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The Masked Avenger.

 

The Masked Avenger:

DEATH ON THE TRAIL.

A Tale of the SonthWest Frontier.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

AUTHOR or “ ADVENTURES or BUFFALO BILL,”
“ WILD BILL," “TEXAS JACK," “ wnrrn
BEAVER,” ETC., are.

CHAPTER I.

THE DEATH-SHOT.

A BNO A0 of bandits! A wild, picturesque
scene, ne‘ r beheld except on the far frontier,
where civilization's footprints have left few
traces, or in the wildest recesses of Mexican
scenery, where the robber and the renegade,
the Comanche and the wild beast have their

‘ haunts.

An encampment of robbers! men outlawed
from the marts of the world Wherelbonesty .15
enthroned; men who have dyed their hands in
human blood, and bartered their souls to gluten.

Amotle group, a commingling of nationali-
ties, for t e freeborn American, the Emerald
Islander, the swarthy Spaniard, dusky Mcx1~
can, fair-faced Englishman. and fierce Comanche

were all present; and robed in as many costumes I

as the nations they represented—with the buck-
skin suit and handsome Mexican dress pro’lomi-
Dating—they presented to the eye a strange,
fascinationr picture, in accord With the danger-
ous life they led in praying upon their fellow-
men. '

The encampment was well chosen, fronting
the clear waters of a beautiful river in South-
Western Texas, and surrounded by forest-clad
hills that sheltered the little valley lovely in
nature’s repose until its quietude was broken by
the rude bivonac of the outlaws, whose wild
halloo, harsh laughter, and campsongs startled
the echoes of the Woodland retreat, and scared
from their coverts the denizens of those leafy
and moss-carpeted aisles.

The band of outlaws, numbering some hun-
dred horsemen, appeared to be on the march,
for their encampment was evidently but tem-
porary, as arrangements were making for a
night’s halt only.

eeding along the river—banks were the horsns
and pack-mules, picketed by long trail-ropes,
while their saddles and accoutermenti lay near
by. ready for instant use.

In the camp pro r, a number of fires were
blazing cheerily, an around them were grouped
the outlaws, preparing their evening meal, smok-
ing, sleeping or chattering, 'ust as their humm's
prompted them, while, lean ng against trees, or
suspended from low—drooping branches, hung
rifles, istols, knives, and a few swords.

The Radian members of the band huddch to-

gether at one end of the encampment, quietly
attending to their duties; the Spaniards and
Mexicans formed the center group, conversing
lmdly in their native tongues, while the Ameri-
cana with their allies from the “isles across the

I

 

son,” were assembled at the other end of the
cam ; that they were the ruling spirits of the
reck ess free rovers was evident, for in their
midst were some splendid specimens of man-
hood, from the ex-army officer, and the denizen
of the city, to the Indian—fighter, the hardy
mountaineer, and bold trapper.

In the background of the scene was another
group, but much smullcl‘ than the others, for
only half a dozen persons composed it, and a
glance was sulliclcnt to show that they were the
commanders of the band. Even in that wild
community a certain law and order reigned, for
both were enforced with a deadly hand, and dis-
obedience llll‘lllli} instant (loath.

Tho center of the small group was a man of
apparently thirty-live years of age, and whose
apponruncc would have been most striking
whether in the blaze of a ball-room, in the halls
of Congress, or at the head of an army.

His brow was massive, and stamped with a
bold intellect, while heavy waves of black hair
fell upon his shoulders in a graceful, neglige
manner; though sunburned, the face was pale,
the eyes dark-gray and full of a bitter, cruel
fire, that glittercd with a deadly light when in
excitement, while the heavy brow and long
lashes gave them a somber look, that appeared
as if some bygone evil memory was ever shad-
owed before them.

The mouth was well formed, daring to rock-
lessness in expression, and when in conversation
displayed two rows of even, milk-white teeth,
that added a threatening, instead of a cheerful,
expreSSion to the foreboding, cynical, yet
strange] fascinating face, which was boardless,
and on t at account more youthful looking.

The form was well molded, six feet in hight,
and clad in the pictur . ue costume of Mexxco,
manufactured from the nest fabrics the country
could boast,_while-a single gold star glittering on
his left breast, and‘ smaller one looping up the
gold‘cord encircling ’ broadsombrerodndicated
his rank as chief of that wild band of outlaws.

Such was Dante, the outlaw leader, whose fame
was known far and wide throughout the South-
west, as a man of terrible passions, untiring ven-

. geance, and a most deadly foe to civilization.

Three years before, he had fled to the Far
West, to escape punishment for some crime, so
it was said, and organizing a band of lawless
spirits he had, waged a war relentless in its cru-
elty, alike on the Mexican and the Texan, the
hacienda and the unprotected town, and with
this defiant motto, “ No mercy asked, or shown,”
he had become feared, and looked upon as an in~
carnntc demon.

The five companions near the chief consisted
of two Mexicans, whose dress and appearance
indicath that they were not outlaws, but doubt-
less mon of wealth and standing outwardly, in
the community in which they resided, whatever
they might be secretly: a free-and-easy moun-
taineer, dressed in a suit of buckskin, and acting
as confidential ally, scout and guide to the chief;
while the other two were officers of the band,
dressed like their leader, but wearing on their
left breast and sombreros silver instead of gold
stars as indicativo of their rank.

The senior of the two was a man of forty, with
a low and evil faCe,-burly form, and demoniacal

 

The Masked Avenger.

8‘

 

in his cruelty. Hating everybody and every—
thing, he was respectful only to his chief, who,
he boasted, was the only living man he feared,
and to make up for this weakness, as he called it,
the bully was ever ready to seek a quarrel with
. others, which was certain to be followed by blood—
shed, for Red La Roche, as he was known, first
on account of his fiery red hair, face and beard,
and afterward for reason of his barbarous mur-
ders and cruelties, was noted as a dead-shot, and
the worst hand in the country in a close en—
counter with the bowie—knife.

The junior in rank, as well as in years, was
totally the opposite of Red La Roche, for, hard-
ly more than twenty—one, he appeared ill-suited
to the scenes in which he was a daily partici-

an .

Slight in form, fair as a woman, with dark-
blue eyes, short, curling hair, a beautiful, rather
than a handsome, face, he seemed out of place
amid those degenerate men, and yet his courage
was never doubted, for in many a deadly en-
counter had be proven it, while as a horseman
and shot Ford Balfour ranked with the first men
on the frontier.

The conversation of the party had turned upon
a recent disastrous attack made upon the band
by a company of Texas Rangers, wherein a body
of the outlaws, under command of their young
lieutenant, Ford Balfour, had been surprised in
camp and most severely handled, are they could
esca e in hasty flight.

“ f the chief will trustsuch boys in command,
senor, he cannot expect otherwise than we will
meet with defeat,” said Red La Roche, address-
ing himself to one of the Mexicans.

“ I look u , n my young friend here as a good
officer, La Oche,” remarked Dante, quietly, and
in the tones of his voice there was a peculiar
depth and sternness.

‘Yet he commands men far his superior,
chief,” insisted the senior officer, with a wicked
look at Ford Balfour, who had showed no emo-
tion at the words of the ruflian.

“ Have a care, La Roche,” said the chief, stern-
ly, and then he continued:

“Balfour is most useful to me in his way;
and so are you—when I need any very dirty
work done."

The red face of La Loche flushed redder, and
then paled quickly; but biting his lips to keep
back his anger, he muttered:

“Doubtless he might be made more useful, if
he had more pluck.”

“Ha! ha! you are jealous of the good looks
and popularity of Balfour, La Roche,” lnu bed
Dante; and his mocking tones wrought his leu—
tenant up to a frenzy, as springing to his feet,
he shouted:

“ Jealous of that baby-faced boyl Why, did
he offend me, I would treat him as though he
were a. child.”

“Red La Roche, I have listened to our in—
sults sufficiently long. You call me a. y, and
doubt my pluck, so I dare you to meet me in a
fair combat.” And the young ofllcer confronted
the burly ruffian.

With a wild look of rage, Red La. Roche
turned upon the youth, while he half drew from
his scabbard the glitterin bowie-knife he had
often used with such terrib e effect. But are he

/

 

could grasp it in his hand firmly, the loud voice
of the chief shouted forth:

“’Holdl”

Springing to his feet, Dante stepped between
the angry men, his face livid, his brow darken- '
ing; but in calm tones he said:

‘ La Roche, I have long known your animosi-
ty toward Balfour, and wondered at his allowing
your insults.

“ Now, he has resented your implication against
his courage, and dared you to meet him; and, by
Heaven! you shall; but not with that villainous-
looking knife of yours.”

“ I will meet him any way he will fl ht me.”

“ So be it. We have yet an hour 0 sunlight.
Balfour, look to your arms, and we will adjourn
to that open space beyond our horses, and with ‘
pistols, at twenty paces, you shall fl .

“'I am Willing, chief. Let Red La Roche fol-
low me to the spot,” said Ford Balfour: and to
gether the party started for the place indicated
by Dante.

A few of the band had heard the quarrel be-
tween their lieutenants, and the news rapidly
spread through the encampment, so that, by the
tune the combatants had arrived upon the ground
chosen for the conflict, every outlaw was assem-
bled, anxious to witness the play, and in their
hearts hoping that Balfour would be successful,
for Red La Roche was hated and feared by most
of the men.

“. Senors, this sport will greatly relieve the
time which I was anxious to while away pleas-
antly, and Balfour has done us a eat service
in resenting the insults of La Rec 9,” said the
chief, addressing the Mexicans, as the party
reached the spot; and then, turning toward the
combatants, e continued:

“ Gentlemen, twenty paces apart. There now -
I will give the word, and you must walk tow
each other, flrin as you go. ”

Delighted at t e pros t of slayin Balfour,
whom he hated from t 6 bottom of is heart,
but for what reason he could not tell, Red La.
Roche took his stand, his pistol in hand while
his youthful and brave antagonist, after address-
ing a few words in a low tone to his chief
walked toward the tion assigned him, and
upon his handsome ace there rested no sign of
trepidation.

All being in readiness, the chief took a position
to one side. and his deep voice asked, sternly:

“ Are you ready?"

Ere an answer could be returned there came
the distant report of a rifle' a small ufl of
smoke broke from the en foliage on e hill-
side, nnd with a cry 0 agony, Red La Roche
sunk to the ground, while a stream of blood
trickled from a small bullet-wound in his
temple. '

For an instant no one moved, for all were
struck dumb by the unexpected death-shot into'
their midst, and then Dante rung forward
and half-raising the form of La echo, let it fall
back, crying:

“He is dead; but who did this deed?”

The Chiefs e es fell upon the line of outlaws,
but ere be 0011 d again speak, there came a loud
shout from the hillside, and all e esturn' in
that direction, beheld a spectacle tfllled , em
with awe and surprise. a '

 

  

The Masked Avenger,

 

CHAPTER II.
' THE MASKED AVENGER.

THE object that met the gaze of the outlaws,
and filled them With astonishment at his daring
and his apparent indifference, was a horseman
occu ying ,a Jutting spur of the hillside, and
calm y gazing down into their midst, while he
coolly loaded the rifle whose smoking muzzle
had just hurled the death-shot into the brain
of Red La Roche.

Devoid of foliage, the little spur of the hill-
side was a. rocky pedestal upon which stood
the horseman, for both steed and rider, being
photographed against the blue sky, appeared
more like statuary than objects of life, as, hav-
ing reloaded his weapon, the man sat motionless
in the saddle, one hand firmly holding the bri—
dle-rein, the other grasping the deadly rifle.

The horse was large, long and clean of limb,
and black as night, and arched his proud neck
as if conscious of his great speed and endurance,
while he nervously chainped the bit, and seemed
restive beneath the elegant trappings of his sil-
ver-bespanglei Mexican saddle.

With regard to the rider, his appearance was
striking, indeed, from the broad, gold-cord en-
circled sombrero upon his head, to the high
Emots, armed with massive silver spurs, upon his

act.

Attired in a Mexican suit of black velvet, em»
broidered with gold braid, and ornaiiicntod
adown the sides of the pants with gilt bell—but-
tons, the erect and graceful form was displayed
to remarkable advantage, fully exhibiting the
power and agility of the man, whose face was
completely hidden by a closely-fitting mask of
steel, such a covering for the face as the knights
of old were wont to wear when clad in full
armor.

By this mask the face was concealed beyond
recognition. but, through the visor a pair of
flashing eyes gleamed forth and surveyed the
excited crowd in the valley below.

Though his face was masked, the warlike and
threatenin aspect of the horseman was just the
contrary, or, so to speak, he was armed to the
teeth. and with a variety of weapons belonging
toboth barbarous and civilized warfare, from
the seven-shooting rifle, and revolver of to—day,
to the climetr of the East, and bow and arrow,
fllled quiver of the Indian. '

Besides these. a. long Mexican lance lay in rest
across the saddle-bow, while a number of cres-
cent-shaped missiles, known as the boomerang,
and used by the natives of Australia in battle,
hung by light strings to the right seat of the
saddle, and where they could be instantly roach-
. ed by the hand, while the bow and uiver occu-

pied a like position upon the other side. ’

Upon the left of the saddle-bow, hung a
small shield, formed of a wire frame, covered
with raw hide, and fully strong enough to ward
ofl? an arrow, the point of a spear, or blow of a
tomahawk, which was apparently the use for
which it was intended.

' For full a. moment the almost awe-stricken
band of outlaws stood in silence, gazing upon
the, to them, strange apparition, and then the
chief’s voice cried out:

“ After him, ye devilsl, the man who kills or
captures him shall be my next lieutenant,”

l
l

 

With a yell of demoniacal fury, the outlaws
rushed away across the valley, to ascend the hill
upon winch the horseman still stood in silence
unmindful of the dozen rifle-bullets that whistled
around him.

But, observing that his pursuers were nearly
at the hillside, he raised his dark sombrero, as if
in a parting salute, and, wheeling his horse,
suddenly disappeared in the dense forest at his

back.

Fully half the members of the band had sped
away in obese of the strange horseman, but one
after another, returned without tidings until, by
nightfall, every man had again assembled around
the camp-fires, where the singular incident was
being: discussed in half adozeii dili’crent tongues.

lVith the indifference felt to death by the deli-
izens of that wild region. the body of the slain
lieutenant had been consigned to a hastily-dug
grave, while the chief. with his immediate com-
panions, were discussing, with considerablesang
froid, the disreputable character of the dead

man.

Darkness had fallen upon valley and hill, and
around the blazing fire the faces of Dante and
his friends were brightly Visible in the ruddy
glare, and each expression of internal emotion
was plainly discernible.

“ Well, Balfour,” said the. chief, turning to his
youthful lieutenant, who sat at his right hand;
“ Well, Balfour, the shot of that masked stran—
ger doubtless saved your life, and otherwiseaided
you, for you are now next to myself in com-
mand.”

“ I thank yru, Senor Dante, for your kindness
andnl am glad you do not beiicve me guilty
of—

“ No, no: you, as well as the rest of us, never
saw the fellow before, at least to our knowledge,
I am convinced, for I had my eye upon the face
of every member of my band, and one and all
were puzzled; but, by Heaven, lie was a splen-
did-looking creature."

“ Yes, a most remarkable-looking person,”
said Senor Morganza.

“ I 110 e he will not fake a notion to introduce
himself in alike manner again,” remarked the
Senor Alvez, with a shudder.

“ We’ll hear from him again, you hear me
talk, for he ain’t on our trail to kill only one
man,” returned the mountaineer, who was known
by no other name than that of Texas Dave, and
whose skill as a scout was second to that of no
man on the frontier.

“ No, he means mischief, whoever he may be,
for his equipment was not gotten up for a short
gallop, a shot, and return,” replied the chief.

Hardly were the words sniJ, when, from the
darkness came a flash, revenlin for a second the
strange horse and rider, and t e deadly bullet
found its mark in the body of Senor Morganza.

With a stifled mean the Mex1can tel back
dead, his ears deaf to the rattle of rifle-shots
ringing out to avenge him, fired in the direction
from whence came the deadly bullet.

Then a silence fell upon all, followed by the
challenge of the sentinel in the outskirts of the
encampment, a loud, derisive laugh in answer, a.
stifled cry, and again no sound broke the forest
stillness. .

“ Mr, Balfour, let the best scouts be put upon

  

l
1
l

 

   
    
 

     

l

 

The Masked Avenger. ‘3 '

 

that fellow’s trail; but mark me, they must re-
turn by daylight, for we shall move early,” cried
the chief, his face pale with suppressed emotion;
and then, as his lieutenant turned to obey the
order, he bent over the prostrate form of tho
Senor Morganza.

“ Dead! But he’s no great lossl Well, Texas
Dave, what is it?” and as the chief spoke the
scout approached and stood before him.

“ The sentinel, an Injun, was killed, also; run
through with a spear, clear as a whistle.”

“ What! then the fellow is indeed in earnest;
and by Heaven,he’s not particular regarding
Color and nationality, for an American, Mexi-
can and Indian have gone.

“ Well, let double guards be set, and if I am
needed, call me,” and the chief wrapped himself
in his sew-ape and la down to sleep with perfect
indifference to tho ooiii that had just been vis—
ited upon three members of his outlaw band.

Quictutlo again settled upon the picturesque
scene, and as the hours crept away, the scouts
sent in pursuit of the horseman returned to the
camp, all making the same re ort, that in the
darkness, no trail could be foun , and their every
effort had been unsuccessful.

Ford Balfour awaited until the last man was
again in camp and had reported, and then he
sou ht repose; but not long were his slumbers,
as (faylight glimmered in the east, and the bugle-
eall of the chief aroused the sleeping outlaws to
action.

Instantly the encampment was a busy scene,
all preparing for the march, for Dante wzis

ressing forward in haste to inieree t a richl -
iiuien wa oii-train, bound to Santa e, from t 0
cities of t e Mississippi valley.

As the sun arose above the hilltop, where, the
day before, the masked horseman had been seen,
the outlaw band was on the move, wending
their way from their encampment, where three
newly-made graves marked the last resting-
place of their friends whose end had been so
strangely brought about.

Placing himself at the head of his men. Dante
led the way while. in single file, and looking like
a huge serpent, came his followers, upon whose
faces there rested an anxious look, as if dread-
ing another death-shot from the hidden coverts
of the forest.

 

CHAPTER III.
1' n E w A R N 1 N G .
‘ WHEN the masked horseman fired the shot
into the valley, and sent the spirit of Red La
Roche to its last account. he indifferently gazed
upon the scene of excitement he had caused, and
coollv reloaded his rifle.

“ That shot is the beginning of the end; thank
God, I was just in time to save that boy. Now
let them know that the Avenger is upon their
trail.”

H0 saying, in firm, deep tones, he wheeled and
galloped away, just as the furious outlaws
reached the base of the hill whence he had fired
the fatal shot.

Riding rapidly for a few moments, he came to
the rocky bed of a small rivulet, into which he
urged his horse without hesitation, and was soon
concealed from view by the dense foliage that
everywhere sheltered his retreat. ,

 

Around him he heard the loud cries of his pun-
siiers, but in security he remained quietly rest~
ing, though with his trusty rifle ready to visit
death upon the first curious facethat might peer
into his hiding-place.

None, however, tracked him there, and dark-
ness coming on, he once more ventured forth,
but with exceeding caution—a caution which
seemed to be entered into, also, by the intelli-
gent and faithful steed, for each step over the
hillside was taken lightly, as if in fear of strilb
ing with his iron shoe some loose stone. .

(lowly and in a foreboding silence, the home '
man crept nearer and nearer to the outlaw
camp, his way guided by the blazing tires which
exhibited to him the erect and powerful form of
the Indian sentinel, guarding the approach to
the valley encampment.

Making a detour toward the river, he avoided

the sentinel, and entering the outer line of the
guards, directed his course, with the same cau—
tious step, toward the ruddy blaze, around
which sat the chief and his immediate friends.
0 “It is a great risk, but I Will take it," inure
inured the horseman. as he drew rein within a
hundred yards of the camp-fire, and slowly
raised his rifle.

The flash, the report, and Senor Morganza.
was a dead man.

Gathering his reins well in hand, the horseman
darted away in a different direction from the
one he had come, and directly in the path of the
sentinel, who, seeing him approach from the
camp, knew not whether to fire or not. .

Observing that the dark forms of horse and
rider were sweeping riapidly down uponJiim, he
essayed to raise his ri e and challenge; but too
late. A derisive laugh answered him, while the ,
sharp spear-head pierced his bronzed breast, and
tore from it the life that the moment before had
thi'obbed there.

“Three! This is fearful; and yet I must be ‘
merciless—I must let death haunt their trail un-
til I am avenged," muttered the stranger, and
he urged his horse forward at a. pace that left all
pursuit far behind.

“ The plan'of Dante I now understand; he is y
en route to intercept and pilla esome wagon- »
train of traders on the Santa e trail, and I
muss ,c’ircumvent him. On, Arab—on, my good
stee . ‘

Awa flew horse and rider, over hill and-
throug dale, until miles lay between them and
the outlaw encampment. when, coming to a halt
beneath the sheltering branches of a urge tree,
the masked stranger threw himself upon the
greensward to rest, leaving his splendid animal
to feed upon the. rich grass around him.

While the Masked Avon er is she ing ofl the.,  -

fatigues of the day, 1 wil transpor the reader _
to a spot some thirty miles distant from there
and present him with other characters destined
totijday a conspicuous part in this story. '
pen the banks of a small stream. the morn-
ing following the death-shots of the Masked
Avenger into the midst of the robber band. a
party of traders were breaking up their bivounc, _
and preparing to set forth on their day‘s jcur-
ne . , ,
X11 was hustle and confusion, seemingly,iu
thieneanipment; but soon order came out of

 

 
 

4a..

, ,w .

Ed

The Masked Avenger.

 

chaos, and the long line of wagons commenced
their march, while a band of mounted men
headed the train.

This train was composed of the wagons be-
longing to the Santa Fe traders, a class of wild,
jovial and brave fellows, generous to a fault,
who are also equally as well known as the
“ Prairie-men "—an appellation they much pre-
fer to the ordinary name of trader.

Also in the train were a number of emigrants,
following the “ star of empire,” from the marts
of civilization to the far frontier, and right glad
were they to be able to en'oy the company of
the traders in their westwar march.

By sunrise the train was moving slowly along,
and heading across a seemingly limitless prairie,
for miles and miles of rolling hills spread before
them, almost unbroken in the broad expanse.

In a rear we on of the train, and seated by an
elderly man, w 0 held the reins was a maiden
of apparently fifteen. with a slig it and graceful
form, rapidly maturing into womanhood, while
her face, shaded by a mass of gold-brown curls,
was one of remarkable beauty. '

The eyes were violet-blue, but the dark and
long ringes of the eyelids made them appear
almos black, while the features, though brown-
ed by the exposure on the march, were almost
perfect in their regularity.

Reclining at ease, upon a bed of blankets in
the wagon, was an elderly lady, evidently in ill
health, for a. tired look rested upon the pale and
care-worn face, still handsome, although her

‘ , span of years numbered fifty.

The look of perfect refinement resting upon
the woman’s face, proved she was out of place
there in the prairies of the far Southwest, and
told plainly that some misfortune had driven
.. herself and kindred away from their fireside
and civilized existence.

Of the rty nothing was known by members
of the train, other than that, a few weeks before,
\ there had driven up to the traders’ encampment
two wagons, containing five persons, the first,
Osmund Gerard, as he called himself, his wife,

_ and their granddaughter, Edith Lynes, the
maiden of fifteen.

The other wagon held the baggage of the
paflrty and two servants, a negro man and his
w e.

Osmund Gerard had asked to accompany the
train West, and his gentlemanly demeanor. with
the lady-like appearance of his wife and Edith,

, soon won them riends among the traders.

The captain of the Prairie-men was a hand—
some, dare-devil fellow of thirty—a man of su-
perior abilities, and who had received the ad-
vantages of a collegiate education. but his was
a roving nature, and as soon ashe became of
age, he had roamed away from his home in New
England to become a trader in the Southwest.

Answering to the name of 'Will Edgerton, he
was seen better known among his confreres as
‘.‘ Wild Will," for no mad scene of revs-l, daring
attack or desperate fray was complete unless
sin-ton was the leader.

T usit was that he soon became an acknowl-
edged leader, for though his follies were numer-
ous, his virtues kept pace with them, and a bet-
ter friend, a more generous foe, or nobler fellow
was not known than Wild Will Edgerton.

, ,

 

Bronzed by long exposure to Southern suns,
winds and rains. free and easy but ever polite
in manner, and possessing a handsome face,
with graceful, commanding form, Wild Will
soon won hosts of friends, and Osmund Gerard
and his wife, with Edith, felt at once drawn
toward him, after his cordial welcome of them
to the hospitalities of his encampment. _

It was frequently the custom of Captain Edg-
erton, who was the commander of the train, to
fall back as the wagons moved on in their march,
and, riding by the side of the vehicle of Osmnnd
Gerard, indulge for hours in a pleasant chat
with the occupants.

Thus was he engaged the morning when the
train is first presented to the reader, and in lis-
tening to his pleasant conversation the hours
were passing by unheeded by his hearers, when
an exclamation from Clay, the negro who drove
the other wagon belonging to Mr. Gerard, caused
all to turn their heads.

“What is it, Clay?” asked Captain Edger-
fig], suddenly wheeling his horse to the right-
a out. ‘

" See!" simply said the negro, and he pointed
far off across the prairie to where a sin le horse-
man could be seen coming on after t em in a
long sweeping gallop.

“ ho can it be?” said Wild Will, in a puzzled
tone, as be lowered the glass from his eyes after
a long and steady look.

:j‘Some scout, perhaps,” suggested Mr. Ger-
ar .

“No; my scouts are all in advance, and I
know neither the horse nor rider coming yon-
der; but let us move on, for he will soon ever-
take us.”

And once again the wagons, which had mo-
mentarily halted, were on the march.

Half an hour more, and the strange orsemnn
drew rein beside the wagon of Osmum Gerard,
and turning toward Wild Will, asked in deep,
stern tones:

“ Who commands this train?”

It was the Masked Avenger, and so struck
were all at his remarkable appearance that for
a moment no answer was returned, and the
question was repeated.

“Pardon me, sir; I do. It is not often we see
a man in masquerading costume upon the
prairies, and your appearance startled me. How
can I serve you?”

And Wild Will politely raised his broad som-
brero. while he kept his piercing eyes riveted
upon the mask that hid the face of the strange
man before him.

“ You cannot serve me, sir, but yourself.
Are you prepared to resist attack?" answered
the stranger.

“We are Prairie-men, Sir Unknown, and
hence ready and willing to meet our foes. ”

“ I am glad of it, for I have cometowarn

on.”

“ Of what?” _

“Dante, the guerrilla chief. and his band,
over a hundred strong. are on your trail.”

“ Hal How know you this?”

“ it” matters not; I simply tell you the

t .

“I thank you for our information: but I
would know who it is hat I am to thank,” and

 
    
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
 
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
   

 

       
       
     
 

     

 

   
  
 
  

  
  

 

The Masked Avenger.

 



 

Wild Will bowed low before the strange horse-
man.

“If you ever hear of the Masked Avenger
then you will know that it was he who warned
you to—day; other than that I cannot tell you
for both to friend and foe i must be masked,’l
answered the stranger, politely but with firm-

ess.

“ Be it so; I seek not to penetrate your mask;
but will you not share t e hospitality of our
bivouac to—ni ht?—for ere long we will camp.”

“ Thanks; §inust decline your kindness. Last
night the guerrillas camped in the river fork,
some thirty miles from here. Adios.”

Wheeling his horse suddenly and touching his
sombrero, as a partin salute to Mrs. Gerard
and Edith, the niaske stran rer dashed awa
across the prairie. leaving ild Will and his
coni anions thoroughly surprised by his re-
mar able appearance and incomprehensible con-
duct.

 

CHAPTER 1V.
DANTE ON THE FORAY.
As the last rays of the setting sun fell across
the prairie, it pierced the green foliage of an
oasis, an evergreen island, as it were, in the

.mfdst of the rolling waves of een rass, the

Mecca of many travelers upon t e plains of the
Southwest.

Within this cool resting-place the train of the
Prairie-men was cncainpcd, and as darkness set-
tled down upon the earth, the bright fires shone
more bri htly, and their ruddy glare spread far
out over he trackless prairie, a beacon to either
friend or foe. .

Soon all was prepared for the night; double
guards were set, and scouts had been sent forth,
for Wild Will, though reckless in the extreme of
his personal safety, was ever most careful to
protect the lives of those under his command,
and the warning received from the Masked
Avenger was not for otten by him.

Around an isolate camp-fire were gathered
the small circle of Osmund Gerard and family,
and shortly after dark Wild Will joined them,
and, as was their wont of late on pleasant even-
ings, he and Edith sung duets together, the rich
tenor, and full though girlish contralto, chiming
most musically together, seconded by the low
accom animent of the maiden’s guitar.

As the night were on, all became quiet in the
camp; for. one by one, the travelers had sought
repose, well knowing that a hard day’s work lay
before them in dreary miles of journeying on
the marrow.

Long ere midnight it was quiet in the bivouac,
land excepting a few wakeful ones and the
guards, all were sleepin soundly, happy in
their dreams and unmin ful that danger was
near—a danger that threatened their peacoful
repose with a rude awakening; for 96, yet'miles
.away, upon the prairie, a loug,_ominous line of
horsemen were slowly and cautiously approach-
ing the encampment, guided by the stil flicker-
ing embers of the camp-fires. _

Unable to sleep, for a strange foreboding of
coming evil had haunted him since his meeting
with the Masked Aven er, Captain Edgerton
had after bidding g might to the guards,
‘w ted forth alone upon the prairie, and unlieed-

l

 

ing distance, was suddenly brought to conscious-
ness of his danger by discovering, clearly re-
lieved against the horizon, the form of a. horse-
man coming toward him. .

To conceal himself was impossible, and he at
once prepared to meet friend or fee, when, as
quick as a flash of light, the stranger was upon
him. and in decilitones said:

“Hold, sirl aiso your arm and you are a
dead man i” 

“Hal the masked unknown. You here?” ex-
claimed Wild Will, recognizing his strange coni-
panion of the morning.

“ What? "l‘is you, Captain Edgerton, and
alone?” '

_ “Yes, I strolled from the camp, and behold-
ing you alone recalled the distance I had come.”

“ ‘hcn mount behindme at once. Quickl for
see, yonder crawls a serpent upon your cam 1"

And the Masked Avenger pointed behind im
to where a long, dark mass of moving forms
were discernible coming across the prairie. .

Wild VVi'll hesitated a moment, and his com-
panion continued:

“ I feared you had failed to take my warning,
so was on my way to your camp to place you on

our guard. Quick! See, we are discovered;
et us away.” -

Captain Edgerton needed no second urging,
but hastily sprung up behind the Masked
Avenger, who gave a word of encouragementto
his noble horse and away he flow across the
prairie, followe by a. hundred fleet racers,
whose riders were urging on their steeds at the
tog of their speed.

cemingly unmindful of the double weight he
carried, Arab sped onward at along, sweeping
gallop, and, wit out urging; held his pursuers at
a sa e distance behind im, while his pace
brought the green island encampment nearer
and nearer. '

“ You have a noble horse, senor. Such a one
I never saw before,” said Wild Will struck
with the remarkable power and speed of, the an-
ima . .

“ He is a noble fellow, as ylctiu say, Captain
Edgerton, and has saved my ' 9 often in the
desert; but, here you are, near your camp, and
I will leave you now.”

“B no means; come within the camp—”

“ T ank you, no. Should you need aid; rest
assured I will not hang back. Your men are on
the alert, I see. Adios.”

And Wild Will having sprung to the amid
the strange horseman wheeled sudden y an
dashed away like an arrow in the opposite direc-
tion from which the outlaws were approaching.

Captain Edgerton had no time to think over
the strange conduct of his companion, for the
yelling demons were but a few hundred yards
distant, rushing upon the camp with terrific
speed, and threatening instant destruction to all
before them; so, after a lance in the direction
in which the Avenger ha ' peared, and an-
other toward his enemies, he started at a rapid
run, and was now safe within his own lines.

“ Every man to his post! Aim well and fire,
for Dante’s demons are upon you!” he. cried, in
ringing tones; and with awild cheer the traders,
teamsters, scouts and emigrants. one and. all,
rushed to the/nearest places of defense. ' ' ‘ ‘

v

  

3 The Masked Avenger.

 

The outlaws had, in the mean time, drawn
rein {Just out of rifle range, and finding that
they ad been discovered, were discussing the
best means of attack.

“The are prepared to resist us, that’s cer-
tain. ell, let us to work, and mind you, men,
1 will not be balked in the capture of this train.
Where is Balfour i”

“ Here I am. What would you?” and the
young lieutenant rode up.

“ I would have you take the mountaineers and
scouts and move on yonder encam ment. Let
Texas Dave lead the Indians, and will follow
with the remainder of the band, and the attack
will come from three quarters.”

“ All right, sirl" And Ford Balfour instantly
assembled his men, and, making a circuit of half
a mile, rodeto the] t, while Texas Dave led
the Indians belon 'na ~to the hand around to
the right, and a1 awaited the signal of the
chief.

Soon it came, the clear, piercing notes of a
bugle sounding a charge- and away sped the
whirlwind of horsemen, ye 'ng in defiance their
battle-cries down upon the bivouac of traders.

suddenly a line of fire flashed from the dark
cove of the woods; a rattling volley of rifles
fbllo ed, and many a bold rider sunk to the
ground, dead dying and crushed beneath his
gwounded or slain charger.

“ Use your pistols, men, and when they fail,
take our knives!” shouted Wild Will, in a
voice card above the clash of combat.

“ Cut down all of them—dead men 'tell no
tales,” cried the outlaw chief, in tones that
proved he intended his order should be obeyed.

Then wa ed the combat fierce and deadly,
the clash o knives mingling with the rattle of

rms. and the groans of wounded, and death-
shriek of agony chiming with the cry of tri-
um h and shout of encouragement.
inutes flew b , and still the fight continued,
\ for the outlaws ad gained the outskirts of the
woods, and had. by desperate courage, driven
the traders to the protectiOn of their wagons,
which had been placed in a circle, and formed a
good breastwork, behind which their owners
could fight, and at the same time be partially
protects

The outlaws had dismounted, upon gaining
the cover of the woods, and were protecting
themselves behind trees, and, in obedience to
their chief's order, were ruthlessly pouring in a
terrible fire upon the encamped traders, re ard-
less of the presence of the women and chil ren,
which mig t fall beneath their aim, and. thou h
his own numbers were about equal to the attac -
ing party, and they had the advantage of posi-
tion, Captain Edgerton felt that the result of
the combat was decidedly doubtful, for many of
his men had never been upon the plains before,
and were unused to warfare of that kind.

“Set fire to one of those we nns; let us have
light!” cried the stern tones of ante. as a bold

_ charge of a few men under Ford Balfour took

on of a part of the train.

Immediame the order was obeyed, and the
bright gleams from the burning wagon lit up
the scene like noonday. ~

‘ “ Form here, men, and I’ll lead you
into their midst,” again called out the chief, and

'3“:

 

immediately the ringing voice of Edgerton an-
swered him:

“ Come on, you prairie thieves.”

A yell from both sides coniminglerl, and then,
above the sound of combat and confusion, arose
a wild, prolon ed war-whoop, a battle-cry that
rcverberated t rough every arch of the grove,
and was wafted far off over the prairie.

Instantly all was for the moment hushed by
the fearful yell, each party amazed at its sud-
denness and intensity, and then, into the broad
glare of the light dashed a single horseman.

It was the Masked Avenger, mounted upon his
superb horse, his repeating-rifle held to his shoul-
der and pouring forth its deadly fire upon the
outlaw hand.

Each shot brought down a foe, and, so sudden
and rapid had been the fire, that the outlaws had

raised no arm against their bold enem , until ,

the rifle being uplifted was thrown asi e, and,
with a revolver in either hand, the daring ho: sc-
man again gave his defiant war-cry, and dashed
into the midst of the renegadcs.

Struck dumb with amazement, and their su-
gerstitious minds causing them to believe him a

eing not of the earth earthy, many of the out-
laws gave back in confusion and dismay, and
seeing this, Wild Will called to men to follow,
and in one grand charge rushed upon them with
yells of triumph. ’

In vain did Dante Ford Balfour, and Texas
Dave strive to rally t eir men. They were seiz-
ed with a panic, and fled, pursued by the masked
horseman. and leaving their chief and young
lieutenant in the hands of Wild Will, who, by a
daring charge, had surrounded and taken them
prisoners.

In vain was the gallant resistance made by
the two outlaw leaders; they were overpowered,
bound, and led away, Ca tain Edgerton, with
the greatest difliculty, savmg their lives from his
infuriated men.

“Mr. Gerard, please aid me in getting things
to rights, for, thank God, the field is ours,” said
Wild Will to Osmund Gerard, who at that mo-
ment approached, a revolver in either hand.

“ Assuredly I will: but it has been a hard-
fou ht battle,” answered Mr. Gerard.

“ ndeed it has, and only saved to us b the
unexpected arrival and fearless courage 0 that
masked stranger. I would give my right hand
to know who the man is.”

“ Whither has he gone?”

“ Ofl’, like an avenging angel, on the trail of
the outlaws: but Gerard, now see that the ris-
oners and wounded are looked after, while col—
lect my scattered forces,” and Captain Edgerton
at once set about placing his camp in order
again, for in the loss of both men and horseshe
had suffered severely.

CHAPTER V.
AFTER THE COMBAT.

WHEN Dante and Ford Balfour were taken
captive, they were led away to a thick part of
the grove, just bordering on the edge of the
prairie, and there placed under a guard of two
men.

Hearing that the outlaw leaders were both
wounded, Osmund Gerand and Wild Will, after
getting the camp to rights, and looking after the

 

. ___w ,_ ‘w‘...u—._... -. . A
it»

 

. A“ “A...”

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The Masked Avenger. 9

 

dead and dying, had sought the presence of the
noted chief and his lieutenant.

“ You are wounded, I believe, so I have come
with my friend here, who is a. physician, to see
if we can aid you,” said Captain Edgerton, ap-
proaching Dante.

“We both rcceivod scratches; but I am my-
self skilled as a surgeon and have dressed our
wounds—oh! God in Heaven! you here i)”

The outlaw chief had arisen upon the approach
of his visitors, and had replied to the remark of
Captain Edgerton, in a stern and haughty man-
ner; but, suddenly letting his eyes rest upon 05-
mund Gerard, ho had staggered buck, clutching
at the air with his hands, and iving vent to the
startling cry that so surprised is hearers.

With a bound Osmund Gerard stood before
the noted chief; his eyes read in the face before
him some bitter memory of the past, and he,
too, would have fallen had not the strong arm
of Captain Edgerton supported him.

“ You are known to each other, than?” half
inquired the prairie captain, as he looked first at
the white, hard face of Dante, now calm and
unmoved once more, after his sudden outbreak,
and tho frightened, grief-stricken countenance
of Osmund Gerard, who stood near, trembling
like a startled child.

From them the eyes of Wild Will turned upon
Ford Balfour, as if for a solution of the mys-
tery, but the young lieutenant was seated upon
a log, his face buried in his hands, as if to shield
it from recognition, and, still more mystified,
Captain Edgerton stood in silence awaiting the
dcnouement of the strange scene.

“ You here? you, Dante, the famous guerrilla
chief?

“Oh, God! this blow is mightier than I can
bear!" and the eyes of Osmund Gerard again
road the face of the outlaw leader, who pale as
death, was otherwise unmoved, as with folded
arms and easy, graceful attitude he stood before
the man Whose presence had so strangely affected
both of them.

“ Come, Captain Edgerton, let me o away;
but yet, one question let me ask t is Cain-
accursed man. Tell me, you whom all present
know as Dante, the outlaw chief, tell me, where
is—is—is thy wife?”

“ That I would ask of you, old man. I know
nothing of the woman.”

“ You lie! in your teeth you lie! She is dead,
and you are her murderer.”

Dante turned still more livid; his eyes burned
with a brightness that was remarkable, and his
fingers moved nervously; but as if determined
to show no rage, he said, uietly:

“ You are an old man, smund Gerard, and I
am a prisoner, hence your insults must remain
unheeded.”

“ Come. Mr. Gerard, let us leave them,” said
Wild Will, pityin the great distress of his
friend, and gently rawing him away from the
s t.

pgsmund Gerard made no resistance, but said,
earnestly:

“ My friend, you can never understand what
a torrent of bitter memories rush over me at
sight of that man. Some time I may tell you
all; but not now, not now, for I could not bear

to repeat it.

 

“M poor wife, my oor Edith! 17m;th
never now whom you er ave conceals. Am
I excited. am I myself ? for would not in man.
nor should betray to them the agon feel;”
and, by a powerful effort, he drove rom him
the outward show of sorrow that had fallen
upon him, and acoompgnied by Wild Will,
sought the spot where rs. Gerard and Edith
Lynes had been hidden during the combat. _

Both ladies welcomed the prairie captain and
Mr. Gerard, and when they learned that the
chief had been Secured, together with his lieu-
tenant, asked what was to be done with them?

“ Death must be their rtion, together with
half a dozen of their ban who are also risen-
ers; but it is time now you retired; the anger
is over, and I would adVISe you to sleep late in
the morning, as 1 will not resume our march for
several days;” and rising, Wild Will left his
friends alone. Giving a few orders to the
guards, he sought the rest he so much needed,
for it yet lacked two hours to daybreak' and,
still wonderin over the meeting between Dante
and Osmund erard, and thinking of the m s-
terious man who had so strangely warned h
of do nger, come to his aid at such an opportune
moment, and then had gone 011’ in hot ursuit
of the flying outlaws, he dropped to seep to
dream over and over again of the Masked
Avenger.

In the mean time the object of his thougeiits
after the stam e of the outlaws, had, as ild
Will remarke , followed upon their heels like
an avenging angel. ’

His fleet horse overhauled steed after steed in _
their wild flight across the rairie, and one by '
one their riders fellbeneath he unerring aim of
the Avenger.

At length Texas Dave, finding it impossible to'
rally his men, turned to confront the dread foo
upon his track, and met face to face the bold
horseman.

The scout was a. brave man, and one well
skilled in the use of fire-arms, but. as he saw the
daring stranger rushing upon him, and raised
his pistol to fire, a certain unsteadine of nerve
destro ed his aim, the bullet missed its mark,
and t a next moment the sharp lance of the
Avenger caught in the thickdeathern belt of
Texas Dave and bore him bodily from the sad-
dle to the ound. _ '

“Don’t ill a fellow when he‘s down!” cried
the scout, as, pinning him to the earth with his
lance, the horseman drew his revolver as if to
fire 11 n him. - _

“ rue; I should not kill a foe when wholly in,
my power. Are you hurt?” and the masked man
drew away his keen lance.

“ Bumped a little, and badly scared, besides
bein' stirred up'considerable in the stomach:
yet no harm done to speak of," remarked the
scout, risin to his feet and ad 'usting his
clothes, whie in the uncertain lig t he nar-
Eowly eyed the strange horse and rider before

im. ‘ ,

“Your band, met with. a terrible defeat. _
Did your chief escape?” asked the black horse-
man. '

“Yes, we got licked bad that’s a fact; but
the boys thought on was the devil, and away
they went. They had heard 01' you store, 

 

 
 

     
  
  
   
  
 
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
    
   
    
    
 
  
   
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
   
   
   
 

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10

 

The Masked Avenger.

  

 

know,” answered Texas Dave, with slight humor
in his tones.

“ Yes, and you’ll find that I’ll haunt your
band night and day. Wherever you go, you’ll
find death on your trail,” replied the Avenger,
in a voice trembling with some internal emo-

ion. '
“ But tell me,” he added, in his natural voice,
“ whither went your chief l”

“ He didn’t went, for the Prairie-men got him
and the young lieutenant.”

“ Hal Killed or taken prisoners, were they?"

“I see’d ’em surrounded, and so I cut loose
on my own book. I don’t think they was
killed.”

“ Then they must be looked to. Here—there
is said to be honor even among thieves so I’ll
risk the truth of the adage upon you. Yonder
is your horse—mount and follow me. Would
you be of service to your chief ’l”

“You bet; I’d serve him now and forever-
more, amen! But what you wish to give him a
good turn for, I can’t see.”

And so sa ing, Texas Dave called to his horse,
tightened t e saddle-girths, and rode on after
the mysterious man who had taken him captive,
while at the same time he was cogitating in his
mind the strange circumstances that had come
about, and so disastrously ended in the total
defeat of the outlaw band and his own strange
position.

 

CHAPTER VI.
a STRANGE PROCEEDING.

TEE three miles that the Masked Avenger had
ridden in chase of the outlaws were slowly re-
traced on his return to the traders’ encampment,
findriln half an hour the hum of voices could be

I 93. .

“Here we will halt for a while: but I wish
that we should understand each other more
fully,” and the stranger turned to Texas Dave,

‘ who made no reply.

“In yonder grove lie your chief and his lieu-

tenant, and well you know the morrow, now but

\ three hours distant, will see their execution; for,
if on know aught of Wild Will Edgerton, you
wi I feel that he will show neither Dante nor
Ford Balfour mercy.”

“ That’s Gospel, stranger. Wild Will owes
the chief more than one grudge for attacking his
caravan and he’ll make short work of him,” re-
turned the scout.

“For that reason, I wish to save both Dante
and his lieutenant. My reason for so doing is
nothing to you; but if you desire to aid your
officers, you must do as I bid you.”

“You bet I’ll go the full hog, if it’s to get the
chief and the lad from the clutches of the prairie-
men ” answered Texas Dave, with decision.

“ ell, Texas Dave—”

“Hold on a bit; how is it you know me?” in-
terrupted the scout, in surprise at finding he was
known" to the Masked Avenger.

“ I know each and every man in our band,
down to Senor Morganza, whom slew last
night, and Senor Alvez, who will yet fall under

ven nee,” almost fiercely exclaimed the
ked ven er. *
“ akin me, i I don’t believe you do; but what

,

 

was you going to say, when your calling my
name took me aback?”

The Avenger hesitated a moment, and then
quickly said:

“ My intention is to enter the encampment
yonder, release the chief and his lieutenant, and
then come here to join you.

“ In the mean time, you ride over there and
secure two of the best of those horses you see
feeding in the gully, and return to this spot.”

“ I’ll do it in a jiffy. How long before you get
back, stranger?”

“That depends upon circumstances. I will
return as soon as possible. ”

The masked man then rode on in the direction
of the camp, and in a short while came beneath
the shadow of the woods, and at a point which
he had discovered, earlier in the evening, was
not very securely guarded.

Dismounting from his horse, he gave him an
order in a low tone, and the faithful animal im-
mediately dropped to the ground and lay per-
fectly quiet.

“ Now, my brave Arab, I’ll leave you for
awhile,” murmured the strange man; and he im-
mediately started through the dense woods, with
a slow and cautious step.

Hardly had he advanced more than half a
hundred ards when he discovered a form pass
between imself and the distant light of the dy-

ing fire.

‘I must not slay him, and yet Dante must be
saved; his‘time to die has not yet come. Ha! I
have it, I had forgotten my New Zealand expe-
rience in the boomerang.”

Returning uickly to where he had left his
steed, the Ma ed Avenger took from the saddle
several of the peculiar weapons of war already
described to the reader, and known as the boom-
erang.

Retracin his steps, he soon came in sight of
the sentine again, and observiu the impossibil-
ity of getting nearer to him wit out discovery,
he assumed an upright position| took the cres-
cent-shaped weapon in his hand, and measuring
with his eye .the distance, hurled it suddenly
through the air.

There was a whizzing sound, like a bird flyin
low, a thud, a half-stifled cry, and the sentine
sunk to the ground, breathless, for the boome-
rang had struck him fairly in the breast.

“ He‘s not hurt, and will soon recover. Now
to work!” muttered the Masked Avenger, and he
soon gagged and bound the guard, and once more
started forward toward the encampment.

Closely reconnoitering, he soon discovered the
denser portion of the grove where the prisoners
were secured, and muttering to himself, “ I’ll do
it,” he boldly walked to the spot.

The guard over the prisoners, recognizing him
as the man who had so nobl come to their aid,
and having heard that he ad been the one to
first warn the traders of the approach of the out-
laws, was at a loss how to act, when suddenly
stepping forward, the Masked Avenger placed
one hand over his mouth, seized him in his arms,
and with a power that was irresistible, bent him
to the earth.

“ I would not slay on, but move one inch
and your life shall be t e forfeit.” he whispered,
in a low tone, and, frightened almoat to death

A

 

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The Masked Avenger. 11

 

by his strange situation, the poor guard begged
for his life. ‘

In a moment he was securely bound and
gagged, and the next instant the Masked

venger stood in the presence of Dante and
Ford Balfour.

“ Well, what would you?” exclaimed the
chief, with a start of surprise, as he recognized
the man before him as the Masked Avenger, and
greaded that he had come thither to assassmate

1m.

“I would release you. Come, hold up your
hands and I will sever the bonds of yourself and
lieutenants."

“ And why? This is unexpected kindness—”

“ Ask no questions: to-morrow you will die, if
daylight finds you here. I have secured the
guards. Come. ’

The chief arose to his feet, his bonds were
severed, as were those also of Ford Balfour, and,
quickly withdrawing from the spot, ast the
bound and recumbent form of the sentinel, the
Masked Avenger led the way through the dense
wood to where the'first guard had been secured.

“You have recovered, I see. I am sorry to
treat you thus, but it could notbe helped; do
you suffer?" and the Masked Avenger knelt be—
side the prostrate man and removed the gag
from his mouth.

“ No; I was knocked down, and—”

“Never mind; promise you will remain here
without giving any alarm until you hear a
whistle out upon the prairie, and I’ll release

on.”

“ Oh, yes, I’ll promise, on] let me go,” said
the trader, who was unnervc by hisstrange po-
sition and the presence of the remarkable man
before him.

“ Ver well; when you hear the signal. then

0 to a tain Edgerton and tell him that the

asked Avenger released two of his prisoners
who were condemned to die on the morrow.
Mind you, remain here until you hear the sig-
nal, or it may be the worso for you,” and so say-
ing, the Masked Avenger again led the way, fol-
lowed by his two companions, and soon arrived
at the spot where he had left his faithful steed.

“Come, Arab,” he simply said, as he passed
by, and rising to his feet, the noble horse fol-
lowed behind his strange master.

Out upon the prairie, carefully and cautiously
leading the way, the Masked Avenger led on,
until soon in the darkness forms could be indis-
tinctly seen ahead, and a moment after the
party halted beside a horseman, whom the chief
recognizing. at once sprung forward and greeted
with the exclamation: -

“ Texas Dave, as I live i”

“ It‘s me, but no thanks to me that you are
loose again; this peculiar stranger has done it
all,” returned the scout.

“ Yes: he is certainly the most friendly enemy
I ever met.”

“ Dante, you and your lieutenant are now free
to go; the scout has secured horses for you, and
will lead the way, so I advise you to be pit, and
at once, for I am about to give the Signal of
your escape.” I

“ You are a most remarkable and incompre-
hensib’le one. Would that I knew more of
you—-

 

“ Therein you will not be disappointed, chief;
but away!” and placing his hand to his lips, the
Masked Avenger gave one long, shrill whistle,
and, springing into his saddle, darted away
across the prairie.

“ Quick, chief! Hurry up, lad! Let us get
away from here,” cried the scout, as the Masked
Avenger disappeared in the darkness, and, need-
ing no second ur 'ng, Dante and Ford Balfour
hastily mounted t e horses Texas Dave had so-
oured for them, and away the three dashed over
the rolling prairie, anxious to placo as many
miles as possible between themselves and the

.traders’ encampment ere day. And none too ‘

soon, for the winding notes of a bugle, coming
from the camp, proved that the Prairiemen
were on the alert. ' ’

CHAPTER VII.
AN ENCOUNTER.

WHEN the Masked Avenger left Dante and
his companions he set off at arapid gallop across
the prairie, and did not draw rein until long
after sunrise, when he came to a clump of some ,
dozen trees, in the cool shade of which bubbled
the clear waters of a tiny spring.

“Well, Arab, old fellow, here we both can
rest, and sadly do we need it,” said the Masked
Avenger, as he threw himself from his horse
and hastily took from him his saddle and ac-
cautemients.

Feeding and watering the tired animal the
masked man then, before seeking rest for im-
self, gave the steed a good rubbing down, after
which he set about cooking his own fru a1
breakfast, which consisted of ‘erked .buffa 0—
meat, broiled on the coals, an a tin can of
steaming coffee. ~

Ere he sat down to his meal, the Avenger took
from his saddle—pouch an opera-glass and care-
fully swept the entire prairie horizon, and mur-
muring to himself:

“No, there can be no danger for hours,” he
unfastened the clusps that held the steel mask
upon his face, and threw it, with his broad som-
brero, to the ground.

It was a. strange, dark face that was revealed
—for each feature was perfect in its molding, the ,
complexion browned by exposure, the hair black,
as was also the mustache and gcatee, both worn ,
long, and giving a decided expression to the
handsome, and peculiarly striking countenance.’

In the eyes rested a look that was hard to
fathom, an expression as though bygone bitter
memories haunted them with hantom images,
a wild fire brightening and dar ening them each
instant, and almost tinging the long, sweeping,
womanly lashes with light. .

It was a face to love, a face to fear! possess—
inggreat beauty, but marred by its capability
to transformed into a devil‘s, should the pas—
sion of the man be aroused! and yet, hovering
around the shapely, decided mouth, was a look
of mingled bitterness and sadness, as though a
struggle was going on between a prayer and a
curse for the mastery. \ ‘

An instant he stood like a statqengazing far
off over the prairie, and then, stifling back a
sigh that arose to his lips, a, cruel light flashed
over his face, and a gloom ovempread it, w ~
causad him to look, for the moment, as / ‘

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The Masked. Avenger.

 

 

forty instead of thirty years had been his exist-
ence.

After a hearty meal the Avenger threw him-
self 11 n his sera e, and in a moment was in a
deep . cap, from w ‘ch he did not awake until,
hours after, his horse gave a low neigh.

In an instant his master was upon his feet,
and glancing out over the prairie, now tinged
with a golden light from the setting sun, he dis—
covered a small train about a mile distant, com—
ing directly toward the grove.

‘Halmy brave Arab, you have prevented
me from being caught napping," said the
Avenger, and hastily resuming his mask and
sombrero, he set about saddling his steed.

In less than five minutes he was in his saddle,
and once more turned his gaze upon the ap-

roaching train, which consisted of half a dozen
arge wagons, a. traveling carriage, and a dozen
mounted persons.

, Arriving within a few hundred yards of tho
Chaparral, two men rode forward on horseback,
as if to reconnoiter, ere they approached too
near to the wood, and in one of them the Masked
Avenger recognized Senor Alvez, the Mexican
ranchero, whom the reader will remember as
being with Dante, with his companion Senor
Mor anza, who had fallen beneath the bullet of
the venger. The second horseman was an In-
dian chief. El Rio, who commanded the 'war—
riors belonging to the outlaw band.

“Aha! my Worthies, you are bent on mis—
chief!” muttered the masked man, and, shaking
his bridle—rein, he darted like a hawk from the
covert of the w /

True to his Indian nature, E1 Rio gave the

war-whoop of his tribe when he caught sight of
his enemy, and called to Senor Alvcz to follow
ashe spurred forward to meet his fee; but, see-
ing that the Mexican had sought safety in flight
back to the train, the Indian dreaded to alone
meet theahorseinan rushing u on him, so, wheel-
ino’ his horse, he also took to is heels.
’I‘he Avenger pressed on rapidly and each
moment brought him nearer and nearer to the
wagon train, behind whose shelter the fugitives
sought safety.

In the mean time, the train had come to a
halt and rapidly placed itself upon the defensive;
but, obserwng that but one man had come from
the Chaparral, the leader called to his men not
to fire, and the next instant the Avenger dashed
into their midst, his long lance in rest, and his
reins well in hand.

Rapidly El Rio and the Mexican discharged
their rifles at their bold pursuer, but unhurt he
came on, and the next moment his glittering
lance would have ierced the heart of Senor
Alvez, when a. lou cry, in a woman’s voice,
caused the Avenger to raise his weapon.

“You will not kill himl You will spare
himl” cried, a full, rich voice, and, turning
quickly, the Masked Avenger beheld by his
Slde a maiden of eighteen, dressed in a dark
gray riding-habit and hat, and mounted upon a
thoroughbred ‘steed.

A glance was sufficient to show him that she
was graceful in form and beautiful, and her
imploring look turned upon him .for mercy for
the Indian and Mexican, caused him to bow low
and say, quietly:

.

 

“Lady, I spare their lives at our request,
though two men less deserving o mercy never
lived."

“ Say you so, sir? I, myself did not like their
villainous faces, but, being without guides, we
Were compelled to take them,” and thus speak-
ing a gentleman of about fifty years of age,
well—armed and mounted, rode toward the mask-
edman.

“Your guides, sir? Why, only last night}

they were with their outlaw band in the attack
upon the wagon-train of the Prairie-men, and
with your permission I will dismiss them, as
this lady dislikes to be a witness to scenes of
bloodshed.”

“ My daughter did but carry out her woman’s
nature, sir, in begging for their lives. We are
fresh from civilization, and yet unused to the
wild scenes enacted upon the frontier,” returned
the elderly gentleman, and when he had ceased
speaking, the Avenger turned again to the In-
dian and Mexican, who had sat upon their
horses, quiet but interested listeners to the con-
versation regarding them.

“El Rio, and you, Senor Alvez, have both
escaped death to—day through the intercession
of this lady; but your days are numbered, and
I warn you of it. .

“New begoncl and remember that Death is
on your trail. Away with you!”

As he spoke the Avenger pointed across the
prairie With his lance, and needing no second
urging, they wheeled/ their horses and darted
away at their topmost speed.

Every member of the train had now gathered
around the stranger who had so mysteriously
come into their midst, and with curiosity and
admiration they were gazing upon him.

At length, a moment after the departure of
the Mexican and his ally, the same gentleman
who had before spoken said, pleasantly:

“We are certainly indebted to you for your
interference in our behalf' but, pardon me if I
ask to whom are we indebted for the service
rendered?" ‘

“I am known as the Masked Avenger. These
men flying away yonder belong to aband of
outlaws headed by the renowned chief, Dante.

"Against that band I have a hatred that
death alone satiates, and upon their trail I will
ever he found.”

The almost fierce manner of the stranger, his
tones of inward emotion, and the flash of his
dark eyes impressed his hearers in a remarkable
manner, for they felt that before them was a.
man who had suffered some great wrong, and
was in evenge bringing retaliation upon his foes.

His strange appearance, armament, and
mask, all impressed them, and caused them to
desire to know more of the man, to see beneath
the steel covering that hid the face from view.

As if remembering that it devolved upon him
to speak, the Masked Avenger, after a. pause,
continued:

“ I judge you are a party, sir, seeking homes
in our Western land.” ~

“We are, sir. I am accompanied by my
daughter and servants, and having a son who
has passed a. number of years in the wild lite of
the frontier I was anxious to discover him, are
we settled own."

a .fi"; var-r” “ "“vv‘xf—Fwn_

 

 

 

    

The Masked Avenger. 18

 

“ Perhaps I can aid you in—”

“ I do not doubt it; those devils, whom you so
suddenly dismissed, said my son was the com—
mander of a party of Prairie-men. His name is
William Edgerton.”

“Hal indeedl I have met him, and only a
few hours since; it was his encampment the out—
laws attacked last night.

“ Great God! tell me, was he hurt?”

“ He was not. The traders suifercd severely,
and are now cncamped some twenty miles dis—
taut, and there they will remain a few days to
row rate.”

“ hen We had best seek them there.”

“Not to—night. Your teams, I observe, need
rest, so you can encamp m yonder Chaparral,
and in the mornin I will guide you to the en-
campment; but, tel me, where did you fall in
with El Rio and the Mexican?”

“ We saw them first this morning, at our last
night’s encampment. They offered to uide
us to the river—banks, near here, where . had
decided to prospect for lands for a settlement."

“ They were leading you into a trap; but
come.”

The Masked Avenger then led the way to the
little grove, and soon tents were pitched, and all
was preparation for the evening meal, for the
negro servants, some twenty in number, were
not lone- in making all snug and comfortable for
the night.

Declining the invitation of Colonel Edgerton
to join them at supper, the Masked Avenger
mounted his horse and rode away, promising
that he would return as soon as he had taken a
gallop a few miles out upon the prairie.

Kate Edgerton was a girl of more than ordi-
nary beauty, and though fresh from boarding—
school, was accomplished and most womanly in
dis sition and character ,

he had returned to her home an old/farm-
house in New Hampshire, to find that her father
had taken the "emigration fever,” and was de-
termined to seek a new home in the for South-
west.

Being a girl of an adventurous spirit, and
having no strong ties to bind her to her old New
Hampshire home, other than her mother’s grave
down by the meadow brook, Kate had readil
acquiesced in her father’s views, and the resu t
was that, striking out for the Kansas border,
they there fully equipped themselves with good
servants and plenty of stores, and set forth upon
their westward march.

A secret feeling, a ho e, animated the hearts
of both father and dnug ter, and that was, that
in those western wilds they might hear of the
brag-absent son and brother. .

olonel Edgerton had dearly loved his noble
boy and Kate, as a irl of ten, remembered her
bi brother with pri o and pleasure.

fi‘he thought, then, that a few more hours
would bring them face to face with the Prodigal,
was a joy to both of them, and together, around
the blazing camp—fire, father and dau hter talked
over the joyful meeting and longed or the mor—
row.

The strange man, with his face hidden from
human game, who had so opportuner come into
their midst, was fully discussed, and the flash of
his dark eyes yet burned in the maiden’s remem-

 

brance, and with warm words she defended him ‘

when her father called him cruel.

“ Did he not spare those men, father, when I
asked it?”

“ Yes, Kate: and doubtless, as you say, he had
cause to visit vengeance on them.

“ I will not judge him harshly until I know
more of him. But come; the guards are set and
the camp is quiet' so seek some rest. I will
await the coming back of our masked friend,
for he promised to be absent but an hour.”

In a few moments the encampment was a
scene of perfect quietude and repose.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE CAPTURE AND PURSUIT.

MIDNIGHT was drawing near when, waking
from a light doze, Colonel Edgerton arose to
seek his tent, wondering at the non~appearance
of the Avenger.

He had made but a few steps when his heart
almost stood still with horror, as a Wild, ierc-
ing shriek echoed through the grove, and 6 re-
cognized his daughter’s voice.

At the same moment he heard a low order
given in a quick, stern tone, then the sound of
retreating hoofs, and away sped three horses
over the prairie, and in the uncertain light the
stricken father recognized that his daughter
was being borne away, a captive!

The camp was now thoroughly aroused, and
following the colonel to Kate‘s tent, one and
all discovered sho was no longer there, and in a.
frightened manner her poor maid endeavored to
explain the disappearance of her mistress.

‘ My God—my God! what will become of my
poor, poor Kate?” exclaimed Colonel Edgerton.

After a moment he turned suddenly toward
the weeping colored girl, who acted as Kate’s
maid, and said, quickly: '

“ Tell me, Topsy, how did it occur? Be quick,
girl, for the horses will soon be ready for me to
start in pursuit.”

To sy dried her eyes and said:

“ on see, sir, we—Miss Kate and me—was
sitting up late, talking about the masked gentle-
man, and she only lay down with her riding-
dress on, ’cause, you see, she expected him to
come hack—f

“ Who? Expected who back?” asked the
anxious father? ,

“ The masked gentleman, sir; so we both went
to sleep unbeknown like, and the next thi I
knew‘ the bi Injun who came into camp t is
mornin had old of me, and the white man had
Missy atie, and he plcked her up and put her on
a. horse—”

“It was Missy Kate’s own horse they took,
sir,” said a. negro man, approaching.

TcEsy continued: V

“ nd that’s all I knows about it: Poor Missy
Katie 1” ‘

 

“ Well, Tom, what is best to be done?” asked"

Colonel Edgerton of the negro man who actedin
the capacity of manager of the train. »

“I think three or four of us better go after

the devils, sir,” answered the man.

“Are the horses ready?”

“Yes, sir; all ready.”

“ Then four of you boys come with me and
mind you aim yourselves well. Tom, Ileave

\
, I

  
   
  
  
 
   
   
   
 
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
    
  
 
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
    
 
  
   
  
 
   
   
   
        
 
 
   

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14

the train in your charge, and if the Masked
Avenger comes, tell him what has happened,
and which way we went,” and Colonel Edgerton
entered his tent to arm and equip himself thor-
gughly for the dangerous undertaking before

llll.

Mounting their horses, the party dashed
away from the Chaparral across the prairie but
a quarter of an hour after the flight of the
villains who had stolen poor Katie, and warm
were the wishes of God- eed from the ser-
vants of the train, left un er the charge of the
faithful Tom.

At a rapid gallop the horsemen dashed on
for a mile or more, and then, afar off, the
guick eye of one of the negroes descried a

ark object moving u on the prairie.

“ Come on, boys! t must be the scoundrelsl”
cried the anxious father, and away they flew,
all eyes kept steadily fixed on the moving object.

“ It is only one man, sir, and he’s coming this
way," again said the negro, and halting, a closer
glance was bestowed on the approaching object,
which it was now evident was a horse and rider.

“ It is the Masked Avenger, colonel,” remark-
ed another neoro, and as he spoke, the horseman
started tower the group at a rapid gait.

“Hold, sir- we are friends!’ cried Colonel
Elgerton, ashe observed the approach of the
stran erap eared hostile.

" al Co onel Edgerton, it is you? How is it
I find you thus far from your camp? By
Heaven. a moment more and I’d have sent a
shot into your midst, for I mistook on for some
of the scattered outlaw band,” an the Masked
Avenger wheeled his horse alongside the steed
bestrode by the colonel.

“ Thank God I have found you, my masked
friend, form daughter has been stolen—”

* “Stolen! our daughter! Tell me how and
when?” and his voice, deep in his sternness,
startled all present.

Those devils, whom you this morning spared
on Kate’s account, came, half an hour ago, to
the cam , and bore her from her tent ere we
could 0 er the slightest resistance.”

The Masked Avenger mused a momentin si-
lence, and all waited anxiously for him to speak,
for u n hisvwords hung hope or despair.

At ength he said:

“Colonel Edgerton, leave the matter to me,
and I will return your daughter safely to you.”

“ Unaidedl Oh, no; you must not go alone;
I will—” ’

“Colonel, my days and nights are passed
alone. You can be no aid to me, but on the con-
trary, a drawback.

“ ome, I will accompany you bac to camp,
and there, after I’ve given Arab 9. f and short
rest, I will strike their trail and follow it to the
bitter end.” \

Stran el im ressed by the words and man-
ner of t e ed Avenger, Colonel Edgerton
made no reply, and soon after the party return-
ed to the chaparral.

“Here, he 9, two of you give Arab 3. good
rubbing, an let him have food, while I search
for the trail of those devils,” called out the
Avenger, as he dismounted.

The trail was sou ht for and found, and then

61 Edgerton his mysterious friend re-

 

The Masked Avenger.

A...

turned to the tent and entered into a long con-
versation together, in which it was decided that
the train was to take up the line of march for
the encampment of the traders, at an eurl hour
in the morning, and the Avenger gave the col-
onel directions how to find the grove where his
son was then bivouacked.

“As soon as it is light you must start, seek
your son, and ask him to delay three days for
me at his present encampment, and then, if I do
not come by that time, to continue on, making
easy marches, and, Heaven willing, I will ever-
take the caravan ere long, bringing with me
Miss Edgerton.”

“God grant you may be successful, sir. I do
not know you; I know nothing of the face hid-
den by that mask, or of the circumstance that
causes you thus to shut out from your fellow—
men the noble countenance I feel that you pos-
sess: yet I trust you fully. I pity you for the
misfortunes I feel have fallen heavily upon on,
and you have an old man’s blessing, given gem
his inmost heart,” and Colonel Edgerton grasp—
ed the gauntlet-gloved hand of the man before

him.

“I thank you, Colonel Edgerton, for our
trust in me; it shall not be misplaced. Ere ong
I ho to lace your daughter in your arms.

“ ow must be 011‘, for Arab has had rest,
and is ready and willing to test his speed with
anything that travels the prairie. Adios.”

With a bound the Masked Avenger was in his
saddle, a cheerful c to his horse, a wave of his
hand, and like a bir from the cage flew the fleet
steed, an animal that had proudly trod the burn—
ing sands of the Arabian desert, and whose
blooded lineage went back for centuries, for
Arab was born in a Bedouin’s tent and had pass-
ed his colthood in a far foreign land.

A heartfelt prayer followed after the flying
horseman—a prayer wrung from the heart of an
agonized parent, who paced the weary hours of
night away, and as the first glimmer of dawn
gi ded the eastern horizon, he aroused the camp
and set forth upon the march.

_ It was a long and weary day of travel to the
anxious father, but at last the distant grove
came in sight, and throng-lib the green foliage
shone the white covers of t e wagons and tents.

Unable to keeprface with the slow-moving ve.
hicles, Colonel E erton put spurs to his horse
and dashed on unt' the grove was reached.

“Can you tell me where I can find Ca tain
Edgerton?” he asked of a dashing-looking rai-
rie—man he encountered.

“ Wild Will is yonder in his tent—in the large
one there to the right. I hope no ill news,” po-
litely returned the person addressed; but, un-
heeding the latter remark, Colonel Edgerton
rode on and dismounted at the tent, his heart
throbbing witslgegainful emotion, for nine long
years had pa since he had last seen his son,
and in that time changes had come to all.

 

CHAPTER IX.
HOPE DEFERRED.

WITH a strange feeling creeping over him
Colonel Edgerton stood without the tent, an
gazed within upon the manly form of his son, for
he recognized in the tall, powerful, though

-\

   
 

 

The Masked Avenger.

  

18

 

raceful figure, the bronzed though bearded
ace, the change that nine long years had made
in his boy.

Seated at a rude camp—i able, his hand support-
ing his head and lost in deep meditation, was
Wild Will, seemineg unconscious of the bustle
of the camp around him and the soft beauties of
the dying day.

The Prairie-man was “building castles in the
air;” he was anticipating once again visiting
the old familiar scene; but not alone, for with
him would be his wife, a fair young flower he
had plucked from the Southwestern prairies; a
flower as beautiful and pure as nature itself, for
Edith Lynes was all that was beautiful, and her
innocent, childish nature had entirely won the
heart of the bold frontiersman, and he was de-
termined to gain a reciprocity of that affection.

Thus his was a happy dream—it was of a com-
mingling of the past mid the future, and he did
not start when he heard his name called softly in
the sonorous voice of his father; he did not
start, nor turn, for he believed that imagination
and memory had but made the tones appear
more natural.

“ William, my son, my son!”

“No, it cannot be unreal; it is a reality,”—
and, With a bound, Wild Will was upon his feet;
his eyes fell upon the old familiar face,_the hair
turned to silver gray the furrows of care

lowed deeper, but still the same wellrremem-
Eered face, and with a glad cry, “My father!
you here?” the brave man s rung forward and
greeted his old parent wit an affection not
blunted by years, absence and manhood.

It was a happy meeting, there in that prairie
tent, between father and son, a meeting of joy
tinged with sorrow, for with bowed head and
throbbing heart Wild Will heard of the death of
his mother—she whom he had loved so dearly
and yet neglected by years of wanderings away
from the old roof-tree.

At length, when he learned of the capture of
his sister, he sprung to his feet with a cry of
rage, resemblin more the angry growl of some
wounded, infuriated animal, than -.the tones of
the human voice.

“By the Eternall they shall pay for this, and
dearly, too! I swear it! I swear it 1”

“ Be calm, my son, and listen to me. Kate was
stolen by two of the outlaw band, who, it seems,
joined in the attack on your camp; two men
whose lives she had saved in the morning, for in
reconnoitering for a camping-ground, they ware
pursued into the very shelter of our wa ons by
a most remarkable character, who won 6. have
riin them throu h with his lance—”

“ Hal ’twas t e Masked Avenger—”

“ It was. Kate begged for mercy for the In-
dian and the Mexican, and the Avenger kindly
spared them, but drove them instantly away,
and revealed to us their true characters.”

“ Who was the Indian,” asked Wild Will.

“ He was called El Rim—l’

“Curse him! He is a most bloodthirsty wretch
and the chief of a large tribe of warriors.”

“Well, they left the train ina hurry, and then
the Masked Avenger took us to the grove to
camp, and went forth upon a scouting gallop on
the rairie, and it was while he was absent that
El i0 and the Mexican returned to our encamp-

 

ment and seized and bore Kate efl! ere resistance
could be offered.”

“ Have you seen the Avenger since?”

“Yes, my son' I met him on the prairie: for
with four of the boys I pursued the scoundrels,
and he returned to the camp with us, took the
trail, and set forth alone upon the path.”

“Then their doom is sealed, and I have real
hopes of seeing my poor little sistereget alive,”
said \Vild Will, and then he continu :

“ Did the Avenger say where he was to join

on?”

“Yes; he bade me tell you to delay for him at
this place, for three days, and if he did not put
in an appearance by that time, to move on slow-
1y upon your intended journey and he would
overtake you. Now, what is best to be done?”

“ I will do as he says. Although he is a. most
remarkable man and his every action one of
mystery,VI trust him thoroughly. ‘

“A few days since he came to my train and
warned me of the attack of the outlaws; then the
evening of that day 1 sallied forth lone upon the

ironic, and he met me, and through the speed of

is marvelous horse, saved my life. ,

“ At the most 01 portune moment of the com-
bat, and when I believed the fight lost to us, the
Avenger, singlehanded, ~ came upon us most
mysteriously, and it was his wonderful horse-
mimship, deadly aim, and weird-like appearance
that put the outlaws to flight.

“ Again I hear of him in my camp, binding
and gagging my sentinels, and releasing Dante,
the outlaw chief, and his lieutenant, whom we

had taken captive, and had most securely bound ‘

and uarded.

“ ext he comes up as your friend, and now is
in pursuit of the renegades who captured Kate. ,

‘ I trust him, I believe in him; and until I
hear from him I do not see that I can make any
move to retake my oor sister.” .

Thus it was deci ed between father and son,
and the train of Colonel Edgerton having ar-
rived the wagons were assigned a good camp‘ -
place and the grove became quite lively over 9
additional numbers added to the caravan.

Colonel Edgerton soon became most popular
with the Prairie-men, and one and all felt forhis
misfortunes, and those of their young comrade
and commander, Wild Will.

Especially was the coming of Colonel  r-
ton most welcome to the Gerards, and in
thought of the misfortunes of poor Kate, Mrs.
Gerard almost forgot her own sufferings, and,
with Edith, looked forward with hope and pleas-
ure to the early coming of the captive maiden,
for all appeared to feel most perfect confidence
in the promise of the Masked Avenger, and to
believe im capable of keepin that promise.

Thus the three days pa. away. and with
anxious heart and still hoping, Wild Will deter-
mined to await yet another day for the coming
of the Masked Avenger. .. .

Yet another day came, and with the rising of
the sun the order was 'ven to make read for
the march, for Wild ill felt that he coul not
detain the caravan any longer. ;

With sad hearts and backward glances the
train at length moved slowly away. and manya
man and woman felt a sorrowful momogcllioifi:
ing around that isolated grove, there in e r

a!
' /

 
   

  

.......n_..................... A“ A .. . -. . - - ., . . r

.p‘?”_‘

The Masked Avenger.

 16

 

 

 

ing prairie, for a number of heaped up mounds
of new earth marked the last resting—place of
those that were dear to them,for the outlaws had
left their bloody trail behind them.

CHAPTER X.
nam‘n’s STRONGHOLD.

WHEN Dante found himself free upon the
prairie, by the strange act of the Masked
Avenger, and with Ford Balfour and Texas
Dave as companions, he was not long in taking
the advice given him to get away from so dan-
gerous a vicinity. Putting spurs to his horse,
and followed by the scout and lieutenant, he
dashed oflf at a rapid pace. ‘-

Miles were gone over ere they three drew
rein, and daylight showing them that they
were not pursued, Dante called a halt for a
consultation.

“Comrades,” he began, as soon as they had
dismounted and were resting their tired horses:
“ Comrades, I found in yonder camp one whom
I would rather face the devil than have met—
one who, I tell you, must die.

-“ To—night we were defeated, and through the
cowardly superstition of our men, who fled
from that masked demon, who, I also swear,
must die.

“ e, to-night he served us a ood turn—”

“ Yes, and rip me up, if I’ll be t e one focause
him to pass in his checks,” interrupted Texas
Dave, decidedly.

“Nor would I cause him harm,” said Ford
Balfour, quietly.

“Nonsense; you will both do as I wish you.
The fellow has brought death into our midst,
and to-night has ruined all mg, plans, for had it
not been for him I would ave captured the
wagon-train, and now have been in possession
of all, instead of flying for my life across the

 

mines- . . . .
“ He shall not live if I can bring him to his
death. .
“ But now, we must discuss other things, for
our band is scattered far and wide, and they
must be assembled at the stronghold within

three days.”
“Are you 1ling to the stronghold now?”
our.

, ~ ked Ford B
‘ “I am; I will take the river-road, and collect
my men. You, Balfour, keep the prairie, and
thern the scouts and outposts, while Texas
Baave wi l strike into the forests on a like duty.

“ In two days I will expect you at the strong-
. hold, and if either of you meet El Rio and
Alvez, tell the latter to bring in the rancheros
and the former to collect every devilish red-skin
that he can depend on for cruelty.

“This will swell the band to two hundred,
and, by Heaven. I’ll follow on the trail of those
Prairie-men and woe betide them when my ven-
geance falls.” ,

Dante’s face was livid, he had wrou ht him-
self u to a. perfect frenzy, and rapidly e paced
. toan froupon the greensward, trampling un-
, Paciftu upon the tiny prairie flowers at his

so
“You understand my orders now; so let us

pa. .
“ Remember, be at the stronghold within three
days at furthest, and if you meet the Mm" '

 

Avenger slay him as you would a dog, and I’ll
give you a fortune for his scalp.”

So saying the chief threw himself into his sad—
dle, drove the spurs deep into the sides of his
horse and dashed away over the rolling
prairies, leaving Ford Balfour and Texas Dave
together.

“ Well; he’s as mad as a hornet, that’s a fact;
but I’m blamed if I‘m going to go for the scalp
of the Masked Avenger! and for two reasons,
which is plain: I think he’s more likely to raise
my hair, than I is his’n, and then I’ll not injure
a man who has befriended me, even if’tis to
serve the chief.”

"' You are right, Dave; the Masked Avenger
is certainly a bitter enemy to our hand, and
frustrated our‘attack upon the caravan, but to-
night he s ared the lives of the chief and our-
selves, an I do not intend to raise hand against
him unless ’tis in self-defense,” and Ford Balfour
spoke warmly. '

“Well, onder goes the chief, riding like mad
for the river, and I s’pose we might as well
git, so here goes,” and Texas Dave mounted
his horse, and the lieutenant being in readi-
ness to move on, the two parted—the one to
continue on in the prairie; the other to seek
the dense forests bordering the green plains.

Three days after, the chief greeted his two
companions from whom he had parted upon the
prairies, in the stronghold of the band, which
was situated upon the green and sloping banks
of 8. Southwestern river.

There Dante had established his camp several
years before, and from it the united efforts of
the frontiersmen and rancheros, aided by the
nnlitary, had been unable to force him.

Returning to the stronghold, having collected
while en route a number of stragglers, Dante
was delighted to note that his men were anxious
to wipe out the stain upon their characters, and
he fanned the flame of their passions, until,
when Ford Balfour and Texas Dave arrived,
bringing with them other members of the band
they found the whole camp in a white heat of
rage and ready for any enormity. ~

Bitter indeed were the denunciations of the
Masked Avenger, and terrible were the threats
against him.

In the midst of the excitement, While Dante
and his officers were arming and mounting their
men for the lon and dangerous undertaking
before them, of ollowing on, in a day or two,
the caravan of traders, there was a sudden stir
in one end of the camp, and a small, mounted
party were seen rapidly aipgroaching the cabin,
where dwelt the chief an is lieutenant.

The next moment the party halted by the
door, and a shout of joy a whoop of delight,
went up from the assembled crowd, as Senor
Alvez and El Rio were recognized, bearing
with them their captive, Kate Edger-ton.

“Senor; I welcome you: old red-skin, you
have redeemed yourself. Come in and let me
hear your story,” exclaimed Dante, pleasantly
and then, turning toward the maiden, who sin'li
remained seated in her saddle, her face pale
and dejected, her hair down, but yet beautiful
in her fatigue and misery, he said, with courtly

grace: .
" Lady, permit me to dismount you, and I

 

i“

aim. .1 < I

The Masked Avenger.

1”

 

trust no rudeness has been visited upon you by
your captors.”

"To tear me from the protection of my
father, and bring me to a den of thieves I
should think was sutlicient rudeness, Sir Chief,”
answered Kate, with spirit, as declining the
offered aid she sprung to the ground.

Dante hit his lip in anger at her words, but
concealing his emotion, he said:

“You are doubtless fatigued with your long
ride; enter the cabin, lady, and my house-
keeper will Show you to a room, where on can
refresh yourself. Here, Jane, see that t iis lady
has every comfort and hospitality my humble
home can rive,” and the chief called to an old
woman w ioni curiosity had that moment
brought to the door.

“ l'll treat her well, you may be certain; but
what is a gold cage to the bird that’s in it?
Freedom and home would be more to her for
one moment, humble though it was, than years
of gilded misery,” answered the old woman, ad-
vancing toward Kate, with kindness in her
manner.

“Peace, woman; I’ve told you I’d pluck that
tongue of yours from out thy withered throat
if you gave it much freedom. Beware, or I’ll
carry my threat into execution.”

'lhe chief spoke in a voice of terrible earnest;
iiess, and, as if dreading him, the old woman
said, gently:

“pome, girl, I’ll do all I can to make your
stay here one at least of comfort.”

Ixate had shrunk from the cruel words of
Dante, and following the old woman eagerly,
soon found herself in a neat, but rude, apart—
ment which she was told would be her prison.

“Iere, then, I am to live in doubt of the
future. Oh, my poor, poor father!" exclaimed
the unhappy maiden. ,

“These devils will be up to any crime, poor
girl; but, how did you get into their clutches?”
asked old J ane.

“I was with my father, emigrating to the
far Southwest, for we were goinr to settle
there, when, one night at our camp, was seized
and borne away by the Indian and Mexican.

“They hurried me along, and I had no rest
except an hour or so at night. Tell me, was
that Dante, the outlaw chief, who spoke to
me?”

“ It was.”

“Who was the handsome youn man, with
such a sad face, who stood near ' i” asked
Kate with interest.

“' t was his lieutenant, Ford Balfour.
Poor boy! he is out of place amid these devils.”

“ And why are you here—you, who seem to
have known a life so different?” suddenly asked
Kate, fixing her bright eyes firmly upon the
haggard, preiiiaturely-old face of the woman be-
fore her. ‘

A slight tinge of color came into the faded
cheeks; the head dropped for a moment, but
then came the reply: .

“ I am here because God gave me passxons that
brought my ruin. Years ago, when you were
but a child. girl, I loved a man not wisely but
too well. I loved him and believed him all that
was true and noble. He was an incarnate d
men, for he mined my bio, my hope.

 

“Buffeted about—for he deserted me after I
forsook home, parents, all for him—I drifted
from worse to worse, until I at length became
the wife of an outlaw, to, in the end, as years
came over me and beauty faded, sink to the
condition of n menial in the house of the chief of
this band, for now I am the housekeeper of the
outlaw, Dante.”

The wild look of the woman, the flashes of
grief and despair that swept over her face,
brought tears to the beautiful eyes of Kate
Edgerton, and with pity she held out her hands
toward the forlorn creature, and was about to
breathe some word of sympathy and kindness,
when a Wild cry outside the cabin startled her,
and rushing to the window, with poor old Jane,
she saw a scene that brought a chill of terror ‘
over her frame, for her eyes were yet unused to
deeds of blood, and with a cry of fear she sunk
half-fainting upon the floor.

CHAPTER XI. ,
run AVENGER AT WORK.

STARTING out on his mission of rescue, the
Masked Avenger headed at once for the outlaws‘

eneral head uarters—well knowin that the
Ifilexican and iidian would proceed t ither.

As if thoroughly acquainted With every path
of the prairie and forest, the Masked Avenger.
rode on, with apparently little caution, until the
afternoon of the third day, when he proceeded
slowl , and with a piercing look always directed
ahea of him.

Turnin to the right he soon came to the
river-ban , and without hesitation rode directly
into the water and swam his horse across to the
other side. I ‘

Turning down-stream when he reached the
opposite bank, he rode for the distance of a
mile, and then came to where a range of high
hills broke off abruptly as they struck the river,
and up the steep sides he ascended until he
reached the summit.

“Now, Arab, old fellow, ere long we’ll know
what is before us,” he muttered, as usual ad—
dressing his horse for want of other companion.

Dismounting, he led the animal into a shel-
tered and Secure retreat, rich with luxuriant
grass and watered by a small rivulet; and after
relieving him of his trappings, he Set about pre-
parin his own meal.

“ Hire old fellow, is food and water for you,
and I’ll leave you to rest and refresh yourself
while I have a look around me,” continued the
Avenger. and the intelligent steed answered with
a. low neigh. .

Carefully looking over his arms, the Avenger

forth on a tramp, directing his ate
along the top of the range of hills and in the l-
rection of the river. .

A walk of a few minutes brought him to th
edge of the cliff, closely sheltered with a dense
growth of trees, and from his lofty lookout a.
wide expanse of count came under his Vision.

First 's eye fell on t e far-away plains and
rolling hills; then, drawing nearer restedupon ,.
a scene that brought a. bitter an triuni hunt
smile to his lip, for he had temporari
moved the steel mask to cool hm face Wit the
b: lmy air wafted along the river’s course.

 \low him, upon the other bank of the river,

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18 The Masked Avenger.

 

and distant some five hundred yards, was the
outlaw camp, or stronghold, spread out before
his earnest gaze.

“ Hal what is the excitement now?” he sud~
denly cried, starting up from his reclining posi-
tion, as he observed a commotion in camp; and,
as he looked, he descried the party approach—
ing the chief’s cabin, which the reader already
knows was composed of the unfortunate Kate
and her captors.

“Just in time' I believed they had arrived
ahead of me. ‘ ow I can act, and why not at
once?” he muttered, as he saw the maiden dis-
mount and enter the house.

“No time' like the present. Now, Senor
Alvez, your doom is sea ;” and so sa ing, the
Avenger slowly arose to his feet an held his
rifle at a ready.

Upon the edge of the small and rude veranda
Dante and Ford Balfour were standing, listen-
ing to the account of the capture of Kate from
the lips of the Mexican, for the Indian had
already 'oined his warriors in their wigwams,
further own the river.

Suddenly a distant report was heard, a whizzing
sound out the air, and with a loud shriek of ter-
ror, Senor Alvez sunk to the earth, clutching
wildly at his side, whence welled a dark stream
of blood.

Dante wheeled and glanced around him with
eagle eye, Ford Balfour scanned every tree and
ea in within range, and hurrying forms rushed
to the scene; but no clew could be found as to
the whereabouts of the marksman who had

‘ aimed the fatal bullet.

“ Curses! am I to lose my men in this mys-
terious way?
“ Whence came the shot?” cried the infuri—

- ated chief; but no answer came to 1115 words.

At this moment was it that Kate Edgerton
rushed to the window, and the scene that met
her vision caused her to fall back in a swoon.

But old Jane quickly a plied restoratives
and again the maiden gaze out upon the wild
excitement going on beneath her window.

The chief was bitterly cursing, and ordering
men to at once set forth in search of the man
who had slain Senor Alvez; but, even as he
spoke, there came another whistle of a bullet—a
whirring, whirling sound, dreaded by all who
know its deadly sting, and from the midst of

a the crowd who had now gathered around, it

sihnglfed out the tall form of El Rio, the Indian
0 1e . ‘

“ h, God! is this thy just retribution?” mur-
mured Kate, as she saw the Indian fetter, sway
to and fro, wave his arms wildly in the air, and
with the war-whoop of his tribe echoing through
his palh'd lips, fall to the earth, with the li e-
blood pouring from a wound in his left breast.

“Those who sinned against you have both met
their doom, lady,” said a whis r in Kate’s ears
and turning, the maiden saw y the pale face oi
old Jane and its scared look, that she too was
impressed by the mysterious circumstance.

‘ Curses and furies! who did this deed? From
whence came that shot?” yelled Dante, almost
beside himself with rage; and then he cried,
after a moment’s pause:

“ Hal ,by Heaven! After him, men! Tie the
Masked Avenger!" . ‘

 

But no man moved; a dread appeared to have
fallen upon all, a fear of the supernatural char-
acter of their terrible foe, and for once the corn-
mand of their greatly—feared chief remained un-
heeded.

“ Behold!” suddenly cricd Ford Balfour, who
had been earnestly searching every position in
and around the stronghold likely to give security
to a hidden foe; and as he spoke, he pointed to the
distant cliff upon the other side of the river, and
while the word was yet upon his lips there came
a white puff of smoke from the green foliage,
another ominous whirr, and another of the band,
a renegade negro, sunk to his death.

A fearful yell of mingled terror, rage and
hatred went up from the crowd, and loud and
angry were the chief’s orders ere he could still
the torrent of frenzy.

A half—hour passed, calm was restored, and un-
moved once morc, thoroughly himself, Dante
said, in the cool, distinct tones he assumed when
feeling deeply:

“ It is as I expected, the Masked Avenger.
Men, prepare for the march, for we are to leave
this night for the trail of the traders. ,

“ Texas Dave, to you I give the duty of hunt-
ing down that arch-fiend; so take with you half
a dozen men, and when you have secured either
the man or his scalp, come rapidly on after us,
for I shall need you. Ha i”

As the chief spoke, again came the white puff,
the distant report, and the ominous whistle of
the bullet into their midst, and one more victim
fell beneath the deadly aim, while‘ suddenly, up-
on the very brink of the loft clifl', the form of a.
horseman was seen to spur oward, and reining
his charger back upon his haunches, quietly aze
down upon the scene of commotion he ind
caused.

Every eye was turned upon him with dread,
hate, and admiration, and so struck were all by
his audacity and superb appearance, his defiance
of their entire band, and cool confidence in him-
self, that for a moment no word was spoken, all

' gazing in silence.

Thus a moment assed and with a wave of his
long lance, the asked Avenger wheeled his
charger and dashed away.

“After him, Texas Dave, and bring him in,
dead or alive,’ cried the chief. ’

Turning to re—enter his cabin, he caught sight
of Kate Edgerton standing in the window, and
he said, harshly:

, “ You are enjoying the deadly work of the
Masked Avenger, doubtless, lady?”

“ I must confess I could not but admire the
fearless courage of the man, Whoever he may be,
in thus defying a band of outlaws in their very
stronghold,” answered the maiden, haughtily,
and with slight triumph in her tones.

“ And his noble appearance, also, I suppose?”
sneered the chief.

“Yes; both horse and rider are superb crea-
tures.”

“A truce to this. Ere yonder dead carcass
lost his life, the now stiff tongue informed me
that you were the sister of Captain Edgerton,
known among Prairie-men as Wild Will."

“I am the sister of Captain Edgerton.”

“Then in youI have a prize, and Alvez lied
not. Come, my lady, you must rest and refresh

 Megs

Y may ‘1‘: ‘

 

' The Masked Avenger. \ 19

 

yourself, for this night you must accompany
me.’

” Whither?”

“ I am anxious to overtake the caravan com-
manded by your brother. If he yields to my de-
mands, which are to give into my hands certain
persons in his train, and riches belonging to him-
self, I will in return deliver you safely into his
hands; but if he refuses, then I shall attack and
carry the train, take the riches, rescue my pris-
oners, and have you in the bargain.”

Kate Edgerton was as brave as woman could
be, but she quailed at the possible fate before
her, and feeling her utter hel lessness, replied:

“ I am in your power, and beg for mercy.”

“Prepare yourself for the march. Until I
meet your brother, every attention shall be
shown you.”

So saying, Dante walked away, to s eak to

Texas Dave, who, at the head of a party 0 scouts,
was leaving the camp to pursue the Masked
Avenger, who, I will explain to the reader,
had after firing his first fatal shots, gone back
for his steed, and returned once more to the cliff,
to again make the outlaws feel his power, and
from thence he coolly, though hidden himself,
watched the commotion he had created, and saw
the departure of the party sent after him, and
discovered their direction to be toward a ford
where they could the more readily cross the
river.
“ ell, Arab, I’ll have to depend on you, old
fellow,” said the Avenger, and, taking from a
saddle-pouch four peculiarly—shaped pads, with
india—rubber fastenings, he drew one upon each
of Arab’s hoofs, and mounting, once more set
forth on his way adown the opposite side of the
hill from which he had come.

“ Now, if they find your trail, old fellow,
smart as they are, they’ll do more than I give
them credit for,” he said, with a light laugh;
and carefully guiding the noble animal, who
seemed really to feel and know that his master
was in trouble, the Avenger continued on for
the distance of a mile or more, until he reached
the base of the hill, at a point Where the river
was easily fordable.

Without halting, he rode into the swift cur-
rent, and, 'ust as darkness came on, found him-
self safely idden in a thicket but a few hundred
yards from the outlaw stron hold, and from
Wheuce he could gain a view 0 any important
move about to take place.

 

CHAPTER XII.
DEATH ON THE TRAIL.
AFTER discovering the advantage of his '-
ticn as a lookout and place of concealmen by
night, the Masked Avenger devoted himself, as
was always his habit, to the comfort of his
horse ere he looked out for his own welfare.
Hardly had he, however, at len th thrown
himself down for a short sleep, w eu he was
made aware that some extra commotion was
going on in the outlaw camp.

I

Rising to his feet, he carefully reconnoitered'

the position, and now was convinced that a
movement in force was intended.

“Yes, I see all now. Dante is not going to
submit _quietly to his defeat, but has cogected

 

his extra force to go on after the caravan. Well
I’ll have so much less to risk in the rescue of
Miss Ed erton, for the camp will be left com-
parative y unguarded. Hal they are already on
the march,” and so saying to himself. the
Avenger retraced his steps to where he had left
his horse, and soon equipped him, so that he
might be ready for a move at an instant’s
warning. A few more moments, and the out-
laws were on the march, filing in a long column
from the encampment and disappearing in the
shadow of the torest. The road lay within a
few yards of where the Avenger was hidden,
and is piercing eyes narrowly watched the ad-
vancing line until it came abreast of his position
and with a start he suddenly ascertained that
Kate had not been left behind, as he supposed
agony be the case, but was riding beside the
c 1e .

“,Some deep devilment of his, carrying the

malden with him,” he muttered between his
hard-shut teeth, and his eye again fell upon the
dense line of horsemen.
' First came a half-dozen scouts, some few hun-
dred yards in advance, and then rode the chief
and his fair captive, followed by a body-guard
of a dozen men.

Behind them came Ford Balfour, at the head
of the main force, numbering over a hundred
men, and comprising the worst characters on -
the far frontier.

“A diabolical crew. Well, I’ll make an un-
derstand that, strong as you are, Deat is on
your trail! But I must warn Edgerton, for his
force is insufficient to drive off the vile Set.

“ Oh, I have iti I’ll let them feel my ven—r
geance to-night, and then fly away at Arab’s
topmost s ed, and warn the officers at the fort
and urget em to go on to Edgerton’s aid, and
the combined forces can then defeat this im-
placable outlaw fiend; but I pity that poor girl,
and yet I will soonbe back and endeavor to take
her from their grasp.”

While thus thin ing the Avenger had been
leaning against his ste , but not once taking his ‘
eye from the passing line.

As soon as his mind was made up as to his
course, the Masked Avenger bounded into his
saddle, raised his rifle, and aiming directly into
the dense crowd, fired once, twice, thrice, and so
on, until every barrel of the weapon was dis-
charged, and with an effect that was terribly
felt in the crowded ranks. .

Then away s d the fleet horse, like the wind,
dashing throng the forest for a mile or more
until he came to a place where the road wound
around the base of a hi h hill. " .

“Yes; here is the p ace for another lesson," »/ ‘ -

and he immediame set about reloading his V

rifle. -
_ “No; I’ll add to their superstition this time;
it will aid me ” he murmured, and placing his
rifle again on is saddle, he unfastened from the
other side the long bow and quiver of arrows,
already spoken of.

He had not 1011 to wait, for soon the noise of
angry voices was eard, and the heavy tramp of
boots, and around the bend came the head of the

_column, one and all discussing the daring man

who had so rsistently hung upon their trail| ‘
and brought oath into their midst. ,

 

     
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
   
   
  
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
    
 
   
 
   
 
   
  
   
  
   
       
     

o

« into the midst of his men, Dante was infuriated

beneath the van eance of Dante, who was al-

The Masked Avenger.

 

l

“ Now I”

And with a word of caution to his faithful
horse, the Avenger fitted an arrow to the bow,
and taking aim, away sped the feathery, steel-

inted missile into the midst of the crowd of

orsemen.

A shriek followed, aeonfused medley of voices,
and the line halted, while cries arose for the chief
to come forward.

Then, again and again, sped into the midst of
the outlaws those silent messengers of death, un-
til half a dozen had win ed their flight in search
of human life, and a owl of rage and fear
arose, most terrible in its earnestness—a cry that
(brought a triumphant thrill of mingled bitterness
and satisfaction to the Avenger, whose voice
trembled slightly as he said:

“Now, Arab, prove your power, for forty
miles lie between you and your next resting—
place.”

Away sped the splendid animal, in a long,
swinging gallop leaving behind in the outlaw
band death and dread.

When the first shots of the Avenger had fallen

almost to madness, and calling a halt, ordered a
dozen men to scout the woods upon either side in
search of their daring foe.

Then again the column moved on, and believ-
ing that the‘Avenger would be content with his
vengeance until another opportunity of safety
offered, the immediate dread of his presence was
not felt, until, suddenly, a death-cry rung out,
and an outlaw fell from his horse, and in rapid
succession, with no sound of warning, others fell
beneath the silent shots, and for a moment the
entire column was threatened with a panic.

“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed old Jane, whom Dante
had forced to accompany Kate. “ The De-
stroyer is on your path, chief, and Death is on
your trail 1”

“ Woman, do you dare gloat over me? Take
that, you hag!" yelled Dante, in a frenzy, and he
drew a pistol and fired it directly into the face
of the poor woman, who, with a moan, fell dead
from her horse.

With horror, fear and indignation, Kate for
thiedmoment could not speak; but at length she
so :

“ Murderer! assassin! you have slain a wo-
maul"

Fortunately, the pistol-shot had caused the
men to believe it a signal to fire upon their un-
seen foe, and the volley that followed, poured
recklesst into the woods upon either side,
drowned her words, or she also might have fallen

most beside himse f with rage.

“ Leave her carcass where it lies; let the buz-
zards feast upon the bag and the men that have
fallen. Move on ahead, and mind you keep a
bright lookout!" yelled the chief, and again the
column sta on, each man in fear and trem-
bling that his would be the next life sacrificed.

But, without other adventure, the outlaws
continued their march, for like the wind their
daring foe had sued away, holding his course
straight through the forest, and then out ovar the
rolling prairie.

n. on, on, in his long, sweeping gallop, Arab

scattering, by his untiring gait, mile after mile
behind him.

At length the eastern sky rrcw rosy, and just
at sunrise thedisiant line of orest came in view,
and through the trees glittered the waters of a
small river, while fluttering against the foliage
was a red and white ensxgn—the flag of the
United States.

On, still on, flew Aral), until the walls of the
fort became plainly visible, and upon them
food officers and soldiers, eager] watching the
approach of the horseman and is strange ap-
pearance.

At length the Avenger drew rein at the gate-
way, and saluting the officers, asked, in his
stern, deep voice:

“ Do I see before me the commandant of this
fort?"

“ I have that honor, sir,” replied an officer
with but one arm, and possesing a face frank
and daring.

“ I would speak with you, sir. ”

“ Certainl ; come within the fort.”

“Let me rst see to my horse, for in the last
six hours he has brought me forty miles,” said
the Avenger, and at his words a part of the
admiring glances bestowed upon the manly form
and strange appearance of the master were trans
ferred to the steed.

“ My own man shall give him every attention
while you come with me. I mistake not, I
address a man who is rapidly becoming known
as the Masked Avenger,’ said the commander
of the fort.

“ I am so called, sir. You are, I believe,
Colonel Loring," returned the Avenger, as he
gazed into the manly face of the daring soldier,
who had left one arm on the field of Chapultepec,
in Mexico.

“Yes, sir. I see we are both known to each
other by reputation; I trust for the future it will
be a friendly acquaintance. But come in, and
while they are preparing you some refreshments,
you can tell me in what manner I can serve

The Masked Avenger heartily acce ted the kind

hospitality of Colonel Loriug m e known to
him the circumstances with which the reader is
already acquainted, and had the satisfaction of
riding from the fort, a few hours after his ar-
rival, accompanied by the gallant commandant
and forty brave cava ry men bound to the sup-
port of Captain Ed erton and his caravan.
For a few miles t ey rode along together, and
then, while the squadron branched off to over-
take the Prairie—men, the Masked Avenger set
forth again to follow the trail of the outlaws to
the bitter end. and leaving behind him a mystery
regarding himself that neither Colonel Loring,
his officers or men could solve: and all were the
more exercised in their minds in not having
cxfiugelgi sight of the face hidden beneath the mask
0 s

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THE DEED or DEEDS.
BY taking a direction that he knew would
cause him to meet the outlaws when about two
davs’ march from their stronghold, the Masked
Avenger reached, on the second day after part-

 

way, showing no sign of fatigue, and

ing with Colonel Imring, a spot but a few miles

._ 0,15)

The Masked Avenger.

2‘1

 

distant from the grove where the attack had
been made upon the Prairie-men.

Examining the trail carefully, he discovered
the direction which the caravan had taken was
as he had supposed, and observing that the out-
laws had not yet come up, he devoted himself to
rest, and preparations for the dangers and
struggles before him.

He felt assured that tho outlaws would encamp
for the night in the grove, and prepare against
the long miles of weary march before them, for
from that point almost a seemingly limitless ex-
tent of plain land rolled westward, and both
man and horse needed to refresh themselves for
the ‘ourne .

“lflow, rab, old fellow, ou must nerve our—
self to hear more than you ave yet, for. if mis-
take not, you’ll have to save the life of a young
girl,” said the Avenger, as he devoted himself to
the steed, with almost brotherly nfl‘cction.

Having seen that his horse needed no further
attention, the Avenger took from his havei'snck
bunches of jerked meat, and cooked a sufficient
quantity to last two or three days, after which
he set to work replenishing hisqnivcr by making
from hard wood growing in the grove, a number
of arrows, edging them with feathers and barb—
ing them with steel points which he carried in
one of his saddle-pouches.

Then he rubbed up the bright int of his slen-
der lance, primed every tube of is rifle and pis-
tols, and looked to his saddle and bridle, to see

that there was no flaw in either: after this, he ~

climbed into one of the lofty trees growing upon
the edge of the grove, and took a wide survey of
the prairie in every direction, with his field-
lass.

g “ Now for rest, for God knows I will need it,"
he said, and throwing himself upon the ground,
he was soon lost in deep slumber, from w ich he
did not awaken until the sun, low down upon the
horizon, ierced the green retreat and shone
bri htly into his face.

ith a start, at the length of time he had
slept, he sprung to his feet and glanced around

in.

Arab had eaten to his heart’s content of the
rich grass, and was also indulging in a siesta:
the sun was just sinking into the prairie; the
birds Were trilling their evening songs, and all
was beautiful, and yet with a sigh the Avenger
turned away, saying:

“Yes, nature is beautiful indeed, and man’s
passions alone make life terrible, with all that is
ovely around us for enjoyment! but I must not
moralize, for yonder come my enemies, and my
work must soon begin, my work of taking the
life of my fellow-man. '

“ No; I cannot hesitate now; I have sworn it,
and a terrible retribution will I wreak upon
Dante and his follow ers.

“ Am I not satisfied? Have not a sufficient
number fallen beneath my aim to glut my re-
venge? _ .

“ No! More must die! he must die, and in
dread will I make him live from day to day.

“ Little does he know who is theMasked Aven-

erl but he shall know, and then. and then—but

Imust to work. Although they are three miles
awe , I have little time to spare, .

“ cine, Arab, old boy; the time is drawmg

 

near for more action; we have both had 1;?
sufficient to last us for some time, and we'll n
it. Come.”

The obedient and docile animal trotted up to
his master and was ready in a few moments;
then he was led into the further end of the grove
and secreted in a deep gully, just as darkness
came on, bringing with it the advance guard of
the outlaws.

“Heaven is my friend,” muttered the Aven—
ger, as he descried from his place of concealment
that the position chosen for Kate was within a.
few yards of him, and from the bright fires that
were soon lighted throughout the grove, he dis- ~
covered the weary look that was upon the pale
and beautiful face.

With a sigh, the poor maiden threw herself
down upon the greensward to rest, and glanced
vacantly at the )icturesque scene around her,
the dark, cruel aces of the men, lit up b the
ruddy glare, the picketed horses, all making a
picture worthy of an artist’s brush, but one
which she, in her loneliness and sorrow, found it
impossible to ap reciate.

As the Maske( Avenger gazed, the chief strode
into the bright light of the fire, and saluting the
maiden, said, politely:

“ Miss Edgert '11, this grove is the scene of my
defeat, when I attacked your brother’s camp,
some nights since, and here are buried anumber
of brave men. ”

“ Whose lives are u 11 your hands, sir.”

“Perhaps—my tra e is war, and war to the
knife it shall be with me to the bitter end, for I
hate man and woman-kind.”

“ I certainly have experienced the truth of
what you say. Oh! if on have any mercy, let
me go to my father an brotherl” and the maid-
en raised her arms implorin'lgly. .

“ Thither on are going. hey cannot be more
than four ays’ journey from here, and our
horses can rapidly overhaul the wagons, which
must needs go slow; but I would tell you that
Texas Dave, the scout whom I sent after the
Masked Avenger, just came into camp, being
unable to find aught of him, yet, do you know,
I believe he was here but a short while before,
we came? The smolderin embers of a. fire were
found, and the recent trai of a. horse and rider.”

“Perhaps he is going to make you again feel
the weight of his arm?” answered the maiden;
and then she continued, with evident scorn:

“ I verily believe the Masked Avenger could
put to flight your entire command.”

The chief made no reply, but appeared in dee
thought, while the Masked Avenger lanceg
cautiously into the grove , from his ding-

ace.

Exceptiug the chief, none other of the band
were Within twenty yards of the s at where
Kate was reclining, and the on ws were
busy with their horses or cooking their evening

meal.
The lly in which Arab stood arose a little
above is back, and sloped away gradually for

a few hundred yards until itsha'llowed of! upon
the rairie.

“ ow is my chance to save her)? said the
Avenger, as he took in at a lance his advan-
tages. “ Without rest it will a hard ride for

her, but it is my‘lust chance.

 

/

The Masked Avenger.

 

. “ Arab, you must befriend me now, for I can-
not get her horse away."

So saying, the Avenger took from his saddle-
horn his horsehair lasso, twirled it quickly
around his head, launched it forth with a jerk,
and the next instant Dante, the chief, was pulled
to tllge earth With the coil tightening around his
use .

Kate was too startled to scream out, and see-
ing a form suddenly dart forward and place his
knee upon the breast of the prostrate outlaw,
but added to her fear, until in the uncertain
light she recognized the Masked Avenger, and
then hope came to her heart again.

“ Be calm, lady! I do not intend to slay him,
for his time to die is not now," said the deep
tones of the Avenger, as he securely bound and
gagged the helpless and almost senseless chief
whose surprise and sudden shock had deprived
him of the power of resistance.

“ Thank God, there is our horse l” exclaimed
the Avenger, as the stee devoted to the use of
the maiden came suddenly near the spot.

Unloosing his lasso from the chief, the next
instant it was sent whirling around the neck of
the animal, who was secured in a second’s time
and almost as quickly saddled.

“ Now, quick! Down into the gully. Hal
we are discovered!”

And as the Avenger spoke, he drew Kate be-
neath the shelter of the bank, crying:

“ Run down this gully, leading your horse,
and I will be with you in an instant; for see,
we are discovered l" I

Realizing her position of danger, and that her
chances of escape were in obeying promptly the
wishes of the Avenger Kate seized the rein, and
drawing the animal after her, started at a fast
run down the ditch, while her companion ouick—
ley sprung’upon the back of his steed and raw

orward is trusty rifle.

And just in time; for the excitement of
catching Kate’s horse had attracted attention
to the spot, and a yell announced that the
presence of the Masked Aven er had been dis-
covered for the light of the fire ell full upon him.
, Hastiiy seizln their arms, a dozen outlaws
rushed toward t 9 spot, to be suddenly met with
the fatal fire of the repeating-rifle, and a wild,
defiant shout from their mysterious foe.

For an instant their career was checked, and
taking advantage of their momentary delay, the
Avenger darte away uuhurt by the volley of
balls poured after him by the frenzied outlaws.

At the mouth of the gulch he found Kate,
already mounted and awaiting him, and his
cool tones of encouragement as he seized her
bridle-rein and darted on, made her heart bound
with hope and joy.

“ You are not hurt? oh, on are not wounded?”
she said, as she dashed on y the side of the mys-
terious man, and heard the bowls of vengeance
coming from the frenzied outlaws.

“ N 0t at all. We have every hope of success,
for I see your horse is fleet and has good wind,
and when he gives out, Arab will distance those
devils, carrying a double weight.”

“ Hark! they are in full pursuit!”

“ Yes, they are after us, and can see us; but
have no fear, for we can easily keep in advance

and out of range of their guns.”

 

“  they have several horses remarkable for
s ee .

“And I have a rifle here which will teach
them caution,” replied the Avenger, threaten-
ingly, and still flying on, he devoted himself to
reloading the weapon.

Through the long hours of that weary night
the fugitives pressed on,halting only now and then
to give their horses 9. rest, and slowly distanc-
ing their pursuei‘s, who had once been taught
the range of the Avenger’s rifle b approaching
too near, when he had slackene speed for a
while.

The night were away, and daylight breaking
discovered to the Masked Avenger that he was
not pursued by a few of the outlaws but by the
entire band, for at their head rode Dante and
Ford Balfour, whose horses were known to be
the best and fleetest of the plains.

“ Well, Dante’s in earnest, and determined
that we shall not give long notice of his coming,
for see, he is after us with every man,” said the
Avenger, pointing back over the prairie.

“ Yes, and may God have mercy upon us.”

“ Lady, yonder gulch hides a spring, and
there you must rest your horse and repose
yourself for awhile, and I’ll keep the demons
at bay."

With perfect confidence in her companion,
Kate Edgerton dismounted at the 5 ring, which
was sheltered by a single tree, bat ed the dis-
tended nostrils of the tired horse, and performed
the same office for Arab, which the Avenger
had left with her, while he moved off across the
prairie, and prepared to give his enemies a check
for a. few moments.

On they came at a racing pace, believing that
his horses had failed them, and now the Aven-
ger was at their mercy; but the glittering e 6
ran along the sights of his deadly rifle: a has ,
a report, and an outlaw bit the dust, and at a

distance they believed it impossible for a gun to .

kill.

Again and again the throat of steel pourerl
gortllzi its note of anger, and then the outlaws fell

ac .

In vain were the cries of their chief; his men
would not follow him, and well he knew the ut-
ter uselessness of proceeding on with the aid
alone of his lieutenant.

A consultation was then held among the out-
laws, as they were thus kept in check, and long
was the time ere seine course was decided upon;
but at length the force divided into three squad-
rons, one of which moved oif to the right and
the other to the left, under command of Ford
Balfour and Texas Dave, while the larger body,
under the chief, remained quiet.

“ I see through your plan, you devils; on are
going to surround my position; but I’ll p at, too.
Miss Edgerton, does your horse appear rested?”
called out the Avenger.

“Yes; we both feel greatly refreshed after
drink, food, and rest,” answered Kate, cheerily
for nearly an hour had passed since they had
first halted, and in that time she had, after de-

~ voting herself to watering and feeding the
horses, partaken of food the Avenger had given,

her.
A moment more and the Avenger was by her
side, and mounting in haste the fugitives dashed

\

    

wt...

"1.

, )VPI';

  
  

    

“‘1...

w},

, IVPIf;

The Masked Avenger. 28

 

away at a. fair speed, and with renewed vi or
reatly to the surprise of the outlaws, who ad
Eelieved their horses broken down.

A yell of disappointment was uttered when
they discovered their mistake, and seeing, with
bitter chagrin, the impossibility of his own
horses continuing on without‘rest and water,
the chief ordered a short bolt, and with curses
upon his ill luck, saw the fugitives disappear be-
yond a roll in the prairie.

CHAPTER X_IV.
THE FUGITIVE‘S RETURN.

WITH the last light of day the Masked Aven-
ger again halted for rest, and this time there
was no spring near, and the water in the can-
teens had to be given to the horses. Every at-
tention was bestowed upon the steed ridden by
Kate, for already he appeared broken down; in-
deed, he was completely so, and all efforts to
make him rally were useless.

“Miss Edgerton, Arab will now have to show
his powers of endurance, and believe me, he is
equal to it,” said the Avenger, approaching the
spot where Kate was reclining upon the rass,
for she was, also, almOst prostrated wit fa—
tigue excitement and hope alonekeeping her up.

“ y horse is no longer any use, then?”

“ Not in the least, and I have, therefore, de—
voted my attention to Arab.”

The maiden glanced into the eyes of the man
before her, for, as yet, she had never seen him
unmasked, and there was in her look such per-
fect confidence and belief in his power to save
her, that the Avenger felt a great throb of
pleasure at the thought, and said, in a. cheerful
manner:

“ Arab has saved my life before, lady, by his
speed and endurance, so have no fear. But
come, you must take this to give you strength,”
and he took from his pocket a flask containing
brandy and curing a small quantity in the
cap of the flas , gave it to her to drink.

Without a. word she drank it down, and in ten
minutes more she was mounted behind the
Avonger, and Arab, apparently unheeding his
double weight, started on at the some long and
sweeping gallop which he had kept up from the
first, an which to him Seemed untiring.

Now and then stopping to rest his steed, and
then both dismounting and walking by the side
oi the noble animal, the hours dragged by, the
miles were left behind, until, when day broke,
the distant woodland could be seen, and after a
1wihile, the glimmer of the white tents was visi-

e.

 

Then came to the ears of the tired fugitives
one prolonged and ringing cheer, and from the
forest poured forth a. mass of happy people to
welcome the wayfurers. and at their head came
Wild Will, Colonel Edgerton, and Colonel
Loring who, with his band of troopers, had
arrive the evening before.

It was a joyous meeting between brother and
sister, father and daughter, while poor Kate,
now that dan er was over, and. there. was no
need for a disp ay of her strength, sunk into her
brother’s arms in a deathly swoon, completely
used up1 by the numerous hardships and trials
throng which she had passed.

Many and numerous were the thanks be

 

stowed upon the Masked Avenger by one and
all, and in a few clear words he explained the
Circumstance of Kate’s recapture, touchin deli-
cately upon his own part in the affair, an then
marching 011' to devote his attention to Arab,
Evhose hard trip had begun at last to show upon
1m.

“That man is a mystery to me, and I am de-
termined to know more of him,” said Wild Will,
after he had borne his sister to the tent of Mrs.
Gerard, who, with Edith, devoted themselves
wholl to her restoration and comfort.

Waking to the spot chosen by the Avenger
for his camping-place, for he had declined to ac-
cept the hos itality of any one, Wild Will,
accompanied y his father and Colonel Loring,
found their mysterious friend, still hard at
work with his horse.

“ You are devoted to your steed, I see,” re-
marked Captain Edgerton, pleasantlty.

“Yes, he deserves all I can do or him, for
often has he saved my life,” politely returned
the Avenger.

“ Is be American breed?” asked Colonel Edg-
erton. ’

“No, sir; Arab boasts a lineage from the
fleetest racers on the desert.”

“Indeed! He was imported into this country,
then?”

“ I brought him with me, for I purchased him
when a. mere colt, from his owner, an Arab
Sheik.”

“More mystery,” muttered Wild Will, and
tléein, as if ashamed of his curiosity, he contin-
u ' ‘

“My dear friend, pardon me, but it is not my
wish now or intention, to pry into the mystery
of your life, or the circumstances attending our
masking your face from the gaze of your allow-
men.

The Aven er ceased rubbing his horse, stood I ' ”:

upright an bowed in reply, while Wild Will
continued, earnestly: ,

“ You have proven yourself possessed of peer-
less courage, and hava rendered me services I
can never for et, and as long as life lasts I am
your friend; ut I have come now for the pur-

se of asking your aid and advice in the com-

at that I know must follow the coming of
Dante.”

“ Yes, he will arrive in a few hours now, but ~_
I doubt if he will attack before night, when men
and horses have had rest—Eerhaps not until
morning. He does not knowt at ou have been ‘
reinforced by Colonel Loring, an is also igno-
rant of the force brought by your father; hence
he may attack at once, or await until the mor-~
row, trusting in his own strength, so I would ad-
v1se you to keep half of your command hidden,
as a reserve.” . '

“ A ood idea. Let them make the attack, .
and res st With what force you have, Captain
Edgerton; then your father, with hismen, can
Jam in, and with my troopers I’ll be on hand to
iickifignly make a charge,” remarked Colonel

o g.

Thus it was decided, and immediately the arc
rangements for the resistance of the attack were
commenced, the Avenger promising to aid Wild
Will, but reserving the right to be untrammeled
and form one of the charging squadron,

 

       
 
 
   
   
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
   
  
    
  
  
    
  
   
 
   
   
    
  
   
   
 
     
     

.- -x.-- a,“ ., .._..

24 The Masked Avenger.

 

Ere long the advancing outlaws came in sight,
and. as if tired out, encamperl UWDII the prairie
in full view of the traders and ild Will, the
Masked Avenger and dolonel Loriug rode
around the lines, placing wagons in advantage
ous positions, and seeing that all was in readi-
ness for the fray.

Darkness came on, and then it was evident
that Dante had felt that his men and horses
needed rest, ere they were brought into action,
and would await until the morrow, for he cer-
tainly could gain nothing by a night engage
ment.

Askinor Colonel Loring to accompany him,
Wild Will, shortly after nightfall, sought the
quarters of the Gorards, and were warmly wel-
comed by Mrs. Gerard and Edith Lynes, and
also by Kate, who had sufficiently recovered
from her indisposition to be able to join the so-
cial circle around the camp-fire.

At the request of all, Kat/e gave a full account
of the stirring scenes through which she had

passed, from the moment of her having been
seized by Senor Alvez to her return to her bro-

ther's arms, and with surprise and admiration
all listened to the deeds of the Masked Avenger,
and, in wonderment, heard that the maiden had
not once seen hill] unmasked.

“Can his face be terribly disfigured, that he
thus hides it?” asked Mrs. Gerard.

“No, I think not. My theory is that he is
know'n to many of the outlaw band, and until
the time comes does not wish them to know—
Hal my masked friend, we were just discussing

‘ on,” and Wild Will arose and held out his
and to the Avenger, who, that moment, came
forward.

“ Indeed, I feel honored; but Captain Edger-
ton, I came to say that I am oing to enjoy a
short ride upon the prairie, to iscover what our
enemies are doing.”

“You risk a reat deal sir.”

“ True; but never let an opportunity go by

‘ tosend one of Dante’s band to eternity. Miss
Edgerton, I am glad to see you recovered;” and

. the Avenger raised his broad sombrero, expos-

ing to view the well-shaped head and clusters of
dark hair.
‘ Kate Edgerton instantly arose and oifered her
hand saying in her sweet tones:

“ 0 you I owe too much to be repaid with

“ Pardon, lady, but do not speak of it. Gentle-
men, I will see you upon my return. Adios.”

Bowing low the Avenger, without another
word, mounted Arab, whose arching neck and
impatient changing of the bit, proved that he
had recovered is original strength and spirit.
All watched the darin horseman as he rode
away, watched the vanis ing form until itdisap-
pear-ed in the loom of the prairie, and then,
still watching. t 9g waited until suddenly there
came a bright flas a distant report, and, for an
instant, the form of the Avenger was lit up, his
steed rained back, and that terrible long-range

/ rifle to his shoulder.

Then arose a wild halloo, angry voices, and
again‘and again flashed forth the rifle, and once
more all was silent for a while. -

Standing in silent expectancy, there was
he’ardthe rapid clatter of boots, and in a few

 

moments more the form of a horseman was visi-
ble, and, quietly- drawing rein, the Masked
Avenger stopped in their midst, saving calmly:
“ The attack will be made at daybreak. I sup-
pose all is in readiness?” '
“ Yes, all; but you were under fire just now.
I suppose you left your mark i" said Wild Will.
“ I did.’

And without another word, but with an earn~
est glance at Kate, the Masked Avenger rode
back to the spot he had selected for a bivouac,
leaving his friends still more mystified and
struck with his strange behavior and remarka-
ble character.

 

CHAPTER XV.
THE BATTLE.

WITH the first glimmer of dawn came the dis:
tzint notes of the bugle, calling to “boots and
saddles," and as the Clear sound cut the crisp
morning air, every man in the traders" encamp-
ment 5 rung to his feet with a determination to
do or ie.

Then was heard the sound of rushing hoofs,
and in three separate columns came the out-
laws dashing on to the attack, and iii the early
morning air looking like phantom horsemen,
as they flew over the level prairie.

“ To your posts, menl Stand firm!” cried the
ringing voice of Captain Edgerton, and as his
words were yet echoing through the woods, and
the outlaws were still a long way off, one rifle-
noto broke the silence, and the fatal bullet flew
onward and found a human target among the
advancing horsemen.

It was the Masked Avenger who had fired the
shot, and as the eyes of all turned upon him, and
saw him seated, calm and stern, upon his horse,
and noted the cool manner in which he fired and
the deadly result, a wild cheer went through
the ranks of the traders that was heard by their
coming enemies.

A few moments more and the fight became
general around the circle of wagons, and with
telling effect both sides poured in their‘flre.

But, confident in their numbers, the outlaws
pressed on and gradually gained an advantage
until, with a loud cry, the relief under Col'o'ne
Edgerton came to the rescue, and once more the
traders were successful.

But, urged on by the loud curses of their chief,
and encouraged by the voices of Ford Balfour
and Texas Dave, the outlaws again made a gal-
lant attack and drove the traders back to the
shelter of their wagons, and following the lead
of their wild chief, were gaining a decided ad-
vantage, when, with the set cheer of the regular
soldier, the troopers, headed by their brave, one-
armed colonel, dashed to the front, and once
more the outlaws were crowded back and be-
gan to give ground.

“Hounds. will you let them drive you? They
are but half your numbers, so beat them back-
back, I say!” and, with yells of fury the outlaws
regained coura 0.

Seeing that ems Dave and Ford Balfour
threw themselves into the breach behind their
chief, once more they madly struggled for the
mastery, and gained it, for before their onset the
traders, soldiers and all gavo back as before an
avalanche that was irresistible.

sinker-.199 vv ‘ .

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The Masked Avenger.

26

 

Dante, unhorsed, bare-headed and frenzied,
pierced the barrier and stood within the circle,
his sword wielded with terrible effect, and his
angry voice ringng with triumph.

“ Oh, God! is all lost?” cried \Vild Will, as he
saw his men slowly giving way.

As he spoke, the stern, deep tones of the
Masked Avenger smote on his ear, saying:

“ Back, men, and give my weapon room!
Dante,j thou blood-stained wretch, here’s your
game.

All eyes fell upon the form of the Masked
Avenger, and his presence checked the outlaws,
as, springing from his horse he, with a few
steps, faced the famous chief, whom none cared
ever to meet in personal conflict.

“Yes, you are he whom I seek. Come onl"
cried Dante, springing forward fiercely.

“ Hold 1”

At the deep voice there was a. silence, and
the Masked Avenger continued:

“ Dante. let your life or mine here settle this
battle. Hold oil' your men until one or the
other of us fall. and I will do likewise.”

“Ay, ayl Cease your fighting, men, while
I punish this cur,” cried the chief, and bowing
acquiescence, the Masked Avenger waved his
hand to Colonel Luring and Wild Will to hold
back their men, and, with one sweep of his
cimeter was in front of the outlaw leader,
while all gathered around to await the issue.

Both were superb specimens of manhood, and
in size and strength appeared e ually matched.

The outlaw chief was arme with a huge

cavalry saber, of fine steel, and red tothe hilt
with blood, while the gleaming ciinet/er of the
Avenger bore no stain upon its glittering
length.
. The face of the outlaw was angry, fierce
and terrible in its earnestness to slay the man
before him, while the steel mask hid the features
of the Avenger excegtm the eyes, which
burned brightly with a ead y light.

“ Are you ready?”

“ I am, Dante.”

The wea ons clashed with a force that sent
sparks of re in the circle around, and foot to
foot commenced the deadly fray.

Backward and forward, with no word, no
glance away from each other, their breath hard-
drawn sighing an accompaniment to the clash of
steel. the combat waged, neither one or the other
gaining any apparent advantage, until, sudden-
ly, the Aven er was seen to give groundkand a.
madder, wil er gleam of hatred flashed in the
eye of Dante.

Step by step he gave back, until he could go
no further and then all were startled bya sneer-

mar:

3 Ha! ha? ha!” and the Avenger spoke.

“ Dante, you fool, I’ve played with you suffi-
ciently long, now you must die,” and in'spite of
every effort of the chief, in spite of his great
skill and strength, he was forced steadily back,
and the entire manner of the Avenger changed;
his parries and thrusts were like lightning; his
movements were quicker and quicker, until,
with another mocking laugh, his gleaming
cimeter found its we to a vital part. and Dante,
the renowned chief, ay dying on the trampled
earth.

.r
.g\__.

 

A wild wail went up from the outlaws, and,

as one man, they turned and fled across the '

prairies in mad disorder, followed by a number
of the victorious Prairiemen and troops.

Frenzicd at the fall of his chief, Texas Dave
refused to fly, but hurled himself upon the Mask-
ed Avenger, to be the next instant clove through
the skull by tho bloodstained cimeter, which
was no sooner released than it was crossed by
the weapon of Ford Balfour, who, though severe-
ly wounded, tottered forward to avenge his
chief.

“ Back, boy! I would not willingly harm
you," cried the Masked Avenger, and he struck
the lieutenant’s sword from his grasp, and turn-
ed again toward the prostrate chief, around
whom were now gathered a large number of
the Prairiemen.

“ ho in Satan’s name are on?” groaned
Dante, as he lay upon the groun supported by
the arm of Colonel Edgerton.

“You would know who I am? Beholdl”

As the Avenger spoke he tore from his fea—
tures the mask that had so long covered them,
and the handsome, fascinating face stood re-
vealed.

A surprised exclamation was uttered by all
present; but, above the sound arose the cry of
the chief.

“ Oh God in heaven, is this thy just retribu-
tion? oes the grave give up its dead?"

“ No, Malcolm Moore. I escaped death, and
lived to bring you to this bitter end,” said the
deep voice of the Avenger.

“ Malcolm Moore; who calls that name?” cried
Mrs. Gerard, forcing herself through the crowd,
accompanied by Edith Lynes.

Then, suddenly, her eyes fell upon the pros-
trate chief, and with a shudder, she said:

“ Yes, ’tis Malcolm Moore! Dante the cut-
law! but you are dying now, and, ere your eyes
closo in death, turn them once upon our daugh-
teir Edith, whose mother you so cruelly murder-
9 _

“No, no, nol He did not do that; his crimes
are enough without that, God knows; Malcolm,
do on not know me?”

ith a bound Ford Balfour s rung forward,
and tearing from his lips the ark mustache,
and from his head the wig of dark hair, the pale,
haggard but yet lovely face of a woman was re-
vealed, looking almost girlish with its short,
golden tresses.

“ You, Ford Balfour, my lost wife P you m
poor Edith?” and the outlaw half-raised himse
from the ground, while, springing forward the

or woman stood face to face with Mrs.

ra .
“ Edith, my daughter l”
“ My mother, forgive me all, but I loveu him

so. I forsook you, my mother, you, my father, _ '

and you, my darling child, and followed him in
disguise for long years.

“He knew it not; he never suspected me;
but content to be near him, I became, like him,
a bandit leader.

“Will God forgive me? Will you forgive me,
mother, father, my child? Come, nEuickly—for
—for—oh, God! the pain is here; alcolm, my
husband—my chief—” '
With a shriek, wrung from a broken heart,

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£6 The Masked Avenger.

 

Edith Moore, the dis ' Ford Balfour, the
unfortunate wife, fell orward upon the body of
her wounded husband, and her brave life flew
away to another home.

For some moments no word was said, no
sound was heard other than the dee sobs of
Mrs. Gerard, and the maiden who thus ad been
brou ht face to face with her parents.

Al stood in silence, their eyes ever and anon
turned 11 n the wounded chief, the dead body
of his wi e, and the upright form of the Aven-

ere proved that he too
sufler some deep crime from the dying

man.

“ Well, let all come now before me like aveng-
ing angels. Speak! Harold Meredith, and
pour into listening ears the story of your life.

“ You have hunted me down, you have reaped
a rich harvest of lives to atone for the past, and
bitter has been your vengeance.

“ Speak, I say, and let these greedy ears know
that you had just cause!” and the outlaw chief
turned his dying gfize upon the Avenger.

“ No, Malcolm oore, I will not gloat over
your agony nor triumph over you in your last
moments. l have been avenged, although I have
had to wash my hands inb ood to gain my re—
venge. Die in peace, crime—stained man, and
if you believe that God will hear your prayer,
ask Him for mercy with your last breath."

Without another word the AVenger, whom
the (1 'ng chief had called Harold Meredith,
turn and walked awa .

The chief followed his retreating form with
his eyes; a livid look overspread his face; a
convulsion of agony seized upon him, and, with
his aze turned toward poor Edith, and the
wo s: “My daughter, forgive," u on his lips,
his spirit, tainted and stained wit the crimes
done in the body, parted from its tenement of
clay forevermore.

CHAPTER XVI.
A smart or ran: rssr.

TEE dead were buried, the wounded cared for,
and in the same grave were placed the remains
of Malcolm Moore and his eartbroken wife,
who in disguise had proven her deep woman’s
devotion.

With his troopers, Colonel Loring had follow-
ed the demoralized outlaws to their stronghold,
which be demolished, and ain returned to his
frontier fort to win new urels, fighting be-
neath the flag of his country).

Wild Will, the dashing rairie commander,

' had soon set his caravan to rights, and a few

days after the battle, the train wa once more
en route to its destination. .

Mrs. Gerard, in the love of her granddaugh4
ter, rapidly recovered from the shock she had
received, while Edith, who hardly remembered

a a mother's love was comforted in her deep sor-
‘ row by the devotion of her §r$d arents and

the warm aflection of Wil ' ,whom she
idolized girl as she was, with as deep adoration
as he'feit for her.

To Captain Edgerton, Osmund Gerard had

. told the strange story of his daughter’s early

life when as a mere school- ‘ 1, [she had met
and loved the handsome colm Moore, a

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young physician, who had settled in their native
town, and whom every one at first trusted and.
believed to be all that was noble, but at last
found out that he was a wild fellow who had run
away from home, years before, and become a
wayward wanderer.

Then came the sad story of the runaway mar-
riage of Edith and Malcolm Moore, the pursuit,
and attempted murder of Mr. Gerard by the
reckless youth, and his flight to a foreign land,
while his deserted w1fe again became an inmate
of her childhood home, to give birth there totho
little Edith, whom she deserted years after to
go none knew whither, some believed to take her
own life, others thought to seek hcr miserable
husband, of whose whereabouts none knew.

The story of Edith’s early life but bound the
maiden more firmly to the noble heart of Wild
Will, and offering his heart and hand, he was
promised that she should be his wife as soon as
she became sixteen, for the Prairie-man declared
he would give up his roving wild life, settle
down on a. ranch, and become a respected mem-
ber of society. ‘

But there was one in the train of traders and
emigrants around whom a myster yet hung,
and that was Harold Meredith, he w 0 had won,
by his terrible vengeance upon the outlaw band,
the name of the Masked Avenger.

No longer did he go masked; no longer (1 id be
eagerly seek the lives of his fellow-man; but, as
the guest of XVild Will, continued on with the
caravan, devoting many hours of each day and
evening to the society of Kate Edgerton, who
seemed to hold his destiny in the hollow of her
little hand.

Thus days passed on, and the end of the jour-
ney was drawing near, when, one lonely moon-
lit evening, the train being encamped in an al-
most earthly Eden, and all around invited to
love and enjoyment, Harold Meredith sought
Kate Edgerton and asked her to walk with him.

She readily accepted, for her heart told her
that the time had come when she would know
the mystery that hung over the life of the
strange man, whom, though all in the caravan
admired and loved for his nobleness of charac-
ter and heart, they yet feared, or looked upon
with a certain awe.

Belting in their walk upon a spot overlooki
the moonlit river, and a valley beyond, Harol
Meredith said, in the deep, but musical tones
usual to him:

“ I have brought you here, Miss Edgerton, to
tell you a story of the past; to reveal to you the
circumstance that made me the Masked Aven-
ger; and though I do not doubt but that m

eeds may cause you to judge me severely, yet
beg of your forgiving nature pardon and mercy.

“Years ago—twelve have assed now since
the time I would speak of— lived in a lonely
home on the banks of the Red River, and was
blessed with kind parents, a younger brother,
and a sister. then in her nineteenth year, and as
beautiful as an angel.

“ I idolized, not loved, that fair sister, and all
the rest of the affection of my nature gave to
my parents and brother.

“ One evening there came to our home a way-
farer. a young man of wonderful presence, fas-
cinating address, and courtly manners.

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“ He informed us that he was a physician, a
man of wealth, and was seeking a home in our
Southwestern clinic, for the chill winds of the
North he did not like.

“ He was warmly welcomed, and we became
as brothers.

“ Together we roamed over the Western
plains, and became as expert Indian-fighters as
we were buffalo-hunters, for I had spent, oung
as I then was, years in these Western wilds.

“ Two ears paswl, and haviiigsettled in our
neighbor cod and respected by all, the man I
speak of became the husband of my pure young
Sister; and that marriage appeared to make
them both happy.

“At this time a bachelor brother of my mo-
ther, a waif, as it were, who had floated around
the world for years, sent for me to come and
join him in London, and make with him an
Eastern tour.

“Intoxicated with delight at the prospect of
travel, and possessed of ample means, I bade
a sad farewell to all at home and departed.

“I was warmly welcomed by my uncle, and
to other we started for the East.

‘After years of wandering together, my uii-
Cle and myself found ourselves in New-Zealand,
and joining a party of English officers upon a

raid against the natives, who had of late com-‘
,mitted a number of cruel depredations against

the settlers, we found ourselves separated one
evening from the remainder of the forces, ac-
companied by but two other persons~a young

' lieutenant and a courier.

“ We were comparatively unacquaiiitod with
the geography of the country, and being sur-
rounded by dangers upon every side knew not
which way to turn in safety, for t e yells of
the maddened savages, and the lights of their
camp-fires warned us to be most cautious, or
discovery and certain death would follow.

“ I am selecting from my life, Miss Edgerton,
this one particular 0 isede, to explain how fate
at length led me on; 10w a cruel destin (logged
my footiteps, for there has been nine 1 in my
wayward career that is pleasant, and my days
have not always been tinged with sorrow; no,
in early life, in my boyhood years, my every
cloud seemed to have a silver lining; but wit
that time, when I foolishly, in company With
my uncle, who really seemed more like a brother
to me, commenced the “ beginning of the end,”
which brought about the bitter to—day of my ex-
istence, and made me what I have been of late,
a man of deadly hatred, the Masked Avenger.

“But, to go on with my story, for I would
that you should know every alliating circum-
stance in my life, and as readi y would I confess
to you eVery evil as Well as every virtue, for be-
lieve me, I have not been wholly sinful, and the
teachings of my dear old mother, when I knelt a
mere boy, bes1de her knee, did not fade entirely
away, even though years had gone by smco
then, and thousands of miles divuled mother
and son; the seed sown in youth brought forth
some good fruit. _ .

“Well, we four held a connoil of war, as it
were, there in that gloomy ungle, and demded
to attempt by boldness an surprise, what we
could not accomplish were our numbers known,
so at once set about preparations to dash pell-

  

 

mell through the lines of the savages, who, as I
before stated, entirely surrounded us.

“ We were well mounted, and all four armed
with swords and revolvers, so, settling ourselves
well in our saddles, and tightening our grasp
upon the reins, we moved forward the lieuten-
ant leading the way and my uncle following,
and the courier an myself bringing up the
rear.

“On we rode for half a. mile, and then the
ruddy camp—fires and naked, hideous forms of
the savages, dancing and gesticulating in wild
frenzy and rage, burst full upon us.

“For a moment we hesitated, and glanced
upon the terribly picture no scene, for as yet
we were undiscovered, an then, with set teeth
and an inward prayer, drove our spurs deep
into the sides of our good steeds.

“ One yell of surprise and terror burst from
the savages which we answered with shouts of
defiance, and the next instant we were in their
midst, firing and cutting right and loft.

“ But our small party was soon discovered
and with yells of hatred the sava es rallied an
poured around us, and beneath t eir blows the
courier, who had fought nobly, fell dead from
his horse, and my uncle rec ed in his saddle
from a spear-thrust in his side.

“ On We pressed, however, I striking right and
left with one hand and sup iorting my wounded
uncle with the other, while the brave young
Englishman seemed a tower of strength in his
bold efforts to break through.

“ But all seemed useless, for suddenly my
uncle received a blow from a boomerang, the
crescent—shaped weapon on have often seen me
use, Miss Edgerton, and e fell from his horse, a
dying man.

“ I instantly drew rein, for I could not leave
him there to die; no, better to perish with him;
but, as I did so, I also received a severe wound
—a spear-thrust in the side, and unable to strike
up the deadly weapon, I was unhorsed and fell
beside m uncle.

“The unglishman at once wheeled his horse
and_was cutting his way toward us, when, un-
willing to see t e brave man die while a chance
of escape remained to him, I called out that my
uncle could live but a few moments, and that
doubtless my wound was mortal, so he must
save himself if he could.

“ The brave oung officer hesitated an instant,
then exclaim aloud:

f‘ ‘ Too bad, too bad: farewell, my poor, poor
friendsl’ and wheelin his horse, by magnificent
horsemanship and esperate courage, broke
through the ranks of his howlin enemies, and,
as I afterward‘learned, escaped 1n safety, to re-
port the death of my uncle and m self, and, be-
ing acquainted with my name an residence in
America, he wrote the sad news home to my
parents.

“ No sooner had
from sight than in
rounded by a ban

the lieutenant disappeard
uncle and myself were sur—
of yelling savages, howling

in triumph at their success and our fallflvhile
they pressed forward with lance and clubto
take our lives.

“Believing that I had to die, I staggered to
my feet determined/to sell life dearly, when sud-
denly my uncle‘ raised himself upon his elbow,

28

    

The Masked Avenger.

 

and made a few strange gestures, while at the
same time he cried out in a loud voice, and in a
language wholly unknown to me.

“ The effect u on the savages was wonderful.
Instantly their owliugs ceased, and with bowed
heads and low mutterings they fell back, until
we were left in the center of a small circle lying
in the full light of a blazing fire.

“ I turned to my uncle for an explanation,
and saw that he was dying, but he told me in
broken tones that years before he had been a
prisoner among those same savages, but having
saved the life of their chief, they had made him
one of their tribe and initiated him into their
secret organizations.

“ It was the symbolical words he had uttered
that at once had commanded the respect and at—
tention of even savage nature, for no longer did
they appear desirous of seeking our lives, but,
on the contrary, were anxious to do all in their
power to aid us.

“ To hasten on with my story, we were taken

' to their wretched novels, and received every
kindness, but the wounds of my uncle were mor—
tal, and there, in that desolate jungle, in a for—
eign land, away from the loved ones of his child-
hood he died, and found a grave.

“ eeks after I recovered from my wound,
and one dark night stole away from the savage
hospitality of my captors, and after numerous
hardships and sufferings, once more reached the
marts of civilization and was safe.

“ My uncle left me, his heir and in settling
legal matters in Londbn, I was detained for some
time so that eight years had passed ere I again
stood in my native State.

“ With mingled feelings of joy and hope I
started homeward, and, arriving there late one
evening. found it in ruins.

“ But, worse to tell, that very day a terrible
deed had been done, for, by the yet burning em-
bers, I recognized the forms of those that had
been so dear to me—my aged parents Weltering
in their blood, my brother hanging dead to a
tree, while near by lay the forms of my poor
murdered sister and her two children.-

“ I fell to the ground. like one dead, and
the coachman who had driven me home, raised

, me in his arms and bore me to a neighbor’s
home, where I lay in wild delirium for weeks.

“At length I recovered and asked who had
310111; that deed, and was told it was my brother-
1n~ w. .

, “ A few months before a woman had come to
the home place claiming to be, and proving,
that she was his wife, and this had raised the
fiend of my parents, sister, and brother against

im.

“He had fled from justice, leaving my sister
and her two children. and had leagued himself
with a band of desperadoes on the frontier, and
soon became their chief.

“ Determined to wreak vengeance upon those
whose crime was in trusting him, the human
demon returned, with his band of outlaws at his
back. and dealt the foul deed that had met my
vmon. .

“By this act he believed he had slain our en-
tire family—wiped out the race from the face of
the earth, for you will remember that, at the

time my uncle ,was killed, in New Zealand, it

 

was also reported that I had lost my life, and
he, therefore, believed me dead. ‘

‘ I left my home—my ruined home, and bring—
ing with me my faithful Arab, a horse I had
brought with me from the East, and equipping
myself with various arms, I set forth to look for
the murderers of all that were dear to me.

“ At length my search was successful and I
studied well every foot of the country; I prac-
ticed daily with every weapon of defense and of-
fense, and at length took the trail of the outlaws
and haunted it like death.

“Malcom Moore, Dante, and he that did me
that foul wrong, were one and the same.

“ Am I not most cruelly avenged?"

CHAPTER XVII.
WATCHING AND WAITING.

WHEN Harold Meredith ceased speaking, a
silence of some moments followed, the man
standing upright, his arms folded upon his broad
breast, and his gaze fastened upon the beauty of
the scenery seemingly; while in reality he was
looking back over the years that had brought to
him so much of misery, and clinging, with one
golden anticipation—one buoyant hope. to a
love—dream, in which even his life might be
blessed by the affection of a true and noble wo-
man.

The maiden sat in silence upon the broad
trunk of a fallen tree, her eyes cast do vn, her
face pale in the moonlight and the lips tremu-
lens with the current of thought that over-
whelmed her, for her every feeling of woman-
hood had been touched by the strange story she
had listened to from him whom she had learned
to love with all the passionate abandon of a.
warm and loving nature.

Soon Kate Edgerton raised her beautiful eyes,
in which tears were trembling like dewdrops in
the moonlight, and met the full, earnest gaze of
Harold Meredith fixed upon her with a meaning
and tenderness she could not fail to discover.

“Miss Edgerton, I have placed my life, like
an open book, before you.

“ If you can read therein aught that can find
favor in your eyes—if you will look upon the
palliating circumstances that stirred up the hit-
terest feelings of hatred and led me to a life of—
of crime, shall I sayi—theu, so looking, could
you find that my heart’s devotion to you will

 

kindle for me one tiny flame of love in your ‘

bosom, it will be a joy untold, and one that will
bring to me a pleasure I had believed forever
down, and drive away the haunting memories
of the past which now hover around me inall my
sleeping and waking hours.”

The Avenger paused, and his earnest eyes fell,
with penetrating eagerness, upon the bowed
form and head of the beautiful woman before
him, who, slowly rising from her seat, let her
hands steal upward until they were clasped
around the proud neck of Harold Meredith.

Then the full, ripe lips were raised to his, and
the low but firm murmur, “Harold, I love you
better than life,” made the lonely, sorrow—strick-
en man cast his gloom and his bitter memories
into the past. and live, in joyful anticipation,
ages of delight in the happy present.

An hour passed, and then the lovers retraced
their steps to the camp, and. made known to the

 

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The Masked Avenger.

29

 

father and brother what had taken place be-
tween them.

Anxious for Kate‘s happiness, and having
discovered how dearly she loved the Avenger,
Colonel Edgertou and Wild Will heartily gave
their sanction to the engagement between the
two, and it was agreed that they should be
married as soon as the object of the present ex-
pedition was accomplished.

The destination of the caravan was reached,
the goods disposed of, and with full pockets and
in glad humor, the Praire—incn started upon the
homeward march, and each night, as they
camped along the way, the camp was boisterous
with revel and song.

But,though apparently reckless,the Prairiemen
were constant y on the alert in their march

homeward, for they knew not but that the‘

remainder of the outlaw band might meditate
revenge for their sevcrc defeat and the death of
their chief. "

Among those most anxious regarding an at-
tack was Harold Meredith, who determined to
keep a bright lookout for any appearance of
danger, for he was fearful lest some accident or
misfortune might yet tear from him the Woman
he loved with an almost idolatrous worship.

Well knowing the entire country, Harold was
Wont to reconnoiter on the march miles in
advance of the train, which now consisted of
only the Prairie—men and our immediate friends,
as the emigrants, and those who had been
traveling with the caravan as a protection, had
remained behind, and hence the number was
greatly diminished.

In one of these scouting trips, Harold suddenly
discovered fresh tracks, indicating that a num-
ber of horsemen had recently passed in that
direction, and observing that many of the
horses were shod, he felt convinced that it was a
party belonging to the outlaw band.

Following rapidly on the trail, he came, in an
hour’s time, in sight of a-small eve of trees,
and dismounting, he tied his steei and cautiously
crept to a position whence a good view could be
obtained of the horsemen, who had halted for
their midday rest and lunch.

“ As I expected, they belong to the outlaw
band—doubtless are those that escaped from the
stronghold after the attack on it by Colonel Lor-
lng,” murmured the Avenger, for already the
news of the demolition of the outlaw camp had
been brought to the Prairie-men by Indian run-
ners.

“ Some thirty in number,” he continued, after
counting them as well as he could, “ and deter-
mined to ambush us at our next encampment;
and— Hal I am discovered.”

With a bound Harold Meredith sprung to his
feet, at a. sound of crashing brush behind him,
and the next instant his noble horse, with reins
hanging loose, went dashing by, pursued by two
Mexicans at full speed. . .

Placing his hand to his 11 s, the Avon er gave
a loud, piercing whistle, w_ ich caused t e horse
to wheel to one side, and immediately dash in
the direction of the call. .

“Here, my good steed—here!” cried Harold,
as the horse halted beside him;_ and, with a
bound and a defiant yell, he was in the saddle
and flying away from the encampment, fOHOWed

 

by the Mexicans and the entire outlaw band,
who had been warned of his presence by the
loud whistle and the cries of the two men who
had been in pursuit of the noble steed.

“ Come on, you red devils, and I’ll show you
I’ve not lost my cunning with my mask,” cried
the Avenger, and halting suddenly, he raised
his trusty rifle, for he still carried all of the
arms which he had when first introduced to the
reader.

The flash and report found an echo in a death—
cry, and again flew horse vnd rider at wild
speed.

On, on, on, for miles until, just as the distant
train came in sight, an unfortunate shot from
one of the outlaws brought the brave steed to
the ground, and Harold was thrown with such
force against the earth, as for the moment to
stun him. _

But, recovering himself as quickl as possible,
he turned to meet his exultant oes, who, in
a long string, were rushing upon him, belicvmg,
now that the Avenger’s steed was dead, they
would find him an easy prey.

Placing his shield upon his left arm, and loos-
enin r his ciinetcr and pistols ready for use, Har-
old Ieredith stood ready, his trusty rifle in
hand to meet his destiny, bring it life or death,
and his face. though pale, was firm and cool,
(\ivllilfi} the glitter of his eye was threatening and

eat y.

011 rushed the outlaws, drawing nearer and
nearer, and with loud cries and wildly-aiimd
shots, attempting to intimidate the foe they so
greatly feared, and whom they were most anx-
iousto slay ere he received aid from the distant
train, for already the gallant Prairie-men were
hasteuin in hot haste to the rescue, having
witnesse the chase and fall of the Avenger‘s

orsc.

Gradually the trusty rifle began to flash forth
its angry fire and send its deadl hail into the
midst of the coming renegades; ut, though the
aim proved true, and ever and anon an outlaw
or his steed bit the dust, the mass pressed on in
recklessness of danger, so anxious were they to
wreak their vengeance upon one who had proven
the most deadly foe to their band.

En masse they rushed upon the gallant man,
who, single—handed, daringly met the assault,
his revolvers ringing out sharply until eve shot
was expended, and then casting them asi e, he
drew his cimcter, and protecting himself with
the shield upon his left arm, as well as he could,
he sprung into the midst of his fees, at once act-
ingupon the ofl‘ensive instead of as before, de-
fensive.

It was a terrible combat, and several times the
Avenger met with severe wounds, but cheered
by the encouraging cries of the Prairie-men,
who were pressing to his rescue at mad: ed,‘he
fought bravely against terrible odds, an caused
many a reckless outlaw to feel the weight of his
keen weapon. ' ’

.But now, when the last glimmer of ho was
flickering, for his stren was failing , his
ears caught the cry of t e Prairie-men, who, the
next moment, darted upon the scene and lit the
remaining outlaws to flight across the J) as.

“ Wild Will, I thank you; my frien s, I— on
have—“ began the Avenger, but faint from 053

 

80 The Masked Avenger.

 

of blood from several wounds, he could say no
more, but fell back into the arms of Captain
Ed erton.

enderly the wounded man was home back to
the train, which had encam inthe mean time,
and his wounds were skillfu y dressed, while the
loving hands of Kate Edgei‘tou soothed his brow,
and the magic touch brought him back to con-
sciousness.

Weeks passed ere the Avenger was once again
able to travel, and through those dreary days
of sickness and suffering he was cared for by
one and all with tender sympathy, while poor
Kate scarcely left his side.

Not a murmur of regret was heard among the
generous Prairie-men at the long delay, for as a
brother they had learned to- love the gallant
stranger who had come into their midst, and
his stay becoming known, they gave him all the
:ynlipathy which the hearts of noble men can

ee .

At length the boundaries of civilization were
reached, the Prairie-men were dispersed, and
the Gerards and Edgcrtons, with Harold Merc-
dith, sought a temporary home in a Southwest-
ern city.

In one of the loveliest portions of the State of
Texas, was built, a few years after the incidents
related in the foregoing chapters, two lovely
homes, surrounded y every luxury, and the
abode of happiness.

The mansions are not far distant from each
other, and a short walk with the kind reader
will make him aware of the fact that old friends
are their inmates.

First, in that lordly residence on the hill, sur-
rounded by ornamented unds, dwell Ca tain
Edgerton and his lovely ride—Wild Wil and
Edith Lines—while, watching over the happi-
ness of t eir children, are Osmund Gerard and
hiswife, who, after the sorrows of their younger
years, are reaping the blessings of a quiet old

age.

In the stately mansion in the valley, and
shaded by majestic trees, live in peaceful enjoy-
ment Harold Meredith and Kate Edger-ton, as
man and wife, for the beautiful maiden, with
the sanction of her brother, and blessing of her
dying father. gave her hand and heart to him
that was once known as the Masked Avenger.

— THE END.

 

Edward L. Wheeler’-

‘Deadwood 1310K Novels

Beadle’s Half-Dime ELibrary.

1. Deadwood Dick; or, The Black Rider of the
Black Hills.
20. Tllseflgguble Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s

e cs.
28. Buffalo Ben; or. Deadwood Dick in Disguise.
-35. Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval; or, The
42 Tgmfierhood (iii Death. D
e antom _ him“ or eadwood Dick‘s
Bonaum, . ’ ’

 

 

49. Omaha 011: or, Deadwood Dick in Danger.
57. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of
Flood Bar.
73. Deadwood Dick on Deckzor, Calamity J 11110,
the Heroine of Whoop—Up.
77. Corduroy Chariie; or, The Last Act of Dead-
wood Dick.
100. Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange
Stroke for Liberty).
104. Deadwood Dick’s evicc; or, The Sign of
the Double Cross.
10!). Deadwmxl Dick as Detective.
21. Cinnamon Chip the Girl Sport; or, The
Golden Idol of liIouiit Rosa.
121). Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of
Gorgon’s Gulch. _
138. Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home

Base

140. A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big
Strike.

156. Dcadeod Dick of Deadwood; or, The
Picked Party. I

195. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of

the Road.

The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood

Dick’s \Vard.

205. Deadwood Dick’s Doom;
Jane’s Last Adventure.

217. Captain Crack-Shot the Girl Brigand; or,
Gypsy Jack from J’imtown.

221. Sugar Coated Sam: or, The Black Gowns of
Grim Gulch.

232. Gold-Dust Dick. . '

263. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of
Swamp Lake. _

268. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From
Ocean to Ocean.

3 . Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold
Brick of Oregon. .

321. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or. The Fakir of
Phantom Flats. ‘

347. DeadWood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days
in the Diggings. _

3.51. Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible
Vendetta. . _

362. Deadwood Dick’s Clami;or, The Fairy Face
of Faro Flats. _

405. Deadwood Dick in Dead City.

410. Deadwood Dick‘s Diamonds; or, The Mys-
tery of Joan Porter. __

421. Deadwood Dick in New xork; or, A \Jute
Case.

430. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained
Hand.

443. Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the
Crimson Crcscciit. .

448. Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s
Defiance.

471. Bowman Bill of Big Brace; or, Deadwood
Dick J r’s Corral.

453. Sunflower Sum. of Shasta; Qi‘, Deadwood
Dick Jr’s Full Hand. _

459. Flush Fan. the Ferret; or, DeadWood Dick
J i"s Big Round-up. _

465. Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick
Jr’s Racket at Claim No. 10.

The above are for sale by all ncwsdealers
five cents a copy, or sent by mail on receipt 0

six cents each.
BEADLE AND ADAMS, Poemsnnns

or, Calamity

.

y 98 William Street, New York, ‘

  

- iv ism—“Mi” ~~~---  %'Or- 11—“,

 

 
  

    
 

 
 
    

V‘

 

 

 

    

32 Octave Pages.

9359
A

1 lioorhunter. the Boy Scoot on}... Great North “'oodu.
iiy on (Momma.

Buil’alo “ill. from liuyhood to Manhood. By Col. Pren-

tmi Inuruhaln.

   

 

LE”
’%

Klt. (Tun-on. Kin;r olilnidrn. Br Albert W. Aiken.

Gordon Lillie, tlm lluy-lnturpretarol'the inneon. By
Major. ll. it. Stoddard.

2
8
4
5 Bruin Adan“. Old Grizzly-’1 Buy Pard. Hy Colonel
(l
7
N

Prentiss lngraluuu.
Deadwood luck an uBoy. By Edward L. Wheeler.

\vlltl “Ill. the l’lniol l‘rince. By Colonel Prentila
lngrnhxun.

The Prairie Ranch. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
Ilovlntr Jtfl'l Tile History of a “ Bard r iiny.” By A.
ll. l'oxt.

1

A
v

Texan Jack. the MustangKing. lly Colonel Premium
luurnhnin.

ll (lllnrloy Higlnrk. A Story of Srlronl-day Scrape! and
r. 11w (3.1.... n, Maj... n. il.Siud|lnrd.

l Marlponn Moran. My Jam-nix E. liadgur, Jr.

13 llm int: lion. By John J. lilarshnll.

ll Sprlug Stu-l, King of line liudr. By J. E. Badger, Jr.

15 “‘“l'lll‘f-ll‘“'lll\(‘ George, the llny Pioneer. By Edward
l L‘h

N

16 The Boy “'Iznrd. ih‘ Barn- Ringgoid.

l7 l’ctrr l‘eppergrann, the Greunhurn from Goth am. By
Nonh Nuii‘.

18 Adi-lit on tho l’rnlrle. and Amateur Hunter!
on the Bull’alo Rouge. By 011 Canines.

19 The Fortune Hunter: nr, Roving: Joe an Miner,
Cowboy, 'l'rnivru-r and Hunter. liy A. 11. Post.

20 Trnppor ’l'om. tln- \i'oud Imp. By T. C. Harbauzh.

21 Yellow “stir. the liuy Chiui‘oi'tne l‘nwneel. By Cul.
l’fcllllml lngrahnln.

2 The Know 'l‘rail. liy T. C. Harbangh.
23 01:1 lirlizzly Adnmn, the Bear Tamer. By Dr. Frank
mn' .
2} “Mod: and “'ntern. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

25 A Rolling: Stone: lnriaunl- in tho Cnreur nn Sun and
Land mi (201. l’runtis: Inurnhnin. liy “'m. R. Eyatvr.

26 Red River Hover-n. By C. Dunning Clark.

27 Plaza an Plain: v-r. \i'ild Adventures offlnuckmn
Sam.” (3 '. Sam.  llali.) liy Col. 1'. inurnlnnn.

28 The Sword Prince. '1 In: Rmnantic Life of Col. Mon-
nlcry. iiy (3am. Frederick Whithker.

29 Snow-F'th Tom. liy 'l‘. C. llnrhnuuh.

80 Paul de Lin-y, tins Frunch Beast Charmer. By c.
Dunning Clark.

:51 Round the Camp Fire. lly Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

82 \Vhite Beaver, the Indian lilvdlciuu Chit-f. By Col.
Prentiss lngrnlnnn.

83 The Roy Crnnruler. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

34 The (‘haue ol’ the (l. roulthth Stag, nnd,Colnp
and Cnnoe. By C. Dunning Clark.

85 0M Tor Knuckle and iii: liuy (‘lnnnm By R. Stnrbuck.

80 The Ilnnhlug Drumming nr. 'l‘ho Story ofGen. George
A. Culiul. iiy Cam. Frud. Whitlakor.

87 Night-Hawk George. lly Col. Prentiss lngrahnm.

3-‘1 The Boy Exilen of Siberia. liy T. C. llarbaazh.

89 The Young Boar lluntern. By )iurri- Radwinz.

40 Smart. Sim, thu Lad with n Lorul “and. By Edward
\Villott.

4| The Settler‘s Son. By Edward S. Ellil.

42 \Valt Fargo-on”: Crulne. lly C. Dunning Ciuk.

43 Rule and Revolver. By Capt. Fred. Whittakn.

 
 

f 

D EVERY 895:0?”
\,,

   

4-1 The Loni. Boy Whalers. Ev T. C. Hubnngh.
45 Bronco Billy. the Saddle Prince. By Col. lnzrnhnm.
46 chk, the Stow away. liy Charles blorrln.

47 The Colorado ltoyn; or, Life on an Indigo Pint-lion.
liy Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

43 The Pnlupnn llnntorn; or, an York Boyn in
linenon Ayrrn. By T. C. Hnrhnuuh.

:49 The Adventurnun Life of Nebraska Charlie.
lly Col. Prontlsn lngrnhaxn.

50 Jm-k Harry and Tom. the Three Champion Brothers.
liy C’npt. Frud. Whittaker.

51 The Young Lnnd-Lnbber. By C. Dunning Clnrk.
5?. The Boy Detect-Ives. By T. C. Hnrhauzh.

53 Iloucnt llarr I or, Tho Country Boy Adrift in the
t'ily. liy Char ul Morril.

54 Cnlil‘ornlu Joe, the Myllorionl Plainnmnn. By Col.
Prentiss lngmhala.

55') Th: Trenncl. the Flonter. By Edwnrd Willott.

56 The Snow Hunters: or, Winter in the Woodn. By
llnrry do Forrest. ‘

57 Harry Homers, the Sailor Boy Magician. By S. W.
Pearce.

58 The Adventurous Life of Ca min Jack, the
Border Boy. By Col. l’raullsl lnlrru mm.

59 Lnrne'Tlmfihe Mule Boy oi‘ the Minel. By Charle-

A urriI.

60 The Young- Trail Hunters; or, New York Boy. in
Grizzly Lnnd. By ‘I‘. C. Hru'lmugh.

61 The TI er lluutern or, The Cuinrlda Boy: in Elo-
phnnt and. By Jolepi E. Bndxur, Jr.

62 Dot-tor Carver. the “ Evil Spirit ” of the Pinion. By
Col. Prentin loginlnun.

68 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. By Roger
Starhnlzk. -

64 Young Dick Tnlhot; or A Boy- Rough and Tumble
Fight from Now York to ‘nliiornin. By A. W. Alina".

65 The Boy Pilot; or, The Inland Wncker. By Col.
Prentiss lngrahua.

66 The Desert Rover' or, Stowaway Dink Among th-
Arabn. isy Charles lit urriu.

67 Tom! Charlie, the Boy Ranger. By Col. Prantiu

I a: - almin.

68 Little Rifle; or, The Young Fur Huntcn. By Cnptnin
“ llrniu ” Adams.

89 The Young Nlhlllntfi or, A Ylnku Boy Among tin
ltuuianl. By Charles (Il'l‘ll-

?0 Pony the Cowboy or, The Young Mar-huh Raid.
liy . lajor ll. B. Slot Md, Ex-Scout.

71 But? Robson and Ill: Bear. By C-ptdn “ Bruin ”
Adana.

’1'” The Ice Elephant. By Capt. Frederick whittnhr.

73 The Young Moose-Hunters. By William H.
Manning.

'34 The Boy Coral-Finite". By Roger Stubuek.

75 Revolver Bllly, tho Boy Ringer of Texu. By Col.
Prentiss lllKl’Hllfllll.

76 The Condor Killers By T. C. Hnrb‘ugh.

7? Lnd Llonhecln, the Young Tiger Fight". By Rog-r
Siarbnck.

78 Flatbuut Fred. )iy Edward Willott

79 Boone, the lluntnr. By Cnptnin F. Winn-hr.

Beadle’s Boy’u Library In for ads hy nil Now-«lulu,
five cents per copy, or sent by mail on nonlpt olnix anti cub.

BEADLE AND ADAMS. Pulpit-hon.
98 William Street, New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

his.

80 Kentucky Ben, the Long Rifle or thu (‘nlcudem
Rog-9r Sturbnck.

81 The Kit. Carlton Club. By T. C. llnrlmngh.
82 Little Buck. the Boy Guide. Ily ilarry Ringgnld.

88 Pony Bob thu Reckleaa Rider ol the Rnckicn. By Col.
Prentiss lnzrulnun.

84 Captain Fly-by-Vlght. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
85 Cantu" Rulpll, the Young Explurur. ly C. Dunning
‘ nr .

86 Little Dun Roekli. By Morris Rerlwing.

B? The Menagerie llunteru. By Maj. ll. Grenville.

88 The no Tram s' or Life Anton the Gi al's. B-
J. M. lfi'ymnan. p ' ' g p L 3

H!) 'lmnznllore Llje. By C. D. Clnrk.

90 Roving Rifle, t'ualer’a Little Scout.
bnngh.

91 (Du-mm Jonll, the Wiznril Rifle.

92 Hurricane Kit. By A. F. Ilolt.

98 Jumping Jake, tile Culm'luio Circus Buy. By Brynnt
linlnmulue.

94 Sum fillenee, the lfrmulhorn lluy. lly Ed. \‘l'illutt.

95 Mom‘th in Siberia; or, A Ynnkue Buy to the Rescue.
n,- Charles Mnr ».

90 Flglttllu: Fred; Ur, The Cnstnwnya of Grizzly Cnmp.
lly T. (I. Ilfll‘blulL’ih

9? Crulne ofthe Fl 'nwu ' or Yl was B0 '5 in Ca -1 n.
lly C. Dunning (Iln’rk. ’3 ’ l‘ ) 3 u

08 The Boy \‘lgllnntcp; or, King Cole and His ilnmi.
lly Mnj. ll. u. wand.

99 The “'l-lte Tiger-z nr, Silvrr Kill», the Girl Trnrkcr
ol'l.nhe Superior. By (tum. t‘lnlrlml Howard.

100 The Shaw-Shoo Trnll; or, The Finest. Duspermloes.
By St. George llnthlmnc.

101 nlnrhlno, the Ottuwn Girl; or, The Mysterious Cnnor.
Hy mm...) s. Ellis.

1093 The Flynn-av Afloat: nr, Ynnkne Buys ’[luund the
Worhl. liy C. imnning Uilll‘k.

108 l’tli. Mullonep ’n Adve tun-ll: or, Silver Tongun
the DxlcutzlllQnrun. iiy .hnwnnls,

By T. C. liar-

By Roger Starbuck.

 

)
104 The [50v Prospector: ur. Tim benrel ul‘ the Sierrn j

anine. ‘By Rugnr sun-hunk.

105 Mlllmlee. the Wood Witch; or, The Sqnntter’: Serrut. 

By Edwin Emerson .

103 The Boy (,‘ruincrll: or, Jon and an‘a Big Find. B,- V

Edward “Wilt-Lt.

10‘? :lljlle. Border lhn’ern: nr, Lust on the (lwrlnnnl 

rnll. llyJ. Milton Hui“!th

103
_ Dunblu Crime. llv (Tnpt. llnwnrtl Linn-in.

109 (gllrllptlnll Jim, the White Mnn'n Friend. [53' Ellwllrli

1.4M.

Alnnkn. the Vt'olf-Qlleelv. or, The Hirly Brntlll-rs’:

110 I’lm-ky Joe, the Buy Avengnr; ur, Dick Bellnunt’b 

Lulu Ride. lly .l. Miltnn llnfl‘nnm.

111 The “order tu‘vunmuker; or, 'l'hu Hulth Mnlllun.
ll" .lulnvn L. liowrn.

112 Lel't-llnnded Pete, the Double-Knife. By Julupil
l’. r

E. llmlgvr, J

113 The River lilflcn; or, The Fate ofthe Flntbont. By
Cunt. .l. ‘. c. Adm-ls.

"4 Alone on the l'lulmt. By Ellwnnl Willett.

115 fillver Ilarn, nml llis Rifle Fin-death. By Roger
Slnrlnntk.

116 Ex Inlts of Hezekiah Smith, the Backwoodalnnn.
lly Emerson lemnn.

117 The Ynung Mllntnngcrs; or, Dick Morry’I Rang-
uru. By C. Dunnng (.‘lurk.

118 Old Tram; or, the Boy Rlvnla. By Enrry Ringgold.

r

i
i

l

119 Center Shot. the White (Wow; m“ aning Riilu'i
l‘irst Cull pniun. By T. C. llnrllnuuh.

A Hot Trill]; or, Clurk Clnverly‘tmon; tlu: ’I‘nrtnrn.
ily L'Imries Mulris.

Hunter Pm‘tl “en; or, Tim \l'ulmth'a lllind Luml.
By llngur Stnrhnrk.

~ The EHHIIIIIHIII" Queen; hr, The M3. slury of the

Lulu: Lut. I.) G. Walhlo Browne.

123 Tim, the [luv Atl’trilll‘] or, Life in tilu Circus King. lly
Chm-Ins Itinrris.
124 Queen Bernie, the llnrulorGirl. liyllenryJ.Tholnns.
’l'onl Tabor, tlm llny h‘ngiliw, nr,’I‘hu Yunng Lynch-
tr'nn: “ \\': inns.” 15y llnrry Ringg-uli.
k (‘unh lln- hpnth.’ wt; or, The Sprint; of the
r. ll)‘ 4.... l1. l’nl‘ger. Jr.
The Deer lhlnterl‘. 13y Juhn J. Marshall.

\Volf-(‘lulz or, 'ihr- Niuhlrlinwl‘s Ui' thu File Lulnls.
lly rum. Hunt. 110mm.

Filrvrnpul'; or, 'l‘hn “Hunt-tin iiul'xvillt‘. liy Etlwlll'd
\\'ll|elL.

Keetucn, Qu- en a the Plains. ll)" l’»r<~y 1;. Si. J'lllll.
\‘r'lnlull, lhe (‘hihl Spy.
Tlu- hinmi Tratppm': nr,’l‘hu Young \\'l.il.~-llnfi‘:iio
Hunters. 1;; chum Iion'nrxl.

131
182

ii} (it-mm; Ulunnn.

I38 Tilt Fort-rd. Rpm-tor; or, The Young linnler’a Fth.
liy l‘Ialnnlll \l'illutl.

“'llll Nat. By \\'nl. R. E} stcr.

The fiilvm- "ugh-g or. The lmiinn .‘Jnhll-n of St.
('ruix‘. My Lit-n1. ('Tul. ilnlcllnn.

“34

I 35

line Trm pel‘.

1126 ix 1'. Dunning Cinrk.

ill?

The l’rnlrlo Trapper.

'l‘he Ann-lulu.- Buy. My (Rm. i..A1hwl.

138 Lulu: Mint; ur,'l'|-v limuil’iniulo. 11y l‘nth‘I-xnatwh.
(‘nlunel (‘rm-lu-lt, t|.c ilczn- l-Zing. lly I hurh-s E.
[manila
Old l'r- r-v, tln- ftiuulntninrcr; nr, 'l'ln- 'l‘rnmwr ilimls.
ll.» Lem. \'.'.« an...»
(Hunt
1.)

"uruw: nr. 'l'ln- .\lml Swnrga of tho
.ln'_\ HM rd.

Him-k l’ultiher, line “unintuul, By Jwyl. E.

lln-lgrl’, . r.

tlu- “llitie; or, l'rrila . l‘tln- Frultlicr. ll) Hunt.

Foul, the Runner; or. 'l‘llp, Fin-itiwa Hi the [innit-r. By
' ‘ l

Erlullnl 5. Eli: . ll illl.

Illll Ihlblllnu, ’lilllilr; ( 'l'hu Mun in (in-rm. lly
“liwllld \\ illull. lil'ltli) .In '2.
The Illtli‘-llr(-c-l Iih n]; «.r. The ’l‘nnglvd Trnil.
ll». .lur. l4. mam-r, Jr. krilll.‘ Jun. :2».
The Mnnkell Avenger. By W). i'rulililn ingrnhnm.
iner Fe .5.

1.18 Nut, the 'l‘rnppl-r nmi imlinn Fighter. lly l’unl J.
I‘l'rncnll. an-ly Feb. l'J. '

Bentlle’n Bo)":- lJlnrnI-y is far Fah- hy nll Nrwat’neulvrn,
five cunts pvr copy, or sent hy lllllll on lcl‘t‘llli. ufnix rents mu h.
BEADLE AND AIIAMF, I’Ilblluhern.
98 Willluln Street, New Yul-k.