K , c: I S I \ ._ mnm‘umx‘ Cnpyflghted. 1886, by Bnnu Am) ADAMS. Entered at the Pen Oflice at New York. N. Y., as Second Clue Mall Manor. July 1,1886. V01. XI agso Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, I’m-e No. . a ‘0‘"- No. {)5 WILLIAM 51:. NEW YORK. l "0 00"“- “now ON, mm” WAS THE soNonovs INTONA’I‘ION. “mz 1 HAPPEN nun so HANDY was]: wa’n BETTER MAKE IT A mum—nunm GAME." 3 Gold Trigger. the Sport. ‘ Gold Trigger, the Sport: THE GIRL __A_VENGERS. BY 1*. c. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR or “NICK 0' THE NIGHT,” “HIDDEN LODGE,” “NIGHTINGALE NAT,” ETC. CHATTER I. “HILT on POINT?” PANTHER CITY was a flash town, but a place of considerable importance. Situated amid the Far Northwest, where spring into life the head-waters of the Missouri, young though it was, it possessed a history which might have been traced by the flash of the deadly pistol and the gleam of the bowie. On the death~infestcil borders of Indian-(loin, it seemed shut ofl’ from civilimtion. Panther Cit had been founded on a lie; 11 report that go (1 existed in fabulous quantities in the mountains, had called it into existence; shanties sprung up like mushrooms after a warm spring shower, and soon a thousand sun- burned adventurers lmgan to prospect. Now and then a nugget rowan ed them; but the richest veins proved to be “ chimneys.” and the gold-hunters went back to Panther City to pre upon each other. T months after the building of the city, empty houses stood open ever where; one year later but four hundred inha itan's remained. It is Panther City still, and the code of law in force there, is the work of the rope, the bowie and the trigger. Now let us begin our story: It was near the close of a bracing April day .when a grotesque individual rode into the suburbs of Panther City. 'He would haVe attracted attention anywhere, ‘ with his t rawboned figure. the unseenly. length of ‘ legs, and his little head, towering on a cranelike neck far above a pair of moun- tainous shoulders. A suit “ made to order” would hardly belexpected to fit such a represen- tation of humanity; his head hung looselyon his figure. His pantaloons were thrust into a pair 0 heavy boots, from the fronts of which some stockingless toes exhibited their uncleanliness: his hair was shaggy and uncombcd like the mat ted hide of the bear. ‘ This man carried two visible weapons; a bone- handled bowie that stuck in his belt, and a well- nsed rifle which he carried carelessly across the saddle. , I! he was an object to excite curiosity and derision, his horse was none the less 50., It was a bony little creature of mountain breed and scanty forage; and it was so low that the feet of its merciless rider almost touched the ground. Its hair was long and of a dirty sor- rel; its tail was the abode of burrs and thistles; but it had a meek and patient light in its sleepy 0165- . On either hi of this northwestern Rosinante hung'a place made from dried buflalo—hide on which was traced this all important information : “ This animilc fur sail or trade I” As the stranger guided his horse down th main thoroughfare of Panther City, he cut figure that would have called laughter from th most reserved. " Of course he could not (-scalm observation for any lcn th of time, and he soon found himself surroun ed by one-half the population of the , duct). - . I “ Hello, Bones! whar nr‘ yo goin’ with that graveyard?" was among the hundreds of ques- tions that g‘rectpd him. “ El’ you really want to get rid of (‘1‘ crow meat jest keep on til ye strike Buzzard lulch! By J ingo! you ought to be ar- rested of you offer the huzznrds such a desert as thet pyramid of bones ye’r’ on.” The stronger listened to those taunting obser— vations without a show of displeasure; he had struck a. gmxl—nnturml crowd, for remarks of the kind we have recorded kept it in acontinual uproar. “Yes sir, fur sail or trade," he retorfcd at last loohing over the crowd. “ Thar’s nhnrg’in ‘ in t 10 old huss. Ho ain’t none ov yer lightnin’ flycrs, or l’d ’11” called ‘im Hux‘rycane; but he’s gentle, dowel nu” sure. So I call ’im Morphecn. ’l‘rot out yer stock, fetch on yer" critters, an’ when I leave this place yon’l own a dose ov morplnwn whnt ’11 do yer very hoot soles good! I’m Old lillei'H‘S, commonly Old Biz, fur short; I know more about liqsscs, Injuns mid whisky poker than any man “last of the Atlantic brine! This boss is an animilo of prominent p’ints; he’s sound as a dollar; never had u. rib broken as ye kin see at a glance! He’ll love ye at first sight, ‘ an’ be kin smell grass and In ‘uns twenty miles - ofl'. Hold up your head, Morp eon! Thar! look at his mouth rentlem’n' his age is in his favor- i is 7 i he has seen enough ov life to understand it. ' Why, you could l’arn this hoss to talk: 311' he ' could tell you when these old mountains war put hyar. Yes, sir, his age is in his favor. Trot out yer stock, or giv‘ Inn on offer.” As the man finished, he threw his right leg over the horn of his saddle and faced the main portion of the crowd. In order to afford some amusement for his ,r friends, a young man stooped forward, and he- gnn to inspect the animal’s mouth. “How old is that geological spcchncn, any- how?” came from the crowd. A grin and a twinkle of the inspector’s eye preceded the answer. "A few years under a century,” he said. “ His teeth seem to belong to the Silurian epoch.” “Of course he ain’t a colt!” cried Old Bizness. “ D’ye H’pose I’d risk my dolir-nte anatomy on a frisky filly? Whar do ye think Icumo from? Gentlem’n, of you don’t want to trade or buy, the graveyard will resume its tour.” These remarks called out a loud burst of laughter in the midst of which somebody ex- . claimed: “Hyar comes Gold Trigger! Now we will hev a circus!” . Approaching the scene of mernment, was a man who was the bean ideal of the far-western sport. Tall and elegantly framed. with the well- known but not displeasmg affectation of the Gold Trigger, the Sport. I 3. true dandy, tho new-comer was the person to command attention. A handsome face whose only hirsute ornament was the luxuriant black mustache, rendered him a modern Adonis. His clothes fitted his fl ure well, and not a si of weapons was visib 0 about his person. 1? the crowd had been watching, Old Bizncss narrowly, when his eye first encountered the Sport, it would have detected a latent gleam of recognition. But the man almost immediately returned to the subject of sale and barter. “This is a boss what shows his p’in’sl” he continued. “ I’m sorry the sun ’s gone down, fur you could stan’ Morpheen between you an’ it an’ see the soundness ov his lungs aii’ digesti- tory apparatus. How much am I offered fur the hoss? bridle an’ saddle thrown in, an’ burrs, too! Gimme a. bid; hyar’s the chen )cst dose ov morpheen that ever struck ye. Er ’11 trade ’ini fur anything—claims, pistols, corn ile, or a good character. But, that’s mighty scarce in these rts. By this time the Sport had reached the spot; he had heard Old Bizness’s last words; after which their eyes met. “ You’re after a trade, ch?” asked Gold Trig— ger. “ What have you to swap .3” “‘ This boss, this Ukraine ov the Tartar breed, to be tical.” “A horse?” replied the Spat, moving for ward with a wink at his nearest companions. “Where is the animal? If there is a horse here, my friend, will you please designate it?” The eyes of the trader seemed to dance; he was mad. “What d’ye call this, Ban’box?” he roared, slap ing Mo heen’s hips with his great palm. ‘ hat? 0 , a. sheep, p’r’aps—certain y not a horse." The crowd fairly cheered, but the Sport only noticed Old Bizness’s disgust and chagrin with a faint smile. “I’ve heered ov you,” said the trader, look- ing sternly into Gold Trig cr’s face. “Whar I‘ve been lately many a taledies been told about you, but I never heered nobody say thet you war a coward! Morpheen is me when enny— body insults ’im, an’ you’ve done that very thing, Murell Anton! So hyar goes fur choice 0v weegins; hilt er p‘inté” Old izness as he spoke had drawn his bowie~ knife and held it at the point, ready for a throw into the air. Gold Trigger looked at the man, and then glanced over his shoulder. “ Back out an’ I’ll post you a cowardly skunk on everyrock an’ tree in the kentry,” said the trader. “ I’m 01d Bizness cl’ar up to the handle. Ar’ you goin’ to give the onery lie to every good “report I’ve eard about you? Hilt or in ? p “Point!” said Gold Trigger scarcely parting his lips to utter his choice. Up went the knife, whirling over and over as it ascended, and the spectators watched it, holding their breath. Old Biz watched it, too, and when it struck the ground and quivered there with its point deeply; imbedded in the mold, he looked at Gold rigger and said quietly: “ You’ve won; that is six times I’ve lost within the last two weeks, four times by the hilt, two by the p’int. Wal, nominate yer weepiiis, Murell.” ' “Ah! the choice is mine,” said the Sport ab- ruatly as if he had been roused from a dream. “ 01], I choose the bowie-knife.” f The crowd started and looked into each other’s flCOS. VVliatl Miirell Anton the Sport choosing the terrible dirk for mortal combat, when he had never missed a man with his famous gold-trig- V gored revolvers? r Did the man want todie? “ You’ve hit me squar’, Murelll” said the trader, as with a swecfi of his long arm, he took up the knife. “ I’m ind o’ handy with. the blade. I must say this to give you warnin'. How do you want to fight?” The Sport looked up and asked with astonish- ing coolness: ‘How have you been fightin Z?” . “ Wal, when it is the knife, ‘11: used wstand- in back to back with my man. When the sig- na is given we step one ce apart, wheel about en’ go fur each other’s liverl” “The idea suits me exactly!” was all that Gold Trigger said, and the next moment Old Bizncss faced his horse. " Gentlem’n,” he said tothe crowd, “ while the show is goin’ on you kin observe the fine p'inis about thet hoss, anl when the curt’in falls you kin trot out yer tradin’ stock, or turever after hold yer peace.” This was uttered in a dry tone, but it called out no smiles. The sun had now gone down, and Panther City was in shadow. “ It is too dark to fight decently,” said arough fellow. The moon will hang out her lanterns " in thirt minutes.” Old izness looked at the S rt. “ That’s so,’;”he said, sententiously. “ but. do you ‘ I leave it to on.” “I guess we’l wait,” was the response. “I want to give you a fair shake, Murell. In all his checkered career old Pandy Roorback hez tried to deal squar’ly with his feller-man. Thirty minutes, eh? W 9.], I’ve often swapped a ’ ' dozen bosses in thet time.” _ 'And the strange man leaned against his som- nolent horse, and with folded arms quietly be- gan to bide the rising of the moon. CHAPTER II. THE HUNT ron HEARTS. WHEN the silvery rim of the moon made its a pearance over the edge of the horizon, the port turned from a cup of men With whom ' he had been conversmg, and quietly drew an elegant dirk from beneath his coat. The moment for the combat was nedr at and. . “ You still want to fight me, Fundy?” asked Muroll Anton, facing Old Bizness who yet leaned against his horse. “ You kin fight er be branded ez a coward all over the kentry,” was the answer. . , “Then let us at it at once and get this bust. / I, w. 4 ~ Gold Trigger, the Sport. ness of! our hands. But, may 1 have a word with you in private?” 01d Biznoss appeared surprisedut the re nest, but answered quickly: “ Snrt’inly. Thong I’m nota coroner I hear nnty inorlim statements sometimes. ’in at yer sax-vice, Mnrell." The hand of tho \Vestern Sport waved the crowd back, and he found himself face to face and alone with the old man. “ Now go on,” ordered andy. -For a moment Gold riggcr did not speak. He looked into the roughened face of his antag- onist, as if he sought something concealed by a mask. It was a strange spectacle. those two men standing before each other with knives in their hands; one at the middle station of human life, the other young, handsome, strong, a modern Apollo. _ ‘ You’ve asked fur a private interview,” con- tinned Old Bizness, piqued by the Sport’s silence. “ What hev ye got to say?” Murell Anton started. “ Yes, I have something tosay,” he exclaimed. , “ You ’came to Panther City for the purpose of meeting me.” “ That’s a fact.” , “ You came to slay me—if you could l” u Wu] go I “You know that I never shirk a fight. I could have chosen )istols and shattered your brain-pan the first re; but when I saw you I said to myself: ‘ That man has sworn to kill me. He will not leave Panther City without the blood , of Murell Anton. If he does not get it. the others will.’ ” ' “ Sart’nly. Then, why didn’t you stick to the istols?” “ I’ll tell you Why.” ‘ Murell Anton moved closer to Fundy Roor- back, and lowered his voice, which, Without a tremor, told What kind of a man he was. “I’m the last of the Sports,” he continued. “There were nine of us when we broke our dice- boxes in New York, two years ago. Where the rest are to-night I believe that I need not tell you, Pandy.” , ‘s‘lWhar ar’ they!” asked 01d Bizness, curi- ou . “Two are planted in Frisco, one in Dead- ,wood, one on the Yellowstone, Sitting Bull left two more to rot on the plains, and Silver Jim and Shady Sam passed in their checks last win- ter on the Brazos. Every one of the boys died with their boots on, and with weapons in their hands. We 'were doomed from the night when ‘~ we broke our dice-boxes in New York; the same agent of death has followml us. I saw the hand of the avenger everywhere. Sometimes it cor- »ried a rille sometimes knife or pistol; twice it carried a how. I knew that my time would come and a thousand times I said to myself: ‘Never mind, Morel]. You’ll join the boys. All that you have to do is to die as they did, with steel in. your haud.’ My time \may be here, “ now, Pandy. That merciless avenger has sent you hither for the blood of the last of the Sports.” Old lliziness heard the Sport without an in- , terruption. “ So you war lookin‘ fur the calllf’ he queriel. “Not exactly. I didn’t think my summons would come in such a shape.” Gold Trigger drew his fine figure up proudly as he spoke, and cast a look of disgust upon the lank form before him. “ lVe’ll not discuss the garb that death mes- sen ers should wear,” said Pandy Roorback. “ ev you anything else to say i" “ Where is the Avenger?” “ Here!” “ Oh, you are but the tool—the hired knife, as it were. You know whom I mean. Where is that person?” ‘ “ I’m under orders,” was the unsatisfactory rejoinder. “You understand me, Murell. The moon is up now. I’ve got a long road before me, an’ I want to be off.” “Then, curse you! come on!” cried the Sport. “ One minute, look hyar,” cried Old Bizness, gras ing Gold Triggcr’s arm and detaining him. “ f ou’d like to use pistols we’ll go back to ’em. war to let you fight yer own We .” “No!” almost thundered Murell. ‘ Knives have been chosen; with them we flghtl With pistols—pish! you’d never get to groan: see!” As he finished the Sport drew an elegant weapon from beneath his coat and changed his knife to his left hand. The next moment by a dexterous toss he sent the blade inning up into the moonlight, watching it as i seemed in a half careless nmnner. All at once, when the knife was scarcely visi- ble he raised the revolver and fired at it, scarcely takingr aim. While the report still sounded the dirk fell at his feet, and a second latclr he handed it to Old Bizness with a proud sml e. The horse-trader received it from Murell and glanced at its shining sides. “ I see,” he said, not exhibiting the least sur-‘ prise, “ you split the bullet on the edge (W the weepin. I could do thct when I war twelve year old." As the dirk was returned, Gold Trigger turn- ed away. “ Let us split hearts on the edge of our dirksl” he hissed, madly. “ I’m at yer service!” was the curt reply. , The preliminaries for the strange duel were speedily arranged. A burly fellow called Moun- tain Bill selected the ground and placed the men back’ to back. “ Ye’vo agreed on the terms,” he said. “At the signal ye’r’ to step one pace apart, turn an’ hunt fur each other’s hearts with the dirks.” Gold Trigger’s face was turned toward the fair round moon. ~ His friends saw that he stood erect,.but with I closed eyes. The knife clutched in his right hand was at his side, its needle point turned to- ward Old Bizness. “ Readyl" cried the rough voice of Mountain Bill, as he stepped back. I “ Ready!” answered the duelists. “ One l—two l—tum an’ at it I” _ The men separated instantly, having stepped apart, mnl all at once they wheeled simultane- ously and advanced-upon ouch othor. We need ‘not say that at that exciting mo- ment the bronzod spectators held their breath. ..‘sr...' <—-—-< Gold Trigger, the Sport. ‘5 They saw the two antagonists moot lilcc tigers in the moonlight, the caught tho lightningr learn of iolished stce , and “it‘ll tip-y saw the gure of Gold Trigger rccl from iln- long arm of Pandy Rmil‘lilu'li ! A cry of horror and rage rose from lnnnlrcds of throats: it drowned the piercing yell that death seemed to tear from the Sport’s tongue as he touched the ground. “That’s the last one!” remarked Old Biznoss, in a tone of satisfaction, as he walked quietly toward his horse, and as he reached the (ini‘iin brute and took up the rein, he turned to the mad crowd. “ Gentlem’n, you can’t change tho decrees or fatell’he said. “If them nine Soorts licd in” stuck to the dice-boxes in New Xork. tho hid an’ the bravest ov "cni all Wouldn’t l;o lyiu’ tlirr now—wiped out! I‘m a farm l)(']l(‘\'l‘i' in iiil‘l} 00d old doctrine ov prcdcsliiiution: it lwd to e done, an7 I lied to do it. Now whoth a lioss to trade before I bid you adieu?” The reply was a. roar of riigc, tho bursting forth of a volcano of ('iii‘sos iiiid bl()(i!l-('l‘i(‘S. The crowd surged forward, headed by the burly form of Mountain Bill. . The doc 1, dark eyes of Fundy Roorback seemed to ash fire; he saw istols‘ and knives everywhere. But he calmly ook his mile from the saddle and lifted his long figure upon the back of the little horse without an effort. “Thor’s niorc’n one death in Old Ilizncss, 1ncn,"’ho said, surveying the mob. “ He’s the concentrated essence (W the article when he’s r‘ilcd. Gold Trigger had a fair showin’ but it lied to be done. Ef you linoch why came byar to-night, you’d say tlict it war a case ov mm eye, er tooth fur tooth. Old I’andy rback got the only blood he wanted to-night, but he kin take more of you make ’im. What ar’ you goin’to do, men ov Panther Citv? Ef you want a new graveyard started, Old Bizness ar’ at yer sarvice.” The mad men of Panther City came to a halt. The quiet tone, coupled to the determined vis- age of the man on the scrubby animal, was enough to make them stop and consider. They saw, too, the bronzed finger that Seemed V to toy with the trigger of the long-bai'rcled rifle.‘ Perhaps Mountain Bill noticed that the weapon covered his brawny breast. “ Ef it war a case ov eye on” eye. thet uts a different handle on the jug,” admitted Bil . “I sw'ar it war. You’ll all know b an" by.” At that moment a hand was laid on {dountain Bill’s arm from the crowd behind him, and he gently turned his head. A second later he heard some words that threw a new gleam into his e es, and shaking off the hand, he turned to Old izincss again. “ Go!” he said. “ Git out of this kentry. But, recollect that from this night thar’ll be an avenger at your heels as marciless as the one thet hunted the nine Sports down, The blood ov Gold Trig- ger will foller you till the end 0v yer career. eke thet pile 0v bones you’re on an’ yer own carcass outen Panther City right away, er quicker, et ye kin. We give you a good start ease you gave Gold Trigger 8. pretty fair shqwm'; but you’ll see the men ov Panther City ag’m—you an that avenger, whoever he be i” e“-.- . ._ H...“ . U...— l‘.ii'.dy lioorbm-k smilod dorisivoly at Moun- tain liill’s inlluiiicd uttorunvl-s. “Yo’r’vlovorl” he rotortod. “\Vul, ji-st oz soon cz I’m gone slip yci' dogs an’ go fur the game. I’d sooner lll‘V iijiiiis or white cusses iii‘tor nio than deal out a cold deck. (ientlcm’n, with all his i‘nilin‘s, ini’ they war legion, I guess Mun-ll Anton war the best persimmon on the ti‘w. Plant 7ini dcccntlv, anl say thathe fou ht l’uudy Roorback with his own weepin. ow we're; oll‘, Mor )hcen. Gentlem‘n. an affection- alc adieu, ‘V on we meet ng’in ’twill be under different sarcumstances.” As Old Bizness uttered the final word. he struck the incagcr ribs of his pony with his heavy boot—hurls. and the little brute startcd up as if round from a dream of forage. The next minute he was hearing his riilcrdown the main street of Panther City, and at last the go iti-squo pair disappeared. Beyond the border town the land gradually us- ccinlml until it terminated in many places in great peaks and tablcdmids. . ' On the other side of those elevations were the death landsof the Crows, Blackfeet and Crces, and Old Pandy’s face was turned directly to- ward them. But he suddenly drew rein half—wa up one of tho ascents, and looked down upon he wooden buildings which he had just left. “ It lied to be done!” he muttered and then he shook his bony fist at the city. “ wish the would hunt Old Pandy Roorbackl” he crie . ‘ “ I jcst wish they’d turn out en masse an’ lay bloodhound. I hovn’t been hunted‘fur sol ong thct I furget how it goes. Come on, men ov Panther! I’ve never been so keen fur a little - divarsion before, 1111' I’ve been hunter long ' enough to ion fur a bit ov vice rersa.” Ah! if Old izness knew what the words were that had been whispered in Mountain 'Bill’s ear, he would not have resumed his journey with a shout of defiance and savage glee. r He went our the hills and down into the . death depths of the Indian-land: but the ene- rgies that he left behind Were not to lose sight ' 0 1m fulfillcd'i CHAPTER III. ‘ HUNTED STILL. IT was a fortnight after the duel in Panther City, and again the long shadows of evening lay among the mountain chasms of the North’- west. “ Haiti Aida," said one of two youthtul riders who had just entered a gulch whose rough walls wcro cast in shadow. “ Here is another of ‘ those uncouth manifestocs. Let us see If this one is worded like the others.” The speaker. who possessml a fair girlish face had already drawn rein, and was leaning toward the chasm wall as if intent upon inspecting a piece of dingy paper that adhered to it. 4, “It does not seem to be the same as the ones?" ‘ 3 we have passed' the I, you know, were written y .; in rough capita s; t us one is traced in horrid , v ",, chirography.” V ‘ Did they hunt him down? Was the threat- ' . I. 'prophecy as it rung from Mountain Bill’slips 0 Gold Trigger, the Sport. “Tear it down and we’ll read it when the moon comes up. 7’ ' “No! I do not want to disturb it. Have a little patience, Aida, and I'll master it where it “ Well, go ahead.” , For several moments the first speaker studied the rude tracel‘y on the paper in a persistent manner which told that it was being mustered. “ Ah! I knew I would master the nmnifosto!” was the e'aculation of triumph. “Now, Aida. if you wi l lend me your ears I promise you that you will be sli htly startled.” The irl ca led Aida who had fallen into a reverie lifted her head at the sound of her coin— .panion’s voice, and bade her proceed. “ I can read it without looking on,” was the reply, and instead of fixing her eyes again on the paper the fair speaker looked into her friend’s face. “ N 0w listen! here it is: "BLOOD FOR BLOOD! “ ‘We, the men of Panther Ci'y, have sworn to kill one Pandy Roorback who spilled the blood of our gentleman pard, Gold Trigger. He belongs to us: our knives and pistols hold a mortgage on his heart, and we‘re the only ones what havo a right to fore.- close it. We will kill the person who sheds a drop of ‘ Pan ly Roorback‘s blood, outside of our circle. This is to give notice to all. red and white. Pandy is ours: death to the man who robs us of our prev. A “ Tm: FORTY Avnuosns.’ ” Aida listened until the reading ended. . “ That manifesto is did'erent from the others,” she said. “ Do you think they have caught Pandy Roorback? ’ ' “ I do not. But do {011 not make a discovery , by the reading of this ill of outlawry?” , “ A discovery?” asked Aida strangely. , Ll Yes.” . “ Read it again and slower than before." This was done. “ I am ashamed to confess that nothing new strikes me,” said Aida, coloring slightly. “ But I may be dull of a prehension to—night. En- , lighten'me, please, or I am all curiosxty now.” ,“The last part of the first sentence contains the discovery I have made,” was the reply. , “Gold Trigger, the last of the Sports, is not 'dead. Pandy Roorback failed to accomplish his‘ mission: he struck, but did not kill. If he had succeeded this paper would have told us so; he V ‘ V merely spilled some of Murell Anton’s blood. And now the tigers of Panther are huntin him. By my heart Aida, I trust they’ll catch im— noi ' we will find him ourselves, and pay him for his miserable failure.” . “ Alive! Murell Anton, the last of the Nine, still living?” mused Aida, in a. tone that did not fail to reach her companion’s ears. “ Yes! does not the thought send your blood like lava through your veins? He still incumbers the ground; he, the captain of the infamous brotherhood!” Aida’s black eyes flashed like stars of fire. “Where is he?" she cried clutching her friend’s arm. “ Where is that hunted wretch to-night? Oh, heaven! as I think, my brain burns my veins seem on fire; a current of flame eaps . through my heart, and that tigerish, inhuman thirst for vengeance, maddens me. Ivien; do you know where Murell Anton is at this hour? \ If our weak-armed tool struck him deep, he must be whore they parted. Ah! is he not in Panther (,lity‘! Those men are his champions; they call him their friend, and they have sworn to avenge his blood. , “ He is there! there! Come Ivien; do not sit there and stare at me as if were mad. We have suffered alike; we have hunted and killed for the same purpose. Why did we send that foolish old man to do the work we had sworn to do! The fever was upon us then. Do you not recollect that we thought our end had come when we made him our avenger, and sent him after the last of the Nine? We are not strong again, but we are living; the trail is still ours, Ivien; and the last victim is left for our stroke. I am going. When we have struck the last brother of the Black Cross we will go back. But not until then! no not until then!” The fare of the spea er was ghastly in color- ing, and she tottered as she dropped back into her saddle seat. ‘ “ Whither would you go?” asked Ivien. “ We can have but one goal now—the heart of Murcll Anton l” was the response. - “ \Vhere will we find him?” “ In Panther City!” Des its her calmness, Ivien started. “ ould you enter there where discovery by that desperate man is certain death i” “We crossed the mountains on a death-hunt. On to Panther City!” The white hands of the beautiful avenger had caught up the reins, and she was about to urge her steed forward when a sound that came from the north caused both to turn their heads. . For one brief moment they saw nothing, and then a multitude of grote. ue shapes appeared at the further end of the gu eh. I ‘f Do you know what that means?" asked wen “ Who does not? The red fiends have crossed the mountains; they are going to fall upon Panther City like a pack of wolves. They, may snatch Murell Anton from us!" ' “ They shall not do that!” “Then on to Panther City! Once beyond this gulch we can ride like the wind; we can warn the men of Panther. Are you ready?” “ I am ready!” The horses ridden bi the girl avengers started from the spot where t ey had halted, and went rapidly through 1the gulch while the Indians were entering at t e northern end. They emerged upon land less rough, and turn- ing the heads of their steeds toward the south, shot away like Indian arrows. They had exercised caution in escaping from the gdulch, but the ears of the human wolves had ear . . A few moments later the band poured from the chasm and drew rein in the gloaming. There the mountain warriors presented an a pearanoe that would have called a burst of miration from the most unromantic heart. Three hundred stalwart Blackfoot braves they were, mounted on great strong—limbed horses, whose flowing manes and tails were ornaments of beauty, and whose arched necks were syn- onlyms of strength. is was a band of giants, too, for each brave i .thcir riders were willowy feIIOWs, who did not ' and dashing through the crowd made his way Gold Trigger, the Sport. . 7 towered four feet above the hack of his stood, which he sat like u. iiuishcd equestrian. As the Indians emerged from the gulch sov— ornl sprung upright, and swept the view before them with eager cyL-s. Did they see the two girls flying to warn their enemies of the approach of the red wolves! Ll‘ did they hear the hool’s of their steeds? At any rate, the huntch had something to re— port to the giant lcndcr of the band, and an in- stant luter ten Blackfeet rode to the front. The horses they bestrodo seemed fashioned for speed; up our to be incumbered by any weapons. ‘hey were the hunters of the war hand. As they looked at their chief for iiistmctions, they saw his arm go up and his finger point to- ward the south. “( lo and catch the foxes who have heard!” he said. That was enough, and almost before the last word had left his lips, the ten hunters had dis- nppcnrrd. “ \Vo are followed 1" suddenly cried Ivien. “lVo did not lcavc the gulch soon enough. If our pursucrs are the ten Indiansof whom Pandy Roorhuck has spoken, we may not be able to Teach Panther City.” “We must! we shall!” said Aida. “Do not forget for one moment that Murcll Anton is there! We must be near the place.” “Three miles yct, Aida.” The two horses were straining every nerve to reach the goal toward which their eagcr riders were driving them. Behind thundcrcd the red ten, and not very far behind them, in turn, rode the two hundred and ninety tigers ot' the Northwest. What were the men of Panther City doing? There was a crowd on the spot where we have seen the meeting of Old Bizncss and Gold Trig- ger. It was a wild, boisterous crowd, but a man, mounted on a barrel in the midst of it, was try- ing to quiet it with a voice that seemed to issue from lungs of brass. He was a iaut in stature, a man with a mass of unkempt air and heard, with wild, ferocious eyes and arms bored to the elbow. “ ' old on, thar!” he vocifcratcd. “Shut yer meat-trans, men ov Panther, au’ let Mountain Bill deliver his opinion. I know how ye feel; but Gold Trigger ain’t dead. He ain’t goin’ to die. No! by the ghosts ov the Rockies! he’s goin’ to throttle death an’ live to come right- side up. Whar is the man what wouldn’t go wild now an' then who’d bed the ’int ov a knife in the suburbs ov his heart! e’ll take vengeance fur his blood; afore long we’ll ketch the man what hez the audacity to come back an‘ post notices ov defiance on the rocks.” Mountain Bill was listened to with better at» tention than he had expected to receive, and he had scarcely finished when two horses flecked with foam and ready to smk to the ground halt- ed in sight of all. “Grout Jehosanhat!” cried Bill. “Whar on airth did them follars come from?" The next moment he darted from the barrel. to the two avengers. “ Let us talk !” interrupted Aida. “ Wecame hero to save. Your lives are in danger. Three hundred lilacki’oot Indians have thunderbd at our heels for ten miles. They are going to fell upon you like an avalanche, sparing nothing, but crushing all. Quick! arm! you have not a minute to lose—not a second!” A united shout olf defiance rose from the crowd, and Bill found few to address when he turned from the girls. “We’ll empty saddles, ha! ha!” he said. “ Panther City will vote you a gold medal fur yer ride. Whar did you come from?” “ From the North. Where is Gold Trigger?” At that moment Mountain ,Bill shrunk from Aida’s horse, and whon‘the question fell from her tongue he was staring at her with an cx~ pression diilicult to analyze. “ You! you/“ho shouted sudden] . “ Doyou come hyar to tell the men ov Pant or that the Injuns ar’ coinin’?” “ We are not altogether unmerciful,” answer- ed Aida, as the white hand that clutched an e - gant revolver rose threateningly. “Since u have recognized us, I will disguise nothing. 8 came hitherto save and to slay. Where is Mu- rell Anton?” Mountain Bill did not reply, but shutting his lips tightly, sent a smile of defiance at the girl hunters. / “ The truth, or death!” flashed Aida. Hcr right arm was stretched toward the mountaineer, the muzzle of the reVOIVer almost touched him, “ The truth, or death 1” she repeated. 'l‘hen Mountain llill spoke. “ I’ll take some ov the latter,” he calmly said, as his brawuy hands with one mad wrench barcd his breast for the bullet. “Gold Tri ger an’ Mountain Bill nr’ pards thct never go, ack on each other—neveri” Aida hesitated. The next instant the wild war—cry of the Blackfoot nation sounded like the blast of death, and a volley of firearms replied. C The red wolves had fallen upon the Panther ity. CHAPTER IV. THE TWO PARDS. “ STAND firm, men of Panther! Cold lead an’ plenty of it for the red hellyons! Hyar they come ag’ini Now, drop ’em from their bosses. Gosh! how they tumble when we shoot! , The volley which had given reply to the first char -ing war- whoop of the savages drove them back for a moment. ' The men of Panther City had fired with good effect, for twenty bronzed bodies were sent tumbling to the ground. ' The enemy drew back to reform; Wild and savage though they were, they possessed the dis- cipline of reg-u r cavalry *» After the volley the orces of the defenders. were increased; men came from every direction with arms in their hands. Stern determination, and unflinching courage were depicted on the countenance of each as the?r stood shoulderto shoulder in the moonlight w th bronzed fingers " “ See hyar—” at easyfriggers, and eyes fixed madly upon the ‘ ,, 8 Gold Trigger. the Sport. » r“ l marsnrl'u's l" arming on the plain for the mvonzl 1)ll~:ll..l;.',ilii. Let u: have this scone for a moment. lVe lol'l‘. Mountain Bill and the two avengers face to fave, the bravery of the one confronting the hesitation of the others. Yes, Aida hesitated. " If you’re goin’ to shoot, shoot,” broke in the rough, but impatient voice of Mountain Bill. “The boys need me down thar; the greasy bruitej’hev struck Panther. What ar’ you goin’ to l o? The pistol arm of the fair girl fell. “ Go and defend Panther,” she said. “ Go and save the life of the man you refuse to be- an .” “)'I’ll do it, bet yer sweet life,” was the an- swer, as the rough started away. “The reds shall get Mountain Bill’s compliments now. Mebbe I ought to thank ou because you hed me at the muzzle an7 on t 1e trigger. meet ag’in. Yo’re goin’ to hunt Gold Trigger till you find ’im, I s’ ose?” “ That we shalll 0 will find him, tool” “ Wal, I’m goin’ to help the boys. \Von’t you go‘ an’ see the fun?” 0 Without another word the Sport’s friend darted away, leaving the two avengers the only occu ants of the square; near them stood the barre from which the character just de- parted had harangued the crowd; but it was without an orator. “A ride for nothing,” said Ivien, at last. “We are in the den, but the wolf hides in some impenetrable recess. We must come again.” ‘ Again?" replied Aida, starting. “ What will we find after the savages have departed? The ruins of Panther City and the bones of her defenders!” ‘fHarkl” V “Ah! the charging whoop of the red horse- men!" .‘ Ivien grasped the rein of her steed as she spoke, and turned her face toward the plain. “I’d like to see the onset,” she said, with eager eyes. “ Pandy Roorback talked so much about an Indian charge!” “ There! do not speak the name of that wretch who failed todo the work he swore to do. shall never mention it until I can pa him for In}? rfailure. Why don’t the men 0 Panther e ' Had the whites deserted their posts? All at once a' line of fire became visible, and then a thunderous report made the girls start in their saddles. The men of Panther had not ed. “ Hal they’ve checked the Indians!" exclaim- ed Ivien. “I feel like shouting for the rough men of Panther.” ‘ “Checked them? no, Ivien. Listen! they are coming on. They carried out their old tactics. I'll warrant. They dropped alongside their horses at the right moment. Ah! those Black- feet are cunning devils.” Aide’s words seemed to. be confirmed by the sounds that were now borne to- their ears. The charge of that bronze squadron was simply resistless. Despite the terrible volley poured into their ranks, under the direction of But We’ll ’ Mountain Bill, they came on like devils incar— nate, and fell upon the determined few who madly attempted to withstand the charge! For one brief minute the revolver pla ed an important part in the nocturnal butt e, and then the foe came on, yelling,r like demons. “ Come! we must go!" Ivien cried, grasping Aida’s arm. “To remain here another minute is to die, and to die is to let that one man escape our vengeance.” “ They will finish him anyhow.” “ The knife of Fundy Roorback did not slay. Fate is reserving him for us. My word for 1t girlnhe will escape the vengeance of the Black- teet “ I will believe you!” was the quick answer. “But I hate to leave the den when the wolf is Within reach of our arms. Still, it must he so.’ Then it was that two horses sprung forward and bore the girls across the uare. The next moment twenty ndians appeared upon the spot, and in lieu of a white enemy, be- gan an indiscriminate onslaught on the inoil’en- sive barrel. Mountain Bill was among those who esca Armed with the strength of a giant, be seized the bridle of a strong-limbed Blackfoot horse and planted a bullet in the head of his rider at the same time. Then, throwing himself upon the steed, he galloped awa and soon found him- self on the little plain, hat ess and out of breath, but unharmed For several moments he sat still as if listening to the wild reveh'y of the Blackfeet in Panther City. But his lips were compressed, and in his eyes was the glitter of a. madness that could not be expressed in language. “ It ar’ kinder queer thet both should come in one ni ht—the Blackfeet an’ the Death Angels,” he saitE s eaking in a low but harsh tone. “I knowed thet the latter would find him; thet war only a question ov time. But thct the Injuns should come at the same timel it puzzles me. Ah! ,‘ist hear ’em makiu’ merry like old Win- field in the halls of the Montyzumysl By jingol it r’iles me! my blood b’iles. And ye ar’ thar Gold Trigger. Pard, I did desert ye after all. played the confounded idiot at last. But, I’m comin’ back. Mountain Bill ar’ goin’ to help you out—to help you out, fur vengeance.” The mountaineer urged his steed toward the doomed town. . He reached the suburbs, where the battle had been fought, and saw the ghastly trophies of the field. red and white, mingled in that horri- ble confusion which sickens the heart of the bravest. Riding over them, he entered the town. Pan- ther City was a mile long, but its board shanties were not close together. At the further end the Blackfeet were destroying everything upon which their tomahawks could make any impres- smn. . But Mountain Bill did not pay any attention to the din. He had come back on a mission. “Thar he is, by my soul!" surlwlonlv fell from his lips as he drew rein in the stwwt. “Talk about killin’ that boy with a knife an” the fever, will ya? He’s livin’ to pay all his debts. With him it’s eye fur eye, tooth fur tooth. Hello, Muroll!” ' I . "W n . t7“ ' \ h "k a (as: “MTWf'p'hT A ._. J“ z m»— A u. ,, a. 'blood flows natural again. Gold Trigger, the Sport. A 9 The person addressed turned as if an arrow had pierced his side, and with a cry 01‘ recogni- tion, came forward. Mountain Bill leaped from his horse. “Bill—Bill, in the name of 'l‘arlarus, what means this?” asked the man, “how Lu'o was White but handsome. “ I thought the :u-cursod fever had seized me again. [ heard shots, yells, curses, and shut my (‘yl‘S. Did I dream? No; I got up; I got to the door and saw a legion of devils go up the street. '1‘le me, Bill. Have the red eagles, our old red ciwinics, swuopcd down on Panther?” “ They hev; but I can’t tell you liyar, Murell. We must git away. Hold! lot mo whisper in your ear—only four words, an’ thou I know you’ll be strong ag‘in.” A strange ligrlit gloamed in Gold Trigger’s eyes, and the next mmnont the bearded lips of his pard were at his ears. “ They hen came, loo !" Bill whispered. Despite his calmness the Sport started from Mountain Bill. There was a. cry forming on his Iips,hut tho mountaineer, following him up, grasped his arm and checked it. “Gods! don't you feel better already? Ef Mountain Bill war Murell Anton, them four words would give him a new lease on life. He'd hev suthin’ more than that man’s blood to live fur. They war dressed like boys, but they're feminine-5, all the same, an’ with faces what would turn a young fellcr’s head." “What fiends they are though! for me?” “ Sartainly. All the informatirm thot they got from Bill Daggett they could carry on the p'int ov a knife." “ The news does strengthen me, Bill. My Where is my horse?” “ In the stable ef none 0’ the boys took ’em in their flight.” “ They would not do that, I think.” As he spoke Bill thrust the bridle of the cap- tured horse into Gold Trigger’s hand and bound- ed away. For a moment the eyes of the Sport followed Did they ask im. “ Few hunted men ever had such a friend as that rough diamond,” the Sport murmured. “ I believe he would die for me. As we are to go of! together he may have that kind of an oppor- tunity. Htmtcd yet, with a knife wound at my heart. I was 'ust beginning to forget when Pandv Roorbac came, and now the real, aven- gers follow me. But I will die game. Coufa e! courage, Murell Anton! Before you deEart t it life your merciless hunters, every one, s all her- ald your coming to the unseen land. I swear it by the stars of heaven! The hunted turns hun- ter from this night. Murell Anton sets out upon a trail the ending of which shall be vengeance and death i“ > As the Sport finished he looked up and saw the giant figure of Mountain Bill at a respectful distance. He was leading: a horse. “ I thought I’d not disturb you,” Bill said, as he came up. “I know what ye war sayin’, an‘ I concur in the statements most emphatically. ngr’s the boss. Et death hadn’t got In his work w an he did, their would hev been no Starwiug for you to-mght.” ‘ ! “ What mean you, Bill?” “Dii-tionai-y Dick thought ov the host an’ made for ’im. But he never got further than the door; he’s {her yet. Thor’s no‘wound on him. Thom big words 0v his’u killed ’im, I guess." With a faint smile at Bill’s observation, Gold I Trigger turned to his horse and tried to mount, but fell back with a. groan. The next instant his comrade sprung to his assistance and helped him up. Even then he tottered in the saddle. “ Bill,” be said, huskily, “ strength is leav~ ing me for the time. Shall we be obliged to ride hard?” . ‘ “ Mobe so, Murcll.” “Then tie me to Starwing. After awhile I will be strong again." The Sport’s request was with, and when Mountain Bill tion he smiled his thanks. speedily complied misth the opera- “ Now we’re ofi’, Murell.” / “I am road .” _ Bill lean over and caught the Sport’s bridle. “ I’ll lead you out o’ Panther," he said. " Poor wiped out Panther! fur when the sun risesto- morror thar’ll not be a board to tell whar it stord.” Murell Anton bi his lips, and Bill had ven the word to the orses when a. hum; gure stepped into the center of the street 1 m the shadow of one of the shanties. 1 ‘ “I say, boys, you’d better steer fur Bear River by the way 0’ Blackfoot Gulch. The hull kentry are full ov Injuns, an’ then, it you how any burnin’ desire to resume my acquaintance the Bear River kentry‘ is whar you‘ll me!" ‘ _ breath while the voice fell upon their ears. They used their eyes at the same time. As the last word was uttered. the shipped aside to let them proceed. t was PandsymRoorback! “Whither ll we go, Murelli” was Bill’s question. ‘ “Into the Bear River country for there it where he said we will find him! of men I want to see 1” CHAPTER V. , BULLET Pnoorl r TARDILY, as it 10th to shine upon a scene of desolation, the sun crept over the hills on the morning ter the I onslaught upon Panther, Cit . - Ehund to destroy, the lugginns had applied the torch, and heaps of mi marked the spot where the “advance post of oivihzation”hed stood. ~ Not a living being was visible; the Blacklist?“ ,‘ en ; on retiring had carried ofl their t ' but the bodies of the unfortunate defen ers lay where they had fallen. r At the same time down on the historic Rose'- - bud the same sun was shining upon Custer’s last grand battle-field! ' . I . ., Above Panther soared the carrion king .01 the skies, his keen eyes fixed 11 [east below. Mountain Bill and Gold Trigger held tth 7 A spaniel. Y He’s the‘ man a: . use. . the hastl - '" After awhile thepggble _, d. l Cw“. «v .1 .; «fl, ‘« .NF 110 / Gold Trigger, the Sport. scended, then another and another, and the play or rend and tear began. ‘ One of these birds rched himself upon what appeared to be a gui eboard which stood in the middle of the ruined town. The upright post had felt the fire, so had the cross—piece which was black. If a person had approached this grotesque ' vulture crowned object he would have discov- ered something white affixed to the blackened board. ‘This “ as what is designated in the un- cultured Northwest “ a notis.” Rude and igantic, but ill—proportioned, were . the letters w ich if joined properly WOuld have brought to light the following inscription: “ MEN 0V PANTIIARI ~ “ It is the arnest desire nv 'he writer thet this In- un raid be charged ag’in‘ him l-I') is re idy to set- le the account at any time. [{yamficr. onlerisoner of Murell Anton. Oh, Heaven forbid! he must have been borne upward to the tops of the hills. Hui here are horse-tracks, goincr up—up! Courage, Aida! while I live, you shall not be deserted." With a somewhat lighter heart the ca er girl followed the hoof-prints that had caught or eye in the soft ground. ’l‘lu-y looked fresh; they went up a narrow way between two bills. She felt that they would lead her to Aida. Pushing up the trail, Ivien saw nothing but the tracks which she so eagerly followed. At length she reached the top of the ascent, and her horse, panting from over-exhaustion, planted his feet firmly on the summit. Far and wide could the girl see from the spot where she had halted, but not a living being re- warded her vision. " No Aida! no black horse! no Murell Antoni Ivien felt her heart sink within her bosom. Suddenly a sound startled the des airing girl. She became satisfied that the ch was ten- anted again; but by whom? “I will go and see,” she sighed. “As I am above them they will notice me.” But she did not ride toward the edge of the clill’s, for, as she lifted the rein for that purpose, she heard sounds that made her unslin the car- bine, and turn her eyes to the path y which she had reached the spot she occupied. Somebody was coming up to her! There was more than one. Were they, too, huntin the blackhorse? or did they know that she wast ere, waiting to greet them as friends or as foes? Ivien glanced over her shoulder as she waited, and mentally selected a way for retreat. Then she turned her eyes upon the path and kept them fixed there while her finger touched the trigger of the car inc that rested between her horse’s ears. All at once the head of a horse shot into sight and the next moment as he bounded forward Iv1en saw the superb figure of his rider, 8. Black- foot warrior, carried into full view. A light cry fell from her lips—a cry of sur- prise—for she had expected toencounter a white face; but she did not hesitate. Before_ the Indian could discern her, the leveled nfle spoke, and leaping into the air with a death- ell, he fell back and disappeared among t e, feathered heads just rising into si ht. _ E1Frl‘he _next instant several scarlet bodies leaped into View, buta sin and again the rifle of the girl avenger we 9 the echoes of the Blackfoot hills,.and the handsome horses and their scalp- hunting riders disappeared in confusion below the brow of the cliffs! “My first Indians! may they be m last,” muttered the girl as she turned her stee , and a moment later she went northward likeastartled quarr . ,“ Aida, I must desert you for a time' but w en 1 have 011th these red wolvesl / A a JP; W17" wit-m ix- x 3. ..,,,,,,.-.,.‘.;, ,mm-... .. var— nv‘pw._, 3' g $ y. I. g l 4. p r . 'w.‘ ’1‘ 5 h, wry,» 'rft" .x. ,,. i ""3. .4 fl v « .rv— u puny, v n ..,,.,,;.- ,9; ,Wm, ., H i will come back to rejoin you in our work of vengeance." - No rein was drawn until Ivicn had put ten miles bet ween her and the scene of her combat. She found herself in a romantic little vullcy, clad in the warmest suilsliine, and as breezy as a grove. It was her first visit to the place, as she well knew. Ivien slid to the ground at sight of a little creek whose clear waters rippled through the sunn vale. Ho ding the bridle of her horse, which moved eagerly to the rivulet, Ivicn advanced and knelt at the water’s edge. How refreshing was the element! how cool and delightful! but thou, she was exhausted. Longand deep the deserted girl drank—drank eagerly, until her horse started and raised his head. The incident roused Ivien, and the next moment, with an cxclmuation of surprise still quivering her lips, she stood erect, mixing at the scene before her. Just beyond the stream ten rough-looking; men sat on as many horses, and the eyes of each were fixed upon llvl‘. The surprise seemed to he mutual. Ivicn saw that three had bandages around their foreheads, and one had his left arm in a sling. “The are some of the survivors of Panther City!” s e thought. “ If they are Murcil An— ton‘s friends they are enemies of mine." Then she stepped forward to the water’s edge, and in a firm voice accosted them: “ Friends or toes?” “ That depends,” was the answer of the rough fellow who left the ranks. “\Vo are the aren- gers of Panther Cit . Are you not one of the persons what to] us thet the Injuns war comin’?” H I am-H “ Then you don’t like Gold Trigger? You are huntin’ him?" Ivien did not quail; the crisis was at hand. “I hunt the last man who was concerned in the murder of in father!” she said firmly. The leader of t e survivors of Panther glanced at his men. “ She's one of the Death Angels,” Ivien heard him say. “ We can’t go back on our oath just because she's a gal, an” party as a peach.” “ Thets so. Jack l” was the response. The next instant ten revolvers were drawn. CHAPTER VII. . “HOLD 0N, ran 1'” . Tue of thought seemed to be possessed by the port’s black horse. Aide’s effort to check him had not succeeded, and when too late the girl discovered that she had overestimated her wers. , But she still clung to he stout bridle-rein. To fall was to be trampled to death. , 4 So she shut her eyes and held on with the ten- acity of death itself. She was home through the gulch at a rate of speed that took her breath, and rendered her faint. Beyond the gap the horse turned and began to ascend as if on the und above the lain he would be safe from arrows of the ndians. Gold Trigger. the Sport. ' i8 “ He will not run to the end of the worldi” Aida comforted herself. “ He will stop before ' long“; if he does not he will fall exhausted." , ‘ lint he continued on as if he was a stranger to _ - ‘ exhaustion. ., ' .. . Murcll Anton might be deadl For an hour he had not stirred. One of his arms was thrown about the neck of his steed, but the wild black mane.concealed his facefrom the girl. Was he dead? After all, had the arrows of the Blackfeet snatched from her the great de— ‘ sire of her life, vengeance for the blood spilled far away in the metropolis of the Atlantic Coast? ' The sun crept higher and higher; the horse _. '3 went over the hills among which he had been f. trawling for some time, and at last Aida. found " herself upon the richest pasture spot she had ‘ ever seen. “j Surely the horse would not he lect the break-1 ‘ fast spread out before his blood-s 01: eyes. . \ , A cry of joy burst from Aide’s throat when -7. the animal came to a halt in the midst of this . _ beautiful sture vallo , and she loosened her r, long and espcratohol . ' ' ' ~ But she could searccly stand. More than once, ,3, she almost fell to the ground; but the‘ sight. of, “ the enemy still imprisoned in the saddle revived”?! her. She could not forget for a moment that that man was Murell Anton, the Chief of then; -' Order of the Black Cross.” ,, .- Unmindful of his burden, Starwingbe an to " enjoy the grass, and Aida, with a slender- laded‘j-‘t, ’ knife in her hand, crept forward. * ' . ' ’ ~~? She reached Murell Anton’s side withoutvdim-l culty and drew Starwing’s mane aside. . . «,1,» What did she see that made he]' start? War ~;' it the face of a dead man, with wide, staring, ex ressionless eyes? , V _V 3 < the contrary there wa life in the orbs that V. ; greeted her. - . . v: Murell Anton looked like a. man who is Mi”. emerging from a trance. \ ' ; ' Aida stop dat thesight. ltwasunexpected;*" but not unp easant. ~73» The last.of the Sports was-alive and in her, 4 wer. . ‘ “ urell Anton, 'don’t you know memm ' said, step ing nearer. , _, Z, “ As’it i) could forget you i” he said,in a voice a: but little lifted above a hoarse whisper. “ _ i 1 night on were in Panther City whenrthe‘Blablp -_,'. feet felu n it like a pack of wolveszrtO-dagg‘ _ after my orse has carried me far beyond t 3‘; yelling pack that fell upon Mountain Bill'and, me, I find you at my side. a knife in your hand”; . That knife, Aida Coress, is, 1 suppose, the blade ; of vengeance. Well, I am boun ; I am power.” loss. Murell Anton is in your hands." , ; “You think me cowardly._ From the that I stepped upon ‘the trail of vengeance ‘ , have taken advantaged? no one. If on will exercise meinor at this moment, Mare Antony, on will remein r that of the eight men whey, have preceded (you to the land of shadows, not}? one‘was cowar ly assassinated.” ‘ .' I g. “ But they were so situated that they could not escape,“~he persisted. ~, . 5: “True! I had sworn that they must die, ' -And so must you!” . ' ., “‘9. L Id ». Gold Trigger. the Sport. . “ Tied to a horse and helpless?" 56 N01” The young avenger sprung forward as she ut— tered the monosyllable, and before the Sport could divine her intention, he felt his bonds - yield, and a moment afterward he stood among the grass beside his horse. “ Thanks!” he said. “ Aha! the Indian arrows did not strike you l" A-ida exclaimed, rather surprised to see the handsome figure of the Sport stand erect. /“ No; they reserved me for you, I guess,” he answered, wi h a smile, and before she could speak, he went on: " But I am wounded. Your _ agent failed to do his duty, althou h no blame ’ is to be attached to him. We ha a hunt for y , hearts in. Panther City, and he almost reached 7 -mine. He acted fairly, as I thought at the time, _ - ‘- and during the duel I struck him twice fairly in the breast. But, under his coat the dog wears a ,' ‘ vest of armor, and when I fell, my knife was I, broken at the point.” ‘ ' ‘ Aida. listened to Gold Trigger’s short narra— I, tion of the duel, and her mind went back to her late encounter with Pandy Roorback. N 0 won- . (lot now that the ball from her carbine did not ’ stretch him lifeless on the plain. , - “I was not aware that he was thus clothed 13* 'when I sent him,” she said in tones that con- ‘ jVinced Murrell Anton that she uttered a truth. ,. ‘ I“ But, there is no armor on me.” ' Sg‘" , “None that I can see, at any rate,” Mui‘oll ' ':. . confessed; again smiling. “ I could not. see any \ on him, but my knife found it. Well, I’d like to ‘ meet him again. I am confident that that mum- mied casket which incloses his brains is not in- cased in armor.” “ Then ’ n have a desire?” “ Yes; ,pay‘Pandy Roorback for the blow “Is‘that'all?” .1 ' ' , v V The Sport’s eyes glistened as he surve ed the . faultless figure of tho avenger from and to ' foot. He knew what the question meant. . “Think. Pand Roorback souglht you be- "cause we bound im with an oat ,” she con- tinued. “ We thought we were dying with the , fever. He found us, helpless and friendless al— .- most in sight of our last quarry. We told him ‘ a _ a part of our story, and commlssioned him to be r our avenger. Mnrrell Anton that act almost f. v'killed me. I thought I was about to lose you :3 jjorever—that, in sight of the victim, I was about , to turn from the trail. Pandy.had hardly van» ‘ ished before we began to recover. Day after day we grew stron er, and when we were able ., It: mount again we urned our faces toward your ‘ ir. , ‘ . “After you had sent Old Bizness upon the death errand?” asked the Sport. “Yes- we wanted to know that you were _ deadg’ s e explained. “ Ahl we suddenly discov- ered y amanifestopostedby the men of Panther that you still lived. Ho vengeance, revived r, ,atthe thought. The life- untwas recommenced. ' ‘ ‘We triedto save Panther in orde'r to preserve " 'r V yourheart for our raven 9. But you escaped— j V f j and Mountain Bill, t e man who would not * .‘ 3 tray you with a pistol at his breast. Now we stand faceto face again—the first time in five " , years. Your horse rushed by an; I tried to \ , . chock him; ho boro mo hither. That is why 1 am here. Muroll Anton, have you got a pis- I101?” Gold Trigger did not appear to know that Aida had concluded, for he seemed to be waiting for her to continue. “ I have told my story,” she said impatiently. “ I just asked you if you had a. pistol? “ When was I over without such a friend ” he exvlaimed. ; “ You had such a friend in New York ’7 she re— minded, bitterly. “ Go and get your pistol. It is on our horse, I suppose. ’ ’ “ o: it is herel” As the Sport spoke he drew an elegant revol- ver from his bosom and let it fall at his; side. “ The pistol with the gold triggerl” exclaimed Aida. ‘ Did it ever miss, Murolli" “ Only once 1” “ Do you know who stood before it then?” ' A strange light leaped into the Sport’s eyes. “ What! was it you, demoness?" he cried. “ Sometimes I have suspicioned as much. But I fired hastily then; and it was dark, too. I do not blame the weapon for missing then, so much as I blame myself. 1’ “ I was there: so was Ivien. That night the eighth man left you, and you were the last of the nine. But we will try final conclusions now. See! I am armed.” In the girl’s right hand was a. revolver that looked more like a toy than a weapon of death. “ The rest had fair play; on the chief of all, shall not be an exceptlon. or five years I have heard of the wonderful pistol-shooting of Gold Trig or, but only one year ago (lid discover that e and Murell Anton wero identical“ Now you have a living target who rejoices to stand efore your deadly aim. I will step back five paces—thus. Are you ready?” “ I am always readyl” “ I will give the signal.” “ Go on.” Looking into each other’s faces the enemies stood in the luxuriant grass with their fingers on the triggers of the pistols at their sides. The, signal trembled on Aida’s lips, and she V was givmg her weapon a. firmer grip when a voice came down from the hills above to startle her, and to throw a /new light of hatred into Gold 'l‘rigger’s eyes. “ Hold on, thar !” was the sonorous intonation. “ Ez I happen h ar so handy mebbe we’d better make ita hree— anded game. By the jum in’ poker! I demand a new deal an’ that, too, w en hold thejack, ez ye kin see by lookin’ up hayr. Lift the pistols an’ I’ll throw the last trump card, which ar’ death I” Instinctively Aida raised her eyes, and Gold Trig er, wheeling half-way round, looked over hiss oulder. V 011 the summit of one of the hills that rose above the green valley appeared the man who had interrupted the fight. , He sat aistride of a grotesque looking animal, between whose ears p ejected the lengthy rifle which he held against liS shoulder. I His face was. almost concealed by the dingy stock of the weapon; but the duelists knew him as Pandy Roorback. ; l ~i.‘ l Gold Trigger, the Sport. ‘ / 15 CHAPTER VIII. BRAVE AIDA. THE would-be duelists stood as if transfixed to the spot where they had expected to spill each other’s life-blood. They no longer looked at one another; their eyes were fastened upon the man whose rifle seemed about to sever the brittle thread of ex- istcnce. Pandy Rom-hack did not move a muscle. “ The villain seems to be spotting the girl,” murmured the Sport. “ Two weeks ago he was her avenger; now his rifle is turned against her. But, why should he protect me?” And Aida thought. “ He is going; to rescue Gold Trigger for some purmse. I am the target at which ho aims.” The next moment the harsh voice of the ele- vated marksman came down over the rifle. “ Do you agree to separate?” it said. “ I will hev no foolishness. Life is too dear to both of you to be frittered away by a little stubbornness when Pandy Roorback narvously touches the trigger. I give you one minute to turn yer backs upon each other. Murcll Anton, yer boss is waitin’ for you. You ar’ only ten mi cs from Bear River. Hcv yo furgot what I told ye last 'night in Panther?” “ I never forget anything,” flashed the Sport; but the next minute he turned upon Aida. “If we refuse to obey that man we will never try final conclusions with each other,” he said. calmly. “ I counsel obedience for the resent.” “ Obey him,” responded Aida. “ 6 will meet again.” Murell Anton turned and walked toward his horse, which still enjoyed the nourishing grass. Aida followed him with eyes full of bitter dis- appointment. The Sport threw himself upon his horse. “ Do ye know whar Bear River is?” Pandy de- mended. “Of course I do. You cannot tell me any— thing about the Northwest.” “ A livin’ geography, like myself,” was the reminder. As the Sport grasped the lines, he turned and waved his hand at the disappointed avenger. “ Have you no good-by for me, girl?” he said with a perplexing smile. “ Few lovers are sent - off thus sullenly. Oho! the last of the Sports never rode from woman without a kiss—thus !” He threw her a kiss as he uttered the last word, and the girl bounded forward with a. cry, of rage. , “ hat insult seals our doom,Murell-Antoni” she exclaimed, and covered the Sport. “None 0‘ that!” came down from the man overhead. , - But Aida did not head. The puff of smoke that leaped from her wea- on was followed by a sharp report andothe hat hat covered the” Sport’s head went spinning to the ground. . . , ‘ ’ “‘That’s outrageous shooti , my little de- moness,” he laughed. as With he utmost non— chalance he leaped of? to recover the hat. “ By my lady‘s ring! you’re sadly out of practice. Try again! here is the heart that you want.” er pistol, for al moment, “No! go away! I was hasty—hasty; I do not want your blood now. I will not take it. Content am I to contend for you with the man overhead. Good-by,Murcll.‘ '. upon the Sport, whose life she had sought but a moment before. “You women will always have your own way " said Murell Anton. “Good-day, my love y mistress. But, before I 0, let me y seriously that if you value your ife '01: m at not follow the last brother of the Blue Cross.” Aida heard but did not re y: her cheeks flushed at the words, and a wil light danced in her eyes; but, firm in her newly formed resolu‘ tion she did not turn. ‘ For several minutes she stood with averted face during which time she knew that the S ortr had taken his departure, for the sound 0 re-‘ treating hoofs had reeted her ears. When she turne it was to see a vacant spot , ,. Where she had lately encountered her bitter ‘u, foe. Starwing and his rider were one.‘ " Then she lifted her eyes to the hi above. ,2 ' Pandy Roorback had also disappeared and. x ‘7 Aida was the only occupant of the ittle grass- ) \. i covered valley; ‘ v' i Without a orse, in that distant valley, the' ' Death Angel was in no pleasant predicament. , She had no means of knowin how far she had ’ been dragged at Starwing’s it, but she knew * 1 that her surroundings. were strange, _and err- c' countered now for the first time. - . . ‘ Where was Ivien? . It is not strange that at that moment Aide’s thoughts should wander to her companion. They had been inseparable since the inaugura- tion of that vengeance—hunt which had carried" them to the death lands of the great Northwest- but’ now they were miles apart and ignorant each other’s condition. . . ‘v Eager to be off, the girl surveyed the little vallev. The sun was high in the heavens, the. , air, hot and close, seemed to scorch her cheeksgm. 3.“ i favored anyhow. and sh felt a sense of suflocav tion at her heart as she arted forward. ' " " “ If I can climb to the highest dpeak Lean say a way out of this,” she said, sud enly gr ing. ‘ at the straw of hope that seemed to have : ‘ blown at her feet. “Coura e. Aida Caress) * No fainting while he lives! 0 halting while -Ivien is lost.” ‘ , The climbing of the rough brush-covered and ' pathless hills was no small feat for those yo%+‘ ‘-». eet. But she did not halt until among “ trees on the loftie‘st summit. ' “ Hal Bear River 1” was the exclamation that '1 fell froni' her lips. “There is the land where' ‘4; my trail is to end I" and shading her eyeh with ‘1. her brier-torn hand, she gazed u n the‘far-off‘ .. . river which looked like a line 0 molten silver.“ ,; glittering in the sun. ' ‘ "j f The Bear River country was undoubtedly be- v ‘ fore this unnatural avenger. Now, if Ivien was at her