and dos rately. his
feettzcarcely touching the ground, so ight was he
0 s p.

He could hear a confused Babel of hoarse yells
now, 01! toward the camp, which a prised him 0
the fact that the larger share of he gang were
mountei , and read for the chase. The first dozen
had now gained a istance of within twelve rods.

On—on; then suddenly he stumbled over some ob-
igect which was lying in the grass, and fell prostrate.

ut he was on foot again, in a twinkling, and dash-
infiswiftly away.

ext, he heard a noise directly at his heels, as if
somebody was dogging him. With a growl of (leg-
peration, he drew back the hammer of one of the
revolvers and wheeled about.

As he did so there came to his hearing a familiar
“ ba-a-a,“ and Florence Nightingale came bounding
joyfullyv up.

‘ He 10, ole boy." saluted the scout, with an ap-
preciative grin. “So ve‘re a-kickiu‘, hey? Wal,

m erlong. Things ar‘ kinder brisk. jes now,so
we‘ll nessesearily hev ter git I"

Once more he turned and darted on, the affection-
ate and knowing goat bringing up the rear. 0n
came the savages yelling with triumph.

On. for five moments more: then the danntless
Annihilator stop d. stock-still. He saw now, the
cause of their yel s of triumph. There were mount-
ed [ndians in front, behind and on either side of
him; he was perfectly sunounded .'

CHAPTER VIII.
wru) son's VISIT—JOSIAH noon. Esq.

LADY MILBURN'S scream brought the camp to their
feet in a 'ii‘f . Dan Coggsweil was the first to spring
to her si( e. o be i‘mmedtately followed by Sir Harry.
Bruce and Fleming. .

The inseusible woman was borne to the light of
the camp-tire, and the old ide procured a hatful
of water and dashed it into er face.

“i wonder w'at ked’ve skeer‘d her?" said he. as
he red about while he added fuel to the fire.
“ y nostrils don‘ scent Injuns, or I shed say she
seen one i“

“There may be
Harry, uneasily. “ erhaps it would be we l for you
ascent about the neighborhood, and learn for oer.

n.

Dan accordingly seized his rifle and set out into
the gloom, while the others set about restoring y
Milblu'n to consciousness. In the midst of the
efforts Lady Maude came flying out of her tent.

“Mamma, momma; where is she?" she cried, in
anguish. “She is'gone !"

Then as her gaze fell upon the prostrate and ap-
parently lifeless form, she burst into a flood of

ears.

“ Be quiet," said Sir Harry. soothingly. “ Mother
has only fainted. Something has frightened her!"

After several applications of water. her iadyship
gave signs of returning consciousness, and then
with a sudden spasm and gasp. she gave vent to a
stifled cry. and sat bolt upright.

Her face was very pale and her eyes wild and
burning with an unnatural fire. The moment she
was fully awakened to the knowledge of her situa-
tion, she shuddered violently, and to the crest of
the mighty Flat Butte turned her horrified gaze.
Great Heaven! it was gone!

No long}? was the spectral figure standing at the
edge of t s [free pics; all traces of the blood-red
bonfire had isappeared. and the summit was en-
velo din its mantle of impenetrable loom.

” hi Henry, Hen l”shecrledinp teous accents,
“ why Wu come ck to haunt me—to drive me
almost with despair?"

rowlers around." re lied Sir.

   

v

. 4 WW  - .21. ;

m . a... (“made

I

 

NW.“me w. m—u \ .w ~

Old Avalanche. 15

_A

 

l “My dear " said Sir Fleming, advancin , “ what
gave you adrlghtl What caused you to f at?"
She shuddered. as he laid his hand upon her shoul-

der.

“What did I see!“ she re ated, taming on him
almost savagel —“ what di i see, to cause me to
swoon awayl will tell you. On the crest of you
mountain-top, wrapped in a halo of glory I saw the

irlt of your victim—of m poor, long-lost husband
8 r Henry. I begin to un emtand you more than i
did at first—to comprehend your baseness and trea-
chery. You told me this was not the mountain-top
from which Sir Henr fell. You lied! His accusing
spirit came back to 2 ve roof of our lie l"

Sir Homing turned and whi by turns. but fl-
nallv managed to emit a harsh, sarcastic la .

" You are demented, Hett ." he replied, wl h a. du-
bious shake of his head. “ was a fool for ever per-
mitting you to come out on this wild-goose chase.
Each day is increasing your mania, and by the time
we get back to England, if we srer do, you will have
to go into a private asylum I“

Again she turned toward him, her dark eyes blaz-
ing with indignation.

Anduyau will place me there i"
" wl lace ou therel"

“ You In I" cried Sir Ha _ , pushing the bar-
onet back and standing between ixn and Lady Mil-
burn. “ You forget that I am here to defend her!“

“ No. young man, I forget nothing. But. mind you.
I_ am master of that woman, so step aside, or it will
be'the worse for ou."

But Sir Harry olded his hands proudly across his
breast. and glared at the other fearlessly.

“ Come on i" he said, coolly. “ I am ready to pro-
tect the mother that gave me birth, against you or
a score more of your stamp. You are a tyrant, a
coward, and a designing knave, and I defy you!”

At first Sir Fleming seemed imbued with the
courrgeand towering strength of a giant: but, un-
der the unflinchin gaze of Sir Harry, he gradually
cowed. and what t reatened at one moment to be a
battle, was nothing but a war of eyes.

“ You shall pa dearly for all these insults. In
young hotspurl“ he hissed as he turned on his hoe ,
and began pacing to and he in front of the tire.

"I fear on not. Sir Fleming." was the cool re
joinder: then Sir Harry returned to his mother.

“ Now. mother, tell me the cause of your faint."

“I can tell you nothing, Harry. except what I told
him. A short time ago I left In tent, for I could
not sleep, and came out here into t e 0 air. You
were all asleep even the guide, and so did not dis-
turb you till I fainted. hile I stood here by the
fire, my gaze involuntarily wandered to the to of
yonder peak. Then, ohl such a sight I beheldl he
whole summit was aglow with the glare of a blood-
red .honi‘lre, which burned on the top. At the edge.
stood it, Harry—the irit of my poor husband and
your and Maudie's ather. He was wrapped in a
white. ghostly robe, and his long white beard near-
ly swe tthe und. In his hand he held a baton.
and w ile he ept time with it. he chanted I terrible
song. Suddenly he seemed to see me, fo he point-
ed one flnger down at me, as if in anger. A deathly
faintness came over me, and I swooned away. As
you see, the terrible a parltlon has vanished."

“ But. mother, you ave imagined all this. You
must have been walking in your sleep and dreamed
all this absurdity."

“ It is not absurd, my son; nothing but the truth.
I was as wide awake as you are now, and beheld the
specter as clearly as I now behold cu."

“This seems incredible " said 8 Harry, shaking
his head dwbtfuuy. “There is no such a thin as
ghosts and specters, you know—a I? which plafinly
goes to show that you were deceive . Mother, .

0 you know I have sometimes been forced to doubt
our entire sanity, when yowrsist in. venturing
into this wild and howling iderness, merely for
ghasak'e of gathering the bones of my poor lost
a erl‘

 

Lady Milburn azcd at her noble-looking and man-
ly son, sorrowfu ly.

“Oh Ha . are you too. losing faith in me—you
too turning rom me n this hour of need?" she
groaned, piteous tears standing in her e es.

“No, dearest, sweetest mother, no " he cried,
ciasping her impulsively to his breast. "I will not
desert or disbeheve in you. do all a son can
do, to aid in the last and rites due my poor lost
father. If it be within the power of man. I will re-
cover the bones that have been bleaching in Death
Gulch these twenty years. and inter them in the
ancient vaults of Lynnwood."

“ Do this in own true son." sobe her 
“and I will b ess ou—God will bless you. ah
then be ready to e.“

The remainder of the n ht passed away rapidfi;
Sir Fleming and his conti ant. Sir Bruce. were -
iug, apart, to themselves, as also were Lady Mll-
burn and her two children.

About day-dawn. old Dan returned and reported
that there were no signs of Indian intruders to be
discovered yet. The canyon was clear as far as be
had been able to penetrate.

When Sir Harry related to him the story told by
Lady Miiburn. he nodded his old shaggy head oom-
Erehensively, and went on about preparing the

realtfast. making no comment on it.

After breakfast he took an ax and bade Sir Harry
follow him. He led the way down the mayon for
about a mile. after which he came to a hal and

lnted upward into the precipitous wall of on

he northern side of the gage. Far up, therewaa
Just discernible a round lack hole in the rock,
scarce] large enough to admit of the passage of a
man‘s ody. .

“ Ye perceive et‘ eh?" grinned the ide.

“Yes.” re lied bir Harry. “ But w at of it? 'I‘is
twenty feet h."

h “Enactly, an‘ thar‘s a big fat this in thet same
or. .

“ How know you that?“

“I sce‘d him, las‘ nite. He war standin' at ther
entrance, up thar, nn‘ grinniu' down at me as if he'd
like ter ann int his jaws on me. ‘So.’ sea I ‘my fine
teller, I’m in‘ ter ’n‘int mine on ye,‘ an' hyar I am
rcdd fer t er job.“

" ow. in the name of wonder, could a bear get so
blighng as that, with this smooth face of rock to
c m

“ Dunno. Think robably thar‘s bin a flood in thes
‘ere gulch, 'long . an' ther pesky critter got
washed up thar.“

“ But how could be live and be fat without food?"

“Mought’ve hcd cubs, vo ohsarve, barrin' et ain't
a fig b‘ar, an‘ sich bein’ the case she's chewed 'em
u . I

“ Eat her own oung?"

“ Why, yes. het‘s nothln' new. Now. ye git yer
‘peater reddy. an‘ when I git tht‘raxter empin'
’g‘in' ther rock. Mr. B’ar will show his h , u

'ander. You must then lug erway at him,

ilt. Ef ye don’t tumble im over most like‘s not
he'll bounce down at ve. When he'do. ye turn tail
an‘ light ferca . an‘ I’ll knock ther star spanyleied
banners out o‘ h in wi‘ my little hatchet."

“Very well. Go ahead." '

Advancing to the rock, the guide 9 three or
four resounding whacks upon it with e ax; than
scsmpered back from beneath the hole. ‘

The next instant there was a savage w], and
Bruin came lumbering to the mouth of retreat.

to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. : -

Sir Harry fired simultaneously with his appe
ance, and sent a well-d bullet square into the
left 0 e.

“ G’oodi" cried Dan. as the monster came tumb-
ling down to the ground guite dead. ‘

“ Thet was a fine shot. ‘

The bear proved to be a male, and as soon as he
could be conveyed back to camp, Dan analysed his
stomach. and found sufficient evidence to satiety

 

 -—-,_;;A -.~ 7,.

’1

 

18 Old Avalanche.

 

him that the mountain cave was furnished with
both water. grass and bushes, hearing green food.

About noon. Wild Edna was seen coming down
the canyon at a leismelg gallop. and drew up at the
amp-fire around whic all of the occupants were
Lunacy gazed at the fresh young beauty—so per-
fect in face and form and so easy of carriage and
speech. not one coul deny that she was the most
magnificent type of woman they had ever seen.

e was attired in a superb silk riding-habi re-
lieved here and there by lace and spark ing
diamonds. and confessedly. she looked more likes,
counteu or a caueen than did either of the ladies
Hilburn, for al theth been born, bred and cul-
turedin royalsociety.

Her smile was like a burst of sunshine. her bow of
recognition a model of saucine and her general
manner. vivacious and pleasing— ascinating

“ Good-morning “ she said. as she surveyed the
group critically. w ile her fair hand toyed with her

orse's mane. “I hope this sunrise finds you all
well aude ying ourselves."

"All wel .’ re ed Sir Harry. smiling rather
grim] . “ but ha in a mood for enjoyment. Our
situ on is not con uclve to pleasure. '

" Probably not. That, however. is not my fault.
You shglgld' pay your toll and leave for parts more

agrees. .

“ We should not submitto such an imposition—
more will now" »

‘1 iii of course on have aperfect right tocon~
suit your own not on about that. If you value the
superfluous stock of money you have. and the dia‘
moods you wear, more than you do your life. so be
it. [would not sell my life. l‘m sure. for all the
wealth on the continent!"

" Yet on are perlling it for money!"

“ No. am not. I am just as tree from danger of
deathas can be imagined "

“How so!"

“Because no one will dare to insure their own

death, by takin in life!"
. it.

“ 80! Well.
abbot you. now or otherwi
what would be the resulti"

“If I did not return to my home inside of an hour.
in men are ven to understand that harm has

alien me. ey would mount. sweep down upon

nstance. suppose that I were to
so make way with you.

{omen back you to pieces—tear you limb irom

mb. ey would not even stop to question you as
to what had become of me. so great would be their

e."
“They must be a pack of demons. then!"

“ I hope they will never have cans 9 to attack you
and therebv prove themselves such."

"Probably they never will have."

I _ After a little further talk. Wild Edna said:

" You then still refuse to pay the toll?"

“ thousand times. yes. Understand me.
lady. that it is not the d for gold that causes
this refusal, but a senseo honor and proper regard
for what is due to law and principle. As gentlemen
we must refuse!"

"Vergwell. Permit me to say. however that no
matter ow keen your sense of honor and justice
may now. I am confident that the ‘ eleventh
hour I'w 1 bring you around to admit our demands

“ tertaln no hopes in that direction. You will
be doomed to disappointment. i fear."

“11'! am doomed to disa pointment. sir." said
Wild Edna. as she tidiereil up her bridle-reins.

f‘yg‘nwill bedoom .to cam."
audio

|
wheeled her horse. nd galloped oil up
the ravine.

SirHaJ-ry‘s eyes followed her with such a yearn-
ing gaze that vivacious little Lady Maude whispered
to Lady Milburn:

' “Do look at him. mammal I really believe that
Bar‘r.’ is infatuated with that singular woman.“
" this so. my son?" asked. Lady Milburn. turn-

 

 

_.___.__..__

lug an anxious snzi Inquiring lance on him. “ Is
it possible you can entertain t e sllgh t degree of
admiration for that shameless creature?“

“Quite ssible. madam." he replied. a trifle bit-
tcil'y. whi e a faint flush of anger stole ovar his face.

a failed to admire or appreciate the appellation
her ladyship bestowed upon the Girl Band t.

“Then I beg) you smother an such feeling at
once. It is hot absurd and mort tying. lam sur-
prised at such an exhibition of your taste. lam
sure none of our ancestors ever delgned to look so
low as to hes w admiration upon a confessed out-
law and Outcast.“

" Not? Well. I do not care a whit whether they
did or no. I am my own judge in such matters. you
must know. mother. and shall rmlt no abuse of
this maiden. in my presence. 0 me she is some-
thing strangely sweet and pure."

And having thus delivered himself. Sir Harry rose
and sauntered away.

“There is when: the oung) urgent stung its
giver." sneered Sir Fiem u ; ut 3 words were
wasted on Lady Milburn, w 0 was plunged into a
deeE reVerie.

T e afternoon dragged slow] on. and all except
Sir Harry drowsed away. he ore the camp-fire.
There was nothing they could do to better their
situation. so they concluded it policy to take things
as easy as circumstances would permit. In all
probah lity. Old Avalanche had deserted them. and

heyxhad nothing to hope for from any quarter.

A ut an hour before sunset. all were aroused by
the sound of a voice. singing a angling snatch of
outlandish song. and the tram 0 horses‘ feet; then.
gazing up the canyon toward he banditti's retreat.
t at once was perceivable that they were about to
have a visitor-and such a visitor!

A scrawny. vicious-looking mule was leisurelyv ap-
proaching camp on whose bony back sat a ong.
ask and lean individual. whose general appearance
might have provoked a smile among the most sober
crowd of spectators.

He was undeniably a mixture of the old school of
Yankees and Kentuckians. with a sprinkling of both
Texas and Missouri in his'make-up. His exceedln
length and lankiness, to which was added a face 0
grim. humorous and angular contour. adorned by
tallow-hued Burnsides. and tanned and freckied
shockingly. His hair was not unlike the Burnsides
in color, and. since some ancient date. had a mat-
ly not made the ac uaintance of a comb. eyes
were decidedly “ an urn,“ and his nose as decidedly
Roman. His attire consisted of a variety of -

ments. ranging all the way from the soiled chec r-,

ed taioons and heavy hrogans to the untanned
wo f-skin shirt and squirrel-skin cap. A flaming
yellow neck-tie encircled his throat. and a gay red-

white-and-biue sash about his waist contained an.

enormous pair of horse- lstols and a bowls of for-
midable. dimensions. ’l‘ _ese. with a huge musket
strap to his back, were his only weapons.

He ad apparently not seen the camp yet. for as
he I10128611 song he was gazing atthe mammoth
wal s on either side of him. while be sung. in a loud.

cracked voice:

‘ Said I ter Sally Hotchkiss.
Said Bally unter me—
Said Sally’s dad an' Sally‘s mam.
Said all ther tribe ter me—
‘ Bill. ye ar‘ a great ’un;
'l‘er fame‘s pinnerkle ye'll rlse;|
Ye'll be or whoppln' poet.
An‘ great at gospel truth.‘

“ Whoa up. Pmdence. thar; w‘ot‘s ahead,”

The latter exclamation, as the eccentric traveler
caught sight of the csmgi

“ Great cow-bells o' ilton an‘ Longfeller. E!
thar ain't a camp rite yar. ye kin shave me wi' yer

do!

toe-‘th Ha-a-a-y.thayr.strangers.helloi Howdy

i
r
l
1

 

 

. ., ,. ‘

“ Purty hevy, at yer sarvlce. How’s yersel', Chris. ‘
tian?“ re lled old Dun.

" Was , I'm on em averaue. Jedge ye hain‘t got
no ‘jection of a teller war tier squat down among ye,
hey! ‘

“‘yary a ‘Jection. Cum along up an‘let‘slnsimck
ye.

“ Oh! gallant nlte 0‘ chivalry
I‘ll hasten ter
Embrace this oppertunitchy." ‘

sung the stranger. and giving the mule a dig in the
ribs, he continued:

“ OnI Prudence, onl
Charge, Cordelia. charge!"

“As Shakes r sed to ther preecher as they
‘pmached ther er saloon:—

“ Our tolisome jernney ur‘ ended I"

In a moment. more the camp was reached. and
raising a long log over the mule‘s hack the stranger
stood upon the ground.

When standing he was about six feet six, and as
comical it looking human. as the spectators had ever
been so unlucky as to meet.

“By thunder. yc're a sight, you arel“ stud Dan, as
he finished his inspection. " Who in Cam are ye,
ole boss?“

“That. 111 Christian friend.I am fortunate] able
to tell e. 1 ourle undertherholt o' Josiah W llam
Hogg, s—q.. at yer sarvico—Hogg spelt wi‘ tew G's
ei ye'd jes‘ ‘s i‘eve.“

' An' why wl’ two G's?"

"hequ at hes bin' ther
cestors ter call themselves  fer ‘lch I ain‘t
ter blame. Fustly they spelt t I-o-g, Hog. But,
as. e! a teller’s goin' ter he aho at tall he may‘s
well go et “ hull hog or none." konkluded tew
ado t tow G‘sl“

“ e‘re travelln’ or goln' snmwhar. I take it."

“ Yas. I guess so. My proi’fessyun leeds me every-
whar. Sir. I am a poet—a descendant from ther

rent an‘ immortal! Shakespeer—a secont cuzzln 0‘
.ongfeller an‘ an ant ter Byron o' Linn; I am Josiah
gilliaxu Hogg. esqulre. at yer sarvlce;—-Ilogg wi’ two

.3_ . .

rivaledges o‘ my an-

 

CHAP'I‘E/‘iR ix.
ma row 0' was NoR‘was'r—noss!
A sans“. laugh followed, and Josiah Hogg was
Iorthwlth made welcome to the camp.
“Much ’qualnted ‘hout these diggm’sf" asked old
Dan,“ he helped the visitor to a huge silica of

men. .

"Waal,v-a-s;——‘hout on an average. Ye recom-
member this ‘cre division 0‘ ther erqualtor ar' re-
nowned fur ets poetry o‘grnce an' motion. so I’ve
tuk more'n ordina pains ter cultyvate a thorough
know] e o’ rt. very darn thing ye see or meet
wi‘. out ayr is chock-full 0' poetry. Now. fur in-
stance, hayr‘s these big beep 0‘ rock, vulgarly
called mounting. Thor's sumthin' sublime an’ cow-
inspirlng erbout thet‘ upheevyslo‘ granite an' lavy.
As Mkiiiltlon’ sfldtew old, .llfnss Snatfihtér, g’en they
war n ;—no 0- -s—- u -o- i' as
Milton war sayegf’: g‘g g ’

“ Friend. thee. 0‘ Jonas Snatcher
“ ilt thou becum a watcher?
Jist behold thet ndfinnle
Thor poetry in t let porker's tail."

“Whar kln {a beet thet. now? Jist observe ther
no“ in het rine. I allus sec] Milton war three
sides 0' a slab-fence on composin‘ poetry, but w'en
lg? scribbled, them lines, I war reddy ter sw'ar for

m.
" What is thar this side 0' ther River Jordan more
tic than the vibrating an‘ graceful motion 0‘ a
porker‘s tall? Echo sns'ers what?“
“ You are a brainless idiotl". grunted Sir Fleming

 

in disgust. while the others were laughing, heartily.

Old Avalanche. 1" .

 

“You have no more poetry about you than n
crow “

“ A Crow injun‘! Waal. that's 193' as one gens
it. Darn my socks, of Ialn‘t smarter nor a row
thief. yi-csn baptize me in a Ho -tr0ugh;-nm .t
Hog-g. Hog-trough. tho'. I am tier boss pod u'
thcr Nor'wth—lher great sublime romancer‘ 0‘ ther
Powder rivr-r range. Wawkeen Miller 'haln't a
darned snmnmstance tar me. I’m a descendant 0'
old Jim Slinkesnecrm secont cuzzin o‘ Longtellerz
an’ a maiden ant 0‘ Byron O'Lynn. say nuthin
‘hout m intor-relashun tor Moor. Bur-I 311' Jim
Fisk—~11) on 'em shlnln‘ lights 0' ther purfession.
l‘m sum ther poetical to sel‘. e! I do say ct. Thar
war ther time that Sully ark-r Billson ' shuke ‘ me.
becaws i wouldn't treat her ter lemmonade, at the
picknick down in Bill Tubbcs orchard. fer instance.
Oh, creation! warn‘tI b’ilin' mad. thenl

“ I jlst guv my overalls a hitch. an‘ lit out fer-hum,
two-forty on ther hum-stretch.

" ‘ Ri-wen el' cried I. an‘fimbbln' u a pen I writ
ter ther edi er 0' ther Duc Holler (seminar. an‘
told him 0‘ Sally‘s perfidy, an‘ arter scribblin' sum
Foetry. I set down an‘ wept tears o‘ shagrin an’ de-
e t '

e
“ Was], in ther next number 0‘ ther Estimator a
cum out—righteglum on ther fast page. 0h! boiled
'tuters an‘ bak , beans! warn’t I nearly run over
wi‘ joyl I'll jes‘ guv ye a few lines
“Thou art so false. an‘ yet so fickle.
Yer enough site sourer’n enny pickle:
No teers adown my cheek do trickle.
Because ye ain‘t wu’th a countertut nickie."
“ Ve suggestive poetry, that " said sn- Bruce:
“ but a?you have favored us wit quite enough for
the resent, suppose you tell us how you got past the
ham lttl."
" The Modifier r"
“ Exactly: the outlaws that infest this canyon)

“ ‘5‘ eat ye‘re crazv ain't yet" .
“ Certainly notl do you ask!"
“ Sure ye ain‘t a 9;: hind yer compass—that ye

ain’t out 0’ er he' i?"

“ Positive y sure. I asked you how on $3
through the canyon, without encounter
thieves."

“ No, ye didn‘t. anther."

“I say I did "

" I say ye dldn’tl“

“ What did I say. than t"

“ Waal. tustly ye axed tor tell ye how I got thr n
then-\Palilidltwr, an' then. ther out aws."

.. -e , . .

“ Was]. ye didn‘t say nuthin’ ‘bout mountain
theoves, did ya?“

“ I meant it all the same.“ .

"Ye did? \ anl. the! ar' 3. difier‘nt sldo o‘ahcn-
koop. Ye shed allus stlck ter ther truth. As Danytl
Webster sod to the settln' goose:

“ ‘ Ye shed nevyer dlsgrest
While confined ter yer nest.‘
That’s the case wi’ you. Ye shed novyer disgnss
nor diversity. 4
“ Diversification is the
Ones 0’ creashunl"

“But you haven‘t answered my question‘yrt. How
did you get through the lines of the outlaws?"
“ Purty ,ood Var-meet. this." replied the Nor‘vtest
Poet evasively. taking a huge mouthful of the. deli-
'ons food. . ' .
a“ See here!“ now yelled Sir Bruce. as, thoroughly

- exas: crated he clutched his visitor savagely tho

shou dcr' “ want no more of this trifling. T lme
uickly h‘owuygn. passed through the lines of Wild
dna's ham tt '
Josiah scratched his shaggyhead for a moment,
thoughtfully. .
“Yo're aura ye ain’t gone ci'ar . ah!" ha
ventured making uzzottzcr unflinching no at tho
bear-steal;

 

 

.18 , Old Avalanche.

 

Sir Bruce grew fairly livid, and those around
the fire burst nto another fit of immoderatc laugh-
ter

“ Curse you!” he howled. imprisoning J osiah‘s
long. crane-like neck in his two hands: “ do you
want me to choke the life out of you? If not, answer
me at once."

” Ye wanter kno' of I kim thr‘u‘ ther canyon an'
see‘d a banditter?"

“ Yes; go on!“

“Wasl. I didn’t see a iivin’ banditter—shave me
wi‘ a barn- hovel at I didl"

“ impo blei You could not have come through
the can on without having been stopped by them."

“ I di n't cum thr‘u‘."

“ Didn't come through I How then i"

“ I «did aver!"

“ How do you make that out?"

“Why, I au' Prudence Cordelia thar rid down on

a streak o’ greased lightnin'.
Sir Bruce turned away in disgust. He had ex-
hausted his patience and failed w th a man. who, it

was plain to see, was “ nobody‘s fool.” it began
to be pretty evident that the visitor was not so
“ reen" as he appeared.

ccordingly, no more efforts were made to a?
into his secrets. all trusting that he would exp :1
whenever he felt in the right mood.

The night came on and during the evening Josiah
k the camp in a continual titter with his horrible
e arts at poetr , he uoting bad Shakespeare and
Lou ellow by t e a . When time arrived to turn
in. an was pos on guard. and the rest lay down
about the fire and went to sleep with the exception
of the ladies, who retired to their tent.

The night passed without incident, and morning
dawned once more.

Josiah was up with the camp, and appeared per<
fectly at home.

Breakfast had been done away with and all were
lounging around on the grass. when a horseman was
seen coming down the canyon from the direction of
the bandits‘ retreat. A single glance sufficed to
show that it was not Wild Edna, but instead, a hand-
some young fellow of two-and-twenty who resem-

her somewhat. He was lithe and graceful of
form, with a purei Spanish com lexion. hair of the
raven's hue. and rooping mus he of the same
shade. Bis attire was semi-Mexican, and fitted him
neatly, his head being crowned by a_;|aunty som~
brero, whilea sash at his waist contained a. small
arsenal of lished weapons.

As be e up he dolled his hat politely.

“You come n the lace of Wild Edna. if I mis-

,tallrgl no ." said Sir y, returning the salutation,
co y.
“ I do, senor. The Girl Bandit being a trifle indis-
posed this morning, she commissioned_me to wait
it a you in her absence, to learn if on have
c an your decision in regard to the to] ."

“ on you can return to your Girl mistress. and
tell her that we shall mrr come to her termsl"

“ l“ion like. senor. To-morrow on will receive
the. vidt from us, and if you 058 that chance
of acceding to our terms. your fate will be .
0n the eleventh day. then. after to-morrow—which
will be the thirtfi-flrst of this month—the flood-gates
of Lake Tics wi be raised, and a deluge of water
wfll sweepthrough Devil Canyon. If you areini

your fate you can well imagine. We shall not hol
‘ ourselves responsible for your death. having given

on these chances for life and liberty. and ten days
eflect our escape in."

“ But will. young fellow," put in Josiah im-
pressiveiy. “As im Shakespeer sed to Sam kin-
ner. w'en Sam got boozy on hard cider, an’ blamed
ther cider-maker fer it—as Shakespeer sod:

“‘ Doaa‘t use the name 0‘ God in vain "9.,
In tippsiness or pain. ._
Fer yer own misdeeds yer ter blame—

‘ ‘ ' 00d ’1] hold ye responsible all ther same.‘

 

“ Now thar‘s duhhlu distilled essence o‘ truth’an’
religvum in them verses. ther is.

" Man 's tin-r time I‘ve heard Shakespeer say
logical t ings. but he never put ther ri-el truth un'
path-hoes inter figgers like he did in them lines.
Another 0‘ his antidotes o‘ wisdom war this:

“ ‘ Allus hold yerself responsible fer all yer ac. . nu.
an' then ef ye're counted out at ther grout election,
ye won‘t be much disapp’intedl‘ "

“ You are truly a great moraliser." said the ban-
dit, with a shrug, “but we feel justified in demand-
ing toll, and enforcing its pafi'ment. Consequently
we cannot keep as close wit in the law as would
perhaps be consistent with regard to our welfare in

he reat Hereafter.“

" our name—what is it?" said Sir Fleming, who
had ordered Dan and Sir Bruce to cover the outlaw
with their rifles.

“ Nevada Sam, at your service."

“ Very well, Nevada Sam; please consider yourself
my prisoner. Dismount.and deliver up your arms."

Nevada Sam smiled, but did not oiferto obey.

“ You are a fool," he said coolly. “ Did not my sis
ter tell you what would befall on should you offer
to molest her. on her former v sit?"

“ Your sister!"

“ My sister. or Wild Edna, as ou know her."

“ Yes, I believe she threaten us with some non-
sense about what mi ht happen.”

“ Very well. I rep likewise. Offer me the least
hindrance and you wi l hasten our own death l"

“ Whati do you dare to threa en me? Haveacare.
sir knavel She was a woman but you are not, and I
do not fear to shoot you. Dismountl"

" I will dismount. if you so order." replied Nevada
Sam, grimly; “ but, recollect that if I do. your death
is a certainty within an hour.“

Sir Fleming quailed a trifle. and hesitated.

“ You are at rfect liberty to go and come as you
pleasol” cried ir He. at this juncture. “ That
man does not comman . here; consequently he has
no authority. where I hold sway."

“Thanks,” smiled the bandit. “You are wise. I
see. No good could possibly come of holding me a
prisoner. ’

Then, nodding to the men and raising his hat
courteously to the ladies—particularly to Lady
Maude, he wheeled his horse and dashed away.

“Now. sir." cried Sir Fleming, quite infuriated. as
he confronted Sir Harry. “ what have you to say for
your insulting conduct. just now?“

Sir Harry laughed—laughed in his cool, tantalizing
wav.

“ Because I thought your wings needed are lug
again." he replied. “You were etting on wopgst,

nd quite ignoring the fact that fwas master."
a

“ But you are not masterl" shrieked Sir Fleming.
white w th passion. while his tremendous corporosity
seemed to swell to twice its custom size, with in-
dignation. “You are not. I say, an to teach you
that I will endure your insolence no longer. I‘ll teach
you who is. after this fashion l".

And raising a stout. old-headed cane. which.
since their camping in t e canyon, had been his
constant companion. he struck Sir Harry a heavy
blowfifipon the head. felling him to the ground. in-
sens e.

Ladies Milburn instantly be an to scream in
alarm. and while Sir Fleming an Sir Bruce assumed
a defensive position, old Dan Coggswell and Josiah
Hog‘g sprung forward in an offensive attitude.

“ e durned skunkl" yelled the guide. “ain‘t ye
ashamed 0' this? I’ve half a noshun tew knocks
star-span led banyer out 0’ ye."

“Bully er you, pardl" ch med Josiah, flourishing
his long arms rapidly. “Let‘s iv‘ 'em a tannin ,
the ornery heethun. As Jim B espeer uster say:

“A knockin‘ sort 0' skrlmmage
At punchin’ uther‘s image.
At” only justy-ilabie—

Et makes the body pliable.

,V—‘aW—A-pba-‘v

5 .3

l
i
1
i
ii
.4
'i
.

 

 
 

 

 

 

   

  

 

Old Avalanche.

   

19

 

“And as I feel kinder stiff, now, i propose we
ann‘int our j‘ints by walloppin' them ondecent
suckers.

“ No! nol" cried Sir Harry, crawling to his feet, at
this juncture—“ let them alone. l'il settle both of
them. bvlnrc I am many suns older."

And with a flashing eye. the yonn nobleman
sanntercd off to the little stream to was I the blood

In his bruised cranium; for the cane had cut open
t e scalp.

Duriniithe remainder of the day, Sir Fleming and
his all e t aloof from the rest, and whiled away
their t me n conversation and smoking.

Night fell dark and threatening. Masses of black
clouds filled the heavens, and the atmosphere was
decidedly rainy.

After the evenin meal had been prepared and
dispatched, Josiah Ofigsvolnnteered tostund guard,
and so leaving him to lonely vigil, the rest ‘ turn-
ed in,“ to sleep.

About an hour before midnight the storm burst
down in all its fury, and so great was its volume that
the bottom of the canyon was quite submerged,
thereb precluding the possibility of repose. There-
fore, t ie ladies were bundled in the blankets, and all
stood and took the pclting storm with good, bad or
indifferent grace. as the case might be.

For an hour the war of the storm- ods waged fu-
riously, and a perfect torrent of mu dy water came
dashing down the gorge.

But at last the rain ceased, as quickly as it had
come, and the bottom became less submerged by de-
grees, until the site of the old camp was once more
above water.

But so intense was the gloom that one could not
see a finger before an eye, and it was only by a sense
of gropln . and the interchange of words, that the
part can d be collected. And. as there was no dry
w to be had. it looked very probable that there
would be no fire. or light on tic subject till day-

break.

“Are all here?" called Sir Harry, with a shiver, as
he endeavored to peer around.

“ i guess so," replied the familiar tones of Comra-
wcll—“ I am, at least. Mought cull ther roll, tcr
make sure." .

“ Good. "I will do so. Sir Fleming and Bruce, are
on
y “Ayi ayl“ re lied the two noblemen.

“And Ladies burn?“

“I am here." replied Lady Milburn; “but I do not
see Maude."

" Lady Msudeand Josiah Borg!" called Sir Harry.

There was no reply. Again the call was repeated,
but no answer.

A hurried and close search was then made but
without result. One thing was only too plain—iady
Manda and the poet were gone!

CHAPTER x.
A mama ACT—“AN m ma as m."

WI. left Old Avalanche out in the open savanna,
after his inst havi discovered the fact that he was
complete y surroun ed by the howling Sioux.

Had they seen him?

Yes. very probably. or else why were the closing
in around h mi Faintly through the psi 0! inky
darkness he could distinguish t e shadowy outlines
of a preaching horsemen. and by them. and the
mu ed sounds of their boots. he knew they were all
bearing toward one center, and that center was just
here he was now standtlgf.

“ Humphi" he grun , for a moment unresolved
how to act. “I rec'on ther grate Norw an ava~
lanche at“ in 'n orful difflkllit . Ye kin sk n me wi‘
a tooth-pick. of I kno' w‘ot's t ter do."

Somet ing certainly must be done. The savages
were approaching nearer and nearer, and in a mo-
ment would be upon him. ,

To await their coming and give himself up would
be but the initial step toward a hornble death.

a

 

 

     

"I’ll spill a trifle more 0' lnjuu blood, i'u'st ennv-
how," was the final conclusion, and gripinghl’sknife
he threw himself flat upon the ground.

Florence did likewise. and the two lay assllentand
motionless as death. ()n came the savages and Old
Avalanche could feel the ground jar astho cavalcndo
dashed uge Nearer and nearer they drew, and for
fear of lng trampled upon. the goat crawled
closer to his master‘s Side.

At last there was a shout, and the Indians drew
rein in a small circle. Avalanche and Florence were
lying inside oft/lat circle .’

Fortunately the grass was so tall that they were
screened from view.

“The white do has escapvdl" sung out the grui!
voice ‘of Idaho ill. "The Sioux are on a wrong
scent. ‘

“The pale chief errs,“ replied Rain-in-the-Face,
who commandeo a portion of the party. “Pale
squaw come dis way.

"Ugh!" cried Scarth Blade. a young chief, who
had but recently won his spurs of chieftaincy. “ Mo
see um here—stand erect—look at Sioux—den ho
dro l ‘

" at he not herel“ grunted Crazy Horse. “Scar-
let Blade young brave. He no wise like Crazy
Horse."

“Scarlet Blade look!" cried the eager chief. and
sgginglng from his saddle he commenced beating
a at in the grass. wig l'ng about on his hands, an
knees. “ If white do ere, Scarlet Blade find um."

On around the circ e he crawled. and on account
of the darknes the mounted savages were unable
to keep track 0 his whereabouts, except when they
would catch a sound to guide them.

Presently it was inferred b the deep silence that
Scarlet Blade had halted in h s search.

“Heyl” shouted Idaho Bill. with an oath, “w'ar

e goin', ye red imp? w'at ar’ y: at so long?"

“ What difference it make you?" leered Crazy
Horse. “ Let Injun alone."

" Ugh!" cried the rough voice of Scarlet Blade.
from the center of the circle, ” Injun keep much
still. Scarlet Blade found trail, Injun sit still on
girls! ‘Scarlct Blade trail white dog under bosses

y .

A moment later Crazy Horse was conscious that
somehodgor something was near him. and he in
a vain at mpt to peer down into the grass.

“ Who dar?" he demanded, suspiciously. “ but
you Scarlet Blade?“

“ ml" was the brief reply. and the rustling in the

rass proclaimed that the c lot was creeping away.

ll ten moments passed; then a figure leaped from
the grass, and onto the back of the riderless horse
of Scarlet Blade.

“ White (1 no dar,“ said the disalpgointed voice of
the chief. “ cgone, an‘ Scarlet B e t up!"

A derisive yell went up from the In ians in gen-

erai.

" Scarlet Blade is a dogl" cried Crazy Horse. with
contempt. Then turning in his saddle, he'ahouted,
i Bi ux:

n“ Aowa l awayl all of you. except a hundred. who

will go o the canyon finouth, where the others arelj,

Wait for us: Scatter!

The order was instant] obeyed. All of the swarm-
in gang. except Crazy orse. immediately spread
on over the prairie. and began to scour about for
the esca . Annihilator. . ‘

The c is then set out for the entrance to Devil‘s
Canyon. fo-lowed by his detachment of braves. «

Under the command of Idaho Bill, the savanna
was thorougth Searched for a distance of four or
five miles, in ei her direction;_ but not atrace of the
much-feared and. more hater. Avalanche was to he
found.

 

He had undoubtedly made good his escape into \

the mountains

At List the bistro of a trumpet caused the savages I

to rclh nisli the Search. and turn back toward
camp. dnho Hill was among the last to do this,

/

 

'so . r on Avalanche.

 

and as he turned his animal's head he saw the horse
of Scarlet Blade passin to his right.

"Iiallo, there! ' he s outed. "is that you. anun
im l ‘

‘PUghi dis Scarlet Blade,“ was the reply, and the
horse came forward. “ Y1 nu idnho Blil?‘

“Yag, et‘s me. Cum along, cf you're a-goin' iuter

The outlaw gave his horse the spur. and was about

dashing away. when a lasso, one end of which was

to Scarlet Blade‘s saddle, fell racefully

around him and drew taut. thereby pin oning his
arms to his side.

The next instant he was jerked from his saddle,
and no sooner did he reach the round than the
figure of 0,51 Avalanche. the Anuixilalur. was upon

in.

Scarlet Blade had perished in that circle search,
and the alert scout had donned ,his head-dress,
transferred some of the Sioux‘s paint to his own
face, and took possession of the horse. . ~

It was a darlu" act, but his desperate position had
inspired him wit the dntermination to accomplish
itI and he had succeeded admirably.

Thither and hither over the. savanna he had
dashed among the other savages hunting [or Mm-
» ,as it were, and. whenever he could obtain a
at! table chance. driving his knife into the. he‘u‘t of
a red companion. And only by chance was it that
he had fallen in with ldaho Bill.

Old Avalanche was u on himi To choke of? the
outlsw‘s ells was but t a work of a moment. and
in short rder he lay upon the green carpet of the
savanna, a helpless prisoner. bound hand and foot,

seed-

"fifari" grunted the Annihilator. as he finished
his work. and hoisted the outlaw up onto thn sad-

- die. after which he himself mounted; " rhar ' I ob-
serve at allus takes tow an' sometimes three. tew
make a hnrg‘in. Hey. iderho Billiam. ain': them
yer ldeesl Don’t 'preeshate tber virtues o‘ ther grate.
marin‘NorweegElan Avalanche? Wal,l ken‘t help
that my bulrus 0‘ Moses. I'm‘s owerless to re-
lcev yo 0' yer afiiixyuns, as a cat ar tew let go onter
a rat, arter she‘s fixed her fangs inter his rib-steak.
Axldent threw ye‘ inter ther way 0' my lassy, an‘
now nuthin‘s moor established thun thet e've got
tor ackumpenny a veritageble whirlvgig o rantank-
erousness tew hes stopping-place—thet ye‘ve got for
:lsisioshate wi‘ a ginnywine Norweegjan snow-

e. '

A groan from Idaho Bill was the only answer. He
had sufficient cause to dread the Avalanche—to fear
his vengeance.

' Old Avalanche headed toward the northwest. and
struck ofl intoa gallop. carrying his prisoner with
him. For hours he rode on, and at the blush of
dawn. drew rein close in under cover of the tower
ing mountains. at as t where shade. water and
grass Were plenty. 'l‘ e outlaw was placed upon
the ground. and tethering his horse out to graze. he
set about finding food for himself and prisoner.

He soon succeeded in catchinga few fat frogs

from a eta ant buffalo wallow. and building a
fire of buffs 0-“ chips." he roasted the luscious hind
legs. thereby procurin a very palatable meal.
, Assponas all was readiness. the Annihilator
removed the gag from the outlsw's mouth. and ten-
dered him a portion of the food, which was readily
accepts! and devoured before the scout had
scarcelg begun on his. The breakfast was dis-
patche in silence. and when he had finished, Old
Avalanche climbed up into a neighborl crag to
take observations. As nesras he couldngudge. he
was something-more than ten miles dis ant from
the Sioux camp. and by the clear light of the mom-
lng that had now fully dawned. he could see that the
camp was astir. -

Smoke from many campfires rose in spiral col--
umns toward the smiling blue skies, and a general
acflvdty and bustle were noticeable. A score or

 

more of horses were being led from the corral, and

 

this told the scout that the Indians. or at least a
portion of them, were going on the trai .

that trail was his own, and ushe had taken no

nine to hide it. he was aware how easy it would be

or them to hunt him down.

" Yas, thet an" w’at they‘re a-going tew do. or tew
try to do,“ he muttered.

" Part on 'em‘s took persession o‘ ther gorge-
mouth. an‘ t‘other part in" seeriously relicckt n‘ on
tnkin' rsession o‘ ther grate Avalanche. They‘ve
got it ndentyured inter the‘r noddles. that they'd
like tar interview a vuriiageahle efipvdamic 0‘ ex-
tarminashen; but seem‘s thar moug t he a terrufeck
exploshen 0‘ confined terriflcosslty. ef they war tew
encounter me. sayin‘ nuthin‘ erhout an arful loss 0'
lujun population, I deem it theruntcheralconse-
quence o' fulehardiness to tarry here; so i‘ilper-
coed to abscorchulate."

The scout turned and clambcred down toward his
own camp

As be all so his ears were greeted with hoarso and
frightened yells, evidently coming from Idaho Bill.
This quickened his movements, and in a few mo-
ments, he had ained the level ground. close to the
camp. Here h s eyes fell upon a scene both unex-
pected and ludicrous.

During the Annihilator's absence the prisoner
evidently had been trfi'ing to climb to the back of
the horse and make no escape. but had been sur-

rised by an unexpected enemy. This was no other
fhan the scout‘s wonderful " 1 int.“ Florence Night-
ingale, who had opportuner arrived. and attacked
the outlaw.

At the time of the Annihilator‘s mlru upon the
scene. the goat had succeeded in downing his victim,
and was hunting him without mercy. rolling him
over and over at every lungs while Idaho Bill‘s
shrieks of in and rage made the welkin ring.

Old Ava anche gave a veil of ecstasy and sat
down to watch the sport. Idaho Bill now saw him.
and a torrent of blasphemous curses and oaths,
broke from his lips.

Still Old Avalanche sat upon the und. watch-
ing, and with a grim smile upon his urrowed coun-
tenance. This was sweet revenge for him—ven-
geance for previous injuries. At last, however, be
perceived that the outlaw was nearly insensihle. and
with a whistle he called the vicious hilly from his
work of torture.

" Thet'll do for the present, boyee," was the An-
nihilator‘s ejaculation as he patted the animal
affectionately. “ Ye stud ter er work nobly an‘ ar
desarvin‘ 0‘ thanks fer et, I th nk, tho‘ 1‘“ tend tew
Mr. Idaho Billism, myself. now.“

With these words he rose to his feet. drew his
knife. and approached the outlaw. who lay groan-
ing upon the grass. A

Assisting him to a sitting tlon, he seated him-
self directly opoosite and t e two im lacable foes
eved each other for some time. wit belli rent
glances. Old Avalanche was the first to open .

" Young man." he said. slowly whettin the blood-
stained knife in the palm of his hand. “ cv ya got
enny reckelexyun o‘evyer hevin' seen me erfore
this peerl‘odlca minnitf“ '

A rim smile hovered about the _persdo's lips. V

“ reckon." was the laconic reply; tho‘ We not
seen ye for years. I were a young pappoose when
you were first brought to the Sioux cam . So was
.riirzy'i-l‘orse. We cut your ears off at t e torture-
sta e.

” True," replied Old Avalanche. a twinge of pain
visible on b s wrinkled brow—“ shaved ‘em \of!
clusser nor ther beerd frum a boyee‘s face. But,
any gestuo‘et all. Bill, ye ken‘t brag that i even

no e .

" No old man ye stud et like a lamb. an' [‘11 guvr

ye credit fur it."

“ What Mums of them fiappers!“ asked the An-
nihilator, huskily. '

“Don't kno‘ what Crazy Horse done wi‘ his'n. I
wore minefur a charm, on a stringo beeds. till“

    

 

. .‘
i
i
i
J
l

 

    

 

i
i
5

Old Avalanche. 81

 

t dried up, like a piece of pasteboard. when I

rowed it away."

Tears stood in the old scout’s eyes.

“Too bad." he sighed. “ 1 war in hopes 0' gettin'
them or souse back sumtime or other. an‘ gettin'
’em astered on erg‘in. Too bad." Then, as if he
sud enly recollected himself, he began to sharpen
his knife faster u n his moccasin- E.“

idaho Bill wa ched him somew at nervously,
growing a shade paler each moment. He could not
misunderstand the meaning in this.

It meant death to him!

Aftern. while the ed e of the weapon seemed sat-
isfactorily sharp to t e touch of the Avalanche‘s
thumb. for he said:

l“ 20 ye kno‘ ther border code. Billiam?" he asked.
3 ow .

“ I {new “ was the shuddering reply. ” an eye for
an eve. and a tooth for a. tooth.‘

“Yes. thet’s it—eye fer eye un' tooth fer tooth.
But that haiu't the code I shell ’dopt tew this sar~
cumstance. This ‘ll be an ear fer an ear. and a knije
fer a throat!" '

The outluw grew very white. and perspiration
broke out all over his face.

“ \\'ill ye show no mercy?“ he gasped. '

“‘{V .’ ye didn‘t show me nonc. As ye did, so'll i

o

‘D‘ But hold! Is there no service I kin do ye that'll
save my life? I do not wnnt to die—I am not pre-

The Annihilator shook his head

“I jedge not. I've sworn by all ther cherubimms
o' Aurory Borey Alice to stave out on that scone all
ther Injun race. yersel‘ included. So ye [nought as
well any yer catty-kiss-‘ems. Nuthin‘ short 0‘ yer
life will do mei“

idaho Bill grew desperate. .

The light that burned in his enemy's eye was
stern an cold.

“ I‘ll make a. proposal." he at last managed to
gas . “ This! my ears and spare my his 1"

0 d Avalanche reflected.

" I ‘ll make ya an offer.‘_‘ he said slowly. "and yer
life. depends: upon yer decusion."

u .

( .

“Wal. I‘ll cut off both of ycr cars. and then. of

ou’ll show me the clcl Indian path that leads thr‘u'
{hose mountains. or over ‘em ruther. tew ther Fiat
Butte peak. an‘ tew ther Death Gulch. ye shall hev
llbe nn‘ er deco. itated eers.“

, his 0 Bil groan and shuddered.

“ Go on!" e gas . white as a. corpse: “ I agree.
Take my ears and toys it over. "

" You know the over-mountain way ?"

n Ay‘ 8y!"

” And will go thr‘u‘ wi’ yer jab wi'out nttemptin‘
no shanannignn i“

“ Yes—I swear it i”

Without further words. in less time than it takes
to tell it. the r wretch was deprived of his ears.
which were ucked into the avenger's ket.

He has said. since the transaction of bat terrible
deed. that he nightly dreams of ears. and could not
be hired to attain? another like amputation.

As for idaho Bi 1. he fainted; but while he was in-
senslbie. Old Avalanche dressed the wounds. and an
hour later the two enrless men were on their journey
over the vast mountain wilderness.

 

CHAPTER Xi.
In] “some oar.

Wm: were Josiah and Lady Maude? was the
(filesth that agitated the minds of our friends. as
t ey made the alarming discovery that they were

no. 'Had the overflowing ot the waters swept

I, hem away?

No. that could not be. for the bottom of the cen-
yon had not been covered to more than a knee‘s
depth, and no rsnn would have been curled away
by such ani niflcant flood.

 

“P‘raps ther poet keerried of! ther gs “ sug-
gosted old Dan, as they all stood in the tyg'ian
gloom. undecided what to do. “I‘ve had a premens-
shun as he wnrn't ‘buve simpeckshun."

“ Yes; but whither has be gone?" cried Sir Harry.
angrily. “Oh! the dastard. the traitor! How my
fingers ache to get at his throat!" '

‘ l opinc he‘s gone back ther win? he klm. r-
vidin‘ he ain't gone t‘other wa . yiiee ar‘ at
he‘s interlinked with the canyon handils. ‘

“Good heaven! you don‘t mean to say that my
darling sister is in the power of those heartless
wretchesi“

"Wouldn‘t want for ter sw'nr tew at; but I'm
thinkin' et smells strongly thet way.“

“ Look to the horses. nick, and see if the mule is
gone. then! That will to l the story.“

Dan obeyed. with niucrity, and soon returned with
the intelligence that the mule and Lady Maude's
horse were both missing.

“Ohi Godi" groaned Lady Milhurn, who had all
the nme been weeping violently. " I shall never see
my child again.“

“Yns ye will. mum.“ replied the guide. dofllng
his hat.rcspectfully. " n e old Dan C weil’s
word fer it. may Maude will not be harm . and ‘11
be restored tew ew afore long. I‘ve heerd consid-
er‘ble of this iri Bandit. an‘ believe her tow be
‘bout as fair-tew-evera ye sort 0‘ feline as evyer did-
n‘t chew terbaccer. 8 1e won’t hurt yer damn'w‘.
afore the big flood comes. 1 shouldn‘t wonder much
ef ye war hawker] away out o‘ danger Jes‘ like Lady
Maude was!“

“Is this your candid opinion, guide?“ asked Sir
Harry. eagerly. “ Do you really imagine it is
Wild Edna 8 plan to save us from the flood which is
impending?”

Old Dan smiled grimly.

“Not as I sirspeck.“ he replied with a. chuckle—
" not us. hut the ladies—Lady Milnum and her
dnu hteri"

“ e it so. then. If they only safely escape, I shall
not so much hate to meet the worst. ’

Morning dawned over the giant pheaks of the
mountains. and as sea s it waslig t enough for
his purpose the guide bu a tire out of afew rtly~
dried limbs and cones which had been w down
from the mountains. and then easily found the
tracks of the two horses in the clayey refuse. on
which the at had borne away his prize.

“Thar k n be no doubt ' the case now." he said
to Sir H “The ban ts hev got the gahetfs
purt probe. lo."

“ es: 1 have no doubts about it now. But what
can we do?“

" Nuthin'. as l kno' on. All we kin do or tow sit
on our thumbs an‘ rin an‘ hour et. I‘m stuven sorry
we ever kimintert is can on tho‘. an of l war as
non as ye be. I‘m jedgin i‘d not be tardy in gittin‘
out 0‘ ct." _

"What! would you disgrace yourself by yielding
to these accursod fiends? lam truly sorry for you
then. My sense of honor forbids that i should 9
u to them. and thereby be considered a rove .
133: [will die first—die asa brave men I d die.
A true Englishman of noble_biood does not bow
down to an American outlaw. ' |

“As ya like. boss. Ef ye ar‘ coin ter die. store

on up a poultry sum 0' spondulicks. why, i
ain‘t. no 'jeckshuns.- As fer this deposit 0' hooman
cla , he‘d not stay long in thes on ealthy climate
of e hed ernui! sold or elbow‘greese tergit him
out." ‘ '

Breakfast was dispatched. and about an hour later
a body or masked horsemen were seen mine leis~
urely down the canyon. They were bandltti.
and Wild Edna, benuteous flower of the wilderness.
rode at their head. agpearinfg. if anything. more
lovely and bewitching t an be one and as the caval-
cade came to a halt in front of the camp. all eyes
were riveted upon her. ,

Sir Harry rose from his seat and doRed his hat

 

.22 Old Avalanche.

V

 

polilltely, to which Wild Edna responded with n
am e

“ You have come. I perceive, for the third time.“
said Sir Harry “to nest the toll payment."

" Exactly! 'i'hls is t 0 last call. You now still
have a chance for life and liberty. and if you do not
acce t, your fate be on your own heads. Would to
God could aid on. or avert the impending doom.
but I cannot. D d any of you see an up urition on
the top of the «Flat Butte at midnight wo nights

.“Idldi I did!" screamed Lady Milburn. rushing
forward and clasping the Girl Bandit‘s jewele
hand. “I saw it. Ohl girl. tell me—tell me for the
love of God. was that an apparition. or was it
human l‘" She trembled in every limb. and her eyes
burned an unnatural fire—a yearning. hull-expec-
tant glare.

"Tell me. tell me!“ she continued. as Wild Edna
hesitated, “ for i must know i"

“I can tell on nothing. my lad .” was the pity-
ing reply. “ am bound by a so emn pledge to re-
veal nothing beyond the limits of our band. The
specter on t e Flat Butte will appear again, just be
fore daybreak of the eleventh day from now asyou
sawbim. my lad . His appearance will be he sig-
nal to raise the ood- ates of the terrible Lake Tico.
Fear not. however ear lady. for you will not be
allowed to perish with the rest!"

" But. my daughter—Maude. where is she?”

“ Safe and sound. and enjoying a refreshing sleep
when we left her. it was out of ity. that I had
her apirited awa . You will soon ollow hel'l"

“ irll" cried ir Fleming. advancing. “ are you a
perfect demoness? Will you see us men. who have
nevileg‘raised' a finger to harm you. murdered out-

i.
iid Edna flushed. an rily.

‘.‘ I will mnothinz of t e kind. As I have told you
once before, I cannot avert the flood. I have tried
topersuade you to pay the toll. but you have re-
fused. Here in work ceases. On my return to the
bandit retreat, will be cast into a strong cell, by
the orders of another, and confined there one mont
for my failure in extorti the toll from you."

"_W'ho is this otherl—y r/gay Nevada Sam?

“ No—indeed. no. He is my brother. and as true
and brave a man as any of you. Like myself. he
too will be confined. and suffer on your account!"

She spoke so bitterly that Sir Harry‘s susceptible
heart at once went out toward her.

. “I am sorry for you." he said, walking up to her
animal‘s side——“ really. trulv sorry but I do not
, care to yield. Maybe when ‘I see Loire Tim‘s waters
bowling down upon me. I’ll hasten to change
my mind i" And he made an attempt to laugh

“fiwill be foo late. then!" said Wild Edna. sadly;
“ once the flood-gates are raised. nothing
of life. exce t trees. can live in Devil‘s Canyon.”

“ Well. if his be the case, 1 can consider mySelf a
doomed man." '

" You refuse to pay the toll, then?"

“ I do,most emphaticallgv l”

“ Alas! then you are in eed doomed!“ She shot
him aglanee from her beautiful e es—a glance in
which was min led pity. sorrow an -whst?

The fastbeat $1th of the young nobleman told
him itwas more t an the light and glow and interest
of a common nature—and his own face flushed at
the the bt—did this beauteous vision of the wilder-
neu Iona m? it was a. thought that filled him with
e ressionless 143*.

e Girl. Ban t, however, quickly interrupted his
suddenly conceived hopes.

“ Will the others pay their toll, and be allowed to
go on freedom?“

“I think not." replied Sir Fleming. who had been
conferring with Sir Bruce; “ or. at least, not at
present. f we decide to pay the toll for ourselves
will it not be enough to advance to your srds, an
tell them so when they can inform your'

 

“I don‘t know." replied Wild Edna. doubtfully.
“ However, 1 can soon ascertain.“

She turned to one of the masked men beside her.
and said a few words in an undertone. He then
turned his horse‘s head and galloped rapidly off up
the canyon.

“I can soon answer your question. sir.“ said the
maiden to Sir Fleming; ” in the mean time do not
let tn" hinder you, or deter you from your break-

as . -

“ We Me an hour ago." answered Harry. “and
your presence is most agreeable. under the very em-
rrassinz circumstances under which we meet."

“ You are slightly addicted to flattery, I perceive “
she laughed, a the same time ordering her men
{Stirs w a proper distance. whither she also followed

em.

Sir Harry did likewise. He was scarcely aware of
it. but he soon found himself in the maiden‘s fas-
clnating presence. and was gazing up into her face.
thotgzhtfully, admiringly.

“ ou are a queen among women." he said. his
eyes huming with unwonted light; “ I have travel-
ed nearlg around the world, but can safely so. I
never be old one of your sex more beautiful. ou
are too precious a flower to live and die here in this
desert wxld."

She drooped her eyes. and a blush stole over her
purely chiseled features—a blush more of pleasure

hen confusion. .

“ You must not flatter." she said. quickl releasing
the hand he had taken. “ I am not used it—~I am
not used to the great world you live in. or its people.
I should not listen to praises from those who could
never be anfiht to me.‘

Sir Barry elt his heart bound in asuspiciously ex~
cited manner but he refrained from speaking the
words of assionate love that rose to his lilps.

What d d all this mean? Was he actua y in love
Withi 1this flower of the mountain—this female bri-
gun

How else could he account for that deueed bobbqu
about of his heart? lint bah! the idea of wedding
such a bride—he, an aristocratic nobleman, of a no-
ble house. and the possessor of a title. it could not
be—never.

He was thus reflecting and runsacking his brain for
something to say. when themasked courier return-
ed. and spoke a few words in Spanish to Wild Edna.

“ Very well.“ she said; then turning to Sir Harry.
she continued. “It will be all right. if any of you
conclude to pay the toll, between now and three
o‘clock of the eleventh morning. you can so notify a

nerd. who will be posted a few hundred yards up

hegorge. He will be authorized to receive six thou-
san dollars from you. and furnish you with an es-
cort to the outer world 1“
"Very well. I will tell them!"
“ Now good-by, sir. and good luck."
. “ Good- y." rephed Sir Harry, huskily, a tear
standin in either eye—“ good-by." The next mo-
ment t 6 horses’ heads were turned, and the ban-
ditti dashed away.

CHAPTER. XII.
A nsw usur—nommo siovx—rsn “nusvnm‘n
noun”—rns SPECTER SIGNAL.
Two days and a like number of gloomy nights
passed, and still matters in Devil‘s Can on rem ed

 

unchan ed. The camp could but awa t the issuepf‘

im nd ng events. .

pe was impossible for old Dan had ascertain-
ed that the savages hsh taken possession of the
eastern termination of the canyon, although they
seemed in no hurry to advance. . _

“ I think." said sir l-iarry to Sir Fleming on the
third morning. as all sat around the cam re—“I
think that between us we had better pay I. to toll. at
least for mother, and restore her alon Lady
Maude to freedom. It will not be rig ttolet her
suffer death just because we are obstinate and W
(use to pay the toll.“

 

iii‘

.33.?!
..

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Old Avalanche.

Sir Fleming sneered.

“Iquite disagree with you," he replied, sarcas-
tically. “I am of the opinion that eel lpreservution
is first to be considered before look rig to the wel-
fare of others. Lad lietty will probably be re-
leased by] the banditt : but, even if she is not, Ican-
not see t at her life is so preciously valuable to e.“

“To you—n01" cried Sir Harry. sternly. " Vere
she dead. you accurscd plotter, Im- rich estate of
Ferndale. mu. as a husband, could claim. Were I
and ude dead, all of the old fainin posses-
sions of the great name of Arriscourt would be

ours. Think not. Sir Fleming Milburn, that I am
lind to our schemes and machinations. I can
read on ike a book.

“ ears ago my father, Sir Henry. came to
America toexplore this wilderness. By somc ins-ans
unknown to us. on. an outlawed relation, joined
him in his expcd tion, and traveled with him until
his death—from the top of yonder peak.

“No sooner was be dead than you retumcd to
England with the sad intelligence. bearing Japers
purporting to have been ven you by Sir enry.
previoustohis death, whic bade my poor mother
marry dyl'lou, in case my father should die during any
of his nfierous adventures. You had been a suitor
forLad etty's hand, revious to her union with
my fat or, and, under e circumstances, she felt
it er duty to obey the mandate of one whom death
had overtaken in a roman land.

“ So. after making a): promise to bring her here
to this wild country. 1: she mi ht at least recover
the bones of Sir Henry, she wed ed you—wedded a
very demon. This was many years ago. when
Maude and I were both children. Since then you
have been a very cruel master to us. and it is only
since I attainal my majority, that Egon could be in-
ducod'to visit this place, accord g to your pro-

“This is not the Fiat Butte in question i" growled
Sir Fleming, wincing perceptibly under the young
man‘s accusing gaze. _

“ You lie I“ cried Sir Harry, hotly. “This is the
place where my father ended his days; or—more
pro rly, perhaps—where his life was emkd I"

TE; tone as well as the words of the speaker
caused Sir Flemin to grow a trifle pale, and ex-
cha a lance wit Sir Bruce.

“ e w ll not continue this conversation. at pre-
sent," he said. flushing with rage, as he rose and
sauntered awa . “ You will tempt me to kill you.
some of these imes, by pursuing this insulting be-
havior."

“I fear
have airead made half a score of site upon
my life. wit out. success and I believe I shall live to
see the justice you deserve meted out to you.“

The morning dragged away, and a hot noon-day

you not!" rotor-ted Sir Haw} “You
1) s

sun at last shone straight down into Devil‘s Canyon. ~

it was about this time that old Dan CoglgsWell
came striding hurriedly into camp. He ha gone
down the canyon. a few hours revious. in nest of
game, and had promised to be ack b sunse .. 00n-
sequently. his early return warned ir Harry that
something of importance had occurred.

“What is it?" he asked. anxiously. “Why are
you back so soon i"

“I j e thar‘s need 'on‘t," rgglied the guide,’
with a bious shake of his he . “Ef we don
ketch Jessie o‘ ther shirt afore this time. ter-morrer
I'm er hod-carrier."

" Indeed! What is wrong?"

“ IMurw—copperous-cullor‘d Boos. Thar's more‘n
a thousan‘ cummin’ up this derection, to pay us
their ks!"

“Goo Heavcnl Is'this true? Then we must pre-
pare to fight them i“

“ I rather guess so, of we‘ve ther least inclinashun
ter keepiu' our kcrpillery persesshuns. Go wake
up ther other fellers. an’ git er pop-guns in ready
non for use. I‘m goin‘ to! t ro‘ up er obstlckel tow
their progress."

 

38

Sir Harry immediately hurried off. while the guide
proceeded to perform his part of the work.

Among the effects in the outfit were a pick and
shovel. articles which every wise western traveler is
not without.

Taking these he proceeded a short distance down
the canyon. to a spot where the bottom was form-
cd of soft sandy soil. Here he paused and be
to throw up a barricade of dirt from wall to wall. oc-
cusionally dislodging la a flakes of rock from
above and adding this to t 0 lie.

For hours the guide labor steadily and at last.
he paused and surveyed his completed work. The
barricade. constructed mainly of dirt, was breast-
high across the canyon, the top being covered with
heavy rocks that Dan had detached from the mighty
walls. while an abalis of sharpened limbs protruded
beyond as a defense against scaling the parapet.
Altogether. it was an admirable piece of work, and
in case of attack. would. while it concealed the de-
fenders. prevent a rush from the enemy.

The barricade done, Dan proceeded to call Sir
Harry. As soon as the baronet beheld the result
of the aftemoon‘s labor. he uttered an exclamation
of surprise. .

“Just the thingi" he exclaimed. as he carefully
examined the defense. “ With our regaining rifles
and revolvers. I am confident wecan id our own
for awhile. at least." . '

“Yea” replied Dan. grimly. “I speculate we kin
guv 'em a putt big rub. of ther Lord‘s willin'.
Now, then. ye t hack tew camp. an‘ snatch w‘at
grub an‘ morph us e kin. an‘ l'll stand guard. Ef
ye hecr me screec 'Boos.‘ 9 jlst kim a-hoopin‘
down hayr. fer thar'll be 1: 0‘ ye. Bring yer fel-

lex’l‘shtool ’

era was no call from Coggswell until about
midnight. when he skulked into camp and aroused’
the sleepers with the news that the reds were com-
ing. Leaving Lady Mllburn alone, the four men
cre t down to the barricade. rifles in hand, and
pos themselves on the defensive. ‘

“ i do not see any savages!” said Sir Harry peer-
ing over into the canyon beyond. “and I douh i —
thunder I” '

An arrow razed the young nobleman’s cheek. as
he was spen ing.

“ Ye’ll feel ’em. of ye don‘ are ‘em i" said old Dan
with a grim chuckle. “perwidcn’ ye make yer ate
a targit for their arrers. But loom—ready and n 1“

A motley gang of savages could now be distin-
guished, through the ll of in darkness, as they
came skurrying silent y toward e barricade.

“EN—once, two, an‘ three times!" hissed the
guide. and four rifles cracked. sending Walloon
up the mountain-side. while deadly.mi went
hurtling into the Sioux ranks, causing shrieks of
pug" “Pdaifiim' i m terribl peating noes belch

23 n a n 0 , 8 re .
ed forth strengths of lurid flame. and. taken wholly
by surprise the savages turned and fled.

“Quick! Now‘s yer time ter reload!” cried old
Dan, and the discharged cartridges were quickly
refilatced 333“ lfth 02?: an appearance agaih' th t

u no ~s as u a
night. although allgf the defenders watched till the
sunlight kissed the peak of Flat Butte.

Sir Harry volunteered to stand guard while the
others went inside camp and pro reakfast.
80 Dan, accompanied by Sir Fleming and sn- Bruce,
set out, leavi the young nobleman alone. .Ar- .
riving at camp, t was discovered that Lad Milhurn
and one of the horses were missing. No ears were
entertained by the guide. however. for he rightw
guessed that the banditti had come tomove her
to a place of safety.

That do passed. but no further demonstration
was made y the red-skins; in fact. not a glimpse
of them had been gained.

' As soon as night fell over the mountain. air Bruce
was posted on sentinel duty, to be relieved by Sir
Fleming at midnight. s,

 

Old Avalanche.

 

Another—the fifth—morning dawned,!nnd still no
3 of the Sioux.

' it‘s curi‘us.“ said Coggswell. as he and Sir
Harry stood at the barricade—“ darned curi'us.
never knew‘d Boos ter act up in this shape store.
lure as I‘m a masticater o tenderl‘ins. Ef that
ain't sum oncommon devilment ahind all 0‘ this
holdin‘ off. et‘s beyant my cumpass o" reckonin'."

" It does seem 3 range. From what little I have
heard and seen, these red rascals are not generally
no tard in attacking a foe." replied Sir Harry.

“ Rig t. But 1 jedge l‘ve snatched their ijeo this
time. Knowin’ we‘re sum on shootin', nn‘ not
keerin‘ tew lose enny more braves than possybul,
they're goin‘ tar clim‘ us."

“ What do you mean?"

- “ Why. ye see sum 0‘ 'em hes gone over the mount,-
iugs. sn‘ ’ l sooner or later git down inter ther cun-
yon atween us an‘ ther banditters. arter w‘icli buth
divisions ‘11 give us a nudge frum each eond. at tlier
same time.‘

" You believe that is their plan?"

" I don’ make much doubt 0' et. Ye see. Soos kin
climb like all natur‘, an' et'll be no sarcumstance
for ’em tow scoot these mountings. ef ye’ll give 'om

time."

a That night the engages in the canyon made a rush
down on the barri e in large numbers. but Dan
was quite ready for them, and the incessant and
deadly fire from the four re sting rifles made such
fearful havoc, that the rec-skins again retreated,
much decreased in numbers, and howling with

file succeeding' day passed. and the next. and the
next, and still e next. without further develop-
ments

Mlastthe night of the tenth day fell over the
mountains. but it disclosed only two figures in the
Devil‘s Can on at the camp. Sir Fleming and Sir
Bruce had on since ridden ofl up the gorge to pay
their toll, and 3 saved from the flood.

Sir Harry and old Dan Coggswell were left to
themselves, and their dooml

“No ' [mm not yield in this. the eleventh hour I“ the
young aronet had said, with wonderful firmness,
when questioned by ',the others, previous to their
de rture. “ Dan can go if he Wishes, and I will fur-
nls him with the uiaite toll money."

" Noi“ cried the ol guide, “ not much. Mary Ann.
of I kno' mflyselt. I ain't ther coon as Will desart a
fellerina x." _

. So the two had remained, and it was With wilrlly-
beating hearts that they watched the night wear
away toward another da dawn.

' At last Sir Harry excl med, as he pointed toward
the summit of the Flat Butte. where that terrible

greet“ had suddenly on red—the same awful
ght which Lady Mil urn ad seen:

‘ Look out for it, now, Dan. and so your p ers.
for that signal has opened the flood-gates of 'e
Tico. Good-by, old boy!"

CHAP‘l'ER XXII.
sun A uo‘mrr roo urn—Wits nnuA‘s RIDE.

Fan u among the mighty. hoary crags beyond
Fiat Bu , nestling in a doe and gloom basin. lay
the cold green waters of La e 'l‘ico—or ke Airy.
salt has since been christened. A. silent. uninviting
sheets! water, suspended. as it were. midway be-
tween heaven and earth. and formed in a natural
square. corner being a towering peak. and the
sideeor shores forming a brink to an awful abyss
that yawned on every side.

One side of this remarkable mountain-lake over-
looked Devil‘s Can on. and the other that awful
abyss into which 5 r Henry had been buried. years
be ore, The lake shore was accessible from three

* hutthe of m in. notof nature, had made
‘ . 0n the northeastern side,a long bridge of
Infin network stretched across a yawning preci-

 

ice, and made connection with a lower it, which
n itself connected with other gigantic ne hbors that
formed the chain stretching away of! to the great
green savannas to the east.

Directly east from the lake shore was asimilar
bridge, and this connected with the towering Fiat
Butte at its summit. The third mode of reaching
the shore was by means of a spin/l xt/Iirwm which,
commencing at the southern corner. woun its way
gradually up the mighty mountain. until, when
reaching a level with the lake, it hml made a com-
plete circle around the gray de osit of rock. This,
too, had been the handiwork 0 man. aswas readil
evidenced by the unmistakable ax-marks and bi
ing holes. The banks of the lake were very narrow
—so narrow that only a steady-nerved person would
dare attempt to we] on them for fear of falling
off into the lake on the one side or over the prec -
pics on the other. In some places the water drooled
and dripped over the edge, thereby making the
rocks slippery.

At the side overlooking Devil’s Can on were the
“ flood-gates " mentioned. They h been con-
structed by the banditti. and when lifted from their
rocky fastenings, the waters of the lake could easi-
ly pour out in a mammoth volume into the gorge
below. These gates were raised out of a groove
in the rock by a great wooden lever, which could
only be moved by a score of men, and were so
deeply sunken that the. whole of Lake Tico‘s
waters could be plunged into the canyon in ten sec-
onds’ time.

The retreat of the banditti was in such a position
that the flood could not reach it, although dashing
directly by.

Half a mile above the base of the Flat Butte.
where _the camp of our part had been. was a
break in the mighty wall of e ca on. At this
post two armed sentinels always 3 . The break
11 question wasa round black hole in the wall. some-
what resembling a sewer outlet, only not so small.
A horse could easily pass throuah this aperture
with a person sitting erect on its back. This natural
tunnel ran in a semi-curving and zig-zag shape for
perhaps a quarter of a mile, descending striding
grade. when it made an abrupt turn in the bowels
of the mountains, and proceeded due east. where,
before. its course lay in a north by easterl direc-
tion. At the place where occurred the hrs in the
walls of the canyon, the little stream which ran
down its entire length had its source, the flood- ates
of Lake Tico being directly overhead, and emitt a
constant wastage of water, through crevices in 516

rock.

By following the tunnel beyond the turn, for an-
other quarter of a mile. you debouched from Sty-
gian darkness into semi-ight. You were at the

ottom of Death‘s Gulch. and on a level with the
Great Lakes.“I

You are at the bottom of Death Gulch. And such
a bottom i

It is a natural garden of paradise—an oasis in a
vast mountain desert. TWO acres area. in all,
fenced in by those majestic rocky monsters, the
mountains: green with velvety ass and redolent
with perfume from a hundred oweringtreesand
plants, it is a most astonishi and wondrous sight.

Water from a cascade a t ousand feet above is
transformed into a mist that trickles down the rug-
ged wall. until it gathers into a little i'ivulet in the
rocky yet grassy bottom.

In the center of the gulch is a large. ham-like edi-
fice thatched with fir-branches and sod. and built of
roc . Around this, numerous beds of wild-llowers
ar- in a state of careful cultivation; here and them
are scattered rude settees on which men are reclin-
ing, indolently. and smoking.

Although the hour is past midnight. they are thus

* The remarkable tunnel under the mountains is
an existing freak of nature. personally explored by

can or.

 
   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Old Avalanche. ' as,

 

engaged, for there is 'work for them to do, presently,
an t eylwould be awake.

The gulch is lit dimly with flaring torches, thrust
in neighboring crevices.

Soon a door of the edifice is opened, and four
armed men issue forth. followed by a tall, hastl
figure, clad in a trailing robe of snowy whi e. s
hair sweeps his waist. as does an immense beard of
silvery hue' and in his eyes burns the unnatural fire
of insanity—a tire that might cause any brave man
to tremble.

As he ste )8 from the door a figure attempted o
hailing, but e hurled her back with an our ed
5 re .

“ Avauntl ac arsed fool! Dost think to evade my
vigilance? Bac with you, or by the Royal Scepter,
I‘ll cast thee into the dungeon, from whence thy
pleadings for liberty caused me to fetch you."

He seemed convulsed with an overpowering pas-
sion, while he spoke. and glowered down upon the
shrinking figure in the doorway. sava ely.

“Oh! my father!" cried the Girl ndlt, wildly.
piteousl , “do not open the terrible hood-gates to-
night. ostpone the awful crime until to-morrow.
or next day, that those two deserted men may have
a chance more for lifel“

‘ful ha! ha! ha!“ yelled the other, shrieking
an gesticuiating with mud laughter. “ Hal ha!
You would have me Sp re my sacrificial oflerings to
the Royal Mountain ed and his Divine Powers.
Hal hal thou art a fool Zerama—a blind, idiotic
{got "Back to thy virgin couch, before I curse

eel

He raised his baton as if to strike, but with a
f htened cry she darted hack into the cabin.

monlng all of those men who were lounging
on the sottees. by a wave of his hand, the man cried
in tones of anger:

“ Awake, you drowsy fools. awakel Dost not
remember t at this is tho hour of sacrifice—the
glorious hour when the waters of Tlco shall sweep a

ath of destruction through the canyon of the
Bevin Awake, I say!"

The men s rung to their feet obedient to his call,
and. rifle in and, formed in line.

“ es, our greatness,” said one. who was evident-
ly a lieu nant, “ we are quite ready."

"Good! That is well. Now. away to the flood-
gatiamang. prepare to answer my signal from the

The men bowed low, then turned on their heel
and filed away to the tunnel. As soon as they had
gone, the stran commander turned to the four
armed men who ad remained behind.

“ Now, Valquero, is my balloon read i"

“ Yes, your greatness," was the rep y, “ all ready.
This way, sir.“ .

' They ed the wayto the wall in the rear of the
cabin, where upon the ground. was a small wicker-
basket to which was attached a rope. This ran like
a diminutive serpent up through the darkness
thro h a pulley on the top of the Flat Butte, an
back own 0 the bottom of Death Gulch. again.

Ste plug into the basket the commander gave the
sign an the men sprung to and pulled down on
the urn rope. thereby drawing the basket up out
of sight in the darkness. For some time they pulled
away manfully. and were at last rewarded by feel-
ing the rope t ghten and cease to draw further.

Thebes ethadreachedtheto .

In the mean time the other ganditti had passed
through the tunnel, and b way of the rocky stair-
case reached the shore of he lake. and grasped the
fatal lever that was to be the means of car lug
death and destruction down through Devil‘sréan-
yon. There were full three-score of them. and it
would be no feat of strength for them to hoist the

ates. All that was now wanting was the signal
mm the Flat Butte, whither all eyes were turned in
attention. ‘

sun ten minutes posed when a faint flash red-
dened the sky. then followed a pistol report. and a

 

fire whose. color was blood red flared fiercely on high
from the top of the peak.

1n the hrivht light stood that tall. spectral. white-
onveloped guru, whose board swe t the gleaming
girdle at his waist, and in whose and waved to
and fro the terrible baton. ‘ .

First. he aptproached the rtion of the plateau
overlooking s can on. an glaring down into its
depths, gave vent a series of wild. horrible
shrieks; then, he wheeled abru ti and advanced
to the edge, overlookl the Den h ulch, and Lake
Tico, far beyond. H ting on the brink of the
frightful precl ice he raised both arms aloft. In
accordance wi h plans understood among them, one
of tho bandits then sprinkled asack of some strange
smelling powder on the shore near to the rest
lever, and applied a match to it. Instantly a ame
similar to the one on the Fiat Butte sprung up and
lllumined the scene.

Every surrounding object was plainly revealed.

All eyes were turned upon the s ctral flgure~for
the fatal signal. Once he raised t e baton on higllli,
sygung it around his head and let it fall back by s
s: 0.

Once!

Then aftera lapse of several moments of dead
silence, be repeated the movement.

w1ce
Onl once more and then the i'.‘ 'nl gates would be
raiseg'éd Eagerly and impatiently the banditti
wa c .

Finail the long bony arm with the baton began
to rise t 0 third time. '

But harkl There is the faintly audible re rt of
a rifle, heard from the distant peak with wh oh the
northeastern bridge of rope communicates; the
rising arm of the s ctral chief falls to his side- he
staggers back, an with a wild, horrible yell, sinks
upon the plateau.

“Sto i stop!" shrieks a voice as a wiry figure
comes ounding across the rope-bridge—“stopl in
ther cognomen o‘ ther Jehoover. Hayri kim, ther
Erato 0 Rory Borey Alice 0' ther north—ther howlin'

nilstarm o devastation, ther orful sky-rocket o‘
demolishun."

But the banditti paid no heed. With a wild
vengeful scream they sgrun the mighty lever, an
the great waters masse in ko Tico went g
and pouring into the Devil's Cagyon.

At this identical juncture Wil Edna and the four
guards stood in the mouth of the tunnel where it
opened into the canyon. As the water came dash-
ing downward in a grand. awful volume. she turned
to them and said:

“I am ready, Josh!“ and she sprung into a flat
boat lying near.

“Quick, nowl cast me out before the torrent

rows too fierce. f’l‘is a fearful venture. I'll admit,
flllt Idmugt save those main; 1 never come back,

:len (‘K r0.“ r 0U

As 3: one 'Lcctfdfiney kissed her hand in silent
devotion, then gathering the frail craft in their
arms. they plunged it forcibly throu b the sheet of
falling waters an to the mad rap ds be ond.

The boat neither swamped nor ocggsized. t danc-
ed down over the fury-lashed fl with sta ling
velocity. 'The  of title {18311138 WWW“ 1”
safel animate a wen Y 9 -

Onion—on—dashed the little tempest-tossed craft
with wild-e ed Edna at the steering-oar!

At last. s a know by mrroundin landmarks that
she was directly over the place w oreflir Barry I
camp had been. In van. here. did she peer around.
with hope strugan agalnst hope in her breast that
by some strange c ance she would see the your) .
{noblemain and his guide 8”“ cllnxlns ‘0 8 W10? '

n crev co or s ur.

files! she wan? doomed to disap intment. Noth-
ing but the forbidding gra we 3 met her gue—
nothing but the awful roa ng tumult of the furious
flood greeted her hearing.

Sir Harry and Has had been wept away!

 

—. r.<2"_A-,

I

.?L~;f4. an;

 

 

 

2'6 ’ Old Avalanche.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
nmau 'ro DEATH auwu.

Swan away!

A sudden wave of sadness stole overihe beau-
teous face of the Girl Bandit as she realized this,
and tears filled her eyesetears of bitter anguish,
for she loved Sir Herr this wild flower of the
mountain—loved him th an the intense power of
her maiden nature—had loved him from the mo-
ment of her first meeting with him.

He seemed so upri ht and ro aliv grand to her,
and she could not he p it that or lo a] little heart
had gone out to him in its {out weal h of allection.
And could she doubt that e too held her in high
esteem? Nol

He had said she was. the nearest to womanly or-
fection, or to that effect. and he had looke so
earnestly. so yearnineg and ploudingiy into her
face. with his wondrous eyes, that her untutored
heart had leaped and tlu‘ohbed in her bosom for

vefiy jo ,

ow was sonei

Gone in the devastating and merciless flood, and if

she ever saw his face again it would be when the

features so well loved were pale in death.

Ohl how bitter was the pain that now pierced her
heart; how silent and torturing the anguish that
convulsed her whole beingi Her hands clutched
tight] to the steering-sweep, but she made no effort
to gu do the craft, as it plunged along with the mad
waters.

' It ke t near the center of the swift current, and
secs being wrecked on the foam-lashed wall of
the canyon.

Why care if it did go to pieces? All oi‘ the sun-
shine oi her young life had gone out; she was indif-
ferent to all dangers; she wanted to die.

Why not and e da 9 here in these green seeth-
ing waters, that roar and boomed along li ' con-
tinuous thunder? Why not thus end her distasteful
and aimless life, and join him, in that great and
better land. where all was perpetual sunshine and
eternal love?

Ahl life had been a sad experience in the dark
past. For years she had lived among a lawless

of men who. though bsndits they were, had
never by touch or word done a wronF [0 their fair,

sweettempered mistress, for they oved her as a

ministering angel; and not to see Wild Edna hover-

ing about with words of gentle re roof at any bad
action, or words of cheer to the ownheartcd, was
likeneng a flower of its morning dew.

‘True she had had a mother, once—a wild, gi y-
llke mother who had died {3:13 ago. and since t on
the life of Wild Edna had a but a mockery, as it
were.

Shehadnone of her own sex to love and commune
with—no one to love in factI save it were her follow-
ers or that demented old man of the Flat Butte. with

- whom she had been left at her mother’s death, by
whom she had since been ruled.

C To be sure, he was kind, when not in one of his
‘insane spells, and loving, too: but it was a rare

hour that ever saw him wholly free from these

“mitt .

The bauditthere also kind and courteous. and
her brother. fievada Sam, was as kind and loving as
a brother could be. But, for all this. there had been
a blank in her life-a vacant spot in her pure virgin
heart, that had onl been the more vividly disclosed
to her after she h met sir Harry.

N permitted a ho to take root in
her heart-a hope that she con (1 ever he ought or
anything to him; but it had stolen there despite her
cautioh. and she was secretly longing and yearning,
building air-castles and hoping for his com pany, his

vs.
Now all was ne—ho expectation all.
She imagin she com see his lifeless corpse be-
ing borne ruthlessly along on the crest of the angry

waves.
She too, though scarcely conscious of the fact,

 

 

was being borne alon swiftly. her little craft seem-
ing to have adopted a sole responsibility of keep
ing in the middle of the stream.

0n~--on over the thundering flood, and then she
was start ed by a loud. ringing hallo.

“ H-a-y, thar. ship, ahoyl Whar ye goin', nu’ d‘ye
shilg1 passe" jars l”

’ 8 voice was that of Dan Coggswell.
stunt all her hopes revived.

With almost frenzied one she directed the
headlon ' craft into a near ed y, where, with skill.
ful ham , she managed to hold it.

“ Where are you?" she cried.

" Huyri hayrl on the starboard side 0‘ ye, in a big
black-b‘ar hoel up in ther sides 0' therrocks. Hurry
up store yer skoonyer gits too for down-stream 2"

With a stren th that surprised her. Wild Edna gave
a few power-fa strokes at the paddle that sent the
boat spinning across toward the aperture, whoso
month she could now just define, ahead in the
curve.

Nearer and nearer she approached, and at last, as
the boat went crashingugninst the rocky wall, she
made a loop and 01d an Coggswell caught her in
his arms and pulled hcr into the bearfs cavcl it
was the same one from which the guide and Sir
Harry had tumbled the big Bruin, a few ti 5
previous.

“ Thar yo ar‘, daisy." he said, depositing the brave
girl on ilL'l' feet. “ sai’o nu‘ sound’s a shell-bark."

“ But, the ol her!” gasped Wild Edna, shivering
with apprehension—“ where is In! .3”

“ Ye moan tlicr boss, Sir Harry? Yes. i svo‘d you
leant that we. . Wal, miss, I'm durnashun sorry,
but I‘m afuart Sir Harry has gone under. for good.
Ye kin see for ycrsol'. howuvcr. as he lays over thar
i111l thi-r corner, limp an‘ loose as an ,unsturched
s irt." /

The Girl Bandit did not wait for him to finish the
sentence but hastily fropud her way to where the
body of éir Harry lay nscnsihlo, with a rugged gash
over his temple.

Wild Edna. took his hva in her lap, and with
skillful hand dressed the wound, old Dan assisting
as well as he knew how. .

*‘ I think ‘tain’t no kinder use tew," he said. shak-
ing his grizzled head as the moments fled by and
still the baronet lay like one in death.

“0n the contrary, I think he will recover," was
the reply. “ This is an ugly bruise. but I believe it has
only stunned him. Bring me a. little water in your
hat, and I will pour it down the back of his neck.
That will bring him to when nothing else will."

Dan hastened to obey, and scooped his hat full of
water out of a trickling little s ring inside their re-
treat. Then leaving the rl to erect of restoration.
go returned to the moat 1 of the cave to watch the

00 .

The waters had now gone down. and it was plain

In an in-

. that Lake Tico was near], drained.

“Did Sir Fleming an Sir Bruce come up and
pay their ransom?" asked Dan, turning abruptly
mm the mad waters below him.

“Yes,” was the re ly. “but not with very good

. They. with t 6 two ladle are now lodged

n the bandits’ cabin in Death Gulc . Day after to-

morrow, they will be conducted on through the can-

yon. to an Indian fort beyond the mountains. where
hey can easily catch an overland train." -

“ A ‘ w‘at 0‘ us; hev we got ter stay behind?"

“Icannot answer you that question yet, sir-,1
have made up in mind to leave these mountains—
my brother and —andif I cannot arrange it so you
can go with your partv. I will take on both along,
when 130. haven few trusted ollowers amen-,-
the banditti. who are as eager as I to quit this wild,
lawless life.”

Sir Harry now began to show signs of returning
consciousness, and soon, to the Joy of both, he gave
a gasp and opened his eyes.

“Ugh!” he groaned. staring around, until his
eyes ht upon the sweetly beautiful face of Will

 

 

 

 

 

i
S
l
.'

 

 

 

In

Old Avalanche. 27'

 

Edna, when a smile of welcome ilitied across his own
pallid features.

“ Where am I? I have been wounded—«had a
ilghvt for life—Dan and I. How cu.an here, and you,
too "

A few words exElained tfl. ‘

" But you, fair (ins—why did you peril so much
to try to save us?"

A red flush mantlcd her face—her eyes filled with
tears but her lips refused to speak.

“Ah, sweet girl " he murmured drawing her head
down tohis own. ‘if my oor life is worth so much
to you, let me here pafv t e recompense of so much
love, by giving mysel to you."

She attempted to rise and leave: he ullnd her
back. and caught her in a loving passonuw em-
brace, while he rained kisses on her rosy lips and
crimsonin cheek.

“ Edna— ariin ," he murmured, “ do not be fr ht-
cued nor tremb e thus. I love you, sweetest-— nve
you as man never loved before. You are not indif-
ferent to me; I know it:—and therefore in all
earnestnesss. and in the honesty of atrue loveI
ask on. darling—will you love me, if it be on] a
tent part as much as I love you. and change he
name of Wild Edna to that Lady Edna?"

“But—but—" she faltered, though she did not
shrink from his (manly embrace, “you know noth-
ing, absolutely nothing of me or my antecedents."

" Nor do I care, dariing. [wed you and love you
for yourself, not for your antecedents. True, I
know nothing of them, but I am positive that you
are as pure as you are beautiful—a fit mate for any
man, no matter what his name or linPage."

“ i{hparenistze is respectable. My father was a
Span Mexican rancher-o, who, ere his death, rose
to he a distinguished man in Texan history. My
mother was an Englishwumun. and after inv
father's death, win-n I and my brother were but
children, she came North. intentian to settle in Min-
nesota, where her brother rosided.

" But Indians drove hertrain into this vicinity.
from whom they were rescued b our band of
mountain outlaws, headed by the ol man you saw
on the Flat Butte.

" We were all held captives for years, and. in fact,
ever since our capture. The second year of our
durance. mother married the wild chief, but died a
month after her bridal.”

“That is enough." cried .Slr Harry, kissing her
rapturously. “I am amply satisfied, my love my
queen. No son of our noble old house will ave
ever won a brighter, more priceless gem than lucky
I, Say we, Edna darling; ohi say yes, that I may
be doubly assured that you love me. and are mine! '

She did not answer. but nestled contentedly in his
arms, and their lips met in a long, passionhte kiss,
that told better than could have words, the truth.

In the mean time, the flood had gone down. and
Devil‘s Canyon was free from the destroying ele-

ment.
When he could at last see the bottom. old Dan ap-
g-igeg the“, lovers of the fact. and Wild Edna sprung
e ee . ~ '

“I must go. now." she said. as Sir Harry would

- have detained hr’r. “ and see hnw things have shaped
in the regs-eat. Do not fear for me, for I shall risk,

“Ye well; I will try to endure your absence.
though I; seems hard to part so soon. Are we to re-
main here?"
“IYes, .r'mtil I return, and that will be just as soon
can

as .

B aid of a lasso, the maiden was soon lowered
from the bear's cave. and soon disappeared up the
can on. ‘

'1‘ day slowly to the two men.

Night at t fell over the land, and both Dun and

sought rest in repose, for they had not

r
sis a wink the revious ni-rht.
ariy in the to owing moruiilif. tht‘y heard a can

 

from below, in the canyon. and rushing to the en-
trance. beheld Wild Edna there.

“Come!” she said, excitedly, “hurry and slide
down the rope, and follow me to the Death Gulch.
Something has happened that demands your imme-
diate presence there." -

They obeyed, by quickly scrambling down the
lasso, after which wild Edna led the way up the can-
yon, to the mouth of the tunnel. Here a squad of
four masked men took them in charge, and con-
gutlatgd them through and into the cabin in Death

u c . -

 

CHAPTER XV.
us'r scsrzs snaonu 'rsr. cnm‘am nus.

Hans, a siran e tableau was presented. The
room was some t irty feet long by twenty wide, and
was the main compartment of the cabin. It was
furnished in the primitive style of the Far West, and
with a )pointments of the rudest description.

0n t m floor in one corner was a coach of skins. on
which lay a figure apparently in great mental or
ph sicni pain; for his groans were loud and horrible
to ear. By his bedsi e knelt Lady Milburn and her
daughter, sobbing in the depths of their handker-
chiefs, while at their side stood the tall, commanding

re of Nevada Sam.

n another corner of the room lay two more figures,
bound band and foot, whom the reader will have no
difficulty in recognizin as the redoubtnbie Old Ava-
lanche, and Idaho Bil . It was old Avalanche who

had fired the unerrinii‘ bullet which d the-
s ecdtral figure on the lat Butte. the nig of the.
00 .

After days of tortuous climbing throu h a wild,
awful mountain wilderness, he had art-iv too late
to avert the flood.

At the opnositc side of the room, all the bandits
were formed in a. com not line, and directly before
tBhem stood two pr soners‘sir Fleming and Sir

ruce.

0n the further side of the bed from Nevada Sam.
stood a rough old borderer, whose vocation it was to
deal out medicine and pills to any who might require
his services.

This was the situation of affairs as Wild Edna en-
tered the room, accompanied by Sir Harry. Demand
the guards. The latterrcmained near the door. with
the gluide, and Edna led her betrothed forward to the

cone .

“Sir Harry," sold Nevada Sam, touching his som-
brero res ‘tfuliy, “ you have arrived too late to
hear the ylng story of the man lying before you,
but I am so well acquainted with it, and with his
past life, that, if on will listen. 1 will tell you all."

Sir Han incl ned his head. as he studied the
features 0 the bandit-chief, and Nevada Sun went
on:

“ Twcnt cars ago Sir Henry Arriscourt, a rest
e lorer, gains to America to travel in this wegtorn
w den-uses, and brin to light the features of un- .
known parts of the ow World. ,

“ He was the sole survnving son of an old house,
and a. man of great knowledge and culture. In
leaving England, his native land. he also left behind
him a wife and two infant children, who were the

ride of his possessions. _

p “ Years before, Lady Hett had had another
suitor, in the r on of one of r Henry 's relatives,
Sir F'iemi lburn by name, but in co nonoo
of some d sgraca he had been forced toth tEng-
land and reiin uish the field to Sir Henry, who soon
after wedded t e lady of his choice. .

“No sooner did Sir Henry reach American mail;
than. securely di ised, his rival oflored him s
services fora smai consideratim'ii and an eng
ment was eflected, after which be two tra
westward. .

“It was Sir Henry's highest ambition to do n.
lvii’rlest main in this section, ero he proceeded fur.
ihor, on for that purpose be secured a Canadian

 

Old AValauche.

\

 

guide but he proving incapable, another fellow was
added to the staff."

“Thet war me I“ shouted Old Avalanche, from his
corner—“me, that great snow-slide o' destruction;
ther boreal breeze o‘ demolishsn. an‘ ther whirly-
gig o'Pannlhllatlonl Thet war me, by all ther ele-

ants ‘

“Darn my socks!" e aculate‘d a voice, and a man
leaped from among” 6 bandltti; “ sec yere, ole
hoes, kinder 'pears r me I‘ve heard ther squeek o‘
yer vocality afore, ain’t I? I onc't lied a bruther wi‘
thet precise same wahble in his v‘ice, but ther Socks
got him, w‘lie I war, as Shakespeer sod.

" Grafted inter tber army.

“Now. I say. my Christaen fr‘snd. hain't yer
name Hogg—s elt wi' tew ’s? ‘l’ecrs tor me ye
luke a power u] measure like the old family 0'

, w'ot uster live over in Slinktown, afore ther
inhooman red-skins burnt at?"

“Yes, my appellaterve ar‘ Hoggl," replied Old
Avalanche, excitedly—“Alva Lunc Hogg, sure's
beavers hev twins."

" Then allow me tor interdooce myself as yer bru-
ther. Josiah Billiam Hogg—Hogg spelt wi‘ two G‘s
—the grate Poet o‘ thor Nor'west, an' ther famuse
romancer o‘ ther Powder River Ran ' a”

There was a glad emf delight; the Annihilator‘s
bonds were out, and next instant the two long-
lost brothers were locked in a bear-like hug.

All this time Nevada Sam was speaking.

"After the second guide was added, the expedi-
tion plunged deep in the wilderness, and after
man (la s‘ toiisome climbing. reached the top of
the t utte, above us, only to find that other ex-
plorers had been there.

“While campinfi on the But'e. Sir Fleming and
his secret accomp ce. Raleigh, the Canadian guide.
formed a hellish lan, and executed it.

“The elder do was sent down the mountain-
side for cones, and during his absence Sir Henry
was lowered over the reciplce and dropped down
into this. the Death G ch."

Sir Harry uttered a horrified cry.

" The fall did not kill your father," resumed
Nevada, “ for the rope b which they lowered him
reached within ten feet 0 the bottom, but in drop-

his head struck a rocky sour and fractured the

. thereby causing insanity from which he has'

never recovered. In Death Gulch he found a band
of outlaws, and ever since that night, twent years
ago, he has been their chief. Sir Fleming ilburn
returned to England, I have learned from your mo-
ther. and —well, you know the rest.

“Now, one more matter and I have done. 0n
the night of the flood, this dying man received
his death-wound at the hand of you scout, Old
Avalanche—the man who is the onl one now
living‘and ca bio of speech who can arwitness
that r Flem n Milburn is guilty of an attempt on
{oour father's e. The question is: is punishment

beinflicted on the scout? He says he fired the
fatal shot to grovent the signal from being given
that was inten ed to cause the raising of the flood-
gatos of Lake Tico."

Sir Harry was about to reply, when, by a mighty
eflort, the dying man sat u on his couch of skins.

“ Set Alva Lanch free!” 9 said, in a husky whis-

,‘ > _. m fight“ He is not guilty of intentional murder and I

him for relieving me from a life of pain,
‘ mental torture and misery. I freely forgive him, as
I hope God will forgive me. Sam—where is he?’
Nevada. 8am advanced to the side of the couch,
with bowed head and tearful e es. .
"Good." said Sir Henry. ‘ boy, on have
been asgood assson to mean Iwoudsee you
happy. To see you on equal terms with your
f ow-men. will you the result of my years of out-
-—one h thousand dollars. which you
will nd beneath this couch, and, moreover, I give
myconsent to your union with Maude. here; for

 

m eyes have apprised me that you two are not in-
dl erent o eac 1 other.

“ Harry, my son, in you I see a. noble man of
whom I am justly proud. You are the last male
representative of my own noble house. It therefore
devolves upon you to emport m dear wife and
your mother, in her declinln path hrough life, and
also to marr , that the fami y name may be handed
down to fu ure eneratlons. I have selected for
ytgu a lieautifugodride who‘se t life has been! ohne
o purity an g ness, an w ose pedigree so t a
best in our American land.‘

“ You mean Wild Edna?"

“ I do, my son, I do."

“Then rest easy on that point. She and I have
learned the lesson of love. and she is to be mine."

“ Thank God. I am now satisfied and would be
content to die were it not for parting from thee, my
dear loved wife."

“ eep not for me. husband,” sobbed Lady Betty,
“ for perhaps God will soon summon me to join you
in that great and better world i"

He kissed her, then sunk back on the couch. a
smile of glory oversgreading his bearded face and
ere long he 0 to reathe.

A few hours later Sir .Bruce and Sir Fleming were
conducted to the mouth of the tunnel by a uad of
the bandltti, and placed upon strong, swift- mbed
mustan s. V

Nev 21 Sam told them that half an hour‘s start
would be given them down the canyon, and then
the flood-gates of Lake Tico would be opened.

Accordingly, the two fugitives lunged their'spurs
into their steeds‘ flesh. and da ed furiously away
down the canyon.

When the half-hour was up. the flood-gates ware
raised, and Tico‘s waters again flew down the
Revil‘s Canyon on its mission of death and destruc-

on.

 

CH AFTER XVI.
CONCLUSION.

Tm: body of Sir Henry was boxed and pro
for transportation, but at the lastmoment. twas
decided to bur him in the gulch, rather than to at
tem t the di culty of hearing him back to Eug-

lan .

Accordingly Nevada read an hipiscopal ,funeral
service over his cofiln. and the lifeless clay of the
once great explorer, was consigned to a rocky grave
in the Death Gulch.

After this last and rite win! over, a consultation
was held with the brigands. which resulted in a re-
solve on their part to uit the scene of theirlate
operations. and to enter t e Black Hills country.

For a small com nsation they agreed to conduct
our friends out t rough the canyon, to the Indian
fort, where they could join a train via the Upper
Gan to Fort Dakota.

The start was made on the following mornln , and
all except Old Avalanche and Josiah Hogg le t the
?evil's Canyon, for the time being—undoubtedly

orever.

The latter shouldered their rifles and took an op-
posite course, down the canyon. where soon to the
Annihilator‘s su rise. he was joined by Florence
Nightingale. who ad been faithfully searchin for
his master since having lost him. during the pelfilous
trip over the mountains.

Idaho Bill Went with the banditti. having decided
to 'lioin them.
in

he party whose adventures we have been pictnr. _

edg. reached Dakota fort. in due season. and remain-
hsre until September. 1876. when they started
for England. Durln the sojurn at the fort, Nevada
and Sir Harry. arm with proof-papers, found on
Sir Henry's rson. took a trip down across the
:rountrylintgl exico.rwheremt$y some: in 
ng a vs as e , w was u o
agathe proceeds 37an between the bro r and
s r.

 

 

 

mg. N..-

 

 

 

Old Avalanche. 39

 

Lady Milhurn died on the vo age to England. and
was baggy in the knowledge t at she was gomg to
her hus nd. in heaven.

Old Avalanche and Josiah Hogg still make the far
Nor‘west their home. and it is t e sole ambition of

. the former to get even with the Sioux demon, Crazy

Horse. who, I am sorry to say, et lives.

Nevada and his vivacious w (e have returned to
American soil. to reside. and Sir Harry and Lady
Edna are at present doing the West in search of a
beautiful spot to build themselves a home on.

Dan Coggswell guide was shot and killed. in a
late skirmish with the Sioux. and his remains were
interred in the prairie. a mile out from Chevenne.

THE END.

Brad mm

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POPULAR

DIME I-IAND-BOOKS. .

 

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BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.

bin-h mlumn 100 12m!) pages. 8071! posI-Imill on. receipt of price—ten minis each.

GAME AND PASTIME SERIES.

HAND-BOOK OF SUMMER SPORTS—(ininprising Walking, Running, Jump
ing, Hare and Hounds. Bicycling, Archery, etc. With Complete American
and English Athletic Rules.

1
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x
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2
‘ g HAND-BO ‘K 01" WINTER SPORTS. Embracing Skitting,‘(on tho ice and on
a
g
i
x
x
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\
\
\

‘v

rollers.) Rink<Bail, Curling, Ice-Booting and Football.

HAND-BOOK 0F PEDESTRIANISM—Giving tho Rules for Training und'l’mc'
tice ll'l Walking, Running, Leaping, Vaulting, etc. ‘

CRICKET AND FO0T-BALL——A llcsimblt- Companion, contuiniu complete. ~
instnictions in tho cloinems of Bowling, Battingr and Fieltlin '; a so the Re-
vised Laws of the Game: Remarks on t ie Duties of Umpires; t e Mary-le-Bone
Cricket Club Rules and Regulations; Bots, etc. .

DIME BOOK OF GROQUET—A complete ido to the game, with the latest
rules, diagrams, Croquet Dictionary. PM or Croquet, e .

DIME GUIDE TO SWIMMINGaEmbmcing all the rules of the art for both
sexes.

YACHTING AND ROWING~This volume. will be found very complete as a.
guide to the conduct of watercraft, and full of interesting information alike to
the amateur and the novice.

RIDING AND DRIVING—A sure guide to correct Horsemanship, with com~

iete directions for the road and field; and a. specific section of directions and

mfornmtion for female cquvstrizuis.

BOOK OF 100 GAMES—Outdoor and In-(loor SUMMER GAMES, for Tourists
and Famille in the Country, Picnics, etc., comprising 100 Games, Forfeits, etc.

DIME CHESS. INSTRUCTOR—A complete hand-book of instruction. giving
the entertaining mysteries of this most interesting and fascinating of games.

a
i

2

i YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES.

g l—DIME GENTS’ LETTER-WRITEE—Embracing Forms, Models, Suggestions
3

i

3

i

and Rules for the use of all classes. on all oceasions.
2—DIME BOOK OFE‘l‘IQUE'l‘TE—For Ladies and Gentlemen: being aGuide to
True Guntility and Good-Breeding, and a. Directory to tho Usages of society.
3—DIME BOOK OF VERSEB—Comprisin Verses for Valentines. Mottoes, Coup-
lets, St. Valentine Verses, Bridal and orange Verses. Verses of Love. etc.
4—-DIME BOOK OF DREAMS—Their Ronmncc and Myster : with a complete
inte rating Dictiomu‘ . Compiled from the most accr ited sources.
5—DIMIECFOB’1;UNE-TEYLLER—Comprising the art of Fortune'l‘elling, how to
lame er, etc

read .
6—DI ME LADIES' LETTER-WRITER—Giving the various forms of Letters of

 

-hool Davs Love and Friendshi of Society. etc. v
7—nmn LOVERS’ c ASKET—A Trims), and Guide to Friendship. Love, Court-

,’”’1 [xx/WNW,N’//II/AWWWWWA’~M/z/I/W
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|
shi and Marti . Embracin also a com )lete Floral Dictionary letc.
8-DI§E BALL-E330)! COMPA ION—AntilGuide to Dancing. diving rules |
of Eti uette hints on Private Parties, miiettes for the Boll-room etc. - I
lS—DIH 300k 0F BEAU TY—-—A delightful book, full of Interesting informa—
tion. It deserves a. place in the hands of every one who would be beautiful. ,
l
1
1

FAMILY SERIES.

1. DIME COOK BOOK. ‘ 4. DIME FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
2. DIME RECIPE BOOK. 5. DIME DRESSMAKING AND MIIr.
3. DIME HOUSEWIFE’S MANUAL. LINERY.
{57‘ The above books are sold by Newsdeaiers everywhere. or will be sent,
I’M-17M]. 00 any address, on receipt of price. 10 cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS,

Publishers, 98 William street, New York.

     

 

 

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BEADLE’S

POCKET

W

32 OCTAVO PAGES.

LIBRARY.

PRICE FIVE CENTS.
I

ISSUED .E’ VER Y WEDNESDA Y".

“M.__..___

l Desdwood Dick, the Prince of the
‘ Road. By Edward L. Wheeler.

2 Kansas King; or, The Red Right
.IIand. By Buflalo Bill.

3 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean
' Outcast. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

4 The Double Daggers. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

5 The Two Detectives.
W. Aiken.

6 The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom
Spy. By Buffalo Bill.

7 The Buil‘alo Demon; or, The Bor-
der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler.

8 Antelope Abe, the‘Boy Guide. By
011 Coomes.

9 Ned Wyl de,the Boy Scout. By “ Texas
Jack ” (J. B. Omohundro).

1 0 Buil‘alo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

1 1 Ralph Boy, the Boy Buccaneer. By
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

12 Nick 09 the Night; or, The Boy Spy
of ‘76. By T. C. Harbeugh.

18 Yellowstone Jack. ByJoseph E.
Badger, Jr.

By Albert

14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

15 Diamond Dirk; or. The Mystery of
the Yellowstone. By 001. lngmhum.

l6 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies.
By 011 Coomes.

l 7 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whimes's Boy
Spy. By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.

18 Death-Face, the Detective. By Ed-
ward L. Wheeler.

19 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustenger.
By 011 Coomes.

20 Roaring Ralph Roekwood, the '
Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George.

21 The Boy Clownror, The Queen of
the Arena. By Frank S. Finn.

22 The Phantom Miner. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

23 The Sea Cat; or, The Witch of Do.-
rien. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

24 The Dumb Spy. By Oil Coomee.

25 Rattling Rube; or, The Night Hawks
of Kentucky. By Barry St. George.

26 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihila-
tor. By Edward L. Wheeler.

27 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the
West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.

28 The Boy Captain; or. The Pimte's

 

Daughter. By Roger Sterbuck

’ /
Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealeri, five cent- per
copy, or tent by mail on receipt of six cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS.

Publisherl.

No. 98 William Street, New