Sy ets se SK ee Se ® hs a ate eRe: SS eS Sas oS 3 1 j "39.92 | 52.24 | 97.06 | 92.02 | 87.34 | 62.14 | : : : 41.81 | 48.55 | -0.40 | -0.60 | -0.75 | -1. 0020 y U / " | i i ——= = ed a pa a S awe MN ) Buffalo Bill Amo - marksmén, bronco busting and E |_A WEEKLY PUBLICATION DEVOTEDT0 BORDER LIFE. Issued Weekly. By subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. VY. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave, N.Y. - : Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1909, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 15> Beware of Wild West imitations of the Buffalo Bill Stories. They are about fictitious:chafacters. The Buffalo Bill weekly is the only weekly containing the adventures of Buffalo Bill, (Col. W. F. Cody), who is known all over the world as the king of scouts. No. 407. NEW YORK, February 27, 1909. Price Five Cents. | THE RESCUE OF PAQUITA. no the Cheyennes; ¢2 By the author of “BUFFALO BILL.” CHAPTER I. THE TWO CHINAMEN, 5 | The great ranch of Maxwell, the “Duke of Cimarron,” seemed abnormally quiet; yet it only seemed so, having - sunk back into the usual routine after several days of horse races, steer-tying pee friendly rivalry among ailes. The fiesta inaugurated by the Duke to celebrate the marriage contract entered into between his daughter, |} . Paquita, and Don Ortega,‘of Sonora, was a thing of tie past... - Don Ortega, with his sefioras, senoritas, and caballeros, comprising the very flower of Northern Mexico, had loaded their belongings into carretas, the don had taken affectionate leave of his bride-to-be, and the caravan ‘had fared southward, following the historic Old Trail -as far as Vegas. Now it was the day after. ° No longer was there the tramp. of many steeds amid the town-like cluster of — ranch-houses; the laughing voices of the don’s caballeros as they fraternized with the Duke’s employees were stilled; the shrill chatter of the women had passed; the thump of many hoofs as hunters rode to the chase, or returned from it, lingered only as a memory; and the ~ old Duke, sitting before his great hall, looking listlessly at the pipe which he balanced in his hand, appeared de- - pressed and in no mood for speech. ¥ Near him, in silent reverie, chairs tilted back against the ranch-house wall, were Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok. Roy Bean, better known as Old Law West of the Pecos, and Nick Nomad, the scout’s trapper pard, had saddle leather between their knees and were hunting excitement somewhere among the hills, up or down the Cimarron. Little Cayuse, the scout’s Piute pard, to- gether with the scout’s Apache trailers, Yuppah, Chappo, -and Pedro, were fraternizing with the Utes under Chief Swift Wind, among the lodges by the river. The Duke was a friend of the Utes, and there were always many of them at his ranch, living upon his bounty. Utes and Apaches were friends and traditional allies, so it was but natural that the scout’s trailers and the braves of Swift Wind should herd together. Buffalo Bill’s thoughts were running far afield. In that place, sitting with the Duke of Cimarron as were he and Wild Bill, had often sat Kit Carson, of reverenced memory, Uncle Dick Wooton, Baptiste Brown, of the Sheetskadee, and all the others who had contributed to the glory and history of the Old Santa Fé Trail. Suddenly the Duke drew a long breath, straighténed in his chair, scratched a “‘fire-stick” and trailed it over ‘the bowl of his pipe. “I’m going to sell out, friends,” said he, “before many bhi oventisy eevee moons. » All my seven hundred one fifty thousand dollars is the price. That’s a power of money to have all in one bunch.” “What are you pene. to do with it, Duke: r apes the scout. — ‘He shook his shage ey iron-gray hee in answer to the. question. “Where are you going, “Duke. when you ae New Mexico?” asked Wild Bill. “New York, I reckon,” was the reply. “I want to see what the East looks like. Paquita will go to Sonora before long and be happy there. This place will be lone- some without her, and so I reckon I’ll point for the At- - lantic. The girl has lived here all her life,’ went on the Duke, after a period of thought, restless—same as I am: To-morrow she travels to Santa Fé for a visit with friends, and “What’s this outfit coming up the road?” interrupted Wild Bill. “Chinks, by gorry'!’ The scout and the Duke lifted their eyes and ran a Lele look along the Trail.. A hundred yards off, coming ap from the Cimarron crossing, were two travelers on sorry-looking mules. and they. were muzzled with old bridles, patched with pieces: of rope. The Chinamen wore slouch-hats, secured to their heads by ‘buckskin thongs tied: under the chin, They were swarthy of hue, each had blue goggles perched on his nose and a long queue hanging in front over one shoul- der. Their silken blouses and baggy trousers were dust- covered. There were no stirrups to their saddles, and their legs hung awkwardly, straw sandals drooping ‘from the soles of their fect and held on only by their toes. Behind each of the travelers, at the saddle-cantles, was bound a canvas roll. They presented a ludicrous sight as they fluttered to- ward the main ranch building, their skinny mounts sham- bling along with heads down and long ears. flapping. The Duke laughed, . | “Well, well!’ said he, “It’s not often I have callers like; those fellows. Maybe they’re looking‘ for jobs. N ow, af,they can cook “AT Chinks are good in the kitchen,” interposed Wild Bill. “First time I ever saw Chinamen with goggles,” Buffalo Bill. Drawing their horses to a stop in front of the three white men, the Chinamen dismounted. “You lettee Chinamen stay allee night at ranch?” asked one, instinctively picking out the Duke as the owner. of the place and addressing him. “['ll keep you here all the time,” replied the Duke, “if you can cook; twenty dol’ a month, Savvy?” “No wanchy job, ” replied the. Chinaman, “Chinamen makee go by Denver. Wanchy stay allee night at ranch.” ae Well, 1 eekon. vou can stay, disappointed. | “No gottee mon,’ went on the Chinaman. we makee li'l show, payee for stay, huh?” Always on the. lookout’ for something novel, the ie was instantly on the qua vive for sport. “Makee show, eh?” he: laughed. AM neue John. . Go ahead and let’s see what ro ve Boe: up: that wide sleeve said 99 said the Duke, a little “Mebbyso of yours.” The mules were: ted off to one side, and the Chana ) BILL land but ‘he homestead is going, and “and she’s getting | Shabby saddles were on the mules, STORIES. die. had a doing on talking took the canvas roll from behind his saddle. _ Coming closer to the Duke and the others he salaamed. “Me Wun Yip,” said he.” Lows os le — Wun Yip and Sing Low,” grinned Wild Bill. “Not a bad combination, pards, for a peaceable pair of Chinks.” Be “Him good comblation,” opening his bundle. The contents of the bundle were somewhat startling, being composed of nothing more nor less than a dozen double-edged bowie knives, heavy-handled, sharp-pointed and keen as razors. _“The-plot thickens,” laughed the Duke. “What> are you going to do with all that hardware, Wun Yip?” “You watchee,” answered the Chinaman mysteriously. Picking up the knives he began to juggle with them, first. with two, then with three, then with four. Sing Low, at the proper moment, took a hand in the game, juggling four of the knives just as his companion did. Then, still throwing the knives in the air, the Celestials separated to a distance of about fifteen feet and, facing each other, began throwing the blades back and forth ina glittering stream. Certainly it was good juggling, but nothing extra- ordinary. When the “Chinam en stopped, the knives rose in the air and fell, points down, into the®earth, four in front of each man. Wild Bill jumped up with a laugh, - sCome on, Pard Cody,” he cried, with boyish eager- ness. “By gorry, we won't take a back seat, in this bowie practise, for any two Chinks top-side the turk.” Buffalo Bill yielded to his friend’s request, and they immediately duplicated the Chinmen’s trick and kept the eight knives in the air in exactly the same way and giving fully as finished a performance. ° _ The old. Duke clapped his hands. “Bravo!” he cried. do, you and Hickok? By thunder, you seem able to tackle anything.”’ ve re pretty well up on any se with knives aa guns,” answered the scout diffidently. The Chinamen had stood iene on passively, ee hands pushed into their flowing sleeves. As soon as the two pards had returned to their’ chairs, Wun Yip mo- tioned to Sing Low. Instantly Sing Low walked to a cottonwood tree, stand- ing about twenty feet away, and flattened himself against the trunk. It was a big tree, and a wide strip of trunk» < was visible all around Sing Low as he backed oy it with folded arms. Wun Yip picked up all the knives and held them in the crook of his left arm. Then, taking one between the fingers of his right hand, he flung it upward by the blade. A swiit poise, the knife flashed, jumped through the air like a glittering streak and clung shivering to the tree withine an inch of Sing Low’s leit knee. After that, knife followed knife in swift succession until all twelve - the bowies were in the tree, framing the sey of nine Ow... Once more the Dulce at ptaided, while Sing Low, step- ping out from the mesh of bowie-knives,' plucked blade after blade from the cottonwood and threw them back. As fast as a knife was returned to him, Wun Yip laid it on the ground with the others, so that, presently, all oes “Othel China boy him Sing said Wun Nip; untying and ia “COdy, 4 1S there anything on ae 7 1 Nor as raat aes eT were ina meat pile. Then, with a wily smile, he stepped apart, looked at Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill and pushed his hands into his sleeves. “Fine!” exclaimed Wild Bill, getting up, “but this ain't the day the‘king of scouts and his pard takes a back seat for the Orientals.” ~ “Good work, that,” observed the scout, “and particu- larly good when we reflect that Wun Yip worked with” those goggles in front of his eyes.” “They killed. the bright sunshine and helped him,” averred the Duke. “Borrow his goggles, Cody.” “T’m not used to them,” said the scout, “so we'll give our performance just as we are.” The nonchalant Hickok had backed himself calmly up to the tree and stood waiting. There was a smile on his lips and a cigarette between his teeth. ees The king of scouts, gathering up the armful of bowies, poised himself for the first throw. The knife rose, then was suddenly caught in mid-air, afd the scout whirled angrily on Wun Yip. ‘ The Chinaman leaped back, in consternation, and the Duke, bewildered and surprised, jumped to his feet. CHAPIER tf, MYSTERIOUS ACTIONS. “What do you mean?’ thundered the scout angrily. “Are you trying to make me throw a knife into my pard?’ “No savvy,’ whimpered the Chinaman. “Why you makee such talk ?” “What’s to pay, Pard Cody?” shouted Wild Bill. “Yes,” echoed the Duke, “that’s what I want to know.” “Hold your head like that, Wun Yip,” ordered the scout. “Don’t you move by so much as a hair’s breadth, now, or I'll puncture you. Duke,’ he added, turning to Maxwell, “look at that spot of light on the shaded wall of the house.” 3 The Duke looked. A point of sunlight was reflected’ upon the wall, as from a mirror. “What causes that?” asked the Duke. : “Wun Yip’s goggles,” returned the scout. “The light catches them and is reflected. Just as I was about to let the knife go in Wild Bill’s direction, that spot of light was in my eyes. Query: Did the Chink do it purposely, or was it an accident?” “No savee me makee light,” cried the Chinaman, in a spasm of protest. : ‘it might: have been am accident,’ anyhow.” “Me standee this place,” went on Wun Yip, and took up his position a little behind the scout. ,Even though the casting of the reflected light into the scout’s eyes was an accident, the narrowness of Wild Bill’s escape was a fact. Had the scout not been quick to hold his hand, the blade would have sped, perhaps to wound or kill. ; - Nevertheless, the iron nerve-of the king of scouts was unshaken, and Wild Bill, laughing carelessly, once more flattened against the tree-trunk. Bs Then sped the knives in one, two, three regularity, swift as so many flashes, and as quick as the scout could throw up his right hand. With the steel, he worked Hickok-into a perfect tan- THE BUFFALO - I said the Duke. — “We'll have to give Wun Yip the benefit of the doubt, waned to a close. BILE SPOS , a 3 gle of hilts. He had improved on Wurf Yip’s trick, for each blade struck the tree at an angle so that the hilt inclined over Wild Bill’s body. When the last knife was thrown, Hickok was penned against the tree by the han- ; dies, unable to move until they were removed. And not a point had so much as pierced his clothing! The old. Duke’s applause was loud and long, “King of scouts, king of horsemen, king of everything, by Jupiter, that has to do with the plains and the moun- tains,” he roared enthusiastically. “How I wish old Kit . Carson was alive to see this!’ The scout drew the knives, and, walking back with Wild Bill, dropped them silently in front of Wun Lips “Any more tricks in your bag, Charley?” grinned Wild Bill. 2 “No gottee alle mo’,” quavered the Celestial, and held up his hands. They were shaking. “Me gettee heap seare,’ he added. ‘Allee same ‘flaid Buff’ Bill takee Scalp. : Wild Bill laughed. & “Hadn’t ought to lose your nerve thataway, just on account of an accident,” said he. “The show was a good one,” observed the delighted Duke, “and you boys can stay here for the night.” Putting his fingers to his lips, he blew a signal. A (Mexican appeared around the corner of the ranch-house, “Take these Chinamen, Manual,’ ordered the Duke, in ‘Spanish, “and give them plenty to eat and quarters for the night. Just see that they don’t run off with any- te thats ale Pe eS Wun Yip was rolling up his knives. While he was about that, Sing Low had stepped to the mules and taken them in tow. Presently, when Manuel had received his orders and beckoned to the Chinamen, they followed him without a word. The scout watched them disappear around the corner in silence. “A queet pair,’ remarked the Duke. ‘They seem to be juggling their way to Denver. Wonder what’s their business there?” “Pass the ante,” said Wild Bill. “A Chink’s a queer fish, and there’s no telling where he wants to swim, or why. What do you think of that pair, Pard Cody?” “They're a mystery,’ answered the scout. “I think they'll bear watching.” “But I’m positive, Cody,” asserted the Duke, “that that flash from the goggles was an accident.” “Maybe.” “Why should the Chink want you to knife Hickok?” “Give it up. If it was an accident, then it’s one of those unfortunate accidents that might have given me a - whole lot to regret.” The episode was well-nigh forgotten as the afternoon Toward the supper-hour, old Nomad and Old Law rode in.with a couple of deer across their saddles. After they had put out their horses and ducked themselves in a water-tub, they joined the Duke, the scout, and the Laramie man. The Duke, in sociable mood, nar- rated the event of the afternoon. ‘Nomad chuckled and cast an admiring glance at the scout when informed how he and Wild Bill had met the Chink’s skill at every point, but he frowned savagely — when told of the flash of light from Wun Yip’s goggles. “Mebbyso ther Chink didn’t mean no harm, amigos,’ said he, “but one o’ them rat-eaters ain’t ter be depended on, no time. They’re plumb heathen, an’ trickier’n a ¢ white tinhorn. Waal, ” he added -jubilantly, ‘Bean an’ me got er couple o’ bucks, anyways, an’ I sartinly en- joyed bushwhackin’ in ther scrub. How long, Buffler, afore we hit ther trail an’ begin doin’ things w rath while: a “You're not to leave this finch for a long time,” inter posed the Duke decisively. “‘Why, man, all the com- fort I get out of life comes from entertaining my friends. This ranch would be dull enough if you weren’t here. If it’s excitement you want, Nomad, I'll try and satisty ou.’ “Ve’re a fine ole rawhide, Duke,” said Nomad, “ ye couldn’t treat us better efewe was kings. But I like ter feel as though I was of some ercount, savvy? All this fiesta bizness hez been like er play-spell ter me. However, I reckon we'll hang out hyar fer a while yit. Only I wisht ye’d hev ther Utes go on ther war-path an’ try ter skelp us, er some leetle thing like thet. It ‘u’d ginger up ther sitiwation.” - “You're as full of ue as a coconut is of rae ” said the Duke. Just then the bape iea blew and they all got up and repaired to the great hall where the Duke enter- tained his guests at table. His generous board was al- ways set for thirty, and that afternoon there were few chairs unoccupied around the table. who came and stayed at the ranch for months at a time, always royally welcomed and entertained, without price. The Duke urged every one to come, and when they were there he urged them to stay. The women of his household had their own apartments, and kept them. The Utes and other redskins! herded by themselves, and the two Chinamen were given sep- arate quarters and provided with a table of their own. The table-service in the great hall was of solid silver, the meals substantial beyond the wildest dreams of a frontiersman, and all the waiting vas done by Mexican boys. Following supper, the Duke and his friends smoked. away several hours and indulged in reminiscences of the past, when the Old Trail had figured in deeds of ‘blood and plunder... That day, happily, was passing, and - before many years the iron horse would cover the ground now plodded over by the mule-teams of Santa Fé traders. Before the scout went to bed that night he took a turn about the quarters given over to Wun Yip and Sing Low. Suspicion of the yellow men had risen in- stinctively within him, and he could not reason it away. There were all of five hundred whites, Mexicans, half- breeds, and Indians in the Duke’s employ, and what two lone Chinamen could accomplish against such a force was problematical. All was quiet about the lodgings of the yellow men, and the scout finally sought his place and crawled into his blankets. The night passed in dreamless slumber, and when the scout arose next maerning and joined the Duke at the stables, the latter greeted him with a laugh. “The Chinks,” said the Duke, “didn’t wait to say oe by, Cody.” “They're gone?” returned the scout, with an inesnibas ble feeling of relief: “That’s the way of it, and they must’ have taken an eatly start, mules, bowies and all) That Wun Yip is a clever yellow boy. I wish I could have got him to stay . | here and take charge of the kitchen. As a matter of fact, I was planning to offer him a aot price, but he hasn’t given me the chance.” THE BUFFALO to Santa fe: There were guests ° “Tt’s just as well, perhaps,” said the scout. ; In the Duke’s stables was every sort of vehicle known to the day and age. A lumbering Concord coach for state occasions, mountain-wagons for rough trips, buck- boards for swift journeys, Conestoga vans for freight- “ing, and sulkys for breaking in the thoroughbreds. now the Duke was superintending the overhauling of the — Just Concord coach. “The coach,” he Aone ‘is going to také Paquita She starts this morning with an armed guard of my best Mexicans. I want you and your pards, Cody, to stay at the ranch until she gets back.” “Well,” said the scout, “if she isn’t gone too long I think we could stay. You make it very pleasant for us here, Duke, and we should like to prolong our sojourn at the ranch, but I’m in the employ of the government, you know, and am on waiting orders. I and my pards may have to jog on at any time. For a week or so, however, so long as®we are able to fol llow our ‘own in- clinations, you can count on us: to remain.’ As they walked toward the house, Buffalo Bill was still thinking of the two Chinamen.. Th actions were mysterious, ‘and he could not rid his mind of the fact that they had visited the ranch for no good purpose. In the end, this surmise proved ¢ correct. CHAPTER 111. STARTLING NEWS. Buffalo Bull, and the Apaches had arrived at Maxwell’ s ranch on the Cimarron several days prior to the opening of this chroni- — cle. A man called Texas Kid had stolen a bag of pearls from Old Law and had rushed to the Duke for pro- tection, telling a story calculated to win the Duke’s sym- pathy. Texas Kid, at one time, had saved the Duke's life, and the Duke was always loyal to his friends. Ac- cepting Kid’s story, the owner of the ranch would listen to nothing against him, and ‘suffered the scout and his pards to remain at the ranch only on condition that. they would leave Texas Kid alone. Biding his time, 'the scout, by Spartan methods, proved to the Duke that Kid was trying to abduct Paquita, the Duke’s daughter, and proved it so conclusively that Maxwell turhed against Kid and sent him from the ranch, under guard.* With the Texan, at this time, were four border ruf- fians—a white teamster named Thompson, a one-eyed Mexican, a half-breed, and a slim, undersized greaser a who appeared to have but little heart in Kid’s criminal work, All five were taken beyond the ranch borders and cast adrift. got rid of them for good and all. The upshot of the affair with Texas Kid was the birth of a lasting friendship between the scout and his pards and the Duke of Cimarron. Following breakfast, the morning after the flight of. the Chinamen, there was a bustle of ‘activity and prepara- tion about the ranch which nearly RUprOsc se the gay times of the festa. *T his taconite was set forth in No. 406 of the ee BILL Stories, under the title, oe Bill’s ‘Fiesta’ ; or, At Outs with the Duke of Cimarron.” ; & Nick Nomad, Wild Bill, Bean, Cayuse, The Duke was fain to believe he had Six horsemen+the pick of the Duke's Mexicans— were bridling and saddling, overhauling guns and ma- king ready to act as escort for the fair “Paquita. Four strong mules were being put to the coach. When the coach was at the door, and the escort mounted and waiting, servants came bearing a trunk from the house. This was put into the boot. Directly afterwatd Paquita, accompanied by her duenna, appeared, pausing to say farewell to Buffalo Bill and ‘his friends and to kiss her father good-by. one Pir, daughter of the Duke and Ysabel Beaubein, whe at her marriage with the Duke had brought him the immense tract of land as a gift from her father, Don Carlos, was the most beautiful Mexicana the scout had’ ever seen. She had large, lustrous black eyes, a perfect face after the Spanish type, and a slender, well-rounded figure. Frankly she stepped to the scout and gave him her hand, thanking him prettily for favoring her father’s house with his presence. As a rule, Spaniards, and Mex- icans Of Spanish eXtraction, rather overdo their. polite- ness, but there was no doubting the genuineness of the: . feeling which underlay the seforita’s words. The scout made her a chivalrous reply, and she passed _ -on to Nomad, to Wild Bill, and so on to all of the scout’s -pards, not forgetting Little Cayuse. For her father she had a warm embrace and kiss, and the fine old ranchero assisted her into the coach, and then turned to help the buxom duenna. To lend a touch of humor to the parting—a parting to which swiftly approaching events were to add a tragic significance—the duenna slipped at the carriage door, toppled backward upon the Duke, and both fell sprawling. A ripple of laughter came from within the coach, and ut was echoed by all the others, excepting the miffed duenna. The Duke enjoyed the awkward mishap in hearty fashion, assisting the sour-faced duenna to her feet and depositing her with great care in the vehicle beside Paquita. “That means bad luck, padre mio,” laughed Paquita. AVM warrant the bad luck not to come on account of that, nina,’ smiled the Dyke, closing the door. “All ready, Tadeo, ” he added, to the driver ‘of the coach, step- ping back. ' Tadeo gathered up his lines, snapped his whip, and the mules started, Paquita leaning through the coach door to flutter her. handkerchief, and the horsemen falling in behind, two and two. ae They. made a brave show as they trotted away, the . Silver-mounted harness flashing and jingling, and the trappings of the vaqueros sparkling in the sunshine. “There’s not a ranch in the Southwest, amigos,” the old Duke proudly, ‘ But Paquita, ” he added fondly, * times over. From the front of the big ranch-house the Duke, the scout and the rest could watch the cavalcade strike into the Old Trail and disappear over the crest of the high bank of the Cimarron to the south. They. could hear, too, the splashing of the horses in the ford. Presently the sounds died away, and Paquita, fated to have many disagreeable adventures before she saw her father again, was well on the road to Santa Fe. “She’s the apple of the old Duke’s eye,” Maxwell, taking his accustomed chair and rolling a pipe- . ful of tobacco between his palms. “Only a few weeks said ‘is worth it ally a feet THE BUFFALO BILL STOR ES. ‘could fix-up a neater turnout. ‘that ‘drew the coach!” remarked © more, now, wed che will be ae off like that with fae don, never to come back to her id padre again.’ A mistiness rose in his eyes and his voice erew husky. “Carramba!”’ he laughed, shaking his wide shoulders and reaching for his pipe, “you'll think me a sentimental old fool, Cody, if I keep on. What shall we do to-day, amigos? A hunt? A ride up into the Raton Moun- tains? A gallop: over the range with the vaqueros? It is for you to say.’ “I’m hungry fer b’ar-meat,’ remarked Nomad. “I reckon ef I could come hand ter paw with er grizzly, er a cinnamon, I’d be plumb satersfied.” All were agreeablysinclined to the old trapper’s nee tion, but the scout was not for hurrying. “There’s plenty of time to make a start, pards.” said he. “I’m in a mood to sit quiet for an hour or two and then hunt for the rest of the day and all night, 1f Nick’s mind runs that way.” Tt was well for all of them that the scout made this suggestion. Had his inclination not held back on the start, they would have been far afield when the unex- eee happened. After chatting together for upward of an hour, the scout knocked the ashes from his pipe and announced his readiness to saddle-up. Little Cayuse, on the alert for the excitement in pros- ~ pect, went with them to the stables. Bear Paw, the scout’s war-horse, was led out, together with Hide-rack, Nomad’s mount, and the rest of the ani- mals belonging to the scout’s party. Swift Wind had erftountered bear-tracks up the Cimarron, and he was to guide the party and take with him three or four of his warriors. The Apaches, not meaning to be left out of the fun, were making ready their shaggy cayuses. The Duke’s saddle-horse was a thoroughbred of fire and mettle. The old rancher managed him with a mas- ter hand. Riding to the house, the white men in the party procéeded to strap on their weapons and to take their rifles across their saddles. At this moment, when all was in readiness for the departure, Little Cayuse called a halt. “Some one come cross ford,” said he. ten, Pa-has-ka.” Silence followed, and the horsemen strained their ears. “Make um lis- Certainly there was a great splashing of water, and it came from the direction of the Cimarron. The high, intervening bank shut the river from sight, so that it was impossible | to see who was coming. “The man’s in a hurry, whoever he is, scout. The splashing ceased, only 6 be followed by a. thud of galloping hoofs, ascending the bank and swiftly ap- proaching. ~ All eyes fixed themselves on the point where the rutted Trail crossed the river-bank. Presently a mule, lathered with sweat, came charging over the crest and made frantically toward the stables. He wore a bridle and scraps of harness were clinging to him. One trace hung downward and writhed about his legs as he galloped. “Dios mio!’ gasped the Duke. “It’s one of the mules 9 observed the There was no doubt about that. A thrill of appre- hension ran through the nerves of every man in ‘the party. Setting spurs. to Bear Paw, the scout galloped forward, headed off the mule, and caught the bridle. 6 2 The rest of the horsemen crowded around, while Wild Bill slipped from his saddle and picked“up the trace. “Not broken,” said he, looking up; “cut.” “Cut?” echoed the Duke dazedly. “That’s what’s the matter, Duke,” returned: old Law, bending down from his saddle to look at the trace-end. “Some one has cut the mule loose from the coach.” “That means, amigos,’ said the Duke, brushing a hand across his eyes, “that means i He stopped huskily, his. fine old face growing pale with the awful suggestion his reason gave him, “It means, Duke,” cried Wild Bill, “that the coach has been stopped, somewhere south’of the Cimarron.” “And that,’ shouted the Duke, wild with his fears, “my girl, Paquita, has been robbed or killed!” He turned his ashen face to the scout. “If you can help me, Cody,” he finished, “do it now!” : “Don’t give up hope, Duke,” flung back the scout, already racing for the Old Trail. “Matters may not be as bad as you imagine. . The thing for us to do is to get to the coach as soon as we can and find out just what has happened.” With face sternly set, the Duke charged after Buffalo Bill; and, behind him, Nomad, Hickok: ‘Bean, Swift Wind, Little Cayuse, the Apaches and the Utes rolled in a fierce tide. Only one thought was uppermost in the minds of whites and redskins alike, and that was to dis- cover what had gone wrong and to do their best to right the trouble, whatever it was. If harm had befallen Paquita, vo poe punish ere who had caused it. CHAPTER TV; A TRAGEDY (OF PTHE, TRATL, Bear Paw would not show a white flag to the best thoroughbred on hoofs, and he continued to fod Parasca: the Duke’s mount, into the Cimarron, and across. Hide- rack was pressing Tarasca closely, and Wild “Bill and Old Law were spurring and slashing to keep ahead of the horde behind. Navi, Little Cayuse’s pinto, could have shown his heels to all theeother Indian mounts, but the Piute was staying with his Apaches. The dark eyes of Apaches and Utes glittered savagely. The Duke was their.friend, and they realized that this bitter blow was leveled at him. His battle, no matter what it was, would be theirs. Beyond the Cimarron two more mules were encoun- tered, chasing frantically back toward the ranch and turn- ing from the trail to give the slashing horsemen a wide berth. Like the mule that had already reached the ranch, these animals had scraps of harness hanging to them. ~ A groan rushed from the Duke’s lips as he rode. The scout slackened pace a little to let Tarasca come along- side of Bear Paw. “Keep a good heart, amigo,” said he. “Wait until you know your daughter has been injured before you fret about it.” - “Who could have done this?” answered the Duke. “Those six men of the escort were the bravest on the ranch. What were they doing while the mules were being cut away from the coach?” “Giving a good account of themselves, We'll find out all about it in a short time. no doubt. It hasn’t been "(THE BUFFALO ‘Duke; BILL STORIES. much more than an hour and a half since the coach left the ranch. We can’t be many miles from the place where the trouble happened.” He peered ahead. “Ah!” he exclaimed, “here comes a rider—one op the vaqueros. Now we'll begin to get at the facts.” - “It’s Miguel,” announced the Duke, staring. “He’s wounded, Cody. See, he can hardly keep in the saddle,” As they came closer they could see that Miguel’s face was reddened by a flow from his temples. His hat was gone and he was spurring like mad. He must have been bewildered, for he tried to ihe . éver the scout and on through the ranks of the riders, The Duke, leaning forward, jerked Tarasca to a quick halt and erabbed at the bit of Miguel’s horse. “Miguel!” he shouted. “What ails you, man! It’s I, Maxwell Tell me what’s happened, and be quick about it.” Miguel dropped the reins he was sholding, clutched at his high pommel to keep from falling, and with one hand dashed the blood from his eyes. “Senor!” he exclaimed feebly; redskins 0 And with that he lurched forward ale the Duke's. arms, unconscious. “Turn him over. to Swift Wind, Duke, ” counseled the scout, «“and well ride on, Swift Wind was sent aside, with another of the Utes, to look after Miguel, revive him, and take him back to. the tanch. The rest of the party pounded — on. A mile farther and they came upon a horse, impaled by an arrow, lying beside the trail. saddle and was just breathing its last. “This grows worse and worse, Cody, Duke, between. his clenched teeth, as they 92. galloped on. “The vaquero who rode that horse must have been shot _ a yi The horse, wounded as he was, kept — out of the saddle. on toward the ranch.” But, in this, the Duke was wrong. Half.a mile be- yond the dying horse they,came upon a vaquéro, his right hand roughly bandaged and thrust into the pe of his -shirt. He was making his way along the trail at a ebiewen ing walk. At sight of the approaching riders he stopped, sank down on the ground, and waited. “What is it, Adan?” demanded the Duke, in Spanish, as he and ie scout drew rein. “Nombre de Dios!” breathed the vaquero. Duke, “but he fainted before he could tell us what hap- pened. Quick—tell us Fy yume. “We did what we could. sefor,’ went on Adan. horse was struck; he threw me and galloped off. Then I was hit, and when T’'came to myself I was through the pass and walked toward the Cimarron.” “Paquita!” thundered the Duke. “What of her: ” - Adan shook his head. “No sabe,’ he answered. Another Ute was left with Adan, and the rest of the horsemen rode on. “We’ re not far from the pass now,’ muttered the “we'll know all, all, quicker, maybe, than I care to, = “the Chinamen—the ~ Pie brite bere a muttered the | : “The coach (@ was surrounded in the pass, sefor, when we were halfi- % | -way through. Chombo- was killed at the first fire, and ‘Miguel was shot at the second round Z “Miguel is on his way to the ranch,” interrupted the “My ; ‘ he breathed. “Then let him return the) chief’s horses which he stole, and let him give back the two Cheyennes who have been slain. Then my young men will spare his life. Ask him, Pa- has-ka, how long it will be before Lone Wolf and Texas Kid make their attack on the village.’ Buffalo Bill turned the question into Spanish and put it to the prisoner. The man could not answer. All he could say was that he ee the attack would be made very soon. ‘Ugh! srunted Vi-po-nah, listening to the. squeal and tramp of ponies surging into the camp, “I thought that much. Our horses are being brought in and the camp put in readiness for defense. Let Lone Wolf come with his white dog. He will find that we are ready for him.” A squaw entered the lodge at that juncture, bringing a kettle of steaming meat. This was set down in front of the under chief and His guests. Without ceremony: they drew their knives and dipped into the kettle. The Mexican watched them hungrily but did not ask - for any of the food. “See if the Mexican coyote knows how many warriors Lone Wolf and Texas Kid have with them,” went on - Vi-po-nah between mouthfuls. The scout made the inquiry. “Senor,” replied the Mexican, “there have oe some losses, but I should say that there are forty braves with Lone Wolf and Texas Kid. Did the chief say he would Spare me, Buffalo Bill?”, Before the scout could tunslate the Mexican’s reply into Cheyenne for Vi-po-nah, there came a distant: clatter of firearms followed py a hubbub of yells and cries in the camp. The prisoner with a gasp doubled forward and slid limply along the buffalo robe on which he was sitting Vi-po-nah leaped to his feet with a hair-raising whoop and flung himself clear of the lodge. Nomad also jumped up, but the scout reached forward to turn the Mexican over-and learn the cause of his abrupt collapse. He had been shot. “His own compadres did et, Buffler,” cried Nomad, pointing to a round hole in the skin wall of the teepee. “Thar’s whar ther bullet come in. Lone Wolf an’ Kid must be shootin’ up ther camp from ther hills.’ The scout snatched his rifle and rushed from the THE BUFFALO “CHAPTER Xi: FIGHTING WITH THE CHEYENNES. The village was in wildest disorder.” Squaws and children were being rushed toward the timber where a bullet-proof barricade had been hastily constructed for — them. The horses had already been tethered in the timber on the other side of the bend, and sharp-shooters were posted in the immediate vicinity of both the women’ and the live-stock to fend off a charge 1 in those tae tions, From the crest of the hills west of the band a brisk fire was being kept up by the enemy, stones on the pees the red riflemen were able to rake the camp. Vi-po-nah had ordered a charge in the hope that a bold assault would drive the enemy from the hills. The under chief himself led the rush, facing bravely a wither- ing hail of lead, The scout, Nomad and Cayuse ran to take their nae in the red ranks, but whirled about to meet another fire that suddenly opened from across the creek, Lone Wolf and Texas Kid had again divided their force. Part of the renegades, crossing the creek far below the camp, had skulked up on the other side. The wily leaders of the renegades, foreseeing that a charge would be made to clear the hills west of the village, had posted this second force in such a position that it could charge into the encampment as the Cheyennes rushed out of it. Too late Vi-po-nah and his braves retired the cunning of their opponents. So far as the Cheyennes were con- cerned the move would have been attended by complete success, for not enough warriors had been left in the village to protect the women and children and the horses and to stem the tide that was ae across the creek from the east. It remained for Buffalo Bill, old Nomad and Little Cayuse to jump into the breach, unlimber their repeating ‘rifles and drive the Pawnees, Kiowas, and renegade Cheyennes back. : Posting thentselves behind the willows and cotton- woods, the three pards poured in a galling fire, causing the Indians to waver in mid-stream and then to retreat pell-meil. | Vi-po-nah and the others, driven back into the village by their entrenched foes on the hill-tops, would have found themselves crushed and beaten by the other de- tachment of warriors, had not the pards by their quick work saved the day. The warriors returning from the hills jumped for the timber. There, screening themselves by the tree-trunks, they loaded their guns and returned their enemy’s fire. “This hyar is er blame’ poor place fer a camp, Buf- fler,’’ said the trapper, “ef ther Cheyennes calculate ten Hidden behind. BILL STORIES do any fightin’, A bunch o’ men kin hide out on top” o them thar hills an’ stay thar till doomsday, knockin’ over anybody ee oo oe acrost ther oo ter drive ‘em away.” “What we sient to eae? answered the scout, “is a gang of our own on the other side of those hills, Then Texas Kid’s outfit could be forced into the village and the Cheyennes could take care of them.” “I reckon as long as Vi- a -nah’s outfit keeps ter the timber oe Kid ain’t goin’ ter git much of er bulge on ‘em.’ ; “Since we spoiled that rush across the creek the fight has dwindled into a mere matter of lying low and watching for pot-shots. The village is safe enough, so. long as Vi-po-nah doesn’t get reckless.” “T reckon he won't do thet, arter the way thet charge o’ his fizzled out. He was lucky ter git back without losin’ all the warriors he had. Ef them reds up thar on ther hills had been armed with anythin’ but muzzle- loaders he wouldn't.” é Buffalo Bill, Nomad, and Cayuse were. still guarding © the creek-side of the camp, but there seemed little use for their vigilance as the enemy had yall disappeared from the opposite bank. é “Nick,” said Buffalo Bill, leaning his rifle against a cottonwood, “while Texas Kid and his gang have theit hands so full with this fight, it strikes me this would be a good chance to rescue the prisoners.” By shander! gasped | Nomad, the idea hitting him like an inspiration. “Say, Buffler, thet’s ther thing ter be did. Waugh! Et kain’t be thet Lone Wolf an’ Texas Kid hev much of er gyard with the pris’ners now, an’ We, Us an’ Comp’ny could slip down-stream, work our” way around the renegades an’ inter the hills an’ not hev a soul ter bother us while we was lookin’ eround. mee pard, ther notion’s prime!” : ea ayuse,” said the scout, “go and find Wiiaeagh and tell him to come here.” “Wuh!” answered Cayuse, nuova off, -his eyes gleaming with the prospect of the hazardous work the scout was planning. Vi-po-nah was quickly found and soon presented him-_ Self in front of the scout. oe “My brother,” said Buffalo Bill, “you and your braves have not got a very good position here, but you can at. least keep the renegades from coming down from’ the hills or crossing the creek on this side of the camp. If you can't go to them, neither can they come to you.” “But By staying | “Pa-has-ka has said,” responded the redskin, we have not recovered the chief’s ponies. here we do little but save our camp.” “Listen, Vi-po-nah,”’ proceeded the scout. “While the renegades are fighting so hard their prisoners must be left with but few guards. I and my pards will slip “away from the camp, get into the hills behind the rene- THE BUFFALO gades, perhaps find the prisoners~and rescue them. Is it well?” ? Vi-po-nah was not pleased. ~ _-“Pa-has-ka and his Dats have already saved he ' Cheyennes,” he answered. “We may need you again. If you get out you may not get back.” “There should be three vaqueros with the two cap- tured women,’ continued the scout, unmoved by the head man’s suggestion. “Suppose we release them? Suppose we find arms for them? They, with my pards and myself, will make a force of six. Vi-po-nah, six | white men well armed could drive those renegades off the hills and down into your camp! Then you could fall upon them and kill them or make them surrender. You would, in that case, get back ail the stolen ponies and capture every horse belonging to the renegades.” This talk of the scout’s was a master-stroke. Vi-po- _nah’s breast swelled as he listened and a smoldering glow arose in his eyes. “You can do this, Pa-has-ka?” he demanded: Hit all gees well’ = © “You might fail?” , “Any-one might fail. We might not find the prison- ers, you understand. Even if we did, not, however, we could get back; what’s more, if we did not bring the prisoners with us we might be able to bring the horses The Cheyennes have everything to win and nothing to lose by this move, if we make it.’ If you agree with me that it is a good plan you will have to make the fighting brisk while I and my pards are away, so as to draw the full attention of the renegades; and you will have to send some warriors here to take our places and watch the creek.” _ Vi-po-nah pondered the question for alittle. “Pa-has-ka’s words are good,” said he finally. “I am willing that the plan should be tried. Pa-has-ka and his pards will’leave at once?’ AS as as you send braves to watch this ie of u 1 the camp,” was the scout’s reply. Without speaking further Vi-po-nah turned away and vanished among the trees. his manner, however, which did not escape the pards. Already Vi-po-nah felt that the stolen horses were as good as recovered, and perhaps he was likewise feeling sure of other spoils of war. : Four young braves presently came *back from the firing line to relieve the pards, and the scout, the trapper and the Piute withdrew to consider methods for slipping off down fhe creek without being discovered while®: ma- _king the move. The timber in which they were just then concealed lay along the northern side of the creek bend. This offered an opportunity for getting away on that side, -making their.détour to the north and coming in behind _the renegades from that direction. There was an exultation in BILL STORIES | oe 19 “We can do et with ground ter spare, pard,’ averred Nomad. “Look.at them thar willers. Why, they hang over ther water, along ther bank, so’st we kin almost git clear without doin’ any crawlin’, er wrigglin’.” “But beyond the willows, pard,” said the scout, “is where we're going to be put to it to hide our hands. The timber plays out after we round this curve of the bend.” “Waal, luck ort’ ter shorely be with us,’ returned the trapper. confidently. “When we git ter the end.o’ ther willers, I’m gamblin’ thar’ll be some other chanst bob up thet we kin take advantage of. S’posin’ we mosey erlong as fur as we kin purceed an’ then size up ther < ground layin’ beyond?” This was a good idea and was immediately put into practise. Where the trees overhung the water there was usually space between their trunks and the shore- line for the-pards to walk; where there was no solid ground they waded carefully in order to keep prying ears from overhearing the splash of water. The scout led the way and Nomad followed, Cayuse bringing up the rear. When the scout paused under the last willow he was well to the northward of the encamp- ment, with the river-bank rising into low bluffs, as on the opposite side. Dropping to his knees and ones his. vitle, the scout crawled out from under the protecting foliage and along the foot of the bluffs. The cottonwoods still screened him from the keen-eyed renegades on the west- ern hills. Before he had crawled a dozen yards he came to the mouth of a dry wash, leading into the bluffs. “Nick was right,” he thought jubilantly. “This dry wash, gives us a chance to get north under “cover.” Rising-on his knees the scout looked back and beck- oned to the trapper and the Piute, who were waiting and watching from the screen of the willow. They crawled out at once and tipped into the mouth of the dry wash directly behind Buffalo Bill. “Waugh!” whispered Nomad exultantly. “What did I tell ye Bunter? better ef et had been made ter order.” “Hist!” cautioned the scout, getting to his feet. “Trail after me and keep your eyes peeled. If we're discovered by Texas Kid’s renegades, I reckon you know what it will mean.” Nomad and. Cayuse knew only too well, and they - followed Buffalo Bill warily and kept their eyes flashing | around them. CHAPTER XII. THE NOTCH IN THE WALL, That dry wash with many a’crook and turn led the scout and his pards under safe cover for fully half a mile into the hills. Midway of its length it angled in a direction that had a general trend north-by-west. We couldn’t hev fixed this wash { 20 At cits farther end it gave onto a flat plateau of per- haps an acre in extent. This, of course,.would have had to be crossed at the almost certain risk of discovery. But fortune continued to favor the intrepid pards. A little distance back from the end of the wash the left-hand wall was broken into by an arroyo. The arroyo was bordered by high, narrow banks and pitched due west, cutting through the bolder hills that encircled the plateau. “Fools fer luck, Buffer!” caroled old Nomad. “Fortune is giving us an easy road into trouble, Nick,” commented the scout. “We may not have things so easy when we try to get back. Come on, and don’t fail to remember that we’re getting close to the enemy.” brisk shooting going forward at the bend in the creek. -Vi-po-nah was doing his best with his muzzle-loaders “to keep the renegades busy. Half a mile along the arroyo brought the pards to a queer notch in the south wall. The crevice looked as though it had been chipped out by two angling cuts of The chip apparently had dropped into a slope that led up to the inverted a gigantic axe. the arroyo, forming point of the notch. “T can’t pass without looking that over, scout. “Wait here, Nick, till 1 come down.” From the bed of the arroyo to the inverted tip of the notch could not havé measured more than twenty- five or thirty feet. The scout sprang lightly up the slope, planting his feet firmly on sean stones. Once at the top of the ascent he found himself looking through a V-shaped groove that slanted downward. like a devil’s slide. The descent was an angle of at least forty- five degrees, and the bed of the groove was a gneiss formation and smooth as glass. The scout stood staring at this freak of nature in puzzled wonder. A landslide at some time or other thust have shot down the groove and polished the bottom of it in that slippery fashion. He judged the chute to be at least fifty feet long, - and it seemed to lead through the hill and into a deep barranca. But his speculations about the barranca were all pure guesswork, His view of the lower end of the dip was limited by the V-shaped walls. ' Just as he was about to turn and descend to his wait- ing pards in the arroyo he was Startled by a surprised “Ugh!” coming from above him. Swerving his glance upward he saw a Pawnee perched on the brink of the notch, staring dazedly down at him. The surprise was mutual, but the scout was first to re- cover. Quick as a wink he jerked his rifle to his shoul: der. Then as the open end of the rifle turned in his direc- tion the Pawnee grew intensely alive to his danger. He THE BUFFALO Be his bare hands for weapons. .They trailed off along the arroyo, listening to the % said. the rifle and trying to jerk it away. -any show. He landed in a sitting BILL "STORIES. tried to. throw himself to one side ‘and diseonc i the scout’s aim. \ This manettver bore yneaepented feats, both for the. Pawnee and for Buffalo Bill. The quick jump hurled the Indian off the wall and he plunged down the slope like a human toboggan. TONS ill luck would have it, he collided’ with the scout, swept him off his feet and jammed him against the opposite LoaMeh A drowning man, they say, will clutch at a straw. The Pawnee was not exactly drowning, but he was in desperate plight, nevertheless. His rifle. was on top of the notch-wall, and at that moment he had nothing but Instinctively his arms went around the scout, the scout’s rifle pressed between them and held there by the fierce impact of their bodies. The next moment: their feet shot out from under them, they fell at full length and went tearing down the cleft. They must have been considerably less than. a minute making the descent of the slide. At least the passage was so swift the scout was unable to retain any lucid remembrance of it. About the only part of that hurried trip which he could recollect was shooting out into space at the bottom of the V-shaped spout and landing on the Pawnee on a sand-heap. The Pawnee must have been made of iron, for he was on his feet again almost as quick as he could shake him- self clear of the scout, apparently none the worse for his novel experience. | j | The scout, however, was dard When he corraled is wits he found the Pawnee hanging to the barrel of the Once more the scout clinched with him and they rolled over and over down the side of the sand-heap. As ill luck would have it again, the Pawnee was on top; and, as misfortunes never come singly, another redskin—a Kiowa—showed up and started to his fellow-renegade’s assistance. While these tragic happenings were taking place at the foot of the sand-heap, a wild yell was heard up the slide. but he did know that he would have to be quick if he’ kept the Kiowa from using the knife. Still hanging to the Pawnee, Buffalo Bill met the at- tack of the Kiowa with a vicious kick, striking the red- skin in the pit of the stomach and causing him to double up like a jack-knife.- At thg same instant, old Nomad came whirling out of the end of the chute. - As a specimen of ground and lofty tumbling, the trapper’s exhibition would have proved a top-liner in position, his rifle plunging ‘after him, soaring over his head and plunking - down in the sand, “Whoosh!” gasped Nomad, wagging his shoulders and drawing an uncertain hand across his eyes. “Whar-am — The scottt had no idea what was happening, there, | I? Did some ’un pick up er mounting and hit me with et? Waugh! Am I hyar all in er bunch, er in pieces? - Buffler!’ He cocked his eyes downward, ‘still haAly grasping at the details of his recent experience. ““Thet you, Buffer? Say——, | “Come here, Nick!” ‘shouted the scout. | _ this other redskin!_ Wake up, man!” - ‘The Kiowa had a bad feeling in the pit of his stom- f = ach. ‘There was little doubt about that, because he was holding both hands over his waist-band and wheezing in a wild endeavor to catch his breath. His knife lay on the ground, and his rifle was near it. Nomad, suddenly getting the whip-hand of himself, rolled down the side of the dune. Before he could come anywhere near the Kiowa, however, the latter had whirled about and taken to flight. The trapper would have lumbered after him, but the scout called him back. - A blow with a clubbed revolver had enabled Buffalo Bill to send the Pawnee’s wits wool-gathering. Casting the Indian from him, the scout got up, gathered in his rifle and picked up Nomad’s. “Here, Nick,” said he, “take your gun and come on. ‘When that Kiowa gets back to headquarters and re- ports, things are going to be ney for us, And we haven’t found the prisoners yet.’’ “Take care of hat and shaking the sand out of it. = ther breath plumb out o’ me. iE from, Buffler?” ° a “One was at the top ‘of the slide,” scout, “and the other was down here. the chute with the one at the top.” explained the I came down _ my balance, an’—z-z-zip! hyar I was on ther sand-pile! Tork erbout yer fast oe Say, ee as wasn’t in et with me.’ _ While his old pard talked, Buffalo Bill was une a survey of the situation. a deep seam that cut through the face of the barren hills. The only soft place in the gash was the one where he and Nomad had landed in dropping out of the end of the chute. Sand had dribbled down the slide Stor years, heaping itself up under the end of the spout. Because of the high rocky walls of the gash no winds ever came to disttirb the gathering heap. “Those Indians, Nick,” said the scout, “were certainly here for a purpose. What could that purpose be if not the guarding of the prisoners? The fight is still going on between the Cheyennes and the renegades, and you can gamble your pile Texas Kid isn’t leaving many of his men out of it.” . . “Ye’re right as per us’al, Buffler,” agreed Nomad. “What did ye oe when ye. started ey ee down thet thar- 2 THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. “Snarlin’ hyeners!’ muttered Nomad, picking up his “The way 1 went. skally-hootin’ down thet stretch o’ greased rocks took - Whar’d them Injuns come _ “An’ I climbed up ter see what was keepin’ ye, lost They were in a rocky defile— “Sidetrack that slide for a while, pard,”’ suggested the scout. “We've got other things to think of. Ii Paquita Maxwell is anywhere around here we've got, to find her before the Kiowa carries his news to Texas Kid and Lone Wolf. We'll go this way. There’s a sharp turn a dozen feet ahead, and we may find some- thing worth while when we get around it.” _ “Shore,” assented the trapper. “We kain’t be so very fur from the hill-top whar Kid an’ his gang airé rounded up an’ blazin’ erway at the Cheyennes. Thet’s ther way I figger et, although I’m some mixed as ter directions on account o’ ther dizzy way | slipped inter this hyar place an’ landed on thet sand. Reckon I made er pictur’, all right. How many times did I] turn over before I hit ground, right side up? Did ye hev time ter count——” “Pass that, Nick,’ called the scout over his shoulder. “Give your attention to our surroundings, for we're on dangerous ue A. shot Lae leap at us from the walls any minute.” Just then Buffalo Bill reached the angle of the defile and turned it, passing from the trapper’s sight. Nomad heard a shout, then a wild cry in a woman’s voice. Thoroughly aroused and hardly understanding what had happened, he lost. no time in rounding the turn him- self, ; ie CHAPTER XIII. THE PRISONERS. Around the angle of the defile the wall on one side jutte® out into a broad overhang. Under this overhang there was a snug retreat, and within it old Nomad saw the scout bending overt the form of Paquita Maxwell and carefully removing the ropes ae bound her hands be- hind her. ’ The girl was sitting erect on a boulder, and not only were her hands bound, but her feet as well. Next to Paquita, and bound in a similar way, was the duenna. She wag sobbing hysterically at the pros- pect of rescue from their captors, and she it was who had given the ery which the trapper had heard. “Lay hold here, Nick,’ called Buffalo Bill. “We must get the ladies released in short order and remove them to safer quarters. Unlash the duenna.” Paquita, although the appearance of the scout and the trapper must have removed a heavy load from her shoulders, was controlling herself admirably. “T felt sure that some one would come for us, sefor,” she was saying, in liquid Spanish. “Luisa had almost given up hope, but I kept telling her that my father would move heaven and earth to get us back. You believe me now, don’t you, Luisa?” she called, turning her head toward the duenna. “Madre mia,’ wailed the duenna as the trapper worked at her bonds, “but our experience has been ter-r-rible. I THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. would not \live over tlfe last two days for all the gold Cortez took from Old Mexico. Those wretched savages! They'll haunt my dreams for years, I know they will!” The duenna’s voice subsided in a dribble of. tears. “Don’t be in sich er takin’, mum,” soothingly. “Ye’re all right, an’ thar’s a hull lot o’ good times ahead o’ ye. Thar, yer hands aire loose; now I’H cut the ropes from. your feet.” When he had stooped down and run a knife-blade through the cords at* her ankles, the frantic duenna caught him on the rise and smotHered him in her ample embrace. Nomad struggled to escape, but the duenna was strong and clung to him like a leech. “My preserver!’’ she blubbered; “my dear, good Sefior Nomad, I shall never forget what you have done for me this day. But for you I should have been slain and scalpéd.” “Temme loose,” puffed Nomad, “er I’ll begin ter wish I hadn’t interfered with ther Injuns.” Paquita went to the trapper’s aid, and the duenna transferred her embraces from him to the girl. Nomad drew off, fanning himself with his hat. “Thet was wuss than carromin’ down thet slide,” he confided to the scout. “Did ye ever see “anythin? like the way she laid a-holt o’ me? *Twas plumb scandalous!” Old Nomad was highly indignant. In other circum- stances the scout might haye enjoyed the incident, but just then there was too much danger threatening them. The scout and the trapper now had a double responsibil- ity. Not only must they save themselves, but they must protect the two ladies from harm or recapture. “Senor! called a man’s voice from farther along the ‘overhang. “The vagueros, Sefior Cody,” said the girl; “they are here with us and) we must not go away without them.” The vagueros, each securely bound, were lying flat — on the ground. The scout and the trapper freed them quickly, and they got up and began rubbing their be- numbed limbs. “Carramba!t”’ murmured one, “I: was not looking for this. I was expecting to be led out for torture by those Savages) . “And I, Jorge,” chimed in a second. “For once, my friend, our cups were right side up when it rained.” “Let us not forget,” spoke up the third man, “that we owe our rescue to Buffalo Bill. lives, compadres.” called the “We've “Your lives are not yet saved, amigos,’ scout, happening to overhear the last remark. got to skip out of this defile before Texas Kid gets How were you here with some of his renegades. brought in?” “Over the wall on the east,” said the man Ccalied Jorge. “I can take you to the place, Buffalo Bill.” said the old trapper , He has saved our | “Bueno! Lead off, Jorge, and move with speed.” The duenna, clinging to Paquita’ s arm, was still bab- bliné and sniffing. ae mina,’ she whimpered, “this, is too Le to be true.” . “Waugh!” grunted Moma in an aside to Buffalo Bill, ‘ef she keeps on like thet I’ll be thtakin’ et’s too true ter be good. The fat lady acks like she was plumb locoed.”’ “She has been through a very trying experience, No- mad,” Sous: the scout dryly, ‘and it aoe of got on her nerves” : : : “Then why ain’t et on Pa s narves, too? Shucks! Some’ wimmen ’u’d make a preacher say things.” Buffalo Bill hurried forward and nee alongside Jorge. “dow. tan beyorid that sand-pile,” he asked, “is the place where you came into this ie over the east wall?” “A hundred rods, it might be, sevor,” was the answer. Already the scout and Jorge had turned the angle and had the sand-pile in front of them. Nomad fol- lowed behind them, then came Paquita and the duenna, and after them the two remaining vaqueros. The scout paused to look back into the arm of the gulch which they ‘had just leit. It was not over a hun- dred yards in length, and the end of it was closed by a blind wall, sheer-to like the. wall across from the over- hang. That end of the defile was a*veritable cul-de-sac. Even if the prisoners had managed to free themselves of their bonds, they could only have escaped from the sulch by returning to the place where they had been 2 - brought over the wall—and that part of the defile had been guarded by the Kiowa. Why the Pawnee had been guarding the notch in the other wall the scout could not surmise—unless, in- deed, it was to prevent intruders from sliding into the gulch where the prisoners were being kept. | “Ay de mi!” wailed the duenna, “How much farther must we walk, Sefor Nomad? Owing to the ropes that secured’ my ankles, my feet are feeling like two- pieces of wood.” — vt reckon we'll find a hoss fer ye afore along, mum,’ answered Nomad, with all the grace he could put into the words. “Perhaps,” said the duenna pointedly, and. with a languishing smile, “if you helped me I might proceed to much better advantage?” Nomad growled in his beard.’ -He was not the man to refuse a lady a service, but he was afraid to have the duenna so close to him. “T’d be tickled plumb ter death, mum,” said he, I got ter keep myself free in order ter fight.” “but of bloodthirsty yells” burst from the redskins. @ THE BUFFALO “To lght?” screamed the duenna, “Will there be any fighting? If there is, I shall expire! Paquita! Do you hear? He says there may be fighting!” And once more the poor duenna fell to weeping copiously. Upon reaching the sand-pile, Jorge, with a cry of pleasure, picked up the rifle that had been dropped by the Kiowa. der, and there were five cartridges still available. The Pawnee had revived and taken himself off. But- falo Bill had not felt like slaying the\redskin out of _ hand, and there was no call to go to extremes with him, inasmuch as the Kiowa had got away to carry the news of what the scout was doing. The sand- -pile spread out across the bed of the gulch, so that it was necessary to wade through the base of. it, and keep close to the gulch-wall, in order to get around. By climbing, of course, they could have surmounted it, but to do that would have been a waste of effort. Jorge, fired with ardor on account of the weapon he had picked up, leaped ahead to skirt the edge of the dune. Just as he pressed close to the wall a rifle cracked from somewhere beyond and the vaquero recoiled with a startled-cry. He had not been hit by the bullet, but he had suffered a terrific scare. “Los Indios!” he yelled. “Indians!” exclaimed the scout, in consternation, The duenna emitted a stricken cry and reeled as though about to fall. “Lone Wolf and a lot of the Pawnees are coming. down the gulch,” said Jorge. hae scout turned., mcr j “Vaqueros,’ he shouted to the two men in the ‘tear, “get the ladies into the arth of the gulch where they'll be out of the way of bullets. Step back, Nomad,” he added, as the two vaqueros began hurrying the women along the backtrack, “so we’lf have room to nip the reds as they come over the sand-pile, or around it. Jorge,” and here he turned to the Mexican, “you haven't many loads, so be careful and don’t waste any.” 33 _ “T will do good’ work, sevor,” answered the vaquero reassuringly, “you may depend on that. I want a chance to secure. revenge on those red dogs.” “How many redskins are with Lone Wolf?” “Carramba, I had no time to count, but there were ay many !” “And you are certain Lone Wolf was with them?” “Positive, sevor!? | “Were they mounted or on foot?" “On foot.” Before the scout cquld say anything further a chortis Three feathered heads and paint-daubed faces surmounted the _ sand- heap. ‘Three rifles cracked, and the heads reeled » from. sight. It was a Colt rifle, with a revolving cylin=- A gs Ae a aap rh cr pn atarcet ne eartenien eppineoe eam ree Ta Hill STORIES. 23 “Waugh!” snorted Nomad fiercely. give ‘em somethin’ ter think erbout.” ~ “Tf they rush us, and there are enough of them,” said Buffalo Bill, “they'll kill us and get at the released prisoners, just as sure as my name’s Cody.” “Waal, Buffler, as shore es my name’s Nomad they won't get at them wimmen ontil they do kill us. Hey?” : The pards exchanged meaning glances. That was not the first time they had been shoulder to shoulder with destruction facing them, and each knew the other’s mettle. ‘There was no further need of words. ‘They were there to protect Paquita and the duenna at all hazards. ee Then, what the scout feared might happen came to pass. The savage Lone Wolf himself led his warriors “up the sand-hill. They fairly swarmed over the top, coveringé the sand with their feathers and painted hi- deousness. But, in that moment when afl seemed lost, the un- expected happened. A crowd of human figures jumped from the bottom of the stone slide in a tangle, rose in the air, separated into different forms and came down among the feathered heads. : There was a moment’s pause during which. the super- stitious redskins, struck with horror because of the un- canny happening, stood rooted to the sand-hill.. Then, as one man, the savages broke and ran, the fierce Lone Wolf leading his warriors back down the hill with even more ardor than he had led them up. The retreat became a veritable stampede. “T reckon thet’ Fear was “in the redskins’ hearts and lent’ wings to their feet. “Pa-has-ka!”? This word struck on the ears of the bewildered scout, and he turned his eyes to see Little Cayuse running toward him. “Flow was that for a hurry-up order, Pard Cady: < came a familiar whoop from the top: of the sand-hill. ht Was AT,” oe ap another voice, “but 1 wouldn’t want to do it again.’ “That's the first and last time I’ll ever try the devil’s slide, came still a third voice with a familiar ring. “Waal, am I erwake, er am I seein’ things in my sleep?” tuned up the old trapper.. “Buffler, hyar’s our pards, ev’ry man-jack of ’em, slidin’ in on us by way o’ the chute! Waugh! How'd ye ever do et, any- ways?” a \ ’ CHAPTER XIV. HOW THE PARDS “SLID IN.” .Yes, strange as it may seem, they were all there— Wild Bill, Old Law, the Duke, and the Apaches—every man ship-shape and seemingly spoiling for a fight. It was a stunning surprise. amigos,” said Buffalo Bill as the 8 “Answer Nomad, THE BUFFALO missing pards slid down the slope, “and set our minds at rest. How did you ever do itr” “The Injuns were crowding you,’ tne Wild Bill, ‘and we knew we hadn’t any time to lose coming to the rescue, so we just let ourselves go down that slide.” “Hung onto our guns, too,” laughed Old Law,,“and — when we landed we were all heeled. Seems as though we were out the bottom end of the slide before we had got fairly started. Thunder, but it was quick!” “And we never had -to fire a shot,” cried the old Duke, grabbing the scout’s hand. “The redskins were just naturally scared out of a year’ growth, Well; we must have looked queer, jumping in a bunch out of that spout and landing among the Indians. No wonder they stam- peded! The only man I ever knew to go down that slide for the fun of the thing was Kit Carson. He shot through itt, ker-plunk, and never lost his glasses “Where have you fellows been?’. demanded the scout, slowly adjusting himself to the situation. “Didn't you _ go to. that ravine across the creek, like I told you2”’ “We tried to go there, Cody,” answered. Old Law, “but when we started across the creek we saw a bunch of redskins in the water on t’other side. Instead of making for the ravine we had a notion we'd go down the stream.” “Especially,” spoke tip Wild Bill, the other side began coming our way. We reached a point where we couldn’t get to the ravine or go back to the draw, so we rushed down the creek and got out on the same bank we had left, only, a oo. . miles below the draw.” scout. “You traveled in the water.” “And the Indians traveled in the water, too,’ said the Duke. “We were chased all night, and didn’t dodge the reds and get to the ravine until the middle of the forenoon. You weren't there, and we didn’t know what to think. We found tracks, though, and your Apaches swore they were made by your horses. We followed them until they nearly led us into a big bunch of rene- gades, Then we commenced to hear a good deal of shooting, and sashayed around in the hills, against hope that we might fetch up against some clue that would point us to you fellows.” “But nary a clue did we find,’ put in Wild Bill, “until we went nosing into that arroyo, over west of here. Little Cayuse called us. ‘We looked up and saw him. standing in a sort of notch in the arroyo wall. While we were passing the time of day with him, we heard shooting, a little closer at hand than the rest had® been going on. Cayuse called to us that you were in trouble, and we left our horses to a man and pawed ~ up the slope to the notch.” “The Duke knew about the slide,” " proceeded Old Law, -back that way and “fas the bucks on “That's why we couldn’t find your tracks,” said the hoping | BILL STORIES. | say that Pa-has-ka and Nomad had slipped out that way a little while before, we saw feathered heads moving in the V-shaped opening at the foot. It was Wild Bill’s recklessness that got us to lay hold of each other with one hand, pone on to.our rifles with the other hand, and let go.” “That’s the first time,” laughed the scout, “that I ever saw reenforcements reach the field like that. I suppose we ought to follow up those reds. Uncle John Smith’s tribe of Cheyennes is over east at a bend in the creek. Uncle John is at Cimarron ae but the Cheyennes have been fighting the renegades.” “It won't do to leave our horses over in that arroyo,” remarked Wild Bill. Some Ot Texas Rid’s Indians _ might happen along and annex them.” “There’s no way to get them in here,’ “We'll have'to go to the animals.” 99 said the Duke. “Is there any way to do that, Duke,” asked Old Law, with a shiver, “except by climbing*the slide?” “Sure, there’s a way. About a dozen rods from here, on the other side of the sand-pile, there’s a sort of goat- path leading over the divide into the arroyo. Let’s hike Buffalo Bill turned to Cayuse. “Take the Apaches, my boy,” said he, the arroyo and take ae of the horses. “and get into yoy be - along in a few minutes.” thes Piute called Yuppah, Chappo, and Pedro and started around the sand- pile without delay. : “Hadn’t we better go with them, Cody?” inquired the Duke. ‘This looks like a favorable time to hunt for Os the renegades are fighting the Cheyennes, you know.” There’ s no use hunting for Paquita any longer, Duke,” said the scout. The old man was startled. .“What do you mean?’ he asked, peering at the scout curiously. “Look there!’ ‘toward Jorge. fore, Duke.” The Duke gazed at the vaquero like a man stunned. “Jorge!” he exclaimed. “Where did you come from? Were you captured. by Texas Kid and his cutthroats?” | “Yes,” answered the vaquero, “and released by Buffalo” Bill and his pard, Nomad.” . “And where is a oe cried | Dae “There, senor.” _ Jorge turned and fluttered a hand toward the bend in the gulch. _Paquita had ventured around the turn to see how events were moving along the defile. Catch- ing sight‘of her father, she ran toward him. The duenna galloped after Paquita, and when Nomad saw her com- The scout whirled and waved a hand “It’s a wonder you didn’t see him be- _ing he go# quietly behind Old Law. Behind the duenna “and while we were looking down it, and hearing Cayuse came the other two vaqueros. to a filace of safety. would do our best to help him get the renegades be- _ tween two fires. 7 * Uncle John’s horses, and Vi-po-nah is mighty anxious to get them back before Uncle John returns from Ci- - ever repay,’ persisted the Duke. With a glad cry the old Duke rushed forward to meet his daughter. It was a touching reunion, and the scout and his pards turned away and. left the two by themselves. Walking around the sand-hill they pro- ceeded slowly toward the place where the “goat-path,” described by the Duke, led over the divide and into the ArfOyoO. Patd ody,” said Wild Bill, when hey had found the path and were waiting at the foot of it, “you, and Nomad, and Cayuse must have been. doing things since we separated in the draw last night.” “Waal,” returned Nomad, hittin’ us plumb in ther face. “events kept risin’ ip an’ We, Us, an: Comp’ ny was never knowed ter gogee trouble, so we had ter do things. Bt Texas Kid an’ Lone Wolf fiad ever cap- etered thet Cheyenne camp what d’ye s’pose would hev become o’ Buffler, Cayuse, an’ me?” “You'd have been done or,’ answered Wild Bill, “no two ways about it. It strikes me, Pard Cody, that we ought to lay hold, now, and help the Cheyennes. The shooting off to the east ee seems to have quieted down a considerable.” The scout suddenly became aware of this fact, and was wondering if it signified disaster to Vi-po-nah and his Cheyennes. ““That’s what we must do, Hickok,” said the scout, “just as soon” as we can get Paquita and the duenna -[ promised Vi-po-nah that we Kid and Wolf have been stealing matron Crossing. The stock was stolen after Smith left, and I reckon Vi-po-nah thinks it is his business to oes the animals before the chiet shows up in camp again.” White the scout was gas the Duke came around the side of the sand- heap, his daughter on one arm and the duenna on the other. “Blamed if he don’t looks like a different man!’ ex- claimed Old Law, his eyes on the Duke’s smiling face. a ee Nomad irrelevantly, “he’s wel- come ter ther duenna.” “This is the happiest aay of my life, Buffalo Bill, ” cried the Duke. Releasing himself from Paquita and the duciinis me stepped forward and. took the scout dnd the trapper each by the hand. | “T can never thank you two oe for what a have done,” he went on. : “Then don’t try, old. friend,” laughed the scout. Never attempt a thing when you- know you can't do i cians under an obligation to you that le can THE BUFFALO has- alse BULL STORIES. “Let ’er go at thet, Duke,” said Nomad, withdrawing his hand, “‘an’ let’s git up this hyar goat-path an’ find ef Cayuse an’ the ’Paches hev corralled yore hosses, Bear Paw, Hide-rack, and Navi are over in ther Injun camp, an’ I reckon thar’s a right smart lot o’ us’ll hev ter hoof et.” The ascent of the “goat-path’” was easy enough for every one but the duenna. She had to have help, but Nomad was careful to get far enough in the lead so that some one else besides him would have to render the lady assistance. @ When they had reached the top of the divide a took into-the arroyo showed them Cayuse and the -Apaches holding‘the horses and surrounded by a dozen or more mounted redskins. At first this caused the Duke a fresh spasm of alarm, but the scout quickly reassured him. The Indians surrounding Cayuse and the Apaches were Cheyennes, and among them was Knis-ke-do. “Something important has happened,”. said Buffalo Bill, “and the quicker we get down into the arroyo,- the sooner we'll find out what it is.” » While the scout and his party were descending the Indians moved in a body toward the bottom of the path and awaited their coming. | CHAPTER XV. THE VICTORY OF THE CHEYENNES, “What means this, Knis-ke-do?” asked the scout, in Cheyenne, of the young war-chief. “The Cheyennes are chasing the renegades through the hills, Pa-has-ka,” answered the warrior. ‘Flow does it come that you were able to drive them off the hills west of the camp?” “Many of the renegades left to make war on Pa- Vi-po-nah was afraid harm might come to the Long Hair, so he ordered another charge. That time the renegades ran from us like rabbits. We have got many scalps, many horses and guns, and much ammunition. It is good to see Pa-has-ka with his pards. Had the renegades not left the hill-tops to make war on oe the. Cheyennes would still be fighting from their camp.” “This is good news, pards,” said the scout, translating Knis-ke-do’s words for the benefit of those who could not understand them. “The Cheyennes have beaten the renegades. | When Lone Wolf left Texas Kid, and brought that outfit of rédskins into the gulch, he gave the Cheyennes a chance of which they were not slow” to take advantage. Texas Kid split up his force once too often.” The scout once more faced the war-chief. “Has Kid been taken?” he asked. - “It may be,” was the answer, “but I do not know. ‘The Cheyennes are still in the hills, and the renegades 26 THE BUFFALO are fleeing and hunting their holes like prairie-dogs. Will you take the white squaws to the camp, Pa-has- ka? If so, we have ponies for them to ride.” po The scout repeated the war-chief’s words to the Duke. “By all means,” said Maxwell, “let us go to Uncle John’s village. My daughter and her Cee ae will need rest before we start back to the ranch.” Wild Bill, the Duke, Old Law, and the Apaches rode their own horses, and the Cheyennes dismounted and gave up their ponies to the two ladies, the scout, the trapper, Cayuse, and the vaqueros, p Sounds of battle and’ pursuit had died out of the hills in that vicinity, and the scout and his friends had _ a short and quiet ride from the arroyo to the village. The squaws, getting over their scare, were moving about among the lodges as usual. There was much chattering back and forth, for the great victory of the Cheyennes over the allied renegades was ae with » every passing hour. Every little while some of the warriors Cine ride ia with more ponies, more ‘muzzle-loading rifles, more bullet-pouches and powder-horns. For the Indians, horses meant wealth, and firearms and ammunition meant power. Occasionally a plunder-bearer would bring in a ree- king scalp, toss it to his squaw, and leave the rejoicing woman to put the trophy on a hoop and hang it in _the lodge to dry. No prisoners were brought in. That meant that either a great many of the renegades were escaping, or else that the victorious Cheyennes were showing no quarter. a Paquita and the duenna were made welcome in the chief's lodge, his squaw and children doing their utmost to minister to their comfort. Buffalo Bill and his friends wandered about the camp, watching the gathering of the spoil and looking to see if any of the scalps were tow-haired. If such an one had been brought in that would have been positive proof that the audacious Texan trouble-maker had paid the penalty of his many misdeeds, But the scout and his pards looked in vain. “Mark me, amigos,’ said Wild Bill confidently, “these Cheyennes will never lay Texas Kid by the heels, He's too foxy.” “T wish he’d steal a horse in my bailidele or do something that would bring him up before me for trial,” observed Old Law, with a snap of the jaws. “I'll bet “Wd get him.” “Sure you would, old Cut-and-slash,” He ohed Hickok, “but Texas Kid is wise enough never to be caught around your justice shop.” “Do you know, amigos,” said the Duke, “now that T have Paquita back unharmed, I’m halt- -hoping ae segundrelly Kid will get clear.” BILL STORIES. The scout whirled on the Duke in astonishment. “That’s carrying, the thing a little too far, Duke,’ he answered. | “Think of your slain vaqueros, of your dead muleteer, of the anxiety and trouble Texas Kid has caused you. I don’t believe you mean that.” | “Cody, that scoundrel saved my life,” said the Duke. “That doesn’t give him the right to take other lives.” ‘ “Of course not, but it’s hard for me to wish a man ill when he’s done a lot for me. I suppose it will be best for law and order in the Southwest if Texas Kid is shot down, but I must still confess to a sneaking hope that he'll get away.” : “Tf he does,” returned the scout, “as one as the sun rises and sets you'll hear from him again.’ “Why will he pick out me for a third timer He has shot his bolt, so far as I am concerned, and the shaft has fallen short.” “Well,” insisted the scout, “iF he goes clear of this scrimmage you can look for him back on the Cimatron., That’s the sort of a rawhide he is. He will connect all his misfortunes with you; and there’s a chance, Duke, that he may try to take the life he once saved.” _ The Duke started. “Oh, no, Cody, I can’t believe that!” said he. “Tl don’t want to believe it myself, Duke, but be on your guard—if Kid evades the Cheyennes.” The scout walked over to the gathering herd of live- stock. He was pleased to note that Bear Paw, Hide- rack, and- Navi had weathered the storm of bullets. which the renegades had poured into the camp, and had ~ escaped without a scratch. A few of the Cheyenne ponies had been wounded, and one had been-killed, but this loss was now being. made up a. dozen times over from the animals which were being caught in ‘the hills and driven to the camp. It was late in the afternoon before Vi-po-nah returned to the camp, wearied with his spoil-collecting. The last renegade had been chased miles beyond the limits of the camp, the hills had been combed for loose ponies, and every rifle, bullet-pouch, gathered up and brought in. Vi-po-nah was. satisfied. riors might begin their dancing and feasting, Smith’s tribe of Cheyennes had won a crushing victory over the allied renegades. Lone Wolf had received.a blow from which he would not soon recover, and there was not an honest man, white or red, in the whole South- west who would not be glad of the savage chiet’s un- ce _-Vi-po-nah looked over his vast horse herd with pride. i said he to the ~ _ “When the chief returns, my brother,” scout, “he will find he has more horses than when he went trading to Cimarron Crossing. Pa-has-ka will not and. powder-horn had been. - shee o ; Pe The squaws might now = |] _blacken their faces as a sign of rejoicing, and the. war- THE BUFFALO be in the village when the chief comes back, for his coming is a moon away, and Pa-has-ka says he must go south with his friends in the morning; but Vi-po-nah will tell the chief what Pa-has-ka did for the Chey- ennes. Our hearts will warm to you as long as they beat in our breasts. But for Pa-has-ka this. victory would not have been ours. It would have been Lone Wolf’s and Texas Kid’s, and the Cheyennes would have been crushed. The chief, when he came back from Cimarron Crossing, would nee found his village a waste and his people gone.” All this extravagance of language was peculiarly In- dian, and the scout listened patiently and gravely. “Did you slay Lone Wolf, Vi-po-nah?” the scout asked. ‘‘Has any of your warriors brought in the scalp of the renegade. chief?” - Vi-po-nah shook his head dejectedly. The fact that Lone Wolf still lived was “the fly in the ointment” for hi : “And was Texas Kid slain?’’ went on the scout. “Te was pursued, Pa-has-ka,” answered Vi-po-nah, “but he secured.a horse. and ran for his life. A lance pierced his coat, and a bullet carried away his hat, ot ‘Texas Kid was unharmed and made good his escape.” “Be on your guard against Texas Kid, Vi-po-nah,” adjured the scout. “He has the cunning of the fox, and he is .a snake that strikes without warning.” —_s, “Vi-po-nah is not afraid of the white nog.” said the - under chief contemptuously. “How many warriors have the Cheyennes lost ? ms —. Vi-po-nah picked up a twig and broke it into seven pieces. “So many,” he answered, opening his palm and show- ing the bits of twig. Then, bending but not breaking six of the seven pieces, he held them out for the scout to see. “So many hurt.” Flinging the sticks from him carelessly, he threw back his broad shoulders, turned and waved both hands toward the horse herd. “But they were worth it,” he added, with a slow of happiness. This phase of feeling was also pectiiarly Indian. Vi- po-nah had no ear for the wailing in the lodges. He was listening for the tramp and squeal of the ponies— Undle John’s ponies. since Uncle John had gone to Cimarron Crossing. ~ CHAPTER XVI. BACK AT THE RANCH. + Two. ae after the events chronicled in the last an ter the Duke was back at the ranch. In front of the great hall he sat smoking with Buffalo Bill, old Nomad, Old Law, and Wild Bill. BILL. STORIES. ‘easy as it was to replace the mules. The herd had doubled in number 27, ‘The Duke seemed to have been benefited by the recent _trying experiences that had carried him along the Old Trail. His eye’ was brighter, his voice had a. resonant note of strength, and he no longer toyed listlessly with his pipe. The bowl was filled and a plume of smoke floated from his lips and hovered in a filmy mist above his head. | ; “Miguel will get well, amigos,’ announced the Duke. “T have had a doctor here from Fort Union and he says Miguel will recover. But it was an evil hurt!” “How about Adan?” asked the scout. “There was never any doubt about Adan, Cody. It was hut a small wound. Chombo lies in the prettiest place on my whole estate, alongside Tadeo.. A fence _will be built around the graves, and they will always be cared for. For a man who dies while nobly perform- ing his duty, there is nothing too good.” The scout thought of Diego, deserted and left to die by Texas Kid, contrasting that Mexican’s end with the © fate of Chombo and Tadeo. A, shift of the cards, as life is played, might have made a herd out of Diego, as it had out of the other two Mexicans. And then, too, there was Mateo Morales, the One- eyed, a craven-hearted wretch, felled by a bullet fired by his own friends. An accident that would not have happened once in a thousand times. How many shifts of the cards would it have taken to make a hero out of Mateo? “Ther coach seemed ter be in purty good condition when et pulled out this mornin’ with Paquita,” remarked Nomad casually. “There were a dozen bullet-holes in the coach,” said the Duke. “I counted em. A little putty and a touch of paint will fix that.” “Tt didn’t take long to replace Tadeo and the wa- queros,’ struck in Old Law. “Seemed to be about as It was a big guard 39 that went with Paquita this time. “The coach,” declared the Duke, “would have gone through safely to Santa Fé without an escort. Light- ning never strikes twice in the same place—and it wouldn’t strike so soon again after striking once. But— well,’ and here he flung out his hand, “the duenna insited on having an army, and so I gave it to her.” “How was ther duenna’s narves, Duke?’ inquired Nomad cautiously. “I reckoned she’d be a month gittin’ over thet shock.” “She is a creature of moods, Nomad,’ smiled the Duke: “<1 tried to get her to stay. at the ranch and let another of the women go with Paquita, but that didn’t suit her at all. She braced up right away.” “Did the ladies have a hard time while they were in the hands of the renegades?” asked the scout. “They were well-treated, so far as I can learn,” on the Duke. went “Of course their fears were aroused, .. had the best horses for mounts, and the uncertainty of knowing what their fate was-to be did more to make their position unbearable than anything else,” : “Didn't Texas Kid tell Paquita she and the duenna were to be held for ransom?” “tie never said a word to her about it. Paquita said he did all he could to make them comfortable. They and were furnished ' with the most comfortable saddles, but the rapid pace the renegades had to set told on women unused to such long rides: Paquita learned very early in the flight that the one-eyed Mexican had been left behind with a large force of Indians to follow us when we took Texas Kid’s trail. The girl likewise knew that it was Texas Kid’s and Lone Wolf's intention to get us be- tween two fires and wipe us out.. Which knowledge, you; may well believe, didn’t contribute materially to the girl’s peace of mind,” “Where were the prisoners at’ the time Texas Kid’s and Lone Wolf’s renegades were heading Wild Bill, and you, and the rest off from the ravine across the creek from the draw?” “In that gulch where we took the slide, guarded by half a dozen Indians. They passed the night there.” “Well,” said the scout, ‘it was an experience Paqutita will never forget. And it is one, 1 hope,’ he added, “which she may never have again.” . “Amen to that,’ said thé Duke. “Waal,” chuckled Nomad, “Paquita ain’t ther on’y one thet’s had er recent experience they'll never fergit. How erbout thet slide we all took inter ther gulch? Hoop-a- la! Et makes my blood tingle jest ter think o’ Cc... “Once of that is enough,” laughed the Duke, “espe- cially when you go down in a crowd which is partly composed of three Apaches, It’s a wonder some of us didn't get hurt.” at ‘it’s more of a wonder, Duke,” grinned Old Law, “that some of those redskins we fell into didn’t get hurt.’ “Bosh!” said Wild Bill, “I waulene like nothing better than to take a slide like that every day, just for exer- cise,” “Torkin’ 0’ slides,’ said Nomad, “I’m er wonderin’ what Uncle John’ll say when he slides intet the home camp an’ finds how Vi-po-nah has been runnin’ things?’ “He'll not. find a word of fault,” asserted the Duke. “Vi-po-nah did the best he could under the, circum/ stances. Some of Uncle John’s horses were run off, and of course Vi- -po-nah had to get them back. If he got back a few more than « ever belonged to Uncle John, why, so much the better.” “That same John Smith is ad great man,’ Law. “An’ I’m blamed glad he pitched his camp right whar * said Old THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. re s x he did,” added Nomad. “Ef et hadn’t been fer ther camp. bein’ in thet place, I got er pictur’ o’ us fellers ridin’ cVar ter ther Big auelers beyond Bent’s Hort, lookin’ fer Paquita.” “{ don’t believe the iisdent ever intended to go ce the Big- Timbers,” observed Old Law. “Kicking Bird is there, and he wouldn’t have stood a minute for any of Lone Wolf’s nonsense. You can bet a ten-dollar bill against a last ee. bird’s nest that Lone Wolf knew it, too.” “What's Lone Wolf trying to do: 2” queried the Duke. “He don’t like it. because Kicking Bird has been - shoved up a notch higher than he is, and he’s oe his surly disposition by kicking over the traces.” ' “Tn other words,” said the scout, “Lone Wolf a in a huff, gathered together a lot of Pawnees, Kiowas, and Cheyennes who were about as careless of conse- qUeTiCg® was he was, and took to the open. “Fate, somehow, brought Texas Kid into the vicinity of Lone Wolf shortly after the Duke had Kid and his . compadres personally conducted off the ranch. Kid wanted to get even with somebody, and while at the Duke’s probably overheard it said that Paquita was go- ing on a visit to Santa Fé after the fesia, ~~ “Putting on that Chink disguise, Texas Kid and Mateo Morales came here and did their juggling tricks, just to throw dust in the eyes of all of us as to their real ‘identity, while they were making sure of the day and hour Paquita would leave on her trip. “That job the Texan had up his sleeve, we may well believe, mix up in. Wolf was perfectly willing to furnish the renegades to help Texas Kid work through the trick ; : so all Kid had» to do when he left the Duke's with Morales, was to hustle for the place where Lone Wolf ~ was waiting and tell him when the coach and escort would be along. Lone Wolf did the rest. It’s a pretty safe guess, amigos, that Lone Wolf is sorry by now that he ever had anything to do with Texas Kid. “Not only has Lone Wolf lost the horses he rustled from the Cheyennes before he went south to help the Texan, but his choice gang of renegades is cut — and scattered to the four winds.” “All of which,’ said the Duke soberly, is @ cia good thing for the Old Trail.” ae “All I hope now,” said Old Law, won't be long reaching the end of his rope.” _“Fie’ll git ter the end 0’ et quick enough ef he crosses trails with Buffler Bill an’ his pards any more,” asserted Nomad; \“an’, bein’ a large-hearted individual with ther good o’ ther kentry at heart, I’m kinder hopin’ the trails’ll come tergether.” THE END. . The next number (408) will be “Buffalo Bill Besieged ; or Texas Kid’s nee Trail. 2 was just the sort of deal Lone Wolf liked to: : “is that Texas Kid «33 THE BUFFALO NEW YORK, February 27, 1909, TERMS TO BUFFALO BILL STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. tech “One year civis. NSS Ue yaaa $2.50 2 copies one year DEER seal aateagy 4,00 1 copy two years....,......... 4.00 \ ® BiMOnLD eee ee eee, $1.25 How to Send Money ny post-office or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own riskif sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly credi ted, and should Jet us know at-once. : STREET & SMITH, Publishers, Ormonp G, SmitH, . | Proprietors. 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City. _ Georce GC. Smitn, Old Days On the Mississippi. In the palmy days of *steamboating there were some palatial gambling-houses which were run on house-boats, They plied the inland streams, stopping for days and weeks at points where the territory was promising and good play could be had, moving on when the territory was cleaned out and all of the “pigeons” were plucked. : An interesting story is told by a veteran river captain , of an incident happening in a floating gambling-house that was accustomed to travel up and. down White River, in _ Arkansas, and fleece the opulent planters and-river-men by - methods that were not at all in keeping with the rules of the game. The incident in question occurred at tae Bay, Arkansas, then a prosperous village. thriving metropolis, where all the river-packets landed to receive and discharge freight and passengers, Be planters of the fertile White River bottom-lands came © buy their supplies and receive their -mail, it boing the a post-office in a large territory. The house-boat, which was fitted up in palatial style, with ’ gambling-rooms after the. most approved fashion and a bar that would compare favorably in the magnificence of mahogany fixtures with those of the best city hotels of the same period, was owned and run by two brothers. It was the days of freeze-out poker, when stakes were as high as one cared to play, and where one player could take the pot without a show-down if he only had sufficient coin to lay more upon the table oe his opponents could muster. . The brothers seotned the aay house-men that gant bling-places employ, and participated themselves in all of the ‘ games that were started. As a rule, they played a game — _ ostensibly fair, but it was whispered about that they were more deft with the cards than was accredited to them by their victims, for they always won. With poe of consequence they were careful or their. At that time Indian Bay was a and where — _ they had cleaned up more than $50,000. BILL STORIES." play, and to all appearances held strictly within the letter of the code which gamblers were supposed to observe. But with those of lesser importance they were not so particular, and they resorted to any means to part the unwary from his cash. It was well known that the game never ‘ran too high for them, and rumor had it that there was a fortune in the big safe of the private oHtice of the brothers, which opened off the bar. There was a lucky Arkansas planter of uncertain an- cestry, who lived near Indian Bay, and this particular: fall he harvested and sold a large cotton-crop, realizing there- from some $10,000, which he, as was then the custom, took back from New. Orleans, where he marketed the cotton, in cash. He was one of the regular victims of the brothers of the magnificent gambling house-boat, and had contributed many dollars before this to the pile of coins stored away in the big safe. _ Straightway upon his return to the bay, he sought out the light-fingered gentry of the house-boat, and, with a few neighboring planters to fill out, started a big poker-game, which waned and waxed and grew apace through several days and nights, throughout all of which time the lanky, planter saw his cotton money dwindle away in a steady, stream across the table to the opulent pile of chips before the brothers. So steadily did he lose that his suspicions became aroused, and onthe evening of the last day the boat was to remain at the bay—for the brothers had announced the time of their departure—he sat in the game, fully satisfied that he was dealing with card-sharks, and his mind was made up to~ get a square deal at any cost. The grand coup of the house-boat brothers was to bide their time until_a victim had drawn an invincible hand— doubtless of their own fixing—and then, after luring him on by tantalizing bets and raises, to place upon the table every cent he possessed, to raise him further, bringing out a sack full of gold from the inexhaustible supply of the safe for that purpose. _ : it had been a good season for the planters, excellent crops and high prices for cotton giving all ample funds, and the brothers had reaped a rich harvest. At Indian Bay alone On this last night of their stay they expected to gather in the small leavings which had thus far escaped them. Two big games were go- ing, each seven-handed, all of the losing planters having flocked in for a last attempt to recoup their losses. The lanky planter was the heaviest loser in the neighbor- hood, and he had posted his companions of his suspicions and cautioned them to watch carefully the play of the brothers, one of whom presided at either table. He had planned the espionage with exceeding care, and had given explicit instructions to his friends to watch merely, and say nothing, whatever they might discover, until he gave an agreed signal. Steadily the luck ran against him until along toward one o'clock in the morning he picked up a hand containing four aces, as the game was then played, a hand that could not be beaten. He opened the pot with a good, stiff bet, which was promptly seen by the other players, until it came the turn of the gambler, who sat at the planter’s right. t | t The gambler set in a stack of ow chips, each worth $20, many inches in height. The planter, of course, saw the bet and raised for all the money he had before him. All of the other players threw down their cards except the gambler, who, calling a negro porter and whispering a word in his ear, sat in stolid indifference until the porter returned with a heavy sack of gold, stenciled $10,000. bet or lose the pot. This was just the play the planter had anticipated, the grand coup which the brothers had employed with success at more than one place along the river, for such were then the rules of freeze-out poker. The lanky planter reached down into the pocket of his coat as if going after a roll of money. Instead, he gave the preconcerted signal and came up with a six-shooter, cocked and sighted fairly at the head of the gambler. As if but one mind controlled their move- ments, all of the other players, except the two brothers, pro- duced, in a flash, long, hungry-looking six-shooters. It was a tense moment; not a soul seemed to. breathe. The lanky planter was the master of the situation and he appreciated the fact. Without moving from his seat or shifting the aim of his murderous-looking revolver, he called to the men at the other table, asking if they had seen any- thing questionable in the play. Two of the planters had seen the brother slip cards from the bottom of the deck, and one, who had been busily count- ing the deck of cards upon the table since the dénouement as unconcernedly as if a tragedy was not in progress in the room, now announced that the deck was short four cards, and that the fourrvaces were the missing ones. The brother at that table was searched and the four missing aces were found in a little pocket inside his sleeve. At the other table several crooked plays had been de- tected. A close examination of both decks showed that they were skilfully marked, and the four aces were found to be what gamblers technically call “strippers.” Each of the planters produced memorandum-books, in which had been kept a careful account. of their losses throughout their play on the house-boat. Altogether, these losses totaled $78,000. ' Leaving the table for a moment, and forcing « one of the trembling negro attendants to open the big safe at the muzzle of his revolver, the lanky planter returned loaded down with sacks of gold and bundles of greenbacks. This array of wealth he piled upon the table, and, appointing a grim .guard for each of the gamblers, carefully sorted out the _money into piles of $1,000 each. Then he made a reckoning of each man’s losses and paid to each one the sum his memorandum-book showed. After distributing to-each man what was A to him, and - ey counting’ out his own money, something more ‘than \ $15,000, he turned to the brothers, now thoroughly cowed , and trembling, fearful of summary punishment, and deliv- ered to them a final message in an even, emotionless voice. He told them he never repudiated a gambling debt or claimed back his losses when he had been beaten by a fair run of the cards or the skill of the players, but that he and his friends were not going to submit quietly to robbery, and crude robbery at that; that they had taken only what was due to them and not a dollar more. His peroration directed the gamblers to make themselves scarce in that community, and never again to show their “faces on White River, under penalfy of intimacy. with a ‘hempen rope. Until morning he gave them to take away. ‘themselves and their boat. Leaving piles of gold and bills, the surplus from the safe after deducting the losses to himself and friends, scattered in confusion over the table, the planter and his companions , Stalked in stately dignity from the boat. It was less*than an hour before the house-boat cast off her moorings and floated ‘away with the current, negroes This hes = ' promptly shoved to the center of the table, turning with a sneering smile to the planter; and requested him to see the it has escaped attention. feet long, fairly into strips. “SILL STORIES. widine with the sweeps. That was the last ever seen. or heard of the. brothers or their gambling house- boat on any of the rivers of AT a CURIOUS FLORIDA HERB. Almost everybody knows there ate such things as ‘in- sectivorous or carnivorous plants, but it is doubtful if many know we have any such plants growing right here in south Florida. Nevertheless, there is a plant, or, rather, herb, growing here which is really insectiyorous, It is likely that, on account of its being extremely smal, In fact, it seems to have been overlooked by the botanists also, as we are unable to find it classed among the sensitive plants. This is an annual herb, and the entire plant, including the flowers, is of a deep rich red color, It rarely reaches a height of more than three inches and is never so broad. The leaves~are spatulate when undisturbed; and present many small fibrille, and secrete at their tips a tenacious fluid, which . is capable of holding the very small insects, such as ants, When any of thése get 45 and the like, upon which it feeds, lodged i in the fluid and disturb these fibrillz, the leaves slowly acquire a deep cup shape and sometimes curl completely up over their victim. When they have absorbed the insect they slowly recover their original shape, leaving only the skeleton of the insect remainin®. These plants grow on the very low, flat, poor, and a a lands. They appear in the late winter and early spring months, A HUGE SHARK, Along the Pacific coast sharks often attain a very large size. Bay, Southern California, which is declared to be the largest creature of its kind ever captured in the world, : When first drawn out of the water and killed, this veritable — sea-monster weighed 14,000 pounds. It measured, from tip to tip, just thirty-two feet, and the circumference of the body just forward of the huge dorsal fin was fifteen feet. Across the fearful mouth—horizontally—when opened, it was 2¥2 leet, while from the tip of the snout to the point of the lower jaw it was 5% feet. The size of the mouth may be judged by the fact of its being large enough for two chil- dren to be comfortably seated on the lower, jaw. ee This*monster shark became entangled in the net of two Italian fishermen, which resulted in its capture finally. At’ first the shark tore the immense net, some fifteen hundred lessly enmeshed by its frantic and enraged efforts to escape. The strings and strong netting became wound round and round the gills of the shark and it was finally held a pris- oner. Then followed a foe and furious battle between the angry monster, and its two captors, in which the fishermen had _many narrow Seine from the snapping ae FIGHTERS FROM BABYHOOD. ' An Indian boy begins to handle a light bow as soon as he toddles. His bow is then taller than himself. By the time he attains the age of twelve he is permitted — a At the age of eighteen he is sone to use sharp arrows. enough to use a man’s bow. A white man, when he takes an Indian bow for the first — time, finds he can hardly bend it. But to shoot a full-sized — Indian bow requires knack as much as anything. Recently a monster shark was captured in San Pedro < But it at length became hope- a A A raise in ialacy comes oftenest to ae trained. boy—the boy who is an expert at some particular line of work. It is easy to secure the training that will not only raise your salary, but that will also help you win steady promotion, putting you far 1 in advance of less ambitious boys. The International Correspondence Ae of Santon have a way by which you can easily and surely qualify for a good position at the work that most appeals to you. Read the list of © occupations in the attached coupon—mark the one you like best, then mail the cou- pon fo-day to the I. C. S. Marking the coupon costs you nothing. There are no books to buy. The irained boy has the advantage every time. As surely as the I. C. S. has raised the salaries of thousands of other boys, if can raise yours. Consult your parents. Mark and Mail the Coupon To-day I ! : | Ulustr ator eo | { i | Street and No | INTERNATIONAL GORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS Box 1017, Scranton, Pa. Please explain, withoutfuarther obligation on my part, how I can qualify for employment or advancement in the position before which I have marked Bookkeeper Stenographer Advertisement Writer Show Card Writer Window Trimmer Commercial Law Civil eee Chem mete ‘nn Supt. Electrician . lee. T ngineer Meehan? f Drafisman’ Telephone Eng’eer Elee. 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Bill and the Timber Thieves. . BillismVoney Drop ase oe IBIS sBlOcKNOUSe eae. e Bill’’s Canyon Cache. Bill and the Greengoods’ ‘Cabal Bilis) Dark Drivesiy cai. Bill’s Fair, Square Deal..... Bill’s Strategy Bill in Morenci Billisomexan Hazards o4... 2. Bill’s Mexican Feud......-.. Bill’s Navajo Ally.......... Bill’s Arizona Alliance....... Biles) Mines Miystenyces sos... Billys yelindyisea discs. es Bill’s Sacrifice Biles sriscOmMeuGuci. . cere « Bill’s Bill’s Bill’s Bills (Miery) rails. ee) soe IBS e SIOUX @HOCS =. carers cco Bill:saGiron eH istes spss cic) cae ote Bilis Race withvhirenicwi.:. .. Bills Mlorida, Hoes «33. cau... - Bills’ Grim. Climbe sa Bilis Red “Hinemiys scones es Bill on a Traitor’s Track.... Bill’s Last Bullet. Basie Bilis AIT ViOVAZC iscsi: ot Bill’s Bill’s Bill’s Bill’s Bills MlsPasondanG..tie aces Bill on the Staked Plains... Billjs) Border’ Raid... 0. Bill’s Bravest Fight.. Boh Bill’s Heathen Pard... Rieeetete Bill’s Dakota Dare-devils.... Bill’s Arapahoe Alliance..... Bill on Special Service...... Bill on a Treasure Hunt.... Bills Bost) Quarry... ek Avenging Hand...... KeOWarwE OCs. ceavensere ence WVODthN oe rallies an DANONE eEMUM bene! Cheyenne Comrades... We 5 Meath MaRUSt sek ee ee SD: Apache Round-up...... 5 Bill Among the Comanches... 5 Bill’s Stockade Siege........ Bills Creek. Quanrel..: 22055. Bill Among the Pawnees..... Bill on a Long Hunt. Bills Wyoming Trail. $ Bill and the Redskin Wizard.. Bill’s Bold Challenge........ Bill’s Shawnee Stampede..... Bisa NVOLSU: HOC ees etic. fn. Billgonsa Desert Pra. 2. 2 Bill’s Rio Grande Feud...... Bill ine Vicht.Quarters. . oi. 2. Bill’s Daring Rescue. . Bill at the Torture Stake . Bill’s Treasure Train. Bill Among the Blackfeet. Bill’s Border Beagles. Bees Bill and the Bandits in ‘Black.. Bill and the Indian Tiger. Bill on the Deadwood Trail. ers Bill in the Cafion of Death.. 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CLOLONONUOVOUOT ON OVOTOUOT OU OVSVOU ON OV ON OVOT OT OT OU OU ON CLOUT OT OT OV OV OT OF OT OT OV OL OT OT OV OV OV OT OT OV OT OT OLOV OU OT OVOUON OVO OTOVOUON OVOl 5 5 5 5 5 5° 410—Buffalo 342—Buftfalo 343—Buffalo 344—Buffalo 345—Buffalo 346—Buffalo 347—Buffalo 348—Buffalo 349—Buffalo 350—Buffalo 351—Buffalo 352—Buffalo 353—Buffalo 354—Buffalo 355—Buffalo 356—Buffalo 357—Buftfalo 358—Buffalo 359—Buffalo. 360—Buffalo 361—Buffalo 362—Butffalo 363—Buffalo 364—Butffalo 365—Buffalo 366—Buffalo 367—Buffalo 368—Buffalo 369—Buffalo 3870—-Buffalo 3871—Butffalo 372—Buffalo 373—Buffalo 374— Buffalo 375— Buffalo 3876— Buffalo 377—Buffalo 378—Butffalo 3879—Buffalo 380—Buftalo 381—Butftalo 382—Butftfalo 383—Buffalo 384—Buffalo 3885—Buffalo 386—Butffalo 3887—Buffalo 888—Buftalo 389—Buffalo 390—Buffalo 3891—Buffalo 3892—Buffalo 393—Buffalo 394—Buffalo 395—Buffalo 396—Buitalo 397—Buftfalo 398—Buftalo 399—Buffalo 400—Buffalo 401—Buffalo 402—Butffalo 403—Buffalo 404—Buffalo 405—Buftfalo 406—Buffalo 407—Buffalo 408—Buffalo 409—Buffalo PRICE, FIVE CENTS PER COPY Bil’s Army Mystery....... 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