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HIHIHWIWIm[mum‘un11m‘mmwm 
Copyrighwd. 1887, by 3)“an AND ADAMS. Entered at the Post Oflice at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Mail Matter. Jan. 19. 1887.

2.50 Published Week! I) Beadle and Adams P , ‘
VOL  I’Yenr- No. 93 \VILIiAMySTu NEW YORK. ’ Fiverécfntl- NO- 158'

 

 

 

HOW DEADWOOD DICK CAME TO THE RESCUE.

 

 

\.

Deadwood. Dick’s Dooin. ll '

 

Deadwood Dick’s uddm;

Calamity J ane’s Last Adventure.
A TALE or DEATH NOTCH.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,
AUTHOR or “ DEADWOOD DICK ” NOVELS, “ ROSE-
,BUD ROB” NOVELS, “WILD FRANK,”
ETC., em, ETC.

CHAPTER I.
TOO LATE FOR. THE STAGE.

DEATH Noron! ' »

Did you ever hear of a more uninviting name
fora place, dear reader? If so, you icould not
well find a. harder hole, where dwelt humanity
than Death Notch, along the Whole golden slope
of the West.

It was said that nobody but rascals and
roughs could exist in that lone mining-camp,

which was confirmed by the fact that it was-

‘ seldom the weekly stage brought on one there,
who had come to settle. Even the ‘overnment
officials. cognizant of the lawlessness within the
borders of Death Notch, hesitated to interfere,
because of the desperate character of the resi—
dents~hardest of the hard.

The town lay in a sort of mountain-surround-
ed basin, on the route from Pioche, Nevada, to
Helena, Montana, and had formerly been an In-
dian camp, until a “ well—heeled " but notorious
young gemhler’ named Pluto Dave had come
along and driven the reds away, as he was able
to do, having a backing of some forty ruffians
of his own stamp.

There bein,or but a comparative handful of the
reds, they hai been scattered, when Pinto Dave
and his gang Went to prospecting, and in a short
time discovered paying-dirt.

Since that the population had gradually in-

‘ creased to a hundred and fifty people, nearly

all of the ruifian type, and all under the order
of the man, Piute Dave, who ruled as a king
over the others.

In the days when the Indians had held posses»
sion, the town had been called Sequoy; after-
ward it had been named Golden Eagle, until a
few months past, when, by vote, it had been

1 rechristened Death Notch.

Of course there was a. reason for this—a rea-
son both peculiar and striking.

When th’e Indians had been driven forth,
their chief, Red Hatchet, had declared ven-
geance upon the pale~face intruders, and cursed
the town, vowing" to kill off every pale-face
who should enter it, and to mark each death
by a notch upon the council-pole.

This pole was a, tall young nine that grew
gust at the edge of the town, and around which
thad been the custom of the tribe to hold
council. - _

Nor had. the chief lied.

For. several’yeers he and the merfi‘bers of his
tribe hadwaged warfare upon the usul‘pers, and
a score or more had hit the dust, and a notch
upon the council-tree. had recorded. each stroke

In ; ', ct vengeance.

 

But, as Piute Dave constantly added new
roughs to his gang, the Indians also gradually
diminished, until no more death notches had ap—
peared upon the tree.

This state of chairs had continued until about
three .Weeks before our story opens, when a
placard had been found tacked to the council—
tree, bearing the followmg message: 7

“Beware! Red Hatchet is not yet one the way
of his forefathers but lives to wrea vengeance
u on the town of cath Notch. In the interval of
s ence he has only been recruitin his fury.

“ inn menu."

With the name, “ Death Notch,” Pluto Dave
seemed strangely impressed and at once ordered
that the town of Golden lilagle be henceforth'
known as Death Notch.

 

Death Notch gloried in one important fact—-
that it was the midway stage station between
Helena and Pioche, and the terminus of two
stage lines. All traffic from Pioche to Helena,
or vice verso, had to be transferred at Death
Nitch from one stage or freight line to an-
ot er.

As a result, the arrivals and departures of
stages being very irregular, it was a common
thing for passengers or freight to be laid off at
Death Notch for a. number of days. p  ~.

It was a delay that very few relish'em,wbo
knelvlv Jthefbmitrepute of fthe place, lint there was
no ep or 1 ,except or as n“ "rs to '0 on
afoot through a howling wildern  , g

The Wednesday’s stage of the secorid week of
September whirled dewn into Death Notch
about noon, from the mountain trail and drew
up before the “Poker House,” with a noisy
rumble—for the Poker House was the only hos-
tfialryhaiforded transient patronage at Death

otc .  . a

“ Change kee s fer Helena!” yelled out? Buck
Piper, the driver, and then he threw the" ribbons
to one of the several bleareyed-loolfingpflgrims
who were standing in front of the takern sun-
ning themselves, and made for the “ linker” de-
partment, to moisten his thr’ lédving his
“ frf‘ilil'es” to takgcéir: of themselves. ,

ere were, u we passed  toda’. ' and
they at once diSembarked mini the'sisgg'upon
the plank walk in front of the Poker 

The were Widely at contrast, inappearance,
thong evidently traveling companions, , re. one
being a pretty young ladgzuwhlle the, . "Tureen
long-geared, loosely cons cted colo ' ‘ man, at
the “ darkest ra serene.” , , I M,

The youngl y evidently~ _‘ ‘ notrhjve‘é‘seven.
teen or eighteen years of   m pos~
sessor of a. fine figure. , 

 

. e
prettin chiseled

features, set off by starry black; as and wavy
brown hair. She was attired m, ~ a long ulster
duster over her dress, a silk. swirl: about her

throat, and a veiled hat upon her ‘ ‘ , an
by all odds the trimmest little  that
anchored in Death Not-"h in many 3251a .
The darky was a very sable indi _ a1. with ’
a genuine negro physique from thick-ll pad i
mouth of huge dimensions, to Cherolling ludi~
crous eyes, and light curling hair. His feet, too,
were of extraordinary size, while the rest of his
person seemedhastily constructed and loose-
gomted in the extreme. ‘

d was

had

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

' no, doubt, this when he came up, and

' war aslarg

in Death Notch
. 79"}: canhot

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

'3 W,

 

Ho'was attired in wide—leg ed plaid anta—
loons, too short at the waist an feet by alf a
foot; a white vest and white shirt, with wide
cuffs and collar 8. swallow—tailed coat cut tight
at the waist, an a white silk hat'somewhat the
worse or bad usage.

In ‘ '3 hand he carried a bag containing an
instrument shaped very much like a banjo,
while the young lady carried a small hand
sacheL

On leaving the stage—coach, the strangely-
contrasted pair paused a moment as if in doubt
which way to go, and the young lady turned to
one of the low-brewed, villainous-looking pil—

, grime lounging on a bench before the tavern.

_“ Can on tell me, sir, how long before the
stage w'l leave for Helena?” she asked, in a
pleasant voice.

“No, mum, I reckon not,” the addressed
pprti said, “ ’ca’se how I don’t kno’. Thar comes

an Shakespeare, the poet, however—mebbe
he kin put ye enter what yer wanter know.”

And he indicated a tall, raw—boned individ—

»'ual who was approaching—a man who looked
' as though he might be the possessor of a. great

deal of brute strength and doggedscourage,
especially the latter, for he was swarthy and
ugly of countenance, wearing a stubble of board
and long matted hair, while his brows were
sha gy and his eyes evil and bloodshot.

e was attired_ in stogy boots, dirty patched
Overalls and overshirt, a battered, shapeless
“plug” hat, minus the rim, while in a belt
about his waist he wore four large-sized revol-
vers and a bowie. ,

Anything but a poet,» looked the big buil~
hac er, and the young lady was discussing,

paused to
take a survey of her and the coon.

“ Hello! a nigger and a gal, hey! Waal,

‘ Let‘s all shout an' rejoice!

We beer a. female’s voice.‘
How’dy do, mum? Goiu’ ter settle here?
We’re just needin’ a woman, in this hyar
camp, ’ca’se how, ye see, when ther b’yees
Whnter go courtin’ they’ve got ter court one
another.”

“No, I am not oing to settle here,” the
young woman rep ied, quite promptly. “I
wish to find out what time the stage leaves for
Helena?” ,

“ Hell—enerl Why, bless lye, mum, ther next
stage won’t go fer a week, allow, ca'se how

, she started six hours ago. No stage ’fore next

Wednesday, sure.” . _ ..

An exclamation of disappomtment escaped
the yo lady.

“ Oh! that is too bad! I wouldn’t have missed
reaching Eeleha for a good deal. Is there no
we I can overtake the stage, sir?”

i Reckon not, miss, onless e hoof et, an’ I
opme ye wouldn’t ketch et, on. EC yer feet
, e as that nigger‘s I reckon ye might
do it, for—— ~

~.‘E’en Dexter could not compete
Wi' that frag-rant coon‘s feet ’—

and’ stand any show, 0’ winnin‘ ther heat. No,
mum, I allow yer best holtis stop right hyar

 

Helena one way or another. Cannot we hire
saddle-horses—or purchase them, even—in order
that we may overtake the stage?”

“ Nary a hoes. Ther only thing wi’ four legs,
’ceXt Piper’s team, is a pair 0’ oxen.”

t this juncture the thirsty Piper appeared
upon the scene, Wiping his mouth from a recent 7
lubrication in the she. of a bootleg.

“ Oh! sir, cannot prevail upon you to take
us on until we overtake the Helena stage?” the
girl said, turning to him, appealingly. “We
have an engagement to fulfill, and must bein
Helena by Saturday night, or throw it up 1”

“ Sorry, mum, but my route don’t go no
further than heer, an’ I can’t accommodate
ye 1" the worthy Piper piped, taking a. chew of
tobacco.

“But I will Lpay you for it—I’ll give you
twenty dollars, ' you will put us on board the
Helena sta e.”

“ Couldn t tech me wi’ a hundred dollars,
mum, for I ain’t in need 0’ tin. Ye kin git ’com—
mydations at Poker Jack’s ranch, till next week,
an’ I allow ef ye kin flip ther boards ri ht party
wi’out hidin’ ther ace up yer sleeve, 1: er boys
won’t let ye git lonesum.”

“ I don’t thank you for your assurance, sir!”
was the haughty reply. “ Come, Nic, let’s see
if we can get a room.”

And they entered the olfice, which also served
the purpose of bar and gambling—room.

A score or more of ruifianly—looking fellows
were lounging about, but one among the lot,
more prepossessing than the rest. arose. and came
forward, as the two travelers entered.

He was dressed in white woolen garments, -'
with White shirt and collar, slippers upon his
feet and. a round red smokin —ca upon his
h . In form he wasof gr ul uild, while
he was not had—looking in face, except for a
habitual wicked glitter of his black eyes, and a
faint cynical expression which lurked under his
graceful mustache. '

“ Excuse me, but did you wish to see me?” he
said on approaching. ~

“ if you are the proprietor, yes, sir,” the girl
replied, a little timidly.

‘ Yes, if youh be de boss, we’se gwine fer ax
ye, hab youh proper 7commodations for two fust—
class gusts?" the darky put in, with a consider“
ableNamount of airiness. ‘ N n

01 no! not gusts—you mean guests, ic,
the irl interrupted. V

“ as, guests—dat’s it. Without purpoten—
tial precontemplation, I accidently absented one
bowel from de syllable. You see, boss, as do
stage done went ofl? an’ left us, we wants to en»-
gaged apartments an‘ superlative substance
whereon to subsist for sebberal days hencefore—
most' until do next vehicle do perigrinates dis

yes, I understand. You wish first-
class accommodations, which Icon furnish. My
name is Poker Jack, at your service, and If you
will register, I will show you to a couple of
rooms.”

They accordingly went to a desk and revis-
tered their names In a book kept for tint pur— _  ,
pose—the dorky as— _ _ v ‘ ,  ,

‘fNioodemus Jo ,Stm- Comeawmf  _ ;

 

4 ' Deadwood Dick’s Doom. ~

 

“ Miss Virgie Verner, of New York.”

Then Poker Jack escorted them to a suite of
rudely-furnished rooms, up—stairs, just over
the large bar and gambling-room.

“If you would be so kind, we would refer
our;l meals sent to our rooms,” Miss erner
sai .

“As you like, miss. Have you any bag-
gage?"
My baggage will be along on the freight-
’wa°‘on, sir.”
en Poker Jack bowed himself out.

After he had gone the girl called in the darky
from the adjoining room.

“Nic,” she said, “we shall have trouble in
this place, mark my word. All are men here,
and the most evil, repulsive—looking lot I ever
came across.”

“’Spect you’se right, Miss Virgie, but youh
jes‘ bet youh life dey doesn’t want to come
foolin‘ around dis Chile, or I’ll carve ’em—uut
’em up, bad! Ilse sum an’ a half, when I’se
mad!”

“ But, allowing that we are both brave, what
could we do against such overwhelming odds,
should they offer to harm us? Oh, why did we
venture here? We shall surely be followed by
the human bloodhound, my enemy, and God
only knows what evil he can do in this place,
where the people look capable of any terrible
crime. Oh! I am so tired, so weary of this
hunted life.” ‘

. The freight—wagon arrived soon after the
stage, and unloaded two trunks in front of the
Poker House. '

Upon the end of one was pasted part of a.
theater bill, which read, “ Miss Vergie Verner,
the charming vocalist and musician." 0n the
other trunk was the other part of the pro-
gramme, reading: “ Nicodemus Johnsing, ban~
joist and dancer.” ,

A crowd of bystanders stood, read, and on-
dered over these little announcements, ank
Shakespeare among the rest.

“Yas, sir-ea, bobtail boss, b’yees. them’s a
pair 0’ show peo le, goin" ter Hell-ener, an’
they reckon they in slight us cusses hyur at
Death Notch, by not hevin’ their sarcus heer.
But they keu’t, not fer Jim. I tell ye what! I
purpose we trot ’em down inter ther bar-room
0’ Poker J ack’s crib, tor-night, an’ make ’em
give-us a Show. as well as ther fellers at I-Iell—
ener. Whatd'yesa l”

“Bulldog Ben bar s yes,” a. little, disgusting-
lookin rufliuu cried, and the whole gang
chime in assent.

Therefore, it was as good as settled that
something was to occur.

CHAPTER II.
A COMPACT. WITH THE DEVIL’S OWN.

ABOUT sunset of that same day, in a lonely
gulch leading 01? from Death Notch, a young
girl was wandering along with a basket upon
' er arm, now and then plucking a wild flower,
. and singing the while in spirit with the merry
birds that warbled among the branches of the

‘ tree: around her.
She was at a glance an Indian but lighter

 

 

complexioned than the average of her nation,

[.2

 

betraying a mixture of white blood in'her

veins.

Attired in the picturesque rb of an Indian
princess she looked dmidedlgapretty, with her
dusky skin, her 6 es of midnight color, and
long sweeping wea th of wavy raven hair, which
fell back below her waist.

In keeping with the wild scene around her,
was she, and yet ha py and free from care as
the merry little chipmunk that darted across
her path and disappeared in the shrubbery.

“ Pretty mountain doves a-cooing. ’
Sturdy robins gone a-wooln —
Wonder what all birds are going, ‘

So happy, all, they seem."
she sung, as she stopped to pluck a pretty bios-
som from its stalk.

“And, by the way, little bird, suppose you
tell us what you are doing,” a voice exclaimed,
and the owner, a tall, well-dressed man, of re-
possessmg countenance, and the owner 0 a
monstrous mustache, ste ped from a clum of
bushes where he had hit erto been conceale .

The Indian girl started violently, at sight
of him, and would have run away, but he
stepped quickly forward and seized her by the

arm.

“Hold on! pretty bird! Don’t be scared. I
will not harm youl” he said, laughingly. “I
simply want to have a talk with you."

“J. o! no! Siska does not know pale-face; he
must let her 0.” -

“But I cant do that just yet. Come to this
log and sit down and answer some uestions
w  I shall ask you, and then I Wil let you

0_ _

And still retaining a hold of her hand and
arm, he forced her to a seat upon a fallen tree,
close by.

“There,” he said, when they were both
seated. “Now we areall prepared for a nice
little chat."

The girl did not reply.

She was evidently greatly frightened, for she
was trembling like a leaf.

The stranger noted the fact.

“ Don't be afraid, my girl,” be repeated, “ I’ll
not hurt you. Now, to begin with, I want on
to tell me how far it is from here to a p ace
called Death Notch?”

“ A couple of miles, or so."

“Ah! so near. Well, I’m in luck. Now,
what is your name?”

“Siska, sir. Please let me go. Red Hatchet

would be very angry if he knew I spoke to a ‘

pale-face."

“ Oh, he would, eh? So he’s one of those
rabid1 old bucks, whois dead set on the white
race.» ’

“ Red Hatchet is a great warrior, and his Ln-
ger is to be feared.” ~ '

“ Well. then, when you see him next, tell
him toslice me a chunk of it, Wei hing about
half a pound, and send it down to eath Notch.
Now, Siska. you seem to be a pretty nice girl
—how‘d you like to go along with me to Death
Notch, an’ keep house fer me in a snug little ten
by twenty i"

“ No, no! Siska not like it. She must return

to the wi am of her father.” ‘
“ Oh, on’t be in a hurry. I’ll give you a lot

l

1'

 

 

 



n  . many-sea
‘ . ‘ _ rY .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadwood. Dick’s Doom.

of Id rings and other trinkets if you will go
witn me—and plenty of money.”

“ No, no!” the girl repeated, impatiently.
“ Siska not like paletace~no go with pale—face.
Let the Indian girl loose, sothat she can return
to her father’s lodge.” ,.

“ Well, then you must give me a kiss, my bird
of the wilderness, and on can go.”

“No, no! Siska no kiss pale—face,” she an-
swered, struggling to release herself. “ Pale-
faceJiad man, and Red Hatchet be angry at

“ That don’t matter to me. A kiss I’m going
to have before you go, or my name’s not Carrol
Garner. So pucker 11 those pretty lips, my
beant , and submit to t e inevitable.’

f‘ o, no! Help—help!” she screamed, strug-
gling so violently that he found it impossible to
I accomplish his design. I ‘

“ Curse you! you are as strong as a young
hear,” he ritted, savagely.

“ Aha! have you now, though, and now for
my kiss!”

‘ Not by a jugful, stranger!” a stern voice
cried, accompanied by rapidly approaching foot-
steps, and the next instant Carrol Garner found
himself lyin at full length upon the ound,
while over im stood a handsome fe ow in
sportish dress—valiant Deadwood Dick.

“Ha! ha!” he laughed, sarcastically-“what
a figure you out now, don’t you, my presumi
pilgrim? You reckoned you had this little gir
deadto rights, didn’t you, you infernal skunk,
because she was alone and unprotected? But,
you see, all signs fail, when the wind blows me
down 1"

' “ The devil take you,” Carrol Garner cried,
arising to a sitting posture and rubbing his cheek
Where the imprint of Deadwood Dick's knuckles
were yet to be seen. “Who are you, that you
have this audacity?”

“A cuss from Custer-a bulldog from Beze-
man—a diabolical devil from Deadwood,” Dick
replied, dryl . “ I don’t carry any visiting cards
With me, as generally have a sherifi' or mar-
shal after me who carries them and posts ’em up
in every convenient place, viz. :——‘ Five Hundred
Dollars reward for the capture of the notorious
outlaw, Deadwood Dick, dead or alive.’ Seen
any-of gem gentle little reminders up in this

section

“If I had, I should use my own judgment
about im rting the information to you,” Car-
rol grow , arising to a standing 'tion. “I
want to know what business you (1 to strike
me?”

“ The business of being a consolidated protec-
tive association for the protection of widders and
orphans an’ weak humans generally. I found
you, an unscrupulous knave. attempting to kiss

his girl against her will, and I very naturally

lost control of my pugilistic members to that ex-

, tent that you immediately let her alone and set
down." '-

“You shall answer for the insult, sir. I am

going “to Death Notch. If you take pains to
come there also, I’ll punish you severel ."

“Kareetl” Deadwood Dick assented: with a

’ taunting bow. “ You may look for me tonight,
Senator. .Be kind enougth pedestrianize hence
, most precxpitately, now, Will you, as your prw

 

ence  doubtless very disagreeable to this young L

“Yes, I’ll go, but remember, you shall yet
repent your insult to meI” Garner replied.
fiercely. .

“ For fear I may for et the admonition, per-
haps I’d best write it own in my‘diary,” was
the sport’s parting shot, as the stranger turned
and stalked down the lCh. . j ‘

When he had gone rom View, Dick turned to 
the Indian girl, who stood a few pacesawey, r
regarding him with surprise in her big black . 
eyes. ‘ _ ’ /
"There, miss, I’ve banished the snake, and,
you need have no fear of his harmin you,” he
said, gallantly.
along to lay out such reptiles as he.”

“Pale-face brave very good, and Sislta is 
grateful to him for driving off the bad pale; r
ace," the girl replied, her eyes lighting up,won-
derfully. “Red Hatchet be very glad, when ‘
Siska tells him.” ,. :

“Ah! so you are the daughter of the stel‘n- , 1
ha‘nclled chief, Red Hatchet are you?”

‘ am.
RedHatchet?” g ‘

“Ohl So you infer that I am Deadwood ;
Dick, eh? You are sharp! I heard the history
of Red Hatchet and Death Notch, before I came -.
Ens Way. I allow Death Notch is a pretty tough _,
“ Its lodges are filled with bad men, and Red 1 ' '
Hatchet has
and all who enter the town to stay. Surely you.
are not oing there?”

“Wel , I reckon so. Thought I’d drop down , ‘ !

that way, see if any one was in trouble, and its
so, help ’em out.” ,

“Then, let Siska give you a token, to always ' ’
shiild you from the vengeance of Red Hatchet ,2 -
or is a.
her poc*et, with a ribbon attached to it, and

inned it to Dick’s vest; then, turning, she waved

er hand at him, and darted into the forest with
the speed of a young antelope. -

 

Far u the mountain-side, not noticeable from ,
Death etch, yet from where the town was ~
plainly .visible, nestling in the basin, was a great

projecting Crag, the top of which was 3,1913%”. ,. ,,

as level as a floor. From the outer edge of the,
crag to the yawning abyss among the mountains" '-
zvaits a sheer descent of mayhap five hundred»
ee . ».

Death Notch was not at the foot of the
mountain from which the crag projected, a.‘
low range of hills intervening. but was plainly
visible from the plateau with the naked eye, be.
ing not over a mile distant on a beeline.

Seated upon a camp-stool on this plateau, on »'
the afternoon of the day which opens our story, 
engaged in a survey of the town through a I
erful fieldaglass, was an old Indian of bent rm’
and wrinkled reunites—the wreck of a once 3

t warrior, now almost In his second child-M ,
d from old age. 

This was the father of the girl Siska—-Red ‘ -'

Hatchet. ’ < '

For hours he had sat there and studied the , ‘ “i

town through his glass, the va ing a ression‘s
of his countenance, and the gli ter otxfiis  1

£7 . 7

“Luck always lets me happen, 

VVhat‘does Deadwood Dick know or a L

placed a curse upon their heads, . i"

nts,” and she tooka large tin star from _, I .,

W-N 

 
  
 

 

 

 

 

6 Deadwood Dick’s Booth. ’

lnloful eyes proving that a revengoful spirit yet
rookie! in his breast.

“ [‘11: stage brin s two new-comers,” he mut-
tcrc'l, in gool Eng ish, proving that he was not
untutored. like many of his race. “One is a
young pale-face squaw—the other a son of the

nth. I wonder what brings them? It cannot

be that they know of the curse that rests upon
the place and all who enter it."
. Then for a long time the outcast chief was si-
lent, but watchful, until a man sauntered along
down the street whom he recognized through
the glass, though to the naked eye the man
looked but a igmy from the cliff.

“ That is . lute Dave—devil pale-face!” the
chief gritted, fiercely. “ Red Hatchet hates him
more than all the rest, and yet he lives and en-
joys Red Hatchet’s possessions, heedless of warn-
ings of death and destruction. He knows Red
Hitchet is too old and feeble to take the war-
path—thereforo he defies me. But he shall die
——they all shall die. for Red Hatchet has sworn
to 8/11] new notches to the council-pole—records
of the death of those who drove him and his
tribe forth from Se uoy, even if he has to hire
it dine. Oh! how ed Hatchet hates yonder
settlement of pale-faces!”

“ And why this hatred, red-man? Why this
desire to exterminate the people in yonder
town?” a voice asked, so near to the old chief,
311113 he turned with a startled growl, and be—

e _.

Not what might have been correctly termed
a man, but more appropriately a human wild
beast, for it had all the appearance of a wild
animal, with the dwarfed shape of man. The
face was entirely covered with hair the head
was hatless, the dwarfed, hump-backed figure
was clad in ragged dirty garments; the nails up-
on the fingers were long and like the talons of
some wild bird.

In the eyes there burnt a wild unnatural
fire, and the hair upon the head stood in all
directions, making the head appear double its
real size.

Red Hatchet gave vent to n. startled grunt at
sight of this strange being; indeed, who would-
n’t, for it was not an object calculated to inspire
:7 anv one with the bravest feelings.

“Ugh! debbil!” the chief uttered, for that
was the nearest thing he could compare the in—
tru'ler to.

“ Yes, devil!” the hairy being replied—“Old
Scavenger, the devil-avenger—the devil dwarf.
But, the red chief need not fear. Scavenger
harms none but the treacherous whites—those
of his own blood and color. The red chief also
h-i tea the pale—faces?”

“ Ugh! yes—hate ’em because they drove the
red-man from his village yonder."

“I understand—J understand,” Old Scaven-
ger assented. “They have wronged me, too.
and I madly hate ’em all. I have registered
an oath to Spare none—to cut out the hearts of
every white devil I mwt. Hal ha! they
thought vwhnn they all united to strike me a
last blow, that it would kill me, but it only
hardened my heart against ’em. Did the Red
Hatchet ever see the heart of n, pale-face?"

And as he spoke the Demon Dwarf drew from
his hunting sack a bloody withered piece of

 

human flesh—a human heart, indeed—and held
it aloft with a demoniac peal of la ughtcr.

“That is the heart of the false woman who
wedded Inc for my gold, and deserted me and
my kit, when she had secured it. Ohol but I
hunted her down to death, though, and after
they had buried her. thinking to cheat me out
of my vengeance, I dug her up and secured my
trophy. Hal ha! the Dwarf‘s enough for ’em—
the Dwarf’s enough for ’em !”

Red Hatchet’s eyes sparkled with enthusi- i

am.

“ Dwarf big heap brave,” he said. “ Red Hat-
chet once great brave, but his limbs no longer
strong for war-path. He can- only meditate
yongefince upon his enemies, instead of perform-
ing .

“ Red Hatchet should gt Old Scavenger to
strike for him. When he strikes he strikes to
avenge.”

- “ Red Hatchet has no gold, or he would read-
ily pay the Dwarf Avenger to add notches tohls
council-pole in yonder town.”

“ Ha! ha! it is not money I want. Ihave gold
in plenty. But I saw a jewel belonging to Red
Hatchet that I would wade through fire or blood
to possess—11y! I’d depopulatc yonder town un-
til not a pale-face dog remained to usurp Red
Hatchet’s rightsl”

“If the Devil Dwarf will do this, Red Hatchet
will give him his daughter—if it is to her the
pale-face refers.” .

“ To her and none other. Swear to give the
girl to me to do with as I please, and I W111 agree
that for every person now in yonder town, a
death notch shall be made.”

“ Red Hatchet agrees. When he can count
the death notches of all his sworn enemies, and
is free to go back to his once pretty village, he
will deliver Siska to the Devil Dwarf to do with
as he pleases ” .

“Then call the girl. We will tap a vein in
her arm, and seal this compact with a draught
of her blood!” the avenger said.

And an hour later the act was carried out to
the letter.

Death Notch lWas doomed!

CHAPTER III.
THE STRANGERS SING.

HANK SHAKESPEARE was one of the ruling
spirits of Death Notch, inasmuch as he was the
bully over all, and always ripe for a quarrel or

a 

ne b one he had worsted each of the resi-
dents o the town. down to the captain, Pinto
Dave, in a fair and square fight, and that fact
had by no means lessened his esteem of his own
proWess, so that he was never backward about
waltzing right into a quarrel.

His word, next to that of Piute Dave, was
regarded as law, and the majority of the
roughs would have followed him in case of a
split rather than the captain, who was of even
awnrse dispOsition than his bull-deg compan-
ion, for he was ever too ready to draw a wea-
pan and shoot down a fellow at little or no of.

811%.

Therefore when Shakespeare proposed to have
:1 concert from the newly-arrived gangsters, no
one offered demur thereat, because warouse the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s boom. '9‘

ire of the burly bullwhacker, was to give the
si nal for a fight, “ from the word go.”

herefore after supper, a gang headed by the
festive Shakespeare, who had iiizhibed more
“ bootlegs ” than was good for accurate locomo-
tion, made a precipitate descent into the Poker
House, and ordered up the drinks, while the
poet with his “smile” in hand, mounted the
deal table nearest the bar, and addressed the
uncouth assemblage around him:

“ Feller-citizens! Noble representatives of
the moral town 0’ Death Notch! It becomes
my duty ter rise in front 0’ ye like a bellowin’
buff’ler bull ter make an announcement. Ay,
my noble guzzlers, I‘ve a great bit 0’ news fer
‘8. We’re on ther eve o a great event. We

ave in our midst a human phenomenon—«as
Shakespeare, Sr., sed:
‘ A maiden fair wi‘ voice like a dream—er,
She sings an’ she plays—she's areg'lar screamer.’
Yes, ye long-cared pilgrims, yer ’umble sar-
vint has jest made the diskivery that Sara
Bernhardt Nillson, the famous singer is hyer in
Death Notch—she who has appean d afore all
ther crowned heads 0’ Europe an’ Ethiopia.

“An’ what d'ye think, my noble council-
men and tax-payers? What d’ye surmise this
distinguished singist perposas ter do? Why!
thunderstion, sirsl she ca culates ter ‘ve our
critical city 0’ Death Notch ther deat shake,
an’ not open her vocal bugle short 0’ Hellener.
Now, then, my prickly pears 0’ ther desert, I
rise topromulgate ther extemporaneous ques-
tion—airs we ter be snubbed like this? Aire
we to be cheated out o’ heerin ther singist
vocalize in our own aristocratic sphere? I say
nol—in clarion notesI scream nay! Sum im-
mortal poet in past ages hcz sed Worry skien—
tifically—

‘ It pleases mortal man ter feast—
Musick alone ter soothe ther savage beast;’

an‘ hyar’s ther very beast as requires music
ter nnnoint ther rag ed volcanic edge 0’ his
erru ted bumm. hat d’ye say, aloots—
shal we invite ther gal ter favor us w1‘ some 0’
her fu‘st class tunes?

A cheer was the answer.

The idea was favored by all that rough assem-

la e.

“ hen will I fetch forth ther reat warbler
from her conservatory I” the bullw acker cried,
and lea ing from the table, and drawing a pair

of revo vers, he left the room.

Up the stairs two steps at a time, he went and
rapped at the door of Miss Verner’s room,
peremptorily. _ . _

The young woman opened it in great Surprise,

her face paling as she saw the great gaunt hull-
whacker.
“ ’Scuse me, mum,” he said, bowing, “ but'ye
see ther b’ ees hev found out thet ye’re a singist,
an‘ they a ow thet ther likeliest thing ye kin do
is ter come down an’ sing fer ’em. They’re dead
for music, an’ tho, they re ruther a rough lot.
ef ye sx {gig-Ifurtiest, an’ ther nigger too, I
opine you_ 1 right.”

“ Oh! air, you must excuse me,” Virgie cried,

in distress. “I cannot sing, tonight—really I

cannot.”
“ But ye must, mum. Ye see how ther boys

 

‘

aire all on the squi hive ter beer ye v0calize, an’
app’intcd me as a delegate tar repi'EFE’Ilt ’01!) an’
say ef ye don’t ualtze dean an’ sing for ’em. I
am ter shoot ye on ther spot. Ye Jei seeve we‘re
old business, we daisies 0 Death otch; when a
mule gits bulky we allus drap him wi’out any
prelim’ary parley; tharfore, we a ow thet ef
ye edify us wi’ a few songs, an’ the nigger, too,
yer safety will be an assured fact, an’ ef ye
don’t, we’ll hev ter speek fer a parson ter preech
yer funeral sermon, ter-morrer.”

“Oh! Nic, what shall we do?” Miss Verner
said. turning to the darky, pale and trembling.
” \Vbat shall we do?”

“ ’Spec’s de bestest t’ing we can do is to g‘ub
’cm some music, rather dan git de to of our
heads blowcd off. Bress dis yar chieef he’s
gwine to .‘git in trouble, when do ban '0 will git
him out. Jes' you git youh gittar, iss Virgie,
iin’ I’se a raccoon if we can’t stir 7em up."

“Perhaps you are right, Nic, but I wish we
had never come here!” the girl said, as she pro-
cured a handsome guitar from her trunk, and
then she and the darky, who was armed With a
banjo, followed the bulm'hacker down the stairs
into the crowded bur-room.

A loud cheer greeted their advent, from the
rufiian assemblage among whom were many of
the most hold an lawless desperadoes on the
border—men who had waded in crime and ruf-
fianisin all their lives, and had lost all sense of
manliiiess or feeling, further than for their own ‘
gratification.

“ Hyar’s ther stage, mum 1” Shakespeare said,
indicating the bar counter. “ Shall I help ye
up?

“You need not trouble yourself,” Virgie re-
plied, ste ping upon a chair, thence upon a
table, an then to the bar, where three chairs
had been placed.

Nicodemus followed, and likewise the bull-
whacker, Shakespeare, who had evidently as-
sumed the self—appointed position of master of
ceremonies, for he arose when the two singers
were seated, and glanced his audience over,
With an important “aheml” as if to call atten~
tion to the fact that he was the central figure of
the forthcoming entertainment.

“ Feller-citerzens,” he began, “this is an awe~
inspiring and sublime occasion, when with
swelling bosom of pride. I am enabled to pre-
sent for your approval ther stars of two coun-
tries, Europe and Africa, consolerdated inter
one stupendous aggravation. Et does me proud,
my noble pack 0’ guzzlers, ter represent this
great phalanx 0’ talent, and in commemoration
0‘ this great occasion my poetical brain hath
conceived a vei‘sical ofl'ering. which I beg leave
tcr precipitate at ye, as a prelude o’ther cat—
wnulins immediately fer foller. Et is entitled
‘ Ther B’iled Shirt,’ an’ was founded on true in-
cerdeiits." .

Then clearing his throat. the bullwhacker had
one hand dramatically across his breast and
began .

“ Et war six ears ago fer-day
When De wood, fin-st. thei- struck,
A tender-fut from Jersey Cit’,
Tngzed out in spotless duck.
Ohl ye bet be war a genus pill! ‘
But ov money, run xii-muck!

er,

3
i
5

 

 

Deadwood Dick‘s flooni.

.1 .t‘dax'; . J

 

He waltzed inter ther ‘ Flush,’ ker~slap~
Ther ' Flush ’ war squar ' ter deal,

Tho' thar war sum who sed that Pete
War up ter sundry steal.

But I could never quite believe

That Pete would stoop ter ‘ fee .‘

Down by their board ther 'tender ' sat:
I see‘d ‘twer des rit in his eye,

Anon his snow- ake kids he spat

An‘ sod-J Wl' me it's rocks or—diel'

3 An' tho‘ no pig-tail cuss war he
1 l thort 0’ poor Bill Nye.

So: he tor Pete—his words war low—

‘ Old Pards, l‘m broke—I hev no “ dirt;"
But I’m so dry'give me a show-—

Jest go a V. ag‘in‘ my shirt—

Et's b‘iled an’ clean, so don‘t be mean;
Ter lose et, would my feelin’s hurt.‘

The keerds was split upon ther ‘put’
An‘ dealt—the tender be war low,
Fer Pete he held an ortul hand,

An‘ scoo ed his jogs o' ev'ry show,
He rake a trick

Fer every throw.

We laid the tender-fut ter rest:

0’ arsenic he‘d tuck a bowl;

Helosc ther b'llod shirt from his breast,
An‘then hed sought another goal.

We did ther ‘ white,’ ye see, at best—
We chucked him in a ‘ prospect holel' "

A tremendous cheer greeted the conclusion of
the bullwhacker’s recitation, for the sentiment
of the rude effusion hit the rough audience in a
tender 3 t. Any man guilty of wearing a
bliled sh rt, had no sympathy from them, no
matter what his troubles.

“Now we’ll hear from the nigger!” Shake-
speare said, jumging down from his counter,
among the crow . “ Aft.r ther nigger, the

1.”
gn“I’se no niggah, sah!” Nicodemus retortod,
arising and aring down at his audience. “ I’se
Nicodemus chasing a cullud gentleman."

This elicited a roar of laughter, but when the
darky took hold of the banjo and began to
‘pound’ it in a Wonderfully scientific lnunuer,
accom anying the music with burlesque songs,
he hel his audience spellbound.

No such banjo playing had they ever heard
or seen, for he would toss the homely instru-
ment and catch it again without interrupting
the current of his playing, and besides his
son were laughable and original absurdities,
wel rendered.

Encore after encore greeted his artistic ef-
forts, and each time he responded with some-
thing a little better.

It was during the darky‘s playing that the
door opened and a now—comer strode into the
room.

A murmur of "The Captain" and “Piute
Dave” passed among those who noticed his en-
trance and several nodded to him, and then
toward Miss Vernon, who sat beside her sable
companion with a pale face. and eyes that
unfilled With indignation at being thus forced to
serve as a staring-block for a crowd of ruf-
flans. who had neither pity nor respect for wo-
mankind.

Piuto Dave was fully on a par with his
townsmen, as far as being villainous-looking was

‘ concerned. He was a'tall, heavy-set man of
o I‘M-fl

 

some five—and-thim3'eam, and looked like one
whom it would hard to handle, in a.
struggle.

In face he was dark, bloated and sinister, with
shaggy brows, cold gray e es of evil expression,

a sensual mouth shaded y a bristling black
mustache, and a thick neck and chin, the latter
ornamented with a slight goatee.

He was attired in knee-boots, light-colored
trowsers, red shirt open at the throat, corduroy
'acket, and wide-rimmed hat, while a belt about i

is waist contained a brace of handsomely ‘
trimmed revolvers. .

He paused not far from the door, and with his
hands thrust in his pockets, fixed his gaze upon
the girl upon the bar—a gm intense in its evil
si lficance.

irgie fclt it, by some instinct, and turned to
glance at the mun—met the gaze and then shud-
deringly averted her eyes.

Though terrible to her were the glances of
the others, the eyes of this man sent a thrill of
horror through her be' She felt that in him
she had a designing vil in to cope with—and
she was not wrong.

Piute Dave was a villain—a fierce, self-willed
ruflian, who hesitated at no dark and terrible 1;.
deed that would further his purpose. More than 1;
one of those who had come to Death Notch to >-
avoid Judge Lynch’s noose, had fallen by his ‘v
hand, for a trivial offense, and there was not a,
man in the town who did not stand in fear of (
him, even including the poetical Shakespeare.

After his singing nearly a dozen iflerent a ‘
comic songs, the audience seemed to grow tired *

ii
)‘

«'  ~».‘\‘."?diM  Mn».an 

of Nicodemus, and a call was made for the girl
to sin ! -

“ es, gal, let’s heer frum you ” the bull.
whacker ordered, rubbing his ban 5 other,.
greedily. You’re ther very nightingale w at our
ears acheth to hear. Give us a sorter 0’ Metho-
dist tune—suthin’ what’ll make us feel solemn.
colly, like. As my late lamented namesake.
Shakespeare, has been known on several coca.
sions to remark: 

Ketch a bird on ther wing, 
And force it ter sing, ' ,
Au‘ all in gud time,

You'll hev music sublime.

Virgie saw that there was nothiu
her to do but to comply with the cmand of 1
her rough audience, asshe was alone, _wnth  is
exce tion of Nick, among strangers, and With. 

 

left for

out efense. _

She had already made up her mind to get
through the concert as best she could, and at.
teer attempt to escape from the town.

Therefore, timing her guitar, which was a
finetoned instrument, she selected a ballad from
her re rtory, entitled—“My Dear Old Mo-
ther’s ace.” and snag it through in a sweet, ,
pathetic voice. V .

Every man in the room stood in utter '
silence as though spellbound, until she had fln-
ished, when there was a tremendous outburst
of applause. Rude and uncouth thou h the
auditors, they could but appreciate the uti-
ful song, heartily.

“ Hip! hip! boom 1 three cheers for ther bar
schangled spanner! wl wow! wowl” at this
Jllnctul’e bellowed Bulldog Ben, elbowing for-

l

 

 

’ \

 

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

' 9

 

ward from the vicinity of a temporary bar,
where he had been imbibing numerous “ hoot-
legs.” “Thet war splendiferous, old a], thet
war—a reg‘lar old hymm right from alifax,
barketh I, Bulldog Benjamin, ther majestic
mastifl.’ 0’ Death Notch. Sweeter by far than
ary essence o’ eslysium war that old song
about in old mother. I can now see her
* s’archin’ er her inebriate son, along ther shady
banks 0’ ther Mississippi, you bet, an’ ef evyer
I did a noble act in mg life I’m goin’ ter kiss
yer fer remindiu’ ther u ldo of his old mam
——bowl wow! wow! barketh I"

And the ruflian bounded nimblg' upon the bar.

Virgie 5 run to her feet wit a cry of hor-
ror, but be ore t e wretch could lay a hand upon
her there was the sharp crack of a revolver, and
he tell, bleeding, at her feet.

 

CHAPTER IV.
DEADWOOD Drcx’s DOOM. ’

IT had taken less time to end the life of the
mean than it has to relate the occurrence, for
the bullet entering his heart, he had expired al-
most as soon as he dropped.

For a moment afterward you could have heard
a pin drop in the great bar-room of the Poker
House, so great was the intensity of the silence
.caused by the shooting. ‘

Then came words to the hearing of all—words

in,a strau , shrill voice, whose significance was
lain to 8. within the room, except Virgle and
ick~

“ Ohol Death Notch 47, and still the spirit of
Red Hatchet calls for ven eance. Piute Dave
shall count seventy, and eadwood Dick five
more. Hal ha!”

Then there was a stran . wild pea] of laugh-
ter without the tavern, t at chi] ed the blood
of every one who heard it, so fearful]y sugges-
tive of a demon’s triumph it was.

Not a man within the tavern made a move to
discover the author of the laugh-infernal and of
Bulldog Ben's death.

Even Piute Dave‘s swarthy visage assumed a
grayish pallor as he heard the words of the
avenger, and he moved not from his tracks.

Shakespeare. the poetical bullwhwcker, was
the coolest man in the house, and that among
men who were habimally hard-hearted and

of a sort of brute courage on such
occasions.

“Pop goes ther weasel, an’ thar’ll be another
notch on the council- 1e!” he observed, drag-
glilttzlg the body of Bull og Ben upon his shoulder
a dumping it in an obscure corner of the
room.

“ Bulldog’s gone on his last long canine cir—
cuit, an’ I allow I’ll hev ter compose a. doggeral
on his kerflumex, or an epidemic for his tomb-
stone. How’d this be, for instance:

Poor Bulldog Ben. he barked and then—
He jumped the bar, scoot-din“;
Thar waz a shot—Ben tu'k that pot,
It And anteed over Jordau.‘ ”

But the poet did not get an encore on this
efl‘usion, inasmuch as his auditors were in no
' humor for anything but rose. .

:, ‘fEnough of this nonsense,’ ute Dave said,
‘ striding forward, “ Don’t you see that you are

I \

 

all offering yourseIVes as targets for this secret

avenger, whoever he may be? I’ll take charge '

of the girl myself, an’ ye can do as ya want with
the nigger. Come, young woman—there’s room
for sech a purty one as you at my cabin, an’
you’re mine.”

“ Oh, no, no! I cannot, will not go with you!”
Virgie cried, clinging to Nick, in tears and de-
spair. “Please let us alone. sir! We are two
strangers to all of you, and all we ask is to leave
this lace unmole .”

“ an’t help that, girl. Piute Dave don’t often
take a second look at a gal, but when he does, he
invariably has her, ef he wants her. So you
might as well tumble down from that bar and
we tz along wi’ me at once, fer I allow I’m boss
of this town—an’ things hes allus got ter go to
suit my notion I”

“But jes’ youh look a-yar now sahl” cried
Nicodemus, drawing himself to full hight and
striking a dramatic pose, with uplifted arm.

“ Youh surely forget de culimnating fact dat
dis yar lady am my rolegee, au’ l‘se swear’d b
de plan’ts in do has. us to purtect her wid e
las’ drop oh my royal blood—yes, sah—dem’s
mighty trufes, sah, an’ if you lay a fumb on dis
yar young lady’s ussom, I’ll draw de razzor
from my bootleg an cut youh Wide open—yes, I
will, fo’ snahl Oh, I’se bad when I’se sham—
fixed — Fee a wade—an,’— butcher barber,

“ Ho! ho!” Piute Dave laughed hoarsely.
“ If it wasn’t fer frescoin’ Poker J ack’s floor wi’
yer black gore, I’d blow your brains out, you

lack cuss. Come, girl! aire ye goin’ter somer—
sault down from that bar, or shall I come an
help ye?” .

‘ Oh, spare me—spare me, sir! Oh, my God!
is there no one here to help me?” the poor girl
sobbed.

“ Nary a durned galoot, my gal!” Piute Dave
declared, with a triumphant chuckle. “ As I
allowed, before. I'm boss 0’ this burg. an’ thar’s
not a man hyar as durst lift a hand to help ye,
when I’m around.”

“You lie, you brute! and if you but lay a
hand on that girl 1’11 bore a hole in your thick
skulll” a voice suddenly cried.

The owner of the voice was Deadwood Dick!

While Piute Dave was speaking, he had quiet-
ly slipped into the room, and now stood mount-
ed upon a chair, but a few ces in the farmer’s
rear, with a pair of cocked 2’s in his p.

Piute Dave wheeled with a fri htful oath, as
he heard the words with his nds upon the
butts of his own revolvers, but he desisted from
drawing them when he saw that his new oppo-
nent had the drop.

“ Who are you .3” he demanded, savagely,
“ 8.11% What d’ye mean by meddling in my uSI-
ness

“1 mean that if you offer that girl the least
molestation, I’ll make you up who a Perforated
porous plaster quicker than a Dutchman can
say beer I” the sportive Dick announced, With
the utmost assurance and sang-frond.

“As to my dramatis—personae, you may re-
cognlze me by the gentle and psalm-lxke title of
Richard Harris, or Edward ' or Dead—
wood Dick, or any other name you like—Dead,—
wood Dick being my pet titular lappurtenance,

/ .

- W. we-r f".‘~“"wvm-wpg—u .

1?. (9‘1".

Ki
5
Ir

 

fixéfifi‘rs '; .

.xa.

_ _. 

, f "1:?"

10 Deadwood Dick's Doom.

 

when I’m wanted by the sheriff, and so—forth
and so-forth."

“You Deadwood Dick?” Pinto Dave ex-
claimed, in surprise; and he was not the only
one to whom the noted title was apparently
familiar. .

“Yes, I am Deadwood Dick, the celebrated
cuss from Custer clime—the diabolical devil-may-
care devotee of road-agency, from Deadwood—
the hunted hurricane, Harris, just as you see
me. And according to a recent act of Congress,
if you or any other two—leg 0d individual at-
tempts to harm yonder gir , whoever she may
be, ’11 agree to furnish him witha free pass over

Jordan by the most direct ethereal line. 1 menu

business, so let some pil rim of enterprising dis-

position open the mar et. Young lady, you

ma descend from the bar, and go to your room,

or ome. I’ll agree to take care of any num-

ber of these cusses who may attempt t) prevent
an!

“ G0 at your peril, girl !” Pinto Dave growled,
in a rage, watching a chance to draw a weapon.
“Curses on you, boys, why don’t you pull yer
tools, and kill this devil‘s donke 3"

“ Reckon we know our biz, us,” the bull-
whacker, Shakespeare, declared, knowingly.
“ We allow our pelt is wu’th jest as much per
c-w-t. as yourn, an’ we ain’t in noways dlSpOmll
tor venture a cruise in unknown regions, jest
on account 0’ one ghal. As Brother Byron uster
say:

‘ Hang on terterra timer;
The incumber'd bad wi tax,
Et’s cool an‘ very comfertable
As compared wi‘ Haleri'ax;
An‘ tho‘ beseeged at ev‘ry turn
Wi‘ mother-‘n-lnu’s an’ maids,
Ye'll find et enough sight better
Than a good warm berth in Hades.‘ ”

“You’re cowardly dogs, every one 0’ you!
Will you let one man luff ye, when thar’s
forty 0’ ye to his one? Look, the girl is'going
to escape! A hundred dollars to the man who
stops her!”

‘ I’ll take it i” a ruffian shouted, and he leaped

, toward the bar, from which Virgie was about

descending, to stop her.

“And you’ll get it!" Dick cried, as he fired,
then instantly returned the aim of his weaponto
the crowd.

With scarcely a groan. the rufflan fell head-
long to the floor-not dead, as was afterward
pagan, but stunned by the bullet grazing his
3 .

A murmur of rotest ran through the crowd,
but not another nd was raised in opposition to
the Dakotan‘s will. Piute Dave alone uttered a
fearful oath.

“ You see _I hold the spotter that trumps at every
flop," Harris remarked. “When I peregrinnte
into a town I always try to impress upon the
minds of the citizens, first of all, the fact, that I
am able to clean out the hull town, single-hand-
ed, and able to stand up in defense of the Weak
and unprotected every day in a week. and as
many times on Sunday as the hymn-book orders.

_ There! the oung ladvhas gone. Now, gents,

what’s the amagel I’m willing to settle. One

‘ tough laid out, and a broken wmdow glass, be-

sides a ruifie upon the personal pride or our

 

friend here, Piute David. What‘s the expense,
David?”

“ Your life!” the ca ' cried his rage in no
wise diminished. “ 1’ cut your heart out."

“Ohl now, really, David, you would not re-
hearse the tragedy of David and Goliah, would
you? You wouldn’t amputate my pulsometer
wool?” you, just to satisfy your revengeful
spiri .'

“ Yes, curse you! But ‘ve me advantage of
the ‘drop’ you ve got, an I’ll show you what
kind of a man Flute Dave is.”

“ Indeedl I am to infer, then, that on are
something like a concentrated volcano, ( one up
in a dynamite to o, and when you‘re touched
off you scatter eath and destruction in the
forty directions of a blizzard! I had no idea you
were so ferocious, or I should have fainted, hours
ago. Tell you what I’ll do, though, David. If
your thermometer indicates that your steam has
attained such momentum that there is danger of
your exploding, I’ll give you a chance to work
oif a little of your superfluous wrath. You ap-
pear to be a pretty muscular chap and I flatter
myself I have sufficient for usual cases of emer-
gency. Therefore, we will clear the center of
the room; you take a position at one end—I at
the other. Then we will each start for each
other, weaponless, and have a rough and tumble
scuffle for the mastery—the winner to take the
position as boss of the town—the loser to be

given one hour to leave it, neverto return, ex- I

cept under penalty of death by shooting, at
sight. Now, then, how does that strike you?"

“ I’ll accept the proposition,” Pluto Dave said,
with a horrid laugh. “ Itwon’t take me long to
break your neck.” ’ .

“Well, for your sake, I hope not,” Dick re.
torted, with a smile. “ First, howeven I want
to know that there will be no interference from
the crowd—"

“I’ll ’tend ter that, young feller,"'Shakes.
peare’declared. “I’ll seethet everything goes

uar.

“ I have a plan as fair for oueas for the other!”
Pluto Dave said, a villainous glitter in his evil
eyes. “ A few rods 11 the gulch is a bommlegg
bed of quicksaud. he weight of a man W111
sink him there in five minutes, forever out of
sight, and nothing he can do can help him when
once he is in it; it has gulped down manya dead
body an’ some live ones, too, so it’s Jest the
hole for a death—struggle. I propose that we
go to the edge of this treacherous pocket, and
the man who is strong enogfh to throw his op.
ponent into it shall be the . ctor, while the v10-
tim shall be left to smk in the sand to his
death.”

“That suits me. exactly,” Deadwood Dick
responded. “As soon as the man is thrown
into the pocket. the spectators shall march
away, chanting his death requiem. Is this per-
fcctl understood?" ‘.

“ understand. I allow ther boys does,”
Piute Dave grunted.

“ On course we do i” declared the loquaciom
hullwhacker poet. “Jest as soon as one or
t’other o‘ yer is kerflopped mm the: death's
hole, We’re ter start pell-mel] fer ther Poker
House an‘ moisten our bugles perperatory tar
singin’ ther Death March 0’ Solomon!”

\

«I
i.
i.



 

I, .

 

 

, macaw

 

Deadwood Dick’s Dooma _, 11

 

“Correct! Let’s adjourn to the field of ac-
tion,”‘Deadwood Dick said. “ I came here
expecting to run into difficulty, and I’m not
the chap to turn tail and back out because of
a slight unpleasantness. By the way, if any
of you fellows know any thing favorable of
this big loafer I’d suggest that now will be a
good time to recall them before we plant him;
after he is dead and gone you’ll not care to re-
member him.”

Piute Dave made a move to draw a weapon,
but saw that Deadwood’s dauntless representa-
tive was still on guard, and so desisted.

“Come, no funny business now,” Dick or-
dered, “but lead t ewayif you want tofur-
nish me a sepulcher of Quicksand. I’m anxious
to know who is going to draw the prize in this
lottery.”

Pinto Dave led the way from the tavern.
Deadwood Dick went next; then the bullwback—
er poet and his uncouth associates brought up
the rear, in single file.

A strange-looking procession they made as
they thus marched down the street, under the
light of a soaring full moon.

irgie Verner saw them from the Window of
her room, and wondered what was going to hap-

pen.
“They are going to hang the brave fellow

. who came to my rescue!” she gasped, in horror.

“ God forbid l”

Down the street tothe western terminus of the
town Piute Dave iloted the way, and they soon
came to a dark- ooking’ verdureless spot that

‘ every experienced eye knew to bea quieksand

fickfit that it was sure and inevitable death to
no .

This was the place of stru 1e.

Deadwood Dick threw 0 his jacket toone
side, and deposited his Weapon upon it.

Piute Dave gave his revolvers to the bull—
whacker, but did not remove his coat, evidently
not deeming it necessary.

The two men then walked ten paces in 0 p0-
site directions, turned, and at the we “ 01”
given by one of the bystanders, rushed to meet
each other.

It was not until the were within arm’s reach,
that Deadwood Dick iscovered that the rufllan
had a small dagger in his grasp.

Too late!

Theyclinched and struggled, and the blade
entered Dick’s left arm rendering it perfectly
powerless.

With the advantage thus gained, it was
quick work for Piutc Dave to raise his adver-

‘ sary' and hurl him forward into the mire of the

bottomless bed of quicksand!

Then, with victorious shouts, the rough crowd
strode awa . and Deadwood Dick sunk grad-
3333’ into he yielding sand, to his horrible

.7.—

CHAPTER V.
$500 REWARD; AND “ CALAMITY” ON DECK.
';0N returning tothe Poker House from their
moonlight excursion to the remarkable duel,
these Wlld men of Death Notch found that

r they had another stranger, still, in their midst—

the. individual once   as Carrol
- xi ‘ '

. bable composure.

 

He had ridden into the place, registered and
put up at the Poker, and was just en aged in
tacking up a placard against the we] , as the
crowd swarmed in, headed by victorious I’iute
Dave and his right-hand man, the bull-
whacker. "

Poker J ack’s face bore rather a disappointed
expression, when he saw that Piute had come
back in place of Deadwood Dick. He had hoped
and expected it would be the other way, for
though there was no declared warfare between
them, they hated each other cordially, and cal-
culated that the guickest man at pulling a “ pop”
would eventual y be the death of the other.
Which one it remained to be told.

The man, Corner, went on tacking up his
placard, and when he had finished, stepped back
to inspect his work.

The placard was a less—printed poster, in big
type, and bore the fo owing announcement:

“$500 REWARD]

“The above reward will be paid for the capture
and delivery to the undersigned. of a wandering girl
calling herself Virginia Verner, but whose real name
is Myrtle Morris. She is accompanied by a negto
companion, and is want (1 for the crime 01 murder.

" CARROL Canaan, Guardian.”

Piute Dave read the notice over and over, and

)

Ellen took a good look at the man who had post-

it.

“ I allow ye won’t be apt ter find yer gal hyar,
Cap,” he said, grufliy. ‘
petticoaters in this hyar town.” -

“ Oh, you don’t,” Carner said, with impertur—
“ Well, it won’t do no harm
to advertise and make sure. Indeed, I am pret—
ty positive the irl is in this town.”

“D’ye mean t et?” Piute demanded, angrily,
drawing a pistol. “ Et ain’t healthy for any
pilgrim to doubt the Word 0’ Pints Dave.”

" Experience has taught me not to believeany
man till 1 have tested him,” was the unflinching
answer. “ My sentiment applies no more to
you than to the rest. If you gents ever indulge,
you’ll find I have an 0 en account at the bar.

“ Drink, stran er?
a cat!” exclaim _
executing a hop-skip—and-jump. “ Ef evyer a
thirsty throng o’ theologians thrived in this ter-
rible kcntry, we’re ther ones. Drink? 0n course
we will: bootlegs and eye—openers by ther dozen
we will dispense in honor of meetin’ ye, at yer
expense, an’ don’t ye fergit it, nuther. Waltz
up, thirsty pilgrims. an’ inundate yer desert
waists wi’ prime old ‘ rib—tickler.’ lrrigate your
parched an’ arid systems wi’ ther anibrosial nerd
tar 0’ s. d. f. r.—sure death at forty rods. As
ther immortoil Shakespeare used ter remark:

“ ‘A ‘gilt-edge ‘ jest before breakfast,
A ‘ sealskin ’ yer dinner ter settle.
A horii-an’-a-'alf before supper, ‘
An’ a " night-cap ‘ ter put on yer mettle.‘

“Drink, stranger? On course we willz an I’ll
take a good straight ‘cofiin—nail ' fer mine, wi’
a bumble-bee or a wassup in it, to give at life!“

And they did drink, to a man, With the excep-
tion of Piute Dave, wrto grufliy refused.

Watching his Opportunity, he left the bar—
room unnoticed, and went upstairs. At the door
of Virgle‘s room. he knocked softly, more like a
name‘s. knock it was than that {If s 

We don’t allow of no -

Taal, I should cough up,
the disciple of Shakespeare, V I

 

 

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’12

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

 

“Who is there?” Vir is asked, from within,
in a tone whose accents etokeiied alarm.

“’Shl I am a stranger to you, but if you
value your personal safety, open the door!” the
villain answered in' a feigned voice; then, as he
heard her unlock the door, he chuckled to
himself to see how cleverly he had succeeded,
unti --

The door partly opened and he found Virgie
standing in the aperture with a cocked revolver
in her hand.

“I thought it was you,” she said with more
composure than she had yet manifested. “ Now
that you are here, you villain, what do you
want?"

“ You’re devilish independent, all at once!”
Piute Dave said, in surprise.

“Because I’ve got the drop) on you!" Virgie
retorted. “I find that he’s est who gets aim
first, in this delectable country, and according-
Iiy, I’m ready for you, sly as you were. What

0 you want, I say?”

‘ I want to come in. I’ve important news
for you. There’s a man down-stairs who wants
ye. at about five dollars a pound l”

Virgie gave a gasp, and her face turned

a e.
.  “ Who?” she demanded, though she could
have told without asking.

“ Let me come in, i you want to know,”
Piute Dave said, grimly. “Awhile ago ye
spurned the friendship of yours truly; now,
mebbe, with a wolf howling upon yer scent, ye’ll
be glad tor accept of it.”

“ Between the bite of a Wolf and a rattle
snake. I have no choice!” Virgie retorted, de-
cisively, “and therefore, if you have anything
to communicate, you can do it from Where you
are, or not at all.”

“Curse youl Then you prefer surrendering
to the man down-stairs, rather than accept of

>my protection, eh?

“I shall not surrender, nor accept your pro-
tection!” Virgie res ended. “If am attack-
ed, I shall fight till see there is no hope, and
then kill myself!”

“ Pooh! words are cheap! Listen, and I’ll tell
you what is the most likely thing fer ye to do, as
thingshow stand. This enemy o' yourn, who
calls himself Carrol Garner, don‘t know yet,
thet you’re heer, an’ ther boys knows their biz,
an’ won‘t give it away, as long as I say na .
Now, jest you marry me, an’ I’ll go down an’ s it
your enemy‘s weazand, an’ that’ll put an end for
the matter. See?”

“I comprehend your magnanimous offer, but

. emphatically decline. When in need of a hus-
band, I shall select a man—not a wolf in the
guise of a man. You may inform Carrol Car-
ner o my presence here, if you like, and tell him,
also, at I have been taking daily practice with
the revolver, lately, and I shall take advantage
of the first opportunity to blow his brains Out.
Go, now, or ’ 1 open up practice on you. Go! I
say; I mean biz!”

And judging by the flash of her eyes, he con-

5 chided she was in dead earnest, and took as few

steps, as possible to carry him out of range of her
weapon. ~

‘ Balfled and savage. he descended the stairs to
the street, to cool off his passion—and consider,

 

Villain that he was he had set his heart on
capturing the girl and making her his wife,
and the failure just now but strengthened his
determination.

Carrol Garner, although he failed to obtain
any information from Piute Dave concerning
the object of his search, was in no wise discour-
aged, and made it his business, during the even-
ing, to “pump” nearly all the roughs in the sa-
loon, who, taking the cue from Dave, all denied

 

any knowledge of the girl. This very unanimity

strengthened his suspicions.

“Excuse me, please, if I refuse to believe
you,” he said, coolly. “ So
the declaration that the girl is not here, that I
am sure she is here. I demand to see your reg-
ister. When I registered to~ni ht, I neglected
to look it over to see if there had een any previ-
ous arrivals.”

“ I refuse to let you see the register,” Poker
Jack replied, an ugly flash in his eyes as he
went on: “I’ll own up that the girl is here,
and when you attempt to take ’er away. you’re
a dead man—you, or any other two-legged cuss
in the town. I’ve been watchin’ the way
things aire shapin’, ter~night, an’ I allow that
the gal is pure, an good, an’ the1 I ain’t any-
thing to brag on about bein’ a saint, I allow
thars enough man left in me ter shove for’a’d
a six, of ary galoot tries any gum games about
that gal. An’ my name’s Poker Jack, from
Pioche.”

And the landlord of the Poker House brought
his fist down hard, on the bar.

That night, when Death Notch slumbered, a
horseman rode stealthily into the town.

His form was well wrapped in a lon black
cloak, a wide-rimmed blac hat was s ouched
down over his forehead to the eyes, whiCh
were covered with the exception of a 1r 0f
peep-holes, by a black mask. which was H mm
met by an immense black heard that touched
to the man’s waist, all giving him a dark and
sinister appearance.

That his mission was a secret one, was evi-
dent. for his animal‘s boots were carefully

muffled, and made little or no noise as they

struck the hardpan bottom of the gulch. .

The strange dark man rode slowly along un—
til he came opposite the Poker House, When he
goingd his horse close up to the front of the

ui ing and halted. _

Rising in the start-ups, and thence to his
horse’s back, he was ah e to_climb upon the cap
of the front door frame, which he. accerdinglv
did, and then crept into the open Window, which
led into the upper hall. I _ .

Pausing a few moments and listening intent-
ly, he stole from one door to another along the
hall, and repeated the precaution of listening,
nor did he conclude until he had visited every
door that opened off from the hall.

Then he came back to the door of the a rt~
incur? occupied by Virgie, and softly turn the

no .

The deer being locked, refused to‘ open. at
which he did not appear to be much surprised,

for he drew a long slender pair of “tippers” ,

(

sitive has been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

from his pocket and quickly had the door un-
locked and o n.

Then, stea ing softly into the room, he closed
it behind him as quietly as he had opened it.

 

The next moming when Pokcr Jack took the
meals upstairs for Miss Virgie Verner, before
any customers were about the establishment to
watchrhim, he found the door wide open and
Miss Verner gone.

Not a little surprised he opened the communi-
cating door of the darky’s apartment, and found
the out of color lying upon his bed, bound
ban and foot and gagged, with a quilt thrown
ovefie his head to shut out any sound he might
ma .

Poker Jack immediately went to his rescue,
and found the r “ coon ” nearly suffocated.

As soon as e could ain his breath, he ave
vent to a sigh of relie', and gazed aboutghim
with ludicrously rolling, eyes, to make sure that
he was really once more liberated.

“ Oh! do good Lor’ a’mightyl I s’pected I’se
a Vgone clam, fo’ suah!” was his exclamation.
“ ’at’s de matter, boss—w’at’s de reason dis
inoffensive chile is tied up like a lump ob dry—
goods an’ a quilt frowed ober his head fo’ to
kee him from breafin’—-—dat’s what I’se anxious
to now?”

“Well, being somewhat in the dark myself, I
naturally looked to you for an explanation,” the
host of the Poker House replied. “Don’t you
know how you came in that plight?”

“ ’Deed I don’t know nuflin’ ’bout it, boss. All
I know is dat when I awoke, dar I was fast,
like do leg oh 8. clam in a shell, and wid a'great
scarcity o’ breathin’ stufi. Dun’no nuflin else
about it—’deed I don’t, fo’ suah.”

“ "Well, this is kind 0' funnysome,” Poker Jack
declared, scratching his head. ‘ Some one’s
been hyar durin’ the night, and waltzed off with
ther almthat’s certain.”

“ hat Miss Virgie gon’, d’ye sa i” Nicode-
mus cried in alarm, springing to is feet, his
dark visage growing a shade paler, if, indeed,
such a thing is possible.

“I allow she is,” Jack replied. “Leastwise
she ain’t in her room.” 1

“ Oh! de good Lor’a’mrghty. W’at’s to be—
come of me, den! Fee a sad gone nigger, fo‘
suahl Say, boss, maybe she’s got skeeredan’
done’gon’ id under de bed, or in de wash- stand,

“Not a bit of it. She’s bin smuggled ofl' dur-
ing the night, but the next thing is, who’s the
smuggler? I allow at won’t be healthy for him,
when, learn who.”

Had Jack had any inclination tokeep the mat—
ter hushed, he could not well have done so, for
it wasn’t ten minutes before Nicodemus had
spread the news all over the town.

Both Carrol Garner and Piute Dave swore

.roundly when they heard the news, but Poker

Jack eyed them searchingly.

“ pne or the other of on know where that
gal is,” he said to himse , “ and if no one else is
interested in her welfare, it shall not be said that
Poker Jack left her to the mercy 0’ two worse
hrutes than himself."

‘ That day a horseman, or rather a. girl, dressed

‘ in male attire, drew rein betore the ‘Poker

 

13

House, and slipping from the saddle, she strode
into the bar-room, and took a glance over the
crowd therein.

The woman was the notorious free-and-essy,
reckless waif of the rocky Western country—-
Calamity Jane.

CHAPTER VI.
A VERY SINGULAR PERFORMANCE.

FEW there were in Death Notch who had not
heard of the notorious girl, and several among
the lot had seen, and now recognized her, Poker
Jack among3 the rest. for Poker had formerly
thrived in eadwood, before taking in Pioche
and Death Notch. '

Calamity had changed but little since the
time when this pen last introduced her: she was
the same graceful, pretty girl—in—breeches that
she had always been, but if there was any
change it was in the sterner expression of her
sad eyes.

A murmur of “Calamity Jane," ran through
the bar-room asshe entered, proving that she
was recognized by more than one. ’

“Yes, Calamity Jane!" she retorted. “ I
see I am not unknown even in this strange
place. Better perhaps, is it so, for you’ll have a.
clearer idea of whom you have to deal with.
I want to know where Deadwood Dick is—
that’s what I want. 1 allow ye’ll say he ain’t
here, but I won’t swallow that. He told me
he’d be here, over a week ago, an’ he allus
keeps his dates.”

“ An’ so you are wantin’ him, eh?’ Piute
Dave grunted, from his perch, on one end of
tlfig’bar. “ S’pose likely you’re a pard 0’ his’n,
e

“ I allow I’ve been his truest pard for many
a year,” Calamity replied, “but, that’s not
what I was asking. Where is Deadwood Dick ’4”

“Well, gal, of my memory serves me right,
I allow the last I see’d 0’ him he was a-sinkin’
in a bed of quicksand, where I throwed him.
We had a tussel, an' ther best man was ter
chuck t‘other ’un in the quicksand, an’ ther
honor fell onto me. He weakened, and I give
him a boost, an’ I persume ef he’s kept right
on sinkiu’, ever since he’s arriv’ down ter ther
maiden kentry o’ the washee washce, by this
time.

Calamit ’5 heart sunk within her at this de-
claration, ut outwardly she was very calm.

She had met Deadwood Dick in the lower
mining districts a few weeks before, and he had
said, as he took her hand in his, in parting:

“ I’m going up to Death Notch, anie, on my.
last adventuresoxne trail, and after that I’m
going to settle down for good, in some lonely
spot, and see if the remainder of myl life cannot
be passed in more peace and quiet t an the past
has been. Come to me, at Death Notch, Calam-
ity, and the hand you have so long sought shall
be yours, We will go hence down the avenue of
life, hand in hand tovether as man and Wife.” '

And then he had kissed her good—by, and she
had looked forward eagerly for the appointed
time to come when she should go to claim the
love and rotection of the only man she had ever
worshi . '

“Idon’t' believes word that gnu sa ,‘7 she
said; in reptyto Piute’s brag. “ at. it learn

I

 

 

 

‘ u n the ground, and peering into the

14

Deadwood Dick‘s Doom.

 

that what you have said is true look out for
yourself, for, girl though I am, I‘ll make you
pry a bitter penalty for your deed."

Then she turned and left the Poker House, a
feeling of sadness stealing over her.

She soon by inquiry learned the location of

the fatal quicksand, and the incidents of the
strange struggle between Piute Dave and Dcnd¢
Wood Dick; then, leaving her horse to aze, she
walked out to the place where the poo of stag—
nant water covered the treacherous bogmire of
( oath.
“ h! Dick! Dick!” she moaned, kneolling
, as
i to penetrate into the untold depths; ‘ I can-
not—will not believe that gen have met your
death in this awful place. omebody, perhaps,
may have come along and rescued you, at the
last moment. God knows I wish I could credit
tint supposition. Dead—you dead, my brave,
true friend? No] no! no! I will never believe
iii—never, until when my own life shall have
c‘ohed out, and I find that my search for you has
been fruitless.”

Tears were strange things in the eyes of
Calamity Jane; it was more in her nature to
laugh at trouble than cry; but, now, everything
\VlS changed. She had never quite given up
the hope t lat Dick would, at some distant day,
recognize her devotion to him, and take her as a
wife. When he had told herto come to Death

J'Notch to become his wife, all the bitterness of

her strange young life had seemingly melted

into glorious sunshine, and she was hap y.
Little wonder, then, that bitter grie now re-

turned to torture her, when they told her that

- the famous bravo-knight had met so terrible a

fate, after so many years of safe passage
through constant peril.

For an hour she knelt by the dark pool. Her
tears were now dried, and a deadly glitter in her
eyes, while a stern expression mantled her fea-
tures.

“No! I win not be rash enough tokillmy-
Self,” she murmured, rising to her feet, “but
will live on—live to hope that he is not dead—
live to wreak vengeance on those who, as a

. people, aimed to tread upon and crush him, be-

cause~because he was Deadwood Dick !”

“Ha! ha! ho! ho!” a voice laughed just be-
hind her, and she wheeled to behold the dwarf
avenger, Old Scavenger, standing near. Dick
had described hini to her. and therefore she had
no difficulty in recognizing him—for surely there
were no two persons in the West whom nature
had made so hideous.

“ Ho! ho!” the dwarf chuckled, when she
turned to gaze at him. “So you came to look
for the devilish road-agent in that pool, eh? You
don't find him, though—neither do I. Ho! ho!
no; he cheated me out of my sweetest morsel of
vengeance, curse him!”

“ How so?" Calamity asked, in surprise. “ Was

.not Deadwood Dick a friend to you and your

daughter, Scavenger?” .
“ No! no! He was a traitor—a devilish trai-

tor—the murderer of my child, and when I

I

found that, inneg to her dress as she lay in
death where e lef her, I renounced his doom,
angfitahat of every other w 'te traitor. D’ye see

 

And he held up the note that he had found on
Kentucky Kit’s body. (See HALF-DI)!!! LIBRARY
No. 201).

Calamity took it from his hands, and read it
carefully.

“ This is not Deadwood Dick’s writing, nor his
signature, old man,” she said decidedly. “ It is
a forgery, trumped up to throw the suspicion on
Deadwood Dick.”

“Bah! you lie!" Scavenger roared, becaming
suddenly furious. “You lie like all the rest.
They a! lie, steal and murder, and I hate ’em—
hate you-hate every man or woman whose face
is white. Ha! ha! I kill ’em, too. Each day
have I sworn to add one new death notch to Red
Hatchet’s councilcpole, and you shall be my vic-
tim for to-day—you! you! Ha! ha! it will be
sweet vengeance to kill the girl who loved the
devil road-agent l”

And even while speaking, he drew a long
keen-bladed butcher-knife from his belt, and
bounded toward her, like some ferocious wild
beast, rather than a human being.

Calamity sprung back a pace, and drew a re—
volver, for she saw that the insane Dwarf was
bent on her destruction.

“Stand back or I’ll fire!” she cried, but he
heeded her not, and she was as ood as her word
—fired, once! twice! thrice! ful at Old Scaven—
ger’s breast.

But without appearing to mind the shots, he
came on, madly, with upraised knife, and noth-
ing was left for her to do but turn and run for
her life, as her strange foe was evidently bullet

proof.

She didn’t run toward the town, but up the
ulch, and as fast as her feet could carry her,
or she was aware that it was now a matter of

life or death to her.

Once, and again, she turned half about, while
running, and sent an unerrin shot at the Aven-
ger, but they checked not is chase, and he
laughed in defiance, brandishing his knife threat-
eningly.

And, too, he was a remarkably swift runner,
and the Girl Sport soon became aware that he
was slowly but surely gaining on her.

In the start-off, she had got several rods awafi
from him, but it promised to be no great lengt
of time ere he should overtake her.

Realizing this, Calamity be an to wonder
what she must do to escape. gould it be that
she, too, had come to this unluck town, only
to meet her fate as Deadwood Dic had done?

Faster—faster grew the chase, both pursuer
and pursued straining every nerve to win;
nearer and nearer to his victim did the Avenger
gain, a demoniac grin of triumph upon his fea—
tures.

Suddenly, however, there was a change—a
break in the monotony of the race.

A man stepped sud only from behind a point
of rock into tlggogulch, just after Calamity had

, and s with folded arms facing the
oncoming dwarf.

Not a weapon did he have in hand nor
seemed he prepared for battle, yet faced" the
pursuing Avenger com y.

Wrapt from head to foot in a long black
cloak, and wearin a tremendous black‘beard,
which, with the dition of a. mask, and Wide- v

l

 

 

 

 

   
    
   

\

Deadwood Dick's Doom.

 

15

 

rimmed black hat slouched down over his
forehead,’ completel hid his features from
view, he was a (int and rather sinister indi-
vidual to behold—the some strange person who
had ridden so mysteriously into Death Notch the
hi hi: previous.

carer and nearer Old Scavenger ap-

proached, flourishing his knife, and making
strange contortions, but not an inch did the
Black Unknown move, further than to raise his
black gloved hand, and point one finger at the
Dwarf.

Had the stranger shown fight, there would
have undoubtedly been an immediate struggle,
but his queer action seemed to puzzle the
crazed creature, and he came to a halt, a dozen
yards awe. , seeming undecided whether to ad-
vapce f er toward the cloaked customer or
no .

Calamity had halted on the other side of him,
not a little surprised and curious. .

The Black Unknown now turned toward her,
and motioned her with his outstretched hand to
ap roach.

he gill obeyed, keeping her weapon ready

for instant use. When within a few feet of him
he motioned her to stop. Then turning to the
Dwarf, he motioned him to pass by on the left-
hand side of the gulch.

At first Scavenger made no move to obey, but
when the stranger stamped his foot imperative—
ly, the girl’s pursuer did as he had been motioned
to do, nor paused until he stood where Calamity
had first halted.

Now turning to Calamity], the dark stranger
pointed toward the Death etch, and said, in a
deep wire of voice, the simple word:

“ Kerectl” the Girl Sport replied, with a lau h.
“ I'm much obliged to you, and don’t nee a
second invitation."

And she went down the gulch, wondering who
was this black individual with the voice like a
roll of midsummer thunder. She looked around
'ust before turning a slight bend that would

ide them from View, and saw that both the

Black. Unknown and the Dwarf yet retained

their same relative positions, exce t that the

arm of the Unknown was leveled at he Avenger
eommandmily.

As she loo ed, too, she saw the hand and arm
fall to the Unknown’s side while Scavenger

- staggered back, turned and fled up the gulch at
the top of his speed.

Calamity went back to the town, and regis-
tered at the Poker House, and was nssi nod
the room from which Virgie Verner had en
abducted.

“Jack,” she said to Poker Jack, who had
shown her to it—“ Jack, you were a hard fel~
low when I used to see you up in Deadwood,
and, judging by {our surroundings, I don’t
allow you’re muc saintlier now. But that
gon‘t hinder you from answering me a ques-

on.

“ Certainly not, Calamity. Ask anything you
choose.”

“Well I want to know whether or not you

reallgelieve that Deadwood Dick sunk in that
quic nd?” 4

 

 

“ Why, I haven’t any reason to believe that
he did not. Piute Dave threw him in, they say,
and then he and the gang cum back here an’ left
the ioor cuss to sink. ’

ay the Almighty inflict some terrible pen-
alty upon them if this is true! But, try thou h
I do to become resigned to this conclusion, I so
not believe that Deadwood Dick lies at the bot—
tom of that bed of quicksand!”

Toward dusk that evening a woman on horse-
back, attended by two mounted scouts, rode
into Death Notch, and dismounted before the
Poker House.

She was an elderly lady, say of fifty-five or
sixty, well dressed, and yet one whose face spoke
of a life that had not been all sunshine. ‘

On disinounting she immediame entered the
bar-room, and after a searching glance around,
approached Carrol Carner, who was engaged in
playing a game of cards with a miner.

Garner arose, with a flushed face, as he saw
her approach, as if it was his intention to at-
tempt to escape, but he caught the gleam of
something concealed in the woman‘s hand as it
hung by her side, and desisted from any such
action.

“ I expected to find you, if I persevered,” the
woman said, with sarcasm, as he arose and
tipped his hat. “ Please order a private apart-
ment where I can see you and talk business.”

CHAPTER VII.
A VILLAIN UNMASKED. w

GARNER seemed to deem it advisable tohu-
mor her, for he immediately led the way up-
stairs to his own apartment, and when there
handed her a chair.

“ Be seated,” he said, curtly. “ Your visit is
unex cted to me. Why do you come here?”

“ ’ o edect a settlement with goo. villain that
you are, if such a thin is possi la,” the woman
retort/ed, bitterly. “ arrol Corner, have you
not one spark of tenderness or mercy in your

 

' cruel heart ‘9”

“ Not that I am aware of,” the man replied,
seating himself, with his heels elevated upon a.
table and lighting a cigar. “ I never was over-
burdened with a reproving conscience, and
when it is likely to interfere with any of my
plans I do away with it entirely. If you come’

ere thinking that wholesale tears and supplica-
tious for mercy will move me, you’ve greatly
missed your reckoning.”

“Carrol Garner, take care!”

“ Bah! don’t be so foolish as to threaten me,
old woman! You can‘t do anything with me.”

” I can. I can have you arrested for a biga-
mist!”

“ Humph! How are you to prove it? How
think you a court would decide it? They would
pronounce me an adventurer, reprimand me,
perhaps, and there the matter would end. Why,

cannot see that there‘s any great cause for
trouble! It’s a simple little story. I, Carrol
Carncr, an adventurer, go down to California
for a little recreation, and meet and marry the
step-daughter of a rich speculator known as
Morris. Both thegirl’s mother and step—father

approve of the match, when '1 accommodate
them with a little ready-nude information that- ~
I am a popular mine-owner in the Nor’west-

  

 

.v

.- Jami-W: ..,..i...... _.-....»_..-.

16 ,
and the wedding goes off as merry as a mar-
ria ebell should 0. ,Next in order develops a
litt item of family news that Morris has a deal
of property and an equal number of debts, and
in order to save his roperty he must deed it to
someone, and there y defraud his creditors of
all that he owes. In this extremity, Morris pro-
poses to deed me two-thirds of all his property,
and his step—daughter the other third, all of
which is done, legally, and thus things stand,
when comes the news from Utah that Carrol
Garner is a Mormon, and has no less than eight
fair and buxom wives, to whose loving company
he is respectfully invited back.

“There is a small-sized tornado in the Mor—
ris camp then and Carrier is commanded to
clear out, but first deed back the gigoperty.
This he kindly refuses to do; and a ut this
time two other sensations arise. News comes
that Myrtle, his wife, has inherited an im-
mense fortune by death of a relative—next,
Carrol Carrier, in com any with a pair of
neighbors, finds Myrtle neeling over the life-
less body of her step-father, with a bloody knife
in her grasp. What do you suppose is the
result? suppose you are full well aware.
Caught in the act as it were, and realizing the
consequences, Myrtle fled, not only from the

, scene of her strange crime, but from California,

accompanied by a family servant. Smarting
under the blow of dishonor she had put upon my
fair name and reputation, I vowed to hunt her
down and hand her over to the law 1”

“Villain! monster!” Mrs. Morris gasped, who
had been listening with blanched face and flash-
inge es. “ Your villainy is without parallel.
You now my poor child never committed that
murder. You know more about how Mr.
Morris die] than she.”

“ That you will find it a hard thin to prove,"
Garner replied, coolly. “ It‘s easier go surmise a
thing than to prove it. I can prove that I
found the girl in a suspiciously murderous posi-
tion, with a bloody knife in her grasp, and that

. is all—sufficient in the e es of the Law. When I

’ asserted.

iuccged in capturing er, the law will take
or.

“ What! what is this—have you not found
her et?" the mother demanded, excitedly.

“ es—on two Occasions, but she has given me
the slip both times,” the scoundrel declared
comp )sedly. “ I found her at first, fulfilling an
eng-igement in a Leadville theater as Vir ‘e
Vern er, where her musical accomplishments,
gather With those of the negro, had secured her
a situation. She saw me, however, before I had
feri'etcd her out, and find. I was soon upon her
trail, however, and followed her here to this
beautiful burg. She was here when I came, but
during last night was kidnapped from her room!i

, and the darky left behind, bound hand an

foot.”

“ And you were the kidna per!" Mrs. Morris
“Carrol Garner, or God’s sake—for
the hope of the hereafter, tell me Where is my
child'!’

“ Dead, I hope " the Mormon, said, decidedly,
“but even that is a delusion. I know nothing
more than I have told you. I did not abdurt
her. I do not know where she is. ”

“You are lying to me !” '

 

Deadwood Dick's Doom.

“Have it that wayif you choose. ‘I would
it were so myself.”

“Why have you thus turned against her
you villain, after you married her—deceiv
her and wronged her?”

“ Because—well, for several reasons. One
in particular—I don’t need any more wives,
having a pretty good stock up at Salt Lake. I
only married the girl in the first place because
I found life rather mo" tonous in California.
Secondly, I find that wit your demise and her
demise, there are no more immediate heirs ex-
tant, and I would come in and inherit the last
third of your property, and her recent inher-
itance too. Consequently, you see it is onl
natural that the law should deal Jromptly with
her, while as for you—oh, wel , it wouldn‘t
puzzle one much to get rid of you i”

Exasperating in the extreme was the man’s
composure and sang froid as he spoke; it but
gave evidence of his depravity.

“ It is as I supposed,’ she said, rising. “ You
are disposed to win your little me, no matter
what the risk. You will, find, owever, that a.
mother’s love for her child is an insurmountable
barrier to battle with.”

“ Ha! ha! then ]you will show your teeth, eh?"
he said, with a lig t laugh.

“Ay! and you shall feel their bite if you
further attempt to harm one hair of her head
who is dearer to me than life.”

Then she swept haughtin from the room.

“Hum h! matters are getting a little more
business- 'ke,” the Mormon muttered. “ If I
mistake not I couldn’t have chosen a better loca-
tion to terminate the business.”

Back from the plateau which had been the
scene of the strange compact between Red
Hatchet and Old Scaven er, stood a oodly-
smed, strongrbuilt log cab n, surround by a
fringe of pine trees whose foliage reached to
the ground. So admirably arranged was this
natural screen, it was only on close approach
that the cabin could be seen.

About the same hour that Carrol Garner and
Mrs. Morris were holding an interview, a scene
was occurring in the mountain cabin, which has
a bearin u 11 our romance.

Red ate et sat beforeaflre on the hearth
enga ed in smoking his pipe while he watched
the ames leap upward, and at the same time
listened to the words of Old Scavenger who
stood to one side, leaning upon a rude stud.

”  Red Hatchet not remember what he

romised?" the dwarf demanded an 'ly a mad

re burning in his terrible eyes. “ ave ye for-
gotten that ye ave her to me?”

“ Red Hatcget gave not his child to the
Dwarf Devil to butcher!” the chief replied, in a
stern tone; “ not till Scavenger has completed
the destruction of the pale-faces’ town, shall he
lay hand upon Siska, and then, it shall not be
to harm her. Siska has become the wife of
Devil-Dwarf, but he must not harm her.”

“ Bali! I want not a wife—I want sweet
vengeance!” the Avenger replied, with a wild
laugh. “ Today has passed without my add-

. l‘l ' :1 death notch to the record. Ev time

' i! t; secure a victim, I will cut oi! a finger

_. ,1

 

la.

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

1‘?

 

or toe, so that they’ll not have it to say I failed
to have vengeance. Siska shall furnish me that
trophy!"

‘ No! no!” Red Hatchet gasped—“ you shall
not do this, I will not 1p:th it.”

“ Then does not d Hatchet respect the
vow he sealed with a draught of blood, that
Siska. should belong to me, to do with as I
pleased? If he does not, I will kill him, and
then torture the girl!” the maniac hissed ven—
omously. “ I will not be cheated of ven-
geance!”

The old chief bowed his head in his hands, for
a few moments. Then he said:

“ Red Hatchet is the chief of a great tribe,
and his word is good, whenever he gives it.
ghggvil—Dwm shall have one of the ngers of

1s .

He arose and hobbled to the door of the cabin,
which stood open, and takings. whistle from his
pocket, blew a shrill blast upon it.

A moment later Siska came’bounding mer-
rily through the trees into the cabin, her dusky
face flushed, from her mountain ramble.

She grew pale as she saw the Dwarf, and
turned to her father.

“ What is it Red Hatchet wants?” she asked,
laying a hand upon his arm.

he chief gazed at her a moment irresolutely,
then his face hardened, as he led her to a seat.

“ Siska is a brave girl. Does she remember
who it was that drove her people from Sequoy,
and killed her brothers and mother?”

“ The ale—faces, father, who have ever been
the enemies of the red race. But, why does Red
Hatchet ask .7”

“ Does Siska remember being told that Scav-

~ en or, the Dwarf, had consented to fl ht the

p e-faces for RedHatchet, and that Sis a was
to be his? Did not Siska consent to this?”

“ [ consented, because I knew it was Red
Hatchet’s wish.”

“ True. Red Hatchet promised you to Scav-
enger, and now he asks for one of Siska’s fingers
because he has not been successful in killinga
pale face. What has Siska to say? Will she
refuse the sacrifice, or will she fulfill Red
Hatchet’s word of honor to the Dwarf!"

A horrified shudder traversed the Indian
girl’s frame, as she listened, and fixed her gaze
upon the horrible hairy visasge of the Aven r.

“ Can Red Hatchet ask iska to do this ” she
demanded, turning her reproachful eyes upon
his stern unpitying face.

“ 1t pains Red Hatchet to ask for this sacri-
fice, and yet Siska knows that he has always
kept his promises as good as the gold in these
mountains. And, then, the DeVil—Dwarf is car-
ryin out the ven nce upon the pale-faces,
whic ”Red Hatchet 3 old age will not allow him
to do.

“ And if you refuse. I’ll kill your father. and
torture you, afterward," Scavenger said, With a
diabolical grin.

“ 0h! father, I cannot!” Siska. cried, covering

' her eyes with her hands, to shut out sight of the

crazy cut-throat. “ I’d rather you would take

your tomahawk, and kill me, yourself 1”
“Waugh! Siska is but a uaw, now—not

like her brave self. Lay one nger upon the

table in scorn, as becomes a fearless Indian girl,

 

and tell yonder bloodthirsty pale-face devil to
cut it ofl‘. Red Hatchet has spoken!”

And this time the tones of the old warrior
were proud and tilled with stern rebuke.

Fired by his coldness, Siska advanced to a
rude table near by, and laying her left fore
finger upon the board, she turned fiercely to
Scavenger, her eyes flashing fire. and said:

“ There! monster, take your coveted prize!” ‘-

“Ho! ho! this is vengeance!” the madman
cried, striding toward the table, his Ion , terri-
ble knife in hand. “ When I have cut t at off,
my thirst shall be satisfied, until a pale-face dog
shall come within reach, to-morrow.”

He reached the table and caught hold of her
wrist and— I

Did not execute his hellish purpose! for at the
instant he was about to sever the member from
the hand, a man bounded quickly into the
room, and seizing the Dwarf by the leg and shirt
collar, raised him by the strength of his arms
above his head——then hurled him forward into
the capacious fireplace, where a hot fire was
burning, for the mountain air was chill.

The next instant the stran er had drawn a
sword from a scabbard which ung at his hip,
and stood on ard. It was none other than the
Stranger in lack, who had come to the rescue
of Calamity Jane, a few hows before.

With a howl of rage the Dwarf scrambled
from the fire-place but not before the flames
had severely scorched his hands and face and
burned some of the hair therefrom.

“ You—you!” he gasped on gaining his feet,
and rceiving who his assailant was.

“ es, I!” the Unknown replied, in his deep
thundering voice. “ Once more we have met,
and your little murderous game is foiled. Go!
I. ginve you yet until the 10th of September to
we.

For a moment the Avenger arcd in almost»
speechless fury at the man in b ck—then with
a howl, he fled from the cabin.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
wno KILLED rum: DAVE?

WHEN the Dwarf was out of sight, the Un- ‘-
known turned to Red Hatchet, and gazed at him
a moment, silently.

“You are like the rest of your red race—a
demon!” he said, finally, with biting sarcasm.

“ I’d be doing your child an act of mercy, you ‘
old snake, if threw you into that fire, and al-
lowed you to burn to a criesg!” _

“Oh! no! no!” Siska cri ,pleadingly. “ Don’t
do that, sir. He is my father, and getting old.
Please spare him for my sake.”

“ For your sake, then, be it, for I can but re- ‘
member that I am under deep obligations to
you,” the Unknown said, bowing.

Siska looked surprised.

“The daughter of Red Hatchet is grateful to
the dark stranger,” she said, “ but does not un.
gersytand why he feels under obligations to

er.

“Nor is there need that she should " the Um
knownre lied. “ In. the mean time, ware of .
the mad warf, and if he  otters to trouble
you, shoot him on the spot!

 

 

and“: a.“ uxuwwmwam,w. . ...N....a.- .

/
With this parting injunction, the man of mys—

tery Lurncl, and strode from the cabin, out into
the early gloaming of the night.

 

Gala nity Jane had overheard the conver-
sation between Mrs. Morris and Carrol Car-
nor, for it so chanced that her room ad-
join-ed ‘h1Lt of the Mormon schemer, and there
being only a thin board partition, every
word that had been spoken came distinctly to
her.

“I will enlist with this woman against the
Morin m villain,” she said, “and I allow he’ll
find his hands full."

She went down-stairs into the bar-room, to

e if the California lady was there, but found
that she was not. There wash big crowd of the
miners and roughs present, lioWever, among
whom was Piute Dave, and the bullwhacker
poet, Shakespeare.

The latter had evidently been indulging in a
goodly number of “bootlegs,” for he was cater—
ing to the tastes of the crowd by some very
queer antics in the terpsichorean line.

“Dame?” he roared. with an extra shuffle;
“ Why, giloots, ye nevyer see’d yer uncle wiggle
his number thirteen. I’m a reg’lar old ballet,
when I get a goin’, on single bizness, 2111’ when
ye guv me a feminine gal 0’ good luks, why, old
Chesterfi aid was nowhar wi’ his ideers o’ exquisut
grace. J est ter show ye, for instances, my fest—
ive royal old kids, hyar’s ther Calam from
Calamityville: she won’t mind tryin’ 3. mazzur-
key wi’ me, I know.”

And he waltzed toward where Calamity had

aused, bmt on forcing her intoa dance with

im. But. just before he reached her, his eyes
became uluid upon a little instrument she held
in her grasp, which mildly suggested trouble,
did he advance further. So he hal-‘ed.

“ Why «l‘ri’t you come on?" Calamity asked,
dryly. “Surely you are not afraid of such a
little to )l as this?”

“But, great Jerusalem, you’d let me have,
right in the buzzomwl see'd et in yer eye.”

‘ Well, I allow you’re a purty falr guesser,
for I shall shoot you, kcrslap, if you lay one 0’
yer greasy paws on me!”

“But you’d git yanked for that.”

“Not while I kin han lle a ‘ six ll”

“‘Then ye calkylate you’re a shootist, do ye,
right from Shootin’ville?”

“ I do, that same“, I presume I am most gene-
rall able to look out for number one.”

“ ut ye can’t shoot—no siren, bobtail hoss!

Thar ain’t no mortal thet kin shoot, compared
wi’ yer uncle, ther playful poet 0’ ther plnins.
Why, w’u'd you believe et, gal, I’m ther furst
patentee 0’ revolvyers, am I, an? I kin outshoot
ary pilgrim from Carver, down to the days 0’
Davy Crockett.”
‘ “'I’ll bet ye can’t,” Calamity retorted. She
saw that to gain the admiration and respect of
these rude men she must surprise them by some
extraordinary proceeding, and there is no accom-
plishment that tickles a Western man so much
as an enhibition of perfect marksmanship.

In this Calamity was not to be despised, for she
had handled Weapons too many years not to be
well acquainted with their use.

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s Boom.

“ I’ll bet you can’t knock the neck off a bottle;
thirty yards 06.”

“Oh! Danyel in the hex s’ denl what foolish-
ness. W'hy, gal,

“ ‘ For shutin’ cluss, I’m noted—
I’m ther ’ristocratic, bloated—
Thcr purty sugar‘coatcd

Pop-gun puller o‘ ther West.‘

“ Why, I kin toss a likker glass inter ther air
an’ plunka hoel through the bottom atom at
cums down.”

“ You can’t do it,” Calamity declared (pulling
out her purse, “and I’ll bet just 8. ol eagle
ag‘in’ it. Then, I’ll turn around and et that it
you can do thet, I can take a revolver and, put
the bullet down the tube 0’ a narmw necked bot-
tle, while it is in the air.”

A cheer of enthusiasm came from the crowd
at this assertion of the Girl Sport, while the poet
looked rather nonplused, as he surveyed his op-
poncnt.

“Well, dog my cats, ef ye kin do thet thar’s a
heap more nerve in ye then ye lnk fer. I’ll jest
bet yea uar‘ fifty gold-bar that ye ken’t do
nothni’ o’ t e kind.”

“Taken, first dose. Put up yer collateral.
Poker Jack will hold the stakes.”

The bullwhacker was in earnest, and ut up
his “three ouncer” in Jack’s hands, fort with,
while Calamity handed him five eagles, and the
bet was made.

“Now then go ahead and prove yer brag,”
Shakespeare cried with a grin, “ an’ when I git
yer fifty, cuss my golden slippers ef I don’t treat
ther boyees ter ther best ther house affords!
Oh! I’m a liberal cuss.”

“ So I perceive, and when you win a. wager
on my shootin’, you’ll need to bet the other
Way!” Calamity laughed. “ You pilgrims it
to either side now, and leave the center of t a
room clear for its whole length, so that nobody
shall git hurt—it would be a great pity to harm
so respectable an assemblage. I could never
forgive myself were I to kill half a dozen of
you. Now, then, gou bullwhacker, procure an
empty bottle, an stand half-way down the
room, to the right side, and when I 've the
word, toss the bottle 11 into the air, t e neck
toward me. I Will to e my sition at the
upper end of the room here, am, if you toss the
bottle as I order, I’ll agree to put a bullet down
the neck so that it will come out the bottom.
Get ready now!"

Her orders were promptly obeyed. The
crowd moved to one side, and she and Shake-
speare took their respective positions.

“Gentlemen, you want ter peel yer eyes
now,” the bullwhacker said, feeling considera-
ble uneasiness as to the result of his wager.
“A gal o’ starling qualities this gal Calam,
may be, but et won't do nary harm ter watch '
her very close. ye see. Ther’fore peel yer
gym, and peel ’em good, an’ watch her leetle
game, ’cn’se fer me ter lose my dncats, b’ cos,
’d be a beastly shame. Selahl Cum,g , be
yer ready?”

“Not yet!" Calamity answered, taking her
position. “ The light in the room is so bright
that it dazzles my eyes. Will some one tie a
Rauggerchief over one of my eyes—you, Poker

ac , ,

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s Doofl;

 
   

i9

 

heat of the Poker House assented, and ac-
- in directions, effectually blindfolded the
loft eye of the eccentric girl dare devil.

“ ow, theu——one«——two—three!” she cried
cockin and raising her revolver before she had
utteredI “ three.”

The instant she uttered the momentous word,
the hullwhacker tossed a long-necked bottle into
the air, as directed, with a “ kil yi!” The next
instant there was a loud report—a smashing of
glass—a yell of human pain.

Down to the floor fell the bottle with the bot-
tom knocked out: down to the floor fell Piute
Da veI grasping at his side, from which a stream
of blood was oozing, dyeing the floor.

Calamity had won her wager!

And Piute Dave had lost his life.

Had one bullet done it all?

That was a question nnanswerable by any
present, as all .eyes had been riveted upon the
bottle as it whirled through the air.

It had all occurred in an instant, and brought
surprise to every one—even Calamity, who heard
the fall.

  

“I am killed—the cuised girl in breaches (lid ,

it!” Piute Dave gasped blood Spurting from his
mouth, as he spoke. ‘ Kill her, some one—cut
her heart out!”

“ Back !" Calamity cried, tearing the handker—
chief from before her eyes, and leveling her re-
cocked weapon at the crowd. “ This is a lie! I
did not shoot that man. Look at the bottle—
there is a hole through it! You Will at once see
that I could not have done both jobs with one
bullet.”

“ You lie—you lie!” Piute Dave yelled, raising
frantically upon his elbow, and attempting to
draw his revolver, but the exertion was more
than he was capable of, and he dropped back
upon the floor—dead!

For a moment thereafter the silence in the
room was so intense that a pin-fall could have
been heard.

Then, Poker Jack spoke:

“The gal is right, boys." he said, decidedly.
“ She could not hev bored that hole through the
end of the bottle. an’ killed Dave, too."

“ A gal who‘s clever enuflf ter even chuck
cold lead inter ther throat o’ a bottle when et
was tumblin’ somersets in mid-air, ar’ enufl?
possessed o’ ther devil fer do ’most anything, I
allow,” declared an old miner, with a grunt of
disapproval, and this view of the matter also
seemed to meet a favorable response (rom his
companions.

“ It‘s a big thing to do, of course,” l’oker Jack
assented; “ but, look! yonder is a splinter in the
door at the other end of the room. that shows
where the bullet went, after gom’ through the
bottle.” _

An exclamation confirmed his declaration.
A bullet was lodged in the door. in plain View,
in a spot where the door had hitherto been un-
marred.

“That don‘t settle the question. however,” a
voice cried, and Carrol Garner, who had been
standing sincethe shooting in the doorway that
opened into the hall, new advanced into the bar-
room. “I’ve got a little finger to intrude into

. this ie.
, “ &ell, what have you got to say?" Calamity

 

demanded, turning fiercely upon him, for from
his voice she knew he was the sameman who
was dealing so villainously with Mrs. Morris.

“ I have this to say," he replied, with a tri-
umphant smile—“ that while all other eyes were
turned upon the bottle, mine were upon you,
and I saw you fire two revolvers, instead of one;
one was leveled at the dead man here the other
at the bottle, and both exploded simultaneously,
making one report.”

“ My God! whata lie!” Calamity Jane gasped;
then—“ Back! back, you devils—7’ as the crowd
rushed at her, and she opened rapid fire 11 on
them with two revolvers, resolved to sell her into
and liberty dearly.

But they were a hundred to onchw'hat could
be the result?

They had secured her in the hard, unyielding
grasp of a dozen pairs of hands, in almost a mo-
ment, but not until her unerring aim had sent
four strong men upon their backs, and several
others wounded.

“ Out with her! String her up !" roared the
Bullwhacker Poet, who had been one of those to
sustain a scratch in the face.

“ Yes, give the murderous hussy a rope !” cried
Carrol Garner: “ she deserved it long ago!”

“Hold! Pause before you do this outrage l”
a deep, stern voice cried. and there entered the
room the same strange, black-bearded stranger
whom we have known as the Unknown.

He had no weapons in hand to stay the mob
that had Calamity Jane in their power: it was
the commanding tone of voice, and his dark,
forbidding appearance that caused the rude
crowd to pause and await an explantion of his
advent.

“Stop!” be repeated. “This girl belongs to
me to kill. I have a mortgage upon the life you
would take, and I propose to attend to the fore-
closure mysclf; still, realizing your revengeful
spirit toward her, I will give you a chance to
win her for your own disposal. Select some man
from your crowd who is expert at knife—throw-
ing, and we will throw six knives apiece at a
round chalk-mark, the size of a silver dollar, on
yonder door, while standing twenty paces from
the aforesaid door. The man who puts the most
kllifgs nearest the chalk center shall have the

ir

g “ That‘s me, every day in the week, you bet!”
cried the poet, executing a ludicrous caper. ,
“ Right on my muscle aire I at tossin’ knives.
Way up ter ther shoulder; ther b‘yees knows who

I am, and that my specialty is thet, an’ compil-
in' beautiful gems 0’ poetry. Eh! boyees—shall
we hev a leetle 0’ ther blady amusement?”

Pluto Dave la dead upon the floor—these men
of Death Notch ooked next after him to Shakes
pears as their leader, and gave a growl of as
sent.

“ It is well,” the Unknown said, “ for had you
refused you would never have escaped from this
place alive, as it is in my power to Strike every
one of you dead at a. single blow.”

It was a bold declaration, but had its effect.
The crowd oowered in superstition from the
gaze of this dark, forbidding stranger, ‘

“ Go ahead, and collect a dozen bowie knives,
and also mark adollar-sized circle on yonder

 
 

  
 
    
  
  
  
   
 
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
 

l ,
g
i
i

 

20,

door, belt high. Then pace oi’f tWenty steps,
and lead ofl’,” the stranger commanded.
Shakespeare followed the instructions promptly,
and then,‘ar1ned with his allowance of knives,
took his position.

It was now to be a test of skill for the life of
Calamity Jane, who was still held a prisoner.

CHAPTER IX.
THE UNKNOWN WINS—AND LOSES.

II“ was the Black Unknown who gave the
word ‘ go,’ and the bullwhackcr hurled his knife
directly toward the chalk mark upon the door.

Hurled it Well, too, for it struck within a
couple of inches of the hastily-prepared bull’s—
eye.

A cheer Went up from the crowd who had
‘hitherto had no particular amount of faith in
the bullwhacker’s aim, and it tickled the poet
hugely, for he executed a grotesque breakdown
in celebrations of his first good throw.

“ Ho! ho! who sayeth thet thcr great Peru-
vian Poet ain’t on his muscle?” he roared, with
a broad grin. “Did ye see how purty thet no-
ble blade went quivering cluss ter the eye of the
bull? This time I’ll put out the bovme’s sight
entirely, you bet!”

But he didn‘t.

The knife went further from the bull’s-eye
than the first one.

“ Kerwhoopl I get nervous thct time, an‘ put
on too much elbow,” he cried, a little chagrined.
“ Knife-threwin’ is about as uncertain as life, I
tell ye. A fellar, can’t tell when he‘s goin’ ter
make a miss-go l"

The next throw Was more successful, for the
knife Went quivering into the center of the
bull'seye, recisely.

“Thar! east yer eyes on that, will ye, an’
tremble in yer boots!” the bull whacker shouted,
turning to the Unknown. “Oh, I’m a colt, I
aml—Im a snortin’, cavortin’ war-hose, right
from ther histrionic battle-field 0’ Waterloo,
where water was first invented. Here goes

, ag’in for another bull’s-eye!”

And, sure enough, he did succeed in putting
the blade- oint of his fourth knife in the circle
close besi e its predecessor.

Another round of applause came from the
friends of the bullwhacker.

“I guess that surprisos our black—bearded
friend!” Carrol Garner ejaculated, sarcastic-

ly.

“ Not nearly so much as an early death will
surprise you, sir?” the Unknown retorted. “ In-
deed, I am leased to see your man exhibit so

-much skill in the use of the knife, and presume

he Will Win.”

“ You may'hope so for your own good, you
Mormon devdi” Calamity cried, turning her
glittering eyes upon the Salt Lake ruflian, “ for

f I get free, you can bet I’ll make mince meat of
you.

This, too, elicited quite a cheer, for the Mor—
mon was no favorite among the rouglis, despite

,his effort to establish himself in their confi-
v . dance.

Al ether, the audience was getting very
enthus astlc.
“I have no fear of serious consequences!”

' Garner responded, with provoking composure.

o
1

 

fieadwood Dick’s Doofi.

“ Nor need you,” the Unknown replied grimly,
“ for even if the girl escapes your vengeance, she
is got through with me, I fancy. Hal ha!
nol

“ In what way have I deserved your enmity?”
Calamity replied, more surprised than ever, for
she had believed she would gain her libert at
the hands of the strange dark individual, w use
voice was like the sullen growl of thunder.

“ That remains to be told,” he replied. “ Suf-
fice to say that I hold a mortgage 8. ainst your
life, which I shall foreclose. If I don t win, you
are still the prisoner of these gents you see
around you. Go ahead sir bullwhacker—you
have yet two knives to t row!” ,

“ An’ h or they go. Jest feast yer eyes on
ther She. espearean wind-up 0’ this exciting
drnmyer.”

Whiz! away sped the fifth knife from the
poet’s hand, and buried its keen point deep in the
door a half a foot from the bull’s eye.

“ Bah! thet don’t look as if you were oing to
win!” Carrol Garner growled. “You’ll ose the
girl, you fool, and cheat us out of our ven—
geancel"

“ Ef he loses her, et’s his loose, pilgriml" one
of the miners said, “ an’ ef Black Beard wins her
fair, he shall hev her ’cu’se we’re square, we
dire—eh! ain’t that so, boys?”

The men of Death Notch gave a nod of as-
sent. ‘

Carrol Garner rose up. He had hoped to find
no mutiny among the men so that Calamity
would not be given to the unknown, under any
circumstances. '

Whiz! Shakesmare’s last knife hurtled
through the air, and entered the bull’s eve—
making just half of it’s allotted number which
had entered the circle.

“Very good, indeed,” the Unknown said,
“ but I think I can put the whole six in the cir-
ifle. full out your knives and I will try, ,, at

east.

Shakespeare obeyed, not nearly so Well-pleased
as he might have been.

“ I orter ’a’ put ’em all hum, myself,” he said,
“ but ever time I’d git Jist ready tolet fly, same
consarned ine 0’ .try would pop inter my nod-
dle, an’ discombo berate my aim. Hyar 5 one
that popped in just as I heaved the last knife:

‘Mary had a little lamb;
At her et uster kick
She pulled the wool all off its back
An’ made a feather tick.‘ "

“Well, please don’t give us any more of the
same style, or it may injure my aim also.” the
Unknown added. satiricaily, as be equipped him-
self With his knives preparatory to the test.
“ Watch me now, to see that I do it fairly.”

He then hurled one of the .bowies toward the
door. Thudl it entered the Cll‘cle exactly in the
center, the blade passing through the door up to
the hilt, illustrating, strlkmgly, with what force
the missile had been thrown.

“ Pull that knife out; I want to put another in
the same place," he said. with a faint smile.

It was done, and he was as good as his word—-
he hurled another knife into the same spot.

One after another was pulled out, and, one
after another he buried in the same hole, until
he had not only exhausted his own half-dozen

A“ 

“(ft—v, - _

Deadwood Dick’s Doom; 21

 

but had also buried the poet’s knives there, too,
without making a misca culation in his aim!

When he had finished he turned to the specta-
tors. with a bit of triumph learning in his eyes.

“Have I won, gentlemen?’ hedemanded, with
asmile.

The cheer that fOIIOWed spoke better than
words of their decision.

“On course you’ve gone an’ won, an’ I be
dratted of ye didn’t do et fair an’ squar’, an’
ther gal is yonrn, declareth I, William Henry
Shakespeare, mayor 0’ this hyar town 0’ Death
Notch. Give us yer ’and, you galootl—yer laud,

v’noi‘. your ’and, for squeeze jest fer good
than

“ No, I thank you! I do not care to shake
the hand of a greater rogue than myself." the
Unknown replied, dryly. Then he turned to
Calamity:

“Girl, I have won you fairly, and now you
are doubly mine. But I do not want you just
yet, and so will give you your liberty for a
few days, well knowing that you will not dare
to run away. Gents, give her her liberty. and
see that she is offered no molestation until I
get ready to claim my revenge. Ha! hal
it shall be sweet revenge—the revenge of years‘
maturing!"

Then, with a
wrapped his cloa closer a
from the tavern.

One or two of the miners went to the door
after him, and saw him stride swiftly away
up one of the loomy gulches which centered
into the basin li e the spokes of a wheel to the
hub.

Calamity was then released, but Carnot had
taken the perecaution to escape to his room to
save troub .

Just outside of the basin, in the moonlight
that streamed into the gulch. the Unknown
came unexpectedly upon a woman who was
seated upon a fallen tree, and engaged in a good
old—fashioned cry.

The new-fashioned cry of to-day is a combina-
tion of sighs and snuflles; consequently it occur-
red to the Unknown that this woman’s he
out-and—out cry might safely be pronounced cl —
fashioned.

He was considerably surprised at his dis—
covery, and hesitated about disturbing her.
But, resolved to learn her trouble, he finally
stepped forward and touched her upon the
shoulder. .

“Excuse me, madam, but is your trouble of
a nature that needs assistance from a strong and
willing hand of one whose whole hfe has been
one of'trouble?" .

Mrs. Morris—for it was she-looked up With a
start. A

“Who are you. sir?” she demanded in alarm,

'm lau h, the dark stranger
ut him, and stalked

 

for his dark and forbiifiing appearance did not '

favorably lm ress her.

“One who a gentleman. and a friend to the
oppressed, ma’am. e‘en tho‘ dark my aspect.
Coming accidentally upon yen, and noting your
evident grief, I was prompted to ask if a strong
hand could he of assistance in allefiating the
trouble. No offense, I trust?" _

“ Not necessarily, if you are sincere in what

\

 

you say,” Mrs. Morris replied, a little more as-
sured. “I am in deep trouble, and fearI can
obtain no rclicf. I have lost my only daughter,
and cannot find her. I tracked her to this bad

wicked town of Death Notch, but only to find
that she had suddenly disap ared.”

“Ah! than you are Mrs. Iorris, a California
lady?” the Unknown said, his surprise doubling,
for at first he could form no idea of her identity.

“ Yes, I am Mrs. Morris, but how could vou
know that i”

“ Because the circumstances of your daughter’s
flight to this country are known to mel Your
daughter is a guest in my solitary cam in the
mountains, and she told me her story. t was I
who abducted her from the tavern, ' that she
might not become the victim of her enemy, the
Mormon villain.”

“ God be praised!” the relieved mother cried,
clasping her hands jo 'fully. “ You aresure she
is there, safe and we] .2”

“ She was, this morning, when 1 left her
there, in the care of her negro companion.
Come with me, and you shall soon see her.”

“ How can I ever repay you for this kindness?
You have taken a great load from my heart.
How far is it to the place where I can see my
dun htcr?“

“ ot over a mile, and we can soon walk it.
Will on take mv arm ?”

“ 0, thanks! I am quite strong and love to
walk. Lead, and I will follow. Oh! sir, my
daughter is of good cheer, is she?”

“ Quite brave considerin the trials she has
passed through, I 'udge. er negro compan-
ion is lively enoug to (beer her u , were she

loomil disposed,” the Unknown eclared, as

6 led t e way up the lch.

“ Did she tell you w y she fled from home?”

“Yes. I could well understand her case, for
I came near being caught in such a trap once,
myself,” was the gloomy answer. “ This being
found standing over dead persons does not
always signify that the one so discovered is
guilty. The guilty one glides away when the
unwary and thoughtless approaches.”

The remainder of the journey was finished in
silence.

Mrs. Morris was busied with her own the his .
-—eongratulnting herself on havin her chil in
spite of Carrol Garner, and won erin if they
would be luckyenough to escape from t emoun—
rains before he could find and offer them fur-
ther molestation as he had promised.

She felt that he was capable of any villainy
no matter how base.

In the course of a half-hour they came to an
abrupt termination of the gulch, in the face of
a mi hty, towering wall of rock, at the foot (f
whic was a but of boughs and poles, and in
front of that a crane upon which a kettle hung
ovor a temporary fire—plum. ’

There was no visible stir about the place as
they approached, and. the Unknown quickened
his ace.

“I'l‘hey must have gone inside,” he said. but his
words belied his belief ; he Scented trouble!

A few steps further, and they came upon an
appalling spectacle! ,.

Seated upon the ground, with his back lean!
against the tree was Nicodemus Johnsing, Wi “

 

 

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an...

,2
T
,1:

cubs?"

,

 

~- .v loxgyyj. r‘. .,

 

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

 

his banjo in his hands, as it preparatory to play-

in .

fiut he was stone dead!

“By Heaven! there‘s bad work here!” the
Enknown cried, bounding forward into the

ut.
He came out, an instant later, but unaccom-
panied.

“Your daughter is gone, madam!" he said.
“ Some human demon has been here and killed
the dorky, and carried her off, as she is not in
the but. I believe the cursed crazy Dwarf is
the author of this outrage l”

 

CHAPTER X.
A THWARTED DESIGN.

POOR Mrs. Moms again burst into tears on
learning her daughter’s fate from the Un-
known’s lips. ~ ‘

“ Oh! what shall I do—what can I do toward
rescuing my or child?” she cried, nearly fran-
tic with her oss.

“You can do literally nothing, my dear
madam. at present,” the Unknown answered.
“It will require a strong, shrewd man to pick
the cglprit‘s trail and discover his hidlng-
p ace. ‘

“But, it may not have been this Dwarf you
speak of, who has done this terrible work.
Might not Carrol Garner have discovered this

lacteéa’and carried off poor Myrtle, after killing

10
, “I judge not. Come! I will show you the
way back to the town.”

“Whatl not without my making an attempt
to discover my poor lost child i”

,“Humphl you’d have poor success, as I be-
fore intimated. The best thing for you is to
return to town and get accommodations at the
tavern. All that can be done toward finding
and rescuing your daughter I will attend to in
person, with as much interest as though she
were my own child.”

“ Ohl thank, you, sir, thank you!

, good and noble man!”

The Unknown laughed, darkly.

“ Far from that, am afraid,” he said. with a
grim smile. “Still 1 am not so bad a man as I
might be, you see. Come! let us go.”

They accordingly left the solitary camp and
ivivalllked back to Death Notch, through the moon-

You are a

t.
gl‘he Unknown accompanied Mrs. Morris
nearly to the tavern and then took leave of her.
promising that he would devote his earnest
efforts to the recovery of her daughter.

Mrs. Morris then returned to the hotel, and to
her room, which she had engaged earlier in the
evening. ,

It Was a severe blow, this second disappear-4
ance of Myrtle, to the poor mother, whose ex—

‘ pectancv had been so wrought up by the words
of the Unknown, concerning her safety.

The following day was a gloomy one. The

' sky was black with ominous banks of clouds,
and a steady nnceasing rain poured down, from
early dawn till dark. ‘

, et within the cabin of the old chief, Red
rHatchet. acheeigv fire burned upon the hearth,
EN. W9 Quiet an 1113 daughter set; before It, the

 

former seeking solace from his ipe, and the
latter engaged on some fancy b -work.

“It is a wild day,“ the chief grunted gloom-
ily; “such a day it was that Red Hatchet was
driven from his town, and nearly all his braves
slaughtered. The thought causes the blood to
boil in Red Hatchet’s veins, and his spirit thirsts
for revenge upon the pale-face usurpers, more
than ever before!”

“ Then why does not Red Hatchet go forward
and claim his property? Was it not deeded to
him by the Government, in exchange for lands
in the Colorado valley, which the Government
wanted, because of their golden value?”

“ True! who speaks?” and the old warrior
turned about in surprise, for it was not Siska
who had spoken.

A young Indian, in full paint and regalia of a
war-chief, stood upon the threshold-41. strong,
stalwart brave of straight build, and great mus—
cular beauty, but whose every feature and style
of dress proclaimed him to be of a different race
of red~men than Red Hatchet, who was of a
tribe fast becoming extinct—the Pawnees.

The stranger was further from the south and
his features Indicated him to be on Apache.

“ Who is the brave whose face is covered with
war-paint?” Red Hatchet repeated, rising to his
feet.

“ Dancing Plume is no common brave but a
great chief of the Apache nation,” was the
haughty reply. “He comes from the arid
lands of Arizona into the north, with his band
of braves, to seek a home in the land of game
and gold, and also a wife for his Wigwam. He
hears of the wrongs that the pale-faces have in-
flicted upon Red Hatchet, and comes to offer
consolation.”

“ The Apache and the Pawnecs have ever been
enemies; why does Dancing Plume then come
and seek conciliation with Red Hatchet?”

“ Because Red Hatchet is alone and unprotec—
ted: because his spirit cries for revenge upon the
pale—face usurpers of, his rights, and Dancing
Plume can avenge the Pawnee’s wrongs. His
warriors are all young, brave and strong; they
would call it but a play-spell, to clear away the
pale-faces.”

“ Your words sound well, but Red Hatchet is
not Mind. The Apache had an object in thus
coming, to the aid of a foe of his race."

“Which Dancing Plume doos not deny. Red
Hatchet has a pretty daughter, whose beauty
and goodness, is known widely. Dancing Plume
needs a princess for his Wigwam. Red Hatchet
is getting old and needs some one to hunt his
game. Dancing Plume would take the Pawnee
maiden as his wife, win back the town of Se.
quoy, and with Red Hatchet dwell there in peace
and prosperity." . '

Red Hatchet was Silent a few moments; then
he‘twed gorSiske. In to ,
‘ hat 065 my C 1 (May the ro sition
of the Apache chief?" he asked, his Eyespgleam-
ing at the satlsfaction afforded - him by the

younger chief’s prospectus.

“ Siska has nothing to say. It was Red
Hatchet who gave her to the Dwarf; it is for
him to say whether he will hreakhis treaty with
the Dwarf. and give Siska to Dancing Flume,”
was the reply, ‘ “ T ‘ 

/

i ,

.544.  M v- 

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

 

“ Ah! then another claims the Pawnee maid-
en," the Apache said.

‘A pale—face Dwarf, to whom Red Hatchet
romised Siska, if he would carry out Rod
atchot’s vengeance, as Dancing Plume has

offered to do,” the old chief explained.

“ Show him to me and it shall be a struggle
for the victor y!" was the young chief’s de-
mand. “ If Dancing Plume falls, his braves
shall win back the town and present it to Red
Hatchet. Shall it be as the Apache has pro—
posed? Let the Pawnee speak l”

“ Red Hatchet agrees, but Dancing Plume
must settle the difference with his rival!”

“Wa h! Dancing Plumecourts battle! Why
should he fear a pale—face dog. when from boy—
hood he has led at the head of his tribe! The
tomahawk shall be dug up: Dancing Plume will
go for his braves, and ere another sunrise after
the morrow, the war-whoop of the Apache shall
echo through these valleys and mountains.
Dancing Plume has said it, and he never lies!”

Then, kissing his hand to Siska, he turned and
left the cabin. with a firm, stately stride.

A bad outlook was there for the town of
Death Notch—a worse fate was promised those
who had driven the Pawnees from their village,
which an unscrupulous Indian agent had illegal-
ly assigned to them!

Carrol Garner prided himself on being a vi]-
lain, and he had often said it, that the man who
could conceive more efliclent and novel schemes

-of rascality than he, was hard to find.

The following day—the same that witnessed
Dancing Plume’s vis1t to Red Hatchet—in the
hight of the storm, the Mormon left the town,
carrying with him in a bundle a. few articles
which be calculated he would need.

No one paid any attention to his departure
except CalamityJane, and she concluded that
he had decided to quit the place before any
trouble occurred.

About the middle of the afternoon 8. str anger
rode into the settlement, through the pouring
rain, on the back of a scrawny looking mule,
and dismounting in front of the Poker House
entered the bar—room.

He was a medium sized man with bushy red
beard and hair, and decidedly seedy—looking.

He’d not recently visited a clothier, evidently,
for his lower limbs were clad in dirty, patched
overalls. thrust into the tops of a stogy pair of
boots. The trowsers were in turn met by a
greasy red shirt, open at the throat, with ac-
companiment of a boltfnl of revolvers at the
waist. and a slouch hat crammed down onto
the head, until it almost bid from view the

e es.

yAnd dripping with the rain through which he
had come. this sandycornplexioned gent walked
into the bar-room and up to the bar, and gasped
out “whisky,” in a. wheezy tone, as if he had
nottlubricated his internal machinery very re
con .

Nor did he begin to stop at a mere glass, for no
sooner had Poker Jack set the bottle upon the
counter, than he grabbed it up and allowed the
contents to gurgle down his throat!

When he had drained it to the last drop, he
returned the empty bottle to the astonished bar—

 

tender with a grateful sigh, at the same time
planking a ten-dollar gold piece upon the bar.

“Stranger, thet war powerful bad ilc—thar
warn’t a hornet nor even a wassup in ct, ter
give et life.” he said, in the some whoezy voice,
“ but when a fellcr’s machine! 3: ain’t bled ct
won’t run, 1111’ so 1 had to submit to the inevit-
able!”

“ Well, I should allow ct didn‘t cost you much
of an effort,” Jack grinned, “ for ye did it right
gracefully. and et’ll cost ye just a V."

“ Take ther saw-buck, yard—fake et freely,
fer I should hev given or a twenty \‘f thar lied
only been jest one good ornets7 Inst in ct.” ‘

Then, wiping his month, he turned gravely to
survey the crowd which the pouring rain had
driven into the house.

It was a. motley ass mblace of mugh-shod hu-
manity, evil, sinister, and not Ileasant to con-
template.

For several moments he surveyed them, as if
making an inventory 1 f their dilh rcnt natures;
then be mounted a table, clean d his; throat, and

struck an attitude, as if about to dcliver astump V '

oration.

“ Gents—pilgrims—galoots in general, I want
ter ask ye, do I luk like a cuss who would tell a
lie?” he began, in oratorical tones. “ Do I In]: ary
a bit less than a second George lVashington 14"

A silence among the crowd was his answer.
They had not yet got an inkling of u but he was
driving at, and preferred to keep mum.

“ Brethren.” the brick-bearded bullvvhacker
continued, after a pause, “ et docth me dolornus
to note thet ye hev yet received no inspiration
from the honest reflection of my countenance.

23

But sech is fate. Bear et in mind ever hence,.

beauties benign, thrt a man who kin juggle »

down a quart 0’ Death Notch petroleum wi‘out
ary a bumblebee in ct, is an honest man. More-
over, feller-citizens, never look adversely upon
one o” yer sex because he is han’sum’. Et one a

phenomena recooliar tew the male race 0’ whites.

l was once jest as humbly as ary galoot present,
but alas! I’ve lied trouble, b’yees—dire troul lo,
and my benign and saintly resignation ter [For
inevitable hes added luster and glorious angrlic
beauty to my physiognomg‘, despite all efforts of
mine to the contrary. ut I’m no saint, 3 il-
grims: not a golden ba’r ner ther .
wing is thur about me. No sirvee! ‘m a war-
rior. l am—on ther war-path, yearnin’ fer gore!
Shell 1 tell you why, my disciples? Ay! I will,
tho’ et shull wring tears from this heart 07 mine
as large as watermelons. ,

“ Ter begin wi’, picter yerself a pleasant home

of a. well-ter-do merchant—~who never took ov<r ~

seven drinks a day—in which war a Wife and a.
sunny—haired child. Ther devil comes inter that
house, in ther figger of a man. His oily tongue
tempts ther wife: she, attempts fer flee with her

tempter, but her child clings tar her skirts an’ ,

begs her not tor go. In a passion the woman
smites her own flesh nn‘ blood to the floor, and
flies with ther devil. The child is fodnd h the;-
fond father, in a d ‘ oondxshun, an' wit her
departin’ breath, be sw ars for vengeance. Years

38, but at last it draweth near. Pards, hyar

fore ye stands that merchant: do ye wonder
he vearns fer bug-Juice tor satiate his thirst gar

revenge?’

rout uv ii.‘

.\~

 

 

24 Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

 

“Go’r a'mi hty, no!” declared Shakespeare.
“ B’ilin’ full c ’ar ter m larynx would I be, ef
I’d been thru sech troub e.”

“ On course ye would, an’ of I war tor assert
ter ye that, after years of search I’ve trailed
my faithless wife hyar ter this ver house,

ou’d all be willin’ ter lend a helpin’ land ter
st her up ter a limb 0’ ther furst convenient
tree, wouldn’t ye?"
9‘ Ef evyer fabled monster
Did perch upon er roost.—
Then we‘re ther very pilgrims
W’at'll lend our hands—to boost!“
quoth the poet, with a caper. " For lordy’s sake,
man, of thar’s ary show fer a neck-tie party,
issue er invitations to us, for oncet.”

“ en know that ther inurderess is in this
hyar house, in the guise of a Mrs. Morris, an’ I
her desarted husband seek reven e," the stran-
ger cried, fiercely. " Hurrah! lets give her the
rope Wi’out parley.”

‘ Don’t!” a voice cried. “ don’t dare to disturb
that innocent woman. Seel this man is an im-
torl” and while speaking, Calamity Jane
unded forward from the hall where she had
been listening, and tore a false heard from the
“honest” man’s face.

And there, exposed to the gaze of those he
had cleverly deceived stood Carrol Garner, the
Mormon!

 

,CHA’PTER XI.
THE POET PLOTS.
FOR a moment after his strange unmasking,

' Carrol Garner stood confronting the Girl Sport,

almost speechless with rage; then he drew a
knife and rushed fiercely at her, but stopped
when he perceived that she held a cocked “ SIX "
in hand.

“ Slack up yer lokerinotive, of {e leisel" she
ordered, peremptorily, “ or I s a perforate
you. Don’t ’spect I see‘d you leave the tavern,
’did ye, and that I tumbled ter yer leeble game
the minute I see’d you?”

“Everlasting curses seize you!" the baffled
schemer hissed. “ If you put up that pistol l’ll

. kill you i”

“ It would berather kind of me to give you

that advantage, but I can’t hardly see ther

point!” Calamity returned, drily. “ And, I al-
low thet fer yer own personal safety, ct would
be your likeliest move to make yourself scarce
about this burg. In other words, I’ll give you
five minutes to git! If I see enough of your
anatomy after that to get a decent aim at. I’ll
goy‘you higher than dynamite blowed Hell
:1 e. ‘ v

" -. “But I protest! Gentlemen, I appeal to you

for protection I” the scoundrel cried, turning to
the rough-shod audience he had just been ad-
dressing. “ Will you see me thus bulldozed by
this , oung tigress in breaches?"

“ allow ye‘ll hev ter fight yer own battle,
gilgrim," poetical Shakespeare asserted, with a

road grin. “Ye war superfine at pullin‘
sheepskin over our eyes, an’ we opinn ye’ll hev
ter rest on er own oars—you bet! Ef the gal
sez git, I ow thet is about the healthiest thing
you kin do.”

“ Yes, you bet, and you’ll need to he expedi-

4ti9us in order to get out of range of my pop-gun

 

in the four minutes that yet remain,” Calamity
added, glancing at her watch. “ Come, be mov-
in , or you’re a cadaver, sure! And recollect

if ever catch you in this town hereafter, I
shall pop You over without ceremony.”

Carner azed at her a few seconds with a face
that was ivid with ra e, and then turned and
strode to the door. “ member I” he cried,
turning and shaking his clinched fist at her;
then he hurried forth into the pouiing rain.

Calamity followed him to the door, and kept
her revolver leveled at him until he had left the
basin; then she returned to the bar-room, from
whence she went to her own apartment up-
stairs.

 

The poet bullwhacker wasa shrewder man
than many gave him credit for being. While
outwardly blatant and boastful, he was capable
of putting this and that together and forming
some pretty correct conclusions.

Among others he had lately conceived a little
money—making plan of his own, from things
that had come to his notice.

In the first place, he had, by figuriu and
guessing, concluded that the girl, Virgie erner
~0r more correctly Myrtle Morris—was of more
pecuniary value than ordinary girls, for the rea—
son that she was wanted by two parties—first
by Carrol Garner, who had offered five hundred
dollars reward for her, and secondly by Mrs.
Morris. How much could be extorted from her
the bullwhacker had no idea, but he had con-
ceived the notion that she would be glad to pay
still more handsomely.

In the second lace, he had formed another
idea that he con d find the girl. He had twice
gotten a glim se of Old Scavenger, the Mad
Dwarf—he had seen the terrible face of the
Avenger at the tavern window the night of Piute
Dave’s death, and knew the Dwarf had been the
one who had fired the fatal bullet simultaneous
with the report of Calamity Jane's weapon.
Something argued to him that Virgie was in

cavenger’s nwer.

Thus cone uding, the poet formed a determi- '

nation to obtain possession of the girl himself, if
possible, and surrender her to the one who would
pay the most for her.

On the day following, which was a pleasant,
sunny one. he left the town, and spent his time
in the mountains and forests that surrounded
Death Notch on every hand. '

His object in this was to obtain a glimpse of
the Dwarf. One glimpse was all he wanted—he
could then strike the maniac’s trail and follow
it, no matter where it led—for not many years
before the bullwhacker had been a scout upon the
plains, and had acquired great skill in picking
and following trails.

” Ter solve this hyar enizma
Must see his nibs contig’ me,’
Then may Satan all unrlg me
An‘ b‘ars nn’ Wildcats dig me,
E15 1 do not find thcr pigmyl"

he said, smiting his brow.

It was well along in the day ere he caught a
glimpse of Old Scavenger, descendin a moun-
tain path. The Dwarf had a. haunc of are-

cently killed deer upon his shoulder, and Wag

evidently making for his camp,

 

 

 

 

 

fieadwood Dick’s fioon’u fifi

‘7 ..  .,.. -

No sooner did he spy him than the poet secret-
ed himself hastily in a clump of chapaml, and
waited to learn w ich course the maniac would
take after reaching the gulch.

“ Oh! now I’ve struck a lead;
His trail I’ll quickly read;
I’ll next thing git him treed.
Au’ waltz 0E Wi’ [her gal—indeedl" v
was the poetical thought of the bullwhacker.

Scavenger continued to descend the rugged
path, until he reached the gulch bottom, when
he paused and glared around him, as if toassure
himself that no one was in the vicinity.

His eyes gleamed with a wild, unnatural fire,
and altogether he was a horrible object to see.

That he was utterly insane no one could doubt,
who beheld him.

After a moment’s survey of his surroundings,
he turned and strode up the western course of
the gulch, which led into the heart of the Wooded
mountains.

Allowing him to get fairly out of sight, the
bullwhacker then emerged from concealment,
and took up the trail and followed it step for

step. r.
A, “ Ef I shouldn’t find ther 8.], I’ll be madder’n

ther hornet who out o’ spite it 01! his own ear,”
he soliloquizezl. “ I allow, however, that I’m on
ther right trail.”

The Dwarhled him along walk ere the desti
nation came into View, and caution required the
trailer to stop.

The Avenger’s camp was in the gulch bottom
in a little forest glade. A rude camp—10d? of
boughs had been constructed for shelter. ear
this, upon a. log, sat none other than Virgie Ver-
ner—or Myrtle Moms, the Mormon’s bride and
victim.

She was not free however. A strong small-
linked chain was locked about her waist, and
then fastened to the strong limb of a tree over-
head which shaded the spot where she sat.

From his position, which was several rods dis-

tant from the camp, Shakespeare could not
hear anything that was said by either the fair
prisoner or her captor, but he saW’the Dwarf
shake his fist at the former, as he laid down his
haunch of meat.
_ “ The cussed leetle skunk is ugly ter her, I
opine " the t nted disapprovingly. “ Won-
dere I ha n’t tter pop him over and done
with it? Guess, however, et would be best ter
tackle him when he’s asleep, and secure him in
the real flesh an’ blood. Ef I war ter put ‘im in
a cage, I expect I could hire him out ter Barnum
as a curiosity.” , .

It was getting dark, and not being rticular-
1y desirous of shedding human bl . the poet
decided to postpone action until the Dwarf
sle t.

n the mean time, Scavenger built a fire, and

.slicin of! some meat from the haunch with his

keen ife, spitted it upon a stick, and pro-
fit; roast it. hWfiig he brag a sufliCient
quan prepared 9 seve ieces u n
a chippand handed the food to ifyrue, ville
had been watching him with a grave, anxious
ace.

“There! eat, you girl! that wilhbrln'g the

. roses back to your cheek for me to kiss awayl”,
' hesaidwithahon-iblegrin. »

 

 

M rtle pushed the meat away, in disgust.

“ {do not want anything to eat, you human
beast!” she gasped, in horror. “ All I want
of you is to releaseme, and let me go my

way.”
‘ Oh! he! that would be kinderniee,wou1dn’t ‘

it? ” he granted. “ But, you’re in too much of a.
hurry, my rosebud, I wouldn’t send you off at
night. You must wait till morning!”

‘Ah! then, will you release me? Oh! please
say that you will !” the young woman said,
pleadingly.

“ Yes! yes! I’ll release you—to be sure I will
—-from every earthly care, trial and temptation.

1’11 send you where Deadwood Dick sent my. ‘

child—oh, yes I will! I’ll cut yer pretty throat,
an’ e’ll die easy, au’ go straight to Jordan’s
gel en shores, on ther broad route!”

Myrtle uttered a scream, as she comprehend-
ed his purpose.

“0h! surely—surely you will not harm me,
sir? Only promise me that you won’t! IVhat
hinge, I ever done that you should wish to kill
me.

“ Nothing! nothing. at all! but I have sworn to
kill every white hellion I could get a hold of,
and I shall fulfill my oath. To—morrow, just at
sunrise, you shall die, and there will be another
notch upon Red Hatchet’s tally—pole, put there
by me. Ha! ha! ha!”

And he laughed like a demon incarnate, as he

was.
Poor Myrtle!
What else could she do more appropriate than
indul e in a good hearty cry ?—w ich she did. -

It 'd not affect the Avenger, however for he ‘

ate ravenously of raw meat, after which he

smoked his pipe, and rolled himself up in his ,

blanket near the fire, preparatory to going to

slee .
lllgrrtle‘s chain was of considerable length, so
that she could enter the but and recline upon

her.

Outside the camp, the bullwhacker poet
waited impatiently for the midni ht hour to
arrive, having decided that it won] behis best
time to act.

\It came, at last, and he stole stealtth for-

ward, with cat—like tread, into the glade, a. .y '

cocked revolver in his hand ready for use in
case necessity compelled him to fight for his
prize.

He soon reached the Dwarf‘s side without
arousing him. Then, armed with a rope he
sprungliipon the unsuspecting Avenger, and se-
cured ‘s hands in almost a twinkling; then his
feet; so that Scavenger was utterly powerless to
move b the time he had fully awakened to a
sense 0 what was going on.

“ Curses on you!” he , strugglingto
free. “Who are yam—what do you mean
what d’ye want?” ' .

“My name is William Henry Shakespeare,
ther poet 0’ ther West, an’ philosophical
tor of the wimmen’s right/s,” the bullw cker
declared. “ I‘m goin‘ her bind ye ter a tree fer
wolf—fodder—then waltz ofi’ wi’ yer captive!”

And he was as as his word. Securely

binding the Dwarf to a tree, he then entered the ‘-
tent, bound Myrtle hand and foot, and World .

:55,

r,.

a bed of boughs which had been provided for It

rotec- .

 

 

\

    

worr

I 1:29.121.
-.. - a" «no. .

"fat .

um

    

 

23

ing her over his shoulder, strode away out of
the glade, followed by terrible curses from the
lips of Old Scavenger.

 

CHAPTER XII.
OLD SCAVENGER’S SCALP.

NOT long after the departure of the bull-
whacker, Old Scavenger had quite exhausted his
vocabulary of epithets, and relapsed into a more
quiet state.

‘“ Curse the bullwhacker,” he hissed, “ he has
robbed me of my vengeance, and tied me here
at the mercy of the wild beasts, or any passer—
by who might be of a disposition to torment me.
He] who comes here?”

In the early moonlight, he saw a man enter
the glade, an stride directly toward him.

Nearer he a )proached, and the Avenger was
enabled to make him out as an Indian in full
war-paint.

It was Dancing Plume the Ap'iche.

A shiver of dread and doubt went over the
Dwarf’s figure, when be perceived it was not old
Red Hatchet. as he had at first believed.

What would the Indian do to him?

Perhaps take advantage of his helplessness,
and scalp and torture him!

Not so demented was Scavenger as not to re
alize the doubtful comfort of such a proceeding.

But, Dancing Plume was not that kind of a.
Warrior. He was willing and not afraid to
meet an enemy face to face, weapon to weapon.

He had accidentally discovered the captive
Dwarf, from the edge of the glade, and recog—
nizing him as his rival in the suit for the hand
of Siska, he resolve! to take advantage of the
opportunity thus afforded to come to a settle-
ment.

“Waghl what is the little poodle pale-face
doing, in this shape?" he demanded, pausing be-
fore the Avenger, and surveying him, sternly.
“ Why is he bound to a tree?”

“A cussed bullwhaeker took me a prisoner
when I was asleep, and left me in this condi-
tion,” Old Scavenger replied. “ You’re good In-
jun—you will set me free.”

“Dancing Plume will set the pale-face free,
but he must draw his knife and fight for his
scalp and his life,” the Apache chief responded,

grufliy.

“But, why? What have I ever done that you
should wish to force me into a fight?” Scavenger
demanded, in alarm, for, though of great prow-
ess, himself, he was aware that the Apaches are
qugdel‘fully accomplished in the use of the

me.

“Poodle pale-face is Dancing Plume’s rival,”
the young Warrior answered. “He holds a
claim upon Siska the mountain flower, and
Dancing Plume also claims her. Therefore,
the poodle pale—face must Win her by killing
Dairwing Plume, or lose her by losing his own

As he concluded speaking, the young war—chief
out Scavenger’s bonds, and then stood on guard,
his keen blade read for use.

“Draw your kni e and strike,” he said, firmly.
“ It need not take long to find out who wins the
mountain maiden !”

Scavenger measured his opponent with his

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

 

 

wild eves, for a moment, and then shook his
head, doubtingly.

“ The Indian is too skilled with the knife for
tfie ’pale-face to hope to win. Therefore—I’ll 3
s lp. ,‘

And, even as he spoke, he dodged to one side, 2 ‘
and ran for dear life.

But in this he had counted without his host.

His first leap had not taken him so far that he
could miss a terrible blow in the back from
Dancing Plume’s knife—a blow that romised to
weaken him beyond the power of flig t.

We Will pass over the scene that followed as
something too horrible to describe.

Suffice to say, when he presented himself at
the cabin of Red Hatchet, that eveniu , Dancing
Plume were dangling from his belt t e reeking
scalp of the Dwarf Avenger.

CHAPTER XIII.
TWO SENSATIONB.

SEVERAL days passed, thereafter, without any
incident worthy of mention.

Mrs. Morris remained at the Poker House, in
Death Notch, anxiously awaiting, from the
Unknown, tidings of her lost daughter. Cal-
amity kept her company most of the time, and
did much to cheer and comfort her. 2

Not a glimpse had been caught of Carrol ‘
Carner since his departure at the order of the
girl sport, and it was hoped that he had cleared
out for good.

011 the fourth morning after the night of Old
Scavenger’s death, the town of Death Notch
was “billed like a. sarcus,” as one miner re-
marked. Posters, hand~printed, were stuck up
in every conspicuous place: and, what was
more, they were the proclamations of two
separate parties, each having a different subject
to unfold to the gaping assemblage that swarm—
ed forth to read them.

First and most important to the average
citizen, was a poster concerning themselves,
which read thus:

“Norma.

“To the pale-face dogs who drove Red Hatchet
and his tribe from the town of Sequoy, which the
Government had given him. warning is given that
unless they ii at ones to their own pale-face coun-
try, their sea. ps shall ham: u on the lodge- 1e of

“ DANCING PLunn, Ch of of the Apac es."

The meaningIr was plain enough, but the rough
men of Death Notch did not take any ‘ stock ’ in

it.

More then one threat had been thus hurled at .
them by Red Hatchet, but had not been ex- 
enuted', what reason had they to believe that i
this one would he? ,

The other ostpr was framed in language more
familiar, an ran: ~ ‘,

“Normal

“ To every man, female an‘ cherub wi‘in tlier clas-
sic precincts of Death Notch:

“On ther morrow, at sunrise. I William Henery
Shakespeare. shall expose at public auction. from
on top of Pieter Rock, nigh yer town, ther following
property. [er wit2— «w i

“ One Purty Piece 0’ Humanity, o’ ther fememine
gender, aged about twenty; Rood sound teeth; travels
purty good jaw; sired by a Californv chap: warrenb
ed gentle and good lukin". Found astruv in ther
mountings, an’ will be sold ter ther highest bidder,

  
   
  
 
 

‘get my poor child in his

 

fiendv'vood Dici’s boom. - 9"

,L‘ cg,“ . ,,..,. ., . . ._ ._

'ter defray expensesnof keepin‘ an‘ trampertation'
Dogygoned gud barg'in.
“ Purt as a new wax fl ger;
Jes’ ' ea angel—but eetle bigger;
Sweet as blazes—bet yer lite—
Chance fer pilgrims ter git a wife.

“ A big attendance is desired.

“ WILLIAM H. SHAKESPEARE, Auctioneer."

This created more of a sensation than Dancing
Plume’s proclamation.

Calamity read it and at once communicated
the news to Mrs. orris.

“ Et’s your boss chance to git back yer gall”
lslhe said. “The one who bids the most gets

er 1’

“ But, I can do nothing. I have but a hundred
dollars with me, and it is more than probable
that some rufiian would bid above that sum, to

power,” Mrs. Morris
answered, in deep distress. “ Oh! dear, what
can I do?”

“ Well, we’ll see," Calamity said, meditatively.
“ There’s allus more than one way out of the
woods, and we’ll work it, somehow. I don’t hap-
pen to be over-flush with ‘ bits’ myself, or I
might add a little to your pile. I’ll go out and
skirmish, and see what I can find, for we must
be repared to bid smart, to-morrow.”

he went down-stairs, and for a wonder found
Poker Jack the only inmate of the bar—room.

He was seated tip back in an easy-chair,
engaged in reading, ut looked up with a nod.

‘ Pleasant morning, . Calamity!” he saluted.
i‘ Quite a sensation stirred up again, eh? to
break the monotony?”

“ So it seems, Jack._ I allow I did you a squar’
deal7 when you were In trouble once, up in Dead-
wood didn’t I?”

“ Yzou bet ye did, Calamity, and I have always
remembered it, because I’d been subject to a
funeral expense, but for you.”

“ Well, I was handy to help you and consid-
ered you deserved it. And, now, if I was to ask
a favor of you, what would you say?”

“ I’d grant it, in a minute, old friend. You
have but to name it.”
“ Well, I’ll tell
money to bid oif

morrow I”

Then she went on and explained the circum-
stances alread known to the reader.

Jack listen a few moments, and then scratch-
ed his curly head.

“Well, I allow I can do a little toward rem-
edying the difficulty,” he announced. “ Let the
girl go for what she will, I’ll _ get her. Mrs.

ems can bid as high as her pile goes, and I’ll

ou What I want; I want
rs. Morris’s daughter to-

. take care of all above it.”

 

CHAPTER XIV.
DEATH NOTCH No MORE—A CLOSING ACT.

THE next morning dawned brightl , and by
Sunrise nearly every man, woman an child of
Death Notch had forsaken the camp for the
scene of Shakespeare‘s auction.

Picture Rock was a high mass of rocks depos-
ited in the gulch, a few hundred rods beyond the
town. The sides were almost rpendit-ular, up
and down, rendering it impossxble to reach the
top of the pile except by use of a rude stone

staircase which Indians of pastages had hewn

the poet cried, wit

 

out, and these were so arranged that a person
at the top could easily defend himself from the
attack of a small regiment.

The sides of these rocks were covered by gro—
tesque pictures of Indians, animals and reptiles,
which had been chiseled there by rude and sav-
age sculptors.

Upon the top of the rock two blocks of stone
answered the purpose of chairs, and on these the
poet and his risoner were seated.

Poor Myrt e’s face was tear—stained and wore
a. sorrowful expresion, but it lighted up and
she gave a cry of joy when she saw the familiar
face of her mother.

“ Oh, mamma—mammal” she cried, putting
forth her hands, “ save me!”

“ Yes, my child!” Mrs. Morris cried, tears
standing in her eyes. “ Have courage, dear-
est!7

When he saw that his audience had gained
about as larie proportions as it was likely to,
the bullwhac er arose, a pair of cocked revol-
vers in his hands.

“ Feller-citerzens !” he cried, ‘ ‘ et does me proud
ter see ye all here. I knew you’d cum, because
ye all wanter bid fer my prize. She’s mine; I
captured her, an’ I’m goin’ ter sell ’er fer ther
highest market price, an’ I’ll shute ther furst
one who tries to take her, afore I’m paid. Now,
how much do I hear fer ther gal—how much fer
her, jest as she is? Recollect—terms ar’ cash,
on delivery 0’ goods.”

“ Two bits!” cried a miner.

“Fifty dollars !” cried another.

“ One hundred!” shouted still another.

“ That’s et! kee the ball in motion, boys !”
enthusiasm. “Put all the
vallue on her ye can, fer ye know I allus invite
ther crowd to drink when ther state 0’ my finan-
ces will admit!”

“ I’ll give a hundred more 1” Poker Jack said,
coolly.

“ wo—two hundred dollars I have—who’ll
make it three?”

“Five hundred—I’ll 've five hundred!” a
voice cried—the voice of arm] Garner, but just
where he stood among the crowd no one could

see.

“ I’ll make it a thousand 1” Poker Jack cried.
“ I’m going to have the girl, gentlemen; so the
rest of you might as wel‘lwgive up. ,

“ Twelve hundred! e’ll see who has the
girl!” the voice of Carrol Garner again cried, and
this time Calamity was on the watch, and saw
whence the voice emanated.

The Mormon was rigged out with long black
beard and hair, and accoutered with miner’s ha-
biliments, and was also armed witha pick, shov—
el and n.

“ If Inkeep my word, I’ll have to go over and
filug him.” she mused. “I’ll wait and see, first,

ow this turns out."

“ I’ll raise it to fifteen hundred!” Poker Jack
 promptly, “ and I’ve got the ducats to pay
i I

“ Look! look!” some one shouted, and all eyes‘
Were turned down the gulch. 4
Coming toward them, mounted upon a flying
horse, was the Unknown, yelling and waving his
hat above his head.
Behind him, not hardly out of rifle range,
I

,

 

 

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rem—w w... WV...
WW

 
 

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/

came a dark mass of horsemen, whose horrible
screeches and nodding plumes proclaimed them
to be Indians!

In an instant all was consternation and con-
fusion, and flight was made in every direction.
No one thought of aught but their own safety.
except Poker Jack.

EVen he was alarmed, but saw that action
was necessary. He saw the bullwhacker desert
his rize by leaping from the rocks and seeking
flight; he saw one black-whiskcied man make
for the staircase, and knew it was the Mormon.

Drawing a revolver he fired at his legs, and
brought him down to the ground, howling with

re .

fieQuick! uickl” he cried to Myrtle, running
to the foot 0 the cliff; “ jump off and I’ll catc
you i” ,

Though bound and helpless, she contrived to
fall over the edge, and he caught her neatly in
his arms.

Then, still carrying her thus, he bade Mrs.
Morris follow him, and dashed up a narrow
ravine, which none of the others had taken.
Nor did he pause until he had, with the pre-
cautions of a veteran scout, covered their trail,
and reached a place of safety in a mountain
cleft, several miles from the Picture Rocks.

Here for the present they were in no danger
of molestation from fees, either red or white.

 

The same could not be said of the others.

Like a hurricane of wrath the warriors under
the lead of Dancing Plume swept down in pur-
suit of the late residents of Death Notch, and
shot down and scalped them without mercy.
Some may have escaped, but it is doubtful if
many did so. Among the fortunate ones was
the Unknown, whose horse was fleet enough to
carry him beyond the reach of the savages.

Only one prisoner was taken back to the ill-
fated town of Death Notch, and that one was
Calamity Jane. __

After remaining several days in the moun—
talus, Mrs. Morris and Myrtle, escorted by Poker
Jack, started on foot for the nearest railway
station, which they reached after about two
week’s travel afoot. From there they returned
to California, Jack still accompanying them and
defra ing their expenses.

Au he having decided to liven. more reflecta-
ble existence, it is not impossible that yrtle

will reward him with her hand at no far distant

day.

For several days Calamity was kept locked up
in a cabin, which was guarded by savages, and
left to herself except when some food was
brought her.

One evening she was greatly surprised to see

 

‘ the Unknown enter the cabin.

“ Come!” he said. “Your imprisonment is at
an end. I have, through the kindness of Red
Hatchet’s daughter, secured your freedom, with
the proviso that we both leave this place for-
ever 1”

She at once consented.

If she went with him heritate could be little if

I. any worse than if she remained with the

savages: .

 

 

Deadwood Dick’s Doom.

Therefore they both mounted horses, outside
the cabin, and rode forever away from Death
Nolt‘chl d

‘wo ays later they arrived in si ht of
Pigghe; here the Unknown drew reiin and
sai :

“Calamity! Is it possible my deception has
been so clever as to deceive your shrewd eyes all
this time? I am Deadwood Dick, who holds a
mortgage of betrothal against you!”

And he removed the disguise that had served
him Slnce being rescued from the quicksand—e
which rescue, he explained, was performed by
Siska, the Pawnee, just as it was almost too
late. Doomed he had been: but for her he
would have perished from the face of the earth
by a terrible death, and he willed that it should
be so, ever after, in the minds of the pee lie of
Death hoteh. and had therefore adopte and
maintained the disguise of the Unknown.

That night, in a. private arlor at Pioche, Dick
and the poor, sore—hen , but brave and true
Calamity were married, and the author joins in
the wishes of his readers that they may “live
long and prosper;" they, the two wild spirits
who had learned each other’s faults and each
other’s worth in lives branded with commingled
shame and honor.

THE END.

DIME ummauss AND SPEAKERS

FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS
AND II 011E ENTER TA INMEN TS.

Dialogues. Nos. 1 to 33 inclusive. 15 to 25 popu~
ar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol-
ume 100 pages 12mo.

Speakers, Nos. 1 to 25 inclusive. Each speaker
100 pages 12mo. containing from 501:0 75 pieces.

 

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’41 The Bettina-’0 Son.

1 Deerhunter, the Boy Scout of the Great North Woods.
By 0“ Gnomes.

2 Buffalo Bill, from Boyth to Manhood. By Col. Pren-
tiss Ingrnlmm.

3 Kit Cur-eon, King oi'Guirlen. By Albert W. Aiken.

4 Gordon Lillie, the Boy-Interpreter orthe Pawneel. By
Major. H. B. Stoddard.

5 Bruin Adumn, Old Grizzly- Boy Pnrd. By Colonel
Prentins ingrehnm.

6 Deadwood Dick an aBoy.

7 Wild Bill, the Final Prince.
lngrnhnm. ,

S The Prairie Ranch. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

By Edward L. Wheeler.
By Colonel Prentiu

9 Roving Joe: The History of n “ Border Boy.” By A.
H. Post.
10 Texan Jack. the Mustdng King. By Colonel Prentiss
ingrnlmm.

ll Charley Skylnrk. A Story of School-day Screpes and
College Clperl. By Major H. n. Slorldnrd.

12 Marlponn Mari-h. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

13 Rovlng Ben. By John J. Mnrshnil.

14 Spring Steel, King of the Bush. By J. E. Bridger, Jr.

15 W‘ifie-swnke George, the Boy Pioneer. By Edwnrd
i e

16 The Boy “'lzurd. Bv linrrv Ringgold.

17 pom,- Peppergrnnn, the Greenhurn from Gnthnm. B ‘
~ 3
Noah huff.

18 Adrift. on the Prnlrle. arm Amateur Hunter,
on the Buil’ulo Ronnie. By Oil Cooinen.

19 The Fortune ilunter; or, Roving Joe in Miner,
Cowboy, Trapper nnd Hunter. By A. H. Post.

Q0 Trapper Tom, the \Vood linp. By T. C. Hnrbxugh.

21 Yellow Ilulr, the Boy Chief oftne inneel. By Col.
Prentiss Ingrnham.

22 The Snow Trail. By T. C. Haronugh.

28 01a Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer.
Powell.

24 Wood» and “'ntcre. By Capt. Frederick Whitmker.

25 A Rolling: Stone: incinenu in the Cvlreur on Sen and
Lend of Col. Preuliss Ingrahnm. By Wm. ii. Eyster.

26 Red River Rovers. By C. Dunning Clmk.

2'? Plaza anlelnhi; or. Wild Adventures or“Bnckskin
Sewn.” (Min. Sam. 5. Hull.) lly Col. P. lngrnhnm.

98 The Sword Prince. The Romnntic Life of Col. Mon-
nary. By Cnpt. Frederick Whittier.

29 Snow-Shoe Tom. By '1‘. C. Herhnugh.

80 Paul de Lacy, the French Beast Charmer. By C.
Dunning Clark.

81 Round the Camp Fire. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

82 White Beaver, the lndinn Medicine Chm. av (:01,
Prenllu lngrahmn.

88 The Boy Urn-ruler. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

84 The Chime of the Grcnt‘VhItc Stag. nnd,Cump
and Canoe. By C. Dunning Clnrk.

35 Old Tar Knuckle and Ills Boy Chums. By R. Sinrbunlz.

86 The IDA-lung Ill-emu; or, The Story of Gen. George
A. Clllilf. By Chi-l. Fred. VVhiLInkcr.

3? Night-iian Gear”. By Col. Prentiss ingrnhnm.

88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. linrheugh.

89 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwiug.

40 Smart Sim, the Ltd with n Level Head. By Edwnrd
Willou.

By Dr. Frnnk

By Edam-d 5. Ellis.
42 Wait Ferguson's Cruise. By C. Dunning Cluk.
43 Rifle and Revolver. By Capi. Fred. Whittaker.

 

 

44 The Lost Boy Whalers. Bv '1‘. C. Huhnngh.

45 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Col. inmhnm.

46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Cherie: Morrll.

47 The Colorudo’Boyn; or, Lifeon no Indigo Pimuzion.
liy Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

48 The Pampas Hunters; or, New York Boy: in
Buenos Ayrvl. By ’1‘. C. Hubanzh.

49 The Adventurous Life of Nebraska Charlie.
liy Col. Prentiss lngrnhnm.

60 Jack Harry and Tom, the Three Champion Brothers.
By dept. Fred. Whittaker.

51 The Young Lnnd-Luhher. By C. Dunning Clerk.

52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbnugh.

58 lloneet linrr ~; or. The Country Boy Adrift in the
City. By Char en Morril.

54 Culli‘ornlu Joe, the Mysterious Pininunnn.
Prentiss lnzrnhum.

55 Tip Trenpel. the Floater. By Edwlrd Willett.

56 The Snow Hunter-rt; or, Winter in the Woodu. By
Blurry de Forrest.

5’? Harry Borne", the Sailor Boy Mngiciim. By S. W'.
Pearce.

53 The Adventuroun Life of Ca thin Jack, the
Border Boy. By Col. Prentiss Ingn mm.

59 Lorne Tim, the Mule Boy of the Minel. By Cherie:
h orrii.

60 The Young Trail Hunters; or, New York Boy! in
Grizzly Land. is,- 'r. c. linrbnugh.

61 The Tiger liunterl' or, The Color-Mia Boys in El.-
phnnt Lnnrl. uy Joucph E. Badger, Jr.

62 Dot-tor Cnrver, the “ Evil Spirit " oftho Pininx. By
Col. Prentiu Ing.nhum.

63 Block llorne Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. By Roger
Sutrhuclr.

64 Ylunz Dink Talbot; 0!. A Boy: Rough and Tnmhle
Fight {rum New York L0 Cniiiornin. By A. W. Aiken.

65 The Boy Pilot; or, The lslnnd Wrocker. By Col.
Prentiss lngrnhnm.

66 The Desert Rover‘ or, Stowaway Dick Among the

By Col.

Arabs. Isy Charles ll urns.

67 Texan Charlie, the lloy nger. By Col. Prentiu
lnumhnln. '

68 Little Rifle; or, The Young Fur Hunter: By Cnptdn
“ Bruin ” Allmnn.

69 The Youn Sihlllst' or A Ynnku Bo Am th
. Ruslinul. liziy' Charles Blorris. Y on: a

70 Pony tire Cowho ' or The rod. M lnil‘ Rn‘ .
By hinjor H. n. swichmjizmcout. 3 ml ' [d

71 Ruil'Rohnuri and Ill! Bear. By Cnpuin “ Bruin "
Adnml.

72 The Ice Elephant. By Capt. Frederick Whitmker.

73 The Young Moose-Hunters. Dy Willinm H.
Manning.

74 The Boy Coral-Fluke". By Roger Surbnck.

75 Revolver Billy, tho Bay Ringer of Tex-u. By Col.
Prentiss ingrahnm.

76 The Condor KillerA. By T. C. Hnrbnngh.

77' Lud Lionhecln, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Rom
Slnrhuch.

78 Flutbout Fred.

79 Boone, the Hunter.

By Edward Willctt
By Captain 1". Whitbhr.
Beudie’s Boy’n lerury in for rule by nil Foundation,
five cents per copy, or taut by mnil on neeiptofeix cents each.
BEADLE AN]! ADAMS. Pnhlhlern,
98 William Street, New York

 

. . 

 

 

. .\ "

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

      
    

32 Octave Pages.

 

,

Lt

\\.

80 Kentucky Ben, the Long Ride of the Cmcndel. By
Roger Starbuck.

'81 The Kit Carson Club. By T. C. Harbnugh.

82 Little Buck, the lloy Guide. By Burry Ringgnld.

88 Pony Bob the Reckless Rider oi the Rockies. llv Col.
l’reniim lngrnhmn. '

84 Captain Flyby-Night. By Joleph E. Badger, Jr.

85 0:1?tillll Ralph, the Young Explorer. By C. Dunning
Inr .

86 Little Dun Rocks. By Morris Redwing.
8'? The Menagerie Hunters. lly Mnj. H. Grenville.
‘ 88 The llo Tramps; or, Lii‘a Among the Gipllca. By

J. hi i ofllliall.

89 ’Lonzshore Lljc. By C. D. Clark.

90 nglnz Rifle, Custer’: Little Scout. By T. C. liar-
(mg).

91 Oregon Josh, the Wizard Rifle. By Roger Sturhuclr.

92 llurricanc Kit. lly A. F. Hell.

98 Jumping Jake, the Colorndo Circus Boy. By Bryant
isuinhridge.

94 Sum Spence. the Brondhorn lluy. By Ed. Willett.

95 Mon-cow t-o Siberia; or, A Yankee Boy to the Rescue.
By Charles Murris.

96 Fl htin Fred~ or The Cnstnwn 1 oi (‘r' l C .
3‘; T. CFHurhnuEh. ' 5 ’ I" y “mp

97 Ornlne ofthe Flynwny; or, Yankee Boy: in Ceylon.
By C. Dunning Clnrk.

98 The Boy Vigilante-t or, King Cole Ind His Hand.
By Maj. H. B. Stodduid.

99 The White Tlgern; or, Silver Rifle. the Girl Tracker
of Luke Superior. 15y Cnpt. Clmrles Huwnrd.

100 The Snow-Shoe Trail; or, The Forest Denperndoel.
ily St. George Ruthhone. '

101 Mariano, the Ottnwn Girl; or, The Mysterioul Canoe.
lly Edward S. Ellll.

102 The F1 nwa ' Afloat; or, Ynnkee Boy| ’Round the
World. y C. uniting Clark.

108 PM. Mulloney’n Adventureu; or, Silver Tongue
the Dncutnh Queen. liy C. L. l'ldwurde.

104 The Bo l’s’onpnctor; or. The Secret of the Slurr-
anine. y R gei- Sturbuck.

105 Minouee, the Wood Witch; or, The Squattur’l Secret.
By lt'dwin Emerson.

106 The Be Crul-ere; or, J0. and Jun Big Find. By
l'hlwnrd \ 'llln-tt.

10? The Border Rovers; or,l.nlt on the Ovarinmi
’i‘rnil. By J. Milt/m llufl'nmn.

108 Aim-kn. the Vt'oll-Queen; or, The Girly Brothera’
Double Crime. llv Capt. Howard Lincoln.

109 ShallAtian Jim, the Vt'hiu Mnn'l Friend. By Edward
 in.

110 Plur-k Joe, the Boy Avenger; or, Dick Belinont's
Lust Hi 2. By J. Milton Hoflmnn.

111 The “order Gunmnker; or, The Hunted Mnidnn.
By Jutnel L. llowun.

112 Left-Handed Pete, the Double—Knife. By Jonaph
E. Bridger, Jr.

118 The River Riflen; or, The Fate «with: Flatboat. By
Capt. J. F. C. Adtilllt.

114 Alone on the Plninn. By Edwer Wiiiott.

115 Silver llorn, and His mu. Firodenth. By Roger
Starbuck.

116 Ex hit! of Hezekiah Smith, the Backwoodumui.
By ‘nterson Rodmnn.

11'! The Young Muntanzeu; or. Die): Mcny'. ago“.
are. By C. Dunning Clurlr.

118 Old Traps; or, the Boy Rivnil. By Burry Ringzold.
I

ES IB
D R
B“  
p

D EVERY SAT“

 

 

Price, Five Cents.

 

’ L

119 Center Shot. the White Crow; or, Roving Rifla'.
l'irnt Cnmynign. By T. C. Harbnngh.

120 A 1101: Trail]; or, Clark Cloverlylimong the antars.
lly Uhnrlee Morris.

121 Hunter l'nrd lien; or, The Wnknsh’n Blind Lend.
By Roger Sturhuch.

122 The Enqulnulux’ Queen: or, The Mystery of the
Lune lint. By G. Waldo Browne.

123 Tim. the Boy Arrnlmi; or, Life in the Circus Ring. Bv
mm... Murris. ‘

124 Queen llenle, (he BorderGirl. Byllenry J.Thonml.

125 Tom Tnlmr, the llny Fugitive; or, The Young Lynch-
Gnng “ Wnlws.” By Hurry Ringgold.

120 Mlnk Cont, the Death-Shot; or, The Spring of the
Tiger. 13y Jul. E. lhliger, Jr.

12? The Deer llnnten. By John J. Marshall.

128 “VHF-Cap; or. The Nigltt-llnwks oi' the Fire-Lands.
By Capt. Chins. llowurd.

129 Filvcrnpur; or, 'lhe lilouninin Homine. ByEdwnrd
“'lllelt.

180 Kceinen, Queen 0. the Plains. By Perry B. St. John.
131 “'lntah, the Child Spy. By George Gleason.

132 The Island Trnpperr or,'l‘hu Y0qu White-Bun‘nlo
Hunters. By Uhnrice liuwurd.

133 The Forest. Specter; or, The Young Hunter’s Foe.
lly Edward “'iilcti.

184 \"lltl Nat, the Trouper. By “'in. R. Eyster.

135 The fillver “u 10; or, Tho lndinn Maiden of St.
Ci'oix. By Lieut. To]. Huzelwn.

188 The Prairie Trapper. By C. Dunning Clnrk.
18‘? The Antelope Buy. By Geo. L. Aiken.
138 Long Shot; or, The Dwnri‘Guidc. By Capt. Comatoch.

139 (‘nlnnel Crockett, the Bear King. By Charles E.
Luanlle. ‘

140 old l'ezn, the Mountaineer; or, The Trapper Rlvnll.
lly Lewis \\’. Carson.

141 The Ginnt Hunter: ory The hind Scourge of the
Kicknpnox. By Hurry llnmrd.

142 Blur-k Panther, the Hn1i~Blood. By Jouph E.
» iimiger,.lr.
143 Carson, the Guide; or, Peril. of the Frnntler. By Liant.
.1. ll. Rundolph.

144 Kent, the finger; or, The Fugitive: o! the Border. By
Edwurd  Elli}. Rudy Jan. i5.

145 Bill Robbins, Hunter; or,'l'ha Man in Green. By
Edward Willett. Ready Jim. 92.

1-16 The Half-Breed liirnl; or. The Tangled Trail.
By Jon. E. Badger, Jr. Randy Jan. ‘19.

147 The Lia-Iced Avenger. By Col. Prentiu Ingmhem.
Ran y Fe v. 5.
148 Not, the Trapper nnd indinn Fighter. By Paul J.
Prescott. Ready Feb. 1?.
Bc-dle’n R03"! Library in {or uio hy nil Newndenien,
flve cunt- per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of nix cent.- eat-h.
BEADLE AND ADAMfi, Publishers,
98 William Street, New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i
l

 

 

 

 

‘

POCKET LIBRARY.

 

 

1 De-dwond Dielr, the Prince of the Rand. By
Edwnrd L. Wheel“.

2 Known King; or, The Rad Right Hand. By
Bufin 0 Bill.
8 The Flying Yankee: or, The Ocean Outcast. By
Cal. Prentiss lmzrnlnun.
4 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler.
5 The Two Deteotlvcn' or, The Fortunes of 3
limva Girl. By Albert Vin Aiken.
6 The Prairie Pilot; or, Thu Phantom Spy. By
linflnlo Bill.
7 The Bilifnio Demon; or. The Burder Vultures.
By Edward L. Wheeler.
8 Anteio e Abe, the Boy Guide. By on Coomen,
3 Ned \ wide. tho Boy Scout. By “Tenn Jack"
(J. B. Omohundro).
10 Bulfnio lien, Prince of the Pistol. ByE. L.Wheelrr.
11 Ralph Roy. the Km,- Buccaneer. By Ci]. lngrnlmn.

1% Nick 0‘ the Night; or, The Boy Spy at '76. By T,
C. Hnl‘btinuh.

13 Yellowstone Jnck; ur,’i‘rnppen orthe Enchanted
Ground. iiy Joseph ii. Badger, Jr.

14 “'lld lvnn the Buy Clnude Dfll'lll. By E. L.\‘Vhee]er.

15 Diamond illrk nr, 'l‘hn Mystery of the Yellow-
stone. lly Cnlone Prentiss lngrnlmm.

16 Keen-Knife, Prince Of the Prnirine. By OllCoomes.

17 Ore on Sol; or, Nick \‘i'hiflin’l Boy Spy. )3ndle
J.  C. Admm

18 Death-Face, the Detective. By E. L. Vi‘henler.

Lasso Jack, the Your): Multiingnr. By Oil Coumes.

20 Roaring Rnlph Rockwood, the Recklzss
Ruuuer. By linrry St. George.

2i The Roy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arenn. By
Frnnk S. Finn.

22 The Phantom Miner" or. Deadwood Dick’-
Bonnnn. By Edward L. W’lroeler.

$8 The Se-uCat; nr, The Witch of Darien.
Frederick Whittaker.

24 The Dumb Spy. By Oil Canines.

85 Battling Bubeg or. The Night Hath of Kan—

! F

is
:9

By Capt.

tuc‘ . Hurry . George.

26 Old Kvnlnnche, tna Grant Annihilator. By Ed. L.
“'heelor.

2? Gin s-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Cnpt. J.
F . Admits.

28 The Boy Cnvtnin; or, The Pirlie‘s Daughter. B;-
Rozrr Starbuck.
29 Dick Darling, the PonyExpress Rider. By Caplnin
Frederick \‘l'liittnlier.
30 Bob Woolf. the Border Ruflinn. By E. L. Wheeler.
81 Ni htingnie Nat: or, The Forcst Captains. By
. C. Hnrhaugh,
8% “incl: John. the erd Agent. By J. E. Bridger. Jr.
8“ (“sushi 011, tha Mush-d Terror. By E. L “"hecler.
34 Kurt Bunker, the Trapper. By George E. Lusnlle.
85 The Boy Rifles ; or, The Underground Cmnp. By

A. C. irons.
83 The White B fl'nio. A Title ofStrnflflO Ad“!!-
tures in the Northwert. By Gaurgv E. Lnsnlle.

_ 37 Jim Bludsoe, In, the Boy Phenix. By EdwardL.

Wheeler.
88 Ned iluzeifi‘ne Boy'i‘mpp'er. Bndpt.J. F.C.Adnms.
Demilv Eye. the Unknown Scout. By [infl'nln Bill.
40 Nick “'hlfllcn’n Pet; or, in the aniey of Death.
By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. "
Deadwood Dick’s Enxlcl; of. The PM! Of
Flomi Bur. By Edward L. “'heclar.

W
G

.5
pd

42 T619 Border King; or, The scent Foe. By 01!
.onmel.
48 old Hickory; or, Pnndy Elin’r Scalp. By Harry

St. serge.

44 The White Indian; or, The Scouts of the Yellow-

» alone. By C: 1'. J. F. . Adan“.
45 Buckhorn Ill“; or, The er Rifle Team. By
. Edward L. Whulcr.

46 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenant-I.
By 001. Prentis! lnmham.

4? The Brotherhood; or, The
Aways". By W. J. Hrsmiltun.

46 D. (11 In)” or The Outlaw alum Oregon Trnll.
By T. 0. Horizon: .

49 “Hurricane Bill 3 onJMuItnng Sum and Hi- “ Pnrd.”

y J h E Bruin: . r.
60 filnglflandt or. A Life {or a Life. By W. J.
liuniiton.

Twelve

 

61 Patent-leather Joe: or, Old Rattlesnake, the
Charmer. By Philip S. “'nrne.

52 The Border Robin liood; or,Tha Prairie Rover.
lSy Builth um.

58 Gold Rifle, the Shnrplhonter; or, The Boy Detective
..r xhe Black Hills, By Edward L. \viieeie‘r.

54 Old Zip’r- Cabin: or, A Greenhorn in the Woodn.

 

By Capt. J. . Adams.
55 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Elly. By 0]]
CUOUJBS.

56 Mud Tom “renter-n, the Texan Ranger. By W.
.l. Hnnviltim.
57 Dendwood Dir-i; on Deck: or, Calamity June,
the ngnine of Wimp. .. By E. L. “'lveeler.
58 llnwheye llnrry, the h’onng Trapper Plunger. By
Oil Cumnes.
5 The Boy Dru-lint; or, The Cruise of the Sen Wolf.
By Cal. Prentiss lngmlzrun.
Q0 Abe Colt, the Crow-ii ller. By Albert “'. Aiken.
()1 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bnn'o. By Edward L.
\\ henler.
6 “'lli Somt‘rn, ihu Buy Delettive. By Chris. Morris.
' Sol Ginger, the Giant Tmpnmr. By it. W. Aiken.
lion-bud Rah; or, Nuygvt Ned, the Knight of the
Gulch, By iZLlwiml 1.. Wheeler.

Lightning J on, (In: 'i rrrur (it the Prairie. By Cup-
tnin J. i". C. Admins.

6 Rlit {inrefoou the WomHinn—k. By T. C. linr-
mug I.

6 Rollo, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heireu of the Golden

Hum. By 011 (,‘oorncs.

68 ldyi, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 15"
Edward L. \l‘lleeltr. '

Dfiteotive Dick ; or.The Hero in Ring. By Chnrlen

Orrifi.

sure shot Seth. the Boy Riflemsn. By Oil Comm-I.

Sharp Sum; or, The Adventures ornFriendlen Buy.
By J. Alexander l’nlleu.

 

Q

a:
.5

6

NQC‘

a
e

Z
I

H:

'1

Tropet. By Albert \l'. Aiken.

78 Photograph l’hil,tlie 15m Sleuth; or,R0lebud Rob'-
Reuppenrunce. n,-  x.. ‘ eeier.

74 l’icnyune Pete ; or, Nicudunut, the Dog Drlrelive.
By Charles Morr s.

7" Inland Jim; or,’l‘he PA of the Family. By Brace.
bridge Hymn; (Jm l: llnrknwny).

76 \“ntcll-Eye, lhu Sllmlv w; nr, Arabt and Angel: of ..
Grent City. liy Etl“i|i'|l L. “'lweler.

7'? Dick Dead Eye. the Boy Suiuggler. By Col. 1’
lngrnllnm.

78 Deadwood Dick’s Devil-e: or, The Sign of the

onble Cross. liy Evi. L. “'heeler.

79 The Blaek Mnntunm-r; or, Tho Wild Horse
Hunter». By Capt. Mayne Reid.

80 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, lilokrms. the White Queen
0mm lilncltreet. By 1'. C. Hnrbaugh.

31 The sea Viper; or. The lilidshipnmn’t Legacy. By
Col. Prentirs ingrnhnrn.

82 Seth Jones: or, The Cnptiret of the Fronticr. By
Edwnrd 5. Ellis.

88 Canada Chet, the Cnunteri‘eiter Chief. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

84 The Dumb Page; or. The Dm’l Dnughk‘r. By
Cnpt. Frederit'k Wlnltnkur.

85 The Boy Miners; or, The Erich-rated Island. By
E(l\\’1il’il S. Ellis.

86 Jnek linrknwny in New York. By Bruce-
hridge Hemynz.

87 The Hugs" Captain: 0!, Thu Kermit of Hell
Gum. By Col. Prentiss lngrnlnun.

88 Deadwood Dick in Loudvilic; or, A Stnngo
Stroke for Liberty. By Edward 1.. “‘hreler.

89 Bill Biddon, Trapper; 0r, Lite in the Northwest.
By Edward 5. Ellis.

90 Tlppy, the Texnn: or, The Young Chmyiou. By
George Gleason.

Issued Every W’ednesduy.
Bendle’a Pocket Library is for uh: by I“ New»
dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by nuil on recsiprt of six

cenll emit.
BEADLE A: ADAMS; Publisher-n,

98 William Street, New York.

€

2 The Lion of the lien: or. The vinea Lndy as...

 

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32 OCTAVO PAGES.

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91 Mnatznng Sam, the King ol'the l’lnins.
llmlger, r.

92 The (Mean Bloodhound; or. The Red Pirates 0‘
the Caribbean. By Samuel “H Prince.

93 Phil Hardy, the in... Boy; or, Thu Mysteryolthe '
Strongbow. Hy charlvs .\lnr ..

liy J or. E.

94 Deadwood chk an Detective. liy E. LWheelcr.

95 Buck Buckrnm; or, “as. tho Female Trapper.
By Cnplltlll J. r. c, Admits.

96 Gut-Edged Dick, the Sport. Dulectivc. By E. L.
“'haclrr.

97 The Black Steed of the l’ralrlcn. By Jame-
Uwull.

98 The Son Serpent; or. The liny Robinson Crusoe.
By Juan Lewis.

99 Bonanza Bil], thu Mull Tracker. liy E. L. Wheeler.

100 Nat Todd; or, Tho. Fate of the Sioux Captive. By
Edwhrd S. Ellis.

101 Dru-lug Davy: the Young Bula- Klllcr. By Harry
St. George.

102 The Yellow Chlcfi nr,’l‘llu llalt-hlnod’l Vengeance
By Capt. Mayne Reid.

1013 Chip, the am Sport; 4... Th.- Guldua Llhl of Mt.
Rosa. By Edward L. “'hn-ulvr.

104 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old
'l‘ar. liy lingantm'hlmk. ~-

105 llnndlome Harry, the Bt othlmzk Detucth'e.
Charles Morris.

108 NIghtJlnwk Klt; ur, the Daughter ot‘ the Ranch.
By an. E. Badger. .ll'.

16'? Jack lloyle’fl Lr d: or, The Young Speculator.
lly Eulwnrd L. “'Ilel: \T.

108 Rocky Mountaln Klt. the White Mustanger.
By '1‘. U. Harbaugh.

109 The Branded “and; or, ’l'iu- Man of Mystery.
By Frank Dulumlt.

110 The Dread Rlder: or, The ’l'vxan Duelist.
George “I. Browne.

111 Boga Bob. the Kill: nl' llauthlarkll. lly E. L.VVheeler.

112 The llelplens llmul. lly Cnpt. Mayne Raid.

113 Sear-Face Saul, theSllm-t Hunter. llyOllComnes.

114 Phi‘oy Pnlll. the Mountain llu.“ or. The Little
Arrow 0! the Ailir rlHlill'lll. By '1‘. (‘. lllrhallgh.

115 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By E. 1.. \Vhoeler.

116 Jalloz Collin. Ski last; or, Lost in the l'uhirRegiona.
liy Capt. l“. \‘Vllitta‘er.

11'? Falwy Frank, ol‘Cnlurmla.
“lllltl'nlo Bill."

1”} Will Wlldflre, ll'ln Thnronnllhrml. l'iy f‘lmu. North. ‘

119 Blnnrle Blll' or, Deadwood Dir-h’s Home “fish.
By Edward 1.. \ 'llveler

120 Gopher Gld, the llny'rruppor. By T. C. llnrlmugh.

121 Harry Arm-troug, nu- t'llpuiin oftho Club. By
llru'ehridge Helnyng, (.lwl. ll.” .wny.)

122 The Hunted "nun-r: nr,Tln-Strnngo llomerllun
of the Pralrie. By Edward S. is.

128 Solid Sum, the BoyRoml-Alrent. By E. 1.. Wheeler.

124 J due Lynch. Jun; or. Thu. Buy Vigilante. By
‘ (.. Harhaagh.

125 The Land l’lrnten; or. Thu Lullnlle hf Devll’n
Inland. By t‘apt. Ma} ll v llrhl.

121! lllao Blazers: or, Tlm iii-mil: 0’ Day linya of Rocky
liar. liy Frank lmllmn.

12? Tony Fox, the Form; or, Bus» Bull's Bliss Job. By
Edward l4. “’haeler

IE! “lat-k Bean, Will Wildliro’n Rul‘ur.
Morris.

129 Eagle K“, the Bay Demon. By Oil Coon-en.

180 Gold Trigger, the Sport. By T. (7. llnrbnugll.

By

By

‘.y no... w. r. Cody.

By Charles

 

| .

BY-

 t

181 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood lrivk'» l‘il;
Strike. 15" l‘jilaln'd L. Vl'lleeler.

132 Dalnty Luaec, the Boy Sport. By J.E. nutlut‘l‘, .1 r.

133 “'llcl-llre, the Boss oi the Road. By Frank lllllluml.

184 Mike Mel-133', the Harbor Police Boy. By 0. Mr Ms.

135 Deanjllwood Dick 01' Deadwood. By Eduard

. IE8 ET.

186 Old Rube, the lluntrr. ByCupi. Hamilton Ill-hm.

1.37 Dundy lloch, the Man from Texas. By G. “'llhlo
Browne.

188 Bob Roche“, the Boy Dodger. By (illns. Mirris'

139 The Blaok Giant: or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy.
llv Joseph l-:. lhulgrr, Jr.

140 Captain Arlzonn, the King Pin of Rand-Agenu.
lly Philip S. “'amu.

141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By
Edward 1.. “'hcrler.

142 Little Texnmlhe Yollngllultanger. By Oll Cotillion.

148 Deadly Daub: 0f,Flghtlng Flre with Fire. By
Jon. E. Badger, Jr.

144 thtle Grltr. the Wild Rider; nr. lhmlv, iln-Rthcll
Tnmler'n Dang: m. By (‘01.l’runtis:humilnnl.

1:15 The Tiger of'l‘noa; or. Wild Katv, Dllzdy R oil's
Angul. liy Gm, “'aldn Brnwnr.

146 Tl"l ('ntlle King; or. (‘mtillu's Right Bower. By
Frank Dillllont.

147 Nollhy Nk‘k oI’NL-vnda: or, The Scampi ol the
Sierras. :y Edward L. Wheeler.

148 Thunderbolt. Tom; or, The Wolf-Ilenlur ol le

ottlles. By llmy St. George

149 Roll Rot-lion, the lhinl; Runner; nr,'l‘lle llaml to
Ruin. By (‘lillrles Mun-ix.

150 The Mad Miner: Ul',DI|ii(l)‘ Rorh’s Dunn).
1:. Within lil‘nwne.

151 The Sea 'l‘rallcr; or, A \‘.,w erl Kept. ll)
Cal. l’l'clltisx lllgrnllanl.

152 Dandy Dark“ or,TlJe Tigers ol'High l‘ine. By
William R. hymn

153 Wlld Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. lly Edward l,.
Wheeler.

ll,

154 The Boy 'l‘rallorn; or. Dainty Lance on till-
War-Paul. By JOE. E. tiadgey, Jr.

155 Gold Plume, the lloy Bandit; 0', Tim h’iil (ilhre
Spllrt. 15y Col. l’l'uatilis lllgrallllm.

156 “'Ill “'lldflre In tho “‘oodu. By I‘. .‘lUIIlAt.
157 Ned Temple, the 1h.an Boy. liy'l
158 Deadwood lllch‘fi Doom. 8;.

159 Patent-Leather Joe's Defeat.
\\ :lrne. a...” .l..... an.

160 lhlll'nlo lllll. , the Buy Bullnnnfh'r. Hy Col. 1'.
“graham. lirmly Fch, 9.

161 “OD Roche“. tho CrMhsnmn; A!
Tall. liykihnrlw )lnrrls. Ready

162 lilttlv Ilurrld'une, the Buy
Uoolnm. Rvmly l~‘.h. is.

163 Deadwood Dlek'n Dream: m‘. 'I'lu- liv-lls hr
the “will. liy Edward L. Wllcelel. Rm y lull. .1 .

It‘llqu Emery \Vednumln).

11'. ll mum.
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whim. By (‘rll

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