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Copyrighhd. 1883, by BIADLI AND ADAMS. Entered n the Pan OMce :1. New York. N. Y., M Second Clan Mall Manor. Frh. ‘1‘), IHKR.

 

. Publ‘ h d w 1:1 I) B
Vol. XVII. £53. 1' $0, gsevsmiwysyfgilv:;:kihdnmh r1353“. N0. 215.

 

91.9 no: TOOK, 4 91.510» may AN mm POCKET AND HELD rr m ms m!) up! F03 1151:.

 

   

  

  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
 
 
   
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
 
   
   
  
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
     
   
  

‘ I

. The Denver Detective.

 

The Denver Detective;

on, . »
DABING DAN, THE RANGER.

BY OLL COOMES,
AUTHOR or “DASHING DICK," “TIGER TOM,”
“BOY HERCULES,” “paosrncr ram,”
“me HURRICANE,” are.

 

CHAPTER I.
1.1m wmnrmn AND OLD LIMBER JIM.

BOOM-M-M-M-M!

It was the roar of a cannon, and as it rolled
along the valley the slumbering echoes of the
canyons took it up and sent it revorberating
and rebounding‘over the plain.

The deer in t e chaparral started with alarm
from their covert, and the wary antelope scam-
pered away over the hills in Wlld aflright, for
never before had the peaceful quietude of their
domain been broken by such a. sound.

And a little band of prairie rangers, loitering
on the river’s bank in the cool shade of a dense
grove. started with consternation, for had a
peal of thunder burst from a mid-winter sky

thgy could not have been more surprised,

by heavens! that was the roar of a can-
nonl

He who made this declaration was the leader
of the rangers—a gallant, dashing youth of two4

- and-twenty years, answering to the name of

Dan Daring, though he was better known on
the plains as Daring Dan, the Reckless Ranger.
He was the ideal of perfect manhood. He was
of medium hight. His well-developed, muscu-
lar and sinewy form was dressed in a neat fit-
ting suit made after the style of the border
ranger. His hair and mustache were of alight
brown, and his eyes of the same color, were as
soft and mild as a maidcn's.

Daring Dan’s followers numbered some thirty
men, most of whom were young fellows like
himself, and all of whom had been born on the
prairie'and reared among its wild excitements
and constant dangers. ’ In fact, the bronzed

’fnces of the band, their strong, rugged, yet

supple forms, their free and ass movements,
their rug but natty-looking ress from hat
to boots. t ir lithe-limbed horses and fine capai'i—
sons-all seemed to wear an air of almost reck-
less abandon—a rollicking, devil-may-care look.

Daring Dan ran ed over the plains from Da-
kota. to Texas. Is confined himself to no
locality. He was a veritable rairie rover—

' coming and going like the win —the terror of

red-skin and outlaw, the envy of many a mili-
tary emcer, the steadfast friend of the settler,

the minor. and the ranchman.

The grove in which the part had halted was
on the banks of the upper rkansas, almost
within the shadow of the mountains. When
they drew rein it was with the belief that they
were the only human beings in the vicinity; nor
was this belief dispelled until that thunderous
boom came rollingudown the valley.

“ It couldn’t ve been than er,” averred

 

Jack Thoma, in reply to Daring Dan’s observa-
tion, “ for there isn't a patch of cloud as big as
my hand."

“ Thunder? No, it was a royal old cannon’s
boom. There it goes again 1”

True enough, hrough the valley the sound
a ain rolled in crashing reverberations.

n a moment the nigger-s were upon their feet
and, hurrying to the go of the grove, looked
out up the valley.

A mile or two below them the river swept in
an abrupt curve around a slight elevation or
point of land beyond which a] was concealed
from view. But u over this oint they saw a
single cloud of white smoke s owly rising hea-
venward. The knew it was the smoke from
the cannon, an even while their eyes were yet
upon it, they beheld a horseman come floating
up out of the smoke and sweep over the ridge at
a fearful speed, finally drawing rein in the val-
ley, over a mile away.

” By the eternal stars!" exclaimed Daring
Dan, as he brought his field-glass to bear on the
horseman, “ that is a woman!”

“ A woman?" burst from the lips of his fol-
lowers.

And a woman it was—a young girl of perhatgs \
lit e

seventeen—a bright-eyed, rosy-checked
beauty. She wore a snug-fitting, dark ridin‘g~
skirt, a thin, airy cape reachin to her waist
and a jaunty little blue cap from neath which
escaped a wealth of dark hair.

A look of wild excitement was upon her face.
She glanced back up the valley and in a tone of
despair cried out:

“ Oh, heaven! what shall I do?”

She seemed in a bewilderment of terror.

Her horse, a handsome spirited animal,
pricked up his ears and snified the air with un-

easiness.

For the third time the cannon boomed out.

Glancing back over her shoulder the maiden
saw three horsemen riding rapidly toward her.
A or of terror burst from her lips for she
gaw t ey were Indians—knew they were deadly

oes.

What should she do? To the ri ht was a
clump of cottonwood trees and denses rubbery.
She turned and rode toward it, and as she a
proached it saw a cluster of vines sudden y
Earted and a strange, impish face peer out upon

e .

Involuntarin she drew rein, while her own
face became blanched with terror. Her head
grew dizzy and her heart zrew sick.

“ It’s nothin’ but me, my little lady," said a
clear, “ splintered ” veice from the bushes. and
the next moment a lithe, agile form glided from
cover and confronted her.

It was the form of a boy. whose age was un-
certain. He was a little, wirfiz-llooking elf with
a sharp, thin face that was 1f hidden by the
long, stringy locks of dark unkempt hair, that
hung down over his temples and forehead. His
eyes were small and black as an Indian’s and
looked sneakish as they darted their flashing
glances up into the eyes of the terrified girl.
On his head he wore an old coonskin cap from
the crown of which the for had been closely
worn off, leaving but a sickly-looking. border of
fur along the lower edge. His breaches and

 

The Denver Detective. 53 '

 

moccasins were made of buckskin. His shirt
was of blue flannel.

In addition to the small rifle he held in his
hand he carried a revolver and hunting—knife in
his belt.

Seeing the girl was spellbound with terror,
the little nondescript continued:

“You needn't git skeered at me, gal, fur I
wouldn’t hurt a hair of your head—~I wouldn’t
hurt a ’skeeter even, ’less it war pumpin’ the
blood out of me.”

“ Who are you!” the maiden found power to

as .

“I'm the Johnn -jump-up of these prairies,
miss.” he replied umorously; “they calls me
Little Wildfire, FerrefrEyes, and Snaky, and
everything. in fact calk’lated to ruin Jim Rus-
sals’s character. J’ist call me Jim, or Wildfire,
I don’t care a snap which; and if there‘s any-
thin that Jim Rassals can do for you just name
it. ’m me on waitin’ on the gals, and I’m
dyin’ to s ow you a specimen of my style.”

“Wildfire,” said the girl, “ my name 15 Lil—
lian Barnes. I belong to a arty of gold-seekers
who have been surrounded y a band of Indians
down the river 1”

“ Great ’skeetersl Then that's what that big
bangin’ means down there?” asked the young
nomad.

“ Yes, my friends have a howitzer, and it is
its rear you have heard Wildfire.”

“Yes, indeed, I did ear it, Miss Lilly; the
‘bang’knocked me clear over fu’st time and
shook the curls all outen my raven tresses; it
did for a fact!”

“But, Wildfire, I am in danger; even now
three mounted Indians are rapidly coming this
way. YouseeI was riding on in advance of
the train when I was cut off from my friends.
Oh, what shall I do?”

“ Trust in God and Jim Rassals,” replied the
boy. “ Here, jist flicker into this grove and I’ll
show you my style of workin’ up red-skins. I
will for a holy fact!”

Searcer aware of what she was doing the
girl followed the boy into the grove.

Daring Dan and his men saw her disa pear,
though, from where they were, they cou d not
see Little Wildfire nor the approaching Indians,
but while they stood discussing her movements
the three savages suddenly swept into view.”

“ Indians! by the eternal stars!” cried Daring
Dan, “and they are after that girl. Quick,
men, to your saddles and away i” A

Their horses were already bridled and sad-
dled, and in a minutes time they were all
mounted and speeding away over the level
plain.

But they had one but a short distance when
tag saw the gir emerge from the motto and
d awa toward the hills, hotly pursued by
the‘red-sk ns. Her course carried her always
directly away from the rangers, and the latter
could see that her pursuers were gaining rapid-
ly upon her from the first.

The savages were undeterred by the presence
of the rangers. They were mounted upon
swift-limbed animals, and seemed not only
meet their captive, but of their ability to es—
, their white pursuers .

‘ as the pursuit had continued for nearly

 

two miles when suddenly the girl was seen to
draw rein and turn, facing the foe.

“ Great Heavens!” cried Daring Dan, “ what
does that woman mean by stopping there?”

“ She’s frightened out of her senses, captain,”
decided young Theme.

One of the savages is several rods ahead of
his comrades and as he ap roaches the girl. all
see a cloud of smoke u from her extended
hand. Then they see t 0 save a throw up his
arms, reel and totter in his saddle, and finally
fall to the earth.

The girl had slain himl

A shout from the lips of the rangers applauds
this daring act, and they urge on their animals
with a new burst of speed.

With a fierce yell the other sava es 1: con
their horses, more determined, by tge dea h of
their friend, than ever. They are now ridin
side by side. They soon come up to the gir

and rein in their horses, one on her right and 1

one on her left.

Then again a cloud of smoke is seen topuflf
from the girl's extended hand, and another
savage falls dead while his horse dashes away
with afl'right. But, at the same instant. the

third red-skin throws his arm about the in i—‘

tive’s waist and drags her from her sadd e!
Then he utters a fierce. defiant war-whoop as
he shakes loose his reins and his horse darts
away!

But, at the same moment a rifle in a wild-
plum thicket a few rods before him rings out
and both raptor and captive are thrown heavily
to the earth.

Then forth from the plum thicket glides the
figure of a man in the habiliments of a hunter.

In his hand he carries a rifle. from the muzzle ‘

of which white smoke is still issuing. And a
queer looking specimen of humanity he is. He
is a person of fifty years—a small yet wiry«
looking fellow, with a thin face. covered with
short, stubby whiskers, little gray eyes, big
mouth and a thin, hooked nosr. '

To Daring Dun and his followers this eccen-.
tric genius was quite well known, and the mo- ‘
ment he appeared in sight it ranger filled,

out:

“ Hurrah! it’s Old Limber Jim that put on
’the finishing touch!”

The old man waved his hand in response as he
hurried on to the assistance of the maiden.

But the ran ere were there w'th him. and
formed in a c role about the fa] n savage and
the girl. »

“.Cl'ar the track, Darin’ Dan‘li” yelled the old
hunter as he came on; “ you’re too late to claim
any 0’ the honor o’ the reskoo. Old Limber
Jim’s the gallant Croosader that saved the gal.
I’m the hero, captain. so let me in to hear the

sweet lips murmur their thanks as all sweet  '

lips‘do. Say, little one,” he asked. as he pushed
his way into the circle “are you much hurt?
Old Limber James is the tulip that put in that
last settler, and that’s me—here: to com-
mandl”

edThe fugitive sprung to her feet and cuisine
5‘ Hurt? great skeeters! I’m highly bu‘oted—-

broke all u ; but I so , gentlemen, didn’t I
foolish them juns so onslva '

 

\r.

,_.

1,33.

, 1

 

('1’, The Denver Detective.

 

“ Shades o’ the Aztecs l” burst in derision from
Old Jim’s lips. ,

The rangers uttered an exclamation of sur-
pr so.

The en posed maiden was no other than the
boy, Litt e Wildfire, dressed in Lillian‘s riding-
skirt, cap and cape! ’

The lad burst into a roar of rollicking laughter
when he saw the looks of surprise on the faces
around him.

"I’m disgusted—feel womicky.” growled Old
J im, as he watched the boy dofl’ the riding-
hablt, which had not only deceived him but the
savages also; “folks, what d’ye call that crit-
ter?

"I say, old handsome,” spoke up the boy his
little black eyes sparkling with mischief; “ l’are
a young tallahooper and you can—”

‘ Whar war ye ketched? Southern Africa?”
interrupted Old Jim, manifesting his disappoint-
ment and disgust in looks and words of bitter
sarcasm.

“ Can’t say’s to that, but I do know I war
never catched in a plum thicket when Ingins war
around and gals war to be defended,” replied
Wildfire, facetiously.

“ Oh, you little gymnasticuss you!” retorted

’ Old Limber, “I wish that bullet what killed the
red—skins ’d ka romed and knocked the stuflin’ out
of mm.”

" See here,” interrupted Daring Dan, “ you
felloay'vs don’t want to get mad over this affair do

on. '

“ Shades o’ the Aztecs!” replied 01d Jim.
“d’ye think I’d harm one tag-lock 0’ his head?
No, indeed. Ugly as he is, I’ll bet he’s a royal
little blister. Put your fist there, Wildfire. for
Old Limber James loves you! A boy that can
do three Ingins sich a trick is worthy 0’ my con-

ratulations. J ist keep on and you‘ll be Old
511n’s equal yet—you’ve got the cut 0’ the jib
the eye, the nostril and the nerve‘ but then if I
ever catch you playin’ gal again, I'll be an epe—
lactic fit to on. It’s blasted sneakin’ for a fol-
ler to have t e romantics knocked out 0’ him in
this bloody manner."

“’Spects it is,” replied the boy, “ but you’ve a
chance yit to die in behalf of beauty. Thar’s a
' real, IiVe gal back in yonder chaparral, and she’s

purtyas a speckled bird-egg. You see how it

was; I put on her duds here, told her to conceal
herself, and then I got on her hoss and then
nailed out to draw the Ingins away.”

“ Well, you drawed ’em—drawed ’em like a
forty-hOSS power mustard poultice, confound
your little picter l” '

“Then you were in the grove when the girl
entered ‘iti” answered Daring Dan.

“ Bet I was, captainl And I reckon it’s ’hout
time I war goin’ back to her. Won’t you folks
ride back and see her?"

“ Certainly,” replied Daring Dan, “for if her

folks are in trouble we may beable to relieve 1

them.”

Little Wildfire mounted Lillian’s horse. while
Old Sim, wlth the assistance of the rangers.
canght‘one of the dead Indians’ ponies, and
then the whole party galloped back toward the

v

a.
“is, they approached it, Daring Dan de-
D1.)de his-pen on either side to look out for-

 

 

dangiers, while he and the boy entered the chap-
arra .

Not seeing the maiden where had left her,
Little Wildfire shouted aloud her name.

In answer to his call, the girl appeared from
a clump of denso shrubbery, with a pale, excited

ace.

“ It’s all right, Miss Lillian,” the boy an-
swered, “our trick worked like greased light~
nin’ and them three Ingins are 03’ the war- 1h
forever. This is Captain Darin’ Dan, iss
Barnes, and he‘s a boss ranger and Ingin-
cooler.”

The young ranger dismounted, and lifting his
hat bowed to the maiden who, with a smile of
pleasure returned his salutation.

“Wildfire tells me, Miss Barnes,” Dan said,
“ that you and your friends are in danger from
Indians?” 1

“ Yes. sir, that is only too true. Nor were
We expecting it, for our guide has assured us
all along that there was no trouble to be appre-
hended from them. He said there were no In-
dians within two hundred miles of us, and so
we have been somewhat unguarded by this as-
surance. But this afternoon, while I was riding
nearly a mile in advance of our train, a band of
the reds swept suddenly ovor the hills and scat-

tering out formed a circle around the train and v

I was cut off from my friends.”

“ Really, Miss Barnes, it is singular where
those red-skins come from. Your guide was
right as to there being none located within
many days’ ride of here. It must be a maraud-
ing band of Cheyennes or Arapahoes from the
south. Your friends, I believe, are bound for
the old hills.”

“ es, sir," Lillian tremulonsly replied, “ but
I fear the worst from those savages. Our party
is small; there are only ten men. There are also
five ladies”.

“ You have a howitzer, I observe, and that
is as good as twenty men: but it will afliord me
pleasure, Miss Barnes, to become your protector
until you can be safely returned to your parents.
I have thirty followers, brave and fearless men,
who have never known defeat. And here’s
Little Wildfire whose coup in your behalf

worked so admirably: he’s equal to a hurricane, ‘

if he is a boy.”

' “ Captain,” the maiden replied, her lips quiv-
ering with the grateful emotions of her youn
heart, “I am only too glad to accept your pro -
fared kindness, for I am sorely in need of good,
true and brave protectors at this moment.”

These words spoke in earnest by a guileless
heart quickened every impulse in the manly
breast of Daring Dan, and in his heart of hearts
be resolved to prove himself worthy of the confi-
dence reposesl in him by the girl.

In answer to a sharp, shrill whistle from the
lips of his leader, a ranger entered the grove.

“ Hawkeye,” ordered Dan, “ I wish you would
make a reoonnoissance of the situation down the
river, and report as soon as possible.”

Dismounting, the scout at once departed on
his mission.

“That is Hawkeye Harry,” lained Dan, as
the ranger moved away, “ one o the best scouts
I ever saw.” ,

In the course of an hour the young scout re-

.4.

 

 

  
 
 

5e»?-

 

2-... mg

 

o

The Denver Detective. » U}

 

turned and reported the train as being encamp-
ed in a little chaparral, and surrounded by
nearly two hundred mounted Cheyenne In—
dians. He was satisfied that the savages were
ignorant of the proximity of Daring Dan’s ran-
gers, for their attention was wholly turned upon
the camp of the gold—seekers. Nor did they
seem to manifest the least concern about the
three Warriors who had gone off in pursuit of
the irl.

“ 5 there any chance of our being able to
reach the gold-hunters’ camp, Hawkeye?" asked
Daring Dan.

“ Not without a stiff old fight, for they can see
115 long before we reach their lines, and can thus
brin their entire force against us.”

“5 ’skeeters!” exclaimed Little Wildfire. “I
can x things, or try it anyhow, so’s you can
work into the train. If you’ll jist watch and
hold yourselves in readiness to move, I’ll make a
gap in that Indian circle so’s you can fling yer-
selves right through in a twinkle. I'll contrive
some way to draw them aside if it costs me these
raven ringlets.

So saying, the boy at once took his departure.
As he emerged from the Chaparral into the open
plain or valley, he crouched low in the rank
grass, and crawled along until he reached the
river-bank, over which 9 dropped himself, and
then like an otter crept noiselessly along under
its cover down the stream.

He had traveled nearly two miles in this
manner when he came to the mouth of a little
creek, whose banks were fringed with a dense
growth of willows. He knew that a number
of savages were, or had been, at least, stationed
along this creek. Yet. despite this fact, he
turned and made his way into the willows,
through which he slowly and Silently moved up
the stream.

In the course of a few minutes the snort of a
Ihorse on his left arrested his attention. He
knew that a savage must be near. He listened
with hated breath. He could hear nothing- but
the tinkle of bit-rings and the cropping of grass
by a horse.

Creeping to the edge of the willows, the boy
peered through a little opening in the foliage
out upon the plain. A fine, clean-limhed horse,
bridled and saddled, was grazing within five
rods of him, while hard by stood a white man,
efigatged in conversation with a young war-
c is . .

, The white man was a well-dressed and pre-

ing looking fellow, but that he was in
league with the savages, Wildfire had not the
least doubt' and, as the lad stood with his keen
eyes rive u on them, the emotions that surged
in his young. mpulsive breast, were manifested
by the twitching or the facial muscles, and the
quick, nervous manner in which be grasped his
revolver and cooked it.

There being no other Indians within fifty rods
of the two, his course of action was soon de-
cided. Raising his revolver with his ri ht hand,
with the lent he pushed the n illows asi 8, taking
aim at the chief as he did so. But before he

could press the trigger—ms if actuated by
‘ some invisible power, the Indian turned and

walked slowly away toward a group of his
friends.

 

A smile of satisfaction passed over the boy’s
face as be lowered his revolver. He waited
until the chief had reached his Il'lt'ndS then
turned his attention to the renegade. 'lhe fel-
low stood with his cyes bent downward, in a
meditative mood.

Suddenly—with the uickness and silence of a.
serpent—the bo glide from the willows, and
even before the orse had detected his presence,
had hold of its reins.

With an oath the startled renegade turned
upon the boy, drawing his pistol as he did so
but before he could use it his arm fell, shattered
by a bullet from Wildfires weapon.

Then, with a leap like that of a panther, the
daring youth planted himself in the outlaw’s
saddle, and gathering up the reins, spoke to the
now thoroughly frightened horse.

But, at the same instant, before’tihe horse
could take a step, another lithe figure glided
from the willows. and with a leap, as if from a
spring—board, threw himself across the horse
behind the boy, and there. face downward,
clung as immovable as though a part of the
animal itself!

Wildfire, of course, was cognizant of the un-
known‘s presence behind him, but the horse had
become almost unmanageable, and the boy was
compelled to give all his strength and attention
to it, for his pistol-shot had reached the ears of
the red skins, and a score of them were now in
hot pursuit. However, he soon got'the animal
under control and down to its utmost speed,‘
and as soon as he felt assured that he was be-
yond immediate danger, he turned his attention
to the figure that still lay warped over the
horse’s crou .

Reachinggehind him Wildfire seized the un-
knou n by the collar and endeavored to dislodge -
him, but failed. The fellow seemed glued to the

orse.

“ By the melodious ’skeeters l” exclaimed Wild-
fire, “ I’ll loosen yer grip fur ye. I’ll bore a.
hole through—"

“ Hold on, thar. boy, with that shooter! Dime
nation, don’t you see it’s me f” gasped the un-
known.

“ Old Limber Jim, by the holy ’skeetersl
burst in startled accents from the boy’s lips.

CHAPTER Ii.
RUNNING THE GANTLET.
IT was Limber Jim, true enough, who had
thrown himself across the horse’s croup. With

 

the assistance of Wildfire he gained an upright . .

position behind the daring young scout.”

“ Well, if ou don’t beat all the old roosters I
ever see’d.” eclared the young nomad.

“Yes, and you, you gel-dashed little Jew,
come nigh bein’ the death 0’ me,” retorted the
old man in the boy’s ear, as they sped on like
the wind over the prairie, “ do ouknow th t
I war in the willers, and jist in t 9 act 0’ shoo
in’ that renegade and mountin’ his boss, when in
po ed your mug'l" .

ildflre burst into a peal of hearty laughter.

“ Seems we both had the same notion, Limber
Jimmy; strange, ar’n’t it?" . " ‘

“ Yes, but let me tell you that if you fool
’round in my way any more, by the shades o'
the Aztecs! 1

ll be wuss nor a dose 0’ hemlock to 5.

.,.

 

 
  
 
 
 
   
  

_ 5W....._.~ ., .d V...,—— .w...,..,. . .

 '27},

.‘. o... 7—“ ‘  -

O ' The Denver Detective.

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on. Twice to-day you’ve knorked my calcu-
Yations all toJericho, and I won’t stand it nu-
other time. Judas, boyl this hoss'surcgnm'
nailer on a run, ar‘n’t he? Pounds the sodium—
1y, don‘t be? Glory to Montezuma! see the rods
stringin’ out over the Brairy arter us! Ar’n’t
they}; a splendid sight, oyi—arn’t it enchant-
n

“ It’s this horse, Jim, being able to widen the
distance atwixt us and the red-skins is what
makes it enchantin‘,” replied the boy; “ if they
war gainin’ on us it’d look different.”

The news of the renegade’s misfortune, and
Little Wildflre’s daring feat, flew like lightning
around the circle of red-skins, and soon two-
thirds of the entire band were mounted and
. forging away in pursuit of the boy, screaming
like a k of fiends.

Wil fire headed away toward the west, in-
tending to elude the foe among the hills ifithey
followed him that far.

Meanwhile Daring Dan had been anxiously
watching for the promised diversion of the
Che ennes, and the moment he saw the break in
the ines he gave the order to advance.

With the fair Lillian at his side, the young
ranger, followed by his men, swept down to the
river, and, fording it, dashed away at a furious
speed over the intervening ridge for the gold—
huuters’ camp.

Daring Dan was flattering himself that the
’way was entirely clear, and that they would
reach the desired oal without incurring the
least danger, so wei had Little Wildfire’s ruse
worked. But, in this he was sorely disappoint-
ed. As they galloped over the ridge they found
themselves face to face with twent or thirty
‘ mounted warriors, hurrying up the ill toward
them. They were not over thirty rods away;
hence it would be impossible toavoida colli-

axon.

Instantly thirty flashin sabers leaped with a
clang from their scahbar s, and as if actuated
by a single impulse, the ran are formed in line,
p acing Lillian in the rear 0 the center. All of
which was done in an instant, and without
checking their speed.

The Indians were taken entirely by surprise
but, never wavering, they uttered adeflant war-
, whoop, and drawing their tomahawks, prepared
for the conflict.

With a reading crash the two lines came to—
gether. There were yells and shouts ringing

lows, the thud of falling bodies. Riderless
ponies dashed away over the prairie, the In-
dians scattered like autumn leaves in the wind,
and fled in every direction, while the rangers
galloped triumphantly on—every man in his
saddle seeming to bear a charmed life!

The Indians in pursuit of Little Wildfire heard
the yells of the combatants and at once turned
back; but they were too late to aid their friends;
the rangers had made good their entry to the
camp of the gold-hunters.

Amid shouts of joy and murmured prayers of
thanks. Lillian was received unharmed, hack
among her friends. But the besieged had few

moments for rejoicing,-for the savages, goaded

to fury, by the artful trick of the pale-face hog,
and the death of their friend, at the hands of t e

 

 

rangers, mmle a general advance as it de«
termined in wreak a bloody revenge.

Again the howitzer, manned by nn old artil-
lerymnn, boomed out in thunderous voice, but
the Indians had scatteral out so that it was
less cll’ective, excepting the terror of its report,
than a rifle would have been. Its roar was im«
mediater followed by the crash of forty odd
deadly rifles, and soon the lain around the
grove was one wild and terrib e scene. The in-
furiated savages, urging on their horses, and
screaming like lost souls, horses rushing mad]
this way and that, either riderless or their
riders clinging to them in their death-throes,
war-whoops and death—groans—rifle-shots and
cannon’s roar—all conspired to make the con-
flict one of almost demoniac fury. Never did
Indians face death so unflinchiugly. With des-
perate determination they pressed on toward
the grove from whose entire circle rifle smoke
was bursting in continual clouds, and bullets
were coming thick and deadly.

Up to the very edge of the motto the madman
charged, and then, after their greatest dan r
had passed, when their enemies were wit in
arm’s length of them almost, they turned, and
without firing a shot or raising a tomahawk fled
in wild confusion, leaving their dead and dying
on the field.

Unexpectedly it was a bloodless victory for r
the whites, and Henry Barnes now embraced
the opportunity to speak with During Dan and
bestow upon him and his gallant men his heart-
felt thanks for the service they had rendered
him and his in that trying hour. He nlsoin-
troduced Dan to all his friends, among whom
was his niece, Helen Barnes. The latter was a
young woman of perhaps flve—and-twenty. She
was pale, slender in person, one in whose and
blue eyes were traces of sorrow, and upon
whose face were the indelible lines of mental
suffering.

Daring Dan did not claim all the honor of
Lillian’s rescue and restoration. To Little
Wildfire he himself awarded the meed of honor.
And while he was thus speaking in terms of
highest praise of Wildfire the youth was con-
gratulating himself on the success of his daring
adventure.

As soon as the boy saw that the Indians
had given up the pursuit of him, he drew rein,
and turning, gazed back at the foe: and as a ,
smile mounted his face and his eyes glowed and
sparkled with boyish triumph, he began sing-
mg:

" And the 'skeeter kcpt a-buzzin'—
I’m your cousin, cousin, cousin."

“ Heavens, boy i” exclaimed Old Limber Jim,
as he sprung to the ground from his seatbe-
bind the lad, “I‘m beginnin‘ to think you’re a
young wizzard. I’m done with you, boy, I don’t
want to stay in your society any longer. You're
wuss nor a upas tree, and If ever you git in my
we again I’ll finger your jugular.”

‘ Oh, git out with your chean blatherskitln'l '
You’re a fraud,” returned Wildfire. '

“ Youngsterl” cried the old man assuming a
tragic air and smiting himself on the breast,
“look at me! I war once a man of a
family—I married a wider woman with tour-

 

 

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4 353.0!



 

The Denver Detective.

 

teen sons and daughters and that brood deviled
the angel all out of me and made me a rantank—
erous destroyer of youth. To keep from de-

opulatin’ the kentry where I matrimonied, I
el‘t——a lock of my hair in the old lady’s hand--
and come West. And I have registered a vow
away up among the stars of the first mngnitood
that no boy shall ever ag’in tramp on my corns.
Do you understand? Do you see in me your last
sickness? Do you observe that I’m a can of
physical dynamite? Do you know that who
1!] the (presence of old deestruction, hissel ?"

Wil fire burst into a. pee] of hearty laughter.
The boy was really in doubt, however, as to
how he should take the eccentric old hunter.
There was a. serious expression on his bearded
face, a firmness in his voice, and yet the twink-
ling of his little eyes, and the extravagance. of
his remarks, seemed to reflect a spirit of whim-
sical humor.

"‘ Well,” the boy finally said, “ what I want
worst now is to git over into them gold-seekers’
camp; but I reckon I’ll have to wait for night
to cover m movements. I hope we may meet
there, Lim r Jim, and that you’ll not be so
plaglged grannyish; so good-by, old snap-dra-

on
g Gathering up the reins he spoke to the horse
and galloped away. Old Limber Jim watched
him out of sight, his face aglow with some in-
ward emotion, then he burst into a pea] of
laughter:

“Confound that younker,” he mused; “ he’s
the bravest, darin’est little outfit of nerve and
pluck I ever met. Gods! if I had his youth and
vim I’d give this world with forty-seven stars of
the first magnitood thrown in 1long with a long-
tailed comet. He’s a royal little bu’ster.”

CHAPTER III.
FLOATING IN THE RIVER.

Tm: defense of the gold-hunters’ camp was
now intrusted to Daring Dan, and, although he
felt assured that the Indians would not, in the
face of their recent punishment, renew their at-
tack very soon, if at all, he made preparations
for the worst that might be expected. Three or
four lines of rifle~pits were dug along the edge
of the grove, and a little fort for the women
was constructed of logs.

The grove extended to the very edge of the
river-bank, which was some ten feet high and
of itself was.a good defense against an ap-
proach by way of the river, with the single ex-
ception that, about midway along the side’of
the grove, a buffalo trail cut the bank to a
level, almost with the water. At this cut, how-
ever, a guard was stationed to watch the river
and plain beyond. I

The day finally drew to a close. Night found
the women -ensconced in their quarters and
double guards posted all around.

The moon soon came up flooding the plain and
river with a mellow, dreamy radiance.
jects could be seen nearly a mile away.

Shortly after the guard on duty in the cut in
the banks took his position there, be detected an
Indian scout reconnoitering the o ite hank.
A random shot from his rifle frightened the
fellow away, but his presence had admonished

besieged to unrelaxing vigilance.

 

 

About ten o’clock the guard in the page was
relieved by Daring Dan himself. The young
rangers could not forch the conviction that the
enemy contem latcd an attack from the river
side. Rifle in mud he took his position in the
out under the overshadowing bunk.

All was quiet as the grave. Even the moon-
lit waters at his feet were undisturbcd by a
ripple. It was a uiotude that to the ex ri-
enccd plainsmnn oded no good, and so ab-
ing Dan taxed eye and ear to their utmost
power. ‘

Finally, to his relief, a night-bird went skim-
ming along the surface of the river with a wild,
impish scream, the crickets in the grove began
their dreary chirruping and the tree-frogs their
doleful pipm ‘

The moon
the stars twinkled languid and dull.

The midnight hour was approaching. The
CO ml of the guard was makin his round
wit 1 the relief, when suddenly a. lig t plush fell
upon the car of Daring Dan.

Quickly the young ranger runs his eyes over
the water. He 86(5 faint ripples chasin each
other outward from a common center, w ich is
not over ten feet from where he stands. With
contracted brows he bends forward and gazes
down at the water. He starts. He sees what
at first appeared to be the reflection of a human
face, but a. second glance assures him that it. is
no reflection, but an absolute reality—a human
face floating in the river. The body, if there‘
be one, is submerged. He can see nothing but
the face—the bearded face of a white man. It
has a familiar look. yet Dan cannot recall
time nor plaCe he has seen it before.

The oung ranger bites his lips in reflection.
The so t tread of feet falls anon his ears. The
sound approaches from behin . It is made by.
man coming to relieve Dan of his watch. V

“’Sh!”cautions the tan er,as the man ap-

roaches through the she ows of the cut; then

e points to the face in the water, sndlsays,
‘ ‘ Look 1”

“ Ah, me!" whis are the relief: “it is the face
of that old scout, imber Jim, whom—” ,

“ So be it,” replies Dan, sping his friend’s
arm. “ Poor old fellow! the Indians have
killed—”

“ Whist, Dan!” interru ted the relief.
there is another floating ace l” ,

Daring Dan saw the face even before he spoke.
It was drifting down with the current antic
moonlit water.

In breathless sus use the two men watch it.

Theyseeit drift :1 ongside that of Old Limber f

Jim. As the tiny waves circling out from each
face meet and recoil with a rippling sound, the
see both faces move—turn quickly toward es
other as if startled. '

“ By heavens l” whispers Dan, excitedly, “ both
are living beings!"

Scarcely had the last word been uttered when I '

the hand and arm of Limber Jim was rolled

quickly out of the water. In the fingers was,  
grasped a knife whose long, brightlblade flashed , _ ,4

in the moonlight. _ .
Only for the fraction of a moment was the

weapon held aloft. With a side stroke the up- . 
raised arm descended, striking the water with a p 1

A

7 .

licked dreamin from the blue sky— .

“Seal "

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'8‘- The Denver Detective.

 

sharp plash. The knife had been aimed at the
face 0 the unknown, but when it descended
that face was gone, and the force with which
the blow was struck whirled the old scout com-
pletel over in the water and flung the knife
mm is hand.

Before he could fully recover himself, Old
Jim felt cold, clammy fingers clutching at his
throat.

I Quick as a flash the old fellow was upon his
feet in the water to his arm-pits, and clutching
by the throat, at arm’s length, the unknown foe
who already had his digits fast upon his—the
scout’s—windpipe.

For a moment the two antagonists stood glar-
ing, into each other’s face, wheezing like air-

, Pumps-
' In this position they seemed to recognize each

other.

“ Little Wildfirel” gasped Old Jim.

“ Herel” wheezed the other.

At this juncture a. rifle on the opposite shore
rung out, a bullet struck the water between the
\ tWO battle-arrayed scouts and glancing off was
. buried in the bank.

Quickly Old Jim and Little Wildfire were
brought to their senses and releasing their hold
on each other, hastily floundered ashore.

Daring Dan and his friend could no longer re-

’ press an outburst of laughter.

" Stop ing short, Old Jim exclaimed:

. “Fo ks, did you see the maneuvers of this

gol-dashed boy’l"

“Yes, we saw it all,” replied Dan, “ and it
was a narrow escape all around, ludicrous as it
now seems.”

, “It’s not done with yit ” declared Old Jim,
sav ly, “ for I have so emnl resolved to
‘cruc fy that boy. He dogs my ootsteps like a
, curse. Whenever I have undertaken to make a
and coup to-day, he’s found on hand jist in
‘meto claim a share of the honor. Four hours
, ago, when I found I could not git thro’ the
- '. enemy’s lines any other way, I concluded to
dra myself into the silent river, and under
shade of the bank, drift apast the Ingin sen-
. : tinel and float, face up, down here into camp.
I set sail. I drifted along, undergoin’ a hundred
thousand fears and dangers. Right while I war
amin’under the ve feet of a sentinel on the
nk, a night-hawk ipped down into my face
and made a grab at in off eye. Then a cussed
bullfrog perched hissef on my forehead and
gave vent to a hoarse, rasping croak that rattled
my very teeth. Then it was chased olf by a
great green water-snake, fourteen feet long, if
; t war a foot, that deliberately crawled across
my face so slowly, so cold and slimy that it
came vmortal nigh givin’ me the death ague.
All this, and lots more, I passed thro", and when
I’d safely run the blockade, and arriv’ here—be-
lievin’ I’d done somethin’ no one else could do,
who should hove into port but my evil genius
this boy, Wildfire, dis elling my dreams 0
, » greatness. That’s why ’m gom’to crucify him,
gentlemen. If I’d only knowed it war him
1- .whenItook him for an In 'n, I’d made sure
i I that he wouldn’t ’a’ bothere —-”

,V “Look here, Jimmy,” inte d Little Wild-
 fire, with some asperit , “if you think this
 world’s not big enough or both of us to air our

     
  

,r

 

great genius in—to cut curlamacues and thing-
amagigs in—s‘ osin' we leavo it to the bark of a
coup e of pisto s as to who shall git out of the

wa .”

‘yBloodthirsty 111young hyenal d’ye think old
James Hupp wo d fight a sucklin’l ’

“Then close your yawps and let me alone.”

“’Boy, I war once the ather of fourteen chil-
dren—a widow woman’s children—and I swear
by the mother of Adam that 1—”

“ A moment, Jim,” interrupted Darin Dan;
“ I am anxious to know something of t e dan-
gers that menace us.”

“ The Ingins are holdin’ firm. captain,” said
Little Wildfire, “ and ’bout the time the moon
goes “down you may expect them, but not be-

ore.

“Well, we’re fixed to receive them, come
when they will,”

And so the hours wore on, and as the moon
sunk behind the hills every man was aroused and
with rifle in hand stationed at his post.

But to the joy of all, and the contraryexpec-
tation of the rangers, the night passed away and
the red-skins came not.

Daylight finally revealed them gathered about
in little groups upon the plain. On a hillock
about a mile away was ‘a party of three, one of
whom all could see was a white man.

Henry Barnes brought out his field-glass, and
throu h it scanned the three.

" es,” he finally said, “ there are two chiefs
and a white man. The renegade has his arm in
a sling, and he is rather a fine-looking fellow.”

“Let me take a s uint at the ole rooster,” de-
manded Little Wil fire, and having glanced at
the trio through the glass, he continued: “yes,
sir, by ’skeetersl that white man’s the cappy
whose left wing I creased yesterday; and don t
you forget it, he is a sprucy-looking rooster l”

Lillian finally came up and took a look at the
group, saying, with a shudder:

“ ghl it brin ugly Indians so close that it
frightens me. can see the feathers in their
black hair and the rin in their ears. I can
even see their little sna 'sh black eyes. Cousin
Helen, do look at them !”

Helen advanced, and adjusting the glass to her
eyes, glanced at the party. She started with a
little cry, and the glass almost fell from her
hands, but recovering from the shock, she con-
tinued to use at the party for several moments.
Her frien 3 saw that she was geatly agitated,
that she breathed hard, and nally her face
turned to the pallor of death; the lass dropped

from her hands, and with a wi d, distressed
moan, she sunk unconscious to the earth.

CHAPTER IV.
THE CAMP BY THE LAKE snoan.

TEE scene of our story changes. From the
little grove on the Arkansas River we would
take t e reader to the shores of Twin es—
lovely little sheets of water nestled among the
mountain hills of Colorado. There we find in
camp those whom we have known heretofore;
Daring Dan and his rangers Henry Barnes and
his 1 ends, the warlike on Limber Jim. and
last, but not least, the redoubtable Little Wild-

 

fire.
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who had followed their bloo ail through
the Sa pa valle of northwestern Kansas,
wheret edefense ess homesteaders were mas-
sacred and their homes destroyed, and thence
iwer the plans of Colorado to the Arkansas val—

ey.

After the gold-hunters had escaped from the
savages, Daring Dan escorted them to the
mountain lakes, where we now find them en-
camfied, undetermined as to whether to move on
to t e mining-camp of Leadville, some forty
miles distant, or to seek their fortunes in some
other mining district. The hills were full of

res tors, and everywhere new lodes were be-
ing eveloped, so fast as to almost confuse the
senses of the inexperienced gold-hunters.

But Mr. Barnes’s part were not compelled to
depend altogether on t e fickle oddess, luck.
They were content to wait until t e mines had
been somewhat developed when it would be an
easy matter with the means at their command,
to purchase paying claims. Moreover, the
country was threatened with danger from the
Indians, on whose rights it was claimed the
miners were trespassing, and so our friends did
not wish to place themselves in jeopardy.

The location of the camp was lovely and pic-
tures ue, and the days passed there were
fraug twith romantic leasmes. Little Wild-
fire and Old Limber 1m, who, by request re-
mained with the arty, furnished game in
abundance for the ta is. In fact, the on] thing
that seemed wanting to complete the peasure
of the party—especially the young folks—was a
boat in which to sail t e placid, inviting bosom
of the lake. .

Almost daily prospecting parties called at
camp, but they were all strangers, and many of
them sus icious—looking characters upon whom
Darin an and his men kept close watch.

Ont e fifth day of their sojourn there. Lil-
lian, who spent ,much of her time by the lake-
shore, descried a boat rounding a pomt of land
balfamile west of cam . It was coming di-
rectly toward her, an contained two occu-
pants. She watched it for several minutes, then
ran down to camp and informed her father and
Daring Dan of her discovery.

The two at once accom anied her back to the
lake. The boat by this t me had come so close
that they could see that it was an Indian canoe,
thou h occupied by a white man and woman.

As 'ng Dan stood watching it, his eyes lit
up with a glow, and a slight flush suffused his
handsome face.

“I reco iae them now,” he at length said;
“it is Ben Gray and his sister Kate.”

“ And who are they?" asked r. Barnes.

“Mountain recluses; there are really three of
them, two brothers and a sister, and they have
resided over here in a big canyon some three
years, defying outlaw and Indian alike with im-

unity. The one called Noah is a deaf mute.

he other—the one coming onder, is one of the
handsomest and noblest-loo ing ouths I ever
met, and the sister is truly a love y girl-a wild
little beauty. I am well acquainted with them;
in fact, I call often at their cabin, and haye
spent many a night under their roof. But lmll
hail them. ‘ :

trouble had been driven away by the soldiers
y tr

 

As he spoke, Daring Dan stepped down to the ;
water’s edge, and shouted to them, his voice -
leaping in musical echoes through the wooded .

i s.

The maiden recognized him instantly, and an— '
swered with a wave of her hand. '
In a short time the boat reached the shore and

the brother and sister landed. ’

Dan advanced and shook hands with them,
and with woman’s keen perception, Lillian "
noticed that the maiden ermitted her little --
hand to linger in that of he ran er while she '
lifted her eyes to his with a. 100 that spoke'
plainer than words of a feeling in her breast‘
deeper and stronger than mere friendshi ,
feeling that seemed fully reciprocated by the
young ranger. - -

Henry Barnes and his daughter found t all: -
Dan had said in praise of the brother an sister , I
was true. His form was a perfect type of phyw ,.
sical manhood, and upon his clear-cut and hand?
some face was stamped the index of anoble, ‘_
coura eous and manly character, enforced by a -,
remar able intellectuality. ‘

And as Dan had said, and no doubt believed,
Kate was a little fairy. She might have been; -
eighteen years of age judging by the develop: }
ment of her petite, yet perfectly molded form '
althou h her face appeared to be that of a  .3
of per ape fourteen. Her large brown eyes.-
were shaded'with long silken lashes that droop-‘
ed coyly, and a faint smile, that was indicative '
of a happy vivacious spirit, played like _,a tre- '
mor of sunshine over er rosy face, and hung .
quivering on her lips as if ready to burst into if
rippling laughter. She was dressed in they
novel garb of an Iiidian-huntress that was quite"
becoming to her. Her frock was short, ‘ ,. '
concealing the knees. Her limbs were incased-l :
in handsomely wrought leggins, and her feet “14"
beaded moccasins. On her head -was alittle’_'
cap made of the snow-white pillumage of a bird, .‘
which contrasted prettin wi the short dark?
ringlets that escaped beneath. ~ 

Daring Dan introduced the brother and sister‘. '
to Mr. Barnes and his daughter, then they Were f.
conducted to cam and made acquainted with»
the entire party 1: ere. , 

After awhile Basil Gray and Mr. Barnes seek ‘
ed themselves and entered into a conversation;
while Lillian and Kate, girl-like, stoleoif'b
themselves and sat down upon a log, and wi ,

rfect confidence in each other, talked of every-’ 7?;

hing uggested to their minds. Thus they} '
passed a couple of hours and when ‘their‘oon- ;;
versation had ended and they rose to go baokx
to camp it was withafeeling of deep regret

they realized that they must part. - . 114'

When Basil announced his readiness to return .
Lillian escorted Kate to the boat, Daring Dan ,
walking with Basil. '1‘ :

“Oh, how we have been wishing'fora boat .,
these many days,” Lillain exclaimed“; “figs
almost makes me sick to 100k out over this love.
ly lake and then think that we have no boat.” _

H I will tell you, Miss Barnes,” said‘ 
Gray, “if you and your father or Daring Dan -
will accompany us around beyond yonder point V
of land you may bring the.boat  ‘ ,
and have the use of it while yon-are hero.  ‘.

  
 

 

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will not accommodate more than four or I
Would invite all three of you to go along.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Gray for your kind
offer,” replied Lillian, “ though its acceptance
gepen’ds altogether on what father says and

005

“Indeed,” said Henry Barnes, “ I know no
more about handling a. heat than a bear; but if
Daring Dan wishes to go with you, I’m sure I
have no objections.”

“I will go with pleasure,” declared the young
ranger; and the matter being thus settled the
four took their seats in the boat and were soon
adrift on the bosom of the lake.

‘ Basil was an expert with the ear, yet he let
the craft creep slowly alongJ that their journey
might be prolonged. In t e presence of the
fair Lillian the oung mountaineer beheld what
to him seemed is heart’s affinity, but his feel-
ings were in no manner obtruded upon her in
the attention he so gallantly paid her. On the
other hand Lillian could not help admiring the
handsome, manly youth, and bestOWed upon

'him, unconsciously too, looks and smiles that

fed the flame that her face had kindled in his
breast.

So itvwas no wonder he dallied with the pad-
dle and heaved a sigh of regret when at last

the prow of the boat touched on the beach

where they must part. Before leavmg their
seats, however, Basil and his sister promised to
visit the party again in a day or two, when, if

, her father was willing, Lillian was togo home

a and

with them.

With this understanding they parted, Basil
Kate mounting a pair of I‘(ponies that they
had left hitched toatree he by and riding
away southward. while Daring Dan turned the
canoe and paddled back toward camp. They
were rounding the point of land hitherto men-
tioned when their ears were suddenly greeted
by a shout from the shore.

Looking around they saw a man standing on

i the shit waving his hat to them.

“ hat do you want?” Daring Dan demand-
edz as be permitted the canoe to come to a stop.
‘Ar’n’t you Daring Dan, the ranger?” the

, man responded

“ Ayl and you are old Jack Wines, the Den-
v‘er Detective! What in the mystery are you

doin there?”

“ I over and take me on board and I’ll
tell you.”

“ 11 right, Jack,” and Dan headed toward
the shore.
‘ “Are on sure. Dan, he is not an enemy?”

7  v asked Lil ian, in an undertone.

“Indeed, I am, Miss Barnes” Dan replied:
“Old «Tack Wines resides in enver, and is a

‘ - noted mountain detective, and is as true and

honorable as he is brave and daring.”
The canoe soon touched on the beach when

‘ the old man leaped into it, and when he had
shaken hands with Dan, was introduced to Lil-

in a suit of gray clothes that hung rather loose—

lian. /

He was a man of doubtful age.‘ He was one
of gross youthful—looking old men, short and
thic -set, with a round rely-poly face as inno-
cent of heard as a boy’s of ten, light blue eyes
and a nose slightly aquiline. He was dressed

./

The Denver Detective.

 

ly and slovenly upon him. He wore a wider
brimmed hat tipped back on his head like a big ’
fat boy with his first hat.

Seating himself the old fellow asked as the
boat swung around and put out into the lake:

“ Daniel, been pickin' you up a—a wife?”

Lillian blushed crimson, and Dan himself was
not a little confused as he re lied:

“ No, Jack; did I not to 1 you this is Miss
Lillian Barnes?”

“ Oh, yes—excuse—forgot,” the old fellow re-
plied, with a chuckle; ‘ but say, Dan, where
you goin" to take me?”

" To camp yonder.”

“ Just so, just so; but, Dan, do you know Lead-
ville‘s gittin’ to be a sinful placei—more con-
founded outlaws,gamblers,thugs and road-agents
mixed up there with the thousands of people
than ever infestedamining—town on this con-
tinent. There are so many of them strangers to
each other that it’s hard workin’ u a case.”

“Are you on the trail, J ack?” as ed Dan.

“ Always am,” was the laconic reply—“ more
by and by.”

In a few minutes the trio reached the land~
ing near camp. Having beached the boat 01d
Jack Wines was escorted to camp and intro-
duced to the party, and a pleasant acquisition
the old fellow proved himself to be in more ways
than one.

By this time the day was well advanced. The
sun had already sunk behind the mountain
peaks. Supper being served, the stock was cared
for, and guards stationed for the night.

Old Jack Wines entertained the part with
stories, both humorous and thrilling, of is ad~
ventures among the minin camps until the
moon came up, when he an Daring Dan rose
and walked away together toward the lake.

Coming to where the canoe lay they seated
themselves in the craft and pushed off from
the shore. They did not use the paddle but per-
mitted the craft to drift slowly out to sea before
a entle breeze.

‘Now,” said Wines. “that there be no other
ears but yours and God’s to hear me, I’ll tell
you what my ‘lay-out ’ is. It’s a good one, I
assure you, for there’s villains, women, mystery
and ’bout half a million 0’ wealth mixed up in
the thing. '

Daring Dan assumed a position of ease in the
boat and listened to the following strange story
from Old Jack’s lips:

“ Years ago, before the war, in fact, there
lived in Tennessee, a man named George Me—
thias. He was a widower. and had an only
child—a daughter named Edith. He had once
been a wealthy slave-holder, but speculation
ruined him, and at the time of which I am tell-
ing you, he was as r as Job’s turkey, but
proud-spirited as Luelfer. George Mathias bad
a, brother living in one of the New England
States named Benoni. He was a bachelor, rich
as alluvial deposits, but an odd, eccentric old
end as ever lived. Benoni had ason—an adopted.
son, mark you, named Warren—Warren Chase
Mathias, in full, who of course would inherit his
half a. million. But during old Benoni’s last
days on i this mundane sphere, Warren Chase ‘
Methias, by his loft conduct, displeased the old
man somewhat, an he threatened to disinterit

 

 

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him. Well, time rolled on and Benoni died. A
will, made two years previous to his death, was
admitted to probate. and n startler it was—just
like old Benoni. He had bequontliod all hisprop—
arty and Health, adopt a ll|(‘l‘e pittance that
went to Warren, to the (laughter f his brother
George, providing she was unmarried and re-
mairwd so. but in case she was found to he
married, then the property was to go to the
adopted son,‘Warren. You see, the old coon
didn’t heliuw in iiiai'ryin’. But of all the dis-
appointed fellows was that Warren. However,
he was nick to act, and resolved to have all or
none. obody in all that country knew that
old Bcuoni had a brother, until that will came
to light, excepting Warren. He knew all about
George Mathias and whore he lived, but to all he
declared he did not—in other words, licd. He
destroyed all the letters that Bcnoni had re-
ceived from George, so that the only way to
find him was to advertise. But while this was
being done, Warren Chase, the ado ited, was at
work. He called to his aid two of is ChulIlS—~
unprincipled young scoundrels. One of them,
named Randolph Garcelon, was a handsome.
dashing scamp, with a good education and of
oodconnections. He was an idol among the
adios, and knowing he possessor] a wonderful
fascination over tho fair sox, he was dispalched
at once, with a well-filled purse, to Tennessee to
woo and wed Edith Mothias and thereby forfeit
her right to her uncle’s estate. Of course the vil-
lain had to act with dispatch for fear the ex—
ecutor 'd find Edith, or she would hear of her
uncle’s death and the condition of his will. Well,
to he brief. the scheme appears to have worked
like a charm, for in less’n three weeks Randolph
Garcelon had wooed, won and wedded the fair
Edith. Thny say her father did most of the
courting. He had no regard for his child’s
honor—it was money he was after, and believed
Mr. Garcelon was lined and bound with it.
After the marriage was consummated. the execu-
tor had no difliculty, from some cause or other,
in finding out the whereabouts of George
Methias; and he found Edith a married wo-
man, or rather a grass widow, for three days
after the marriage her husband deserted her,
and so Warren Chase was heir to the estate.

“Remorse killed George Methias. and left
alone in povert and dishonor, Edith fled from
her Tennessee ome and went West somewhere
to live with an uncle—her mother’s brother.
And soWarren took possession of his estate,
and was livin like the Princo of Wales, when
lol another 102 came to light dated nearly two
years after thrfirst!

f' It had been placed in the keeping of one
Revarend Ishmael MlllPl‘, who at the time of
Benoni’s death was in Europe, and who did not
return till a year after. He came as soon as he
heard of his old friend’s demise—the friend
who‘d i‘umislied'the money to travel in Europe.
Well, this will was admitted to probate, and it

lit a different complexion on mnttsrs,nnd Lord
EVarre-n is in a fair way to hooomen beggar.
The Will gives to dith Mathias, without any
provisos or restrictions, one-half the estate; tho
other half goes to a {Muir-sister of old Benoni’s,
named Martha Jennings, or to her heirs; and
only jg  that neither of these heirs are liv-

 

ing or cannot be found, will Warren Chase get
more than a thousand dollars.- But he gets it all ,
if no one named in the will is found inside of
mm years. So there is some lively (ignoring goo
ing on. Warren is out in the field bent on mis-
chief, and has no doubt a corps of efficient as-
sistants. Detectives are on the track of the,
heirs as well as that of Warren Chase, and in
yonder camp, Daniel, are some of the rominent
personnch in this case—I have trac ed them
down.” ‘
“You don’t tell me, Jack!” exclaimed the'
young ranger. ,
“Oh, but I do tell you,” continued the old
detective; “of course you may wonder how I "
learned so much about the movements and. 7.
schemes of Warren; but we detectives have a
way of getting at the bottom facts that we
don’t want everybody to know. But let me
finish my story: about two months ago I struck
the trail of that foster—sistor, Martha Jennings.
it appears she married a widower named Gray-
bill in “’estern Missouri by whom she had one ‘
child—a daughter—at lust accounts. When the r '
child was some five years old Gi'aybill mOVHl to _
Kansas, since which time none of their old
Missouri acquaintances had ever heard from
them more than that all had been butchered 'b
Indians on the Verdigi'is River. It so, and
am inclined to believe it true, for I have hunted
Kansas over in vain, I reckon the gal Edith l
inherit the fortune after all; unless, the end
saries of Warren get her out of the way; but:
if you follows ’11 do your duty, they‘ll neven
sucreed on this earth.” ‘
“Do our duty? What do you mean, Jacki”:
asked the astonished young runner. - , .
“ Guard well your cam ) and its inmates, for
gnekof the party is an eiress!” replied 01d 
EC . a,
“ The mystery you say i” ' ' ’
“ Yes, yes; but mum’s the word, Dan. I’ve  i
a tra set, and whenl catch my game. I’ll tell ,
all. at, say, ain’t we drifting quite a ways 4
out to sea?” ,1
“Indeed we are, for I have been too deeply’t a
absorbed in your story to use the paddle,” re-'
plied Dan. . 4
Turning the boat they started back, and as 4,
they approached camp Old Jack disoovereda » 
long, dark canoe hugging the shore and creeping ~ .
stealthin away toward the west. _ ' ‘
“ By Judas!" exclaimed Jack, “that’s a
sneakin’ lookin’ craft, Dun. and we’d bettfl‘ find.
out whether it’s friend or foe.” V
“All right,” replied Dan, and he headed to-
ward the hon . ,1 '
Old Jack, the Denver Detective, took a pistol
from an inner pocket and held it inhishand
ready for use in case of need. ‘ - \
Swiftly the young ranger drove the canoe." -,
through the water, but they had not gone far .-
thn they discovered that the stranger was; I,
faiv'lV flying away from them. I
“By St. Peter! they‘re fleeing, Dan,” said. 2,1
Old Jack, then rising to his feet he yelled out: ‘
“Halt there!” » ' 7 ,'
IA pistol-shot from the stranger answer-ad:

\

 

 
  
  
 
  
  

 

 

 

    
 
  

him. ~
“ Pull, Dan, and let’s run thglpirate dOth.” f -
Dan plied tho oar with I his  and

  
 

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The Denver Detective.

 

power, but despite his heroic efforts, the stran-
ger continued to gain upon them and finally
disappeared from view in the distance.

 

CHAPTER V.
,THE CABIN IN THE CANYON.

A GREAT canyon in the hills of Colorado.

A little pocket or alcove in the side of the can-
yon.

A long, low cabin in the alcove—the home of
Basil and Noah Gray and their lovely sister,
Kate.

It is night over all. The moon shines from a
cloudless sky, resplendent in her mellow radi-
’ since, but her beams fail to penetrate the gloom
of the canyon, for it is overshadowed by the
towering, pine-clad hills and beetling crags.

Adown the canyon glides a little stream
of water, that has been named by the Grays,
Lightning Creek, and the name is appropriate,
for the bright waters go leaping, darting and
lancing over its stony bed through the dark
gé‘een valley like lightning through the stormy
s y.

A wild and romantic place is Echo Canyon,

with all its picturesque grandeur, and its spirit
voices that seem to leap from every rock at the
slightest provocation.
' But let us cross the threshold of that cabin.
We find but a single person therein—she whom
’ we have met before, Kate Gray, the Idyl of Echo
Canyon. The taste and neatness of her handi-
work are displa ed on all sides of that mountain
home. Here or some three years have the
Grays dwelt, a-ndKate has been perfectly con—
tented~refusing to be separated from her broth—
ers—undergoing IElirivations and hardships that
she might be Wit them, for they were to her
the nearest and dearest of kin she knew augbt
of on earth. . ~

The Gray brothers were called mountaineers.
They gave most of their time in hunting and
trapping, though of late, since the town of
Leadville had sprung up so like magic, and that
too. within a few miles of Echo Canyon, the
inquisitive of the camp began to wonder with a
wise look if the Grays were not engaged in other
business than hunting and trapping. Of course,
these reflections on the honesty of the brothers
beget curiosity on the part of the lovers of sen-
sation. and at length an air of mystery began to
pervade Echo Canyon. But the brothers knew
nothing of this.

Almost daily miners called at the cabin in
passing to and fro on prospecting tours through
the hills. They were wont to look upon the
pretty face of the Idyl, and perchance worship
at the shrine of her beauty. All knew that she
was a bright, intelligent, merry and vivacious
51112, with a voice like a nightingale; and often

weary miner stopped by the wayside to
listen to the angel melody of her voice mingled
_ with the strains of a guitar, as it drifted out on
the night and was taken up by the wonderful
echoes of the canyon until the fairies in a bun-
dred grottoes, it seemed, were holding weird
concerts. V

Katie had never been alone so late at ni ht as
on that when we introduce her in her own ome.
. «Her brothers had always made it a paint to b

 

 

home by dark, but it was now ten o’clock and
they were still absent. She paced the floor in
restless impatience, stopping, ever and anon, at
the door to listen.

At length hoof-strokes fell upon her ears. Her
brothers had gone away afoot.

Kate turned and taking a little, silver-mount-
ed revolver from a box on a shelf dropped it in-
to her pocket. She knew how to use the weapon
and would should occasion require it.

A horseman galloped up to the door and dis-
mounting hitched his horse and advanced to the
open door. The light shining out fell full upon
his face and form. It was Dr. Dick Hamlin of
Leadville—a freqéient visitor at the cabin—4i.
Eiend of the brot ers and an admirer of Miss

ate.

He was a man of perhaps thirty-five years,
tall and slender, with dar my eyes, light
brown hair and mustache, an a handsome yet
thoughtful face that bore some traces of dissi-
pation. He was not on] a practicing physi-
cian in the new cam of
also the proprietor o a livery and feed stable.
He could not depend alone for a living on his.
profession in a new and healthy town, and
since there was a great demand for saddle and
pack—horses by mining prospectors, he brought
in a drove of mustangs and set up in the livery-
béisiness, one Frank Dumbarton taking charge
0 it.

“Good-evening, Miss Kate,” he said, as he
sto ped on the threshold; “is it possible that I
fin you alone at this hour of the night?” V

“ It is, doctor,” Kate replied with a feeling of
relief; “ the boys went away this morning and
for the first time in three years have remained
away after nightfall. I hope they are in no
danger; but will you not come in, doctor, and
take a seat?”

Hamlin advanced, took ofi his hat and seating
himself, said:

“ Well, Kate, it‘s concerning your safety that
I have come over here so late." a

“ Indeed! are we in danger, doctor?" the
maiden exclaimed.

“Well, on know. Kate.” he went on, “that
Leadville become a great mining-tom and,
as is generally the case, thieves, thugs. and out-
laws are thick. Three times inside of one
month has the Ex ress and stage been robbed
by road-agents, an not a man of them can ht.
Thefact of it is, the Vigilantes are power ess,
for every day brings a hundred or two stran-
gers, and so you see that‘trom an army of
strange faces it’s impossible to hit the guilty
ones. Everybody in Leadville knows of Echo
Canyon, and the Gray brothers. and their hand-
some sister; and I am afraid, Kate. you are not
safe here—ayl I know you are not. I come to
prevail on your brothers to move to Lsadville at
once. There are hundreds of pure and noble
women there with whom ‘you can associate;
besides, you will be in the midst of brave
friends.” _.

“ Brother Basil and Noah have talked all
these things over. doctor, and yet they do not
seem to a prehend danger."

“ But t ey do not know all—the worst. The
last stage robbed was by two men, and suspi-

cion points strongly to your brothers; in fact,

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The Denver Detective.

13 ‘.

 

their names have been mentioned in connection
with that robbery.”

A little cry burst from Kate’s lips, and with
a defiant look she re lied:

“ They wrong my rothersl they are innocent
of crimel”

“ I do not doubt it, Kate, but there are vil-
lains who, to conceal their own guilt, will take
advantage of your isolation and swear your
brothers into the halter of the Vigilantes.”

“ But they could not convince the Viligantes
of this,” she declared, with decided firmness.

‘ And why not. pray?” Hamlin quickly asked.

“ Because the Vigilantes themselves have em-
ployed the boys to assist in hunting down the
out aws." .

“ Indeed?” exclaimed the doctor, with a v10-
lent start, “ I had not heard of that. Basil
never mentioned it to me yesterday.”

“ Perhaps I did wrong in telling it,” said
Kate, rec0vering from her momentary excite
ment, “ but I have confidence in you, doctor. ”

. " Thank you, Kate, thank you ” he replied.

A moment’s silence followed. Kate walked to
the door and peered out into the night.

The doctor stared into vacancy as he drummed
lightl on the table with his fingers.

‘f ate,” he finally said, his whole tone and
manner changed, ‘ there is another thing of
which I desire to speak, and I hope you’ll not
feel insulted b it for I must unburden my
heart. Since first became acquainted with

on I have learned to love you With all my
heart, and I have lived in hopes of my affection
being reciprocated.” . I

Kate started slightly, but in a firm, kind veice
replied: _

‘ I like all our friends, Mr. Hamlin, but I am
too youn to think of love.”

Doctor amlin’s face betrayed a painful disap-
pointment. A cloud swept over his contracted

row.
' “ Then there are no hopes for me,” he said,
“ no likelihood of my love ever being returned?”

“ Indeed, doctor,” the girl re lied, in great
earnestness, “I do not know w at the future
ma bring forth.”

‘ Well, I shall live in hopes,” the doctor re-
sponded, “and will continue to insist on your
leaving Echo Canyon at an early day for a
place of renter securi .”

As he nished speakin
up his hat and announc

parting. .

Kate inv1ted him to remain until her brothers
came home, but he excused himself on the

ound that he had a surgical operation to per-
fiirrm that ni ht on a friend with abroken arm
and with no ittle apparent agitation he bowe
himself out of the cabin, mounted, his horse and
galloped swiftly away. .

Kate listened at the door until the clatter of

the doctor rose, took
his intention of de-

his horse’s hoofs died out in the distance, then

she returned to her chair by the window.

Five minutes later her brothers came home.
Stilg met themgt the door with a kiss and words
0 a rig.

Wiggylgasil Gray we have met before, dear
reader, and his description would answer for his
brother Noah, with one exception: Noah was

and dumb. In stature, in build, in the

 

color of their hair and eyes, there was an exact
similarity. They dressed alike, and aside from
Noah’s being a mute, you could not tell one from
the other.

What Noah lacked in the sense of hearing
was compensated for in the keenncss of vision
and the quickness of his mind to read objects
and signs. Ho communicated with his brother
and sister through medium of the M ute’s Alpha-
bet given with his fingers, and by this means he
could carry on a conversation almost as rapidly
as with the power of speech.

Having explained the cause of their pro-
longed ahsence, the brothers listened to the
story of Dr. Hamlin’s visit, and the object of his
coming there that night.

Basil’s face became clouded as Kate pro-
ceeded. Noah shook his head in a manner that'
told his feeling Were in sympathy with his
brother.

“I do not want to go to Lendville,” Basil
said when Kate had finished her story; “ and if
I should, sister, your safety will be the only ob-
ject in going. And yet I dread to take you
away from our humble yet happy home into
such a lace of wickedness and crime. It would
be far etler that you go to some other place—
Denver, for instance: then Noah and I could re.
main here and defy the villains the would dare
attempt to cross our threshold. at Ido not
exactly understand Doctor Hamlin’s actions in
coming here to—night, his protestation of love
for you, Kate, and then hurrying away without
waiting for our return, even if he had a patient
needing his attention— Ahl some one is com-

in l” ». .

g'ootsteps sounded near the door, and the nekt
moment four masked men unceremoniously en-
tered the room. '

Basil rose to his feet, his face flushed, thou h
he remained perfectly calm and cool. Noa ,~
the mute, glanced nervously from his brother,
to the intruders. ‘, x

“ Good-evening,” said one of the masked men
whose clothes were those of miners.

BaSil returned the salutation, and was about
togddress them further, when one of them
sai :

“ You may be somewhat surprised and even
annoyed at the abrupt manner in which we
enter your house, but then we don’t stand on
ceremony when V we’re in a hurry and on busi-
ness of importance.” .

“ Well, _ what business have you here with
us?” Basil demanded—Kate communicatin
the. conversation to her dumb brother with
rapid flashes of be; little fingers.

‘ We have come to notify you that you
must leave here and the count within twenty- .
four hours,” replied the maskg leader in an in-
solent tone.

“ By what authority do you command this?”
asked Basil.

“ a}! the authority vested in us as Vigilantes."

“ at reasons have you to give for it?"

“ Reasons that you fully understand.”

“ Suppose we do not go?”

“ Then we will have to assist you.” '

A little cry burst from Kate‘s lips.

Basil’s face grew black with the emotion! i .
struggling in his breast. He was a brave and . - ~

 

 

 

 

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14

The Denver Detective.

 

fearless youth and would never have controlled
his emotions so well but for the presence of his
sister whose welfare was uppermost in his mind.
.His blood leaped in fiery currents through his
veins and his first impulse was to settle then
and there with the intruders whom he know to
be outlaws and not Vigilantcs, but he wisho‘l
' to s are Kate the sight of violence and blood—
she . However, be resolved to make 110 com-
' promise with the villains, and in language that
was not to be misunderstand, he replied:

“If you have anything to settle with us now

_ is the time to do it, for we will not leave here
ali’ye it all the outlaws in Christendom demand
it!

“ Vigilantes," said the leader of tho. quartette,
“you’ve heard tne fello.v’s defiant reply. We
have, therefore. but one course to pursue and
that is to take them into custody at once. liIen,
advance!”

The masked villains started toward the broth-
ers¢ but quick as a flash the latter drew their re-

" a , volvers.

“ Stand back! hands off!” cried Basil, and the
mute, raising his weapon, shook his head violent-
ly,- while his eyes blazed with a wild, unearthly

- .’ ' light.

“ Oh! I pray, gentlemen, you will spare my
brothers!” cried Kate, in tones of humble ap—
pea . , _

The outlaws made no reply but drew their

" ‘ ‘ weapons. .

5'" But still the two brothers stood unmoved.

There was a moment of deep silence.

Then other feet were heard outside the door
and two more men in masks entered the room.

ike
images of stone they stood erect and defiant,
ready to die in defense of their sister and their
home.

 ’: The masked villains seemed to hesitate. They

were for the moment donated by the resolute
an’d defiant attitude of the brothers. But more
’ friends coming in encour ed them, and finally,
one of the villains, seeing ate place her hand
upon the lamp. as though she contemplated ex-
tinguishing it, advanced toward her saying:
I“ My little lady, I‘ll take charge of you l”
They were the last words he ever spoke, for

 quicker than the lightning’s flash the mute rais-
" ed his revolver and sent a bullet through the vil-

‘  lain’s brain.

The ring of Noah’s weapon was followed by a
shot from that of Basil, and the outlaws swayed
backward as it thunderstruck by the murderous

i , audacity of the two brothers. They never dream—

ed that the two bovs would attempt to face such

f" odds, and engage them in a deain conflict; but

their surprise was but a momentary shock, and

" has the leader recovered his senses, he shouted
j, V out to his followers:

  

 

' commando! her brother N

 

,“ Men. shoot the dog's down!”
‘ Quick as a flash Kate blew out the light. The
room was in darkness. There was a. movement
of feet—the flash and stunning report of revol-

h’ud and crash or falling bodies.

CHAPTER VI.
‘ - ranwoax or HUMAN FIENDS.
‘ KATE GRAY blew out the (light by the silent
, and then with

 

'vers mingled with groans of agony and the dull'

 

the quickness of a out she sprung through the
open door out into the night. and like a deer
spc l away into the shadows of the canyon.

Two or three outlaws on guard outside saw
her as she darted from the cabin and at once
gave chase. firing their revolvers in the air and
shouting like domons.

The instant the room of the cabin was wrap‘u'
in gloom the Gray brothers changed their INHl"
tions thereby cluding the bullets ol’ the ouiliws
aimed at them in the dark. Tho flash of the re-
volvers enabled the two youths to aim their
weapons with some certainty, though every
tlillO they fired they quickly moved into another
position.

The outlaws soon perceived that they were at
the brothers’ mercy. Already four of their
number wcro down, and seeing their danger in
face of the advantige the defenders possessed
in the darkness of the room with which they
were acquainaed, a retreat was quickly sounded
by the brazen—lunged leader of the party, and
the next moment they were hurrying fl‘O'n the
cabin dragging the lifeless bodies of three of
their comrades with them.

V As they left the cabin the brothers ceased fir—
me.

There was a momentary silence, than the
leader of the outlaws, furious with rare and
suffering excruciating pain from a wound on
the arm, roared out with all the fury of a
demon:

“ Men, fire that accursed hovel and let us rout
them demon brothers or grill them ali vel”

“ But the girl, captain, the girll” cried one of
the villains.

“ She’s out and gone,” put in another, “but
Burke and Evans arc in pursuit.”

“ Apply the torchl" repeated the leader, “ for
vengeance will be sweet. If they attempt to
open that door which they have closed against
us, and to escape, shoot them down like dogs.
Hurry, men, while our blood is hot!”

Some wood that lay in front of the cabin and
some brush were iled against the side of the
house andalightedp match applied. The wood
was pine and covered with a gummy exudation
that was highly infl immable, and in a few min-
utes tongues of red flame wore licking the walls,
which being of dry pine 10 s, readily ignited.

“ Keep a sharp lookout, men,” commanded the
outlaw chief.

Wit‘i revolvers in hand the party, now num-
bering but six men, stood waiting and watch-

mg.

The fire rapidly crept up the wall and spread
out over the roof.

In a few minutes the cabin was a seething,
roaring pyramid of crackling flame. '

The light lit up the surroundings with the
glare of the mid-day sun—tinging with a weird
glow the frownin bluffs and dark-green pines.

The, top of a and pine standing close to the
cabin took fire and the red flames darted up in.
to the inkv blackness of Heaven.

Gradually the heat forced the outlaws back '

further and further from the building. 'I ,
Night birds and insects by thethnusand
swarmed in blind confusion overhead, and
tvivheeling and fluttering fell into the devouring
ames.

h .. «-...\,V_W -.\

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The Denver Detective.

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Still all was silent in the cabin, and silent
Were the weird and ghoulish~looking figures
standing under the trees outside.

“ I hope,” the outlaw leader finally remarked
as the fire eat into the walls, “ that we're not to
be cheated out of our game—that they’ve not
escaped by a secret passage.”

“ That’s hardly probable, Cap,” replied a
comrade; “ them fellers are ‘ust bull-headed
enou h to roast to death in t ere rather than
be ta en alive or shot down like men—heavensl
there she goes!”

The roof of the cabin fell in with a crash, and
amid the smoke and flamea billion stars shot
upward and were then rained back to earth
among the pines.

But still there comes no one nor any sound
from the cabin.

“ They die game,” said the outlaw chief.

At length the walls began to give aiid crumv
ble, and in a few minutes more the whole build-
ing went down and the home of the Grays was
a mass of red, hissing fire.

f Beaten after all,” said an outlaw regret-
u y.

The villains looked at each other in silent
amazement.

Suddenly a cry burst from the lips of one of
the party as he points toward the fire. Every
eye turns quickly that way, when up out of the
bed of glaring ooals—Phenix-like—rises a hu-
man form wrapped in a steaming, smoking
blanket. It darts out of the fire and the
blanket is dropped as it emerges therefrom re-
vealing the form of a man who throws up his
hands as if in mute appeal for mercy. His face
seemed bursting with internal fire—his eyes are
protruding, wild and bioodshot, from their
sockets.

“My God!” cried the outlaw, “it is Dumb
Noah. the mute l”

The wretched youth‘s pantomimic appeal for
mercy was followed by a movement of the out-
laws toward him: but, as if im lled by a new
fear, he turned and bounde away into the
shadows of the canyon amid the ringing of pis-
tol-shots and the yells of the disappointed out-
laws, who, knowing it was usaless to follow in
the darkness of the can on, turned back.

“Well,” said the ou law chief, with an oath,
“ that is a flat failure all around. The girl—the
one wanted most of all—is gone, and may elude
our men in this canyon an escape entirely be-
yond hopes of recovery. One of the men is also
out and gone, and the other one—”

As if in answer to what he was about to say,
agroan fell upon the villains’ ears. And it
seerlned to come from the depths of that bed of
con s. .

' The outlaws listened and when the groan was
they were assured from whence
it came, they fair] shuddered at the fiendish-
ness of their wor One of the young moun—
taineers was roasting alive in the cellar of the

repeated, and

_ cabin!

As groan after groan issued from the fire, the
blood in the veins of the outlaws almost froze,
and when the horrible sounds finally died away
they experienced a feeling of relief and -
vanced closer to the fire.

. Little blue jets of flame were bursting out of

._I\ .-.. .

 

is

the livid bed of coals here and there, and from
a depression in one end of the red heap where
the cellar had been, a ragged column of thick,
black smoke was rising heavenward, filling the
air with the odor of burning flesh.

At length the outlaws turned awa from the
ruins of the cabin, took up the bod es of their
comrades, and moved slowly 011’ through the
darkness down the canyon. hey soon came to
where the horses were hitched. From their
saddles they took three heavy blankets, anhi
spreading them out on the ground laid their ’
lifeless friends thereon and carefully wrapped
them up from head to foot. Then leaving them
there in the shadows of the trees, they walked
on a few rods and sat down in a little moonlit
o ening to cool their burning brows and await
t e return of Burke and Evans.

They remained there for all of an hour, when ‘
growing uneasy and impatient, concluded to
take their departure.

Going back to their dead they lifted the bodies.
still wrapped in the blankets, and threw them
across the saddles on the horses upon which the
same bodies had sat but a few hours beforein
the full vigor of life. With lariats the bodies
were Secure] tied in the saddles and when this
was done t e outlaws mounte their horses, I
crossed the creek and turned back up the can-
yon, leading .the animals with the three lifeless
men. They passed opposite the ruins of the
Gray cabin and rode on northward through the
darkness, finally turning into a narrow, black
defile, which they followed a few miles, and then

came to a halt among some stunted pines. Hard a _

by, alittle cascade came leaping and roaring

, .

.2

down a hillside and gliding over a preci ice,‘ . 

fell in a sheet of
Here the question of stopping for e night was
discussed. The ma 'ority were in favor of en-
camping, and so a dismounted and tethered
their horses out in a little (:1an grass-plot. The
three dead men were lai side by side on the
earth near the little cascade, where they were to
be interred in the morning.

foam in a boiling pool be ow.  

~7

A fire was lighted under the pines to dispel the“ , Z:

gloom.

Seating themselves around it, the outlaws 

entered into a conversation. Their ill-luck at‘.
the cabin, the escape of Kate Gra .and the
grolonged absence of Burke and
iscussed.

we

VII-ll were 1' '

The captain seemed more exercised over  «1":

escape of the girl than the loss of his men.

In the course of an hour, all but one, who
was left on guard. laid down on their blankets, .
to rest. After all the crime they had com-

H 1,.
.I

mitted that night, they soon made peace .with 
their consciences and fell asleep. They seemed, ‘ 

to have little fear of pursuit or denier of any
kind. Their deep respirations might ave been ‘

.I

‘r.

heard intoned With the steady roar of the little  

cascade. .
Even the guard finally permitted himself to
be wooed by the fickle goddess, and leaning ;
back against a rock, he fe

r. 
Thus the moments passed. The fire burned- 

The three motionless forms that lay
ped in the silence of death could be but
yseenin the dim light. But asthsmo-

low.
wra
fain

linto a gentle slum- ,

  
  

          
        
          
        
    
 
    
 
     
    
   
    
   
 
     
   
  
   
  
   
  
     
   
  
   
    
     
    
  
   
    
  

ments wore on, a casual observer might have
seen one of the supposed lifeless forms move.
' The blanket; which enveloped the form and
face was carefully parted, and a pair of eyes,
burning with the luster of life, peered out over
the bivouae and at the prostrate forms of the
slee ing outlaWS:
hat did it mean? Had one of the fallen men
returned to life, and, if so why did he maintain
such silence? . Was he in doubt as to whether he
was among friends or foes?

, In the course of a minute or two the enveloped
’ figure slightly raised his head and peered over at
' the ysleepin guard as if to assure himself the

man was eep. Then he slowly pushed out his
hand, and parting the blanket from over the
face of the prostrate form at his side, peered
-- down into that face. But at the same instant
' he quickly withdrew his hand, for the second
’- body had suddenly and mysteriously become
' imbued with life, and a revolver in its hand
was thrust into the very face of the first, accom-
panied by the command, hissed forth like the

. warning of a serpent:

“ Keep still, or by the living gods I’ll blow
your brains outi"

‘ CHAPTER VII.
, SCARLET SAUL.
' Sunrnnn with terror by the words that is-
' sued from the lips ofa sup sed dead man, the
"first form toshow signs 0 life sunk back into
’ deathlike repose; but a few moments later he
' pushed out his hand, in which was clutched a
_ revolver and presenting the muzzle at the face
- of the other hissed out in a low tone:
“ Two can play at this, cuss ye I"
v “ Hold up there,” uickly demanded number
two; “you re a de _‘ o‘ a pretty corpse, fiirtin’
, a revolver 'round here in people 5 faces.”
.fi - ':“What do you mean, you p’izen thief, by
‘ playiu’ dead?” asked number one.
_ ‘ Is that any of your business? Don’t talk too
1013i, gr I’ll explore your brains with a bullet,
an - .
“ Say, ar’n’t on Old Limber J im?"
v‘fl-f‘ges; and y snakes! you‘re little Wild-
re
._ The two revolvers dropped and then two
'hands were shoved out along the ground and
3 met in a frienly clasp.
It was Old Jim and Little Wildfire sure
enough.
“ Wildfire.” the old plainsman said “ nu
~Zia-lung scoundrel, it’s an awful wonder I di n’t
1 pl you. How came you here? What are you
here for, boy?”
» “I’m here on the same business on are I
reckon,” replied the boy; “when see’d t e
}ight in Echo Canyon I came over to see about
tand arrived just in time to see the Grays’
:cabln 0 down in flames. From my conceal-
'ment watched the masked men in he s of
fitting a llmpse at their faces to see if knew
bu they were careful and my watch
-was a failure. But after they took up their
«lead and walked down the canyon I follered
them. I saw them lay their dead down and
wrraipthem in blankets and then go a few steps
"to or and set down in the glade to talk over

a

r

16 ' _ V I The ’Denver Detective.

 

their work. An idea popped into my head and

like ashader I crept to one of the dead men,
unwrapped the blanket and dragged the body
back into the shaders; then I went back and
layin’ down rolled myself up head and heels in
that blanket determined to come dead man on
them until I could find out who they war or
until they went to chuck me under the sod.
Itell you it war hard to hold still when they
throwed me in the saddle and warped me
around that horse with my nose and toes almost
teching, and I war just about dead when they
laid me out here.”

“Wal,” replied Old Jim, “that explanation
’11 do for me—only I didn’t know that you war
about. The same light and same motives
brought us together here as they have a dozen
times elsewhere, Wildfire. Sands 0‘ Egypt! I
want to git u and destroy them sleepin devils!
Oh, ye gods, ysl a volcaner -is b’ilin’ in me
now, bi er nor—”

“’Shl I'm, look there! what is that?" sud-
denly interrupted Little Wildfire.

Old Jim turned his head slight] and sawa
half-crouching figure come stealthi y creeping
into the light of the outlaws’ bivouac. It was
a human figure—that of a man. His head was
bare. His face was beardless, yet seemed cov-
ered with blood for it was red as fire. His form
was clad in an odd-fashioned suit of buckskin.
His feet were incased in moccasins. A belt was
around his waist, and in it were a pair of revol-
vers and a murderous-looking knife.

With a soft, catlike tread, the red-faced
creature crept among the sleeping outlaws.
His eyes gleamed like balls of fire. He stole
fil‘oml sleeper to sleeper, scrutinizing each face
c ose .

Finally he reached the motionless form of the
captain or leader of the gang; but a look of di-
appointment overspread his face when. he saw
that the outlaw’s features were concealedbe-
hind a mask. He could see nothin of his face
but the white forehead along whic lay nnglets
of dark-brown hair.

Taking a/small package from his hot, the
prowler unrolled a small vial there rom. Un-
corking it, he held it so that a drop of its bluish,
liquid contents dropped on the outlaw’s‘ fore-
head: then. like adeer, he bounded noxselessly
awa into the shadows. I

ith a cry of pain the outlaw chief sprung to
his feet, clutchin at his brow.

His cry arouse his men.

“ Heavens, boys 1" he exclaimed, “I have been
stung with a centi e or rattlesnake i”

The greatest excitement prevailed. The wound
was examined at once.

“ It's not been made by either a centipede or
rattler. captain,” said the man making the ex-
amination: “it looks more as if a drop of
melted lead had fallen onto yer forehead and
tracked across it.” -

“ Oh-hol” whispered Old Jim; “ that scarlet-

face ’has branded the captain-put a mark onto

him.

“ Bet yer cadaver, my fellow-still,” replied
Wildfire, “he’s bound toknow that entleman
hereafter; but I say, Jimmy, hadnt we bet-
ter be gettin‘ out of this? We’re not enough for
all them critters, and besides we are not gom’
to find out any more ’bout them than that hey

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

1“»

w i, .i. . .’ .«H r. .. 
' *" “;'.E.‘€‘§'~,x shaman:  ‘;~l»“.\37.‘f‘r -~.

4-.

are outlaws and are goin’ to stay here to-
night."

“ All right, Wildfire,” whispered 01d Limber.
“I’d ruther know who that scarlet-faced chap
is, and mebby he could tell us who the outlaws
are, if they really do form any portion of Lead-
ville’s population. Are ye readyf—now, up and
away l—easy—silent-graceful, boy i”

Quick as two deers the men sprung to their
feet and dashed away. The outlaws saw them
but before they could recover from their sur-
prise and consternation both were under cover
of the darkness.

The two daring scouts kept “together and
when, at length they felt they were be-
yond danger of pursuit they stopped. Before
them la] a. little moonlit opening, and after a
few minutes’ conversation the started across it.

The figure of a man sudden y glided from the
shadows on the opposite side and confronted
them. Both readily recognized him as the
mysterious scarlet—face that had visited the out-
laws’ bivouac.

“ Good-evening, strangers,” he said in a low,
quick and excited tone that was strangely un-
natural.

“ Howdy!” was 01d J im’s response; “ you
seem to be slippin’ around to-night, stranger,
like warm grease. Who might you be?”

“ Scarlet-face, the Sleuth-hound," answered
the fellow in that same unnatural tone.

“ Out on a lark, ain’t ye? Struck a trail,
hav’n’t ye?”

“ Yes, the outlaws are at work. The Grays’
cabin is in ruins and God only knows the fate of
the brothers and their lovely sister, the Idyl of
Echo Canyon.”

“ We know all ’bout that, Scarlet Face, and
have been playin’ it flue to git the drop on them
outlaw demons. But you‘ve beat us, Scarlet—
we saw you maneuverin’ in camp—awful risk
to take.’

“ Where were you?” asked the man.

“ Layin’ over on the right, layin’ dead roh~
ber, havin’ ousted a pair 0’ sti s and taken their
place in the folds 0’ their winding sheets.”

“ Did you recognize any of the outlaws?”
asked the man.

“ Not one of them. but we see’d you put your
mark on the captain’s forehead.”

“ Ay!” the man exclaimed, “don’t forget
that, friends; but I must not remain idle here.
Kate Gray is in danger and I have a duty to
perform.’

“Stranger,” said Old Jim. “ is the Grays
anything more to you than friends?”

“That is enough; 1 am willin to give my
life to save that of the girl, ate,” was the
rather evasive repl .

“Well, Scarlet ace. what Can we dot—what
shall we do?” asked Little Wildfire.

:: Is not Daring Dan on the lake yet?”

“Then one of on go and tell him what has
happened to—nig t in Echo Canyon, and tell
him to send man here to aid us in destroying

1 those outlaw demons; the other might assist me

in in search for Kate Gray.”
“ I go for the rangfrs,’ said Little Wildfire.
013$?8n I’ll assist in tinting for the gal,” said
hi.

 

,V . i" _,
;n We- .-.—., .- . , W - - r
11""; *‘-fi"*“. r. . NW. *3?"  Ms.» hm... 

4 The fionver‘ Detective. ' ' 16

Without further words the boy departed
for Camp Lillian on the lake shore.

01d Jim now found himself alone with the
mysterious Scarlet Face, and as he looked
closcly into his fierce, contorted face, and his
wild, glaring eyes he experienced the feeling
of one alone with a madman. There was some-
thin decidedly mysterious about him.
quic , nervous movements his subdued and sul-
len voice, and his half-crouching figure were
su gestive of the hunted tiger.

51d Jim was superstitious, and after looking
upon the man a few moments. he made up his
mind that he was not a very desirable compan-
ion, and he was revolving in his mind the use-
tion as to how he could elude him without 0 end-
ing, when a footste sounded near and a man
emerged from the arkness of. ‘he shi‘ubbery
and mused within a few feet of thin.

1th a low, half-smothered moan Scarlet

Face leaped upon the stranger like a tiger.
There was a brief, silent scuttle. when the man
was borne to the earth. Then followed two or
three blows, a moan of anguish, and the wild
man arose to his feet, wiped the blade of his
knife on the prostrate b y of his victim, and
replacing the weapon in his rdle, bent his ear
and listened. In this attitu 8 he remainedfor
1'ng a fiinute then, starting quickly, he turned
to 1d ‘mber and said, excitedly: ,

“’Il‘l’ioy are coming! go—do your duty, old
man

 

CHAPTER VIII.

ran MEETING u on. Ham’s omen:
IT is on the morning followin the tragedy in

the great minin -camp or city of Leadville.

It is still ear y and but few are astir in the
streets of the place.

In his office fronting on one of the main
thoroughfares, Dr. Dick Hamlin was lying u
a lounge conversing with a man who had ca ed
upon him.

The doctor was sick; or, in other words he
was suffering, so he told his friends, from an ac-
cident which betel] him the hi ht before while
on his wa home from Echo anynn.

his left arm Just below the elbow. .

The doctor’s caller was a man of middle age,
rather tall and decidedly good-looking and was
addressed by the doctor as Captain Lorin .
The few who saw the captain enter the doctor s
office so early in the morning supposed it was on
plrofessional business for he carried his arm in a
s mg.

“. Why, in dear doctor,” the ca tain ex-
claimed as e entered the oflice an saw
doctor in bandages, “what have you been doing
to‘yfiir handsome self?"

’last night and threw me,” said the doctor.
“ The dickens you say! are on badly hurt?”
“ I‘ve a had cut on the fore end and a wound-
ed arm; but these are not the worst, Cap; I’Vea
wounded heart. My visit to the Grays was a
flat failure all around.” .
“ The fiends you say I” exclaimed Loring, look-
ing disappointed. ' A

 

,,.

\

.,.'

HlS‘

Echo Canyon that we would ta 6 the reader to '

There, , ,
was a ban age around his head and also around ‘

infernal old horse ran away with'mo ‘ V

 

 

V‘ * 13 ' ' I ’ V. iI‘lae Denver Detectiv'm

, “Yes the Idyl of Echo Canyon loves no one
but her brothers, neither—

, The speaker was here interrupted by a timid
. knock upon the office door.

, ‘Come in,” called out the doctor, but no 0110
entered. Instead the rap was repeated 8. little
louder.

The doctor again bade the party enter. The
knocking being repeated Hamlin finally rose
and going to the door opened it.

He started back as he did so and almost fell.
He clasped his bandaged head while the color
faded from his face.

The man before him was one of the Gray bro-
thers whom he took for Basil.

V “ Heavens. Basil! what brings you here so
‘ early?” the doctor exclaimed as he recovered

v from his shock.

.V The young man shook his head and touched

’4 his lips. ‘

 “ Ah! I was mistaken,” said Hamlin, “ it is

 the’ mute Noah and not Basnl. They resemble

. each other so that I could never tell one face

2' from the other.

\ Dumb Noah was greatly excited. He took a

 little round piece of slate from his pocket and
wrote 11 n it the words:

“The igilantesl the Vigilantesl”

As soon as he had read it Hamlin seized the

L; slate and pencil and wrote upon it the question:

‘ ‘ “ What have they done, Noah?”

., “They have burned our home, killed brother

1 1 Basil and the good Lord only knows where poor,

a), sister Katie is l” the mute wrote reply.

P “ When did they do this, Noah?” questioned
Hamlin.

,4 I “ Last night soon after you left our cabin.”

" I “ This is awful, Noah." the doctor wrote;

.»" the curse of God should smite every one of

that ' committee. Noah, I have many good

.i»friends here and they will stand by me through

fall ,,dangers, and if you will join us we will
: Beyer cease hunting till your sister is found and
 ' our brother avenged.”
s After reading this over Noah nodded assent,
and as he did so he became exoited, his eyes
,3 blazing and his whole frame quivering w1th in-
-.r tense emotion.

. Hamlin finally motioned Noah to a seat, then
{he and Captain Loring walked into an adjoin-
:Jzing room and'sat down.
' ‘The mute,” said the doctor with a sinister

'. smile, “can’t hear, it is true, but he’s got won-
v dsrful eyes and they say he can tell what one is
"saying sometimes by t e movement of the lips,
' and we must be careful. He will be a great ac—
." quisition as long as he believes as he does, for he
xyno‘wsever mountain pass within twenty miles
it‘d! here as. know this room, and we can elude
(a. thousand foes. If we succeed in finding
J'Kate and can then get hold of your bride. cap-
;ltain, it will be well to run them over to Lake
9' Retreat until the excitement is over, then we
pvoan decide upon a further course of action.”

3  Then you have no doubt of the Grays being
“the Graybills?” replied Captain Loring.

 5‘ None whatever,” answered the doctor with
Sighting emphasis.
" " ' ‘,‘ Well then the mute is in for his share, too.’

‘iNo,"’ replied Hamlin, “ before old Grayhill

married Martha. Jennings he had two children’

 
 
 

 

 

    

 

u

l) a former wife~these boys, Basil and Noah.
hate is Martha’s on] child. You see after they
left the Ncosho in Census they dropped the
ghill’from their name and it became simply
Tl‘flV.

“ Exactly, doctor,” replied the captain with
a. smile.

“Now,” continued Hamlin, "I regret that
violence and bloodshed were necessary and that
there must be more. But when love—making
fails as has mine with Kate, then there was but
one course to pursue. There is, however, one
thing about last night’s work very mysterious
to me. The leader 0? the Vigilantes, you under

stand, that visited Echo Canyon, met with a.
After they hal performed.
their work and started off up the canyon to—~
'ward the lakes, they concluded to halt for-

peculiar accident.

the night, and fearing no danger whatever,
selected a favorable spot near the Fairy Cas-
cade and went into camp. A guard was posted
and all the restluid down and soon fell asleep.
Along in the night, when the efficient uard
had nllen asleep, too. a drop of vitrio was
dropped on the eader’s forehead that awoke
that worthy with a yell of pain. In a moment
the whole party was on foot, and it was several
minutes before they could collect their senses
and comprehend the situation. Who applied
the vitrio God only knows for not a soul could
be seen about. And besides, two of their dead
comrades, slain at the cabin and carried to the
Cascade, were found missing from beside their
dead friend. Their blankets were there, but
where the bodies are and who took them away
remains a rofound mystery. A few minutes

after, one o the Vigilantes was killed by an un-.

known foe. Whoever that slayer was, he has
alarmed all Leadville, for every man I have
seen this morning knows of the destruction of the
Grays’ cabin. But. captain, no will meet to-
night at the Fairy Cascade and know the result
of the work going on and direct all future move-
ments. We must keep the confidence of Dumb
Noah, for if he should mistrust us he would
prove a bad one. Don’t forget—Fairy Cascade
by ten o’clock to-night.”

So saying the two arose and went back into
the room where Dumb Noah sat Iistlessly gazing
around the room, his fingers working nervous!
at the haft of the sheathed knife hanging to his
belt. Taking the slate the doctor wrote upon it
the question:

“Noah, do you know where the Fairy Cas-
cade is?” ' '

.Noah read it and answered in the affirma-

we.
“ Meet us there at ten o’clock to-night and we
will see what can be done.” '
Again Noah nodded assent as his flushed face
thtched and quivered with emotion.

Taking the slate the mute wrote upon it. -

“ Oh! my poor sister!” then holding it up for
Hamlin to read, he turned and glided out of the

door into the street that was now all hurry and.

excitement with moving life.

, CHAPTER IX.
“mm on THE LA .

1m
Tum at Camp Lillian on the shores of Twin-
Lakes passed very pleasantly to the young“

. s c- Kann -....

n...»...a.= 44.-.... MM“ _ ,

 

 

 

 

M.-* . (V.

w 4. e... _«._.._.‘.._... . ..

_some miles distant£ perha .”

The Denver Detective.

folks. but to their elders, es .cially Mr. Barnes
and the old detective, Jack Vines, there was a
feeling of vague uneasiness created by the dis-
covery of that skulking canoe along the shore.
Since first observed by Daring Dan and the de—
tective it had been seen twice—once with two
occupants and then again with three.

From the fact that the boat kept out of hail-
ing distance and made its appearance only after
nightfall, suspicion of its character was Created,
and so every precaution was taken to guard
against its piratical intrusions, and at the same
time to capture it if possible.

The party made good use of the boat left
them by Basil Gray, and on the evening of the
third day after the visit of the brother and sis-
ter at the camp, Mr. Barnes, Helen, Lillian and
Daring Dan seated themselves in the boat and
pushing from shore drifted out into the lake be-
fore a strong. steady breeze.

It was not their intention of going far from
camp, but are they were aware of it the wind,
rising gradually, was blowing strongly from
the south and .drivmg them rafiidly away.
Daring Dan Seeing this, turned t e boat, and
plying the paddle With all his strength and
skill, was making flne headway against the roll—
ing waves, when suddenly the paddle sna pad
in two and the blade was swept beyond) his
reach. .

“ Great heavensl” exclaimed Mr. Barnes, as
he realized their helpless condition; “ what will
we do?” .

“Well, I declare,” said Dan, in perplexity,
“ it looks as though we can do nothin but sit
still and drift to the opposite side of fins lake,

“And like as no into ehands of enemies,”
declared Mr. Barnes. I

Daring Dan med, With the shaft of his d-
dle, to stem the tide but in vain, and a] he
could do was to keep the brow of the boat to the
wind, and this _b the hardest exertions, while
they drifted rapi 1y out to sea.

The shore quick] disa peared from view, Ind
the party found t emse ves adrift on a bound-
less expanse of water, under the blue, misty

sk .

{Vhlle Dan was busy with the boat, Mr.
Barnes kept a sharp watch around them.

Helen and Lillian sat shivering with terror in
each other’s arms. . '

Thus for hours they tossed on the rolling
waves. Hope had almost vanished from the
breasts of all save Daring Dan, when suddenly
a cry of by burst from the lips of «Mr. Barnes-
A long, lack belt of timber appeared before
them. and he knew they were nearing the
shore.

With no little difilculty they finally succeeded
in landing. The men then dragged the boot
up on the beach, beyond the reach of the waves.
Then all sat down to rest and talk over the
situation. Now that they were safe, their ad-
venture to Lillian be an to take. on a romantic
a ct: but to her ather and Helen it seemed
sti l a serious aflair. Daring Dan was still the
some cool, calm and courteous fellow—not a
Word, nor a. look betraying the least sign of
emotion.

But how were they to get bnokl Without a,

   

 

1': ~

paddle they could never cross the water. and
gerrtrach camp afoot would be an inipossl-d
l i y.

Darin Dan had hopes of the wind changing.
It had en in New quarter within the past
ten hours, and he thought that by daylight it
would either no down or shift into St me quarter
favorable to them.

As there was no other alternative but to wait,
the resolved to make the host of their situation
an at once sclected a shelter undera ledge and
seated themselves. Here they had passed some
two or three hours listening to some pleasant
stories from Daring Dan, when they Were sud-
denly startled by a deep and sullen boom as if
of a cannon.

“B heavens!” exclaimed Henry Barnes,

“ es, our friends hot our old howitzer l”

“ that was the re rt ave grown impatient over
our prolonged a sence from camp, and think-
in , perhaps. that we are lost, are firing a sig-
nal,” replied Daring Dan.

“Oh, I hope it is no worse!” cried Helen.

“It cannot be for any other purpose," Dan
continued; “hut, friends, do you see that red
light in the sky, ofll yonder to the right?” --

All answered in the afirmative, when Dan
continued: -

“ That seems to be about in the vicinity of the
Grays’ cabin in Echo Canyon, and I am afraid
something is wrong over there. I pray the , 
Grays are in no danger—that that light is not ‘
from their burnin home.” ‘ ' I

They watched t 9 light closely. It grew red-
der and redder. The odor of burning ine was
wafted aci'OSs the lake on the wings of t e wind.
Finally the light began to fade out, and in the
course of an hour or two it disappeared.

Daring Dan paced the shore uneasily. I

At intervals of an hour the howitzer at camp V 
boomed out. '

" I wish we could answer it,” said Mr. Barnes. 

The midnight hour passed. The wind began ' ‘
to go down. and finally a dead calm prevailed. ,

“It’s changing,” said Dan, and true enough i »
in less than an hour a strong breeze was blowing, ‘ ‘
from the northwest. d ' I '

reparations, or eparture were at once
made. With his knife Daring Dan cut apole’
some four feet long, and to one end of it securely
tied some brush, making a sort of a broom. I 

“ We have the wind on our quarter now,
and with this broom-paddle I hopes we may be I
abilg to sweep back to camp,” the young ranger
sa .

Launching the boat the a at once em; , 7
barked therein. The wind bgre hem gradually ::
away from shore, and soon they were beyond 
sigh of land. But owing to their inefficient ,
Bgddle and the (1 artering wind they were 
awful: to .ttlég righ . mild ereltheytifi'ere scagflrely" ' '
a 01 e werecoseaon ew ,
of the lake. y 8' est org  ’
n “ Well, we’ll have to hug the shore.” said Dan, 
but I hope time and patience will eventually ‘
bring us into camp.” , . 

“ What if that pirate craft should be coasting "
around here and run into usl" said-Barnes.

“ We’d give them a warm reception,” replied

J

an. ‘.
Thus they moved slowly along. They wen:

 

    
 

£0 /
approaching the southern extremity of the lake
when they were all suddenly startled by a wild,
piercing mg.

Daring an permitted the boat to come to a
stand, when all listened.

Again that wild cry pierced through the night,
and it was the cry of a female. Of this there
was not a doubt.

5‘ By the heavens above 1” exclaimed Mr.
;.Barnes, “ some one must be in trouble, Dan 1”

“ Yes, indeed, but who can it be?”

’As if in answer to the young ranger, there
came the wild up cal:

: “Hel I help{ 0 , save me!”
' “Godgl my riends, I cannot hear that cry
and remain idle! I must go to her assistance at
9m!” ,
' ‘ “Hold, Danl‘ are you sure it is not a decoy?”
,“ ‘It cannot be, Mr. Barnes—it is genuine,” re-
plied the young ranger, driving the canoe ashore
zn’lthin the deep shadows of some overhanging
o lage.
‘ As the youth sprung ashore Barnes rose from
is seat saying:
“ The women will certainly be safe here in
these shadows, and I will go with you, Dan.”
,With a few words of caution to the girls, the
two men departed in the direction whence those
'ries ofap eal had come. With the deep, dark
hadows t e women felt perfectly secure, and
V 11ng in whispers.
Since that last wild, distressed cry for help,
:11 had relapsed into perfect silence.
f Half an hour had thus passed, when Lillian
:u . Helen heard the light dip of a gaddle, and
elt a succession of tiny waves cha ng the side
n their boat.
' “ Lillian,” whispered Helen, “ I do believe a
nee is approaching."
'3“ Chi, what woul we do if the are enemies,
d we should be discovered?” re ied Lillian.
» “ ’Shl'Lillian, do not breathe, ’ cautioned her
n ion; “the boat is creeping along in” the
v- : ows and— 0h!”
X With a slight crash the prow of the stranger
' ck their oat, tipping it so that they were
u: : rly pitched into the water, and forcing a cry
« w In their lips. ‘

"‘ B J udasl what have we found here?” asked -

3 n voice in a low tone.

he women could now see the dimmest out-
». -.: of a Ion black canoe that at once swung
l’ongside of hem. In it were four or five
adowy forms.
“ Lillian and Helen crouched down in their
«at, trembling with _terror, but the moment
flian felt a hand touch her, then rudel grasp
er, she uttered a piercing scream for be p.
-»“, By the great in eterl we have another
al here—ayl two of em 1” declared one of the

known.
’f‘ Must be from the camp over on the point,”
'dgnanother, “ and they’re not here alone,

Quick as a flash, two men leaped from the
, tinge boat into that of our friends and pushed
off from shore.
“Help father, help i” shrieked Lillian, in tones
- r wild ir. ‘

"Stress me a paddle over here, Luke,” said
, of the outlaws, for such they were, “ there’s

 

 

The Denver fietectivé.

nothin’ but a brush broom in here for a
paddle.”

The men in the bateau, for such the strange
boat was, handed over a paddle from the shore,
the bateau following alongside.

In her sudden terror, L1 lian would have leap-
ed into the water but for the restraining hand
of Helen and one of the men. The latter
seized her as she rose to her feet and 'erking her
down in the boat placed his han over her
mouth, saying:

“ Now if you yell again, I’ll strangle you.”

Out into the lake beyond the reach of friends,
the two women were carried. When a hundred
rods from shore the two boats running alongside
came to a stand.

The captives gazed around them. In the big

out were four persons—three men and a female.
The latter sat with her head bowed down as if
weeping. ,

The moonlight falling full upon them, revealed
to Lillian an Helen the rough, bearded faces of
the captors.

One of the men looked closely into the faces of
the ca tives, then said to his companions:

“ he says fortune’s not on our side? We not
onl got the captain’s bride, but the lovely Miss
Lil ian Barnes.

“ Good! good!” exclaimed the others. I

The bowed figure in the bateau raised her
head. The moon falling full upon her~revealed
the retty yet sad and terrified face of the Idyl
of cho Canyon. Kate Gray.

“ Oh, Katie!” cried Lillian, “ you are in
trouble, tool”

“Yes, Lillian,” replied the girl, “ these heart-
less men have destroyed my home, and ‘I fear
slain my brother.” ,

A cry that seemed wrung from her very
heart escaped Lillian’s lips, and she sunk half-
unconscious in Helen’s arms. In this position
she lay for full five minutes, then she started
up, the hitherto sad, terrified expression of her
face changed to one of indi ation and scorn.

Turning to her captors, er eyes fairly blaz-
ing, she said: _

‘ Villains, you shall suffer for this outrage!”

The men laughed at her.

The report of a rifle on the shore rung out
through the night, and was immediately fol-
lowed by the thunderous roar of the howitzer
at Camp Lillian.

These sounds following so close after the girls'
warning, startled the outlaws, and the boats
were at once put in motion.

They headed toward the north, the hateau
taking the lead. The captives saw the shore
disappear in the misty moonlight as they moved
out further and further into the lake. That
the were beyond the assistance of friends the
h not a doubt, for they knew their frien
had no boat with which to follow them.

The bateau, being provided with cars, was
easily propelled, and kept several rods in ad-
vance of the canoe.

After pursuing a northward course for half a

lea e the boats bore abrupt] to the left, and ,

in t e course of an hour the s ore appeared in
si ht again. .
he moon sinking slowly behind the distant

 

 

 

 

u:

 

 

 

Their eyes became flx

" of terror was broken.

The Denver Detective.

hills sent dark shadows creeping out over the
bosom of the lake.

Into this border of shadows the boats finally
glided. The bateau was perhaps fifty rods in
advance of the canoe, when Lillian, whose eyes
were bent downward upon the rippling waves,
that gave out a phosphorescent glow saw a
dark object rise up out of the water alongside
the boat. At sight of it she utteredacry of
terror, for the dim outlines of the creature
seemed tobe the head and neck of amonster
serpent. But quick as it had appeared it again
sunk down in the water as if frightened by the
maiden’s cry.

No one else had seen it, for it a peared at Lil-
lian’s side, the others being seate ahead of her
and facing the boat’s course.

“ Whats wrong, my little chick?” asked the
outlaw.

“ You are,” was the laconic reply, given with
disdain.

But scarcely had the words fallen from her
lips when she again saw that object rise quickly
out of the water at the side of the boat—saw it
throw out one arm—heard a dull blow that was
followed by a scream of agony from the lips of
one of the outlaws that chilled the very marrow
in the bones of the whole crew.

“Heavens, Carl! what ails you?” asked the
man at the die.

Carl ma e no reply, but clutching at his
breast, he rattled in he throat, then in a con-
vulsive fit he threw himself to one side and fell
overboard into the lake. His friend leaned over
to grasp him when he, too, uttered a groan
of agony and ell forward across the boat’s gun-
wa e.

Then up out of the water rose that mysterious
figure—the silent slayer. It look ed over into the
boat as if for other victims.

The tongues oi the cagtives were paralyzed.

e upon the dark un-
known as it held there by some horrible tas-
cination.

“ Gals.”

It was a human voice that sounded familiar
that greeted their ears, yet they moved nor
spoke not. ,

" Lillian, be you and Helen here?”

As these words fell upon their ears the spell
They recognized the
voice. It was that of the boy nomad, Little

ildfire. -

“ Oh, Wildfire!” cried Lillian, “ what a des-
perate, daring boy you are!”

“ Ar’n’t I though?” was the facetious reply of
the boy, as e swung himself into the boat and
coolly cum d the body of the outlaw into the
lake. “ Didn’t I salt them critters down nicely?
Had a big swim for it. though. you kin jist bet
big, but then I can swim like a fish. Gals, I told
Mr. Barnes and Darin’ Dan’l that I’d destroy
somethin' afore mornin' and—”

l. “ Then you saw father and Dan?” cried Lil-
ian.

“ Yes, right away after you ot husseled ofl? ;
but, gzls, whar be that t’other is what’s got
Miss ate, the Idyl—"

“ There, Wildfire! oh there it is coming back!
Oh, Wildfire, they will hill you i" '

“ ’Spects they will if they ketch me,” coolly

\

 

 

81 .
replied the boy, as he took up the paddle and
sent the boat liding through the shadows. But
the bateau h gone within two rods of thembe- .
fore its return was discovered, and the taxi—
tives had not ione far before they saw 
would be overta en. v fl V . ‘- ’-
“Wildfire,” said Helen, “can you notesc , ".i
from the boati See! they are gaining rapidfi':
upon us.” ' ‘
“Let ’em come, and, b ’skeeters! if they I
crowd Jim Rassals too c ose, he'll show ’em a
specimen of his naval fightin’!” declaredv‘thaj
little nomad. « 3‘
“ But, Wildfire, there are three of them i" said:
Lillian. I,
The boy made no reply, but plied the 1m!
Wieldy paddle with all his strength. Des its his;
efforts, however, the bateau gained rapid yupou 5
them. It was not over a rod away, and see 7 *
he could not elude the foe, the boy dropped ,1 ;’
paddle and rose to his feet. '
At the same instant, a pistol in the hand 0!:
an outlaw rung out, and, with a wild scream’.’
the brave boy fell backward into the lake and _
sunk beneath the waves! ' "3‘3

CHAPTER X. 1 
THE MEETING AT THE FAIRY CASCADE. - .
THROUGH the earl evening twilight, fours.
horsemen were riding eisurely up Echo Canyon
conversin in low yet earnest tones. ' -  ..
Two of hem were Dr. Dick Hamlin and 08 "
tain Loring. and all were on their way to 
Fairy Cascade where Dumb Noah had promised:
the previous morning, to meet them at 
o’clock that night. v . «.2...
Dr. Dick wore a few patches of court-plaster;l
on his face, and Captain Loring still carried 
arm in a sling. v 
As the four approached the spot where once;
had stood the home of the Grays, the rib of:
their horses’ hoofs seemed to start a bun ’
hollow, ghostly echoes. With contracted brows;
the four men watched every bush and 
algadgw, as though afraid they were the \w
o a oe. ; 
At length they came in sight of the ruins oi? ,
the Gray cabin. Even yet a glimmer of heat»
was rising from the hen of ashes, and as 
four were riding on apar a groan suddenly fell V
upon their ears. , ’
Reining up theylistened. The groankuer
gated. t seemed to come from the ashes 09?
e ruins. . ‘ ’ 

I “Good Lord!” exclaimed Dr. Hamlin.“v
it Iber'that some one is still alive under those-’1‘
ruins , r 
Lé‘lmpossible, impossible!” declared Captahi-f‘,

rm . . . _ v
As it to refute this declaration that groan 
again fell upon their ears, leaving little, oubt ,
as to the source whence it came. ‘_ 7 ,3

Dismounting the four men hitched their horselfif
and advanced toward the ruins, prompted 130357}.
1‘); a feeling of curiosit than of humanity i

ith their feet almost a the ashes theyjtopjw
pod and gazed over the ruins and hstened,,buii.«,
not a thing could they see, not a sound could"
they hear.  ~ i “av”

‘ Queer, ver queer” said Hamlin, bet” .
ins some perp my of miss;  w .

.

 

    

 

 
  

 

 

 
 

   

  

 

  

 

_ 82 The Denver Detective.

 

around to the opposite side and explore that
withered foliage a on the base of the cliff.”

The man addremeti‘ advanced with hesitating
footsteps around the ash heap, and peered in
among the foliage; but he saw no one, and was
passing on around when suddenly a man stepped
from the shadows and confronted him.

Sanders started back for the face of the man
and his terrible eyes struck terror to his very

soul.

.“Who are you?” Sanders gasped as he fum-
bled at his revolver excitedly. '

“ Scarlet Face,” anSWered the mysterious
man, in a sepulchral voxce, then with the yell of
a s lvage he sprung forward and Seizing Sanders
by the throat hurled him tothe earth, as though
he were an infant.

’ Dr. Hamlin and his companions rushed to
their friend’s rescue, but when they reached his
side Sanders was dead and the mysterious do
stroyer gone!

The breasts of the three men were filled with
fear and horror, and lifting the body of their
friend they hurried back among the shadows of
a clump of trees.

“ Boys," said Hamlin, in a Serious tone,
“ we’re being tracked—1.>erhaps to death. I tell

’ Eon we must hurry up our work and get away.

miss! I wish that sleuth, Dumb Noah, was

4 here and we’d hunt that murderer down.”

- The three deposited the body of their friend
in a shallow grave. then mounting their horses
resumed their journey.

In the course of two hours they arrived at

.F'airy Cascade, and were met there by several

.‘friends. Dumb Noah was not there, yet it was
an hour until ten o’clock and the party sat

' . down to await his coming.

The shadows lay deep around them. The
moon was shining yet the only snot where her
beams fell to earth was at the Fairy Cascade.

As the moments wore away one of the men
'walked over to the cascade for a drink. He

, xremoved the cup from a whisky -flask and
:ztlii'etched out his hand toward the waterfall to
'1 it. .

At the same instant a figure stepped from the
:shadows of a rock and confronted him.

It was Scarlet Face the avenger.

The man started back with a cry and turned
to flee, but in a moment that human tiger was
upon him. He called for help. His comrades
hastened to his assistance, but reached his life-
less form just in time to see the figure of the
destroyer disappear in the shadows.

“ Great heavens l” cried Hamlin, “ what is the
meaning of this? who is this bloodthirsty
murderer.”

“ Perhaps, doctor.” said Captain Loring, “ it
is an aveuging angel sent out by—”

" Bv whom, captain?” interrupted Hamlin
with impatience. Before Loring could replv a

~ , rifle run out in the direction whence the mur-

derer ha gone.

A dead silence followed the report of the gun.

The dead man was hastily buried, then the
partv went back to their horses.

“It is Dumb Noah,” said Hamlin. and ad-
vancing he took the mute’s hand and gave it a

hearty hak .
limbs and, Hamlin at once hastened tothe

 

 

Cascade where in the moonlight they converSod
for several minutes through medium of the
mate’s slate and pencil.

Suddenly a man came running to where t“ey
stood, saying:

“Doctor, a messenger has arrived from the
lake!”

Hamlin and the mute at once returned to the
main party when the former inquired of the
messenger:

“What news, Lige, do you bring?”

“ Both good and bad,” replied the messenger;
“we have not only got the Id 1 of Echo Can-

on, but the bride and anot er young lady.

hey are at Lake Retreat. but the friends of the
girls are on the alert and I had to run the block-
ade to get out.”

“The thunder an sayl” exclaimed Hamlin:
“boys, we must moving at once—hut see
here, it will never do for this mute, Dumb
Noah, to know of the whereabouts of his sister,
or he’ll give us trouble instead of help. In
fact, we will have no further use of him as I
can see.”

“ Some one had better volunteer to dismiss
him,”’, said Loring, “ at the earliest opportu—
m . '-

‘ Leave that to me.” added one of the men.

The matter being thus arranged, the party at
onlgedprepared to depart, when the question was
as e :

“ Where is Dumb Noah i"

No one anSWered for no one knew. With the
silence of a phantom the mute had disappeared
in the darkness. -

CHAPTER XI.
IN AND OUT OF THE ROBBERS’ CAVE.

As Lillian and Helen saw Little Wildfire sink
beneath the waves, their hearts grew sick with
horror, and they could scarcely resist the terrible
temptation to seek a watery rave with the brave
and daring boy who, they is t assured, had gone
down in death. But their bodies were paralyzed
with terror, and they sat trembling upon their
seats while the bateau ran alongside of them
with its infuriated crew.

“ Where are those men, girls?" demanded one
of the villains, seizin Lillian by the shoulder.

“In the bottom 0 the lake—victims of the
brave bcy whom you just now murdered.”

“ For a dollar I’d send you both after him,”
thundered the villain.

“ I wish you would and end our suffering,”
said Lillian.

“No. I will not: you shall live to atone for
the death of those men in more ways than one.”

The women were dragged from the canoe
into the bateau which at once moved away, the
smaller boat being drawn behind by its painter.
They moved toward the shore. and ran in under
an overhanging rock and stopped. One of the
men uttered a low whistle and a few moments
later a light appeared in a cavern back in the
great rock. »

As the water extended a rod or two into the
cavern, the outlaws run their bateau in until
its nrow ated upon the stony bottom.

“Got 1: em, I see!" exclaimed the man with
the lantern, as the light fell upon the three cap-

tiVQSy

4 w...“ v,

 

5

WW, .2792-‘9MP; an:- ,“

 

 

 

 

 

The Denver Detective. ‘ “ 23 H

 

“Yes, but at a fearful cost," replied one of
the men with an oath.

The captives Were removed from the boat
and conducted back into the cavern where an
oil lamp lit up the place with a soft, yellow

liglht.

he apartment was large and commodious.
The walls were hung with coats, blankets and
fire-arms. All over the room were piles of
plunder that bore ev1dence of the place being
the home of road-a gents.

There were five men present —all rough,
brutal-looking wretches that were mad and in-
furiated over the death of their comrades on
the lake.

The three captives sat clasped in each other’s
arms shuddering with terror.

“We must send word to Leadvillc at once,”
one of the outlaws was finally heard to say;
“ the doctor must know how thlngs are. Merle,
suppose you take the captured canoe and go
ashore and away to the camp at once. We
won’t dare to leave here, tell the doctor, until
we can have a good force to cover our retreat.
Stop at the rendezvous, at the Fairy Cascade,
and maybe you’ll find some of our folks there.”

Merle at once made preparations for depar-
ture, and when ready to go, a man with a lan—
tern escorted him to the water; but what mast
have been their surprise on arriving there to
find the small boat gone.

The alarm was given, and all at once became
excitement and uneasiness. No man could now
be induced to venture outside the cavern where
he believed sure death was lying in wait for
him.

It was already growing light in the east, and
through fear no messenger was sent out then——
the journe being deferred until the following
ni ht shou d it be necessary to go then.

ay dawned clear and pleasant. All was
quiet outsuie, (yet no outlaw Would dare expose
himself beyou the shadows of the cavern, for
he felt assured that the disappearance of the
canoe was evidence of the presence of foes.

The day were slowly away and with the com—
ing of darkness. Merle entered the bateau and
moved noiselessly out of the cavern on his mis-
sion to Leadville. HIS friends listening in the
cavern heard no demonstrations and assured
themselves that he had run the supposed block-
ade and reached the water in safety.

The captives were allowed the freedom of the
cavern for there was no other way of escape
except by water. and in the absence of a beat
this was impossible.

The place was kept well lighted, and that too
Without fear of the light being seen, for the
cavern opened upward from the water’s edge
and then turned to the left.

As the hours wore on. the ca tives sauntered
down to the water’s edge an seating them-
selves entered into conversation. while the four
remaining outlaws amused themselves with a
deck of cards~their boisterous laughter at
times ringing through the cavern and grating

sharshly upon the-ears of the captives.

The women could hear the rippling waves
[outside their dismal risen and the sound filled
their breasts with espondency. They had al-
pmt given up the coming of friends—all hopes

 

of escape from the power of those evil men—
when, in the midst of their silent rofleciions, ‘
they beheld a shadow appear in the mouth of
the cavem on the dimly-lighted water. It was 
movmg toward them and 'as it came nearer :-
they saw it was a canoe.

Clasping each other in a closer embrace they
leaned forward and in breathless silence and
suspense peered into the boat.

To their surprise and wonder it was empty!

The captives looked at each other in mute
astonishment. What did it mean? Was it a x v
phantom canoe propelled by an invisible spirit? ,

f not, from whence did it receive its motive , '
power? v

As those questions revolved through .the‘
minds of the captives the boat came to a stand
with its prow at their very feet. Not a sign of ‘\
life was yet visible, but as they stood with their -
eyes fixed upon it they suddenly saw a dark,
spherical object rise above the bow of the craft ‘
followed by the upper portion of a human
face in which was set a pair of bright, flashing
eyes. .

They could scarcely suppress a cry at sight 0
those burning,r orbs that seemed rivetedu 1!
them with a serpent-like fascination, and t ey
were about to retreat back into the cave whens,
they saw a human hand rise alongside that’; u
face and beckon to them in a significant man- 
nor. ' '

Instantly their fears turned to ho 9. They: 
quickly turned and glanced behind t em, then 'j_
at the unknown at the opposite end of the boat '

Again they saw the latter beckon to them, ,
then point downward into the boat. ' They 3,
readily defined his pantomimic address. and seeé
ing no outlaws were near. they quietly steppcd 
into the canoe and seated themselves. .‘ v 

Scarcer had they done so eie the‘boat began
to move slowly and silenth outward, and. in a,-
few moments they were clear or the cavern’s
gloomy walls and floating on the open lake in
the mellow moonlight. '

But who was their rescuer? Had they Sims,
ply escaped one danger to encounter a still
greater?

These were the thoughts that came to thei
minds now that they had esca ed from one dan, ;

er, and while they were stil revolving them. '3'-
in their minds a bare head suddenly p0 ped up}
from under the how of the boat and a Familiar ,,~.
voice said: . 

“ Good-evening, gals." ,

And before the Women could reply another
head rose up at the opposite side of the boat,
and another familiar Voice said: .

“ Bed evenin’, ladies—the boy fabricated”,

Then a cry burst from the women’shps—acay
of iioy—for they sawvthat the one was Lit e »'
Wi dfire and the other Old Limber Jim, the hun- k ~
ter-scout. _ ‘ " '7 .»

“ Oh, Little Wildfire!” cried Lillian, grasping
the bcy’s'hann and assisting him into the post,
“we have mourned you as dead—lying "2131,10
bottom ofthis lakei" " - ' v- ‘

H Dcadi Jim Rassals den i" replied that b‘oy
as he stood drip ing wet n the boati‘fgren
’skeetersl the out aw’s not born yet that eta " I
me if he’ll come ’round in from 0’] me; But

l

 
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
 

 

  

 
  
    
     

 

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i?

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r hissed Loring point
' bubbles that loss ariirdg burst on the-surface of

« over his victory, Old
doubly—dyed villain, Dick Hamlin, by the hair

' the lake, falling from the canoe on top of

24

The Denver Detective.

 

say, gals, didn’t me and Old Limber there do
this up excroosiatin’ fine, though?"

“ Indeed it was a daring feat, my brave
friends, and would have cost you your lives had
you been caught; but, Wildfire, have you seen
father since last night?”

‘“ Bless you, yes, gal, and he’s nighly taken a
conniption flt ’bout you. 1 Mr. Jim and
me’s been on the look-out all day, and when we
seeLd that big boat pull out o‘ the cava we pulled
in. ;
“It was a desperate risk to run, Wildfire,"
said Helen Barnes.

“ Nothin’s too deesprit for that boy, gals,” ob-
served Old Jim, who had scrambled into the
boat; “ he’s the w’ust case I ever see’d, and the
more the danger the greater his success. The
way he stole this boat outen that cave beats all
creation.”

“ He is undoubtedly a brave boy,” said the
matter-of-fact Helen.

Little Wildfire appeared not to hear these
words of praise, but taking up the paddle, sent
the canoe gliding slowly yet steadily over the
placid lake.

They were a long ways from Camp Lillian,
but keepin along within the shadows close to
the shore, t ey hoped to avert further dangers.
But in this they were doomed to disappointment.
In rounding a sharp, wooded point they were

\. forced out into the moonlight, and while thus re

vealed, a long boat filled with men glided from
the shadows beyond, and running alongside of
them, grappled their boat.

The click of revolvers convinced them they
were enemies. A cry of hopeless despair burst
from the women’s lips.

One of the outlaws seized Helen by the hand,
and lgazing closely into her face, exclaimed:

“ dith my wife, do you know me—Randolph

' Garcelon ?”

The man who spoke thus was Captain Loring.

A cry burst from Helen’s lips, and with a gasp
she sunk unconscious in the boat.

“ Gods, man, you have killed her !” The
speaker was Dr. Dick Hamlin, at the sound of
whose voice a shudder went to the very soul of
Kate Gray. '

Scarcer h d Hamlin uttered the above words
are Little ildflre leaped upon Luring like a
tiger-cat, and together the two rolled backward
into the lake and sunk beneath the waves.

The women screamed, and the outlaws burst

a ' into a storm of oaths. -’

Ina moment Loring was buoyed to the sur-
face, and was seized and lifted into the boat by

' his men.

i‘ Where’s that boy-devil?” asked Hamlin.
9‘ Dead, curse him! in the bottom of the lake,”
to a score of tell-tale

the 'water where the boy had sunk.
~ CHAPTER XII.
_ DEAD!
\ THE outlaws had not a doubt but that Wild-

fire was dead, and while Lorin was rejoicing
Limber im seized the

 

of the head and jerked him from the bateaugpto
m:

I

 

h

Both sunk from view, but the doctor soon rea 
peered and was rescued from the waves, whi 9
Old Jim was seen no more. ;
“I can’t say, friends,” gasped Hamlin, as he 3
spurtod the water from his mouth, and mop E
his face and eyes, “that my man is dead. he ‘
old devil made that dash on me to aflord him a i
better opportunit to escape by diving. Look -_
sharp for him an put ’a streak of fire through i
him it he appears in sight anywhere.” '1'
The outlaws as commanded, did look sharp y
for him but the old fellow was too much of a !
beaver to be caught rising to the surface within ‘
reach of them, and when he appeared it was {
fully four rods away in the dark shadows around A
the point of land. 4
As the old fellow crawled out upon the bank,
panting for breath, a subdued voice said close to
his ear:
“Shake, Jim Limber!”

“ Holy sYnagogue, boy!” was the old fellow’s ' 

response.

Little Wildfire and the old man grasped each '_; ,

other's hand. ,,

“I’ll swan, Jim,” said the daring boy, in a
whisper, “ if we ain’t both still alive and kick-
in’! Don’t it beat you how nice and nateral we -
work together? Whatever I do, you do—where
one goes down, t’other goes down; where one
pops up, t’other pops up—dog my cats, if I don’t

elieve ’we’re tw1ns, Jim; born thirty ears
apart. But, poor gals! I’m afraid the evils
have got ’em now, where we can’t save them
without help. Oh, if we could jist git into that
cave ahead of them with a few friends, we’d -
make ’em think they’d struck the wrong place
and got into purgatory.”

Meanwhile, the outlaws had been trying, with
the aid of Lillian and Kate to revive the uncon-
scious Helen. Dr. Hamlin’s skill as a physician
was called into use, but every effort seemed un 1.
availing.

“I believe the woman is dying, ca_ptain,”ho'j
finally said. in a low, excited tone to Loring. , -

“Oh, Helen! my dear friend!” cried Lillian;
falling upon her knees and clasping her arms'
about the prostrate woman’s neck; “ you must
not die! wake up. Helen—speak to me, cousin—yr
Oh, heavens! see, her head falls backl—savé
her, doctor, save her!” a;

“.Miss Barnes ” said Hamlin, feeling her pulse,
“I cannot save her—she is beyond earthly help
——she is dead 1” x

A mean oi! dreadful anguish burst from Lil-,
lian’s lips. 5

Then a moment of awful silence prevailed as.
all gazed down into the sad, pale face of Helen
Barnes whose life-chords had been broken by the
nervous shock she had sustained.

“Well,” Hamlin finally said, “we must not
terry here." '

A convulsive sob burst from Lillian’s lips
and her whole frame shook in an agony of sor-
row. ,

The outlaws laid the lifeless form tenderly. in
the canoe, folded the white hands over he

ulseless breast and then, covering it wi n.
, lanket, sent the boat adrift in the solemn
moonlight. ' '

«A

With Lillian and Kate in the bateeu the rob- . }
hers pulled rapidly away toward. their cavern . ‘

 

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The Denver Detective.

 

retreat despite Lillian’s heart-lending appeals
to them not to leave the body at the mercy of
the waves.

Old Jim and Little Wildfire watched them
until they were out of sight; then they rose and
moved along the shore, totally ignorant of the

the canoe sent adrift.

‘ death of Helen Barnes, although they had seen

5

They had gone scarcely a mile when they were
accosted by a strange voice, and before they
could answer it a half-crouching figure glided
from the shadows and stop them. It was the
mysterious slayer, Scarlet ace. .

“Where are the women, friends?” the man

’ quickly asked.

“Yonder, moving awa
the power of the accurse

' dflre.

over the lake, in
outlaws,” answered

‘ 1
 “Is Dr. Hamlin and Captain Loring with
-.

them?"

“ Yes; biggest ducks in the puddle."

“Hal hal hal” laughed the wild man, “ven—
geance will be mine—mine, sweet vengeance-—

arkee!”

Voices were heard in the darkness near, and
the next moment six men. with light footsteps,
emerged into the moonlight. \

A cry of joy burst from Little Wildflre’s lips,
for he recognized the party as Daring Dan,
Henry Barnes, Old Jack Wines, the detective,
and three of Dan’s rangers.

In as few words as possible Little Wildfire
narrated his adventures with the outlaws at the
cavern and upon the lake, and as soon as he had
concluded, Mr. Barnes said:

“Come, then, men, let us press forward and
see if they return to the cavern.”

‘ tGuided by Wildfire, the art at once started
Ofl' alon the lake-shore. §car et Face accom-
nied 12 em, and as they moved rapidly forward,

‘ e finally plucked Daring Dan aside, and in a
slow tone revealed to him a. secret that fairly
; astounded the young ranger. .
I In due course of time t 6 party arrived in the
icinity of the cavern. A consultation was held,
nd it was finally decided to send Little Wildfire
d Limber Jim to reconnoiter the cavern and
scertain the strength of the foe.
‘ The two fearless scouts at once departed on
heir dangerous mission, entering the water and
r t‘mmming along in the deep, dark shadows.

. They had been gone but a few minutes when
‘dhe trample of many hoofed feet were heard re-
treating into the hills. The party in waiting for
the scouts could not make out the meaning .of it
{Em Wildfire and Jim returned with the intelli-

0.,’."'(‘)(

  
  
 
  
 

., nce that the cavern was deserted—evidently
1' good.

i . Then all knew full well that the outlaws with

81? captives had taken to the hills, and hope

the breasts of the pursuers gave way to de-

ndency.

 
 
    
  
 

 

CHAPTER XIII.

A TERILLING ADVENTURE.
nights and two days have assed since
outlaws deserted their cabin re tby the
hand We again find them pursuing a west-

eOurse along the Grand Mesa, a hundred

1mm TWin Lakes. They are pushing
1}: for the Indian count , where, with the

   
   

 

 

 

land covered with stunted pines. , 
posted in the rear and upon either side of the _ ,

hostile Utes, they expect to find a. lace of
refuge and safet with their fair captives, Lil-
lian Barnes and ate Gray.

There are eight men in the party, all well
mounted and equi ped; but Dr. Dick Ham-
lin and Captain oring are not with them.
These consummate rascals have no need of oing
into the Indian country, for the men they ave
intrusted the captives to are true and tried, and
they have returned to Leadville to com lets
their villainous conspiracy against the he so!
the dead Benoni Methi .

The two captives are treated as kindly as it is
possible for such men, under the existing cir-
cumstances, to treat a woman, though they are
very sad and despondent.

From what they had overheard, the girls
found out the cause of their persecution, and

the only wonder was that they were not mur- '

dered outright, and thus forever removed from
the way of those arch plotters, Hamlin and
Loring. Their captors did not keep them in
ignorance of their destination; but what was to

be their fate in the Indian camp they could only ,,

surmise. ,

The outlaws gave them to understand that
they could not. under any circumstances, escape.
It seemed a great desire to keep . .
spirits in a hopeless, despondent conditionzbut

the maidens’ ‘ 

as they journeyed onward brave little‘ Kate  

noticed some uneasiness among the outlaws,
and it gave her grounds for hope and entour-
agement. _ _
were in pursuit, and that their prox1mity had
been discovered by the outlaws. She commu-
nicated her belief to Lillian, and from that
time on both were more cheerful. untilthey
were finally met by a band of hostile Utes, who
were on a scout in search of the adventuresorne

old-hunters: then all hopes died out of their

reasts, for they saw that the savages were a
bloodthirsty set, in good fellowship with the

outlaws. for they at once turned about and ac- f

companied the outlaws westward. _

The presence of the Indians led the captives
to infer that they were approaching the’Ute
village, from whence there could be no escapeI
and so they became resigned to their fate. '

She was led to believe that friends“ ._

 

 

At noon they halted on a long stretch of table~ . j i.--:

Guards were

party.
The captives were taken from their saddles
and seated upon blankets spread on the ground,
then all partook of such food as their supplies
would afford.
Finally, when read to resume their journey
the leader of the out aws, Mark Aultinan, to d
the rty to wait until he had ascended a clifl
on t eir right and taken a survey of the dur-
roundmgs as a precautionary measure against
pursuers. He passed aroun

d the base of the ,

 

‘.
.s‘

clifl’ out of sight of his friends andbe an the I -- 

ascent.
top and in ssing across it he was suddenly
confronted if; a man that rung suddenly
{11:01}! behind a rock with the loo of a demon on
is ace.

“ Scarlet Face 1” burst involuntarily from t ‘
Aultman’s lips, and be reached for his revolver,

but bggre_h_eacould draw it from his belt

In a few minutes he had reac ed the .

 
 
   
 
   

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I

 

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The beaver Detective.

 

dread avenger leaped upon him and seizing him
by the wrist with one hand wrenched his arm
until the bones fairly cracked, while with the
other be seized the outlaw by the throat pre—
venting him from crying out.

Aultman struggled in horrible pain as his
eyes started from their sockets and his tongue

.protruded from between his lips. The cold

perspiration rose in great beads on the villain’s

row. Looking him in the eyes with a. fiendish
glare Scarlet Face hissed out:

"Curses upon you, etch! you are one of
those who destroyed the home of Basil and
Noah Gray!”

“Mercy! mercy!” gasped the powerless vil—
lain in a hoarse whisper.

“Y es, I will show you mercy at the foot of

' 1. this clifi‘l” .

As he spoke the enraged avenger swung the
afigaw around and hurled him over the
c .

Those waiting at the foot of the ascent were
startled by the cry that came trailing down to
their ears followed by the sickening thud of the
outlaw’s body on the reeks at their feet.

Kneeling by the broken, bleeding form an

_ tlaw saw that life was extinct; and as no
shot had been heard nor an sound had preceded
his’fall, all believed it he been accidental un-
til the livid finger marks of the destroyer were
discovered on the throat. ‘

“ Go, men, and hunt the devil down that is
dogging our footsteps!” commanded an outlaw,
an the next moment Indians and robbers were
gliding up the opposite side of the clifi like hun-
grg coyotes. .

ut the outlaws and half a dozen sava es were
left with the captives, who stood tremb ing be-
and fear.

Sudde y Lillian, who stood looking toward
the west, involuntarily uttered a. little cry, and
clasped her hands over her breast with a look
of great surprise not unmingled with joy.
Down from the thick foliage of a pine she saw
a ii are drop onto the back of one of the horses
hitc ed there. It was the figure of Little Wild-
fire who had been concealed in the tree, and the
moment he dropped astride of the spirited mus-
tang ridden by one of the outlaws, he put spur
Scarcely had , he put his
horse in motion, howevar, when a second form
glided from behind a rock, leaped upon the back
‘of a. horse and dashed away after Wildfire.
This was Old Limber Jim.

A yell burst from the lips of the savages.

The outlaws guarding the captives fired at the

I daring scouts and shouted to their friends on the

cliff.

In a few moments, half a dozen of the toes
'were in their saddles in swift pursuit of the two
flying scouts.

The fugitives moved away in a southwesterly
course. Weither Wildfire nor Old Jim was ac-
auainted with the ground over which they were

eeing at a breakneck speed, and as the country
was cut and seamed with deep chasms and hold
rocky ints, the dangers before them were to

£21303 ed for and averted as much as those
in .
Old J lm soon came up with Wildflre,.exclaim-

v

 

in. ..

“ Here we are ag’in, boy, both up to the same
thin l”

“ h, we’re twins, Jim, born thirty years
apart. But how them red devils do screechl
Seems kind 0’ goodish—old business-like, to hear
the musical murmur of a cooin’ red-skin’s voice
again, don’t it? These are a pair 0' good bosses,
Jim Limber, and I don’t wonder that they’re
hoofin’ it arter ’em.”

“ Oh, yes. Wildfire, it’s the bosses they’re
after, not us—in course it is, and, by the holy
synagogue, they’re gainin’ on us, boy! We’ve
got to peg into it——”

“ To the left! to the left!” suddenly broke in
Little Wildfire as ayawning chasm ap
before them, and without checking the s ‘ of
their animals the bore to the left. T e pur-
suers seemed to 'now of the presence of the
chasm, for already they had turned and were
riding hard to get in before the fugitives.

“By ’skeeters!” cried Wildfire, “I’m afraid
Eben}, purgatorians are goin’ to head us 011',

im

“ It looks that way, lVildfire,” replied the old
borderman, “ and if we git cooped up here, boy,
we’re done—our goose ’ll be cooked.”

The chasm continued to press them around to
the left closer. and closer to the Indians. To
turn back would be fatal, so that their only
hopes lay in the course they were pursuing.
But suddenly another chasm appeared a few
rods before them coming at a right angle With
the one on their right.

“My God, boy!” cried Old Jim, “look out!
there’s another rift before us—we’re caged! the
devils have got us foul l”

“ I’ll die in the'bottom of the abyss afore I’ll
be killed by a cussed red-skin, J im.” replied the
fearless boy, a look of desperate determination
settling in n his face; “spur on your horse,
Jim, and et’s jump the rift or die in the at:
tem t!”

“ ravo, boyl” shouted the old borderman,
and settling themselvos in the saddles they
spurred toward the abyss.

The rift did not appear to be over fifteen feet
wide when Wildfire suggested the desperate re-
sort of leaping it to elude the foe, and not until
their animals were upon its very brink—no‘
until it was too late to change their desperat,
determination did they discover that it we
twice that width.

The horses shot forward and as they gathere
themselves for the leap on the edge of the chasm.
Old Jim cried out:

“ God help us 1”

With awild bound the horses shot upwarl
and outward over the chasm whose depths were
lost in darkness below. A wild cry burst (rein
Old Jim’s lips as he saw that his horse could n it
reach the opposite brink‘and the next insta~-t
horse and rider sunk from viewin the awfiil
depths below. ,;

ittle Wildfire’s animal with its light burden
made a clearer bound and bare] reached me
opposite edge of the chasm'with ts forel r—
its haunches hanging over the precipice. -
perately did the noble beast struggle for li.
clinging to the cliff with its fore] whi‘ it
dug its hind hoofs into the wall of t 0
starting an avalanche of stone and dirt

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The Denver Detective.

 

down into the black gulf beneath, thus digging
away its only support and, finally, with a wil
moan that was most human in expression, the
ed e of the abyss gave way and the animal
fell backward and sunk into the depths below.
But its gallant young rider did not go down
with it, for he was left hanging in mid-air over
the gorge clinging to the slender bough of a
pine that stood on the edge of the chasm.

Little Wildfire had involuntarily seized this
overreaching limb while his horse hung strug-
gling for a footin on the edge of the precipice,
and when he felt is horse sink beneath him he
knew at once that his life depended alone upon
that slender, swaying bough. ‘

The yells of the triumphant foe min led with
unearthly sounds from the bottom of t e chasm
were ringing in his ears and almost confusin
his brain and paralyzing his limbs, but guide
by that instinctive love of life that actuates all
living creatures when in danger, he swung him-
self along the limb, hand over hand. At each
step as it were, the bough cracked and threat-
en to break, but at length the active youth
reached the body of the tree and throwing his
is 5 around it slipped to the and and dodged
be ind the tree to elude a v0 ey of bullets from
the Indians’ and outlaws' rifles.

-It was several moments before the youth
could fully realize that he was safe—that he
had made one of the most narrow escapes from
death of his eventful young life; but as soon as
he did, all his old-time courage and daring re-
turned, and whip lng out his revolver he be-
gan firing at the 06 on the opposite side of the
chasm. .

About this time yells, min led with the report
of fire-arms, were eard in t 8 direction of the
outlaws’ noon camp. Little Wildfire knew at
once what it meant—that Daring Dan and his
men had made an attack upon the foe. The
conflict seemed a desperate one, but soon ended
when a number of savages and outlaws were
seen fleeing in every direction. Even those be-
fore the boy whirled their horses and galloping
away were seen by him no more.

A shout of triumph rung from Wildfire‘s lips,
for he knew that he friends had been victori-

 ous, and felt assured that the girls, Lillian and
j‘jKate, were safe. But ah! where was Old Jim?
‘—the brave, eccentric old soul that he had
d“learned to love as a father? _
, The thought sent a pang through his breast.
"' Turning, he walked along the edge of the chasm
until he found a place where he could descend
to the bottom. Picking his way down the accliv-
it , he groped along until he came to the. body
"My the horse he had ridden. A llttle further on

“flay the other animal, and hard by lay Old Lim-‘

her Jim silent in death ! .
f" At sight of him Little Wildfire called his
" me, but when he answered not—when he saw
“ e was dead, the lad fell upon his knees by the
uody of his friend and burst into tears.

"" “Oh, my dear. brave old Mend,” he sobbed,
‘r'i have taken our last ride to therl—fol-
wmed our last trail together. 0 , dear mel
inatan awful thing death is. Poor Old Jiml
ne, gone, forever! But then he’s better 01!,

ow for he wasn’t abad man, and I know

{as be will care for Jim’s soul!”

I once made their way

 

both. My name is Jae
£51?“  n

_Thus the boy at several minutes by the
side of. his dead riend—nntil he was aroused
from his mourning by a voice calling to him
from above. He answered, for he recognized the
voice as that of Daring Dan.

Going above, the lad found his friends with
the flush of Victory upon their faces, and the
first to greet him were Kate Gray and Lillian

he 7'

Barnes, whose rescue had been efi'ected by a bold ' 3

dash of the rangers.

The news of Old J im‘s death cast a gloom over
every heart. The body of the brave old border-
man was brought u from the gorge and care-
fully and tender] uricd; then the party at
once set out for adville, where another trag-
edy was to be enacted, and to where we will
now go with the reader.

CHAPTER XIV.
JUSTICE.

WHEN Dr. Hamlin and Captain Loring had
seen the girls, Lillian and Kate, placed in the
care of Mark Aultman and his comrades, with,
instructions to carry them to the Ute strong-
hold and there secure them so that there whuld
be no escape, they felt greatly relieVed, and at
back to Leadville.

A great deal was yet to he done in order that» I

Dr. Hamlin, who was none other than the vil- ' , I

lain, Warren Chase Methias, might prove his

complies—the same who had once won the
heart of Edith Methias—whom we have known
as Helen Barnes, she having changed her name
after going to live with er uncle—and after .
wedding her deserted her in a few weeks; and
from that time until the night that Edith fella
cor se at his feet they had never met.

e death of Helen or of Edith Methias was
a stroke of fortune that Dick Hamlin had not
counted u n. When a point could be made
without t e crime of murder it was the desire ,

, .

9‘

right and title to Benoni Mathias’s estate. He’ 7

had in Captain Loring, who was the villain 
Randolph Garcelon, a ready and skillful ae-{w'

' x

of the villains to do so, but when necessary 

they had no conscientious scruples about dea
in the deadly blow. .

n Hamlin's office in Leadville the doctor and ,3:

Loring were closeted maturing plans for the

future. For some reason or other neither of. the ‘13.:

villains felt any uneasiness of detection in their

crimes. They had kept well disguised during 

their operations and managed their case wit

consummate skill,as they believed. While absent s ‘

from camp it was generally supposed they Were
out prospectm , and the only
an reason to ear was Dumb oah Gray. .

hat the plans of the villains were for the

rson they had '3;

-.»

future the reader will care little, for those 

plans were never to be consummated.

0n the fourth day after their return to Lead-
ville from Twin Lakes the arch- letters were _
enjoying their cigars in the doctor s ofllce when . -~
a man unknown to them entered. '

“ Be Doctor Hamlin in?” the stranger asked.

“ I am Doctor Hamlin,” replied that worthy, I 
eying the stranger closely, ‘* and this gentleman 1-"

is Captain Lorlng.”

“ Captain Luring, eh?" responded the man; 
lad to meet you A‘ i"-
I’m a detec-  ,‘

“glad to meet you. ca tain
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\

v

 

The Denver Detective.

 

tive, and am here to arrest you—both of you—
throw up your hands, gentlemen l”
, As he s oke, old Jack whipped out a pair of
deathly erringers and covered the two as-
, founded villains. There was a deadly glare in
i the eyes of the detective, a firmness in his voice
i and steadiness in his hands that left no doubt of
the man’s purpose. Hamlin and Loring were
V both taken at a disadvantage for neither had a
i _ pistol within reach, and they knew at a glance
that the man before them would brook no delay
so they did as commanded and threw up their
bands.
1 “ What, sir, do you mean by this?” demanded
, Hamlin.
“ J ustice,” was the reply) of the old detective,
‘ and at the same moment aring Dan, the ran—
ger, and Little Wildfire entered the room and
assisted old Jack to handcqu the prisoners.

Dr'. Hamlin and Captain Loring were at once

, arraigned for the crime of murder and entering

! \into conspiracy to defraud the heirs of Benoni

Mathias out of their inheritance. They were

, charged with the murder of Dumb Noah Gray,

,' and the destruction of the Grays’ home; and

y when they had heard this charge read, the vil—

'3- lains became easier for they knew that Dumb
:— Noah was not dead.

3 . The first witness produced was Kate Gray, and
 when the maiden entered the court-room escort-
" ed by Daring Dan, it seemed that Hamlin and
i " Loriug would sink through the floor. They knew
' by her presence that all was lost.

§ Kate testified that on the ni ht of her broth-
i  er’s death Dr. Hamlim had ca led at their cabin
i in Echo danyon and that soon after he departed
" ' “several masked men claiming to be Vigilantes,
i; cameto the cabin and notified my brothers that
. » the must leave there at once as they were sus-
f ‘pi oned of being road-agents. They provoked
 a quarrel, which led to a conflict, during which
 4 I esoaped into the can on, leaving my brothers
L in the cabin. The vil ains being driven from the
3 house fired the building, and since then I have
; ' learned that my mute brother perished in the
‘  ,flames. While a captive in the hand of the out-
' ' .laws, Doctor Hamlin and Captain Loring were
F among them directing their movements, and I
3 am sure I recognized their voices among the
I - masked outlaws that came to our cabin.”

,, After Kate had concluded her testimony, the
; firisoners seemed to breathe easier, and Dr.
5; t a‘mlin took advantage of a momentarysilence
.‘v 0 ea :

t5; “ {our‘Honon I hope we are notto behun on
5 j' circumstantial evidence, such as that irl

§ ‘ given; if you will give us time we wi prove
‘ v our innocence of the murder of Dumb Noah by

‘ producing the mute himself. We will also prove
i hat we have had nothing whatever to do with
i', the capture—” v \
.5. Further words were cut short by a commotion
L in the room near the door. A man had entered,
 and ushing his way throu h the crowd, con-
fron d the outlaw. At sig t of him Hamlin’s
face brightened, and be fairly shouted:

“ There, gentlemen! there is Dumb Noah,
now, for whose murder we are to be tried 1”
A faint attempt at applause was promptly ar-

3 fasted by the judge, when to the astonishment

v

/

Inset g 5. 4,, .

r

as «—

      

 

of all, and the horror of the prisoners, the sup-
posed mute said, in' a clear ringing voice:

“ Sir, I am not Dumb Noah, but his brother,
Basil Gray 1”

A wild confusion followed this declaration.
The prisoners turned white with abject terror
while cries of “Hung them!” “Hang them!"
rose from every part of the court-room. But,
order being restored, Basil Gray continued his
evidence, which we give in substance:

“When the outlaws came to our cabin, I
knew, from what they told sister Kate, that
they meant mischief, but I could not imagine
why they wanted us out of the way, as we were
troubling no one. Noah and I drove them from
the cabin and barred the door after a sharp re—
volver fight, and then the demons set fire to the
cabin and endeavored to burn us out. We
knew that to rush out into the light of the burn—
ing cabin would be to be shot down, and so we
sought shelter from the flames in a secret cav-
ern dug under the floor of our home. When
the cave was dug it was believed to be fire-
proof, but the heat caused the roof to crumble
and fall in when to remain would have been
death. We were in total darkness, and before
I could make known to my mute brother my
intentions of trying to escape, he was overcome
with the dust and heat and fell fainting. See-
ing I could not save him, I wrapped a heavy
blanket around me. leaped up throu h the

reat bed of livid coals and made a dash or my
ife. The thought of imitating my mute brother
occurred to me before I left the cavern, and I
uttered no word as I ran from the burning
ruins‘, and escaped into the darkness of night.

“ Hard by our cabin was another secret
cave wherein we kept our provisions, ammuni-
tion and other supplies stored. Thither I made
my way and at once assumed a di uise and set
out to revenge my brother’s dent and rescue
my sister. I dogged the footsteps of the out-
laws from the ruins of our home to the Fairy
Cascade where they went into camp, and then
when all were asleep—even their guard—I stole
into camp among the sleepers and examined
every face—not every one either for there was
one face covered with a mask; but I ‘put my
mark upon his forehead—dropped a rop of
liquid upon it that burned a hole through the
skin, and that mark is still to be seen on the
forehead of Dick Hamlin.”

Hamlin involuntarily threw up his hand as if
to conceal the tell-tale scar, but all had seen it
before. After order had been restored, Basil
Gra went on:

“ he next morning I called at Hamlin’s
office and personated my dead dumb brother
with entire success. Loring was there and I
OVerheard a conversation between them to the
eflect that they were engaged in a conspiracy
against us and others in order to secure some
money or legacy to which some of us were
heirs. As Dumb Noah I pretended to co-operate
with them in bringing the murderers to justice,
but as Scarlet Face, the Avenger, I have already
squared accounts with many of them and leave
the tarch-villain ,of all to the mercy of this
cour .

Little Wildfire was next put upon the stand
and the evidence he gave was strong against

 

 

 

 

 

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.- Mn“.

3;. . - , .1. 

 

lat-van.-." ...

V.,.«.

 

The Denver Detective.~ ‘ ‘  V

 

the risoners. He recounted his adventures
the n iht the cabin of the Grays was burned
and t ose upon the lake where Hamlin and
Loring were both present and active in their
villainy. He told of the death of Helen Barnes
figddthe fact that Loring claimed to be her hus-

n .

Old Jack Wines was also placed upon the
witness stand. He produced evidence to show
that Dick Hamlin’s real name was Warren
Chase Methias. and that of Loring, Randolph
Garcelon, and that they were enESgedin a con-
spiracyto defraud the heirs of mm Mathias
out of their rights. One of those heirs was
Helen Barnes, the other the children of one
Martha Jennings. He showed to the court that
Kate Gray was the child of Martha Jennings
who was dead. The real name of the Grays
was Graybill. John Graybill had been mar-
ried twice. By the first Wife he had two sons,
Basil and Noah; by the second, Martha Jen-
nings. he had a daughter, Kate. The brothers
were greatly attached to their sister, and aster
the death of their parents they moved from
the Neosho River in Kansas and located in Echo
Canyon. dropping the “bill” from their name
at the time. But the old detective had traced
them up, as had the prisoners also, and his ap-
pearance on the stage of action was just in the
nick of time to prevent the villains (i'om suc-
ceeding in their work of crime and fraud.

When they saw there was no escape—that
they must suffer the penalties of their crimes
at the hands of Judge Lynch, they confessed all
that had been proven against them and much
more besides; but of this the reader cares noth-
in: now. I r

Hamlin and Loring paid the penalty of their
crimes with their liVes, as did also several others
of their confederates. _

B the death of her cousin, Helen Barnes.
Lillian succeeded as jomt_ heir with Kate Gray-
bill to the estate of Benoni Mathias. The settle-
ment of the whole matter was placed in the
hands of Jack Wines. who, true to his trust,
managed the case so well that the rls were
soon possessors oi’ the inheritance that ad come
so near costing them their lives and happiness,
and which had sent so many to untimely
graves. . _

As the reader. perhaps, has surmised, Daring
Dan and the Idyl of Echo-Canyon were be-
trothed lovers and are an_xiously looking for-
ward to the day when their vows will be cop-
summated on the altar of wedded bliss. And in
all probability there will be a double wedding
for there are no more devoted lovers in all the
land than handsome Basil Graybill and pretty
Lillian Barnes. , f

The fortunes of all have been cast in one 0
the loveliest cities of the West, where we leave
them buggy and contented. ,

Little ildflre is still on the plains, ever-on
the hunt for excitement and adventure—coming
and going with the tide-beloved by all Who
know him—ever welcome at the home of the
settler, miner or hunter—fairly worshiped 3“
the home of Henry Barnes for whom he had
doneso much. Once or twice a ear he Vlslts

 

Hr. Barnes and is given a splendid dinner, and
upon each

occasion the mntric youth insists -‘

u n achair at the table for Old Limber'Jimg
hi;o beloved old friend, with whom he dinesin .
spirit if not‘in fact.

THE END.

 

BEADLE AND maus' ’

STANDARD DIME PUBLIBATIUNSJ

s

 

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Each volume contains 100 large pages. printed
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4. Comic Speaker. 18. Hail Colum la Speak-

5. Elocutionist. ‘ er. ‘
6. Humorous Speaker. 19. Sei'io-Comic Speakers.

7. Standard Speaker. 20. Select 8 ker. 
g. Stump Speaker. 21. Funny peaker.

 
 

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Dialogues No. Three. alogues N o. "‘wenty.

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Dis ogues No. lj‘ive. alogues N o. “wenty-two.

Die ogues No. Six. alogues No. Twenty-three...

Dialogues No. Seven. alogues No. "‘weniw-fonr. ‘1

Dia'ogues No. Eight. alogues No. Twenty-live 1
ogues No. Twenty-six.

 

   

Die ogues No. Nine.
Dia:ogues No. Ten.
Dia ogues No. Eleven.
Diaog'ues No. Twelve.
Dialogues No. Thirteen.
Dialogues No. Fourteen. ,
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Dialogues No. Sixteen. Dialogues No. Thirty-three.
Dialogues N0.Seventeen Dialogues N o. Thirty-tour._ ,
Dialogues No. Thirty-five.

15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. » I,

 

 

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BEAth AND ADAMS, Peninsula, .1
is WMMrm~

   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

,; l
I Y S
l
‘ 80 Kentnek Be ill-Lo Rm ! th . _ 150 .
w an... su'rnmf" “‘ ' ° ° CW" By l::..£.°x.l§.:€“.s <.'.'£ll§fm&h‘.:““"°' “~-
H 8! The Kit Canon Club. By T. C. Hnrbaugh. 151 Frank Yntcn, Mu; Yuun Trn per or I M
r 8” Little “lick the Boy Guide. By Bnrry Ringgnld. Kntu'l ernlng. By JouplIE Bu "'1 ' “huh
I ' g}; 163:; gogfihgkemle-fifldg- Jfiy 91F- lg. 'linlrmhnm. g: :md lRaven. n... Scout. n‘v ()llxco'onth.
' a -y-. . yn|I.. .l. 1 x-‘ ‘ "
a: flagging?!“ ail. “II: {"an Exploflal Hy  sired“. 164 Pm “nail” on Pour Trapperl Among tho Slou. 3! r
‘ . e an no I. y . urril edwln . The Chan I '1‘ ‘
i H? The Menu erle Hunters. By Mn'. H.KGrgnvllle. vuul Hm Hvrv‘ufllolalnh‘fix‘ii:  3'; M Huhlo’ 
I 88 ’l‘l‘lewlh'llyfl" ramps; or, Lila Among t-o Glpnlu. 21y  III nk Dick’s INHHII.‘ Ba 10!.  Bag-r Jr '3
- .l u umn. ‘ » . . ' r > ‘
_ 89 ’Lonmhore me. By {3. D. Clark. 157 .l'mfi' nlglkftfiy"ofl'yhnnL9'l19°09? M ‘
‘r V 90 llovlnz RlfleA/llflerfr Lulle Scout. By T. C. Harblugh. 158 lglnuvm-d Dix-kl or, The Funolhe flntl'l y";
l 3,1) (I‘ll-exam Jul-(13w Vizumekxg-i By Roger summer. 159 ‘. hlnulry Hrnderwn. y' ’ I
nrr cane . y . . n u. - s ,
l 93 Jill‘lllllllllifl Jake, the Colorado Clrcul Boy. By Bryant mmfikfm' Tran: OUT,” Tm“ scout” n, w‘ '1' E
Muurn He. 16
‘: 94 Ham spam-e, the Braalllmrn Buy. By Ed. Willa“. 10? #II-(Pglz‘dflslflf:keyoz.'Rnigfinykfluud'
i 95 Monenw to Mberlu; or,A Ynnkeo Boy :0 the Banana. “‘2 The Trip 01' II; )B .M ' llllc ' >
. m Fl‘iyfhlnrlerl‘hlonilu. 163 slum“ Ream“ “'5',” van-‘é'ne‘rarmgm
r g t n ‘ret . By T. C. Hnrhuuyh. ‘ h '
 5 (Banks 0 t‘h'u glyawnyi  C. Dunnml Chum 16“ 'égyggoy ouch 0'. Frank Bell’l Comma. By Oll
'l " (5 0y ' Intel. iv . 1].“. B. Stodd 'l. .
1' 9 The Whlte Inern. Hr Cum: Charles Elm-($1.1.  31'? 5;;gfirokghg' ya). J0' Stmlley "autumn l
l; 0 The Hnnw-Hhm- ’l‘rnll. By SI. Gummy Rnthbonr. 167 The Youn Trali r y B  rJHIH M1“
4  ¥zrliullm the mania 1}lrl..BB¥El|wnrd 5.1mm. "m The R “1:, spye ih NM gal-6313;”
‘ e ‘ ynwny on“. y /. Dun l Cl k. ‘ ' ' ' ' '
103 “Mnuw‘hawyy. ¢5dzegtgrenmeglfvarflfrongu. 169  ute, the Old Colondo Hunter. By E, w,
1. nm a: neon. y ‘. . war a. ‘
04 The Boy Prospector. lly Rozur Slnrhnclr.  41".: 3372:? 3:35“ any Edefid KY '11:”? ‘ ‘
‘ 3‘; finfiee’ 3“ “(W w'gh-Fd‘i“ lf‘w'hEmr-on- 172 The Yanke’e Pedfi'w yBy b'fiu..n°iu;'élm J
6 0y ru Iel‘l. ' . wnn 'i n. .' ' -
g; Ilka Fw‘ea'waem 38%, 1C mm?“ fiuflmm. 118 grass-out and "In onng Chum. By ann
an n. e '0 A “cell. v apt. luwnrll Llnnoln. ' '
0 .4 w y - I I74 Blacklmlfll Tom‘s Musk. By Geo. D. Gllbm.
'l 9 g'lIEnT:III Jlm, the hits Mun IFnonrl By Edwnrd 175 The “flak-m“ Rue“ By G“ Gmnwm.
liq
go pluek, Joe, m. Boy new", 5‘. J. M. "Wm"... 17“ The Snuuner'n Sun-prim. By I’l- H. J. Thom".
11 The Border 9","...th By Jump. L. Bowen 17'! 1- nllgFellon' Henna. By J. Stanley Hendenon.
m Len-named Pete- By Julepll E. mam. Jr. 17" “Id kit and "l- Comr-de'h “3' 10!. E Budget. 1:-
In The River 1mm. ny cm. .1. r. n. Admin. "9 Uncle GIMP- mI-zu'w- By “my Hui-m
14 Alone on the Plum... 3.- ],mwnm wth IP40 The Marked Miner. By Lleul. Owl. Hmltlno.
15 Ssfivfrkllorn, mm m- Rifle Flrcdenh. By Roger a; gig: WJTJIIgg‘gtz-gu-Bvfigmzré- “If: Mum.
. r uc'. - , . t .
no lingo“: oflluoklnh Smith, 11.. munch“... "38 pr llean’u Tut-1m- Bs lnxnId-by North.
By merwn Rmiumn. 184 \ nnkoe Ew’n lillommn. By J. R. Worn-m. j
11' The Young Multangern. By C. Duunlng Clark. 135 The w“! . ““h’! WIPd- 3! Edwln 3- 5W1". \
In on Tram «.r, the Boy mme By Bnrry RInggold. 180 Frank. theiurrlen 5:" 1- Stanley Hendamn. ,
J ‘ l3 Wen“.    M- :3: ms» arr-W"-
' oCkC . manure. .n.orr. V
’/ Jlly cmfrlelrfinri-lnf’ M overlymnon‘ "I. T"“" 139 sum. the Swamp Stout. By W. J. H-mlllon. ‘
1:; 'lll‘untier Plum! Be‘n. By Roger Sénrhuck. :3? “no Radar-g TrofiggP-mf' mdfllok H- D-w-y- ‘
‘ 1 -.W , eo I've. _I . wen.
1e an mnux Queen. B.) Aldo Brown ‘92 Sandy m, MT“... By Edwud Wine“.

38 Thu. lbs Boy Arrohnl. By Charla: Mnrrln.

l 24 neon lie-Ila. NIB BorrlerGlrl. BvHenryJ.Thomu. 193 ‘Flll'l'y “'“lklc'. 14"“ Chile- 3! Wm. B-

.l 26 nn'l'ahor thalth lll . B B. vm I uter.
‘ I , ‘ “u n y in m “"0” 194 One er Cam, tha Bhndow S'lmp Tl’lllfl. 3,

26M kCon mums: I. n~ ... . '
h. t, W m m I F "Nisan" F‘rnder nlr Dewey.

i;
« ll? The Deer flunk-n. B John J. .\l h ll. .
a. ' as “'olf-Cnp; m Thu whim“. of 51'; Emma. 195 The Run er "elective. a; "my Hum!-
i. 129  ('uut. (-hul. hlv'rgrllsl K 196 glypny 3', the Mount-In Itch. By C. Dunning
‘ M ' tn H l B d m' .
, Wins“. In." or, G on" n "0 n.‘ y: 1m! 19? The Branded Capt-III. By W-J. Hunllm.

80 heat-en. Qmen o the Plnlnl. By Percy B. 8‘. John. 193 Old Croullre’n “I'llllu By CI L Charla How-n1.
Fl 81 \Vlltnh. the Child Spy. By George Glen-on. 199 Zebrn Znek, the Tenn. By W. . Hunlllon.
.j  $29 I‘Ilnndt'l‘firnpfir. gy glinrlea wand. '00 Ell: Nannelellnlllunter. By Gm. W. Roblnm.
2‘ 1-. ‘oren ‘ e - r ‘ a l It. "I 3' 9 "my -
g 9 34 Wild N... u..."r.‘...,...‘. all $3.51. m,-..°... 301 The Yankee can". fly um wmm.
3 g? gills :Ilvieri Biggie. By 1.3.1.663. "rung:an Fundy Febru-ry 6-

0 I'll re rlll‘mcl'. y /. mm n (u . 9 .1] nu. /

‘ 181’ The Antelope Bo . By Geo. L. Aiken‘. ’0' afigfiam 5:1" B, than“

Bil Colonel Crock-M. the Bear Klng. lly (. 3.1411110.

83 Long Shot: on'l'ho warffiuulo. By (‘np‘LCnmlmcL so. 0” “Ink, an new“. 3,“ 1w. or.
41’ Old Penn, (luv Mounminaav. By Lawla W. Cnmn. My Mm“ 3-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4! The Giant Hunt 1-. R, H ll vl. non]: ’ Ben I I J .

g glnek Panglfi‘r. u;- I‘llr'lll‘imsgtgy gnyhmw. "4' gaudy M3311). " ht” ’ u' I‘ mm b
r f” 8 Ill a. a . - I o
.3 44 Knem “1‘15 Rnnger. B”; Ellernrd E. El  o p ‘0‘ a: mlgh‘fi-n'l M “WWW.”-
f 33 "13:." ll "#1?" *3“??? 13" Ed?” PM" .I y 1‘“, n, ‘ '
v t e I - roe vn . m. . , . 9
. 41 The flanked Avenger. By AL Prenuu 153%}... hulk“ no, ' r u M uh h, .1] Km.“
‘. ' 48 1:30., 3n '1 “war In lndlu Flghur. By Pnul J. I" “‘1- P" "W! °' ““ by 3““ W ""‘P‘ “‘3 m. “ch.
n can u 

149 Etc Elk Demon; or, Tho Glut Brolhorl. By ’1‘. BED“ AN” m‘n.‘ 1’" “9 9
._g . Hub-ugh. O! Willin- Mmt. Now York.
- ' I

.1 .
/ .

     

 

 

 

flocnvo mans. /99 AD LE, \ PRICE, FIVE cnnrs.\ \

S ,

POCKET LIBRARY. a“.

beamanmmma:ramwwmmmmmwmwmmucnmmwmcnmwmmmmmmmcnmmmmg“

.,.--«+ - _ ..

 

1 Deadwood Dick, tho Prince of the Road. By 82 \Vlli‘flomorm NJBHW Dfiloc'vl‘w- By Chm-Morm-

   

 

 

Eilwnni L. “'henlcr. “3 Hal bin or Lllu Giant 'l‘mpwv. llv A. w. Alum
8 Kant. a King; or, The Red Right Hand. By 64 Roach- . ily Edwnnl L. Wheeler. ’
Bulfmo Bill. 65 .l hin n ma. My Curtain J. F. 0. Miami.
8 The Flying Vauloe. Bv Col. Prentiu lmrrnham. 66 ‘ i. liure out, the WquLiiawh. By '1'. C. Hu-
4 The Double Dagger-I. By Edward L. Whreier. haugh.
5 The Two Detective.“ or, The Fortune: ul‘ I 6? Rollo, tholInyRanger. By Oil Comm-I.
.: Buwery Girl. liv Aihert \\ . Aiken. 68 .ltlyl. tln- Ull’l Miner; or, lluuchud Rob on Hand. By
L? o The I’I'llll'llt Ibllul. By linilnlo BHI. Edward L. “'hcclur.
 7 The IInll’nlo Don-on. l' Edward 1.. Wheeler. 69 Detective Dickl or.Thu Heroin Raga. By Clinic-
§_ 8 Antelo c Abe, ihc Boy 'ulilu. lly ()Il Counml. Morria.
9 Ned ville. 1h.» Buy hrmlt. lly “'l'uxaa Jark." 70 Slll't‘ Hhoi iii-ill. the Bny Rlllrxlnlih. lly OliCoornel.
10 Buifnlo IIen. l'rlln'n oi the i'mtnl. By E. L.Whealnr. ’31 Ehnrp Nun; an The Ailvunllll'cl oiuh'riendicu Buy.
’ 11 Ralph Roy. the XIV Ilnccnmer. lly (I l. lngrnhnm. lly .l. Aluxllmlvr l’ntlun.
l 13 Nick o'I-lle N I Hit By 'F- V. iinvbauuh. 7% The Lion oi‘the Sen. By Albrrt W. Aiknn. . ‘
l 18 Yellow-tone m-k. By Jam-h E. lhulgar, Jr. ’33 Phntournpnrl’hllnho ilm Sh-uth; ur,1h>aubudRob'I ‘
14 Wild lvun, llm B -y Claude nlivnl. By E. L.\\'|wdier. Ilenppenmm'n. By E. L. “'herlcr. '
15 lnmnund "ll-k; nr, Thu Myulery oi' the Yullnw- T4 l’lenyuno I’cic; ur, Nicmimnua, the Dag Detailvo.
Itona. By Cnltlul‘l l’rentias lnxrnham. 15y (.llflrlrfl Mm-r a.
13 Keen-Knife, i’rim-a nl'lhu l'rnlriva. By Oil Comm-ea. 75 Island .Illn.’ or. The l‘rt ofllm anliy. By Brace-
]? orefion Sol; or, NIL-h wmau‘: Boy Spy. Bndpt. bridge ii nyngumk linrknuny).
J. . C. Adam» '4’“ “knoll-Eye. illu Si-mluw. liy E-lward L. VVheeier.
13 lbegth.t‘u(~a, lha Duturtiva. By E. L. “’hn-eler. 7? Dirk Dcnd Eye. the [lay Snmgulur. 13y Col. P.
‘1‘ 19 Lulu) Jack, [he Y‘ ung Mustang". liv Uil COI‘IHBI. lnzmhmn.
. - 20 Roaring lhllpll ‘ Rnukwomi, the Reckleml 78 Dcndwnorl Diok’n Devil-e. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
I “wash 3" “HWY 5‘41"”!va 79 The Rim-k Munlungcr. ily Cum. Mnym Raid.

31 The Bov Clown. By Frank S. Finn. ' HO 01d Frosty. the Guide. llv l . C. linrhnngh.
22 The I’Imntorn Miner; ur. Deadwood Dick’s RI The Hen \ Ipl‘r. lly Col. Pruntlu lngrnhnm.

   

     

 

 

    

Bonanza. By Edward Vi lwel". 82 fictll Jonch 01,1‘l-u Captive: of the Frontier. By
1 28 Tho Sen-(Tun Ar, The Witull ui' Dnrien. By Capt. Edward 5. ll ha. 4
i leerick VVh'llin'n'rl’. 58 (‘nnntln ('lict, the Cuuntarruiter Chiul. By Edward
) 24 The Ilnlnh Spy. By Oil Comnel. L. Wlwch-r,
95 Battling Rube. By llarrv St. George. S»! The II b l'ngl-g or. The Doga‘l Dnughtar. 3,, ‘ . i
26 old Avfllum-he, the Anni H mm By E. L. Wheeler. Capt. , crivi. “Hummer.
31 Glmdflye, tha Great Shut ol‘tlm \\ eat. By Capt. .1. R5 The Ilov ‘l Incl-n. Hy Enlwuni S. Ellin. "
F. C. Adams. 56 Jlufk ll 'Inruy In New Yor . By Enco- -
28 The Boy Cuntuin. Th ani-r Starhuck. hrnlur ll. I. up. A
$9 Dick Darling, thu Pony Exprcu itidvr. By Captain 87 The llnm-nr (‘nrinln ily (‘nL Pranllu lngrflhnm.’
I‘ruderlrk Whiitnimr.‘ R m B F I W] 1 SH lit-ndk\\'mull 11th In: mum-{lilo iur.| A Sirnngn
80 Bob \Vooli’. tlm Hun i‘r u an. y .. .. we or. St u c iur .1nrrly. :y ;. wan .. 'am l'i‘. ‘ -
Bl Nimhtlngnle Nni. By T. (I. llnrbauuh. 89 Bill Bldllon, Trapper; ur,Liie in the Northwelt. ‘ .h
3% Black John. Hm :umi Auvui. if}; .1. E. Badger, .Ir. My Edwnul 5, Ellis. 9
88 Omaha (Ill, tlm Mask-d Terror. y E. 1.. Whm-lnr. 90 'l‘Ippy, ilu- Texan. “lly Gcnrqa (Ill-anon. ‘
84 Run Bunker, the Tm Hel‘. By Georg” E. Lasulic. 91 Must-mu; Nun, the lung 01 the Plain». By Jot. E. . H.
' 85 The Boy Rifles; ur, 'l‘lm Underground Canny. By lhnigrr. Jr. A.
g A. C. lronl.  'll;:|;‘l‘llft'llll| nljmllihmrld. lily annuity-1  Prune. - i
v 6 h Whl e nuil'nln. B Gonr «E.Laaaila. l I arr y, he 1mm shy. y ‘mr ea orr l.
a? girls Blutlnoe. Jr. Bv  .. “FINISH”. 94 ligamwoml I’lt‘k nu Ileiecizivo. ll) ' L.Wheulor.

 

83 Ned “nzel,tim Hay Trainper. ilndpt.J.F.C. Allan 95 IIIu-k lInt-krmn. 19y Captain J. 1“. Allan“.

 

“ 89 Deadly E '0. tlm Unknown Smut. Bv llnfl‘nl v Bill. 96 l-‘ilt-l‘hllzeti Dick. By Edward l.. Wheuler.
' 40 Nick lvnl‘mw- Pet. My Cnpt. J. F. C. Adams. 97 The lIlnvk steed oi the l'rnlrien. By lumen
41 Deadwood Iliok’u Honk-n: or, Thu Pm. u! I ‘L. Human.
li‘loml liar. lly Edward L. Whanh-r. 98 l he Non Serpent. ’Ily Juan Lewin.
Tl“- nm'dgr King. By ()ll Gunmen. 09 Ilnlmnzn lIIlI. th.» luau 'I'rnrlor. By E. L. Whaler.

2: 01d lllukory; 0r, Fundy Eliiu’i Scalp. By Harry I00 1:111. 'l;.=llll.‘;“ur, 'J'hu Fate of thu Siuux (fapliw. By
St. va' n4. .. war: . . .l s. n .

44 The Will". Imllnu; nr, The Scouts of the Yellow- 101 [Inning “Any: the Young Bear lullor. By Hui-y
stone. By Ca II. .I. F. C. Anianm. ‘ ’ l.. (nudge. ‘ ‘

45 lIuekhoI-n I ill; ur, 'l'hu Red Rina Team. By 102 I no \ cilquljhlei. lly gapt. Muyna'Reld, ,
hiwanl L. Wheeler. 10:! Chip. tlm (-Irl slu-rt. lly hilwnrd L. “heelur. ‘. V v‘

4“ The Shadow lihlp. By Col. Frontier lnzrnhnm. I04 'I no IIInok Helnomu-m By linger Starhack- ,

4'! The lied Brotherhood. By W. J. Hamiitun. I - Hurry, tlm Buuthllflzk Detective. By

48

 

   

          

 

      

or "h Outth of the ()ra un ’l'raii. ( a rim. _
"fif‘gf’cffi‘ilf.,‘,.uflfi.l a g 106 Nilsllt V nwh hit: or, the Daughter of the Ranch.
49 Illirrlenne Bill; or,MnItnng Sam and Iii-“Purim! By mu E. Ihulrx‘r. Jr.
By Jnu h E. Ilmlger. Jr. 107 Jul-k Iloyle'n Lend. iy Edward L. Wheeler,
# 50 slngle Ilium]; or. A Life for l Lilo. By W. J. ION Hock Munninin hit. 15:120. Harhnugh. ,
I “ammo”, 109 The l rnntiml llund. ii ‘ranl Dunmnt. , ' r
51 pumnhlonumr Joe. By l‘hillp S. Warne. iii) The IDrl-mi “him. ‘ My car a W. lh-nwna. "
5% The "order Robin llomi; or,'l‘h- 11mm Rovm. Ill Rom “oh. n..- lungni lim-lhlnc -. 1n- E.L_Whux".
ll ' Hull'an liili. ' "9 The Iiel I m- llnnd. By Capt. Mayne Rgid.
58 Gold Illile, tho Sharp-hoot". B‘ E. 1.. Whueh-r. liii gear-FA uni tlm Siiuut Hunter. By OllCoomu.
54 old le’n (‘ubln m. A Gruon urn in thu Womb. 114 l'inuy unl. liu Mnnntvir. Boy; or. The Lin). Y,
By on“. J' F. C. Al mm” B o 115 1.,“qu nl :th i\'.||iri‘rh«hiltgm. Illa-121;... “urban h. I r
- tim Yuan Run or S . ii em wum e ‘ a on u c. it. L. at or. . ’
55 “£303.32” "Id" K R W y ll“ Jnhez Collin. Shimmr. ily Cal-LII“. Whittahnr. .. .
‘- 56 Marl Tom Welder-n. By W. J. iimnlltnn. ll? Fancy Frank, 0] urinnmu, 15y “Bum”, m“... - ‘ _.

5‘? Deadwood Dick on Dot-k; "I. (“WWW JAM.

um Huroan ni Whoop-US}. By 1.. 1.. Wheeivr. III-“ed Every Wednesday-
ounx

 

   

 

58 Ilnwkayo "y, “In 'rIPlWI' Ruugvr- By Bendlo‘u Pocket Library In for min by all Nun.
, 0|] l‘mmu dc-nlrrn, iiva canny-1r copy, or aunt by nail on rvoulpt 1-! ii:
‘- 53 '{lfia gay mung-t. K31 Cohnl’nxltliu In mkvltlnl. cautl each.
C IOW- ' if. V TI. . 8n. n
31 00:31.30“; Clhnrlio. u. a... an..." a, m“... L. BEADLE as Alum. Pam-hm, r
Whuhr. 98 William Street. New Work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

/ 32 oc'rsvo PAGES.

 \ PRICE, FIVE CENTS.

POCKET LIBRARY.

 

 

118 Will Wildfire, the 'l'horoughhred. By Cliltfl. Morris.
119 Blunde Bill or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base.
By Edward L. V ’heeler.
190 Gopher Gid, the lloy Trapper. By T. C. Hnrhnugh.
121 llnrry Armstrong, tne Unplain of the Club. By
Brscehridge lieulynu, (.Iuck llurknwey.)
182 The Iluntcd llnntcr. By Edward S. Ellis.
1.28 Solid Sam, tim Boy Road-Agent. By E. L. Wheeler.
124 Judge Lynch. Jr. By ’1‘.  Hin- mngh.
125 The Land i’irutcn. B)’ ( “Pin MW“ Reid-
]26 Blue Blazen; hr, The Bren-k 0‘ Day Boys of Rocky
Bur. By Frank Dmnnnt.
197 Tony Fox, the Farrel. By Edward L. Wheeler.
128 Black Benn, \Vill \Viidfire'e Rncer. By C. Morris.
139 Etude Kit, the tiny Demon. By Oil Coomes.
180 Gold Trigger, the Sport. By T. C. Hurhnugh.
181 A Game of Gold : or, Deadwoud Dick’s Big
Strike. llv Edward L. Wheeler.
182 Dninty Luncc, tho lioy Spqrt. By J. E. Badger. Jr.
133 Wild-fire. the lions ol thr Rnud. By Frank Duniont.
134 Mike Merry, the Harbor Pnlicu Boy. By C. Morris.
185 lzeadhwood Dick oi‘ Deadwood. By Edward
. ee er.
‘ 186 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton Holmes.
137 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. By G. Wudo

Browne.
188 Bob Roekett. the Bar Dodger. By 01m... Murrll.
189 The llluck Giant: or. Dninty Lance in Jeopardy.
By Joserh E. Bud: , Jr.
140 Oaptn n Arlzonu. iiy Phillg S. Warne.
141 . cw York Nell, the Buy- ‘irl Detective. By
Edward 1.. Wheeler.
142 Little Texanthe Young Mustang". By Oil Coomen.
148 Dead] Dash: or,i“igntin;,r Fire with Fire. By

Jon. E. n uer, Jr.
144 Little Grit, the W'iid Rider; 0r, Bessie, theStock
Iiy Cni. Prentiss lnzrnhum.

Tender’s Dang! tar.
14.5,The Timer oi’ Tuon. By Gen, “’nldo Browne.
146 The C Kinn. By Frank Dumont.
'evudn. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
1 bolt Tom. B\' Hurry St. George.
149 Bob Rockctt, the Bunk Runner. By C. Morris.

150 The Mad Miner. By G. “'nidr- Browne.
151 The Sea Trailer. By Col. Prentiss lngrnhnm.

15% Bond Din-kc; or The Ti'ers of Hirh Pine. B
Willing] R. Eyeter. ’ L '” y

153 Wild Frank, the Bucknkin Bruvo. E. L'. Wheeler.
154 The Boy Truiiern. By dos. E. Badger, Jr.

155 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit; or, The Kid»Giove
Sport. By Col. Prentth lngrulnnn.

156 Will “’ildiire in the “’oodsu. By 0. Morris.
157 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By T. C. Herbuugh.
158 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. By E. L. Wheeler.

169 Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. By Philip. S.
Wsrns.

100 BUR-lo Billy, the Boy Buiiwhncker.
Iugruhnm.

161 Bob Rockett, the Crwksmnn. By C. Morris.

[82 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. By 01]
Conmss. .

168 Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By E. L. Wheoier.
104 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harhnngh.

165 Bnflalo Bill’s Bet. By Cal. Prentiss inzrahnm.
106 Will Wildfire “'Ins nnd Lot-en. By C. Morris_
16? Dandy Rot-it’d I’lmlge. By George W. Browns.

 

By Col. P.

168 Deadwood Dick’s Word; or, The Black Hill.

Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler.
169 The Boy Chumpion. By Edward WllMt.
1?!) Bob Rochett’s Fight for Life. By C. Morris.
11’] Frank Morton, the Boy Hermie]. By OilCoolneI.
179 The Yankee Hunger. By'Edwin Emerson.
178 Dick Dingle, Scout. By Edward S. Eliil.
174 Dandy Rock’s Scheme. By G. W. Browne.
115 The Arab Detective. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.

 

uhmuuummmmwmmmmwmmmwmmmmmwmmwmmmmmmmwmmmwmwmm

1’36 “'lll “'ildflre‘s Pluck. By Churles Moms.

17? The Boy Commander. ByColJ’n-ntiu lngrnhem.

178 The Maniac. lluntcr. By Burton Snxc.

179 Dnlnty Linn-(r: nr, The Mystic .\ nrksmnn. By
Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

180 The Boy Gold-lluntcr. By T. C. Hai‘hnugh.

181 The Scupcgrncc Son. By Charles Monls.

182 The Durk- Skinned Scout. By Licut. Cal.

nzeltlne
188 anez Dart, Detective. By Oll Coomes.
184 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. By Edward Wiiictt-

185 Binon Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Prentiss
ingmhmu.

186 lgulnty Lance and His Pnrd. By Joseph E.

ndger, r
187 The Trapped Tiger King. By Cherie. Morris.
188 The Ventriioquist Detective. BY Edward L.

hee cr.
189 Old Rocky’s Boys.
190 Sim fllmphinn, Scout. By James L. Bowen.
19] Dundy Rock’n Rival. By Gen. Waldo Browne.
192 llickory llarry. By Harry St. George.
193 Detective Josh Grim. By Edward L. Wheeler.
194 l’roupect Pete, the Boy Miner. By Oil Coomes.
195 The Tender-foot Trailer. By T. C. lebnugh.
196 The Dandy Detective. By Charles Merrill.
19’? Roy, the Young Cattle King. By Cni. P. Ingrnhun.
198 Ebony Dun’a Musk. By Frank Dumant.)
199 Dictionnry Nut, Detective. By T. C. Hsrbsugh.
200 The Twin ilorncmen. By Capt. F. Whittnksr.
201 Dnndy Burke’s Purdn. By Wm. R. Eyster.
202 Tom, the Texan) Tiger. By Oil Coomes.
208 Sam, the Oiiicc Boy. By Chris: Morris.
204 The Young Cowboy. By Col. P. Ingrnhem.
205 The Frontier Detective. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
206 \Vhite Lightning; or, The Boy Ally. By T. c,
Hnrbmgh.
20’? Kcntuck Toihot’s Band; or, The Red Lssm.
iiy Cnpt. Murk Wilton.
208 Trapper Tom’s Castle Mystery.

COUIIIISB.

By Maj. Sum. 8. Hull.

By Oil

209 Tine. Meucnxcr-Boy Detective. By Ch-rle-
1. "IT ll.

210 The Hunchback of the Miner. By Joseph E.
Budgcr. Jr.
211 Little Ginnt and "in Band. By P. S. Wsrne.
212 The Jimtown Sport. By E. L. Wheeler.
218 The Pirnte’u Prize. By C. Dunning Cluk.
andy February 5.
214 Dmrdy Dave, of Shasta. By T. C. Hsrbngh.
Ruudy Febrnnry 15.
215 The Denver Detective. By 011 Coomes.
‘ Reedy February 2‘).
216 Th (7 who On tuin. B C l. P. I h .
Refly lightning: 29. p y o n," “a
21‘? Bald Head ofthc Rockies. By Msj. Sun. S.
Hall. Rumiy March ‘I.
218 The Miner Sport. By Edwsrd I... Whesler.
Randy March N.
Iesued Every Wednesdny. ,

Bendie’s Pocket Library is {or sale by sll Nu".
dmiiers, fii‘vo cents per copy, or sent. by mail on receipt of six
cents em: .

BEADLE J: ADAMS. Publishers,
98 William Street, New York.

 

 

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