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NEW YORK, December 23, 1911. Price Five Cents, BUPPALO BILE S CLEVER CAPTURE: Or, PAWNEE BILL AMONG THE SIOUX. By the author of ‘“‘BUFFALO BILL.” CHAPTER I. MYSTERIOUS TRAILERS. SAU HeuL Texas. Jack,” said Buffalo Bill, “you take what scouts you need and go to the station of the Over- land Trail, meet the two Englishmen, and escort them here to the fort.” “And what will you do, meantime—you and Pawnee Bil? “asked Texas Jack. - “Pard Pawnee and I will go to Massacre Valley and reconnoiter,” replied Buffalo Bill. An hour later, Texas Jack, accompanied by a number of other scouts, started for the Overland Station; while Buffalo Bill and Pawnee. Bill set out for Massacre Valley. The start was made from Fort Beauvoir, where Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and Texas Jack had, for some time, made their headquarters. They had been employed on scout duty with various detachments of troopers sent out in search of marauding Sioux. The reason for the departure of Texas Jack and his men for the Overland Trail, and of Buffalo Bill and _ Pawnee Bill for Massacre Valley, was one of great im- portance to the two Englishmen whom Texas Jack was to meet. The two Englishmen were Lord Lucien Lonsfield and - Sir John Reeder, both of whom had: seen service in the British army. They had come to the Far West, on two previous occasions, in search of a possible heir to an es- tate in England, that of Lord Vancourt, to which they were joint heirs, in case no other claimant was found. On both previous visits to Fort Beauvoir, however, they had been unsuccessful in their quest of a possible heir. The person whom the two men. from England sought was one Granger Goldhurst, a kinsman of theirs.. They wished to find either Goldhurst himself, or else a pos- sible child of his. x trapper named Dennis had come into possession ofa gold ring, beating the initials: "GrG. to ly H.”’ The ring had been given to the old trapper by a white man who had escaped from a Sioux village, only to die in the arms of the trapper, This fugitive had told the trapper that there were a number of white captives in the Indian village and that Granger Goldhurst was among them, with his family. The initials on the ring were those of the names of Granger Goldhurst and Lucille Hubbard, his wife. This ring had come into the trapper’s possession dur- ing the second visit of the two Englishmen to the Far West. But in time, another white man, who had escaped from the Sioux village, declared that there were no white captives in the village. This information, then, ended all hope of finding Goldhurst or his wife or children, and the Englishmen had returned to the East on their way to England. -~ But now, within the last week, a Sioux brave, who was friendly to Buffalo Bill, had come from the Sioux village with the news that there were many white captives there, and that among them the man called Granger Goldhurst might be found. Because of the information brought by the Sioux brave —information which, this time, Buffalo Bill regarded as atithentic—a telegram was sent to the two English- men. The message reached them just as they were about to board a steamer for England.. They imme- diately turned their faces again westward, to make the third visit to Fort Beauvoir, Buffalo Bill and Pawnee _ Bill both being ready once again to assist the Eng- 2 | THE BUFFALO lishmen in clearing up the mystery of Goldhurst and his family. Meantime, too, certain annoying news that the two scouts believed had some bearing on the Goldhurst case, had been brought by couriers from Mexico. These mes- sengers brought word that a mysterious man who called himself Don Eduardo Vincente was about to return to the fort. Don Eduardo had always been as with sus- picion by all the officers and scouts at the fort. He had established quarters near the fort, where he lived with one servant called Amigo. He had posed as a Mexican gentleman of elegant leisure. Then suddenly he had announced that he was obliged to return to. Mexico, to stand trial on the charge of con- spiracy. After he had been absent some time, word had been received at the fort that he had faced his accusers and had furnished testimony proving his innocence. But now came later news, from an unquestioned source, that Don Eduardo had not been in Mexico at all, but that he had been seen and recognized within twenty miles of Fort. Beauvoir. The theory entertained by the scouts and officers at the fort was that Eduardo might possibly be connected in ‘some way with a notorious band of outlaws known as the Deserters. It was to get on the trail of Don Eduardo and the Deserters that Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill had gone to Massacre Valley, where Eduardo had been seen. Another man of mystery was a friend of Eduardo’s, one who called himself Captain Leon Luiz. that he had come to the fort in search of his friend Eduardo, saying that he was from Mexico, and was an officer of lanceros; After the captain had been at the fort a week, it was learned that he was in love with a young girl, who, with her mother, lived at a ranch near the fort, known as Ranch Isle. The girl was Bessie Bond, the Belle of the Border. She was engaged to marry Captain Luiz, so the lancero himself stated. Yet the captain had at first paid marked attention to the favorite of the garrison, a girl named Madge Burton, the adopted Daughter of the Fifth Cavalry. And then, suddenly, the lancero had started for Mexico with his promised bride, giving out the news that they meant to be married as soon as they reached Mexican soil. With them went Bessie’s mother, Mrs. Bond, and Don Eduardo. It was now rumored that this captain of. lanceros had been seen, in company with Eduardo, within twenty miles of the fort. Therefore, those at the fort believed that Luiz had not gone to Mexico, but had joined Eduardo in the mountains. The further assumption was that neither Bessie nor her mother had gone to Mexico at all, but were in hiding at Ranch Isle. In an attempt to solve the meaning of he mysterious movements of Eduardo, Luiz and the Bond girl, Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill were now on their way to Massacre Valley, while Texas Jack and his fellow scouts were mak- ing a quick march to the nearest station of the Overland Trail to meet Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder. When Texas Jack arrived at the Overland Station, his- keen eyes had taken in the fact that there were several very hard citizens there. In the three days he was waiting thete they fe ap- peared to add to their numbers, and they had seemed particularly anxious to make his. acquaintance, and had He declared — BILL STORIES. asked any number of questions about the people he was waiting for. Texas Jack at last decided to get one of them drunk and see if he could not pump him. He did succeed to an extent that.made him feel very stispicious about being held up on the trail to the fort, and when they made an immediate start after the arrival of the coach bringing the’two Englishmen, he noticed that his quondam friends were in quite a flurry, and also appeared about to go on a journey. “We have got to look out for, those fellows, pards,”’ said Texas Jack to his men, as they were preparing to start. “They won't dare tackle us, Pard Jack,’ was the an- swer of one of the scouts, who could not believe that three or four desperadoes would have the pluck to attack their‘party of eleven. “I don't think they are all, Bob, and then an ambush counts for a great deal, you ‘know. “We must keep our eyes open, at any rate,’ said fack. and the scouts knew that he meant it. - Jack communicated his fears to Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder, but those two gentlemen expressed their entire: confidence in the’ ‘ability of Jack to get the’ nee safely to the fort. In the meantime, the hard- looking citizens were. not idle. They had been taken ae surprise at the aldaen dea ture of the party, not supposing they would leave the station before the following morning. But they had dispersed to their several quarters. - - Then, one by one they left the station, and an hour ae met on the trail. There were severt of them oe and. ie sees they were as hard a lot of men as could readily be eo. together. ~ they. were, however, caeudale mounted and ‘armed, and would be dangerous foes. . ‘ The trails to the fort were two, one some twenty miles shorter than the other, and the easiest way. to travel. This one Texas Jack had decided to take, but after seeing the hostile demonstrations, as he considered them, of the men at the station, he changed for the longer trail, which caused some one to remark: “Jack's uncommon cautious, hain’t he?” “Jack knows what he are about,” responded nother. When, several miles from the station, the men. follow- ing saw which trail had been taken, for the moonlight re- _ vealed the tracks, they came to a halt, and at once one ap- peared as leader. “They go by Bald Mountain, pards, s sO, Pace on start at once by the shorter trail, cross to this one at the Yel- low Creek, and give the news. o ihey camp to-night at the Boiling Spring, Ma is certain, so the place to ambush will be the Oveene Chiff.” The man addressed as Buck at once é started off on the trail to the left, and the remainder of his comrades. went into camp near by on the banks of a small creek, while the leader, on foot, made his way to Boiling Spring. to. see if he was right or wrong in his surmise as 1 where Texas Jack would go into camp. Buck meanwhile rode rapidly on his way, oe ale until he reached Yellow Creek, some twelve miles away. Up this he turned, and after an hour’s ride ‘came out inthe trail which Texas Jack had taken to the fort. - There were a number of tracks on the trail, so trace of his horse would not be noticed particularly, ‘and what would a party of eleven have to fear from one man? Having reached the trail he started off at a gait as though he knew that he had an all-night ride of it. The moon lighted his way, and the trail was easy to follow, for it had been a.direct route to and from the fort for a year or more, and though not made dusty by much use could boast of some one passing over it every day or two, a Courier, an escort, or a scouting party. The messenger, bound on some ‘special mission, and evi- © -dently one for harm, not good, halted soon after mid- night and stole a couple of hours’ sleep for himself, and rest for his horse. Resuming his. way then, he held on until daylight, when he knew that he was all of forty miles ahead of Texas Jack and his party. Resting his horse while he had breakfast, he’ then mounted and°rode on more rapidly as though feeling that his journey would not last many hours longer. Early in the forenoon he passed around a mountain, where a river ran on one side, following a shelf of rock, and the cliff rising a hundred feet above overhung the trail, Just across the stream the other bank arose to consider- able height, and was very rugged. “Waal, that are ther very place fer ther boys to lie secure and pop ’em off as they. goes round this side under ther cliffs, and pop ’em off they has ter, for Texas Jack hain’t no man ter be held up, and killin’ is all as can be did with him and his pards. Waal, I ought ter find ther cap’n not far from here, ther way I has come,” and the man set off again at a still more rapid pace. The horseman was not far from right, when he said he would meet the one he called the “cap’n” before long. He had gotten a short distance beyond the overhang- ing cliff, and was riding along at a canter, when loud rang the command: )? ‘Halt! Hands up! The man seemed instinctively to obey, for he reined his horse back on his haunches with a sudden and strong pull, and threw his hands, palms forward, above his head in an instant. “Well, Buck, we gave you a good scare, at least,” cried a voice, and a man in uniform stepped into view. “Waal, sir, you did, for I wasn’t expecting a holdup, and I thought as how some others was playing the road- agent game and had corralled me. lim glad it's you,ssir.’ ; “You had nothing to lose, did you, if others than the Deserters had held you up?” “Only my life, sir, not having anything else,” the reply. “Well, what news: ” “They are coming, sir.” “Which trail?” “The valley trail.’ dhs one, then? 8 = Ves, Sit. “Where is Jerry?” “Back on their trail.’ “How many ?”’ “He has five with him, sir.’ “How many in the outfit to “hold up? “Eleven, sir, counting the two Englishmen, their serv- ant, and a negro cook.” Was THE BUFFALO BILE STORIES. Oe “That means seven fighting men, or the Englishmen, their servant, and the negro are no good, % PCS Sit. “What officer i is in charge?” “No officer, sir.’ “Who then?” [exas Jack An {22 _ “That's: the man, sir.” “T am sorry.” “It might have been Buffalo Bill, sir, or Pawnee Bill.” witue, but; Texas jack is equally as bad a man to tackle.’ > a “Te is, sir? “He has six scouts with him?” “Yes, sir.” ° “Picked men ?” “All of the scouts at the fort, sir, are picked men.’ “I believe you are right.” “Where is the captain, sir?” - “He has not arrived yet, but we are expecting him every minute. “Now how far back are the party we seek?’ “They ll reach here, sir, an hour before sunset, and Jerry said the Overhanging Cliffs were the place to hit them.” “The very place, for the men are in no danger there,. and can pick off the scouts and not hurt the Englishmen, for in them our money lies, as they will pay big ransom to go free.” “They've got it, I hears.” “Oh, yes, and will be just enough scared to pay any sum the captain demands.” “Have you.got all the boys, sir?” “We will have enough——__ Ah! there comes the cap- tain now.’ As the man-spoke there came into view a horseman riding at a canter along the trail. He was dressed in a full uniform, and v wore the shoul- der straps of a captain of cavalry. A sword hung by his side, his saddle and bridle were military, and he looked the ideal officer, for his seat in the saddle was perfect. But the strangest feature about him was that he wore a cavalry helmet with the visor down, completely shield- ing his face from view, and as gauntlet gloves covered his hands it could not be told whether he was white, red, or black. As he approached, the man who had been acting as sub- officer gave a call: “Attention, Deserters!” _ Instantly there came into view a dozen men, all of them clad in uniform. Some wore trimmings of cavalry, others of infantry, and several of artillery, and they came in squads accord- ing to the branch of the service they represented. The under officer wore the chevrons of an orderly sergeant of artillery, and another of the men had me stripes of an infantry corporal on his arm. The only thing that showed all were mounted were boots and spurs. The squad was armed wah army ‘rifles, and, as the captain approached, they presented arms in fine style, a salute he acknowledged with his sword: “Well, Sergeant Crandall, you are in position, I see,’ said the captain. te a THE BUFFALO “Not quite, sir, for we were waiting here until news comes from Jerry, sir.” “And you have heard?” | “Yes, sit, Buck arrived a short while before you did.” “And what word do you bring, sir?” The man told just what he had made known to Ser- geant Crandall, and the captain listened attentively. “Texas Jack is a bad hand to attack. I was in hopes Colonel Loyal would send only two or three scouts as an escort ; but we will be, all told, twenty-one against eleven.” “The two Englishmen, the servant, and the negro don't count, sir.” “Don’t deceive yourself there, Crandall, for those two Englishmen are old soldiers, their valet is a man who has seen service in India, and Chips the negro can use a rifle with very deadly effect. We will have eleven men to fight.” ; “We can annihilate them at the Overhanging Cliffs.” “Yes, if, we shot them down, which shall not be until I can see no-other course, for to kill Texas Jack and his men means death to the Deserter band, as I well know. No, there shall be no bloodshed unless I am compelled to kill!” CHAPTER TE PREPARING FOR THE AMBUSH. _ “Having heard what Buck had to say, the captain sud- denly asked sternly: “Why are you not in uniform, sir?” “I dared not put it on, sir, until I met the command.” “All right, and you need not, as I wish you to take a fresh horse and return.” PN eSo Sit “Say to Jerry that we will be in ambush at Over- hanging Cliffs. “I will have all my men, except those across the stream, in hiding in the rocks. “I will remain on this side, and halt from ambush with my two men, while the others will show themselves over the stream to convince the party that resistance is useless, “At the same time Jerry must have closed up close enough to see the signal from the rocks before they reach the ambush, and give a cheer in the rear of the party to see that retreat is impossible. “Tell him we must capture those Englishmen without bloodshed. : “IE we cannot do so, then wipe out the whole party ex- cept the Englishmen and their servant, for under no condition must they be harmed. “Do you understand ?”’ “Yes, sir.” The man was not long in obeying this order, for there was that about the captain of the Deserters which indi- cated-that he was not one to trifle in anything. He mounted a horse and set off at a rapid pace. _ He held on until he came to a stream, and following its bed he turned off from the trail, reaching a distant hill where he hid himself in a position wh view of the trail he had been following. _ He had been there perhaps a couple of hours when he saw a horseman come in sight. Even at that distance he recognized the horseman as Texas Jack. He saw him dismount and examine the trail, and then go on his way, leading his horse. ich commanded a. BILL’ STORIES. At the brook Jack remounted and crossed. But he halted on the other side, dismounted again and began to examine what Buck knew was his own trail, “Texas Jack an’ two durned couriers, I guess. Now, if he takes a notion to follow me up here, | has either got ter shoot him from ambush or run for it, and either will sp’ile ther cap’n’s leetle game ter git hold o’ them Englishers, Now he are examining my tracks as though he were lookin’ fer gold. And how far back are ther rest o his gang? There they comes now, and I does hope Texas Jack will have the good sense ter go on,” The rest of the party now came in sight, and Buck saw that Texas Jack was pointing out his trail up to where it had led into the water. After a short halt, to the great relief of the outlaw, the party went on once more. “Waal, I am glad o’ that, for Jack hain’t no slouch. He tumbled to it that I had turned up or downstream right thar. Now thet looked to him cur’ous, and so he were just a-itching ter follow and satisfy his cur’osity, and I’m pleased ter death he didn’t. Now how far back is Jerry and his outfit, | wonder 2” : He waited for half an hour before at last he was re- warded by seeing Jerry himself ride into view, apparently watching the trail closely of those he followed. Leaving his hiding place, Buck mounted his horse, and, riding rapidly, met Jerry at the crossing. “Well, Buck, what means your halting here?’ slowly said Jerry. : “Oh, don’t git cross, Corporal Jerry, for I has been on and seen the cap’n.” “Ah! that is good.” “Yes, he sent me back to confab with you.” “Where is he?” “At the Overhanging Cliffs now.” “What did he say 2?” “To have you come on and keep your eye ahead, before reaching the cliffs, for the signal.” "Yes. “Then you was to rush in and git thar with both feet.” “T understand.’ “And you was ter show yourself, but ter do no shoot- ing unless they charged back on you, for no one was to be kilt, while if ther Englishers and their servant was ter be hurted, there would be war in ther Deserter band.” “All right, Vl be on hand.” “Youll have to_push on lively then, for Jack’s party is jist five miles ahead of you.” So lar as thate.'. “Yas, Corporal Jerry.”. “All right, Vl call up my men.” Soon after, the men came in sight, and from then on their pace was double that at which they had been trav- eling. After setting the pace for his men, Corporal Jerry went on ahead with Buck and held the position until a number of miles had been passed over. ; Then he allowed them to catch up, and gave the order: “Uniforms, men!” ee, ee us ae The men dispersed to the timber, and in five minutes all reappeared dressed in soldiers’ uniform, representing two branches of the service, and Jerry had a corporal’s stripes upon his arm, while Buck wore the chevron of a com-~ pany bugler. _ Forming by twos now, the men passed rapidly on until the Overhanging Cliffs came in sight, and then, far up Thy th Ay V h ans il the scene, was visible a red flag waving from the top of a rock, Texas Jack was suspicious all along the trail. “Wild scenery this, Texas Jack,” said Lord Lonsfield, glancing about him with real admiration. “Yes, sir, and we camp about five miles from heré in as Sweet a spot as you ever saw. It will be a little early . to camp, but to hold on we will have to go into the night before we reach another camping ground.” “You are the ‘doctor, Jack, so do as you deem best ; but when will we reach the fort?” ; “By noon to-morrow, sir.” “T notice that you seem quite anxtous, Jack.” “Well, sir, I am not one to get scared at my own shadow; but, the truth is, | do not like certain signs I have seen, for I feared our coming has been announced.” "To. whom ?”’ “Phe Deserters.” “The outlaw band?” 1 Wes) sir. “They appear to be a terror in this country, from all ihear.”” ~ Ehey are, sir.” “Tell me what you know of them, and Sir John will be glad to hear also.” “Yes, indeed, Jack,” said Sir John: “Well, I can only say that some years ago a gold fever hit the army, and some good men deserted to dig their fortunes. But the gold turned out to be a mere trace, and the men found themselves branded as deserters, and hunted down. With no money, and not daring to re- turn to the service, they banded themselves together as outlaws, and it is said that their chief is a commissioned officer, or was one who was dismissed for some act he committed, but the truth of this no one knows. The men still dress in uniforms, cavalry, infantry, aad artillery, according to the branch of the service to which they be- longed. They were good menj too, and they are under an iron discipline, and know’ the country thoroughly. What makes them most dreaded is that no one knows their retreats, or where they intend to strike. One time it is a coach, another time a raid into the settlement, then a paymaster is held up, and again a wagon train is robbed. They range over a country a hundred miles in extent, here to-day and gone to-morrow, and,as | saw some hard fel- lows at the station, who were too inquisitive, | have been more than cautious.” “But how many of these men are there?” “Some say ten, others thirty, and | have heard them estimated as high as fifty.” “And they do not fear the Indians?” “That is just the trouble, sir. They are on friendly terms with the Indians.” “And every~effort has been made to run them down?” “Yes, sir, every commanding officer on the frontier has hunted them, and there is a standing offer for their bodies, dead or alive, of five hundred dollars to the man, and five thousand for their chief.. Now and then we scouts get a crack at one, but Nae seldom, T assure you, sir.’ “Buffalo Bill has captured one, i heard: ee — “Yes, sir, he brought him in dead, for they tad met on the trail and fought it out. He was an infantry soldier we all knew well, and a desperate fellow. “Pawnee Bill shot one also in a duel in a camp, where he recognized him, and I captured an AS, soldier, and THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. | Cas in spite of all I could do the settlers took him from me and © strung him up. “Tf any others have been killed or captured, T have not heard of it, for in a fight they carry off their dead, hav- ing led horses ready with hospital saddles to throw them on. Hark!” Just then was heard the command: “Halt! Hands up, all!” CHAPTER II]. THE DEMAND. The loud command, uttered in a very threatening voice, fell upon the ears of the party under Texas Jack with a suddenness that was startling. At the same instant, as Texas Jack whipped out his revolvers and called to his men to follow, there came shouts from across the stream, and there were visible a number of men, who, showing themselves, rifle in hand, sprang back to their safe covert. As they were not two hundred feet away, they could pour in a deadly fire. Hardly had the ambushed men revealed themselves, when four horsemen appeared in front on the narrow trail. “We must break through them! Come!” cried) Texas Jack; but the hand of Lord Lonsfield grasped his bridle rein just as a bugle was heard in their rear, and two hun- dred yards distant there rode around the bend of the cliff a party of seven horsemen, also in uniform. “My Heaven! we must ride them down, pards! You follow, Lord Lonsfield, with the others.’ “Under the circumstances we must consent to be robbed,” and Lord Lonsfield spoke with the greatest coolness. “Yes, Texas Jack, resistance would be madness in this case,” Sir John. Reeder said. “Yes, Pard Jack, we must up with our hands, fer they has us dead sure,’ a scout remarked. Texas Jack saw that those with him were right. They’ had seen, during the hasty glance of the men ‘ across the stream, and in their front and rear, what ap- peared to be double their own numbers. The cliff overhung them, they were tpon a ledge of rock not twenty feet wide, and could be mowed down by the men among the rocks. So he did what was.best. Texas Jack yielded. “Do you surrender?” came the command fron the Deserter captain. “We are willing to compromise,” answered Texas Jack. “No-compromise will be accepted. Do you surren- dere: “Do you demand our lives or money, for it will be no surrender, if you ask: our lives?’ “T want your money, and if you do not yield to my det mand, then I will take your lives.” “You agree to this?” “I do, though you are wholly at my mercy.” “Not so much as you think, Deserter captain,” and, somehow, Texas Jack’s answer caused the Deserters to grow uneasy, and the captain to determine to hasten matters, But he said: “Bah! your threats are of no avail.” “Are they not, Deserter captain?” “No. 29 6 _ THE BUFFALO “Ask your man who was at the station if I did not stispect your spies there, and take care to guard against a surprise?” At this, the Deserters grew still more uneasy, and the captain turned and spoke to his men near him. _ As for those of Texas Jack’s party, they saw that he was playing a bold game of “bluff,” to get the best terms he could, and his own scouts and the Englishmen admired his nerve. _ The Deserter captain, after speaking with the three men near him, called out: “If you have sent for cavalry to meet you, only a few men would come, and I have with nie enough to whip a troop, for my men fight with a halter around their necks.” “Ves, and they’ll dance with a rope around their necks some day. Bah! if I had the fort scouts here with me, I’d say fight it out, if you wanted gold.” “You are only trying to gain time, so I'll have no more delay.” “What do you want, then?” “Have you scouts any money?” “No, we are dead broke.” “That remains to be seen.’ “Well, search us.” : “You are escorting two English gentlemen.” “Wells. ' “One is Lord Lonsfield, the other Sir John Reeder.” “Who said they were not?” “IT demand those two men.” “What two?” “The two named.” “They say that they have some thousand dollars or so in money with them, and the rest is in personal drafts which they alone can collect.” “IT want their money.” ° “Come and get-it.” “And have you get me in your power and. thus make terms with my men. You are a shrewd fellow, Texas Jack: i “Flow will you get the money, then?” “Let them put their money, and you and your men, also, in a hat, and send it to me by that negro.” “Lordy, boss, I don’t want ter handle no other people’s money, sah.” “Do as I tell you, Chips, or one of my men across the stream will shoot you.” “He’s onto you, Chips,” said Texas Jack, with a laugh. “How did dat man know me? Lordy, Massa Jack, what I going to do?” In response, Jack called out: “See here, man, don’t scare our darky to death, for I'll bring the cash°to you.” : SV ott Pe ‘Ves 7 Z “Neo, I want those two Englishmen to bring it.” “All right, Sir Outlaw, Pll do it,” called out Lord Lons- field. -“And so will I,” said Sir John. “Yes, I want both of you,” said the outlaw. “There is some trick in this, gentlemen, for I am sure that he wants to hold you for ransom;” and, raising his voice; Texas Jack called out: “Will you let these gentlemen return?” “Yes, when they pay me the ransom J demand,” was the cool response. BILL STORIES. | Texas Jack seemed very much worried by this demand of the Deserter captain. He seemed to feel that it reflected upon him for not protecting those under his escort. So he said: : : “See here, Deserter chief, let us settle this.affair be- tween us.” “Well?” “TI mean between you and me.” “How so?” eye “T’ll fight you, mounted or afoot, with rifles, revolvers, or knives, and if you kill me you get my outfit. If 1 kill you, then we pass.’ “Tt is a tempting challenge, Texas Jack, but I cannot accept it.” “Then you acknowledge yourself a coward as well as a tater e on “Do not go too far!” “How far will I have to go to make you forget you are a coward?” was the stinging question. “See here, Texas Jack, I am in search of gold, not lead or steel; but you'll get the latter with a vengeance, if you attempt to dally any longer. I want gold, and those two Englishmen I know to be very wealthy, and a few thousands apiece to them amounts to nothing, which to me and my men is a great deal.” “Been too poor of late to pay off, I suppose?’ “T will answer all of your insults at another time, Texas Jack, and meet you in a duel, too, unless you force me to kill you to-day; but now I am on a gold trail, and will have it.” “You don’t dare fire on us, for you know that Colonel Loyal would hunt every one of you to the gallows if it took every soldier on the border.” © “Don’t try me too far.” UL dety svyou.” oe “Come, I want no more of this! Will you two English- meén come here, or shall, I order my men to shoot down _ every man of that party but yourselves and your valet?” “What is your demand, sir?” asked Lord Lonsfield, riding forward a few paces. “I demand you and Sir John to surrender yourselves to me!” i Welle: : “Your valet can remain with your baggage.” “What treatment will we receive?” “The courtesy due you as British officers, for I mean you no harm, if you will accept my demand.” After a word with Sir John Reeder, Lord Lonsfield asked: “What:is the sum you demand of us?” “Is there any difference in your incomes ?—for I do not wish to be unjust.” “You are exceedingly kind.” “It would be hard to convince Texas Jack of that.” “He knows you better, perhaps,” was the quick retort of the nobleman. . i ae “You have not answered my question.” | “As to our incomes ?” a “T care not for the amount of it. JT only want to know whether there is any difference between yours and Sit John’s ?” a ’ Uhere is,” “Whose income is the largest?” “Mine.” “Much?” ke CD ww — ic n 9 1, 3 Lil WwW Sir re THE BUFFALO “Well, enough to have me offer the difference for the ransom of both of us.” “What will the amount be?” “Some seven or eight thousand dollars.” “Tt is not enough.” “What do you demand?” “Fifteen thousand from you and and ten from Sir John Reeder, Lord Lonsfield.” Mit we reise’: “Then, instead of my getting gold, you will receive lead.” “T will consult with Sir John.” “Talk quick, then, Lord Lonsfield, for I don’t half like Texas Jack’s silence.” “Silence is golden, Deserter captain,” with a light laugh. ‘Well, my lord, talk fast, for I am in a hurry.” : Turning to Sir John, Lord Lonsfield said, with a stile : “T see no way out of this but compliance, Sir John.” “We have no guarantee of good faith.” _ “True; yet we have to trust-to him.” “And. he demands that we become his prisoners until the amount is paid?’ ic CGS: d9 oly dso a eee: sum.’ Very true ; but we will have to economize for half a year or so.’ “I will do as you say, Lucien.” “Very well; and Lord Lonsheld firmed: again to the Deserter captain, and said: “Sir John agrees to your terms, as I do.” “You ate wise.’ : “You are to hold us captive while you send a draft and "get your money, the amount demanded, when we are to be set free at a point whence we can readily. make our way to the fort.” — “T will agree to your terms in this, but, after a talk with my men, I feel oa to ask double the aimount I said.” “You show the cloven foat very quickly, Sir Outlaw.” “T asked too small a sum, I now recognize, but for fifty thousand, made payable in three different drafts, from ‘separate banks, I will treat you with every courtesy and escort you within sight of the fort myself, Lon. often go near it to see how affairs go there.” Lord Lonsfield turned again to Sir John, who ad “T suppose, Lord Lonsfeld, we must agree to his terms, and trust to a rescue from our gallant American friends.” “Make any terms with him, Lord Lonsfield, that he demands, for he has not got you ot the money yet,” ‘said Texas Jack, in a low tone. They looked toward him, as did his men, mes an expla- nation, and he said: “Ride toward them when they dene it, and be ready to act when the time comes.’ Again they looked at the scout with increased’ sur- - prise, but before more could be said, the Deserter captain called out: “Come, Lord Lonsfield, what is your answer to my last demand: ae . “T accept, as does Sir John.” “All right ; come here, both of you, and leave your com- panions where they are.’ “Do as he says!” almost sternly ordered Texas Jack, and the two Englishmen rode toward the Deserter cap-_ tain. answered face BILL STORIES. 7 CAPR TV. IN AMBUSH. “The fellow is a magnificent specimen of manhood, John,” said Lord Lonsfield, as the two prepared to go to- ward the outlaws. ‘He is indeed. his face?” “No one has ever seen him-without his helmet and visor down, sit,’ Texas Jack assured; “or, at least, so it — is’ said.” “Well, Jack, give our regards to the colonel, and pa the situation.” “T will, Lord Lonsfield; and should you be made cap- tive, Colonel Loyal will see to it that these devils never get a dollar for your release,” said the scout. -“T do not doubt that. Blazer, take care of our traps, and our money, and wait at the fort until we return.” “Twill, my lord; and I only wish I was to keep you company,” replied Blazer. “You are in luck not to have to do so, Blazer; but we must be off, so good-by, all,” and the nobleman waved his hand, while Sir John did the same, with a kindly farewell to the scouts. “I does hate ter see yer go, gemmen, I does, indeed,” said Chips. Texas Jack answered the wave of farewell PY, raising his sombrero. There was a smile upon his ats tien neither Lord. Lonsfield or Sir John understood, for the former re- marked, as they rode off together: “T suspect Texas Jack intends to play some bold game.” “T hope he won't, for it could end only 1 in disaster for I wonder if we will get a glimpse of ‘himself and his men.’ “He is a plucky fellow, bad full of clever dieatea they say ; but he has not let us into this one, if he has any in view.’ “Brave as lions, pards, are these two gallant English men,” said Texas Jack, as they rode away. And this was the opinion of all the party. They watched Lord Lonsfield and Sir John riding a leisurely, to surrender themselves to a treacherous’ out- law, and the men did not understand the coniplacent smile upon Texas Jack’s face, or, a moment after, his words : “Stand ready, pards! e Hardly had his words been uttered, when here came a rattle of rifles. It seemed that they came from the clouds, and the result was most startling to even the scouts. But they came from the high cliff across the river, from over the heads of the ambushed outlaws there. And when one shot dropped a. man from his saddle, who was standing next to the Deserter captain, other shots, now rattling rapidly, were poured down upon the terrified and fleeing outlaws beneath them, who hastily ran for their horses, and fled, though not until they had left a couple of their men behind them. The party in the rear, under Jerry, also got several shots poured into their ranks, which sent them to the rightabout, with the loss of a couple of -horses - one man. And all this happened within the space of : a. . quarter of a minute, and before Texas Jack could even get his men into a char ge upon the Deserter captain and those with him. And above the rattle of rifles were head war cries, 8 THE BUFFALO. _wild and terrible, which caused the scouts to shout out in chorus: 2 “Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill!” As for Lord Lonsfield and Sir John, they were for a moment completely dazed. The smile of Texas Jack was explained, for they saw him leading his scouts in a rush upon the Deserter cap- tain and those with him. And they heard the wild, weird war cry of Buffalo Bill — and Pawnee Bill, as the two scouts and their men rushed to battle. The Deserter captain seemed confounded by the sur- prise, and could not but feel that a large force of cavalry were upon him. With his men divided into three parties, and some of them dead, not to speak of knowing what force he had to combat, he could do only one thing. That he did do, and with a haste that placed him and the two men remaining with him around the bend in an instant. ‘ Into a cafion they turned, and, amid the thick timber, scattered in three directions, though making their way around toward Jerry and his party. Had the two Englishmen not been between the scouts and the Deserter captain, a volley might have brought him down; but when they came up with Lord Lonsfield and Sir John, who joined in the charge, they found that they had escaped them. “Three of you go in chase, white I return to see after the others,. cred Vexas7jack, | ‘But Lord Lonsfield called out: “Do you not.think it best to keep our force together, Jack, and move on away from this ambush, for it seems that the rescuing force is a small one?” — “Yes, Lord Lonsfield, it would be best by far, sir,” and Jack massed his party and halted at the mouth of the cafion, while his men broke forth in wild cheers in which the two Englishmen) joined them. ee “Fire a few shots,” ordered Texas Jack, “for each party will think we are after the others.” | _ This was done, while rifle shots from the other side of the stream were also heard from their rescuers. A moment afterward the three horsemen rode into view upon the other shore, and the scouts cheered lustily as they recognized Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and old Trapper ennis. — Colonel Loyal had said in his dispatch to Lord Lons- field and Sir John Reeder, that Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill would take the trail to Massacre Valley, to see what they could discover. ee. Se They had done so several days-after the dispatch had been received from the Englishmen announcing their im- mediate departure for the West. ee a They had gone together, while Texas Jack, having re- turned with the telegram, departed with half a dozen of his men to serve as escort for the Englishmen to the fort. In the meantime, Pawnee and Cody, splendidly mounted _and well supplied for a long trail, set off to meet old _ Trapper Dennis at the rendezvous he had appointed. ' ‘Before entering Massacre Valley, they branched off to the left up a wild, rugged valley through which rushed a stream which at places was a torrent. oe a Trapper Dennis had told them to ride about a mile from the mouth of this cafonlike valley and they would find him at a certain time of the day. BILL STORIES. They timed themselves to reach there, as he had di- rected, and halted near a huge bowlder which the stream rushed around with great force. As they descended, they started, for near them came the words: “Morning, gents.” “Trapper Dennis, you are here,” cried Buffalo Bill. “At your sarvice, pard.”’ s “But where are you?” asked Pawnee Bill, for the old trapper was not visible. — “I’m a-coming, gents,’ and, with this, the trapper swung from the top of a tree and came down rapidly by aid of a lasso, . “You live up a tree now, old man?” “No, Bill, I was just prospectin’ fer yer. to my shanty, if some one ain’t on yer trail.” “Not a-soul; but do you live up this way?” HL does’ “Where is your horse?” “Tn the pasture.” “Ah! you have a pasture, have you?” — “I has, and a good one, with accommodations for your critters, too,’ and the trapper led the way up the cafion. At last he came to where the stream crossed from side to side. He said simply: ea “Come right in arter me,’ and he waded in and turned up the stream, the scouts following him. He came to the side of the cliff, where a large mass of rock had fallen long before, bringing with it a thick growth of trees that had grown upon the summit, and which were so dense as to appear impenetrable. Up the rough rocks went the trapper, and, pushing aside the bushes;-said: . “Come in, gents.” The horses scrambled up and pushed on into the bushes, leaving no trace on the rocks of their tracks. But come on ‘There was visible now a cliff where there ws a cavern . of considerable size. “Pards, ther water’s washed into this cave ontil it broke the cliff down, as you sees, and nobody, not even a Injun, would suspect an opening here. But jist come right through, and I'll show you thet this are a island, and this be about the only way you kin get onter it, while it are all serene and pleasant, once yer git thar.” ones Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill followed the old trapper, in wonder, through the cave, and soon came out into a. teally beautiful spot. 4 a It was a basin as fertile as a garden, some acres in size, and surrounded by a natural wall of cliffs. The trapper’s two horses were grazing