TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION! STORIES FOUNDED 0N FACT!

 

 

 

 

32:50 a. year. Entered at the Post Wee at New York. N. Y.. as Second Class Hail Matter. Copyrighted in 1882 by 13mm ARI) Anus. October 4. 1882.

 

 

 

PUBLIst WEEKLY BY BnAnLn AND ADAMS m ' m
V01. II. Wain let. ‘ No. {)3 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK- ,‘ “51.188011”. NO. .

 

BBONGO BILLY, THE SADDLE m. “Titlifitiifigfm

BY COL- PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

Armies or “ ADVENTURES or nun-um BILL," “me BILL,” “me JACK,” “anm ADAMS,” ma, no.

 

 

 

 

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SNORTING WITH PAIN AND RAGE, THE VICIOUS STALLXON GAVE ONE GRIPE AT THE DAI‘HNG BOY’S LEGS.

 

2 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

Bronco Billy,
THE SADDLE PRINCE.

Thrilling Scenes In the Life of
William Powell,‘ the Young
Border Hero.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,
AUTHOR on “ BUFFALO BILL,” "WILD BILL,”
“gmxss JACK," “ nucnsxm SAM," “ OLD
GRIZZLY ADAMs’s nor PARD,”

‘ ‘ WHITE BEAVER," ETC.

- CHAPTER I. ,
BLUE-EYED BILLY.

“Farms, I are the great American horse-
catcher, mustang-rider and Bronco-Breaker
o’ ther Texas wi ds‘, and I wears ther champ'-
yon badge on my somb’ro, as yer all kin see.

“ I has heur a lot 0’ an il ponies fer ter sell,
an’ ther price are ‘way own, an’ theygoes
cheap, so who says buy?” -

The s ‘ea‘ker was an out-and-out Texan
herder o mustangs, and he rode into an en-
campment one Sunday afternoon, where a
wagonitrain» westward bound, had halted far
a rest of a. day, not so much to keep the-Sab-
bath holy, .as to make it a time for re airs to
the uehicles andham‘ess, and to give 6 tired
animals a chance to recuperate.

There were in the train half a dozen wag—
ons, drown by four mules each, a couple of
ambulances, some twenty human beings, and
two-score head of cattle. '

The herder had ridden up to the camp
mounted upon a snow-white stallion of won-
drous beaut of body and limb, and with a
mane that fe l to his knees almost, and a tail

: that dragged along over the prairie rass.

The animal had on his back a Mexrcan sad-
dle of great value, for it was covered with
Mexican pesos, had housings of panther and
Wlld‘Cat skins, stirrups that were inlaid with
silver, and the broad horn was rimmed with
solid gold.

The bridle was of silver links, and the
huge Mexican bit was of the same precious
metal, and the whole paraphernalia was
worthy of a king. . -

The rider was a man of herculean build,
with great broad shoulders, and a face that
was tanned to the hue of leather, and wa
reckless and cruel.

He was dressed in buckskin, even to mac
casins, and wore a sombrero that was en-
circled b a gold cord, made to resemble a
lasso, an the brim was bent up in front, and
held there by a massive gold pin, a miniature
mustang, lassoed out by a small chain of old
at the end of which was a stake-pin, stuc in
the hat, giving the idea that the animal was
lariated out u on the rairle.

The 8 es 0 the gel mustang were large
diamon , and the red nostrils were rubies,
making the trinket one of great'value and
beauty..

 

 

Behind this strange horseman, with ln's'

elegant trappings, came his herd of ponies,
some of them saddled and bridled for use,
and all of them thoroughly trained.

As he drew up at the camp, his herd halted
near, and the guide of the train called out:

“ Come, 'pards, here’s ther Bronco-Breaker,
an’ yer kin git a animile ter suit yer, ef yer

’hain’t already suited."
The train people quickly thered around,
, and were greeted by Rio glande Rob, the
Bronco-Breaker, with the words that open
this story.

“ Come, youngster, Ken look like a boy as
has grit, 'an’ you oug ter freeze ter a. mus—
tang as has ther same mater’al ter carr yer,
an' thet roan thar with the Texas sad 1e are
ther animile,” continued the Bronco Breaker,
addressing a youth who had come forward

*Also known as “Blue-Efied B ," and the
ounger brother of “White saver’ and “Night-
awk George.”—Tnn Amos. ‘

 

 

with the others, and. by whose side stood a
dark-faced, handsome woman, with the air
of a queen.

The youth was not more than fifteen,
small, Wiry in his build, and’ his movements
were quick and nervous.

He was dressed in buckskin leggings and
hunting-shirt, the former being stuck in top-
boots, 1n the leg of which, on the outer side,
were holsters, one containing a knife, the
other a revolver.

He wore spurs that had the look of being
gold, and in his belt were a air of revolvers
and a bowie, with an ivory andle, that had
been exquisitely carved to represent an In-
dial; chief in all his feather and buckskin

ar .

g The boy’s face was almost girlish, except
for its look of recklessness and resolution,
for his complexion was clear, though dark,
his teeth white and even, and his eyes large,
sky-blue, fringed with the longest lashes,
and in strange contrast with his air, which
was as black as ink, and hungin curls far
down his back. ‘ ‘

The woman by his side was evidently his
mother, and in spite of being in homespun,
and with a camp of emigrants, there was
abOut her an air of refinement: and stately
dignity thatwas very imposing. 5.; , -

ike he'rvson, she were a broadébrimmed
sombrero, and in‘ abelt around her’waist was
a old-mounted revolver.

he remainder of the train were a rather
rough lot," with the exception of .a gray~haired
man and his daughter, a maiden of seven-
teen.

" I do want a ood mustang, so will buy
one from you if I can get one to suit me,”
said the youth, quietly. ,

“ Ter suit yer? W y, I kin suit ther King
0’ Sheba with a critter.‘ “ .

“ Look at that roan thar!"

“I do not like him,” said the youth,
quietl .

“ er don’t like him?” asked the mus-
tang? in surprise. K

[K O I) .

“Waal, you is hard tsrpldggési «,

“What mout be our nssiie - bung-’un?”

“ It mout be Smit , but it isn ,” answered
the youth, flushi' slightly, as he imitated
the manner of spe in of the Texan.

“Yer hain’t_ashame of iti’f" L .

(I No.13 V, , ' '

"Waal, spit it out for 1”" likes yer style,
an' flees you’ll suit, exas.”

“ y'nsme is Bill Pawell.”

“ Yes, an’ we in er camp calls him Blue
Eyed Billy," chimed in the guide.

“.Yer is well named, youngster, fer yer
eyes is blue, an‘ thet pretty ter suit a gel,
which maybe yer is, fer pettieoats hain’t no
more sign 0"}; al in Texas than is pants a
dead sure sartin y o' a man.

“But what hes yer ag’in’ that home?"

1 “His body is too short and his legs too
ong."

“Whewl Guess you is posted on horse-
flesh, fer yer says right, then h I never no-

ticed that fact afore. Now is thet hey
“are?” ..

“ Don't freeze to: her?”

H N’(). H

“ Waal, thet spotted pony?"

“ Too small.”

“ Ther clay-bank then?”

“ He is too dull-looking.”

“ Factl—he’s got a sleepy look, but wake
him u an’ he be thar."

“ I on’t wish to have to wake him up every
time I need him.”

“ That are gos 1. But look at that gray?”

“He is too 01 ." .

“ Shout out his age for stamps."

The youth stepp u to the horse, critic-
ally examined his mout , and said:

‘ Twelve years old.”
b “?To a minute! What were the size 0’ our
ct Y,

s

 

w

" Never mind that; but sell me a horse to
suit me.” ‘

“ About how high wu’d yer t”

” Suit me a horse an ' name your
price,” was the indifterent reply;

“‘IAh! Yer has got ther metal then ter
pay " r .
“My son can y you your price, sir, for

any horse he as a fancy tor: said Mrs.
Powell, calmly; and the guide added:

“Fact,-par , fer they has ther dust, an’
don’t you forgit'i .”

“'1‘ en I hes got a crittur ter sell ’em, an’
don‘t yer forgit i,” answered the Bronco-
Breaker, as he dismounted from his beautiful
snow-white horse, apparently determined to
strike a bargain right there. r

 

CHAPTER II. ‘ ,
RIO GRAND]! BOB, THEE BRONCO-BREAKER.

“ WAAL now, sonny—"

“ My name is Billy Powell}? corrected the
youth,“ apparently not liking the familiar
manner of the herde'r.

“ I stands upset, Mr. Powell. I hes dis-
mounted ter sell yer a horse, for I hes good

 

ones?" :9” . . , a ' -- .~ 1..
T"They*hre: W‘d’lghg 'tJd 3t~9ee
amen lthe'“ ‘   ' 3.36-

spon ed~Blue yedflyn ,_ .   r

“ i)3es yer see ther one ter suit yer at all?"

I ‘ ()I U

“ It may be ther black stallion 7"

“ That is a very fine animal, but I like the
white stallion better.” ‘

“ Hain’t got no white stallion,” and the
Texan cast his eyes over the herd.

“Why you have, for you just dismounted
from his back."

“ Satan’s ghost! does yer mean my horse?”
almost yelled the Texan.

“ Are they not all your horses?” was the
cool reply. ..

“They is, for I cotched ’em on ther par—
rarer as wild as skeart rabbits, an’ trained
’em; but let me tell yer now thet thet White
horse I straddled haln’t for sale."

“ Then I do not care-to purchase any,” and
Blue- ed Billy turned away.

“ o d on, youn fellerI"

The youth turn and once more faced the
Texan.

“ Docs yer know what yer wants to pur-
chas‘?”

“Yes; that beautiful white, with the ele-
gant saddle and bridle.”

“May Heaven forgive yer cheek, for I kin
not!”

“I do not understand you, sir!" said the
youth, evidently nettled.

“ Pard, does you know me?” and the man
turned to the guide of the train.

H I does‘ H

“ Who is I?”

“ Rio Grande Bob, ther Bronco—Breaker,"
was the reply.

“‘Factl now what kin I do?”

“ Out~lasso. out-ride, an’ they do say out-
kill any man in Texas.”

"Fact, sure! now what are thet horse?"

“ The one you rides?"

“Yas.” ‘

“ I doesn’t know his name. "

“It are a name a leddy "11 me at the fort,
an' I hes ter twist it reun my mouth afore I
kin git ther hang o' it, but as she say it did
mean ther Devil, I 'ist lets ther horse hev it.

“ She calt it Mep t‘sto."

“ And that is the name of your horse?"
asked Mrs. Powell.

" It are, m’am; but I wants ther guide ter
tell yer ’bout thet horse, for he are know’d in
Texas, sure."

“Yes, I hes heerd,” said the guide, “ thet
you did la out on ther perarer fer one‘ year
ter catch er animile."

“ I did, an’ he were wuth it.

“ Yer see thet animile led ther drove, some
two thousand or more, an’ men laid fer him

 

 

Bronéd may, therSaddle Prince. 3

 

 

with lariat an’ trap ter cotch him, but it
wa'n’t no use, for he ‘jist c’u’d out run ther
fastest horse they ever bed at his heels.

“ So I makes a bet 0’ a thousan’ pesos ter
take him in, an’ hevin’ planked ther dust I
pranced out fer ther pararer.

“I got m first sight 0’ him in a piece 0’
timber, an' seen he were young, not more’n
four year old, an‘ not in his prime.

“ But it wa’n’t no use ter lay fer him, an’ I
found a year glidin’ away without havin’ him
in m grip.

“ IYcotehed many others, but ther fleetest
of ’em were slow when I put ’em after thet
white.

" But I diskivered thet they bed one place
they feedcd about once a month, fer ther
grass growed out good thar in thet time, an”
thar is whar I camped out.

“ I tuk a tree fer it, an’ I laid my plans
accordin’ tu my idees, an' then I waited ther
comin' o’ ther drove. '

” I lived in thet tree one week entire afore
they corned, an’ then I see ’em,- an’ I got me
read for ther fun.

“ seen thet ther"were two droves tergether
then, one led by my horse, an’ t‘other by a
stallion jist adzactly like him, only he were
blggker nor any nigger I ever seen in a cotton—
fic .

“ Says I ter myself :

“ ‘ltob, any one will do.’

“Waal, they corned into ther timber an’ as
good luck would hev it, ther white made fer
my trees. ’

“ Now I lied jist rigged up ther sweetest
leetlc net yer ever seen.

“ It lay on ther ground fer about thirty
foot s uar’, an’ were made 0’ lariats, over
which had spread leaves ter hide ’em. '_

“By pullin’ on a lariat hung in a tree above
me, I jist c'u’d raise ther four corners o' thet
net an’ thar I w'u’d hev my horse, pervidin’
he went over ther ropes, an’ I hed seen thet
jist under my tree were his fav’rite place each
time ther herd hed corned thar.

“ Waal, I prayed my prayer, an’ thar come
ther white straight fer my trap. ‘

“ I were ready, an’ as ther' were some half-
dozen close around him I jist 'ts my revol<
ver ready fei- use, fer I hed etarmined on
what I w’u’d do.

“In he comes, an’ ther t’others with him,
an' then I draws on my lariat. ' ,

“ Up went ther four corners, and then I
made my end fast, an’ thar was five horses in
that net. -

“ Lord hev mercy, but they was eaten
ishedl ut detarmined ther t‘others
sh‘u’dn’t hurt my white, an’ I jest sent four
bullets inter ther brain 0’ thet rest of ’em,
and thet left the boss animile alone.”

“Did he kick?"

“ Was], he did, some, an' he jest nigh
shook me outer ther tree; but ther more e
kicked thcr more he got tied up, an’ soon
he had ter simmer down calm; an‘ ther drove
hevin' skipt when I shot, I slid down ther
tree an' looked at m beauty. ’

“ Bards, I hed him, an’ et it nu; me a
week afore I c’u‘d straddle im, an’ it were a
month afore I had the enj’yment o’ takin’
him inter ther settlement.

“I got my bet money, an’ I were ofiered
much more fer thet ammile; but I refused,
an’ now I hes him trained so thet nobody kin
ride him but me, an’ this heur 1pretty boy

with the gal eyes axes me ter se him my
horse.”

"A d I repeat it. I Wish to buy him,”
said rlly.

“What will you give for him?" asked the
Texan, with a sly look. '
“ What do you ask?” _ , _
“Maybe a thousand dollars would be too
hi h for you?" I
he youth turned to his mother and said
something in a tongue which none present
understood, and she replied in the same lan-

gua e.
“$10; I will give you a thousand dollars

 

for the horse, saddle and bridle as he now
stands," was the reply.

” What would you do with him?"

“Ride him, of course.”

“ But you can’t do it?”

It 

” He won’t let you."

“ I’ll bet you the thousand against the
horse, saddle and bridle that I can,” was the
confident reply of Billy.

The Texan aughed, and said:

“Boy, yer looks grit, fer I hes on my soul
ther lives 0’ a dozen folks as that horse hev
kilt from tryin' ter ride him, not ter speak 0’
broken legs an’ arms.” -

“ I will make the bet,” said Billy.

“ But yer mamm won’t see yer kilt," and
the Texan glance at the mother of Billy,
who answered quietly: '

“If m son wishes to make the bet with
you, sir, am willing that he should do so."

“ Waal, weal, he are too pretty ter be
kilt an‘ trampled on, fer that are jist what
Mephisto does do with them as ’tempts ter
ride him."

“ You are afraid to risk your horse,
then i”

“ Look a‘here, young feller, I isn’t afeerd
o’ anything on airth," was the angry reply.

“ hen why don’t you make the bet?”

“ I doesn’t want ter see yer kilt.”

‘ “ You are too tender-hearted for a man
with your ugly face,” was Billy’s cutting
reply, and it served the purpose the yout
meant it should, fOr he answered quickly:

“If yer has got ther dust 'ist count it out,
an’ yer kin jist sail ter ther rout an’ git kilt,
fer yer’ll be cold meat within ther half-hour.”

“All right: Just tie your horse to that
tree and take the saddle off.” ‘

“ Ah] you rides bare-back, you does?”
sneered the Texan.

It ’1 .

“Weal, I’ll lariat ther horse out anther
perarer thar, an’ he are at yer service.

“ When yer ‘gits tired ridin’ him, leave
him thar," said the Bronco-Breaker, with
a sneer; and he led the beautiful animal out
upon the prairie some hundred feet from the
camp, while Blue-eyed Billy went to his tent
to make his preparations for the daring feat
he intended to undertake to accomplish.

 

CHAPTER III.
m Bnoxco-nnnmn’s BADGE.

THE wagon train of which Blue-Eyed Billy
and hismother were members was com sed
of several wagons, which had joined faces
for mutual protection in their 'ourney across
the lains to new homes they ad chosen on
the exas border.

Mrs. Powell had come from her home in
New York State, where she had lived with
her three sons upon a little farm, until the
spirit of adventure had called two of her
boys into more active fields than what falls
to the lot of farmers’ lives. '

One of those boys was winning a name on
the far frontier, and afterward became fa-
mous as “White Beaver, the Mighty Medi-
cine,” of an Indian tribe, and as “Fancy
Frank,” the hero of many a daring deed and
romance.

The other had found his wa to Texas, and
there won aname as “ Night- awk Geor e,"
and it was to his ranch, over near the i0
Grande, that Mrs. Powell and Blue-Eyed
Bill were oing.

either t e mother nor son particularly
liked their fellow trains- ople, but in the
matter of choice they cou d not be particular
under the circumstances.

Among the part , however, were the eld-
erl man and his aughter before referred to,
an these two had become most friendly with
Mrs, Powell and her son.

The Powells were traveling with a large
ambulance, drawn by two good mules, and
behind were led a pair of saddle-horses, by

no means inferior animals, which mother and

 

son broke the tediousness of the journey by
riding at will.

The ambulance contained all their worldly
goods they cared to take to their new home,
with a tent, culinary articles, and stores to
make themselves comfortable by the way.

The Leonards, as the old gentleman and
his daughter were called, the former being
also dubbed “Captain,” from his military
air, also traveled in an ambulance, and had
led horses, which were put to the pole, as
Were also the Powells‘i, when the roughness
of the road demanded extra force to pull
through.

The rest of the train were wagons, and
their owners were of a lower class in life,
and certainly had a rou h air about them.

“You do not inten that your son shall
ride a horse that man says has killed so many
people?" said Captain Leonard to Mrs. Pow-
ell, while Lou, his daughter, added:

“Oh, yes, Mrs. Powell! please do not per-
mit it!”

“ Billy is a born horseman,” answered Mrs.
Powell, with a smile, “and if anybody can
ride the animal he can."

“But the man says no one can do so,"
urged Lou Leonard. '

“ He rides him," replied the mother.

“ But he is his master.”

“ And Billy will master him too. See, he
is ready.”

Billy now came out of the little tent in his
sock feet, but with his spurs buckled securely
on, and in his hand he carried'a cruel~look~
ing rawhide. ‘

He had discarded his jacket and had tied
a handkerchief about his head, which held
securely his long hair.

Around his legs were a pair of stout leather
leggin s, instead of his boot-tops, but he
wa k with the quick, nimble step habitual
to him. ~

“Be careful, Billy," called out his mother.

“Yes, Billy, do be careful,” echoed Ca —
tain Leonard, while his pretty daughter said:

“I do wish you would not ride that fear-
ful beast, Billy." ’ ‘ -

“Ah, he's a beaut , and I’ll soon have him‘
so that you can ri e him, Miss Lou," said
the outh. ,

“ er better say yer ‘ Now I lay me,’

oung—’un’," called out Rio Grande Rob, the
ronco-Breaker, with a rude laugh.

“ You better as good-by to our horse,
old man,” was Bil y’s pest rejoin er.

“Say, youngster, thet fellow hain’t actin’
squar’ with yer,” said the guide in a whisper
to Billy. .

“ How so, Tom?”

" lyfer see ther gold horse-pin,” he wears?"

ll es.”

“ Was], that were gi’n him fer being thei-
boss Bronco-Breaker, and he were ter give it
up also ter ther man as rid that white devil
0‘ his, and he didn’t tell yer thet; but I
knows it." '

“Thank you, Tom. I’ll make my terms
with him then. I

“ Say, Bronco - Breaker, your horse is
read , is he?”

n es, boy."

“And if I ride him I win him, saddle,
bridle, and all?”

“Yer does; and if yer don’t, I. gits yer
thousand dollars." ,

“ True, my mother has the mone for you. “

“Will she give it ter me, or ee it fer
buryin’ yer arter my white stallion kilt
yer?"

“ My mother is honest, sir, which is more
than you are, for if I ride your horse, there
Is one more thing I get,” was the bold reply.

“ What are that?"

“The bad c you wear on your hat as the
boss Bronco- reaker.”

The man’s face, tanned as it was, flushed
with anger, for it could not have been with .
shame, while he said:

“Yes, an’ it will be on my hat when I
goes ter yer fun’ral."

we _

_ “fighting” by drivin

4

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

jug .

 

 

“We’ll see about that; but if I ride the away over the prairie with the speed of a pride, but bent low, as though his proud.
mustang, it will be on my hat." bird spirit had been humbled.

“Yes, for I might as well promise any-
thing erfanc .” '

“ And I’ll see that you keep your prom-
ises, too.” ‘

“Yer is cheeky fer a boy,” growled the
Bronco-Breaker.

“I have to be to watch the great Rio
Grande Rob, the Bronco Breaker,” and as
Billy spoke, he darted toward the white
mustang at the top of his speed, yelling like
an Indian, and cutting the air before him
with his whip.

CHAPTER IV.
THE mucosa FOR MASTERY.

TEE tactics of Blue-Eyed Billy in dartin
so suddenly at the vicxous and untam
steed, excepting for the Bronco-Breaker,
took all by surprise, and more particularly
the master of the animal.

Rio Grande Rob well knew, when he las-
soed Me histo out upon the prairie, that no
one cool approach within the circle his lati-
at allowed him to go.

The horse had a wicked tem r at best,
and his life of wild freedom h made him
most fretful under restraint, and to this the
Bronco-Breaker had added by making him
spring upon any one that came within reach
0 him.

“Thor horse will never he stole,” he had
often said, and when he lariate’d out the ani—
mal near a cam , he was wont to retire to
his blanket at night with no dread of losing
him, although he knew there were many
tiger who would be only too glad to run him

Several times had a wild shriek broken the
stillness of a camp, startling the campers;
but the Bronco-Breaker would quietly re-
mark, as he turned over to continue his
slumber:

“It is only some
my horse. Yer’ll
mornin’.”

And, sure enough, the unfortunate horse-
thief would be found near the uietly feed—
ing stallion, when the dawn bro e, and the
trrnmpled form was proof how he had met
his death.

Rio Grande Rob therefore had no fear of
Blue-Eyed Billy getting up to the stallion.

Was he once able to mount him, and could

il im' tryin’ ter steal
Engl- him thar in the

'he stand the tearing of the white teeth at his

legs, he might be able to ride him; but to
mount him the Bronco-Breaker deemed im-
possible for other than himself.

When, therefore, he saw the manner in
which Bill bounded toward the animal,
he grew armed and shrieked: “ Steady,
horse, steady!”

But the stallion was taken by surprise to be
the one attacked instead of the one attacking,
and with a frightened snort started to run.

The whip out the air viciously, the boy
bounded alon like a deer, and his yells were
suflicient to tighten a wild beast from its

rey, and the white stallion fled, until

rought up suddenly by the lariat.

He seemed to have forgotten that in his
fli ht, and was thrown down by the sudden

er . .
j Just ns’he fell Billy reached the lsriat-pin,
drew it from the ground, and before the
frightened animal could regain his feet he
sprung upon his back.

“ Fight him, Devil, fight him!” yelled the
Bronco-Breaker in fur and alarm, while
Captain Leonard set e cheer that broke
from all in camp excepting the owner of the
animal that had been so cleverly mounted.

But BlueEyed Billy set the example of
his spurs deep, and
1a in on his wicke lash With a force that
ml huge‘welts on the glossy hide.

, Snorting with pain and rage, the vicious
stallion gave one grip at the daring boy’s
legs with his white teeth, and failed to hurt
them, and, then, with a wild neigh, bounded

 

" He’ll kill him, but I’ll bring yer boy‘s
body,ka to yer,” yelled the Bronco-Breaker,
rushing to mount one of his herd and go in
pursuit. '

“ And I will go with you,” answered Mrs.

Powell, firmly, amrtinfior her own rising

horse, which Captain nard quickly -
died for her. ' '
“ No, er eta here!” yelled the infuriated

man, an he rted away after the flying
white stallion, which was seen dashing on
across the prairie, still urged by the relentless
Whip and spur.

But Mrs. Powell did follow, and behind
her came Captain Leonard and his daughter,
and away sped the five over the prairie at a
breakneck speed.

Then the s eed of the white stallion was
seen, for he opped the five horses on his
trail as readily as a thoroughbred racer
would a farm—home, and was soon a mile
ahead.

Seein that the youth would soon be out of
sight, Rio Grande Rob drew rein, and turn-
ing back toward camp met Mrs. Powell and
her companions, who halted as he came up.

“ Weal, er'll never see yer boy livin’ no
more,” sai the Bronco-Breaker.

“Oh, yes, for he'll soon be back in camp.

"Hehas won a s lendid and wonderful
horse, sir,” replied rs. Powell, in her quiet

wa .
£336 has indeed," remarked Captain Leon-
ar . r
“ Hehain't winned him yit,” growled the

man.

"Yes, he has, for he rode him, and will
bring him back to camp a thoroughly tamed
animal,” put in Lou Leonard.

The Bronco—Breaker made no reply, but
his looks spoke volumes, and in no enviable
mood he retrseed his we. to camp, followed
by the others, who were etormined to watch
him closely, for all felt that he meant mis-
chief toward Blue-Eyed Billy rather than
give up the horse.

CHAPTERV.
unexco BILLY.

IT was evident to all at the camp when the
mounted party returned without Billy that
the boy was safe, and had won the horse, and
had they doubted it, a. glance at the face of
the Bronco—Breaker was sufficient to prove
that he knew that he had lost his wager.

Anxioust all watched the horizon for the
returning, youth, and several tried to draw
Rio Grande Rob into conversation, but it was
useless, and a silence fell upon the encamp-
ment, which added to the dread and sus-
pense.

But Mrs. Powell looked wholly undis-
turbed, and her calm confidence, in her son
added fuel to the fire already burning in the
heart of the Bronco-Breaker.

“I fear that man means not to give up his
horse, Mrs. Powell,” said Captain Leonard.

“Pie must do so, for Billy has done his

art. ’
p “ But he ma resist all pressure to do so.
as it is evident e prizes the animal above all
thin s.”

" iily has won him and he will have
him,” was the mother’s reply, and Captain
Leonard turned away with a foreboding of
coming trouble.

“ There he comes l”

‘The yell broke from the lips of the guide,
and every eye was turned across the rairie.

' There, smile or more away, was v' ble the
white stallion and his rider.

The animal came on at a slow, swingin
lope, which showed that he was very tire ,
and as he drew nearer it could be seen that he
wet with sweat, and his flanks

was drippin
red where the spurs had gored

were stain
him.
His head was no longer held aloft with

Billy too looked haggard, as thou h the,
struggle for mastery had been a her one,
and, as the lariat had been made into a tem—
porar bridle, it was evident that the outh
had dismounted and so arranged it, whi con-
vinced all that he had the splendid animal
wholly under subjection.

Ridiu up in front of his tent, Billy dis",
mounte at the cheer given him, and said):
proudly: .

“Well, my friend, I don’t wonder that,
you liked that horse, for he is the finest I
ever saw."

“ Now I’ll trouble you for the saddle and
bridle that o with him.”

" The on’t go with him,” growled the:
Bronco— reaker.

“ Oh, yes they do.”

” You didn’t ride him fair.”

“Didn’t I? Well, I rode him, and he’s.
my horse.”

"No, you run at him, skeert him, and...
when he were down, or jumped outer him.”

“ Well, you admit t on him, and if the
camp says I did it fairy, then the horse is.
mine.

“ What do you any, Tom?”

‘ ' It were done squnr' as preachin’, " returned.
the guide.

“And you?” and Bill turned to a group
of the rougher element 0 the train.

“Yer nd him, an’ we seen it did,” said
one, while the others remarked in the at»
firmative. .

"Wasl, I is a man 0’ my word, an’ as yer
rid ther horse, I'll jist give yer ther credit 0"
it, an’ pay yer down one thousand dollars for
ther anionic," d the Bronco-Breaker,
drawing a roll of bank-notes from his pocket-

"He is not for sale," lied Bill .

"I’ll make it two more underd. '

" Not if you make it two thousand,” firmly
replied the boy.

“I'll ve yer ther twelve hundred and’:
your Npic o’ my herd.”

ll 0- Y,

“ And ther bridle u' saddle as belongs to-
ther white stallion i".

“No, for they belong to me with the:
horse.”

" Weal, yer is robbin me o' my horse."

As the man said this, rs. Powell stepped
forward, and, bending over, whispered some--
thing to her son; but the nick eyes of Lou
Leonard saw the mother s ip her own revol—
ver into the pistol pocket of Billy’s leggings.

" Say, you are a. cheat, for you made a fair
bet with me, and I won it, and now you
wish to crewfish out of it; but I tell you
frankly, Rob of the Rio Grande, the horse,
saddle, and bridle are mine, and I’ll have.
them, and more, tooL" '

The blue eyes of Billy Powell were grow—-
ing black with anger, and all saw that, boy
though he was, he was not one to be triflcd

With. , ».

“ Waal. ef yer hain’t ot grit ter spit out.
that way at Rio Grande b, I’ll give up,”
said the Bronco-Breaker, sneeringly.

“You are nobody to talk to, and on do
not scare me for a- cent; but come, want
the saddle and bridle.”

“ S’ I say yer can’t have them.”

“Then I’ll take them,” was the bold re—-

P Y-

“ You jist lay hand onto them, an’ I’ll
wrin yer neck,” viciously said the Bronco:
Br er. ..

uicker than a flash Billy covered him
wit his revolver, and cried:

“ Now you move, and I’ll kill you.”

“ I are assaulted, an’ by a boy,” yelled the:
bull ,;in'a fury. .

“ ou‘ll be shot by a boy if you raise a.
finger. -

“Now, mother, that man owes me that.
pin he wears on his hat, for that I won, too;
so please take it off.”

 

Mrs. Powell. coolly stepped. forward, took

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

 

 

the sombrero from the head of the cursing,
but quiet Bronco-Breaker, and took the
champion badge from it, and handed it to
Billy.

“Thank on, mother."

“Now, cm," and Blue-Eyed Billy ad-
dressed the ide, though he did not take
his e es off 0 the bully:

“ . ust dr that saddle and bridle into my
tent, please, ut 've this fellow anything he
may have in the lsters or saddle pockets.”

“ I’ll do it, Billy, and I are with yer, fer
ther things are yourn,” answered the guide,
and the equipments of the white stallion
were at once placed in Billy’s tent.

“Now, Bronco»Breaker, you are free to

go, for I have taken my own property only,”
and Billy lowered his weapon and turned
3W4 . '
Then quick as a flash Rio Grande Rob
dropped his hand upon his own revolver, his
face livid with rage; but quick as he was, a
hand was quicker than his, and the muzzle of
a revolver was thrust a ainst his car, while
the stern, calm voice of rs. Powell said:

“I expected that, you coward.

“‘ Drop that weapon and leave this camp!

ll 

The act of Mrs. Powell was received with
a yell by the crowd, and the guide and
several others drew their weapons, while the
former said:

"Bronco-Breaker, I knows it hurts yer,
bad, ter give up yer horse, saddle an’ bridle,
an‘ ’specially thet badge 0’ a gold bronco;
but ther boy hes won ’em squar', an’ be hes
got ’em, so you git, fer I rides with ther
youngster who I now christens Bronco Billy. ”

The defeated bug; stooped, took up his
revolver, and,turn away with a savage
curse, while Billy called out: ‘

“Say, Rio Grande Rob, I’m going on a
hunt soon for the black stallion ou spoke
of, and if you get him first, I’ll st ' e a trade
with you.” r

The man turned furiously around, and an-
swered:

“All right, boy; I dare yer tor go after
thet black stallion, fer ef yer does, yer’ll find
the Bronco-Breaker on yer trail hot."

“And the Bronco- Breaker will find
Bronco Billy, as the guide calls me, ready
for him.

"Now get, unless you want to sell me a
horse.”

But the Bronco—Breaker had no such a
desire, and collecting his traps, he at his
herd together, and mounting one of t e best
of the animals, rode from camp, followed b
his pets, and leaving what he rized as his
own life in the possession of a y who had
well earned them.

——

CHAPTER VI.

330x00 BILLY nmrrs FOR DEER AND ans
nouns.

Sons da s after the incident 'ust related,
Billy POWG 1. 0r Bronco Billy as must now
call him, mounted his well-earned white
ripening, and rode ahead of the train while

1 on the march, t0 get some game for his meSS,
which consisted of his mother, Captain
Leonard, and Lou and himself.

He came to a rise in the prairie that
showed him afar oif a herd of deer feeding,
and to get in gunshot of them he knew
would be impossbeC, unless he dismounted
and crept as near as he could. .

He .was a good huntsman, noticed the
direction in which they were feeding, took
the quarter of the wind. and dismounting,
lariated Mephisto out to feed in a hollow
where he would not be visible. .

Making a circuit on foot he again took an
Observation of his game, and saw that they
were going toward a timber island not far
from him. _ ‘

This piece of timber, or matte, he_easily
gained, and securing a hiding-place 1n the

«an

A

 

thicket, quietly waited for the coming of the
herd, which were feeding slowly toward
um. .

As he lay there, wholly concealed by the
thicket, he was suddenly startled by foot-
steps behind him, and not knowing who to
ex t, he lay still as a mouse.

n there came into sight three men from
the train, and burly fellows whom Billy had
never liked. .

But knowing from their actions that the
herd of deer were their aim, as well as his
own, he was about to show himself, when
one of them said: .

“ Was], I doesn’t object ter deer-meat, but
I is more intent on ther game at ther train,
and I moves we don’t lose no more time, but
strike ’em ter—ni ht.”

“Waal, Bolt, are yer Way 0’ thinkin’,
fer we’ll be gittin’ too near ther fort soon ter
make ther attack on ’em, an‘ git away in
safet ," said another.

f‘ oes yer say,” asked the third man of
the party, “ ter hit all in ther train, or simply
ther woman an’ her cheeky boy 7”

“I means ter hit all in ther train as hes
plunder, for what we can’t git away with we
can burn."

“Ther cap’n has ot lenty o’ dust, as I
knows, an’ ther Powe is es ot a couple 0'
thousan‘ or more 0’ gold, an’ t or balance 0’
ther emigrants hes a leetle more, which, with
finger-rings, jewelr , firearms an’sich, makes
a .s’pectable sum er us six ter derwide,"
said the first speaker.

“ An’ we six hes ter fight about eight
men?” '

“No; for six of them men kin go down
fust shot, an’ ther balance kin foller mighty
quick, fer they’ll be taken wholly by sur-
prise.”

»

“But yer didn't count ther woman an’
ther boy. ’ .
“ No, an‘ the is ti rs, I’ll bet, fer they

‘ist upsot Rio rande b t’other day atween
Iem ”

“Waal, pards, I, as cap’n o’ ther Secret
Service Rangers, says thet I doesn’t like
goin’ fer ther poor emigrants.

“ Cap’n Leonard an' the Powells is rich,
an’ we kin git out 0’ them a thousan’ each,
countin’ ther gold, an‘ the plunder an’ teams
will fetch about two thousan’ more.

“ So I says let us hit them, an' do it in our
Injun disguises, an’ let up on ther balance 0'
ther train.”

“ Yer knows best, cap’n," said one.

“I are agreeable, cap’n.”

.‘“ Waal, pards, my plan are this:

“Yer‘see, them two ambulances alien is
tergether, so I’ll saw ther axles, lead ’em
over rough kentry to-morrer, an’ let them
break down. . ~

“ Then we’ll go on ter camp with balance
0’ train, promising ter come back for 'em.

“ An’ we’ll go back, but in our Injun togs,
an’ at night, an’ hit ’eln hard, an’ then four
0’ us kin 0 back ter camp an’ tell of a Injun
attack an mass’cree, an’ that two 0’ our lot
got kilt, an‘ we buried all ter ether.

“Thet will make ther gui e anxious ter
push on with balance of train, an’ the two
of our gang who is supposed ter be kilt will
jist sail off with ther plunder an’ sell it in
town.

“ What says yer, pards?"

“Cap'n, yer 1s level~headed," replied one,
while the other villain remarked:

“Yer hes sense, sure; but yonder comes
them deer.”

“YES, they are coming straight fer us, so
we is good fer fresh meat; but I wish we
c‘u’d find thet cussed boy, fer I claims thet
Whitehorse, pards."

“Yer kin hev him, on ‘in, fer all I says;
but ef yer ever meets R o Grande Rob he'll
git him from yer if he kin."

“ Yes, of he kin, fer I‘ll warrant he are a
layin‘ round somewhar now a-lookin’ fer
that boy tcr take a ride." I

“But, Sam, yer take ther stag onther left;

 

5
I'll knock over ther one on ther right. An’
you, Bolt, jist take that big doe." »

With the last words of the speaker their
three rifles dashed, and they bounded for-
ward to get their game, for their aim had
been unerring.

And as the left the . shelter of the tim-
ber Bronco illy s rung from his hiding-
place and ran like a eer back into the wood—
land, and thus out upon the prairie, in the
direction of the hollow where he had left
his horse, for all that he had heard opened
his eyes to a devilish plot one part of the
train members had against the other.

CHAPTER VII.
BRONCO 13er smnrsnn.

FOB half a mile did Bronco Billy keep up
his rapid run, and until a rise of the prairie
laid him from the view of any one at the tim-

r.

Then he sat down to rest and await to
see if any of the precious trio of villains
had seen him.

But no one came in pursuit, and he con-
gratulated himself upon beingin possession
of a valuable secret, which he was not sus-
pected of knowing, for forewarned of the
danger threatenin him he was forearmed.

As he ruminate over the plot of. the men
who had called themselves the Secret Service
Rangers, he recalled many incidents that had
seemed strange to him.

In fact, their teams had been of the poor-
est kind, and the six occupants of the two
walgons had kept constantly together.

here were four men an two others whom
he now knew were not women, but pretend-
ing to be such, and twice had his mother
spoken of how masculine they were in their
actions and voices.

There were others of the train that Bronco
Billy would like to have warned, and with
their aid captured the six 'Secret Service
Rangers, but he feared to divulge the secret
he knew, as they seemed of a class to side
with the robbers to save themselves.

He had heard of a band of men who had
gone with emi ant trains, pretendi to be
settlers, andw 0 had rovsd but w res in
sheep‘s wool, and now e was to e rience
just what these wretches were in re 'ty.

“I guess I’ll think out some plot to beat
them at their own game," he muttered, as he
took up his rifle and moved on to where he
had left Mephisto, who, since his . perfect
mastery by the boy, seemed as gentle as a.
lamb with him. ' , '

Before rising above the knoll behind which
was Mepbisto the boy instinctively stopped.

A foreboding of trouble, such as all of us
have experienced at times in our lives, came
over him, and he quietly crept .up to the top
of the rise and looked over.

It was no wonder that he turned
looked.

Not that Mephisto had gone, for the horse
was still there.

And he was not alone. for another animal,
saddled and bridled was by his side, but worse
still there was a horseman with them.

And that horseman was just putting the
bridle upon Mephisto, with the apparent in-
tention of stealing the animal.

There was but one man, Bronco Billy knew
well, that could put a bridle upon Mephisto,
and the one performing that act was the
one.

It was Rio Grande Bob, the Bronco-
Breaker.

“He has given me a surprise and I’ll ss-
tonish him," muttered Bronco Bill , and he
threw his rifle forward and steppe over the
rise in the prairie, unseen by Rio Grande Rob.

CHAPTER VIII.
A WELL-MEANT sno'r.

THE back of Rio Grande was in the direcv
tion from which he had least expected danger,
for e218 trail of the boy had led the way he
fac .

 

pale ashe

 

    

6

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

 

 

The youth he did not really fear, though
he knew it was well to be on his ard with
him, as he had full experienced t at Bronco
Bill possessed a p uck worthy of an man.

e had been hanging on the trai of the
train, after having gone to the settlement

nearest, and dis sed of all but the best.

bronco in his her , and was watching for the
very opportunity which Billy had given him
by riding off alone, for he was determined to

at his white stallion backnagain, cost what
it might

From a distant point he had seen the youth
leave camp, and making a wide circuit had
struck his trail, and come upon the bronco
feeding quietly in the hollow.

“ This are prime luck fer me, for it are
more pleasanter ter git in horse honest like,
then ter hev ter kill ther 0y.

“I doesn’t mind killin’ a Grosser, or a In«
'un, an’ I hain’t so we’ry compunct'us ’bout

'llin' a nigger or a white man, but when it
do come ter slayin’ wimmens an’ boys, then
I does take a back seat.

“Waal, I hes my horse back, an’ as ther
boy hain’t no trailer, though he do find his
way well on ther pararer fer a tenderfoot in-
fant, he’ll think ther bronco hes 'ist got loose
an’ Ievanted all by hisself— motion in
church! butI is bagged."

The man had turned suddenly, upon hear-

ing his name called, and beheld the object of
his thoughts before him.
. Not twent paces distant stood Bronco
Billy, his ri e at his shoulder, and .his eye
running along the sights, while the muzzle
of the weapon covered the large Texan.

“I’ve got the drop on you, Rio Grande
rtob,” he said quietly.

“Yer hes for sure, or I is a dreamin’ fool,”
was the calm reply.

“ You have been caught in a bad scrape. "

" It do look so, son.” '

“ Stealin my horse.”

“Waal, were about to borrer him for a
period 0' time," was the philosophical re-

joinder.

“Horse-stealing in Texas, I am told, is a
hen 'ng afiair.”

“ as, but the allus catches ther man

afore they hangs im;”
“ Well, you are caught,” was the smiling

repl§

“ er thinks so, does yer, sonny?" and as
quick as a flash the man’s hand was drawing
a revolver from his belt.

But the quick eyes of Billy caught the
act, and his nerve not failing him, he drew
trigger.

own in his tracks fell the Texan with the
report, and just in the nick of time, for he
would have killed Bronco Billy a second
after, as he was raising his revolver to fire
when the bullet struck him.

The bo stood an instant after his shot,
pale, anx10us-faccd, and evidently deeply
moved by his act.

“ I am sorry, but he would have killed me,
and he had no right to follow me to steal my
pony,” he said. as he advanced almost on tip-
toe to the prostrate form.

It was the first time he had ever stood over
the body of one he had shot down, and the
thought touched him to the heart.

A moment he stood there, gazing down
with awe upon the cruel, blood-stained face,
and then bent over and placed his hand upon
the wound, which was upon the temple.

As he did so his hand was suddenl seized
in an iron grip, and the man he had lieved
dead dragged him to the earth, and in an in—
stant he was a prisoner.

 

CHAPTER IX.
MATCHED BY A nor.
"SONNY, yer shot were well meant, but I
hes a hard head, a werry hard heed, an’ a
leetle cuttin’ o' ther skin on it don’t hurt
much, though I did see stars for a minute
when I went down. Yer sh’u’d allus be

 

sure of yer game, my boy; an’ ef yer had
sent a second bullet inter m carkis yer w’u’d
hev had me sure, but yer didn’t, an’ ther re-
sult are thet I hes yer in my ip."

All this was said b the Bronco-Breaker
while he was tying Bil y fast, for seeing that
it was useless to struggle against the man’s
giant strength, Billy had not only quietly
submitted but had held his wrists crossed to
aid in their being securely tied,

The ash over his temple made by Billy’s
bullet t e Texan did not seem to care for in
the least, for having bound the youth’s
hands he raised him to the saddle of the
horse he had ridden and then mounted the
white stallion himself.

“ Come along, leetle pard, an’ I’ll make
yer a present ter a Injun tribe I is on good
terms with. Yer mammy will cry ’bout it,
like as not, an' think yer hes been murdered,
but I can’t help thet, as I hes ter look out fer
Rio Grande Rob, he bein’ my bosom friend,
yer know. The Injuns will ’dopt yer inter
ther tribe if yer is a good he , an’ ef er
hain't the ’11 scalp yer, so yer‘ 1 know w at
ter do. ow I wants er to foller me, an’
fer fear 0’ accidints, whlch is liable to occur
with a boy 0‘ your grit, I’ll 'ist hold on ter
ther lariat as is hitched aroun thet horse yer
straddles. ”

Bronco Billy made no reply, but accepted
his fate with calm resignation.

His belt of arms and rifle had been taken
by the Bronco-Breaker and hung upon the
horn of the superb Mexican saddle on the
white stallion, and the small rifle that had so
nearly cost him his life was also appropriated
by the man.

“ N ow,” he said, as he was ready to mount,
“I guesses yer hes Wore that bronco pin 0’
mine long enough, so I‘ll jist take it out 0’
your hat, an’ ut it in mine ag’in.”

He at once id as he threatened, but Bronco
Bifildy showed no sign of regret.

ounting the stallion, and taking the end
of the lariat, which was around the neck of
the other horse, the Bronco-Breaker rode off,
the animal which Billy bestrode trotting
quietly along in the rear.

After a mile had been gone over Billy sud—
genl raised his wrists and took a look at the

on .

Then he smiled, for he had layed a trick
upon his captor when he boun him.

When he put his wrists together he had
placed the lower side of one u on the upper
side of the other, which turned) the palms of
his hands out..

Now he twisted his wrists, so that the
palm of one hand was up and the other
down, and this at once showed that the for-
mer way of holding them had taken more
rope by an inch or two to go around them
than when they lay flat together.

His hands being small, with the aid of his
teeth to hold the rope in place. he managed
to work his right one loose, the while keep-
in his eyes upon the tall form in his front.

%)nce one was free, it was but the work of
an instant to free the other.

Then his eyes sparkled, for he had seen
another thou htless act of the Bronco-
Breaker, and t at was to forget to deprive
him of the revolver he carried in the holster
of his boot-leg.

This was grasped quickly, and with his
heels, he quietly urged the horse he rode to a
quicker pace, which brought him just be-
hind the black stallion.

“ I so , Rio Grande Rob!” he called out.
The Téexan turned With an indifierent air,

. to suddenly become pale, while a startled

oath escaped his lips.

“I is caught ag’in,” he said.

“ You certainly are, Rio Grande Rob, and
let me give you a piece of advice.

“Always be sure you tie your prisoner
securely, and disarm him— Hold onl if
you move I'll kill you!"

The man saw that the be was his match,
and the revolver that covered him was cocked

 

and held in a hand that did not have the
slightest tremor about it.

“Halt!”

" Here goes,” and the Texan drew rein.

Bill rode right up to the man and said:

“ I’ 1 take my rifle now."

With the revolver still covering the man,
he took the wea on.

“Now my be t of arms,” and these were
as quietly appropriated.

“ Your weapons next,” and these followed.

“ Dismount, air!”

This was the next order, and it was
promptly obeyed, though the Texan said,
sullenly:

“ I guess my horse goes, too. "

“ No, my horse I shall take; but I am not
like on, a thief. .

“ ut I’ll trouble you for that bronco pin
in your hat.”

“Durnation! That are my badge 0’ ther
boss breaker o’ broncos."

“ It is mine now, and m intention is to
earn the right to wear it be ore I have been
in Texas long.”

As Billy spoke, he made the Texan throw
the  upon the pile of arms, and then said:

“ ow walk off there forty paces.”

“ Does yer intend to shoot me?"

“ No, I only intend to protect myself.

“Do as I say!"

The Bronco-Breaker could but obey, and
then Billy put his pin back in his hat, buck-
led on his belt of arms once more, slung his
rifle at his back, and shortening the stirrups,
mounted the white stallion, he having las-
soed the other horse out, with the Texan’s
weapons hanging upon the horn of his
sad 1e.

“Now, Rio Grande Rob, my rifle kills a
long wa off, and if you move from that
spot until I get out of range, I will kill you.

“When on see me ride on and take no
further notice of you, take your horse and
go your way; but warn you not to let it be
my way. -
“Good-by, Texas Robbie,” and with a.
light laugh Bronco Billy rode away, leaving
the Bronco—Breaker livid with rage; but
knowing well he could not overtake the
white stallion, should the outh choose to
fly, and that, without a ri e, the boy with
his, could hold him at bay, and might, per-
haps, be provoked to kill him.

CHAPTER X.
- BRONCO mum's PLOT.

Wrrnou'r further adventure, and without
game, Bronco Billy reached the train, which
was still on the march.

His mother soon saw that something had

one wrong with him, for he wore a worried
fook, which not finding game could not.
bring to his face.

She was driving the ambulance, and she
called to Billy to come alongside.

He was riding with Lou Leonard, while
her father was driving his ambulance; but
Billy at once rode nearer to his mother, who
asked, uietly: .

“ We 1, Bi 1y, what is it?"

“ What is what, mother?”

“What worries you?”

“ Am I worried, mother?”

“ Yes, Billy.”

“ Well, I am, mother, I confess, for I
heard something I do not like, and if you
and Captain Leonard will promise to be
guided by me, I. will tell you what it is.”

“Perhaps you better tell us, and then we
can decide what is best to be done, Billy."

“ I have decided, mother, and I am con-
fident that I know what is best in the mat-
ter, though of course I don’t Wish to act
against our wishes, and what Captain Leon-~
ard mig t think.”

” Well, what is it, Bill ?”

“Those men in the 1e are outlaws."

 

“ What?” asked Mrs. POWell, in surprise.
“Theigaare a gang known as the Secret.
ngers, and they join honest trains

Service

.,n.

 

 

 

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. 7

 

 

crossing the prairies, watch their chance,
disguise themselves as Indians, and attack
the richer wagon owners, and t what spoils
they can, and Captain Leonar and ourselves
are now marked for their wor .”

Mrs. Powell looked astounded, but Billy
went on to tell her all that he had heard, and
then of his adventure with Rio Grande Rob.

Not Wishin to attract the attention of the
men, who barf joined the train again at noon-
day, he dismounted and walked along by the
ambulance for awhile, repeating his story,
without looking back, to Lou Leonard, and
she told it to her father.

“I will at once make the lot known to
the guide, and with the go members of
the train we will capture these wretches, and
severely unish them,” said Captain Leon-
ard, stern y, and he sprung from the ambu-
lance, and came forward and joined Billy.

“N 0, Captain Leonard, that will never do,
for the honest members of the train are a bad
lot, and will side with the outlaws.

“To talk with the ide now would ex-
cite suspicion, and bring on the attack at
once.

“ These men are desperate fellows, sir, and
I have a plan to escape them.”

“ I have confidence in you, Billy, and will
be guided by you in the matter,” frankly
said Captain Leonard.

“ I believe our ambulance is better than
yours, sir?" . . ..

l l  ll

" Well, sir, su pose you break your vehicle
down, when we ave passed onder piece of
timber, and I will stay bac to hel you
mend it, or at least I will say so, whi e the
train ass on to the motte far ahead to camp.

“ on can tell them, if we don’t re air
damages by night we will camp in that little
motte, but if we do we will come on.

“ That is just what they want, and by mid-
night they will come bac secretly to attack

us.

“Well, Bill , I can’t'see but that they’ll
get the best 0 us too,” said Captain Leon-
ard.

“ We will not be here for them to get the
best of us.”

“What do you mean to do?"

“ we can, as soon as it is dark, put what

‘things you must carry into our ambulance,

and throw out from ours what we do not
really need, and with an extra fore and hind
wheel from your vehicle, to aid us if we break
down, we will start across the prairie on our
own hook and defy pursuit. ”,

“ Without a guide, Billy?”

“Yes, sir, for I feel I am able to act as
guide."

“It is our best plan, I ess.”

"I will tell mother it out it, sir, and see
what she thinks of my plot.”

The boy then told his mother, and she ac-
uiesced fully in it, and the result was that
aptain Leonard dropped back to his ambu-

lance, and with a wrench soon unscrewed-the
nuts as he walked along, and before very
lon the crash came, and the Vehicle was
bro on down.

“ Don‘t delay the train, for I can soon fix
all right." called Out the captain, as several
of the wagons came to a halt.

“ I will stay and help you. captain, and let
the others go on," said Billy, and he saw the
three men whom he had oyerheard makin
the plot against them talking together, an
heard one say:

"Luck hes aided us, pards, an’ tar-night
we‘ll drop back an’ do thcr blZ, for they’ll
never git thet spring mended afore it are
dark. ”

'ghen he turned to Captain Leonard and
sax 2

“ Cap’n, we camps in yonder timber, five
mile awa , an’ at yer hain’t movm’ toward
it by dar we’ll come back an’ glve yer a
lift.‘

“Thank you; but if we get it mended I’ll
camp in this timber near

 

y, and make an”

earl start, so as to overtake you before you
brea camp]? responded the captain.

“ All ri t,‘ sir; but we hain t the boys ter
see a per in distress an’ not come back to
help him, so you kin expect us afore mid-
night, only don’t shoot at us for Injuns.”

“ No danger; but wait until midnight
before you come, for we will be along,
as after all it is best for us to come on to-
night,” was the captain’s reply, as he was
anxious to gain all the time the could.

The train then moved on, an I at once the
captain and Billy lariated the horses out to
feed and rest, to prepare them for the night’s
work before them, and the then removed
all the things from the ambu ance, as though
they intended repairing it.

CHAPTER XI.
THE FLIGHT.

“ WELL, luck favors us so far,” said Cap-
tain Leonard, as he saw the sun touch the
horizon, and found that no onepf the train
hag taken it into his head to return to their
a1 .

" Yes, sir; and we will have good six miles
start of them, and comparatively fresh
horses,” said Billy, glancin at the animals,
who were greatly refreshe by their rest of
several hours.

As soon as the motte grew misty with the
approaching night, the articles of value were
transferred from the prairie to the ambulance
of the Powells, who had thrown out all
from their vehicle that was not absolutely
needed.

The ambulance had also been overhauled
most thorou hly, every bolt having been
looked to and every nut tightened.

Then Billy and the captain dragged the
cast-off lugga e to the timber near by, and
made a pile o it, which was set afire.

“ They sha’n’t have it," said Billy, “ and
they'll think we have finished repairs and
gone into camp here, so will not hurry to
come after us.”

The two teams were then hitched to the
Powell ambulance, the riding horses were led
by Mrs. Powell and Lou Leonard, who had
mounted their own animals, and Bronco
Billy took the lead. on Mephisto.

At a word the small party of fugitives
moved away over the prairie, now un er the
darkness of ni ht, and the well-greased
ambulance roll along easily, drawn by its
double team. '

,At a fair: trot they held on, Billy leadin
the way, just far enough in advance to chec
the captain from driving into any buflalo-
wallow or prairie-dog hole, that might break
the ambulance down, and only the tread of
boots and occasional creaking of the vehicle
could be heard. ‘

Far awa behind them could be seen the
dying out re in the timber, which showed
that their lugga e was passing beyond the
hands of the out awe, and to the eastward,
many miles away, the glimmer of the camp—
fires of the train were visible.

Soon these disappeared altogether, and the
fugitives were alone upon the prairie, de-
pending wholly upon Bronco Billy for guid-
ance, for a Woodsman from boyhood, and a
devoted pupil of Tom the ide since enter-
ing Texas, the outh had ecome no mean
prairie-man, an had astonished all in the
train by his apt way of pickin up infor-
mation necessary for a good p insman to
know. .

With a rest on the banks of a stream, of an
hour, at midnight, the party again pressed
on in their flight, anxious to put as much
distance as possible between them and their
foes by daylight, and which they hoped
Would prevent them from pursuing them.

But even Bronco Billy could not fathom
the deviltry in the hearts of the Secret Ser-
vice Rangers, and their bloodhound tenacity
1n followmg their game.

 

CHAPTER XII.
HUMAN nomms ON THE TRAIL.

'THE six villains who belonged to the rob-
ber band known as the Secret Service Ran~
gers, had not the slightest suspicion of being

nown to be what they were by Bronco
Billy and Captain Leonard, so felt no anxiety
when the ambulance broke down, and thus
detained their intended victims.

In fact, they felt that accident had brought
on just what they wished to occur, which
was to get the captain and Powells away
from the rest of the train, so that they would
not be suspected by any one of massacring
them, and the crime might be Laid upon the
broad shoulders of some rovin band of In-
dians, who already were weighted down
with the sins which were ut u n them.

When the saw the fire i ht 1n the timber,
they conclu ed that the am ulance had been
repaired, but too tired to come on that night,
the had concluded to wait until morning.

herefore they seemed in no hurry about
their attack, an only after supper one ro-
posed to go back and look up their friends.

The six at once mounted their horses, and
refusing the aid of others, set out for the
distant clump of timber, where the supposed
camp-fire was glimmering.

‘Upon their arrival there they plotted to
simply shoot down the captain and Billy,
and carry Mrs. Powell and Lou Leonard off
into the Indian villages, that they might
curry favor thereby With the red-skins.

But, to their amazement, they soon saw
that no one was about the cam -fire, and
that it had not been composed of timber.

In dismay they rode out to the spot upon
the prairie where the ambulance had broken
down.

The vehicle was there, stripped of its lug-
ga e, and deserted.

hen they believed that the captain had
packed his things in the Powell ambulance,
and shabbin burned what he could not ca ,
instead of giving them to the poorer peep e
of the train. ,

“We’ll find ‘em at our camp arter all,”
said one.

“ Nary, fer ther trail don’t lead thet way,"
said another. .

“ Thet are so,” cried a third, and the good
trailers, but wicked men, at once set to work
to follow the trail. t

Then, as they saw the direction in which
it led, they began to feel that .they were
fooled.

“It are thet boy,” said one.

“I.” Yes, he hev smelt 9. mice, an’ he hev did
1s.”

“ Yer is right, pard, fer he are smarter
then a fox an’ prairie—dog‘made inter one.

“ But I’m uessin’ we in overhaul ’em.

“ You, par s,” and he addressed two of the
gen , “ go back ter camp, an’ say ther Injuns

ev gged ther cap’n an’ ther balance, an'
we is on ther trail. ,

“ Tell ther guide ter- go on with ther train,
an’ we’ll foller arter, an’ you come arter us
with wittals, an’ come ter stay.”

The two men rode back toward the camp,
while the other four followed slowly upon
the trail of their intended victims.

By dawn they were overtaken by their
comrades, and then they could more rapidly
pursue their way, for the trail was a broad
one.

The further they followed it, the more they
were convinced that the party were led by
serge good prairie-man, for, as their leader
w .

” Pards, thet boy are some, I’ll admit, but
he can’t go through this kentry as be are
doin’ onless he were born on ther pararer.

"See, they hes turned ofi this new trail
leadin’ ter ther Injun kentry, an’ it are well
ferthem they hes.

“ Yer see, they goes ter ther sou’west heur,
an’ thet’ll fetch ’em ter ther fort settlement,
an’ so I says they hes got some one as knows

  

8

ther kentry ter sarcumvent ther trails as they
is doin’.”

This was the idea of all, for no guide of
the prairies could have taken a better course
than the one which the fugitives were pur-

suing.

 

;

 

CHAPTER XIII.
ANOTHER FEATHER IN niLLY’s CAP.

IT was noon, of the day following their
desertion of the wagon-train, that the four
fugitives came‘to a halt under the shelter
of some trees bordering aswiftly running
stream.

They had pushed their horses hard, and
determined to stop until nearl sunset for a
long rest, for both human an brute nature
were well tired out, excepting the white
stallion alone, who seemed not to mind in the
least the hard trip.

After lariating out the horses, the party sat
down to a really tempting dinner, cooked by
Mrs. Powell and Lou, and then sought their
blankets for a nap.

But, boy‘like, Billy was too wakeful to
sleep, and after an hour’s dozing, arose and
looked about him.

The horses had eaten their fill and were
1 ing down, and the captain, his mother and

ou were fast asleep in the shade.

As Billy gazed upon the scene, suddenly
out of a canyon, a mile away, where were
the foot-hills of a high range, dashed two
horses.

Both had riders, and a glance was suffi-
cient to show that they were Indians.

They were heading in a direction that
would lead them within a quarter of a mile
of the camp, and Bill knew that the trees
hid him an his camp rom view.

Taking a field-glass, which he had been

caring all day, he turned it upon the two
riders, and at once he called out:

“Captain, there’s an Indian coming, and
he’s got a red-skin girl prisoner, for she is
tieid to her horse, an the warrior holds the
re n.”

The captain was very sound asleep; but he
heard Bill ’s cry, and roused himself as
quickly as e could.

When he'did so, he found Bronco Billy
throwing his saddle on Mephisto, and with
his rifle slung at his back.

“ What is it, Billy?” he called out.

“That Indian is running off with a girl,
and I intend to stop it," shouted the youth,
as he threw himself into his saddle, and
darted out of the shelter of the timber.

In vain did the captain call to him to come
back, and his cries awakenin Mrs. Powell
and Lou, they also shouted to Iiim, but with-
out any eifect, for the white stallion flew on
like the wind directly toward the Indian and
his captive.

The warrior seemed so much taken up
with his flight and his captive, and an occa-
sional glance behind him, that he failed to
observe Bronco Billy until he had come
Within an eighth of a mile of him.

Then he quickly drew rein, gazed an in-
stant at him, and held on his former course,
though at an increased speed.

Bronco Bill saw the Indian girl had also
caught sight 0 him, for she called out in one
long, clear 0 , as though for aid.

“Come, ll ephisto, now show what you
can do," cried Billy, and he let the white
stallion out.

The horses upon which the Indians were
mounted were running well, but the white
rapidly Igained upon them, and as he drew
nearer, ill unslung his rifle ready for use.

The chie , for he wore-the head-gear and
trappings of such, gazed at the swiftly-com-
ing horse in surprise, and raised his rifle
ready for use. -

Bronco Billy was now within a hundred
yards of the chief and his captive, and di-
rectly behind them, the course he had taken
having brought him out at a point in their
rear. '

 

Seeing the act of the chief, he watched
most attentivel , and urged Mephisto on.

As the chic saw that his horses were no
match for the magnificent animal on their
trail, he turned quickly in his saddle, and,

raising his rifle, one of an old—fashioned style,

fired full at the youth.

“Whew! that out near, Mephisto, but it
missed us," cried Bronco Billy, urging his
horse forward still faster, and coming Within
fifty yards of the warrior before he had time
to reload.

Then Billy suddenly drew rein, and not
wishing to risk a shot at full speed, and
springing to the ground, threw his rifle across
the saddle and fired, just as the Indian was
again raisin his weapon to do likewise.

“Ha, ha, lIephisto, I got him!” shouted
Billy, as he saw the Indian chicf drop his
rifle, reel, and then fall from his saddle,
while the two horses sped on.

Mounting uickly, Bronco Billy again
darted forwaifd like the wind.

As he drew near the prostrate warrior he
saw him rolling in death-agonies, and un-
heeding him, other than to pass by with a
shudder, he held on after the flying horses,
which were tied together.

Mephisto understood what was wanted,
and in a very few moments ran alongside of
the riderless horse.

Seizing the rein, Billy drew him to a halt,
and the one on which the captive was
mounted had to sto also.

The youth beheldpa handsome Indian girl
of eighteen, bedecked out in gold bands,
silver span les, beads, and a handsomely-
worked buc skin dress and leggings, while a
coronet of gayly-dyed feathers was upon her
head. She was bound hand and foot and
firmly to the Indian saddle, and to, his sur-
prise spoke to him in English.

“The pale-faces have brave young war-
riors, " she said.

“ I saw you were in trouble and came to
help on,” modestly replied Billy.

“ he pale-face be will make a great
chief, for he has kil ed Black Bufialo, the
Apache.”

“ He is a rest chief, I have heard.”

“Yes, an the foe of Dove Eye, who is a
Comanche. He came by night and stole her
from the Wigwam of her father, who is Wolf-
Killer, the chief.”

“Ali! you are the daughter of Wolf-
Killor, the great Comanche chief?" said Billy,
who had heard of the Indian in many a
camp-fire story as chief of a large tribe.

“ Yes; and though the pale-faces hate my

ople, they will not be cruel to me, as the

lack Buffalo would have been."

“Oh, no! ggood pale-faces don't make war
on women. ut how far is your camp from
here?”

“ What your people call thirty miles."

“Well, can you go there alone?"

“ Oh, yes!" and the maiden’s eyes flashed
with hope.

“ Then I'll untie you and let you go back
to our father; but first come to my camp
an get something to eat and rest awhile.”

” ‘he Dove Eye will go, for the little ale-
face brave is very ood to her; but wi l he
not take the scalp 0 the Black Buffalo?" she
asked, as, after freeing her, Bronco Billy
started in a direction for the cam that would
not take him by the chief he h shot.

“I guess not, for I don’t banker after
seal s.”

“ hen the Dove Eye will take it, in mem-
ory of the little brave of the pale-faces, and
she ,will show it to her father and tell
him. ’

She turned toward the spot where the
chief lay in the grass, and Bronco Billy fol-
lowed her, hardl knowing what to do, as he
was not one to like cruelty and hated to see
a scalp torn from the head of a human being.

But Dove Eye dismounted, asked for the
youth’s knife, and with a skill not to be ex-
pected of her, quickly severed the war-lock

 

 

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.j

from the head of the chief, who had hardly
been a minute dead.

is weapons, war-bonnet and necklace of
claws she then handed to Billy with the
remark:

“The little warrior of the pale-faces must
take these and the pony of the Black Buffalo,
while Dove-Eye keeps the scalp.”

“I’ll do it; but look there! Now I’m in
for it!” and Billy pointed to where four
Indian horsemen were visible, approaching
them at a rapid gallop, and coming from the
foothills.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
INDIAN FRIENDS.

THE unwelcome discover made by Bronco
Billy put him at once on is guard, and he
was ready to retreat or fight in an instant, as
the case might turn out.

But Dove Eye called out:

“ It is the father of Dove Eye-tile chief,

- Wolf-Killer. ”

“ I hope he won‘t turn boy-killer," muttered
Billy, remembering that he had heard how
bloodthirsty a wretch the old chief was.

“My father fi hts the pale-faces because
they hunt him; ut he likes them, and the
pale—faces had me prisoner for three years,
and then sent me back to my peo 19.

“The Dove Eye will tell the olf—Killer
alllabout the Little Brave,” said the Indian
gir .

Seeing that the maiden was not bound,
and was Waiting for them, the coming In-
dians put up their wea ons, and soon
approached the spot where illy waited with
the girl, and, it must he confessed, with some
tre idation.

fie saw that the chief was a man of mas-
sive frame and stem face, and that he had
his sharp eyes on him, as had also his three
warrior comrades. ‘

They showed no sign of sur rise at be-
holdin the dead chief, Black Buflalo, but
listene attentivel to Dove Eye while she
told how she had on riding some distance
from the village, when a stranger Indian,
who had been received into the camp some
days before, threw off the guise he wore and
appeared in his real self as Black Buffalo,
the Apache, and had carried her ofl captive.

The girl spoke in her native tongue, and
in reply her father said that he had come
upon the trail of her pony, noticed that there
had been a scuffle, and calling to the three
warriors who were hunting with him, had
followed her, and been a_w1tness of the res-
cue b the youth.

This Dove Eye interpreted to Billy, and
then the old chief held out his hand and said
thviy would be friends.

ronco Bilg was hugely tickled at this,
and, through ove Eye, invited the arty to
his camp, where be amazed all, and)fright-
ened them, too, by appearing with the Wild-
lookin Indians.

But s mother and the Leonards had seen
his gallant rescue of Dove E e, and they
were at once draWn toward t e 'rl most
kindly, though they feared her fa er and
his warriors to such an extent that they most
emphatically refused an invitation to visit
the Indian village.

“But why are the pale-faces here, where
their red focs ma fall upon them at any
moment?" asked ove Eye.

Captain Leonard exp ained their escape
from the train, and Dove Eye inte reted it
to her father, who said a few words a low,
earnest tone. '

Turnin to Billy, Dove Eye said:

“The olf—Kil e talks well, for he says
the bad faces will come on your trail and
attack you.”

” We expect that,” answered Billy.

“ How many are there?”

“ Six, I know of."

“ Andfyou are two?"

"No, our, for my mother and ‘-AllS lady
are good shots.“

 

Bronco Billy. the Saddle Prince.

9

 

 

Dove Eye shook her head, and again spoke
to her father.

He spoke in reply in the same earnest way,
and then Dove Eye said:

“ M father, the Wolf-Killer, says wait for
our oes here, and he and his warriors will
eI you, or you can go on and we will wait

an ambush your enemies.” '

“No, we are not that kind of people, my
: irl,” said Captain Leonard, quickly, “to

llow others to fight 'our battles; but, if in
return for the good deed my dyoung friend
has done you, ybur father an his warriors
wish to serve us, we will gladly accept their
aid, for we need it."

Dove Eye interpreted what the captain had
said, and then Wolf-Killer made known his
plan of action, and the pale-faces and red-
skins at once became the best of friends,
through Bronco Billy's brave act, when
otherwise had it been, they would have
fought each other at sight.

CHAPTER XV.
THE AMBUSH.

WITH thorough Indian cunning Wolf-Kil-
ler developed his plan to thwart the pur-
suers of the little party, to whom he owed so
much in having saved, by their presence
there, his dearly-loved daughter.

His admiration of Bronco Billy was very

, great, and he told Dove E 'e to tell the

youth that he had killed, in Black Buffalo, a

man whom his tribe had really feared, and

who had taken the scalps of over a score of
his warriors in single combat.

He also hinted that he would like to have
him as one of his braves, and that no matter
what might be the trouble between his tribe
and other whites, Billy and his friends would
always be as his own people. '

The plan of the old chief was for the

- , ladies to go to a safe place under the shelter

' of the river bank, a lar e camp-fire to be
built, as soon as it grew ark, which would
shine brightly upon the white tilt of the am-
bulance and the canvas tent, and then two
dummies to be dressed up as the captain and
Billy, and be sitting near the fire, while an
Indian in a tree overhead ,would, with
strings, move the arms and body a little, to
give an appearance of life to them.

All entered into the plot ‘with alacrity, and
two of the warriors were sent back on the
trail to await the coming of the Secret Ser-
vice Rangers, and then come backin haste
and report.

The warriors started just before sunset,
but soon after dark returned, and re orted
that they had seen seven horsemen, a] pale-
faces, coming afar off on the prairie, and
following directly upon the trail left by the
ambulance.

At thisCa tain Leonard at once led Mrs.
Powell and on to the spot selected for them
a hundred yards away, and insisted that
Dove Eye should go too, which she did with
reluctance, for the Indian girl was one that
lon ed to mingle in a scene of excitement.

on wood was thrown u on the fire, the
horses were gotten out oi3 range of any
stra bullets, and the dummies were set,
whi e the Indian who was to work them took
his place in a tree overhead,

In different positions then Wolf-Killer and
his other two raves took their stands, and
Captain Leonard and Bronco Billy also were
well placed.

It was an hour before a sound was heard,
and then there came a smothered neigh ofi
on the prairie. ’

Half an hour more passed, and a warning
sound was given by Wolf-Killer, whose keen
eyes had seen dark forms movmg upon the
camp.

They were soon seen by the others too, and
seven were counted, creeping cautiously
toward the camp.

“Seven against six, Billy, but I have no
3:111: of the result, " whispered Captain Leon-

 

 

“ Lordy ! captain, just look how that Indian
in the tree is making your dummy move.

“ They’ll think you’ve got the colic,” said
Billy in response, for the youth’s love of the
ridiculous id not let the queer antics of the
dummies escape him.

Nearer and nearer approached the seven
forms, crouchin as they came, for they
were on foot, an coming in a line about ten
feet apart, directly for the camp.

Presentl they halted, and then a. deep
voice crie : '

“Let 'em hev it, pardsl"

Seven rifles cracked together, and the dum-
mies were knocked over.

But at the same'moment four fearful Co-
manche yells were heard, and six rifles flashed
to ether.

nstantly three men fell in their tracks, and
four men turned to fly.

One fell, after staggering a few feet, an-
other soon after went down, but two man-
aged to get away in the darkness.

Hot on the trail, and thirsting for blood
the Indians dashed forth from their ambush,
and five scalps were taken in an instant, while
the]?’ went on the hunt for two more.

ronco Billy had also darted forward with
the braves, leaving Captain Leonard alone
in possession of the camp, and the horses of
the assailants were their aim.

Suddenly, as Bronco Billy ran through the
scattered timber, two horsemen dashed out
of a thicket almost upon him.

He knew they were of the Secret Service
band, for he heard one cry:

“Quick, aid, or we’ll go under, too."

Instantly e leveled at the nearest and fired,
and the man fell from his mustang, while
the animal bounded on with the other.

Then came an answering shot, and Bronco
Billy was turned half-way round as a bullet
plowed through his arm, knocking his revol-
ver from his grasp.

But the flash had shown who it was that
fired at him, and as the horseman dashed on,
he cried:

“ I saw your vile face, Rio Grande Rob,
and I’ll pay you for this."

A mockingilaugh was the response as the
Bronco-Bree er, or be it was, be having met
the Secret Service Rangers, dashed on be‘
yond pursuit.

Graspin his wounded arm, which was
bleeding reely, Bronco Billy hastened to
camp, where he found his mother, Lou, and
Dove Eye already assembled, and he was
welcomed with glad cries b all.

“ It was the Bronco—Bree er who shot me,
gut I'll get even with him," said the plucky

oy.

“Let the Dove Eye see," said the Indian
girl, and with a surgical skill that was re-
markable, she extracted the ball and dressed
the wound just as her father and his warriors
returned with hap y faces, for they had
taken six scalps, and) adcaptured six ponies,
which was a lucky day’s work for the red-
skins, and over and over again they bade
Dove Eye express their gratification to Billy,
who remarked:

“ A little hair tickles them mightily, and I
am glad they are so easily leased, while we
have much to thank them or."

 

CHAPTER XVI.
THE YOUNG BRONCO-BREAKER.

As I have said, my reader, the destination
of the Powel was the ranch of the son and
brother, Geo Powell, who had made his
home in Texas, and was living on a ranch
of his own, where he had built a comertable
cabin, and gotten around him a number of
cattle.

Geor e Powell had left the old farm in
New ork State to follow the same life of
adventure, if in his power, which his eldest
brother, Frank Powell, had done, and his
daring and indomitable energy had
made him famous from the Lone Star State

 

to Nebraska, where he was known as Prairie
Wanderer, and had, a short while before the
coming of his mother and brother, won the

‘ he now bears of “ Night-Hawk
Geor ,” or, “ Texas Night Hawk."

This name he won 1) wiping out by a
clever lot and daring a and known as the
Ni ht awks, and whose de redations had
in e them a terror in the Ian .

While George Powell, therefore, had won
a name in Texas for remarkable pluck and
reckless daring, not to speak of being most
popular for many noble qualities, and his
brother, Doctor Frank Powell, had become
famous upon the northern plains as ” Fancy
Frank,” “ White Beaver," and “Mighty
Medicine,” my hero of this true biographical
narrative was winning fame for himself
while on the way to the land of reckless ad-
venture.

After the annihilation of the Secret Ser-
vice Rangers, the little party continued on
their way with little dread, for Wolf-Killer
had insisted upon guiding them to a point
from whence it would be easy to reach the
ranch of Texas Night Hawk, and Captain
Leonard had become so attached, as had also
his daughter, to their new—found friends,
that they were perfectly willing to make
their home in the same locality.

Captain Leonard had been a man of means,
whose kindness to others had lost him his
fortune, and unwilling to live in poverty
among those he had only known in wealth,
both himself and daughter had been anxious
to seek a home elsewhere, and the captain
knew that the few thousands he‘had saved
from the wreck would give him a good start
in Texas.

Parting from their red allies and friends,
the little part held on their way, and reach-
ing the river kept on down it to the settle-
ment of ranches, and one pleasant evening
reached the home of Ni ht-Hawk George,
who gave them a royal wgoome.

Some da s after their arrival Ca tain Leon-
ard established his ranch and ught his
cattle, and the future had a rosy look for all.

But Billy had ridden over to the fort with
his brother, and fortunately for himself, ar-
rived just as a herd of nice had been
brought in to be broken or the use of the
soldiers, having been caught wild upon the
prairies.

Billy laughed at the mldiers that were
thrown, and being badgered by one to mount
a vicious mustang that no one could, master,
did so, and won rounds of applause from all,
while the commandant said:

“ Night-Hawk Geor e, your brotheris just
the one I want to brea mustangs in for my
men, and I’ll pay him liberally for the work.”

It was dangerous work, but Bronco Billy
reveled in danger, and at once accepted the
offer, and soon after began on his new busi-
ness.

The soldiers, though admiring the hand-
some, reckless boy, were many of them
anxious to see him thrown, and all kinds
of animals were sought for and given the
youth to break. _

But Billy Powell was a born rider, clung
to a horse like a cat, whether he rode with
or without a saddle, and seemed able to tire
Out the worst bucking horse that could be
given him, while he seemed tireles.

From breaking mustangs he took to catch-
ing them wild on the prairie, greatly pre-
ferring that sport, as he called it, to being a
cowboy on his brother’s ranch, and it was
not long before he be u to “gather this ,”
as he called laying up is money, for he sold
his catches at a fair price.

His first duty in this line was to seek out
and capture a very fine bronco, and, training
it, give it to Lou Leonard, a favor that
young lad fully appreciated.

With al at the fort, and all of the ranch-
eros for fifty miles around, the youth became

y a great favorite, and his fame as a bronco

breaker increased daily, while he had an~

10

other name given him b the wife of the com-
méindant, which he sti l bears, and deserv-
e 1 .

hat name was " The Saddle King."

CHAPTER XVII.
BILLY s'rnnms A VILLAIN’s TRAIL.

ONE of the most important personages
among the settlers about the fort was a man
by the name of Benson, and whose Christian
name being Hugh was known generally as
“Major Hugh.’

He had never served in the army, but on
one'occasion had raised a few men and made
a raid after the Indians, which was sufficient
in Texas to have gained for him the honorary
rank of general.

He had money, lived in a tent quarters
over in a clump of timber, with a negro man
and woman as servants, bought cattle and
speculated in them, and some said could play
a winning game of cards at all times.

He was a handsome man, hailed originall
from Alabama, and had been well educate .

He was a popular man with the lower
classes, but few of his equals liked him, and
fewer cared to offend him, for he had an
ugly temper, and was a most dangerous man
in rsonal combat, as he had proved on sev.
era occasions.

The “ major ” upon seeing Lou Leonard
had been struck at first sight, and in the
building of his home Captain Leonard found
the “speculator” a most useful man.

Lou was also drawn toward him b his
fascinations, but Bronco Billy never liked
him and told her so.

“ What have you against him?" asked Lou
Leonard of the youth.

“ Oh, nothing, only he reminds me of Rio
Grande Rob; and at heart I do not believe
that he is any better.” '

“For ‘sli‘ame, Billy, to speak ill of a man
who has never wron ed you, ” said Lou.

Billy made no rep? , but he determined to
keep his eye on Major Hugh Benson and see
if he could discover 'whether he was not
right in his suspicions.

Among the other admirers of Lou Leonard
at the fort was a handsome young lieutenant
with a noble nature stamped upon every
feature of his face.

He had won a name for desperate pluck,
was rich, courtly in his manners, and be-
loved by all who knew him.

He had fallen in love ' at first sight with
Lou Leonard, and became a constant visitor
at the ranch, until he discovered that Major
Hugh was a rival.

It cut him to the heart, and he determined
\ to vs her up, for he thought he saw that the
ma or was the favored one in the maiden's
e es.
yHe was on his way to the ranch, and had
halted at seeing Major Benson’s horse lariated
out before the cabin. ,

Slowly he turned his horse, without emerg-
ing from the timber that skirted the river,
and which would have brought him within
view of those on the piazza.

“Which way, Lieutenant Lomax?”

Fred Lomax turned quickly to discover
Bronco Billy behind him, and mounted upon
Mephi'sto.

“Well, Billy, I was going to the Leonard
ranch, but I have changed my mind," he an-
swered, greeting Billy with a shake of the
hand, for he eatly liked the \ handsome,
devil-may—care 0y, and had been on several
mustang hunts with him.

"‘ Oh, I see, the major is there," said Billy,
glancing out toward the ranch.

“ Yes, Billy." '

“ Lieutenant Lomax, I believe Major Hugh
Benson is a rascal."

“ What?"

“I believe it.”

"That is a strong accusation, Billy.”

“ I mean it.”

“You better keep it from his ears, or he
will harm you.”

 

 

"I intend to tell him so, as soon as I see
my way clear.”

“ Don’t be rash, Billy. ”

“ Oh, I won‘t be, sir; but he loves, or pre-
tends to love, Lou Leonard, and I feared she
was getting a little soft on him; but he won’t
hmarry her, for I shall soon show her what

e is.”

“You have some reason for saying what
you do, Billy.”

“ Yes, sir, and I’m on the ri ht trail; but
will you do me a good turn if have to ask
it of on, sir?”

“ ertainly, anything in my power.”

“Well, sir, I have struck the trail of a
villain, and I’ll soon know the result.

“ Now come, sir, and let us go to the Leon-
ard ranch.”

The officer hesitated an instant, but then
rode on with the youth. ‘

CHAPTER XVIII.
A vrsrr r0 “ SOCIAL CITY."

UPON arriving at the Leonard ranch Lieu—
tenant Lomax and Billy found the major seat-
ed upon the piazza With Lou.

They lariated their horses out and took
seats, while Lou reeted them in an embar-
rassed way, and ajor Hugh in a by no means
cordial manner, which nettled the young
oflicer; but Billy made a s1 n to him to be
calm, and the conversation ecame general.

Finding that the new-comers were to re-
main and await the return of Captain Leon-
ard who was away, but would be back in an
hour or so, Major Benson arose and took his
departure in no very pleasant humor, for it
was evident that he had been interru ted in
a tete-a-tete where love-making play a con-
spicuous part.

“ 1’11 0 a little way with you, major; lieu-
tenant, ’11 soon return,” said Billy, and a
moment after the maiden and the officer were
alone.

With the frankness of his nature he at once
told her that he loved her; but if she had any
feeling for another he would retire from the
field in that othcr‘s favor.

Lou Leonard was a sensible girl, and for
full a minute she looked full in the face of
her lover.

He was handsome, winning and true.

About the other, Hugh Benson, there was
a mystery she could not fathom, and a some-
thing she feared.

He had half-wa fascinated her, but the
honest 'avowal of t e young ofllcer came in
time to save her, and instantly she put for-
ward her hand and said:

“Lieutenant Lomax, I have never loved
any man.

“ I admire you, respect you, and I will try
and love on.

“ If I 0 not, in a short time, I will honest-
ly tell on so.”

Het anked her, and at once changed the
sub ect. and soon after Billy returned and
sai slyly:

*“I escorted the dear man past the woods;
but, lieutenant, you said you would go over
to Cam Social with me to-night.”

“ An I will, Billy, so let us start."

“You surely do not go to that wicked
place, Billy?” said Lou, reproachfully.

“Oh. yes! for I‘m awfully wicked when
I’m found out,” was the reply, and soon
after the ofiicer and the youth rode away.

Camp Social, or “ Social City,” as it was
also called, was a settlement where were
congregated a few hundred 1Q cabins, sev-
eral stores, blacksmith-shop, school-house
—on Sundays a church—and a score of
saloons where gambling and carousing were
the order of the day and night.

It was some twenty miles from the Leon-
ard ranch, and was known as a den of
iniquit far and wide.

Cow oys, soldiers, Mexicans and Indians
were wont to congre ate there andbe fleeced
by the professional lacklegs who made the
haunt their home.

 

 

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

It was dark when Lieutenant Lomax rode
up to a shanty in the outskirts and knocked.

The door was opened by an old woman,
and she at once seemed to recognize Billy,
and no wonder, for he had saved her from
being run over by some drunken Mexicans '
a few days before.

“ Mrs. Dennis, I want to leave our horses
in our husband's stable for a while,” said
Bil y; and germission being readil granted,
the two hel their way to the so-ca led hotel,
a two-story shanty occupying half an acre of
ground, and likel to change its locality
with the first hard low.

Going to the stables, Billy said:

“ Do you know that horse, lieutenant?”
and he pointed to a lar e roan. ‘

“Yes; it is one of ajor Benson’s favorite
animals.”

“ Just so; now let us go over and I’ll play
a little game of cards.”

“Why, Billy!”

“Oh! I’m a good card-player, sir; only I
never play for money; but to~night I want
you to watch my game, and see if my part-
ner doesn’t cheat me.

“ Don’t say anything if you do see it; only
watch closely, sir.”

They then went to the “ Gold Dust Ex-
change,” which was a gambling den of the
worst kind, and which Billy seemed to know,
for he was a youth who got acquainted
thoroughly with all that was going on in the
locality where he lived.

There were over a hundred men present,
and mmzte, roulette, and private games were
in full blast. ‘

There was a motlcyg ng present, and a
few soldiers, who shrun out. of sight upon
seeing their officer.

Bil y led the way to a table where a burly,
heavily-bearded man was seated, playing
cards with several others.

” Hullo, (youngster! you are back again, I
see,” he sai , u on seeing Billy.

“ Yes, and 'm flush to-night, so don’t
mind playing,” answered the youth.

“You should have played t’other night,
fer I’d have lent you a twenty to start you,
and taken your I. O. U. if you lost.”

“ Thank you, I never borrow; but I'll play
to-ni ht."

“ it down there."

“ No, I won’t play in‘a game where more
than two are playing, for I get mixed."

“Well, these gents will yield to you, for
they haven’t got much to lose and they
never wm.”

The rou h men at the table ielded their
seats, and t e bearded fellow sa (1:

b “You officer friend can come in, can’t
e‘?’

“ No, I never gamble for money," was the
real; of Lieutenant Lomax.

e man laughed rudely, and then the
game began.

After about two hours; Billy arose from
the table, saying lightly:

" Well, luck went back on me to-night, for
you have won two hundred dollars from
me.”

“Better luck next time, youngster; good-
night,” and the bearded gambler turned to
another victim, while Billy and Lieutenant
Lomax left the saloon, and soon after were
on their way out of Social City.

 

[CHAPTER XIX.
BILLY UNMASKS A VILLAIN.

SEVERAL days after the visit of Bronco
Billy and the young officer to Social City, a.
man came into the settlement above the fort,
and began to badger different persons for a
game of cards.

He was universally successful, and had
soon won quite a snug sum, which he handed
to a sutler, with the request to give him
lar e notes for it, that he could the more
rea i1 carry it.

“ ou are the same fellow that won my

Bronco Billy; the Saddle Prince.

11

 

 

money at Social Cit ," said Bill , steppin
between the sutler arid the strangir. ‘ g

“Yes, my boy; do you wish to try an-
other game?” was the rejoinder.

“ Yes, but not a me of cards this time.

“Sutler Dede, on’t give that man his
mone until I tell on, for I say he is a
blac eg and a swin ler."

Bronco Billy was very angry, it seemed
from his flashing 3 es, and yet his voice was
calm, but clear an in earnest.

H  I’ll—1’

“No, you won’t, sir."

The speaker was Billy’s brother, Night-
Hawk George, a handsome, dashing young
ranchero, and he covered the gambler with
his revolver in a we that checked his ac-
tion, which was ev1dently to punish the
youth. -

“Two against one! Is this Texas fair
play, pards?” called out the stranger.

‘ “No, I am the only one a ainst you, and
my brother only intends to eep you quiet
while I tell the boys what I now about
you.” cried Billy, and raising his voice he
continued: .

“Boys, this man cheated me out of two
hundred dollars at Social City the other
ni ht."

g‘ That’s right, lose your mone and then
squeal out that you were cheate ," sneered
the man.

“ No, I don’t squeal, no matter what luck
goes against me; but I saw you cheat there,
and I saw tyou cheat in every game you just
payed, an one other saw you who will

k u my words.”

“ Is e another boy?"

“No, a man."

“ Then let him dare accuse me of cheat-
in .” savagely said the gambler.

The little door of the sutler’s shanty swun
open, and out etc ped Lieutenant Fre
Lomax, who said, ca mly:

“ I dare accuse you, sir.”

“ Then you die—"

“Hold onl ou move and you die,” cried
Night-Hawk eorge, and he thrust his re-
volver full in the man’s face.

“ByHeavenl this is an outrage, to be
insulted and not, allowed to resent. -

“Men, I appeal to youI” and the ma
turned to the crowd.

But the presence of the lieutenant kept
back any soldier that mi ht have cared to
side with'the hler, an Billy said:

“ Ohl you’l be allowed to resent it, for I
am the one you are to settle with.

“ Here, sutler, give me that money!”

The sutler glanced at Lieutenant Lomax
and obeyed.

Then Billy handed back to each loser all
that he had lost, took two hundred dollars
out for himself, and returned the remaining
roll of bills with the remark:

“If ‘I knew who the balance belonged to
I’d 've it to them. ”

e men grasped the bills most eagerly,
and then Bil y said:

“Man, Isuppose you want me to prove
my words; and to do so I can only say
that this man cheated me, as he did
you, and Lieutenant Lomax and myself saw
it."

“It is a lie!" and with a quick blow the
gambler felled Bronco Billy to the earth.

Night-Hawk George looked for an instant
asthough he would kill him; but the bov
quickly arose, and wiping away the blood
from his brow, which was cut by the hard
blow, he said:

“ You shall answer for this, Mcu'or Hugh

molzl‘f

“Major Hugh!” ~

he exclamation was on a dozen lips, and

the man he addressed turned deadly pale.

“Yes, you are Hugh Benson, masking
your face Under that beard and playing the
gambler and thief under it!”

“ See here!"

Quick as a flush Billy sprung forward and

 

seized the lon beard, and dragging it off,
the face of. ajor Hugh Benson was in-
deed revealed.

CHAPTER XX.
A DEADLY ENCOUNTER.

To say that all present, exceptin Bronco
Bill , were astonished at this su den un-
mas ing of the gambler, would be to draw
it very mildly. .

They had known Gambler Gray for a long
time in those parts, and looked upon him as
a successful card-sharp and most In sterious
man, as at times he was wont to isappear
for weeks at a time, going no One knew
where.

Thus the secret came out that Gambler
Gray and Major Hugh Benson were one and
the same person.

“Pardsi” said Bronco Billy, in his off-
hand way, “ I’ve been suspecting this fellow
for some time, so I took to trailin him, and
I found he kept his disguise at Widow Den-
nis’s, in Social Cit , and fitted out there, and
I got Lieutenant omax to o with me to
catch him'under his beard in some out-of-
the-way locality, and we did it.

“ Now, he has struck me, and I’m going to
make him fi ht me. ”

“ I’ll not ght a boy!" said Hugh Benson,
in sullen tones.

“Oh, aboy can shoot as well as a man;
and if on don’t fight me I guess the lynch-
ers wil give you just so long to get out of
this. '

“If on do fight me, then my brother,
Night-gawk, will see nobody harms you.

“ You are armed, so step ofi twenty paces,
and let us lose no time, for my eye 18 swell-
ing from your love-lick, and I won’t be able
to see out of it soon.”

The man cast an uneasy glance around
him, and he saw a desire to hang him in
nearly eve face, for men were not slow to
act thus in exas against one they knew to
be an arrant fraud. _

Should he fight Bronco Billy and kill him,
it mi ht make it worse for him; but still he
woul use that as a chance for his safety,
and said:

” If I kill ou they’ll lynch me.”

“No,_ for ight-Hawk George will not
 that if he gives his word,” replied

I y.

“But will you give your word?”

“ Yes, if the duel is a fair one.”

“Do you urge the meetin between your
brother and myself?” asked t e ambler.

“Certainly; for one of our b ood cannot
forgive a blow,” was the haughty response.

“Well, I’ll meet the boy, so name the
terms.”

“ Revolvers, and both to be mounted and
stand fifty paces apait.

“At a signal from Lieutenant Lomax, if
he will give it, both to advance firing, and
six shots allowed.

“ If you survive, you shall be given three
hours’ start of any one who ma wish to fol-
low and kill you, 7 said Night» awk George
Powell in businessliketones.

Lieutenant Lomax consented to give the
word, the two adversaries mounted their
horses and took their stands, and with re-
volvers drawn sat ready for the charge.

Hugh Benson was sullen and white, while
Billy had the same free-and-easy air and a
smile upon his handsome face, in spite of
the blow he had received from his enemy’s fist.

“I needn’t leave any word for mother,
Georgie, for if I go under you know all
about it,“ said Billy pluckily to his brother.

“ Perhaps you have a request to make, sir,
in case of death to on?” said Lieutenant
Lomax to Benson, who ansWered roughly:

“ No; there are none to mourn for me, and
my fortune is upon me and in my tent, and
those who hang me are welcome to it."

“Have you no kindred who would wish
toknow whether you are dead or alive?”
asked the officer. ,

 

,“Nol” was the blunt reply.

“Are you ready?” then called out Lieu.
tenant Lomax in ringing tones.

The man bowed, and Billy shouted back:

“ Rough and ready!”

(I  I),

With the word the two ponies sprun into
the air and forward, and at the instant ugh
Benson fired, and his bullet knocked Billy’s
hat off, while a shot from the boy brought
down the mustang ridden by the man.

But the gambler caught on his feet and

fired a second shot, which just clip
shoulder, and got in return a b
left arm. at

As his foe was dismounted, Bill sprung
to the ground also and turned ephisto
loose, and then at the same instant came the
third shot from each revolver, the man’s to
shatter the knife-hilt in the boy’s belt, and
his bullet to plow its way alon the flesh
over the ribs of his foe, and ngerously
near his heart.

The shock caused the. ambler to drop to
his knees, while Billy has been turned half
round by the blow of the gamblcr’s bullet;
against the knife—hilt.

Seeing his enem half down, Billy, who
was as cool as an icicle, withheld his fire for
an instant to see ,how , badly hurt the

ambler was, and for his clemency nearly
ost his life, for a shot from the gambler cut
a curl from his temple, just grazin the skin.

Then Billy pulled trigger for is fourth
shot, and it passed through the gambler’s
hat, also azrng the skin.

Hugh enson then rose to his knees, and
Bronco Billy advanced rapidly upon him,
and the two revolvers once more flashed, but
one a second in advance of the other.

But that second was enough to send a bul-
let through the gambler’s heart and destroy
his aim, though he fired as he fell dead.

A yell broke from the crowd, and in the
excitement that followed Bronco Billy
mounted his horse, and, accompanied by
his brother and Lieutenant Lomax, rode
homeward. '

Billy’s
et in his

 

CHAPTER m
A BOLD VENTURE.

Tn duel between Bronco Billy and Major
Hugh Benson created a great deal of excite-
ment in and around the fort, and rancher-es
from far and wide flocked to the scene, 1'."
many who did not know the man in his charac;
tar as a retended entleman knew him r..-
Gainbler ray, and ey were anxious, too, to}
see the brave be who had added to his fame
by his desperate uel.

Anddes-perate it was, as all could swear who
had wrtnessed it, for Billy had shown tremen—
dous nerve in meeting a man who was generally
geared, talnd she: be was renderedd maggoto

espera 'on is ex and an m
the hands of t e mob. W gm. ,

The boy had fired coolly, and with an aim
that showed he was determined and had per-
fect control of himself, and his fearful danger
and the whirr of his adverse ’s bullets, did not;
unnorve him in the slightest agree, a: his bear-
infithrou hout showed. 1

e d have killed his foe, all admitted,
when he had him twice at disadvantage, but
generously allowed him to continue his fire at
him, uuti the aflair excited the lockers-on to a.
fearful extent.

As the duel had occurred under the shadow
of the walls of the fort almost, and Bronco
Billy was in the service of the'commandant as
a mustang—breaker, while Lieutenant Lomax
was also interested in it, the colonel felt bound
to take notice of it, and at once sent a sergeant
and two men to the Powell ranch, demanding
that the outh should at once return with them.

He di not blame Billy and was certainly
glad that so clever avillain had been so adroitly
unmasked by the youth; but his du forced
him to take steps in the matter to ave the
young Bronco-Breaker tried, for whatever the-
awlessness might be outside the fort, in it, and
those connected with it, must be held account»
able for their actions.

The sergeant, however, came back without
Bill , and reported that he had gone to the
wil home country after a drove of mustangs
for the soldiers. “ ‘ "

12

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

 

 

” Smart boy, that, and he’ll take good care to
remain away until the whole aflair has blown
over," said the commandant, with a. smile, to
Lieutenant Lomax, who was present.

.And Bronco Billy had been “ smart enough,”
as the colonel termed it, to strike out from
home at once, fearing that some little complica-
tions m' ht follow that would make it no lea-
sant for im, and his mother entertain the
sergeant and soldiers well, and told them that
“her son had gone 03 for quite a stay, as he had
taken a led horse, with camp equipage and pro-
visions.

It had been the desire of Bronco Billy ever
since he had heard Rio Grande Rob speak of
.the black stallion that led the wild herd of
horses in the upper prairies to captgre that an-
imal.

Sincethen he had heard many stories re-
garding the superb beast, some hunters report-
ing that he was faster even than the white stal-
lion which Billy rode, while some said that
when he led the herd in flight from foes, he
was wont to drop back to the rear and hasten
on the slow animals, and once had attacked a
ZMexican, who had captured a fine mare, and
torn him nearly to pieces with his teeth.

All that had seenthe beast described him as
.8. ion -bodied, slender-limbed animal, with
.arch neck, small head, fiery eyes and learn-
ing white teeth, while his mane and tai were
exceedingly long.

He was lack as night, proud as Lucifer, and
'more vicious than had been his white rival,
‘while it was believed he was infinitely fleeter.

To capture him had been impossible, though
at one time a hundred horsemen were, after
him, and it had been given up as useless to try.

He was known as the Bronco Kin , and Bi) y
argued that as he was the Saddle mg, he cer-
tainly should be the captor and owner of his
Royal Mustang Highness; and it was upon the
bold venture of capturing that horse on _which
he started the very night after his du'el With the
:gambler. -

 

CHABTER XXII.
CAPTURING A MUSTANG.

Ir was with a full heart that Bronco Billy
‘rode away from his home, the ranch which he
had learned to love so well, for he was a be
with a noble and tender heart, in spite of h s
indomitable luck, and it cut him to the
quick to feel t at he had killed Hugh Benson,
whom he had known so well.

Instinct had taught him to dislike the man
from the first, and following that instinct he
had sought to ferret out some not of the am-
bler’s that would prevent Lou Leonard rom
loving him, for he loved her as though she were
.his own sister.

In that endeavor he had succeeded by trail-
ing the villain to earth and in the excitement
of unmasking him, and stinging under a blow,
he had tough him.

But the remembrance of it haunted him disa-
greeablyas he rode away from home that night
when heh hardl given the killi of two 0
the Secret ervlce rs and Blue Buffalo 3

“ Ah me! ex ct if I lead this wild life long
I shall get to killing,” he sighed, as he
urged Mephisto into a gallop: drown thought.

lly was two days rea g the wild-horse
country, for with a pack animal, he traveled
slowly and having come determined to make a
sta of it until he caught the Bronco King,
he ooked about for a good cam lug-place.

This he found in the mouth 0 a eep canyon
that ran to the bank of a small river.

i There was heavy timber to shelter him, good
“feeding for his horses, crystal water to drink.
plent of wood for his cam fire, and he selected
a spe where it would be d for a foe to sur-
prise him, and which he could hold against
odds if atthcked, for he knew that he was in a
dap‘gerous country.
ith his hatchet he soon out poles and brush,
and erected a shanty, and when ni ht came on,
retired to his blanket bed as com ortable as a
bug in a rug, his only companions near, his two
horses and a large hound his brother had given
him, and which he had brought along “ as
housekeeper " he had said.

Bright and early, and after a night of undis-
turbed rest, Billy was up in the morning, and
soon got breakfast, and was ready for work.

First, he took a reconnoissance on foot, and
discovered to his delight that he was in the very
heart of the wild—horse country, and many
could be seen feeding far of! on the prairie, and
black ones, too, bu not the black one of his

 

Going back to his camp he saddled Mephisto,
and stripping him of all unnecessary equip-
ments, left the pack-horse and dog in charge,
aKnid started forth for a hunt after the Bronco

ng.

Me histo, once aking himself of a herd, now
who! mastered by human kind, had proven
himse f a most valuable horse-catcher, and
Billy’s success in capturin so many superior
mustangs for the fort had en reatly owing
to the speed of the splendid anim he rode.

A sweeping gallop over the prairie, and he
saw a sorrel mare that was worthy of his lariat,
and he ave the word to Mephisto, who at once
bounded away in pursuit.

A run of a short half~mile, and the fleet stal-
lion was within range of the rope which Billy
was whirling, ready to throw.

A few ood turns and the lasso was sent
whizzing t rough the air like a rocket, the
noose settled over the upruised head of the fly-
ing and frightened victim, and at once Mephisto
dro ped back on his haunches, the twang came
as t e rope tightened, and the imprisoned mus-
tang was thrown heavily to the ground.

In an instant Billy was upon his feet, and
rushing toward the prostrate animal, while
Mephisto, lying back on his haunches, still held
the lariat taut, and stretching from the saddle-
horn on his back to the neck of the fallen beast.

In his hand Billy carried a bridle he had
made for breaking wild horses in, and it was
slipped over the head of the half-stunned, half-
choked animal, while a word to Mephisto re—
leased the strain, and in an instant the mustang
rallied, and was upon her feet.

But Billy was upon her back, the rein in
hand, and away over the prairie dashed the
maddened, fri lit-frenzied animal, while Me.

histoi came a ter at a gait that held him just

in .

A hot race of a mile, and then the youth drew
in his rein, and ob his new capture “through
her paces, ’ whic resulted in taming her con-
siderably, after a struggle of an hour.

Back to camp Billy then rode the animal,
delighted with his first day’s ca ture, and at
once set to work to make a corra in which to
keep his captures, for he felt that he was going
to be most successful, as nearly ever horse he
pad seen in the herd had been wort yof cap-

ure.

The next day Bronco Billy again sallied forth
for a hunt, and when the sun had set four more
fine mustangs were added to his list, but no-
where had be yet come upon the black stallion.

CHAPTER XXIII.
rnn 'rwo “KINGS.”
SOME weeks passed away, and Bronco Billy
was the happy owner of half a hundred spool—
Icons of horsefiesh that would have charmed

an; eye.
t at the black Bronco King was not among

hem.

He had all of his lariats in use, and knew that
he had made by far the best ca ture of his life,
and could return to the fo with renewed
honor, but he wished to make his return a tri-
umph that would cause the colonel to overlook
his duel under the shadow of the flag, and this
he thou ht could only be done by carrying back
the blue branoo, or by giving information of
an Indian raid, or taking in with him a few

seal
0 the Indians he knew nothing, for he had
not seen a red-skin during his stay in the wild-
horse country.
iAnd of (fiourseé if he saw no rad-skins he could
g vs no In orma ion regard 11 air movements
or take their seal 8
Under ordinary circumstances he would
gladly have returned, but he dreaded trouble,
and yet he might have faced that had he not the
ver day before seen the black Bronco King I
e had given Mephistoa num ber- of hard runs
that day and just as he was returning home
with his last capture, and his faithful horse was
going along atatired gait he seldom showed
out of a clump of timber had dashed an anim
the sight of which had brought a shoot of joy
to the lips of the be .
There was no mistaking that en rb beast he
fihgld before him, with a hundr others at his
0 .
The ink-black, glossy hide, the head held high,
the wide—extended nostrils, the laring eyes,
gazin at him as he stood there fire a statue,
not a undred yards away, while he had sent,
by a sign the well understood, his herd off at
a run across t e prairie. :
Quickly did illy settle himself into his
saddle, grasp his lasso and give the word to Me-
phisto to go.

 

 

And right nobly the white stallion 3mg
away, for he seemed to recognize his riv of a
year before.

For a moment the black bronco stood, as
though he intended to meet both horse and
rider and then, with a vicious neigh, he wheeled
and darted away like the wind.

“Now, black. I’ll test your boasted I"
cried Bronco Billy, roweling Mephisto With the

spur.

And all too soon to lease the young horse-
hunter-it was tested, or Mephisto, tired out,
was b no means a match for the Bronco King,
thong he could have run down any other horse
of the herd. A

This Billy soon realized, and he had the hu-
manity not to press the white, and wheeling,
started back for camp. ‘

But he was happy, for the Bronco King was
not a myth, had not been captured, and was still
at large upon the prairies, and in the vicinit .
Billy felt a strong hope of his capture, for 9
said:

“He out-hoofed you well to-day, Mephisto;
but I’ll give you a couple of days’ rest and then
we’ll see if the Bronco King don’t lower his
proud head to the Saddle King.”

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
STRATEGY.

FOR several days Me histo was allowed to
have perfect rest, and ronoo Billy groomed
him as though he were a thoroughbred racer, in
the mean time riding other horses of his herd
when he went out to reconnoiter for the black
stallion.

By watching him closely, and his habits,
Bronco Billy saw that the black every after-
noon collected his bands into one larie herd,
and led them about fifteen miles tot eriver,
where they fed during the night on the grass on
the banks.

He also observed that the want a certain
trail, and at an easy gallop, s 'rting two pieces
of timber about six miles a .

This knowledge decided im upon his course
of fiction, for he at once laid his plans for
wor

Two of his fleetest animals, next to the white
stallion, were to be used and ridden bareback,
and Mephisto was to be used for the climax.

He picked his horses the day he decided to
act and left camp about noon.

ephisto was ready saddled and bridled, but
he did not ride him, but bestrode one of the
other horses, leading the white stallion and
third horse.

Arriving at the first clump of timber, Mephis’w
was hitched therein, all ready to be mounted,
his lasso ban ng at the saddle-horn, and noth-
ing (also of w ht being carried to retard his

spee .

Placing the white in a dense thicket, not a
hundred yards from where the herd of wild
horses would ass, and where he would be
wholl concea ed from view, Bronco Billy
mean one of the two horses, and leading the
other, rode on to the second timber motto, some
six miles away.

Here he concealed another horse, tying him
most securely, and muzzling and blindfolding
him so as he could not neigh when his com-
panions dashed by, or even see them when they
went near him. ’

The third horse Billy then rode on slowly to
aid him in carryiu out his strategical plans for
the capture of the lack.

A ride of some seven miles brought him to
the timber where he had watched the move-
ments of the wild herd on several previous
da s.

9 had a good view of the prairie beyond for
miles, and his horse had barely time for rest,
Iwhen he spied the swaying mass approaching

im.

There were over a thousand, and at their
head was the splendid Bronco King, leading his
sub ects right royally.

ey were a mile distant and coming on at a
swinging gallop that would carry them to the
river in about two hours. '

The pounding of their hoofs sounded like dis-
tant thunder, a dusty cloud floated above them,
and it was a thrilling, strange sight to see these
hundreds of fiery steeds, whose mouths were
unknown to the bits, and badrs that had never
been ressed by a saddle, coming on in all their
wild reedom. ‘

But Bronco Billy had laid his plans of strate-
gic action, and he had the nerve to carry them
out, so stood by his impatient horse. only a
short while out of that herd, as cool and plucky
as though there was no danger ahead of him.

I
l

 

3‘“

'herdwereathishee

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. , ’ 13

 

CHAPTER XXV.
mm mm msnu'rs: “me-s ” m1.

LEADING his herd with all the grandeur of an
equine monarch, the Bronco King came on
shying off from the timber a. couple of hundre
yards, as though he knew danger lurked there
for him.

Once he had passed, and Bronco Billy nerved
himself for action. .

Untying his horse, he threw himself n his
bare back, and darted out of the timber "he an
arrow from a bow.

A yell told the black horse that a foe was
11 n them, and he turned his roud head and

most hesitated, as though to s ow fl ht.

But Billy rattled 03 into the air h f a dozen
shots from his revolver, and on swept the
fri htened herd, their gallo increased to a run.

nd hot in obese went Bi 1y, urging them by
yells and shots, for he had brought a number of
xibdoxtra cartridges, and loaded and fired as he

e.

At a breakneck speed for most of the herd,
but a long, swinging gallop for the splendid
black, the wild bruins ept on their way, fol-
lowing their leader along the trail to the r1ver.

One by one the tired ones fell back and were
passed by Billy, and when the six miles were
gone m:- to the second timber, half of the herd
was behind him and half in front.

Dashing into the thicket, Billy sprung from
the back-of his panting steed, fastened him
quickly, and in an instant the blind, muzzle,
and wipe was cut oil the other animal, and away
went 0 daring youth in pursuit.

The herd had gained on him considerably;
but his fleet horse soon seat the slow ones be-
hind by the score.- and are three miles had been
run, three-fourths of the mustangs were in his

rear. .

On for the river held the black stallion, and
closenpon his heels cameacoupleof hundred
ofthegood rnnnersof the bentpressed hard,
thoughthoir kin yet held high is head,and
it was evident not been driven to show his

without speed.

T enin htcamethetimbermotteinwhich
wnsanco illy’s favorite, the almost match-
féflsphisto, whose only rival was then near at

n .

The Bronco King swerved wide of this timber,
and when he dashed by only a hundred of his
and the youth saw that
they were feeling the 'lllng pace he had driven
them to

With another volley from his revolver, and a

few terrific he kept them on at a better
, and then liqued for the timber.

Into it he dashed to find Mephistc nervous
and anxious, for well he knew the thunder of his
comrades’ h andtheir frightened nei he and
shorts, above is ioh rose the ringing of his
black rival.

In spite of his haste, Bronco Billy cooll‘yhlook»

ed to hisgirths, his bridle and his stirrups,
he had arranged all before.

Then his belt of extra arms was cast aside,
and upon the back of his splendid steed he

ough

run
8POutgf'rom the timber he went like a rocket in
chase, and with a pale, determined face, for de-
feet or victory now lay before him. . -

Seeing their pursuer disappear_the tired herd
had quickly drop their rapid pace, while
others which Bill had left behind had come up.

But beholdin 'm once more in chase, they
again rushed orward,_the black stallion stll
leading.

It was news live, or six mile run over the
prairie to the river, and once the Bronco King
reached the shelter of the timber there, Billy
knew it would be impossible to ca turn him.

Some days before he had easx y outhoofed
Mephisto; but the latter was tired then.

Now the black bad Just had a swiu ing race
of a dozen miles. and Mephisto was resh, so
that the outh felt high hepqs.

The ot or two horses winch he had ridden
were swift he kneW, but the moment Mephisto
settled down to work he saw the difference in
speed between them. ‘

Quickly behind him Me histo sent one after
the other of those who stil hung at the heels of
their equine king, and soon only a score were in
advance. .

One by one these were conic up With and
dro pod, and then the black realized his danger,

e swerved m the right, as though to run
back and regain his herd, but Billy obliqhed
quickly, and he kept on, and alone, for the
others had all been passed.

“Now, Mephioto, press him)”

The rider spoke between his teeth, and the

 

horse seemed to fully understand what was
miim't m gmshto dot t speed th black

nven ow is gree , e
lengthened himself out to his work and fairly
flew over the iris.

For awhile 'lly believed he was going to dro
Mephisto, tired as he was, but soon the white 5
pace began to tell, he warmed to his work, and
inch by inch crept up.

It was slow and terrible toil, but the black’s
run had told on him, or Billy knew he could
have outrun the white.

“ He is faster and has more bottom than Me-
phisto even, all things being equal,” he mut-
tered, and then he let the white feel the urs.

On, on they flew like the wind, the also];
white with foam and the white grown iron-gray
with the sweat that poured from him.

Nearer and nearer bounded the white, his
rider, lasso in hand, ready for the fatal throw
when the right distance was reached.

And promptly the time came, the coil was
thrown, whlzzcd through the air and settled
over the hautghty head of the black.

Most skill ully aimed, it went true, the coil
tightened, Mephistothrew himself back on his
hauncbes, the shock came, the lasso broke, and
both horses went down, the white crushing
Bronco Billy beneath him.

CHAPTER XXVI.
AN summons-ra- mo.

Ar the moment that Bronco Billy threw his
lariat over the head of the Bronco Kl he was
so taken up with the work before him s failed
to see a horseman dash out of a thicket near by
and ride toward him at full speed. .

It was a man well armed, well mounted, and
Wig: Ililemlgdsxbhagged, inch t Hephis

t w ‘ sea to n
his be with ' rider beneath him, and “£211
the his flat on his side, the horseman ed
up and threw his lariat just as the Bronco King
sprung to his feet, and a second time the mag-
nificent animal was brought down.

At his triumph the man gave a ell of joy,
and before the orse could get up, d sprung
to the ground and securely entangled his feet,
so that it was impossible for him to rise.

Like an insnared tiger be red upon his cap-
tor, who, seeing that the 00' s were so arranged
as up: to hurt his, turned his attention to the
you .

“ He are onl stunned by ther breath bein’
knocked out 0’ im, as I thought.

“ No, no, he hain't one ter die eas .

“ Waal, I thanks him for gittiu’ er me What
I c’u’d never hev capter’d mySelf; but all ther
same be are my inemy an’ I hes ter do my duty
aocordin’.”

Thus said the speaker-as hestood near the
prostrate boy, holding Meghisto by the rein, for
the animal was unhurt )7 his fall, and had
scrambled to his feet, and was standing by in
ap arent silent humiliation.

fter a few long-drawn breaths Billy opened
his eyes and gave a. start.

Then he closed them, rubbed them, and
sprun to his feet, crying:

“ I reampt I was dead and the devil had me,
addslrseelitbwasatrue drea” um; “i h 1

- es, ssgotyou, wast eq e re .

“And my horse, too?” p y

“Yes, both 0’ ’em.”

“Well, what are you going to do with us?”

“ Is you hurt?” >

“lie, I only had the breath knocked out of
me.

“ So I thought; but what does you think I
oughter do w1th yer?”

2‘ Turn me loose,” was the abrupt answer.

‘ lgary time, for yer is too dangersome ter go

“ We“, do your worst, you will find me ready
to meet It,” and Billy dropped his hand quickly
to where he was accustomed to have it meet
his pistol butt,

The man laughed rudely and said:

“ I 'hes ’tended ter that, boy, for here are ther
welfapmfi, even ter ther one in yer bootleg, with
which yer tuk me in oust.”

“You are- sharper than you were that time,
Rio Grande Rob.”

“ Yes,  hes l’ernt by exper’ence; but come.
sonny, I intends tor tie yer an’ tote yer ofl tor
ther lujun kentry tot he scalped.” ‘

Resistance was useless, and that Bronco Billy
well know, and he submitted quietly while the
rufiau bound him securely.

“ I hes been watchiu’ or, boy, for some days,
an’ I see or well-laid p an tor capter that ani—
mile, so ’11 jist fetch in yer other two horses

from ther timber, an’ we’ll go te'r yer camp over .

 

yonderi arter which we will set of! fer the: In-
wil e.

“ Then comes backter take in yet coma/l 0’
wild horses, an’ they’ll fetch me a big price.

“Oh’l’ but yer hes been kind ter ther old man,
sonny. H

Bronco Billy made no re ly; but the h his
hopes had suddenly had me a downfall e did
not despair.

Making him mount the white stallion, and
hoppliug the animal so he could not run, Rio
Grande Rob then untied the black, and sprung.
upon his back as be bounded to his feet.

It was a fierce fight between man and beast,
but whatever the faults of the Bronco-Breaker,
he was a man of nerve and a superb horseman,
and in the end he triumphed.

Then the two other horses were taken in, and
Rio Grande Rob and his prisoner set of for the
camp of the latter. ~

“ Wan], yer is well located here, sonny, an‘
flxt up same as ef yer home were ter be right
heur fer life.

“But I hes come in on yer, an’ at do break
we starts fer the:- willage o’ ther skins.
Eh}? I intends ter make yer a present tar ther

is

“Then, asI tole er. I retnrns hereterropel
in yer cattle, an’ as ’em in ther settlements. v

‘ Git what sleep yer kin, sonny, fer. yes-’11.
need it”ter refresh yer when ther reds git hold;
of yer.

._———-

CHAPTER XXVII.
a GLAD RECOGNITION.

TEE Indian guard of a Comanche village in
the hills was surprised, the evening after the
double on cure of the Saddle King and the-
Broaco n‘, to see two horsemen approaching
his ition.

at they were pale~faces he saw at a glance.
was a large, cruel-faced man, mounted
upon a. superb black stallion and the other was
a handsome, almost girlish-faced youth, riding
a lendid while stallion.
ems-was freatheboywasbound
securely to his saddle, and the lariat of his
horse was held by his captor.

It is needless to say that they were Rio
Grande Bob and Bronco Billy mounted upon.
thetwocqnineldngsoftheherdefwfldhorses,
now thoroughly under the control of their mas—A

The Indian seemed to recognize the man, for

he advanced to meet him, at the same lime
lancin with admiration upon the two stal—
ons w 'chbeseemedalsotoknew.

“Bow pale-face House Chief!” he asked, in.
broken Buglish.

"Well, red-skin, well, thankee. In fact, I.
c’ndn’t be in more primer health, seeiu’ as how
that bull universe jist now wags to!" suit me.”

“Pale—face Horse Chief come tar live with
Comanche now 1’” asked the Indian. ,

“Not admctly, but I may hev ter some day,
as a leetle dinkilty I got nter two weeks ago-
iu ther settlements hes raised a row that makes
my head wuth jist one thousan’ dollars in dust.

‘_‘ Bpt I has a present hour fer yer chief, red—

in

“ Chief at village}?

“Jist whar I ’spected fer find him, unless be
war OH on some ha’r-gath’rin’ shiudi ,” and Rio
Grande Rob, as thoughfully acqu fed with.
the advance to the Indian camp, rode on with.
his young prisoner, who was pale but calm,
and :y no means hopeless.

A do, of a couple of miles further up into the
hills, and they were joined by several Indian
warriors, who escorted them to the village,
ghich wassituated in a most inaccessible posh

on.

Straight to the tapes of the chief went the
two whites, accompanied by the constantly-in—
creasing crowd of Indians, and at last they
drew rein before the chief of the tribe, who
had come out of his Wigwam upon seeing their

ap&oach.

e glance at the chief and the one who stood
by his side, and the face of Bronco Billy flushed,
with hope, for they were none other than Wolf-
Killer and Done Eye. ,

. CHAPTER XXVIII.
CAUGHT Is His OW‘N rain,
“How is yer, pard chief?” called out Rio
Grande Rob as he a reached the tepee, and
Wolf-Killer nodded, or he did not speak Eng—

lush.

Rememberin this fact, the Bronco-Breaker
in bad Comanc e continued:

I“ Yer see I am the brother of the great Wolf~
Killer, if I have a pale face, for I have brought.-

 

Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince.

14

 

him a youngJ brave he can burn, out up, or do
anything he as a mind to with."
“ Where is he?" asked the chief.
fl Here-)1
“That young brave is the friend of Wolf-
Killer," was the di ified repl .
“ No; the Wolf— iller woul not have such a
friend,” said Rio Grande Rob.
“Yes, he is my pale—face son; he saved the
‘%Dove Eye. my daughter, from the Apache chief,
,‘Black Buffalo, and the Wolf-Killer and his
.people love him.
' “ Let him go free, for what has he done that
the pale-face Horse Chief should bind him?”
Rio Grande Rob was wholly taken aback by
the turn aflairs were taking, and muttered to
himself:
"' I guess I has brought my goods to the wrong
market.” .
But aloud he said:
“He is a young snake, and he deserves
death.
.‘1‘ He Stole from me my horses, and tried to
me.

Dove Eye laughed at this," and her father
smiled, while the latter remarked:

“ The Horse Chief talks Crooked.

“ Let the Little Chief talk. ”

Instantly Dove Eye step ed forward and sev-
ered the bonds that boun ronco Billy, and he
answered, while Rio Grande Bob scowled sav-

agely: I
l. “ all your father, Dove Eye, that this fellow
ies.

“ He came to my camp to sell a horse, and I
wanted this white one, and he bet me that I
could not ride him.

“I staked my mone and won him, saddle,
bridle and the gold ha go he wears on his hat,
and which, you remember, you and your father
saw on mine. V

“I am employed at the fort to catch wild
horses for the Government, and I have, a day’s
Journfiy .from here, half a hundred splendid
11mm 3 in m arm-a .

“This blac stallion your warriors doubtless
know, and I had lassoed him; but my rope
broke, in horse fell on me, and this man ran in
and caug t the bronco and made me his risoner,
saying that he would bring me to your Father as
a present, and when 1 ad been killed and
scalped he would go back to my camp, get my
homes. and sell them.

“ This is the truth, as I can prove if your
father and twent warriors will return to my
camp, and I will ve them each a bronco supe-
rior to any in the tribe for I have roped only
the very best in the herd.” V

Bronco Billy egoke earnestly, but even the
Indians, who di not understand his words,
could judge that he was telling the truth. ’

Dove E e integrated to her father all that
he had so d, and e old chief replied, address—
ing Rio Grande Rob:

“Horse Chief, you have two faces and two

‘tongli'ihes.
“ e Little Chief has one face and one tongue
for friend and foe.
“ He talks strai t.
“ You brought “in here to have me kill him,
but he shall‘see you die.”

The wild look that came over the man’s face}

told Bronco Billy that some decision a ainst his
energy had caused his paleness, and e asked
quic y:
“ Dove Eye, what said the chief?”
lpaws Eye told him, and instantly Billy re-
p ie :
“ No, no! do not let them kill him!
“ He wronged me an?l I will give him a
chance for his life if he w 1 fight me.”
n; This tickled old Wolf-Killer and his warriors
( immensely, for a fight between pale-faces was
just the st le of entertainment they would go
miles to w toms, and the chief answered:
“ The little warrior speaks like a great chief.
“ The Horse Chief shall meet him as he says.
“ Let them prepare for the fight.”

CHAPTER XXIX.
m noun wrru LAMATS.

“ HOW would the little warrior fight his foe?”
asked Dove Eye of Bronco Billy.

“ He boasts of being the greatest rider and
lasso-thrower on the prairies, so let us meet on
the plains with our lariats, and mounted."

This idea set the Indians wild with joy, for
never before had they witnessed such a novel
battle.

At this proposition of Bronco Billy, Rio
Grande Rob laughed rudely, and answered:

“It suits me, or my lasso breakin’ yer neck
will save it from the hengman.

 

their lessees coiled in

 

“But what are ter he did with me then by
these durned Injuns?”

“ I will ask the chief to let you go free,” was
the boy’s generous response

“Will he do it?"

Bronco Billy turned to Dove Eye, and through
her made the request.

Wolf-Killer made promise, and then, in the
joy of his heart at the pleasure before him in
seeing the fight, told Bronco Billy he had three
soldiers and a scout risoners in his villa e, and
if he, Billy, was Victorious, and ask it, he
would let the ale-faces go free with him.

“ Indeed I 0 ask it, and I’d kill that wretch
a dozen times to save them," answered the
youth.

The preliminaries were then arranged by
Billy, he intending to ride Mephisto, and Rio
Grande Bob to mount the black stallion.

They were to stand four hundred yards apart,
and charge toward each other.

Each was to be armed with a lariat only,
and they were to meet at a point between Wolf-
Killer and Dove Eye upon one side, and one of
the soldiers and the scout, who were prisone
upon the other, while in the background behin
each of the combatants were to stand the mass
of Indians as lockers-on.

These terms bein errsn ed, the whole vil-
lage. turned out an move toward the plain
chosen for the meeting, and which was a cou-
ple of miles distant.

True to his word, Wolf-Killer set the three
soldiers and the scout free, and‘ Bronco Billy
reco nized them as men who had been captured
in a ght Lieutenant Fred Lomax had had with
the Apaches some months before, and who were
sup osed to have been killed, and Dove Eye
to dJ him her father had defeated the Apaches,
and taken from them their prisoners.

The poor men were delighted to have the tide
thus turn in their favor, and the scout and one
of the soldiers a. ser nt, were chosen referees,
as it were, with We «Killer and Dove Eye.

Arriving at the prairie, or level plateau in the
bills, the Indian villagers, warriors, squaws
and children, divided ‘ themselves into two
divisions, and took their stands about four hun-
dred ards 9. art. Before one of these bodies
sat R 0 Gran e Rob on the black stallion, and
in front of the other was Bronco Billy, on
Me histo.

oth were strippedh to; the fray, and held
an .

In the center of the open space stood Wolf-
Killer and Dove Eye upon one side, and some
fifty paces away the scout and the sergeant, and
it was between these four that the combatants
were to meet.

When ready, both combatants were to whirl
their lassoes around their heads as a si al, and
then Wolf~Killer was to give the si on to start
by firing a revolver, one of a ir w ich Bronco
Billy had given him after his rescue of Dove

E 6.

{lie Grande Rob wore a confident smile, for
he knew that his boast was a just one, that he
could throw the lariat as true as he could send
a bullet from a revolver, while Bronco Billy
wore the same devil-may-care air he always had
in moments of great dan er.

When ready, both wh led their lessees about
their heads and at about the same time and
instantly followed the shot fired by WolflK’iller.

Into the air and forward bounded .both beau-
tiful animals, and upright in their saddles,
watchful, determined, sat their riders.

Like the very wind the animals rushed for- I

ward, and a silence like death fell 11 n the
crowd of Indians, only the quick hoof-fol 3 break-
in 6th) stillness. I

ii! on! on! until only fifty feet divided the
combatants from each other and yet neither
hand moved to throw the fat noose.

One bound nearer of each horse, and Rio
Grande Rob’s coil was thrown.

But as it left his band the white stallion was
seen to bound sidewa 3 under a sudden pressure,
and as the noose eirc ed above the very s t he
would otherwise have been, Bronco il y cast
his lariat, and although his foe dodged all in his
power it settled around his neck and wheeling
as on a pivot Mephisto bounded back on the
course he had come, and the doomed man was
torn from his saddle and jerked halfadozen
paces at the end of the rope, when raining his

orse toasudden halt, the youth turned and

zingd back at the prostrate, motionless form of

s cc.

“ Glory, Hail Columhy ! Bronco Billy hes
roped him,” yelled the liberated scout in stento-
rlan tones, at the moment he saw the noose
tighten around the neck of Rio Grande Rob, but
his words were drowned in the wild yells of the

 

Indians rushin to the spot, while old Wolf-
Killer himself s rieked like mad at the victory
of Little Warrior, as he called Bilév.

Upon reaching the body of Rio rande Rob it
was found that he was dead, and Dove Eye her<
self took the gold had from his broad sombrero
and replaced it in Bil y’s hat, after which a war—
rior present as skillftu removed the scalp,
great y to the youth’s horror and disgust and
back to the Indian village went all, for Wolf—
Killer insisted that the young Bronco—Breaker,
and the liberated prisoners should return and

ass the night with him, promising in the morn-
ing to accompany him to his camp and receive
his Present of twenty-five horses, for the old
chie had an eye to business as well as pleasure.

 

CONCLUSION.

A few words more, kind reader, and I shall
have ended my biographical narrative of Billy
Powell’s youthful days, for my pen does not
now follow him to manhood and through his
career of after years u n the border.

True to his promise, 9 gave old Wolf-Killer
and Dove Eye, who also accompanied him to
his camp, several of his best captures, and one
to each warrior who formed the , so that,
after bidding farewell to his red ‘ends, he had
but a score left to continue on to the fort with.

But he was more than re aid for his loss in
horseflesh by still having ephisto and Black
King, as he named the black stallion, and better
still, the scout and three soldiers.

Arriving at the fort, the welcome he received
showed that he need not ex ct much trouble
on account of his duel with ugh Benson, and
upon hearing of his adventures, and knowing
that he had saved four prisoners from torture,
the colonel forgave him the past without a
word, and received for his enerosity Mephisto
as a present, for the youth ew it was a. rest
stretch of military discipline to overloo his
not altogether. ,

Shortly after his return Billy acted as “best
man ’7 to Lieutenant ax, who married Lou
Leonard, and some months followin the Powell
boys and their mother started for e northern

lains to visit White Beaver in his Nebraska
ome.

And thus dro
turous boyhoo
Prince.

the cm'tsin u n the adven-
of Bronco Bi y, the Saddle

TEE END-

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hearts. By . Mason Turner; M. D.
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3 “mingrn'.m' Wh sh Pro ed B
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Claxton ’ p08 y

24 Her Face Was Her Fortune. By Elea-
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25 Only a Schoolmistress; or. Her Untold
26 «siege By Algeui‘Southwwh. h
on as ea ' or alkmg' on t e

Brink. By Colonel Pré’ntiss’Ingrahnm

‘27 Was She a Coquette! or, A
Courtship. By Henrietta’l‘hwckeray.

28 S 1111 Chase; or, The Gambler's Wife. By
.AnuS. Stephens. ,. ' \

.Strange

29 For Her Dear sake; or, Saved From Kim-
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30 The Bou net Girl or A Million 0! M .
By Agile suns. ; ' may

31 A Mad Marriage; or, The Iron Will. By
Mary A. Denison.

32 Mariana, the Prima Donna' or, Roses
an Lilies. By Arabella Southwo .

33 The Three Sisters' or. The Mystery of
Lord Chaliont. By An?» Fleming.

34 A Marriage of Convenience; or,Was
He 3. Count? By Sara Ciaxton.

35 All Against Her; or. The Winthrop Pride.
By Clara Augusta.

36 Sir Archer’s Bride; or. The Queen of His
Heart. By Arabella Southworth.

37 The Country Cousin; or, All is not Gold
that Glitters. By Rose Kennedy.

38 His Own A sin or, Trust Her Not. By
ArabellsSou wort .

39 Flirtation; or A Y Girl‘s GoodName.
By Jacob Amman, (a pa Royal.)

40 Pledged to Marry; or. In Love's Bonds,

By Sara Claxton.

Blind Devotion or Love Am a
41 World. By Alice Flémlng’. m
B atrice the Beautiml- Or'msSeco d

42 fave. B; Arabella Southworth. ”

43 The Baronet’s Secret; orI The Rival Han.
Sisters. By Sara n.

44 The On]! Dsu%ter; 0r, Brother against
Lover. y All eming.

45 Her Hidden Foe; or. Love unloads.
By Arabella Southworth.

46 The Little Heiress; or, Under a cloud.
By Mrs. Mary A. Demson.

47 Because She Loved Him; or. How Will
It End? By Alice Fleming.

48 In Spite of Herself; or,Jeannette’s Repa-
ration. By s. R. Sherwood.

49 His Heart’s Mistress; or Love at First

Sight. By Arabella Southwort . t
50 The Cuban Heiress' or. The. Prisoner o
LsVintresse. Bny-s. NfaryA. Denison,

 

51 Two Young Girls; or, The Bride of an
Ear]. B AliceFleming

52 The W nged Mes nger; or. Risking All
tor a Heart. By Mrs. ary Reed CroWeli.

53 Agnes Hope, the Actress' or. The Ro-
mance of a Ruby Bing. By ilham Mason
Turner M. D.

54 One- Woman’s Heart; or. Saved from the
Street. By George SKKAime.’ _

55 She Did Not Love Him; or, Stoopmgto
Conquer. By-Arsbella Southworth.

56 Love-Mad; or Betrothed Married Divorced
and ——-. B m. Mason Turner, M. D.

5'7 A Brave irl; or, Sunshine at Last. By

Alice Fleming.

58 The Ebon Mask; or, The Mysterious
Guardian Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell.

69 A Widow’s Wiles; or, ABitter Vengeance.
B Each 1 srnhsrdt

y e .

60 Cecil’s Deceit; or. The Diamond Legacy.
By Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton.

61 A Wicked Heart; or, The False and the
True. By Sara Claxton.
62 The Maniac Bride; or, The Dead Secret
. of Hollow Ash Hail. By Margaret Blount. '
63 The Creole Sisters; or The Mysteryof the
Perrys. By Mrs. Anna E. orter.

64 What Jealous¥ Bid; or. The Heir oi
Worsle Grange. y Alice Fleming.

65 The ife’s ecret; or, Twin Cup and
Lip. By 001. Juan Lewis.

66 A Brother’s Sin' or, Flora‘s Forgiveness.
By Rachel Bernhard .

67 Forbidden Bans; or, Alma’s Disguised
Prince. By Arabella Southworth.

68 ‘Weavers and Wen; or, “Love That Hath
Us In His Net." By Miss M. E. Braddon.

69 Camille; or, The Fate of a Coquette. By
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'10 The Two 0r hans. By D’Enery.

71 M}? Young ire. By My Young Wife’s

usband.
72 The Two'WidoWs. , Annie Thomas.
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74 Cecil Castlcmuine’s Gage' or, The Story
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emu.

76 Charlotte Tom le. B Mrs Rowson.

77 Christian Oak e 9!; istake. By the
author of “ John H ' ax, Gentleman, ” etc.

78 M Young Husband; or, A Confusionin
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79 A neon Amongst Women. BV the
an: or of “The Cost of Her Love," “A Gilded
Sin," “Dora Thorne," “From Gloom to Sun-
light," etc.

80 Her Lord and Master.
Marryah

81 Lucy Temple, Sister of Charlotte.

82 A Long Time Ago. By Meta Orred.

83 Playing for High Stakes. By Annie
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84 The Laurel Bush. By the author of
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85 Led Astray. ByOctave Feumet.

86 J anet’s Repentance. By George Eliot.

87 The Romance ota Poor Young Man.
By Octave Feuillet.

88 A Terrible Deed; or, All for Gold. By
Emma 11 Jones.

so A Gilded Sin. By the author or “Dora
Thorn," etc.

By Florence

90 The Author’s Dan hter. B M
Hewitt. g r y m

91 The Jilt. By Charles Reade.

92 Eileen Alanna or the Dawn of the De .
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93 Love’s Victory. By B' L. Faxjeon.

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95 Lettioe Arnold. ByMrs. Marsh.

96 Haunted Hearts or. The Broken Be-
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97 Hugh Melton. By Katharine King.

98 Alice Learmont. By Miss Mulock.

99 Marjorie Bruce’s Lovers. By Mary
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100 Through Fire and Water. By Fred-
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101 Hannah. By Miss Mulock.

102 Peg Wofllngton. By Charles Reade.
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104 Shadows on the Snow. By B. L. Far-

jeon.
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106 From Dreams to Waking. By E

Lynn Linton.
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7

 

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109 Bread-andneheese and Kisses. By
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Reade.

Brother’s Bar or" Within Six
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1 12 A Hero. By Miss Mulock.

1 1 3 Paul and Vir nia. From the Breach of
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114 ’Twas In Traf ar’s Bay.
ter Besant A: James ce.
115  Maid of Killoéna. By was“:
0 . .
118 Betty. ‘By Henry Kingsley. ’ e _
117 The Wayside Cross or, The Bald of

Gomez. By Captain E. A. an.
118 The Vicar of “'akefleld. By Oliver
Goldsmith.

l l 1 The
Weeks

119 Maud Mohan. By Annie Thomas.
120 :htzddeus of Warsaw. By Miss Jane
0 r.

121 3mm King or No-Land. ByB. L Far-
con.

122 Love], the Widower. ByW. M. Thack-
eray. <

123 An Island Pearl.

124 Cousin Phillis. v

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126 When the Sn! Comes ‘Kolne. By
Walter Besant and ames Rice.

127 One of the Family. By James Pay-n.

128 The Birthrlght. By Mrs. Gore.

129 Motherless; or, The Farmer‘s Sweetheart.
By Colonel Prelim Ingraham.

130 Homeless; or, Two Orphan Girls in New
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131 Sister inst Sister; or, The Rivalry cf
Hearts. y Mrs. Mary Reed Crowle

132 Sold for Gold; or, Almost Lost. By Mrs.
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133 Lord Roth’s Sin; or. Betrothed at the
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134 aid He Love Her? By Hartley '1‘. Camp-

By s. L. Farjeon.

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133 Was She His Wife! BylirsMsryReed
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138 Poor ‘Valerlal or, The Broken Troth.
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139 Margaret Graham. By G. 13.3. James.

140 Without Mercy. By Bartley T.Campbell.

141 Honor Bound; or, Sealedto Secrecy. By
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142 Fleeing from Love. By Mrs. Han-let
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144 A Strange Marriage; or, John Foster's
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145 Two Girl’s Lives. By Mrs. Mary Reed
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rate Venture or. For Love's
146 swung??? By Arabella Sou hvorth.

141 The War of Hearts. By (Box-lune Cush-
man. 7

148 Which Was the Woman ‘1 or,
Mia: By E Strangely

149 An Ambitious Girl or. SheWould Be
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150 Love Lord of All; or, In Eu wa AT
LAST. By Alice May Fleming.

151 A Wild Girl; or, Lou‘s Gram By
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152 A Man’s Sacrifice; or, A'r Wm Wm
Ensues. By Harriet Irving.

153 Did She Sin? or A “’8 Damn!
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The Young Land-Lubber; or, Prince Porter’s First Cruise.
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43 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Colonel Prentiss.
Ingrabam.

42

44 The Snow Hunters;

Barry De Forrest.
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