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Il\li|ll1|I|1I|II‘iI!lI| RIHI! 
Capyrighwd, 1884, by linbu AND ADAMK. Entured at the You ()tfiw It va Yurk, N. Y., an Sum“! Chm Mnil Mutter. Mn. 19, “84.

vol. I. 892.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adamn, I'm-o. N0. 10.

a Y“‘”" No. US WILLIAM 812. NEW YORK. luv" C""""

’ h ' l;
BUFFALO BEN F113, 13:33: 3:: 23:3?

 

A SEQUEL TO “THE DOUBLE DAGGERS.”

BY EDWARD L. \VHEELER,
AUTHOR OF “ DEADWOOD DICK,” “ THE DOUBLE DAGGERS," Era, ETC.

 

 

 

 

,  /'
yin/£19

BUFFALO BEN.

 

 

 

 

  

Bufi'alo Ben. the Prince of the Pistol»

 

_ Buffalo Ben,
TEE- rnmcn or THE PISTOL;

Ry

Deadwood Dick in Disguise.

A SEQUEL T0 " Tip? DOUBLE-DA GGE’RS."

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,

Amazon or “anoon Dion." “DOUBLE mourns,“
“ BUFFAIJO Demos," me, are.

CHAPTER 1.
Iran 7mm! or was noun CABIN.

W down in the heart ofa bleak Montana
wilin-nqss, under the shadow of towering. pine—clad
monutdns. and facing] a majestic, rolling mirie:
here in this land of t e lurking savage an fierce

beasts, stood a solitary cabin, alone m its desola-

 

on.

It was strongly built, probably with a view to de-
tense. and overgrown with wild vines. now (leadened
to russet brown by the wintry blasts that swept
across the dun prairie. One door was the only visi—
RGW of entrance: 9. narrow window up in under
the eav ' admitted light to the interior.

i One d,windy January day, years ago two ersnns
[at before a. roaring fire inside this isolates cabin,
conversing. One was a man of about sixty years, for
his hair was snowy-white. and his face seamed with
many furrows, put there bv the hand of time. But
dos tevhis years he evidently was inured to constant
act vity and hardship.

Be as attired in the garb of a Nor‘-\vestern hunter:
in trut , that was his calling. as was evidenced by the
indiscriminate collection of paraphernalia strewn
about the cabin—guns, pistols, traps, skins, and the
many articles required by the hunter of the mountain
and prairie.

The man’s companion was a young woman of some
tliree-and-twcnty years. She was very pretty of face
and form, and in her whole appearance bespoke
education, modesty and refinement, which is but in-
i’r uently met with thus far beyond the bounds of
civl lzatbn. She was light in complexion, with fair
auburn hair, light brown ey es, and a mouth at tempt—
iu’g sweetness; and, too. her dress was unusually ele-

, Kant and costlgsconsidering her rough surroundings;

. the hunk 3

while dlsmon and pearls graced her fair patrician
flagella. her throat, and'were tastefully arranged in
or r.
The interior of the cabin did not 5 ed: of a woman‘s
in: its arrangement, for th uzs were strewn
about in; chaos of disorder and neglect.
Tbctmiture com rised a. few rudely manufactur—
ed compstools, atab e. and several piles of soft furs.
And u _ one of these plies the gaze of the young
woman meted lovingly, while she conversed with the
fighting. h. v . .
or e uge open fire- ace. in which burned
brightly .1. pile or seasoned hpllckory logs, were .hung
r lhnited  of cooking utensxls; in
one endot theoafin, w lob was lar e and roomy.
were innumerabb flrelogs, showing but no neglect

of the hunter had left him unprepared for the cold.

winter. .. .
“ bowl" the old matrmuttered, as he listened to
the sh kin: “thorium without, and the dismal
sound 0. the Mastering snow as it whirledlln inces-
cant ed as against the stench cabin walla-“phew!
this ar’ 9. bad day fer Junerwary. I’ve

lawsuit) ‘ereJat ytude-tor nlzh outer. six

v year, and tan my peltrles el‘ I over seed a colder,

 

i

J

more disagreeable snap; ’Tain’t at all likely yer
frien’s ’ll cum down across Twenty-Mile Stretch in
sich weather like this, marm.”

“ Ah! sir, yon do not know them. Neither flre nor
storm will stop them, once they strike m trail,” re-
plied the young woman, shivering and g ancing ap-
prehenswely around. “ Friends, indeed! No but-
terer foes could a mortal have than they have been.
With devilish perseverance they have followed me
like a ack of bloodhounds: from cpalace to place I
have own, endeavoring with mgr rling babes to
escape death. but it seems as if t 6 hand of Glad1 as
well as man, is turned against me i” I

And the fair speaker burst into aflt of wee ing,
which lasted for several moments, durin wide the
old huntur gazed grimly into the roaring rc.

“Ye mus‘n‘t ruv up the ghost like that, my gal.”
he said. at last. iis tone betraying: tho sympathy he
felt for her. “‘ Hayr’s one horny old paw that ain’t
turne'l ag‘in’ you, balance yer scales on that. Sum-
how Old Zeke Ransom has been s‘picious an” dis-
trustful 0’ the weemcn sex. since when, a young
beaver, he got his heart smashed up in a love affair.
But ye‘re an excepshun, my pretty—a downright
doad-iu-earnest exce shun, if ever thar was one.

“When I met ye mm to Yocum. yesterday, wi’
them two babies in yer arrums au’ yo "peeled tor
me fer urtection, so ‘5! to myself: ' ‘ Zeke Ransom.
of ye on’ take in t let purty fawn, yc‘re just tho
orneriest, ugliest old sallymander that evyer chewed
leaden pills. Tiler poor thing in" needin‘ friends. an'
w'at‘s ter hinder yer takin‘ her up ter Ransom
Castle?’ So I fetched ye, an’ liayr ye be. snug an’
cozy, an‘ still worritin‘ about a. passel o‘ cussed black-
legs  ar‘ chasiu’ (ye, and glvin‘ ye trouble. Great
irran'mothcisl 1 0 wish my be Luke were hayr.
He’s only a small, leetle cuss o fteen, is my Luke,
but a right cart sensible lad, for all that, an‘ lie'hns
a smashin way 0’ gittin’ inter the graces o’ the
female line. He’s a rattler. an’ no mistake. But
Luke’s rarely ever at hum, 0‘ late year. Off up nor‘
wi’ a "party 0’ fur-traders, last I heerd 0' him. May
be back sumtimc atwixt this an’ spring—may not;
can’t tell. But Luke's an honest one, of I do say cl.
an’ takes after his dad for that. I'd never steal a pin
whin I lied get my paws on a good rifle, or a, cache 0’

.t . ’ ’

“ 1 am very thankful for your kindness to me. sir,"
replied the young womandrying her tears. “You
are the on] our who has shown me tho least friendli-
ness since was turned from home and hunted down
by my persecutors. But I fear you have made a.
grievous error in bringing me here. My enemies will
be sure to find me. and they will show you no mercy.
old gs you are, because you sheltered me under your
roo . ' '

a" Don’t ye worritabout Old Zeke Ransom, my girl y.
He’s better ’n six dead men, yit, of he is past the
sixty-third mile-post 0‘ his life. an‘ can score a done-n
funerals enny day, when Injun are plentiful. I opiue
his old eyes ain‘t too blind to crawl along a rifle-bar”!
an’ e! yer enimies ’ll only stau’ 03 at a. respectfull
distance. hayr’s w'at kin niigelize ‘em at the rate 0‘
five a minute."

And the old hunter chuckled aloud, in anticipation

of a good uare scrimmage. _
"No don t your prowess is great, sinhut 'ou lit-

tle guess the odds against which you would ave to
cope. There were fifteen (loswerate men on my
trail when I .left Hrlena, he ed by a bad. fearless
man, whose whole life has been deVoted to crime.
These human bloodhounds will let nothing stop
them—nothing! My death and the death of my
children, yonder, is of vital importance to a certain

gem and there is a matter 0 a million of dollars
«3%;ng on my decease." .
a old hunter gave vent to a prolon ed whistle,
while hoflpoked away at the roaring, crac ling fire.
“A m n! Phew! that‘s. a heap oflsponds, my
gal. Rec on at ’dtake a tenor an eternity fer cotch
beaver enufl' ter amount to a Amllyun. What is yer
stol'y, marm‘.’ You needn’t be afeared ter conflc'ly in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, to make me the mistress of his house; but

Milo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. ' 3

 

Old Zeke Ransom. ’ca‘se he‘ll never go back on yer
seekerts," '

“I might tell you," said the woman. musingly—
“ perhaps I will. presently; but first, I must write—
write that which will explain all, should my life be
taken, and I feel that it will be. and that soon. Have
you ink and paper?”

"Ink an‘ paper? Phewi I guess not, my lady.
Them's luxuries we old Nor’-wostei'n cusses don’t
boast; of. I calkylate. I‘ve got achunk of plumhago,
huyr, though, an‘ yonder in the chimbley jtlll'll) iii“
sum white wrap in' paper w’at cum around sum
tobaccy I got at ocum. Reckon that‘s about my
stock 0' stashunary."

“Very well. I will try and make those articles
answer my requirement-s."

Ransom procured the. paper and lead. and then
for more than an hour his strange guest huSied her—
self in writing upon tho COuI‘Si" sheet.

Finally she concluded. and tied the result of her
labor up into a little roll,

“This is my full history, so far as concerns any
living person," she said. staring thoughtfully into
the fire "1 have written it. that in the event of
your death and mine, the world may know at whose
door to lay our murder. Now, where can I put it, so
that if we die. sir, some one else will find it? ‘

Old Zeke took the confccsion, and weighed it in
his horny palm—then scratched his white old head,
studiously.

" Recktn thar ain't much danger 0‘ our tumin‘ up
our toes. marm; but, still, of you say so I‘ll go an’
put it inter my boy Luke's cache 0’ pelts, nck in the
wood, by the mountain. Most likely he‘ll be ‘round
to look after ’vin toward spring, nu’ll flnd yer
doclrymcnt."

“Good. That will be just the plan. Go. sir, at
once. for something seems to tell me that my ene-
mies are drawing near, and their coining means
(loath to us, I feel assured!“ '

In compliance with lli‘l‘ wish Old Zeke seized a
shovel. and thrusting the paper into his pocket, left
the cabin. going out into the wild. wintry day.

There was not sufilcicnt snow upon the earth to
cover the prairie, but enough to fill the stinging air
with frosty particles.

The clouds that skurricd across the heavens were
dark and grim; the sun had not shown its face for
nearly nweek, during which time the‘disugreeahle
weather had prevailed.

.IAfter an hour's absence old Zeke returned to the
cn )in. _

He found his straan guest sitting before the. fire,
her twin babies now clasped to her breast. Dainty
little bits of humanity they were. yet stout and
healthy. and the Very immze of their mother.

“Twins?” queried Old Zeke. seatinir himsclf near
to the fire. and rubbing his horny palms briskly, to
restore circulation. ‘

“Yes—a boy and a girl," replied the young wo-
man. kissing: them fondly. '

“ How old or“ thcyi—sixteen mon ths?”

“Ei hteen. yesterday. Poor little darlings! Cast
upon t 0 world so early in life, and homeless and
nearly fi'iendless! Would to God they had died when
firstborn! it would have been a mercy to them—to
me.

“ Rockon you linin’t got no husband. marm 7" per-
sisted thnhunter. (is he filled and lit his pipe.

“ Husband ? Ah, God help me. I havemno! not a.
husband. but a human brute-a demon in the guise
of a man, who married me to minin his own devilish
a-imS‘ then, when tiijed of me. cast me out upon the
world and set his associate fiends after’ me, to ac-
fmbnplisb the death of me and my poor, innocent
in es!

"Husband! no! God spare the marki He is all
that lsinfemel—deviiish! He is a rich man: :1. mil—
lion dollars vould not cover the value of his posses-
sions. And is ta ly name ranks among the high-
est in his State. e married me secretly, Browsing

e'proved

 

to be false. fickle. and brutal. He cursed me: he
swore that these children—his children and mine«
should never inherit a. cent of his estates. which
rightfully belong to them: he tried to murder me
andthem, but failed. after which he set his blood-
hounds upon my track. . «

“My family were poor, common farmer-people.
but between them and the famil of my husband
has always existed a deadly fen that onl'denth
can oxiii‘pate; and no sooner did my father earn of
my marriage into the house of his most bitter ene-
my. than he drove me from under the roof of my
birth—bade me go forever out of his sight, and his
curse 1:0 with me! Thus it was that l was out
out upon the world by those that were once dear to
me."

Old Zeke gave vent to a. grunt, expressive of syn:-
pathy for the young mother and anger toward her
persecutors.

“ So you sot sail on your own hook, eh?"

“ Yes. I had some money and many valuable gifts
he had given me; and sol was able to flee from my
enemies. But this did not satisfy my husband: he
wished me dead, and my children dead, so that he
would again be free to marry; and therefore he set
his assassins after me. God only knows how I have
tried and struggled to elude them. but all to no pun '
pose—all to no purpose. Theg' are still in hot pur-
suit, and, something tells me t at they are near. oh!
so m or.

" But I reckon they ain’t, though. or else my eye
Si rht nr‘ deceivin’ me," said the old man. sliunl n3

the door. and gazing sharply over the dim. win ,
try plain. “ Leastwise. that ain't nothin‘ in sight-
Eeskthar is, by all the hides an” ha‘rs on amulet

ac .”

“What!” exclaimed the woman lenplifirgo her
feet in alarm. “Is it they—my enemies. adyf"

“ No. min-m; et be only it drove o’ deer, what my
optics in" restin’ on." ~

“Thank heaven) I was sure you had espied my
enemies.”

“No. menu. I don’t calkylate you’ll see ‘19» to:
day. Very few’d like to cross Twenty-Mite Stretch
wi‘ the wind blowin’ like forty builders, an‘ sich t
stingin’ temper’ture, too. But I must hev one 0'
them deer. fer sart’in, fer my larder ar' gittin‘ -
ther low, nn’ deer ain‘t so plentiful this winter as
they might be. Jes’ ye stay hayr an’ mind the
cabin, while I take my Punch-‘em-Judy an‘ lay for .
them ar‘ venisons.” »

The game in question. a. drove of deer some eight
or ten in number. weie coming: in toward the moun-
tain. in a course that Would take them north of the ‘
cabin. But. their gait was laming, and as they
were still some distance out. Old Zeke reasoned that
he could wnylay them in time to get a shot.

Therefore he took down a favorite rifle homthe
cabin-wall. tightened his belt, and opening the door
stepped out. into the chill, blustering day. '

Alas! it was a fatal step; he had not some ten
Paces from the door when a score of horsemen rode

inst.in out from behind the cabin, where they had
been concealed. -

Soim- were half-breed Indiansttthe largershue ,
were rough. sinister-looking fellows, well mounted
and armed. The lender was a lame. powerfully-
built man of border type. perfect in muscular and

hysical development, and evil ofmuntenance with
mining. blood-shot eyes, low, retreatingfo head.
and sensual mouth.while his stragglin
beard werewildly tangled and dislieve . He, m
was well mounted. clad in buckskin. and
dorm wit a smu l arsenal of weapons. .

So swift y and silently did the cwvllcade am:
from their temporary hiding-place, that Old Ze e
was in entire ignorance or his danger, until aterrlv
fled shriek from his strange protegee apprised him.

“Back—thl oh i God, too late!” ' - '

Wildly, on the breath of the cutting wind these
words came to his hearing. Hewheeled about it!)
learn their meaning; then the cracker half a dozen .

 

re . ,
hair and.

 

 

M.
r,‘

,l

4' ' natal. Ben, the Prince

rifles rung on and, pierced with as many bullets,
the brave old uuter dropped in his tracks, his life-
blood crlmsoning the snow.

At the some instant s. revolver-shotfirom the ter-
fible leader laid the doomed mother a lifeless corpse
in the doorway of that lone Wilderness cabin.

 

CHAPTER 11.
'r n r: c o N 'r n s 'r .

8mm in Deadwood—the great gala and business-
dnfilot the mazic city. .

a main street running through the gulch bot-
tom, stretched out a mile and a half in length before
you, closely lined (in each side With sharntics, some
of them twovstory frames, and respectany finished-
while the hillsides above are covered with tents an
cabins, promiscuousl mixed.

4 Not less than five t onsaud men are concsntrated
in that long main street, and if in this great surging
mass of humanity there is a white 3. lrt or pa
collar, it is not visible; if there Is a pair of po is ed
boots orshoes they are not to be seen; everything is
rough. roaring and ready. ‘

It is a successful flrst«cluss mining town at its
“ point." We will force our way up through
the surging crowd, “ takl notes " as _we proceed.

Here is a man mounts upon an inverted dry.
goods box, holding a densely- acked crowd of a

undred or more about him, whi e be rattles of! in a.
dashing, style, innumerable songs and Witty
parodies to he accompaniment; of on old bano,
while an assistant drives a flourishing trade mm the
audience, his stock being “ beetle p‘izeu," and, as
these pestiterous insects are very troublesome m the
Hill:) taking the place oi! the tuneful mosquito, the
am e finds ready sole. . . .

Further on n auctioneer is trylng in vain to talk
into some vs. nation a worn-out and superannuatcd

I . pony. A little further, and we hear the strains of a

concert of fiddles issuing from a large, barn-like
edifice, the whole front of which is open to the
street. A lance within shows a bar’ thirty feet
long. from gehind which all kinds of_ hquld decou-
thme are dispensed at fifty cents a drink, the drink-
era tendering in payment tickets revzously pur-
Chased, each of which entitles the older to “ one
do. as with the gals," a bevy of whom are present.
he flddlcrs are mounted upon a rostrum at the
mr end while a space twenty feet square imm edi.
ately in front of them is reserved for dancing pur-
poses; and in this reserved spot dainty slippers and
stage boots unite in giving variations to everything
attempted in the 'l‘erpsichorean line by the “ orches-
t .“ Some of the “ BIS," to secure freedom of mo-
tirgn, doubtless, are looming either In tights or
bhomers, with shorter skirts than even Amelia

V Bloomer, herself, would have approved of.

, The next general rendezvous is the gambling-hell
ma liquor-bar on one side, and all the rest or the
space taken up b taro—banks, manta-tables, and

V l“ other schemes‘on t 6 art of those who do not work
. tofplunder those who 0. Such dens are ever crowd-

ed. A commnt stream of old is flowing in .at the

, ‘e stand. at the 91 of the bar; while the
s ' ol.’ “ chips ‘,’ which are being handled, and the
piles of buckskin pulses on deposit at the can]-
table—immediately around which the Intenscly in-
teth votarles are as closely acked as If welded

«mother—forcibly illustrate t e old serving. that

“ the fool and hismoney. are soon arted.

"l‘he Sabbath-day in Deadwood s the golden har-
vest o! the week for ever body who has anything to
sell. The street outside jammed with humanity,

. and the groceries, clothing-stores,and all other busi-

nesslhouses are crowded with customers.‘
'r The miners have “come in to la in supplies."
To c structure on the mamstree of this wild city
or gold,” would conduct the reader who is to to
low thoguidance at our pen through this strange,

 

\
I

of the Pistols,

eventful.drama. in real life. The "Tabernacle" is
the name of the place, as is announced by a huge
banner-sign hung out over the sidewalk, and as
we ap roach, we can readily less its vocation,
from t e shouts of laughter an clinking of glasses.
It ii a saloon; reported to be the finest in Dead-
woo .

Inside, all is indeed luxurious, com ared with the
other dens. The floor is carpeted wit matting, the
chairs are cushioned richly. and the tables elegant-
ly carved and furnished, The walls are literally, a.
panorama. of costly mirrors; cluster chandeliers han

mm the elaborately frescoed ceiling; the half-bree
waiters are in uniform and numbered; the bar has
a choice stock of liquors.if a. choice stock were a pos-
sible thin r in Deadwood.

Old Jac Fergueson, from Virginia City, kc t the
place, and aploce controlled by this veteran o “the

at," was as orderly as it was possible to keep a.
“ranch " in a mining-town.

The habith of the Tabernacle were. for the
most part, men who minded their own business;
_btut, occasionally, there was aspree, and no help for
1 .

Extra attractions were not infrequent] offered
$31843 inducement for pilgrims to visit mi; “how-

On the Sunday of which we write, the lace was
crowded, to w1tness a. wrestling match etween a.
young Denver athlete. named Druyton, and a “,pro-
fessional,” named St. Elmo.

St. Elmo was a spare, but iron-framed fellow of
four-and-twenty, \vith tremendous muscular pow-
ers, and apparent fierce tem r. His adversary,
Walt Drayton. or Wrestlin We. t. as he was called,
by one and all, was barely wenty, if, indeed, he had
attained that age, and possessed of a finely-molded
form, muscular and symmetrical in limb and body.
Practice and exercise, in addition to a careful atten-
tionto food and nice , had put the young athlete in-
to a physical condit on which any man in Deadwood
might justly have envied. His face was smooth,
frank and pleasant—in 9 word. handsome. His eyes
were brown, like his hair, which was clipped close
to the skull.

Both men were attired in tights. and mingled free-
ly with the vast audience, for the contest was not to
begin for an hour. and an hour is an interminable
space of time to o. thirsty, anxious assemblage.

Various were the comments passed u on the
wrestlers, as they sauntercd separately 0. ut, by
the rude uncouth miners, and the men-about-town.

One 0 d fellow in particular gassed his inion
rather freely upon the merits of t e twain. an as no
one disputed his declaration he was king cock of the
walk. n stature he was about of medium hight, as
straight as an arrow, and the very embodiment of
iron solidit and muscle.

He was c ad from his stoga boots to the very chin
in buckskin. old and greasy, robably having seen
years or service, and m the be tabout his waist was
a small arsenal of revolvers and knives.

Little of his _face, except the straight nose and the
black. magnetic 9 es, could be seen on account of
his tremendous re beard and the shock of tangled,
matted halr that grew down low onto his forehead.
As if to Add to his already comical appearance, a.
battered. mud-splashed “ plug " hot surmounted his
head, or'mther was tipped to the very furthest limits.
on one Side, '

And this individual paraded himself romlscnous-
ly about. Without care for whom hej led or whose
corns he encroached upon. .

“ Ker-whoop l“ he yelled, stop ing in the center of
a little crowd near the wrestlers platform; “ r I
aml Right hayr‘s the snortin', pl win‘, trot¥in’,
squawkin’ stallion o’ Per-tater Gulc . I cum frum
Pertater Gulch, ilgrirns, I do. bet yer dirty shirt on
thet: l’mo ratt er Iann—agnnywme rattler sn‘
thet’s wh the call me Old ttlesnnke. Now, fur
instance ’11 i1 ustrate.’,‘

And t e eccentric miner gave a strange, peculiar I

 

 

 

\.

'Bufl'alo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol.

}

8‘

 

laugh, while at the same time be emitted from down
in his throat o. horrible rattling noise, not unlike the
death-rattle of {1 dying pirson and the dread wani-
ingkc! the most poisonous of. reptiles, the rattle-
sna 'e.

“ Thar,now, ain’t thet snakyfled,my pilgrim bruth-
em? I allurs rattle when I feel inclined ter chaw ofl!
sumbod ‘s ear. or take a hand at dentistry. Whoop
’em up, Eliza J one! Hayr‘s ther boss that can show
his pedigree, an’ trot a mile in less time ’n it takes
fer old Jack Fergueson to pour out a glass 0‘ tenant’-
ler juice. Walk up, now, any 0‘ ye frisky colts thet
wants ter pace 8. mile wi’ me, in three-quarters o' a.
secontl”

“ Perha s ye‘d better take aleetle exercise wi’ one
0’ them ‘ar, old maul” remarked a. bystander, indi-
eating Drayton and St. Elmo “ 'Spect you ortcr be
able ter chow an earofl’m them, eh?"

“ Whoal Eliza Jane. What d‘ye say, pilgrim? kin
Itrot wl‘ them geldings? Kin I equalize my paces
wi’ them—mel ther great frisky stallion fruin Yer-
tater Gulch? Waal, 0 inc. Uster c’u’d ‘rastle wi’
enn o’ ther boys; butt ese old j’ints ain’t as young
as t ey uster be; still hayr’s w’at kin trot a mile in
two hours and forty minutes, an' w‘cn ye cuin tor
rattlin‘——ohl whoop ’em up, Eliza Jane, I‘m Mar.
Earth? Guess I can. I got a-rattlin’, down in Per-
tator Gulch so hard once, thet ther folks got skeert:
thort an orful bail-starm war upon ’em. Ag’in. once,
over at Bozeman, I drew a greatcrowd around tlier
shanty whar I was stoppin’; they jest cuin an’
forked over their two hits as natteral as life, fer
they thort 'twar a minstrel show, an‘ that I war
glayin’ on the bones. That's on] an eppysode.

owsumever. Once, up at S ai-fis i [did suinthin’
that beats clockwork inter in nlty.

“But I ain’t wgoin’ ter toll ye about Ilzet, now.
I’m jest goin’ ter ax thet young feller wi‘ the piraty
mustashef he wants ter chaw off my ear?“

And true to his word the old fellow waltzed across
the floor to where St, Elmo was lcaniii '- idly against
a card»table, toying with a massive go (1 ring upon
his tore-linger. Up close to the wrestler went the
miner, then he paused, and in a halt“ squatting posi-
tion, peered up into the other‘s dark, Spanish face
-—a face, once seen, rarely to be forgotten.

“Whoop ’(‘in ii , Eliza Jane!” roared the Rattler,

iving his peculiar warning. and flapping his rent
fiuckskin‘gloved’ hands up and down; " ayr am,
sar, ther great stallion wi’ a filigree—t is great
Thomas K. Cat friini Pertath iilch. an’ 91‘ ye don't
b‘lieve it, jest bite a. hunk outen my ear; poke yer
finger at me, an’ see me hump up my back; step on
my toe an‘ beer me me—eeowl Fer ther Lord’s sake,
do somethin‘ ter relecve me 0’ my.agony I"

St. Elmo gazed at. his confronter in contempt, not
deigning' so much as a word, or a smile. at the amus-
ing antics of the old fellow.

“ Cum! cumt" snorted he, prancing about. and

‘vinz creditable imitations of a horse’s whinny,
‘ ain’t ye goin’ tor tread on my too, or knock on“ my
hat. or bite my ear, or tickle me in the ribs, or spit
in in face, or—ox-~—"

“ et out!" said the wrestler, angrily. “What do
you come here with your nonsense, for? What do
you want with me?’

“What do I want, pilgrim? What wanteth this
me-e‘e-owing Thomas K. Cat from the sacred pre-
cincts o’ Pertatcr Gulch? Why, sar,1 want ter ’ras‘
tlewl’ e—I want’er throw your heels over yer head
so qui e won‘t have time to wink. That’s Old
Rattlesna 'e’s wants, bet yier pile,”
' “ And what on will be ike y to w n1:x for all mel"
said the wrest or, turning away, as t disgusted with
the pro sition. “I’did not come here to wrestle
with al Deadwood."

" Ohl didn’t ye?" exclaimed the man from Potato
Gulch, s uintiug one eye, and ejectin a stream of
tobacco-gums after the athlete, “0 ! Eliza Jane.
whar ar‘ 1%? Hello! ha r’s the utheg-efilgrim. I‘ll
seewhats ther sizeo‘ is caliber; yer stakes
118’! my goose. so watch an’ see me cook ’lm."

 

At this juncture Wrestling Walt' sauntered along,
and straight up to him pranccd the “ Battier-{ruin-
Potato-Gulch,“ and slapped him on the shoulder.

“'I sa 'ee, pilgrim I’ui ther greatest Thomas K.
Cat in a l Deadwo l” was the initiatory declaration
that greeted the wrestler—“ ther very greatest am 1
——a. reg’lar half~an’-half 'twecn Maltese an' Cochin
Chiny; an’ of ye doubt my word, just step on my toe
and hear me mace-owl”

“ Well, old man, who said you wasn't?“ demanded
Drayton, laughing, good-humorodly, at the laugh-
able appearancc of the other. “I am sure no one
disputes your word."

“ Wal. no; but ye parseeve I want it distinctly un-
derstood who I am. Now I want to ’rastle side-bolt,
back-bolt, fruntholt, or emiy other bolt-that’s ma;
an’lef yo ain’t no objections, I‘d select you, as my
gos in’l’

“ Pshaw, old man, you‘d only get hurt; besides I
never wrestle, ’less under wager that page. and I
don’t judge by your hat that you’re overly well.
stocked With mono .”

“Ye don’t? Ye don’t think b ther old Rattle-
snake‘s hat that he’s full 0’ 0 ps? W'hoop ’em,
Eliza June-I 'l'lmr’s whar ye make a mistake uvthcr
caliber o’ yer teller-man. I can fight; I kin trot an
hour in two miles ’n‘ forty minutes; I kin rattle.
squeal, bite, kick, run, swear, chow terbacker. drink
tarant’ler-ju’ce, au’ meec-ow-ow-ow-wl an’ I km
show tl.er big-zest nug et in this ‘ere ranch)" and to
back his assertion, t e eccentric individual from,
Potato Gulch held up to the gaze of all a nugget of
pure, shining gold about the size of a man’s

It was a wonderful sight, and with cries of aston-
ishment, a crowd instantly collected around him.

“That ’arl“ cried the miner, trium antly, “ar‘
onlya specimen, pilgrims. {that haint a sarcom-
stance ter what‘s left whar this cum from. Oh!
Eliza; wilt thou say, I ain’t got enny chips. now!
That nugget weighs twenty ounces, gentlemen an’
of ye don’t b'l'cve et, why just stop on this maltose
kittcn’s tail, an” hear ‘iin mes-crow. me—ee—owl”

“ I say, old man, where did you get that nuggit?‘

The speaker was a larne~built, milit -loo tug
personage, with bushy side-whiskers an sinister
cast of countenance. who had been attracted to the
spot b the surprised cries of the others.

“W at’s thet ter you?" demanded Old Battie-
snake. sharply. ‘fVVouldn’t you like to: know 90’:

on could go an‘ ick up a few just like it? Whoop
em up, ‘Liza! ‘ ain‘t every fool’s ‘s born for luck.
I say, you wrestlin’ cuss, (1 ye wanter scratch my
back. mow?" .

“ Yes; I‘ll agree to break yer neck, it on‘wput
up‘ that normal: for stakes,"replied Wres rig alt,
with ii laugh. i - r‘

“ Done. Ef '01: win, ther hunk is yours. E! 1“
win. I‘m goin‘ r bite off vcr nose, an’ hev thei-
privelege o‘ me-ee-owin‘ like a. kitten. Ar‘ that
s unr’?"

“Perfectly! Cum along onto the stage," rcplled
the young wrestler, leading the wa , a confident ex-
pression upon his genial face. 5 antic: Jailed an ,
easy victory over this eccentric individual tom Po~
tam Gulch. 7

And the crowd cheered loudl asthe two tookthek
places upon the stand, ready or the contest. ,

Old Rattlesnake had lend aside his belt and wea-
Wns, but still wore his greasy buckskin suitz w

restling Walt was attired in his tights, makmgtho
contrast somewhat startling. ,'

“I’ll bet the old pilgrim will get his neck lambs!"
cried the militai-Iy chap once before referred to."
he took out a r0 0: bil s from the pocket at his vol.
vet vest.

“I‘m agreeable!" res ndod a voice in his ,,
and s. youth—for he was 'ttle else-st forw
ready to cover the ofiicer’s wager. “ hat ‘ll you

"Hello!" the ma or stared. He had not expected
to be taken up at is offer. ‘
“ Who are you, young man?"

 

 

 

   
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
 
 
    
  

‘ I. ‘mdead' butthenextinstant

,3 ' 3W0 Ban. the Prince ofthe Pintoia

 

“Thatdoesnot matter. Who or what I am does
not matter to  If you wish to bet that the old
select will get neck broke, l‘m your huckleberry
tons ' tune in longeter.“

1‘ oil! well!" wled the officer, surve in his
mentor . “ You’ve no lack of chee . t at’s
positivel So you want to bet. do you? Well, lank
ml . ere give ’em to this other wrest or to

d—a undred ollars, if you please."

“ Git out i" cried the oung man, contemptuously.
“Iwouldn’t trust my ucats in that galoot‘s paws.
’Sides, I wouldn’t bet short ov a thousand.”

“Phewi” The major was truly amazed. “You
haven‘t got a thousand cents. I‘ll w er!"

Ont came the youth’s right hand lrom the pocket
ofhls Mal n trowsers, and in it he clutched a
roll of nhacks, even larger than the Oil‘icer’s.

' “There‘s my ducats, pilgrim; so if you‘ve a notion
0‘ riskin' a thousand, not lay it into the hands of
old Jack Forgueson, ere," and he nodded to the
w ugh proprietor of the “Tabernacle,” who

ha b . and had heard the proposal.

Amalia y the required sum was deposited with
the veteran. and then a signal was given for the
reading to begin, for Wrestlin Walt had been
waiting or the consummation of t e bet.

The youth who had thus put up his money against
the majors was in man respects remarkable, even
mthe more remar lc tide of civilization in
thfi outlandish Black Hills metropolis.

and this was largely owing to his attire, which
would have attracted attention anywhere.

 .. ~' Theooat and breaches met at the knees bv fringed

I were made of uflalo-skin, with the furry
out; the vest was of red velvet; the moccasins

~_ ’ you his feet were skillfully wrought in fantastic de-

’ \( “tn.



gun with Indian bead-work: the broad-inm slouch

. Wu :1 his head was stuck full of scarlet feathers.
this youth was really handsome the fee-
Hlmee‘ gemld and regular. the eyes black and
. mouth expresslvely pleasant. yet withal

‘ - v a resolute set. and the hair golden, and hang-

.in long curls over his shoulders.

  was not. generally known in Deadwood; yet a

, ones had ferreted out the fact that he
, was a. wonderful pistol-shot, mm from up in the
. ,far Northwest, somewhere near the ritish lines, and
“his name was Buffalo Ben.
A'ha wrestling now began.
The contestants clinched, side-hold, with arms

- about each other's waist, and then came the ex-

Hbitlon of skill in the art of wrestling, if such

 manly sports can justly be classified among the

. *Bnck  forwai'd weaved the two wrestlers. each
“dog all the tent: and attempts to trip, within their

power. .
M‘epeedily it dawned upon the minds of the
l spectators. that Old Rattlesnake was no easy man
to handle for, though Wrestlinwalt put forth his
; master e , he could not get adversary off his

M.-
*“ Whoop ’em in 'LiuJane!” the eccentric genius
Potato 832$ would roar between breaths.

n

Mall-the words were hardly spoken when the

, Mrdiscovered an unguard point, and
new; the opportunity; he raised the miner

his muscular arms, and pitched him head-

. from the stage out among the audience. He
down with athud and is for a moment like

e regained his feet,

'V ,fi'om
* 5f. “Kyar'a the old Thomas K. Cat, yit, an’ ye ken’t

ad himsdf e congress mas .

— "I'm satisfied!" he grun , casting a trim glance

ma him; “ I ain't no he; that don’t know when
ouch—no sireei'

, CHAPTER III.

“5-” « “om was no: no nos.

- “ ; who won the bet?" manded Buifnlo
Ben, turning to Fergueson, simultaneously with the

 

 

major. “ I bet that the old galoot would not git his
neck broke, and neither he did, so the chips are
mine.”

“The devil they arel“ cried the nmjor, endeavor-
ing to elbow his adversary to one side. " I won fairly;
the cuss got floored, and that right handsomely, loo,
and the stakes are mine.“

“I reckon they ain‘t!" retorted the youn mun,
grimly, apparently not in the least awed ly the
other 5 important bluster. “I won ‘enl, an‘ win
’etlrti‘s keep ’em, ’round this ranch, cf 1 know my-
se . .

“ Curse you. will you contradict me?" roared the
ma or all aflame with rage. “ Get out of my path,
or 'll—l'll—“

“Now, what will you do?“ coolly asked Buffalo

Ben fohiin his arms, and gazing at his towering
goni'ronter ill expressed contempt. “ What will you
oi"

“Bravol hurra for the boyee l” roared Old Rattle-
snake, admiring the youth’s pose. “ \Vhat‘ll ye do
Bilgrim—cnaw off his ear, or step on his tail, and

ear him meneeuw?"

"This is what I’ll do!" cried the angered chlcer,
aiming a heavy blow at the youth's breast. “Take
that, you contemptible cur, and let it teach you a
lesson not to interfere in others‘ business."

But the clinched fist only cut the air, for Buffalo
Ben leaped lightly to one side, and then, with the
quickness of a cat, be administered a slap across the
major‘s month With the flat of his hand, that re-
souuded loudly throughout the room.

" Iiurrn! me-e-eow‘." shouted tilt-man from Potato
Gulch, prancing about in wildest delight. “ Oh!
Eliza, give him another, pilgrim— jest one more, fer
yer uncle."

“i think that will answer all purposes," replied
Buffalo Ben. still on his guard.

And his words seemed true. A moment the major
stood glaring malignantly at the young scout, then
he walked away. muttering inaudible t rests.

"Whoo rial whoop ’em up. ’Liza Jane!" sung
the man rum Potato Gulch. "One game rooster
licked, by thunderl Cock-a-doodle-doo-o-o-o-o!"
Hayr‘s a. case 0‘ non-compismcntus for ye. Me e~
eow. ()ne brave sojer persuaded to abandon pugil-
ism-one brass-buttoned guvynoruientalisi etarnat
ly glorified."

“ You slapped the wrong man across the speakin'
trumpet, then, me lad!" said Old Jack Fergueson,
as he placed the stakes in the youth's hands. " He
may seem vanquished, now, but he‘ll give you a dig
in the ribs yit mark my word."

“So? We 1, i shall be on my guard," was the care-
less reply. “ Who to the swell. anyhow?"

“That man is Major Fawdon. He stands high in
favor in the army, and has influence that ain‘t to he
sneezed at.”

“ Was), that don’t scare this fellow, not one whit.
‘Long‘s he keeps on his side 0’ the trail, all right;
when he gits outer my side, I’ll h‘lst him off, bet yer
ghi Sl ’I'ain‘t no rag for army officers ter wipe their

ee on.

.“ Bully for you, hoyeel” and admiration and en-
thusiastic joy beamed from the veteran’s eves.
"Bqu for you. I glory in your 5 unk, I do; but,
don't go ‘bout wi‘ yer optics cio , now, mind, or
you’ll come up missmgi" and then he wheeled and
ambled hack to his bar. to dispense decoctions to
the thirsty throng. leavin Buffalo Ben standing
staring thoughtfully at the cor.

The wrestling match between Drayton and St.
Elmo was now on the tapis, and the space in front
of the platform was crowded full of excited humani-
ty, who were eager to witness the sport.

The two men, standing together, were wonderfully
developed in muscular and physical strength. and
their forms were set of! to advantfie in the flesh-
tights, exéiibititng in prominence the masterly
. con ours.

“ Whatpr, nosticating pi] lm sez he wants r
bet twenty un dollars as ‘this yere nuggit ’

 

l
l

 

 

 

 

"1P"

 

 

1

Mo Ben. the Prince of the Panel. ' 'r’

 

u‘riferoiis stint, that the teller w‘at cafluxminxed
me won't win the race? Ohl Eliza Jane, whar are
the dirty son-of-a—gun that wants ter bet? Twenty
mil un ag‘in’ a nuggit 0‘ gold! Whar’s the inderv1-
dun what wants to bet?“ howled the man from
Potato Gulch, dancing around promiscuously, and
a parently endeavoring to make himself a, source
0 annoyance to everybody. “ l-iayr I am, ther great
Thomas K. (int 0' ther Angel-Saxon breed—thin
rent roarin’. snortin' stallion wi‘ a pedigree. And
want to bet some ornery gnloot jest one twenty-
ounce gold nuggit ug’in‘ twenty milyun dollars, that
Wrastler Walt’s [zom’ ter erru t thet pirnguinns-
taclied skunk like Lavy erru ts essuvyus. h! the
onizainlv, ornery blizzard! 9. war steal-d ter tackle
a hog 0 his own caliber, war he? Hope ter thunder
he’ll git his ijeesdjgounced ‘wny inter the middle o'
next year, like I d! Ohl brutimi'nJ know—I’ve
bin thar. bet yer false teeth: l've seen tlicr starry
flrmament~saw et but a tow minutes ago, nn'—"

"See here, are you going to shut up, and make
less noise?" demanded old Jack Fergueson, coming
from behind the bar with a loaded horse-pistol in
each hand. “I don’t want tcr make an obituary in
thcr columns 0’ mar Piolwr, hilt shall have to of
ye don‘t put a. stopper inter thet bread-trap 0’
yours."

“Oh! Eliza!” groaned he from Potato (luich, in an
agony of spirit, as he squirted a stream of tobacco-
juice reflectively at a liy which had alighted upon a
neighboring card-tahle, “hes ct come ter this, thet
a poor cuss ar‘ forbidden freedom 0' his speaking
facilities?" .

“ Ye can talk tor a certain extent," retorted Fer-
gueson, "but we positively do refuse to have too
much ab.”

“ Amemi" said the Rattlesnake. solemnly, and he
turned his attention to the wrestlers, apparently re-
signed to his lot,

And the contest now began. It was to be for the
championshi of the Black Hills, the stakes being a
hundred a sh e, and a handsome belt. gold-inouuled
and its clasp adorned with two diamond stars. it
wnsba magnificent alfsir, and well worth a struggle

o ta n.

The start was sidehold, St. Elmo having the re-

erence of the right side. Back and forward t iey
stepped in their tremendous hug. feinting‘, tn‘ )ping,
pa ing, but neither gaining a point. Once rest
in}: Valt came near oin upon his knees, but he
quickly saved himsol , ant received a. storm of ap-
lause from the intense] interested assemblage.
t was doubtful how the ti e was going to turn.

St. Elmo was not nearly so cool as his adversary.
He was more fierce oL’ temper and had less patience.
It fretted him not to gain; it enraged him to

050.

Then, too, his eyes were sometimes riveted upon
the spectators. as if to learn whom their sympathy
was with, for he was jealous lest it should be center-
ed upon his contestant. _

In vain did each of the wrestlers practice upon the
other all the tricks known to them; ‘twas no use,
however for at the end of an hour both were stand-
ing as when they commenced.

“ Come! come!" roared the man from Potato
Gulch, at last. unable longer to stand the pressure,
“why don‘t ye adjourn ter business? Git yer back
up an‘ me—e-ow like a Thomas-cat; get mad, an” pull
each other's ha‘rl"

“Shall we throw up the sponge?“ demanded vet-
eran Jack Forgueson, from behind the bar. “Thar”:
no use 0‘ yer ’ras'lin' forever."

“ No sponge for me!“ _cried Wrestling Walt. his
eyes sparkling with eXCitement. “One of us has

at to lay down here, afore the show is over, ‘less
ltrim Saint, here. wants to cave."

“ Have I caved yet?” was the other wrestlers an-
swer, in'a. fierce tone. “ Go ahead I”

And the struggle recommenced.

Baokwsrd, forward and sidewise they went. watch-
ing each other-‘3 feet as narrowly as the cat watches

 

the mouse; bracing. parr ii and trl in ‘ St.
Etlntilo inwardly cursing his uc . Draywnpgalicn' and
8 ll IONS.

But it could not last forever. Sudden Wren“!
Walt caught his man at a. disadvantazeiiznd in a g
and he bore him heavily tothe floor. ‘mid thundering
shouts of a plausr. *

“ Hurrai nil-rat" shrieked the eccentric individual
from Potato Gulch, cnperinz about and actin more
like a lunatic than anything else. "cock-w die-
doo-o-o-oo! nie-e-cowl Whoop 'em up. ’Lin Jana,
Wurn’t Met done purty? Wani‘t that the essence 0’
all 't’s beautiful? Ohl Eliza, my blushing primrose,
w‘ar art thou now?“

Wrestling Walt allowed his adversary to rile; than
he extended his hand.

"Shake, pardner; you needn‘t git mad, for you
hadIthe some chance as Ii!" d ‘ ‘59

“ care not for our tr on ship,‘ replied YA!!-
quished athlete, bitterly, as he nllod on his velvet
coat preparatory to leaving. “ ou won. and m-
be it’s a i right. and, again, maybe it ain‘t; hep
your hand; Idon’t want t." ,r .

“ All correct. sir; you needn‘t take it. I you
no ill-will, and hope it is the same with you. 
ever you want another friendly tussle. hunt me up."

St. Elmo nodded his‘liead, and wended his way out
of the “'i‘aheruacle."

“ Long tunes in short-meteri" exclaimed Old 3“-

tlesnake, following him with his pierci case.
“That guloot’n got a thistle in his crop. t yer
boots. Reckon i know him, or else Pm mimken "

The crowd now rapidl dispersed, after poylng
their respects at the bar, or it here was my te-
ment elsewhere they meant to find it. Among

went the gentleman from Potato Gulch, his mm

ever moving faster than his stogavbooted feet.

 

That evening the young scout, Buffalo Ben, while
sitting in the Tabernacle, and idly watching the
comers and goers. received a start. upon the en-
trance 0: a man into the saloon. Not that there was
anything remarkable in the appearance of the indi-
vidiiui, but because he evidentl‘y r9 . him.
A short. heavyvset person, dresse in citizen‘s cloth-
ing. was all; yet the youth‘s eyes lit up with fine as
he beheld him.

The face, thousih course and bloated. was (loaded-
ly wonianish, am the hair flowing down \I the
shoulders was almost too fine and abundant adorn
onool’ the male sex.- Yet as such was the W
dressed, and not one out of ten would have unspea-
ed the gender in this new-comer that walked upto
the bar and called for drink.

“Hal” was Bufialo Ben’s involuntary exdlama- ‘ ‘

tion, as his hand sought his belt. -

" So this is my game in a new harness. I wonder
if any one recognizes Silver Sal, of ‘8] Bucket'
notoriety in that disguise! Few, it’ll, likely; but i
am not so easily fooled. Now is my chance» andshe
shall not elude me!"

After
brandy, n Deadwood, the stranger gave I.
glance about the saloon' then turned audio“ as
quickly as he had come ut not nnwatclied. ‘ '.

Like a sleuth-hound Buflalo Ben glided after him.»
and the two stepped into the black, moonlesn night »-
—nioonle3s, because the skv was overcast with our.
nous clouds that had collected during the attor-

noon. _ . .
Instead of keeping us through the min ,
Silver Sal made a cut irect for the steep
where myri
lililght’s somber vail located many_a miner’s
3 (mt '. ‘
Like): a shadow did Buffalo Ben keep NW Ml

ate 5 inaudible to his hu in .. 
sw ti , until at last he wgalseem his hand

11 on he other‘s shoulder. .
xE‘Halti move at our rul"wufoflowedhythe

significant click! kl o '0. revolver.

curing down a glass of the stuff they all '_ ‘

ads of twinkling stars 

 

  
 

vi..-

 

31113.10 BemthoPrinooofthoPistol.

 

. . “y
The disguised Ion wheeled about with a
 sin-so. l-Ier ore came incontactwlththere-
volver's muzzle as she did so.
“Steady, now i" warned the youth's voice, the ring
~initbetra 'g sternnessandresolve. “You‘vegone
, at present, Silver Sal; the Bossest of
_ , G s makes a presentable s ecimen 0’ man-
 ' ,bnt ain‘t supposedtobealetocope uilh
;  men \for all. Do you know me, woman?”
~ " an no woman!" was the angry retort, in a
house, growlingoice, meant as an imitation of a
man's. “I rec in you’re barking up the wrong

 

. " tree sir."
,. y; "6h, no!" Buifalo Ben's voice was full of confl-
' . “I’ve been on the trail of m game too long
. A - , - 101' that. You‘re what they call Si ver Sal. hero in
2' Deadwmd. U in Idaho on were dubbed Fatty
1‘: ‘ Greene; over the Britis Possessions you were
i... min the name of Mrs. Sally Falkland!"
J her curse; then a motion as if to break away

run. .
’ “Oh. no!" said the youth. again pressing harder
, with the revolver. “don’t try to run or I’ll salt you,
m's I'm Ben Jerome. You know I‘m no slouch
with a pistol. Now, then. that after the lapse of
' . over a year we have met, you must tell me where to
“ grave, curse heri" was the sullen reply.
“ ould to God you were there, too."

"No doubt you would like to see me there. but I
ain't on the death list, at present. You’ve at to tell
‘ .whoresheisao you may as well do t first as

, Isl for I‘m goin to hold you till you do."
“hhe‘s dead, I ll you! How many times must I

it!7
. fl . ouneednot repeat it at all, for I know it is a
' black lie. You know me. Silver Sal; they say I‘m

a firefly hard customer when l’m r‘iled. So you

’ unburden yourself right off, before I get

upon ’01:; ear. I wouldn‘t much hesitate to blow

the all your head, you’ve given me so much
trouble."

' ' " I‘ll unburden m self of nothing. I’m well aware
I ‘kidna i; I don’t deny it. I thought I
owld m e her dance and kick money into my pock-
et. 'but I mistook her. She didn’t have any gumption

' about her, and when I‘d mauled her about a week or

. ,she took sick and died, an' you can bet I was

‘ ‘of it; She hadn’t no talent fer theatricals an’

' “mu not,ofthekind ouhrin interuse."
‘ “the rep] . “ But stiildis lieve on;

7
move her co somewhere. Come! his
is stingy useless. Where is the i‘"
. u_ in
I. I

  
     
  
  
 
  
     
  
 

e graveyard at Cheyenne.”

, on I
“ No; as God is my judge. I am telling the truth!”
Wths woman. Apparently she was in deep

lurid coals of fire. “ I know you

. ‘ u
' j ollflrhat ifIdo lie? What if Belle Jerome is
'  demanded the woman, a sneer percepti-
vl bl! #5 speech. “ What are you going to do
- gag» make you tall or-"
I. a '
an (on. and out your heart out."
. .“Bah Idon’tfear ye. Kmef youchoose; one may
, 1 seven (host one time another."
‘ (“Very well. By 1:11:13 you, if Belle is alive I shall
hero: her greatest enemy. I shall count three;
it u don’t speak, (hm means death. mg!"
“brief pause. then the cool'tones of t 9 youth
Womimuk— .
 ve counted three but at this not
new acidity seized from sauna and thjit-lownqrtg
' -a ' of «fright Silver Sal bounded awe
and disappena’red in the black gloom of the nightl y’

madness. .
Again Iswoamu lie i" cried Buffalo Ben fiercely,
,, .

 

CHAPTER 1v.
ml!!!) nuns—munwoon DIOR.

Susanna} among the heterogeneous p0 ulation
of the Black Hills mining-towns, ou are iable to
find almost every known phase 0 character; you
need not marvel at any ersonal or characteristic
phenomenon, that sudden y presents itself. In the
country of gold you can find any one you want,
from a desperado to a saint; from a beggar to a.
millionaire- from an organ-grinder to a fortune-tel-
ler—and it is of one of t is latter class that we are
about to write. “Masked Maude" they called her.
because her face was ever hidden behind a black
mask; and what any one knew of her was of little
conse ncncc.

She ad come to Deadwood, one morning, on the
stage. and launched out into business instanter. hav-
ing bought and paid for u fifteeniliy-thirtfi shanty;
almost under the shadow of the etropo tan, and
stuck out her shingle—

“Msunn VAN Busxnm,
“ Fortuhc-Teller, etc."

What the “ etc.“ was calculated to imply. is hard
to state; but it was there, to be read am rc-read by
Deadwood's wondering inhabitants.

Further information was gratuitously added, that
“ Madam Van Buskirk woul only receive visitors at
certain times of the day and week, Tuesdays and
Fridays being the periods for ‘ reception.‘ “

On the Friday previous to the Sunday of which we
have just been writing, the madam had a customer.

He came down the gulch from one of the hotels.
and paused in front of the door of the fortunetelier's
shanty. (ilancing up at the ungainly sign, a serene
tic smile wreathed his lips.

He was a large, heavy-set man of perhaps forty-
flve, or maylbe more, with a full sweeping beard,
silvered wit many a gray thread; an intellectual
forehead. and eyes piercing black in their intensity.

He was dressed in citizen’s clothing. of elegant fit
and texture; his whole rsonal appearance spoke
of wealth and high stain ing in the world.

He walked with a cane, but evidently not because
it was a necessity.

“ So! this must be the place that I seek," he ob-
served, glancing a second time at the sign. “ I won-
der if her ladyship is in, and ready for business?"

He gavea heavy rap on the door, and then waited.
At first there was no sound of stir inside; but res-
ently, some one a preached the door. undi the
fastenings. and Maude stood upon the
threshold, a small revolver in her shapely white

an .

She was so masked that no “part of her face could
be seen; her hair long and o auburn hue fell over
her shoulders in great profusion. In stature she
was a trifle above the medium of women but in her
magnificent costume of purple silk, she looked roy-
ally grand.

The stranger raised his hat politely, as he beheld
the woman; bowed, and then said:

“Aheml do I see the woman they call Masked
Maude—the fortune-teller?“

"You do," was the reply. in asweetly pleasant
voice: “will you come in?"

“ Well. yes "—with a little laugh. “I have a
trifling amount of businessto transact with you, and
I pge’fal‘ it should be done within your shanty, than
on

“Certainly; walk in,“ and the graceful fortune-
teller led the we into he shanty, which served her
both as office an dwell ng.

It was but a single room. and furnished with the
rude simplicity of a miner‘s taste—a table a few
chairs. a cot-bed in one corner. a second-hand stove,
a stock of rifles and other weapons hung against the

wall.
“ Be seated. please," said Masked Maude, motion-
ing her visitor-to a chair, " and state your errand

 

 

I /

Buhlo Ben. the Prince of the Final. “9

 

at once, for time is worth gold to me. Your name
s_..

And taking up pen and ink, she waited to enter it

in a large book that lay upon the table.
. “What diflerence does it make what my name
is?" demanded the man uneasily. while he stroked
his beard with anervous hand. “ That need not be
mentioned in our business transaction."

" However that may be. I must have your name,“
was the firm reply. “I deal with no one whose name
I do not know. Not for farticular use, you know,
but as a guarantee of goo faith.“

“ WellI then, it is Aaron Wadsworth.”

“ Aaron Wadsworth," re ated the fortune-teller.
writing in her great boo . “ Aaron Wadsworth.
Where from?”

“ The East. "

0: course; an one might know that. Now,
what would you w th me? Want your fortune told,
Isu pose.“

“ n the contrary, I do not. I do not believe in

u

any such fol-de—rol. Why I came here, I can easily ,

explain. Up at the hotel I was told that you were

literally a world‘s directory; that it required only ‘

the asking, and on could tell a )orson the where-
abouts of any ot ier person. It 15 because of this
that I have come to you. I want you to tell me the
present whereabouts of Deadwood Dick.“

The woman started.

“Why do you wish to know?“she asked, eying
her visitor keenly through the holes of her mask.
Evidently she was trying to evade a direct answer
to the question.

“ Because I do. You can tell me where I can go
to find him."

“Oh, no!“ with a stran e laugh. “If I knew
where Deadwood Dick is. could earn a thousand
dollars reward, or more. You‘re on the wrong tack,
pilgrim.“

“ Bah! you are fooling mel“ .

“ in your imagination, yes. Deadwood Dick is a
person whose market value increases with age——
whose habitual watchfulness and caution grow
stronger each day that passes. If you would find
him, you will have to explore the countless fast-
nesses of the Black Hills."

“Is that so?" The stranger seemed surprised.
“I had no idea but what you could put me on his
trail." v

lie arose and donned his hat.

" Is that all—the extent of your business with me?"
Maude queried, rising also. “If you have a mes-
sage, 1 mi ht by some lucky chance see the Prince
of theRoag, or some of his band, even before you
do.“

Wadsworth reflected a moment.

"Yes," he said, finally; “if you see this young
robber, tell him he will find it to his advantage to
call upon J. Aaron Wadsworth, Room 4, Centennial
Hotel. I will be there for one week."

“All right." Masked Maude jetted down the ad-
dress in her book. “I will endeavor to get him the
word for which, includin present consultation fee,
I shall cha you fifty do ars."

“ What! ‘ Aaron Wadsworth was amazed. “Fifty
dollar's; ma‘am? Why, that is extravagant—enor-
mous.

“ It is _m price, all the same.“ was the matter—of-
i'act rejoxm er. “ You can pay it, and then take your
departure.”

“ But I won‘t!" the gentleman from the East de-
cillared, stoutly. “I am not to be humbugged by one

e on.

“ en on may aswell be seated," re lied Maude,
coolly. ‘ You cannot leave this shanty ill you shell
out '

Wadsworth walked defiantly to the door. and
turned the knob. The door was locked.

“Oh! you needn‘t think to escape." observed the
masked woman, drummin on the .table with the
Jeweled fingers of her left and, while inher right
she clutched a revolver already cocked. “ Even

I

 

should you succeed in getting that door I‘ll
salivate you with this,"—lndicating the rev!) var.

‘thighatl you wouldn‘t murder me!" gasped Wads-
wo .

“Wouldn't 1? Well, I ain't so sure about that. I
reckon you will have to shell out the required fifty,
or shed cold lead."

.The stranger uttered a curse, and taking a roll of
bills from his vest pocket, be counted out five tens.

“ Thanks," the fortune-teller said, coolly raking in

the stamps, with a chuckle. “I udg by your
looks that you could stand a large eo.’
“Hum )lil“Wadsworth swelled u with import’

(moo. “ Verelyour charges a half-n1 llion instead of
fifty dollars, could stand them and not Janos.
Now. release me." '

“All you have to do is turn the knob and walk
out," assured Maude, pointing to the door. “Go!”
“ But it is locked." '

“ Try it and sec." '

Which he did, and found that it opened without
resistance. Stepping outside he closed the door he-
lund lnm, and made his way back toward iii-hotel.

 

when Buffalo Ben came to realize that hequ
prisoner he uttered omething suspiciously like a
curse. o be balked in plans that it had taken
months to mature, was vexatious‘in the greatest dc-
groe. .

His captors were masked, and “vein orflfteou in
number, and he rightly came to the conclusion that
they were road-agents.

\\ hat was their obiect in taking him agisonorhc
could not ima 'ne. t urely, it could not for un-
der, as he b not exhibited much money wh in
Deadwood, except when he had bet with the major.

“ What does thlsmiean?" he demanded, odd
one who appeared to be in command.‘ “Why have
you taken me captive' and who are our"

“ We're Deadwood Dick’s Night» swim," replied
Lieu! cnant Cambre, “ and we snatched you just for
a little fun while we’re waitin‘ for the captain."

“Indeed? Well sugpose you let me go in pursuit
of that female frlen ," suggested Ben, "that is. if
you've had enough tun.“ '

“Not yet—not till the captain comes. 'He may
want to see you." ‘ l ‘ a

‘- Why should he? He does not know me." ' a

“ Don‘t be? There is where you mistake. I've
hearfil him speak of Buffalo Ben—and I reckon you
are 8.

i “ 1 am. But what did yourcaptaln any concern-
ng me?"

“ He always spoke of you as a fearless sort of a
cuss. Said there ain‘t only once: can equal you
with the revolver." "

“ And who is that?" _

“ Himself. Reckon the captain can lock lied
about as true as the next one." ‘

“ So I heard." Ben never boasted of his mum
cessful exploits, though he has won many a wager
with a revolver. “ Where is your captain now 7" ,

“Over to the ‘ Met,‘ I reckon. or some’erel inthnt
direction, tryin‘ to scare up danger. That chap un’t
live without he’s all the time zettin' into do.an

“ It would seem so if you believe what the

and Minor say. He’s married. eh? Got a My

wife?“
.“You're just talkin' he hes—party as my mie-

bud that ever blossom . She lives in the sixthflq"

gate twixt here an' Bozeman. Dick don'tso-M
much: she mostly comes to see him." ‘
At this juncture footsteps were heard

proachin .and in a moment more the yonngrood ‘

agent ch ef came boundin into camp. - ~ ’

It was Deadwood Dick. t e same as we have lea
him in d 5 zone b —-Dick in his weird unite! black.
with his b sck mas , gloves and hate—tho Mlle.
handsome, youthful prince of the '

His eagle eyes pierced the gloom Md took in the .

scene at e glanOB.

 

 

 

 v 10 ' Bunio Ben. the Prince of the Pistol.

 

’—

"-i “Whom have you here lieutenant?“ he asked.
‘ quickly. nodding toward t 9 ca tlve scout. "Hal
yes. I see—it‘s Buffalo Ben, eh? ow come you to
detain him. Combre 1"
' “Just for to pass away time, captain. Shall we
"release him now?"
“No; we have no time to spare, for Old Roxly and
lators are after me. Fetch along Iylonr pris-
oner, and let us scoot lively, for the devi are out

Sneezing. Deadwood Dick sprung on ahead into
n. the da nose. The bonds around Ben‘s feet were cut.
'~ ‘ and then he was forced to accompany the road-
,. agent;3i as they followed their leader. _
1‘ t  All d not gain a body. They divided into twos
and threes. and lunged off in various directions. all
— meeting half an or later in a lonely spot on White-
yood creek. a mile above town.
, 4, . , . It was where the golden stream debouched from n.
/ ' _ k, narrow ravine. into which a man could barely
one I . between the jagged rocks. Abovo
- towered b tree-fringed mountain crugs; below
the stream
witch‘s caldron.

\Ah’: 

 


.

 

edand gurgled like the waters of a.

pole some pontin and breathless from a long,
bout jaunt. eadwood Dick was the last one
toorriv ends. murmur of relief ran through the

crowd w on he came among them.

. “Hal what is the matter? Are you
. wounded!"
: "Only a scratch—the loss of blood made me a
it trifle ditty!" re lied the chief, reeling even as he
  But be t w-off the faintness with a master
at. “We’re in fora scrimmage. boys. Old Alex
' new Regulators are coming down on us,
“From all directions. They‘re scattered all
.2 through the town. A dozen or more of ’om dogged
. ' me tilin few moments ago. when I threw them from

the trail. I; they‘ll soon'nose us out.“
. f'flod torhid. in such a place as this. Here we are

com ry cornered.“

, “ l glut ou are—and there come the devils
no

lets

  
  
  
   

w! replied eadwood Dick. as there was a glare
f of light from of! in the darkness, and a storm of bul-
rottled hermlessly over their heads.

, a

 

~ ‘ CHAPTER V.

, ; . ' won nwnon's cumm'r.

It“: parlor theCentennial Hotel J. Aaron
Wadsworth was n his ease, ensconced in a
 large clubioned rocker. is sli pared feet elevated to
edemousangle on aneigh ng bookcase. His
.iportment‘ was furnished in elaborate style for
_ Deadwood. everything being of new and recent

. a stand at his elbow were wine and cigars;
“6% was turned low, for it was evening, and a
, burned in the grate.

« wwhoee money he counted by tens of
_ W was. not in every good humor. for his
brows were- in a soowl. his hands were

dinoheaifind his eyes were learning.
a!“ fibfitim’g‘ 3.3"" "limit" °’.“
W aspec gray- lure grz-
wretch. with tremendous bee and
deeply-scarred face—one who looked capable of any
ajme. Bis dress was backside. throughout, and ha

y; to the teeth.
s odsworth motioned him to a seat. without ris-
"  u have come, have you?” he rowled. u ~
merger at his cigar. “ I think it‘s tlgme; I’ve Keen
in wood ten day: waiting for you. You must
Mama's patience will last forever."
“ _ ‘t the 1: much about et,“ replied the giant.

ii

 

One by one the row-agents assembled at this .
’ upon his features.

- f‘l was fearful that ill had befullen you 3" said Car- ‘
Dos Combre

seating himself on the opposite side of the little ta.
bio and helping himself to wine and cigars without
invitation. “Got here as soon asl could after et-
tin‘ yer lettersa in‘ as you‘s comin‘ West. Di n‘t
hurry much, he ther."

“I should say notl“ with an increased scowl.
“You‘re taking matters alto ether too easy.“

“And why shouldn‘t I? ain‘t bound ter run nu'
obey every wiggle of your thumb. I used ter be
your nigger, but times hev changed since sixteen
years ago.“
ti\Vladsworth chewed the end of his cigar reflec-

ve y.

“ 1 did play it rather she.be on you, that‘s a fact,“
he said. watching the wreaths of smoke curl up-
ward. “ But, then, five thousand dollars was a
good bit to pay out, and you wouldn’t take less.“

“No; nary a dumed cent less. You ‘grcgd ter
pay me the amount ef I‘d do the job for you. an‘ i
went ter the ‘spense on my own hook, ter git my
men. an’ hunt the trail. Au‘ after I salted away the
biggest share 0‘ the game you backed out, an’ re-
fused to stick ter your bargain.“

Wadsworth took the cigar from between his lips.
and stared hard at the giant, a. startled expression

“ I must misunderstand your meaning. Burk," he

‘ said; “ you say. ‘nfter l salted away the biggest

share 0’ the game.‘ What did you mean b that?“
Bill Burk laughed, in a hoarse, mocking ashlon.
“ Reckon 1 meant what I sod," was the reply. “ l

worn‘t sure any 0‘ the time but what you‘d play the

slu-nannigan on me; .30 1 killed the mother an‘ rem-r-

‘ ed (he equallin' blahtfrrfllhll'e we."

 

 

‘ ward,” replied Wadsworth.

The man of money leaped to his feet, a horrible
oath escaping his lips.

“ You tell me this. you occursed devil?" he cried.
his face all aflmno with race. “You tell me that
you did not destroy her babes, as you promised—
that they are yet living?“

“ Exactly! reciselyl positively that!“ responded
Burk, with a cor. .

Wadsworth made no hostile demonstration as he
received the, to him, startling intelligence. He drop-

ed hack in his chair and sat es motionless as an
image, his gaze riveted accusinglv upon the giant,
hard. stem lines contracting his forehead.

“I believe you lie!" he said. at last, his tone cold
and angry. “ ad you this hold upon me, you would
have been pretty apt to have made yourself mani-
fest long ago.”

“ Oh, no!” the rufflan laughed. confidently. “I
took my time as I always do. Nothin‘ ever hurries
me. Hedi wanted to. werry bad. I could ‘a‘ made
you humped, ‘thout usin‘ the brats. Blackmail ‘rl
’8) been my weepin in that case: but then Iwarn‘t
0' a werry revengeful dispersition, so I waited an‘
hided my time. well knowin' yer coushence ’d bring
you out here. More you died. Ye couldn‘t rest ten
year more wi‘out knowin‘ for sure we war my feel-
in‘s toward you. now could ye?“

‘ it was not so much that that brought the west-
"I wanted change, ex-
citement; soIcame here. i remembered your ad-
dress to be Helena. at your last writingto me: I
sent for you to meet me here. but did not dream
that you would bring me such news."

“on, I resume not," Bill Burk replied. with a
yawn. “ ou s’pcsed you lied no heirs ter that
million 0‘ yourn—tho‘t you'd played a trump keerd
an‘ won: but you gon tuk back a peg in "wt calky-
lation. Thar‘ll be heirs enough in t e market.“

“See here!" Wadsworth bent forward. his small
eyes gleaming. redly. “Couldyou trust me again,
and at the same time could I trust you! ‘

“Waal, boss, that depends. 8‘ sin‘ ye give a
teller a ge amcal ideer of wha ye‘re drivinf at.
an' then I’ put yer question tor probate. as the

Judges say."

“ Exact y. Let us understand each other." as-
sented Wadsworth. “In case I was to pay you the
five thousand dollars. how then?"

 

rh-vlrv—v» .

 

MM... 7.-.;

2::- 4————w-——-~—~i

’numuo Ben. the'Px-inéé‘ot the Pistol.‘

11

 

“Wool, I’d hev tor soc the chips first, an' then do-
cide, afterwards. The more oats ye fccd a. boss the
livelier he ar‘ 1“

“That is as much as to say. that as long as I buy
you with gold, you arc minc."

“That's about thcr size of ct."

“I‘ll bu you to a certain extent, but no furthcr."
he said. ecidctlly, as he took it small valiso from
beneath the table and unlocked it Inside were sov-
ornl rolls of something wcll wrap cd in silk oil—cloth.
one of which he cxtractcd mu undid. Once. the
outsidc covcring was removed, a roll of greenbacks
was revealed, most tcmpting to the eyesight. _

Bill Burk gave. vent to a surprised runt. as lns
vision was grccted with this unoxpectet display.

“You’re full 0' chips. ain’t ye?" he observed.
lighting a second cigar. “Rcckou some bank‘s hm
rohhed. hey 7"

“Not that I know of; why?"

“ Because you're so flush o‘ stain ,s."

No reply was made to this. but i 6 man counted
out a numhcr of bills from the package, and shoved
them toward thc giant.

“ There are livo thousand dollars." he said. grut‘lly.
“Now. car. I rcly on you to finish the job you -om-
menced sixtccn yours ago—tho job which mus be
finished (it all hazards?"

“ Reckon ct would be well for you to put another
thousand along with this ter make all sure,"grinncd
Burk, trium hantly.

Another t musund was accordingly Counted out.
and showd across the table.

“There. does that appease your appetite?" de-
manded \Vndsu’orth.

“To a '1‘!" announced tho other, rising. “I’ll
hunt up the game. by-nn'-by. As for ther pre-
sent. I‘m goln‘te-r git outer a glorious drunk, ovcr
my good fortune. Good-day ter ye, Mr. Wads-
worth!“

And in another monwnt the giant had quit the
room, leaving the scheming man of moncy to his rc-
flections.

After Bill iiurk's departure. Wadsworth sat for a
long time with his face buried in his hands, nor did
he arouse until he felt the presence of some living
thing near him.

Ho then looked up to find a man standing be-
fore him with foldcd a1'ms~one whom he did not
remember ever having seen—clad in n hunter‘s
costume, and armed with rifle and belt weapons.
A brawny. handsome fellow ho was, of threennd-
thirty summers. the very picture of health and
stren h.

“ ho are you?" demanded WadsWOrth, scowllnp;
as only he could scowl “What brings you here,
where you are not wanted?"

“I don’t know that it makes any difference to you
particnlm'ly," rcspondod the hunter. in a slow.
(trawling tone. “I reckon this are a fire country,
an‘ a icller can go whar he pleases, nrovidin‘ he‘s not
enufl elbow-grease, to back him. S“ ose you‘d like
tor have me trot out 0' here. but ll tarry a few
seconds. whiloI tel] vou' somethin‘. Ef you listen
wi'out interruption, I’ll be done sooner. So heer

oes.
g “Once upon a time, which time war sum sixteen
years ago. a brutal massacre war committed up in
northern Montana. The victims war on old man an’
a young woman, whose name war Wadsworth——
Elvira. Wadsworth, the legally wedded wife of J.
Aaron Wadsworth of Pennsylvania. The survivors
of the massacre. two infant children. were sold to a
band of roving Indians. and carried North to the
British lines. where they were reared to early man
and womanhood, under t care of an old fur trader
and his wife. Now who I’m dl'ivin‘ at. is. do you
know where them heirs to the property of J. A.
Wadsworth are r "

“No!” exclnimed the man of millions, eagerly
“but I would give a deal of money did 1 know. But
a few short hours ago I supposed that they were
dead, until I was told better by a taithless wrctch

 

whom I once had in my employ. What do 

ol’ them i"

“ As much asI hev told ou—no more," replied
the, hunter. “ But if I find t iem as I ho to. I shall
warn ‘em to fl ht shy of their end-fat er for you
ar‘ a fiend of har be such things on earth. Aaron
Wadsworth. Look out for me. I‘m huntin‘ an‘
searchin'. night 1111‘ day, for them children 0‘ Elvira
Wadsworth, an’ whcn I find ‘cm, they're bound ter
hov a chunk out 0‘ your property, bet or boots."

Whercnpmi tho hrnwny son of t 0 Northwest
turncd to depart.

“Hold!” said Wadsworth. “ What is your name.
mmhthat, I may know whom I have for an oppo-
ncn, "

“ My name is Luko Ransom, sin—Lightning Luke
thcy call mo up Montana. Anything else you would
like to know Y"

“ Nothing; you may .20.“ was the reply. After the
hunter’s dopnrlure. Wadsworth sat studyin the
intricate thrcndiug oi’ the carpet for nearfy an
lOlll‘.

“ How is this thing going to end i?“ he asked him-
self ovcr and over. his eyes emitting sparks of slum-
boring tire. '

" After all my years of planning and getting, am
I at. last. to be battlcd in my designs! 0! I swore

her children should not have a cent of my wealth,

and even though I sacrifice it to the four winds c. »

the. carth. they shall not. They must perish. and it
Bill Burk cannot do the Job, I can and will I"

Apparently the unnatural father was terribly in ‘

earnest.

The next (lay on his return to his hotelrrom a. lo
trump among the mines. he found two visitors:
gig him in the parlor suit that had I:

1m.

The most noticeable of the twain was an my ‘

officer, in the uniform or a ms or. with luxuriant
Burnsnles, and an i‘mpudent tam ty confined tog
class of Uncle Sam at promoted boys in blue. ‘

’l‘lw major’s companion was a oung la , deeply
vnih-d—or. a girl, in other words. f her 3) insurer
was any indication of her age. She was in I
neat gray costume, and a diamond ring grwed‘her,
forefinger. . '

The major rose as Wadsworth entercd.

“ Honorable J. Aaron Wadsworth. I product" he

saluted, with a servile bow. “Allow 9 to inm-
duce to you in this young lady Miss en. Wadi-
worth my pro/ewe. am Major Fawdon, honorably

retired fr om servico."
“ Ahem! yes. I sec," said Wadsworth, conside
ably surprised. and at loss to f ‘ compwlfl
“How am I indebth to you for this tervie ‘ '
“I called on business, ’replied the ma . “'8!!-
icon yours ago. Mr. Wadsworth, your w e m m
ed, by your order, and your babes. unknown to
sold to a band-of rovin Indians.
supposed them dead. a ong with your wife, and you
have lived as sinners are permitted tollve, in flu;
supposition that your estates would mun 
In t is you were mistaken. ’ I

.

hood, and was placed under to care bym old north-

ern funirader. and I now ta c gunmen moonb‘

ing her for your inspection. 8 Ila. my dear. ruse
your valll" ‘ 
The young woman obeyed, and tho rich man‘s hr
crednlous gaze fell upon a fair face. perfect In out-
line and sWeet in expression ——a face M It; ort-
igt. 1might worship, or that might become 3193?!
l O “ '

The hair was golden in hue, and fell overth’e mt»
ty shoulders in profusion: the girl. as a. whde. In;
remarkably pretty—for she was yet but 33111-30!
out of her teens by three years. . ‘ '

“There!” the major exclaimed. enflmsiurtically,
his eyes gleaming with exultancc: "how llke'von
the p cture, MT. Wadsworth? Do you not lee hetero
you the very image of the "1'6!th death,
caused, years ago? Stella, dear, this is the nu?-

You have 3111,35 ‘-

“One of your wife‘s children grewup to maidens - y ' ‘7 ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

V heva the

"Iflel'

at" the agents, MWIY

 'mhuonoa

 

18’ BMBmthePrineeofthePistel'.

 

of whom Ihsve told you. What do you think of
him!"

, “ As t I haven’t formed an opinion," replied the
g the man distrustfully.
“ And you, Aaron Wadsworth—what do you think
of claimant?“ _
" recsflllze her," was the reply. without hesita-
tion, "as virs‘s child and my heiressl" - ‘
But there was a tone of menace underlying his
6m

 

CHAPTEKVL
lvms or A wmn, s'ronm nrefir.
." HA! he!" laughed Deadwood Dick ,leflantly, as
none of his comrades had been in-
red by the volley of bullets.  Mates," he said,
voice be anxiety, “ we're in a tight fix,
an‘ no mistake. e on t to have come mounted,
and then we could have wn these dogs our heels.
But we didn‘t, and here we are, neatly cornered, and
withonlvone wayo n to us for escape—namely,
u this ravine, wh ch, after a mile of tortuous
winding, ends in the face of a big, craggy barricade.
There no use, then, for us to try to escape in this
direction. All we can do is fight, and let every shot
tell a tale to these Regulators that will never be for-
l

93min ca i" said Lieutenant Cambre,ear-

And the road-agents took up the cry:
. “ We're life even to the death!"

. fie gloom in this place was perfectly dense, and
as 13! could be formed of the exact locality of the
 and reconnoiter a little." said Dick,

ration with the lieutenant. “ The devils
maybewaitln‘ fen it to lightnin ,” with an up re-
hensive glance sk'ywsrd, ” and th n they can pe t it
to us handsome!»
“Hold on," ventured Buffalo Ben, eagerlfy; “let
me ‘do the mouth!” " captain. Don‘t be a raid to
trust are. ter I ain't a-goin‘ to tryyto run on till you

so.
nzGoodi" Deadwood Dick exclaimed, cutt the

’ youngmsn’s bonds. “Ireckon ou’re to be rust-

and heard that our ski asa scout is won-
gm; $0 ahead, and, bring us back all the news

y:gofiutightened his belt, and after looking to the

- condition of his revolversi which the road-agents had

Ihei ? “iii:

rs oom.
atWe omrmwh-gv thet felici- among us,” declared one
, after the scout had disap~

e stepped cautiously away

» I would not put his neck in the in gro‘s noose by
“landing him to join us," replied Dic .

it'l‘ruei‘ reed Cambre. ‘ The brand of a road-

never rest upon his shoulders, as it

uponours. What kickedu the row to-night,

eudstirred u the Reg tor hornets‘ nest?"

fore caused me trouble—the

and traitor, J'recl Audley," replied Dick,

I 3 .“J wasme through the street with my mask off,

sudshe'srd upon/ face in lace of it, when e
me. ~1eg pointed mg out to Old Ro y

the .
‘9 one! could draw a. revolver and are uponhim
escaped in the crowd. I saw there was an un

' healthy ou ool: for s teller of my description about
lit out."

so I .
.. “ oumet the cusses again after we divided and
for here!" asked Csmbre.
'1“ or nther, ran through ’em and got several
low lsu h. “ But

‘ . intomycercass." witha
p , ‘Zt ming'em much, though they was ened on
"  Inger: time Buffalo Ben was creeping out of
: “mouth 0! the dark, narrow ravine, where his

. teach ’em a. lesson long to be borne v
" , & ——thst we‘re life even to the death." ,

 

com nions were waiting, into the wider and more
invi ng gulch. wherein nestled Desdwood's magic
City, and from whence had come the discharge of
fire-arms.

The darkness seemed to be increasing—at least the
sky was growing momentarily blacker, and threat-
ened a fierce storm, ere long. Already faint blushes
of lightning were beginnin to play across the angry
heavens and a dull roar o thunder became audible.

“Let her pour as much as she pleases, but dis-
pense with the fireworks,” muttered the young
scout, crawling along, inch by inch, with utmost
caution.

“ Somehow, I wouldn‘t like to see Deadwood Dick
and his tellers git laid out, though they ain‘t much
to me. to be sure; still, the Prince as they call him,
ap ears to be a pretty fair sort 0’ chap."

:1 he wriggled, making less noise than a mouse;
no ver oi! of his guard, his eyes scrutinizing each sus-
plcious object until he was satisfied as to its nature.

A half—yes, three-quarters of an hour passed,
and Deadwood Dick and his men waited anxiously
for the return of the scout. What could be the canso
of his delay?

“ To me it seems about time the chap were giving
an account of himself,” said Cmnbre, impatxentl .
“ I could have scouted half around Deadwood iii
this time.” t

“ You express my thoughts, too." replied Dick,
pacing back and forward. “ He ought to be back by
this time."

“And is back!" exclaimed a voice, and a dark
figure loom! d into View through the gloom. “ But
then ain't time for alaver, if you want to escape;
so come along, an‘ on’t make no more noiso‘n cat!
And without further explanation he was gone, leav-
ing for guide 011% the sound of his footste 5. But.
this clew was su cient for Deadwoood Dick 0 follow
and he and his companions crept away through the
darkness, laboring under the delusion they were
following the lead of Buffalo Ben. But, they were
soon to be apprised of their mist kc.

Just as they debauched from the ravine into the
gulch, there was a terrible jarring roar of heaven’s
artiller followed by three successive flashes of 1i ht-
ning, t at illuminated the black night with v vid
g are.

Then came the deadly ring of a. score of rifles—-
wild shouts of victory from aswarén of men who
poured out from cover of the scattered pines—dying
groans from dying road-agonts:——it was a. terrible
moment, and one inwhich life was expiri with
every weapon’s ring—for a few of the Ni ht- awks,
with Deadwood Dick at their head, h stood the
fi.‘e, and their flashin revolvers were speaking
death to the enemy, eac and every mouent.

But their number was onl live and tho Regulators
counted full three-score; t ey.made a triumphant
rush, and swallowed up the little band—captured
them, and bound them hand and foot. ,’

Then throughout Deadwood spread like wildfire
the news of the capture of the dare-devil road-a outs,

and even though the storm poured down its eiuge .

of water, and the thunder boomed along the heavens
and the iightning’s glare was constant, the streets
were thronged with an exerted pulnce, eager to
learn the truth of the matter, an get a glimpse of
the prisoners. . _

But in this they were doomed to disappomtment
for Deadwood Dick and his pals had been hurrie
away to confinement in a strong cabin on the south-
ern outskirts of the town.

Here the crowd assembled, and standing in the
drenching rain outside the grim structure, inside of
which the road-agents had been locked, they dis-
cussed the startling evcnts. -

Old Roxly, who had succeeded Denb as chief of
the Regulators, had stationed a guar every yard
around the cabin, and warned them that if the pris-
oners were not there at sunrise their own necks
must satisf the hen man's noose.

Then, wit the res of his pom, he had spurred

- “W -47 ,

Bumo'nén,’ che‘ music: the Pistol. ' 18 '

 

hack to the Metropolitan, which was their head-
quarters, and full 5 gallon of “ tarant'ler-juice " was
used to wash down the thirst occasioned by their
grout victory.

lll tlle mean time let us Vii-iii: Deadwood Dick in
his strange prison.

The interior of the cabin was all in one a iartnlent,
and unfurnished. it had been one of the rst struc-
tures erected ill the gulch, but for some strange rea-
son, which we shall not atteln )t to explain, it had
never been tenantcd. There ore Old Role had
titted it up as a cage for his captured birds. and tile
Prince of the Road and the remnant of his band
were the first to occupy it.

They were thrust rudely inside, bound hand and
foot. after which the Re ulators departed, locking
the door after them, and caving the little band to
their meditations.

Fortunately they were not 'aggcd, and this left
thcnl a. frcedmn of speech tley hastened to im-
prove.

“ Veil,” Dl'.’i\l\\'ll(lii Dil-i; said, after the lh‘gulators
had gone, “i art-Lon we i'ew that's left may con-
sidcr ourselves llni.y. i t'Xllt‘l'iUti u‘e‘d git our necks
stretched, sure 01). when i found that the cusses
were too many or us. How many is then- left of
us, mates; for I have not taken time to count u )3“

“There‘s six of us,“ replied Uulnbrc. who d
been among those to stand up under the terrible
fire. “Jean Douglass. Rock Luger, Dan Forhray,
Kit Custer, and you and me."

“And there were a dozen of us beforel” the
'oung chief muttered bitterly. “But, thank the
Lird, our band ain’t ali gone 'ct. There's enough
left at the stronghold to tin-as the life out of these
Regulator dogs—and they'll avenge us, too, bet your
pile on that."

“Ma my curses rest u on that Buffalo Ben!"
cried Lambre. fiercely. “ t is to him that we owe
this summary defeat, for had we remained in the
ravine—" _

“They could have picked us off, one by one, With
the lightning‘s aid, and made a more complete vic-
tory than they have now!" finished Dick, decisively.
“Traitor thou h this But!an Ben is. he couldn‘t
have worked i any better for us; for while i! we
had remained in the ravine we should have a i been
shot down in coming out, of us are alive, and
stand a show of csca .“

“ A devilish poor show i“ growled Kit Custer. “I
opine we‘ll be called upon to try on Lynch’s brand
0 halter—collars More another sunset, and that ’ll be
the send or our career."

“Never give up the ship while there‘s any hope
which there always is as long as there is life," said
Dick, cheerfully. “I would not take an offer of a
thousand dollars for my carcass, nownfor all death
is grinnin' at us. and apparently comm’ nearer ’n’
nearer. My motto is our motto‘mates—‘ we‘re life
even to the death.‘ sit not so?”

“A i ayi” assented the other five. “We’re life
even the death."

“ Which, allow me to remark, very appropriately
expresses nly sontlmentsi" exclaimed a voice, com-
in); from a rear end or the cabin.

‘ Hellol“ Deadwood Dick cried startled beyond
gmfiegsion; “who are you, away back there in the

or .

“I reckon the letters of to co omen, roperly
placed. would spell Buflalo fienfinini” Ivims the
cool res use, as a dark object came rolling across
the mug , dusty floor.

“Guess you didn‘t speculate that ye’d find me in
havr did ye, Judgin' from your conversation."

“Well, no! the young chief admitted. “Isup-
pesed you were feastmg with the Regulators, over
your success in betrayi us to our enemies."

“Hold on, thar, pa l" the scout cried, rather
sharply: “ I ain‘t no traitor, and I don‘t want to be

one. E! the durned galoots hadn’t captured
me. I should have come back to you with my report.
Aldt is.I‘in elected to swing along wi' the rest 0’

 

you, all because they think I'm a road-agent, which
ain‘t, nor don't care to be."

“ Hal then you on you did not come and lead us
down into the very ace of the Regulators' fire 1'"

“I swear it, if Ilcce . By toelin' o‘ m uni:
form, you'll see it's buck ‘ in, instead of my umor
’ili'b. The galoots give my suit to one o' thrtr
crowd, all‘ as a consequence he cum and (etched
you right down into the limericksl"

Deadwood Dick saw with his keen power of I“
eeplion, that the fear ers young scout was te g
the truth. _

“ i lulth bogdyou to forgive my unjust suspicions
of you I" he sui . earnestly.

inside the storm roared and tore with unusual
iiercenoss; the rain poured down in. a Alelngo, and
made it rushing river down through Den wood, put-
iinl: to root all pedestrians that were abroad; tear-
ing out dams and sluice—boxes, and even carry
nwuy tents un-l now and then a shanty that stood in
the way oi" tln- t’urious torrent. The thunderhoomed
and crushed as it llnd seldom been heard to dobe-
fore, and the terrible \i\‘lti glares of lightning came
and Weill, ilICt mullti)‘. ' .

(July the guards pact-d llleir boats, and faced the
weird music of the warrlng elements.

silence prevailed in the cabin prison. No one
seemed in a talkative mood; and, too then-onto! the .
storm nearly drowned the sound of air voices.

The confined road-agents dropped at! one by w
into a sound sleep. Bun'alo Ben was long be
them. though he tried to keep awake. .

It was approaching day-dawn when they awoke-
awoke to make a startling discov . '

While wra t in repose some or something
had severed t eir bonds, and they were tree. mule
their limbs. '

But their astonishment was further increased
when, on “ counti noses,"-—to unoon ox-
pression—they m e the discovery that, b some
strange and unaccountable means, one if t num-
ber [lad effected Ilia erca n!

And that one was— adwood Dick I

 

CHAPTER VII.
our on sermon—nun“ To 1mm '

Yns, gone was Deadwood Dick, and no mistake.
for he was not in the cabin. and :3 ohm eo-
gaped the road-agents as they became the

118'}. - .
“Thank God our captain has esca d. even til
we are still in durancel" said Claim-o, 
‘- he will now strike 3 NOW for our libelty. and w
shall again be freei" . '

“Hurrahl” cried the others, in unison—“Dolli-
wood Dick, forever!“ ‘ N, .

“ l’m puzzled to know how he escaped," oil-snot!
Buffalo Ben. examining the walls of the «flu.
“ Hyer’s only one window, an’ that's (molded with
bars of iron. The doorislocked' from theoutddo,
an‘ that leaves no other avenue of «caps. on loan

H I.

569. >

" Unless it is 1.1 through there." pointing to . _
flre- ilnee and its ccom nyin h . “ ‘
conlii get up through £3” “showman,
which he probably did.“

“Right. That explains his escape." _ ~ .

“Couldn‘t we make a break in thatmr',
asked one of the men.‘ “ Durned at I ain‘t fltkl‘
tired o‘ stayin‘ penned up in town". v

" It is too near daylight to try to escape, nacho-i,"
replied young Jerome. v .

" l’ve not a better Dian," said Liam Comm
thoughtfully. “ Doubtlass we shall .qonlme a uni
from the Regulators We must he on the watch, m‘
when they open the door to come in we mustmh
out andtrusttoourreettotaknusouto' ."'

“'You can do it ii‘ you like—not ii" Boll
decidedly. “Pbrhaps it maybe yam-best ohms,

 

 

 

 

 

t3 ' but as for me, I am not a road-agent and if I re-
’- main it will be that much proof in in favor. See?"
“ I'm afesred Old Roxly won‘t loo at it in that
light. He‘s a stubborn old ack~mule. an' don‘t
listen reason worth a cent. e’ll calculate ye‘re
one of us who hadn‘t Pluck enough to attergpt to es-
cape, and conse uent y Judfe Lynch will 0 ciate at
your funeral ‘t t now an sunset.”

“Well.‘mebbe so. an’ mebbe not." Ben answered,
carelessly. “ Reckon I’ll stand my chances. anyhow.
A teller can‘t demise only onc’t; I hain't very pur-

’ tickler as ter ther time."

The storm slacked up as day began to dawn; a
breeze laden with the perfume of mountain flowers
waited in through the barred aperture called a win-

ow.

' Nothing could be heard of the sentinels outside.
Probably they were either aslee or had deserted
their post during the hi ht's wil tempest. The lat-
terwas the most probe is theory, considering the

«ewe o w c .
“ e'll soon have compan ," remarked Buffalo
Ben, pacing to and fro—“ all eadwood will be down
to pay us a morning visit. There! listen—some one
is approaching now." .
-‘ l' were indeed heard drawing near. and it
' ' was evident that quite a multitude was coming. As
' they came closer to the cabin there was considerable

commotion—an angry hum of voices~shouts and

oaths; then the key was heard,to turn quickly in the
~. {not and the door swung open. '

‘But, no sooner was an opening made. than the

road-agents with Cambre at their head, made a pre-
~ agitate rus out of doors knocking down the Regu-
‘ and s ringing nimb v over them.

.1 I nawn‘. they sshed up the gulch and into the
. dense forest that flanked the mountain side. followed
1) I. harmless volley of bullets from the weapons of
t one of the B. lators who had not been prostrated.
Instant pursu t was given. every man joining in,
thus leaving the cabin unguarded. for it was sup-
posed that all the prisoners had eflected their es-

I.

    
  
 
  
   
    
 
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
   
  
  
 
    
  
 
  

_m~—ng‘r
. I" ‘

there‘was one who had not joined in the
stampede, and’ that one was Buffalo Ben. He came

' to the door after the Regulators were some distance
" GE. and chuckled to himself as he stepped forth into
the air of freedom, and sanntered leisurely toward

9 nsytown. .
. , ‘f’Bout as lucky an escape nsa feller could ask
~ for" was his comment, as he walked along. “ Don’t
. WI'HM troubled on this score again, unless I
" war ' last night. Hope them cusses es-
mfid for they seemed right jolly sort 0‘ dogs."
_ ’ he entered the town Ben sto ped at asluice
.- ,where a couple of miners were wash ng sand indus-
——early birds they were. who came to the
 to make money. '
' - '. 'Iornin‘ pardner." saluted one,lookin§xllllp from
h , y " errible storm ,we had. Loo fer a

 «" . no,” Ben shook his head with a grlmace.
~ f‘lo ‘ fer me. . D'ye make it pay i”

' “ y fair—yes. Storm tuck away a gude bit 0‘
payin' top layer; sum left still, tho’.“

{At this juncture two persons, evidently out for
mos-uh: exercise. galloped along on a couple of

. I bays—«mam with Burnsides, and attired

in‘armymnform, and a young maiden in elegant
ridin habithgery pretty of face and form.
_ i _ Evi‘lien n recognized them both. for he raised
‘ his cap to the maiden; the man he scarcely deigned
skinned Perils. the s ht was conducive to anger
, in the officer, for whee ed his horse down toward
‘ ' slides, and erked him back upon his hnunches.

. “You young acknnapesi" he cried. furiously. rais-
, rig-whip as though to strike‘. “ how dare
. i. have the impatience to insult this young lad!
", ' army somqu by saluting her? I‘ll learn you be -

‘ I ‘ the whip came down with a vicious swish
amputhsfisoout‘s shoulders. 01 course it was but

Buflalo Ben, the Prince of the Pinto

 

a mere toy, and the blow was scarcely felt: yet it
caused a flame of anger to go rioting ovur Buffalo
Ben's face. He stepped back a pace, his eyes gleam-
ing dangerously.

‘You cowardly dog!" he cried, “you shall pay for
this, mark my word. I am slightly acquainted with
Miss Stella, your companion, and deem it no dis~
honor to her if I bow as she passes. You, sir, have
insulted me by striking me, and you are a coward."

At this the two miners. who had stopped their
work. laughed loudly, and the officer, w 10 was no
other than Major Fawdon. grew red in the face.

“ I‘m a coward, eh?" he cried, hotly; “ you curssd
imp, I‘ll show you how much of a coward I am. Be-
fore these men. I challenge you to fight. if you dare,
and give me a chance to obtain satisfaction and wipe
out my grudge against you."

“ Which I agree to wi‘ the hugest kind of delight!"
Ben replied, coolly. " Meet me here an hour hence,
if you please. The weapons will be revolvers—my
choice.’

Just then the ma or saw that he had lost by being
too fast. He 511011 (1 have given the scout enoug 1
provocation to insure a challenge from him; he, the
major, would then have had the choice of was us,
which would have been the sword, with whic he
could have backed his enemy into bits. But with
the revolver he was nowhere.

The die was cast, however; to retreat was ignominy,
disgrace: to go ahead was death, without doubt, for
young: Jtu‘omc had a notoriety second to none as a
revolver shot.

“ Very well!" he was forced to say. though he
could not feel that it was to end very well for him.
“ I will be on hand."

Then he wheeled and role awav to join the young
woman, who was waiting. some distance off.

“ Do you know that insolcnt puppy?" he demand-
ed. with a frown, as they galloped along together.

“i do,“ the girl replied. apparently not in the least
disconcertcd by his passion—“ have known him a
week. h y it“

“Then 1 want you to cease knowina him. and that
at lingo. He is no one for you to notice or associate
th l.

“Indeed! but I am the best judge of that. He is at
least a gentleman."

“God pity the rest of us. if he is a specimen of
what you call a gentleman. Conn-5114‘s return to
the hotel; I have some business to attend to.“

“ What business?” she asked. watching him.

“ Same business. I said!“ he retorted sharply.
“That is sufficient "

“ No, it is not. You are going to tight.“

“What of it?"

“You will get killod.or he will. Don‘t. George,"
clutchinz his arm. as they rode side by side.

“ Bah i" shaking oi? her hand, “ you need have no
fear. I can easin wing him."

"But that would be terrible, all the same. Please
don't debt, George!" ‘

“ But Imnst. sis—Stella. I mean. They‘d call me
a hunky. if I were to back out, and I the chal‘
lenger. No, I must fight; but don‘t fear; I'll come
out all right.“ .

They reached the hotel and dismounted. The ma-
jor ran up to his room, Stella remained on the ve-

ran a.

.“They will fight and one or the other will get
killed.” she murmured, thoughtfully. “I hope it
mil not be Mr. Jerome—or George, either for that
matter."

A little later she saw Buffalo lien come up the
street and enter an ammunition store across the
way. He had gone to purchase weanons. the Regu-
larors having taken his at the time of his capture.

When he came out, she ran over and waylaid

him.

" 0h! Mr. Jerome. vou ar'n‘i: going to fight?“ she
said. nieadingiv. “ D0n't for my sake.“

“ It’s urty hard ter tackle a fellow in that way,
Miss Stella. There's few things I wouldn‘t do for

Bulblo Ben. the Prince of the Pistol. , 15

vour sweet sake.'hut I can‘t give in this time. It‘s
live- or (lie, for me or Fawdon—die for him, I reckon,
for he is no pistol-shot.

“Then you won‘t do me this favor?" the girl said,
poutingl .

“ No; f‘ll have to refuse you this time Stella. He
struck me, and I called him a coward, and he chal<
lenged me. So were bound to fight.“

"Why did you call him that?"

“ Hard to tell, dear. When a teller gets r'iled he
ain't most always the master 0‘ his tongue—at least

a n‘t."

“ Well, if you must fight on must, I su pose.
But why need you kill him?— ust wound him or in-
stance. ’ _

“Might do that, it‘s true. But. mebbe he might

blunder and plug it to ine;—l wouldn’t want to go ,

down without sallvatin' him 1”

“Oh! he'll not hit you, never fear. He flred six

times at a huzzard. once, and then missed it. You
won‘t kill him, then?"

“ No, not if you don‘t wish me to."

“ All' right; see that on keep our word. Now.
good-by,“ and awa s e i'litted ck to the hotel.
followed by Ben‘s miring gaze.

“ That gal'sa trump I“ he muttered, as he strolled
on. “ Pretty, intelligent refined and good-hearted;
not much like her rascally brother, duru him 1“

Major Fawdon came out of the hotel, just as Stella
{inn up the steps, her cheeks aglow and eyes spark-

n . '
‘FYon've been. out in the street talking with that
young {11312111, and publicly disgracing me i” he cried.
save y.

“ e‘s no more of a rufilan than you are. sir!"
flashed Stella, with spirit. “You might be glad if
you were one tithe as good as he, even!"

“ Humph l" the major's sneer expressed his opin-
ion of the scout, better than words.

“ He’s a oung rui‘flan, and a blocking. I‘ve warn-
ed you to Keep away from him; you‘ mind. here.-
after. or I’ll lock you in your room. Where did you
meet him, r1!"

“ None 0 your business, sir. If you came here to ‘

scold, you may talk to some one else than to me!"
And with the imperious earring? of a queen the irl
moved into the hotel, leaving t 6 major to himse f.

With a muttered oath, he sauntered down to the
lclaim where he had given Buffalo Ben the chal-

enge.

Quite a crowd had collected here, for the news of
the coming duel had spread rapidly. Some were
discussing this, and others the escape of Deadwood
Dick and his men. It seems that when Old Roxly
and his men had come down to the old cabin, they
had found the guards lying upon the ground, bound
and ga Surmises were made that some of
Deadwood Dick‘s uncaptured band had done this
work. and then had been frightened of! before they
could effect the escape of those inside.

Prominent among those gathered at the duel-
ground, was that uncouth and eccentric individual
from Potato Gulch, who called himself Old Rattle-
ana e.

In his element was he. now. and he capered about
like a frisky dog, overjoyed at the return of its mas-

1'.

“ Hayr cums the red-nosed galoot what says he can
lick Buflalo Ben-iam-lnt" the minor cried, direct-
ing general attent on to the major. as he ap roach-
ed. “Oh! Eliza. my blushin primrose, w ar art
thou, now? Luck at that oss for. will ye. pilgrims:
observe what a dangerous-lookin' galoo he be!
Luck at that ar' pistle—oh! ‘Lizyl hain tthet a pomp-
ous pistle. now? An’ he’s ther coon w'at they say
gun’salivaw my boyee—my bashful cherub. Ben-jam-

n

"‘ is iBuffafilo Ben herfihygt?“ itheimajor demanded.
swee n to rou w s ercnggaze.

“Npix-gum-aqroug’igvolunttgigridge Raitgle‘r, wlith
a mace-'ther yee 11‘ yr p m. ut
hellbehcyrintimetermakemince-pl

l

 

as out o’sech .

 

an oruery~lookin‘ specimen 0‘ a bull-whacker as he
you—bet yer four-buttoned kids on that."

The crowd laughed heartily at the miner‘s speech,
and lainlly distinguishable from their voices came
anot er augh—a wild, -curdlll.n&lshrlok of
laughter. that made the surrounding echo and
re-ec io.

“ By Heavens !“ cried Old Rox the Regulator
who chanced to be present. “thigh was Deadwood
Dick’s laugh, boys. sure's I’m a livin‘ man!"

“Hang me ter a mulberry-tree of it wasn‘t)” u- ’

sented auother; and it was generally agreed that
the laugh came from the lips of Deadwood Dick.
But no one had taken any notice from whence it
came.

Bulfalo Ben was now seen ap reaching; and a
cheer went up, for on short acquahitanoe he had al-
ready become aprime favorite among the miners
who had seen him around Deadwood.

He came up in a swln mg. catfish, and ran his
was over Lhe crowd unti he sing out the Mot.

“Well!” was his salutatlon, Iyou're on hand!

see! Hour’s up, ain‘t it?"

“Yes,” Fawdon replied, glancing at his gold '

watch. “Are you ready?"
‘él‘iather reckon I am, all except choosing a sec-
on ‘

“ Hyer’s yer Thomas K. Catl“ declared them
from Potato Gulch—“ I’m er man. pilgrim, dun)
my old sow‘s last litter of p gs, of I ain't ‘

‘You‘li do as well as any, erhapl," Ben agreed;
“ all you’ve to do is ter see f rpla done." '

The major chose a gambler by 0 name arms-e;

then the ground was paced ofl—ltwenty yards being ,

the measure.

Then the two took their places. facing each other;
the seconds. and a counter, who was no lens a r-
sonage than old Jack Fergueson formed in ii to
one side. with drawn weapons. 'f'he crowd also as-
sumed side positions. and most of them had drawn
their weapons to enforce fair play.;

At the word: .

“ One!"

The wea us of the duelists were cocked All bv-
eled. Bot were handsome revolvers.

“ Two!“ cried For each . '

"0h! Eliza, myp mrosel ‘ wimpend thew
shrill —“ now's yer timel" ‘ ,

An then there was a breathless silencet awaiting
the fatal Tin-eel "

 

CHAPTER. VIII. n
romance A om. ' _
“On! mercy. don‘t, lease don’t! Ohlhelpiheip!
‘°i“‘°‘°ii°‘?°‘i"’ p 1' am 7 ..
naw .percngscreamo _ou
these words. emanating from one of a w
cabins that dotted the stee hillside above _ -
wood. Then came a noun of ad lash.
and more plteous screams followed, in a m-
inlne voice.
A young man climbing up the hillside.

withoutany ‘ ,v
apparent object, except to get a view of the Bur. V V 

rounding country, heard the screams, and
“A woman in difllcultyl“ he muttered.
.the diiferent abodes above and around him. “
me it I know whether I‘d better interfere or .
Don't like to hear a teller-mortal screech for help
wiitliougigivin‘ggg a lift; hurt who knowlrbnt what 3
mgit tmy ers urn ermypainn '
He listened again and heard the sound of heavy
blows. and repetition of the pitiful Imus—amm-
of some woman in most excruciating oism”. ~ a \-
“ Burned ef I can stand any more thetmulio."
the listener said, movi
from which he was posit vo came the smde.
make it hot work for somebody, or my name ain't
Wrens was. 4 W m‘ ....
St up e oor v9
knockt at made it tremble. " ',“ .

toward a- cabin '

 

No screams now came from the inside, but he
could hear low, moaning roans. which he knew
came from the victim of he punishment. There
, we however, sounds of voices in stealthy conver-
‘ -’ nation; then the demand was given in a coarse, gruff

tone. at undeniably a woman's voice: i

“ no‘s that?"
“ on just hurry up and open the door. nn’

y u 1 find out,“ returned the wrestler authorita-
,‘ lively; “Don‘t be a month 0‘ Sundays about it, nei-

1

':“\'Vho be ye, an' what d‘ye want?" was again
uked‘nftsr more inaudible conversation on the in-

  
   
     
  
  
 
      
  
 

e.

K“ You'll see when you open up.“

To his surp the bars were shot back, and
a omentlater, ver Sal stood upon the thresh-

ol . .
‘ 'She uttered an oath as she saw the wrestler: she
sconhlm once before, by chance, at the Metro-
she would have retreated only Drayton’s
revolver covened her heart.

'\

’ “Hold our ma’aml" the wrestler said, coolly.
,. “I’ve a ttle business ter transact wi’. you, so
w don‘t inc hurr . Who were you pounding, you

bloated Ihe~wrct i"
' Silvth gave vent to a forced laugh.

'.‘0hl I seel" she said, understandinfly; “you
have made a e. Them screccies come
my door, whar old Yanslcy’s bin lickin‘ his

' -. Just then ' wereheard inside the room.

I ‘ "There! w d'ye say to that!" the wrestler de-

‘ mended, triumphantly. “Tell me that cum from
Youleys, will fie?“ .

“ No. I won’t oi" the woman answered, devoutly.
“I despise a liar above all else. Mr. St. Elmo, Will
' you come here. a minnlt?"

In answer, the worthy in uestion made his up

sorance at the door, beside he coarse figure of the
got! Gal. He would doubtless have drawn a pistol,
on that Vgr‘estlin Walt warned him to desist, with

a
' “ our shootln'-iron alone Saint!" he said,
coolly, ‘ or I'll’ventilate you in thelatest approved
stale. . ‘t I can‘t do it, for my revolver is
.gasln' atboth of oul"

‘ ,9, ion!" Elmo hissed, biting at his black
mustache ercely.

.. Our-e me as much asyou lease " Walt re lied,
. . withagrin of delight; “ or t et‘s all e‘re ab e ter
' do at present. 1 know that on an this greasy
VII-etch or’ inter sum kind 0’ v ainy an' I'm goin’
‘ tel-know what. Efyou‘ve been lie in’ sum poor
film‘s in yer power, I‘m a duck ef I don‘t hev

up ter ther nearest tree."
,, ,"I don see what you‘re oln‘ to dol” St. Elmo
related.ch 1y. "‘lt w' require your steady
w

‘9 i never you fearbnt what I'll make both ends
afoot." Walt replied, perching himself upon a stump
‘. c mont'hand without wavering his aim. “I most

803m 30 t h with what I undertake.

‘ »  one ‘ll come alo resently whom I can
, {stamens a lift. Hal i n’t I tell you? Here
canal a fellow now."
‘ ' Linen claddn full hunter’s costume was descend-
 »lhzhom toward the top of‘the mountain and airs.
drin'om WrestlinEOWalt he apggoached.
‘ ‘ m the e n-frsmsd rderer who had
upon . Aaron Wadsworth, and given his
._ name Luke Ransom—or Lightning Luke.
’" Wadi. well! on teller, you seem ter hold a full
hand!" he angina, with a broad grin, as he ap-
“j'hink so! well, now. I don't count two tricks 3
veryfull hand. Couldn't hold enny more at present,
. I vargoonvenlentiy, thongs."
. “ oi! shed “wit. u mastheflrowi" bod
thesowo es vs 11 o n’some y
7 than. I‘ called ‘em out. an‘gglonvinced ’em
.tllfl Bmheot for'emto stmdhereundormy

v
u

 

:6 Enable Ben, the Prince of the Pistol.

guétrd‘ianship till sum one come along to investi-
a

" ["11 see about it," Ransom said, striding toward
the cabin.

“Hold on!“ Walt ordered, authoritatively; “not

so first, tllnl', if you please!“ .

“ How?" the borderer asked, looking buck.

“ Don‘t be so much in a hurry," Di'aylon udvisod.
“ Just hind tin-so two wolves in men and \viluuicn‘s
garb, un‘ then we'll both take a look.“

Accordingly Lightning Luke produced some stout
cord from his game-bag. and securclv bound the
wrists of St. Elmo and Silver Sal together.

“ Thar, now,” he said, with a lau h, “ a can take
a gromynude down tor thei- gulch e yer ike, an’ ex-
hi it yerselv cs fer tlicr Siamese twins.“

“Sure enough; git n-goin’i" agreed Walt, and
with the toe of his boot he an: St. Elmo a start—off,
and away went the strange y-ussorted pulr, howling
buck iin-ir threats. Sal was for staying near to the
cabin, und keeping it watch over it, but her nn»
mniublc companion pulled her alon down the hill,
bent on finding some one kind enoug to release him
from his bonds.

Wrestling Walt and Ransom now turned their at-
tention to the cabin, after watching the prisoners
go down the hill. \

On entering. they beheld a sight that caused them
to involuntarily cry out in horror—to hide their
eyes to keep out the terrible sight.

Lying upon the floor, weltering in little pools of
blood—«blood that had gushed from cruel wounds
upon her body, was a youn girl, of seventeen, or
thereabouts, in a state near y akin to nudeness. for
her dress was torn down to her waist. On her back
were bloody melts and gashes that had been made
by an ugly rawhide whip, which lay upon the floor;
b ood was smeared upon a face that was very retty
in feature; the hair was long and golden, an very
heavy.

She was lying in a state of semi-lnsensibility; she
did not seem to know of the presence of the two
men, yet she groaned in a low, )itiful manner.

“This is awfuli" exclaimed \ restlinz Walt. shud-
derin ’. “ lt'sluc for the poor thing’s persecutors
that knew not ing of the enormity of their
grime, for I’d have shot them down without hesita-

on.‘

“And served 'emri ht,” agreed Ransom. “But
come; let‘s git the ga out of this difficulty; ugh! I
hate to tech her, for f car it will hurt her."

“What shall we do wi‘ her?“ the wrestler asked,
perplexedly. "Hanged if I‘m much of a nurse for
wimmen kind."

“Leave me ter ’tend tor that part.“ responded
Ransom. "I'm sum‘at of a nurse meself. We‘ll
just kerry the al up ter a cave about a mile
abfove, here; tha s whar I hold out, and she‘ll be
so e.

“ Very well," assented Walt. He was lad enough
to have the bordermsn take the respo bilit from
his shoulders. "Let's get to work before t at old
shecat and St. Elmo come back upon us.”

They tenderly raised the maiden from the floor,
and while Drayton held her u in an ufiright posi-
tion. Luke Ransom washed an dressed er wounds
with care and skill. Her torn dress was then re-
adgusted, and she was made more comfortable.

etween them the two men carried her out of the
cabin, and up the mountain-side far above where
civilization had encroached with its canvas and
wooden abodes. Here wasalarge fissure or open-
ing in the crags, which led into a cave of moderate
dimensions.

A fire was burning, which gave the surroundings
something of a cheerful appearance. A few blan-
kets. a rude bench or table, and a couple of camp-
stools comprised the furniture.

“There!” exclaimed Ransom.asthe girl was laid
u n the blankets. “ Now, we'll fetch her to, an see
w t there is about this matter. Banged et she
ain’t right petty, now, for one 0’ her size. ' ,

m

We Ben. tho Prince of the Pistol. 1‘7 “

/

 

“I agree with you," the wrestler replied, admir-
inzly. “Somrwhcrc I've Reenaface that reminds
mg of Lhis, and hair, too, alike, but I cannot now tell
w «re.

The blood was washed from the facc,thereby en-
hancing its rare beauty. and the hair combed out;
than Ransom poured a small uantity of liquor
bot‘ivceu the pale lips from a ask that he car-
rm .

The effect was satisfactory. for in a few moments
the poor thing gavearznsp, and opened her eyes,
staring about her in evidvnt alfritrht.

“ Don‘t be skeered. miss'" Luke said, gently.
“ Yc're in safe hands now, an‘ ye nccdn 't be afeard
0' our w’ippin‘ you; eh, pnrd 7'

“NO' we re your friendsl" replied Walt, earnest~
ly. “ flow do you feel?"

“Sore oh, so very lame and sore,“ moaned the
girl. " My back seems perfectly raw, and my head
aches terribly."

"No wonder; them brutcs ni'h ‘bout killvd you,
hanged of they didn‘t. \\'ar t e woman yer mo-
therY” .

“ Ugh! no; lhave no mother nor father—only a
brother, of m same age, and God only knows where
he is now. 1 ave not Ht‘t‘ll him for a year. The wo—
man stole me from him and the fur-trader's home
where we lived, and brought me to this lace. She
tried to make me dance in a whisky- ell, but I
wouldn‘t, and she beat mu Without mercy; but,
thank God, 1 was strong enough to hold my own,
until to-dav, when she gets bad man to ho a me,
while she oqged me With a cruel whip!"

A cryvof horror esca .l honest Duke Ransom,
whileh alt Drayton u tered an oath under his
broat .

He had never deemed St. Elmo such a base villain

as this. ‘
To§§ther the had visited various towns through
the est, an wrestled before large audiences:
never on very intimate or friendly terms, yet Dray-
ton had not cared so much about it, for he perceived
that St. Elmo was of a grim, taciturn nature. But
he had never counted him so great a Villain.

“ l‘ll ‘tend to this matter. lad ,“ he said. “If the
woman an‘ her companion don t suffer twice what
you have suffered, why, I'm out of my mind."

“ Thank you. sir; both of you are very kind. and I
shall always feel grateful toward you. Heaven
alone knows what had been my fate had not you 1
come and pounded at the door, for l was fast yield-
ing to the torture."

“ And do you feel any better now?”

“ Yes, my back does not pain me so much, though
it is very sore."

“It will soon be well, if you keep uiet." said
Drayton. " Here you are sa e, and ne fear noth-
lnz. But ou have not told us our name?"

“ I had orgotten, sir, it is Bel e Jerome."

“Jerome? I've heard such a name, somewhere.
What was your brother's handle f“

“Ben, sir—Buffalo Ben he was more generally
called. because he wore a. buffalo-skin suit."

“Buffalo‘Benf Is it possible? Why, there,is a
fellowhere in Deadwood who answers to that name
and suit; and, come [to think, he has golden hair
like oursi"

“ hl that is my dear brother!" cried the girl,
Rflghtening up wonderfully. “are you sure he is

ere

 

“ Positive, for I saw him, not two hours ago, come
out of a powder store, down in the gulch."

“ Then, please go and find him. at once, and bring
him here, will you?“

“Prudence would advise that Iwait ‘til night be- ‘
fore venturing out, for fear your enemies might be
watching, and bring ove weriniI numbers to re-
ca turn you. Then, you s isee im.“

they waited for darkness; but before it come.
there came something else the. effectually prevented
the wrestler from leavi the ttle cabin on his mis-
sion—something night unexpected.

CHAPTER 1X.
'rnn bran-m mama.

"THREE!" shunted Ferguson—“fire!”

I Then there were two sharp. ringing reports and a
Jet of flame lea aid from each revolver-mun o—the
sing of two 1cm en death-messengers was distinctly
heard by the spectators.

“My gold nuggit ag‘ln‘ seventy million dollars,
thct thcr boyce ain‘t hurtl" roared the man from
Potato (iulch. “ Whoop 'em, Eliza Janei who wants
ter bet—seventy million ng‘in‘ mv mu. it?” ’

All u-ero t'll'cll‘iiiud at the result of t e duel. Buf-
falo Ben stood with folded arms, uninjured. u:-
daunted.

Major Fuwdon‘s left wrist was shattered. and
bleeding [rm-1y: and the ma or was cut-sin loudlv.

" l<ind npmyhand!" he cried fiercely ; “ 'mgoinz
to kill that young thivf, next tlmei"

“Oh! l‘llim Juno!“ howled Rattlesnake; “ will ya
stand that. liuilier Bon-jnm-in? Wull vo allow thet
red-nosed (im'yncrment galoot tor c lye a Clapto-
mann 'ackl Uh! boyeei boyeel ye'll never rise to
ther residental chi-er, ef ye allow a teller tor sling
‘thief ‘ in yer face at this early stage. Don't hurt
so much artter ye‘re once elected ther fa that 0' or
country: but. 1mm, oh! Eliza, mypurple- lntedp -
rose 1 blush for thee, I do, frum the very sole 0' my
stocv boots!"

‘- Bind up my hand, I sav, somebody!" again cried
the major, in a rage. “ The next time I'll—" .

“Git suited worse ‘11 what you did this time!" fin-
ished Ben, coolly; “so I should advise you to stop
behalf. you go too far."

" i!
youi“ Fawdon returned, savagely.
or mine, now i" '

you can crow as much as you  coitus 
8 your 0'

“ All right; l‘m satisfied if you are. I judge I can '

fix you out in tine style, with one more shot. ‘V

“ Plurrai three cheers fer ther Stahjangled Spam
neri“ roared he from Potato Gulch, executing a
creditable highland fling, in the middle of the space
allotted to the duelists. " My goldnuzgit ag'ln' sev-
entv trillion thet Buftier Ben wins the race wi'out
breakin‘. e‘s a thorough-bred stallion, ar' Ben,
teller-pilgrims, an’ kin jist crawl away i’rum yonder
lazy jack mule, beeutifuli"

‘ See herel“ the major eiled. rushing up to the
eccentric miner, and for t e moment forge ling his
injured wrist, ‘ you noisy lout, 1 want to hear loss
from'you. or you'll be sorry. Call me that over
again. and I‘ll undertake the responsibth of knock-
ing you down!“

“On: Elimi“
ished. “you knoc
you red-nose son of a . ,

U came the officer‘s hand, and a blow was n.1qu
full in Old Raltlesnake’s- bewhiskerod faco‘ bu it
was dextrously warded off, and the next ling the
unlucky major knew he was lying outstretchedupon
the around.

“Whoo
victorious y. “
I am. Did ye hear me me-eeow?“

aston-

sped the other evidentl
m .

me down, you long-e
pot-‘ras’ler—"

‘em 11 l Eliza June!" in

et‘s ther kind uv a omas K.

s in athized with him in histrou les.
Jergdirtied, one foot was wet, havin pro acted in-
to the sluice, and his left eye was swo len ut.

A ripple of laughter ran thro h the crowd, a.
they looked at him. One would vesald thatho
was badly whipped, at aflrst glance; but such was
not the case. I

“ Where hismBul'ralo lgei’l?" he demanded, m
around wit 8 one use it eye. . . ~~

“ Ohl Eliza i" murmured Rattlesnake, with I (link
ace-J I then he war about ter ask for m."

‘- Be is h l"th th liedhvm
Buflalo n are a you {:36 w Ml

recisel, the same spot where he had 3
{)voundezi his antagonist. “If you ain't sathtlodyit,
why. come ter time at on‘c‘t, and I’ilfud ye.
“ Yes," said old Jack Fergume tly: “ of
ye want any more. major, come
money, nowadays, you know."

the miter.
on .

Th ' w assistedto his fee byaeou lewho '
emaJor as Hug!

lateness; time‘s

 

 

 

1 9w

18 Bufalofiem‘thomneeofthel’isto‘l.

 

" Sech bein' ther case, hycr’s a me-e—owin' Thom-
as K. Cat as would like to swop off a few hours
0' time each day fer a big) allowance of iilky
lucrei" the man m Pota Gulch announced

v .
“haymajor got one of the crowd to bind up his

' wrist. It was excessively Painful. but his honor was

at stake, and he was determined to wreak vengeance
on the cool outh. who stood smilineg looking on—
the golden- young scout, who was hourly win-
ning golden opinions from the rude, honest mining
element.

The wrist bandaged, the major teed the mark,
a revolver cooked in his right hand, which trembled
perceptiny as it came to bear.

“ Now, gentlemen, do fer Heaving‘s sake make yer

ts count. this time; no more 0' yer tender-heart-
cduess, or I’ll throw up the sponge!" Fergueson cried,
' “ I‘ll sa one, two. three an' away
sock et ter each other fer

kilL D‘ve hear?“

“ We do i" replied Ben, slip ing a loaded cartridge
in the place 0 the explod one. “We‘re ready,
now so go ahead wi‘ yer Centenyal clam-bake."

“ ' e ready. ma or?"

“Pe ectly," was t e mechanical response.

“ Ar' ye ready. Ben-jam-ini" queried the man
from Potato Gulch, anxiously.

“ Perfectl ” assured Ben with a grin.

" Very we iwe'll perseed ter business,“ Fergueson
announced. ‘ One. "

Up earns the revolvers to a dead level.

Ben was cool, self-possessed, fearless.

or Fawdon was pale and nervous; his hand
~trem led .so much that it. was with dimculty he
could keep anything of an aim upon his adversary’s

V u may]!
.“ Time! and away she goes!" cried Fergueson,

ra .
yflames leaped from the steel tubes, and then
the major uttereda yell of pain. This time a bul-

'. "let had shattered his right hand, tearing one finger

out of joint. Truly this was Wonderful marksman-
ahi ; and applause was given without limit.
1 &n stooped and icked up a long lock of golden-
hair that Fawdon‘s llet hnd clip frompne side
of his head, without drawing blOOi .

. “Pretty close shave!“ he remarked, with a grim
smile; “they say a miss ar’ good’s a mile. however.

the major? Got a stonuwhl’ul. eh?“

“ Have he?" roared the Potato—gulchiau. “ Reckon
so. Whoop ’61!) u , Eliza, hiushin‘ primrose; Mel’s
ther kind ov shoo n' I luv ter see. Plug ed et ter
,m jes‘snhansum as ary mortil man ked 0, on not

f l ,
“and” swore roundly, and shook his injured
right at Buflalo Ben threateningl .

‘Curse you!" he cried, his face ivid with hate.

“I'll. be even with you, yet, or my name ain‘t
' Fawdon. Even though you have disabled
'me, ar‘men in Deadwood who‘ll, work for
‘ money, and whomiyou won’t trifle with. Remem-
l"

mthen the Vanquished duelist turned. and left

v «the spot, followed by a taunting laugh from young
' Jerome. and also, another laugh fro

‘ "known source—the terrible, chilling laugh of Dead-
. woodman-wild, mocking, awful!

«  33m no one knew whither it came: yet a suspicion

In some un-

natural! aroused. that in dee disguise, the
mean rec’d ent chief w'as in thgir midst!
Among a hu red men how could one man be

. singled out as the distinguished Richard9

Major rawdon returned to his hotel. and as he ran

; :up the steps Stella came out to meet hi

hi.

' “om George 1" she exclaimed, her eyes dilating,
" on have been hurt."

‘Ruined for life i" he swore. holding upnlAis hands,

“w. “ Curse that boy; Ell have life for

- “Hold you you‘d get the worstof it!" was her

 

offered consolation. “ If I had not exacted a prom-
ise from him he would have killed you."

After the uel. Buffalo Ben sauntered 08 toward
the heart of the town, while the crowd dispersed in
several directions. '

Everywhere were little lmots of miners and citi-
zens, excited! discussing the news that had spread
like wildfire t rou h the place, concerning the es-

of Deadwood id: and his men.

s be roceeded the young scout saw a Regulator
aplproac ing wearing his suit of buffalo-skin. in
w ich he ha always taken so much pride. But he
said nothing, for he did not care to have the Regula-
tors remember that it was he whom they had cap
turcd as a road-agent s y.

In passing the hotel w ere Fawdon stop
Stella nmtioning to him from an upper
waited till she joined him on the Ste B.

“ You nearly killed George,“ was er reproachful
salutation.

“ Oh! no; a dozen such wounds would not kill him,"
Ben assured, with a smile. “ Pretty mad. isn't he?“

“ Mad? that‘s no name for it. on have crippled
him, and he‘ll 3 nd every cent he isworth but what
he‘ll see you pu under the turf. Beware of assas-
sins hereafter."

“ Yes. I‘ll kee an eye open in the back of my
head. Reckou t iey'll hev to git up in the mornin' to
circumvent me, tho‘ i“.

"You are too confident. Some time you will get
struck, when off your guard."

“ Which I never am,“ was the reply.

“ Here—do you want this?"

He held 11 the long golden curl which Fawdon‘s
bullet had c ipped from his head—a soft silken ring-
let that any man might be proud to wear, and sorry

to lose. .
Stella seized it with a delighted little cry, and kiss-
ed it i‘ondly——then blushed is confusion at her bold-

ness.

“ Where did you—how—when—" she be an.

“It was shot from the side of my head, ‘ he said,
smiling “b your amiable brother. ‘

" .lly rot or!" she exclaimed, evidently astonish-
ed. ‘ What do you mean?"

“ I mean that your brother, Major Fawdon, shot
the lock away during our duel.“

“ Ha! ha! agood joke. Ma ’01- h‘awdon my brother?
I an posed you knew better t an that, Mr. Jerome."

“ hen ou den that he is your brother?"

“ Certs. nly. e is my guardian."

" And your name is— '

“ Stella Wadsworth!"

“ Wadsworth 1" Buffalo Ben stared at her curious-
ly. "Humphi I‘ll bet a coon-skin you're tryin‘ ter
shet my eye up. Either you ain‘t Wadsworth, or
else the major ain‘t Fawdon; l'cr it‘s plain enough
that you two are brother and sister."

“Some persons always make mistakes!" the girl
retorted. with a toss of her head.

Just then the report of a pistol-shot rung out, and
abullet whizzed b , unpleasantly near to Jerome's
head. Involunta he raised his 9 es toward the
upper windo s of t e hotel. and be eld the sullen
face-of Major awdon'withdraw from view.

" Who fired that shot?" Stella demanded, glancing
about in alarm. '

" Major Fawdon was amusing himself at a little
target practice," Ben coolly replied. nodding up-
ward. “Judge I‘d best get out of range before he
succeeds in hitting me. See you again, sometime,

, .

‘3 Yes. of course. I will keep this lock of yourhair
next to my heart," with an earnest look. “Good-

da ."

‘yGood-da “' and then Ben went on up the street.

Toward the came ufion the shanty of “ Mask-
ed Maude." e fortune~te er.

The door was open, and the mysterious {reprie-
tress was standing upon the threshold bit-at ing the
perfuxtr‘i‘eoladen breeze that swept dOWn from the
menu as. '

. he saw
ndow, and

Bilalofiomthol’rineeotthe Pistol.

10

 

She started as she saw the young revolver-shot.
then came forward and extended one faultless white
hand saying in a voice of peculiar sweetness. which
Ben t ought. he had heard somewhere once before:

“ Good-evenin . sir. Nico outside."

“ Yes. delight ul," Ben replied. wondering what
was to come next.

" Been into the Metropolitan?“

“ No; what‘s going on there?“

“ Couldn’t say. Do you play cards?"

“Sometimes. i’or amusenu-ut.“

“And mone , too I dare say?"

“ Rarely. ever ad much luck."

“ (.‘onu- inside. and have a game."

“ No, I thunk you. Don't in-v no appetite fer cards
just at present.”

“ Bah l" with a merry laugh; “ you're suspicious—-
afraid of me, a woman!"

“ That's a lie!" Ben replied. bluntly.
if I ever saw that female
care for cards, though."

“ Well, let them go, then; but come in and have a
social chat."

“ Ain’t in no mood fer social chatsl" was the re-
joinder. Ben didn’t half-like this tortune-teiier’s soft.

rsuasive tones.

“ ( ‘an‘t help it; you must come in!" was what came

“ Hunt! me
war ‘iraid of yet. Don‘t

next.

“Must I? Like tersee the critter that can make
me do it,“ and out came a revolver. full cocking with
an ominous click. “Now go in. lemons."

Masked Maude uttered a. low laugh and retreated
into the shanty. closing the door after her. Then
Buifalo Ben went on up the gulch. wondering more
than ever over the mysteries of Deadwood.

As the shadows of night fell over the golden m9-
tro oils, the crowds in the streets became denser,
um . consequently, business livalier. Work was over
for the day, and play had just begun. Grim, dirty
miners came tl‘llt ging in from the claims; pick-
pockets and dark-brewed desporadoes stood on the
watch for victims to insnare. .

inside the Metropolitan Saloon was the usual
Crowd of adventurers and re resontatives of D( ad-
wood‘s pepulation—a mass 0 humanity. the faces of
which would have been a study for Nast or any other
facial artist.

Among the audience was Bui‘l’ulo Ben. sauntvring
idly around. endeavor-int: to pass away an Honingr
by watching the s rts of others. And soon he was
destined a take a and himself.

One of the crowd. and no less a man than ex-
Lieutenant Fred Audie . of Deadwood Dick‘s hand,
walked straight up to t 0 young scout. and slapped
him on the shoulder.

“Here. Roxiy!" he criod to the Regulator chief.

\ who stood a few yards orr. “ this young galoot can
tell ye where Dendxvuod Dick is. Nabhini, and make
him toil what he knows."

" Leave go your hold." said lien coollv. “ i reckon
you don't mean me, stranger; I know nuthin' o'

dwood Dick 1"
“Hot hot" the traitor road-agent laughed mock-

ingly: “ e can‘t lie to me, my boy. I saw you
talk n,“w ‘ the prince up in ther gulch this after-
noon.

“ In that case I shall hold yei“ said the cantain of
Regulators. advancing.

“Hallol” cried the egulntor who had taken pos-
session of Ben‘s buffalo-costume: “ thet’s the spy we
caught who got off wx' the road-agents. See! he‘s
ggt‘on my togs. and I’m one humor-skin suit better
0

‘zkizhtl” Roxly assented. “We‘ve caught our
lbird‘ this time. Give up your weapons, young tel-
er ‘

“ In this fashion!“ Ben cried. drawing and cocking
II revolver in each hand. “Now. come along, you
galoots as want ter take me!" .

And as if ti: husky-viii;1 to his cha‘lilerlr‘lzrehaApl‘fitol
rcport 111 ran a room an e u ey
cropped 135a: main—dead .' '

 

CHAPTER X.
. nnrnssn om: or NATURE'I own uws.

“Dunwoon DICK!" came from the crowd in one
involuntary asp, and then the glared around,” it
in fear of he 10“ in ' his dread. ure standing before
them. But it' Ric iurd was in the room, he was so
cleverly disguised as to def recognition.

Bul'l'alo Ben had been most in the act of laying
for the cit-lieutenant. but this friendly bullet had
spared him the work; he therefore turned to Roxly.
who with his Regulators was standing near. dum-
iounded. for the time being}.

"Thar. pilgrims!" said -n, coolly, “ye see what
that fellvr got fer his supper. [-10 war a traitor to
Deadwood Dick‘s gang. and got well paid tor his
treachery."

“I b‘lievo my soul you shot him yerseii'
shouldn‘t much wonder at you he of
Dick‘s gangl“ Roxiy cried.

“ Get out!" Ben laughed heartily at the idea.
:11 Pin no road-agent cuss; you can bet yer ducata on

a 3.

"i say you are, an' I‘m goin‘ ter arrest an‘ lynch
you wi‘ont deln '. Boys, seize the little cussl"

“Hold!” But alo Ben cried. his voice ringing out
cloariv through the room—“halal yon da-tsrd
houm u. and hear me out. I am not a road-agent;
mwur it. Last night I was captured by Deadwood
Dick‘s men. just before you gave them chime. I was
forced to accompany them into the ravine; I volun-
tecl'ed to reconnoiter, and you captured me. When
the road-a cnt mode a lush from the cabin. I did

not go wit l them.“

" An' we're going toha you higherthanElmani"
cried Old Roxly. “ Ron -agent or no road
ye war workin' fer the interests 0' Deadw
so ve‘re bound to wear a hemp collar. Boys—”

“ iiold 2" Buffalo Ben again cried, his eyes gleam
imz. “ I have explained all. Keep oil. it you vol“
life. for rather than submit to Judge Lynch. i'ii W
through blood so sure as my name- is Ben Jerome.
Now. then. gentlemen, do as you think besti"

There was a momentary pause; an intense silence
reigned; the great cro d that swarmed aroundstood
on their ard waiting he issue.

“ Seize lini" cried Roxiy; then in a body I dozen
of his Re lators rushed upon the youngsoout.

Crack! ang! went his revolvers the ring of one
shot being succeeded by another—t e bullets reach-
ing their mark with deadly accuracy. Down went
one after another of the Regulators, and still the
young Prince of the Pistol stood his ground, his lips
sci lirm. his eyes flashing. But this could not last.

The crowd sided with the Regulators. and at an
appeal from Roxly. they swarmed around the boy
and took lim a risoner. He was bound hand and
foot and fume . Then they bore him back to that
lonely oh cabin-prison, where he had once before
spent the night.

into this cabin he was rudely tumbled, and the
key turned u
of his men
avert an escape this

Let us return to the cave where we left Wrent

Xi'an and his companions, Lightning Luke and
erome. , V

The shadows of eve were just beginning to grow
thick down in the gulch. when an explosion weaned
—n. terrible shock that made the very mountain
tremble. * V

It was all over in a moment. and then our trim
beheld, to their horror, what damage hndheendonex
Huge rocks choked u the entrance to the cavern.
shutting out light an shuttlnz‘ in the then.

“By heavenl" restling Walt cried as he gated
at his two com one—J‘ we're done for now. Into.
When do you think—"

"Thet it war the work 0’ them an we tuk the gel
from. They war weri'ul‘ mad. when we jounced
‘em on down the iii. an’ swore bloody Vengeance.
So I ziv' ’61:: the credit 0' this Job. And I'm shard."

v.

All” I
wood

'ept watch on.the on
time.

:1 him while out Rogéeand never:
l 

4

\

 

 

awhv

to sumo sen. tho Prince oftlse 91ml.

 

he added. “ we can never remove these rocks, in ther
Lord‘s world, except 'by powder, and that ‘d hardly
fetch 'em~at least. thar ain't enough in our crowd
to budge 'em an inch."

" “ I don’t know about that. I‘ve not uhuudred and
fifty cartridges. or over; and besides, hero‘s half u
pounl of giant powder I found on the titl'efi. to-dny,
Altogether, we might squeeze out a pound 0‘ the
stu. ."

“ Well. we can try; but thnr‘s no use 0' bein' in a
hurry. No doubt our enemies ll lam-p an Byi' hyvl“
bouts. fer a day or so; an‘ of our plun should suc-
cecd‘; they‘d stand ready to salivate us when we cum
on

ma; i-....r«~......‘ V,

’7.

A couple of torches were ignited and thrust into
niches in the wall and their blaze lighted the cavern
in every part. e the. too, was replenished, and
preparations made for a long sojourn in the rocky
mountain $ison.

Luckily, ansom had just that mornimr. killed a
deer, which promised to furnish food for some days
tocome.

I Afteravenison supper all felt in more cheerful
- spirits Belle, e a1 y, b htening up wonderful-
ly. she was v aclous, n lligent. good-hearted,

_ ' d fairly educated, and made a very pleasant com-

After awhile all dropped asleep, and so remained
until day-dawn. the morn light finding its way in
through the few cracks in t to entrance.

That day passed slowly enough, and when night
once again settled down over the mountain, the two
men proceeded to Work, resnlved to effect an escape
from their drear prison, at all hazards.

Each carried a revolver. These were fully loaded.
than the remainder of their cartridges were 0 ened

' -two hundred, in all—and theircontents mix with
the half a pound of giant powder that Walt had
found, therebfiemaking quite a charie.

' A hole in t main rock that bloc ed the passage
awarded a place for the charge, and it was rammed
home with a will, for. should this fall, Walt knew
= that they were doomed.
9A f‘use connected with the wder. and after all
was in readiness, and Bella, ha been stationed at the
rear of the cavern out of reach of harm, Ransom
gagged a burning brand from the fire, and lit the

_ t

1‘.-y’mv'pt“ w‘vA-‘Z-u' ya.)

' ‘x r .‘ -2fifi.%~g‘mmm

    
   

v A few seconds would tell whether they were to be
> gee. or forever, until death came, live in this prison

 

o

No doubt Buflalo Ben would have been lynched
» immediately, had the matter been left to the Regu-
_ more, for he had slain or wounded several of them
' in that in the bar-room.
But the Government had lately planted a firm foot
upon Deadwood soil. and enforced certain laws,
it necessary for even the Regulators to give
a prisoner a heaan before the summary justice of
hanging to the nearest tree.
. Toward midnight the vicinity of the prison was de-
' sorted. and, despite their bravest efforts, a feeling of
apprehension attacked the guards; even Old Roxly
was not root against it.
“.Wh the de'il is ther matter wi‘ me?" he growl-
, ed‘ . “ Sumhow I feel as skeery as 'an old colt
in ' time."
7' “ eroicomes sfmebodyfign‘ thalt'sablessed thilgg."
sung on a Regu ator. ' a mu eeven cum ‘ ng,
"’ mt“ lane” b ard ch" wiftl
/ ps,ru ,were e a roa mgs y
, in the fineness of thgrbight no glimpse
1 , be obtained of the comer. It was evidently a
woman. for the Ito were light, quick, elastic.
Thumb“ one second cocked their revol-

vars.
' “ who comes that-r" hailed Roxly, grufiiy. “Who
. , an‘ what d‘ye want i"
._ , a woman. so fear not i" replied a clear, sweet
Wandthen a slightdgure, enveloped in a man's

 

 

army cloak stepped in among the road-agent hun—
tors

"l—lellol a gal. by thundwrl" the chit-f unwanted
in nppul'cnt astonislmu-ut. " “huluwr i'c lied )e
‘wuv out hem all alone by yerself, sweety?‘

“None of your iusnlcuce, sir." the. girl replied,
drawing herself up, huughtilv. "Use no cinhnring
epithets to 1:10. I am Major Fawdou‘s wtu‘d, sir, and
I comi- to has; of yull m rolcnsc Bui‘i’ulo Lieu. who of
all men is innoccut of association with the loud-
tun-ills.

“ Sol-W, miss, but “'0 can‘t oblevzc ye—orful pity,
t .0, iurl‘in u u-niowvr. myself, un' nary purtier gal
did t‘Vl‘l‘ I see in [hos ‘l-x‘e country."

“ 'l‘ll"l'i’ you one uguiu !“ Stella cried. angrily.
“Please answer my questions, and “Void your ex-
n-essioim of admiration. Why won‘t you reicuse

ufl'uxo Lion!"

“ Eusv r-nuil’ uns‘urod, ma'um. Ho’s a cuss as war
onus-lit in uidiu‘ Duallwood Dick. nu‘ that made him
a mull-agent in our eves, no mutterci' he be ther
biggest pueaclxer in the world. So u'c‘ro goln‘ tor
hang him up [or dry in the murniu'.“

“ Ohl no! no! you must not!" cried the young wo-
man beginning to cry. “ You must not!"

“ lint we shall!“ Role declared. grimly. “an' all
the snivolin’ an’ cat-waniin‘ ye can crowd inter
twenty-four hours 0‘ time won't change our mind
on't. Why, gal, he salivated half 0' my crew up ter
the Metro olitan, right straight along, an‘ laid some
on 'em on fer flemy along Salt river."

“ Yes, I hes so,“ was the faint rep , “and
more‘s the pity he didn‘t finish you at t e same
time!"

This with intense bitterness of tone. Then she
turned back toward Deadwood, and the Regulators
were left to themselves.

“l was thinkin‘l" observed the chief, after they
were once more alone-“w not take the younr
cuss out an' hev ther satisfaction 0‘ swingiu‘ him all
to ourselves? After he‘s dead no one ’11 trouble us
about how he went off."

“ Good!” chimed in all of the men, eagerly.
“ Let’s string him up. now.“

it was evident they were anxiOus to have the job
done with.

“ Well,so be it, then," assented Roxly, a murder-
ous light in his eyes. “Get a rope some 0’ you.
1-! er‘s a tree right handy. Fetch out the rascal.“

he cabin door was bumt open, and Bufialo Ben
was draeégd out into the n ht. In under the tree
that was be his gallows. e was made to stand
erect while the noose was adjusted about his neck.

 

 

CHAPTER XI.
A coursm—nsrunm—rsm

Uxml'. most men, J. Aaron Wadsworth cared lit-
tle for name or high tion; he never particilpatcd
or took interest in po itics. and had few frien s and
little influence among his fellow-men, except what
he chose to urchase with his wealth.

Not a re ative had he in the wide world. near
enough of kin to fall heir to his possessions should
he succeed in effectually removing these children of
the woman whose very memory he hated. .

“ And I will remove them,” this human fiend re-
solved. “and also this girl whom Fawdon is t ing
to lm off on to me. I'll have her put aside, rat,
a then hunt u the others. Bill Burk is the man
to do the job an I think I can now trust the fellow."

And the millionaire left the hotel in search of Burk
—Lucifer in search of Satan.

He first visited the Tabernacle and scanned the
sea of faces here. but the giant rufiian was not there.
The “ Metropolitan " was next entered with like

result.

“These shobsnas are almost too high-toned for
Bill." be muttered. “Something of a still lower or-
der would better suit his tastes. Hello! here‘sthe

mmmmamm I!

 

‘Slo Bucket.‘ That savors more of finding him."
and nto this. the vile-st den in Deadwood went the
searcher.

Sure enough he found Burk sitting at u been
table in a drunken sleep and ooking as if he had
been through any amount of bar-room trouble. No
doubt he had been making free use of the money
he had lately received for his murderous job six-
teen ears ago.

eyl wake up!" Wadsworth exclaimed. shaking
himhby the shou der. roughly, “ What are you do-
ng ere?”

“ What‘s the matter wi‘ you I“ growled the rui'flan,
flaring about savagely. his bloodshot eyes half swal-
en shut. and his face flushed and bloated. “What
d‘ye want?“

“How much moneya have you left?" demanded
Wadsworth. feeling h way carefully.

" Nar a copper!" Burl: grunt/ed, rather sorrow-
fully. ‘ Reel-ton I bought tnrant‘ler fer the most
part 0' et.”

" Do you want more?”

“On course I do! Goin‘ tt-r fork over a con le of
thousan'?" and out reached the ruman‘s han s, ea-
ger to clutch the moneg.

“ No you don‘t." Wa sworth said. with provoking
coolness. “If you want more money you ve trot to
work for it; do you hear! Not another farthlng will
I ever give you till you do a Certain job for me, and
do it thoroughly. too."

Burk stored in a drunken way; shut u one eye so
that he would not behold two J. Aaron Vadsworths
standing before him, instead of one. ‘

" Some more dirty work ye want ter git outer my
hands. eh?" he questioned. slee il .

" More blow/y work!" the m lhonaire corrected.
with a heartless luugh.

Then he ordered a bottle of brandy, and a couple
of glasses.

“ Help yourself, William. while we talk busi-
ness.“ he said. seating himself op osite the ruffla‘ .
“ Nothing like a little dampness [Li dad to a transac-
tion.“

And Bill Burk was not slow to help himself, pour-
ing out a brimming glass of the raw poison, and
gulping it down in a draught. Then he stared at
Wadsworth. waiting for him to proceed.

The millionaire was drumming on the table in a
thoughtful manner, his brows knitted together in a
dark scowl.

“ It‘s another woman I want put out of the way,“
he said at last, addressing his hlear-eyed auditor,
“an’ I want you to do the job."

i ‘i‘ Waal, I‘m agreeable, pervidin' thar‘s any money
11 t.“

“Of course. I‘ll pay you, but you must first get rid
of the girl. I'll give you a thousand dollars to put
her six feet under ground. Fair. ain‘t it?"

“Git out! Two thousan‘ ‘d hardly be a decent
ofler." the ruman growled. “ ’Sides. e‘ll hev to
cum down wi‘ yer rhino afore I‘ll lift a ngerl”

" Then I’ll give the job to seine other to h."
Wadsworth declared, decidedly. while he ma e a
feint to rise. “There's plenty of desperate cusses
who will jump at the chance."

“Just hold yer homes!" Burk said. eagerly. “ I‘ll
take the 10‘) at a thousan‘. an‘ e can pay me arfer
ltlhe ,gnl's a. corpuss. Whar‘ve got ter steer tar find

or

“Not out of Deadwood. She is here. sto pink at
the same hotel I do. Her name is Stall: You
see. Major Fawdon has set her up as one of my wife’s
ghildren—an heir to my estates; so I want to remove

er ‘

“ Major Fawdoni”

“ Yes; do you know anything of the fellow?“- and
the inquirer w execite .

“Not muc . Met him up in Helena four ears
ago. when his compan war stationed there. sed
tartan a smile wi‘ im him occasionally: that's

‘3And enough. too. It accounts for his knowl-

 

legge of this heirship business: he then laid his
ns."

" The gal is—"

“His sister. no doubt. But I want her deoen
buried. however. After you‘ve done with the job,
call on me for your pay. Mind, though.lam in
n?f pay to be mentioned in connection with the
a u r.‘

“0‘ course not. Mister Wadsworth. Sail ahead.
an' be‘a-cotintin' out yer rhino. fer I shall be along
SOON.

Then the monster took his departure. congratulat-
ing himself on his success thus far.

 

That night, while Stella was returning from her
midnight visit to the cabin prison of Buffalo Ben.
she suddenly found herself confronted by the burly
form of a man in a gloomy portion of the
road. She could see nothing of his face for the
intense darkness. but in stature he was ave ant.

“ Slow u ma‘am i" was the rough salutat on, and
Stella trem )led with fear and a rehensien. “ Beln‘t
gfitella Fawdon. eh? w‘at Bu er Ben be shinin' up

"Why do you ask. sir! What ht have you to
stop a woman in this manner? Le me pass.

“Ohl no. ye don’t do nomn‘ o’ the kind! I axed
ye a fair (Question, didn’t I? an‘ now eve got tor
give me a air ans'er—dnrn my head. 0 e hain‘tl"

“ Yes. I am Stella; so let me go—I‘m n a hurry.“

“Ye aire, airef'e? Waal, now I ain’t: I0 just be
aisy of ya can. ain‘t goin‘ ter art a ha'r 0‘ yet

urty te; but after ye ans‘er me a few ueatioos.
‘m go 11‘ ter take ya straight to indict who
wants to see ye.“ '

“ What! do on come from him?"

“ Reckon I on’t come frum no one also. of I know
myself." ‘

‘ But Ben is im soned ins cabin, back here. and
guarded by Regu tors.“ «

“ He wrur, ou mean to say. But he ain‘t now,
though ther gulators don‘t know nothia‘ about
his escape.“ — '

“Then he has reath mgped?“ -

“ Bet yer life, an' m or raise individual In
helped him out 0‘ his little ltz.” ‘

" 0h! hen 1 thank you so time i" Stella cried,
joyfully. “I was afraid it was all up with him."

“Yas, et looked purty squally. War you just
dan tefither cabin?

3%“, did yer see ther Regulators?"

es.‘

" Purty gallus set 0‘ coons, hey? Darn ’sln. they
nigh about put a punctuation p‘int inter w'en
I helped Ben out o‘ ther chimhley. ’ Want go
an‘ see the boyee ma‘am?" ‘ t

" Yes, if you will take me to him." Stella re
eagerly. and withouta shadow of suspicion. " here
is e?‘ r'

“ Not fur. miss; you just foller me, an’ we‘ll soon
come ter whar he‘s hid n’.“ -

“ Then he is a fugitive?"

“ Reckon so: ‘11 hev tar fight mighty shy. attu-
salivatin‘ them Regs." ‘

So saying the :1 ant led the way into a dark, do” I
ravine that branched off from the main gulch. he:
path was rough and tortuous. and it was with some
misgiving that the girl followed. - I . '

Fully two miles were traveled in silence—it“
ten instead of two to Stella—when the mddspamed
gndgaced abruptly about. a cooked revolver in his A

an .  c 1 ‘
“ Thar, miss l" he said. with a brutal laugh. “we
gone for enough. Buffalo Ben ain‘t hark—probe
never was.“

“ What!" Stella gasped in horror. "You-" '

“ Hev fooled you nicel i” finished Bill Burkwith
a hoarse laugh. “I to bed yod out hyer out o‘
sight aa’hearin‘, an‘ ant a-goln tor blow yer brains

 

Bum x3018. the Pflnoé‘of the Pistol.

 

A " fit yer ijees. my pretty?"

xv

!
l
i out, an’ put ye six feet under groun‘. How do that
i v V There were a few seconds of breathless suspense
i '0 ’ to those in the little mountain cave, as the fuse slow-
1 . burned nearer and nearer to the powder; then
i came I. blinding flash, a tremendous report and
7 shock, and out of the mouth of the passage shot the
‘ great howlder, and down the declivitous mountain-
; All ran to the entrance through the rowing dark-
. ness and watched the great mass 0 stone in its
F.‘ ' mad flight. Down! down! down it bounded in
‘ ' ' nt leaps, pausing at nothing, but crushing all in

ts nth.
Rfizht below, in its course, stood a miner‘s frmnn

‘i By Heaven! it‘s good-by to that caboose!" “fair
and in the next breath the stone monster
struck the obstacle with irresistible fury, literally
avg-film it. Fortunately, the miner was air
so

The cave was a rison no longer. and the thren ar-
, ' ranged at once to ave the place for one of greater

. safety. but first resolved to hunt up Buffalo Ben, in
deference to the girl’s eager wishes.

. SoLukogl-egared are wet in short order out of
the juicy es of the ear. Then Druvton made
ready to descend the mountain into eadwood,
whose twinkling lights were visible far below.

A "Keep shady. and let no one -in here, ‘less they

give my signal. which shall be "—and here the

' . wrestler lowered his voice -“two hoots of an owl."

.- “All right," replied Ransom, “go 'long Wi' yer

“sisal-twat come back as soon as you can."

. - rayjon then took his departure. and Luke and

Belle were left alone in the cave.

After a. little while Luke proposed that Bello
should lie down for the night. while he remained
awoke. for it was not policy to leave the cave un-

Shb did so, and. after covering up the

m,.Luke took a seat near it. and relapsed into a

 

  
   

. But he was soon aroused by the sharp report of 11
ml. and a bullet wblzzed unpleasant y near to his
Enemies were upon them!

 

CHAPl'Ek XII.
ROAD-AGENTS T0 was Essen.

“Yams leller, hev yer sed yer prayers?" Old
Roxly asked. as be ad listed the noose about the
neck of Buflulo Ben, “fer of you hain’t I’ advise
yoeto be sayln’ ’em instanter. fer we're a-goin‘ tar
trot before yer Master, at er rattlin‘ ace. Ye
hev we minnits. yit; improve ‘em best ye in.“

"Jerome had never been brought up religiously;
. ‘ childhoodgfis lllot haddbgen infill: almgnig a
«Mun vingse.w0pa u ieie to
2 either the laws of God or man. Still, he had icked
, some education—learn that there was an A -wise

' or to whom the sinful and wicked must at last

., look for salvation' he had. from his sister Belle,
issued a sin: little prayer. and this he now
silent one to heaven—not for the power to es-
cape, tht‘God might have mercy on his erring.

l

' Then he looked in , a fearless expression upon his
. ’i’ace. He could no speak for the ag that was
fastened in his mouth, but the has .of his eyes
. ‘ L‘ spokohisdeflance.

v r; _. . “Wasl. alre ye ready?“ demanded the chief. ea-
5 r - ger to proceed with the execution.

' ' , “Git‘redd . b’yees!" the Regulator cried. and the
other end the rope was swung over a limb. and
’_ I seized by a dozen hands It drew tight about Ben‘s,
neck. and he realized that he was about to be sent

into eternity.
“All right. Goahead—onel two! three! home
0!" «M Boxly: then there was a corresponding

l

\

 

cry from the Regulators. and the youn scout was
the next instant dangling in mid-air. ut, it was
onlv for an instant.

Out upon the still night air rung the sharp pingiof
a number of rides: the rope was severed and en
dropped to the earth again; while at the same time
fibre]: of tho would-be executioners fell dead in their

rac s.

Then came wild shouts as asoore of horsemen.
headed by the terrible Black Rider. whose very
name was a terror in the town of Deadwood, came
dushin up with drawn revolvers.

Crac 'l cracki went those deadliest of small wea-
Eons. the firing coming from both road-agents and

egulators.

“ At them. Night-Hawks!" rung out the order of
Deadwood Dick. as he iirml right and lch.—“ at
them, and don't let a mother‘s sun escape. Treach-
ery merits death, an' we‘ll give it to ‘e-m 1“

And iii-rcer waged the bottle; but. though the o
posing party fought like devils, they rapidly wca -
i'il('ii, and at last Old Roxly gave the order to seat-
tor.

And scatter they did. and took back into Dead-
won 1 a tale of horror—a shock that aroused the
populace to a pitch of frenzy, nearly bordering on
madness.

Buffalo Ben. 11 ion falling to tho ground. found
that the thongs u out illrlilllkli‘H had broken. and his
lower extremities were iron. ii‘ul' a moment he did
not know how to act, but when the road-agents
(lashed up he leaped away into the darkness, and
struck out blindly.

Bon had no idea where to strike for in the dense
blackness of the night.

He well know it. would be unsafe to show himself
in Deadwood right away. after shooting the Regula-
tors. as well as having the brand of a road—agent
upon his head. No. he must hide somewhere in the
surrounding hills, and allow the matter to l. or over.

With this determination he started oil. uutiously.
now and then pausing to listen to the sounds of the
battle of the road-agents and the Regulators.

“Hum )h! Deadwood Dink don‘t hear them fel-
lows no ovc!" he muttered. “ He's got a grudge
against ‘(un, an’ he‘s bound to wipe it all out, sooner
or later.“

lien worked his way carefully along through the
gulch, going from instead of toward Deadwood. He
kept on the alert, and yet despite this caution he
ran plump up against a horse. which was standing
like an immovable statue in his path—41 large, power-
ful gray animal, upon whose back was mounted a
woman, young and_ beautiful, as was evident at a
glance.

It was also a parent the strange rider had
halted in this lone y spot to listen to the firing that
came from the neighborhood of the old cabin.

Ben leaped back with agrunt. inaudible on account
of the gag still in his mouth.

The young horsewoman held a gleaming revolver
{:1 bar right hand. and. its muzzle pointed toward his

ea .

-‘ Who are you?" she demanded. siispiciousiy.

Of course he could not reply. All he could do
was step closer, in hopes that his interiocnter would
discover his predicament.

“Come!” she said. sternly, “ain't' you going to
answer me?”

Then, as she leaned forward. she saw that he was
gagged, and his hands bound securely behind his

so .

“Ha! you can‘t speak. eh?" she exclaimed. “I
thought you were trying me.“

She drew a long, glittering knife from the silken
sash that encircled her waist. and applied its ke’en
edge to the gag-string.

It fell to the ground, and Ben was free to speak
once more.

“ Thank you!" he said. gratefully. “ You may
also free my arms. if you please."

“ But I don't please. just yet.“ was the 0001 reply.

‘ “4—5

m Ben. the Prince ofthe Pistol.

 

“Your ton e cannot do me agy personal injury—
with our ands it mightbo di erent."

" i you need not fear. I am not abloodthirsty
Invago!‘ md Ben laughed. "l‘d be a miserable
cuss, indeed, to attack a fn'end, and that frienda
woman." ,

“ Ma be I ain‘t our friend, now, so don‘t count
your c ickens be are they‘re hatched!" was the
calm advice. “ What is your handle, stranger?“

" Buffalo Benjamin Jerome!" the scout replied,

dry] ‘. “And flours—“

m‘ksmhaoue arris. I am the wife of Deadwood
c '.
“Phew!” This was astonishing news for Ben.

“ Deadwood Dick‘s wife, eh P“
hi" Yes, sir. I am led to understand that you know

m?"

“Oh! yes, slight! ," Ben couldn‘t sa if he was
proud of the acqua ntanoe, or not. “ c has done
me several good turns."

“Sol Iheard him mention your name.
that light, down there, now?“

“ He was. when I sloped: for, you see, the Regula-
tors were going to string me up, when he and his
tellers came along. I was unarmed. so I concluded
it was best to make myself seldom around there,
But. I want you to tell me one thing: how did Dick
escape from the cabin, has ni ht?“

“I helped him. With part of the hand I captured
the Re ulators, and bound them. One of the mrn
went ( own the chimney, into the cabin, then, and
cut your bonds. Dick and he came out. then; Dick
said let the rest of you remain in there. for he had a,
plan for your rescue. But as it happened, you all
escaped ere he could put his lan into execution l“

The firing had now cease. ; it was at this period
that the Regulators had made a rush and escaped.

“l'll cut your arms free," said Leone ‘ an then
go and oin my husband. He does not know that I
followe him. ’

She suited ac'ion to the word, and then Ben was
once more entirely free.

“I ain‘t got et in my power ter thank you, enough i“
he said, humbly.

“ No thanks are required, sir," the youn wife of
Deadwood Dick replied. “ To a friend it s alwa s
friendship, with us; to an enem . always hatredi'

“Ibelieve ye. Love and ha e ar' two sions
gaggle strongest among the population of t e Black

Leone bowed. and was about to guide her horse
on down the gulch, when she seemed to recollect
something.

“ Will you see my husband Y" she asked.

“ Dunno; mebbe an’ mehbe not," Ben replied, re-
marrnhbeflng" that he should have to keep shady.
‘ 2

“ Bicause your act. at the Metropolitan has made
you an outlaw. You will not. dare to show yourself.

ould you not like to become a road-agent?"

“No, sireel" was the emphatic answer. “That
ain’t my cast 0‘ jib, at all. ma‘am. Ef I‘m an out-
law, it‘s on my own hook, an‘ H] look out fer num-
ber one.“

“Very well. I‘ll not urge you, though I think you
would be benefited. If. however, you should want
'4’ {we ”°“‘"i°°§o”t‘§";.i£“’ "1?“ W3? W “'
sis ance. app e y w ose ons on
will find on thh." y

She handed him a card: then gut spurs to her
horse and dashed down the gulc toward the old
cabin, Buflalo Ben following her with his eyés until
she was lost in the dense loom of the n ht.

“A strange couple—ch s Deadwood D ck and his
wife,“ he muttered. “ What pleasure there can be
in this hunted life is beyond my comprehension.“

He glanced at e . but it was too dark for

lm to d her what was written thereon. So he
thrust it in aninside pocket of his huntinfi-shirt
and continued on his course down the gulc . He
met several miners coming in from some neighbor.
in; claim, but took care not to let them see him; for

Is he in

 

1n the Black Hills after nightfall each man suspects
the other of being a cut-throat.

He had not gone far before he became aware that.

ople were in the gulch ahead of him. He could

near their footste )8. Two at least. he decided, a
he was able to dist nguish the footfalls.

“ I wonder who can be out here so late? ‘Pears to
me it don‘t look Just a uare. Hallol thev‘ve turned
off into this ravine. urned spookerish sort 0‘ a
place, an‘ thet‘s what's queer about et. B‘posenl
war ter foller—what then? ‘Twouldn‘t be ther furst
time Ben Jerome's trod a trail.“

He quickened his footste so that he might at
nearer.to the midnight pe estrians, but he at he
same time doubled his caution.

As the horror of her situation fully dawned upon
the mind of Stella Wadsworth she gave vent.to a ‘
piercing shriek. that startled t e mountain echoes.
and then she turned to flee.

But in an instant she was in the iron grasp of her
nn-n-iless hetrayer.

“ No ye don’t. my pretty bird l" he chuckled. hold-
ing her as easil as he would have held a child.

“ Ye ain’t a-goin ter esca nor nothin‘ like at."

“ Let me go, on horrib e man 1“ Stella cried, trem-
bling with afi ht. “Let me return to Deadwood."
and she burst nto tears and subs.

“ Oh ! what have I ever done to you that you should
want to injure me!" she moaned. “Only let me
gm" .
“Ye never did ennything ter me, in dais ." the
niftlnn said, “never even so run as cross-
eyed at me. Ter thet I'll make aflydavi "

“Then why do you threaten me? Why did you
bring me here?" v

Bill Burk leaned in ainst a tree and reflected a
moment. Why could not keep this peerless girl
for himself, and tell Aaron Wadsworth that she was
de‘mllll Ellwou'fihlevelitli‘ml: ci hex-ply d

" eye,‘ esa.gnngs aroun
him. “ l‘ve made up my mind not to murder you,
as I war hired ter do. but, instead. kee you for
myself. I’ll take e ter an old hut I now on
back h er in the Hi 8. an’ ye shall become Mrs. Bui
Burk‘JYes‘ ‘es soon as 1 can run down a gospel-sling-
er. hat say you?" I

Stella gilt up her hands in horror. ,

“ Ohl ' lme, then. a thousand times. rather than,
force me to submit to such a fatal" , .
“Gentl , gal; don‘t go for tor rile me. for I‘m a
double-1‘ ted cuss when I‘m riled. I ain't a-goin!
ter kill ye, nor nothin' of ther sort. I’m jest in
need 0' a purty wife, and ou'll fit like acharm. \30

cum 'long wi’ ye, afore 1 mt ye."

And, seizing her roughly b the wrist, the Nam
continued on up the ravine, gagging her after him.
But not a great way did he go ere he was compelled
to halt, for, scream after scream from the terrified
girl‘s ll s awoke the mountain echoes, and he vol
alarmeg lest they might attract attention. I

“ Curses on yo!“ he hissed, in a “ I'll
thet yowlin’:" and his knotted hand struck her a. -
olent blow upon the forehead. As he had intended.
it produced insensiollity; then catching her upinhll’
arms he hastened on up the gulch. his fears nay-ill
aroused. Miners were everywhere in the hills, and
already more than one might be Ollhifi '4‘“. M
Buffalo Ben was the only ursuer. He had heard
the screams and rightly in gins that there was foul
play, he rushed on to nvest ate, not even “lint ~
precaution to silence. He saw e tame:

with wonderful strides. and yet he him
ly in view. .
“Hold up. thar. on devil!"cried the at

last coming to a
abyussfzéholttlegm 9,? by the Lord Harry. 1
wo - ou ye.‘

And a revolver‘s click! click! sounded plainly.
showing that Bill Burk was goinfi’to the game.

or course Buffalo Ben halted; e was weapo " ,
and what could he do against-an armed ‘ tough?

h tontheveryhrinkofayna e

 

‘ ’v 11??!" '2':

‘ M

'mhu

I .

Bahia Bern the Prince ofthe Pistol.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
OALAKITY JANE—DEFENSE. ,

“Now, hold yer hosSes steddy !“ cried the rufflan,
as he became aware that lien had stopped. “ Ef e
cum aste closer. I'll throw this gal over into t e
abyss in ront 0' me; for as l fetched her out hyer
ter murder her, this ar' the boss place !"

Ben grosned in ’an agony of spirit. powerless to
rescue the ca tive woman; he must turn back and
leave her to t e rufflan‘s morcy.

But, hark l—a pistol-shot rung out on the air.
There was a yell of mortal agony. fierce and terrible;
then the great ruil‘lan went down to the ground, an
ugly bullet-hole in his temple He carried poor, in-
sensible Stella with him, but she received no injury
aside from a slight shock, of which she was uncon-

scious.

Ben rushed forward to the spot. The rufflan lay
where death had reached for him. A moment he
at the lifeless corse; then he athereda few
twigs and ignited them into a Iaze. that he

m ght better view his surroundings.
I On either side the rugged walls rose to a stu-
.pendons hight, their summits crowned with spectral
nes; ahead yawned a dark, awful ab ss, whose
tom was hundreds of feet below; behind ran the

' gulch-ravine. in a serpentine course. the route over

which Bed had come. The night‘s darkness was, it

’ seemed, doubly intense here in this isolated spot,

and the scout shuddered as he gave a glance down
into the fathomless depths of the ab ss, on whose
veryubrink Bill Burk had fallen indent .
“ i that is a horrible place !‘ ‘ he muttered ; and,
dra back. he turned his attention to the rufflan
e. A crgeof astonishment and horror
essay h lips as he held the girl. .
“ heaven! it is Stellai” and the next instant the
golden-haired scout was kneeling beside her. an ex-
on of alarm upon his face. “Oh! can it be
hat she is dead? No! thank God, her heart still
and she livesl A blow here upon her fore-
rendered her senseless.“
Close at hand water dripped from a crevice in the
ledge. of rocks. Filling his hat Ben dashed it liber-

‘ $5 into the iri’s face, then he bathed her forehead.

wet her pa with liquor from the girdle-flask of

the dead rufllan. The effect was gradual. yet cer-

tain, and in a few moments Stella gave a convulsive
, shiver. and opened her eyes. '

For a moment she seemed dazed and bewndered:

she rose to her feet. and Ben supported her in

' A ihisstrong. oungarms.

 

- 'gve use," explained Ben. “ As to who

cam
“ (seed at the stitching

anon-antl-

"Thank seven, I have escaped!" Stella mur-

.  with a terrified glance at the grostraie-ruf-

flan. 2‘Who killed him! What—you ere. Mr. Jer-

ome?"

“I was com out into the hills to escape Dead-
wood as, w on I overheard your screams, and
killed that
I am in entire ignorance. The shot, however,

cum along just in time, for! believe the cuss intend-

ed to throw ye over into that hole.“

“but, how came you here? I thought you were
Imprisoned in the o d cabin. I was there, and tried
‘wvooax 15:0ny to release you. but it was no use.”
v “Deadwood Dick liberated me. The Be ulators
tookme out. and were going to ban me, a ter you
left, when along came Dic , with 's road-agents,
an’ shot me down, an” then bounced the Regulators.
0! course I sloped, for I ain’t safe to be seen in

' Deadwood, now. I met Dick's wife on ther way, an’

unseat my bonds and gag. How did you come to be

' in this .tough’s power?

“He stopped me when I was returning from the
!" exclaimed Stella, shuddering as- she

corpse. “ He told me you had
sent him for nae—that you were free. and he would
[conduct meto you. Of course I came. under the cir-
stanoes. Back yonder. when I first screamed. he

cum
v told me he had brought me out here to murder me!”

Ben stared at the ground thoughtfully for a few

 

“ There is some underhand game hyer!" he said,
his brows knitting perplexedly. “Who could have
such a 3 its against you as to seek your life?"

“ Ah! cannot tell. I know of not an enemy on
earth," was the reply. “ Come, let us return to
Deadwood.“

“ No!" Ben shook his head quickly. “ i am brand-
ed as an outlaw, and it means death to go back now.
I shall have to wait a few weeks, till things cool off."

“ No need of that!“ Stella declared. confidently.
and she drew from the pocket of her dress a package
done up in brown paper. “ Here I have a disguise
that I procured for you, which will eflectunlly hide
Buffalo lien from the world." And undoing it, she
held up to view a mustache, beard and wig, all of a
dark-brown color.

“Just the thing!" was Ben‘s appreciative com-
ment, and he proceeded to don them, thereby
thorou hly disguising himself. “ N ow. I reckon. I
ain't aneard ter go back ter Deadwood an‘ [ace thei-
music.

But after a short consultation it was decided by
Ben that they should remain where they were until
the followmg afternoon. This would give a chance
for the excitement to partially blow overI and there
would be less danger of detection.

Accordingl&preparations were made for the short
sojourn. Af r securing the arms of the lifeless Bill
Burk, Ben pitched the body over into the abyss. and
it went down! down! down! forever out of t e sight
of man; then he went to work and built a rousing
fire, that lit 11 the camp with a cheery glow, and a
genial warm soon pervaded the chill air.

” I‘d ruther camp out, any time, when thar‘s lots
of wood, water. deer-meat, and hostile ingens on the
tow," observed Ben, seating himself near the blaze.
“ A hunk o’ deer’s hind leg wouldn’t come amiss
just about now, considerin‘ as I hain‘t partook 0' any
stummick nourishment lately."

“ Well. pilgrim, supposin‘ we she 11 our teeth on
a little then 1“ proposed a cheery vo co. and looking
around, our friends beheld. to their astonishment. a
gonng individual standing close by, he evidently

aving descended s ro which ran up the face of
the ravine wall to a le( go above, and was there fast-
ened to a rocky spur. A dashing-looking person,
with smooth face, black. flashing eyes. and ion
hair. and attired in a faultless suit of buckskin, wit
dainty moccasins and a slouch sombrero cocked
upon one side of the head.

“Hello!” exclaimed Buffalo Ben and also ejacu-
lated Stella, for both had seen and heard of the per-
sonage who so unceremoniously descended into
their little camp. . “ Qulamity Jane, as I live i"

“ Reckon ‘tis, pilgrim!" and this wonderful girl in
man's garb came forward extending a hand to each
of the two campers. ‘ Didn‘t ‘spect to see me, did
you?“ and she gave vent to a strange laugh. really
enhvening to hear.

‘f Was], no. Last I heard 0' you, they had you at
Shian fer pickin‘ pockets!" was Ben's matterof-fact

response. ,

“That report was a big he!" Jane asserted. “I
hevn‘t bin outside the hills, ’cept over ter Bozeman,
in a year. ’Twas another cuss 0‘ a gal that the
Che enne constables nabbed."

“ id you shoot the man who was carrying me off
a while ago?" Stella asked.

“Yes; ruther jedge I knocked sev‘ral years out o‘
hlscaileudar,“ replied the ' l, noddi . “Warn

above. an‘ see'd as he mean to; annih to ye; so
put a in his ear."
“An done mes service," said Ben. “I was un-

armed. and like’s not the devil would ‘a‘ slung her
over. but for your timely bullet."

After an hour more of desultory conversation,
Jane produced a piece of uncooked venison from an
oil-cloth blanket. which was slung to her back and
it was broiled over the glowing coals. might!)
when dtoine, a palatable repast, to which the o dfd

Jus as.
They Calamity volunteered to stand guard while

_... .w...

 

I,

1
l
i
y
l .
i
a

\

- We Ben. the Prince or the ~Pistol.’ _ ' as ‘

h .
\

\

 

Ben and Steilasought slumber and rest, which or-
rangement being perfected, the two lay 'down on
separate couches of leaves, and dropped oil! into
sweet repose.

Ben relieved Calamity a short time before day~
break, but she was not sleepy, she said, so did not
lie down.

They remained in cam through the dag. and
started, about sunsot. for eadwood, at whlc place
they arrived soon after dusk.

Stella was left at her hotel; then Ben and Calamity
sauntered around to the “Tabernacle,” and then to
the “ Met," to see what was oing on.

But all was quiet, save suc little occurrences as
tights 0r quarrels, the larger class of which rarely
attract attention among the crowd.

Calamity sat down at one of the tables, but Beu
continued to saunter around.

A commotion at one end of the saloon attracted
him, and going thither, he beheld a crowd of roughs
gathered threatenineg around a single man. ‘

It took but a glance to rezognize that eccentric
individual from Potato (iulch—-“ tho mc—e-owiug
Thomas K. Cat "chc tonguey and ludicrouslyv
homely Rattlesnake.

But. for a wonder, the old fellow was not so
tonguey now. He stood with his back against the
table; his face was an enigma to study, with its
bush red beard and variety of expression; its tirin-
lyse lips and flashing black orbs' then. too. the
gleaming cocked revolver in either hand, ready for
instant use, showed that he was at. bay—a danger-
ous man to deal with. The romhs around him also
held weapons drawn; their faces, mirrors of their
evil hearts, were stern and determined in expression.
Plain it was that there was business ahead; yet,
neither the roughs nor the miner moved to do at-
tle—it was a war of eyes.

Ben glanced over his shoulder. and saw that Co.-
lamity Jane had followed close behind him.

Then Ben pushed ahead, his own—or rather Bill
Burks—revolvers out and cocked, ready for use.

Straight through the crowd he elbowed. Calamity
faithfu ly at his side, and put his back to the table,
alon ide the besie ed miner.

Thfifis didn’t loo quite so bad for Old Rattle-
snake, ust then.

The uninvited bullet that buzzed so close to the
shaggy head of Lightning Luke, announced that a
crisis was at band.

’ "Thunder!" mildly ejaculated the hunter' as he
kicked aside the expiring fire, and seized Belle, who
had been aroused to a Sitting posture. He at once
dragged her unceremoniously to the rear of the cave,
and placed her behind a bowlder. The hunter also
crouched low behind its shelter, and both be and his
fair charge listened.

No sound came from the front; 'way out through
the entrance was visible a countless number of
twinkiin lights, which came from the hill on the op-
posite si e of Deadwood gulch.

“ Do you think it was Sliver Sal or St. Elmo, who
fired the shot?" Belle asked, concemedly.

“0' course ’twar one 0‘ their salutes!” Luke re-
plied, his revolver conveniently leveled over the top
of the protecting bowlder.

“0’ course at war! Durn their omery ictures,
they cum nigh a-sendin‘ in my statistic, t ey didi
Lucky 1 warn't asleep, or they‘d ‘a' lambasted me,
sure

“ The bullet nearly hit you. then i"

“ ’Cum wi’in ther width uv an old maid’s lip o‘ it,
blarsted of et didn’t! ’Sh-l"

Bang! went the hunter’s revolver, and so sudden
was the report that Belle umped in alarm.

“ What is the matter? by did you fire?"

“ Because I see'd sutbin' ter aim at. Harkeel dy’e
bear thet?"

A series of groans emanated from near the mouth
of the cavern.

“You have killed'some one!"

 

" Not much ;——wouldn’t hear that much squashing
ef ther aniuiile’s dead."

The groans finally ceased; either the victim was
dead or insensible, or had so far recovered as to
crawl away.

“Do you see anything?" Belle asked, growing
nervous and tldgety, at the hunter’s deep silence.
“ Ah! what was that?"

A name it was, coming from within the cavern
near the entrance—a noise as if some one had dis-
turbed a loosened stone with their foot.

“Some _one‘s got inside, arfter .all," said. Luke,
ranging his aze around through the gloom. “ More‘s
hke y l ’s ozcn ’stead 0’ one—" ‘

Bang! bang! wwnt his revolver at this Iinstant, for
his keen eye had caught a glimpse of a moving sha~
dew, and sight was to tire, with him.

There was a sharp, piercing feminine shriek; then
all was still.

 

CHAPTER XIV. ’
'rmc CONFLICT. '

No. it did not look quite so bad for Old Rattle-
snake, when two such wild venturesome s irita as
Buffalo Ben and Calamity jane sided in th him:
and it looked still more as it the roughs might have ‘

their hands full, when still another figure pushed .

through the crowd. and ranged ,his six-shooter on
the defensive—the handsome. stalwart wr
Walt Drayton—who. comin into the saloon,
taking in the situation at a g auce, had willingly-vol—
unteered his services. It was only after a w“
among the defenders, that the miner gave ‘vent to
his views of the affair in words, where hitherto he
had remained silent.

"Whoop ‘em up, Eliza Jane!" was his initiatory

ejaculation, while a grin of admiration for-his points .

of defense, distorted his red-hewbiskered features.
“ Blushin‘est o’ primroses, w’ar art thou, now? Obi
cum erlong ye ornery galoots, ef thar’s any fun in
ye; prance rite up hycr. an’ stomp on the east Bend
0‘ our durned tails, will ye, and see‘f we won't me—eo

ow wuss nor any Thomas K. Cats ye ever did see! .

Ohl cavort'm' lambs an' bellerln’ butfieroesi why
don‘t ye pitch inter us of yer want musick, an‘ be
a hull cousterlashun 0‘ stars out 0‘ us? We’re ther

kind 0’ meat ye're s‘archin’ fer so Jist sail in thor *

downright han‘sumest ye ’now owl" »

“ Yes— cum along ef ye’re in a hurry ter ex re .

the mysteries o’ purgatory i“ cried  ane,
fearlessly, while the looks of Buifalo Ben a Wheat-
iing Walt were as good as a guarantee that they
were prepared, if not eager to take a hand in the im-
pending affray.

But for some Cause the rough: held aloof. Either
they were waiting for Rattlesnake to strike first, or
were fearful of the consequeices resulting from an
open attack. Certain it was that the op party-

were a (powerful quartette in themse van, a hat '

which di not escape the eyes of the toughs.

In the interval Ben took opportunity tomertsin
the cause of the trouble. ~

“ What is the jig, anyhowij' he asked, watch-
ing narrowly the sea of soowhng faces, Just oppo-
site

yawn—“ why. ye see, I’ve got a sart’in twenty-ounce
nu git, an‘ these durned galoots amt-m it‘s  duty,
ter- 11 'em whar I got it. which I don’t sl ow. ar'
reason'bie; wharfore, I purpose ter say I sha‘n't an
’em, an’ they agree ter make a rust-class t
0’ me of I don't unload, w‘ich I won't,efI get -.
ed inter ther middle 0’ day behind tab

monet-
That‘s my caliber; so cum right along, y’e darned" n
o pot-

ornery, lantern-jawed, knock-‘need sons
163’, fth “to h " ire ’ “
neo e ugs nowsor ..
“ It's no use 0' you’re givinpus enny o' crust»
way slang. old hose, fer ’tain’t goin’ tor ye ther
least bit-0’ good. In that name 0‘ ther law an' civil -

“Matter?” granted the miner, with a tremendous »

it

 

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,

.,.
 ‘2- “ ’ P

or. a...” or...” .m~..ut~w~.«m~m«mrmmaw~

x

  

,1

 

BO

'smionemmmmommmoi.

 

rights 0’ that eonstytoochln. we dviiiand ter know
where ye got that big nugget frum r”
“ An’ in ther name 0’ Angel Gabriel. trum iet an‘
I sw'ar I‘ll chaw my old dirty shirt fer ter rocker
afore I’ll tell yel" was the startling announcement
the miner.
“Hurra!” applauded Calamity Jane, and the shunt
was taken up by a dozen or more sympathizing
miners who instantly pushed through to our friends

rescue.
The toughs could no longer repress their desire

. for combat; besides, they saw that reinforcements

v Hurrai cock-a-doodledoo—o—ol

the

detail

were he constantly added to the enemy‘s line.
Hank Hur ey, the rufiian leader, saw this, and a
fierce oath esca ed his lips.

“Aire ye go 'to ueal out w'at we want ter
know?" he demanded. oarsely.

“N01” yelled the miner with emphasis, “never!
Ye kin baptize me in Salt ltiver; ve kin scorch oil
that soles 0‘ my feet: ye kin call me a squallin'
Thomas K. Cat, an‘ even stomp on my tail, an‘ hear
me me-e-ow; ye kin do all this—an‘ more—but may
I be eat up by Canadabulls, of I tell whar fruiu conr
eth this nugget o‘ a’riferous!“

“Then ou'rea dead man!“ was the reply, and
quick] 1: e outlaw raiSed his revolver, and fired
straig tat the miner’s breast.

But. not yet on the death-roll was he from the sa-
mdprecincts of Potato Gulch, Stagger he could
not help, for the bail tore through a fleshy part or
his side, making a painful wound; but what cared
he for such striding scratch? In his years of life
he had received many a tough encounter with
leaden death' still he lived: and now he leaped for-
ward toward ‘ enemies. calling his backers after

him.

"Cum erlong. daisies, an‘ we’ll make these barkin’
coyotes hunt their howtel in less time ’n it takes
May. tor chase December round ther North pole.
Sweep ther varmin
from ther face 0' Terence Firma! Banish 'em as St.
Patrick O’Hoolahan banished ther toadstools fruin
Connettycutl Oh! Eliza Jane, show us yer caliber,
m, of everye did 2“

And “Eliza‘s caliber " appeared to be somewhat
immense, for right and left swung the miner’s her-
on arms. and his revolvers flashed incessantly,
neverabullet missing its mark; while down went
the rufliaus thick and fast under the destructive flre
ofthose few brave and dauntless spirits who had
volunteered their aid.

Yet the rufllans fought like devils. bound to win
the victory, and there is no telling but what they
might have on not, when the tide was
{get about on the turning point, a wild, blood-curd-

g yell of eldritch laughter rung loudly and echoed
and re-echoed through the great saloon—a yell that
was known to nearly every ear—«the terrible token of
cc of Deadwood Dick!

No one knew whence came the laugh of the young
road-amt; there was no time for conjecture, in the
din of raging conflict' lyet, certain it was that in
deep ‘ Deadwood b ck stood within the walls
of he etropolitan, and this very thought added
strength and vigor to our little band. and inch by
inch they drove back the roughs, continuing the
fire. until but half a dozen of the original
ero was left; and with howls of rage. the turned
and fled, leaving Old Rattlesnake and the ot ers vic-
tors of the bloody ground.

Four of the volunteers had been killed. and all
more or less wounded. Buifnlo Ben was severely
wounded in the legs, which rendered him unfit to
walk. He had fallen among the dead and dying,
even as the defeated tonghs best an ignominious re-

treat.
Durlnfilthe conflict he had been lucky enough to
koo on isfalse wlgand beard. And thatprevented
Iincl g recognised by the miners. who crowded

nrou .
' Calamity Jane, however was in the secret of his
disguise, and she knew with a woman‘s instinct that

i
l

 

he must he removed, before discovery of his identi-
ty was made.

“ Do you know Buffalo Ben?" she said. addressing
the Potato-suichian, in an undertone. careful not to
{fit the words reach other ears. “Do you know

m i.

“ I)“ I?" quoth the original “ Thomas K. Cat," with
a star». “ Reckon so! Gay boyee is thct same lien-
jain-iii. 0h! primroses, guess I know him: soaked
eternity inter a passvi o' Reg‘iaters, as lian‘sum as
ever l uee‘il t‘other eveniu'."

“For which same job he is required ter anible
about in disguise,“ announced Calamity. " ‘xsh!
don't make a noise. See! thar he lays, now, plugged
full 0' metal pillsmliim as wears the beard and
niouuetach. Come! we must git him out 0' here.
Where shall we take him y“

“ Next door but one i" decided the miner, quickly,
and Calamity noticed that it strange change came
over his manner of speech. “ Here! you wrestler,
llelp me a hand i"

And poor Ben was raised between the two, and
carried from the saloon, Jane close behind. support-
ing his head in her hands.

Straight to the shanty of Masked Maude, the for-
tune-teller, the wounded youth was carried, and into
the front room, the Potato-gulchiun seeming perfect-
ly familiar with the surroundings.

The proprietress herself was absent, so Rattlesnake
“gig: 1' we to use whatever might add to the comfort
0 n.

He was laid upon the cot bed and the red-whis-
kered miner made an inspection of his body in search
of wounds. Several were found upon his lower
limbs, near the knee, none of which were of any ac-
count except for inconvenience. One in the breast.
near the region of the heart, hOWever, was more
dangerous.

With a skillful hand Rattlesnake dressed the
wounds; then leaving Wrestling Wait and Calamity
{unchargehe went forth in search of the fortune—

e or.

“Who is the chap, pard?“ Drayton ventured to
ask of Calamity, whom he mistook for one of his
own sex, on account of her garb. He had not yet
learned that the wounded youth was other than one
of the rough, grizzled miners, who had so generous
ly volunteered in the conflict.

IUalamity was about to reply. when Ben raised
himself upon his elbow.

" Take oi! this false-hair, will you, some one?“ he
asked, his voice trembling. He was verg weak
 a great lossof blood. and his head ac ed ter-

y.

Calamity quickly relieved him of the wig, beard
and mustache, and the handsome, golden-haired
scout looked like himself once more, except that his
face was very white.

“ By Jovei you are Buffalo Ben 2“ Draytou cried. in
astonishment. comin forward to the bedside.

“ Yes. I am Buffalo n. Why! you do not know
me—or, I don't ou, ’cept as awrestler!"

“ Your name s not soobscure here in Deadwood,"
replied Walt, with a smile. “ Yes, I know you. by
sight. In fact, I was just hunting for you. when
the saloon jamboree attracted my attention."

u Hunting for me?" Ben livened upa little at this.

How a that? why were you hunting for me?"

“ You have a sister. have you not i"

“ A sister!" The young prince of the istol sat
straight ugright in bed, unmi dful that wounds
arms at each move. “ 'iiat do you know of

r .

V“Very little, Ferd, except that 1 had the pleasure
o rescuin‘ her rom efemale wreteh the call Silver
Sal. With the aid of a miner, [carried or up to a
cave nn\the mountain. and here I am in search of
you, by her orders.‘ ‘

.n gave a whoop of joy that took away all
thoughts of his sufleriug, and put his hand in that
of the wrestler.

“ Part1!" he said, hus‘kily, “you have done me the

-........H......

 

Mo Ben. the Prince of the Pistol. )3"!

 

m'eatest favor man could do rue—"have done what I
have been endeavorlng to do for the, last 'ear, name-
I y. rescue in sister from a terrible on )tevity. 1 shall
never know ow to be grateful enoug —”

Here the youth ceased sReaking; his head swam,
a strange tog came before is eyes, and he fell back
senseless upon the couch.

He had overdone, and it was full an hour before
he. regained his senses. Then there was a. strange
look about his e es and lips, that one does not like
to behold on a sick person.

' Calamit observed it first, and called Drayton‘s
attention 0 it.

“ it don‘t look right," she said, with acompression
of the lips. “I don’t like it."

" Do on think—" began the wrestler, but she mo-
tioned or him to be silent.

The. young scout lay in a sort of trance; his ii )3!
moved, and the two words he uttered were scarce y
audible:

“ Alice! Bel/e!”

“ His sister and sweetheart!" said Calamity, com-
prehending. " They had best he fetched, ferfl"

" For what?" ‘

“For Buffalo Ben is sinking fast toward the
gravel“ was the reply. .

h“li)o ou know where, his sweetheart is, and who
is e 8‘."

“Yes; her name is Stella. We left her not two
hours ago, at the Centennial Hotel, where she
stops."

“Then I will go for her, and then for Miss Jer-
ome,” decided Wait. “As you say, it looks asif the
boys a- min’ fast.” ‘

'Ie borrowed a few cartridges and loaded his re-
volver; then went out into the night. But a. few
steps had be. gone, when he meta woman, hurrying
swiftly along as thou hin haste.

_ “You are Masked audei" Walt said, positively,
stoppng her. He saw that her face was masked,
indeed. and that her attire was very rich.

"Well!" she cried sharply, “what of it?"

“A good deal. fhd a red—whiskered miner, Old
Rattlesnake by name, send you?"

“ Yes—why?"

“Go on, then! Buffalo Ben is dying;” and the
wrestler hurried on, leaving the fortune-teller star~
in]: after him. ‘

On the steps ol‘ the Centennial Hotel, Druyton
came in contact with J. Aaron Wadsworth.

“Hello!” he ejaculated, stepping back; “excuse
me; but is there a young lady;l stopping here by the.
name of Stella?— Stella somet lug-0r other; hanged
if I know what!" with a laugh.

The. man of millions stared.

“ No, Ithink not!" he said. “ She went away last
evening; Major Fawdon says he has seen nothing- of
her slum."

Major Fawdon came out as the. millionaire was
speaking. ‘

“Ah! here is Fawdon, now. Hey! major, sup-

e you‘ve heard nothing of Stella? A young man
s here inquiring after her. ”

“Eh?” The major sauntered up. his eyes hlood-
shot, and breath smelling ve strongly of whisky.
His hands were alo done In rig slings, cri wle and
not for use. “Yes the gir came back, ort time
ago. Said a rough carried her off. and tried to
murder her, but he got shot, and so she got free.
What the dance do you want, young fellow?” this to
the wrestler, in agruff, surly tone.

"I have a message to deliver to the young lady
theycall Miss Stella!" replied Walt. not at all admir-
irur the mailer.

‘t‘Vthe'l'l. t en hand it over to me, and I‘ll see she
go s . '

But Walt shook his head. It occurred to himthat
it might not be advisable to betray the whereabouts
of Buffalo n.

m“ No~ I must see the young lady in person." was

0 P

‘ snfidciousl

 

“ eyi'whati" The officer didn’t appear to quite

credit his hearing.
with met"
" No: I must rive it to the one it‘s intended for."
“Then, get along with you; you can’t leather.
D‘ e hear? ‘
rayton was about to turn away. w on a slight,
Elisa figure flitted out from the he! . andku at
El 9

“ What is it? Why do you seek me?" she de-
manded, breathlessly.

Walt glanced around. The major was stridan
savagol close: only time was ven him to whisper:

“ Bu alo lien is dying. hinged M ude's shanty
beyond Metro olitan Saloon.” Then hunted 01*
toward the hi side, bound toward the cave.

Stella turned and flew into the hotel, with a very
deathlyrwhite face. ‘

Scam-ly two minutes elapsed ere she came forth,
and sped down the street, wearing a hat and water-
}II‘OO .

" l'll follow her!" said the major, with on oath,
“ and learn what‘s the rumpus!"

“ You won‘t trust the message

 

CHAPTER XV.
BRINGING MATTERS 70 A CLOEI. ‘

Wass'nme WALT strode swiftly through the
town, and ascended the steep eastern hillside. which
would have been enveloped in Stygian gloom. but
for the lights gleaming brightly from many a
miner‘s tent or shanty. 

’l‘he ascent of the bill was no easy matter.
rough and rocky, and in places covered with
of )riers.

But Drayton kept on determinediy, and NI
efforts were at last rewarded by reaching the en-
trance ol’ the cavern.

All was dark and silent within.

In the passageway was a dead body. Drayton
started violently as he stumbled over it.

“ by Heaven l what has happened?" he ejaculaugé
man’s face. “ As I‘m a live. sucker, it‘s . Elmo!”

It was indeed the professional wrestler. ~
where a bullet from the revolver of Light nz Luke
had reached him. He was quite dead, and growing
stiff as he lay there.

“ By thunder!“ Dravton muttered. “this smells

that there‘s been trouble here.” ,

e stem for a moment. undecided whether to
enter the black cavern or not. Might not Luke and
Belle have been overpowered, and might not the
Emmy be lying in wait for him, ready tonalivate

m9

These. were the thoughts that flashed m the
wrestler-‘5 mind, but he was no coward, and a mo‘
ment later be advanced into the cavern.

“Hello! Luke. are you there?" he called; than he
listened for a re ly. ,

There was a 2 ad cry from the darkness, and next.
came. the voice of the. big-hearted hunter: I

“ Hello yerselfl Be that on, Wrestler?"

“ Reckon’s me," re lied alt. “ Come out- what
ye doin’ back there in he gloom, like a pair of Irma-
ened sheep?" ' « . ,

“ Bin hevin' a {funeral round these diggin‘s." ro- ,

lied the hunter, coming forward. Belle mm -
ng him. “ Salivated two prowlers a bit ago; ed at,
notion to plug you. out yonder, when you Hi the.
match. but thought I’d best wait an‘ see. ' v

“ Thoughtful of you." replied Wait. sat-conical .,
LI see you‘vedputithe light :5 etfim‘i‘ty through

‘mo, out on er, nap rov sty e. v ~ -~

“St. Elm’h? War et he teller we hitched yum
fat gal, w’at I keeled over?“ i . .

“ The same. He‘s deader ‘an a door nail." . >

“ Score one p‘int fer Ran-om. then." ohnekF the

g

It was
patches

. striking a match, and holding it to the

hunter; “also another in ther berg-dingo:-
we’ll find another lifeless corpus someone
in ther dark hyer."

 

 

ss -.mnen.u.rumorttermt

 

i
i . ', _ "Let’s have a light and investigate. then. Who
. . ' kicked the lire out—you?"
"Shouldn’t wonder. Too much glim war thare, so
I doused it, tharby preventin‘ ther enemy from shov-
in' their pepper too free."
By groping around Walt found-and succeeded in
\ lighting a resinous pine knot. the flame of which dis-
tinctly lit up the cavern from one end to the

er. ,
A little way ofl from where the trio were standing
lay  form of a woman. outstretched upon the

.- Ittook but a glance to recognize the former cap
. 4. tress of Belle, the ugly and repulsive Silver Sal.
‘ She had run her race, and now is. silent in death.
-.“ 'Tis Silver Bali" exclaimed e shuddefligf, as
her mind reverted to the many beatings she re-
ceived at the bad creature's hands. “ She is dead,
and though she was cruel and merciless to me, I ask
, God to have more on her soul."
Then she turned to Drayton.
' “ My brother, did you find him?” was the ques-
tion, riy put, and her fair band clasped his arm,

f .

‘Psles. miss, I found Buihlo Ben," was the wres-
tler’s hesitating refily, “ but it was iu battle, in which
Ivolunteered to to e a part. He fell Just when we
had scattered the enemy. and is now lying ver low
sttheesbin of Masked Maude. the fortune-tel er, a
Mdoorsfrom the Metropolitan saloon. i have come
to take you to him. .

 Belle w very) pale. Many iris would have

eluted ut the vely sister of alo Ben con-

1rolled her emotion; and then followed Drayton and
blah? Luke from the cave.

0y escended the hillside. to the shanty for-

merly occupied by 'Silver Sal; here some wraps

were hastily secured for Belle, and then they hur-

ried on.

iWalt had communicated hisfears to Ransom; con-

fluently. both men were eager to reach the death-
of the scout, where their services might he need-
edsn moment.

An ere ion they were knocking at the door of
the fortune-ts er's abode, and were;quietlyadmitted
by Masked Maude, in person.

Belle ran quickly to the bedside of the dying scout,
or! kneeling by his side, burst into a passionate fit
0 weeping.

J nst oiposite her was Stella. stroking back the

I

 

outh’s and sobbing as if her heart would

At the foot of the bed stood a grave, clerical-look-
ing gentleman, the army surgeon of the command
then stationed in Deadwood

Calamity occupied a position at the head of the

and was silent. .
-- “ . change has there been? How is he. poor
fellow?" asked Drayton. in a whisper tears

on the wreathed in its semi-framework of
m 8.... is. ,
“ ou causes for yourself," replied the masked
forklne‘teller, in a low tone. “ (-3 has lain as he
wilesever since I came. Surely there is every
, indication that he is dying. Calamity summoned
.  the says the case is bad. but does not
mam.” 0 less ..
v_ Both Wait and” Ransom went and kneltb the bed~
dds. ' The wrestler took the youth’s hand his and
r Md it gently.
"Who do you want to see, Bent" heaskcd, tender-
ly. “Is there any one on want to come!"
rt‘Only two!" replied erome. in a scarcely audible
tone—‘ only two. '
V to "6—"
"Belle and Stella!"
“Then take comfort. for’both are here. Rise. la-
«is: he may see you." -
a-Boththe girls rose to their feet, and bent ovsr the
 -‘ » olewhom of. all others mgoloved the best. Ben
'  seemed to recognize them th,for an expression

 

 

coming
into his eggs. as he glanced at the p e, pained face.

 

of radiant jo lighted n his pale face. and he with
an eflort he outa ban to each.

“I am so glad!" he asped; then came a great
volume of do ted blood rum between his lips, and
he sunk hack in exhaustion.

As he did so one of the sleeves of his hunting-shirt
was pushed above to the shoulder, and on the arm a
name was indelibly tattooed.

Luke Ransom was the only one to see this name,
but it was a startling discove to him. The name
was Baniumin Wilden-01M! ere. then, was one of
the children of the murdered Elvira. Wadsworth—
one of the rightful heirs to the immense property of
Aaron Wadsworth. the flend‘f‘itherl

His first action was to call the surgeon to one side,
and hold a short consultation.

“ Is thar ennv hopes. doctor?"

“ Hardly, I thinki" was the grave reply. “ He is
sinking very fast."

“ Yas, that‘s lain; but, doctor, you must raise
him— on musl. tell yo. What amount 0’ s ondu-
iics v; cause you to put yer best fut for’ard n this
case

The surgeon started, then smiled.

“ Well,” he said, reflectively, “ now that you‘ve
asked me a fair guestlon, I‘ll give you a fair answer.
One thousand ollars‘ worth of roperl adminis-
tered remedies would place the oy in saddle
within a week."

Luke would have knocked the man down at an-
other time; but now he felt that Budalo Ben must
recover at all hazards, no matter the cost.

“Go ahead then," he said simply. “As soones
he is ready for the saddle, your fee shallberoady
or you.

The surgeon acce ted with alaorlty. A thousand
dollars was not to made every forty-eight hours.
and he was positive he could raise this case.

He ordered all away from the bedside; then
mixed medicines every few moments. and poured
them between Ben's lips, watching their eflect nor-

9

rowly.

In the mean time Luke and Drayton kept watch
of the exterior surroundings of the cabin, for they
were fearful that Major Fawdon would lead a

osse of the Regulators down in search of Buffalo

OIL

But morning dawned, and its rosy sunlight bathed
the mountain tops in crimson and gold; yet no ene-
mies had shown themselves.

Leaving Wait and the others at the shanty Light-
ning Luke set off no the gulch for a stroll. e had
an object in view, however, and it became manifest
Wheti:1 he ran accidentally across J. Aaron Wads-
wor .

“Hello!” the scheming millionaire exclaimed, at
once recognizing the hunter. “ You in Deadwood
yet? I was in hopes I had seen the last of you."

‘~ Ye don‘t say so!“ Ransom re lied, evidently
amazed. “ Waal, e hain‘t seen ther t 0 me, that‘s
darned certain. war jest lookin‘ ye up. I want ye
ter cum along wi’ me.”

“ Where to?"

"No matter whar; jest foller me. that‘s all. I’ve
got somethiu’ ter show ye."

Wadsworth hesitated. He was suspicious of this
Northwestemer; he did not know what trap might
have been laid for him.

“I won’t go!“ he declared. “You wish to waylay
and murder me 1"

“Oh, no! I don‘t wish ter do an thing 0’ the kind.
I have found the children of vim Wadsworth.
give me your weapons, if you have any, and come

on . .

“ have none, I am unarmed."

“ You lie! You have a revolver there in your hip
pocbt. (live at ter me uickl” _

The millionaire hand it over, with a dark scowl.
Somehow he felt himself completel in this hunter's
power. And. too, he could not sifor to be obstinate

or he was eager to learn it really these so-called,
children of Elvira Wadsworth «rare her children.

 

 

Whmthel’rimolthol’letol. 39

 

There was a way to (prove their identity that he knew
of, that he suppose Ransom to be ignorant of.

'Lead on." be said. “I‘m all Impatience to see
these progeny of mine." with a sarcastic laugh. “ I
suggests they look like their villainous father oh?"

0' like their murdered mother, I should say—
light 0 complexion and hair."

‘ Yes that corresponds somewhat with their
mother s description. Butigo ahead, and give us a
look at them l"

Ransom led the way back toward the shanty of
Masked Maude. There was a steel glitter in his eyes,
which, if it had been observed y J. Aaron Wads-
worth, might have caused that gentleman a feeling
of uneasiness.

The shanty gained. Luke opened the door and en-
tered Wadsworth close at his heels.

Inside. the hunter turned u on him.

“ You will permit me to him your hands," he said;
and he did the {ob neatly, before the millionaire was
scarce aware o it.

Buffalo Ben was sitting bolstered up on the bed,
with more color in his cheeks, and a greater portion
of life than he had mssessed when Luke had one
forth. Belle sat by is side, with his hands in ers,
and as they were thus near to each other, you saw
the great resemblance between them.

“There. Aaron VV adswortiil" Ransom said. point-
ing to the twain, “ are your children, whom you
hired Bill Burk to murder, sixteen years ago, along
with their mother—your lawfully wedded wife. Hal
Isee you recognize ’em‘ ye see in them agreat re-
aesergiblance to her w 10m you hounded down to

eat 1"

The man of millions said nothing; only stood and
stared with dilated eyes at the youth and maiden,
who. knowing nothing of the matter, were at a loss
to comprehend the situation. His face was deathly
white. and his form trembled like a shaken reed.

“Ha! ha!" the hunter continued, " see the fiend
tremble. He’knows an’ terriers twl'lat‘s a-csclilmigi‘éw

riends, st or in ur so r e e a or ry
an’ ter you moi/[Yes pBoellc an’ Bufialer Ben. et ar‘
of s ecial interest.

“ ixteen years ago. last winter. my old dad, Zeke
Ransom, was over at Yocum. in Mantana Territory,
when he met a female wi‘ two little babes in her
arms, who appealed ter him for protection. sayln’ as
she war pursued b enemies an’ knew not w’ich
way to turn. 80, w at should Ole Zeke do but tote
them along home wi' him, ’way out in the Wilderness,
beyond Twenty-Mile Stretch.

“ While the woman was there. a day or so. as nigh
as I kin judge, she writ this ‘ere document," and here
the hunter groduced the pa er on which Elvira
Wadsworth I
dagi buried it in a cache 0‘ peltries I
ca n.

“ n the followin’ 5 ring I returned from a trap-
pin' expedition, an‘ oun my dad‘s body layin' a
ew rodsonly from the cabin, what he had been shot
down, an‘ in the open doorway o’ the same isolate
home 0' my boyhood.1also found the corpse o‘ a

woman. _

“ Side by side I buried ’em. and when goin' for get
mgr its out o' ther cache I found this dockyment.
w ic war explanation, in a measure l"

Here he ate d, and all eyes involuntarily turned
upon Aaron adsworth. for ever: person resent
felt that he was connected with t 6 crime. hough
none knew how closely.

After a little pause, Ransom continued. his e as
fixed alternately upon the millionaire and Male

Ban
“1 took the pa 1'. and after long and hard study

the

managed to dec pher ets contents. fer st ar‘, as ye

use. written on wrhaccy paper. wi’ a piece 0‘ plum-

. What I read there my friends. fired me with
a determination to hunt down the man whose hand
war at the bottom 0' this foul tion an’ be
tho' I weal set out on the trail, to avenge the death
0' my only living parent.

ad left her con ession—‘l‘lgg’ ole -

 

“ Since then I have roamed about the world and
met with man adventures but feelin’ all the time I
should some y meet the real murderer of my fa»
ther—the human devil whose hands were dyed deep
in the blood of his own wife.

“And so it has turned out. I have encountered
my game. at last, and vengeance shall be mine.

' ut first, let me read ter you the dookymont I
found in my peltry cache—«thet will explain things
“it"“iMM'i i hi th h ning

en, a ter cean n s roat t Luke
read from the confess on. ' “a

 

CHAPTER XVI.
ran TELL-TALE DOCUIEN'I' —couci.usxox.

“ 7h whom it mm concern:—

“Thls is the fe histo of Elvira Leunington
Wadsworth. To begin wi h. over two years “(0.1
in secret wedded Aaron Wadsworth. a young mil-
lionaire, whose vast estates joined those of my fa-
ther's. He professed to love me, and I imagined I
lovod him. in return. But! see now thatlt was a
mad delusion.

“ We were secretly married at his proposal, he not
wishin§ to make our nuptials public, for a year. dur-
ing wh ch time he said he hoped to effect a reconcil-
iation of a deadly feud that existed between my
family and his. But for nine months we were le-
cretly together much of the time; he madame costw
ly presents, and we were he py—at lens I was.

‘ But. when my twin aha were In it
changed. He seldom came to me. after my father
drove me from my home, and I took refuge in a
neighboring village. and when he did come, it was
only to cum me, and abuse me and my dar
At lost his conduct became so brutal that I w
desperate. and told him that if he did not she y
acknowledge me as his wife and makeme mis-
tress of his home I would talre the law into In own
hands. Then he became worse than ever. an.
to kill me and my babes.

“He hated me. he said. and swore that neither I
nor my children should ever inherit or spicy Q
farthing of his milliom- he beanie so violent hat!
was afraid of him. I ared hardlystlr out of the
doors for fear he would murder me.

" I at last made up my mind to take my children
and ii -—l knew not. cared not, where. only to escape
from devilish persecutions. But he heard cam
resolve, and forbade me to . threatening to
agents after me. who wo d.murder me and my
babes. too. \

“This frightened me more than ever. and one
night I took them, and fled forever from the home
of my youth. I would have gone to my father but
he had forbidden my ever showing my face a his
door. after the birth of mi children and his discov-
ery that I was the wife of is bitterest livlfioenemy.
Thus it was that I was cast adrift upon cruel.
pitiless world.

“I had money—mono which I had saved outof
what he had first rec (essly squandered upon me.
and with this I paid my passage to New Yor .whem
I endeavored to hide myself in the great city. But
not a week had passed before I became aware that
I was being hunted down. _ .

“ My cruel husband had set upon my track one of
lthe mgst notobgious animatith clean type“ a
n—a espera.cu nu .wo
nothin to achieve his own ends. , » ‘

“Th man. BillBurkby name. hadnther .
him a gang of kindred hits. and theynwere on m!
i’““‘ if??? 1"}? ii“ i‘ 3%?» mm mm

w o e cw or or .

“512m. hire the bloodhcmnds the warmth” to!-
lowed me thither, and again necessity compe
to flee bofOre them. to escape dent at their h
I went!» St.Louis.to Demon-,1» Salt Lake .
and to manymwmsmthewutbutali Who

 

 

  
  

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‘mentaoertificate of my marria e

cents-ed upon the guilty man

line.
' thet the gal hed turned up missl

only one favor."

\

We hmthel’rlmlotthe Pistol.

 

purpose. Like sleuth demons they followed in my

“At last I am here, in the home of an old hunter
named Ransom. far in an isolated wilderness, but
they will surelfi come. I feel it in my heart. And I
can no furt er. My funds are nearly exhausted;
heal I have despaired of ever escaping them.
I am writing this and shall leave it where it will be
fonndafter I am dead. My babes—oh! God, I can-
not bear to think of them. ltgeonly hope is that
the may escape. and inherit fortune which is
tfully their? and which their fiend father would
defraud hem o .

“I leave thts, in hopes that the may escape, and
that the finder of this will hunt t em up. and nvvngo
my death. which I feel will be but a matter of a few
hours. )3 children are named Benjamin and Mabel
Wedswo b. On their arms above the elbow you
will find their names indelibly tattooed. I had it done
in Aaron‘s presence the second week after my dar-
llwa‘ birth. lalso leave rolled up with this docu-
and also one of
my babes' birth. which will be al diam required, in
est-bus t ir rights as heirs of J. Aaron Wads-
worth. t ei fiendish father. .

“ Should this fall into the hands of Luke Ransom,
whose father is now sheltering me beneath his
hospitable roof, I pray and be: that said Luke will
earnestly endeavor-to discover whether or not my
babes aredead: and if so, that he will East and

ethie matter into the hands of the aw; if not,

he will find in children, and see them rcarcd to

groper age, at w ich time they can push their law-
claims of inheritance. ‘

‘ “And may not only my heirs. but may Almighty
God reward him for his services in their behalf.

“ And now I feel that my mission is as hearty com-
plete as I can make it.

- " Signed, ELVIRA L. Wsnswos'rs."
silence relined throughout the apartment, as

Lightning Lu e concluded reading: all eyes were
0 millions. accus-

in y.

5‘And this is Aaron Wadswort the man whose
hands are stained with the Iife—bloo: of our mother!"
cried Buffalo Ben. his voice rising clear and stem,
despitehis deathly weakness-“the inhuman hus-
band and father. of whom we have Just heard i"

‘_“.'.l.'he some,” declared Ransom.

“Yet-father, my boyee an’ girl. who would even
«now murder you. were itin his ower, w’ich et ain’t.

 Bym agency died my old fat er—one o’ the best

rs on the frontierg and by his son‘s hand shall
die eke Ransom's murderer—for this is the man

. ' who is the real murderer. I
,“But I hey a leetle more to add. I found that sire

at, an‘ learnt w'at I’ve told ye. Nowhere
eon I find a de‘d bobby; so I concluded they war
alive. I traced ’em inter an Injun camp, an seen

 'em sold tor an old fur-trader, named Jesse Jerome.

I knew him well, an' knew they'd hev a good hum.
'30 I went off, satisfied on that subject. A short time
after, I t ed tor and where Jerome lived, but he had
vamoose his ranch, an’ pen strated further inter the
wilderness; tharfore I w ‘1' discomflummixedl '
“ I searched for him. of ’n' on, for all time. sence,
an’ less‘n a year 3 found him 11 nigh ther British
ter my tter disapoo ntment, I learned
V n‘, sev‘ral months
ore. au’ thet ther boyee bed gone in search 0'

" I hev been looking for them ever‘ since. For ten
notebook I‘ve bed a watch put on this Aaron Wads-
worth. in his home at the East, an' w'en I found he
was 00min ter Deadwood. I came also. And I found
him; and in Buffalo Ben and his sister I have found
theohlldren of the murdered Elvira, which nearly
end: my mission.

"_‘ Here, Ben. are the certificates and testimony'
they insure you a fortune. and. I hope. a pleases
future my services in your behalf I crave

.—

 

" And what is that, Luke?"

“ That you turn over ter me thisbase villain—your
fatherl"

“ Hal" this was something unexpected.
su rised. What d'ye want 0’ him?”

“ want to use him,“ was the hunter‘s grim reply.
" Is he mine?"

.“Yes; take him forever from my sight, lost I kill
him myself, and thus avenge my mother's death.
Begone now, but come back presently, for I would
see you again I" cried Buflalo Ben.

Lightning Luke bowed, and then turned to Aaron
Wadsworth, who, white as a sheet, stood trembling-

“I nm

3 .
“ Come!" he said, stm‘nly. “you‘re mine now.
Your life depends on yer obedience.“

Then he left the shanty, the millionaire following
him like a whipped cur.

 

The young scout‘s‘. strength now returned so m -
idl , that when the following noon came he was ab 0
to have his couch, supported on the arm of Wrest-
ling Walt. who was as devoted as a brother.

Stella and Belle were fast friends. but, even in
their joy, all felt an uneasiness; even Muskod Maude
was not without apprehension. for they momentarily
expected an attack from the. Regulators.

Am] sure enough, about sunset a bond of thirty
or more, headed by Old Roxlv, were seen approach-
ing from up the gulch, All were armed with re
pectin: rifles and pistols.

li‘rom holes in the shanty wall the inmates watch-
ed the (1.1))I‘Oflcll.

“ i'm a raid thar ‘ll hev ter be more blood spilt
than everl” said Drayton. “ Major Fawdon has sent
‘em hyer fer Buffalo Ben, but they sha‘n't take him
while I can pull a trigger."

"Bravo!" cried Masked Maude, with enthusiasm.
“But, your attention a moment, my friends, while
I make a disclosure that will doubtless astonish you.
People call me Masked Maude, the fortune-teller.
It is because they know me not. I assurinin this .Iis-
guise, and also, at diffurunt times, that of ()t / Rallie-
snaiz—tlw “ ma—e-vu'in.’ Thomas Cat,“ to enable me to
be in Deadwood without being recognized; but
now, to you few assembled here, I unmask, and you
behold me as I am—Dear/u-oo I [hi-k, Ilia. load-aw nt."
And tearinrv OR the mask, and touchlm: a spring in
the hack of-the dress, the Prince of the Road stood
disrobed of his feminine garb, but still in his suit of
jetty black—handsome, fearless, dare-devil Dead-
wood Dick, indeed.

A general crv of astonishment reeth this revela-
tion of the young outlaw, and is quiet laugh re-
assured ihem. '

"This is a surprise, eh.‘ But we have no time, to
talk it over, now. Business is at hand, and business
always comes before pleasure, with me. We must
meet these Regulator dogs as they deserve; and
punish ‘em, tool ‘

Quickly he ran to the center of the floor, and uh-
ed up a trap—door that opened into a cellar, be ow:
tl‘en up into the room, to the further amazement of
al , poured two were of maxkrd men, all of them
roadagenti, without doubt.

“ Every man to his loop-hole!" rung out the young
chief’s order, and as many rifles as there were men,
were leveled at the emu-caching Regulators.

Then Deadwood Dick flunq open the door, and
(sitood‘ upon the threshold, fearless of danger or

98" .

“Regulators '6f Deadwood!" he cried. and his
torfis were. stern and cold. “you have at last made
a under that places you in my power. in this
shanty my whole force of road-agents are concen-
trated—forty in all, and by ranging your eye» along
the walls, you will perceive that as many rifles are
bearing upon you. with deadly aim. One word from
me. and you are. for a most, art. dead men. how.
wishing no further Warfare, ask you, will. you re-
treat and allow me and mine to quietly take our do-

_i. 7.,

A?““““*"_‘_‘“” "’k”‘ ‘

 

 

 
  
 
   
  

  

.. w-_._k 1.. -_.

  

Bahia Ben. the Prince of the Pistol. I 81

 

Emrture frOm Deadwood, or will you come on. and.
orce us tojlght our way out?"

“ We will come on, and we‘ll take ye, or die in the
attempt!” yelled Roxly, springlig forward, and fir-
in at the breast of the young ( agent.

iut it was his last shot.

Loudly rung the rifle-reports of the road-agents.
and down went two-thirds of the Regulators, either
dead or dying.

The rest turned and fled hack to the Metropolitan,
whereu n a body of several hundred Deadwoodites
sallied orth to attack the shanty. .

But to their astonishment they saw the inc» of
the Road and his hand dashin away up t o gulch,
mounted upon their swift stem 5, that had been con-
cealed in a shed at the back of Masked Maude's
shanty.

It was no use to follow in pursuit. lew-ricnco
had gone to show that on horseback the during
knights of the road could not be taken. So they
were allowed to go, and DPiulWUOd'i-l mpulation
breathed easier, when they had vanisln-d rom View.

Willi them went llut'i’uio Ben, Wrestling Walt,
Belle. Stella—who was resolved to link hcr fortunes
with Ben—and Calamity Jane.

Nothing was seen 0 Lightning Luke; so he was
left behind. On the trail was encountered Leone,
Deadwood Dick‘s beautteous wife, and this made the
little band complete. '

To the outlaw stronghold on the mountain-top, in
tge depth of the Hills, they wont, and there weleave
t em.

 

Afterlcavinp: tho, fortune-teller's shanty Li htning
Luke \w-nt, with Wadsworth direct] to t e atter's
mrlor in the Centennial Hotel. the ( nor of Whicll he
.ook care to lock, while the key he slipped into his
pocket. -

“ There!" he said. an ominous glitter in his eyes,
“ we're now free from interruption!“

“ch,” the millionaire replied hoarscly, “ we are
alone. And what do you ropose to do‘r’

“lwill show yo ” the unter said; then he left
the room, locking e door after him. He, however.
501:1) lreturned, bringing with him a pair of dueling-

to s.
p First, he cut loose the millionaire‘s bonds, and
then handed him a pistol.

“ Aaron Wadsworth," he spoke, his tones cold and
stern, “ we'll now come ter a settlement. You are
responsible fer the death of my father, an' I want
yer life. If you can take mine. however all right.
See! the: clock on yonder man a is about to strike.
At the first stroke we will tirei“

Il‘hen up came t is istols and the two men waited.

“One! ‘ chimed clock, and the h of two
pistols followed. Without a groan. Aaron Wads-
worth fell to the floor—dead!

Then Lightning Luke turned away. His mission
was fulfilled.

 

What shall wesay in conclusion?

After a week‘s rest at the stronghold of Deadwood
Dick. during which time Ben full recovered, he and
Stella and Wrestling Walt an Belle, set out for
Bowman, which they reached in safety. and
them bade adieu the Print» of the Road and his
“3%” a. m. . a... .d

an are new no m n a
the reader need not take long to guess who were the
hlvpy brides and hridegrooms.

E;x;om lgozeman thaigwlygzgd‘ded quarteé‘o came

an now our 1 a o s engaged -
cutidg his own and Mabel‘s claims {or mm;
which. when they are duly recognized. will make
them among the wealthiest of their State.

May they ever live hang; and enjo that which an
evil father tried to cheat em out o 2

mm.

 

End ttweddg

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