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Saag e rm saver

rie hsgah gaara oa NE NUNO I ee ae —

 

 

   

A WEEKLY. PUBLICATION
DEVOTED TO BORDER HISTORY

 

 

 

Eee Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N.Y. Post Office, by os & SMITH, 2398 William St., VV. Y.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1903, in the Office of the Librarian of hee Washington, D. C.

 

“ No. 108...

NEW YORK, June 6, 1903.

‘Price Five Cents.

 

 

By the author of “BUFFALO BILL.” sop East 18th St. Kansas Cit

 

CHAPTER I.

THE FEUD BETWEEN THEM.

“Great Scott! it is the camp of the Holcomb emigrant
train, and our people are not three miles away.

“A meeting between the two trains means death to
many.

“What shall I‘do, what can I do to prevent bloodshed,
for on the trails each follow they must meet; yes, they

_are bound, as we are, into the Big-Horn country.”

The speaker was a youth of eighteen, well grown for
his age, well formed, and with a-face which well ex-
pressed boldness and determination. |

He was dressed in border garb, had a belt of arms
about his waist, and a rifle slung at his back, while, peep-
ing out of some bushes at the top of a hill, he had a field-
glass in his hand, with which he had just made some im-
portant discovery; one that had blanched his bronzed
cheeks and caused him to speak as we have repeated,
when his eyes had fallen upon a camp in a little valley
not half a mile from where he was under cover.

He stood like one at a loss what to do, for by his glass
he had recognized those in the camp, and who, judging

\

by his words, must be foes to himself and to others
camped not far away.

“Only to think that the Holcomb people should have
come this way!

“Does it mean that, in 1 this new land, the bitter feat
must be kept up as in the past?

“IT do not know just what is best to do, so will return
to camp and talk with father and our guide.”
He took another long look through his glass at the
camp in the valley and saw that there were half a hun-
dred wagons, several ambulances, a few buckboards, and
fully two hundred people, with horses, cattle, anda com-

plete outfit for establishing homes in a new country.

The youth sighed as he looked at them, and then, walk-
ing back through the thicket, came to his horse, a fine ani-
mal, which he mounted, and rode down the hill until he
came to a narrow valley, through which ran a small
stream.

Halting in the stream for his horse to drink, he was
looking down into the water when, suddenly, he heard
hooffalls, and there quickly dashed up a horseman, who
also halted. |

Neither had seen the other, as a clump of willows had

 
 

2 Po Ete eG EO)

hidden theth from view, but now the discovery was made

at the same instant, and more, there was a quick and mu-

tual recognition, the action of both DOW ie that a hostile

encounter might follow.

The newcomer was also well mounted, armed, and clad
in frontier garb, while he, too, was a youth.

About the age of the first youth presented to the vender
he had a dark, handsome face, but one that was unde-
niably sinister and reckless in expression. a

“What ill wind blew you into this country, Ned. Bliss?
for I know you, though you are in Wild West togs, and
I thought you far away,’ satd the one who had just
ridden into the stream, and he‘held a: eo in his hand
as he spoke.

The other had also drawn a weapon, and the two were
not ten paces apart, while the latter replied: .

“I might ask you the same question, Jim Holcomb,
only I happen to know that your father’s camp is over in
the next valley, so suppose you are hunting homes here.”

“As you are. For I know that your camp is not very
far away, and so it means that destiny has led us both
here, and you know the Holcombs are not the ones-to

b uy the hatchet, while you hold one life to your credit. uel
“It was a strange destiny, Jim, that brought our. paths.

gether again, after they had parted, as all hoped and be-
lieved, forever ; but, as it-is so, and. bloodshed must follow,

I have sancti to propose-to-you that. other. lives may.

not he sacrificed: . > 2. oe Res
“What is it, Ned Bliss 3 io i

“As you said, our people hold one life that noe not. ban

ee and so I.offer what I do..

“IT mean that we can end this fend pe -bload. me your.

life or. mine.

“We can make a come a I ae a phage and paper, ;

wiedging ourselves that this vendetta shall end with your

ceath or mine, and urging the a to. be: Ree sated:

r those whom we represent. big ei
“Tf we do this, the feud can end; ‘if not,- then you
s10w what sorrow ahd death-blows: may ey
“Are you willing to do this?” :
“And fight vou here, to-day ?” ne
“Yes, it is the Sabbath day; our respective camps are
resting, and the one who survives can réturm to his people

oid tell of the compact between us, and then send word to.

ur Camp, or mine, as it may be, to come here after the

bedy, and make known the | eae ‘us which

ods the fetid forever.

‘This is what I ask, and as 1 do not believe 20) to De a

coward, I will expect you to agree to my terms.”
“T will do it; but, how can a duel be — between us
without having seconds? ~ ;

“Why not go to the camp and i us have areas to wit-

%

ness ‘the fight?”

Aoirearerte recy
1 SS

BILL STORIES.

“You know that, in that case, your father and mine
would be the ones to meet, not you and I, and their lives
are valuable, while ours are of little or no account.” -

PE eo vou, it ' can be a Pana stand-up Abhi ins
trickery, mind you.” »

“IT am not of that kind; but, let us first write that com-
pact, and then we can ride a hundred vards anet leaving
our rifles at a certain point between us.

“Then we can start toward each other firing’ with our
revolvers until one of us. falls dead, Lor wounding must
not count.”

“Ll am agreed, -

“Now to the compact,” said Jim Holcomb. > —

OMAP E IR
‘THE DEATH COMPACT..

Ned Bliss, the first to replace his vevobver: in ne belt,
rode out of the stream and: dismounted. :
- Jim Holcomb followed his example, and the two staked
out their horses and approached each other. :
As they did so it was noticeable that. they were well
matched’ in -height: and: physique—that both were’ fine
specimens of manly youth, and it seemed strange and
pitiable that they should meet there in that wild land only
to carry out .a-deadly feud that: had- existed ee between
their people.
Taking a little sketch hace half filled with eas
from his saddle pocket, Ned Bliss sat down by a rock, and
with a pencil began to write, Tare as he did so:
» “It I go wrong, tell me, Jim.” :
od will, but i gtiess oF know
was the reply. © ae oe Ce
Then Ned wrote, ina ‘potds hand, in which there was no
tremor, as Toho ea 3 Ny ane

about subat ie write,”

Camp Syectwatee ie
“May toth, ioe

“We, the idee Jim Holcomb and Edward Bliss,
late of ‘Kartsas, having unexpectedly met each other here,
in this wild land, while the people of each are on the way.
to seek new homes i in a new country, hoping never to cross
the path of the ot her i in life, and, being well aware of what
this meeting means to those we love, have hereby agreed
on this spot to offer ourselves. as a‘sacrifice to” forever end
the long, bitter and deadly feud that has existed between ©
our respective families and friends. ;
“To this end we pledge ourselves, and demand that att
others connected with us shall sacrediy keep the pledge
and live by this compact, namely, that the death of one of

us, or both; if so it be, shall. wholly end this vendetta. -
“That the one who survives, if so it be that one does,
shall go to the camp. of the one slain and report what has

been done, and where the body of the other can be found. —

“That, in casé both should meet death here, this paper |
shall be: placed by our rifles — a stick, ane the EoD ae!

Ries

 

 

 
 

|
i .
t

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tHe BUEPALO

must be kept, when found, and the two wagon trains go
separate ways without meeting.
“Witness our signatures.
“Jim Hotcoms,
“In the name of my people.

“EDWARD BLISS,
“Tn the name of my people.”

“That is just what it should be.
“Now, in case both fall, write below the conditions of

the duel,” said Jim Holcomb.
This was also done, and the two youths added their sig-

natures, as seen.

Then this strange compact was put upon a stick, driven

in the ground in the valley, and close at hand were placed
the rifles of each youth.

Their horses were then mounted and a starting point
for each was staked out, a hundred yards from where the
rifles lay and upon either side.

“We will mount here at the center, Jim, ride in a walk
to the turning stake, and when we turn dash toward each
other firing.

“Ts that satisfactory ?”

- Yes, and | yee you to get at your prayers, for T in-
tend to kill you,” was the sneering response.

“Tt would seem like mockery to me to pray when I was
going to kill a fellow-being,” replied NedBliss.

“Ah! you speak of it as though you are sure of your
game, Ned?”

“T certainly do not intend to allow you to kill me if I
can prevent it,” was the response.

“I know you to be a dead shot; I know what you have
done, boy though you are; but I intend to avenge my
brother whom you killed, and that will even matters so

that this infernal feud may ue dropped, unless your father

takes a fancy to avenge you.”

“Does not the ae bind them to obey’ ”

“Tf they keep it.”

“They must, for that is why I agree to this duel.”

“Tf you should a me, why, then oe side will have
two lives against us.’

“Stick to the compact; Jim, for it will prevent many
more deaths, and you certainly do not wish your father
and others to fall in avenging you, any more than I do.”

“No. I guess the compact goes as written, only it will
be very hard for the Holcombs to end with two lives un-
avenged, should I fall.” ,

“Better so than many more, especially as now that all of

us have come to this wild land . will be a very serious

matter.”
a Vhatas-so,
_“T love life fae Jim Holcomb, and

 

“Don’t -your conscience trouble you for killing my_

brother ?” sneered the other. *

 

BILE, STORIES. 3

“You know that I acted entirely in self-defense, for your
brother so confessed before he died.

“But, as I was saying, as dearly as I loved life, if I felt
certain that my death at your hands would end this ven-
detta, I would allow you to kill me, and so let it rest; but.
I believe all will be governed by our death compact.”

“Ah, yes, doubtless; but I shall kill you if I can, and
you'll be a fool to allow me to do so if you can prevent.”

“Are you ready?”

“All ready!’

“Then let us start on our ride. Good-by, Jim, and if
I am the one to fall tell them: that I met my fate as a brave
man would.”

He held out his hand, which the other did not take, and
the two started to ride from the rifles to their respective
starting points to begin the duel. :

CEDAR Ta Hl,
A STRANGER “CHIPS IN.”

 

The valley where the two youths had so strangely met
and entered into their remarkable and deadly compact was
not a very wide one. On one side of it ran the little stream
before referred to.»

Along the brow of the hills upon either side of the vale
grew a fringe of small timber, and halfway between this
and the stream the field for the encounter had been se-
lected.

It was an open space, devoid of tree or rock of large
size; the sward was of a short grass, and the stake on
which fluttered the fateful compact and by which lay the
rifles was distinctly visible for some distance up and down
the depression.

The day was a beautiful! one, full of sunlight and as.
silent as death, a Sabbath stillness which the two youths
meant soon to break with the crack of revolvers as they
sought each other’s life.

At a walk the two horses started for the stakes around
which they were to turn, after which they could dash for-
ward at full speed or at the will of their rider, the re-
volvers being aimed and fired when desired.

Jim Holcomb had a significant expression upon ‘his
face, as he rode away from the center stake. It was both
a sinister smile and look almost malignant.

He drew his revolver before he had gotten ten paces
from the center stake ; then he halted his horse, gazed back.
at his enemy, and the expression on his handsome-featured
face became vicious, tigerishly threatening.

He seemed to have made up his mind to some act whe
would free him from all danger and bring down his
enemy... oe

Quickly he turned his horse, and there rode his unsus-
pecting foe not thirty paces away.

 
   

    

Drawing his horse in line, Jim Holcomb slowly raised
his revolver to take a deliberate aim, resting the weapon
hand upon his left arm as he held it out.

Another moment and he would have pulled the trigger,
but, suddenly, there came in loud, commanding tones:

“Hands up, there, or I'll send a bullet through your
treacherous heart!”

The effect was so startling upon Jim Holcomb that his
finger, resting on the trigger, nervously pulled it, and the
report followed.

But the aim had -been destroyed by the startling com-
mand, and the bullet flees wide of its mark.

At the report Ned Bliss quickly turned in his saddle, for
the words utered had warned and startled him, and he
faced his dishonorable foe.

And he faced the one, too, who had uttered the threat-
ening command.

When Jim Holcomb, in alarm, had pulled the trigger
of his revolver, he, too, had turned to see who had so mys-
teriously appeared upon the scene.and thus had thwarted
him in his oe to murder the youth who had trusted
him

He was the more dismayed to behold a rifle leveled at
him and not a hundred feet from him! |

He then heard, added to the stern command:

“Hands up, if you value your life!”

Ned Bliss was facing him now, and he saw but one way
to escape death, which was to ne, obey the com-
mand,

This he did, his eyes riveted upon the newcomer as he
dropped his revolver and raised his hands above his head.

Ned Bliss could not at first take in the situation; he
could not realize that Jim Holcomb, though a bitter foe,
would attempt to kill him like an assassin.

Gazing at the newcomer after a quick glance at his en-
emy, he saw, as did Jim Holcomb, a man mounted upon a
superb roan horse, that had on a handsome bridle and fine
Mexican saddle.

The animal stood perfectly still, reined back after he
had sprung out of the willows, where, doubtless, the horse-
man had been in concealment while the scene was being
enacted by the two boys.
Pa ne ident a

It was he who now riveted the gaze of the two youths,
as, with a word to his horse, he came slowly toward Hol-
_ eomb, his rifle ready to send a double ree at the Ars sign
of hostility.

He was a man of splendid build, tall, bole. shouldered, 7

and slender, though athletic.

His seat in the saddle was perfect, and his appearance
most striking.

The dress of the stranger was. | ies hunting shirt.

   

THE BUPEALO

PIEL STORIES.

and leggins, large spurs glittered upon his heets, ane a
picturesque slouch hat was upon his head.

But it was the face of the stranger which was most at-
tractive, for, once seen, it never would be forgotten.

Darkly bronzed, and with a long mustache, each feature
was perfect in mold, and each bore its imprint of fearless-
ness and invincible will.

The eyes were large, dark, shaded by long ie and
full of expression, now blazing with anger as es were
bent upon Jim Holcomb,

Nearer and nearer he came, and at last was within easy
pistol range when Jim Holcomb called out:

“You nail him, Ned, and give mea chance, for he means

“10. kill as: both.’

CHAPTER LV.
BUFFALO BILL.

At the words of Jim Holcomb, Buffalo Bill’s rifle again
flew to a level, and in deep tones came the words:

“If you make a move, young man, I send a bullet
through this boy’s heart.”’

vt ae not act, sir, for I do not believe you mean 1 harm
to me,” declared Ned Bliss.

oe the contrary I saved you from this oe s i eieh
ery,

“Don’t believe ha Ned. He is an outlaw and will
down us both, if you do not pull the trigger on him,” cried
Holcomb.

The stranger suited 3 in a peculiar way, but rode up to
Holcomb and took his revolvers from his belt.

Then he threw his lasso coil- a4 him, pinioned his
arms down to his side.

Jim. Holcomb was deadly pale now, and cad reproach:
fully :

“You stand by and allow me to be thus treated, Ned,
for, even though we are foes, we should be together
against a common outlaw.” oS

“Had this gentleman intended to harm you, ey
he would not have acted as he did. |

“T wish to hear what he has to say, for there is some-
thing about this that I do not understand.”

“T will explain ina few words, my young friend.”

“Don't. believe him, Bliss.”

“You can do as you blease when you have Heard my
story.”

Sell”

I do not know about the quarrel between you, only that

there appears to be a deadly one.
“I take it, too, that you belong to a wagon train on the
trail over in the next valley, or you would not be here.
“J have been on that trail, and I camped here for noon,
and had just led my horse in from feeding, and was sad-

 

 

 
 

 

 

DIE

 

ox

 

THE BUFFALO

dling up in the timber here, when I saw you approaching

down the slope of the hill.” |
He nodded toward Ned Bliss as he spoke.

“T was about to hail you while your horse was drinking |
in the stream, when your enemy here came up the valley.

“I waited and saw that there was trouble between you.
IT could not hear all that was said, but | saw and heard

enough to know that: there was bad blood | and you were

going to fight a duel..

‘I waited to see the result, determined to chip in at the
right time, for I am not one to like to witness scenes of
bloodshed, though my life is amid the worst of tragedies.

“The moment you began to ride to your positions I saw
that this young fellow was playing the traitor act, and I
watched him closely, saw him turn in his saddle, glance at
you, and then wheel his horse to fire at your back.

ELE te to take no chances, but to deliberately
murder you,”

“It is a lie, Bliss ! be of course oe do not believe this
fellow.”

The stranger smiled serenely aud Sane

“I was going to ride toward the center post, as you
reached the starting points, but I saw I had to act, and
quickly ; so I brought your traitor pard here to time.”

-Ned Bliss seemed deeply pained by the story told by the
stranger of the act of treachery.

‘He was of too noble a nature himself to believe his en-
emy guilty of such dishonor and cowardice.

But he now felt that it was true, and more, the words

and acting of Holcomb in wishing him to side with him

against the strange horseman had been proof of his guilt.
- He looked hurt and indignant, rather than angry at Jim,
while he offered his hand to the unknown, and said:
“I feel that [ owe you my life, sir, and I can only thank
you for it.

ieee did not believe that Holcomb would be guilty of an.
act so base, rather than risk his life with me, for he comes

of a brave race, and I know his father to be a most honor-

able man, though my enemy, yes, foe enemy of all my kin-

dred and friends.
“T wish I could do more than thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it, my boy, for I have the satisfaction

of having saved life, where, often, it is my duty to take it.
“But will not this quarrel be resumed after I set him

free, for 1 do not, of course, intend to hold him a pris-

oner.’

_._ “No, for after what he has been guilty of, I cannot of

coursé;meet him, though I must hold inyseli feady to face
any ote whom he may send to face me;

“This is a strange affair, it seems to me,’

“It is both strange and euler) sad, sir.’

“Is ita feud between you?”

“That is just what it is, a cruel vendetta, and i been

BILL STORIES. 5

for three generations, for it dates back to early days in

' Kansas, where the fight was between the Free State and

Slavery State people as to which should rule.’

“Ah! I can well understand the situation when you say
that, for I am from Kansas myself, and my family have
been great sufferers through the fight of the two factions
—in fact, my father was killed by the party that.were in
favor of making Kansas a slave State.”

“May I ask your name, sir?”

“William F. Cody, once of Leavenworth, Kansas,”

“If you are William F. Cody of Leavenworth, then you
must be the great scout, guide and Indian fighter whom’
all know as Buffalo Bill, ” said Ned Bliss, with gt eat ear-
nestness.

The answer came in quiet tones:

“Yes, L-am Buffalo Bill.”

CHAPTER V.
THES TORY (OP WA RET:

Even Jim Holcomb looked upon the man before him
now with intense interest, as he heard the .talismanic
name of Buffalo Bill, and knew that he stood in the pres-
ence of a man who had won a famous name upon the
frontier,

As for. Ned oa, he seemed sion awed, yet de-
lighted, and said:

‘“T have never seen you, sir, but oh! how much we have
heard of. you!

“We are not from near Leavenworth, but you may
have heard of what is known as the Holcomb-Bliss ven-
detta.”

“Indeed I have, ane it has bee a cruel one, for many
lives have been lost on each side, as friends and rela-
tives joined in the fight.

“Your .nameis, Bliss, | a it, for you look like a
Southerner.”

VY Ge, Sil. We. are on Alabama, and ay Hither is

. Captain Dean Bliss.”

“I have seen him once, and heard much of hit.

“You were of the slavery faction, therefore on the
other side from me, but from all I have heard, it was the
Holcombs who began this feud against the Bliss family.”

“Yes, sir, for my. grandfather was shot by the father
of this young man, who is Jim Holcomb.

“His death was avenged by my uncle, and this led to
the families who were our kinspeople and friends taking
sides with us, while the others also had a strong follow-
ing, and when they met death was sure to follow the —
meeting. It then became a life for a life, ane even the
boys were brought into the fight.

“So it went on, sir, until the eldest ieoriee of Jim

 
bn

6 T HE BUFFALO

Holcomb here met me on the trail one day, and challenged
ie to fenr bimy

“He had a friend with him, bat I could not back down,
and—I killed him.

“His friend was a square fellow, and told just how it~

happened, and sick of so much bloodshed, father desired
to leave Kansas and come to the Par West to find a new
home.

“The result was that all our kin and friends decided
also come. So we made up a train and with our whole
outfit started for this part of the country under the guid-
ance of Lew Sykes, whom you must know as a ae
guide.”

“I know him, and he could not bring you to a more
beautiful country than he has, if you are strong enough
to hold your own against the Indians, which I take it you
are, from the size of your outfit.” Pe

“You have seen it, then?”

“No, only the trail up the next valley.”

“That is not our trail, sir.’

“Not your trail?’ repeated Buffalo Bill, with surprise.

“No, sir, for our camp is several miles over in this
direction.”

“Then what large wagon outfit is it that was up the
next valley here?”

“The Holcomb train, sir, for I was out on a hunt alone,
and I came upon it and recognized Major Ellis Holcomb
in the camp, and I tell you it was a surprise to me, for iE
did not know that he.had left Kansas.”

“Nor did we know that your accursed gang had left
Kansas,” broke in Jim Holcomb, savagely.

“We were forced by our women folks to leave Kan-
sas, and are on our way to this country to find homes,
and here we are, the Holcombs and Blisses, with all their
outfit camped almost upon the same > trail, and within a
few miles of each other! —

- “That means another fight to the death, for you or
yours can’t escape us, Ned Bliss.”

&

“You won't find that we will try a hard to run
away, though.

“All of us had hoped tele would be an end of killing, |

and as we have met here, if you wish to keep the secret,
T will, and we can go separate ways, Jim, and there end
ié feud in that way.” :

“No! The Holcombs never run from a foe, and as
ovr trails have brought us together again, the vendetta
must go on,” was the hateful remark. .

“No! no! There has been death and sorrow enough,

and we can go our separate ways from our present

‘camps, and so not meet, if you will only keep the secret

as I will,” urged Ned.

_ “I will not,” was the vicious response of the bound
\

BIEL SPFORIES;

P00

boy, and his face showed a malignant satisfaction in the

story he had to tell.

“Jim Holcomb, you know that those of my name are
not cowards—that we have never turned our back against
odds; but, what except evil and sorrow has this vendetta
caused, and I beg of you to consider before you act.

“You and I alone know the secret that a strange fate
has brought us together in this almost pathless wilder-
ness; for this a will not tell what he has dis-
cored, I feel sure.’

“T will not,” answered Buffalo Bill, heal

“See! we can keep the secret; your train can go on its

way, I will see that our trail will go far from yours, and.

that they shall not meet again.”

“No!” bravely exclaimed Jim.

“Think of your mother, of whom I had thought ‘of
with sorrow when I killed your brother.

“You have a sister, too, and she will suffer, while there
are many near-and dear to you, all of whom must face the
bitter blows that are sure to fall should your party and
mine meet.

“Think of all there is to lose and nothing to gain except
revenge, while you, Jim, may be one of the first to go
under.

“No!no! Keep the soe and do not let the two out-
fits meet, I beg of you.’ ae

“Bah! don’t talk like a woman, for meet now they
‘must !”

“They shall not ee came in the stern tones of
Buffalo Bill, and there was a fierce light in his eyes as
he turned them upon Jim Holcomb and uttered the words.

 

CHAPTER VI.
BUFFALO BILL’S WINNING HAND.

In his hatred for Bliss Jim had almost forgotten than

Buffalo Bill was present; but the words of the scout re-

called” him promptly to the fact of his presence, and he

fairly started at the utterance.
But Jim was ever ready for the ‘

“T should like to know what business you have to chip
in, if you are the great Buffalo Bill, the. terror.”

“T believe I have been called a terror by evil-doers, and

look upon you as a very tough character you will
a that I will act with you as I do with other criminals.”
“Criminals!” almost shrieked the youth.
“Yes, a criminal of the most despicable kind, for you
would now be an assassin, had I not interfered. You

are too much of a coward to face an honorable foe, and

so you sought to shoot him in the back.” -
“You shall answer for this, some day, Buffalo Bill.”
“Tf you were a man I would answer now, and thus pro~

‘game of bluff,” and
he tried it on with Buffalo Bill by saying, eee.

 

 

 
 

 

TAR BUPPALO

tect myself from a snake in the grass, a ruffian who would
shoot in the back; but I say right now, if you- dare tell
your people that their foes have, by a most remarkable
coincidence, come also to this country, and are now en-
camped half a dozen miles from them, I will.go to your
camp and make known your cowardly act to kill this boy.

“I know that your father is no man to tolerate an
assassin, even if his son is that man; and the people who

are with him would denounce you, too, so now give me
your oath that you will say nothing of: this meeting, or
that you know of the others having come to this region;
otherwise I will take you to camp, bound as you are, and
tell the whole story of your cowardice and treachery.

“What do you say? Speak quickly, for if 1 make up
my mind to take you, I will not relent for all the promises

ve can make at the last moment.”

| The scout was thoroughly in earnest, as Jim Holcomb

fally realized.

He knew well that his father oe. be the ae one to
‘turn against him for his dastardly attempt, for outside of
the feud, the clan had no stain against.their name.

He knew that his mother, his sister, and -all others
would regard him in the light that. the scout. did, as a
coward who had acted: the part of a traitor..

“Although I don’t admit your charge against me, sir,
[see that I am notin a position to assert myself, so I
must yield,” said he.

"That means that you will keep the secret of the pres-
ence in this country of the outfit to which this youth be-
ian ?” asked the ao ei ee
“TD will,. but—
“But whate?.
oe still le N a Rie and ee deadly eee
“Ah, yes; I can well understand that he wants noth-
ing to do with one of your kind,” sternly replied Buffalo
Bill, and the youth flinched under the aspersion.
.. But Ned. Bliss, wishing to smooth matters over, and
“gontent with. the victory won by the scout, said:
“T thank you, Jim, for. your promise, for ‘it will pre-
vent ‘untold sorrow for my people and yours not to know
that they have come to the same country to find enemies.’
“They will find it.out in some other way.” _
Toy, will not, unless you are the tale bearer, for I
all see to it that you do not settle within many a long
ee of each other,” averred the scout.
“T have said that I would not tell.”
“Will you swear it? I must demand your oath, for I
am suspicious of the mere promise of one who will stab in
"the back,”
_. Again the unfortunate cout flushed under the scout’s
ode
“Now, sir, do: you es your Baan neh by all you
hold dear on earth, and your hope of a. hereafter, that you,

 

BILL STORIES. se

will not betray the secret that the Bliss outfit is in te
country, or De left Kansas?”

doy wes,” was the sullen response.

“It is well; and let me suggest that should you de
otherwise you will find me hot on your trail, for the in-
nocent shall not suffer through your hatred i this: ae

“Now, I will go with you to your camp.”

“For what purpose?”

“I am a government officer, and my duty takes mé
there, for one reason, while another is to see that you are
guided to a desirable place to settle, for I know this coun-
try well i

Charli Vit

Te PCOUT. ON HIS GUARD.

The scout at once set the youth. free, and handed hin
his revolver he had dropped upon the ground, as well as
his. rifle.

‘The paper written bad aed he fone fon ‘the stake
and put in his pocket, though Jim Holcomb. wanted At.
while Ned Bliss told. him-to. keep it, if he so thought
proper. ae

“I intend to do just that... It is a proof of the dre}

agreed upon, and which I broke in upon—for reasons,”
answered Buffalo Bill.

“T will see you some time in ‘the future, my young

friend: and now let me suggest that you tell Lew Sykes,

your guide, that you met me upon a scout, and I advised
him to take you to the Valley of the Sweetwater toward:
Fort Le
Cl will sins
“You will find good lands there for. planting and graz-
ing, excellent water, and be within easy ride of the fort
ar did is heeded. e
“Yes, sir; and I hope we will see you in our new home
some time, for you will be most welcome.” oF
“Thank you. Ill look in upon you some time, for I
scout this country from the Platte River to the Yellow-
stone.
““Good-by, and ae CON YOU. | :
The scout and the boy warmly clasped hands, and then
Ned started off toward his camp, Buffalo Bull calling out:
“You seem to be a good plainsman to find your way.”
“Oh, yes; 1 am a Kansas boy, you know,” was the an- |
swer...
Then Ned called to ‘he scout bad Vee back toward him
to whisper: “Watch Jim as you would a snake since he
can be so treacherous as he was toward me.’
“T will keep an eye on him, never fear.”
“But he is armed, as you are, and ae are alone, you :
know.”

 
g : THE BUFFALO

“Ves, I’ll be on my guard. Good-by!” and Buffalo Bill

rejoined Jim, who remarked:

- “Some plot against me, I sdppose

No, only a word of warning.”

- The two youths had not spoken at parting, and as Hol-
comb and the scout looked back they saw Ned disappear
from sight.

“Well, scout, I don’t just recall the trail to camp, sO
as you know the country so well lead the way and I will
follow,” said Holcomb, as he and Buffalo Bill rode along
side by side. .

The scout smiled in a peculiar way and responded:

‘Pard, I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” «

“What do you mean?”

_ * Simply that I always keep a madman and a coward.

where I can keep my eye upon him.”
“Do yott mean that you are afraid of me?” sneered Jim
Holcomb, while his face paled.

“Yes, have it so, if it pleases you, for I have ia pot
of what you can. do behind the back of one who trusts

you. We'll stick together, boy pard.”
“Afraid of a boy?”

a boy.”
“We'll stick closer than brothers, so make no cg
young fellow.” - :

So the two rode ee side. iy Sale, down by the bide
_of the stream, which led through a narrow and rocky pass -

at the foot of the valley.
This pass led into a plain, and thence re the valley

in which the Holcomb party had encamped over Sunday.

Across this plain Buffalo Bill had been following the
trail of the wagon train, where he had seen the tracks of
Holcomb’s horse and followed them through the pass and
along the fringe of timber until he had come upon the
scene which had so nearly ended fatally for Ned.

As the scout had gone to the stream to allow his horse
to drink, his return to the pass, accompanied by the youth,

had been along the winding brook, thus taking him a>

much longer way than directly through the timber, in

which Ned Bliss had ae after paring oo the

other two.

The trail rheoney the pass was aaa, ind on the side of
a slope, while it was so narrow that the scout found it
difficult to ride by the side of the youth.

Finding that they must go single file, the scout peoded :

that he must force the- youth to go ahead.
“Boy pard, you take Ae lead here, ue Se
“T don’t know the way.”

“The trail is plain enough, though narrow, and it will.

only be for a hundred yards through this rocky pass. Go

“No, of a gun, for I know their danger in the hands of.

“he when he certainly had the drop on me,”
“pectedly from the scout, whom Jn Holcomb had believed
to be badly hurt. :
2 Ate you hurt, Mr, oor en a out. Ned from the

cliff.

_BILL SPORIES.

eae I say! i oad as he spoke Buffalo Bill’s horse slipped
on the now very steep hillside, lost his footing completely,
and then rolled coe the hill, with his eae

 

CHAPTER. V1iJ.
‘THE BOY RESCUER,

The cry that burst from the lips of Jim Fioleah at the
downfall of Buffalo Bill’s horse was loud, exultant and
full of hatred.

- He was. upon treacherous Poe Te so moved his
own horse to a safer spot, and then dismounted, erasping..
his rifle as he did so.

What his intention was his face tore it was so full
of malignant determination to be avenged upon the scout..

The noble sorrel had appeared to fall heavily, and to
the youth it looked as though he had rolled over his rider,
dragging him with him the fifty feet down the steep slope
to the stréam that sped like a millrace through the. rocks
just there. |

Seeking a spot where he could see Cody and his ao
both prostrate, the revengeful youth called out:

“Now, Buffalo Bill, it is my time!” +

With the words he was bringing his rifle around, Lan

suddenly, as though from the clouds, came the command:
“Drop that gun, Jim Holcomb, and be quick about it!”
The intended assassin was fairly terror-stricken.

dele could not have brought the rifle to his shoulder to.

save his life, at that moment.
He stood like one with palsy, Ee from head to
TOOT. 7 -

His face was as pallid? as a corpse, and his eyes were -
_ slowly raised until they rested upon the one who had

checkmated him in his murderous intention.
He beheld Ned Bliss.
rock the youth was aiming directly at him.

The weapon was ready to fire, the finger upon the

trigger.
Fifty feet above him, upon the cliff, protected bye the

rock in his front, Ned held his enemy wholly at his mercy._

“Ha, young pard, you have taken him off my foe

“A little, and shaken up cnpeiderabhy- but I'll soon pull
myself together, while you keep your gun on that imp.’

“Tl kill him if he moves,” was the emphatic response.

There Jim Holcomb stood, white-faced and Coa

and seemed to be dazed.

Buffalo Bill was lying by the side of his horse, the ani-

‘mal having obeyed: his master’s command not to rise, for,

With his rifle resting over a

came tunex- ~

 

f

 

 

 
 

 

THE BUFFALO

the scout saw that he must hold him as a barrier for his
expected duel with Holcomb.

He had’ dropped his rifle in his fall, but fad his re-
volver in his belt.

When the horse had rolled over him, fortunately the

‘scout’s form had been in a crevice of the rocks, and thus
escaped being crushed or injured.

From there on the two had slipped down the steep slope
to the edge of the stream.

The horse had been skinned on one side, but was not
much the worse for his fall, while Buffalo Bill’s head
was slightly cut, the skin torn off of one hand, his clothes
disarranged and he was shaken up considerably.

Rising from the slope, Buffalo Bill called to his horse
to get up, and was delighted td see that the animal was
not much the worse for his tumble.

._ The rifle lay near, where it had slipped down the slope,
and, picking it up, Buffalo Bill bathed his face and wounds
in the brook, and did as-much for the scratches on his
horse, and then he led the roan down the rough bank to

the end of the pass. ces

Here he left him and returned to the scene of his fall.

There stood Jim Holcomb, yet pallid and the picture al-
most of despair. —

On the cliff was his boy foe, ae him still with his
rifle. ne

“Well, my young imp of hades, you overreached your-
self that time, thanks to my boy pard, yonder,” the scout
remarked.

The youth made no reply.

“You were quick to take ae ay my fall, but not
antl enough; you should have caught me on the fly as I
was going down. Your intention was to kill me, and I
owe it to Pard Ned up there that I am not toes up now.

“YI trouble you for those weapons, for children must

not be trusted with dangerous toys.

Be a give them to you when we get in sight of your

camp.”

tone?
“Are you going to tell on me Te
“No, PH let you off once more.”

“Thank you, oh, thank you, Sir 1’ and the youth bright-

ened up. .
“I spare you for the sale of others, not yourself, ” was
the stern n rejoinder of Buffalo ‘Bill.

 

CHAPTER IX...
‘NED'S DEADLY ATM. =
.Turning from the youth at his side, Buffalo Bill ‘called

ut to Ned Bliss, who still kept his place upon the cliff,
his rifle ready:

The scout then disarmed the ae who asked in a faint

BILL STORTES. 9

“Ho, young pard! How was it you happened to be up
there to help me just when I was in such sad need of it?”
“T hardly know, sir, only I had a dread of some danger
threatening you, and I rode along the ridge to see how far
f Aca see you on your way. ee
“T left my horse and had just reached the cliff, where I
could see out on the plain, when I saw your horse fall,
and the act of Jim Holcomb to kill you, so I chipped in.”
“Good! and quickly canceled the favor you owed me.
“Well, my lad, we'll meet again some day, when I can
tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me.
“Now we'll patt again, and as I have clipped this young
tiger’s claws he'll be no longer dangerdus.
“Good-by, once more, and remember that I am_ your
friend tor lie.”

“I feel proud, sir, to have the friendship of Buffalo
Bill,” and waving his hand Ned Duncan turned away:
But he took another position and from the cliff watched
the scout make Holcomb mount his horse, which he led
along the treacherous trail to aS his own animal was
waiting.
There the scout also mounted, after swinging the weap-
ons of the youth to his own saddle horn, and the two rode
away side by side,
' “Jim is not dangerous now,” muttered Ned, and hay-
ing watched the two until they reached the broad wagon
trail, he turned and walked back along the ridge until he
came to his own horse, which he mounted and rode bacix
the way he had come. wee Hote
A mile back along the ridge he came to an easy descent
into. a valley on his right, and in which, several miles
away, were. visible the ascending columns of smoke from

a dozen camp-fires.

It was the camp of the Bliss wagon train, and the emi-
grants were building fires to cook the ee meal, forit:.
was hearing sunset. i

Returning by the same . trail had come, Ned Bliss
was. entering a heavy piece of timber when he heard a

“wild ery not far from him. ¢

He recognized it as the shriek of a horse in agony, for

he had heard the same cry several times before in his life —

on the frontier, and spurring forward he came upon an
animal struggling madly along, a young girl in the sad-

_dle, while an enormous mountain lion clung to the hind’ ~

quarters of the poor brute with claws and teeth. — -
Another instant and the savage brute would have

dragged down the plunging animal, but reining his: horse ~

back on his. haunches, Ned threw his rifle to his shoulder,

_and the flash and report followed.

Right between the eyes struck the leaden messenger,

. and the huge lion-fell in,a heap upon the ground, just as

the young girl slipped from the saddle and dropping upon

 
 

her kfiees thus remained, the whole | scene forming a thrill-

ing picture. . ny ee
In an instant Ned had leaped from his home. caught the

trembling, terrified animal that had been in the clutches, of

the lion, and was bleeding freely from the wounds of
claws and teeth, wae he Ppp soothingly to quiet its
fright.

“The girl watched the youth ¢ as he examined the wounds
and did what he could to stanch the flow of blood, and
rising from her knees she came toward him in a timid
manner and silently held out her hand, her lips quivering
and her eyes full of tears.

She was a girl of fifteen, with beau#ful. Dee and a fore

of rare grace, her riding habit and slouch hat being par-.

ticularly becoming to her.

The youth appeared not to see the ware cetched hand? as
he busied himself with her horse, and said:

“If you will come I will lead him back to the stream
yonder, and check the bleeding.” a

“T will eladly come; but will Ly, not take a hand,
Ned Bliss ?”

“Do you offer it merely because you think you owe me
your life, Miss Hilda : ee

“T offer it because I do owe you my life, for you have.

saved me us a fearful death , but also t to >) show you that
[ forgive you.”

“You mean for killing your brother Ralph: a said the

youth, with a voice that was low and pathetic.
“Yes, you were not the one to blame—lI forgive you.”

rs hank you, , tor as s his sister you have much to for-

give.

“Come.”

He led her horse toward the brook he had crossed a few
hundred yards back, and she followed, leading his.

She watched him as he bathed the wounds until they.

stopped bleeding, and then she asked, timidly:

“Why dot find you here, Ned, for L Henght you were
in Kansas.

“Your seeing me here must be a iotae: between us s two
—you must promise that.” Q
“You surely are not here to-

peed

 

<1 know. what you think—that Le am here ie kill some ©

one of your people. : ae
“No! oh, no, no! I am not a dee cue I came
West with a party and have strayed from camp.
“Why are you so far from your camp, alone ?”

“I came out with my brother, but turned back, lost my

way, and saw the smoke of our camp over. yonder and
was going to it when the lion attacked me.”

“That is not your camp, but I will guide you to your
people,” was the reply.

#

HAC a ee io) THE BUFFALO BInL STORIES. —

CHAPTER X.

BACK TO. THE CAMP.

‘The girl ee him squarely in ‘the eyes now, and cua ie

“No, Ned Bliss, you must not go to our camp, for even

ae what you pans done for me there are those there who :
— would kill you.” ce
“I will not go nearer: than to. ee you the way, for :

remember, you are not to tell of this meeting, only report
that you were attacked by the lion and oe :

"You mean it?” Pa aie

“T do, most certainly. Vou must promise me.”

OE walk

‘Then let me aid you ie mount, fe night will be Hen

soon, and your horse will not be able to more than ao you
there, I fear, for it is several miles to your camp.”

He raised her pene) to the saddle, and then led the ae
‘at a canter. b
He saw that the novenees oF the hoe caused they

wounds to bleed airesh, oS not as before, and he
quickened his pace. a

Just as darkness fell he came to ite He ee a few ©

of the camp-fires were plainly seen, and then said: —

“Now it is but a quarter of a mile to your camp; you

see the fires and hear the dogs barking, so I will let you
go on alone, but will wait to see that a arrive nares
“Good-by, Miss Hilda.” 2

“Good-by, Ned, and remember, I ae never r forget that

99

 

I owe you my life, and—and.

She held out: her hand am: silence. Hewilany ae i
it, and without a word the two so strangely met parted—
he watching her until she ee in the aga
_ gloom. ee
After a. brief time. ‘ye Vea a ayaee in a man’s voice, -
then an answer in the clear tones of the girl, whose words.

Ned could distinctly hear, and- he knew she meant he
should hear, for she called out:

“T am safe! I got lost, and

He heard no more, for.a loud cheer went up from all
the camp. .

Phen the brave boy rode back toward his | own _ camp,

 

arriving: there just as the cuide, Lew Sykes, was s about to O

start out with others in search of him.

“It’s a bad country ter be lost in, boy pard, and I was :
_ gittin’ anxious about yer, though I does know you is a
first-class plainsmian,” was Lew’s greeting.

“IT wasn't lost, Lew, only detained by a pa arty I met.”

“You met somebody in these lone diggin’s, young |

feller: asked the ‘ouide in amazement.

“Sh! I don’t wish it known save to you. Vl tell you
about it when I have had my supper, for I am as ‘hungry yo

as a mountain lion, and I have had reason. in the last
couple of hours to know just how pee an ee ‘of

4 that kind can be.”

 

 

 

 
 

  

THE BUFFALO

“Boy pard, you’ve had a lively time I’m thinkin’, and

I not with yer as I had oughter been.

“That’s what I gets for playin’ lazy and lyin’ round
camp listenin’ ter Sunday Psalm singin’ an’ sich when I
sh’u’d hev been scoutin’ ’round.

“Git yer suppery fer Vl look out after yer hoss, and
then we'll git out of earshot and have a powwow.”

Lew Sykes had taken a great fancy to the brave lad,

and had much to teach him in “‘plains’ ways,” in the time
they had been Ee and found that he hada very apt
pupil.
- As Kansas at that time was on the ee co Ned
Bliss from early boyhood had been’ amid Wild West
scenes, and with the feud existing between the Blisses and
Holcombs, he had become matured beyond his years.

Acknowledged to be the deadliest shot and best horse-
man among his mates, he was also a bright fellow

naturally, fond of books, had a taste for sketching, and .

- was no mean performer upon the violin and guitar, while
he could sing a song in a most creditable manner.

He was a hero among his comrades, as he had brought
down big game, buffalo, deer, bear and wolves in a great
number; and then, too, he had a record which he shrank
from in having killed Ralph Holcomb, the elder brother
of Jim. Likewise, he had come out best in more than one
scrimmage with outlaws and stock thieves.

He ate supper at his tent, his mother having kept it
warm for him, and the while he was very thoughtful,
though hungry. .

The meal over he made a detue to escape the evening
Sunday service in camp, and went to look up Lew Sykes.

He soon found:him, and as men, women and children
were all at the gathering about the camp-fire, singing
Psalms, it was not likely the two would be interrupted in
their talk, especially as the cide led the way to a ee
some distance ae

 

CHAPTER XI.
THE SCOUT AND THE KID.

“You've got something to chin to me, boy pard, that I
sees very plain,” said the guide as the two sat down upon
a rock in an open space near where the horses of out-
fit were feeding. ;

Lew Sykes was a bronzed-faced man of large size, with
a full beard and long hair, while he had the catlike move-
ments of an Indian. ~

He was dressed in buckskin, wore moccasins, and a very
wide-brimmed sfouch hat.

That he was a man of nerve and self-confidence a glance
into his fine, honest face revealed.

He had been a pathfinder westward for years, and was

‘mown as a man to be relied upon.

 

 

BILL “STORIES. : 1

Some said he had learned the country hunting for gold,
but whatever had been his means he still clung to guiding,
and was much sought after and well paid for his services.

“I have got something to tell you, Lew.
“You know Buffalo Bill, I have heard you say?” said
Ned. | nae Lo

“Know him? Well, I do, and I’m proud of his ac-
quaintance, for a better man that Buffalo Bill don’t live.

“Has you seen him, for it’s likely, as he’s now chief of
scouts at Fetterman, and ie liable to be scouting ‘round |
here?”

“Yes, I met him to-day.”

“Lordy, why warn’t I with yer, for it does me good ter
meet Chief-Cody.

“Why didn’t he come to camp with you, or was he upon
a secret trail ?”

“Lew, I’ve got to let you into a secret.”

“Say it quick.”

“I want your promise to keep it a secret.”

“Thar’s my grip on it I will,” and the guide wrung
Ned’s hand until he winced, for he had a grip of iron.

“You have heard that we moved from Kansas on ac-
count of a fatal feud we had there?’

i hase

“You know, too, that we did not run away from our foes
from fear, but from a duty the older heads determined to
show toward the women and children.”

“Them that knows this Bliss outhit must pass if they is
lookin’ fer cowards among ’em.’

‘Well, the others are also fearless; but unfortunately
they recently decided to leave Kansas, as we did, and what
is more they are now camped over Sunday not many miles
from here, and were on a trail to ie them to the country
we are heading for.”

“The dickens yer say, kid!

“Why that are a cryin’ shame.”

“Now for our people to meet that outfit would mean a
deadly es :

Sure”

“They have one of their people to avenge
_ “Yes, the one you kilt.”

“Yes, and they would attack us.’

“Sartin.”

“For us to settle anywhere within a couple of days’
journey of each other would mean discovery sooner or
later, and bring on another feud out here in a lawless
country.” :

“That’s so.’

“Now I discovered their camp to-day, and faa
recognized who they were pois they saw me. _

oo lt pulled out... oe

“Big head you’ve got, my Kansas kid.” 8

“Later, I met Buffalo Bill, and we had a long talle to-

\

33

 

  
 

  

THE BUFFALO

gether, for when he let me know who he was 1 knew I
could trust him and told him what I am now telling you.’

“ie’s the man ter give you a good talk as ter what
were best.”’

“That is what he did do, for he said he would go to the.

other camp and guide them upon the head waters of the
Sweetwater, which he told me was a lively country; while
I was to tell you to guide us up to a fine country within a
day’s ride of Fort Fetterman, which he said you knew
Welle.

“TI do, and there you go to settle, though I was pushing
for the Sweetwater country ; but Buffalo Bill knows best;
and his say goes with me.

“T am glad to hear you say this, Pard Low

“Don’t mention it.”

“I feel now that we won’t meet the Holcombs.”

“Yer don’t want ter; but ain’t they got a guide : iv

“Yes, aman by the name of Jerome Scott.’

“T know him, and I don’t take much stock in him.

“Yer see he were under a cloud from havin’ lived among
ther Shoshone redskins and had an Injun wife.

“Tf he ain’t tricky, then I’m mistaken.”

“Buffalo Bill said he also knew him.”

“That settles it then, fer the outfit goes whar Buffalo
Bill guides it.

“Strange we didn’t know them folks was so near along
with us, and all come from Kansas, too.”

“They have kept farther off than you or any of us
have strayed.’ it

“That’s. so.’

“But what more did Buffalo Bill say 2”

“We had quite a talk together, and I was glad to be
with him, for he is so calm in manner, so brave- -looking,
and he gives you confidence in him at a glance,”’ and Ned
was very careful not to betray by a slip of the tongue that
he had met Jim Holcomb, and what had followed that
meeting.

The ‘affair must be kept a secret,

After a short pause in the conversation, Ned said:

“Now, Pard Lew, I’ve got something else to tell you.”

“Out with it, kid.”

“T have met one of the Holcomb outfit to-day.’

“Then the jig’s up!” was Lew Sykes’ vehement reply.

 

CHAPTER XII. |
THE GUIDESS SPOR vs

Ned smiled at the vehemence of Lew Sykes, the guide,
in feeling that all was up, if he had met one of the other.
party, and replied:

‘No, Lew, it was a woman.’

“So much the worse, fer a woman has got ter tell all
she knows, onless it. is agin’ herself, and then she’s as
silent as moonrise.”

“TI tell you about it, Lew.
_ “Tt was the sister of Ralph Holcomb, whom I killed.”

“That settles it, fer women is more revengeful than men
is, when they gits on ther rampage.”

The youth smiled at the criticisms my the guide about +
the fair sex, and said:

“You must a had a ae experience, Pard Lew, with
wornen.’

Ae the man’s manner changed: and no longer

tf!

f

   
 
   

BILL, (STORIES, :

pack saddle on a third, and started after the: lion.

   

talkin in the prewar dialect. of the border, he said.
Aercelysi ai. ey

rk have, boy, I hae
“A woman was my ruin, and drove me to what I am,

“Why, I was born a gentleman, rich, was educated and

expected to hold an honorable position in life.

“But when I was your age I fell int love, like a fool,
with a she devil in the guise of an angel.

‘She was after my money, was my senior © by a couple of
years, was engaged to another man whom she loved, and
the plot, was to have her marry me and her lover kill me
on the way home from the wedding.

“She, as my wife, would inherit. my fortune, which I
was, by a certain clause in the. will, to get when I was

eighteen.

“But his rifle snapped, as he had me covered, and seiz-
ing a revolver I always carried in the carriage, I fired upon
him just as he pulled trigger a second time. —

“Boy, my shot brought him down, and his shot pierced
the heart of the woman, my wife.

“He was not dead, but dying, and driven to despair by
remorse, he confessed all,

“I had them buried side by side, then I became ill, and
for months lay between life and death.

“Recovering, | went to Europe, but I hated men and
women, and wishing solitude returned to the United
States via Eastern lands, and crossing the continent halted
in the Wild West.

“Here I have been ever since, and my house.in Mary-_
land is closed, my estate in an agent’s hands, and here I
remain and am content with my life.

“Now you know my story.”

Not a word of consolation did Ned offer, but he silently
pressed the hand of the guide.

That meant more than words. :

Then, as though he had not heard the strange outburst a
of the cuide, he continued :

“This girl left her camp for a ride, got lost, saw the
smoke of our fires and thought i it was aque encampment,
so came this way.

“As she entered some timber a ae ‘mountain lion
sprang upon her horse, and fortunately I was near and
shot him.

“She recognized me as I did her, and I took her to
within a short distance of her camp and left her. :

“She knows what would follow the discovery of our

people near her own, and gladly will she keep the secret,

merely reporting that she escaped the brite after he had
severely wounded her horse.

“But I want that mountain lion’s skin, Pard Lew, for
I never shot one of these animals before, and he’s a dandy
in size, I.can tell you.”

“We'll saddle up and go after him, far ther skin 16
wuth havin’, said the guide in his quiet way once more. —

“All right, we can get away while they are all singing ;
but do you know, Pard Lew, I saw Indian signs to-day.”

CV er aa | f

“Ves, several trails.”

“All ‘right. As this is a good camp, [ll wage ask yer
father ter halt here another day and let me scout around
a bit, while we keep a good watch to-night.” :

The guide and Ned then saddled two horses, put as

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

THE BUFFALO

Ned made no mistake in leading the way there, and an
hour after the huge beast was in camp and all the people
gathered around it and praising the youth for his deadly
aim. ‘

“Right atween ther eyes, he got him, yer see.
““Bew dead-shots c’'u’d do that and a life at stake,
the guide, admiringly.

Then he called the ‘‘Captain’—as he called Mr. Bliss,
who was the leader of the party—to one side, and told
him that it was best to remain encamped where they were
for another day, as he had reason to fear Indians were
about, and also he had concluded that it would be best to
lead the train to another part of the country, within call
of Fort Fetterman, and where they would, be even better
located than in their first choice which he had told them of.

Captain Bliss always yielded to his guide; in whom he
had implicit confidence, and so the people were told an-
other day’s rest would be given them.

Guards were then stationed, and sleeping upon their
arms the train people retired for the night, Ned lying
awake to think over the strange happenings of the day
in which he had played so important a part.

ie ee

CHAPTER XIE,
GUARDING AGAINST TREACHERY.

When Buffalo Bill rode on with Jim Holcomb, who
might really be called his prisoner, he had little to say to
him at first.

But the youth was determined that the scout should
have his side of the story of the feud, and know his per-
sonal opinion of all the Bliss outfit.

So he ran on from one thing to another, making the

Blisses the blackest of the black, and lauding the Hol-

combs up to the skies.

Buffalo Bill took it all in, and often knew from his own
‘personal knowledge that the boy was dodging the truth
to a very alarming extent.

He made out that the death of iis brother Ralph at the
hands of Ned Bliss had been a deliberate murder, and in
every affair of the fatal kind the Holcombs had been
right,.the others wrong. —

PAL last Buffalo Bill said in his dry way:

“T of course belonged to the Free State party, and my
father was killed by the Slavery party, but truth and jus-
tice are not to be denied, and though my sympathy is with
your people in politics, I am confident that they have been
in the wrong in this whole feud, for I know more about
this matter than you think, being from Kansas myself,
and I have jotted down as you were talking a number of
statements that can be branded as lies, young fellow.

“But we will not quarrel, for it must go in camp that
we are supposed friends.”

“You'll never be my friend.”

“No, not after what I know of you; but you are under
an oath to ime, cand I'll see that you keep it, or I'll tell just
what you are.’

“And do you ae my father will be governed b you,
in making a home for his people, when he has a euide in
whom he has thorough confidence?” sneered Holcomb.

“I know that he will. for I have proof of who I am, and

BILL STORIES. © 13
more, I have not the confidence in your guide that you |
have.”

“Tf 5 you cane your life you had better not pick a quarrel
with Jerome Scott.

“THe is no man to fool with, or back down even from
you, Buffalo Bill,”

«So I have heard.

“But I know my duty and shall do it,” replied the scout.

“IT will be pleased to see you tackle Jerome Scott.”

‘More pleased doubtless than he will be; but I] am just
off of a scout to the northwest, and I have made discov-
eries that I shall place before your father, Major Hol-
comb, who is an old army officer, | have heard, and, as
the leader of the outfit, must be made aware of what is
before him.

“How far off is your camp?”

“Tf you expect to turn my father against Jerome Scott,
his trusted guide, you will be mistaken.”

‘‘T asked you how far off your camp is from here?”

“About half a mile, [take it.”

“Then I will hand your weapons over; but let me warn
you right now, that if you attempt any trickery with me,
[ll shoot you dead in your tracks, for you are no more to
be trusted than a coyote, I have found.”

The face of the youth paled at this thr eat, and he said,
somewhat warmly :

“You have my pledge, Mr. Cody, that I would not be-’
tray the secret of that Bliss kid, and I have no idea of
getting into trouble with you when we reach camp.”

“I have only warned you that my father has confidence
in his guide, and justly so, and you cannot shake that con-
fidence, and had better not try.”

“I shall do no more than my duty,” calmly rejoined the
scout, and goon after he halted, took the belt of arms
hanging to his saddle horn, and handed it to the youth.

Jim Holcomb buckled the belt about his waist, as though
glad to get his weapons back again, and held out his hand
for the rite.

This Buffalo Bill handed to him, the muzzle oe
him.

By a quick, but seemingly unintentional movement, the
youth threw the gun across his saddle, the muzzle toward
the scout.

Buffalo Bill’s quick eye detected this act, and, ee
his hand firmly upon the shoulder of the youth, while he
drew both horses to a halt, he said in a tone not to be mis-
taken:

“Sling that rifle behind your back, sir!

It was done in very great haste.

The boy knew that he had been detected, ond oo was
cowed by the burning gaze the scout turned upon him. —

It had been in his mind, as the scout read, to kill Buf-
falo Bill, and riding on to camp say that it was an acci-
dent.

On their way then they went. The camp soon came
into view, and ‘there was a shout from the people as the
two rode up, for Jim Holcomb was popular with many
there, and then some of the emigrants recognized the great
scout, having met him in Kansas.

With well-feigned pleasure, Jim called out: .

i met Buffalo Bill on the trail, and brought him back
to camp with me.”

}?

 
 

td THE BUFFALO

CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE FTLOLCOMB CAMP.

A loud cheer greeted the words of Jim Holcomb, tat
he had brought back with him the great scout, Buffalo
Bill, and those who had. known him in Kansas crowded
around to grasp his hand.

The horses were led away by the negro cook of Major
Holcomb, and the youth conducted the scout to the quar-
ters of his father.

That gentleman had been taking an. afternoon nap, but
quickly advanced to meet the scout.

He was a tall, soldierly looking man of fifty-five, with a
stern, sad face, and courtly manners.

“T have heard much of.you, Mr. Cody, and assure you
I am delighted to meet you now, for we have many mutual
friends in the army, for I am an ex-officer, you know, re-
signing years ago on account of my family and friends
getting into trouble in Kansas, which you may have
heard, of)’

“Yes, Major Holcomb, I know much of the feud, and
regret that it existed.

“T also know of your gallant record in the army, and,
as you say, we have many friends and interests in com-
mon.’

“You are stationed at Fort F Henin) I bee and.
are chief of scouts?”

“Yes, sir, and am just now on a scout, but, meeting
your son, accompanied him to camp, for i was on your
trail, wishing to see who was pushing so Lee up into
this country.”

“I am glad that you have come, but we have a most
competent guide, and he is taking us to a land flowing
with milk and honey, to judge from his description.

“You may know him, Mr. Cody, for his name is Jerome
Scott.’

“I know much of him, sir, and have met hin

“Did you get him in Kansas ?”

“Yes, he was there on a visit, and we were fortunate to
secure his services.’

“Ts he now in camp, Major Holcomb?”

“No, he went off on-a scout at daylight this morning,

for we rest on the Sabbath day, you know, and said he

would not return until in the night.
“He seemed anxious to have a lookout well ahead.”
“He is wise, sir; you have given up your homes in ot
sas, then?’
“Ves, altogether,”’ and the major speke sadly.
After a moment he added:

“You must know, Cody, that the vendetta was a feud

that must end, and ‘should have ended long before.

VOU understand, for I know how your family suffered, —

how brother turned against brother in the Kansas war,
-and how many death scenes followed.
“Where the blame lies for the beginning we will not

discuss, for we of this generation were not the guilty

ones, but those who went before.

“Still, the feud was begun and cruellly kept up, and
many a gallant life was sacrificed upon each side.

\ “Those of my name were tke greatest sufferers, and

my father, my brothers, and my eldest son have fallen
victims,

“To remain in Kansas was for the red work to continue,

BILL STORIES.

rowing mother says it,’

seat of noble boys to follow, or imprisonment to be the
end, perhaps death on the gallows.

“So I decided to act for the good of all.

“No man could call me a coward with justice, so I took
the move, arranged our plans satisfactorily to all, worked
secretly, and when all were ready we pulled out one night
on our march out to this country.

“Fortunately, I met with Jerome Scott, and here we
ater
~*T left the Bliss clan behind, and the deh of my son
Ralph, and one other unavenged; but so let it-be, for here

we will forget the bitter past, and live hopeful in the

future.”

Buffalo Bill had listened with deep interest to all the
strong man had said.

His wife was there, and tears rolled\down her eee

- His son sat there, and upon his young, sinister face.

“was a sneer.
The father saw it, and said: 7
“In my son Jim here, I had strong opposition to leaving.
“He was devoted to his brother Ralph, and wished to

avenge him, especially as his slayer was a youth about
his own age; but, poor boy, he was not the one to blame,

as my son had forced the duel upon him.

“He is a fine fellow, I have heard, and though Ralph’s
blood is upon his hands, he acted only i in self-defense, and,
to be just, I cannot wish that his fate may be the same.’

“No, poor Ralph was the one to blame, though a sor-
sadly remarked Mrs. Holcomb.

Buffalo Bill cast a quick glance at Jim, but his head
was turned, and he would not meet the scout’s eye.

Buffalo. Bill wondered that their son was such as he
was.

_So the time passed on until evening came, andthe
scout had his supper with the major and his wife, for he

had said that he wished to have a talk with re later,

and he decided to have Jim Holcomb present.
Then for the first time it was recalled that Hilda Hol-

comb had gone with her brother in the morning, ane he

was asked where she was. —

_ “Why, Hilda soon left me to return to camp,” was ‘the
startling reply, and at once the whole camp was a scene
. excitement.

 

CHAPTER XV.
HILDA’ S RETURN...

Buffalo Bill at once sprang to his feet at the eiihnc

intelligence that Hilda had not been seen) since she left
the camp in the morning with her brother.
He gazed out into the darkness, and his sympathy went

out to the poor girl who must then be wandering i

in the wilds, perhaps was even then dead.

“Where did you part with your sister, sir?” he asked,
with a sternness that was called up by his knowledge. of
Jim Holcomb, and he bent his piercing eyes upon oe
youth,

“Several. miles fron camp, sir, ee she said she would :

return.”
f “And why: 999

“Well, she got angry ale me because I shot a fawn, —

and said she would go no Se es
“When was this?” ge

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

THE BUFFALO

“Shortly before noon.’ Ces ae
“And you allowed her to return alone?” = > >
“She said she could follow the trail back again.’ —

- “T-consider your act criminal,’ was the angry rejoinder
of Buffalo Bill, and the. major and his wife had the same
thought,

Then Buffalo Bill said:

‘Major Holcomb, it is a forlorn hape to foe ie tes
to-night, but I will start at once, with three men you
select to accompany me, and this young man must: guide

us to the spot where he parted company with his sister.

“From there; at the first glimpse of light, we wil start
upon her trail. ‘

This proposition of the scout was elet with the
warmest thanks, and preparations for the start were being
made when a shout came from the further end of the
camp, and the voice of Hilda Holcomb was heard.

The shouts that then went up on all sides told how
elad all were of the return of the girl, whom. all loved
most dearly, and who was known.as the “An wel of the
Outht,”’ for. ‘the kind deeds of Hilda had been felt by all.

A few moments after the young. girl rode up-to her
father’s tent, and the bright camp-fire light fell i i ueg

her wounded and blood-stained horse.
“Oh, my child!

“What. have you not suffered 2 2” cried Mrs. oe
as she drew Hilda to her arms.

- Buffalo Bill had at once stepped to the eine Vere:
and a glance showed him what had happened, for he said:

“A mountain lion has attacked her, and how she ee

‘caped, Heaven only knows.

“Ves, that gentleman is tight, for a mountain lion
sprang upon’ poor ‘Birdwing and nearly dragged him
down ;

lost my “way.
“Don’t let me talk of it, for I can tell no more.’

Mrs. Holcomb led her into the tent, but the girl has

and asked, addressing the scout:
Will Birdwing live, sir?” Dek
“T will do what eT can, miss, to save him,”
Jim Holcomb had taken the saddle off the horse, and
under it he had found a large white silk handkerchief,
folded as a pad to keep the saddle | from ue ie a deep
cut from the lion’s claw. ©

He regarded the handkerchief in a strange way, wrung

the water out of it, and thrust it into his pocket.

In the meantime Buffalo Bill had called for a ynedie.

and thread, and quickly sewed. the. gaping wounds up,

after which: he bathed them with arnica™ a cae

them with adhesive plaster. : ete
The horse was then given a good niece down, a warm
mash, and blanketed, and the scout said:
~"T believe he will come around all right.”

Hilda had been given her supper, and seemed to fae

recovered her usual spirits, but she did not wish to

speak of her terrible adventure, and no one questioned

her further Upon. the ‘Subject, Seeing ee it was Hoe!
to her. Me

But Hilda was not anxious to ‘say more ee ile chad to.

She saw that Buffalo Bill, to whom she had been
presented by her father, had his own ideas of her escape

but 1 got away, | got away—that is all T can tell
you, save that I missed the trail after leaving: Jim, and

was the reply.

BILL STORIES. | i are 15
from the mountain lion, nd ie least she said about the
affair the better.

She did not know what to say and not rey the secret
of who had been ‘her rescuer.

The scout, without ore to do $0, regarded eee
closely.

‘Ais: own: experience: -with the savage beasts known as
the “Monarch of the’ Mountains” told him that Hilda
Holcomb had not escaped unaided upon the back of her
horse, wounding him as he had with claws and teeth.

With a brute of such’ weight orens to him a horse
would be dragged down:

And yet a weak girl had escaped, and alter, her horse
had certainly been> ‘terribly hurt.’

All the rest in camp saw Hilda’s Hors | as she aished
them to, that the lion had sprung upon the back of Bird-
wing, had been thrown off, and the fleet ania had sped
on and saved-his fair rider. -

But Buffalo Bill saw it ee reatty, ley that it was a
very strange story, and wondered how Hilda had found
her way to ae at a ee she oe not do so by ©
day.

And another ke doutedd her og but he had a
good reason for doing so—a large silk handkerchief, in
the: center of which was embroidered in red’ letters the
name of ee Bliss.”

 

| CHAPTER AV.

THE TELLTALE HANDKERCHIEF.

“While the party sat about the tent of Maj jor Holcomb,
Hilda saw that her brother was nervously glancing at her
and anxious to speak to her:

He gave her signal after signal that he wished her to
leave the circle, and at last she did so.

She went to the tent occupied by her mother and her-
self, and thither Jim Holcomb soon came also.

His face was pale, and a fierce’ light gleamed in his
eyes, as he sat down upon one. of the two seats in the very
comfortable tent.

“What is it, Jim, for you have been making more sigus
than a signal station the last halt hour?” she said, /some-
what petulantly.

“T wished to speak to you alone.” |
“Well, here I am: and there you are.’

“Don’t be so uppish.”

“T suppose you wished to ask my pardon for deserting
me this morning as you did, and which’ so nearly ended
in my ‘meeting ‘a horrible death ?”’

“No, you got angry because T shot a fawn, and said
you could find your way back to camp.”
And here Doan

mee, Slsht Ob ten hours after leaving me;

“What have you to say to me, Jim, for I was enjoying
the conversation of that dashing, handsome scout, Buffalo
Bill, of whom I have heard so “mitch,

“Isn't he just splendid : Pa ee

“TE despis® hin) > we

“No: doubt, for 1 believe you were’ lost, and he had
to guide 3 you to canip.’ 2

“Tt ig a lie.

“T’met him, and he came along at my invitations?

“Because you didn’t know the way?”

 
 

  

16 ae BUFFALO
“Curse it, no!

“Why are you always picking at me, Hilda?’
a am not.

“T was once as meek as that poor little fawn you killed, |

until [ saw that you were riding over me rough -shod,
and then I asserted myself.

~ “T love you, brother, but I do not admire your Wen
nical mantier with mother and myself; yes, and with all
who will allow you to be so, and I, for one, will no longer
submit to it. :

“Now, what is it you yeh in ive. me come here,
for I desire to go back to father’ S tent and listen ‘to ‘Mr.
Cody talk.’

' “T wish to ask you a question.”

“Won't to-morrow do: ie
i “No. 3? :

“What is it, then?!

“Where have you been all day? my

“Lost in this wilderness.”

“Had you no motive in leaving me this morning ?”
SONaG) 3?

“What was it?”

“To get rid of your temper and ill- faiuied company.”
“Nothing else?”

“Veo 2)

“What?”

“Lo retuga to eanip,”

“Why did you not do so?”

Ve ain mete
“Wray did you not return this morning ?”

“T lost my way.’

“Or had an appointment.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you not ride out with me to purposely leave me

and return alone, that you might meet some one?”. -.
“Whom could 'T meet?” ae
“The one you did.”
“Ugh! the mountain lion? —

‘Don’t refer to that brute, or ite faint, a and Hilda»

’ shivered. .
“Tt was not only the mountain lion that you met, Hilda.”
The girl started, and her face paled..
What did her brother know?
He had only come into camp late.
The scout had seemed to doubt her story, ce felt sure.
Had her brother and the scout discovered the secret
she was to keep? —

With these thoughts flashing i in Her ind ‘Hilda decided
to go slow and make no admissions.
She knew her brother’s savage temper, afd she felt

how revengeful he was Ges Ned Bliss,
So she said:

“Will you please a me what ee are driving at, Jim? Bey

“You know.” .

“How should 1?”

“You met some one to-day.”

“I.met the monarch of he mountains, yes, and or
Birdwing will never forget it any more than I will.”

vou had an appointment to meet some one alee?

“Jim Holcomb, it is false, and you know it.

“There is not a man, or boy, either, that I would feck
in this camp without the sanction of By father or eG
and you. know. I-am not deceitiul. .

Tea

 

BILL, STORIES.

“Don't be a fool, as well as a tyrant, brother.”
“It was to meet one not from this camp you went Tid-
ing this morning.”
‘That is also false!” was the ine ean reply, and then,
with a laugh, she added:
“Now, ‘you must be losing your mind, for who on
earth could I meet in a howling wilderness: ie
“Our worst foe, one whom “T shall one day kill, to
avenge poor Ralph, that young imp of satan, Ned Bliss,”
savagely hissed the youth.
“Brother Jim, I will call father to you, for you accuse
me of going out to meet the slayer of my brother, one

~whom you know we left Kansas to avoid.

“Have you lost your mind, gone mad?”
-“¥ou know, as well as I do, that the Bliss gang are not

fat away, that they ran away from Kansas because they ©

were afraid of us, and as il luck would have it, have come
to settle in this country.”

“Do you know this?”

ooh do. 9

“Does father, or any one elon |

“No, no one but you.’

“And why do you say that I know?”

“You could not have escaped alone from that moun-

tain lion, and some one aided you.”
“Wee 1: 55) :
erat some one was none other than Ned Bliss, Ralphs

© assassin.’
“For shame! you know he was no assassin, im, what :
. y
~ ever he may have done.”

“You met him to-day.”

“What proof have you of this?” oa

“This silk handkerchief pane his name.’
“Ah! let me see it ?”
“T will not.
“But it is proof that you met Ned Bliss to- o-day.”

 

- CHAPTER XVII.
A SECRET STILL. |

Hilda felt that she was cornered.

Her pledge to Ned Bliss to keep secret the presence of
his party there would be of no avail.

Her brother knew of the proximity of the Bliss party
to their own camp.

At last, feeling herself at bay, the young girl deter-
mined to tell nothing she did not have to, and at the same

time to try and find out all that her brother knew.
The production of the handkerchief stunned hee
She recalled that. Ned Bliss had taken it from about

‘his neck, and bathed the wotrma’ of the horse with it, and’

then had folded up and placed it over the bad cut under
the edge of the saddle, intending to take it out when she

_ got near camp..

This he had forgotten to do.
The handkerchief had betrayed - the ee

“Where did you get that handkerchief, brother ” asked
- Hilda, in the most casual manner.
“Under your saddle, where he put it with | an pee

humanity, to show off his tender heart to you, when his.
hands are stained with the blood of poor. Ralph.”

“Did he tell you all this was his motive re

“No, but I knew it.”

‘

-
SESE

 

   
      

   

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BUFFALO

“Mind reader, eh?”
- “T wish to know where you met him.”

“T will tell you.” L

~“T want the whole truth.”

“Jim Holcomb, do not judge me from your standpoint,
if [-am your sister.

“I would scorn to lie, or to do an act I knew to be
dishonorable or mean.” :

“Tell me where you met Ned Bliss, the brute.”

“The slayer of Brother Ralph, yes, but who has can-
celed that act by saving my life.” |

“No romancing now for effect.”

“You have seen Birdwing. ‘

“You have said that I could not have escaped unaided
from the mountain lion.” eG’

pes. knew ity ee

“Then I tell you that Ned Bliss saved me.”

opal a

“You do not believe me.”

“Some one else did.” s

“Tt is some one else now; but I'll tell you that I was
lost, through your act, because you know that you rode

v away from me and told me to go back to camp alone.
“I did not tell this to father and mother, but you know |

that if I had been killed my life would have been on your
Head ei. oo u
“That I did not go to meet any one you have proof of,
as you left me alone, hid from me, and called to me to
hurry back on the trail, or the wolves would eat me.
“Hunting for you, I lost our trail out, and so I wan-

_ dered all the afternoon.

“I at last saw some smoke a long way off, and felt sure
it came from our camp. © ee

“While riding in that direction the lion sprang upon
Birdwine's; backs.) Ee

“The poor creature plunged forward, and’ I tried to
shoot the beast with my revelver, but each cap snapped
—TI had not loaded the weapon, but.I have learned a les-
son and will know better next time.

“I saw that my horse was failing, that he would soon.

be dragged down, and my end follow. :
“Oh, God, Jim! the horror of that moment. .

_. “But a foe was near to save me. .

“T heard a sharp report, and a bullet sank into th
lion’s brain.
_ “Ned Bliss had given a life in return for the one he had
‘taken, for he it was. “ eo

“He came up, and the recognition was startling and
mutual. : ‘i a ae

“It was the camp of his people toward which I had
been riding. Ae ee

“They, too, had fled from the ppalling doom of the

, Vendetta to this wild land.

“He came with me to within sight of our camp-fires,
after he had done all he could for poor Birdwing.
“He wished me to keep secret that he had rescued me,
and so let no one know in our camp that their hated foes,
the Bliss people, were near ‘ oF nee
“He said that our paths would divide if no one knew.

‘6

you found that handkerchief,”
| Did he tell you?

%

 

‘Now you have all the story I have to tell; but L.
know that you were aware that Ned Bliss was near ere

BILL STORIES. | 17

“Not a word, but you betrayed yourself.
“Now, Brother Jim, shall you tell this secret, or will
you keep silent and thus lét no more lives be taken? —
_“T beg you, by all you love in this world, or hold sacred,
not to tell this secret, for death will follow the knowledge,
and upon your head will rest the responsibility.”
“Don’t preach, for I will not tell the secret. di
“I did see Ned Bliss this morning, and we agreed to
remain silent about our meeting.”
“Thank God! but father is calling you,”
He arose quickly and left the tent. _ ey
He had left the handkerchief; it caught Hilda’s eyes as
it lay upon the cot, and in an instant she had seized and
hidden it.
But the compact of silence was to be kept, for her
brother had told her so, and she was happy. .

4

 

CHAPTER XVIIL
DENOUNCED.

Major Holcomb had called his son, as the scout said it
was getting late; and he wished to have the talk he had
referred to some time before with Jim and his father.

The people in camp had been passing the evening in
religious services and singing, and one by one they-had
gone to their canvas quarters for the night.

Jim approached at his father’s call, and Mrs. Holcomb -
bade the scout good-night, and went to her own tent,

’ where Hilda awaited her.

But the latter ran over to say good-night to Buffalo Bill
and her father. oe :
As she turned to her brother she whispered:
“Remember, the secret must be kept, or on your head
be the Tesalees '
* “T’m no fool,” was the ill-natured reply, but Hilda did
not of course understand all that the remark implied, not
knowing that Jim was under Buffalo Bill’s eye, and dared

not betray what heso longed to do.

When alone in the tent, Major Holcomb and the scout
lighted their pipes and took easy camp-chairs, while Jim,
looking ill at ease and pale, sat on one of the cots-in the
shadow. eo

“Well, Cody, I must say that I have much to thank
you for, besides a very pleasant evening.

“You are to sleep in the tent here with us, you know,
for my son and | have it in common.” ,

“No, thank you, major; I will spread my blankets near
my horse. I have a very comfortable outfit, and you
know I am nine nights in ten with the skies only as a
roof.
“But I wish to ask you about your guide?’

“Yes,-a fine fellow. . aries

“We had two, but one died, and he too was a good
fellow.” ee

“What was the matter with him?” oe

“T don’t know; but he acted as though he had been pois-
oned by some wild fruit he had eaten, and died suddenly.” -
“What was his name?” ee a

“Dicky Denny.” :

“T knew him, and he was a fine fellow.”

“Where was Jerome Scott?”
“He was with him, and nursed him like a brother.
“It was a severe blow to him.”

 
18 A THE BUFFALO

“You say, sir, that you have every confidence in
Jerome ?”’ i ae er ek

“T have, indeed.’ ;

“Has he been ahead of the train much of late, sir! eh

“Only the last few days.

“He seemed to be very cautious not to be led into A
trap, for this is the country in which to. look for Indians,
you know, Cody.”

“Yes, sir, I know.

“And it is the country to shun tinless you Whole. know
your guide, for, large as yout party is, if-led into an
ambush, a ‘few hundred Indians could soon destroy you.”

“True,
told, and a few boys and a number of the women who
know how to use firearms well. My wife and daughter,
tor instance.

* Why; give us-any notice: of cae, and we can build

a fort, and have provisions to stand a two months’ siege.’
“Yes, sir, but, led into an ambush, and half of your

people. would fall at. the first fire, your cattle would be
stampeded, and the whole outfit destr oyed, for the people
of the Mountain Meadow Massacre were just. so mapped,
-and they had a-larger force than you.

“You draw a doleful picture, Cody.” :

“I draw. a true one that might be, ee.

“Come, you have some motive in this, o twice you

spoke of our being led into an ambush.”

“Major Holcomb, you are right.

“I have a motive, and though you will not like what
I say, perhaps, I can only stake my name and reputa-

tion against that of the one | accuse, and let yon Be the:

judge.”

know all I love and hold dear is here ?”

“Yes. gir, and therefore I shall speak, and more, 1 hold

myself responsible for my words.”
“Spealt out, for: God's sake 6 en
“T told you, ‘sir, that 1 a not like not trast ae aide.”
oWihy, ‘Cody 3 ” nt Nee
mit 1s) true, sir.’ :
“Come, come; Cody, ate you going to let some prej dice

you may have against poor Jerome. ‘Seott cause you to:

make me believe he is other than he should be.”’-

“Has he reported to you of late that you are moving

right upon a large band in waiting for you?”
No, but can such be the: taser: :
“it is, as I happen to know.’

“Well, well, he is out shone now, and he. will doubtless

sO report wher he comes in to- night. fe
Buffalo Bill smiled in a significant aay
'“You-do: not believe that he will?”
“T know that he will not. o
“Wait and see. Bs Raat
But now tell me what discovery you: five made,

"Vou know: I told you q “Was on a scout ? A ie ere

asad

“oe Give been ahead. af you all ait al ound a fone of
five hundred Shoshone braves camped in the Sunshine
Pass, where half as many warriors in hiding Ghia wipe
out.a whole regiment of-soldiers:*-

“They did not see me, and came > down the valley to”

the left of this one.
“I was crossing this valley on my way to the fort,

 

But [I have seventy-seven fighting men, all:

“In heaven’s name, ia a you mean,. Cody, for you

BILL DLORIES:

when ib came. upon your trail, and was following it t when
I met your son.

“T wished to see what wagon train was trailing 4 this
way, and to warn you of danger.”

“But my guide, Cody?”

“He has lived for years among the Indians, has a squaw
wife, the sister of the head chief, and is believ ed by the
scouts and soldiers to be a renegade.

“"T; for one, Major Holcomb, denounce him as a trai-
tor to his race, and I shall ee him so to. be.

CHAPTER XIX.
. a EE GUIDE.

‘There was no doubting the words of bee Bill fa
tie denunciation of. Jerome Scott, the guide of the Hel-

_ comb. train.

He meant just what he said, and Major Holcomb
looked aghast at the direct charge of infamy.

Jim Holcomb glanced at his father, and, seeing that he
was really impressed by the” scout’s charge, said, in a
meaning tone :

Viter haps you could guide the train in safety, eow
Cody Ae es .

of am here’ to G SO.” : SS as
“That puts poor Page out of a job, ae | you into his |
shoes.” te

“Myson!” said the major sen wittt Buffalo |
ee the youth squarely in the face, replied ee

“I pardon -you, young man, as vou are ignorant and
have much to ‘learn, or you would never accuse a goverh-
ment officer a seeking Day from oe ie a i legitimate
source.
~My ‘duty is sto protect the settlers i in: rihis eountry. from
just such renegades .as is Jerome Scott.

“I know that Indians are ambushed in your path, and
[ll stake my life that your guide has gone where they
are to have them know of your coming.

“T shall await his return to-night, boldly accuse him of.
treachery, and make him prisoner, while I guide your
train, Major Holcomb, to a most delightful valley in which
to settle, ‘and where you will be within call of Fort z
should the occasion demand aid.”

“I thank you, Cody, and you must pardon
headed boy, for he does not know you as f do,” . a
major. : “

“We are destined to become better acquainted, sir,

    
 

    
   

and
the boy flinched under the words, for he understood them
as they were meant by the scout. _

“Father, will you allow poor Jerome. to be arrested in

this way?” “urged Jim Holcomb, hotly.

ViMit Cody: a6 he says, 18 a government officer, and. |
he has: to shoulder the responsibility of his act if he AS
wrong.’ He

“And T will.’

“But how do we know that this is Buffalo Bill?” :

“You forget, my son, that there are a score of people |
in camp who know him personally.”

“They do not know that he is still in the service, for
he may have: been discharged, and there imay be cee in :
what he-does.”” TE ea i a ee

“Jim!” said the major, sternly. ee SO eee 8

“lam surprised at vou!

 

 

 

 
THE ‘BUFFALO

“Keep silence, sir!”

“T do not mind him, sir,” said Buffalo Bill, calmly.

““T will say no more, but, father, ae are making a grave
mistake.

“7 will leave you.”

“One moment, sir!”

Buffalo Bill placed himself squarely before the youth,
and said, sternly:

“Major Holcomb, this young man is making a mistake,
for he intends to warn Jerome Scott of my presence here,
and that will give him a chance to escape.”

“Tf you dare do such a thing as that, Jim, son of mine
though xou be, I wilt banish you from our midst.

“I do not believe in the guilt of Jerome, but I krfow
Cody, and he makes a charge he must substantiate, or
_ take the consequences; but we have too much at stake
_ not to be governed by him, and he shall have his way.”

“I thank you, sir.

“It will save your people from destruction, mark my
words, for Jerome is leading you into an ambush.

“But it is late, and I will go to my blankets, only the
©" guide must not know of my presence here, and in the

' morning I will arrest him.”

_. Again declining the invitation ef the major to share
his tent, and urging him not to allow his son to warn
- the cuide, Buffalo Bill walked over to, where his horse
- was staked out, got his camping outfit from his saddle,
and, spreading his blankets, was soon fast asleep.

In the meantime, there was\an angry scene between
father and son, before they retired; but at last the lamp
was put out in the tent, and both appeared to be soon
wrapped in deep. slumber.

But after a few minutes a form arose from one 08;
crept out of the tent, and, pulling on his boots outside,
© walked quietly through the camp toward a group of
wagons.

: mu Flere lie oe a guard, seid asked biter if the cree had
returned): ”
: “Not yet,” said the man on watch, half-asleep, and not

_ even knowing who had spoken to him.

Gong over to the spot where the horses were staked
out, the youth, for he it was, began. to look about for
the animal belonging to the guide.

As he did so a horseman rode up..

His horse carried his head low, and seemed to have
been hard ridden.

“Ho, guide, is that you?” asked the yout
Aee ‘who is you?”

“Tim Holcomb.”

“Oh, got you on guard, has they ?’ 2”

z ‘No, I came here to meet you upon your return.”
Well, here I is; but ain’t there no guard over ther
horses 2

FL haven't seen any.” .

_“What’s up, young pari? eS

_ “T want to have a talk with oot so come to the edge
of the timber.”

: . “Anything gone wrong?”

F “Do you know Buffalo Bill?”

 

 

 

   
   
  
  
  
  
  

 

“Does I know him?’ and the guide started at the

¢ : qtiestion, and glanced quickly about, as fous expecting
| to see the scout appear before him,

   

 

BILL STORIES.

CHAPTER XX.
MISSING.

The oa was a man of large stature, hee Sion
dered, and with a full-bearded face and long, bushy hair.

His rifle was slung at his back, and he carried three
revolvers and a long knife in his belt.

Jim Holcomb could, not but see that he had been.
startled by hearing the name of Buffalo Bill. a :

“What do you know of him, guide?” asked the youth.

“I ain’t, friendly with him, so I has little ter say in
his favor.

“He are plucky, oh, yes, but he’s too good for this
earth, and kinder thinks all other men is sinners _ thet

Vein like him.”

“Is he an officer at the fort ?”

“He's: chief of scouts,”

“Do you go often to the fort?”

“When I is out of provisions; but why oe yeu ask
me about Buffalo Bill, pard?”

Oe just wanted to know about him.”

“Well, it’s little good Pll tell yer of him, for we don’t
git along tergether.”

“Has he wronged you in any way ¢.

“He have said things about’ me i don’t like.”

“Where have you been to-day?” “<=

“A long way ahead, on the trail.”

“Did you see any Indians ?”

“Nary redskin.”

“Then we have nothing to fear on: them?”

NEO:

“They is all up in Big Horn country, and ee ain’t
a redskin in a hundred miles of us.”

“TI am glad to hear that; but then father has deciaed to
take another trail.”

“Take. another trail ?” quickly asked the guide. :

“Yes, he wishes to branch off and seek a alee he
has been posting himself about.”

“What does he know about this kentry ? He must not
be a fool, yer pa mus’n’t, for I knows whar ter take yer.”

“He ate to go up into the Sunshine Valley some-
where.”

J bles nee off... He kin only go ther way I takes He,
and after we git through Sunshine Pass, if he don’t like
thet country, why, I kin show him other valleys ter set-_
tle in; but I’m sartin he’ll never go, once he seen ther lay
of ther land beyond Sunshine Pass.” a

“So I think, and I’m anxious to. vet settled ; but, let
me tell you something, for ’'m your friend, Scott, and I
don’t want to see you get into trouble.”

“Who is it thet is goin’ ter git me inter trouble?”

“I asked you if you knew Buffalo Bill ?” e

“Yas. Has any word from ther forts cume ter camp i >
asked the guide, quickly. os

“Not exactly, but Buffalo Bill is here.”

The guide’s start at this information could not be hid-

| den, and he echoed, in evident trepidation:

“Buffalo Bill here—in this cainp?”

“Yes, right here, in this camp. He came late this after-
noon.’ a

“Alone?”

“Yes: or, tather, he returned we me, for I met hoe -
while I was. scouting about.”

“What did he come fer!

 
 

 
 

ge THE BUFFALO

“He saw our trail, and was following it when I met
him.”

Vie he seen yer pa: 2

“OR, y

“Had: a an with him: a

“Wes, 8 lone one

“Of course, he lit inter me, i thats his style ter
slander a man behind his back.”

“He did not think we were just blessed in having you
as a guide.”

“I thought so.’

“Tt is from what he told father of a better place to set-
tle in that the trail is to lead in another direction.”

“Cuss thet Buffalo Bill!

“I might hey know’d it.”

“He gave you a black eye, Pard Seotty.”

i Whar is he?"

“Somewhere near asleep.”

“Does yer kriow jist whar?’

“No, but don’t look for him to-night. .

“He will look you up in the morning, and I only wanted
to warn you, so you would know what to expect, for he
really did make a very cruel accusation against you, Pard
Scott.”

“Well, I. thank yer, young pard, and you won't find

Jerome Scott fergit one who has been his friend.”
“I know that, Scotty, and I have some little work in

hand for the future I wish you to me with.”

“What is it?”

“T can’t tell you now, but I had more trouble to-day.’’

“UN 6: 39

“Yes: but I'll go back to my bed now, for I wouldn't
have anybody know I was out for a great deal.

“Good-night.”’

The guide stepped forward and held out his hand,
and, grasping it, Jim Holcomb turned away and returned
to his tent.

Jerome Scott watched his departure, then tutned, and
saw not far away upon the ground an object lying.

“Why, it’s the guard, and he’s asleep,” said the guide,

as he walked rapidly to where he had left his saddle and -

bridle.

It was now midnight, the curds were changed, and the
catnip was as quiet as the grave. _

Just at dawn Buffalo Bill arose and went in search of
the guide.

He had come in, he was told, during the neki but

_nowhere could he be found, and a thorough search of the
_ camp revealed the fact that Jerome Scott, the guide, was

rnissing.

 

CHAPTER XXII.” :
IN. PURSUIT.

The whole camp was astir, as soon as it was reported
that Jerome Scott had returned, but could not be found.
There were other things to tell, too, for his horse was
there, well tired out, yet his saddle and bridle were gone.
And more, the major’s favorite horse was. missing,
along with two more of the finest animals in the outfit.
Nor was this all, for there were people who missed
certain things, a roll of fine new blankets had been taken
from a wagon, two pack saddles had disappeared, and

 

BILL STORIES.

half a dozen fine rifles, twice as many ‘revolvers, and a
large quantity of ammunition.

Provisions also had disappeared, and one settler re-
ported seeing the guide leading two pack horses heavily
laden.

The guard who was put over the horses at midnight
said that Jerome Scott told him he had orders to go on
ahead with supplies, and find a good halting place.

Some new axes, several hatchets, and a bolt of canvas
had also disappeared, until it was known that the guide
had escaped, and with him had gone much of value.

Major Holcomb was astounded and deeply pained.

The departure of the guide showed that Buffalo Bill
had been right; but who had been the one to give the
guide a warning of what he might expect if he stayed
in camp to meet Buffalo Bill.

This Major Holcomb was determined to find out.

= ou need look only here, sir, for your son gave that
warning,” said the scout.

“Mr. Cody, I think this unkind, wee what i =
last night,” returned the major. ha

"Ask him, sit?’ : 7

The ‘youth was sent for, and asked who had warned’
the guide. oe MM |

He did not know. rs

“Pardon me one minute, major,” and Buffalo Bil
walked quickly away from the tent. weg

   

He soon returned, accompanied by a settler, _whom hy

the scout asked:
Were you guarding the horses last night?”
pes, Sir):
“Major Holcomb, you have oo in ae man?”
pi ericct..”
“Yell: what happened last “tb as you told me.’
“I am sorry, major, to give you pain, but it need

go no further than right here.”

“What have you to say, Mr. Morse?”

“IT suffered with cramps last night when on duty, but,
not caring to rouse. any one to take my place, I lay down
in the timber, and there came to a spot near me your

son and Jerome Scott:

“I thought they saw me, and I heard what they said.”

_ What was said, Mr. Morse?”

“Jim told the guide that Buffalo Bill was in camp,
and meant to make some cheer against him this morn-
ing.

“T soon after was relieved a Dan Bennett, LHe we .
to my~camp.’ :

“Thank you, Mr. Morse, and I am going: ‘o ask you
not to speak of this to others.”’

Clavie not, str. ros

“It is true that Chief of Scouts Cody has charged —
that Jerome is a traitor and was leading us into an aim-
bush, and his having fled from camp, and shown him- |
self a thief, also, is proof that the scout here is right, “
and knew his man.

“You, Jim, have warned the treacherous guide, who
would have betrayed us, and thus enabled him to eseape,
get his redskin band, and attack us.’

“I see my great wrong now, sir; but I could not be-

  

lieve Jerome guilty, and only wished to place him on

his guard, that was all,” and the youth dared not meet

the eyes of Buffalo’ Bill, that sought his own.

 
THE BUFFALO.

The scout then proposed that he should take half a
dozen of the men having the best horses, and pursue the
eulde, the train to come on to a point where a man

would be left to guide it off on the trail Buffalo Bill

wished them to take.

The major agreed to this, if Buffalo Bill would take

more men with him, and so, after breakfast, the scout
rode away at’ the head of half a score good men and
true, and well mounted, thoroughly armed, and sup-
plied with a week’s provisions.
-- Jim Holeomb wished to go with the party, but his
father preferred to have him remain with the train, and
after the party rode away the youth heard some very
plain language from the major, while both’ the mother
and sister learned of what he had been guilty, the young
girl muttering to herself:

“My brother will bear watching, I find, and I shall
keep my eye upon him, or he'll do mischief Vets’

Pulling out of camp, the major kept along the trail,
which Buffalo Bill hae left well marked, until noon,
and then one of the scout’s party was found waiting, for
from that spot the train branched off toward the left.
Buffalo Bilt had given the man left in waiting exact in-
structions, and a hastily drawn map of the way to be
waken, and it was a relief to all in the outfit to feel that

tight when they camped, that they were not on the path

to destruction, and the great scout was between them

and danger.

CHAPTER X xii
READY FOR THE FOE.

Buffalo Bill well knew, when leaving the wagon train,
that he had a dangerous and very slippery individual to
go in pursuit of in Jerome Scott, the traitor guide.

He was aware that the man was splendidly. mounted,

and he had all of six hours the start.
_ But he wished to pursue him as far as pesca and
let those with him see that the guide had fled to his In-
dian friends, while he did not intend to allow the rene-
gade to lead his braves against the settlers and surprise
them.

One of the men he left, as has been. seen, to gitide, the
train by another trail, and he had been directed to push on
with it with all haste, and at noon the next day a splen-
did camping place - would be found, a natural stronghold
that could be easily defended against big odds, while the
finest water and grass was right at hand, and wood in
plenty.

. Here the train was to. remain until the, return of the
“scout.

That night, by hard riding, Buffalo Bill came to the
_ vicinity of Sunshine Pass, ‘and taking two men with
him he went forward on foot to the position from which
he had reconnoitered the ambushed braves.

Going cautiously forward, he came to the spot he
wished, and there, just as he had said they would, they
found the warriors in camp, and several hundred strong.

They were where they could reach Sunshine Pass by
a short ride, and once ambushed there, they could have
utterly wiped out the wagon train.

This the men saw, and ‘they silently wrung the scout’s
hand, for all they held dear in life was with the train.

BILE STORIES 20
“T will go on alone, pards, so you wait for me here.
“Te ig useless to. pursue that renegade—in fact, it

would be madness, for he is in that Indian camp; but

-you can to-morrow return.to the train, and report what

vou have seen, and I will scout about here that those
red fiends do not surprise you. Still you must keep:a
double guard and the closest watch.”
Buffalo Bill then started off, and he was gotie for an
hour,
“Come,” he sunply said, and led the way back to where
the others awaited them.
Arriving at the halting
iestly |

“Pards, there are over five hundred braves there, and
they are holding a big powwow.

“Scott Jerome is in their midst, ne I saw him dis-
tinctly with my glass.

“That powwow means that they intend to make a ia
for the train, and try and surprise and wipe it out.

“Fortunately, the train will reach the’ place I. sent
them to, by noon, earlier, i they press on hard, which
ne must do.

“Once there, you can stand off those redskins for
days; but, as soon as I have had some supper, I will

place, Buffalo Bill said, ear-

tide for Fort Aspen with all speed, and you must go me

back and join the train and urge them on.

“By to-morrow ‘night I will be there with a body. of
troopers, for we will ride for our lives, and we'll” g
those redskins a surprise party that will tell, i

Supper was soon over, and, impressed by what Buffalo”
Bill had said, the men saddled their horses, and, watch-:
ing him start on. one oy they returned the Ne ae
had come.

It was just dawn When the men came to “thal wagon
train, as it was getting ready to pull out, for Major

Holcomb was" alive to the necessity of haste, as he well: ~

knew that the country he was then passing. through was
no place to be caught and corralled by. a large force of
Indians.

He listened with ee interest to all ih men had

to report, and said, impressively :

We all owe our lives to Buffalo Bill, oe
“Tt would have been another wipeout, another M
tain Meadow massacre, but for him,” .

Glancing at his son, fie saw that the youth at last be-
gan to! realize that Jerome, the guide, was a renegade,
and had been leading them into a deathtrap. Bg

With all haste the train pushed on, and the horses and
cattle were driven hard.

All seemed to feel how urgent it was that they should
reach a place that could be defended.

It was a couple of hours before noon when the major,
who was well ahead, came to the stronghold selected by

- Buffalo Bill.

“The very place! a natural fort, and with pate,
water and wood right at hand.

“We can hold this hill against an Indian army, th gait the
major, with enthusiasm.

It was a heavily-wooded hill, and several springs were

flowing out of it into a br ook, winding halfway around its
_ base.

Here was a fine grazing ground, and there the cattle

 
  

\

 

a THE BUFFALO

- could feed until driven up into the hill, where there was
ample room for them, and a kind of natural corral.
The major saw all the advantages at a glance, a way

was cut for the wagons, to the summit of the hill, and the »

men set to work to strengthen their position, arrange their
camps in protected spots, and be ready for the red foes,
who no one doubted would soon come.

_ Before nightfall the place was a fort, and the garrison —

in fighting trim.

And not a moment too soon, for, viewing the timber
a mile away in the valley, the major said, with consider-
able vehemence :

“They have come!”

“I distinctly saw two redskins with my glass, skulking
in that timber. : i

“We are to be attacked to-night, men, but forewarned,
Torearmed.). ¥ :

“Still, I shall look anxiously for Cody’s coming, with
the troopers, and only his breaking down will prevent
his keeping his promise. aS

“Now, men, we must be ready for a night attack, an
uncommon thing for redskins to do; but that renegade
is their leader, and he hopes to surprise us.”

_ “But, thanks to that noble scout, they will-not,” fer-
vently said Mrs. Holcomb, while Jim sneered to his sister:

“Bah! there are no Indians coming.’

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
TO THE RESCUE.

Night came on with each man of the outfit on the alert.

Women and boys, too, were ready to do, their part in
the defensey:for all realized fully, that if the first rush of
the redskins was not beaten off the end would come, and
quickly. | ae

There was hope that Buffalo Bill and the troopers
would soon come, and then there would no longer be
dread.

But all knew that the scout would have a long and hard |

ride of it to Fort Aspen, and the troopers would have to
be driven at a killing pace to get to the relief of the train.
Then came the fear that the cavalry might be away from
the fort just at the time when the scout wanted their
services. e

Night came on slowly, and not, a sign of another In-

dian had been seen, save those discovered in the timber
by Major Holcomb. | . o

But all felt sure that the dark, circling timber held se-

cret foes. :

The horses and cattle were driven into the natural
corral of the stronghold, and all the men of the party could
not but appreciate how wisely Buffalo Bill had chosen
their position for them.

Thus several hours passed, the men began to nod on
their posts, and many really thought that after all Jim
Holcomb might be right, for he had gone the rounds as-
serting that there were no Indians near, that they would
not attack the camp if there were, and that he had still
faith in the guide. a
| There was no doubt that he had gone to the Indians,
‘that the boy would not deny, for he could not doubt the
‘men who had pursued him; but he had been driven to

(seek safety there from the persecution of Buffalo Bill, for.

 

Bib STORIES.

~ all knew that the scout’s charge against him would quickly

cause him to be shot or hanged.
_ The guards were changed at midnight, and Major Hol-
comb was wide awake and on the alert. 2
There were a number of good bordermen on the train,
raised, as they had been, in Kansas, and these kept well
out around the hill to guard against surprise. .
At last there was a glimmer of light on the eastern
horizon that betokened day’s approach, and the major
was beginning to feel that the attack would not be made,
when the outer guards came running in, and reported
that hundreds of redskins on foot were creepitg up to
the attack. Oe Se
The dark mass soon became plainly visible, and then
Major Holcomb gave thé order to fire. Cee
_ The blaze of the flame from the guns lighted up the
plain, and the redskins were revealed, ready for the, rush.
The volley was a sufprise to theva, where they had eXr
pected to surprise, and many a warrior bit the dust.

be.

  

      

But, confident in numbers, with yells that were ap-
palling, they made a rush for the hill, and the battle of
life and death was on. !

So mad was the rush, so determined was thé red foe
to break in upon the camp, led, as they were, by their

white leader, for he was seen by the light of the rifles, inj}

the thickest of the fray, that it seemed for a while that”
the hill would be carried.

But, just as brave hearts began to grow cold with
dread, there was heard a ioud call of a bugle, and with
cheers a couple of troops of cavalry dashed out of the
timber in the rear of the redskins, and charged upon them.

There was a clashing of sabers, the popping of re-
volvers, and loud cheers, followed by a stampede of In-
dians, who broke for the cover nearest to them. -

They realized that the cavalry had taken them in the
rear, thus first capturing their ponies, and that they had
to seek safety in flight afoot. CS

The dawn had come, and the field was seen
strewn with dead braves, with here and there 4 so
and his horse lying in their midst. ——

The ‘tall form of Buffaio Bill had been sent -at the
head of the troopers, who were now scattered, pursuing
the Indians. Me eas

Soon after the soldiers began to return toward the hill,
and go into camp in the valley. eo

Their horses were worn out by their long, all-night
ride, and they could not push the Indians in their flight,
but then they had captured all their ponies, the warriors
were scattered, on foot, and in rapid runj and there was
nothing more to fear from them, while a severe punish-
ment had been dealt them, which they: would not soon’
forget. | eS

    
 

  

Buffalo Bill and Captain Norris, the officer in com-

mand, were joined at the base of the hill by Major Hol-
comb, who said with deepest feeling: oe .
“Never did help arrive more opportunely, Cody, than
the gallant command you brought to the rescue, and we
will never forget you, nor you, Captain Norris, and your
gallant soldiers.” ak
“We only did the hard riding, sir, and charged after
we reached the scene, while the result fully repays us;
but Cody here deserves all credit, for he has made a

  

 

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ly.
ol-

in,
ell

m
Or
le,
ed

en
he

h.
xr

Of

Ie

in)

H (e

sae

 

 

/ -tectors.

 

AaeetuEs:

wonderful tide of it, I assure you,’ ' responded Captain

Norris.

“And lying on the field « over here, Major : Holcomb, is

your traitor. guide, though he has been wounded and

trampled all out of shape, so we can barely recognize

that he is a white man,’’ said Buffalo Bill.
The troopers went into camp for breakfast and to ae
the dead, and, as the horses were well used up, it was

decided. not to start on. the return to the ort Hntil the fol...

lowing day...
“Then: thes evalry, pulled out for the fort, and the
wagon train, now under the guidance of Buffalo Bill,

started for the lovely valley which the scout had selected

as the future home of the settlers.

-It was upon the morning: of the third day that the:

train passed thtough a pass in the mountains, into a val-
ley of rare beauty, and the very place for a happy homie.
Here Buffalo Bill left them tupon the next day, but
ere he did so-he sought an interview with Jim Holcomb,
and said:
“I wish. to warn you not to forget your pledge, for

3 “arpon you rests the continuing or not of the feud be-
' tween your people and the Bliss people, for distance must

be. great between you to prevent bloodshed. (

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
‘THE PLOT TO AVENGE,

Weeks passed away, and : the Holcomb settlement had
prospered. ©

Houses had tees erected: pi church. ap a cehoolliodsé

had followed, crops had been planted, and there was not

one of the new settlers who was not re with. his. veti-

ture in the: Wild. West: -

Jim Holcomb had Geamet a number at youths into:

 

numbering: a dozen or more, and ney face-
tiously. call d themselves the “Reeculators.””
They did the hunting and- fishing for all,. were ae
Sto see that no Indians were near, and the. settlers

   

 

One of thede Lane Bob Fiske by name, was. the par-
ticular pard at linn, Holcomb.

‘The two were constantly together, and they v were known |

as about the best. plainsmen i in the valley.

They were wont to take long scouts together, some:

times being gone for days, and much praise was bestowed
upon them for what they did. |

“One.
ing that t ley would be gone for some days.

They. ‘went well mounted, aed, and ay a week's
supplies...

As. they. left the wottey lnrodee he “pass, bhey turned
to the left, and rode off in a northwesterly. direction. —

This they kept up until night, when they went into

  

camp, having ridden at a very “good pace, and put thirty —

miles and more behind them,
= sat they ee aS supper, Holeomb
Sal
“Bob, Iam now going to tell you ae trath about the
lone scouts-1 have been making.”
“It’s about time, Jim, for 1 have been sone e you
tather faithfully in n hiding ae absence from th

 

 

THE BUFFALO

Be. with. this band of brave boys as their a

ternoon the two rode away from the valley, ae

BILL BROKE 0 a Bg

for the boys could not materorandl| an you did not he
them all with you, instead of going~ alone.” :
VAIL right, you shall know now. :
‘I believe you lost your father and uncle in La Hel-
comb-Bliss feud ?” ae ee
“Nes. 22 P : '
“And a as we eee Kansas to ae the vendetta, you never
had a chance to.avenge them?” |
“No, and I have always felt a regret that r could Hot He
“Tt was Dr. Bliss who killed your father, was it not?”?~
Ves Doctor or Captain Bliss for he has’ both titles.
“He.was. with another man and his son ‘Ned, when they .
met my father and uncle, with a as of other men, on
the way to Leavenworth.
“How it was I do not just know, but I belie: my uncle
started the trouble ; oe was a hot, short fight, and
three lives were lost.”
“Your uncle and Phen fell chee Fee un
“Yes, and the man with the Blisses; but the two an
my father and uncle ran off. So Captain Bliss and Ned
held the field, and took the bodies. into Leavenworth. .
“Well, Pve got a secret: ne ae you.”
“What is it?? BO na ea ae
“The Bliss people are not content to let this ‘Bud 4 ‘best,

- even though we left Kansas.” ~

“What do you mean ?’’.
“T mean that the whole Bliss clan have followed us out
here.” :
“You don’t mean egy : s

“I do; they came soon after. we Ge ‘and. face elect * 4
just a hundred miles from our valley.” it

oat means trouble.” eee
“Sure. They have a pleasant walla as we Shave ‘ud oe

. Ned.Bliss is the leader of a:band of boy. regulators, .

“They are prospering, too, for I have been to the val-
ley, ‘and I tell you that Ned Bliss intends to daa ao

strike at us. some day.”

“No doubt.”
“You know he killed my S brother. algae 2 ek
MS j but Ralph was, to blame for that, all our people
ACE. ale :
“That's ui right ; hae ie Hae! remains that Nea iiss
killed him, and I am. out, on a trail of revenge.”
OM OL know best.”’ 1g My aagh a Me
“T have reconnoitered’ the country aoa the ‘Bliss ‘set- 4
tlement, and there i is a large, almost’ barren plain this side
Onan a
“Across this, to a little valley, Ned Bliss goes: to ‘hunt
for there is plenty of game there. He generally goes
alone, or with only one companion, for he seems not to
wish to give the secret away, and Saturday is oe fae He
goes.” “ ee
“How. iS you. now 2 >
“T have been in. disguise 1 in the settlement, and t role
a great deal about his movements.” S
HAM ELLE a | Mae
“Now, I asked you to. come ee me a as soon as s 1
knew. how to act, and my plan is to ney ae ae
and force him to fight me a duel. oe a

“T hope to catch him alone, for then you can be the q

second of both, and in that case, as my friend, you will 3

see that I don't run any risks.”
“That's so, and you ney Li doa, Jim, for if the

   
24 THE BUFFALO

f

 Blisses have followed us here for trouble, they must not

be disappointed, and when the fight begins in this wild
land it will mean a wipe- -out for them, for we. must ste
first and hard.”

Yes,-at Ned Bliss @

“Does your father know ae

“Not a soul save you.”

“Well, ’m with you,” was the determined reply of Bob.

Fiske.
“Jim Holcomb was happy, for this far his plot to get

rid of Ned Bliss was sheets itself as he intended it

ae d.

aoe et

"CHAPTER OV.
BUFFALO BILL FOLLOWS A TRAIL.

The Bliss wagon train had been guided by Lew Sykes,
as had been suggested by Buffalo Bill, and the result was

that they found themselves in a most charming country in :

which ‘to settle.
They had gone to work, one 5 and all, with a will, and
believing themselves no longer cursed by the feud that.
had brought death and sorrow upon them for years, the
hearts of all became lighter.
By a strange coincidence,

case in ieoat settlement.

Of this band-of young rangers Ned Bliss had ‘been :

made the leader without a dissenting voice.
But Ned was wont to scout much alone, and in one
of these pilgrimages had come upon a Deautiful little val-
ley where game was most plentiful.

Nor was this all, for the youth had picked iy there « a
handful of little pieces of gold. :

Keeping the secret, he had hoped to aad. a oe Mine sc
or that the valley would pan out considerable more of

the precious yellow metal than he had, in his hasty search, > was aes for it appeared to attract - his attention

_more particularly as he rode on. ;
Suddenly he rode down into a deep ravine, at oe

been able to locate, or ascertain was there.

As Ned had been appointed the young Eten at

“Bliss Farms,” as the valley homes had been called, and
he taught every morning, he had only all day Saturday
for his explorations in his gold valley, so was wont to
start for it before dawn when he could do so.

Lew Sykes had left the settlement, after a woe a i
been finished, but several days after the arrival’ of the

train on the scene of their future home. Buffalo ~~ had:<

arrived, |. “

He was known eB to some of the penule and
he had a warm welcome from all, especially Ned Bliss;
though the latter did not say that he had before met: the ae

scout.

talk with Ned Bliss, and told him of the happenings to

the Holcomb people, and just where they had located,

adding that he trusted the two settlements were too far
apart to have trouble, even should the people meet. -
It was after the Holcomb and Bliss. settlements were

getting along swimmingly that. Buffalo. hp er on a

visit.

He was pleased with the way eee were Denia

and he and Major Holcomb had a long talk together, the
latter™ telling him that his son had been made heartily: -

Ride ee

“BILL STORIES.

a band of boy rangers had:
been organized—fifteen in number—just as had been the?

Budialo Bill, ‘however, found a chance e ae a ie

   

ashamed of himself for his protection of the renegade
guide, Jerome Scott, whose fate had been a just one.
Then the major told the scout that he was sorry Jim
was not there to meet him, but he had been made captain
of the Boy Regulators of the valley, and had gone off on
a scout only that morning , accompanied by a single pard.
It was just dawn the next morning when Buffalo Bill
left the valley, and by seemingly a strange coincidence he
went off in the very direction taken by Jim and Bob
Fiske.
In fact, after getting out of the pass, it was seen that
Buffalo Bill was following the trail of the two youths.
The trail he found led toward the. northeast, and the
scout readily told that the pace of the two horses ridden

_ by the boys had been a good one.

The scout’s splendid roan went along at a swift gait
also, and after three hours he came to where the two boys
had camped for the night, and where Bob had been told
by Jim Holcomb the secret he held of the presence of the
Bliss clan in that country.

Tt was eens well along in the afternoon when Buf-

- falo Bill came to the edge of a large plain.

Across this -d the trail of the two horses he was : fol-

lowing.

As far as the eye could tencl all was almost batten, i
and the plain, with its rugged hills, looked like a vast sea.

There was just enough “of a green hue from the short —
_ grass to give the idea of billows, tossed by a storm.

The plain was rugged here and there, seamed with
ravines, and. the scout as it hard traveling for Ais
horse,

Afar bherds was a range of green mountains, “and be-
yond there was the valley of Bliss .Farms.

But Buffalo Bill had drawn his horse down to a a

and did not appear to have any intention of con on
to Bliss Farms that night. - @
Something far ahead on a rise had iflicted his atten-. -

tion, and he had been watching most closely the trail he

dismounted.

ire Dac ' made some’ ‘discovery, and when he had dis :
~ mounted. his first act was to look to his weapons.

Some danger evidently threatened, for the scout was
not one to halt on a trail he was following without good

2 Teason.

 

CHAPTER XXVIL :
-FACING ODDS.

call his Gold Valley.

- He had picked up some more gold, ‘though ‘not ‘enough

to make him ‘wildly enthusiastic over it, and was on his

way to Bliss Farms, where Ihe you arrive several hours
~aiter. sunset. -
But for that he da noe care, as he had heconie a most

expert plainsman.

-- He was alone, and his horse was going leisurely he ||
when suddenly he pricked mp his ears, as though & a

‘scented danger.
The youth was at once upon his putea

  

 

Ned Bliss was returning from Ata he was pleased to ;

=?

3 ae ne
 

 

  

Te might be a wolf only, yet it might be a prowling
redskin, “and already had the youth had rc with
an Indian LOG a)

He had been “jumped” by a small party of Pa
one afternoon, and it had been a race for life.

But Ned Bliss had knocked a redskin off his pony.

when they began to crowd his tired horse, and so had
made his escape.

Since then he was always on the alert for Indians that
might cross his path. ‘
He was going across the barren plain that aay between

him and the mountain range sheltering Bliss Farms, when.

suddenly his eyes fell upon a trail. =~
: “Two horses, and both shod, so the ae are. not In-
dians,” he said to himself. “ :

“But who can they be?

“T must be on my guard,” he continued, and as he went.

over a rise in the plain we was suddenly confronted by two
horsemen.

‘It was evident that A had long seen Hie coming, and

were ready for him, for they had their rifles in their hands.

His was slung at his back.
He recognized one at a glance, halted, and called out:
“Well, Jim Holcomb, i know you, and you appear to
be lying in wait for me.”
: He was not a hundred yards front the two oS and
he distinctly heard the reply:
“Tt is just what I am dotge, Ned Bliss.”
“What do you wish t me i
“You escaped me once, through that eae scout,
Buffalo Bill, but this time there is no one to protect you,
and. I dethatid. that you give me a chance to avenge my
Ee brother Ralph.” — ae

“T had-hoped our paths: oi not meee again, ae but _

so it is, and I suppose I must yield.”

ve yeu refuse ae will have to admit you are a cow- |

aradeo
aol will never admit that.”
“Then méet me? - ~
“Will you allow me to go en to my home and return

@ with a friend, for you have one?”

“No, for you would bring back a gang to murder us.’
“T am not that kind of a boy, Jim, as you well know.”
“You must meet me here.”
“T see that you would murder me if I refused. :
“We'll force you to fight.”
“Name your weapons and distance.”
“My friend Bob Fiske here will act for you as well as
for me.
“He will load the weapons.”
“My weapons I keep loaded, and I oo not care for his
PSeT VICES... 4.
Copa lleight”
“What is your game?’

“Ride. back a- hundred feet as. a wal sad then let your -

friend give the word to fire, and we'll use rifles.
_ “Tf we fail to kill, then we can oa our revolvers, and
ride toward each other.”
iV hat suits me.
“How about you, Bob: co
-slamactecd”” |
so right, Ned Bliss, turn and Hoe to your oat for i
ae! pre to force a fight with you, and I'll do it.”

THE BUFFALO

this game!

  

BILL STORIES;

25

“Tam not backing down, so spare your breath; but Til
not turn my back on you, or your friend, whom i see has»

¢

his rifle ready also,’’ said N ed.

“He will see fair play.”

“I will see to that myself, and I have had experience of
turning: my back on you, as you certainly have not for-
gotten.”

“Stop talk and act,” angrily called out Jim Holcomb.
| GAM tight, start for your post,’ and Ned took up his
reins and a to slowly pack | his horse to the starting
POE 7
He would not again turn his per upon his foe, knowing
his treachery.

Both Bob Fiske and Jim Holcomb burst out into a rude
laugh at his act, but he called:

“Ah, I know you, Jim, and birds of a feather, you know,
flock together.”

Slowly, then, the brave boy, brought to bay. by two foes,
backed his horse to the starting point.

Bob Fiske said something to Jim Holcomb which Ned
Bliss-did not catch, but neither of the two moved from the
position they held, and both had their rifles in hand.

Seeing this, Ned Bliss halted and swung his rifle around
for use, and the movements of his éfiemies showed that
they intended to get in the first fire, and both together.

But suddenly there spurred into view over the ridge of
a tavine Buffalo Bill, and his rifle was at a level, while he

os shouted, in thunder tones:

“Hands up es yon. cowards, 1% # hold the drop i in

1? 5

 

CHAPTER XXVII._
CONCLUSION.

Had a tree of listing shivered the ground at their :
feet the two cowardly youths could not have been more |

amazed and terrified than they were at the sudden coming “

of Buffalo Bill.
Like an Sedan horse and rider had appeared-upon —
the scene, coming out of the ground, as it appeared.
Ned Bliss were as startled as. were his enemies. _
At a glance he recognized the daring chief of scouts,
and while his heart gave a great bound of joy, he sighed
like one who had escaped death by the narrowest margin.
Doubting Jim Holcomb as he had, he had yet not been —
as cautious.as he might, and he had seen too late that the ~

~two-would fire on him and he would not be ready.

But he was utterly fearless, and meant to die game.

Then had appearéd the scout to his rescue.

Bob Fiske had seen Buffalo Bill when he. had guided the
train, and. of course knew him well. © :

He greatly admired the famous scout, and a flush of

_deep shame came to his face, as he felt that he had been

caught by him in a very cowardly ‘act.
He did not know what to say or do.
So he sheepishly lowered his rifle and remained silent
and crestfallen.
As for Jim. Holcomb, he turned to the hue of death.
His rifle fell with a loud ring upon the ground, and his ~

o hands trembled as though he had a chill.

- He was’ utterly undone. A second time had Buffalo.

Bill thwarted him in an attempt to murder his bitter foe.
Ned Bliss. .

  

 
20 THE BUPT ALO

a

Was it accident? =

Was it design?

Was it Baie he -

These thoughts. flashed caesuae Hs ae Fae:

His. teeth chattered, and he was the picture oF ee
and terror. a

Of course che felt now that if thie scout. did not: kill: ne
he would ‘betray him to his people, and how cowardly he
had behaved toward a brave and noble: foe. os

He glanced. at Bob Fiske. ae

hat youth was as silent as a statue.

‘His tongue clove to the roof of his mouth.

Buffalo Bill’s face was dark: with: anger, and: his eyes

 

fairly blazed as he turned them upon Jim, Holcomb. .
Riding forward, his rifle ready, he called Cure
“You need not raise your hands, you pee a young

curs, for you have not the strength to do so in your terror.
“Come, boy pard, and we'll clip the claws of these two

young fellows, who were so brave a moment since, when
they had you at a disadvantage.”
Ned Bliss rode forward also, and he met the scout in

front of the two culprits, whose horses had ce

each other, and stood side by side.
“Well, Tit, you've put us into a ‘bad box.

have died than have Buffalo Bill catch us as he has,” mut-~

tered Bob Fiske. ake eee

Jim Holcomb:.made:no--reply. ihe could not have ut-
tered a word if his life had depended ‘upon it. :
oS As the! scout mer Ned: ‘Bliss he: held out his hand and
- grasped that of the brave youth.
“Glad to see you; my zune Kansas. kid, and we. e-meet as
we have met before,” he said. pebeane (A

“Yes, and again lowe you my lites Mr, Cody

“Don’t mention it, for lives are cheap in this country.

“But let me tell you now that I dropped into the Hol-
comb settlement, and was told, by a certain young lady
there, that she was sure her brother was: plotting to have
the feud of the Bliss-Holcombs renewed. :

“She said he. was making certain long pilgrimages alone
quite often, and asked me to take his trail and see ‘where
he had gone. Pee

“I did so, and I saw oa Rood and his fae here in
hiding. I also discovered you approaching; so | maneu-
vered for a good position to. play oy trump: card, and
got it.” ne

“Yes, you always ee a whee to ie 8 sir, hep one
in distress,’ remarked Ned, with much feeling.

“You were in a bad fix, as.any brave fellow is who is
fighting odds, and cowards.

“We have caught Holcomb at his old tricks of assassina-
tion, and it is for you, my kid from Kansas, to say if we
carry him to your settlement and let them try him for his
hie.

ise:

“Ed rather ae

 

RILL STORIES: Ce ‘ t

- “Not, no! they y would pong ae yes, and Bob Puske, :
: est he you, hee Rid.

“How ‘guilty you are, young. Fiske, E. a not oie
know, but I need youn and am sorry to find you in such

bad company.”

“You are not more sorry ee t am, ‘Mr. Cody,” up

natears. stood. in the eyes of Bob Fiske.

“Well, let this be a lesson to you ; ‘put now, Kansas ao

ap we are we to do. with Holcomb?”
“Do you leave it for, me’ ‘to oa Mr; Cody? 2

Mec? Spice
ety ae on oath once more - not to tell that the

. : ‘ “Bliss settlement.is where it is, and let him go, along with

Bob Fiske, ‘who le am sure was led by Holcomb to do as
he thas? ;

yen are too generous, Kansas Kid, though perhaps I
would do the same; but your. word goes, and I’ll let them
return to their home, while you, Fiske, just say to Miss

Hilda Holcomb for me that I found her brother and your-

self, that there was no bloodshed, Jang: that the secret is
sill sate.”

wilh sie”

Us for you, - Holcomb, I wish to tell you that I spout
this. country a good ‘deal, and I shall keep my eye upon
you, so look out that you do not give me a third chance to
catch you in deviltry, for. nothing will save you then. I'll
kill you as | would a wolf. ee

“Now, go your way ina hurry, tor I a ride on with
my kid from Kansas here to his home.” ae

At the words of the scout Bob Fiske breathed a fervent
volume of thanks to him. and to Ned: Bliss. ~.

Bui, though the lips of Jim Holcomb moved, he uttered
no word, and driving the spurs into his horse he dashed
away, followed by Bob Fiske at a more Jeisurely. y pace.

Buffalo Bill and Ned Bliss watched them for some min-
utes, and then rode on toward Bliss Farms, where the:
scout found a warm welcome.

ee ENDL)? Se 4 as

Next week’s issue, No. 109, will contain “Buffalo Bill's
Lasso Throwers; or; Shadow Sam's Short Stop.” «After
leaving Ned Bliss and the Bliss family, Buffalo Bill jour-
neyed farther to the Southwest on business, and by chance

happened to meet with a character with whom many of
our readers are acquainted, Bird Bainbridge is his namie,
and he was well known among frontiersmen and Indians.
It was a year, almost, since Buffalo Bill had seen him be-

fore, and their meeting again marked the beginning of a JP
Shadow.

series of wonderful adventures for the scout.

Sam was a mystery to every one, and he'll mystify you F
when you read about oe in next week's issue, ;

 

 

 

 
 

 

Only two weeks more of the present contest.
Tf you want to be in it you'll have to hustle. :
Those baseball outfits will be great things for the summer vacation.
You may be one of the lucky ten.
a“ At all events, the outfits are well worth trying for.
So, dream on! But be sure to wake up long enough to pend ina descapecn of your dream.
For full particulars of the contest, see page 3}.

a

 

An All-Night Session. ' Then in a bakeshop we both did steal ;

eee : We had no cash to buy.
(By L. Fairchild, Auburn, N. Y.) Punk is good to light a pinwheel,

I once dreamed that I stole a ride But I don't like punk-in” pie.

On old Engine No. 2;
A heathen Chink was at my side,
As oe the road we ae

On the counter Ping jumped. Then in the air
« A somersault. ’Twas neat,
But it. would not pass for dinner there,

re _ As it. was a “counter-feat.’
Cook force was racing against us.

2 “iddap!) He tainly fice 7 In a courtroom we chanced to go.
But at the finish what a fuss! DN aes “Not guilty!’ A mishap: ’
ae horse and “tailroad ties.” I could not agree with a lawyer, so

We got mixed up. in a scrap.
We traveled to the Orient,

a To an opium joint we came; ) _ I went at the lawyer. with a “will,”
Knocked at the door, then. in we went, Made him back water take.
sf al oa not much to blame. Next I was taken, with a chill

| ah And gave Ping Pong the —
: Of course I hed to “hit the pipe,”

 

Bit fighting mad made me. | a _ Tfell down in a water tank, ey
™ Next’ “Ping Pong” at me made a swipe, : And thought that I should drown,
“Bf __ And then the “pipe hit me” ee As no one dared climb down the bank;
i a © At last my watch “ran down.”
: A fight was on between us two; With one “hand” he grasped a tree,

@  ~. fomeit then did seem” en Held out his “second hand,”

@ ‘I eee ted the: Chinee by the queue, And as I tightly grabbed it he

B .— “Lfwas indeed a ‘queue’ “rious dream, ae _ Brought me safe-to land.

-. I pened him to ite door in haste; >») fan intoa house nedrby, EN
5 We went out in the street. - oe __ Nor stopped to tell my name, — |
, Says I, “No longer time I’ll waste, In a short while I heard a cry,

2 7 find something to eat.” ~The house was all aflame.

 
the old devil saw me he thundered out,

abouts.

‘ge THE BUFFALO
_ It got so hot I thought I’d expire,
From window jumped in fright,
But as my clothes were all afire,
Of course | cane down “light.”

pUNKeE QO" beciie rich was | denned:
in duxury Id revel.

I dreamed I had just signed
A contract with the devil.

At first I thought he wanted ice,
But found he wanted coke;

A million dollars was the price,

_.And then (some tears) I woke.

A Horrible Dream.

(By Gale Franck, Madison, Ind.)

One night, February 12th, I went to bed late and fell
asleep. ic had the horrible dream which I am about to
relate to you. I found myself wandering through a dark
and haunted cellar. | thought [had a pistol in my hand

and was making my way toward the door when | was”
IT was wondering what [
would do when all of a sudden I saw the door open and

forced haclewatd and bound.

the devil and his men came marching in. They were
dressed in green and had long horns on their foreheads.
‘They. used pitchforks and lances for weapons. When
“Now I have you.
I have been looking for you and have you.’
about to run his lance through me when I awoke with

cold perspiration on my forehead. You may be sure that:
IT was glad that it was only a dream.

My Trip. to 3 te Moon.
(By Hoel. Scardino, Houston, Texas.)

I was out with my friend, Jack Alsworth, pataae my
new automobile through her paces, when we came to a
road which was new to both of us. After some hesitation
we decided to follow it and see where it would lead us to.

Visibly we were going up a mountain. Before long we

found ourselves up in the clouds; the air was misty and |

cold. The blood seemed to be thickening in our veins.

We were in a very uncomfortable position, when we sud-
A very large yellowish-_
looking object appeared before us, a little way off in the
As the distance between our. machine and the.

denly shot into.a flood of light.

distance.
object diminished, we could see mountains, hills, trees, ete.
Everything had a yellowish hue. The air also became a
little warmer.

As we sped along ae road we saw a man, toe Seeine
We stopped to speak to this per- -
son, ins hopes : of getting some information as to our where-_
In appearance this person seemed pale and deli- -

to be waiting for us.

‘cate; his ears somewhat resembled those of an ass, while
his arms reached below his knees. His dress was made
of an almost transparent, very fine material.
“to him, but received no answer.

guage sounding like Chinese. Strange though; it may
seem, I cold understand his speech, He informed us

that we were in the region of the moon.
us, as we had always been told that the moon was unin-

_ people knew of our coming

He was just

I spoke ~
| Evidently - he did not:
‘understand English. Finally he addressed us ina lan-

8

BILL STORIES.

This ‘surpriced

He went on to say that his
, and that they had prepared a
On the programme was a football game
to be played that afternoon. We decided to see the game _
and compare it with our style. The populace looked upon ©
‘us with admiration and wonder, especially for our ma--
chine.
athletic field, where the contestants were preparing for the
game. Finally the game began, and oh, what a game! It
made me laugh to watch their methods of procedure. [
attempted to show them how the game ought to have been

habited and unproductive.

reception for us.

. played, but this seemed to anger “th em, and it was lucky

fot me that Jack was near with the automobile. I jumped
in and let her go at full speed. Still they followed, and
I was greatly surprised at their fleetness of foot.. Sud-
denly I heard a tremendous. buzzing sound, the machine
became unmanageable and it was running away with us.
To our horror an unavoidable wall was right in the path
of the runaway machine. We braced ourselves and waited
for | Ihe shock. and certain death, when, lo! as if by some
magic power the machine suddenly stopped of its own
accord, and we were violently thrown to the ground. The

only eu that I received was that I awoke, and found. |

myself to be violently shaken by mother, who was en-
deavoring to awaken me to make me go to school.

A Burglar Scare.
(By A. C. Tine, Hoboken, N. J.)

It was last New Year’s Eve, after: returning from New
Wore City.
ing when I reached home. Being very tired, I decided to
go right to bed. As I reached home some kind of a spell
overcame me and I started to get nervous, being very
cautious to lock up and secure everything before retiring.

- [had no sooner put the light out and got to bed when | &
Quickly arising, went to §
saw somebody —
trying to force an entrance through the window by way ot ”
the fire-escape.
--my mind as to what course to pursue in the safest manner

heard a noise that startled me.
the window, and there, as I imagined,
At that moment thoughts flashed. through

to.capture unassisted a burglar ‘who,I thought had come
this very minute, and make myself the hero of the hour.
At that supreme moment I didn’t know what to do, and |

did not think.it would be proper to wake up the family, for |
fear of scaring him away, so I decided to capture him un-

assisted. The first step I took was to conceal myself out |

of his path so that | could potnce. upon him at the
The burglar, upon entering the room,
‘ seented to hesitate as to which-step to take first.
-carefully looked about and advanced to the room in which

I quietly lay under the bed waiting my
I must admit that I was. rather |

1

Just as he passed me I got from

first opportunity.
He

I lay. hidden.

chance to attack him.
nervous as | lay there. '

to surrender or else he would shoot me.

After a repast of strange foods, we went to the

under cover and made a panther-like leap at him, only to |
be thrown off and to see myself confronted by a fiendish-
looking man with a big revolver in his hand. _ As luck
would have it, it was unloaded, All of a sudden my. nerve |
seemed to leave me, and cold perspiration ‘started to roll
down my face, and then a stern voice called out for m
Being speechiles

 

g

The hour was about two o’clock:in the morn-,

 
 

 

 

 

| ay wid work.

~- which shook the dressers in the room, an

~ some friends, and had shot an eagle.

— two men with masks on,
_ After a while they entered and we made steps toward
F the gate.
; ‘fetreat through the door and came face to face with the

We called a halt, but the only reply»

' we got was a shot that went so close to me that I thought

es really ad shot, but I quickly recovered and sent a shot

after one of the desperadoes and my companion did the

1b BUREALO

and dumfounded as to what to do I suddenly made a jump
at the intruder’s feet and brought him down with a crash
grappled with
him. As we were struggling and rolling all over the
floor ] somehow got on top and dealt him a heavy
blow on the head with the heel of my shoe, which at the
time happened to be near, and stretched him unconscious,
and took possession of the weapon which lay upon the
floor beside him. Thinking he was done for, I hastened
to inform my father of the occurrence, but had no sooner
turned my back when I heard a faint groan, and saw the
feeble body of the outstretched burglar struggling to his
feet by grasping to the bed. Having the weapon which I
recovered from the burglar in my hand, I dealt him an-
other heavy blow which sent him to the land of the dream-
ing. Just then my mother awoke me and told me it was
time to get up and prepare for work, and thus my curious
dream ended, a dream which I shall remember in the far
future.

 

A Hunting Expedition.
(By Erwin Crown, St. Louis, Mo.)

_The other night I dreamed that I was out hunting with
Tele at Hevon,. te
ground, thinking it was dead, when all of a sudden it rose
in the air, and circling around above my head a few
times, it suddenly darted down and grabbed me in its
talons.

It was just starting to fly away with me when one of
my companions raised his rifle and shot it. I was just
expecting to be dashed to pieces on the ground below,
when my mother called me and told me to eet Me and get

 

cA Tre Dream.
“By James Hines, Tillamook, Ore.) -
ted a small city in the State of Illinois where I once

lived there occurred a robbery in the town, followed by

three others. I had been thinking over this when I went

| to bed that night, how I would like to get a fair shot at
- them, and so on, until I fell asleep, and the first thing [
“knew I was mixed up in this dream.
| was going along the street one night when stiddenly i
~ looked up and saw two masked men going into one of the
_ best houses in town. I thought [ was ar med, and when the

I thought tat I

men. appeared with their booty I gave them a fight in
which one of them was shot in the Chowder This ended

‘my dream, but the next day I told my story to my pard,
_ Bill, who: said it would be a good plan after dark to
' watch the house, as he had known dreams to come true.

After dark we accordingly armed ourselves and selecting

| a good spot waited about until midnight and were about
to give up the chase when, sure enough, there appeared
and began ‘trying the door:

After they had aroused the family they beat a

muzzles of otir guns.

DILL TORTS. 29
same thing. Between the two of us we kept up a fire
until they “disappeared in the darkness. After finding I
was not shot I thanked my stars, and made up my mind
that I was a lucky dog, for tf it had been daylight I
would probably never have related this story, for the ruf-
fian was about twenty feet away when he fired. After tell-
ing our story to the eager people that had gathered around
us we retired and the mwext day a search was made and the
man that had stopped one of our pills was found with a
bad wound in his shoulder.

 

Know Thyself. .
(By Harry Conner, El Paso, Texas.)

One night I sat up quite late reading a story where a
man preached to a crowd of people. He very often used
“Know thyself’ in his sermon. When I went to sleep I
dreamed that two other boys and myself were walking
in a great forest. When we had walked several hours
we came to a little, white rock house, having only one
room. We thought we would go in and rest, so we
knocked and were told to come in, but when we went in
we did not see any one. There were no windows to the
house, only the door. The floor was. made of: smooth
stone, and in the middle of the floor was.a dark-looking
hole. _Water was running down the sides of the walls
and dripping from the ceiling, and I wondered where the
water came from, as it was not raining. I thought I
would look in the hole. At first I couldn’t see anything,
it was so dark, but in a few minutes it became light and I
saw a queer- looking cave with funny-looking people, and
one big man with a “red coat and peaked cap sat on a large
sea shell, looking into. a large mirror. He seemed to
know that I was there, for he. ‘said, “If you want to know
thyself as you really are, write your name on a piece of
cloth and come down, but I can’t say whether you will
ever get back or not.” I looked around me, and all
around the room were pieces of cloth with people’s names
written on them, and I told the man I didn’t think I
wanted to know myself, and all the pieces of cloth changed
into men. They all began to shout: “Go down, go down
and know thyself.” I was so scared I woke up and was
glad to be awake. i

 

Rescued from the Stake. |
( By Charles Lanter, Catlin, Ill.)

A friend of mine came over to stay all night with me,
and when we went to bed we promised to tell our dreams
to each other. So next morning when we were out walk-
ing I-asked him what his dream was. He said he didn’t
dream. Then he wanted to know what my dream was, so
I told him the dream [’m going to tell my readers.

We went out hunting early in the morning, and were
returning home late in the evening. It was getting quite
dark, and we were riding along talking, when out from
the bushes jumped a score of Indians. They forced us

to surrender, although we resisted. They tied us to our

horses and took’ us in to their camp. They gave us our
supper and put us in the guard house with our hands and
feet tied. I didn’t go to sleep till very late, but next morn-
ing at seven o ‘clock we were marched out, each tied to a
stake and brush piled around us. vier the: ie was

 
36 oe ATO

set on fire. It burned well, and the blaze flashed up in
pur faces.
burning off.
heard four shots in quick succession.
right after that.
some man. He was just cutting the bonds that held me.
He cut us loose and gave us each a revolver. Then we
soon put the Indians to flight. I turned around to thank
the man. Then I asked him his name. ‘Buffalo Bill,”
said he. “But I must be going. I have pet to deliver a
message to the forts’

I had given myself up” for lost, when |
‘Then four. more

That is all‘of my dream, and I am glad to have. a dream

about “Buffalo Bill.”

 

> An Indian Dream.
(By Ed. Blass, South Tacoma, Wash.) ,

I went to bed about eight o'clock, and I was soon fast
asleep. .

I dreamed Buffalo Bill and I were scouts an the United
States Army. We each had a splendid horse, and we
started out after. dark and traveled all night. In the
morning we went into,camp. We were there about half
an hour’ when we heard a warwhoop, and out jumped
about one hundred Indians.
and one big brave came up to me and grabbed me by the
hair and was just about to scalp me when 1 woke up.

 

A Cold Awakening.
(By Allison Herst, Easton, Pa.) _

One cold night I dreamed that I was, skating on a
river and that we were playing chase, and the fellow who

was it was chasing me when the ice broke and I went —

under the ice and was swimming around for an hour or
so to find a hole in the ice: While I was swimming

around I met some fish and I asked them if they could tell |
Just then

me where a hole was, and they showed me one.
I awoke to find myself looking out of the window with
the stiow blowing in my face. a

 

oA’ Deiean ofa Hunt 8 ee

: (By Ray Brown, West Lodi, Ohio.) ~~

I, being born and raised in a wild territory where —

hunting was very good, I liked the sport very well.

I used to hunt all day long and go home without any

game at all, but never got discouraged. I always desired
to hunt in the mountains among “the trees and under-
brush, and was contented all alone, but was always ready
when some friend came along and wanted us to go hunt-
ing or. fishing.

One day I ‘and a friend had hunted all day long through
the wet grass, and up and down the hills, until 1 was com-
pletely tired out and went home a little before my usual
quitting time. That night had a very funny dream. I
had never dreamed much before, and it seemed as though
it must be true.

deer coming toward me, away in the distance. Then I

just dropped behind the log to get ready if he came —

BIEL” STORIES.
My pant legs caught on fire, my hair was -

T looked around and saw a tall, hand-

We were made prconers

‘burned away I fell down, down, down.

1 dreamed I was in the woods hunting, . -
and had hunted a long time and had stopped to. rest on a.
log, when T happened to look up and I saw a very large

 

near. Sure enough he came right up within about ten

rods. I raised up to shoot and he turned and ran back
some distance, then stopped and came right toward me

again, nearly to the spot that he had reached before. [

raised up and shot him right through the heart, and down
he went. Of course I felt quite big over it and crawled up

‘to go and see him. Then I saw a fox, lying on a log, that

didn’t move. So I walked up to it and saw I had killed it.
Then I felt bigger than evér and began looking around for
more, when I saw that the ball had glanced, and sure

| enotgh i in a tree that was leaning over-a little run, was.a

raccoon that it had killed. I couldn’t have been toushed
with a ten-foot pole, but how was I to get the raccoon?
I studied and schemed and came to the conclusion that I
had to climb up the tree after him. So away I went up

a the tree, and just as I grabbed hold of the animal, a little
limb broke below and down I went into the water.
_ old hunting trousers being great, big sloppy things, as |

My

walked out, filled full of black bass fish. It seemed almost
as though I could feel the fish tickle my legs, when I fell
out of bed and awoke to find it all a dream. Since then
I have hunted but very little, and dream no more of going
hunting with such good luck.

 

A Curious Dream.
(By Archie Slater, Boulder, Colo. )

I had a very curious dream the other “night.

After

a reading the last chapter of “Buffalo Bill’s Leap for Life”
I went to bed and fell into a sound sleep.. And this is

what I dreamed: 1 was out riding in a buggy with an old
man, and as we were crossing a bridge. ovet.a large river,
we saw a man’s head and hands. In his hands he held
a potful of gold, with a woman’s hat on top of it. On
we went till we came to where the ground was all full of
caves. Presently an eagle cane from out one of the caves
and began soaring overhead. “Beware!” said the old
nan. Just then the eagle seized me and carried me away
to.a cave, where there was a man dressed all in white. “He
said that his son was the man in the moon and that he

wanted me to take a letter to him. I said I would go. He
-goet-me aballoon:and I-shot up.into the air like an arrow.

It was getting cold up there and I Ha Ls would build
a fire, so | made one.

After a while the basket caught on ae and wien it
Pretty soon
the earth came in sight. | missed the earth, but my coat-
tail-eaught on the spire of a church. Just then I awoke:
to find myself on the floor and my back across a footstool.

 

sk Bad, Bad Dream.
~ (By Jesse A. Melick, Alpha, N. J.) _

I was down by the ocean and fell in and went down
to the bottom. They were having a party, and I went in
and got my supper and stayed all night. I had a nice time
and I danced all-the night. long, and-I.did not get to bed
till four .o’clock in the morning. A big whale came and
swallowed the house, and we all were swallowed. We
were almost scared to death. My father and mother were
hunting for me all night and they were frightened, too.

 

 

 
Co Nat SE ee Sa ee ;

Sp Se — ENE a Ne eb Ae Near eee BOT eS GN CM Hes EPO ee RR SOS

puede AON Sia OT ND eee NE oT RE Ce SER ee, —_-a Ve NOOR:

eee sere ee

 

 

 

 

eh le an seg oe ates

C

|

in five hundred words, or less, cad send &
ie)

- WEEKLY, care of Street 8& Smith; 8
238 William Street, New York City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consisting ef an A-l NATIONAL LEAGUE BASE-
BALL, a SPALDING LANCEWOOD BAT of the _
pet quality, and a Se LDN LEAGUE MITT? )

 

 

 

 

 

 

| bel You Do, Read the Directions Below and Get Into This Cultes. : iE

BOYS WILL EACH RECEA IVE A BALL, BAT AND MOTT

 

HE Baseballs are. the Spalding Oficial, League Ball feed ela

_ ively by. the. National : League and by all the college teams.
Each ball is wrapped i ‘in foil and put in a separate box and sealed
in accordance with the regulations of the National League. <P

 

afook ego oR foese'

 

 

 

market, made of the very finest timber of the latest model, and \

a Sen lly seasoned for two. years. 2 OD BD DBP @ DP LP LG OLD.

The ‘Mitts are made of extra quality asbestos huck, extremely tough :

| and durable; well-padded ; lace back ; re-inforced at thumb with double
tow of catehite on heel pad and a laced thumb. The very finest made.

 

 

 

You need one of these. Outhits. . The Ten Boys who send in the Best |

5 Stories im this. New Contest will each receive a. Bat, Mitt and Bali.

HOW TO ENTER. THE CONTEST. : This Contest Ends July ist, 1903.

 

 

 

All you have to do is to remember any 4 Buffalo Bill Drean Contest No. 3,

Curious Dream you ever had, write it

it with the accompanying coupon, prop-
erly filled out, to BUFFALO BILL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bats are AL League Bats. They are the best. in. the Th

 

 
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CONTAINING

 

 

 

THE ONLY STORIES AUTHORIZED by HON. WILLIAM F. CODY ¢*

     

Buffalo Bill’)

 

 

74—Buffalo

75—Buffalo
76—Buffalo
77—Buftalo
78—Buffalo

- 79—Buffalo

80—Buffalo
8i—Buttfalo
82—Buffalo
83—Buffalo
84—Buffalo
85—Buffalo
86—Buffalo
87—Buffalo
88—Buffalo
89—Buffalo
90—Buttalo
9i1—Buftalo

92—Buffalo
93—Buffalo
94—Buffalo
95—Buffalo
go--Buffalo
97—Buffalo
98—Bufialo
99—Butfalo
1c0o—Buffalo

101—Buftfalo
102—Buftfalo
103—Bufialo
104——Buffalo

-105—Buffalo
106—Buffalo

107—Buffalo
108—Buffalo

Bill’s Desperate Strategy; or,-The Mystery of the Cliff.

Bill and the Black Mask; or, The Raffle of Death.

Bill’s Road Agent Round-Up; or, Panther Pete’s Revenge.

Bill and the Renegade Queen; or, Deadly Hand’s Strange Duel.

Bill’s Buckskin Band; or, Forcing the Redskins to the Wall.

Bill’s Decoy Boys; or, The Death Rivals of the Big Horn.

Bill’s Sure Shots; or, Buck Dawson’s Big Draw.

Bill’s Texan Team; or, The Dog Detective.

Bills Water Trail; or, Foiling the Mexican Bandit.

Bill's Hard Night’s Work; or, Captain Coolhand’s Kidnaping Plot.

Bill and the Scout Miner; or, The Mounted Sharps of the Overland,

Bills Single-Handed Game; or, Nipping Outlawry in the Bud.

Bill and the Lost Miners; or, Hemmed in by Redskins.

Bill’s Tenderfoot Pards; or, The Boys in Black.

Bill and the Man in Blue; or, The Volunteer Vigilantes of Silver Thread City.
Bill and the Outcasts of Yellow Dust City; or, Fighting for Life inthe Blizzard.
Bill's Crippled Crew ;or, Sunflower Sam of Shasta. ;
Bill and the Boy Scout; or, The Tenderfoot Tramper of the Overland.
Bill’s Young Double; or, A Yankee Boy in the Wild West.

Bill and the Silent Slayers; or, The Arizona Crack Shot.

Bill’s Water-Gauntlet; or, The Mystery-Man’s Talisman.

Bill's Gallant Stand; or, The Indian’s Last Victory.

Bill and the Black Mustang; or, Dick Dearborn’s Death Ride.

Bill’s Tough Tussle; or, The Mystery of the Renegade Hermit.

Bill’s Rush-Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer.

Bill and the Phantom Soldier; or, Little Sure-Shot’s Lone Trail.
Bill’s Leap for Life; or, The White Death of Beaver Wash.

Bill and the Dead-Shot Rangers; or, The Prairie Outlaw at Bay.

Bill in Dead Man’s Swamp; or, Trailing the Red Man Hunters.

Bill's Pony Patrol; or, The Mysterious Boy of the Overland.

Bill in Disguise; or, The Boy Boomer at Danger Divide.

Bill’s Ordeal of Fire; or, The Siege of Longhurst Ranch.

Bill on a Renegade’s Trail; or, The White Queen of the Mandans.
Bills Balloon Trip; or, Foiling the Apaches.

Bills Drop; or, Dead Shot Ned, the Kansas Kid.

 

 

epppeseie

All of the above numbers always on hand. If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, five

cents a copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid.

STREET & SMITH; Publishers, 238 William Street, New York

EEE

Fe

|

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cee

 
 

 

PR TE ee

 

 

 
 

 

 

The Biggest Success of the Year

Was made by Street and Smith’s Big Detective Library,

§ The Old Broadbrim Weekly |

It is the largest library of detective stories published, as well as the best.
JOSIAH BROADBRIM, the Quaker detective, is a favorite all over the ~

country.

The stories are fascinating and exciting, and contain the

true solutions of many of the great mysteries of crime that have
never betore been explained. Here are the numbers published so far:

 

 

1.
<o:
S
4
5.
6.
7.
8.

LisT OF TITLES.

 

Old Broadbrim, The Quaker Detective ;

or, Solving the Mad House Mystery.
Old Broadbrim. Fighting a Clique of Crime ;

or, The Detective’s Ghost Ally.

Old Broadbrim In a Race for Life ;

or, The Thirteen Days’ Fight,
Old Broadbrim’s Crimson Knot;

or, The Bats of Baltimore.
O14 Broadbrim On a Perilous Quest ;

or, Rutining a Band of Assassins to Barth.
Old Broadbrim Chasing the Bank Thieves;

or, A Brilliant Piece of Detective Work.
Old Broadbrim On a Water-Front Trail;

‘ or, Breaking up a Dangerous Gang.

Old Broadbrim On an Ocean Chase :

or, The Diamond Smuggler’ s Grew: Ane

vention.

. Old Broadbrim Solving the Railway Mystery;

or, The Millionaire’s Strange Death,

= Old Broadbrim Finding the Millville Robbers ;

or, The Miser of Great Wallingford.

: 3 Old Broadbrim After the Gold Brick’ Swindlers ;

or, The Blacklock Bunco Gang.
Old Broadbrim. Among the Thugs of Harlem ;
or, Landing a Big Catch.
Old Broadbrim On a Strange Abduction Case ;
or, The Tramping King of ireland.
Old Broadbrim Fighting Western Desperadoes ;
or, Playing the Counterfeit Game.
Old Broadbrim Forcing Their Hands;
or, The Panel Thieves of the Tenderloin.
Old Broadbrim’ On a Kidnapping Case; =
or, The Search for a Young Heiress.
Old Broadbrim | Destroying the Swamp Angels;
or, The Mysterious Crime of Gotham Court.
Old Broadbrim Up Against Grave Robbers ;
or, The Tomb Hunters of Tavistock.
Old Broadbrim’ Seeking the Man in Black
or, Miser Ben’s School of Crime.
Old Broadbrim Untying a Tangled Knot;
or, One of the Queerest Cases on Record.

 

of,
2D:
23.
24.
25.
26.
ye
28,

Old Broadbrim- Baffling the Dark Terror;
or, The Crimes of the Red Hands of fata:

Old Broadbrim Revealing a Double Life ;

or, The Clew of the Blood-Stained Paper.
Old Broadbrim Keeping His Vow ;
or, The Tangled Mystery of the oe City.
Old Broadbrim Trapping the Foxes; __
or, The Crime of the Boathouse.
Old Broadbrim On the Trail of the Tron Frog ;
or, Who Killed Percy Manson? -~
Old Broadbrim In Ticklish Places; -
or, Hunting a Banker’ s Assassins.
Old Broadbrim Playing a Desperate Game; —  —
or, The Mystery of the Red Dragon.
Old Broadbrim Playing a Master Stroke ;
or, The Mystery of Pier No. 4.
Old Broadbrim Foiling a Fiend ;
or, Game From Start to Finish.
Old Broadbrim On a Hot Chase ; :
or, The Bicycle Highwaymen of Se Island.
Old Broadbrim Setting a Smart-Trap ;
or, Marked With a Double Cross.
Old Broadbrim Into the Heart of Australia ;
or, A Strange Bargai ii and its Consequences,
Old Broadbrim Doomed by an‘Invisible Hand ;
or, The Victims of the Vial of Death.
Old Broadbrim in the Jaws of a Tigress ;
or, A Fight Against Fearful Odds.
Old Broadbrim Trumping the Trick ;
or, The Strange Disappearance om a
Wagner Car.
Old Broadbrim In and Out of the Toils; 2s
or, The Pursuit of Red McMahon a His * a
Gang.
Old Broadbrim in the Eleventh Hour ; =
or, The Mystery of the Headless Man.
Old Broadbrim Following Up a Golden Clew ;
or, The Extraordinary Happenings at Bab--
bington Manor.
Oid Broadbrim Dealing the Death Cards:
or, The Doom of the Scarlet Strangt ers.

 

 

These stories may be purchased for Five Cents at any newsdealers, or from

STREET @® SMITH, Publishers,

232- 238 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY.