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I ‘ ANNEX-Um ..u_4|m (“L ‘3] V 1 ‘v ‘ " “km;\_ ‘1. .u " ,
Entered at the Post Office at New York ‘14, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. April m‘ M4.

N0. 351.

IV S 19 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price,
‘ Nun: er. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Centso

 

DEADWUOfiDIGK SENTENUED: or, The Terrible Vendetta.

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER.

AUTHOR OF “DEADwoon 1)ch " xovnm. "ROSEBL'D non” NOVELS, “ DENVER DOLL " NOVELS. 1:10., ETC.

 

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A FLYING LEAP CARRIED Hm OVER THE HEADS OF THE CROWD. AND DEADWOOD DICK WAS OUT OF THE SALOON, IN THE DARKNESS OF THE
NIGHT. El"? A HAND COULD BE RAXSED TO PREVENT HIS MARVELOL'S ESCAPE.

 

2
Deedweed Dick Sentenced ;
The Terrible Vendetta.

A Nevada. Tale.
BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,
Larson or “nunwoon DICK." " Damn
DOLL,” “SIERRA em,” mm, ETC.

 

CHAPTER I.
. memo DAY IN NOWHERE.

A Nmuns. morning paper, The Stufi‘, had the
followin editorial, which did its editor proud.
as an i ustration that he could “get their,”
when material was plenty] and occasion required
him to “ throw ” himself. '

“A GREAT EVENT
IN CAMP NOWHERE, T0 DAY!
"A Home Dnsmnwo To Br: 'Exncurnnl
‘ “ Deadwood Dick‘s Last Act I

“To-day, which promises much for many, ushers
In, to one man, in our young city. yroepect. which
to say the least, is not very sgpet ng We speak
of the condemned assassin an road—agent, Edward
Harris. better known by the famous sobriquet 0t
‘ Deadwood Dick.‘

“At one o’clock, P. M., Harris, whose wild and
darin career maybe safely said to be without a
p l, pays the penalty of his crimes which, ’tis
said, would fill a volume. Sheriii‘. Calvin Carter
will perform the ceremony of giving the risoner
the send oif,‘ and the event promises be a
memorable one for the town of Nowhere.

“Without doubt, nearly all of our readers are
familiar with the history of the doomed despernuo,
and the circumstances or his arrest and convic-
tion. ’

“For ears past—ever since the gold-fever up in
the Black Hills, Deadwood Dick has been famous,
as one of boldest’ and most slip .ry of outlaws.
He has defied the law, in a bun d or more in-
stances, and, his said, were all his victims planted
side by side on ordinary cemetery would be inade-
quute to hold the demand for space. He has been
arrested many times, but has a ways succeeded in

' making his escope,’la‘.ughing at the low. At last,

  
  

however, as the reader is aware, he was nabbed,
and all precautions have been taken toward pre-
venting a. repetition of ‘his former miraculous es-

fig Three weeks ago, last night. after being iostto
public notice for some time. he dropped down into
our sister cit . Dodge’s Gap. and got into a game of

ker. at w 'ch he cleaned out every one at the

hie—an old trick of his: Finally, a. name! arose——
about just what. or between whom. t ere is no clear
data—and there was some lively shooting. Two
men were shot dead and the bystanders charged
young Harris with the crime. He was unced
upon and arrested, and bronchi: to the owners
jail, where he is now incarcerated. .

" At the tr last week, the evidence was so pow-
erful‘ and conclusive against the outlaw, that the
jury rendered their verdict without retlrin _—
-;,riiiity o! murder in the first degree,’ and are to
highly commended for so doing. ‘ -

' Northern ieyot but a ycging mining-town. with a
population of not over five undred permanent resi-
dents. but this giant stride toward broakliag u: rui-
tinnism and crime cannot be too highly p se , and
promises to be an eflective example to evil-doors. ‘
“ Deadwood Dick is yet but scomparativelyfiyoun 1
men, and it iscertnlu. had his talents been um
into he

. wort , _ But. it appcam, from earl
hood be was

of a. restless, dare-dc
mum, audit has ’ rought down retribution
“P0

n his . .

“ J Asa Ami . who conducted the trial, sen~
tonced esdwood D 01: to be hanged“ to-dsy audio
closi made an eloquent appeal to our e to do
all in heir power to assist putting own wrong-
doing and crime. , .

“ The execution will be public, and during' the
night the town has been filling up with people from
the uni hborlng com who are bent on seeing- the
run. Igi: estimated at nearly every town along
the Pabrnnaeatirenge will be represented—which, by
the way, will be a great help toward giving our
model town a boom. ' _

“ WW Du Cm.
" In is said that Deadwood Dick has a strong and

I veil-organized band of allies in the ad mnt moun-

and some team are entertained t at the hang-

' lug véill be interrupted. Every one should go we

armed.

‘ “ Gomnos Ermine and Candidate—toruovemor
Stafford have arrived in comp and are registered at
the Prospect House. Whether their oominr has
More sewswemwwwer °r
amino 0 '1 .al a are-
waterth to get an interview with the dietin-
gw‘snedxentiemmj ‘ , r' u; x



   

mm “WW” '1‘" mw°abflmm° ,Crocker lode. Was about the most important

.the bad liquor they

 

 

“Ono Joe SPRAT’T‘. of the ‘Frisco dance-house,hns
erected a temporary out-door bar, where he will dis-
pense good-cheer to the thirsty; and Pablo Pete has
made pre nrations to alert a monte game near by.

Bow-leg n has set u a. cake and pie stand in full
view of the gallows,an will be well patronized—Ado.

“ \VORK has been entirely suspended in ‘ the
Crocker mine. The boys don‘t often have a holiday,
and they mean to have a good time. I

“St. Bosnmcn‘s 011. has cured Bill Bockus of
rliiuinutism.-—Adv. We can also recommend it.
_ ‘D_ '

"LATER—"A11 remains quiet within the all, al-
though e large crowd is grouped about on t 8 out-
side. The prisoner is saidto have passeda. com‘
lonable night. Indeed, he has been remarkably
cool all along.

“ Missomu Mao will set out lunch all day, at her
‘ Pilgrim‘s Landing ’ saloon—Adv.

“ AFTER the execution, drop in at Levi’s and look
at his new suits, for $20, up.-—-Adr.

“ Loos out for an extra. edition of The Step?“ at six
P. 31., containing full particulars of the hanging."

In order to accommodate an extra demand
for his newspaper, the proprietor of The Stuf
had rinted a large edition, and the cry:

“ ’ re’s yer Stufl’. two bite—full ’ticklers of
the exercution"—was heard in the prosperous
young mining-camp of Nowhere, as earl as the

reak of day. at which hour it was emp aticel-
ly a dull man who was not up and stirring, con-
sidering the important event which was booked
to take place, that day.

And The Stu? sold rapidly, among those who
could read. and such parties as could not read
bought copies, and got the better-educated ones
to read the news to them.

The camp, at sunrise, contained nearly a.
thousand souls, in large proportion of the ra his
coming from adjacent towns and locates.

Hanging, acrording to law, was a novelty in
those arts, and men who had been accustomed
toJu ge Lynch’s method, wanted to see how
Justice did the job.

Nowhere was as lively a camp as there was
south of Silver City in the Pabranasut range,
and a typical one, too, of the mining regions.

It possessed the usual one long main street, on
either side of which were the business places,
and habitations—a conglomeration of fairly-
built houses cabins, shanties and tents, of vari-
ous sizes on shapes.

What lines of business, outside of manufactur—
ing, could not be found represented on No-
where’s “Bowery,” were few and far between,
hence there was no lack of sights, excitement,
and “ attractions” to wrest money, from the
wary and unwary alike. ,

The P t House was the only hotel, and
was not on y a commodious building, but was
conducted on a. better scale than t 6 average
hotel of the mines.

Opposite this hotel was Missouri Mag's_place,
also a large “shebang,” devoted to terpsichore,
gambling and Beochanalian orgies.

The stone jail was nsxt; then came a long
string of buildings, devoted to various classes of
business, from the Chinese laundry to the
smithy; from the Jew clothing store and pawn-
sbop to the tented museum of curiosities: “Bil-
kens’s Branch of Barnum’s Greatest Show On
Earth,” the Bering streamer, and hideous show
paintings announced, '

Every cam has its .“bi
as a matter 0 count, and
ce tion to the rule. I

lonei Ezra Crocker, the owner of the

cat men in town,"
owhere was no em

rsonage, while ranking next was Senor Jose

christian, a speculator and stock broker, as
well as the local banker.

Descending from the sublime to the ridiculous,
as it were, the next two much-remarked per-
sons were “Sis” Booker and Gilderoy O’Gall,
often surnamed the Twin Bums.

Now, what the sponging, irresponsible red-
noee rum-punisber. known as the “ rounder.” is,
to city life, were the Twins to Nowhere society.
They almost invariably traveled together, and
aside from bein beats of the most renounced
order, and caps 19 of any mild crim nnl offense,
their main aim in life appeared to be the man-
euvering and skirmishing for free drinks.

very one knew them. and considered them
on irel, innocent of being dangerous further
than 1; air voracious appetites for “ benzine ”
were concerned.

Seeker always took the lead, he being a trifle
more portly and good looking than O‘Gall,
although both were disgusting in up erance,

, rank demos us their
natural beauty.

The,
ore, slam k i

  

  
 

_, an internal revenue

 
  

 

'key business.

 

firm of'Soaker‘d: O’G, 11.,“genu of leis-l
' 1% 

 

agents appointed to examine, test and ro-
nounce upon all malt and spiritous liquors "lied
no permanent abidinglplace, and general y put
up for the night, on the soft side of the door-
ste most convenient to the locality, where
their bewildered legs gave out.

Bright and early, however, on the morning
of October 25th, which was the day set for the
execution of Deadwood Dick, these two worthies
crawled out of an empty prairie “schooner,”
not far from the hotel, where they had led ed
for as many as two nights, without being is-
turbed.

. “ Gilderoy O’Gall, how ranketh the condition
0’ yer b’iler, this autumnal morn!” Seeker do
mended, adjusting his crevat. ‘

“ Faith an’ be jabers, Sissy O’Boeker, me
stbumick feels as if the divil had got intuit.
It’s a docthor I’min need av, an’ o’conrse it isi"

“There ye are again, callin’ me O’Soaker.
Havon’t I told on, time apd again, that my
name isn't O'Soa er, but plain Seeker, Esquire!
As for your stomick. the best remedy prescribed
by eminent psychologists, is a small dose of the
essence of old Bezam, taken prior to a. little wa—
ter. 0

“ An’ d’yez have to have a presquiption, Mr.
O’Soaker?”

“ Nary prescrip, Mr. O‘Gall. Missouri Mag-
dalen doth mix up the beverage equal to Doctor
Tanner, bisself. Take my arm, Mr. O’Gell,
and we will proceed tothe drug store and state
the nature of our mutual diseases.”

And arm in arm, the Twins made- a bee-line
for‘tlie Pilgrim’s Landing.

Missouri Mag, by no means an uncomely fe-
male, was washing glasses, behind the bar. She
was a buxom party, with u resolute expression
of countenance, and hard, steely eyes.

Margaret conducted her own business, and
had often proven she was very capable of doing
it, by active use of one or more of the ready
cocked revolvers which conspicuously orna—
mented a. shelf, behind the her.

To arouse her ire meant danger, and the citi-
zens of Nowhere had learned to walk very care-
fully when they entered her place of business,
for fear of disastrous consequences. ‘

With that peculiar grace which none knew
better how to exercise, than the Twins. when in
quest of a. gratuitous drink, Booker & Co., glid.
ed‘ up to the bar, and dotted their battered
cha%sus.

" bay, god-morning to you, Miss Missouri!”
accos eker courtesying low, while by
agreement, O‘Gall contorted his featuree‘into a
hideous expression of misery. “ You will per-
don me for interrupting our morning duties,
but the fact is I am on ortunately in a dire
state of trouble~that is to say, my friend is.
He has suddenly been attacked with pleura-
gastral—fullamoso of the digestive organs, and
unless he has immediate aid, will die. We fail
to find the local physician at his residence, and
asalest resort come to you. Experience has
developed, and scientists have demonstrated the
feet, that a little whisky, taken immediately
after a drink of cold water, will aflord tem-
porary relief. So if you will set out the decan-
ter we will see what we can do for my afflicted
friend."

“ 0h! yis, boom upl” groened O’Gall, bend-
ing over, as thong in great distress. "Ochl
bloody murdther, phat pain I have!"

Missouri Mag gave O‘Gall \ a sharp glance.
She knew the w us of old, as thorou breds;
butO’Gall did really look so used up, at she
set forth the bottle, without besilai on, where—
upon tbe “sick man "took along pull, and then

passed it back to Socket, who finished the con—

tents, and set it down upon the bar, with a
grateful smile. - .

“Much obliged, Miss Magdalen—retry much
obliged! I think u 6 shall now be able to do full
{$108208 to on}; breakfast at the Pro-poet House.

a . ,

“ Whoa!” Missmiri Mag cried, as they were
about filing out. “ Haven’t you forgotten some—
thins?"

" Ehl Forgotten sometbln l Abl really, it
must have been my umbnel a. I say, O'Gall,
did you see where 1 left my—”

“See here, Hg dead-beat, none 0’ your mon-

0 you come down for the drinks
quicker than blazes, or oil goes your headi You
loafers can’t work yer rackets on me I” I

Andtbe Twins behold a pair of six shooters ,.
levoled at them, back of which Meg‘s face looked ‘l
own more determined than usual. 3

Seeker grew fldirety, while O'Gall’s knee!
tairlv knocked together, so terrified washe. '

“Oh, dear Miss Magdalen, be com ocedi’.’
gasped Soaker. _ ‘.‘._Just chalk it on the
a e gar-box, until I get a dollar owed use by .

 

that I

 

 

 

  
 
 

 

 

 

 

   
 

, You stay here, Gilly. while I go

_ out.

 

rather attracts me, Then, too.

 

.n‘
'1‘.

Deadwood Dick I Sentenced.

3

 

 

Bow-leg Ben, and I will fly to your presence
and liquidate the slight indebtedness.“

“Naryl Too old and thin. Come down, or
there’ll be two moreJights put out today aside
0’ Deadwood Dick‘s!” '

Soaker turned despairingly to O‘Gall.

“Lordy, Gil, old ribs, what a flxl Have ye
got a red?”

“ N ary!" O’Gall declared solemnly.

" Nor I. Aha! a. thought strikes me. My
brother-in-law, Gov’ner Snellin , is in town.
unce the old
chap for a saw-buck.”

“ None 0’ thatl Are you goingtocome down f”
cried Mag, sharply.

“Upon our sagacity an’ honor, we haven’t
the copper-dust from a red cent!" groaned
Seeker. ‘

“Then ve me yer shirts. They’ll do.”

Seeker ooked at O’Gall, then both grinned.

Neither of them possessed such a garment.

Just at this instant a man entered and stepped

v up to the bar.

“ Put up the tools!” he commanded. “ I’ll pay
for these fellows’ cordial. Come up, boys, and
wet your whistles again; then I want to use
voul’ an announcement that caused Missouri
Mag to open her eyes.

CHAPTER II.
THE GOVERNOR‘S REFUSAL.

IN the best suit of rooms of the Prospect
House, consisting of a parlor and four oom-
muaicating rooms, the Governor Smelling party
had been installed on their arrival in Novvhere.

The party consisted of Governor Snelling. a
grave, canal-looking gentleman, of rather im‘
gresslve looking face and figure: Daniel G.

tafl’ord, who had been announced as candidate
for Governor for the ensuing term: ROE?3 Rock-
ville, the Governor’s private Secretary, 8115 Miss
Estelle Staflord, the candidate‘s accomplished
and handsome daughter.

The gubernatorial party had arrived by stage
late the previous night; yet despite this fact,
daybreak found Mr. Stafford up and seated in
the parlor, with that mushroom sheet, The Stufl‘,
spread out before him.

He was a large, handsome personage, this
candidate for the highest office in the young
State, with iron-gray hair and well~trimmed
beard; his eyes were brown and of kindly ex—
pression, and, as a whole, he looked to be a
person of a warm and kindly nature, with a
will to do good whenever it came within his
power.

He had been reading. The Stufl’k editorial on
the approaching execution, and there was an
expression of displeasure upon his face.

“ It looks like a gala—day advertisement,” he
commented. “I do not like the spirit of the
affair. Be he the worst of criminals, this Death.
wood Dick may have a heart in him, that would
revolt from having his last moments tortured
by a {spring crowd. I will speak to Snelling
about tl”‘ ‘

General.8taflord and (humor Snelling had
been warm friends from childhood, and their
101:3 friendship made them like brothers to each
at er.

SpellingI having extensive mining interes
had decl ned rencmination, and therefore, ha
influenced his friend, the general, to become a
candidate. and the chances were that Stafford
would poll a majority vote at the forthcoming
election.

'Shortly after General Stafford had finished
his perusal of the aper, the Governor entered
the parlor with a p easant good-mornin . _

To all outward appearances the chief magis-
trate was an easy-going and good-humored,
gentleman, yet those who knew him in his ofll-
cial capacity knew him only as a man of honor
and integrity, prompt,'stern, and immovable
from the groove of his candid opinion as a
mountain of rock. , ‘

He had made a satisfactory eXecutive, how-
ever, and therewere few who could say alight
against him. '

‘.‘Good.mominz. Snelling," Staflnrd said, in
answer to the otflciai’s greeting. “I trust you
feel rested after yesterday's tiresome jaunt.”

‘tes, thank you—so much so, in f ct, that I
believe I‘ shall set out for the capital, without
further delay. as there is a pressure of business

 

' awaiting me there." ’

“ But. Governor, you should not tire yourself
Why not tarry here a few days? The rest

will do on good.”

r,’ , ‘V'Per ups; but. you see,I prefer to go On.

.Will you accom n me?”
"fl think not!m Tybis mountain air and vtr‘ild
ve.

easel here and'

     

a

are sudden interest inya

   

av‘ '

   
 

 

 
  

i.

want a, little, of your cooperation, if you will

grant it.”

“Ahl you want to work up a little political
boom, I sup 7”

“Oh, no! Let politics take care of them-

seflve’s, for the present. I want to save a man’s
l 45.

_Governor Snelling’s face changed in expres-
own.
“What now, Stafford—another of your ec-
centric notionsl You surely do not mean—”

“Precisely that, and no more, air. I want to
save the sentenced outlaw, Deadwood Dick,
from the gallowsl"

Snelling’s face assumed the cold, business-like
hardness of expression which was peculiar to
his executive life.

“ Well, I surely didn’t give you credit for be
ing a‘ crank, Dan!" he said, but yourwish is
most extraordinaryl" ‘*

“So it may seem to you, but I assure you I
have causes for wishing to prevent this sacrifice
of human life.”

“ What are they .2" ’ .

And G_overuor Snelling tipped back in his
easy-chair, and lit a. cigar, addin

“I never thought you would
counsel for criminals. general."

“ Neither have I. But as I said. I have causes

develop into a

‘ for apt wishing this execution to take place, to-
a ,

d yl

“ Name them' name them! Have you fallen
in love with this famous fly-by—night fellow or
are you afraid his cronies will exert a ad
eifect on your chances. at the coming election?"

“Nothing of the sort, sir. To explain all to
you would require too much time. You are
aware, I suppose of the misfortune that befell
me, ears ago?”

“ hl es.’ I

“ Wel , late last ni ht, as we drove into this
town, Ipresseri my ace to the window-pane
in the coach-door, and what do you suppose I
saw?"

“0b! a skeleton from the gubernatorial
closet, no doubt!" and the Governor laughed,

dr ly.

XNonsensel Nothing of the kind. I saw the
devil-in-human—shape who did me the wrong,
so many years ago—yes, the same evil, exultiug
face.

Snelling looked. interested.

“ It can’t be possible!” he exclaimed. “Where
wfiélidi' the top f th tag h

a mg upon 3 o e s ecoac
zdnld glaring in at me I” the general cried, exalt,-

v.
He arose and paced to and fro across the
room, his, brow knitted, and his a tation great.
Governor Spelling, too, seem considerably
affected by the same cause which so disturbed
his friend s ace of mind. '

“ This a] seems incredible, Dan,” he said,
takingalong whifl.’ at his cigar. “ I thought
that deadly vendetta settled, years ago I”

Stafford shook his head.

“Nol no!" he answered hoarsely—“ it never
will be ended until Pierre Parrimore is dead.
The accursed fend has swept away two genera-
tions. and threatens to destroy a third 1”

“You are sure it was Parrimore’s face you
saw-positive of it?"

a“ Do you not think I have cause to remember
it! When I look back and remember—but, God!
I cannot recall the past .without, breaking
down!"

Snelling had never seen his friend as deeply
affected as now.

“You had better come back with me to the
city, general,” be said, “ and forget all this
trouble!"

“ Forget it, siri Never. I shall stay here
and wring from the h of that fiend incarnate
the whole truth, or is in the attempt. The
feud has got to be ended sometime, and some-
where, and it may as well be ended in this place
as anywhere. hen it is ended. either I or
Pierre Parrimore will _be a corpse l"

The general s ke With a fierce determination
that Smelling new it would be useless to at-
tempt to break. _

It was a bitter, inextinguisbahle vendetta be-
tween two proud old Southern families, entail-
in doom to generation after generation—such
a eadl feud as few countries except the fiery-
bloode South could produce.

“Well,,of course you are your own master;
but asa friend, I’d not advise you to endanger
your own life, and that of your daughter, by
attempting an adjustmentot the difficulty at
present. and especial] y here in this rough town i"

beG-‘over‘uorsaid, r “ ' ' 

“ I an) resolved,‘and shall,

 

=eration.

 

 

    

     

 

Shellie; Icannut ask you“
‘ . y , A H? ‘ l1 ' 

Julia cam " "
seeping» ‘

 
  
    
 

but you have it in your power to do me a great.
favorl”

“ If so, name it, and I will
I believe, general,
fused to aid you?"

“ No, you have not. But this is a favor of a
rather peculiar nature. I want you to pardon
D: adwood Dick !"

Toe Governor looked at his friend. in unas-
sumed astonishment.

“ Why. Den, are you mad?" he ejaculated.

“ Oh! no—not mad, nor the least affected
with dementia l" General Steflord replied, calms
ly. “I want you to pardon this Deadwood
Dick. He is one of the shrewdest detectives
and most reliable men upon the frontier, and,
of all others, Would assist me most in fighting
my battle with Pierre Parrimorel”

“ It is impossible, sir—utterly preposterous.
As much as r gard you, as a friend, general, I
do not care to bring censure down upon my
head by pardoning this condemned desperado,
'ust when my < fficiel career is about to rxpire.

uch a proceeding would have no precedent in
the history of the American Government."

“ But, you can at least reprieve him, on some
not groundless lea?"

‘tEven that should hesitate to do, as I be-
lieve the fellow fully deserves the fate that
justice has pronounced for him. If 1 should re-
prieve him, what would it avail you?"

“Much. Reprieve him. and Ill see to it he
escapes from jaill"

“ You. General Staflordl"

I: Yes, I!» '

“ I am more and more astonished at you.
Suppose your political supporters were to know
of this?”

“ Bah! Politics and ven eance don’t always
travel hand in hand. I am esperate, Governor,
and I mean to adopt desperate measures, to end
the vendetta, that has so long existed l"

“You will have to do so, then, without my
cooperation!” the Governor said, rising. and
tossing his cigar out of the window. " I cannot,
in a case like this, interfere with the . mandates
of the law I” 4

“ Governor-l” .

“ General, it is useless to argue on the point.

y decision is final 1” ,

“Stopl We have been friends from child-
hood. Shall this foolish obstinacy on your part
make us henceforth enemies?”

” As you like about that!” the Executive re-
plied, haughtily. “ I know my business, sir,
and allow no man rule mel"

With his hot Southern blood aroused. and
his face burning with passion, General Siaflord
sprung to his feet.

“Very well, sir~so be it! When you return
to the capital, announce for me » that Daniel
Stafford declines the nomination for GoVernor,
and, sir, henceforth consider me no longer your
friend.” '

Without replying, the Governor bowed,. in
his stately we y, and turning. left the room.

Daniel Ste flord. soon followed.

His face still showed traces of great anger,
when he Stepped from the hotel into the al-
ready thronged main street of owhere, and
there was, in the glitter of his eyes, a action]:
of indomitable resolution.

CHAPTER III. ,
a now move.

anme out. by inquiry, the location of the
office of Sheriff Calvin Carter, General Steam-d
made his way toward it, a bold plan forming in
his mind as he went. ,

We have failed to state that, in generals
peamnce, the general and the Governor grea
resembled each other.

Both were portly and stately-looking men;
both had broad, massive faces, and wore iron-
gray beards of the same style of cut, and as
they dressed quite alike, a stranger to them
meeting ’but one on the street would have been
puzzled to know whether he had met the Execu-
tive or the candidate. ,

Of this resemblance General S'aflord was well
aware, and as be made his way toward the sher-
ifl‘s office be resolved upOn a bold attemptto
make it of stall in his emergency.

At the hotel the stage had just arrived, and
would depart again within a few minutes.

“ I’ll do it. if I hang for it!" the general mut-
tered. “Ali’s fair in love or war—and it stands ,
a metrer of war, now.” ' I r

He turned hruptly, and retraced his steps to
the hotel. ’

Governor Spelling was in the bar-room.

Stafford went upstairs to the parlor. and. saw
that the Gownor’s bedrOnm-door was open.
Looking in. he” discovered the generals value;

ive it due consid-
have never re-

 

 

      
 

lie

3'? "
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in
iis

al-
rd

BB

 

en 

in— ‘
i0?
ier
ire

W' ».

.5 as» A

  

' Years passed. but Pierre Parrimore a

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

5

 

 

“My masaperade?" the general echoed, with
a start. “ but do on mean?”

“ I mean,” replie Dead wood Dick, coolly,
“that the guard announced the Governor,and I
naturally expected to see him.”

“ Indeedl Am I not the Governor?”

“ You are not! I happen to know the Gov-
ernor, by sight, and while you in some respects
bear a resemblance to him I can readily detect

‘ the counterfeit. ”

General Stafferd laughed.

“ “‘ell you’re a sharp one,” he confessed.
“ In truth, I hardly expected to ass muster be—
fore your sharp inspection. am ' General
Danie Stafford. I am playing 03 Governor,
however, at a prison risk, and that, too, in your
interest—or, more appropriately, in our mutual
interests l"

“ Indecd’ll How does this happen?"

“ I shall explain. You are a daring fellow,
even if you have your faults, and the sentence
upon your head is an unjust one." ‘

“ How do you know that?"

“ It is merely a personal opinion. I suppose
you know that preparations have been made to
hang you, today!”

Ham so awarei, sir." h

ave on a an o s of
penalty?" y y pe escaping the

“ None. I have given up
breathing the air of freedom!

f‘Have you no hope of aid from your hand,

said to be quartered somewhere in the neighbor-
ing mountains?”
1 None. I doubt if they even know I am in
trouble, or they would have been to my rescue,
ere this. When I left them they did not expect
me back for two weeks.”

“Ah! Then
bad but for me.

“ But for you?"

“Exactly. So far as I now know, I am the
only person who can, or, at least, will save you
from tho allows."

‘ “I yet ail tounderstand what you are driv—
ing at. If you will make things plainer, I may

,all hope, of again

your prospects would indeed be

. be able to speak more freely."

“ Well, I
scaffold."

“ On conditions, I resume?”

“ Well, yes; but t ey are such as you will
not be apt to re‘ ct."

“That depen 5. Go on."

“ With pleasure. I have an enemy who seeks
my. life, and I in turn seek his, for reasons
Which I will explain. Did you ever hear of a
man in this section of the country, by ,the name
of Pierre Parrimorei”

Dick started.

“Pierre Parrimorei’” he ejaculated. “Well,
I sholed say sol He is a member of my present

came here to save you from the

“By ‘Heaven, then it is lucky we have
met! Sir, believe me or not that man is a
Eggs incarnate—a combination of all that is

:‘ I an: pared for your assertion ” Dick re~
plied. “ have never regarded the, man any
loo favorably, and I fancy be discovered it,
for he took no pains to conceal a strong dislike
for me."

“Well. along generation ago, there lived
upon adjoining plantations in the South, two
proud and honorable old families, named re-
spectively Staflord and Par-rimore. Each house
boasted of blue blood, and EN“
wealth, in addition to the value of their planta-

fiche.

“For year-3‘) the two families had been on
terms of socia illty and friendship; but at last
a rupture \occu ,ovor some trivial affair,
and the result was,a duel, then so much in
vogue, among the-Southern gentlemen. Both
the heads of the respective families were mor-
tally wounded~mv father,and the father of
the recent Pica-rtei Pamore.

‘ on theil eat a the .h
promiges from their childiien tgate‘t‘l‘i‘e 3.533%
“SIT be coigitinueéifi , r

‘ t that me one were thr'e
etch family, I being the youngmeomlggeéstgg
fci‘zdvléovs. had .

ell a your not, passed lifts -
ther‘s dedth, ere the eldest son of cath ELin
slay cold in death. Within the next three years
the, second oldest succumbed to this terrible
find. I alone remained to avenge those who
Srinagar; 3:11;, in n the sole rgiiii’iaining repre.
- e i e animoree-t
:soon left the State. ‘ \ Pierre: He
"I gave chase, taking my young wife with me.

I were
not destined tomcat althou h freqno t
advisad maths: wé were get far apart, and

    
 

 

 

 

were each awaiting a favorable chance to end
the feud forever.

“In the mean time, my wife had borne me
three as lovely children as the Southern sun
ever looked down upon. They were named
Stella, Ned, and Bijou; Stella being the eldest,
Ned next, and Bijou next, and there being about
a year’s difference in their respective ages. By
the time Bijou was ten, Ned eleven, and Stella
twelve, which, by the way, was seven years
ago, I had taught and trained them with great
care, so that they were experts in the use of
the pistol, and even my wife was nearly as much
of an adept as myself.

“Well, one day, I got a letter from Chatta-
nooga, purporting to be from an old friend, stat-
ing that Pierre Parrimore was there, and had
developed into considerable of a sporting man.
Instantly my blood boiled for vengeance and I
set out for Chattanooga, accompanied by my
eldest daughter, who was over my companion
in travel. On my arrival there, I called upon
my friend, and learned that he had never writ—
ten me—the letter was a forgery!

“Fearing the worst, I immediatel telegraph-
ed home, and learned that my wi a had been
found dead at homo—evidently killed after a
severe struggle, while Ned and Bijou were miss-

in .

E That was seven years ago last night, and al-
though I have resorted to every possible means
to obtain tidings of Pierre Parrimore, or my
children, if they be living, I never have succeed-
ed. But, last night, for the first time in many
years, I saw the face of my foe l”

CHAPTER V.
DEADWOOD men‘s Paomsu.

GENERAL Surronn’s recital had been given
with great earnestness, and his bearer listened
with undisguised interest.

“You sav you saw Pierre Parrimore’s face
last night!” repeated Deadwood Dick. “ Where
was the fellow, at the time?”

“We were coming into wahere, upon the
stage, when I peered out of the window, to see
just where we were. My astonishment knew
no bounds, when I beheld another human face
pressed to the outside of the window-pane, and
that face Pierre Parrimore‘sl"

“ You are sure 2"

“Positive. He was standing on the step of
the vehicle and glaring in at me."

“ Describe the face.”

“ It was swarthv. and one of those malignant-
ly evil faces which age does not particularly
aflect. The eyes are of the most intense black
and the hair and fierce mustache and heard of
the same color. A forehead, over which the
hair was combed low, for the purpose of con-
cealing a scar' a large, sensual mouth; a i‘ 'an in
fact most repu sive in aspect yet not a rufllan in
looks or demeanor.”

“You have accurately photographed the fel-
low I haye known as Pierre Parrimorel" Dead-
wood Dick lamented. “ If he is in this camp I
fear all has gone Wrong among my own band.
The follow seemed to have considerable in—
fluence among the boys, and it occurred to me,
several times, that he was trying to transform
the party into a desperado gang. Some of my
followers would refuse to go over to him, but
there is, among thetnumber, material for an
outlaw band, and it may be possible that those
who swore to follow me into the Apache coun-
try in search of old mines have gone back on
me, and Parriinore is now their captain.”

“I hope not, for if so, my battle with him

 

'might not prove an easy victor 1”

"Right you bel The men selected would
be human tigers to battle wich Yet, were I
free, and they traitors to inc—for our oath of
loyalty as a brotherhood, was no idle form, but
an it'll-powerful one—I’d fight them to the bitter

“Well, independent of the other oaths, all
{on have to do is swear that you will help me

out down Pierre Parrimore; do this and you
shall not pay the penalty justice has imposed
upon you. Understand, you are not to dye
vour hand in the villain’s blood unless] fall.
Then, you are to take up the vendetta, and
bound Pierre Parrimore to death, the same as
though I were your kith and kin; and you are
also to make all efforts in your power to learn
the fate of my missing children."

, “Your eldest daughter still lives!"

“She does. She will be back here in No-
where to-morrow."

“And for what vou have outlined, I am to,
have my freedom i" .

‘fYou are.” n _. 3

"In what manner do you I propose to secure
rill)" rel asel’ , - .

 

 

entrance; but a genuine Inn of an a :3,

General Stafford exhibited the blank sheet of
paper, to the left-hand lower corner of which
was attached the gubernatorial seal.

“You comprehend?” he asked, significantly.

“ Ah! you propose to fill out a pardon!”

“ Exactly.”

“ Isn’t that rather a desperate move?"

“ Perhaps; but I mean to go through with it,
be the consequences what they may.’

“ But, even if pardoned, 1 should have to
fight my way through the mob to get out of the
,camp. You can safely bet they’d not let me
walk away, scot free, without making it warm
for me 1"

“ Maybe not. I’ll have you remanded to jail,
under gubernatorial protection, perhaps, until a
favorable opportunity offers to git you out.
Anyhow I’ll work it somehow. ave'I your
promise?“

“ You have. The word of Deadwood Dick is
as good as his oath l”

“ Very well. I accept it as such. I will now
leave you to await developments, while I work,
outside. Be of good, cheer, then, and keep a
stifl upper lip, even when the clouds may each:
the darkest i"

“No fear about that!" was Dick’s assurances
“ Had I no possible show of escaping, I fancy
I would not walk to the scaflold with my knees
knocking together.”

The general left the jail and went leisurely
back to the hotel, conscious that he was tho
target for many pairs of eyes, and also beam.
cognizant of the fact that Deadwood Dick was
not wrong in judging that, even though par-
doned, he would have to fight his way out of
the town.

Arrivin at the Prospect Hausa, he found-
letter awaiting him, tuc ed under the door of
his room. ,

At the first glance at the superscription he
saw that the missive was from his mortal foe,
Pierre Parrimore.

Hastily tearing away the envelope, he po-
rused,‘with paling countenance, what was writ-
ten within.

It was as follows:

“Dan Sumac:—

“ Sinz~Your presence here is no secret to me, and
I sup while we are so near together, we might
as we end the vendetta.

“ Of course, we could meet openly, and mow each
otherdown after the style of our hotheaded fathers:
but I'll be frank with you and tell you that I am not
such a fool as that. Oh, nol I am too much inter-
estfdt‘in the preservation of my own life to foolishly
ris ' i i

“I am aware of the pretty little scheme you've
got for my annihilation, and you may he sur rised
when I inform you thatI shall make no e on to
thwart it. I want you to get everything worked up
to a point where you are jubflantly sure of achiev-
ing a victory—then, with one fell swoop I'll dash
your hopes to the earth, and make the end of your
eartth career one of exquisite agony and torture.

"Hound Pierre Parrimore, will ell You had
better never have been born. I had the flusheat
winning hand you ever saw, and how I shall gloat
over my triumph, when I bring you grogeling for

mercy at my feet. a;

"Go ahead. Seek Pierre Parrlmore, tu'end the
vendetta, until you find him! I am perfectly con-
tent to look on, an amused ctaior of your ve
ful antics. I am not really ecided whetherI
kill your daughter first, or yOurself. Ta, is.

"Your-good nius,
“ nan humans."

By the time General Stafl’ord had finished the
perusal of this message his face was deeply
flushed with anger, and an expression of intense
ha‘red leamed in his eyes. '

“ Ba 9 me, will vou l” he gritted between his
clinched teeth. "We’ll see about that. With
Deadwood Dick as a ccadjutor I can conquer
Satan himself. The next thing to consider, is
how am I Yo mama e Dick‘s escape from town.”

He paced to an iro.his brows knitted, and
his whole mind centered upon the subject.

Every possible plan did he consider—but the
cloud did not clear from his bro i, proviii that
the task before him was one of great‘di city.

In the mean time the hour grew nearer and
nearer for Deadwood Dick to mount the scaffold
across from the Prospect House.

The sun never shone brighter, and it would
seem that all things favored the, execution.

 

CHAPTER VI.
nasmran.

Br one o‘clock, the time set for the execution,
the crowd in Nowhere’s on» main street was so
dense that it was withrdifliculty any one could

cease through it.

w the lvuch pic-Bic had no longer such an
irresistible fascination for. the average “galootfi
because r it was someth of '-n ewervdnv no.

,‘c .8-

 

 

 

'14

upon the bed, wide open, as if just packed,
read for looking.

’Wlth the audacity of a professional burglar,
the general went carefully through the COEF‘
tents. extracting some cards and the gubernato—
rial seal.

“ This is a prison job!” he muttered; “ but the
hour has come when I must strike for vengeance,
and nothing shall deter me 1”

Pocketing the articles he had purloined, he
left the room and knocked at his daughter’s door.

A beautiful youn lady quickly appeared, at-
tired ready for the Journe . “

“Ah! you are ready, 9 l" the general said.
“ Goodl ‘You are to proceed as far as Big
Basin, and from there take the next stage re-
turning here.”

" But, father—4’

“’Sh! not a. word. D’ye hear? ’Tis the cen-
detta again. Go! Obey me implicitly, and ask
no questions till we meet again. Go! the stage
isready.’ '

She gave him a fri htened, plteous glance,

 

and taking her smal hand-sachel, left the
par or.

As soon as she’was gone Stafford quickly en-
tered his own room, and taking a blank sheet of
paper from his effects, attached the gubernato-
rla seal to the bottom of it.

He then restored the stamp to its case, and In
a twinkling it was back in its position in Snell-
lng’s valise.

Stafford then reentered his room and locked
the door.

A few minutes later, he heard the Governor,
and Ross 'Bockville, his secretary, in the parlor-
then, the once more descended the stairs, an
shortly a terward the stage rumbled away.

“ Now, then!” the general gritted.

Without dela , he transferred his own airects
into the room t e departed executive had just
vacated, and took possession of the key.

After a short time, he. went down to the hotel
office. and glanced at the re ster.

“Ah! my friend General taflord, concluded
not to stop over, eh?" he observed, putting on
his gold~rimmed glasses. L

The clerk stare .

“I don’t understand you, air! The Governor,
his secretary, and Miss Stafford left, just 9 bit
ago, on the stage!” he said.

“I was not aware that I had departed yet,
air. You have evidently made a mistake, or
else the general has been up to one of his old
trickso aimin himself off for me. It any
one calls or me an: at the sheriffs office.”

And flinging down a card, upon which was
a miniature gubernatorial seal, and the name
“Gov. R. T. Smelling," he walked away leav-
ing t‘lle clerk too awe-stricken, to immediately

a . ' t

As soon as he had somewhat recovered, he

_made the correction on the register, and, are
, long, it was pretty generally known that Gov-
crnor Snelllng was still in town. ‘

The general, after quitting the hotel, made

_ his way to the sherifl’s din little office, and
found that persons e, a bur y, but not unpre-
possesslng individu , “at home,” but looking
rather nervous.

He glanced at his visitor, with a somewhat

uff " ood-mornln l" r
“Yours the sheri , I suppose?” the general

said. comin at once to the point.

- “.?I”allow sun," was the reply. “Who are
0,, .
y “I am Governor Snelling, sir ”——throwing

down a card. “ Be kind enough to write me
out a permit to visit your local jail, and inter-
view the condemned prisoner.”

Carter stared.

“Reckon of you’re ther Gnv'ngr
need no each thing as that!” he n

“on no, not necessarily, 0 course, but I
thought “would save the annoyance of being
crossqu‘estioned by the guard.M

“ Guess they'd be apt ter ax ye purt sharp,
for a fact!” Carter replied. ‘ The; on’t in-
tend to let the cuss slip, this load 0’ a‘yl”

He seized a gen, wrote out the permit, and,
armed with it, taflord left the olfice.

“ Now, then, to see what Deadwood Dick has
to say!" he muttered, as be made his way along
the crowded street toward the all. “ If he
couplesnto terms, he goes free. he don’t-
we ~ r

He compressed his lips, tightly!

CHAPTER IV.
u’owno‘s WWI. sramnn’ssmav.
Fun. the Twins to refuse a chance to “oil up,”
at the 3mm er’s expense, was a thin com-
pletsly out o the question; conseqnen y they
stepped up to the tunneling tar more at ease

0 don’t

now, as br efly as possible, I’ tell

 

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

than when Missouri Mag had had them under
revolver surveillance. ,,

“ Drink! 0n course we’ll drink l" Sissy Beaker
declared, enthusiastically. “It ain’t often we
do indulge in the flowmg bowl, my dear sir:
but when We do, it’s allus wi’ lust-class gentle-
men, like Syer-self, and at this peculiar matinual
period. ince this is the first time we have
met, ter use the language 0’ the immortal Rip,
mine is old Beznml”

“Bedad, an’ I’ll take a Limerick float of ye
please?” chimed in Gilderoy O’Gall. “There’s
nothin’ mean about me of I am the unworthy
re resintative av u bleedin’ counthryl"

he drink was produced, and the stranger
threw down a golden half-eagle, in payment,
after which the liquor was dashed oflf.

The stranger was an imposing personage, of
some fifty odd years, with a massive form, and
military erectness of bearing. He possessed,
however, a dark, stern face, With piercing black
eyes, arid his full board and curling hair were
of the same jett color. .

He was well ressed, and evidently a man of
means. Althoughthere was reallz nothing sin-
ister in his appearance, he was ardly a man
to impress favorably. Perhaps it was because
he was so dark.

After the drinks, he took a ci ar—case from his
pocket, extracted 3 fr ant avana for him-
self, and then passed t 9 case to the Twins,
with the sententious invitation to “ puff.”

“By the green gotgfiles o’ Cleopatra, we’ve
sotrélckl a reg’lar ree l Soaker whispered to

a .

“ A roof? Bedad. it’s a reg‘lar elerfunt," res
sponded the lesser Twin. _

” Now, gents,” the stranger said, gathering
up his change, “if you’ll come back, and take a
seat, we'll have a little private conference.”

He led the way to a table, some distance from
the bar and seated himself, motioning Seeker
and Udall to do likewise.

After pul’fln at his cigar a few minutes, and
eyiug the Tw us through the cloud of smoke,
the stranger said:

“ Well, we’ll get down to business. My name
is Bill McClur . What is yours?”

“Our hand es aire respectively Booker and
O'Gall, at your service. We are Government
liquorvtesters for this district!” Soaker an-
nounced, rofoundly.

"In ot or words (you are two thoroughbred
bumsl” M‘cClur ad ed. “ As long as you can
strike a. free-d oh and lunch~route, you are all
0. K.l , Ain’t that so?”

“Shore an’ he’s a phrenoloigist, Sis; he kin
read our bumpsl” O’Gall-chuck ed, nudging his
partner.

" Avast, ou fool!" Booker cried dramatical-
ly; “ why hus malign thyself? lilo, sir, my

riend; on do us 9. preponderating insult by
insinuat n such a thin . We are gentlemen of
leisure, an nature’s no lemon-we are!”

“Yes, so I now perceive. Yet, des its this
prodigious fact, I presume were it wit in your
province, you would not shun an opportunity
to make a hundred dollars, between you?” Mo-
Clur sugiiested.

“ all should cough up a kitten l"

“ And 1 should demoralize a perntlel”

Such were the instantaneous ejaculations, of
the " firm” of Soaker & O’Gall.

“I thou bt so!" the stran 1‘ said. “And

you what i

place, Iwant to engage the

want. In the first
ve fellows, who can be im-

services of two act
plicitly trusted l”
“That’s 1161” declared Soaker. “We can be
trusted with a whole railroad, even.” .
“Because you can’t run away with it, oh?
Pretty good. that. But, in my case, ou’ll

neither be intrusted with railroads, or no ional .

banks. Your work will be light and easy, and
the remuneration prompt. So, will you take
the 53b, or not? I must have a decisive an-
swerl

"Guess you’re glttin’ ahead 0‘ the cart, ain’t
ye? How sire we going to give you answer,
ontil ye tell us the pecu iar nature of ther job
ye want us to tackle?”

“Easy enough. If your palms itch to feel
the {soothing influence of a pair of fifty-dollar
notes, you say ‘yes.’ I! to the contrary, you

so ‘ no 1” ,
goaker and O’Gall exchanged glances. They

were, by no means, as great ignoramuses as
man took them to be.

“ t aire a fact that we have that peculiar
skindeep disease, known as itchin’ for money ”
Beaker assented. “ but as her puttin’ our fut u
the fire, without knowing how hot it is, I reck-
on we don’t have any 0’ that in our hitters—ch,
Mr. O’Galli” _, , r

1,

 

y rude!"

“ You kin bet yer swate life, not 2” Mr. O‘Gall
affirmed.

“ Well, then, I so pose I shall have to tell
you what I want:" cClurg went on. “ I want
you to attack a man, who Is my deadly enemy,
and to cut his throat!” ‘

Both Soaker and O’Gall put up their hands, 

in ho! horror. ”
“ urdtherl” gasped O’Gall. 

“ Murder?” repented Soaker.

,/ "Yes, if you want to call it that!” McClurg i‘

“It’s nothing, how-

"returned, complacently.
Why, I often find it

ever, to make bones over.

a pleasant little pastime, to cut to a man’s ;

heart, or to slit his windpipel’f
The bums looked too horrified to speak.

Proverbially bad and unreliable as was their :
reputation, outright murder was a thing entire- 

1y foreign to their line of business.

“ Well, what d’ye say?” McClurg demanded,
grimly. “ D’ye want the job, or not?"

“Ngne in my broth, of you please,” Soaker
gaspe .

“ Nor here!” breathed O’Gall. “ You’re an
insultin’ omadhaun, be jabers, to be proposin’
the loikes to respectable gintlemen like us!”

“Ha, be! pretty §opdl Well, soealong! I’ll
tackle some other gn not who is not so scrupu—
lous as on two cranks. I thought you had

cod stu in you, but I see you are two idiotic

ummers,” and rising, the man left the saloon,
leavin the liquor inspectors staring at each
other in blank amazement.

“Shore, an’ did he mane it?” O’Gall demand-. 3',
ed of his comrade. ' ‘3

“ That's ust what I war scientiflckally delib— :
eratin’ on, Beaker replied. “ 1 tell ye, Gilde- l
roy O’Gall, that fellow is up to some mischief, ;
and it behooves us to new eternally distinguish l
ourselves. as brilliant meteors 0" this glorious
conglomeration o’ mud, by organizing ourselves :
into a detective force ter inquire inter ther pri-
vate affairs of that particular
will we achieve honor that wil carry our gray
hairs in butter to the grave. but there's allons ~
0’ bug in the persgectlve. What say ye

“ It’s a go! 0’ all declared emphatically.

In a, cell of the stone jail at Nowhere, Dead- ,
wood Dick, the condemned prisoner, lay upon l
the rude cot, listening to the rabble in the street
without—for the hum of human voices was .
clearly audible.

He was attired wilh that neatness character»
istic of the man, and his handsome face was a
trifle paler than when daily kissed by the sun
and mountain breezes. . ‘

The expression upon his face and in his dark, -
magnetic eyes was one of gravity and resigna-
tion. . He had come to believe that the last hope 3
for him in this life had faded out, and that his
execution was now a thing inevitable. r

Indeed, why should he believe differently?
fie was a stranger in a strange town, with not
a. friend or acquaintance near to make a plea in
his behalf.

Up in the mountains he had
capture, organized a band 012
with a. view of prospecting in a do
fly; but they in alljprobahility bag
of his arrest. ,

About the time of_the trial he had written an
appeal to the Governor, but it had never been
noticed. '

It therefore remained plain to him that noth- V
in short of a miracle could save him. .

'ck was gloomily meditating upon the un- 
enviable prospect before him, when the 'door 2
opened, and one of the uards entered—a rather g;
prepossessin looking to low, about Whom there 
appeared to little that was r0 h, or bad. i
h/ “A gentleman to See ou,,sir,’ he said, bow- .5
mg). “You will receive im, I presume?" 4

ick smiled, faintly.

“ Oh! yes, I suppose so. Who is he?”

“ The v’nor, sir.”

" Hal How do you know!”

“ He bron ht a permit from the sharia.”

“ Very We .' Send him in. What time is it!”

“ Nearly nine o’clock l” v

How fast the hours seemed to fly!

It would soon be one o’clock!

A few minutes later, General Staflord,

 

previous to his
darglg fellows
n rouslocal—
not heard

 

WKS'I‘

ushered in, and left alone with the. risoner. i ’

Before speaking, the two men oolred each i
other over, rather critically, as if “sizing”
each other. ‘

The general was the first to break the silence.

” Well,lsir, I suppose you are somewhat curi- .
one, as to the nature of my visit?” be queried.

"Not particulnrl l” Dick replied. “I am
somew at surprised, however from the fact
that imam hardiness, through your masque—

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bratiou, under the nus ices of the law, wasa
thing not to be misser, “for miles of mule
back ” as one miner declared.

And the profits of those places that sold “ old
Bezam,” were not lessened by the influx of visi-
tors, and the liquid poison had given many a
person a good appetite for the “ treat" in store.

One o‘clock came, and the sheriff Was seen
riding toward the scaffold from the direction of
his office

A cheer went up from the throng. The ex—
citement increased visibly. and the mob surged
closer to the gallows, eager to “take in the
whole show.”

Cal Carter dismounted from his horse and
mounted the scafl'old.

:‘Feller-citizensl” he cried, “ther execution
Will not take place to—day. have here a two
days’ reprieve, signed by Governor Snelling.
The prisoner is to have a motion heard for a
new trial to-morrow, before Judge Axtell.”

The crowd stood immovable and without ut—
terance. So sudden had come the doom to their
sanguine expectations, that they were, for the
time being, incapable of action; then. as of one
accord, there arose a hoarse, vengeful yell, that,
fairly made the earth tremble—a yell. that had
in itself volumes of deadly meaning.

“ Where’s the Guv’nor? Break'his headl”

" Lynch the outlaw l”

“ Death to Deadwood Dick!”

“Break in the' jail, an’ drag the cuss out
hycrl" '

Staph, and kindred cries, were heard on either

11

“ Order I” the sheriff cried. “ The Governor’s
orders must be'oheyed. Hava patience, he s.
The outlaw shall not escape. Bide yer time til
{15% fetched up in court tomorrow; them’s the
time fer‘ys to fictl” .  . -

The words Were not without effectuasnd, but
in: them,~tha jail, in all probability, would

ave been broken open, and the prisoner
lynched. v

“Yes—wait till ter-morrer, boysl” a promi-
nent and leading spirit among the miners cried.
“Then of we let him escape, its funny!”

One after another accepted that as the best
idea, and their opinions influenced others, until
finally the mob was brought down to a. compar-
ative state of quiet.

Whether it would remain so or not, during
the remainder of the day and the night, ,coul
be only a. matter of conjecture. The rufllan
element of Nowhere was by no means in the
minority, and headed by a brutal, bullying
wretch named Black Bird, it seemed to re-

rd the action of the Governor with savage

isfavor.

This feeling grew as the gang felt the influ-
,once of much liquor, and had the real Governor
Snelling been about town, he would hardly have
cared to face that ugl crowd.

Inquiry at the hots elicited the news that
Governor Snelliag was in his room, so the street
mob’s attention was pretty evenly divided be-
tween. the Prospect House and'the jail, where
the two ked-about'personages of thefiay were

tiv y quartered.

‘ If the Guv’nor tries to leave that town it
:33}: be healthy for him I” Black Bird declared

y.

He was a fierce-looking rough, of the most
brutal character. His rea name was Bird
Black, but owing to his forbidding appearance
hisnname had been reversed, audit tted him
we .

And his significant threat was received with
manifest approbation by his evil associates.

Nor did herlfl Cal Carter escape the blast of
harsh threats.

“El tber prisoner escapes, Oal Carter shall
take his place on the plank,” was the unanimous
.verdict.

To which the official calmly re lied:

“ Ye needn't fear 0’ his escapin . My deputy,
iFrank Fowler, guards the jail wi‘five trusty

“meuhau’ you can bet that's no one gits past

Fowler- was the young man who had visited
'Deadwood Dick to announce the call of the
“ Governor.”
, The day crept on toward nightfall. The sky
ihad become overcast, and the night promised’ to
be intensely dark. ,. '
Gradually the cmwd‘ in the street thinned out,
until the camp assumed something of its every-
da appearance. v
his was owing to two causes: A large
number of the visitors had mounted tbeirmules
or «about on foot en route for their homes in
the neighboring towns- while others had crowd-
', odlnto the various dri
1‘ , f‘putting away.” the " ‘

1

thing—saloons, and were -
em quick” in qm— r

 

tities that threatened ere long to make the camp
8 andemcnium.
uring a free fight in Missouri Meg’s lace,

the vicinity of the jail was temporarily csert~
ed except by Frank Fowler, who stood faithful-
ly at his post.

Just then a boy came along and .hauded the
deputy sheriff a slip of paper.

lt contained the following words:

“ When you are off duty, at mxppervtime, call upon
me] Govarmon SNELLmo.”

No expression of surprise was visible in the

young man’s face, but he calmly slipped the

note in his pocket.

At sup r-time he was closeted with General
Stafford in the latter’s room.

“ You sent for me, sir. and I am here.”

“ Glad you came,” Staii'ord said, blandly.
“ Your name, I believe, is Fowler?"

“ It is, sir—Frank Fowler.”

“ What is your business?”

“I have none in particular, except that the
sheriff gave me a chance to earn a few dollars
as his deputy.”

“ Your home is not here, then?”

“ Oh, no! I came West to seek my fortune,
but as yetl haven’t found it.”

The general felt secretly elated.

“ Fortunes don’t grow on every bush,” he
said seriously. “ How much money would you
want before you would be content to return to
your home?” '

“If I had a thousand dollars l’d leave this
camp behind me mighty quick 1” the deputy re-
plied earnestly. ‘

“Then. listenl Set Deadwood Dick at liber~
ty, and you shall have the money."

“ That is impossible, air!”

or Why sop . ~ . .

“Because I am not the only guard. There
are flvo others."

“ Even so; you can work it. You are on
duty to-night, are you not?”

it Yes.”

“ Then, provide yourself with a uart of
whisky, and put this drug in it. hen the
camp quiets down treat your companions.
They’ll be asleep before they know it. Then
release Deadwood. Dick, and git up and .git
yourself. If you like, he will see you to a place
of safety.” ,

“ And you will give me a thousand dollars to
do this?”

“ Ayl two of ’em, if you will swear to do the
job on the square, and be silent.”

“Then I’m your manl I’ve a sort of tender
feeling for the sport, anyhow. Give me the
money, and I swear! Deadwood Dick shall be
liberated to-uightl” ,

“ If I pay you, now, you have every chance
to skedadd o with the money, without fulfilling
your agreemeutl” the general said, eying his
man, shrewdly. ‘

-‘ If you have that li‘tle faith in me, you had
better not employ me!” Fowler said, candidly.
“It isa dishonorable piece of work, I know, and
were it not that I’d like to return home,1’d
never think of accepting your otter}?

“There’s nothing dishonorable in saving A
brave man's life. Here. - I will give on a
thousand‘dollara down. W hen I see Den wood
Dick safe out of jail, you shall have the rest. I
will not be far out of sight when you release
him, and will intercept you, and g ve you the
rest. Is this satisfactory!"

“ It is. I will trust you, even though you are
afraid to place confidence in mel”

“ Very well. Here is the money. and the
dAru . "I shall be on the lookout, about two,

Fowler received the money, and took his do?
partnre.

“Hal hal Who says I won’t succeed new?”
the general chuckled, exultantly; “Ahl Pierre
Parr-imam, I will, yet clutch you by the
throatl” V .

CHAPTER v11.
TEE ESCAPE.

WHEN the inky mantle of night fell over the
young mining metropolis, there was still more
of a thinning .out of the crowd in the street,
and few if any of the motley throng remain-
ed out 0! doors, when a dn’zzling rain net in.

Fowler and the other guards huddled about
the door of the yell. and 'listcned to the sounds
of drunken revs ry, going on in the different

saloons.
Black Bird and his gang were up at the Pros.
ct House. as vigilant and watchful as fox-
ounds. Their presence there, certainly was
not without significance. ‘Tha'y warn waiting

x.

 

:

for the Governor to appear, when it was their
intention to stop him.

What their designs were, further than this,
could but be surmised; it was feared however,
by the law~ahiding citizens, that “His Exoelv
lency," would be subjected to violence.

Black Bird always traveled “well heeled,”
with cash, and was by no means stingy about
setting out the drink for his men; consequently
they grew more vengeful and ugly the drunker
they became, all of which gave their leader ap-
parent satisfaction; for he himself kept sober.

About an hour after nightfall, backed by his
pals, he approached the counter, in the hotel
office, and those who were standing abou
knew that the crisis was now come which h
been impending, during the afternoon.

“ See hyerl" Bird cried, addressing the dap-
per clerk, over whose eyes General Stafford had
so neatly “ pulled the wool,” I want ter see Jim
Dorsey, the man who runs this ’ere shebangl”

“Mr. Dorsey is ill, and in bed, sir l” the clerk
replied, secretly trembling in his boots. “ Is
there anything I can do for you?"

“Yes, thar is. Just you tote yer shanks u
to tber Guv’nor’s room, an’ tell him that the s
a party 0’ gentlemen, down hyer, as wants tar
see him!”

“ The Governor gave orders to the eii‘ect that
he was not to be awakened until time for the
midnight stage, sir!”

v“ D you git, an’ tell him at he don’t come
down we’ll fetch him down, in a. burr I” bel~
lowed Black Bird, so ferociously, that ibbius,
the clerk started off on a run, half—frightened
out of his wits.

In five minutes, he came back, looking still-
more frightened, for the Governor was not with
him. .

“ Well; what now?” Black Bird gritted, lay-
ing his hand upon the butt of a revolver.

“I knocked repeatedly, sir but there was no
answar. I then opened the car, with a. latch-
key, and found the room emptv" '

“ You lie. you cussed thiet. Take that!"

And whipping-out a revolver. the ruflian fired.
full at the clerk’s breast, inflicting a mortal
wound.

Then yelling for his comrades in crime to fol--
low, be bounded away up the stairs, to the-
secnnd floor. ; ' ,

Uttering fierce curses, the liquor-crazed gang

‘ followed, and during the next ten mmutes they'

were heard taming everything topsy-lurvy,
overhead, in their vain Search for the “ Gover-
nor,” who, with discretionary dgment,l had
“ folded his tent and stolen silent y away.’

When Black Bird and his “braves ” returned
down-stairs, they were strangely docile, but the
“citizens” of that lawless town knew that the
change was but the calm before a storm.

In all probability the rufl‘lans intended to-
wait until the town at quiet; and then take
Deadwood Dick from t e jail, and wreaks wr-
rihle vengeance upon him.

So surmised some, while others, who were not
inclined to this opinion, were puzzled to know
what was the next act on the rogramme.

The town became quiet, ear ier than usual.

The pouring rain outside, prevented any of
the usual street “ circuses;” and the excitement
of the day had so fatigued the goodly citizens:
that they retired to rest, in preference to stay»
ing up late, as was their general custom.

With the rougher class, sleep Was a necessity.
They were literally soaked with had liquor,
and one by one, began to drop off, into the
realms of Horpheus, and once they were “ gone,”
they were gone for the night.

By midnight, although the saloons were still
open, there was not a straggling miner to be
seen, abroad. ' '

Hugging to the side of the prison, so as, to
keep as much out of the rain as possible, the
guards kept their vigil.

The wind blew through the camp; with piercv
ing chill, and more than once the five com-
panions of oung Fowler looked wistfully to- '
ward the so 0011:, with a long-drawn sigh.

“I think a little Baum wouldn’t feel on~
friendly to my palatal” one of them at last re- ;
marked. .

“ on hot!” echoed asecond. “ Myetomache .
feels as tho’ et had been fruz fast to an ice-

berg; , _
“ by. d’ye want liquor!" spoke u Fowler.
“Why didntyou mention about it, ong ago?

i

/

I hrou ht a, bottle along on purpose to keep at! A r

the chi l.” . ,
He produced the quart flask, and with joy-

ful exclamatioos the men took a copious drink. I
In a few minutes the bottle was ' seed

around again, and than, again,.nntil was .

finally emptied. ‘ '

 

 

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v “ I will never give Joe up, rating-6d

,

One by one, the men sat down by the side of
the building, and, to use an old vulgarism, the
first they knew they didn’t know anything.

They were asleep, beyond immediate awaken-

in .

i‘rank Fowler then lost no time. Heunlocked
the jail doors, and aroused Deadwood Dick, un-
hanacufled him; without delay, the two men
left the prison, and started rapidly oif through
the darkness.

Not five minutes later Black Bird and a por-
tion of his gang arrived at the jail, and made
the discovery of Dick’s osca e.

Their vindictive yells o rage aroused the
town, and were even heard in the distance by
three figures who were wendiu their way into
the mountains—Deadwood Dic , Frank Fowler,
and General Stafford.

But they were far enough away to safely
laugh at their baffled foes.

Nowhere's “celebration” had, after all,
turned out rather ingloriously.

CHAPTER VIII.
, CATHIE.

Anom: five miles from the mining—town of
Nowhere, and less than a mile from Dark Run
Camp, was a. cabin, upon the rugged mountain-
side, at least a couple of hundred feet above the
gulch trail.

Few persons traveling along the stage trail

‘ would have noticed-the lone habitation, owing

to the fact that it was encircled‘ by a hedgedike
fringe of fire, through which the winds ever
played a mournful dirge.

The cabin, in itself, was but an ordinary af-
fair, yet strongly built, and boasting of the
somewhat uncommon luxury of two doors, and
two good-sized windows.

in front of this cabin were several beds of
beautiful flowers, on either side of a pebbly
path, and near at hand. a ,natural fountain,

hat threw a silvery spray of water several feet
into the air.

In one sense it was a wildly picturesque and
cosev little place to dwell: yet that did not
signif that happiness prevailed within the
bomb e home. , -

It was one sunny autumnal afternoon, several
days after the events last narrated, when a girl
came to the door of the cabin and gazed down
the mountain-side, as it expectinfitsome one.

She was oung in years-pro bly not over
seventeeufi quite that—but possessed of a sup-

le and gracetul figure that was finely developed

1 or one of her years.

In face she could boast of being remarkably
pretty. Her features were clear-cut and ex-
preseive, with a tempting mouth, eyes like
stars, and a generally pleasant appearance.

It was evident, at a glance, that a part of her
life had been spent amid surroundin ' similar
to those she now occupied; yet her p am attire
in no wise detracted from her beauty, nor quali-
fled the expression of refinement characteristic
of her every action.

" Why don’t Joe come?” she murmured, as
she gazad down toward the rugged Sta e trail.
“I fear—oh! I fear some harm has fallen
him, or——or-—" .

She did not finish the sentence, but her lips
quivered, and tears sprung to her pretty eyes.

These she dashed away, however, and turned
back into the cabin to attend to her household
duties.

When she reappeared at the door once more,
after a. lapse of several minutes, an exclamation
of astonishment burst from her lips.

Three persons were coming u the trail—two
large, powerful men were lead ng toward the
cabin a youth at rather delicate build, who,
hiom all indications, was too drunk to walk
a one.

The girl stood in the doorway, watching the
advancing, “’10, her face colofless, and her eyes
flashing With indignation.

One of the men was the man who had tried to
make a murderous contract with Soaker and
O’Gall several days before, at Missouri Mag‘s
place in Nowhere—namely, Bill McClurg. The
other man was_the roman chief of the mining-
ealnp. Black Blrd.

At lest the two men reached the cabin, and

y their burden down upon the grass in

- out of the door.

McClurg then looked u at the gm in the
doorway with a sigmfican nod.

“ You see the eflect of your sisterl devotion
to him.eh1” be enacted. ‘ By the go 3,1 should
think it were time for even you to renounce
him. Cathie!" ‘ ,

“Never!” the girl replied, her eyes flashin .

It is not ill:
halt, altogether—4t is the scan liquor." \ !

 

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

McClurg laughed hoarsely.

“ It isn’t all the liquor now, my girl, although
he’s a good jag of it on board. He’s got a bullet-
hole through him, so slick an’ clean that ef he
ever punishes any more Bezam, it will leak out
as fast as it goes down i"

Cathie uttered a startled scream, and would
have sprung to her brother’s side, only that
McClurg intercepted her.

" Let him alonel” he commanded, grudly.
“ Ye can’t do him no good, for he‘s dead
already, ye see! We sorter walked him up
hyer so ye wouldn’t it skeert and faint. Yes,
little one, Joe’s had his last drunk fer sure!”

“ And who brought him to a drunkard’s
grave? Who brought liquor within his reach—-
who, but you, who claim to be our parent? Oh!
Pierre Parrimore, you shall be made to answer
for this l”

“Tut! tut! You talk wild,my child. You
well know I have tried to‘persuade Joe out of
the habit!"

Cathie, her face strangely set, and colorless,
gazed starlngly toward the inanimate form;
though great her anguish it seemed pent up—
she was unable to cry out in expression of her
acute suffering. '

Suddenly, however, she aroused, as if stung
by an adder. .

f‘ Where is Ford—Ford, and my babe?” she
falrl screamed. “ Speak! tell ere the
safe They went for a walk down the gulchl’

“ They are not dead 1” McClurg, or, more
correctly, Pierre Parrimore said, sullenly.

“Not dead! In God’s name, father, what do
you mean?" ' /

_'I‘he Southerner gazed at her a. moment, hall'-
pitylngly, as if he hated to add further to her
misery. '

“Your husband and babe are not dead,” be
repeated, “but they might better be, for they
have fallen into the hands of one who will show
them less mercy than the most bloodthirsty
Apache!”

Cathie did not taint, at the terrible words,
but her face was so corpsevlike, and awful in
We look of agony, that even Bird Black averted
his gaze, with something like a shudder.

This girl wife did‘not faint, but there gradu-
ally gathered ,about her colorless lips such an
expression of stem resolve, as meant vengeanca
and death. '

“ Go on i” she gasped, leaning against the
door-post for support. “Go on, Pierre Parri—
pifirle'. I am prepared even to seen the heavens

a
_ A glitter of intense satisfaction crept for an
instant into the man’s eyes.

“You are no less brave than I expected of
you. The blood of the Parrimores never fails
to tell when a crisis arrives. But, my child, it
is not to you alone that bad news comes, to-
day. The news equally concerns me. Daniel
Stafford is in this neighborhood, and the ven-
detta. is revived in deadly earnest, and here
must be ended. Either the house of Parrimore
must perish. and pass away, with the blot of
dlsgrace upon the proud old name, or Dan Staf-
ford must die ere he leaves the range!”

Parrimore spoke with a thrilling earnestness
that .seemed to affect the White‘faced child
Wife in the doorway, for her eyes kindled with
a flash of spirit, and a faint glow of color sut-
fused either cheek.

“Who killed Joel” she asked, with a sudden-
ness, and a forced calmness, that caused Parri‘
more to give her a sharp glance.

“ The vendetta-‘the tools of Daniel Stafiord l”
Parrimore hissed, savagely. “The viper dare
not come forth and fight his own battle, but
has placed the job in the hands of agents. It
was one of these who shot Joe. His name was
Deadwood Dick.” .

"My husband—my child! What of them?”

“ More I do not know then that Ford Favor
and the babe were surrounded by a 81mg 0‘
masked men, and borne away into captivity.

That they have fallen into the bands of our foe, /

What will be their fate
‘We two alone are left to

there can be no doubt.
can but be surmised!
end the vendetta l”

“ Then, ended it shall be! I am no child, and
can accomplish much. Hear me swear, by the
love for my dead brother, yonder, that I will
nevor know peace or rest until the vendetta is
ended, and my brother’s murder avenged; nor,
will I stop at anything that will enhance the
success of my trail of vengeanoes. By the
above me, I swear it!" - _

“Bravoi” Parrimore cried, with 1:11ngde
satisfaction, while Black Bird nodded his ap-

val.
mailman] Daniel Stafford shall learn to his
sorrow that the nameof Parrimnseshall existin

, duoe the desir

 

 

   

z

triumph, Kare after he, the last but one oi! his
race, has come food «for the worms of the
earth. W'ith you to help me, my child, I shall
know no fear of defeat!” '

The girl did not reply, but turned and entered
the cabin. '

After a short conversation, Pierre and End
Black lifted the body of Joe, and carrying it in-
side, laid it upon a rude lounge. ‘ I

Parrimore then called to Cathie, but received
no answer.

Thinking strange, he opened the door of her
room.

She was not there!

Her hat was missing, as were a rifle and belt of
small weapons, which usually hung on the wall.

Parrimore turned to his rufliian companion
with a chuckle.

u. .

“ The first hound has started upon the trail 1" I

he said, significantly. ‘

CHAPTER IX.
THE GIANT, ms: DUDE, AND THE mama

TWO weeks had passed since the day the citi—
zens of Nowhere had failed to enact summary
justice upon Deadwood Dick, and the excitement
bavin~ greatly decreased, the camp jogged
along in the even tenor of ils way. ‘

No contradiction had been made by the Gov.
ernor to the effect that he had not issued the
reprieve; hence. there was a strong feeling
against him in Nowhere, if nowhere else.

As his term of omce would soon expire, he
could safer aflord to laugh at the adverse opin-
ion of a few scores of miners, while, at the same
time, no doubt,‘ he felt justly indignant at the
seal trick played upon him by General Staf-
for .

The Nowhere Stufi’ had exhausted its editorial
afiiatus in re to Deadwood Dick’s escape,
and yearned or some new “breeze” to spring
up, which would give the paper a “ boom.” ’

While its editor sat in his allies one evening,
reflecting upon the uncertainties of life and
journalism, Missouri Meg’s sbebang was the
scene of unusual festivities, consequent upon the
celebration of Margaret‘s birthday.

Everybody had been invited, and everybody,
literally, was “ that," todo homage to the mus»

 

cular, and by no means “skeery” proprietress, ,
who took pleasure in announcxng upon an illu- ,

minated banner, the following:

“THE DAY WE ALL CELEBRATE”
“Twenty-Seckin Annual Birthday 0‘ Missouri
Mag, who runs this hyer meetin‘house. Come in
an’ spend yer collat. A general lust-class stow-up-
an’-knock—down time may be expected.”

What more appetizing invitation need be ex-
tended? Sufficient unto the men was Meg’s
card, and early evening saw the, den packed
with as motley a gang of rough: as ever as-
sembled beneath a roof.

A band had been provided, and dancing was
among the festivities, while cards and whisky
did their respective shares toward making a
“ pleasant time.” .

Above the bar was conspicuously posted a
placard, containing the following suggestive
notice; ' I

“P. S.»Missourl Meg’s revolvers aim all in trim
and she’s on the shutei ' ’

This no doubt was intended as a. Warning for
quarrelsome individuals to abstain from deadly
target practice- but it was not destined to ro-
eflect, for a man from Trio dad
“died with his beats on,” as early as nine
o’clock in the evening, because he had not tho
good breeding to invite the crowd up to drink
with him. ~

As this was but a trivial aaair. it did not or-

rest the pleasures of the evening. ,

About the time things were getting fairly
warmed up. a stranger entered the saloo who
at once attracted attention. Not that t 9 ar-
rival of a stranger usually attracted attention,
but this one in particular was a little out or
the ordinary run of strangers who dropped
down in Nowhere. ' ‘ I

He was a tall, exceptionally thin, and eflemin-
ateJooking young man, who had perhaps reach~
ed his twenty~tbird year although the only in-
dication of board upon his face was a soft bit
of flaxen down his upper lip.

No raw prairie winds or scorchiiiig sun had.
sflected his face; in fact, he looked l e a sickly
plant that had first seen light in an , ill-

ot—house, his features being, noh‘ed antiwar,
lilrfi.i and devoid of the bus of saith. ‘ ‘

a
fitted ha ‘ emu
med

im, as" tishtly as

orwtne ’ (cinnamon

  

 

gamma! the moatlreshienahls ’y " as, '

   

to his custom . mum olvsilx ,. I 
flatness hlsheed‘ hewmshroddupauu,,. ~
gins festival-o I

      
  

.4

 

8

Deadwood Dick, Sentenced.

 

—_

housed in patent-leathers, his hands in laven~
der kids, and he carried a dainty gold-headed
cane.

The veriest Broadway dude could scarce
have surpassed him in style, and it is little won-
der that be instantly attracted attention.

The hat, in itself, was sufficient to have “ nail-
ed ” him, without ceremony; but to—night the
men of Nowhere camp seemed bent on having
all the fun they could possibly scare up. So
the master of ceremonies that evening made no
delay in inaugurating the festivities at the ex~
pause of that “ pilgrim.”

This leader of the crowd stood over six feet
in his top-boots, and was brawny of limb and
broad of chest—a ver giant, good for tow
hundred and fifty poun s, and possessed of tre-
mendous strength.

Hi»; hair and bristling beard were of two
zolor, but he was not an unhandsome man in

see.

He was, however, an evident lover of a free
right, and' did not care how soon one com—
menced.

“ Some Pumpkins ” was the name he had
introduc ~d himself by, to the citizens of the
camp that afternoon, and it seemed to fit him
well, so far as concerned his size.

He had been “ hoisting p’izen ” at the bar,
at the time of the entrance of the young stran-
ger, in company with a crowd of miners.

He “ downed " the beverage with suddenness,
howevar, at sight of the dude, and drawing a
revolver, trotted up to him, with a broad grin
of deli ht. . '

“ Ho lo! Haow d’ye do, pardneri W’at’ll ye
take for the dicer?"

“ I do not wish to sell it, sir!” the dudere-
plied. uneasily.

“ 0h! ye on’t, hey? Waal, now, I wanter
buy it jest fer fun.”

“ But, I tell you, Ido not wish to sell it. Must
I repeat itl—I do not wish to sell it!"

Some Pumpkins stared; then gave vent to a
prolonged whistle, as he glared around at the
crowd. comically.

“,What's yer name, sonny?” he asked.

“ What does that concern on, my man?”

The dude’s ire was evident y arising.

“ I’ll show ya, me milk-sop, if ya don’t an-
swer me. My name is Some Pumpkins, from
Canaan an‘ I‘m on the lite. Who air you?"

“ We 1, sir, if you are really anxious to know,
I am St. George Atwood, and I hail from New
York. What can I do for you?"

“Give me that hat!”

“ What for?” ’

“ To shute."

“ You are insulting, sir. I am a gentleman
and mind my own business. Did you never
learn that accomplishment)?"

“I reckon not. I’m a hustler, I am, an’ I live
on horns an’ taller. I want that airs bat an’
that aire h’iled shirt. Hey, me lads?”

There was an amrmat ve murmur from the
audience. while a number perpetrated that
original Westernism—

“ You bet!”

“ I give you my hat, sir. and my shirt? Why,
what do on take me for?”

“A to] er candle wi’out a wick iii-21 dudel"
snorted Some Pumpkins. , “ What say—do I
hev ’em?” ‘

f‘ Most assuredly not! You are highly impu»
dent and insulting. I cannot understand why
you thus attempt to create a quarrel with me,
when l never did anythinito harm you.” .

“ Never did ary thing to arm us? Ohl Lordyi
Why, me stick 0’ lemon candy, ye ,hev nigh
’bout throw’d us inter insulted spasms! Reokon
ye don’t know our rules 0’ etterkst, hey?"

" I do not.”

" Wan], as a u’ral thing, we shoot a man on
ther spot who s mply sports a dicor.”

“ You do?” “

“ You bet! When a man dares ter insult our
rules 0’ etterket by wearin’ a b’iled- shirt, we

plants him alive."

"Indeed!" ‘
- “Fact! Considerisi’ that ye warn't fetched
up wi’ good breedin’, I let ye oi! easy bv jest
nxin’ ye to pony up the oflensive articles."
“Agd I, like a gentleman’s son, refuse to

“Yo do?”
" Moat assuredly."
me Pumpkins regarded young Atwood for
an ment as if he could no believe the evi-

' deuce of his senses: then he raised his revolver,
‘ andlewled it at the pluckv dude

"on with the hat, or In shuts it!" be war
landed, with a savage oath. .
“ Blue awe “wartime cool answer.

 

 

At this in tstlon the click! olickiflof two

 

 

 

score revolvers was heard simultaneously, qu
% volley of bullets sped likewise at the offending

at.
It was blown from the head of young At-
wood, and fell to the floor, literally shot into
fragments.

“ Now then, off wi’ ther shirt or dial” Some
Pumpkins cried fiercely. ,

Atwood was now pale with affright.

He had evidently regarded the giant’s threat
before as a joke.

With nervous haste he began to remove his
outer garments.

First came a coat, then a vest; then, lol and
beholdl a corset of pink satin met the gaze of
the astonished audience. ,

A roar of laughter escaped the crowd, while
Some Pumpkins actually seemed too astounded
to speak for the moment.

“ Corsets l” he finally gasped. “ Boyees. this
aire too much for mortal man to endure. Fetch
a rope, some one; quick, afore it escapes l"

A yell of assent burst from a score of throats,
and several men sprung away in quest of the
desired rope with which to lynch the man who
had dared to insult the town by appearing in it
wearin a corset. »

But, ust then, and era the required rope was
reduced, a man stepped forward from a neigh—
orin card-table, where he had been engaged,

both in watching the game and this Canaan
giant.

“ See here, my friend!” he said, confronting
the latter, “this little circus of yours has one
about far enough. You let the stranger_ one,
or vou will most likely get hurt.”

Some Pumpkins glared upon the speaker in
astonishment, while the crowd gave muttered
utterances to their surprise.

“ I’ll git hurt, boy?" he ejaculated. " I’ll git
all broke up of a sudden, like I was no good for
anything?"

Without the slightest doubt I"

Then turning to young Atwood, the stranger
continued:

“ As for you young fellow, if you value your
skin get u and dust out of herel’

The un ortunate dude needed no second invi-
tation, and succeeded in making his escape
from the saloon.

When he was gone the stranger once more
turned his attention to the giant, who had as
yet not recovered sumciontly from his surprise
to assume a warlike attitude.

“ There l" the intruder exclaimed. “ Your
victim is gone. Now, what have you got to say
about it?”

“What hevI got to say i” the giant muttered,
rubbing his hand across his eyes asif to make
sure that he saw aright. Why— ’

He didn't finish the sentence. ‘

He remained standing in an awkward sort of
position, and stared into vacancy.

“ Comel" the stranger called out; “I thought
on was on your muscle. Ain’t you going to
neck the down, or bite of! my ear?”

No answer.

The rough crowd stared first at the giant and
then at the stranger in undisguised wonder-
ment.

What was the matter with Some Pumpkins
was more than they were capable of compre-
hending. .

The stranger regarded him intently for aev—‘
eral seconds, as i waiting for him to speak;
then, with a dry laugh, he pointed toward the

cor.

“ This Sierra bear will show you how to waltz,
grizzl feshionl” he said.

An Some Pumpkins did that very thin 1

He got down on all-fours, and procee ed to
perform an impromptu series of wnirls and
twists and evolutions that were ridiculously un~
couth and ludicrous.

“Good enough l" the stranger said. “ By the
way, gents, let me introduce myself. - am
known best as Fakir Fred, from the fact that I
am always faking up some kind of a racket for
the edifleation of those mortals who appreciate
a bit of fun. Lo! and behold, the raging and
gigantic epidemic, that a bit a threatened to
uproot this town is now as mee as a lamb. and
"rice as natural. . To show you that Some
Pumpkins is really an obliging gentleman, even
at the expense of personal pain, I'll ask him to
place his back up against yonder wall,lwhile I
give you a few tricks of my trade.”

The giant slowly arose, and as slowly backed
up to the wall.

“Good! Now shift your head, so that your

left ear res's flit against that projecting stud-

din l” Fakir Fred said, calmly.
T giant obeyed. .
He, still gelled into vacancy; his face was

   
 

 

strangely set; he seemed to-be worked by some
invisible mechanism.

Not knowing whether to laugh, or not, the
crowd of s ectators looked on, their counten-
ances furnis ing wide contrasts in their expres~
510115.

“ Now, then,” Fakir Fred went on, “ you
have witnessed how ready the fellow is to obey
my slightest wish, which all goes to prove, con-
clusively, that he knows his master when he
meets him; so, to amuse you, I’ll just prick his
ear with a knife-blade, and on will see how
fereiieyl’y he takes it. 1 do to ly believe he will
augh.

Drawing a. knife from the top of his boot, the
fakir suddenly raised his arm, and the blade
went whizzing through the air.

A cry of astonishment went up, as the keen
point just touched Some Pumpkins’s ear, and
was imbedded in the wood. I

Did the giant cry out with pain, or fright?

Far from itl A smile mantled his featursza
as he reached up, pulled out the knife and tos
it back to the fakir. ‘

“ There’s rit for you!" that individual cried,
blandly. “ ur overgrown friend would make
a brave soldier, if he only bad the proper coach-
ing. Now, the next act on our programme,
will be something else. To illustrate one of the
uncertainties of life, will some one loan my
friend a cigar that is nearly smoked up but has
ashes on the end of it!” ‘

The cigar was handed to the giant.

It was about an inch and a half lon , a quar-
ter of an inch of it being reduced to as es.

“Now ace the right and between your
teeth, an turn your face sideways!" Fakir
Fred ordered.

Some Pumpkins obeyed, his face'wearing a
look of stolid composure.

Fakir Fred then took the tip of the knife be-
tween his thumb and forefinger, and then it
went, with a whiz through the air, and when
the blade clipped of! the end of the cigar, close
to the iant’s lips, a thunder of applause made
the bui ding tremble.

A quiet smile of satisfaction from the Fakiro
then. he said:

“ Now, then, gents, having restored things to
good order, I’ll endeavor to apologize for de-
tainin you so long. Will you step up and take
a drin , at my expense, while Mr. Some Pump-
kins is performing a few feats of gymnastics?”

There was an immediate rush to the bar, and
for several minutes Missouri Mag was kept
busy in serving out the bevera es.

1n the mean time, the giant ad suddenly de-
veloped himself into a gymnast of no mean
ability,'and was turnin
in other bits of circus “ iz” much to the do-
lifi t and wonderment of the gaping crowd.

n the midst of this fun it was that a deepl -
vailed woman, dressed in black, ste up
Fakir Fred, and tapped him on the s oulder.

“You are a mesmerist and a magician, Mr.
Fakirl” she said, in a soft, significant voice.
“Are you so much of a. magician with the
pasteboards that you would dare to venture all
your money on a time of draw?” '

He started, a trifle, and gazsd at her, a mo.
ment, curiously, as if trying to see the face, so
closely hidden behind the vaiL!

“With you?” he asked, dryly.

“ Exact) —-with me.”

“Well, don’t know that I should be so im-
polite as to refuse to accommodate on. My
exche uer is rather depleted, to-night, owever.
A hun red would be my limit."

“ Enoughl- Come along. Even men of image
sometimes get beaten,” and turning, she led f o
W? Ptowai-d a card-table. d d 1

amp ins, on can go an stun up n on-
der corner untfi I want youl” Fakir Fredyre-
marked, commandingly; then he joined his un-
known challenger, at the table.

CHAPTER X.
Lsnrsnlrrnn.

Sous Ptmrxms promptly obeyed Fakir
Fred’s order, and looked as docile and resigned
as a person could well look, under the most
agreeable circumstances.

Little attention was paid to him, however
for all interest was centered on the card duel
between Faklr Fred, and t o Valled Lady,
whom nobodymappeared to know.

The game
Eakir promised to be of more than usua interest,
especially as the former had been the challenger.
A large number of those present did not un-
derstan the meaning of the terms' “ memes»
ist " and “ magician." tly the zVeiled
Lady's reference to the F mated but little
excitement. v _ , ,-

 

somersets, and do- '

tween the Veiled Lad andtho' ‘

 

 

 

 

 

       

~ Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

9

 

 

 

A crowd gathered about the table.

“ You can call me Ladyslipper, if you have
occasion tocall me an thingl’ the veiled wo-
man said, producin a resh pack of cards. “ I
presume you were oking about your limit being
a hundred dollars.’

“ Not at all,” Fakir Fred replied, calmly.
“ Did you mistake the for a peregrinating gold-
mine? If so, you are not remarkable for your
penetration.”

“ Well, we will play for your hundred. I
have an inordinate curiosity. to see how well
you handle the pasteboards!”

" Your curiosity shall be gratified ” Fred
said. dryly. “ I will prove to you that am no
adept at cards, even though I be a mesmerist
and magician.”

The money was staked, and the game begun,
and quickly it was plain to those who looked
on, that Fakir Fred was in no wise particular
whether he won, or not. as he plaved careless-
ly, while on the other hand, the Veiled Lady
played watchfully, cautiously.

A grunt of surprise went around. when the
Fakir ran the game out, and raked, in the
stakes.

‘* Humphl” Ledysliplper said, coolly. " I see
you can play, but, alt ough I am not a profes-
sional, I came here, tonight for a purpose. Put
pp our two hundred dollars and I will cover
it. f you lose, you are to remove your wig and
false heard I" ‘

Fakir Fred did not start. Outwardly he was
calm: the words of the mysterious gambler did
not affect him.

‘j Indeed?" he said. Quietly. “ If you lose—J’

‘* I remove my vail!’

“ Even so; but what will that benefit me?"

“ You will know me, when you see me again.
If you lose it will benefit me, considerably, to
know whether you are the person I think you
are, or not!" '

“ Who do you think I am?”

“ The man whom I have sworn to kill! I
prefer not to mention names until after we
play. as you might not be the one I suspect,
and t:izi’igbt make things unpleasant for you. "

‘ l

“ If I lose we will then pla again, without
my being satisfied as to our i entity."

“ What will be the sta es, than i?"

“ Your life against mine—the winner to
‘ rake ’ the stakes from acmes this table!" .v

A murmur of sur rise escaped the audience,
while Fakir Fred pic ed up the cards, and care-
lesva shamed them. '

“Then I can naturally look upon you as my
enemvl” _

“Yes. Will you play?"

“Cert! Out for deal."

Thicker and more dense grew .lhe crowd
around the table, provmg that the interest was
increasing. ‘

The game began with Ladyslipper leading,
but, play as carefully and Judiciously as she
could. it scorned as if t were fated she should
not win—for the Fakir won the game With com-
parative ease.

A revolver—a small but magnificent wen u
—-was in his hand, as he slapped down the est
card upon the table.

How it had at there, the lockers-on were un-
able to sey,un use it had slid down into his hand
from his sleeve.

“ You are to remove your Vail, are you not?”
the Fukir asked, with quiet triumph. “I am
somewhat anxious to get an unobstructed view
of the apparition of loveliness whp wants tocon-
vert me into a. cadaver!"

An exclamation of impatience escaped the
Ladvslipper. ,

“ What can it benefit you to see my face?”
she Cried, gathering up the cards, .

“ Obi “0% much; 01! y I’ll know you the next
time I meet you. _

“ We shall not'be likely to meet again, unm-

n

, Wewgfl through hem- But, look if you want

0!
Her white right hand lifted the veil for an
instant, and then let it fall again. ’
But a brief glimpse it was that any one got of
the fair girlish face. '
‘ No expression on the part of Fakir Fred

, went to show that he was in the least mecca-i

at what he saw.
"I never met you before to my knowledge,”

he said “and therefore am at to co .
'hend win you should cherish m}?th 1453;” i
ask on explain?"

“ wlll explain nothing. I have m
pose, I mean to fulfl it. We wi
Kl: t a deciding game. If I win, I am to

vs the privilege ;of shooting you through

DOW

‘ ,theheart. If you win, you have I likeoppors

  

WI" _

tunity for satisfaction. Is this satisfactory to
you !’

Fakir Fred uttered a peculiar chuckle.

“ Well, as you appear to be transacting all
the business, I suppose I shall have to acquiesce,
or else show a. white headlight. Produce a fresh
deck, and we will play. I assure you, however,
beforehand that do not intend to lose this
time, for l think it necessary that I should
hang out here'below for several fortnights yet
to come.” .

“ That remains to be seen,” was the terse an-
swer, as Ladyslipper laid a jeWeled sixshootcr
upon the table at her right.

The cards were produced, and the game be

gun.

Around the table a peculiar silence marked
the moment; every one breathlessly awaited
the result.

War. it fate again?

There was an exasperated cry directly; Fakir
Fred had won again! '

“Magician devil! you have won, but you
shall not triumph!” the defeated card-queen
cried fiercely. “Behold! men, that man is
Deadwood Dick!” ‘

She had, by an agile and unexpected move-
ment, torn away a false board from the fakir’s
face even as she spoke, and-—

The handsome countenance of the road-agent
Apollo was revealed!

CHAPTER XI.
carnm‘s venomcn. ~

CLEAR. and distinct the words of the card-
queen rang out.

For an instant a dead silence ensued. It
seemed as if the rough crowd was, for the time
being, electrified. /

Deadwood Dick was the first to speak, or
move. He leaned over the table his hand
clutchin his revolver his eyes gleaming as
they «he never gleamed before.

“ This is one I owe you i” he hissed, so fiercely
that it caused her to step back. “ You are a
woman, or I’d kill you where you stand l”

Then with aqnick leap he landed upon the
table; than a flying leap carried him over the
heads of the crowd. and Deadwood Dick was
out of the saloon, in the darkness of the night,
ere a band could be raised to prevent his mar-
velous escape.

Then,I when it was too late, a vengeful yell
followed, and an outpouring of the citizens into
the street ensued.

Curses and howls of disappointed rage made
the night hideous, but they were uttered in
vein; or Deadwood Dick had effectually din
appeared ere a search had fairly got started.

_And when the come to look for the Lady-
sll er,.she, too, ad vanished!

hether or not she had gone in search of
Deadwood Dick no one could say.

Ladyslipper had not gone in pursuit of the ex-
i'oad—prmce, although she lost no time in hurry-
in out of town after Dick’s escape.

brisk Walk down the gulch brought her to
a dark transverse ravine, which she entered
fearlessly. and followed until she came toan
oldtéidut, which had no appearance of being ten-
an .

When she rapped on the door however, it was
opened, and she was admitted to a dimly—light-
ed. room, whose furnishings were of the most
primitive order.

A cheery fire was burning in the fire-place.
:udtevgithin the glow of the light four men were

on . .

One was Pierre Parrimore, another was Black
Bird, and the other individuals were no less
ngollfages than Sis Seeker and his friend,

a .
I The quartette were actively engaged in smok-
103»Wben the young card-queen entered, but
paused long enough to remove the pipes; and
give her an inquiring stare.

film they aside the veil and but she had worn
and came into the light-not Ladyslippef, 110":
bolt; Oath?!

ierre arrlmore ve vent to e. his as he
pushed forward a stofit‘l. ' gm ’

“ Well!” he demanded grainy. “How did
you make out?”

. “ All in’vainl" Cathie replied, her eyes flash-
ing. “Didn’t I warn you that would be the
we .of ltl" '.

‘ Did you find the tiger, then?”

“ Yes. He was ma ueradlng as Fakir Fred,
a magician. I drew h in into a game of cards.
and lost the money you gave me. I then staked
my life a inst his, end—J

- ‘ Won ” eagerlyfialmoet wolfishlv. ‘

“ By nauseous. H‘- won. and held my life in

 

 

.a man, roughly

 

his hands. Seeing no ‘plaml tore the,

beard from his face and betrayed his identity,
expecting the crowd would pounce upon him,
and prevent his escape. Instead of that, he
leaped clear over their heads, and was gone, ere
an effort could be made to stop him!”

“ Ten thousand devils! Why did ye let him
escape, curse ye?"

“ 1 could not help it. He had me covered,
until he made that astonishing leap. It took
me so”by surprise that I could not act ere he was
gone. I

“Just about as I thought. Did on see any
one that looked like Daniel Staffor i”

“ No. I am satisfied he is not in the town. If
in the vicinity, he is undoubtedly hiding, like
yourselves."

Parrimore was silent for several minutes, his
face dark and scowling.

“ I see that I’ve got to take the matter more
thoroughly in my own hands if I want to sue-
ceed in ending the accursed vendetta. What
did you learn in regard to Stafiord’s girli”

“Very little. She has been to the town sev~
eral times, making quiet inquiries for her fa-
ther, knit learning nothing of him, goes away

ain.’

H H

“ stage?

“She undoubtedly hangs out in some of the
adjoining camps. If we could get possession of
her, we would stand some better show of get~
ting our babyéund Ford free.”

“ ould to eeven there were some wayof
liberating them, if they still live. I have bin.
little hopes that thley do."

" It may be that they don‘t; but it is not
always best togive up hope too soon. You had
better return to the other place now, for itis
getting late. You can come down in the morn—
ing, and perhaps I shall have succeeded in ur-
ranging some new plan of action. You are not
afraid to go alone? If you are, I will send Bird
with you.”

“You needn’t trouble ourselfl" the girl re-
sponded, haughtily. “ I c not need an escort.”

She quitted the ut hastily, evidently fearing
that Black Bird would attempt to follow her.

An hour later, she stood beside a mound, but
recantly made. in the little flr-fringed yard of
their mountain home.

Flowers had been planted upon the grave at
poor Joe. Cathie’s hands had planted them
there.

She knelt beside the mound now, andburied
her face in her hands, while her figure trembled
with the emotion she tried to restrain.

“ Oh! why am I not dead, tool” she moaned,

piteously. Why did I not die when I was a
ghildwhnd’ save all this misery—this living
oath

Further words she did not utter just then,
but wept quietly to herself, unaware that she
was watched.

A man had stepped from around'one corner
of the cabin, and stood gazing at her intently—
dressed and from whose face a
heavy beard had recently been cropped. leaving
a rough, grizzled stubble, which was anything
but becoming to the otherwise goodlooking, in-
telligent face. . ~

In short, it was General Stafford, but a.
changed that few would have recognised him
in his present appearance, as the stany en-
tleman who had a few weeks before arrive in
Nowhere Camp, in company with Governor
Snelling. ,

His expression was grave and sad, as he stood
watching Cathie, but from his eyes emanated a
wild gleam, that could belong only to the eyes
of a man whose mind was greatly perturbed.

He appeared to he lists mug aswell as watch-
ing, as if expecting to hear the mourning girl
speak; nor was he destined to he dies pointed.

"Yes!" she su‘idenl cried, fiercely, “‘he is
dead, and no grief o mine can recall bunt.
life. I live—must live, for the Bible teaches
that it is a sin to commit suicidezbut Ishan
live for ven ance. Oh, Pierre P. mmore. you
are a newer , but your child is not! I will end
the vendetta, and that, too, eremany suns more
have set. Joe shall be avenged—4 swear It, by
all I hold sacred 3” ;

General Stafl’ord rstarted, eagerly as the
words reached his hearing. He took a step
forward. , ‘

“ Great Heaven! it is true-J cannot hemlo-
tekeul" he clasped. his breath coming quicka
fast. “Bijou! Bi " _

With wouderf .alacrity. Cathie 8 rig to
her feet. and facedbim, her face or ite. her

, ey‘es fairly biasing.

Hill who are youPehecrled flannel ‘ than, L
abs reeled back 3. pics, and glared wyildly at
him, as if she recognized the face.

   

 

 

 

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

 

“ My child-my long-lost child 2” the general

cried, springing forward; but it was only to

nose, when he saw a revolver muzzle staring
him in the face.

“ Stopl" Cathie cried. " A step further, and
I will send a bullet through your brain. What
are on doing here?”

“ ¥Vhatl God only knows. Fate directed
my footsteps hither—to find you. Bijou—oh!
Heaven can it be you have forgotten me, your
own father?” ,

“ My l' r—you my father, Daniel Stafford?
Oh! no - Once I knew you as such, ’tis true,
but I was young, then, and knew nothing of the
past, when you tore me from my mother’s
breast when I was but a babel”

“ ’Tis false—false as——”

“ Stopl stop] I say. Do not dare to deny it,
for it is useless. I am not your child, but your
enemy to the death. Hear me, sir—the proud
blood of the Parrimores courses through my
veins—the vendetta blood of my fathers. I
have sworn to avenge my young brother’s
death—there he lies—and. at the same time for—
ever end the vendetta. Your coming has given
me my chance. It shall not be the pleasure
of my parent to kill the last Stafford, but
mine!”

With terrible earnestness she spoke, and her
hand clutched the revolver with a fierce grip.

General Stafford comprehended all: Pierre
Parrimorc had poisoned her mind—had taught
her that she was a Parrlmore, and that it was
her duty to take up the vendetta. ,

It was a horrible realization to the proud old
Southerner; the awful fact fairly stunned him,
for the moment. ,

Cathie continued, are he could .speak:

“ There lies my brother—another example of
the wolf’s ferocity, and you the wolf. You had
one of our accomplices shoot him down who
never did you a wrong. I swore to avenge his
death. I am goingyto do it, to—night, whileI
have the chance. on shall neverleave this

cc alive, Daniel Stafford !”

“Child! child] for God’s sake listen. I am
your father, and you are looking to the wrong

.man. Pierre Parrimore never was married,
and is but using you to secure the accomplish-
ment of his evi dos! ns. 1 can prove this be-
yond the shadow of a oubt. Your brother was
my own son, andI had no knowledge of his
death until just now, nor did my accomplices,

you term them, do aught to‘hurm him. In

. ale name of the Almi hty, I swear that what I
say is true, and yo are my long-lost child,

W cm Pierre Parrimore stole from my home."

"I do not believe it. No protestations on
your part can chandge my mind. You have run

nto my p0wor, an the vendetta shall becnded
to-night. Coward and wretch that you are,
you would pergure your soul to save your own
worthless lie, ut it will avail on nothing. I
am CathieParrimoro, and I wi 1 end the van-
detta! Tell me, sir, where are my husband and
child!” ,‘

’ “Your husband~ our child ?"

“You, my husban and my child—they whom

our tools—Deadwood Dick and his outlaw

d~abductod and bore away into the moun-
tains?” '

“No such a thin has occurred! I swear to
it by the honor a a Stafford. Pierre Parri-
more hlskplayed his cards well, but every word
he has to you is a base—a damnable lie!” ‘

“ Tell me, General Stafford, I command you
«is to husband and child alive?"

' “I now nothingvabout them—never knew
until now, that you were married. Believe me,
or not, this is God’s own truth—I swear itl”

“ It is useless—all your oaths would not make
me believe you. If they are dead; or alive, it
cannot cban o my resolve in re ard to you.
With your oath, the vendetta years ends,

I and on die tonight!” -

" on reckon. wrongly. if you believe that,”

he cried. “My death does not end the mat-

tar!”-

“ Bab! who also remains exceplgyour daugh-
ter! She would faint at a pistol-s otl”
. “Donn. believe anything of the kind. She at
least is a Btaflord,veVen if you are changed.
Then, too, when I die, you will find that a
worse enemy to the accursed Parrimore race
still ll as!"

n 

“Deadwood Dick 1”

“His do ‘0, too, are numbered. But, sto l
this delay useless.‘ You ‘die tonight.
give you the choice of two fates. Yonder is the
canyon cliff. If you prefer to leap into the
abyss to being ‘

your privilege. [ havoftte dro on you, and

“j vyoukmtamsaesdutomoc wnyouwho‘

 

I wll.

shot down where you stand. it is‘

 

  

., ._

taught me. Decide! You have but two minutes
in which to decide!”

Her hand was outstretched, and wavered not
as she leveled the revolver at his heart.

Her urpose was fixed, and Stafl'ord well
realizedpthat she would keep her word. ,

Should he allow his own child to shoot him
down, and thus add an awful crime to her
young, misguided soul? No—by Heaven, no!
he inwardly vowed. He would take the risk of
the leap; that would be his own deliberate act.

He turned and walked deliberately toward
the cliff.

Cathie followed him, keeping him covered.

He reached the edge of the canyon.

Without looking backward be bounded out-
ward; the fearful leap was made.

CHAPTER XII.
Pannmonn's SCHEME.

AT the old but in the ravine, after the depart-
ture of Cathie, a temporary silence prevailed,
as the men refilled and resumed their pipes.

It was finally broken by Pierre Barrimore.

“ Well, another day is passed, and nothiu ac-
complished!” he growled. “ If the a! had killed
the accursed roadeazent we woul be largely
ahead of the field. We must arouse into imme-
diate action, for I’m tired of depending on the
girl. Then, too, the bo'ys are getting im atient
because I don’t set them to work, and it don‘t
look out there will directly be an open revolt
among them. If I am not mistaken, there is a
general regret, already, that they left Deadwood
Dick‘s employ and leadership.”

“You can easily overcome that, by flinging
out a little collatl’ Black Bird suggested, sig-
niflcantly.

“Perhaps; but that sort of thing don’t pay
when everythin is out-go, and no income. I
think, however, shall set ’em onto the stage
to—morrow night, be the profits what they may.
It will keep them a little better in spirit. And,
now, Soaker, as there is no prospect that you
and O'Gall will be needed, to—night. cu, can re-
turn. and keep an eye on things at owhere. If
anything of importance occurs, you will of
course notify me.

“ Kerectl" Soaker replied. “ I supp’oso you’re
goin’ to give us a bracer afore we am le, eh i”

“ Confound it, ou’ll bankru t me, with your
appetite for drin There’s t e jug, yonder.
Be sure and don’t swallow it!”

With alacrity both bums made a dive for the
jug, but Soaker won the first drink and swallow-
ed a full half>pint of the burning “ tanglefoot.”
O‘Gall had to be content with what was left—for
between the two of them, they managed to
drain the jug!

Then, With grins of satisfaction, they departed
leaving Parrimore and Black Bird to themselves.

“D’ye take much stock in them bumsi” the
gutter growled, g'azing dolefully at the empty

u

 

2:

“Only so much that they are useful in bring-
in us news, from the town,” Pierre replied.
“ hey’re notsharp enough to be capable of any
great villainy I fancy:

“I ain‘t so sure a at that," Bird protested.
“We‘d feel cheap if they’d spring a trap on us."

“ Pooh! no fear of that. Keep ’em in whisky,
and they’re solid. Now, to business. It is time
my agent got back, from the South. He is liable
to arrive at an minute, and we must be pre-
pared to meet h m.”

“ Who is he?” .

“A big galoot 1 found in Canaan. He was
broke. and coached him up, and sent him South
on the mission. He rejoices, up in these parts,
in the name of Some Pumpkins.”

“Ah! I’ve heard of him.”

“No doubt. Most every one has. He’s said
to be some on the fight.” «

“ What did you send him South for?”

“ l‘ll explain. This girl Cathie, as l have once
before told on, is the daughter of my foe, Dan
Stafford. rich relative on her mother’s side
died, lately, and left a large fortune to the girl,
in spot cash, which was to be handed ovor to
her, on demand at any time after shereached
her sixteenth birthday.”

“Ah! what amount?”

“ A cool hundred thousand."

, “ Indeed! She’s a prise. then.”

“ Of course. That is why I had her husband.
and the kid, spirited away.”

“Ah! 1 see. You propose to gobble up the
turkey. iyourself?”

“ el . I should smile l"

",What‘ did you send Some Pumpkins ,Soutb,

or. . p

“ To look into the matter, and see what could
be done about it. He wrote me back that every-
this; wall! 0. K, and all there was to do was

 

father.

 

Q

for me to produce the girl—I fixed up as her
father—and the money would be paid to me as
her rightful guardian. ’

“ Then, what?”

“ That didn’t suit me. In behalf of the irl, I
wrote to the party holding the money, an pro-
posed to him that be send a messenger back,
with Pumpkins, fetching the money, and pay
the stuff to the girl here, thereby saving her a
tiresome journey.”

“ This was agreed to, I 'spose.”

“ Yes. When Some Pumpkins arrives he will
fetch the messenger and the swag with him.”

‘iln suppose you will give it right over to the
gir ? ,

“Do I look like a fool? I reckon notl We
must interview this messenger, and obtain the
money, and then, put him out of the way. If
any blame or suspicion is attached to any one,
Dan Stafford and Some Pumpkins Will get it. If
the latter shows any signs of cranking, we’ll
spin his top, too." .

“ How much do I get.”

“Oh! be easy about that. I’ll not be stin y
with you, if you help me out. You will ma 9
more by wor ing for me than for any one else.”

“ That’s what ’m dependin’ on !" Black Bird
replied, pointedly. “ If you treat me wi’ a
squar’ deal, I’m as good as a First National
Bank; cf ye don’t I’m as wicked as a mule in fly
time.” .»

“You will have no occasion to be wicked,”
Parrimore added, carelessly, although it was .
evident the words of the rufllan did not conduce
to his perfect ease of mind. “ You can now go
to Nowhere, and see if the giant has arrived—-
for something seems to tell me that he has!"

“ I will save you that trouble.” a voice cried,
and the dooro ned and Some Pumpkins step»

ed into the ut, his face wearing its usual
road grin,

 

CHAPTER XIII.
" ms: VENDETTA is nor var ENDEDJ’ v

D nwoon DICK, as we have seen, was/ not
followed by Cathie when he made his escape
from the mining-town; but he was followed,
nevertheless. '

Of this fact he was not aware, for some time.
as he did not look back. He was, in fact, nearly
a mile from Nowhere ere he made the dis-
covery. through the distinct sound of a cough
reaching his hearing.

He instantly wheeled about, his hand grasp-
ing a pistol.

A few feet away he saw, tbrou h the dim:
light, a woman advancing toward b m.

_ A glance was suflicient to convince him that:
it was not the. card-queen «whom he had just es—
caped. r

Keeping his weapon ready in case of neces—
sity, he allowed her to come still nearer, until
she halted of her own accord.

“ Well,” he asked, dryly, “ what may be your
object in dogging my footsteps I"

“ I wish to speak to you, sirI” was the reply;
and lifting her vail, she turned her face toward,
him, revealing herself to be Stella Stafl'ords
“ Do you know me!”

“ I fancy I have not that honor ” he replied
more ccurteously, for be at once divined that;
she was a lady of refinement. “ You area stran—
ger around these parts, I lake it."

“lam; and some impulse I cannot account
for told me that by an interview with you I
could learn something I am very anxious to
knOW.”

“ I’ndeedl May I ask what it is and who you

“ I am Stella Staflord, and I am in see rch of
my father, Daniel Stafford. Do you know of
his whereabouts, or am I wrong in supposing
you to be Deadwood Dick?”

“You are wrong in neither case, my dear
lady. lam Deadwood Dick, and I do know
where the general is. We two have become
allies for the purposc of ending the vendetta,
and your father thought it best to keep you in
ignorance of his whereabouts until a victory had
been achieved." -

” It is very unkind of him. I have been

eatly distressed through not being able to
earn anything concerning him. I trust now
that you will take me to him.” A

“I am vbry sorry. Miss Btaflord, but I ‘
cfnngt do so without first obtaining his permis-
s on. .. . , .

“But I say on must! There lane possible
way of your gs ting out of it!" ,‘ v - l ‘
; Ido not understand.” n ' ,

“ fins-yme you go, I go! x

It’s an o saying ‘ when I woman:

  
   

“Yes, where on go Hanan! I and 
i

 

..-s-i...:

,._-._~4,., “  . _  A

hwmnmvl.

 

 

 

 

, ,mm......_... . a

 

 

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

11..

 

 

says she will, she will, and that’s the end of it.’
So you know what you have to expect."

Dick could not repress a smile, while at the
same lime he felt annoyed.

If she insisted, how was he to prevent her
from following him? True, he could take to
his heels and run away from her, but that
would beunmanly.

“ You had better consider your father’s
wishes, Miss Sthfi'ord,” he said. “You return
to Nowhere, and remain at the hotel, until I see
the general. If he grants the permission, I will
at once Come for you and conduct you to his
presence.”

“Oh, no! I prefer to go now. So when you
get ready tomove on, I will follow."

“Then, I have but one other course, besides
aIIOWing you to accompany mel”

“ What is that?”

“ To get rid of you by shooting you!”

“ Of course you can do that; but I fancy you
are too honorable a man for such a crime.”

“You are right. I acknowledge that, if you
refgse to return to Nowhere, I am fairly beat-
en.

“Well, I do refuse.”

"Then, come along. I shall not be respon-
sible for the general’s displeasure, however. ’

He continued on his journey, and Stella walk-
ed quietly by his side.

After fully three miles had been covared, they
turned from the main gulch into a narrow dark
cut—a long, forbidding opening, which seemed
as if it might have been the work of an earth-
quake. that had rent the mountain asunder.

,Far above the jagged rocks could be traced,
dimly outlined, against the sky. '

“You had best take my hand. some through
the pass,” Dick said, “ for it is very rough.”

:She did so, and the continued on.

It was indeed 3 our , terrible place, and they
had gone no great distance when Dick suddenly
mine to a stand-still.

“’Sh l" he cautioned. “ I thought I heard a

groan." I

“ So did I!“ Stella replied.

They listened. intently.

A moment later, they distinctly heard a
groan—that, evidently, of some one in distress,

l

- not far ahead.

“ Come! we will investigate l” Dick said. “ It
sounds like a familiar voice."

They soon reached a spot, where a man's
bodfi was lying among the rocks. »

“ y Heaven! it IS the general!” escaped
Dick’s lips.

It was indeed the general, whom Cathie
had forced to leap over the precipice, far above.
. He was not unconscious, for he recognized
Dick and Stella at once.

“Obi I’m better than a dozen dead men,
yet and the vendetta is not ended,” he gasped.

The general, strange to relate, was not dan-
gerously injured, only his hip was dislocated
and his body covered with bruises.

A network of vines growing with rank luxu-
riant» from one side of the cliff had sensibly
broken the force of his fall; otherwise he Would
have been crushed into a shapeless mass.

Handy at anything, Dick was not long in

ettinE the general comfortably over his shoul-
er; t on the journey was continued, and in
due time a. mountain pocket was reached,

l whore was a single rude cabin, which some sau-

guine prospector had built and deserted.

‘Being something of a surgeon, Dick soon re-
stored the hip-joint to its socket, and dressed
his wounds, and are long had him feeling com-
fortable.

The general than related in detail the sub—
stance of what had happened on the mountain-

do.

“It is strange!” Dick said. “Pierre Parri-
more must ban a singular influence over your
daughter if, Indeed, she it was whom you en-
countered."

“ There can be no doubt but that it was my
lost daughter. And, as you sayr it seems a
hopeless task to “tempt to convince her that
she is not his daughter, or my enemy. ”

“She came near getting me in a tight fixl”
Dick said, grimly. “ Henceforth you and Miss
Stafford must remain here, and 1 willwatch
this pretty Manger, and through doing so,

u where Parrimore is quartered. If I catch
him it rail} be all day With him, if you but say
we . .

‘f What else can I do! He is a bad man, and
in mv present condition I could not meet‘hlm
mfcmsfullv.”

Then i will undertake the job of settling
the. busing” pi ,
The next hour saw the intrepid rover on his

' '3? back in Howhere.

V

 

Upon his shoulders he had taken a heavy re-
sponsibiiily—avenging another man’s spite.

Then, too, he personally owed Parrimore a.
grudge for causing a mutiny of Dick’s band,
and Lhus betraying his trust.

CHAPTER XIV.
i PUMPKINS HOLDS THE DROPI '

THE faces of PM rre Parrimore and Black Bird
did not express lhe utmost satisfaction, as the
giant, Some Pumpkins, strode unceremoniously
into their presence. ‘

Was it because of the giant’s imposing ap-
pearance. or dill his sudden coming interfere
with their villainous plans?

“Haow d’ye do, pilgrims?" Some Pumpkins
saluted, closing the door, and straddxing the
only chair the place afforded. “ I rut-liar opine
ye warn’t‘ expectin’ this hyer bloomin’ zephyr
to waftvin, just at the present minnit?”

“No, we were not expecting you, here,
although I had an idea that you might have ar-
rived in Nowhere. We were just speaking
about you i” Parrimore allowed.

“So I am aware!” the giant chuckled. “ As
the caves of this palatial abode war too low to
let me in, wi’out stoopin’ I natterally had to
eavesdrap, an’ heerd some conversation, quite
intarestin’ to me i”

Parrimore and Black Bird exchanged quick
glances. '

Some Pumpkins was watching them, narrow-
ly, and something gleamed for an instant in his
clinched palm.

“ Yes, I war highly edderfled at what I
heard, ye know!” Pumpkins went on, “an’ I
thort I’d drop in and ace of I c’u'd git an ap-
proximut idea of how soon you propose to spin
my topl‘

“ You may git it spun sooner than you think
for if you get too fresh!” Parrimore growled.
“ What brings you here?” .

“ Business, 0’ course. Hain’t ye glad ter feast
yer optics on my bloomin’phiz, or haiu’t ye,
now?’

“ It matters not whether lam, or am not.
When did you get back?”

“ This evenin’, jest in time, as usual, ter draw
a. prize. D’ye see this hyer sousel”

And be exhibited the ear, still bleeding, at
which Fakir Fred had buried the knife. _

“ Yes. How did you get that cut l”

" Why, jest as simple, and easy, like, as
rollin’loff a log. I waltzed inter a saloon, ter
hev sum fun, an’ war just startin’ up a quiet
quadriile at ther expense of a dude, when a
stranger lipped in, an’ all of a sudden I bed
nothin’ tor say, like I war aspanked School—boy.
Whatever he told me to say or do, 1 war
obligin’ euulf to do, like sum ignorant gawk, an’
when he told me to ut my ear ag‘in’ a beam 23 ’
let him fling a kni 3 thru it, did I refuse? No
sir-ee—npt fer Josecphl I jest war as accommo-
datin’ as 3. ii in org-time, I war. An’ when
the galo‘ot to d me to go stand myself up in a
corner, ter repersent a stutter o’ the-Gadess 0’
Liberty, did I do that? Waal, ya kin jest bet
yer best bi'led, shirt I did i” '

“ What then?"

“ Waal, I stood thar, like an ungumptified
lummix. onlil the teller played keerds wi’ 21 she.
male, an’ she snatched a false beard oif him, an’
be lit out like a demoralizcd hornet in a Turkish
bath. Then, I felt like myself, once more, and
I folded my tent and, like the Arab,betook my-
self hence. An’ 00d fortune, together wi’ a
befoggled brain, etched me byarl” ,

“I see into it ” Parrimore said, turning to
Black Bird. “ I have heard that the cuss, Dead.
wood Dick, possesses almost/miraculous mes-
meric powers—in fact, seemed possessed of the
devil, in more senses than one—and it is evident
he’s been haying some fun, at our friend’s ex—

ens°.”

“Rather abad go, ain’t it?’ the roman said,
significantly. _ .

“Curse it, yes—that is, if babes in any way
become possessed of the truth.”

“Ye needn’t feel oneasy on that score l”
Some Pumpkins spoke up. “He didn’t ax me
nothin’ consnrnin’ our hizness."

“ Ah! that alters the case, then. Well, what
have you to report?”

The giant grinned. , .

“D've see any green in either of my a es?”
he demanded, a cunning glirter percepth e in
them. “ Do Ilook like a. galoot as was brought
1: on canary-bird seed: or fish-halls—which 3”,

“You not like an infernal idiot!" Parrlmore
returned. “Come dewn to business. now, and
no more dilly—dallyingl Did the messenger ac-
company you?"

‘5 Waal. I should kersueeze notl?’

" What!" . . L -

.",‘,'lk

 

we

“ You hecrd me!”

“ Couf-iund you, explain yourself.”

“Easy enuff. The messenger tuk a shorter
route and arrived in Nowhere before I did.”

” How was that?"

“ Oh! I reckon my spirituous appearance
didn’t impress ’em favorably, an’ they calky»
Iated the messenger would be safer, of he trav-
eled alone.”

“ Hal Wary, and suspicious, chi No doubt
your infernal blundering was the cause of itl”

“Nary a bit! Besides, you made one leetle
mistake, me friend. The fortin’ war left to
Estelle B. Stafford, and not Bijou Stanford,
which considerably alters the complexion of the
case ve see!”

“You lie, curse you—you lie!” Pierre Parri~
more cried, furiously.

“ Look outl” and Some Pumpkins looked
ugly. “ Kinder muzzle some 0’ tbet sort 0' flat-
tery, ef e,don’t wanter hev daylight let thr’u’
yer skul . Althou h I’m a livin’ exampliferca—
tion 0‘ George Was ingtonism, I ain't purtic‘ler
good tempered ’bout this hour 0’ hi ht, an’ ye
might arouse me to dangerousness. hat Iced
is Gosriel fac’l”

“Well, what did you do about it?”

“ What did I do? Waal, I squirmed an’
twisted an’ wriggled the thin around, ’til [got
the executor ter believe that telle B. Staii'ord
an’ Bijou were one an’ the same, an’ that there
werent no other children. So, I got that much
fixed, an’ the messenger war sent.”

“ I suppose, of course, you.wonld know the
man if you were to meet bun ?” Pierre Pan-i. r
more demanded eagerly.

“ Dunno how, ’ca’se I warn‘t given a peep‘al:
him. He was to meet me in Nowhere, and
make hisself known to me by uttering a certain

'word.” g

“ Ah! what word?” 

Some Pumpkins grinned more broa ly than
ever.

" That’s 'ust what I hop to know, an'you ,
don’t,” be tinswered with muons. “Ye see,‘ .
it ain’t all'ers advise lo ter spin a top ontll the
string aire all unwound.”

“ Curse youl do you mean to play me false i’"
Parrimore roared, ins. fearful ra e. “If on
do,‘you'll find out your mistake. ell me i at
word, or I swear you shall never leave this
place alive !” .

“ I sba’n’t, hey!”

“You shall not i"

" Who’s goin’ ter hinder me?” And a wicked
glitter entered the eyes of the big man from
Canaan. “If thar’s sech a thing as snow in
winter-time, just so sure hev I ot the drop!"

And accompanyin the coloration, they
giant’s two arms su denly shot out, and each
hand grasped a. cooked revolver. I

“ Hey? what yer say!” he cried, rising to his
feet. “ Spin my rcéyal top, hey? Pick up this.
byer pilgrim fer a at, wi 1 ye, an’ then calcker—
late ter plant him, will ye! Waal, I should.
reckon not] When ya want ter know what
that leelle word aire jest hunt me u an”
soothe my itching palm wi' a len—thousan -doI~
lnr note; then I’ll tell you, and not nmil then.
So. adieu, my tulips—my pinks—mi: pQOBIES—w
adieu; and when istant yards of , '
divide us, pray remember that though some—
what nndergrown-for my age, I am still Some
Pumpkins, and not as b afcol as I lcoki”

And with a. mocking w he hacked to the
door, keeping the two rufians covered as he
went.

To open the door and leap out into the black
night, was but the work of a moment. _

‘Comel” Pierre Parrimore cried, whenhe
was gone. ~“ That devil must die before he is
seen by the messenger!”

CHAPTER XV.
ANOTHER STRONG uovn.

“TEE mesnenger must not meet the giant!”
Parrimore gritted, as they ran, his breth short
and quick. “ If he does, the big cuss will secure
the fortune by book or crook, and we‘ll be left»
to whistle for our supper.” .

“ D’ye think he’ll go to Nowhere, try-night?”

“ No. He’ll fight shy of there, for the present,
I dare say but will nevertheless be out vely on
the watch. w

“ Won’t we run a risk in entering the town!"

" No. None of the enemy wil be lurking
around this late.” I V I

Porrimore's surmise was correct. 

They visited the mining-camp, and made a
visitto the diflerent resorts, but Some Pain 1
kins was nowhere to be seen, nor were they. 
on way molested. - . '
‘You must remain here.”_1’aflimcre said:

they hold inspected

 

rra flrma \

\

thermistor at the , 

 

  

12

hotel. “The messenger, whoever he is, is un-
doubtedly keeping himself incog. It will be
your business to stuuy every stranger in the
camp, and in that way learn who the messen-
ger is. Pumpkins reappears, look sharp!
Disguise yourself, and do not for an instant
lose sight of the giant. If you see him con—
versxng with tbs messenger, send a bullet
through his hear , and come at once for me.
Remember, there’s fat money for you, if we
win!"

The villain went back to the hut, then.

Au arrant coward at heart, he was afraid
to expose himself, lest he should become a tar-
getdfor the pistol of his hated foe, General Staf-

or . ,v . I

Several days passed, with but one incident
to cause a commotion among the citizens of the
cam .

'l‘wo nights in succession, the incoming stage
had been halted bya band of masked road‘
agents, and the assengers and_treasure—bux
robbed of everything of value.

Of course the crime was laid to Deadwood
Dick, for no one in Nowhere, except those who
chose to her “mum,” were aware of the fact
that it was ierre Parrimore who led the raid,
backied as he was by Deadwood Dick’s traitor

Ill .

This was exactly what Parrimore wanted the
people to believe—that Deadwood Dick was at
the head of the roadagents; it would arouse
them to greater indi nation toward the famous
ex‘prinoe of the ma .

Bic-d Black communicated regularly with the
scremer, at the but, but his reports had no news.

N )thing had been seen of Some Pumpkins;
and there were so many strangers in camp,

. as to make it impossible to pick out the messen-

91‘.
8 Cathie, too, had been down to the but, and
told of her encounter, but brought no assurance
that Daniel Stafford really was dead.

Trina it was that matters stood. when Pierre
Parrimore received a note through the Nowhere
post-office, which read thus:

"Pizzas: Pakistan-Commissioned by General
Btaflord to end the vendetta, I shall begin the work.
at once. Dunwoon Dicxi“

A startled e ressiou shot athwart the vil-
lain‘s face as he ore the note into bits.

"Curse the fellow! I fear him more than a
dczan Staffords. I must indeed be wary lest
the vendetta be ended by my own destruction.”

He sat for an hour in a doe study, then with
a fierce, triumphant express an upon his face,
he left the hut, mounted his horse, and rode ra-
pidly to Nowhere. ’ I

The camp were its every—day a arance, as
he dashed up the main street, but 9 had noeye
for this common lace fact.

He dismoun in front of The Stu odice, and
drawing a revolver, fired six shots nto the air.

That was as good as a column advertisement,
for it drew a crowd of people around him at
once, who were eager to know what was the
“racket,” and see the fun, if there was any to
bescen. .

Seeing the crowd, Parrimore vaulted into the
saddle, and ran his eye over the sea of faces.

“ Gentlemen!" he began, “ I am a stranger to
most of you, but I chance to have a bit of in-
formation that I presume you will all relish, as
it vindicate: the honor of one man while it
criminates another. Is your sheriff present?"

Calvin Carter stepped forward.

“ l’yn that mani” a said.

“ Good! V A short time ago you had a con-
damned prisoner in your Jail, whom you were
‘ to hang—Deadwood Dickl’

u Ya.”

“ pon the do he was to hang, two men
were registered a thehotel—Governor Snelling
and a General Stafford?"

“ Well?"

“Prior to the hangin , the Governor paid
you g’call, and got perm sion to visit the prie-

e .

I‘

“ He did.” r

“Previous to his visit, General Stnflord an
his daughter had departed on the stage?”

“ Sol believe, sin”. ' .

“When the time o to ban the prisoner,
you renewed an oiflcia notice rom the Gov-
mor, granting a temporary respite, did you

it I did."

" As a result, Deadwood Dick escaped."

“ He did.” , A
, “Exactly. And on all loudly denounced the
Governor as the p me cause.” -
“ Ones him, yeai” V
“Well, my worthies, you denounced the
' iron: man!" I I I -

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

“W'hat?”

A hundred voices seemed to utter the word,
simultaneously.

“ I say you denounced the wrong man,” Par-
rimore repeated, triumphantly. “It was not
General Stafford who went away on the stage,
but Governor Snelling. It was not Governor
Smiling who granted the respite, but General
Stafford, and he, too, it was, who bought off
Frank Fowler, and secured the liberation of the
outlaw l"

A cry of astonishment and indignation went
up.

“ How do you know this?” Carter demanded.

“I know it—that’s all. Stafford and I are
bitter foes, and have sworn to kill each other.
He knew he could not battle with me alone,
and so, by releasing Deadwood Dick, be ac
quired a valuable ally. He and his daughter
are now with Deadwood Dick, and are as
mlufc'i’i outlaws as the road-agent deVil him-
se 1

“How about the order!" Carter demanded,
“Your story don’t hung well togeth—

“ You are wrong. Stafford and Snelling had
been friends for years. As Smelling is too hon‘
arable a man to do anything treacherous, there
can be no doubt but what Stafford helped him-
self to the gubernatorial paper and seal, in or.
der to further his scheme, criminated himself
by forging the chief magistrate‘s name. Snel-
ling, noble fellow, bore the brunt of uhlic de-
nunciation in silence rather than that is friend
should suffer for a criminal offense!"

The villain’s harangue made a strong im-
gzession and utterances of indignation were to

heard on every side.

“If this be true!” Cal Carter cried, the color
leaping into his cheeks, “ no ains shall be
spared to hunt up the dastar , and meta out
to him the punishment he justly deserves 1"

“Right, you!" Parrimore cried. “Stafford,
at this moment is not a dozen miles away, kcep-
ing in hiding, in fear of his life, and all we want
is a general u risin of the people to hunt him
out of his ho e, an vindicate your Governor’s
honor. Hurrah! I say! Let every man put
in his voice, and shout ‘Doath to Daniel G.
Stafford !”’

And the lusty yell that went up fully indi-
cated that the scheming scoundrel had scored a
“ ten strike."

CHAPTER XVI. ,
DICK mourns AGAIN.

ABOUT the same hour that saw Pierre Parri-
more in Nowhere, haranguing to the crowd,
Cathie was to be seen in front of her cabin-
home u the mountain, busily engaged at the
wash-tn , while a line of clothes strung from the
cabin to a neighboring tree, showed that she
line]: already accomplished a good share of her
as .

It was a warm, sunnfy day, and she preferred
doing her work out 0 doors, where the birds
sung in the treetops, and all Nature seemed
smi ing and happy. '

Cathie, too, seemed in better spirits than
usual, even though she now and then cast a sorv
rowful glance at the mound where rested all
that remained of her erring brother Joe.

“Poor Joel" she murmured. “ Oh! that he
could have lived and done betterl Sometimes
I have half a notion that we are not the chil-
dren of Pierre Parrimore. Day by da he mani-
fests more and more the disposition o the snake
—-the venomous and rancorous wretch. That is
not my nature—far from it. At any rate, I
cannot-say I am sorry that General Staiford
was not killed in that terrible leap."

She shudder-ed as she looked toward the cliff,
and recalled the scene of a few nights before.

“ Ii—if it should really turn on that he was
my parent, oh! how could I ever forgive my-
sefi But, bah! I do not believe a word of
it. I do not believe a word of it. Par-
rimore may be a villain, but he did not lie
when he rehearsed to me the story, over and
over again, about the terrible vendetta, and
how Joe and I were snatched from our home in
infancy by Daniel Stafford. No! no! I am not
to Stafford, but a Parrirnore, and I did right in
making our famil foe take that leap from the
cllfl. Yet, it can ardly be otherwise than that
he still lives.”

“ Young lady, you are wrong!” V

It was a cool, leasant voice that made the
declaration-«a vo co Cathie recognized even be~
fore she wheeled, and saw perched composedly
go; a rock a few yards away-Deadwood

c .

Never did the dashing mountain rover look to

 

 

 

better advantage. He was attired with scrupu.

!
J

1 ,

   

 

 

lous neatness, and his face had more of its old
boyish devil-mayware abandon of expression.

' Not a day older scarcely did he look than
when he had made famous the name of Dead-
wood Dick when Deadwood City was in the hey‘
day of its glory.

A shade of pallor came over Cathie’s face as
she saw him, and her hand instinctively sought
the revolver always in the belt about her waist.

His odd laugh, however, caused her to desist
from touching the weapon.

“ I wouldn’t if I Were youi" he said with
that composure of tone that was, in its
self a command. “ We’re not flipping the
pasteboards just now, and there’s no particular
need of resorting to the the tools. Should there
be, I am quite handsomely prepared to furnish
the music for the festival!”

“What brings you here?” she demanded.
“ You are an intruder upon these premises, sir,
and I command you to depart." '

“Indeed! I have no idea of doing an thing
of the sort just yet, Miss Stafford. If 1 ad. in
all probability, I should not have come. You
see, I,just came down to have a little chat with
you.’

“ I do not know you, sir. Again I command
you to go i” '

"And again I as politely refuse. You say
you do not know me. I was of the impression
that we had an introduction to each other the
other night at Missouri Meg’s.”

“Sir, do not care to talk with you. We are
enemies, and if you do not leave I shall go in
the cabin and shut the door.”

Dick laughed.

“ That’s all utter nonsense!” he assented. “ I’ll
bet ten dollars to a cent you can’t move a
muscle, except at my will!”

The pallor had returned to Cathie’s cheeks.
Her features, too, had assumed a sort of rigidity
of e ression.

“ ou’ll give in thatl've got you, ch .7" he do-
manded, grimly.

“Yes!” was the submissive answer.

“That’s right. You begin to act sensibly.
If I were to command you to go and leap from
yonder cliff, as you forced General Staflord to
do. you would do so, would you noti"

For a second there was a convulsive working
of her features, as if she were struggling fiercely
to break the spell that bound her; then her fea-
tures gradually tempered down to repose, and
she said. faintly:

it Yes '9)

An expression of triumph flitted across Dead-
wood Dick‘s face.

“ Then go and take the leap!” he thundered.

She turned mechanically, and walked straight
toward the cliff.

“My power over her suprises even myself!"
Dick muttered. “She would walk on to de-
struction, did I not prevent her. Haiti" he
added, in a sharp tone. “ Come back i"

She halted, turned Around, and walked back
to the precise spot she had started from.

“ You are an apt pupil ” Dick laughed. “ You
were just going to we k into the éaws of death.

Why did you make General Sta 0rd leap over I

that clifl’i‘
“ Because he was my father’s enemy i"
“ Did he not tell you that he was your father!"
“ Yes.”
“ You wouldn’t believe him?"
u No In

“ If I wore to assure you that General Staf-
ford” is really your father, Would you believe
 1!

“You only think’ so. If I ware to give you
your freedom, you would not say so."

“I would!”

“I’ll try on then, and See!” '

The Wor s were scarcely out of his mouth,
ere she gave a violent start, and the color of
health rushed back into her cheek.

“There. Now, what have you to say for
yourself?" be asked, coolly. . ‘

“I—I don’t know!” she replied, oonfusedly.
“Al seems strange.”

“ 0 you remember anything you have just

passed through.”

“ I—I remember of saying I believed you.
when you said General Stafford was my father."

“ Do you still believe me?”

“ I do. You are a strange man. but some-
how, I am sure you are a truthful one. Where
is General Stafford?"

“But a few miles away. You want to see
him 1"

“Yes, yes i” ' '

“ You cannot, yet. You must come with me.
The vendetta is not yet ended l" ' '

“ Where do you want me to go!"

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

we are granted V
. yonder gentleman’s kindness.
’ tie one, for

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

13

‘1

 

“ Wherever I go I have sworn to end the ven-
I'letta. If I fail, you must take my place.”

" Against Pierre Parrimorei”

it Yes.”

She looked undecided. .

He caught her arm, and painted to the lone
mound near the flower-beds.

“ You see that?” he said.
caused his death 1"

She grew white, but a terrible glitter entered
her eyes. _

“ Can you prove it?” she gasped.

“ Yes. Can you bear the proof, even though
it bring to you 'a worse agony T’

Whiter and more rigid grew her features.

“Yes!” she breathed, with an effort. “You
refer to my husband and child .3"

“I do! Are you strong—will you bear the
worst, for vengeance’ sake?”

" I Will. Lead on i”

She spoke with a stern resolution, that he
knew would not fail her.

“Then, come!" he said. “ I will not only
prove to you who killed your ,brother, but
enough so that you can have no doubts asto
who is your father 1"

“ Pierre Parrimore

 

CHAPTER XVII.
run worms. '

SHE went into the cabin, put on her hat, and
came out, armed with her handsome rifle.

‘2‘”1 am ready!” she said. “ Have we far to

o.

“ Not a great ways!” he re lied, briefly.

They started, without fur-t er delay. _

They did not go down the mountain-side, but
skirted along it, gradually ascending. The
route was rough, tortuous and dangerous. and
locomotion extreme! difllcult; but at the end
of an hour, they be reached a sort of dent in
the mountainside, overshadowed by a great

led .
fie?» a sight met the gaze of poor Cathie, that

— wrung a. shriek of agony and horror from her

li

pit their feet in the mangled remains of an
infant, the better a are of whose body had been
devoured by the wolves.

Near by‘ lay .a man, ahandsome fellow of
about Dick 5 own age, with light hair and mus-
tache, and an open, kindl chiseled face.

He was not dead, but eath would have been
a welcome visitor to him, for the flesh had been
entirely torn off of his lower limbs, while his
body was untouched.

Near by, thongs clinging to a tree, told the
reason why. He had been bound to the tree,
but so high up, that the ravenous beasts could
not reach beyond a certain hight.

There was an expression of terrible agony
upon the sufferer’s face, but he was still con-

scious. r ,

“Oh! Ford! Iford! my poor husband!” Cathie
shrieked, springing to his side. “Oh! merciful
God, my child—my husband 1”

And she burst into a para
heart-rend eriug screams and so
havgfflectecda ablifigrtFoigtofiie.

“ on’t, t e 0 ever said 5 kin
with an effort. “ Do not ive awn, 1;) min ,3?
such a time as this._ Then 3 mar in] that
this meeting are I die. through
Be calm. my lit-
1 must say what I have to say,
quickly. I prayed that I might live to meet
you again. on earth.”

“Yes, Mrs. Favor, I be of on be calm,»
Deadwood Dick said, knee ing side her, and
laying his hand upon her shoulder, while tears
be was powerless to restrain, coursed down his
cheeks. “ Be calm, for grief cannot mend mat-
tors, now. I found your husband here, this
morning , where, with your babe, he was left bv
Pierre arrimore and Black Bird. Idrove of:
the wolves. Your husband requested me to
come for you, and I did so, although it wrong
my heart to fetch ygu to so sad a scene. So, be
brave, I beg of YOU! .

Finally with an effort, Cathie conquered her

riet somewhat—enough so that she was able to
gear Ford Favor’s last utterances, before his
spirit took its flight to that unexplored bonnie,
whence none returneth. . _

“ They took me by so rise—Pierre and
Black Bird,"he explained, ‘ and brought me
here. Pierre assured me that I should die here,
and so I will. He said on were arich prize
for him, and I and our be were in the way.
When they leftxme, they told me they were
goin to kill Joe, and our friend here, has told
me, at they did so. Cathie. you are not Par-
rlmore‘s child, for be told me so, thinking to

sin of piteous,
such as would

much my misery. They left me here to die.

,rectly concerns you. Are you wi

 

Our babe died of starvation, yesterday, and
therefore suffered nothin from the attack of
the wolves. As for myseli 1 have suffered, but
what of that? I see a clear way, ahead of me,
darling, and willmeet you—over—there. 1—"

He ceased to speak, and his face grew whiter
and rigid.

Cathie, with her face buried in her hands,
understood the silence; she uttered a piercing
shriek, and sunk back, in a dead swoon.

With bowed head, Deadwood Dick remained
silent, for a few minutes—«praying, perhaps—
then, he set to work, to perform what remained
to be done.

After extraordinary exertions, he succeeded
in restoring Cathie to consciousness, and re-
duplélg her grief to a. state of comparative
quie .

He then prepared a temporary grave near at
hand, and there buried all that was earthly of
Ford Favor and the babe, until such a time as a
more befitting tomb could be provided.

Cathie watched him, with a face as white as
marble, and eyes that gleamed with a wild,
unnatural light.

When the work was finally completed, she
picked up her ride, and went and knelt by the

umble grave.

There she remained for several minutes. She
had ceased to weep, and a stony calmness of
demeanor had taken possession of her.

Finally, she arose, and turned to Deadwood
Dick, saying:

“1 am deeply indebted to you, sir. Not a
doubt exists in my mind, now, but what Gen—
eral Stafford is my father, and but for you and
him I would now be friendless. Come! I am
ready to. go. The trail lies plain before me,
and [Will follow it. You can accompany me

if you like 1"

" You speak of the trail of vengeance?” Dick
said interrogatively.

“ldo. Triple cause have I to seek venge-

ance, aside from that of the vendetta. Pierre
Parrimors and his pard shall not see the light
of this world twenty-four hours lon er. 1 have
re istered an oath to that. Come! 9 will sur-
p se the wolf in his lair!” /

The accordinglv left the scene of Ford
Favor a tragic death, and descended the moun-
tain-side.

Half-way down, they halted.

They had suddenly stumbled on a. sight that
was peculiarly interesting.

Upon a. slight plateau, were three familiar
figures, taking part in astrange scene.

Two of the figures were of the whisky-ab-
sorbing firm of aker and O’Gall. *

These two wore seated upon a log, and each
one held a pair of cocked revolvers in their

grasp.

Lying at their feet, under the menace of the
weapons, was the giant from Canaan, Some
Pumpkins.

The bummers had got the loot “ dead to
ri hts,” so to speak; but with w at object?

‘Hum 11! here’s a go!” Dick said, in a low
tone. “ reckon we shall have towalk into
this matinee; come!”

They walked forward, with weapons drawn
and ready for use.“

Seeker and O’Gall made no move to remove
their “ drop ” on the giant, however.

“ Hello, here!” Dick cried. “ What’s your
racket, my three canary birds?" ‘

“Hello, yerself!” Sis Soaker responded. “It
never rains but it pours, an’ this 1: er water-
: out sire ther luckiest thing ye . You’re

eadwood Dick, ain‘t you?”

“ I am.”

“ Then allow me—we aire Seeker and O‘Gall,
gents of all trades—not jacks, please distinctly
understand that. And ou’re the very galoot
we want to see, airs you I hev a question to
propoundl” I

“ We have a question to propound,”oorrected
O’Gall. '

, “ Yes, of course—me.”

“Well, propound it 1” Dick ordered. “I am
likg the mule—all ears.”

m d joke! Ha, haI—very good! You see,

Y ear sir, we are two gentlemen of leisure,
ostensibly; but ad interim, in realit , we are
GOYernment inspectors of wines an liquors.
The avocatlon not proving pro erly compensa-
tory, we concluded to add. another profession—-
ne‘uiely, detectivim. This is our first case.”

_A finedooking case, I’ll agree," Dick laugh-
ed. “ But, go on.”

“Well. in dear sir, the uestion is this: Be.
fore as we ave a valuabe case which indi—

. lung to our
for such valuable information as we can (infuse;
or shall we quiet our own individunl’scruples,

 

and gobble up the whole potent dose of will to
the enrichment of our own pockets?”

“That depends, my worthy friend. If you
have any important information for me, I
will pay for it [according to its value—after I
hear it.’ 0 ,

“ That won’t work. We’re working for col-
lat, and collat we'll have, of We have to turn
this Eigpner over to Pierre Parrimore 1”

“You bet! Pierre Parrimore would show a.
flush hand for this chap, an’ he’s worth every
cent asmucb to you.”

“ I fail to see how!”

“ ’Ca’se you’re in snacks wi’ one General Staf—
ford, an’ this hyer giant would give a heap to
git awe , ’ca‘se he hesa ’ ortant secret, worth
swads 0 money to one o’ t e gineral’s darters!”

“ What kind of a game are you trying to _
trump up now, you miserable bum? If you
have got anything im ortant for me to know,
out With it at once, or 7ii blow your head offz”

“ Blow and be ban ed. Make us an alter, an’
of it is fair, we’ll on end. Otherwme, we deal
wi' Pierre Parrimore l"

“ Humph! how much will the information be
worth?” .

“To Estelle B. Stadord, one hundred thou~
sand dollars!” ,

“ What’s your price?”

“A year’s every-day drunk apieco. At pre—
sent, it takes ten dollars a day, each, to keep us
comfortable and sung. Ten times three hun-
dred and sixty-five is three thousand, six hun—
dred and fifty dollars. That sum two times is
sfienwthousand, three hundred. That's our

ce

“1 ob‘ect, Mistber Seeker—I ob cot,” spoke
up O’Ga ]. “ Yes forget soomthin’. ix months
hence, tha whisky Will not be havin’ tba same
efleck as now, an‘ tin dollars a day will not do
us—not kape us even sinselessl”

“ You’re a hog!” Booker growled. “ Hang
yer stupidity, won’t our face be equal to the
emer ency‘l Was], I should crook!

“ es, sir, Mr. Deadwood Dick, seven thou-
sand, three hundred will let you plum inter our
confidence!”

“ Dirt cheap!” Dick said, reaching into an in—
ner pocket, and taking out a wallet which con.
tained a large sum of counterfeit mono , which
he had capjurediduring a raid, severe months
before. “To make even change, I’ll give you
four thousand apiece. Here you are!"

The hammers received the money with dc~
light and not waiting to examine into its actual
wort , shoved it down into their pockets.

“ Now, then, unburden yourselves,” Dick
said, “and be quick about it. ’

Seeker did so. He related how McClurg, alias
Parrimore, had sought to hire them, and how,
later, they had entered his amp] to learn
whatever fell in their way. After avir the
hut in the ravine, the hi ht of Deadwood ck’s
escape from Missouri ag’s, they had pried
around, played es vesdropper, and overheard all
that was said in the hut. ’- _

The substance of this they related to Dick;
also how they had captured the giant, and his
refusal to speak the word by which the money-
bearing messenger from the South was to make -
himself known!

“ That ain’t all!” Seeker continued. “We
just come up from the town, and there's, the
deuce to pay down there, and loads of it!”

He then told of Pierre Parrimore’s coming to
Nowhere, nd how he had arousedthe people to
arms,bv narrating General Stadord’s trick to
release Deadwood Dick.

“Tber town is in a boilin commotion,”
Souker added, “an‘ parties are in organized
and (qulpped to scour the neighbor gcountry
fer you and the general 1”

“Let ’em scour,” Dick said, grim] . “ When
our mission is accomplished we’ll b d them find
us, if they can.”

“ Will there not be danger of their discover-v
ing my father and sister, even before we can
accpmpliah our mission?” Cathie asked, anxiv
ens v. ‘

“ Perhaps. We will seato that, direcilv. In
regard to this fortune business, I have already
marked the man who I am satisfied is the
messenger. I will find ontof Some Fun: ,
here, the word; then he must be held a p , or
until the thing is settled.” r

“ Haow d’ye know you’ll find out the word!”
the giant demanded, speaking up, for the first.
“ I ain’t sech a fool as to ive it up.” ,

“ I will see!” Dick rep led, calmly, throwing
the full force of his magnetic gaze upon the big
man. " Ha! I fancy you ‘aeil'levalready also.

Tell me! Areyon feeling in
“Quito well, thank you.”

 

. WMM‘,‘ [flute-g  .. A._ -.__-o...

.,_n,_. ,~_‘._.~M..,.1_.\

 

  
  

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

15

 

certain that ton men will do you? Hadn’t you
better take more!” .

“ Oh] no. You see, I know Just how the cap-
ture will have to be effected, and 1 can handle
ten men in those quarters far better than I can
more. I lead my party. directly north from
here and all other rill-es must shape their
route in different directions, 195‘: they scare
away my game. I will start half an hour in
advance of the rest of you, so that I will be well
toward my destination ere any of you have
started. Remember! my ofler holds good to
whoever fires the shot that puts out the li ht of
Deadwood Dick’s candle, or that of Danie Staf-
ford."

Parrimore then selected Black Bird and nine
other men from the crowd, and they rode away
out of the camp.

It was a noticeable fact that every man be
selected was a. typical rufiian, fit for any evil
work: but in the excitement of the moment,
little attention, if any, was paid to the matter.

Pierre Parrimore and Black Bird rode at the
head of their party, several yards in advance.

Bird’s face had rather an ill-humored expres-
sion upon it, and there was a treacherou glitter
in his eyes. .

Parrlmore noticed the fact readin enough.

“ What’s wrong?" he demanded, grimly.

“ Enough.” the other rufiian groWled-
“ Things are gettin pretty near a focus, and
I haven’t seen ye shel out any 0’ the filthy. I
sha’n’t wait many hours longer 1”

.“Nor will you have . to. Before sunset to-
night, I’ll place ten thousand dollars in your
hands."

" Bahl I’m cussed if I believe you‘ve got ten
dollars to your name.”

" ’Sbl" and, the arch-villain glanced a pre-
hensively. back at the other men. “ aybe
you’re right, in boy—but listen! Inde .ndent
of the girl’s fol-glue, l‘ll lace the sun; named
in your hands by sunset 1! you stick by me!”

‘ Bow ye n’ to do it?" Black Bird demand-
ed, still susp cious and doubtful. “Don’t think
ve r’ pickin’ Black Bird up fer a fool, Pierre
Parrimore!"

" Did I mention such a thingl Nol D’ye
know what I’m in’ to do?"

“ How should i” , ,

“Well, spur up a little, and I’ll tell you.”

They soon were so far ahead that there was no
danger of their being overheard.

Then Pierre Purrimore said:

“ l’ll now unfold to you my plan. I gave you
credit of suspecting that l was layln a game
to win to-day. and so I am. hen he other
Searchers leave Nowhere, what condition is the
camp left in? There’ll not be a dozen people
left to protect itl “Yet, within the precincts of
that very camp there’s money enough to set us

up independent for a dozen lifetimes, ain’t
there?”

“Con-act! Goon!”

“W911i hem Before we git to the
stronghod W0 hulkand you remain'behind
with the sans- ! , go 'on to the stronghold, os—
tensibly to reconno tar, but in reality to it the
boys. 9 “3mm creep up on you, an shoot
down eve In her’s son of you—exec t
yourself, 0 000M Then we go on to 0-
where, 580k We tmm and take all the money
we can get Pom 0'- There I leave you, and
each man shifts for himself. There’s not the
shadow ofa doubfi bl“ What the other searchers
will end the Vendetta for me; anyhow, they
shall find me badly Wounded which will, of
course. Pm“ “‘9 loyal ‘50 tber cause; and if
you like you can Dilly the same racket, and
we‘ll work 9089mm for the hundred thousand.”
' “That all sounds very pretty,” Black Bird
said__uexcept one particular. Suppoging you
should make '1 miSt’akey and shoot me when
ye cut down the others? It won't work, (or a
cent!”

«Ham I was never that false. If on like,
we will capture 811011 0f the gang 88 Will surren-
der, and shoot the others. At any rate, I give
my word of honor you shall not be hurt."

n We“, go ahead Wlbh your dance. I?“
look out and be ready to pop you it abnllet
stin ,5 me!” '

T ey rode On.

It was nearly tun-99b When they neared the
outlaw stronghold. »

, ,Then, in a little Chaparral-surrounded glade,

Cthey came to a, bait, and “"9" 5 f9" Explana-
ilionsi Parrimore wangggigg~b0 reconnoiter,
he to d his nnsus " - v ‘

{‘ Bad the suave? his real intention. he would

lite. '
 " He went direct to the stronghold, .1; ow “b
‘ in in”: neighboring ravzne.  s‘ V .

, not have ived five minutes more of his sinful:

 

Here, to the road-agents, be outlined tbetpro-
osed attack, and painted a vivid picture 0 the
immense haul in store for them.

After a little consideration the masked band
consented to become parties to the scheme, and
in ten minutes were mounted and en route.

Ar 'iving near the glade they dismounted and
crop in upon the victims of Parrimore‘s plot,
and took them wholly by surprise.

A bitter fight, however, ensued, in which
Parrimore did not expose himself.

Five of the miners were shot down, and four
ca lured and bound to trees.

lack Bird was not molested.

Then, with Parrimore’s order all of the
read-agents mounted, and with t 3’ two arch
villains at their head, dashed away toward No
where. i. i

All except one road-agent, who, unknown
to libs main party, had managed to remain
bah u . ’

 

CHAPTER XX.
m vnnnma ENDED.

To explain who the road-agent was, who had
remained behind, it will be necessary to make a.
slight retrogression. '

The trip of the Staflords, to Top-Knot, under
Deadwood Dick’s able guidance, was accom-
gllshed without any incident, and Dick and

athle saw the general, Stella and Atwood
safely aboard the stage, bound for St. J ulien.

Some Pumpkins had been left bound, near
the camp, where he might eventually be found,
and released.

After the departure of the stage, Dick and
his fair companion left Top-Knot, and rode

rapidly away, Dick having purchased Cathie a

horse.

“ Where do we go, now? she asked.

“ Direct to the outlaw stronghold 1” he re-
plied, briefly. ,

As he did not volunteer further information,
she did not press him for it.

After two hours’ rapid riding they reached
the ravine, and soon commanded a view of the
stronghold.

Bidding Cathie remain behind, Deadwood
Dick went ahead, and soon disappeared.

It was half an hour, ere he reappeared,
shortly after which two masked men came up.

“These two fellows are the oul two loyal
men left of my band,” Dick said. ‘Parrimore
is expected, to-night, and [we are to take these
fellows‘ places in the gang, until he comes, and
our mission is ended. These gents are about to
desert, anyhow!”

The two men disappeared in the trees, and in
due time returned in entirely different disguises.
Their former roadvagent attire and accouter-
ments they surrendered to Dick, receiving in
exchange the horses Dick and Cathie had ridden;
then they departed.

Dick and Cathie put on the road-agents’ gar-
ments over their own. .

One of the men—a mere boy in years—fortu-
nately had been about Cathie’s hight, and his
clothes fitted her nicely, and a false beard, sup-
plied by Dick, fixed her out beyond recognition.

When their arrangements were all complete,
Dick gave her such instructions as she might
need, and then they advanced boldly toward
the cabin.

As they entered, Dick nodded, and said “ all
clear " to the guard, and they went and threw
themselves upon benches, a. string of which ran
around the interior of the great room, and no
particular attention was paid to them by the
thirty-odd Occupants of the den.

They had not been there ion . when Pierre
Parrimore arrived and unfolded isplot.

“ We go with them,” Dick u whis red.
“When the attack is made, watch goo your
chance. and escape. When we {(0 0",..V0u ride
like wildfire to the vicinity of the cliff, where
your brother is buried. Get some of the citi-
znns together. and fetch them cautiously to the
vicinity of Nowhere! I’ll meet ’em, and lead
’em on!” ,

Consequently, the road-agent who had been
left behind was Cathie.

When the hoof-strokes of the madegent
party had died out, Cathie hastened into the
glede. and related to the prisoners Ifierre Parri-
more’s plot.

As thev consented to :ioin in the attack upon -

the road-agents, she re eased them, and beds
them hasten to the vicinity of Nowhere.
She then mounted her horse and sped away,
for she was a skilled equestrian. A , ‘ \
Better luck thanshe had anticipated greeted

:.

      

    
  

 

 

her, for it was not lon ere she met two of the
bands of searchers, an a third was soon added.

Then they set out for the mining-camp.

It was dark ere they reached a point as near
as they dared approach without reconnoissance.

Here a halt was made, and they were directly
joined by a horseman. -

“Gentlemen,” he said, “ has my friend made
known to on who I am?"

“No!” lonel Ezra Crocker replied. “She
has, however, explained the situation.”

“ Enough. The roadagents of Pierre Parri-
more are now robbing the camp. The bank has
not yet been touched. If you desire to put
yourselves under my command, I will lead the
attack !"

“ Certainly we will. But who are you?"

“ I am one who strikes for ven canoe to-night
—Deadwood Dick: We are ends for this
Occasion. If after we sweep those detestable
villains from the town, you desire my surren-
der, I will do so.”

“ Not if I have anything to say about it," the
colonel cried, while the men heartily echoed his
sentiments.

Dick then made a final reconnaissance, and re-
ported the load-agents battering down the door
of the bank. '

“ Come! Now is our time,” he cried,
waving his hat in the air, he led the attack.

The road-agents being unhorsed, were taken
wholly by surprise, and few if any escaped, the
majority being ruthlessly and mercilessly shot
__-.owu.

and

It was an easily~won victory, and when the
last pistol-shot had been fired, the victorious
party made the night ring with a shout—one,
too, strange to issue from their lips:

“Hurrah! hurrah for Deadwood Dick, as
square 9. man as ever met a fool”

 

When the dead and wounded were gathered.
Dick and Cathie found to their regret that
Pierre Parrimore was not among the number.

“The vendetta is not yet ended,” Dick said.
;‘  you pursue the villain further, Miss Stef-

or

“Yes. You remember I have a twofold ven-
geance to wreak on that monster."

“ Then I cannot leave you to pursue your ob-
ject alone, and perhaps fall into Parrimore's
clutches. We had best wait till daybreak.”

Accordingly, they did so. ,

In the morning, as they were pre aringto doc
part, Colonel Crocker approached t em.

“Another victim was found, awhile ago.” he
said, “but he has just died. He left a death
message for you.”

“ What? who was he?”

“ Bird Black. He said—tell you that you can
easily find Parrimore. He is badly wounded in
several places, and could not have done other-i
wise than leave a trail of blood behind him. He '
it was who gave Bird his death woundl” '

“ The wretchl" Dick exclaimed. “ Villain
though I knew him to he, I did not think him.
brutal enough to kill his own emissary.”

They took their departure. ~

A search was made, and they indeed soon
struck a trail of blood.

To follow it up, was no hard task.

When noonday came, they reached a lonel
spot in the mountains, where lay Pierre Parr:
more, dying. .

“ Spare mel s re me, I pray!” he moaned, as
thev approache . '

“Spare you i” Cathie cried, the light of un— .
dyinghatred burning in her eyes.

“Did you spare my brother! Did you spare
my husband—my chi d,,you inhuman wretch—
you hyenaf"

\She laid her hand upon a revolver, but Dick
prevented her from drawing it.

“ Don’t!” be said. “ The vendetta is ended."

Pierre Parrimore had sunk back, dead!

Wretch though he was, Dick buried his re-
mainszthen he conducted Cathie to St. J ulien,
and restored her to her father and sister.

The three, thus united, afterward went to
California, and there Deadwood Dick lost track
of them.

Bis Soaker and Gilderoy O‘Gall were not killed,
but afterward had many a good: drunk
gether. ‘ a

As for Deadwood Dick, he is still in Nevada,
where, as usual, he has fallen into a series of ~
adventures, which may constrain us to again re-
cur to the lion-hearted ex-knight of  road.

 

 

    

14

a

Deadwood Dick Sentenced.

 

 

._.i...._ .

“ Sol Why some one is tickling your feet 1"

, Instantly the ant beagn to wriggle and kick,
while he more with laughter, until the tears
rolled down his cheeks.

‘ ‘ Stop! stop 1" he yelled. “ Ohl cracky—oh
-—ohl”

 

“ Will you tell me the word?” Dick demand-
ed, smiling.
“Yesl yes. Stop! stopl”
“ Therel n0w you feel all right, don’t you?"
' u Yes."
“Then what is the word?”
“ It is ‘Old—Hundred.’ ”
“ Look out! are you lying to me?”
“’Iylol nol I hope you may cut my throat, if I

“Very well. You lie still. Beaker, bind his
hands I" ‘

The giant remained quiet until bound; then
stalwave of Dick's hand, he came out of the
spe . ,

“You "see I obtained the word!” Dick said,
as the big man began to stngle and swear.

“Ye lie!” he roared. “ hat was it?" V

“ ‘ Old-Hundred l’ ”

A baflied oath from the ruilian convinced
Dick that he was in possession of the correct
word.

He then turned to Seeker and O’Gall.

“You two fellows remain here, and ard
the giant. You shall be well paid for it. here
is little danger that the search will extend to
'this point. If it does, why, scoot. Can I de-
pend on your?”

“ We airs yours truly,” Beaker said gracious-
ly. “Hurry back tho’, fer we’re anxious to
start on the year's amboree.”

" All ri ht ” an turning, the deliverer and.
*Oathie too their departure.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
ran mssnuona.

DICK and Cathie went directly to the cabin,
in the mountain pocket, and there took place a
foyful meetin , between the eneral and his
ong lost dang ter, and as we 1, between the
tw0 sisters. ,.

The general, of course, took a father’s deli his
in forgiving Cathieaor Bijou, that being or
real name—for considering that she was so ter-
ribly in earnest, in believing. herself a Parri-
more; he was proud of her " looded ” spirit, as
he termed it. V

Allowing them time for the first fond greet—
ings, Deadwood Dick then said:

' ‘It will now be necessary for you to leave
this place, and seek one that is far safer,” and
be related what he had learned from Sis
‘Soaker. ‘ '
9iThe general looked surprised and apprehen-

ve.

His sore hip, was b no means healed, yet,
and the prospect to h m, looked anything but

pleasant.

“ Where shall we go? What can we do! If
I were-well, and it were not for my daughters,
matters would not look so badl"

“One of your daughters will, be no incum—
brance to on!” Cathie spoke up; “I “shall ac-
companv adwood Dick until with the death of
Pierre Parrlmore the vendetta is ended.”

" Everything can be satisfactorily arranged,
I think," Dick said. “ By starting at once, we
can reach Top—Knot camp, ten miles away, in

' . time to catch the stage, w lab will take you to
. l St. Julien. There you will be safe to remain
‘ ‘ until we join you.”
, “Buthow will I beable to travel?” the gem
oral asked, dubiouslH
“ That can be one y arranged,” Dick replied.
“ I have a horse, not far away, and can fix you
out so comfortably, that you will not mind the
ourney. As for the rest of us, we can walk.
ou/all remain here, now, until I return with
the horse.” ,
He left the cabin. and hurried away out of
, the pocket at a rapid gait. ,
v ‘ Cathie watched him from the doorway of the
, ‘ cabin until he had disappeared, with an anxious
expression. .
IWhat is it, that tells me he is oing into
great dan er?” she murmured. “ff he’does
not soon r m I shall go in search of him.” _
. As for Deadwood Dick, be little anticipated
any danger, and strode brisklyr along. without
exercising the usual oautiOn batmarked his
movements. , ‘ , ' ‘ »
In’the course of a quarter-pot an hour he
reached a small glade, surrounded by chaparral,
and here a fine-looking horse was oonteutedly

   
   
  
      
   
    
     
        
   
  
    
      
         
    

  

  

 

  

 

Drawing saddle and other trappings from un~
dcr a ledge, Dick quickly equipped the animal,
and was about to mount him, wheii the omi»
nous click! click! of several weapons, caused
him to look quickly around.

There, standing not ten paces away, and cov-
ering him with the aim of six revolvers, were
the identical three men he had left on the
lrinountain—Soaker, O'Gail, and Some Pump»

ins!

“Hol ho!” the giant roared in great glee.
“ Who has got ther drap, now, me noble duke?
How der yer feel about this time o’ P. M."

Dick’s face flushed with anger.

“What does this mean?” he demanded, ad-
dressing Souker. “I left you to guard this
ggelrngrown brute, and here you've turned trai-

r .

“Bet yer boots we hevl” Soaker answered,
unblushingly. “We ain’t no eej'itts, of we do
put away a fair ’lowance o_’ tangle-fut!"

“ Nayther We sire!" coincided O'Gall.

“You see,” continued Soaker, “our friend
beer, suggested ye were a .fat mutton, an’ bein’
as yetreated us skinny, ef we’d jine issues with
him, thar’d be fun ahead, an’ money, too. So,
heer we sire, an’ you aire our prisoner, and the
Staflords will be, too, afore long!"

“You’re not sure I am our prisoner, yet,”
Dick replied. “Besides, w not have I done to
you, to merit this treachery l"

“ Hoyt Listen to that, will yel Didn’t-ye
give us sevon thousan’—no, eight thousan’ dol—
lars to it drunk ou‘, an’ warn’t it all counter—
feitl 0 l thar's nothin’ slouchy about us.
Ye’r’our risoner, an’ utter we git ther‘Staf—
fords,we’l make a dicker fer good cash, wi’
Pierre Parrimore, an’ the Nowhere Vigilantes.
So, of you value your own skin, surrenderi
We’y‘p got the drap on ye, and we mean biz~
ness.

H“ You bet we do!" assented Some Pump-
ns.

“ Av coourse we dol” chimed in the great and
only Gilderoy O’Gall.

“ What if I refuse to surrender?" Dick de—
manded, with a view to (prolonging the pariey
-—for his quick gaze be detected something,
zvhigh gave him hope that help was near at

an .

Behind the ruflians wasa gigantic bowlder,
and Dick had seen something very decidedly
like a man’s head beyond it.

“ What’ll we do, of ye don’t surrender?” re-
peated Some Pumpkins. “Why, we’ll fill ye
so full 0’ plumbago that ye can’t navigate, an’
then bang ye up by the heels to bleed, while we
go an' fetch the Vigilantes down upon ye—you

ear moi Spit ’er outl—will ye surrender,
or col—fer we’d jest as lief blaze away at you,
as not!"

t Dick had little doubt but what he spoke the
ruth.

Before he could givo answer however, a man
stepped quickly from behind the bowlder, revol—
ver in band, and cried:

“ Throw uy your hands, you wretches, or die
in our tracksl”

he challenge came so unexpectedly that the
trio wheeled about in a rage utterin oaths
that will not bear repetition ere: an takin
advantage of the opportunity, Deadwood Dic
drew his own weapons, and strode forward.

“ Yes, my worthlesl” he cried. “You had
better surrender yourselves. I take it. Throw
down your weapons and give in peaceably, or
you die with our boots on i”

Sonker an 0031] uttered defiant yells, and
bounded suddenly away, bent on escape.

If they had calculated to escape, however,
they reckoned wrongly, for two pistol-shots rung
out, and with yells of pain both threw up their
hands and fell headlong to the ground.

Without paying further attention to them
Dick turned to the stranger, who still“ covered ”
Some Pumpkins.

“You [are St. George Atwood?) Dick said,
interrogatively—“ the fellow whom Fakir Fred
rescue-d in Missouri Meg’s saloon?" -

“I am; and if I mistake not, you are Fakir
Fred."

“I am. 1 little thought. however. on would
ever have a chance to serveme. on are the
man who came from the South as messenger,
bearing money to Estella B. Stafford?”

Atwood started. ,

“How do you know?" he demanded, suspi‘
cicusly. ,

“Enough. A scheme has been on foot to re-
lieve on of the money, but fortunately it IS
balk . The Stafford family are now under my
protection. and your ‘ Old-Hundred ’ canbe flung
at meginstead of the treacherous wretch you

 

. cover With your weapon. »

l wincondufl You to'

    

 

 

Miss Stafford, and you can complete your busi-
ness with her.”

“ VVbich I shall be heartily glad to do,” A1;-
wood declared. "The sooner I get out of this
country the better pleased I will be. I found
out this giant was a villain, as soon as I arrivad
in Nowhere and met him. Accordingly, after
the trouble in the saloon I kept shady and
shadowed him, in hopes of thus being able to
find the party to whom the fortune belongs.
What do you propose to do with the big
brute?”

All of Atwood’s dudeish mannerisms, except
for his dress, had now disappeared. and he had
the bearing of a sensible young fellow.

Dick did not answer the question immediately,
but surveyed the giant keenly.

He was really puzzled as to what disposal was
best. to make of him.

“ Ye’d better let. me go!” Some Pumpkins sug-
gested. “ The puddin’s in the fire now, anyhow,
an’ I can’t do ye any further harm.”

“ You're riot to be trusted.” Dick said. “I
guess the most sensible thing that we can do will

e to take you along with us. Let me bind your
arms.”

Seeing nothing lelse to do, the giant once more
submitted to being made a prisoner; then, Dick
leading his horse, the trio set out for the cabin
in the pocket, which they reached without fur-
ther incident. '

Here St. George Atwood delivered up to
Stella a draft for her fortune, and the noble-
hearted girl e ressed her intention of shar-
ing her good luc equally with her father and
sister.

Preparations were then made to depart for
Top-Knot, and the party were soon em route.

 

CHAPTER XIX.
av mnuous SCHEME.

Sis SOAKER had not lied when he said that
Pier re Parrimore had created a general uprising
of the citizens of Nowhere. .

His recital of General Stsflord‘s trick tose-
cure the liberty of, the Prince of the Road
caused the people in general. great indignation
—and, perha s justly, too, for it certainly was
rather a she by act, on the part of Stafford,
toward his friend, the Governor. ,

Once he had ignited the first spark of the fire,
Pierre Parrit’nore was not the man to let it die
out. He literally added fuel to it, until the
flame grew too strong to quell. «

His proposal to organize parties of men, and
send them out in all directions in search of the

chem] and Deadwood Dick, was greeted with
gearty up lease, and when he heralded the
news that e, personally, would give five thou-
sand dollars apiece for the two fugitives’ heads,
the rough men of that even rougher mining—
camp, were set fairly wild, and Parrimore was
without doubt the man of the day. '

Inside of two hours, all work was suspended,
in and about the camp, and the citizens. there-
of, irrespective of rank or position, were or-

anized and fairly well r nipped for the work
fa hand—the work of houu ing down to death,
Deadwood Dick and General Stafford. They
seemed to regard it as a waiter of dut to them—3
selves, and justice, to seek and kii the two
fugitives.

When all was in, readiness for a tem rary
evacuation of the camp. Parrimore took t upon
himself to again become orator of the day.

“There is one fact, that l have suppressed
from you, until this minute,” he announced,
“ because-I wished the movement to get' fully
under way. i know exactly where the strong-
hold of Deadwood Dick’s road—agents is locate ,
and propose to have the honor of capturing it.
To do this, I shall require ten able-bodied fei—
lows, whom Irwill select to suit myself.» More
than ten will be unnecessary, and in the way,
Where ten can do the work we". Now, Dead-
wood Dick and General Stafford are not at this
stronghold. as I have learned by personal recon-
noissance, but are hidingin the mountains,fear-
ing to show themselves, knowing I am on their
track. Therefore, after'l select my party, the
other divisions are to ec.ur the country in
various directions, in search of the two fugi-
tives. Immediately after capturing the main ,
hand, Iwill bring them here. and leaving Black
Bird and my men to do guard duty over them,
I will join one of your parties, and take active
part in the search!" » I ‘ .

“You should have been a commander in the
late rebellion!” com limented Colonel Ezra

Cracker, the owner '0 the, Cracker Mine, “ast , ,

perceive you, are a born warrior. ., But, are you“ -_

 

A “n.4WsLWN1es <.

, -Wmhanm: u a»

 

  

fl

BEADLE’S BOY’S LIBRARY No. 1, Ready April 19th. 32 Octave Pages. Price, Five Cents.
No. 2, BUFFALO BILL, PROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD. Ready April 26th.

 

 

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LIBRARY.

 

229 Crimson Kate. By Colonel Prentiss lngrshnm.

230 The Yankee Rajah. By C. Dunning Clark.

231 Plucky Phil, of the Mountain Truil. By T. C. llarbxmgh.
282 Gold-Duet Dick. By Edwnrd L. Wheeler.

238 Joe Buck ofAngela. By Albert W. Aiken.

284 Old Rocky‘s “Boyeee.” By Buckskin Sam.

235 Shadow Ram, the Messenger Boy. By Charles Morris.
236 Apollo Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. 1
237 Lone Star. the Cowboy Contain. By Col. lngrahnm.
238 The Parson Detective. By Oll Coornes.

239 The Gold-sleeker Guide. By Csptsin Mayne Reid.
240 Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler.
241 Bill Bravo and "in Bear I’m-(ls.
242 The Two “ Bloods.” By Charles Morris.

243 The Dir-gained Guide. By Oil Coomes.

244 Sierra Sam. By Edward L. Wheeler.

245 Merle, the Mlddy. By Colonel Prentiss lngrnham

246 Giant George. By Buz-kskin Sum.

24? Old Grizzly and "in Pets. By Capt." Bruln" Adams.
248 Sierra Snm’» Secret. By Edward L. Wheeler.

249 Milo Romer, the Animal King. By Capt. Fred.Whlmker.

250 The Midshipman Mutlneer. By Col. P. lngrahsm.
251 Light-house Like. By Cuptsln J. F. C. Adsms.
252 Dick Danhaway. By Charles Morris.

253 Sierra Sam’s l’ard. By Edwnrd L. Wheeler.

2554 The Half-Blood. By Edward S. Ellis.

255 Captain Apollo. By T. C. ilurhnugh.

256 Young Kentuck. By Cnptnin Murlr Wilton.

25‘? The Lost Hunters. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.

258 Sierra Sara’s Seven. By Edward L. Wheeler.

259 The Golden Harpoon. By Roger Sturbucll.

280 Dare-Devil Dan. By Oll Coomes.

261 Fergus Fearnaught. By Georg- I. Aiken.

232 The Young Sleuths. By Chnrlrl Morris.

263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide. By Edward L. Wheeler.
364 The Floating; Feather. By Col. P. lnzmham.
265 The Tiger Tamer. lly Captain Fred. Whittaker.
268 Killb’ar, the Guide. By Ensign Wnrren.

267 The Buckskin Detective. By T. C. Hnrbnngh.
288 Deadwood Dick‘s Death Trail. By E. L. Wheeler.
239 The Gold Ship. By Col. Prentlns lngruhnm.

270 Blizzard Ben. By Cnptnin Mark Wilton.

271 The iluce Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis.

2'12 Minkskin Mike. By Oil Coornes.

278 J‘s-ho Joe. By Edwina 1.. Wheeler.

By T. C. linrhaugh.

 

274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morris.

275 Arizona. Jnt'k. By Buckskin Sum.

2276 Merle Monto’s Cruino. By Colonel Prentiss lngmhmn.
277 Denver Doll. By Eilwunl L. Wheeler.

278 The Three Trappers. By Mujor Lewis W. Csrson.
279 Old Winch, the Rifle King. By T. C. llsrhaugh.

280 Merle Monte‘s Fate. By Col. Prentiss lngrnlmrn.

281 Denver Doll’s Victory. By Edward L. Wheeler.

282 The Typo Detective. By Edward Willem.

283 Indian Joe. By Major Lewis W. Carson.

284 The Ben Marauder. By Colonel Prentiss lngrahsm.
285 Denver Doll‘s Decoy. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.

286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
287 Billy Blue-Eyes. lly Colonel I’mntlun lngrnham.

288 The Scalp King. By Captain J. F. C. Adsms.

289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morris.

200 Little Foxfire. By all Coomes.

291 Turk, the Ferret. By Edward L, Wheeler.

292 Sancho Pedro. By Major E. L. St. Vrsin.

298 Red Clown-the OneAEyod Trapper. By Capt-in Cornstm‘h.
294 Dynamite Dun. By '1‘. C. Hnrhnugh.

295 Fearlem Phil. By Edwnrd Willett.

296 Denver Doll‘s Drift. By Edward L. Wheeler.

29? The Tarantula oi’ Tans. By Buckskin Snm.

298 The Wuter-llound. By Charles Morris.

299 A No. 1, the Dashing TollyTsker. By Edwsrd L. Wheeler.
300 The Sky Demon. By Oll Coomes.

801 Lt-ndvillo Nick. By Mnjor E. L. St. Vrnln.

802 The Mountain Detective. By T. C. llsrhnugh.

303 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Mlner. By E. 1.. Wheeler.

304 The Dead Shot Dandy. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrshnm
305 Danhaway. of Dakota. By Chnrles Morris.

308 Neck-Tie Ned. By Major H. 13. Stoddard.

807 The Strange Pard. By Buckskln Sam.

308 Keno Kit, the Boy Bugler‘s l’nrd. By Col. 1". Ingrshsm.
309 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. By E. L. Wheeler.
310 The Barraneu Wolf. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

311 The Roving port. By Edward Willett.

312 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrsin.
313 (‘imarron Jnek. By Frederick Dewey.

314 The Mysterious Marauder. By Col. P. lngmhsrn.
3'15 Ned. the Cabin Boy. By Jnck Farragut.

316 old Eclipse, Trump Curd of Arizonn. By T. C. Hnrhsn‘rh.
317 Peacock Pete. By Lieutenant Alfred Thorns.

318 Ker-whoop, Ker-w 001 By Buckskin Sam.

 

 

319 The Black Rider. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

820 The Sea Sores-reps. By Jnck Farragut.

321 Deadwood Dick‘s Dozen. By Edwnrd I. Wheeler.
322 Nerno, the Detective. By Edwnrd \Villstt.

328 Arkunnaw Jar-h. lly llnrry annrd.

324 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. By I n. Morris.

325 Hello ilieke (1' Com an the Sleuths ofl‘hilndel hia.
By Edvard L. Wilhelm. D 5" P

826 The Ten Pardn; or, The Terror ofTuke-Notieu.
llarbaugh.

327 Creeping Cat. the, Caddo. By Buckskin Sun.

828 The Rky Detective“. By Major Mickey Free.

829 Red-Skin Torn. By llnvry Hazard.

330 Little Quit-1081"“. By Edwurd L. Wheeler.

331 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. By (fupt. Fred. Whittaker.
832 Eric Fred. By Bul'kskin Sum.

333 Brimstone iiob and ill Ll ht i 11 -
mac. By Major i:. L. St. Vr:in. ‘ n “2 am an"

334 Kangaroo Kit; or. The Mysierlous Miner. By E. L. Wheeler.
335 Old Double Fiat. ByJosoph E. Bridger, Jr.

888 Big Benson. By T. C. ilnrbnugh.

337 lien Bird, the Cave King. By W. J. Hamilton.

338 A Tough 1393'. By Philip S. \Vnrne.

839 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. By Edward L. “'heolor.

840 Clip, the Contortlonist. By Edward Wills".

341 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. By Charles Morris.
842 The Mountain Devil. By Harry llnznrd.

343 Manhattan Mike. By Edwsni L. Wheeler.

844 The Fighting Trio. By Buckskin Sum.

345 Pitileau Matt. By '1'. C. Hnrbnugh.

346 Rapier Raphael. By Major H. B. Stoddard.

34’? Deadwood Dick’s! Dueats. By Edward L. Wheeler.

348 Fire-"eels; or, Old Shlnflint the Desth-Shsdur. By
Roger Sturbuek.

349 “'ild Wolf, the Waco. By Buckskin Sam.

360 Red Ralph, the River Rover. By Nod Bunlline.

351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced. By Edwle L. Wheeler.

352 Tombstone Torn. By Mnj. E. L. st. Vrnln.

353 The Reporter-Detective. By Chnrlss Morris.

354 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp. By Bogvr Stsrhuch.
A New Issue Every Tuesday.

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