Life West i Bee titer ens Sees poi aGG het Lae ea acum bs ro cr ates ie ya = — = ea You will see by examining this copy of BUFFALO BILL STORIES that we have decided to broaden the scope of the periodical and give to it the character of a fiction magazine. In making this change, however, we will not shorten the regular weekly narrative which has to do with the exploits of the celebrated scouts. That this narrative will occupy a iess number of pages in the future than in the past is due to marked changes in type and line-spacing—changes that will make it possible to print several hundred words more on each page. The space thus gained will be devoted to the publication of stories by some of the best writers in the United States. The contents of each’ number will consist of a — serial, a two-part story and one or more short stories—all of a nature that will appeal to lovers of virile narratives. All will. be charged with swift, dramatic action, or with those qualities of humor which have made American writers famous. SUS A WEEKLY PUB Copyright, 1911, by STREET & SMITH. dssued Weekly. Entered as Second-class Matter at the N. Y. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 79-89 Seventh Ave., NV. Y. O. G. Smith and G. C. Smith, Proprietors. H TERMS TO BUFFALO BILL STORIES MAIL SUBSCRIBERS. (Postage Free.) Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. SHOTtUS cose sc estes sic seeee esis G5GL TOTIONV OATS teces tees ektioce eae chee $2.50 How to Send Money—By post-office or express money order, registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary letter. Receipts—Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper change As eA OLIPIAS Fas ae iene os alge anes Mes ein ee S5CK Oe COPIES: GHO: NEAT wos weecincsssewaes 4.00 of number on your label. If not correct you have not been properly credited, GB TVOTIEES one a cv acieeuts eae Gloatinie sotien« $L.2b- 1 COPY) TWO WVGATS. Guided by the scout’s direction, Pawnee Bill sought the door. The key was in the lock, ‘and in a moment more the two friends had grasped hands. eWhatas it, Dillt, “These cowboys played a killing game on me, but I was too wide awake for them, and one lies dead inside, there ; why I missed the others I do not know.” “T rode over a man back yonder, and he was either dying, or dead.” “Then that accounts for two.” “And there were three?” “Yes, and a fourth; Half-bréed Harry, though he did not come into the cabin after me Ah! here comes Jack. Hear him tune up,” and again the Texan’s war cry was heard. Buffalo Bill and Pawnee preipees answered it, and then came a call from the outer cabin where Bill had had supper. Cautiously the two were approached, and Buffalo Bill called out: “Well, who are you in there?” @ » “Half-breed Harry, sefior.” “Get a light, please.” “So as to give you a chance to shoot us—oh, no!” “Not so, sefior, for I am in irons, and was gagged, also, but just got the gag out of my mouth.” “Are your feet bound ?” ; Ves, senor. “Who did it?” “Those cowboys, because I would not help them murder and rob you, for they said you had been to the Overland Station for money sent through on the coach to the pay- master at the fort.” “T’'ll take chances on you, pard. LOU; Pawnee, stand by with Jack to see if there is any trap set,” said Buffalo Bill, and he entered the cabin just as Texas Jack rode up ata run, a revolver in each hand. “Ho, Jack, don’t shoot your friends!” cried Pawnee. “Who am I to shoot?” answered Texas Jack, as he threw himself from his horse. * “Wait and see, for perhaps there will be no more need of killing any one.’ “Where is Bill, sir?” “Gone into that hole in the dark.” “Ho, Cody, how do you make it?” “Pye found a candle and a match,’ and at the mo- ment there came a flash of light, and the candle was lighted. Then the three comrades took a look at the situation, while Buffalo Bill remarked: “Pard Half-breed Harry, you have told the truth, for you do appear to be in hard luck.” CHAPTER VII. THE HALF-BREED'S STORY, The light revealed the half-breed in a chair, his feet thrust through the rounds and ironed. There were manacles upon his wrists, too, and about ‘“. his neck hung a gag, which he had managed ° Bet out of his mouth. “They were murderers and robbers, sefior, aes Cae I would not aid them, this is the way they did me. “They gagged me because I sought to warn you by calling out. Toh BOUPE At) }»? “Oh, sefior, they meant to kill and rob you! The man was trembling all over, and looked the pic- ture of despair, but Buffalo Bill said: “Yet you locked the door on me when you came out.” “Yes, sefior, and took the key, for I was afraid of those men.” “Why did you not warn me?” . “I dared not do so, sefior, for I was not sure, and I thought if they meant evil I could talk them out of it. “When they sent you here to stay all night I feared that they intended mischief, but did not believe they would go so far, sefior, until they came to me, got the key by force, and treated-me as you see. “Did you kill them, Sefior Bill?” “How many were on the ranch?” “Three besides myself, Sefior Bill’ “Then I killed two, and one is yet left to hunt down.” “There was no one left at the gate, sefior, so he has gone, and it will be hard to find him in the night.” “True: but Iam rather good at following a trail,” was the laconic answer. Then he said: “Well, pard, you seem to have been badly ied for acting square toward me, and I'll set you tree ‘at once: “Then we will camp here until morning, and tale over matters. “You saw no one te the gate, Pawnee, through ? py “No, Bill, I saw no one, and I was lying hidden within a hundred yards of the gate when I heard the shooting, so went back for my horse and made the run to your aid. “T had to jump over and raise the gate, and ieee de- tained me a while.” “And you saw no one, Jack?’ “Only the horses, as I came through, standing over by the little cabin. “The gate was up, so. 1 came on without stopping, Bill, but was too late to do you any good.” “As L was,’ Bill.” “No, indeed, for had I been alone, and the one who heard your cries knew that I was not, that fellow could have had me at a disadvantage, being out in the dark; but he ran for it, and has made his escape. “Now let us get this poor fellow free,’ and, ablee some difficulty, the half-breed was freed of ‘his irons. The horse of Buffalo Bill was found staked out where he had left him, and the animals of Pawnee and Texas Jack were placed with him, while Half-breed Harry set to work to get supper for the scouts, at the request of Cody. While he was thus engaged, the scouts went on a seatch about the place. - The body of the man in the yard was taken into the cabin, where the other lay, just where he had fallen, by the slide door. “It was Pony Pete Vino got away,” said Buftalo Bill, recognizing the other man who had been at the gate, and noting that he did not know the other one. “He will place many a mile between himself and the “ranch by morning,” Texas Jack said. “Ves, and he evidently took the best horse in the ranch; but it would be well.to go down and lower the gate, in case the cattle might stroll that way,’ and the trio at once went there. They found the gate still up, and lowered it. Then they went into the cowboys’ cabin, where a fire as you came BILE STORIES, 7 was burning upon the hearth, and found it vacant, while things scattered about showed a very hasty packing up by some one, without doubt the man who had made his escape. There were drops of blood here and there visible, and Pawnee Bill said: “Your three shots all nelde Bill, for that fellow was wounded, though how seriously we cannot tell. “T guess he took all the horses kept at the cabin, here, with him,’ and Pawnee walked out, followed by the others, to see if the horses were gone. One only remained, and Buffalo Bill had observed three, all of them fine animals, when he entered the stockade gate. ‘He has gone, well mounted, and with another good horse in lead. “He jwill be that much easier to trail, and cartnot go so fast, ” said Buffalo Bill. The three comrades then returned to the kitchen cabin, where the half-breed had taken great pains to cook a very tempting supper. While the scouts were eating, Buffalo Bill asked the half-breed: “Now, Half-breed Harry, let us understand each other, for it is a very Serious matter to give a man shelter and then attempt to kill him. “How do you explain it?” “Just this way, sefior, that the Senorita Bessie being away, these men determined to kill and rob you, for, some- how, they had an idea that you were Panes a large sum in government money. “But they were terribly afraid of Seforita Bessie, girl though she is, and obeyed her far better than they would a master ; for, though left in charge of the ranch, I could do little with them, and they ran things to suit them- selves.” ~“T see; and then came up here to get you to aid them to put me out of the way?” “Ves, sefior, and they would not listen to my entreaties not to do sO, for they said they could get plenty of money, and then run the herd of horses off and sell them, and never be caught. “When they saw I was determined to warn you, they sprang upon me, and, of course, I could do nothing with three powerful men, sefior.’ “T do not.blame you, Pard Harry, and will not forget your kindness in this matter.’ And Buffalo Bill offered his hand, It was firmly grasped by the half-breed, Wee face lighted up with pleasure. CHAPTER VIII. TRAILING THE FUGITIVES. When the supper was eaten, Half-breed Harry ex- pressed his determination to go down to the gate and -remain. “T have the place ‘on my hands now, sefiors, and will _stay here, for the cattle and ponies cannot escape, and, no one can cross the river to reach the house. “T would be grateful if you would not tell of the a fair here to-night, for if it was known that I was here alone there are plenty of men who would come to kill me and rob the place, you know,” “That is very true,” Buffalo Bill remarked. “Then the gang of bandits known as the Deserters might make a dash here, for the place is known to be well Paes 2 “THE BUFFALO “Tt was always the sefiorita’s wish that no one should know the number of cowboys here, and she implied that there were more than we had, knowing that it would keep off an attack either by outlaws or redskins.” . “The Border Belle is a very nice young lady, Pard Harty.” “Ves, Sefior Bill; and so I would like it not to be known that I am here alone.’ “We will keep the secret, Pard Harry, never fear. Now we will get what rest we can, and we will spread our ‘blankets here.” “You can go into the house, if you wish, sefiors.” . “No, I have had: enough of sliding doors. “By the way, what was that door built that way for?” “Tt was an idea of the Sefiorita Bessie, sefor. The spare room was once used as a storeroom, and the cow- boys were always stealing provisions from it. So she put that door in, which they could not enter, for the pres- ent storeroom was the piazza then.” “T see. Now welll start on the trail of sleep, Half- breed Harry, for there are two men to be buried in the ‘morning, and another to be caught and hanged,” said Buf- falo Bill. “T only hope. that you will catch Pony Pete, Sefior Bill, for he is a very bad man,” said the half-breed. He wended his way down to the stockade, while the three scouts threw themselves upon their blankets before the kitchen fire, and were soon fast asleep, unmindful of the two dead forms lying so still over in the corner near them. When dawn broke, the half-breed appeared, wood was thrown upon the fire, and the breakfast was cooked. Then the two bodies were wrapped in blankets and con- signed to a grave a short distance away, Buffalo Bill _ first taking from the form of one of the men his coat and hat. “T will leave my horse here, Half-breed Harry, and ride the one at the cowboys’ cabin, for he appears to be a fine animal,” said Buffalo Bill. “He is, sefior. He belonged to Toby, whom we just buried, and whose coat and hat you have. “Toby looked something like you, Sefior Bill.” — “So I thought, myself, Harry.” : “But he was not so handsome.’ ‘Thank you.” “There was a striking resemblance, Bill, at a casual glance,’ Pawnee Bill remarked, while Texas Jack added: “Only, as Harry, here, says, le was not near so hand- some.” . “And thank you, Jack. ae | “T really feel complimented, for it struck me that Toby, as Half-breed Harry calls him, had about as hangdog ugly a mug as I have seen in many a day.” “But he had his mustache and goatee trimmed like yours, and his long hair, sefior, and used to feel proud when the boys called him Buffalo Bill’s twin,” Half-breed Harry explained. “Well, I shall use the resemblance for all it is worth, and that is why I took his coateand hat, for they are out of the-usual run. And I-will have the benefit of his horse, too.” Hee Ne e “So you will start upon the trail of Pete, sefior?”’ quickly asked the half-breed. - xo “Qh, yes; and I shall find him at the end of it,” was the confident reply of the scout, who then secured from the half-breed what provisions he would need for some days, 4 BILL STORIES. and, putting his saddle and bridle’ upon the horse of the dead cowboy, Toby, said to Pawnee: se “You and Jack will go back to the fort now, I sup- pose, and will you please tell Colonel Loyal just the situa- tion, but have it kept secret for the present?” _ “Oh, yes, it would be the best thing to do, as Half- breed Harry would get into trouble if it was known that he was here alone,” answered Pawnee Bill. The three scouts now bade good-by to Half-breed Harry, Pawnee promising to ride over to Ranch Isle in a couple of days to see how he was getting along, and Buffalo Bill telling him that he would return there on his way back from trailing Pony Pete, and get his own horse. In all the conversation the three comrades had re- peatedly had with the half-breed, they had gleaned no knowledge of a suspicious nature from him regarding the dwellers at Ranch Isle. ; Miss Bessie Bond was the apparent mistress of the ranch, and her mother never interfered. The ranch was kept under perfect discipline, and some- thing in the past lives of the mother and daughter had caused them to be content to seek an ‘asylum upon the Je where they would never be known or interfered with. This was the surmise of Half-breed Harry, and more about them he did not know, or professed not to know. _Half-bteed Harry lowered the massive gate after the three horsemen as they rode out, and then the eyes . the three fell upon the fresh trail of the fugitive cow- oy. Half a mile from the stockade it wound away to the left, and here Buffalo Bill parted with his comrades as he went off upon the trail of the fugitive. CHAD DER AX HIS LAST CAMP, “How far will you follow the trail, Bill?” asked Pawnee Bill, as Buffalo Bill held out his hand at parting, “To the end of it, Pawnee.” “Tt may lead to Mexico.” “Then to Mexico I go.” “Don’t you want company ?” “Oh, yes; but it would not be well for us both to go, for this is a secret trail we are on, you know.” “Well, send back word from some of the posts, if you keep on beyond Jimits, for if I do not hear from you in reasonable time I will start on -your trail.” “All right, Pawnee,” and, with a wave of the hand, Buffalo Bill rode on, leaving Pawnee and Texas Jack to go to the fort. ] The trail was a good one, made by two horses, one in the lead. It was fresh, not more than seven hours old, and Buf- falo Bill was glad to note by the tracks, every sign of - which he read as though from a book, that neither of the horses led readily. Coes There was a trace of where one horse hung back, and then where the fugitive had changed to the other. one, hoping that he would do better. : o But these tracks showed that he had led no better than the other. eae “If he does not drop one of his horses, I’ll catch him within twenty-four hours,” the scout muttered to himself. He was very glad to see thet the horse he rode was an excellent one. | Te AA AN THE BUFFALO He possessed bottom as well as a rapid traveling gait, and went along at a good pace. “They were going about five miles an hour, I take it from their tracks, and | am making all of seven, and this animal can keep it up,” said the scout. He’spared his horse all he could, dismounting and walk- ing up-and downhill, over rugged ways, and watering him frequently as he crossed the streams, He halted just half an hour at noon, and another half hour later on. When night was settling down he entered a narrow valley. “Tf I recall aright, this valley~is twenty miles long, and no branching-off places. “I cannot see the trail, but I can hold on to the end of the valley and camp then, so if my man has halted for the night he will pass me in on the morrow, for I can wait for him. . “T can gain by doing this; so, good horse, we'll hold on, and catmp later.” This he did, and it-was ten o’clock when he camped at the end of the valley. Caring well for his horse, he threw himself upon his blankets to sleep. He awoke, as he wished to, an hour before dawn. He cooked breakfast, for he was off the trail where the light of the fire could not be seen, and, after bridling and saddling his horse, was ready with the first streak of light that enabled him to discover a track, “He has not passed; but he did enter the valley, that™ is certain. “Twill go upon the back trail,” said the scout; and he rode back up the valley. Just as the sunlight fell over the mountain tops into the valley he saw the trail. It branched off toward the left, to where there was a cliff, some heavy timber, and a small stream. “Ah! He has camped yonder, has he? _ “He rises late for a fugitive, or maybe he did not think I would take the trouble to follow him.” With this, the scout rode on toward the timber. He halted at the edge, made-his horse fast to a tree, and then went forward on foot. He knew his danger, if his coming had been discov- ered: But he had put on the hat and coat of the man he had left in his grave back at Ranch Isle, and who resembled him considerably. “T better take full chances, > he said; and, going back, he mounted his horse and rode boldly forward. After riding a short distance, he called out loudly: THO, bard Pete, whar is yer?” At first there was no atiswer, but soon there came, after several hails had been given, a faint answer. At once the scout rode on, and, as he did so, found two horses staked out, and not far away a camp fire. Lying near it was Pony Pete, and he called out in a faint voice, when he saw, as He supposed, his comrade: “Hos Toby, I thought that Buffalo Bill had done for you as he did forme, for I has got it hard, I tell yer. “T is awful glad yer has come, pard.” Buffalo Bill saw that the man was lying prostrate upon his blankets, and that he was suffering from the wound he fiad received. Staking his horse out, the scout made a flank move- _ ment, and came upon the prostrate man, who said: ™“~ BILL STORIES. | 9 “Yas, pard, I is awful glad you has corne.” “See here, Pony Pete, | am not your Pard Toby, but Buffalo Bill.” (Ok, Lord; im done fer!” he groaned, and then quickly added : “But you wouldn’t kill a wounded man, Buffalo Bill?’ “No, that is not my nature, for, on the contrary, I will do what I can to help you. “Are you really so badly wounded, pard?” gently asked the scout. “It was you who done it, and you ought to know.” “I fred by guesswork in the dark.” “You is a might good guesser, then, for yer struck me whar I live.” “Where are you wounded?” “Right here,” and-the man placed his hand upon his ™ side. “T got it there, though it did not hurt at first, and I didn’t think it was much, for I was able to run to the cabin, pack up, and get away. “But it pained me more and more, and last night I camped -early, and this morning was unable to go on my way. 3 “T was awful gladewhen I saw you, for I thought you was Toby, Buffalo Bill, although I had seen him fall as we ran out of the house, and thought he was hard hit.” -**T will be as kind to you, Pony Pete, as your pard would have been; but I must tell you that I fear your wound 1s fatal,’ said Buffalo Bill impressively. CHAPLER X, PONY PETE:S TRAIL. The kindly manner of Buffalo Bill touched the wounded man, for he said: “T guess it’s my last camp, Buffalo Bill, the end of my life trail.” VL fear it is, Pony Pete; but I will do all in my power to help you.’ “You won’t leave me, for I don’t want to die alone, like a dog, for dogs go off alone to die, Buffalo Bill.” “So I have heard; -but you are a human being, Pony Pete, and, though we were foes, we are friends now, for I never hold enmity against a wounded mam,’ “And yet I die by your hand, Buffalo Bill!” “Yes, as | would have died by yours, if you had found me in, bed, unconscious of your attack upon me; but I suspected treachery, and was prepared for it.”’ “T don’t know how it all occurred. Are my comrades dead ?”’ “Yes, one fell dead at my first shot, the other dropped out in the yard, and you have fallen here. “Tt was a bad game for you to\play, Pony Pete.’ The man made no reply, and ae he spoke, after a while, the scout noticed that his mind was wandering, for he drifted far from the present, back to the scenes of his boyhood. . Buffalo Bill was decply moved, and sat by him, holding his hand. ~ He had placed a wet bandeee over the wound, to check the steady flow of blood, and then awaited the moment when he knew that life must take its flight from the body. At last Pony Pete spoke again: | “Yes, it was a bad game for us to play; but then Half- breed ‘Harry said it must be done.” “Who ?” 10 THE BUFFALO -“Faif-breed Harry, for he was boss at the ranch while the young missus was away.” “You lay the blame on Half-breed Harry, then?” “Oh, yes; for it was long ago decided that you must die, and many a time your life has been in danger, only we wanted to make sure, for we knew you was a bad man if we didn’t kill you at the first shot. | “And there was Pawnee Bill. He was to be killed, also; and Texas Jack, too; for with you three men out of the way, we did not fear the other scouts much, nor the army.” “But why want us out of the way, Peter?’ After a moment the answer came faintly: ‘Because you was in our way.’ oHow® : “I don’t remember it all now; but orders went out to kill you. I guess my brain isn’t just steady, pard.” “And you say that Half-breed Harry was the man who set you upon me?’ “He was.” “Why, he was in irons when we found him.” “Yes, he would not lead us, but sent us, and when he saw how it ended, and heard the shouts of your com- rades, he ran and put those irons on himself. “Oh, pard, he is a rascal, that same Half-breed Harry!” “Do you mean to tell me that the half-breed slipped those irons on himself, and arranged the gag for his mouth?” asked Buffalo Bill, in surprise. “Oh, yes, he did just that, for it saved his neck, you Sec. “And he was the instigator of the attack on me?” Wes See! there he is now. “Curse yer, Half-breed Harry, for you are the one who ‘brought me to this,” and once more the mind of the dying man was wandering in delirium. After a long while he had a lucid moment again, and the scout quickly asked; “And did the Border Belle tell you to kill me?” “I will not speak of her, Pard Bill, You catch and hang Half-breed Harry; he is the man you are to strike— he and his half brother.” “His half brother?’ “Yes; don’t you know him?” “No; what is his name?” “Why, you know him well, Buffalo Bill.” “What is his name?” repeated the scout quietly, though he was all eagerness to know. “I have forgotten,” and the man passed his hand wearily across his forehead, and once more began to ramble in his delirium back to his boyhood days. | The scout listened attentively, hoping he would hear some word as a further clew. But he did not, and, again rallying, said: “Catch Half-breed Harry and hang him, Buffalo Bill, for that will break them up.” “Break who up?” : i “The Deserters, of course; for you know the outlaws, don’t you?” ° “Oh, yes; and do you know them?” “No; but Half-breed Harry does,” Pe . In vain did Buffalo Bill try to learn more from the dying man, ee ) ee He was as patient as an Indian, yet could hear noth- ing more, excepting an occasional charge against Half- breed Harry, which more and more seemed to be caused by hatred for him, f BILE STORIES. At last, with a sudden cry for help and half rising to his feet, Pony Pete fell back and expired. Buffalo Bill could but be deeply impressed with the man’s end, and it was some time before he seemed to feel himself again. ; Then, shaking off the depression upon him, he dug a grave over in the bank of the brook, and, wrapping the form in blankets, placed it decently in its last resting place, which he covered with heavy rocks to keep off the wild beasts. Then, as it was nearly sunset, he decided to remain encamped there for the night and start early the next morning upon, his return to Ranch Isle, for he wished to have a chat with Half-breed Harry, after the charges he had heard against him from his dying: comrade, CHAPTER M1 THE DENIAL, Having heaped fresh fuel upon the camp fire after dark, and his supper being disposed of, Buffalo Bill opened the traps of the dead cowboy, for he hoped to discover something therein which would give him a further clew to the mystery which he wished to solve. — The camp was in a niche of the cliff, and a good one, approachable only from one direction, There was a grass plot near, where the horses were placed, and he had them in full view. The fire was not visible, back among the rocks, and when it burned into a bright blaze Buffalo Bill sat down to his task of looking over the belongings of Pony Pete. “I don’t like this overhauling of a dead man’s traps, but then I may strike something here to be of service to me,” he said. There were two heavy sacks, well filled, a pair of large saddlebags and his saddle, bridle, blankets, and weapons, The bags contained clothing, and the scout was sur- prised at what he saw. There was the buckskin suit of a scout, the uniform of a soldier, cap and all, a black coat and pants, which would have served a preacher well, top boots, leggings, and moc- casins, with a Mexican dress, sombrero and all, Then there were two masks, a couple of false beards, and a wig of blond hair, an officer’s cloak, and some other minor “articles. “Well, Pony Pete must have been an actor, from his wardrobe,” muttered the scout. “But as there are no theaters out here, these things were intended for disguises. “I don’t half like these uniforms, for that is the way the outlaw band, known as the Deserters, dress. “Can he have been one of the band? “There is no telling, | “Now to these saddlebags,”’ _ These were overhauled, and showed powder and ball, a pair of derringer pistols, a belt heavy with gold, and which had been evidently about the waist of the man when he was wounded, for it was stained with blood, still moist, There was a buckskin bag of old jewelry, and among this was a lady’s ring of considerable value, and contain- “ig theletterina: "GCG G.te LM Next: to ‘be discovered was a leather case containing some time-worn papers, and a map somewhat worn. The map was well executed, and, instead of lettering, _had secret signs here and there, but the scout knew the THe BUrEALO country well enough to understand it, for he said to himself ; “This is the very-country that the Deserters work. “This may be useful to me,’ and the scout wrapped himself in his blankets and sank to sleep, with no super- stitious dread of the dead form lying in his grave so near him. CHAPTER XIU. . DHE SCOUL.S RETURN The scout started upon the back trail the next morning with a feeling that he had done his duty as far as it was possible. He packed the traps of the dead cowboy upon the two horses, and then, tying them single file to lead, rode away from the camp with a-glance at the rock-covered grave of Pony Pete and the remark in the way of musing: “How sad a thing it is that we must take the life of each other. “I wish it were otherwise.” Making an early start, he expected to get to Ranch Isle by nightfall and remain there until the following day. said of Half-breed Harry in his lucid moments, and yet could not but feel that he might have spoken as he did in delirium. ‘That was what bothered him. Still he felt that the half-breed would bear watching and no harm come of it, while it might be of service in the end. That it could have been as Pony Pete had said he knew was possible, though hardly probable. He began to regard the half-breed more carefully in his mind’s eye. A man with a dark face, strangely black eyes, snow- - white, even teeth, small hands and feet, and a form slender, yet graceful and sinewy. He had a look of conscious power, and seemed like a man ever on his guard, never to allow himself to be rat- tled. He dressed in a oaieet suit of Indian leggings, Mexican jacket of velvet, silk sash, and sombrero and high-top cavalry boots, while he carried a long-bladed Mexican knife and a very handsome pair of revolvers. At times he had the appearance of a Mexican gentle- man, and yet he would take the bridle rein of the scout’s horse with the air of an acknowledged inferior and cook a meal as humbly as the lowest servant, yet withthe skill a chef might envy. “The more I recall the man, the more assured I am. that he will bear watching. “Who can this half brother of his be, whom Pony Pete spoke of? Or was that also said in his delirium?” Thus mused the scout as he rode along. He did not urge his horses, keeping up a steady gait which would accomplish by night the task he had set for them. It was just after sunset when he came in view of the stockade wall at Ranch Isle. He saw no one, and so rode up to the gate and leaped lightly over. * Just inside the cabin was Half-breed Harry cooking ie supper, and he had not observed the coming of Buf- falo Bill, or his entrance. With the bright light of the fire falling full upon his He wondered greatly at what the dying cowboy had : BILL STORIES. Oe face, Buffalo Bill had an opportunity to regard him closely. He saw in that swarthy face more than he had ob- served before. It was not an ugly face, and yet it was one to fear. At last the scout slipped back into the shadow, and called: “Ho, pard, where are you?” | A moment after a voice called from the shadows behind the cabin: “Who calls ?” “A traveler, who seeks a night’s shelter.” “You cannot find it here, sefior, for my family are down with the smallpox.” Buffalo Bill laughed, and replied: *You have caught the diseaSe as quickly as you have found a family, Pard Harry.” “Ah, Sefior Buffalo Bill! cried the half-breed. “Yes; 1 am back from my trail.” “You did not overtake Pony Pete, then?” “Oh, yes, I found him.” « “Where is he, sefior ?” and Buffalo Bill discerned a trace of anxiety in the man’s tone and manner. “Raise your gate, pard, and I'll tell you all about it, for I expect you to entertain me to-night.” “Yes, sefior. I was just preparing supper,” and, seiz- ing the handle of the little windlass, the half-breed drew the gate high enough for the scout to ride under. “Ah, Pony Pete’s horses!” he said, as he saw the two animals, “Yes, | brought them back with me.’ “And Pony Pete, senor 1”’ “Is a prisoner, with no hope of escape.’ Buffalo Bill saw the start the man gave, for the fire- light was ina line with him, and his voice was slightly changed as he repeated: “A prisoner, sefior ? “You should have killed him, for he will escape, sure.” | “I think not, Half-breed Harry; but I will turn the horses loose, and I suppose mine is all right?” “Yes, senor: This was done; and, as the hatebpecd aided the scout to bring in the traps, he said: “T see you have the things of Pony Pete here?” eves, and avhen we have had supper, I will tell you all about him.” The half-breed put on an extra allowance of food, and Buffalo Bill watched his face closely as he moved about. But it was emotionless, and in the easiest manner pos- sible he said: “Now, sefior, supper is ready.” The scout ate heartily, and, when he had lighted his pipe, suddenly said: “Where is your half brother now, Pard Harry?” The man started in spite of his nerve, yet answered almost immediately : -*‘T have no brother, sefior.” “T thought you had.” “No; I had a half brother once, who was hanged by the Vigilantes in Texas, and that is why I came here, for they. sought my life, too; and yet neither Leon nor my- self were guilty of the crime they accused us of. “Tt was thé work of our foes, sefior, to accuse us, and my brother suffered for that of which he was innocent, while I escaped at the last moment, and came here to be ~ chief of cowboys for the sefiorita. 12 : THE BUFFALO - “That is all there is to my life, sefior,” and the man’s frank manner seemed to carry conviction with it in a way that set Buffalo Bill to pondering deeply. Could it be possible that a dying man would take the leap in the dark with a lie on his lips? Buffalo Bill could\not believe that. CHAPTER XIII, THE ACCUSED. “Well, Pard Harry, I must tell you about my trail after your friend, Pony Pete,” said the scout, after a short silence. “He is not my friend now, for he has always been my foe. “I have suspected him of being one who has caused me much of sorrow and suffering in my short life, for I have not yet lived thirty years, Sefior Cody.” The man did not speak as would be expected of an Indian half-breed, but rather like one of education, and who had been reared in refined surroundings. The more he saw of him the more Buffalo Bill was puzzled. His manner had become gentle, almost pathetic, now. “Well, Pony Pete made severe charges against you.” “I do not doubt it, and it was he who spoke to you of my brother, sefior.”’ “Yes; but he did not imply that he was dead.” “That is strange, for Pete saw him die at the rope end.” “Well, he simply referred to him.” “And to me?” Pe Vess “What lie did he utter against me, sefior ?” “He said you had been the leader of the attack upon me.” At this, the half-breed laughed, revealing his milk- white teeth in doing so. And yet it was not a laugh of merriment, the scout thought, but a sardonic one, as if it were forced, as a disguise, “It seems to amuse you ?” “Tt does.” “And why ?” “You found me in irons, sefior ?” SV esi, . “You saw that I had managed to free myself of the gag in my mouth, but could not do more?” “So it appeared.” t “You heard my story?” Sevier € “Then how can you believe what that man, my foe, told you?” “He said that my death had been determined upon, that you had laid the plot to kill me while I was asleep, kill my horse, and throw him in the river, bury my traps, and never let it be known that I had been to Ranch Isle.” “Yes, sefor, that was their plot.” “And he told me that you sent them, the three cowboys, to do the killing, and, finding that they had failed, and that my friends were near, you had yourself placed that gag in your mouth and slipped those irons on, first aipon your feet, thrust througn the rounds of a chair, and then snapped the manacles upon your wrists.” : This time there was no mistaking the merriment of the half-breed. He laughed loud, long, and heartily. At last he said: BILL STORIES. “And Pony Pete said this, sefior ?”’ “He did,’ “He is trying,to save his own neck at the expense of mine.” : SNotatalll’ = “You think not?’ “I know not.” “How so?” “Tt was the confession of a dying man.” “Ah, sefior!” eee. “Ts he dead?” Vest * “When did he die?” “Yesterday.” | Were f “On the trail in his camp.” “You' said that he was in prison?” “His last prison, yes, the grave.” Again the half-breed started, but with the quick way he had of regaining his composure he said: “And you killed Pony Pete, sefior?” “It was the shot did it that I gave him here, in the dark.” “Then the wound was fatal?” SC Vesa “Yet he rode far?” “He rode until he could go no farther, so went into camp, but never left it alive.” “You found him, then?” “Just what I did.” “And he made a dying confession?” “Yes, made a clean breast of the whole scheme.” “Which you believe, sefior ?” “With a desire to do full justice by you, Half-breed Harry, I will tell you that he was at times in delirium.” “The ravings of a fever-wrecked, crime-haunted man wete his utterances against me.” “Tt was in his lucid intervals that he spoke of you, Half-breed Harry.” “Tam sure not.” “Why on “Because he did not tell the truth.” “You assert this?’ “Yes, sefior, with no fear of contradiction. The man was in delirium, or, if not, he said what he did as my bitter foe, to assure my death.” “It might be so.” “It is so, sefior.” “Well, I give you the benefit of the doubt.” “You are kind, sefior,” Buffalo Bill could not detect whether this was meant as honest thanks or in a sneering tone. “Yes, I give you the benefit of the doubt, Half-breed Harry.” Whether the man suspected the repetition of the state- ment was to trap him or not, he did not repeat ‘his words, but in silence held forth his hand as an appreciation of the scout’s. kindness. “And you were good enough to bury Pony Pete, sefior ?” “Yes, for I certainly would not leave his body for the coyotes to tear to pieces.” “Yet he sought your life, sefior ?” “Oh, yes; but being dead killed all animosity I had felt toward hit in life.” “Sefior Cody?” “Ves,” CHE BOPRALO “If the Sefiorita Bond were only here she could tell you that I am to be trusted, that I am not the wicked man Pony Pete would have led you to believe through his dying utterances, but which you should not accept as proof against me, even though spoken by lips that in a short while would be sealed forever. “Senor, I thank you, and am your friend forever,” and the face of the half-breed lighted up radiantly now, and Buffalo Bill seemed to feel that in thought he had really wronged him. CHAPTER XIV. AN ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY. That night in the cowboys’ cabin, at the stockade gate leading into Ranch Isle, Buffalo Bill slept as did the great Napoleon—‘‘with one eye open.’ He was constantly on the watch for the half- breed, for, thouglt trusting him in a measure, he was yet suspicious of him, and did not intend to be caught napping. The ‘night passed, however, without any act on the part of the half-breed to add to the suspicion against him, and, promising to return soon and bring back the horse he borrowed to carry to the fort the traps of Pony Pete, Buffalo Bill mounted his own horse and set off upon the trail for the post. He went by way of Skeleton Gap, to cut off the dis- tance of several miles, and had just reached the. rock- covered grave of the massacred emigrants, when he be- held a horseman approaching. A glance showed him that it was Pawnee Bill, and the two urged their horses to a more rapid pace, and greeted each other most cordially. “TI was just on my way to Ranch Isle, Bill, to see Half- breed Harry.” “T just leit him this morning, Pawnee, for I stayed there last night.” “Is he still alone?’ “I saw nothing to cause me to believe to the contrary.” “And you appear to have struck it rich,’ and Pawnee glanced at the horse bearing Pony Pete’s traps. “That is Pony Pete’s outfit, and the horse I borrowed from Half-breed Harry, as he said the Belle of Ranch Isle owned all the animals her cowboys rode.” “That means that you caught up with Pony Pete?’ SVas 7 “Peace be to his ashes,” solemnly said Pawnee. “Yes, he is dead and underground; and the wound I gave him that night was the cause. “I will tell you about it.” The two sat down upon the rocks forming the cross over the emigrants’ graves, and Buffalo Bill told his story of the trail he had followed. Then he asked: “Now, Pawnee, what do you make out of it?” Well, the dying man said some truths, without a doubt, for he did not say enough to prove that he was speak- ing from venom against the half-breed. “Had such been the case, he would have said more, and shown a vindictive determination to have you kill his enemy upon his confession alone.” “You think, then, that Half-breed Harry. is not as in- “nocent as he professes to be? “That is my belief.” “And will bear watching: a _ Every day and hour.” “He appeared to me to be honest.” 99 BIL STORIES. £3 “He is a very remarkable man, that half-breed, Bill,. for he is an actor in all things, and he has far,more intelligence than he would have men believe.” “Such is your ee Pawnee?” “Candidly.” “Well, you reason well, and no mistake.” “Now, let us overhaul Pony Pete’s traps together, for we could not have a better place, and I want you to see just what is here,” “Did. Half-breed Harry know that you had these things ?” “Oh, yes; I told him.” “And did not want them?” “Ves, he offered to buy them, for he said he was short of clothes.” “You would not sell?” “No, though he said he would give me a hundred dol- — lars for the outfit.” “Then they are worth more to us?” “There is a belt of gold in the saddlebags containing three hundred dollars, and there is also a ring of some value,” “Did Half-breed Harry know of these?’ “T think not; or, at least, he did not speak of them.” “But urged you to sell to him the outfit 2” “Yes, he was quite persistent in this.” “Well, we will see what he craved to the tune of a hundred dollars.’ The bags were first opened, and the suits were laid out in order and as they belonged. An, 4 soldier suit, officer’s cloak, and cavalry hat of our army.’ “Ves, 39 “And other clothes, too—the fellow was a pawnbroker, Bill.” “I suspected hips of being an actor, Pawnee.” “Well, I guess you are near right, for I suspect that he did play different parts.” ‘Buty see, this Mexican suit is an elegant one, thotigh it has been worn.’ “Yes, it is a handsome one.’ Bill: 39 “Yes, Pawnee.” “This suit I have seen before.” 66 Ah! $9? “Tt was worn by Captain Leon Luiz, the Mexican lan- cero, the day of the tournament at Ranch Isle.” “Tt looks like it.” “Tt is the suit, for I recognize the way this gold lace _is put on, and, more, here is a snag in the shoulder he got that day. “Then Pony Pete stole it from him.” “No, I guess he gave it to him, for Captain Luiz was _ too much of a dandy to wear a torn suit. “I wonder if he left anything in the pockets?” With this, Pawnee Bill thrust his hands into the dif- ferent pockets, and at last drew from one a small red book in pamphlet form. The book was in Spanish, and, as Pawnee Bill spoke the language, he said: “It is a roster of the Mexican army; yes, for five years, Bill, from the present time. “Now. we will see the name of Captain Leon a and his proper rank By Heaven, it is not here, Bill!” And the scout seemed really excited, so different from his: usual perfect calm. dating ee CHAPTER XV. DEAD, MO Re GAMER VSTs: The exclamation and words of Pawnee Bill came to ‘Buffalo Bill with their full force when Pawnee said: “Remember, Bill, the name of Captain Leon Luiz is not here, and yet he was introduced as being in the Mexican army, a captain of lanceros. “He even told me that his command was known as the ‘Lariat Lancers, from the fact that all of his men carried lassoes, and were skilled in throwing the rope.” “Perhaps, Pawnee, he has resigned, and is an ex- officer ?” “Then he should have said so, Bill.” "How far back did you say the roster went?” “Hive years. “Maybe his name is farther back.” “Ah, it might be; but as an ex-officer he should not have represented himself as one now in Perec . Pvery true. Pawnee now ran over the names for each year, and he said: “Not last year, nor the year before.” “Or in the other two years?” “Not in the fourth,” “And the fifth?’ “Wes, here is his name, or a part of it.” ee. 3) “Tl read you what it says here: - "Leon Luiz Alvarez, captain of Lasso Lancers; en- tered service as second lieutenant, graduating at the Eng- | lish military school for cadets with high honors. “Promoted to first lieutenant for gallant conduct upon the field, in the Juarez Maximilian war, and again pro- moted on the field, for distinguished bravery, to rank of. captain. ““Executed June first for conspiracy against the gov- ernment. ““At the execution he was granted the privilege he asked, to give the order for the men to fire upon him. ““So perish all traitors to Mexico.’ ” After reading this note in the roster, Pawnee gave a sigh which was echoed by Buffalo Bill, and both were silent for a while. elt is a pity, Bill,” said Pawnee Bill, breaking the si- lence, ‘“‘to see a man with such a prilliant record end his life asa conspirator.” “It certainly is; but can here. be no mistake, Pawnee’ We “How so?” “Is that our man?” “Beyond doubt.” “The name there is Alvarez.” “Ves. Bee “And his was Leon Luiz.” “True, Leon Luiz, and here is Alvarez added in this book.” “What company of lancers did he say he belonged to?” “The Lasso Lancers.” “And he was educated in England ?” “Ves. 33 “He certainly spoke English well.” “Yes, with great purity.” “And you believe that Captain Luiz and the one-there named are the same?” rae do a “But Alvarez was executed.” Prie. THE BUPFALO BILL’ STORIES. “How could that be, then ?”’ “Mexico is a strange country, Bill, and the Mexicans a strange people. “The véry men who fired upon him may have been secretly his way of thinking, as well. as the officer in charge of the execution squad. “In such case, the guns could have been loaded aly with powder, the captain fall at the fire, and thus be saved, for the affair was doubtless at sunset, and dark- ness coming on aided the deceit. “You make a strong case of it, Pawnee.” “And theh, you remember, Don Eduardo told Madge that he was going back to Mexico, to. be tried for a crime of which he was innocent.” : (So0-he did.” “And that Captain Luiz was taking him back?” eV es. 33 “And the fair Bessie was going, to become the wife of the Mexican captain?” Onl ines! “Now, it might be that Don Eduardo could prove the captain guiltless of the crime, and when they got back to Mexico all would be serene, and the Mexican be made happy by a pardon and a wife.” “You have made a strong case of it, and I am Wed inclined to believe there is something in it, after all.” “There may not be, but I am supposing the case from the fact of the name, of what Don Eduardo said, and the finding of this roster in the pocket of the suit that belonged to Captain Luiz, while you see, that it is marked all around with black.” ' Phat as true ; but now to the ring -and the map I have to show you.” The ring was handed over, and, glancing at the inside, Pawnee Bill said quickly: OGG, toon Ves”, ae “Now, G. G, can stand for Granger Goldhurst, and, you remember, in the papers found in the wallet given up to _ you was the name of Lucille Hubbard, which was doubt- less that of the wife of the Englishman ? es “Pawnee, you have a very clear way of looking through things, and you should have been a lawyer—no, that ' would have spoiled a first-class scout, depriving me of my best friend, for there i is no use out ‘here for a lawyer. This.ring may be of value.” “Without doubt, Bill. But now to the map.” — The map was next unfolded and looked at, but no more could be made of it*than that the scout recognized it as the field of operation of the outlaw band of De- serters. Then the traps of the dead kowhoy were put away again, and, mounting, the two comrades started for the fort, neither of them seeing a face peering down from the cliff above, which both would have given much to have discovered. ; 2 CHAPTER XVI. - OF THE SAME OPINION. The chief of scouts rode into the fort by the side of Pawnee Bill, and leading the horse bearing the traps of Pony Pete. = 2 They went at once to Buffalo Bill’s quartets, where Pony Pete’s things were securely put away; after which the scout went to Colonel Loyal to report. “Well, Cody, back agai I see, and I suppose yott have Pe ene THE BUFFALO >) news, as | saw you bring in a riderless horse,” remarked the colonel, in his cordial way. “The horse belonged, sir, to a man I followed from Ranch Isle, which Pawnee reported to you, I believe.’ “Yes, Cody; and I think you were foolhardy to go as you did into such danger, for ] am sure you anticipated it.” “I did not know what to expect, colonel, but I sought to find out.” “And did?’ Uv es, Sin.” “You were wise to have Pawnee Bill-and Jack Omo- hundro near—Texas Jack, I mean.” “I was certainly glad of it, sir; but I have asked that the affair be kept secret for the present.” “It is best that it should be so; but did you catch your man?” Yes csi! And saved the hangman trouble?” “He was dying, sir, when I found him, and from the wound I had given him the night before. “I will tell you, sir, just what he said to me, and you can advise me as to your views.’ “Do so, Cody, for this is growing interesting in the mystery attached to that ranch and its people.” The scout told the story of Pony Pete’s death, and all that he had said, and made known the contents of the man’s outfit, handing him the ring, map, and the red book. “Pawnee Bill will be here soon, sir, to read you just what that book says, for I believe I heard you say once that you do not speak Spanish,” “No, that part of my education was neglected, | am sorry to say—oh, here is Pawnee, now.” ‘The scout entered, and soon read what was in the red book. “T agree with you, Pawnee, that the man who was here was the same one who is here reported as executed. It is a mixed-up affair all around, and, after all, it may turn out that the mystery is for some good.” “But the attack on me, colonel?” “Ah, yes, that looks bad; s yet it might have been a stroke of the ‘cowboys to get money.’ Or get tid-or Bill, cotonel! mY es, that may be it: but now to ile ring you spoke of, and ‘the map.’ They were placed in his hands, and, atten, glancing at the inscription in the ring, he said : “There is no doubt but that this ring was the property of Granger Goldhurst’s wife, and I only wish it had been found before the departure of our English friends. “The map I am at sea about. And, as for the ward- robe you speak of as belonging tg the cowboy, it may have been used for disguise, and perhaps not.” ‘The discussion was continued for some time, and it was agreed that the affair at Ranch Isle should be kept a close secret, at least for the present, or until the return of Mrs. Bond and her daughter. How the ring of Granger Goldhurst came into the pos- session of Pony Pete, not one of the three could offer an opinion. : “And did the. man Half-breed Pag, say aught about Don Eduardo Vincente, Cody?” - nM p sir; le seemed to know nothing about him,” “Well, I learn that his man, Dandy Dan, has been gambfing very heavily since the don left, and it struck BILL ‘STORIES. | te me that he might have gotten hold of some of his mas- ter's funds, and was using them.” “T will drop in at Emerald Ed’s saloon, sir, and take a look at him,” said Buffalo Bill. “Do so, and see just what the fellow is ae for, somehow, I think he is an unmitigated rascal.” “T think you have read him right, Colonel Loyal,’ an- swered Buffalo Bill, and soon after he took his leave of the colonel, leaving in his hands the ring, the red book, and Pony Pete’s belt of gold. The scout made his way from the colonel’s quarters to the house of the chaplain, and Mustang Madge met him at the door. “Well, Papa Bill, give an account of yourself for the past few days,” said the pretty girl pleasantly. “That is just what I have called for, my little detective pard, and I wish to get that wise head of yours to give me an opinion of what I tell you,’ and Madge heard the story of the scout’s adventures, after which she said: “Tl reserve my opinion until another time; but I may say now that I do not think it wise for you to go alone to the Ranch Isle, for if Half-breed Harry is not a villain, then he belies his looks, that is all.” “Somehow, all of us are of the same opinion, Miss Madge,” answered Cody. » CHAPTER XVIT. TRAPPER DENNIS. When Buffalo Bill returned to his quarters he found there a visitor awaiting him, a man with long iron-gray hair and beard, and his complexion was brown as a berry, and as tough as leather. He was dressed in a suit of buckskin, a slouch hat, and moccasins. “Trapper Dennis!” cried Buffalo’ Bill, stepping Be forward and grasping his hand. “Yas, Bill, it’s what is left of old Trapper Dennis, bad luck to him,” was the answer. “Why, you haven't gone back on yourself, pard, have you?” Waal, you shall hear ef I has, Bill, fer thet is why I have come.’ “T thought you were rolling in wealth, living in luxury amid the nabobs of the East.” “See here, Bill, no nabobs for me, and as for the East, I hev been ter Chicago and thet cured me o’ ther land to- ward ther rising sun.’ “What has happened, old man?’. “Has yer something to drink in yer layout, aa a bit of grub, for I’m both thirsty and hungry?” “You shall have both, Dennis, and a good place to sleep, too.” {Waser 1 gits ther moss out o’ my throat, and fills ther vacufim under my belt, I’ll talk to yer, Bue The scout knew the old man, so the drink was brought forth, and supper followed it, and Trapper Dennis did full justice to both. Then he lighted his pipe, and, taking an et le placed for him by the scout, he said: “Yer said yer thought I were oe in luxuries in ther Fast, Bille’ “Yes, I certainly ouch so, for you had given up trapping when | saw you last, and intended to go East and see the world. . ie seen it.” “Not much, in the short time you were away.” 16 THE BUFEALO “I tell yer I has seen it all; I has been there rolling in luxury, and in ther gutter, as well. Crk was a chromo, and, oh, my! what a town that Chicago bes “I have heard so.’ “Don’t go thar, Bill or yer'll lose yer grip on life, for it are ther “dog- gondest place I ever seen.’ “What happened to you there, old man?” “Yer knows I had my money saved up, and it were in ther banks?” “So you told me.’ oo “Waal, | made some o’ the nicest acddainiances I ever seen, and they showed me the town.” “And you live to tell it?” Waal, (i here auc i ii Ves: “T has fought Injuns and grizzlies, catamounts and wild cats, had a scrimmage now and then with a-paleface, fell down a mouhtain-trail side, got ’most drowned sev- eral times, but living in Chicago lays over any game I ever played. “I tell ye;, Pard Bill, it cost me a cool thousand that night for ther boys ter show me an elephant, and I didn’t git a shot at him, arter all. “Next day, or I s’pose it was, for I didn’t keep no count of time, I bought me a suit o’ clothes fine enough for a pulpit sharp, and then I bought a watch and chain, some dimants andegloves, and a hat as looked “like. a powder keg painted black. “Then I went to ther theater, and the gals all went en on me. “The feller as was my guide knew ’em all, and I give em a supper, and the way ther wine flowed were a caution ter cats. “Next night I tuk in ther gambling saloons, and I were up for heaps 0’ money. “Waal, Bill, I were in ther swim, so they told me; and . when I come ter count up one Sunday morning, when I were thet sick 1 had’ ter send for a doctor, 1 found I had been robbed of my watch and dimants, my money, and all. “I jist had enough in bank fer seed, and so I tuk ther first train for ther land o’ ther setting sun, and, reaching the Overland busses, I got a seat up with the driver, and, having bought a new outfit, got him ter put me down on ther trail whar 1 cu’d strike out fer Massacree Valley and start out anew. “T tell yer, Bill, I don’t want no more Chicago i in mine.’ _ “Well, old man, I am glad to see you back again, une Tam sorry you lost your money.” Bill, it were a short racket, but a lightning one, and I s’pose enjoyed it. “I has seen that I shall never forgit, that ter think over when I are alone in my mountain camp, for [didn’t be- lieve thar were sich sights in ther world.. “But it makes me love the mountains and plains more, and [ tell you, pard, thar ain’t thet danger a running out here that thar be in ther towns. ‘Yer kin shoot a bar; or a catamount, run oe a Injun, but I’m darned ef yer kin ever git out o’ ther way of them sharps in Chicago! “Lordy, Bill, it are a great place, and anaes a t don’ t believe I got acquainted with ther hull town.” ol ae ank a bar’l o’ rum, twice as much weak wine, eat a ton o’ fancy truck, had jist twenty-one fights, two with niggers and one with a Chinee about a wash bill, but I Bik, STORIES. . got my b’iled shirt, all ther same, and ther heathen’s scalp, in the bargain—here it be, Bill, for [keeps it for luck” and the old trapper drew out of his pocket the long “pig tail” of some unfortunate-Chinaman. Rey. pranced out a soldier with a club ter arrest me, but I jist put my fist inter his face and run fer it. ~. “And, Lordy, Bill, yer sh’u’d have seen me git up and dust, but it’s no use ter run thar, for they headed me off, torralled me, and tuk me up before ther jedge, and I give him ther racket jist as it were. “He were a prime good feller, for he Borrauee ten. dollars from me, got mé ter buy ther. Chinaman’s pig- tail, and give the ‘soldier with a club some money for next election, atter which we went out and got drunk to- gether. “I tell you, Bill, Chicago are situated jist over purga- tory; but that ain’t what I came here ter tell you, for I. has news for yer,’ and the old trapper seemed very earnest now. CHAPTER 2OV Ei: THE TRAPPER’ S STORY: The manner of old Trapper Dennis convinced Buffalo Bill that he had come to the fort for other motive than to tell him»about his trip to Chicago. - He had enjoyed immiensely the old man’s story of his experience in civilization, and would have given much to have been with him, But he sympathized with him in’ the loss of the little fortune he had laid up, though that did not appear to dis- tress Trapper Dennis in the least. “Well, old man, you have my sympathy in your loss of your money, and “I enjoyed it, Bill, every dollar of it, ’cepting what P paid for the Chinaman’ s pigtail. “That went agin’ me.’ “I don’t wonder, pard; but have you been trapping up toward Massacre Valley since you got back from your travels: Ry “Just come from thar.” “I have been there since I saw you.” “loknow it.’ “Ah! And how?” “Waal, I seen traces thar o’ a row, and I know’d cav- alry had ‘got inter a scrape with ther redskins.” “You are right; and we got corralled in Trapper’s Mound.” “So I seen,’ ‘Bas “And I ied your own little: game.” _ “What were that?” “T hoisted a signal on the tree.” “Was it answered £” eagerly asked the old trapper. “Tt was.’ “By the old hermit?’ “Yes, the White Spirit of the Modheine: “And he helped you out?” “He did, indeed.” - “Good for him!’ “Have you. see him, pard?” “No, Bill, nor could I find a trace of him, for I looked.” : “And failed to find him ?” a did at didn’t you set your oe in the eco ee 66 i 9 “And it was not answered 2” oo.” : >. Pe THE BUFFALO “Were you in any trouble when you set your signal?” “NO: 39 “That may be the reason.” “No, I fears the old man is dead.” “l hope not.” moondors lL” : “But you said you had news for me.’ ey has. 29 “Out avith it, then, Pard Dennis.” “Waal, 1 wants foc tell yer that while I was camped in the mountains I seen a man coming down ther trail.’ “A white man?’ . Yes, but he logked like a cross Pe a nigger and a goat, for he were clad in skins, and burned black almost, while his face were thin and sickly. “He were so ill he could ‘not. have held up much longer, but he had escaped from the Sioux village and was fearful of being overtaken by the Injuns and tor- tured to death. “T hailed him, and the poor fellow were so weak he tumbled down. “So I went and helped him to my camp, fed him, and gave him a leetle drink from my flask, for I allus carries a leetle p’izen balm along fer fear o’ snake bites, Bill.’ “Many snakes in Chicago, old pard?” Not It areca Mest Oo shakes, and they bit me nigh onter a thousand times.” “Well, what about your man in the mountains?’ “Ther rum and food helped him amazin’, but I seen it were only temporary, fer he begun ter grow awful white in ther face. “T got him ter talkin’, and he told me as how he’d lived in Massacre Valley, and were there ther-night o’ ther. killing. “He said-a white man had led ther Sioux that night.” “A white man?” we ‘Viec 7? > ~“An accursed renegade.” “That's what he were.’ “And he led the red fiends coe upon that peaceful settlement ?”’ “That’s what he did do, Bill.” “And this poor man?’ “Were one of the few as were taken prisoner, for nigh all others were killed, “They kilt his folks, and war going ter torture him ter death, but a chief’s daughter took a fancy to him and claimed him for her husband. “Ther poor fellow war broken-hearted, but concluded he’d live for revenge, so made himself useful as best he could, hoping some day to escape and start upon the trail of revenge. “Thus the years naseed and his hone began ter fail. “While thar he got the names of all who were in ther valley, men, women, and-children, and he wrote ’em all down. “After each name he writ aee they died, by massacre that night, or being tortured to death, or killed. in the village, or died. “He told me there war one family took away by ther white: chief, and so he never seen ’em again, but hears they is still: living “ip at the head _ village, and is held captives. there.” “Did he give the names to your ae Pas. em all: ar “With you?” BILL STORIES. ry “Yes, [ has his paper, writ by himself, and there is said ter be four captives in the head village, a Settler, his wife, child, and a young man.’ “Fa! the name of this family, Dennis?” excitedly said Buffalo Bill. “Goldhurst, I believes.” “Quick, old man, show me that paper!” The old trapper did so quickly, and Buffalo Bill read the list of names, written in a neat hand upon some paper torn from an old account book. Rapidly Buffalo Bill ran his eyes down the fateful list, and at last came to the following:. “Goldhurst—Granger. “Late settler in the valley, and in excellent circum- stances. “Said-to have been a miner and struck it rich. » “Had wife, named Lucille, and little daughter, name unknown. “Also lived with him his wife’s brother, en Hub- bard, a youth, and negro man and woman. “Rive cowboys on place. “From all I can learn the Goldhurst family Avere spared by Evil Eye, the renegade white chief, and taken to the head village of the Sioux. “Last heard of them was three months ago, and they were still captives in the head village of the Sioux.” “Trapper Dennis, you have brought me news that will pay you well,” cried Buffalo Bill, grasping the old man’s hand. “We have struck the Lost Trail at last!’ “CHAPTER XIX, AeC-O UNC ES OR WeATR The excited manner of Buffalo_Bill seemed to please the old trapper. He realized that he had brought him some very valuable news. “T thought, Bill, as how I’d come to you, ior I felt sorry for them poor people, and I didn’t know but what you c’u'd work it so they’d git away.” “I can try, Pard Dennis, and | have just this to say to you, that there is money for you, a large sum, if the news you bring proves to be true, for there have been here of late two English gentlemen searching for this very man Goldhurst.” Well, they is there: ” “You have only this paper as proof?” “Waal, no, for I has a letter writ by ther lady, and it were given to a Injun who played her false, and did not take it through the lines, as he promised her. “Here it is, for ther man I tells yer about got his squaw wife ter. git it for him. “It are badly worn, but I guesses yer kin read it.” He handed over, as he spoke, a small piece of paper, on which was written, in a fine feminine hand, but ede ap- parently pale ink: “To Any ONE WHo WILL SERVE THE: UNFORTUNATE: “Know that the family of Granger Goldhurst, settler of Pleasant Valley, are held as prisoners in the head village of the Sioux, the chief of which is Evil Eye, a renegade white man, who led the Indians the night of the massacre. “Tn the name of Heaven we sone for rescue from these red fiends. LucinLe Hy Gotpnursr. There was no date, but nothing more was needed to 18 THE BUFFALO have Buffalo Bill at once dispatch some of his men for Pawnee Bill and Captain Taylor, with a request for them to please come at once to his quarters. It was not very long before they put in an appearance, and Pawnee gave the old trapper a warm welcome. Knowing the old man, he had to let him have his way, and tell his story as he pleased, which just meant his ex- perience in painting Chicago a carmine hue. The captain and scouts laughed heartily at the recital, while old Dennis embellished greatly upon a second tell- ing of it, but their faces became serious at once when he told of the escaped captive and the story he had to tell. Then the fatal list was revealed, along with the letter of Lucille Goldhurst, and all were deeply impressed. “And. where is this man, this escaped captive, Mr. Dennis?” asked Captain Taylor. “In his grave where he should be, sir.” “Why should he be there?” “Because he’s dead.” “Ah! a very good reason then, for having buried him, Trapper Dennis. But when did he die?” “One week ago.” “Where, may I ask?” “In my camp in the mountains, sir.” Hite uscabout it, oldman said: Bittato Bitk “There's little to tell, Bill; for as 1 said he were a mighty sick man, and I know’d he c’u’dn’t last long._ “THe seemed to give up entire after meeting me, and slipped right out o’ life. “T didn’t remember no prayers, but I axed him if as how he’d like ter hear me sing ther Doxology, which I did recomember, and he seemed so tickled that I cleared the cobwebs o’ forty years out o’ my throat, got down on my prayer bones, ter make it more impressive, and set ter work, “I tell yer, pards, he didn’t live through thet Dox- ology, and I hev thought as how he died quick ter keep from hearing me sing it through, for somehow I didn’t do myself justice, and I did hear him say, ‘Thank God!’ and I guess it was when he found thet he c’1i’d skip out and not hear it all. : “I buried him, pards, in a leetle place as would hev pleased him, hed he seen it, and I bundled up ther leetle he had and come ter see Buffalo Bill about them poor people up in the Sioux village. “Now, pards, yer knows it all.” “Yes, Dennis, and we owe you thanks for your com- ing,’ said Captain Taylor. : | “There hain’t no thanks yer owes me, for I is but human, and I feels for even a Injun in trouble, so 1 wants them people saved, I do.” Z “It’s an ill wind, it is said, trapper, that blows no good to some one. So you see, if you had not had your racket in Chicago and lost all your money, we would never have heard of these people, and that poor fellow you aided would have died all alone in the wilderness,” Pawnee remarked. vs “You is right, pard. But what a almighty racket it war. ie vee ag “I'll never be lonesome so long as I live ag’in, for Pll be a-thinking how I went it in Chicago. © tae “I kin just see myself now at the supper I give, with a theater gal on each arm, a-dancin’ a hop-down, to ther tune o’ Old Dan Tucker—-whoop! houp-la! set ‘em BILL STORIES. as he recalled his Chicago experience. “You have a little red paint left yet, J Pawnee Bill remarked. : “Yas, a leetle, but durned leetle; ‘but: what’s to be did, for I’m on the rampage for them poor people, and I says hold a council of war.” up agin! but I were merry,” and the old trapper shouted See, trapper,” “Yes, we must at once decide what is best to be done, - Cody, so let us adjourn to the colonel’s quarters, and let him hear the story of: Trapper Dennis.” “No, cap’n, don’t let me tell him about Chicago, for I don’t want him ter consider me a giddy old fool, while I is. rr “T must stand well with the colonel.” “All right, we will not discuss your Chicago experi- ence, trapper, but tell of the man you aided, and what he told you,” and Captain Taylor led the way to head- quarters, CHAPTER XX. THE STORY RETOLD. | There are no men who enjoy a little fun more than those whose lives are passed in daily danger of death, and soldiers on the eve of battle will have their jokes and pleasure. In spite of being most decidedly serious when duty demanded it, Buffalo Bill was perfectly well aware that _ if old Trapper Dennis went to the colonel’s quarters there would be what he facetiously called a “picnic.’’ “Old Dennis has a horror of appearing before the colonel, Cody, but P’ll wager ten to one that he warms up and tells his experience,” whispered Captain Taylor to Buffalo Bill, as they walked behind Pawnee Bill and the old trapper. “You can get no bet out of me, captain, for it’s going to. be a picnic,” Cody responded. In the meantime, Pawnee was putting in a bid for his fun, “I say, old man, you must not let the colonel think you are trying to hide anything from him, for, of course, he is posted. ie “He knows you made a little fortune out of pelts, and went East to live, and you should explain to him why you did not get beyond Chicago.” “Does yer mean it, Pawnee?” “Certainly I do, trapper.” “Shall I give him a-talk on my racket?” “By all means.” ae “What’ll he think?” “He'll think the worse of you if he sees you are try- ing to lie in ambush.” “T guesses you know, Pawnee.” /OF course [ do,” “Then he gets the racket.” “That is right, and do not try to hide anything from him.” Peta “Not a word, Pawnee, if you says so, and think he won't put me in the guard trap.” es “He. might, if he caught you trying to Paine trom: Wing Pe ee a oe ee “Pm on. ther trail, then, for sealps,’ and the old trapper. was checked in uttering a war whoop which would have brought the garrison at a run to arms. «~:~ The colonel was enjoying his after-dinner smoke, and. chatting with Lieutenant Otey Onderdonk,;- who had just been appointed to his staff as an aid de-camp; ~~ keep any i ae stag ant cot lov de gle S01 oil on on rere) B di so THE BUFFALO He greeted his visitors in his usual cordial manner, and, though accustomed to the “characters” of the border, could not but smile when he beheld Trapper Dennis. Of Irish parentage, there was just a slight accent of Erin in the brogue of the trapper, and all of an Irishman’s love of fun. ‘The colonel had been “toasting’’ his new aid, and the decanter was on the table by him, so he ordered more glasses and invited his visitors to join him. “Now for fun,’ muttered Pawnee Bill, and in pagsing some wine from a glass, he slyly mixed brandy with it, } with a wink at Buffalo Bill, and the remark that it would ; oil his tongue. | d@ _Then the trapper took the glass and it disappeared with one swallow, with a “Here’s at yer, colonel, and may ye die with yer boots on as becomes a soldier,” “The same to you, Trapper Dennis,’ answered the » colonel, enjoying the remark of the old trapper hugely. | . Captain Taylor explained the situation, and said that Trapper Dennis had a very remarkable story to tell of his discovery in the mountains. “TI thought you had gone East, Mr. Dennis, for Cody » so informed me.’ : “1 did; sir, but I’ve come West now to stay—no more East for me, says I.” “You did not like the East, then, trapper?” e _: Yes, sit, for a while. ob stayed as long as my red. paint lasted, and then come home.” The colonel saw by the looks of the party who had _ brought the trapper to his quarters that there was some- ' thing fér him to tell, and he determined to let the old man tell it in his own way, so he said: x “Well, trapper, I shall be glad to hear all that you have py to say. “Fle can no more keep from telling of his Chicago racket than he could killing an Indian,” said Cody. Thus urged by the colonel, Trapper Dennis began at the beginning. He told of his Indian fights, the pelts he had saved "up, the money he laid by in the banks, and his starting East. : ‘e ' Then he warmed up, and the colonel had it from Alpha _ to Omega. “Your throat is dry, trapper, so take a little wine,’ said the colonel, when he saw the old man was es a little husky. " Pawnee Bill gave him brandy, and that set the tongue _in rapid circulation again. That the scene was as funny as could be was evi- _ denced by the roars of laughter coming from the colonel’s quarters, for the commander enjoyed it as hugely as did his officers, and the sentinel outside crept nearer to see what it was all about and told the story over again to his comrades at the guardhouse that night. As a story-teller Trapper Dennis was a success, and having heard him talk themselves, Colonel Loyal appre- ciated the intention of his officers and the scout for bring- ing the old man to tell his story to him in 1 his own. pe- culiar way. At last the trapper concluded his experience in Chicago, and came down to the sad tal@of the man he had met in the mountain. Eis voice grew pathetic then, and all toed to the BILL) STORIES. 19 recital of his scene with the dying man in his lonely camp, - and of the story he had to tell of the captives then 11 the Indian camp. CHAPTER XXI. THE RECALL, When Colonel Loyal heard the trapper’s story of just why he had come to the fort, he praised him for his humanity, and told him that steps should be at once taken to see what could be done to rescue the unfortunate captives. Then he said: “The best thing I can think of to do first, Trapper Dennis, is to engage you on liberal pay in the service of Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder, and have you return to your trapping grounds at once, or rather start back in the morning. “You shall be supplied with all you need, and I beg that you accept a repeating rifle from me, as it may come in useful to you. “T will also let you have a horse, for you will need one e “T allus walks, colonel.’ “Ves, but you will need to have a horse for quick work, and I wish you to take one with you, in fact two, one to carry your traps, and to be on hand in case an accidentgshould happen to one of them.” “I cud steal a couple of ponies from the Injuns and save the expense.” “No, the expense will be gladly paid by the gentle- © men I wish you to rescue, and Cody will select you two good animals. “You have a camp, I have heard, which no one can find, so they will be safe. “But you must agree upon a tendezvous with both Cody and Pawnee Bill, and in the meanwhile do all in your power to discover just what captives they have in the head Sioux village, and who this renegade chief is.’ “Tl do it, colonel.” “Tf you ean do so, get that remarkable man, the White Spirit of the Mountains, to help you, for he must have great influence with the Indians to cause them to obey him as they do.” “I’m afraid he’s dead, colonel, for he never answered my signal.” “T hope not; but, after all, may he not be really the renegade chief referred to?” “T never thought of that, sir,’ “Well, look into anything cece with this afar, and be ready to report to my people when they come up: into the mountains in a few weeks.” The old man promised and departed with Buffalo Bull, who was told to return to the headquarters after he had housed his guest for the night. This he did, and found the colonel earnestly discussing the affair with Captain Taylor, Lieutenant Onderdonk, and Pawnee Bill. / “Well, Cody, that is the most original character I ever had the pleasure of meeting. “T thank you for the treat you gave me, outside of the important news he brings.” “It certainly is important news, sit, for it contradicts the statement made by the White Spirit of the Moun- tains, that he saw Goldhurst die.” “Ves: yet he had. the ring and wallet, and will of Goldhurst,” 20 “True, sir; but it is all a mystery that needs clear- ing up.” “You think, then, that the news is sufficiently im- portant to recall Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder?” “By all means, sir.” “I am glad to have you say so, for that was my opinion, and also Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Onderdonk think the same, so that of those who have known the whole situation clear through, we are unanimous in the opinion » that the gentlemen most interested should be recalled.” “T was going to suggest, sir, that you send Texas Jack with a dispatch to the Pony Express Station, to be wired from the nearest telegraph office, for a letter might not head them off before they sail from New York.’ “I am glad you spoke of this, for I intended writing; but I will, at once, write a dispatch and start your man with it to-night.” Turning to his table the colonel hastily wrote: “HEADQUARTERS Fort BEauvorr, July 1st, 18—. “TELEGRAPH OPERATOR, Omaha, Nebraska: “Send the following through for me with all dispatch, and.forward answer by Pony Express to Overland Stage Station where courier awaits it. Loya., “Colonel Commanding.” “To Lorp Lucien Lonsrietp and Sir Joun Reever, Barret House, New York City: “Trapper Dennis arrived at fort to-night bringing most important news of captives in head village of Sioux. _ “After consultation with my officers, we agree unani- mously that you should return with all dispatch. “I will have escort ready to place at your command. “Trapper Dennis returns at once to Massacre Valley, and Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill ready. to pick up the trail. “Your friends here send their regards. “My courier awaits answer at Overland Stage Station. VOY A! With this dispatch in his hand, Buffalo Bill departed at once for the scouts’ quarters, and soon after Texas Jack was riding through the darkness on his way to the Overland Stage Station where the Pony Express could be reached. The next morning, bright and early, Trapper Dennis set forth for Massacre Valley. / He was, mounted upon a good horse, and led another carrying a good supply of provisions, while he was as pleased with his repeating rifle as a boy with a toy gun. Before leaving the old trapper, Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill had agreed upon certain places of rendezvous in the mountains after a certain date. CHAPTER XXII. THE DECISION. In a pleasant parlor of the Barret House, in New York City, sat Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder, reading letters from home. “Well, John, we must get our steamer tickets to- . morrow, and sail Saturday,’ said Lord Lonsfield. , “Yes, and have this affair settled, though I would like to remain longer in the United States, for 1 am charmed with the American people.” AS Dame Come im’ The last was in answer to a knock at the door. A bell boy entered, with the remark: THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. OA telegram, sir.” Lord Lonsfield glanced at the superscription, and said “It is addressed to both of us, Sir John.” - Then he opened and read it, passing it in silence to oie John, “We will go at once,’ when he had read it. “By all means,” “Any answer, sir?’ “I will ring when I need you,” was the reply, and the boy having left the room, the two friends and kinsmen discussed the dispatch received by them from Colonel Loyal. “This is.dated day before yesterday at the fort, and Colonel Loyal pushed it through with all dispatch,” said Lord Lonsfield. “Yes, and he is not the man to send it unless there wete urgent reasons for his doing so.” _ “No, he has news that Granger Goldhurst is. still alive.” ek “Beyond a doubt.” “Well, what answer shall we make?” After some further conversation, the following was — sent: } was the comment of Sir John, “To Cotonet Loyat, Commanding Fort Beauvoir, via Overland Trail: “Many thanks for your dispatch just received. “We appreciate your kindness and promptness, and take early morning express for the West. “Our remembrances to your military family. - LONSFIELD, “REEDER. ” This dispatch was flying westward over the wires one hour after the colonel’s telegram had been received. The valet was called and ordered to have a carriage ready for the early express, and pack up. Then the two friends sat down. for a chat over the news received. “If it was unanimous, the opinion of our friends - there, then I hold no doubt but important news-has been received which upsets the testimony of that old hermit, Sir John.” “As do I, Lucien, and I would be a very happy man if we could find dear old Goldhurst still alive, though I would lose a title by it.” “He may have left an heir, if dead, Sir John.” “True; but all we can do is to conjecture, until we knows the facts.” “Yes; and we will telegraph ahead and arrange for horses to carry us to the fort from the last station.’ “Colonel Loyal will see to that, never fear.’ “Tt would be asking a great deal.” “That is just what these Americans like to have us ask, if they can serve us in any way.’ “That is true, for they are the most hospitable people in the world.” And so they talked until a late hour, consoling them- selves that they would have all the time to sleep on the long run westward. Bright and early the next morning they rolled out of New York, and in good time left the train at Council Bluffs, where they took the Overland stage farther into the wilds of the Far West: The two noblemen rode with the driver on the box, enjoying every mile of the way, for they were lovers of a THE BUFFALO nature, and to them the ride was not tiresome, except at night. ms At Omaha they had received the following dispatch: “Am at Overland Station with escort to fort. “Texas JACK, Scout.’ “T told you so,” Sir John said, and they were at once at rest in their minds regarding the all-important means of reaching the fort, for between Indians and Deserters, every step of the way was dangerous. It was just sunset when the coach tolled into the last station on that branch, and the driver was made happy over a couple of twenty-dollar gold pieces thrust into his hands. A. cheer greeted them from the crowd, for Texas Jack had worked them up a reception. The scout handed Lord Lonsfield a letter from the colonel, stating that both Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill had gone to Massacre Valley, and that as Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Onderdonk were to go with their escort, they had not come to greet them, but Texas Jack and half a dozen scouts would conduct them to the fort. A negro named Chips had been sent along also, to q cook for them en route, and with themselves and their a valet they would make quite a formidable party of eleven ! persons, enough to stand off any small band of redskins and frighten away the Deserters from an attack. a The two Englishmen decided to start at once and camp on the way some miles out, so donning their border suits _ they were in the saddle half an hour after leaving the stage coach, their way lighted by a full moon. j Upon reaching the fort, however, a great surprise, and % a great disappointment, awaited them, They found that 4 Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill had returned from Massacre Valley with news that there were no captives in the Sioux village and that, therefore, the journey of Lord Lons- field and Sir John Reeder from the East had-been for naught. Evidently, the information given to Trapper Dennis was false. Meantime news had been received of Don Eduardo and the Mexican captain of lancers, Leon Luiz, and of the girl, Bessie Bond, and her mother, se It was decided, therefore, that Bessie Bond had in- deed gone to Mexico to marry Captain Luiz, and that Don Eduardo was really with the bridal party, and that, upon the return of the don to the fort, the reason he had given for going to Mexico would be found to be true. In fact, news had drifted to the fort, from Mexico, to the effect that Don Eduardo had faced those who had accused him of conspiracy, and had furnished proofs of his innocence. : The result was that Lord Lonsfield and Sir John Reeder, after remaining at the fort a day or two, once more departed for the East, secure in the belief that they were themselves the only surviving heirs to the title and estate of Lord Vancourt. that Granger Goldhurst and his entire family had indeed perished, and that, therefore, no surviving heir would _ be found, and, hence, that the two Englishmen might now return to England and claim their inheritance without fear of depriving any one of a birthright. Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and Texas Jack, with a num- ber of troopers, acted as escort for the two Englishmen on the march to the nearest station of the Overland Trail, and once more the scouts and soldiers bade fare- well to the two peers. Even Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill were of the opinion . BILL SLORIES, 21 As the escort prepared for the return march to the fort, Buffalo Bill said to Pawnee Bill: “Well, Pard Pawnee, we didn’t find the trail, after all, did we? It proved to be a lost trail, that seems true. But our attempt to find it accomplished one good thing: Our endeavors have at least brought peace of mind to our friends, the Englishmen,” “Ves, Pard Buffalo,’ replied Pawnee Bill, “it was a great chase—even though it carried us in a circle, lead- ing us right back to where we started from.” LAE END. A very good story of border and garrison life will appear in the next issue, under the title of “Buffalo Bill’s Clever Capture; or, Pawnee Bill Among the Sioux.” Many éxciting adventures are narrated, all growing out of a desperate man’s love of gold. An ambush is prepared for the two famous scouts. A band of outlaws known as the Deserters rush back and forth across the country, constantly crossing the path of genuine boys in blue. There is a mysterious trail to be followed and the cham- pions of a very lovely girl appear in the nick of time. The story is replete with stirring incident and manly cour- age. It is Number 554, out December 23. Colonel Boyton, Staff Officer. By GENERAL CHARLES KING. A TWO-PART STORY—PART II. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. The opening scene is laid on the outskirts of Manila, Philippine Islands, where a small force of American soldiers are stationed expecting a night attack. During a lull the attention of the brigadier general in charge is called to the apparently reckless actions of his staff officer, Colonel Boyton. The latter’s disregard of danger leads one of the officers to start a discussion on physical bravery, and the general begins a story of West Point illustrative of the subject. The story relates.an experience during the famous draft riots in New York at the beginning of the Civil War. Rumors of the , rioting in the metropolis reach the military academy, but that any attempt against West Point would be made is not believed. Early one evening, however, a cadet known to his comrades as “Skinny,” while on sentry duty just outside the summer camp, sees several strangers acting suspiciously in old Fort Clinton. “Skinny” calls the corporal of the guard, and at the same moment a young fifer named Malone runs over to investigate for himself. Immediately after he disappears into the fort there is an outcry, a sound of blows, and then the cadets rush to the rescue. CHAP LI: Lilt EXPLANATIONS IN ORDER. ? “T shan’t forget that night in a hurry,” continued the general, as the group gathered more closely about him. “There wasn’t a ball cartridge in camp. There wasn’t an - officer, except cadets. Fort Clinton was ‘off limits’ after dark, but no one stopped on that account. “In less time than it takes to tell it, half the first and third classes were scooting across sentry post, some, scrambling through the ditch and up the parapet, but most of them sprinting around by road for the east gate, and few of them really knowing what they were after. “There had been a scream, quickly stifled, a ery for help, or a yell of alarm—they couldn’t tell which—but white trousers and gray coats were swarming all over the 22 THE BUEPALO dark inclosure in less than a minute, and not a sign of a soul could they find. : . “The hubbub and excitement spread to the-piazzas of the hotel, and then, at last, two officers came over; lart- terns were brought, and the search renewed, and still not a thing was found within the big polygon that would throw light on the mystery, for mystery it was, now that Malone had utterly vanished. ; “Then officers and certain seniors began to look sus- picious, to scoff at the stories, to search and cross-ques- tion for sign of a fight. Fort Clinton was the summer battleground where all cadet squabbles were quickly set- tled with fists, and both officers thought they had jumped on one of these forbidden, yet frequent, affairs, whose principals and seconds had probably been spirited away. “Seems to me they had begun to take the names of the excited dozens present, when in came a yearling, one of the swimming squad, with a cap in his hand—one’ of those high-peaked, fall-over, droop-visored things that were regulation in the war days for enlistedmen, and there was no more doubting the story of Malone’s part in the mystery, for there was Malone’s cap, his name cut on the inside of the visor. ‘‘ “How'd you come by it, and where?’ sternly asked the long-legged, full-bearded army captain, who was chief in- quisitor, and Moffett balked a bit before he answered, for at the time we were required, when we wanted a swim, to report at the guardhouse our departure and return, and were then required to pass around the south side of camp, both going and returning. “Moffett had obviously come in from the north side of Fort Clinton, showing that, instead of returning direct from Gee’s Point, by the path leading south to camp through Battery Knox, he had been scouting toward the hotel. It spoke of a sweetheart, but Moffett braced up like a man. ““T was off limits, sir,’ was the sturdy answer. ‘I was coming around back of the hotel when I heard some of our fellows, I supposed it was, shinning down the rocks from the north road. They were excited, hurrying, and _ panting. I thought perhaps there'd been a fight, and they were being chased. But in the second that they showed — in an open space I saw they were cits, not cadets, and they rushed on down to the lower walk—Chain Battery, and I heard a rowboat shove off. Then I thought ILheard some one moaning up toward the road, and I climbed there, but this cap was all that I could find. It was lying at the foot of the retaining wall on the north side of the road.’ “And then there was another rush, this time for the steep and rocky, cedar-covered slope to the north dock and the river, and there, at the water’s edge, dazed, be- wildered, and bleeding, was found the little fifer, stum- bling blindly around among the rocks in search of the cap he had dropped on the heights above. “Not a lucid word could we get from him that night. He had been cruelly, furiously beaten about the head and face, and could not say who did it. They had tried, who- ever they were, to bear him away with them for fear of trouble, but had given it up when they saw how daft he was. Now, who the mischief could they have been? - “Tt was still the talk of the corps, when, toward three o'clock next afternoon, some of us caught sight of our handsome commandant, hurrying down the gravel walk from the hotel, fast as his crippled legs could carry him, BILL STORIES. He still walked with something of a hitch that told how Southern lead had left its mark on his mechanism. ““Tell Mr. Clarke to report to me at once,’ he called to the officer of the guard, barely noticing the shout of the sentry on number one. “Now, Mr. Clarke was cadet adjutant, and we knew _ something serious was up. Ten minutes more, and the four cadet captains were summoned by a scurrying or- derly, and another had gone hotfoot for the tactical offi-- cers, the four company commanders, who, with most of the little commissioned crowd at the post, were probably down at the mess, discussing iced drinks and the news from New York. “They weren’t long in coming, but meantime we sprawled in the shade of our tent flies in gauzy under- wear, trying to keep cool and not to be too curious. “Tent walls were raised all over camp, however, and it was easy to see the officers were holding a council, and a grave one. The faces all said that. - “We had not long to wait for explanation. The cadet officers presently came bustling back, and each captain was instantly surrounded by an eager little knot of youngsters, while the plebes, at respectful distance, looked anxiously on cadet assistant professor had portrayed the previous even- ing’ was now a prophesied fact. “From authority that could not be questioned, warn- ing had come to the superintendent that a great force of rioters in New York would leave that city at dusk, some by boat, some by rail; would be joined by strong bodies of workmen from the Cold Springs foundries and the Cornwall mine—foreign-born fellows, organized and sworn to resist the draft—that they had competent lead- ers, and their purpose was to effect landings simultane- ously at the north and south docks of West Point, which were a mile apart and entirely out of sight of each other, while other parties still, under men who had studied the ground, would attack by the roads from Washington’s Valley on the north and Highland Falls on the south. “Their purpose was to capture the valuable stores of. “ammunition, et cetera, supposed to be at the Point, and to destroy the entire academy. “Well,as Ludlum had said the previous evening: What was to hinder? Less than one hundred and fifty cadets, few of whom had ever loaded an army rifle, twenty-five bandsmen, and a score of superannuated veterans em- ployed as laborers about the post, and what were these against so many? “But it was rich to see the rejoicing in the corps. If old Stanton himself had proclaimed a month’s furlough there couldn’t have been keener delight. In place of afternoon drill, of four skeleton companies telescoped into one, the battalion, plebes and all, received forty rounds of ball cartridges, and practical instruction in handling and loading the same. “We had gone through the motions of ‘Load in nine times’ a thousand times, but never before with the shiny black grains dripping from the brown cartridge cases into the gleaming barrels, never with the heavy leaden cones driving down under the polished steel rammers; never except in case of the half dozen in our total membership who had seen a few months at the front before being sent — to the Point. “Presently a certain few were told off to the ‘Na- _ poleon’ battery, loading shells, shrapnel, and canister into “The story was speedily told. Just exactly what our : THE BUPPALO the limber chests, and, as the sun went down behind Fort Put, two of these boomers, the ‘Light Twelves,’ were drawn by hand to the graded roads at the edge of the plateau, and then run carefully down, one to the north, one to the south dock, and left in charge of sufficient guard for the time at least. “The evening lowered, with angry-looking clouds cours- ing over a yellow sky, and the grand reach of the Hud- son northward to Newburg Bay, usually so beautiful at night, looking black and forbidding under the grim shoul- ders of Crow Nest and Storm King: “Dress parade was omitted. The band was busy learn- ing how to load Springfield rifles, caliber .58. We marched to supper, sorely missing Malone’ $ spirited soldier music, but Malone was tossing in fever on a hospital cot, his carroty head in bandages. “We were too eager and excited to eat much, but all tongues seemed wagging at once—all perhaps but the si- lent plebes and that ever-solemn Skinny. “Skinny never did lift up his voice, anyhow, as has been said, save when he had to call the corporal of the guard, and then he made a ‘fess of it. “Ten minutes after we got back to camp the plans for ‘the night began to develop. Our tall; bearded, long-legged army captain had been chosen to command at the south dock, with Cadet Lieutenant Kizer, one of the idols of the corps, as his second in command, With them went a dozen cadet privates from the first and third classes, picked men all, and, though many envied, none could growl when, for his corporal, Kizer picked out a splendid chap who had seen service with McClellan and Rosecrans in West Virginia. “With their overcoats and blankets rolled, they strode away in the gathering darkness, while the officer desig- nated to command along the north front was picking out his party. For his first assistant he chose a most sol- dierly fellow, the cadet captain of Company ‘B, and we yearlings who were in Company ‘A’ groaned ‘in spirit, because we thought Mr. Julian would give his own men first choice for those twelves places, but he didn’t give them all. “He told off six or eight of them, to their Hie de- light, then came right over into ‘A’ Company, where we were hanging about our tents, fearful of losing a chance. He stepped straight up to a youngster who had been with the army in front of Washington, but stood low down on the list of corporals, and amazed and scandalized “B’ Company by simply saying, ‘Il want you.’ “He selected three more, one first classman and two. from the third, then looked about him for a moment, and dead silence fell, when, for his final choice, he-named Skinny. They said afterward Skinny’s face went white as his tent, but I didn’t see it. I was busy rolling my. blankets as one of his five. “Ten minutes more and we were in ranks, marching silently away toward the flagstaff. There at Trophy Point stood half a dozen Mexican war veterans, awaiting the officer of the pickets, who was to station them at the north _ gate and beyond, after seeing us at our posts, and pres- ently. as we went trudging down the dark, stony road, glancing eagerly over our left shoulders at the black gorge of the Hudson with the dim lights of Newburg twinkling far to the north, our young leader said ten words that set a dozen hearts to quick, excited throbbing—that is, 1f the others were in the least like mine. BILL’ STORIES. oe 23 “*Now, men, we may look for sharp work to-night. Understand } ‘Nobody answered. step’ not yet ordered. ‘Now there was a thundering big battery—the ‘Sea- coast,’ they called it, right there alongside the north dock —eight and ten-inch Columbiads and two hundred-pound Parrotts, and there by the dim lantern light we saw old Sergeant Rigney and a squad of his ordnance detach- ment grouped about the black mouth of the magazine, as we went hurriedly by. “A shell from any one of those guns would blow the boilers out of the stanchest craft on the Hudson, but the trouble was we could never know until it came close to shore whether the craft was loaded to the guards with a choice assortment of ‘toughs’ or filled only with peaceful passengers from Albany, snoring in their berths. “The clouds were getting thicker and heavier, the dark- . ness more intense, the wind gustier with ever minute. Objects twenty feet away became invisible. “Out on the tossing, whitecapped Hudson you couldn’t see a thing, save the riding lights of two river sloops anchored for the night on the shallows between us and Target Point. “The waves threshed at the wooden piling and broke angrily against the rocky banks. “For the life of me | couldn't help thinking of ive while ago down there at Ehrich’s advance post.close to the Pasig. Only, every now and then, as I remember, there was a little spatter of raindrops, pelting down: at us as we set our watch for the night.and stowed our blankets in the little dock house. “One sentry was placed close to the outer edge of the dock; and the unlimbered gun, the Napoleon, was run by hand to the same point, with a beautiful double round of canister set carefully home, and the vent cover buckled to ‘keep out the wet. A second sentry was posted on a little point of rocks farther east, whence he could hear, if not see, boats approaching from the inner end of Constitution Island, “We knew, too, that a little picket post had been estab- lished at Gee’s Point, as we were ordered to patrol thither, once every hour. “The third sentry was set at the west cad of the Sea- coast Battery, over one hundred yards from the supports at the dock, and here was the best and ‘likeliest’ view of all, for he would be the first to sight steamer, barge, or vessel creeping out from behind the bold promontory of the outer end of Constitution Island. The way the Cornwall and Cold Spring and railroad contingents would probably come, yet it was the loneliest and most exposed post of all, for the sweep of the curving westward shore, past ‘bumtown’ and the engineer barracks was dark and | unguarded. There was no one left to guard. “T felt queer when second of the three names read out for that post was Skinny’s. It just so happened, “Now, the rest of this story, mind you, I cannot tell at first hand, Indeed, I don’t vouch for any of it ex- cept the general framework, but it came to me in such a We were in ranks, and ‘route way that—well, Skinny and T were on duty in Louisiana a few years later when we had one of those yellow-fever epidemics that used to play hob with the population, and, putting together what I learned then and what I saw or rather heard—it was most too dark to see—that black night on the Hudson, the two dovetailed to a nicety. “Remember now we had no telephones, no bicycles in 24 THE BUFFALO those days. Messages from camp'to outposts, from dock to dock, had to be carried by orderlies afoot or on horse- back. We had only one telegraph instrument at the Point, on a little shelf at the hotel, and the operator was not under orders of the commandant at all. “Signaling had not. then been heard of as part of the West Point curriculum, but you bet they had a little lieutenant up there in less than’a fortnight after this busi- ness in mid July, and our first-class friends were then initiated into the mysteries, though we were not.” “I beg your pardon, general,” interposed a tall Cali- fornian on the outskirts of the little party. . “They're signaling again at Guadalupe, now,” whereat two or three present sprang to their feet and unslung and leveled their glasses. Far out eastward, north of east, perhaps, effulgent and luminous as Venus when she pilots the sun, a star of the first magnitude seemed slowly climbing into the -sky. Every man present had seen it, or the mate to it, before, and not one man present could explain its composition or structure. Johnny Filipino had one signal lamp, at least, the like of which no Yanko, up to that time, had ever examined. No spectroscope had sampled its rays. Clear and steady as a planet it soared into space above the dim, black outline of the Pasig bluffs, and, as though in recog- nition or answer, on the walls of Guadalupe church a lantern was furiously dancing and swinging. “I thought those fellows” were long a-coming,’’ the major gruffly, as the general glanced at his watch. “Must be midnight, and they haven’t fired a shot. Who's yonder °”’ Somebody straddling a Filipino pony came riding through the little gap left at the salient. They knew the pleasant voice at once. It was Boyton speaking to the officer of the picket. “No sign of their showing anywhere ’twixt here and Pasay,’ he said. cheering back of. Guadalupe Ridge, toward Parafiaque. . Reéenforcements, perhaps.” “And they’re waiting for them, too,” said the general, as he left the group and joined the staff officer. For ten minutes the two were in murmured talk, Boy- ton dismounting the while to rest his pony. Then once more he lifted a leg over the stocky little beast. “It’s just such another night, isn’t it?’ they heard him say, as he spurred the reluctant beast back to the front, the general gazing thoughtfully after him. “Queer our pickets out there didn’t report the sound of cheering,” muttered we Californian. “Not so very queer,” said the major slowly. “They haven’t been out.where Boyton has. Wonder what Napol- eon would say to him in connection with most men being cowards in the dark. Was he always that way, general?” The chief didn’t answer at the moment. Perhaps his thoughts were following his eyes, now fixed on Guada- lupe’s ruined tower. Presently he settled down again. “After twelve,” said he. ‘It may be too dark even for them, What did you ask, major? Was Boyton -always so?—indifferent to darkness and danger, do you mean? He certainly showed splendid nerve, both those summers in the Sioux country, and that’s about the bat est test I know of.” “You were talking of the night on the north dock,” sug- gested the Californian Soe “Can’t we have the rest of it?” Sai “But once I thought I could hear distant - BILL STORIES. Perhaps that was what the general was waiting for. Now he waited no longer. ~ “Well, that wasn’t a bad test for untried boys,” said he, as he once more stretched himself on the strip of Filipino matting somebody had spread for him. “You see, it may well be they only wanted to try our nerves, but about ten o’clock that night, after we had heard the Buffalo Special whistle for Cold Spring, the field officer of the day, the first we had ever known at the Point, came riding down to the dock, “We can’t get anything by wire,’ said he, to Cadet Captain Julian. ‘We can’t get anything by rowboat. The ferrymen swear the foundry people are everywhere along the railway north of the Garrisons tunnel. They drove back the trackwalkers and stoned the two skiffs that were sent up scouting. The superintendent expected mes- sengers over from Cold Spring at nightfall, but none have come. There’s no question the riot sympathizers are out in force, and probably they have seized all the boats on that side. Tell your sentries to keep the sharpest kind of a watch, make all single boats, big or little, sheer off until they. account for themselves, and if a number are sighted at once, why then, of course, you'll know it must mean mischief. ment you.are sure of “em. Are you loaded?’ “*Gun and rifles, both, sir, was the prompt answer, ‘but the caps are Off the cones, for fear of some fellow getting nervous and pulling trigger.’ _““Have you got nervous men, too?’ asked the officer of the day, whimsically. ‘I didn’t suppose “ “Oh, it’s just one man or two, perhaps, sir. Number three challenged a dog a while ago, and might have fired if the corporal hadn’t been there. It isn’t that they’re scary. It’s just—well, nervousness.’ “ “Well, watch them carefully,’ said the officer of the day. {1 think those fellows are only waiting for a train- load of toughs from town to push out’ from the railway and attack us. It’s more apt to come along here than down there, so give me timely warning. I’ll-be at the top of the hill,’ and with that he vanished, and it was time to post the second relief. “And as they disappeared in the darkness we heard the dull, distant rumbling of thunder; saw a faint, far- away flash of lightning, and then, away over to the east, along the curving embankment of the railway, the dim lights of a long, heavy train, unheard because of the lash of the waters and moan of the wind, went stealing out of sight behind Constitution Island. “Ten minutes later, with a sputter and crash, a horse came tearing down the hill and hauled up standing at the door of the improvised guardhouse, and all hands tumbled out to see what he had brought. “Tt was an orderly with a note: “‘Lights of two steamers coming slowly upstream, opposite Fort Montgomery now. Long train, not on pas- senger schedule, just passed Garrisons and. gone on to Cold Spring. Watch that north shore, Pickets on Ceme- tery Road claim they have seen many lights below Cold Spring and behind Constitution Island.’ ~ De “And ee the last words were being read, my - heart I know, and others’, J reckon, gave a jump, for there came from the sentry out at the edge of the dock a low, -sharp cry for the corporal, and grabbing our rifles, most of us went on the run. “There was only one corporal. The rest went any- Dose ’em with canister the mo- j \q i a HS] i i; ih B y 4 A ae iA a ta ) ss THE BUFFALO how, cadet captain and all, There stood our comrade —a tobacco-chewing Kentuckian—keen with excitement, pointing out to the anchored vessels. “*That sloop’s drifting in,’ said he. “Surely enough. Even in the thick darkness we could tell by her white riding lights that she was fifty yards nearer shore than she had been, and when every few sec- onds the face of the Hudson lit up with the faint touch of the distant lightning, we could’see her black bulk, see her masts and stays—thought we could see heads and bodies aboard. “Challenge and order them to Bache: at once,’ Julian. / Sloop ahoy !’ yelled Kentucky. you are!’ “Then we waited, breathless. “No sound came in reply. No gleam again for nearly half a minute,-and all that time half a dozen boy soldiers were breathing quick, I can tell you, and my heart was jumping. Then came a distant flare across the north- ward heavens, and by all that was.great, that sloop was said ‘Drop anchor where forty yards nearer still and creeping slowly, steadily in . toward the west end of the old battery. “‘Ouick Whirl that gun around! ordered Julian. ‘Challenge again and say we fire if they come another yard.’ “Eager hands snatched at the spokes and handspikes. Quick the brown muzzle was bent on the black hulk in the stream, and again Kentuck let out his lungs in a shrill yell. ““‘Sloop ahoy! Halt, or we fire!’ “The only answer was the moan of the wind, sw eeping down from Eagle Valley and the dash of the waves upon | the rocky shore. ““They can’t hear. You’re shouting right into the teeth of the wind,’ cried the corporal, as he darted away for the post of number three. ‘Wait till you hear us chal- lenge !’ “*Fe’s right,’ said our yoting captain. dragging anchor.’ “Forty, fifty seconds the party waited and no sound came from the west. Julian- himself was bending over the stock, his sinewy hands on the elevating screw, de- pressing the muzzle to sweep the floating deck, while one of our number eagetly hooked the lanyard to the eye of the prinrér and stood ready to drop. it in the vent. “Every ear was strained to catch the next sound, and ‘They may be then clear and powerful the challenge rang out from the. west flank of the battery: “Sloop ahoy! Anchor at once or we fire!’ “And almost at the instant followed the rattle and clatter of chain, the splash of heavy iron in the water, and the next flare in the skies revealed the big sloop, slowly swinging to the strong ebb of the tide, and ten minutes later an aggrieved and burly river navigator was aided to the dock from his dancing yawl. “Fle wanted to know what the mischief was the matter with us fellows, and why we were so particular where he anchored. In all the years he’d been sailing the Hudson, he said, he had never been so treated before. ““Dat feller out there said he shoot me,’ said he, ‘an’ I only wanted to find better bottom. My anchor dragged in that soft mud.’ “Well, you came blessed near finding bottom of some kind, you and your whole craft,’ was our captain’s an- swer. “Why didn’t three challenge in the first place?’ BILL STORIES. 25 he continued suddenly, whirling on the corporal, Who was standing silently, a little apart. okanny: says he did try after trying to call me,’ was the answer, ‘but he never had much voice, you know.’ “That was true enough, as all knew who heard him the previous evening, and that was the only explanation ever publicly given; nor was there further inquiry. “The rest of the night passed by without alarm of any kind. The flotilla from New York never started. Lack of a leader or of confidence in those suggested, broke up'the scheme, it was said- “The fact that the Point was warned, and probably ready to give them a red-hot welcome, was. known at Cornwall and all over the foundry even before dark. “Neither that night nor any other did the rioters come, and though we kept up pickets and patrols for a week, the guards at the dock were relieved at dawn and the corps got credit for ‘spirited and soldierly behavior.’ “But when the second relief went on post the second * time, five hours later than the events just described, the corporal ordered Kentuck to take number three and set Skinny by the gun on the dock. : “Where he can make himself heard,’ was the explanation, and it went, and not until after—long, long after—did the truth begin to leak out. “Skinny .is said to have told it himself to a court-martial of which he was judge advocate, when trying a young recruit for cowardice in deserting post one dark night in the Sioux country, and the court recommended that boy to the mercy of the general commanding. “The reason our young corporal let out his voice in challenge that black, gusty, abominable night at the old Seacoast Battery was that, at first, he couldn’t find num- ber three at all, and that when he did find him, after the sloop dropped anchor in good earnest, it was be- hind the west wall instead of in front of it, and Skinny was shaking from head to foot, utterly demoralized, as Napoleon declared, scared almost to death in the dark. He didn’t even claim to be sick.” “Well, wasn’t it the duty of the corporal to report him— to bring him to trial—or something?” asked the tall Cali- fornian, who, with the rest, had listened, absorbed. “Bossibly,’ » said the narrator, “and possibly he did, to. his immediate superior, but one of those two had seen, and the other heard of, an almost similar case on picket ott toward Munson’s Hill in the fall of sixty-one, not a year previous, a case of a boy soldier whom a court- martial would have shot and whom Lincoln saved and sent back to win a name for heroism at Yorktown and _ Williamsburg, and to die fighting gloriously at Fair Oaks. So between them they saved Skinny.” For a moment dead silence reigned. A dozen officers by this time were in the group. Then, all of a sudden, out at the fort, sweet, spirited, stirring, a Filipino bugle broke the stillness of the night in almost joyous peal. A sudden stream of fire lit up the fringe of bamboo across the long “swale” to the east, a volley crashed from the distant thicket. Almost instantly little lights flashed at intervals along the front, and a dozen brush heaps burst into flame, as down from the epee crest, full half a mile away, shrieking, “Gangway! eangway !” in their shrill, child- like voices, a host of little brown men came charging along the slope, and there was nothing for it now. After one or two futile, long-range shots, the scat- tered pickets had to come streaming in; some few, dimly Wwe 26 seen in the glare of the burning bamboo and nipa, throw- ing themselves on their faces at the foot of the slope, others crouching like Indians as they came, and one poor fellow, unseen by his comrades, limping slowly, painfully after them. A yell of fury went up from the trenches. “Save that man! Turn back and get him!” was the cry, but the incoming pickets couldn’t hear for the vol- leying of nearer Mausers and the exultant cries of the pursuing insurgents. But there was one who saw and heeded, and from the 17? far flank came tearing diagonally across the slope, his little pony at top speed. Before any man could turn back to aid and in the face of the fire-flashing lines—-God be thanked for the bad shooting!—he bore swiftly down on the deserted, al- most helpless, man, sprang from his saddle, lifted the crippled one into his place, and then, leading the terrified beast with firm hand, came running straight for Hay- stack Knoll, the enemy swarming, screaming after. But not for long could they follow. The roar of the Springfields drowned the crack of the Mausers. The well-aimed, vengeful fire of the defenders speedily: checked the ardor of the charge. It was all over in less than five minutes, the F aes tearing back to the bamboo for shelter, leaving a dozen of their number sprawled upon the turf, the volunteers madly cheering the gray-haired regular who came slowly toward them up the gentle incline, still leading his ex- cited pony, while comrades of the pickets braced the wounded man in the saddle. The general, with others, hurried forward to meet them, the brigade surgeon springing quickly to the fainting man, as the rescuer let go the reins to grasp the commander’ S outstretched hand. “Boyton, old friend, that means the medal of honor,” said the chief. ‘What will you give us next?” The thin, sinewy hand cordially answered the welcom- ing pressure, but the colonel said no word until the hospi- tal attendants lifted, and bore the stricken rider to an improvised hospital behind the trees. Then again he turned to the brigadier, as the wind swept angrily through the branches overhead. “It was just such another night as this, wasn’t it?’ said he quietly, and again the two clasped hands. Another moment and the staff officer had remounted and, townward now, went riding back into the blackness ‘of the night. Well,” said the major, gazing blankly after him. “There goes one man that gives the lie to Napoleon.” “Yes, and no,” said the general. “Napoleon spoke of men as nature made them. This shows what aman can make of himself, given half a chance—that’s Skinny.” THE END. NOT A LIGHTNINC CALCULATOR. One of the New York grammar schools boasts of a mathematical genius in a “boy of fourteen, and he is rather vain of his powers. A. school director walked in one day, and, after some preliminary talk, propounded the following problem to the bright boy: “There is a well one hundred feet deep, into which a cat. has fallen, and every time the cat climbs up two feet it falls back four feet. How long will it take before the cat gets out of the well?” The boy was not quick enough to see the “catch” until THE BOPBALO BILL STORIES. he had been working some minutes, and when he did see it he kept on figuring. “John,” said the director, with a sarcastic look, “you might as well give up; the solution is impossible.” “Oh, no, sir!’ exclaimed the boy cheerfully. “It I have room on this slate I can figure that cat out of the well by way of China!’ oe ee ee DAE Mirna. By Morgan Robertson. The easterly gale which, lasting two howling days, made a plaything of the three-master, Amz: Dodd—A. Scruggs, master; from Maracaibo to Boston, with a light cargo of fustic wood—not only succeeded in deflecting the schooner from her course, which was due north from the Mona Passage, but forced her through the Old Ba- hamas Channel into the Straits of Florida. Here, upon a leaden, gusty morning, when the coaster | ‘paused as if to catch her breath, another wind that was more than stifsh blew up from the southeast; it pounced — upon the miserable Amzi Dodd, peppered her ‘already ex- hausted crew with a driving combination of hail and rain, snapped off short her fore topmast, kept her for twenty~ four hours, desperately clawing, off the southern Atlantic coast, and, ‘finally, permitted the Amzi Dodd peace in the harbor of ‘Charleston, South Carolina. Not content with the variegated list of disasters which it had brought about at sea, the malicious, incipient cy- clone swept inland, tearing up telegraph poles by the roots, breaking the wires, flooding the country with a deluge of Fay sim particular it swelled to flood ‘an insignificant stream and accomplished a neat little washout near Ra- venels on the C. & S., about twenty miles from Charleston. Therefore a Seaboard express was held up at eight o’clock on the morning after the storm, until such time as a wrecking crew. should artive and repair the damaged track. The young man with the rather heavy head of black hair and the bulldog pipe, which he wore together with an inconspicuous suit of tweeds and an air of independ- ence, among others, yielded to impatience, alighted from the smoker, and lined up with his curious fellow pas- sengers at the side of the track. Acquiring misinformation from an. Gigerae train hand, to the effect that the wrecking crew would not ar- tive for at least two hours, the young man—he was scarcely more than twenty—took his suit case forward to the baggage car, where he checked it, put the bulldog pipe in the corner of his mouth, and started off, on ex- ploration bent. At first he cast about in small ae noting the lay of the country, filling his lungs with clean air—most grateful after the stuffiness of a night i in the sleeper—and coming presently back to the railway, to see if anything was ro pening. Invariably, nothing was. And the day was glorious, with a clean-swept sky, infinitely sapphire-tinted, and with sunlight almost too fervid enveloping the landscape with golden haze. Nature tempted the young man, and he wandered farther, and ever incautiously farther from the track, so that, in the course of time, he came to an inviting stream—the one, in fact, which was primarily Te- sponsible for the delay. But, by now, the flood had passed on down to tha’ cea: THE BUFFALO the stream was flowing placidly, guilelessly, between grassy banks. The sun’s heat grew warmer, and as it did the stream appeared yet more cool. The young man stepped from the road upon the bank and walked up a winding wood path to a bend. Here, screened from ob- servation from the roadway, he saw a perfect swimming hole. He hesitated, debating, boyishly acne himself to take the risk. He did want a swim the very worst in the world! he said—and beyond doubt there was no chance of that train going on before noon. Nevertheless he slipped back to the road ‘and ran swiftly to a point where he could command a view of the track. It was evident that the wrecking crew had not arrived; the same listless knots of pas- sengers swarmed about the embankment, smoking hali- heartedly ; the same inquisitive groups of darkies loitered about, waiting for whatever of excitement should befall. Plainly it would be hours before the track was fepaired. “And I need only fifteen minutes!” the young man urged. “Five to get there and back, five for a plunge, five to dry off. Well—I’ll chance it.” Which he at once did; and all would have been well . but for one unforeseen contingency : he was discovered by a total stranger, a knight-errant—of the road. In short, this well-dressed young man, darting hurriedly down a country road, and hastening from it up the bank of a river, aroused the curiosity of Mr. “Hefty Jim’? McGown. Mr. McGown, himself arrayed in an ill-fitting suit of “hand-outs,’ as he deseribed them, was uncomfortable. The night’s rain had soaked his garments ere he could gain shelter, and despite the warmth of the day, he still steamed, damp and disconsolate. Mr. McGown, without any particular malice aforethought, followed the young man, saw him hastily disrobe, and plunge into the waters; and an inspiration came to Mr. McGown. “Sa-ay,” he debated, grinning, “it'd be a darn shame to bother him now, w’en he’s havin’ such a good time, all by his lonely. An’ besides, he might raise a fuss, an’ then I'd hafter soak him in the jaw, an’ that'd be ridicu- lous. Sa-ay uy All of which explains why, when “Hefty Jim” was blithely going on his way to create a sensation in hobo society by what he considered a “genteel an’ tasty rig,” which had the added- virtue of being lined with a pocket- book containing a respectable sum of money and a through ticket from Houston, Texas, to Boston, Massachusetts— why, when this was happening, a very young and un- happy man, clothed in and yet shrinking from contact with a suit of hand-outs, was standing on the embankment of the C.’& S., and directing earnest remarks toward the back platform of a fast-disappearing rear car attached to the Seaboard express. Captain Abner Scruggs had himself rowed ashore, early . in the morning following that night, when, weary, crippled, and spent, the Amzi Dodd had taken refuge i in Charleston harbor. His objective point was a shipyard, his errand the purchase of a new spar to replace the broken one. He was a tall, lean Yankee, gray-eyed and of deter- mined mien. A fringe of grizzled beard framed’a face seamed and rough-tanned. He had a splay mouth, a shit between lips uncommonly thin and cruel, which worked incessantly in rumination over the quid which it never lackec” . { BILL STORIES. : 27 He was lanky, loose of joint; the huge, gnarled hands swung at the end of arms pendulous, which could, more- over, move flail like when Captain Scruggs was so minded. His reputation was that of a hard man, one who worked his crew to extremes and changed it frequently, because its individual members had the habit of deserting him as . occasion offered. For this reason it was with some misgivings that, later in the day, he had his vessel towed from its anchorage to a wharf, there to take aboard additional cargo for Boston. But with Captain Scruggs business was essen- tially business; here was a chance to turn an extra penny and reimburse himself for the loss of the spar; and he counted upon his mates to help him maintain the in- tegrity of his crew. At dusk the captain sat by the wheel, alert to discover any signs of lagging in his laboring crew. Two hours of work remained to be done ere the Amzi Dodd should be ready again to set sail. The new spar was shipped, the cargo was partially shifted, and the major part of the new freight was stowed away in the hold. By rights, with all things going so well, the captain should have been in a good humor. He was not; it was said of him that he was a stranger to such emotion. At intervals he spat a long, slim stream of tobacco juice over the rail, and between whiles he nagged the mates in a shrill, rasping nasal tone. Whereat the mates swore and bullied the crew, and the crew cursed “the old man,’ sotto voce, and urged on their quivering limbs. They knew the captain’s rule— that they should work until they dropped—and they were looking forward eagerly to that time when they should drop. The electric arcs in the street on the water front cast long, wavering shadows in the tangle of spars, rigging; packing cases, and bales. About the hatches, where the busy winches rattled over, lanterns were hung, adding confusion to the weird mixture of light and shadow. The shadows were as ceaselessly on the move as the crew itself, and when one detached itself from the general mass and approached the captain, he hardly realized its tangibility until it spoke. “T beg pardon vit began. “What fer?” snapped the captain, turning. “Existing!” replied the shadow sharply. a added: is this vessel bound for Boston?” The captain cast a coldly calculating eye down the figure of the man before him. It was a. stocky figure, solidly built, clothed variously in rags and tatters; the soles of his shoes flapped loose from the uppers as the man walked; the coat sleeves were scanty and exposed a length of firm white wrist; the hat was of dingy felt, _ neutral in tint, shapeless, sitting drearily atop a head of rather long hair. If Captain Scruggs’ had been a discerning eye he would have noticed the steady glance, the shoulders well back, the head upheld; but his observation was not keen. He saw before him only a familiar type of hobo. It was also impertinent, which was good cause for resentment. “What’s that to your” he demanded acidly, and spat. “Tf she is,” said the man patiently, “I’d like to ship———”’ “Well, yereant. Captain Scruggs tipped back in his chair; he’had settled the question. “T beg pardon—if you'll just listen to me——’ al wont. $ 28 THE BUPFPALO “Tm Thomas H. Poe, son of Senator Poe, of Texas i “Git my schooner— “Important that I reach Boston young man persistently. Captain Scruggs brought his chair down with a bang. “You git!” he barked furiously. “Ef ye say another word to me, Ill hev ye chucked overboard!”’ ” drawled the exasperated captain—‘git off’n ibe 3% murmured the He chuckled as the figure faded into the shadows. - “Afraid o’ water,” he added; “they all are.’ He dismissed the incident from his thoughts—forgot it completely. With the ebbing tide, the Amzi Dodd got under way at midnight. By noon the next day she was out of sight of land, bowling along with the Gulf Stream; by night the wind that favored her freshened, kicking up a bit of a choppy sea—nothing, however, to incommode such hardened seafarers as the complement of the Ams: Dodd. Then it was, and not before, that Captain Abner Scruggs had reason to remember the importunate tramp of the night before, : He stood aft, making life miserable for the man at the wheel. Night was closing down upon the face of the waters; and it has been mentioned that a sea was making. Abruptly a faint sound pervaded the vessel. Scruggs heard it, started slightly, and cast his eye about for the source of the hail. At the same time a sailor, who was resting entirely by accident and on the main hatch cover, yelped with surprise and arose suddenly. The first mate, Mr. Wall, joined him. “What bit ye?’ Mr. Wall demanded. Simultaneously, “What's that?” demanded the man. He was trembling. The mate listened; he fancied that, beneath the hatch, he heard a muffled cry—faint, sickly. | _ The captain hurried up, attracted by the repetition of the hail: “Ghost!” quavered the seaman. “Ghost yer grandad!” cried the captain. “Stowaway,” he explained, pushing the man roughly away. The mate cursed and the cover was lifted from the hatch. Captain Scruggs peered into the depths of the hold; he made out the shadow of a man’s figure. Mr. Wall bent over and gave it a hand, which it accepted. A limp form half climbed, half was assigned to the deck, reaching the which it promptly made for the side. It was the hobo—very sick indeed. He clung feebly to the rail and spasmodically attempted to answer the captain’s furious catechism, By catches, by fits and starts he delivered himself of a ‘rambling narrative of misfor- tune; of having his clothes stolen from him by a tramp, of losing a train somewhere, of tramping twenty miles to Charleston—a plain tissue of lies, as all could see. He wound up with a tremendous whopper, whereat Captain Scruggs trembled with virtuous ‘indignation—or rage without virtue; again the young man—they saw he was young—claimed to be the son of Senator Poe, of Texas! Captain Scruggs boiled over; he threatened the young man with an agitated fist beneath his nose; his voice squeaked with anger. ‘ “An’ now,” he demanded, at the end of a tirade which had held his mates and crew transfixed with awful ad- miration Of his profane prowess—‘“an’ now, ye—ye scut, what d’ye think Dll do with ye?” The young man straightened. ‘Don’t turn back,” he begged. “l’ve—got—to get—to Boston!” “tion of Captain Scruggs. BILE STORIES. “Turn back!” The captain towered above him with portentous fist, awed by the audacity of the suggestion. “Turn back ‘ -“Tm—lI’m willing to work my passage : “Work! You will work, I promise ye! Git for’ard there. Mr. Wall, kick this inter th’ fo’cas’le.” - Nothing loath, Mr. Wall complied. The young man, who had turned to go, was assisted, repeatedly. When in the end he reached the forecastle companionway, he got to his feet for the last time. “Vou certainly can kick,” he admitted. ‘“Here—lemme get a good look at you.” : Through the dusk he gazed at the mate’s face. For answer he got a crashing blow between the eyes; he closed them both, nodded his head—satisfied—and sank grace- fully into the yawning mouth of the forecastle. At a consultation of the captain and his mates, it was . decided that the best that could be made of a bad matter was to make the man work; he was therefore assigned to the watch of Mr. Marks, second mate. Marks was possessed of a reputation, second only to the captain’s, for the relentless working of his men; he was, briefly, a “mate driver,” - _Mr. Poe, as he styled himself, was permitted to sleep the night through; it is little profit to devil a seasick man. In the morning, at eight bells, however, he was routed out for the forenoon watch—Mr. Marks’, of course. He came on deck reeling, looking somewhat the wérse for wear, but able; his eyes—ow what could be seen of them through the swelling—were clear and cheerful. He accepted a knock-down blow from the second mate by way 3 of introduction, and went about his labors as well as he was able—which, of course, is saying little, for he was totally unused to the sea. In the course of time he learned to take what came to him in the shape of kicks and blows, ate his scanty meals without murmur, and avoided attracting the atten- He seemed especially anxious as to the progress of the Amzi Dodd, a constant inquiry being as to when she would reach Boston; with each day's passing his cheerfulness increased. He did not murmur; but the day that the coaster passed Gay Head, entered Vineyard Sound, and finally anchored in Tarpaulin Cove to await a change of wind, a crisis came. i Unanimously the crew had united to help out officers in their self-imposed task of grinding down young Mr. Poe. What dirty forecastle work there was fell to his share, on penalty of blows. But when Chris, a huge Swede and the forecastle bully, became especially over- bearing, surprising things began to happen. Chris was suiddenly ejected from the forecastle, in a decidedly dilapidated condition; upon inquiry he spat out some teeth and informed Mr. Wall, who had the deck, that the hobo was responsible. Mr. Wall opened his eyes, and called down the compan- | ionway, summoning the young man on deck; he came with a rush, his eyes blazing. It was their first encounter since the mate had obeyed orders and kicked Mr. Poe Off ANG etki 0c) The young man evaded a rush by stepping to one side; the mate reeled past him, expending a blow upon the air. Mr. Poe laughed. Wall recovered himself, livid with rage. “You remember me?” he cried, crouching. -man’s stomach. “T recall your face,” replied Mr. Poe, laughing. “It’s dirty,” he added gratuitously. Passion deprived the first mate of judgment. He stepped in, aiming a vicious kick for the pit of the young Poe, still laughing, moved back a foot and caught the mate’s heel, jerking it upward; its fellow flew into the air, and Wall fell, pounding the deck with the back of his head.’ As if on the rebound he was on his feet; something hit him on the point of his jaw, and he rolled into the scuppers, uninterested. Mr. Marks, emerging from the cabin companionway, observed and was astounded. He yapped excitedly, like ‘the dog he was, seized a marlinespike, and ran forward. Poe saw him coming, met him more than halfway; the blow that Marks aimed for the young man’s head fell upon the rail, knocking the weapon from his fist. He had been caught, stirely and swiftly, below the knees, and thrown heavily—a perfect tackle. Poe arose, smiling slightly, and prepared to settle this adversary. it proved unnecessary ; in falling, the second mate’s arm had doubled under him, and was broken. He groaned, and fainted. Scruggs himself, drawn deckward by the uproar, ap- proached. Poe, blood tingling with the joy of battle, rushed for him, but was brought to a halt at the muzzle of a revolver in the captain’s hand. “Put up yer hands!” snapped the captain. ‘Poe lost no time. Instantaneously both hands arose above his head. Unfortunately for Scruggs one fell as rapidly; the edge of the open palm struck the nickeled barrel and the pistol broke at the trigger, ejecting the cartridges. A moment later Captain Scruggs was on his back, nursing his discomfiture and a broken jaw. Poe possessed himself of the revolver, gathered up the cartridges, and reloaded it. ' “Now,” he said pleasantly, ‘ coat know better than to: point popguns at a man who worked on a Texas range, I gue A flying marlinespike, aan with true aim by Mr. Wall, who had wakened, cut him short. He fell insensible from the blow on the back of his head. When he again opened his eyes he was in the lazaret, bound and helpless. - The police sergeant whom Captain Scruggs had brought aboard the dmsi Dodd, as she lay moored to an east Boston wharf, identified the prisoner. Ties 0) te. said; “that’s him—-Poe, Thomas H. Poe, son of Senator Poe, of Texas. Papers been full of his mysterious disappearance. Of course you can make a charge if you want to, captain, but—well, I wouldn’t if I were you.’ Mute, with his bandaged jaw, the captain nodded ac- quiescence. “I’m really rather sorry,’ the young man told him, “that you don’t want to press the matter. I think I could make it interesting for you. However, I promise to re- member you to my father. Good morning. On his way across the city to Cambridge he stopped at a telegraph office. The operator received the message bP) with suspicion; he counted the words audibly. Camprince, August 15th. “Hon. Witt1am H. Por, Houston, Texas: “All tight. “Just arrived. Decided to come part way by sea. Lost money. Please wire funds. Tom.” The operator stared, gasping. Eventually, beneath the THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES. 29 coating of grime and bruises that masked young Poe’s face, he detected the resemblance, “Good Lord,.Tom Poe!’ he cried. | “What “Send it collect,” the young man instructed him calmly. “T had a bit of trouble on shipboard,’ he added; “just. a bit of a scrap. Let’s see; this is the fifteenth, isn’t it? Thought so. I’m just on time. We're called for train- ing at noon to- day, you know. ’Fraid I’d be delayed and lose my place.” When he was gone, the operator turned to a man in the office. “That's Poe,’ he said; “Tom Poe, the greatest half back Harvard ever had. Wonder what happened to him? Anyway, 1 can tell you I’m glad I wasn’t t’other fellow in that scrap!’ A BAFFLING CLEW: Or, A Clever Detective’s Strategy. A SERIAL STORY. By ALDEN F. BRADSHAW. SYNOPSIS. OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. Ralph Barnard, son of Joseph Barnard, a celebrated lawyer of Boston, appears at the office of Chief Inspector Watts and re- ports the mysterious murder of his father. Watts, with the ablest of his detectives, Sheridan Keene, proceeds to the Barnard mansion, in Riverlawn Park, and investigates. Evidence shows that the victim was shot by an unknown person. Suspicion as yet falls upon no particular person. But the charred remains of burned deeds, writs, a will, and other documents are found in the library where the crime was committed. Watts sends Keene to examine the ground outside the house. CHARTER IL. THE EAVESDROPPER. Like one moved by a sudden impulse, the chief now crossed the room and laid his hand on Detective Keene’s shoulder. “A word with you, Keene,” he said softly. “I want you, while | am examining these documents on the floor and table, which may give some hint concerning the visitor who may have been expected here last night, to take a turn outside, with an eye for any suspicious circumstances. Examine the library windows, and the ground beneath them, as well as any other points at which an entrance may have been secretly effected. If you find anything out of the way, report it to me jdtet. “T will investigate at once,’ ’ whispered Sheridan. “And (ll see you before you leave for town.” “Do so!” nodded the chief approvingly. Then he turned back to the table and the disordered documents thereupon; while Keene slipped quietly from the room, closing the door after him. There was a special reason why Sheridan Keene closed the library door behind him. The library opened into a long hall. On the opposite side were the parlors, a large double room divided by a rich portiere. The light from one of the windows of the rear parlor shone into the hall through the rear parlor door, and toward the door of the library. Before leav- ing the library, Keene noticed that though the library door was closed, the-reflection of the outer light could be seen on the polished threshold beneath it, a mere thread of light close to the floor.: With a sudden startling suspicion, We Samp 30 THE BURFALO as he crossed the library to emerge, Keene, by mere _ chance, detected a swift change in the thread of light. It suddenly brightened. It was as if his approaching step had been heard, and as if some startled person, who stood partly in the rays from the rear parlor, had hurriedly moved away. “An eavesdropper !’’ instantly decided Keene, who never lost the significance of such a circumstance. “The mys- tery widens!” If the solution of this mysterious affair was to devolve upon him, with the assistance of Chief Inspector Watts, there would come a better time for making a report to his superior than in the presence of Police Captain Mason, whose officious interest might yet in some way em- barrass them. The long hall was vacant when Keene emerged. Not a sign of the spy. Whoever he was, he had vanished as if into thin air. Now, feeling that he himself ‘might be watched, he made no betrayal of his suspicious discovery. Approach- ing the front door, ‘which was a screen door, the main one standing open, he encountered a girl just entering, evidently one of the servants. “Good morning,” he said quietly. “Good morning, sir,’ said the girl, curtsy.. | : “T presume Ralph and his brother are engaged just now.” “Yes, sir; they are. They are in Mr. Ralph’s room upstairs, sir, writing letters telling friends of the sad death, sir. Do you want them?” “Oh, no,” said Sheridan indifferently. presently.” “Yes, sit. And the servant, removing her hat as she went, as- cended the hall stairs. with a slight “Tm going Sheridan decided that the eavesdropper was neither of . the young men. But the identity of the spy was important. He resolved to meet cunning with cunning. Apparently without special aim, he passed out of doors and sauntered round the veranda, on which the sound of his feet could be heard plainly from within. At the end of five minutes, he tiptoed back to the front/door, hoping that his absence would encourage the spy to return. His hope was rewarded. He caught, like a flash of light, the flutter of white skirts vanishing into the rear parlor. The spy had again retreated from the library door. a “A woman!” muttered Sheridan, with a thrill of sur- prise. “And I reckon I now can corner her!” He entered the hall again, moving quietly but quickly, and then slipped into the main parlor and toward the portiere partly concealing the rear room. As he sus- pected would be the case, the spy was approaching from the opposite direction, apparently anxious to evade obser- vation. : But they met on the very threshold between the two rooms. . , “Oh, mercy! how you startled me!” _ The exclamation, little more than a quick, sharp whis- per, broke involuntarily from the woman. Yet she was young, not more than twenty; and Keene, _ though his nérves were usually as flexible as steel, fairly recoiled for an instant. For never in his life had he looked on such a startling type of feminine beauty. “Startled you, eh!” gasped Keene, as he caught his breath, and his self-possession as well. BILE STORIES. “Greatly, sir!” And a quick smile, manifestly forced, swept the girl’s face. But she, too, had caught herself, Keene decided, and was aiming to avert possible suspicion. ‘Sorry, im sure, ¢said he. “Are you one o1 the servants?” - “No, sir, am not! Do I look like a servant, sir?’ Well, frankly, you do not.” “Nor am I,” was the haughty rejoinder. Howard, one of the family here.” - - “And my name is Keene,” said Sheridan shortly. “I’m “Tam Sybil _a detective, and engaged in looking into this affair.” “A detective!’ she echoed faintly. “Precisely,” nodded Keene, who was steadily taking her measure. “‘But I am striving only to serve justice, Miss Howard, and the innocent need never fear.’? “No, surely not!” assented Sybil, and*her smile re- turned. “If you please I will pass through the parlor and go upstairs to my room.” © “Before you go, Miss Howard, tell me what you were doing out yonder!” he said quietly, with a toss of his head toward the hall. ) “Out where?” she asked equivocally, in a short, sharp whisper. ; “Out-in the hall.” “T wasn’t doing anything out in the hall!” “Oh, yes, you were!” Keene firmly persisted. jme what—and for what reason!” “How. dare you speak so to me! You are impertinent! I am not compelled to answer you!” protested Sybil, with eyes betraying the possession of a latent power that sur- prised even her opposer. “Pardon, but you may be compelled, Miss Howard,” said Keene gently. Let me. pass !”’ “Not yet, please.’’. “You are insolent! You are : “I am firm, rather!’ said Keene, more sternly. “I am a detective, here upon a serious duty, and I mean what I say. Tell me what you were doing in the hall!’ “Tam going to my room, sir!” With sudden impulsive desperation she now made an effort to pass him, but the detective seized either of her fair wrists and gently, yet firmly, detained her. “Listen to me, Miss Howard!” he now commanded, in a low, severe way, which few would care to have dis- regarded, “I want an answer to my question. Either that, or it may be necessary for me to arrest you.” “I cannot hope to cope with you, sir, when it comes to a trial of brute strength! You are a very muscular man! But I am your superior in all other worthy attributes, I will wager !” | | “Possibly!” said Keene dryly. . “Even your. “Oh, I don’t fear that you will arrest me!” interrupted Sybil, with her agitation now displaced by an icy mingling of composure and contempt. “There will be no need of that. Release me, if you please! I will answer your question.” a “Do so,” said Keene, instantly releasing her hands. - “Pardon—what was the question?” she now demanded, with a sneer. ; “T asked what art “I was listening at the library door!” “Playing the eavesdropper ?” “Precisely |” 2 % “Tell > 99 you were doing in the hall, Miss How- ¢ THE BUFFALO “With what oben re “Your question has become two questions, sir!” “Answer question number two, then!’ cried Keene, with ominous severity. Sybil shrugged her shoulders disdainfully. \ “T suppose I shall be compelled, as before, if I decline,” he retorted, with a curling of her red lips. ee only va most foolish fellow would ask such a question.” “T am that foolish fellow, then,’ said Keene, with un- bated firmness. ‘‘Why were you listening at the library oor?” “Goodness gracious, sir, my uncle had been murdered!" ybil now said forcibly. “Ts it strange that I should feel n interest in: what is to follow? Do I not hope his ) death may be avenged? Am I not a woman? Did you ever know a woman without.a woman’s share of curiosity? Attribute my conduct to that, if you like—or to anything Ise you please! For this is all the answer you will re- eive from me, Mr, Presumptuous Detective—and that’s nal!” In reply to her defiant words, he said simply: “You think so, do your” “T know so, sit | May I now go to my room?” “Tf you wish—yes! ie ' He bowed profoundly as she swept. by ads, but his 'crafty gaze never left her splendid face. He glanced through. a window toward which she 'necessarily had turned. _ A young man, just emerged from the thicker woodland _ beyond the cleared park, was hurrying toward the house. Sybil Howard also had observed him, giving her that 'sudden start, Keene had no doubt. ~ m@ He wheeled sharply on his heel and returned to the ) library, purposely closing|the door somewhat noisily. » Ashe had intended, the girl thought herself well rid of him. An expression of triumph instantly lighted, her face, ' But the cunning of oaks was a far than she dreamed. CHAPTER LV: A CONVERSATION OVERHEARD. . Sheridan Keene found Chief Inspector Watts and his » companions still examining the documents and papers \ which strewed the table in the fatal room. m He covered his reentrance-to the nay by saying quietly: m6 lve found nore as yet, ae 7 a turn about the grounds.” The chief looked up, vaguely wondering that he had 1) come at all with such insignificant matter. “Very well!” he growled curtly. Turning quickly, Keene softly-opened the door and 7? regained the hall. A tapping on the pane of a window caught his ear. It appeared to come from the direction of the front parlor. e Hine iE il take to the rear room, stealing to the broad doorway between the two, and concealing himself between the wall and the voluminous folds of the heavy portiére. _ It was as he had suspected—Sybil Howard was tapping ) on the front window to attract the approaching man. : With every faculty on the alert, Keene awaited the a outcome. : aj - Presently the stranger’ s tread cogndad on the veranda stairs. Then the screen door was opened, and he quickly appeared at the drawing-room entrance. With*the silence and celerity of a cat, Keene returned BILL STORIES. | 3f “Good heavens!” thought Keene, the instant he heard his voice. “It is George Slocum!” Sybil, pale and excited, met him almost on the threshold, a grave, handsome young man of two-and-twenty. “My dear Sybil!” he exclaimed. “Is this dreadful news true? Has your uncle indeed But there she cut short his grieved and sympathetic words, impulsively seizing his arm and drawing him into © the room. “Hush!” she whispered vehemently, with a swift glance about. . “First of all, George, hear me!” “What do you mean?” he gasped amazedly. She replied with a caution, haste, and impressive signifi- cance that combined to turn her hearer’s startled amaze- ment to manifest horror and dismay. “Can’t you guess what I mean?” she whispered wildly. “Have you forgotten last night? I’ve been watching madly for you all the morning, lest you should come here with some betrayal. Yet I dared not send you word —I dared not! But I have revealed nothing! Nothing at all! Nor will I-—nor will 1!” “Merciful heavens |” gasped Slocum. “You do not think that “Hush! Not too loud! I do not think at all—I know!” » “Sy Typed Bie oh, George, dear, this is now a matter of life and death! Can’t you see that it is?” “Vou alarar mel |. “Oh, you will! You will when you know all the ter- rible circumstances! Yes, my uncle was murdered last evening! Everything points to the fact that some per- son i “But not the one you would have me think!” Slocum interrupted, in horrified accents. vt could not believe him guilty of But the excited girl could not suffer his demurring. “Tt doesn’t matter whether he is guilty or not!’ she argued, with fervish vehemence. “Everything will indi-_ cate that he is! He would not be the first innocent person to suffer from circumstantial evidence! When you know all, when the details of the terrible crime are revealed to you, you will see them as I do, and think as I think!’ “Ts it possible?” “Nerve yourself! steady yourself!’’ pleaded the girl, all the while exhibiting qualities of heart and mind rare indeed in one of her sex and years. “i _any one should come, your very look would betray you.” “You are right!” muttered Slocum, making a desperate * effort to pull himself together. “Tl be calm—or will try to,be! But this is a frightful shock. I cannot believe what you imply.” “Wait till you know all.” “Ts the evidence indeed so conclusive?” — “Brightfully so!’ - “Yet I cannot believe “Neither believe nor disbelieve!” protested Sybil, with pleading eyes upturned to his. “Put it out of your mind, George! It is not for us to pass joo There is but one course for us to follow.” And thate ‘(Ve must keep the secret—rigidly ! sacredly ! eternally! He will not betray himself, George, never fear that! And we must not betray him! We must keep the secret!” “And you will do this?” asked Slocum, with his quiver- , ing lips betraying the sudden swell of a tender emotion, “You will do this, Sybil?’ . 99 32 THE’ BUFFALO “Yes, I will do it, George!’’ she whispered, with pas- sionate fervor. “I pledge myself to do it! The secret shall be safe with me! My lips shall be sealed for- ever! “I must see you where there is no possibility of inter- ruption,” he said suddenly. “I must know of what this evidence consists. Take me to your room. Can’t you ‘take me to your room?” : “Yes, if you wish,’ assented Sybil quickly. ‘Come.’ And Keene suffered them to depart unmolested. CHAPTER V. WARY CONFIDENCES. Two days later, the funeral of Joseph-Barnard oc- curred, and the.mystery involving his death seemed, in so far as a curious public knew, as dark and insoluble as ever. Both Detective Keene and Captain Mason of the police were present at the funeral, but neither appeared to have any special object, nor to acquire any particular. informa- tion. On leaving, the detective volunteered to take Mason along in his carriage as far as the district police office, and their intercourse during the brief ride was significant. “Well, Keene,” said Captain Mason abruptly, opening what proved to be somewhat of a verbal skirmish; “the victim of this tragedy is dead and will soon be buried; but the perpetrator of the crime is yet undiscovered. On the level, Keene, what do you make of the case?” “Well, on the level, Captain Mason—since you particu- larly desire it on the level!” he laughed oddly, yet meet- ing with general frankness the other’s steady scrutiny; “I am at present very much in the dark.” “Hasn't Chief Watts detatled you on the case?” "Oh, yes! 2 Ves cindead 1? “IT understood from him that he had. He has given me all his points in the affair.” “That so? Well, that’s very like him,’ said Sheridan dryly. “With Inspector Watts there is ever but one ob- ject in view—that of serving justice in the safest, surest, and speediest way. What is the name of that young man I saw you talking with just before we came out- Slocum ?” ; : “Yes, George Slocum,” nodded Captain Mason, not discerning in Keene’s innocent eye that a table had been turned. “He is the only son of Philip Slocum, the mil- lionaire banker.” “Friend of the Barnard boys?” “Very intimate, I understand.” “Is he married, this young Slocum?” . “No, he is not. I hear it rumored that he is soon to marry the daughter of Norton, the piano man. I believe the engagement was lately announced, yet Frank Bar- nard tells me he doubts if there is really anything in it.” “What sort of a man is he?” “An honest young man, I think.” “Don’t happen to know, do you, if at any time it has been thought likely that he would marry Miss Howard, who lives with the Barnards?” asked Keene indifferently. Yet Captain Mason instantly pricked up his ears. He wondered what evidence Keene hdd discovered that prompted such a question. “Not that I know of,” he replied. “Why do you ask?” “Oh, for no reason in particular!” said Keene care-. leasly, “I am carrying the case in mind, and naturall: y ally BILL STORIES. am looking on all sides for a motive for the crime, - feared the immediate return of some of the family, : Thi} Howard girl was the first to reach home the evenin) Barnard was shot,” he added significantly. ' “But surely you don’t imagine she shot him!” exclaime. Mason involuntarily. i “I never imagine anything!” laughed the detective “Either I know or I do not know! I sometimes suspect! but I never imagine. No, I don’t suspect Sybil Howar; —at least, not yet. Still,” and his keen gray eyes came round to search those of the police captain, “there is n¢ knowing what a jealous woman will do, and this Howarg girl rather impresses me as being a Tartar. She is in) fernally handsome.” _ “T admit all that, but I don’t believe that she had an) hand in this affair!” said Captain Mason curtly. “Whd benefits by the Barnard will? In that, possibly, one migh| find a motive for the crime.” | Keene ceased beating about the bush. “Captain Mason,” he said abruptly, “you have. formed a theory!” : - “Ab, do you really think so?’ cried Mason, bridling| “Yes, I do, sir! You think Barnard had an appoint} ment with some man that evening. Not a woman, sit} for he would not have required a revolver to have del fended himself from a woman. The man already was 4 foe of Barnard, or the latter would not have anticipated ari assault, You further think that the appointment wag kept, and during the absence of the other persons fron the house. You think that an altercation resulted bed tween the two men, and that Barnard was assaulted and struck his assailant, and that the latter, in some way se! curing Barnard’s revolver, shot him dead. This mus} have occurred so late in the evening that the criminal the ineffective way in which he fired the place betraye his haste and excitement. He fled, closing the library door behind him, and leaving the room lighted. . Wher the family returned and retired, it naturally was inferre that Barnard was still at work. Instead, he lay dead of the library floor, and the smoldering fire had burned out Captain Mason, that is your theory !” : The latter laughed, but colored slightly. ] “Keene, you have a long head!” he said slowly. «y don’t mind admitting it—that is my theory!” “And the question to be answered is: Who was thel visitor?” “Precisely! Don’t the lawyer’s documents or papers suggest any person with whom he may have had business that evening?” Keene shook his head. “They suggest many persons,” he replied. “Unfortu- nately, many of the documents are considerably burned, In so far as I can determine from the charred remains, they consist largely of deeds, writs, with four or five mort- gages, and one was evidently a will. The latter, however, is so nearly destroyed that I cannot determine even whose will it was. Only a small segment of it is left at all, but by part of a line here and there it appears to in- volvé a considerable property.” In the semidarkness of the early evening, two days subsequent to the burial of Joseph Barnard, a solitary man stole into the great park surrounding the dead cee dwelling and cautiously approached it from one SIC. a, eee ‘The man was Sheridan Keene. TO BE CONTINUED. AY Thi) hiny Me¢ tive’ ect yar( amd : ng varg ing any Nhg ight | med i ling| int} sit} det as @ d ar Was rom beq an@ nusil inal ve rary Thery rre 1 o1 out { « the pers ness yr t- ned, —ains, 1ort- ver, hose} mall, » in- days itary dead one BUFFALO BILL STORIES ISSUED EVERY TUESDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVERS There is no need of our telling American readers how interesting the stories of the adventures of Buffalo Bill, as scout and plainsman, really are. weekly for many years, and are voted to be masterpieces dealing with Western adventure. Buffalo Bill is more popular to-day than he ever was, and, consequently, everybody ought to know all there is to know about him. the actual habits and life of this great man, as by reading the BUFFALO BILL STORIES. You can have your news-dealer order them or they will be sent direct by the publishers to any address upon receipt of the price in money or postage-stamps. We give herewith a list of all of the back numbers in print. 319—Buffalo 321—Buffalo 324—Buffalo 325—Buffalo 326—Buffalo 327—Buffalo 328—Buffalo 329—Buffalo 330—Butffalo 331—Buffalo 332—Buffalo 333 334— Buffalo 335-—Buffalo 336—Buffalo 337—Butffalo 338—-Bulfalo 339— Buffalo 340—Buffalo 341—Buffalo 342—Buffalo 343—Buffalo 344—Butffalo 345— Buffalo 346—Buffalo 348—Buffalo 349—Buffalo 350—Buffalo 351—Buffalo 352—Buffato 353—Buffalo 354—Buffalo 355—Buffalo 356—Buftalo 357—Buffalo 358—Buffalo 359— Buffalo 360—Buffalo 362—Buffalo 363— Buffalo 364—Buffalo 366—Buftalo 367—Butffalo 368—Buffalo 369—Butffalo 370—Buffalo 3871—Buffalo 372— Buffalo 374—Buffalo 375—Buftalo 377— Buffalo 378—Buffalo 379— Buffalo 380—Buftalo 381—Buffalo 382— Buffalo 383—Buffalo 384—Buffalo 385—Buffalo 386—Buffalo 387—Buffalo 388—Buffalo 389—Buftalo 390—Buffalo 391—Buffalo B 292—Buffalo 393—Buffalo 3894—Buffalo 395—Buffalo 3896—Buffalo 397—Buffalo 398—Buffalo 399—Buffalo 400—Buftalo 401—Butffalo Tf you want any thecle aumbers of our weeklies and from this office. 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