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you_are here to save me!” gasped the fugitive gicl,.as she fled behind the sheltering rocks where Buffalo
1d Buckskin Sam awaited the approach of the desperadoes of the black Brotherhood.

 
 

 

 
 

   

 
 

 

  

A WEEKLY PUBLICATION
DEVOTED TO BORDER HISTORY

 

x

 

 

Issued Weekly. By Subsertption $3.50 per year.

fintered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., NV. Y.

Entered according to Act of Congress tn the year ioa3, tn the Office of the Librartan ef Congress, Washingion, D. C.

 

Noe 135,

‘

NEW YORK, December 12, 1903.

Price Five Cents.

 

 

 

KL

 

By the author of “BUFFALO BILL.”

 

CHAPTER I.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

“Great heavens! It is a woman! and in this wild land
alone |

“Her horse is running away with her—no, she has
checked him, and—ah! she has fallen from her saddle!”

As the words were uttered, the speaker sunk spurs deep
into the flanks of his horse, and, with a bound and angry
snort, the animal went flying toward the ene who had
dropped so suddenly upon the ground.

There she lay, limp and motionless, as though dead,

“while the rider was speeding like the wind to the spot.

It was in the wilds of Arizona, far from habitation,
fort, or camp, and in a country over which even brave
men cared not to travel.

Yet a woman was there; no, say, rather, a girl, for she
was still in her teens, and, in spite of the deathly pallor
upon her face, was very beautiful.

Her long, golden hair had been loosened from its comb,
and fell about her like a veil, and the bosom of her dark
blue riding habit was stained with blood, flowing from

  

a wound, upon which her gloved hands were pressed, as_
though to still the anguish she suffered.

She lay prone upon the earth, just as she had fallen,
stretched out upon a bed of grass, and her head rested
upon a bunch of moss, while from her lips were wrung
the oft-repeated words:

“Ves, this is death! this is the end that is to be mine!”

Then followed a moment of silence, and the words:

“My God! do I deserve this. fate ?”

Suddenly her ears caught the sound of rapidly ap-
proaching hoofbeats.

Her horse raised his head in a startled way, as he turned
toward the approaching horse and rider.

With a great effort the girl lifted herself upon an el-
bow, and her eyes caught sight of the now rapidly near-
ing horseman.

Her face, still pale and drawn, took on a look of determi-
nation. With another effort, she drew from a small hol-
ster swung to a belt about her small waist, a revolver.

But—strange! The weapon was turned not toward the

horseman, but the muzzle was pointed at her own breast!

     
 
  
 
 
THE BUFFALO

“Ee shall find me dead when he comes, and by my own
_ hand, ” she said, with startling firmness and strength of
" voice. .

Another second and the finger would have pulled & the
trigger; but

‘here came a sharp report—a bullet struck the barrel
of the little gun whose muzzle rested against her breast,
and the weapon was hurled half a dozen feet away.

The sharp-eyed horseman had seen her act, had under-
stood her intention, and, confident in his aim, had forced
his horse suddenly back upon its haunches, thrown his
revolver to a level, taken lightning-like sight, and fired
_. the saving shot.
v4 “Good! I have saved her,” he cried, while, from her

lips burst the words:

“God help me! I am lost!”
She made an effort to arise, but in vain, and with a
| moan she fell back, with her head upon the grass.

_. A moment later the rider reined his steed back upon its
haunches to a sudden standstill, and, leaping from his sad-
dle, dropped upon one knee by the side of the wounded

“woman.

Her eyes were closed, and as he saw the red stain upon
the front of her dress he cried, with sudden dread:

“Good God! did I give her that wound? No, no, no!

Surely my aim could not do so cruel a deed as this.”

' At his words the eyes of the young girl opened wide,

‘and were fixed upon the man, as though to look him.

through and through.

She started. A slight color tinged the paliidness, and
she murmured :

“No! no! Your shot did not wound me. ft struck
the pistol from my hand, just as I intended to kill my-
a

“But why? I am your friend, not a foe,” the horse-
man returned, in an earnest, kindly tone, as he grasped
her hand, while a slight shudder swept over his frame as
a he glanced at the wound, still ebbing away the life blood

of the young girl.

“You are my friend?” she repeated.

“Yes, yes, in truth J am, and I will do all I can for
you.”

“You can do nothing.”

“I may, for I know much of wounds. Let me be your
surgeon, for I have a small case of instruments and med-
icine with me.” .

“You cannot help me, for I am cyane @

“Oh, no, lady; not so, I feel certain.”

“I know that 1 am dying. One smitten i death is 2

_ given the power to know. I will not-live very long,”

“T cannot believe it; but who wounded you—who are
you?”

Bik SPORES:

The large eyes met his own now, and, in a firm voice,
she asked:

“Who are you, and what are your”

“I am called Bufiralo Bill, the army scout,”
quick response.

The answer seemed to have a strange effect upon the
youve: girl.

“You are Buffalo Bill?”

The wounded girl uttered the words as if ‘with surprise,
and yet with pleasure.

“My name is William Cody, miss, but I am better
known by the name of Buffalo Bill, the scout,’ was the
answer. :

“Tam glad: I am not afraid of you.
well by reputation. I did fear you, for I thought you
were" ee

She paused, and the scout asked:

“Who?”

“The one who has brought ruin upon my home, and
those I love; yes, and has brought me to this, to die here
in this wild region, alone, save for you. But.you will not ,
desert me, I know; you will cel my han as my life
fades out?”

“Yes, I will remain by you to the od but I cannot
bring myself to believe that such as you can die thus.

“Your wound may be a severe one, yet not fatal. I can
help you to the ranch where I am bound, some twenty
miles from here.”

“What is the name of the ranchero?’ | ~

“Manton Marr.” Ss

“Hetis dead.’’

eee e

yee”

“When did this happen? -I have a letter in my pock:
from him, acy me to visit him upon a most a
I was on my way to his ranch.”

and the lips of the girl Bes

“When did he die?”

“Last night, or, rather, before dawn this morning.”

“Ah, there has been foul play there, then, a raid of out-
laws, or of Indians, and :

“It was a raid of demons,
am .

She stopped suddenly, for the scout had pas to his
feet in sorne alarm.

At first she supposed that her words had been the cause
then she saw that he was listening attentively to some
sound.

She also heard it, and cried:

“They ate Se !
me no harm now.’

was the

missi ion, and |

“He is dead,’

and I alone escaped, for I

' Buffalo Bill. glanced. quickly about him, and his eyes.

fell upon a clump. of trees on a knoll not far away.

I know you too

Save yourself, sir, for they can nd

Ni egpen 8

 
THE BUPPALO

It was a good position to defend against odds, and a
sheltered retreat for the wounded girl.

In an instant he had raised her gently in his arms, and
as tenderly as possible bore her to the little timber motte.

-A call to his horse caused it to follow, and, taking a
blanket from the saddle, the scout spread it upon the
ground and placed the slender form of the girl upon it.

“I will get your horse, miss, and bring him here, and
then go to meet whoever is coming. If they are foes,
they must fight: if friends, I shall be glad, for your sake.”

“You are very brave, and so good to me! But I have
not told you my secret, and I wish you to know it, though
I would not tell it to another living being.”

“T will gladly hear it when I return, and if you have
been cruelly wronged, as I believe, I will mercilessly
avenge you; I swear it!”

Buffalo Bill evidently was deeply moved by the suffer-
ing of the unfortunate and beautiful girl.
_“T£ you will avenge me and mine—and 18 have sworn
‘to do so—I will rest content in my grave,’ was the low
reply, and the scout felt that she indeed must have suf-
fered cruelly, for lips like hers, almost pressed with the
seal of death, to wish for revenge.

Quickly he walked off, and soon returned with her
horse, which he hitched near her.

“Will you hear my secret now ?”’

“Not now, for I must head off those who are coming;
I wish no death struggle here.

«

“I saw them cross yonder ridge a quarter of an hour
ago, and they must soon come into sight. I will go out
and meet them.”

“But if they should be my ae ro

#7 will be glad if ney are,” was the stern reply.

“But they are many.”

“How many ?”’

‘“A fatal number—thirteen !”

“T have had to face even greater odds than that, miss.”
“But the one who leads them is a fiend incarnate, dar-
ing, desperate, and

“So much the better that his career should be cut
short.”

“No, no!
“must see him face to face; I must know

The scout interrupted her suddenly:

“They will soon be over that ridge, and I must meet
them.”

Do not kill him if you can avoid it, for I

39

“You will come back to me?” and the voice and look
were full of pleading.

“Indeed I will. I could never desert you—no, no! your
suffering appeals to the inmost depths of my nature.”

The great plainsman spoke with deepest feeling.
“7 believe in you; I trust you,” and she raised her hand.

BILL STORIES.

Buffalo Bill, giving it a gentle pressure, turned and —

‘leaped into his saddle.

Off he dashed, at a swinging gallop, for the top of the E
ridge several hundred yards away. }

As he reached the summit his horse was reined back,
for near at hand was a party of horsemen.

A glance was sufficient to show him that he had every
reason to fear them.

CHAPTER If.
THE BLACK BROTHERHOOD.

The sight that met Buffalo Bill’s eyes as he appeared
upon the ridge was enough to startle any one.

He was face to face with a dozen or more black-masked
men.

They were white men, apparently. Their faces were
wholly invisible, and even their hands were gupe aa by
black gauntlet gloves.

They’ were dressed, likewise, in deep black frowt Read
to foot, and their horses were all of a sable hue.

* Buffalo Bill belonged farther up in the northwest, and
was a stranger to the geography of that section.

He had heard at headquarters that the country into
which he had been sent upon a special mission was suf-
fering under the curse of a band of daring outlaws, who
made every man and woman their game and prey.

Ranches were raided by them, wagon trains attacked,
cattle run off, coaches and travelers held up, and the
country could not be freed from this terrible bane.

The outlaws were wholly unknown, it was said, to all.
Thirteen in number, they were. Time and again one of
the band had been shot from his saddle. But when the
black brigade was next seen there were, as before, the
thirteen men.

This caused people to dread them the more, as the fatal
and fated thirteen, who, from their dress, were called the
Black Brotherhood.

If deeds of lawlessness were committed, always it was-
discovered that the brand of this brotherhood was left
behind, to show whose red work it was.

This “brand,” as it was called, was in reality a small
black flag, with skull and crossbones, stuck up on the
scene of their crime.

From whence they came, or whither they went, who, or
what they were, no one could say or surmise. They were
wont to appear suddenly when least expected, do their
work of rapine and death, then disappear as aidday yet
never leaving a trail.

Literally, they were trailless terrors !

All these stories, and many more, had Buffalo Bill
heard of this remarkable and mysterious Black Brother-
hood,

 
4 : _ THE BUFFALO

It was a surprise to him one day, when on duty as chief
of scouts at Fort Fetterman, to receive a letter asking
him to visit the scene of operations of the brotherhood,
and to come upon a special and important mission, which
would be explained to him upon his arrival.

Going to the colonel with this letter, to his yet greater

surprise that officer told him that he had just received a
letter from the department commander, ordering the
colonel to detail his chief of scouts for secret service in
Arizona, the exact nature of which would be explained
to him by one to whom he had orders to report upon his
arrival there.
Still further, he was to go alone, and start at once,
Obeying orders promptly, Buffalo Bill had arrived
within a score of miles of his destination, to come sud-
denly upon the wounded girl, as has been recorded; and
now, as he reached the top of the ridge, it was to find him-
self face to face with a band of horsemen whom a glance
showed him could be no other than the Black Brother-
hood. &
The black cohort were coming on up the trail, and not
three hundred yards distant from him!
To see the danger was to act instantly.
His thoughts ran about as follows:
“Men with masked faces must be criminals, and that
sable troop answers the description of the ruthless Black
_ Brotherhood, of whom I have heard so much.
“If they are the outlaw thirteen, then shooting is too
good for them; and, as they are on the trail the girl came,

%

and she said enough to show that great wrong had been

done by some one, they must be her foes and now are pur-
suing her.

“Tf they go right on they will find her. Then God help
her, dying as she may be, though I hope it is not so ex-
treme as that. :

“Now, mounted on my good horse, Midnight, I fear
no horse that can pursue me, and I can give some of the
thirteen a very bad reminder of law and order with my
ever reliable repeating rifle.

“But, first, I must turn them away from that girl, and
to do so, must make them very anxious to catch me.

“Night is but an hour or so away. Eluding them, I
can return to her, and she can tell me where help can be
found.”

_ Thus Buffalo Bill reasoned, and, having made up his
mind, he coolly rode into full view of the coming horse-
men, for they had not yet seen him, and, throwing his
rifle to his shoulder, called out:

“Halt! or I shall order my men to fire on you! “Hine
-up, each one. of you!”

BILL STORIES.

CHAPTER Iff,
THE FIRST SHOT.

The sable thirteen drew rein as one man, at the loud,
stern order.

They beheld confronting them a single horseman.

Who he might have beyond the ridge they, of course,
did not know, so they obeyed his command and halted.

They did not, HO ERC, raise their hands above their |
heads.

Upon the rider who thus barred their way they looked
with surprise, mingled with admiration. A finer picture
of a horse and man they had never beheld.

The horse was a phenomenal animal in beauty and su-
perb equine points that tell of speed, endurance and rare
intelligence.

‘The man was a phenomenal one in the perfection of his
manhood; handsome-faced, daring, determined, and of in=~
domitable will, unless all signs failed, x

The accoutrements of the horse were attractive, and

the dress of the rider was a buckskin suit, broad-brimmed’ ~~

sombrero and top boots. ae

He held, thrown gracefully across one arm, a repeating ig
rifle, and there he sat, one to thirteen, with unflinching
mien, eee

Who was he? What was he? and what could it mean
for the Black Brotherhood to be challenged by one man?
Assuredly he could not be alone.

Thus full a minute passed—and a minute of such sus-
pense is terrible.

The scout said no more, gave no other command; but
actions spoke louder than words.

His actions were the raising of his rifle to his shoulder.
At that distance not one of the Black Brotherhood cquld
tell at whom the death tube was aimed; he surely was

covering one of them—but which one?

Would his aim be fatal? Would his rifle carry a kill-
ing bullet at that distance? Would he fire to kill, or only
to frighten them? :

All these thoughts flashed through their minds like
lightning.

Up went his rifle, and along the barrel, catching the
sights, ran his piercing eye, bright as a diamond.

The thirteen had halted as they were traveling—in sin-
gle file,

The leader must be in advance. The rescuer recalled we
words of the wounded girl: She must see him—the leader
—face to face alive. i

So, instead of aiming at the man in the lead, he took
the last one in the line—the thirteenth!

A rather longer aim was taken than was Buffalo Bill’s
wont, for he wished to be sure.

At last came the touch on the trigger, the burst of

smoke and flame, and the report.

 
THE BUFFALO

Buffalo Bill had sent his shot of defiance, warning and
vengeance.

The shot was followed by a wild commotion among the
brotherhood. The rear man, the thirteenth in the line,
fell backward in his saddle, and a bound of his horse threw
him to the ground, where he lay in a heap, motionless.

The others at once began to wheel in line, as if to charge
the enemy, it seemed, but evidently expecting that there
would be other shots.from the rider’s comrades.

Buffalo Bill knew his weakness as well as his strength.
He must not allow those men to come up the hill and
then go on and discover the wounded girl; so the intrepid
plainsman made a bold move toward the Black Brother-
hood, as though to charge them, and with a daring which
caused them to feel that he had others to back him.

He advariced but a few paces, then he suddenly
and again rised his rifle.

The outlaw band swerved wildly at this, for they had
_ been given fatal proof of the deadly aim of their daring
foe.

“Fire!”’ the command was shouted, as the men swung
about uneasily.

As the order was obeyed, the scout’s rifle again spoke.

A dozen rifles flashed, and all but one were aimed at
Buffalo. Bill.

The latter did not flinch at the fire, and took big
chances. His keen eyes had discovered that his foes were
armed with carbines only.

This told him that they carried no repeating rifles, and
the gauge of range of their weapons he set down as about
the distance he was from them.

He could, therefore, take the risk of the fire.

As it was, their bullets, under their quite aimless and
hurried fire, flew wild, while a second one of their
ber dropped from his saddle!

Each man looked exactly alike, as to dress and horse,
and Buffalo Bill, therefore, was now unable to pick out
the leader.

Taking advantage of the dismay into which the men
were thrown, he at once sent a third shot on its way. __

This brought down a horse, and the rider seemed to
have a hard fall, as the horse reared and fell backward
with him, :

“Good God! that man will pick us off, one by one.
Charge him!” was the peremptory order.

Buffalo Bill now started along the ridge in flight, 1
riding upon the summit, where he could be
against the sky, and so be a fair target, but Pang t the
hill as a backg round,

num-

ee

Two of the men stayed to pick up their dead and strap
them upon their saddles, and also to strip the fallen ani-
mal of its equipments, and, at the same time, aid the rider
to a mount behind one of themselves.

halted

BILL’ STORIES. 5

The rest of the command had obeyed the order ’to
charge, and were riding at full speed up and along the
hill,

Away sped Buffalo Bill, his horse in a gallop and his
rifle ready.

He wished to lure all in pursuit of him, to get them
away from the place where lay the wounded girl.

As they came on the outlaws halted suddenly, and one
more the carbines rang out.

- The scout, without halting, fired as they did.

Their shots were again wild, and the scout still kept his
saddle, while his shot brought down one of the sa ble
horses.

“Too bad! too bad! He has
horses as well. We must catch that man.
Every man of you follow!’

Buffalo Bill heard the words
idly.

Suddenly there arose a wild yell of triumph from the
Black Brotherhood, and following this came the cry:

“See! his horse is wounded !

The sight of Buffalo Bill’s horse going at a
limping badly, was a joy to the outlaws.

They felt sure of their game, and dashed forward,
leaving the others to come on at

killed two men and tyes
Come of:

as he rode on more ra

{??

We have got him now!
gallop, but

seven in number now,
will.

They were sure that seven of the brotherhood were
more than a match for one man, though thus far they had
not proven themselves even his equal.

ay his horse was wounded, and he was riding along
the ridge toward a plain, wide and barren, where the
could i‘ no escape for him.

Far across this plain the mountains loomed into view,
but the fleeing. horseman could not rch one-fourth the
distance to them with a mount going almost upon three
legs. They were certain their game would fall an cag
prey.

With thi ief oak horsemen in black rode wae a on He

y began to gain upon the retreat-
g man.
from the ridg
saddle and sen

Suddenly there came the steep descent
As the scout came to it, he wheeled j in his
another shot at his pursuers.

This shot was returned as they rode on at a gallop
Bullets struck about Buffalo Bill, yet he was untouched

But the fourth shot of the daring rifleman had foun
its mark, for another man had thrown his arms above his-
head, waved them wildly, and then had toppled head
downward to the ground. i

Buffalo Bill saw no more, as he at once disappeared
over the edge of the ridge. '

“You are a good one, Midnight, to play lame, but you
are not so any longer,” remarked the rider, and he sprang

 
_ pursuers.

i
/

6 | THE BUFFALO

from his saddle to go on foot down the steep descent from
the crest.

As he did so he patted the horse affectionately on the
_ shoulder, and the well-trained animal started off without
the slightest limp.

“We fooled them well, horse pard. They thought you
had been wounded, and that I would soon be in their grip,
but I guess not, though we must still deceive them when
they come into sight again. a

“This is a rough trail, down grade, and no mistake;
but so long as they will follow, and be drawn from the
trail where that poor girl is, we won't care.

“Come! we must not let them get too near us, for some
of their shots will hit us by accident yet.”

With this the scout went rapidly down the steep in-
_cline, the horse following with no sign of lameness.

Here and there rocks and trees concealed the two, so
that they were not visible to their pursuers.

The men in black pushed on, yet slowly, fearing to
throw their horses down the steep incline.

Reaching the heart of a canyon, into which the trail
ran, Buffalo Bill disappeared from view, but his pursuers
knew that he had to continue on, with no hiding place.

With this certainty, and an hour yet of sunset, they
took no risks of a fall, but descended the steep trail at a
moderate gait.

When the scout reached the bottom of the trail he found
there a small stream, at which he watered his horse and

filled his canteens, then reloaded the empty chambers of
his repeating rifle..

Strangely cool he was, and apparently in no hurry. His
quick eye saw that the canyon was winding, and had
yery crooked turns in it, so he knew he could avoid shots,

“though the outlaws had drawn much nearer.

Starting on his way again, he caught a glimpse of his
At once a word to his horse caused the thor-
oughly trained creature to limp badly.

The outlaws saw this, and, sure of their prey now, they
halted to water their horses.

At last Buffalo Bill left the mouth of the canyon and
rode out upon the open plain.
_ . There was a slight rise ahead of him, just out of range
of their carbines, and toward this he rode at a gallop.
_ Halting upon this ise, he waited for his pursuers to
come into vicw.
_ Minutes passed and they did not appear.
Could this mean that they had given up the chase?
This he did not believe, so he waited on.
At last, as he was beginning to fear that they had re-

turned to the trail over the ridge and would discover the -

wounded girl, he saw them appear in sight.
Then, strong-nerved as Buffalo Bill certainly was, de-

BILL STORIES.

void of all superstition, he started and gazed in something .
of awe at what he beheld. tie

And no wonder, for the sight that met his vision would ©
have appalled most men. :

There, in full view, were, the Black Brotherhood in
pursuit, and they were once more thirteen horsemen |

Buffaio Bill had seen the men and horses fall at his
fire. He knew his aim was deadly, and where he had ex-
pected to see ten men in pursuit, he now beheld the full
band of thirteen horsemen in black!

Drawing his horse to a halt, and wheeling in his sad-
dle, Buffalo Bill said, in a mystified way:

“T killed three of the thirteen men in black, and yet
there come thirteen horsemen on my trail!

“What does it, can it, mean?’

GHAPTIEN FV.
A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. | ie

It is speaking mildly to say that Buffalo Bill was
amazed at what he beheld.

He had counted thirteen horsemen in the Black Broth-
erhood band.

Of this number he had killed three, or at a had fired
upon that many, and had seen them drop from their
saddles.

He had brought down two of the thirteen horses, but
now he saw in pursuit of him no less than thirteen horses,
and upon the back of each animal a rider.

He took his field glass and leveled it upon the horse-
men, to see that the three riders whose presence he could
not account for were not dummies. i

No, they were live men, and masked, as his glass re.
vealed.

The band was still the fatal thirteen, and he recalled
that that number always constituted the active members
of the Black Brotherhood.

The thirteen, too, were in pursuit of him, which fact
he fully realized; and more, they came on in an easy gal-
lop, as though sure of their prey.

“Tt will simply be a life more or less to remain here and
pick them off. I will push on, for in this crooked canyon
I can gain on them, and get well out of range of their
rifles, though mine would still readily reach them.

“Tl ride rapidly, get a long start, lose them in the dark-
ness upon the plain, and then sweep around and get back to
that poor girl again. That is my plain duty.”

So saying, the hunted scout sent his horse off on a
run, as soon as he got around a bend in the canyon. _

Had the outlaws observed him they would have mar-
veled greatly that the lameness of the animal was so sud-_
denly absent. e

But they did not see him, on account of the bends i in the

 
THE BUFFALO

canyon, and only upon coming out upon the open plain
did they discover the horseman well out of the range of
their rifles.

He was pushing along for the distant mountains, and
night was coming on, so they knew that if they did not
overtake him quickly he would elude them in the dark-
ness.

The scout’s horse, they now remarked, still went lame.
If hard pushed, he must break down, they felt certain.

The sable thirteen went dashing along to push the
supposed lame horse to the best speed he ‘could make and
thus break him down the sooner.

But the crippled beast still sped on, and it seemed that
the pursuers gained but slowly, if at all.

By and by the night shadows began to fall. The scou
and his steed looked like grim specters in the distance, un-
til, at last, they faded altogether from sight.

Confident that the scqut must hold on to the mountains,
entering them by a well-known gap, the pursuers con-
tinued on, hoping to come up with the lame steed before
night fully settled down.

But the solitary rider held his way. He allowed the

. thirteen to gain upon him, yet not enough to bring him

#§

under their fire.

As the darkness increased, the keen eyes of the scout
could still discern the band, though, being alone, he was
hardly visible to them.

Wheeling his horse about so as to face them, he now
gave his defiant war cry.

That defiance was enforced by the rattle of sixteen shots
from his chambered rifle, in which he took no particular
aim, but let the bullets find a target by chance.

A commotion among the band followed, and in the
glare of his fire the horseman disappeared like a specter.

Making a flank movement, as he rodé_on, he was not
long in getting around to the trail he had deserted, and
hoped that he was well in advance of his foes, should they
have turned about.

That he was on the right trail he soon discovered. The
canyon opened before him, and, leaving it to his horse to
find the way, he held on at a canter.

Reaching the ridge, he went up out of the canyon, and
at last saw a dark object ahead.

It wds in the trail he had passed over, and a closer ap-
proach told him that it was one of the two horses he had
shot.

‘Dismounting, he found that the animal had been
stripped of saddle and bridle. But the rider was not there.
When he came to the other dead animal no human body
was visible. “The dead outlaws were not to be seen.

With some anxiety concerning the wounded giri he
had left in the little grove, he rode rapidly on, just as the
moon began to rise.

BILL ‘STORIES.

Coming in sight of the timber, he approached cau-
tiously.

If the outlaws could produce men so quickly to replace
those. who had been shot, they could find others to lie in
ambush for him in the timber.

Just where the girl had been left the trail passed by.
Had the Black Brotherhood been pursuing her, when he
barred their way, Buffalo Bill felt assured that some one
would have been sent on in’chase of her.

So there was reason for caution in approaching the
grove, and, dismounting, the scout made his way on fo

At last the grove was reached and entered.

there.

one 1?

The exclamation came from the lips as though he we
amazed at the disappearance of the girl. |

He stood in silent and painful meditation, gazing do
upon the ground where he had left her.

His large serape, which he had spread for her to lie
upon, was also gone.

“Tf they have moved her it will kill her. But brutes
who would shoot at a woman would show her no mercy, |
even when wounded. ce

“But where have they taken her? and who is she? and
why was she shot?

“‘And more: what was the secret she did not have tim
to make known to me, and who were those whom the out-
laws had raided? :

“T must find out. That must be my mission now.

“Well, thinking is not acting, so 1 must get to w
and see what the trail tells me.”

With this the expert in woodcraft began to “read th
signs” that a true borderman knows as an open book. —

It was not very long before he began to feel mystified.
He could only find a few trails leading to and from the og
timber. Es

Two of those trails were made by the horse of
wounded girl and his own, when he first went there fe
shelter.

Another trail was his own, in leaving the timber when he
went to head off the coming outlaws, and the fourth that
of his last return to the grove.

These were all!

Search as he might, he could not find the trail left by
the girl’s horse in leaving the spot; nor was there the track
of man or horse other than those he could account for,
to be found’anywhere about the timber !

But how had they come and gone and left no trail?

That was what mystified Buffalo Bill.

The more he thought over the situation the more he
was mystified.

*

 
oh

THE BUFFALO BILL

At length, finding both thought and search useless, he

“remounted his horse, determined to continue on his way.

As a preliminary to this, he decided to ride to the spot

where he had met the band.

This he did, but the earth was hard there, and no trace
of hoofprint could be detected.

Thoroughly disappointed, Buffalo Bill muttered:

“They have their horses shod in some peculiar way to
keep from leaving trails. All the same, I will yet find
them, and know the fate of that_poor girl. I have given
my vow to her to avenge her wrongs, and that vow must

_be redeemed.

“Now to go on to the ranch of Manton Marr and see if it
can really be true, as she told me, that he is dead and his

home a ruin.

“If so, my duty . plain ; for, though I came too late to

save, I can avenge.’

With this determined utterance Butialo Bill rode on his
way, taking the trail he had been following the afternoon

before, when the wounded girl was so unexpectedly en-
countered.

CROAT PR Va
A LIFE CLAIM,

There was no finer ranch in the Arizona country than

_. that of Manton Marr.

The owner had been a miner, it was said. He had
struck it rich, and had started homeward, carrying his
treasure with him, when he had come upon the country un-
der the shadow of the San Francisco range, and within easy

ide of the Grand Conyon of the Colorado Mountains,
greatest of nature’s mighty upheavals in all that

ugged region.

mpressed by the marvels of grandeur about him, and
rmed with the country around his lonely night camp,
miner had said then and there he would remain and
make his home.
The others of the party had gone on their way, but he
had remained.
He had first buried his gold, hiding it most securely,

save so much as he needed for his work.

Then, going down toward the New Mexico line, he
had hired a number of Mexicans, ba taken them back
to his new abiding place.

After that he had set to work to bald his home—a
fine cabin and outbuildings, and all else to make him

comfortable.

‘Cattle were purchased in Texas, and driven to Over-
look Ranch, as he named it, and half a dozen con pays

_ were employed to take charge of them.

Then Manton Marr had gone to Tennessee to bring

his family to their new home.

It had been a long, hard journey, but at last the wagon

STORIES.
train had arrived one afternoon at Overlook Ranch, and |

his devoted wife and daughter had been glad to behold
their new and novel home.

The wagon train had been well laden with furniture,
supplies, and all that the miner-rancher knew would be
needed, and, though Mrs. Marr and Helen had discov-
ered that the nearest neighbor was far away, they seemed
content to live a life of solitude.

“Tere we are safe, Helen, for the shadow will not fol-
low us. I am content,” Mrs. Marr had said upon arriv-
ing at the new haven—to her a haven of repose.

“Yes, mother, father will be happy here, and we need
not live in deadly fear any more.

“We can soon make our new home a happy one, und I
will learn to be a real frontier girl in a very short while,”
the young girl had averred.

With the furniture brought and willing hands to
make all bright and cheery, Overlook Ranch very ‘soon
took on a most cheerful appearance.

Manton Marr seemed content in looking after his ¢

horses and cattle, cultivating a garden, and finding fish
and game for his table, while his good wife, with the aid
of a negro man and woman, who had followed their for-
tunes to the Arizona wilds, made all about the ranch de-
lightfully inviting.

Helen soon learned to throw a lariat, and, being al-
ready a fine horsewoman and good shot, she often accom-
panied her father upon hunting trips, and seemed to revel
in the wild life.

Several raids of Indians were beaten off by the rancher
and his people.

All began to feel that the worst was over, when other
settlers came to find homes in the same fine country and
located a dozen miles from Overlook. G

This was followed by a stage line, running on a trail a
dozen miles away.

Emigrant trains began to travel the same way, while
miners in the mountains sent their hard-earned gold east-
ward over the same trail.

The chances thus offered of getting the gold of Te
outlaws were not long in finding out.

It was then soon made apparent that a band known as
the Black Brotherhood was well informed as to where to
strike a coach, wagon train or traveler, and thus secure
a rich haul of booty.

In vain did the settlers get ee the cowboys from
their ranches and attempt to hunt down the marauders,
The bandits could never be found after one of their law-
less raids, nor could they be tracked to their retreats.

Soldiers were sent from Fort Wingate to protect the
settlers and trails, but when the mounted detachments
were there on the ground no marauders were ever seen.

 
THE BUFFALO

- The stage company sent men to hunt them, but without
result.

The work of lawlessness still Wen on, and no clew
could be found to the daring waylayers.

One of the new arrivals in the country, a young man,
who with his sister had established a ranch a score of
miles from Overlook, had been most persistent and daring
in his hunt for the mountain miscreants.

The result was that twice his home had been raided,
booty taken, and a number of times his horses and cattle
had been stolen.

At last he organized a band of rangers from the cow-
beys of the-diiferent ranches.

Still the Black Brotherhood continued their marauding,
and could not be driven off or caught in the toils.

In despair at their inability to wipe out the band, Man-
ton Marr at last decided to call upon one to aid him upon
whom he had a strong claim.

So he wrote to this man, telling him the story, and beg-
“ging his aid, while he also addressed letters to army offi-
cers in the West whom he well knew.

The man upon whom he had a claim was Buffalo Bill,
and the claim that Manton Marr had upon the scout was
one of life.

In the mines, one night, when in the discharge of duty,
Buffalo Bill would have been killed by a gang of des-
peradoes, and no man had dared to take his part. Then

‘Manton Marr had stepped forward, taking all chances, and
by his determined. stand and deadly aim had quickly shown
that the scout was by no means without a friend in need.

Buffalo Bill appreciated all that the brave miner had
done in his behalf. He knew that Marr had drawn upon

himself the enmity of a certain few of the worst characters
in the mines, and that these put his life continually in
danger. :

“Remember, 1 am ever your friend, Mr. Marr, and if
I can ever’ serve you, command me to the full extent of

my power to do so,” Buffalo Bill‘had said.

That 1

two years after,

he meant all he uttered was proven, when, nearly
a letter came to him from his friend in
Arizona begging him to hunt down the Black Brother-

hood.

This was the letter, added to the reports to the com-

manding officer of the nearest post, where Buftalo Bill
was chief of army scouts, which started the scuut on the
trail that led to the meeting of the wounded girl, and the
sharp action with the fatal thirteen.
The San Francisco mountains towered above Buffalo
Rill as he drew nearer their base, the sun sank behind the
horizon, yet he rode on until the moon arose to light his

way.

Bill, SEORIES.

“Overlook Ranch cannot be far away from here,”
decided.

As he uttered the words he quickly drew rein, for he
had suddenly ridden upon a strange scene. _

CHAPTER Vi;

REVEALED BY THE MOONLIGHT.

The sight which caused Buffalo Bill to halt so suddenly
was a singular one.

He had been riding through a canyon, thickly grown
with timber, and was nearing the end, for he could see.
out upon a moonlit valley beyond, when he beheld a man _
standing in the full light of the moon.

The man was tall, clad in frontier garb, and the moon-
light revealed a revolver thrust in his belt and a rifle lean-
ing against the tree behind him.

The pose of the man was striking. One hand was
upon a pick, with which he had been digging, while the
other hand was held out, the palm open, as though in
pleading. With face upturned and eyes riveted upon the
moon, he was talking, as though “addressing it,

“The man must be demented. He is talking to the
moon, and at his. feet is an open grave, that is certain,”
said Buffalo Bill, as he sat upon his horse in the shadow of
the timber, and gazed upon the strange scene.

The moon’s rays revealed the striking picture almost
as clearly as the sunlight could have dee, :

Drawing nearer and dismounting, Buffalo Bill left his
horse standing unfastened, and gained a position from

where he could more distinctly see the man. |

The latter had not heard the clink of the iron-shod
hoofs over the canyon trail, seeming to be too much ab-
sorbed in his own occupation to hear, see or heed aught
else.
His face appeared strangely white in the moonlight ;

-his hair was long; he wore a beard, and his lips moved as

he muttered aloud the words which the scout could not
catch.

The large slouch hat was turned up in front, so that the
light fell full upon his face, and Buffalo Bill said, ear-
nestly, as he passed on out of the timber:

“My God! it is Manton Marr! Can his sorrows have
driven him to insanity ?”

A few moments the scout stood, undecided what to do
to make himself known to the man whom he had come.
so far to see, and whom he now found crazed by suffer-
ing, when suddenly there came the cracking of a stick, as
though under the weight of a foot.

The scout started, though the man did not appear to
hear the sound, but kept on with his musing aloud and
gazing at the moon.

But Buffalo Bill’s eyes were now upon the spot whence

 
LO

THE BUFFALO

the sound had come. Some man was there, for a deer, or
bear, or panther would not have approached that near a
human being.

The scout had not long to wait. In the semi-darkness
beneath the tree behind Manton Marr the shadowy form
of a man appeared. The watcher saw the white face, the
slouch hat, the border garb, top boots and all, and that the
hands grasped a rifle.

Who. was he and what was his intention?

Buffalo Bill’s rifle was slung to his saddle horn, where
he had left it when he came forward on foot; but he had
his revolvers, and one of these he drew.

To him the movements of the shadowy form indicated
an evil purpose.

He saw the man reach forth and take hold of the rifle
leaning against the tree.

A glance at it seemed to satisfy the prowler, for it was
quickly replaced, and the man stepped a few feet closer
to Manton Marr.

The latter still stood with upturned face, his lips moy-
ing as he addressed his words to the moon.

What those words were Buffalo Bill could not catch,
though he bent his ears to do so.

A cali, a word from the scout would have warned the
grave-digger, but Buffalo Bill feared to call out, as then
the prowler might escape and the alarm might give the
rancher a shock,

He, therefore, decided to await developments and act
as circumstances demanded; so he devoted his attention
to the man in the shadow of the tree.

Suddenly the man threw his rifle to his shoulder and
pulled trigger, his aim being at Manton Marr.

But Buffalo Bill had acted even more quickly, and his
revolver flashed, too.

It was a quick aim, a touch of the trigger, and a sharp
report—but a second in advance of the shot of the in-
tended assassin.

_ That second was enough, however. It destroyed the
_ slayer’s aim, and the hand that grasped the barrel of the
_ leveled rifle dropped uselessly to his side, as the revolver
bullet tore its way through it.
The crack of the rifle and revolver almost mingled, and

the man with the rifle, uttering a cry of commingled ter-
or and pain, as his weapon dropped to the ground, —
back into the timber.

Buffalo Bill had his eye upon him, however, and he fol-
lowed with the speed of a deer.

Reaching the place where he had stood, the scout lost
ight of him in the darkness of the timber, but heard him
earing along through the woods,

“He has escaped me! Now to the hoofs that I heard

and to find poor Manton Marr,”

BILL STORIES.

With this the scout started back at a run to the spot
where he had seen the ranchero digging a grave.

Arriving at the spot, Buffalo Bill called out:

“Manton Marr, where are your”

There was no reply.

“T am your friend, pard—the one you wrote to for aid,
and have come to help you,”

Still no reply answered the call.

“Pard, do not fear me; come out!
lam your friend.’

Still no response, no sound.

As others might be near, Buffalo Bill would not call
his own name. :

There was the open grave, half finished, it seemed, but
the pick and spade were gone!

Even in his flight and fright, Marr had taken the im-
plements with him.

You will see that

CHAPTER VII.

TH EY RUEN ED RANCH.

Buffalo Bill looked attentively all about the grave,

The tracks of the ranchero were there in the soft dirt, .
but no trail going from the spot was visible.

The soil of the canyon bed was too hard for a footprint
to show, though an iron-shod hoof wouid leave its mark.

Making no discovery about the grave, Buffalo Bill
rode over to where the man had been in ambush when
he fired upon the ranchero.

Quickly he dismounted, for, lying upon the ground,
was the rifle, and its barrel was stained with blood.

The scout’s bullet had evidently struck true, and the
hand that supported the rifle had been badly wounded.

But that was not all. At the base of the tree, not far
‘from the rifle, was a mask and cloak, both jet black.

In his haste the assassin had not had time to pick up
the disguise which stamped him as one of the Black
Brotherhood.

The scout swung the rifle, which was a fine one, and
of recent manufacture, to his saddle horn, and, rolling
the mask in the cloak and folding them in his blankets,
he strapped them again to the cantle.

That done, he followed the track the man had taken in
his flight, and saw that it was marked by red drops from
the wounded hand.

Reaching the spot. where the man had mounted his

_horse, Buffalo Bill, to his surprise, found no trail leading

away from there; the herse of the outlaw had left no
tracks.

“They work it well; but I’ll solve the secret yet,” mut-
tered the scout.

“Now, to get out of the quandry I am in. I don’t

just like the situation,” he continued.

 
THE, BUPPALO

“TY know that the man who attempted to kill Mr. Marr
was one of the Black Brotherhood.

“But if I stand here asking myself questions which I
cannot answer, l’ll never reach the end of this trail; so
come, old horse! We'll go on and see what there is at
Overlook Ranch.”

With this the scout rode on his way down the. canyon.

Soon the end of the canyon was reached, and he saw
smoke rising over a distant hill, as from a large fire.

“The home of Manton Marr must be in that timber
on the hill, but that smoke looks ominous,” he said, as he
turned in the direction of the hill.

In half an hour he had ridden up the hill, and, seated
upon his horse, was gazing with sad face upon the
smouldering ruins of what had once been a comfortable
frontier home:

The cabin of the ranchero, the outbuildings, all had
been burned, and all was now a scene pf desolation and
ruin,

Two large dogs lay dead near by, and from the ashes
“at one end of the living-cabin appeared the charred re-
mains of a human hand and arm.

The hand grasped a revolver, and the fate of a human
_ being was known.

What others had also died in that burned cabin?

Who knew?

Who would tell?

Was not this the work of the Black Brotherhood?

About the valley, far away, and seemingly still af-
frightened, were herds of cattle, and this was all the scene
of life about the ruined ranch.

Buffalo Bill’s face was set and stern.

Ee had reached his destination, to find the home of his
friend in smoking embers and ashes.

The scene aroused sympathy, sorrow, and a feeling of
intense desire for revenge against the perpetrators of
such a terrible deed.

What was to be done?

Whom could he call upon for help, or for information,
or for advice?

Fer answer, his horse raised its head and gave a low
whinny. ‘

Buffalo Bill was on the alert at once.

It might be one of the cowboys from the ranch, who
had escaped the destroyers.

It might be a foe.

A horse was certainly coming, and at a gallop, but was
concealed by a clump of small timber.

Soon the horseman came into view, and not a hundred
yards from where the scout stood.

Buffalo Bill’s attitude was not hostile, but he was ready
to meet friend or foe.

The stranger’s eyes were upon the smoking ruins, and

BILL STORIES I]

he had advanced some distance toward the scene before
he discovered the scout.

When he did so he drew rein, while his hand dropped
upon a revolver in his belt; but Buffalo Bill called out:

“Hold, pard, and take it easy, for there may be no
necd of revolver practice between us.”

The horseman still held his hand upon his revolver,
but asked:

“Who are you?’

Buffalo Bill saw a handsome young fellow, clad in a
garb half Mexican, half American, with slouch hat, em
broidered in silver, and a striking general appearance.

He was mounted on a splendid horse, and the saddle
and bridle were Mexican and heavily adorned with silver.

He wore a red sash about his waist. In it were thrust
two revolvers; and, with his negligee silk shirt, top boots,
and make-up, he was a very attractive-looking seagenye
indeed.

His face, too, was one to admire, for it was fearless,
and a winning smile hovered about the corners of his.
mouth, which was hidden by a dark mustache.

In answer to the stranger’s query as to who he was,
Buffalo Bill replied:

“I am an army scout from the northwest, bearing dis-
patches, and knowing Manton Marr, came to visit him,
but this is all I find. Can you explain, sir?”

“But too well; it is the work of those accursed demons,
the Black Brotherhood, the terror of this part of the
country. oe

“T was away after stray cattle. My ranch is a score of| ©
miles from here, and the Marrs were my friends. 1 only
learned of this terrible affair last night from one of the
Overlook cowboys, who came wounded. to: my home.

“You do not know how fearfully this blow fell upon.
me; for the one I loved above all others on earth lies
buried in those ashes.’

The strong man’s voice quivered with emotion.

“You refer to the daughter of Mr. Marr, I suppose,
sir?”

“Yes, to the beautiful. Helen.”

“Of how many persons did the family consist?” askea |
the scout.

“Mr. Marr, his wife and daughter and two negro ser-
vants, while half a dozen cowboys lived in a cabin in the
foothills; but it is also burned, and only one of the men
escaped the deadly hatred of the brotherhood. The poor
fellow lies at my cabin now, wounded \quite seriously.’

“IT knew Mr. Marr, when he was a miner in the north-
west, and I have had reason to regard him as my friend.
I will make it my duty to investigate this frightful affair,
so I will be obliged to you for any information you can
give me,” said Buffalo Bill.

“T fear it will be but little, sir,’ was the answer.

 

 
  

 
  

“The Black Brotherhood hated Rancher Marr partic-
ularly, as he has been very persistent in hunting them
down.

“All of us in this country have been sufferers at their
hands, but none of us have felt the weight of a cruel blow
yes, I shall devote my life to it!”

Then the young man spoke with a determination of
look and manner that showed he was desperately in ear-
nest.

Then he added, as he raised his hands toward heaven,
and looked upward:

“Yes, here by this ruin, by the ashes of the dead girl
I so loved, I vow to track the Black Brotherhood to the
gallows!”

“Amen! answered Buffalo Bill, fervently.

Then he asked:

“May I inquire your name, sirt
~ “Rupert Redwood. I live with my sister, Rena, on a
ranch a score of miles from here, as I said.”

“And my name is William F. Cody, an army scout, as
I told you; and [ shall make known this red deed to the
commandant of the nearest fort.”

“And little good will it do!—oh, no; I will take it
upon myseli to avenge my friends—you have. heard my
vow.”

599

CHAPTER VIII. ‘
A FAIR HORSEWOMAN.

In his conversation with the young ranchero Buffalo
3ill had uttered no word of his having seen Helen Marr
the night before, wounded and in great distress,*nor of
his discovery of the father digging a grave and behaving
as though his mind had been crazed by his sorrows.

The scout, still cautious, wished to know just who the
tranger was before he made any further advances or ad-
‘missions; he would not betray his knowledge of what he
_had discovered, until he knew for a certainty that the
man was just what he represented himself to be.

_ So he told him that he must push on to the fort, a
; day ’s ride from there, and attend to the business which
_had brought him to Arizona.

It was true that Buffalo Bill did have dispatches for
he commanding officer at Fort Verde, and.a letter to him
asking that the scout should be given any aid requested
xy him in the special duty he had come to Arizona to
perform.

“You must visit me, Mr. Cody, if you remain in our
ountry for any time,” said Rupert Redwood, as the scout
aid that he must go on his way.

“I shall take pleasure in giving you a call, sir; but I
uppose you will see to getting the bodies from this ruin
nd burying them?’

 
  

a {THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

like this, and I shall avenge the deed to the bitter end—.

“Oh, yes, I will attend to the sad duty.
to my ranch for my men, and my sister will accompany
me.

“Tt will be a terrible blow to her, when she hears the

appalling story I have to tell, for she was devoted to
Helen and her parents.”
The scout and the young rancher parted, Buffalo Bill
asking him to tell him the most direct trail to Fort Verde.
This Rupert Redwood did; and the scout started on
his way, but halted ona distant range, and went into
camp near a spring in the foothills.

He found good grazing for his horse, gathered some -

wood, and soon had a fire by which he cooked breakfast.

Then, going to a high hill, glass in hand, he began to
sweep the valley far and wide.

He particularly kept his glass upon the smoke that stil!
rose from the ruins.

After a long view, he returned to his horse, saddled
him, and started back toward the place where he had
met the young ranchero, and not upon the trail to Fort:
Verde.

He rode at a canter, and approached the sniouldenae
ruins by the timber in the rear, making a flank move-
ment to do so.

As he reached the edge of the timber, where he could
see all about him, he drew rein suddenly; for there,

seated upon a horse, gazing at the charred remains of the

cabin, was a woman!

“It is the wounded girl I saw last night! Thank
teaven, she was not so seriously hurt as she feared, and
escaped the Black Brotherhood, after all.’

With this thought Buffalo Bill rode out of the timber
to meet her.

His approac ch was quickly discovered, and she turned
as though to fly, but changed her mind and faced the ~
scout, though her hand fell upon a revolver butt in a
holster in her saddle.

Drawing near, the scout saw that he had made a mis-
take. It was not the same horse, nor was it the wounded
girl whom he had befriended.

She was not unlike the other girl, however, and her
habit, or dress, was much the same. ;

Raising his sombrero, the scout said, as he approached.

“A sad sight, lady; especially as I believe this was your
home.” :

She turned upon him a pair of dark, glorious eyes, and
a face that was beautiful, yet strangely sad-looking,
replied, in a low, sweet, voice:

“It isa sad sight, indeed, sir, Specially as I fear those
who dwelt here lie in the ruins.’

“Some, at least, do. They were fiends of yours, I
suppose?”

She hesitated before she replied.

‘T shall return ~

and

  
         
   
    

 

 
   
     
     
      
  
   
  
     
  
   
    
   
    
  
  
    
   
     
   
 
   
    
   
  
    
   
 

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“Yes, friends. But you are a stranger here; for surely
you cannot be one of those who did or who permitted
this cruel deed?”

“No, no, indeed! I am no human monster, such as
the perpetrators of this act were. JI am an army scout,
miss, on my way to Fort Verde; and, knowing Mr. Man-
ton Marr, I stopped to see him, only to find ruin and
death.” De

The girl looked at him earnestly. Then she said:

“T-beg pardon for my-words, sir. If you are going to
Fort Verde, tell the commandant there that it would be
well for him to quit the hunt for poor redskins and send
his soldiers upon the track of the band known as the
Black Brotherhood.

“When he does this faithfully, and cannot find any
clew to the lawless band, tell him there will be one to tell
him a secret, but not until his every effort fails. Good-
q morning, sir!”

4 “Stay, one moment, miss,” the scout urged.

j “Well, sir?”

~ “Suppose I take the trail of this ruthless band, may I
depend upon you to aid me if my own efforts fail?”

She gazed fixedly into his face a moment, and said in
a decided tone:

 

 

“Yes, when you have done your duty fully; and I will
know, for I am aware that you are Buffalo Bill.”

She was off like a flash, as she uttered the name; and,
though Buffalo Bill called to her several times, she did
not halt, but merely waved her hand as she rode on her
way in a rapid run.

“Who and what is she?” muttered the scout, as he
watched her until she disappeared.

Then he added:

“Now, to take the trail of that young ranchero!”

It was late in the afternoon when the ranch came in
sight—an adobe dwelling situated at the base of the
mountains.

It had once been an old Mexican mission, and was,
therefore, as strong as a fort; but it made a very com{fort-
able dwelling place.

Cattle and horses were feeding upon the plains about
the place, but not a soul was visible.

A loud halloo caused the door to open; and out stepped
ca =» .the young ranchero, Rupert Redwood. —

The young rancher called one of his men to take Buf-
falo Bill’s horse, and then led the scout into his large,
rambling, fort-like old home.

“The chapel is now in ruins,” he said, “yet we make
ourselves comfortable and have ample room for our
guests. The Mexicans and Indians say the place is
haunted by evil spirits; but, as it was the home of good
people, I do not see why bad ones should be here in
specter form

THE BUFFALO BILD STORIES.

13

“They do not trouble me. We are not disturbed,
though I believe that many tragic scenes are said to have
been enacted here.”

Buffalo Bill gazed at the interior of the old mission
with interest, and was surprised at the comfortable room
he was led into. A lady arose to greet him.

The rancher introduced him:

“Sister, this gentleman is an army officer, of whom
you have heard—Buffalo Bill,”

To the surprise of the scout, he beheld before him the

horsewoman he had seen at the burned ranch!

She showed no sign of recognition, whatever, but ex-

tended her hand and said:

“T am pleased to welcome my brother’s guest—espe-

cially one who has won stich fame as a borderman.”

Buffalo Bill’s smile of recognition changed. He
checked the words he was about to utter about their
previous meeting. It crossed his mind very quickly that
she did not wish to be recognized, nor wish that meeting
to be known to her brother.

It was a very tempting meal that Buffalo Bill sat down
to in the Redwood Ranch, and he enjoyed the good
edibles greatly.

Over both the sister and brother a gloom seemed to
rest, which the scout naturally set down to their having
lost dear friends in the Marr family. : :

Several times Buffalo Bill tried to lead the girl to ad-
mit her meeting with him that morning, but she eluded
all efforts to draw from her the admission.

When he bade her good-by, for he intended to leave
for Fort Verde at dawn, he was in a quandry as to what.
to believe regarding her.

“Upon your return, Mr. Cody, stop with us; and if you
find, as I feel sure will be the case, that nothing has been
done to capture the outlaws, try and make up your mind
to take the trail, for that will mean their capture and
punishment, I am certain,” she said, in parting.

“Perhaps I may, Miss Redwood; but I have every
faith in your brother,’ was the answer.

Retiring to his room, Buffalo Bill sat down to think,
for he was puzzled.

“Ts that the woman I met at Marr’s burned cabin or
not?

“Why, of course, it is, for two persons could not be so
alike. If not Miss Redwood, who can it be?

“She did not give herself away by look or word; and
I am glad that I did not, either, for these old missions
have ears in the walls, they say.

“Ves, it was Miss Redwood! For some reason she
wished not to refer to it; yet she did say she believed
the outlaws would never be taken unless I took the trail.

“In good time she will speak, no doubt; so I will wait
patiently and watch events as they pass. I am deter-

 
    
     
    
     
 
  
  
   
 
   
   
      
     
      
   
        
   
    
 
     
    
      
        
    
   
   
    
    
   
   
   
   
     
   
   
   
     
     
 

 

   
   

14

mined te find poor Marr and his daughter, if the wound
these devils gave her did not kill her.”
So mused the scout, as he sat in his room before re-
tiring.
At last he threw off his clothes and went to bed.
The windows were open, and a cool breeze lulled him
to sleep. It came through the flower garden’ and was
laden with fregrance. .

The next morning the conversation turned upon other
matters, and the breakfast passed without further mention
of the subject.

Again farewells were said.

Then Buffalo Bill started for Fort Verde, while the
rancher and his cowboys went on the trail to the ruined
home of Manton Marr. :

   

CHAPTER IX.
THE SECOND MEETING,

Continuing on, Buffalo Bill reached the mountain
range and halted by a brook for water and rest.

It was noon, and he decided to have his dinner, while
allowing his horse to feed, for grass was plentiful there.
After a frugal dinner he lighted his pipe for a smoke,
and was lost in deep reverie, when he was startled far

more than he cared to admit by the words, close by him:

“We meet again, Sefior Scout!’ —

The pipe dropped from between his lips, his hands fell
upon his revelvers, and in a second of time Buffalo Bill
was facing the speaker and ready for trouble.

But instantly his weapons were oes and he
answered:

miss.”’

“T am glad to see that you are now on your way to
Verde,’ was the answer.

“Yes, I will arrive at the fort before night; but may I
ask why it was that you refused to recognize me when
in your brother’s house last night? Had you a wish to
keep our meeting at the ruined ranch of Manton Marr
fa secrete???"

“I had my reasons—we will not speak of that, sir.”

She spoke with evident feeling, then said, before the
scout could reply:

“What I do is wholly independent of Rupert Redwood,
I act for myself alone.”

“You know best, Miss Redwood.”

“Yes, I do, as some day will prove,”

Then she continued:

“You will find it no easy task that you have under-
taken; in fact, I believe it is impossible for even Buffalo
Bill to accomplish such a hurculean work; but when you
are assured that you have done your best and need aid,
' come to me.

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

“It is a surprise, but a pleasure, to meet you again,

“I met you here to tell you not to let the Black Brother _
hood escape you; to avenge your friend, Manton Marr,
-and his family. ‘ |

“Hugt the Black Brotherhood by day and by MED)
and ne them no mercy, except one.

“That one is the chief, and I wish him. tated alive?

“I understand, and there is ene other has the same
wish regarding him.”

Buffalo Bill was thinking of the wounded girl wtio
had made a like request regarding the leader of the fatal
thirteen.

“Who is that other one?” asked the woman.

“Myself,” was the evasive reply of the scout.

“Very well. When the time comes for you to say that
you give up the fight between you and the Black Brother-
hood, come here, alone; and—do you see that large
stone?”
poaes” ,

“Place under it a note, telling me of the fact, and

making an appointment for at least four days after. cy

will come to meet you.

“Let this be the rendezvous and post office. Should
you meet me anywhere, never under any circumstances
must you speak to me of what is between us, unless I
give you the signal to do so by cere hands with you
with my left hand.”

“I shall not forget,” he promised.

The girl, as though to enforce her words, held forth
her left hand to Buffalo Bill} who grasped it with his left.

She had withdrawn her gauntlet glove to do so.

Buffalo Bill was at once impressed with the knowledge
that there was something wrong in the grasp, something
unnatural in the hand.

As she drew her glove on again he observed that the

left thumb was missing from the hand.

He was almost startled by the discovery.

Was it a deformity?

Was it an accident?

The scout saw that the thumb of the glove was stuffed,
to supply the missing member as far as the eye went.

He had not noticed this defect before, when he met her
at the burned cabin, and at her home.

Buffalo Bill waited for something to be said—a story
to be told about the missing thumb.

But none came.

Instead the girl said:

“Now that your mission here is known to me, and I
know how well you have begun work already, while you
understand that you have a secret friend in me, let me ask
you upon whom you intend to call when you need aid?”

“There are a score of scouts at Fort Verde, several of

whom I know personally, and they are all brave, clever :
fellows, whom I can rely upon wholly.”

    
    
   
       
     
      
      
     
     
    
      
     
        
    
         
      
  
   
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
    
   
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
    
  
  
    
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rae :

   
       
      
   

 

“Yes, all good men,” she admitted, “and Buckskin Sam
is their chief.’

“Yes, I have met him, and pine him roughly”

- “We is a man to rely upon;.and it will be well to have
hit and his scouts as your allies, when you need them.”

“T shall use them.”

“But do you object to having allies who will be even
more valuable?’

“Who can they be?” he queried.

“Those whom I can place under your command.”

“In what respect can they be re valuable than Buck-

kin Sam and his Verde scouts?’

” «They all ride equally as well, are just as dead’ shots,
can throw the lariat better, are tireless, enduring, and
never-failing trailers, while they know every acre of this
country even better than do the old owners, the Indians,

“They are men to trust with your life. They will die
by your side, die for you if you demand it, and have the
best of reasons for serving under you.”

“What are these reasons?’ he demanded.

“Revenge!” and she uttered the word with almost sav-
age earnestness.

“But who are they ?”

“They call themselves the Revenge Rangers

“Where are they?”

“Come to this rendezvous the third day from this, be-
fore sunset, and you shall meet the Revenge Rangers,”
said the girl, earnestly.

Then she wheeled her horse suddenly and rode away.

CHARTER X.
THE WELCOME AT FORT VERDE.

Buffalo Bill stood watching the strange girl until she
disappeared in the distance.

“A maimed hand on a young girl seems so very cruel
Then there was Helen- Marr, badly wounded.- Is it a
custom for the lawless men of this country to be more
cruel to women than to their own sex? But I must be
on my way now.”

He glanced about him at the little camp he had made.

It was an ideal spot for a secluded camp, with fine
water, grass and wood at hand; and, being well off
trail, would not be readily eee :

“Vl mark the place well in my mind,” the scout

decided; and, with a sharp scrutiny of the vicinity, he
mounted. his horse.
Then the scout rode on his way back to the trail he had

been following to the fort.
He camped for dinner at that spot, and tarried there
for a couple of hours, so that the horse was well rested.
Again mounting, he pushed on at a canter, constantly
on the alert for an ambush.

THE BUFFALO

  

ff the -

  

BILL STORIES. 15

        

But he saw no foe; only here and there a herd of fleet-
footed, graceful antelopes, that stood afar off and gazed
wonderingly at him, with their laage, dreamy, beautiful
eyes.

            
 

As the sun neared the horizon, Fort Verde came into
view.

    
     

 

   

As Buffalo Bill was admitted within the fort the sunset
gun was fired, flashing ‘forth, as it were, a salute to the
departing orb of day, and the
border,

 
   
   
 

coming of the king of th

 
   
     
    

A sergeant was sent by the officer of the day to con-+
dyct the scout to headquarters. Col. Garrett was just
returning there from dress parade when he beheld the —
scout. a

 
         
         
   
 

“What a superb specimen of manhood, Hastings!”
said the colonel to his adjutant, as Buffalo Bill swung
gracefully out of the saddle, threw his rein to an orderly,
and approached the two officers, giving a military salute.

“He is, indeed, sir, and a stranger to the fort. Who
can he be?” answered Adjt. Hastings.

Buffalo Bill at-once came up, and, after his salute, said,
courteously :

“Have I the honor of iiace Col... Garrett ?”

“Yes, sir;.and who is it, may I ask, that claims my
acquaintanceship ?” and the colonel gazed upon the hand-
some face and picturesque bearing of the scout with
admiration.

    
     
     
       
       
     
     
     
       
     
     
 

“T am. chief of scouts in the Northwestern Military
Distriet, sir. My name is ‘William F. Cody, and I bear a
letter to you from my commandant at Fort owerany
Col. Garrett.”

“Ah, yes, and Iam glad to welcome
that the name of the great plainsman
as Buffalo. Bill?”

“T am the one they call Buffalo Bill, sir.’

“Indeed! I might have known, as you look it, Mr: ae
Cody. I am indeed glad to meet you. Le

“Tet me present you to Capt. Hastings, Post a
tant.”

The colonel shook the hand of the scout warmly; the
adjutant did likewise; then the colonel led the way into.
his quarters,

 
         
   
 

}
is not
known

   

you; but,
und scout,

          
         
     
  
 
    
    
  
 
 
  
    
  
   
  
 

emarking:
“We know you well by name here, Cody, and ory
mae of your doings in the northwest.
“L beheve you know my epiet of scouts, Sam Hall,
better ye as
Ves. sit. EB
“Then you will make your quarters with him, in the
row, and | hope you can remain some)

Buckskin Sam ?

young officers’

time at. Verde.”
“T expect

olain,”

to do so, sif, as the letter 1 have “will ex-

   
ie eee BO

“But, come in and we'll tall matters. over,” and the two
officers and Buffalo Bill entered headquarters just as
twilight was falling.

CHAPTER XI.
WITH BUCKSKIN SAM.

Buckskin Sam was a small, wiry fellow, with long,
waving, jet- -black hair,
trating, like those of an eagle.

He had made a name as a Confederate scout, and later
had become captain of a band of Texas rangers who had
been taken into the United States service as guides,
scouts, and Indian fighters.

f Uhe en. had made a record for themselves as Buck-
skin Sam’s Boys, and each one was to be depended upon.

“Why, Buffalo Bill, I am giad to see you,’ cried Buck-

in Sam, when he saw the distinguished borderman
enter his quarters, and heard Capt. Hastings’ words:

_ “Sam, here is an old friend for you. to welcome.”

Buffalo Bill was made royally welcome, and given
pleasant. accomniodations, while a tempting supper was

repared.

Then the Secret Rangers, who had heard of the new

arrival, began to drop in to pay their respects to the gr eat
chief of the northwest trail-finders.

The two scout-chiefs were at length left to themselves,

“when Buffalo Bill said:

“Now, Sam, for a quiet, confidential tall.”

Buffato Bill then related why he had come to Arizona,
nd just what he had seen and discovered since his coin-
ng. 5

| Py. did you ever hear of the
am?” he asked, when his story was told.
“Never; but I should think there would be many of
Pthem, if, the people who have cause for revenge in this
country should take the trail.”
_ “Well, there is an organized band of such people. Day
‘after to-morrow I am to meet them, and shall then ascer-
tain who and what they are; that settled, I can decide,
with you, what is best to be done.”
— “Good as gold!’
“When I leave the fort, I wish you to start upon my
trail, say, a couple of hours behind me.
_ “You can start in another direction, but flank around
‘and get upon my trail when out of sight of those whose
interest it may be to watch you.’

“Yes, that is best.”

“Tl mark my trail well, where it is necessary.”

“AML right.”

_- “Jf you find a cross marked in the trail, that means

_ that you are to go slow and halt for an hour or so, for

there is no knowing what I may’run upon.

‘But af you find a hand marked in the trail, push on
- rapidly, though with caution.”

“T understand.”

_ “My first duty is to find out who the Revenge Rangers
nate, and see just what they are worth'o me; then I wall

see you, and we will have a talk. After that, if I work

with the Revenge Rangers, or with you alone, I shail
make it my business to find Manton Marr and his daugh-
iter sein.

“That must be done, sure,”

Revenge Rangers,

said Buckskin Sam.

and eyes spate and pene-

BILL STORIES.

“Yes; for in finding them we will be on the trail of =
Black Brotherhood as well.” me
“Do you wish the colonel to know that I follow you,
or do you wish him to think I merely start off on a scout
of my own?” /

“He must know, Sam, but no one else.”

“Tt is best.”

It was after midnight, so. the faetds retired to their
blankets.

The day after Buffalo Bill made an early start to go to
the appointed rendezvous made with Miss Redwood, to
meet the Revenge Rangers.

An hour after his departure, Buckskin Sam rode away
in an opposite direction, but flanking around, picked up
his trail and followed it.

Buffalo Bill had ridden some twenty miles from ihe
fort, when he suddenly saw a band of antelopes flying
along a couple of miles away from him.

He saw them dash past the foot of a range, then sud-
denly make a wide and startled swerve away from some >
rocks that lay right by the side of his trail.

There was a ine tree there, and about it was a group
of bowlders, several of oe being six or eight feet i in
height. *

“I could bring one of you down easily, but I'll spare
you, and go without my steak, for you have just saved
me from riding upon an ambush, for there are men hid-
ing among those rocks,” thought Buffalo Bill. ;

CHAPTER XII
THE FOE UNEARTHED.
A man trained to look for danger in every sound, every

movement, naturally saw something to dread in the sud-
den swerving of the band of antelopes from their direct

Course.

They had scented danger in that group of rocks.

The scout read the sign and decided to profit by it.

He did not make a movement to indicate that he had
observed the act of the antelopes.

Twice he raised his rifle, as though to bring down one
of them, but lowered it, with the air of one who thought
that a shot would be amiss.

He felt. that eyes were upon him;
acting.

After the antelopes had passed he kept straight on his
way, as before.

Then he suddenly grasped his reins, swerved to the
right, and at a full run started to flank the rocks, making
for the ridge on the other side.

That he had studied the situation well was very quickly
proven, for the heads of two men appeared above the

so this was but

largest bowlder, a couple of rifles were thrust over, and
aim that might have been deadly was taken at the fiving

scout.
But he had planned for this; and, as he dashed along,

his repeating rifle began to rattle shot after shot.

The shots were aimed as well as they could be by the
scout riding at full speed.

They so incessantly and rapidly rained upon the top of
the rock, and with such true aim, that one of the men _
dropped back with his rifle discharging ‘as he fell, while _

+

 
 

  

his companion pulled trig
good aim.

While he was firing, the scout was going like the very
wind, his horse at full speed, circling the point of am-
bush. .

He was riding for one of the breaks in the ridge, and
was not long in gaining its shelter.

Placing his horse under cover of a bowlder, he sprung
to shelter himself, and a glance showed him that he was
master of the situation.

He had the two men”in the rear.

He had completely and quickly flanked their position.

One of the men lay upon the ground motionless, and
near him two horses were ditched.

The other had dashed around the bowlder for protec-
tion.

But his rifle was all he had. He had left his hors se,
his provisions, blankets, and comrade behind, and in full
view of the scout.

ger quickly without seeking a

And his eomrade was dead; or, if not, utterly helpless, »

“Ho, pard, come out and surrender, thus saving time
and trouble,” shouted Buffalo Bull.
-—.‘Vll see yer in hades first,” was the very decided
_ answer.

“All right. Ill give you just two hours, to decide.
Then down go your horses, and you will be on foot.”

The man evidently realized the truth of this, but did
not surrender; and the scout quietly sat down to await
the coming of Buckskin Sam, whom he felt very sure
was then ‘on his trail.

It was with the patience of an Indian that Buffalo Bill
sat down to await the corning of Buckskin Sam

He was anxious to take this man alive, to ee just
who he was, and see why the attempt on his life was
made.

So he calmly waited.

Twice the man behind the rocks called out to him to
make terms.

“If you'll draw
quits,” he said.

NO 12)

It was the only reply.

Again came a call to make terms.

Ty go and leave yer ther outfit, dead man, and all, if
yer'll let me hev my horse.”

off, I'l go with my pard and call it

“No 17
The scout at last begun to turn his eyes across the
- valley.
At last he was rewarded by seeing a horseman appear
in sight.

A look through his, glass and he said:

“Tt is Buckskin Sam, and he is just in time,”

On came Buckskin Sam, his eyes roaming ahead and
upon the trail.

The man behind the rocks did not see him,

He was not looking for danger in that direction.

All he had to fear, he thought, was in his front.

Nearer and nearer Buckskin Sam came.

Buffalo Bill was preparing to warn him with a shat,
when he saw Sam stop, and then ride to the right, mak-
ing a flank movement.

At this the scout raised his voice and shouted:

THE- BUFFALO

  

BILL STORIES. | 17

“Ho, Sam; I’ve got him corralled on this side, and he’s ~

between two fires.”

As quick as a flash Buckskin Sam was out of his sad-
dle; a word to his horse, and the animal had dropped
upon its side.

Using the horse for a breastwork, with his repeating
rifle pointed over his saddle, Buckskin Sam called out:

‘Hands up, there, or I'll put daylight ti pee: you!”

The man in hiding had at first believed Buffalo Bill’s
call was to him, but. quickly realized his mistake.

But the realization came too late. Buckskin Sam was
already down and sheltered.

The man in concealment was between two fires.

Up went his hands, and Buffalo Bill heard his fright-_

ened cry:
“Don’t shoot! - I is doomed, and knews it, too!”
“Walk out from that bowlder into full view of both

of us!” cried Buckskin Sam.
TAM de it,”
“Leave your rifle and belt of arm ee ehind yo nl?
“Thar they is,” and the weapons were laid down by the

rock.

“No funny business,
trouble,”

“I knows that, you bet.”

With this the man stepped out into full view, and Buf-

falo Bill called:

“Hands up, 1 told you!”

Chey were quickly raised.

Buffalo Bill now advanced on foot, and the two scouts
met at the ambush.

“Well, Sam, I was roe for my
the rocks on meé; bistul guess his pard is all ri
as I think I wounded him,”

“They laid for you here, Bill?”

“ies; but a herd of antelopes dodged the place, and
gave me warning.’

“Good! But where is this fellow’s pard ? This one is
about the worst man in Arizona, unless it’s the fellow 1
expect is with him.”

“He lies behind the rocks yonder—ha !”

As Buffalo Bill uttered the words he saw Buckskin

Sar soe on one knee, throw his rifle to his shoulder, and

se

mind you, or youll get into

as this fellow had
ght yonder,

f

He had fired at a horseman who was dashin ng away
two hundred yards distant and sheltered by the group of
bowlders.

The shot of Buckskin Sam was a deadly one.

The man tumbled from his saddie.

The horse, relieved of his rider, circled around and
went back to his comrade at. the rocks, then uttered a
giad neigh, and trotted up to Buckskin Sam at his call.

“My own horse, Rill, which those fellows stole from
me a week or so ago,’ said Sam.

“The man was not dead after all,” said the scout “He
played ’possum well, for he lay motionless’on his back for
two hours.”

“Tl! be sure he’s dead now,”
“for he’s as tricky as a coyote.”

Then they walked toward the man, taking the prisoner

ith them.

The man was dead.

remarked Buckskin Sam,

 

   
 

Pd

   
  
   
     

 
      
       
  
   
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
    
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
  
   
 
   
  
  
   
         
      

He lay upon his face, and the bullet of Buckskin Sam
had cut through his neck.

‘As f thought, ” said the Verde scout, turning him
over.

“He is the man you thought?”

“Ves, And there is what your shot did,’ and Buck-
skin Sam pointed to a fresh wound in the top of the
man’s head.

The bullet of Buffalo Bill had cut along the top, | graz-
ing the skull, and leaving an ugly woun

“Tt doubtless stunned him, | Bill. Knowing you were
about, when he came to he played ‘possum to get you.”

“Yes, Sam, and skipped when we were busy with this
fellow.”

“That’s what he did.”

“Will you go back to Verde with them?”

_Porkunately, I don’t have to.?’

“How is. that?”

“You saw my horse come up to me just now?”

es, a?

“There is no better in the country than that horse. He
can do all but talk.

_. “Yhis other horse belongs to Col, Garrett, and it nearly
_ broke the colonel’s heart when he was stolen.”
| a am glad he'll get him back,” said the scout.

“Like mine, he’s trained ; and Pil tell you what I'll do.’

“What ?”

“Write the colonel a note and send it by my horse; and
you can go right on, as I happen to know you are in a
hurry.”

“T will be glad to do so, Sam.”

With this Buffalo Bill and Buckskin Sam securely
bound the prisoner. Then the scout.mounted his horse
and rode rapidly away.

_ After Buffalo Bill had departed Buckskin Sam thought
for a moment, and said to his prisoner:

“Now I think of it, Nat Low, I'll send you to Verde
and your dead pard with you; for, if anything should
detain the party to be sent after you, and night should
come on, the coyotes might eat you. Bad as you are I
don’t want that.”

“The man shuddered, and Buckskin Sam ordered him to
mount,

The man hesitated, but a prick of the point of a
bowie-knife made him obey with promptness.

Then Buckskin Sam sat down, and with a pencil wrote
a note to Col. Garrett, in which he explained the whole

affair,

The note, addressed to the colonel, was firmly pinned
upon the prisoner’s breast.

The next move of the Verde scout was to make a gag,
and this he thrust firmly into the mouth of his captive.

‘The man’s legs were bound beneath the horse, and the
reins were tied up securely.

Buckskin Sam now turned his attention to the dead
man.

The body was strapped across the saddle of the animal
stolen from Col. Garrett;
bit and bit, and started upon the trail for the fort.

They went off at a canter, the prisoner writhing in his

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

and the two horses were tied:

saddle; and Buckskin Sam watched them until they dis-
appeared from sight, four or five miles away. —

Then he mounted his horse and once more followed on
the trail of Buffalo Bill.

CHAPTER XI.
THE MASKED HORSEMAN.

After leaving
man and the prisoner as he deemed best, Buffalo Bill
rode at a rapid lope mile aiter mile.

He was anxious to be on time at the rendezvous, and
not keep Miss Redwood and her band of Revenge Rang-
ers Wolene.

The pace he kept up pretty steadily, but halted at times
when he approached another ambush, and flanked several

excellent covers for an enemy.

At last he neared the rendezvous, though somewhat be-
hind time, in spite of his rapid ride.

Suddenly he heard the sound of hoofs.

At once he was on his guard.

enemy.
Euffalo Bill at once withdrew from theggrail to the
shelter of a thicket; and just in time, for quickly th ere
appeared over the ridge a horseman.
2

“A Man in Black, and no mistake!” muttered -the

 

scout. “Are there others following? Now to business!
IT want him!—want him alive! He is my game, or I am
his.”

So deciding, the scout unslung his long lariat; and with
his horse perfectly quiet, he waited, concealed by the
thicket pines,

The man, when first heard, had been riding in a
gallop; but as he came near he halted, as if undecided as
to which of two trails to take.

The scout anxiously awaited his decision. He had not
long to wait. In a moment, the Man in Black turned to
listen, as though hearing a sound behind him’ on the
trail.

Thus he stood for a while; but at length started on
again, taking the trail that led by the waiting scout.

Intently watching this man, Buffalo Bill did not see a
second horseman appear in the trail behind and coming
over the ridge

Nearer advanced the Man in Black, and the lariat of
the scout begun to make its whirls in the air, preparatory
to being thrown.

Another moment and the scout launched the line; and,
cast ‘unerringly, the loop settled over the man’s head, to
be instantly drawn taut.

Out of the saddle the Man in Black was dragged, fall-
ing with considerable force. Buffalo Bill spurred toward
him, halting quickly and dismounting.

As he did so a shot was heard, some distance off, and
the captured man fell forward on his face, dead!

A bullet had cut through his body!

- Buffalo Bill was upon his guard instantly, for the shot
was a surprise to him.

Then he saw, not two hundred yards away; ‘nding
toward him, rifle in hand, no other than the young
rancher, Rupert Redwood!

Buckskin Sam to’ dispose of the dead

The person coming’ -
might be the fair maid of the juacenda, or it might be,2a-———~

Ae be ool

 

  

 

 
     
 

  

  

on ee: it was who had fired the shoe that killed the Man
| in Black.

Buffalo Bill’s face flushed angrily, and he called out:

_ “Why did you kill this man, Mr. Redwood?”

“Why, to aid you, Mr. Cody; for, catching, as you did,
- with your lasso, I supposed you were unarmed.”

“No, I caught him purposely, as I wished to have him
alive; but I thank. you for your desire to serve me;
though I fear we have lost a good chance to get the in-
formation we wanted about the Black Brotherhood. Do

you know the man?’

| Buffalo Bill drew the black mask from the dead man’s
head and. face.

q “My God, yes!

  
   
  
 

He is one of my most trusted cow-

| boys!
a “Ves, one of my most reliable men, as I fancied,
Garcia was. A person hardly knows who to trust in this

   
   
  
 

country. Their best friends may secretly be members
of the Black Brotherhood.”

“Tt is too bad,”’ commented the scout, “but I thank you
just the same for your intention to serve me. Now that
{ have met you, Mr. Redwood, I'll not go by your home,
but push right on my trail.”

‘Why, ne! We will be delighted to see you; and by
“x eress trail it is not so far, you know, from here.”

Thanking him, Buffalo Bill shook hands with the
young rancher and rode on his way.

Getting over the ridge, he dismounted and walked
back.

He beheld the rancher riding away on the trail that led
him homeward, leading the horse of the outlaw, the body
being strapped upon the saddle.

Confident that the young ranch owner was really not
shadowing him, Buffalo Bill ence more resumed his way
to the rendezvous. ©

 

CHAPTER XIV.
THE REVENGE RANGERS.

 

-*For some time the scout rode on, yet kept loeking be-
ad for he still suspected that Rupert Redwood might
be following him.

As far as he himself was concerned, he did not care,
and would rather have let the young rancher know about
this meeting with his sister; but he could not betray her
confidence, and so must guard her secret.

Hurrying on rapidly the scout soon reached the little
camp.

The young girl was there awaiting him, au was alone.

This he was sorry to discover, as he decided that the
Revenge Rangers had not been able to get there.
a Courteously saluting Miss Redwood, he dismounted,
|” and asked, aS he took the gloved hand thur she extended:
: “Are your Revenge Rangers not here, Miss Red-
wood ?”

“Not yet, and it worries me greatly, for I cannot un-
derstand their delay; but you also are late. I began to
grow anxious about you.”

The quick ear of Buffalo Bili eaught the sound of
hoofs.

He listened attentively for an instant, and then said:

“Your Rangers are coming. A dozen horses, at least,
make that sound.” .

>» -

  
 
  
 

i

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. | ee

Almost as he spoke horsemen cate in sight, and were
seen indistinctly through the trees. _

They were riding at a brisk trot, and in Bale file.

A. moment later the leader wheeled off the trail, the
others following; then clear rang the voice of the fair
maid of the paren: é

“They are the rangers!” et

As she spoke she advanced toward the spot where the
scout stood. The horsemen saw her, and raised their
sembreros with marked respect.

Then they observed Buffalo Bill, and instantly repeated
the salute given to their fair leader.

The scout raised his sombrero and bowed, saying, in
his deep, mellow voice:

“Tam glad to see you, comrades.”

“And I to introduce my brave rangers to the distin-
guished borderman they all know so. well by the name of
Buffalo Bill,” said the girl.

The scout gazed with interest upon the men.

It was a look that took their measure from head to
feot, and they realized the fact.

He saw, in the first place, that each man was splendidly
mounted, equipped, and armed. |

They were prepared for hard riding, camping, and
trailing if need be.

And the men?

They were darkly bronzed by exposure, they wote
their hair long, and their faces indicated indomitable
pluck and will.

Perfect horsemen they were, well formed fellows, and
it too but a glance to see that they were men to tie to,
come what might.

There was not the light, devil-I-care look about them
that plainsmen so often wear. An expression of serious-
ness was stamped upon each face.

The leader was a man of sixty, with gray hair and
mustache.

They had been picked as men who had been made to
suffer by cruelties of the Black Brotherhood, and were
banded together by the stern demand of vengeance.

But why should a woman, a young girl, lead such men
in their work of revenge?

This was Buffalo Bill’s first thought.

The scout could not understand it. “

“Dismount, comrades, and go into camp. Together
we have nothing to fear, and I wish you to hear what I
have to say.

“But fir st, Comrade Custer, let me hear what you have
to report.”

The young girl appealed to the oldest man of the party.

He glanced at Buffalo Bill, and said:

“Your note to me, fair comrade, stated that you would
have one here with you we would be glad to meet and
of whom we all knew.

“That one was to be Buffalo Bill, and you said you
would explain all when we met you here.

“Am I to tell my story before him, or not?”

“Yes, we are to have no secrets from this gentleman,

for he is the one who is to lead you on the avenging

trail.”

fW. ell, comrade, we have discovered that Rancher
Manton Marr was not burned with the others in his
cabin.

  

  
 
   

 
 
   

  
   

20

“We came upon him suddenly, as we passed through
a canyon, and he was digging a grave.”

“A re

‘He saw us and fled like a deer, carrying his pick ag
shovel with him.”

“This is sad, indeed.”

“We called to him, told him we were friends, and
then several of our fleetest mounted men tried to catch
him.

“But in vain, for he escaped us in the timber and could
not be found,”

“Now let us kriow what our new captain has to say.”

The girl turned to Buffalo Bill.

The latter had listened attentively to all that had been
said about the men having seen Manton Marr.

He knew that it must be true, for he, too, had seen
Manton Marr.

He had also been taking in, individually and collectively,
each man of the band. .

He could not get a better band to follow him he well
knew, even though he had brought his own trusted
scouts with him from the northwest.

He saw that these men were to be depended upon.
They knew the country thoroughly and had a good cause
to enlist in. Not only did they burn to avenge loved
ones, but were eager to wipe out a lot of desperadoes who
held mercy for neither man nor woman in their greed for
gold.

“These men will do,” he mused. “I could have no
better, and I will be proud to command them. If I mis-
take not, the Black Brotherhood are nearing the end®of
~ their rope,”

With this he turned to the girl who had appealed to

him, and who was somewhat anxiously waiting to see if.

he was satisfied with her band of Revenge Rangers.

All eyes wete upon him as he spoke and each ear
caught his words:

“T feel honored by the position given me, as captain
of the Revenge Rangers, and if they are satisfied to have
me lead them, we will start upon the trail of the Black
Brotherhood at once.

“Manton Marr wrote for me to come here and aid in
tracking down this fiendish band. a
“J was detailed for this special work; and meeting
Miss. Redwood, I was so fortunate as to get you men as
my allies.

“T am more than content; and I will tell you now that
I have a comrade in the good work with me. 2

“Tt is one who will follow our trail, to see that we are
.not. dogged by the outlaws. He will be within call to
return to the fort for aid, should we need it; though I
did not deem it best to bring any force from there, know-
ing that we were closely watched by spies.”

“You were wise, sit,’ said Mr. Custer. “The outlaws
have spies everywhere, and they will look for men from
the fort to take their trail, after this last inhuman deed
of theirs.

“Not seeing them leave the fort, they will believe ine

Col. Garrett cannot act without orders, and so their fea
oi being hunted will be allayed.”

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

CHAPTER XV. - *
WITH THE REVENGE RANGERS. :

The scout captain and the Revenge Rangers full). un-
derstood each other now.

They knew what was before them, and the men had
abiding faith,in their new leader. —

Buftalo Bill’s reputation was too well established for
them not to have full confidence in him, and to them it
began to look as though the end was at hand.

At last Miss Redwood said that she must return to her
home; and a plan was devised whereby a message could
reach her, or the band, at any time within twenty-four
hours.

“I will ride a short distance with you,” the scout an-
nounced. ‘I desire to meet my pard, Buckskin Sam, and
to have you know him.

“Then I shall take him to our camp and let him Laow

just who each member of our band is.’

A mile they had gone together, when Miss Redwood
said that her trail would lead her from there off to the
right.

Buffalo Bill halted. As he did so he heard a whistle’

which he knew was a peculiar note of Buckskin Sam.

It told him that the Verde scout was near and saw ¥

them.

At once he signaled for his friend to come forward,
and. almost immediately there arose from behind a
bowlder Buckskin Sam and his horse.°

They had been lying down there, having sought con-
cealment when they saw Buffalo Bill and the ‘girl ap-
proaching, Sam not knowing whether he was to show
himself or not.

Buffalo Bill at once presented the Verde scout to his
fair companion, who greeted him cordially. Then ‘the
situation was explained, and the movements of the future
were arranged for.

Miss Redwood then said good-by, and off she went at
a rapid gallop.

The two scouts sat upon their horses watching her li.

until she disappeared from sight, and then had a con-*
fidential talk together.

Buffalo Bill was anxious to have his comrade fully
understand the situation, before he took him to the camp
of the Revenge Rangers.

While Buckskin Sam was talking, Buffalo Bill heard a
sound in the distance he could not mistake.

It was me fall of hoofs, and at a rapid run. ¢

The animal making them was drawing nearer, hence
could not € the horse ridden by Miss Redwood.

But might she not be returning? >

“Let us go into hiding yonder where you were,” said
Buffalo Bill.

They rode rapidly for the rocks that had concealed
Buckskin Sam, and at a word, as they dismounted, their
horses’ dropped down.

In an instant horses and riders were concealed, and the
two scouts were ready for: business.

‘On came the rapidly flying hoofs; and, now distinctly
heard, there came others further away, yet pressing on
just as rapidly.

“How many, Bill?” asked Buckskin Sam.

“T should say five or six, from the clatter.”

Paxpout that,”

Bi i ac

 

al ies sy

 

 

a eae

pease

 

 

 

 

 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  

  
    
  

   

sea sie

Barns.

a iL i

decisis oo

"Well, we will
matters up in our favor.”

F not be seen,

<

give them a surprise, and that will even

Ob, yes. 22
“Rod the Revenge Rangers will be on hand soon after

they hear the firing.”

“No doubt.”

Both men were crouching now among the rocks, hid-
den by a pine bush, they had broken off and stuck up be-
fore them.

Their horses lay flat down behind the rocks, so could
The trail led by within thirty feet of them.

With eyes riveted upon the spot, several hundred yards
away, where those coming must dash into view, the
scotits awaited the ordeal, whatever it might be.

A moment more and there bounded into sight a horse
and rider,

"Fhe gitl, as I feared?” the scout exclaimed.

Ort she came, her horse at its greatest speed.

Suddenly there came a volley of shots, from back out
of sight. The animal sprung into the air, néarly fell,
then kept up its running, but at a slower pace.

He fad Been Nard: hit, = 4° :

“That settles it, Sam. The scoundrels deserve no
mercy. Only desperadoes would fire upon a woman, as
they. have,’

So I say, Bill!” Buckskin Sam agreed.

The faces of the scouts were stern as death now, white

and determined:

They forgot about odds, and were ready to do battle to

save that poor girl from inhuman foes.
Another few “houn ids, then a wild swaying, a stagger-

ing, and the faithful horse went down, not twenty yards

from where the scouts were.

Just then the pursuers dashed into sight.

“Friends are near. Rush to these rocks for shelter!”

The girl had not fallen with her horse.

She had caught nimbly upon her feet; and then had
stood like a frightened deer pursued by hunters, ready to
bound away.

She heard the deep-toned voice of Buffalo Bill and

-+ «recognized it.

 

 

 

   
  
 
  
 
  

 

 

 

 

Gathering her riding skirt about her, she ran toward
the rocks.

The scouts were not visible; but the girl was, and her
pursuers uttered a yell of triumph,

They had killed her horse, and they felt that she was

at their mercy.

They were sure the flight to the pile of rocks could
not save her, though they knew she was armed and might
show fight.

They were all in plain view now, and were five in
number.

Their black clothes and masks told plainly who they
were.

Sooner than he had anticipated, Buffalo Bill found
himself face to face with the men in black whom he had
set out to trail to their doom.

CHAPTER XVI.
THE OUTLAWS MISTAKE.
The fugitive girl sunk down by the two horses, and

was hidden by the rocks from her pursuers.
As she did so she gasped:

 

  

ra

‘HE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

‘above her head,

  

{?

“Thank God, you are here to save me
It was all she said; then she watched and waited. -
“Are you afraid that they will kill your” suddenly
asked Buffalo Bill,

“They fired upon me.”

“True; but your horse was outfooting theirs, and they
were determined you should not escape.” —

“Vas, 2)

“Dare you advance to meet them, so that they will not
see us?”

Ue wilh”

“We will drop the man that attempts to harm you; has
we wish to hear what they have to say, if possible.”

“T will go.’

With this the brave girl arose. Holding her hands
in token of surrender, she advanced
toward the five horsemen who were now within a few
hundred feet of her.

They were surprised by her act, and half drew rein.

One of them raised his rifle, but was checked by his
companions.

“She’s dead sure our game now, pards.
was to kill her only when we couldn’t catch her,”
one.

They now halted in front of the girl, who indignantly
demanded :

“Well, what means this outrage upon me, a woman,
even from such devils as you of the black masks } t

The men seemed utterly amazed.

‘hey made no reply, but sat upon their horses gazing
at the girl with glaring eyes.

Then they looked toward each other.

» For full a moment they uttered no word.

Miss. Redwood stood her ground fearlessly,
seemed surprised at their conduct.

She had lowered her hands, and stood gazing at them
with unflinching eyes and mien, her face very pale, her
bosom heaving, “and her eyes flashing.

“Well, I be durned fer a sinner, ef we hain’t fools! It
hain’t ther gal thet escaped after all, but Miss Rena Red-
wood,” at last said one of the five,

“It do be fer sartin,’ another remarked.

“Who did you mistake me for?”

“Thet Marr gal.”

“Miss Helen Marr ?”

fea:

“T thought you had burned her to death with her .
family.”

“‘Not much; she didn’t burn.”

“Why did you show mercy to her?” :
“Cap’n’s orders. She gave us ther slip in our camp
in some way. We was huntin’ fer her when we met ther
cap’n. He told us ter bring her back dead, if we couldn’t
catch her alive, but not let her escape under no circum-

stances.”
“And you saw me and supposed I was Miss Marr?”
“It’s just what we did. Thet’s why we chased you,
miss, and fired on you when we seen yer horse was a
droppin’ WS.

“Say, Jack, yer talks too glib,” declared one of the
men. “You is givin’ ther whole thing away ter Miss
Redwood. She'll tell her brother, and then ther whole

Our orders
said

but

‘of Arizona will be out lookin’ fer Miss Helen Marr; and

’

  

    
22

it will be know’d she be our prisoner, if she hain’t es-
caped us, which I is afeerd she hev.”

-“Thet’s so, I hes been a fool, and no mistake’ and so
I*ll hev ter jist git out of it as best I can,’ said ‘the first
speaker, who appeared to be the leader of the gang of
five.

They were all seeurely masked, dressed in black, well
mounted, and armed, and no eye could penetrate their
disguise.

Miss Redwood stood watching them closely, and there
was an expression upon her face which they could not
read.

She knew that there were listeners to every word that
had been uttered.

What they would do to get out of the scrape their
glib-tongued leader had led them into she was curious to
know.

She wished to have them say why, if they had known
her to be Miss Redwood, and not Helen Marr, they
would not have captured her; so she asked:

“Why did you not wish to capture me, knowing me
to be Miss Redwood, as I never heard of your showing
mercy before to man or woman?”

“Well, we don’t intend ter now. You knows
much; and we'll jist take you along with us, and git big
ransom money fer you, too,” was the answer of the man
who had betrayed their seeret to the girl.

Miss Redwoed shrunk back at the words of the oe

But. instantly she remembered that she had two bray
defenders within a few yards of her.

She was anxious to make the outlaws give more in-
formation, if possible.

She, dreaded the scene that must follow a little later,
not so much on her own account as for her two pro-
tectors.

They were two against. five, and she felt that the
were terribly against them.

Still, Buffalo “Bill had told her that he and Buckskin
Sam would protect her, and she had every confidence in
him and his pard.

But could two face five successfully ?

If they killed two or more of the outlaws, must not one
of the two fall, she argued.

She began to long for the coming up of the Revenge
Rangers.

But they were a mile away; and though they would
come quickly enough at the sound of the weapons, they
might be too late te save precious lives.

All these thoughts flashed through the mind of the
young girl. In spite of herself, she was growing nerv-
ous.

Still, she said, fearlessly:

“Do you mean to say that you will dare make me a
prisoner ?”’

“That’s what I does say.”

The words were his last, for over the. top of the rocks
rang out a rifle shot, and the man dropped dead.

Instantly another shot came, and a second one fell in
his tracks.

This, too, in a second of time.

‘Hands up, or take your poison, all of you!”

It was the commanding voice of Buffalo. Bill that gave
the order,

odds

too

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

At the same time Miss Redwood sprung out of the line
of fire, and leveling her revolver, shouted :
“Yes, hands up, “all of you |”

ie

Just how it happened there was no time to see; but

within ten seconds five men lay dead or dying upon the

ground, Buffalo Bill was standing upon the rocks, wiping — cae
his cheek, which a bullet had grazed, and Buckskin Sain

had risen with the remark:

‘No need of hiding now, Bill!
girl fire her revolver?”

“Yes,
range.” :
Just as Buckskin Sam rose from his crouching attitude
a horseman dashed into sight, coming aleng the trail.

It was a man in black.

He had heard the firing. A quick
him that his comrades were down, and also revea
tall form of Buffalo Bill standing upon the rocks.

Instantly he wheeled his horse about, as though on a”

pivot, and drove spurs deep as he dashed away.

“By Heaven, but I believe that man is the captain of
the gang. a follow him!’

Thus cried Buffalo Bill; and a call to his horse brought
the animal to its feet.

With
pursuit of the man in black who had se quickly retreated
from the scene.

The scout rode rapidly. Night was not far away, and
if he caught up with the man it must be before dark. ©

After riding a mile or more he halted. The trail
showed where the’ black rider had come te a stand.
From that spot there was no trace of track on
on.

ie to their old tricks Ae of hain fhe trates
must sv they do it well. I must learn their secret, for
it is a boa one.’ i

The scout dismounted and began to examine ‘the ground
closely, and at last was able to discover the trick which
had been played.

a
of
OL

“Ele simply muffles the hoofs of his horse, for here the™

ve passed; but it will be impossible to trace

es bas
this ground fast enough to overtake him before

them
night.

“VI have to give him up, but he’ll have news for his.
band, and, as I was the only one he saw, he'll think J
rescued the girl and did the shooting. That will make
them anxious to find me, which is just what I want. ©

‘Now to return, to send Miss Redwood home before
night, and then to ee Revenge Rangers to work.”
And remounting he rode at a gallop back to the ridge.

Meanwhile the Revenge Rangers had come with a rush
to the scene of combat to find not Buffalo Bill, but their.
THASCO! standing there with Buckskin Sam.

Liss Redwood related what had happened, and told
where the scout had gone. Several of the rangers were
for going after him, a Buckskin Sam suggested that it
would be best for the horsemen to keep hidden, as his
army pard was fully able to take care of Himself, and he
pointed significantly to the five dead outlaws.

Buckskin Sam then told how bravely Miss Redwood
had behaved.

Catching the horses of the outlaws, the rangers then

But did you see that

she stood at bay like a lioness, and at close —

glance now showed —
led the.

ae
Nad

bound Buffalo Bill was in his saddle and of. ig

 
   

 
  

unmasked the dead. Exclamations of surprise showed
that they had made a discovery.
| “Why, here is one of Rancher Manton Marr’s own
| cowboys!” cried Custer.
- “It is, indeed, and one of his most trusted men, as I
| happen to know,” was the reply of another,
| “This man was one of the Redwood hacienda cowboys
- —you recognize him, miss?”
"Yes, he was from the hacienda.
any of the others?” she asked.
“Yes, every one of them; they all came from the
‘ranches. Now we understand how they always. scat-
tered so soon after their lawless deeds and seemed to

    
 

Do you recognize

become invisible, while they knew just who to attack,
, y j

| and when,” said Custer.

7 “YT wonder, after this, if the band of the Black Broth-
MH erhood will still boast of having their fatal thirteen mem-

bers,” remarked a young ranger.

Tust as the remark was made one of the Rangers called
out: 5

“There he eomes!’

All eyes turned in os direction indicated, and they
@ beheld Buffalo Bill riding rapidly toward them.
whe e,soon drew rein in their midst, raised his sombrero,

sand said, pleasantly :

“You were promptly on hand, rangers, I see.

q “But my game escaped me, I am sorry to say.

j “He covered. up his tracks so well that I could not
follow him. As we have some captured horses of the
band, will you look and see if you can find on them any
mufflers with which they hide the hoof tracks ?”

Several men at once began the search, and on four of
the five horses, wrapped up in the blanket roll, were
found a set of leather boots, which could be drawn‘ on
over the hoofs S a horse and laced up.

The bottoms of these boots were well padded, large and

round, and only in the softest ground would they have
made, any imprint.

«af us had the scout discovered the secret of how the

outlaws had so well and-cleverly covered up their trails.

“Sam, as you are to shadow me, take one of these
sets. I will take another, leaving two pairs for the
Rangers to use. We will soon steal the outlaw’s thun-

  
   
  
  
   
   
  
   
    
  

Bill,

The five bodies were then packed upon their own
horses, to be taken to the camp for burial, and as Miss
Redwood was anxious to return to her home at once,
Buffalo Bill offered to accompany her.  -

But this she firmly refused to allow htm to do, say-
ing that she did not feel in the least timid.

So, with a cheery good-by to all, she started on her
ride, mounted on a horse furnished her.

  
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
   

 

 

 

CHAPTER XVIT.
UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS.

After Miss Redwood’s departure Buffalo Bill said to
the rangers:

  
  

 
   
 

the Redwood Ranch are the most deeply concerned in this
lawless work,

  

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES,

- der and have mufflers for all of our horses,” said Buffalo

“There is ne doubt in my mind that the cattlemen on

 

“Mr. Redwood is known to be rich, and he employs
more men than any one else in this part of the country. »

“The hacienda is as strong as a fort, and situated right
at the base of the mountains, so that it could be readily
defended, and an easy retreat made if the outlaws had
to give way.

“The hacienda is centrally located, and all things con-
sidered, I have decided that the center of operations, the
head and front of this lawless band, is there or near by.

‘Then, too, the fact that Miss Redwood is so inter-
ested, is proof that she knows, or suspects, that her home
is the headquarters of the outlaws, but for some cause,
we know not what, she keeps the secret hidden from her
brother,

“For this reason I wish to have the Redwood hacienda
shadowed, and two of you men, who best know the sur-
roundings, must do the work.”

“I think you are right,’ the leader of the rangers
agreed.

“That is settled, then, Now to the fact that Mr. Man-
ton Marr is not dead. He must be found, and three
men must start on this duty. Mr. Custer, you know the
men to suggest for this work.” =

“T do, sir,” was the answer of the leader.

“Now, it is very sure, from what we heard, that Miss
Helen Marr has escaped from the outlaws.

“When I saw her, wounded as she was, I know: she
feared she was going to die.

“T did not think so, Great fatigue, fear and excite-
ment caused her to believe death was at hand.

“She was wounded, as far as I could discover, in the
neck or shoulder, but the wound might have been only a
slight one, magnified by a girl’s fear into a mortal one.

“If she orn and was not recaptured, we must
find her.

‘Tf she is wandering about, or in hiding, we must find
her; while if she was reca »ptured, she must be retaken,
so I wish three men for this special duty.”

“T will name them, sir,” said Custer.

“Good !”

“Now, that takes eight from our band. Buckskin Sam
and I will go on special scouts, leaving four men here in
camp.

“TI wish one man to be constantly ready to go off after
one of the parties I have named for special duty, and I
desire that one man be sent here every twenty-four hours»
to report.

“Mr. Custer, you will remain here with the three Gther
men and be in charge.”

“Ves, sir.”

“You will keep one man constantly on watch out on
the trail, and be ready to move camp within five min-
utes’ notice.”

“Twill, sir,

“Now, men, you all know the duties you are to perform,
and, as there are no traitors in our band, we will win
success.”

The penetrating eyes of Buffalo Bill Swed! around the
group and rested upon each face,

There was not a flinching eye, each gaze met his own
fearlessly.

The Revenge Rangers were true as steel.

Having put the Revenge Rangers under special orders,

    

  
buried the dead outlaws, and gotten all ready for the move
of the separate parties, Buffalo Bill started them upon
their various trails.

Then he had a talk with Custer, and, mounting his
horse, rede out of camp with Buckskin Sam.

“You have not told me, Pard Bill, just what I am to
do,” said Buckskin Sam.

“Shadew. me.” i

“Ah! I see, and a good idea.”

“It may. tutn out. so.”

“Drop back now, and keep well out of sight behind.

me, ready to answer any call or signal, and I “will be on
hand should you need me.’

Then the Verde scout dropped back, -while Buffalo Bill
rode on ahead alone. |

CHAP OER XV Ht.
THE FAIR FUGITIVE.

The first thought of Buffalo Bill was to’ find Helen
Marr, be she a captive, a wanderer, or dead.

He knew that the five men who had been pursuing
Miss Redwood the day before were in search of Helen
Marr, who had escaped from the outlaws’ clutches in some
way.

If so, then she must have been somewhere near the
scene Of the fatal combat in defense of Miss Redwood.

The fatter’s horse must have been like the one Helen
Marr had escaped upon, and their riding habits were sim-
ilar, while both had worn slouch hats, with plumes, so
had looked enough alike to cause the mistake to the out-
laws.

His desire, then, was to pick up the trail of the five
outlaws, and follow it, for they must have been tracking
the escaped girl when they came upon Miss Redwood.

With this very reasonable belief as to how matters had
been, Buffalo Bill took up the trail of the five horses,
whose riders then lay in their graves, and followed it for
half a dozen miles.

It led back toward the Redwood hactenda, until it
neared the canyon, then branched right off into the moun-
tains.

Buffalo Bill followed the trail, making one of his
own, so that Buckskin Sam should make no mistake.

He got down, where the soil was soft, and closely ex-
amined the tracks.

Then he noted the tracks of six horses, instead of five.

At once he turned back, going on foot por and had
nearly reached the place where the hoof marks turned into
the main trail, when he detected that one track wheeled
short off to the right. .

Tt was the track of the sixth horse.

He felt sure, as the other trail could be seen from
there, that the outlaws, following the fugitive’s track up
to that point, had suddenly discovered Miss Redwood
and dashed away in pursuit of her, believing her to be
their game.

All “signs,” as he read them, pointed to this.

Dropping sticks in the trail to mark his way to Buck-
skin Sam, Buffalo Bill turned off on the track of the
sixth horse.

33

This led him for a mile or more almost parallel with

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIE.

the trail leading through the ern, and then w
into the foothills.

its rider, if ‘it foe one,
The scout followed the winding trail for miles and then
halted Agate a
What he saw was a picture.
In a pretty little glen in the hills, on the bank of a
stream, was a horse staked out. — aa
A Liddle. a lady’s, and a bridle were by the. stake ’

rope, and under a tree was a small fire, while by it, upon ee

a blanket, lay’ a form.

-It was that of a young girl in blue riding habit. ae oS :
There) 3
were to be seen also a bag of provisions, a. small coffee ee

A slouch hat was near her, with a plume in it.

pot and a canteen. . %
The girl was fast asleep. She doubtless had gone into ©

camp there the. night before, and, tired out, had re- ‘

mained there. i
As he drew nearer Buffalo Bill saw a rifle lying near

her, and a belt of revolvers within reach of her hand.
For some time the scout gazed upon her.

’ Was she asleep, or dead? ——

Fearful of the latter, he called out in a tone not to
startle her:

“Miss Marr!”

_ Several times he etied

At last, to. his great joy,
sat up.

_ There, a hundred feet from her, seated upon his horse,
she’ beheld the scout.

A cry burst from her lips, but, quick as a flash, she
seized her rifle.

@tiold!” he called. “lo am no foe, but. your Iriega:
Do you not recognize me, Miss Helen Marr?’

“TF don’t know. 1 have no friend on earth now,”
said, in a pitiful voice. re
“Tam Buffalo Bill, whom you saw the other day when
you were wounded.

“Do you remember me now. I left you, to keep the:
outlaws off, and when I returned you had gone.’ ;

“Yes, I know you now. At last, [ meet a irtend.”

And she burst into tears.

The scout did not try to restrain thi lis expression of
her emotions, for he knew it would relieve her pent-up
feelings.

But soon he said:

“T have been*on the search for you, and other friends
are near to save you, while still more are looking for
your father.”

“He is dead.” :

“No, he did not perish. I have seen him.
you, he is a wanderer, and we will find him.

“Come, let me get some dinner for you, and we ae
talk it all: over; and we'll get enough for three, for I
have a friend coming, Buckskin. Sam, of Fort Verde.”

“Yes, I know him, and I.am so glad, for I am safe

now.’
The change from despair to hope, the knowledge that
she was safe, that her father was not dead, made Helen
Marr most: cheerful,

She rallied quickly, and insisted upon getting. ‘dinner

she moved, then suddenly

se

But, like

 
  

  
 
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
   
   

  

he girl plaintively told her story.
She had been found where Buffalo
he outlaws had
sent by the chief to take her to the retreat.

She found that she did not suffer from her wound,
cd when, late at night, she arrived at a camp in the
ountains and was given into the care of a beautiful
exican girl, and had a chance to examine how severely
e had been hurt, she found that the bullet had glanced

Bill had left her, and

GQ

aides :
She had not been at home, she said, when the house

 

  
 

  
   
 
    

  
  
   
   
 
  
 

    
  
 

 
  

 

f “Our first duty will be to find your father.
4 will strike a blow at that retreat in the mountains where

 

 

band no mistake,”

Pwas set on fire by the outlaws, having been visiting at a
distant ranch. On her return from this ranch she had
ost herself. Night had come on, and she found her
way by the light of the burning cabin.

On approaching the cabin she realized that all were

| dead that she held dear, and, determined to live for re-
F venge, she had wheeled her horse to fly, hee she ne
: been pursued, and later fired upon.

se When taken to the cabin in the mountains, the Mexi-
can girl referred to had dressed her wound most. skill-
fully, heard her story, and then had said that she would
' aid her to escape, to avenge herself upon the chief, who
was her sworn lover.

This the Mexican girl had done the day before, when
the outlaws in camp had been taking their afternoon nap,
and she had fitted the fugitive out with food and all she
would need in her flight.

Afraid to turn into the regular trail when she came in
sight of it, she had stuck to the hills, and at last had
camped, while, utterly prostrated, she had slept on far
into the day.

Such was Helen Marr’s simply told story of her sor-
sufferings and hardships, all of which, the scout
$s. red her, were at an end now.

iy ou will return to camp with us,” said Buffalo Bill.
Then we

| you were, and be assured that the Black Bretherhoed will

' cease to exist before many days.

“And their chief?” asked He len. Marr.
“Tle will be taken, too.’
“He must be. J alone know who

B cret.””

, “You will tell us who he is?”

39

“Not now.
“Take your own time for that, Miss Marr,”
falo Bill’s rejoinder.
Dinner over, the three mounted their horses.

\was Buf-

When

: ‘a couple of hours after, the trio rode into the camp of the
h Revenge Rangers, Custer and his pards were ‘astounded
Pand delighted.

 

“What you set out to do, Chief Cody, you accomplish,
said Custer.

“Any reports from the three parties out?’ |

Not. yet, sir.’

“Well, as I know the spot where Mr. Marr was seen,

THE BUFVALO BILL STORIES.
Pecclf, while Buffalo Bill went out to look up Buckskin

| They were all soon in camp, and eating heartily, while

at once carried her on with them, several

, had cut its me out through the fleshy part of the.

| he is. My home and -
ball were doomed from the moment I discovered the se-

   

I will go there to-night, and Buckskin Sam will accom-
pany me. u
“That means success, Mr. Cody.”

“I hope so, but not a word to the young lady that her
father has been maddened by his sorrows.

“No, indeed, sir.”

It was just after supper and near sunset that Buffalo
Bill and Buckskin Sam set out together on the search for
the mad rancher. Helen followed them to the edge of the
camp and called out:

“Something tells me that I am not to lose all, that you
will find my poor father, and I can cheer his later years,
if mother has been taken from us.”

“We will do all in our power, Miss Helen,” was Buf-
falo Bill’s reply, and the two scouts rode off in the gath-
ering twilight,

CHAPTER XIX.
THE MAD RANCHER.

“Halt! Who comes there?”

The challenge rang out stern and threatening.

The two horsemen at’ whom it was directed halted,
while one answered:

“The chief 1”

At once came oe

“Scout or ranger ?

“Both f? : :

“Advance!”

The horsemen rode forward, and a voice said:

“T thought I knew your voice, chief, but I wanted the
signals agreed upon.”

“You are wise, and on the alert.
other two men?”

“Up the canyon, after Rancher Marr, whom they saw
digging a grave, as he is said to do almost constantly.

“I was with them, but remained here to start for roan
if they brought any news; and I think they will, for
they were close after him.”

“I will go on up the canyon—ah! there they come
now.”

As Buffalo Bill spoke the other two Revenge Rangers
came in sight.

They seemed pleased at sight of their leader and Buck-
skin Sam, and reported that they had followed Manton
Marr up the canyon a mile ot more, and then had lost
him.

“I will return with one of you on foot,” said the
cout. “And, Sam, you can follow, leading my horse.
The moon will rise within half an hour, and it will give
us a good light.”

Soon after Buffalo Bill started out on foot with one
of the rangers, while the other two were told to guard
the pass.

Buckskin Sam _ followed,
chief’s horse.

The moon came up when they had gore about a mile,
and the canyon was lighted up plainly.

Suddenly the chief halted.

‘See there!”

“He pointed to where a man was to be seen digging a
grave.

Where are the

mounted, and leading the

  

  
   
26

“T will catch him with my lasso, for it is about the
only way to secure him.

“Go back and halt Sam. I can get near the poor fellow
by keeping in the shadows on that side of the cliff.’

The scout had brought his lasso with him. Keeping
in the shadows, he crept nearer and nearer to the man,
who. stood in the moonlight, digging away with his pick.

Creeping closer and still closer, Buffalo Bill man-
aged to gain a position not forty feet from the mad
rancher, who seemed intent only upon his work.

The lasso was coiled and ready. Buffalo Bill noticed,
as before, that the rancher halted at times in his work
to gaze at the moon and mutter to himself.

“If 1 could only speak to him without his running
off, I would be glad; for I hate to lasso him like a wild
animal.”

The scout hesitated.

But he felt that the man must not be allowed to bound
away in flight again, so the lariat was thrown.

The aim was true. The noose settled squarely about
the body of the rancher, and he was dragged backward to
the ground, with as little force as would throw him. |

Before he could arise Buffalo Bill had leaped to his
side, and, extending his hand, cried:

“Why, it is you, my friend, Manton Marr! I made a
mistake; but, then you. are the man I came to find, for
I am here at your bidding, in answer to your letter.
You have not forgotten Buffalo Bill?’

The rancher sat upon the ground, making no attempt
to arise. He seemed dazed, as though! trying to recall
his scattered senses.

At last he said, sadly:

“Yes, you.are my old feed, Buffalo Bill; and you
came at “my call, too; but you came too late to save my
child, my darling Helen.”

‘‘Not so, my friend. Your child is safe in my keep-_

ing, having escaped the trap set for you by the outlaws.”

The man arose to his feet, and, facing the scout, placed
both hands upon his shoulders, while he said, plaintively,
yet with terrible earnestness :

“Buffalo Bill, would you lie to me and say that my
Helen lives, when I know that she is dead?

“T have searched for her body everywhere; and see—
I am digging her grave!”

“T tell you, Manton Marr, you are mistaken, I left
your daughter this very morning, safe and well, in my
camp, while [ came here to search for you.

“T have friends with me—Revenge Rangers they call
themselves—and they are sworn to avenge their wrongs,
and yours, also.

“Listen to me, pard, while I tell you how I met her,
lest her, and again found your Helen, and then you will
understand all.

“You have suffered, but your brain will soon be cleared,
for you have not your daughter to sorrow for.”

Then, in his a way, Buffalo Bill went on to tell his
story.

The amazed man listened. His brain was cleared as by
a cloudlift, and, as the narrative proceeded, he covered
his face with his hands and sobbed aloud. .

Buffalo Bill gave a signal for the others to advance,

and the greeting that Manton Marr gave Buckskin Sam >

THE BUPFPALO Bilt, STORIES

sas the two rangers, whom he knew, ont that he was
no longer distracted and demented with grief,
Without even glancing at the hali-dug grave, he said:
“Come, my friends, I have been in a troubled dream,
how long God only knows.

“T must now tell you that my good wife and my two
faithful servants are in hiding not far away.

“When I built my cabin I- found an underground pas-
sage or cavern. It led from the cellar to the cliff. In
that way, after the two faithful cowboys, who aided me in
defending my home, were killed, we escaped, and came
to the retreat near here, which I found one day while
hunting. : :

os supposed that Helen had been captured by the out-

laws, for we saw her dash up while the cabin was burn-

ing, and she was fired upon by the demons:

“I believe the shock almost crazed me, but my wile
will be happy now, as I am.’

Then he led the way to his retreat.

The retreat was found, and Mrs. Marr, and the negro
man and woman were with her. All rapturously re-
joiced to see the rancher return with his brain no longer
clouded, and they welcomed the scout and his com-
rades most cordially.

With Mrs. Marr and the negro woman mounted upon
the horses of two of the Revenge Rangers, the march was
taken up for the camp, for Buffalo Bill was determined
to take no chances of leaving the fugitives in their re-
treat. He wanted them where there would be force
enough to defend them.

The sun was just rising when he rode ahead into the
camp, and he saw Helen up and getting breakfast for the
men.

Instantly she came toward him, and he told her that
he had not only found her father, but her mother as well,
and the faithful negro servants, so that two of the cow- |
boys alone had perished in the cabin.

On his way back Buffalo Bill had decided that. it was

best to first break the happy news to the girl, SOME :

the shock of joy might not be too great for her to bear;
and when he saw how overcome she was, he was glad
that he had done so.

But she soon rallied, and was ready to welcome the
others when they rode into camp.

The meeting under such circumstances can be imag-
ined, but not ‘described,

A happy party sat down to the camp breakfast, which
the negress soon had ready for all.

Buffalo Bill found in camp the three rangers sent in
search of Helen Marr. They had found her little camp
in the hills and had trailed the party from there.

The two men sent to watch the movements at the ha-
cienda had returned also, and reported that they had
seen seven horsemen ride away from the Redwood Ranch |
the evening before, and had tracked them to the moun-
tains.

The seven horsemen had put on the garb of the Black |
Brotherhood, after getting Well away from the hacienda.
Discovering this, the men had deemed it best to remain
no longer on “watch, but to come and let their chief know
what they had learned.

“You jhave done right, boys,” said the scout.

“They

 

lalla
  

  

were on their way to their mountain camp, where Miss
Marr was a prisoner. You say there were seven?”

“Veg, sir.’

“The three left in camp, and the seven you saw go
there, make ten, and there may be a few more outside,

' for you know they keep up their fatal number of thir-
teen from the reserves they must have.

' “We now number, with Buckskin Sam, Rancher Marr
| and the negro, just sixteen men, and we'll take up the
| march to- night for that cabin, for Miss Helen can guide
F us there.

“J will rest until noon, and then start ahead, with
fF Buckskin Sam following. The rest of the party can
| follow, so as to strike the mountain trail by sunset.

“Then we ask.no more.”

This arrangement was carried out, Buffalo Bill get-
ting a much-needed rest, as also did Buckskin Sam.

After dinner the scout. started upon the trail.

With the horses of the five outlaws, Rancher Marr, his
wife, and the two negroes were mounted, and there was an
animal left to carry the camp outfit.

_ The rangers started out upon the trail of the scout in
“time to allow them to reach the mountain trail by sunset,
and strong enough in force to defy the Black Brother-
hood, should they even muster the fatal thirteen in number.

When Buffalo Bill had gone for a mile or so with
Buckskin Sam, he remarked:

“Well, Sam, it looks as though it was just what we
should do, take the Revenge Rangers as our allies.’’

“Ves, you always seem to hit it right, Pard Cody!”

md begi n to feel as though we had the Black Broth-

erhood by the hip.”

“It looks so.”

: “Ves and as though the wind-up was not tar off. If

s we catch the gang in camp we'll have them. If there are

F. others: at large we can round them up in short order,

Da der, zome How will talk, if his life is to be the stake.”’
ve 4 “Vou bet he will.”

“But we will get that unknown chief, or all the work

Name 86«owill have to be done over again in time. He has cer-
; tainly proven himself a very clever general, though an

inhuman devil.”

oe “We'll catch him.”
cd “Ves. I rely upon one who promised to aid me in
me 2s the end.”

a “Miss Redwood?’

a yea
a “Ts it not strange that she has not been again to camp?”
ah. “No, for she may have been watched, and knows it.
She is awful clever, you know. But I cannot make her
out,”

“There is where I have the advantage. 1 can make her
out.”

“You know her, then, you think?’

“T know both of them.”

“Both of whom?”

“Miss Redwood and the other girl.”

“T’m all in the dark. Sam, Miss Redwood has two un-
maimed hands, while the other girl has lost the thumb
of her left hand?

‘Great God?’

“Tt is true; they are two, not one and the same.”

 
 
  
   
  
 

 

 

pe ei

 

 

    
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
   

       
   

 

GH E SUPP ALO Bit SlORiIeS,

CHAPTER XX.
RIGHTING A WRONG.

When the two scouts had progressed well on the way,
Buckskin Sam dropped back behind Buffalo Bill as his
shadower.

On went the leader for miles, until he drew rein near
the ridge.

Buffalo Bill was now very cautious, so he did not
ride over the ridge.

He made a reconnoissance first, for he was aware that
he could see a mile down the canyon from the top of
the ridge.

Leaving his horse hidden in a thicket, he crept up to
a pine on one side of the ridge, and peered over.

It was well he did so. He could see a long distance
down the canyon, and his eyes fell tpon a flight and a
chase.

It was a horsewoman flying from a horseman.

The woman, he knew, must be Miss Redwood, .as she
was considered; the pursuer was a man in black.

The chances were apparently with the man, for he was
the better mounted and gaining.

Buffalo Bill thought quickly.

He would let them pass him, thus placing the outlaw
between himself and Buckskin Sam.

He remembered that for a couple of miles the trail
from the ridge ran through a cut in the mountains, the
sides too steep to allow a horse to leave it—which was
what he now wanted.

He saw, too, that the pursued and pursuer must soon
go slow, for they could not ride rapidly up the rise to

' the ridge.

Just before reaching the top there was a sharp climb of
thirty feet.

If the man did not catch his victim there, the scout
would let him pass him and then follow, calling out to the
girl, if he could do so, that he was on hand i aid her.

He looked to his weapons then, and waited.

The girl rode more siowly as she nba, the bad
footing, and the man gained rapidly until he got within
a hundred yards of her.

But he, too, had to go slow there. Thus they came on.

The girl neared the ridge; then came a shot, and her
horse fell.

Her skirt was pinned beneath the animal. At first
Buffalo Bill believed. her to be hurt. In her fall, a re-
volver she held in her hand had been hurled beyond
her reach.

Violently struggling to free herself, she mndcewae just
as the man leaped from his horse and approached her.

But as she arose and faced him, he staggered back and
cried:

“My God! you are not Helen Marr, but

He stopped suddenly, while she said, sternly:

“No, I am not Helen Marr, as you believed, the cap-
tive who escaped you, but ‘

She, too, paused at the word “but.”

 

 

He then spoke again. The scout, not thirty feet away, .

heerd each werd uttered.

“T thought you were one we deemed dead. As you are
not, you can go your way to your home, for I wish no
harm to you, Miss Rena*Redwood. I will meet you here,
later, with a horse for you to ride.”

 

 

   
 

fe
f
a
f
f
28 THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

“You will remain here now, sir.’

“What ?”

“Do you believe that the grave gives up its dead?”

‘What in Heaven’s name do you mean?”

“‘Whose deed was that?”

She pulled her left glove off as she spoke, and held up
her thumbless hand!

The man reeled backward and covered his face with
his hands. In sheer faintness his knees gave way and
he fell,

In an instant she had ‘eaped forward and snatched off
his mask.

“Do I not know you, Rupert Redwood? Have I not
cause to do so? Have I forgotten that when I became
your wife you believed that I, not my twin sister, Rena,

ad been left the fortune you sought to get, and, finding
your mistake, do I not know that you brought me to this
wild land to kill me?

“This is the hand you left when you aimed the knife
at my heart, but severed my thumb; and I received an-
other blow, over the heart, that left its scar.

“But neither killed me, for I owe my life to an old
Mexican woman with whom I have since lived.

“Hold! You shall hear, and if you move an inch I
shall kill you, for see, I have another weapon here!

“Believing that you had killed me, you went back and
won my poor sister. You brought her to that old mis-
sion ranch, with part of her inheritance from the gentle-
man who owed his life to my father, and who, dying, left
his fortune to his daughter, he not knowing that he had
two,

“Tt was decided that it was for Rena, for he had only
seen her.

“You found the fore was not so large as you had
believed, so you brought her here, and forced her to say
she was your sister.

“You told her that, if not known to be married, you
would one day get a fortune.

“In the meanwhile, you knew that one, a Mexican girl
who loved you, would expose you,
Rena was your wife.

“That girl is the daughter of the woman who cared for
me, and now she knows you as you are, for I have told
her all.

“Her daughter is in your mountain retreat, for I know
you as the Ranchero Bandit, the leader of the Black
Brotherhood.

“T know that you were plotting to get rid of that Mex-
ican girl, to also get rid of my sister, Rena, that you
might marry Helen Marr and get the fortune in gold her
father has hidden away.

“But she unmasked your intended villainy, nail then —

_ you sought your revenge, to hush her tongue forever,
hoping that you would find her father’s gold in the ashes
of her home.

“She escaped you, and you sought to kill her, but that
Mexican girl aided her to escape.

“There is no escape for you, Rupert Redwood, is
here is one upon your track from whom you cannot es-
cape, and that one is Buffalo Bill.”

“Buffalo Bill is here!” ¢

With the words a lasso settled over the head ‘of the

did she know that.

bandit rahcher, and he was dragged eae: down upon
his face.

He arose, pistol in ‘hand, and there were fired two
quick shots.

Rupert Redwood fired one.

The other was fired by Buffalo Bill.

The bandit leader dropped dead. |

“That was the worst act of my life, to fire that shel
and thus cheat the gallows of that man’s neck.

“But his aim was at you, not me, and I had barely time |
to save you by the shot,” said Buffalo Bill.

CHAPTER XAL

NEARING THE END.

Buckskin Sam arrived upon the sceme as the shots |
were fired. :

He then had the story told to him, and heard the
woman tell how she had not, on her sister’s, account,
wished to be the one to bring the man to his doom, bs
intended to do so if no one else succeeded.

As her sister believed her to be dead, she would now
have Buffalo Bill go to her and tell the whole sad and |
pitiful story.

The Mexican woman, who knew the outlaws’ camp,
would guide the Revenge Rangers to it. |

Remember, Mr. Cody,” she continued, “the poo
Mexican girl who is there is no outlaw, only forced by
her love for that wretched man lying dead at our feet to
remain there—doing so for revenge now, for her love
turned to hatred, when, several days ago, her mother
told her my story of wrong and sorrow.

“She, the mother, will guide you to the retrear™
night, The girl there knows each one of the outlaw J
band, so can tell you where to find those not caught
there,”’

Buffalo Bill then told how he had feared to trust Ru- |
pert Redwood, and so never made a confidant of him.

As Rita Redwood—as she called herself, her maid- |
en name having been Rita Royal—stated that her re-
treat was not two miles away, Buffalo Bill said that he
would strap the dead bandit leader upon a horse, while
she could mount behind the scout, on his own horse, and —
they would go on there. At the same time Buckskin Sam 9
was to ride rapidly back over the trail, to hasten on the J
Revenge Rangers’ party.

“You-cannot pass down the canyon without our seeing , jf
you, sir, so we will not miss you,” Rita Redwood had |
said. -

Buckskin Sam then rode rapidly away, and soon after |

Buffalo Bill, with the woman mounted behind him, and

the bandit’s horse in lead, with the body strapped across
the saddle, started for the retreat in the canyon. — 7
When he saw how cleverly it was located, Buffalo Bill |

af

 
 

On |

WO |

 

 

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

did not wonder that no one had ever suspected its ex-
istence.

It was a comfortable cabin that Buffalo Bill found,
and the Mexican woman greeted him pleasantly, and

said:

“My husband is gone, my daughter is avenged by your
hand, sefior, and can now live in. peace with me, while
the Sefiorita Rena, here, will go to her sister and -be con-
tent, if not happy.

“Yes, sefior, when your men come along, give me a

horse to ride, and ? will guide you to the retreat of the.

Black Brotherhood.

“They did number forty men, and not one knew who
their leader really was.

“But a number have been killed within the past week
or so, and you will find about half that number in camp.

“Tf all are not there my daughter will know, so those
who escape to-night will be doomed to-morrow.

“Yes, great sefior, I will guide you, and ey accursed

band will cease to exist.

"You have done more, sefior, in a week’s time, than
have the many who have hunted the Black Brotherhood
for years.

“They have made many graves, destroyed many happy
homes, have been merciless to man and woman and child
alike, but you have eyes the wrongs of many, sefor,
and Heaven will bless you.’

 

CHAPTER XXIL
CONCLUSION, .

The Revenge Rangers came along rapidly, after being

“met by Buckskin Sam.

Buffalo Bill met them in the canyon and guided them
to the retreat of the Mexican woman.

Leaving Mrs. Marr, Helen, Rita, and the negress at
the retreat, Buffalo Bill, with sixteen all told and the
Mexican woman as guide, started for the camp of the
Black Brotherhood.

But why dwell upon another scene of carnage?

It was a complete surprise and almost a wipe-out of
existence of the brotherhood, for it was “council night,”
and every man of the band save some spies was present.

A few prisoners, wounded and unwounded, were taken.

Buckskin Sam and several of the rangers were
wounded, while three of the latter were killed.

Much booty was secured.

When. the Revenge Rangers started upon their retreat
the Mexican woman and her daughter were not to be
found. ‘

Three of the best horses were missing, and the mother
and daughter had gone, carrying with them the band’s
treasure.

“Let them go; they deserve it,” said Buffalo Bill, and
no one disputed his decision.

Arriving at the Mexican woman’s retreat, it was

found that she had prepared not to return.

All went into camp, and Buffalo Bill started for ha-
clenda Redwood, while Rancher Marr followed with the
wronged wife.

The scout told his story.

He was glad to see that, in spite of the terrible shock,
that the joy of her sister’s being alive counteracted the
erief of what she now knew Robert Redwood to have
been.

She had long suspected him of lawless acts, and the
fact that he made her pass as his sister had-caused her
to lose every atom of love for him,-

The meeting of the sisters need not be dwelt upon.
Both of them insisted that the Marrs should dwell with
them until the rancher rebuilt his home, and this was
decided upon.

Back, then, to Verde went Buffalo Bill with his party,
and Col. Garrett said, when the story was told:

“I take off my hat, Cody, to you. You are most surely
of bordermen, and now this land will be one of

24 iv
the king

peace.”

Back to his duties in the northwest went Buffalo Bill,
and his Revenge Rangers were employed by Manton
Marr to first rebuild his home and then become his cat-
tlemen.

As for the two sisters, they still dwell upon their ranch.

No man could ever win their love, but many a~poor
fellow blessed them for their kind acts to all who were
‘ distress, nae to-day they are known to the people about

hem as the “Sister Saints of the Old Mission.”

To-day a hero of world-wide fame, distinguished, rich,
the last type of the grand men of the frontier, Buffalo
Bill, lives in remembrance of the strange past that was
his, and among the strongest of its memories his trail
with the Revenge Rangers of Arizona stands out most
vividly

THE END,

Next week’s issue (No. 136) will contain “Buffalo Bill
and the Revolver Riders; Kent King, the Gambler
Guide.” In this capital story Buffalo Bill saves a beauti-
ful girl from marriage with a notorious bandit leader
known as the Gambler Guide, and slays the desperado,
who had’ sworn to have his life. The many disguises as-
sumed by the Gambler Guide give a spicy detective air to
the tale. You will want to read of the scout’s capture by
the Sioux under the noted Chief Rain-in-the-Face, of his
charge on his horse Midnight up-the steps of a hotel on
men who were trying to slay him, and of other startling
adventures which are detailed in this story.

6

 
 

 

 

 

CONTAINING

as,

 

 

THE MOST

UNIQUE AND FASCINATING TALES OF WESTERN

ROMANCE

 

 

 

 

339—Diamond
340—Diamond
341—Diamond
342—Diamond
343—Diamond
344——Diamond
345—Diamond
246—Diamond
347—Diamond
348—Diamond
349—Diamond
350—Diamond
351—Diamond
352——Diamond

353-—Diamond

354—Diamond
355—Diamond
356—Diamond
357—Diamond
358—Diamond
359—Diamond
360— Diamond
361—Diamond
362—Diamond
| 363—Diamond
364—Diamond
3265——Diamond
366—Diamond
367——-Diamond

Dick’s Race for Gold; or, The Lost Treasure Box.

Dick Missing; or, The Veteran’s Unknown Pard.

Dick’s Trip East; or, Turning the Tables on the City Sharps.
Dick’s Summer Resort; or, High Old Times at the Sea Shore.
Dick’s “Give-and-Take’; or, Caught in the Undertow.

Dick’s “White Ghost”; or, Run Down by Auto.

Dick at the Circus; er, An Old Friend in a New Game.

Dick at Coney Island; or, A Warm Proposition Played to a Finish.
Dick’s Skiplap Pard; or, The Cheerful Waif’s Big Winning.
Dick’s Stand-Off; or, The Shotgun Messenger’s Last Trip.
Dick at Fort Piegan; ‘or, Calling an Army Bluff.

Dick’s Makeshift; or, The New Boss at Hold-Over.

Dick’s Golden Spike; or, Bucking the Track Layers.

Dick’s Schedule; or, The First Train to Dangerfield.

Dick’s Wild West; or, A Fair Field and No Favor.

Dick’s Double-Bill; or, A Hot Turn Between Acts.

Dick’s Farewell Bee or, A Warm Go for the Gate Money.
Dick’s Dago Dupes; or, The Bowery Boy and the “Has-Been.”’
Dick's Phantom Hand; or, The Mystery of the “Fly-by-night.”
Dick’s World-Beater; or, The Race for the Hurricane Handicap.
Dick’s Boy Pards; or, The Boarding House Puzzle.

Dick and the Safe-Crackers; or, Two-Spot’s Level Best.

Dick’s Last Call; or, Run Down on the Ferry.

Dick’s Four-Hands-Round; or, A Game of Keeps in the Catskills.
Dick’s Line-Up; or, The Young Sport’s Banner Play.

Dick’s Web-Foot Pard; or, Queer Work on the Hurricane Deck.
Dick’s Run to Denver; or, Old Sixty’s Last Mix-Up. -

Dick Among the Pueblos; or, A Bold Play fora Big Stake.
Dick’s Dark Chase; or, Captured by Flash-Light.

 

 

 

368—Diamond Dick on the Bar-X Range; or, Captain Fan and the Rustlers.
369—Diamond Dick as a Deputy Sheriff; or, Fighting the Mob at Piute.
370—Diamond Dick’s Pair of Winners; or, Two-Spot and Nixey’s Double-Play.
371—Diamond Dick .in Old Mexico; or, The Gold-Bugs of Guanajay.
372—Diamond Dick’s Treasure-Trove; or, The Secret of the Great Stone Idol.
373—Diamond Dick in the Field; or, Handsome Harry’s Peril.

 

 

 

All of the above numbers always on hand. If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, five
cents a copy will bring them te you by mail, postpaid.

STREET & SMITH, ee ae William Sheek. slew: York...

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

of YOUNG BROAPBRIM, the famous Boy Detective, and

Contains Stories
ae OLD BROADBRIM, the Great Quaker.

 

 

33—Old Broadbrim Doomed by an Invisible Hand; or, The Victims of the Vial of Death.

34—Old Broadbrim in the Jaws of a Tigress; or, Fighting Against Fearful Odds.

35—Old Broadbrim Trumping the Trick; or, The Strange Disappearance from a Wagner
‘Car,

36—Old Broadbrim In and Out of the Toils; or, The Pursuit of Red McMahon and His

Gang.

37—Old Broadbrimyin the Eleventh Hour; or, The Mystery of the Headless Man.

38—Old Broadbrinf Following Up a Golden Clew; or, The Extraordinary Happenings at
Babbington Manor.

39—Old Broadbrim Dealing the Death Cards; or, The Doom of the Scarlet Stranglers.

40—Old Broadbrim Balking a Deep-Laid Plot; or, Geraldine Joslyn’s Remarkable Double.

4I—Old Broadbrim Tracking the Dead; or, The Hidden Battery of Doom.

42—Old Broadbrim Always on Hand; or, The Target of an Infamous Band.

43—Old Broadbrim in a Fight for Millions; or, The Daring Impersonation at Stonelow
Grange.

44—Old Broadbrim at Close Quarters; or, The Puzzle of the Blue Silk Cord.

45—Old Broadbrim Under Crime’s Thumib; or, In The Confines of the Dread Circle.

46—Old Broadbrim Leagued with Nick Carter; or, The Biggest Case of Their Lives.

47—Old Broadbrim’s Clew from the Dead; or, Two Famous Detectives on the Same Case.

48—Old Broadbrim in a Deep Sea Struggle; or, A Helping Hand from Nick Carter.

49—Old Broadbrim on the Wrong Case; or, Revenge After Two Years.

so—Old Broadbrim in the Dark; or, Throwing Light on a Tangled Mystery.

51—Old Broadbrim on the Stage; or, How the Quaker Foiled a Female Fiend.

 

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wae
ia abel

CE NEEDS IE CT OPIN CBD Ne EET Nn TOONS PTE EES aD

52— Young
53-— Young
54— Young
55— Young
56—Young
57—Young
58—Young
s9— Young
60— Young
61— Young
62—Young

Broadbrim, the Boy Detective; or, The Old Quaker’s Youthful Ally.
Broadbrim in Kansas City; or, What Was Found in the Flood.
Broadbrim on an Aérial Trail; or, The Terrible Ordeal of Fire.
Broadbrim & Company; or, Solving the Mysteries of Rockwood.
Broadbrim Triumphant; or, The Girl Cracksman.

Broadbrim Fighting an Unknown Power; or, A Scientific Murderer.
Broadbrim on a Weird Case; or, The Mystery of the Phantom Voices.
Broadbrim on a Long Trail; or, Dandy Dick Shanghaied.
Broadbrim ‘on a Newsboy Mystery; or, Dandy Dick’s First Case.
Broadbrim on the Border; or, Catching the Smugglers of Canada.
Broadbrim in the Lumber Camp; or, Getting the Best of Outlaws.

Broadbrim and the Hotel Thieves; or, Clever Crooks Run to Earth.
Broadbrim’s Perfumed Clew; or, Dandy Dick’s Star Play.
Broadbrim’s Great Duel; or, Tike Boy Detectives Abroad.

63— Young
64—— Young
65— Young

Ng I i i a a a rs i Te

All of the aleve numbers always on hand. If you cannot get them from your newsdealer, five cents a copy
ee will bring them to you by mail, postpaid,

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, New York.

 

 

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Pee SET EE SS

 

 

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JPET Soa

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101—Buffalo
 102—Buftalo
103—Bufialo
104——Bufialo
105-—Buttalo
106— Buffalo
107—-Buffalo
r08—Buffalo
109—Buffalo
110—Buftalo
111—Buffalo
112—Buffale
113——Bufiale
114—Buffalo
Ey 5—Buffa alo
116—Buffalo
117—Buffaio
118—-Buffalo
119——Buffalo
120-—Buffalo
121—Buffalo
122—Buitalo
123—Buffalo
124—-Buffaio
125-—Buffalo
126—Buitalo
127—Buffale
128—-Buffalo
129—-Buffalo
130—Bufialo
13 i—-Buffalo
132—-Buffalo
33-—Buffalo
134—Buffalo
135—Buffalo

CS

   

Containing the Most i
Government Scout “BUFFALO BILL” (Hon. William P. Cody). |

Thri Ming Adventures of the Celebrstted

 

Bill and the Dead-Shot Rangers; or, The Prairie Outlaw at Bay. iil |
Bill in Dead Man’s i
Bill’s Pony Patrol;

——— =

Swamp; or, Trailing the Red Man Hunters. if
i if
ot, The Mysterious Boy of the Overland. \t

Bill in Disguise; or, The Boy Boomer at Danger Divide. ‘ 4
Bill’s Ordeal of Fire; or, The Siege of Longhurst Ranch. a vi
Bill on a Renegade’s Trail; or, The White Queen of the Mandans. * 1
Bill’s Balloon Trip; or, Foiling the Apaches.
Bill’s Drop; or, Dead Shot Ned, the Kansas Kid. , a
Bill’s Lasso-Throwers; or, Shadow Sam’s Short Stop. | he .

Bill’s Relentless Trail; or, The Unknown Slayer of the Black CHa.

Bill and Silent Sam;

or, The Woman of the Iron Hand. es

Bill’s Raid’ on the Midnighters; or, Following a Specter Guide.

Bill at Beacon Rock; er, Drawing Lets with Death.

Bill and the Wolves of Mexico.

Bill and the White Buffalo; or, The Black Horse Rider.

Bili and the Prairie Hercules; or, The Spectre Seldier of the Overland.
Bill and the Doomed Thirteen; or, Out on the Silver Trail.

Bill’s Ride for Life; or, A Hard-Won Victory.

Bill’s Grim Guard; or, The Chinaman in Buckskin.

Bill’s Discovery; or, The Mystery of the Gold Treasure.

Bill’s Clean-Up; or, Routing the Rascals of Gold Dust City.

Bill’s Pards of the Plains; or, The Dread Shot Four.

Bill’s Helping Hand; or, The Secret of Kid Glove Kate,

Bills Boy Pard; or, Captain Hyena and His Red Angels

Bill’s Sacrifice; or, Waneta, the Indian Queen.

Bill’s Red Trail; or, The Unmasking of Captain Hyena.

Bill’s Death-Deal:
Bill’s Double; or,

Bill at Advance City; or, The Wolves of the Mountains,

Bill and the Black Trailers; or, White Coyote, the Renegade Chief,
Bill’s Dead-Shot Dragon; or, The Man-Killer of Perdition City.
Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress.

Bill and Old Buckskin ; or, Hugh Harcourt, the Man of Mystery.
Bills Gold Trail; er, The Desperado Dozen.

Bill in Arizona; or, The Black Brotherhood.

All of the above numbers always on hand.
cents a copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid.

STREET & SMITH, Pebiieners, : a William Street, New York.

The False Guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or, The Wandering Jew of the West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

If you ‘cannot get them from your newsdealer, five

       

ittibiinas tie

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371.—Dick Merriwell’s Compiaatna: :
or, Playing the Game For, :
Every Point.
372. —Frank Merriwell Marked ; ae
The Mystery of Black Touch.
373.—Dick Merriwell’s Firmness; or, A
Steady Hand anda Sure Heart.
374.—Frank Merriwell’s Gold Train; or,
His Great Victory in Mexico.
375.—Dick Merriwell’s Mission; or,
From Fardale to West.
376.—Frank Merriwell’s Battle Royal;
Up Against the Wizards,

 

 

 

 

Current and preceding issues may be obtained from all newsdealers,
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