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CAPTAINFLY—BY-NIGHT ;

01', THE. COLORADO BOYS ON THE WAR-PATH.

 

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

 

 

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

“ captain FIy-by-Nighi:

The Colorado Boys on the War-path.

BY J OS. E. BADGER, J R.,
AUTHOR. or “THE PRAIRIE RANCH,” “ROUND
rm: murmur,” " THE COLORADO
BOYS,” 12:10., ETC., ETC.

 

CHAPTER I.
BLACK WOLF AND HIS MASTER.
' “ HALLO the housel”

Clear and distinct the voice rung out above
the wild clamor, yet with _a careless, half-lazy
drawl that betrayed anything rather than im-
patience or uneasiness. though the situation
was one that might well have awakened both.

A dozen dogs, Of both pure and mixed breeds
—a greyhound or two, a few collics, a brace of
terriers, with the remainder of the pack made
up of “poor relations,” with possibly another
strain or two added by way of variety to the
crosses—rushed from their loungingplaces us
the stranger dashed up to the front of the
ranch, and seemed bent; on tearing both horse
and rider to the ground without ceremony.

“I don’t want to hustle you, stranger, if

ou’ve got more important business on hand,

ut if you’ve any particular favorite among
these yelping beauties. it wouldn’t do any hurt
if you were to call ’em off before old Wolf
shows his teeth and stretches himself; after, it
might be too late.” . _

In complete accord With his careless draw],
was the further action of the speaker.

Slipping a foot from the leather-covered stir-
rup, he flung one leg OVer the high, flat-topped
pommel, sitting “ lady—fashion ” as he produced
the material for making a cigarette, filling the
little paper square With tobacco and deftly
rolling it on one knee as he sat lazdy dumped
ovsr in his saddle. . .

Closer came the yelping, barking, snarling
dogs, showing their white teeth after a. fashion
that might well have rendered a bold man ner-
vous;but the horseman had eyes only for the
sguttering match which he was twirling under
s elter at his joined palms, to counteract the
influence of the brisk breeze which came across
the grassy plain.

, the sombrero to. its resting-place.

Ashaggy terrier made the first positive at- i

tack, an& this was the signal for the dogs to
close in the horse from all sides, savagely in
earnest—only to be met after a wholly unex-
pected fashion.

Swift as the lanching of a serpent on its prey.
the high head of the black horse shot outward
and downward, the white teeth closing on the
back of a terrier. One savage shake, then the
bloody carcass was flung high into the air,
while the horse whirled in a circle, its swift-
flying heels seemingly multiplied into a. score,
scattering the yelping pack With many a howl
‘ and soar '0! pain and terror.

All the while the rider sat as though uncen-
scious of all this, his form accompanying each

leap and bound of the snortin horse, as per-
fectly as though he were glue to the saddle
seemingly far more at ease than many a, good

. rider would have been with both feet securely

resting in the stirrups. .

Two figures appeared in the Open doorway,
and a stern voice bade the dogs begone in a
tone of authority that enforced immediate
obedience.

At that instant, the head of the horse was
turned away from the ranch, but a the sack
scattered, the animal wheeled as upon a p vot,
bringing its master face to face With the
ranchero—and something more.

Swift as thought, the crossed le came down
from the pommel and the spurre boot slipped
into its stirrup; the careless slouch vanished,
the smoking weed was thrown aWay. the trim,
athletic figure was drawn erect, and with
dnfi'ed hat, the stranger bowed gracefully—not
to Frank Ellis alone, but to his fair daughter
Lina who stood beside him.

A strong contrast the couple presented as
they stood beneath the long awning which
shielded the front of the ranch from the full
glare of the afternoon sun; at a far less keen
observer than the stranger might have noticed
the ties of kindred between the two, though
this was less in form or feature than in a subtle,
something that can hardly be expressed in
words. _

Frank Ellis was tall, gaunt in frame, his face
thin and sharp-cut as the profile of an eagle. His
skin was deeply bronzed; his hair iron-grav, as
were also his long, drooping mustaches. Face,
figure, voice and every motion betrayed the 01d
soldier. _

Lina Ellis was rather below the medium hi ht
of her sex, her figure plump and wen-1‘0"“ ed
without being at all dumpy. In complexmn a
brunette, with short curls of lustrous JR“: “359‘
tinged cheeks, red, pouti‘ng lips, eyes as large
and bright as those of a fawn.

“ A thousand pardons, my dear sip-and ma:
dam!” said the stranger, recovering from his
bow and tossing back. the long hair which the
wind tumbled over his face, but not returnin
“If I ha
dreamed of meeting a lady here, I would have
been a little more ceremonious in my ap reach."

“The apology. if any, should come rom my
side,” returned Ellis. “Those curs are getting
to be a regular nuisance.”

With a light laugh the stranger glanced
around.

“ I reckon Wolf and Ican stand it if they can.
I’m afraid, though, there’s one or two that, will
be of little use hereafter. Wolf is rather rough
in his play when he gets fairly started, and
forgets the difference between fun and earnest.”

“ Never mind. Won’t you ’light and hitch?”

“Excuse me; your name is Colonel Ellis?”

“ Frank Ellis. I dropped the title when I left
the army.” I _

“ And mine is Knight—Q. F. B. Knight. I’ve
ridden two hundred miles Just to meet you and
ask you a uestiou.” _

With a1 ght laugh, Knight leaped from the
saddle and stepged beneath the aiming, then
motioned towar his horse.

‘f You have the name at being the best judge

o

 

of a good animal in all Colorado; what do yin
think of my \Volf? ’

Ellis glanced sharply into the face of the
speaker, but he saw no trace of jesting there;
instead, an undoubted earnestness. A slight
smile curled his own lip, as he turned toward
the animal in question, but he was by far too
learned in horseflesh to give a hasty answer on
first impressions, and moved toward the creature
for a closer examination.

The short ears flew back, the fawn-colored
muzzle curled up sufficiently to show the gleam-

ing white teeth, and there was an ugly light in ‘

the great black eyes as the ronchero drew near-
er, that hoded mischief;_but a single motion of
the hand of its master changed all this. Like
magic all signs of viciousness vanished, and the
animal stood motionless, cllni and seemingly
gentle as a lamb. _

Slowly Frank Ellis walked around the ani-
mal, scanning its points with the eye of a con-
noisseur, his own countenance being keenly
watched by the master of the black horse. But
that grave, stern face told no tales, even when
the ranchero carried his inspection further,
feelin of each limb and muscle, silent and ab-
sorbe as though the fate of a nation depended
on the thoroughness of his examination.

In silence he drew back from the animal,
until he once more stood beneath the awning.

“Well, what do you think of the colt?” asked
Knight. ' .

“ He improves on acquaintance. Still, I donjt
imagine you lose much sleep for dread of. his
ever being hung for his beauty,” replied Ellis.

“Handsome is as handsome does,” laughed
Knight. “ He can read his title clear back to
old Boston, through Lexington.”

“ Good blood—none better—but many an old
and famous familv has been disgraced by an
unworthy scion. You asked my opinion, and
I’ll give it frankly. He’s an ugly, Vicious
brute. He is built to run, and there’s only one
thing I see to hinder him from lasting from end
to end.”

“ And that?” with a soft smile. .

“I fancy he’s a bit of a ‘ cock-tail.’.”

An angry squeal broke from the animal under
discussion, and with set-back ears, its teeth
gleaming, it shook its head at the ranchero, as
though resenting the base imputation.

Knight laughed softly.

“ Wolf denies that, plain as horse can speak.”

“ I fancy he understands your fingers better
than he does father’s words, plain though they
were.” said Lina, quietly. ‘ I

“You have keen eyes, lady,” said Knight.
turning, with a bow. “ As your father’s daugh-
ter. you should know something about horse-
flesh. May I beg your opinion i” _ I

In silence the youn woman gazed critically
at the animal, a ha t-ainused smile playing
about her red lips. For, the closer one observed
the horse in whom the dashing stranger plainly
felt such pride, the uglier and more ungainly
the creature seemed to grow:

He stood nearly, if not quite, seventeen hands
high. His legs, though well-corded and sinewy,
seemed too slender and frail for the weight
above them. His neck, throat, shoulders, chest
and quarters corresponded to his hizht. while his

Captain Flyby-Night.

head seemed like that of a yearling colt, and
his barrel was remarkably short, giving him an
exceedingly awkward appearance.

"Now isn’t he a dnisyl” asked Knight, a glow
of enthusmsm irradiating his countenance as
Lina turned toward him, her eyes sparkling
with mischief. “ I knew you’d see through
him l”

“Then he is a telescopic horse?” she said, in<
nocently. “I fancy he would look better if
properly focused.”

Turning. she passed back into the ranch,
leaving Knight staring after her, open mouthed.
’l‘hen, slowly shaking his head, he turned once
more to the rancliero:

“There you behold a gold mine, wrapped up
in a horse‘s skin, my good friend,” e said,
lightly rocking back and forth on the balls of
[is feet, his chin protruded, his head on one
side, his keen eyes almost closed as he gazed
lovingly at the black stallion through the curl-
ing rings of cigai‘»smoke. “ The choicest bundle
of horse-fie sh mortal man ever clapped his two
eyes on. May be not a marvel of beauty, strict-
ly speaking, but he knows more, can 0 more,
and do it inn little lesstime than the best of
the best. Man may fail you, but he never.
What you tell him, he’ll do, whether it can he
done or not, and you can’t call on him too often.

and then set up a whole alphabet of his own,
each day in the week, with a few extra touches
to mark Sunday.

“Take one more look, then make me an
ofler.” V

Ellis shot a swift glance info the face of the
speaker, but saw tl‘ut now, at least, he was talk-
ing in sober enrncrt.

A remarkably handsome face it was too;
dark, suii-embrowned lut of clear comp exion
and skin as smooth and marless asihat of a we-
man, though a pair of silken innstnches' shaded ,
his upper lip.‘ His eyes were large and very
lrilliant, shining blue as the vault of heaven
above. His teeth were white and perfect, his

ter of his square chin, relieving the sternness
which otherwise that feature would have pre-
sen ed. ’

part horse-jockey, part cowboy, rich in mate: ial,
ut bearing the signs of long and hard usage,
hinting strongly at its wearer being “shoal on
the bar.”

That the weapons in the belt which tightly
gii'dvd his round, muscular waist, were richly -
ornamented and of the finest workmanship, was I
no ccnti'adiction to this evidence of impcru-'
niosity, for a h an must l'e very far gone in-
deed, liet't re he can bring himself to even thirk'
of “ spmtirig” his tools, in the great West.

for him.” , .
“ That’s a good enough reason whena com- ,
mon plug is “find,” was the swift response,~ 
“but not in a case like this. Why. man, it’s
the one chance of a lifetime! People say you’ve

you come to get fairly acquainted with Wolf.
yonder, you’ll butcher every other horse on the
. place to sell for the hide: and tallow. and save

 

He can break the record from Alpha to Omega, K 

lips red as blood, and a dimple marked the cen- .- 

His dress was a mixture of West and East: r 

“ Sorry, if you want to sell, but I have no use   .

got some good blood on your ranch, but when " I;

 

4

4

Captain Ply-by-Night.

 

 of fortune in forage. You won’t care for an
other money—making machine. You’ll pacly:
your g'ripsack with a change of clothing, char-
ter a bull-team to haul back the ducats he‘ll
rake in for you, and when you grow weary of

‘ pulling down the big purses, leaving no dust

' for'the rest Save that which Wolf throws into
their faces as he comes down the home stretch,
you’ll come back here and raise a monument to

i the memory of the man who made you a present
, of the King of the Turf!”

Ellis shook his head, with a short laugh

“You’re too generous by far. Mr. Knight.
Why not go the circuit yourself, it there’s sc
much money in the colt?”

“ Haven’t got the money to start in on «(lead
broke,” was the frank response. “More than
that: I’m too well known in the ring. Bless
ion, man! it you want to see a. scattering of

pockets, just whisper that C. F. B. Knight is in
the field with a dark horse. No, no; it won’t
work, even if I had the ducats to start out with
7 -which I haven’t. Word would spread like
' wildfire, and not a horse would stay in, not a
l

bet could you get, no matter what odds you '

might offer.”
vi “That’s all right. I’m not disputing your
l-fl words. Your colt is a world—beater, no doubt:
but it rakes money to buy horsefoerlz flllll l’m
too far away from the big purses you hint about
for them to dazzle either my eyes or my judg-
“fluent.”
“Which, boiled down, means that you don’t
believe Wolf is as good as I say?”
. , ‘v‘ That might be, and he still remain a marvel,”
" i I retorted Ellis, with a grim laugh.

" Come: let’s get down to hard-pan,” said
Knight, throwing away the stump of his cigar
ette, all traces oflazinexs vanishing as by magic.
"That colt can show you a mile in fast time
' «' enough to open your eyes, just as he stands,
' though you are horseman enough to see that he

,is short of work. Take him as he stands; if he
5,1 \ can show a mile in one-forty, will you give me

\./

i ,

4.

‘r

m§ price?”
_\ .rank Ellis laughed, a trace of derision in his
1; Voice.

“ I might safely agree to do that, though you
were to ask a whole national bank. Did you
ever hold a. watch on a horse?” _

othing abashed by the sneer which lay he-
neath these words, Knight selected a cigar from
a case and thenvextciided it toward his compan.

n.
“ Smoke? They should taste good, for I gave

affix  w

oh yes! ’ Look here, pardner:

m. ..-..l,‘~ A.

been—it not owned—plugs who could make their
' r, mile a minute, and who are as ignorant of stop-
watches as they are of the transit of Venus-
‘obut there’s where you‘re ’Way 01]? your nut. I
was born in a. manger, first washed in a horse ‘
it. bucket, had a sweating-cloth for n. pinning-I
, blanket, and learned to ride before I could stand !
 alone. From'water-boy, I tOOk all the duller-
ent de rose up to owning a racing-stable, and
, whatfi don’t know about the capabilities of

).
s
l
i
1,.
it
y
:l V.
’f

 

Two»: ._ ' 

' my: last dollar for them. But you was saying— .

etting bloods, and a general buttoning-up of i

, cent for him.

either trotting or running-horses, is hardly
worth the trouble of studying.

“ I know that only one horse in all
America —- to leave out the right little,
tight little island over the drink, where they
know and care nothing about keeping the re-
cord, as we do over here—has ever clipped the
forty-mark; and old Ten Broeck only cut a short
quarter 0113 of the even figure then. But he
did it, and what I’m trying to get at is this:

“What horse-flesh has done, Wolf can do in
his turn. If he can’t show you a mile in one
minute and forty seconds, or better, this very
day, all out of shape as he is, I won’t ask a
If he does make the time. you
give me two thousand dollars. and then I’ll go
off and blow out my brains for being such an
infernal idiot as to part with him at any
price.”

“Show me one~forty, and I’ll double the
price you ask,” said Ellis. still thinking the fel-
low was bragging. “Yonder is a good mile
track, where 1 exercise my own stock. It is in
prime condition, and I’ll provide horses to make

5 the ace for you, if you want them.”

“ hichI don’t—likewise your track,” was
the cool response. “I took a look at it asI

. came up. The turns are too sharp to suit Wolf,

 

‘You take me for one of those country-bred ‘
. fossils who are ready to swear that they have ,

without his racing-plates on. or his first being
accustomed to the course. Give me a. straiirhh
stretch, and I’ll show you the time to—day. If I
have to make it over your track. I must have a.
week to settle the old fellow down to those
turns.”
“Are you in earnest?” demanded Ellis, with
a keen look.
I “ a: a boy popping the question for the first
e

“All right. I’ll have a straight mile meas-
ured 08. It you are in earnest, that Will be
the shortest way of opening your eyes. 1f
jesting, maybe the laughing will not be alto-
gether one-sided.”

Frank Ellis strode sway toward the sheds
of sod which answered for the quarters of his

stockmen, and soon had them out with Chains '

to measure OR the course, Knight going with
them to point out the direction he wanted the
line run.

“Set up a couple of stakes, with rags on top,
to mark the limit,” he said, when the men Wei-e

~ fairly at work.

“ Of course you’ll go along tosee that the
measurement is perfectly square," said Ellis.

“It’s hardly worth while,” was the careless
reply. “I know you by reputation, and can
trust to your honor. I can put in my time to
better advantage warming Wolf up for the
trial, for I warn you that I mean to make or
break.” _ ‘

“ Do it, and the cash is yours. Lively), lads!”

As Knight turned toward the ranch, is blue
eyes glistened hrightl as he beheld the trim
figure of Line. Ellis 3 ending inthe doorway,
curiosity imprinted on her countenance.

“You shall see what the telescopic horse can
do. Miss Ellis,” laughed Knight, as he drew near,
dofling his hat and running one hand through
the coal-black ringlets which clusteredtightly
around his well-shaped head. “ If you like, you

'x. no?!

u

can behold what mortal woman never yet saw,
a horse cover a mile in less than one-forty.”

“ Not that animal on stilts?" smiled Lina.

“That very beantyl You lmigh," himself
following her example; “ but you won’t when
you have once seen the old fellow fully ex-
tended. Then you’ll be ready to swear he’s an
angel, even if he goes without wings. If you
are true to your blood—it you are your father’s
daughter—you’ll almost feel like going down on
your knees and worshiping the animal on
now laugh at, just as I have done more tian ,
once!”

“ Yet you seem anxious to get rid of him!”

Instantly the face of the horse-trader grew
grave, and there was a hard, metallic sound to
his voice when he spoke:

“Because I must have money. More than
life—more than love, even, depends on that! If
not—if I could make good the oath I swore
before Heaven without the money—I would far
rather blow out my own brains where my eyes ‘
could see poor old Wolf with their last glance,
than to part with him!”

He turned abruptly away from the wonder-
ing maiden, whom this sudden outburst had
greatly astonished, and making a motion which
brought the well-trained horse trotting to his
side, he vaulted into the saddle with wonderful
ease and grace, the face which he turned toward
her being once more gay and careless, not a
trace of that grim sternness being visible.

“Your father and his men are measuring a
mile, and I must warm up Wolf up a little. Do
us proud, and watch how we gain the right
focus—ha! ha!”

Merrily his laugh rang out, as the stilt-like
animal sprung into sudden life and action, cur—
veting and prancing, leaping, darting from side
to side after a fashion that would have
thoroughly tested the skill of an Indian.

Swiftly wheeling he dashed straight at the
high walls of the nearest corral, aiding the
black by a dexterous use of the bridle just as it
seemed as though they must be dashed with
stunning force against the barrier. Into the air
like a bird the stallion rose, clearing the fence
without so much as brushing it with hoof or
tail, alightin safely inside, only to make a
seniiicirole an repeat the feat near the lower
en .

“Can you see through the telescope more
clearly now, Miss Ellis?" laughed Knight, a
malicious twinkle in his large eyes as be swept
around and drew rein before the maiden, gazing
admirineg into the flushed countenance and
glowin eyes.

“It s marvelous!” she exclaimed, coming
forward and patting the proudly-arched neck.
“Iwould never have believed it in the power
of mortal horse to perform that fat. I begin
to believe he is not so ugly after all.”

“Thanks for both Wolf and myself,” said
Knight, with a low bow. “I have two foil-
ings, or two virtues according to the light in
which you choose to view them. Next to a
lovely woman I love a fine horse. Once—and ‘

 

 

the owner of the finest horse and the loveliest
woman in the land. Ikept one half my vow
when I found Wolf. but now—Bah! what mat- I

not so long since—I swore that I would become ’

Captain Flyby-Night.

‘ obeyed, racing at speed around the ranch and

‘ the mad rider came in sight again, riding

! encountered his burning gaze

 

ter’i One cannot have all one’s wishes granted g;
on this earth.” ‘
b.“ Is I owned such a horse I’d never part with

im.

“Your father will own him before the sun
sets,” said Knight, with a hard laugh. “ Unless
I mistake, what is his is yours. if you Wlmt it to
be so. But until then—off, Wolf, old fellow!
Let’s make the best of it while you are mine
and I am yours! Away, old fellow, and shake
the kinks out of your legs!”

With long, swift strides the black stallion

cori-als, Lina movmg further out from the
building in her eagerness to see more of this
marvelous beast, her eyes glistening vividliy as

d rect
toward her at full speed.

Straight on until it seemed as though she must
be crushed to pomace beneath the thunderin
hoofs, a. mocking smile Jighting up the ban -
some face of the mod rider as he came closer
and closer, the reins hanging free. the blue
smoke escaping his red lips and floating in
whirling eddies behind him—still on,until a
fatal collision seemed inevitable.

Yet Lina did not flinch, did not seek safety
in darting aside or turning in flight, though the
warm flush died out of her cheeks, and a look ’
almost of terror came into her eyes. i ‘:

Then, just as another of those mighty, far- . u
reaching strides would have crushed the maid- “
en down to death, the black stallion stopped
short, its hips almost touching the ground as its
fore-feet braced back. e

As though hurled from a cata ult, the mad
rider shot over his horse’s head, a ighting .close
in front of Lina on his feet, smiling mischiev-
oust as he dolfed his hat and bowed low.

“You have good nerves, Miss Ellis, though I
assure you, you were not in the slightest peril.
Wolf admires a true lady, and would no more :1.
do her injury than he would go back on his ~~
master. I only thought I would show you .'
another of his accomplishments, since you will 3"
soon become his mistress.” _ ‘g

“It is one which 1 would hardly care to call " «5
into requisition,” said Lina, with a faint smile. ‘ ‘

“I declare!” said Knight, with a halt-laugh
and sheepish smile; “ I never thought of that!
With long skirts, it would be a rather awkward .
featto perform, wouldn’t it?”  l r

There was something so genial in his tone, '
that Lina could not take oflense at the speech, - .
and she covsred her slight confusion by again
ndVéllchng to the horse and patting his satin ‘
coa. . -
“_You are a true lover of a good horse, Miss \
Ellis,” said Knight softly, joining her. “and ' .
Wolf knows it, too. There are precious few - '
strangers he would suffer to take such liber-
ties as he has you. To all others until now he ' ‘7;
has shown his teeth or heels. Oh! it it could » "
only hei It I only could—” - '.

‘ What?” asked Lina, startled by his sudden / 3
change of tone, but then shrinking back as she . A

/‘

. /

 

."j

“Perform the impossible,” laughed Knight..- ".3
once more the careless horse-trader. "Ihardl , .
know what has got into me today, unless it ‘ f ‘
because I am about to part with you. v;

    

 

CHAPTER II.
CAPTAIN FLYvBY-NIGHT.

LINA ELLIS would have been something more
or less than woman had not her curiosity been
awakened by these abrupt and strongly con-
trasting changes of both tone and manner, and
once again her gene was turned inquirineg up
on his face.

She fancied she could read a deep-seated trou-
ble in that handsome face and down in those
lustrous blue eyes, and, woman-like, she longed
to relieve it.

“ It wounds your heart to even think of part-
ing with your good horse/l" she said softly, one
little hand touching his arm.

“Well, it might be a little easier. But you
remember the old saying: ‘Needs must when
the devil drivesl’ ”

“You sell him because you need the money ’9”

Knight nodded, gazing t‘urtively into the
edger eyes. He could not understand what she
was driving at, try his best.

., “ If the money could he raised in some other
r fleshvipn, you would not think of sacrificing
1m

“ I’d sooner strike of]? my right hand at the
Wrist than part with the old fellow!” muttered
Knight, his eyes glowing, as he filing one arm
around the arched neck of the block stallion and
pressed his lips to the de wry muzzle, tenderly as
though it were the lips of his betrothed bride.

Captain Ply-by -Night.

    

I

kindred to care what becomes of me: but I
1 have not yet fallen so low as to accept aims
from strangers. And yet," with a longing look
toward the black stallion as he rose to his feet,
“ if your father would lend the money, taking
Wolf as security, giving me a. decent time for
redeeming the old fellow, I‘d—"
l “ He will—he shall!” impulsively cried Lina.
: “I will call him back.”
1 The shapely hand of Knight fell upon her
arm as she started toward the house, and he
. hastily uttered:
' “One more favor, lady! I have yielded my
manhood my independence, rather than deny
what you seemed to have set your heart on
‘ bringing about, though I feel sure your father
l will refuse to ratify your pledge. I could hard-
‘ ly bear to hear his words of refusal. It is but
i a short distance to where he now stands. Will
1 you honor Black Wolf so far?”
3 As he spoke, he made a gesture that brought
. the stallion lo their side. The sagacious animal
, dropped to his knees and swayed his back
lowly, when Knight, without waiting for a. re-
‘ ply, caught Linn beneath the arms, and deftly
l placed her in the saddle, before she fairly com-
! prehended his purpose.
Nimbly as a. cat, Black Wolf rose to his feet
, and with an agile bound, the stranger leaped
up behind the saddle, flinging one arm around
the waist of the astonished maiden.
l A little cry escaped her lips, more of surprise

“ You shall not part with him then,” said , than of alarm, for as yet she did not replize the

Line, her voice trembling, her eyes growing i peril that threatened her from this

misty as she looked on the couple.

Knight turned abruptly, his eyes wide open,
“taxing at her as though doubting the evidence
.of his ears. Then he laughed shortly, hardly,
fli'J ing out one hand.

“ on target. I said I must have the money!”

“So you s all. Father will lend it to you.

- You shall keep your horse. It would be a. in to
Separate those who lovo so truly.”

‘But you forget, Miss Ellis; I am a. stranger
to both you and your father. I can offer no se-
curity for the money. I have only Wolf to
pledge. You are very kind, but I fear too im—
pulsive. Your generous heart runs away with
you. No! no! the poor old fell0w must go!”

“And I say not, unless you really prefer to
part with him,” said Lina, decidedly. “ You
are a stranger, yes; we know nothing more of
you than what you have chosen to tell us, it is

,true' but a. man who can love a horss as fer-

. vently asyou love yours cannot be other than v

That shall be Security for the .
‘ she was actually in danger.

an honest man.
money loaned.”

The man turned his head away, as though to
conceal his emotions, but it was only for a.
brief space. With a. swift motion, he dropped
on one knee at her feet, bowing his head and
touching the hem of her dress to his lips, before
she could divine his purpose.

“A thousand thanks, lady!” he muttered,
.teers seeming to dim the brilliancv of his eyes
as he raised them toward her suffused counte-
nance. “I feel your generosity most deeply,
.even while I feel compelled to reject your offer.
I ; 3171‘qu em a poor devil, without money enough
_:to buy a crust of bread, without friends or

l
l

i the fellow, as he rested her form across his
l

smooth-
! spoken stranger who had played his part so
, adroitly.

“ What does this mean? How dare on!” she
exclaimed, trying to free herself, on y to feel
I the grip grow tighter as, with udroit strength,
g he raised her from the saddle and shifted him-

self into it. ._ .
“ Cool and easy, my little lady-birdl” laughed

thighs, one arm pinning both of hers to her
sides, and holding her helpless. “It means just
this: the prologue has ended, and now the real
business of this little drama begins.”

“Release me!” pented Lina, striving to free
herself, but all in vain. “ You shall suffer for
this insult!”

“A man could aflord to pay a big price for
the privilege of so closely embracing such a
dainty inorsel of flesh and blood," laughed
Knight, bending his head and pressing her lips
with his own.

Until then, Lina. Ellis had not realized that
If she thought at»
all, it was that this man intended riding with
her to where Frank Ellis stood watching his
men planting the stakes which marked the end
of the mile course; but that dece tion faded
away as Knight turned his horse’s and away

3 from where her father stood, and Wolf broke

into a swift gallop. .
A shrill scream broke from her lips, but
Knight made no effort to prevent its repetition,
lau hing heartily as he said:
“ ipe on. ledv bird! I care not how soon
you pull the wool from over your daddy’s eyes,
and reuse him from his fond dreams of noon

  

 

 

 

owning a world-beater in my good old Wolf.
Hal hel the ‘moleeyed fooll To think that 1
would part with such a treasure for his gold!"

her blood grew cold within her veins, for she
began to believe she had fallen into the power
of a madman.

With a desperate efl’ort, she subdued her ter-
ror sulficiently to enable her to speak:

“ What do you mean? You are simply trying
to scare me, but you are wasting your time,
and angering my friends for nothing. Put
me dowu, instantly, else you shall suffer for

it!”

“What do I mean?” mockineg 1163881163.
Knight. “Your father called Black olf a
cock—tail, and doubted both his speed and
stamina. I am going to show him what he

ossesses of each of those qualities. I’ll show
him that not one of all his brag stock can catch
Wolf with a double burden on his hack—that I
was not idly boasting, when I said that in this
glossy black hide is wrapped up a world-
beater!”

Again and louder than before the maiden
shrieked aloud for help, and with ataunting
laugh the mad rider reined in his steed, wheeled
and faced in the direction of the rnnchero,
“hose ears had caught that wild appeal for aid,
and who was staring wildly toward the doubly
burdened home, as yet unable to comprehend
what had occurred.

Knight raised the light form of the maiden in
his arms above the head of the black horse and
then shouted aloud, his voice crossing the mile
of plain like the note of a trumpet:

"Take a last look at your daughter as a
maiden. When you see her again she will be a.
wedded wife—the wife of Captain Fly-by-
Night!”

A hoarse. mad cry broke from the pale lips
of the ranchero as hecaught the mocking words,
and then he dashed at full speed toward the
spot, closelv followed by his men.

Captain Fly-by-Night lowered his captive to
the saddle before him, waved one hand in
taunting defiance, then touched Black Wolf
with the sharp spurs, darting away OVer the
level lain with the rapidity of a swallow on
the Wing.

A gasping moan escaped the maiden, now
pale as a. corpse, for at the mention of that
name she realized her frightful peril as she had
never before. Her brain seemed whirling in a.
mad dance, and her breath failed her, though
she did not swoon outright.

Little wonder if she had lost all consciousness
through sheer terror at finding herself helpless
in the power of this demon incarnate. If com-
mon report was to be believed. a more merci-
less villain never disgraced the footstool.

Captain Fly-by-Night, as he called himself-—
and no man could say with certainty what his
rightful name was-had leaped into most dis-
agreeable prominence at a bound, proving him-
self a king of daring horse-thieves, who was not

Captain Flyby-Night.

) ,. ... . v

 

- ngmnst his name, and he was rapidly becoming
, the scourge of the stock-raising country at the
; date when this record opens.

The maiden shuddered at his wild laugh, and ‘

As yet. he had not troubled the Ellis ranch,
though it offered unusual inducements in the
shape of fine stock, thoth all save the sturdy
owner predicted that it was onlva matter of

g time when his power would make itself felt.

 

But not one among the disaster-predictin
croakers had imagined the infamous horse-thie
would strike such an audacious blow as this.
thI-Least of all did Frank Ellis dream of such 3

mg. ,

.When his idolized wife died, shortly after the
Civil War ended, leaving him Lina as the sole
pledge of their affections. the ex-colonel soon
wearied of life in the crowded citv, and placing
Lina at school, he struck out for the Great
West, passing years in wandering about, vague-
ly seeking a home.

.Always a passionate lover of fine stock. '
Clally of horses, when his choice was fina ly
made, it took the shape of a breeding-ranch on
a limited scale at first, since he was not over-
rich, and was determined to steer clear of the
common breeds, of either the States or the
plains ponies.

He had the field almost wholl to himself, and
steadily made money, gradual y increasing his
“plant ” until it became the most valuable
property of the sort in all Colorado. »

When Lina graduated, he gave her her .
choxce, to remain in town, or share his life on
the ranch. She elected to join him, and not
once had either of thcm regretted the decision.

With a desperate effort. Lina conquered the
faintness which assailed her, and though her
face was pale as that of a corpse as shegezed up
into the face of the villain who hel her so
tightly clasped to his breast, her voice was firm
and unquavering as she spoke: ‘

“ If it is for money you have stolen me away,
name your price, and I promise you that it ‘
shall he paid to you the moment you set me at ~
liberty and I can reach my father.” '

“Bah! do you take me forefooli”sneered r
Captain Fly-by-Night. “ You may believe
what you say, but all the same it’s a lie. Frank
Ellis would lpay me the debt in lead or cold
steel willingly enough. but never in gold or
greenbecks. Besides, I am not so anxious to
get rid of you, lad -birdl I did not carr you,
away for gold. ave on forgotten the int 1’
gave you of the oath once took? I have the
best horse in the world, and I’m open to bet big ,
money that I’ve got the loveliest woman in the
State, too!”

“Not yet!” gasped Lina, making a desperate » v ’ 
efl‘ort to cast herself to the ground, thou h she I“ r

knew that a fall from that hight wh e the
black stallion was rucin so swiftly, could
scarcely be other than fate to life or limb.

So Vigorous was her struggle, and corp so
unexpectedly, that Captain Fly-by-Nigh 'al out

‘ lost his hold on her person, only recovering“ I

to be driven from the prey on which he set his ‘

eves and wishes by the dread of bloodshed.
From the very first blow he struck his career
had been crowned with perfect success. Not a
single failure. great or small, was recorded

by u onderful quickness and strength.

A panting cry of angry chagrin broke from
the lips of the maiden as she saw how vein,
were her efforts, but at that instant one of hot H
hands struck against the ivory haft of the longv
bladed kml‘e “ hich hung against the hip other

 

t

 

 

 

 

8 Captain Ply-by-Night.

 

captor, and in the extremity of her peril, she
clutched it and jerked the weapon from its
sheath. For the moment her natural horror of
death and bloodshed was forgotten, and she
made a desperate effort to plan 9 the keen steel
into the side of the laughing vil ain.

Onlyto be again foiled.

Captain Fly-b -Night felt the withdrawal of
the weapon, an droppin the bridle-reins, he

cau ht her wrist and held it helpless before the ‘

bla 9 could be driven home.

“Go easy, lady-birdl” he cried, mockingl ,
as he deftly shifted his grasp to the back of t a
blade, then wrestiug it from her benumbed
hand and replacing it in its scabbard, which he

ushed around his waist until it rested be and

or reach. “ If it’s all the same to you, pre-
fer not to hop the twig just at present. And
, you—surely you would not cheat the hangman
of his just dues?”

A convulsive sob burst from the panting
bosom of the poor girl, as she realized how ut-
terl helpless she was in the clutches of this
stee -nerved villain. Yet she made one last ap-
pen] to him, though she knew it would avail
nothing.

“ Are you all villain? Is there not one single
gleam of manliness in your composition? Have
you no sense of gratitude? Are you all bad—
all demon, as men say i”

“ The worst pill in the box, I reckon,” laughed
the other.

“ We have never injured you. neither father
nor me. On the contrary, when I believed you a.
poor man, I was more than willing to aid you
as far as lay in my power. I would have urged
father to let you have the money you wanted,
without taking from you the horse you pretend-
ed to love so tenderly. Even now, if you will
set me down, I will stop them from pursuing
you, or from punishing you in any way for this
outra e.”

All this time, Black Wolf was speedin alon
over the plain at a pace that was little 5 ort o
the marvelous, while Frank Ellis and his men
were racing at top speed for the corrals in
which their horses were confined.

As Lina poured out her appeal, Captain Fly-
by-Night cast a keen glance over his shoulder
to note the progress of the ranchero, then
looked ahead of Black Wolf. Ata short dis-
tance ahead there rose a long, gently sloping
swell or ridge of ground, running at right
angles across the course they were pursuin ,
an for the first time since starting away wit
his captive, Captain Fly-by-Night touched the
black stallion with the spur.

Swift as the flight of a wild pigeon, the long-
legged horse flew forward, rising the swell, to
be checked when the extreme summit was
gained. At a touch of the rein. he wheeled
around and faced the distant ranch, just as the

owner and his men gained the bars of the cor— ‘

“‘Idon’t doubt you mean all you say, little
lady-bird ” said the outlaw, speaking more
gravely than before. “ But whether you could
make that pledge good is another thing. Frank
Ellis is tough-mouthe when once his blood is
stirred up, and it would be like choking on a.

bull-dog. You might do it. but I don’t want ,‘

 

you to.‘ I counted on his following me, and if I
don’t lead him a merry dance before all’s over,
Black Wolf is a worse cock-tail even than he
thought him at flrstl

“As for you, lady-bird, don’t borrow trouble.
I hold no grudge against you, and if you are
sensible, no particular harm shall come to you
while in my charge. I on] want to prove to
the old gent, that Black olf has both speed
and bottom.” .

Once more Lina sought to wrest herself free,
struggling so frantically that at length Captain
Flyby-Night grew angry and spoke with stern
sharpness:

“Enough of this tomfooleryl Give me your
word to act a little less like a frightened wild—
cat, or I’ll not only tie your hands, but I’ll ut
a gag between those pretty lips as well. an
you understand that, lady-bird?”

lVom out with the unavailing struggle, Lina.
lay panting in his arms, helpless as a c‘iild,
tears of pain and bitter anger trickling down
her flushed cheeks.

At that moment the ranchero and his men
spurred out from the corral, and came thunder-
ing at breakneck speed across the plain toward
the daring kidnapper, whose figure was clearly
outlined against the sky beyont .

Captain Fly—by-Night lifted his hat, and swung
it above his head his voice ringing out in a
shrill, high-pitched tone that carried it across
the intervening space.

With amotion of his hat in the direction he
intended resuming his flight, he wheeled and
dashed at full speed down the opposite side of
the slope, heading for the distant ills.

On at a marvelous rate of speed dashed the
black steed,full§ justifying the confidence of
its master, for w en the agonized father and his
men appeared on the swell, it was clear to be
seen that they had not ained, even if thev had
not lost ground, doub y laden though Black
Wolf was.

On, swift as the tireless swallow he sped,
stretching out like a greyhound at speed, those
long legs moving back and forth with the power
and regularity of some magnificent machine, so
rapidly that the human eye could scarce dis-
tinguish them. On, without faltering, without
flagging, without the glossy sides feeling the
keen—pointed rowels. And mockineg the mad
rider laughed as he waved his hand in defiance
Biliwaird his pursuers, who thirsted for his life-

00 .

Still on, though more than an hour had
elapsed since the avengers had spurred out from
the corral; on. though another hour stole by,
and the sun crept down toward the western
horizon; on with unabated speed ran the black
wonder, until the once distant hills grew
nearer and more distinct.

Directly ahead lay a gully, the slopin mouth
being hidden by tall grass until the blue horse
was almost .upon it. A touch of the rein turned
him aside, just as Lina cried:

“ Help I for the love of heaven save me 1”

CHAPTER III.
A WILD FROLIC.
“ AM) this is a fair specimen of the mighty
monsters you vowed could chew up a score of

 

Ii" \

l
.
l
l
l
l
I 2

 

 

 

our little striped kittens at a single mouthful.
and then sit back on their haunches and weep
because we had nothing fit to give them com-
mon exercise, is it, cousin Burt? A cowardly
brute that hunts its hole at the first yelp, and
can only be driven out by the use of spit-
ting devils; if at all! Go ’way with your griz-
zlies!”

“ That’s all right, Mr. Furguson. Tenderfeet
are privileged. and we never hear in mind what
they 5 out. We’re just getting you used to it,
little By istks, and after you have met a few
cubs, we’l turn out a genuine specimen of Old
Eph for you to admire and compare with your
beloved tigers.”

Three young men—in almost any other coun-

try they might have answered to the appella-
tion of lads—were grouped in a. pocket which
lay near the southeastern extremity of a short
range of hills, scarcely high or extensive enough
to merit the title of mountains, though such was
the term given them by the cattle-ranchers
whose ranges lay to the southeast.

One of those stock farms belonged to the Ap-
plebee family which consisted of father, son and
two nephews, the three latter now demanding
a. share of the reader’s attention.

A, the death of their father, Lancelot and
Burlis Applebee, in accordance with his dying
commands, left their cattle-ranch in trust-
worthy hands, and started for India, where, in
the inde endent kingdom of Nepaul, lying on
the southern slope of the Himalayas, their
uncle, Charles Applebee, possessed an extensive
indigo plantation. ‘

The two brothers, Charles and Henry, had
been separated thus widely by the force of cir-
cumstances which neither of them could con-
trol, but which need not he entered on just now,
but the love which rendered them remarkable
in early days, never waned as they waxed
older and as they begun the battle of life as
equal, partners so they were when the elder
brother was called home by the touch of death.

While on his death-bed, and repeating the
wish in his will, Henry Applebee bade his two
sons seek out their uncle, and spend one year in
carefully studying the indigo business. If
they could content themselves with it, the
were to sell out the stock farm, and unite wit
their uncle. If not, and they could not prevail
on Charles Applebee to dispose of his interests
in Nepaul and return with them to Colorado for
good and all, they were at liberty to use their
own judgment as to their future course in life.

The brothers faithfully carried out the dying
instructions of their parent, but when the year
of probation came to an end, it was Charles
Applebee and his son Percy who sold out, all re<
turning to Colorado to live.

At this time of the year. it was a slack sea-
son at the cattle-ranch. The stock had all been
rounded up, the calvos marked and branded. a
few drafts made to iill outstanding orders for
beeves, and it was still too early for the annual
“ drive ” to begin.

Since their arrival at the ranch, the boys had
been too bus for much indulgence i huutiii ,
of which t ey were all passionate]

V ton ,
though they had Several expeditions in View:

Captain Flyby-Night. ' 9 ‘

 

and work enough cut out to last them for two

years to come.

But when word was brought in by one of

their herders of a huge grizzly bear which

seemed to have wandered from the northern

ranges, to take up his abode in the hills which

lay a little less than a day’s ride from the cattle-
!ranch, the lads resolved to win his claws, be-
fore any other party got in ahead of them.

Thanks to the rough and tangled nature of
the ground where the discovery was first made,
following the trail was a matter of no little
difficulty, but both Lance and Burt were no
mean scouts, and at the end of a couple of
hours, they found where the grizzly had taken
refuge in a small cave, or rather cleft in the
rocks, at the upper extremity of a good-sized
“pocket,” or walled-in valley, near the edge of
the plain.

Dismcunting. but holding the long bridle-reins
over one arm. Burt cast several stones into the
crooked opening through which they felt mor-
ally certain the bear had retreated, but the
only result was that of drawing forth a sullen
grow], Old Eph clearly not being in a fighting
humor just then.

“ Out he comes, if I have to go in after him
and tug him out by the taill” declared Burt,
not a little chagrined at this tame outcome to
his enthusiastic picture drawn for the benefit 01
his cousin.

have kept his word, had not Lance interfered
prompt .

“ There’s more ways than one to skin a cat,
boy Burt, and though you wouldn’t be much
loss, philosophically considered, we’ll try less
heroic measuresflrst. If 01d E h won’t come
out of his own accord, we’ll sea in a. spitting-
devil after him.”

fully. “I never thought of that. Score one
for you, old Sobersidesl ’

plicit. Like all boys who have had much to do
with powder, both Burt and Percy knew right

they could be put. '
ithdrawing a. little urther from the refu

themselves in preparing the rude fireworks.

honey-locust tree which stood near the center
of the miniature valley, formed the foundation

a wisp of
tied. then wet with water from their canteens.
Over this, powder was liberally sprinkled,
the hot sun quickly baking it into a rough

fit for use. “Percy you must keep clear this
time and let us do the work. A mistake might
end in the death of one or all of us, and you
i know we can handle the ropes a. trifle more no-
I curately than you can.”

 

i

‘ lip” With a shrug of hissboulders “A108! elo-

|

And there is little doubt but what he would.

“Good enough!” cried Burt, laughing glee--

There was no need of Lance’s being more ex-I

well what was meant by “ spitting-devil,” and "
all about their manufacture and uses to which

aka. _
“Get all ready now, and we’ll open the ball,”. I
said Lance, as the fireworks Were pronounced v

“Oh, I’m not going to spoil sport-such as it, -

in which Bruin lay sulki g, the three ladsbusigdz' - "
few many-spined thorns cut from the trunk of a'

of the spitting-devils. Around the sharp points ' '
dry grass was wrapped and securely '

 

 

 

, “a

  

    

h

10 Captain Flyby-Night.

 

hant and tiger-shooting, this worrying a little
grightened cur is tame sport. Still, OI don’t
mind looking on, if you See any fun in it. If I
fall aslee before you get through, ‘wake me
up when 'rby dies.’ ” .

“Durned if I see the sense of a man’s making
a condemned idiot of himself I” growled Burt,
disgustedly.

‘ Neither did I, when I had the pleasure of
first meeting you in Nepaul, cousin Burt,”
laughed Percy. “But I’ll hold my whist for
the present. Go on with your ratvkilling, gen-
tlemen.”

First looking well to their saddles nnd girths,
making sure that their weapons were in good
order and the coils of their lassoes running free,
the brothers took up their positions on horse-
back their snorting, trembling animals being

onreiullly blinded by means of heavy silk hand- ‘
s.

kcrchie

Lance stood to one side of the crevice into
which the grizzly had retreated. while Burt
rode up squarely in front, the bridle-reins over
one arm, holding the spitting-devils in that

v hand, while he struck a match with the other.

Instantly the protruding strands of dry grass
caught fire from the match, igniting the pow-
der, which made a mighty fizzing, throwing out

sparks on all sides as Burt hastily tossed them, i

one after the other, into the cave, then wheeled
his horse, glancing back over his shoulder as a
tremendous growling and snarling came from
the retreat of the grizzled brute.
A moment or two of breathless suspense,
, then, with a loud roar of angry pain, a shaggy
mass shot out of the cave, ablaze with fire, ruli—
lng rapidly over and over as it got clear of the
entrance. I
One of the spitting-devxls had caught on one

shoulder of the huge brute, and its frantic tum- ‘

clings only servod to drive the keen thorns
deeper into the hide, while all its rollings failed
to extinguish the sputtering powder.

With a. savage roar, the bear snapped at the
firework, tearing it loose from the burning
wool, but only making matters worse as it
sought to crush the thing of torture. The
thorns, tough and hard almost as iron, pene-
trated the roof of the brute’s mouth and its
tongue, while the scorching sparks choked it
severe] .

Rearing on its haunches, the maddened brute
tore at the ball of fire with its fore-paws, bowl.
'ing, marlin , roaring and gnashing its teeth as
it staggered to and fro like a drunken man.

And the three lads, looking on at the ludicrous ‘

scene, could not refrain from bursting into wild
peels of laughter. _
The bear either heard this, or else caught sight
of Dance on his trembling horse, as the-spitting-
/ devil was torn out of its in uth, for With a. ter-
rible, roar, it plunged towa: d him. .
But Burt was on the alert, and with a sw1ft
cast of his coiled lasso, Sent its loop with an un-
' errin aim around the thick neck of the infuri-
' ated astf then raining back his well-trained
borne, fair y raising the grizzly to its hind feet
and almost throwing it backward with the
heavy shock. ,
Active as a. cat, the bear whirled around. and

V) : ~ V gnawed ite‘assailant open-mouthed, thus giving

/~,, ‘ I,

 

i
Lance the precise opportunity for which he was
waiting and watching.

Instantly his lasso shot through the air and
closed about one hind leg, just above the joint,
and us the horse bounded back, the grizzly was
stretched out flat on its belly.

But only for an instant. Then, with a fright-
ful roar, the beast scrambled» to its feet, and
though Lance put all the strain on his lasso that
lay in his power, the grizzly stood up on three
feet, grasping the lasso which connected him
with Burt, dragging it in hand over hand, so to
speak, despite the stoutly braced feet of the
mustang.

“Cut the rope, if you can’t hold your own,
Burt!" cried Lance, excitedly, as he began to
realize the danger which menaced his brother.

“ I will if I do, but if I do, I’ll be durned if I

do l” snorted the daring youngster, pricking his
horse a few feet forward, then making it leap
iwiftly to one side, hOping to overthrow the
; 68?.
His effort was not only unsuccessful, but the
, grizzly managed to secure apart of the slack
, rope before the strain was again applied, show-
‘ ing its bleeding mouth and gleaming teeth, as
, thongh grinning at the prospect of speedy re-
: venge.

thought, and until now Percy Applebee did not

realize the full extent of the peril that threat-
\ ened his cousin. When he did, however, he cut

little time to waste, swinging the lariat around
. his head as he spurred his horse closer, casting

the noose around the thick throat of the brute
‘ with all the skill of apracliced vaquero, and
1 then raining back his animal, throwing a side
- strain on the bear that even its enormous
strength could not successfully resist.

With a. shock that drew a sullen grunt from
its lungs. 01d Eph fell over on its side, and Burt
spurred his horse so quickly that the lasso was
I onco more stretched at full length.

“Don’t give him a chancel” cried Lance.
2‘ Kesp up the strain, and work him over to that
, ree

Right thoroughly were his instructions obeyed,
though the maddened brute fou ht desperately.
But the choking of the two oops about his

, throat were gradually sapping his powers, mar-
} velous though they were, and little by little the
I reckless riders worked him toward the locust
,tree. checking his rushes whenever they were
made in the contrary direction, but giving him
slack as he turned in the one they desired.

Lance’s horse shook the blinding handkerchief
from over its eyes, and then its terror of the
huge beast made it unmanageable, dexterous
though its master was.

“Cast ofl’, or the fool-brute will cripple it-
sslfl” cried out Burt, sharply. “Percy and I
can manage the old fellow now. Shake, your
ro e loose, man alive—don’t you heari" '

hough loth enough. Lance saw that this was

the only course left him, and by dint of brisk
spurring, he contrived to slacken his lasso sufli-
ciently to shake it of! from the leg of the bear,
then his frightened horse dashed away with
him go the mouth of the pocket at breakneck
spee .

“Now we’ve got hirnl”yelled Burt, as the

g

I

All this passed with the rapidity almost of‘

   

 

     

\

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

 

 

grizzly made a savage rush that carried him
close up to the tree. “Circle around, old fel-
low! That’s the ticket!”

l
y

Percy saw plainly enough what was w antcd, ‘

and right gallantly he met the views of his
cousin. They spurred their horses toward each
other, so as to bring their ropes around the lo-
cust tree with the bear struggling on the 0p—

posite side. Burt gathered in a little rope, and ‘

as he neared his cousin, he lifted his horse and
leaped it over the other lasso. then sped on in a.
circle to repeat the performance.

The hear was drawn up close to the trunk,
the second and third turns of the Memes passing
around his body, holding him well-nigh helpless.

By this time, Lance had mastered his horse
purl replaced the blind returning lo the scene,
iiust as Percy checked his steed by Burr, and
enped to the ground.

“ You can hold my nag. I want to take a.
closer look at your monster, before we rub him
out.

“ Take carel” cried Lance. warningly. as he
saw the movement of the young man. “ Don’t
go tooclose—”

Percy laughed carelessly as he unslung his
Winchester from where it had rested across his
shoulder during all.

“ If he was free, I wouldn’t fearhim with this
little tool in my hands,” he said, running around
to the other side of the tree and facing the
struggling brute.

A warning cry from Burt, as his horse
stumbled and the lasso seemed to strangely
slacken. And at the same moment Percy made
a truly startling discowry.

The grizzly had managed to catch the ropes
in his mouth, and severing the loops, was now
at liberty!

Roaring furiously, he plunged straight at
the youth!

 

CHAPTER IV.
PLAYING A BOLD GAME.-

As though conjured up from the bowels of
the earth by that agonized cry for help, an
armed and mounted man dashed out of the nar-
row mouth of the gully, less than twoscore
yards from Captain Fly- y-Night and his fair
on we.

is surprisa seemed to the full as complete as
was that of the outlaw-chief, for he jerked up
his horse with a jaw-breaking grip, uttering a
wondering exclamation as be stored at the
doubly—laden black horse before him.

“ Help, Wycherlyl” cried Lina, trying to tear
herself from that steel—like grip. “Save me
from this demon 1”

“Lord abovelit’s Miss Lina!” gasped the cow-
boy, scarce able to realize the truth even then,
though his hand dropped to the Winchester
rifle which lay across his thighs, held in place
by a double loop of elk-hide secured to the high
pommel of the saddle.

At the appearance of the stranger, Captain
11'] .by-Nig t abruptly wrenched up Black
Wfilf, almost facing the mouth of the gully, and
only the vigorous struggle of his captive kept

attempt to rescue the maiden. even before she
made her second appeal. and as his eagle eye
saw the movement toward the repeater, he act-
ed promptly.

Shifting his grasp, he flung his left arm

1 around the form of the maiden, turning and

holding her up before his own body in such a

: manner as made it a risky matter to venture a

shot, through four of striking the wrong mark,

‘ holding a cocked revolver closc to her head as

 

the cowboy frommeetin with instant death at \

his hands. The outlaw te 1: sure the telkwv would"

‘ he cried out sharply:

“Fingers empty and hands up, old boss!
Teach a weapon, and I’ll scatter the contents of
this dainty head all over the prairie! Hands up,

I tell you!” .

For a. moment the cowboy hesitated. his
hronzed face the battle-ground of rage, mortifi-

' cation, and fear: not for himself, but for the

daughter of his employer. . 1

“For the last time, drop that tool and hoist -’..
your hooksl” thundered Captain Fly-by Night,
his blue eyes glittering like those of an enraged . .
acrpent as he glared over the shoulder of his fair ,.
safeguard. 

“Defy him!” cried Lina,desperately strivin to ‘ ’
free herself. “ He dare not fire—I’d rat er 
meet death now than to remain in his power.

If you are a man, help me, Wychcrlyl”

“If you are an infernal fool you’ll make the _
attempt, Wycherlyl” sneered Captain Fly-by- ; 
Night. “I give you ten seconds in which to’ ,
elevate your aws. At the end of that time I’ll - ' {
blow her brains out. sure as yonder sun is shin-
ing on us three at this instant! Ten seconds—-
you understand?”

If not in deadly earnest his tones were anvacl:
mirable counterfeit, and the cowboy was con-w:
quered by his fear for the young woman, in de- _
tense of whom he would have given his own.
life without a second thought or the slightest-_
hesitation. . I > »

“It’s fer your sake, Miss Linal”he huskin
muttered, as he dropped his grasp on the re»
peater and raised his hands a trifle. “It’s only
fer her sake, durn ya for a. cussed dog!”

“Hands up, I say, dog!” growled Captain
Fly-by-Night. ’. ‘

“I’ll git even with ye fer this some time, .v
durn yel” the cowboy snarled, showing his.
teeth savagely as he obeyed the stern command r
and elevated both hands at full length above .
his head. ‘ ' '

“None 0’ your back talking, my flue fellow.
Clasp your hands together and mind—at they
first sign of crookedness on your part. there’ll:
be a. couple of dead people right in this heights;
borhood. So—how do you like it, my games
chicken?” . 

Though obedience was an intensely bitter
pill, the cowboy in his fear of worse stalling“:
the daughter of his employer clasped 1115 v
hands above his head as directed. Alia touch
of the spur, Black Wolf strode along a. four
paces, then halted at another signal as the two
wrists of the cowboy appeared as a. Single one.
when viewed from where the outlaw sat. _ _

Swift as thought Captain Flyby-Night _
turned his revolver from the temple of JADE"
Ellis toward the wquere, discharging the
weapon seemingl without pausmg for an aim ,
but the hissing and spell W!) to its mark and

 

 

 

  

 

 

   
  
 
  

 

 
   

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

  
    
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
  
  
   
  
 

luckless cowboy, crippling him completely.

A cry of i tense agony burst from his lips as
his bloody hands dropped before him—agony
that was not all bodily, for he knew that he
was ruined for life.

With a mocking laugh Captain Fly-hy-Ni ht
lowered Lina. to his left arm, holding her to is
side with a merciless grip—that threatened to
crush in her ribs, rendering her incapable of

1 any further attempt at escape just then.

A swaying of his body veered Black Wolf
around, and a few swift strides carried him
close to the cowboy.

“Down on your marrowbones, dog, and give
thanks for my sparing your life!” cried Cap-

‘ / tain Fly-by-Night, as he leaned forward in the
saddle and struck savagely at the bowed head
of the crippled man with clubbed pistol.

Without a. cry or groan, the luckless wretch
flung up his blood—dripping hands, reeled for an
instant, then fell sideways from the saddle to
the earth, while his mustang, snorting loudly
wi‘tg terror, dashed away at full speed.

_ ithoutasecond glance toward either man

the word, and thundered away at full speed,
knowing that this delay, brief though it had
V been in point of time, had given his pursuers a.
fearful advantage. There was no longer a
, smile on his face, as he looked down into the
 pallid countenance of Line Ellis, and his voice
was harsh and unmusical as he s eke:
' “ You see what your inferna nonsense has
wrought? Take it to heart, and don’t forget
the lesson in a hurry, or worse may befall on,
little spitfirel I can stand a good deal rom
, one in petticoats, but even my good nature has
’ its limits.”
'_ There was no reply. Poor Lina, worn out by
* her desperate struggles for freedom, by the
mental torture she had been forced to undergo
5. since the cunning horse-trader had first cast
aside his mask and shown himself in his true
3,colors; the breath almost crushed out of her
', body by that merciless grip, had yielded to un-
 consciousness as she saw the man on whom she
1 Sad depended for rescue, shot down like a. mad
‘ cg.
 “ So much the better!” muttered tL‘e outlaw,
- ins he saw that her senses had fled. “I never
7 tackled a more obstinate bit of dry-goods in all
 my life! Ii I was playing for beauty alone,
. curse me it I wouldn t tossed her over my shoul-
 der, long ago, as more bother than she’s
f Worth!”
' On like an arrow fresh loosed from the how,
3 the wonderful black stallion, now rapidly
cheering the hills on which the chief of horse-
, :thleves had Set his eyes from the outset. 0n
., without failing or faltering, without showing

.1

 ‘w era-that mad ride had first begun. On,
3 though more than forty miles had been covered
V .with that double weight upon his back.

_, - Little marvel that Captain Fly-by-Night was
3‘ proud of the long-legged wonder!

 Straight (in without drawing rein or flagging
, until an. edge of the broken ground was gained.
“Aspen; the scattered bQWlders and huge crass

    
 
 
  
  
 

 

\

    

or animal, the outlaw chief gave Black Wolf ‘

7 Si n of fatigue, running as smooth and free as ‘

crashed its way through both wrists ot the '

the outlaw wound his way at a rapid trot, like
one thoroughly familiar with his surroundings,
steadily making his way higher and higher,
until at length he'drew rein, and with the limp
figure of the unconscious maiden still clasped
to his breast, leaped from the saddle to the
ground.

“ Make the most of your time, old fellow l” he
said, as be lowered his captive against a sloping
rock, and then slipped the bits from the mouth
of the black stallion. “Fill your belly while
you can, for it may be that we’ll have to pick
up hoofs again in a hurry. That old soldier is
a stubborn cuss, and may not choose to acce t
my terms. He won’t, it he can see a. sing e
chance to get even at any cheaper price, that’s
sure and certain I”

With a soft whic‘ker, the animal touched its

j fawn-colored muzzle to the cheek of its master,
‘ who returned the caress, then motioned his
_ hand toward the rich grass which grew a few

rods to the left, near where a small spring bub-

‘ bled forth from beneath a moss-grown rock.

Nothing loth, Black Wolf turned oil! in that

idirection, and fell to greedin cropping the

grass, while Captain Fly-by-Night stooped and
lifted the unconscious girl in his arms, hearing
her towarda high point of rocks which over-
looked the plain across which their mad race
had carried them.

Haltiug here, he again lowered the maiden to
a comfortable position, then gazed out over the
level ground which stretched before him for
miles and miles, unbroken by tree or shrub, un-
marked by aught of life save in one point.
There, a little cloud of dust rose on the air,

‘ marking where Frank Ellis and his men were

spurring along the trail of the daring kidnap-
per, pressing on at the highest rate of speed
they could extort from their iiaded animals,
stern and dogged, though the east observing
among them all could not fail to see that instea
of the trail's growing any fresher, they were
being distanced with every leap taken by the
equine wonder which carried the prince of
horse-thieves and the fair daughter of the
ranchero.

“Good enough horses, as the common stock
runs,” said the outlaw, seating himself on a
rock and takin a cigar from his beaded case,
biting ed the tIp as he critically eyed the on-
coming force beyond. “ But not a tit on a hog,
in comparison with old Wolf, yonder—bless his
hide and tallowl I begin to think Wesson de-
pended more on common rumor than his own
judgment, in taking stock, this time.

b “ well, I’ve entered the lists, and I’ll make or
reek!

Lighting his cigar, he turned to where the
senseless maiden lay, and producing a brandy-
flask from an inner pocket, he proceeded to
bathe her temples, and pour a few drops of the
powerful liquor into her mouth.

This quickly produced the desired effect, and
with a gasping sigh, Lina opened her eyes,
staring around her in bewilderment. Only for
a brief space, however. Then she recognized
the face of the men bending over her, and
shrinking back, she uttered a low cry of intense
averaon as she strove to arise and flea, ,- .

. ~39»

‘ s.

i I I _ 

I

Captain Flyby-Night.

“is

 

l
But his stron grasp was fastened upon her ;
shoulder, and 3holding her helpless, he spoke
hurriedly: ,

“ There’s no time to waste in folly, my dear
girl. I tell you once more, I menu you no
harm, if you only show half sense. Still, I’ve
set out to win a. big stake, through you, and it
your blind folly endangers my little game, you
may suffer the consequences. You see, I do
not mince my words.”

“ How have I ever injured you?” she faltered.

“You never have,” was the prompt reply.
“ 0n the contrary, I neVer met a. more charm-
ing creature, or one whom I would more deeply
regret causing even a inoment’s pain, either in
body or mentally. If our meeting had taken
place before I set out to play this part, I would
far rather have played another—that of a de-
voted lover, who—”

The speech was cut short by a. stinging slap ‘:
across the smiling lips from the little hand of
the insulted maiden, who sprung to her feet, her ~
eyes ablaze with anger at his daring.

Captain Fly-by-Night started back, with a
hissing curse and once more Lina tried to
escapeb flight, only to find herself foiled by
the cat-like activity of the outlaw.

“No, no, my dainty Spitfire!” he laughed, ,
checking her blind flight. “I can’t part with l

on so soon. I’ll never art with you until I,

ave broken you of all suc ugly tricks, if you
stir me up much more.” _

Panting, breathless, the poor girl ceased her i
vain struggles, bursting into a flood of tears.

“That’s more like lovely woman,” said Cap-
tain Fly.by-Night, mockingly. “ When the dew
begins to (all, she’s coming to her reason. If I
only had a little spare time, I dare say I could
tame you quite to my notion. As it is—oblige
me by taking a. look over in this direction for a
moment.”

With gentle force, he led, almost carried, the
girl to the point of rocks, and supporting her
on her feet, stretched out his free hand toward
the rapidly approaching horsemen.

Through her blinding tears, Lina caught a
glimpse of them, and ashing away the mist.
she azed eagerly at them. a glad cry escaping
her 'ps as she recognized her father in the lead-
ing horseman.

‘ Am I all the demon you have ictured mei”
mockineg demanded the outlaw, aughing soft-
ly. “ If I were, would I be standing quietly
here, in full view of those mad riders, your
friends, instead of hearing you further away 7”

“You have set a trap or them!" cried Lina,
turning pale as death, casting an a prehensive
glance around her, as this terrib a suspicion
flashed across her brain.

Acting on the thought, she shrieked aloud,
wavin her hands excitedly as she saw her
father ook toward them, then plunge his spurs
rowel deep into the steaming flanks of his foam-

. voice coming faintly to their ears.
notl Dare to injure one hair of her head, and 

 

oovared horse. _ _
“If I have, you have Insured their running

headlong into it ” sneered the horsa-thiei', with a 3

hard laugh, “ ictle short of a cyclone could

turn r father back now i”
Bug‘Ililina did not appear to have heard his

mocklns'worda,

Her burning gaze was riveted on the figure of ‘
her father, as he dashmi swiftly on‘ at the head
of his cheering men, who shook their weapons
menacingly toward the outlaw, who stood bold-
ly out in full view, as though careless of their
re e.

EDevill" hoarser shouted Frank Ellis, his
“ Harm her ' '

I’ll torture you from now till doomsday 1”

“First catch your hare!” laughed Captain
Fly-by-Night, as his left arm tightened around
the waist of his fair captive, drawing her still
closer to the end of the rock point, where the
could look down two hundred feet to the bow -
der-strown base of the crag.

Frank Ellis, almost distracted by the
which he felt was threatening his idolized c ild ~ ’
still spurred on, still littered strangely-mingled
prayers and threats; but not a word in response;

came from the lips of the outlaw chief, until the 3:}

rescuers were fairly within rifle range and he

 

saw some of the cowboys unslinging their guns. ’ '

Then he waved his right hand commandingly,
crying out in sharp, decisive tones:
‘Haltl every mother’s son of on, or by the '
heavens above us, I’ll hurl this ainty morsel
down by the shortest route l" ‘

' 2

As he spoke, he caught Line. up in his strong ’ ,
U f

hands, and held her suspended above the fear!

hight, as though about to put his savage threat h I.

into execution that instant.

An agonized cry from Frank Ellis caused all’ 

of his men to promptly follow his example in.
reining in his panting steed, and a taunting'
laugh came to their ears from the lips “the .
reckless outlaw. ' ‘

“Now you begin to show your good sense, n
my honet bloodhoundsl
as much prudence, and I don’t doubt we‘ll
along admirably together.” \

“Release herl” gasped the almostfrantiow V

parent.

“If I should, I
much,” laughed Captain Fly-by—Ni ht.
gelic creature though she be. I hard y think her
wings are sufi‘iciently grown to hear her

get 

Continue to act with: 

 

fear she wouldn’t be worthilifi
u  _ ,;_

I»

weight safely to a stopping-place. Still, if you 

insist—”

A .savage cry esca ed the pale lips of the 

ranchero as he covare

his eyes with his hands," "

both to shut out the terrible sight of his daugh- s!

ter in such peril and to choke down the insane ,‘

longing he felt to dare all in one mad dash at 

the mocking villain above them.

“Come, don’t be a bigger fool than nature,,,i{‘

intended, old man,” said Captain Flyby-Night

 

 

insolenily. as he lowered the maiden once more .. 

to the rock on which he stood.
such a dainty bit of workmanship, unless you
crowd me too close for comfort or refuse flatly
to listen to reason.” -

“ What do you demand? What temsdo you

“I’ll not spoil" 

l). 

ask?" slowly uttered the rancherw each word u

coming out as though drawn by
his effort to speak with calmness.

l
— ’

_ “Your life in exchange for hersl” was the 
stern reply. ’ ’ '

main force, in I .

 

 
  
 
  

 

‘, corrected, the outlaw.

    

 

CHAPTER V.
A SPECULATION IN LIVE STOCK.

AT this Savage response, the hands of more
than one of the half-score cowboys dropped to
their weapons, but quick as thought th prince
of horse—thieves brought his captive around so
as to form a living shield to his own vile cur-
cass, his voice ringing out menacingly:

“Hands empty, you snarling coyotesl The
keenest pair of eyes among you can’t break my
shell with a bullet that don’t first shatter this
daint casket all to flindersl”

“ old, boys!” hoarsely cried Frank Ellis,
sufl’ering such agony as only a parent can suifsr

Captain Flyby-Night.

 
 

"You laughed and sneered at the pear devils
who had stock stolen and run off. You said
they were more to blame than even the thieves.
They should use more Care, should show more
sun ; if they couldn’t keep their property with
the strong band, they deserved to lose it. The
horse-thief did not live who could take ahoof

‘ from you, and live long enough after to tell the

i with him!

when acruel death threatens an adored child. ;

“And you, devil, flendl spur-e her, or by all the

powers of_ heaven and hell! I swear to make
you suffer ten thousand deaths in onel”

“Keep your distance, let your weapons alone,

listen quietly to whatever I may have loam r,

, and in answering, bear in mind the important

fact that you are addressing your musrcr, and

,I pledge you my word of honor us a gentleman, j

a. scholar, and a g)od judge of whisky, that this

, lady shall suffer no harm at my hands. On the
contrary, if you persist in kicking over the
traces and raising a row, I’ll send her down to
join you by the Air Line, then wade in and
clean out the whole pack, from bull—foundland
to profile-flee l”

I the old

tale of his daring exploit. And as for the ties-
pIerate rascal whom men called Captain Fly-by~

ight—well. 'ou fairly hungered for a meeting
on would give our best horse to
the man who would insure his making a call or
raid on the Ellis Ranch.

“ Thus the nimble tongue of Dame Rumor
wagged I’ve heard. Was there any truth in

lady’s bubblin i”

“This much: I sai that if the dirty scoun-
drel who called hier-lf Captain Fly-by-Nigbt
ever bothered me or mine, I would spare no
pains to hunt him down and forever put an end
to his thieving. Make the most of it.”

“I undoubtedly shall,” was the cool retort.

f “Possibly you suspect the nature of the inter-
. est I feel in this fact, but that there may be no

itb dimculty Frank Ellis choked down the i

gust of rage which filled his entire being at this
insulting tirade.
“ What do you demand? What are your
, terms?”
“ My dear fellow,” drawled Captain Fly-by-
‘ Night lazily puffing at his cigar, as he settled
himse f on a. rock, one arm holding Lina Ellis
close to his side, “you are so internally abruptl
, There’s plenty of time before us, for it is against

possible grounds for further doubt, allow me to
introduce myself to your favorable consider-
ation.

“ I am Captain Fly-by-Night, the King-pin of
horse-thievesl”

If the self-confessed outlaw anticipated crea-
ting a sensation by this impudent confession, he
had his wish. Though Frank Ellis had more

. than suspected his identity with that infamous

my principles to conclude a bargain while the .

sun is shining. You might as well ’light and
 take it easy for a bit.”

“ Name your price, and I’ll pay it, if it takes
in last dollar, ’ said the ranchero, sternly.
“ here is no need of any further talk. Come

, to the point at once. ”
' "Pay, only to take it back again the moment
Iset the girl free, and you fancied her beyond
the, reach of my arm,” laughed the outlaw.
“ That would make a pretty ending to our little
'. little comedy, now wouldn’t it?” '

rascal, since his making this audacious stand, be
had been too thoroughly troubled by the peril
which menaced his idolized child to think of
communicating that fact to any of hi compan-
ions, and not one of the c0wboys had thought of
such a thing.

Now, as the heard that well-known title un-
blushingly claimed, cries of wondering execra-

; tion ran through their ranks, and more than one
‘ hand moved swiftly toward pistol or rifle; for

l

01: 22,11 things,’ a true cowboy detests astock-
t ie .

But, careless though he seemed, Ca tain Fly-
by-Night was not one to be so eas [y can _t
napping, and at a single motion be whirled is

‘ captive around so that his person was effectually

“What is it you want, then?” demanded 3

Ellis.

“Not what I want, but what 1 will have,”
“However, let that
point pass for the present. One can’t blame a
tender father for speaking a little incoliorently
when he sees that the life of his only child hangs

' ‘ trembling in the balance.

“ My dear colonel, here goes for business,
‘ pure and simple. 1 Warrant that before I am
through, you will better understand what sort
' ’01} a hairpin I am. ‘
“You are owner of the Ellis Ranch, which
has the reputation of carrying the finest lot of
blooded stock in all Colorado. bar none. That‘s
“all right. I haven’t a word ‘to say against it.

I wouldn’t have troubled you this time, had vou
v been a trifle less longr-tongued in your boasting
 ‘ and not so previous 111 your threats.

1

shielded behind hers, his voice ringing out
sharply:

“ None of that, you treacherous curs! Choke
off your bounds, Frank Ellis, unless you want
the blood of this girl on your headl”

“Hold, men i” cried the half-distracted father,
threatening the excited cowboys with his own
weapon. “ Put up your tools. Would you have
him murder my poor child?”

“ It's durned tough,bOSs-—tou her’n bull-hidel"
grated a sturdy fellow, but yie diugto the com-
mands of his employer.

1 “ ’1,’ll git even with the critter, ef it takes 3.
eg!

“Count me one in the round-upl”

“I kin lick the p’izen cuss that don’t say amen
to that!” l _ _

In a volleying chorus came Similar remarks
from each and every one of_ the thorough] -
angered cowboys; but Captain Fly-by-Nig t
only laughed in careless scorn. . v

, my

kw,» ~.-' nag.

“I’Vo heard a pack of coyotes yelping before ’

now, and never lost a wink of sleep on their
account. Go on with your snarling if it makes
the dose taste any sweeter. I’m deing the mix-
ing, and swallow it you must, gag as you will.

“ You, Frank Ellis, listen to me a hit.

“ I heard of your boasting, and as I never yet
have taken a dare, I made up my mind to read

on a lesson, to make you t e butt and laugh-
ing-stock of the whole country. I made my
arrangements so carefully that you have not a.
single loophole through which you can escape.

“I came to your ranch, and played you for a
sucker. I managed to steal your richest, most
highly- rizod treasure, from under your very
nose. provod to you that instead of your
having the choicest stock, the ugly, ungainly
brute whom you sneered at as a cocktail, could
down your best, and he carrying double weight
at that, after a forced ride of nearly u hundred
miles. I have brought you out here, fifty miles
from your ranch, and waited until you could
come up with your crack racers—for what?

“ To send you home afoot I”

The cowboys interchanged glances of angry
disgust, for now they be an to comprehend
that the audacious horse-thief had been working

or.

“Burned of we kin chaw that end!” growled
big Ben Dick. turning with a coaxing air to his
employer. “You cain‘t ax it. hem. We’re hafe
white an’ free-born, we air! We’d do most any-
thin’ to see vou out of a scrumble. but that is

illn’ it on jest a little too steep—durned of it
in’t. now!”

The watchful outlaw apparently suspected
someth was in the wind, and drew his cn -
tive to his knees as he sat on the bowlder, h
voice ringing out warningly:

“None of your tricks on travelers, gentle-

men, i'f you please! It’s my last say-so in this ‘

ea], and my hand is too heavy for you to
close me out with a bluff. My dear colonel,
oblige me by sitting down on these fools who
are tempting you to cut the throat of your
pretty daughter.”

Frank Ellis hesitated, his big heart almost
bursting with rage and mortiflcation. It was
indeeda bitter dose for him to swallow, and
had it been only his own life at stake, he would
unhesitatingly have chosen death rather than
submit to such shameful humiliation.

A startling change came over the outlaw,
until then so careless almost listless, to all out-
ward seeming. He eaped to his feet, raising
the trembling form of the maiden above hm
head in his sinewy arms, striding to the very
verge of the crag, his voice ringing out sharply,
menacingly:

“ Order your men to obey. or by the heavens
above, 1’11 hurl the girl down to death on
these rocks below!”

The ranchero was cowed, and though the
words almost suffocated him, he called out:

“ Touch not a weapon, boys. Do just, as he
bids you. God help us! _we re wholly at his
mercy and can only submit!”

Bullenly, the cowboys nodded assent, and
then the tortured ranchers turned once more
toward the horse-thief.

“We submit. Bay on.‘ Name your terms,

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

and they shall be fully kept. But release the , ,
poor child, I bag of you!” /

“ So you submitted before,” sneered the out- '
law. “ This time there shall be no mistake. I
will give you your orders, and I expect .them .
to be followed without a word of argument or ‘
a single moment’s delay, under penalty. You

, hear inc?”

1

The rancliero nodded, for the time being ‘

‘ unable to speak.

 

“ Good enough!” and the outlaw lowered his ‘
captive until her feet rested on the very edge of i "
the rock before him. “ I hardly think you will . ‘
try any more trickery, but I make it a point of ‘
honor to go guarded at all points. A snap-shot
might send me my last sickness, but it would
prove her death-warrant as well, for I swear
I‘ll take her with me over this little step-ofl it I
have to kick the bucket."

1“ I, have passed my word, what more can you
asr?

“ It’s fulfillment,” was the swift retort. “ Of
course I trust your honor, but all the s‘ameI v
prefer standing thus until your bulldogs have,
shed their teeth. “

“ Order your men, one at a. time, to ride to-
ward the foot of this rock, and de osit their
weapons on the ground, without burn ngagrsiu
of powder. L I: one refuse, and he will have v \.~
the blood of thiigirl resting on his head. Give
the word!”

There was nothing for it but to obe and _,
bitter pill though they one and all feundyit, the ‘
ranchero mutely motioned one of his men tond- . 
vance and disarm at the point indicated by the 
insolent villain, and equally in silence the com- 
11:11] ml was obeyed by the cow boys, one after the V M:
0 er. 

A scornful, mocking laugh burst from the ' ‘
lips of Captain Fly-by-Night as the ranchero,
last to submit to the shameful humiliation, rode
sullenly hack to his former position, after dro
ping his rifle and belt of side arms on the lit 6 ,
pile at the base of the crsg.

“ Well done, my good and faithful servants!
IfI had the training of you for abouts. week
longer, I’d make marvels of obedience or you, ~
one and alii , '

“ What do you think of Captain Fly-by-Night. .
now, my doughty colonel?” - , l,

“ Ask me that question when I am free, and I r z; -
will answer it,” said Ellis, pale as death his 
voice low and unnatural as his eyes glared up ‘ l
ward at the horse-thief. “ Now my lips are " V:
under n seal which I cannot break.” ‘ l

“ Well, I don’t know but what I have been rub- ,
hing it in a trifle deeply,” laughed the cool ras- - ‘
cal, resuming his seat on the bowlder, still keep-
ing one nrm wound around the trembling waist of .-
his helpless captive. “But for that youhavo ’
only yourself to blame. I would never have
troubled you or yours, had you not spread dyom'
boasts over the whole State, for I was oing
well enough at my trade in the lower-country ,.
Where the booty. if not quite so choice as the
you own, or owned, was enough easier got‘rid
of to more than make up the diflerence. - : ’

“ But you published a dare that a manch ‘ i
caliber could not afford to let pass by without. _
acce but)? and now you begin to realise ,the‘
resu .

 

 

 
 
   

..  a}; :

Us

at all of it. by any, means. for we’ll. " ‘

/

 

    

13

 

find I am‘ a sort of double-barreled affair, that
shoots two diflerent ways at the same time,
besides kicking most powerfully in still anoth-
erl .

“;We have obeyed your orders. Now do your
part, and set my poor child at liberty,” huskin
uttered the ranchero.

“Don’t you get in a "rush, my dear old fel-
low. I haven’t got half through yet,” was the
cool response of the outlaw.

“ What more can you demand?”

“Nothing beyond your powers of perform-
ance, my dear sir. I’m not a hog, if I do look
like one. I don’t want your popguns or the
cold steel. You can take possession of them in
a few minutes, if you like, and then use them
to wipe out the shame of this day—by cutting
your throats or blowing out what serves you
for brains, whichever course you prefer.

“As I frankly confessed a bit ago, my par-
ticular fancy is for horseflesh. You swore I
wasn’t smart enough to steal a single hoof from
you. I swore I'd make you travel on your,own
pegs. Unlike you, I always keep my vows.

' You will greatly oblige me by dismounting
from those animals as the first step. Tie them
by the hitch-reins in pairs on each side of a
lariat, the spare end of which you can then
fasten to one of your picket- ins firmly driven

v home. Then you can turn y r backs and fol-
low your noses straight out yonder to that

'skeleton on the plain, a mile or so the other side
of where you now stand.

“ Am I sufiiciently clear in my instructions?”

“And you? If we obey this order?” huskin
asked Ellis. ‘

“Will instantly set Miss Ellis at liberty, take
your horses, and leave you to trudge back
to the ranch afoot. You will have time enough
on the way to hatch up a yarn to account for

' your misfortune that will reflects. little more

credit on {on all then telling the simple truth.”

“ You’l take the horses and ride OE With my
child tool”

“/I pledged you my word of honor as—”

A hard, bitter laugh burst from the lips of the

,rnnchero, who was no longer able to control
himself.
V “ Your honor! The honor of a horse-thief—
e. murderer—a vile kidnapperl Bah! I wonder
the word does not blister your foul tongue in
the utterance!”

Thick though his skin undoubtedly was,
great though the command he had over his
temper, this withering scorn stung the outlaw
tothe quick, and leaping to his feet he swung
the form of his captive over his head by one
arm crying hoarsely:

“bbey, you cursed hounds, or I’ll hurl her
down to death! Not another word! Dismount
[and fasten our horses, then tramp to yonder
skeleton. esitate a moment and she dies!”

, ' CHAPTER Vi.
A. CAST FOR A LIFE.

As the severed ropes dropped from around its
body, leaving only a coxl or two which swiftly
spun around the tree and flew away to full
length as the maddene grizzly plunged forward

7' with wide-opened jaws, the situation was one

that miaht wen have caused a. more experienced

 

 

    

Captain Ply-by-Nig'xi.

 

hunter than Percy Applehee to lose his presence
of mind, and turn pale with terror.

Scarce twenty feet divided them, and at its
first fierce plunge the grizzly covered more than
one-halt of that distance, before the young
hunter could realize the fact that it had sud—
denly regained its liberty.

But ever swift to divine and prompt to
execute, Perc made one backward leap, at the
same time we ing and raising his rifle.

When the lassoes gave way, leaving onlya
few feet of rope on the noose ends, the grizzly
fell on all-fours from its former upright position
against the tree, and the shock was sufficient to
gang its huge head a little below the level of its

ac .

Thus it was when the Winchester exploded in
the hands of the young man, who then leaped
swiftly aside as he threw out the empty shell
and pumped another cartridge into the
chamber.

With a horrible roar the grizzly reared up-
right, its enormous paws wildly waving to and

fro.

Pale as death, his eyes blazing like balls of
living fire, came Lance Applebee dashing up on
his blinded horse, stooping in the saddle and
catching one of the sevored ends of the Iariats,
taking a quick turn around the hi h pommel oi
his saddle as he wheeled to the rigit.

The heavy pluck which followed tore the rope
from his benumbed fingers, but at the same time
it toppled the huge brute over backward,its
heavily armed paws sawing the air like the
flippers of a turtle turned wrong side upper-
most.

“ un for it, old fellow i” cried Butt, dashing
up and raising his rifle—only to lower it again
as the monster made no effort to regain its

feet.

Instead, the grizzly rolled over on its side, its
legs drawing together, quivering convulsively,
blood and brains pouring out of its shattered
skull in a torrent.

“ Upset his apple-cart and spilled all his
peaches, or I’m a Greaserl” cried Burt, his
eyes widely Opened as though he found it diffi-
cult to believe their evidence. “Not a smell
lift {gr usl Percy, you blamed old hog—put it

arl

Laughing, Percy gripped the extended hand,
while Lance joined them, not a. whit less
amazad than his brother at the fortunate result
of what had hidden fair to prove a. tragedy.

The cool nerve of theyoung hunter, tempered
by many an encounter With the den erous
game of his childhood’s home, had stood im in
good stead in this emergency. His one shot had
struck the grizzly fair and square between the
eyes, and where an ordinary missile might
easily have lanced off from that tough skull,
this had she tered the bone and left a hole large
enough to admit a clinched fist! V

 

‘ Nom.—'l‘hls statement may sound incredible to
those who have not witnessed the wonderful effects
of the weapon here alluded to: the Winchester Ex-
press, model ' of 1876. using an imitation of the

amous Enelish express-bullet. The ball is 50 caliber
(or one-half inch in diameter) and weighs 800 gra .
Its point is flat. hollowed out sufl‘lcientlv to admit a
copper-tube the size of a 22-cartrldze. filled with the

 

3

 

Captain Flyby-Night. L ‘17 ' 

  

“ You fellows make as much fuss as though I E “ Wait a bit,” interposed Percy, who was the

had done something remarkable,” laughed
Percy, with a side glance at his first grizzly.

“ If you make such a. to do over killing a miser- ‘

able little cub like this, what would you do
when we meet one of these perumbulnting
mountains on four legs Burt is so fond of telling
about?” _ .

“Look here. Percy,” said Burt, seriously.
“ Did I make such a nonsensical ass of myself
OVer the drink?” _ _

“Judge for yourself, cousm,” With a humor-

ous twinkle in his dark eyes. “Ihave been ‘

trying to copy your example, but mine has been
only a feeble imitation. Ask Lance.”

V “ A monumental Jerusalem pony, Burt,” nod- ‘
ded Lance gravely, as his brother turned toward

him. “ Percy has been drawing it uncommonly
mild in comparison, so you can judge how terri-
bly you bored us during that entire year.”

“ l’ll never do it again if you’ll only let up
now, cousin Percy,” said Burt, with a. sheepish

rm.

“ Done!” was the swift respcmse. “ And as a.
token, I’ll freely admit that I’d rather face a.
wounded tiger at the same distance, than an-
other such monster as thisl”

Removing their horse to a safe distance, the
cousins once more inspected and admired the
dead bear before proceeding to remove its pelt
and butcher the carcass.

This was scarcely completed, when Lance,
who had chanced to glance toward the narrow
opening which led to the level plain beyond, ut-
tered a sharp cry, then darted to the entrance.

Startled, Burt and Percy caught up their
weapons and followed him, just in time to catch
a glimpse of a. horseman as he vanished among
the scattered rocks, some hundred rods or more
below their position. Yet, brief _as had been
that view, they made a. startling discovery.

“ There’s mischief in the air, ladsl” muttered
Lance, his big eyes all aglow. “If that man
didn’t carry a woman before him, then I’ll never
trust my eyesight again!”

“.It can’t be the Indians—”

“ The reds are played in this section,” bluntly
Interrupted Burt. “I saw a bundle of some
sort, but whether or no it was a female critter,
I can’t say.”

“ I can,” positively repented Lance. “ I
caught a fair view of them as they swept past
this opening, and had another before they dis-
nppeareri among those rocks, and I know I’m
not mistaken. That man, whoever he may be,
is carrying a woman before him on the saddle.
He may be her friend, but I don’t believe it. I
think there’s some deviltry going on here.”

“That’s ens enough found out, if we set
about it,” said urt. “We can traVel faster on
foot through the broken ground over yonder,
than the best horse that ever wore shoes.”

 

best of wder and fulmlnato. When the bullet
strikes a one. the shock is sufficient to explode the

fulmlnate. igniting the powder. and the polnt of the -
bullet is suddenly expanded. the result being a large, v

gerous. bone-crushing. blood-letting wound with
n prostrating shock that the Alargest of game can
seldom resist. Ninety-five grams of powder being
used in this shell, the weapon is popularly known
on the “ 50-95."—AUTEOR.

1 most deliberate one of the trio. “ If, as you V
‘ think, there is foul play in this ufl’air, we may
do more harm than good by noting hastily. Of
course, I don’t mean to dictate, but wouldn’t it
be better to steal back th rough the hills and cut
the fellow off before he can suspect our presence
orintention?”

“ And maybe lose him altogether!” . 

“ Hardly that. Percy is right. We can keep .
‘ him in sight when we once get him under our r
» eyes,” hurriedly uttered Lance, as be retracted. '
his steps to where his rifle lay near the carcass
L of the grizzly. ' '

The other lads followed, Burt growling, his 
I headlong nature revolting from aroundabout
I course, when a, straightforward dash would do ,;
the business so much more quickly. But when 1:
Lance once decided on a movement, his more 
impetuous brother knew well enough how vain (it
were all remonstrances. ' ?

Hastily, yet with all necessary caution, the 
three lads made their way up the rock wall
which bounded the pocket on the eastern side-,= ‘“ "
and then a simultaneous cry broke from the two.
brothers.

“There he is now 1” muttered Burt, pointing
toward the distant crag of rocks which over- 
hung the level ground. \‘

“ Look out yonder l” exclaimed .Lance, point-’v '. 1
ing over the plain, where rose a little cloud of
dust, stringing out to the rear as it rose higher \
and higher. “ Horsemen, and riding with a ’ r
free rein, tool”

“ White or red, they’re following the trail of
the man we caught a glimpse of 1” added Percy,
intens-ly interested. .

“White, safe enough,” muttered keen-eyed 
Burt, after a. brief scrutiny of the distant rid- 
ers. “And if the man in the lead ain’t Frank 
Ellis. then he’s stolen or borrowed his big gray 
stallion.” ‘ "

A sharp exclamation escaped the lips of Pete
Applebee. and his cheeks grew pale as dent
withdthe terrible fear that assailed him at those;
wor s. ,

The brothers interchanged quick glances, for
may understood the cause of that cry. ‘

hey knew that Percy had been “ hard hit ”
by the bright, rognish eyes of pretty Lina Ellis,
though the young couple had only met on a ver
few occasions, and they also knew that the fair
maiden had shown considerable interest in the l
handsome rnnchero. ‘ ,

“If it is she—which I can hardly believe—
we’ll rescue her from that fellow, never you f
fear,” said Lance, encouragin 1y. “ She’ll ~
come to no harm, as long as her gather and his 'i
men are so close on the track, for her ca tor
must know he would be killed by inchesi he";
dared to hurt her.” "'

“It’s a. mighty curious affair, durned if it
ain’t!” muttered Burt, curiously watching the g
movements of the man beyond. “ If, he has,»
stolen that woman critter—if those men are on
.‘histrack—whyln blazes is he squatting there ‘

 

  
  
  
   
  

 

I Waiting for them to come up, instead of pulling
1 out hot-foot? Blamed if 1 can see through it,
' nohowl” -
“ We’re wasting time.” said Percy, his 7016.
, steady and icy cold, though his pale face sham,

    

18’

Captain Ply-by-Night.

 
    

 

whats. storm was raging beneath that calm
surface. “I feel that it is Miss Ellis. and we’re
in duty bound to do all we can to aid her. We
must cut ofi his retreat, should he atlunpt to get
aan by flight.” .

“ We can do that easily enough from here,

eVen if we don’t start until he docs,” said Lance, ‘

whose quick wits had taken in the situation.
“We maybe borrowing unneceSsary trouble.
That may not be Miss Ellis. or if it is, she may
be with a friend. Something may have hap-
ened to her horse, and he have carried her
here as the surest means of finding her friends.
A thousand things may have occurred, any one
of which is enough to explain what looksso
strange to us.”
P “ What do you propose doing?” calmly asked
t‘l‘OY.

“To wait here until those horsemen come
within hailing distance of that man. It Wlll
not take long at the rate they are riding. Ha!”
be snddenlv exclaimed, as a wild crv came to
their ears from the point of rocks. “ That set:-
tles it!”

There could no longer be any doubt. for
plainer for than if it had found expression in
words, that wild shriek implored aid, though

the outstretched arms were turned toward the '

mad riders on the plain beyond, not toward the
young hunters.

“Follow my lead,” muttered Lance, backing
away until they could no longer see the crng.
, “ I’ve marked out the best and shortest route

for getting in his rear.”

' Neither ‘Burt nor Percy responded, but fol-

lowed close to the heels of their leader, trailing I

their rifles, stooping low as they darted along
under cover of the rocks.
Suddenly Lance paused for a moment irreso—

jute then said:

“We have lenty of time. If that rascal
meant flight, a would never have stopped
there and so boldly exposed himself to open
view. Wait here until I come back. I’ll not be
' gone long.”

As he uttered the last words he darted away,
dashing, lea ing with the agile sure»footedness
of a mounts n goat, down the steep wall of the
pocket, running over to where the horses were
tethered, snatching his coiled lasso from the
saddle horn then returning at full speed.

“His head is levell" muttered Burt with an
approving nod of the head. “ That’li come in
good play; if not for crossing ugly places in the
trail, for taking that dirty galoot prisoner and
stretching his neck afterward l”

“ It may be so that we can’t risk a, shot. with-

,,out endangering her life, as well,” said Lance,
' in hurried explanation, as he reached them and
once more set of! in the lead. “With this, we
are armed at every point.”

The course they were forced to follow,
proved more difficult that any of the trio had

" expected, and the lasso came into good play
' more than once ere they reached the end.

In a far shorter time than any of them could
. have accomplished the feat in cold blood, the

three youngsters gained the_rear of the out-

W’s position, and were stealing Silently toward
him while he was naming his humiliating terms

to the parfv of cowboys under command or

Ranchero Ellis.

‘ Lance was still in the lead, holding his lasso

coiled in readiness for instant use, while the

3 others trod close behind him, their rifles cooked

and fingers on trigger.

They were yet beyond sure range of thelnsso,
when Captain Fly-by-Night burst out in fury
at the bitter scorn of the ranchero, and their
, blood fairly chilled in their veins as they be-
, held his mad action.

Standing erect on the very verge of the crag,
‘ he raised the form of the maiden higher than

his head, at the full length of his right arm, his

, hand grasping her clothes between the shoul-

‘ ders, and holding her over the gagged rocks so
far below, he uttered his fright ul threat.

 Swift and lithe asa panther, Lance leaped
forward and the lasso shot through the air.
True to his aim, the lasso settled fairly over the
head and shoulders of the endangered maiden,
the well-greased rope drawing tight as Lance

‘, bounded back, the sharp and wholly unexpected

, shock dragging both girl and her captor away
from the precipice, for the right hand of Cap-

, tain FIy-by-Night was caught inside, the

, noose.

A sharp scream from Lina—a furious curse

, from the outlaw—then Captain Fly-by-Night
leaped to his feet, dragging the maiden with
him, jerking out his gleaming knife to cut the

1 rope, or else to bury the steel in henbosom.

; At that instant Percy fired, and with a. gur-

§ gling oath, the outlaw fell to the ground, the

; knife flying ffrom his hand.

Percy darted forward, pale as a ghost, and

; caught Lina in his arms, while Lance removed

' the lasso from around her form.

Burt also dashed forward, but he gave the

, bleeding outlaw nor the girl a second glance.

{ He paused on the point of the crag, a ringing

‘ hillo bursting from his lips. as he looked down

upon the startled and amazed horsemen.

“Hello. you critters down tharl Anv one in
your outfit lost a package 0’ dry-goods?”
“ My daughter—where is she?” gasped the

, ranchero. ‘

“Evening to ye, Mr. Ellis! Thought I

. knowed ye, when I caught the first glimp’ a bit

‘ ago of that big gray."

| “ My child—curse you! where is she!” hoarse-
ly cried the almost distracted father, spurring
his horse nearer the foot of the crag, his coun-
tenance wildly distorted. “ If you’ve hurt her,
I’ll kill you by inches 1”

r “And serve me mighty right, too,” coolly re-
torted Burt, though his trank countenance
flushed a little at the fierce address. ” She‘s up
here safe enough— Waal I bar-darned I”

Burt whirled swiftly on his heel as a fierce,
snarling cry came to his ears, and that ejacula-
tion was extorted from his lips by a thrilling,
unexpected sight.

Captain Fly-by-Night scrambled to his feet,
and leaped upon Percy Applebee from behind,
both hands grasping his neck with a ferocious
energy that paralyzed the surprised youth.

“ Take a man 0 your own size, du 'GUN ye!”
grated Burt, dashing forward and coping on
the outlaw’s shoulders.

 

v

‘ captain Flyby-Night.

CHAPTER VII.
DEFENDING A PRISONER.

WITH Burt’s whole weight cast into the leap
which carried him on the rounded back of
Captain Fly—by-Night, Whose every energy
was devoted to strangling Percy Applebee,
ibere could be but One result. The trio _fell to
the ground in a. heap,. struggling, kicking,
growling, like so many Wild beasts.

No less than the others, Lance was taken by
surprise, for one and all had believed the au-
dacious outlaw slain outright by the snap-shot
which had laid him low, but the instant he
understood the situation of nifairs, he dropped
Lina, who had been thrown violently into his
arms by Percy as Captain Fly-by-Night leaped
upon him so savagely, and drawing a revolver
he darted to where the three men fought,
watching his chance and dealing the outlaw 8.
deft blow on the head with the heavy pistol-
butt.

“Hold up you I” cried Burt, in a tone of
utter disgust, as the steel-like muscles of the
outlaw suddenly lost their rigidity and his
furious struggles ceased. “Three men on one
ain’t the solid thing. You’re always spoilin’ a
teller’s fun, Lance Applebeel”

The relief came none too soon for Percy,
howevar. That deadly grip on his throat could
not have been maintained much longer without
resultin in suffocation. As it was, his eyes
were wi d1 protruding, his face turning black,
and he § almost like a corpse, as Lance

.dragged aptain Fly-by-Night of! him after
dealing that quieting stroke.

In falling. Lina Ellis struck her temple
against a pomt of rock, with force suffiment to
break the skin and draw blood freely, the re-
sult being the rapid restoration ot hersenses.
Wildly she glanced around her, and seeing the
three cousins apparently en aged in deadly
pattle with the outlaw, a wil cry escaped her
i .

PIsrince turned swiftly, and seeing her attempt
to arise, he darted forward and caught‘ber in
his arms. .

“There is no longer any danger, Miss Ellis,”
he said, hurriedly. “ We are friends—the Ap-
plebees—and your father is coming. Ityou
still feel faint, a drop from this flask Will not
in ure you.”

n the present shattered state of her nerves,
it may be doubted whether Lina. Ellis compro-
hended even if she heard these hastily uttered
words, but if she failed to reco ize the honest
young face which bent over er, there was
something in his voice that assured her she had
nothing to fear from him. Faint, trembling,
overcome by all she had been forced to undergo
during those past few hours, she lay sobbing on
the bosom of the youn ranchero, who seemed
to find it a most delight ully embarrassing situ-
ation.

Burt first assured himself that Captain Fly-
by-Night was rendered incapable or further
mischief for the time being, then turned his at-
tention to his cousin. Luckily for Percy, the
outlaw had been too greatly confused by that

. hasty shot, the bullet tearing through the skin

over his temples with force suflicient to knock
.him down. but not striking squarely enough to

 

. 4- -‘.L-..w..w,. , _ ‘- ... .. .. . m. anon. 

explode the shell, to draw a deadly weapon bo<

fore making his impetuous attack on the man
. who was robbing him of his prize, and the

young man had only suffered from that severe

choking. Under the ministrations of Burt he
i quickly recovered, pronouncing himself as good
as 9V9)".

, curling lip as he glanced toward his brother.
: “Lance ’pears to have his hands full, and I
i want a little help ’bout trussing this critter up, »
‘ before those ,fellows from below can get here.
If they do the roping, it’ll be with a single
noose, and that serving as a necktie!"

“ She is not hurt?” muttered Percy.

“ Does that look like it?”7 grunted Burt, as he
rolled the outlaw over on his face, then s oat-
ted across his shoulders. “ Cut up that Nata,
in a hurry! I hear them swarming up the
rocks, red-hotter than the business end of a bald
hornetl" »

As he spoke, Burt looked in the direction
from whence came the sounds telling of the ap-
proach of Frank Ellis and his cowboys. At the
same instant a violent convulsion from beneath
almost cast him headlong to the ground, and

Night had almost regained his (noting.
“Durned at you hain’t got more lives than a
tomcat!” the young ianchero indignantly cried,
as he whirled around and drove the outlaw once
more to the ground, face downward. “ Now

blamed if I don’t. sink a mineral shaft clean
through your cabeza !”

gaze of Frank Ellis as be rushed over the rocks

to the spot. Too greatly excited to either see

or reason clearly, be uttered a. hoarse cry of

vengeance as he

daughter reclining in the arms of a man, and

Eire a maniac he leaped toward them, murder in
is eyes.

Fortunately Lance was on the lookout for
his coming, and heard his footsteps in time to
cry out:

“Your daughter is safe, Mr. Ellis. That,
scoundrel hadn’t Lime to do her injury, before
we keeled him over.”

from the supporting arms of the youn
and fell into the warm embrace of her father,
sobbing hysterically.

Close upon the heels of their employer, came
the half-score cowboys, weapons in hand and
blood in their eyes.

after the sudden and for the instantinexplica—

their weapons were stacked, and regaining his
arms, in which example he was imitated by the
cowboys, had last no time in scaling the rocks
by the shortest practicable route. '

And now
were crowding around the spot where Burt st

 

squatted on the back of Captain Fly-by-Nighr,  ‘

.his pistol-muzzle buried in the curling 10th
which thatched the outlaw’s skull. :

“Mighty glad to hear it,” said Burt, with a ’

before he could fairly divine what had oo-‘ 7
curred. or l't‘gain his balance, Captain Fly-by: _

you want to let up on your pesky foolishness, or .

Such was the tableau that met the agitated _

beheld the form of his idolized '

With a glad cry, Lina Ellis released herself V 
ranchero,‘ -

When he heard the words of Burt Applebee, ‘1

ble disappearance of the daring outlaw and his ‘ ,
fair captive, Ellis had rushed to the spot where ~

“No crowding, it you please. gents!" 1w ,

 

revolvers in hand, the cowboy; ', =s

 

    

', 20

(39.1)

, _._,.__.V .,...._____.__..__ ,..._W..- M,

Burt, sharply, as Percy pinned the hands of
IbEll‘ captive with the noose of the lasso which
had proVen of such ineslimuhle bOl'VlCe.

“ Hitch it ’round his p’.z In neck nn’ save trou-
ble 0’ our shiftin’ it!” growled Big Ben Dick,
chief herder. ,

With swift dexterity, Burt took a couple of
turns around the outluw’s legs with the rope,
and tied it fast, then boldly faced the angry

men.
" “I don’t want to be impolite, but I’d like to
know who in thunder ’3 running this funeral,
. anyway?”
lear and imperious rung out his voice, as
Burt boldly confronted the rough men, revol \ er

cocked in hand, his round, boyish face hurd- 1

set, his blue eyes flushi‘g vividly. And, boy
though he was, the herders were obliged to re—
spect him.

A fierce oath broke from the bloody lips of
Captain Fly—by-Night as he struggled desperate-
ly to burst his bonds or loosen them sufficiently
to enable him to regain his feet.

Better for him, perhaps, had he lain quiet,
for as their attention was thus called more par-
ticularly to him, the cowboys burst out anew,
recalling the bitter humiliation he had heaped
on them when he held the whip-hand. Not
loud, but all the more ominous from its very
intensity, arose the cry for blood.

Big Ben Dick shook one mighty fist warning-
ly, and his mates subsided for the moment,
while he spoke:

“We don’t want any row, youngster. You
did us all a good turn when you roped in that
p’izen cuss. But all the same you don’t want to

. stan’ atween us an’ our gittin’ even. That man
is Cap’n Fly-by-Night. He run ofl? Miss Lina
an’ treated her wuss then I would a coyote. He
throwed dirt all over us, an’ than rubbed it in
with spit. Ef the or’nary whel
lives. the hull on ’em wouldn’t
to wipe out all thatl"

“That’s all right, old man,” coolly retorted
Burt. standing over his captive, while Lance
and Percy ranged themselves by his side, revol-
vers in hand ready for instant. use, in case the
stern necessity should arise. “I’m not disputing
your word in any respect. We all saw enough
to know that this fellow is not an angel in
breaches, and—”

. “Then what’s the use talkin’ any furder’l”

sharply interposed the giant. “We’ve swore

to make him pull hemp, an’ he’s got to make

our words good. Et you don’t want to hev a

finger in the pie, you kin stan’ aside an’ look
n

be hate enough

“We’ll do a. heap more than that,” impatient-
ly cried the young ranchero.

“What more kin you do? An’ we ten men
ng’in’ three 1”

“The odds were still greater a while ago,”
00011 interposed Lance. “It was ten against
one hen; and that one man made you eat
humble-pie b the buck-load. You knuckle-d
~ down at his bidding, and only for us he would
still be holding you at bay. We took him piis-

oner, and by the Lord of I smell we’ll hold on
to him as long as we can strike a blow or pull a

. “‘5

er in defense of our rights !”

min Flyby-Night;

bed a thousan’ '

  

K

comp’ng fer hein’ too durned thick with the
cussed OsS-thlefl"
“ Where’ll you get recruits to help you tackle
that little job?” grinned Burt, nothing dauntcxl.
“Too much talk!” growled one or the cow—
boys. “Pile in aa’ round ’em up too, et they
won’t give way 1”
“Better count the cost first l” warningly cried
Lance.
“Look here, you I ” added Burt, sharply, half
raising his pistols, as the cowboys seemed on
the point of making a rush that could on] end
i in death and bloodshed. “We capture this
fellow. He may be Captain Fly-bv-Night, the
horse-thief, as you say. We don’t deny that,
because we don’t know for sure. But this much
we do know. We captured the fellow alive.
We mean to keep him alive until we can turn
him over to the proper authorities to answer
for whatever crimes may be proven against
him. If you try to take him from us, for the
gun-pose of lynching him, you’ve got to kill us

rst. And while you’re doing that, some of
yfiur crowd has got to turn toes-up for good and
a .

“ Now you’ve got it, straight as a string. Go
on with your rat-killing if you think you can
stand the pressurel”

Until this crisis Frank Ellis had eyes, ears,
thoughts for naught else save his child, whom
he hugged to his heaving bosom' in an ecstasy
of delight, but the loud, harsh es of those
who were disputing over the possssion of the
captive horse-thief now attracted his attention,
and he cried:

“ What’s the row now boys?”

“Simply this, Mr. Ellis,” quickly uttered
Lance before either of the cowboys could speak.
“Your men swear they mean to lynch this fel-
| low, whom we claim as our prisoner.”

“Curse himl he deserves death a thousand
times overl” the ranchero fiercely grated.

The interference ot‘. the ranchero caused the
‘ three lads to relax their vigilance, for they be-
lieved all danger was at an end; but never were
- they more sadly mistaken.

The cowboys saw their chance. and as the
fierce speech of their employer told them they
would meet with no serious obstruction from
that quarter, at a sign from Big Ben Dick, they
leaped upon the trio, knockin or wresting the
weapons from their hands. whi 6 others of their
number pounced on the horse-thief and flung a.
noosed lasso around his neck, dragtging him to-
ward the crag, over the edge 0 which they
meant to cast him, to die the death of a. dog.

But before they could com lete their work,
Burt tore free from his assaila t, and darting to
where the rifle used by Percy had dro ped, he
caught it up threw out the empty shell and

umped anot er cartridge into the chamber.
hen the tube of death covered the form of Line.
Ellis as he cried sternly:
“ field, you curs! Drop that man, or by the
Lord above us, l’ll sends. bullet through the
brain of that girl 1”

Frightful us the threat was, not one who

heard his words, who saw his white, hard-set

 

face and gleaming eyes, could for a moment
. . i doubt the deadly earnestness of the thorou hly
k out that you don’t mt strum up in ‘

aroused youth. and the cowboys stopped s rt

 

“T”

w.
v

as thou h paralyzed, while a gasping cry

escaped t e llpS rf the runchero:

" Holdl are you mad? would you murder my
child?”

“Not unless you crowd me. Make them turn
that man over to Us; make them. swear. that
they w1ll not try to lynch him again, or hinder
us in any way when we are tlu‘nlng him over to
justice; do this, or I swear I’ll scatter her brains
all over you, even as you hold her In your
arms!” _

Choking, the ranchero made a. gesture to his

en.

“ Obey—don’t you see the boy is just mad
enough to do us he threatens? Let that demon
go and promise.”

‘ Ef you say so, boss,” growled Big Ben Dick.
“ But I'll git cvun with the little cuss afore his
head turns gray!”

“ When, where and how you please, baby,”

laughed Burt, still holding his rifle ate. lewl, 1

until Lance and Percy to k possession of the
horse-thief. “ And now, Mr. Ellis, I beg your
pardon for all I have said or done.
no other way out of the tangle. It you had
obliged me to shoot her, I’d have blown my own
brains out with the next cartridge. I could do
that, but never could I have stood by and wit-
nessed the murder of a helplessly hound man
whom I had aide-d in capturing!”

Despite himself, Frank Ellis could not avoid
feeling a strong admiration for the lad as he
spoke so frankly, and he did not refuse the hand
which Burt extended.

“You are right, though it seemed hard 1
enough at the time to let that demon escape i
with his life,” be said, slowly. . O ‘

“He shall not cscane. I swear that if his

Captain Flyby-Night.

I could see 3

21

 

The ranchcro turned away without reply,
though it was clear enough he was deeply cha-
grined at the loss of the black wonder; for, on

foot and without even a lasso, the cowbo s '

stood little enough chance of capturing t e
stallion.

The sun had sunk to rest, and the night was
rapidly coming on. The three young hunters
consulted together in whispers for a few min-
utcs, then Lance spoke to the ranchero:

“ Of course you are not thinking of returning
to your ranch to—night, neighbor! llIlss Ellis
looks nearly worn out as it is, and could hardly
stand the trip.”

“ No,” hesitated Ellis. “ I reckon we’ll have
to make a night of it here, comfortlcss though a.
dry and hungry camp will be. Evcn if she
could stand it, our horses are about worn out.
Th y must have rest and grazing, at all
events.”

“If you will accept our hospitality, we can
give you a bite and sup,” laughed Lance. “Cold
,water and bear-meat are considerably better
than nothing, when better is lacking.”

i “ Bear-meat? Then you youngsters have sno-
‘ ceeded in rounding up that old grizzly there’s
been so much talk about?” the ranchero asked,
I his face all aglow with interest, for himself an
; ardent sportsman, he could appreciate bold ex-
; ploits in others.
Lance briefly detailed their experience with
the bear. while preparations were being made

1 for their proceeding to the little mountain— ‘ A

: pocket to pass the night.
In answer to the signal of their employer. the
cowboys came struggling back from their on-

> availing chase after the equine wonder which

they were all so eager to capture, and as Cap- ‘

crimes dE’SWVB It, be éh’l“ “1501‘ death on the tain Fly-by-Night sullen] refused to walk, even

gallows ” said Burt, solemnly.

CHAPTER VIII. '
A BITTER DOSE TO SWALLOW.

“ ALL right,” said the rancnero, more like his
usual self. “ After the great service you have
rendered me and mine, I could not complain,
though you asked a. much greater h00n than
that. It you say he must have a. fair trial, be-
fore a. regular court, I’ll back you up in carry-
ing out your plans.” v

“Better string me up, now you’ve got the
deadwood on me, or I’ll fool you yet!" snarled
Captain Fly-by-Night, his eyes glowing like
time of a cornered woll’.

The ranchero turned sharply upon him. but
the hot words which were rising in his throat
were abruptly checked, as u shrill neigh broke
upon the air, and the long-legged black stallion
came trotting around the racks which had until
11 w hidden him from view.

o“Catch that horse!” cried Ellis, excitedly;
but before one of the cowboys could make any
move toward obeying, & §hflrp Whistle broke
from the captive horse-thief, and 'in prompt
obedience, Black “701E wheeled on his heels and
dashed away, the cowboys Setting out in pur-
suit.

"You may hang me, butlyou’ll never lay
hands on my good horsel” cried Captain Fly-
by—Night, with a mockinglaugh. In that 1

I can toil you, Fool Ellis 1”

 

‘ when his legs were untie , and Burt stubbornly
resisted the grim proposal of Big Ben Dick to
Warm up his stiffened muscles with a rope’s-end
Well applied, the horse-thief was carried down
to the level and there bound on the back of one

y of the horses.

[ The pocket was soon reached, near the mouth

, of which a small spring bubbled forth from be-

‘ heath a rock, forming a little pool before rum
ning away through the prairie grass.

By this time it was quite dark, but busy

‘ hands make short work. and ere many minutes

,‘ two camp-fires were kindled, beansteaks cut
and in the process of roasting before the

, blaze.

i The prisoner was conveyed within the pocket
and bound to the trunk of the tree beneath
which the grizzlv had met its death. As he was
by far too valuable a captive for any unneces-

sary risk to be run, one of the cowboys was V.

‘ detailed as guard, with orders not 10 move out
of sight of the outlaw until duly relieved by his
, successor. - ’
i The camp itself was pitched inside the pocket,
1 closer to the entrance, where the grass was
t icker and more comfortable, while the horses
, were staked out on the lam beyondkto fill
' themselves with grass wh‘ e resting from their
killing race.
Burt acted as cook for one party, consisting of
the rnnchero and his dau hter and the three

lyoung hunters; and whie he was thus arm,

 

 

 

 

 

   
 
 

  
  

  
  
  
   
   
  
 
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
 
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
 
  
    
   
 

x loyed, Lance and Percy built a rude but snug

ittle hut of eVergreens close to the rock wall,

Captain Flyby-Night.

in which the ranchero’s daughter might pass a. .

comfortable night in comparative seclusion.
This was completed at about the time Burt

announced supper, and soon thereafter a merry 

little company was gathered around the fire,
laughing and chatting as they ate.

As a matter of course, the main topic of con-
versation was the audacious trickery of Captain
Fly-by-Night.

“He’s a mighty bold rascal, but I reckon
we’ve clip ed his wings this time, for good and
all.” said finrt. speaking as well as he could for
a huge mouthful of juicy bear—stea k.

There was a dark shadow on the face of the
ranchero as he made reply, that spoke even
plainer than his words:

“ I’m afraid we haven’t seen the whole of his
game, even yet. Reckless dare-devil though he
is admitted to be on all sides, it does not seem
possible that he would run such great risk,
simply on the chance of getting the nags on
which we chased him. I could wish myself at
the ranch, to—night.”

“You don’t think he was playing a double-
barreled game, do you?" eagerly demanded
Burt. “That While he led you cfl.’ here, his
gun was to raid the ranch ’4”

“ don’t know what to think,”" was the
moody res ones, as the ranchero filled his pipe

and picks a coal from the fire between them

with which to ignite the tobacco. “I only
know that I feel all out of sorts. But it can t
be helped now. Lina is not fit to take such a

‘ long ride without rest, and I’ll not let her out

of my sight again, though my every dollar de-
pended on it.”

A few moments later, the ranchero arose and
went out to look after the horses, leaving Burt
and Lance together. As for Line. and Percy,
they had for some minutes been conversing
apart, her face in the shade, but the red firelight
showing his handsome countenance all aglow

' with pleasure and animation.

“'ith a discontented grunt, Burt nodded in
their direction and muttered so that none save

' Lance could hear him:

“It’s a p’izen shame, that’s just what it isl
As good a boy as you could scare up in seven-
teen States, and chuck-full 0’ fun, too. It’ll
knock our plans west-end-and-crookedl”

“What are you trying to get at, anyway,
boy Burt?”

‘Hain’t you got eyes, and can’t you use
them?” sniffed Burt, 1n utter digust. “Can’t

I you see how he’s looking at that girl? And how

she hugs up to him, like a sick kitten to a hot
bridk? In love, all two both of ’em, over head
and ears!” '

Lance gazed toward the conp‘e under discus-
sion for a few moments in silence, then said,

, with a short, forced laugh:

“It does look something that way, and you
may be right, boy Burt. It' so, perhaps the
shortest way to cure him will be to help his
courtship along all we know how—lucky dog!"

Abruptly rising, Lance strode away from the

‘ fire, Burt staring after him with widely opened

eyes—opened in more senses than one.
" HOW I mil be blessed l” he muttered. catch-

‘ av

 

ing his breath as though some one had sud-
denly given him a douche of ice—cold water.
“ Lance tool If I’d ’a’ thought that, blamed if
I wouldn’t ’a’ let Cap. Flyby-Night chuck her
over the rock 1”

Right or wrong, Burt felt convinced that not

3 only was his cousin Percy in love with Lina El-

 

lis, but that poor Lance had a severe touch of
the same complaint, and this completed his dis-
gust. The world seemed “hollow, and his doll
stuffed with sawdust,” just then.

Also leaving the fire, he walked over to
where Captain Fly—hy-Night was secured to the
honey locust tree, his figure only dimly visible
in the shade, though the stars were shining so

; brightly, and the nearly full moon was just

peeping over the rock wall.

“ You’ve had some grub, I suppose?” he
grunted, as he dropped down near the prisoner.
" We don’t mean to starve you.”

“You’re the man that jumped me from be-
hind, I believe?” asked the prisoner, his voice
smooth and musical.

“Following the example you set me, yes;
you jumped my pard, an I mounted you after
the same fashion.”

“Oh, I’m not squealing. I only wanted to
be sure, as I am a man who never remains in
debt to his fellow-creatures an hour longer than
he can help.”

“I hardly think you’ll pay more than one
debt—3’

“That of nature, by dancing at the end of a
rope, you mean?” with a short, careless laugh.
“My dear boy, if you live until that comes to
pass, your memory will be handed down to pos-
terity as the modern Methusaleml”

“All right,” laughed Burt. “If the thought
will make you rest any more comfortably to-
night, be sure I’ll not try to drive it away.
Only, I’m not betting my money on your living
long enough to sport gray hairs. ”

“Theres many a stranger thing than that
happened. You’d hardly believe me, were I to
say that instead of your taking me to prison a
captive, I’ll have ou where the wool’s short in-
side of a week? nstead of being the captive,
I’ll be the captorl Instead of witnessing me
dance on nothing, you will be the one to furnish
the amusement?”

“ Well, hardly,” grinned the young ranchero.

“It does sound rather extravagant,” admitted

the horse-thief; “but all the same, keep that,

Eicture in your mind’s eye and see what the

arvest will be. And now, if it’s all the same to

you, perhaps you’ll be kind enough to leave me

to get a. little sleep. If I’m to perform that

fiance, I’ll require all my powers, you see-ha!
al

Turning away, Burt could hardly repress a
shudder at the reckless laugh which rung in his
ears, coming from one whose many crimes
would so surely doom him to an ignominious
death. It sounded like the unearthly merriment
of a corpse.

Burt found Lance awaiting him near where
their saddles and other equipage Were laced,
and though he watched him closely to discover
whether or no his sudden and startlingsuspicions
were founded on fact.~he was baflied. Lance

was the same old fellow. and site: walking out

 
   

   

1
l
l
i

 
    
    

 

Captain Flyby-Night. 28

 

to see that their horses were safely plcketed '
where they could graze freely, they returned to 1
be 'oined by Percy, who had parted With Lina. 2

he maiden had retired to the hut constructed 1
for her use, and the ranchero was lying close be- ,
side it, as though _ resolved no further alarm
should assail his child. -

Neither of the youngsters felt in the humor
for sitting up or conversing. Each one had ab-
sorbing thoughts to occupy their brains, but
which they did not feel inclined to make a topic
of conversation, and shortly after the encamp-
ment was wrapped in silence.

Seated close to the captive, one of the cowboys
smoked his pipe, the rel glow brightening; and
dying away in the darkness with the regularity
of clockwork, long after all the rest of the men
were soundly sleeping. And Captain Fly-by-
Night himself, seemed as deeply buried in sluiii- ‘
her as the rest. ‘

But that night was not to pass without its ex- .
citing and stirring events, though the stars ‘
alone witnessed all that occurred, and they :
never whispered the truth to mortal ear.

All at once it seemed as though pandemonium
had broken loose, and the sleepers leaped to,
their feet with exclamations of alarm and be-
wilderment.

From the plain beyond came wild yells and
screeches, mingling with the thundering of
many boots, with the terrified creamsmnd af-
frighted neighine of horses.

“Outside, men l” thundered Frank Ellis,
darting to the entrance of the pocket. “The
stock is stain peded l” .

High above the wild tumult came a v01ce
from the plain:

“ My compliments to the rope and hen man,
Frank Ellis! I borrow your horses. hen
you’ve stocked up again, 1’11 make you another
call I”

A clear, mocking laugh that seemed to be
swiftly receding with the clatter of hoofstrokes
as an accompaniment.

A bowl of fury from Burtis Applebee as he
snarled: _

“ Cap. Fly-by-Nightl Who turned him loose!”

As he spoke, he dashed toward the tree to
which the captive had been bound. only to
start back with a. still wilder cry, as he stum-
bled over the prostrate form of the cowboy
who had been stationed as guard. A gleam of
moonlight came down through the foliage of
the honey-locust, fallin athwart the face of the
dead man—for dead 8 was, his own knife
sticking heft deep in his broad bosom.

“ Durn and double durn my fool soul for
trusting the care of that demon to any one but
my own self!” cried the led, his voice hoarse
with rage, his face transflgured into that of a.
man almost beside himself. “ I might have ‘
knowed it I”

“ Look out, you I” snarled a cowboy, who :
sunk on his knees beside the corpse, and lifted
the head of the dead man to his heaving bosom.
“Don’t you say a word ag’in’ pore Dan. He '
Was my pard. I IOVed him more then a brother,
an’ now he’s dead—butchered by that cussed
thief you fit for! Cuss your lights! of 'you
hadn’t interfered, we’d ’a’ hung the dlI‘tY, imp,
39’ my mate wouldn’t be like this! But I ll hev i

 

, suddenly calming down outwardly.

revinge—on you, of I' cain’t reach that hell-
hound!”

“And I—I’ll register on oath!” said Burt,
“ I swear
that I’ll never know rest, never leave the trail
of Captain FIy-by-Night, until the murder of
this man is avenged! I’ll bring him back, dead.
or alive, or else leave my own carcass on the
trail I" _

CHAPTER IX.
TRAILING BY TORCHLIGHT.

IN the complete surprise which had fallen upon
them, only Burtis Applebee and the mate of the
murdered cowboy thought of inspecting the ,
spot where Ca tain Flyby—Night had been left
bound and un er guard when slumber fell upon
the camp, Frank Ellis, Lance and Percy, with

 

'1

the remainder of the men, rushing pell—mell to , . e

1 the pocket-entrance and out on the plain across

which they could still hear the trampling of
boots, though rapidly growing fainter and more
distant.

Fierce indeed were the curses that burst from\
theirlips as the gate-like entrance was passed,
fand they could see the full extent of their mis-

ortune. '

l1

Not a horse remained where they had been ‘- 1 r I

. staked out to graze in the early part of the
night. One and all had joined in the, mad "

stampede, and were already far beyond reach,
thundering away over the level round which
snirted the rocky range, barely Visible through
the deceptive shadows cast by the thin, flying
clouds which swept across the face of the moon
at rapid intervals. '

A shrill, taunting laugh came floating back
to their ears from the same direction, and then
in swift succession came several hri ht flashes,
and with vicious humming, ragged sad whis-
tled past, fortunately finding no victim.

Thus directed, the outwitted stockmen could
distinguish a human figure, mounted on a tall

horse,'riding close in the rear of the fleeing ca’v- ,.

allada. .
A passionate oath came from the lips of the
ranchero as he drew his revolvers and sent shot *
after shot in the direction of the flying horse-
man, an example which was prompt] followed
by his men, some of whom dashe away in.
swift pursuit of the cunning horse-thief, as .
though they expected to overtake him on foot;

Attracted by the rapid firing, Burt came
rushing out, only to have his suddenly awak-

 

ened hopes put to‘ flight when he discovered the ,, ‘ 

real facts.

“Better call your men back, Ellis,” he said.
his voice hard and unnatural.
well chaseashadow as to follow that rascal,

“They might as‘ V

afoot. Captain Fly-by-Night won‘t be caught“ 5 ‘ '

so easily as al that comes to.” '
The ranchero turned upon him sharply. Al-
though he himself had pronounced t e auda-

cious stampeder Captain Fly-b vNigbt, he had ‘

not really believed what he spo e.
“What! you don’t mean to say—"

“I just do," was the blunt interruption, 7
“ Captain Fly-by-Night has been as good. as his :

name and taken le -bail lesvin a dead
behind him.” 3 ’ g m“

“ Not Dan Cheering?” egploded the rancher“, .;'

   
 

 

s4 ‘ Captain Flyby-Night.

 

, “Dan somebody, ’tanyrate; laid out cold as
a wedge, with a knife planted in his heart.
Somebody must have helped him, of. course.
I’d give the best year of my life to know just
who it was and how it was done!”

’ Among those who listened to this speech,
were Lance and Percy Applebee, and the same

‘ sickening dread assailed them both, though
Lance was the one to first give it utterance:

“ Ellis, did you look to see it Miss Line. was
safe. before you left the pocket?”

“ You don‘t think— lvow, if he has harmed
her, I’ll follow himto hell itself but what I’ll

,have revenge!” chokingly uttered the ranchero,
as he rushed back to to the pocket, followed by

’ V the young men.

But scarcely had he passed the entrance, be—
fore a glad cry escaped his lips, for there, just
emerging from her little brush hut, was the
figure of Lina Ellis, looking pale and scared,
but otherwise none the worse for this nocturnal
alarm. A

“Father, what is the matter?” she asked, as
the ranchero rushed forward and clasped her
ti htly in his strong arms.

7 , he three young men drew back, feeling as
. though they were interlopers, and began con—
‘ suiting together in low tones.

“Its an ugly proepect,” said Lance, with a

'glance upward to the sky. across which the

 clouds were rapidly gathering. “Not a hoot
;  left us, and a storm brewing. We can do noth—
 ing until day comes: and that is good three
3' hours away 1” .
 “ You can wait, if you feel like it,” gloomin
responded Burt, sadly changed from his light-
- hearted self Ly the tragic events which had
crowded so rapidly upon them. “But I’m not
going to lose any more time. If the moon fails
» . r us, 1 can follow the trail by tort-blight. and be
3:: that far along when the sun comes u .”
r “ If the rascal keeps the horses together, that
w will do you little good,” said Lance, quietly.
' “Our shortest way will he to strike out for
the ranch. and then take the trail with our
hounds. Soon or late, we must run the fellow
to earth.”
4 , “Look here,” said Burt with desperate calm-
ness. “ Only for me, the boys would have hung
> that hell~hound. I saved his life, because I he-
 "lieved ita duty. Through my means, Captain
'3‘, Flyby-Night was brought here unharmed. He
 got away, and in doing so, be murdered an in-
7’ ‘ _u0cent’man. I feel that this was partly my
7. fault; Indeed, the perd of the dead man swore

.- that his blood rested on my heafi; swore that if

the actual murderer escaped him, he would seek
vengeance on me. In turn I swore to know
nprestauntil I had taken the assassin, dead or

I a we.
47 “I mean to keep that oath, or die on the
 ‘j trail!”

. “They can’t blame you for what happened,
v any march”

“They do blame me,” coldly interrupted Burt.
.“Right or wrong. they put it on my shoulders,
.5 ' and there it will stay as long as Captain Fly-by—
 'Night runs loose. For that reason, I’ll never

" _ take a step backward while I have an ounce of
" ' .. "strength or a_ single breath left in my carcass!”
-‘ ' “We’re with you, of course, if you’re to re—

fir'.‘

.,-

 

   

1 solved,” calmly replied Lance, while Percy

l
l

 

warmly caught their hands in his with a grasp
that told how entirely be united in the vow.

The light from heaven’s luminaries was mo‘
mentarily growing less and 10:8. and as the lads
separated to search for material which would
serve as torches, the sounds of returning foot—
steps came to their ears, and they heard the
ranchero challenging his men.

“Mought as well set a tarrypin to chasin’ a.
prong-horn l” growled Big Ben Dick. “The
dirty cuss holds the critters all in a bunch, jest
as though he hed them hitched together with
that trail-ropes, an’ he’s drivin’ them fer all
that’s out!” r

“And he’ll keep them so, unless we crowd
him all we can,” retorted the ranchero. “ It’s
the stock he was after from the jump-off, and it
we give him full swing, never a hoof will we
clap eyes on again!”

“We’ll do the best we kin boss,” returned
the giant cowboy, respectfully. "' But thar's
mighty little show fer two legs against four,

- ’specially on a dark night as this is settiu’in fer

to turn out."

“ Talk less and do more!” cried the voice of
Burt Applebee, as he came out from the dark-
ness, bearing a knot of pitch-pine. “l’ll lift
the trail as fast as you fellows care to follow
me, if you’ll furnish stufl for torches. Git down
to work. and hurry along as soon as you find
the stud.” ~

Splintering one end of the knot with his
bowie, Burt set it aflre, shading it with his hat
as he hastened out from the pocket and along
in the direction taken by the stain eded ani-
mals, accompanied by his brother an cousin.

Frank Ellis hesitated, but it was only for a
moment.

“11' you are thinking of me, father,” said
Lina, clinging to his arm, “do not let that
worry you. am rested, and can endure as
much as the best man among you. Come—let’s
follow our gallant trailers!”

She spoke lightly, really feeling a. strange
sort of delight in the wild adventure, now that
she knew she was safe under the care of her
parent and her friends. She knew nothing of
the dead man who still lay beneath the locust
tree, watched over by his mourning pard, and
Ellis was only too ready to lead her away from
that blood-stained spot, lest the sad discovery be
made by his loved one. .

Straight for the point where the fleeting
shadows had last been sighted, hastened Burt.
scarce casting a glance at the deeply-scored
turf; but then he stooped lower, crossing the
trail at right angles, as though seeking1 for
some particular track among the many 00!-

rints.
p “ I knowed itl” he suddenly exclaimed, paus-
lng and pointing to the clearly-outlined trail of
a. single horse, which had as plainly been the
last to pass that way. “ The p'izen cuss is rid-
ingrhis own horse l”

Eagerly the cowboys crowded around, closely
scrutinizing the hoof-prints, and not one among
them all could deny the assertion of the young
ranchero. Beyond a doubt,,Captaln Fly-by-
Nijght was once more in possession at his mar-
ve ous steed. ,

 

7»

I

 

 

 

»

 

Captain Flyby-Night.

       

 

"That settles it as fur as he is consarnedl”
growled Big Ben Dick. “Lightnin’ couldn’t
ketch the cuss as lung’s he’s a-straddle 0’ that
critter] Mought as well give it over fur a big-
ger contract then we kin hun‘le, fust as lastl”

“ You can draw out as quick as you please,” ‘

bluntly said Burt, resuming his trailing. “ But
I’m betting my ducut-s that I’ll fetch him to
taw in less than a week."

“ Talk’s cheap, an’ comes mighty easy out the
mouth of a boy,” sniifed the giant, with a tone
of contempt and dislike.

“Look here you I” cried Burt, turning toward
the growler, his blue eyes flashing Vividly in
the red glare of the torch. “You call yourself
a monstrous bad man, Big Ben Dick, but all the
same you want to go a little slow in the presence
of your betters, or maybe you’ll find a boy
smart enough to climb all ever a. man-mountain
of your caliber and ugliness.”

“ Mebbe you think you're that same be i"

“ 1 don’t think—I know it] And you’l know
it, too—”

“ Come 1” sharply inter osed Frank Ellis, jg?!) 
ina on his arm. “ o i

then hurrying up with
quarreling among ourselves when there is more
important work to do.” ‘

“Then put a muzzle on that bull-dog of yours,”
sharply added Burt. “ I’ve no particular grudge
against him, but if he keeps on snarling at my
heels I’ll pull his teeth, if I have to take head
and all with theml”

“You hear the little cuss, boss!” exclaimed
the giant imploringly to his employer. “ Kin I
stan’ that an’ not saya word back? Kin I let
him crow—3’

“ You just can,” was the stern response.
“ Unless you want to settle it with me, instead.”

With a sullen growl the giant subsided, falling
back to the rear, while Burt led the way once
more along the trail.

Not for many rods more, however, without
another interruption. He came to an abrupt

,halt, crying aloud:

“ Hold back, all of youl” and waving his torch
from side to side, he moved in rapid zigzags
across the trail.

“Hurrah for our side i” he cried, rising erect
and swinging the torch above his head as his
wild cheer rung out on the early morning air,

 

[Ten to one we’ll get all mounted before day
fairly breaks 1”

‘ He mounted his horse without saddle or
.bridle and dashed away through the gloom,
i seeking for other animals.

The spot where the trail divided was barely a.
mile from the pocket, and as all their horse
equipuge was there, after a brief period of wait-
ing, during which he could hear the exultant
i cries from the young ranchero as he discovered ,
other horses, Frank Ellis turned and walked
back to the pocket with his daughter. '

Before he reached his destination he was
overtaken by the three cousins, each one
mounted on their own horses, bearing most
cheering news. One by one the cowboys were
‘ recovering their animals, and there was little
’ doubt but what Burt’s prediction would prove
1 true, and the arrival of day-dawn find them

once more mounted and ready for the trail. '
“ He thought he had' driven the animals far
, enough, no doubt,‘ and when they made a break
i would not waste any further time in trying to
pick them up again.” concluded the ranchero as
he walked beside Lina, who was mounted on ,
' Percy’s horse. , r.
“ And right there’s where he’ll get might
3 bad fooled, or you can call me no prophet,’
! aflirmed Burt, once more in his usual spirits. ,
“ I’ve swore to corral the imp, and I’ll make my
got-id, good or bu’st something in trying—that’s
at
At that moment a. strange sound startled

 

 

them, coming from over the plain. Again—1
and then Burt cried out in amaze:
“Sweet-lips or I’m a sinner! What’s up

now?"

“She can’t have followed our trail, for we
didn’t come by that route!” added Lance, no
less amazed than_his brother. { ‘

Their suspense was brief, for a couple of
hounds swept up to where they stood, followed .
by a man, who cried hoarsely:

“Thor’s little ole hell to pay, boss, at the
Ellis Ranch l” '

 

 

CHAPTER X.
THE HORSE-Tulsa’s STRATEGY.
IN the man who spurred up to them, his horse
with foam-covered and steaming flanks, the

 

until it was echoed back from the rock-hills to
the right.

“What is it now?” demanded Ellis, impa-i
tiently.

“Good luck for us—crooked luck for that
g’izen hoes-thief!” cried Burt; “The critters‘

ave broke and scattered at this point. He’s‘
lost his grip on them, and I warrant, it we had ;
light enough to see a mile, we‘d find our animals
are less ihan that distance from where we now
stencil

Sharp and clear rung out a shrill whistle i
from the lips of the youngster, and scarce had [
its echoes died away before an answer came in j
the shape of a faint neigh.‘ A few moments
later, with swift hoofs heating the dry soil, a,
horse came galloping up to the spot and Burt
laughed exultantly.

“My horse at an

rate! It will do for a
starter. Scatter an |

look for the others. lads.

{ hunting fer old Eilis—" V

young hunters recognized one of their own
oaqueros, and it was to Lance that that hur-
ried, startling speech was made.
“Kenworthyl” cried the young ranchero,
springing to the side of the man. his eyes a low,
his voice excited. “What’s up now? hat '
brin 5 you out here?”
“ didn’t ’spect fer to find you, boss,” replied s.
the cowboy, dismounting from his wearied ’
nag, and wiping his heated brow.‘ “I was ‘ '

  
  
 

“ I am here,” sharply interposed the ranchero
named, stn ping forward and confronting‘the j
man. “ hat do you want?”

“Your place raided an’ cleaned plum out!”
was the blunt, startling response and Erenk
Ellis turned pale as death, for the blow was
none the less severe because he had pgrtly ‘
anticipated some such misfortune long tore '
the messenger made his appearance. .

\— l

 

 

28 Captain Flyby-Night.

 

“Blame it. manl” impatiently cried Burt,
coming forward and confronting the cowboy.
“Can’t you say something plainer than that?
Who were the raiders? When did it happen?
How came you to find out?”

“Let him have time to catch his breath,”
said Ellis, his voice cold and even. “There’s
time enough. We can do nothing until the
boys come in with their stock."

2‘ “Then we might as well have a little break-
fast to travel on afterward," said Percy, with a
short laugh. “ We’ll just have time to prepare
and swallow it before day-dawn.”

“We’ll take it out by the spring,”hastily
added Ellis, remembering the corpse which
still lay within the pocket, and desirous of

‘ keeping all knowledge of the tragedy from his
child until she was safely at home once more.

“All right,” supplemented Burt. “Strip
your na , Kenworthy: give him a mouthful of
water, 1: en stake him out to pick a little grass,
and he’ll be fit enough for further work when
you need him.”

The cowboy obeyed, leading his sweat-cov-
ered horse to the little pool of water and sufler—
ing itto drink a few swallows of the grateful
element before choking it of]? and leading it out
to gradually cool off.

Lance and Percy quickly gathered material
for building a fire, while Burt cuta plentiful
supply of meat for cooking. And while they
Were thus engaged, Kenworthy told his story.

Shortly before sunset, he had been sent by
Colonel Charles Applebee over to the Ellis
Ranch, in quest of some article which he
urgently required for immediate use. The two
buildings Were nearly a score miles apart, but
to men who are bred and brought up in the sad-
dle, that distance meant but a pleasant little
ride, and the sturdy cowboy was not longou
the way, though the purpose of his ride was
quickly forgotten in the startling discovery
which awaited him.

It was probably two hours after sunset when
he reached the Ellis Ranch, to find it seemingly
deserted by all human life, the contents of the
building apparently turned tapsy-turvy, and
the corrals in which he knew the choicest stock
was habitually kept, with bars down and walls

empty.

Startled, Kenworthy searched the vicinity,

until his attention was attracted by a hollow

an, followed by a feeble voice calling for
help. Five minutes later, he was listening to a
thrilling account of a raid by horse-thieves,
told in weak and husky accents by one whose
life was rapidly ebbing out from a half-dozen
ghastly wounds.

Death came to the suflerer’s relief, before he
had told all. but Kenworthy had gleaned suf-
ficient to set him on the correct trail.

Not long after Frank Ellis and his men—all
save one of those employed on the ranch, he be-
ing left as guard, greatly against his will, for
he, too, lovsd the fair child of his employer and
longed to have a share in rescuing her from the
grip of the kidnapper—rode away in hot haste
after the mad rider of the black marvel, a
strong force of men rode up to the ranch, and
shooting him down without warning, collected

and drove away with all of the choice horses.

     

Seemingly dead, the faithful fellow watched
them until they vanished from view. then. feel-
ing that he had received his death-wounds, he
painfull dragged himself to a smooth moist
patch 0 ground, and on it briefly scrawled the
, most essential facts: the number of the raiders,
the direction they took in departing, and the
‘ hour when the blow was struck.
“The last words he said was to hunt you
‘ up an’ say that he did the best he knowed how,
‘ but that the p’izen cusses was too hefty fer him
J single-handed. He said fer me to hunt you out,
an’ showed me the way you rid ofl, then mut-
‘ tered somethin’ about Miss Lina, as the black
‘ blood shot off his voice fer good an’ all,” huskily
‘ muttered the cowboy, brushing a sleeve across
his e es with an involuntary motion.

“ ’ll bear that in mind when I meet those
rascals!” muttered the ranchero, showing more
l emotion than he had on hearing that all his
1 highly~prized stock was stolen.

Kenworthy resumed his report, which may be
briefly condensed as follows:

Remounting, he rode at full speed hack to the
Applehee Ranch and told his story. The colonel
immediately sent out word to the neighboring
ranches, himself starting with a force for the
L deSerted ranch to take up the trail of the thieves,
; bidding Kenworthy select a good horse and hear
him company.

With them went the pack of bounds for which
, the Applebee Ranch was noted far and wide,

and giving Kenworthy a couple of the truest,
‘ the colonel set him on the trail of the ranchero,
l while he followed the broad spoor left behind by
the thieves.

Thanks to the light of the moon and the regu-
‘ larity with which old “ Sweet-lips”sentout her
1 low, musical note, the cowboy found no dim-
l culty in keeping close at the heels of the bounds,
l zvho brought him to the scene of action as de—

ailed.

‘ By this time a bountiful supply of meat was
, cooked, and the cowboys began dropping in,
i guided by the bright glow of the camp fire un-
3 til all of their number were present, not a single
\ horse of all those stampeded by Captain Fly-by-
‘ Night being missing.

While the others hastily dispatched the food
provided for them, Burt, Lance, and Percy
withdrew a little apart from the main party,
‘ conversing in low, guarded tones. .

Frank bllis briefly informed his men of the
raid on the ranch and the sad fate of their mate
who had been left in charge, adding:

“ We’ll set out at once and get square with
those cursed thieves, if we have to trail them
clean to the infernal regions and back again. I
swore they should never raid me twice, and now
I'll show them how well I can keep my word.”

A hearty cheer broke from the reckless cow-
boys, to whom the prospect of a. long ride with
a hot fight at the end of the race, was more wel-
come than an invitation to a wedding.

But not a sound came from either of the
young rancheros, and instead of hastening
away to saddle and bridle their horses, with the
rest, they set about cutting of! fresh meat and
making preparations for cooking it.

Frank Ellis saw this, and approached them,
saying, a little impatiently:

 
 

   

 

.n,  .. ,,..... V» « ‘ r--- Tarmac-.7 V_ I

I,

“It’s hardly worth while to waste time at
that, friends. We can stock up at the ranch,‘
for we’ll have to give our nags a little rest when
we et there, anyway.”

“ ewish you all good luck, neighbor, and
trust you will not only recovor your horses. but

read those rascals a lesson which will not soon ‘

be forgotten by their kind.”

“In which you will take your part, of
course?"

“We’d like to, but the fact is, your plan
aBnd ours does not run together,” quietly replied

urt.

“ Crawflshin’, by the ’tarnall ’ cried Big Ben
Dick. “ 1 bed a notion thar was loo ll’lllt‘ll talk
thar fer much work. an’ now I’m plum sure of
it. He’s got enough a’ready 1”

Fire flashed in the youth’s eyes, as his revol-
ver jumped forth and stared the giant full in
the face.

“Drop

that, you overgrown brute!” grated
the lad.

“ Another slur like that, and I’ll drill

Captain Flyby-Night. ' 27

 

most valuable lot of meat, even if it won’t make
the biggest pile to look at.”

“Good fortune follow you, since you won’t
listen to reason,” said the ranchero, a little
provoked at finding them so obstinate. “ We
can’t waste any more time in idle talk.”

While the brothers were thus engaged, Percy
adroitly slipped aside, and when the ranchero
turned to assist his daughter on the horse set

‘ aside for her use, she was Just parting from the

a hole clean through that fool head of yours. '

When I’ve done the work I have on hand, I’ll
dare you to repeat your words, man to man.”

Frank Ellis caught the angry giant by the
arm and pushed hlm aside, his voice stern and
hard as he thundered:

“To your horse, Dick, and not another word
from your lips on that score, unless you went
to settle with me! And you, Mr. Applebee. ac-
cept my thanks for the services you have al-
ready rendered, and forgive me for presuming
to expect more from you, as a friend and neigh-
bor. We can do without you.”

“Now you’re getting up3 your back without
muse,”sbar l retorted urt, bis honest face
flushing. “ ou think we’re afraid of hard
riding, with a show of a fight at the other end
of the trail; but right there’s where your oil?
your nut.

“ If it hadn’t been for me, Cap. Fly—by—Night
would have been lynched by your men, and

.lorDan Cheering be still in the land of the
iviug. As I stood beside his corpse, I swore
tnat I would know no rest until I had avenged
his death—that I would follow Captain Fly-by-
N Ight, and never turn aside from his trail until
I killed or on tured him. I meant every word
l said then. ’11 bring him in, dead or alive!"

“ Percy and I both duplicate that oath, Mr.
Eilis,” said Lance, more quietly, but none the
less resolutely. “We can do it. thanks to old
Sweet-lips and Jolly-boy here. With them, we
can run the rascal to earth and break down that
wonderful horse of his if necessary.”

“ I ask Pardon for doubting you, even for a
moment,’ said the ranchero, extending his
hands to the lads in turn. “But still I think
you are wrong. The cunning rascal Wants us
to follow him, and thus give his men time to get
clear with their booty._ He’ll give you the slip,
when he has played With you long enough, or
when he finds only a portion of the party is
after him. Better go With _us. If we sucoeed
in catching up with the main gang be sure we’ll
find him with them.” _

u we can ten better when all is over, and the
roll called,” laughed Burt, all traces of ‘anger
vanishing. “I’m betting that we bring in the

 

handsome young runchero, her face all aglow.

In silence the young trailers watched the
party mount their horses and ride rapidly
away toward the distant ranch.

“ Now for our part of the job,” said Burt, his
young face hard and stern, as he entered the
mountain pocket and stood beside the rude
mound which marked the spot where poor Dan

Cheering lay, temporarily buried by his pnrd, V
‘ until a more

decent funeral could be afforded.

“ Here, .nbove the bloody corpse of the poor
fellow who was so fonlly murdered by the man
I saved from death, I repeat my oath of ven-
geunce. If I fail to make it good, through
fault of my own, may the grave give 11 its
dead to curse me from now to eternity! ny
I never know rest or happiness in this world!
May my deaiest hopes turn to ashes between
my lips—amen 2”

CHAPTER XI.
TRAILED 'ro ms noon.

IN stern silence the three young avengers
bared their heads and clasped hands across the
grave of Dan Cheering.

Then they turned away from the lonely tomb
beneath the honey-locust tree, and leaving the
mountain peckvt, hastily completed their prep-
gaiiious for taking the trail of Captain Fly-hy-

lg it.

These were simple. A supply of meat was
packed, their canteens filled from the sprin ,
their horses equipped, a few cheering wor a
spoken to the two hounds, both of which seemed
to feel that there was something more than an
ordinary bunt before them; then mounting
they set out for the point where the stampeded
animals had scattered, leaving the audacious
horse-thief to ride on without other company
than Black \Volf.

They were not long in reaching this point,
and there clearly impressed upon the plain
they found the track of the man whom they had
sworn to trail to his doom.

“ It looks us though he wanted to be followed,”
muttered Percy, as Burt dismounted tomake
furs that this was the trail of the black stal-
ion.

“I haven’t the slightest doubt but what that

 

is precisely what he did want," said Lance, y'

quietly.

“Then you believe Ellis was correct in his’

reasoning?”

“Ido, as for as he went. Captain Fly-by-
Night has won the reputation of being the most
skillful and daring horse-thief in all the West.

Thererords show that he has a right to that.
, title; but look at this job.

If read alone by

j what shows on the surface, it would prove him

 

 

 

\.

'23

x ‘ ‘ . \

Captain ‘Ply-by-Night.

 

a clumsy bungler' for a boy could have kept
those horses together, with this wall to aid him,
after the stock was once set a-going. Or, if by
any mistake they had gotten the better of him,
and he really wanted to slip away from those in

ursuit, he would take to the rocks instead of
eaving such a. trail as this, plain enough for a
blind man to read without spectacles.”

“Then we’re playing-right into his hand by
following?”

Lance shrugged his shoulders as he looked to-
ward Burt.

“ What else can we do? You heard the boy?
He’d follow on if he had to go alone, and the
trail led him straight through Hades itself. It’s
a fool’s job, but he’s my brother.”

“ Oh, I’m not grumbling,” was the swift re-
spouse.
sized army enough amus< ment to keep them
from falling asleep in meeting—only i wanted
to get an idea of what was really before us.”

While the cousins were engaged in conversa-
tion, Burt was following the single trail on
foot, studying its various peculiarities in order
to recognize the imprints whenever or wherever
he might see them again, and making sure that
he was indeed working the trail of Black Wolf
and his master.

Then he put Sweet—lips and Jolly-boy on the
trail, petting and talking to them in a manner

they readily understood, judging from their

whimpering and eager caresses. And as he
leaped into the saddle, the sagacious hounds ran
along the trail, lifting it rapidly but silent-
tongued.

After the lesson given them by the young
ranchero, little fear of their alarming their
prey by opening on the trail, no matter how hot
the scent might grow.

For mile aft-er mile the trail led the young
avengers along the base of the range, so plainly
imprinted that they could have folio“ ed 11:
without the aid of the bounds, and from the
saddle at a gallop; but then all at once it made
a. sharp turn to the right, and entered the
tiin'pillzen ground, by way of a. narrow, winding

e 6.
Now the great value of the hounds as trailers
became apparent, for they led the way at a
ace which thoroughly tested the powers of the
orses, and more than once Burt had to check
their ardor where the narrow trail grew more
difficult.

Steadin on, until the sun reached the zenith,
without catching sight of their human game.
Burt made no signs of an intention to stop,
though their horses were growing jaded by the
rapid, _difiicut traveling. Still, he made no open
objection when Lance called off the bounds and
checked the chase.

It was a. “ dry camp,” but there was a little

, grass for the animal to pick at, and this, with

an hour’s rest, would bemfit them greatly.
But few words passed between the young
avengers as they reclined in the shade, awaiting
the moment for resuming the trail. Burt was
sober and stern, very unlike his usual merry
self, and the great change in him had its corre-

sponding eflect on his companions.

“We three can give a pretty good— .

afternoon was spent in a manner pregisely simi-
lar to the few hours immediately before the
noon halt,and only one incident worthy of record
broke the painful monotony.

It was a little past the middle of the after-
noon, whcn Burt, who was riding closest to the
hounds, suddenly leaped from his saddle and
grasped the dogs by the ncck. crying:

“ To cover, boysl Crowd close to the left-hand
rocksl”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lance and
Percy obeyed, knowing full well that Burt
would not use that tone unless the necessit was
urgent, but rapidly as they moved, the sen-
eyed youth saw that they were too late, and
something very like an oath broke from his lips
as he muttered: ‘

“ No use! the dirty cuss has seen usl”

The lips of his comrades parted to ask what
he meant, but then there was no necessity for
the waste of breath, for they caught sight of a.
human figure standing on the crest of a rock,
rather more than a mile distant, waving a hat
above his head as though signaling them, or in
derisive defiance.

“That’s the p'izen cuss we’re after!” mut-
tered Burt, gripping his rifle viciously as he
stared at the distant figure. “ Ef only he hain’t
made out the dogs. I don’t care so much 1”

“It’s too far on? to be sure he’s the man we
want." said Lance, naturally more conserva-
tive: but scarcely had the words passed his lips
when another shape was clearly outlined against
the clear sky above the rocks.

This was the tall, short-bodied outline of a
black horse, and as the man leaped into the sad-
dle, Burt cried:

“That’s plain enough, ain’t it? I might mis-
take the man, at long- range, but it that ain’t
Black Wolf, I’ll eat my hat!”

“ it’s a little too plain,” said Lance. seriously,
as the audacious outlaw waved his hat again,
then shook his clinched fist defiantly toward
them, before wheeling his horse and vanishing
from sight behind the rock. “He has sighted
us, no doubt about that. He wants us to follow
him, too. He’d hardly be so bold, without be-
ing sure he had the deadwood on us. Ten to
fine h’e’s got a trap set for us if we nibble at the

aitl

“ There’s two sides to the (iguestion, and I look
at the opposite one,” said urt, grimly. “It
the dirty imp had made us out for just what we
are—if he knew that we three were the
only ones following him—he wouldn’t have
1 shown up in that fashion. He’d know that
1 Ellis and his men were on the other tack, and
1 he’d make the best of his way to warn or aid
1 his men with the stolen stock. As it stands, he
i is just playing the game he first marked out,
w and it he hasn‘t spotted the dogs, we’ll drop on
' him this very night sure!”

Lance was silenced, if not convinced, by this
swift. reasoning, and once more the avongers
1 took up the trail. ‘
I Burt went in advance as the rock was neared
a on the top of which Captain Fly-by-Ni ht had
shown himself and horse, the others

 

There is no necessity for tracing them, step I set behind the barrier. And when the hounds

by step. on that long and weary trail, for the

, were brought forward they quickly struck of!

eeping /
. back until it was proven that there was no trap ‘

 

 

 

 

 

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

 

the trail again and led the way through the
broken ground at a steady pace.

Not for long, howevar. When a patch of
softer soil was reached, and Burt saw that the
fugitive was proceeding leisurely, he called a
belt, and it was resolved to cache and wait until
the shades of night should fall to cover their
movements, for if the outlaw should discover
the fact that he was being trailed with hounds,
he would hasten his flight, and it would come to
a. test of horses, in which the marvelous black
itallion would almost certainly come off first

est.

“ If we don’t crowd him too close,” said Burt,

l
the boots of his horse.

   

His example was
promptly imitated by Lance and Percy, who
made use of a blanket, and in ten minutes from
the time the alarm was giVen, the horses were
“soft-shod."

“Percy will stay here to make sure neither
dogs nor horses give the alarm. Lance, you’ll
come with me. Fetch your rope. We may
need it to take the slippery cuss alive."

There was no 1-enimistrance,for when Burt
once made up his mind, little short of a. thun-
derbolt could shake him, and the enemy was

I too near by for them to risk an argument.

“the imp will go into camp afore many hours, ‘

an’ with the dogs to lead us we can run him
down before day easy enough. He won’t be
looking for us in the dark, and. we can take him
alive.”

There was sound judgment in this reasoning,
and both of the others readily agreed to the
plan. Unsaddling their mugs and lariaring
them out where they could obtain some graz-
ing, they lay down to catch a little much-
needed sleep.

Burt was not one to oversleep himself when
so much was at stake, and promptly as the sun
sunk to rest, he was afoot and preparing for the
renewal of the death-hunt.

Lest the houn Sshould get too great a start of
them in the darkness, Burt coupled them to-
gether and held them in leash. proceeding on
foot, while Lance and Percy followed with the
horses.

For hour after hour Burt led the way thus,
the bounds tugging at the leash as though the
trail were growing warm, true to their warn-
ing. making not a sound that could alarm the
horse-thief prematurely.

Still on, until the night was almost half
spent, then Burt jerked the bounds to a stand-
still, his eyes riveted on a tiny spark of fire
which suddenly shot up in the darkness, some
rods in advance, and considerably below the
level on which he then stood.

A warning hiss checked his comrades, and
kneeling with a hand clutching the muzzle of
each bound, the young avenger glared at the

int of light, which was steadily growing
arger and more brilliant.

Bis breath came hot and panting, as a bright
flame shot up and shone l'airly into the face of
a. human being—on the face of Captain Fly-by-
Night himself!

That was quite sufficient for Burt, and still
holding the jaws of the bounds, he cautiously
backed away until at the side of his compan-
iions, when he softly whispered:

“The p'izen cuss is over in the hollow, build-
ing a fire. We’ve got him, dead to rights, it
we lay our cards for all they’re worth.”

"grou’re sure it’s the man 3” asked Lance, in
the same cautious voice. “And is be alone?”
.“It‘s him, sure enough. I didn’t see any

there. But even if there’s a. thousand to back
him I’m going to corral the rascal—mind
that!” rated Burt, viciously.

Hast' y tying the bounds to a point of rock,
and warning them in pantomime to remain
uiet, Burt tore 03 his flannel shirt and cut it
fixtobits. which he proceeded to wrap around

 

 

i
c
l

l
l
l

- he made sure of

Stealthily, silently the two brothers stole '
down into the hollow, guided by the bright
light of a small fire, near which Captain Fly-
by«Night knelt, bathing and bandaging the
fore-leg of his famous black stallion, audihly
muttering: ,

“It’s cursed hard luck, old fellow, for both
you and me! May the devil grind that infernal
loose stone to powder! Just when I need your
speed the most you must fall a. cripple!

“Those fools showed more wit than I sus- '
pectcd, or they’d never have picked out our
trail so rapidly. But I wouldn’t care for that,
only for this cursed accident! We should be a
score of miles away from this, riding hard to
'im'n our mates, leaving those blockheads under
Fool Ellis to puzzle out the enigma as best they
can. Curse the luck, again and again I”

Burt moved a. little closer_ to his brother,
grinning until his white teeth gleamed through
the gloom. By signs he made Lance understand
that he was to ca ture the black stallion, while
aptain Fly-by-Night, touching
their lariats as the weapons to be used, then as
silently moving to one side, that they both
might have free swing for their ropes when
ready for the important casts.

Silently they both arose to their feet, wait-
ing for the proper moment, which was not long
delayed. .

Captain Fly-by-Night finished bandaging the
sprained limb, then rose erect, little dreaming
how near he was to his doom at the hands of the
very ones whom he had been sneering atasfools
and blockheads.

A hissing signal, then the snake-like coils shot
through the air and settled, one around the neck
of the black stallion, the other over the head and
shoulders of the horse-thief.

The latter cast was made by Burt. and the
instant he saw that his aim had not failed
him, he jumped back and jerked heavily on
the rope, hurling the astonished outlaw to
the rocky soil, head-foremost.

Lance was not so fortunate, for the black horse
resrsted‘the shock, rearing back for a moment.
then, Wltbfi. wild scream of rage, he plunged
forward ‘w1th gleaming teeth and glowing eyes,
as thougnseeking to crush the rope-thrower be-
neath his iron-shod hoofs.

Lance leaped nimhly aside, iving the slack-
ened lasso a snake-like twist t at sent a double
c011. around the fore-legs of the stallion, then
taking a couple of turns around a rook. With‘
a savage pluck, the rope tightened, and Black
Wolf was cast headlong. Lance running out

and securely hoppling him before he could
arise.

 

 

 

 

Captain Flyby-Night.

 

CHAPTER XII.

BURT KEEPS HIS OATH.

“ HURRAY for we. us and company i” scream-
ed Burt, as he leaped upon the stunned form of
the outlaw, and hastily removed his belt of
weapons, then wound the rawhide lasso about
his body until he could move neither hand nor
foot. “ Come down, Percy, and see the circus!
Free, gratis for nothing!”

Captain Fly-by-Night quickly
senses, but it was too late for him
or kick against the pricks.

He was unarmed, bound, helpless in the
power of the young avengers who had so
solemnly sworn to bring him in, dead or alive,

recovered his
to struggle

and all his mad fury at being so completely ,

outwitted availed him nothing.

“It ain’t no manner of use, my covey!” ‘

laughed Burt. standing over his captive. as the
latter struggled desperately to free himself.

“ You’re trussed up to stay, and the sooner you ‘

make up your mind to that, the better."

“Hell’s hitterest curses forever blast you!”
the villain panted, ceasing his mad wrestlings
a aiust fate only when his strength failed him
“ ’ll get even with you for this foul trick, and
make you wish you’d never been born!”

“Look here, you !” and as he squatted down
beside his captive, Burt’s honest face glowed
steran in the light of the fire. “ Let me talk a
little.

“I took you once before, but like u pesky
fool, I wouldn’t let the boys string you up, as
you deserved. I risked my life to save you
from the rope, and what was the result? You
murdered a man who had never done you an
‘ injury. You stampeded our stock, and tried
to throw dust in our eyes while your men made
011 with their booty.

“For all of that, I blamed myself. and I took
an oath over the grave of the man you butcher-
ed, to follow your tlail until I brought you
back, dead or alive. Ellis sent on to chase
Wur pack of thieves, but we come this way.

e had hounds to track you, and you see the
result. I’ve captured on. I mean to hold
you. alive if I can; but take you hack to the
Ellis Ranch, as lswore I would, dead or alive
-—mind that I” .

For once in his life, Captain Fly-by-Night
had nothing to say for himself. This sudden
capture hnl‘ unmanned him for the time being,
and his usqu audacity wholly (inserted him.

Burt had Captain Fly—by-Night carried to
the base of a slender rock column, and placed
against it in a sitting poslure, then bound
firmly to the rock. Black Wolf Wes securely
tied, and then the fire was trampled out, lest its
glow should attract dangerous visitors. Lance
and Percy lay down to sleep Burt refusing to
allow them to share his vigi . And squatting
before the captive, with revolver drawn and
cocked, he passed the remainder of the night.

With the first gleams of down he awoke his
comrades, and a hasty breakfast was made (if
the cold bear-steak, Captain Fly—by-Night being
fed bit by bit by Burt.

The outlaw seemed more like himsalf when
the day came. and with cool insolence he of-

me.”

raged to bet Burt that he would foil him even
ye .

“I never was born to be hung, and you’ll say
the same before this day comes to an end,” he
laughed, carelessly.

“There’s only one way for you to avoid it,”
said Burt, seriously. “ f we run into your
gang of thieves, you may miss the rope, but
you’ll not escape my lead. Dead or alive, re-
memberl I’ll keep my oath if I live. If I die,
you’ll be first to take up the long trail ahead of

Little lime was spent over the morning meal.

Black Wolf was brought up, and while Burt

held him under the mu7zle of his pistol Captain
Fly—byJ‘Iight was unbound snificieutly to sit
astride his saddle after the customary fashion,
‘ when Lance and Percy lifted him into it. Then
his ankles were tied beneath the belly of Wolf,
and another rope fastened him to the high pom-
mel and cantle of the Mexican saddle.
V In addition to all this, Burt took the precau-
tion to pass the noose of. his lasso around the
throat of the black stallion, though the long-
legged horse limped with a severe sprain in his
right forefoot.
, Captain Fly—by Night recklessly scofled at the
l lad, for taking all thesa precautions but never
‘ an answer got he, and ere long he relapsed into
sullen silence.

Steadin the little cavalcade made their way
through the rocks. not following the hack trail,
but heading straight for the Ellis Ranch, turn-
ing to one side or the other only when the na-
ture of the ground made it necessary, but as
‘ ot'ten regaining their former course the moment
, it became practicable.

Despite the lameness of Black Wolf, it was
1 not far along in the afternoon when the little
, party drew near the edge of the broken ground.
l and suddenly a reckless laugh esca ed the

sneering lips of the prisoner. as he crie :
l “ Is it poetical justice you’re yearning for,
: boy? If so, now’s your chance! There’s the
. crag from which I threatened to cast charming
, Linn Ellis. You can save yourself all further
‘ trouble by tumbling me over the preci ice!"

“ Dead or alive, I said,” uietly rep ied Burt.
“But I prefer to take you a ive. I’d rather the
hangman should stain his hands, than—”

So far he spoke, but no further, for just at
,that moment Black Wolf seemed to become
‘ possessed of the devil, and with a frightful
scream, he lashed out with his heels and leaped
to the side on which Burt was riding, coming
into such sudden an“ violent collision with the
young ranchero’s ho. e, that it was overthrow 11
before Burt could clear the way or save evm
himself. The same wild gyration drove the
animals of Lance and Percy, aside, making them
dance and snort with aflright.

A shrill, mocking laugh from the desperado,
then Black Wolf plunged forward with such
force that the lasso was dragged from its hold
on the saddle of the fallen lad.

“Hold! or I shootl” screamed Burt strug-
gling to regain his feet, only to be fo' ed, for
his leg was pinned beneath his horse. “Shoot
the black demon, boysl. Don’t let him escape l”

“I said I’d cheat the gallows l” cried Captain

    

  

 
     

Captain Flyby-Night. 31

 

 

Fl ~b -Ni ht Inn in straight for the crag
0.3.; vyvhicg b'epnadg hegld Lina Ellis. suspended.
“ You may take me dead—never alive I”

A cry of horror escaped the lips of the-young
men for as those last words came to their ears,
Black Wolf gave vent to a wild, demonin
neigh, then leaped straight out over the Crag:

Sick at heart, the young avengers dismounted
from their terrified animals, and approached
the precipice. One glance over the diazy hight,
then they shrunk back, covering their eyes to
shut out that horrible sight.

Truly. Captain Fly—by-Night had said he
would cheat the hangmun out of his dues~that
though they might carry his body back to up-
pease ofiended justice, that was all!

 

The shades of night were beginning to de-
scend over the plain when the Ellis Ranch began
to loom up, clear and distinct to the eager eyes
of three young men who were riding toward the
buildings at a slow trot. Their horses were
Worn and jaded, three in number; yet one of
them bore a double load.

Across the buck of another lay bound along
bundle, the blanket which formed the covering
showing broad stains of blood, not yet entirely

ry.
Those three riders were Burt, Lame, and
Percy Applebee. That blond-stained bundle
contained all that remained of the once bold and
dashing Captain Fly-by-Night.

“ Look!” suddenly exclaimed Burt, lifting
himself high in the stirrups and shading his eyes
with one hand as he gazed intently past the
ranch tOWard a moving body which was almost
as far from the buildings as themselves. “By
all that’s good! Yonder is Ellis and his men!”

“And they’ve got back their horses!” ejacu-
lated Lanes, no less excited by the discovery.

“ I can make out two—three hound men!”
contributed Percy. “They’ve caught the res
cals and made them pay for the trouble. tool"

“Well, I’m not altogether ashamed to meet
them,” muttered Burt, with a. side-glance at the
blood-stained bundle carried on the third horse.
“ I said dead or alive. I hoped the last, and it
wasn’t our fault that it is the other.”

Turning their horses so as to keep the build-
ings between themselves and the other party,
the young avengers spurred their wearied ani-
mals into a gallop, and succeeded in gaining the
ranch before the other band of horsemen.

Then they dashed out, to be greeted with
cries of surprise as they drew rein.

“Isee ou have been successful in catching
the rasca s. Mr. Ellis,” said Burt easily.

 

“ Thanks to your uncle, Burt,” was the cheery
rnply. “ He ran them to earth, and held them
:here until we came up on the trail. We took
them front and rear, and scooped them in with-
out losing a man. Killed seven and captured
three. 1f Captain Fly-by-Night was with them,
he got away during the confusion—but I’ll have
him yet, if it takes a legl”

“You can have him for a. much less price
than that, my dear sir,” laughed Burt, as he put
his fingers to his lips and emitted a shrill
whistle, that brought his well-trained horse
bearing that bloody burden out from the rear of
the ranch.

“I told you I’d bring in the fellow, dead or
alive, nnd there he is!”

” Died 1” ejaculated the ranchero, seeming to
doubt the evidence of his eyesight.

“He killed himself rather than wait for hang-
inz. He jumped his horse over the rock on
which he had Miss Lina. when we captured him
the first time.”

As the cowboys flocked around, Burt strode
up to Big Ben Dick, and cried sternly:

“Now, you overgrown lubberl I dare you to
repeat those words, man to manl Spit it out,
or take water i"

_“In I go, head over heels!” exclaimed the '7
lent, with a sheepish glance from the bloody,

undle to the glowing face and sna in e seat
the little game cock. “ I was a fogll,J ang' t;sz it

all back, boss. You’re a major, an’ I chew dirt'

if you say so. I tuck you fer a blow-squirt, but
I got mighty bad fooled, an’ I ain’t ashamed
fer to own it up. Kin 1 say more?”

“Put it thar, pardl” laughed Burt, slapping
his plump palm into the horny hand of the
grinning cowboy. “And next time don’t jump
on a fellow simply because he ain’t quite as big
its 310; "are, for the best of us are liable to get

00 e .

 

There is no necessity for man more words,
even did time and space permit, or this 6 isode
in the life of the Colorado Boys has 51 been
placed before the reader.

The suspicions of Burt were confirmed ere
many more months, and when Percy Ap lebee
led the blushing Lina Ellis before the m nister
who was to unite them in tie holiest of all
bonds, the merriest person there was Lance
fipptebee. If he felt sore, no one was the wiser

Ol‘l .

Nor was Percy “spoiled.” as Burt dreaded.
Though a more devoted husband never lived,
he still found time to join his cousins in their
hunts and expeditious.

\

THE END.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32 Octevo Pages.

ES

\

1 Deerhnnter, the Boy Scout oflhe Great North Wumls.
15y Oll Gnomes.
fi Buffalo Bill, l'rovn Boyhood to Munhnml. By Col. Pren-
lma luarahmn.
8 Kit Cur-on. Kin;r oltluiiles. llv Albert W. Aiken.
4 Gordon Lillie, the Buy-luterpretur ol the Pawnces. By
Major. u. u. Sinnhlanl.
5 Bruln Adm-In, Old Grlzzly’s Boy I’m-d. By Col.
Prentiss Ingrahala.
6 Deadwood chk as alloy. 13y litl‘il'fll'll L. “'hvolcr.
7 wud Bill, the l’istul i’rlm'c. 153' ll. 1’. lllL'I‘nlialn.
8 The Prairie Ranch. Br Joseph Ii. limlgcr. Jr.
9 RoIleng Joe : The History 01 n “ L'Uniul' my.” 1;... A.
l . ost. ‘
0 Texas Jack, the Mustang Kim: lly Cui. P. lngmlunn.
1 Charley Skylark. Afimry m‘Sclmol-iluy Serupcsnnd
Collage Capers. By Manr 1 . ll. Swililard.
2 Marlpofla Marsh. By JUSrpil E. Budgur, Jr.
3 Roving Ben. By John J. ltlurshnll.
14 Spring Steel, King of Ilm llnsh. Hy J. E. Bridger, Jr.
15 VV“l;lltI-.-A wake George, the Boy Pioneer. By Edward
i mt.
16 The Boy \Vizarfl. Bv Burrv Ringunlil.
1'? Peter l'e pergrans, the Greenhurn frum Gotham. Ily
Nonh Nul .
18 Adrift on the I’rnlrlc, and Amnteur Hunter..-
on the Buffalo Range. liy Oll Commas.
19 The Fortune Hunter; or, Roving Joe .1! Miner,
Cowboy,Trnp)ver and Hunter. By A. H. Post.
20 Trn per Tom, the Wand imp. By T. C. llnrhnnzh.
21 Yel ow “air, the Buy Cilluf of the inneea. By Col.
Prentiss lngrnhunu.
22 The Snow Trail. By T. C. l-lurbunzzh.
23 old Gnlzzly Adams, the linm‘ Tamer. By Dr. Frank
owe . . i
24 Woods and Waters. By Capt. Fr llerlck Whitmker.
25 A Rolling Stone : incident: in Hip Career on Sun and
Land nt' Col. Prentiss Ingmhuin. By Wm. R. Eyster.
26 Red River Rovers. By C. Dunning Clark.
2? Plan; and Plaln; or. Wild Adventures ui'“ Buckskin
Sam.” '. .‘ 9 Hall.) lly Col. l’. inzrnhnm.
e. The Rmnnnrlc Life of Col. Mon-
atery. By Ca rotlerich Wlilitker.
29 Snow-Shoe am. By '1‘. C. Hurimugh.
30 Paul the Lacy, the Frunch lleast Charmer. By C.
Dnnninz Clark.
31 Round the Camp Flre. .liv Jnsuph E. nudger, Jr.
82 White Beaver, the Indian Medicine Chief. By Col.
Prentiss lngrnham.
38 The Boy Oral-ruler. By Writ. h‘rvd. Whitlnlmr.
84: The Chase of the Great. W Ilto Stag, llml,Cun|p
and Cmmg. liv C. Dunning (llnrk.
35 Old Tar knuckle and "in Boy Chums. By
Roger Stnrhuuli.
86 The Daflhlng Dragoon: 0r. The Story of Gen. Gonan
A. Clmiel‘. liy Car-t. Fred. Whittaker.
3? Night-“an Gem-Ire. liv L‘nl. Pl'l'n'lfis lng'rnhnln.
38 The Boy Exllen ol‘l-llborln. liy 'l‘. (I. lllll'lulllflll.
.89 The Young Boar lluatern. My .\lnl'ris lewing.
‘ 40 Smart'lSlm, thn Lml with a rum-1 llcllil. lly minim
' l.

l t: .

41 The Svttler’n Son. By Edward  Ellis.

42 “'alt. Fen-minon‘n Crnluo. liy (I. Dunning Clark.

48 Rifle and Revolver. Iiy Cnyt. Fwd. \Yhil, . he".

44 The Lord. “0y \Vllnleru. lly 'l‘. C. l’lnrhnuuh.

45 Bronco Billy, the Saddle l‘rlnce. liy Cul. Prentiss
lngnxhnni.

46 Dink, the Stowaway. Ily Charlu Morris.

4‘? The Colorado lloyu; nr, Llfe on an indigo Plantation.
lly Joann]: l-I. liavluer. Jr.

48 The Pampas Hunter»; or, New York Boys in
linear): Ayreh. lly 'l‘. 1:. llnrhnn rh.

49 The Adventurmm Life of Nebrankn Charlie.
By Col. Prentiss Inumhnni.

50 Jack. Harry and Tom. the Three Chnxnpion Brothers.
By Capt. Fred. “'hitlnluer.

51 The Young Land-Lubbcr. lly C. D. Clurk.

52 The Boy Detectives. By ’1‘. C. l’lurhaugh.

58 Honest llarrv; nr, The Country Boy Ailrift in the

ity. By Chm-he: Morrin.

54. Cnlll’ornln Joe, the Mysterious Pluinsnmn. By Col.
Prentiss lngruhunr.

 

. 1. a
BE 59 @190 i___..___
\ WY 593‘ng

55 Tip Trcfiael, the Floater. By Edward Willett.

56 The. Snow Hunters; or, Winter in the \Nouds. By
llurry tle Forrest.

5? Harry Someru, the Snilor Boy Magician. By S. W.
l’cnn‘e.

58 The Adventurous Life of Captaln Jack, lite
lSurulur lioy. n)- Cm. rx-uxuia lngrnham.

59 Lunlcr'l'lm, the Mule lloy of the Mines. By Chnrlvs
. nx‘rls.

60 The Young: Trail “nu-tern; or, New York Boys Ill
Gri/zly Lannl. lly ‘l‘. C. llnrbanuh.

61 The ’l‘lger lIunu-ru; or,‘Thc Colorado Boysin Ele-
yhnnt Land. lly Joseph E. lladger, Jr.

62 Doctor Carver. the “ Evil Spirit ” of the Plains. By
Col. Prentiss lngmhnin.

63 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wret-her. By Roger
Stanuu-k. ‘

64 "mu": Inc]; Tumult; or, A Boy’: Rough and Tuner
Fight I'ro.u an York to California. By A. W. Aiken.

(32': The Bov Pilot; or, The Island Wrecker. By Col.
Prentin lngraham.

66 The Desert Rover; or, Stowuway Dick Among lhe
Arabs. By Charles Morris.

6’? Texan Charlie, thu Boy Ranger. By Col. Prentiss
lngraham.

68 Little Rllle; or, The Young Fur Hunters. Ry Captain
“ Bruin ” Adams.

69 The Youqu Nlhlllst' or, AYuukee liny Among the

Russians. liy Charles .\ nrm.

70 Pony the Cowboy- or, The Young Marshall‘s Raid.
By Major 11. Is. Stodrlurd. Ex-Scuul.

71 ligll’llobnartand Ills Bear. By Cupmlu “ Bruin ”
l lllllll.

72 The Ice Elephant. By Capt. Frcduricl: Whittaker.

2’3 The Young Moonc-llnntcrs. lly William ll.
Manning. Rea.in Suptnnihur 5.

74 The Boy Coral-Flnhorn. lly linger Stnrhuck.

75 Revoh'er lillly, the Boy Ranger of Texas. lly L‘ul.
Prentiss lngrnlnun.

76 The Condor Klllern. By T. C. llnrhnugh.

7? Lad Llonhcelfl, the Young Tiger Fighter. By Roger
Smrhnck.

78 Flatbont Fred. By Edward Wlllutt. Rmnly Oct. 10.
7" Boone, thu Hunter. lly Captain F. \\'hitlnl<i~r.

80 Kentucky Ben, the Long ltlflo of the (‘nsrailtm By
lioger Sun-lurch.

$1 The Kit Carson Club. By '1'. C. llm-hungh.
82 Little Back, the Boy Guilln. By liurry liinggunl.

88 Pony llol), the Reckless Rider 0! the Rochiea. By Col.
l’runtisl lnurnhnm.

S4 (‘nptaln Flyby-Night. By Joleph E. Badger: Jr-
llunxly Nov. 21.

85 Captaln Ralph, the Young Explorer. By C. D. Clark.
Randy Nov. ‘25.

86 Lgtlu Dan Rocks. By Morris Rodwing. Ready
e.
8’? The Meuag rle Hunters. By Muj. lI. Grenville.
Really Dec. 19.

88 The Boy Tram s: or. Lila Among the Gipsios. By
J. M. llull‘nmn. endy Dec. 19.

89 ’Lonushore Llje. By C. D.Clnrk. Ready Dec. 26.

Beadle’. Boy’s lerary 13 for sale hy all Nuwadenlen,
five cents per copy, or Sent by mail on receipt of all cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publlnhers,
98 Wllllnm Street, New York.

 

 

 

 

“hangaoyfly ‘ _