DEVOTED TO BORDER HISTORY issued Weekiy. By subscription $2.50per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., N. ¥. x = Ei S hs aoe ane eas ie re a é 3 aay me PSG s ’ ae te aa ei i No. 278 _ NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 8, 1906.|.| Price, Five Cents The huge slat fell forward without a noise, and then at the entrance stood four grisly ghosts, their bony fingers beckoning. A WEEXLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO BORDER HISTORY Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-8 Seventh Avenue, N.Y. Entered according to Act of Congress tn the year 1906, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. over the world as the king of scouts. [35> Beware of Wild West imitations of the Buffalo Bill Stories. They are about fictitious characters. The Buffalo Bill weekly is the only weekly containing the adventures of Buffalo Bill, (Col. W. F. Cody), who is known all NEW YORK, September 8, 1906. dx, Price Five Cents. _ THE GRISLY GHOSTS OF fo RANDOLPH. JR BUCKSKIN, Bi LLBY the author of “BUFFALO BILL” i tle te oe BA ee OA he. CRAP LER: 21 THE ATTACK ON THE STAGE. “Cody,” said the commander of Fort Winthrop, “I have noticed that you have not been looking well lately. Your face is not pale, and your movements are as active as usual. But—but you fidget a good deal, you are nervous, ill at ease. And, worse than all, your appetite isn’t what it ought to be. I know what is the matter with you. You are stagnating. There is nothing doing, and twiddling thumbs is not in your line.” Buffalo Bill laughed. Wer he said,” my forte is action, and I'll exe it lave been for a fortnight like a fish out of water.. suc Apaches are quiet—that last drubbing we gave them seems to have had the desired effect—and we are hoping that the Navajos will not repeat the bloody work of last year. We are living here in what we deem a state of security. I don’t like it, for in spite of our hopes I have a feeling every day that we are living over a mine which may explode at any moment.” The colonel’s face was sober as he replied: “I’m not altogether satisfied myself that the atmos- phere about us spells peace, and it is because of my fi NSA SRR Se A Nae RAL TR ROE SABO ROIS doubts that I have called you from your quarters to give you a commission.” The handsome countenance of the king of scouts lighted up instantly. ‘‘What is it?” he asked eagerly. “To protect some friends of mine.” “Where are they, and who are they?” “They are John Thayer, a Boston capitalist, and his daughter.” “Are they in any danger?” pee “T hope not, but I have determined to mihimize even the possibility of danger. They are now at Tucson, and to-day will start for some mining property which Thayer thinks of purchasing. The property is in Nav- ajo country, and only last year the savages wiped out the gang of miners who were working there. Thayer wrote me that he was coming out to look at the prop- erty, and I advised him by return mail to give up the notion. I put it before him as strongly as I could that Arizona is in a state of unrest, that the mountains are full of savage, irreconcilable Indians, and that until Un- cle Sam has either wiped out the redskins or has so thoroughly punished them that they will go meekly to the reservations marked out for them, it will be daw eR mR te hanna NEEM OA BENENSON HT NI OM Sa ae Bt NRE ESE SVR fh Pre oe } | t | } f 1 | with disgust. | the game, run afoul of old Mud Face, the chief of that 2s oF | THE BUFFALO - getous in the extreme to try to do business, especially. mining business, in the Territory. “Did you get an answer from that letter ?”’ "Ves. Thayer wrote back that he was greatly obliged for my warning, but that he was inclined to think that I had not properly studied the facts. in the case and from them made the most sensible deductions. He wrote further that there was an Indian society in Bos- ton, and that the situation in Arizona had been thor- oughly discussed. The members were strongly of opin- ion that the United States Government had failed to rec- ognize the noble qualities of the red man. treated him as if he were a dog’, and—well, there was more rot of that kind. The idea in Thayer’s mind was that if you treat the Indian ‘fairly he will treat you fairly. In other words, he is a brother, and must be dealt with in a brotherly spirit. Thayer’s last words were: “The Navajos are quiet now, and when I go among them I shall extend my hand in friendship. I shall not seek to take their lands from them by force. I shall come prepared to pay for them: My daughter, who will accompany me, and who, by the way, is the secretary of the Indian society, has selected articles of barter enough to fill two large trunks. There are pipes and match-boxes for the Navajo braves, and beads and colored calicoes for the squaws. I shall go from Tucson to the mine, and, after viewing it, I shall ride over and shake hands with you!’ ” Buffalo Bill, upon whose face there was a broad smile, had this comment to make: “Your friend evi- dently expects to find down here in Arizona the kind of Indians we read about in Cooper’s novels. When once he sees the Navajo in his native element he will make a discovery that will open his eyes and fill him Maybe he will, if I don't step in to spoil branch of the nation now holding down the Mahoe Wells, about half a day’s ride from the San Simon Val- ley. Mud Face is the ugliest, most disgusting specimen of the Indian race in the whole Western country. He is a walking libel on humanity, and if Thayer extends to the old wretch-the hand of a brother, I'd like to be there to watch the expression of his daughter’s countenance. By the way, is Miss Thayer a lady of uncertain age?’ “No. She is young, not more than twenty-one, and I have heard that she is very intelligent and very pretty.” “The worse for her if she gets in with Mud Face and his gang.” , - Colonel Burley’s brow wrinkled over a thought which had come to him. “The mine Thayer is going to look at is near Mahoe™ ‘Wells,’ he said, with a shake of the head. The king of scouts frowned. “Your friend must not go there,” was the quick response. “At least, not while old Mud Face is in that section of the country. I'll start at once to intercept the stage. Let’s see, I ought to overhaul! it on the edge of the Horseshoe Desert.” “You will Have to ride like the wind to make that point,” said Colonel Burley. “My pony’s name—have you forgotten it?” ae “Whirlwind? No. It’s an appropriate name. I be- lieve you'll make it. But’—the colonel hesitated—‘‘if you meet the stage and Thayer refuses to give up his trip, what will you do?’ ae ce : “Do? Til take him off that- stage by main force and ugliness.” 0 Ce ee ae ea (hey had ; BILL STORIES. “That’s tight, Cody. Stop him at all costs.” ‘The. foregoing conversation took place in’ the early forenoon of a cloudless day in September. Half an hour afterward Bufialo Bill, mounted on his fleet-footed pony, who well desggved his name, galloped down the low hill upon which the “fort was ae entering a cafion, followed it for many miles. 7 In the middle of the afternoon, as he was riding, through a little valley, he encountered a miner who was* [ie astride a mustang and leading a pack-mule. “Better not go on,” he said to Buffalo Bill. “There’s the old Nick to pay along the desert foot-hills. Injuns and outlaws, banded together, are robbing and killing all the way from Mahoe Wells to Fairmont Station.” “Outlaws?” queried the king of scouts. they and where do they hail from?” “Haven't you heard? Sonora Kid’s band have crossed the Mexican border, and, joining with old Mud Face’s outfit, have started in to clean out every white settler in this part of the Territory. I got away just in time. A Mexican | had befriended gave me warning early this morning. I am on my way to the fort to notify the colonel,” ~~ “Go on, then,” returned Buffalo Bill, as he spoke to Whirlwind. “Tell the colonel that you met me, and tell him’ further that [ am going to overhaul the Tucson stage if such a thing be possible.” | Hut, sec: here ” the sentence was not finished, for the king of scouts was out of hearing. The next day an old-fashioned mud wagon, which bore the name of stage, left a station in the hills near the desert and bore toward the east. It carried three pas- “seneers, two middle-aged men and one young woman. One of the men was John Thayer, the Boston capitalist, and the young woman was Frances. Thayer, his daugh- ter. The other man was a German of the middie class, who had had some experience in mining, and who was going into the Mahoe Wells counttyjte prospect. He had lived. some years in California, and what he knew of Arizona had been gathered from talks with old pros- DECLOPS. Dee ne : John Thayer, well dressed, smooth-faced, and with a brisk, pleasant manner, offered in appearance a marked contrast to. the German, who was roughly clad and heavily bearded. Two shrewd, twinkling eyes looked out under heavy, reddish brows into the sharp, gray, luminous orbs of his companion, who was talking about mining matters. . “Oof I don’d mistoog vat you vas zaying,” the German replied, when jt came time for him to speak, “de righd | vay to dreat mit dose Inchuns is too giss dem, nod to gill dem. Iss dot so, mine frent?”’ “Your understanding of my position is not quite cor- rect,’ returned the capitalist suavely. “I would not go so far as to indulge in any osculatory performances With the Navajos, but at the same time I would endeavor to show them that I was ready to meet them in a spirit of utmost friendliness. For instance——’ | He got no farther, for the stage suddenly came to a4 standstill. ae ~ John Thayer looked out and saw that the driver was engaged in earnest conversation with a horseman. He ‘heard the words: “You may get through, but it is best to be prepared.” “What's the trouble?” the capitalist inquired. The driver was liiting a rifle which had been resting “Who are early n his loped and, iding, » wa r stat Nick laws, Way y are ossed ace’s er in A this the eto tell cson tor hich ’ the pas- nan. list, 1¢h- Lass, was Fe new ros- i : _ postulation : THE BUFFALO on the seat behind him, and he did not answer the ques- tion until after he had examined the magazine and had tried the hammer. Then he turned to Thayer and said: “Nothin’ ter be skeered about, I reckon. Thar’s trou- ble over Mahoe way, but if we kin make Coyote Hole afore.-dark, we will be afl tight. Thar’s a sort o’ fort ® thar aw we ought ter hold it till ther soldiers git to ther i desert.” "> Frances Thayer, a handsome, but eas, | brown-eyed girl, turned pale at the words. She turned ' her slender neck and looked from the driver to the horseman. The latter was a young cow-puncher and Indian-fighter. His face was dark and his hair long. In ' his buckskin suit, with a black bandanna tied carelessly ' around his neck, and with one shapely leg thrown over the pommel of his saddle, he was a picturesque figure. “If there is danger, why should we go on?” the girl ' asked timidly. ' “It is safer to go on than to go back,” ‘man respectfully. He did not speak with the dialect of the average moun- taineer, and Frances Thayer, noting his use of words, and not being unmindful of his attractive personality, "was immediately prepossessed in his favor. Not that she | disliked Gila Ben, the driver, but she was a product of ' the Hub of the Universe, and up to date she had pinned ser faith to culture and philanthropy. Besides, the horse- said the horse- “I should prefer to go on,” he said, addressing the horseman, “but I am not disposed to run my neck into danger. You say that it is safer to proceed. By that that there are foes behind us.” tod the young rider. “The situation is ..vajOS are up in arms, and they are being Bcied and abetted by the gang of cutthroats led by ' Sonora Kid. He is a half-breed, and his gang was driven -out of Arizona two years ago. A few days ago the murderous outfit reappeared in the Territory and I have received information that they are now operating on both sides of us. You were very lucky not to have met hem on your way here.” _ “Do you think'we will be able to reach Coyote Hole _ before the gang ahead of us can get there?” “Ll do. Ben's horses appear to be in good shape, and ' he knows how to drive.” The German’s voice was now fe in vehement ex- “IT vant to gid oud oof here. I don’d ' go ahead und meet der Shnorin’ Gid, und I -and to go pack und meet his brudder. Vat is Ider mit sdayin’ vere ve vas? Ve could hide lose kicktus pushes.” vou did that the rattlesnakes might bite you,” boy, with a wink at John Thayer. said llesniks!’ The German gasped in alarm. ‘Vos_ ldlesniks aboid her?” y cactus bush has one or two of them,” returned Oy. en trive on ka-vick. I radder meet Inchuns dan raddlesniks.” The cowboy said he would ride ahead and be ready ‘to warn the oer in case he saw any signs of the enemy. “He’s a good ae is Frank os said the driver BILL STORIES. a when the cowboy was out of hearing. “As square as a die and as brave as they make ’em. If we get inter a scrap he’ll make his rifle talk fer us, you bet.” The stage presently rolled into a narrow cafion. Gila Ben looked ahead and could see nothing of the cowboy. ' The road ran along one side of the cafion for more than half a mile, and Frank Haste had not had sufficient time to ride out of sight. Sharply scrutinizing every clump of bushes and every pile of rocks, the driver made ready to fire should an attack be made suddenly from ambush. And, while he kept his eyes open, John Thayer, who had not taken note of the disappearance of the cowboy, was trying to put the German at his ease. “We have three rifles,” he was saying, “and in case of attack we may make a successful stand. That young fellow who warned us is, I make no doubt, an expert in rifle-shooting, and if we should get into trouble he will be worth the two of us here.” “I haf a sheck-knife,” responded the German, “und dat’s all der vepons dot I got aboid me. I tink I holt oop mine hants oof I gets der chance. Oh, tear, I vish * what he wished was never known, for at that moment Sonora Kid and three of his followers sprang into the road. Gila Ben blazed away, but a valley from the rear sent him ‘tumbling to the ground. Half a dozen Indians had appeared from behind rocks on the side of the road op- posite to that which had afforded concealment to Sonora Kid and his men. John Thayer raised his rifle to fire when the German with a loud cry flung his arms about the capitalist and prevented the explosion. “Surrender, and no one shall be hurt,” the Kid called out in a harsh voice. Thayer looked out of the wagon, saw the large force opposed to him, and then turned his eyes on his daughter. In her hand was a small dagger. He caught the expression of her face, and instantly flung off the German and leaped to the ground. The mixed band of outlaws and Indians evidently thought that he had jumped down for the purpose of surrendering, and consequently there was no _ hostile demonstration when he appeared in their midst. But they were soon to be undeceived respecting his in- tentions. He was armed with. revolver as well as with rifle. The nearest person was an Indian. Clubbing his rifle, he brought it down on the redskin’s head, and then, backing away quickly, fired at Sonora Kid with his revolver. Had not the ruffan ducked in the nick of time, the bullet would have caught him squarely between the eyes. - Then occurred a strange scene. Pistols were cracking, and the Indians were advancing with their tomahawks on the now severely wounded man when the German, his big jack-knife in his hand and vengeance gleaming in his eyes, jumped from the wagon, and, with a yell of de- fiance, began cutting right and left. / A tomahawk laid him low, and he fell upon the dead body of John Thayer. Victory had come to the villainous gang that had attacked the stage. : The German lay as if dead, and after gazing at the still form for a moment, Sonora Kid advanced to the wagon. | Frances Thayer lay back on the seat, her eyes closed, and in her right hand a blood-stained dagger. 4 ‘ a . THE BUFFALO The outlaw’s exclamation of disappointment was fol- lowed by a cry from one of his followers. The cry caused a slight quivering about the lips of the girl. Sonora Kid witnessed the movement at the time he was giving heed to these words of warning: “Some one is coming. Mebbe ther soldiers are back of him,” Sonora Kid sprang to the ground. His thin, dark, evil countenance was fairly fiendish as his eyes fell on the figure of an approaching horseman. “It’s Buffalo Bill!’ he shouted. “Never mind ‘the soldiers. We're enough for him, and he’s our meat.” The king of scouts, riding to the succor of John Thayer and his daughter, had seen the wagon and the group of Indians and white men about it, and at once divined what had happened. His blood was up. Fear- ing the worst and utterly regardless of the odds against ‘him, he dashed forward and, when within rifle-range, pulled the trigger, once, twice, thrice. The yells and the falls told how well he had aimed. But the villainous band did not give way. Sonora Kid was a fighter, and the shots were answered. Two of them whizzed past the scout’s head, and a third might have struck him in a vital part if he had not slipped to the ground. Taking a position behind a rock, he fired again, and was some- what surprised when he saw the Kid’s followers rusl toward him. Their design was soon explained. Within a short dis- tance from where he lay was a large boulder. They were trying to get behind that, and as it was in a direct line from his own place of shelter and close to the trail, they would be likely to reach it, especially as they crouched as they ran. Buffalo Bill, with a grim smile, placed his sombrero on the muzzle-end of his rifle and then raised the rifle so that the hat protruded over the top of the rock. In- | stantly a bullet tore through the crown. The hat dropped, and the next moment the daring scout showed _ his. head. At the sight of it Sonora Kid flattened himself on the earth, for he guessed what was coming. There was a puff of smoke, and a Navajo bit the dust. Before the scout could fire again the outlaws and their savage allies were behind the boulder. Their period of security was short. While they were consulting as to their next move, there came a fierce shout in their rear, and, following the shout, the report of a rifle. The bullet ended the career of a half-breed squatting by Sonora Kid’s side. The band was at once thrown into confusion. Riding down upon them from an easterly direction, the direc- - tion whence they had come, was a long-haired fron- tiersman, whose presence in that section they had never suspected. Sonora Kid tried to give orders, but found he had no voice. Like so many rats driven from their holes, the villainous crew rushed pell-mell up the hill so they would not be between two fires. The shots rained among them as they went upward. Once an attempt to make a stand was defeated by the actions of the two white foes. Both were now in the trail below, and in the shelter of the boulder which re- cently had promised so much to the frightened fugitives. As Sonora Kid halted his band a bullet struck the rifle which he held in his hand, and another made a hole in the head of a Navajo who was in the act of taking aim at the horse of the enemy who had come from the east. f Bik STORIES. The horse stood close to the boulder, his head turne(} hillward. Of the band which had attacked the wagon there wer now but four left. Their ponies were in the brush nea the wagon, and in the zone of danger. The four, realizing that all chance of life would be los if they continued their flight, came to a desperate resolu, tion. They would turn and fight. A rush down the hill with the chance of meeting the enemy in a hand-to. hand conflict were better than a retreat with certain death stalking behind them. The rush was made, and two of the band had fallet when along the road, which had brought the secont horseman as well as the outlaws and Indians to th spot, came a large body of Indians. The two white men, crouched behind the boulder, saw” the Indians and believed they were in a desperate pre! dicament. i There was but one thing to be done, and they did it. Their horses were close by, and in a moment ¢ was in the saddle. Several shots were fired at tt from the hill, but they succeeded in dodging them an were riding furiously down the road before the ban of Indians up the cafion, and, coming toward them, we within shooting distance. Near where the cafion d bouched upon the plain the horsemen halted and look back. What they saw surprised them. ‘ Sonora Kid and his companions had not returned the trail to meet the band of Indians, but could be seet! far up the hill and making rapid time in getting away| from the locality. As for the newly arrived redskins, they were nov clustered about the wagon, and one of them was lifting from the wagon the dead or fainting form of a woman “What do you make of it, Billr’ asked the horsemat who had come to the relief of the king of scouts.-.-« “They are not Navajos, and, what’s better, they ar friendly Indians. Reconstructed Apaches, I reckon,” “Then let’s turn back and find out what has occurre at the wagon.” “All right, Hickok.’ The horses’ heads were turned, and Buffalo Bill anc Wild Bill, for the companion of the famous scout anc Indian-ighter was the noted frontiersman and terro to evil-doers, rode rapidly toward the band of Indians. CHAPTER Li, THE SHOT FROM THE STABLE. There were twenty in the band of Indians, and there was no hostile movement as the two scouts approached. Buffalo Bill recognized the chief, an old warrior of the Geronimo pattern. in looks but not in character, and. called out heartily: “How is my friend the Wolf,th: Never Sleeps?” The Apache’s eyes twinkled with pleasure. “Wela- com, welacom, Buffalo Bill,” he gutturally replied. The comrades dismounted, and, after the staid for- malities of amity were over, the king of scouts went over to the spot where the body of the girl had been placed. Her eyes were open, and she spoke faintly when she saw above her the kind, sympathizing countenance of Buffalo Bill. a “My father—is it well with him?’ 1 turned ere w ash n 0 there ched. or Of went. been yhen ance ere Caf ‘the scalp of that old Apache,” Indians had gone, ‘Sleeps is so anxious to bid good-by to this dangerous neck 0’ woods.” THE. BUPFALO “Yes,” was the gentle reply. Then he added quickly: She outlaws have gone. You are now with friends.” Before he spoke he observed that her wound had en bandaged, and from her condition he concluded at it was not a serious one. But he had no oe at it had been self-inflicted. ‘As she seemed disinclined to talk, the king of scouts ft her and walked to the side of the wagon where lay ie bodies of John Thayer and the German. Wild Bill as there and in the act of raising the body of the man. This man is not dead,” he said to his comrade. “He’s ot a bad cut in the shoulder, but he hasn’t lost a great 1 of blood. You see, *he fell on the other body in ich a. way that he closed the wound sufficiently to pre- sit copious blood-letting. He ought to be conscious, ) have his mind wide open to the fact that he is out the clutches of Sonora Kid and his gang.’ “Who vass sayin’ I vass nod kinchus?” The German pened his eyes and fixed them indignantly on Wild Bill. I haf der righd to blay mit-der bossom;yati? = “You certainly have,” put in Buffalo Bill, and with 1ese words he stepped forward, and, after examining he wound which the tomahawk had made, proceeded bandage it. There was a deep, nasty cut, but as Wild ill had said, the flow of blood had been checked by the ressure against the body of John Thayer, Fhe king of scouts learned from a talk with Wolf ho Never Sleeps that the Apaches under his leadership ere on their way to a reservation which Uncle Sam had rovided for them. They had not come by way of tahoe Wells, but had made a circuit of that dangerous ycality. Of the recent warlike movements of Mud Face ad his hali-breed allies he knew nothing. putalo Bill tried to induce the chief to assist him in saapaien against the Navajos, but without avail. The id fellow had had enough of war. He was a good ndian now, and he declined to depart from the peaceful rogram he had mapped out. There was nothing for it, then, but to bid good-by ito the Apaches and wait for the coming of the soldiers, sho, posted as to the situation by the miner whom But- Halo Bill had met on the trail the day before, ought to Ishow themselves within twenty-four hours. “Mud Face has been itching for a long time to take said Wild Bill, after the “and that is why Wolf Who Never At this moment a white man came out of the bushes on one side of the road and hailed the scouts. “Hello, boys,’ he called out, “have you cleaned them ‘alo Bill’s fine face showed the greatest pleasure ‘ooked at and recognized the speaker. ey have gone, what is left of them,” he replied, e do you hail from, Frank?” : sk cowboy, for it was he, came forward to 2 ell into a trap, Bill. I was ahead of the wagon, «ig, when Sonora Kid’s gang jumped out on me. I might have given them some kind of a fight if one of the half-breeds had not thrown a lasso. It caught me around the waist, and I was yanked out of my saddle and put out of commission.” “Where were you when the fight was going on?’ is wounded, but she will recover. BILL Sd RIES: : 5 “Out of sight, but not of hearing. I wanted to take a hand, but I did not succeed in freeing myself from the leathers which those curs wound around me until a few minutes ago.’ He ceased speaking, looked ,at the victims of the outlaws’ attack, and his face grew sor- rowful. “Only one alive?’ he asked. . “Only one dead,’ said Buffalo Bill. “Miss Thayer Her father “What of my father?’ -Frances Thayer had raised her head and was resting Her hand upon her elbow. Her interruption caused Buffalo Bill to whisper to Frank Haste, “I thought she knew.” Then he turned to the girl and tried to soothe her. After a time she grew composed, and something of the spirit of her Puritan forebears shone in her eyes. “iAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’” she said, slowly and mercilessly. “They have killed my father. So must they be killed.” “They shall be,’ impulsively exclaimed Frank Haste. “You demand an avenger. Let me be. the man.’ Wild Bill looked from the young cowboy to the wounded girl. Then his eyes met those of his comrade. But neither said a word. The young cowboy spoke again. “Which way did | those fiends go?” he asked, with his eyes on the king of scouts. “There were but two who escaped,’ was the reply, “and they went over that hill yonder. They are prob- ably making for Mahoe Wells.” “That’s where old Mud Face is.” ‘Where old Mud Face was,” put in Wild Bill. “He is not there now, for I saw him ride off in-a southwest- erly direction.” “When did you see him?’ quickly. “Early this morning. I have been with the rangers in Texas for the past month, and last week I started for Arizona. I came by way of Mahoe Wells and saw old Mud Face depart. I did not show myself, for I suspected what was in the wind, but after. he had left the place I hurried on and met you, Bill.” ; “Any one at the wells?” asked his comrade. “A few squaws and the keeper of the ghosts.” “Keeper of the ghosts?’ ejaculated Buffalo Bill. “What ghosts ? Whose ghosts? And why do they need a keeper?” “I can’t answer you very definitely,” was the response. “T was skirting the flat where the wells are when I met a squaw. She knew me and she was friendly, for years ago I omitted to kill her husband after I had worsted him in a struggle for the mastery. The old female was a witness to “the fight, and she slobbered all over me when I quit with the battle but half won. Well, she opened up when I met her yesterday, and told a lot of things. She said the Navajos were in their war-paint and intended to regain all the territory they had lost. They believed they would make the riffle, for Sonora Kid had promised to help them. If worst came to worst, and they were compelled to retreat to Mahoe, they were positive that ‘no force of soldiers would ever be able to dislodge them. The grisly ghosts of the place would drive the soldiers away. “Grisly grandmothers,” snorted Frank Haste. kind of a trick is this, anyhow?” The German, who, propped up against the wagon and inquired Buffalo Bilt 3? “What 6 . THE BUFFALO in considerable pain, had been trying to follow. the story told by Wild Bill, here burst in: “I don’d vant to see no chost pizness. Ka-vick as I can ged me avay from des ouidlaws, raddlesniks, und Inchuns, der petter I peen bleased. Und if dey vass -crisly dey may pe crisly-pear chosts. I know all apouid dose crisly pears. I peen in Killifornia zwei year.” “T don’t know whether they are grisly bears or grisly Greeks,” said Wild Bill. ‘The old squaw assured me that they are there and grisly enough for the purpose. They hold forth in a big stone house that has been in the Mahoe section since the year one. They have a keeper, to keep them down, I suppose, and when they show themselves, the man who sees them wants to take a walk.” Wild Bill’s story was ended. Frank Haste smiled. “Nothing in it, I reckon,” was his comment. “T don’t know about that,’ returned Buffalo Bill soberly. “The squaw would not have tried to deceive Wild Bill. I know something of Indian nature, and it is plain to me that the Navajos have got hold of some contraption that they think will scare the whites. I have a curiosity to see those ghosts. If they are semi- materialized evil spirits I may be able to exorcise them.” “If you want to try to interview them I am with you,” said Wild Bill. “IT wouldn’t mind having a squint at them myself,” remarked Frank Haste eagerly. “What they need, prob- ably, is a dose of lead.” “Der fairst dime dot I see a chost,” said the German, “vass ven I keepit a shargole mannerfiktery py der Plack Vorest. Vun nighd ven der moon qvit shinin’, I vass coomin’ in mit an armful oof figots for der vire. Suttinly, all at vonce, ven I vass nod egspectin’ some- dings lige dot, der piggest chost I efer seen ‘ “I thought you said this was the first one you had ever seen?” interrupted Wild Bill. “Oof you vants to dell dis sdory go head,” growled the German. “Ou-ich he cried the next instant. “I got a new gind oof bain vere I vass timmihawked.” Buffalo Bill was not a listener to the ghost-story. He was bending over Frances Thayer and talking earnestly to her. “Bud as I vass saying,’ the German continued, “der chost coomed up und gatched me py der arm. Id vass tressed all in vite, und dere vass plood-sdains on der sleeves of his nightcown.. I sgreamed so dot you could haf heard dor sgream six miles avay. But der negst minute I sereamed mit bain. Dot chost binched me so dot my arm vass blick und plue. ‘Vot you peen avay so long for, Franz Hofler?’ dot chost said. Und den I knew id yass mine vite. . She “She took you by the ear and led you home,” said Frank Haste, as he started to walk away. Soon the three white men were in earnest consultation. “Miss Thayer has informed me,” said Buffalo Bill, “that she examined her wound and found that it is in- significant. She fainted not wholly on account of the wound. The frightful scenes that were being enacted about her had as much to do with the fainting as the knife-thrust she gave herself.” _ Noting the astonishment on the faces of his listeners, he explained as follows: “The girl intended to kill herself. Death, to her mind, was preferable to capture. She saw her. father fall, and then she stabbed herself. . But the knife is a small affair—it’s a lady’s dagger, I Bit) STORIZS: believe—and the point did not penetrate beyond t flesh. It probably met some obstruction, a piece of st or whalebone, maybe. Anyhow, she is all right and a to mount a horse.” ‘Ts iteyour plan to take the back track?” asked Will) Bill, with an expression of disappointment. ‘T have made no plan as yet. There are several thin to consider. Admitting that Miss Thayer can ride a keep up with us, there is the German, Franz Hofler, who can’t be left here to die. I would not trust him on 4 horse, and if we take along the wagon we can't malt) fast time.” “Which way?’ Frank Haste was the questioner. | “T am in favor of going on to Mahoe Wells,” replied the king of scouts. “I'll tell you why. Between uj and the station the stage left this morning is probably. % detachment of outlaws and Navajos. We must not ex pect help from the soldiers before another day, perhaps two days. On the other hand, there are no Indians a Mahoe. If Sonora Kid is there we can easily take care of him and the half-breed who is with him. If 1 were f _ to propose a plan it would be this: To go on, as fast as possible with wagon and horses, to Mahoe, and take pos session of the old stone house. Once inside we ought to be able to stand off old Mud Face and his band- should they return within two days—until the arrivad of the soldiers. We will, of course, find eatables at the wells, and can stock the stone house for a siege.” “Your plan is a good one, Cody,” said Wild Bill, “and I move that we start at once. Maybe we can get ther before Sonora Kid and his companion show up.” “Vot you peen goin’ to do abouid dose chosts?” in quired Franz Hofler. “‘Oof dey vass in der hou-ts, yo got to ged dem ouid, aind id?” “Precisely,” answered Buffalo Bill. “They must va | cate the premises and seek other quarters.” “Bud look a here vonce. Oxposin’ dot dey don’d) vand to go und you can’d ged in, vot you peen goin’ t do abouid id?” “When we get there I will tell you.” . No more was said. The bodies of John Thayer an¢ | the driver were given rude burial, the spot marked for future disinterment, and then the journey to Mahoe was a iia - commenced. Frances Thayer rode in the wagon with Franz Hofer, and the young cowboy tied his horse behind and assumed the role of driver. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill took the lead. At the close of day the party reached Coyote Hole, 4 station on the edge of a desert. It had been provided with a blockhouse for defense against Indian attacks. The king of scouts was not prepared for the spectacle that met his gaze. The blockhouse had been burned to the ground, and outside of the little wooden shack that served for an office lay the dead bodies of tht men. They had been killed and then scalped. Buffalo Bill went over to the ruins of the blockhouse: The fire was still smoldering. “Tt is my opinion,” he said, “that this is the work of the outfit that attacked the wagon. Sonora Kid came from this direction, and he probably raided this station on his way from Mahoe.” “It couldn’t have been the work of Mud Face,” t¢ marked Wild Bill, “for he went off in an opposite direc tion. I noticed the route he took when he left Mahoe | THE BUFFALO Ils, and, unless he doubled on his es he couldn’t sibly have got here to-day.” he little building that had been left standing served office and sleeping-quarters. There were three ms, the one at the rear being used as kitchen and ing-room. The station had “furnished _employment three men, one the agent of the stage company, the Other two cook and hostler, respectively. All had been mong uffalo Bill entered the building and found such a Satrangement as convinced him that robbery had been Ided to. murder. The little safe had been smashed in ad its contents removed, and there had been a raid on clothing and provisions. From the fact that Sonora and his force had not come to the attack on the ge with any of the stolen articles, the conclusion was ived at that the plunder had been cached somewhere i the vicinity of the station. ‘On speaking of the matter to Wild Bill and Frank laste, the young cowboy said quickly: “Ill bet the id will look up that-cache before completing his jour- to Mahoe Wells. His ponies and provision- sacks ' were left behind when he lit out from the cafion, and 3 ougtt ‘Il need something to eat by night. I wouldn't won- band— er if he were to be found at the cache now.’ ara: “Nor 1,” said Wild Bill. He turned and looked to- at the ill. ‘Up there somewhere, and hot very far “ way, is the place where the grub and the other things 1, “and ere hidden,” he added. Buffalo Bill was about to speak when Frances Thayer, ho had been gazing at the desert, said suddenly: There are two Indians over there. They seemed to ome out of the earth. I was looking over the expanse end idians rose up out of it. Where : from, and what does it all mean?” - tts saw the Indians, and his brow usd. kimy weit ON horseback and were riding to- ard the east. “Going toward Mahoe,” remarked Wild Bill, ‘i here Ms a big hole over there—those sinks’ are not uncom- on in Arizona—and they have been there for some time in hiding. Either Mud Face or Sonora Kid sta- oned them there to keep watch on the station. If they saw any white men—soldiers or plainsmen—they were to ride to Mahoe and make preparations for a pos- Sible attack.” | “You are right, Hickok,” said Bufialo Bill, “and we must see that they do not reach Mahoe. The defense proposition, with only two or three—counting the ghost- keeper—to operate it, does not alarm me. But if they get to Mahoe one of them will Jikely start out to look up old Mud Face and his gang.’ “There will be more than two or three to detend Ma- ‘put in’ Frank Haste. “You are forgetting Sonora td end the half-breed who is with him.” “Mo, I am not forgetting him,” replied the king of scouts quietly. “They are on foot and can’t possibly get to Mahoe before we do. But»we are losing time. Hickok, you and I will try to head those two redskins off. We won't be gone more than an hour or two. Haste, it will be your duty to look out for Miss Thayer while we are away. You had better go into the station and put the wagon in’ the stable back there.” The young cowboy, pleased with his assignment, promised to be vigilant, and the two scouts rode’ away over the desert. . vided ‘ks. ctacle irned ioe shack x BILL STORTES. + They would have an hour of light, and they de- termined to make the most of the time. The king of scouts was not easy in mind as he gal- loped in the direction of the two Indians. He did not anticipate a descent of Navajos on the station where he had left Frances Thayer and her protector, for old Mud Face had probably been aware of Sonora Kid's inteén- tions respecting the place. But there was the possibility that the Kid might return to the station. He might have been concealed among the rocks on the hillside when the wagon reached the place and have observed all that oc- curred there. He might also have reckoned that the pursuit of the two Indians would occupy the time of the scouts many hours, and have, therefore, laid his plans for .an attack on the station, with the object of carrying off the beautiful girl whom he had seen and undoubtedly ad- mired on the occasion of the murderous raid on the stage. “T think Frank can hold his own in case of an attack,” said he to Wild Bill, after he laid the situation before that clear-headed scout and Indian-fighter, “but, all the same, I would like to be there if there is to be any trouble. If I had not realized the necessity of spoiling the game of those Navajos ahead of us I would never have set out. Well, we must make quick work: of it if we can.” The desert was some five miles in length, and the In- dians were now within a mile of the eastern end. Be- yond were wooded mountains, up which the Indians must go to reach the long mesa whose farther limits over- looked the flat Oe which were located the Wells of Mahoe. Their ponies were swift-footed, but not so fleet as those of their pursuers. The mountains were within a few rods of them, and the two scouts, not quite within firing distance, were riding like the wind in order to bring the chase to an end before the redskins. could reach a place of shelter behind the rocks that. bordered. the mountain trail, when the pony of one of the savages stumbled and fell. The rider alighted on his feet and instantly, with his revolver, shot the animal dead. The other Indian quickly dismounted and allowed his own pony to amble off along the base of the mountain. The next move of the Navajos was made just-as the two scouts were making ready to fire. They flattened themselves on the eround behind the dead pony, and from this barricade awaited the oncoming of the enemy. Buffalo Bill and his comrade reined up after blazing away. ‘The bullets did no damage. Instantly came the return fire. It was ineffective, whereat Wild. Bill laughed. “T don’t know what brand of rifle those redskins are packing, but it’s a sure gamble that it is not of the long- distance pattern. Say,’ he called out, “come out and stand up like men. Try to make yourselves believe that . you are as good as we are. If you call yo urselves a superior race, rise up and defend the title.” Over the sandy expanse, borne by the breeze, came the response: “Go soak yer head.” ‘The voice was that of a white man. Buffalo Bill recognized it. It belonged to a renegade who several years “before had escaped from a military prison in Nebraska’ “It’s Limping Bob Leezer,” he explained to Wild Bill. ae THE BUFFALO “The left foot is an inch or so shorter than the right. But why is he disguised as an Indian?” “Why? To save his bacon in case the soldiers catch him. He would rather be put on a reservation than in- sert his head into a noose.” Youre right, fT reckon. self away to us.” “Forgot his caution, or else he expects to wipe us out and is reckless. I wonder if his pard is white, also?” “Tl ask him,” returned Buffalo Bill. Then he called out: “Who is your comrade, Leezer? White, or cop- per face: / Ab) “Trot over an’ find out fer yerself,” was the insolent answer. oe ~“T-believe I will,’ the king of scouts coolly replied. He spoke a few words to Wild Bill, and then, riding in a half-circle, reached the foot of the mountain and halted. Si - He was now at a point from which he could see the two figures on the ground behind the dead pony. Dis- mounting, he started up the mountainside, his objective point being a large rock. with a flat upper surface. Limping Bob Leezer watched him with frightened eyes. “We're in a hole,” he said in Navajo to his companion, who was an Indian. The king of scouts was close to the rock, crawling from the off side so as to keep out of range, when Leezer, without stating his intention to the Indian, began to wriggle along the sand toward the pony that had car- ried him across the desert. It was nibbling the scant grass at the base of the mountain a short distance away. The direction was away from the point toward which Buffalo Bill was making, and the king of scouts, knowing that a rifle-bullet could not reach the renegade, looked to Wild Bill for effective action. of the rock, and watched the movements of his com- rade. Wild Bill was riding forward and would soon have been in a position to pick off the renegade if he had not suddenly slackened speed and looked over his shoulder. There had come to his ears the sounds of firing from the direction of the station. ; Buffalo Bill had also heard the shots, and his mind be- came filled with serious apprehension. . The moment that Wild Bill lost was taken advantage of by Limping Bob Leezer. - He was on the back of the pony, and the animal had started on a wild gallop across the desert when Wild Bill put spurs to his horse. : | -The renegade saw his enemy coming, and instantly made a desperate resolution. ' He wheeled and rode toward Wild Bill. ‘Two rifles cracked, but neither of the horsemen left his saddle. sea Both were expert riders and bullet dodgers. On they came, firing as they approached each other. Wounded in the side and gasping for breath Limping Bob Leezer flung away his rifle and drew his revolver. Wild Bill, disdaining to take advantage of the op- portunity which such an action gave him, discarded his own rifle, but it did not strike the ground, as did the rifle of the renegade. Instead, it collided with Leezer’s jaw just as the renegade was raising his revolver. And yet he has given him- The result was disastrous for the man who had elected ’ to try conclusions with Wild Bill. Leezer fell from the saddle, and, before he could gain his feet, the scout had He rested at the foot = — BILL STORIES. him covered and was saying: “Hadn't you better cry ‘enough,’ son?” oe oe Se For answer the renegade fired his revolver, his arm going up like a flash: Too late. Wild Bill’s head was out of the way, while the head of Limping Bob Leezer, as having relation to a bullet, was in the way. He was dead when Buffalo Bill rode up from the mountain. “Where’s your Indian?” asked his comrade. “I did not hear any shooting.” “There wasn't any. Sela See “Committed: suicide?” The Navajo operated on him- - “Yes, and it’s a strange thing for a Navajo to do. 7s I was about to call his earnest attention to my Win- chester when he threw himself. on the point of his hunt- ing-knife. Now, with our errand done, let’s ride: back to the station as quick as our horses will take us. | hope we will find that our friends are safe.’’ Ten minutes’ swift galloping brought them in sight of the building which Frances Thayer, the young cow- boy, and Franz Hofler had entered less than an hour before. Night had come, but the sky was clear, and in the starlight objects could be seen at some distance. The scouts rode nearer. There lay the bodies of the station-agent and his two assistants, and from the stable came the sounds of horses stamping. Buffalo Bill began to breathe more freely. He hopéd to find inside the building used as office and living-quar- ters the three persons who had come on the wagon. Dismounting, he went to the door and knocked. No answer. “Something. wrong,’ said Wild Bill, who was at his comrade’s side. Buffalo Bill knocked again and again; there was no response, “Stay by the door, Hickok,” he whispered, “while I am investigating.” oe He turned the knob and entered the office, ducking his head as he crossed the threshold in order to escape a possible bullet. But there was no attack. Utter silence reigned within the building. The light was dim, and fot a few moments the king of scouts stood motionless. When his eyes had become accustomed to the semidark- ness, he saw that the room looked exactly as he had lett 4. Upon the little wooden desk in a corner by the win- | dow were two candlesticks with candles. Buffalo Bill | lighted one of the candles, and then proceeded to the one of the rooms beyond. It was the kitchen and dining- | room, and upon the pine table in the middle of it were | the remains of supper which the girl and her companions | had probably partaken of. ee The sight of the food brought no pleasant physical | sensation to the famous Indian-fighter. He had not eaten | since morning, but the pangs of hunger lost potency in the flood of emotions that were sweeping over him. >” There was one other room, the sleeping-quarters. The king ‘of scouts hesitated awhile before he entered it. He feared the worst.. The shots he had heard, cou- pled with the silence which seemed to deny the pres- ence of any living thing, oppressed his mind. But one | thing could have happened. Frances Thayer had been carried off, and her protectors had -been slain. _ Buffalo Bill stepped into the bedroom. No one there. No sign of a struggle. Not even any of the belongings of the girl or the two men. ai In some relief of mind the king of scouts called to him: } » do. | Win- § lunt- | back be | "was the response. THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. , 9: ild Bill. ‘out appeared, any of the rooms. ard the firing.” “Let’s go out to the stable,” suggested Wild Bill. With the lighted candle in his hand Buffalo Bill led e way to the roughly constructed building where the agon and horses had been taken. As the door was opened a pistol-shot was fired from ithin, and the bullet cut a hole in the brim of the dle bearer’s. sombrero. Buffalo Bill leaped quickly to one side, and, as he did , these words were shouted from the stable: “Go on avay ouid oof here. You leaf me alone, und i leafs mineself alone.” Wild. Bill was so affected by the humor of the situa- on that he sat down on the ground and held his sides d chuckled. “They ore all gone,” he said, when the tall “and: there are no evidences of a fight And yet there was a fight, for we CHAPTER: ITT. THE GRISLY GHOSTS OF MAHOE. Buffalo Bill soon made the German understand that iends and not enemies were without. “Mine crachus!” “How glad I vass. .Coom in, coom in und I dells you all abouid id.” “The scouts went into the stable and there found the agon, the horses, and Franz Hofler.. The German was sitting on the wagon seat with a revolver in his lap. _ “Where are Miss Thayer and Haste?” asked the king ‘of scouts, “T vish I could dell you, Mister Piffalo Pull, bud I can'd do dot. Dey vass gone avay somveres. I vass dere und see dem go, bud I don’d can dell vere dey ent.” Tel your story,’ returned ihe ‘scout een “What happened after Wild Bill and I rode off to over- take those Indians?” _ “Der ripskilion dot you call der Gincaa! Gid coomed up und sdarded in to mage a rough-hou-uss. He shooted oop der sheck vere ve all vass eading some subbers und den sgooted avay because he didn’t lige der vay dot gow- poy took his voolishness.” ' “Was the Kid alone?” questioned Buffalo Bill. “Nopody vass mit him ven he coomed.. Und he vent avay faster dan he coomed. Der gowpoy made id hot for him, you pet mine life.’ : “Well, what occurred: after the Kid left?” “Der gowpoy chased him, but pooty soon he coomed pack. He said der Gid had a pig gang oop on der hill, und dat der ripskillion had peen ouid only to vind ouid oof we vass sdoppin’ py der sdation. Vell, den, I know dot dere vould pe some drouble coomin’ at us pooty guick, alretty. ates der gang rode oop. Dere vas more as twenty oof dem, und some vass Inchuns. Ven dey vass coomed near enough to dalk und nod to pe shooted at, der Shnorin’ Gid yells ouid at der dop oof mine foice: ‘Oof you surrenders, all righd; oof you don’d do dot ve dake der skilps oof efery von oof you.’ “I din’t haf no bistol den, bud. when der Gid vass sbeakin’ der gowpoy handed me dis yon. «Vell, der gowpoy didn’t say noddings to der Gid, und dot made eer Gid pooty hot py der gollar. ...4 e “You vass a pny: blink shackass | i der okt Und I vass righd. In abouid den min- ° ‘you dink I dink dot Piffalo Pull und his bardner vass dere py you. Dey ain’d dere. ‘Dey vass gone to haf dere skilps daken at Mahoe. So you petter surrenders und gif der young voman a chance. Der nighd-dime vill coom pooty soon alretty, und den your name vill pe Mut.’ ‘Der gowpoy he don’d say nodings again, und der Gid, afder dalking mit his men, gif us a pig astonish- ments. Der whole bunch oof dem vent avay again. Dey vent ouid oof sighd, und den der gowpoy god some guick mofes on. On der side oof der puilding-—berhabs you saw dot—der is a sbilt blace in der ground. Id runs to der hill*’avay from der road. Der gowpoy he peen looging ouid oof der vindow und he see dot sbilt blace, und he says to der young vomans: ‘Vats der madder mit dryin’ to sgoot avay vile ve haf a chance? Maybe dose fillains von’t coom pack undil der dark dime cooms. Oof dey do und ve are avay dey von’t vind us.’ “Der young vomans vass retty to go, und ouid ve vent py der pack toor. Der gowpoy und der young vomans god in der sbilt und I vass yust goin’ to vollow dem ven ve heard a yell from oop der hill. Dot made us ged more pusy dan ve hat peen alretty. I god so pusy dot I vell town pefore I god to der sbilt blace. Vile I vass. dryin’ to vind vere mine veets had gone der yells coomed again, und dis dime nearer. Now I god me an itea. 1 vould vool dose ripskillions. Dey vould dink dot ve all had gone in der sbilt und I vould pe someveres else, in der sdable. “That was a brilliant idea of yours,” as the German paused a moment. “Dot’s vot id vass,’ chuckled Hofler.. “Id vooled dem to der limits. I god in der sdable, und I don’d know. vot habbened afder dot. Dere vass no shooding, und I don’d hear me no noises.” “T can understand why you were not molested,” said Buffalo Bill. “The Kid left you for dead down in the cafion. He supposed that the blow from the tomahawk had finished you, and as he was not a witness to the de- parture of the wagon for this station, he could not have known that you were in it, alive.” “Yaw, dot’s so,” returned the German. “TI didn’t dink oof dot pefore. Maype afder avile I blay some chosts mit dem.” - Buffalo Bill did not care to pursue the subject of ghosts at this time. The disappearance of Frances Thayer and the young cowboy must be looked into, and at once. As there were other ways of reaching Mahoe Wells than the one across the desert, the scout concluded that if Sonora Kid and his gang—the villain and his fellow fugitive, the half-breed, must have met the other mem- bers somewhere in the hills bordering the cafion—had captured Frances Thayer they were now making for the shelter and security of the stone house. He feared that Frank Haste had been killed. There was the possibility, however, that he had been taken prisoner and that he had been reserved for a cruel, in- human death at the outlaws’ stronghold. The two scouts, with Franz Hofler bringing up the rear, explored the split, a narrow gully, which ran from the side of the station to the hill, a distance not exceed- ing three hundred yards, and found nothing. But just beyond the point where the gully ended they discovered blood-marks and the evidences of a struggle. From here they traced footprints until they ceased lion yelled ouid again: said Wild Bill, THE BUFFALO at the foot of the hill and within a few yards of the sta- tion. Here there were many hoof-marks, showing that the Indians and outlaws had remounted at this spot. “T think I have got the thing figured out,” said Buf- . falo Bill to his companions. “Both the young man and the young woman have been taken prisoners. "Haste put up a fight before he was captured, and he has been wounded, and not badly, I think.” “You have struck it, beyond doubt, ? replied Wild Bill. “If Haste had been seriously hurt, Hho rascals would have finished him. But, finding that his wounds were not serious, they have started off to take him to Mahoe, where are all the devilish contrivances for ma- king death frightful.” “The question is,’ said Buffalo Bill, after a pause, “what to do? We had counted upon going on to Mahoe Wells and taking possession of the stone house and holding it until the arrival of the soldiers. the job would have been a hard one with only Sonora Kid and the other men to contend with. But there has been an unlooked-for change in the situation. There is at Mahoe, or will soon be, a force of twenty odd men. To go against them when they are intrenched in their stronghold would be a desperate and dangerous under- taking. The soldiers ought to be along this way to-mor- row afternoon. Would you say wait for them, or go on and fight the outlaws and Indians as we are?’ it E: could be sure that. Frank Haste would be alive to-morrow afternoon, I would say, wait; but there’s no telling when those devils may turn loose on him. [——” “Say no more, Hickok,” quickly interrupted Buffalo | Bill. The’ boy ‘must be saved. Yes, we must go on, relying on the soldiers to help us out if we get in a tight place. And there is Miss Thayer to. consider. Every hour is fraught with danger to her. We will start at once and make as much headway as possible to-night.” “T dink I sday here und vait for dose solcher mens,’ said the German. ‘‘Mine arm iss no goot, und | can’d ride vorth a zent’s vorth. Pesides, I vould pe in der vay. You can’d oxpect me to sdand vat you poys can eid avay vith. Mine arm py mine shoulder vass so sore dot I can hardly | keeb from sgreaming ven I touches someding mit id.’ The king of scouts soberly considered the matter. Hofler would be in the way. He could not ride as fast as would be desired, and he would be unfit for the work. that would have to be done at Mahoe Wells. “I think you will be safe. here,” he said, “for it is unlikely that the outlaws will. return. ‘They have made what they regard as a clean-up, and will hereafter de- vote their time to more important concerns. Yes, you had better stay here until the soldiers arrive. There is enotigh food in the shanty to last for a week, and if I were you. I would stay inside all the time. And don’t light a fire.” “After redressing the German's wound Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill snatched a hasty meal and then mounted their horses and rode away. As they knew they would lose time in trying to fol- low the trail along which Sonora Kid’s band had prob- ably gone, they took their way across the desert and ascended the mountain near where the Navajo had com- mitted suicide. Daylight found them on the mesa above the low flat upon which was located the stone house and the habita- tions of the Navajos commanded by Mud Face. T don’t think . BILL STORIES. Within a quarter of.a mile of the farther end of the mesa they reined up their animals, and, after securing them under a tree, went forward on foot to spy out th condition of affairs on the flat. They had gone about half the distance when they came upon a trail which met at a right angle the one they were traversing. “That is the way the Kid and his outfit of cutthroats came,’ said Wild a as he pointed to it. “Yes, if they came,’ responded the king of scouts, ' they may not have done so. Ee i ‘but | é Perhaps we have beaten | them in; perhaps they are still beyond the mesa, coming | this way.” Wild Bill made no reply, but, leaving his comra i went up the other trail a short distance, looking care- | When he returned tol fully at the ground as he did so. the mesa his face wore an expression of quiet satis-} faction. “They have not come in yet,’ he said, . ‘i Have ex- amined the hoof-marks.. Quite a number of ponies went up the hill no longer than yesterday, for it rained the day before, but neither animals nor men have come down the hill since that time.” “Good,” returned Buffalo Bill.’ “If the situation at ‘Mahoe is as I now think it is, we will wait here or neat here, and tackle the Kid’s gang of outlaws and Indians when they come.’ They went on, and soon came to a sheltered spot frum which they could look down upon the flat. It was long and narrow, and contained about forty acres Of rich, level land. In one corner were the wells large basins made of rock and cement and filled wit water which flowed from hidden springs. Scattered about the flat were numerous teepees and wickiups, and at the farther end upon a slight elevation ( stood a square stone house. It was of but one. st and covered a large space of ground: Upon’ the side walls wild grape-vines were clinging, The door was it | we middle of the front, and showed neither knob nor ar. Buffalo Bill, looking at the two small, barred win- dows, placed half-way between floor and ceiling, shook his head, but not in disappointment. “If we were: in that house,” said Wild Bill, “we could defy an army; that is if we were well supplied with provisions.” “I wonder if the ghosts are in possession 2” asked his comrade, with a smile of derision. “Probably, but if we succeed in ‘getting in here we won't have to. feed them.” ~ “No, I presume not. Ghosts do not eat.’ While they watched they saw several squaws, but no males, Satisfied that the only enemies they had to reckon with were the outlaws and Indians in their rear, the two scouts turned back and went up the side trail until they found a good hiding-place. a It was behind the stump of a lates tree in a thick et of saplings, and but a few feet from the trail. For an hour they, waited and were becoming impatient when the approach of horsemen was heralded by the clang of hoofs and human voices. Some of the outlaws were singing, and one of them was giving a whistling accompaniment. “They won't feel so happy in a few minutes,’ 2, -whis- pered Wild Bill. Suddenly the noises ceased, There was no more sing- securing out the en they one they tthroats its, “but Boake coming ymrade, oO Care- rned to t Satis- Ve ex: 'S went ied the > down ion at ir near ndians | vation | atnru &B ras in Ff > nor § win- shool re. in rmy.; d his chittering of a tree squirrel. Jarge pine. THE BUFFALO no more whistling, and no longer was heard the ft tread of horses’ feet. The band had halted before ing into sight. What’s. up?” whispered Wild Bill. the Kid suspects anything?” It is very likely that he does. You must remember, kok, that he believes we are up here somewhere. He us ride from the station to intercept Limping Bob zer and his Indian partner, and he hoped that the sts would get us if we succeeded in running down zer and the Indian.” Then why is he acting so queerly now?’ He is simply exercising proper caution. He has bably said to himself, ‘those fellows, if they have got: Py with Limpy and his pard, may not yet have tackled stone house. They are no fools, and they may have cluded to wait for me before descending on Mahoe. d where would be a good place to wait? On the , where the trail dips to the mesa.” “Tf you are right, Cody, you are making out the Kid be a bigger fool than Thompson’s colt. He-~-suspects nm ambush, and he comes toward it singing and whis- ing. Now, if I were in his place—and thank the stars, am not—I would come up with as little noise as pos- ble, and, when I approached the danger-line, I would nd out scouts to locate the ambush.” A rustling sound below them, on the mesa, froze the ply on Buffalo Bill’s ae Wild Bill looked inquir- ely at his comrade. “T am on to the game now,” whispered the king of outs. “The Kid isn’t such a fool as you think he is. ong before we heard the singing and whistling, he had nt out scouts, and the noise he made was to notify the outs of the lacct! of himself and his desperadoes. nen a the mesax They are on foot, .e up behind us. They know we ee . a Gates for they have seen our orses, I am now waiting for their signal, for, of ourse, one has been arranged.” _ Buffalo Bill spoke coolly, and Wild Bill, listening to him, exhibited no nervousness. Each knew the situa- “Do you think dion was a desperate one, but, trained as they were in ithe school of danger, they were always ready to take hatever fate held out to them. As they watched and waited there came the sharp Buffalo Bill started, and, casting his eyes upward and over the space covered by the trees, saw the head of an Indian in the top of a He was looking out between the branches. He had not yet seen the scouts, but soon his eyes turned in the direction of the hiding-place. The move- ment was observed, and a bullet from Buffalo Bill’s rifle sent him tumbling to the ground. Savage yells from the mesa, quickly followed by shouts and yells from the horsemen on the trail, brought the two scouts to their feet. “For the mesa,” said But- falo Bill quickly. “It’s our only chance. We must rout those spies—there may be not more than two of them— and then make for the flat and the stone house.” As they came to the trail they saw two Navajos sneak- ing along the mesa toward the flat. Two rifles sang out, and the Indians dropped in their tracks. Down the short incline sped the two scouts, and, reaching the horses, they unloosed them, mounted and rode for Mahoe. They were galloping down the hill with the flat close BILE SUORIL: It at hand when So: mesa. On the flat, pas Bill and his comrac they were within : stone house. “We are going scouts, “and we we ghosts will open the « or us.” Wild Bill’s face w: puzzled expression. But he said nothing. He, kuew that the present was no time for questions. — The king of scouts disennanted and rapped sharply on the door. There was no response. He waited a mo- ment and then rapped again. “Too late,’ said Wild Bill, who was looking over his shoulder, down the flat. “The Kid and his gang are » coming.” Buffalo Bill saw the approaching band and ran for the shelter of the nearest teepee. He left his horse standing, for there was no tttne to reach the animal, mount, and ride safely away. Wild Bill followed, leaping from his seadic just as the teepee was reached, The two scouts did not enter the Indian habitation, but got behind it. A volley from the enemy was fired as they passed from sight. Looking out, Buffalo Bill saw that the band had halted and that Sonora Kid was pointing to the stone house. He was in front of his men, and, while he was saying something to one of the Indians, there was a movement at the rear of the crowd, and soon a half-breed appeared. He was on foot and leading two ponies. On the back of one, and unbound, was Frances Thayer. Strapped to the, other was Frank Haste. Sonora Kid looked at the prisoner a. moment, and then, unwinding from his neck a red silk scarf, waved it above his-head, calling out at the same time: “T want ter talk.” “Go ahead and talk. No one is hindering you,” Buf- falo Bill shouted back, without, however, “showing his face. “Come out and meet me, id and his band rode on to the 9s of startled squaws, Buffalo nor reined in their horses until ‘eet of the great door of the said the king of The in there,” ‘e to break in, either. a9 was the reply. “You won't be hurt.” “Thank you,” said the king of scouts, “but I am very comfortable where I am.” “Will you pledge yer word of honor that ye won’t shoot at me if I come a little nearer?” “You may: come half-way to the teepee and no farther,’ answered Buffalo Bill. “All right. I only want ter get near-enough to have ye understand every word I’ve got ter say.” Sonora. Kid-rode forward until Buffalo Bill called out, “stop!” Then his pony came to a standstill, and he be- gan his speech. He solemnly averred that he had no desire to harm the young woman who was now his prisoner. She was worth a large sum of money to him, and it was his in- - tention to hold her until the money was forthcoming. Her father was dead, and she was his heiress. A letter to Boston, explaining her situation and what was re- quired would, he believed, result in the payment of the ransom demanded. ‘The wily wretch said further that the object of his talk was to induce the famous scout and Indian-fighter to agree to a truce while the young woman and her cowboy companion were being conveyed. ITHE BUFFALO to the stone house, the place of confiriement that had been - selected for them. “Tt you don’t agree to this,’ threat- ened the Kid, “ther young woman’s death will be on your own head, fer I'll send ther; gang forward, with. ther dame in front an’ Frank Haste alongside of her, an’ if ye shoot, your bullets are likely ter hit yer friends, meer! Buffalo Bill saw, but now it was not the Kid’s argu- ment that induced this reply: “You've got me in the door. I suppose I have got to consent, “though it's mighty tough. lines to sit with hands folded while you proceed to “shut up my friends in that impregnable castle of yours.” Wild Bill bit his lip as the words were spoken. Bill,” he whispered, “what are you trying to do?” “I am trying to do the Kid,” was the answer, also in ‘a whisper. The chief of the outlaws had something more to say. “After we have put ther young woman and the cow- DOA, boy in ther house, you can have a fight if you are itch- . ing fer one; or, Pll have opened the door ‘of the house an’ ther pair of ye can waltz in there 1f ye feel like it, an’ I reckon ye won't.” A hideous grin appeared on his evil countenance as he spoke the last words? “He has got the ghosts in his mind,” whispered Wild Bill. “The ghosts don’t bother me any,” was the easy re- sponse. “He thinks he has all the cards in this game, but I could give him a surprise on that point if I felt like it. The little joker is up my sleeve, Hickok, and I ain hoping I will soon have a chance to play it.” “Well, what do ye say?” called Sonora Kid. “You may take the girl and the cowboy to the stone house,” was the reply. “After that, we will see.” The Kid, well satished with his mission, rode back to his followers, and presently two Indians, as guards, con- ducted Frances Thayer and Frank Haste to their prison quarters. They did not enter by way of the front, but passed to the rear of the stone structure. Five minutes after they had passed out of sight the Indians reappeared and joined their fellows. “IT am eaten up with curiosity, and I can’t fight a little bit, Bill, until after I have had that curiosity satisfied. What in the name of all that’s good and juicy does this monkey talk of yours mean?’ “It means that to win in this fight we have got ‘to get in that house.” “Those fiends won't let us.’ “Yes, they will. Follow me and you will see.” Buffalo Bill stepped from his place of concealment, and, standing with his face toward the villainous band, waved his sombrero with one hand, pointing at the house with the other. Not a shot was fired at him. Wild Bill, at his com- rade’s side, saw Sonora Kid wave his own hat in re- turn, and his amazement was without limit. “Now,” said the king of scouts coolly, “we will try that door again. I have a hunch that it will open this time.” ‘The outlaws and Indians down the flat stood eaotion: less as the scouts walked toward the stone house. They were about a rod from the door when down the trail leading out of the flat along the near. side of the build- ing trode a large body of Navajos with old Mud Face at their head, BILL STORIES, The ugly visaged chief saw the two scouts, and in, stantly gave the order to open fire. But the battle was opened by Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill. They were without shelter, and neither expected to come out of the conflict alive. But they fought like demons, and so deadly was their aim, so courageously did they hold their ground, that the Navajos did not ad- vance as far as the house, The scouts were holding Mud Face and his band in check when Sonora Kid and all his -following came dashing down the flat. Their wild yells sent courage to the Navajos beyond the house. ‘They rallied and came on with a rush. The two scouts, each on knee, met them and dealt death from their Winchesters, themselves star- ing death in the face, until the voice of Sonora Kid brought a sudden cessation to the hostilities. Buffalo Bill, surprised, stood up. He had _ been wounded, but not seriously, and, as he brushed the blood from his face, he saw that Wild Bill was sitting down with his back against a rock and his head fallen for- ward, And, as he looked, he heard a grating noise be- hind him. The stone door was opening. Old Mud Face and his band, on the one de. and § Sonora Kid’s force on the other watched him, making no } demonstration as he turned, and, with revolver in hand approached the door. He was but a few feet from it when the huge stort slab fell forward without noise, and there at the en trance stood four grisly ghosts, their bony fingers beck oning. CHAPTER IV. THE DEN OF DEATH. Buffalo Bill started back as his eyes fell on the fea: some quartet, but in a moment he recovered himself and smiled, “Take your choice,” said Sonora Kid, almost in his ear. ‘Go in there, or die here.” The king of scouts appeared to hesitate. He looked at the chosts and shuddered. Then his eyes swept the array of bloodthirsty foes that surrounded him. “Hobson’s choice,” he replied, with a gloomy coun- tenance. “Haven’t you something better to suggest “No. And be quick about makin’ up yer mind Bile StORIES. strange, perplexing, and, though he had the utmost cor fidence in Buffalo Bill’s judgment, he had not been abl to bring himself completely into his comrade’s way o thinking. As the fever came on, his wits grew cot fused. He thought he scented treachery, and as th dwarf reentered the room he screamed: “You wall-| eyed, hump-backed imp, what have you done with my} partner? Tell me, or I’ll tear your heart out!” He tried| to jump to the floor, but was held down by the united efforts of Felipe and the Kid. “Get your morphine, quick!” whispered the half breed. “Tl hold him while you are hunting for it.” But Wild Bill’s false strength soon left him. He was pale and passive when the injection was given. As Sonora Kid was leaving the room, he said: ‘‘See that you square this with him when he wakes up. Tell him any lie that comes to yer mind. He must be ready to-morrow afternoon to take his down-stairs medicine.” Théhalf-breed went below, talked a few minutes with Frances Thayer, and then was shown out. After the back door had been locked behind him, the dwarf ha- stened to the lower floor and released Buffalo Bill. The king of scouts sat by Wild Bill’s bedside for awhile, and, being satished with his comrade’s condition, asked to be shown to the room occupied by Frances Thayer and the young cowboy. “Stay here, and I will bring them up to you,” returned | the dwarf. He left the room, and presently returned with the young woman and Frank Haste. ‘The cowboy’s right |e arm was ina sling, and a handkerchief was bound around his head, The delight of both prisoners at meeting Buffalo Bill was unbounded. But soon the girl’s face grew sad again. “T ought not to be glad to meet you,” she said, with.2 shake of her head, “for I know what your presefice here * means. That foul wretch, Sonora Kid, has told me that —that—-—” She could not finish the sentence. To ease her mind Buffalo Bill informed her that the dwarf was a friend, and that the stone house was their castle. Later, when Wild Bill was awake and in his right mind, full explanations were made by the king of scouts, and Felipe. “I first met Felipe in Chihuahua, two years ago,” be- gan Buffalo Bill. “I had been chasing some Indian cattle-thieves over the border, and had been compelled to go to Chihuahua to settle some red-tape business with the governor. Riding out of the town one day, | bumped into a mob of Mexicans trying to murder our friend here. [Felipe was driving a covered camp wagon, and the mob, composed of men, women, and children, had surrounded the wagon and were making it mighty hot for Felipe. With sticks, stones, and machetes the crazy greasers—no offense, old man—were trying to put an end to him. TI sailed in and easily routed tiie~ outfit. I didn’t have to fire a shot. I got off my horse and laid to with a elub which I picked up from the road, where it had been dropped by a kid who was not much bigger than his weapon. Felipe was hurt—some of the stones had reached him—and I stayed with him until we got to Tucson. We parted friends, and we are friends to-day, eh, Felipe?” The dwarf nodded his head so violently that Wild Bill thought it would come off. “Now tell us your story,’ said Buffalo Bill, CHAPTER V._ BUFFALO BILL SETS A\ TRAP. efore the Mexican dwarf began his story he* went ne of the front windows, and, by means of a box, fered through the grating. When he returned to the tried mom he said : “The Navajos are in the teepees and wicki- ie ds, and the Kid and his men are all under a tree ithe other end of the flat, eating dinner. 1 don’t think will see anything more of the Kid until to-morrow. e trusts me fully.” half- > was : : he does, he shows his trust in a strange way,” uffalo Bill. “He doesn’t allow you to carry fire- Why is that?” doesn’t want me to leave here.” “Wat's taking your weapons away got to do with ®” asked Wild Bill. This: He knows I am afraid to g0 about. unarmed. ly appearance’—here he blushed—‘‘always provokes mirth or insult. Outside of this house Iam always on he defensive. The Kid knows I will shoot rather than and insult or attack. So he took my weapons ou elieving I would never leave these walls without them.” “T understand now,” said the king of scouts. “Go 1ead with your story.” The dwarf cheerfully complied. The story was long, pnd replete with interest. Felipe was:a native of Du- go, and he lived in the capital city of that State until ne was Pxenly ae years of age. He was now nearly in his teens, he entered the service an and surgeon of the place. Doc- ve Parisian, who had come to Durango fvhen a young man. He was very able, and very pe- ©) uliar. One of his hobbies was the gathering of skele- Fons. He was not satisfied with one or two, he wanted dozen. Felipe, who was janitor, and also assisted in Pnaany of his employer’s experiments, was able to obtain everal skeletons for. the museum, and he took. great in- -erest in Doctor Plancon’s experiments with them. Some- imes when business was dull the two would spend hours |o the museum. § vires and other mechanical contrivances, and the en- /-ertainments which the doctor’s manipulations afforded ielighted Felipe beyond measure. The dwarf came at ast to cherish a deep affection for the skeletons, and le was in the seventh heaven of delight when, upon doctor Plancon’s death, the executor informed him that he Sleletons had been willed to him. Felipe had no money to speak of, and he failed to ind other-employment in Durango. Reports of his de- ‘otion to the skeletons had been spread abroad, and the gnorant and superstitious Mexicans would have nothing ‘o do with him, After much consideration, he determined to take the oad as a showman, hoping that outside of Durango » It was the doctor who arranged the would help us. prisoners. BILL STORIES he might meet with. the apis that he felt was his due. oss He purchased and fitted up a camp wagon, and, with. his skeletons, took the road northward, intending to work Arizona and New Mexico after he should have ex-- hausted the possibilities of Upper Durango and Chihua- hua. His plan was to strike a town, hire a hall or an empty adobe, rig up a platform with curtain, and give a performance. . Sad to say, his scheme was not a success. He was driven out of every town he showed in; and at Chi-- huahua he was mobbed and might have been killed, but for the opportune appearance of Buffalo Bill. In Tucson, shortly after parting with the king of scouts, he fell in with Sonora Kid. Felipe had giver one exhibition in Arizona, and the result was not en: couraging. He had been guyed and stale-egged, and cabbages had been thrown at him. He told his tale ot. woe to the Kid, and met with a sympathetic listener. The Kid was then arranging a deal with old Mud Face, and he thought he saw power, strange and overmaster- ing, in the skeleton outfit. _He had witnessed a rehearsal of the exhibition, and the phosphorescent adjunct had frightened him, even.though he knew the trick. The Kid, half-educated and superstitious himself, looked at the world with eyes of little understanding. He argued that the Indians and half-breeds would be readily hoad- winked, and that the soldiers of Uncle Sam might be. At all events, the raw, uncultured plansmen and Indian- fighters would certainly be frightened out of their wits should any of them ever be rash enough to enter with hostile intentions the flat of Mahoe. A month after the first meeting of the Kid and Felipe a bargain was struck. The dwarf was to convey his skeletons to the stone house and there stay, subject to the orders of his employer, until the end of two years. “And here I have been,” concluded Felipe, “ever since, . and with nothing to do until this morning. I am glad you came,’ ’ speaking to Buffalo Bill, “for, rather than do. what the Kid wants me to do, I’d smash every skeleton into little bits.” . “You must have guessed what was here, Cody,” Wild Bill, “ of Mahoe.” “T did,’ responded Buffalo Bill. “And I believed,” he added, ‘“‘that if we could get to the stone house Felipe Therefore, when I accepted the pro- posal of the Kid to enter here, I knew what I was said | when I told my yarn about the Grisly Ghosts ~ about.” Next morning Sonora Kid paid his second call on his: He found Wild Bill alone in the up-stairs room, and was informed outside by Felipe that every- thing was in readiness for the entertainment of the after- noon. was not of fever. less sockets. ao | |) THE BUFFALO Wild Bill was sitting up. He had just partaken of a hearty breakfast, and there was color in his cheeks that But he was sore and. weak, and he gritted his teeth over the condition that prevented him from taking an active part in the little entertainment that had been arranged that morning by the king of scouts. “You are able to feel, to see, to understand, my gay laddybuck,” was the Kid’s grim salutation. “Called the turn; but you won’t get yellow boys,” was the queer reply. The half-breed puckered his face in a malevolent erin. “That’s right, Hickok. Keep a stiff upper lip. I like your grit. There'll be a fine chance ter shove it in ther lime-light in a few hours.” : Wild Bill gave a snort of disgust. “Kid,” said he, “you make me tired. What have you got up your sleeve?” ‘, “Would ye like to know? Honest?’ “1 surely would.” “Then I’ll be hanged if I don’t show ye. Got strength enough ter walk down-stairs?’”” Y biy ime.” “All right, I will. Felipe, if he needs help, see that ye give it to him. Come on.’ Wild Bill got on his feet and staggered to the door. He was weak, but not as weak as he pretended to be, and he could easily have walked without assistance. But he did not refuse the helping hand of the dwarf. The three men went down-stairs. The floor was stone, and there was one large room and four small ones, two at each end. They entered the large room. The doors of the others were closed. Requesting the wounded scout ta: stay at the foot of the stairs, Sonora Kid and Felipe walked forward and stopped before a large iron ring in the middle of the room. It took their combined strength to work the ring. When it was lifted, a dark hole four- feet square was disclosed. “Come here,” called the Kid. a Wild Bill, without distrust, went forward. The half-breed held in his hand a torch. The light shone into the hole. Wild Bill looked down, and could not repress a shudder at what was revealed. Fixed in a circle at the bottom of the hole, some ten feet from the top, were four skeletons, the skulls tilted upward and phosphorescent fire shooting from the eye- Each bony right arm was pointed at the opening, the forefinger of each hand bent, as if beck- oning. But it was not the grisly spectacle that for the moment sent all the blood from Wild Bill’s face. It was another sight that gave him the shivers.. The cur- cular space in front of the skeletons was enclosed to. the height of four feet with wire netting, and this space BILL STORIES. fore by Buffalo Bill, the righteously aroused speaker ys ‘us. yourself and old Mud Face. was filled with writhing, hissing battleshales The smell was overpowering, and Wild Bill, turning away sick at the stomach, heard the Sonora Kid say, with a fiendish mA chuckle: ‘Think ves a will hold out down there?” (i@jyas “Tt won’t have to,” was the savage reply, and then, forgetting the instructions given him not an hour be- flung himself upon the leader of the outlaws. Weak though he was, he would in a moment have pitched the Kid down into the hole if his arms had not 4g been seized by Felipe and Buffalo Bill. The latter had hs id. come in suddenly from one of the small rooms. The § door had been ajar for some moments, and the king of scouts had seen and heard all that had passed. Wild Bill held on tenaciously to the trembling and es fear-stricken wretch, until these words from Buffalo Bill § were whispered into his ear: ‘Do you want to spoil (@ ail: Let go. ' We’ve got him, and he'll get his deserts ia due time, | Sonora. Kid felt the Wounded scout’s grasp relax, and he was about to speak the gratitude that for an instant | filled his heart by thanking Buffalo Bill, when a new | surprise was presented to him. | Other hands, strong, resolute, relentless, seized him a : by the waist and shoulders, and he was thrown roughly 9 to the floor. ; While Buffalo Bill sat on the villain’s chest, Felipe | closed the. hole. | “What—what?” he gasped, as he fade ineffectual struggles to throw off the weight that held him down, “what does this mean? Felipe, Felipe! whee. are ye © “Tam here,” replied the dwarf coldly. 3 “Then shoot these white sons——’ A slap on the @@ mouth that made the teeth rattle prevented the com- the pletion of the sentence. | The Kid was securely bound, and then Buffalo Bill said to Felipe: “Go to Miss Thayer and Frank Haste and tell them the job is done. Bring them up-stairs.” He saw Felipe depart, and then, lifting Sonora Kid, @ bore him to the room that had been occupied by Wild Metal Bill. oo When all the friends were together, the king of scouts gow addressed the thoroughly cowed half-breed, who was (i sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. Ndi “You begin to see why I was not afraid to enter this | y house, don’t you?’ he said. “Didn’t know, of course, a 3 that Felipe is an old friend of mine?” — i The reply was not what Buffalo Bill expected. i) “You are in the house, all right, but it will be 2 [ae mighty long time before you get out of it.” This speecl } ' seemed to give the wretch some comfort, for there wa’ 1 a malicious smile on his face after he had delivered it. 72 ee are going to get out, and we are going to take 4 If my plans do |e not miscarry, and I’m happy in the belief that they [iP ™ ron't, — and the Navajo chief will dangle from the ame tree,” e smell | sick ‘at He endish 9 This statement did not disconcert the prisoner. here?” [yas rapidly recovering his nerve. The terror which | then, iad recently gripped him had passed away. A thought ut be- (Mf what he had planned, of what he knew concerning beaker fhe house and the situation on the outside of it, had piven him courage and assurance. have §@ Buffalo Bill, reading the change of expression, smiled 1d not Brietly. “I know what precautions you have taken,” he r had (i@eaid. “I discovered them just before you came in this The ff r orning. You placed guards before both the front and ne of < doors. You trusted Felipe, but you placed a limit Myon that trust. The fact-is, you are such a despicable and Scoundrel yourself that it is impossible for you to ae 5 Bil |mebsolute dependence upon the fidelity of any one.’ “I made no mistake when I put ther guards there,” spoil i an was the quick reply. “And if you think you can pass Mthose guards, you'll be ther one that’ll fall inter error.” and “I reckon not,’ responded Buffalo Bill coolly. stant Imm Lowll call those guards off, and you'll send a messen- new fmgect to old Mud Face, asking him to hike immediately ito the back door.” him fm Anything else?” asked the Sonora Kid, with a wink ohly yet Wild Bill. The wink .was returned, but the half- ' (breed failed to-interpret the look that accompanied it. elipe fm Yes,” answered the king of scouts easily, “there is Wysomething more. You will instruct your messenger to ‘tual Say to Mud Face that he must bring four of his braves ywn, [with him.” yer”. i SotiGra Kid stared hard at the imperturbable speaker. pWhat was’he driving at? Could it be possible that Buf- the ffal® Bill’s cards overmatched his? He tried to solve om- [the puzzle, but could not. “A little explanation,’ went on the scout, ‘will show Bill [vou that I am not talking for the fun of the thitio.: f aste [Mintend to lure into this house old Mud Face and four ts.” MMof his Navajos. About half an hour after that perform- cid, @Jance there will issue from the back door what will be Vild (taken for four members of the tribe. They will find horses or ponies outside, and, mounting, they will ride puts out of the flat, not past the teepees, and wickiups, and was [iumcrowds of Indians, outlaws and squaws, but in the other x direction, the direction from whence came old Mud Face this a and his band this morning. These four alleged red- rse, |ekins will not be molested, for the reason that the In- 4 dians and outlaws on the flat will have been informed a fat they have gone in 9bedience to commands au by the chief and approved by yourself. ' “In he house, after the departure from it of the vas [four false Indians—myself, Wild Bill, Mr. Haste, and it a Miss Frances Thayer will constitute the quartet, as you ke must have guessed—will remain three persons: your- do fammself, old Mud Face, and Felipe. The Indian chief and Hyou, Mister Kid, will be prisoners, and Felipe will be THE BUFFALO your jailer. - program. BILL SLORIES, 17 He will hold you until the arrival of the soldiers, who should get here before night, or at latest to-morrow morning.” “The soldiers coming? You are not making game of me?” The Kid showed nervousness. “I am speaking the truth. They were notified of ae doings of the outlaws and the Navajos hours before you attacked the stage.” The Kid received this statement in silence. Buffalo Bill continued: “So if you have any scheme to save yourself, it must be worked out before night. I am inclined to think, however, that pie! won't be able either to help yourself or to hurt us.’ “I haven't yet done any sending for old Mud Face,” said the wretch, with a cunning expression. “No, but you will. And,” rising to his feet, will send the message in avout five minutes.” Felipe, who had had his instructions, went over to the prisoner and jerked him to his feet. Then he pulled the half-breed across the room, out of it, and along a narrow passage to the back door. Behind them came Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, Frances Thayer, and the young cowboy. The girl and Haste had been posted, and, therefore, had no questions to ask, cae At the door the party halted. Addressing the bewildered Sonora. Kid, the king of scouts said: “Old Mud Face might take the word of Felipe, but I won’t bank on that. He can read Spanish—I know that for a fact—and I'll bet he has seen your hand- writing.” The speaker looked sharply into the prison- er’s face, and what he saw induced this remark: “I’d win the bet.” “Well, what of it?” The Kid tried to throw some insolence into his tone, but the predominating emotion was dismay. “Just this: You will write on a piece of deerskin—I have it ready—that the grisly ghosts have gone, van- ished, and that they will not return while the white woman remains in the house. She is a ghost hoodoo. She must be removed at.once, in order that the pleasant entertainment of this afternoon may go off according to Old Mud Face has, of course, heard about Miss Thayer, for the Indians with your gang must have described her appearance to. the old scoundrel. If he hasn’t marked her out for his favorite squaw, I’ll miss my guess. You will write further that he must come with four of his braves and take her away; that you can’t leave to come and tell him these things yourself, because you are nursing Wild Bill, who is in a very critical con- dition, and who goes into paroxyms whenever Felipe shows himself. Be “I'll write nothing of ther kind,” said the Kid stub- Le : “you THE BUFFALO “Yes, you wul,” returned Buffalo Bill confidently. “All the tools are here, and Felipe will hold the torch. My back will serve for a table, and Wild Bii Frank Haste, each with a revolver taken from your per- son, will see that you make no dangerous motions.” and Thus saying, the speaker produced a quill, a cake of India ink, and a roll of deerskin. “T won't do it,” sullenly persisted the half-breed. Buffalo Bill’s voice, in deadly SHUN | now rang out: “Write ‘that note! Write what I have dictated, and write now, this instant, or I will scatter your brains over this floor!” Sonora Kid hesitated'a moment, and then, as he saw the king of scouts take a revolver from Wild Biill’s hand, saw at the same time the expression of inflexible resolve on the pale, handsome face, he seized the deer- skin and the other articles and made ready to comply with Buffalo Bill’s demand. The note was written. The king of scouts read it over carefully, and was satisfied with it. He had not asked that the Indians come on horseback, for such a request might have aroused the old chief's sus- picions. But he felt sure that the horses would come, for an Indian in his native wild will never take the slight- est journey afoot if there is a horse handy for him to “ride. Armed with the deerskin, and also with a revolver to insure respect, the dwarf sallied forth on his mission. “Now comes the really risky part,” said Buffalo Bill, when the door had closed on Felipe. “I can’t trust the Kid, here, to do what I want done, and so T have got to provide a substitute. Frank,” speaking to the young cow- boy, “you will have to play half-breed. When the red- skins arrive the door must be opened and the Kid, or his counterpart, must appear in the doorway. Old Mud Face would not be satisfied if he did not find the Kid, or somebody that he would take for the Kid, waiting for him at the door.” “I am willing to take any réle you may oe me,’ replied Haste promptly. “Very well. We'll dispense with the torch, and by standing a few feet inside the doorway you may be able to deceive the old rascal.” The four friends, with the prisoner, went back to the room, and there Buffalo Bill fixed Haste for the part he was to play. The young cowboy was of about the height and build of Sonora Kid, and, like the Kid, he wore long, sweeping mustaches of black. But here the resemblance ended. The Kid’s face was long and nar- row, and the cheeks were sallow and-sunken, whereas Frank Haste’s face was full and his complexion ruddy. His eyes were large and pleady, while the .Kid’s were small and shifty, / BILL: STORIES: But. they neck-gear. did not. wear the same kind of head a, § Haste sported a cowboy hat, and his nec erchief was black, while the half-breed wore on his he; a low-crowned, wide-brimmed Mexican sombrero, an wer about his neck a large, flaming red scarf. There y not much difference in their buckskin suits. Haste was neater and cleaner, but that was all. Some time before the appearance of Mud Face an his Navajos, Frank Haste was ready for the ci tise’ on the little drama which Buffalo Bill ranged. Wild Bill, feeling fifty per cent. better after reation and excitement of the past hour, decla: self fit for another fight. : “We must avoid one of the kind you like until we ar § better armed,” said his comrade. “There is a picni ahead of us, but I think, with the help of yoursel Haste, and Felipe, it can be easily managed.” Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill were in the undereroun room, crouched at the foot of the stairs, one on eac side, and Frances Thayer was in the up-stairs toon when the dwarf signaled from outside of the rear doc | of the house. Frank Haste opened it, and then stepped back, so. th | his form could be seen pany and his features indi tinctly. “All is well; enter!’ he called out in Saakish: giv a fine imitation of the husky voice cf the half. oo Old Mud Face and his four brav house on horseback. They were no- out any suspicion of the startling surprise « passed through the door, the chief in advance. 1: was no torch to light the way, but the guide Bould? b seen, and the redskins followed him unquestioningly. Down the stairs they went, Frank Haste in advanc and Felipe, the dwarf, bringing up the rear. 2 = to th CHAPIER VE. IN. THE MIDST. OF DANGER. Old Mud Face reached the bottom of the ‘stairs, an then something happened. The tall form of Buffa Bill shot up, and the heavy club which he held in ii hand descended on the chief's head. As the India fell, Wild Bill struck at the Navajo next behind, Th tall scout had been instructed not to attack unless suc action should be absolutely necessary. Now the atta that he did make was not necessary, for Buffalo Bi stood ready to meet the redskin who went down unde Wild Bill's blow, but the thirst of battle wasein th wounded scout’s throat, and, forgetting his instructiot and his physical condition as well, he sailed in whe the chance came, and from that time until the affa ended was “strictly in evidence.” | ‘The Navajos, taken by surprise and assaulted frot his neck his hea’ lere | | We-dt | 4 picni roursel $, afi uttal in hi ndia Th Suc atta > Bi unde n th tion whe affal frot : eked in a deadly embrace. lay was clear, speedily put an end to the murderous ended to. alive, but suffering from aching heads. “I would like to give him decent burial,” said Buffalo ill, after he had laid the body down in the room, “but B can’t be done. ' Buffalo Bill looked pleased. THE BUFFALO rear, had no opportunity to use either tomahawk or yolver. But one of them made an attempt at defense. WThe last of the quintet, the one who walked one step jefore Felipe, turned when he saw old Mud Face fall, mid caught on the shoulder the blow aimed at him by The next instant dwarf and Navajo were Buffalo Bill,’ when the e dwarf. a: of the Indian. But help to Felipe came too When he was dragged from under the weight of ; savage opponent the breath of life had left his body. = had been strangled. There was deep sorrow on the countenance of the ig of scouts as he bore up-stairs the dead form of the mithful dwarf. Wild Bill and Frank Haste walked aind. The Navajos in the lower room had been at- Mud Face and three of his braves were Poor fellow! I’ll have to leave him re. I'll put him in one of the unoccupied rooms wn-stairs.”’ Frances Thayer listened to Frank Haste‘s account of ' attack and victory, and then said: “If I understood you correctly, Mr. Cody, when you re explaining your program this morning, two mes- res were to be sent from this place, one from Sonora d, and the other from the Kid and Mud Face con- ntly.” “vou have stated the plan exactly, Miss Thayer. And ntend to have the second message sent. This mes- e, as you will remember, explains why it is neces- y that the chief should send his braves out of the and along the route he took in coming here this ring. ‘An appointment is to be kept with a detach- nt of outlaws who have been raiding near Fair- ‘Yes, yes, I understand,” the girl replied, rather nerv- ly. “But who will take the message? You had nted on Felipe, and Felipe is dead.” Buffalo Bill’s face fell. Up to this time it had not urred to him that the death of the dwarf would iously disarrange the plan he had so carefully laid, d which promised to take him and his friends safely of the stone house. : ild Bill spoke: “We will go out without the mes- e. We will get a start on the outfit up the flat, and they get as and ride after us, why, we'll give m all they want.” é@ ‘Your pony and Wild Bill’s pony are in front of the k door,” said Frank Haste. “I recognized the ani- ls when the Indians rode up.” “If the others are half good,” he replied, “we will give them a run for their money. BILL STORIES. 19 Yes, Hickok has suggested the only way out We will have to go at once. First, we must put on Indian disguises. We must be taken for the Navajos who entered with Mud Face. Miss Thayer, I am sorry that you are having a most repulsive réle forced on you, but i “T am quite willing to undertake it,” she interrupted, with a tightening of her lips. “If Mr. Haste will bring here the costume you desire me . put on, I will make myself ready in a very short, time.” The costume came from the person of one of the Navajos knocked down on the stairs. It was brought to her, and she was left alone in the room with it. Down-stairs the male members of the party made their changes and painted their faces. When all was ready for the departure from the stone house, Buffalo Bill went to the small room where So- nora Kid had been placed just before the arrival of the Navajos. In a few words, the king of scouts explained the sit- uation. When he had finished, the prisoner asked: ‘Who locked the door after Mud Face and his braves entered the house?’ “T don’t know, for I was not there, but it must have been Felipe. Why do you ask?” looking at the Kid curiously. “For information, that’s all.”’ There was a queer smile on his dark face as he spoke. “Ah! You are of an inquiring turn of mind, are you? Then, here is more information for you: We are go- ing to leave here at once. You and your fellow pris- oners will have to get along without any food or water until Uncle Sam’s boys come to take care of you. If Fe- lipe had not been killed, you would have had a chance for more humane treatment. But circumstances have altered our program. Good-by till next we meet.” Buffalo Bill turned toward the door, but his steps were arrested by the chuckling noise that issued from the The king of scouts wheeled and He was convulsed with merri- of the dilemma. prisoner’s throat. looked at the wretch. ment. An uncomfortable suspicion suddenly arose in the scout’s mind. He asked questions, but after re- garding the Kid for a moment with frowning brow, left the room, locked the door, and then sought his friends. _ Wild Bill noticed the sober expression on the face of his comrade, and at once asked: “Haven't struck a snag, have you?” “JT hope not, Hickok.” Then he spoke to the young cowboy. “Frank, said he, “did Felipe lock the back door?” “Ves,” “How? With a key?” @ “There is no lock on that door. Bolts secure it, and the mechanism that slides them is hidden. I know how THE BUFFALO to operate it. deliver that note to old Mud Face.” Buffalo Bill heard this statement with marked relief. “Then we'll get out all right,” he said, There was but one grave countenance in the room after this remark. Frances Thayer showed that she was not satisfied with the situation when she put this question to the king of scouts: “You have had a talk with Sonora Kid, haven’t you?” “Yes. I told him what we had planned to do.” “Was he pleased, or displeased ?” Buffalo Bill’s suspicion of something wrong returned, but he answered promptly: “He was mirthful.” The girl took a deep breath. Her lip trembled a lit- tle as she said quickly; “Let us go. I want to get out of this house.” The little party proceeded to the back door, Frank Haste, with a lighted torch in his hand, taking the lead. In front of the door he gave the torch to Wild Bill, and then, stooping, raised a cunningly placed slide in the wall close to the door. After pulling forward a small lever, he arose to his feet, and, catching hold of the stone knob, tried to throw open the door, The effort was rien ities. The door remained fast. Buffalo Bill used his strength, but failed to budge the great stone opening. The others stood silent as he examined the lever and connecting-rods, He moved the lever up and down several times, and, satisfied that the bolts shot in and out as he operated, again tried to open the door. In vain. “What is the matter?’ asked Wild Bill. out of kilter with the apparatus?” “No,” replied the king of scouts, with an expression of acute disappointment, “there is nothing the matter with the apparatus; that is to say, this apparatus. If I can find the other, I will probably be able to speak with more cheerfulness than at present.” “What do you mean, Bill? 92 are WE! “Something We are not trapped, “It looks that way.” A chill settled on the spirits of his hearers. “This door has a double system of bolts. Felipe fixed it so that Frank Haste would have to work but one of them, but after Felipe came in with the In- dians he used both systems in relocking. Where the clue to the other is no one knows but Felipe, and his lips have been closed forever.” “We must find it,” responded Frances Thayer de- terminedly. “Mr. Haste, hold the torch so that we may all look for it.” A search lasting half an hour was made, but the hid- den apparatus could not be found. Buffalo Bill thought with savage feelings in his breast of the words and manner of Sonora Kid when convinced by his captor’s answer to his question that Felipe had locked the door. ae ea ae Felipe showed me before he went out to/ Biles STORIES, “That fiend of a half-breed knows the secret said fiercely, “and he must tell us, or—-—”. “Or out goes his light,” said Wild Bill emphatically “If we can’t make the Kid talk to the point,” tef marked Frank Haste, as the party proceeded to the half breed's place of confinement, “‘there’s the front door We ought to be able to work that, though if we do well come out in the face of the whole outfit of Navajos ani outlaws.” | Sonora Kid was not surprised when Buffalo Bill, ac companied by the other members of his party, appearel before him. “SO,” he jeeringly said before the king of scouts could speak, “you have bumped up against a stone wall I was bettin’ that you would.” “Our departure has been postponed a short time, that is all,” quietly replied Buffalo Bill ‘You know the se cret of that door. We have’ come for it.” “You won't get it. If I knowed it I wouldn’t tel ye, but it’s ther cold fact that I don’t know it.” He was speaking earnestly now. ‘Felipe was a mechanic from away back. He monkeyed with that door, and 1 never knowed what he done; honest, I didn’t. If mob is caged, ye haven't me ter blame for it.” “I don’t believe you,” returned Buffalo Bill sharply “You are a born liar. You do know, and youve got to open up tous, or’ Mele paused a moment, and then added slowly, and with a look that shudder—"“down you go to the skeletons and the snakes.” “That’s the kind of talk,” put in Wild. Rill, yank him out now, and have done with it.’ * Strong hands grasped the wretch, and he was carried from ‘the your ‘Lets om, small to the main’ room. The trap-door was lifted, and Frank Haste held the torch so that the shiv- ering wretch could look upon the horrors below. He shrieked in terror, and tried to squirm out of the nuscular, relentless arms that held him. truth!” he cried. “T've told ther “I don’t know! I don’t know.” said Wild Bill, as he got behind the half-breed, whose blood had now turned to watet, and who was a mere tag in the grasp of the king ol scouts, “Don’t,” spoke Frances Thayer app ealingly. cL. be lieve he has uttered the truth for once in his life, Let us try the front door, please,” she entreated. Sonora Kid did not hae He had fainted. “IT reckon Miss Thayer is right,” said Buffalo as he shook the collapsed form of the half-breed Kid hasn't lied. The way he acted, his condition now, , knowledge of Feli 1D all argue in his favor. it was well to try him.’ ir “4 . 12 ‘Down with him!’ He returned the captive to the small room, and then . the party started for the front door. Before attempting to open it, the kine of scouts peered through one of the front windows, SADA RT Oe Sr tine made the villain (iS« thehe iquic’ ithe | pbrus the | Bu We fifty feet away from the stone house was a crowd | Indians and outlaws. Some were mounted, and haticalhf thers were standing beside their ponies, All were int,” teliBoking toward the house. . the hale '“Waiting for Mud Face to come out,” was his con- nt door lusion. do wel “It’s a mighty poor time for us to go out,” ajos anil his friends. “Our horses are at the back, and out ie here in front are at least fifty merciless wretches, who Bill, ac would pounce on us the moment we stepped out of the appeared@@oor. Our Indian disguises wouldn’t save us, for it vould be a dead give-away to come out of the front floor when the animals are at the back.” m “I’ve got an idea,” said Wild Bill. Let us work the fhost racket on them, and see what they will do. If hey sact as I’m hoping they will, we may have time fo reach and mount the ponies. Of course, my idea is fo keep out of sight while Bill works the door and the m hosts ?” | | The king of scouts had been present in the hall when Felipe had closed the door, and had noticed where the dwarf had stood. By the a of the torch he was able to find the attachments that operated the rods and wires. _ When all was ready he sprung the combination. Down ivent the massive door, softly and without a thud, and ve gotfmput came the Grisly Ghosts of Mahoe. Without the ad then knowledge of Buffalo Bill, Felipe had supplied the villain skeletons with his phosphorescent adjunct, and, as the nakes,” Misun had gone down and the doorway was in deep “T et's ilishadow, the luminous effect was startling. ~@e The uneducated, superstitious Indians and outlaws carried Mpbeheld the fearsome spectacle, and, shaken with terror, yr was faquickly sought the shelter of the teepees. The coast for a shiv- ithe moment clear, the four friends in their Indian garbs brushed past the ghosts and hurried toward the rear of of the fmthe stone house. £ scouts one wall, me, that r the se- dn’t tell BO one 2zechanic + and | Tf your sharply d ther MM They were running along the side and were near the corner, when Buffalo Bill said: “Stay here until behind Ml can prospect the ground and see if everything is all water, faeright.” ng of Everything was not all right. On turning the cor- Mener, a surprise confronted him. 2 . | Squatted on the ground near the ponies were over act , 4 wo score Indians and outlaws. The wind was blowing Ienercely, but away from them, and, therefore, they had Mot heard the approach of the king of scouts. : Out came his revolver, for he was so near the enemy that he knew his disguise would not avail. CHAPTER VIE BUFFALO BILL’S DARING PLUNGE, . The Indians and half-breeds surprised by Buffalo Bill, who was in turn surprised, had come to the spot couts he said THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES, : 21 without having received any orders so’ to do, They formed part of the band lately returned with old Mud Face from a raiding expedition to the southwest. Reports made by some of the half-breeds who had come with Sonora Kid from Horseshoe Desert of the beauty and youth of Frances Thayer had so greatly excited the curiosity of many of the Mud Face con- tingent that they resolved to see her when-she should come out of the stone house. In pursuance of this resolve, two score of them went to the rear of the house a short time after the. Navajo chief and his four braves had passed through the front door. Their, surprise at meeting the disguised quartet was. so great that they did not get on their feet until after Buffalo Bill had fired. Then, before they could return the shot, the king of scouts rushed to the side of the house where Wild Bill, Frank Haste, and the girl were waiting. “Back to the house!” he cried. hornets’ nest.” There would have been no retreat, Wild Bill knew that, if the three frontiersmen had not been burdened with Frances Thayer. It was to save her life that the retreat was undertaken. “l have run into a They had but a short distance to go. Frances and the young cowboy went ahead. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill stayed behind, each with his head turned to look over his shoulder. The two scouts were close to the turn, when Mud Face’s outfit came into sight. Bullets rained like hail against the stone house, but none reached the bodies of the white men. They fired once, and then safely turned the corner. The girl and the cowboy were just entering the door, as from the,doors of the teepees heads were showing. Over the great stone slab which served for a door Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill hurried. The king of scouts saw his companion pass the ghosts, and was about to follow his example, when his foot caught on the edge of the top of one of the wooden rollers to which one of the four skeletons was attached and he fell heavily against the bony framework. A loud crash followed. Down on the threshold of the door sprawled the king of scouts, in the midst of a disunited mass of skulls and bones. The victim of the accident arose with a scowl, kicked the luminous débris away from the threshold, and then closed the door. He was just in time, for as the stone slab was rising a shower of bullets flattened themselves against the upper part. The Indians and outlaws, wit- nesses of the downfall of the scout and ghosts, had had all their superstitious notions dispelled. PFET EI abe oa NEP ny 22 THE BUFFALO “Well,” remarked Wild Bill, after the enemy had been shut out, “the ghost racket is a back number. Did you do it on purpose ?” Buffalo Bill caressed a big lump on his pred. and then softly said: “Hickok, for two cents I would kill nour ; Wild Bill laughed. “You knew I was broke, or you wouldn’t have made the offer. But never mind, old boy,” putting his arm over his comrade’s_ shoulder, “you haven’t done a bad thing, after all. I’m glad the ghosts are gone, for now we'll be able to stand on our own ground, and not have to depend on measly fakes.” The four friends went to the room once occupied by Felipe, and where Wild Bill had passed many hours. Noticing the sadness on the face of Francis Thayer, the king of scouts said: “Perhaps it is better, after all, to stay here. The mob outside can’t get in, and they can’t burn us out. The soldiers will come before long, and we can safely await their arrival.’ “They may not come for a week,” returned the girl. “Why do you say that?’ inquired Frank Haste. “Because they may not be able to get here before that time. There are bands outside of the force here on the flat who are now raiding the southern part of the Territory. May not the soldiers follow and dis- perse these bands before coming here? Would not the “commander be likely to act upon these reports, once he has heard them? Who is there to tell him that Mr. Cody, Mr. Hickok, and Mr. Haste are here in Mahoe? Who, outside of the four of us, can tell him that I am | here, and that my father has been killed. There is a chance, I’ll admit, that the soldiers may come this way after discovering the bodies at Coyote Hole and the destruction of the blockhouse, but they are just as likely to go in another direction.” “Not if they find our friend Hoffer,” Haste. “But will they find him? I don’t think he will like to remain there alone. It would not surprise me to hear that he has hitched the horses to the mud-wagon and driven away toward civilization long before this.’ ‘Don’t look on the dark side,” said Buffalo Bill; “look on the bright side. We are here, we are in fair condition, and we have provisions to last a month. If worst comes to worst, I can slip out and find the soldiers.” The speaker did not take into account the five pris- oners. Old Mud Face, Sonora Kid, and the three Navajos who had survived the attack on the stairs were good eaters, and it was not in Buffalo Bill’s nature to deny them the food they demanded. It was at the end of the third day of their occupancy of the stone house that the scout learned the exact con- dition of the larder. There was not ne food to last more than one day longer. - asserted Frank Bit STORIES. . ' the stairs in high excitement. : ; . you mit The non-arrival of the soldiers puzzled him exceciiiae arta: ingly. And he was further puzzled by the actions % ae the Navajos and the Indians on the flat. is have None of them had gone away, for he saw the sam F Buse, numbers day after day, and there had been no attem What, to storm the stone house. , Bin it? The attempt would have been a failure, but, all th n sy : same, he had looked for, it to be made. sill “What are your people figuring on?” he said in Nay P ae. ajo to old Mud Face, after he had taken stock of th E hy provisions. Bi stat “Want to starve you, What else?” was the responsi. 14) “Have they given up raiding?” s 4] “No. Waiting i soldiers to come. ; ae diers, go out again.” nat “How can they expect to clean out the soldiers, when dians, they can’t occupy their stronghold, the stone house?” ae Then he added: “Asti olver: ad plu Clean out sol “By and by you find out.” Sonora Kid; he tell you.” Leaving the old scoundrel, the king of scouts catered the room occupied by the leader of the outlaws. “Why do not your men and Mud Face’s braves feat the coming of the soldiers?” he asked, after they had talked awhile on other matters. “What will you give to know?” chuckled the wretch. “Come, make your bid, and if it’s high enough, I'll let out the secret.” What reply Buffalo Bill would have made will never be known, for at that moment Wilc | Like edskin nd lei | Befc ind fi ‘ Be si ready “What's up, I wonder?” he said, as ecaue ~~ BR ouic room. “There was a heavy explosion up the flat | i : now. Sounded like a dynamite blast.” © “That’s it! that’s what it was!” exclaimed the king of scouts, now more excited than Wild Bill. “I se the devilish plan. The trail leading from the me¢s@ to the flat has been planted in dynamite for the coming of the soldiers, and this explosion you heard was, let us hope, premature. Let’s go to the front windows and powat hawks peer ’ pf the their ime f Ba amor see if we can get the truth of es Ee At the window, standing on boxes, were Frances Miishot Thayer and the young cowboy. serv “That blast, whatever it was, has killed three In- Hin s dians,” said Haste. “See, they are carrying the bodies tem away from the hill.” a Behe Buffalo Bill looked, and after awhile he said: eae PS is as I hoped it would be, a premature explosior But me ¢ the soldiers may come to-day. They are long: ‘ gverdue, E iet and at any moment they may reach that hill. They ee’ must be warned,” we “That’s right,” said Wild Bill; “and Pl warn them.” “No, you are not fit to go out. You are nearly well, ‘6c but not well enough to go on such an adventure, 1a” @ p. the man, and I am going right away.” You mustn’t! you mustn't!” cried Frances Thayer. Mis certain death to go out.” It will be certain death to remain, for after those Ms have destroyed the soldiers, 2: may dynamite house.” : hat, with Mud Face and Sonora Kid, their lead- pin. it?’ hey probably believe those two wretches to be dead. ey will assume they are dead, you may be sure. I bi go. And, now I think of it, there is another rea- f why I should go. The provisions are giving out. bl] starve, unless I can get out to the soldiers.” Without more words, he strode into the hall and Fung the combination. The great door fell forward, and there, an at foot of the steps, were a score of outlaws and dians, talking and. gesticulating earnestly. One look, a tightening of the jaws, a firm grip on his Wolvers, and the king of scouts dashed down the oe c plunged in among them. exceed tions ) 1e San attemp all th n Nay of the sponse, at sol. when x 2? “Ask tered - fear had CHAPTER VIII. EXPLOSION. SAVED BY AN ‘etch, : Like a whirlwind Buffalo Bill struck the crowd of ou edskins and half-breeds; and, kicking them down right ind left, he cut a swath to the open space beyond them. | Before they could recover from their astonishment a @nd fright, Wild Bill and Frank Haste were pouring mt Shot dato them from the doorway. ‘They were Feady to rush out and fight the enemy hand to hand, ius should need arise. But it did not. The outlaws were towards, and the Indians were without their toma- hawks. They had come to the front of the house to S3 Pepecer through the windows, and, if possible, get a sight . St MOF the faces of the daring white men who had overcome i their leaders, and who had tried to oe but a ay MNS Petime before. “ Back of the house were the ive oye ‘Buffalo Bill's and aiong them. ‘ The’ scout cleared the crowd, turned, fired shot after ICC ish ot, saw Wild Bill and Frank Haste doing effective service, saw also that the Navajos and their allies were In- fin such confusion that a pursuit would ‘not likely be at- lies M¥tempted in time to defeat his purpose, and, with a _~ (cheery shout, “I’m all right, pels turned and ran _ “It Ja deer for the horses. ¢ ut J =One outlaw did take a few steps in pursuit, but a bul- ne, Be let from Wild Bill’s revolver stopped his course. ey | The main body of foes at the other end of the flat “were now running toward the scene of the fight. Wild Bill dodged a bullet, sent a patting shot at the Buffalo Bill lifted in 1 triumph, and then, slipping back, THE BUFF ALO scattering force in front of him, heard the voice of . BILL STORIES. : | 23 said quickly to Frank Haste ; “Bill is all right. Time ‘to close the door.” The door went up, and when it was in place Wild Bill hurried to one of the windows. He exercised the greatest care in looking out, for it was probable that the action would be anticipated, and that a shower of bullets would greet the spectacle of his face. But there was no demonstration. No one of the enemy. was looking toward the windows. The Indians and outlaws were grouped in the middle of the flat, and an important discussion seemed to be going on. What was strange was that no pursuit of Buffalo Bill had been undertaken. There were ponies a-plenty, and the king of scouts had been, seen to, ride up the hill be- hind the stone house and not even a shot had been fired after he had mounted his pony. — é “Can you read this riddle?” asked Frank Haste. The young cowboy was standing by the side of Frances: Thayer, and Wild Bill, leaving the window, had just told him what was going on outside. : “It’s too many for me,” was the reply. f per I can guess what is in the minds of our ene- mies,” said the girl. Her face, always. serious, was deeply so as she spoke. “I have been talking with Sonora Kid, and he has told me about the dynamite. He obtained a number of sticks at a Mexican mime which he raided last month. Before he came to this house to be captured, he had arranged to place these sticks along the hill from the mesa to the flat, in such manner that. their presence might not be detected. He has been looking for the appearance of the soldiers ever since his raid in the desert, and he counts on a series of explosions when the soldiers should come down the hill, Each stick is enclosed in a metal match- box, and the concussions, of course, will be produced by the. hoofs of the cavalry horses.” “Ves, yes, I understand,” said Wild Bill; “but that Satanic scheme for the destruction of the soldiers doesn’t explain the attitude of the gang toward Buffalo Bill.” $ “It is an important element in the explanation, These redskins and: half-breed fiends are aching to have the: ‘soldiers come, and they would welcome with devilish joy any plan or suggestion that promised to give as- sistance in bringing the soldiers here. You are begin- ning to see, are you not?’ “See? I should say I did! You are a smart woman, Miss Thayer, and I take off my hat to you. Of course, those crafty dogs let Bill go off. They guessed that he wanted to get away and hurry up the bluecoats. Good! That was exactly in their line. He went as their messenger, though he had a somewhat different notion in his cabesa. But there’s one thing they didn't know. If they did, they would be chasing Bill like a drove of hungry. wolves. They don’t know that he is on to the. dynamite scheme, and that, instead of leading the sol- oo THE BUFFALO diers down that trail of death, he will side-track it and come on the murdering outfit from another direction.” “Tf he leads them, yes; but, oh, Mr. Hickok, there is no certainty of that. He may not get to them in time, I have a feeling that the soldiers will come to-day. To reach them Mr. Cody will have to take a roundabout course. He went south. The soldiers, if they come, will come from the north.” “That’s/all right,” returned Wild Bill. “Don’t worry over my comrade’s position. He has a level head. He knows every trail, straight, crooked, main, or cut-off, and he’ll be speeding northward before half an hour.” When Sonora Kid was informed of Buffalo Bill's mission, and of the: knowledge:the scout. possessed, the villain was consumed with rage and disgust over his follygin exposing the dynamite secret to Frances Thayer. “You needn’t make yourself sick beefing about what you have done,” said Wild Bill. “The explosion which killed three Indians at the same time exploded the scheme. Your confession didn’t count. Buffalo Bill was off before he knew anything about it.” The villain extracted some comfort from this state- ment, but not much. He was in a wretched state of mind. lost. He looked down at the floor for some time, then, keeping ‘his ugly countenance composed, he said: | “You're a fair sort of an hombre, Hickok, and I don’t believe ye’d pile the agony onter a feller. © I’d like to take a squint through that window up-stairs an’ see what’s goin’ on. Any objection ter lettin’ me do it?” Wild Bill burst into a horse-laugh. “Objection, you ornery son of a lop-eared coyote? I should say I had one big enough to swallow you. you take me for a wall-eyed idiot? What! Do your outfit of cutthroats? queer the mission of Buffalo Bill? some life, Kid. Ask me something easy.” * 2 k 2 ok ee An hour after this talk Buffalo Bill, rounding a turn. on a rocky hill, separated from the mesa by a deep ravine, saw something that made him stare. Coming along the trail which had brought the scout. and his comrade, Wild Bill, to the flat three days be- fore, was a white man in a mud-wagon, drawn a four horses. The distance across the ravine was about a quarter of a mile, and in that clear atmosphere, and with Buf- . -. falo Bill’s keen eyes, recognition of vee man came in- stantly.: “Franz Hofler! by the eee horn spoon! ab ejapulated the scout, in the greatest astonishment. is -he doing up this way? wagon?” “What on earth And why is he ‘on that A sudden thought -drove all the color from his: face. If the soldiers escaped the dynamite, he was Let you. _show your ugly mug at the window, and secretly signal | ‘Let ‘you put. up a job to Not on your lone- BILL SLORIES, a Inside of twenty minutes, if he were not stopped, the German would reach the hill and the dynamite. Buffalo Bill glanced down the ravine. There. was but] one trail, and it led westward. To follow it would] bring him on to the other trail, but behind, and not in front of the approaching wagon-driver. - The scout saw directly below him a rocky escarpment. | It was impossible of passage from below, but by sli: ding, jumping, perhaps at times falling, he might make the downward trip. But not on horseback. Without hesitation he took his chances. The pony was hobbled, and Buffalo Bill prepared to make the descent. But before he took the first step downward he waved his sombrero at the man on the wagon, and shouted with all the strength of his lungs. The German saw’ him, heard the voice but not the~ words, and waved his own hat in return. But he did not pull up his horses. On they went, coming nearer and nearer to the fatal hill. “T can’t make him “hear my warning,” the king of scouts muttered in disappointment, “and he’s such a fool that he can’t grasp the significance of my presence | and my actions. I’ve got to reach him before he gets to the mesa.” And at the risk of his neck, after leaps, falls, and rollings, with every muscle in his body aching, and hands and face scratched, cut, arid bleeding, Buffalo Bill crawled into the trail at the upper end of the mesa just as Hofler was turning into it. “Stop!” he commanded, as he rose with haa to his feet. “Stop, you big fool!” , a. The German reined in his horses, using one hand. The other was in a sling. He looked at the dusty, — blood-stained figure before him in the road, and at first failed to recognize the king of scouts. “Who you vass, you pig stig-in- -der-dum?” he said angrily. “I exposes you vass vite, und—vy, I peg your bardon, id vass Piffalo Pull. How 7 vass, und vat you vass toin’ here, alretty ?” “T am here to save you from being ‘hows to pieces, coldly responded the scout. “And now may I ask _ what has ape yeu ee and ed you are in that wagon?” ; Diss is der ae Tidn’t you Hew dot?” “Ambulance? What are you talking about? Are you plumb crazy?” The scout spoke in strong disgust, but the German refused to take offense... =. - Oo “Maybe you vassn’t coom from der Mahoe vat pen? Den I dells you. Der soldiers haf rode to der viat, gilled olt. Mut Vace und all his Inchuns, and now dey vass ae for me to coom und oa der conn vons avay.’?» Z “What wounded ones: “Soldiers: ” a “Yaw. Sax solchers vass knockit oud: nod. gilled, but:inchured Py eel ono ayes, ie Wee “Nons af ende huns h ‘See ing his een mi an enet omfool all abot S “Oot himin: knows. 1 ornir some | sdable going im I POYS, oon | dot y¢ und ¢ along idat v to do ‘from oot ¢ voulc dot | AY didn’ at der avay | der a rod - | vas: vile the det | yo as but would not in ment, Vy sli: make pony | e the ward , and t the > did carer the true state of affairs he was dumbfounded. Ww “Who filled you up with all his, nonsense ?” “Nonsings? You gall id nonsings:ven. der solchers af ended der. var and safed der brisoners vat dose In- pi had dere on der viat?” - See here, Hofler,” said the king of scouts, control- ing his wrathful impatience as best he could, “‘you have been made a fool of by some one, and that some one is mn enemy. Tell me quick who it was-that put all this fomfoolery into your head, where you met him, and all about. it.” “Oof. I vass vooled, I don’d know. chau: id, py -replied the German. “But I dells you vat I knows. I.sdayed in dot sdable py der sdachun undil dis morning, und all py mineselluf, Vile I vass eading some kinned sduff dot dey gall-sissage und liffer, der sdable toor cooms open und a gowpoy valks in,. He vass going to shood me mit his powie-knife, but ven I told him I vass all righd, dot I vass von of Piffalo Pull’s poys, he got some visdom abouid der madder. Pooty soon he asked me some guestionings, und ven I told him dot you had gone by der vlat a liddle vile ago, alretty, und dot I vass dere vaiting for der solchers to coom along, dot veller said I peen oof mine cubacers, vatefer dat vass. He said dot der solchers vass alretty gone to dot vlat but py. anudder vay. He had yust coomed from der vlat himselluf, und he said dot der gommander himiny,”’ ‘oof der solchers haf sent him ouid to vind a vagon dot vould do for an imbulance to dake avay der solchers dot had peen hit py dose timmyhawks alretty.” — “Well, said Buffalo Bill, as the German paused, “why ‘didn’t this cowboy come along with you?” “Dere vass no need dot he should. He had vound der vagon und I could trive it to ter vlat vile he vent avay to der vort und pe piane ionee to der golonel apouid der toings town py Mahoe.” “So you hitched up and drove off one way, while he tode off another way, eh?” “T tidn’t see dot gowpoy ride away.. He said dot he vass_dired und. could rest him py dot sheck a liddle F viles,”’ When the Pie had ee wade ad with “And all der Inchuns und ouidlaws are der yet?” “Yes, and you would have been with them in pieces if you had been allowed to continue your journey. But I musn’t stop here talking with you any longer. There is work to be done. First we must catch that false cow- boy. Of course, he is one of Sonora Kid’s men, though | it’s impossible that he should have left the flat to-day.” “Vy imbossible, Piffalo Pull?” “Tf he had been there to-day he would have known: of the dynamite plant, and if he had known of it he ' would not have sent. you to Mahoe, for your coming would probably have exploded all the dynamite” and spoiled the scheme io blow up the soldiers.” THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. — | 25 “Bud dey may have more oof dot sduff.?”. “Yes, they. may have more of it, but they have but one. trail. A series of explosions would play hob with the trail. Don’t you see?’ “Yaw, I see. Dot veller don’d know vat is peen eve on in der vlat.” “It is my opinion that he followed you,” continued Buffalo Bill, “and he is probably not far behind. Drive your team under those trées and wait for me. I am going back a little way, perhaps to the summit. From there I can see down the mountain to the desert.” The king of scouts glided swiftly away, and ere long reached the summit. . There: were:many trees, and, con- cealed. behind one, he looked down the trail. His face lighted up in fierce satisfaction as his eyes fell on a horseman riding up the mountain and not more than half a mile away. : Then he turned his gaze toward the desert and saw something that made his heart beat with joy. A few miles away, galloping swiftly in the direction of the mountain, was a troop of cavalry. The bluecoats—this was before the era of the khaki—of Uncle Sam were riding for Mahoe. Selecting a better spot i the meee he isueneued making, Buffalo Bill waited for the appearance of the lone horseman. It was not long before he appeared. The king of scouts recognized him as. a renegade who-had fled to Mexico some years.before. There, thought the scout, he had probably met Sonora Kid and had easily been in- duced to join the gang of outlaws. His pony was about to turn a bend at the top of one of the steepest places on the trail when Buffalo Bill sprang from behind a boulder and leveled his revolver at the head of the rider. “A single move, and you are a dead man! mount!” The outlaw, a hard-featured fellow, with long, straw- colored hair and thin mustache, the ends of which curled about a tobacco-stained chin, did not obey the command. He gave his pony a sharp cut, and the animal leaped for- ward. Crack! went Buffalo Bill’s revolver, and the pony fell over dead. Before the outlaw could get to his feet the king of scouts had him by the throat. The struggle was short. Soon Buffalo Bill arose and looked down at his victim, who, with wrists and ankles secured, was cursing frightfullye “When I order a man to get off a horse, I expect to be obeyed,” said the scout sternly. “But, perhaps, you are hard of hearing, Hard-cut Henderson ?” The victim erunted. “Cheese yer funny dope, os ye said, in rasping voice. “Ye’ve downed me. Let it go at that.” : “And downed you just in time, didn’t I? In ten minutes you would have been on the flat, and the outfit © - Dis- 26 THE BUFFALO there would have known of the near approach of the soldiers.” “Ther Kid will be able. to hold i own, whether I get thar or not.” “Hold, I have thought of sabe thas: If I had let you ride on you might never have reached the flat. You would have been knocked sky-high by dynamite?” . “What’s that? Dynamite? Whar’d ther Kid git dynamite?” : “Where have you been lately ¢ Not at the flat, cer- tainly.” “No, I have not seen ther flat fer two months. Been workin’ on ther border.” - “You knew about the” alliance with old Mud Face, didn’t you?” “Sure! Heard of it two days ago, and ther news of it made me light out fer Mahoe.” “What caused you to make game of the German?” The outlaw laughed. “I sure thought that ther wagon would come in handy at ther flat, an’, as I didn’t want ter drive. ther team myself, beim’ as a pony’s back suits me better, I worked. my roe on ther Dutchman an’ got him ter drive ther team in.’ Buffalo Bill had no more questions to ask, Leaving the outlaw, he hurried to the summit and took. another look over the desert. The troop of cavalry was a short distance from. the base of the mountain. In less than an hour the soldiers would be at the mesa. ° Returning to Hard-cut Henderson, the king of scouts lifted the outlaw in his arms and. bore him to the wagon. When the German saw the man who had so grossly deceived him his indignation found vent in the follow- ing attack: “So dot is you, you iiaaety faced ae -o'-nine-dails? Vat’s der madder mit’me dot you vass dinkin’ dot you could blay dose lunidickle choaks like I vass a kebbage het, vot? You mage me sick mit der sdomik-aig ven I look ad you.. Oof I don’d haf more sense as you haf got I go pag mine het und say noddings for fofteen year. Go avay from me. You vass a sblay-vooted nin- gumpoopit.” | Buffalo Bill did not wait to hear the end of this pe- culiar tirade. He was on his way to the lower end of ~ the mesa. The soldiers were expected, and scouts should have been sent Sut. As none of them had ap- peared he had resolved to ascertain, if Pee what had detained them. : : - Avoiding the dangerous frat he reached. a point in the bushes from whence he could look down. on Y the flat. : ‘ All the Indians and outlaws were gathered _ in, front of the stone house. There was no- excitement, and no work of any kind was being done. Buffalo Bill might BILL STORIES. :, have spent some time speculating over the scene if qm Franz E idea of importance had not come to him. he dynan The hill where the dynamite had been placed te f the hill minated at a part of the flat where were a number qm The ref trees. From where the Indians and outlaws stood thejmmmna t office Now, then, was opportunity tqgBill. could not see the hill. free toate Then fk remove the sticks of dynamite, and thus give for the descent of the soldiers. The cavalry might cntefiose you the flat by another and roundabout way, but much ti “I hav better way would be the hill trail. “well, The king of scouts believed he could find the dymi. oac mite now that he knew it was there. The little lump by concu in the dirt on the trail would give him the clues. at wal At the top of the hill he flattened his body antM ole o crawled downward slowly and with extreme caution fyitiam The first lump in the trail was inspected. It covered iy Bute. a match-safe, and in that safe was a stick of dynamite a He removed the stick and: placed it carefully in his ti wallet. The second suspicious-looking lump yielded Des dynamite. And so on.. He reached the bottom of thea hill with a dozen sticks of the death-dealing substance yy " 7 in his wallet, and so thoroughly had he done his work 0D ——-scraping every inch of the loose earth on the thor ey esolve mount, ithe rat Stone - by the ithe sa fof the oughfare—that he was satisfied that he had removed every stick that had been planted by the murderous denizens .of the flat. He peered through the trees and saw that the crowd was still in front. of -the stone house. And as he looked,| _ something came out between the bars | windows. It fell on the stone steps, anc followed several pistol-shots, : ye: The puzzled king of scouts Wale a moment, and be a then the cause of the presence of the crowd at that Bre part of the flat was revealed. An Indian held up, §§4!4?- : take dangling from a stick, a dead. snake, _ Buffalo Bill lay back on the ground and laughed until | him ; the aoe came. “Oh, Hickok, Hickok,” he said to hin fF self, “you are the limit.” jecte He divined what Wild Bill has en Ee adous to He divert the attention. of the Indians and outlaws while his sMEpe comrade was away, Wild Bill had lassoed the rattle Fattes ‘snakes in the pit down-stairs, taking one at a time, and had then, after attracting in some way the attention of the for flat residents had produced his snakes, As one alftet ; how another went through the window—the tall scout taking bi care not to show any part of his person—the crowd-it-" creased until all the outlaws and Navajos were gather ed - in front of the house. the The last one of the ak had been. hn ust. + thecach th he me bars, and the crowd was about to disperse, the majority J = we to go. up the flat, when. Buffalo Bill heard upon the mese the sound of horses’ hoofs. The soldiers were coming. sk rani up the hill, he. was. in time to meet the & th lieutenant in command, — ae 1€ if af ed ter nber q od the} inity fj Se road It entel ich the dye lumps y and ution, vered amite, n his ielded tthe nee work thors loved Tons > v UC -owd ked, | and that | up, itil im © THE BULEALO ‘Franz Hofler had met the officer and had spoken of e dynamite, and the troop: had halted on the brow f the hill to await the coming of the king of scouts. The report which was made to the lieutenant caused at officer to say some very nice things to Buffalo bill. Then he added, with a twinkle in his eye: jose you will go with us to the flat?” “T have a hunch that I will.” “Well, then, if I were you I’d separate myself from hat load of dynamite you are carrying. It explodes by concussion, you know. Now, if a bullet should strike that wallet, I’d have to petition Congress to set apart the whole of soythern Arizona as the burying-ground of William F. Cody.” Buffalo Bill smiled. ‘I reckon there are no goats in your whiskers, lieutenant,’ he said. And with these words he went into the bushes and cached his cargo of explosives. ° In a few minutes the plan of attack was arranged. To prevent the possible escape of any of the Indians or outlaws by the trail at the upper end of the flat it was resolved to divide the cavalry. Twenty were to dis- mount, and under the leadership of Buffalo Bill cross the ravine and come out on the flat by the side of the stone house. The larger body, in saddle, commanded “I sup- by the lieutenant, was to descend the hill and charge the savages and their allies gathered at the other end > ‘of the flat. ~The signal for the combined rush for the flat should ‘be a ringing bugle blast. Franz Hofler was compelled to view the battle from afar. In spite of his sore arm he would have liked to take a part. The presence of the soldiers had inspired him with courage, and he wanted opportunity to avenge lin person the indignities to which he had been sub- jected. He saw Buffalo Bill and his detachment leave the ‘mesa for the ravine, and he watched the course taken ‘after the precipitous hill on the farther side of the ravine Fhad been scaled. At first he had not believed it possible ‘for the men to climb that hill, but, after he had seen ‘how human ladders are constructed and what efficient Fuse can be made of the riata, his doubts vanished and Lhis admiration for the king of scouts increased. | Half an hour after the separation of the two forces ‘there pierced the air the sharp notes of 2 buole: The lieutenant gave the command to advance, and, with a rush and with ringing shouts, the brave boys in blue went down the hill to the flat. The Indians and. outlaws, waiting with countenances shining with diabolical anticipation, were bewildered, | thrown into utter dismay by the appearance before them _ of the men they had sought to destroy. BILL. STORIES. 27 But they soon rallied in a measure and made the best © fight possible under the circumstances. It was to be a battle to the death, and, realizing this, they formed in a circle and tried to hold themselves against the fierce onslaught. of the cavalry. But the circle was no sooner formed than from the upper end of the flat Buffalo Bill and his brave boys came running. There is small need to tell what happened after that. It was a carnival of blood, and the vile denizens of Mahoe Wells were wiped out. But three soldiers were killed, though over a score were wounded. : After the battle in which Buffalo Bill had borne him- self with his accustomed bravery and dash, the lieuten- ant, unscathed, like the king of scouts, pointed to the house and said: “I have been watching one of those windows for the last minute, and I am satisfied that one of your friends must be crazy. All sorts of things have been coming out of that window. The last was a buckskin coat.” | Buffalo Bill looked puzzled. “Something is the mat- ter in there,” he said gravely. “Here we are in pos- session of the flat, no live enemies in sight, and yet that stone door has not opened. If everything is all right, why in the name of General Jackson hasn’t Wild Bill showed himself? He wouldn’t have missed a circus of this kind for all the money in Arizona.” “We must find out what is the matter,” returned the officer. They rode to the front of the stone house, but before they could dismount the voice of Wild Bill was heard from the window. It was charged with savage rage. “What’s the mat- ter in here?” he shouted. “I can’t get out.” “Can't get out,” repeated Buffalo Bill. “Isn't the door there?” “The door is there, but combination won't work.” “Why, it is easy enough to work.” “Maybe it is easy for you, but neither of the three of us in here can make it respond,” i “There must be something broken.” “There is.” Buffalo Bill scratched his chin until a brilliant thought I can't open it. Thg dern came. “I’ll beat that door, Hickok,” he said. “Hold your horses a little while. T’ve got to go after my tools.” He spoke a few words to the lieutenant, and then rode down the flat and up the trail to a point opposite the place where he had hidden the sticks of dynamite. Taking up two of them, he remounted and rode back to the stone house. Wild Bill was still at the window. The lieutenant had posted him regarding Buffalo Bill’s plan. RET at RTS - i ; Ss iS Ra aT 38 THE BUREALO. BILL STORIES. . | a “Go down-stairs, all of you,” the king of scouts com- manded, “and shut all the doors behind you. Go into the little room nearest the back and stay there until you hear further from me.” : “All right, Bill,” replied the tall scout, “and be sure you knock that door galley west.” With the aid of such rude tools as he could procure, Buffalo Bill gouged a hole between the bottom of the door and the sill, and in the hole placed the sticks which he had cased in match-boxes. Then, withdrawing to a safe distance, he raised to his shoulder a Winchester which he had taken from the side of a dead outlaw, and took aim at the spot where reposed the dynamite,’ “The trigger was pressed and a terrific explosion followed. The heavy door was split into fragments, and a part of the front of the house was shattered. A minute later the scout was in the house and hurry- ing to meet his friends. He did not have to go down the stairs. Wild Bill, Frances Thayer, and the young cowboy were coming up them as he reached the land- ing. “All's well that ends well.” | Sonora Kid and the three Navajos were taken to Fort Winthrop and tried by a military court. The Kid was sentenced to be hanged, and Mud Face and his braves -were condemned to expatriation. They are now peace- ful farmers in Florida. Frances Thayer and Frank. Haste were married at Fort Winthrop. They had improved the time taken on the journey from, Mahoe. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill were called before the colonel after they had arisen from the finest dinner Win- | throp had ever afforded. “Boys,” said he, as he grasped their hands, “I am proud of you. I don’t know what Uncle Sam would do if you were to leave the West.” r “T think I’ll stay with uncle,” replied Buffalo Bull} “He’s the chap I swear by.” THE END. No. 279 of the Burraro Bity Stories, entitled “But- falo Bill’s Desperate Mission; or, The Round-up in Hidden Valley,’ will appear next week. ABOUT THE EARLY NUMBERS OF THE MEDAL LIBRARY No. 150—Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays. 1H receive hundreds of letters every week from readers asking if we can supply the early numbers of Tip Top i containing Frank’s adventures. In every case we are obliged to reply that numbers 1 to 300 are entirely out of ' print. We would like to call the attention of our readers to the fact that the Frank Merriwell Stories now being published in book form in the Medal Library are inclusive of these early numbers. The first book to appear - was No. 150 entitled ‘‘Frank Merriwell’s Schooldays.’’ We give herewith a complete list of all stories that have been published in book form up to the time of writing. We will be glad to send a fine colored catalogue of the Medal Library which is just filled with good things for boys, upen receipt of a one-cent stamp to cover postage. és MEDAL LIBRARY . 0. 27i—Frank Merriwell’s Chase. 276—Frank Merriwell\in Maine. 167—Frank Merriwell’s Chums, 178—Frank Merriwell’s Foes. 184—Frank Merriwell’s Trip West. 1890—Frank Merriwell Down South. .. 193——Frank Merriwell’s Bravery. - 197—-Frank Merriwell’s Hunting Tour, -201—Frank Merriwell in Europe. \ / g05—Frank Merriwell at Yale. & _ 209—Frank Merriwell’s Sports Afield. ; 7s 213—Frank Merriwell’s Races. ™ a2t7—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour. ~ 225—Frank Merriwell’s Courage. 220—Frrank Merriwell’s Daring. 233—Frank Merriwell’s Athletes, 237—Frank Merriwell’s Skill. - 240—Frank Merriwell’s Champions. 244—Frank Merriwell’s Return to Yale. *247—Frank Merriwell’s Secret. 251—Frank Merriwell’s: Danger. 280—Frank Merriwell’s Struggle. 284—Frank Merriwell’s First Job. 288—Frank Merriwell’s Opportunity. 292—Frank Merriwell’s Hard Luck. 290—Frank Merriwell’s Protégé. 300—Frank Merriwell on the Road. 304—Frank Merriwell’s Own Company. 308—Frank Merriwell’s Fame. 312—Frank Merriwell’s College Chums. 316—Frank Merriwell’s Problem. 320—Frank Merriwell’s Fortune. 324—Frank Merriwell’s New Comedian. 328—Frank Merriwell’s Prosperity. 332—Frank Merriwell’s Stage Hit, 336—Frank Merriwell’s Great Scheme. 340—Frank Merriwell in England. 344—-Frank Merriwell on the Boulevards. 348—Frank Merriwell’s Duel. 352—Frank Merriwell’s Double Shot. 254—Frank Merriwell’s Loyalty. 350—Frank Merriwell’s Baseball Victories. 250—l rank Merriwell in Camp. 262—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation. 267-—Frank Merriwell’s Cruise. ZL The Price of the Merriwelt Books is Ten Cents per Copy. At all Newsdeailers 3590—Frank Merriwell’s Confidence. 362—Frank Merriwell’s Auto. 365—Frank Merriwell’s Fun. ¥ 8. = FO} cera Sree 3uf- » in ISSUED EVERY TUESDAY. BEAUTIFUL GOLORED COVERS Buttfalo Bill wins his fone who reads these strong 1 on the wide prairies of the way into the heart of every stories of stirring adventure West. Boys, if you want tales of the West that are drawn true to lite, do not pass these by. PRICE FIVE CE NTS PER COPY For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, by the publishers to any address upon receipt of price in money or postage stamps HERE ARE THE 255—Buffalo Bill’s Worst Foe; or, The Black Panther of the Sioux. 256—Buffalo Bill On a Desert Trail; or, The Mystery of the Mojave. | 257—Buffalo Bill’s Rio Grande Feud; or, The Giant of the Apaches. 258—Buffalo Bill in Tight Onariete: or, The Ruse,of the Jumping Tarantula, 25G-—Buffalo Bill’s Daring Rescue; Wolves, 260—Buffalo Bill at the Torture Stake; or, A Close Call Among the Utes. : 261—Buffalo Bill’s Treasure Train; the False Guide. 262—Buftalo Bill Among the Blackfeet; or, The Wizard of the Wind River Mountains. 263—Buffalo Bill’s Border Beagles; Gold and Death. or, Hunted by oft, The Doom of of, ine Trail ‘ot | 264—-Buffalo Bill and the Bandits in Black; or, The Wild Riders of the Wilderness. 265—Buffalo Bill and the Indian Tiger} or, The Leap for Life. | 266—Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood Trail ; or, Cat-Eye, the Sioux Renegade. | 267—-Buffalo Bill in the Cafion of Death; or, Ne In by Navajos. 268—Buffalo Bill and Billy the Kid; or, The Dee de of Apache Land. If YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our itbraries and cannot Cut out and All in the following order blank and send it to us with the POSTAGR STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seventh Avenue, New York City. Gentlemen :—Enclosed find......-...-- cents for which coeccnes Copies of TIP TOP TOS eae Sus ee SUSU ctataa Ho ssoee he “NICK CARTER NOR eset on oun ouie ls com awa calle ss. DIAMOND DICK OOS a hs ee Oe a ae Se ek ak Street and NO......-..cccccncsccccacduoveesensaascacaaces LATEST TITLES: 269—Buffalo Bill and the Robber Ranch King; or, The White Tarantula of Texas. 270—Buffalo Bill in the Land of Wonders; or, The Mad Chief of the Madocs. 271—Buffalo Bill and the Traitor Soldier; or, Fair Inez, the Pearl of the Post. 272--Buffalo Bill’s Dusky Trailers ; or, The Bandits at Bay. snes Bill’s Diamond Mine; or, The Bedouins of the Plains. 274—Buffalo Bill and the Pawnee Serpent; or, The Ven- detta of Death. 275—Buffalo Bill’s Scarlet Hanes or, The Accusing Blood Stain. 276—Buffalo Bill Running the ‘Canton: ot, The Wolves of the Emigrant Trail. 277—Buffalo Bill’s ‘Leap in the Dark; or, The Outcast . of Santibell. 278—Buffalo Bill’s Daring Plunge; or, The Grisly Ghost of Mahoe. 279—Buffalo Bill’s Desperate Mission; or, The Round- up in Hidden Valley. 280—Buffalo Bill’s Ghost Raid; or, Hot Times at Bubble Pricking. 281—Buffalo Bill’s Traitor Guide; or, The Vengeance of Alkali Pete. 282—Bufialo Bill’s Camp-fires ; Snake River Crossing. or, The Bad Man of procure them from newsdealers, they can be ebtained from this office direct, price of the books you want and we will send them to you by return niail, Coe SRN EU CEN eck amicus mists Ullmer uiCiara le ate utminia! wale 190 please send me ° eu copies of BUFFALO BILL INOS, 2.2 SOouweuieeeveuneeccscubene aunts OU) « “BRAVE AND BOLD Nos......-- UUs Se eel Say re - « ROUGH RIDER NOB uscoe cab da ack petne oat awa aaew etn LOWRisccssecess ecueseeesase State...... aaneee Vous cca sane ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY Never has Burt L. Standish written such interesting tales of thal adventures of the Merriwell brothers, Frank and Dick, as are now appear ing in this weekly. Mr. Standish has a world-wide circle of friends and he is putting forth his best efforts to amuse and entertain them. you have rio idea of what a grand feast he is preparing for you, HANDSOME COLORED COVERS Boys, Tip Top’s stories are going to astonish you. Do not fail to get it. PRICE FIVE CENTS PER COPY For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, by the publishers upon receipt of price In money or postage stamps . HERE ARE THE LATEST TITLES: '§16—Dick Merriwell’s Discernment; or, The Hefoism of a Coward. '§17——Dick Merriwell’s Friendly Hand; or, The Boy Who Was Saved. 518—Frank Merriwell’s New Boy; or, The Folly of Dale Sparkfair. _ S19—Frank Merriwell’s Mode; or, Winning the Confi- dence of a Wild Lad. §20—Frank Merriwell’s Aids; or ‘The Secret Order of Scalp-Lifters,” §21—Dick Merriwell’s Visit; or, Hot Times at Farnham Hall. ) 522—Dick Merriwell’s Retaliation; or, Fardale Against Farnham Hall. 523—Dick Merriwell’s Rival; or, Dale Sparkfair at Far- dale. 524—Frank Merriwell’s Young Crew; or, The Mystery of the Boat-house. oe 525—Frank Merriwell’s Fast Nine; or, Champions of the County. : §26—Frank Merriwell’s Athletic-field; or, The Great Meet at Bloomfield. '§27—Dick Merriwell’s Reprisal; or, The Clash of the Champions. aan Merriwell Dared; or, The Grapple at Wells- urg. ee Merriwell’s Dismay; or, The Departure of une. 530—Frank Merriwell’s Son; or, The Mark of the Star. 531—Frank Merriwell’s Old Flock; or, The Reunion at | Merry House. _ 532—Frank Merriwell’s House-Pa with the Rovers. | 533—Dick Merriwell’s Summer Teaui; vi, Baseball 0 the Blue Hills. 534—Dick Merriwell’s Demand; or, The Draw at Mad- awaska. 535—Dick Merriwell’s Slabmate; or, The Boy from Bloomfield. 536-—Frank Merriwell’s Summer Camp; or, The Athletic- school in the Woods. 537—Frank Merriwell’s Proposal; or, Starting the Sport -) fa the Leacue. : 538—Frank Merriwell’s Spook-hunters; or, The Mys- terious Island of Mad Lake. 539-——Dick Merriwell’s Check; or, The Hot Bunch From Happy Camp. §40—Dick Merriwell’s Sacrifice; or, Team Work That Told. 541—Dick Merriwell’s Heart; or, Breaking the Hard Luck Streak. Rik a eae: — a) IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our libraries and cannot procure them from newsdealers, they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fill in the following order blank and send it to us with the price of the books you want and we will send them to you by return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 79 Seventh Avenue, New York City. Gentlemen :—Enclosed find............ cents for which please send me : ~oeee-- COpies of TIP TUP INOS: sien cuduteun ce cua cawres eeC ana Bae « “NICK CARTER INOBisc ete cu leccr veces es Suc Meee . & DIAMOND DICK INOS. 2 Puce, ee ‘ Se ee oe 190 ee copies of BUFFALO BILL —s NOS... --cce-ecnencccecececeeacceeeee**" « *¢ BRAVE AND BOLD «Nos... 602 3 . ROUGH RIDER +e NOB. cccc tees Bie eee eco oee gece nen" *e NAME. 20 nnn enna enna ewannenn ance einen een eens Street and No. TNO. es ree ace DPR a MOOR LE eel ous “ “ROUGH RIDER BN OS Oui ne Keer Oss a aL oes MAOMNG. sccusunccncscseanssscesccccces+ och eeceeees Sirecs and No.2 te ae Uuegdeniatcecvataes LOM Sh cose o re eee ce Nat State coer scat ace sens 181—The Lost Chief; or, Gordon Keith’s Adventures Amo the Redskins. By Lawrence White, Jr. : ‘ 182—South-Paw Steve; or, The Medford Boys and Their Riv: " By Richard Field. | 183—The Man of Fire; or, Iron Fern, of Rocket Gulch | ff Herbert Bellwood. { 184—On' Sampan and Junk; or, Gord By Lawrence White, Jr. j 185—Dick Hardy’s School Scrapes; or, eas By Robert Reid. 186—Cowboy Steve; or, The Bond of Blood. By Herbert Be wood, 187—-Chip Conway’s White Clue; or, Trailing the Diamo Lifters. By Inspector Robert Barnes. : } 188—Tracked Across Europe; or, The Clue of the Mov! Pictures. By Lawrence White, Jr. 189—Cool Colorado; or, A Cowboy’s Fight for Fortune. | Albert W. Aiken. : 190—Captain Mystery; or, The Brave Girl of Boulder Bar. . Herbert Bellwood. 191—Silver Sallie; or, The Three Queer Pards of Poker Pock By J. C. Cowdrick. : | 192—The Ranch Raiders; or, Secret of the Golden Dagger. Capt. Hal Hazelton. 193—A Baptism of Fire; or, At the Front With the Japs. | Mark Darran. | 194—The Border Nomad; or, Sharper Stokes’ Double Deal. | Herbert Bellwood. 195—Mark Mallory’s Struggle; or, Friends and Foes At Wé Point. By Lieut. Fred Garrison, U. S. A. 190—A Strange Clue; or, The Sharks and Sharps of New Yo! By James Fisk. se ee * / THE FAVORITE LIST | 1-OF FIVE-CENT LIBRARIES | _[rosmave KING 2 WILD MEST | | Winning a town by a Ride tough bullies. ROUGH RIDER WEEKLY Ted Strong was appointed deputy marshal by accident, but he resolves to use his authority and rid his ranch of some very He does it in such a slick way that everyone calls him “‘King of the Wild West” and he certainly deserves his title. MIGHT AND MAIN These are stories of the adven- tures of boys who succeeded in climbing the ladder of fame by honest effort. No more inter- esting tales can be imagined. Each number is at least one-third longer than the ordinary five- cent libra DIAMOND DICK WEEKI LY The demand for stirring storie of Western adventure is a fr a ably filled by this library. Every [| up-to-date boy ought to read just | how law and order are estab- | 23) lished and maintained on our &%~ Western plains by Diamond Dick, | Bertie, and Handsome Harry. « THE ioe wore 3 9 BUFFALO BILL STORIES puree Buffalo Bill | is the hero of a | | thousand | exciting adventures | among the Redskins. These are i given to our boys only in the ‘| Buffalo Bill i bound to interest and please you. Stories. They are NICK CARTER W EEKLY We know, boys, that there is : no need of introducing to you | Nicholas Carter, the greatest Pe oe sleuth: that ever lived. Every | number containing the adven- | tures of Nick Carter has a peculiar, | =~ but delightful, power of fascina- | tion. Every boy who prefers variety in his-reading matter, ought to be a reader of Brave and Bold. All these were written by authors who are past masters in the art stories. of telling boys’ Every tale is complete in itself. BOWERY BOY LIBRARY _ The adventures of a poor waif T= whose only name is ‘‘Bowery iF Billy.” Billy is the true product |= of the streets of New York. No |/ oo! boy can read the tales of his trials My a without imbibing some of that | resource and courage that makes | the character of this homeless boy | 3 stand out so prominently. Le opment. THE TIP FOP WEEKLY Boys, Frank Merriwell has opened a school of physical devel- He has gathered all of his old-time comrades about him and their adventures are wonderfully interesting. tainly the best tales of athletic adventure. (CAUTION! £22 ee me TOP zee ets a aRt These are cer-