Vol  $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle 5nd Admn, mm, No 212

I ‘ Yen“ No. 98 WILLIAM Sm. NEW YORK. “‘0 0011“-

 

 

 

 

 

“GOOD noel" wnwoun m1: spam m0! axmowu. ” DRAG mu nnusn AWAY, 1mm! 9mm. em!“

 

     

8 The Jlntown Sport.

 

‘ The Jimtown Sport;

on,
GYPSY JACK ‘IN COLORADO.

A IIORY 0F DUBLNGO.

    
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
   
  
 
   
 
  
   
 
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
    
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
   
   
    
   
 
   

 

BX EDWARD L. WHEELER,

AUTHOR on “DEADWOOD DICK," “ Bogs
BOB," “aosEBUD ROB," “GILT-
 - EDGED DICK," ETC.

'  ‘ CHAPTER I
"" J THE Dances“: FROM JIMTOWN.

IT was not many months ago that the dis-
covery of gold at Durango, Colorado,
brought the usual influx of miners and ad-
venturers to the then little town of fifty or
sixty inhabitants, and it immediately began
to “boom” toward the size and population
of a small city; -

Miners, speculators, gamblers and roughs

_. flocked to the new Eldorado, shanties and
business places were rapidly constructed;
the streets, rude and irregular, presented a
busy scene, as people rushed to and fro, as
i! in a great hurry lest some industrious

 

' ¢ “1?. I \ _
or gold there _was upon the flats and
I in the ills that fringed them, and, it being
' - mostly .in placer washes, was easy to get.
The flats which surrounded the town pre-
senteda scene none the less busy. Every-
where men were digging with pick and
shovel in the sandy sur ace, and a system of
sluice-boxes laid from the mountains. at mile
'away, furnished the “wash” for each min-
er’s dirt. -
The surface in places did not produce
“ pay,” and in such instances a shaft had
been sunk and a one-horse-power Windlass
provided for hauling map the dirt and' rock
and dumping it into a cart, from whence
it was hauled away to the vicinity of the
"stamp-mills, yet uncompleted, and dump-
\ .. ed in corded piles until it could be milled.
’ , Mining for quartz was also bein carried
an to some extent in the adjacent ills and
v gulches, butit formed only a small per.
centum of the business done upon the flats.
/ The claims were small and numerous, and
it was not unusual that the owner of a claim

worked. in Order to guard against invasion
upon his rights.

Consequently, with these little canvas
habitations dotted about, it looked as if an’
army of troops had camped out upon the
flats below the bustling young city.

, Here and there about the flats were staked

mortal should get more of the “dirt” than v

. had stuck up his tent and lived where be.

out claims that yet remained for sale in the
hands of speculators, who, foreseeing a
“spec,u had lumped off the territory pre—
vious to the cry of “gold, 1101" and were
now realizing on their investment most hand-
somely. -

The more people there came, the hi her
was asked for leases, and in some cases t on-
.sands of dollars were paid for small pieces
of the earth, which had good promlse of
yielding largely of the auriferous.

And, remarkable to relate, there were. of
all the humans who had flocked hence to
populate Durango, only about half a dozen
women, and these, with two exceptions, were
wives or daughters of miners—the exceptlom
being a couple of girls from Leadvillc, who
had set up a cigar and lunch stand down on
the flats. I

These girls were known as Gertie _and
Josie Wood. They always attended strlctly
to their business, and repulsed an advances
made toward familiarity; hence ad earned
the sobriquet among the miners of “ Spunk”
and “ Hornet."

One day. when the streets of Durango
were less crowded than usual, a cavalcade of
three on horseback galloped leisurely into the
town from the north. I _

In the lead was a flat—visagcd, comical-

,white ock, pants and sandals,. with his pig-
tail ga ly ornamented with ribbons, and a
shiny silk hat upon his head. slightly cocked
to one side. He was mounte upon afine
griy horse, and was a good rider. .

ext behind him came a beautiful white
horse. of well-rounded body and clean limbs,
astride of which rode a wi d,‘ Gypsyish-look-
ing fellow, who was sure to attract more than
a passing glance.
where between twenty-one and twenty-five
years, though his face still possessed much

of boyhoods freshness. .

He wore a graceful black mustache, which
was waxed to a point at the ends: his
mouth was firm and habitually pleasant in
expression; his whole face, in fact, was

hair was dark and abundant, and fell in a
graceful wavy ripple over his shoulders.
Upon his head he wore a round red cap,

without any “ scoop," but ornamented with _

elaborate embroider in blue, white and
gold. with a cord an tassel behind.

His attire otherwise consisted of fine boots
with patentrleather knee tops; white-tanned
buckskin breeches. fringed: a “ b‘iled ” shirt
with' a broad open collar at the throat, and a

cluster diamond pin upon the polished

bosom, and a short red velvet jacket, trim-‘

med with gold lace and silver buttons.

 

Then, too, he rode without saddle or bri-

looking Chinaman, dressed in the inevitable,
1?

His age ranged some— 7

“handsome,” with dark. magnetic eyes: his_

 

 

   

if”
g:

 

 

 

The Jimtown Sport.

 

dle, with the greatest apparent ease, a. word
or motion serving to guide his handsome
steed. ,

The third rider was a medium-sized, shag-
gy dog, also mounted, bare-hack, upon a per-
fect mate of the first white horse, and riding
with as great apparent ease as his master.

He was an intelligent-looking canine, with
an open countenance, and eyes that sparkled
knowingly and with mischief.

Such was the noticeable trio as they rode
into town, attracting no little attention from
the bystanders.

In front of asmall “office,” which stood
midway up the main street, the three horses
were halted; their riders dismounted and en-
tered the office in question.

It was a small affair, divided in the mid-
dle by a counter, behind which a bald-headed
party presided.

He was a fat old chap, with a face habitu-
ally sour in expression, sharp gray eyes, and
a double chin. He wore no beard, and had
but very little of the hirsute on his cranium,
A spotless shirt‘front was ornamented by a
single diamond of great size and brilliancy,

, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses were
bridged upon a very prominent and highly-
‘colnred nose.

The-Chinaman and the dog immediately
took seats on entering, while their master
advanced to the counter.

“You, I suppose, are the manager of this
institution, eh?“ he inquiredn

“I am, sir," was the jerky reply, and the-

fat party went on writing.

“ Who are you, sir?” ,

“ Well, I am Gypsy Jack, from Jimtown,
you see. My other companions are Shy
Stun, from Form‘bsa, and Skip, my dorg.
The latter, 'in particular, .is 8 every extra-
ordinary person.”

“ Presumedly so, but as I am not cultivat-
ing canine acquaintances, if you have any
business, be kind enough to state it briefly, ’
the fat party said tartly.

‘ “Ohl ye needn‘t be afeard o’m dorg,”
Gypsy Jack assured, calmly. “ e don’t
notice common folk, unless they’re 11 to
mischief. As to business, that's what I’m
here for, exactly. Your name is John Met-
calf, isn’t it?"

“ That is my name, sir.”

" And you own several claims on the flats,
below?” . ,

"' I do, sir. Do you want to purchase?”

“ Well, that depends; What do you ask
for the claim No. 30?"

, “Ten thousand dollars. It is a double
tract, and what with being alongside the
creek which crosses the flats, and being in
close proximit to several of the best claims,

.it is well wort double the moon ”

 

7..." ~

“ Humphl yes, I s'pose,” Jack said, taking
off his cap and giving his c‘urly head a.

scratch. “ B the way, how much did you
pay for this laim 30 when you purchased
it?"

The broker did not answer immediately,
but busiod himself with his pen a few min-
utes, to conceal any agitation he may have
had.

"‘That is a matter that hardly concerns

you,” he finally replied.

“Oh, suit yourself about that.
just how much you paid for it.”

“ How much, sir?’

“Nary a copper! The claim was left in
your charge by an old so-called witch, Mexi-
can Mag, until 1 should come forward to
claim it. Therefore, appeareth I, Gypsy
Jack, to take possession.” V

“Impossible, sir! I purchased the claim
from the Mexican woman, and shall not
yield it to any one short of the sum I ask for
it!” ,

“Oh! you won't, eh?”

” Decidedly not, sirl”

“But, supposing I have the audacity to
dispute your right, and go and take posses-
sion in defiance?"

I know

sir.
“ Sure of it?”

“ Absolutely certain. If you do not wish

“"Then I’ll have you put off in ahurry,

1

. i

to get yourself into trouble, you’d best keep  I 

n

otf from what is not yours. -
“ But it is mine. ‘ Mexican Mag will‘ed it

to mel I can prove it by Shy Sam, here, -

and my dorg, Skip!”

“ That does. not matter, sir. I have a
deed of the claim, and it is mine, and I shall
hold 1 .” , '

“Who signed the deed?” Gypsy Jack de-
manded calmly.

“The Mexican woman, of course.”

“ That’s a lie. She couldn‘t write!”

Metcalf’s face flushed angrily. -

“ Get out of my office, you insulting
rowdvl" he cried, “ or I’ll put you out.”

“ 0 you won’ti You’re no fool, not_t0'
know that you’ve too much avoirdupois to
handle me. When I, get ready.'1'll go. I
shall take osscssion of Mexican Mag‘s claim.
If on 0 er to trouble me, I’ll blow your
brains out, and feed you to Skipl D'ye un—
derstand?”

” I’ll see about it. Set foot on that claim,

it )you dare, and I'll give you cause to regret , I"
It“

' “Very well. I'll look out for you.
there’s a cemetery around here. I’d advise
you to speak for a lot, in. case you con-
template instituting asaugumary campai n
against me.
headed delegate?”

l

\

Skip, don-g, do you see the ba d- I , ‘

 

:‘n'mk “‘5 —-—-, ‘ wag-y . m_...._.-

o

/

\ .

4 . The J imtown Sport.

 

The sagacion's canine gave abark, andva
knowing nod of his head. He evidently
fully understood what was asked of him.

“ Well, what is your estimate of his char-
acter?” Jack‘ asked, lighting a cigar.

The dog got down upon the floor, thrust
his tail between his legs, hung his head, and
looked decidedly sneakish.

“ “Hal ha! that’s just my idea, too,” the
man from Jimtown said. “Now, Skip, how

4 would you like a good sirloin steak oil? from
this bald‘headed delegate?"

The dog hung his head still lower and

’ gagged, aS‘if the idea were not to his liking.

" ohn Metcalt‘ uttered a curse, and Gypsy

’Jack laughed. ‘
 4“ You see, even the dog can read you! I
5 . shall go down and take possession of the
, .claim, now. If I see you over that way,

_ \look out you don’t get shot. Good-day!”

‘ Then the remarkable stranger strode from

the office, accompanied by his dog, and fol-

? lowed by Shy Sam.

' , ‘ When he had gone, the speculator uttered
' a curse, and paced to and fro within his
, . office, in a great state of excitement.

; “Fool that Iwas not to get rid of that
, claim, . before!” he growled. savagely.
‘, “Now, the deuce is to pay. This new-
comer is no ordinary sport with whom I
have to cops. He. is fearless and cunning,
'but he shall find me equal to the emerg-

‘edgyl” —
4' ' ’ aking a large brass star from a drawer in
1 the counter, he went to the office door, and
-'» attached it to the outside knob, with a small
it screw, and then returned to his writing. ‘
 What significance had the star? Was it a
 signal of distress, or of warning? .
i, - , tis probable that not one'out of a him-
1, . dred noticed it, in passing the office, and
‘ ,yet it was not long ere oneindividual caught
sight of it, crossed the street, and entered the
h , speculator’s ofiice.
 He was a burly, six-foot ruifian, with black
7.5, , bristling hair and heard, and a face with an
" ugly, brutal expression.

He was roughly dressed. and a belt about
his waist contained a formidable array of re-
volvers and knives, giving him at once a
warlike and dangerous appearance.

 

CHAPTER II.
_' A new Passe—run DOG AT mans.
' . THE erowx SPORT and his companions

 “’did not return to the flats, after leaving the
 speculator‘s office, but rode on into the heart
of/the town, and drew up before the princi-
pal combined ,hotel, saloon, and gambling-
place, known as the 'Old Bourbon—Ken-

, tacky Bill, proprietor.”

 

  
 
 
 

/

Here to the amazement of the crowd, the
Gypsy and his dog began a free hit of circus,
for the benefit of those who were disposed to
take in all the free sights.

He stood upon his hands, on top of the
horse, with his feet in the air, and while
poised in this position, the sagacious brute
made a flying leap from the back of the

vother white horse, and ianded upon Gypsy
Jack‘s elevated feet, only to stand erect upon
his own hind feet, and give vent to a victo-
rious bark.

The feat was greeted with a wild shout of
applause, and the bystanders gathered nearer
as Skip leaped back to his own horse and
turned a complete somerset in so doing~a
Wonderful act by the way, seldom to be seen
under any circumstances.

“I say, young feller, w’at‘ll ye take fer
ther dorg? J umpin’ Jehosephat, that ar’
ther cutest canine I evyer set eyes on, ef I
war raised in a dorg country. Speak up,
pilgrim! Ef ye want ter sell thet dorg, all
ye‘ve got ter dew is name a reasonable num-
ber of shinin’ crowns, an’ they‘re yours sure's
my handle's Old Somerset. ther great con-
solidated two-footed caravan an’ menagery
o’ ther Nor’wcstl"

“ The dog is not for sale—not for all the
money in Durango.” Gypsy Jack replied,
himself turning a complete somerset on the
back of his horse, and then pausing to take
a squint at the purchaser-that-would-be. “ I
and my dorg aire inseparable, stranger, an’
ye might as well try to keep us apart, as ter
.keep potato-bugs off’n vines. _

Old Somerset, whom he was addressing,

was the very essence of a rough, time-worn,
weather-beaten old mountain man. whose
whole life had probably been mostly made'
'up with scrimmages with wild animals and
their equally savage neighbors, the red-
skins. _ ,
V He was rather short in stature, but wiry
and supple, a man not easy to handle, except
taken at a disadvantage. He was also pos-
sessed of a keen, shrewd eye. and his face,
for the most part covered with a mixed brown
and gray stubble of heard, was honest and
good natured in expression. There was a
waggish contortion about the mouth, how-
ever, that proclaimed him one of those mor-
tals who are never so happy as when spin-
ning some gigantic and improbable yarn.

He was attired from head to foot in tight-
fitting buckskin, with a belt around his waist
containing a couple of revolvers which
looked as though they had served a long war
campaign: and the same could be said of the
rifle which he leaned upon—a long. heavy
instrument, unplated and unpretentious, and
yet, in his estimation, probabl worth a half-

 

dozen of the latter-day " new- angled shutin" '

 

 

 

 

 

 

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'The JimtoWn Sport. 5

 

n

inasheens, as he would have expressed it
mildly.

“I allow thet a hundred Williams w’u’d
tickle ye, eh?” he said, with a broad grin.

“No, nor a thousand of them," Gypsy
Jack replied. “ The dog can’t be bought at
no price.”

At this instant a man was passing by, car-
rying a framed paper banner mounted upon
a pole. The banner contained the advertise-
ment of some local shindig which was to
come ofl, and this means was adopted for
heralding the news to those whose feet
yearned for Terpischorean exercise.

The dog, Skip, however, seemed to con-
strue the banner for a different use, and
making a spring from the top of his horse’s
back, he went through it like a rocket, and
landed upon the veranda of the Old Bour-
bon. _ ,
The half-breed delegate who had been car-
rying the banner littered a savage growl,
and whipped a pistol from his belt, but. ere
he could use it, Gypsy Jack had leaped to

v the ground and seized him by the collar.

“Hold on, my friend!" he said, in his
calm yet impressive way. “That ’0: dorg
belongs to me, and if you don’t want your
neck broke, you’ll do well to let him alone."

“I’ll shoot him; he spoil banner!” the
oflcnded carrier growled.

“No. you won‘t kill him either!" Jack

warned, and by asudden efiort, he raised.

the strapping fellow and hurled him as
neatly over his head as though he had been
a mere stick.

Then, bounding upon the back of his
handsome horse, he uttered a wild laugh,
and dashed back down the street toward the
flats, followed by his two extraordinary com-
pauions.

 

Claim'No. 30 was situated about in the
center of the flats, and consisted of a square
acre of surface ground, one side of which
bordered upon a narrow, deep creek, which
flowed silently across the golden bottom-
lands. The main trail from the town across
the flats'also ran on the opposite side of the
creek, making 30 one of the handiest situated

, claims on the flats.

That afternoon, for the first time in the
histor of the mining excitement. a tent was
reare upon this tract, and Gypsy Jack and
plugs took possession, as they had threat-
ene .

Posted upon a tree on the front side’of the

' claim was a placard printed in a neat hand,

which vouchsafed the following wa’rning:

“NOTICE!
“ Your humble servant. lGini‘sy Jack, havin taken
possession or his on law! erltege, begs save to

 

announce that ho proposes to dig here aslong as
‘pay-dirt' Is found. Any gnloot havmg [night to
propose to the eonlrttry will not be dealt with ac-

eord ng lo Scrip lll't‘, but will get ijust. the measure
his conduct .nicrits. Our motto s: '\\'~aieh our
neighbor—Inuit! your biz—hungto yex‘rightI-il’ eke

notion: Sui-o death to old maids, speculators and
missionaries. Yours, ete.,
“ GYPSY J’on AND PARDB."

The notice received due attention from
nearly every passer by, but none venturedto
invade the domains of the eccentric stranger
far enough to make his acquaintance.

It was evidently not his forte to work, for
he mounted a hammock u on some .poles
outside of the tent and deposited his anatomy
therein, engaging in a smoke, while Shy Sam
did the work.

Thus the first day of his arrival passed,
and no attempt was made to eject him from
the claim. If it was John Metcalf’s inten-
tion to have him vacate, he had evidently
taken no steps in the matter as yet.

When night came, or, rather, early dusk,

'Gypsy Jack sauntered up into the village,

accompanied by his dog, leaving Shy Sam ‘

behind to look after things at the claim.

As he passed along up the main street, he .

attracted more than ordinary notice, as did
Skip; whose feats earlier in the day had won
for him a wide repute.

The first man the Sport from Jimtown~
met, to speak to, was ()ld Somerset, and it ‘ "

was the latter who blockaded his path, and
spoke first. \ I

“ Good-evenin‘,” he said. “ I allow ye won’t
ofiend cf 1 remark thct l’ve took an interest
in ye. pard, all on account o’yonr dorg."

“ Certainly not," the young man from
Jimtown replied.
make acquaintance because of my dog.” g

“ He’s a wonderful dorg. I ken skeereel
turn a better somerset myself than he, ef
do sav ct. Yer name’s Gypsy Jack?"

“ Yes."

" And ye are a Gypsy?”

“ Not at all. The handle originated, prob-;

ably. from my wild, roving disposition.”.—'

“Ohl that’s it, hey? Waal, I reckon ef
you're as gud as ye look, ye’ll come right'
side up with care, tho' I don’t mind tellin’
ye thet ye'd better kee your eyes peeled".

“Ahl and why?
ening me?”

“I allow thar is.
nute. we’ll squat on ther log over yonder,
an’ I’ll put ye onto something ye mebbe
don‘t know."

“ Very good. I am always ready to hear
anything of interest.”

They accordingly seated themSelves upon

a fallen log, in the shade of a cluster of trees, ._ 
a few yards back from the street, and then‘» "

the old scout proceeded:

I

“Not unfreqnently I >-

s there danger threat "

/
Ef you’ve a spare min

 

‘6 The Jimtown Sport.

 

" Ye see, thet aire claim ye’ve squatted on,
is likely ter git ye inter trouble, ’ca’se ct
ar’u’t the most desirable piece 0‘ property
imaginable. Thar’s ascorc o’ galoots w’ot
claim et, an’, then thar’s John Metcalf, who
sez he’s bought ct, an’ so et goes.”

“That don’t alarm me in the least, in
friend,” Gypsy Jack replied, with a goo -
natured laugh. ” I reckon possession is sev-

.eral points, and then I can prove that Mexi-

can Mag, the witch, willed it to me, on her
death-bed. ” *

“ The old skinflint’s dead, hey?"

” Yes. Got killed by falling over a preci-
pice, up North. I ran across her, just as
she was golug ofi the handle, and she de-
clared me her heir to this piece of property.”

“ Humph! I don’t calkylate ye‘re in much
luck, tho' et aire mighty temptin’, thet claim

 30. But, jest salt away ther testimony of
.Old Somerset—ye’ve a pile o' fightin’ ter

/

\ “ Hum 11!

do, afore ye get thru. An’ ther worst 0’ at
is, ye’ve got a woman ter contend wi’. Con-
sarn my old menagerie ef I wouldn’t ruther
swaller an annerconda, an’ use an clerfant’s
trunk fer a toothpick, than buck ag’in’ a wo-
man.”

I never have any trouble with
ho is this one you refer to?” r

a reg’lar ourang-outang

them.
“ A hummer!

‘dare-devil, wi’ no more regard fer law an’

persons than the wildest cat thet ever held a

ubilee in ther Arcadian forests o’ yore!”
omerset said, impressively. _
“Ye've heerd tell about Captain Crack-

” 4 Shot, the girl outlaw, hcv’n’t ye?”

 

 

 

 

, she thinks she can get any ducats.

1 ed idly.

“ No, 'I can’t say that I have!”

“Waal, that‘s queer. She‘s well known,
hyarahouts, you bet, an’ she ain’t a bit afeard
ter make herself acquainted, nuther, when
She’s old
Mexican Mag’s adopted daughter, they say—

'least-how, she claims that No. 30 is hern,
- an’ warns every galoot to keep off from it,

who don't want to git shipped into thefuture!”
 “Dangerous, eh?" Glypsy Jack comment-

“Oh! well, dare say she won’t
scare me a great deal. As to the man, Met—
calf, probably he and these other chaps you

“ speak‘of, will consolidate, eh?”

“Like as not. They are roughs, ever
one of ’em, who have at times loaned Mexr-
can Mag money to gamble with, and now
iiefmand an interest in the property she’s
e t.” i
« “ Well, let ’em come. If they want to dis-

- pute my rights, I’ll hear their argument. As

‘ of! from at.

to the future of claim 30. it's mine—and if I
don't have it, nmone else will ever get rich
Just remember that, in the face

‘ of future circumstances, will you ‘2"

 
 

 

Later :th evening Gypsy Jack and his dog

 

entered a gambling palace on the main street,
and sauntercd about, watching the various
games in progress.

It was evidently not his purpose to play,
but he was all the same possessed of a knowl-
edge of the business, as was manifest by a
faint smile when he would see a man make a
bad “lay.”

The burly rufflan who had entered the
oflicc of John Metcalf earlier that same
afternoon, was engaged in a game of poker
with a professional sharp, and made a mis-
move which lost him the game.

Looking up, he caught sight of the stran-
ger, and noted the faint smile upon his face.
‘ “ Hello! what you grinnin’ at?” he growl—
ed, with an oath. “ Mebbe ye think you
could ’a’ played ther game better?"

“ Presumedly, yes. were I a. gambler,
which I am not,” was the quiet answer.
“ My dog here, however, I dare say, could
learn you something about cards.”

“Hurrah! Let’s see him!” cried a num-
ber. “ Put up your dorg, stranger!” .

“ If you are anxious to put up the money,
all right,” Jack- replied. “I‘ll set my dog
on the table, and you can let your best three-
card montc man flip out his pasteboards‘, and
my dorg will pick out the winning card every
time.”

“ Here’s Black Hill—he’s our man," the

[proprietor of the place sai , indicating the

ruflian who had addressed our man from
Jimtown. “ Bill, he takes the cake at throw-
ing the keerds squarl.”

“I allow I kin do et!” Bill declared, “ an’

no livin’ dorg kin beat me. Hyar‘s a pile 0’

ten golden eagles, an’ ther ace 0’ spades wins

'em. Heer I have ther ace 0‘ spades, three-
spot of diamonds, and two-spot of clubs!”
and as he spoke he gave them a dexterous
flip upon the table, with the backs up.
“Now, I’ll bet ther tcn eagles hyar, ag’in’
ther same amount, thet ther ain‘t no dorg
living who kin turn up ther ace 0’ spades
ther first time trying!"

“I’ll take the bet; make it a. thousand if
you like!" Gypsy Jack said, taking a large
roll of‘greenbacks from his pocket, witha
laugh. ~ .

 

CHAPTER III.
A sauna“. “omens.”

THERE was excitement within the Old
Bourbon as the sport from Jimtown spoke a
single word to his canine companion, and
the sagacious animal leaped upon the table.

“ Good boy, Skip!” Gypsy Jack said, pat-
ting the dog on its back. “You’re always
on time. Now, these citizens around here
have got an idea that you can’t play montc
as well as they, and in order to convince

u“:

 

 

'MJC—WIMV L.._,.n..... «A,

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i v

The Jimtown. Sport.

 

them to the contrary, I want to blindfold
you, and then want you to place your paw
on the one of the three cards you see lying
here which is in your estimation the ace of
spades. Do you think the dealer yonder has
an tricks hidden up his sleeve?”

kip shook his head in the negative, and
wagged his tail, whence the crowd laughed
heartily. .

Bets were made rapidl on the result, and
large sums were wagere against the success
of the dog.

Allowing the b standers plenty of time to
make their bets, ack bound a handkerchief
in front of his dogs eyes, and then turned
to the man, Black Bill, with whom he had
bet.

“ Look sharp, new, man!” he said. “ Be
sure there’s no trickery, before I proceed, or
there’ll be a growl afterwards. Is it all
square now ?”

“ It ’pears so,” Black Bill growled. “ Go
ahead. Ef I lose, it won’t be the first time
in my life.”

“All right. Skip, get ready now. Take
a topographical claryvoyant surve of the
country, and at the same time pic up the
ace of spades.”

The blindfolded dog obeyed by selecting one
of the cards, and picking it up between his
teeth.

Examination proved that the Jimtownite
had won.

Skip had picked up the ace of spades, sure
enough, and at the first attempt.

“ Cuss yer dorg!” Black Bill snarled.
“ It was only by chance he did it, you bet.
Ken’t chuck no humbug down me.”

“ Perhaps you are anxious to play again?”
Gypsy Jack said, pocketing the result of his
successful wager together with what he had
invested.

“Yas, I am. I’ll bet ther last 0‘ my pile
ther dorg can’t do at a second time, ther first
try, an’ you leave him blindfolded, just as
he is now—a straight thousand on it P

“ That fits me!” the J imtownite responded,
countin out the sum in greenb‘acks. “ A
thousan it is. Any other gents want to be
accommodated with a thousand bet 7"

No one, evidently; too many had, lost on
the canine to be tempted again.

The monte man, however, had the ” sand,"
and put up his “chips” to the extent of a
thousand dollars—probably the last of his
money.

Then, seizing a new pack of cards, he ex-
pegtly threw them upside down upon the
ta .e.

“Are you sure there is an ace amon
them?” Gypsy Jack demanded, sternly. “
warlrt no trickery in this matter, understand
me ‘

    

 

“ Let your dog answer!” Black Bill
sneercd. " If there’s an ace on the board,
he’ll find et. according to your theory.”

“ So he will; and i there's not an ace, you
lose, the same.”

Then, with a word to the dog, the animal
walked over and about the cards, and nosin
three aside ‘from the rest, selected the mi -
dle one of the trio, and held it up between
his teeth so all could see.

It was the ace of hearts!

The crowd uttered a shout of surprise, and
Black Bill uttered a cry of rage as he saw
Gypgy Jack pocket his last dollar. _

“ urses on yel” he cried. " What ye
win in money, you should lose in dog—mark
my word for it!”

And before any one was aware of his in-
tselption he had drawn a pistol, and fired at

1p.

The poor animal gave vent to a piteous
howl, and bounded from the table to the
floor, where he gave a few struggles and
stretched out as if dead. ‘

The J imtown Sport stood for a moment as
if struck dumb with astonishment and sor-
row; then turning, he leaped upon Black
Bill with a fierce cr , and they began a rough-
and~tumble strugg e for the mastery.

Several miners sprung forward to take the
rufflan’s part, but as many more intercepted
them, and in less than five minutes two
parties were plainly formed—one for Gyps
Jack and one for Black Bill, and soon a l
were fiehting vigorously for the men who
had their sympathy. . ‘

Be it said in his favor, Gypsy Jack had
the best men on his side.

Black Bill's party, however, was composed
of the ruflian element, and was numerically
larger than the other side, and as the ion ht
without regard to life, it seemed evi ent t at
the must eventually win.

(flack! bang! crash! scream! were sounds
that transformed the interior of the saloon
into a literal pandemonium. _

Men were shot down ruthlessly, and'
knives flashed; shouts of agony. oaths and
curses were uttered on every hand; it was a
terrible hand-to-hand conflict between those
knights of the border, which promised not
to cease until the last man was “cleaned
out." ‘

‘ The struggle between Gygsy Jack and
Black Bill was a stern, unyiel ing one, both
men being possessed of great determination

.—for the man who lost would be afit sub-

ject for the undertaker. .
They were pretty nearly matched in pomt,
0t strength, too, though the gambler-ruf-

fian was taller and heavier than his plucky _ 

opponent from Jimtown. The clinched in
a vise-like hug, and waltzed 3. out mthout
3‘ .

' .f you

    

9 a ‘ The Jimtown Sport. . i

doing each other any great amount of dam-
a e.
g“Curse ye, let me go!” Black Bill cried,
as Gypsy Jack froze to him like a postage
stamp. “ Ef ye don‘t, I’ll stamp ye out of
existence I”

, “ Will ye?" the J imtowmte retorted. work-
ing gradually toward the front door. “If
get an advantage, it .will not be m
fault. You killed my dog, and your lie
shall answer for it!"

” It will, hey?" the rufiian yelled, lunging
forward and bumping his head severely
against that of his antagonist.‘ “Dog my
cats at I don’t stave in yer skull!”

“0hol come on! Perhaps two can play
at that game,” Jack responded, returning the

bump.

‘ And then began the navel battle of heads,

in dead earnest, to see which could stand the
, most. '

Bumpl whack! bumpl went the foreheads
of the two men—crack! clash! was the ac-
companiment kept by the other fighters.

Steadin Jack worked his man back to-
ward the door, and finally they were out in
the open air,

Here matters were no better.

It appeared as if the whole town were un-
dergoing a siege, for men were fighting along
the Whole length of the street, using revol—
vers, knives and any weapon they could get
hold of.

Matters were the same o'n the flats as in the
town, and it seemed as if Gypsy Jack’s turn
against the gambler, had been instrumental
in setting the whole town into a general state
of warfare. A

Which went to show that there were two
parties who wished to run the town, and°a
chance had been improved to test the matter

" . of mastery.

Outside the tavern Jack and his opponent
had much more room to exercise in, yet
could not trip or throw each other, and had
nothing left to resort to but the battering-

. ram assault of their heads.

This they continued with much regu-
larity, pausing occasionally, as it were, to
com are/notes.

“ ow do you like it?” Jack demanded,
gri l . “ lee to play at ten~pins?”

“ uss oi” the gambler growled, gasp-
ingly “ hat kin of a head have you
gOt?"

“A cocoanut head, of course. Why it’s
cast-iron, and you can’t bus’t et, if you

“Then I want to cry quits. I’ve got
enou hl”

" hat, so soon? But you must get
‘ more’n enough. I think a litt e more butting
will wake you up I"

 

.4 -M

And that the Jimtown delegate proceed

{l v

to administer, with renewed energy. ” D
But Black Bill had had enough and by “ V
desperate effort he broke loose and daslfi are r
away down the street, at the top of j'. agent
speed. - 2 “I
At the same instant the do , Skip, spru.f “(
forth from the tavern, and o in hot pursu “1

of the ruflian. He had not been killed: “f
Jack had supposed, but stunned by the bu “.
let, which had just grazed the top of h, “.
head, and had recovered and got out ‘of tl; “‘
saloon just in time to see Black Bill make
run for it. ; com
Comprehending the situation with his m 11
tural sagacity. he uttered a bark of victory! Crag
and dashed after the gambler and soon bot! rug:
dog and man had vanished from view b: b0“
dodging around a corner. F
Then Gypsy Jack turned and gazed abou mOl
him, undecxded What to do. _ ‘ a n:
The whole neighborhood was in a riot-r “10
which party should he side with? was hit be
thought just as there was a sudden whiz, .
then a lasso settled over his head and tight “3"
ened around his waist, and he was landed 03 Inc
the ground. 3‘ y
He made a quick attempt to spring to hi! 01‘
feet, but before he could do so three maske
men had leaped upon him, and were u
lorig in binding him hand and foot. 2.
e was then handed to another mani
on horseback, who had ridden suddenly up» 9‘}
to the spot, and the next thing he knew? V‘
Gypsy Jack was being borne away across ‘
corner of the flats, toward the distant rugge , 3‘
mountains. t 11‘
His lone captor was a powerfully-huil ,
man, with gray hair and heard, which wa 1‘
met b a black mask, through which a pai t‘
of evi eyes occasionally peered into the face-1~ 1"
of the' prisoner. 1
His attire was buckskin from boots to;
chin, dyed jetty black, with a belt full of re- l
volvers at his waist, and a plumed slouch hat (

u

e
V
E
upon his head.

Seeing that he made no motion to speak,
Jack opened the conversation. _

“ Where are you taking me?” he de-  1,
manded.

“ To Crow’s Nest,” was the reply.

“ Where is Crow’s Nest?”

“In the mountains."

“ What kind of a place is it?"

“ Bully place." l

" Who runs it?”

” Captain Crack-Shot.” '

“ Humphl The female footpad, eh? Why '
are on taking me there?"

“ ecause she ordered it.”

“ Well, that’s cheeky. Know what her
ladyship proposes to do with me?”, - _

“ Shoot you, I reckon.”

 

     

     
    
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
  
   
  
 
    
  
 
    
  
   
  
  
     
        
   
      
      
      
         
      
       
      
    

b!

.is‘t.

 

' Old Somerset

The Jimtown Sport.

 

9

 

“ What for?”

" Dunno."

“ Well, it’s queer. I hope. however, you
are mistaken. How old is this noble road-
agent?" '

“ Nineteen, or so.”

“ Got any relatives around here?”

” Reokon not.”

“ Good looking?”

" Wait till ye see her.”

“ How long will that be?”

“ Couple of hours.”

"Hurry up, then! I’m not riding very
comfortably, you know."

Half an hour found them entering a wild,
craggy, mountainous district, ascending a
rugged path toward the top of a wooded,

'. bowlderous mountain.

For a couple of hours they continued the
monotonous ascent—then they emerged upon
anatural level shelf upon the side of the
mountain, from whence a good view could
be had of the distant town of Durango.

As they rode upon the plateau a afyly-at-
tired girl in men's clothing emerge mm a
niche in the face of the mountain, and this
Gypsy Jack concluded must be Captain
Crack-Shot, the girl roadagentl

CHAPTER IV.
A SCOUNDREL unmssxan.

Ijl‘ was near midnight when the riot ceas-
ed In an about Durango, without declarin
Victory for either party, although the ru -
flanly element had possession of the village,
and the more peaceably disposed citizens
had been driven down to the flats.

_ Here they could do littlebut wait for day-
light. when they must either renew the at-
taCk. or give up the struggle and declare the
ruflians their masters.

Having possession of the business portion
of the village, it might be surmised that they
would not yield it without a bloody strug-

e

From the be inning of the fight almost,
ad been here, there and
everywhere, inthe lead as a sort of a captain
in behalf of the citizens’ party. But owing
to the overwhelmin odds of numbers in
favor of the roughs. e could finally see no
better plan than a general retreat to the flats
for consultation and repairs, which move
was made according to his orders.

A good many ersons had been wounded,
and some kille among the defenders. but
the other party had had the same luck, if
not more so.

A general camp, in body, was ordered by

'Old Somerset. near the center of the flats.

Fires were built and pickets posted, the same
precautions being observed by the old scout
as if it was an Indian campsign.

 

John Metcalf, the speculator, was among I

the citizens’ party, but whether by choice or
accident it is hard to tell. He claimed to be
out a great deal of money by the riot, as he
owned an interest in several business eetalr
lishmcnts, and had several thousand dollars
locked up in his office.

“'I propose that a party of you men ac-
company me back and help me secure the
money, at least,” he said. “We can easily
creep back, under the cover of darkness,
and secure the money.”

“ If the captain says so, all right," one of
the miners suggested—“ otherwise, not a.
man shall leave camp, of 1 can stop him.”

“I was not aware that we are subject to
the orders of a captain,” Mctcalf sneered.

“ But we are, though,” the miner re-
plied, whcse name was Tiger.

“ We’re in ther midst of a consarned diffi-
culty, an’ we want some one ter lead us. I
purpose thct Old Somerset knows how ter
do ther matter up brown, an‘ we’d better let
him take ther lead, an’ we go accordin’ ter
his instructions. Eh, boys, what (1‘ e say?"

“ Hurrah! Old Somerset, oreverl”
shouted the crowd.

“ Thankee, gents,” the scout said. “ It
does the proud ter represent ye, an‘ ef my
old menagerie ar’ wu‘th a cent, ye kin bet

er pile this hyer old polar b’ar wull do his
est. An' of I’m ter be boss, I‘ll begin ther
ring performances by givin’ a few orders.
Let no man leave camp, ’cept I say so, un-
der penalty 0‘ gittin’ his skull blowed.

Let no man go over ter ther t’other side, un- \-

der penalty 0’ death. Let no may try ter
run this hy ar concert privilege, without my
permission, or hev nothin’ ter say in ther
way 0’ bossin’.”

" But I demand a guard of men to accom~

pany me to in office, to rescue the money It

have there," ohn Metcalf protested, impor-
tantl .

" an’t hel what ye demand,” Old Somer- '

set said. “ ou‘re no better’n ther rest 0’
ther boys, an’ et won't do no ood fer ye
ter be obstreperous. I forbid; any man
leavin’ camp till I know et’s safe—an’ as for
yer money, et ain’t no better’n any other
folks’.” _

Metcalf didn’t appear to assent to this
view, and moved about growling protests
againt the scout's arbitrary rules, and en-
deavoring to enlist the sympathies of some
of the men on his side.

But as he was no general favorite, he had
no success. and had to content himself With
his own opinion. '

About an hour after midnight Old Somer-
set gave orders for everyth ng to be kept
quiet in the camp, and left on a tour of re-
eonnoissance about the settlement. '

t ‘.

   

 

 

10 The Jintown Sport.

 

When he returned, he reported the town
still in an uproar from the fact that the ruffl-
ans had seized upon the liquors in the sa-
loons, and were having a good drunk and

‘ occasional fights among themselves.

The bad, however, thrown out a number
of pie ets, to prevent a surprise, and a third
of their number patrolled the main street,
prepared to repel any attack, while their
companions were enjoying the delights of
Bacchus.

Shortly after Somerset’s return to camp,
a picket came in, and reported a single
horseman outside the lines, who claimed to
be a stranger, and wished to enter the camp.

“ Show him in,” the old scout ordered.

The horsemen soon came riding into camp,
and drew rein in front of the principal fire,
around which the majority of the defenders
were clustered.

‘He was a well-dressed person of some
fifty-five or sixty years of age, and evidently
a man above the common herd. He wore a
long iron-gray beard, and a stylish Derby
bat; his face was large, well cast and noble
in expression; his eyes and hair were of a
dark brown color. A large diamond pin
shone upon his shirt front.

“ Is the sheriff or principal olficer of this
district to be found about here?"he inquired,
as he reined in his horse.

“ Well, I reckon we never had a sheriff

et," Old Somerset replied, “ but, as I‘ve

n chosen ter represent this hyar division
0’ ther townspeople, I presume ye might
term me an oificer. Up in town, I allow,
Arizona Mike calkylates he’s boss 0’ ther
roost. Ye see, we’re split up now, an’ stan‘
as two belligerent parties, an’ one or t’other
of us intends ter run the shebang, ulti-
mately. At present the roughs hev got the
possession of the coops, but we don’t opine
they’re goin’ ter hev et fer any length 0’

“ Ah! then there is but little hope of my
gletet‘iing assistance, I judge,” the stranger re-
pl .

“What assistance d’ye want?" Somerset
asked.

“ Help from honest men to recover my
lost child, sir." was the reply. “I will in-
troduce myself to you as the Duke of Leigh,
of Sussex, England. In company with my
daughter, Lady Myra, I have been travelin
through Western America for leasure, an
partly in the interests of En 1i railway in-
vestors. This afternoon, w ile myself and
daughter, with our attendant, were riding

toward this place, we were set upon in the
mountains by a band of brigands. our atten-
dant killed, myself robbed, and my daugh-
ter-carried OR. I was then set at liberty, and

/

 

told that when I paid over the sum of five

thousand dollars my daughter would be re-
turned to me.”

“ Well, I allow ye refused?" Somerset
said, with a chuckle.

“ Most assuredly I did. The demand is
outrageous, and I do not propose to yield to
it," the duke replied.

“ Then, I dare say, you’ll not be very
likely ter see yer progeny ag’in, ver soon,”
Somerset declared. “The gal, Crack-Shot,
does bizness on ther dead certain plan, an‘
thar’s them as say she never fails. Ef she's
got yer gal, about ther likeliest thing you kin
do 1s fork over ther cash, as she’s firmly
planted in the mountains, an‘ ye might as
well, try ter trap ther American eagle as
her. '

“ But I will call upon the government for

' 11

“Waal, thet might do, but it’s hard stir-
rin’ up these Uncle Samitcs, bet yer boots!
They don't enthuse wu’th a cent, when
the ’re out arter road-agents, an' ten ter one
%’ hev ter slip a heap o’ hundred dollar

illiams inter their hands afore they’d wake
ter an interest in yer case at all."

“ y Heaven! Is there no law in this
country, then?”

“Dead loads of et, stranger, but it ain‘t
ginnerally observed up in this country.
Homemade laws is ther thing, hvarabouts—
every man fer hisself. and ther (51d Boy fer
'em all. Ef Crack Shot sez money. or no
gal, ye kin calculate et’s go 1, an’ we ken t

inder et, ’ca’se I opine ther oys hev all bed
a deal wi' her. one way an' another, an’ got
the worst of it; hence, they consider at safe
ter fight shy of her ladyship."

The duke slid from his saddle, with an ex-
clamation of disappointment.

“If it is as you say, 1 may as well stop
here, for the present,,w1th your permission,
until I can find a way of rescuing her. ”

“ Purty good plan, an’ you’re welcome, BO
long’s gou behave yourself,” the old 690%
assente . It was rather an odd invitation,
perhaps, but it always was his rule never to
make much of any one until he had made a
study of them.

The duke accordingly rolled himself in 8
blanket and lav down a short distance from
the fire, and a little in the rear of the other
campers, apparently not over-anxious to mix
with them.

Toward the latter part of the ni ht the
camp became silent, from the fact t at all
were evidently wrapt in slumber.

It was about this time that the speculator,
John Metcalf, arose from his position among
the sleepers and stole softly toward the rev
clining-place of the duke, who was reposing
more serenely than one would have suppos-

 

es“-.. swifis. . .

 

The Jimtown Sport. 11

ed him capable of doing, considering his re-
cent less.

Stooping beside him, Metcalf shook him
gently by the arm.

With a start the duke opened his eyes and
attempted to rise, but the speculator held
him back.

“ 'Sh! Not a loud word, for your life,” he
warned. “You are in deadly peril, although
you may not know it. Do you recognize
me ’

“ No," the nobleman replied.

“ Humph! Your memor must he mighty
forgetful,” the other grow ed, evidently not
pleased. “ Don't you remember your con—
fidential clerk, Mctcalf. whom you made it
warm for a dozen years ago, because he had
not the audacity to steal a few of your many
dollars?"

The duke started.

“ Ah! true enough. I see the resemblance
now. What are you doing here, sir?” '

“I’ve been getting rich, of late, and en-
deavoring to heal up the wound you made in
my aficction for Lady M ra, by making it
necessary for me to leave ngland.”

“ You are a scoundrell Let me up!”

" Of course I am a scoundrel," Metcalf re-
plied, triumphantly, allowing the nobleman
to rise. “But not so bad a one as not to be
willing to help an old and esteemed friend
when I find him in trouble.”

“ Bah!” Leigh scofl’ed. “Poor assistance
I should expect from you.”

.1“ Nevertheless, you do me great injus-
tice,” Metcalf replied. “Just step this way
out of earshot, and we will compare
notes."

The Englishman did follow the speculator,
although evidently distrustful of him.

Beyond the camp both halted, and faced
each other.

“ Now proceed with whatever you have to
say!” the duke ordered.

“ I will do so,” Metcalf replied. “ In the
first place, you are in a strange country,
and in trouble. How much money have

on?” .

y “ Nonel' was the gloomy reply. “ The
brigands robbed me of what I had.”

“ Then you have no money to redeem your
child ‘2"

“ None whatever.”

“ That is bad. If you do not pay over the
ransom in ten days, she will be sold to the
Indians!”

“ Heavens! You don’t mean it."

“But I do. There is an old Indian naboh
ust over in Indian Territory, who buys up
emale captives for his wigwam, and rack-
Shot gets paid a good price for such as she
don't see fit to hand over to her men.”

" " This is terrible. What can be done? It

.

 

Would kill me to have my peerless child given'
up to such a fate."

“That is the part I am comin to,” Met-
calf assumed. “I can agree With you that
it will be best to get possession of her at
once. This you cannot do alone, and—”

“ I can secure your services by paying for
them," the duke sneered, anticipating what
was coming, .

“ Exactly. I am willing to let bygonesbe
bygones, and look only into the future. I
am the only man in Durango whohas money
and power enou h to get the girl away from
the brigands. Then, as a reward, I should ’
want to marry her. One of these days she
will inherit a grand English property from
her grandfather, and who wouldn’t consider
that attractive? In the mean time, after we
are married, we'll content ourselves by tour-
ing this country, at my expense, which I am
willing to bear, for the sake of being the bus-
band of aduchess, where formerlyI was your
lackey. Oh! I’m wide-awake, you see] Ac-
cept and all will be lovely—refuse, and I’ll

uarantee you’ll never see the lovely Lady

yra again!" .

CHAPTER V.
INTO THE JAWS or DEATH.

LET us return to the Sport from Jimtown,
and the girl road-agent.

She was just the medium hight of women,
and possessed of the most perfectly graceful
figure Jack remembered ever to have seen,
which was displayed to advantage in a neat-
fitting suit of pink and blue colored fabric, '
with a jaunty slouch hat upon her head, and
knee-boots upon her feet of a small light
pattern. ‘

A belt about her waist contained a pair of '
silver-plated revolvers, and a knife-hilt pro-
truded from a sheath which hung upon her

hi .

In face she was decidedly fresh and fair,
with sweetly chiseled features and expressive
dark eyes, while her hair fell in a mass of
natural curls upon her shoulders.

She was far too pretty :1 person to occupy
the position she did, and she was evidently
conscious of her beauty, as she gave her hat
a somewhat jauntier pitch, and rearranged
her collar, as the brigand drew rein, and she
came up.

An expression of admiration entered her
eyes as she saw Gypsy Jack. Few flner— -
looking men than he in that wild country. .

“Well, you got him, I see?” the Girl
Brigand said.

“ Yes. ma’am,” was the re ly.

“Well, Ivl'ou may release his feet, that 1‘
may take im to my councilvchamber to in-
terview him,” she said. ‘

The bandit obeyed. “

 

r

12 The Jimtown Sport.

 

_! | ‘ .
‘ ' ’ " You may follow me,” the young woman
, , said, leading the way through the fissure in
' [ ‘ the rock to a large cavern, which seemed by
‘fits size as-if the whole inside of the pea
'1 were hollow.
' I In the center was a large raised dais, some
’ .g - ten feet in hight, with steps leading to the
‘- top.
t- Upon thetop of this was a rude easy-chair,
' *' while upon the ground in front, were a num-
ber of bench-seats.

Motioning Gypsy Jack to be seated upon
one of these, the girl captain seated herself
upon the second step of the platform, and
faced him, with a searching glance.

, “ Well. Deadwood Dick, how does your
. ‘5 sudden change of base agree with you?” she

' asked.

Gypsy Jack started. “ What do you
mean?” he asked.

“Just what I asked—how do you fancy
your change of base?”

"Not at all. But you addressed me as

Deadwood Dick!”
‘1 "Because I thought it would be more
‘1: natural to you than Gypsy Jack. Oh! you
needn’t deny that you're Deadwood Dick,
for I happen to know better!”

“ How did you acquire your informa-
tion?"

“ Oh! quite easily enough. I saw you as
Deadwood Dick about a month a o, and
once seen, you are not to be mists. en for
any other man.”

Gypsy J aek started, and his features grew
somewhat sterner.

“Admitting that I am, as you say, Dead-
wood Dick.” he said, “ I begin to awaken to
k t something I had not thought of before. You

say you saw me a month ago. It was just

that length of time ago, that I lost the dear-
est treasure of my latter life—my wife,

9 who was ruthlessly stolen from my very
arms as it were. and borne away to some
place'unknown to me, and for a purpose
equally unknown. Perhaps you can tell me
where she is."

" Were I disposed to be merciless,;.I could
-—'-but as I would not break your heart, I
prefer not to tell you.”

,. “What! do you mean to insinuate that
she was not true to me?"

“ Well, if you must know—yes. With
my band of men, I was roaming in your
.vicinity, about a month ago, when one day

I my lieutenant suddenly came up missing.

Careful inquiry failed to discover him, and

Ithen came the news that your wife had also
‘ ‘ turned up missing and was not to be found.

Remembering that while we were prowling

,near your shanty, my lieutenant had seen

. you and your wife sitting in the doorway,

- and expressed a strong admiration for her, I

 

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naturally concluded that he had induced her
to clope with him.”

“Bah! I do not believe this,” Gysey Jack
—as we shall still continue to call him
—said sternly. “No amount of lies could
ever serve to convince me that Calamity was
faithlcss to me.”

“Ha! ha! You’ve a great deal of confi-
dence in her, 1 see. I fancy you little un~
derstand a Woman’s heart. It is a fickle
piece of mechanism, and easily attracted
from one point to another.” a

“ Perhaps that may be the case with yours,
but not so with Calamity June. I believe
you have her in your power, as a prisoner!”

“ Well, I suppose I may as well admit the
truth of your charge,” she said, with an in-
dulgent laugh. “ I, Captain Crack-Shot,
chief of the Knights of the Colorados, have
the honor of holding as my prisoner, the
wife of the notorious cx-road-agent, Dead-
wood Dick, subject to release on certain
terms. I didn’t know but I could deaden
your interest in her. and capture your af-
fection, myself. Ha! ha! ha!”

“ I comprehended your plan at the first!"
Jack replied. “ It failed from the fact that
Icame only for one woman, and that wo-
man the one who has been true to me,
through thick and thin—Calamity Jane!"

“And that very extraordinary afiection
you seem to cherish for her was the cause of
my having her abducted and brought .heI-e,
as I dared to presume you would be willing
to pay quite a respectable sum for her re-
lease!” the girl bandit replied. “ I was upon
the eve of writing you when I heard of your
arrival in Durango, and concluded that I

could best arrange with you by having you

brought hither.”
“Well, what do you propose to do?”

“I propose to have you accede to my .

terms." she replied, decidedly. _

“You seem very confident," he said. E
faint smile playing over his face. “You
perhaps don’t fully know me."

“ On the contrary, I know you better than
most people. Do you remember the old
Spaniard who used to run the Casino La
Pierre. in Deadwood? If so. you Will per-
haps also recollect that he had a daughter
who sometimes handled the paste-boards ex-
pertly, and thereby tempted sundry dollars
into the arental treasury."

“Ah! see. I have been turning the
thought over in my mind that I had seen
you somewhere. You are old Carlo’s daugh-
ter?”

“The same. but lately transformed into
Captain Crack-Shot—the title given me be-
cause of certain ability in the line of straight
shooting. Hence, you see, I have seen you

long ago, and heard so much of you the.th

\

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The 'Jimtown Sport. ‘ 13

 

have been able to make a pretty accurate
estimate of your character.- am full well
aware that you are considered a hard man
to brick against, but I am not afraid but
what I can bring you to terms in case you
become balky.”

Gypsy Jack surve ed the woman in no
little wonderment. 'Iis long experience in
the golden West, as Deadwood Dick, had
brought him into contact with many strange
characters of .the feminine sex, but he had
seldom met a’girl so young in years who was
such a self-possessed villain and schemer.

“I have serious doubts as to your success
in taming me,” he replied. “ I don't gener-
ally yield to any one, and I presur e I shall
not break my rule in your favor.”

“But I presume you will, as you can have
but two alternatives to select from, one of
which is—death. Listen, however, and I
will tell you my plan, which I think you
will embrace when you know it.

“ Since coming to this' section I admitted
an old witch to my band who owns a great
share of the flats near Durango, and in par-
ticular the claim you pitched your cam on.
This witch having disappeared, and be-
lieving she is dead, I propose to claim the
flats as my own by right of heritage. In or-
der to at possession, 1 shall have to fight for
it, and Want you to take a hand in the
struggle as my first lieutenant. If we win
you shall share equally with me in the
profits; if we fail we will share such toll as
can be obtained in the usual line of my busi-
ness. Of course, when you take the oath of
allegiance, our wife shall be returned to
you, and al will be well."

“And if I refuse?”

“Well, then that will be another thing.
You’ll get a just reward for your foolishness.
Your wife, Calamity Jane. will be sold to
Thunder Cloud, the red-skin naboh, for a
thousand dollars. You will then be forced
to pay five times that amount for our lib-
erty, or be shot by my sergeant an thrown
from the shelf outside into the gulch over
three hundred feet below. How like you
the prospectus?”

“It is quite novel and entertaining; you
should havea medal for your read inven-
tion,” was the defiant answer. “ on had
better call your sergeant at once, as I shall
surely refuse to-aceede to your plans.”

“ on do not mean it.”

“Decid‘edly, yes. I ‘am not inclined to re-
enter the ranks of road-agency again, and,
were I, I should do so on my own account.
I am no cut-throat.”

Captain Crack-Shot evidently was not
pleased at this decision, and rose and walked
about u on the steps_of the dais.

,_“Per ps you think I am jesting ” she

r.~-~——a«>~- _.. .

 

said; “ perhaps you do not believe I will do,
or cause to be done, a thing I have threat-
ened?" ,

“ No. On the contrary, I believe you will
do as you threaten.”

‘ And in face of this, you mean that you
would rather have me fulfill my threats than
to accede to my proposition?”

“Exactly. Threaten even to bring the
skies crashing down upon my head, and you
could not budge me from my resolve.”

“ Then I’ll give you the hospitality of the
‘den ’ until I can send word to the Indian
reservation for Thunder Cloud to come and
purchase your wife, for whom he has a great
admiration. Thomas!”

At her call, a young Spaniard approached
and stood in waiting.

“ Thomas, take the prisoner and lower
him into the den with the others!” she said.
“ Go, Sir Gypsy, and consider yourself in
luck that I don’t shoot you on the spot.”

“ I am ever so much obliged," Jack sar-

castieally retorted, as he suffered himself to '

be led away. .

From the main cave he was taken into a
smaller one, divided by skin curtains from
the larger one, and from this out upon a shelf
on the mountainside, which was an exact
counterpart of the one upon the opposite side
of the honeycomb peak.

Just in front of this ledge was a deep,
cellar-like space, surrounded on the other
three sides by perpendicular, smooth, rocky
walls, up which no mortal could climb with-
out a ladder or other artificial aid.

The bottom of this natural hole was about.

forty feet in diameter, and in the center, was ;

built a strong walled cage, or cell. This was
about twenty by thirty in size, leaving an
area running entirely around it.

The walls of this cage or den were fully ,

twenty feet high, and perfectly smooth.

The depth of the cellar from the ledge
above was at least forty feet, and there was
no apparent outlet to it, except by upward
ascent.

A more effective or novel prison could
scarcely be imagined, for in the area lurked
several wild animals, among which were two
or three wolves and a cinnamon bear.

From the howls they sent up, it was only
too evident the were purposely kept in a
half-starved con ition, and should a prisoner
succeed in escaping from the den to the open
space, he would only fall into their ravenous
Jaws. ’

A strong crane or derrick had been erected ‘ 1

upon the ledge, and provided with a r0 9
and tackles, so that a person could be easi y
lowered or raised from the pit.

As they emerged upon the ledge,‘tbe' J im-
town Sport took in all these pomts in swift

/

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glances, Then he allowed the Spaniard to
fasten a kind of strap harness to his shoul-
ders and waist and hook the tackle into it,
well knowing that did he resist there were
those at hand who would shoot him down at
asignal. His only hope was escape from
the pit, wherein he surmised the other prison-
ers were kept, for down in the den he saw

three persons—two women and a man.
“ Ready!” the Spaniard said; then he
swung him out from the ledge and began to

' 'lower him.
Downl—down he went, slowly at first, but
soon the Spaniard gave a yell; the rope had
I par' l. and down! down! went Gipsy Jack
—-~nou into the den where the other prisoners
I, were confined, but into the area, where the
ferocious beasts were awaiting to receive
him, with gleaming eyes and distended
aWs.

What fate could be his except a horrible
. » “death?

   
  
   

—_

CHAPTER VI.
A BATTLE ROYAL.

‘ I To John Metcalf’s infamous scheme the
duke did not give immediate answer, but

paced to and fro like a lion in its cage.
“ You are the greatest villain I have ever
* met,” he finally said. “ You see me in trou-
. ’ ble and take advantage of my situation to
n. « ‘prppose a rascally piece of business, which
none but an adept scoundrel could con-

, , ceivel" »
y “ And yet I am no more of a villain than
'5 youl" Metcalf declared. triumphantly.

“ When ,1, your confidential clerk, had
.' dared to fall in love with your daughter,
‘ Lady Myra, who, like yourself, was over-
- proud of an unmoneyed title, you discharged
' me, threatened to horsewhip me if 1 persist-
ed, and finding that was not likely to have
lj‘ the desired effect, on fixed my case by pur-
" porting to 'have ost a- couple of thousand
" . pounds—which you know you were not
V. worth—and accusing me of the theft. You
were liberal enough, however, to ofier me
my liberty in case I forever left Great
 ‘ Britain, and rather than vex mye es by
eering through iron grates, I skippe , leav-
, mg my love behind me. So you see on are
not the most conscientious Christian iving.”
“Well, admitting that,” he said, “you
, 1 could scarcely blame me. Lady Myra is of
proud old English blood, allied to the royal
line, and no sane person could censure me
for not hearing to her marriage with the son
of a common laborer.”

l“ Yet, just at present, I am rich enough to
buy up} any amount of titles, while you’d
probably be glad to dis ense with yours for
, A.a few thousand poun s sterling, that you
,3 ; might redeem your daughter."

 

14 The Jimtown Sparta.

“No, sir, my title is a proud one, and is
not for salel” the duke replied, haughtily.
“ True, I am temporarily poor, but I am still
the Duke of Leigh, and a gentleman of posi-
tion in my own country.”

“The dodge won‘t work here. Ye can’t
sling on no mi-lord swag, nor refuse to allow
every galoot is your equal, if you don’t want
to get systematlcally smashed. But what do
you say to my proposition?"

" [will not consent to it, for even if I were
to give my child away to you, I have yet to
know for certain that you can get her from
the brigands.”

“Ohl that would be an easy matter. I
chance to know this Captain Crack-Shot
quite intimately, and when I offer her a
reasonable sum, she will for my sake, (le-
liver up the Lady Myra. But, were you to
consent to this nothing can be done toward
it, just at present. The two elements in this
place are at war, and one or the other must
get whipped before peace can be restored.
The roughs have got the town, and under
any other than a bad management, they
would rule the gulches, and flats and town,
hereabouts, for all time to come.

“Under their present management, how-
ever, they will soon be driven forth from the
hold they have got, and these fellows you
see here will have possession; I'd much
rather that the rufllans have possession, as I
can work myself into their graces, and ob-
tain their captaincy—in fact, have about
everything in my own hands, which would
net me exceeding profit.”

“But how do you know you can get in
with this other party?"

“ I am pretty certain that I can, from the
fact that it would gratify them to obtain one
of the citizens’ best men, which I may be
considered, for I have been prominent in
local affairs before.”

“ And so on would desert the good cause
for the bad In order to obtain power?” the
duke demanded, in astonishment.

“ Even so. And I am going to make the
trial try-night. If you value your future, and

that of Lady Myra, you will do well to join /

me. Refuse, and when I get into power, I‘ll
cause Eyou to repent it.”

“ T en, leadaheadl As you have it all
in your own hands, it is probably useless for
me to resist our will.”

“ Good!
Follow me as cautiously as in your power,
and we will make our escape from the camp.
Never mind your horse; that can be ob-
tained some other time.”

Then, the speculator led cautiousl off
through the darkness, followed by the uke,
who could see no other way of regaining
possession of Lady Myra, than to follow

am glad tqsee you so sensible.

 

I.“ /

._ “$-44.

 

The Jimtown Sport. 15

 

Metcalf’s guidance, as the ho es of her res-
cue as received from Old omerset were
anything but flattering.

 

Let us return to Gypsy Jack.

As he went downward, a cry of alarm
burst from his lips.

Fortunately, he was not over twent feet
from the bottom when the rope parte , and
accordingly when he landed he was but
sli htly stunned.

lmost at the instant of his reaching the
bottom, a large, keen-edged knife dropped in
front of him. It had been hurled down by
the terrified Spaniard for his defense.

This sudden fall into those quarters had
caused the beasts to scamper away a short
distance, where they stood regarding him in
sullen surprise, and uttering angry growls.

It would be but a moment ere they would
pounce upon him.

So, raspin the knife, he prepared for the

strugg e whic he knew must come.
An he was not an instant too soon.

The next minute the bear reared u 11 its
hind feet with a ferocious growl, an lum-

bered forward, its front paws outstretched to
encompass Jack in a deadly hug. Directly
in its rear followed the wolves, ready to par-
ticipate in the aflray.

Jack awaited, with a terrible expression of
resolve upon his face.

On came the huge bear, with distended
jaws and lolling tongue. Standing braced,
ready for work, the Sport from J imtown
fastened his glance upon the gleamin orbs
of the monster, and held the knife rea y for
use.

On came the bear, until his breath almost
fanned Jack's cheek; then he paused, and
stood glaring down upon his human adver-
sary, but not offering him harm.

his stag: in the exciting drama was just
what Jack d been waiting for, and he felt
sure it would come. ,

With his all-powerful mind-gaze he had
mesmerized the brute. whose muscular
strength was a hundredfold more powerful
than is mental power.

The next instant he uttered a shout. and
springing forward, he drove his stout blade
with unerring aim and a strong blow into the
bear’s eye. The brain was netrated, and
with an almost human cr , t e great mon-
star of the mountain topp ed backward to the
ground, dead.

Frightened at this sudden turn of affairs,
Elbe vlvolves scampered backs few yards, with

ow s.

Securin his knife, Jack awaited the onset
of the wo ves, who be well knew would
soon come for him in a sneaking way.

Glancing upward he saw several persons

 

peerin over the cliff, among whom was
Crack- bot.

"Stop! don‘t kill an‘y more of those ani-
mals!” she cried. ” e will get another
rope, and lower it down to you.’

“Ohl you needn‘t mind. I prefer to give
these beasts dead away before I get through
with them. You needn‘t fret about me,"
Jack retorted.

“ But I command you not to harm them:
I do not want them slaughtered, I tell you!”
she replied, angrily.

“That’s the very reason I prefer to clean
’em out," Jack shouted back. “ They’re too
hungry to live!”

The words were scarcely out of his mouth
however, when the biggest wolf crouched
back with an angry snarl, and leaped to- .
ward him.

Most men would have been appalled at the
fearful attack, but Jack was not.

Darting quickl out of the path of the
animal, as the ha y shot past him, be much
ed forth that merciless knife, and the goint
entered the wolf‘s neck; the keen bla eal-
most severed the head from the body, which
summarily dis osed of this case. >

“ Hal ha!” ack shouted, waving his hand
up at the astounded brigands, triumphantly.
" Send down some more wild tigers and e e-
phants, if you have any?”

Then he made for the other brutes, but
terrified by the fate of their companions,
the all took to their heels, and there was
a ively race around the alley, with Jack
now the assailant instead of the defender.

With that same skill in hurling a knife
which he had often‘ before displayed, as
Deadwood Dick, he now poised his blade
and hurled tit after the fleeing beasts, and
thus soon finished off the menagerie.

To his surprise, on glancing up to the
ledge, be perceived that none of the brigands
were in VleW now.

“ Wonder what sent them away?" he mut-
tered. “ It must be that something has
scared them.”

He accordingly began to cast about him
for some means of getting over into the
inner den, where the prisoners were con-
fined.

After some study he hit upon a plan that
promised success. , '

The part of the rope that had accompanied
him into the pit was some forty or fifty feet
lon , and one end of it contained the tackle-
hoo which had been hooked to the harness-
around his waist.

If he could toss this hooked end up, so
that it would catch on top of the inner den
wall, thirty feet above, he could pull himself
up, so that he could. look down upon the
other prisoners. .

 

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succeeded in escaping from the camp, and,

18

The Jimtown Sport.

 

So he at once began experimenting in the
matter.

The first few times trying he missed, and
the hook came back, but, at last, the hook
caught upon the top of the wall and held;
then he climbed hand over hand up the
ropfi, and finally landed upon the top of the
wa .

Gazing down into the dnngeon,-he beheld
Calamity Jane, another young woman of
about her size and age, and a young man of
rather dashing ap earance.

“0h! Dick! ickl" Calamity cried, as
she saw her hero. “Have you come to
rescue me?”

" Well, that depends u on how successful
I am, Janie!” he replie . “ I’ve just laid
out the animals toward it.”

“ Ohl Dick—look out! look out!” she sud-
screamed—but too latel

A asso noose suddenly settled and tighten-
ed about his shoulders, and he was hauled
swiftly u ward to the ledge, where a dozen
masked rigands were not slow in taking

him into custody and binding his hands.

“ Hal ha! I thought I‘d not let you enjoy
the society of your wife,” Captain Crack-
Shot said, with triumph. “I’ve made up
my mind you shall be mine, willing or un-
Willing.”

“ Bah! do you imagine you could ever be
aught to me?” he sneered.

“But I will force you to be. For the
present on will be tied to a stake on the
other 1e e, and plenty of combustible ma-
terial pied around you. To-night Will
6 its by seeing the stufl lighted, and you
wil have a chance to swear allegiance to
fine forever—or burn. Boys, away with

imi"
The brigands accordingly marched him

‘ through the mountain cave to the other side,

and out upon the lateau, where a heavy

To this he was securely lashed, and a
heap of leaves, twigs and pine cones piled
about his feet.

Then the brigands marched away again,
and he was left alone.

Just as the first streaks of dawn began
to appear in the horizon he saw Crack-
Shot advance from the cave with a lighted
torch in her hand, and he knew things

' were drawing to a focus. Either he must

humor her wishes, or there was a fair ros-
pect of his being roasted. Which shou d he
choose; the fire or the female brigand?

 I CHAPTER VII.
m on) irox IN A TRAP—JACK raun-

sOUL.
WITHOUT difficulty Metcalf and the duke

 

 

once outside the picket lines, hurried across
the flats swiftly until challenged by the senti-
nels of the opposing party.

“ Halt! who comes there?” the sentry
cried, snapping his gun-lock. “ Who comes,
an’ what d’ye want?”

“ It’s me, Metcalf, and a friend,” the
s eculator cried. “ We got away from

omerset’s gang and want to join you.”

” Then, stan’ where ye are, ’til I send fer
Arizona Abe. He’s boss 0’ sech matters,”
the man replied, and the deserters had no
choice left but to remain in the gloom un-
til the aforesaid Abraham should appear.

'It was not long before the guard was
heard coming back, however. '

“ ReckOn et’s all right," he cried. “Ther
captain is dead drunk, nigh-abouts—so I
spoke ter some 0‘ ther other boys, an’ they
allowed it was all right. So ye kin go on
inter town.”

Accordingly Metcalf made haste to accept
of the invitation, such as it was, and he and
the duke hurried up the slope into the town,
where not the same quiet prevailed as there
did down in the citizens’ camp on the flats.

From each house and saloon came sounds
that bespoke the power of “ bug-juice”—
angry shouts and oaths, shouts of laughter,
or roars of Bacchanalian song, as the case
might be.

- Men were stagger-in through the street,
and in some cases fight ng with each other,
and the whole place seemed in a state of de-
moralization.

Metcalf was a shrewd man.

He knew the worth of the maxim, “Strike
while the iron is hot,” and accordin ly he
mounted an empty barrel in front of t e Old
Bourbon establishment, and began to yell at
the top of his lungs and gesticulate wildly,
which action had the desired effect, or he
soon had quite an audience gathered around
him, and more still coming.

“ Hurrah! hurrahl this way, fellow-citi-
zens, if you want to hear something to your
advantage!” he cried. “ I am here in our
behalf, and I want you one and all to listen
to me."

“ Waal, go ahead!” one of the more sober
roughs retorted. “ Ef ye’ve got anything
fer us ter know, jest speel et out, on short
notice.” .

“ I have newsl” Metcalf cried. continuing
to gesticulate. “ YOu are all in deadly peril,
and I come to warn you, and take my place
at your head and lead you on to victory, if
you are willing. I know the plans of the
enemy. Are on willing to adopt me as
your eader, fe low-citizens? Let every man
speak up i” i

There was a murmur of assent from a
number, but the majority did not take to the

Ilieutenant.

The Jimtovn: Sport.

idea. Metcalf had never been a favorite,
because of his facility of getting hold of
claims and then raising the price of- them
above the reach of the poorer class.

“ I don’t allow we all tumble ter thet
racket," one chap asserted. “ Arizona Abe

‘is my favorite, an’ I reckon most 0’ the boys

1n

ar’ in my line 0’ thinkin .
“ Bah! Arizona Abe is not fit to lead you!”
the speculator declared. “I hear he is at
present dead drunk. Supposing an attack
should occur just now—what kind of a
leader would you have? I tell you I am the
proper man. My friend, here, an English
duke, is a military man, and will act as my
As 1 first stated, on are in im-
minent danger, despite the act that you
have possession of the town. The party on
the flats have determined to have control of
the surrounding district, and to that end.
haVe sent a courier to the mountains to enlist
Captain Crack-Shot and her bandits into
their service. If they succeed, the sooner
ou pack up and leave, the safer it will be
or you, as they can easily clean you out
when you have such a sucker of a leader as
Arizona Abe would make you."

“ Hillol whar’s ther ornary galoot as durst
call Arizona Abe a sucker? Whar is he?—
let me luk at him!” shouted a big, strapping
mountaineer, with an ugly-looking physiog-
nomy, who came staggering up just in time
to overhear a part of Metcalf’s harangue.
" Whar’s ther man as durst asseverate thet 1,
Abraham from Arizona. ain’t ther high-cock-
o’-lorum 0’ this convention—ther hero 0’ Bull
Run—ther sharp-spurred American Eagle 0’
Liberty?”

“It was 1, friend Arizona, who was just
remarking that a love of liquor incapacitated
you for duty as the leader of the he s here.
and I was willing to fill your place!" etcalf
said, moderating matters in order not to get

,into trouble with the ruflian, if it was to be

avoided. “ Of course you would then have
more time to indulge, and—”

“ That ain’t ther question afore this hyar
court!" Arizona declared, swinging himself
as if ready for a tight. “Sum one called me
a sucker. an’ tbet's the werry patient I’m
arter. Whar is he? Show me ther two-
legged reptile that dared ter compare me,
ther hero 0’ Bingen on ther Rhine ter a com-
mon flsh, no matter ef et be bull-head.
mullet, or sucker. He‘s my meat—that man !"

“Et was Metcalf who called ye a sucker!"
one of the miners shouted.

“Oho! so et was you, was it? You had
ther audacity ter insult me. did ye?" Abra-
ham from Arizona howled. waltzing nearer
to the barrel whereon Metcalf was perched.
“,Ohl 'est wait till I get hold of ye! '

“Ho dl Don’t get angry, friend Abra-

 

1'!

ham,” the speculator said. beginnin to get
alarmed. “ I meant not insult, sir— simply
meant to imply that of beer you were a real;
sucker, as well as or sundry other kin s of
drink, and it would be a pity to interrupt
your right to imbibe on this occasion, so 1
ofiered to fill your place!”

“ Ye war mighty anxious, warn't ye, ter
help matters along in yer own favor? No,
sir-ee, John Metcalf, ye can’t boss this hyar
roost, w’ile Arizona Abe’s around. Eh,
boys?"

“Kcrect! Arizona suits usl” was the cry
of a ma'ority of the surrounding roughs.

“.We 1, if this is the case, I pity you, and
predict your ultimate destruction b the en-
emy!” Metcalf said. both disappomted at d
chagrined at his failure. “Therefore, not
wishing to get killed, I will return to the
flats, and act as a spy among the enemy in
order to report to you when there is any
danger.”

“Waal, I guess not," Abraham of Ali-
zona declared, drawing and cocking a re-
volver. “Ye ain’t er-goin ter do nothin’ 0’
ther kind. Now thet ye‘ve paid us ther
honor of a wizzet, we‘re not goin’ ter let. ye
go back ter t’othcr party till we’ve utilized
yer ter our own purpose as much as posscr-
bul. Don‘t make no try ter escape, or l'll
bore a drift thru yer head, w’at’ll let out any
brains ye may hev stored up thar.”

“What have I done, gentlemen, to merit
this treatment?” Mctcalf demanded, now
more alarmed than before. “ Am I not
ofierinfi my services in your behalf—am I
not wi ing to do anything and everything in
behalf of your interests? Pray, what have I.
done to ofiend ?"

“ Yas, you’re too mighty willin’!” the Ari.
zonian growled. “We km read ye like a
book, wi’ our speetickles ofl‘, pilgrim. Ye‘d
mighty like to be boss 0' ther roost hyar-
abouts, so ye c'u’d shove in a speculative
finger, but it ken’t be did. Et won‘t work.
Et won’t wash. You're a bloated aristocrat, /
and not uv our kind. You’ve got ter dis-'

orge. Thar’s money up in yer oflice. ther
ys say, an’ you’ve got ter hand et over,-
fer divv among ther boys.”

“By eaven, no! You shall not rob me
in this way 1”

“But we shall. Get down ofi’m thet
bar'l. and march straight ter ther office. in
front—0‘ my revolver, an‘ get ther scrip and .
hard cash, or 01! goes yer head, in less time
than et takes ter count sixty-’levenl”

No disputin that “business " was on
hand, and as ctcalf gazed around him he
noted that nearly every one seemed to assent
to Abraham’s order.

 

Let us return to the mountain plateau,

 

 

 

 

 

, your own head,

18 ' _ The Jimtown Sport.

 

just as day was beginning to break in the
east.

The face of Gypsy Jack, was stern and
passive, as he saw Captain Crack—Shot ap-
proaching, with the ignited torch.

Unmovable resolve was expressed both up—
on his handsome face, and in his eyes, which
flashed fearlessly.

The face of the Girl Brigand wore a pecu-
liar triumphant smile, as she came up, and
flashed the light of the torch before his face.

“Ha! ha! the ex-road-agent has changed
his mind, by this time, has he not?" she said,
with sarcasm. “ Oh! I thought you’d come
around to time, Sir Gypsy Jack."

“ Then you reckoned wrongly!“ the pris-
oner replied. “ I have not the least idea. of

' changing my mind.”

“ ossiblc? Well, really, your pluck is
admirable—in fact, I see more and more
reason, every minute, why you should fill a
position as my lieutenant. Such men as you
are not picked up every day.”

“ It is perhaps better for the country that
they are not," Jack replied, with a faint
smile. “ A few less of my class, and a few
more of your artistic merit, would no doubt
place the country on more solid footing.”

“ I appreciate your satire,” he said, flush-
ing; “ but business is business, and my
terms are unchanged. When I decide upon
accomplishing an object, I do it regardless
of every obstacle. I have set my heart upon
uniting you with my band, and I will do it,
or kill you, even if it brings down the wrath

r of the heavens upon my head. Tell me, now,
will you become a member of my band, and
swear eternal allegiance to that band?”

“Emphatically, nol—decidedly, once and
for all,. nol" Jack replied, without hesita-
tion‘.

. “ But, consider what you are saying. If
you refuse, I myself will light this material
around lyour feet, and you will be roasted
alive. 0 you comprehend what excrucia-

' ting agony such a death would bring you?
Surely you are not foolish enough to endure
it, when you can just as well have life and

' liberty.”

" I have given my decision; Gypsy Jack
never chaws back his words!” was the com-

, p0sed answer.

Even the merciless Spanish girl was as-
tounded.
I That any man could coolly face a death so
horrible as she had promised. when liberty
w ofiered, surpassed even her comprehen-

'si n. .

,But 'her determination to conquer him be-
came the strou er.

“ Then sh’al your obstinacy recoil upon

’ she said. “ I shall now

ght these ingots, and retire into the cave, as

 

I am not eager to witness your torture. I
shall, however, be within hearing, and if
you shout ‘Hclpl’ I will understand that
you have decided to come to my terms, and
will then rescue you.”

“You will listen in vain,” Jack retorted.

“We shall see!” and with the words she
ignited the rubbish in several places, and
then turned and hurried away, into the
cavern.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
SKIP TO THE RESCUE—WAITING non THE
STRUGGLE.

THE blaze began to catch from one leaf
and twig to another, and increase in volume.
The expression of Jack’s countenance was
stern and unyielding,

The flames sprea and crept upward; soon
they would singe his bootlegs and buckskin
breeches; then would come the actual tor-
ture of fire.

Should he still resist and defy human
agony? Or should he yield the day, admit-
ting Crack-Shot the conqueror. and give him-
self up to a wild life in her employ?

Then, too, Calamity was a prisoner; should
he perish in this awful manner, what would
be her terrible fate? Sold to the Red Mor-
mon, Thunder Cloud!

The thought filled him with greater alarm
than his own peril. But. his heart gave a
great bound, for at this moment came to his
cars a. familiar whinn ; he heard heavy foot-
steps, and a moment ater a horse trotted out
upon the plateau.

An irrepressible cry of joy escaped the
prisoner. It was his sagacious do , Skip,
mounted upon his own faithful stee —come
to his rescue.

The dog leaped to the ground with a low
whine of recognition.

“ Good do i” welcomed the Sport from

Jimtown. “ rag the brush away, Skip!
Quick, sir!"
Skip seemed ifted with almost human

sagacity and inte ligence, for without hesita-
tion he seized hold of the underlying brush
of the combustible pile and hauled it back
from before Jack, taking with it the largest
portion of the burning leaves and cones, and
Jack was out of peril, so far as the fire was
concerned, in a few moments.

“Good boy, Skipl” he said approvingly.
“Now, if you can gnaw this rope which
binds me, Ill be all hunk. Can you do it?"

The dog wagged his tail knowingly, and
apparently un erstanding exactly what was
retiuired, set to work on the job."

t was no easy one, however, as might be
supposed. The rope was of twisted hide,
but Skip’s teeth were sharp as knives, and
the rope was bitten in twain in a moment;

.u .0.

The Jimtown Sport.

,19

 

then, seizing the dangling end, he began to
trot around the stake and unwind it.

Every second seemed an hour to Gypsy
Jack, literally. for he momentarily expected
to see Crack-Shot emerge from the cavern;
but luck Was in his favor, and, thanks to his
canine companion, he stood freed from the
stake in less than a minute’s time.

His hands were not free, but that was a
matter of little importance, as he could es-
cape with them bound.

A couple of bounds and a spring upward
placed him on the back of the beautiful
white horse; then the dog followed his exam-
ple, and a single low-spoken word caused the
horse to wheel and dash from the plateau,
and as he disappeared, Jack gave vent to a
piercing war-whoop.

Away down the winding, rugged moun-
tain path his sure-footed steed bore him, at
break-neck speed, until he uttered a peculiar
cry, and the horse Wheeled abruptly to the
right into a pocket 1n the side of the moun-
tain, and came to a halt in the midst of its
thick verdure.

“ Silence now, my faithful friends,” the
fugitive said. “ If pursuit is given, we
must allow the bri ands to pass us; then we
must go back an see what can be done
toward rescuing Calamity and the other
prisoners."

He had not long to wait, for quickly there
came the sound of horses’ feet, approaching
from up the trail, and a few moments later a
large body of the brigands dashed past the
mouth of the pocket at a gallop, like aveng-
in phantoms of the night.

ow many there were Jack could not
count, but judged there were at least twenty,
and, what was more, there were two women
in the party.

Was one of them Calamity?

Possibly it was she and the other pris-
oners; but the question was, how had they
been hoisted from the pit and mounted in
the short space of time that had intervened
between the discovery of Jack’s escape and
that moment?

“I must know the truth, before I leave
this vicinity," Jack said. “If they really
were Calamity and the other prisoners, then
Craek«Shot is up to seine other deviltry.
She either has some other hiding-place in
view, or is going to join forces with the party
in Durangol”

Waiting until the brigands were out of
hearing, he dismounted, left the horse in the
concealment, and, accompanied b the dog,
hurried up the trail toward the le ge.

His hands were now free, thanks to Skip’s
ability in picking knots, and Richard was

, himself again!

Arriving upon the ledge, he boldly enter-

 

ed the cave, first equipping himself with a.
burning knot from his recent funeral pyre.

The bandits' cave was dark and deserted,
as he surmised it would be.

But all their loose property was still there,
and equipping himself with both revolvers
and a good knife for emergencies he passed
through to the other side, and out upon the
other ledge; then he cast the burning torch
down into the den.

It was empty of its former occupants!

It was now apparent to him that the two
women he had seen with the bri ands, were
Calamity and the other young la y whom he
had seen in the den, whoever she might be.

“It puzzles me what’s the row—why the
brigands are leaving this admirable retreat?”
he muttered, as he retraced his footsteps to
where he had left his horse. “ There must
be some cause for the sudden evacuation.
Maybe on discovering my escape, Miss
Crack-Shot concluded this wouldn‘t be a
healthy hangout with me at liberty, and‘so
took French leave. If . she had only been
thoughtful enough to have left Calamity be-
hind, I shouldn’t be so much concerned.”

When he arrived where he had left the
horse, he remounted, as did Skip, and set
out down the trail, slowly, and looking out
on either hand with the expectation of an
ambush and attack. .

But, good luck willed it otherwise, and in.
due time he emerged from the mountains
upon the flats.

Morning was well advanced, and the sun .
was shining brightly over the golden .dis-
trict which the delegate from J imtown had
quitted in such a hurry.

Halting his horse, he took a survey of the
scene before him.

It did not take him ion to discover that
there had been a division 0 elements, since
his leaving, and that one body held posses-
sion of the village, and the other the flats.
Of Captain Crack-Shot and her band he
could see nothing, and concluded that they
had not yet put in an appearance.

“ Now, here is a query,” he muttered.
“How am I to know which party of this
revolution is the one for me to approach? If
I had a glass, 1 might be better able to find
out. Eh! Skip? Are those the roughs up
in the town?”

The dog wagged his tail, and smiled, for
a dog can smile. .

“Well, I’ll take our word for it,” Jack .
said. “Mind, I shit I expect to find friends
on the flats.”

He accordingly rode forward toward the» i '

latter encampment.

When near to it, a man came forth to meet \
him; it was Old Somerset, the eccentric
scout. .

I .

 

 
   

The Jimtown Sport.

 

“ Cuss my etarnal old elerfanticums an’
hyenas, cf I ain’t glad tcr see yet” he cried,
as he rode up, “ tho’ I ain’t much acquainted
with you. Ye see, we’re in a kinder warlike
attertude, jist at present, an’ anxious like
ter draft in all ther muscular animals ter our

_ menagerie thet is poserbull.”

But how comes it you‘ve got pushed back
from the village?” Jack asked. “ You
ought to have hung to that.”

“True ernutf, pardner, but yer see thar
war consarned contingencies as wouldn’t
admit o’ ther great hippodrome performin’

. thar any longer, scch as leaden hail stuns an’
powder-smoke—so we had tcr dissemble, an’
cut stick fer low ground. Ye see they had
ther dead open an’ shut on us, an’ ct warn’t
no use ter buck ag’iu’ sech bizness, or the
hull teetotal sextupple expersition would
hev stuck in ther mud, an’ ther eternal ring
performance ended.”

"Humphl I should say you were of the
circus kind,” Jack said, “judging by your
lingo.” _

“So I am! I’m a hull circus myself,

_ when I’m wound up an’ set a-goin’. But
I’ll be fired from a catapult, ef I ain't got an
undertakin’ on my shoulders W'ot makes me
feel as if ther old boss elerfant hed trod on
me and flattened me out like em Ohio pan-

" kaik.”
~ “ Indeed! and what is that?”

‘ ‘ “ Waal, ye see, I’ve got ther ’sponserbility
on my back 0’ gittin’ my sheer o’ ther crowd
but 0’ ther deeflckulty, an’ Winnin’ back
ther town fer ’em, an’ I reckon I grappled
more than I kin git erway with, ter say ther

.‘ least. I hed purty good grit, all along, ontil
Crack-Shot. an’ her gang j‘ined ther enemy—
since then I’m blowed ef my old menagerie
ain’t all dubified.”

“ Ah! then she is over there, eh?”

. , “Yas.. She sailed across ther flats, not
_ half an hour ago, with a dozen men at her

back, 'est as sassy like as ye pleased. At

furst, reckon ther roughs‘ pickets weren’t
inclined ter let her pass, but she showed ther

.. (white flag, an’ I reckon et’s about as good
as arrow to thet thar’s a consolerdation
taken place, an’ they’re gittin’ ready ter

;/ pitchin an’ lick blazes outen us."

“It savors that wa ," Jack admitted,
with a smile. “But reckon we're good
enough for ’em, no matter how large is

\' their number. By the way, had they two

' prisoners with them?”

v, “Yas—three on ’em—two women an’ a

:' teller. But tell us whar you've been W

This Jack proceeded to do, as he and the
scout walked into camp.

Here he was warmly welcomed by the citi-

, Izens, who were not less-alarmed than Somer-

  

 

 

set, and therefore eager to add reinforce-
ments to their number.

About noon a general stir was noticed
about the village—men were seen hurrying
to and fro, some of theln leading horses.

“ Et’s comin’!" Old Somerset said;
“they’re goin’ ter make an attack on us,
and we’re goin’ to git licked like blazes.”

“ Don’t let yourself be fooled on that
scorcl" Jack replied, the coolest man in the
whole crowd. “ While it is evident they
are meditating an attack, they won‘t be apt
to make a bold charge in broad dayli Irht. I
construe the present stir as an old ndian
dodge. They propose to mount a few of
their number, and set them scouring round
the edge of the flats, for the purpose of wor-
rying us, if possible, until night, when they
may make an attack. In the mean time we
must be preparing for them. Get a shovel,
every man that can find one, and set to work
throwing up a breastwork that will inclose a
square of a couple hundred yards. lf not
enough shovels, take turns and it won’t. take
long to fix matters so that they can mow us
down at pleasure."

His dauntlessness inspired the men, and
with one accord they set to work to obey his
advice, which was the same as an order, for
all now set-med to defer to him.

By mid-afternoon their camp was inclosed
by a breastwork of dirt about four feet high,
laid up like a flattened wall, behind which
they could fight with great advantage”

CHAPTER IX.
THROUGH BY DARK.

Knowme that his life was more precious to
him even than gold, John Metcalf concluded
it would be unwise as well as unhealthy for
him to refuse to obey Arizona. Abe‘s order
and therefore dismounted from his perch on
the barrel, marched to the otfice. procured
his cash, several thousand dollars in amount,
and handed it over to the ruflian chief.

Abraham shoved it into the pockets of his
trowscrs with much evident satisfaction. re-
marking to his disciples that there would be
a “divvy” later.

Then. to his surprise, Metealf was seized
and tied to the tree in front of the old Bour-
bon, while the duke was accommodated in a
like manner at an adjoining tree. The Eng-
lishman was very much angered at the way
matters had turned out, and laid the blame
on the rascally speculator.

“ I was a fool for ever listening to you!”
he said, when they were left to themselves;
“and if I get free. I’ll have reparation from
you for this added outrage.”

“ I don’t fear you," the speculator replied.
“My money is gone just through you. and
in all probability I shall never see it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘ night, when I look for an attack.

“vam‘ -t

The Jimtown Sport. 81

 

I fancy it pleased you when the roughs failed
to treat with me?"

“It amused me, certainly.”

“ I’m our enemy henceforth," hissed the
scoundre ; “and I’ll possess your haughty
daughter, too, in spite of you. Ha, ha! what
a triumph it will be to humble the proud
beauty!”

“ You will first have to ain your liberty,”
the duke replied; “and a fancy my word
will be taken here before yours. Even those
routh will be friendly to me when they
know the truth,” declared the duke.

 

The Jimtown Sport was a favorite, and
when formally requested to assume the cap-
taincy by Old Somerset, there was general
enthusiasm; every man in camp seemed to
approve of his judgment.

As he had foreseen, a half-dozen horsemen
dashed boldly out from the village and began
scouring around the foot-hills which formed
the sides of the natural basin.

Jack, borrowing a rifle from one of the
miners, walked about within the inclosure,
eying them with a frown of displeasure on
his face.

“ They act like feels,” he said, “and un—
less I am mistaken, they’ll get bitten.”

After making the circle of the basin, they
finally wheeled and dashed directly toward
the barricades, yelling like madmen.

To their astonishment they ventured a lit-
tle too far; Gypsy Jack’s rifle cracked, and
one of them toppled out of his saddle.

He was not killed evidently, for soon after
his comrades beat a hasty retreat he followed
their example on his hands and‘ knees.

“ That settles that.” Jack announced.
“ We will have no further molestation until
In the
mean time, let’s be preparing for them. Get
all the weapons together and see how many
there is in the camp. They are an article we
have much to depend on, and the more we
have the better." ,

“I’ve jest been thinkin’ thet same,” Old
Somerset replied grimly. “ 'Thout plenty
o’ pop-guns, we might as Well give up ther
ghost, and disband ther hull consarned me-
an ery, clown and all.”

n investigation rovcd that there were
fifty-three able-bodie men in the camp and
two women—the sisters, before mentioned—
and there were but a dozen rifles at com-
mand.

Most of the citizens had fought with re-
volvers in the beginning of the affray, and
when forced to retreat had not been allowed
time to secure other wea ons.

’Most every person he. one or more revol-
vers, but even for these there was but a lim:
ited amount of ammunition.

 

“This is bad,” Jack said gloomily. "We

can't do much without rifles, and they’re two
to our one, and well armed. Somehow or
other we must contrive to get some of their
weapons.”

“ I dunno how ct can he did," Somerset
said. “ I allow et ain’t no use tryin’ to get
inter ther village in daylight, an’ of we wait
till dark et may be too late.”

Jack paced about the camp for some mo-
ments in deep thought.

The miners watched him anxiously.

“I reckon I’ve hit upon a plan," he said,
finally. “As Somerset says, it would be
rush to attempt to enter the enemy’s quarters
at present, and sol Will send my dog. He
will not be apt to attract any particular at-
tention, and by frequent trips, can accom-
plish considerable.

“Ef yer don’t want ter lose'yer canine,
jest take yer nnkle’s.advice and keep him
here within the menagerie," Somerset ad-
vised. “Ther dog can’t fetch no weepons,
an’ he’d only git killed.”

“That remains to be seen,” Jack replied.

“I’d almost risk my life on the intelligence
of Skip; in fact he’s saved my life already
on two different occasions. His rescuing
me from the roasting-stake this morning
shows what he cando.” ‘

No sooner did Skip hear his name men-
tioned than he came trotting forward, Wag- '

ging his tail understandingly.

“Hal ha! old boy, we were just talking ‘

about youl" the man from Jimtown, said,
patting him affectionately. “ Can you turn
us a somerset, Skip?"

The sagacious canine uttered an afflrma~ 
tive bark, and reared upon its hind feet—g
then bounding quickly to its front feet it _
shot up into the air and turned a complete -»
evolution, landing safely again upon its feet. ‘

The crowd with one accord gave vent to a
yell of approval, which evidently pleased the

dog, for he lay down and rolled over, and»

barked With delight.
“ That was good, Skip. You’ll command

a hundred beefsteaks a week in any circus!" v.

Gypsy Jack laughed. ” Now can yell show
us which is. in your opinion, the prettiest
man in the crowd by springing upon his
shoulders?”

Fora moment the canine-graduate gazed 1

around him doubtfully, for the rankland file
of beauty was rather limited in that camp.
He finally, however, uttered a bark and
sprung upon the shoulders of “ Spunk,"one
of the sisters of the lunch stand, who was
arrayed in semi-male attire. _

“Hal ha! good choice! but a slight mis-
take nevertheless,” Jack said.
here, Skip. Can you tell a good gun from a
bad one '2" _ A

“ Now, come .

 > x

. Imam-.wrfl ‘ a _

s
;.

m

w » -;x—:WW- 24mm; .1

l

"' .evi ent b

      

1 ,Somerset said.

\e

28

The Jimtown Sport.

 

The dog wagged his tail and went and
squatted in front of Old Somerset’s hand-
some rifle.

“ Sure enough ther dorg knows his P’s an’
Q’s!” the old scout ejaculated, well pleased
at the compliment for his trusty old weapon.

“I should smile,” Jack replied, raising
his pet in his arms. “Now, Skip, up
yonder,” and he pointed to the village—
“they have more rifles than they know

' what to do with—rifles, do on under-
stand?” and he touched one. Skip evidently
did understand. “ Go and get!” pointing to
the village.

An hour after his departure Skip was
seen returning, dragging a rifle, the waist
of Itlhe butt being grasped between his

eet .
fi He was pretty well fagged out by the time
he reached the camp, and was relieved of his
burden, which was a rifle of handsome ap-
pearance.

Jack made him rest before returning for
-another, and the villagers flocked around

him and fed him well of such edibles as
the possessed.

H - hen, he was allowed to go again, and

-, returned in due time with another purloin-

‘ ed rifle.

, In this way did the faithful animal per-
form‘the services required of him until he
had succeeded in dragging seven rifles to
the camp.

' The eighth time he seth forth, it was get-
ting dark, and he did not return with his ac-
customed promptness. An hour passed, and
still he came not.

G psy Jack was very anxious, now, as was
his impatient stride about the
camp, an the rest were not less so, on his
account.

A “ I reckon it's all up wi’ ther poor dorg,”

, “ Ef not trapped, he’d be
back before this.”

.“ Unless he has found Calamity J ane—my
dbecked himself.

1—” Jack was about to add, but suddenly
It might be known to these people whom

NdCalamity Jane had married; he had come
 near giving away his secret.

_ f‘Calamity Jane is a reat favorite with
Skip,” he guickly adde , “ and if he has
chanced to iscover her, I don‘t believe he’d
fileave the camp until he made an effort to
rescue her.” a
“ I’m mighty glad ter heer thet, an’ hope
’er dog‘ll cum out all right,” Old Somerset
declared, “ fer when ye git ready ter pass in
yer checks, I want yer ter will the animile
ter me.” .
.“When I do, I’ll perhaps accommodate
you." Jack replied, with a smile.

V . ' The movements of the rufilans at the vil-

 

lage seemed to indicate preparations for a
nocturnal attack.

" Do you think the attack will come early,
or late, in the night?" one of the miners
asked of Jack.

“ Indications point to an attack before
long. Let every man have his shooting-irons
ready,” the leader ordered. “The moon is
rising, and that will be in our favor."

“ Et ain’t a-goin’ ter save ther menagcrie
from goin’ ter pieces,” Old Somerset prophe-
sied, dubiously. “ Mcbbe I’m er consarned
ant-eater, but blast me of I don’t feel et in
my bones that we can’t hold out ag'in' two
ter our one, ’an’ Wi’ only a few weepons,
too.”

“It don’t look as if we were destined to
achieve an easy victory,” Gypsy Jack con-
fessed, “and while I don’t recommend flight,
I don’t want to advise any one to remain
here. I’Ve been inventorying matters for an
hour past, and I can’t see any chance beyond
retreat to the foot-hills, except one.”

“And what is that?" Somerset asked.
“ One chance in a thousand is often better'n
none. darn my pet hippopotamusses ef et
ain’t.”

“ The only chance I see is to take advan-
tage of this darkness, before the moon rises,
and creep from this place, in a roundabout
way toward the village, and wait until the
enemy makes an advance on our line. Then,
we are to rush in and take possession of the
shanties, so that wc_shall be able to give
them a reception on their return!’.’

This plan was greeted with a cheer.

“Et’s a good ijcerl” Somerset agreed,
“ef we can only find ther way clear.”

“ I don’t believe we shall experience much
trouble, on. that score,” Jack replied, “as it
is likely that the majority of the enemy will
join in the attack. If anything is to be
done, let us act at once.”

And they did.

Leaving everything behind them, except
their weapons, they cleared the barricades,
and crept flat upon their faces toward the
western side of the village, in a circuitous
way, the darkness perfectly screening their
movements.

They had barely gained their objective
point when a. series of unearthly yells rent
the night, from the other side of the town! —

 

CHAPTER X.
TREACIIERY—A MISERABLE BCOUNDREL.

BY those selfsame yells Gypsy J aek knew
that the ruflians had made a dash from the
town. toward the barricades.

“Hurrah! double-quick, now, and for-
wardl” Jack cried, springing up over the

 

 

 

 

The Jimtown Sport.

 

knoll behind which they had been hiding.
“If we want to get to cover, now is our
time, quickly and silently!”

Up over the knoll the men dashed, and
down into the village, like a pack of hostile
Indians bent on a surprise, 'ust as the bril-
liant full moon thrust her ra iant face above
the horizon.

Not a rough was in view, as they has-
tened down the single main street; to all ap-
pearance the enemy had folded their tents
and stolen silently away-which, for a time,
was true.

“Where shall we quarter?” Old Somer-
set asked, as they ran.

“Divide into four bands, and get into the
cover of an equal number of strong shanties
-——then, each band send a man out to skirmish
for provender and weapons, before the roughs
return. I will take possession of the Bour-
bon place, with a part of the men!” was the
ready decision.

And so it was'done.

With a dozen of the men Jack took pos-
session of the tavern; Old Somerset and an-
other dozen quartered in s shanty nearly
opposite, and the two other divisions under
a man named Rogers, and one named Wel-
don, took possession of a couple of shanties
further down the street toward the flats, at
J ack’s direction, so as to give the enemy the
openin salute when they returned from
their b oodless victory.

After securing this retreat somewhat by
closing the oaken shutters, and aflixing bars
to the doors, Jack slipped from the tavern,
and in company with Old Somerset, visited
the neighboring shanties on a foraging expe-
dition, and in quest of additional weapons
and ammunition. ‘

But in this they were only moderately
successful, as only half a dozen rifles and a
few boxes of cartridges could be found, and
but a very limited supply of jerked venison,
and brea .

Dividing these, they hurried back to their
respective retreats, and prepared for the
onslaught of the enemy, whom they could
hear returning, with disappointed yells.

“Ready, my lads," Jack commanded, in
his calm, authoritative way. “When the
gang comes within sight, give it to them
without mercy—the same as they would
have done to us, had they caught us in the
pen on the flats. It's to-nights work that
tells who bosses this town. If the boys be-
low work in right, we can break the ranks
of the enemy.’ _

That the lower delegations were wide
awake, soon became evident, by the report
of two heavy volleys, fired upon the roughs.
as they came pouring back into the town.

Taken entirely by surprise, they broke in

 

confusion, and scattered in every direction,
such as were not mowed down.

A dozen, headed by Crack-Shot, dashed up
the street at break-neck speed.

As they came opposite the tavern, two
more destructive volleys opened upon them,
and in consternation they broke and scat-
tered again, the girl road-agent and one or
two others being the only ones to escape un-
injured.

“Ha! hat I fancy we’ve rather put ’em
out. thus far,” Jack muttered. " At least it
will take them some time to collect their
scattered senses and scattered dead, and I
don’t imagine this surprise will serve to im-
prove their confidence in their own abilities."

As might be supposed, the enemy, such as
were lucky enough to escape, were careful to
keep out of sight and rifle range, and those
who were only wounded were permitted to
crawl ofi without further molestation.

Shortly after the afiray was over, Jack v

uitted his “ fort," and visited the other,
t ree shanties to compare notes.

From all that he could learn, not over half
a dozen had been killed, and a dozen or more
injured, which still left the enemy stronger
in numbers than he had supposed.

“I wouder what they’re up tor?” Old
Somerset queried. "First we know they'll
work in some one-boss act on us, an’ take us
by surprise:”

“ They’ve probably drawn off at a safe dis-
tance, and are concocting schemes for our
edification,” Jack replied. “ I’m going to
make a reconnoissance, and if they become
troublesome before I get back, give them ,
some of the same dose we did awhile ago.”

He then loaded his belt weapons, and left
the shanty by the rear way.

Instead of returning to the tavern he skulk-
ed cautiously along from one shanty to an-
other, keeping well in their shadows, be-
yond which the moonlight now radiated.

In this way he continued to scout along,
until he saw a glow of light at the north-
western terminus of the town; accordingly be
shaped his course toward it, still using the
utmost caution. _ _ a

The last shanty was built upon a ridge-like *
eminence, somewhat higher than the other . .
buildings, and from its site the ground .
slanted east and west.

In a little grove or motte at the foot of the
western slope Jack could see the glimmer of
a cam -fire. and concluded that the enemy
had taizen refuge here.

“ I wonder if I can get down there and

overhear their plans,"he muttered, tighten- . v 'j:

ing his belt. “In the early days of Dead-
wood I used to have considerable skill 1n

s in .”
pfil’fpping on his hands and knees, he crept

' 2

 

,vw a... .r-  .. . ..._

U softly down the

24

The Jimtown Sport.

 

slope, ,keeping in the
shadow of a fringe of brier bushes, which
bordered a channel worn out by the flood-
water of heavy rains.

In this way he succeecded in gettinginto
the cover of the timber without discovery.

To reach the camp-fire, around which
Crack-Shot and the men were collected in
the midst of a seemingly interesting discus-
sion, was another~thing, as he could see
figures among the trees, between him and
the camp.

There seemed no other way for him than
to make a detour around the motto, and en-
ter it upon the opposite side, which he pro-
ceeded to do.

Arrived on the other side. he made a dis-
covery that he had not expected.

Bound to atree at the edge at the motto
were Metcalf, the speculator. and the duke.

He ran suddenly upon them, and they
saw him in turn, before he had time to re-
treat.

“ Ha! help at last!” Metcalf said in a low
tone. “Have you come to free us?"

“Humph! I don‘t know about that,” Jack
replied.' “ What are you doing here, after

: deserting the other party? Pray explain

' up here, as you see.

that.”

“ We did not desert,” the spcculator bold-
ly answered. “We were kidnapped from
the other camp and brought here to be given
the lead of the roughs, but as we positively
refused to do a thingr for them, they ,tied us

V,“ I have my doubts about this matter!”
Jack said, scratching his head. “If I were

' to express an opinion, I should say that you

1»

deserted and came over to this party, think-
ing to get in as head man, and they prompt-
ly rejected you and put you where you’d
keep safe.”

“ Indeed, you are wrong. My interest lies

 v with the citizens—not with the roughs. So

please release me.”

“I’ll have to think about that while I’m
spying on yonder camp. I believe it would
be quite as profitable to have you remain
right where you are for all parties cou-

- cerned.”

“ Curse you! you forget you are in my
power."

“ How so, pray?"

"In more ways than one. If you don’t
release me, I’ll bring the roughs down on
you. Secondly, if you don‘t release me, I'll
not tell you where Calamity Jane is.”

“ How do you know I care to be informed

; on that subject?”

“Ha, ha! I knew you the moment you
came to Durango. Once the face of Dead-
wood Dick is seen it is rarely forgotten, and

 having heard of your marriage with Calamity

 

Jane, Inaturally concluded that you would
like to see her. I don't want to be at swords‘~/
points with a man of your caliber, but if you

won’t do a human act in releasing me from .

the power of this ruflian gang, you can’t
blame me if I feel revengeful.”

“ Perhaps not; but how am I to know you
will put me on track of Calamity even after
I free you?”

“ My word of honor ought to be a guaran~
tee, had it not?”

“ I hardl know. I will, however, release
you, but 1’ advise you not to cut up any act
of treachery if you wish to survive."

“ You needn’t fear. I am not treacherous.
Release me, and I will remain here until you
return, and then accompany you back to the
village.”

Trusting the man would, in this case. if at

no other time, be as good as his word, Gypsv'

Jack drew his'knife and severed the bonds
that bound him. .

“ See that you return your gratitude by
perfect silence, while I spy upon the enemy,"
he said; then turned and stole stealthily
toward the camp-fire.

When he was out of hearin , a gloating
expression of triumph disfigurc John Met-
calf’s face, and he strode over to where the
duke was bound. .

“ Hal hat you see I am free first.” he
sneercd, shaking his fist in the nobleman's
face. “ Now maybe you’ll admit that I am
to come off victorious, in spite of you. I
foresee the result alread . I hap en to know
where the lovely Lady yra is hidden, and I
ihall embrace an early opportunity to visit

er.”

Then slapping the duke smartly on the
cheek, with a brutal laugh, he turned toward

‘the camp.

Jack had gained a pesition a few yards in
the rear of the band and was in a precarious
situation, should they perchance discover

1m.

Metcalt‘ seemed to comprehend the fact,
and turned and bounded out of the grove.
at the same instant shouting at the top of his
voice:

“ Spies! s ies-look out for spies!”

This was is gratitude.

 

Half a mile northwest of the motto, in a
wild rocky glen of the foothills, Captain
Crack-Shot had hidden her three prisoners-
Calamity Jane, the duke’s daughter, and the
male prlsoner, a. oung mountaineer by the
title of Wildcat oe. '

It was a place seldom visited, as nothing
was there except rugged rocks, deep forest
and. labyrinthian water gullies to attract, and
was probably as good a hiding-place as the

“q!  w"? "

 

 

 

,4— r. was. vam-NA

 

.y, _.
4e . .

 

l

The Jimtown Sport.

 

 

 

wily brigand queen could have found any-
wherein that region.

Metcalf had seen the prisoners conducted
in that direction, and knowing of the glen,
had concluded that they were taken there.

‘After basely betraying J ack’s presence to
the roughs, he ran with all his might in the
direction of the glen, and in due time reach-
ed lts concealment, and found as he had ex-
pected, the prisoners bound to trees, close
to each other.

.They were greatly surprised at sight of
him, and he in turn appeared greatly ex-
cited.

”Which one of on ladies goes by the
name of Calamity ane?" he asked, gazing
from one to the other, and not recognizing
Lad Myra, who was a pretty, graceful
imai en, ap roaching maturity.

“I am. alamity Jane,” that heroic wo—
man answered. “ What do you want?”

“ I have been sent for you. Deadwood
'Dick is dying, in a cabin below here and
'I came to the ruflian’s camp to find you.”

“Then for Heaven‘s sake release mo, and
guide me to the place!" the girl cried ex-
citedly.

“ Certainly. Shall these other people also
accompany us?”

“Yes. They will be only too glad to gain
their liberty. after a long and tedious im-
prisonment.”

Accordingly Metcalf released them, and
leclll the way toward the north, along the foot-
hi s.

An hour brought them in sight of a cabin,
the door of which was open.

‘ Forward they went, Metcalf in the lead,
until they reached the door, when he pushed
them in ahead of him, quickly jerked the
door shut, and locked it on the outside.

"Ha! be] how the tables do turn some-
times,” he muttered, as he hastened away
from the spot. “I reckon they’ll keep in
that windowless den until I get ready to dis-
pose of them. Ha! hal" ’

But he was mistaken.

Shortly after his departure. who, should
appear at this lone cabin but— Skip.

 

CHAPTER XI.
IN THE annmv's rowan.

' THE base ingratitude of John Metcalf
placed the S on from Jimtown in danger
hard to ev e, for he 'had {net obtalned a
osition behind a treenot ha f a dozen yards
mm the cam -flre when the treacherous
warning peale through the motte, causing
every rufllan to leap to his feet and seize a
weapon, while men began to rush in every
direction in 'quest of the spy, _
Hearing the cry, Jack fully realized that

 

   
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
   
    
    
   
   
  
    
   
     
     
   
    

something desperate must be done if he“.
would escape. ' :‘

Retreat was out of the question, and there
was but one move to make, and he made it.

Reaching up overhead, he caught hold of
a limb and drew himself quickly up among
the foliage.

Quick as he was, however, he was too late
to avoid discovery, and a half-dozen bullets
whistled after him.

Fortunately none of them hit him, and he \ ,.
was not tardy in clambering up among the .. ‘
thickest of the branches, where he would
not be so liable to be reached by the merci-
less leaden messengers.

But he know well enough that it would
not be healthy for him in that one particular
tree, very long, in spite of the darkness, so
he resolved to move into another, as he was \
able to do, as the limbs of the densely-grow-
ing trees ran in among each other, forming
a. veritable jungle. _

To accomplish this, however, without be-
traying his whereabouts, necessitated great
caution. ;

A pandemonium of shouts below warned
him that some one was climbing the tree in
pursuit. ' , \
With the stealth ofa cat, he crawled from '
one tree into another, and from that still an- 9
other, continuing his strange journey, in ’-
hopes of reaching the extremity of the‘ motte. s

But he was doomed to disappointment, '
for, anticipating his object, the rufilans
seemed to guess the trees he had selected,
and followed underneath, with flaring
torches, and savage yells and blas hemy. So
that by the time he had reache the edge
of the tree growth, they were there, too,. ‘
ready to nab him, should he leap t9 the -
ground. x

“ Ye‘d better come down, as ye can’t git
awa 1” Arizona Abe bawled, fiercely.
“ e’re bound ter have ye, an’ a fewmin-
utes' parley ain‘t a-goin’ to do.,ye any good!"

“I don’t know about that,” Jack mot;
tered, to himself. “ I’ve known a few mi
utes’ parle to mean a very considerable Vic-
tory. It on‘tlook as if it can effect much,
in this case, however. Nothing seems for
me to do but to go back the same way!
came." , , e .

This he proceeded to do, by/clambenng t-j
into a tree he had but recently left. The, a
next minute he heard some one among the ,
branches, just ahead of him, and also heard '
fofme one climbing into the tree he had just

e t. .

Thus, he was cornered.

Ahead of him a foe, and behind him a foe _
——he must come in contact with one or the
other, or else surrender to the human wolves
who were waiting for him below. ‘ ' /

r .

 

  

  

I

u. 4....-- 7.-...Nenmh an.”

'26

I yelled, impatiently.

' « Crack-Shot exclaimed.

The Jimtown Sport.

 

“Sayl ain’t ye comin’ down?" Arizona
“ Et won’t do no good
{.0 be ofl‘ish, fer we’ve got ye, foul, sure’s you
we.”

“All right—when I drop, you’ll be still

more certain you’ve got me!” Jack re-
tortcd.
“Hello! I recognize the voice!" Captain

“ Boys, the chap in
the tree is Deadwood Dick, alias Gypsy
Jack. A hundred dollars to Whoever cap-
tures him alive."

" Humphl I’ll bet some one will earn it,
before I’m taken," Dick muttered as he drew

‘ . his revolvers, and cocked them ready for

use, while he kept a close watch around
him. Several minutes passed without see-

" ing or hearing any one in the branches,

but at last he caught a glimpse of the man in
the tree just ahead of him, looking toward
the center of the motte.

Quickly leveling his revolver, Jack fired.
There came. as an answer, a cry of pain and
rage; then there was a crashing of twigs and

' branches as the rutfian went tumbling‘down
to the ground, followed by angry yells from I

his comrades. M
Supposing that Jack would then continue
through the tree-tops, toward the further
side of the motto, they surged that 'way,
with fierce oaths.
'This was precisely what Jack had suppos-

" ed they would do, and wanted them to do

while he remained right where he was,
gawaiting further developments.

The man from the outer tree came clam-
bering over into the same tree Jack was in,
but in the confusion, Jack had mounted in-

‘to the topmost branches, and not seeing his

victim, the ruflian passed on, supposing that

‘  his man had gone back toward the middle of

the motte.

Waiting until they were out of sight Jack
glided down from his 'perch, and dropped
from the low branches to the ground.

The instant he did so, Arizona Abe and
«three of his comrades sprung forward upon

. him. and forced him to the ground ere he
. could use his weapons.

"Hol ho! we cotched ye at it, that time,
didn‘t we?" Abe roared, triumphantly. “ Ye
thort ye‘d fool me, but we war too fly fer ye,

'7  you bet!”

 

Jack did not reply, but suffered himself to
be bound. for strong and quick though he
was, he was no match for the four rufflans.

The victorious cries of the captors soon
brought the rest of the gang to the spot,
headed b Captain Crack-Shot. . '

“ Ha! a! so you’re once more in durance
vile, are you, my noble Richard of Dead-
wood?" she exclaimed, triumphantly, when
she saw him lying helplessly on his back on

 

the ground. " I fancied your lease of liberty
would soon expire.”

“ Did you?” Jack retorted. “ I am not
greatly surprised. But for the treachery of
a human snake I should not be your pris-
oner.”

“Perhaps not,” the female brigand rc-
plied, “ and but for your lead of the gang up
in the village, things would be shaped differ-
ent now, and we’d have a dozen more men.
But for you, they’d never have thought of
the move for possession.”

“Then I’m pleased3 to know I have been

of so much service to them,” was the calm
reply. \
“ Curse ye—mebbe ye think et warn’t no
harm ter kill off our men, ther way ye did!"
Arizona Abe growled, while the other rufli-
nns looked decidedly savage and unruly.

“ I believe it’s an old saying that all is fair
in love or war, and as you paid a-visit to our
camp, with the intention of cleaning .us out,
it was no more than fair that we should
salute your unsuccessful return,” said Jack.

“Then, durn yer boots, I opine et ain’t no
more’n fair thet we should hoist ye ter ther
furst handy limb, an' let ye swing a whilel”
the ruffian cried. “ What say, boys?—Who’s
got a rope?"

“ Stop! Iprotest against this. Deadwood
Dick is 'my game, and I don’t want him
harmed, just etl" Captain Crack-Shot in-
terposed. -“ o mutiny, now—yon agreed
if I 'oined you to let me have command!”

“ 0 we did,” the Arizonian acknowledged,
“ an’ I opine we’re ther boys w’at sticks ter
our word, every time, tho’ I’d orfully like

ter send ofi this chap, who did et up fer our
, .

pards.” ,

“ Thar’s time enough for that hereafter!”
Crack-Shot replied. “In the mean tune the
darkness is our time to lay for the enemy, ac-
cording to the plan I was proposing awhile
ago. Tie the prisoner snugly to a tree, and
[’11 risk but what he’ll keep until we get
ready to dispose of him.”

Jack was accordingly raised and bound to
a tree, and moreover, gagged so effectually
that he could not utter a word. _

Then, headed by the Girl Brigand, the ruf-

fians moved silently and in single file from .

the motte toward t e village, not so much as
a word passing between them.

Jack,was left in a place where the moon-
light did not penetrate, and darkness reigned
almost supreme.

And it was not in a very enviable frame
he was left. ,

He felt sure the roughs had some villain-
ous scheme concocted for the destruction of
the citizens, or mayhap, the town, and it an-
gered him that he was not able‘to warn the
unsuspecting victims in time for them to

 

‘ ,

 

   
  

 

 

  
 
  

 

light,” Wildcat Joe replied.

The Jimtown Sport. ' V 2'!

 

prepare to meet the blow, whatever shape
it was to come in. ,

This ti he could hardly look for rescue
from sniff

And where was the faithful brute?

At the lone cabin, where, at last mention,
he had just arrived; that he arrived there by
mere chance was evident, for he smelled
about inquisitively, and wagged his tail as
though he had made a discovery.

Then he uttered a low bark.

“Skip! Skip! is that you?” the voice of
Calamity Jane cried, from the inside of the
log prison.

The dog gave another bark, and a. whine
of recognition of the voice of his mistress.

“It is the dog, sure enough.” Calamity
said to her two companions. “ We are not

in such desperate straits as might be, for he “

is a sharp fellow, and if there is any show
for it, he will get us free.”

“I don’t see much of a chance for it; in
fact, I can't see anything till we have a
“ This den ap-
pears to be without windows, and has but
one door, which the rascal locked. I don’t
see what was his object in releasing us from
one captivity to place us in another.”

“He evidently has some scheme afoot for
personal advantage to be gained,” Calamity
declared; “probably to extort money from
my husband.”

" I think I» recognized him as a former re-
jected suitor, who was once in my father’s
employ as amanuensis and clerk,” Lady
Myra said. “ I think he knew me, too, but
for some reason pretended otherwise.”

“ If this is true, probably be has other de-
signs.” Calamity replied.

Wildcat Joe struck a match then, and set
fire to some leaves that had some time sifted
into the cabin.

By the light thus afforded he saw that the

,, cabin was destitute of any stool or article

that could in any way serve to assist them in
escaping.
The leaves soon burned up, and they were

' once more left in total darkness. ‘

“ I’m thinking we’ll wait a long while be-
fore any dog can get us out,” he said. “ This
cabin was evidently built for the purpose for
which it is now used.”

“Skip! Skip! what are you doing!" Ca?

lamit called.

“ ark! I hear him digging, like as if in
dirt!” Lady Myra said. “Perhaps he is
really trying to dig us out.”

By listening they were able to hear the
same scratching sound. accompanied by

rowls and the noise of scattering dirt.

’ “ That is what he is doing, true enough,”

'lli‘rbq 'm'w‘bnasuuzr -. Veep-t V

 

Calamity admitted.
using our hands.”

There was no floor to the cabin except the
ground, and that was not hard. ’

Closer attention apprised them that Skip
had commenced proceedings so as to dig un-
der the door, and they accordingly set to
work so as to meet him half-way.

Lady Myra’s hands had never been harden-
ed to any work of this kind, and therefore
she was excused, Calamity and J as doing
the digging.

“This might seem more interesting if we
were getting pay-dirt at the same time while
digging for liberty,” Wildcat Joe remarked,
jocosely. '

“ Gold is hardly to be compared to liberty,
as I look at it,” Calamity replied.

They worked rapidly and faithfully, and
soon had quite a hole dug.

Skip, on the outside, was working as stur-
dily as they, as they could judge by his
heavy panting and the sound of flying dirt,
and he was evidently making nearly as great
headway, too, as were they. I

Liberty seemed near at hand, but just as
they were thinking this, the sound of rapidly-
approaching footsteps and a man’s savage
curses were heard.

Was Metcalf returning?

Next came more curses—cries of “ Get out,
you devilish pup!"—then several shots were
fired in rapid succession, the bullets striking
upon the stout oaken door like hail, but not
penetrating through.

“ We can help him by

Then Skip was heard to leave his work -' i
and leap away with savage growls—then 

came more oaths, more snarls and angry

yelps of the dog—more excited cries of the ,‘

man, and finally: .
“Help! he! 1 my God! h-e-l-pl”
" Mercy!”
ing. '
ance he will be torn to pieces.
panther when he’s thoroughly aroused.”
Wildcat Joe sprung forward and hurled
his body against the door with great force.
The old hinges loosened by the powerful
shock, and Joe and the door ,went crashing
outward to the ground.

 

CHAPTER XII.
CONCLUSION.

TEE crash occasioned by the falling ofvthe
door frightened the dog,'evidently, for he
leaped from! John Metcalf, whom he had
“downed ” and was biting in a horrible
manner.

That was enough for the unlucky specula-
tor. Blood-blinded, as it’were, he needed
no urging, and sprin ing to his feet, as soop
as the dog drew o , he ran with all his

alamity gaspedfiher face pal- '
“If the poor wretch don’t get assist-'~‘ 1-:
Skip is likes ; f.

 

 
  

 

 

28 The Jimtown Sport.

 

might toward the distant motte, bowling
and cursing with pain at every step.

Skip would have renewed pursuit, but
Calamity sprung from the cabin and called
him.

Skip was very much pleased to see his
mistress, and received loud praise from both
Lady Myra and Wildcat Joe, all of which he
seemed to enjoy.

"You weren’t going to be madea target
of, were you, Skip?” Calamity said. “I
don‘t blame you much for going for the
ornery skunk.”

Then she turned to Wildcat Joe.

" Well, we owe our freedom to you then,
rather than to Skip—and now that we are
free, we-must decide what is our next best
move. From what we saw and learned
there is a sort of one—horse rebellion going
on between the roughs and the citizens, so

, we must fight shy of the one, and join the

other party with whom my husband must
be. But, before we can do this, with safety,
a reconnoissance must be made. Allowing
you’re a good scout, and all that, I/reckon
‘ ou’cl better stay somewhere in this neigh-
borhood as protection for Lady Myra, while
I go and see what show there is for our get—
ting into the citizens’ camp.”'

“Don’t you think I had better go? If I
get my skull broke, it isn’t of so much ac-
count as yours.” ,

, “ Don’t fear about my gettin hurt,” Cal-
amity replied, nonchalantly. “ ’ve roughed
it too long in the wild West, to beeasil

, hurt, unless taken by surprise. Besides,

want to scare up that husband of mine, if he
is to be found. for the looking. Up yonder
I see the mouth of a dark ravine. You and
Lad Myra go there and secrete yourselves,
nnti I return, which will be as soon as pos-
sible—or,-at least, as soon as it is safe to
’tempt to reach thecamp.”

Leaving them Calamity crept toward the
motte, accompanied by Skip. who was as
good a guard as she need have, as his keen
nostrils never failed to scent danger, when it
Was around. .

In due time she reached the grove, or

emotte, which looked dark and forbidding.

Shexpaused on the outskirts, to listen, but
hearing nothing, she advanced stealthily, un-
til a terrible sight just in front of her caused

‘ her to stop short, with an exclamation.

, A man was bound to a tree—a dead man,
at that, and a stranger to her—with a knife
driven to the hilt in his breast.

" Some one has done had work here,”
Calamity muttered, with a shiver—“ probably
that wretch whom Skip chewed up. I won-

' der who did'this? Lady Myra’s father, I’ll

bet! Heaven forbid that it is so!”
Shehad no time to ponder on the possi-

 

bilities of the case, and so passed on by the
tree.

Near the further end of the motte she
paused again, Skip having sniffed the air
and given vent to a whine.

“Hello! what’s up—what do you scent,
Skip?” she said, pausing and listening in-
tently.

The dog Whined again, and wagged his
tail. Then Calamity heard a sound, as if
some one were groaning.

“ Perhaps it is Dick in trouble,” she
thought suddenly—“ or else why does Skip
whine?”

Then to the dog she said: ‘

“ Who is it, Skip? is it Dick?”

The dog wagged his tail, and Whined again,
piteously.

“Then, if it is your master, go find him
at once."

This command seemed to please the intelli-
gent creature, for putting his nose to the
ground, he trotted away in the direction
whence came the sound, and with eager fdot-
steps, Calamity followed.

As a result they soon came to where Dead-
wood Dick was lashed to the tree.

A joyful meeting it was between Dick and
his lost bride, whose hands were not slow in
liberating him from his captivity.

“ I was rather dubious about getting free

this time, with my accustomed good luck,” '

Jack said, after hurried explanations had
been given; “ and, even though I am de-
lighted to be reunited to you, I have work to
do. The roughs set out to attack the vil-
lage, and I cannot rest until I strike in de-
fense of the citizens. I must go and see
what the roughs are up to, and if I cannot
get in a blow in favor of the other party.”

“ Then I’ll. o with you,”'Calamity said,
decidedly. “ reckon ain’t a-goin’ to let
you Venture into danger again, without hav-
ing my share of it—and you know how I am
when there’s any fighting to do ”

“ I fancy so,” the sport from J imtown re-
plied, with a light laugh.
will again work together as a team in behalf
of the right.”

Accompanied by their dog. they quitted ‘

the motte, and crawled stealthin toward the
town.

“ I reckon they’re up to fire,” Jack said, /

as they crawled along, pointing to the cloud-

ing sky, where a reddish glow began to ap- «

pear. “ If they fire the buildings that the
defenders are in, I’m afraid there will be
dreadful work.” '
Creeping rapidly, they. soon reached the
top of the eminence, where stood the shanty
before mentioned, and from where they

could command aview of ‘ the main part of " ‘1; 
the camp. i '

6

s. “"44; .L‘ """ "

“Come on! we > 1:

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The J imtown Sport.

29.

 

Here they paused to take observations.

The ruffians had evidently not fired any

buildings yet, but that they were preparing
for some plan of attack was probable,
_ They had built a big bonfire in the street,
Just out of easy rifle range from either of the
shanties that sheltered ,the defenders, and
were adding fresh fuel to it.

Just what their future plan cf, action was-
chk of course could not guess, but con-
cluded that he could not get a sightlier posi-
tion than he at present occupied wherefrom
to note the movements of the enemy.

“ We cannot well reach the shanties with-
out making a wide detour, and yet if they
make an attack I don’t see what aid we can
give them from this point,” suggested
Calamity.

“Not much, unless we can get weapons.
You wait here, and I will explore this old
shanty and see if we cannot have our needs
supplied.”

.The door in front was locked, but he soon
discovered a rear entrance open, and went
into the apparently deserted building.

He was gone quite a' time, and Calamit
had about made up her mind to go in scare
of him. when she heard him returning. A
moment later he appeared around the corner
of the house, hauling after him an old how-
itzer. It was rusted and battered, yet
looked capable of doing duty.

“Hello! where did on find that?" Cal-
amity asked, running orward to help him

, pull it.
"Oh! I found the wheels and the gun in,
.the back shed,” Gypsy Jack. re lied, “ and I
didn’t know but what we mi t establish a
.llttle battery of our own, so contrived to
remount the piece."

“ Not a bad idea, for look! the roughs
have really fired the tavern, and several are
Bkulking in a roundabout way to fire the
other buildings, while the rest are standing
ready to make a rush upon the citizens when

' they shall be forced out by the fire!”

” I’ll see if I can't scatter ’em," Jack said,
“In the shed you’ll find a small

grimly.
G0 fetch it, while I

9g of coarse powder.

, gather some coarse gravel for bullets."

.~ed

Calamity obeyed, and Gyps Jack collect-
. a. number of quartz har -heads of the
Size of hens'e gs, for the bright moon afford-
ed lenty of l ght for their work.
hen Calamity returned with the powder,
' he proceeded to load the gun as rapidly as
possible. using dry grass for wadding, in lieu
fof anything better.

He soon had the gun well charged, then he
Carefully trained its muzzle so that the load
would carry about into the center of the
l'ufllan’s temporary camp.

' Procuring a lung pole, be wrapped a paper

.1 pt ,, 3....
.-,. .--, .-, ..

 

upon one end, set fire to it, and then, getting
at a safe distance, touched 01f the piece.

A thundering report followed that fairly
made the earth tremble

As soon as the smoke cleared, the eyes of
the two artillerists sought the rutlians’ camp.

The volley had done no harm.

lnexpericnee in training field-pieces had
caused Gypsy Jack to level his weapon too
high. and, as a result, the shot had riddled a
shanty just in front of the rutfians, and be-
tween them and the tavern. '

The attack had, however, been instrumen-
tal in creating confusion among the roughs,
and a score of them were setting out with
hoarse shouts of vengeance toward the hight
on a run.

“ We shall have to take leg bail for secdr-
ity now!" Calamity said excitedly.

“Pooh! I don’t agree with you in that,”
Jack replied, pouring some more powder
into the eleva‘ted muzzle ol‘ the gun, and re-
loading rapidly. “ I reckon I can catch ’em
’fore they catch us.”

He finished loading in a jifiy, and then.
springing to the top of the gun, he waved
his hat and shouted: \

-" Back! back! or I’ll sweep you! -Fair
warning!” ,

But it was a warning they evidently did
not see fit to heed, for they came swiftly on,
tiring as they ran. their bullets buzzing' un-
pleasantly around the spot where the two
gunners stood. ‘

Springing down. Gypsy Jack once more
carefully trained the gun to bear on the
crowd, while the quick-handed Calamity
placgd the long-handled torch ready in his
ran .

Bang! the report was terrible; but not less
terrible than the destruction the volle made,
as only three men escaped with their lives.
and they, in dismay, retreated, with, howls of
terror.

“That was a blizzard," the sport from
J imtown muttered, with a little shiver, as he
noted what sad havoc he had wrought. “ I
gave ’em fair warning, anyhow, and their
rushness has met its reward, The deuce is .
to ay, down yonder, however!”

nd so it was. - .

The reports of the cannon had drawn the
citizen’s party from cover, to see what was
the matter, and watching for something of
this kind, the roughs had made an attack
upon them, and a furious battle was begin:
amp: to‘ rage in the street, the reports of
(weapons and shouts of men making a great i

in.

“ No use trying to do anything with the
fun. nOW!" Gypsy Jack said, grimly. “The .
ikeliest thing we can do is to cut around,
and reach our party. If we are expeditious,

 

so ‘ ‘ The JimtoWn Sport. ' ~

 

we maybe able to be of some service to
them.’ "
_ They accordingly made a run for it, in a
roundabout away. -

Ten minutes’ run brought them up in the
rear of the citizen party, who were brave]

, standing their ground, and fighting like t1-

“ _ ers. ‘

g Their number had been considerabl less-
ened already, but not more so than ha that
of the roughs, who were still headed by the
female brigand and Arizbna Abe, while the
citizens had but one leader to look to, in the
person of Old Somerset, and when he should
fall, they promised to lose courage.
But, 'ust when the tide seemed near turn-
ing in, e favor of the rutfians, Gypsy Jack
,and Calamity pushed in to the front, well
equipped with the revolvers which they had

’ taken from the dead men. '

Their coming and Jack’s ringing shouts of
encouragement'seemed to inspire the citizens
with new spirit, and they swept forward

' ‘» with increasing fire, forcing the ruflians

" . back.

, Crack-Shot saw Jack, and knew it was his
coming that had reinspired the citizen
crowd, and also realized that her crowd was.

going to pieces, unless he could be dropped
mm the lead. '
“Curse you,” she shouted, “ I’ll have my
 revenge nowl”, .

¥  And she leveled a revolver straight at his

15' j heart. .

1 ’ I ‘But before she could pull trigger, a shot
struck her in the left side, that wilted her
like a leaf to the ground.

“ Great hail-storm! we’re done fer, now!"

‘ Arizona. Abe cried, as soon as he'saw her

 fall, and with the purpose of deserting his

 comrades he made a leap to one side to es-

ca e.
fiut, comprehending his intention, one of

her men shot him down before he had gone
half a dozen steps.

. The battle thereafter was short and deci-
sive.

With victorious shouts the citizens. rushed

‘at the rufl‘ians, who began to retreat under
the withering, Ceaseless fire, until finally, as
 [if by mutual consent, they broke ranks and
' . fled pell-mell for life and safety.
’- i Several, even then, hit the dust before they
at out of rifle range, but about half of the
- fiiands succeeded in making their escape
.. tot emountains. And, as maybe imagined,
’ ' the escaped roughs did not return to renew
the contest, but took themselves to other
scenes of action, a safe distance from Du-
, ran 0, of bloody memory.
. hen morning dawned, which was not
u -_ long after the «conclusion of the battle, the
wounded of both parties were picked up and

«a «a. ‘.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 

carried to.the tavern, and every care be-.

stowed upon them that could serve to relieve
them of suffering.

The killed were buried, and the scene
about the town was once more, to outward
view, calm and serene.

Among the apparently wounded, John
Metcalf was found, by Gypsy Jack and 01d
somerset, lying flat upon his back, very
composedly. ‘ '

Investigation proved that he was not hurt
in the least, and that he was evidently try-
ing to play off hurt until he could get an
opportunity to escape unnoticed.

“I think we will take this worthy in
charge!" Jack said grimly, and they bound
him securely. “ Calamity ran across a man
in the grove in the night, whom I think ,this
wretch murdered—and besides I allow there
iare ’numerous unhealthy charges against
11m. ’

“For God’s sake, let me go!" Metcalf
pleaded, piteously. “I confess to killing
Leigh, and pther treachery, but let me have
my liberty and I will forever leave this spot,
and promise to be a better man!”

“Nineteenth century promises are about
as transparent as ethereal gauze, unless
clinched by security,” Jack replied. “I will
have nothing to say concerning your disposal.
You must look to your enemies for mercy.”

HeE1 was taken to the tavern and put under
guar . -

Dick sent for the body of the Duke of
Leigh, and for Lady Myra and Wildcat Joe,
in whom, on his arrival, he recognized a
former member of 'his once famous road-
agent band.

Lady Myra’s great grief at her father's
death, aroused the citizens to extreme wrath
against Metcalf, as he had confessed having
committed the crime. To such an extent did
their anger get the better of them that the
poor wretch was taken in charge by a num-
ber of them, and dragged to the tree~ where
Leigh had been murdered, and there
lynched!

 

Captain Crack-Shot was among those who
had been picked up, more dead than alive,
and conveyed to the tavern. .

About sunset she made a request to see
Gypsy Jack, and that at once.

Somewhat surprised on being informed of

her desire, Jack made his way to her bedside, .
and found her sitting up, bolstered by a"

pillow. '

" Did you wish to see me?” he asked, ap-
preaching.

“ Yes. I have not long to live,‘and wanted
to talk with on,” she said, in a matter-of-
fact way. “ have prayed for forgiveness,
and hope to receive it- I was a fool to think

 

7

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v

 

 

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,4..,....‘T-MWI V __ “Hg,”

 

 

   

, “3" 5:3: f" ‘.

 

The Jimtown Sport.

' 31‘

 

I could ever get the best of a man of your
caliber. And, now, that the end for me is
near, I want to ask your forgiveness fur
what injury, attempted and real, that I have
done you.”

“Your feeling is commendable, and I
freely forgive you,” Jack said kindly.

“Olil Iamso glad! Ivknow you are a
brave, noble man, and my admiration is not
less for your wife. I am dying, and I must
leave behind me immense wealth. Not the
earnings'of my lawless career, understand
you, nor the earnings of my gambler father
—but gold! gold that would enrich ‘a dozen
people. I found it once buried in a secret
place, where some people of generations long
past and gone evidently buried it. I intended
to enjoy it some day, but now that will be
impossible. To tell you where to find 'it I
have not strength not long enough lease of
life. Here is a golden cross, however, that
holds the secret. It .is hollow and a spring
opens it. Inside you will find full direc-
tions. Will you accept this from me as a
present—asan atonement for what wrong I
have done you?" '

“If you wish, Iwill not refuse,” Gypsy
Jack replied in astonishment.

“Then take it: it is yours forever. But
don’t open it until I have been dead one
month. You may go now, as I wish my last
moments to be in prayer for God’s pity and
forgiveness.”

So Jack left her presence, bearing in his
hands the cross that was’the key to a buried
fortune. ‘ '

The next day Captain Crack-Shot died,

and thus ended the career of a noted Western _

adventuress. \

 

Gypsy Jack was requested by the citizens,

, whom he had been largely the means of re-

establishing in the town, to accept the posi-
tion of mayor over the prospective young
city, but respectfully declined.

Afew days later he quitted that vicinity,
accompanied by Calamity, and they set out
for scenes anew, wh’erein to figure in spite
of themselves in a life of commingled peril

and adventure.

‘ THE END.

 

 

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118 Will Wildfire, the'l'lmrnugllhretl. By ('iiili.1\il|l’rlli-

119 Blande lilli - ur, lleluiwomi lmk‘s Home Busc.
By Edward 1.. V 'lmelur.

120 Gopher Gld, the liuy'i'I-nnwr. By T. C. linrlmllltll.

121 Harry Arnlrtrunfl, III-2 i'np nin ol‘lhe Club. By
Brlcuhriilgu Hem mg. (.lnek ilurnnwny.)

' 192 The “In-ted luau-r. By I-denr  Ellis.
123 l‘olid 8am, ihe Bay Road nl. liy h. L. \i'liueler.
124 Jud e Lynch. Jr. By lurlwmh-

125 The and Pirates. “Y ‘ “PL “"3"” Reid-
126 Blue 1:11.74.“ or, T)", Break 0’ Day Buys 01' Bucky

r Bar. lSy Frunk Dmnnnt.

12’? Tony Fox. Hm. Ferrst. By Edward L. Wheeler.
128 Black Bean, Will “'ildfiw‘s R'rccr. B\' C. Morrll.
129 Eagle Kit, the my mum... ily on Coonleu.
130 Gold Trigger. llm Spm'l. By T. C. l’lnrhmlgh.
131 A Game oi’ Gold : or, Deadwoud Dick's Biz

Qiriko. llv Edu-nrd L. Wheeler.

132 Dainty Lillll'v, the llny Spun. By J. E. Badger, Jr.
188 “Hid-fire. the Ross oi zhp Ronni. By Frank Dun-out.
184 Mike Merry. ihn Hnrbor l’nlicn Boy. By C. Mania.
185 Deadwood Dick oi‘ Deadwood. By Edward

L. “'heeler.
180i 01d Rube. iho Hum/pr. By Ca |l.. Hmnllion Holman.
18? Dandy Rock the Man from sxas. By G. We do

Browne.
138 Bob lloekett. ihn Bur Dodger. By Chas. Mun-ll.
189 The Black Giant: or. Dnin:y Lance inJeopnrdy.
By Jone III E. Radio-r, .lr.
-' 140 Captain Arizonn. By Philip S. Wnrne.
141 New York Nell, the Boy—Girl Detective. By
Edward l.. \Vlleelul’.
142 Little '1‘exnn.lhe Ynnnghlunlnnger. ByOll Coomes.
148 Deadly Dani” or, Fighting Firs with Fire. By
Jon. E. Badger, Jr. ‘
144 Little Grit, (he “'ild eriar; or, Beasle,lhesiock
Tender’s Dnngi inr. By Cnl. i’rnnlias lunralum).
145 The Tiger of’Taop. lh' Gen. Waldo Browns.
146 The Cattle Ring. Br Frank Duinnnl.
bb du. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Bv ilnrry St. Georzo.
149 Bob Rockeit. tho Bunk lRunner. By C. Murrlu.

150 The Mad Miner. By G. Wnldu Brown.
151 The Sea Trailer. By Col. Prantiu ingmhsm.

15% Dandy Darker or, The Tigers of High Pine. By
Wllllmn R. Eysier.

158 Wild Frank, lho Burkskln Bravo. E. 1.. Wheeler.
154 The Boy Trullorn. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

155 Gold Plume, lhq Boy Bnmlil: or,’i‘he Kld-Glor’e
Sports By.(‘.nl. i‘runllss lagrnhmn.

150 Will \‘Vildilre in the “'oodu. By C. Morris.
157 Ned Temple, the llurder Boy. By T. C. Hnrbangh.
158 Deadwood Diek’n Doom. By E. L. Wh'ealer.

159 Patent-Leather Joe‘l Defeat. By Philip. S.
' Warne. ‘

180 Buflalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhuciwr.
v lngruhnm.

161 Bob Rockett, the Grad-mun. By C. Morris.
169 Little-llnrrinane, lhu Boy Captain. By Oil

Connml.
.163 Deadwood Dick's Droom. By E. L. Wheeler.
164 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harballgh.
165 Buffalo Bill’s Bet. By Col. Prenilu lngruhnm.
166 Will Wildfire Wim and Lot-en. By C. Morril,
167 Dandy ilook’u Pledge. By George W. Brown.-

168 Deadwood Diek’u Ward; or, The Black Hill.
Jeuhel. By Edward L. Wheeler.

169 The Boy Champion. By Edward Willntl.
170 Bob Roeketi’n Fight for Life. By C. Morris.
“’1 Frank Morton, the Boy Hnrqllea. By Oil Cuomsn.
179 The Yankee Ranger. By Edwin Elmer-on.

‘ 173 Dick nlngle. Seoul. By Edward 5. Ellis.
174 Dandy Roek'u Scheme. By G. W. Bruwne.
1T5 The Arab Detective. By Edward L Wheeler.

By Col. P.

 

176 “'ill “'lldilre‘s Pins-k. liy Chi-rim Mums.

17? The Boy Commands-r. ii}('4il.|'r~nli>.~ Humhxun.

173 The Mnnlm- llunter. By linrim. s

179 Dainty LII-lee: hr, The Mystic
Jun. E. Bridger, r

180 The Boy Gold-limiter. By T. C. lln lnuL-h.

131 The Bennett-nee Eon. By Charla Murrlm

182 The Dark-Skinned Scout. By Linn. ("
anelllnu.

1R8 anc: Dart, Detmlve. By Oil Coomel.

184 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. liy Edward Will. up

185 iii-on Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Prentiss
Ingrnhnni. '

186 Dainty Lance and Illa Pard.
Bndgrr, r ,

157 The Trapped Tlg'or King. By Charla Morril.

188  ‘Veutrilouuint. Deter-live. By Edward L.

lei! er

n.'. .u'mw. lly

By Joseph E.

189 Old Boeky’ll Boys.
190 Sim Simpkiml, Scorn.
191 Dandy Roek'n Rival. By Gm. Waldo Brown.
192 lilekory llarry. By Hurry St. George.

198 Detective Jot-h Grim. By Edward L. Wheeler.
191 Prospect Pete, the Boy Miner. Hy Oil Coonlra.
195 The Tender-foot Trailer. By 1'. C. Hnrbnngh.
196 The Dandy Detective. By Charles Morris.

By Maj. Slim. 5. Hull.
By Janna L. Bowen.

19'? Roy, ihe Young (‘atile King. By Col. P.1ng'rnhn'n.

198 Ebony Dan’n Mal-k. By Frank Dumonl. ‘

199 Dictionary Not, Demiivn.

200 The Twin Horsemen. By C-pt. F. Whimkor.

201 Dandy Dnrke’n l’ill'dll. By Wm. R. Eymr.

202 Toni, (he Texan Tiger. By Oll Coomu.

208 Sam, the Ofllce Boy. By Lhnrlcu Morris.

204 The Young Cowboy. By Col. P ingvnlmm.

205 The Frontier Detective. By E L. “'heeler.

206 “'hite Light ink; ur,'l'lu: Boy Ally. By '1‘. C.
Hnrh .ugh.

20'? Kenim-k Tnlhot’a Band; or, The Red Luna.
Ily Capt. Mark Wilton.

208 Trapper Tom’n Castle Myniery.

Cminas.
209 Elke Memnger-Boy Deieetlve. By Chm...
nl'l’ I.

210 The Hunchback of the Mines.
Bridger. J r.

211 Liiilé Giant and Illa Bond. By P.  Warns.

2|!) The Jilntown Sport. By E. l.. Wlnwh-r.

218 The Pirnto‘s Print». By C. Dunning Clark.
iii-ally February 8.

214 Dandy Dave. of Shanta. By T. C. Harblugh.
Rendy.l"ebrunry I6.

215 The Denver Detective.
Rendy February W.

216 The Cowboy Captain.
Ru ily Fnhrunry 1‘9.

911’ Bald Head of the Rockies. linni. Sam. 5.
Hall. Ronny Marc: 1.

218 The Minor Sport. By Edward l. Whaler.
Bandy {\lnrch H.
lulled Every Wednenday.

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